bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can the supplementary consumption of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) fruit pulp improve the hemoglobin levels and iron status of schoolchildren in Kenya? Findings of a randomized controlled intervention trial
Authors: Evang Esther Charlotte , Habte Tsige-Yohannes , Owino Willis Omondi , Krawinkel Michael Bernhardt 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Purpose
In the rural Kenyan diet, the bioavailability of iron is low and predisposes the population to iron deficiency. Fruit pulp of the indigenous baobab tree contains significant amounts of vitamin C, which enhances non-heme iron bioavailability. We studied the impact of baobab fruit pulp (BFP) consumption on the hemoglobin (Hb) and iron status of Kenyan schoolchildren.

Methods
The single-blind randomized controlled intervention trial was implemented daily among apparently healthy schoolchildren aged 6–12 years with hemoglobin level < 12.2 g/dl. For 12 weeks, children in the intervention group (n = 29) received a drink with BFP, while the control group (n = 29) received an isoenergy drink without BFP. At baseline and endline, blood samples were taken.

Results
The development of hemoglobin, ferritin (FER) and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) did not differ significantly between the intervention and control groups. However, in the intervention group, Hb levels improved slightly (2.2%), while they decreased slightly (1.2%) in the control group. Levels of geometric means of sTfR remained almost unchanged (0.7%) in the intervention group and slightly worsened (2.7%) in the control group. In both the groups, geometric mean of FER levels decreased, yet to a smaller extent in the intervention (17.3%) than in the control (26.0%) group.

Conclusion
Even though no significant effects of BFP could be detected in this study, the identification of products such as BFP remains pertinent to help improve non-heme iron absorption in the most vulnerable populations.
Association of low plasma antioxidant levels with all-cause mortality and coronary events in healthy middle-aged men from France and Northern Ireland in the PRIME study
Authors: McKay Gareth J. , Lyner Natalie , Linden Gerry J. , Kee Frank , Moitry Marie , Biasch Katia , Amouyel Philippe , Dallongeville Jean , Bongard Vanina , Ferrières Jean , Gey K. Fred , Patterson Chris C. , Woodside Jayne V. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
The main underlying risk factors associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) are modifiable and oxidative injury and systemic inflammatory damage represent key aetiological factors associated with the development and progression of CHD and premature mortality.

Objective
To examine associations of plasma antioxidant status with all-cause mortality and fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular events.

Design
The PRIME study prospectively evaluated 9709 men aged 50–59 years between 1991 and 1993 in Northern Ireland and France who were free of CHD at recruitment and followed annually for deaths and cardiovascular events for 10 years. Serum concentrations of vitamin C, retinol, two forms of vitamin E (α- and γ-tocopherol) and six carotenoids were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Baseline conventional risk factors were considered, as well as socioeconomic differences and lifestyle behaviours including diet, smoking habit, physical activity, and alcohol consumption through Cox regression analyses.

Results
At 10 years, there were 538 deaths from any cause and 440 fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular events. After adjustment for country, age, systolic blood pressure, diabetes, body mass index, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, height, total physical activity, alcohol consumption and smoking habit, higher levels of all antioxidants were associated with significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality, with the exception of γ-tocopherol. Only retinol was significantly associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular events in a fully adjusted model.

Conclusions
Low antioxidant levels contribute to the gradient of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular incidence independent of lifestyle behaviours and traditional cardiovascular and socioeconomic risk factors.
One nerve suffices: A clinically guided nerve ultrasound protocol for the differentiation of multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Authors: Loewenbrück Kai F. , Werner Robin , Günther René , Dittrich Markus , Klingenberger Robert , Reichmann Heinz , Storch Alexander , Hermann Andreas 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Objective
To investigate diagnostic accuracy of a nerve ultrasound (US) protocol that is individualized to a patient’s clinical deficits for the differentiation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with predominant lower motoneuron disease (ALS/LMND) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN).

