bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Virulence and in vitro antifungal susceptibility of Candida albicans and Candida catenulata from laying hens
Authors: Rhimi Wafa , Aneke Chioma Inyang , Annoscia Giada , Camarda Antonio , Mosca Adriana , Cantacessi Cinzia , Otranto Domenico , Cafarchia Claudia 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn spite of evidence that domestic and wild birds may act as carriers of human pathogenic fungi, data on the role of laying hens as reservoirs of drug resistant and virulent yeasts is lacking. Here, we assess several virulence factors (phospholipase and haemolysin activity) and the antifungal susceptibility profiles of 84 Candida albicans and 17 Candida catenulata strains isolated from cloacae (group A), faeces (group B) and eggs (group C) of laying hens. Of these strains, 95% C. albicans and 23% C. catenulata strains displayed phospholipase and haemolytic activities. For C. albicans, the highest values of phospholipase (Pz = 0.62) and haemolytic activities (Hz = 0.49) were recorded among the strains from group C whilst for C. catenulata (Pz = 0.54; Hz = 0.49) among those from group A. High minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for azoles and amphotericin B (AmB) were recorded irrespective of their sources in all C. albicans strains. A total of 22 C. albicans strains were multidrug resistant, displaying resistance to fluconazole, itraconazole (ITZ), voriconazole (VOR) and posaconazole (POS). All C. catenulata strains from group C were resistant to ITZ, POS, micafungin and anidulafungin and susceptible to AmB. In this study, C. albicans and C. catenulata isolated from the cloacae, faeces and eggs of laying hens produced phospholipase and haemolysin and might be multidrug resistant. In the environment (faeces) or in eggs, C. albicans and C. catenulata strains might acquire pathogenic virulence traits and/or show multidrug resistance profiles. Based on these results, breeding and handling of laying hens and/or eggs may have implications for human and animal health.
Correction of serum potassium with sodium zirconium cyclosilicate in Japanese patients with hyperkalemia: a randomized, dose–response, phase 2/3 study
Authors: Kashihara Naoki , Nishio Toshiki , Osonoi Takeshi , Saka Yosuke , Imasawa Toshiyuki , Ohtake Takayasu , Mizuno Hiroshi , Shibagaki Yugo , Kim Hyosung , Yajima Toshitaka , Sarai Nobuaki 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) is an oral potassium binder approved to treat hyperkalemia in adults in a number of countries, including Japan.

Methods
This phase 2/3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose–response study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03127644) was designed to determine the efficacy and safety of SZC in Japanese adults with hyperkalemia. Patients with serum potassium (sK+) concentrations ≥ 5.1– ≤ 6.5 mmol/L were randomized 1:1:1 to SZC 5 g, SZC 10 g, or placebo three times daily for 48 h (six doses total). The primary efficacy endpoint was the exponential rate of change in sK+ over 48 h. The proportion of patients with normokalemia (sK+ 3.5–5.0 mmol/L) at 48 h and adverse events (AEs) were also evaluated.

Results
Overall, 103 patients (mean age, 73.2 years; range 50–89 years) received SZC 5 g (n = 34), SZC 10 g (n = 36), or placebo (n = 33). The exponential rate of sK+ change from 0 to 48 h versus placebo was − 0.00261 (SZC 5 g) and – 0.00496 (SZC 10 g; both P < 0.0001). At 48 h, the proportions of patients with normokalemia were 85.3%, 91.7%, and 15.2% with SZC 5 g, SZC 10 g, and placebo, respectively. No serious AEs were reported. Hypokalemia (sK+  < 3.5 mmol/L) occurred in two patients in the SZC 10 g group; normokalemia was re-established within 6 days and no treatment-related AEs were reported.

Conclusion
SZC is effective and well tolerated in Japanese patients with hyperkalemia.
Conservation significance of intact forest landscapes in the Scandinavian Mountains Green Belt
Authors: Svensson Johan , Bubnicki Jakub W. , Jonsson Bengt Gunnar , Andersson Jon , Mikusiński Grzegorz 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Context
As forest harvesting remains high, there is a crucial need to assess the remaining large, contiguous and intact forests, regionally, nationally and globally.

