bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of infrastructure investments on income inequality: Evidence from US states
Authors: Hooper Emma , Peters Sanjay , Pintus Patrick A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractOur analysis of US state‐level data on an annual frequency, from 1976 to 2008, sheds new light on a plausible causal link between infrastructure investments, namely public spending on highways, and income inequality. This causal relationship is drawn out using the number of seats in the US House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations (HRCA) as an instrument to identify quasi‐random variations in state‐level spending on highways. An exogenous pattern which emerges when a state gains an additional member to the HRCA is that it is allocated with new federal grants. This increase in federal transfers for infrastructure financing results in slashing of expenditures on highways and a crowding‐out effect of federal funding for state investments on highways. Spending cuts on highways produced by a new HRCA member being attained by a state can unwittingly cause income inequality to rise over a short 2‐year time horizon. Similar challenges with decentralized development to finance infrastructure via federal transfers to state and sub‐national governments may be encountered by other industrially advanced, emerging and low‐income developing economies. US data over the mentioned period reveal a strong positive correlation with state spending on highways and wages paid for construction jobs. Suggestive evidence indicates that the construction sector also plays an important role in the transmission channel from a rise in state spending on highways to lowering income inequality, albeit during specific intervals, as opposed to on a long‐term basis.
Modelling spatial and temporal soil organic carbon dynamics under climate and land management change scenarios, northern Ethiopia
Authors: Mesfin Shimbahri , Gebresamuel Girmay , Haile Mitiku , Zenebe Amanuel 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSoil organic carbon (SOC) depletion is a threat for the present and future agricultural production in Ethiopia. Hence, investigation of the influence of land management and climate change on SOC is required to facilitate climate change mitigation practices. For this study, croplands of the Atsela‐Sesat and Ayba sites from the Alaje district and the Tsigea site from the Raya Azebo district in northern Ethiopia were selected. The RothC model was used to predict future SOC trends and evaluate impacts of climate and land‐management change scenarios on SOC stocks. The RothC model was run for two scenarios, (i) business as usual (scenario 1) and (ii) improved crop residue and manure management (scenario 2), to predict SOC stock changes in the cropland under current and future climate change. The current SOC content and SOC stock of the croplands are 14.4 g kg−1 and 26.7 t ha−1 in Atsela‐Sesat, 14.8 g kg−1 and 27.9 t ha−1 in Ayba and 14.8 g kg−1 and 26.9 t ha−1 in Tsigea, respectively. The RothC model‐predicted SOC accumulation for this century in scenario 1 was 0.26 t C ha−1 in Alaje and 0.18 t C ha−1 in Raya Azebo, whereas in scenario 2 it was 0.52 t C ha−1 in Alaje and 0.36 t C ha−1 in Raya Azebo. Although the predicted SOC accumulation in scenario 2 is higher than in scenario 1 and the baseline scenario, it still has a decreasing trend due to climate change. However, the organic carbon return into the soil is generally small and thus it will not be possible to improve soil productivity and attain food security. Therefore, future soil fertility strategies need to include both organic and inorganic fertilizer application. These findings will help to assist land managers to make informed decisions during land‐management practices to mitigate the impacts of climate change.Highlights
Land management and climate changes influence cropland SOC stocks in northern Ethiopia
RothC model predicts future SOC trends and dynamics
Appropriate land management increased SOC accumulation and reduced impacts of climate change
Findings help to assist land managers to make informed decisions to mitigate climate change impacts
Non‐disclosure of HIV serostatus to sexual partners: Prevalence, risk factors and clinical impact in patients with HIV
Authors: Morkphrom E , Ratanasuwan W , Sittironnarit G , Rattanaumpawan P 
Published: November 2020

