bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microencapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum by spray drying with mixtures of Aloe vera mucilage and agave fructans as wall materials
Authors: Ceja‐Medina Luis Isaac , Ortiz‐Basurto Rosa Isela , Medina‐Torres Luis , Calderas Fausto , Bernad‐Bernad Maria Josefa , González‐Laredo Ruben Francisco , Ragazzo‐Sánchez Juan Arturo , Calderón‐Santoyo Montserrat , González‐ávila Marisela , Andrade‐González Isaac , Manero Octavio 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn this work, a spray‐drying process is used to encapsulate a probiotic strain of Lactobacillus plantarum with mixtures of Aloe vera mucilage (AVM) (Aloe barbadensis Miller) and agave fructans of high degree of polymerization (AFHDP). Physicochemical properties of the powders reveal moisture contents lower than 10% and water activity between 0.195 and 0.3, suggesting stability during storage. A non‐Newtonian shear‐thinning behavior arises in the reconstituted powders under steady shear flow and viscosity is shown to depend on the concentration, pH, and temperature. A predominant viscous behavior is exhibited in the viscoelastic properties under small amplitude oscillatory flow with equal values of the elastic and viscous moduli at high frequencies (G´ = G´´), suggesting a random coil conformation. Scanning electron microscope observations reveal a spherical microcapsule morphology possessing homogeneous surfaces with modal particle‐size distribution (D [4,3] =21.3 μm). The addition of arabic gum to the AVM‐AFHDP mixtures induces a shift in the glass transition temperature (Tg) to 150°C. Preserved stability of the AVM‐AFHDP functional groups with the probiotic after spray drying reveals the effective encapsulation of the microorganism, as corroborated by transmission electron microscopy and Fourier‐transform infrared. Enhanced microorganism survival rate of 70% in the mixture is recorded, representing an alternative for probiotic encapsulation.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSNowadays, the use of mixtures of prebiotic biopolymers as encapsulating wall materials is highly appreciated by the food and pharmaceutical industry. This research demonstrated that mixtures of Aloe vera mucilage and agave fructans are suitable for the microencapsulation of L. plantarum through studies on their rheological, morphological, and calorimetric properties. High survival rates and stable powders are obtained in samples subjected to spray drying. Results of this investigation may help to develop new delivery drug systems, which are able to protect bioactive compounds or probiotic cells through the gastrointestinal tract. Increasing health benefits, including probiotic and symbiotic effects, are expected with the intake of dietary fibers.
Pain Management with Early Regional Anesthesia in Geriatric Hip Fracture Patients
Authors: Garlich John M. , Pujari Amit , Moak Zachary , Debbi Eytan , Yalamanchili Raj , Stephenson Sam , Stephan Stephen , Polakof Landon , Little Milton , Moon Charles , Anand Kapil , Lin Carol A. 
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUNDGeriatric hip fracture patients are susceptible to the adverse effects of opioid‐induced analgesia. Fascia iliaca blocks (FIBs) have emerged as an analgesic technique for this population. There are limited data on a preoperative FIB's effect on perioperative opioid intake. We hypothesized that preoperative FIB would reduce perioperative opioid consumption, measured in morphine milliequivalents (MMEs).DESIGNThis is a prospective observational study.SETTINGA level 1 trauma center in California.PARTICIPANTSFrom March 2017 to December 2017, patients 65 years and older presenting with a hip fracture received a preoperative FIB and were prospectively observed. This cohort was compared with a historical control.INTERVENTIONAll prospectively enrolled patients were given FIBs. For a single‐shot FIB, a 30‐ to 40‐mL bolus of 0.25% bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine was injected. For a continuous FIB, a bolus of 10 to 20 mL of 0.2% bupivacaine was injected, followed by a continuous infusion of 0.2% bupivacaine at 6 mL/h ending on the morning of postoperative Day 1.RESULTSA total of 725 patients were included in this study, with 92 in the prospectively collected cohort. The mean age of this cohort was 84.2 (standard deviation = 8.4) years, and 69.2% were female. Patients who received a preoperative FIB consumed less MME preoperatively, 18.0 (interquartile range = 6.0–44.5) versus 29.5 (interquartile range = 6.0–56.5) (P = .007), with no change in pain scores. No differences were found in postoperative opioid consumption between groups. There was no difference in MME or pain score in patients with dementia. Subgroup analysis based on fracture pattern (femoral neck and intertrochanteric) demonstrated a significant decrease in preoperative MME consumption in femoral neck fractures only, 12.0 (interquartile range = 5.0–24.0) versus 29.0 (interquartile range = 12.0–59.0) (P < .001).CONCLUSIONFIBs reduce preoperative opioid intake and have low rates of opioid‐related adverse events in geriatric hip fracture patients.LEVEL OF EVIDENCEThe level of evidence was II.
