bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Indeterminacy of Cannabis Impairment and ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC) Levels in Blood and Breath
Authors: DeGregorio Michael W. , Wurz Gregory T. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Previous investigators have found no clear relationship between specific blood concentrations of D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (D9-THC) and impairment, and thus no scientific justification for use of legal “per se” D9-THC blood concentration limits. Analyzing blood from 30 subjects showed D9-THC concentrations that exceeded 5 ng/mL in 16 of the 30 subjects following a 12-hour period of abstinence in the absence of any impairment. In blood and exhaled breath samples collected from a group of 34 subjects at baseline prior to smoking, increasing breath D9-THC levels were related to increasing blood levels in the absence of impairment, suggesting that single measurements of D9-THC in breath, as is blood, are not related to impairment. When post-smoking duration of impairment was compared to baseline D9-THC blood concentrations, subjects with the highest baseline D9-THC levels tended to have the shortest duration of impairment. It was further shown that subjects with the shortest duration of impairment also tended to have the lowest incidence of horizontal gaze nystagmus at 3 h post-smoking. Finally, analysis of breath samples from these subjects revealed the presence of transient cannabinoids such as cannabigerol, cannabichromene, and D9-tetrahydrocannabivarin during the peak impairment window, suggesting that these compounds may be key indicators of recent cannabis use through inhalation. In conclusion, these results provide further evidence that single measurements of D9-THC in blood, and now in exhaled breath, do not correlate with impairment following inhalation, and that other cannabinoids may be key indicators of recent cannabis inhalation.
MER Use and Prolonged Surgical Duration May Not Be Risk Factors for Pneumocephalus Formation During DBS
Authors: Iess Guglielmo , Bonomo Giulio , Levi Vincenzo , Aquino Domenico , Zekaj Edvin , Mezza Federica , Servello Domenico 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Purpose: Although only recently directional leads have proven their potential to compensate for sub-optimally placed electrodes, optimal lead positioning remains the most critical factor in degerming Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) outcome. Pneumocephalus is a recognized source of error, but the factors that contribute to its formation are still a matter of debate. Among these, operative time is one of the most controversial. Because cases of DBS performed with Microelectrode Recordings (MER) are affected by a significant increase in surgical length, it is useful to test for a difference in volumes of air in groups of patients who underwent MER during DBS and those who did not.Methods: 73 and 21 patients who underwent DBS from two different Institutes were analyzed for the presence of postoperative pneumocephalus. The volumes of subdural air of patients who underwent the procedure with the use of microelectrode recordings were compared with those who underwent simple image-guided placement using the Mann-Whitney-U test. A correlation was also tested between surgical operative length and volume of air in a subset of patients. Results: The volumes of air of cases in which MER were utilized were not statistically different from those performed without (p= 0.292). In a similar manner, surgical duration did not predict air volume. Side of surgery (monolateral vs. bilateral) also failed to demonstrate a statistically significant difference (p= 0.075), as well as age.Conclusion: operative time is probably not a significant parameter influencing pneumocephalus’ formation.
Design of hydroponic system for screening of ornamental plant species for removal of synthetic dyes using phytoremediation approach
Authors: Kaur Navjeet , Kaushal Jyotsna , Mahajan Pooja , Srivas Arun Lal 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Most of the dyes are carcinogenic and mutagenic in nature. Plants are potential candidates to remediate textile dye wastewater from contaminated sites. The present study aimed to design an efficient hydroponic system to screen potential ornamental plant species for removal of synthetic dye solution of triarylmethane dye Methylene Blue (MB) and diazo dye Congo Red (CR). The plants selected for screening are Trachyspermum ammi, Tagetes erecta, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Chrysanthemum indicum, Bryophyllum fedtschenkoi, and Catharanthus roseus. The phytotreatment of dyes was done up to 40 h for two different concentrations of dyes, i.e., 10 and 20 mg L−1. Among screened plant species, the maximum decolorization was obtained from T. ammi followed by B. fedtschenkoi. Both plant species showed active growth in indigenous designed hydroponic system even after the phytoremediation process. T. ammi decolorized the MB dye 99% (10 mg L−1) and 86% (20 mg L−1) while the decolorization of the CR dye solution was up to 95% (10 mg L−1) and 84% (20 mg L−1). T. ammi was found to have maximum potential among screened plants for the removal of MB and CR dye from synthetic dye solution and can be used for phytoremediation of wastewater contaminated with synthetic dyes.
