bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Persistent poor glycaemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes in developing countries: 12 years of real-world evidence of the International Diabetes Management Practices Study (IDMPS)
Authors: Aschner Pablo , Gagliardino Juan J. , Ilkova Hasan , Lavalle Fernando , Ramachandran Ambady , Mbanya Jean Claude , Shestakova Marina , Chantelot Jean-Marc , Chan Juliana C. N.
Published: January 2020

Aims/hypothesis

We evaluated the secular trend of glycaemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes in developing countries, where data are limited.

Methods

The International Diabetes Management Practices Study provides real-world evidence of patient profiles and diabetes care practices in developing countries in seven cross-sectional waves (2005–2017). At each wave, each physician collected data from ten consecutive participants with type 2 diabetes during a 2 week period. The primary objective of this analysis was to evaluate trends of glycaemic control over time.

Results

A total of 66,088 individuals with type 2 diabetes were recruited by 6099 physicians from 49 countries. The proportion of participants with HbA1c <53 mmol/mol (<7%) decreased from 36% in wave 1 (2005) to 30.1% in wave 7 (2017) (p < 0.0001). Compared with wave 1, the adjusted ORs of attaining HbA1c ≤64 mmol/mol (≤8%) decreased significantly in waves 2, 5, 6 and 7 (p < 0.05). Over 80% of participants received oral glucose-lowering drugs, with declining use of sulfonylureas. Insulin use increased from 32.8% (wave 1) to 41.2% (wave 7) (p < 0.0001). The corresponding time to insulin initiation (mean ± SD) changed from 8.4 ± 6.9 in wave 1 to 8.3 ± 6.6 years in wave 7, while daily insulin dosage ranged from 0.39 ± 0.21 U/kg (wave 1) to 0.33 ± 0.19 U/kg (wave 7) for basal regimen and 0.70 ± 0.34 U/kg (wave 1) to 0.77 ± 0.33 (wave 7) U/kg for basal–bolus regimen. An increasing proportion of participants had ≥2 HbA1c measurements within 12 months of enrolment (from 61.8% to 92.9%), and the proportion of participants receiving diabetes education (mainly delivered by physicians) also increased from 59.0% to 78.3%.

Conclusions

In developing countries, glycaemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes remained suboptimal over a 12 year period, indicating a need for system changes and better organisation of care to improve self-management and attainment of treatment goals.
Relating Nets and Factorization Algebras of Observables: Free Field Theories
Authors: Gwilliam Owen , Rejzner Kasia
Published: January 2020

In this paper we relate two mathematical frameworks that make perturbative quantum field theory rigorous: perturbative algebraic quantum field theory (pAQFT) and the factorization algebras framework developed by Costello and Gwilliam. To make the comparison as explicit as possible, we use the free scalar field as our running example, while giving proofs that apply to any field theory whose equations of motion are Green-hyperbolic (which includes, for instance, free fermions). The main claim is that for such free theories, there is a natural transformation intertwining the two constructions. In fact, both approaches encode equivalent information if one assumes the time-slice axiom. The key technical ingredient is to use time-ordered products as an intermediate step between a net of associative algebras and a factorization algebra.
Chromatic homotopy theory is asymptotically algebraic
Authors: Barthel Tobias , Schlank Tomer M. , Stapleton Nathaniel
Published: January 2020

Inspired by the Ax–Kochen isomorphism theorem, we develop a notion of categorical ultraproducts to capture the generic behavior of an infinite collection of mathematical objects. We employ this theory to give an asymptotic solution to the approximation problem in chromatic homotopy theory. More precisely, we show that the ultraproduct of theE(n, p)-local categories over any non-principal ultrafilter on the set of prime numbers is equivalent to the ultraproduct of certain algebraic categories introduced by Franke. This shows that chromatic homotopy theory at a fixed height is asymptotically algebraic.
Age- and Strain-Related Differences in Bone Microstructure and Body Composition During Development in Inbred Male Mouse Strains
Authors: Papageorgiou Maria , Föger-Samwald Ursula , Wahl Katharina , Kerschan-Schindl Katharina , Pietschmann Peter
Published: January 2020

We explored age- and strain-related differences in bone microstructure and body composition in male C57BL/6J, DBA/2JRj and C3H/J mice. Bone microstructure of the femur, tibia and L4 was assessed by μCT at the age of 8, 16 and 24 weeks. The weight of several muscles and fat depots were measured at the same time points. At all timepoints, C3H/J mice had the thickest cortices followed by DBA/2JRj and C57BL/6J mice. Nevertheless, C57BL/6J mice had higher Tb.BV/TV and Tb.N, and lower Tb.Sp than DBA/2JRj and C3H/J mice at least at 24 weeks of age. Skeletal development patterns differed among strains. C57BL/6J and DBA/2JRj mice, but not C3H/J mice, experienced significant increases in the sum of the masses of 6 individual muscles by 24 weeks of age. In C57BL/6J and DBA/2JRj mice, the mass of selected fat depots reached highest values at 24 weeks, whist, in C3H/J mice, the highest values of fat depots masses were achieved at 16 weeks. Early strain differences in muscle and fat masses were largely diminished by 24 weeks of age. C3H/J and C57BL/6J mice displayed the most favorable cortical and trabecular bone parameters, respectively. Strain differences in body composition were less overt than strain specificity in bone microstructure, however, they possibly influenced aspects of skeletal development.
Is four-dimensional CT angiography as effective as digital subtraction angiography in the detection of the underlying causes of intracerebral haemorrhage: a systematic review
Authors: Denby C. E. , Chatterjee K. , Pullicino R. , Lane S. , Radon M. R. , Das K. V.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

To determine whether the sensitivity and specificity of four-dimensional CTA (4D-CTA) are equivalent to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the detection of underlying vascular abnormalities in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH).

