bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Water‐based spent drilling mud regulates hydrophysical properties of coarse‐textured loessial soil
Authors: Fu Wei , Liu Qiao‐run , Fan Jun , M. M. T. Lakshani , Deepagoda T. K. K. Chamindu 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAmendment application is one of the effective measures used to remediate structural problems in coarse‐textured soils. However, the application of water‐based spent drilling mud (WBSM) as a potential amendment and its associated impacts on physical and hydraulic soil properties is not well‐studied. This research aimed to investigate the effect of the application of WBSM on basic hydrophysical properties of coarse‐textured loessial soil sampled from the Loess Plateau, China. Application of WBSM to repacked loessial soil at four application rates (0, 25.0, 50.0, 75.0 g kg−1, dry basis), denoted as control (H0), low (HDL), medium (HDM) and high (HDH), respectively, was used to investigate changes in soil bulk density (ρb), soil total porosity (ƒ), saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), relative gas diffusivity (Dp/Do), soil‐water retention and soil evaporation characteristics. The results showed that the soil ρb in HDL and HDM decreased by 4.0% and 5.5%, respectively, as compared to H0 (p < 0.05). Measured Ks changed to 36.7% (HWL), 12.2% (HWM) and 4.4% (HWH) as compared to H0 (5.56 cm d−1). The application of WBSM further decreased the percentage of soil pore sizes >30 μm, but increased the proportion of medium pore sizes (≥30–50 μm), micro pore sizes (≥0.3–5 μm) and extremely micro pore sizes (<0.3 μm), which was attributed to the clogging effect of the fine and clay particles contained in WBSM. Decline in Dp/Do, however, was observed with increasing WBSM, likely due to the increased pore tortuosity in fine‐grained soil. The van Genuchten soil‐water retention model parameters differed largely across the WBSM application rates, with increased soil available water‐holding capacity by 50.9%, 65.9% and 64.1% in HDL, HDM and HWH, respectively, as compared to H0. However, WBSM application also increased soil available water‐holding capacity and reduced evaporative water loss, which has useful implications for the management of coarse‐textured soils with a distinct water deficit in fragile ecosystems. Widespread use of WBSM to amend coarse‐textured soils requires further studies to evaluate the effects of WBSM amendments in field trials and its environmental consequences.Highlights
Water‐based spent drilling mud (WBSM) altered the texture of loessial soil.
WBSM increased soil total porosity and changed pore size distribution.
WBSM affected the characteristics of soil water and gas transport.
The soil water availability was improved by WBSM application.
SORL1 gene mutation and octapeptide repeat insertion in PRNP gene in a case presenting with rapidly progressive dementia and cerebral amyloid angiopathy
Authors: Cencini Federica , Catania Marcella , Di Fede Giuseppe , Rossi Giacomina , Chalouhi Katia Khouri , Manfredi Chiara , Giaccone Giorgio , Tiraboschi Pietro , Bersano Anna , Groppo Elisabetta , Rosci Chiara , Tancredi Lucia , Campiglio Laura , De Grado Amedeo , Priori Alberto , Scelzo Emma 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackground and purposeCerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) has been associated with a variety of neurodegenerative disorders, included prion diseases and Alzheimer's disease; its pathophysiology is still largely unknown. We report the case of an 80‐year‐old man with rapidly progressive dementia and neuroimaging features consistent with CAA carrying two genetic defects in the PRNP and SORL1 genes.MethodsNeurological examination, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalographic–electromyographic (EEG–EMG) polygraphy, and analysis of 14‐3‐3 and tau proteins, Aβ40, and Aβ42 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were performed. The patient underwent a detailed genetic study by next generation sequencing analysis.ResultsThe patient presented with progressive cognitive dysfunction, generalized myoclonus, and ataxia. Approximately 9 months after symptom onset, he was bed‐bound, almost mute, and akinetic. Brain MRI was consistent with CAA. CSF analysis showed high levels of t‐tau and p‐tau, decreased Aβ42, decreased Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio, and absence of 14.3.3 protein. EEG–EMG polygraphy demonstrated diffuse slowing, frontal theta activity, and generalized spike‐waves related to upper limb myoclonus induced by intermittent photic stimulation. Genetic tests revealed the presence of the E270K variant in the SORL1 gene and the presence of a single octapeptide repeat insertion in the coding region of the PRNP gene.ConclusionsThe specific pathogenic contribution of the two DNA variations is difficult to determine without neuropathology; among the possible explanations, we discuss the possibility of their link with CAA. Vascular and degenerative pathways actually interact in a synergistic way, and genetic studies may lead to more insight into pathophysiological mechanisms.
