bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deciphering the enigma of female urethral strictures: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of management modalities
Authors: Sarin Indira , Narain Tushar A. , Panwar Vikas K. , Bhadoria Ajeet S. , Goldman Howard B. , Mittal Ankur 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the management methods of female urethral stricture (FUS) and analyze the outcomes of surgical treatments. A meta‐analysis was done in an attempt to identify the best approach of urethroplasty and the graft‐of‐choice.Materials and MethodsA systematic search of Pubmed/Medline and Embase databases was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items For Systematic Review And Meta‐Analysis statement, for articles reporting on FUS management in the last decade. The Newcastle‐Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of 28 included non‐randomized studies. The data on FUS management was summarized and pooled success rates (taken as symptom improvement and no need for further instrumentation) were compared. The secondary outcome was to establish a diagnostic modality of choice and define a “successful‐outcome” of repair.ResultsThe outcome was separately reported for 554 women undergoing surgical intervention for FUS in the literature. The criteria defining FUS were varied. A combination of tests was used for diagnosis as none was singularly conclusive. A total of 301 patients had previous urethral instrumentations. The pooled success rate of urethral dilatation (234 women) was 49% at a mean follow‐up of 32 months; flap urethroplasty (108 cases) was 92% at a mean follow‐up of 42 months; buccal mucosal graft (BMG) urethroplasty (133 cases) was 89% at a mean follow‐up of 19 months; vaginal graft augmentation (44 cases) was 87% at a mean follow‐up of 15 months; and labial graft reconstruction (19 cases) was 89% at a mean follow‐up of 18.4 months. The dorsal approach of graft augmentation met with 88% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79–0.95) success compared with 95% (95% CI 0.86–1) for the ventral approach.ConclusionFUS is a rare condition requiring a meticulous diagnostic workup using multiple tests. All urethroplasties have shown better pooled success rates (86%–93%) compared with dilatation (49%). BMG is equally effective as vaginal graft urethroplasty.
Aesthetics as a common denominator for moral and commercial judgments
Authors: Wang Xuanyu , Simmank Fabian , Zhang Dongxue , Zeng Yifan , Silveira Sarita , Sander Tilmann , Bao Yan , Paolini Marco 
Published: December 2020

AbstractUsing fMRI, a core evaluation mechanism was found for aesthetic judgments with add‐on neural activities for moral and commercial judgments. We propose that aesthetic evaluations serve as a basic core mechanism implicitly for moral and commercial judgments.
Evaluation of rescue oral glucocorticoid therapy during inpatient cystic fibrosis exacerbations
Authors: Muirhead Corinne A. , Lanocha Natalie , Markwardt Sheila , MacDonald Kelvin D. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAn acute pulmonary exacerbation (APE) in cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by increased pulmonary symptoms attributed to bacterial colonization, neutrophil recruitment, and inflammation. Antimicrobials, airway clearance, and nutrition are the mainstay of therapy. However, when patients fail to improve, corticosteroids have been added to therapy. We retrospectively examined the use of rescue steroids in a children's hospital from 2013 to 2017 during CF APE treatment following at least 1 week of inpatient therapy without expected clinical improvement. In total, 106 encounters of 53 unique patients, aged 6–20 years, who had FEV1 percent predicted (FEV1pp) data at baseline, admission, midpoint, and discharge, and had admission duration of at least 12 days were studied. Encounters treated with steroids had less improvement at midpoint percent change from admission in FEV1pp (4.9 ± 11.3) than nonsteroid group change in FEV1pp (20.1 ± 24.6; p < .001). Failure to improve as expected was the rationale for steroid use. At discharge, there was no difference in mean FEV1pp (p = .76). Delays in steroid therapy by waiting until the end of the second week increased the total length of stay (LOS). Propensity matching, comparing outcomes in patients without midpoint improvement in FEV1pp, was also evaluated. There was no difference in admission or discharge FEV1pp between groups. Equally, no difference in FEV1pp at follow‐up visit or in time until the next APE was detected. Secondary analysis for associations including gender, genotype, fungal colonization, or inhaled antimicrobials was nonsignificant. These data suggest rescue use of corticosteroids during APE does not predictably impact important outcome measures during CF APE treatment.
