bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What a Difference a Drink Makes: Determining Associations Between Alcohol-Use Patterns and Condom Utilization Among Adolescents
Authors: Scroggins Stephen , Shacham Enbal 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
This study aimed to identify differences in condom use among adolescents by alcohol consumption patterns using the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Results suggest significant increased risk of condomless sex among binge drinking youth. Surprisingly, no significant difference in condom utilization was identified between non-drinkers and only moderate drinkers. Findings highlight the need to tailor STI preventative measures accordingly.
A Subgroup of Patients With Hospital-acquired Pneumonia Do Not Require Broad-spectrum Gram-negative Antimicrobial Coverage
Authors: Russell Clark D , Whittaker Ed , Dee Dominic P , Farquhar Eilidh , Saenz de Villaverde Alba , Evans Morgan H , Laurenson Ian F , Mackintosh Claire L , Cevik Muge 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Among 200 patients developing hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) outside the intensive care unit, 61% were treated empirically without broad-spectrum Gram-negative coverage, with clinical cure in 69.7%. Lower disease severity markers (systemic inflammatory response syndrome, hypoxia, tachypnoea, neutrophilia) and the absence of diabetes mellitus and prior doxycycline treatment (but not the time to HAP onset) identified patients not requiring broad-spectrum Gram-negative coverage.
Array analysis of magnetic and electric field observatories in China: estimation of magnetotelluric impedances at very long periods
Authors: Wang Hui , Egbert Gary , Yao Yusong , Cheng Jiulong 
Published: April 2020

SUMMARYTen years (2008–2017) of continuous measurements from 40 electric and 36 magnetic sites collected in China for earthquake prediction research represent a unique EM array data set, which can be used to explore the challenging problem of very long-period MT data acquisition, to study source characteristics, and ultimately to learn about electric conductivity of Earth's mantle beneath East Asia. In this study, we focus on basic noise and signal characteristics in this data set, and on estimation of the MT impedances. We report a novel method to fix the numerous timing errors in the electric data caused by limitations in instrumentation and data acquisition. Then, we use multivariate array analysis to study signal and noise characteristics for periods from 250 s to 3.5 × 105 s (4 d). Signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) are above 30 dB in magnetic fields for the first two dominant modes, which correspond roughly to N–S and E–W quasi-uniform sources. SNRs for electric fields are lower, especially at very long periods, and especially for N–S electric components. There are clear peaks in signal strength at the daily variation (DV) periods, but source structure becomes more complex, and significant biases in MT impedance tensors are more often seen at these periods. The MT quasi-impedance, computed using the closest magnetic site for each electric site, is estimated by robust remote reference techniques (RR) and by using linear combinations of PCA (principal component analysis) modes that best approximate a uniform or plane-wave source (PW). For almost all sites, smooth impedances are obtained for periods up to 104 s using either approach. This result, and a more detailed analysis of impedances estimates obtained with shorter-wavelength (gradient) sources extracted from the array, suggests that source effects in MT impedances are minimal for periods below 104 s, at least at the latitude of China. At many sites curves can be extended a decade further, to 105 s, but here results are improved by carefully omitting DV bands and (at a few sites) with the PW approach. For longer periods (&gt;105 s) SNR is very low in electric field channels at most sites, making estimation challenging. However, at a few sites, even some near big cities (e.g. including a site within 40 km of Beijing) smooth impedance components related to N–S magnetic sources (Zxx and Zyx) are obtained to periods to 3.5 × 105 s (4 d). This result suggests that cultural noise may not be the main impediment to collecting very long-period MT data.
Distinguishing between spiritual health and religious involvement as determinants of adolescent health in Canada and the Czech Republic
Authors: Jirásek Ivo , Badura Petr , King Nathan , Pickett William , Michaelson Valerie 
Published: April 2020

