bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Additional diagnostic accuracy of global longitudinal strain at peak dobutamine stress in patients with moderate pretest probability of coronary artery disease
Authors: Elamragy Ahmed A. , Abdelwahab Mohamed A. , Elremisy Dalia R. , Hassan Mohamed , Ammar Waleed A. , Taha Hesham S. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies confirmed the feasibility of 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE) during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) in assessing myocardial ischemia in patients with previous myocardial infarction. It is unknown whether it improves the diagnostic accuracy in young patients with intermediate pretest probability for coronary artery disease (CAD) and no prior cardiovascular events.MethodsWe prospectively studied 101 patients by DSE and STE, followed by coronary angiography within 1 month. Significant CAD was defined as diameter stenosis ≥ 50%. Receiver operating characteristic analysis obtained global longitudinal strain (GLS) cutoff values of significant area under the curve (AUC).ResultsMean age: 53 ± 8 years, 56% females, 49 had significant CAD (group 1) and 52 had normal/mild CAD (group 2); no significant baseline differences except more males in group 1 (P: .002). DSE sensitivity and specificity for CAD were 79.6% and 92.3%, respectively, positive predictive value (PPV): 90.6%, negative predictive value (NPV): 82.7%, and diagnostic accuracy: 86%. At peak stress, all strain parameters were significantly lower in group 1. However, GLS had the highest AUC: 0.88, P: <.001. GLS cutoff value ≤ −20.5 had 89.8% sensitivity, 84.6% specificity, 84.6% PPV, 89.8% NPV, and 87% diagnostic accuracy. Combining GLS cutoff with DSE had higher AUC than either alone (0.9, P < .001): 95.9% sensitivity, 84.6% specificity, 85.5% PPV, 95.7% NPV, and 90% diagnostic accuracy.Conclusion2D‐STE‐derived GLS increases DSE precision to detect CAD in intermediate pretest probability patients: It improves DSE sensitivity, NPV, and accuracy. It is reproducible and has comparable specificity.
Estimation of carbon stocks in boreal cropland soils ‐ methodological considerations
Authors: Heikkinen Jaakko , Keskinen Riikka , Regina Kristiina , Honkanen Henri , Nuutinen Visa 
Published: July 2020

AbstractHigh expectations to harness agricultural soils as sinks for atmospheric carbon (C) necessitate methods for verifying changes in soil organic C (SOC) stocks and improving the accuracy of regional SOC stock estimates specific to various land‐use and management types. In this study we used a sample set included in the Finnish national soil monitoring network (n = 125) to determine the SOC stock and its vertical distribution in Finnish agricultural mineral soils using fixed depth (FD) and equivalent soil mass (ESM) methods. Further, we explored the within‐field variation in SOC stock and minimum sample size in the context of SOC sequestration. Boreal agricultural mineral soils were found to be rich in SOC. The average SOC stock ranged between 8.4 and 9.8 kg m−2 in the top 30 cm depending on cropping system and soil type. Cultivation of perennial crops tended to enrich the C close to the soil surface in comparison to dominantly annual crops, which exhibited a less steep C gradient with depth. The commonly used van Bemmelen factor of 1.724 to convert results of loss on ignition to SOC was found to be appropriate for coarse‐textured Finnish agricultural soils. However, the results showed that in clay‐rich soils, it is critical to take into account the structural water bound in clay particles to avoid overestimation of the SOC content. The study also demonstrated that the minimum sample size required to detect the change of 0.1 kg C m−2 at field level is typically several hundreds. Therefore empirical soil sampling is not at all cost‐effective enough for verifying the changes in SOC stocks with regard to compensation of C sequestration for farmers. Thus, alternative verification methods, such as SOC modelling in combination with field‐level data collected, for example, using remote sensing should be developed further.Highlights
Boreal agricultural mineral soils are rich in C
Rotations where perennial crops dominated tended to enrich C in the soil surface
Soil clay content should be taken into account when converting SOM to SOC
The sample size required to verify SOC stock changes for C trading is extremely high
A modification to the van Genuchten model for improved prediction of relative hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated soils
Authors: Kuang Xingxing , Jiao Jiu Jimmy , Shan Jipeng , Yang Zhenlei 
Published: July 2020