Morphometric magnetic resonance imaging cortico‐subcortical features in Parkinson's disease with mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Cicero Calogero Edoardo , Donzuso Giulia , Luca Antonina , Davì Marco , Baschi Roberta , Mostile Giovanni , Giuliano Loretta , Palmucci Stefano , Salerno Andrea , Monastero Roberto , Nicoletti Alessandra , Zappia Mario 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackground and purposeParkinson's disease (PD) patients with cognitive impairment undergo progressive atrophy of several cortical and subcortical areas. The aim was to study the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) morphometric features of PD patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).MethodsPatients from the Parkinson's Disease Cognitive Impairment Study (PACOS) cohort with an available structural volumetric brain MRI and morphometric measurements of the midbrain and pons areas, middle cerebellar peduncle, superior cerebellar peduncle width and midbrain anteroposterior diameter (A‐Pdiam) were included. MCI was diagnosed according to the Movement Disorder Society level II criteria. Additionally, cortical thickness analysis was performed and correlated with morphometric brainstem measurements.ResultsMorphometric measurements were available for 168 subjects, of whom 67 (39.9%) were diagnosed with PD‐MCI. The mean age (± standard deviation) of the sample was 64.2 ± 9.8. Amongst patients, 84 (50%) were men with a disease duration of 5.2 ± 5.4 years and a Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale—Motor Examination score of 32.1 ± 12.9. In the univariate and multivariate analysis, after adjusting for age, sex, years of schooling and disease duration, MCI was associated with midbrain area (odds ratio 0.98; 95% confidence interval 0.96–0.99; p = 0.048) and A‐Pdiam (odds ratio 0.63; 95% confidence interval 0.46–0.86; p = 0.005). Furthermore, 121 PD patients underwent cortical thickness analysis, which showed the presence of cortical thinning in lateral orbitofrontal regions of patients with PD‐MCI. No correlation was found between cortical thickness and brainstem morphometric measurements.ConclusionsA mild midbrain atrophy and the presence of frontal cortical thickness reduction might be considered a structural MRI feature of PD patients with MCI.
Bridging the gap between facts and norms: mutual trust, the European Arrest Warrant and the rule of law in an interdisciplinary context
Authors: Popelier Patricia , Gentile Giulia , van Zimmeren Esther 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe rule‐of‐law‐backsliding in some Member States has subverted not only one of the EU fundamental values but also trust among national authorities when implementing European Arrest Warrants (EAW). However, when evaluating the execution of EAWs issued by countries experiencing rule‐of‐law crises, the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) sought to preserve judicial cooperation and imposed a rather “top‐down” view on mutual trust among Member States. This approach seemingly disregards the (dis)trust which has emerged in the EU due to rule‐of‐law‐backsliding and fails to acknowledge the psycho‐sociological nature of trust. Drawing on the trust literature, the paper offers novel conceptual elements to rethink mutual trust in the EAW framework. Notably, it critically assesses some of the gaps in the CJEU's interpretation of mutual trust and advances suggestions to embed empirical considerations in the conceptualisation of this principle to bridge the gap between trust in practice and in principle.
