bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strongyloides stercoralis and Trypanosoma cruzi coinfections in a highly endemic area in Argentina
Authors: Fleitas Pedro E. , Floridia-Yapur Noelia , Nieves Elvia E. , Echazu Adriana , Vargas Paola A. , Caro Nicolás R. , Aveldaño Ramiro , Lopez Walter , Fernandez Mariana , Crudo Favio , Cimino Rubén O. , Krolewiecki Alejandro J. 
Published: February 2022

Background
Strongyloidiasis and Chagas disease are endemic in northern Argentina. In this study we evaluate the association between S. stercoralis and T. cruzi infections in villages with diverse prevalence levels for these parasites. Further understanding in the relationship between these Neglected Tropical Diseases of South America is relevant for the design of integrated control measures as well as exploring potential biologic interactions.

Methodology
Community based cross-sectional studies were carried in different villages of the Chaco and Yungas regions in Argentina. Individuals were diagnosed by serology for S. stercoralis and T. cruzi. The association between S. stercoralis and T. cruzi, and between anemia and the two parasites was evaluated using two approaches: marginal (Ma) and multilevel regression (Mu).

Results
A total of 706 individuals from six villages of northern Argentina were included. A total of 37% were positive for S. stercoralis, 14% were positive for T. cruzi and 5% were positive for both. No association was found between infection with S. stercoralis and T. cruzi in any of the models, but we found a negative correlation between the prevalence of these species in the different villages (r = -0.91). Adults (> 15 years) presented association with S. stercoralis (Ma OR = 2.72; Mu OR = 2.84) and T. cruzi (Ma OR = 5.12; Mu OR = 5.48). Also, 12% and 2% of the variance of infection with S. stercoralis and T. cruzi, respectively, could be explained by differences among villages. On the other hand, anemia was associated with infection with S. stercoralis (Ma OR = 1.73; Mu OR = 1.78) and was more prevalent in adults (Ma OR = 2.59; Mu OR = 2.69).

Conclusion
We found that coinfection between S. stercoralis and T. cruzi is not more frequent than chance in endemic areas. However, the high prevalence for both parasites, raises the need for an integrated strategy for the control of STH and Chagas disease.
Adrenal suppression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treated with glucocorticoids: Role of specific glucocorticoid receptor polymorphisms
Authors: Sivapalan Pradeesh , Borresen Stina Willemoes , Eklöf Josefin , Klose Marianne , Holm Freja S. , Feldt-Rasmussen Ulla , Rossing Maria , Jørgensen Niklas R. , Marvig Rasmus L. , Saeed Mohamad Isam , Wilcke Torgny , Seersholm Niels , Mathioudakis Alexander G. , Vestbo Jørgen , Jensen Jens-Ulrik Stæhr 
Published: February 2022

Background
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene NR3C1 have been associated with an altered sensitivity to glucocorticoids, and thus may alter the therapeutic effects of glucocorticoids. We investigated the prevalence of adrenal suppression after treatment with glucocorticoids and evaluated whether GR SNPs were associated with altered risks of adrenal suppression and metabolic disorders in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods
In an observational prospective cohort study, we recruited 78 patients with severe COPD receiving 5 days glucocorticoid treatment for an exacerbation of COPD. In total, 55% of these patients were also receiving regular inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Adrenal function was evaluated with a corticotropin test 30 days after the exacerbation. Patients were genotyped for Bcl1, N363S, ER22/23EK, and 9β SNPs.

Results
The prevalence of adrenal suppression (corticotropin-stimulated plasma-cortisol ≤ 420 nmol/L) 30 days after glucocorticoid treatment was 4/78 (5%). There was no difference between carriers and non-carriers of the polymorphisms (Bcl1, 9β, ER22/23K, and N363S) in corticotropin stimulated plasma-cortisol concentrations. In the haplotype analyses, we included the 50 patients who had a high-sensitivity (76%), a low-sensitivity (4%), or a wild-type (20%) GR haplotype. There was no difference in the frequency of adrenal suppression or metabolic disorders between the two stratified groups: (a) high-sensitivity (Bcl1 and/or N363S) haplotypes vs. (b) low-sensitivity (9β and/or ER22/23K) plus wild-type haplotypes (p > 0.05). Carriers of the high-sensitivity GR gene haplotype exhibited a steeper decline in stimulated P-cortisol with increased ICS dose (slope, –1.35 vs. 0.94; p = 0.17), compared to the group with low-sensitivity or wild-type haplotypes, respectively.