Methods

A systematic review of studies comparing 4D-CTA with DSA in the detection of the underlying structural causes of ICH was performed on the literature published between 1998 and 2019.

Results

We identified a total of 237 articles from PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science using the following Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms: primary intracerebral haemorrhage, 4D-CTA, DSA, cerebral haemorrhage, angiography, digital subtraction, arteriovenous malformations, 4D, CTA, dynamic-CTA and time-resolved CTA. Following the removal of duplicate publications and articles failing to meet our inclusion criteria, there were four articles potentially viable for analysis. Therefore, there were not sufficient studies to provide a statistically meaningful meta-analysis.

Conclusion

The review of current literature has demonstrated that there are few published studies comparing 4D-CTA with DSA in spontaneous ICH, with only four suitable studies identified for potential analysis. However, due to the restricted number of patients and high sensitivity and specificity of 3 studies (100%), performing a meta-analysis was not meaningful. Qualitative analysis of the data concluded that 4D-CTA has the diagnostic potential to replace invasive DSA in certain cases with vascular abnormalities. However, further research studies directly comparing 4D-CTA with DSA using larger prospective patient cohorts are required to strengthen the evidence base.
Amyloid formation of bovine insulin is retarded in moderately acidic pH and by addition of short-chain alcohols
Authors: Bernson David , Mecinovic Almedina , Abed Md Tuhin , Limé Fredrik , Jageland Per , Palmlöf Magnus , Esbjörner Elin K.
Published: January 2020

Protein aggregation and amyloid formation are associated with multiple human diseases, but are also a problem in protein production. Understanding how aggregation can be modulated is therefore of importance in both medical and industrial contexts. We have used bovine insulin as a model protein to explore how amyloid formation is affected by buffer pH and by the addition of short-chain alcohols. We find that bovine insulin forms amyloid fibrils, albeit with different rates and resulting fibril morphologies, across a wide pH range (2–7). At pH 4.0, bovine insulin displayed relatively low aggregation propensity in combination with high solubility; this condition was therefore chosen as basis for further exploration of how bovine insulin’s native state can be stabilized in the presence of short-chain alcohols that are relevant because of their common use as eluents in industrial-scale chromatography purification. We found that ethanol and isopropanol are efficient modulators of bovine insulin aggregation, providing a three to four times retardation of the aggregation kinetics at 30–35% (vol/vol) concentration; we attribute this to the formation of oligomers, which we detected by AFM. We discuss this effect in terms of reduced solvent polarity and show, by circular dichroism recordings, that a concomitant change in α-helical packing of the insulin monomer occurs in ethanol. Our results extend current knowledge of how insulin aggregates, and may, although bovine insulin serves as a simplistic model, provide insights into how buffers and additives can be fine-tuned in industrial production of proteins in general and pharmaceutical insulin in particular.
The role of B lymphocytes in the immuno-biology of non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Patel Akshay J. , Richter Alex , Drayson Mark T. , Middleton Gary W.
Published: January 2020

Tumour-infiltrating immune cells have been widely implicated to play a significant role in carcinogenesis, through both pro- or anti-tumour effects. The multi-faceted effects of lung cancer associated T lymphocytes have been extensively studied, and yet, the role of B lymphocytes remains an area less studied. In this review, we will describe the current understanding of the role of tumour-infiltrating B lymphocytes in NSCLC, discuss their prognostic significance, their functionality within the tumour microenvironment and ultimately how we might harness B-cell biology to develop B-cell therapeutic strategies in cancer.
microRNA-141 inhibits TGF-β1-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition through inhibition of the TGF-β1/SMAD2 signalling pathway in endometriosis
Authors: Wang Sixue , Zhang Mengmeng , Zhang Tingting , Deng Juan , Xia Xiaomeng , Fang Xiaoling
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Recent studies have demonstrated the differential expression of micro(mi)RNAs in endometriosis. Previously, we reported the low expression of miR-141 in patients with this disease. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1)-induced SMAD2 signalling pathway are central to tumour proliferation and invasion. However, the role of miR-141 in regulating the TGF-β1/SMAD2 signalling pathway and the associated EMT to be elucidated.

Methods

The levels of TGF-β1/SMAD2 signalling and EMT markers expression in eutopic and ectopic endometria of endometriosis were determined by immunohistochemistry and western blot analyses. MiR-141 expression was analysed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cellular invasion and proliferation were determined by transwell and CCK-8 assays, respectively. Functional assay of miR-141 was performed using plasmid and shRNA transfection methods.

