bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction of B cell and T‐helper cell epitopes candidates of bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) by in silico approach
Authors: Hooshmand Negar , Fayazi Jamal , Tabatabaei Saleh , Ghaleh Golab Behbahan Nader 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) is a retrovirus responsible for enzootic bovine leukaemia (EBL) disease, the most common cattle disease leading to high annual economic losses to the cattle breeding industry. Virus monitoring among the sheep and cattle herds is usually done by vaccination. Inactivated virus vaccines can partially protect the livestock from viral challenge. However, vaccinated animals are likely to be infected. So, there is an essential need for producing vaccine by other methods. Gp60 SU, encoded by Env gene, is the surface glycoprotein of BLV detected to be the major target for the host immunity against the virus. Different stages were performed to predict the potential B and T‐helper cell epitopes. The general framework of the method includes retrieving the amino acid sequence of gp60 SU, conducting the sequence alignment, getting the entropy plot, retrieving the previously found epitopes, predicting the hydropathy parameters, modelling the tertiary structure of the glycoprotein, minimizing the structure energy, validating the model by Ramachandran plot, predicting the linear and discontinuous epitopes by various servers and eventually choosing the consensus immunogenic regions. Ramachandran plot scrutiny has demonstrated that the modelled prediction is accurate and suitable. By surveying overlaps of various results, 4 and 2 immunogenic regions were selected as linear and conformational epitopes respectively. Amino acids 35–53, 67–97, 288–302 and 410–421 and those of numbers 37–58 and 72–100 were the regions selected as linear and conformational epitopes respectively. The tertiary structure of the final epitope was modelled as well. A comparison of the predicted epitopes structure with that of gp60 SU envelope, illustrated that the tertiary structure of these epitopes does not change after being separated from the primary complete one. The present achievements will lead to a better interpretation of the antigen–antibody interactions against gp60 in the designing process of safe and efficient vaccines.
Investigation into the morphological and mechanical properties of date palm fiber‐reinforced epoxy structural composites
Authors: Alarifi Ibrahim M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis study aims to examine the morphology and mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, and compressive) of epoxy composites reinforced with epoxy date palm leaves (EDPL), epoxy date palm branch (EDPB), and epoxy/hardener date palm core shell (EDPC) fibers (particle size <1 μm depend on the date palm fibers). A three‐step technique was used to obtain the composites. The EDPL composites showed a maximum tensile strength of 3.45 MPa, while the EDPB composites showed maximum compressive and flexural rigidity of 9.46 and 5.55 MPa, respectively, owing to the good compatibility of fiber‐matrix bonding. In this work, epoxy composites reinforced with date palm fibers (DPF) leaves, branches, and core shell were recycled using a cost‐effective and easily reproducible three‐step technique. EDPC fibers fabricated with 64.65% weight carbon fibers content demonstrated improved tensile strengths and stiffness properties. The three samples of palm date composites revealed mechanical properties that could be used to trial these fibers for manufacturing purposes, and to exploit their extraordinary mechanical properties shown in current results.
The Sinkhorn algorithm, parabolic optimal transport and geometric Monge–Ampère equations
Authors: Berman Robert J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe show that the discrete Sinkhorn algorithm—as applied in the setting of Optimal Transport on a compact manifold—converges to the solution of a fully non-linear parabolic PDE of Monge–Ampère type, in a large-scale limit. The latter evolution equation has previously appeared in different contexts (e.g. on the torus it can be be identified with the Ricci flow). This leads to algorithmic approximations of the potential of the Optimal Transport map, as well as the Optimal Transport distance, with explicit bounds on the arithmetic complexity of the construction and the approximation errors. As applications we obtain explicit schemes of nearly linear complexity, at each iteration, for optimal transport on the torus and the two-sphere, as well as the far-field antenna problem. Connections to Quasi-Monte Carlo methods are exploited.
Homogeneous deformations of toric pairs
Authors: Petracci Andrea 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe extend the Altmann–Mavlyutov construction of homogeneous deformations of affine toric varieties to the case of toric pairs $$(X, \partial X)$$

(
X
,
∂
X
)

, where X is an affine or projective toric variety and $$\partial X$$

∂
X

is its toric boundary. As an application, we generalise a result due to Ilten to the case of Fano toric pairs.
Pouch failures following restorative proctocolectomy in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Helavirta Ilona , Lehto Kirsi , Huhtala Heini , Hyöty Marja , Collin Pekka , Aitola Petri 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) is the most common operation in ulcerative colitis. Nevertheless, permanent ileostomy will sometimes be unavoidable. The aim was to evaluate the reasons for pouch failure and early morbidity after pouch excision.

