bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Achilles Tendinopathy: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Fan Yifei , Feng Ziyan , Cao Jun , Fu Weili 
Published: February 2020

Background: Achilles tendinopathy is a frequent sports injury, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been proposed as a treatment. Purpose: To compare outcomes between ESWT and other nonsurgical intervention (including sham shock wave therapy) in Achilles tendinopathy patients. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: We included 5 randomized controlled trials and 3 case-control studies published between 2005 and 2018. We analyzed pain scores and other outcomes that were reported in more than 3 of the 8 studies. Results: ESWT was associated with significantly better scores than comparison therapy on the visual analog scale for pain ( P < .01), American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society scale ( P = .01), Likert scale for satisfaction ( P = .03), Roles and Maudsley scale ( P < .01), Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment–Achilles questionnaire ( P < .01), and numerical rating scale ( P = .02). The 2 patient groups did not differ significantly in tenderness ( P = .34) or pain threshold ( P = .24). Subgroup analysis showed that ESWT led to better VAS pain scores than comparison treatments at both low-energy level (0.06-0.11 mJ/mm2) and medium-energy level (0.12-0.25 mJ/mm2) and at both shorter (<6 months) and longer (≥6 months) follow-up. Conclusion: ESWT improves pain and functional outcomes in patients with Achilles tendinopathy. Further research is needed to determine the optimal energy level.
Endoscopic treatment of Achilles tendon enthesopathies: An anatomical and clinical feasibility study
Authors: Boniface Olivier , Vervoort Thomas 
Published: February 2020

Background: One possible treatment for Achilles tendon enthesopathy is open reconstruction of the Achilles tendon insertion by resection of calcified enthesis and the calcaneal tuberosity followed by reinsertion of the tendon with anchors. Subcutaneous dissection of the tendon in open procedure is at risk of wound complications. We hypothesized that this procedure could be performed under endoscopy. Methods: An innovative operating technique was described. It consisted in removal and reinsertion of the Achilles tendon under endoscopy using five portals with resection of the calcaneal tuberosity and calcified enthesis. A feasibility study was first conducted on five cadaveric feet followed by an in vivo study on five patients. Results: In all cases, the Achilles tendon could be reinserted with the same technique than in open surgery. None of the ten surgical procedures technically failed. It was possible to correctly resect calcifications and the calcaneal tuberosity. Resection was performed under endoscopic and fluoroscopic control for the ten cases. Proper reinsertion was verified under endoscopy, by placement of the ankle in physiological equinus for clinical series and by dissection for cadaveric cases. There were no complications in the clinical series 3 months postoperatively. Conclusion: Achilles enthesopathies can be treated by detachment/reinsertion of the Achilles tendon under endoscopy with resection of calcified enthesis and the calcaneal tuberosity. This endoscopic technique should now be validated by analyzing longer-term clinical and anatomical results and comparing them with the results of open surgery.
Earlier palliative home care is associated with patient-centred medical resource utilisation and lower costs in the last 30 days before death in COPD: a population-level decedent cohort study
Authors: Scheerens Charlotte , Faes Kristof , Pype Peter , Beernaert Kim , Joos Guy , Derom Eric , Cohen Joachim , Deliens Luc , Chambaere Kenneth 
Published: February 2020

