bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of superb microvascular imaging of ultrasound for diagnosis of gallbladder lesion
Authors: Kin Toshifumi , Nagai Kazumasa , Hayashi Tsuyoshi , Takahashi Kuniyuki , Katanuma Akio 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackground/PurposeThe diagnosis of gallbladder (GB) lesions is occasionally difficult. Recently, superb microvascular imaging (SMI) of ultrasound has been developed as a novel microvascular imaging technique. We evaluated the feasibility of SMI for the diagnosis of GB lesions and compared microvascular imaging between benign and malignant GB lesions.MethodsTwenty patients with GB‐protruded lesions or wall thickening who underwent SMI from August 2015 to July 2017 were included in this retrospective study. The measured outcomes were the quality of microvascular imaging when compared between normal SMI (N‐SMI) and contrast‐enhanced SMI (CE‐SMI), and the microvascular findings (vascularity, vascular morphology, presence of branching, and presence of caliber change) when compared between benign and malignant GB lesions.ResultsThe quality of microvascular imaging of CE‐SMI was evaluated as better than that of N‐SMI, showing a significant difference (P < .001). From the CE‐SMI microvascular findings, the evaluation of vascular morphology and the presence of caliber change showed a significant difference between benign and malignant GB lesions (P = .005, P < .001).ConclusionsThe evaluation of GB lesions using SMI was feasible with a contrast agent. Vascular morphology and the presence of caliber change may help in the differential diagnosis of GB lesions.
The application of Newton and Swoope's geographical profile to serial killers
Authors: Salafranca Barreda Daniel 
Published: October 2020

AbstractQuite possibly, the first application of geographic analysis to identify and characterise the spatial behaviour of the offender concerning the crime scene was developed in 1980 by Milton Newton. Although previous studies have used Newton and Swoope's geoforensic process (Kent, 2009, Essays on the integration of anisotropic landscapes within contemporary geographic profiling models [LSU doctoral dissertations]; Leitner et al., 2007, Police Practice and Research, 8[4], 359–370) to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm, there are, to our knowledge, no investigations that have validated the procedure with cases of serial murderers. The main objective of the study is to analyse a sample of 41 serial killers with a minimum number of six crimes and to evaluate the method proposed by Newton (1988, Geographical discovery of the residence of an unknown dispersing localized serial murder). The results confirm only Newton's first assumption in which after the fifth crime in the series, the estimated ‘haven’ is close to the actual ‘haven’, ruling out that the search area becomes progressively smaller and that the ‘haven’ is located in the search area.
Do exaggerated chelicerae function as weapons or genitalia in a long‐jawed spider? Functional allometric analysis yields an answer
Authors: Danielson‐François Anne , Sullivan Humayra Nikhat 
Published: October 2020

AbstractFrom the elongated neck of the giraffe to the elaborate train of the peacock, extreme traits can result from natural or sexual selection (or both). The extreme chelicerae of the long‐jawed spiders (Tetragnatha) present a puzzle: do these exaggerated chelicerae function as weapons or genitalia? Bristowe first proposed that Tetragnatha chelicerae function as a holdfast because these spiders embrace chelicerae during mating. This hypothesis has remained untested until now. Here, we use functional allometry to examine how extreme chelicerae develop and perform in the long‐jawed spider Tetragnatha elongata. Similar to other Tetragnatha species, chelicerae were longer in adult males than in adult females. Overall, we confirm Bristowe's hypothesis: elongation only occurred in the adult stage. However, we propose that chelicerae function as more than a holdfast in T. elongata. Male chelicerae exhibited positive allometry, which suggests scaling as weapons rather than genitalia. However, fieldwork revealed that the operational sex ratio is female‐biased and both adult male–male competition and sexual cannibalism were rarely observed. Consequently, we propose that the positive allometry of male chelicerae may result from sexual selection to mechanically mesh with larger and more fecund females. Evidence for mechanical mesh includes multiple traits ranging from apophyses and grooves to guide teeth on the basal portion of the chelicerae. In contrast, we propose that chelicerae of females are analogous to the female peacock's tail: shortened by natural selection limiting the exaggeration of sexually selected traits. Indeed, females had increased foraging efficiency compared to males and exhibited negative cheliceral allometry. We discuss the implications for the evolution of elongated chelicerae in Tetragnatha.