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence, risk factors and impact of non‐disclosure of HIV serostatus to sexual partners among HIV‐positive patients at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok.MethodsWe conducted a prospective observational study to enrol HIV‐positive adults with one or more regular sexual partners during the past 3 months. We obtained personal information via anonymous questionnaire and clinical data of those receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) for ≥12 months via chart‐review.ResultsA total of 328 HIV‐positive participants were enrolled. Approximately half were female and in the symptomatic HIV stage at diagnosis, with an average age 44.08 ± 8.59 years. Approximately one‐third of participants (35.7%) reported that they had not disclosed their HIV serostatus to their sexual partners. The non‐disclosure group had a higher rate of poor ART adherence owing to fear of revealing their HIV serostatus to their partner (12.0% vs. 1.9%; P < 0.001), as compared with the disclosure group. Rates of immunological and virological failure did not differ between groups. Multivariate analysis [adjusted odds ratio (OR); 95% confidence interval (CI); P‐value] revealed having an occupation as a teacher (4.08; 1.40–16.61; P = 0.01) and reporting acquisition of HIV infection through blood transfusion (4.08; 1.31–12.68; P = 0.02) were independent risk factors. Furthermore, a longer duration of the sexual relationship (0.997; 0.994–0.999; P = 0.02), having a seropositive sexual partner (0.57; 0.33–0.99; P = 0.04), living in their partner’s house (0.53; 0.31–0.90; P = 0.02) and having a higher mean Pictorial Thai Self‐Esteem Scale (PTSS) score (0.62; 0.38–0.99; P = 0.05) were identified as independent protective factors.ConclusionsWe found a high prevalence of HIV serostatus non‐disclosure, which was associated with poorer ART adherence. Appropriately focusing interventions on high‐risk populations with aforementioned risk factors is important for improved HIV care.
Structural characterisation and antioxidant activity of melanoidins from high‐temperature fermented apple
Authors: Zhu Zuoyi , Zhang Yu , Wang Wei , Huang Zhongping , Wang Junhong , Li Xue , Sun Suling 
Published: November 2020

SummaryHigh‐temperature fermented apple is a new fermented product with characteristic black appearance, which is prepared through natural fermentation of whole fresh apple at controlled high temperature (60–90 °C) and humidity (relative humidity of 50–90%). In this work, melanoidins from high‐temperature fermented apple were obtained by ultrafiltration and subsequent diafiltration. The structural characterisation of melanoidins was investigated in the present study. Results showed that the molecular weight of the obtained melanoidins was about 179 kDa and the melanoidins were comprised primarily of furans by pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Antioxidant activities of the high‐temperature fermented apple and its melanoidins were evaluated by ABTS, DPPH, hydroxyl radicals, ferric reducing antioxidant power and Fe2+‐chelating assays. Both high‐temperature fermented apple and its melanoidins showed extremely high antioxidant activities in scavenging hydroxyl radicals. High correlation between the antioxidant activity assayed methods and the physicochemical characteristics of melanoidins was obtained. The contribution of melanoidins to the total antioxidant capacity of high‐temperature fermented apple was determined.
Optimized Langendorff perfusion system for cardiomyocyte isolation in adult mouse heart
Authors: Li Haotong , Liu Chungeng , Bao Minghui , Liu Weijing , Nie Yu , Lian Hong , Hu Shengshou 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWith the rapid development of single‐cell sequencing technology, the Langendorff perfusion system has emerged as a common approach to decompose cardiac tissue and obtain living cardiomyocytes to study cardiovascular disease with the mechanism of cardiomyocyte biology. However, the traditional Langendorff perfusion system is difficult to master, and further, the viability and purity of cardiomyocytes are frequently unable to meet sequencing requirements due to complicated devices and manipulate processes. Here, we provide an optimized Langendorff perfusion system with a simplified and standardized operating protocol which utilizes gravity as the perfusion pressure, includes a novel method for bubbles removing and standardizes the criteria for termination of digestion. We obtained stable cardiomyocyte with high viability and purity after multiple natural gravity sedimentation. The combination of the optimized Langendorff perfusion system and the multiple natural gravity sedimentation provides a stable system for isolating adult mouse heart, which will provide higher‐quality cardiomyocytes for further experiments.
