bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Significant dose effects of fertilizers on soil diazotrophic diversity, community composition, and assembly processes in a long‐term paddy field fertilization experiment
Authors: Wang Jianlei , Li Qingkang , Shen Congcong , Yang Fengting , Wang Jichen , Ge Yuan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAlthough diazotrophs are major participants in biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) processes, the variations in community structure and assembly processes in response to long‐term fertilization with different fertilizer application are still ambiguous, especially under various doses with balance or not. Using nifH amplicon sequencing, we investigated the soil diazotrophic communities in a paddy field which received 20‐year fertilization including control (CK), balanced fertilization (three doses of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) at same ratio (NPK, 2(NPK), and 3(NPK)), unbalanced fertilization (three ratios, (2 N)PK, N(2P)K, and NP(2K)), and manure (M). Our results showed that the diazotrophic diversity increased with the long‐term fertilization, but it was tapering‐off with doses increment. However, the community dissimilarities increased with fertilizer doses. These variations were attributed to the trade‐off between the variation of soil pH and nutrients. The increasing of fertilizer doses induced the transformation of community assembly processes, which changed from mainly dominated by deterministic processes in CK, NPK, NP(2K) and M to stochastic processes in the other treatments. Our findings suggest that the long‐term fertilization, especially different fertilizer doses, strongly affect soil diazotrophic diversity, community structure, and assembly processes, which could help to improve the sustainable agricultural management in the future.
Embrace the debate: Goals, de‐marketing overconsumption, and conflicting information
Authors: Bareket‐Bojmel Liad , Grinstein Amir , Steinhart Yael 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWhen faced with conflicting information, consumers often wonder what the “right” consumption level is. A highly relevant context that is often associated with such uncertainty is food consumption (e.g., of meat or dairy products), where consumers seek information to determine whether and how much to consume, and often a recommended goal from health experts is to reduce overconsumption. We apply the theory of goal settings as reflecting such information, focusing on specific goals (e.g., “eat meat twice a week”) versus general goals (“eat less meat”). Based on a series of three experiments in both online and field settings with 674 participants overall, we show that in food consumption contexts with conflicting information, general goals set by health experts are less effective than specific goals in battling overconsumption. Perceived value of information was identified as the underlying mechanism as it mediated the effect of conflicting information on reduced overconsumption. Prior work suggests conflicting information is typically disadvantageous for consumers. Our research demonstrates how consumers can benefit from communication emphasizing specific goals when information conflicts. It contributes to policymakers, health experts, and social marketers that search for effective marketing strategies to reduce overconsumption of items that may be associated with conflicting information.
Biomedical applications of polyphosphazenes
Authors: Ogueri Kenneth S. , Ogueri Kennedy S. , Ude Chinedu C. , Allcock Harry R. , Laurencin Cato T. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractEver since the pioneering research efforts on their utility in biomedicine, polyphosphazene polymers have witnessed enormous growth and expansion in several biomedical applications due to their unique properties. The development of this exceptional biodegradable system with extraordinary design flexibility, property tunability and neutral bioactivity could stimulate an unprecedented paradigm in biomaterial design. Thus, polyphosphazenes are, undoubtedly, the next‐generation biomaterials. This editorial provides a brief perspective on the promising prospects of polyphosphazene‐based biomaterials for medical device technology, focusing mainly on the authors’ work on this particular polymeric system.
