bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Omalizumab in three children with severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis
Authors: Rossberg Siri , Pleyer Uwe , Lau Susanne 
Published: May 2020

SummaryBackgroundVernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a rare, recurrent form of ocular allergy that can be refractory to topical and systemic treatment. It typically presents as acute and chronic keratoconjunctival inflammation that may lead to visual impairment due to corneal ulcers and scaring. Patients often suffer from atopic IgE-driven comorbidities, especially atopic eczema. Children are frequently affected and often do not tolerate topical treatment well, especially if photophobia and pain impair therapy adherence. We present three children with severe VKC who were not controlled by first- and second-line topical and systemic therapy and finally responded to treatment with the monoclonal anti-IgE antibody omalizumab as third-line treatment.Methods and resultsWe retrospectively analyzed three patients with VKC having failed response to first- and second-line treatment. All three boys had very early allergic rhinoconjunctivitis from age 1–3 with polysensitization: birch, grass pollen, house dust mite, and/or pets. All received subcutaneous or sublingual immunotherapy (SCIT/SLIT) for birch and/or grass pollen without major success. Two patients had comorbidities: allergic asthma and severe atopic dermatitis (AD). For at least 6 months after the first administration, monoclonal anti-IgE antibody omalizumab (150 or 300 mg) was administered subcutaneously every 2–6 weeks in all patients achieving improvement of the clinical grading scale from VKC grade 3–4 to grade 1–2. One patient had a relapse mainly of his AD and achieved complete control of AD and VKC by introduction of dupilumab.ConclusionAlthough the clinical benefit of omalizumab in asthma and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) has been established in several clinical trials, there are very little data about its effect on severe VKC. In addition to few previously reported cases we can report the rapid effectiveness of omalizumab in VKC clinically and in terms of quality of life. Randomized trials are needed to include omalizumab in third-line treatment of VKC for prevention of visual impairment and further sequelae such as corneal damage.
Human domestication and the roles of human agency in human evolution
Authors: Del Savio Lorenzo , Mameli Matteo 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAre humans a domesticated species? How is this issue related to debates on the roles of human agency in human evolution? This article discusses four views on human domestication: (1) Darwin’s view; (2) the view of those who link human domestication to anthropogenic niche construction and, more specifically, to sedentism; (3) the view of those who link human domestication to selection against aggression and thedomestication syndrome; and (4) a novel view according to which human domestication can be conceived of in terms of a process ofpolitical selection. The article examines and compares these views to illustrate how discussions of human domestication can contribute to debates about how, and to what extent, human agency has affected human evolution.
Multiple-strategy learning particle swarm optimization for large-scale optimization problems
Authors: Wang Hao , Liang Mengnan , Sun Chaoli , Zhang Guochen , Xie Liping 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe balance between the exploration and the exploitation plays a significant role in the meta-heuristic algorithms, especially when they are used to solve large-scale optimization problems. In this paper, we propose a multiple-strategy learning particle swarm optimization algorithm, called MSL-PSO, to solve problems with large-scale variables, in which different learning strategies are utilized in different stages. At the first stage, each individual tries to probe some positions by learning from the demonstrators who have better performance on the fitness value and the mean position of the population. All the best probed positions, each of which has the best fitness among all positions probed by its corresponding individual, will compose a new temporary population. The temporary population will be sorted on the fitness values in a descending order, and will be used for each individual to find its demonstrators, which is based on the rank of the best probed solution in the temporary population and the rank of the individual in the current population, to learn using a new strategy in the second stage. The first stage is used to improve the exploration capability, and the second one is expected to balance the convergence and diversity of the population. To verify the effectiveness of MSL-PSO for solving large-scale optimization problems, some empirical experiments are conducted, which include CEC2008 problems with 100, 500, and 1000 dimensions, and CEC2010 problems with 1000 dimensions. Experimental results show that our proposed MSL-PSO is competitive or has a better performance compared with ten state-of-the-art algorithms.
Engine performance and combustion characteristics of a direct injection compression ignition engine fueled waste cooking oil synthetic diesel
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Viet , Nguyen Khanh Duc , Ho Nang Xuan , Nguyen Vinh Duy 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBiodiesels produced from various feedstocks have been considered as alternative fuels used in internal combustion engines without major modifications. This research focuses on producing biodiesel from waste cooking oil (WCOSD) by the catalytic cracking method using MgO as the catalyst and comparing the engine operating characteristics of the test engine when using WCOSD and traditional diesel (CD) as test fuels. As a result, the brake power of the test engine fueled WCOSD, and traditional diesel is similar. However, the engine fuel consumption in the case of using WCOSD is slight increases in some operating conditions. Also, the nitrogen oxides emissions of the test engine fueled WCOSD are higher than those of CD at all tested conditions. The trend is opposite for hydrocarbon emission as the HC emission of the engine fueled by WCOSD reduces 26.3% on average. The smoke emission of the test engine in case of using WCOSD is lower 17% on average than that of CD. However, the carbon monoxide emissions are lower at the low and medium loads and higher at the full loads. These results show that the new biodiesel has the same characteristics as those of commercial biodiesel and can be used as fuel for diesel engines.
