bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving inferences about private land conservation by accounting for incomplete reporting
Authors: Williamson Matthew A. , Dickson Brett G. , Hooten Mevin B. , Graves Rose A. , Lubell Mark N. , Schwartz Mark W. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPrivate lands provide key habitat for imperiled species and are core components of function protectected area networks; yet, their incorporation into national and regional conservation planning has been challenging. Identifying locations where private landowners are likely to participate in conservation initiatives can help avoid conflict and clarify trade‐offs between ecological benefits and sociopolitical costs. Empirical, spatially explicit assessment of the factors associated with conservation on private land is an emerging tool for identifying future conservation opportunities. However, most data on private land conservation are voluntarily reported and incomplete, which complicates these assessments. We used a novel application of occupancy models to analyze the occurrence of conservation easements on private land. We compared multiple formulations of occupancy models with a logistic regression model to predict the locations of conservation easements based on a spatially explicit social–ecological systems framework. We combined a simulation experiment with a case study of easement data in Idaho and Montana (United States) to illustrate the utility of the occupancy framework for modeling conservation on private land. Occupancy models that explicitly accounted for variation in reporting produced estimates of predictors that were substantially less biased than estimates produced by logistic regression under all simulated conditions. Occupancy models produced estimates for the 6 predictors we evaluated in our case study that were larger in magnitude, but less certain than those produced by logistic regression. These results suggest that occupancy models result in qualitatively different inferences regarding the effects of predictors on conservation easement occurrence than logistic regression and highlight the importance of integrating variable and incomplete reporting of participation in empirical analysis of conservation initiatives. Failure to do so can lead to emphasizing the wrong social, institutional, and environmental factors that enable conservation and underestimating conservation opportunities in landscapes where social norms or institutional constraints inhibit reporting.
Endocan as a potential biomarker of disease severity and exacerbations in COPD
Authors: İn Erdal , Kuluöztürk Mutlu , Turgut Teyfik , Altıntop Geçkil Ayşegül , İlhan Nevin 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionEndocan is a proteoglycan that is regarded as a novel marker of endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction in pulmonary vascular bed is known to play an important role for the pathogenesis of COPD.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine serum endocan levels in patients with stable COPD and acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) and to test the relationship between serum endocan levels and exacerbations.MethodsThis study enrolled a total of 55 COPD patients, 24 of which had AECOPD and 31 had stable COPD. All patients’ basic demographic and clinical data were recorded and blood samples were collected.ResultsSerum endocan levels were significantly higher in the AECOPD group compared to the stable COPD and control groups (for both p < 0.001) and stable COPD group had higher levels than the control group (p < 0.005). Additionally, serum endocan levels were negatively correlated with FVC, FEV1, partial oxygen pressure and oxygen saturation (r = −0.30, p = 0.03; r = −0.34, p = 0.01; r = −0.34, p = 0.01 and r = −0.36, p = 0.007 respectively), and positively correlated with disease duration and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (r = 0.47, p < 0.001; r = 0.31, p = 0.02 respectively). A cut‐off value of 434.29 pg/ml for endocan predicted exacerbation with a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 84% (AUC: 0.778, 95% Cl 0.648‐0.909; p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that increased endocan levels was independent predictor of COPD exacerbation (OR = 9.32, 95%CI, 1.64‐52.95; p = 0.01).ConclusionEndocan may be a novel biomarker for detection of endothelial dysfunction and prediction of exacerbations in patients with COPD.
How Turkey’s democratic backsliding compromises the international dimension of democratization
Authors: San Serdar , Akca Davut 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPrevious research suggests that linkage to the West can have a strong democratizing influence on transitioning states. Yet, Western linkage and leverage lost much of their democratizing force by the early twenty‐first century. Turkey's political trajectory over the last decade furnishes a representative case study of the waning power of the West as an anchor for democratization in high‐linkage countries. Despite Turkey's robust ties to the West, competitive authoritarianism has been further entrenched and signs of a drift toward full‐fledged authoritarianism emerged since the failed coup of July 2016. We argue that in a context where the European Union and the United States’ willingness to support democracy declined considerably the AKP’s distancing from the West in foreign policy and balancing the Western powers with its new economic and political relations with autocratic regimes have served to stifle the democratizing pressure of Western linkage by lowering the cost of autocratic behavior for the AKP government and facilitating Turkey's illiberal turn.
