bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A "Reagentless" Fluorometric Method for Creatine Kinase Activity in Serum
Authors: Lau Herbert K Y , Guilbault George G 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
A "reagentless" fluorometric method is described for the analysis of serum creatine kinase (CK) activity. The method is based on the use of silicone rubber pads, upon which are placed all the reagents for assay of CK. The rate of formation of NADH fluorescence at 460 nm is measured and equated to CK activity. The method is simple, rapid, inexpensive, and as little as 3 µl of serum is needed.
Radioimmunoassay of Thyroxine in Unextracted Serum, by a Single-Antibody Technique
Authors: Dunn Ralph T , Foster Lowell B 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
A radioimmunoassay procedure for thyroxine (T4) is described, for which only 25 µl of serum is required. The antibody, commercially available, is produced in rabbits in response to injections of a T4—albumin conjugate. Native T4—binding proteins are denatured by heating 25 µl of serum in 0.2 ml of a glutamate buffer in a boiling water bath. After a 1-h incubation of heat-treated serum with I125-T4 and T4 antibody, "free" and "bound" T4 are separated by use of hemoglobin-coated charcoal. The method has excellent sensitivity, is rapid, and possesses significant advantages over a standard competitive protein binding method with which it is compared.
Effect of Various Diluents on the Activity of Several Enzymes Present in Serum
Authors: Fendley Ted W , Hochholzer Jane M , Frings Christopher S 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We have evaluated the effect of diluting serum with water or NaCl solution (8.5 or 9.0 g/liter) before assaying by a manual method for creatine kinase (EC 2.7.3.2), alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1), lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27), and aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1) activity. The t test and the F test show no significant difference in the accuracy and precision of the assays at the 95% confidence level when 100 different samples were compared for each enzyme activity after use of the three diluents.
ISSAID/EMQN Best Practice Guidelines for the Genetic Diagnosis of Monogenic Autoinflammatory Diseases in the Next-Generation Sequencing Era
Authors: Shinar Yael , Ceccherini Isabella , Rowczenio Dorota , Aksentijevich Ivona , Arostegui Juan , Ben-Chétrit Eldad , Boursier Guilaine , Gattorno Marco , Hayrapetyan Hasmik , Ida Hiroaki , Kanazawa Nobuo , Lachmann Helen J , Mensa-Vilaro Anna , Nishikomori Ryuta , Oberkanins Christian , Obici Laura , Ohara Osamu , Ozen Seza , Sarkisian Tamara , Sheils Katie , Wolstenholme Nicola , Zonneveld-Huijssoon Evelien , van Gijn Marielle E , Touitou Isabelle 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Monogenic autoinflammatory diseases are caused by pathogenic variants in genes that regulate innate immune responses, and are characterized by sterile systemic inflammatory episodes. Since symptoms can overlap within this rapidly expanding disease category, accurate genetic diagnosis is of the utmost importance to initiate early inflammation-targeted treatment and prevent clinically significant or life-threatening complications. Initial recommendations for the genetic diagnosis of autoinflammatory diseases were limited to a gene-by-gene diagnosis strategy based on the Sanger method, and restricted to the 4 prototypic recurrent fevers (MEFV, MVK, TNFRSF1A, and NLRP3 genes). The development of best practices guidelines integrating critical recent discoveries has become essential.

Methods
The preparatory steps included 2 online surveys and pathogenicity annotation of newly recommended genes. The current guidelines were drafted by European Molecular Genetics Quality Network members, then discussed by a panel of experts of the International Society for Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases during a consensus meeting.

Results
In these guidelines, we combine the diagnostic strength of next-generation sequencing and recommendations to 4 more recently identified genes (ADA2, NOD2, PSTPIP1, and TNFAIP3), nonclassical pathogenic genetic alterations, and atypical phenotypes. We present a referral-based decision tree for test scope and method (Sanger versus next-generation sequencing) and recommend on complementary explorations for mosaicism, copy-number variants, and gene dose. A genotype table based on the 5-category variant pathogenicity classification provides the clinical significance of prototypic genotypes per gene and disease.