Atomically Dispersed Fe-N4 Modified with Precisely Located S for Highly Efficient Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Jia Yin , Xiong Xuya , Wang Danni , Duan Xinxuan , Sun Kai , Li Yajie , Zheng Lirong , Lin Wenfeng , Dong Mingdong , Zhang Guoxin , Liu Wen , Sun Xiaoming 
Published: May 2020

AbstractImmobilizing metal atoms by multiple nitrogen atoms has triggered exceptional catalytic activity toward many critical electrochemical reactions due to their merits of highly unsaturated coordination and strong metal-substrate interaction. Herein, atomically dispersed Fe-NC material with precise sulfur modification to Fe periphery (termed as Fe-NSC) was synthesized, X-ray absorption near edge structure analysis confirmed the central Fe atom being stabilized in a specific configuration of Fe(N3)(N–C–S). By enabling precisely localized S doping, the electronic structure of Fe-N4 moiety could be mediated, leading to the beneficial adjustment of absorption/desorption properties of reactant/intermediate on Fe center. Density functional theory simulation suggested that more negative charge density would be localized over Fe-N4 moiety after S doping, allowing weakened binding capability to *OH intermediates and faster charge transfer from Fe center to O species. Electrochemical measurements revealed that the Fe-NSC sample exhibited significantly enhanced oxygen reduction reaction performance compared to the S-free Fe-NC material (termed as Fe-NC), showing an excellent onset potential of 1.09 V and half-wave potential of 0.92 V in 0.1 M KOH. Our work may enlighten relevant studies regarding to accessing improvement on the catalytic performance of atomically dispersed M-NC materials by managing precisely tuned local environments of M-Nx moiety.
Simultaneous Hierarchical Bayesian Parameter Estimation for Reinforcement Learning and Drift Diffusion Models: a Tutorial and Links to Neural Data
Authors: Pedersen Mads L. , Frank Michael J. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractCognitive models have been instrumental for generating insights into the brain processes underlying learning and decision making. In reinforcement learning it has recently been shown that not only choice proportions but also their latency distributions can be well captured when the choice function is replaced with a sequential sampling model such as the drift diffusion model. Hierarchical Bayesian parameter estimation further enhances the identifiability of distinct learning and choice parameters. One caveat is that these models can be time-consuming to build, sample from, and validate, especially when models include links between neural activations and model parameters. Here we describe a novel extension to the widely used hierarchical drift diffusion model (HDDM) toolbox, which facilitates flexible construction, estimation, and evaluation of the reinforcement learning drift diffusion model (RLDDM) using hierarchical Bayesian methods. We describe the types of experiments most applicable to the model and provide a tutorial to illustrate how to perform quantitative data analysis and model evaluation. Parameter recovery confirmed that the method can reliably estimate parameters with varying numbers of synthetic subjects and trials. We also show that the simultaneous estimation of learning and choice parameters can improve the sensitivity to detect brain–behavioral relationships, including the impact of learned values and fronto-basal ganglia activity patterns on dynamic decision parameters.
Perception of Healthcare Access and Utility of Telehealth Among Parkinson’s Disease Patients
Authors: Peacock Dakota , Baumeister Peter , Monaghan Alex , Siever Jodi , Yoneda Joshua , Wile Daryl 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACT:Regional patient and physician density patterns pose problems to accessing care for people with Parkinson’s disease, though telehealth may improve access. We surveyed and conducted a focus group for people with Parkinson’s disease in Interior British Columbia regarding barriers to neurological care. Eighteen individuals completed the survey and seven parties joined the focus group. Perceived barriers include cost and difficulty of travel, wait times, and lack of specialized services outside large cities. 80% of participants (95% CI 64–96) would likely use telehealth for follow-up neurologist appointments. This sample of people with Parkinson’s disease reports willingness to use telehealth to reduce travel and improve access to specialty care.
When does job stress limit organizational citizenship behavior, or not? Personal and contextual resources as buffers
Authors: De Clercq Dirk , Belausteguigoitia Imanol 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAnchored in conservation of resources theory, this study considers how employees' experience of job stress might reduce their organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB), as well as how this negative relationship might be buffered by employees' access to two personal resources (passion for work and adaptive humor) and two contextual resources (peer communication and forgiving climate). Data from a Mexican-based organization reveal that felt job stress diminishes OCB, but the effect is subdued at higher levels of the four studied resources. This study accordingly adds to extant research by elucidating when the actual experience of job stress is more or less likely to steer employees away from OCB – that is, when they have access to specific resources that hitherto have been considered direct enablers of such efforts instead of buffers of employees' negative behavioral responses to job stress.