Development and validation of an automated assessment tool of echocardiography skills acquired on a neonatal simulator
Authors: Noori Shahab , Ebrahimi Mahmood , Luo Huiwen , Seri Istvan , Siassi Bijan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionSimulators are increasingly used for training in echocardiography. However, there is no objective method to assess the skills acquired. Our objective was to develop and test an automated method to assess echocardiography skills.MethodsTo automate the image quality evaluation, we expanded our previously developed neonatal echocardiography simulator to enable recording of images of the 26 standard cuts and process the image quality. We then compared the automated and visual methods in scoring image quality of the echocardiograms obtained by 22 trainees.ResultsEach echocardiographic image representing a slice of a three‐dimensional volume possesses 3 axes (X, Y, and Z) that correspond to the roll, pitch, and yaw angles of the transducer, respectively. Therefore, if the placement and orientation of the transducer are correct, the acquired image represents the appropriate cardiac window with the desired orientation in all 3 axes. The automated system gives a score of 0 if the transducer is not in the appropriate cardiac window. A score of 1, 2, or 3 is given if the image falls within the range of one, two, or three angles, respectively. There was no difference in the image quality score between automated and visual assessment methods (46.0 ± 13.0 vs 45.1 ± 14.4, P = .19). The two methods had excellent correlation (r = .95). The bias and precision were 0.9 and 8.8, respectively.ConclusionsThe automated method is comparable to visual method for assessment of image quality. The automated process allows for instantaneous feedback and has the potential to standardize assessment of echocardiography skills of trainees.
A spiking model of basal ganglia dynamics in stopping behavior supported by arkypallidal neurons
Authors: Goenner Lorenz , Maith Oliver , Koulouri Iliana , Baladron Javier , Hamker Fred H. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe common view that stopping action plans by the basal ganglia is achieved mainly by the subthalamic nucleus alone due to its direct excitatory projection onto the output nuclei of the basal ganglia has been challenged by recent findings. The proposed “pause‐then‐cancel” model suggests that the subthalamic nucleus provides a rapid stimulus‐unspecific “pause” signal, followed by a stop‐cue‐specific “cancel” signal from striatum‐projecting arkypallidal neurons. To determine more precisely the relative contribution of the different basal ganglia nuclei in stopping, we simulated a stop‐signal task with a spiking neuron model of the basal ganglia, considering recently discovered connections from the arkypallidal neurons, and cortex‐projecting GPe neurons. For the arkypallidal and prototypical GPe neurons, we obtained neuron model parameters by fitting their neuronal responses to published experimental data. Our model replicates findings of stop‐signal tasks at neuronal and behavioral levels. We provide evidence for the existence of a stop‐related cortical input to the arkypallidal and cortex‐projecting GPe neurons such that the stop responses of the subthalamic nucleus, the arkypallidal neurons, and the cortex‐projecting GPe neurons complement each other to achieve functional stopping behavior. Particularly, the cortex‐projecting GPe neurons may complement the stopping within the basal ganglia caused by the arkypallidal and STN neurons by diminishing cortical go‐related processes. Furthermore, we predict effects of lesions on stopping performance and propose that arkypallidal neurons mainly participate in stopping by inhibiting striatal neurons of the indirect rather than the direct pathway.
