bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Applying species distribution models in public health research by predicting snakebite risk using venomous snakes’ habitat suitability as an indicating factor
Authors: Yousefi Masoud , Kafash Anooshe , Khani Ali , Nabati Nima 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSnakebite envenoming is an important public health problem in Iran, despite its risk not being quantified. This study aims to use venomous snakes’ habitat suitability as an indicator of snakebite risk, to identify high-priority areas for snakebite management across the country. Thus, an ensemble approach using five distribution modelling methods: Generalized Boosted Models, Generalized Additive Models, Maximum Entropy Modelling, Generalized Linear Models, and Random Forest was applied to produce a spatial snakebite risk model for Iran. To achieve this, four venomous snakes’ habitat suitability (Macrovipera lebetinus,Echis carinatus,Pseudocerastes persicusandNaja oxiana) were modelled and then multiplied. These medically important snakes are responsible for the most snakebite incidents in Iran. Multiplying habitat suitability models of the four snakes showed that the northeast of Iran (west of Khorasan-e-Razavi province) has the highest snakebite risk in the country. In addition, villages that were at risk of envenoming from the four snakes were identified. Results revealed that 51,112 villages are at risk of envenoming fromM.lebetinus, 30,339 fromE.carinatus, 51,657 fromP.persicusand 12,124 fromN.oxiana. Precipitation seasonality was identified as the most important variable influencing distribution of theP. persicus,E. carinatusandM. lebetinusin Iran. Precipitation of the driest quarter was the most important predictor of suitable habitats of theN. oxiana. Since climatic variables play an important role in shaping the distribution of the four venomous snakes in Iran, thus their distribution may alter with changing climate. This paper demonstrates application of species distribution modelling in public health research and identified potential snakebite risk areas in Iran by using venomous snakes’ habitat suitability models as an indicating factor. Results of this study can be used in snakebite and human–snake conflict management in Iran. We recommend increasing public awareness of snakebite envenoming and education of local people in areas which identified with the highest snakebite risk.
Serum adipokines as non-invasive biomarkers in Crohn’s disease
Authors: Ortega Moreno Lorena , Sanz-Garcia Ancor , Fernández de la Fuente Marina J. , Arroyo Solera Ricardo , Fernández-Tomé Samuel , Marin Alicia C. , Mora-Gutierrez Irene , Fernández Paloma , Baldan-Martin Montserrat , Chaparro María , Gisbert Javier P. , Bernardo David 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAdipose tissue secretes molecules that can promote activity in Crohn’s disease. We aimed to evaluate the role of serum adipokines as possible biomarkers in Crohn’s disease. Serum samples were obtained from 40 patients with endoscopically active or quiescent Crohn’s disease and 36 healthy controls. Serum leptin, ghrelin, resistin and adiponectin levels were analysed by Multiplex in a Luminex 200 system technology. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves were performed to evaluate the adipokines discriminatory capacity. A logistic regression adjusted by possible confounders (i.e. gender, age, BMI) was performed for those adipokines that showed an area under the curve > 0.7. No differences were found in age, gender or BMI among groups. Distribution for serum resistin was different among the three groups of study, and only this adipokine showed an area under the curve of 0.75 comparing actives patients and healthy control groups. Resistin median concentration was selected as a cut-off for a logistic regression analysis; odds ratio along its 95% confidence interval adjusted by gender, age, and BMI yielded a value of 5.46 (1.34–22.14) comparing actives patients and healthy controls. High concentration of serum resistin is probably associated to activity, being this association independent of gender, age or BMI.
