bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intravenous pharmacokinetics of moxifloxacin following simultaneous administration with flunixin meglumine or diclofenac in sheep
Authors: Altan Feray , Corum Orhan , Yildiz Ramazan , Eser Faki Hatice , Ider Merve , Ok Mahmut , Uney Kamil 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIn this study, the pharmacokinetics of moxifloxacin (5 mg/kg) was determined following a single intravenous administration of moxifloxacin alone and co‐administration with diclofenac (2.5 mg/kg) or flunixin meglumine (2.2 mg/kg) in sheep. Six healthy Akkaraman sheep (2 ± 0.3 years and 53.5 ± 5 kg of body weight) were used. A longitudinal design with a 15‐day washout period was used in three periods. In the first period, moxifloxacin was administered by an intravenous (IV) injection. In the second and third periods, moxifloxacin was co‐administered with IV administration of diclofenac and flunixin meglumine, respectively. The plasma concentration of moxifloxacin was assayed by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using a two‐compartment open pharmacokinetic model. Following IV administration of moxifloxacin alone, the mean elimination half‐life (t1/2β), total body clearance (ClT), volume of distribution at steady state (Vdss) and area under the curve (AUC) of moxifloxacin were 2.27 hr, 0.56 L h−1 kg−1, 1.66 L/kg and 8.91 hr*µg/ml, respectively. While diclofenac and flunixin meglumine significantly increased the t1/2β and AUC of moxifloxacin, they significantly reduced the ClT and Vdss. These results suggest that anti‐inflammatory drugs could increase the therapeutic efficacy of moxifloxacin by altering its pharmacokinetics.
A systematic review with meta‐analyses of text message‐delivered behaviour change interventions for weight loss and weight loss maintenance
Authors: Skinner Rebecca , Gonet Veronica , Currie Sinéad , Hoddinott Pat , Dombrowski Stephan U. 
Published: February 2020

SUMMARYShort Message Service (SMS)‐delivered behaviour change interventions are frequently used to support weight management. This systematic review examines the effectiveness of SMS‐delivered behaviour change interventions for weight management. Electronic databases were searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing SMS‐delivered adult weight management interventions to control groups, published between 1990 and 2018. Weight change was examined using random effects meta‐analyses at intervention cessation and postintervention follow‐up. Subgroup analyses examined intervention duration, SMS frequency, theory use, SMS interactivity, and SMS tailoring. Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria (2705 participants). For weight loss interventions (n = 12, 1977 participants), the mean difference in weight change was −2.28 kg (95% confidence interval [CI] −3.17 to −1.36 kg). No studies reported postintervention follow‐up. For weight loss maintenance interventions (n = 3, 728 participants), the mean difference in weight change was −0.68 kg (95% CI, −1.31 to −0.05 kg), and postintervention follow‐up (n = 2, 498 participants) effects were −0.57 kg (95% CI, −1.67 to 0.53 kg). No subgroup differences were found. SMS‐delivered behaviour change interventions for weight loss led to significant small to moderate weight loss and weight loss maintenance compared with control groups. Evidence on long‐term effects is limited. SMS‐delivered behaviour change interventions are a potentially effective and scalable intervention option for obesity treatment.
Streptococcus mutans SpxA2 relays the signal of cell envelope stress from LiaR to effectors that maintain cell wall and membrane homeostasis
Authors: Baker Jonathon L. , Saputo Sarah , Faustoferri Roberta C. , Quivey Robert G. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractStreptococcus mutans is a major etiologic agent of dental caries, which is the most common chronic infectious disease worldwide. S. mutans is particularly adept at causing caries due to its exceptional capacity to form biofilms and its ability to survive acidic conditions that arrest acid production and growth in many more benign members of the oral microbiota. Two mechanisms utilized by S. mutans to tolerate acid are: modulation of the membrane fatty acid content and utilization of the F1F0‐ATPase to pump protons out of the cytosol. In this study, the role of the spxA2 transcriptional regulator in these two pathways, and overall cell envelope homeostasis, was examined. Loss of spxA2 resulted in an increase in the proportion of saturated fatty acids in the S. mutans membrane and altered transcription of several genes involved in the production of these membrane fatty acids, including fabT and fabM. Furthermore, activity of the F1F0‐ATPase was increased in the ∆spxA2 strain. Transcription of spxA2 was elevated in the presence of a variety of membrane stressors, and highly dependent on the liaR component of the LiaFSR system, which is known to sense cell envelope stress in many Gram‐positive bacteria. Finally, deletion of ∆spxA2 led to altered susceptibility of S. mutans to membrane stressors. Overall, the results of this study indicate that spxA2 serves a crucial role in transmitting the signal of cell wall/membrane damage from the LiaFSR sensor to downstream effectors in the SpxA2 regulon which restore and maintain membrane and cell wall homeostasis.