Early shunt surgery improves survival in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus
Authors: Andrén Kerstin , Wikkelsø Carsten , Hellström Per , Tullberg Mats , Jaraj Daniel 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackground and purposeTo examine the effect of delayed compared to early planning of shunt surgery on survival, in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), a long‐term follow‐up case–control study of patients exposed to a severe delay of treatment was performed.MethodsIn 2010–2011 our university hospital was affected by an administrative and economic failure that led to postponement of several elective neurosurgical procedures. This resulted in an unintentional delay of planning of treatment for a group of iNPH patients, referred to as iNPHDelayed (n = 33, waiting time for shunt surgery 6–24 months). These were compared to patients treated within 3 months, iNPHEarly (n = 69). Primary outcome was mortality. Dates and underlying causes of death were provided by the Cause of Death Registry. Survival was analysed by Kaplan–Meier plots and a Cox proportional hazard model adjusted for potential confounders.ResultsMedian follow‐up time was 6.0 years. Crude 4‐year mortality was 39.4% in iNPHDelayed compared to 10.1% in iNPHEarly (p = 0.001). The adjusted hazard ratio in iNPHDelayed was 2.57; 95% confidence interval 1.13–5.83, p = 0.024. Causes of death were equally distributed between the groups except for death due to malignancy which was not seen in iNPHDelayed but in 4/16 cases in iNPHEarly (p = 0.044).ConclusionsThe present data indicate that shunt surgery is effective in iNPH and that early treatment increases survival.
Nitrogen cycling microbiomes are structured by plant mycorrhizal associations with consequences for nitrogen oxide fluxes in forests
Authors: Mushinski Ryan M. , Payne Zachary C. , Raff Jonathan D. , Craig Matthew E. , Pusede Sally E. , Rusch Douglas B. , White Jeffrey R. , Phillips Richard P. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractVolatile nitrogen oxides (N2O, NO, NO2, HONO, …) can negatively impact climate, air quality, and human health. Using soils collected from temperate forests across the eastern United States, we show microbial communities involved in nitrogen (N) cycling are structured, in large part, by the composition of overstory trees, leading to predictable N‐cycling syndromes, with consequences for emissions of volatile nitrogen oxides to air. Trees associating with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi promote soil microbial communities with higher N‐cycle potential and activity, relative to microbial communities in soils dominated by trees associating with ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi. Metagenomic analysis and gene expression studies reveal a 5 and 3.5 times greater estimated N‐cycle gene and transcript copy numbers, respectively, in AM relative to ECM soil. Furthermore, we observe a 60% linear decrease in volatile reactive nitrogen gas flux (NOy ≡ NO, NO2, HONO) as ECM tree abundance increases. Compared to oxic conditions, gas flux potential of N2O and NO increase significantly under anoxic conditions for AM soil (30‐ and 120‐fold increase), but not ECM soil—likely owing to small concentrations of available substrate () in ECM soil. Linear mixed effects modeling shows that ECM tree abundance, microbial process rates, and geographic location are primarily responsible for variation in peak potential NOy flux. Given that nearly all tree species associate with either AM or ECM fungi, our results indicate that the consequences of tree species shifts associated with global change may have predictable consequences for soil N cycling.
Development of a scale measuring barriers to going out among community‐dwelling older adults
Authors: Yamazaki Sachiko , Fujita Koji , Imuta Hiromi 
Published: December 2020

AimTo maintain the frequency of going out and to improve homebound status among older adults, specific barriers need to be identified. Hence, this study developed a scale to measure barriers to going out.MethodsA preliminary study was carried out to collect items for the scale. We conducted semi‐structured interviews with five homebound older adults, and created 14 items as a draft barrier scale. The main study included 2273 older adults and their cohabitating family members in rural Japan. For older adults, the questions included demographic characteristics, responses to the draft scale and variables to examine its validity. For family members, the questions included demographic characteristics, their relationship with the older adult and their assessment of their older relative's willingness to go out. We used data from 892 pairs for our analysis.ResultsWe selected nine items through the criterion group strategy, and confirmed the unidimensional structure of the scale through factor analysis. The results showed significant relationships between the scale and older adults’ self‐efficacy about going out, their health locus of control, the frequency of going out and their reluctance to go out as assessed by family members. We carried out a receiver operating characteristic analysis to determine the scale's cut‐off point. Our multivariate analysis showed that the scale had a significantly stronger association with homebound status than with other variables.ConclusionWe developed a highly reliable and valid scale on barriers to going out among community‐dwelling older adults and confirmed its usability. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 238–244.
