bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validating 1-Year Reliable Change Methods
Authors: Hammers Dustin B , Porter Sariah , Dixon Ava , Suhrie Kayla R , Duff Kevin 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objective
reliable change methods can assist in the determination of whether observed changes in performance are meaningful. The current study sought to validate previously published 1-year standardized regression-based (SRB) equations for commonly administered neuropsychological measures that incorporated baseline performances, demographics, and 1-week practice effects.

Method
Duff et al.’s SRB prediction equations were applied to an independent sample of 70 community-dwelling older adults with either normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment, assessed at baseline, at 1 week, and at 1 year.

Results
minimal improvements or declines were seen between observed baseline and observed 1-year follow-up scores, or between observed 1-year and predicted 1-year scores, on most measures. Relatedly, a high degree of predictive accuracy was observed between observed 1-year and predicted 1-year scores across cognitive measures in this repeated battery.

Conclusions
these results, which validate Duff et al.’s SRB equations, will permit clinicians and researchers to have more confidence when predicting cognitive performance on these measures over 1 year.
An examination of reliable change methods for measuring cognitive change with the Cogstate Computerized Battery: Research and clinical implications
Authors: Gates Thomas M , Kamminga Jody , Jayewardene Avindra , Vincent Trina , Quan Dick , Brew Bruce J , Bloch Mark , Cysique Lucette A 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objective
To compare the performance of four reliable change (RC) methods with respect to measuring cognitive change on the Cogstate Computerized Battery (CCB).

Method
We assessed cognitive change in 57 healthy, urban, well-educated males on the CCB at baseline and 6 months (Median age = 50, 65% university-educated). The study CCB version comprised seven measures covering attention, processing speed, verbal learning, and memory. Raw scores were z-score transformed using age-corrected Cogstate norms (CN) or the sample mean and standard deviation (internal standardization [IS]), and then averaged to create composite z-scores. Composite scores were entered into four RC formulae. RC was defined based on a 90% two-tailed confidence interval. Change scores were compared as continuous (z-scores) and ordinal variables (RC outcomes).

Results
CCB composite score reliability (rXY = .78–.79) was replicated in an age- and sex-matched Cogstate database sample of similar size. There was good overall agreement between the four RC methods (Bland–Altman Mdiff = .00; 95% limits of agreement with the mean—CN: z = ± .90; IS: z = ± .93), with each model adhering closely to the 10% rate of RC expected by chance alone (largest χ2 = .86, p = .99). Initial norming strategy (CN or IS) did not affect these outcomes.