AbstractSpiritual health is a topic of emergent interest; however, lack of a clear distinction between spiritual health and religious involvement makes it difficult to understand the potential role of spiritual health as a determinant of health. Analyses of such relationships that cross countries and cultures are rare. We therefore assessed whether differences exist between spiritual health and religious involvement and their respective associations with general indicators adolescent health. The study was based on the 2013/2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study conducted in Canada (n = 10 761) and the Czech Republic (n = 4411). In both countries, we failed to identify strong or statistically significant associations between self-reported religiosity and adolescent health. In contrast, adolescents with higher spiritual health scores consistently reported enhanced levels of general health status. Study findings point to the importance of a strong sense of spiritual health as a protective determinant of adolescent health, and raise questions about religious involvement as protective to adolescent health outcomes.
Mechanical characterization of porcine liver properties for computational simulation of indentation on cancerous tissue
Authors: Yang Yingqiao , Li Kewei , Sommer Gerhard , Yung Kai-Leung , Holzapfel Gerhard A 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
An accurate characterization of soft biological tissue properties is essential for a realistic simulation of surgical procedures. Unconfined uniaxial compression tests with specimens affixed to the fixtures are often performed to characterize the stress-stretch curves of soft biological tissues, with which the material parameters can be obtained. However, the constrained boundary condition causes non-uniform deformation during the uniaxial test, posing challenges for accurate measurement of tissue deformation. In this study, we measured the deformation locally at the middle of liver specimens and obtained the corresponding stress-stretch curves. Since the effect of the constrained boundary condition on the local deformation of specimen is minimized, the stress-stretch curves are thus more realistic. Subsequently, we fitted the experimental stress-stretch curves with several constitutive models and found that the first-order Ogden hyperelastic material model was most suitable for characterizing the mechanical properties of porcine liver tissues. To further verify the characterized material properties, we carried out indentation tests on porcine liver specimens and compared the experimental data with computational results by using finite element simulations. A good agreement was achieved. Finally, we constructed computational models of liver tissue with a tumor and investigated the effect of the tumor on the mechanical response of the tissue under indentation. The computational results revealed that the liver specimen with tumor shows a stiffer response if the distance between the tumor and the indenter is small.
Determination of Lycopene Concentration in Fresh Tomatoes by Spectrophotometry: A Collaborative Study
Authors: Kakubari Sachiko , Sakaida Kenichi , Asano Masahiro , Aramaki Yoshinori , Ito Hidekazu , Yasui Akemi 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Background
Lycopene has been the object of considerable research attention recently, and the effects of the intake of lycopene, or of tomato products, have been studied in various ways. In Japan, interest in the health-promoting function of food components has increased.

Objective
Developing a method to determine lycopene contents in tomato that meets the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS).

Method
In the proposed JAS method, the test sample consists of fresh tomatoes; a hexane–acetone mixture is utilized as the extraction solvent. A collaborative study was conducted to evaluate the interlaboratory performance of the method.

Results
Ten laboratories participated and analyzed six test materials characterized by a lycopene content between 39 and 170 mg/kg as blind duplicates. After removing statistical outliers, RSDr ranged from 1.2 to 3.0% and RSDR ranged from 2.4 to 4.2%. The HorRat values were calculated and found to be in the 0.26–0.49 range.

Conclusions
The method for determining the lycopene content in tomato was evaluated by means of a collaborative study, and the reproducibility of this method was found to be acceptable.

