bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is Breast Size Related to Prevalent Thoracic Vertebral Fracture? A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Spencer Linda , McKenna Leanda , Fary Robyn , Ho Richard , Briffa Kathy 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACTLarge breasts may increase the likelihood of thoracic vertebral fractures by increasing the mechanical loading of the spine. We examined breast size as a factor associated with prevalent thoracic vertebral fractures, also considering its relationship with thoracic kyphosis and upper back extensor muscle endurance. Using a cross‐sectional study, the design measurements collected were thoracic vertebral fractures (≥20% loss in vertebral body height on lateral radiograph), breast size (bra size converted to an ordinal breast size score), BMD (g/cm2 averaged femoral neck, DXA), upper back extensor muscle endurance (isometric chest raise test), body composition (DXA), thoracic kyphosis (radiograph), and upper back pain (numerical rating scale). Correlations and multivariable logistic regression examined relationships between characteristics and their association with vertebral fracture. Participants were 117 healthy postmenopausal women. The 17 (15%) women with ≥1 thoracic vertebral fracture had larger breast size (mean difference [MD]: 2.2 sizes; 95% CI, 0.6 to 3.8 sizes), less upper back extensor muscle endurance (MD: −38.6 s; 95% CI, −62.9 to −14.3 s), and greater thoracic kyphosis (MD: 7.3°; 95% CI, 1.7° to 12.8°) than those without vertebral fracture. There were no between group differences in age, height, weight, and BMD. Breast size (r = −0.233, p = 0.012) and thoracic kyphosis (r = −0.241, p = 0.009) correlated negatively with upper back extensor muscle endurance. Breast size was unrelated to thoracic kyphosis (r = 0.057, p = 0.542). A (final) multivariable model containing breast size (OR 1.85; 95% CI, 1.10 to 3.10) and thoracic kyphosis (OR 2.04; 95%CI, 1.12 to 3.70) explained 18% of the variance in vertebral fracture. Breast size had a significant, but weak relationship with vertebral fracture (R2 = 0.10), which was independent of BMD and unrelated to thoracic kyphosis. Further work is needed to confirm larger breast size as a risk factor for vertebral fracture. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Bisphenol A exposure disrupts aspartate transport in HepG2 cells
Authors: Jiménez‐Torres Catya , Hernández‐Kelly Luisa C. , Najimi Mustapha , Ortega Arturo 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe liver is the organ responsible for bisphenol A (BPA) metabolism, an environmental chemical agent. Exposure to this toxin is associated with liver abnormalities and dysfunction. An important role played by excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) of the slc1 gene family has been reported in liver injuries. To gain insight into a plausible effect of BPA exposure in the liver glutamate/aspartate transport, using the human hepatoblastoma cell line HepG2, we report a BPA‐dependent dynamic regulation of SLC1A3 and SLC1A2. Through the use of radioactive [3H]‐
d‐aspartate uptake experiments and immunochemical approaches, we characterized time and dose‐dependent regulation of the protein levels and function of these transporters after acute exposure to BPA. An increase in nuclear Yin Yang 1 was found. These results suggest an important involvement of the EAATs in liver physiology and its disruption after acute BPA exposure.
Differential expression and diagnostic significance of P53, MutS homologs 2, tropomyosin‐4 in alpha‐fetoprotein‐negative hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Gong Xuyang , Huang Ailong 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundCurrent study aimed to explore the value of P53, MutS homologs 2 (MSH2), and tropomyosin‐4 (Tm‐4) combined with inflammatory factors, life‐history traits in the differential diagnosis of alpha‐fetoprotein‐negative hepatocellular carcinoma (AFP‐Negative HCC).MethodsA testing cohort including 280 AFP‐Negative HCC patients and 300 controls was included. Three external validation cohorts from 3 centers were used to assess the novel logistic regression model including 400 AFP‐Negative HCC patients and 400 controls.ResultsCompared with the control group, the levels of P53, MSH2, and Tm‐4 protein in si‐P53 group, si‐MSH2 group, and si‐Tm‐4 group were significantly reduced (P < .05). The P53, MSH2, Tm‐4, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocytes to lymphocyte ratio (MLR), hypersensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin 6 (IL‐6) levels, and the smoking, drinking, and occupational exposure to chemicals rates in patients were significantly higher than those in controls (P < .05). ROC analyses showed that the area under curve (AUC) of NLR, MLR, hs‐CRP, TNF‐α, IL‐6, P53, MSH2, Tm‐4, drinking, smoking, and occupational exposure to chemicals were 0.798, 0.803, 0.560, 0.644, 0.808, 0.681, 0.830, 0.694, 0.582, 0.581, and 0.567, respectively. A novel logistic regression model was built and has a high value in identifying AFP‐Negative HCC with AUC of 0.917, sensitivity of 85.2%, and specificity of 88.3%. In the validation cohorts, this model also showed good diagnostic efficiency (AUC = 0.898 with Dazu Branch cohort, AUC = 0.924 with Jinshan Branch cohort, and AUC = 0.907 with Liangping Branch cohort).ConclusionCurrent model has potential significance for the noninvasive diagnosis of AFP‐Negative HCC.