Wittgenstein and Cassirer on Hinges and Relativity
Authors: Mion Giovanni 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe paper explores the striking similarities between some of Wittgenstein’s core claims inOn Certainty(1969), including the famous hinge metaphor, and Cassirer’sEinstein’s Theory of Relativity(1921). Moreover, it suggests that Wittgenstein’s remark on relativity inOn Certaintymight have been triggered by his reading of Cassirer’s book.
Colour Relations in Form
Authors: Davies Will 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe orthodoxmonadic determination thesisholds that we represent colour relations by virtue of representing colours. Against this orthodoxy, I argue that it is possible to represent colour relations without representing any colours. I present a model of iconic perceptual content that allows for such primitive relational colour representation, and provide four empirical arguments in its support. I close by surveying alternative views of the relationship between monadic and relational colour representation.
Role of l‐arginine and CD11b+Gr‐1+ cells in immunosuppression induced by Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri
Authors: Brodaczewska Klaudia K. , Donskow‐Łysoniewska Katarzyna , Krawczak Katarzyna , Doligalska Maria 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMyeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are heterogeneous population of monocyte and granulocyte progenitors that are highly suppressive against T cells. In BALB/c mice infected with a nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri, we studied the dynamics of MDSCs, identified as CD11b+Gr‐1+, induction in different tissues along with the development of parasite infection. We observed that MDSC‐like cells are induced both by larvae and adult stages of H polygyrus bakeri. Gr‐1+ cells of suppressive phenotype are recruited in the bone marrow, peripheral blood and peritoneal cavity during histotropic phase of infection and are present at that time in the intestine wall, where worms reside. Later, during intestinal phase, suppressive Gr‐1+ cells increased in mesenteric lymph nodes and the spleen. l‐arginine metabolism was important for the protective immunity, and parasite‐induced Gr‐1+ cells showed elevated arginase‐1 and iNOS expression. Inhibition of arginase‐1 and l‐arginine administration caused reduced level of infection that coincided with weaker suppressive phenotype of Gr‐1+ cells. We identified that l‐arginine pathway activation and induction of MDSC‐like cells characterize immunosuppressive state during H polygyrus bakeri infection in mice. Our findings confirm the role of MDSCs in parasitic infections and point l‐arginine pathway as a potential target for immunomodulation during nematode infections.
The relationship between social network characteristics and depressive symptoms among older adults in the United States: differentiating between network structure and network function
Authors: Bui Bonnie Khanh Ha 
Published: February 2020

BackgroundSocial networks and social support can influence older adults' depressive symptoms, but depressive symptoms can also influence network maintenance. This study examined longitudinal relationships between social network structure, social support, and depressive symptoms.MethodsData are from Waves 1 (2005–2006) and 2 (2010–2011) of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, a longitudinal study on health and social factors of older adults. Models examining: (i) the influence of T1 network structure and T1 social support on T2 depressive symptoms; (ii) the influence of T1 depressive symptoms and T1 network structure on T2 social support; and (iii) the influence of T1 depressive symptoms and T1 social support on T2 network structure, were estimated using ordinary least squares lagged dependent variable regression models.ResultsEvidence of reciprocal associations between social support and depressive symptoms were found, as well as social support and the number of close ties and frequency of contact. No clear reciprocal associations between social network structure and depressive symptoms were found, although density was associated with later depressive symptoms, and depressive symptoms were associated with later number of close ties.ConclusionThe reciprocal relationship between network structure and depressive symptoms is weak, whereas social support is strongly related to both depression and network structure, suggesting the importance of having supportive ties in an older adult's personal network for positive mental health.
Variable selection and estimation for high‐dimensional spatial autoregressive models
Authors: Cai Liqian , Maiti Tapabrata 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSpatial regression models are important tools for many scientific disciplines including economics, business, and social science. In this article, we investigate postmodel selection estimators that apply least squares estimation to the model selected by penalized estimation in high‐dimensional regression models with spatial autoregressive errors. We show that by separating the model selection and estimation process, the postmodel selection estimator performs at least as well as the simultaneous variable selection and estimation method in terms of the rate of convergence. Moreover, under perfect model selection, the ℓ2 rate of convergence is the oracle rate of , compared with the convergence rate of in the general case. Here, n is the sample size and p, s are the model dimension and number of significant covariates, respectively. We further provide the convergence rate of the estimation error in the form of norm, and ideally the rate can reach as fast as .