Conclusions
These guidelines will orient and assist geneticists and health practitioners in providing up-to-date and appropriate diagnosis to their patients.
What influences the long-term development of mixtures in British forests?
Authors: Mason W L , Connolly T 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Six experiments were established between 1955 and 1962 in different parts of northern and western Britain which used replicated randomized block designs to compare the performance of two species 50:50 mixtures with pure stands of the component species. The species involved were variously lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.), Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi Lamb. Carr.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.), Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis Bong. Carr.) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla Raf. Sarg.). The first four species are light demanding, while Sitka spruce is of intermediate shade tolerance and western hemlock is very shade tolerant: only Scots pine and silver birch are native to Great Britain. In three experiments (Bickley, Ceannacroc, Hambleton), the mixtures were of two light-demanding species, while at the other three sites, the mixture tested contained species of different shade tolerance. The experiments were followed for around 50 years, similar to a full rotation of even-aged conifer stands in Britain. Five experiments showed a tendency for one species to dominate in mixture, possibly reflecting differences in the shade tolerance or other functional traits of the component species. In the three experiments, the basal area of the mixtures at the last assessment was significantly higher than predicted based on the performance of the pure stands (i.e. the mixture ‘overyielded’). In two of these cases, the mixture had had a higher basal area than found in the more productive pure stand indicating ‘transgressive overyielding’. Significant basal area differences were generally more evident at the later assessment date. The exception was in a Scots pine: western hemlock mixture where greater overyielding at the earlier date indicated a nursing (‘facilitation’) effect. In the remaining experiments, the performance of the mixture conformed to predictions from the growth of the component species in pure stands. Taken overall, the results suggest that functional traits can be used to interpret the performance of mixtures but prediction of the outcome will require better understanding of the interplay between species and site characteristics plus the influence of silvicultural interventions.
Assessing the NephroCheck® Test System in Predicting the Risk of Death or Dialysis in Burn Patients
Authors: Suresh Mithun R , Rizzo Julie A , Sosnov Jonathan A , Stacey Winfred N , Howard Jeffrey T , Tercero Javance R , Babcock Elizabeth H , Stewart Ian J 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAcute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with high mortality in burn patients. Urinary biomarkers can aid in the prediction of AKI and its consequences, such as death and the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). The purpose of this study was to investigate a novel methodology for detecting urinary biomarkers, the NephroCheck® Test System, and assess its ability to predict death or the need for RRT in burn patients. Burn patients admitted to the United States Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR) burn intensive care unit were prospectively enrolled between March 2016 and April 2018. A urine sample was obtained from all study participants using the NephroCheck® system. Patient and injury characteristics were gathered, and descriptive statistics were calculated and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed using these data. Of the 69 patients in this study, 15 patients (21.7%) attained the composite outcome of death or needing RRT within 30 days of urine collection. NephroCheck® scores were higher for patients with the composite outcome, with P = 0.06 for centrifuged scores and P = 0.04 for noncentrifuged scores. Centrifuged and noncentrifuged scores were in high agreement and correlation (R2 = 0.97, P &lt; 0.0001). Noncentrifuged scores were significant in the unadjusted analysis, but they were not significant in the adjusted analysis. Although these scores had a lower sensitivity and negative predictive value compared with other parameters, they had the second highest specificity and positive predictive value. NephroCheck® scores were higher in burn patients with the composite outcome of death or needing RRT, and they demonstrated comparable sensitivity and specificity to creatinine and TBSA.
Woody plant encroachment may decrease plant carbon storage in grasslands under future drier conditions
Authors: Liu Yun-Hua , Cheng Jun-Hui , Schmid Bernhard , Tang Li-Song , Sheng Jian-Dong 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Aims
Woody plants are widely distributed in various grassland types along the altitudinal/climatic gradients in Xinjiang, China. Considering previously reported change in carbon (C) storage following woody plant encroachment in grasslands and the mediating effect of climate on this change, we predicted that a positive effect of woody plants on plant C storage in semiarid grasslands may revert to a negative effect in arid grasslands. We first investigated the spatial variation of aboveground C (AGC) and belowground C (BGC) storage among grassland types and then tested our prediction.

