bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Successful cryoablation of left ventricular summit premature ventricular contractions via the coronary sinus
Authors: Reichert William , Ahmad Zeshan , Su Wilber 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe left ventricular summit (LVS) is a challenging location for catheter‐based percutaneous ablation due to its anatomical location. There have been case reports of cryoablations performed in this region, but the technique may be underutilized when radiofrequency ablation fails. A 45‐year‐old male was found to have 25 000 premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) a day despite previous ablation and a reduced ejection fraction of 40% despite medical therapy. Coronary sinus epicardial mapping revealed the coronary sinus distal region generated activations earlier than the QRS onset by 28 ms. Two separate, 4‐minute cryoablations were delivered that suppressed the PVCs within 5 seconds. Alternate energy modalities such as cryo may offer a safer and more viable approach for ablation of LVS in select patients.
The two copies of the zinc and cadmiumZIP6transporter ofArabidopsis hallerihave distinct effects on cadmium tolerance
Authors: Spielmann Julien , Ahmadi Hassan , Scheepers Maxime , Weber Michael , Nitsche Sarah , Carnol Monique , Bosman Bernard , Kroymann Juergen , Motte Patrick , Clemens Stephan , Hanikenne Marc 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPlants have the ability to colonize highly diverse environments. The zinc and cadmium hyperaccumulatorArabidopsis hallerihas adapted to establish populations on soils covering an extreme range of metal availabilities. TheA. halleri ZIP6gene presents several hallmarks of hyperaccumulation candidate genes: it is constitutively highly expressed in roots and shoots and is associated with a zinc accumulation quantitative trait locus. Here, we show thatAhZIP6is duplicated in theA. hallerigenome. The two copies are expressed mainly in the vasculature in bothA. halleriandArabidopsis thaliana, indicative of conservedcisregulation, and acquired partial organ specialization. Yeast complementation assays determined that AhZIP6 is a zinc and cadmium transporter.AhZIP6silencing inA. hallerior expression inA. thalianaalters cadmium tolerance, but has no impact on zinc and cadmium accumulation.AhZIP6‐silenced plants display reduced cadmium uptake upon short‐term exposure, adding AhZIP6 to the limited number of Cd transporters supported byin plantaevidence. Altogether, our data suggest that AhZIP6 is key to fine‐tune metal homeostasis in specific cell types. This study additionally highlights the distinct fates of duplicated genes inA. halleri.
Association between serum folate levels and schizophrenia based on sex
Authors: Tomioka Yukiko , Kinoshita Makoto , Umehara Hidehiro , Nakayama Tomohiko , Watanabe Shin‐ya , Nakataki Masahito , Numata Shusuke , Ohmori Tetsuro 
Published: May 2020

AimSex differences in serum folate concentrations are well known, but no studies have investigated the association between serum folate levels and schizophrenia based on sex. With this study in a Japanese population, we examined the difference in serum folate levels between patients with schizophrenia and non‐psychiatric controls stratified by sex. The relations among serum folate levels, plasma total homocysteine (tHcy), and serum vitamin B6 (pyridoxal) levels were also examined using data from our previous studies.MethodsThe serum folate concentrations of 482 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 1350 non‐psychiatric control subjects were measured. We conducted an analysis of covariance to examine the differences in serum folate levels between the two groups based on sex. Spearman's rank correlation was used to evaluate the relations among folate, tHcy, and vitamin B6 levels.ResultsIn the control group, serum folate concentrations were higher in women than in men. Lower levels of serum folate were observed in both male and female patients with schizophrenia. An inverse correlation between serum folate and plasma tHcy and a weak positive correlation between serum folate and vitamin B6 were observed in the combined cohort.ConclusionOur findings suggest that: (i) a low serum folate level may be associated with schizophrenia regardless of sex; and (ii) folate administration may be beneficial for the treatment of schizophrenia. In schizophrenic patients with low serum folate levels, folate administration might result in improvements in high tHcy and an increase in low vitamin B6 levels.
