bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of bacterial composition in the locust reproductive tract are affected by the density-dependent phase
Authors: Lavy Omer , Gophna Uri , Gefen Eran , Ayali Amir 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACTThe important role that locust gut bacteria play in their host biology is well accepted. Among other roles, gut bacteria are suggested to be involved in the locust swarming phenomenon. In addition, in many insect orders, the reproductive system is reported to serve as a vector for trans-generation bacterial inoculation. Knowledge of the bacterial composition of the locust reproductive tract is, however, practically absent. Here we characterized the reproductive system bacterial composition of gregarious and solitary females. We investigated its temporal dynamics and how it interacts with the locust phase, by comparative sampling and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. We revealed that the bacterial composition of the locust female reproductive tract is mostly constructed of three core genera: Micrococcus, Acinetobacter and Staphylococcus. While solitary females maintained a consistent bacterial composition, in the gregarious phase this consortium demonstrated large temporal shifts, mostly manifested by Brevibacterium blooms. These data are in accord with our previous report on the dynamics of locust hindgut bacterial microbiota, further indicating that locust endosymbionts are affected by their host population density. These newly understood dynamics may have implications beyond their contribution to our knowledge of locust ecology, as aggregation and mass migration are prevalent phenomena across many migrating animals.
Patterned Payments: Explaining Victim Group Variation in West German Reparations Policy
Authors: Greenstein Claire 
Published: March 2020

Abstract∞
Why, once governments decide to pay reparations, do they fulfill their reparations promises to some groups and not to others? I argue that the organizational capacity of a victim group helps explain which groups receive reparations. I develop this argument through an in-depth case study of the postwar experience of German Sinti and Roma, supported by archival and interview data. I show that organized victim groups received reparations from the West German government in the 1950s, while Romani Germans, who did not organize until the late 1970s, were largely and deliberately excluded from receiving reparations payments until 1981, when the West German government created a reparations fund to benefit Romani German survivors. I show that this policy change cannot be understood without considering the efforts of Romani organizations.
Aquatic Models: Water Quality and Stability and Other Environmental Factors
Authors: Sanders Erik , Farmer Susan C 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe use of aquatic animals in ecotoxicology, genetic, and biomedical research has grown immensely in recent years, especially due to the increased use of zebrafish in the laboratory setting. Because water is the primary environment of most aquatic species, the composition and management of this water is paramount to ensuring their health and welfare. In this publication, we will describe the important variables in water quality that can influence animal health and research results, using the zebrafish model for detailed specifics of optimal conditions. Wherever possible, recommendations are provided to reduce the potential impact of poor or highly variable water quality, and standards are given which can be used as institutional goals to maximize animal health and welfare and reduce research variability. It is increasingly important that authors of publications describing work done using aquatic models characterize water quality and other environmental conditions of the animal environment so that the work can be repeated and understood in context of these important factors. It is clear that there are a great many extrinsic factors which may influence research outcomes in the aquatics model laboratory setting, and consequently, an increased level of funding will be essential to support continued research exploring these and other important husbandry conditions. References from a large body of literature on this subject are provided.
The propagation and identification of ARMA demand under simple exponential smoothing: forecasting expertise and information sharing
Authors: Hsieh Meng-Chen , Giloni Avi , Hurvich Clifford 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
It is common for firms to forecast stationary demand using simple exponential smoothing (SES) due to the ease of computation and understanding of the methodology. We consider a retailer who observes autoregressive moving average (ARMA) demand but for the sake of convenience, uses the widely available SES method to forecast its demand. This creates a potential disconnect between the true mechanism generating demand and the forecasting methodology. We show that the supplier, given a sufficiently long history of the retailer’s orders, is always able to recover the retailer’s true shocks, and in addition is able to infer the true ARMA model generating the retailer’s demand process if the retailer shares its exponential smoothing parameter. We further prove that under these assumptions, the supplier is then able to infer the retailer’s demand as well. Thus, the supplier is in possession of expertise that would benefit the retailer. However, as a result of the supplier sharing its forecasting expertise, we demonstrate that the demand the supplier will face can have a smaller or larger mean squared forecast error than when the retailer uses the suboptimal SES forecast. In addition, we show that if the supplier provides its forecasting expertise to the retailer, there may be value in the retailer sharing its demand with the supplier. We also perform a simulation study for a special case of an AR(1) demand process and demonstrate that as the sample size of data increases, the difference of mean squared errors between the supplier’s estimations of the retailer’s demand shocks and the retailer’s true demand shocks converges to zero.
Consistency of the determinants of early initiation of breastfeeding in Ghana: insights from four Demographic and Health Survey datasets
Authors: Duodu Precious A , Duah Henry O , Dzomeku Veronica M , Boamah Mensah Adwoa B , Aboagye Mensah Josephine , Darkwah Ernest , Agbadi Pascal 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Background
Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) is a key strategy in averting neonatal deaths. However, studies on the facilitators and risk factors for EIBF are rare in Ghana. We examined trends in EIBF and its major facilitators and risk factors in Ghana using data from Demographic and Health Surveys from 1998 to 2014.

