bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age-Specific Acute Changes in Carotid–Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity With Head-up Tilt
Authors: Pucci Giacomo , Spronck Bart , Avolio Alberto P , Tap Lisanne , Vaudo Gaetano , Anastasio Fabio , Van Den Meiracker Anton , Mattace-Raso Francesco 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Aortic stiffness as measured by carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) is known to depend on blood pressure (BP), and this dependency may change with age. Therefore, the hydrostatic BP gradient resulting from a change in body posture may elicit a cfPWV change that is age-dependent. We aimed to analyze the relationship between BP gradient—induced by head-up body tilting—and related changes in cfPWV in individuals of varying age.

METHODS
cfPWV and other hemodynamic parameters were measured in 30 healthy individuals at a head-up tilt of 0° (supine), 30°, and 60°. At each angle, the PWV gradient and resulting cfPWV were also estimated (predicted) by assuming a global nonlinear, exponential, pressure–diameter relationship characterized by a constant β0, and taking into account that (diastolic) foot-to-foot cfPWV acutely depends on diastolic BP.

RESULTS
cfPWV significantly increased upon body tilting (8.0 ± 2.0 m/s supine, 9.1 ± 2.6 m/s at 30°, 9.5 ± 3.2 m/s at 60°, P for trend &lt;0.01); a positive trend was also observed for heart rate (HR; P &lt; 0.01). When the observed, tilt-induced cfPWV change measured by applanation tonometry was compared with that predicted from the estimated BP hydrostatic gradient, the difference in observed-vs.-predicted PWV change increased nonlinearly as a function of age (R2 for quadratic trend = 0.38, P &lt; 0.01, P vs. linear = 0.04). This result was unaffected by HR tilt-related variations (R2 for quadratic trend = 0.37, P &lt; 0.01, P vs. linear = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS
Under a hydrostatic pressure gradient, the pulse wave traveling along the aorta undergoes an age-related, nonlinear PWV increase exceeding the increase predicted from BP dependency.
Genomic and plumage variation in Vermivora hybrids
Authors: Baiz Marcella D , Kramer Gunnar R , Streby Henry M , Taylor Scott A , Lovette Irby J , Toews David P L 
Published: July 2020

AbstractHybrids with different combinations of traits can be used to identify genomic regions that underlie phenotypic characters important to species identity and recognition. Here, we explore links between genomic and plumage variation in Blue-winged Warbler x Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera x V. chrysoptera) hybrids, which have traditionally been categorized into 2 discrete types. “Lawrence’s” hybrids are yellow overall, similar to Blue-winged Warblers, but exhibit the black throat patch and face mask of Golden-winged Warblers. “Brewster’s” hybrids are similar to Golden-winged Warblers, but lack the black throat patch and face mask, and sometimes have yellow on their underparts. Previous studies hypothesized that (1) first generation hybrids are of the Brewster’s type and can be distinguished by the amount of yellow on their underparts, and that (2) the throat patch/mask phenotype is consistent with Mendelian inheritance and controlled by variation in a locus near the Agouti-signaling protein (ASIP) gene. We addressed these hypotheses using whole genome re-sequencing of parental and hybrid individuals. We found that Brewster’s hybrids had genomic hybrid index scores indicating this phenotype can arise by majority ancestry from either parental species, that their plumage varied in levels of carotenoid pigmentation, and individuals captured in multiple years grew consistently less yellow over time. Variation in carotenoid pigmentation showed little relationship with genomic hybrid index score and is thus inconsistent with previous hypotheses that first generation hybrids can be distinguished by the amount of yellow in their plumage. Our results also confirm that variation near ASIP underlies the throat patch phenotype, which we refined to an ~10–15 Kb region upstream of the coding sequence. Overall, our results support the notion that traditional categorization of hybrids as either Lawrence’s or Brewster’s oversimplifies continuous variation in carotenoid pigmentation, and its inferred underlying genetic basis, and is based primarily on one discrete trait, which is the throat patch/mask phenotype.
An in silico approach to identification, categorization and prediction of nucleic acid binding proteins
Authors: Xu Lei , Jiang Shanshan , Wu Jin , Zou Quan 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The interaction between proteins and nucleic acid plays an important role in many processes, such as transcription, translation and DNA repair. The mechanisms of related biological events can be understood by exploring the function of proteins in these interactions. The number of known protein sequences has increased rapidly in recent years, but the databases for describing the structure and function of protein have unfortunately grown quite slowly. Thus, improving such databases is meaningful for predicting protein–nucleic acid interactions. Furthermore, the mechanism of related biological events, such as viral infection or designing novel drug targets, can be further understood by understanding the function of proteins in these interactions. The information for each sequence, including its function and interaction sites, were collected and identified, and a database called PNIDB was built. The proteins in PNIDB were grouped into 27 classes, such as transcription, immune system, and structural protein, etc. The function of each protein was then predicted using a machine learning method. Using our method, the predictor was trained on labeled sequences, and then the function of a protein was predicted based on the trained classifier. The prediction accuracy achieved a score of 77.43% by 10-fold cross validation.
New and validated RP-HPLC Method for Quantification of Safinamide Mesylate in Presence of Its Basic Degradate, Levodopa and Ondansetron: Application to Human Plasma
Authors: El-Kosasy Amira M , Hussein Lobna A , Mohamed Nesma M , Salama Nahla N 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
A simple, precise, rapid and accurate reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was developed and validated for analysis of safinamide mesylate (SAF) in presence of its basic degradate, and co-administered drugs levodopa and ondansetron. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 20 mM potassium dihyrogen orthophosphate buffer having pH = 5 (40: 60 v/v). Quantification was achieved with ultraviolet detector at 226 nm. The linear range was 0.5–10 μg/mL with mean recovery ± SD of 99.72 ± 1.59. The peak purity of SAF in pharmaceutical preparation spiked with its degradate and co-administered drugs revealed symmetry factor (999.8) within the calculated threshold (&gt;998.1). The suggested method was validated in compliance with the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines and statistically compared with the manufacturer HPLC method with no significant difference in terms of accuracy and precision. The assay method was successfully used to estimate SAF in tablets with good percentage recoveries. The high sensitivity (lower than Cmax of the drug 0.65 μg/mL) of the proposed HPLC method enabled the determination of SAF in presence of its basic degradate and co-administered drug, ondansetron in human plasma with acceptable accuracy. The suggested HPLC method could be used in Quality Control (QC) lab for analysis of the studied drug in pharmaceutical preparation.
Which is the best prosthesis in an isolated or combined tricuspid valve replacement?
Authors: Liu Peng , Xia Dong-Sheng , Qiao Wei-Hua , Hu Dan , Ahmed Adnan , Dong Nian-Guo , Chen Si 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

