bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation between maternal and neonatal blood Vitamin D level: Study from Pakistan
Authors: Rabbani Shahida , Afaq Saima , Fazid Sheraz , Khattak Maria Ishaq , Yousafzai Yasir Mehmood , Habib Syed Hamid , Lowe Nicky , Ul‐Haq Zia 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn Pakistan, there is limited evidence for the levels and relationship of 25 (OH) Vitamin D (25(OH)D) status in pregnant women and their newborns, while the association between maternal 25(OH)D and newborn anthropometric measurements remains unexplored. Sociodemographic data were collected from 213 pregnant mothers during their visit to a tertiary care hospital at the time of childbirth. Anthropometric measurements were performed on all mothers and their newborns and blood samples collected from both for 25(OH)D levels. Participants were classified into two groups according to their 25(OH)D status: sufficient (25(OH)D ≥50 nmol L−1) and deficient (25(OH)D <50 nmol L−1). Simple and multiple regression models were used for analysis. Among 213 pregnant women, prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency was 61.5%, and their newborn was 99.5% (mean 25(OH)D levels: 46.3 [11.3] and 24.9 [5.4] nmol L−1, respectively). Maternal sociodemographic characteristics were similar between 25(OH)D deficient and sufficient mothers, whereas newborn 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in the former (22.60 [4.53] vs. 27.67 [3.82] nmol L−1, respectively, P < 0.001). There was a strong positive association between maternal and newborn 25(OH)D levels (r, 0.66; r2, 43%, B [SE], 0.3 [0.02]; P < 0.001). Association of maternal 25(OH)D levels with newborn weight, length and head circumference was not significant (all P > 0.05). Our study shows a high prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency in pregnant women and their newborns and a strong positive association between maternal and newborn 25(OH)D levels. Findings of this study indicate the importance of maintaining sufficient 25(OH)D levels during pregnancy.
Copy number variants outperform SNPs to reveal genotype–temperature association in a marine species
Authors: Dorant Yann , Cayuela Hugo , Wellband Kyle , Laporte Martin , Rougemont Quentin , Mérot Claire , Normandeau Eric , Rochette Rémy , Bernatchez Louis 
Published: August 2020

