bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fluorescent bead-based serological detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in chickens
Authors: Fabian Benedikt T. , Hedar Fatima , Koethe Martin , Bangoura Berit , Maksimov Pavlo , Conraths Franz J. , Villena Isabelle , Aubert Dominique , Seeber Frank , Schares Gereon 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundFree-ranging chickens are often infected withToxoplasma gondiiand seroconvert upon infection. This indicates environmental contamination withT. gondii.MethodsHere, we established a bead-based multiplex assay (BBMA) using the Luminex technology for the detection ofT. gondiiinfections in chickens. Recombinant biotinylatedT. gondiisurface antigen 1 (TgSAG1bio) bound to streptavidin-conjugated magnetic Luminex beads served as antigen. Serum antibodies were detected by a fluorophore-coupled secondary antibody. Beads of differing color codes were conjugated with anti-chicken IgY or chicken serum albumin and served for each sample as an internal positive or negative control, respectively. The assay was validated with sera from experimentally and naturally infected chickens. The results were compared to those from reference methods, including other serological tests, PCRs and bioassay in mice.ResultsIn experimentally infected chickens, the vast majority (98.5%,n = 65/66) of birds tested seropositive in the BBMA. This included all chickens positive by magnetic-capture PCR (100%,n = 45/45). Most, but not all inoculated and TgSAG1bio-BBMA-positive chickens were also positive in two previously established TgSAG1-ELISAs (TgSAG1-ELISASL,n = 61/65; or TgSAG1-ELISASH,n = 60/65), or positive in an immunofluorescence assay (IFAT,n = 64/65) and in a modified agglutination test (MAT,n = 61/65). All non-inoculated control animals (n = 28/28, 100%) tested negative. In naturally exposed chickens, the TgSAG1bio-BBMA showed a high sensitivity (98.5%; 95% confidence interval, CI: 90.7–99.9%) and specificity (100%; 95% CI: 85.0–100%) relative to a reference standard established using ELISA, IFAT and MAT. Almost all naturally exposed chickens that were positive in bioassay or by PCR tested positive in the TgSAG1bio-BBMA (93.5%; 95% CI: 77.1–98.9%), while all bioassay- or PCR-negative chickens remained negative (100%; 95% CI: 85.0–100%).ConclusionsThe TgSAG1bio-BBMA represents a suitable method for the detection ofT. gondiiinfections in chickens with high sensitivity and specificity, which is comparable or even superior to other tests. Since assays based on this methodology allow for the simultaneous analysis of a single biological sample with respect to multiple analytes, the described assay may represent a component in future multiplex assays for broad serological monitoring of poultry and other farm animals for various pathogens.
Semi-field evaluation of freestanding transfluthrin passive emanators and the BG sentinel trap as a “push-pull control strategy” against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes
Authors: Tambwe Mgeni M. , Moore Sarah J. , Chilumba Hassan , Swai Johnson K. , Moore Jason D. , Stica Caleb , Saddler Adam 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Spatial repellents that drive mosquitoes away from treated areas, and odour-baited traps, that attract and kill mosquitoes, can be combined and work synergistically in a push-pull system. Push-pull systems have been shown to reduce house entry and outdoor biting rates of malaria vectors and so have the potential to control other outdoor biting mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti that transmit arboviral diseases. In this study, semi-field experiments were conducted to evaluate whether a push-pull system could be used to reduce bites from Aedes mosquitoes.

Methods
The push and pull under investigation consisted of two freestanding transfluthrin passive emanators (FTPE) and a BG sentinel trap (BGS) respectively. The FTPE contained hessian strips treated with 5.25 g of transfluthrin active ingredient. The efficacies of FTPE and BGS alone and in combination were evaluated by human landing catch in a large semi-field system in Tanzania. We also investigated the protection of FTPE over six months. The data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models with binomial distribution.

