bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variation of intrapartum care and cesarean rates among practitioners attending births of low‐risk, nulliparous women
Authors: Iobst Stacey E. , Storr Carla L. , Bingham Debra , Zhu Shijun , Johantgen Meg 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundVariation in hospital cesarean birth rates across the United States is likely because of differences in practitioner practice patterns. Yet, few studies conducted in the last twenty years have examined the relationships between practitioner characteristics and the use of intrapartum interventions and cesarean birth. The objective of this study was to examine associations among practitioner characteristics and the use of amniotomy, epidural, oxytocin augmentation, and cesarean birth in low‐risk women with spontaneous onset of labor.MethodsA secondary analysis was performed using data collected by the Consortium on Safe Labor. The sample included nulliparous term singleton vertex (NTSV) births with spontaneous onset of labor (n = 13 196) from 2002 to 2007 across eight hospitals. Generalized linear mixed models were conducted to examine outcomes.ResultsThe cesarean birth rate ranged from 7.2% to 18.9% across hospitals and from 0% to 53.3% across physicians. Practice type (P < .05) and specialty type (P < .0001) were associated with physician cesarean birth rates. Compared with obstetrician/gynecologists, midwives were nearly twice as likely to use no intrapartum interventions (relative risk 1.80 [CI 95 1.45‐2.24]) and 26% less likely to use amniotomy‐epidural‐oxytocin (0.74 [0.62‐0.89]). Family practice physicians had a 21% lower likelihood of using amniotomy‐epidural‐oxytocin (0.79 [0.67‐0.94]) and a 53% lower likelihood of performing cesarean births (0.47 [0.35‐0.63]).ConclusionsWide variation in hospital and physician cesarean birth rates was observed in this sample of low‐risk, nulliparous women. Practitioner practice type and specialty were significantly associated with the use of intrapartum interventions. Interprofessional practitioner education could be one strategy to reduce variation of intrapartum care and cesarean birth.
Endogenous urinary glucocorticoid metabolites and mortality in prednisolone‐treated renal transplant recipients
Authors: Vulto Annet , Minović Isidor , de Vries Laura V. , Timmermans Arwin C. , van Faassen Martijn , Gomes Neto Antonio W. , Touw Daan J. , de Jong Margriet F. C. , van Beek André P. , Dullaart Robin P. F. , Navis Gerjan , Kema Ido P. , Bakker Stephan J. L. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundChronic corticosteroid treatment suppresses HPA‐axis activity and might alter activity of 11β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11β‐HSD). We aimed to investigate whether the endogenous glucocorticoid production and 11β‐HSD activities are altered in prednisolone‐treated renal transplant recipients (RTR) compared with healthy controls and whether this has implications for long‐term survival in RTR.MethodsIn a longitudinal cohort of 693 stable RTR and 275 healthy controls, 24‐hour urinary cortisol, cortisone, tetrahydrocorisol (THF), allotetrahydrocortisol (alloTHF), and tetrahydrocortisone (THE) were measured using liquid chromatography tandem‐mass spectrometry. Twenty‐four‐hour urinary excretion of cortisol and metabolites were used as measures of endogenous glucocorticoid production; (THF + alloTHF)/THE and cortisol/cortisone ratios were used as measures of 11β‐HSD activity.ResultsUrinary cortisol and metabolite excretion were significantly lower in RTR compared with healthy controls (P < .001), whereas (THF + alloTHF)/THE and cortisol/cortisone ratios were significantly higher (P < .001 and P = .002). Lower total urinary metabolite excretion and higher urinary (THF + alloTHF)/THE ratios were associated with increased risk of mortality, independent of age, sex, estimated glomerular filtration rate, C‐reactive protein, body surface area, and daily prednisolone dose, respectively.ConclusionsEndogenous glucocorticoid production and 11β‐HSD activities are altered in prednisolone‐treated RTR. Decreased total urinary endogenous glucocorticoid metabolite excretion and increased urinary (THF + alloTHF)/THE ratios are associated with increased risk of mortality.
