bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of heavy metal contamination in copper mine tailing soils of Kitwe and Mufulira, Zambia, for reclamation prospects
Authors: Dusengemungu Leonce , Mubemba Benjamin , Gwanama Cousins 
Published: July 2022

AbstractUnderstanding the level of heavy metal contamination coupled with the assessment of environmental and human risks associated with mine waste dumpsites is an important step to initiating efficient measures for mine wasteland restoration, stabilization, and bioremediation. In the present study, concentration of the heavy metals; Copper (Cu), Cobalt (Co), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn), and Zinc (Zn) in soil from mine waste dumpsites around Kitwe (Sites: BM and TD26) and Mufulira (Site: TD10), Zambia, was assessed to determine the level of contamination, ecological risks, and progress made in reclamation. The mine waste dumpsites in the two towns are located in the vicinity of residential areas. Therefore, there is need to provide information for optimization of protocols for post-mining landscape in Zambia and elsewhere to limit soil, river, and groundwater contamination and to accelerate the restoration process . Mean values for soil pH, electrical conductivity, and organic matter varied between 5.9–8.4, 2534.8–538.6 μS/cm, and 0.90–2.75%, respectively. The mean concentrations of heavy metals of BM, TD26, and TD10 decreased in order of Fe > Cu > Co > Mn > Pb > Zn across all sites. However, the order of overall degree of heavy metal contamination computed using control soil as a baseline in BM, TD26, and TD10 was Cu > Co > Fe > Pb > Mn > Zn. The pollution load index was 0.355 at BM, 0.329 at TD26, and 0.189 at TD10, indicating high soil pollution at BM and TD26. The Potential Ecological Risk Index for all heavy metals tested at BM, TD26, and TD10 showed low ecological risk in the vicinity of the studied dumpsites. Furthermore, the present study also showed that the polluted soils around smelter sites and mine waste dumpsites are susceptible to dispersion by wind and water. Additionally, results from TD10 revealed that the initiated remediation of the tailings dam was somewhat successful. Finally, this study provided an updated status regarding the accumulation of heavy metals in mine waste dumpsites of Kitwe and Mufulira, Zambia and baseline information necessary to enhance post-mining landscape reclamation.
Effect of oxidative aging of biochar on relative distribution of competitive adsorption mechanism of Cd2+ and Pb2+
Authors: Wang Zhe , Geng Chengxin , Bian Yuan , Zhang Guangyu , Zheng Chunli , An Chunjiang 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIn this study, aged biochar (CCB350 and CCB650) were obtained from pyrolysis of corn stalk biochar (CB350 and CB650) at the degree of 350 °C and 650 °C by artificial oxidation with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Also, the mechanism of Pb2+ and Cd2+ on fresh and aged biochars was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by batch adsorption experiments combined with characterization. The adsorption isotherm results showed that aging treatment decreased the adsorption capacity of Pb2+ and Cd2+ and inhibited the competitive adsorption behavior of heavy metals. In the single-metal system, precipitation and cation exchange were considered as the main adsorption mechanisms for CB350 and CB650, with a ratio of 40.07–48.23% and 38.04–57.19%, respectively. Competition between Pb2+ and Cd2+ increased the relative contribution of mineral precipitation, but decreased the contribution of cation exchange mechanism. Aging resulted in the rise of the contribution of surface complexation to the adsorption of Pb2+ and Cd2+ on biochars, especially in low-temperature biochars, but weakened the contribution of mineral precipitation to the adsorption. Further, the contribution of other adsorption mechanisms was significantly enhanced for high-temperature aged biochars. These results are important to evaluate its long-term application prospects in the natural environment.
Urban spatial structures from human flow by Hodge–Kodaira decomposition
Authors: Aoki Takaaki , Fujishima Shota , Fujiwara Naoya 
Published: July 2022