COPD patients often use many medical resources, such as hospital admissions and medical imaging, inappropriately close to death. Palliative home care (PHC) could beneficially affect this. The aim was to study the effect of use and timing of PHC on medical resource use and costs in the last 30 days before death (DBD) for COPD.We performed a retrospective study of all Belgian decedents in 2010–2015 with COPD and a primary cause of death being COPD or cardiovascular diseases. Odds ratios for medical resources were calculated between using and four PHC timing categories (>360, 360–181, 180–91 and 90–31 DBD)versusnot using. Confounders were socio-demographic, care intensity and disease severity variables.Of the 58 527 decedents with COPD, 644 (1.1%) patients received PHC earlier than 30 DBD. Using PHC (versusnot using) decreased the odds ratio for hospitalisation (0.35), intensive care unit admission (0.16), specialist contacts (0.58), invasive ventilation (0.13), medical imaging including chest radiograph (0.34), sedatives (0.48) and hospital death (0.14). It increased the odds ratio for home care (3.27), general practitioner contact (4.65), palliative care unit admission (2.61), noninvasive ventilation (2.65), gastric tube (2.15), oxygen (2.22) and opioids (4.04) (p<0.001). Mean total healthcare costs were €1569 lower for using PHC. All PHC timing categories showed a benefit in medical resource use and costs. However, we observed the largest benefit in the category PHC 90–31 DBD.Health policy and services should focus on increasing PHC access, while research should further explore early PHC initiation for COPD.
Discerning Weld Seam Profiles from Strong Arc Background for the Robotic Automated Welding Process via Visual Attention Features
Authors: He Yinshui , Yu Zhuohua , Li Jian , Yu Lesheng , Ma Guohong 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIn the robotic welding process with thick steel plates, laser vision sensors are widely used to profile the weld seam to implement automatic seam tracking. The weld seam profile extraction (WSPE) result is a crucial step for identifying the feature points of the extracted profile to guide the welding torch in real time. The visual information processing system may collapse when interference data points in the image survive during the phase of feature point identification, which results in low tracking accuracy and poor welding quality. This paper presents a visual attention feature-based method to extract the weld seam profile (WSP) from the strong arc background using clustering results. First, a binary image is obtained through the preprocessing stage. Second, all data points with a gray value 255 are clustered with the nearest neighborhood clustering algorithm. Third, a strategy is developed to discern one cluster belonging to the WSP from the appointed candidate clusters in each loop, and a scheme is proposed to extract the entire WSP using visual continuity. Compared with the previous methods the proposed method in this paper can extract more useful details of the WSP and has better stability in terms of removing the interference data. Considerable WSPE tests with butt joints and T-joints show the anti-interference ability of the proposed method, which contributes to smoothing the welding process and shows its practical value in robotic automated welding with thick steel plates.
Risk assessment of genetically engineered plants that can persist and propagate in the environment
Authors: Bauer-Panskus Andreas , Miyazaki Juliana , Kawall Katharina , Then Christoph 
Published: February 2020

AbstractNew challenges arise in risk assessment when genetically engineered (GE) plants can persist and propagate in the environment as well as produce viable offspring. Next generation effects can be influenced by heterogeneous genetic backgrounds and unexpected effects can be triggered in interaction with environmental conditions. Consequently, the biological characteristics of the original events cannot be regarded as sufficient to conclude on hazards that may emerge in following generations. Potential hazards identified by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) include exacerbating weed problems, displacement and even extinction of native plant species. However, there are reasons for concern that might escape the environmental risk assessment (ERA) because EFSA only takes into account the characteristics of the original events, leaving aside unintended or unexpected next generation effects emerging from spontaneous propagation and gene flow. From our review of the publications available and the analysis of risk assessment as performed, we conclude that the risk assessment of GE organisms able to persist and spontaneously propagate in the environment actually suffers from a high degree of spatio-temporal complexity causing many uncertainties. To deal with this problem, we recommend establishing ‘cut-off criteria’ in risk assessment that include factual limits of knowledge. It is proposed that these criteria are applied in a specific step within risk assessment, i.e. ‘spatio-temporal controllability’ that uses well-defined biological characteristics to delineate some of the boundaries between known and unknowns. This additional step in risk assessment will foster robustness in the process and can substantially benefit the reliability and overall conclusiveness of risk assessment and decision-making on potential releases.
Complete genome of Enterobacter sichuanensis strain SGAir0282 isolated from air in Singapore
Authors: Uchida Akira , Kim Hie Lim , Purbojati Rikky W. , Vettath Vineeth Kodengil , Gupta Anjali B. , Houghton James N. I. , Chénard Caroline , Wong Anthony , Clare Megan E. , Kushwaha Kavita K. , Panicker Deepa , Putra Alexander , Heinle Cassie E. , Premkrishnan Balakrishnan N. V. , Junqueira Ana Carolina M. , Drautz-Moses Daniela I. , Schuster Stephan C. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC) bacteria, such as E. cloacae, E. sichuanensis, E. kobei, and E. roggenkampii, have been emerging as nosocomial pathogens. Many strains isolated from medical clinics were found to be resistant to antibiotics, and in the worst cases, acquired multidrug resistance. We present the whole genome sequence of SGAir0282, isolated from the outdoor air in Singapore, and its relevance to other ECC bacteria by in silico genomic analysis.