Quantification of N6‐formylated lysine in bacterial protein digests using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry despite spontaneous formation and matrix effects
Authors: Folz Jacob S. , Patterson Jenelle A. , Hanson Andrew D. , Fiehn Oliver 
Published: December 2020

RationaleN6‐Formyl lysine is a well‐known modification of histones and other proteins. It can also be formed as a damaged product from direct formylation of free lysine and accompanied by other lysine derivatives such as acetylated or methylated forms. In relation to the activity of cellular repair enzymes in protein turnover and to lysine metabolism, it is important to accurately quantify the overall ratio of modified lysine to free lysine.MethodsN6‐Formyl lysine was quantified using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) with data collected in a non‐targeted manner using positive mode electrospray ionization on a Q‐Exactive HF+ Orbitrap mass spectrometer. Studies were performed with lysine and deuterated lysine spiked into protein digests and solvents to investigate the extent of spontaneous formation and matrix effects of formation of N6‐formyl lysine.ResultsWe show that N6‐formyl lysine, N2‐formyl lysine, N6‐acetyl lysine, and N2‐acetyl lysine are all formed spontaneously during sample preparation and LC/MS/MS analysis, which complicates quantification of these metabolites in biological samples. N6‐Formyl lysine was spontaneously formed and correlated to the concentration of lysine. In the sample matrix of protein digests, 0.03% of lysine was spontaneously converted into N6‐formyl lysine, and 0.005% of lysine was converted into N6‐formyl lysine in pure run solvent.ConclusionsSpontaneous formation of N6‐formyl lysine, N6‐acetyl lysine, N2‐formyl lysine, and N2‐acetyl lysine needs to be subtracted from biologically formed lysine modifications when quantifying these epimetabolites in biological samples.
Using field sign surveys to estimate spatial distribution and territory dynamics following reintroduction of the Eurasian beaver to British river catchments
Authors: Campbell‐Palmer Róisín , Puttock Alan , Wilson Kelsey A. , Leow‐Dyke Alicia , Graham Hugh A. , Gaywood Martin J. , Brazier Richard E. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractEurasian beavers, keystone species, have returned to inhabit much of its former range following near extinction. Evidence repeatedly demonstrates that beavers can provide important riparian biotic and abiotic ecosystem services. These abilities to modify their surroundings can cause conflict, especially in prime agricultural landscapes. Understanding how beavers are utilizing and expanding in European catchments is therefore essential. This paper presents a methodology by which the spatial extent and environmental impact of beavers can be quantified via distinctive field signs. This has widespread application in understanding their distribution, expansion, and any management implications. Its application is tested within two diverse case studies, the Tayside catchment, Scotland, and the Wye catchment, Wales/England, collectively covering >10,000 km2 of catchment area. A minimum of 114 active territories were identified in Tayside and a small number of free‐roaming beavers with no strong evidence of breeding territories were recorded on the River Wye. This study demonstrates that a detailed, time and cost efficient but also easily replicable, field survey method can allow estimates of beaver territorial zones when combined with geospatial analysis and expert assessment. As populations of Eurasian beavers continue to expand and be actively reintroduced across Europe, this survey‐based approach can be utilized to increase understanding of their distribution, population dynamics, and territorial behavior, as well as informing management strategies and identifying areas of potential benefit and/or conflict.
Revising petiole nitrate sufficiency/deficiency guidelines for irrigated cotton in the Desert Southwest
Authors: Bronson Kevin F. , Norton E. Randall , Silvertooth Jeffrey C. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPetiole nitrate‐nitrogen (NO3–N) sampling and testing remains a popular in‐season nitrogen (N) management practice in the western United States for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). However, the present guidelines used by Arizona are greater than 35 yr old and are in need of updating. The objectives of this study were to relate in‐season petiole NO3 levels with lint yields and N deficiencies and to revise the former critical deficiency level guidelines by growth stage. Petioles were sampled between first square and peak bloom in nine site‐years of cotton N management field trials in Maricopa and Safford, AZ, from 2014 to 2018. Irrigation type in Maricopa was overhead sprinkler irrigation (OSI) (2014–2015) and subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) (2016–2018). In Safford (2014–2017), surface irrigation (SI) was used. Petiole NO3 in SDI was dramatically lower than with SI or OSI, mostly in the deficient range. Lower lint yields in zero‐N treatments compared with pre‐plant soil NO3 test–based reference treatments occurred in eight site‐years (Safford 2016 crop lost to late hailstorm) and were considered N deficient. Critical petiole NO3–N levels from 1984 were revised downward 1 g N kg−1 because several N‐fertilized treatment means of petiole NO3 were in that range and did not exhibit an N rate–related yield depression. Sampling cotton plants for petiole NO3 analysis should start within 1 wk of first bloom. Petiole NO3 dynamics and critical levels in SDI cotton required further study.
Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and In silico Studies of Compounds Based on Tryptophan‐Naproxen‐Triazole Hybrids
Authors: Srinivas Suryapeta , Neeraja Papigani , Banothu Venkanna , Kumar Dubey Pramod , Mukkanti Khagga , Pal Sarbani 
Published: December 2020

AbstractA hybrid of three different frameworks e. g. tryptophan, naproxen and triazole has been explored for the identification of potential antibacterial / anticancer agents. A library of new compounds, designed based on this hybrid framework was synthesized via a multi‐step sequence using the Cu(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) as the key reaction step. Thus the terminal alkyne obtained via the reaction of tryptophan ester with naproxen followed by N‐propargylation of the indole ring was coupled with a range of organic azides to give the desired products (through the formation of triazole ring) in good to acceptable yields. The in vitro antibacterial screening of these compounds against S. aureus (Gram‐positive) as well as E. coli and K. pneumoniae (Gram‐negative) strains identified several hits with moderate to good activities with 4‐(4‐((3‐(3‐methoxy‐2‐(2‐(6‐methoxynaphthalen‐2‐yl)propanamido)‐3‐oxopropyl)‐1H‐indol‐1‐yl)methyl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐1‐yl)benzoic acid (6 n) being the best (MIC∼25 μg/mL across all the strains). Several compounds e. g. analogues containing a (4‐chlorophenyl)amino)‐2‐oxoethyl moiety (6 e) and (4‐nitrophenyl)amino)‐2‐oxoethyl moiety (6 h) attached to the triazole ring also showed cytotoxic activities when tested against A549 cancer cell line (IC50=39.35 and 28.52 μg/mL, respectively).
Cytotoxicity and Antibacterial Activity of Silver Complexes Bearing Semicarbazones and Triphenylphosphine
Authors: Almeida Vitor Y. G. , Rocha Josias S. , Felix Débora P. , Oliveira Gabriela P. , Lima Mauro A. , Farias Renan L. , Zanetti Renan D. , Netto Adelino V. G. , Zambom Carolina R. , Garrido Saulo S. , Rocha Fillipe V. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe present work aimed to evaluate the biological activities of the silver (I) complexes, with the formulae [Ag(L)(PPh3)2]+ and [Ag(L)2]+ (L=(E)‐2‐((E)‐3‐phenylallylidene) hydrazine‐1‐carboxamide – CSC and (2E)‐2‐[(3E)‐4‐phenylbut‐3‐en‐2‐ylidene]‐hydrazinecarboxamide – BSC). Four new silver(I) compounds were synthesized and characterized by NMR 1H, 13C‐{1H}, 31P, IR, and UV‐Vis spectroscopies, molar conductivity, and elemental analysis (CNH). High cytotoxicity was found for all complexes being more active than cisplatin in the tested cell lines. The antibacterial assay demonstrated that the compounds without phosphine groups presented high levels of inhibition (80 %) at 70.4 uM against the Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria strains. The DNA interactions were investigated by UV‐Vis DNA titration, electrophoresis, and circular dichroism experiments. Data showed that the compounds did not interact with DNA in the tested conditions. However, the compounds have provided important information about the structural features that are needed in order to design new silver (I) complexes with biological activities.