AbstractModelling of flow and transport in unsaturated soils requires information on two fundamental hydraulic properties: the soil water retention curve and relative hydraulic conductivity. A soil's relative hydraulic conductivity is frequently predicted from the soil water retention curve. The most widely used combination is the van Genuchten model for the soil water retention curve and the Mualem model for relative hydraulic conductivity (VGM). Previous studies show that the VGM model underestimates measured relative hydraulic conductivity for soils with fine textures; a sharp drop in relative hydraulic conductivity can be seen near saturation. A new modification of the van Genuchten soil water retention model is proposed with the aim of improving the agreement between predicted and measured relative hydraulic conductivity. The Brooks and Corey‐Burdine model is used to predict relative hydraulic conductivity from the modified van Genuchten soil water retention curve (MVG‐BCB). The modified model assumes independent m and n in the van Genuchten model but with constraints n > 2 and 0 < m < 1. The MVG‐BCB model is evaluated by comparing calculated and measured data for 59 soils that have widely varying soil textures, ranging from sandstone to clay. The MVG‐BCB model improves the agreement between calculated and measured data for both the soil water retention curve and relative hydraulic conductivity. The MVG‐BCB model is closer to measured relative hydraulic conductivity data for most of the selected soils and the sharp drop near saturation is eliminated. Both the modified soil water retention curve and relative hydraulic conductivity functions are smooth curves and can easily be incorporated into vadose zone flow and transport modellings.Highlights
A new modification to the van Genuchten soil water retention model.
The model improves the fit to measured soil water retention data.
The chosen model improves the prediction of relative hydraulic conductivity.
When Assessment Validation Neglects Any Strand of Validity Evidence: An Instructive Example from PISA
Authors: Pepper David 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing identify several strands of validity evidence that may be needed as support for particular interpretations and uses of assessments. Yet assessment validation often does not seem guided by these Standards, with validations lacking a particular strand even when it appears relevant to an assessment. Consequently, the degree to which validity evidence supports the proposed interpretation and use of the assessment may be compromised. Guided by the Standards, this article presents an independent validation of OECD's PISA assessment of mathematical self‐efficacy (MSE) as an instructive example of this issue. OECD identifies MSE as one of a number of “factors” explaining student performance in mathematics, thereby serving the “policy orientation” of PISA. However, this independent validation identifies significant shortcomings in the strands of validity evidence available to support this interpretation and use of the assessment. The article therefore demonstrates how the Standards can guide the planning of a validation to ensure it generates the validity evidence relevant to an interpretive argument, particularly for an international large‐scale assessment such as PISA. The implication is that assessment validation could yet benefit from the Standards as what Zumbo calls “a global force for testing”.
Short‐term impacts of prescribed burning on Orange‐bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster) food plant abundance
Authors: Stojanovic Dejan , Neeman Teresa , Crates Ross , Troy Shannon , Heinsohn Robert 
Published: July 2020