Efficacy of levetiracetam in the treatment of Sydenham chorea
Authors: Direk Meltem , Epcacan Serdar , Epcacan Zerrin , Yildirim Didem Derici , Okuyaz Cetin 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundTo study the effect of levetiracetam in treating Sydenham chorea.MethodsWe retrospectively collected the data of 140 patients diagnosed with Sydenham chorea in the pediatric neurology and pediatric cardiology outpatient clinics of Van Training and Research Hospital between January 2010 and December 2018.ResultsThere were 140 patients, 102 (70%) of whom were girls, with mean age of onset 11.8 ± 2.7 years. Symptomatic treatment was initiated in all patients at the time of diagnosis; this medication was changed during follow up in 15 patients. The most frequently prescribed drugs were haloperidol and sodium (Na) valproate, and the most frequently discontinued one was haloperidol, due to side effects. The second‐choice drug was most often levetiracetam. Clinical response often began within the first 2 weeks, with Na valproate (P = 0.002), within 4 weeks with carbamazepine (P = 0.037) but 1–6 months with haloperidol (P = 0.018) and levetiracetam (P = 0.008). Time to full remission was similar with Na valproate, carbamazepine, haloperidol, and levetiracetam (P = 0.276). Our study indicated that levetiracetam was as effective as the other commonly used drugs in the symptomatic treatment of Sydenham chorea.ConclusionLevetiracetam might be an option in the treatment of Sydenham chorea because of its acceptable effect and safety profile. This observation needs further support with evidence obtained through controlled and blinded trials.
Social Distancing during the COVID‐19 Pandemic: Who Are the Present and Future Noncompliers?
Authors: Pedersen Mogens Jin , Favero Nathan 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSocial distancing is an effective means of containing the spread of COVID‐19, but only if we all participate. Who are the individuals who are least likely to adhere to social distancing recommendations, presently and in the long term? Such knowledge is important for policy makers looking to sustain the public's buy‐in to social distancing. Using survey data from a sample of U.S. residents (n = 1,449), the authors show that some demographic factors (gender, age, race, political party) help predict intent to adhere to social distancing. Yet demographic factors are relatively poor predictors compared with individual attitudes and media diets. Public officials should make efforts to inform and persuade the public of the importance of social distancing, targeting media such as television and radio, where audiences are less likely to currently engage in social distancing or are less likely to envision themselves sustaining strict social distancing for several weeks or months.
Comparison of Norwegian health and welfare regulatory frameworks in salmon and chicken production
Authors: Gismervik Kristine , Tørud Brit , Kristiansen Tore S. , Osmundsen Tonje , Størkersen Kristine Vedal , Medaas Christian , Lien Marianne Elisabeth , Stien Lars Helge 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe health and welfare of farmed fish are often regarded with less concern than for other production animals. This review compares the Norwegian legal health and welfare frameworks for broiler chickens and farmed salmon, with the aim of improving regulations for salmon farming in Norway. Highlighting differences in laws, regulations and governmental organisation are also highly relevant in general, especially in developing welfare regulations for farmed fish in other countries. Norwegian chicken farmers must comply with two main laws, the Norwegian Animal Welfare Act and the Food Act, governed by the same ministry and governmental agency. The salmon farmers must in addition relate to the Aquaculture Act, different ministries and several agencies with different objectives. Compared to the regulation of chicken farming, the regulation of salmon farming is more complex, has potentially conflicting aims and uses less positive welfare phrasings. Thus, the regulation may be perceived as focusing on profitability over welfare. Despite having many similar paragraphs to regulation for chicken farming, salmon farming regulation is less strict in the daily securing of animals and recordings of mortality. There is no specified slaughterhouse control of high‐density productions, as there is for broiler chickens. There are also differences in the mandatory welfare courses, one being that infection prevention is a stated topic for chickens. The Norwegian Animal Welfare Act has no possibility of dispensation, meaning exceptions, and treats fish and other animals equally. Future regulatory frameworks for farmed fish production should avoid unintended downgrading of fish health and welfare.
