bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of a model ensemble to predict Peary caribou populations in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago
Authors: Kaluskar Samarth , Blukacz‐Richards E. Agnes , Johnson Cheryl Ann , He Yuhong , Langlois Alexandre , Kim Dong‐Kyun , Arhonditsis George 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn the field of biological conservation, mathematical modeling has been an indispensable tool to advance our understanding of population dynamics. Modeling rare and endangered species with complex ecophysiological tools can be challenging due to the constraints imposed by data availability. One strategy to overcome the mismatch between what we are trying to learn from a modeling exercise and the available empirical knowledge is to develop statistical models that tend to be more parsimonious. In the present study, we introduce a spatially explicit modeling framework to examine the strength and nature of the relationships of snow density and vegetation abundance with Peary caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi) populations. Peary caribou are vital to the livelihood and culture of High Arctic Inuit communities, but changing climatic conditions and anthropogenic disturbances may affect the integrity of this endemic species population. Owing to an estimated decline of over 35% during the last three generations, a recent assessment by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada assigned a Threatened status to Peary caribou in 2015. Recognizing the uncertainty typically associated with the selection of the best subset of explanatory variables and their optimal functional relationship with the response variable, we examined four models across six island complexes (Banks, Axel Heiberg, Melville, Bathurst, Mackenzie King, and Boothia) of the Arctic Archipelago and formulated two ensembles to synthesize their predictions into averaged Peary caribou population distributions. Our analysis showed that an ensemble strategy with region‐specific weights displayed the highest performance and most balanced error across the six island complexes. The causal linkages between snow, vegetation abundance, and Peary caribou did manifest themselves with the models examined, but the noise‐to‐signal ratios of the corresponding regression coefficients were generally high and there were instances where they were not discernible from zero. We also present a sensitivity analysis exercise that elucidates the influence of the observation/imputation errors on the model‐training phase, thereby highlighting the importance of assigning realistic error estimates that will not hamper the identification of important cause–effect relationships. Our study identifies critical augmentations of the available scientific knowledge that necessitate to design the optimal management actions of Peary caribou populations across the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.
Baseline features of the VICTORIA (Vericiguat Global Study in Subjects with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) trial
Authors: Pieske Burkert , Patel Mahesh J. , Westerhout Cynthia M. , Anstrom Kevin J. , Butler Javed , Ezekowitz Justin , Hernandez Adrian F. , Koglin Joerg , Lam Carolyn S.P. , Ponikowski Piotr , Roessig Lothar , Voors Adriaan A. , O'Connor Christopher M. , Armstrong Paul W. ,   on behalf of the VICTORIA Study Group
Published: December 2019

AimDescribe the distinguishing features of heart failure (HF) patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in the VICTORIA (Vericiguat Global Study in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) trial.Methods and resultsKey background characteristics were evaluated in 5050 patients randomized in VICTORIA and categorized into three cohorts reflecting their index worsening HF event. Differences within the VICTORIA population were assessed and compared with PARADIGM‐HF (Prospective comparison of ARNI with ACEI to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure) and COMMANDER HF (A Study to Assess the Effectiveness and Safety of Rivaroxaban in Reducing the Risk of Death, Myocardial Infarction, or Stroke in Participants with Heart Failure and Coronary Artery Disease Following an Episode of Decompensated Heart Failure). VICTORIA patients had increased risk of mortality and rehospitalization: New York Heart Association class (40% class III), atrial fibrillation (45%), diabetes (47%), hypertension (79%) and mean estimated glomerular filtration rate of 61.5 mL/min/1.73 m2. Baseline standard of HF care was very good: 60% received triple therapy. Their N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide was 3377 pg/mL [interquartile range (IQR) 1992–6380]. Natriuretic peptides were 30% higher level in the 67% patients with HF hospitalization <3 months, compared to those within 3–6 months of HF hospitalization and those randomized after recent outpatient intravenous diuretic therapy. Overall the median MAGGIC (Meta‐Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure) risk score in VICTORIA was 23 (IQR 18–27) as compared to the MAGGIC risk score in PARADIGM‐HF of 20 (IQR 16–24).ConclusionsVICTORIA comprises a broadly generalizable high‐risk population of three unique clinical strata of worsening chronic HFrEF despite very good HF therapy. VICTORIA will establish the role of vericiguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, in HFrEF.