Assessing the distribution of a species‐rich group in a continental‐sized megadiverse country: Bats in Brazil
Authors: Delgado‐Jaramillo Mariana , Aguiar Ludmilla M. S. , Machado Ricardo B. , Bernard Enrico 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAimThe effective conservation and management of any given species frequently requires basic knowledge on its distribution, which is problematic for highly mobile, species‐ and ecologically‐rich groups, like bats. Moreover, to produce detailed distributions for continental‐sized, bat species‐rich countries, like Brazil, is difficult, especially considering that ~60% of the country has not a single formal bat record. Using Species Distribution Modelling (SDM), we assessed the potential distribution of >100 species of Brazilian bats.LocationBrazil.MethodsWe (a) updated data on the distribution of 135 bat species, (b) generated SDMs for each species, (c) constructed species richness maps for Brazil, (d) determined areas of endemism and (e) identified areas harbouring threatened species.ResultsAmazonia harbours the highest bat species richness (76% of the species), followed by the Atlantic Forest (66%), Cerrado (65%) and the Caatinga (53%). Richness in 5 × 5 km grid cells varied between 23 and 117 species and 70% of Brazil's territory is predicted to have 50–90 species, and 25% >90 species. Coastal Atlantic forest, mainly in its north‐eastern region, and along its contact zone with the Caatinga biome had the highest potential richness. However, there is a severe regional sampling bias: 48% of the records available were from the Atlantic Forest and 21% were from along the Amazon River.Main conclusionsPantanal and Pampa are clearly under sampled, with <50% of their expected richness already assessed. Endemic and endangered bat species are in the Atlantic Forest, Cerrado and Caatinga, the most threatened biomes in Brazil. In addition to the seven nationally threatened bat species in Brazil, the situation for other species is worrisome: In a business‐as‐usual scenario, local extinctions in large portions of the country may happen before basic information gaps are filled.
Only the right noise? Effects of phonetic and visual input variability on 14‐month‐olds' minimal pair word learning
Authors: Höhle Barbara , Fritzsche Tom , Meß Katharina , Philipp Mareike , Gafos Adamantios 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSeminal work by Werker and colleagues (Stager & Werker [1997] Nature, 388, 381–382) has found that 14‐month‐old infants do not show evidence for learning minimal pairs in the habituation‐switch paradigm. However, when multiple speakers produce the minimal pair in acoustically variable ways, infants' performance improves in comparison to a single speaker condition (Rost & McMurray [2009] Developmental Science, 12, 339–349). The current study further extends these results and assesses how different kinds of input variability affect 14‐month‐olds' minimal pair learning in the habituation‐switch paradigm testing German learning infants. The first two experiments investigated word learning when the labels were spoken by a single speaker versus when the labels were spoken by multiple speakers. In the third experiment we studied whether non‐acoustic variability, implemented by visual variability of the objects presented together with the labels, would also affect minimal pair learning. We found enhanced learning in the multiple speakers compared to the single speaker condition, confirming previous findings with English‐learning infants. In contrast, visual variability of the presented objects did not support learning. These findings both confirm and better delimit the beneficial role of speech‐specific variability in minimal pair learning. Finally, we review different proposals on the mechanisms via which variability confers benefits to learning and outline what may be likely principles that underlie this benefit. We highlight among these the multiplicity of acoustic cues signalling phonemic contrasts and the presence of relations among these cues. It is in these relations where we trace part of the source for the apparent paradoxical benefit of variability in learning.
Alpine grassland plants grow earlier and faster but biomass remains unchanged over 35 years of climate change
Authors: Wang Hao , Liu Huiying , Cao Guangmin , Ma Zhiyuan , Li Yikang , Zhang Fawei , Zhao Xia , Zhao Xinquan , Jiang Lin , Sanders Nathan J. , Classen Aimée T. , He Jin‐Sheng 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSatellite data indicate significant advancement in alpine spring phenology over decades of climate warming, but corresponding field evidence is scarce. It is also unknown whether this advancement results from an earlier shift of phenological events, or enhancement of plant growth under unchanged phenological pattern. By analyzing a 35‐year dataset of seasonal biomass dynamics of a Tibetan alpine grassland, we show that climate change promoted both earlier phenology and faster growth, without changing annual biomass production. Biomass production increased in spring due to a warming‐induced earlier onset of plant growth, but decreased in autumn due mainly to increased water stress. Plants grew faster but the fast‐growing period shortened during the mid‐growing season. These findings provide the first in situ evidence of long‐term changes in growth patterns in alpine grassland plant communities, and suggest that earlier phenology and faster growth will jointly contribute to plant growth in a warming climate.