AbstractHuman flow in cities indicates social activity and can reveal urban spatial structures based on human behaviours for relevant applications. Scalar potential is a mathematical concept that, when properly applied, can provide an intuitive view of human flow. However, the definition of such a potential in terms of the origin-destination flow matrix and its feasibility remain unresolved. In this case, we use Hodge–Kodaira decomposition, which uniquely decomposes a matrix into a potential-driven (gradient) flow and a curl flow. We depict the potential landscapes in cities resulting from commuting flow and reveal how the landscapes have either changed or remained unchanged by years or methods of transportation. We then determine how well the commuting flow is described by the potential, by evaluating the percentage of the gradient component for metropolitan areas in the USA and show that the gradient component is almost 100% in several areas; in other areas, however, the curl component is dominant, indicating the importance of circular flow along with triangles of places. The potential landscape provides an easy-to-use visualisation tool for showing the attractive places of human flow and will help in a variety of applications such as commerce, urban design, and epidemic spreading.
Low-dose sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor ameliorates ischemic brain injury in mice through pericyte protection without glucose-lowering effects
Authors: Takashima Masamitsu , Nakamura Kuniyuki , Kiyohara Takuya , Wakisaka Yoshinobu , Hidaka Masaoki , Takaki Hayato , Yamanaka Kei , Shibahara Tomoya , Wakisaka Masanori , Ago Tetsuro , Kitazono Takanari 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAntidiabetic sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have attracted attention for their cardiorenal-protective properties beyond their glucose-lowering effect. However, their benefits in ischemic stroke remain controversial. Here we show the effects of luseogliflozin, a selective SGLT2 inhibitor, in acute ischemic stroke, using a permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) model in non-diabetic mice. Pretreatment with low-dose luseogliflozin, which does not affect blood glucose levels, significantly attenuated infarct volume, blood-brain barrier disruption, and motor dysfunction after pMCAO. SGLT2 was expressed predominantly in brain pericytes and was upregulated in peri- and intra-infarct areas. Notably, luseogliflozin pretreatment reduced pericyte loss in ischemic areas. In cultured pericytes, luseogliflozin activated AMP-activated protein kinase α and increased mitochondrial transcription factor A expression and number of mitochondria, conferring resistance to oxygen-glucose deprivation. Collectively, pre-stroke inhibition of SGLT2 induces ischemic tolerance in brain pericytes independent of the glucose-lowering effect, contributing to the attenuation of ischemic brain injury.
Linking the network centrality measures closeness and degree
Authors: Evans Tim S. , Chen Bingsheng 
Published: July 2022

AbstractMeasuring the importance of nodes in a network with a centrality measure is an core task in any network application. There many measures available and it is speculated that many encode similar information. We give an explicit non-linear relationship between two of the most popular measures of node centrality: degree and closeness. Based on a shortest-path tree approximation, we give an analytic derivation that shows the inverse of closeness is linearly dependent on the logarithm of degree. We show that our hypothesis works well for a range of networks produced from stochastic network models and for networks derived from 130 real-world data sets. We connect our results with previous results for other network distance scales such as average distance. Our results imply that measuring closeness is broadly redundant unless our relationship is used to remove the dependence on degree from closeness. The success of our relationship suggests that most networks can be approximated by shortest-path spanning trees which are all statistically similar two or more steps away from their root nodes.
Higher immigration and lower land take rates are driving a new densification wave in European cities
Authors: Cortinovis Chiara , Geneletti Davide , Haase Dagmar 
Published: July 2022

