bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rationale, study design and methodology of the LANDMARC trial: a 3‐year, pan‐India, prospective, longitudinal study to assess management and real‐world outcomes of diabetes mellitus
Authors: Das A. K. , Mithal A. , Kumar K. M. P. , Unnikrishnan A. G. , Kalra S. , Thacker H. , Sethi B. , Ghosh R. , Mathew A. , Chodankar D. , Mohanasundaram S. , Menon S. K. , Trivedi C. , Naqvi M. , Kanade V. , Salvi V. , Chatterjee G. , Rais N. , Wangnoo S. K. , Chowdhury S. , Zargar A. H. , Joshi S. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAimIndia contributes towards a large part of the worldwide epidemic of diabetes and its associated complications. However, there are limited longitudinal studies available in India to understand the occurrence of diabetes complications over time. This pan‐India longitudinal study was initiated to assess the real‐world outcomes of diabetes across the country.MethodsThe LANDMARC study is the first prospective, multicentre, longitudinal, observational study investigating a large cohort of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus across India over a period of 3 years. The primary objective of this ongoing study is to determine the proportion of people developing macrovascular diabetes complications over the duration of the study (36 months ± 45 days) distributed over seven visits; the secondary objective is to evaluate microvascular diabetes complications, glycaemic control and time‐to‐treatment adaptation or intensification. Overall, 6300 participants (aged 25–60 years) diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for at least 2 years will be included from 450 centres across India. Data will be recorded for baseline demographics, comorbidities, glycaemic measurements, use of anti‐hyperglycaemic medications and any cardiovascular or other diabetes‐related events occurring during the observational study period.ConclusionsThe LANDMARC study is expected to reveal the trends in complications associated with diabetes, treatment strategies used by physicians, and correlation among treatment, control and complications of diabetes within the Indian context. The findings of this study will help to identify the disease burden, emergence of early‐onset complications and dose titration patterns, and eventually develop person‐centred care and facilitate public health agencies to invest appropriate resources in the management of diabetes. (Trial Registration No: CTRI/2017/05/008452).
Efficacy and safety of MYL‐1501D versus insulin glargine in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus: Results of the INSTRIDE 3 phase 3 switch study
Authors: Blevins Thomas C. , Barve Abhijit , Raiter Yaron , Aubonnet Patrick , Athalye Sandeep , Sun Bin , Muniz Rafael 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAimsTo assess the efficacy, insulin dose, safety and immunogenicity when people with type 1 diabetes mellitus switched between MYL‐1501D and reference insulin glargine (Lantus®; Sanofi‐Aventis US LLC, Bridgewater, New Jersey).Materials and methodsEligible participants from INSTRIDE 1 who completed 52 weeks of reference insulin glargine treatment were randomized 1:1 to the reference sequence (n = 63; reference insulin glargine for 36 weeks) or to the treatment‐switching sequence (n = 64; MYL‐1501D [weeks 0–12], reference insulin glargine [weeks 12–24] and MYL‐1501D [weeks 24–36]). Change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline to week 36 was the primary efficacy endpoint used to demonstrate equivalence between the two treatment sequences. Secondary endpoints included: change in fasting plasma glucose (FPG), self‐monitored blood glucose (SMBG) and insulin dose; immunogenicity; and adverse events, including hypoglycaemia.ResultsMean changes in HbA1c (least squares [LS] mean [SE]) from baseline to week 36 were −0.05 (0.032) and −0.06 (0.034) for the treatment‐switching and reference sequences, respectively (LS mean difference 0.01 [95% CI −0.085 to 0.101]). Treatment sequences were comparable in terms of secondary endpoints, including FPG, SMBG and insulin dose, and the safety and immunogenicity profiles of the two sequences were similar.ConclusionsSwitching participants between MYL‐1501D and reference insulin glargine demonstrated equivalent efficacy and similar safety and immunogenicity, showing that people taking reference insulin glargine can safely switch to MYL‐1501D.