Itch processing in the brain
Authors: Najafi P. , Dufor O. , Ben Salem D. , Misery L. , Carré J.‐L. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractItch is a sensation defined as the urge to scratch. The central mechanisms of itch are being increasingly studied. These studies are usually based on experimental itch induction methods, which can be classified into the following categories: histamine‐induced, induction by other non‐histamine chemicals (e.g. cowhage), physically induced (e.g. electrical) and mentally induced (e.g. audio‐visual). Because pain has been more extensively studied, some extrapolations to itch can be proposed and verified by experiments. Recent studies suggest that the itch‐processing network in the brain could be disrupted in certain diseases. This disruption could be related to the implication of new regions or the exclusion of already engaged brain regions from itch‐processing network in the brain.
Differences in laboratory reporting standards leading to a difficult prenatal diagnosis for a patient with suspected 4p duplication
Authors: Shinsaka Mamiko , Takai Yasushi , Shigematsu Kosuke , Huang Haipeng , Ohkubo Takashi , Seki Hiroyuki 
Published: November 2020

AbstractNot all obstetric care facilities offer sufficient genetic counseling in Japan. When necessary, patients are referred to tertiary perinatal care centers for genetic counseling and further testing. Because each facility typically has an exclusive contract with a laboratory, the additional testing required may be performed at a different laboratory. With no reporting standards for normal chromosomal variants, differences between laboratories impede result interpretation, and clinical errors may occur. We present a case of a patient diagnosed with 46,XX,?dup (4)(p12p12) variant over two pregnancies. During the first pregnancy, the variant was determined to be a de novo, leading the parents to terminate the pregnancy. During the second pregnancy, further analysis revealed no 4p duplication, and we diagnosed as a normal variant, 4cenh+, inherited from the mother. Differences in reporting standards for a normal variant made evaluation of this patient difficult. Medical staff should be aware of this issue, and reporting standards should be standardized.
Maternal condition as an underlying cause of perinatal mortality: Prospective cohort study
Authors: Wasim Tayyiba , Bushra Natasha , Iqbal Hafiza I. , Mumtaz Anila , Khan Khalid S. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAimTo compare the distribution of various causes of perinatal mortality in a public hospital in low‐middle‐income country setting.MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted from January 2016 to December 2018 at a large public hospital, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Services Hospital, in Lahore, Pakistan. We applied the World Health Organization's perinatal mortality coding in the International Classification of Diseases. All stillbirths after 28 weeks' gestation weighing more than 1 kg were identified and followed up till delivery. All live births were followed up till discharge or early neonatal death. A multidisciplinary group of obstetricians, pediatricians, midwife and related healthcare professionals was established to assess each case of fatality. The associated maternal conditions were identified for each of the antepartum, intrapartum and neonatal deaths.ResultsOf 11 850 births, there were 690 perinatal deaths, with 240 stillbirths (antepartum 167, intrapartum 73) and 450 early neonatal deaths (perinatal mortality rate 58.2/1000 births). Among antepartum deaths, hypoxia accounted for 70 (42%) cases. Among intrapartum deaths, an acute event was responsible for 50 (68%) cases. Among neonatal deaths (450, 65% of total), low birthweight and prematurity contributed to 152 (34%) cases. A maternal condition was found in 183 (76%) of stillbirths and 355 (79%) patients with neonatal death.ConclusionIn our study, the most important causes of perinatal deaths were maternal in origin. There was an excess in the distribution of neonatal causes of perinatal deaths. These data should inform policy and practice.
Perfusion‐MRI is a Poor Indicator of Hemodynamic Compromise in Vertebrobasilar Disease in the VERiTAS Study
Authors: See Alfred P. , Stapleton Christopher J. , Du Xinjian , Charbel Fady T. , Amin‐Hanjani Sepideh ,   for the VERiTAS Study Group
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSEDynamic susceptibility perfusion MR imaging (DSC MRP) has been used to assess changes in cerebral perfusion attributable to vascular stenosis or occlusion that may predict stroke risk. However, DSC MRP is not validated for identifying hemodynamic compromise in the posterior circulation. We investigated the clinical utility of DSC MRP in vertebrobasilar (VB) atherosclerotic disease in the observational VERiTAS study.METHODSVERiTAS enrolled patients with symptomatic ≥50% VB stenosis/occlusion. Posterior circulation hemodynamic status was designated as low or normal based on large vessel flow measured using quantitative magnetic resonance angiography (QMRA) and was predictive of future stroke risk. In this study, DSC MRP conducted concurrently with QMRA was used to evaluate posterior circulation perfusion. The primary outcome was the mean transit time (MTT) and relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) in the posterior circulation normalized to the anterior circulation, compared between patients with low and normal blood flow as determined on QMRA.RESULTSTwenty‐six subjects had 47 DSC MRP studies for review. There was no statistically or clinically significant difference in the rCBV ratio (1.02 vs. .96 P = .89), or MTT ratio (1.04 vs. 1.04 P = .96) relative to normal or low VB territory flow.CONCLUSIONSIn this study, we did not find that DSC MRP adequately distinguished between patients with low or normal flow status based on large‐vessel flow measurements.