Conclusions
Norming strategy and RC method choice did not significantly impact cognitive change predictions on CCB composite scores. A series of example case data are provided to practically demonstrate the steps involved in applying the longitudinal norms generated in this study. Research in more diverse normative samples is warranted.
First Demonstration of Double Dissociation between COMT-Met158 and COMT-Val158 Cognitive Performance When Stressed and When Calmer
Authors: Zareyan Shahab , Zhang Haolu , Wang Juelu , Song Weihong , Hampson Elizabeth , Abbott David , Diamond Adele 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe present here the first evidence of the much-predicted double dissociation between the effect of stress on cognitive skills [executive functions (EFs)] dependent on prefrontal cortex (PFC) by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genotype. The COMT gene polymorphism with methionine (Met) at codon 158 results in more dopamine (DA) in PFC and generally better EFs, while with valine (Val) at codon 158 the result is less PFC DA and generally poorer EFs. Many have predicted that mild stress, by raising PFC DA levels should aid EFs of COMT-Vals (bringing their PFC DA levels up, closer to optimal) and impair EFs of COMT-Mets (raising their PFC DA levels past optimal). We tested 140 men and women in a within-subject crossover design using extremely mild social evaluative stress. On trials requiring EFs (incongruent trials) of the Flanker/Reverse Flanker task, COMT-Val158 homozygotes performed better when mildly stressed than when calmer, while COMT-Met158 carriers performed worse when mildly stressed. Two other teams previously tried to obtain this, but only found stress impairing EFs of COMT-Mets, not improving EFs of COMT-Vals. Perhaps we found both because we used a much milder stressor. Evidently, the bandwidth for stress having a facilitative effect on EFs is exceedingly narrow.
Odor-Mediated Group Organization and Coordination in the Termite-Raiding Ant Megaponera analis (Mayr)
Authors: Yusuf Abdullahi A , Frank Erik T , Fombong Ayuka T , Pirk Christian W W , Crewe Robin M , Schmitt Thomas , Strube-Bloss Martin , Gordon Ian , Torto Baldwyn 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Visual and olfactory communications are vital for coordinated group hunting in most animals. To hunt for prey, the group-raiding termite specialist ant Megaponera analis, which lacks good vision, must first confirm the presence or absence of conspecific raiders. Here, we show that M. analis uses olfactory cues for intraspecific communication and showed greater preference for conspecific odors over clean air (blank) or odors from its termite prey. Chemical analysis of ant volatiles identified predominantly short-chained hydrocarbons. Electrophysiological analysis revealed differential sensory detection of the odor compounds, which were confirmed in behavioral olfactometric choice assays with odor bouquets collected from major and minor castes and the 2 most dominant volatiles and n-undecane n-tridecane. A comparative analysis of the cuticular hydrocarbon profile with those of the short-chained odor bouquet of different populations shows a high divergence in the long-chained profile and a much-conserved short-chained odor bouquet. This suggests that there is less selection pressure for divergence and individual recognition in the short- than the long-chained odor profiles. We conclude that olfactory communication serves as an alternative to visual or sound communication, especially during group raids in M. analis when ants are not in direct contact with one another.
The Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) Index Predicts Mortality in a Community-recruited Cohort of People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Who Use Illicit Drugs
Authors: Reddon Hudson , Grant Cameron , Nosova Ekaterina , Fairbairn Nadia , Barrios Rolando , Justice Amy C , Nolan Seonaid , Socias M Eugenia , Milloy M-J 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) index combines commonly collected clinical biomarkers to estimate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease severity. Among a prospective cohort of people living with HIV who use illicit drugs (PWUD) (n = 948), we found that the VACS index was significantly associated with mortality over a 20-year study period.
Using Serologic Testing to Assess the Effectiveness of Outbreak Control Efforts, Serial Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing, and Cohorting of Positive Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Patients in a Skilled Nursing Facility
Authors: Dora Amy V , Winnett Alexander , Fulcher Jennifer A , Sohn Linda , Calub Feliza , Lee-Chang Ian , Ghadishah Elham , Schwartzman William A , Beenhouwer David O , Vallone John , Graber Christopher J , Goetz Matthew Bidwell , Bhattacharya Debika 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
We characterized serology following a nursing home outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) where residents were serially tested by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and positive residents were cohorted. When tested 46–76 days later, 24 of 26 RT-PCR–positive residents were seropositive; none of the 124 RT-PCR–negative residents had confirmed seropositivity, supporting serial SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing and cohorting in nursing homes.
Measurement Recorder: developing a useful tool for making species descriptions that produces computable phenotypes