Objectives
Our objective was to analyze the spatial patterns and structural connectivity of intact and primary forests in northern Sweden with focus on the Scandinavian Mountain region; one of the few remaining large European intact forest landscapes.

Methods
Over 22 million ha with 14.5 million ha boreal and subalpine forest and with data consisting of a 60-70 year retrospective sequence, we analyzed distribution, density and connectivity of forests that have not been clear cut, using moving window and landscape analyzes derived from Circuitscape.

Results
We revealed a contiguous, connected and semi-connected intact forest landscape forming a distinct Green Belt south to north along the mountain range. Almost 60% of the forestland remains intact, including contiguous clusters 10,000 ha and larger. The connectivity is particularly high in protected areas with primary forests outside contributing substantially to overall connectivity. We found gaps in connectivity in the southern parts, and furthermore low or absent connectivity across the whole inland and coastal areas of northern Sweden.

Conclusions
Given its ecological values, the Scandinavian Mountains Green Belt is a key entity supporting ecological legacies, boreal biodiversity and ecosystem services, resilience and adaptive capacity, which needs to be safeguarded for the future. On the very large areas outside the mountain region, forestlands are severely fragmented, connectivity values are lost, and forest landscape restoration is needed for conservation and functional green infrastructure.
All policies are wrong, but some are useful—and which ones do no harm?
Authors: Brito Mario , Chipulu Maxwell , Dawson Ian G. , Hanoch Yaniv , Katsikopoulos Konstantinos V. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe five of us research and teach risk analysis with an eye towards decision support. Our work has been dedicated to taming risks and helping to make challenging decisions. But nothing had prepared us for the Covid-19 pandemic. We first had to grapple with the news coming from abroad, including, for some of us, our home countries. Then, some information and research, but mostly opinions, started coming in from our academic community, and we felt the tensions. Finally, the UK went into an unofficial and then official lockdown, and all University staff were asked to redirect their research capacity so as to support the national effort for risk analysis and decision support. As we write this on the 20th of April, many countries, including the UK, are starting to consider how to get out of lockdown. Like the previous stages of the pandemic, there is little data, perhaps a bit more research, surely many more opinions, and definitely an overwhelming amount of personal experiences and thoughts. Here we reflect on all of the above, just in case it can help the readers of this Minds in Society flash editorial to think and act, or at least, to not have to do so entirely on their own. As it can be expected, our collage introduces more questions than it can answer.
Agroforestry governance for operationalising the landscape approach: connecting conservation and farming actors
Authors: Zinngrebe Yves , Borasino Elena , Chiputwa Brian , Dobie Philip , Garcia Edwin , Gassner Anja , Kihumuro Phillip , Komarudin Heru , Liswanti Nining , Makui Permutia , Plieninger Tobias , Winter Etti , Hauck Jennifer 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe expansion and intensification of agriculture as well as the associated land clearing are threatening both biodiversity and human wellbeing in tropical areas. Implementing agroforestry systems through a landscape approach has a strong potential for integrating nature conservation objectives into agricultural systems. A key challenge for implementing the landscape approach is that political processes and conservation initiatives operate in ‘silos’, being largely disconnected from farmers and local key agents responsible for tree governance. In this study we brought together different stakeholders in facilitated, structured focus discussions to analyse the role of actor groups in tree governance. We used social network analysis to quantitatively and qualitatively analyse agroforestry governance networks and actor interactions related to information exchange, finance flows, and regulation. The analyses were conducted at national, sub-national and local levels in four countries: Honduras, Peru, Indonesia, and Uganda. Using trees on farms as a boundary object enabled all participants to bridge common interests and illuminate some of the constraints and opportunities of local governance systems while overcoming institutional and ideological barriers. The quantitative results of the social network analysis identify a strong density of actor linkages. Despite this density, results indicate incoherent and fragmented actor networks undermining the support for agroforestry on all levels. Nevertheless, existing processes related to finance, information, and regulation can be better aligned to ensure an effective implementation and mainstreaming of agroforestry for biodiversity conservation. Building social capital among key actors on both national and local levels can reveal a strong potential for adaptive learning processes mainstreaming agroforestry as essential component of “good farming” and integrating incentive systems for a coherent and effective agroforestry governance. We conclude that redirecting both public and private funding towards continuous seed-funding for the facilitation of these integrated learning processes can transform landscape management and at the same time reduce transaction costs.
100 Jahre Sportwissenschaft in Deutschland – und wo steht die Sportpädagogik?
Authors: Gissel Norbert 
Published: August 2020