An efficient certificateless public key encryption with equality test toward Internet of Vehicles
Authors: Zhao Yanan , Hou Yingzhe , Chen Yanan , Kumar Sachin , Deng Fuhu 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWith the rapid development of the Internet of Vehicles, a great amount of vehicles are connected to Internet of Vehicles environment. These vehicles can exchange data to each other and upload the data to a cloud server for backup. Since the data contains some sensitive information, it is necessary to encrypt the data before uploading to the cloud server. However, this method severely hampers the utilization of data because of the tremendous difficulty in the search for encrypted data. For addressing the above issue, we propose a novel certificateless public key encryption supporting the equality test on ciphertexts that are performed by the cloud server while revealing nothing about the corresponding plaintexts. Our scheme has proved to be secure in bilinear Diffie‐Hellman assumption under the model of random oracle. At the same time, both theoretical analysis and experimental evaluation indicate the security, efficiency, as well as effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Electrical component ignition in a closed enclosure adjacent to a controlled fire
Authors: Zavaleta Pascal , Bouygues Olivier , Lapuerta Céline 
Published: December 2019

SummaryElectrical cabinet fires are one of the main fire hazards in nuclear power plants (NPPs). The electrical cabinets are often arranged in rows of adjacent cabinets (ACs) in NPPs. So the ability of a cabinet fire to spread to ACs is a major concern for fire safety. This work aims to investigate the impact on the fire spread of the air gap between two electrical cabinets, the electrical component type contained in the AC, and its ventilation mode. For that purpose, a test device composed of two adjacent steel enclosures was designed in order to reproduce at reduced‐scale adjacent electrical cabinets. This study first reveals that the studied electrical component types spontaneously ignited when their temperature and the incident heat flux reach critical ignition values. These ignition criteria are assessed for each component type. The tests also show that the air gap increase slows down the rise of the side wall temperature of the two enclosures, which delays the ignition time of the electrical components. This work finally highlights that the mechanical ventilation of the adjacent enclosure (AE) has an impact on the ignition conditions. In contrast, the natural ventilation as implemented in the AE has a small effect on these conditions.
An efficient integrative resampling method for gene–trait association analysis
Authors: Kim Yeonil , Chi Yueh‐Yun , Zou Fei 
Published: December 2019

AbstractGenetic association studies are popular for identifying genetic variants, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), that are associated with complex traits. Statistical tests are commonly performed one SNP at a time with an assumed mode of inheritance such as recessive, additive, or dominant genetic model. Such analysis can result in inadequate power when the employed model deviates from the underlying true genetic model. We propose an integrative association test procedure under a generalized linear model framework to flexibly model the data from the above three common genetic models and beyond. A computationally efficient resampling procedure is adopted to estimate the null distribution of the proposed test statistic. Simulation results show that our methods maintain the Type I error rate irrespective of the existence of confounding covariates and achieve adequate power compared to the methods with the true genetic model. The new methods are applied to two genetic studies on the resistance of severe malaria and sarcoidosis.
The effect of unemployment on the smoking behavior of couples
Authors: Everding Jakob , Marcus Jan 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAlthough unemployment likely entails various externalities, research examining its spillover effects on spouses is scarce. This is the first paper to estimate effects of unemployment on the smoking behavior of both spouses. Using German Socio‐Economic Panel data, we combine matching and difference‐in‐differences estimation, employing the post‐double‐selection method for control variable selection via Lasso regressions. One spouse's unemployment increases both spouses' smoking probability and intensity. Smoking relapses and decreased smoking cessation drive the effects. Effects are stronger if the partner already smokes and if the male partner becomes unemployed. Of several mechanisms discussed, we identify smoking to cope with stress as relevant.