OBJECTIVES

The debate concerning the optimal choice of tricuspid position continues. We compared the long-term results of mechanical and biological prostheses in patients who underwent isolated or combined tricuspid valve replacement, at 2 major cardiac surgical centres in central China.

METHODS
From January 1999 to December 2018, 338 patients underwent tricuspid valve replacement. Patients were divided into an isolated group or a combined group according to whether their surgery was combined with a left heart valve surgery. Mechanical tricuspid valve replacement was performed in 142 patients (isolated group: 41 vs combined group: 101), and 196 patients underwent bioprosthetic tricuspid valve replacement (isolated group: 145 vs combined group: 51). Operative results, long-term survival and tricuspid valve-related events were compared.

RESULTS
Early mortality in the combined group was higher (n = 6, 4%) than that in the isolated group (n = 3, 2%), but no significant difference was observed between the mechanical and biological subgroups. In the isolated group, there was a higher event-free rate in the biological subgroup than in the mechanical subgroup (P = 0.042) and a similar result was also observed for patients without Ebstein’s anomaly (P = 0.039). In the combined group, no significant difference was observed (P = 0.98). Survival rates were similar between the mechanical and biological subgroups in both the isolated (P = 0.54) and combined (P = 0.81) groups. Mechanical valves in isolated tricuspid valve replacement were more prone to valve thrombosis and bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS
Every decision regarding tricuspid valve prostheses should be individualized, but biological prostheses may be an optimal choice for patients, especially for patients without Ebstein’s anomaly, in isolated tricuspid valve replacement.
Sequencing smart: De novo sequencing and assembly approaches for a non-model mammal
Authors: Etherington Graham J , Heavens Darren , Baker David , Lister Ashleigh , McNelly Rose , Garcia Gonzalo , Clavijo Bernardo , Macaulay Iain , Haerty Wilfried , Di Palma Federica 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Background
Whilst much sequencing effort has focused on key mammalian model organisms such as mouse and human, little is known about the relationship between genome sequencing techniques for non-model mammals and genome assembly quality. This is especially relevant to non-model mammals, where the samples to be sequenced are often degraded and of low quality. A key aspect when planning a genome project is the choice of sequencing data to generate. This decision is driven by several factors, including the biological questions being asked, the quality of DNA available, and the availability of funds. Cutting-edge sequencing technologies now make it possible to achieve highly contiguous, chromosome-level genome assemblies, but rely on high-quality high molecular weight DNA. However, funding is often insufficient for many independent research groups to use these techniques. Here we use a range of different genomic technologies generated from a roadkill European polecat (Mustela putorius) to assess various assembly techniques on this low-quality sample. We evaluated different approaches for de novo assemblies and discuss their value in relation to biological analyses.