Design, synthesis, and pharmacological evaluation of aryl oxadiazole linked 1,2,4-triazine derivatives as anticonvulsant agents
Authors: Grover Gourav , Pal Rohit , Bhatia Rohit , Nath rajarshi , Singh Shamsher , Raj Khadga , Kumar Bhupinder , AKHTAR MD JAWAID 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
A series of new clubbed aryl oxadiazole-1,2,4-triazine derivatives (6a-l) were designed and synthesized using appropriate chemical routes. The structures were designed having the required structural elements for any compounds to be potential anticonvulsant. Preliminary (Phase I) screening of anticonvulsant activity was performed by means of maximal electroshock seizure (MES), subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure (scPTZ) and behavioral activity was assessed by motor impairment test and actophotometer test. The derivatives 6-((5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)amino)-1,2,4-triazine-3(2H)-thione (6f) and 6-((5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)amino)-1,2,4-triazine-3(2H)-thione (6g) revealed significant activity against both MES and scPTZ indicating that the compounds are effective against both generalized tonic-clonic and absence seizure. The lead compound (6g) was further evaluated for quantitative (Phase II) evaluation and emerged as most effective anticonvulsant with median effective dose of 28.5 mg/kg (MES ED50), 76.6 mg/kg (scPTZ) and toxic dose (TD50) was found to be > 500 mg/kg. In the GABA estimation study results showed significantly increased GABA concentration.
Utility of silver-nanoparticles for nano-fluorimetric determination of vancomycin hydrochloride in pharmaceutical formulation and biological fluids: Greenness assessment
Authors: Mohamed Ahmed R. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Vancomycin hydrochloride (VANH) is a glycopeptide antibiotic commonly employed in the prophylaxis and therapy of various gram-positive bacterial life-threatening infections. Due to the narrow therapeutic window of VANH, its serum levels should be well-monitored to avoid toxicity and optimize its therapy. Herein, an innovative silver-nanoparticles enhanced fluorescence technique was designed for VANH rapid analysis in miscellaneous matrices. This technique is based on reinforcement of VANH fluorescence intensity with silver-nanoparticles that were synthesized by a redox reaction between VANH and silver nitrate in NaOH alkaline medium using polyvinylpyrrolidone as a stabilizer. The produced silver-nanoparticles were characterized by using UV-visible spectroscopy and transmission electron microscope (TEM) micrograph. The fluorescence intensity was measured at 394 nm after excitation at 259 nm. Under optimum conditions, a good linear relationship was accomplished between the VANH concentration and the fluorescence intensity in a range of (1-36) ng/mL with a limit of detection of 0.29 ng/mL. Greenness assessment was performed using two assessment tools namely; eco-scale scoring and green analytical procedure index revealing excellent greenness of the proposed technique. The proposed technique was validated according to ICH recommendations and statistically compared with the reported HPLC method revealing no significant difference concerning accuracy and precision at p=0.05. The proposed technique depended primarily on the water as a cheap and eco-friendly solvent consequently; it’s regarded as a green alternative to the expensive chromatographic techniques that utilize hazardous organic solvents. Furthermore, the attained ultrasensitivity of the proposed technique can be adapted for VANH monitoring and studying its bioequivalence in biological fluids.