Result

The presence of miR-141, EMT, and TGF-β1/SMAD2 signalling markers were detected in eutopic and ectopic endometria of endometriosis. TGF-β1-induced EMT in Ishikawa (ISK) cells by activating the SMAD2 signalling pathway, whereas miR-141 inhibited the TGF-β1-induced EMT, proliferation and invasion abilities of these cells.

Conclusion

These data identify miR-141 as a novel driver of EMT in endometriosis, implicates the link between miR-141 and TGF-β1/SMAD2 signalling pathway in the context of endometriosis, and underscore the role of EMT in the development of endometriosis.
A poro-viscoelastic substitute model of fine-scale poroelasticity obtained from homogenization and numerical model reduction
Authors: Jänicke Ralf , Larsson Fredrik , Runesson Kenneth
Published: January 2020

Numerical model reduction is exploited for computational homogenization of the model problem of a poroelastic medium under transient conditions. It is assumed that the displacement and pore pressure fields possess macro-scale and sub-scale (fluctuation) parts. A linearly independent reduced basis is constructed for the sub-scale pressure field using POD. The corresponding reduced basis for the displacement field is constructed in the spirit of the NTFA strategy. Evolution equations that define an apparent poro-viscoelastic macro-scale model are obtained from the continuity equation pertinent to the RVE. The present model represents an extension of models available in literature in the sense that the pressure gradient is allowed to have a non-zero macro-scale component in the nested $$\hbox {FE}^2$$FE2 setting. The numerical results show excellent agreement between the results from numerical model reduction and direct numerical simulation. It was also shown that even 3D RVEs give tractable solution times for full-fledged $$\hbox {FE}^2$$FE2 computations.
Cross-cultural adaption and validation of the Swedish version of the Core Outcome Measures Index for low-back pain
Authors: Granström Hannah , Langborg Anna , Mannion Anne F. , Rasmussen-Barr Eva
Published: January 2020

Purpose

There is a wide selection of instruments and questionnaires available, but many are time consuming in their administration, for patients, practitioners and researchers alike. The Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI) is a short, self-administrated, multidimensional instrument translated into several languages that covers five domains recommended in the assessment of outcome in patients with low-back pain. The purpose of this study was to cross-culturally adapt the COMI from English to Swedish and to test the face and construct validity and reproducibility of its results in patients with low-back pain.

Methods

Participants (n = 102) were included from primary and secondary care. The participants reported moderate pain and disability levels. All participants filled in the COMI, the Oswestry Disability Index and the EQ5D at baseline. Forty-nine filled in the COMI again after 7 days for the reproducibility part of the study.

Results

The instrument was successfully forward and back-translated. In the validation process, there were low floor/ceiling effects, with the exception of the symptom-specific well-being (floor) and work disability (ceiling) items. The specific COMI domains and whole score correlated significantly with the chosen reference scale scores to the hypothesised extent (Rho 0.30–0.60 and > 0.60 respectively). COMI reached ICC 0.63 (95% CI 0.42–0.77) in the reproducibility test and the separate items, ICC 0.41–0.78.

Conclusions

The Swedish COMI shows acceptable psychometric properties and is thus suitable to use as a short instrument for measuring important domains in patients with low-back pain. A future study should investigate the instrument's sensitivity to measure change after treatment.

Graphic abstract

These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
Surgery for herniated lumbar disc in private vs public hospitals: A pragmatic comparative effectiveness study
Authors: Madsbu Mattis A. , Salvesen Øyvind , Carlsen Sven M. , Westin Steinar , Onarheim Kristian , Nygaard Øystein P. , Solberg Tore K. , Gulati Sasha
Published: January 2020

Background

There is limited evidence on the comparative performance of private and public healthcare. Our aim was to compare outcomes following surgery for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) in private versus public hospitals.

Methods

Data were obtained from the Norwegian registry for spine surgery. Primary outcome was change in Oswestry disability index (ODI) 1 year after surgery. Secondary endpoints were quality of life (EuroQol EQ-5D), back and leg pain, complications, and duration of surgery and hospital stays.

Results

Among 5221 patients, 1728 in the private group and 3493 in the public group, 3624 (69.4%) completed 1-year follow-up. In the private group, mean improvement in ODI was 28.8 points vs 32.3 points in the public group (mean difference − 3.5, 95% CI − 5.0 to − 1.9; P for equivalence < 0.001). Equivalence was confirmed in a propensity-matched cohort and following mixed linear model analyses. There were differences in mean change between the groups for EQ-5D (mean difference − 0.05, 95% CI − 0.08 to − 0.02; P = 0.002) and back pain (mean difference − 0.2, 95% CI − 0.2, − 0.4 to − 0.004; P = 0.046), but after propensity matching, the groups did not differ. No difference was found between the two groups for leg pain. Complication rates was lower in the private group (4.5% vs 7.2%; P < 0.001), but after propensity matching, there was no difference. Patients operated in private clinics had shorter duration of surgery (48.4 vs 61.8 min) and hospital stay (0.7 vs 2.2 days).