Methods
Single-center, prospective, examiner-blinded, diagnostic study in two cohorts. Cohort I (model development): Convenience sample of subjects with ALS/LMND or MMN according to revised El-Escorial or EFNS guidelines. Cohort II (model validation): Consecutively recruited treatment-naïve subjects with suspected diagnosis of ALS/LMND or MMN.
Cutoffs for 28 different US values were determined by Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) in cohort I. Area Under The Curve (AUC) of US was compared to nerve conduction studies (NCS). Diagnostic accuracy of US protocols, individualized according to clinical deficits, was compared to former rigid non-individualized protocols and to random examination site selection in cohort II.

Results
48 patients were recruited. In cohort I (28 patients), US had higher ROC AUCs than NCS, US 0.82 (0.12) (mean (standard deviation)), NCS (compound muscle action potential (CMAP) 0.60 (0.09), p < .001; two-sided t-test).
US models based on the nerve innervating the clinically most affected muscles had higher correct classification rates (CCRs, 93%) in cohort II than former rigid protocols (85% and 80%), or models with random measurement site selection (66% and 80%).

Conclusions
Clinically guided US protocols for differentiation of ALS/LMND from MMN increase diagnostic accuracy when compared to clinically unguided protocols. They also require less measurements sites to achieve this accuracy.
Portable fixed dynamometry: towards remote muscle strength measurements in patients with motor neuron disease
Authors: Bakers Jaap N. E. , van den Berg Leonard H. , Ajeks Toju G. , Holleman Maxine J. , Verhoeven Jill , Beelen Anita , Visser-Meily Johanna M. A. , van Eijk Ruben P. A. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
We aimed to determine (1) the test–retest reliability of a newly developed portable fixed dynamometer (PFD) as compared to the hand-held dynamometer (HHD) in patients with motor neuron disease (MND) and (2) the PFD’s ability to reduce possible examiner-induced ceiling effects.

Methods
Test–retest reliability of isometric muscle strength of the quadriceps was measured in patients with MND and non-neurological controls using the HHD and PFD. Reliability was estimated by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and standard error of measurement (SEM) using linear mixed effects models, and the Bland–Altman method of agreement.

Results
In total, 45 patients with MND and 43 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The ICC of the PFD was excellent and similar in both patients and controls (ICC Patients 99.5% vs. ICC Controls 98.6%) with a SEM of 6.2%. A strong examiner-induced ceiling effect in HHD was found when the participant’s strength exceeded that of examiner. Employing the PFD increased the range of muscle strength measurements across individuals nearly twofold from 414 to 783 N.

Conclusions
Portable fixed dynamometry may significantly reduce examiner-induced ceiling effects, optimize the standardization of muscle strength testing, and maximize reliability. Ultimately, PFD may improve the delivery of care due to its potential for unsupervised, home-based assessments and reduce the burden to the patient of participating in clinical trials for MND or other neuromuscular diseases.
Neuropsychological functioning of individuals at clinical evaluation of adult ADHD
Authors: Guo Nana , Fuermaier Anselm B. M. , Koerts Janneke , Mueller Bernhard W. , Diers Katerina , Mroß Aaron , Mette Christian , Tucha Lara , Tucha Oliver 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Objectives
Numerous studies showed that adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) suffer from impairments in a range of cognitive functions when compared to healthy controls. However, only little is known about the neuropsychological functions when compared to various clinical control groups and whether a distinct neuropsychological profile can be identified for adult ADHD.

Method
This retrospective study examined data of 199 outpatients referred for clinical evaluation of adult ADHD, allocated either to an ADHD group (n = 78) or to one of two clinical comparison groups, depending on whether they show indications (n = 71) or no indications (n = 50) for the presence of psychiatric disorders other than ADHD. All individuals performed a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery.

Results
Data analysis revealed impairments in a range of cognitive functions in a substantial number of patients of all three groups. However, profiles of neuropsychological impairments were similar between groups. Furthermore, significant small- to medium-sized correlations between basic and higher-order cognitive functions were revealed in the ADHD group and the clinical comparison group with indications for psychiatric disorders other than ADHD.