Global financial crisis and multiscale systematic risk: Evidence from selected European stock markets
Authors: Alexandridis Antonios K. , Hasan Mohammad S. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn this paper, we have investigated the impact of the global financial crisis on the multihorizon nature of systematic risk and market risk using daily data of eight major European equity markets over the period of 2005–2018. The method is based on a wavelet multiscale approach within the framework of a capital asset pricing model. Empirical results demonstrate that beta coefficients have a multiscale tendency, and betas tend to increase at higher scales (lower frequencies). In addition, the size of betas and R2s tends to increase during the crisis period compared with the precrisis period. The multiscale nature of the betas is consistent with the fact that stock market investors have different time horizons due to different trading strategies. Our results based on scale dependent value at risk (VaR) suggest that market risk tends to be more concentrated at lower time scales (higher frequencies) of the data. Moreover, the scale‐by‐scale estimates of VaR have increased almost three folds for every market during the crisis period compared with the precrisis period. Finally, our approach allows for accurately forecasting time‐dependent betas and VaR.
Risk Factors of Severe Hypocalcemia After US-Guided Percutaneous Microwave Ablation of the Parathyroid Gland in Patients with Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Wei Ying , Peng Li-li , Zhao Zhen-long , Li Yan , Yu Ming-an 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT
Our aim was to identify potential risk factors associated with severe hypocalcemia (SH) after microwave ablation (MWA) in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). This retrospective cross-sectional study enrolled 204 consecutive patients (with 387 parathyroid glands) who underwent MWA between July 2015 and May 2018. Clinical parameters, laboratory indices, and parathyroid gland characteristics were analyzed to assess risk factors associated with SH after MWA. SH was defined as serum calcium level lower than 1.875 mmol/L (7.5 mg/dL) after MWA. Two models (I and II) for pre-MWA and post-MWA prediction were established, respectively. In accordance with the KDIGO guidelines, the target value for intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) less than 300 pg/mL within 7 days after MWA was considered as a successful procedure. The success rate of MWA was 71.6% (146/204). The incidence of hypocalcemia and SH after MWA was 35.8% and 22.06%, respectively. The pre-MWA prediction models I and II showed that high pre-MWA iPTH, a dramatic reduction in iPTH, low pre-MWA serum calcium, multiple ablated gland, and lack of pruritus symptoms were risk factors for developing SH. The accuracy (82.23% versus 83.25% in models I and II, respectively), sensitivity (34.88% versus 44.19%), specificity (95.45% versus 94.59%), positive predictive value (PPV) (68.18% versus 70.37%), and negative predictive value (NPV) (84% versus 85.37%) of both models were promising. The logistic regression fitting of the nomograms showed high prediction efficiency (0.845 and 0.863). High pre-MWA iPTH, dramatic reductions in iPTH, low pre-MWA serum calcium, multiple gland ablation, and no pruritus symptoms were predictors of SH. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
LncRNA ANRIL/miR‐125a axis exhibits potential as a biomarker for disease exacerbation, severity, and inflammation in bronchial asthma
Authors: Ye Shenglan , Zhu Shan , Feng Lijuan 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to explore the correlation of lncRNA ANRIL/miR‐125a axis with disease risk, severity, and inflammatory cytokines of bronchial asthma.MethodsPlasma samples from 90 patients with bronchial asthma at exacerbation (BA‐E), 90 with bronchial asthma at remission (BA‐R), and 90 controls (healthy subjects) were collected. The qPCR was used for lncRNA ANRIL and miR‐125a detection, and ELISA was adopted for pro‐inflammatory cytokines detection. Participants’ characteristics, laboratory tests, and the pulmonary ventilation function examinations were recorded.ResultsLncRNA ANRIL was negatively correlated with miR‐125a in BA‐E patients, BA‐R patients, and controls. LncRNA ANRIL/miR‐125a axis was upregulated in BA‐E patients compared with BA‐R patients and controls. ROC curve analyses illuminated that lncRNA ANRIL/miR‐125a axis was of good value in distinguishing BA‐E patients from BA‐R patients and controls. As to pulmonary ventilation functions, lncRNA ANRIL/miR‐125a axis was negatively associated with FEV1/FVC and FEV1%predicted in bronchial asthma patients, especially in BA‐E patients. Regarding inflammation, lncRNA ANRIL/miR‐125a axis was positively correlated with pro‐inflammatory cytokines in bronchial asthma patients, especially in BA‐E patients. In addition, lncRNA ANRIL/miR‐125a axis was positively correlated with exacerbation severity in BA‐E patients.ConclusionLncRNA ANRIL/miR‐125a is potentially indicative of disease exacerbation, exacerbation severity, and inflammation for bronchial asthma, while these findings are preliminary and need further confirmation.