Methods
We used complete weighted data of 3194, 3639, 2909 and 5695 pairs of mothers ages 15–49 y and their children ages 0–5 y in the 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2014 surveys, respectively. We accounted for the complex sampling used in the surveys for both descriptive statistics and multiple variable risk ratio analysis.

Results
The proportion of children who achieved EIBF increased by about 2.5 times from 1998 to 2003 and there was a marginal increase in the proportion of children who achieved EIBF between 2003 and 2014. Children born by caesarean section were at higher risk of being breastfed later than 1 h across all four surveys. Being born in the Upper East Region (compared with the Western Region) of Ghana facilitated EIBF in 2003 and 2008.

Conclusions
The study revealed that the current estimate of the proportion of children achieving EIBF in Ghana was 55.1%, and delivery by caesarean section and region of residence consistently predicted the practice of EIBF in Ghana.
Urinary Tract Infection With Gram-Positive Bacteria Does Not Cause False-Positive Results with the Urine-Based Human Chorionic Gonadotropic Point-of-Care Assay
Authors: Mitchell Kaitlin F , Burnham Carey-Ann D , Gronowski Ann M 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Background
False-positive results for human chorionic gonadotropic (hCG) on point-of-care (POC) devices can occur for a variety of technical and biological reasons. It has been postulated that urinary tract infection can result in false-positive POC hCG assays, but the cause of this phenomenon remains elusive. Gram-positive bacteria have previously been reported to express an hCG-like molecule. We investigated whether urinary tract infection with Gram-positive bacteria can result in false-positive POC hCG.

Methods
We utilized remnant clinical urine specimens that had been submitted for culture as part of evaluation for urinary tract infection. Urine specimens with &gt;100,000 colony-forming units per milliliter of Gram-positive bacteria (n = 95) were tested on ICON 20 POC hCG tests (Beckman Coulter). Specimens from adult patients that had been collected for clinical testing in the prior 48 hours were included in the study, and only 1 specimen per patient was included.

Results
Of 95 patients with Gram-positive urine specimens, 42 (44%) were female, and the median age was 62 years. The most common bacteria identified during clinical urine culture of these patients’ specimens were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species (36/95, 38%), Enterococcus species (34/95, 36%), and Streptococcus agalactiae (9/95, 9%). Five of 95 (5.3%) urine specimens were positive for POC hCG. Chart review revealed that 3 specimens were from pregnant women and 2 were from patients with cancer diagnoses.

