bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction is associated with air humidity and particulate matter concentration in preschool children
Authors: Tikkakoski Anna P. , Tikkakoski Antti , Sipilä Kalle , Kivistö Juho E. , Huhtala Heini , Kähönen Mika , Karjalainen Jussi , Lehtimäki Lauri 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBackgroundLong‐term exposure to air pollution is connected to asthma morbidity in children. Exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is common in asthma, and the free running test outdoors is an important method for diagnosing asthma in children. It is not known whether momentary air pollution exposure affects the results of outdoor exercise tests in children.MethodsWe analyzed all reliable exercise challenge tests with impulse oscillometry in children (n = 868) performed between January 2012 and April 2015 at Tampere University Hospital. Pollutant concentrations (PM2.5, NO2, and O3) at the time of the exercise test were collected from public registers. We compared the pollutant concentrations with the proportion and severity of EIB and adjusted the analyses for air humidity and pollen counts.ResultsPollution levels were rarely high (median PM2.5 6.0 µg/m3, NO2 12.0 µg/m3, and O3 47.0 µg/m3). The relative change in resistance at 5 Hz after exercise did not correlate with O3, NO2 or PM2.5 concentrations (p values 0.065−0.884). In multivariate logistic regression, we compared the effects of PM2.5 over 10 µg/m³, absolute humidity (AH) over 10 g/m³ and alder or birch pollen concentration over 10 grains/m³. High (over 10 g/m3) AH was associated with decreased incidence (OR 0.31, p value 0.004), and PM2.5 over 10 µg/m³ was associated with increased incidence (OR 1.69, p value 0.036) of EIB.ConclusionsEven low PM2.5 levels may have an effect on EIB in children. Of the other properties of air, only AH was associated with the incidence of EIB.
Potential effects of RNA interference of Asian longhorned beetle on its parasitoid
Authors: Wang Xingeng , Faucher Jessica , Dhandapani Ramesh Kumar , Duan Jian J. , Palli Subba Reddy 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBackgroundIt is important to understand how non‐target insects such as parasitoids may be impacted directly or indirectly by RNA interference with double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) that has emerged as a novel pest control tool. We examined the potential effects of a dsRNA targeting an inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) of the Asian longhorned beetle Anoplophora glabripennis on its gregarious larval ectoparasitoid Ontsira mellipes, directly on adult wasp's survival via injection of 4 μg of dsIAP per wasp, and indirectly on the detectability and suitability of host larvae injected with 2, 4 or 8 μg of dsIAP per larva.ResultsCompared with no injection or injection with a control dsGFP targeting a region of gene coding for a green fluorescence protein (GFP), dsIAP did not affect adult wasp's survival. Ontsira mellipes locates hosts in the wood by sensing their movement. Host larvae did not completely cease movement after the injection of dsIAP and were still detected and parasitized. Clutch size was reduced and only 3.8% of the parasitoid offspring developed into adults on host larvae treated at the highest dose. However, clutch size was not affected and 25.5% of the parasitoid offspring developed into adults on host larvae treated at the lowest dose. The fitness of developed wasps (development time, sex ratio, body size, and fecundity) was not affected when compared to the control treatments. No dsIAP was detected in parasitoid larvae.ConclusionThe results show no direct effect of the dsRNA on its parasitoid, but the potential indirect effect of dsRNA‐affected host on the parasitoid, which may be minimized through optimizing dsRNA dosage to promote compatible applications of both management options for this invasive forest pest. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
Low‐Cost Antimony Selenosulfide with Tunable Bandgap for Highly Efficient Solar Cells
Authors: Dong Jiabin , Liu Huizhen , Cao Zixiu , Liu Yue , Bai Yuxing , Chen Mohan , Liu Bei , Wu Li , Luo Jingshan , Zhang Yi , Liu Shengzhong (Frank) 
Published: December 2022