Provider experience and order selection in the sharing economy
Authors: Lin Zhijie , Zhang Ying 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe sharing economy, enabled by digital platforms, which connect providers and consumers for peer‐to‐peer exchanges, experienced rapid growth in recent years. Although researchers attempted to explore the societal or business impact of the sharing economy market, little is known about how individual providers operate their businesses, given that providers are capacity‐constrained, self‐scheduled and unprofessional. In this study, we are interested in the relationship between experience and providers' order selection behaviours. Leveraging a rich and proprietary dataset from a large sharing economy platform—which facilitates the exchanges of home‐cooked meals in China—and employing multiple identification strategies and estimation methods, we find that the number of orders declined by a provider first increases with their experience, but later decreases. However, their sales revenue keeps increasing with experience. Our investigation further reveals that this happens because providers adjust their order selection strategies at different experience levels to achieve higher revenue in the sharing economy. Our study is among the pioneering studies to empirically understand providers' market behaviours in the sharing economy and offers important practical implications.
Setting up a new team of support staff for people with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning and severe challenging behaviour: A concept mapping study
Authors: Lokman Suzanne , van Oorsouw Wietske M. W. J. , Didden Robert , Embregts Petri J. C. M. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundStudies about teams of staff supporting people with intellectual disability have focused on team performance of existing teams. This study aimed to examine important factors in the process of setting up a new team of support staff. Specifically, we considered the process for a team that supports service users with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning who display severe challenging behaviour from the orthopedagogical perspective (i.e., with a focus on contextual factors).MethodThree participant groups (service users, support staff, and professionals supporting a team) participated in a concept mapping procedure, including generating statements in interviews and focus groups, sorting, and rating. An expert group interpreted the results.ResultsImportant factors to one or more groups were: service users and support staff getting acquainted early, team safety, social support, a shared vision, and a positive reputation of the new home.ConclusionsFour core outcomes were addressed that may help service organisations to provide an environment matching the needs of service users who show severe challenging behaviour from the start.
Parasite‐induced shifts in host movement may explain the transient coexistence of high‐ and low‐pathogenic disease strains
Authors: Fofana Abdou Moutalab , Hurford Amy 
Published: July 2022

AbstractMany parasites induce decreased host movement, known as lethargy, which can impact disease spread and the evolution of virulence. Mathematical models have investigated virulence evolution when parasites cause host death, but disease‐induced decreased host movement has received relatively less attention. Here, we consider a model where, due to the within‐host parasite replication rate, an infected host can become lethargic and shift from a moving to a resting state, where it can die. We find that when the lethargy and disease‐induced mortality costs to the parasites are not high, then evolutionary bistability can arise, and either moderate or high virulence can evolve depending on the initial virulence and the magnitude of mutation. These results suggest, firstly, the coexistence of strains with different virulence, which may explain the transient coexistence of low‐ and high‐pathogenic strains of avian influenza viruses, and secondly, that medical interventions to treat the symptoms of lethargy or prevent disease‐induced host deaths can result in a large jump in virulence and the rapid evolution of high virulence. In complement to existing results that show bistability when hosts are heterogeneous at the population level, we show that evolutionary bistability may arise due to transmission heterogeneity at the individual host level.
Subsurface phase imaging of tapping‐mode atomic force microscopy at phase resonance
Authors: Sun Baishun , Cao Liang , Xie Chenchen , Lu Zhengcheng , Liu Mengnan , Yu Miao , Song Zhengxun , Wen Zhankun , Wang Zuobin 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe phase image of tapping‐mode atomic force microscopy (TM‐AFM) contains energy dissipation, which is related to the sample information on the physical properties such as the sample Young's modulus, adhesion, surface morphology and subsurface morphology. When TM‐AFM is used for sample measurement, the frequency near the first resonance peak of probe is usually selected to drive the probe vibration. When the probe vibration is driven by the frequency, the probe has a high amplitude sensitivity, but the phase sensitivity is relatively low. In this paper, the frequency at the probe phase resonance peak was selected for driving the probe vibration to measure the sample, which improved the image resolution. Phase imaging was performed on three uniform photoresist samples with different thicknesses and the same structure. When the scanning parameters were fixed and the probe setpoint value was changed alone, it was found that with the decrease of setpoint value the horizontal resolution of the phase subsurface image was decreased, and the depth sensitivity was increased first and then decreased. The result shows that TM‐AFM working at the phase resonance peak can better realise the subsurface imaging of samples at different depths. Phase subsurface imaging at the resonance can be used to quantitatively obtain subsurface phase images of different depths.
