bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatio-temporal distribution and habitat preference of necrophagous Calliphoridae based on 160 real cases from Switzerland
Authors: Hodecek Jiri , Jakubec Pavel 
Published: January 2022

AbstractNecrophagous blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are of great importance particularly during investigations of suspicious deaths. Many studies have analyzed the distribution of blowflies based on pig experiments and baited trapping; however, data from real case scenarios are rarely used. In this article, the distribution of blowflies found during investigations of 160 real cases during 1993–2007 in Switzerland is evaluated based on habitat, altitude, and season. Ten species of blowflies were present in 145 out of the 160 cases. The most common species was Calliphora vicina, which occurs throughout the year and was present in 69 % of all cases. Lucilia sericata, Calliphora vomitoria, and L. caesar were identified among the rest of the flies as species of great forensic importance mainly due to their distributional patterns. After a comparison with a similar dataset from Frankfurt, Germany, some surprising differences were determined and discussed. The biggest discrepancies between our dataset and the German dataset were in the occurrences of L. sericata (30 % vs. 86 %, respectively), Phormia regina (5 % vs. 43 %), and L. ampullacea (1 % vs. 45 %). The life-history strategies and intraspecific behavioral variability of blowflies remain understudied, although they can be essential for an unbiased approach during a death investigation. Further research and comparison of occurrence patterns across the area of distribution of blowflies are therefore needed and recommended.
Analysis of strong-arm comparator with auxiliary pair for offset calibration
Authors: Li Shuowei , Xu Zule , Iizuka Tetsuya 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis paper analyzes the principle of the input-referred off calibration using the auxiliary pair for Strong-Arm comparator as well as its impact from the additional common-mode current and parasitic capacitance on the input-referred noise, offset, and decision time in detail. The comparison with the simulation results demonstrates the accurate prediction with the proposed analysis. This paper also discusses the design guideline to optimize the Strong-Arm comparator with the auxiliary pair for offset calibration.
Wide-angle X-ray scattering studies on contemporary and ancient bast fibres used in textiles – ultrastructural studies on stinging nettle
Authors: Viljanen Mira , Suomela Jenni A. , Svedström Kirsi 
Published: January 2022

AbstractStinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a potential source material for industrial applications. However, systematic research on the ultrastructural properties of nettle fibres is lacking. Determining the ultrastructure of nettle and the other bast fibres also provides new insights into the studies of archaeological fibres and their usage. In this study, the nanostructure of modern and ancient nettle samples was studied using wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and compared to other bast fibres. The culturo-historical fibre samples consisted of nettle, flax, and hemp from White Karelian textiles collected 1894 as well as of 800–900-year-old archaeological textile fragments from Ravattula Ristimäki burial site, Finland. Using WAXS, the average cellulose crystallite widths, relative crystallinities and orientational order (including microfibril angle for the modern fibres) were determined and compared. The results also revealed the suitability of the WAXS analysis for fibre identification. The crystallite widths were of the similar size for all modern fibres (3.4–4.8 nm). Subtle differences in the relative crystallinities in descending order (from flax to nettle, and finally hemp) were observed. Also, subtle differences in the mean MFAs were observed (10 ± 1° for flax, 12 ± 1° for nettle, and 14 ± 1° for hemp). For the culturo-historical fibres, the values for crystallite widths and relative crystallinities were larger compared to the corresponding modern references. In addition, features due to the presence of non-cellulosic, crystalline substances (e.g., calcium oxalates) were detected in the WAXS patterns of all the modern nettle fibres. These features could potentially be used as a tool for identification purposes.Graphical abstract