Methods
We measured the living AGC storage, litter C (LC) and BGC storage of plants in two physiognomic types, wooded grasslands (aboveground biomass of woody plants at least 50%) and pure grasslands without woody plants in six grassland types representing a gradient form semiarid to arid conditions across Xinjiang.
Important Findings Living AGC, LC, BGC and total plant C storage increased from desert to mountain meadows. These increases could also be explained by increasing mean annual precipitation (MAP) or decreasing mean annual temperature (MAT), suggesting that grassland types indeed represented an aridity gradient. Woody plants had an effect on the plant C storage both in size and in distribution relative to pure grasslands. The direction and strength of the effect of woody plants varied with grassland types due to the mediating effect of the climate, with wetter conditions promoting a positive effect of woody plants. Woody plants increased vegetation-level AGC through their high AGC relative to herbaceous plants. However, more negative effects of woody plants on herbaceous plants with increasing aridity led to a weaker increase in the living AGC in arid desert, steppe desert and desert steppe than in the less arid other grassland types. Under greater aridity (lower MAP and higher MAT), woody plants allocated less biomass to roots and had lower BGC and had a more negative impact on herbaceous plant production, thereby reducing vegetation-level BGC in the desert, steppe desert and desert steppe. In sum, this resulted in a negative effect of woody plants on total plant C storage in the most arid grasslands in Xinjiang. As a consequence, we predict that woody plant encroachment may decrease rather than increase C storage in grasslands under future drier conditions.
The CT gap sign, a case of failure to seat the polythene component in total ankle replacement (infinity)
Authors: Anugraha Anoop , Ferguson Zak , Pillai Anand 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We present a case of incorrect seating of the polyethylene liner in an INFINITY total ankle replacement causing discomfort and eventually leading to a revision ankle replacement. This malposition of the implant was observed on a computed tomography (CT) scan as a ‘gap’ between the liner and the body of the replacement. The patient complained of discomfort on walking postoperatively, which limited activity. All investigations were normal including X-Ray, inflammatory markers, ultrasound, and it was only the subtle CT changes along with history that confirmed the diagnosis. This case demonstrates a complication of the design of the INFINITY prosthesis and the approach taken to the ankle when inserting. The patient fortunately made a full recovery after revision surgery, returning to normal activities with minimal pain.
The Woman at the Well and the Limits of Biblical Scholarship: Maximus the Confessor’s Scholion on Thal. 41
Authors: Cooper Adam G 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
In 2018 Maximus the Confessor’s premier work on biblical hermeneutics, the Responses to Thalassius, finally appeared in English translation. Following its original publication in the early 630 s, Maximus reissued the Responses in a second edition, to which he appended a dedicated prologue and his so-called scholia, an extensive set of annotations or footnoted clarifications. In both Maximus’s prologue and in the reception history of the Responses, these scholia were regarded as intrinsic to the integrity of the whole work. This article focuses on scholion 1 to Thal. 41, in which Maximus comments on the number of husbands belonging to the Woman at the Well in John 4, and why Jesus’ conversation with her took place when and where it did. It treats the scholion as a test case to see whether, how, and to what extent it further enlightens the reader as to the meaning of Maximus’s initial commentary, as he says it should. It argues that the scholion crucially qualifies several insights raised by Maximus in his original response, touching on his anagogical reading of Scripture, the progressive character of human history towards a culminating salvific goal, the limits of learning and discursive reason, and the role of faith and grace in receiving deifying wisdom.
Deserving Immigrants and Good Advocate Mothers: Immigrant Mothers’ Negotiations of Special Education Systems for Children with Disabilities