AbstractSpatio-temporal density trends are considered key indicators of urban development. However, similar density trends may hide different drivers. This study investigates the density trends of 331 European cities between 2006 and 2018 and the underlying trends in residential area and population, broken down into natural change and net migration. The analysis captured a shift in the predominant trend from de-densification (2006–2012) to densification (2012–2018). Two main drivers determined the shift: (i) a more diffused growth of urban population, and (ii) a slowdown of land take for residential use after the global financial crisis of 2008. A clear acceleration in net migration rates, with immigration pushing population growth, occurred in most cities turning from de-densification to densification. Despite path dependencies and enduring differences across regions and city sizes, the distribution of these trends partly redesigned the traditional European East-West dichotomy into a novel center-periphery division.
Intracellular nitrate storage by diatoms can be an important nitrogen pool in freshwater and marine ecosystems
Authors: Stief Peter , Schauberger Clemens , Lund Marie B. , Greve Andreas , Abed Raeid M. M. , Al-Najjar Mohammad A. A. , Attard Karl , Bonaglia Stefano , Deutzmann Jörg S. , Franco-Cisterna Belén , García-Robledo Emilio , Holtappels Moritz , John Uwe , Maciute Adele , Magee Michael J. , Pors Rie , Santl-Temkiv Tina , Scherwass Anja , Sevilgen Duygu S. , de Beer Dirk , Glud Ronnie N. , Schramm Andreas , Kamp Anja 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIdentifying and quantifying nitrogen pools is essential for understanding the nitrogen cycle in aquatic ecosystems. The ubiquitous diatoms represent an overlooked nitrate pool as they can accumulate nitrate intracellularly and utilize it for nitrogen assimilation, dissipation of excess photosynthetic energy, and Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium (DNRA). Here, we document the global co-occurrence of diatoms and intracellular nitrate in phototrophic microbial communities in freshwater (n = 69), coastal (n = 44), and open marine (n = 4) habitats. Diatom abundance and total intracellular nitrate contents in water columns, sediments, microbial mats, and epilithic biofilms were highly significantly correlated. In contrast, diatom community composition had only a marginal influence on total intracellular nitrate contents. Nitrate concentrations inside diatom cells exceeded ambient nitrate concentrations ∼100–4000-fold. The collective intracellular nitrate pool of the diatom community accounted for <1% of total nitrate in pelagic habitats and 65–95% in benthic habitats. Accordingly, nitrate-storing diatoms are emerging as significant contributors to benthic nitrogen cycling, in particular through Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium activity under anoxic conditions.
Insights into the enhanced electrochemical performance of MnV2O6 nanoflakes as an anode material for advanced lithium storage
Authors: Wen Ni , Chen Siyuan , Lu Qiuchen , Li Yunbo , Fan Qinghua , Kuang Quan , Dong Youzhong , Zhao Yanming 
Published: July 2022

The MnV2O6 nanoflakes are synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method, which shows the ever-increasing specific capacity during cycling. Additionally, the NCM811//MnV2O6 full cell exhibits an excellent cycleability and can light a LED.
Preschoolers Have Difficulty Discriminating Novel Minimal-Pair Words
Authors: Creel Sarah C. 
Published: July 2022

Purpose:
The primary aim was to assess whether children have difficulty distinguishing similar-sounding novel words. The secondary aim was to assess what task characteristics might hinder or facilitate perceptual discrimination.

Method:
Three within-subjects experiments tested ninety-nine 3- to 5-year-old children total. Experiment 1 presented two cartoon characters each saying a novel word. Children were asked to report whether they said the same word or different words. Words were identical (e.g., deev/deev), were dissimilar (deev/vush), differed in onset consonant voicing (deev/teev), or differed in vowel tenseness (deev/div). Experiment 2 added accuracy feedback after each trial to remind children of task instructions. Experiment 3 interspersed many “same” trials containing a repeating standard word to assess the role of bottom-up stimulus support on difference detection.

Results:

The
d′
scores were highest for dissimilar words, next highest on different-vowel pairs, and lowest on different-consonant pairs. Performance was better with repeated standard stimuli (Experiment 3) than without (Experiment 1). Benefits for repeated task instructions (Experiment 2) were marginal. Exploratory analyses comparing these results to findings in a word-learning study using the same stimuli suggest an imperfect match to how easily children can learn similar-sounding words.