Predicting greenhouse gas benefits of improved nitrogen management in North American maize
Authors: Tonitto Christina , Woodbury Peter B. , Carter Elizabeth 
Published: May 2020

AbstractFarmers, food supply companies, and policymakers need practical yet scientifically robust methods to quantify how improved nitrogen (N) fertilizer management can reduce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. To meet this need, we developed an empirical model based on published field data for predicting N2O emission from rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) fields managed with inorganic N fertilizer in the United States and Canada. Nitrous oxide emissions ranged widely on an area basis (0.03–32.9 kg N ha−1 yr−1) and a yield‐scaled basis (0.006–4.8 kg N Mg−1 grain yr−1). We evaluated multiple modeling approaches and variables using three metrics of model fit (Akaike information criteria corrected for small sample sizes [AICc], RMSE, and R2). Our model explains 32.8% of the total observed variation and 50% of observed site‐level variation. Soil clay content was very important for predicting N2O emission and predicting the change in N2O emission due to a change in N balance, with the addition of a clay fixed effect explaining 37% of site‐level variation. Sites with higher clay content showed greater reductions in N2O emission for a given reduction in N balance. Therefore, high‐clay sites are particularly important targets for reducing N2O emissions. Our linear mixed model is more suitable for predicting the effect of improved N management on N2O emission in maize fields than other published models because it (a) requires only input data readily available on working farms, (b) is derived from field observations, (c) correctly represents differences among sites using a mixed modeling approach, and (d) includes soil texture because it strongly influences N2O emissions.
Optimization of enhanced microbial production of zinc bacitracin by submerged fermentation technology
Authors: Hassan Ali , Ali Shaukat , Farooq Muhammad A. , Tahir Hafiz M. , Awan Muhammad U. , Mughal Tafail A. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBacitracin is one of the most important antibiotics used in different biomedical fields. It helps to achieve sizeable amount of foreign exchange due to its use in the poultry feed. The cheap agricultural wastes are readily available for the preparation of fermentation media used for bacitracin production. The microorganisms could be mutated with different chemicals and UV radiation to improve bacitracin production. Thus, the current study was focused on the synthesis of low‐cost and effective bacitracin by mutant strains of Bacillus licheniformis, employing the submerged fermentation technique. The bacteria were exposed to the UV irradiation for various time periods ranging from 5 to 40 min. These mutants were named as BLAA‐5–BLAA‐40. Mutant strain BLAA‐25 produced maximum bacitracin, with significantly high activity (142.81 IU/mg) against Klebsiella pneumoniae but less activity against Escherichia coli (115.19 IU/mg). Several fermentation conditions were investigated to optimize bacitracin production. The highest bacitracin yield was obtained by an inoculum size of 10%, fermentation period 48 hr, pH 7, T = 37°C, using soybean meal as a substrate. Among all substrates, cucumber peel was the substrate showing the highest minimum inhibitory concentration (2.3 mg/ml and 2.7 mg/ml against K. pneumoniae and E. coli respectively). A comparison between commercial and experimentally produced Zn bacitracin showed that commercial bacitracin has a low activity (63.2 IU/mg) as compared with experimental bacitracin. Hence, the agro wastes and mutation could be used to increase the synthesis of Zn bacitracin in B. licheniformis.