Highlights
Intended for standardization in Japan, a method to determine lycopene content in tomato has been developed and shown to have acceptable precision in a collaborative study.
Blame It on the Self-Driving Car: How Autonomous Vehicles Can Alter Consumer Morality
Authors: Gill Tripat 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAutonomous vehicles (AVs) are expected to soon replace human drivers and promise substantial benefits to society. Yet, consumers remain skeptical about handing over control to an AV. Partly because there is uncertainty about the appropriate moral norms for such vehicles (e.g., should AVs protect the passenger or the pedestrian if harm is unavoidable?). Building on recent work on AV morality, the current research examined how people resolve the dilemma between protecting self versus a pedestrian, and what they expect an AV to do in a similar situation. Five studies revealed that participants considered harm to a pedestrian more permissible with an AV as compared to self as the decision agent in a regular car. This shift in moral judgments was driven by the attribution of responsibility to the AV and was observed for both severe and moderate harm, and when harm was real or imagined. However, the effect was attenuated when five pedestrians or a child could be harmed. These findings suggest that AVs can change prevailing moral norms and promote an increased self-interest among consumers. This has relevance for the design and policy issues related to AVs. It also highlights the moral implications of autonomous agents replacing human decision-makers.
The Power of (Non-)Linear Shrinking: A Review and Guide to Covariance Matrix Estimation
Authors: Ledoit Olivier , Wolf Michael 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Many econometric and data-science applications require a reliable estimate of the covariance matrix, such as Markowitz’s portfolio selection. When the number of variables is of the same magnitude as the number of observations, this constitutes a difficult estimation problem; the sample covariance matrix certainly will not do. In this article, we review our work in this area, going back 15+ years. We have promoted various shrinkage estimators, which can be classified into linear and nonlinear. Linear shrinkage is simpler to understand, to derive, and to implement. But nonlinear shrinkage can deliver another level of performance improvement, especially if overlaid with stylized facts such as time-varying co-volatility or factor models.
Field sources near the southern-sky calibrator PKS B1934-638: effect on spectral line observations with SKA-MID and its precursors
Authors: Heywood I , Lenc E , Serra P , Hugo B , Bannister K W , Bell M E , Chippendale A , Harvey-Smith L , Marvil J , McConnell D , Voronkov M A 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACT
Accurate instrumental bandpass corrections are essential for the reliable interpretation of spectral lines from targeted and survey-mode observations with radio interferometers. Bandpass correction is typically performed by comparing measurements of a strong calibrator source to an assumed model, typically an isolated point source. The wide field-of-view and high sensitivity of modern interferometers means that additional sources are often detected in observations of calibrators. This can introduce errors into bandpass corrections and subsequently the target data if not properly accounted for. Focusing on the standard calibrator PKS B1934-638, we perform simulations to asses this effect by constructing a wide-field sky model. The cases of ASKAP (0.7–1.9 GHz), MeerKAT (UHF: 0.58–1.05 GHz; L-band: 0.87–1.67 GHz) and Band 2 (0.95–1.76 GHz) of SKA-MID are examined. The use of a central point source model during bandpass calibration is found to impart amplitude errors into spectra measured by the precursor instruments at the ∼0.2–0.5 per cent level dropping to ∼0.01 per cent in the case of SKA-MID. This manifests itself as ripples in the source spectrum, the behaviour of which is coupled to the distribution of the array baselines, the solution interval, the primary beam size, the hour-angle of the calibration scan, as well as the weights used when imaging the target. Calibration pipelines should routinely employ complete field models for standard calibrators to remove this potentially destructive contaminant from the data, a recommendation we validate by comparing our simulation results to a MeerKAT scan of PKS B1934-638, calibrated with and without our expanded sky model.
Broadband X-ray spectral study of ultraluminous X-ray source M81 X–6
Authors: Jithesh V , Anjana C , Misra Ranjeev 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACT
Ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) are a class of extragalactic, point-like, off-nuclear X-ray sources with X-ray luminosity from ∼1039 to 1041 erg s−1. We investigated the temporal and broadband X-ray spectral properties of the ULX M81 X–6 using simultaneous Suzaku and NuSTAR observations. To understand the nature of the source, we searched for pulsating signals from the source using the NuSTAR observation. However, we failed to identify any strong pulsating signals from the source. Alternatively, the broadband spectral modelling with accreting magnetic neutron star continuum model provides a statistically acceptable fit, and the inferred spectral parameters, and X-ray colours are consistent with other pulsating ULXs. Thus, our analysis suggests that M81 X–6 is another candidate ULX pulsar.
Dependence of kinetic plasma waves on ion-to-electron mass ratio and light-to-Alfvén speed ratio
Authors: Verscharen Daniel , Parashar Tulasi N , Gary S Peter , Klein Kristopher G 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACT
The magnetization |Ωe|/ωe is an important parameter in plasma astrophysics, where Ωe and ωe are the electron gyro-frequency and electron plasma frequency, respectively. It depends only on the mass ratio mi/me and the light-to-Alfvén speed ratio c/vAi, where mi (me) is the ion (electron) mass, c is the speed of light, and vAi is the ion Alfvén speed. Non-linear numerical plasma models such as particle-in-cell simulations must often assume unrealistic values for mi/me and for c/vAi. Because linear theory yields exact results for parametric scalings of wave properties at small amplitudes, we use linear theory to investigate the dispersion relations of Alfvén/ion-cyclotron and fast-magnetosonic/whistler waves as prime examples for collective plasma behaviour depending on mi/me and c/vAi. We analyse their dependence on mi/me and c/vAi in quasi-parallel and quasi-perpendicular directions of propagation with respect to the background magnetic field for a plasma with βj ∼ 1, where βj is the ratio of the thermal to magnetic pressure for species j. Although their dispersion relations are largely independent of c/vAi for c/vAi ≳ 10, the mass ratio mi/me has a strong effect at scales smaller than the ion inertial length. Moreover, we study the impact of relativistic electron effects on the dispersion relations. Based on our results, we recommend aiming for a more realistic value of mi/me than for a more realistic value of c/vAi in non-relativistic plasma simulations if such a choice is necessary, although relativistic and sub-Debye-length effects may require an additional adjustment of c/vAi.
Implementing the REAL ID Act: Intergovernmental Conflict and Cooperation in Homeland Security Policy
Authors: Krajewska Magdalena 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
This article examines implementation of the REAL ID Act of 2005, a post-9/11 measure intended to make driver’s licenses more secure. I take the opportunity, fifteen years after the Act’s passage and approaching a key October 2020 deadline, to analyze and explain how federal officials overcame obstacles to REAL ID implementation, especially resistance from elected state officials. I conclude that the role of administrative officials within the Department of Homeland Security and their ability to work with administrative officials in state Department of Motor Vehicle offices was critical to overcoming state resistance and leading states to come into alignment with REAL ID requirements. A key lesson is that overcoming state–federal conflict in policy implementation is possible when administrative officials at the state and federal level are key actors and can collaborate and perceive common interests. This analysis demonstrates the importance of direct interaction between federal and state administrative officials in program implementation.
Environmental signals control transmission stage formation in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Brancucci Nicholas 
Published: April 2020