Survival is reduced when endogenous period deviates from 24 h in a non-human primate, supporting the circadian resonance theory
Authors: Hozer Clara , Perret Martine , Pavard Samuel , Pifferi Fabien 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCircadian rhythms are ubiquitous attributes across living organisms and allow the coordination of internal biological functions with optimal phases of the environment, suggesting a significant adaptive advantage. The endogenous period called tau lies close to 24 h and is thought to be implicated in individuals’ fitness: according to the circadian resonance theory, fitness is reduced when tau gets far from 24 h. In this study, we measured the endogenous period of 142 mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus), and analyzed how it is related to their survival. We found different effects according to sex and season. No impact of tau on mortality was found in females. However, in males, the deviation of tau from 24 h substantially correlates with an increase in mortality, particularly during the inactive season (winter). These results, comparable to other observations in mice or drosophila, show that captive gray mouse lemurs enjoy better fitness when their circadian period closely matches the environmental periodicity. In addition to their deep implications in health and aging research, these results raise further ecological and evolutionary issues regarding the relationships between fitness and circadian clock.
Genome-wide identification of AP2/ERF transcription factor-encoding genes in California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) and their expression profiles in response to methyl jasmonate
Authors: Yamada Yasuyuki , Nishida Shohei , Shitan Nobukazu , Sato Fumihiko 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWith respect to the biosynthesis of plant alkaloids, that of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) has been the most investigated at the molecular level. Previous investigations have shown that the biosynthesis of BIAs is comprehensively regulated by WRKY and bHLH transcription factors, while promoter analyses of biosynthesis enzyme-encoding genes have also implicated the involvement of members of the APETALA2/ethylene responsive factor (AP2/ERF) superfamily. To investigate the physiological roles of AP2/ERF transcription factors in BIA biosynthesis, 134 AP2/ERF genes were annotated using the draft genome sequence data of Eschscholzia californica (California poppy) together with transcriptomic data. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these genes could be classified into 20 AP2, 5 RAV, 47 DREB, 60 ERF and 2 Soloist family members. Gene structure, conserved motif and orthologous analyses were also carried out. Gene expression profiling via RNA sequencing in response to methyl jasmonate (MeJA) indicated that approximately 20 EcAP2/ERF genes, including 10 group IX genes, were upregulated by MeJA, with an increase in the expression of the transcription factor-encoding gene EcbHLH1 and the biosynthesis enzyme-encoding genes Ec6OMT and EcCYP719A5. Further quantitative RT-PCR confirmed the MeJA responsiveness of the EcAP2/ERF genes, i.e., the increased expression of 9 group IX, 2 group X and 2 group III ERF subfamily genes. Transactivation activity of group IX EcAP2/ERFs was also confirmed by a luciferase reporter assay in conjunction with the promoters of the Ec6OMT and EcCYP719A5 genes. The physiological roles of AP2/ERF genes in BIA biosynthesis and their evolution in the regulation of alkaloid biosynthesis are discussed.
Homocysteine level is positively and independently associated with serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels in old male patients with hypertension
Authors: Yang Qianhong , Lu Youwei , Deng Yanhua , Xu Jiayi , Zhang Xi 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA cross-sectional study to show whether and how serum fasting homocysteine levels are associated with renal function changes in patients with hypertension. Homocysteine levels were associated with serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels with coefficients of 2.04 and 0.07, respectively, only in males and independent of confounders. In addition, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were positively and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was negatively associated with serum creatinine level in males; age was positively associated with serum creatinine levels in females. Age was a common risk factor positively associated with BUN levels in both sexes, while total cholesterol (TC) levels and glycemic control were independent risk factors that were positively associated with BUN levels only in males. LDL-C levels and LVEF were negatively associated with BUN levels in females. Body mass index (BMI) was positively associated and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and the presence of stroke were negatively associated with serum uric acid levels in male patients. In contrast, only LVEF was positively associated with uric acid levels in females. In conclusion, homocysteine level is an independent risk factor associated with serum creatinine and BUN levels in male patients with hypertension.