Results
Complete genome assembly of E. sichuanensis strain SGAir0282 was generated using PacBio RSII and Illumina MiSeq platforms, and the datasets were used for de novo assembly using Hierarchical Genome Assembly Process (HGAP) and error corrected with Pilon. The genome assembly consisted of a single contig of 4.71 Mb and with a G+C content of 55.5%. No plasmid was detected in the assembly. The genome contained 4371 coding genes, 83 tRNA and 25 rRNA genes, as predicted by NCBI’s Prokaryotic Genome Annotation Pipeline (PGAP). Among the genes, the antibiotic resistance related genes were included: Streptothricin acetdyltransferase (SatA), fosfomycin resistance protein (FosA) and metal-dependent hydrolases of the beta-lactamase superfamily I (BLI).

Conclusion
Based on whole genome alignment and phylogenetic analysis, the strain SGAir0282 was identified to be Enterobacter sichuanensis. The strain possesses gene clusters for virulence, disease and defence, that can also be found in other multidrug resistant ECC type strains.
Agrobacterium-mediated transient transformation of sorghum leaves for accelerating functional genomics and genome editing studies
Authors: Sharma Rita , Liang Yan , Lee Mi Yeon , Pidatala Venkataramana R. , Mortimer Jenny C. , Scheller Henrik V. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Objectives
Sorghum is one of the most recalcitrant species for transformation. Considering the time and effort required for stable transformation in sorghum, establishing a transient system to screen the efficiency and full functionality of vector constructs is highly desirable.

Results
Here, we report an Agrobacterium-mediated transient transformation assay with intact sorghum leaves using green fluorescent protein as marker. It also provides a good monocot alternative to tobacco and protoplast assays with a direct, native and more reliable system for testing single guide RNA (sgRNA) expression construct efficiency. Given the simplicity and ease of transformation, high reproducibility, and ability to test large constructs, this method can be widely adopted to speed up functional genomic and genome editing studies.
The effect of digestate and mineral fertilisation of cocksfoot grass on greenhouse gas emissions in a cocksfoot-based biogas production system
Authors: Tilvikiene Vita , Venslauskas Kestutis , Povilaitis Virmantas , Navickas Kestutis , Zuperka Vidmantas , Kadziuliene Zydre 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Climate mitigation is a major consideration when choosing bioenergy systems. Anaerobic digestion of biomass is a bioenergy system, which is normally used for the treatment of manure or other residues, but cultivated energy crops may also provide a potential feedstock. One of the main crops for biogas production is still maize, but it may be desirable to replace it by perennial grasses, which also have high yields, but do not require as much management. The aim of this study was to analyse greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in a biogas production system based on a perennial grass, cocksfoot, grown under different fertiliser application systems.

Methods
Field and laboratory experiments were carried out over a 7-year period to evaluate the influence of mineral nitrogen and digestate fertiliser application on cocksfoot biomass and biogas productivity. The obtained data were used to calculate GHG emissions and emission savings for the whole biogas production cycle, by use of the SimaPro v.8 software with the IMPACT 2002+ model, based on the climate change environmental impact category.