Cytauxzoon felis cytochrome b gene mutation associated with atovaquone and azithromycin treatment
Authors: Hartley Ashley N. , Marr Henry S. , Birkenheuer Adam J. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundAtovaquone and azithromycin (A&A) with supportive care improve survival rates in cats with cytauxzoonosis. Resistance to atovaquone via parasite cytochrome b gene (cytb) mutations occurs in other Apicomplexan protozoans but is not described in Cytauxzoon felis.ObjectiveTo serially characterize the C. felis cytb sequences from a cat that remained persistently infected after A&A treatment.AnimalA cat with naturally occurring C. felis infection.MethodsCase report of the anemic cat persistently infected with C. felis before, during and after A&A treatment. Cytauxzoon felis cytb genes were amplified and sequenced before, during and after A&A treatment.ResultsCytauxzoon felis was detected before, during and after A&A treatment including samples collected 570 days after treatment. After A&A treatment, the cat's anemia improved slightly. Cytb sequencing revealed only wild‐type cytb methionine (M128) in samples collected before treatment. In samples collected after treatment, the cytb coded for isoleucine (M128I) and valine (M128I) at 2‐ and 4‐months after treatment. These M128I and M128V mutations persisted even after a repeat treatment course with a higher dose atovaquone combined with the standard dose of azithromycin.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThis report documents C. felis atovaquone resistance associated with M128 cytb mutations. This study suggests parasites with mutations of cytb M128 can be selected and impart resistance to A&A treatment even with higher atovaquone dosing.
Judgments in Scripture and the Creed: Reflections on Identity and Difference
Authors: Sarisky Darren 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe article considers whether Nicene trinitarian doctrine is present within biblical texts. It focuses on some terminology that David Yeago has developed for approaching this question. The article argues that in order for his distinction between judgments and concepts to work, it is necessary to amplify the acknowledgement of difference that is inchoate in his assertation that the Bible and the Creed are basically the same rather than fully and completely identical. Three specific domains of difference receive attention: the Creed is a retrospective claim about Jesus’ nature and mission, while the Old Testament prefigures Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God’s promises; the Bible consists of several different literary genres, while the Creed is a single sort of writing; and Scripture is a long, internally differentiated text, while the Creed attempts a summary of leading themes. In order fully to recognize these differences, it is necessary to emend the ecclesiology that underpins Yeago’s thesis. Without modifying the relationship between the Spirit and the church, it remains impossible to give the three areas of difference due acknowledgement, and there is pressure to fall back on an established prior understanding of the text.
Ranking, and Other Properties, of Elite Swimmers Using Extreme Value Theory
Authors: Spearing Jess , Tawn Jonathan , Irons David , Paulden Tim , Bennett Grace 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
The International Swimming Federation (FINA) uses a very simple points system with the aim to rank swimmers across all swimming events. The points acquired is a function of the ratio of the recorded time and the current world record for that event. With some world records considered ‘better’ than others however, bias is introduced between events, with some being much harder to attain points where the world record is hard to beat. A model based on extreme value theory is introduced, where swim times are modelled through their rate of occurrence, and with the distribution of the best times following a generalised Pareto distribution. Within this framework, the strength of a particular swim is judged based on its position compared to the whole distribution of swim times, rather than just the world record. This model also accounts for the date of the swim, as training methods improve over the years, as well as changes in technology, such as full body suits. The parameters of the generalised Pareto distribution, for each of the 34 individual long course events, will be shown to vary with covariates, leading to a novel single unified description of swim quality over all events and time. This structure, which allows information to be shared across all strokes, distances, and genders, improves the predictive power as well as the model robustness compared to equivalent independent models. A by-product of the model is that it is possible to estimate other features of interest, such as the ultimate possible time, the distribution of new world records for any event, and to correct swim times for the effect of full body suits. The methods will be illustrated using a dataset of the best 500 swim times for each event in the period 2001–2018.