AbstractCopy number variants (CNVs) are a major component of genotypic and phenotypic variation in genomes. To date, our knowledge of genotypic variation and evolution has largely been acquired by means of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) analyses. Until recently, the adaptive role of structural variants (SVs) and particularly that of CNVs has been overlooked in wild populations, partly due to their challenging identification. Here, we document the usefulness of Rapture, a derived reduced‐representation shotgun sequencing approach, to detect and investigate copy number variants (CNVs) alongside SNPs in American lobster (Homarus americanus) populations. We conducted a comparative study to examine the potential role of SNPs and CNVs in local adaptation by sequencing 1,141 lobsters from 21 sampling sites within the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, which experiences the highest yearly thermal variance of the Canadian marine coastal waters. Our results demonstrated that CNVs account for higher genetic differentiation than SNP markers. Contrary to SNPs, for which no significant genetic–environment association was found, 48 CNV candidates were significantly associated with the annual variance of sea surface temperature, leading to the genetic clustering of sampling locations despite their geographic separation. Altogether, we provide a strong empirical case that CNVs putatively contribute to local adaptation in marine species and unveil stronger spatial signal of population structure than SNPs. Our study provides the means to study CNVs in nonmodel species and highlights the importance of considering structural variants alongside SNPs to enhance our understanding of ecological and evolutionary processes shaping adaptive population structure.
Gene flow and climate‐associated genetic variation in a vagile habitat specialist
Authors: MacDonald Zachary G. , Dupuis Julian R. , Davis Corey S. , Acorn John H. , Nielsen Scott E. , Sperling Felix A. H. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPrevious work in landscape genetics suggests that geographic isolation is of greater importance to genetic divergence than variation in environmental conditions. This is intuitive when configurations of suitable habitat are a dominant factor limiting dispersal and gene flow, but has not been thoroughly examined for habitat specialists with strong dispersal capability. Here, we evaluate the effects of geographic and environmental isolation on genetic divergence for a vagile invertebrate with high habitat specificity and a discrete dispersal life stage: Dod's Old World swallowtail butterfly,Papilio machaon dodi. In Canada,P. m. dodiare generally restricted to eroding habitat along major river valleys where their larval host plant occurs. A series of causal and linear mixed effects models indicate that divergence of genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphisms is best explained by a combination of environmental isolation (variation in summer temperatures) and geographic isolation (Euclidean distance). Interestingly, least‐cost path and circuit distances through a resistance surface parameterized as the inverse of habitat suitability were not supported. This suggests that, although habitat associations of many butterflies are specific due to reproductive requirements, habitat suitability and landscape permeability are not equivalent concepts due to considerable adult vagility. We infer that divergent selection related to variation in summer temperatures has produced two genetic clusters withinP. m. dodi, differing in voltinism and diapause propensity. Within the next century, temperatures are predicted to rise by amounts greater than the present‐day difference between regions of the genetic clusters, potentially affecting the persistence of the northern cluster under continued climate change.
Examiners’ decision‐making processes in observation‐based clinical examinations
Authors: Malau‐Aduli Bunmi S. , Hays Richard B. , D’Souza Karen , Smith Amy M. , Jones Karina , Turner Richard , Shires Lizzi , Smith Jane , Saad Shannon , Richmond Cassandra , Celenza Antonio , Sen Gupta Tarun 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundObjective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) are commonly used to assess the clinical skills of health professional students. Examiner judgement is one acknowledged source of variation in candidate marks. This paper reports an exploration of examiner decision making to better characterise the cognitive processes and workload associated with making judgements of clinical performance in exit‐level OSCEs.MethodsFifty‐five examiners for exit‐level OSCEs at five Australian medical schools completed a NASA Task Load Index (TLX) measure of cognitive load and participated in focus group interviews immediately after the OSCE session. Discussions focused on how decisions were made for borderline and clear pass candidates. Interviews were transcribed, coded and thematically analysed. NASA TLX results were quantitatively analysed.ResultsExaminers self‐reported higher cognitive workload levels when assessing a borderline candidate in comparison with a clear pass candidate. Further analysis revealed five major themes considered by examiners when marking candidate performance in an OSCE: (a) use of marking criteria as a source of reassurance; (b) difficulty adhering to the marking sheet under certain conditions; (c) demeanour of candidates; (d) patient safety, and (e) calibration using a mental construct of the 'mythical [prototypical] intern'. Examiners demonstrated particularly higher mental demand when assessing borderline compared to clear pass candidates.ConclusionsExaminers demonstrate that judging candidate performance is a complex, cognitively difficult task, particularly when performance is of borderline or lower standard. At programme exit level, examiners intuitively want to rate candidates against a construct of a prototypical graduate when marking criteria appear not to describe both what and how a passing candidate should demonstrate when completing clinical tasks. This construct should be shared, agreed upon and aligned with marking criteria to best guide examiner training and calibration. Achieving this integration may improve the accuracy and consistency of examiner judgements and reduce cognitive workload.