Assessing potential of sparse‐input reanalyses for centennial‐scale land surface air temperature homogenisation
Authors: Gillespie Ian M. , Haimberger Leo , Compo Gilbert P. , Thorne Peter W. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObservations from the historical meteorological observing network contain many artefacts of non‐climatic origin which must be accounted for prior to using these data in climate applications. State‐of‐the‐art homogenisation approaches use various flavours of pairwise comparison between a target station and candidate neighbour station series. Such approaches require an adequate number of neighbours of sufficient quality and comparability – a condition that is met for most station series since the mid‐20th Century. However, pairwise approaches have challenges where suitable neighbouring stations are sparse, as remains the case in vast regions of the globe and is common almost everywhere prior to the early 20th Century. Modern sparse‐input centennial reanalysis products continue to improve and offer a potential alternative to pairwise comparison, particularly where and when observations are sparse. They do not directly ingest or use land‐based surface temperature observations, so they are a formally independent estimate. This may be particularly helpful in cases where structurally similar changes exist across broad networks, which challenges current techniques in the absence of metadata. They also potentially offer a valuable methodologically distinct method, which would help explore structural uncertainty in homogenisation techniques. The present study compares the potential of spatially‐interpolated sparse‐input reanalysis products to neighbour‐based approaches to perform homogenisation of global monthly land surface air temperature records back to 1850 based upon the statistical properties of station‐minus‐reanalysis and station‐minus‐neighbour series. This shows that neighbour‐based approaches likely remain preferable in data dense regions and epochs. However, the most recent reanalysis product, NOAA‐CIRES‐DOE 20CRv3, is potentially preferable in cases where insufficient neighbours are available. This may in particular affect long‐term global average estimates where a small number of long‐term stations in data sparse regions will make substantial contributions to global estimates and may contain missed data artefacts in present homogenisation approaches.
Effects of cyclic compression on intervertebral disc metabolism using a whole‐organ rat tail model
Authors: LePage Emma C. , Stoker Aaron M. , Kuroki Keiichi , Cook James L. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMany factors contribute to the development and progression of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. This study was designed to assess the effects of compressive load magnitude on IVD metabolism. It was hypothesized that as load magnitude increased, there would be a significant increase in release of proinflammatory and degradative biomarkers, and a significant decrease in tissue proteoglycan (GAG) and collagen contents compared with unloaded controls. IVD whole organ functional spinal units (FSU) consisting of cranial and caudal body halves, cartilage endplates, and IVD (n = 36) were harvested from the tails of six Sprague Dawley rats, and FSUs were cultured at 0.0 MPa, 0.5 MPa, or 1.0 MPa at 0.5 Hz for 3 days. After culture, media were collected for biomarker analysis and FSUs were analyzed for extracellular matrix composition. Significant differences were determined using a one‐way analysis of variance or Kruskal–Wallis test and post hoc analyses. Media concentrations of IFN‐γ, IL‐6, IL‐1β, and MMP‐8 were significantly higher in the 0.5 MPa compared with the 0.0 MPa group. Media concentrations of PGE2 and TIMP‐1 were significantly higher in the 1.0 MPa group compared with the 0.0 MPa group, and media PGE2 was significantly higher in the 1.0 MPa group compared with the 0.5 MPa group. Media GAG content was significantly higher in the 1.0 MPa group compared with the 0.0 MPa group, and percent GAG in the tissue was significantly lower in 0.5 MPa and 1.0 MPa groups compared with the 0.0 MPa group. Clinical Significance: These data suggest that there are magnitude‐dependent inflammatory and degradative IVD responses to cyclic loading, which may contribute to IVD degeneration.
High‐pressure pretreatment in albacore (Thunnus alalunga) for reducing freeze‐driven weight losses with minimal quality changes
Authors: Cartagena Lucía , Puértolas Eduardo , Martínez de Marañón Iñigo 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThis research evaluates the application of high‐pressure processing (HPP) before freezing to reduce weight loss related to thawing and cooking of frozen albacore steaks (Thunnus alalunga) with a minimal impact on fish quality (color, texture, soluble protein, lipid oxidation). Albacore steaks were HPP pretreated (200, 250, and 300 MPa for 0, 2, 4 and 6 min), frozen (−20 °C, 5 m s−1), thawed (4 °C; 24 h), and then analyzed.RESULTSAt lower pressures (200 MPa) there was a clear effect of pressurization time on most of the fish quality parameters tested (thawing loss, L* value, b* value, ΔE, adhesiveness, springiness, salt‐soluble protein content), whereas at higher pressures (300 MPa) similar changes took place independently of the pressurization time. High‐pressure processing had no impact on lipid oxidation . A pressure of 200 MPa applied for 6 min decreased thawing, cooking, and total weight losses (53.7%, 55.4%, and 51.0% lower than the frozen control, respectively) although it led to noticeable changes in color. A pressure of 200 MPa applied for 2 min decreased thawing, cooking, and total weight losses by 23.2%, 44.0% and 33.7% with respect to the frozen control, respectively, with only minor changes in color.CONCLUSIONHigh‐pressure processing pretreatment could be a promising tool for reducing weight loss in frozen fish when HPP conditions are properly selected. A pressure of 200 MPa applied for 2 min could be a good compromise treatment, cutting thawing and cooking losses in albacore, and reducing HPP‐mediated color alterations and the related possible consumer rejection. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Single dominant diatom can host diverse parasitic fungi with different degree of host specificity