A systematic review and network meta‐analysis of incentive‐ and non‐incentive‐based interventions for increasing blood donations
Authors: Irving Adam H. , Harris Anthony , Petrie Dennis , Mortimer Duncan , Ghijben Peter , Higgins Alisa , McQuilten Zoe 
Published: February 2020

Background and ObjectivesBlood services are tasked with efficiently maintaining a reliable blood supply, and there has been much debate over the use of incentives to motivate prosocial activities. Thus, it is important to understand the relative effectiveness of interventions for increasing donations.Materials and MethodsThis systematic review used a broad search strategy to identify randomized controlled trials comparing interventions for increasing blood donations. After full‐text review, 28 trials from 25 published articles were included. Sufficient data for meta‐analysis were available from 27 trials. Monetary incentives were assumed to be equivalent regardless of value, and non‐monetary incentives were assumed to be equivalent regardless of type. Non‐incentive‐based interventions identified included existing practice, letters, telephone calls, questionnaires, and the combination of a letter & telephone call. A network meta‐analysis was used to pool the results from identified trials. A subgroup analysis was performed in populations of donors and non‐donors as sensitivity analyses.ResultsThe best performing interventions were letter & telephone call and telephone call‐only with odds ratios of 3·08 (95% CI: 1·99, 4·75) and 1·99 (95% CI: 1·47, 2·69) compared to existing practice, respectively. With considerable uncertainty around the pooled effect, we found no evidence that monetary incentives were effective at increasing donations compared to existing practice. Non‐monetary incentives were only effective in the donor subgroup.ConclusionWhen pooling across modes of interventions, letter & telephone call and telephone call‐only are effective at increasing blood donations. The effectiveness of incentives remains unclear with limited, disparate evidence identified.
Analytic Calculation and Experimental Study on the Wear of the Slide Guide of Machine Tool Considering Boundary Lubrication
Authors: Tan Yanqing , Ma Lianjie 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
A slide guide is the core component of a machine tool feed system, and its wear significantly affects feeding accuracy, machining accuracy, and product quality. This study aims to obtain a suitable wear calculation model for the slide guide under working conditions. The slide guide is a typical plane sliding pair. Based on the principle of friction fatigue, the wear model of plane sliding pairs had been previously established without considering lubrication. Actually, the friction surface of the slide guide is in the state of boundary lubrication when it works normally. In this study, the analysis on the interactions among friction surface asperities covered with a boundary film indicated that the wear model of plane sliding pairs was also applicable to calculate the wear of the slide guide under boundary lubrication by substituting the friction coefficient µ and the fatigue exponent k under lubricating conditions into the wear model. Then, a series of pin-on-disc wear tests with material specimens of the slide guide under boundary lubrication were designed with the working load and working speed of the pair as the experimental parameters. The comparison between the experimental results and calculated results showed that the wear model of plane sliding pairs could be used to predict the wear of the slide guide under boundary lubrication. The wear model reflected the quantitative relationship between the wear rate of the slide guide and its main influencing factors. The study also provides the basis for the tribological design and precision design of the slide guide.
Hydrodynamic Bulge Testing: Materials Characterization Without Measuring Deformation
Authors: Anand Vishal , Muchandimath Sanjan C. , Christov Ivan C. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractCharacterizing the elastic properties of soft materials through bulge testing relies on accurate measurement of deformation, which is experimentally challenging. To avoid measuring deformation, we propose a hydrodynamic bulge test for characterizing the material properties of thick, pre-stressed elastic sheets via their fluid–structure interaction with a steady viscous fluid flow. Specifically, the hydrodynamic bulge test relies on a pressure drop measurement across a rectangular microchannel with a deformable top wall. We develop a mathematical model using first-order shear deformation theory of plates with stretching and the lubrication approximation for the Newtonian fluid flow. Specifically, a relationship is derived between the imposed flowrate and the total pressure drop. Then, this relationship is inverted numerically to yield estimates of the Young’s modulus (given the Poisson ratio) if the pressure drop is measured (given the steady flowrate). Direct numerical simulations of two-way-coupled fluid–structure interaction are carried out in ansys to determine the cross-sectional membrane deformation and the hydrodynamic pressure distribution. Taking the simulations as “ground truth,” a hydrodynamic bulge test is performed using the simulation data to ascertain the accuracy and the validity of the proposed methodology for estimating material properties. An error propagation analysis is performed via Monte Carlo simulation to characterize the susceptibility of the hydrodynamic bulge test estimates to noise. We find that, while a hydrodynamic bulge test is less accurate in characterizing material properties, it is less susceptible to noise, in the input (measured) variable, than a hydrostatic bulge test.
