bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of a Flame Retardant and an Organohalogen Flame Retardant Chemical Inventory
Authors: Bevington Charles , Williams Antony J. , Guider Colin , Baker Nancy C. , Meyer Brian , Babich Michael A. , Robinson Sayon , Jones Ann , Phillips Katherine A. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThere have been many attempts to compile comprehensive lists of flame retardants. However, this goal has proven challenging due to the heterogeneity of compounds that can be used as flame retardants coupled with changes in formulation chemistry over time. Flame retardants have been the focus of many recent existing hazard, exposure, and risk assessments. These assessments have been class-based or for individual chemical substances. Here, diverse sets of publicly available data sources from governmental organizations and the open literature were compiled to develop an inventory of chemicals used as flame retardants and organohalogen flame retardants. The chemical substances from these data sources were mapped to appropriate chemical identifiers via manual curation and deduplicated. Despite different data sources containing a large number of overlapping chemical substances, compiling information from multiple data sources was found to increase the breadth of potential flame retardant chemistries. The flame retardant and organohalogen flame retardant inventories were developed as a resource for scientists interested in better understanding properties of flame retardant and organohalogen flame retardant classes.
Chemoautotrophy, symbiosis and sedimented diatoms support high biomass of benthic molluscs in the Namibian shelf
Authors: Amorim K. , Loick-Wilde N. , Yuen B. , Osvatic J. T. , Wäge-Recchioni J. , Hausmann B. , Petersen J. M. , Fabian J. , Wodarg D. , Zettler M. L. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe molluscs Lucinoma capensis, Lembulus bicuspidatus and Nassarius vinctus are highly abundant in Namibian oxygen minimum zone sediments. To understand which nutritional strategies allow them to reach such impressive abundances in this extreme habitat we investigated their trophic diversity, including a chemosymbiosis in L. capensis, focussing on nitrogen biochemical pathways of the symbionts. We combined results of bulk nitrogen and carbon (δ13C and δ15N) and of compound-specific isotope analyses of amino acid nitrogen (AAs—δ15NPhe and δ15NGlu), with 16S rRNA gene sequencing of L. capensis tissues and also with exploratory results of ammonium, nitrate and nitrite turnover. The trophic position (TP) of the bivalve L. capensis is placed between autotrophy and mixotrophy, consistent with its proposed symbiosis with sulfur-oxidizing Candidatus Thiodiazotropha sp. symbionts. The symbionts are here revealed to perform nitrate reduction and ammonium uptake, with clear indications of ammonium host-symbionts recycling, but surprisingly unable to fix nitrogen. The TP of the bivalve L. bicuspidatus is placed in between mixotrophy and herbivory. The TP of the gastropod N. vinctus reflected omnivory. Multiple lines of evidences in combination with current ecosystem knowledge point to sedimented diatoms as important components of L. bicuspidatus and N. vinctus’ diet, likely supplemented at times with chemoautotrophic bacteria. This study highlights the importance of benthic-pelagic coupling that fosters the dietary base for macrozoobenthos in the OMZ. It further unveils that, in contrast to all shallow water lucinid symbionts, deeper water lucinid symbionts rely on ammonium assimilation rather than dinitrogen fixation to obtain nitrogen for growth.
Estimating the course of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany via spline-based hierarchical modelling of death counts
Authors: Wistuba Tobias , Mayr Andreas , Staerk Christian 
Published: June 2022

AbstractWe consider a retrospective modelling approach for estimating effective reproduction numbers based on death counts during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. The proposed Bayesian hierarchical model incorporates splines to estimate reproduction numbers flexibly over time while adjusting for varying effective infection fatality rates. The approach also provides estimates of dark figures regarding undetected infections. Results for Germany illustrate that our estimates based on death counts are often similar to classical estimates based on confirmed cases; however, considering death counts allows to disentangle effects of adapted testing policies from transmission dynamics. In particular, during the second wave of infections, classical estimates suggest a flattening infection curve following the “lockdown light” in November 2020, while our results indicate that infections continued to rise until the “second lockdown” in December 2020. This observation is associated with more stringent testing criteria introduced concurrently with the “lockdown light”, which is reflected in subsequently increasing dark figures of infections estimated by our model. In light of progressive vaccinations, shifting the focus from modelling confirmed cases to reported deaths with the possibility to incorporate effective infection fatality rates might be of increasing relevance for the future surveillance of the pandemic.