Intrinsic plasticity of cerebellar stellate cells is mediated by NMDA receptor regulation of voltage‐gated Na+ channels
Authors: Alexander Ryan P.D. , Bowie Derek 
Published: November 2020

Key points
We show that NMDA receptors (NMDARs) elicit a long‐term increase in the firing rates of inhibitory stellate cells of the cerebellum
NMDARs induce intrinsic plasticity through a Ca2+‐ and CaMKII‐dependent pathway that drives shifts in the activation and inactivation properties of voltage‐gated Na+ (Nav) channels
An identical Ca2+‐ and CaMKII‐dependent signalling pathway is triggered during whole‐cell recording which lowers the action potential threshold by causing a hyperpolarizing shift in the gating properties of Nav channels.
Our findings open the more general possibility that NMDAR‐mediated intrinsic plasticity found in other cerebellar neurons may involve similar shifts in Nav channel gating.
AbstractMemory storage in the mammalian brain is mediated not only by long‐lasting changes in the efficacy of neurotransmitter receptors but also by long‐term modifications to the activity of voltage‐gated ion channels. Activity‐dependent plasticity of voltage‐gated ion channels, or intrinsic plasticity, is found throughout the brain in virtually all neuronal types, including principal cells and interneurons. Although intrinsic plasticity has been identified in neurons of the cerebellum, it has yet to be studied in inhibitory cerebellar stellate cells of the molecular layer which regulate activity outflow from the cerebellar cortex by feedforward inhibition onto Purkinje cells. The study of intrinsic plasticity in stellate cells has been particularly challenging as membrane patch breakthrough in electrophysiology experiments unintentionally triggers changes in spontaneous firing rates. Using cell‐attached patch recordings to avoid disruption, we show that activation of extrasynaptic N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors (NMDARs) elicits a long‐term increase in the firing properties of stellate cells by stimulating a rise in cytosolic Ca2+ and activation of Ca²⁺/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). An identical signalling pathway is triggered during whole‐cell recording which lowers the action potential threshold by causing a hyperpolarizing shift in the gating properties of voltage‐gated sodium (Nav) channels. Together, our findings identify an unappreciated role of Nav channel‐dependent intrinsic plasticity in cerebellar stellate cells which, in concert with non‐canonical NMDAR signalling, provides the cerebellum with an unconventional mechanism to fine‐tune motor behaviour.
Experimental Investigation of Composite Phase Change Material Heat Sinks for Enhanced Passive Thermal Management
Authors: Miers Collier S. , Marconnet Amy 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPhase change materials (PCMs) are effective at storing thermal energy and are attractive for use in electronics to smooth temperature peaks during periods of high demand; however, the use of PCMs has been somewhat limited due to the poor thermal properties of the materials. Here, we propose a design for a tunable composite PCM heat sink for passive thermal management in electronic systems and develop an improved test platform to directly compare performance between different designs and PCMs. The composite design leverages high conductivity pathways, which are machined into aluminum heat sinks, and back-filled with PCMs. Two package sizes are considered with several internal fin structures. All designs are evaluated using a test platform with realistic power profiles, controlled interfacial loading, and in situ temperature measurement. The composite PCM heat sinks are benchmarked against solid aluminum packages of the same size. This study focuses on three commercially available PCMs. Performance is evaluated based on (1) the time it takes the test heater chip below each composite PCM package to reach the cut-off temperature of 95 °C and (2) the period of a full melt-regeneration cycle. A range of heat fluxes are considered in this study spanning 6.8–14.5 W cm−2. The isokite design with PlusICE S70 extends the time to reach 95 °C by 36.2% when compared to the solid package, while weighing 17.3% less, making it advantageous for mobile devices.