An innovative autonomous robotic system for on-site detection of heavy metal pollution plumes in surface water
Authors: De Vito-Francesco Elisabetta , Farinelli Alessandro , Yang Qiuyue , Nagar Bhawna , Álvarez Ruslan , Merkoçi Arben , Knutz Thorsten , Haider Alexander , Stach Wolfgang , Ziegenbalg Falko , Allabashi Roza 
Published: January 2022

AbstractSmart monitoring has been studied and developed in recent years to create faster, cheaper, and more user-friendly on-site methods. The present study describes an innovative technology for investigative monitoring of heavy metal pollution (Cu and Pb) in surface water. It is composed of an autonomous surface vehicle capable of semiautonomous driving and equipped with a microfluidic device for detection of heavy metals. Detection is based on the method of square wave anodic stripping voltammetry using carbon-based screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). The focus of this work was to validate the ability of the integrated system to perform on-site detection of heavy metal pollution plumes in river catchments. This scenario was simulated in laboratory experiments. The main performance characteristics of the system, which was evaluated based on ISO 15839 were measurement bias (Pb 75%, Cu 65%), reproducibility (in terms of relative standard deviation: Pb 11–18%, Cu 6–10%) and the limit of detection (4 µg/L for Pb and 7 µg/L for Cu). The lowest detectable change (LDC), which is an important performance characteristic for this application, was estimated to be 4–5 µg/L for Pb and 6–7 µg/L for Cu. The life span of an SPE averaged 39 measurements per day, which is considered sufficient for intended monitoring campaigns. This work demonstrated the suitability of the integrated system for on-site detection of Pb and Cu emissions from large and medium urban areas discharging into small water bodies.
CaO-B2O3-SiO2 glass fibers for wound healing
Authors: Yamaguchi Seiji , Takeuchi Tamaki , Ito Morihiro , Kokubo Tadashi 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIt was reported by Jung and Day in 2011 that a cotton-like glass fiber pad made of borate glass 13-93B3 demonstrated a remarkable wound healing effect. It was approved for sale as a novel wound dressing in the management of acute and chronic wounds in 2016. However, the detailed mechanism of its wound healing effect has not been reported. In the present study, glass fibers of different composition in the system CaO-B2O3-SiO2 were prepared and their in vitro properties investigated to determine the role of the constituent components in wound healing. Fine glass fibers that were 0.6–2.0 μm in diameter were obtained by a melt blown method. However, these fibers were accompanied by small glass beads because of the low viscosity of the glass melts. 13-93B3 glass released an appreciable amount of borate and calcium ions into simulated body fluid (SBF). The amounts of these released ions decreased with partial replacement of the B2O3 in 13-93B3 with SiO2. The addition of large amounts of the borate and calcium ions into the culture medium decreased the viability of the L929 fibroblasts. Partial replacement of the B2O3 in 13-93B3 with SiO2 induced the formation of an apatite-like phase amenable to the adsorption of biological components on its surface in SBF. The wound healing effect of these glass fibers of different composition is worth examining in future animal experiments.
Sex Pheromone of the Click Beetle Agriotes pilosellus (Schönherr, 1718)
Authors: Tolasch Till , von Fragstein Maximilian , Steidle Johannes L. M. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAgriotes pilosellus is a fairly common click beetle species distributed in open deciduous and mixed forests throughout a large area in Europe. To identify its sex pheromone, gland extracts of female beetles were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The only volatile compounds present in the extracts were geranyl butanoate and (E)-8-hydroxygeranyl dibutanoate in a 1:3 ratio, identified by comparison with synthetic samples. Field experiments revealed a clear attraction of A. pilosellus - males towards traps baited with geranyl butanoate, which could be synergistically enhanced by the factor of almost ten by addition of (E)-8-hydroxygeranyl dibutanoate. The latter compound alone did not show any attractive effect. Both compounds correspond well to the structures known from other Agriotes species and may serve as an effective monitoring tool for entomofaunistic research.