Results
Productivity of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) was influenced by the annual rate of nitrogen applied as fertiliser, the fertiliser type and year, as influenced by the weather conditions. The biomass yield of cocksfoot fertilised with 180 kg nitrogen ha−1 year−1 was similar regardless if the nitrogen was applied as digestate or mineral fertiliser. At higher rates of nitrogen application (360–450 kg ha−1 year−1), higher yields and lower net GHG emissions could be obtained from the biogas production cycle when the nitrogen was applied as digestate compared to mineral fertiliser, especially in dry years. Energy input over the whole cycle was mainly influenced by the type of fertiliser and the biomass yield. Mineral fertiliser generally caused higher levels of GHG emissions than organic digestate fertiliser, when the same amount of energy is produced.

Conclusions
The cocksfoot grass-based biogas production system showed that a significant GHG emission saving potential exists, if nitrogen is added as digestate instead of mineral fertiliser, for similar yields of biomass and energy from biogas. Cocksfoot grass fertilised with digestate is thus a promising feedstock for biogas production.
CAPE for measuring callous-unemotional traits in disadvantaged families: a cross-sectional validation study
Authors: Centifanti Luna C.M. , Shaw Hannah , Atherton Katherine J. , Thomson Nicholas D. , MacLellan Susanne , Frick Paul J. 
Published: February 2020

Background: Callous-unemotional (CU) traits are important for designating a distinct subgroup of children and adolescents with behaviour problems. As a result, CU traits are now used to form the specifier “with Limited Prosocial Emotions” that is part of the diagnostic criteria for the Conduct Disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5) and International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11). Given this inclusion in major classification systems, it is important to develop and test methods for assessing these traits that can be used in clinical settings. The present study aimed to validate a clinician rating of CU traits, the Clinical Assessment of Prosocial Emotions, Version 1.1 (CAPE 1.1), in a sample of hard-to-reach families referred to a government program designed to prevent the development of behaviour problems in high risk families. Methods: Clinical ratings of children were obtained from 34 families of children ages 5 to 18 (M=13.5; SD=3.2). The ratings on the CAPE 1.1 were based on interviews with both parent and child. Results: Of the sample, 21% (100% male) met the diagnostic cut-off for the specifier according to the CAPE 1.1, and CAPE 1.1 scores were associated with parent ratings of CU traits, psychopathic traits, and externalising behaviours. CAPE 1.1 ratings were also associated with risk for violence obtained from case files. Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary evidence for the validity of the CAPE 1.1 as clinician rated measure of CU traits.
Linking health facility data from young adults aged 18-24 years to longitudinal demographic data: Experience from The Kilifi Health and Demographic Surveillance System
Authors: Nyundo Christopher , Doyle Aoife M. , Walumbe David , Otiende Mark , Kinuthia Michael , Amadi David , Jibendi Boniface , Mochamah George , Kihuha Norbert , Williams Thomas N. , Ross David A. , Bauni Evasius 
Published: February 2020