The effect of ambient temperature fluctuations on Culicoides biting midges population dynamics and activity in dairy farms: a longitudinal study
Authors: Saroya Y. , Gottlieb Y. , Klement E. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe effect of climatic factors on the presence of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) was previously studied. Nevertheless, lack of laboratory rearing data hampers species‐specific prediction of weather fluctuations effect on population size. To determine fluctuations in population size in the field, we recorded Culicoides and other Nematocerans in seven Israeli dairy farms over two‐years (2011–2012) and analysed the association of their dynamics with fluctuations in ambient temperature and total rainfall. In six farms, the most abundant species were Culicoides imicola Kieffer and Culicoides schultzei (Enderlein) gp., primarily composed of parous females, and in one farm Culicoides obsoletus (Meigen) gp., mostly nulliparous females, were dominant. While the total number of insects was similar in both years, Culicoides numbers were significantly higher in 2012, but appeared later in the season and reached a higher peak. A multi‐variable linear regression model demonstrated positive association of C. imicola and C. schultzei numbers with the monthly multi‐annual ambient temperature and its specific deviation, but not with monthly rainfall. C. obsoletus populations peaked at spring and sharply decreased when temperature exceeded 20 °C, and were best modelled by adding quadratic terms. Weather‐specific estimation of population size under field conditions may enable to predict outbreaks intensity of Culicoides‐borne viruses.
Displaced and Invisible: Ukrainian Refugee Crisis Coverage in the US, UK, Ukrainian, and Russian Newspapers
Authors: Roman Nataliya , Young Anna , Perkins Stephynie C. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe Ukrainian–Russian military conflict that began in 2014 displaced nearly two million people. This study is one of the first to compare the news media coverage of Ukrainian displaced persons in the UK, US, Ukrainian, and Russian elite press as the crisis unfolded. This analysis looks at frames, sources, and demographic characteristics used in the coverage of displaced people. The findings of this study indicate that the coverage of displaced Ukrainians varied from country to country in elite newspapers, and the descriptions did not always point to classic markers of crisis, such as emotional turmoil. English‐language newspapers were more likely to focus on statistics, while Ukrainian and Russian press devoted more attention to various aspects of migrants’ resettlement. The “security threat” and “crime” frames, which are often used in media coverage of refugees, were nearly non‐existent in the articles about displaced Ukrainians.
An altered composition of fecal microbiota, organic acids, and the effect of probiotics in the guinea pig model of postoperative ileus
Authors: Shin Seung Yong , Hussain Zahid , Lee Young Ju , Park Hyojin 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study is to investigate the altered composition of fecal microbiota, organic acids, and the effect of probiotics in the guinea pig model of the postoperative ileus (POI).MethodsA laparotomy with cecal manipulation was performed to induce POI in guinea pigs. Fecal pellets were collected before the operation (the baseline) and 1, 3, and 5 days after the operation. The extracted fecal DNA was amplified and sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq sequencing system. The same POI procedures were performed after oral pretreatment of the probiotics for 7 days before operation. The effect of the probiotics on the selected taxa and fecal acetate were evaluated, as were the butyrate levels. The colonic transit was assessed by measurement of the fecal pellet output.Key ResultsThe communities of the baseline and POI groups indicated significantly distinct composition. The genera Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were more abundant in the baseline group compared with the POI groups, and Bacteroides and Blautia were more abundant in the POI groups. Decreased abundances of the species Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium longum after the POI procedure were significantly increased in the probiotics group. The decreased fecal butyrate level after the POI procedure was significantly increased, and colonic transit was significantly improved in the probiotics group.Conclusions and InferencesPOI induces gut bacterial dysbiosis. Moreover, pretreatment of probiotics before operation restores the beneficial bacterial species, butyrate production, and bowel movement. The modulation of gut microbiota may help the treatment and prevention of POI.
A derivation error that affects carbon balance models exists in the current implementation of the modified Arrhenius function
Authors: Murphy Bridget K. , Stinziano Joseph R. 
Published: August 2020