Conclusions
In total, 5% of patients exhibited insufficient adrenal function. The Bcl1 and N363S polymorphisms did not seem to increase the risk of glucocorticoid suppression or metabolic disorders in adults treated with glucocorticoids for COPD exacerbations.
Polymorphisms in ACE, ACE2, AGTR1 genes and severity of COVID-19 disease
Authors: Sabater Molina Maria , Nicolás Rocamora Elisa , Bendicho Asunción Iborra , Vázquez Elisa García , Zorio Esther , Rodriguez Fernando Domínguez , Gil Ortuño Cristina , Rodríguez Ana Isabel , Sánchez-López Antonio J. , Jara Rubio Rubén , Moreno-Docón Antonio , Marcos Pedro J. , García Pavía Pablo , Villa Roberto Barriales , Gimeno Blanes Juan R. 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundInfection by the SARS-Cov-2 virus produces in humans a disease of highly variable and unpredictable severity. The presence of frequent genetic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the population might lead to a greater susceptibility to infection or an exaggerated inflammatory response. SARS-CoV-2 requires the presence of the ACE2 protein to enter in the cell and ACE2 is a regulator of the renin-angiotensin system. Accordingly, we studied the associations between 8 SNPs from AGTR1, ACE2 and ACE genes and the severity of the disease produced by the SARS-Cov-2 virus.Methods318 (aged 59.6±17.3 years, males 62.6%) COVID-19 patients were grouped based on the severity of symptoms: Outpatients (n = 104, 32.7%), hospitalized on the wards (n = 73, 23.0%), Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (n = 84, 26.4%) and deceased (n = 57, 17.9%). Comorbidity data (diabetes, hypertension, obesity, lung disease and cancer) were collected for adjustment. Genotype distribution of 8 selected SNPs among the severity groups was analyzed.ResultsFour SNPs in ACE2 were associated with the severity of disease. While rs2074192 andrs1978124showed a protector effectassuming an overdominant model of inheritance (G/A vs. GG-AA, OR = 0.32, 95%CI = 0.12–0.82; p = 0.016 and A/G vs. AA-GG, OR = 0.37, 95%CI: 0.14–0.96; p = 0.038, respectively); the SNPs rs2106809 and rs2285666were associated with an increased risk of being hospitalized and a severity course of the disease with recessive models of inheritance (C/C vs. T/C-T/T, OR = 11.41, 95% CI: 1.12–115.91; p = 0.012) and (A/A vs. GG-G/A, OR = 12.61, 95% CI: 1.26–125.87; p = 0.0081). As expected, an older age (OR = 1.47), male gender (OR = 1.98) and comorbidities (OR = 2.52) increased the risk of being admitted to ICU or death vs more benign outpatient course. Multivariable analysis demonstrated the role of the certain genotypes (ACE2) with the severity of COVID-19 (OR: 0.31, OR 0.37 for rs2074192 and rs1978124, and OR = 2.67, OR = 2.70 for rs2106809 and rs2285666, respectively). Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in hospitalized group for I/D SNP in ACE was not showed (p<0.05), which might be due to the association with the disease. No association between COVID-19 disease and the different AGTR1 SNPs was evidenced on multivariable, nevertheless the A/A genotype for rs5183 showed an higher hospitalization risk in patients with comorbidities.ConclusionsDifferent genetic variants in ACE2 were associated with a severe clinical course and death groups of patients with COVID-19. ACE2 common SNPs in the population might modulate severity of COVID-19 infection independently of other known markers like gender, age and comorbidities.
Malaria treatment-seeking behaviour and its associated factors: A cross-sectional study in rural East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia
Authors: Guntur Robertus Dole , Kingsley Jonathan , Islam Fakir M. Amirul 
Published: February 2022

Introduction
The World Health Organization recommends seeking medical treatment within 24 hours after transmission of malaria to reduce the risk of severe complications and its onwards spread. However, in some parts of Indonesia, including East Nusa Tenggara Province (ENTP), this adherence is not achieved for a range of reasons including delays in visiting health centres. This study aims to determine factors related to the poor understanding of appropriate malaria treatment-seeking behaviour (AMTSB) of rural adults in ENTP. AMTSB was defined as seeking treatment at professional health facilities within 24 hours of the onset of malaria symptoms.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted in the East Sumba, Belu, and East Manggarai district of ENTP between October and December 2019. A multi-stage cluster sampling procedure was applied to enrol 1503 participants aged between 18 and 89 years of age. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess significant factors associated with the poor understanding of AMTSB.