Machine learning molecular dynamics simulations toward exploration of high-temperature properties of nuclear fuel materials: case study of thorium dioxide
Authors: Kobayashi Keita , Okumura Masahiko , Nakamura Hiroki , Itakura Mitsuhiro , Machida Masahiko , Cooper Michael W. D. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractPredicting materials properties of nuclear fuel compounds is a challenging task in materials science. Their thermodynamical behaviors around and above the operational temperature are essential for the design of nuclear reactors. However, they are not easy to measure, because the target temperature range is too high to perform various standard experiments safely and accurately. Moreover, theoretical methods such as first-principles calculations also suffer from the computational limitations in calculating thermodynamical properties due to their high calculation-costs and complicated electronic structures stemming from f-orbital occupations of valence electrons in actinide elements. Here, we demonstrate, for the first time, machine-learning molecular-dynamics to theoretically explore high-temperature thermodynamical properties of a nuclear fuel material, thorium dioxide. The target compound satisfies first-principles calculation accuracy because f-electron occupation coincidentally diminishes and the scheme meets sampling sufficiency because it works at the computational cost of classical molecular-dynamics levels. We prepare a set of training data using first-principles molecular dynamics with small number of atoms, which cannot directly evaluate thermodynamical properties but captures essential atomistic dynamics at the high temperature range. Then, we construct a machine-learning molecular-dynamics potential and carry out large-scale molecular-dynamics calculations. Consequently, we successfully access two kinds of thermodynamic phase transitions, namely the melting and the anomalous $$\lambda$$
λ
transition induced by large diffusions of oxygen atoms. Furthermore, we quantitatively reproduce various experimental data in the best agreement manner by selecting a density functional scheme known as SCAN. Our results suggest that the present scale-up simulation-scheme using machine-learning techniques opens up a new pathway on theoretical studies of not only nuclear fuel compounds, but also a variety of similar materials that contain both heavy and light elements, like thorium dioxide.
PI3K/Akt pathway mediates the positive inotropic effects of insulin in Langendorff-perfused rat hearts
Authors: Nakadate Yosuke , Kawakami Akiko , Sato Hiroaki , Sato Tamaki , Oguchi Takeshi , Omiya Keisuke , Matsuoka Toru , Schricker Thomas , Matsukawa Takashi 
Published: June 2022

AbstractInsulin exerts positive inotropic effects on cardiac muscle; however, the relationship between cardiac contractility and phosphoinositol-3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) activation remains unclear. We hypothesized that the positive inotropic effects of insulin are dose-dependent and mediated via the PI3K/Akt pathway in isolated normal rat hearts. The Institutional Animal Investigation Committee approved the use of hearts excised from rats under pentobarbital anesthesia. The hearts were perfused at a constant pressure using the Langendorff technique. After stabilization (baseline), the hearts were randomly divided into the following four insulin (Ins) groups: 1) Ins0 (0 IU/L), 2) Ins0.5 (0.5 IU/L), 3) Ins5 (5 IU/L), and 4) Ins50 (50 IU/L) (n = 8 in each group). To clarify the role of the PI3K/Akt pathway in insulin-dependent inotropic effects, we also treated the insulin groups with the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin (InsW): 5) InsW0 (0 IU/L), 6) InsW0.5 (0.5 IU/L), 7) InsW5 (5 IU/L), and 8) InsW50 (50 IU/L). Hearts were perfused with Krebs–Henseleit buffer solution with or without wortmannin for 10 min, followed by 20 min perfusion with the solution containing each concentration of insulin. The data were recorded as the maximum left ventricular derivative of pressure development (LV dP/dt max). Myocardial p-Akt levels were measured at 3 min, 5 min, and at the end of the perfusion. In the Ins groups, LV dP/dt max in Ins5 and Ins50 increased by 14% and 48%, respectively, 3 min after insulin perfusion compared with the baseline. Tachyphylaxis was observed after 10 min in the Ins5 and Ins50 treatment groups. Wortmannin partially inhibited the positive inotropic effect of insulin; although insulin enhanced p-Akt levels at all time points compared with the control group, this increase was suppressed in the presence of wortmannin. The positive inotropic effect of insulin is dose-dependent and consistent with Akt activation. This effect mediated by high doses of insulin on cardiac tissue was temporary and caused tachyphylaxis, potentially triggered by Akt overactivation, which leads beta 1 deactivation.