Conclusion
Neuropsychological impairments are prominent in psychiatric outpatients seeking a clinical evaluation of adult ADHD but are not specific for ADHD. It is concluded that neuropsychological test performance may have limited incremental value to support the psychiatric differential diagnosis. Furthermore, a clinical trajectory may need to take into account that deficits in a range of higher-order cognitive functions can be substantially explained by deficits in basic cognitive functions.
Unexpected Mycoplasma hominis infection in two renal transplant recipients traced back to the same donor by whole-genome sequencing
Authors: Hinić V. , Seth-Smith H. M. B. , Damm S. , Amico P. , Khanna N. , Egli A. , Bättig V. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMycoplasma hominis is a common colonizer of the lower genitourinary tract. Although its clinical relevance for causing urogenital infections in immunocompetent individuals is controversial, this bacterium has been involved in severe invasive infections in allograft recipients. In this report, we describe two cases of M. hominis infection in two young renal transplant recipients within the first month post-transplant. Although at first no epidemiological link between the two cases had been suspected, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis showed that both isolates were identical, highly suggestive of an origin with the common organ donor.
Voluntary private health insurance, health-related behaviours and health outcomes: evidence from Russia
Authors: Aistov Andrey , Aleksandrova Ekaterina , Gerry Christopher J. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis paper contributes to the discussion around ex-post (increased utilisation of health care) and ex-ante (changes in health behaviours) moral hazard in supplemental private health insurance. Applying a range of methodologies to data from the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey—Higher School of Economics we exploit a selection mechanism in the data to compare the impact of workplace provided and individually purchased supplemental health insurance on the utilisation of health care, on a range of health behaviours and on self-assessed health. We find compelling policy-relevant evidence of ex-post moral hazard that confirms a theoretical prediction and empirical regularity found in other settings. In contrast to other empirical findings though, our data reveals evidence of ex-ante moral hazard demonstrated by clear behavioural differences between those with self-funded supplemental health insurance and those for whom the workplace finances the additional insurance. We find no evidence that either form of insurance is related to improved self-assessed health.
A note on the integrality gap of cutting and skiving stock instances
Authors: Martinovic John 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we consider the (additive integrality) gap of the cutting stock problem (CSP) and the skiving stock problem (SSP). Formally, the gap is defined as the difference between the optimal values of the ILP and its LP relaxation. For both, the CSP and the SSP, this gap is known to be bounded by 2 if, for a given instance, the bin size is an integer multiple of any item size, hereinafter referred to as the divisible case. In recent years, some improvements of this upper bound have been proposed. More precisely, the constants 3/2 and 7/5 have been obtained for the SSP and the CSP, respectively, the latter of which has never been published in English language. In this article, we introduce two reduction strategies to significantly restrict the number of representative instances which have to be dealt with. Based on these observations, we derive the new and improved upper bound 4/3 for both problems under consideration.
Integrated slice-specific dynamic shimming for whole-body diffusion-weighted MR imaging at 1.5 T
Authors: McElroy Sarah , Winfield Jessica M. , Westerland Olwen , Charles-Edwards Geoff , Bell Joanna , Neji Radhouene , Stemmer Alto , Kiefer Berthold , Streetly Matthew , Goh Vicky 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Objective
To compare integrated slice-specific dynamic shim (iShim) with distortion correction post-processing to conventional 3D volume shim for the reduction of artefacts and signal loss in 1.5 T whole-body diffusion-weighted imaging (WB-DWI).

Methods
Ten volunteers underwent WB-DWI using conventional 3D volume shim and iShim. Forty-eight consecutive patients underwent WB-DWI with either volume shim (n = 24) or iShim (n = 24) only. For all subjects, displacement of the spinal cord at imaging station interfaces was measured on composed b = 900 s/mm2 images. The signal intensity ratios, computed as the average signal intensity in a region of high susceptibility gradient (sternum) divided by the average signal intensity in a region of low susceptibility gradient (vertebral body), were compared in volunteers. For patients, image quality was graded from 1 to 5 (1 = Poor, 5 = Excellent). Signal intensity discontinuity scores were recorded from 1 to 4 (1 = 2 + steps, 4 = 0 steps). A p value of < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results
Spinal cord displacement artefacts were lower with iShim (p < 0.05) at the thoracic junction in volunteers and at the cervical and thoracic junctions in patients (p < 0.05). The sternum/vertebra signal intensity ratio in healthy volunteers was higher with iShim compared with the volume shim sequence (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the volume shim and iShim patient groups in terms of image quality and signal intensity discontinuity scores.