Authors: Cui Hong , Zhang Limin , Ford Bruce , Chen Hsin-liang , Macklin James A , Reznicek Anton , Starr Julian 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
To use published phenotype information in computational analyses, there have been efforts to convert descriptions of phenotype characters from human languages to ontologized statements. This postpublication curation process is not only slow and costly, it is also burdened with significant intercurator variation (including curator–author variation), due to different interpretations of a character by various individuals. This problem is inherent in any human-based intellectual activity. To address this problem, making scientific publications semantically clear (i.e. computable) by the authors at the time of publication is a critical step if we are to avoid postpublication curation. To help authors efficiently produce species phenotypes while producing computable data, we are experimenting with an author-driven ontology development approach and developing and evaluating a series of ontology-aware software modules that would create publishable species descriptions that are readily useable in scientific computations. The first software module prototype called Measurement Recorder has been developed to assist authors in defining continuous measurements and reported in this paper. Two usability studies of the software were conducted with 22 undergraduate students majoring in information science and 32 in biology. Results suggest that participants can use Measurement Recorder without training and they find it easy to use after limited practice. Participants also appreciate the semantic enhancement features. Measurement Recorder’s character reuse features facilitate character convergence among participants by 48% and have the potential to further reduce user errors in defining characters. A set of software design issues have also been identified and then corrected. Measurement Recorder enables authors to record measurements in a semantically clear manner and enriches phenotype ontology along the way. Future work includes representing the semantic data as Resource Description Framework (RDF) knowledge graphs and characterizing the division of work between authors as domain knowledge providers and ontology engineers as knowledge formalizers in this new author-driven ontology development approach.
Better Together? Combining Cover Crop Mulches, Organic Herbicides, and Weed Seed Biological Control in Reduced-Tillage Systems
Authors: Lewis Danielle G , Cutulle Matthew A , Schmidt-Jeffris Rebecca A , Blubaugh Carmen K 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Organic vegetable farmers rely heavily on labor-intensive tillage for weed management, which adversely affects soil health and harms beneficial insects that consume crop pests and weed seeds. Using cover crop residues as a weed-suppressive mulch enables some reduction in tillage, and combining this tool with recently developed organic herbicides may further enhance weed suppression in vegetable production. However, organic herbicides may also adversely affect beneficial insects, and their nontarget effects are unknown. Here, we examine the combined impacts of cultural and chemical tools on weed cover while monitoring activity of beneficial epigeal insects and measuring rates of weed seed biological control to assess potential nontarget effects of organic herbicides. In a 2-yr experiment, we compared three cover crop mulch treatments and three organic herbicide treatments (capric/caprylic acid, corn gluten meal, and herbicide-free) in a reduced-tillage system. Organic herbicides led to no reductions in beneficial insect activity nor weed seed biocontrol. In both years, capric/caprylic acid herbicide and cover crop mulches reduced weed pressure relative to a fallow control treatment, whereas corn gluten meal had no effect. In year 2, a combination of cover crop mulch with organic herbicide had the greatest weed suppression relative to the fallow control. Integrated weed management is a perpetual challenge, but our results suggest that organic herbicides used in concert with cover crop mulch may enhance weed control and reduce the need for tillage, with limited collateral damage to natural enemies.
Evolutionary perspectives on human behavior during the coronavirus pandemic
Authors: Brüne Martin , Wilson Daniel R 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe coronavirus pandemic constitutes a global challenge to society and medicine. Here, we review evolutionary insights that are relevant for the understanding of how people respond to the pandemic and what to expect in the aftermath of the crisis. Specifically, we argue that the behavioral immune system (BIS) and sickness behavior (SB) comprise two adaptive responses to impending and actual infection, respectively, and that individuals activating their BIS differ from those showing SB in important ways that may have implications for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Moreover, we reframe some of the behavioral health issues associated with the pandemic in a game-theoretical scenario, illustrating the difficulties that arise when public health is treated as a ‘public good’.Lay summary: The coronavirus pandemic constitutes a global challenge to society and medicine. In this article, we employ evolutionary theory to improve our understanding of how people respond to the pandemic. Specifically, we argue that human behavior is guided by ancient mechanisms involving either the avoidance of infection or defense against attacks in times of enhanced vulnerability. Moreover, we reframe some of the behavioral health issues associated with the pandemic in a game-theoretical scenario. This helps understand why most people comply with rules of social distancing, while a minority fails to do so for very different reasons. The evolutionary perspective also allows making some predictions for the course of the pandemic.