Optimizing a digital intervention for managing blood pressure in stroke patients using a diverse sample: Integrating the person‐based approach and patient and public involvement
Authors: Rai Tanvi , Morton Kate , Roman Cristian , Doogue Roisin , Rice Cathy , Williams Marney , Schwartz Claire , Velardo Carmelo , Tarassenko Lionel , Yardley Lucy , McManus Richard J. , Hinton Lisa 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundHaving a stroke or transient ischaemic attack increases the risk of a subsequent one, especially with high blood pressure (BP). Home‐based BP management can be effective at maintaining optimal BP.ObjectiveTo describe the optimization of a digital intervention for stroke patients and the value of participant diversity, using the person‐based approach (PBA) and integral patient and public involvement (PPI).Setting and participantsStroke patients recruited from primary care and community settings, and health‐care professionals in primary care, in England and Ireland.DesignThree linked qualitative studies conducted iteratively to develop an intervention using the PBA, with integral PPI.InterventionThe BP: Together intervention, adapted from existing BP self‐monitoring interventions, is delivered via mobile phone or web interface to support self‐monitoring of BP at home. It alerts patients and their clinicians when a change in antihypertensive medication is needed.FindingsFeedback from a diverse range of participants identified potential barriers, which were addressed to improve the intervention accessibility, feasibility and persuasiveness. Easy‐to‐read materials were developed to improve usability for patients with aphasia and lower literacy. The importance of including family members who support patient care was also highlighted. Feedback messages regarding medication change were refined to ensure usefulness for patients and clinicians.DiscussionInput from PPI alongside qualitative research with a diverse study sample allowed the creation of a simple and equitable BP management intervention for stroke patients.Patient involvementTwo PPI co‐investigators contributed to design, conduct of study, data interpretation and manuscript preparation; community PPI sessions informed early planning. Study participants were stroke patients and family members.
Dermoscopy of discoid lupus erythematosus – a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Żychowska Magdalena , Żychowska Małgorzata 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundDiscoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) may lead to disfiguring scarring and permanent hair loss. Dermoscopy may serve as a noninvasive tool useful in the preliminary diagnosis of hair loss and inflammatory skin diseases. The aim of the paper was to summarize and analyze the dermoscopic features of DLE lesions in various anatomical locations.MethodsA systematic review of PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science was performed using the search terms: ‘lupus’ OR ‘discoid lupus’ OR ‘cutaneous lupus’ combined with ‘dermoscopy’ OR ‘dermatoscopy’ OR ‘videodermoscopy’ OR ‘videodermatoscopy’ OR ‘trichoscopy’ OR ‘mucoscopy’ OR ‘onychoscopy’.ResultsAbout 29 out of 318 initially identified papers were included in the analysis. In scalp DLE (n = 166), the most common findings were: white structureless areas (62%), arborizing vessels (57.8%), white scales (54.2%), follicular keratotic plugs (47%), absent follicular openings (45.8%), perifollicular scaling (43.9%), pink‐white background (40.4%), speckled brown pigmentation (38%), and fibrotic white dots (33.7%). In non‐scalp DLE (n = 129), the most frequent features were: follicular keratotic plugs (66.7%), white perifollicular halo (65.9%), white scale (39.5%), speckled brown pigmentation (38.8%), white structureless areas (37.2%), and arborizing vessels (34.9%). There are scarce data in the literature on dermoscopic findings in labial (n = 8), mucosal (n = 3) and ungual DLE (n = 1).ConclusionsDLE is characterized by a wide variety of dermoscopic findings with variable frequencies depending on the location of the lesions. Nevertheless, further studies are needed in order to reliably assess frequencies, correlation with disease stage and significance of individual dermoscopic features.