Methods
The number and the reasons for pouch failures were analysed in patients undergoing RPC 1985-2016.

Results
Out of 491 RPC patients, 53 experienced pouch failure (10 women, 43 men); 52 out of 53 underwent pouch excision. The cumulative risk for excision at 5, 10 and 20 years was 5.6, 9.4 and 15.5%, respectively. The reasons for failure included septic events such as fistula in 12 (23%), chronic pouchitis in 11 (21%) and leakage in 8 (15%) patients. Functional reasons for pouch failure were recorded as poor function in 16 (30%), incontinence in 12 (23%) and stricture in 12 (23%) patients. Multiple causes for pouch failure were recorded for individual patients. Seven cases of Crohn’s disease were found among the failure cases: two before pouch excision and five after. Altogether, 15 Crohn’s disease diagnoses were set in the RPC cohort, giving a percentage of 47% of pouch failure in this disorder. A complication occurred in 23 (44%) patients within 30 days after surgery; 16 were mild (Clavien-Dindo grades I–II).

Conclusions
Eleven percent of RPC patients suffered pouch failure: more men than women. The reasons were multiple. Crohn’s disease created a risk of failure, but a half of these patients maintained the pouch. Morbidity after pouch excision was moderate, but in most cases slight.
D’Arcy W. Thompson’s Cartesian transformations: a critical evaluation
Authors: Scholtz Gerhard , Knötel David , Baum Daniel 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe images of D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson’s book “On Growth and Form” got an iconic status and became influential for biometrics and other mathematical approaches to organismic form. In particular, this is true for those of the chapter on the theory of transformation, which even has an impact on art and humanities. Based on his approach, Thompson formulated far-reaching conclusions with a partly anti-Darwinian stance. Here, we use the example of Thompson’s transformation of crab carapaces to test to what degree the transformation of grids, landmarks, and shapes result in congruent images. For comparison, we applied the same series of tests to digitized carapaces of real crabs. Both approaches show similar results. Only the simple transformations show a reasonable form of congruence. In particular, the transformations to majoid spider crabs reveal a complicated transformation of grids with partly crossing lines. By contrast, the carapace of the lithodid species is relatively easily created despite the fact that it is no brachyuran, but evolved a spider crab-like shape convergently from a hermit crab ancestor.
Bardoxolone methyl: drug development for diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Kanda Hironori , Yamawaki Kengo 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBardoxolone methyl activates the Keap1/Nrf2 system that plays an important role in defense responses against oxidative stress. Importantly, bardoxolone methyl has demonstrated increases in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in clinical studies. However, an overseas Phase 3 study of bardoxolone methyl in patients with stage G4 DKD was prematurely terminated due to an increased risk for heart failure, which was considered to have been caused by early-onset fluid overload. Subsequently, a Japanese Phase 2 study demonstrated, for the first time, that bardoxolone methyl directly improves GFR, which is a true indicator of kidney function, using the inulin clearance method. In Japan, bardoxolone methyl was designated for the treatment of DKD under the Priority Review and Designation (SAKIGAKE Designation) System established by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. A Japanese Phase 3 study, with endpoints such as a ≥ 30% decrease in eGFR, is currently ongoing to assess the efficacy and safety of bardoxolone methyl in more than 1,000 patients with stages G3 and G4 DKD who have no identified risk factors.
An integrative taxonomic study of the needle nematode complex Longidorus goodeyi Hooper, 1961 (Nematoda: Longidoridae) with description of a new species.
Authors: Cai Ruihang , Prior Tom , Lawson Bex , Cantalapiedra-Navarrete Carolina , Palomares-Rius Juan E. , Castillo Pablo , Archidona-Yuste Antonio 
Published: June 2020