Conclusions
Urine specimens from patients suspected to have urinary tract infection with Gram-positive organisms did not cause positive results on POC hCG test devices.
Determination of Low Levels of Mite and Insect Contaminants in Food and Feedstuffs by a Modified Flotation Method
Authors: Thind Bharat B 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Extraneous material was separated from feed and food products by a modified technique in which kerosene is used in a specially designed flotation flask. This technique, although effective for analyzing feed and foods, presented limitations in the analysis of finely powdered materials. Some procedural modifications and an increased in the capacity of the flotation flask from 500 to 750 mL allowed a larger sample weight (20 g) to be analyzed for mites, insect fragments, and rodent hairs, with considerably reduced residue interference. In trials with a variety of products seeded with known numbers of mites, average recovery was 83%. Recoveries of 89% were obtained from flour samples seeded with insect fragments and rodent hairs. A new process of suspending extracted mites in a mixture of industrial methylated spirit (46%) and glycerol (54%) by volume was used to allow rapid and more precise estimates of mite populations in heavily infested samples.
Determination of Choline in Milk and Infant Formulas by Enzymatic Analysis: Collaborative Study
Authors: Woollard David C , Indyk Harvey E 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
A collaborative study was conducted on a coupled enzymatic–spectrophotometric method for the determination of choline in infant formula and milk powders. Twenty-nine laboratories participated in the analysis of 8 blind duplicates over the range of 45–175 mg/100 g sample. After the combined acid hydrolysis–phospholipase release of choline, incubation with choline oxidase in the presence of peroxidase and phenol generates a quinoneimine chromophore with 4-aminoantipyrine. Following raw data screening, overall mean RSDR was estimated at 5.14% (range, 4.26–6.34%) with a HORRAT value of 0.91 (range, 0.76–1.00) and an overall mean RSDr:RSDR value of 0.53 (range, 0.42–0.74). The method was also compared with alternative independent analytical techniques for several of the collaborative study samples.
Rapid Determination of Nosiheptide in Meat and Egg by Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection
Authors: Horii Shozo , Oku Naoto 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
A procedure was developed to determine nosiheptide residues in marketed meat and egg. Acetonitrile was used for the extraction, and the extract was partitioned with hexane to remove fat. The lower layer was reconstructed and quantitated by liquid chromatography using fluorescence detection at 357 nm excitation and 500 nm emission. The mobile phase consisted of 0.025% phosphoric acid–acetonitrile (50 + 50, v/v). Recoveries of nosiheptide from fortified samples ranged from 91.3 to 95.2% for swine muscle, 88.6 to 92.7% for chicken muscle, and 86.3 to 86.8% for egg. The method was used to monitor swine and chicken muscle and egg (20 samples each) in the market. Nosiheptide was not determined in all 60 samples.
Quantitative Relationship of Application Rate and Pesticide Residues in Greenhouse Tomatoes
Authors: Sadło Stanisław 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
The association between application rate of a pesticide and its residue in ripe tomatoes was studied. The average residue level (R) of any pesticide in ripe tomatoes remained in quantitative relation to its dose (D), expressed by the following regression equation: R = 0.24 D (mg/kg), where the numerical factor, 0.24, represents the average residue in mg/kg after application of 1 kg active ingredient per hectare with relative standard deviation of 23%. Quantitative association between these 2 factors enables evaluation of greenhouse tomato growers with respect to their observation of Good Agricultural Practice rules and the Plant Protection Act, obligatory in Poland since 1996, and thus may be a reliable basis for the registration of new agrochemicals.
Improved Determination of Mercury Complex with Thiomicher’s Ketone by β-Correction Spectrophotometry
Authors: Gao Hong-Wen , Zhang Sheng-Yi , Ye Su-Mei 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Determination of the mercury complex formed with Thiomicher's ketone (TMK) was improved by β-correction spectrophotometry in the presence of a nonionic surfactant at pH 5. The complex formed was Hg(TMK)2, and its true molar absorptivity is reported for the first time: εHg(TMK)2560 = 1.04 × 105 L/mol·cm. In addition, the stability constant of Hg(TMK)2 was equal to 3.64 × 1010 at an ion strength of 0.01 at 20°C. Results from analyses of wastewater samples showed that the relative standard deviations were ≤8.3%, and the recoveries of mercury ranged from 90 to 110%.
Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Vanillin and Related Aromatic Compounds
Authors: Jagerdeo Eshwar , Passetti Erin , Dugar Sumer M 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