AbstractAbout 10% efficient antimony selenosulfide (Sb2(S,Se)3) solar cell is realized by using selenourea as a hydrothermal raw material to prepare absorber layers. However, tailoring the bandgap of hydrothermal‐based Sb2(S,Se)3 film to the ideal bandgap (1.3–1.4 eV) using the selenourea for optimal efficiency is still a challenge. Moreover, the expensive selenourea dramatically increases the fabricating cost. Here, a straightforward one‐step hydrothermal method is developed to prepare high‐quality Sb2(S,Se)3 films using a novel precursor sodium selenosulfate as the selenium source. By tuning the Se/(Se+S) ratio in the hydrothermal precursor solution, a series of high‐quality Sb2(S,Se)3 films with reduced density of deep defect states and tunable bandgap from 1.31 to 1.71 eV is successfully prepared. Consequently, the best efficiency of 10.05% with a high current density of 26.01 mA cm−2 is achieved in 1.35 eV Sb2(S,Se)3 solar cells. Compared with the traditional method using selenourea, the production cost for the Sb2(S,Se)3 devices is reduced by over 80%. In addition, the device exhibits outstanding stability, maintaining more than 93% of the initial power conversion efficiency after 30 days of exposure in the atmosphere without encapsulation. The present work definitely paves a facile and effective way to develop low‐cost and high‐efficiency chalcogenide‐based photovoltaic devices.
Manipulating the Rectifying Contact between Ultrafine Ru Nanoclusters and N‐Doped Carbon Nanofibers for High‐Efficiency pH‐Universal Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Zhou Guangyao , Zhang Sike , Zhu Yufeng , Li Jing , Sun Kang , Pang Huan , Zhang Mingyi , Tang Yawen , Xu Lin 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe rational design of ingenious strategies to boost the intrinsic activity and stability of ruthenium (Ru) is of great importance for the substantial progression of water electrolysis technology. Based on Mott–Schottky effect, electronic regulation within a metal/semiconductor hybrid electrocatalyst represents a versatile strategy to boost the electrochemical performance. Herein, a typical Mott–Schottky hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst composed of uniform ultrafine Ru nanoclusters in situ anchored on N‐doped carbon nanofibers (abbreviated as Ru@N‐CNFs hereafter) through a feasible and scalable “phenolic resin‐bridged” strategy is reported. Both spectroscopy analyses and density functional theory calculations manifest that such rectifying contact can induce the spontaneous electron transfer from Ru to N‐doped carbon nanofibers to generate a built‐in electric field, thus enormously promoting the charge transfer efficiency and HER intrinsic activity. Moreover, the seamless immobilization of Ru nanoclusters on the substrate can prevent the active sites from unfavorable migration, coarsening, and detachment, rendering the excellent structural stability. Consequently, the well‐designed Ru@N‐CNFs afford prominent pH‐universal HER performances with small overpotentials of 16 and 17 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and low Tafel slopes of 31.8 and 28.5 mV dec−1 in acidic and alkaline electrolytes, respectively, which are superior to the state‐of‐the‐art commercial Pt/C and Ru/C benchmarks.
Physicochemical characteristics of beer with grape must addition produced using non-Saccharomyces yeasts
Authors: Cioch-Skoneczny Monika , Cichoń Natalia , Satora Paweł , Skoneczny Szymon 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe aim of the paper was to determine the potential of using grape must and unconventional yeasts in the beer production process. Samples were fermented using non-Saccharomyces yeasts (Dekkera bruxellensis 3429, Wickerhamomyces anomalus MG971261, Kluyveromyces lactis MG971263), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Safale US-05 was used as a control. Grape must was pasteurized and, together with wort, volumetrically introduced into fermentation flasks for fermentation. Mass changes taking place during the process were analyzed. Real extract, alcohol content, free amino nitrogen (FAN) content, titratable acidity, color, and sugar profile were determined in obtained beers. The obtained results have proven that the tested non-Saccharomyces yeasts can adapt to fermentation conditions, just like S. cerevisiae Safale US-05, and can be used to produce beer-wine hybrid alcoholic beverages. The yeast K. lactis MG971263 produced a greater amount of alcohol in beers compared to other yeast strains. There were no significant differences in the color of the obtained beers and in the degree of FAN utilization during the fermentation process. The unconventional yeasts used are capable of producing beers without and with the addition of grape must with parameters similar to beers obtained using S. cerevisiae Safale US-05.
A meta-analysis of structural MRI studies of the brain in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Authors: Cox Jennifer G. , de Groot Marius , Cole James H. , Williams Steven C. R. , Kempton Matthew J. 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
A comprehensive search of published literature in brain volumetry was conducted in three autoimmune diseases — systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and ulcerative colitis (UC) — with the intention of performing a meta-analysis of published data. Due to the lack of data in RA and UC, the reported meta-analysis was limited to SLE. The MEDLINE database was searched for studies from 1988 to March 2022. A total of 175 papers met the initial inclusion criteria, and 16 were included in a random-effects meta-analysis. The reduction in the number of papers included in the final analysis is primarily due to the lack of overlap in measured and reported brain regions. A significantly lower volume was seen in patients with SLE in the hippocampus, corpus callosum, and total gray matter volume measurements as compared to age- and sex-matched controls. There were not enough studies to perform a meta-analysis for RA and UC; instead, we include a summary of published volumetric studies. The meta-analyses revealed structural brain abnormalities in patients with SLE, suggesting that lower global brain volumes are associated with disease status. This volumetric difference was seen in both the hippocampus and corpus callosum and total gray matter volume measurements. These results indicate both gray and white matter involvements in SLE and suggest there may be both localized and global reductions in brain volume.
Prognostic value of PD-L1 expression in recurrent renal cell carcinoma after nephrectomy: a secondary analysis of the ARCHERY study
Authors: Tamada Satoshi , Nozawa Masahiro , Ohba Kojiro , Mizuno Ryuichi , Takamoto Atsushi , Ohe Chisato , Yoshimoto Takuya , Nakagawa Yuki , Fukuyama Tamaki , Matsubara Nobuaki , Kimura Go , Tomita Yoshihiko , Nonomura Norio , Eto Masatoshi 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
Nephrectomy is a curative treatment for localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but patients with poor prognostic features may experience relapse. Understanding the prognostic impact of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in patients who underwent nephrectomy for RCC may aid in future development of adjuvant therapy.