Analytical probabilistic modeling of dose‐volume histograms
Authors: Wahl Niklas , Hennig Philipp , Wieser Hans‐Peter , Bangert Mark 
Published: August 2020

PurposeRadiotherapy, especially with charged particles, is sensitive to executional and preparational uncertainties that propagate to uncertainty in dose and plan quality indicators, for example, dose‐volume histograms (DVHs). Current approaches to quantify and mitigate such uncertainties rely on explicitly computed error scenarios and are thus subject to statistical uncertainty and limitations regarding the underlying uncertainty model. Here we present an alternative, analytical method to approximate moments, in particular expectation value and (co)variance, of the probability distribution of DVH‐points, and evaluate its accuracy on patient data.MethodsWe use Analytical Probabilistic Modeling (APM) to derive moments of the probability distribution over individual DVH‐points based on the probability distribution over dose. By using the computed moments to parameterize distinct probability distributions over DVH‐points (here normal or beta distributions), not only the moments but also percentiles, that is, α − DVHs, are computed. The model is subsequently evaluated on three patient cases (intracranial, paraspinal, prostate) in 30‐ and single‐fraction scenarios by assuming the dose to follow a multivariate normal distribution, whose moments are computed in closed‐form with APM. The results are compared to a benchmark based on discrete random sampling.ResultsThe evaluation of the new probabilistic model on the three patient cases against a sampling benchmark proves its correctness under perfect assumptions as well as good agreement in realistic conditions. More precisely, ca. 90% of all computed expected DVH‐points and their standard deviations agree within 1% volume with their empirical counterpart from sampling computations, for both fractionated and single fraction treatments. When computing α − DVH, the assumption of a beta distribution achieved better agreement with empirical percentiles than the assumption of a normal distribution: While in both cases probabilities locally showed large deviations (up to ±0.2), the respective − DVHs for α={0.05,0.5,0.95} only showed small deviations in respective volume (up to ±5% volume for a normal distribution, and up to 2% for a beta distribution). A previously published model from literature, which was included for comparison, exhibited substantially larger deviations.ConclusionsWith APM we could derive a mathematically exact description of moments of probability distributions over DVH‐points given a probability distribution over dose. The model generalizes previous attempts and performs well for both choices of probability distributions, that is, normal or beta distributions, over DVH‐points.
Complete abdomen and pelvis segmentation using U‐net variant architecture
Authors: Weston Alexander D. , Korfiatis Panagiotis , Philbrick Kenneth A. , Conte Gian Marco , Kostandy Petro , Sakinis Thomas , Zeinoddini Atefeh , Boonrod Arunnit , Moynagh Michael , Takahashi Naoki , Erickson Bradley J. 
Published: August 2020

PurposeOrgan segmentation of computed tomography (CT) imaging is essential for radiotherapy treatment planning. Treatment planning requires segmentation not only of the affected tissue, but nearby healthy organs‐at‐risk, which is laborious and time‐consuming. We present a fully automated segmentation method based on the three‐dimensional (3D) U‐Net convolutional neural network (CNN) capable of whole abdomen and pelvis segmentation into 33 unique organ and tissue structures, including tissues that may be overlooked by other automated segmentation approaches such as adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and connective tissue and vessels. Whole abdomen segmentation is capable of quantifying exposure beyond a handful of organs‐at‐risk to all tissues within the abdomen.MethodsSixty‐six (66) CT examinations of 64 individuals were included in the training and validation sets and 18 CT examinations from 16 individuals were included in the test set. All pixels in each examination were segmented by image analysts (with physician correction) and assigned one of 33 labels. Segmentation was performed with a 3D U‐Net variant architecture which included residual blocks, and model performance was quantified on 18 test cases. Human interobserver variability (using semiautomated segmentation) was also reported on two scans, and manual interobserver variability of three individuals was reported on one scan. Model performance was also compared to several of the best models reported in the literature for multiple organ segmentation.ResultsThe accuracy of the 3D U‐Net model ranges from a Dice coefficient of 0.95 in the liver, 0.93 in the kidneys, 0.79 in the pancreas, 0.69 in the adrenals, and 0.51 in the renal arteries. Model accuracy is within 5% of human segmentation in eight of 19 organs and within 10% accuracy in 13 of 19 organs.ConclusionsThe CNN approaches the accuracy of human tracers and on certain complex organs displays more consistent prediction than human tracers. Fully automated deep learning‐based segmentation of CT abdomen has the potential to improve both the speed and accuracy of radiotherapy dose prediction for organs‐at‐risk.