Background: In 2014, a pilot study was conducted to test the feasibility of linking clinic attendance data for young adults at two health facilities to the population register of the Kilifi Health and Demographic Surveillance System (KHDSS). This was part of a cross-sectional survey of health problems of young people, and we tested the feasibility of using the KHDSS platform for the monitoring of future interventions. Methods: Two facilities were used for this study. Clinical data from consenting participants aged 18-24 years were matched to KHDSS records. Data matching was achieved using national identity card numbers or otherwise using a matching algorithm based on names, sex, date of birth, location of residence and the names of other homestead members. A study form was administered to all matched patients to capture reasons for their visits and time taken to access the services. Distance to health facility from a participants’ homestead was also computed. Results: 628 participated in the study: 386 (61%) at Matsangoni Health Centre, and 242 (39%) at Pingilikani Dispensary. 610 (97%) records were matched to the KHDSS register. Most records (605; 96%) were matched within these health facilities, while 5 (1%) were matched during homestead follow-up visits. 463 (75.9%) of those matched were women. Antenatal care (25%), family planning (13%), respiratory infections (9%) and malaria (9%) were the main reasons for seeking care. Antenatal clinic visits (n=175) and malaria (n=27) were the commonest reasons among women and men, respectively. Participants took 1-1.5 hours to access the services; 490 (81.0%) participants lived within 5 kilometres of a facility. Conclusions: With a full-time research clerk at each health facility, linking health-facility attendance data to a longitudinal HDSS platform was feasible and could be used to monitor and evaluate the impact of health interventions on health care outcomes among young people.
Genomic Dissection of Anthracnose (Colletotrichum sublineolum) Resistance Response in Sorghum Differential Line SC112-14
Authors: Cruet-Burgos Clara M , Cuevas Hugo E , Prom Louis K , Knoll Joseph E , Stutts Lauren R , Vermerris Wilfred 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSorghum production is expanding to warmer and more humid regions where its production is being limited by multiple fungal pathogens. Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum sublineolum, is one of the major diseases in these regions, where it can cause yield losses of both grain and biomass. In this study, 114 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from resistant sorghum line SC112-14 were evaluated at four distinct geographic locations in the United States for response to anthracnose. A genome scan using a high-density linkage map of 3,838 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) detected two loci at 5.25 and 1.18 Mb on chromosomes 5 and 6, respectively, that explain up to 59% and 44% of the observed phenotypic variation. A bin-mapping approach using a subset of 31 highly informative RILs was employed to determine the disease response to inoculation with ten anthracnose pathotypes in the greenhouse. A genome scan showed that the 5.25 Mb region on chromosome 5 is associated with a resistance response to nine pathotypes. Five SNP markers were developed and used to fine map the locus on chromosome 5 by evaluating 1,500 segregating F2:3 progenies. Based on the genotypic and phenotypic analyses of 11 recombinants, the locus was narrowed down to a 470-kb genomic region. Following a genome-wide association study based on 574 accessions previously phenotyped and genotyped, the resistance locus was delimited to a 34-kb genomic interval with five candidate genes. All five candidate genes encode proteins associated with plant immune systems, suggesting they may act in synergy in the resistance response.
Valuation Practices for Assessment of Oil and Gas Properties in California
Authors: Hodges F.C. 
Published: February 2020

Fall Meeting of the Los Angeles Basin Section, 16–17 October, Los Angeles, California

Abstract
A broad outline and general description is presented of the various valuation methods used by local and state authorities in assessment of oil and gas properties. As helpful background, certain basic procedures are briefly discussed.
The systems used are basically capitalization methods and engineering appraisal methods. Capitalization methods used are characterized as having little merit unless, like in Kern County, engineering appraisals are made to establish what capitalization factors should be used. Included is a description of the engineering appraisal procedure followed by the Valuation Division of the State Board of Equalization in valuating oil and gas properties for local taxation. The state engineers are depicted as giving consideration to all known elements affecting fair market value, while some of these elements are not given recognition by county assessors in computing values for oil and gas properties.
The lack of intra county equalization is pointed out; the unequitable treatment of mining rights as compared with other real property is described; and the need for legislative help to realize equalization is emphasized.

Introduction
Since the end of World War II, we have seen the expense of producing oil and gas rise at a rapid rate. Taxes applicable to oil and gas production have risen even more rapidly and constitute a large portion of the direct cost of operating an oil property.
Taxes imposed on production in the oil producing states of this country are many and varied in form. In California, besides a property or ad valorem tax levied on all property, a severance tax is also levied on production. This severance tax, known as the Petroleum and Gas Fund Assessment, is assessed and collected by the State Department of Natural Resources for the support of the Division of Oil and Gas.
The purpose of this article is, however, to present a description of the methods and factors used by the assessing authorities in California in computing the value of productive oil and gas properties for the purpose of levying an ad valorem property tax on them, this tax being the fiscal basis for local government in California. To accomplish this objective, a brief explanation of the California local tax structure may be helpful.