Conclusions:
Overall, similar-sounding novel words are challenging for children to discriminate perceptually, although discrimination scores exceeded chance for all levels of similarity. Clinically speaking, same/different tests may be less sensitive to sound discrimination than change/no-change tests.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.20151848
Hybrid millimetre‐wave channel simulation approach based on long short‐term memory networks
Authors: Fu Zihao , Zhang Yu , Shi Ruibo , Zhao Xiongwen , Du Fei , Geng Suiyan 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIn order to overcome the disadvantages of traditional channel simulation approaches and achieve more accurate millimetre‐wave (mmWave) channel simulation under the condition of limited measured data, a novel Long Short‐term Memory Networks (LSTM) based hybrid mmWave channel simulation approach is proposed in this work. The proposed hybrid approach takes advantages of LSTM‐based time‐varying model of path loss and large‐scale channel parameters, statistical model of intra‐cluster multipath parameters and ray tracing, which are able to accurately simulate path loss, large‐scale channel parameters, multipath parameters and channel impulse responses, respectively. Based on the mmWave channel data measured in the waiting hall of Qingdaobei Railway Station, it is verified that the simulation results of our proposed hybrid approach are in good agreement with the measured data and better than that of existing channel simulation approaches. The hybrid channel simulation approach proposed in this work has important application value for channel modelling and simulation in the case of small amount of data.
Improved mayfly algorithm based on hybrid mutation
Authors: Zhang Hua , Liu Zheng , Gui ShiWeng , Zou Mei , Wang PeiYuan 
Published: July 2022

AbstractTo improve the diversity and performance of the mayfly algorithm (MA), this letter adopts the mutation strategies in the process of MA. The opposition‐based learning (OBL) and Cauchy mutation strategies are used to mutate the global optimal solution, and the artificial mutation operator is used in the offspring population. The hybrid mutation strategies are used in a cascaded structure. The performance of the proposed algorithms is demonstrated in simulations comparatively.
Analysis, design and implementation of a high step‐up multi‐port non‐isolated converter with coupled inductor and soft switching for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Taheri Donya , Shahgholian Ghazanfar , Mirtalaei Mohammad Mehdi 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIn this paper, a new structure of a non‐isolated multi‐input converter is presented that is capable of generating high voltages to increase the efficiency of the converter, which uses a combination of a coupled inductor and a voltage multiplier cell. By combining these two methods, it is possible to use switches with low voltage stress and therefore low conductivity. This type of structure is suitable for photovoltaic (PV) applications. The proposed converter has two distinct phases for each input, which can be used to properly control the energy received from each source using two separate phases. The performance of the proposed converter depends on the charging or discharging mode of the energy storage system (ESS). To design a high step‐up non‐isolated multi‐input converter, first the structure and performance of the proposed converter are thoroughly investigated. The exact design method is presented for the correct operation of the converter and the simulation results for different modes of the converter operation are shown. Finally, in order to confirm the accuracy of the simulation results of the proposed converter, a laboratory sample of the proposed converter to supply a 400 W–400 V load is implemented and a comparison between the theoretical and practical results is performed.
An automatic breast computer‐aided diagnosis scheme based on a weighted fusion of relevant features and a deep CNN classifier
Authors: Gargouri Norhène , Mokni Raouia , Damak Alima , Sellami Dorra , Abid Riadh 
Published: July 2022