Conclusion

At 1 year, the effectiveness of surgery for LDH was equivalent in private and public hospitals.
A comparison of individual and collective decision making for standard gamble and time trade-off
Authors: Attema Arthur E. , Bleichrodt Han , l’Haridon Olivier , Lipman Stefan A.
Published: January 2020

Quality-Adjusted Life-Years (QALYs) are typically derived from individual preferences over health episodes. This paper reports the first experimental investigation into the effects of collective decision making on health valuations, using both time trade-off (TTO) and standard gamble (SG) tasks. We investigated collective decision making in dyads, by means of a mixed-subjects design where we control for learning effects. Our data suggest that collective decision making has little effect on decision quality, as no effects were observed on decision consistency and monotonicity for both methods. Furthermore, QALY weights remained similar between individual and collective decisions, and the typical difference in elicited weights between TTO and SG was not affected. These findings suggest that consulting with others has little effect on health state valuation, although learning may have. Additionally, our findings add to the literature of the effect of collective decision making, suggesting that no such effect occurs for TTO and SG.
Landslide susceptibility assessment in complex geological settings: sensitivity to geological information and insights on its parameterization
Authors: Segoni Samuele , Pappafico Giulio , Luti Tania , Catani Filippo
Published: January 2020

The literature about landslide susceptibility mapping is rich of works focusing on improving or comparing the algorithms used for the modeling, but to our knowledge, a sensitivity analysis on the use of geological information has never been performed, and a standard method to input geological maps into susceptibility assessments has never been established. This point is crucial, especially when working on wide and complex areas, in which a detailed geological map needs to be reclassified according to more general criteria. In a study area in Italy, we tested different configurations of a random forest–based landslide susceptibility model, accounting for geological information with the use of lithologic, chronologic, structural, paleogeographic, and genetic units. Different susceptibility maps were obtained, and a validation procedure based on AUC (area under receiver-operator characteristic curve) and OOBE (out of bag error) allowed us to get to some conclusions that could be of help for in future landslide susceptibility assessments. Different parameters can be derived from a detailed geological map by aggregating the mapped elements into broader units, and the results of the susceptibility assessment are very sensitive to these geology-derived parameters; thus, it is of paramount importance to understand properly the nature and the meaning of the information provided by geology-related maps before using them in susceptibility assessment. Regarding the model configurations making use of only one parameter, the best results were obtained using the genetic approach, while lithology, which is commonly used in the current literature, was ranked only second. However, in our case study, the best prediction was obtained when all the geological parameters were used together. Geological maps provide a very complex and multifaceted information; in wide and complex area, this information cannot be represented by a single parameter: more geology-based parameters can perform better than one, because each of them can account for specific features connected to landslide predisposition.
Assessing coastal artificial light and potential exposure of wildlife at a national scale: the case of marine turtles in Brazil
Authors: Colman Liliana P. , Lara Paulo H. , Bennie Jonathan , Broderick Annette C. , de Freitas Juliana R. , Marcondes Ana , Witt Matthew J. , Godley Brendan J.
Published: January 2020

Coastal areas provide critical nesting habitat for marine turtles. Understanding how artificial light might impact populations is key to guide management strategies. Here we assess the extent to which nesting populations of four marine turtle species—leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and two subpopulations of loggerhead (Caretta caretta) turtles—are exposed to light pollution across 604 km of the Brazilian coast. We used yearly night-time satellite images from two 5-year periods (1992–1996 and 2008–2012) from the US Air Force Defense Meteorological Satellite Programme (DMSP) to determine the proportion of nesting areas that are exposed to detectable levels of artificial light and identify how this has changed over time. Over the monitored time-frame, 63.7% of the nesting beaches experienced an increase in night light levels. Based on nest densities, we identified 54 reproductive hotspots: 62.9% were located in areas potentially exposed to light pollution. Light levels appeared to have a significant effect on nest densities of hawksbills and the northern loggerhead turtle stock, however high nest densities were also seen in lit areas. The status of all species/subpopulations has improved across the time period despite increased light levels. These findings suggest that (1) nest site selection is likely primarily determined by variables other than light and (2) conservation strategies in Brazil appear to have been successful in contributing to reducing impacts on nesting beaches. There is, however, the possibility that light also affects hatchlings in coastal waters, and impacts on population recruitment may take longer to fully manifest in nesting numbers. Recommendations are made to further this work to provide deeper insights into the impacts of anthropogenic light on marine turtles.
Insights into the prenatal origin of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Hein Daniel , Borkhardt Arndt , Fischer Ute
Published: January 2020

Pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is defined by recurrent chromosomal aberrations including hyperdiploidy and chromosomal translocations. Many of these aberrations originatein uteroand the cells transform in early childhood through acquired secondary mutations. In this review, we will discuss the most common prenatal lesions that can lead to childhood ALL, with a special emphasis on the most common translocation in childhood ALL, t(12;21), which results in theETV6-RUNX1gene fusion. TheETV6-RUNX1fusion arises prenatally and at a 500-fold higher frequency than the corresponding ALL. Even though the findings regarding the frequency ofETV6-RUNX1were originally challenged, newer studies have confirmed the higher frequency. The prenatal origin has also been proven for other gene fusions, includingKMT2A, the translocations t(1;19) and t(9;22) leading toTCF3-PBX1andBCR-ABL1, respectively, as well as high hyperdiploidy. For most of these aberrations, there is evidence for more frequent occurrence than the corresponding leukemia incidences. We will briefly discuss what is known about the cells of origin, the mechanisms of leukemic transformation through lack of immunosurveillance, and why only a part of the carriers develops ALL.
Micronutrient deficiencies in African soils and the human nutritional nexus: opportunities with staple crops
Authors: Kihara J. , Bolo P. , Kinyua M. , Rurinda J. , Piikki K.
Published: January 2020