ZusammenfassungTitel und Gegenstand dieser Arbeit erhalten ihre Legitimation durch den Beginn der universitär institutionalisierten Sportwissenschaft in Deutschland im Jahre 1920. Es gibt mehrere Argumente, diesen Beginn in Deutschland im Jahr 1920 zu verorten. Da ist zunächst die Gründung der privaten Deutschen Hochschule für Leibesübungen, die am 15. Mai 1920 erfolgte. Sie wurde vom Deutschen Reichsausschuss für Leibesübungen (DRA), dem Dachverband bürgerlicher Turn- und Sportverbände, getragen und besaß bis 1931 keine staatliche Anerkennung. Einem anderen Ereignis muss wissenschaftshistorisch vielleicht eine noch höhere Bedeutung zugesprochen werden. Im Liebighörsaal der Universität Gießen wurde am 22. Oktober 1920 ein Institut für Körperkultur gegründet. Damit drangen die Leibesübungen erstmals in den Kanon der wissenschaftlichen Fächer einer Universität ein. Das Institut wurde mit dem Anspruch gegründet, als „Musteruniversität“ zu fungieren. Aus dieser Gründungsphase liegen verschiedene Denkschriften und Eingaben vor, die sich theoretisch und konzeptionell mit dem Wissenschaftscharakter des Faches, seinen Problemen und einer möglichen institutionellen Verankerung befassten. Besonders sticht eine Denkschrift des akademischen Turn- und Sportlehrers Dr. Walter Werner aus dem Jahr 1921 hervor, in der versucht wird, eine kulturalistisch ausgerichtete pädagogische Wissenschaft der Leibesübungen zu begründen. In diesem Beitrag wird die damals entwickelte Position mit aktuellen Arbeiten zum Gegenstand, zur Identität und zum Wissenschaftscharakter der Sportpädagogik kontrastiert. Sowohl Thiele als auch Prohl attestieren dem Fach heute eine prekäre Situation: Zentrale wissenschaftstheoretische Fragen seien ungelöst. War man vor 100 Jahren konzeptionell vielleicht schon weiter?
Optimal multiparametric set-up modelled for best survival outcomes in palliative treatment of liver malignancies: unsupervised machine learning and 3 PM recommendations
Authors: Goldstein Elisha , Yeghiazaryan Kristina , Ahmad Ashar , Giordano Frank A. , Fröhlich Holger , Golubnitschaja Olga 
Published: August 2020