Health information seeking behaviour: a concept analysis
Authors: Zimmerman Margaret S. , Shaw George 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundIn 2007, Lambert and Loiselle conducted an extensive concept analysis of the term health information seeking behaviour (HISB) to examine the concept's level of maturity and critically analyse its characteristics. Since their groundbreaking work, HISB has evolved with the proliferation of ICTs. The Internet is now a common and often preferred medium for the pursuit of health information.ObjectivesThe previous analysis spanned 42 years of literature; this article describes an analysis of the last 10 years of literature on HISB and how online seeking has caused the concept to evolve in the literature.MethodsThis study used the concept analysis methodology employed by Lambert and Loiselle in the original analysis. It also included a systematic search conducted in five databases to identify studies from 2007 to 2017, using similar inclusion criteria from the original study.ResultsOf the more than 500 articles retrieved, 85 journal articles met the inclusion criteria. Consistent with the original work, articles that included outcomes were identified as either behavioural or cognitive.ConclusionMost of the attention of the works studied focused on individuals and their information source preferences. This HISB analysis can be incorporated with studies to understand how various communities seek information in online versus non‐online contexts.
The size distribution of ‘cities’ delineated with a network theory‐based method and mobile phone GPS data
Authors: Fujishima Shota , Fujiwara Naoya , Akiyama Yuki , Shibasaki Ryosuke , Sakuramachi Ritsu 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWe delineate “cities” independent of administrative boundaries in Japan by using a network theory‐based method and GPS‐based human mobility data. We divide the country into approximately 1 × 1 km2 cells and detect the partition of cells that is optimal from the perspective of information theory. The resulting groups of cells are specified as cities. We find that the combination of two lognormal distributions better fits the city‐size distribution than a distribution with a Pareto upper tail. Moreover, we show that a jump diffusion process is the stochastic process of the city population underlying such a distribution.
Auxiliary usage of botulinum toxin A in plastic surgery in China
Authors: Yu Yijia , Sun Jiaqi , Shen Zeren , Lin Xiaohu , Xu Jinghong 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundCurrently, botulinum toxin A (BTA) is mainly used in the treatment of muscle spasms and in cosmetic procedures, and its cosmetic indications are expanding rapidly. There have been sporadic reports focused on the preoperative usage of BTA complementing plastic surgery. We briefly summarize the current experience of BTA complementing plastic surgery in China based on clinical experience.MethodsWe reported a brief review of the preoperative use of BTA as an accessory to plastic surgery (blepharoplasty, chin augmentation, mandibular angle ostectomy, rhinoplasty, hyaluronic acid fillers injection for wrinkle reduction) based on previous studies and our experience.ResultsPreoperative treatment with BTA in plastic surgery helps surgeons operate and results in better cosmetic results.ConclusionsPreoperative BTA treatment can reduce the occurrence of surgical complications as well as improve the surgical results in some plastic surgeries. The procedure is suitable for clinical application and worth promoting.
The compression specificity of plant tissue
Authors: Myhan Ryszard , Markowski Marek 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the compression characteristics of nonhomogeneous plant materials with a complex morphological structure (beetroots, celery roots, and potato tubers), to compare the analyzed samples with the compression characteristics of reference materials (homogeneous isotropic structural materials: steel coil spring and vulcanized rubber), and to determine the influence of the compression rate on stress in compressed samples. Structural materials and plant materials clearly differed in compression characteristics. Excluding the short initial compression phase, the compression curves for the steel coil spring and vulcanized rubber were straight parallel lines, and the higher the crosshead speed, the higher the lines' location in the diagram. In tests conducted on plant materials, the rate of changes in compression force increased throughout the experiment with an increase in crosshead speed. The greatest variations in compression force resulting from differences in crosshead speed were observed in potato samples. The apparent retardation times determined in the developed rheological model ranged from 0.079 s for the steel coil spring to 6.863 s for potatoes.
