bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identifying differences in roadless areas in Canada based on global, national, and regional road datasets
Authors: Poley Lucy G. , Schuster Richard , Smith Wynet , Ray Justina C. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractRoads are an overwhelming component of the global human footprint and their absence helps identify intact areas with high ecological value. Road‐free areas are decreasing globally, making accurate estimation of their location and size of great importance. Identification of such regions requires accurate data, but substantial variability exists in road network datasets created and maintained at different spatial scales. We compared estimates of road length, density, and roadless areas across Canada, which contains a high proportion of the world's remaining undisturbed and road‐free areas. Global‐ and national‐scale datasets included, on average, only 11%–14% of roads represented in regional‐scale data or volunteered geographic information (VGI), with the most pronounced differences in less‐developed areas. Regional‐scale datasets, with the lowest estimates of amount of roadless area and smallest mean roadless patch size, are likely the most complete road datasets but are not available for all jurisdictions, limiting their national‐scale utility. VGI provides a national‐scale alternative but still lacks many low‐use roads. Available global and national datasets have insufficient information for accurate assessments of roadless areas in Canada, which will require detailed, consistent subnational datasets assembled and maintained by each province and territory in a coordinated fashion to achieve national coverage.
Motor point stimulation induces more robust F‐waves than peripheral nerve stimulation
Authors: Kaneko Naotsugu , Fok Kai Lon , Nakazawa Kimitaka , Masani Kei 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe F‐wave is a motor response induced by electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves via the antidromic firing of motor nerves, which reflects the motoneuron excitability. To induce F‐waves, transcutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is used, which activates nerve branches via transcutaneous electrodes over the nerve branches. An alternative method to activate peripheral nerves, that is, motor point stimulation (MPS), which delivers electrical stimulation over the muscle belly, has not been used to induce F‐waves. In our previous studies, we observed that MPS induced F‐wave‐like responses, that is, motor responses at the latency of F‐waves at a supramaximal stimulation. Here, we further investigated the F‐wave‐like responses induced by MPS in comparison with PNS in the soleus muscle. Thirteen individuals participated in this study. We applied MPS and PNS on the participant's left soleus muscle. Using a monopolar double‐pulse stimulation, the amplitude of the second H‐reflex induced by PNS decreased, whereas the amplitude of the motor response at the F‐wave latency induced by MPS did not decrease. These results suggest that the motor response at the F‐wave latency induced by MPS was not an H‐reflex but an F‐wave. We also found that the F‐wave induced by MPS had a greater amplitude and higher persistence and caused less pain when compared with the F‐waves induced using PNS. We conclude that MPS evokes antidromic firing inducing F‐waves more consistently compared with PNS.
Outgrowth endothelial progenitor cells restore cerebral barrier function following ischaemic damage: The impact of NOX2 inhibition
Authors: Alwjwaj Mansour , Kadir Rais Reskiawan A. , Bayraktutan Ulvi 
Published: February 2022

AbstractDisruption of blood–brain barrier (BBB), formed mainly by human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs), constitutes the major cause of mortality following ischaemic stroke. This study investigates whether OECs (outgrowth endothelial cells) can restore BBB integrity and function following ischaemic damage and how inhibition of NOX2, a main source of vascular oxidative stress, affects the characteristics of BBB established with OECs and HBMECs in ischaemic settings. In vitro models of human BBB were constructed by co‐culture of pericytes and astrocytes with either OECs or HBMECs before exposure to oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) alone or followed by reperfusion (OGD + R) in the absence or presence of NOX2 inhibitor, gp91ds‐tat. The function and integrity of BBB were assessed by measurements of paracellular flux of sodium fluorescein (NaF) and transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER), respectively. Treatment with OECs during OGD + R effectively restored BBB integrity and function. Compared to HBMECs, OECs possessed lower NADPH oxidase activity, superoxide anion levels and had greater total antioxidant capacity during OGD and OGD + R. Inhibition of NADPH oxidase during OGD and OGD + R restored the integrity and function of BBB established by HBMECs. This was evidenced by reductions in NADPH oxidase activity and superoxide anion levels. In contrast, treatment with gp91ds‐tat aggravated ischaemic injury‐induced BBB damage constructed by OECs. In conclusion, OECs are more resistant to ischaemic conditions and can effectively repair cerebral barrier following ischaemic damage. Suppression of oxidative stress through specific targeting of NOX2 requires close attention while using OECs as therapeutics.