Validity of predictive equations to estimate RMR in females with varying BMI
Authors: Thom George , Gerasimidis Konstantinos , Rizou Eleni , Alfheeaid Hani , Barwell Nick , Manthou Eirini , Fatima Sadia , Gill Jason M. R. , Lean Michael E. J. , Malkova Dalia 
Published: May 2020

AbstractEstimation of RMR using prediction equations is the basis for calculating energy requirements. In the present study, RMR was predicted by Harris–Benedict, Schofield, Henry, Mifflin–St Jeor and Owen equations and measured by indirect calorimetry in 125 healthy adult women of varying BMI (17–44 kg/m2). Agreement between methods was assessed by Bland–Altman analyses and each equation was assessed for accuracy by calculating the percentage of individuals predicted within ± 10 % of measured RMR. Slopes and intercepts of bias as a function of average RMR (mean of predicted and measured RMR) were calculated by regression analyses. Predictors of equation bias were investigated using univariate and multivariate linear regression. At group level, bias (the difference between predicted and measured RMR) was not different from zero only for Mifflin–St Jeor (0 (sd153) kcal/d (0 (sd640) kJ/d)) and Henry (8 (sd163) kcal/d (33 (sd682) kJ/d)) equations. Mifflin–St Jeor and Henry equations were most accurate at the individual level and predicted RMR within 10 % of measured RMR in 71 and 66 % of participants, respectively. For all equations, limits of agreement were wide, slopes of bias were negative, and intercepts of bias were positive and significantly (P< 0⋅05) different from zero. Increasing age, height and BMI were associated with underestimation of RMR, but collectively these variables explained only 15 % of the variance in estimation bias. Overall accuracy of equations for prediction of RMR is low at the individual level, particularly in women with low and high RMR. The Mifflin–St Jeor equation was the most accurate for this dataset, but prediction errors were still observed in about one-third of participants.
AN UPDATE ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE IN SITU14C EXTRACTION LINE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BERN
Authors: Sliz M U , Espic C , Hofmann B A , Leya I , Szidat S 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACTWe present the current performance of the in situ radiocarbon (14C) extraction line at the University of Bern with an improved extraction and combustion system. After three major steps of improvement, the extraction of sample CO2gas now takes place inside a platinum crucible, supported by an outer quartz-glass crucible. This setup allows us to operate the line as a closed system for several samples without breaking the vacuum. Measurements of procedural blanks and samples from our reference strewn field, Jiddat al Harasis 073, performed in our system all show a good reproducibility and, for the strewn field samples, consistency with published data. We describe each improvement step in detail, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of all tested setups. By sharing our knowledge, we aim to inform and prevent others from making the same or similar detours in establishing14C extraction systems for extraterrestrial samples.
On‐Shelf Nutrient Trapping Enhances the Fertility of the Southern Benguela Upwelling System
Authors: Flynn R. F. , Granger J. , Veitch J. A. , Siedlecki S. , Burger J. M. , Pillay K. , Fawcett S. E. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe southern Benguela upwelling system (SBUS) supports high rates of primary productivity that sustain important commercial fisheries. The exceptional fertility of this system is reportedly fueled not only by upwelled nutrients but also by nutrients regenerated on the broad and shallow continental shelf. We measured nutrient concentrations and the nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) isotope ratios (δ15N and δ18O) of nitrate along four zonal lines in the SBUS in late summer and early winter to evaluate the extent to which regenerated nutrients augment the upwelled nutrient reservoir originating offshore. During summer upwelling, a decrease in on‐shelf nitrate δ18O revealed that 0–48% of the subsurface nutrients derived from in situ remineralization. The nitrate regenerated on‐shelf in the more quiescent winter (0–63% of total nitrate) extended further offshore along the mid‐shelf. A shoreward increase in subsurface nitrate δ15N and a greater N deficit in on‐shelf bottom waters further indicated N loss to benthic (and at times, watercolumn) denitrification coincident with the on‐shelf remineralization. Our data show that remineralized nutrients get trapped on the SBUS shelf in summer through early winter, enhancing the nutrient pool that can be upwelled to support surface production. We hypothesize that this process is aided by a number of equatorward‐flowing hydrographic fronts that impede the lateral exchange of surface waters. The extent to which nutrients remain trapped on the shelf has implications for the occurrence of hypoxic events in the SBUS.