AbstractNeedle nematodes are polyphagous root-ectoparasites parasitizing a wide range of economically important plants not only by directly feeding on root cells, but also by transmitting nepoviruses. This study deciphers the diversity of the complexLongidorus goodeyithrough integrative diagnosis method, based on a combination of morphological, morphometrical, multivariate analysis and molecular data. A newLongidorusspecies,Longidorus panderaltumn. sp. is described and illustrated from a population associated with the rhizosphere of asphodel (Asphodelus ramosusL.) in southern Spain. Morphologically,L. panderaltumn. sp. is characterized by having a moderately long female body (5.2-7.0 mm), lip region bluntly rounded and slightly offset by a depression with body contour, amphidial pouch with slightly asymmetrical lobes, odontostyle 80.5–101.0 µm long, tail short and conoid rounded.Longidorus panderaltumn. sp. is quite similar toL. goodeyiandL. onubensisin major morphometrics and morphology. However, differential morphology in the tail shape of first-stage juvenile, phylogeny and haplonet analyses indicate they are three distinct valid species. This study defines those three species as members ofL. goodeyicomplex group and reveals the taxonomical complexity of the genusLongidorus. ThisL. goodeyicomplex group demonstrated that the biodiversity ofLongidorusin this region is still not fully clarified.
International student mobility and the transition from higher education to work in Norway
Authors: Wiers-Jenssen Jannecke , Støren Liv Anne 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to investigate whether international student mobility (ISM) has an impact on the transition from higher education to work. Two measures of labour market outcomes are investigated: unemployment and skills mismatch. To go beyond existing research, we analyse whether the effect of ISM on these outcomes vary by fields of study, intake grades, sociodemographic variables and more. Our analyses are based on data from the Norwegian graduate surveys time series from 2007 to 2017. After controlling for several confounding factors, we find very small differences in labour market outcomes between graduates with and without ISM experience. In comparison with field of study, immigrant background, previous labour market experience and business cycles, the effect of ISM on the examined labour market outcomes is small. Investigating whether graduates with different backgrounds benefit differently from ISM, we find evidence of moderate effect heterogeneities: Graduates with high intake grades and graduates in business and administration seem to benefit somewhat more. Regarding social origin and immigrant background, no heterogeneous effects are found. Contrary to findings from previous studies, we do not find that those least likely to study abroad benefit the most from it. Rather, there is a tendency that groups with the greatest likelihood of studying abroad are those who benefit most.
The Sustainable Development Goals viewed through Gross National Happiness, Ubuntu, and Buen Vivir
Authors: van Norren Dorine E. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—a normative (non-binding) global international environmental agreement (IEA)—claim to be universal as they were multilaterally negotiated between UN member states. However, is giving the Global South a seat at the table truly inclusive development? This article looks at a cross-cultural comparison of the African philosophy of Ubuntu (specifically in South Africa), the Buddhist Gross National Happiness (Bhutan) and the native American idea of Buen Vivir (e.g. Ecuador) and how they view the SDGs, how they view ‘development’, ‘sustainability’, goals and indicators, the implicit value underpinnings of the SDGs, prioritization of goals, and missing links, and leadership. Viewed through the lens of the three cosmovisions of the Global, the SDGs do not effectively address the