Results
Generally, assemblies containing more data types achieved better scores in our ranking system. However, when accounting for misassemblies, this was not always the case for Bionano and low-coverage 10x Genomics (for scaffolding only). We also find that the extra cost associated with combining multiple data types is not necessarily associated with better genome assemblies.

Conclusions
The high degree of variability between each de novo assembly method (assessed from the 7 key metrics) highlights the importance of carefully devising the sequencing strategy to be able to carry out the desired analysis. Adding more data to genome assemblies does not always result in better assemblies, so it is important to understand the nuances of genomic data integration explained here, in order to obtain cost-effective value for money when sequencing genomes.
Asset Freezing at the European and Inter-American Courts of Human Rights: Lessons for the International Criminal Court, the United Nations Security Council and States
Authors: Birkett Daley J 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
This article examines the human rights implications of the asset freezing processes available to the International Criminal Court and the United Nations Security Council. It does so through the lens of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, from whose jurisprudence, although not uniform, a number of principles can be distilled. By scrutinising a series of cases decided under the European Convention on Human Rights and American Convention on Human Rights, respectively, the article demonstrates that the rights to the peaceful enjoyment of property and to respect for one’s private and family life, home and correspondence are necessarily implicated by the execution of asset freezing measures in criminal and administrative contexts. The article concludes that, considering the human rights constraints placed on the exercise of their powers, both the International Criminal Court and United Nations Security Council, as well as States acting at their request, must pay attention to this case law with a view to respecting the human rights of those to whom asset freezing measures are applied.
US counterterrorism in the Sahel: from indirect to direct intervention
Authors: Tankel Stephen 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The massive expansion and evolution of United States security cooperation under the auspices of the ‘war on terror’ remains overlooked in the counterterrorism and interventions literature. The Sahel provides a useful region in which to explore the constitutive effects of such cooperation and its evolution because the US has always pursued an ‘economy of force’ mission there. In this article, I focus mainly on the constitutive effects of US indirect military intervention in the Sahel after 9/11, and subsequent more direct military intervention following the outbreak of civil war in Mali. The indirect intervention by the United States to build the capacity of local forces in Mali, where jihadists were based, failed because of the dissonant relationship between the two countries. This led the United States to intervene more directly in the region, including through its cooperation with and support for French and Nigerien forces. The nature of this more direct military intervention was also informed by evolving US experiences working by, with and through partner forces in other parts of the world.
Spinoza's not so quiet influence: the Theological-political treatise 350 years on
Authors: Epstein Charlotte 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
In this review essay I reflect on the centrality of Spinoza's thought to political modernity on the combined occasion of the 350th anniversary of the original publication of his first political treatise, the Tractatus theologico–politicus, and of the publication this year of George Eliot's English translation of Spinoza's Ethics, which had been lying in a drawer for almost a century and a half. His influence is both substantial and methodological. It owes to the singular way in which he calibrated the relationship between reason, or the natural human need to understand, and faith, or the need to believe. But, over a century before the social sciences were invented, Spinoza also laid the foundations for the interpretative methods that would become central to these sciences and to the study of international politics. He remains essential reading for understanding our world.
Introduction to “Reproduction: The Female Perspective from an Integrative and Comparative Framework”
Authors: Hayssen Virginia , Orr Teri J 
Published: July 2020

SynopsisThis compendium is from a symposium about reproductive biology from the female perspective, but what do we mean by the female perspective? Most obviously, since all of our speakers, and most of our contributors, are female, one meaning is that the female perspective is the view of female scientists. Our diverse contributors are from a spectrum of academic ranks (post-docs to chaired professors) and study a range of animal taxa from insects to mammals. More importantly, we want to examine reproductive biology from the perspective of female organisms themselves. What happens when we examine social behavior, physiology, or ecology strictly from the viewpoint of females? In many cases, the female-centric perspective will alter our prior interpretations. For example, with deoxyribonucleic acid fingerprinting, differences between genetic and behavioral mating-systems became obvious. The scientific community came to realize that assessing parentage is the definitive way to categorize mating systems since using male-mating strategies resulted in flawed conclusions; in fact, the female selection of which sperm is involved in conception is more important in determining parentage than mating events per se. Perhaps parentage systems rather than mating systems would be more appropriate. This difference in interpretation relative to methodology exemplifies how behavioral ecology might change if we examine systems from the female perspective; similar changes may occur for other fields. Another example comes from studies of whole-organism performance. Here, jumping, running, and swimming have been measured in males, usually with the deliberate removal of females and the major facet of female physiology, that is, reproduction. However, female biology may actually set the limits of performance given the need to carry extra weight and the extensive changes in body shape required for reproduction. Female performance is a valuable area for research. In fact, novel insights into metabolic ceilings arose from examining energetics, including metabolic rates, during lactation. In the symposium and the associated papers, our contributors explored the various ways in which a female-focused framework shifts our research conclusions and programs. As a way forward, we also include a table of sex-neutral terminology to replace terms that are currently androcentric or value-laden.
Double transcatheter balloon-expandable valve implantation for severe valve dysfunction in high-risk patients: initial experience
Authors: Bastos Filho João Bosco Breckenfeld , Sampaio Roney Orismar , Cividanes Felipe Reale , Rosa Vitor Emer Egypto , da Costa Leonardo Paim Nicolau , Vieira Marcelo Luiz Campos , Jatene Fabio Biscegli , Tarasoutchi Flavio , Palma José Honório , Ribeiro Henrique Barbosa 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Concomitant valvular heart valve disease is a frequent finding, with higher morbidity and mortality among patients undergoing redo surgical procedures. Our goal was to report our initial experience with combined transcatheter Inovare bioprosthesis implants for severe valve dysfunction.