Hydrogen-Rich Water Supplementation and Up-Hill Running Performance: Effect of Athlete Performance Level
Authors: Botek Michal , Krejčí Jakub , McKune Andrew J. , Sládečková Barbora 
Published: February 2020

Purpose: Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has been shown to have an antifatigue effect. This study assessed up-hill running performance, as well as physiological and perceptual responses after supplementation with 1680 mL HRW between 24 h and 40 min before running, in athletes of heterogeneous running ability. Methods: Sixteen males (mean [SD] age 31.6 [8.6] y, VO2max 57.2 [8.9] mL·kg−1·min−1, body fat 13.4% [4.4%]) participated in this study. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design, participants consumed either HRW or placebo prior to performing two 4.2-km up-hill races separated by a week. Race time (RT), average race heart rate, and immediately postrace rating of perceived exertion were assessed. Results: After analysis of data for all runners, HRW effect was unclear (−10 to 7 s, 90% confidence interval) for RT, likely trivial for heart rate (−2 to 3 beats·min−1), and likely trivial for postrace rating of perceived exertion (−0.1 to 1.0). A possible negative correlation was found between RT differences and average RT (r = −.79 to −.15). HRW for the 4 slowest runners (RT = 1490 [91] s) likely improved the RT (−36 to −3 s), whereas for the 4 fastest runners (RT = 1069 [53] s) the performance effect of HRW was unclear (−10 to 26 s). Conclusions: HRW intake had an unclear antifatigue effect on performance in terms of mean group values. However, it appears that the magnitude of the antifatigue effect of HRW on performance depends on individual running ability.
Leisure-Time Physical Inactivity’s Association With Environmental, Demographic, and Lifestyle Factors in the United States
Authors: Merrill Ray M. 
Published: February 2020

Background: This study examined the effects of environmental, demographic, and lifestyle factors on leisure-time physical inactivity (LTPI). Methods: Analyses were based on county-level data in the contiguous United States. Statistical methods included simple regression, univariate, and multivariate 2-level organizational models (mixed models), and the intraclass correlation coefficient. Results: Higher average daily maximum air temperature was directly and indirectly (through smoking and obesity) positively associated with LTPI. Higher average fine particulate matter was positively associated with LTPI. Higher precipitation was negatively associated with LTPI. Altitude (≥1500 m) was associated with lower LTPI, directly because of better physical health at higher altitude and indirectly through temperature, fine particulate matter, precipitation, poverty, smoking, and obesity. Urban dwelling had direct and indirect (through poverty) negative associations with LTPI. Poverty had direct and indirect (through smoking and obesity) associations with LTPI. Smoking, poverty, and black race were each positively associated with LTPI. The association between black race and LTPI was explained by poverty. Modifying influences of gender, precipitation, and altitude were identified. Conclusions: The significant effects of temperature, fine particulate matter, precipitation, altitude, urban dwelling, poverty, smoking, and obesity on LTPI were both direct and indirect, and sex, precipitation, and altitude modified many of these associations.
Algorithm based smartphone apps to assess risk of skin cancer in adults: systematic review of diagnostic accuracy studies
Authors: Freeman Karoline , Dinnes Jacqueline , Chuchu Naomi , Takwoingi Yemisi , Bayliss Sue E , Matin Rubeta N , Jain Abhilash , Walter Fiona M , Williams Hywel C , Deeks Jonathan J 
Published: February 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the validity and findings of studies that examine the accuracy of algorithm based smartphone applications (“apps”) to assess risk of skin cancer in suspicious skin lesions.DesignSystematic review of diagnostic accuracy studies.Data sourcesCochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, CPCI, Zetoc, Science Citation Index, and online trial registers (from database inception to 10 April 2019).Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesStudies of any design that evaluated algorithm based smartphone apps to assess images of skin lesions suspicious for skin cancer. Reference standards included histological diagnosis or follow-up, and expert recommendation for further investigation or intervention. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed validity using QUADAS-2 (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool). Estimates of sensitivity and specificity were reported for each app.ResultsNine studies that evaluated six different identifiable smartphone apps were included. Six verified results by using histology or follow-up (n=725 lesions), and three verified results by using expert recommendations (n=407 lesions). Studies were small and of poor methodological quality, with selective recruitment, high rates of unevaluable images, and differential verification. Lesion selection and image acquisition were performed by clinicians rather than smartphone users. Two CE (Conformit Europenne) marked apps are available for download. No published peer reviewed study was found evaluating the TeleSkin skinScan app. SkinVision was evaluated in three studies (n=267, 66 malignant or premalignant lesions) and achieved a sensitivity of 80% (95% confidence interval 63% to 92%) and a specificity of 78% (67% to 87%) for the detection of malignant or premalignant lesions. Accuracy of the SkinVision app verified against expert recommendations was poor (three studies).ConclusionsCurrent algorithm based smartphone apps cannot be relied on to detect all cases of melanoma or other skin cancers. Test performance is likely to be poorer than reported here when used in clinically relevant populations and by the intended users of the apps. The current regulatory process for awarding the CE marking for algorithm based apps does not provide adequate protection to the public.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42016033595.