Environmental characterization of two ecologically distinct Gangetic oxbow lakes using zooplankton taxonomic indices through comparative approach for wetland monitoring
Authors: Kumari Suman , Lianthuamluaia Lianthuamluaia , Sarkar Uttam Kumar , Puthiyottil Mishal , Karnatak Gunjan , Meena Dharmendra Kumar , Mandhir Sandhya Kavitha , Hassan Md Abul , Jaiswar Ashok Kumar , Sharma Anil Prakash , Das Basanta Kumar 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The present investigation attempted environmental characterization of two ecologically distinct oxbow lakes through zooplankton taxonomic indices using a comparative approach. These closed and seasonally open oxbow lakes are subjected to eutrophication due to different nutrient concentration and eco-hydrological characteristics. The zooplanktons are closely link with surrounding environment throughout their life cycles and change rapidly, hence act as potential indicator of eutrophication. The study examined the assemblage pattern of zooplankton community and trophic state of two ecologically distinct oxbow lakes based on eco-hydrological factors and community structure of rotifers and planktonic crustaceans seasonally over a period of 2 years. Comprehensive trophic state index (mTSI), rotifer trophic state index (mTSIROT) and Crustacean based indices (TSICR) were used to assess the degree of eutrophication. The Kruskal-Wallis test confirmed the heterogeneity of the eco-hydrological factors between the oxbow lakes. Both lakes showed transition from high meso-eutrophic to moderately eutrophic state with mTSI, mTSIrot and mTSIcr values of 54.90±11.71 and 56.95±15.64, 59.55±4.54 and 60.26±4.48, 55.79±4.76 and 60.00±4.03 in Khalsi (seasonally open) and Akaipur (closed) respectively. The Canonical Correspondence analysis (CCA) revealed water quality parameters comparison NO3−N, water temperature and pH have contributed more in enhancement of abundance of eutrophication indicator species Brachionus and Keratella. An overview of worldwide use of rotifer and crustacean based indices in assessment of TSI has also been synthesized. The use of these zooplankton indices to evaluate the trophic status of the ecologically distinct lakes is highly recommended for water quality assessment and management.
A Piecewise Sine Waveguide for Terahertz Traveling Wave Tube
Authors: Zhang Luqi , Jiang Yi , Lei Wenqiang , Hu Peng , Tang Xianfeng , Ma Guowu , Chen Hongbin , Wei Yanyu 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
In this paper, a piecewise sine waveguide (PWSWG) is proposed as the slow-wave structure (SWS) to develop high power terahertz travelling wave tube (TWT). The PWSWG evolves from a rectangular waveguide oscillating with the piecewise sine curve along its longitudinal direction. Through the analysis of slow wave characteristics and transmission properties, it can be found that the PWSWG SWS has the advantages of high interaction impedance and excellent electromagnetic transmission performance. Furthermore, the calculation results of beam-wave interaction show that the TWT based on PWSWG SWS can generate the radiated power of 251W at the typical frequency of 220GHz, corresponding to a gain of 37.01dB and an interaction efficiency of 6.8%. Compared with the conventional sine waveguide (SWG) TWTs, the PWSWG TWT has higher interaction efficiency and shorter saturation tube length. In conclusion, the PWSWG will be considered as the potential SWS for high power terahertz radiation sources.
Ulva grossa sp. nov. (Ulvales, Chlorophyta) from Korea based on molecular and morphological analyses
Authors: Kang Pil Joon , An Jae Woo , Nam Ki Wan 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
A marine green algal species was collected from the eastern coast of Korea. This species shares the generic features of Ulva, and is characterized by irregularly shaped thalli, relatively small and thick thallus, entire undulate margins without serrations and one or two pyrenoids per cell. In a phylogenetic tree based on sequences of the nuclear-encoded internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of ribosomal (r)DNA, it nests as a sister clade to some species including U. ohnoi with a relatively large thallus. This Korean alga differs from those species forming the same or subclades, such as U. ohnoi, U. fasciata, U. reticulata, and U. gigantean, in having a relatively small (3–8 cm) and thick (60–100 µm) thallus. Of these species, U. ohnoi originally described from Japan is similar to the Korean alga in having a more or less thick thallus of 30–90 µm, but is distinguished from the Korean species in often having microscopic serrations in the thallus margin. The genetic distance between this Korean entity and those species was calculated as 1.8–4.8%, which is considered to be an inter-specific divergence level with the genus Ulva. Ulva grossa sp. nov. (Ulvales, Chlorophyta) is described from Korea based on the morphological and molecular analyses herein.