Neurodevelopmental outcomes in neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation survivors: An institutional perspective
Authors: Quadir Ashfaque , Popat Himanshu , Crowle Cathryn , Galea Claire , Chong Jia Y , Goh Chong T 
Published: July 2022

AimTo describe the neurodevelopmental outcomes following extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in early infancy.MethodsThirty‐seven patients who had survived following ECMO support from 2008 to 2018 had their neurodevelopmental outcomes assessed and analysed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. Developmental outcome was defined as impairment in any of the developmental domains of motor function, cognition and language with mild impairment being 1–2 standard deviations below the test mean, moderate being 2–3 standard deviations below and severe being greater than 3 standard deviations below.ResultsOf these 37 patients, the median age at admission to Paediatric Intensive Care Unit was 0.4 months (interquartile range 2.8 months) with all of the study patients having an underlying diagnosis of congenital cardiac disease and 37/40 (92.5%) ECMO runs occurring in the immediate post‐operative period. Of the 29 patients who had had follow‐up at 12 months of age or older, 3 (10.3%) had severe impairment, 4 (13.8%) had moderate impairment, 12 (41.3%) had mild impairment and 10 (34.5%) had no impairment. Gross motor function was most significantly impacted in 18/29 (62.1%) patients, of which 7/18 (38.9%) had severe impairment. This was followed by impairment of receptive language in 8/29 (27.6%) patients and expressive language in 6/29 (20.1%) patients.ConclusionsOne in four infants undergoing ECMO treatment in early infancy has moderate to severe neurodevelopmental impairment. Gross motor and language are the most affected developmental domains.
Slow and steady wins the race: Spatial and stochastic processes and the failure of suppression gene drives
Authors: Paril Jeff F. , Phillips Ben L. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractGene drives that skew sex ratios offer a new management tool to suppress or eradicate pest populations. Early models and empirical work suggest that these suppression drives can completely eradicate well‐mixed populations, but models that incorporate stochasticity and space (i.e. drift and recolonization events) often result in loss or failure of the drive. We developed a stochastic model to examine these processes in a simple one‐dimensional space. This simple space allows us to map the events and outcomes that emerged and examine how properties of the drive's wave of invasion affect outcomes. Our simulations, across a biologically realistic section of parameter space, suggest that drive failure might be a common outcome in spatially explicit, stochastic systems, and that properties of the drive wave appear to mediate outcomes. Surprisingly, the drives that would be considered fittest in an aspatial model were strongly associated with failure in the spatial setting. The fittest drives cause relatively fast moving, and narrow waves that have a high chance of being penetrated by wild‐types (WTs) leading to WT recolonization, leading to failure. Our results also show that high rates of dispersal reduce the chance of failure because drive waves get disproportionately wider than WT waves as dispersal rates increase. Overall, wide, slow‐moving drive waves were much less prone to failure. Our results point to the complexity inherent in using a genetic system to effect demographic outcomes and speak to a clear need for ecological and evolutionary modelling to inform the drive design process.