This paper describes a reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method for the determination of vanillin, associated natural aromatic compounds and/or synthetic precursors, ethyl vanillin, and coumarin, a commonly encountered adulterant in nonbeverage and beverage alcohol products using a ternary gradient mobile phase. The compounds were separated on a Nova-Pak C18 column by using water, methanol, and tetrahydrofuran as the mobile phase. Measurements were made by using a photodiode array detector at 275 nm. The choice of the mobile phase and the column provides baseline resolution of vanillin and the associated aromatic compounds commonly found in vanilla-flavoring material. Because this method provides low-level detection/quantitation, it is suitable for the characterization of vanilla flavoring materials that are currently added to vanilla flavored beverage alcohol products.
Determination of Histamine in Tomatoes by Capillary Electrophoresis
Authors: Bolygo Elek , Cooper Paul A , Jessop K Michael , Moffatt Frank 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
An improved capillary electrophoresis assay for histamine in crude extracts was developed and used to determine histamine levels in a selection of tomato fruits and pastes. Performance in terms of reproducibility and sensitivity was optimized by use of a high sensitivity detector flow cell, sodium hydroxide rinses, and a voltage gradient. The method was linear down to 0.2 μg/mL (signal-to-noise ratio = 4:1), which was below the endogenous level in all samples.
Determination of Aflatoxins in Grains and Raw Peanuts by a Rapid Procedure with Fluorometric Analysis
Authors: Malone Bruce R , Humphrey Craig W , Romer Tom R , Richard John L 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
A rapid, quantitative, inexpensive, and efficient method was developed to determine aflatoxins in corn, corn meal, popcorn, rice, wheat, cottonseed, and peanuts. Samples are ground and extracted with methanol–water (80 + 20). A portion of the extract is cleaned up by passage through a solid-phase separatory column, 500 μL purified extract is derivatized with a bromine reagent, and fluorescence of the solution is immediately quantified with a calibrated fluorometer containing a broad wavelength pulsed xenon light source. This method can quantify aflatoxin from 5 to 5000 ppb without dilution and was linear when applied to samples of noncontaminated corn spiked at 0 to 5000 μg aflatoxin B1/g. Correlation coefficients of the method with LC for multiple analyses for corn (n = 34), cottonseed (n = 32), and peanuts (n = 11) were 0.999, 0.995, and 0.980, respectively. Individual analyses may be conducted in less than 5 min, and grouping of samples is unnecessary. The sensitivity of the method for corn is 5 ppb and the fluorometer, under the operating conditions, has a limit of detection of 0.6 ng aflatoxin B1.
Interaction Between Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) and Coptera haywardi (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) for the Management of Anastrepha obliqua (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Martínez-Barrera Olga Yaneth , Toledo Jorge , Cancino Jorge , Liedo Pablo , Gómez Jaime , Valle-Mora Javier , Montoya Pablo 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe interaction between the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) and the parasitoid Coptera haywardi (Oglobin), as potential biological control agents for Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) fruit flies, was evaluated under laboratory and semi-protected field cage conditions. The effects of the parasitoids and fungus were individually and jointly assessed in Plexiglas cages. Application of B. bassiana dry conidia to soil produced 40% mortality in A. obliqua adults. However, mortality was lower (21.2%) on evaluation under field cage conditions. According to the multiple decrement life table analysis, the probability of death of A. obliqua was 88% when C. haywardi parasitoids and B. bassiana conidia were used in conjunction, 89% when only C. haywardi parasitoids were released and 23% when only B. bassiana conidia were applied. These results demonstrate that no synergistic, additive or antagonistic interaction took place with the simultaneous use of these natural enemies, since the presence of B. bassiana had no effect on the C. haywardi parasitism. These results indicate that the parasitoid is a better natural enemy for the control of A. obliqua, and show that, although the two biological control agents can be used simultaneously, their joint application will not produce increased control.
Hepatitis C Care Continuum in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Positive Cohort: Data From the HIV Atlanta Veterans Affairs Cohort Study
Authors: Adekunle Ruth O , DeSilva Kathryn , Cartwright Emily J 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Background
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection is associated with accelerated progression to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and liver-associated death. It is fortunate that curative direct-acting antivirals for the treatment of HCV are widely available in the VA healthcare system. We attempted to identify, evaluate, and treat all HIV/HCV-coinfected persons at the Atlanta VA Healthcare System.