Design of self-healing biodegradable polymers
Authors: Guadagno Liberata , Raimondo Marialuigia , Catauro Michelina , Sorrentino Andrea , Calabrese Elisa 
Published: January 2022

AbstractA biodegradable thermoplastic polymer has been formulated by solubilizing Murexide (M) salts in a commercial biodegradable vinyl alcohol copolymer (HVA). The Murexide has been employed as a self-healing filler with the aim to impart the auto-repair ability to the formulated material. Three different percentages (1, 3, and 5 mass%) of filler have been solubilized in HVA to evaluate the effect of the filler concentration on the thermal and self-healing properties of the resulting polymeric materials. The samples have been thermally characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analyses (TGA), while their self-healing ability has been evaluated through the estimation of the storage modulus recovery, measured by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The results of DSC analysis have highlighted that the increase of the amount of Murexide anticipates the thermal events such as glass transition, crystallization and melting. TGA measurements have evidenced that, although there is a reduction of thermal stability of the materials in the presence of a high concentration of M, the polymer still remains stable up to 270 °C. Healing efficiency higher than 80%, at a temperature beyond 60 °C, has been detected for the samples loaded with 3 and 5 mass% of Murexide, thus confirming the efficacy of this compound as an auto-repair agent and the relationship between the self-healing efficiency and its amount. For a temperature lower than 70 °C, the healing tests, carried out at different values of tensile deformation frequency, have highlighted a frequency-dependent healing efficiency. This dependence becomes negligible at higher temperatures for which the healing efficiency approaches the value of 100%.
Climate change impact on extreme precipitation and peak flood magnitude and frequency: observations from CMIP6 and hydrological models
Authors: Meresa Hadush , Tischbein Bernhard , Mekonnen Tewodros 
Published: January 2022

AbstractChanges in climate intensity and frequency, including extreme events, heavy and intense rainfall, have the greatest impact on water resource management and flood risk management. Significant changes in air temperature, precipitation, and humidity are expected in future due to climate change. The influence of climate change on flood hazards is subject to considerable uncertainty that comes from the climate model discrepancies, climate bias correction methods, flood frequency distribution, and hydrological model parameters. These factors play a crucial role in flood risk planning and extreme event management. With the advent of the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project Phase 6, flood managers and water resource planners are interested to know how changes in catchment flood risk are expected to alter relative to previous assessments. We examine catchment-based projected changes in flood quantiles and extreme high flow events for Awash catchments. Conceptual hydrological models (HBV, SMART, NAM and HYMOD), three downscaling techniques (EQM, DQM, and SQF), and an ensemble of hydrological parameter sets were used to examine changes in peak flood magnitude and frequency under climate change in the mid and end of the century. The result shows that projected annual extreme precipitation and flood quantiles could increase substantially in the next several decades in the selected catchments. The associated uncertainty in future flood hazards was quantified using aggregated variance decomposition and confirms that climate change is the dominant factor in Akaki (C2) and Awash Hombole (C5) catchments, whereas in Awash Bello (C4) and Kela (C3) catchments bias correction types is dominate, and Awash Kuntura (C1) both climate models and bias correction methods are essential factors. For the peak flow quantiles, climate models and hydrologic models are two main sources of uncertainty (31% and 18%, respectively). In contrast, the role of hydrological parameters to the aggregated uncertainty of changes in peak flow hazard variable is relatively small (5%), whereas the flood frequency contribution is much higher than the hydrologic model parameters. These results provide useful knowledge for policy-relevant flood indices, water resources and flood risk control and for studies related to uncertainty associated with peak flood magnitude and frequency.