ANMCO POSITION PAPER: The role of cardiology in the management of the health needs in the post-Covid-19 era
Authors: Murrone Adriano , Colivicchi Furio , Roncon Loris , Caldarola Pasquale , Amodeo Vincenzo , Urbinati Stefano , Di Lenarda Andrea , Valente Serafina , Aspromonte Nadia , Cipriani Manlio , Domenicucci Stefano , Francese Giuseppina Maura , Imazio Massimo , Scotto di Uccio Fortunato , Scherillo Marino , Di Pasquale Giuseppe , Gulizia Michele Massimo , Gabrielli Domenico 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAt the end of 2019 a new Coronavirus appeared in China and, from there, it spread to the rest of the world. On 24th May, 2020, the confirmed cases in the world were more than 5 million and the deaths almost 350.000. At the end of May, Italy reported more than 27.000 cases among healthcare professionals and 163 deaths among physicians. The National Health Systems from almost all over the world, including Italy’s, were unprepared for this pandemic, and this generated important consequences of organizational nature. All elective and urgent specialized activities were completely reorganized, and many hospital units were partially or completely converted to the care of the COVID-19 patients. A significant reduction in hospital admissions for acute heart disease were recorded during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and, in order to gradually resume hospital activities, the Italian National Phase 2 Plan for the partial recovery of activities, must necessarily be associated with a Phase 2 Health Plan. In regards to the cardiac outpatient activities we need to identify short term goals, i.e. reschedule the suspended outpatient activities, revise the waiting lists, review the ‘timings’ of the bookings. This will reduce the number of available examinations compared to the pre-Covid-19 era. The GP’s collaboration could represent an important resource, a structured telephone follow-up plan is advisable with the nursing staff’s involvement. It is equally important to set medium-long term goals, the pandemic could be an appropriate moment for making a virtue of necessity. It is time to reason on prescriptive appropriateness, telemedicine implementation intended as integration to the traditional management. It is time to restructure the cardiological units related to the issue of structural adjustment to the needs for functional isolation. Moreover, the creation of ‘grey zones’ with multidisciplinary management according to the intensity of care levels seems to be necessary as well as the identification of Covid dedicated cardiologies. Finally, the pandemic could represent the opportunity for a permanent renovation of the cardiological and territorial medicine activities.
Role of the rabbit whole-heart model for electrophysiologic safety pharmacology of non-cardiovascular drugs
Authors: Ellermann Christian , Wolfes Julian , Eckardt Lars , Frommeyer Gerrit 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Plenty of non-cardiovascular drugs alter cardiac electrophysiology and may ultimately lead to life-threatening arrhythmias. In clinical practice, measuring the QT interval as a marker for the repolarization period is the most common tool to assess the electrophysiologic safety of drugs. However, the sole measurement of the QT interval may be insufficient to determine the proarrhythmic risk of non-cardiovascular agents. Several other markers are considered in pre-clinical safety testing to determine potential harm on cardiac electrophysiology. Besides measuring typical electrophysiologic parameters such as repolarization duration, whole-heart models allow the determination of potential predictors for proarrhythmia. Spatial and temporal heterogeneity as well as changes of shape of the action potential can be easily assessed. In addition, provocation manoeuvers (either by electrolyte imbalances or programmed pacing protocols) may induce sustained arrhythmias and thereby determine ventricular vulnerability to arrhythmias. Compared with the human heart, the rabbit heart possesses a similar distribution of ion currents that govern cardiac repolarization, resulting in a rectangular action potential configuration in both species. In addition, similar biophysical properties of rabbit and human cardiac ion channels lead to a comparable pharmacologic response in human and rabbit hearts. Of note, arrhythmia patterns resemble in both species due to the similar effective size of human and rabbit hearts. Thus, the rabbit heart is particularly suitable for testing the electrophysiologic safety of drugs. Several experimental setups have been developed for studying cardiac electrophysiology in rabbits, ranging from single cell to tissue preparations, whole-heart setups, and in vivo models.
Association of obesity and diabetes with physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption in stroke survivors
Authors: Bailey Ryan R , Singleton John Robinson , Majersik Jennifer J 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
Engaging in unhealthy behaviours [poor diet, insufficient physical activity (PA)] increases risk for recurrent stroke and can be compounded by obesity and diabetes, but the association of obesity and diabetes with poor diet and insufficient PA in stroke survivors is unknown.

