bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Landscape disturbance impacts on Attalea butyracea palm distribution in central Panama
Authors: Mertzlufft Caitlin , Madden Marguerite , Gottdenker Nicole , Runk Julie Velasquez , Saldaña Azael , Tanner Susan , Calzada Jose , Yao Xiaobai 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Increased Attalea butyracea palm propagation, notable for its role as key habitat for the primary Chagas disease vector in Panama, has been linked to landscape disturbance in single-palm observations in this region. Close proximity of these palms to human dwellings is proposed to increase risk of Chagas disease transmission from sylvatic transmission cycles to domestic transmission involving human populations. This study examines the relationship between landscape disturbance and mature A. butyracea spatial distribution, density, and proximity to human populations and vector and reservoir species’ movement corridors at a regional scale in a 300-km2 heterogeneous tropical landscape in central Panama.Methods: We remotely identified the locations of over 50,000 mature A. butyracea palms using high-resolution WorldView2 satellite imagery. A local Getis-Ord Gi* spatial analysis identified significant clusters of aggregated palms. Associations between palm and cluster abundance and a landscape disturbance gradient, derived from official Panama land cover data, were tested using Chi-square tests for Homogeneity and Z-test for proportions. Kruskall-Wallis non-parametric analysis of variance tests were run to assess whether palm cluster area varied by disturbance level, or whether disturbance was associated with proximity of palms and palm clusters to susceptible populations or vector movement corridors.Results: Our findings indicate a regional relationship between landscape disturbance and A. butyracea occurrence. We observe a significant increase in both individual and clustered A. butyracea in secondary forest, but a reduction of palms in agricultural settings. We do not detect evidence of any reduction in abundance of palms in residential settings. The majority of residential and commercial buildings in our study area are within vector flight distance of potential vector habitat in palm crowns.Conclusions: We observe probable anthropogenic elimination of A. butyracea palms in agricultural, but not residential, settings. Even in heavily deforested regions, significant concentrations of mature palms remain in close proximity to human establishments.
Improved performances of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics by seeds induced crystallization
Authors: Zhao Ting , Lian Mei-Mei , Qin Yi , Zhu Jian-Feng , Kong Xin-Gang , Yang Jian-Feng 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Self-reinforced lithium disilicate (Li2Si2O5, LD) glass-ceramics were hot pressing sintered by introducing 5 wt% Li2Si2O5 crystal seeds into two different glass compositions of SiO2-Li2O-P2O5-ZrO2-Al2O3-K2O-La2O3 (7C LD) and SiO2-Li2O-K2O-La2O3 (4C LD). The results show that the seeds play an important role in the crystallization inducement, microstructural and properties improvement of the glass, especially for the glass powder without the nucleating agent of P2O5. The microstructure features a wider bimodal grain size distribution with large rod-like crystals epitaxially grown along the seeds and small crystals nucleated from the glass powder itself, contributes to the improvement of the performance especially the fracture toughness. The specimen of 4C LD glass with the addition of 5 wt.% Li2Si2O5 seeds exhibited the best comprehensive properties with a good flexural strength (396 ± 7 MPa), improved fracture toughness (3.31 ± 0.19 MPa·m1/2) and comparable translucency as IPS e.max. This research will provide a new idea and method for the improvement of the fracture toughness of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics without affecting its aesthetic appearance, and lay the foundation for its clinical applications.
Risk factors for unplanned reintubation caused by acute airway compromise after general anesthesia: a case-control study
Authors: Chen Si , Zhang Yuelun , Che Lu , Shen Le , Huang Yuguang 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to identify the risk factors and evaluate the prognosis of unplanned reintubation caused by acute airway compromise (AAC) after general anesthesia.Methods: This case-control study included surgical patients who underwent unplanned reintubation in the operating room and postanesthesia care unit after general anesthesia between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2018. Cases due to AAC were matched 1:4 with randomly selected controls.Results: A total of 123,068 patients were included, and reintubation due to AAC was performed in 36 patients (approximate incidence 0.03%). Univariable analysis revealed that male sex, age >65, ASA physical status 3, sepsis, heart disease history, cerebral infarction history, Cormack Lehane grade, surgery type, fresh frozen plasma infusion, increased intubation duration, white blood cell count, and creatinine clearance rate were related to AAC-caused unplanned reintubation. Multivariable analysis revealed that age >65 (OR=7.50, 95% CI 2.47-22.81, P<0.001), ASA physical status 3 (OR=6.51, 95% CI 1.18-35.92, P=0.032), head-neck surgery (OR=4.94, 95% CI 1.33-18.36, P=0.017) or thoracic surgery (OR=12.56, 95% CI 2.93-53.90, P<0.001) and a high fluid load (OR=3.04, 95% CI 1.16-7.99, P=0.024) were associated with AAC-caused unplanned reintubation. AAC-caused unplanned reintubation patients had longer postoperative hospital (OR=5.26, 95% CI 1.57-8.95, P<0.001) and intensive care unit days (OR=3.94, 95% CI 1.69-6.18, P<0.001).Conclusions: Age>65, ASA physical status 3, head-neck or thoracic surgery and high fluid load were found to be associated with AAC-caused unplanned reintubation.