SummaryFire has important implications for the availability of suitable types of habitat for animals. Different species vary in their responses to fire, and quantifying the responses of key habitat attributes may facilitate manipulation of fire regimes to improve conditions for species of conservation concern. The Orange‐bellied Parrot Neophema chrysogaster prefers recently burned habitat for foraging when breeding but knowledge of how fire affects this species and its habitat is limited. We implemented a 2‐year before‐after‐control‐impact (BACI) study to quantify short‐term impacts of fire on food plants and habitat features. Relative to control sites, the four food plants we monitored in the treatment area responded differently to fire: one did not recover, two reached pre‐burn abundance after 20 months and another recovered by 1 year after fire, and by 20 months was more common in treatment sites. Relative to controls, the proportion of bare earth at treatment sites increased after fire and then gradually declined, while mean vegetation height at treatment plots declined after fire and then gradually increased. Twenty months after fire, parrots foraged on abundant regeneration of the Dwarf Everlasting (Helichrysum pumilum) and fed the seeds of this species to their nestlings. Fire alters the availability of key resources needed by breeding Orange‐bellied Parrots, and ongoing manipulation of fire regimes may relieve limitation of natural foods for this species.
Genome‐wide quantitative trait loci detection for biofuel traits in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.)
Authors: Ali Shahjahan , Serba Desalegn D. , Walker Dennis , Jenkins Jerry , Schmutz Jeremy , Bhamidimarri Suresh , Saha Malay C. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSwitchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has been identified as a potential feedstock for cellulosic ethanol production in United States for its high biomass yield and adaptation to marginal lands. Composition of the cell wall plays an important role in bioethanol conversion. A total of 209 pseudo‐F1 testcross progenies obtained from a biparental cross, AP13 × VS16, were grown at three locations from 2008 to 2011. Near‐infrared spectroscopy was used to estimate cell wall composition from biomass harvested at maturity. A linkage map of the pseudo‐F1 testcross was constructed with 8,757 SNPs developed by genotyping‐by‐sequencing. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was performed on eight lignocellulosic traits, namely, klason lignin, sugar, glucose, xylose, hexose, ethanol, hexosoic ethanol, and cell wall ethanol conversion percentage. A total of 327 QTL were recorded for the eight lignocellulosic traits. We have identified 111 major regions in the switchgrass genome that underlie these lignocellulosic traits. Scanning of the genome sequence for genes flanking the QTL peaks, we identified 45 important genes that are involved in lignin biosynthesis, carbohydrate and sugar metabolism, and other biological and cellular functions. Identification of valuable genes associated with QTL along with pleotropic effects of the significant number of QTL suggests that simultaneous selection and genetic improvement of these traits are possible using marker‐assisted selection.
Medicine and public health in twentieth‐century China: Histories of modernization and change
Authors: Baum Emily 
Published: July 2020

AbstractOver the past two decades, an increasing amount of scholarly attention has turned to the history of medicine in twentieth‐century China, with many works demonstrating how the Chinese pursuit of health has been inextricably tied to the quest for national sovereignty and political self‐strengthening. This essay examines recent English‐ and Chinese‐language research on the history of medicine, public health, and the body in modern China, focusing specifically on the themes of modernization and change. Proceeding chronologically and thematically, it shows how current historiography has traced the source of China's medical modernization efforts to colonialism, ideological conflicts between practitioners of Chinese and Western medicine, the politicization of medical practice under the Nationalist Party (Guomindang), and the Chinese Communist Party's desire to revolutionize health care.
Radiation‐associated sarcomas other than malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours demonstrate loss of histone H3K27 trimethylation†
Authors: Panse Gauri , Mito Jeffrey K , Ingram Davis R , Wani Khalida , Khan Samia , Lazar Alexander J , Doyle Leona A , Wang Wei‐Lien 
Published: July 2020