AbstractMammography continues to play a central part in the early breast masses diagnosis and has raised several challenges in breast cancer detection. Nevertheless, it remains still difficult to detect abnormalities in a dense breast and some benign lesions may have similar appearance with masses. This study proposes a novel Computer‐Aided Diagnosis (CADx) allowing benign and malignant mass classification. Accordingly, relevant textural‐shape descriptors are proposed, which is the aggregation of a new Local Binary based feature, namely the Monogenic Gray Level and Local Difference (MGLLD), where both texture characteristics and breast tissue density information, and the Zernike moments are incorporated. A heuristic algorithm is then devised for optimizing the proposed features with respect to inter‐class and intra‐class distribution, by a convenient ponderation. Then, a set of classifiers are applied for opting to the best decision making solution. The Deep CNN yields the best accuracy, with an Area Under Curve (AUC) of 0.98 on Curated Breast Imaging Subset of DDSM (CBIS‐DDSM). In addition, the authors are based on a subjective approval of the extracted Region Of Interest (ROI) by experts in radiology. The proposed scheme proves its effectiveness especially on some challenging breast cancer cases, corresponding to higher breast tissue density. In medical image processing, these results open new perspectives with respect to the use of the deep learning solutions, where the small sample‐number is known to be a limitation (because pathologies cannot be intentionally provoked).
Analysis of Factors Related to Neonatal Infection and Monitoring of
Bacterial Drug Resistance
Authors: Xu Jingwen , Zhang Yanhong , Ma Hui , Zhang Renyan , Wu Jie 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Objective To study the factors related to neonatal infection, as well as
bacterial distribution and drug resistance in neonatal infections, in an
obstetrics and gynecology hospital in Shanghai.
Methods The bacterial culture and drug resistance monitoring results from
neonates treated at the hospital from January 2020 to June 2021 were analyzed
and compared with the data for children and newborns from the national bacterial
resistance surveillance report.
Results Among the 209 bacterial strains isolated from infected neonates,
90 were gram-positive, including the four most common isolates:
coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus, and
Streptococcus agalactiae. The remaining 119 strains were gram-negative and
included Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Enterobacter
aerogenes. The drug sensitivity results showed that the methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus isolates were sensitive to linezolid, vancomycin,
rifampicin, levofloxacin, and gentamicin. All Klebsiella pneumoniaisolates were
sensitive to amikacin, ertapenem, imipenem, and gentamicin. These two strains
were resistant to other antibiotics to varying degrees.
Conclusions Understanding the distribution and drug resistance of
bacterial pathogens is vital for guiding the rational selection of antibiotics
and reducing neonatal mortality and nosocomial infections.
Binary Synergistic Combinations of Lavender and Fennel Essential Oils with Amoxicillin
Authors: Karadağ Ayşe Esra , Çaşkurlu Ayşegül , Demirci Betül , Demirci Fatih 
Published: July 2022

AbstractMicrobial resistance is an important problem in modern healthcare systems. In addition to drug resistance, the side effects of current antibiotic applications are also known issues. In this
present study, binary combinations of amoxicillin with European Pharmacopoeia quality lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) essential oils were
evaluated against human pathogenic microbial strains. The checkerboard method was used to quantify the efficacy of the essential oils in combination with amoxicillin. As an initial result,
remarkable in vitro antimicrobial activity was observed at relatively low amoxicillin concentrations using different oil combinations against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538,
Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579, Escherichia coli NRRL B-3008, Salmonella typhi (clinical isolate), respectively. Fractional
inhibitory concentrations were calculated and interpreted in terms of addition, synergy, antagonism, or indifferent. A synergistic interaction with the combination F. vulgare
essential oil and amoxicillin (fractional inhibitory concentration index = 8.05 × 10−4) was observed against the pathogens E. faecalis and Escherichia coli. Both
essential oils together and in combination with amoxicillin showed a synergistic effect with possible future applications.
Role of the Mesentery in Crohn's Terminal Ileitis
Authors: Becker Marte A.J. , Does de Willebois Eline M.L. van der , Bemelman Willem A. , Wildenberg Manon E. , Buskens Christianne J. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractDespite the longstanding awareness of the presence of mesenteric alterations in Crohn's disease, the functional and clinical consequences of these alterations remain a topic of debate. Guidelines advise a limited resection without resection of the adjacent mesentery to prevent short bowel syndrome and postoperative complications. However, recently mesenteric resection has been proposed as an alternative to reduce recurrence rates in Crohn's disease patients. Here, we evaluate the data available on this topic in terminal ileitis, both from a fundamental research point of view and clinical perspective.