Methods
Of 770 surgical specimens collected from Japanese patients enrolled in the ARCHERY study, only samples obtained from patients with recurrent RCC after nephrectomy were examined for this secondary analysis. Patients were categorized into low- and high-risk groups based on clinical stage and Fuhrman grade. Time to recurrence (TTR) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.

Results
Both TTR and OS were shorter in patients with PD-L1-positive than -negative tumors (median TTR 12.1 vs. 21.9 months [HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.17, 1.81]; median OS, 75.8 vs. 97.7 months [HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.00, 1.75]). TTR and OS were shorter in high-risk patients with PD-L1-positive than -negative tumors (median TTR 7.6 vs. 15.3 months [HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.11, 2.00]; median OS, 55.2 vs. 83.5 months [HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.06, 2.21]) but not in low-risk patients.

Conclusions
This ARCHERY secondary analysis suggests that PD-L1 expression may play a role in predicting OS and risk of recurrence in high-risk patients with localized RCC.
Clinical Trial Registration: UMIN000034131.
Debris flow susceptibility mapping using the Rock Engineering System (RES) method: a case study
Authors: Vianello Davide , Vagnon Federico , Bonetto Sabrina , Mosca Pietro 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe main purpose of the present study is to develop a debris flow susceptibility map of a mountain area (Susa Valley, Western Italian Alps) by using an upgraded version of the Bonetto et al. (Journal of Mountain Science 18, 2021) approach based on the Rock Engineering System (RES) method. In particular, the area under investigation was discretized in a 5 × 5-m grid on which GIS-based analyses were performed. Starting from available databases, several geological, geo-structural, morphological and hydrographical predisposing parameters were identified and codified into two interaction matrices (one for outcropping lithologies and one for Quaternary deposits), to evaluate their mutual interactions and their weight in the susceptibility estimation. The result for each grid point is the debris flow propensity index (DfPI), an index that estimates the susceptibility of the cell to be a potential debris flow source. The debris flow susceptibility map obtained was compared with those obtained from two expedited and universally recognized susceptibility methods, i.e. the Regional Qualitative Heuristic Susceptibility Mapping (RQHSM) and the Likelihood Ratio (LR). Each map was validated by using the Prediction Rate Curve method. The limitations and strong points of the approaches analysed are discussed, with a focus on the innovativeness and uniqueness of the RES. In fact, in the study site, the RES method was the most efficient for the detection of potential source areas. These results prove its robustness, cost-effectiveness and speed of application in the identification and mapping of sectors capable of triggering debris flow.
Approximation of a Continuous Core-periphery Model by Core-periphery Models with a Large Number of Small Regions
Authors: Tabata Minoru , Eshima Nobuoki 
Published: December 2022