Dearth of electrophysiology fellows: perspectives from cardiology fellows‐in‐training
Authors: Patel Harshil , Zughaib Marc , Rajpurohit Dhruv , Whitler Cameron , Kalaba Frank , Bradley Christopher , Zughaib Marcel 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundOver the last 6 years, there has been a high percentage of unfilled cardiac electrophysiology (EP) training spots each year. The authors aimed to investigate potential explanations for the unfilled positions based on a survey from the current Fellows‐In‐Training (FITs).MethodsAn attempt was made to reach the current cardiology FITs across all programs of the U.S. via email. An anonymous questionnaire was created consisting of 14 questions. Questions posed were regarding factors affecting each participant's interest in or lack of pursuing an EP fellowship. Descriptive statistics of the responses were performed.ResultsA total of 26% (35/134) respondents expressed their interest in applying to an EP fellowship. The most common reasons to apply to EP were: Interest in EP, procedural specialty, and work‐life balance. Of the 99 respondents that were not applying to EP, the most common reasons not to apply were: Less interest in EP, two‐year training duration, and complexity of the specialty. The top reasons for the fellows to believe there is a dearth of EP FITs were: two‐year training duration, lack of interest in EP, and the complexity of the specialty. The changes that would encourage EP fellowship interest were: More exposure to EP training during general cardiology fellowship, shortening the EP training duration, and having more information available regarding employment opportunities.ConclusionThe study was able to identify factors responsible for vacancies in EP fellowship positions from the view of current cardiology FITs. Stakeholders at the national level involved in framing policies related to fellowship education would be able to utilize this information to address the shortage of EP FITs and increase recruitment to EP fellowships.
Relationship between sleep apnea and hospital readmission in rural and urban populations
Authors: Newcomb Patricia , Tadlock Joell , Nelson Tanna , Urban Regina , Mullen Hannah , Cordero Rosette , Thinn Su 
Published: July 2022

AbstractObjectivesThe aims of this study were to evaluate geographic differences in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) prevalence, to determine if readmissions were more likely among rural patients with OSA than others, and to model predictors, including diagnosed OSA, of 30, 60, and 90‐day acute‐care readmissions.DesignThis cohort study employed a secondary analysis of data extracted from the electronic health record shared by all hospitals in a north Texas healthcare system.SampleThe sample consisted of records associated with 472,503 adult patients admitted to any of the study system's acute‐care facilities from 2016 through 2019.MeasurementsMeasurements consisted of case‐level health information, including admissions, demographic variables, payors, diagnoses, screens, and physician orders.ResultsOSA was significantly related to hospital readmission when considered in isolation but did not significantly predict readmission when modeled with plausible covariates. Screening rates for OSA did not vary by geography. Differences in rural/urban‐suburban OSA prevalence were not statistically significant.ConclusionsFindings contrast with previous suggestions that OSA plays an independent role in hospital readmissions or that rural resident may be disadvantaged regarding services that support the OSA diagnosis. Prevalence and screening rates were almost identical in urban and rural populations.
MRI diffusion tensor imaging scalar values in dogs with intervertebral disc herniation: A comparison between manual and semiautomated region of interest methods
Authors: Shinn Richard , Riffe Ashley , Edwards Michael , Rossmeisl John 
Published: July 2022

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measures have been described as methods for quantifying spinal cord injury and predicting outcome in dogs with intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH); however, studies comparing methods for selecting regions of interest (ROIs) are currently lacking. The aims of this retrospective, methods comparison, observational study were to compare DTI measurements acquired using manual (mROI) versus semiautomated ROI (sROI) methods and to compare DTI measurements with patient outcomes. Magnetic resonance imaging scans that included DTI pulse sequences were retrieved for 65 dogs with confirmed IVDH. Regions of interest were placed at one vertebral length cranial and caudal to the region of spinal cord compression (RSCC) using the mROI and sROI methods. Scalar values based on the mROI and sROI methods were compared. There was a significant difference for all DTI measures (P < 0.0001), where fractional anisotropy was higher (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.15, 0.19) and mean diffusivity (MD; CI: −0.41, −0.35), axial diffusivity (AD; CI: −0.47, −0.36) and radial diffusivity (RD; CI: −0.36, −0.27) were lower for the mROI than for the sROI. For both the mROI and sROI, MD, AD, and RD were significantly lower (p < 0.05) at the RSCC in paraplegic dogs that did not regain motor function. The findings indicated that DTI methods for quantifying SCI using open source software and ROI were feasible for use in dogs with IVDH; however, values based on sROI methods differed from values based on mROI methods. Some DTI measures based on both the mROI and sROI methods were predictive of poor patient outcome.