Results
Two FTPE had a protective efficacy (PE) of 61.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 52.2–69.9%) against the human landing of Ae. aegypti. The BGS did not significantly reduce mosquito landings; the PE was 2.1% (95% CI: −2.9–7.2%). The push-pull provided a PE of 64.5% (95% CI: 59.1–69.9%). However, there was no significant difference in the PE between the push-pull and the two FTPE against Ae. aegypti (P = 0.30). The FTPE offered significant protection against Ae. aegypti at month three, with a PE of 46.4% (95% CI: 41.1–51.8%), but not at six months with a PE of 2.2% (95% CI: −9.0–14.0%).

Conclusions
The PE of the FTPE and the full push-pull are similar, indicative that bite prevention is primarily due to the activity of the FTPE. While these results are encouraging for the FTPE, further work is needed for a push-pull system to be recommended for Ae. aegypti control. The three-month protection against Ae. aegypti bites suggests that FTPE would be a useful additional control tool during dengue outbreaks, that does not require regular user compliance.
Enhancing healthcare efficiency to achieve the Quadruple Aim: an exploratory study
Authors: Arnetz Bengt B. , Goetz Courtney M. , Arnetz Judith E. , Sudan Sukhesh , vanSchagen John , Piersma Kyle , Reyelts Fredric 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Objective
Healthcare is battling a conflict between the Quadruple Aims—reducing costs; improving population health, patient experience, and team well-being—and productivity. This quasi-experimental pilot study tested a 2 week intervention aimed to address the Quadruple Aims while improving productivity. Participants were 25 employees and their patients in a primary care clinic. One provider and their team implemented an efficiency-focused intervention that modified work roles and processes focused on utilizing all team members’ skills as allowable by applicable licensure restrictions. The five remaining providers and their teams comprised the reference group, who continued patient care as usual. Study outcomes were measured via provider/staff and patient surveys and administrative data.

Results
In total, 46 team surveys and 156 patient surveys were collected. Clinic output data were retrieved for 467 visits. Compared to the reference team, the intervention team performed better in all Quadruple Aims and productivity measures. The intervention group offered 48% more patient slots than the average reference team. These preliminary results support the feasibility of introducing substantial process changes that show promising improvement in both the Quadruple Aims and productivity. A larger-scale study over a longer time period is needed to confirm findings and examine feasibility and cost-effectiveness.
Analysis of maternal and perinatal determinants of allergic sensitization in childhood
Authors: Schäfer Samuel , Liu Anthony , Campbell Dianne , Nanan Ralph 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Non-communicable diseases, such as allergies, are influenced by both genetic and epigenetic factors. Perinatal determinants conceivably modify the epigenetic makeup of the developing fetal immune system preventing or predisposing the development of allergies. The aim of this study therefore was to identify independent perinatal factors associated with allergic sensitization in childhood.

Methods
In a single center retrospective case-cohort study electronic obstetric medical records and available skin prick testing results of children were analyzed. For the analysis 286 skin prick test positive (sensitized) children [median (IQR): 3.47 (1.70–7.34) years] were compared with data from all remaining live births in the obstetric cohort (n = 66,583).

Results
Sensitized children more frequently had a mother born in Asia (19.1% vs. 10.2%; P < 10–6). Applying backward elimination logistic regression, seven out of 23 initially entered perinatal factors remained in the model. High maternal age (> 35 years; OR: 1.912; P < 0.001), male offspring sex (OR: 1.423; P < 0.01) and assisted conception (OR: 1.771; P < 0.05) increased the risk for allergic sensitization. In contrast, maternal smoking (OR: 0.469; P < 0.005), increasing parity (OR: 0.881; P < 0.05), maternal pre-pregnancy overweight (OR: 0.742; P < 0.005) and preterm birth (OR: 0.484; P < 0.05) decreased the risk for allergic sensitization.