Acidification of endothelial Weibel-Palade bodies is mediated by the vacuolar-type H + - ATPase
Authors: Terglane Julian , Menche Dirk , Gerke Volker 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Weibel-Palade bodies (WPB) are unique secretory granules of endothelial cells that store the procoagulant von-Willebrand factor (VWF) in a highly compacted form. Upon exocytosis the densely packed VWF unfurls into long strands that expose binding sites for circulating platelets and thereby initiate the formation of a platelet plug at sites of blood vessel injury. Dense packing of VWF requires the establishment of an acidic pH in the lumen of maturing WPB but the mechanism responsible for this acidification has not yet been fully established. We show here that subunits of the vacuolar-type H+-ATPase are present on mature WPB and that interference with the proton pump activity of the ATPase employing inhibitors of different chemical nature blocks proper acidification and maturation of WPB. Furthermore, depletion of the V-ATPase subunit V0d1 from primary endothelial cells prevents WPB acidification and the establishment of an elongated morphology of WPB that is dictated by the densely packed VWF tubules. Thus, the vacuolar-type H+-ATPase present on WPB is required for proper acidification and maturation of the organelle.
In-hospital Mortality of Critically Ill Patients with Interactions of Acute Kidney Injury and Acute Respiratory Failure in the Resource-limited Settings: Results from SEA-AKI Study
Authors: Srisa Nattachai , Kulvichit Win , Sarnvanichpitak Kittipon , Peerapornrattana Sadudee , Tungsanga Somkanya , Lumlertgul Nuttha , Praditpornsilpa Kearkiat , Tungsanga Kriang , Eiam-Ong Somchai , Kellum John A , group SEA-AKI study 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: While the theory of kidney-lung interorgan cross-talk has been postulated for several years, their clinical outcomes and causal relationship remained unclear. Thus, our goal was to describe clinical outcomes and explore the interactions between acute kidney injury (AKI) and acute respiratory failure (ARF) in critically ill patients.Methods: Data were retrieved from the SEA-AKI study, a multinational multicenter database of adult ICUs from Thailand, Laos, and Indonesia. AKI was defined using KDIGO criteria stage 2-3. ARF was defined by being mechanically ventilated. Patients were assigned into 6 patterns based on AKI and ARF sequence: “no AKI/ARF”, “ARF alone”, “AKI alone”, “ARF first”, “AKI first”, and “Concurrent AKI-ARF”. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality of each pattern.Results: A final cohort of 5468 patients were eligible for the analysis. The “Concurrent AKI-ARF” had the highest in-hospital mortality of 69.6%. The “AKI first” and the “ARF first” had in-hospital mortality of 54.4% and 53%, respectively. Among patients with single organ failure, in-hospital mortality was 14.6% and 31.5% in the “AKI alone” and the “ARF alone”, accordingly. In-hospital mortality was 12.4% in patients without AKI and ARF. Conclusion: Critically ill patients with ARF and AKI are at higher risk of in-hospital death. Further analysis and experiment is suggested to better understand the nature of this relationship.
Predictive Neuroimaging Features and Growth Characteristics of Pediatric Brain Tumors Using Pre-Diagnostic Neuroimaging
Authors: Green Shannon Marie , Vuong Victoria , Khanna Paritosh , Crawford John 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate for predictive neuroimaging features of pediatric brain tumor development and quantify tumor growth characteristics.
Methods
Retrospective review of 1098 consecutive pediatric patients at a single institution with newly diagnosed brain tumors from January 2009 to October 2021was performed. Pre-diagnostic and diagnostic neuroimaging features (e.g., tumor size, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values), clinical presentations, and neuropathology were recorded. High- and low-grade tumor sizes were fit to linear and exponential growth regression models.