Survive or swim: different relationships between migration potential and larval size in three sympatric Mediterranean octocorals
Authors: Guizien Katell , Viladrich N. , Martínez-Quintana Á. , Bramanti L. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractKnowledge about migration potential is key to forecasting species distributions in changing environments. For many marine benthic invertebrates, migration happens during reproduction because of larval dispersal. The present study aims to test whether larval size can be used as a surrogate for migration potential arising from larval longevity, competence, sinking, or swimming behavior. The hypothesis was tested using larvae of three sympatric gorgonian species that release brooded lecithotrophic larvae in the same season: Paramuricea clavata, Corallium rubrum and Eunicella singularis. Despite different fecundities and larval sizes, the median larval longevity was similar among the three species. Free-fall speed increased with larval size. Nevertheless, the only net sinkers were the P. clavata larvae, as swimming was more common than free fall in the other two species with larger larvae. For the other two species, swimming activity frequency decreased as larval size increased. Interestingly, maximum larval longevity was lowest for the most active but intermediately sized larvae. Larval size did not covary consistently with any larval traits of the three species when considered individually. We thus advise not using larval size as a surrogate for migration potential in distribution models. The three species exemplified that different mechanisms, i.e., swimming activity or larval longevity, resulting from a trade-off in the use of energy reserves can facilitate migration, regardless of life history strategy.
Effects of age on pregnancy outcomes in patients with simple tubal factor infertility receiving frozen-thawed embryo transfer
Authors: Sun Yi-Fei , Zhang Jie , Xu Yue-Ming , Luo Zhuo-Ye , Sun Yong , Hao Gui-Min , Gao Bu-Lang 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis study was to retrospectively analyze the effect of the age of embryos transfer and oocyte retrieval on the clinical pregnancy outcome in patients with simple tubal factor infertility (TFI) who received frozen-thawed embryo transfer. Patients (n = 3619) with simple TFI who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF)/ intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) frozen-thawed embryo transfer at our hospital were enrolled. Univariate logistic regression analysis, categorical multivariate logistic regression analysis, curve fitting and threshold effect analysis were performed. Age of embryo transfer was a significant (P < 0.05) independent risk factor affecting the clinical pregnancy, live birth, and miscarriage rates. The Clinical pregnancy outcome declined significantly after the age of 34 years. After limiting the female oocyte retrieval age to ≤ 34 years, no significant change was detected in the clinical pregnancy, live birth, or miscarriage rate with increase of transplantation age. In conclusion, in patients with simple TFI undergoing IVF/ICSI frozen-thawed embryo transfer, age is a significant independent risk factor affecting the clinical pregnancy, live birth, and miscarriage rate. Aging of oocytes has a greater impact on the clinical pregnancy in women with simple TFI than the aging of the body. Patients with TFI can freeze embryos in advance to preserve fertility.
Comparing the diagnostic concordance of tele-EMS and on-site-EMS physicians in emergency medical services: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Quadflieg Lina T. M. , Beckers Stefan K. , Bergrath Sebastian , Brockert Ann-Katrin , Schröder Hanna , Sommer Anja , Brokmann Jörg C. , Rossaint Rolf , Felzen Marc 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn 2014, a telemedicine system was established in 24-h routine use in the emergency medical service (EMS) of the city of Aachen. This study tested whether the diagnostic concordance of the tele-EMS physician reaches the same diagnostic concordance as the on-site-EMS physician. The initial prehospital diagnoses were compared to the final hospital diagnoses. Data were recorded retrospectively from the physicians’ protocols as well as from the hospital administration system and compared. Also, all diagnostic misconcordance were analysed and reviewed in terms of logical content by two experts. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of demographic data, such as age and gender, as well as regarding the hospital length of stay and mortality. There was no significant difference between the diagnostic concordance of the systems, except the diagnosis “epileptic seizure”. Instead, in these cases, “stroke” was the most frequently chosen diagnosis. The diagnostic misconcordance “stroke” is not associated with any risks to patients’ safety. Reasons for diagnostic misconcordance could be the short contact time to the patient during the teleconsultation, the lack of personal examination of the patient by the tele-EMS physician, and reversible symptoms that can mask the correct diagnosis.