Investigation of maternal and perinatal outcome in a population of Iranian pregnant women infected with COVID-19
Authors: Saleh Gargari Soraya , Rahmati Nayyereh , Fateh Reyhaneh , Khandani Ayda , Nikfar Somayeh , Ghafouri-Fard Soudeh 
Published: June 2022

AbstractInfection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in pregnant women might affect both maternal and neonatal outcomes. Based on the inconsistency between the results of the previous studies and the lack of data about the possible vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2, we designed the present study to investigate the maternal and perinatal outcomes in 182 Iranian pregnant women infected with COVID-19. Among 40 PCR tests conducted on neonatal throat samples, 11 tests were positive. Among the assessed women, 22 women needed ICU admission and 30 premature labors occurred. There were significant associations between ICU admission and many parameters such as the presence of dyspnea (P < 0.001), COVID-19-related CT scan findings (P = 0.003), need for a ventilator (P < 0.001), and low O2 saturation (P < 0.001), all of which indicate the critical situation of patients. Notably, the cause of delivery was significantly different in both groups, with labor pain and fetal distress being the most frequent causes of delivery in non-ICU and ICU-admitted patients, respectively. Moreover, delivery route (P = 0.003), frequencies of IUGR (P = 0.042), neonatal death (P = 0.008) and asphyxia (P = 0.016), Apgar score (P = 0.003), and gestational age at delivery (P = 0.009) have been associated with ICU admission. The present investigation exhibits association between the critical situation of pregnant women affected with COVID-19 and some adverse neonatal outcomes.
Fleshy red algae mats act as temporary reservoirs for sessile invertebrate biodiversity
Authors: El-Khaled Yusuf C. , Daraghmeh Nauras , Tilstra Arjen , Roth Florian , Huettel Markus , Rossbach Felix I. , Casoli Edoardo , Koester Anna , Beck Milan , Meyer Raïssa , Plewka Julia , Schmidt Neele , Winkelgrund Lisa , Merk Benedikt , Wild Christian 
Published: June 2022

AbstractMany coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs and seagrass meadows, currently experience overgrowth by fleshy algae due to the interplay of local and global stressors. This is usually accompanied by strong decreases in habitat complexity and biodiversity. Recently, persistent, mat-forming fleshy red algae, previously described for the Black Sea and several Atlantic locations, have also been observed in the Mediterranean. These several centimetre high mats may displace seagrass meadows and invertebrate communities, potentially causing a substantial loss of associated biodiversity. We show that the sessile invertebrate biodiversity in these red algae mats is high and exceeds that of neighbouring seagrass meadows. Comparative biodiversity indices were similar to or higher than those recently described for calcifying green algae habitats and biodiversity hotspots like coral reefs or mangrove forests. Our findings suggest that fleshy red algae mats can act as alternative habitats and temporary sessile invertebrate biodiversity reservoirs in times of environmental change.
Autonomous air combat decision‐making of UAV based on parallel self‐play reinforcement learning
Authors: Li Bo , Huang Jingyi , Bai Shuangxia , Gan Zhigang , Liang Shiyang , Evgeny Neretin , Yao Shouwen 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAiming at addressing the problem of manoeuvring decision‐making in UAV air combat, this study establishes a one‐to‐one air combat model, defines missile attack areas, and uses the non‐deterministic policy Soft‐Actor‐Critic (SAC) algorithm in deep reinforcement learning to construct a decision model to realize the manoeuvring process. At the same time, the complexity of the proposed algorithm is calculated, and the stability of the closed‐loop system of air combat decision‐making controlled by neural network is analysed by the Lyapunov function. This study defines the UAV air combat process as a gaming process and proposes a Parallel Self‐Play training SAC algorithm (PSP‐SAC) to improve the generalisation performance of UAV control decisions. Simulation results have shown that the proposed algorithm can realize sample sharing and policy sharing in multiple combat environments and can significantly improve the generalisation ability of the model compared to independent training.