human–nature–well-being interrelationship. Other cosmovisions have an inherent biocentric value orientation that is often ignored in academic and diplomatic circles. These claim to be more promising than continuing green development approaches, based in modernism. On the positive side, the SDGs contain language of all three worldviews. However, the SDGs are not biocentric aiming to respect nature for nature’s sake, enabling reciprocity with nature. They embody linear growth/results thinking which requires unlimited resource exploitation, and not cyclical thinking replacing growth with well-being (of all beings). They represent individualism and exclude private sector responsibility. They do not represent collective agency and sharing, implying that there is a need for ‘development as service’, to one another and to the Earth. Including these perspectives may lead to abolishing the word ‘development’ within the SDGs, replacing it by inter-relationship; replacing end-result-oriented ‘goals’ with process thinking; and thinking in cyclical nature, and earth governance, instead of static ‘sustainability’. The glass can be viewed as half full or half empty, but the analysis shows that Western ‘modernism’ is still a strong underpinning of the SDGs. Bridges can be built between Happiness, Ubuntu and Buen Vivir in re-interpreting goal frameworks, global governance and the globalization process. This article is largely based on Van Norren 2017 (Development as service, a Happiness, Ubuntu, and Buen Vivir interdisciplinary view of the Sustainable Development Goals. Doctoral dissertation, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands, 2017). Interview findings are numbered with A (Africa); B (Bhutan); E (Ecuador); S (SDGs).
Is It Fear? Similar Brain Responses to Fearful and Neutral Faces in Infants with a Heightened Likelihood for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Di Lorenzo Renata , Munsters Nicolette M. , Ward Emma K. , de Jonge Maretha , Kemner Chantal , van den Boomen Carlijn 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIndividuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show atypical processing of facial expressions. Research with autistic toddlers suggests that abnormalities in processing of spatial frequencies (SFs) contribute to such differences. The current event-related-potential (ERP) study investigated differences between 10-month-old infants with high- and low-likelihood for ASD in SF processing and in discrimination of fearful and neutral faces, filtered to contain specific SF. Results indicate no group differences in general processing of higher (HSF, detailed) and lower-SF (LSF, global) information. However, unlike low-likelihood infants, high-likelihood infants do not discriminate between facial expressions when either the LSF or HSF information is available. Combined with previous findings in toddlers, the current results indicate a developmental delay in efficient processing of facial expressions in ASD.
A Mosquito-Borne Disease Model with Non-exponentially Distributed Infection and Treatment Stages
Authors: Feng Z. , Gurski K. F. , Prosper O. , Teboh-Ewungkem M. I. , Grogan M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMost epidemiological models for mosquito-borne disease assume exponentially distributed residence times in disease stages in order to simplify the model formulation and analysis. However, these models do not allow for accurate description of the interaction between drug concentration and pathogen load within hosts. To improve this, we formulate a model by considering arbitrarily distributed sojourn for various disease stages. The model formulation is presented using two proven equivalent approaches: integral equations and partial differential equations. Analysis of the model includes the existence of equilibrium solutions and stability, which are shown to be dependent on whether the control reproduction number $${\mathcal {R}}_c$$