Adoptive transfers of CD4+CD25+ Tregs partially alleviate mouse premature ovarian insufficiency
Authors: Liu Dan , Tu Xiaojuan , Huang Chuanmengyuan , Yuan Yuncang , Wang Ying , Liu Xiaona , He Wei 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis study was designed to investigate the protective effect of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) against zona pellucida glycoprotein 3 peptide (pZP3) immunization‐induced premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) in mice. A mouse POI model was induced by two subcutaneous injections of pZP3 (50 nmol/L). Mice in the pZP3‐Treg group were intraperitoneally injected with 5 × 105 CD4+CD25+ Tregs after the POI model was established. Sex hormone levels, follicle numbers, apoptotic events, and the Akt/FOXO3a signaling pathway molecules in the ovaries were assessed. Compared with control group, the weight of ovaries in both pZP3 group and pZP3‐Treg group was decreased and no difference was found between them. The number of follicles in the Treg transferred mice, like in pZP3 group, was significantly reduced compared to the control group, but showed a modest improvement when compared the pZP3 group alone. Significantly lower serum concentrations of follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and anti‐zona pellucida antibodies (AZPAbs) were found, while the concentrations of estradiol and anti‐Mullerian hormone increased. In mechanism, Treg cell transfer to ZP3 treated mice restored the levels of Caspase3 to control levels, and partially restored Bax, however, had no effect on Bcl‐2. Moreover, Treg cell transfer to ZP3 treated mice partially restored the levels of Akt and FOXO3a, and partially restored the ratios of p‐Akt/Akt and p‐FOXO3a/FOXO3a. In conclusion, Treg cells improved some aspects of ZP3‐induced POI which may be mediate by suppressing ovarian cells apoptosis and involving the Akt/FOXO3a signaling pathway. Therefore, Treg cells may be protective against autoimmune POI.
Response of Fish Assemblages to Habitat Changes and Fishing Activity in a Tributary of the Jinsha River in Southwest China
Authors: Yang Zhi , Zhu Qiguang , Jin Yao , Tang Huiyuan , Liu Hong , Wan Chengyan , Chen Xiaojuan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Reservoir impoundment affects fish habitat condition, in turn likely influencing the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of fish assemblage structure in the impounded area. Fishing activity and instream gravel and sand mining are important anthropogenic factors, and flow discharge, water temperature, and precipitation are important natural environmental variables; both anthropogenic and natural factors likely have impacted fish assemblage structure in impounded and unimpounded waterbodies. We used multivariate analysis to evaluate the combined effects of two adjacent reservoir impoundments in the main stem of a large river (Jinsha River; the upper segments of the Yangtze River), overfishing, instream gravel and sand mining, the natural flow regime, and other environmental variables (water temperature and precipitation) on fish assemblage structure in the Heishui River, a small, free-flowing tributary upstream of the mainstream reservoirs. Fish assemblage data and abiotic data collected over 10 years (2008, 2010, and 2011–2017) were analyzed. The results showed that fish assemblages of the Heishui River temporally clustered into two groups that were strongly associated with the two downstream cascade reservoirs (Xiangjiaba and Xiluodu reservoirs) in the main-stem Jinsha River. The relationships between fish assemblage structure and abiotic factors were tested using a distance-based linear model and were visualized using distance-based redundancy analysis, showing that the main factors explaining the interannual and seasonal variation in fish assemblage structure were instream gravel and sand mining, mainstream reservoir impoundment, and seasonal flow regime. Among these, instream gravel and sand mining in this tributary played the most significant role in affecting the temporal variation of fish assemblage structure and explained 34.12% of the total variability. Mainstream reservoir impoundment and seasonal flow regime exerted secondary effects on the temporal variation of fish assemblage structure and together explained 13.39% (7.00% and 6.39%, respectively) of the total variability. This study suggests that the relevant administrative agencies should focus more on free-flowing habitat maintenance in this tributary and the control of instream gravel and sand mining.