METHODS
Among 300 transcatheter procedures, a total of 6 patients had concurrent simultaneous transcatheter bioprosthesis implants for severe mitral bioprosthesis failure (valve-in-valve), with a second valve procedure that included native aortic (n = 2) or degenerated bioprostheses in the aortic position (n = 4). During the procedures, all patients were treated with a balloon-expandable Inovare transcatheter valve, using the transapical approach.

RESULTS
Patients were highly symptomatic [New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class IV: 100%], with a mean age of 62 ± 5 years, yielding a mean European System for Cardiac Operative Risk II (EuroSCORE II) of 24.0 ± 10.1%. There was a mean of 1.6 ± 0.4 prior valve operations/patient, with a median time from prior mitral bioprosthesis surgery of 13.0 (9.2–20.0) years. Device success was 100% according to the Mitral Valve Academic Research Consortium and the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 criteria. During the hospital stay, only 1 patient required dialysis, and the median intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay were 5.0 (3.2–6.7) days and 16.0 (12.2–21.2) days, respectively. No deaths occurred at 30 days; at a median follow-up of 287 (194–437) days, 1 patient died of a non-cardiac cause and the rest of patients were in NYHA functional class I or II, with normofunctioning bioprostheses.

CONCLUSIONS
Transcatheter double valve interventions using the Inovare bioprosthesis in this initial series were shown to be a reasonable alternative to redo surgical operations. The short- and mid-term clinical and echocardiographic outcomes demonstrate promising results, although future studies with a larger number of patients and longer follow-up are warranted.
Prolonged air leak after reoperative pulmonary resection (with prior ipsilateral chest surgery)
Authors: Murakami Kotaro , Hamaji Masatsugu , Morita Satoshi , Ueno Kentaro , Nakajima Daisuke , Ohsumi Akihiro , Menju Toshi , Date Hiroshi 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Reoperative pulmonary resection (with prior ipsilateral chest surgery) has been reported to be associated with a high rate of postoperative complications. The objective of this study was to evaluate prolonged air leak (PAL) after reoperative pulmonary resections. We conducted a single-centre retrospective analysis on 100 consecutive patients undergoing ipsilateral reoperative pulmonary resection at our institution between March 2012 and February 2020. We investigated the incidence of PAL after reoperative pulmonary resections in comparison to that after first operations and analysed potentially relevant factors of PAL after reoperations. After reoperations, the incidence of PAL was 24%. The incidence of PAL after reoperations was significantly higher than that after first operations (P &lt; 0.01). On multivariable analysis, anatomical resection (P = 0.03) and thoracotomy approach (P = 0.02) were found to be significant factors associated with the occurrence of PAL, and age was a significant factor associated with chest tube duration (P &lt; 0.01) and length of hospital stay (P &lt; 0.01) after reoperative pulmonary resection. Our study identified significant risk factors of PAL after reoperative pulmonary resections, which would be an important step towards improved management of patients undergoing reoperative pulmonary resections.
Erratum: Energy Minimization, Periodic Sets, and Spherical Designs
Authors: Coulangeon Renaud , Schürmann Achill 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
In [ 3] we considered energy minimization of pair potentials among periodic sets of a fixed-point density. For a large class of potentials we presented sufficient conditions for a point lattice to give a local optimum among periodic sets. We hereby, in particular, derived a local version of Cohn and Kumar’s conjecture [ 1, Conjecture 9.4] by which the hexagonal lattice $\textsf{A}_2$, the root lattice $\textsf{E}_8$, and the Leech lattice are globally universally optimal. Latter conjecture has recently been proved for $\textsf{E}_8$ and the Leech lattice by Cohn et al. [ 2].