Moderators of Cognitive Outcomes from an Exercise Program in People with Mild to Moderate Dementia
Authors: Smith Toby O. , Mistry Dipesh , Lee Hopin , Dosanji Sukhdeep , Finnegan Susanne , Fordham Bethany , Nichols Vivien P. , Sheehan Bart , Lamb Sarah E. 
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESOur aim was to estimate whether baseline participant variables were able to moderate the effect of an exercise intervention on cognition in patients with mild to moderate dementia.DESIGNSubgroup analysis of a multicenter pragmatic randomized controlled trial.SETTINGCommunity‐based gym/rehabilitation centers.PARTICIPANTSA total of 494 community‐dwelling participants with mild to moderate dementia.INTERVENTIONParticipants were randomized to a moderate‐ to high‐intensity aerobic and strength exercise program or a usual care control group. Experimental group participants attended twice weekly 60‐ to 90‐minute gym sessions for 4 months. Participants were prescribed home exercises for an additional hour per week during the supervised period and 150 minutes each week after the supervised period.MEASUREMENTSMultilevel regression model analyses were undertaken to identify individual moderators of cognitive function measured through the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale‐Cognitive Subscale score at 12 months.RESULTSWhen tested for a formal interaction effect, only cognitive function assessed by the baseline number cancellation test demonstrated a statistically significant interaction effect (−2.7 points; 95% confidence interval = −5.14 to −0.21).CONCLUSIONPeople with worse number cancellation test scores may experience greater progression of cognitive decline in response to a moderate‐ to high‐intensity exercise program. Further analyses to examine whether these findings can be replicated in planned sufficiently powered analyses are indicated.
Dynamic range and background filtering in raster image correlation spectroscopy
Authors: DE METS R. , DELON A. , BALLAND M. , DESTAING O. , WANG I. 
Published: May 2020

SummaryRaster‐scan image correlation spectroscopy (RICS) enables researchers to measure molecular translational diffusion constants and concentrations from standard confocal laser scanning microscope images and is suitable for measuring a wide range of mobility, especially fast‐diffusing molecules. However, as RICS analysis is based on the spatial autocorrelation function of fluorescence images, it is sensitive to the presence of fluorescent structures within the image. In this study, we investigate methods to filter out immobile or slow moving background structures and their impact on RICS results. Both the conventional moving‐average subtraction‐based method and cross‐correlation subtraction‐based method are rationalized and quantified. Simulated data and experimental measurements in living cells stress the importance of optimizing the temporal resolution of background filtering for reliable RICS measurements. Finally, the capacity of RICS analysis to separate two species is studied.