A synthesis of available agronomic datasets and peer-reviewed scientific literature was conducted to: (1) assess the status of micronutrients in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) arable soils, (2) improve the understanding of the relations between soil quality/management and crop nutritional quality and (3) evaluate the potential profitability of application of secondary and micronutrients to key food crops in SSA, namely maize (Zea maysL.), beans (Phaseolusspp. andVicia fabaL.), wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) and rice (Oryza sativaL.). We found that there is evidence of widespread but varying micronutrient deficiencies in SSA arable soils and that simultaneous deficiencies of multiple elements (co-occurrence) are prevalent. Zinc (Zn) predominates the list of micronutrients that are deficient in SSA arable soils. Boron (B), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo) and copper (Cu) deficiencies are also common. Micronutrient fertilization/agronomic biofortification increases micronutrient concentrations in edible plant organs, and it was profitable to apply fertilizers containing micronutrient elements in 60–80% of the cases. However, both the plant nutritional quality and profit had large variations. Possible causes of this variation may be differences in crop species and cultivars, fertilizer type and application methods, climate and initial soil conditions, and soil chemistry effects on nutrient availability for crop uptake. Therefore, micronutrient use efficiency can be improved by adapting the rates and types of fertilizers to site-specific soil and management conditions. To make region-wide nutritional changes using agronomic biofortification, major policy interventions are needed.
Airborne fungi spores distribution in various locations in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Odebode Adeyinka , Adekunle Adedotun , Stajich Jason , Adeonipekun Peter
Published: January 2020

Exposure to outside air microorganisms especially fungi has been linked with illness such as allergic respiratory symptoms, rhinitis, asthma, and infection such as mycosis. Airborne fungal composition was sampled from five locations in Lagos State, Nigeria, between May 2014 and April 2016. Fungi spores were collected using the sedimentation plate method with the Petri dishes of dichloran-glycerol 18 (DG-18) and potato dextrose agar (PDA) media. Fungi sporulated faster on DG-18 agar plate as compared with PDA. The abundances of fungal spores collected monthly at the locations varied. The most abundant spores came from the fungi wereAspergillus niger(14.47%),Aspergillus sydowii(10.37%), andAspergillus flavus(7.93%). Additional species were present in the collections including Ascomycetes:Penicillium funiculosum(5.49%),Neurospora crassa(5.32%),Penicillium oxalicum(4.71%),Penicillium pinophilum(2.88%),Fusarium verticillioides(3.05%),Penicillium simplicissimum(1.83%),Aphaderanumsp. (0.22%),Curvulariasp. (0.22%),Aspergillus oryzae(0.22%), andPaecilomycessp. (0.61%) and the Mucoromycotina Zygomycetes:Rhizopus oryzae(4.10%) andMucorsp. (3.44%). Fungal concentrations were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) during the rainy season compared with the dry season.AspergillusandPenicilliumwere the most predominant airborne fungal genera whileMucor,Alternaria, andCladosporiumwere some of the least observed. Generally, abundance of fungi was significantly high during the wet season in all the studied locations.
Changes in the functional features of macrophyte communities and driving factors across a 70-year period
Authors: Lindholm Marja , Alahuhta Janne , Heino Jani , Hjort Jan , Toivonen Heikki
Published: January 2020

Functional homogenisation occurs across many areas and organism groups, thereby seriously affecting biodiversity loss and ecosystem functioning. In this study, we examined how functional features of aquatic macrophytes have changed during a 70-year period at community and species levels in a boreal lake district. At the community level, we examined if aquatic macrophyte communities showed different spatial patterns in functional composition and functional richness in relation to main environmental drivers between the time periods. We also observed each species in functional space to assess if species with certain sets of traits have become more common or rare in the 70-year study period. We found changes in the relationship between functional community composition and the environment. The aquatic macrophyte communities showed different patterns in functional composition between the two time periods, and the main environmental drivers for these changes were partly different. Temporal changes in functional richness were only partially linked to concomitant changes in the environment, while stable factors were more important. Species’ functional traits were not associated with commonness or rarity patterns. Our findings revealed that functional homogenisation has not occurred across these boreal lakes, ranging from small oligotrophic forest lakes to larger lakes affected by human impacts.
Terahertz Spectroscopy for Characterization of Hydrogen Bonding and Cross-linked Structure Dynamics in Polyurethane
Authors: Hoshina Hiromichi , Saito Yuichi , Furuhashi Takumi , Shimazaki Tomomi , Sawada Manabu , Hioki Yasunori , Otani Chiko
Published: January 2020