Conclusions
In addition to supporting previous findings, this study is first to report an increased risk of allergic sensitization after assisted conception. Beyond this finding’s potential implementation in preventative strategies, exploration of this association could further pathophysiological understanding of allergic disease.
HIV survey in Mozambique: analysis with simultaneous model in contrast to separate hierarchical models
Authors: Fang Di , Lang Anqi , Wilson Jeffrey R. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
The analysis of correlated responses obtained one at a time in survey data is not as informative or as useful as modeling them simultaneously. Simultaneous modeling allows for the opportunity to evaluate the system in a more pragmatic form rather than to allow for responses that assumedly originated in isolation.

Methods
This research uses the Mozambique National Survey data to demonstrate the benefits of simultaneous modeling on blood test results, knowledge of HIV/AIDS, and awareness of an HIV/AIDS campaign. This simultaneous modeling also addresses the correlation inherent due to the hierarchical structure in the data collection.

Results
Employment and self-perceived risk of HIV/AIDS have different impact on blood test, awareness of an HIV/AIDS campaign, and knowledge of HIV/AIDS when examined simultaneously as opposed to separate modeling.

Conclusion
Simultaneous modeling of correlated responses improves the reliability of the estimates. More importantly, it provides an opportunity to engage in cost-saving decisions when designing future surveys and make better health policies.
Including adolescent migrants in school through VET approach: evidence from a pilot action in Italy
Authors: Lamonica Valentina , Ragazzi Elena , Sella Lisa 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis paper investigates the effectiveness of a small experimental pilot addressed to foreign adolescents with low language skills and high dropout risk in lower secondary school in Turin, North-West Italy. The intervention aims at reducing Early School Leaving while supporting standard school curricula. In order to facilitate students’ re-motivation and their attachment to the school environment, the pilot proposes an original VET approach that alternates standard school activities to innovative vocational training. In particular, treated students substitute 290 h VET courses for 10 standard school weeks along a scholastic year. First of all, the analysis aims at evaluating effects on Early School Leaving. Then, since the pilot requires a long period in VET away from school, the study evaluates effects on educational outcomes. Oltre I Muri is a very small pilot experiment, involving seven schools and offering 11 VET positions to migrant students. We investigated the effectiveness of the program by an experimental counterfactual approach: participants have been randomly assigned to a treated and a control group with similar characteristics. They are adolescent migrants attending the 2nd year of lower secondary school and manifesting very high drop-out risk. Treated students attend the alternating VET/school pilot, while control students attend standard school classes. Randomization inference allows assessing average treatment effects, but the very small sample size does not guarantee statistical significance at standard levels. Results anyhow suggests some effectiveness of the project in contrasting Early School Leaving. In particular, while some non-treated students dropped out from school during the pilot, all treated students regularly completed their scholastic year. This can be interpreted as a 20% increase in school attendance, with an 80% confidence level assessed by Montecarlo randomization. Finally, extreme value bound techniques applied to test scores suggest that treated students do not prejudice their learning by attending VET instead of standard school classes during the pilot. On the contrary, their school attachment is reinforced.
Stochastic spatial random forest (SS-RF) for interpolating probabilities of missing land cover data
Authors: Holloway-Brown Jacinta , Helmstedt Kate J , Mengersen Kerrie L 
Published: July 2020