Exenatide and dapagliflozin combination improves markers of liver steatosis and fibrosis in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Gastaldelli Amalia , Repetto Enrico , Guja Cristian , Hardy Elise , Han Jenny , Jabbour Serge A. , Ferrannini Ele 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAimTo assess the efficacy of exenatide (EXE) once weekly + dapagliflozin once daily (DAPA) versus each drug alone in reducing biomarkers of fatty liver/steatosis and fibrosis in a post hoc analysis of DURATION‐8, a 104‐week study in 695 patients with type 2 diabetes uncontrolled by metformin monotherapy.Materials and methodsWe evaluated the impact of the study treatments on non‐invasive markers of hepatic steatosis (fatty liver index [FLI] and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] liver fat score), fibrosis (fibrosis‐4 index [FIB‐4]) and severe fibrosis (NAFLD fibrosis score), along with liver enzymes and insulin resistance, at weeks 28 and 52. All outcomes in this analysis were exploratory, with nominal P values reported.ResultsAt week 28, biomarkers of fatty liver/steatosis and fibrosis were reduced from baseline in all treatment groups. At week 28, EXE once weekly + DAPA effects for decrease in FLI were stronger than those of EXE once weekly + placebo (PLB; −2.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] −5.11, −0.73; P = 0.0092) or DAPA+PLB (−2.77 [95% CI −4.93, −0.62]; P = 0.0119), and stronger than those of EXE once weekly + PLB at week 52 (−3.23 [95% CI −5.79, −0.68]; P = 0.0134). FIB‐4 showed reduction versus baseline only in the EXE once weekly + DAPA group at both week 28 (−0.06 [95% CI −0.11, −0.01]; P = 0.0135) and week 52 (−0.05 [95% CI −0.09, −0.004]; P = 0.0308).ConclusionsThe EXE once weekly + DAPA combination showed stronger effects than EXE once weekly + PLB or DAPA + PLB in ameliorating markers of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with type 2 diabetes. Prospective trials are needed to validate these findings.
NicheMapR – an R package for biophysical modelling: the ectotherm and Dynamic Energy Budget models
Authors: Kearney Michael R. , Porter Warren P. 
Published: November 2019

Mechanistic niche models characterise the fundamental niche of an organism by determining thermodynamic constraints on its heat, water and nutritional budget, and the consequences of this for growth, development and reproduction. They can thus quantify constraints on survival, activity and, ultimately, the vital rates that determine population growth, given a sequence of environmental conditions and the key morphological, physiological and behavioural functional traits.Here we introduce and document the ectotherm model of NicheMapR, an R package that includes a suite of programs for the mechanistic modelling of heat, water, energy and mass exchange between any kind of ectothermic organism and its environment. The NicheMapR ectotherm model is based on a Fortran program originally developed by Porter, Mitchell and Beckman for predicting core body temperature and evaporative water loss as a function of microclimatic conditions and behavioural thermoregulation. The model includes routines for computing steady state body temperature and evaporative water loss given two extreme microclimates (minimum and maximum shade) as computed by the NicheMapR microclimate model. Behavioural options include posture and colour change, shade‐seeking, panting, climbing and retreating underground.Here we configure the program to be called from R as part of the NicheMapR package and describe the model in detail including new functionality for modelling whole life‐cycle energy and water budgets using Dynamic Energy Budget theory. We include scripts for core operation of the ectotherm model as well as stand‐alone R scripts for running the DEB model. Example applications are provided in the paper and in the associated vignettes. The integrated microclimate and ectotherm models should provide a strong thermodynamic basis for determining the effects of environmental change on the behaviour, distribution and abundance of ectothermic organisms.
Italian consensus recommendations for a biomarker‐based aetiological diagnosis in mild cognitive impairment patients
Authors: Boccardi M. , Nicolosi V. , Festari C. , Bianchetti A. , Cappa S. , Chiasserini D. , Falini A. , Guerra U.P. , Nobili F. , Padovani A. , Sancesario G. , Morbelli S. , Parnetti L. , Tiraboschi P. , Muscio C. , Perani D. , Pizzini F.B. , Beltramello A. , Salvini Porro G. , Ciaccio M. , Schillaci O. , Trabucchi M. , Tagliavini F. , Frisoni G.B. 