Peace geographies and the spatial turn in peace and conflict studies: Integrating parallel conversations through spatial practices
Authors: Macaspac Nerve V. , Moore Adam 
Published: February 2022

AbstractScholarship on the dynamics of peace and conflict is in the midst of a geographic renaissance. Within the discipline there is growing interest among political geographers in theorizing and exploring “geographies of peace”. At the same time, the interdisciplinary field of peace and conflict studies is experiencing a “spatial turn” whereby geographic ideas are increasingly engaged. This article provides an overview of these parallel conversations and proposes the concept ofspatial practicesas a framework for bringing them together. Elements of this framework can be seen within peace geographies and the spatial turn research, and they resonate with broader conversations taking place in the discipline of geography and beyond.
Effect of enhanced patient instructions onHelicobacter pylorieradication: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Zhou Ben‐Gang , Yan Xue‐Liang , Wan Lin‐Yan , Zhang Qing , Li Bo , Ai Yao‐Wei 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackground and AimsTo improveHelicobacter pylori(H.pylori) eradication rate, enhanced patient instructions (EPI) such as telephone‐based re‐education, short‐message service, and Wechat have been proposed with conflicting results. The aim of this meta‐analysis was to evaluate the effect of EPI onH.pylorieradication.MethodsThe PROSPERO registered number of this study is CRD42021278536. PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL database were searched to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to September 2021. Meta‐analysis was performed to estimate the pooled relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a random‐effects model. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was conducted to determine the robustness of theH.pylorieradication rate.ResultsNine RCTs were included. Compared with patients receiving only regular instructions, patients received EPI showed significantly higherH.pylorieradication rate (n = 8 RCTs, ITT analysis: RR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.06–1.35; PP analysis: RR = 1.12, 95% CI:1.02–1.23) and better patient compliance (n = 8 RCTs, RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.09–1.39), as well as higher patient satisfaction (n = 3 RCTs, RR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.14–1.76). However, there were no significant difference between groups in the incidence of total adverse events (n = 6 RCTs, RR = 0.66, 95%CI: 0.40–1.08) and symptom relief rates (n = 2 RCTs, RR = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.89–1.54). The TSA result indicated that the effect was robust.ConclusionsEvidence from our meta‐analysis shows that EPI intervention may be a promising strategy to improveH.pylorieradication rate, patient compliance, and patient satisfaction.
Physicochemical and functional properties of albumin, globulin and glutelin fractions of green lentil seed
Authors: Osemwota Etinosa C. , Alashi Adeola M. , Aluko Rotimi E. 
Published: February 2022

SummaryDefatted lentil seed flour proteins were separated into their constituent albumin (ALB), globulin (GLB) and glutelin (GLT) fractions followed by determination of their structural and functional properties. The GLB fraction demonstrated superior solubility (84%–100%) at acidic and alkaline pH values when compared to the lower values for ALB and GLT. Amino acid composition analysis showed lower contents of hydrophobic and sulphur‐containing residues for GLB. However, GLB had the highest in vitro protein digestibility, which may be due to lower contents of rigid secondary structure fractions like the β‐sheet and β‐turns. In contrast, water and oil holding capacities as well as gelling ability were better for GLT and ALB than GLB. The GLT fraction formed very poor emulsions at pH 3 and 5 but emulsification was significantly (p < 0.05) improved (smaller oil droplets) at pH 7 and 9. Foaming capacity was strongest for GLB, especially at pH 5, 7 and 9 where increase in protein concentration had a negative effect on foam formation. Overall, the protein type and pH of the environment had stronger effects on emulsion and foaming properties than the protein concentration.