Background and aimsComplete loss of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) has recently emerged as a biomarker for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNST). Loss of H3K27me3 staining has also been reported in post‐radiation MPNST; however, it has not been evaluated in a large series of radiation‐associated sarcomas of different histological subtypes. The aim of this study was to assess H3K27me3 labelling by immunohistochemistry in radiation‐associated sarcomas and to determine the prevalence of H3K27me3 loss in these tumours.Methods and resultsRadiation‐associated sarcomas (n = 119) from two tertiary care referral centres were evaluated for loss of H3K27me3, defined as complete loss of staining within tumour cells in the presence of a positive internal control. Twenty‐three cases (19%) showed H3K27me3 loss, including nine of 10 (90%) MPNST, seven of 77 (9%) undifferentiated spindle cell/pleomorphic sarcomas, five of 25 (20%) angiosarcomas, one of five (20%) leiomyosarcomas and one of two (50%) osteosarcomas.ConclusionsComplete H3K27me3 loss was present in 19% of radiation‐associated sarcomas in our series. Our findings demonstrate that loss of H3K27me3 is not specific for radiation‐associated MPNST and may also occur in other histological subtypes of RAS, including radiation‐associated undifferentiated spindle cell/pleomorphic sarcoma, angiosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma and osteosarcoma.
Sugarcane cystatin CaneCPI‐1 promotes osteogenic differentiation in human dental pulp cells: a new insight into cysteine proteases inhibitors
Authors: Rodrigues E. M. , Viola K. S. , Gomes‐Cornélio A. L. , Soares‐Costa A. , Henrique‐Silva F. , Rossa‐Junior C. , Guerreiro‐Tanomaru J. M. , Tanomaru‐Filho M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAimTo investigate the biocompatibility, type of cell death, osteogenic bioactivity and mRNA expression of the osteogenic markers, induced by CaneCPI‐1 in human dental pulp cells (hDPCs).MethodologyhDPCs exposed to CaneCPI‐1 and not exposed (control) were evaluated for cell viability by the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay; apoptosis by flow cytometry; alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity by calculation of thymolphthalein release; gene expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP‐2), runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), ALP, osteocalcin (OC), bone sialoprotein (BSP) by qPCR; and mineralized nodules production by using alizarin red staining. The data were analysed by one‐way analysis of variance (anova) and Turkey’s post‐test, two‐way anova and Bonferroni post‐test or t‐test (P < 0.05).ResultsCaneCPI‐1 induced no apoptosis and had no cytotoxic effect, except in the concentration of 33.20 µm, in which cell viability was significantly lower than the control (α‐MEM nonosteogenic medium serum‐free) (P < 0.05). There was significantly greater ALP activity, greater expression of the BMP‐2, RUNX2, ALP, OC and BSP genes and greater mineralized nodules production in the CaneCPI‐1 group in comparison with the control or osteogenic α‐MEM control (α‐MEM osteogenic medium – L‐ascorbic acid and β‐glycerophosphate) (P < 0.05).ConclusionsCaneCPI‐1 was cytocompatible and also induced the differentiation of hDPCs in osteogenic phenotype in vitro. CaneCPI‐1 is a promising molecule to induce pulp repair.
Nanohardness reduction and root dentine erosion after final irrigation with ethylenediaminetetraacetic, etidronic and peracetic acids
Authors: Ulusoy Ö. İ. , Mantı A. Ş. , Çelik B. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAimTo evaluate the nanohardness reduction and erosion in root canal dentine after application of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 9% etidronic acid (HEBP) and 2% peracetic acid (PAA) either alone or combined with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl).MethodologyOne hundred and sixty single‐rooted teeth were decoronated and their root canals were chemomechanically prepared. For the nanohardness evaluation, 80 roots with instrumented canals were split longitudinally into two halves. Dentine blocks with a length of 7 mm were obtained from the middle third of one half of each tooth and were embedded in epoxy resin blocks exposing the root canal walls. Initial nanohardness values of root canal dentine were measured for each specimen using a nanoindenter with a Berkovich tip. The specimens were divided into seven experimental (n = 10) and one control (n = 10) group according to the final irrigation regimens: Group 1: 2.5% NaOCl, Group 2: 17% EDTA, Group 3: 2.5% NaOCl‐17% EDTA, Group 4: 2% PAA, Group 5: 2.5% NaOCl‐2% PAA, Group 6: 9% HEBP, Group 7: 2.5% NaOCl + 9% HEBP and Group 8: Distilled water (control). The measurement of the nanohardness values was repeated for each specimen after being exposed to the irrigants. The nanaohardness reduction of each sample was calculated and recorded. The other 80 instrumented root canals were used for scanning electron microscope (SEM) evaluation. First, they were irrigated with the same protocols stated above and longitudinally split into two halves. One half of each root canal was viewed using SEM for the amount of erosion. The erosion scores were recorded. Data were analysed statistically using Kruskal–Wallis and Bonferroni‐adjusted Mann–Whitney U‐tests with a significance level of 0.05.ResultsUse of etidronic acid and NaOCl + HEBP reduced the nanohardness values significantly more than the other experimental solutions (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the values for the nanohardness reduction in the samples irrigated with a single chelator and chelator combined with NaOCl (P > 0.05). Peritubular and intertubular erosion were observed in the samples irrigated with HEBP and NaOCl + HEBP.ConclusionFinal irrigation of root canals using etidronic acid alone or combined with NaOCl was associated with structural alterations in root canal dentine of extracted teeth.
Valorization of waste from sand wash muds of an aggregates plant: Evaluation as a supplementary cementitious material
Authors: Restrepo‐Baena Oscar , Cabrera‐Poloche Francisco , Tobón Jorge I. , Escudero‐Restrepo Sergio , Álvarez‐Zuluaga Stephanie 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe reuse and reincorporation of waste generated in the production processes are becoming increasingly important in the world, due to the double effect that it has in terms of sustainability. The first one is the environmental factor, since the impact generated is reduced by reducing the amount of wastes. The second one is the financial factor, since new products are developed that companies did not initially have, generating financial profitability. Therefore, this research evaluates the possible reuse of waste from gravel and sand wash mud of an aggregate plant as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) after being thermally activated, seeking to promote the circular economy in the construction materials sector. The physical, chemical, and mineralogical characterization of the waste is presented and its pozzolanic activity was evaluated by means of the SAI‐strength activity index. It was found that despite its low content of clay minerals, the thermally activated waste had very good performance as SCM with SAI between 81 and 106 with a tendency to increase with the age of cure. Showing that this can be a very promising potential use for this kind of waste.
Biologic Activity of Cell‐Associated Staphylococcal Enterotoxin A
Authors: Adesiyun A.A. , Tatini S.R. 
Published: July 2020