New insights into Southern Caucasian glacial–interglacial climate conditions inferred from Quaternary gastropod fauna
Authors: Richter Christiane , Wolf Daniel , Walther Frank , Meng Stefan , Sahakyan Lilit , Hovakimyan Hayk , Wolpert Tilmann , Fuchs Markus , Faust Dominik 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACTIn the present study, we performed gastropod analyses on loess–palaeosol sequences from northeast Armenia (Southern Caucasia) covering at least three glacial–interglacial cycles. The elaborated ecostratigraphy shows significant patterns of species composition related to the succession of pedocomplexes and loess, respectively. Pedocomplexes included species that can be associated with high‐grass to forest‐steppe biomes, indicating increased humidity for these sections compared to the loess layers. In contrast, loess layers that relate to glacial periods are associated with gastropod species of semidesert environments with shrub‐ and shortgrass‐steppes, indicating semiarid to arid conditions. Furthermore, the loess deposits do not show any evidence for cold‐adapted gastropod species. Therefore, we suggest that average July temperatures in the study area were above 10 °C, even during periods of loess deposition. Consequently, we propose that the limiting factor for tree growth during glacial periods was aridity, rather than temperature. In addition, we observe environmental differences between the various glacial times, with our results indicating a trend towards steadily increasing aridity in Southern Caucasia across the Middle to Late Pleistocene.
The behavioral and neoliberal foundations of randomizations
Authors: Servet Jean‐Michel , Tinel Bruno 
Published: May 2020

AbstractRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) by behavioral economists pretend to be pragmatic and only interested in what works to solve practical problems, but in reality, they have notorious normative and ideological aspects. Behavioral RCTs ignore contexts and composition effects and reflect the biases of those who perform assessments. Behavioral randomizers presume without demonstrating that market exchanges are the most effective form of regulation for societies in all situations of social life. The positive or negative incentives (“nudges”) offered by behavioral economics aim to normalize the behavior of consumers, users, employees, or small/independent producers. They are part of a set of power devices by which individual behaviors are shaped and forced, without their knowledge, to conform to dominant class interests.
Crowdfunding innovations in emerging economies: Risk and credit control in peer‐to‐peer lending network platforms
Authors: Nisar Tahir M. , Prabhakar Guru , Torchia Mariateresa 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPeer‐to‐peer (P2P) lending has emerged as a network form of crowdfunding that facilitates the loan originations outside the traditional banking model. In China, the combination of imperfect financial development and Internet technology has led to the widespread growth of a P2P network lending market. Using the theoretical lens of information asymmetry, we identify the key sources of risks facing contemporary Chinese P2P companies. Results from our two regression models reveal several factors that can be used as predictors for risk and financial management, including marriage, income, and house property. Our findings also show that collective inference by non‐expert lenders can accurately draw an inference from soft/nonstandard information. The construction of such a predictive system is important for ensuring the good operation of P2P network lending platforms in emerging economies.
Boardroom attributes and trade credit under different ownership structures
Authors: Benkraiem Ramzi , Hamrouni Amal , Miloudi Anthony , Uyar Ali 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe effects of boardroom attributes on trade credit may differ depending on the types of ownership structures. The study provides new evidence on simultaneously four categories of boardroom characteristics (i.e., the board size, independence, assiduity, gender diversity) under different ownership structures. The empirical analysis shows that board independence is positively associated with trade credit for firms with dispersed and managerial ownership, whereas it is negatively associated with trade credit for firms with concentrated ownership. Moreover, the presence of women on boards is negatively linked to trade credit regardless of the ownership structure, which suggests the risk‐averse tendency of female directors.
Microfinance and financial inclusion: Challenges and opportunities
Authors: Milana Carlo , Ashta Arvind 
Published: May 2020

AbstractLifting the poor from poverty through financial and social inclusion is the ultimate target and raison d'etre of microfinance. As the most recent literature has recognized, microfinance institutions have economically worked well in operating microcredit, but the aim of raising the living standard of their indigent clients has not been generally met. The expected encouragement of entrepreneurship from microcredit is still not detected in the empirical data, let alone women's social integration in working activities. The articles collected in this thematic issue bring new empirical elements of discussion pointing to many aspects of the social divides and the inequalities that plague the emerging countries. This overview article recalls the main questions that are still open and the framework of topics discussed in this thematic issue.
Zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 reinforced hollow‐fiber liquid‐phase microextraction of free urinary biomarkers of whole grain intake followed by CE analysis
Authors: Fang Zhonghui , Gong Jiacheng , Jing Xiaofeng , Wang Tingting , Ye Jiannong , Chu Qingcui , Huang Dongping 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe whole grain intake is closely associated with human health. In this work, three‐phase dynamic hollow‐fiber liquid‐phase microextraction reinforced with 0.10 mg/mL 30 nm zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 nanoparticles was introduced for purification and enrichment of free urinary metabolite biomarkers of whole grain intake. Eight milliliters of HCl (pH 3.00) and 8 μL of 300 mM NaOH solutions were used as the donor and acceptor phases, respectively. The temperature and stirring rate were kept at 25℃ and 500 rpm, and the extraction time was 40 min. The extraction process required no further desorption, and the resultant extract was directly used for electrophoretic analysis without derivatization. Based on the synergistic effect of hollow‐fiber liquid‐phase microextraction and the electrophoretic stacking, the enrichment factors of 3,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid and 3‐(3,5‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐1‐propionic acid reached 1018–1034 times, and their limits of detection achieved 0.33–0.67 ng/mL (S/N = 3) in urine matrix. The developed method has been successfully used for urine analysis, and the sample recovery data were in the range of 97.0–103.5%. This developed method provided an attractive alternative for the determination of urinary metabolite biomarkers of whole grain intake due to its sensitive, fast, low‐cost, and environmental‐friendly features.
In‐process prepared deep eutectic solvent based homogeneous liquid–liquid microextraction for the determination of irgaphos 168 and irganox 1010 in polypropylene packed drinks
Authors: Naebi Maryam , Jamshidi Masoumeh Arabli , Farajzadeh Mir Ali , Abolhassni Jafar , Mogaddam Mohammad Reza Afshar 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn situ synthesis of a deep eutectic solvent and homogeneous liquid–liquid microextraction performed in a narrow bore tube was developed for efficient extraction of irgaphos 168 and irganox 1010 in doogh and water samples packed in polypropylene packages. First, pH of the aqueous sample solutions containing the analytes is adjusted at 9. Then a hydrogen bond acceptor (choline chloride) and a hydrogen bond donor (oleic acid) are dissolved in the solution and vortexed to obtain a homogeneous solution. The solution is filled into a narrow bore tube, in which its bottom was clogged by a septum. Then hydrochloric acid solution is injected into the solution by a syringe. The tube is placed in an ultrasonic bath. During this step, the droplets of choline chloride:oleic acid deep eutectic solvent are produced. The method indicated high enrichment factor (435 for irgaphos 168 and 488 for irganox 1010), low limits of detection (0.03 and 0.09 ng/mL for irgaphos 168 and irganox 1010, respectively) and quantification (0.13 and 0.29 ng/mL for irgaphos 168 and irganox 1010), good recovery (74 and 83% for irgaphos 168 and irganox 1010, respectively), and satisfactory repeatabilities (relative standard deviations ≤12%) can be obtained using the developed method.
Nasal Airflow Changes With Bioabsorbable Implant, Butterfly, and Spreader Grafts
Authors: Brandon Bryan M. , Stepp Wesley H. , Basu Saikat , Kimbell Julia S. , Senior Brent A. , Shockley William W. , Madison Clark J. 