Methods
Human immunodeficiency virus/HCV-coinfected persons at Atlanta VA between 2015 and 2018 were identified using the HIV Atlanta Veterans Affairs Cohort Study and Hepatitis C VA Clinical Case Registry. Retrospective reviews of each electronic medical record were conducted by the hepatitis C clinical team for validation. The primary end point was achieving sustained virologic response.

Results
One hundred thirty-eight veterans with HIV and hepatitis C viremia were identified. One hundred twenty-five (90%) were evaluated for treatment and 113 (91%) were initiated on direct-acting antiviral therapy. Median age at initiation of treatment was 60 years and the majority were black race (90%). Genotype 1a was most common (70%) and 41% had compensated cirrhosis. One hundred eight completed treatment and 96% achieved sustained virologic response. Six veterans had virologic relapse; 4 had treatment-emergent resistance mutations in the NS5a gene. Mean CD4 was 580 cells/mm3 with HIV viral suppression in 82% of the cohort. In those not treated, unstable housing (25%), active substance use (31%), and psychiatric conditions (42%) were identified barriers to care.

Conclusions
Through a concerted, systematic effort, over 80% of HIV/hepatitis C persons in the Atlanta VA have been initiated on treatment for hepatitis C, 96% of which have been cured.
Quantitative Benefit-Risk Models Used for Rotavirus Vaccination: A Systematic Review
Authors: Arlegui Hugo , Nachbaur Gaëlle , Praet Nicolas , Bégaud Bernard 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundAlthough rotavirus vaccines have proven to prevent the risk of rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) in children under 5 years old, they are also associated with an increased transient risk of intussusception (IS). Several quantitative benefit-risk models (qBRm) are performed to measure this balance in hospitalizations and deaths prevented versus the ones induced.MethodIn this study, our objective was to provide a complete overview of qBRm used for rotavirus vaccination. We systematically searched 3 medical literature databases to identify relevant articles, in English, that were published between 2006 and 2019.ResultsOf the 276 publications screened, 14 studies using qBRm for rotavirus vaccination were retained, based on preselected criteria. Four were performed in low- and middle-income countries. Almost all (13 of 14) displayed the following characteristics: force of infection assumed to be constant over time (static model), indirect effect of rotavirus vaccination (herd effect) not considered, closed model (individuals not allowed to enter and/or exit the model over time), and aggregated level (no tracking of individual’s behavior). Most of the models were probabilistic (9 of 14) and reported sensitivity and/or scenario analyses (12 of 14). Input parameter values varied across studies. Selected studies suggest that, depending on the models used, for every IS hospitalization and death induced, vaccination would prevent, respectively, 190–1624 and 71–743 RVGE-related hospitalizations and deaths.ConclusionsThe benefits of rotavirus vaccination were shown to largely exceed the increased risk of IS, across all studies. Future research aiming to harmonize qBRm for rotavirus vaccination should ensure the comparability of studies and provide additional information for regulatory authorities, physicians, and patients.
STI policies in the Dominican Republic: the influence of economic rationales from a context-development perspective
Authors: Gómez-Valenzuela Víctor 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
This article examines the influence of different economic rationales in the Dominican Republic’s science, technology, and innovation (STI) policies from a context-development perspective. For this purpose, four STI policy frameworks are reviewed: the National Competitiveness Plan; the Strategic Plan of Science, Technology, and Innovation; the Ten-year Plan of Higher Education; and the National Development Strategy 2030. Three cycles of STI policies are covered: the industrialization and import substitution cycle; the structural adjustment cycle; and the post-structural adjustment cycle. Five economic rationales are considered: neoclassical, Schumpeterian growth, neo-Marshallian, systemic–institutional, and evolutionary thought. Based on the results, three rationales prevail a systemic–institutional approach; a neo-Marshallian perspective; and a Schumpeterian growth approach. These rationales may refer to the country’s challenges to spur its potential for economic growth and development.