Pliocene‐Pleistocene Stratigraphy and Sea‐Level Estimates, Republic of South Africa With Implications for a 400 ppmv CO2 World
Authors: Hearty P. J. , Rovere A. , Sandstrom M. R. , O'Leary M. J. , Roberts D. , Raymo M. E. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe Mid‐Pliocene Warm Period (MPWP, 2.9 to 3.3 Ma), along with older Pliocene (3.2 to 5.3 Ma) records, offers potential past analogues for our 400‐ppmv world. The coastal geology of western and southern coasts of the Republic of South Africa exposes an abundance of marine deposits of Pliocene and Pleistocene age. In this study, we report differential GPS elevations, detailed stratigraphic descriptions, standardized interpretations, and dating of relative sea‐level indicators measured across ~700 km from the western and southern coasts of the Cape Provinces. Wave abrasion surfaces on bedrock, intertidal sedimentary structures, and in situ marine invertebrates including oysters and barnacles provide precise indicators of past sea levels. Multiple sea‐level highstands imprinted at different elevations along South African coastlines were identified. Zone I sites average +32 ± 5 m (six sites). A lower topographic Zone II of sea stands were measured at several sites around +17 ± 5 m. Middle and late Pleistocene sites are included in Zone III. Shoreline chronologies using 87Sr/86Sr ages on shells from these zones yield ages from Zone I at 4.6 and 3.0 Ma and Zone II at 1.04 Ma. Our results show that polar ice sheets during the Plio‐Pleistocene were dynamic and subject to significant melting under modestly warmer global temperatures. These processes occurred during a period when CO2 concentrations were comparable to our current and rapidly rising values above 400 ppmv.
Resilience to Large, “Catastrophic” Wildfires in North America's Grassland Biome
Authors: Donovan Victoria M. , Twidwell Dirac , Uden Daniel R. , Tadesse Tsegaye , Wardlow Brian D. , Bielski Christine H. , Jones Matthew O. , Allred Brady W. , Naugle David E. , Allen Craig R. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWildfires are ecosystem‐level drivers of structure and function in many vegetated biomes. While numerous studies have emphasized the benefits of fire to ecosystems, large wildfires have also been associated with the loss of ecosystem services and shifts in vegetation abundance. The size and number of wildfires are increasing across a number of regions, and yet the outcomes of large wildfire on vegetation at large‐scales are still largely unknown. We introduce an exhaustive analysis of wildfire‐scale vegetation response to large wildfires across North America's grassland biome. We use 18 years of a newly released vegetation data set combined with 1,390 geospatial wildfire perimeters and drought data to detect large‐scale vegetation response among multiple vegetation functional groups. We found no evidence of persistent declines in vegetation driven by wildfire at the biome level. All vegetation functional groups exhibited relatively rapid recovery to pre wildfire ranges of variation across the Great Plains ecoregions, with the exception being a persistent decrease in the abundance of trees in the Northwestern Great Plains. Drought intensity magnified immediate vegetation response to wildfire. Persistent declines in vegetation cover were observed at the scale of single pixels (30 m), suggesting that these responses were localized and represent extreme cases within larger wildfires. Our findings echo over a century of research demonstrating a biome resilient to wildfire.
Silicon‐Depleted Present‐Day Earth's Outer Core Revealed by Sound Velocity Measurements of Liquid Fe‐Si Alloy
Authors: Nakajima Yoichi , Kawaguchi Saori I. , Hirose Kei , Tateno Shigehiko , Kuwayama Yasuhiro , Sinmyo Ryosuke , Ozawa Haruka , Tsutsui Satoshi , Uchiyama Hiroshi , Baron Alfred Q. R. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractHere we determined the P wave velocity of liquid Fe84Si16 up to 56 GPa based on inelastic X‐ray scattering measurements in a laser‐heated diamond‐anvil cell. We found that silicon significantly increases the P wave velocity of liquid iron under high pressure. The equation of state (EoS) of liquid Fe‐Si is obtained from the present sound velocity measurements. When extrapolating the present data to core pressures with the EoS, the silicon concentration must be limited to less than
wt.% in the outer core to explain its P wave velocity. In contrast, if silicon is the sole light element,
to
wt.% is necessary to account for the outer core density deficit. Thus, a liquid Fe‐Si cannot explain both the density and sound velocity simultaneously, suggesting that silicon is not the predominant light element in the core. Recent core formation models have predicted that the initial core contained 2 to 9 wt.% Si, which makes the P wave velocity much faster than that observed in the present‐day outer core. The core may have changed its composition by crystallizing SiO2 or (Mg,Fe)SiO3. It is possible that the initial core with <4 wt.% Si and ~5 wt.% O segregated from silicate under moderately oxidizing conditions and its composition evolved into a silicon‐poor one (<1.9 wt.% Si), which is compatible with the seismological observations. Such moderate Si content in the original core could also account for the high MgO/SiO2 and 30Si/28Si ratios in Earth's mantle relative to chondritic values.