Objective
The purpose of this study was to compare prevalences of low fruit and vegetable consumption (low FV consumption, &lt;1 fruit and &lt;1 vegetable daily) and low physical activity (low PA, &lt;150 minutes of weekly moderate-intensity PA) in stroke survivors, stratified by obesity–diabetes status (neither condition, obesity only, diabetes only, both conditions).

Methods
Cross-sectional data from 32 876 non-institutionalized, US stroke survivors aged ≥45 years from the 2015 and 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were examined. Weighted, age-adjusted prevalence estimates and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of the investigated unhealthy behaviours (adjusted for sex, age, race, income, education and marital status) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

Results
Prevalences of low FV consumption and low PA exceeded 50% across all obesity–diabetes categories. Compared with respondents with neither obesity nor diabetes, AORs for low PA were increased for respondents with both obesity and diabetes (2.02, 95% CI: 1.72–2.37) and respondents with obesity only (1.31, 1.13–1.53); AORs for low FV consumption did not differ across obesity–diabetes categories.

Conclusions
Results indicated a joint effect of obesity and diabetes with low PA among stroke survivors. Regardless of obesity–diabetes status, however, prevalence of low FV consumption and low PA exceeded 50%. Targeted interventions that modify these unhealthy behaviours among stroke survivors should be explored.
Public health insurance and birth outcomes: evidence from Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Gardezi Najam uz Zehra 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPublic health insurance targeted towards low-income households has gained traction in many developing countries. However, there is limited evidence as to the effectiveness of these programs in countries where institutional constraints may limit participation by the eligible population. This paper evaluates a recent health insurance initiative introduced in Pakistan and discusses whether eligibility for the programme improves maternal health seeking behaviour. The Prime Minister National Health Program provides free insurance coverage to low-income families. The programme is in the early phases of implementation and has, since 2016, only been rolled out in a few eligible districts within the country. This allows for a comparison of eligible households in districts where the programme has been introduced to those that are eligible to receive insurance at a future date. Using repeated cross-sectional data from multiple rounds of representative household survey, a difference-in-difference model has been estimated. Results show that at least for a specific beneficiary group (i.e. pregnant women), there has been a positive increase in utilization of hospital services. Furthermore, we provide evidence using mother fixed effects that the programme increased the likelihood of a child’s birth being documented. Since possession of a birth certificate can secure civic rights for a child, this is an unintended but positive outcome of the programme.
Constraining Images of Quadratic Arboreal Representations
Authors: Ferraguti Andrea , Pagano Carlo 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
In this paper, we prove several results on finitely generated dynamical Galois groups attached to quadratic polynomials. First, we show that, over global fields, quadratic post-critically finite (PCF) polynomials are precisely those having an arboreal representation whose image is topologically finitely generated. To obtain this result, we also prove the quadratic case of Hindes’ conjecture on dynamical non-isotriviality. Next, we give two applications of this result. On the one hand, we prove that quadratic polynomials over global fields with abelian dynamical Galois group are necessarily PCF, and we combine our results with local class field theory to classify quadratic pairs over ${ {\mathbb{Q}}}$ with abelian dynamical Galois group, improving on recent results of Andrews and Petsche. On the other hand, we show that several infinite families of subgroups of the automorphism group of the infinite binary tree cannot appear as images of arboreal representations of quadratic polynomials over number fields, yielding unconditional evidence toward Jones’ finite index conjecture.