Terahertz (THz) absorption spectra of cross-linked polyurethane films were observed at 30–180 °C. The obtained spectra displayed characteristic absorption bands. A band observed at 2.6 THz was assigned to the C=O···N-H hydrogen bond vibration using previously reported data. DFT calculation results confirmed that a band at 7.5 THz arises owing to the torsional vibration of cross-linked molecules containing urethane bonds. The slight changes in the temperature-dependent spectra were analyzed by the first derivative of absorption intensity with temperature. The thermal behavior of absorption intensities indicates the dynamics of hydrogen bonds and cross-linked structures in polyurethane films.
Voluntary disclosure schemes for offshore tax evasion
Authors: Gould Matthew , Rablen Matthew D.
Published: January 2020

Tax authorities worldwide are implementing voluntary disclosure schemes to recover tax on offshore investments. The US and UK, in particular, have implemented such schemes in response to bulk acquisitions of information on offshore holdings, recent examples of which are the “Paradise” and “Panama” papers. Schemes offer affected investors the opportunity to make a voluntary disclosure, with reduced fine rates for truthful disclosure. Might such incentives, once anticipated by investors, simply encourage evasion in the first place? We characterize the investor/tax authority game with and without a scheme, allowing for the possibility that some offshore investment has legitimate economic motives. We show that a scheme increases net expected tax revenue, decreases illegal offshore investment and increases onshore investment, but could either increase or decrease legal offshore investment. The optimal disclosure scheme offers maximal incentives for truthful disclosure by imposing the minimum allowable rate of fine.
High rates of aneuploidy, mosaicism and abnormal morphokinetic development in cases with low sperm concentration
Authors: Kahraman Semra , Sahin Yucel , Yelke Hakan , Kumtepe Yesim , Tufekci Mehmet A. , Yapan Cigdem C. , Yesil Mesut , Cetinkaya Murat
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of severe male infertility (SMF) on the chromosomal status of embryos and any possible correlation between chromosomal status and embryo morphokinetics in younger women using data obtained from comprehensive preimplantation genetic tests.

Methods

The trial was conducted in an ART and Reproductive Genetics Centre between 2011 and 2018. A total of 326 cycles in cases with SMF where the female partner’s age was ≤ 35 years were evaluated. SMF is defined as sperm concentration below 5 mil/ml (million per milliliter) and divided into three subgroups according to sperm concentrations: 1–5 mil/ml, < 1mil/ml and testicular sperm. The control group of 190 cycles had normal sperm parameters.

Results

Significantly lower chromosomal euploidy rates were found in the testicular sperm group compared with the normal sperm controls when the female age was ≤ 35 years. In SMF, statistically significantly affected chromosomes were 2, 10, 11, 17, 21 and sex chromosomes. The mosaicism and abnormal morphokinetic development rates were higher in the SMF group than in control group, and this difference was significant when testicular sperm was used.

Conclusion

Lower euploidy rates, higher mosaicism rates and a higher incidence of abnormal morphokinetic development were observed in cases with testicular sperm with female partners ≤ 35 years compared with normal sperm controls. These findings suggest that PGT-A may be advisable in severe male infertility cases. Furthermore, the correlation between morphokinetics and chromosomal status was greatly reduced or absent in these most severe forms of male infertility, thus the need for new morphokinetic models.
Live births after oocyte in vitro maturation with a prematuration step in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Vuong Lan N. , Le Anh H. , Ho Vu N. A. , Pham Toan D. , Sanchez Flor , Romero Sergio , De Vos Michel , Ho Tuong M. , Gilchrist Robert B. , Smitz Johan
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Standard oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) usually results in lower pregnancy rates than in vitro fertilization (IVF). IVM preceded by a prematuration step improves the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence and can enhance embryo quality (EQ). This study evaluated the effectiveness of a biphasic culture system incorporating prematuration and IVM steps (CAPA-IVM) versus standard IVM in women with polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM).

Methods

Eighty women (age < 38 years, ≥ 25 follicles of 2–9 mm in both ovaries, no major uterine abnormalities) were randomized to undergo CAPA-IVM (n = 40) or standard IVM (n = 40). CAPA-IVM uses two steps: a 24-h prematuration step with C-type natriuretic peptide-supplemented medium, then 30 h of culture in IVM media supplemented with follicle-stimulating hormone and amphiregulin. Standard IVM was performed using routine protocols.

Results

A significantly higher proportion of oocytes reached metaphase II at 30 h after CAPA-IVM versus standard IVM (63.6 vs 49.0; p < 0.001) and the number of good quality embryos per cumulus-oocyte complex tended to be higher (18.9 vs 12.7; p = 0.11). Clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer was 63.2% in the CAPA-IVM versus 38.5% in the standard IVM group (p = 0.04). Live birth rate per embryo transfer was not statistically different between the CAPA-IVM and standard IVM groups (50.0 vs 33.3% [p = 0.17]). No malformations were reported and birth weight was similar in the two treatment groups.