Grouping of genomic markers in populations with family structure
Authors: Wittenburg Dörte , Doschoris Michael , Klosa Jan 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Linkage and linkage disequilibrium (LD) between genome regions cause dependencies among genomic markers. Due to family stratification in populations with non-random mating in livestock or crop, the standard measures of population LD such as r 2 may be biased. Grouping of markers according to their interdependence needs to account for the actual population structure in order to allow proper inference in genome-based evaluations. Results: Given a matrix reflecting the strength of association between markers, groups are built successively using a greedy algorithm; largest groups are built at first. As an option, a representative marker is selected for each group. We provide an implementation of the grouping approach as a new function to the R package hscovar. This package enables the calculation of the theoretical covariance between biallelic markers for half- or full-sib families and the calculation of representative markers. In case studies, we have shown that the number of groups comprising dependent markers was smaller and representative SNPs were spread more uniformly over the investigated chromosome region when the family stratification was respected compared to a population-LD approach. In a simulation study, we observed that sensitivity and specificity of a genome-based association study improved if selection of representative markers took family structure into account. Conclusions: Chromosome segments which frequently recombine in the underlying population can be identified from the matrix of pairwise dependence between markers. Representative markers can be exploited, for instance, for dimension reduction prior to a genome-based association study or the grouping structure itself can be employed in a grouped penalization approach.
Exploring Mandarin Chinese teacher’s knowledge base in China and the US: A comparative case study
Authors: Lew Moi Mooi , Liu Liu 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
This study aimed to explore Mandarin Chinese teachers’ knowledge base in China and the United States. To address this research objective, a curriculum inquiry was conducted on graduate-level Teaching Chinese As a Foreign Language (TCFL) teacher education program curricula in both countries. We analyzed the program curricula based on three domains of knowledge, i.e., subject matter knowledge, procedural knowledge, and contextual knowledge. We conducted a document analysis on the program curricula and semi-structured interviews with four teacher educators. The results revealed that both countries focus on different domains of knowledge. China emphasis subject matters knowledge and the US focuses more on procedural knowledge. With different teacher domain knowledge focus in the program curricula, the results implied that Chinese teachers who were graduated from these programs could possess different knowledge base.
Evaluation of optimal fermentation conditions for volatile fatty acids production from artisanal fish waste
Authors: Cadavid-Rodríguez Luz Stella , Castro-López Viviana E. , PLACIDO JERSSON 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
In this research, operational parameters were assessed to optimise the production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) from artisanal fish waste (FW) using mixed-culture fermentation. The experiments were performed using a randomised block design with pH and Inoculum/Substrate (I/S) ratio as factors with three pH levels (5, 7 and 9) and five I/S ratios levels (0.20, 0.15, 0.10, 0.05, 0.00) with VFA production, total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), biogas and soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) as response variables. The results indicated that pH and I/S ratio significantly influenced VFA production and the other variables evaluated. The highest VFA concentration (54.5 g/L) was obtained at pH 7 and with an I/S ratio of 0.05. These conditions were also optimal for TAN and sCOD. External pH control was proved as unnecessary as the highest VFA production (70.3 g VFA/L) was obtained without pH control. In these conditions, the fermentation broth was able to maintain its pH between 6.6 and 7.7. The VFA profile had acetic (35%) and butyric (32%) acids as the dominant species and propionic, iso-valeric and iso-butyric were minor species (< 10%). An economic assessment evaluating the establishment of a FW VFA biorefinery in Tumaco, Colombia was performed including capital, operational and labour cost, discounted payback period and cost curves. These results evidenced the potential of artisanal FW as a raw material for producing high concentrations of VFA and smooth the path for the establishment of a VFA and biogas biorefinery from FW.