Performance testing of four automated coagulation analyzers in a university hospital setting with focus on global coagulation assays
Authors: Scherer‐Burić Regina A. , Lesser‐Wetzold Kornelia , Nagel Dorothea , Weigand Michael , Spannagl Michael , Teupser Daniel , Bruegel Mathias 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIntroductionSeveral automated coagulation analyzers are available for laboratory use. In a university hospital central laboratory, we compared four different instruments. The results for global coagulation assays are presented here.MethodsACL TOP 750 CTS (Instrumentation Laboratory), Atellica COAG 360 (COAG 360), BCS XP (both Siemens Healthineers), and cobas t 711 (Roche Diagnostics) were compared. For inter‐instrument comparison, five basic coagulation parameters were analyzed in 476 patient plasma samples. Additional assessments included precision testing using commercial control samples and plasma pools, analysis time for a defined set of samples, sample capacity testing, minimum required sample volumes, and detection quality for hemolytic, icteric, or lipemic (HIL) interferences.ResultsGood concordance between different instruments was evident from Bland–Altman plots and comparison of data from each instrument with the overall median (τ≥0.8). Shortest analysis times were found for BCS XP and COAG 360, COAG 360 revealed highest sample capacity. Observed required sample volumes were broadly in line with manufacturer specifications and varied according to instrument configurations. HIL detection differed between instruments and was best with ACL TOP 750 CTS.ConclusionThe four analyzers showed similarly high levels of concordance, although some variations were apparent. The most significant differences between the instruments were found in analysis times and sample capacity. Analyzer capabilities must be considered when selecting laboratory equipment and defining algorithms for clinical practice.
mRNA COVID‐19 vaccine effectiveness against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in a prospective community cohort, rural Wisconsin, November 2020 to December 2021
Authors: McLean Huong Q. , McClure David L. , King Jennifer P. , Meece Jennifer K. , Pattinson David , Neumann Gabriele , Kawaoka Yoshihiro , Rolfes Melissa A. , Belongia Edward A. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractReduced COVID‐19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) has been observed with increasing predominance of SARS‐CoV‐2 Delta (B.1.617.2) variant. Two‐dose VE against laboratory‐confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection (symptomatic and asymptomatic) was estimated using Cox proportional hazards models with time‐varying vaccination status in a prospective rural community cohort of 1266 participants aged ≥12 years. Between November 3, 2020 and December 7, 2021, VE was 56% for mRNA COVID‐19 vaccines overall, 65% for Moderna, and 50% for Pfizer‐BioNTech. VE when Delta predominated (June to December 2021) was 54% for mRNA COVID‐19 vaccines overall, 59% for Moderna, and 52% for Pfizer‐BioNTech.
Microbial health risks associated with rotavirus and enteric bacteria in River Ala in Akure, Nigeria
Authors: Olalemi Adewale Oluwasogo , Akinwumi Iseoluwa Moses 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAimThis study was carried out to determine the microbial health risks associated with surface water commonly used for bathing, drinking, domestic and irrigational activities in Akure, Nigeria.Methods and ResultsWater samples were collected from the river from March to June, 2018. The load of enteric bacteria, somatic coliphages and rotavirus in the water samples was determined using culture-based methods and molecular technique. The physicochemical characteristics of the water samples were determined using standard methods. The risks of rotavirus, Salmonella and Shigella infections resulting from ingestion of the water from the river, were estimated using dose–response model. Redundancy analysis revealed that the levels of E. coli and Salmonella were highly associated with salinity and turbidity. The risks of infection associated with rotavirus (3.3 × 10−3) were higher than those associated with Salmonella (1.3 × 10−4) and Shigella (1.3 × 10−3), and were all above the WHO acceptable risk limit (10−4).ConclusionAccidental or intentional ingestion of water from the river may pose potential risks of gastrointestinal illness to humans.Significance and Impact of studyQuantitative microbial risk assessment is essential in establishing adequate water management practices that must be strictly followed in order to protect human health.