Published: November 2019

Background and purposeBiomarkers support the aetiological diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders in vivo. Incomplete evidence is available to drive clinical decisions; available diagnostic algorithms are generic and not very helpful in clinical practice. The aim was to develop a biomarker‐based diagnostic algorithm for mild cognitive impairment patients, leveraging on knowledge from recognized national experts.MethodsWith a Delphi procedure, experienced clinicians making variable use of biomarkers in clinical practice and representing five Italian scientific societies (neurology – Società Italiana di Neurologia per le Demenze; neuroradiology – Associazione Italiana di Neuroradiologia; biochemistry – Società Italiana di Biochimica Clinica; psychogeriatrics – Associazione Italiana di Psicogeriatria; nuclear medicine – Associazione Italiana di Medicina Nucleare) defined the theoretical framework, relevant literature, the diagnostic issues to be addressed and the diagnostic algorithm. An N–1 majority defined consensus achievement.ResultsThe panellists chose the 2011 National Institute on Aging and Alzheimer's Association diagnostic criteria as the reference theoretical framework and defined the algorithm in seven Delphi rounds. The algorithm includes baseline clinical and cognitive assessment, blood examination, and magnetic resonance imaging with exclusionary and inclusionary roles; dopamine transporter single‐photon emission computed tomography (if no/unclear parkinsonism) or metaiodobenzylguanidine cardiac scintigraphy for suspected dementia with Lewy bodies with clear parkinsonism (round VII, votes (yes‐no‐abstained): 3‐1‐1); 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography for suspected frontotemporal lobar degeneration and low diagnostic confidence of Alzheimer’s disease (round VII, 4‐0‐1); cerebrospinal fluid for suspected Alzheimer’s disease (round IV, 4‐1‐0); and amyloid positron emission tomography if cerebrospinal fluid was not possible/accepted (round V, 4‐1‐0) or inconclusive (round VI, 5‐0‐0).ConclusionsThese consensus recommendations can guide clinicians in the biomarker‐based aetiological diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, whilst guidelines cannot be defined with evidence‐to‐decision procedures due to incomplete evidence.
Scalp EEG spikes predict impending epilepsy in TSC infants: A longitudinal observational study
Authors: Wu Joyce Y. , Goyal Monisha , Peters Jurriaan M. , Krueger Darcy , Sahin Mustafa , Northrup Hope , Au Kit S. , O’Kelley Sarah , Williams Marian , Pearson Deborah A. , Hanson Ellen , Byars Anna W. , Krefting Jessica , Beasley Mark , Cutter Gary , Limdi Nita , Bebin E. Martina 
Published: November 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo determine if routine electroencephalography (EEG) in seizure‐naive infants with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) can predict epilepsy and subsequent neurocognitive outcomes.MethodsForty infants 7 months of age or younger and meeting the genetic or clinical diagnostic criteria for tuberous sclerosis were enrolled. Exclusion criteria included prior history of seizures or treatment with antiseizure medications. At each visit, seizure history and 1‐hour awake and asleep video‐EEG, standardized across all sites, were obtained until 2 years of age. Developmental assessments (Mullen and Vineland‐II) were completed at 6, 12, and 24 months of age.ResultsOf 40 infants enrolled (mean age of 82.4 days), 32 completed the study. Two were lost to follow‐up and six were treated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) due to electrographic seizures and/or interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) on their EEG studies prior to the onset of clinical seizures. Seventeen of the 32 remaining children developed epilepsy at a mean age of 7.5 months (standard deviation [SD] = 4.4). Generalized/focal slowing, hypsarrhythmia, and generalized/focal attenuation were not predictive for the development of clinical seizures. Presence of IEDs had a 77.3% positive predictive value and absence a 70% negative predictive value for developing seizures by 2 years of age. IEDs preceded clinical seizure onset by 3.6 months (mean). Developmental testing showed significant decline, only in infants with ongoing seizures, but not infants who never developed seizures or whose seizures came under control.SignificanceIEDs identify impending epilepsy in the majority (77%) of seizure‐naive infants with TSC. The use of a 1‐hour awake and asleep EEG can be used as a biomarker for ongoing epileptogenesis in most, but not all, infants with TSC. Persistent seizures, but not history of interictal epileptiform activity or history of well‐controlled seizures, correlated with low scores on the Vineland and Mullen tests at 2 years of age.