Conclusion
iShim reduced the degree of spinal cord displacement artefact between imaging stations and susceptibility-gradient-induced signal loss.
Simulated basis sets for semi-LASER: the impact of including shaped RF pulses and magnetic field gradients
Authors: Jalnefjord Oscar , Pettersson Patrick , Lundholm Lukas , Ljungberg Maria 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Objective
To study the need for inclusion of shaped RF pulses and magnetic field gradients in simulations of basis sets for the analysis of proton MR spectra of single voxels of the brain acquired with a semi-LASER pulse sequence.

Materials and methods
MRS basis sets where simulated at different echo times with hard RF pulses as well as with shaped RF pulses without or with magnetic field gradients included. The influence on metabolite concentration quantification was assessed using both phantom and in vivo measurements. For comparison, simulations and measurements were performed with the PRESS pulse sequence.

Results
The effect of including gradients in the simulations was smaller for semi-LASER than for PRESS, however, still noticeable. The difference was larger for strongly coupled metabolites and at longer echo times. Metabolite quantification using semi-LASER was thereby less dependent on the inclusion of gradients than PRESS, which was seen in both phantom and in vivo measurements.

Discussion
The inclusion of the shaped RF pulses and magnetic field gradients in the simulation of basis sets for semi-LASER is only important for strongly coupled metabolites. If computational time is a limiting factor, simple simulations with hard RF pulses can provide almost as accurate metabolite quantification as those that include the chemical-shift related displacement.
Cross-border buyout pricing
Authors: Hammer Benjamin , Janssen Nils , Schwetzler Bernhard 
Published: December 2020

AbstractUsing a dataset of 1149 global private equity transactions, we find that cross-border buyouts are associated with significantly higher valuation multiples than domestic ones. We attribute this finding to informational disadvantages of foreign acquirers. Consistent with this idea, we find that the spread in valuation multiples narrows when the target operates in a country with high accounting standards, when it was publicly listed prior to the buyout, and when information production is facilitated due to large firm size. Further results suggest that local partnering in a syndicate serves as an effective remedy to avoid adverse pricing effects. The spread in valuation multiples is also less pronounced for large buyout funds, presumably because they draw on sufficient organizational resources to cope with cross-border-related transaction costs.
Struktur? Physis? Situation? Zur Erklärung von Gewalt
Authors: Kron Thomas , Verneuer Lena M. 
Published: December 2020