Relationship between sleep characteristics and markers of inflammation in Swedish women from the general population
Authors: Ghilotti Francesca , Bellocco Rino , Trolle Lagerros Ylva , Thorson Anna , Theorell‐Haglöw Jenny , Åkerstedt Torbjörn , Lindberg Eva 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSystemic inflammation is thought to mediate the link between sleep and cardiovascular outcomes, but previous studies on sleep habits and inflammation markers have found inconsistent results. This study investigated the relationship between sleep characteristics and C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). A representative sample of 319 Swedish women was randomly selected from the general population for in‐home polysomnography, sleep questionnaire and blood samples. As variables were highly correlated, principal component analysis was used to reduce the number of original variables. Linear regression with log‐transformation of the outcomes (lnCRP, lnIL‐6 and lnTNFα) and quantile regression were fitted to estimate cross‐sectional relationships. Multivariable linear regression models suggested a significant association of insomnia symptoms (self‐reported) with higher lnCRP levels (β = 0.11; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.02; 0.21), but not with lnIL‐6 and lnTNFα. From quantile regression analysis we found that a high non‐restorative index (subjective) and insomnia symptoms (self‐reported) were associated with higher values of CRP, especially in the highest quantiles of the CRP distribution (90th percentile: β = 0.71; 95% CI = 0.17; 1.24. β = 1.23; 95% CI = 0.44; 2.02, respectively). Additionally, higher amounts of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep were associated with lower CRP values (90th percentile: β = −0.80; 95% CI = −0.14; −1.46). In conclusion, sleep disturbances (self‐reported), specifically difficulties maintaining sleep and early morning awakenings, but not sleep duration (neither subjective nor objective), were associated with higher CRP levels. No association was found with IL‐6 or TNFα. Elevated REM sleep was associated with lower CRP levels. The results suggest that inflammation might be an intermediate mechanism linking sleep and health in women.
Impact financing and aquaculture: Maryland oyster aquaculture profitability
Authors: Parker Matt , Lipton Douglas , Harrell Reginal M. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAquaculture production of oysters has been carried out in the state of Maryland since the 1890s, with limited success because of restrictive regulations and opposition from the commercial wild industry. After revision of the aquaculture leasing regulations in 2009, the Maryland oyster aquaculture industry expanded more than 10‐fold. In 2010, Maryland Agricultural & Resource Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) started the Maryland Shellfish Aquaculture Loan fund, which features a below‐market interest rate, interest‐only repayment period, and partial principle forgiveness. This study evaluated differences in farm‐accounting metrics when comparing self‐financed operations, conventionally funded operations, and operations with MARBIDCO funding on water‐column and bottom‐culture oyster aquaculture operations in Maryland. Bottom‐culture and water‐column operations had significantly higher net present value and internal rates of return when they were MARBIDCO‐financed compared to other sources of capital. This research suggests that oyster aquaculture operations which make use of MARBIDCO financing or similar options should have the best chance of success and highest financial return. The research also suggests that if significant funds could be identified or obtained (i.e., federal, provincial, or private company disaster payments), establishing programs similar to the MARBIDCO Shellfish Aquaculture Loan Fund could help improve the financial profitability of aquaculture operations in other areas of the world.
Developmentally regulated Arabidopsis thaliana susceptibility to tomato spotted wilt virus infection
Authors: Huang Ying , Hong Hao , Xu Min , Yan Jiaoling , Dai Jing , Wu Jianyan , Feng Zhike , Zhu Min , Zhang Zhongkai , Yuan Xuefeng , Ding Xinshun , Tao Xiaorong 
Published: May 2020

AbstractTomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is one of the most devastating plant viruses and often causes severe crop losses worldwide. Generally, mature plants become more resistant to pathogens, known as adult plant resistance. In this study, we demonstrated a new phenomenon involving developmentally regulated susceptibility of Arabidopsis thaliana to TSWV. We found that Arabidopsis plants become more susceptible to TSWV as plants mature. Most young 3‐week‐old Arabidopsis were not infected by TSWV. Infection of TSWV in 4‐, 5‐, and 6‐week‐old Arabidopsis increased from 9%, 21%, and 25%, respectively, to 100% in 7‐ to 8‐week‐old Arabidopsis plants. Different isolates of TSWV and different tospoviruses show a low rate of infection in young Arabidopsis but a high rate in mature plants. When Arabidopsis dcl2/3/4 or rdr1/2/6 mutant plants were inoculated with TSWV, similar results as observed for the wild‐type Arabidopsis plants were obtained. A cell‐to‐cell movement assay showed that the intercellular movement efficiency of TSWV NSm:GFP fusion was significantly higher in 8‐week‐old Arabidopsis leaves compared with 4‐week‐old Arabidopsis leaves. Moreover, the expression levels of pectin methylesterase and β‐1,3‐glucanase, which play critical roles in macromolecule cell‐to‐cell trafficking, were significantly up‐regulated in 8‐week‐old Arabidopsis leaves compared with 4‐week‐old Arabidopsis leaves during TSWV infection. To date, this mature plant susceptibility to pathogen infections has rarely been investigated. Thus, the findings presented here should advance our knowledge on the developmentally regulated mature host susceptibility to plant virus infection.