Predicting Incidence of Long-term Care Insurance Certification in Japan with the Kihon Checklist for Frailty Screening Tool: Analysis of Local Government Survey Data
Authors: Ito Kumiko , Kawai Hisashi , Tsuruta Harukazu , Obuchi Shuichi 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Predicting incidence of long-term care insurance (LTCI) certification in the short term is of increasing importance in Japan. The present study examined whether the Kihon Checklist (KCL) can be used to predict incidence of LTCI certification (care level 1 or higher) in the short term among older Japanese persons.Methods: In 2015, the local government in Tokyo, Japan, distributed the KCL to all individuals older than 65 years who had not been certified as having a disability or who had already been certified as requiring support level 1–2 according to LTCI system. We also collected LTCI certification data within the 3 months after collecting the KCL data. The data of 17785 respondents were analyzed. First, we selected KCL items strongly associated with incidence of LTCI certification, using stepwise forward-selection multiple logistic regression. Second, we conducted receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses for three conditions (1: Selected KCL items, 2: The main 20 KCL items (nos. 1–20), 3: All 25 KCL items). Third, we estimated specificity and sensitivity for each condition.Results: During a 3-month follow-up, 81 (0.5%) individuals required new LTCI certification. Eight KCL items were selected by multiple logistic regression as predictive of certification. The area under the ROC curve in the three conditions was 0.92–0.93, and specificity and sensitivity for all conditions were greater than 80%.Conclusions: Three KCL conditions predicted short-term incidence of LTCI certification. This suggests that KCL items may be used to screen for the risk of incident LTCI certification.
Prevalence of readily detected amyloid blood clots in ‘unclotted’ Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and COVID-19 plasma: A preliminary report
Authors: Pretorius Etheresia , Venter Chantelle , Laubscher Gert Jacobus , Lourens Petrus Johannes , Steenkamp Janami , Kell Douglas B 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a well-known comorbidity to COVID-19 and coagulopathies are a common accompaniment to both T2DM and COVID-19. In addition, patients with COVID-19 are known to develop micro-clots within the lungs. The rapid detection of COVID-19 uses genotypic testing for the presence of SARS-Cov-2 virus in nasopharyngeal swabs, but it can have a poor sensitivity. A rapid, host-based physiological test that indicated clotting severity and the extent of clotting pathologies in the individual who was infected or not would be highly desirable. Methods: Platelet poor plasma (PPP) was collected and frozen. On the day of analysis, PPP samples were thawed and analysed. We show here that microclots can be detected in the native plasma of twenty COVID-19, as well as ten T2DM patients, without the addition of any clotting agent, and in particular that such clots are amyloid in nature as judged by a standard fluorogenic stain. Results were compared to ten healthy age-matched individuals.Results: In COVID-19 plasma these microclots are significantly increased when compared to the levels in T2DM. Conclusions: This fluorogenic test may provide a rapid and convenient test with 100% sensitivity (P<0.0001) and is consistent with the recognition that the early detection and prevention of such clotting can have an important role in therapy.
Association between social capital and loneliness among older adults: A cross-sectional study in Anhui Province, China
Authors: Bai Zhongliang , Wang Zijing , Shao Tiantai , Qin Xia , Hu Zhi 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: We aimed to examine the association between social capital and loneliness in Anhui Province, China. Methods: Data were collected from a cross-sectional study using a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling strategy. Data on demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factors, social capital, and loneliness in 1810 older adults (aged 60 years and older) were used for analysis. Binary logistic regression models and a classification and regression tree model were performed to assess the association of social capital and loneliness. Results: Our results indicated that social capital in terms of lower level of social participation (AOR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.10-1.74), social connection (AOR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.18-1.93), and reciprocity (AOR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.13-1.90) were associated with higher odds of developing loneliness. We noted the interactive effect of different social capital dimensions on loneliness, suggesting that the risk for suffering loneliness was greatest in older people limited in functional ability, with less trust, less social connection, and less social participation. Conclusions: Our findings show that social capital is associated with loneliness in older adults. This implies that social capital, especially in terms of trust, social connection, and social participation may be significant for alleviating loneliness in later life.
TNFα priming through its interaction with TNFR2 enhances Endothelial Progenitor Cell immunosuppressive effect: new hope for their widespread clinical application
Authors: BARKESTANI Mahsa NOURI , SHAMDANI Sara , BAKSHLOO Mazdak AFSHAR , AROUCHE Nassim , BAMBAI Bijan , UZAN Georges , NASERIAN Sina 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Bone marrow (BM) derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are immature endothelial cells (ECs) involved in neo-angiogenesis and endothelial homeostasis and are considered as a circulating reservoir for endothelial repair. Many studies showed that EPCs from patients with cardiovascular pathologies are impaired and insufficient; hence, allogenic sources of EPCs from adult or cord blood are considered as good choices for cell therapy applications. However, allogenic condition increases the chance of immune rejection, especially by T cells, before exerting the desired regenerative functions. TNFα is one of the main mediators of EPC activation that recognizes two distinct receptors, TNFR1 and TNFR2. We have recently reported that human EPCs are immunosuppressive and this effect was TNFα-TNFR2 dependent. Here, we aimed to investigate if an adequate TNFα pre-conditioning could increase TNFR2 expression and prime EPCs towards more immunoregulatory functions.Methods: EPCs were pre-treated with several doses of TNFα to find the proper dose to up-regulate TNFR2 while keeping the TNFR1 expression stable. Then, co-cultures of human EPCs and human T cells were performed to assess whether TNFα priming would increase EPC immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory effect.Results: Treating EPCs with 1 ng/ml TNFα significantly up-regulated TNFR2 expression without unrestrained increase of TNFR1 and other endothelial injury markers. Moreover, TNFα priming through its interaction with TNFR2 remarkably enhanced EPC immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects. Conversely, blocking TNFR2 using anti-TNFR2 mAb followed by 1 ng/ml of TNFα treatment led to the TNFα-TNFR1 interaction and polarized EPCs towards pro-inflammatory and immunogenic functions.Conclusions: We report for the first time the crucial impact of inflammation notably the TNFα-TNFR signaling pathway on EPC immunological function. Our work unveils the pro-inflammatory role of the TNFα-TNFR1 axis and, inversely the anti-inflammatory implication of the TNFα-TNFR2 axis in EPC immunoregulatory functions. Priming EPCs with 1 ng/ml of TNFα prior to their administration could boost them toward a more immunosuppressive phenotype. This could potentially lead to EPCs’ longer presence in vivo after their allogenic administration resulting in their better contribution to angiogenesis and vascular regeneration.