The effectiveness of healthy lifestyle interventions on weight gain in overweight pregnant women: A cluster‐randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hajian Sepideh , Aslani Armin , Sarbakhsh Parvin , Fathnezhad‐Kazemi Azita 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAimInterventions based on adopting a healthy lifestyle have been less successful. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of healthy lifestyle interventions on weight gain in overweight pregnant women.DesignA cluster randomized controlled trial.MethodsHealth centres were selected by simple random sampling; then, 66 overweight pregnant women were enrolled by convenience sampling and divided into intervention and comparison groups. Intervention group received individual nutritional counselling and physical activity training. The data were collected in several stages with the demographic and obstetric questionnaire, maternal weight record, food frequency and international physical activity questionnaire.ResultsPregnancy weight gain‐4.75(CI 95%: −4.02, −5.48) was significantly lower in the intervention group (p < .001). Comparing between groups with adjustment for baseline values indicated that there was a statistically significant difference in terms of total calorie 95.46 (CI 95%: −22.37, 213.30), carbohydrate 23.45 (CI 95%: 2.12, 44.78), protein −7.16 (CI 95%: −12.85, −1.47) and fat 8.82 (CI 95%: 2.21, 15.67) intake. Despite the higher level of physical activity in the intervention group, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups.ConclusionCounselling interventions for healthy living during pregnancy can lead to controlling weight gain, improving dietary habits and increasing the physical activity in overweight pregnant women.
Mechanisms of Artemisia scoparia’s Anti‐Inflammatory Activity in Cultured Adipocytes, Macrophages, and Pancreatic β‐Cells
Authors: Boudreau Anik , Burke Susan J. , Collier J. Jason , Richard Allison J. , Ribnicky David M. , Stephens Jacqueline M. 
Published: August 2020

ObjectiveAn ethanolic extract of Artemisia scoparia (SCO) improves adipose tissue function and reduces negative metabolic consequences of high‐fat feeding. A. scoparia has a long history of medicinal use across Asia and has anti‐inflammatory effects in various cell types and disease models. The objective of the current study was to investigate SCO’s effects on inflammation in cells relevant to metabolic health.MethodsInflammatory responses were assayed in cultured adipocytes, macrophages, and insulinoma cells by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, and NF‐κB reporter assays.ResultsIn tumor necrosis factor α–treated adipocytes, SCO mitigated ERK and NF‐κB signaling as well as transcriptional responses but had no effect on fatty acid–binding protein 4 secretion. SCO also reduced levels of deleted in breast cancer 1 protein in adipocytes and inhibited inflammatory gene expression in stimulated macrophages. Finally, in pancreatic β‐cells, SCO decreased NF‐κB–responsive promoter activity induced by IL‐1β treatment.ConclusionsSCO’s ability to promote adipocyte development and function is thought to mediate its insulin‐sensitizing actions in vivo. Our findings that SCO inhibits inflammatory responses through at least two distinct signaling pathways (ERK and NF‐κB) in three cell types known to contribute to metabolic disease reveal that SCO may act more broadly than previously thought to improve metabolic health.
Construction of ultra‐stable perovskite–polymer fibre membranes by electrospinning technology and its application to light‐emitting diodes
Authors: Bi Huan , Liu Fangyu , Wang Mian , Mao Zhu , Zhai Yuehui , Li Wei , Wang Shiwei , Zhang Mingyao 
Published: August 2020

AbstractRecently, organometallic halide perovskites have shown attractive application prospects in photoelectric devices depending on their excellent electro‐optic properties. However, their poor stability has greatly limited their practical applications. Here, methylammonium lead tribromide (MAPbBr3) crystals are protected by polystyrene (PS) fibre membranes using electrospinning technology. The MAPbBr3@PS composite fibre membranes fabricated in this work not only show strong photoluminescence properties but also excellent stability: 70% of the fluorescence intensity of MAPbBr3@PS is maintained after soaking in water for 30 days, 85% after leaving at 95 °C for 350 min, and 90% after irradiating under UV light for 100 h. The excellent stability of the MAPbBr3@PS fibre membranes may be attributed to the hydrogen bonds between the MAPbBr3 crystal and the PS fibre. In addition, a high‐brightness white‐light‐emitting diode based on MAPbBr3@PS fibre was fabricated, which fully demonstrates its application prospects in the field of colour conversion. © 2020 Society of Industrial Chemistry