Results
Fourteen of 1098 patients (1%) had neuroimaging before diagnosis of a brain tumor (8 females, mean age 8.1 years, imaging interval 0.2-8.7 years). Tumor types included low-grade glioma (n = 4), embryonal tumors (n = 3), ependymoma (n = 3), and others (n = 4). Pre-diagnostic imaging of corresponding tumor growth sites were abnormal in four cases (28%) and demonstrated higher ADC values in diagnostically high-grade tumors (p = 0.05). Growth regression analyses demonstrated R2-values of 0.92 and 0.91 using a linear model and 0.64 and 0.89 using an exponential model for high- and low-grade tumors, respectively; estimated minimum velocity of diameter expansion was 2.4 cm/year for high-grade tumors and 0.4 cm/year for low-grade tumors. High-grade tumors demonstrated faster growth rate of diameter and solid tumor volume compared to low-grade tumors (p = 0.02, p = 0.03, respectively).
Conclusions
This is the first study to utilize pre-diagnostic neuroimaging to demonstrate that linear and exponential growth rate models can be used to estimate pediatric brain tumor growth velocity and should be validated in a larger cohort.
Polysulfone Membranes With Embedded Palladium Nanoparticles for Catalytic Reduction of 4-nitrophenol
Authors: Patala Rapelang , Khumalo Nomcebo P , Nyoni Hlengilizwe , Mamba Bhekie Brilliance , Liu Dan , Gui Jianzhou , Kuvarega Alex Tawanda 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Enhancing the catalytic activity of supported nanocatalysts is an effective strategy to mitigate costly catalyst separation processes in many industrial processes. In this study, catalytic polysulfone (PS) membranes decorated with in-situ synthesized palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) were fabricated. The membranes were characterised by SEM, XRD, SAXSpace, FTIR, TEM, AFM, contact angle measurements and EDS. Effect of different amounts of PdNPs on the physicochemical properties, water flux, contact angle and catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) were investigated, and the degradation mechanism proposed. Results showed a uniform dispersion of small (~5 nm) PdNPs in the membrane. Water flux correlated well with increased membrane porosity which was a function of PdNP loading within the membranes. The Pd loaded membranes showed improved hydrophilicity. Very low PdNP loading (1.0 wt %) resulted in about 90% reduction of 4-NP to 4-AP was mainly due to the catalytic effect of PdNPs.
Assembling hierarchies of action using sequencing and abstraction: studies and models of zero-shot learning
Authors: Williams Gwydion , Palminteri Stefano , Haggard Patrick 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Although the hierarchical structure of human action is widely acknowledged, we do not fully understand how hierarchies of action are assembled. The standard view is that low-level actions are sequenced to establish higher-level routines of behaviour. Here we develop an alternative approach to building hierarchies, based on two insights. First, we consider relations between sequence elements. Second, we identify abstract features common to several such relations, and show how these abstract features allow for flexible action sequence learning. We combine sequencing and abstraction within a single model of hierarchical structure and test this model in two distinct versions of a novel experimental paradigm. We demonstrate that humans can learn entirely novel sequences of actions without practice, by generalising learned sequence structures from one context to another. Computational modelling showed that this ‘zero-shot learning’ of novel behaviours was successfully captured by a hierarchical organisation of the kind we propose.
Improvement in Hyperexpression with a Combination of Truncated Scmp Promoter and Streptomyces Lividans
Authors: Uraji Misugi , Yang Lingli , Hatanaka Tadashi 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
We have previously reported a powerful promoter from the Streptomyces cinnamoneus TH-2 strain named ‘scmp’ and created an expression vector of pTONA5a based on pIJ702 for expression using S. lividans (Hatanaka et al. (2008) Protein Expr Purif 62: 244-248). The full-length scmp promoter sequence consists of 424 bp upstream of a metalloendoprotease gene in the S. cinnamoneus TH-2 genome. The promoter works in the presence of inorganic phosphate and glucose. In this study, we present the essential region of the scmp promoter (promoter C), which lacks 358 bp of the 5′ region of the full-length promoter. Promoter C was very short and contained only 63 bp. Moreover, there was no restriction on the medium component by combining the promoter and the S. livians 1326 strain. Using promoter C and S. lividans, we succeeded in the extracellular production of the Streptomyces enzymes leucine aminopeptidase, ferulic acid esterase, and transglutaminase, which possessed signal peptides for secretion via the second pathway, at high levels.