International comparison of impurities mixing and accumulation in steel scrap
Authors: Panasiuk Daryna , Daigo Ichiro , Hoshino Takeo , Hayashi Hideo , Yamasue Eiji , Tran Duc Huy , Sprecher Benjamin , Shi Feng , Shatokha Volodymyr 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe accumulation of impurities in the recycling of steel impacts the quality of secondary steel. Understanding impurity levels is crucial in the context of the proliferation of circular economy policies, expected high recycling rates, and growth of scrap consumption. By assuming the accumulation of impurities to be equal worldwide, the understanding of the extent and variation of the mixing and accumulation was limited in previous studies, and the factors influencing those variations were not considered. This is a first cross‐national comparison of impurity accumulation in recycled steel. In this study, the copper, tin, nickel, chromium, and molybdenum content was analyzed in over 500 samples of electric arc furnace rebars from China, Japan, Vietnam, Ukraine, and the Netherlands (representing northwestern Europe) with an optical emission spectrometer. The impurity content in rebars represents the content of impurities accumulated in steel scrap in the countries studied. The measured content of impurities was then used to determine the factors influencing the accumulation of those impurities. It was revealed that the recycling technology, the presence of a market for recovered metals, the quality of the material input, steelmaking practices, and the management of byproducts derived from a legislative or economic context played a role in the impurities content. By communicating on scrap chemical content, the collaboration between the recycling and steel industries could be enhanced in terms of matching the demand and supply and facilitating an increase in the scrap share in steelmaking.
Evolutionary stability inferred for a free ranging lizard with sex‐reversal
Authors: Wild Kristoffer H. , Roe John H. , Schwanz Lisa , Georges Arthur , Sarre Stephen D. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe sex of vertebrates is typically determined genetically, but reptile sex can also be determined by developmental temperature. In some reptiles, temperature interacts with genotype to reverse sex, potentially leading to transitions from a chromosomal to a temperature‐dependent sex determining system. Transitions between such systems in nature are accelerated depending on the frequency and fitness of sex‐reversed individuals. The Central Bearded Dragon, Pogona vitticeps, exhibits female heterogamety (ZZ/ZW) but can have its sex reversed from ZZ male to ZZ female by high incubation temperatures. The species exhibits sex‐reversal in the wild and it has been suggested that climate change and fitness of sex‐reversed individuals could be increasing the frequency of reversal within the species range. Transitions to temperature‐dependent sex determination require low levels of dispersal and high (>50%) rates of sex‐reversal. Here, we combine genotype‐by‐sequencing, identification of phenotypic and chromosomal sex, exhaustive field surveys, and radio telemetry to examine levels of genetic structure, rates of sex‐reversal, movement, space use, and survival of P. vitticeps in a location previously identified as a hot spot for sex‐reversal. We find that the species exhibits low levels of population structure (FST ~0.001) and a modest (~17%) rate of sex‐reversal, and that sex‐reversed and nonsex‐reversed females have similar survival and behavioural characteristics to each other. Overall, our data indicate this system is evolutionary stable, although we do not rule out the prospect of a more gradual transition in sex‐determining mechanisms in the future in a more fragmented landscape and as global temperatures increase.