Results
Eighty-six percent of participants were found to be familiar with the term malaria. However, poor understanding level of AMTSB in rural adults of ENTP achieved 60.4% with a 95% confidence interval (CI): 56.9–63.8. Poor understanding of AMTSB was significantly higher for adults with no education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.42, 95% CI: 1.81, 6.48) compared to those with a diploma or above education level; having low SES (AOR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.19, 2.96) compared to those having high SES; residing at least three kilometres (km) away from the nearest health facilities (AOR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.2, 2.5) compared to those living within one km from the nearest health service; and working as farmer (AOR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.01–2.63) compared to those working at government or non-government sector. Whilst, other factors such as ethnicity and family size were not associated with the poor understanding of AMTSB.

Conclusion
The proportion of rural adults having a poor understanding of AMTSB was high leading to ineffective implementation of artemisinin-based combination therapies as the method to treat malaria in ENTP. Improving awareness of AMTSB for rural adults having low level education, low SES, working as a farmer, and living at least three km from the nearest health facilities is critical to support the efficacy of malaria treatment in ENTP. This method will support the Indonesian government’s objective to achieve malaria elimination by 2030.
Discapacidad, feminismo y sexualidad enSangre en el ojode Lina Meruane
Authors: Ávalos Etna 
Published: February 2022

AbstractEste artículo se aproxima a la novela auto-ficcional Sangre en el ojo (2012) de la autora chilena Lina Meruane desde los estudios feministas de la discapacidad. Ávalos sostiene que lejos de convertirse en la imagen del cuerpo discapacitado femenino asociado con la imagen convencional de la discapacidad, la protagonista y alter ego de Meruane se apropia de su ceguera hasta convertirla en un instrumento para manipular a su pareja. Partiendo de un comentario de Meruana sobre si la ceguera no podrá conferir algunos privilegios mientras priva de otros, el artículo examina de qué modos la protagonista-narradora intenta subvertir la imagen de la discapacitada como cuerpo pasivo, particularmente en el terreno de la sexualidad.
Disabled Housewives: Impairment in Emilia Pardo Bazán’s “Las medias rojas” and “El revólver”
Authors: Amores Lennie 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
In both “Las medias rojas” and “El revólver,” the young female protagonists begin as beautiful vibrant women until disabling older men restrict their movement through violence and intimidation. Whereas the peasant girl in “Las medias,” brutally beaten by her father, becomes permanently disfigured and partially blind, the upper-class woman, in “El revólver”, ultimately heals from post-traumatic anxiety through a form of narrative therapy at the spa. This paper argues that the differential treatment of female poverty and affluence illustrates how classist nineteenth-century society sanctions the punishment of the peasant woman while fostering the wellness of the well-to-do señora. Permanent disability is reserved for the poor.
RaptorQ codes aided secure data delivery strategy for vehicular networks
Authors: Bulut Cebecioglu Berna 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
This paper deals with security issues in the presence of an eavesdropper for a vehicular scenario. The proposed secure data delivery scheme implements Fountain Codes, namely RaptorQ (RQ) codes, at the application layer (AL) to increase communication security against eavesdroppers’ attacks. For RQ coded transmission scheme, the receiver has to collect a sufficient number of coded packets to reconstruct the original source data. Secure delivery can be achieved if the legitimate user obtains enough RQ coded packets before the eavesdropper does. To satisfy this condition, it is proposed to use a road side unit (RSU) cooperation method when the eavesdropper has better channel conditions than the legitimate user to scatter the coded packets from multiple RSUs. The aim is to reduce the probability that the eavesdropper receives the sufficient number of coded packets and recover the source data before the legitimate user. An optimisation framework which jointly selects the RQ code rate at the AL and Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) at the physical (PHY) layer to ensure the secure data transmission by allowing the user to decode the file with a certain probability of decoding success while minimising the intercept probability at the eavesdropper is presented. To evaluate the proposed system, a realistic end-to-end system level simulator is developed. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme can provide secure and efficient data transmission over vehicular networks by significantly reducing the intercept probability at the eavesdropper.
Kooperative ereignisbasierte Steuerung von mobilen Objekten über ein unzuverlässiges Kommunikationsnetzwerk
Authors: Schwung Michael , Lunze Jan 
Published: February 2022