New post‐ACA insurance data highlights health insurer spending on health care quality
Authors: Tice Sirmans E. , Steinorth Petra 
Published: May 2020

AbstractFollowing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), annual financial reports by commercial health insurers include more detailed information on a Supplemental Health Care Exhibit. In this new exhibit, insurers illustrate spending on the provision of medical services and associated expenses. These expenses, which were commonly reported as “claims adjustment” and “general administrative” expenses, can now be allocated to several new categories of expenses associated with combatting fraud and improving patient health care quality. This article illustrates that quality improvement expenses have increased significantly in the individual, small group, and large group markets following implementation of the ACA. Of the five types of quality expenses reported, the greatest proportion of spending has been toward the improvement of health outcomes and the most pronounced increase from 2011 to 2017 has been spending toward increased wellness and health promotion activities, which include activities such as wellness assessments and coaching programs for patients with chronic diseases. Given that the ACA was designed not only to broaden access to health insurance but also to improve health, analysis of the allocations to various types of quality improvement activities highlights the private market's contribution to improving the health of the US population.
A Hybrid Approach for The Stratified Mark-Specific Proportional Hazards Model with Missing Covariates and Missing Marks, with Application to Vaccine Efficacy Trials
Authors: Sun Yanqing , Qi Li , Heng Fei , Gilbert Peter B. 
Published: May 2020

SummaryDeployment of the recently licensed tetravalent dengue vaccine based on a chimeric yellow fever virus, CYD-TDV, requires understanding of how the risk of dengue disease in vaccine recipients depends jointly on a host biomarker measured after vaccination (neutralization titre—neutralizing antibodies) and on a ‘mark’ feature of the dengue disease failure event (the amino acid sequence distance of the dengue virus to the dengue sequence represented in the vaccine). The CYD14 phase 3 trial of CYD-TDV measured neutralizing antibodies via case–cohort sampling and the mark in dengue disease failure events, with about a third missing marks. We addressed the question of interest by developing inferential procedures for the stratified mark-specific proportional hazards model with missing covariates and missing marks. Two hybrid approaches are investigated that leverage both augmented inverse probability weighting and nearest neighbourhood hot deck multiple imputation. The two approaches differ in how the imputed marks are pooled in estimation. Our investigation shows that nearest neighbourhood hot deck imputation can lead to biased estimation without properly selected neighbourhoods. Simulations show that the hybrid methods developed perform well with unbiased nearest neighbourhood hot deck imputations from proper neighbourhood selection. The new methods applied to CYD14 show that neutralizing antibody level is strongly inversely associated with the risk of dengue disease in vaccine recipients, more strongly against dengue viruses with shorter distances.
Solitary wave solutions to the Isobe‐Kakinuma model for water waves
Authors: Colin Mathieu , Iguchi Tatsuo 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe consider the Isobe‐Kakinuma model for two‐dimensional water waves in the case of a flat bottom. The Isobe‐Kakinuma model is a system of Euler‐Lagrange equations for a Lagrangian approximating Luke's Lagrangian for water waves. We show theoretically the existence of a family of small amplitude solitary wave solutions to the Isobe‐Kakinuma model in the long wave regime. Numerical analysis for large amplitude solitary wave solutions is also provided and suggests the existence of a solitary wave of extreme form with a sharp crest.