Conclusions

Use of the CAPA-IVM system significantly improved maturation and clinical pregnancy rates versus standard IVM in patients with PCOM. Furthermore, live births after CAPA-IVM are reported for the first time.
Stochastic Integration with Respect to Cylindrical Lévy Processes by p-Summing Operators
Authors: Kosmala Tomasz , Riedle Markus
Published: January 2020

We introduce a stochastic integral with respect to cylindrical Lévy processes with finitep-th weak moment for$$p\in [1,2]$$p∈[1,2]. The space of integrands consists ofp-summing operators between Banach spaces of martingale typep. We apply the developed integration theory to establish the existence of a solution for a stochastic evolution equation driven by a cylindrical Lévy process.
Identification of main-effect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for low-temperature stress tolerance germination- and early seedling vigor-related traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Najeeb S. , Ali J. , Mahender A. , Pang Y.L. , Zilhas J. , Murugaiyan V. , Vemireddy Lakshminarayana R. , Li Z.
Published: January 2020

An attempt was made in the current study to identify the main-effect and co-localized quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for germination and early seedling growth traits under low-temperature stress (LTS) conditions in rice. The plant material used in this study was an early backcross population of 230 introgression lines (ILs) in BCIF7generation derived from the Weed Tolerant Rice-1 (WTR-1) (as the recipient) and Haoannong (HNG) (as the donor). Genetic analyses of LTS tolerance revealed a total of 27 main-effect quantitative trait loci (M-QTLs) mapped on 12 chromosomes. These QTLs explained more than 10% of phenotypic variance (PV), and average PV of 12.71% while employing 704 high-quality SNP markers. Of these 27 QTLs distributed on 12 chromosomes, 11 were associated with low-temperature germination (LTG), nine with low-temperature germination stress index (LTGS), five with root length stress index (RLSI), and two with biomass stress index (BMSI) QTLs, shoot length stress index (SLSI) and root length stress index (RLSI), seven with seed vigor index (SVI), and single QTL with root length (RL). Among them, five significant major QTLs (qLTG(I)1,qLTGS(I)1–2,qLTG(I)5,qLTGS(I)5, andqLTG(I)7) mapped on chromosomes 1, 5, and 7 were associated with LTG and LTGS traits and the PV explained ranged from 16 to 23.3%. The genomic regions of these QTLs were co-localized with two to six QTLs. Most of the QTLs were growth stage-specific and found to harbor QTLs governing multiple traits. Eight chromosomes had more than four QTLs and were clustered together and designated as promising LTS tolerance QTLs (qLTTs), asqLTT1,qLTT2,qLTT3,qLTT5,qLTT6,qLTT8,qLTT9, andqLTT11. A total of 16 putative candidate genes were identified in the major M-QTLs and co-localized QTL regions distributed on different chromosomes. Overall, these significant genomic regions of M-QTLs are responsible for multiple traits and this suggested that these could serve as the best predictors of LTS tolerance at germination and early seedling growth stages. Furthermore, it is necessary to fine-map these regions and to find functional markers for marker-assisted selection in rice breeding programs for cold tolerance.
A new stable collocation method for solving a class of nonlinear fractional delay differential equations
Authors: Shi Lei , Chen Zhong , Ding Xiaohua , Ma Qiang
Published: January 2020

In this paper, a stable collocation method for solving the nonlinear fractional delay differential equations is proposed by constructing a new set of multiscale orthonormal bases of$W^{1}_{2,0}$W2,01. Error estimations of approximate solutions are given and the highest convergence order can reach four in the sense of the norm of$W_{2,0}^{1}$W2,01. To overcome the nonlinear condition, we make use of Newton’s method to transform the nonlinear equation into a sequence of linear equations. For the linear equations, a rigorous theory is given for obtaining theirε-approximate solutions by solving a system of equations or searching the minimum value. Stability analysis is also obtained. Some examples are discussed to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed method.
Accessibility in the regional CGE framework: the effects of major transport infrastructure investments in Poland
Authors: Rokicki Bartlomiej , Haddad Eduardo A. , Horridge Jonathan M. , Stępniak Marcin
Published: January 2020

Since its EU accession, Poland has invested strongly in the development of fast road transport network. As a result, the total length of modern, high-speed roads has increased from around 500 km in 2005 to over 3000 km in 2015. Yet, while the positive impact of transport infrastructure investment on overall accessibility is unquestionable there are no studies that assess its influence on economic development of particular regions. This paper applies a regional dynamic CGE model to measure the effects of big transport infrastructure investments in Polish NUTS2 regions. We use data on both investment spending and accessibility improvement (expressed as a reduction in transport margins) in order to distinguish between possible short and long term impacts. We find that there exist significant disparities in the impact between regions with high share of major road infrastructure investment undertaken by private investors and the ones that relied fully on public funding. In the case of the former, the lack of analyzed investment would lead to relatively significant decrease in real GDP or average employment. In the case of the latter, the impact of major road infrastructure investment is almost negligible.
Construction of an SNP-based high-density genetic map for Japanese plum in a Chinese population using specific length fragment sequencing
Authors: Zhang Qiu-ping , Wei Xiao , Liu Ning , Zhang Yu-ping , Xu Ming , Zhang Yu-jun , Ma Xiao-xue , Liu Wei-sheng
Published: January 2020