Authors: Kibria Nazli , Becerra Walter Suarez 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDrawing on observational data and 30 in-depth interviews, we examine how immigrant mothers of color from diverse class, ethnic, and racial backgrounds negotiate public special education services for their children with severe intellectual disabilities. Special education systems in the United States emphasize parental involvement and oversight in the process of developing appropriate service packages for children. The intersection of these expectations with ideologies of intensive mothering generate an idealized vision of the mothers of children with disabilities as engaging in vigorous, selfless, and skillful advocacy in special education systems. The “Good Advocate Mother” becomes an ideational foil for “immigrant deservingness” by offering a yardstick of expectations against which to evaluate the commitment and merit of immigrant mothers raising children with disabilities. The Good Advocate Mother is a source of empowerment for immigrant mothers. The narrative legitimates their quest to obtain the best services for their children in the face of political currents that call immigrant entitlements to public services into question. The Good Advocate Mother is a constant source of challenge for immigrant mothers for whom the pressures of advocating well for their children intersect with those of establishing themselves as deserving immigrants.
School Uniforms, Short-Run Participation, and Long-Run Outcomes: Evidence from Kenya
Authors: Evans David K , Ngatia Mũthoni 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
In recent decades, the number of evaluated interventions to improve access to school has multiplied, but few studies report long-term impacts. This paper reports the impact of an educational intervention that provided school uniforms to children in poor communities in Kenya. The program used a lottery to determine who would receive a school uniform. Receiving a uniform reduced school absenteeism by 37 percent for the average student (7 percentage points) and by 55 percent for children who initially had no uniform (15 percentage points). Eight years after the program began, there is no evidence of sustained impact of the program on highest grade completed or primary school completion rates. A bounding exercise suggests no substantive positive, long-term impacts. These results contribute to a small literature on the long-run impacts of educational interventions and demonstrate the risk of initial impacts depreciating over time.
Risk analysis of chewing betel quid among diabetic patients from the northeastern part of Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan Zafrul , Islam Md. Rafiul , Hasan Md. Soyib , Sakib Miah Mohammad , Islam Md. Sifatul , Chowdhury Md. Belal , Sarker Saifuddin , Islam Md. Rakibul , Hasnat Mohammad Abul , Nath Lalith Mohon , Mia Md. Waseque 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundBetel quid (BQ) chewing is a common habit and a means of social interaction among the northeastern peoples of Bangladesh. Though this habit integrating in their daily life without knowing its toxic effect. Areca nut, which is one of the main components of BQ and may responsible for this addiction. Here, we assess to see how BQ chewing habit influence hyperglycemia among diabetic patients with respect to their lifestyle.MethodologyRandom blood sugar (RBS) test was evaluated from a total of 961 diabetic patients. Behavioral data associated with their daily lifestyle were collected from August 2018 to February 2019 from Sylhet Diabetic Hospital, Bangladesh. Student’s t-test, ANOVA and Fisher’s exact test were used to assess the RBS status between BQ chewer and non-chewer patients.ResultsHigher RBS was found in BQ chewer patients than non-chewer (mean ± SEM, 263.3 ± 4.768 vs. 251.0 ± 5.915mg/dl). Interestingly, it is significantly higher in raw areca nut user than dry nut (mean ± SEM, 278.0 ± 8.790 vs. 252.1 ± 6.835 mg/dl) only from BQ chewer group, suggesting that the habit of chewing raw nut may contribute to more hyperglycemic effect among diabetic patients. BQ habit enhances higher RBS level among smoker, non-smoker and patient’s having walking habit. In addition, BQ habit significantly influence to have high RBS in patients with family history with diabetes. Lack of awareness being diabetes have also been observed significantly in BQ chewer patients, while a higher level of RBS was seen in BQ group, who work in different sectors with sitting activities.ConclusionsDiabetic patients who chew betel quid are more prone to keep higher hyperglycemic. Utmost attention should be taken to discourage the use of BQ for proper management of diabetes control.
User perspectives on cannabis and SSRIs as treatment for depression
Authors: Castañeda Judy 
Published: January 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the qualitative relationship between cannabis and the most commonly used antidepressant drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) through the narratives of depressed individuals who have used both drugs at one point during their lifetime. Despite their prevalence, depression, cannabis use, and SSRI use have not been previously studied together through the perspective of those who have experienced them. Using a exploratory approach, this paper investigates and compares the user experiences of these drugs.

Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews were conducted involving participants who were between the ages of 16–59 in the UK and have used both SSRIs and cannabis either simultaneously or at any point in their lives. Five interviews were conducted either via telephone or in person, and the method of analysis was an inductive approach which was inspired by grounded-theory.

Findings
While the two drugs were used by participants in order to relieve symptoms of depression, they were used for very different reasons and typically at different stages of their lives. Though participants did not state that the drugs were interchangeable for improving mood, their responses indicated that these drugs were viewed as two alternatives to alleviate symptoms of depression. Participants’ relationships with their doctors also played a crucial role and affected interviewees’ decisions to use either SSRIs or cannabis, as well as perceptions of the medical industry.

Social implications
This research shows the importance of doctor and patient interactions as they were crucial influences on patients’ decisions related to drugs. Participants’ experiences with SSRI and cannabis were subjective and varied, therefore, the value of personalised treatment (which may or may not include psychotropic drugs) is highlighted. These findings can help health practitioners gain a better understanding of the rationale of depressed patients in choosing treatments and thereby improve healthcare outcomes.

Originality/value
Given that depression is stigmatised, and cannabis use is both illegal and stigmatised, this paper examines the opinions of a difficult to reach population. Previous work involving cannabis, antidepressants and mood-elevating effects is primarily written with a biochemical or medical perspective which paid more focus on the efficacy of these drugs and had less emphasis on the beliefs of the users. This paper highlights the opinions of cannabis and SSRI users regarding these two drugs specifically, which had not been previously explored.
Barriers and enablers of coastal disaster resilience – lessons learned from tsunami in Sri Lanka
Authors: Rathnayake Danidu Kusal , Kularatne Devmini , Abeysinghe Sonali , Shehara Ishani , Fonseka Thilanga , Edirisinghe Mudiyanselage Sameera Darshana Jayasooriya , Kamalrathne Wathuwala Gedara Chaminda Thushara , Siriwardana Chandana , Alagiyawanna Mohotti Appuhamilage Chaminda Senarathna Bandara , Dissanayake Ranjith 
Published: January 2020

Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the coastal disaster resilience and the disaster management framework of Sri Lanka, by conducting a case study in a few coastal areas in the district of Matara which were majorly affected in 2004 by the Indian Ocean Tsunami. Although it has been 15 years since the disaster struck the country, Sri Lanka is still struggling in building back better. This reveals the need to strengthen the action plan toward coastal disaster management by identifying the barriers and challenges that still exist in policies and frameworks, the use of technology in evacuation planning, implementation of evacuation plans and capacity building of the community.

Design/methodology/approach
This study was conducted through structured and in-depth interviews among the general public and government officials targeting the eventual outcome as to ascertain barriers incorporated with the disaster management framework and then possible improvements to the framework were identified and suggested.

Findings
The findings showed that the practice of an administrative-oriented disaster management framework was a key element in creating a welfare-oriented community that is still building back better in Matara, which was one of the worst affected cities in the country during the 2004 Tsunami.

Originality/value
This paper facilitates resilience development by identifying the overall development of the system after 2004. The required modifications needed to strengthen the system have thereby been identified through the developed output which was produced by analyzing the barriers and challenges.