Managerial incentives for attracting attention
Authors: Gutiérrez María , Papiashvili Nino , Tribó Josep A. , Vazquez Antonio B. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThis paper studies the mechanisms which motivate managers to engage in cheap talk and attract the market's attention in a credible way. We consider stock split announcements, voluntary earnings forecasts, and press releases issued by firms to the media as proxies for managerial cheap talk. We show that: (a) managerial performance‐related pay contracts incentivize executives to attract attention; (b) analysts increase their coverage of firms following cheap talk; and (c) chief executive officers are punished for attracting attention when market prices do not increase following cheap talk. The results are stronger for firms which are most in need of attention.
Itchy body: Topographical difference of itch and scratching and C Nerve fibres
Authors: Hashimoto Takashi , Yosipovitch Gil 
Published: November 2019

AbstractItch, also known as pruritus, is an unpleasant sensation that results in an urge to scratch. We can feel itch at any location where itch occurs from the top of the head to the toes. However, there are topographical differences in itch intensity. Itch is mainly conducted by C nerve fibres from the skin where itch emanates to the central nervous system. However, the abundancy of C fibres does not necessarily lead to higher itch intensity. Interestingly, reduction and/or structural changes in C fibres seem to play a role in itch sensation. In addition, C tactile fibres (CT afferents), which are activated by gentle “affective” touch and seem to be associated with scratching pleasurability and the reward system in the brain, can be involved in itch sensation and topographical differences of itch.
The impact of solar ultraviolet radiation on fish: Immunomodulation and photoprotective strategies
Authors: Lawrence Karl P. , Young Antony R. , Diffey Brian L. , Norval Mary 
Published: November 2019

AbstractOne of the many environmental factors affecting the health of both farmed and wild fish is exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR). These rays penetrate to biologically relevant depths in natural waters and cause changes ranging from embryo malfunction to the production of heat‐shock proteins. As suppression of cell‐mediated immunity has been shown to follow irradiation of mammals, the possibility of UVR‐induced modulation in immune responses in fish is considered in this review. It is suggested that, after adsorption of UV photons by surface chromophores, dendritic‐like cells may be activated by immune mediators, leading to the generation of T‐ and B‐cell subsets with down‐regulatory activity. A limited number of studies involving infection of irradiated fish with bacteria, nematodes and protozoa have demonstrated an increased microbial load and lack of clearance, with associated changes in a variety of immune parameters. These preliminary results indicate that exposure of fish to solar UVR leads to less effective control of infections. Strategies evolved by fish to avoid overexposure to UVR include photoenzymatic repair, nucleotide excision repair, pigments, mycosporine‐like amino acids and habitat selection. The welfare of farmed fish is of concern currently. The detrimental effects of excessive sun exposure on the health of fish require recognition, and procedures put in place to minimize such consequences.
Molecular insight into a new low‐affinity xylan binding module from the xylanolytic gut symbiont Roseburia intestinalis
Authors: Leth Maria Louise , Ejby Morten , Madland Eva , Kitaoku Yoshihito , Slotboom Dirk J. , Guskov Albert , Aachmann Finn Lillelund , Abou Hachem Maher 
Published: November 2019

Efficient capture of glycans, the prime metabolic resources in the human gut, confers a key competitive advantage for gut microbiota members equipped with extracellular glycoside hydrolases (GHs) to target these substrates. The association of glycans to the bacterial cell surface is typically mediated by carbohydrate binding modules (CBMs). Here, we report the structure of RiCBM86 appended to a GH family 10 xylanase from Roseburia intestinalis. This CBM represents a new family of xylan binding CBMs present in xylanases from abundant and prevalent healthy human gut Clostridiales. RiCBM86 adopts a canonical β‐sandwich fold, but shows structural divergence from known CBMs. The structure of RiCBM86 has been determined with a bound xylohexaose, which revealed an open and shallow binding site. RiCBM86 recognizes only a single xylosyl ring with direct hydrogen bonds. This mode of recognition is unprecedented amongst previously reported xylan binding type‐B CBMs that display more extensive hydrogen‐bonding patterns to their ligands or employ Ca2+ to mediate ligand‐binding. The architecture of RiCBM86 is consistent with an atypically low binding affinity (KD about 0.5 mm for xylohexaose) compared to most xylan binding CBMs. Analyses using NMR spectroscopy corroborated the observations from the complex structure and the preference of RiCBM86 to arabinoxylan over glucuronoxylan, consistent with the largely negatively charged surface flanking the binding site. Mutational analysis and affinity electrophoresis established the importance of key binding residues, which are conserved in the family. This study provides novel insight into the structural features that shape low‐affinity CBMs that mediate extended bacterial glycan capture in the human gut niche.DatabasesStructural data are available in the protein data bank database under the accession number 6SGF. Sequence data are available in the GenBank database under the accession number EEV01588.1. The assignment of the Roseburia intestinalis xylan binding module into the CBM86 new family is available in the CAZy database (http://www.cazy.org/CBM86.html).