Infrared spectroscopy of free-floating planet candidates in Upper Scorpius and Ophiuchus
Authors: Bouy H. , Tamura M. , Barrado D. , Motohara K. , Castro Rodríguez N. , Miret-Roig N. , Konishi M. , Koyama S. , Takahashi H. , Huélamo N. , Bertin E. , Olivares J. , Sarro L. M. , Berihuete A. , Cuillandre J.-C. , Galli P. A. B. , Yoshii Y. , Miyata T. 
Published: June 2022

Context.A rich population of low-mass brown dwarfs and isolated planetary mass objects has been reported in the Upper Scorpius and Ophiuchus star-forming complex.Aims.We investigate the membership, nature, and properties of 17 of these isolated planetary mass candidates using low-resolution near-infrared spectra.Methods.We investigated the membership by looking for evidence of their youth using four diagnostics: the slope of the continuum between theJandKsband, theHcont, and the TLI-g gravity-sensitive indices. In addition, we compared the spectra to young and field (old) M and L-dwarf standards.Results.All the targets but one are confirmed as young ultracool objects, with spectral types between L0 and L6 and masses in the range 0.004–0.013M⊙, according to evolutionary models. The status of the last target is unclear at this point.Conclusions.Only one possible contaminant has been identified among the 17 targets, suggesting that the contamination level of the original sample must be low (≲6%).
Menthacarin for long-term treatment of functional dyspepsia – Results from a clinical trial follow-up
Authors: Storr Martin , Stracke Berenike 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background Menthacarin was shown to be effective and safe in clinical trials in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). Long-term treatment results have not been reported yet.
Methods An open-label, 11-month follow-up (FU) was offered to FD patients who had undergone treatment with Menthacarin (1 gastro-resistant capsule b.i.d. vs. placebo (PL)) in a 4-week, double-blind, clinical trial. During FU, all patients (former verum and PL) were treated with 1 gastro-resistant capsule Menthacarin b.i.d. Main outcomes were the changes in pain intensity and severity of sensation of pressure, heaviness, and fullness from original baseline and global improvement.
Results 70 patients were included in the analyses (former Menthacarin group: 36, former PL group: 34). At the end of the PL-controlled study phase, all 3 main efficacy variables were statistically significantly improved in the Menthacarin group compared to PL. In the FU phase, former PL patients started to improve under Menthacarin treatment towards the outcomes seen in the former Menthacarin group (alignment at approximately 6 months), while former Menthacarin patients showed sustained or even continuously improved outcomes by month 12. At study end, more than 90% of patients were “much or very much improved" in both groups. Menthacarin treatment was well tolerated.
Conclusions The favorable effects seen in the FU period suggest that Menthacarin is a valuable treatment option in FD patients who require symptomatic treatment also in the longer term for up to 12 months.
Increased Seroprevalence of Campylobacter jejuni, but not HEV, in healthcare workers in gastroenterological endoscopy
Authors: Dammermann Werner , von Menges Andrea , Lüth Stefan , Ullrich Sebastian , Singethan Katrin , Pischke Sven , Ritter Oliver 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background The exposure of healthcare workers (HCW) to fecal-orally transmitted pathogens like hepatitis E Virus (HEV), Campylobacter jejuni or Helicobacter pylori is still not known. The potential risk for employees or patients to acquire these infections through asymptomatic infected healthcare personnel has not yet been studied. Physicians and nurses in gastroenterology working in endoscopic workspaces were recruited. Employees from cardiology, presumed to possess a lower exposure, served as controls. The cytomegalovirus (CMV) seroprevalence was analyzed as a control pathogen without fecal-oral route of transmission. This study provides an objective view onto the potential exposure risk for HCW and patients in endoscopic workspaces. We hypothesize that HCW in gastroenterological endoscopy show a higher seroprevalence for fecal-oral pathogens like HEV, C. jejuni and H. pylori compared to HCW in cardiology.
Objective Primary objective was the assessment of antibody titers against HEV, C. jejuni and H. pylori in serum of HCW from gastroenterological endoscopy as well as cardiology. As a secondary objective we analyzed the seroprevalence against CMV.