Summary

Understanding biological temperature responses is crucial to predicting global carbon fluxes. The current approach to modelling temperature responses of photosynthetic capacity in large scale modelling efforts uses a modified Arrhenius equation.

We rederived the modified Arrhenius equation from the source publication from 1942 and uncovered a missing term that was dropped by 2002. We compare fitted temperature response parameters between the correct and incorrect derivation of the modified Arrhenius equation.

We find that most parameters are minimally affected, though activation energy is impacted quite substantially. We then scaled the impact of these small errors to whole plant carbon balance and found that the impact of the rederivation of the modified Arrhenius equation on modelled daily carbon gain causes a meaningful deviation of c. 18% day−1.

This suggests that the error in the derivation of the modified Arrhenius equation has impacted the accuracy of predictions of carbon fluxes at larger scales since > 40% of Earth System Models contain the erroneous derivation. We recommend that the derivation error be corrected in modelling efforts moving forward.
The role of esophagectomy in the management of Barrett's esophagus with high‐grade dysplasia
Authors: Badgery Henry , Read Matthew , Winter Nicole N. , Taylor Andrew C. F. , Hii Michael W. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBarrett's esophagus (BE) with high‐grade dysplasia (HGD) has previously been a routine indication for esophagectomy. Recent advances in endoscopic therapy have resulted in a shift away from surgery. Current international guidelines recommend endoscopic therapy for BE with HGD irrespective of recurrence or progression of dysplasia. Current guidelines do not address the ongoing role of esophagectomy as an adjunct in the setting of failed endoscopic therapy. This review examines the role of esophagectomy as an adjunct to endoscopy in the management of patients with BE and HGD, with a specific focus on patients with persistent, progressive, or recurrent disease, disease resistant to endoscopic therapy, in patients with concomitant esophageal pathology, and in those patients in whom lifelong surveillance may not be possible or desired.
Enhancing organophosphate hydrolase efficacy via protein engineering and immobilization strategies
Authors: Katyal Priya , Chu Stanley , Montclare Jin Kim 
Published: August 2020

AbstractOrganophosphorus compounds (OPs), developed as pesticides and chemical warfare agents, are extremely toxic chemicals that pose a public health risk. Of the different detoxification strategies, organophosphate‐hydrolyzing enzymes have attracted much attention, providing a potential route for detoxifying those exposed to OPs. Phosphotriesterase (PTE), also known as organophosphate hydrolase (OPH), is one such enzyme that has been extensively studied as a catalytic bioscavenger. In this review, we will discuss the protein engineering of PTE aimed toward improving the activity and stability of the enzyme. In order to make enzyme utilization in OP detoxification more favorable, enzyme immobilization provides an effective means to increase enzyme activity and stability. Here, we present several such strategies that enhance the storage and operational stability of PTE/OPH.
The functional lumen imaging probe in gastrointestinal disorders: the past, present, and future
Authors: Clarke John O. , Ahuja Nitin K. , Fernandez‐Becker Nielsen Q. , Gregersen Hans , Kamal Afrin N. , Khan Abraham , Lynch Kristie L. , Vela Marcelo F. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) is a diagnostic tool that utilizes impedance planimetry to allow the assessment of luminal diameter and distensibility. It has been used primarily in esophageal diseases, in particular, in the assessment of achalasia, esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). The usage and publications have increased over the past decade and it is now an essential tool in the armamentarium of the esophagologist. Indications are emerging outside of the esophagus, in particular with regard to gastroparesis. Our paper will review the history of FLIP, optimal current usage, data for key esophageal disorders (including achalasia, reflux, and EoE), data for nonesophageal disorders, and our sense as to whether FLIP is ready for prime time, as well as gaps in evidence and suggestions for future research.
Intersectionality and equity: Dynamic bureaucratic representation in higher education
Authors: Fay Daniel L. , Hicklin Fryar Alisa , Meier Kenneth J. , Wilkins Vicky 
Published: August 2020