AbstractForests are a global environmental priority that need to be monitored frequently and at large scales. Satellite images are a proven useful, free data source for regular global forest monitoring but these images often have missing data in tropical regions due to climate driven persistent cloud cover. Remote sensing and statistical approaches to filling these missing data gaps exist and these can be highly accurate, but any interpolation method results are uncertain and these methods do not provide measures of this uncertainty. We present a new two-step spatial stochastic random forest (SS-RF) method that uses random forest algorithms to construct Beta distributions for interpolating missing data. This method has comparable performance with the traditional remote sensing compositing method, and additionally provides a probability for each interpolated data point. Our results show that the SS-RF method can accurately interpolate missing data and quantify uncertainty and its applicability to the challenge of monitoring forest using free and incomplete satellite imagery data. We propose that there is scope for our SS-RF method to be applied to other big data problems where a measurement of uncertainty is needed in addition to estimates.
Design, assessment and evaluation of structural stabilization system for weather buoys using a moving foil
Authors: Malek Azari Mina , Salazar Luces Jose Victorio , Hirata Yasuhisa 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis paper proposes a novel, simple and high-efficient submerged structural stabilization system for a self-stabilizing buoy that provides a stable platform for oceanographic and meteorological sensors. The proposed stabilization system is a Seesaw-like Tuned Mass Damper (STMD) combined with a foil and is designed in a way to harvest the activation energy from incoming waves. A fixed rudder in the rear underside of the buoy, as well as physical properties of the buoy, help to keep its balance in yaw and roll directions while encountering lateral waves. Therefore, the orientational stabilization of the whole structure is achieved by controlling only the pitch deviation. The proposed model is then simulated in a marine dynamic analysis software. Two different shapes of a thin rod and a foil were proposed for the sliding mass (slider) of the STMD and their performances are investigated and compared to each other in two different modes of passive and active control. In the passive mode, different mass ratios were conducted for the thin rod-shaped slider (i.e., a ratio of the effective mass of the stabilizing system to that of the whole structure) and a mass ratio of 8% could suppress the pitch deviation up to 81.3% in the resonance condition. The same STMD system with a mass ratio of 2% suppresses the pitch deviation by only 7%. In the active mode, the STMD with a thin rod-shaped slider and a mass ratio of 8% exhibits only 49.1% suppression effect in a multiwave condition. However, by changing the shape of the slider to a foil while controlling its angle of attack (AOA) mechanically, the system with the mass ratios of 2% and 8% could suppress the pitch deviation of the buoy up to 69.4% and 79.1%, respectively.
Thoracoscopic radical surgery for a morbidly obese patient with early lung cancer after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a case report
Authors: Iwata Shingo , Hagiwara Akeo , Harima Yutaka 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
We experienced a case of early stage lung cancer involving a morbidly obese patient. Obesity is associated with a higher incidence of surgical complications. We examined the effectiveness of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as a primary weight loss procedure in a morbidly obese patient who required oncological surgery.

Case presentation
A 64-year-old morbidly obese female with a body mass index of 43.5 kg/m2 was referred to our hospital to undergo weight loss. A right-sided lung mass was found incidentally on computed tomography conducted in preparation for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, which was performed prior to tumor surgery. As a result, weight loss was achieved within 2.5 months after the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and the patient’s type-2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, which are linked to obesity, were markedly ameliorated. After a quick intraoperative pathological inspection revealed that the tumor was malignant, thoracoscopic right lung superior lobe resection was performed safely.

Conclusions
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy proved to be a powerful approach in a case in which a morbidly obese patient with early stage cancer needed to lose weight rapidly.
Widely distributed breeding populations of Canada warbler (Cardellina canadensis) converge on migration through Central America
Authors: Roberto-Charron A. , Kennedy J. , Reitsma L. , Tremblay J. A. , Krikun R. , Hobson K. A. , Ibarzabal J. , Fraser K. C. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
To effectively conserve migratory species, the entire range encompassed by their annual life cycle needs to be considered. Most research on Nearctic-Neotropical migratory birds has focused on the breeding grounds resulting in a general lack of knowledge regarding the wintering and migratory periods. The Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) has declined by 71% from 1970 to 2012, at a rate of 2.9% per year, and is listed as Threatened in Canada. As with most Nearctic-Neotropical migrants, conservation efforts outside the breeding range are limited by a poor understanding of migration routes and the connectivity between specific breeding and wintering populations.