ZusammenfassungDie soziologische Gewaltforschung verharrt vor allem in der begrifflichen Auseinandersetzung um das Gewaltverständnis. Der vorliegende Beitrag lenkt den Blick dagegen auf die Erklärung von Gewalt und zieht das struktur-individualistische Grundmodell soziologischer Erklärung von Coleman und Esser heran, um die Diskussionslinien zu vereinen. Hierfür wird skizziert, welche Diskussionsstränge in der Gewaltforschung auszumachen sind und welche Leerstellen nach wie vor bestehen. Der Bezugsrahmen des Grundmodells wird daran anschließend unter Rückgriff auf Randall Collins’ situationale Perspektive auf Gewalt entlang der Logik der Situation, der Selektion und der Aggregation vertiefend vorgestellt. Es wird gezeigt, dass dieser Bezug ermöglicht, die scheinbar unvereinbaren Positionen innerhalb der Gewaltforschung nicht nur zu verorten, sondern explanatorisch zu integrieren.
Time efficient laser modification of steel surfaces for advanced bonding in hybrid materials
Authors: Voswinkel D. , Kloidt D. , Grydin O. , Schaper M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractLaser surface treatment of metals is one option to improve their properties for adhesive bonding. In this paper, a pulsed YVO4 Laser source with a wavelength of 1064 nm and a maximum power of 25 W was utilized to increase the surface area of the steel HCT490X in order to improve its bonding properties with a carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP). Investigated was the influence of the scanning speed of the laser source on the bonding properties. For this purpose, the steel surfaces were ablated at a scanning speed between 1500 and 4500 mm/s. Afterwards the components were bonded with the adhesive HexBond™ 677. After lap shear tests were carried out on the specimen, the surfaces were inspected using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experiments revealed that the bonding quality can be improved with a high scanning speed, even when the surface is not completely ablated.
TLR8 in the Trigeminal Ganglion Contributes to the Maintenance of Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain in Mice
Authors: Zhao Lin-Xia , Jiang Ming , Bai Xue-Qiang , Cao De-Li , Wu Xiao-Bo , Zhang Jing , Guo Jian-Shuang , Chen Tong-Tong , Wang Juan , Wu Hao , Gao Yong-Jing , Zhang Zhi-Jun 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTrigeminal neuropathic pain (TNP) is a significant health problem but the involved mechanism has not been completely elucidated. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have recently been demonstrated to be expressed in the dorsal root ganglion and involved in chronic pain. Here, we show that TLR8 was persistently increased in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons in model of TNP induced by partial infraorbital nerve ligation (pIONL). In addition, deletion or knockdown of Tlr8 in the TG attenuated pIONL-induced mechanical allodynia, reduced the activation of ERK and p38-MAPK, and decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the TG. Furthermore, intra-TG injection of the TLR8 agonist VTX-2337 induced pain hypersensitivity. VTX-2337 also increased the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, induced the activation of ERK and p38, and increased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the TG. These data indicate that TLR8 contributes to the maintenance of TNP through increasing MAPK-mediated neuroinflammation. Targeting TLR8 signaling may be effective for the treatment of TNP.
Die internationale Klimapolitik nach Paris: EU-Leadership auf dem Prüfstand
Authors: Kurze Kristina 
Published: December 2020

ZusammenfassungIn den ersten Jahren nach der Einigung auf das Pariser Abkommen im Dezember 2015 haben sich die politischen Konstellationen deutlich verändert, wie etwa der weitgehende Rückzug der USA aus der internationalen Klimapolitik unter Präsident Trump zeigt. Der Beitrag analysiert, ob die EU vor diesem Hintergrund eine Führungsrolle ausfüllen und effektiv zur Umsetzung des Pariser Abkommens beitragen kann. Auf Grundlage theoretischer Annahmen zu Leadership in verschiedenen Phasen internationaler Kooperation wird argumentiert, dass die EU vor allem als ambitionierter Vorreiter eine Führungsrolle einnehmen kann.
Modeling user preference dynamics with coupled tensor factorization for social media recommendation
Authors: Tahmasbi Hamidreza , Jalali Mehrdad , Shakeri Hassan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAn essential problem in real-world recommender systems is that user preferences are not static and users are likely to change their preferences over time. Recent studies have shown that the modelling and capturing the dynamics of user preferences lead to significant improvements on recommendation accuracy and, consequently, user satisfaction. In this paper, we develop a framework to capture user preference dynamics in a personalized manner based on the fact that changes in user preferences can vary individually. We also consider the plausible assumption that older user activities should have less influence on a user’s current preferences. We introduce an individual time decay factor for each user according to the rate of his preference dynamics to weigh the past user preferences and decrease their importance gradually. We exploit users’ demographics as well as the extracted similarities among users over time, aiming to enhance the prior knowledge about user preference dynamics, in addition to the past weighted user preferences in a developed coupled tensor factorization technique to provide top-K recommendations. The experimental results on the two real social media datasets—Last.fm and Movielens—indicate that our proposed model is better and more robust than other competitive methods in terms of recommendation accuracy and is more capable of coping with problems such as cold-start and data sparsity.