Tourism land use simulation for regional tourism planning using POIs and cellular automata
Authors: Shi Hong , Li Xia , Yang Zhenzhi , Li Taohong , Ren Yun , Liu Tingting , Yang Ningdong , Zhang Hang , Chen Guangzhao , Liang Xun 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPrevious studies on tourism land use primarily focus on the spatial distribution, and its related impacts on the environment. Here, we propose a future tourism land use simulation model for mountain vacations based on the cellular automata and Markov chain methods, having verified and simulated tourism land use in Emeishan city at a spatial resolution of 30 × 30 m using remote sensing and GIS. In addition, we introduced a tourism land use intensity index to study the spatial expansion mode of tourism land use. The results have confirmed the validity of the model and demonstrated its ability to simulate future tourism land use. The average growth rate of tourism land use from 2010 to 2015 is 33.36%, and tourism land use will rise from 1.26% of Emeishan city’s land area in 2015 to 2.95% in 2030. Tourism land use shows a spatial expansion pattern along channels from scenic spots to the urban area. The growth of tourism land use in the protected area has an increasing trend when there is no restriction on development, especially in the Eshan region. The simulation results can provide useful implications and guides for regional tourism planning and management.
Comparison of serologic status of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pre‐ and post‐heart transplantation in a pediatric population: A preliminary study
Authors: Orang Elahe , Sayyahfar Shirin , Mahdavi Mohammad , Khanaliha Khadijeh , Amiri Mehri 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundToxoplasmosis is an important opportunistic infection in immunocompromised children, especially in heart transplant recipients. This study aimed to investigate pre‐ and post‐transplant serology for toxoplasmosis along with post‐transplant PCR in pediatric heart transplant patients.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study was performed on 38 heart transplant recipients aged 1‐17 years, by the end of 2018. Pre‐ and post‐transplant IgM and IgG titrations were measured using ELISA method. Nested PCR of B1 gene was performed to identify Toxoplasma gondii (T gondii) infection after transplant.ResultsTotally, 11.4% of patients had positive IgG and 91.4% had negative IgM for toxoplasmosis before heart transplantation. The mean of pre‐transplant IgG titration for seropositive and seronegative patients was 22.32 ± 15.30 IU/mL and 1.49 ± 1.15 IU/mL, respectively (P < .001). All cases were on chemoprophylaxis with trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX). The mean of post‐transplant IgG titration was 1.62 ± 1.87 IU/mL, which was negative for all cases. Investigating pre‐transplant, IgM titration, 5.7% were positive, 91.4% were negative, and 2.9% were borderline. All cases were post‐transplant IgM negative. The mean of post‐transplant IgG titrations was significantly higher in the first 6 months (3.26 ± 2.68 IU/mL) compared to 6‐12 (1.30 ± 1.34 IU/mL; P = .039) and > 12 months (1.07 ± 1.27 IU/mL; P = .004) time periods. The result of PCR for B1 gene in all cases was negative.ConclusionsChemoprophylaxis with TMP/SMX seems to be effective in prevention of T gondii infection or reactivation among pediatric heart transplantation population. Anti‐T. gondii‐IgG level alone may not be sensitive enough for evaluation of the infection at least after 6 months post‐transplantation.
Surveillance strategies for the detection of disease outbreaks in the Pacific islands: meta‐analysis of published literature, 2010–2019
Authors: Craig Adam T. , Kaldor John , Schierhout Gill , Rosewell Alexander E. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveDue to their tropical location, development status and the limited capacity of health systems, Pacific island counties and territories are particularly susceptible to infectious disease outbreaks; but evidence as to the optimal way in which outbreaks are detected is scarce. In this review, we synthesise evidence from literature about how outbreaks are detected in Pacific island countries and territories and critique factors identified as inhibiting surveillance practice.MethodFor this systematic review, we searched electronic databases Embase, Global Health, MEDLINE and MEDLINE Epub from 1 January 2010 and 31 March 2019 for reports describing infectious disease outbreaks occurring in the Pacific islands. Reports were included if they reported the method by which an outbreak was detected or the time between an outbreak’s onset and its detection. We extracted information about the report type and authors, the outbreak and its method/s of detection, and pertinent issues inhibiting surveillance practice.ResultsOf 860 articles identified, 37 reports describing 39 outbreaks met the inclusion criteria. Most outbreaks (n = 30) were identified through formal event‐based surveillance; six through syndromic surveillance; and two by ad hoc notification from the community. Barriers to early outbreak detection included population isolation; lack of resources and infrastructure to support surveillance implementation and signal investigation; and broader health system factors such as preparedness planning and availability of laboratory services.ConclusionMost surveillance‐related gain in the Pacific islands may be made through building formal event‐based surveillance systems and streamlining reporting processes to facilitate outbreak notification. This observation is pertinent given the focus on establishing and expanding syndromic surveillance approaches for outbreak detection in the islands over the last decade.