The effects of whey proteins, their peptides and amino acids on vascular function
Authors: Price Drew , Jackson Kim G. , Lovegrove Julie A. , Givens David Ian 
Published: February 2022

AbstractCardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a significant and growing burden on global health services, and it is now accepted that impairment of vascular function represents a major preliminary step in the development of CVD. There is considerable interest in identifying both causal factors of impaired vascular function, as well as related nutritional factors that may lower the risk of developing CVD, and food‐derived bioactive peptides and amino acids have emerged as one such area. Dairy foods contain two groups of proteins, whey proteins and caseins, which represent a rich source of bioactive peptides that are released during food processing and/or digestion. These peptides have a number of physiological activities including the potential to reduce blood pressure. Research, including acute and longer‐term randomised controlled trials, animal models and in vitro models has demonstrated the potential impact of dairy proteins on vascular function. The purpose of this paper is to narratively review the evidence, primarily from randomised controlled trials, examining the effects of whey proteins, their peptides and amino acids on vascular function and related issues including blood pressure. In addition, it will explore the potential underlying mechanisms responsible for these effects. It concludes that there is increasing evidence that whey proteins, and notably the bioactive peptides and amino acids released during their digestion, can have beneficial effects on aspects of vascular function and thus contribute to CVD risk reduction. It also highlights a number of beneficial effects of whey proteins including those on blood pressure, arterial stiffness, nitric oxide production and inflammation.
COVID‐19 pandemic and food poverty conversations: Social network analysis of Twitter data
Authors: Eskandari Fatemeh , Lake Amelia A. , Butler Mark 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThis novel and mixed‐method study investigated food poverty conversations at the beginning of the COVID‐19 pandemic and the subsequent national lockdown on the social media platform Twitter. NodeXL Pro software was used to collect tweets using the terms ‘food’ and ‘poverty’ in any order somewhere in a tweet sent on selected days between April 5 and May 23, 2020. The data obtained from NodeXL Pro were cleaned. Social network analysis tools were used to analyse and visualise our data. Using this method, sentiment‐related words (positive or negative words), the top (the most mentioned) 10 hashtags, top words and top word pairs were identified. The patterns of word pairs communicated in our network were visualised based on each word pair's frequency. This also enabled us to carry out a content analysis to create coding of the word pairs’ data. A total of 81 249 tweets were identified that contained the terms ‘food’ and ‘poverty’. Our findings revealed that individuals’ tweets overwhelmingly contained views about the increase in hunger, food poverty and food insecurity due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Twitter users perceived that when the pandemic measures began, many food‐secure families were pushed into food insecurity due to a rapid rise in unemployment and rising poverty due to the quarantine and stay‐at‐home instructions in place at the time. They also addressed the sharp rise in food poverty being driven by panic buying, food shortages, food affordability and disruptions in food supply and food systems. Our analysis of this data suggests that to mitigate food poverty or to prevent a ‘hunger pandemic’ for future pandemic emergencies, comprehensive and longer term policy responses and economic supports are needed to strengthen the resilience of food systems. However, the highlighted limitations of this study must be considered.
The use of autorefractors using the image‐size principle in determining on‐axis and off‐axis refraction. Part 3: Theoretical effect of pupil misalignment on peripheral refraction for the Grand‐Seiko Autorefractor
Authors: Atchison David A 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPurposeTo determine, through simulations, the effect of lateral misalignment of the Grand‐Seiko WR‐5100K autorefractor on peripheral refraction.MethodsUsing a Navarro schematic eye, into‐ and out‐of‐the eye raytracing was done for a Grand‐Seiko autorefractor simulation. For comparison, conventional out‐of‐the eye raytracing simulated the use of a Hartman‐Shack aberrometer. Peripheral refractions were determined out to ±40° along the horizontal visual field with lateral misalignments up to ±1 mm.ResultsThe effects are high, and greater when misalignment and the visual field are in opposite directions than when they are in the same direction. For example, 1 mm nasal misalignment causes mean sphere errors of −2.7 D and +1.3 D at 30° temporal field and 30° nasal field, respectively. These effects are approximately twice those occurring in a previous experimental study. Effects are small with the Hartmann‐Shack simulation, with mean sphere errors not exceeding 0.03 D with 1 mm instrument misalignment.ConclusionMisalignment of the Grand‐Seiko WR‐5100K autorefractor is predicted to cause considerable errors in peripheral refraction. The simulation produces about twice the errors found in an experimental study, and the reason for this is unknown.