Sexual commitment initiates production of the transmission‐competent gametocyte stage in malaria parasites. Chromatin remodeling events at the ap2‐g locus and activation of the encoded transcription factor are the earliest steps known in this differentiation process. Interestingly, the rate of gametocyte formation is not fixed and variation is thought to depend on environmental cues.Using an assay to probe gametocyte formation in vitro, we found that parasites induce sexual commitment in response to depletion of human serum components. Fractionation experiments identified lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) – a major phospholipid component of serum – as the active host factor. Low micromolar concentrations of lysoPC are sufficient to prevent sexual differentiation in P. falciparum cultured under otherwise commitment‐inducing conditions. Metabolic labeling experiments revealed that parasites readily use lysoPC as a substrate for the synthesis of other lipids, including phosphatidylcholine (PC). In the absence of lysoPC, parasites induce a switch in lipid metabolism that is accompanied by the transcriptional up‐regulation of enzymes used for de novo synthesis of PC (Kennedy pathway). RNA‐Seq data revealed that lysoPC‐depletion further induces the expression of both known (i.e. ap2‐g, gdv1) and new markers that define the transcriptional signature of commitment. Altogether, our results provide unprecedented insights on how malaria parasites integrate external stimuli into the decision‐making process of sexual differentiation. We are currently applying this knowledge in translational research, including drug screens that aim at identifying compounds with malaria transmission‐blocking activity.Support or Funding InformationSupported by a Postdoc. Mobility fellowship from the Swiss National Science Foundation (P300PA_160975)This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Spatiotemporal Role of Transforming Growth Factor Beta 2 in Developing and Mature Mouse Hindbrain Serotonergic Neurons
Authors: Roussa Eleni , Chleilat Enaam , Mallmann Robert , Spanagel Rainer , Klugbauer Norbert 
Published: April 2020

Transforming growth factor betas are integral molecular components of the signaling cascades defining development and survival of several neuronal groups. Among TGF‐β ligands, TGF‐β2 has been considered as relatively more important during development. We have generated a conditional knockout mouse of the Tgf‐β2 gene with knock‐in of an EGFP reporter and subsequently a mouse line with cell‐type specific deletion of TGF‐β2 ligand from Krox20 expressing cells (i.e. in cells from rhombomeres r3 and r5). We performed a phenotypic analysis of the hindbrain serotonergic system during development and in adulthood, determined the neurochemical profile in hindbrain and forebrain, and assessed behavioural performance of wild type and mutant mice. Mutant mice revealed significantly decreased number of caudal 5‐HT neurons at embryonic day (E) 14, and impaired development of caudal dorsal raphe, median raphe, raphe magnus, and raphe obscurus neurons at E18, a phenotype that was restored and/or overshot in adult mice. Serotonin levels were decreased in hindbrain but significantly increased in cortex of adult mutant mice, though without any behavioural consequences. These results highlight differential and temporal dependency of developing and adult neurons on TGF‐β2 and highlight the isoform‐specific effects during development of the serotonergic system. The results also indicate TGF‐β2 being directly or indirectly potent to modulate neurotransmitter synthesis and metabolism. The novel floxed TGF‐β2 mouse model is a suitable tool for analyzing the in vivo functions of TGF‐β2 during development and in adulthood in many organs.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Medicinal Plants Sensitizes Colon Tissue to Apoptosis in a Rat Model of Colon Cancer
Authors: Waly Mostafa I 
Published: April 2020

BackgroundColon cancer is the leading global cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, and various medicinal plants were used routinely to treat malignant cancers, including colon cancer. The chemotherapy is costly and leads to adverse reactions which may cause patient incompliance and deterioration of the quality of life, therefore there is a continuous need of natural therapeutic agents in the course of treatment and primary prevention of colon cancer.ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to examine in vivo protective effects of five different medicinal plants (Rumex vesicarius, Oxalis corniculate, Pteropyrum scoparium, Moringa peregrine, and Caralluma arabica) in the activation of apoptosis of rat colon carcinogenesis induced by azoxymethane (AOM).MethodsAzoxymethane (AOM), a colon selective carcinogenic agent, was used to induce colon cancer in Sprague Dawley rats which were divided into 12 groups, n=10, (Control, AOM‐injected group and the other ten groups were fed ad‐libitum for 12 weeks a diet supplemented with a mixture of the one of the five different medicinal plants in the presence or absence of AOM injection). By the end of the experiment, all rats were sacrificed; colon tissues were excised and homogenized for biochemical measurements of: oxidative DNA damage, reduced glutathione, and total antioxidant capacity. Caspase‐3 cleavage, which has been considered as an apoptotic index, was detected using Western blotting techniques.ResultsOur results showed that the assayed medicinal plants have significantly reduced AOM‐induced colonic aberrant crypt foci development and AOM‐induced oxidative stress. Caspase‐3 cleavage, which has been considered as an apoptotic index, was almost undetectable in AOM‐treated rats, meanwhile the five medicinal plants exhibited pro‐apoptotic effects evidenced by increased levels of cleaved caspase‐3.ConclusionIn the studied model, our findings provide in vivo evidence that the medicinal plants are potent in inhibiting the early stages of colon carcinogenesis by preventing oxidative stress and inducing apoptosis. Our results highlight the importance use of these medicinal supplementation during chemotherapy as a synergistic factor in increasing therapeutic efficiency and increased survival times in colon cancer patients.Support or Funding InformationSultan Qaboos university, Internal Grant Funding (IG/AGR/Food/01/17)This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.