Manipulating effects of fruits and vegetables on gut microbiota – a critical review
Authors: Luo Jing , Lin Xian , Bordiga Matteo , Brennan Charles , Xu Baojun 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe objective of the current review was to systematically investigate health‐promoting manipulating effects of fruits and vegetables (F&V) on the gut microbiota. The function of gut microbes was found to promote health effects in the host by scavenging free radicals, modulating immune system, alleviating obesity and diabetes. Masters that manipulate the gut microbiota are the phytochemicals within specific types of F&V, where polyphenols account for the largest proportion, along with alkaloids, terpenes, nitrogen‐containing compounds, polysaccharides and natural pigments present in plants. These bioactive compounds exhibit the regulative influences on gut microorganisms characterised by rescuing dysbiosis of gut microbiota, increasing/decreasing microbial abundance, restructuring microbial composition, and rebalancing gut microbial homeostasis. This review indicated that F&V extracts targeting at gut microbiota could be a new scope of ingredient selection in the field of functional food especially for amelioration of dysfunction of intestinal ecosystem.
Modelling multiphasic starch digestograms: an objective procedure for slope discontinuities†
Authors: Sopade Peter Adeoye 
Published: December 2020

SummaryDigestograms of 101 published in vitro starch digestion were used to investigate slope discontinuities. Polynomial equations (1 to 3 orders) adequately described the first derivative of the digestograms. The derivative(s) of the equations revealed critical point(s). The third‐order equation described (P ≤ 0.05) 17% of the digestograms as triphasic, the second‐ and third‐order equations identified (P ≤ 0.05) 32% as biphasic, while 51% exhibited (P ≤ 0.05) monophasic digestograms. Using nonlinear regression with practical constraints, a modified first‐order kinetic model (Dt = D0 + D∞−0 {1 − exp [−K t]}) described (r2 > 0.56, P ≤ 0.05) segments 1–3 of the digestograms. Rapid‐slow and slow‐rapid digestion rates were obtained, and maximum digestible starches, D∞, ≤100g/100g (dry) starch for an in‐depth understanding of starch digestion. This is the first comprehensive objective approach for slope discontinuities in starch digestograms for consistency in modelling digestograms that advances starch digestion studies.
Review of knowledge to guide product development and breeding for sweetpotato frying quality in West Africa
Authors: Carey Edward E. , Ssali Reuben , Low Jan W. 
Published: December 2020

SummaryThis review provides background about sweetpotato in West Africa to identify the current importance and future potential of sweetpotato fried products in the region. We drew on global literature to consider current best practices and health aspects in addition to information from West Africa where frying in the form of large wedges or ‘chunk fries’ is predominant over other forms (i.e. chips (often referred to as crisps in England and the Commonwealth) and ‘French fries’). Chunk fries are produced mostly by female‐run microenterprises selling them as a filling snack to roadside and market customers. Boiling, drying and reconstituting in various foods, pounding and consumption of leaves as a vegetable are also important in the region. Further research will inform the development of a product profile for chunk fried sweetpotato and inform breeding strategies to improve sweetpotato for frying and other uses.
A novel NADH fluorescence‐based method for identifying and monitoring lactic acid bacteria growths in kimchi
Authors: Chae So Jeong , Kim Eun Jeong , Chang Hae Choon 
Published: December 2020

SummaryNADH‐based fluorescence method was developed to enumerate and differentiate lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The growths of LAB were determined at −1.5–30 ℃ in MRS medium and kimchi juice. LAB growths were measured by viable cell counting and measuring culture turbidity (A600) and NADH fluorescence at 460 nm (F460). Each LAB strain had a unique F460 value at different growth temperatures. Based on the F460 values of LAB strains cultivated at different temperatures, LAB were identified and counted at the species and genus levels in MRS medium and kimchi juice. The fluorescence method was also used to measure changes in LAB dynamics during kimchi fermentation. Obvious increases in F460 values were observed for kimchi samples with LAB counts of > 8 log CFU mL−1, except for Weissella koreensis. Our results indicate that the devised NADH fluorescence method can be used to determine the progress of kimchi fermentation and LAB growths during kimchi storage.