Direct and indirect targets of the arabidopsis seed transcription factor ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE3
Authors: Tian Ran , Wang Fangfang , Zheng Qiaolin , Niza Venus M. A. G. E. , Downie A. Bruce , Perry Sharyn E. 
Published: May 2020

SUMMARYArabidopsis thaliana ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE3 (ABI3) is a transcription factor in the B3 domain family. ABI3, along with B3 domain transcription factors LEAFY COTYLEDON2 (LEC2) and FUSCA3 (FUS3), and LEC1, a subunit of the CCAAT box‐binding complex, form the so‐called LAFL network to control various aspects of seed development and maturation. ABI3 also contributes to the abscisic acid (ABA) response. We report on chromatin immunoprecipitation‐tiling array experiments to map binding sites for ABI3 globally. We also assessed transcriptomes in response to ABI3 by comparing developing abi3‐5 and wild‐type seeds and combined this information to ascertain direct and indirect responsive ABI3 target genes. ABI3 can induce and repress its transcription of target genes directly and some intriguing differences exist in cis motifs between these groups of genes. Directly regulated targets reflect the role of ABI3 in seed maturation, desiccation tolerance, entry into a quiescent state and longevity. Interestingly, ABI3 directly represses a gene encoding a microRNA (MIR160B) that targets AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR (ARF)10 and ARF16 that are involved in establishment of dormancy. In addition, ABI3, like FUS3, regulates genes encoding MIR156 but while FUS3 only induces genes encoding this product, ABI3 induces these genes during the early stages of seed development, but represses these genes during late development. The interplay between ABI3, the other LAFL genes, and the VP1/ABI3‐LIKE (VAL) genes, which are involved in the transition to seedling development are examined and reveal complex interactions controlling development.
Arabidopsis JMJ29 is involved in trichome development by regulating the core trichome initiation gene GLABRA3
Authors: Hung Fu‐Yu , Chen Jian‐Hao , Feng Yun‐Ru , Lai You‐Cheng , Yang Songguang , Wu Keqiang 
Published: May 2020

SummaryPlant trichomes are large single cells that are organized in a regular pattern and play multiple biological functions. In Arabidopsis, trichome development is mainly governed by the core trichome initiation regulators, including the R2R3 type MYB transcript factor GLABRA 1 (GL1), bHLH transcript factors GLABRA 3/ENHANCER OF GLABRA 3 (GL3/EGL3), and the WD‐40 repeat protein TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA 1 (TTG1), as well as the downstream trichome regulator GLABRA 2 (GL2). GL1, GL3/EGL3, and TTG1 can form a trimeric activation complex to activate GL2, which is required for the trichome initiation and maintenance during cell differentiation. Arabidopsis JMJ29 is a JmjC domain‐containing histone demethylase belonging to the JHDM2/KDM3 group. Members of the JHDM2/KDM3 group histone demethylases are mainly responsible for the H3K9me1/2 demethylation. In the present study, we found that the trichome density on leaves and inflorescence stems is significantly decreased in jmj29 mutants. The expression of the core trichome regulators GL1, GL2, and GL3 is decreased in jmj29 mutants as well. Furthermore, JMJ29 can directly target GL3 and remove H3K9me2 on the GL3 locus. Collectively, we found that Arabidopsis JMJ29 is involved in trichome development by directly regulating GL3 expression. These results provide further insights into the molecular mechanism of epigenetic regulation in Arabidopsis trichome development.