Serum hepatitis B virus RNA predicts response to peginterferon treatment in HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B
Authors: van Campenhout Margo J. H. , van Bömmel Florian , Pfefferkorn Maria , Fischer Janett , Deichsel Danilo , Boonstra André , van Vuuren Anneke J. , Berg Thomas , Hansen Bettina E. , Janssen Harry L. A. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractHepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA in serum is a novel biomarker that reflects cccDNA activity. We investigated whether HBV RNA can predict serological response to peginterferon (PEG‐IFN) treatment. Serum HBV RNA levels were retrospectively measured at weeks 0, 12, 24 and 52 of therapy and after treatment discontinuation (week 78) in 266 HBeAg‐positive chronic HBV patients who had participated in a global randomized controlled trial (HBV99‐01 study). Patients received 52 weeks PEG‐IFN monotherapy (n = 136) or PEG‐IFN and lamivudine (n = 130). The primary end point was HBeAg loss 24 weeks after PEG‐IFN discontinuation. At baseline, the mean serum level of HBV RNA was 6.8 (SD 1.2) log c/mL. HBV RNA levels declined to 4.7 (1.7) log c/mL after one year of PEG‐IFN therapy alone and to 3.3 (1.2)log c/mL after combination therapy. From week 12 onward, HBV RNA level was significantly lower in patients who achieved HBeAg loss at the end of follow‐up as compared to those who did not, regardless of treatment allocation (week 12:4.4 vs 5.1 log c/mL, P = .01; week 24:3.7 vs 4.9 log c/mL, P < .001). The performance of a multivariable model based on HBV RNA level was comparable at week 12 (AUC 0.68) and 24 (AUC 0.72) of therapy. HBV RNA level above 5.5 log c/mL at week 12 showed negative predictive values of 93/67/90/64% for HBV genotypes A/B/C/D for the prediction of HBeAg loss. In conclusion, HBV RNA in serum declines profoundly during PEG‐IFN treatment. Early on‐treatment HBV RNA level may be used to predict nonresponse.
Urine cortisol‐creatinine and protein‐creatinine ratios in urine samples from healthy dogs collected at home and in hospital
Authors: Citron Lindsey E. , Weinstein Nicole M. , Littman Meryl P. , Foster Jonathan D. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundRecently, urine protein:creatinine ratios (UPC) were shown to be lower in urine samples from dogs collected at home (AH) as compared to those collected in hospital (IH). Stress‐inducing procedures and travel to the hospital have been hypothesized to cause prerenal proteinuria.ObjectivesEvaluate patient stress using urine cortisol:creatinine ratios (UCCr) and correlate UCCr to UPC in urine samples obtained AH and IH.AnimalsThirty‐six healthy, client‐owned dogs.MethodsProspective, non‐masked study. Two voided urine samples were obtained (AH and IH). Complete urinalysis as well as UPC and UCCr were performed. Clients graded their dogs' stress level AH, in transport, and IH.ResultsThe UCCr was significantly higher in IH samples than in AH samples (P < .0001), but UPC was not significantly different between AH and IH urine samples (P= .14). In all samples and in both collection settings, UCCr was not significantly correlated with UPC. Travel time and time IH were not correlated with change in UCCr or UPC. In 8 dogs with borderline or overt proteinuria, no significant difference was found in UPC between settings, but UCCr was significantly higher in IH samples.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe UPC was not higher when measured in urine samples collected IH compared to AH. Dogs had higher UCCr IH, but UCCr was not associated with UPC. Stress, as estimated by UCCr, did not affect proteinuria. Further evidence is needed to support the claim that stress may result in proteinuria in healthy dogs.
Trends in extreme rainfall and hydrogeometeorological disasters in the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo: a review
Authors: Marengo Jose A. , Alves Lincoln M. , Ambrizzi Tercio , Young Andrea , Barreto Naurinete J. C. , Ramos Andrea M. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractOur paper reviews recent progress in the study and understanding of observed trends in extreme rainfall events in the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo (MASP). These are discussed in relation to hydrometeorological hazards that trigger natural disasters, such as flash floods, landslides, and droughts, that affect the population and local economies. A review of the most updated literature on rainfall and extremes in the MASP shows a significant increase in the total volume of rainy‐season rainfall during the last seven decades. While there were practically no days with heavy rain (more than 50 mm) in the 1950s, these days have been occurring two to five times a year in the last 10 years. This, together with the inappropriate occupation of risky areas, such as slopes and banks of watercourses, leads to inundation, flooding, and landslides. Changes in extremes can be partly due to natural climate variability but can also be related to global warming and/or urbanization. There is ample evidence of an increasing risk of rainfall‐related hazards in the MASP. This is particularly so for landslides in vulnerable areas. Exposure will continue to lead to risk increases. This calls for significant improvement in climate and disaster risk reduction and management efforts in the MASP region.