Genome‐wide association study of resistance to PstS2 and Warrior races of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (stripe rust) in bread wheat landraces
Authors: Tehseen Muhammad Massub , Tonk Fatma Aykut , Tosun Muzaffer , Amri Ahmed , Sansaloni Carolina P. , Kurtulus Ezgi , Yazbek Mariana , Al‐Sham'aa Khaled , Ozseven Izzet , Safdar Luqman Bin , Shehadeh Ali , Nazari Kumarse 
Published: December 2020

AbstractStripe or yellow rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis Westend. f. sp. tritici is a major threat to bread wheat production worldwide. The breakdown in resistance of certain major genes and newly emerging aggressive races of stripe rusts pose serious concerns in all main wheat growing areas of the world. To identify new sources of resistance and associated QTL for effective utilization in future breeding programs an association mapping (AM) panel comprising of 600 bread wheat landraces collected from eight different countries conserved at ICARDA gene bank were evaluated for seedling and adult plant resistance against the PstS2 and Warrior races of stripe rust at the Regional Cereal Rust Research Center (RCRRC), Izmir, Turkey during 2016, 2018 and 2019. A set of 25,169 informative SNP markers covering the whole genome were used to examine the population structure, linkage disequilibrium and marker‐trait associations in the AM panel. The genome‐wide association study (GWAS) was carried out using a Mixed Linear Model (MLM). We identified 47 SNP markers across 19 chromosomes with significant SNP‐trait associations for both seedling stage and adult plant resistance. The threshold of significance for all SNP‐trait associations was determined by the false discovery rate (q) ≤ 0.05. Three genomic regions (QYr.1D_APR, QYr.3A_seedling and QYr.7D_seedling) identified in this study do not correspond to previously reported Yr genes or QTL, suggesting new genomic regions for stripe rust resistance.
Sensing the electrical properties of roots: A review
Authors: Ehosioke Solomon , Nguyen Frédéric , Rao Sathyanarayan , Kremer Thomas , Placencia‐Gomez Edmundo , Huisman Johan Alexander , Kemna Andreas , Javaux Mathieu , Garré Sarah 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThorough knowledge of root system functioning is essential to understand the feedback loops between plants, soil, and climate. In situ characterization of root systems is challenging due to the inaccessibility of roots and the complexity of root zone processes. Electrical methods have been proposed to overcome these difficulties. Electrical conduction and polarization occur in and around roots, but the mechanisms are not yet fully understood. We review the potential and limitations of low‐frequency electrical techniques for root zone investigation, discuss the mechanisms behind electrical conduction and polarization in the soil–root continuum, and address knowledge gaps. A range of electrical methods for root investigation is available. Reported methods using current injection in the plant stem to assess the extension of the root system lack robustness. Multi‐electrode measurements are increasingly used to quantify root zone processes through soil moisture changes. They often neglect the influence of root biomass on the electrical signal, probably because it is yet to be well understood. Recent research highlights the potential of frequency‐dependent impedance measurements. These methods target both surface and volumetric properties by activating and quantifying polarization mechanisms occurring at the root segment and cell scale at specific frequencies. The spectroscopic approach opens up a range of applications. Nevertheless, understanding electrical signatures at the field scale requires significant understanding of small‐scale polarization and conduction mechanisms. Improved mechanistic soil–root electrical models, validated with small‐scale electrical measurements on root systems, are necessary to make further progress in ramping up the precision and accuracy of multi‐electrode tomographic techniques for root zone investigation.
Differences in soil evaporation between row and interrow positions in furrowed agricultural fields
Authors: Al‐Oqaili Firas , Good Stephen P. , Frost Kenneth , Higgins Chad W. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAlthough large‐scale center pivot sprinkler irrigation has replaced surface irrigation in many locations, the agricultural practice of growing crops in furrows remains common. Still, how the presence of elevated soil rows under sprinkler irrigation influences evaporation losses remains unclear, even while quantifying nonproductive water losses becomes increasingly important for informing new water conservation and irrigation strategies. In this study at the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Hermiston, OR, soil evaporation from the row and interrow positions within potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) fields of contrasting irrigation timing (daytime vs. nighttime) was estimated based on hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios. Samples collected throughout the 2016 growing season were analyzed and used to calculate soil evaporation (E) losses relative to applied irrigation (I). On average, row positions were more enriched in heavy isotopes than interrow positions, indicating that the evaporated fraction of applied irrigation (E/I) depends on the position. Within the day‐irrigated field, the estimated (mean ± standard deviation) E/I ratios determined from both stable isotopes for May, July, and September were 18 ± 8%, 10 ± 3%, and 19 ± 5% for row and 15 ± 6%, 7 ± 2%, and 12 ± 4% for interrow samples. Within the night‐irrigated field during these same months, the E/I ratios were 13 ± 12%, 16 ± 7%, and 13 ± 5% for row and 12 ± 7%, 9 ± 2%, and 6 ± 2% for interrow samples, respectively. For these fields, these results reveal that there is more evaporation from row, as compared with interrow, positions. Therefore, management practices for water conservation should account for larger nonproductive evaporation from within rows in order to minimize evaporative losses.