AbstractRepresentative bureaucracy scholarship has yet to address two interrelated phenomena: intersectionality and changes in relative disadvantage over time. This manuscript addresses these gaps by assessing representation effects at the intersection of race/ethnicity and sex and in previously, but no longer, disadvantaged client groups. It also argues that if bureaucratic representation is viewed as a quest for equity, then representation will decline as disadvantaged client groups approach equity in policy outcomes. Using panel data for US higher education, this study highlights the importance of intersectional representation in bureaucratic organizations. In three of the four race/ethnic/sex combinations, students perform better in the presence of faculty who match them intersectionally (in the fourth case, race but not sex matters). The empirical results also find that as a formerly disadvantaged client group (women) becomes successful within an organization, the active representation relationship declines. These implications inform future representative bureaucracy scholarship examining intersectional groups.
Cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase OsCKX11 coordinates source and sink relationship in rice by simultaneous regulation of leaf senescence and grain number
Authors: Zhang Wei , Peng Kaixuan , Cui Fubin , Wang Dongling , Zhao Jiangzhe , Zhang Yanjun , Yu Ningning , Wang Yuyang , Zeng Dali , Wang Yonghong , Cheng Zhukuan , Zhang Kewei 
Published: August 2020

SummaryThe flag leaf and grain belong to the source and sink, respectively, of cereals, and both have a bearing on final yield. Premature leaf senescence significantly reduces the photosynthetic rate and severely lowers crop yield. Cytokinins play important roles in leaf senescence and determine grain number. Here, we characterized the roles of the rice (Oryza sativa L.) cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase OsCKX11 in delaying leaf senescence, increasing grain number, and coordinately regulating source and sink. OsCKX11 was predominantly expressed in the roots, leaves, and panicles and was strongly induced by abscisic acid and leaf senescence. Recombinant OsCKX11 protein catalysed the degradation of various types of cytokinins but showed preference for trans‐zeatin and cis‐zeatin. Cytokinin levels were significantly increased in the flag leaves of osckx11 mutant compared to those of the wild type (WT). In the osckx11 mutant, the ABA‐biosynthesizing genes were down‐regulated and the ABA‐degrading genes were up‐regulated, thereby reducing the ABA levels relative to the WT. Thus, OsCKX11 functions antagonistically between cytokinins and ABA in leaf senescence. Moreover, osckx11 presented with significantly increased branch, tiller, and grain number compared with the WT. Collectively, our findings reveal that OsCKX11 simultaneously regulates photosynthesis and grain number, which may provide new insights into leaf senescence and crop molecular breeding.
Perennial growth and salinity tolerance in wheat × wheatgrass amphiploids varying in the ratio of wheat to wheatgrass genomes
Authors: Abbasi Juliya , Dehghani Hamid , Dvorak Jan , McGuire Patrick E. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSince wheat and other annual cereal crops are often harvested for forage instead of grain in California, replacing them with perennial crops could save energy and reduce the release of heat‐trapping gases. To assess the potential for perennial crops based on wheat, biomass yield and stand persistence were studied for nine wheat×wheatgrass amphiploids (8x to 14x) and five wheatgrass species (2x to 10x) over three seasons in the Central Valley, California. The 8x and 10x amphiploids died after one biomass harvest and a single summer period. In contrast, the 14x amphiploids, which were sterile, continued producing biomass over the entire period of the trial. They were also highly salt‐stress tolerant with little decline in biomass production in response to an increase in salinity from 100 and 250 mM NaCl in a solution‐culture study. The development of a salt‐stress‐tolerant perennial crop based on wheat for the California‐type climate will require either a substantial improvement in perennial growth of low‐ploidy (8x) amphiploids or the development of technology for efficient vegetative propagation of the sterile high‐ploidy (14x) amphiploids.
Creating COVID‐19 alternate care site trainings for interprofessional teams
Authors: B. Harpin Scott 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPurposeTo describe the planning and development of alternate care site (ACS) trainings for community COVID care delivery.MethodsA timeline of activities by the core training team is presented from the lens of the State of Colorado Emergency Operations, leading to the pilot test of a templated training that was completed during the first week of June 2020. Lessons learned and training topics are described.ConclusionThis case study of the Colorado experience developing training for community‐based COVID care delivery sites can inform other public health planners creating the same in their locales. And, public access materials from this project may supplement training for both public health and community health nurse educators.