Compact folded dipole metasurface for high anomalous reflection angles with low harmonic levels
Authors: Islam Nasim Al , Choi Sangjo 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA dense unit cell array used in a metasurface for a high reflection angle (θr > 50°) leads to high coupling among the unit cells; thus, parasitic reflections are unavoidable. The up-do-date patch-based metasurfaces for high reflection angles were electrically large (> 80 λ2), but for a practical point of view, a more compact metasurface design is needed. As a solution for these issues, we use the folded dipole-based unit cells with closed-loop currents for low near-field coupling and design compact metasurfaces (~ 40 λ2) for high reflection angles (θr = 56° and 70°) at 10 GHz. The folded dipole unit cells are arranged according to the recently developed non-linear phase boundary condition for low harmonic reflections. As a counterpart, we also designed a metasurface using conventional patch-shaped unit cells with the same reflection phases (θr = 70°). In experiments, the folded dipole metasurface shows lower harmonic levels (θr = 0° and − 70°) and a comparable anomalous reflection (θr = 70°) versus the patch-shaped metasurface. The time-domain analysis demonstrates that the low harmonic levels from the folded dipole metasurface are due to low scattering from the guided waves and the edge scattering. The proposed compact folded dipole-based metasurface with low undesired harmonics can be used as a practical reflect-array for millimeter-wave communication links.
Carbapenems drive the collateral resistance to ceftaroline in cystic fibrosis patients with MRSA
Authors: Varela Maria Celeste , Roch Melanie , Taglialegna Agustina , Long Scott W. , Saavedra Matthew Ojeda , Rose Warren E. , Davis James J. , Hoffman Lucas R. , Hernandez Rafael E. , Rosato Roberto R. , Rosato Adriana E. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractChronic airways infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is associated with worse respiratory disease cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Ceftaroline is a cephalosporin that inhibits the penicillin-binding protein (PBP2a) uniquely produced by MRSA. We analyzed 335 S. aureus isolates from CF sputum samples collected at three US centers between 2015–2018. Molecular relationships demonstrated that high-level resistance of preceding isolates to carbapenems were associated with subsequent isolation of ceftaroline resistant CF MRSA. In vitro evolution experiments showed that pre-exposure of CF MRSA to meropenem with further selection with ceftaroline implied mutations in mecA and additional mutations in pbp1 and pbp2, targets of carbapenems; no effects were achieved by other β-lactams. An in vivo pneumonia mouse model showed the potential therapeutic efficacy of ceftaroline/meropenem combination against ceftaroline-resistant CF MRSA infections. Thus, the present findings highlight risk factors and potential therapeutic strategies offering an opportunity to both prevent and address antibiotic resistance in this patient population.
Environmental and microbial controls on microbial necromass recycling, an important precursor for soil carbon stabilization
Authors: Buckeridge Kate M. , Mason Kelly E. , McNamara Niall P. , Ostle Nick , Puissant Jeremy , Goodall Tim , Griffiths Robert I. , Stott Andrew W. , Whitaker Jeanette 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThere is an emerging consensus that microbial necromass carbon is the primary constituent of stable soil carbon, yet the controls on the stabilization process are unknown. Prior to stabilization, microbial necromass may be recycled by the microbial community. We propose that the efficiency of this recycling is a critical determinant of soil carbon stabilization rates. Here we explore the controls on necromass recycling efficiency in 27 UK grassland soils using stable isotope tracing and indicator species analysis. We found that recycling efficiency was unaffected by land management. Instead, recycling efficiency increased with microbial growth rate on necromass, and was highest in soils with low historical precipitation. We identified bacterial and fungal indicators of necromass recycling efficiency, which could be used to clarify soil carbon stabilization mechanisms. We conclude that environmental and microbial controls have a strong influence on necromass recycling, and suggest that this, in turn, influences soil carbon stabilization.