Rolling a trauma patient onto the right side increases sensitivity of FAST examination
Authors: Pigneri Danielle A. , Behm Robert J. , Granet Paul J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPurposeHemoperitoneum in the hypotensive trauma patient is an indication for emergent laparotomy. Focused assessment sonography in trauma (FAST) is a widely used tool for detecting hemoperitoneum. The usefulness of FAST is currently limited by low sensitivity. We hypothesize rolling patients onto their right side will pool small volumes of fluid into the right upper quadrant of the abdomen leading to increased sensitivity.MethodsPeritoneal dialysis patients were recruited for voluntary participation in a small pilot prospective clinical trial. Each participant first underwent a supine FAST followed by a 30‐second roll onto the right side. Once back in the supine position, the FAST was repeated (FASTeR or FAST examination after right‐sided roll). About 50 mL aliquots of dialysate were sequentially infused into the abdomen and the imaging sequence repeated until a positive finding was obtained.ResultsSeven patients were consented for the study. One patient was found to have an equivocal examination secondary to renal cysts. All six remaining participants converted to a positive FASTeR at an intra‐abdominal fluid volume at which standard FAST was negative.ConclusionsRolling patients to the right side increased FAST sensitivity, converting false‐negative to true positives examinations. A larger study is needed to validate our preliminary data.
High prevalence of self‐reported autism spectrum disorder in the Propionic Acidemia Registry
Authors: Cotrina Maria L. , Ferreiras Sindy , Schneider Patricia 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPropionic Acidemia (PA) is characterized by the accumulation of propionic acid (PPA), its toxic derivatives, and ammonia. The disease causes multiorgan damage, especially in heart, pancreas, and brain; seizures and intellectual disability are often described. Some PA children also show autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In this study, we have compiled data from 62 individuals from the Propionic Acidemia International Patient Registry and compared it to the published literature on the prevalence of autism in PA. The PA registry shows a significant proportion of ASD diagnoses that is consistent with the combined prevalence reported in the literature. It also shows that ASD in PA is gender balanced and it is diagnosed at older ages (median age 8 years) than in the national registry for autism (median age 4.3 years), which raises the possibility, among others, of PA specific risk factors affecting the natural history of ASD. Data from patient registries provide valuable information on studying the mechanisms involved in a rare disease, although more outreach effort must be done to increase participation and consistency in data entry.
Frequency of subclinical herpes zoster in pediatric hematology‐oncology patients receiving chemotherapy: A retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: Kozawa Kei , Miura Hiroki , Kawamura Yoshiki , Tanaka Makito , Kudo Kazuko , Higashimoto Yuki , Ihira Masaru , Yoshikawa Tetsushi 
Published: December 2019

AbstractVaricella‐zoster virus (VZV) reactivation from the enteric nervous system can cause ileus (Ogilvie's syndrome) in adult patients. Since no pediatric cases have been described, we sought to retrospectively analyze VZV reactivation in pediatric hematology‐oncology patients to determine whether VZV infection including subclinical VZV reactivation can induce gastrointestinal complications such as Ogilvie's syndrome. Thirty‐five patients who received chemotherapy at our institution between September 2013 and June 2018 were included. Serum samples were collected weekly during hospitalization and every 3 months during outpatient maintenance chemotherapy. A real‐time polymerase chain reaction assay was used to measure VZV DNA load in serum. The clinical features of patients with VZV infection were retrospectively analyzed. Of 1165 serum samples, 7 (0.6%) were positive for VZV DNA. VZV DNA was detected in 3 of 35 patients. In patient A, VZV DNA was detected during two episodes. The first episode involved varicella‐like eruptions caused by the Oka VZV vaccine strain. The second episode involved herpes zoster (HZ) caused by the same strain. Patients B and C had a clinical course that was typical for HZ caused by wild‐type VZV. No gastrointestinal symptoms were observed at the time of VZV infection in these three patients. VZV DNA was not detected in any other samples. No pediatric cases with Ogilvie's syndrome caused by VZV reactivation were demonstrated in this cohort. Additionally, no subclinical VZV reactivation was found in this cohort. Further study is needed to elucidate the precise incidence of pediatric Ogilvie's syndrome caused by VZV reactivation.