AbstractFor a continuous core-periphery model, we construct a core-periphery model with n regions for each $$n\ge 2$$

n
≥
2

. Assuming that the known functions of the core-periphery model with n regions and the diameters of n regions converge to the known functions of the continuous core-periphery model and 0 respectively as the number n tends to infinity, this paper proves approximate relations between the continuous core-periphery model and core-periphery models with a large number of small regions when the models are in short-run equilibrium.
Polynomial Liénard systems with a nilpotent global center
Authors: García Isaac A. , Llibre Jaume 
Published: December 2022

AbstractA center for a differential system $$\dot{\textbf{x}}=f(\textbf{x})$$

x
˙

=
f

(
x
)

in $${\mathbb {R}}^2$$

R

2

is a singular point p having a neighborhood U such that $$U\setminus \{p\}$$

U
\
{
p
}

is filled with periodic orbits. A global center is a center p such that $${\mathbb {R}}^2\setminus \{p\}$$

R

2

\

{
p
}

is filled with periodic orbits. There are three kinds of centers, the centers p such that the Jacobian matrix Df(p) has purely imaginary eigenvalues, the nilpotent centers p such that Df(p) is a nilpotent matrix, and the degenerate centers p such that the matrix Df(p) is the zero matrix. For the first class of centers there are several works studying when such centers are global. As far as we know there are no works for studying the nilpotent global centers. One of the most studied classes of differential systems in $${\mathbb {R}}^2$$

R

2

are the polynomial Liénard differential systems. The objective of this paper is to study the nilpotent global centers of the polynomial Liénard differential systems.
Bochner–Kodaira Formulas and the Type IIA Flow
Authors: Fei Teng , Phong Duong H. , Picard Sebastien , Zhang Xiangwen 
Published: December 2022

AbstractA new derivation of the flow of metrics in the Type IIA flow is given. It is better adapted to the formulation of the flow as a variant of a Laplacian flow, and it uses the projected Levi–Civita connection of the metrics themselves instead of their conformal rescalings.
Rinorea spongiocarpa and Rinorea dimakoensis (Violaceae), new threatened species of forest trees from East and South Regions of Cameroon and Gabon
Authors: Achoundong Gaston , Cheek Martin 
Published: December 2022

SummaryTwo tree species are described as new to science: Rinorea spongiocarpa Achound. sp. nov. (placed in Rinorea [unranked] Brachypetalae) and R. dimakoensis Achound. sp. nov. (placed in Rinorea [unranked] Ilicifolieae). Both species occur in Cameroon, south of the Sanaga river, the first from South and East Regions, occurring in evergreen forest from Ngovayang and Lolodorf across the southern plateau to the Dja forest. The second extends also to Gabon, occurring in Cameroon in the northern part of East Region in semi-deciduous forest towards the interface with woodland habitats in the Dimako-Bertoua area. The two species are mapped and illustrated, and their affinities and conservation status according to the 2012 IUCN categories and criteria are discussed. Both R. spongiocarpa and R. dimakoensis are threatened with extinction due to habitat destruction, both are assessed as Vulnerable.
Impatiens banen and Impatiens etugei (Balsaminaceae), new threatened species from lowland of the Cross-Sanaga Interval, Cameroon
Authors: Cheek Martin , Osborne Jo , van der Burgt Xander , Darbyshire Iain , Onana Jean Michel 
Published: December 2022