Published: May 2020

Objectives/HypothesisInternal nasal valve compromise is a major cause of nasal obstruction, with a growing number of ways to treat this condition. In this study, we compared the effects of butterfly graft, spreader graft, and the bioabsorbable nasal implant on nasal airflow resistance.Study DesignCadaver study.MethodsComputational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were completed from nine preoperative and postoperative cadaveric subjects. Each cadaveric head underwent placement of a bioabsorbable nasal implant (BNI) (Spirox Latera; Stryker ENT, Plymouth, MN), butterfly graft, or spreader graft. Pre‐ and postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans were used to generate three‐dimensional models of the nasal airway used in steady‐state CFD simulations of airflow and heat transfer during inspiration.ResultsButterfly graft placement resulted in a mean improvement in nasal airway resistance of 24.9% (±7.3), whereas BNI placement resulted in a 6.7% (±1.2) improvement, and spreader graft placement also resulted in a consistent improvement of 2.6% (±13.5). Pressure within the main nasal cavity was consistently lower following butterfly graft placement versus a spreader graft or BNI. Butterfly and spreader graft placement also resulted in modest improvements in airflow allocation, whereas BNI demonstrated more variation (−1% to 12%). Heat flux was not significantly different; however, a small improvement in total heat flux was seen with all three interventions.ConclusionsThe results of this study demonstrate reduction in nasal airway resistance in all three surgical interventions, with the butterfly graft demonstrating superiority to the other two techniques. However, these data only reflect a static environment and not dynamic changes in airflow seen during respiration.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 130:E817–E823, 2020
Survival Differences Between Pediatric Head and Neck Versus Body Melanoma in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program
Authors: Shi Kevin , Camilon P. Ryan , Roberts Jared M. , Meier Jeremy D. 
Published: May 2020

Objectives/HypothesisTo review the demographics, treatment, and survival of pediatric melanoma of the head and neck and to determine if melanoma of the head and neck has worse survival than melanoma of other body sites.Study DesignRetrospective database review.MethodsPediatric patients from 0 to 21 years in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 registries database were included from 1975 to 2016 based on a diagnosis of melanoma of the skin using the primary site International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, Third Edition codes from C44.0‐C44.9.skin of lip, C44.1‐eyelid, C44.2‐external ear, C44.3‐skin other/unspecified parts of face, C44.4‐skin of scalp and neck, C44.5‐skin of trunk, C44.6‐skin of upper limb and shoulder, C44.7‐skin of lower limb and hip, C44.8‐overlapping lesion of skin, and C44.9‐skin, NOS (not otherwise specified).ResultsA total of 4,561 pediatric melanomas of the skin were identified. There were 854 (18.7%) cases of melanoma of the head and neck (MHN) and 3,707 (81.3%) cases of melanoma of the body (MOB). The hazard ratio for MHN versus MOB was 1.6 (95% confidence interval: 1.3‐2.1) after accounting for sex, race, and age. Of MHN sites, the hazard ratio for melanoma of the scalp and neck was 2.2 (1.1‐4.7). The 2‐ and 5‐year Kaplan‐Meier overall survival for MHN were 94.6% and 90.7%, respectively, compared with 96.6% and 94.7%, respectively, for MOB (P < .01).ConclusionsSurvival outcomes of pediatric melanoma are notably related to anatomic site. Children with melanoma of the scalp and neck have the worst survival of all sites. Additionally, children who are older/white/male are at greater risk for worse survival outcomes.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 131:E635–E641, 2021
2–10 µm Mid‐Infrared Fiber‐Based Supercontinuum Laser Source: Experiment and Simulation
Authors: Venck Sébastien , St‐Hilaire François , Brilland Laurent , Ghosh Amar N. , Chahal Radwan , Caillaud Céline , Meneghetti Marcello , Troles Johann , Joulain Franck , Cozic Solenn , Poulain Samuel , Huss Guillaume , Rochette Martin , Dudley John M. , Sylvestre Thibaut 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMid‐infrared supercontinuum (mid‐IR SC) sources in the 2–20 µm molecular fingerprint region are in high demand for a wide range of applications including optical coherence tomography, remote sensing, molecular spectroscopy, and hyperspectral imaging. Herein, mid‐IR SC generation is investigated in a cascaded silica‐ZBLAN‐chalcogenide fiber system directly pumped with a commercially available pulsed fiber laser operating in the telecommunications window at 1.55 µm. This fiber‐based system is shown to generate a flat broadband mid‐IR SC covering the entire range from 2 to 10 µm with several tens of mW of output power. This technique paves the way for low cost, practical, and robust broadband SC sources in the mid‐IR without the requirement of mid‐infrared pump sources or Thulium‐doped fiber amplifiers. A fully realistic numerical model used to simulate the nonlinear pulse propagation through the cascaded fiber system is also described and the numerical results are used to discuss the physical processes underlying the spectral broadening in the cascaded system. Finally, recommendations are provided for optimizing the current cascaded system based on the simulation results.