Results
To determine migratory routes of multiple breeding populations of Canada Warblers, we directly-tracked individuals using light-level geolocators deployed at four sites across the breeding range, spanning approximately 43 degrees in longitude (Alberta, Manitoba and Québec, Canada, and New Hampshire, USA). Twenty-five geolocators with usable data were recovered from three sites and were analyzed using FlightR to determine fall migration routes (n = 18) and individual wintering sites (n = 25). Individuals from all breeding populations took a western fall migration route at the Gulf of Mexico; with 77.8% of birds funnelling into a narrow geographic space along the western side of the Gulf of Mexico (97°W-99°W). We found no evidence for population-specific, parallel migration routes. Most individuals (72%) overwintered in Colombia. The remaining individuals overwintered in Venezuela.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrate convergence of migratory routes around a migration barrier for individuals originating from widely distributed breeding areas. Further, we suggest the potential importance of habitat around the Gulf of Mexico during migration and Andean forest in Colombia as overwintering habitat for this threatened species. Future research should be directed at understanding how these areas are used by Canada Warblers.
Variation of picture angles and its effect on the Concealed Information Test
Authors: Hsu Ann , Lo Yu-Hui , Ke Shi-Chiang , Lin Lin , Tseng Philip 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
The reaction time-based Concealed Information Test (RT-CIT) is a memory paradigm used to detect crime-related knowledge. However, this would also imply that the RT-CIT would be vulnerable to factors that are known to compromise object recognition or memory integrity. From this perspective, one key issue is whether “guilty” memory can be detected if the crime-related images are photographed at different angles from what the perpetrator saw, which is almost always the case in the field. To investigate this, here we manipulated the deviation angles, from 0° to 330° in 11 steps, between the study and test phases to assess how the RT-CIT holds up against angular rotations.

Results
We observed a robust RT-CIT effect at all deviation angles for both deep-encoders (Experiment 1) and shallow-encoders (Experiment 2). The RT-CIT was effective within the first 250 or so trials for both encoding groups, with smaller probe-irrelevant differences beyond that.

Conclusions
With appropriate encoding and memory strength, RT-CIT images do not necessarily have to match the exact angle of the perpetrator’s perspective at the time of the crime. Unnatural angles such as 90° and 270° or unconventional rotational axes may require caution. Trial number under 250 trials show maximal Probe-Irrelevant difference, but more trials may add power to improve detection accuracy.
The interaction between the endocannabinoid system and the renin angiotensin system and its potential implication for COVID-19 infection
Authors: Sainz-Cort Alberto , Heeroma Joost H. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading fast all around the world with more than fourteen millions of detected infected cases and more than 600.000 deaths by 20th July 2020. While scientist are working to find a vaccine, current epidemiological data shows that the most common comorbidities for patients with the worst prognosis, hypertension and diabetes, are often treated with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs).

Body
Both ACE inhibitors and ARBs induce overexpression of the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptor, which has been identified as the main receptor used by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to enter into the alveolar cells of the lungs. While cannabinoids are known to reduce hypertension, the studies testing the hypotensive effects of cannabinoids never addressed their effects on ACE-2 receptors. However, some studies have linked the endocannabinoid system (ECS) with the renin angiotensin system (RAS), including a cross-modulation between the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and angiotensin II levels.

Conclusion
Since there are around 192 million people using cannabis worldwide, we believe that the mechanism underlying the hypotensive properties of cannabinoids should be urgently studied to understand if they can also lead to ACE-2 overexpression as other antihypertensive drugs do.
Applications of CRISPR technology in studying plant-pathogen interactions: overview and perspective
Authors: Gosavi Gokul , Yan Fang , Ren Bin , Kuang Yongjie , Yan Daqi , Zhou Xueping , Zhou Huanbin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractTargeted genome editing technology is becoming one of the most important genetic tools and widely employed in the plant pathology community. In recent years, CRISPR (Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) and CRISPR-associated proteins discovered in the adaptive immune system in prokaryotes have been successfully reprogrammed into various genome editing tools and have caught the attention of the scientific community due to its simplicity, high efficiency, versatility. Here, we provide an overview of various CRISPR/Cas systems, the derived tools and their applications in plant pathology. This review highlights the advantages of knocking-out techniques to target major susceptibility genes and negative regulators of host defense pathways for gaining resistance to bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens in model and crop plants through utilizing the CRISPR/Cas-based tools. Besides, we discuss the possible strategies of employing the CRISPR-based tools for both fundamental studies on plant-pathogen interactions and molecular crop breeding towards the improvement of resistance in the future.