SummaryWe describe two range-restricted new species to science from the genus Impatiens (Balsaminaceae), both threatened, from lowland of the Cross-Sanaga Interval of western Cameroon. The first, Impatiens banen, appears to be restricted to an open seepage microhabitat on granitic inselbergs in the lowland-submontane forest zone of the Ebo Forest in Littoral Region and is provisionally assessed using the 2012 IUCN standard as Vulnerable. Sharing characters with Impatiens burtonii and I. mannii, it differs from both, and appears to be unique in Cameroon inter alia 1) in the bicolored united lateral petals, the upper petals being white, while the lower petals are an intense pink-purple, 2) the hairy, filamentous spur, purple with a white apex, is curved along its length, almost describing a circle. Inselberg-specific species are unusual in Impatiens.The second species, Impatiens etugei, of the I. macroptera aggregate, is restricted to rocks in the Mutel River of the Kom Wum Forest Reserve of North West Region and is assessed as Critically Endangered. Having similarities with I. mackeyana and I. letouzeyi, it differs from other species in the aggregate inter alia by having opposite leaves (vs always alternate), flower exterior white (vs pink or pink-purple), and in the dorsal petal having a pair of lateral projections (vs projections absent).
Investigating the relationship between self-perception of fracture risk and prior fracture: findings from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study
Authors: Bevilacqua Gregorio , Westbury Leo D. , Bloom Ilse , Zhang Jean , Ward Kate A. , Cooper Cyrus , Dennison Elaine M. 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
Self-perceived risk of fracture (SPR) is associated with fracture independent of FRAX calculated risk. To understand this better we considered whether lifestyle factors not included in the FRAX algorithm and psychosocial factors (social isolation, self-efficacy, or mental health status) explain the relationship between SPR and fracture.

Methods
We studied 146 UK community-dwelling older adults from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study. SPR ranked as ‘lower’, ‘similar’ and ‘higher’ relative to others of the same age, was assessed by questionnaire. Social isolation was assessed using the six-item Lubben Social Network Scale; self-efficacy was assessed using a shortened General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE); mental health status was assessed using the anxiety/depression item from the EuroQoL questionnaire. SPR in relation to previous self-reported fracture was examined using logistic regression.

Results
Among participants of median age 83.4 (IQR 81.5–85.5) years, SPR was lower for 54.1% of participants, similar for 30.8%, and higher for 15.1%; 74.7% reported no previous fractures. Greater SPR was associated with increased odds of previous fractures when adjusting for sex and age only (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.03–2.87, per higher band of SPR). While further individual adjustment for social isolation (1.73, 1.04–2.89), self-efficacy (1.71, 1.02–2.85), or mental health (1.77, 1.06–2.97) did not attenuate the relationship, individual adjustment for diet quality and number of comorbidities did.

Conclusions
Adjustment for social isolation, self-efficacy or mental health status did not attenuate the relationship between SPR and fracture. By contrast, lifestyle factors not included in FRAX, such as diet quality, did attenuate relationships, suggesting a possible future area of investigation.
LTF-NSI: a novel local transfer function based on neighborhood similarity index for medical image enhancement
Authors: Okuwobi Idowu Paul , Ding Zhixiang , Wan Jifeng , Jiang Jiajia , Ding Shuxue 
Published: December 2022

AbstractMedical image is an essential tool used in quantitative and qualitative evaluation of different diseases. Medical imaging methods such as fluorescein angiography (FA), optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), computed tomography (CT), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and X-ray are used for diagnosis. These imaging modalities suffer from low contrast, which leads to deterioration in the image quality. Consequently, this causes limitation in the usage of medical images in clinical routine and hindered its potential by depriving clinicians from assessing useful information that are needed in disease monitoring, treatment, progression, and decision-making. To overcome this limitation, we propose a novel local transfer function for medical image enhancement algorithm using the pixel neighborhood constraint. The proposed algorithm uses block-wise intensity distribution to generate the regional similarity index. The regional similarity index transformed each centered pixel in the block, to generate a new similarity image. An intuitive optimization algorithm is utilized to optimize the proposed algorithm parameters. Experimentation results show that the proposed LTF-NSI performs better than the state-of-the-art methods and improves the interpretability and perception of the medical images, which can provide clinicians and computer vision program with good quantitative and qualitative information.