The Effect of Repeated abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport®) Injections on Walking Velocity in Persons with Spastic Hemiparesis Caused by Stroke or Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Esquenazi Alberto , Brashear Allison , Deltombe Thierry , Rudzinska‐Bar Monika , Krawczyk Malgorzata , Skoromets Alexander , O'Dell Michael W. , Grandoulier Anne‐Sophie , Vilain Claire , Picaut Philippe , Gracies Jean‐Michel 
Published: August 2020

BackgroundBotulinum toxin (BoNT) injections were shown to improve muscle tone of limbs in patients with spasticity. However, limited data are available regarding the effects of repeated BoNT injections on walking ability.ObjectiveTo assess changes in walking velocity (WV), step length, and cadence under different test conditions after repeated treatment with abobotulinumtoxinA (aboBoNT‐A; Dysport) in spastic lower limb muscles.DesignSecondary analysis of an open‐label, multiple‐cycle extension (National Clinical Trials number NCT01251367) to a phase III, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, single‐treatment cycle study, in adults with chronic hemiparesis (NCT01249404).SettingFifty‐two centers across Australia, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, and the United States.Patients352 Ambulatory adults (18‐80 years) with spastic hemiparesis and gait dysfunction caused by stroke or traumatic brain injury, with a comfortable barefoot WV of 0.1 to 0.8 m/s.InterventionsUp to four aboBoNT‐A treatment cycles, administered to spastic lower limb muscles.Main Outcome MeasurementsChanges from baseline in comfortable and maximal barefoot and with shoes WV (m/s), step length (m/step), and cadence (steps/minutes).ResultsAt Week 12 after four injections, WV improved by 0.08 to 0.10 m/s, step length by 0.03 to 0.04 m/step, and cadence by 3.9 to 6.2 steps/minutes depending on test condition (all P < .0001 to .0003 vs baseline). More patients (7% to 17%) became unlimited community ambulators (WV ≥0.8 m/s) across test conditions compared with baseline, with 39% of 151 patients classified as unlimited community ambulators in at least one test condition and 17% in all four test conditions.ConclusionsClinically meaningful and statistically significant improvements in WV, step length, and cadence under all four test conditions were observed in patients with spastic hemiparesis after each aboBoNT‐A treatment cycle.
Lung ultrasound predicts histological lung injury in a neonatal model of acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Elsayed Yasser N. , Hinton Martha , Graham Ruth , Dakshinamurti Shyamala 
Published: August 2020

AbstractRationalePoint‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) is used to evaluate pulmonary edema in adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Its use has not been validated in neonatal models.ObjectivesWe compared an in vivo lung ultrasound score against clinical and histological markers of acute lung injury, in a neonatal animal model, hypothesizing that POCUS would sensitively diagnose early acute lung injury in neonates and discern its severity.MethodsFifteen anesthetized, ventilated 3‐day‐old neonatal piglets were divided into controls, moderate lung injury, or severe lung injury by graded treatment with oleic acid. Degree of lung injury was quantified at baseline, immediately after oleic acid administration, and 1 hour after the evolution of acute lung injury, by blood gases, ventilation parameters and calculated oxygenation deficit; hemodynamic indices by echocardiography, and lung ultrasound obtained in an 8‐region grid of anterior and posterior zones, semi‐quantitatively analyzed by a blinded observer. Lungs were inflation‐fixed postmortem at last mean airway pressure, for histological assessment.ResultsAcute lung injury manifested in oleic acid‐treated groups as dose‐dependent capillary leak causing intravascular depletion and cardiac failure, hypoxemia with increasing intrapulmonary shunt fraction, decreased lung compliance, and resistance. Ultrasound scores of anterior regions distinguished moderate from severe injury; scores in posterior regions reached maximum values immediately after lung injury. POCUS score correlated with calculated intrapulmonary shunt fraction (R2 = .65) and with histological injury score (R2 = .61),P < .01.ConclusionWe conclude that POCUS may be valuable in neonates for early quantification of acute lung injury or ARDS; and that nondependent ultrasound regions clearly distinguish severity of pulmonary edema.