On the Nature of Explanations Offered by Network Science: A Perspective From and for Practicing Neuroscientists
Authors: Bertolero Maxwell A. , Bassett Danielle S. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractNetwork neuroscience represents the brain as a collection of regions and inter‐regional connections. Given its ability to formalize systems‐level models, network neuroscience has generated unique explanations of neural function and behavior. The mechanistic status of these explanations and how they can contribute to and fit within the field of neuroscience as a whole has received careful treatment from philosophers. However, these philosophical contributions have not yet reached many neuroscientists. Here we complement formal philosophical efforts by providing an applied perspective from and for neuroscientists. We discuss the mechanistic status of the explanations offered by network neuroscience and how they contribute to, enhance, and interdigitate with other types of explanations in neuroscience. In doing so, we rely on philosophical work concerning the role of causality, scale, and mechanisms in scientific explanations. In particular, we make the distinction between an explanation and the evidence supporting that explanation, and we argue for a scale‐free nature of mechanistic explanations. In the course of these discussions, we hope to provide a useful applied framework in which network neuroscience explanations can be exercised across scales and combined with other fields of neuroscience to gain deeper insights into the brain and behavior.
Estimation of the number of blood donors during the COVID‐19 incubation period across China and analysis of prevention and control measures for blood transfusion transmission
Authors: Yuan Zhaohu , Chen Dandan , Chen Xiaojie , Wei Yaming 
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUNDThe aim of this study was to estimate the number of blood donors during the COVID‐19 incubation period across China.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSIn this study, we developed a predictive model to estimate the number of blood donors during the COVID‐19 incubation period among 34 provincial regions in China. Our main assumption was that blood donors of all ages in different regions have a stable blood donation intention and the same infection risk.RESULTSFirst, we estimated the number of blood donors during the COVID‐19 incubation period in Wuhan city, Hubei Province, and China, from December 31, 2019 to March 17, 2020. Second, we compared the number of blood donors during the COVID‐19 incubation period in all provinces across China. In addition, we found that if all RBCs, plasma, and cryoprecipitation were stored in isolation until the 14th day, the potential risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission through blood transfusion was reduced by at least 65.77% after the blood donor safely passed the COVID‐19 incubation period. Moreover, if the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA was carried out on all platelets, the potential risk would be reduced by 77.48%.CONCLUSIONSAlthough the risk is low, with the rapid spread of the COVID‐19 and the appearance of alarmingly high infectivity and a high fatality rate, appropriate measures should be taken by health departments to ensure the safety of clinical blood.
The founder principle and Namibian English
Authors: Stell Gerald 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIt is not clear which population group most qualifies as the ‘founders’ of Namibian English. While Namibia's historical Afrikaans‐speaking settler population has a tradition of Afrikaans‐English bilingualism, English as a lingua franca was first introduced after independence by returning Black Namibian exiles with mostly Oshiwambo as a first language. This study seeks to determine which ethnolinguistic group plays the largest part in shaping contemporary Namibian English. Based on phonetic and ethnographic data, the findings suggest a loosening continuum between a White variety aligned with South African models and more locally rooted varieties. This partly reflects local language ideologies, which among the Blacks involve the pursuit of a Namibian urban identity set against both Namibian Whiteness and traditional Namibian ethnicities.
Mythological heroism in the discourse of Kwame Nkrumah
Authors: Nartey Mark , Bhatia Aditi 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis paper critically explores how an African independence leader uses his language to simultaneously construct heroes and villains, protagonists and antagonists forming part of an ideological mechanism that realizes an anti‐imperialist rhetoric and a discourse of resistance. It combines discourse‐historical analysis with discourse‐mythological analysis to examine a number of speeches delivered by Kwame Nkrumah, a pioneering Pan‐Africanist and Ghana's independence leader. The analysis demonstrates that archetypal traits of mythological heroism in Nkrumah's discourse are constructed through his identification of a ‘conspiratorial enemy’ and his sculpting of identities such as a ‘valiant leader’ and a ‘noble revolutionary’. The analysis also reveals that Nkrumah's language has identifiable features of Ghanaian English, including the use of Ghanaianisms, coinages/neologism, and idiomatic expressions, that helped him to (emotionally) connect with his audience and strengthen the persuasive impact of his speeches.