Computational Biomechanical Analysis of Postoperative Calcaneal Fractures with Different Placement of the Sustentaculum Screw
Authors: Qiang Min‐fei , Singh Ritesh Kumar , Chen Yan‐xi , Zhang Kun , Jia Xiao‐yang , Chen Song , Wang Shu‐guang , Wang Xiong , Shi Zhao‐man 
Published: February 2020

ObjectiveTo evaluate the computational biomechanical analysis of intra‐articular calcaneal fractures with different fixation status of the sustentaculum plate screw, when the finite element modeling of calcaneal fractures were fixed by the lateral locking plate.MethodsThe normal right foot of a male (age: 36 years; height: 174 cm; body weight: 65 kg) was scanned by the CT scanner. As the computational biomechanical study, the three‐dimensional finite element model of the simplified Sanders type‐II calcaneal fracture was built. Fixation with the lateral calcaneal locking plate and screws was simulated using a finite element software package according to clinical operation. According to the different placement of the sustentaculum plate screw, the models were categorized as the accurate fixation group, marginal fixation group, and non‐fixation group. The loading of 650 N with the vertical axial compression was applied to simulate the standing phase with single foot. The Von Mises stress distribution, maximal displacement, and contact area of the subtalar joint were analyzed among three groups.ResultsThe pressure distribution of the subtalar joint facet was inhomogeneous. The stress concentration of the calcaneus was located at the medial zone of the posterior subtalar joint facet. The peak Von Mises stress distribution in three groups was similar at the subtalar joint facet of 4.9 MPa, 5.1 MPa, and 5.4 MPa. In the accurate fixation group, the contact area on the posterior articular facet was 277.1 mm2; the maximal displacement was 0.18 mm. The contact area of the marginal fixation group was 265.3 mm2 on the posterior facet, where the maximal displacement was 0.23 mm. In the non‐fixation group, the contact area was 253.8 mm2; the maximal displacement was 0.25 mm. There was a slight change in the contact area of the subtalar joint and no prominent displacement of the calcaneus could be detected among the three groups.ConclusionsThe biomechanical results, including the peak stress distribution, contact area, and maximal displacement of subtalar joint, were similar whether the screw is placed exactly within the sustentaculum tali or not, when the calcaneal fractures were fixed by the lateral locking plate. The sustentaculum plate screw had less effect on the biomechanical performance of the calcaneus.
Low risk of clinically important central nervous system dysraphism in a cohort study of 69 patients with isolated aplasia cutis congenita of the head
Authors: Kuemmet Travis J. , Miller James J. , Michalik Daniel , Lew Sean M. , Maheshwari Mohit , Humphrey Stephen R. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundAplasia cutis congenita of the head may be associated with underlying fusion defects in the skin, soft tissues, muscle, or bone. The risk of central nervous system dysraphism in patients with aplasia cutis congenita is not known; however, knowledge of underlying structural defects can inform management considerations.MethodsThis retrospective review investigated the risk of cranial central nervous system dysraphism in children presenting with aplasia cutis congenita of the head, who presented between 1/1/2000 and 6/15/2016. Inclusion criteria were subjects with aplasia cutis congenita of the head who received CT or MR imaging of the head.ResultsWe identified a total of 69 subjects with aplasia cutis congenita affecting the head and who received imaging. The most common location of the aplasia cutis congenita lesion was the vertex scalp (49.3%). The hair collar sign was present in 27.5% of patients. Twelve of 69 patients (17.4%) demonstrated abnormalities of the bone, vasculature, or brain on head imaging. Only one patient had a diagnosis of encephalocele that required neurosurgical intervention. There was a statistical association between the hair collar sign and the presence of abnormal imaging findings (P = .029), with a negative predictive value of 89.4%.ConclusionsThe incidence of central nervous system dysraphism in patients with aplasia cutis congenita of the head appears to be low, and it may not be necessary to image the head of each child presenting with this skin lesion. The hair collar sign may be a marker of underlying defects.