The roles of alternative data and machine learning in fintech lending: Evidence from the LendingClub consumer platform
Authors: Jagtiani Julapa , Lemieux Catharine 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThere have been concerns about the use of alternative data sources by fintech lenders. We compare loans made by LendingClub and similar loans that were originated by banks. The correlations between the rating grades (assigned by LendingClub) and the borrowers’ FICO scores declined from about 80% (for loans originated in 2007) to about 35% for recent vintages (originated in 2014–2015), indicating that nontraditional data (not already accounted for in the FICO scores) have been increasingly used by fintech lenders. The rating grades perform well in predicting loan default. The use of alternative data has allowed some borrowers who would have been classified as subprime by traditional criteria to be slotted into “better” loan grades, allowing them to obtain lower priced credit.
The future of fintech
Authors: Das Sanjiv R. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThis article describes the growing field of financial technology (fintech) and the different financial paradigms and technologies that support it. Fintech is primarily a disintermediation force where disruptive technologies are the drivers. This framework discusses 10 primary areas in fintech comprising a taxonomy, which categorizes research in the field and also proposes a pedagogical structure. Pitfalls of fintech are also analyzed. Overall, the great strides made in computing technology, mathematics, statistics, psychology, econometrics, linguistics, cryptography, big data, and computer interfaces have combined to create an explosion of fintechs.
Lasting effects of pre‐university language exposure on undergraduate proficiency
Authors: Strawbridge Tripp , Soneson Dan , Griffith Carter 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe present study analyzes the effects of two variables on the proficiency development of 907 university students of Spanish and French: years of high school experience; and level of initial placement into university language study. A 3‐year grant‐funded project administered ACTFL proficiency tests in reading, listening, and speaking to students enrolled at the fourth‐, sixth‐, and eighth‐semester curricular levels. Results showed that both of these aspects of pre‐university experience exert an important influence on proficiency ratings throughout the curriculum and that this effect is especially acute in the case of initial language placement. The findings reveal the lasting importance of pre‐university language learning experience, for students completing required coursework as well as for language majors, and are discussed in terms of their implications for university language curricula.
Wood anatomical traits in black spruce reveal latent water constraints on the boreal forest
Authors: Puchi Paulina F. , Castagneri Daniele , Rossi Sergio , Carrer Marco 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe effects of climate change on high‐latitude forest ecosystems are complex, making forecasts of future scenarios uncertain. The predicted lengthening of the growing season under warming conditions is expected to increase tree growth rates. However, there is evidence of an increasing sensitivity of the boreal forest to drought stress. To assess the influence of temperature and precipitation on the growth of black spruce (Picea mariana), we investigated long‐term series of wood anatomical traits on 20 trees from four sites along 600 km, the latitudinal range of the closed boreal forest in Quebec, Canada. We correlated the anatomical traits resolved at intraring level with daily temperature, vapor pressure deficit (VPD), and precipitation during the 1943–2010 period. Tree‐ring width, number of cells per ring and cell wall thickness were positively affected by spring and summer daily mean and maximum temperature at the northern sites. These results agree with the well‐known positive effect of high temperatures on tree ring formation at high latitudes. However, we captured, for the first time in this region, the latent impact of water availability on xylem traits. Indeed, in all the four sites, cell lumen area showed positive correlations with daily precipitation (mostly at low latitude), and/or negative correlations with daily mean and maximum temperature and VPD (mostly at high latitude). We inferred that drought, due to high temperatures, low precipitations, or both, negatively affects cell enlargement across the closed boreal forest, including the northernmost sites. The production of tracheids with narrower lumen, potentially more resistant to cavitation, could increase xylem hydraulic safety under a warmer and drier climate. However, this would result in lower xylem conductivity, with consequent long‐term hydraulic deterioration, growth decline, and possibly lead to tree dieback, as observed in other forest ecosystems at lower latitudes.