Fish oil/lycopene microcapsules as a source of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids: a case study on spreads
Authors: Solomando Juan Carlos , Antequera Teresa , González‐Mohíno Alberto , Perez‐Palacios Trinidad 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe consumption of omega‐3 fatty acids has many beneficial effects for human health, but the intake of foods rich in these fatty acids is not enough to achieve the recommended quantity per person and per day, and their direct addition in foods cause oxidation and unacceptable rancidity and off‐flavor. Taking account of all these aspects, this study was aimed to develop stable microcapsules of fish oil (omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) and lycopene (antioxidant) and to investigate their effect on different spreads.RESULTSThe inclusion of different proportions of lycopene in fish oil did not show great benefits in the quality characteristics of emulsions and microcapsules. After the addition of fish oil and fish oil + lycopene microcapsules to dry‐cured ham and cheese spreads, no significant differences were found in the proximal composition and oxidative stability, whereas fatty acids composition and sensory analysis were influenced. The eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids content increased with the fish oil content in both products, but it decreased significantly after storage in the cheese spreads. Addition of microcapsules did not significantly influence on quantitative–descriptive and acceptability sensory analyses in dry‐cured spreads, but it negatively affected the flavor of cheese spreading creams.CONCLUSIONThere is no need to add antioxidants to improve the stability of the fish oil microcapsules in the present study, which are appropriate as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid vehicles to enrich meat‐derived spreading creams. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of l‐theanine on growth performance, intestinal development and health, and peptide and amino acid transporters expression of broilers
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Wang Chi , Chen Kaikai , Zhao Xiaohui , Geng Zhaoyu 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDl‐Theanine has multiple beneficial biological activities. However, there is little information about the use of l‐theanine in broiler production. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of l‐theanine on growth performance, intestinal development and health, and the mRNA levels of intestinal peptide and amino acid (AA) transporters of broilers.RESULTSBody weight and average daily gain were increased by l‐theanine, whereas feed to gain ratio was decreased (quadratic, P < 0.05). Notably, the relative weight of duodenum, jejunum and ileum, villus height, villus height to crypt depth ratio, the jejunal activities of glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant capacity, catalase and total superoxide dismutase were increased linearly and/or quadratically by l‐theanine (P < 0.05), whereas crypt depth, serum d‐lactic acid, and jejunal protein carbonyls and malondialdehyde content were decreased linearly and/or quadratically (P < 0.05). Moreover, l‐theanine enhanced the jejunal mRNA levels of occludin, claudin‐1, E‐cadherin, zona occludens‐1, di‐ and tripeptide transporter, excitatory AA transporter 3, Na+‐independent cationic AA transporter 1, Na+‐independent cationic and zwitterionic AA transporter, Na+‐ and Cl−‐dependent neutral and cationic AA transporter, Na+‐independent cationic and Na+‐dependent neutral AA transporter (y+LAT) 1, y+LAT2, Na+‐independent branched‐chain and aromatic AA transporter, and heavy chain corresponding to the b°,+ transport system (linear and/or quadratic, P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONSl‐Theanine beneficially affected the growth performance of broilers by improving intestinal development and health, and the intestinal mRNA levels of AA and peptide transporters. Therefore, l‐theanine has the potential to be a promising feed additive for broilers. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry