bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Liquid-chromatographic separation and on-line bioluminescence detection of creatine kinase isoenzymes.
Authors: Bostick W D , Denton M S , Dinsmore S R 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
We separated isoenzymes of creatine kinase by anion-exchange chromatography, with use of an elution of gradient containing lithium acetate (0.1 to 0.6 mol/L). A stream splitter was used to divert a 5% side stream of column effluent, which was subsequently mixed with the reagents necessary for bioluminescence assay of the separated isoenzymes. The use of the stream splitter greatly decreased the rate of consumption of reagent and, when combined with a peristaltic pumping system, permitted independent control of the side-stream flow rate. Thus both the residence interval in a delay coil in which the ATP reaction product is formed and the bioluminescence response could be increased. Bioluminescence emission was monitored in a flow-through fluorometer without use of an external light source or filters. Separation and detection of the isoenzymes of creative kinase were rapid, sensitive, and highly selective. The incremental decrease of bioluminescence response owing to inhibition by the ions in the eluent was less than 31% across the entire gradient.
Lamellar body phospholipid content of amniotic fluid and L/S ratio compared in assessing fetal lung maturity.
Authors: Duck-Chong C G , Gupta J M , Storey G N , Houghton C R 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
A micro-method has been devised for isolating a lung-derived membranous fraction from human amniotic fluid. The phospholipid content of this fraction, known as lamellar body phospholipid, provides an indication of fetal lung maturity (Ann. Clin. Biochem 16: 191, 1979). This method has now been applied to 479 samples of amniotic fluid from 330 pregnancies. The lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio has also been determined for each of the samples by the routine method currently in use in the hospitals providing the samples. Hyaline membrane disease was associated with a low concentration of lamellar body phospholipid (&lt; 35 mg/L) in all eight cases encountered in this study. In contrast, in 182 of the 185 cases where the lamellar body content of the amniotic fluid, collected within two days of delivery, exceeded 35 mg/L, the infants were free from serious respiratory problems. Data are presented which suggests that the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio falsely indicated lung immaturity in many cases, amounting to 44% or more of all values indicating immaturity that were reported.
Social interactions in striped hyena inferred from camera trap data: is it more social than previously thought?
Authors: Tichon Jonathan , Gilchrist Jason S , Rotem Guy , Ward Paul , Spiegel Orr 
Published: February 2020

AbstractUnderstanding the drivers promoting sociality over solitariness in animal species is imperative for predicting future population trends and informing conservation and management. In this study we investigate the social structure of a desert dwelling population of striped hyena Hyaena hyaena. This species is historically regarded as strictly solitary albeit being the least studied of the extant Hyaenids. Accumulating evidence regarding the frequency of social interactions suggests a revision of striped hyena social structure is required. We hypothesized that striped hyena has a social structure that is more complex than expected for a strictly solitary species. For that end, we deployed an array of camera-traps in a remote desert region in Israel, and compared observed frequencies of striped hyena co-occurrence against null models to test whether hyena co-occurred more than expected by chance. Seven adults were (re)captured by our camera-traps in 49 different instances over 83 tracking days. Of these, 6 exhibited shared space-use around a scarce, isolated perennial water source. Five of them, co-occurred with other hyena (in 3 instances) significantly more frequent than expected by chance (and that timing suggests reproduction is unlikely to be the driving factor). Our findings substantiate evidence of complex social structure in striped hyena, highlight the importance of a scarce resource in space-use and sociality, and provide a baseline for future research of striped hyena social structure. We suggest that similar methods be employed to evaluate social structure in other “solitary species” to better understand their social dynamics.
Inter-clinician eConsults without programmatic incentives or requirements: a qualitative study of primary care provider perspectives
Authors: Zallman Leah , Fisher Carolyn F , Ladner Sofia , Mengistu Kira , Rapaport Alison B , Bor David , He Zhiheng , Sawady Joel , Stavert Robert , Nardin Rachel , Bajracharya Adarsha , Pels Richard , Sayah Assaad 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Inter-clinician electronic consultation (eConsult) programmes are becoming more widespread in the USA as health care systems seek innovative ways of improving specialty access. Existing studies examine models with programmatic incentives or requirements for primary care providers (PCPs) to participate.

Objective
We aimed to examine PCP perspectives on eConsults in a system with no programmatic incentive or requirement for PCPs to use eConsults.

Methods
We conducted seven focus groups with 41 PCPs at a safety-net community teaching health care system in Eastern Massachusetts, USA.

Results
Focus groups revealed that eConsults improved PCP experience by enabling patient-centred care and enhanced PCP education. However, increased workload and variations in communication patterns added challenges for PCPs. Patients were perceived as receiving timelier and more convenient care. Timelier care combined with direct documentation in the patient record was perceived as improving patient safety. Although cost implications were less clear, PCPs perceived costs as being lowered through fewer unnecessary visits and laboratories.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that eConsult systems with no programmatic incentives or requirements for PCPs have the potential to improve care.
Finite-frequency traveltime tomography using the Generalized Rytov approximation
Authors: Feng B , Xu W , Wu R S , Xie X B , Wang H 
Published: February 2020

SUMMARY
Wave-equation-based traveltime tomography has been extensively applied in both global tomography and seismic exploration. Typically, the traveltime Fréchet derivative is obtained using the first-order Born approximation, which is only satisfied for weak velocity perturbations and small phase shifts (i.e. the weak-scattering assumption). Although the small phase-shift restriction can be handled with the Rytov approximation, the weak velocity-perturbation assumption is still a major limitation. The recently developed generalized Rytov approximation (GRA) method can achieve an improved phase accuracy of the forward-scattered wavefield, in the presence of large-scale and strong velocity perturbations. In this paper, we combine GRA with the classical finite-frequency theory and propose a GRA-based traveltime sensitivity kernel (GRA-TSK), which overcomes the weak-scattering limitation of the conventional finite-frequency methods. Numerical examples demonstrate that the accumulated time delay of forward-scattered waves caused by large-scale smooth perturbations can be correctly handled by the GRA-TSK, regardless of the magnitude of the velocity perturbations. Then, we apply the new sensitivity kernel to solve the traveltime inverse problem, and we propose a matrix-free Gauss–Newton method that has a faster convergence rate compared with the gradient-based method. Numerical tests show that, compared with the conventional adjoint traveltime tomography, the proposed GRA-based traveltime tomography can obtain a more accurate model with a faster convergence rate, making it more suited for recovering the large-intermediate scale of the velocity model, even for strong-perturbation and complex subsurface structures.
Correction of ATM mutations in iPS cells from two ataxia-telangiectasia patients restores DNA damage and oxidative stress responses
Authors: Ovchinnikov Dmitry A , Withey Sarah L , Leeson Hannah C , Lei U Wang , Sundarrajan Ashmitha , Junday Keerat , Pewarchuk Michelle , Yeo Abrey J , Kijas Amanda W , Lavin Martin F , Wolvetang Ernst J 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Patients with ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) lack a functional ATM kinase protein and exhibit defective repair of DNA double-stranded breaks and response to oxidative stress. We show that CRISPR/Cas9-assisted gene correction combined with piggyBac (PB) transposon-mediated excision of the selection cassette enables seamless restoration of functional ATM alleles in induced pluripotent stem cells from an A-T patient carrying compound heterozygous exonic missense/frameshift mutations, and from a patient with a homozygous splicing acceptor mutation of an internal coding exon. We show that the correction of one allele restores expression of ~ 50% of full-length ATM protein and ameliorates DNA damage-induced activation (auto-phosphorylation) of ATM and phosphorylation of its downstream targets, KAP-1 and H2AX. Restoration of ATM function also normalizes radiosensitivity, mitochondrial ROS production and oxidative-stress-induced apoptosis levels in A-T iPSC lines, demonstrating that restoration of a single ATM allele is sufficient to rescue key ATM functions. Our data further show that despite the absence of a functional ATM kinase, homology-directed repair and seamless correction of a pathogenic ATM mutation is possible. The isogenic pairs of A-T and gene-corrected iPSCs described here constitute valuable tools for elucidating the role of ATM in ageing and A-T pathogenesis.
Validation of a Method for Quantification of Lutein in Spinach Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: Interlaboratory Study
Authors: Sonoda Takefumi , Hiejima *Yusuke , Koiwa Tomohiro , Asano Masahiro , Kotake Eiichi , Yasui Akemi ,   Collaborators, Iwamaru K , Kumagai M , Maeda H , Manabe Y , Miyamoto M , Mizuta K , Morioka M , Sugawara T , Takahashi F , Ueda H , Watanabe E , Yamoto R , Yonekura L 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Lutein is gaining attention as a strong antioxidant contained in foods. It accumulates in the human blood and retina, and is considered to play an important role in the body, especially in the eyes.

Objective
A method to determine the lutein content of raw spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) was developed with the aim of its enactment as a Japanese agricultural standard (JAS) measurement method for components beneficial to human health.

Methods
An interlaboratory study was conducted to evaluate an analytical method for the determination of lutein in spinach. The detection limit and quantification limit of lutein for this method were 0.2 and 0.7 mg/kg, respectively. Twelve participating laboratories independently analyzed test samples (five pairs of blind duplicates) using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Results
After removal of a few outliers, the repeatability relative standard deviation (RSDr), reproducibility (RSDR), and predicted RSDR of the evaluated method were 3.4–7.5, 4.6–13, and 7.5–8.5%, respectively, in a concentration range from 64.9–150 mg/kg.

Conclusions
The HorRat values (RSDR/predicted RSDR) of the lutein concentration were calculated to be 0.61–1.6.

Highlights
The study results indicate the acceptable precision of this method.
Comparison of Different Culture Methods for the Detection of Bacillus cereus Group in Cosmetics
Authors: Yossa Nadine , Hoang Son T , Canida Travis , Bell Rebecca , Tallent Sandra , Brown Eric , Hammack Thomas 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) reference culture method uses Modified Letheen Broth (MLB) for microbiological analyses for all types of cosmetic products.

Objective
This study evaluated the effectiveness of MLB and Tryptone Azolectin Tween (TAT) broths using BAM reference culture method for cosmetics.

Methods
Pure spore suspensions of B. cereus group members were experimentally spiked (McF: 0.5) into cosmetic products. After an aging period of 72 h, the products were analyzed using MLB and TAT broth. The enumeration of the cells was performed on B. cereus group selective plates Bacillus cereus rapid agar (BACARA) and Mannitol Yolk Polymyxin (MYP) plates.

Results
No statistical difference (p &gt; 0.05) was found for the recovery of cells from the liquid products using either medium (MLB or TAT broth) and the selective plates. In solid/powder products, a combination of Tween 80 and MLB detected significantly more cells (p &lt; 0.05) than combination of Tween 80 and TAT broth. The microbial counts on BACARA showed no significant differences (p &gt; 0.05). However, when assessing cream/oil-based products, the number of cells detected by use of Tween 80/TAT broth was significantly higher than Tween 80/MLB, and MYP showed significantly higher counts than BACARA.

Conclusions
This study showed that relative effectiveness of MLB vs. TAT for recovering of B. cereus group cells varied depending on the variety of formulation, and combination of preservatives of the tested cosmetic products. The findings suggest additional studies are needed to explore recovery of other relevant microorganisms that may contaminate cream/oil-based cosmetics.
Real-World Use of Azathioprine Metabolites Changes Clinical Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Wilson Laura , Tuson Stephanie , Yang Lufang , Loomes Dustin 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Thiopurines such as 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine have complex metabolism, resulting in significant inter-individual differences in clinical efficacy and risk of drug toxicity, making conventional weight-based dosing inaccurate and potentially unsafe. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of thiopurine metabolites improves clinical outcomes through dose optimization and toxicity monitoring. Despite evidence for TDM, use is limited, due in part to test availability and awareness. The objectives of this study were twofold: (1) to investigate how thiopurine TDM impacts clinical management of IBD patients and (2) to evaluate proportion of patients outside therapeutic 6TGN levels or exhibiting signs of toxicity

Methods
Patients who received thiopurine TDM as part of routine care underwent chart review of demographics, disease activity, medication dosing, metabolite levels, and adverse events. Changes in clinical management following TDM were measured. Additionally, we conducted a retrospective review of clinical decision making blinded and unblinded to TDM result.

Results
A total of 92 IBD patients were included. Levels of 6TGN were therapeutic in 29% of patients. 6TGN levels correlated weakly with weight-based dosing (r2 = 0.057, P = 0.02). Adverse reactions were observed in 6.5%. TDM informed clinical management in 64%. Significantly more changes to clinical management occurred in those with active disease than in remission (73% versus 48%; P = 0.02) and in those on mono- versus combination therapy (48% versus 27.5%; P = 0.03).

Conclusions
TDM informs clinical decision making in over two-thirds of patients. The demonstrated poor efficacy of weight-based dosing and impact of TDM on clinical management contributes to the evidence supporting the need for greater availability and uptake of thiopurine TDM.
An approach to automatic boundary segmentation of solid models using virtual topology: toward reconstruction of design features
Authors: Zhang Yingzhong , Fu Yufei , Jia Jia , Luo Xiaofang 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Boundary segmentation of solid models is the geometric foundation to reconstruct design features. In this paper, based on the shape evolution analysis for the feature-based modeling process, a novel approach to the automatic boundary segmentation of solid models for reconstructing design features is proposed. The presented approach simulates the designer’s decomposing thinking on how to decompose an existing boundary representation model into a set of design features. First, the modeling traces of design features are formally represented as a set of feature vertex adjacent graphs that use low-dimensional vertex entities and their connection relations. Then, a set of Boolean segmentation loops is searched and extracted from the constructed feature vertex adjacent graphs, which segment the boundary of a solid model into a set of regions with different design feature semantics. In the search process, virtual topology operations are employed to simulate the topological changes resulting from Boolean operations in feature modeling processes. In addition, to realize effective search, search strategies and search algorithms are presented. The segmentation experiments and case study show that the presented approach is feasible and effective for the boundary segmentation of medium-level complex part models. The presented approach lays the foundation for the later reconstruction of design features.
Can Workfare Programs Moderate Conflict? Evidence from India
Authors: Fetzer Thiemo 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Can public interventions persistently reduce conflict? Adverse weather shocks, through their impact on incomes, have been identified as robust drivers of conflict in many contexts. An effective social insurance system moderates the impact of adverse shocks on household incomes, and hence, could attenuate the link between these shocks and conflict. This paper shows that a public employment program in India, by providing an alternative source of income through a guarantee of 100 days of employment at minimum wages, effectively provides insurance. This has an indirect pacifying effect. By weakening the link between productivity shocks and incomes, the program uncouples productivity shocks from conflict, leading persistently lower conflict levels.
Seismic pre-stack AVA inversion scheme based on lithology constraints
Authors: Xiao Shuang , Ba Jing , Guo Qiang , Carcione J M , Zhang Lin , Luo Cong 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSeismic pre-stack AVA inversion using the Zoeppritz equation and its approximations as a forward engine yields P- and S-wave velocities and density. Due to the presence of seismic noise and other factors, the solution to seismic inversion is generally ill-posed and it is necessary to add constraints to regularize the algorithm. Moreover, since pre-stack inversion is a nonlinear problem, linearized optimization algorithms may fall into false local minima. The simulated annealing (SA) algorithm, on the other hand, is capable of finding the global optimal solution regardless of the initial model. However, when applied to multi-parameter pre-stack inversion, standard SA suffers from instability. Thus, a nonlinear pre-stack inversion method is proposed based on lithology constraints. Specifically, correlations among the elastic parameters are introduced to establish constraints based on a Bayesian framework, with special intention of mitigating the ill-posedness of the inversion problem as well as addressing the lithological characteristics of the formations. In particular, to improve the stability, a multivariate Gaussian distribution of elastic parameters is incorporated into the model updating the SA algorithm. We apply the algorithm to synthetic and field seismic data, indicating that the proposed method has a good resolution and stability performance.
A metal interference correction method of tunnel transient electromagnetic advanced detection
Authors: Zhou Guanqun , Yue Mingxin , Yang Xiaodong , Liu Shengdong , Wu Zhao , Cao Yu , Wu Xiaoping 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Water inrush during tunnel excavation severally threatens the mining safety as blind water-bearing structures may develop in front of the working face. The transient electromagnetic method (TEM) has been widely applied in the advanced detection of tunnel water-bearing structures. However, the metal interference of both supports and tools in the tunnel has become a bottleneck that reduces the forecast accuracy of this method. In this paper, we analyse the effect of metal interference on TEM data and propose a novel set of an observation and correction method under metal interference based on the ratio of anomalous and background apparent resistivity. Flume model experiments both with and without metal interference are carried out, showing that this interference can affect TEM measurements significantly and result in false anomalies, and that our proposed method can remove this ambient noise caused by metal interference appropriately. The practical application further proves that this method can effectively reduce low-resistivity interference introduced by the support and other metal tools inside the tunnel. By applying this correction method, the location of water-rich anomalies can be detected more precisely during the excavation process of the same tunnel, which is of high application value of reducing exploration difficulty and tunneling risk.
Screening for Enhancement of Permethrin Toxicity by Plant Essential Oils Against Adult Females of the Yellow Fever Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Tak Jun-Hyung , Coquerel Quentin Robert Renaud , Tsikolia Maia , Bernier Ulrich R , Linthicum Kenneth , Bloomquist Jeffrey R 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae) is one of the most medically important mosquito species, due to its ability to spread viruses of yellow fever, dengue fever, and Zika in humans. In this study, the insecticidal activity of 17 plant essential oils was evaluated via topical application against two strains of Ae. aegypti mosquito, Orlando (insecticide-susceptible) and Puerto Rico (pyrethroid-resistant). Initial screens with the Orlando strain showed that cucumber seed oil (2017 sample) was the most toxic, followed by sandalwood and thyme oil. When the essential oils were mixed with permethrin, they failed to show any significant synergism of insecticidal activity. Sandalwood and thyme oils displayed consistently high mortality against the resistant Puerto Rico strain, with low resistance ratios of 2.1 and 1.4, respectively. In contrast, cucumber seed oil showed significantly less activity against Puerto Rico mosquitoes, with a resistance ratio of 45. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the 2017 sample of cucumber seed oil sample via flash column chromatography produced 11 fractions, and gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the three active fractions were contaminated with 0.33, 0.36, and 0.33% of chlorpyrifos-methyl, an organophosphorus insecticide, whereas inactive fractions did not show any trace of it. These results suggested that the insecticidal activity of cucumber seed oil was probably due to the presence of the insecticide, later confirmed with a clean batch of cucumber seed oil obtained in 2018, which showed negligible insecticidal activity. These findings demonstrate clearly the need for essential oil analysis to confirm purity before any claims are made about pesticidal potency.