Reducing waste in collection of quality-of-life data through better reporting: a case study
Authors: McCreanor Victoria , Lum Elaine , Graves Nicholas , Luo Nan , Parsonage William , Barnett Adrian 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPurposeThis study describes the reporting of the preference-based health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) instrument, the EQ-5D, and proposes strategies to improve reporting and reduce research waste. The EQ-5D is a validated instrument widely used for health economic evaluation and is useful for informing health policy.MethodsAs part of a systematic review of papers reporting EQ-5D utility weights in patients with coronary artery disease, we noted the reasons data from some papers could not be reused in a meta-analysis, including whether health utility weights and sufficient statistical details were reported. Research waste was quantified using: (1) the percentage of papers and sample size excluded, and (2) researcher time and cost reviewing poorly reported papers.ResultsOur search strategy found 5942 papers. At title and abstract screening 93% were excluded. Of the 379 full text papers screened, 130 papers reported using EQ-5D. Only 46% (60/130) of those studies reported utility weights and/or statistical properties enabling meta-analysis. Only 67% of included papers had reported EQ-5D in the title or abstract. A total sample size of 133,298 was excluded because of poor reporting. The cost of researcher time wasted estimated to be between $3816 and $13,279 for our review.ConclusionsPoor reporting of EQ-5D data creates research waste where potentially useful data are excluded from meta-analyses and economic evaluations. Poor reporting of HRQOL instruments also creates waste due to additional time spent reviewing papers for systematic reviews that are subsequently excluded.RecommendationsStudies using the EQ-5D should report utility weights with appropriate summary statistics to enable reuse in meta-analysis and more robust evidence for health policy. We recommend authors report the HRQOL instrument in the title or abstract in line with current reporting guidelines (CONSORT-PRO and SPIRIT-PRO Extensions) to make it easier for other researchers to find. Validated instruments should also be listed in the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) to improve cataloguing and retrieval of previous research.
Pasireotide—a novel somatostatin receptor ligand after 20 years of use
Authors: Bolanowski Marek , Kałużny Marcin , Witek Przemysław , Jawiarczyk-Przybyłowska Aleksandra 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPasireotide, a novel multireceptor-targeted somatostatin receptor ligand (SRL) is characterized by a higher affinity to somatostatin receptor type 5 than type 2, unlike first-generation SRLs. Because of the broader binding profile, pasireotide has been suggested to have a greater clinical efficacy in acromegaly than first-generation SRLs and to be efficacious in Cushing’s disease. The consequence of this binding profile is the increased blood glucose level in some patients. This results from the inhibition of both insulin secretion and the incretin effect and only a modest suppression of glucagon. A monthly intramuscular formulation of long-acting release pasireotide has been approved for both acromegaly and Cushing’s disease treatment. This review presents data on the efficacy and safety of pasireotide treatment mostly in patients with acromegaly and Cushing’s disease. Moreover, other possible therapeutic applications of pasireotide are mentioned.
A highly optimized skeleton for unbalanced and deep divide-and-conquer algorithms on multi-core clusters
Authors: Martínez Millán A. , Fraguela Basilio B. , Cabaleiro José C. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractEfficiently implementing the divide-and-conquer pattern of parallelism in distributed memory systems is very relevant, given its ubiquity, and difficult, given its recursive nature and the need to exchange tasks and data among the processors. This task is noticeably further complicated in the presence of multi-core systems, where hybrid parallelism must be exploited to attain the best performance, and when unbalanced and deep workloads are considered, as additional measures must be taken to load balance and avoid deep recursion problems. In this manuscript a parallel skeleton that fulfills all these requirements while providing high levels of usability is presented. In fact, the evaluation shows that our proposal is on average 415.32% faster than MPI codes and 229.18% faster than MPI + OpenMP benchmarks, while offering an average improvement in the programmability metrics of 131.04% over MPI alternatives and 155.18% over MPI + OpenMP solutions.