Methods 65 HCW were from gastroenterological endoscopy (n=42) and cardiology (n=23) in three medical centers in the German federal states of Brandenburg, Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein and were prospectively studied. Antibody titers were determined via ELISA in serum.
Results HCW in gastroenterological endoscopy showed a significantly higher C. jejuni seroprevalence for IgG (19.1 %) compared to HCW from the field of cardiology (8.7 %; p=0.04). IgA titers against C. jejuni were negligible. HEV seroprevalence for IgG did not differ significantly between HCW in gastroenterological endoscopy (7.1 %) and cardiology (8.7 %), respectively. IgA and IgM titers against HEV were also negligible. All other antibody titers against CMV and H. pylori showed no significant difference.
Conclusions Only the C. jejuni seroprevalence was significantly increased in HCW from the field of gastroenterological endoscopy. HEV seroprevalence showed no differences. The results for CMV and H. pylori were without pathological findings. However, there is no elevated risk for HEV exposure in medical staff working at an endoscopy unit, but for C. jejuni the protective measures might need to be improved.
The role of hormones in symptoms and pathophysiology of reflux and esophageal motility disorders
Authors: Singhartinger Franz Xaver , Wahl Lisa , Weitzendorfer Michael , Gantschnigg Antonia , Koch Oliver Owen , Emmanuel Klaus 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Purpose A few studies suggest that hormones play a role in the motility of the lower esophagus, but data is rare. In this prospective study we evaluated the correlation between hormones (TSH, fT3, fT4, calcitonin, gastrin, and VIP) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophageal motility disorders, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Methods 100 consecutive patients with reflux symptoms and dysphagia were hospitalized for diagnostic evaluation. Self-reporting questionnaires were handed out and patients routinely underwent serum analysis (TSH, fT3, fT4, calcitonin, gastrin, and VIP), 24-hour-pH-impendance monitoring, and high-resolution manometry.
Results Motility disorders were found in 38 out of 86 patients. There were no correlations between hormones, the DeMeester Score, and the lower esophageal sphincter pressure. A strong inverse relation between calcitonin and the Integrated Relaxation Pressure of the esophagogastric junction was found (r=–0.492; p<0.001). No correlations were found between hormone levels and the responses given in the questionnaires. Positive correlations, however, were found between VIP and gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as correlations between fT3 and dysphagia. Within the group with minor motility disorders, TSH and fT4 correlated with outcomes of the SCL-questionnaire. fT4 correlated with the typical symptoms, as well as the gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, constipation, flatulence). TSH correlated with the typical symptoms. Moreover, a correlation between VIP and gas-bloat-symptoms was found within group II
Conclusions No correlation between TSH, fT3, fT4, gastrin, VIP, calcitonin, and GERD in the sense of acid reflux was found, although calcitonin seems to have an effect on the lower esophageal sphincter.
Acute Glycemic Variability and Functional Outcome in Patients with
Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lin Jinbo , Cai Chunsheng , Xie Yituan 
Published: June 2022

AbstractDysglycemia are involved in the development of functional impairment after acute
ischemic stroke (AIS). The aim of the study was to evaluate the association
between acute glycemic variability and functional outcome in patients with AIS.
Cohort studies were obtained by search Medline, Web of Science, Embase, Wanfang,
and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases from inception to
November, 2021. A random-effect model which incorporates the intra-study
heterogeneity was chosen to pool the results. Ten cohort studies including 3038
patients were included, and 1319 (43.4%) had poor functional outcome
(modified Rankin Scale >2) up to three months after disease onset.
Pooled results showed that higher acute GV was associated with an increased risk
of poor functional outcome, as evidenced by GV evaluated by the standard
deviation of blood glucose (SDBG, OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.38 to 2.65,
I2=60%, p<0.001), the coefficient of variation of blood
glucose (OR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.15 to 3.58, I2=17%,
p=0.02), the range of glucose (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.83,
I2=22%, p=0.005), and the mean amplitude of glycemic
excursion (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.10 to 2.31, I2=0%,
p=0.01). Subgroup analyses did not support that difference in study
design, treatments for AIS, mean age of the patients, duration for GV measuring,
or study quality would significantly affect the association between SDBG and
functional outcome after AIS. In conclusion, higher acute glycemic variability
may predict poor functional outcome within 3 months after AIS.