AbstractOver the last decade, a rapid rise in deaths due to liver disease has been observed especially amongst young people. Nowadays liver disease accounts for approximately 2 million deaths per year worldwide: 1 million due to complications of cirrhosis and 1 million due to viral hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Besides primary liver malignancies, almost all solid tumours are capable to spread metastases to the liver, in particular, gastrointestinal cancers, breast and genitourinary cancers, lung cancer, melanomas and sarcomas. A big portion of liver malignancies undergo palliative care. To this end, the paradigm of the palliative care in the liver cancer management is evolving from “just end of the life” care to careful evaluation of all aspects relevant for the survivorship. In the presented study, an evidence-based approach has been taken to target molecular pathways and subcellular components for modelling most optimal conditions with the longest survival rates for patients diagnosed with advanced liver malignancies who underwent palliative treatments. We developed an unsupervised machine learning (UML) approach to robustly identify patient subgroups based on estimated survival curves for each individual patient and each individual potential biomarker. UML using consensus hierarchical clustering of biomarker derived risk profiles resulted into 3 stable patient subgroups. There were no significant differences in age, gender, therapy, diagnosis or comorbidities across clusters. Survival times across clusters differed significantly. Furthermore, several of the biomarkers demonstrated highly significant pairwise differences between clusters after correction for multiple testing, namely, “comet assay” patterns of classes I, III, IV and expression rates of calgranulin A (S100), SOD2 and profilin—all measured ex vivo in circulating leucocytes. Considering worst, intermediate and best survival curves with regard to identified clusters and corresponding patterns of parameters measured, clear differences were found for “comet assay” and S100 expression patterns. In conclusion, multi-faceted cancer control within the palliative care of liver malignancies is crucial for improved disease outcomes including individualised patient profiling, predictive models and implementation of corresponding cost-effective risks mitigating measures detailed in the paper. The “proof-of-principle” model is presented.
Experimental investigation of the effect of Vitagnus plant extract on enhanced oil recovery process using interfacial tension (IFT) reduction and wettability alteration mechanisms
Authors: Dashtaki Seyed Ramin Mousavi , Ali Jagar A. , Manshad Abbas Khaksar , Nowrouzi Iman , Mohammadi Amir H. , Keshavarz Alireza 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSurfactant flooding is a chemical enhanced oil recovery (cEOR) process wherein anionic, cationic, non-ionic, and amphoteric surfactants are injected into oil reservoirs to produce more hydrocarbon. These chemical and industrial agents might cause some economic and environmental challenges. Recently, injection of natural surfactants, as new environmentally friendly EOR agents, for improving oil recovery has been proposed by researchers. In this study, the extract of Vitagnus, a natural surfactant, was used to minimize the interfacial tension (IFT) and alter the rock wettability towards the strong water-wet system, thereby improving the oil recovery from the carbonate rock The conductivity, pH, and turbidity measurements were undertaken to identify the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the surfactant solutions prepared by mixing 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, and 7000 ppm of the Vitagnus extract and distilled water. The obtained experimental results reveal that the optimum CMC value of the used surfactant was 3000 ppm. At this CMC value, the IFT reduced from 29.5 to 5.28 mN/m, and the contact angle of the oil droplet on the surface of the carbonate rock decreased from 114° to 29°. Accordingly, during the tertiary process, oil recovery was improved from 44% to 54.6% OOIP (original oil in place) by injecting 2.25 PVs of the VIT3000 surfactant containing 3000 ppm of the plant extract.
Infectious complications of extra-peritoneal pelvic packing in emergency room
Authors: Reitano E. , Granieri S. , Frassini S. , Sammartano F. , Cimbanassi S. , Chiara O. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Purpose
The Extra-Peritoneal Pelvic Packing (EPP) is a procedure used in emergency conditions to control pelvic hemorrhage. This procedure can be performed in Emergency Room (ER) if the patient is too unstable to be transported into the operating room (OR), with a possible increased risk of infections linked to a less sterile environment.

Methods
All patients who underwent EPP from 2009 to 2018 were selected from the trauma registry. The patients were divided into two groups according to where EPP was performed (ER or OR). A Propensity Score Matching was realized. EPP was removed in all patients in the OR after obtaining hemodynamic stabilization within 24–48 h and surgical pads were sent to the laboratory for microbiological analysis.

Results
Eighty-four patients underwent EPP during the period of the study. After PSM, 26 couples of patients were selected. No differences were observed between the two groups in the development of pelvic infection. Patients managed in OR showed a higher rate of associated abdominal injuries (p = 0.027) and an increasing need for external fixation (p = 0,005) as well as an increased proportion of laparotomies (p = 0.023), orthopedic interventions (p = 0.005) and a higher systolic blood pressure on admission (p = 0.003).