Non‐isolated DC–DC converter with a high‐voltage conversion ratio
Authors: Shayeghi Hossein , Pourjafar Saeed , Maalandish Mohammad , Nouri Soheil 
Published: October 2020

This work introduces a novel non‐isolated boost DC–DC converter with high‐voltage gain and high efficiency. The magnetic coupling and voltage lift circuit technique has been utilised to enhance the voltage conversion ratio. In order to decrease the peak voltage across the active switch, the voltage lift circuit acts as a clamp circuit. The zero current switching in the OFF‐state and the zero voltage switching in the ON‐state of diodes are other advantages of the suggested converter which leads to approach high efficiency by decreasing the conduction losses. In addition, only one power metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistor with lower ON‐state resistance is employed, which can provide the simple control circuit of the proposed topology. For demonstrating the performance of the proposed structure, the principle of operation modes and comparison results with other previous works is carried out. Finally, experimental results with a 200 W power level at 25 kHz operating frequency are prepared, which validate the usefulness of the proposed converter.
Effect of sputtering pressure on the structure and properties of SiO2 films prepared by magnetron sputtering
Authors: Zhao Leran , Zhao Changjiang , Liu Juncheng , Liu Zhigang , Chen Yan 
Published: October 2020

The effects of sputtering pressure on the O/Si ratio, microstructure, surface morphology and optical properties within 300–1100 nm of SiO2 film via radio frequency magnetron sputtering were investigated. The results showed that the molar ratio of O/Si in the film increased from 1.96 to 2.03, from silicon rich to oxygen rich, with the sputtering pressure increase from 0.3 to 1.3 Pa. The SiO2 films deposited at different pressure were all amorphous. There were many ditches with a length of about 50 nm on the surface of the film deposited at lower pressure. The increase of sputtering pressure could reduce the number of ditches, and make the surface denser and more uniform. The refractive index increased first, then decreased and finally increased with the increase of sputtering pressure, and the maximum and minimum values were obtained at 0.7 and 1.1 Pa, respectively. The change of absorptivity was approximately the same as that of the refractive index, while the change of the average transmittance of coated quartz glass was exactly the opposite of refractive index. The minimum value of the average transmittance 92.6% and the maximum value 93.1% were obtained at 0.7 and 1.1 Pa, respectively.
Hurricanes on tidally locked terrestrial planets: fixed surface temperature experiments
Authors: Yan Mingyu , Yang Jun 
Published: October 2020

Aims.In this work, we study the presence of hurricanes on exoplanets. Tidally locked terrestrial planets around M dwarfs are the main targets of space missions looking to discover habitable exoplanets. The question of whether hurricanes can form on this kind of planet is important for determining their climate and habitability.Methods.Using a high-resolution global atmospheric circulation model, we investigated whether there are hurricanes on tidally locked terrestrial planets under fixed surface temperatures (TS). The relevant effects of the planetary rotation rate, surface temperature, and bulk atmospheric compositions were examined.Results.We find that hurricanes can form on the planets but not on all of them. For planets near the inner edge of the habitable zone of late M dwarfs, there are more numerous and stronger hurricanes on both day and night sides. For planets in the middle and outer ranges of the habitable zone, the possibility of hurricane formation is low or even close to zero, as has been suggested in recent studies. Earth-based hurricane theories are applicable to tidally locked planets only when the atmospheric compositions are similar to that of Earth. However, if the background atmosphere is lighter than H2O, hurricanes can hardly be produced because convection is always inhibited due to the effect of the mean molecular weight, similarly to the case of Saturn. These results have broad implications on the precipitation, ocean mixing, climate, and atmospheric characterization of tidally locked planets. Finally, A test with a coupled slab ocean and an Earth-like atmosphere in a tide-locked orbit of ten Earth days demonstrates that there are also hurricanes present in the experiment.