Electroelastic Response of Isotropic Dielectric Elastomer Composites with Deformation-Dependent Apparent-Permittivity Matrix
Authors: Lefèvre Victor 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis paper puts forth an approximate yet accurate free energy for the elastic dielectric response—under finite deformations and finite electric fields—of non-percolative dielectric elastomer composites made out of a non-Gaussian dielectric elastomer matrix with deformation-dependent apparent permittivity isotropically filled with nonlinear elastic dielectric particles that may exhibit polarization saturation. While the proposed free energy applies in its most general form to arbitrary isotropic non-percolative microstructures, closed-form specializations are recorded for the practically relevant cases of rigid or liquid-like spherical particles. The proposed free energy is exact by construction in the asymptotic context of small deformations and moderate electric fields and is shown to remain accurate for arbitrary large deformations and electric fields via comparisons with full-field finite-element simulations. The proposed constitutive model is deployed to probe the electrostriction response of these dielectric elastomer composites and corresponding results reveal that their elastic dielectric response strongly depends on the deformation-dependent apparent permittivity of the matrix they comprise.
Micromechanics Study on Actuation Efficiency of Hard-Magnetic Soft Active Materials
Authors: Zhang Rundong , Wu Shuai , Ze Qiji , Zhao Ruike 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Hard-magnetic soft active materials have drawn significant research interest in recent years due to their advantages of untethered, rapid and reversible actuation, and large shape change. These materials are typically fabricated by embedding hard-magnetic particles in a soft matrix. Since the actuation is achieved by transferring the microtorques generated on the magnetic particles by the applied magnetic field to the soft matrix, the actuation depends on the interactions between the magnetic particles and the soft matrix. In this paper, we investigate how such interactions can affect the actuation efficiency by using a micromechanics approach through the representative volume element simulations. The micromechanics reveals that particle rotations play an essential role in determining the actuation efficiency, i.e., the torque transmission efficiency. In particular, a larger local particle rotation in the matrix would reduce the effective actuation efficiency. Micromechanics simulations further show that the efficiency of the torque transmission from the particles to the matrix depends on the particle volume fraction, the matrix modulus, the applied magnetic field strength, as well as the particle shape. Based on the micromechanics simulations, a simple theoretical model is developed to correlate the torque transmission efficiency with the particle volume fraction, the matrix modulus, as well as the applied magnetic field strength. We anticipate this study on the actuation efficiency of hard-magnetic soft active materials would provide optimization and design guidance to the parameter determination for the material fabrication for different applications.
Description and Characterization of a 114-kWe High-Flux Solar Simulator
Authors: Chu Shunzhou , Bai Fengwu , Nie Fuliang , Wang Zhifeng 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
A high-flux solar simulator is essential for evaluating solar thermal components under controlled and adjustable flux input conditions. This study presents a newly built high-flux solar simulator composed of 19 individual units. Each unit includes a xenon short-arc lamp (each consuming up to 6 kW electricity power) coupled with a truncated ellipsoidal reflector, a cooling blower, and a power module. The power module yields a current in the range of 50–160 A. The number of lamps in use is flexible, which allows for a wide range of radiation flux (10%–100%) on the focal plane. The radiation power, peak value, flux distribution on the circular target plane, and conversion efficiency are evaluated based on a flux mapping method. The results indicate that the proposed solar simulator is capable of achieving thermal power of 23.3 kW, peak flux in excess of 1.78 MW/m2, a stagnation temperature exceeding 2360 °C, and average irradiance of 773.4 kW/m2 on the focal plane (diameter of 260 mm). The electro-thermal conversion efficiency of the simulator is 35.7%. A ray-tracing method was employed, and the simulation results were found to be in good agreement with those in the experiments. An experimental test of a volumetric ceramic receiver was conducted, and the results indicate the availability and applicability of the high-flux solar simulator when carrying out studies about solar receivers.