Conclusions
The EPP is a safe procedure, even when performed out of OR. The EPP in ER allows an earlier control of bleeding in patients in extremis. To minimize the risk of infection, EPP should be removed early, as soon as hemodynamics have been stabilized.
New Partnerships for Co-delivery of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Authors: Bucher Adrian , Collins Andrew , Heaven Taylor Ben , Pan David , Visman Emma , Norris James , Gill Joel C. , Rees John , Pelling Mark , Tufet Bayona Marta , Cassidy Sonia , Murray Virginia 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPartnerships have become a corner stone of contemporary research that recognizes working across disciplines and co-production with intended users as essential to enabling sustainable resilience-building. Furthermore, research that addresses sustainable development challenges brings an urgent need to reflect on the ways that partnerships are supported, and for the disaster risk management and resilience communities, efforts to support realization of the wider 2030 Agenda for sustainable development bring particular pressures. In November 2019, the UK Disasters Research Group (DRG) brought together a number of key stakeholders focused on disaster risk, resilience, and sustainability research relevant to Official Development Assistance to consider how fit for purpose existing partnership models are for the pace of change required to deliver the priorities of the wider 2030 Agenda. Participants were invited to discuss how research partnerships across three levels (individual and project-based; national and institutional; and international) could be improved based on elements that facilitate robust partnerships and learning from aspects that hinder them. From the discussions, participants emphasized the importance of effective communication mechanisms in building partnerships, co-designing projects, and establishing shared objectives. Enhanced approaches to addressing equitable partnerships and funding more substantive timelines will be key to responding to the challenges of the 2030 Agenda.
Vitamin D deficiency as a predictor of poor prognosis in patients with acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19
Authors: Carpagnano G. E. , Di Lecce V. , Quaranta V. N. , Zito A. , Buonamico E. , Capozza E. , Palumbo A. , Di Gioia G. , Valerio V. N. , Resta O. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Hypovitaminosis D is a highly spread condition correlated with increased risk of respiratory tract infections. Nowadays, the world is in the grip of the Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID 19) pandemic. In these patients, cytokine storm is associated with disease severity. In consideration of the role of vitamin D in the immune system, aim of this study was to analyse vitamin D levels in patients with acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19 and to assess any correlations with disease severity and prognosis.

Methods
In this retrospective, observational study, we analysed demographic, clinical and laboratory data of 42 patients with acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19, treated in Respiratory Intermediate Care Unit (RICU) of the Policlinic of Bari from March, 11 to April 30, 2020.

Results
Eighty one percent of patients had hypovitaminosis D. Based on vitamin D levels, the population was stratified into four groups: no hypovitaminosis D, insufficiency, moderate deficiency, and severe deficiency. No differences regarding demographic and clinical characteristics were found. A survival analysis highlighted that, after 10 days of hospitalization, severe vitamin D deficiency patients had a 50% mortality probability, while those with vitamin D ≥ 10 ng/mL had a 5% mortality risk (p = 0.019).

Conclusions
High prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was found in COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure, treated in a RICU. Patients with severe vitamin D deficiency had a significantly higher mortality risk. Severe vitamin D deficiency may be a marker of poor prognosis in these patients, suggesting that adjunctive treatment might improve disease outcomes.
Rescue blankets hamper thermal imaging in search and rescue missions
Authors: Isser Markus , Kranebitter Hannah , Kofler Andreas , Groemer Gernot , Wiedermann Franz J. , Lederer Wolfgang 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThermal imaging for unmanned aerial vehicles is used to search for victims in poor visibility conditions. We used a gimbal-mounted camera for thermo-radiation measurements of body temperature from persons covered with rescue blankets in the hibernal wilderness setting. Long-wave infrared radiation in the spectral range between 7500 and 13,500 nm was evaluated. Parts of this research have previously been published in a review on electromagnetic radiation reflectivity of rescue blankets (https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/10/4/375/htm). Surface temperature measurement was diminished by clothing, namely by 72.6% for fleece, by 82.2% for an additional down jacket and by 92.3% for an additional all-weather jacket, as compared to forehead temperature. Furthermore, we detected that a single-layer rescue blanket is sufficient to render recognition of a body shape impossible. With three layers covering a clothed body infrared transmission was almost completely blocked. However, rescue blankets increase visibility for thermal cameras due to high gradients in temperature. Conspicuously low temperatures from objects of 1 to 2 m length may indicate reflections from rescue blanket surfaces in a cold environment. Ideally, rescue blankets should be removed from the body to increase the chance of being located when using thermal imaging to search for victims in search and rescue missions.
Administrative coding methods impact surgical site infection rates
Authors: Alsuhaibani Mohammed A. , Alzunitan Mohammed A. , Jenn Kyle E. , Edmond Michael B. , Dains Angelique M. , Holley Stephanie A. , Kukla Mary E. , Abosi Oluchi J. , Meacham Holly M. , Diekema Daniel J. , Salinas Jorge L. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe performed a retrospective analysis of the impact of using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision procedure coding system (ICD-10) or current procedural terminology (CPT) codes to calculate surgical site infection (SSI) rates. Denominators and SSI rates vary depending on the coding method used. The coding method used may influence interhospital performance comparisons.