ZusammenfassungDieser Beitrag stellt eine ereignisbasierte Methode zur kooperativen Steuerung von zwei mobilen Objekten (Agenten) vor. Das Ziel ist es, für diese Agenten kollisionsfreie Trajektorien zur Laufzeit lokal zu planen und diesen unter dem Einfluss externer Störungen zu folgen. Auf Änderungen der Trajektorie des benachbarten Agenten kann die Methode reagieren. Hierbei werden ausschließlich lokal gemessene Größen sowie die über ein unsicheres Kommunikationsnetzwerk gesendeten Informationen, die verzögert oder verloren gegangen sein können, verwendet. Die Agenten werden in einen kurshaltepflichtigen und einen ausweichpflichtigen Agenten eingeteilt. Der kurshaltepflichtige Agent folgt seiner Trajektorie, die er zur Kollisionsvermeidung mit Hindernissen ändern kann. Der ausweichpflichtige Agent muss die Kollision mit dem ersten Agenten verhindern. Hierzu wird eine Steuereinheit eingesetzt, die vier Aufgaben ausführt: Schätzung der aktuellen Netzwerkeigenschaften, Prädiktion der Bewegung des kurshaltepflichtigen Agenten, Anfordern von Informationen, Planung kollisionsfreier Trajektorien. Eine Simulationsstudie mit zwei Quadrokoptern illustriert die Vorgehensweise.
Towards automatic generation of functionality semantics to improve PLC software modularization
Authors: Wilch Jan , Fischer Juliane , Langer Nikolai , Felger Markus , Bengel Matthias , Vogel-Heuser Birgit 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Functions of automated Production Systems (aPS) can be realized by control software (SW), whose high quality and short development time are, therefore, vital. To achieve both, SW should be modular and, thereby, reusable. Static code analysis can help improve the modularization of existing software, e. g., by automatically analyzing control and information flow. However, manual code reviews are still typically required because planning a SW’s modularization requires a semantic understanding of its functionality. This paper presents an approach to, instead, identify SW functionality automatically and evaluates it with SW from three aPS manufacturers.
Microstructural characterization of alloys of the quasibinary Cu–NiBe system
Authors: Spaić Savo , Markoli Boštjan 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Alloys of the quasibinary section Cu –NiBe were experimentally investigated with differential thermal analysis, optical microscopy, electron microanalysis, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The construction of the quasibinary Cu–NiBe phase diagram was made based on the experimental results. The constitution of alloys of the whole section was studied along with the investigation of the microstructure and crystallographic relationship of the NiBe phase in aged alloys from the Cu-rich corner of the Cu–NiBe system.
Development of microstructure in solution-heat-treated Mg-5Al-xCa alloys
Authors: Liu Man Ping , Wang Qu Dong , Zeng Xiao Qin , Wei Yin Hong , Zhu Yan Ping , Lu Chen 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe development of the microstructure in Mg–Al –Ca alloys was investigated both in the as-cast condition and after solution heat treatment at 415 °C for 0.25 – 120 h, using secondary electron imaging, electron probe microanalysis and X-ray diffraction analysis in combination with light microscopy and image analysis. The main intermetallic compound in the Ca-containing alloys is Al2Ca, and the formation of the Mg17Al12phase is suppressed in the presence of Ca. The decomposition of Al2Ca during the solution treatment is more difficult than that of Mg17Al12, and undissolved Ca was still present in the form of stable Al2Ca even after 120 h. With increasing treatment time, the coarse Al2Ca phase, which was continuously distributed like a network around the α-Mg grains in the as-cast state, underwent thinning and necking in the initial stage. Then it became disconnected and fragmentized, and finally the fragmentized Al2Ca particles were spheroidized and fined due to the diffusion of Ca and Al along the Al2Ca/Mg interface. As a result, the continuous network-like Al2Ca phase turned into a dispersion of spherical particles. The fine Al2Ca particles were homogeneously distributed in the matrix, which can be very beneficial to creep resistance and mechanical properties of Ca-containing alloys.
Dry wear response of a Zn-based alloy containing 37.5% Al as affected by sliding conditions
Authors: Prasad B. K. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