R
c

is less or greater than 1. It is also shown that, when the general distributions are replaced by gamma distributions, the system of integral equations can be reduced to a system of ODEs, which has some non-trivial characteristics which are only captured by non-exponential distributions for disease stages.
Epistemic injustice and deepened disagreement
Authors: Lagewaard T. J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSometimes ordinary disagreements become deep as a result of epistemic injustice. The paper explores a hitherto unnoticed connection between two phenomena that have received ample attention in recent social epistemology: deep disagreement and epistemic injustice. When (pre-existing) epistemic injustice comes into play in a regular disagreement, this can lead to higher-order disagreement about what counts as evidence concerning the original disagreement, which deepens the disagreement. After considering a common definition of deep disagreement, it is proposed that the depth of disagreements is best understood as a matter of degree. Then, a case study of real-life disagreement is introduced: the disagreement about whether racism is a significant issue in the Netherlands, illustrated by the tradition of ‘Black Pete’. It is argued that there is disagreement about what counts as evidence in the case study because of two forms of epistemic injustice: testimonial and hermeneutical injustice. Specifically, there is disagreement about (the application of) epistemic principles concerning (A) whether private first-personal experience of racism is a weighty source of evidence in this domain, (B) whether victims of racism count as important testifiers in this domain, and (C) how to assess testimony that is not (fully) intelligible to you because it employs concepts and terminology you are unfamiliar with. By dismissing the relevant testimony and epistemic resources, the disagreement boils down to disagreement on the level of epistemic principles concerning (A), (B), and (C). Introducinginjustice-based deep disagreementhighlights moral and political aspects of disagreements that might seem factual.
Role of prothrombin 19911 A>G polymorphism, blood group and male gender in patients with venous thromboembolism: Results of a German cohort study
Authors: Limperger Verena , Kenet Gili , Kiesau Bettina , Köther Max , Schmeiser Malin , Langer Florian , Juhl David , Shneyder Maria , Franke Andre , Klostermeier Ulrich K. , Mesters Rolf , Rühle Frank , Stoll Monika , Steppat Dagmar , Kowalski Dorothee , Rocke Angela , Kuta Piotr , Bajorat Tido , Torge Antje , Neuner Bruno , Junker Ralf , Nowak-Göttl Ulrike 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe role of the A>G polymorphism at position 19911 in the prothrombin gene (factor [F] 2 at rs3136516) as a risk factor for venous thromboembolism [VTE] is still unclear. To evaluate the presence of the F2 polymorphism in VTE patients compared to healthy blood donors and to adjust the results for common inherited thrombophilias [IT], age at onset and blood group [BG], and to calculate the risk of VTE recurrence. We investigated 1012 Caucasian patients with a diagnosis of VTE for the presence of the F2 rs3136516 polymorphism and compared these with 902 healthy blood donors. Odds ratios [OR] together with their 95% confidence intervals were calculated adjusted for F5 at rs6025, F2 at rs1799963, blood group, age and gender. In addition, we evaluated the risk of recurrent VTE during patient follow-up calculating hazard ratios [HR] together with their 95% CI. Compared with the AA wildtype, the F2 GG and AG genotypes (rs3136516) were associated with VTE (OR 1.48 and 1.45). The OR in F5 carriers compared to controls was 5.68 and 2.38 in patients with F2 (rs1799963). BG “non-O” was significantly more often diagnosed in patients compared to BG “O” (OR 2.74). VTE recurrence more often occurred in males (HR 2.3) and in carriers with combined thrombophilia (HR 2.11). Noteworthy, the rs3136516 polymorphism alone was not associated significantly with recurrence. In Caucasian patients with VTE the F2 GG/GA genotypes (rs3136516) were moderate risk factors for VTE. Recurrence was associated with male gender and combined thrombophilia.
Treatment preferences as basis for decision making in patients using direct oral anticoagulants in Spain
Authors: Gavín Olga , Grandes Jesús , García Ma Almudena , Marzo Cristina , Curcio Alejandro , Arístegui Rosa , González Marta , Cerezo-Manchado Juan José 
Published: June 2020

AbstractTreatment preferences are considered a relevant decision-making driver by the main atrial fibrillation (AF) guidelines. Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs), considered as similar clinically, have administration differences useful for treatment individualization. Preferences, priorities and satisfaction of DOAC users were assessed through an observational, multicentric (25 hospitals), cross-sectional study including adult AF-patients (and/or caregivers) in Spain. Three study groups were considered according to DOAC posology preferences: (A) once-daily, with water; (B) once-daily, with food; (C) twice-daily. Overall, 332 patients and 55 caregivers were included. Mean (SD) age was 73.7 (10.7) years [58.7 (13.9) for caregivers]; 51.5% women [69.1% for caregivers]; 80.7% showed comorbidities and poly-pharmacy [6.6 (3.3) drugs/day]. No statistically significant differences were shown among study groups. Once-daily administration was preferred by 274 patients (82.5%) [60.8% (Group A); 21.7% (Group B); 17.5% (Group C)], and 47 caregivers (85.5%) [58.2% (Group A); 27.3% (Group B); 14.5% (Group C)]. Once-daily DOACs were prescribed in 42.8% of the patients. Bleeding risk was the main concern for both, patients and caregivers, followed by DOAC posology and interactions. Although treatment satisfaction (patients and caregivers) was high (9.0 and 9.1 points, respectively), match between individual treatment preferences and real prescriptions was only shown in 41.0% of AF-patients, evidencing a need for patient involvement on treatment decision-making. There is not a patient profile linked to treatment preferences, and clinical criteria must be the main driver for decision-making. However, for most AF-patients (elderly patients), aged, with comorbidity, poly-pharmacy and high cardiovascular risk, once-daily DOACs would be the preferred option.