Sex effects on clinical features in LRRK2 G2385R carriers and non-carriers in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Cui Shi-Shuang , Fu Rao , Du Juan-Juan , Lin Yi-Qi , Huang Pei , Gao Chao , Zhou Hai-Yan , chen sheng-di 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Differences between male and female have been studied for PD but limited data was focused on the comparison between sexes with LRRK2 G2385 variant.
Objective
This study was to explore sex effects in the same genetic subtype and role of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) G2385R variants in the same sex.
Methods
613 PD Patients were recruitment from Movement Disorders Clinic in Ruijin Hospital. Clinical data including demographic information, disease history, scales of motor and non-motor symptoms, midbrain transcranial sonography and DNA was collected. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the possible association between the clinical features and sex in LRRK2 G2385R carriers and non-carriers, and to evaluate the possible association between the clinical features and LRRK2 G2385R variants in male and female.
Results
Sex distribution is similar in LRRK2 G2385R carriers and non-carriers. In male sex, LRRK2 G2385R carriers showed lower risk in cognitive impairment compared with non-carriers (OR = 0.301, p = 0.003, 95%CI 0.135–0.668). In female sex, LRRK2 G2385R carriers showed lower risk in autonomic dysfunction compared with non-carrier (OR = 0.401, p = 0.040, 95%CI 0.167–0.960). In LRRK2 G2385R non-carriers, female showed lower risk of impairment in activity of daily living (OR = 0.610, P = 0.021, 95%CI 0.400-0.928), excessive daytime sleepiness (OR = 0.555, p = 0.007, 95%CI 0.361–0.853), substantia nigra hyperechogenicity (OR = 0.448, P = 0.019, 95%CI 0.228–0.878), autonomic dysfunction frequency (OR = 0.626, p = 0.016, 95%CI 0.428–0.917) and higher risk in mood disorders (OR = 1.691, p = 0.022, 95%CI (1.078–2.654) compared with male. In LRRK2 G2385R carriers, female showed a lower risk of autonomic dysfunction (OR = 0.294, p = 0.024, 95%CI 0.102–0.849) compared with male.
Conclusion
A more benign disease course was observed in female compared to male in both LRRK2 G2385R carriers and non-carriers. However, sex differences were less notable in PD with LRRK2 carriers.
Morbidity among Arab-Israeli and Palestinian Hajj Pilgrims - a Prospective study
Authors: Fteiha Bashar , Rub Tawfiq Abul , Schwartz Eli , Lachish Tamar 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background – Thousands of Palestinian and Arab-Israeli pilgrims travel to Mecca each year to complete their pilgrimage. We prospectively investigated the occurrence of healthproblems among these Hajjis who travelled to complete their Pilgrimage during 2019 Hajj season.Methods - A prospective observational questionnaire-based study, distributed to Hajj pilgrims at 3 occasions - before travel, inquiring on demographics, and medical comorbidities; 1 and 4 weeks after returning recording any health problem during or after travel.Results – Initial recruitment included 111 Hajjis. The mean age of responders was 49.5 (+9.137) years with a M:F ratio of 1.3:1. Mean travel-duration was 18.7 days (13-36d). Altogether, 66.3% of the pilgrims reported at least one health problem during and after the trip, of which 38.6% sought medical attention. Five (4.8%) hajjis were hospitalized including life-threatening conditions. Cough was the most common complaint (53.8%), 11.5% also reported fever. Pre-travel counselling was associated with reduced outpatient and Emergency Room visits.Conclusion - A high rate of morbidity was reported among this cohort of Hajj pilgrims with a morbidity spectrum similar to pilgrims from other countries. Pre-travel consultation with the purpose of educating on the health risks of Hajj may help reduce the morbidity for future Hajj seasons.