Adaptation of Seaweed Farmers in Zanzibar to the Impacts of Climate Change
Authors: de Jong Cleyndert Georgia , Newman Rebecca , Brugere Cecile , Cuni-Sanchez Aida , Marchant Robert 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSeaweed farming is an important alternative livelihood activity that has been heralded as a development success story. It has advanced women’s empowerment and economic liberation in coastal communities in Zanzibar, despite recent declines in its production. Using data from 36 semistructured interviews, we explore the impacts of climate change on seaweed farming in Zanzibar and the coping and adaptation strategies available to farmers. Interviews reveal that climatic changes observed in Zanzibar are characterized by increased temperatures, increased winds, and irregular rainfall, and these changes have negatively affected coastal seaweed farming yields and quality. Combined with economic challenges, these environmental stressors are threatening the sustainability of seaweed farming and the wider development impacts that have been gained over the past decades. Establishing seaweed farms in deeper water, using new technologies, could be an adaptation method to overcome rising temperatures; however, there are significant socioeconomic barriers for this to happen. For example, women lack access to boats and the ability to swim. Adaptation options to the increasing impacts of climate change will be possible only with institutional support, significant investment, and through the empowerment of women and the participation local communities.
Genus expansion of matrix models and ћ expansion of KP hierarchy
Authors: Andreev A. , Popolitov A. , Sleptsov A. , Zhabin A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe studyћexpansion of the KP hierarchy following Takasaki-Takebe [1] considering several examples of matrix modelτ-functions with natural genus expansion. Among the examples there are solutions of KP equations of special interest, such as generating function for simple Hurwitz numbers, Hermitian matrix model, Kontsevich model and Brezin-Gross-Witten model. We show that all these models with parameterћareτ-functions of theћ-KP hierarchy and the expansion inћfor theћ-KP coincides with the genus expansion for these models. Furthermore, we show a connection of recent papers considering theћ-formulation of the KP hierarchy [2, 3] with original Takasaki-Takebe approach. We find that in this approach the recovery of enumerative geometric meaning ofτ-functions is straightforward and algorithmic.
What does it mean to embed ethics in data science? An integrative approach based on microethics and virtues
Authors: Bezuidenhout Louise , Ratti Emanuele 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn the past few years, scholars have been questioning whether the current approach in data ethics based on the higher level case studies and general principles is effective. In particular, some have been complaining that such an approach to ethics is difficult to be applied and to be taught in the context of data science. In response to these concerns, there have been discussions about how ethics should be “embedded” in the practice of data science, in the sense of showing how ethical issues emerge in small technical choices made by data scientists in their day-to-day activities, and how such an approach can be used to teach data ethics. However, a precise description of how such proposals have to be theoretically conceived and could be operationalized has been lacking. In this article, we propose a full-fledged characterization of ‘embedding’ ethics, and how this can be applied especially to the problem of teaching data science ethics. Using the emerging model of ‘microethics’, we propose a way of teaching daily responsibility in digital activities that is connected to (and draws from) the higher level ethical challenges discussed in digital/data ethics. We ground this microethical approach into a virtue theory framework, by stressing that the goal of a microethics is to foster the cultivation of moral virtues. After delineating this approach of embedding ethics in theoretical detail, this article discusses a concrete example of how such a ‘micro-virtue ethics’ approach could be practically taught to data science students.