The Japanese plum (Prunus salicinaLindl.) is one of the most important stone fruit crops in China. High-density linkage map is valuable resources which enhance functional genomics and genetic breeding studies. So far several Japanese plum linkage maps have been reported using different kinds of molecular markers; however, the marker numbers and chromosome coverage are limited. Recently, a newly developed strategy which genome sequencing towards specific-locus amplified fragments (SLAF) markers, has been proven to be powerful for rapid genotyping of genome-wide markers and for high-density genetic map construction. In this study, SLAF was used to genotype markers with 114 F1 seedlings from the ‘09–16’ × ‘Fortune’ cross. Suitable SLAF markers (160,344 out of 343,436,902 pair-end reads) were chosen to conduct genetic map construction, 16.31% of which were polymorphic. The overall integrated map contained 3,341 high quality SLAFs and 720 loci that were grouped in eight genetic linkage groups with a total length of 869.9 cM and an average distance of 1.21 cM, and only five gaps with a genetic distance > 5 cM between adjacent markers occurred in linkage group (LG) 3 and LG6. The number of markers with each LG ranged from 82.3 cM (LG3) to 138.3 cM (LG1). Aligning the map against the peach reference genome sequence (Prunus persica L.) indicated a strictly co-linear relationship between the LGs and peach genome, demonstrating the markers on ours LGs were well ordered. Overall, our studies identified large-scale of genetic markers and constructed high-density linkage maps for Japanese plum, which will obviously provide a solid foundation for marker-assisted selection and sequence assembly of the Japanese plum reference genome.
Conventional versus genomic selection for white spruce improvement: a comparison of costs and benefits of plantations on Quebec public lands
Authors: Chamberland Vincent , Robichaud François , Perron Martin , Gélinas Nancy , Bousquet Jean , Beaulieu Jean
Published: January 2020

Intensive plantation forestry is a potent strategy for forest managers to increase wood production on a smaller forest land acreage, especially with the use of genetically improved reforestation stock. The main drawback with conventional conifer improvement is the several decades it takes before stock deployment, which is particularly acute in the context of climate change and evolving wood markets. Use of genomic selection allows to drastically shorten breeding cycles, resulting in more flexibility and potentially increasing benefits. This study compares the financial performance of five white spruce (Picea glauca) breeding and deployment scenarios, from conventional breeding to genomic selection in conjunction with top-grafting or the use of somatic embryogenesis, in the context of plantations established by the Quebec government on public lands with banned herbicide use. We estimated the land expectation value (LEV) for the five scenarios applied to eight site productivity indices, and considered costs and revenues from breeding, plantation establishment, silviculture, and harvest. LEVs at 4% discount rate were positive for all scenarios on all site indices, and varied from $197 to $2015 ha−1assuming mechanical brushing of the plantations. The scenarios integrating genomic selection resulted in the highest LEVs, which increased with site index. We also conducted sensitivity analyses with 3% and 5% discount rates, with a range of costs and benefits, and with herbicide control of competing vegetation. These results should help orientate public investment decisions regarding the integration of genomic selection at the operational level in tree breeding and reforestation programs on public lands.
A Comprehensive Review of Path Planning Algorithms for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
Authors: Panda Madhusmita , Das Bikramaditya , Subudhi Bidyadhar , Pati Bibhuti Bhusan
Published: January 2020

The underwater path planning problem deals with finding an optimal or sub-optimal route between an origin point and a termination point in marine environments. The underwater environment is still considered as a great challenge for the path planning of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) because of its hostile and dynamic nature. The major constraints for path planning are limited data transmission capability, power and sensing technology available for underwater operations. The sea environment is subjected to a large set of challenging factors classified as atmospheric, coastal and gravitational. Based on whether the impact of these factors can be approximated or not, the underwater environment can be characterized as predictable and unpredictable respectively. The classical path planning algorithms based on artificial intelligence assume that environmental conditions are known apriori to the path planner. But the current path planning algorithms involve continual interaction with the environment considering the environment as dynamic and its effect cannot be predicted. Path planning is necessary for many applications involving AUVs. These are based upon planning safety routes with minimum energy cost and computation overheads. This review is intended to summarize various path planning strategies for AUVs on the basis of characterization of underwater environments as predictable and unpredictable. The algorithms employed in path planning of single AUV and multiple AUVs are reviewed in the light of predictable and unpredictable environments.
A likely increase in fine particulate matter and premature mortality under future climate change
Authors: Park S. , Allen R. J. , Lim C. H.
Published: January 2020

Climate change modulates the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) via modifying atmospheric circulation, temperature, and the hydrological cycle. Furthermore, PM2.5is associated with cardiopulmonary diseases and premature mortality. Here, we use seven models to assess the response of PM2.5to end of the twenty-first century climate change under Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5, and the corresponding impact on premature mortality. The majority of models yield an increase in both PM2.5and premature mortality associated with lung cancer and cardiopulmonary disease in all world regions except Africa. These results are robust across five different future population projections, although the magnitude of premature deaths can vary by up to a factor of two. Much larger uncertainty is related to uncertainty in model physics and the representation of aerosol processes. Although our analysis requires several assumptions related to future population estimates, as well as the concentration-response function, results suggest that future emission reductions are necessary to avoid the likely health risks associated with increasing PM2.5in a warmer world.