Gold nanoparticles and electromagnetic irradiation in tissue culture systems of bleeding heart: biochemical, physiological, and (cyto)genetic effects
Authors: Kulus Dariusz , Tymoszuk Alicja , Jedrzejczyk Iwona , Winiecki Janusz 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis study aimed to analyze the effect of various mutagens on the in vitro development, physiological activity, acclimatization efficiency, and genetic integrity of Lamprocapnos spectabilis ‘Valentine’. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), microwaves, and X-rays were used at different doses. The profiles of primary and secondary metabolites and the enzymatic activity in the produced plants were studied. The usefulness of various genetic markers in the detection of mutations in the species was compared. The genome size of L. spectabilis was estimated for the first time. It was found that the addition of AuNPs into the culture medium had a positive impact on the in vitro development and multiplication of plants. All of the shoots regenerated adventitious roots, but plants subjected to the longest microwave irradiation (3 × 9 s) and the non-treated control had the lowest acclimatization efficiency. Application of mutagens significantly affected the activity and profile of most enzymes and phytochemicals studied, however, the final effect depended on the agent type and dose. Mutations were detected by DAMD, RAPD, and SCoT markers in 7.5% of plants, but not by ISSRs. Phenotype variation in leaf shape was found in four plants. The genome size of L. spectabilis was found to be very small; about 1281 Mbp.
Variations in growth traits and wood physicochemical properties among Pinus koraiensis families in Northeast China
Authors: Zhang Qinhui , Pei Xiaona , Lu Xianbo , Zhao Chunli , Dong Guangzhi , Shi Wanling , Wang Liankui , Li Yanlong , Zhao Xiyang , Tigabu Mulualem 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis study aimed to explore and improve the different economic values of Pinus koraiensis (Siebold and Zucc.) by examining the variations in 6 growth traits and 9 physicochemical wood properties among 53 P. koraiensis half-sib families. Growth traits assessed included height, diameter at breast height, volume, degree of stem straightness, stem form, and branch number per node, while wood properties assessed included density, fiber length and width, fiber length to width ratio, and cellulose, hemicellulose, holocellulose, lignin, and ash contents. Except for degree of stem straightness and branch number per node, all other traits exhibited highly significant variations (P < 0.01) among families. The coefficients of variation ranged from 5.3 (stem form) to 66.7% (ash content), whereas, the heritability ranged from 0.136 (degree of stem straightness) to 0.962 (ash content). Significant correlations were observed among growth traits and wood physicochemical properties. Principal component analysis identified four distinct groups representing growth traits, wood chemical and physical properties, and stem form traits. Multi-trait comprehensive evaluation identified three groups of elite families based on breeding objectives, including rapid growth, improved timber production for building and furniture materials, and pulpwood production. These specific families should be used to establish new plantations.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of the 2010 ASGE non-invasive predictors of choledocholithiasis and comparison to the 2019 ASGE predictors
Authors: Wang Louie , Mirzaie Sarah , Dunnsiri Tavit , Chen Formosa , Wilhalme Holly , MacQueen Ian T. , Cryer Henry , Eastoak-Siletz Anaar , Guan Michelle , Cuff Callie , Tabibian James H. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn 2019, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) guideline on the endoscopic management of choledocholithiasis modified the individual predictors of choledocholithiasis proposed in the widely referenced 2010 guideline to improve predictive performance. Nevertheless, the primary literature, especially for the 2019 iteration, is limited. We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis to examine the diagnostic performance of the 2010, and where possible the 2019, predictors. PROSPERO protocol CRD42020194226. A comprehensive literature search from 2001 to 2020 was performed to identify studies on the diagnostic performance of any of the 2010 and 2019 ASGE choledocholithiasis predictors. Identified studies underwent keyword screening, abstract review, and full-text review. The primary outcomes included multivariate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals for each criterion. Secondary outcomes were reported sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive value. A total of 20 studies met inclusion criteria. Based on reported ORs, of the 2010 guideline “very strong” predictors, ultrasound with stone had the strongest performance. Of the “strong” predictors, CBD > 6 mm demonstrated the strongest performance. “Moderate” predictors had inconsistent and/or weak performance; moreover, all studies reported gallstone pancreatitis as non-predictive of choledocholithiasis. Only one study examined the new predictor (bilirubin > 4 mg/dL and CBD > 6 mm) proposed in the 2019 guideline. Based on this review, aside from CBD stone on ultrasound, there is discordance between the proposed strength of 2010 choledocholithiasis predictors and their published diagnostic performance. The 2019 guideline appears to do away with the weakest 2010 predictors.