This paper discusses the observations made pertaining to dry sliding wear characteristics of a Zn-based alloy at different sliding speeds and pressures. The wear rate increased with speed and pressure. The wear rate versus pressure plots attained two slopes wherein the slope was low up to a specific pressure followed by an increased slope at still higher pressures. This trend was observed at all the sliding speeds except the maximum; in the latter case one slope (identical to that of the higher slope at the lower speeds) only was noted. The seizure pressure was noted to decrease with speed. The temperature near the specimen surface increased with test duration, pressure and sliding speed. The rate of temperature increase was significantly high initially. This was followed by a lower rate of increase in temperature at longer test durations. In some cases, the rate of temperature increase became high once again towards the end of the tests. The influence of applied pressure and sliding speed on the temperature increase was practically identical to that on wear rate. Lower wear rate of the alloy agreed with less surface/subsurface damage and finer debris formation and vice versa.
Microstructure selection map for rapidly solidified Al-rich Al–Sr alloys
Authors: Zhang Zhonghua , Bian Xiufang , Wang Yan , Yin Kuibo 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The effect of rapid solidification on the microstructure of Al-5Sr, Al-10Sr and Al-23Sr (wt.%) alloys has been investigated using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The phases present in the melt-spun Al –Sr alloys are the equilibrium phases a-Al and tetragonal Al4Sr. The microstructure of the melt-spun Al –Sr alloys is quite different from that of the ingot-like alloys. Microstructure selection map is established for the rapidly solidified Al-rich Al –Sr alloys, in light of the microstructure together with the estimated cooling rates. The undercooling obtained through quenching at ≈ 9.5 × 105 K s–1 is sufficient for the Al-10Sr alloy but insufficient for the Al-23Sr alloy to completely suppress the formation of primary Al4Sr. Rapid solidification has a significant effect on the morphology of primary Al4Sr and the higher level of undercooling enhances the formation of the Al4Sr dendrites with 45° branches in the melt-spun Al-23Sr alloy.
Nanoscratching on surfaces: the relationships between lateral force, normal force and normal displacement
Authors: Kaupp G. , Naimi-Jamal M. R. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The relationship between lateral force, normal force and normal displacement has been investigated. Surfaces of diverse materials were nanoscratched at constant rate. Nanoindents with cube corner, Berkovich or cono-spherical indenter indicate proportionality of (normal force) ~ (normal displacement)3/2 up to considerable forces, sometimes approaching the 10 mN range, but phase transformations under pressure may change the slope. This differs from the varying Meyer exponents reported at forces higher by two to three magnitudes when applied to Vickers indenters. Nanoscratching on diverse materials consistently reveals proportionality of (lateral force) ~ (normal force)3/2. This relationship is valid for amorphous (fused quartz) and crystalline materials such as silicon, silica, strontium titanate and the polar molecular crystals of thiohydantoin and nin-hydrin with hydrogen bonds, or pure van-der-Waals crystals of tetraphenylethylene. Anisotropies of the crystals and the type of destruction (breaking covalent bonds, or hydrogen bonds, or van-der-Waals interactions; abrasion, or molecular movements) do not affect the obviously universal relationship but only the proportionality factor with the dimension μN–0.5 which describes materials response to the scratching action for the particular crystal face and anisotropic direction. The new quantitative relationship is usable for the calculation of scratch work and of other quantities related to the lateral force on the basis of the new empirical constants. Both new relationships from nanoindents and nanoscratches are unified in the (lateral force) ~ (normal displacement)9/4 relationship and experimentally verified.
Dynamic indentation measurements on amorphous materials
Authors: Palacio J. F. , Bull S. J. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
An alternative indentation method to study materials that present a time-dependent behaviour (e. g. viscoelasticity) is the dynamic stiffness measurement technique, which provides fast and accurate values of the elastic properties through the calculation of the storage modulus (related to the elastic recovery of the material), and the loss modulus (related to the damping), using indentation cycles with oscillating load or displacement. We have made dynamic measurements on four amorphous materials (CNx, amorphous carbon, fused silica and polypropylene). Such materials have a relatively low density compared to crystalline materials of similar composition and atoms are able to move into internal free space during deformation. The results suggest that all the amorphous materials have a similar time-dependant behaviour associated with the restrictions to movement of atoms (or chains) by neighbouring atoms in the amorphous structure.