Cell associated staphylococcal enterotoxin A, released by lysostaphin treatment of Staphylococcus aureus cells, was found to be biologically active in cynomolgus monkeys. The activity was comparable to that of extracellular enterotoxin A; six of six monkeys vomited within 5 h in response to extracellular enterotoxin and four of six also vomited in response to the same serologic level (4.8 μg per monkey) of cell‐associated enterotoxin. Feeding S. aureus cells containing cell‐associated enterotoxin A to cynomolgus monkeys resulted in emesis in three of five monkeys within 3 h. This suggests that consumption of S. aureus cells could lead to staphylococcal intoxication.
Standardization of Radiorenography in Dehydrated and Rehydrated Primates Under Laboratory Conditions
Authors: Dormehl Irene C. , Jacobs D.J. , Plessis Maryke du , van der Watt J.J. , du Plessis D.J. , Bornmann M. 
Published: July 2020

Radiorenography with 99mTo‐labelled diethylenctriaminepcntacetic acid ([99mTc]‐DTPA) was performed on chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) and vervet monkeys (Cereopithecus pygerythus) to establish the effects of various states of hydration on the data obtained from the DTPA‐renogram. The renogram parameters, which can be related to certain aspects of kidney function, varied significantly with the degree of hydration. It is therefore imperative for clinically directed animal research projects on the urinary system to standardise the experimental procedure for radiorenography. A dehydration of 6 h followed by an hour IU rehydration period using 200 ml of a 0.9% NaCI solution on baboons under thiopentone sodium anaesthetic, was found to be the most suitable procedure for radiorenographic investigations in this primate model.
A Method of Thymectomy in Macaques
Authors: Healy D.L. , Bacher J. , Hodgen G.D. 
Published: July 2020

The aim of this study was to develop an operation for total thymectomy suitable for nonhuman primates. The thymus was removed from 24 macaque monkeys from fetal to adult life by a cervicothoracotomy and blunt gauze dissection. Mean wet weight of the thymus rose from 150 mg (range 50‐250 mg) in fetal animals to 2.5 gm (range 0.3‐4.2 gm) in prepubertal monkeys. Nonhuman primate thymic weight fell steadily and uniformly with age by over 300% when plotted as a function of body weight. This surgical technique appears to be a valid method of total thymectomy in macaque monkeys.
The Hemogram, Serum Biochemistry, and Electrolyte Profile of Aged Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatto)
Authors: Kessler Matt J. , Rawlins Richard G. , London William T. 
Published: July 2020

The hemogram, scrum biochcmicals, and electrolytes of aged (15‐ to 28‐year‐old) rhesus monkeys were compared with values for younger adults (4‐14 years old) maintained under identical conditions. Aged males had lower mean corpuscular volume, serum iron and magnesium, and higher percentages of eosinophils, globulins, and triglycerides than adult males. Aged females had lower mean corpuscular hemoglobin, total leukocyte count, percentage of neutrophils, alkaline phosphatase and magnesium, and higher percentages of lymphocytes and eosinophils, globulins, and uric acid than adult females.
Adult Polycystic Kidney Disease in a Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Kessler Matt J. , Roberts James A. , London William T. 
Published: July 2020

Adult polycystic kidney disease was diagnosed at necropsy in a 16‐year‐old rhesus monkey dead from renal failure. Both kidneys were enlarged and contained multiple cysts ranging from 0.1 to 4.0 cm in diameter. The age of onset of the clinical signs, terminal uremia, and the gross and histologic findings in this macaque were consistent with adult (type III) polycystic kidney disease of man.