Authors: Kagami Maiko , Seto Kensuke , Nozaki Daiki , Nakamura Takaki , Wakana Hirano , Wurzbacher Christian 
Published: October 2020

AbstractRecent molecular surveys revealed an unexpected diversity of mycoplankton in lakes and oceans. The early diverging fungal lineages are known to be prominent parasites of phytoplankton. However, due to missing fungal reference data, their identity and ecology remain mostly unknown. To overcome this problem, we combined single‐spore‐based DNA barcoding during one sampling season of the eutrophic Lake Inba (Japan), which is dominated by two diatoms. By linking microscopically picked single fungal spore on two diatoms to subsequent DNA barcoding of ribosomal maker genes, we identified 12 distinct lineages, affiliated not only to the known parasitic phylum Chytridiomycota (chytrids), but also to the enigmatic phyla Rozellomycota and Aphelidiomycota. The detected Rozellomycota could be a hyperparasite of parasitic chytrid infecting diatoms. Host specificity appeared to be different among clades. However, the barcoding of single‐spore DNA could not clearly prove host specificity due to the limited number of samples and resolution in the targeted gene regions. The degree of host specificity was thus confirmed by the cross‐infection experiments. Five chytrid strains were generalists infecting all four diatoms strains, while the remaining three strains of chytrids were specialists exhibiting host preferences. Additional growth experiments indicated a trade‐off between host specificity and growth rate, so that generalists with more possible hosts grew slower than specialists with one host. Our results suggest that the combination of microscopy with single‐spore‐based barcoding is a promising approach to evaluate the complex host‐parasite interactions, while infection experiments can verify the interactions and shed light on the underlying ecological principles.
Influence of Transverse Cross‐Phases on Propagations of Optical Beams in Linear and Nonlinear Regimes
Authors: Liang Guo , Zhang Huicong , Fang Lei , Shou Qian , Hu Wei , Guo Qi 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIt is predicted that an orbital angular momentum (OAM) carried by an elliptic Gaussian beam (EGB) with a cross‐phase can induce an effective anisotropic diffraction (AD). At the so‐called critical OAM, such an OAM‐induced AD makes the spiraling elliptic Gaussian mode, which expands owing to the diffraction while keeping its elliptic degree changeless, exist in linearly isotropic media, where only the circular Gaussian mode is supposed to exist for a beam without an OAM. In this study, such a phenomenon is experimentally demonstrated via the propagations of the EGBs with the OAM in linearly and both‐linearly‐and‐nonlinearly isotropic media. In the former case, the spiraling elliptic Gaussian mode is observed at the critical OAM in the free space. In the latter case, the spiraling elliptic soliton predicted by Desyatnikov et al. is observed for the first time in cylindrical lead glass. The physics behind the spiraling elliptic soliton is the OAM‐induced AD, which preserves the elliptic degree of the EGB, whereas the nonlinearity only balances the diffraction of the EGB. The OAM‐induced AD is just a linear effect and has nothing to do with nonlinearity.
Finite Element Modeling of a Viscous Fluid Flowing through an External Gear Pump
Authors: de Bie Vincent G. , Hulsen Martien A. , Anderson Patrick D. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractGear pumps are frequently used for the transport of high‐viscosity fluids, for instance, for the extrusion of polymers. The flow rate of this extrusion process is regularly controlled by an external gear pump. In this work, the 2D flow of a viscous fluid through such an external gear pump is studied using the finite element method. Local mesh refinement based on the respective distance between moving boundaries is essential to capture the relatively narrow clearances in the pump. The gear pump works against the pressure driven flow, therefore its performance is strongly dependent on material and processing parameters. The flow of Newtonian and shear‐thinning fluids through the external gear pump is studied for a range of processing conditions. Pump curves are obtained that display the volumetric efficiency against the Hersey number, which is defined as viscosity times rotation speed divided by pressure difference over the pump. Analysis of the residence time of the fluid in the pump, shows that vortices are present in the inflow channel causing material to remain in the pump for longer times.
Randomized, Controlled Study of Opicapone in Japanese Parkinson's Patients with Motor Fluctuations
Authors: Takeda Atsushi , Takahashi Ryosuke , Tsuboi Yoshio , Nomoto Masahiro , Maeda Tetsuya , Nishimura Akihisa , Yoshida Kazuo , Hattori Nobutaka 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTObjectivesThis placebo‐controlled, randomized study evaluated the efficacy and safety of opicapone 25‐mg and 50‐mg tablets in Japanese levodopa‐treated patients with Parkinson's disease and motor fluctuations.MethodsJapanese adults (n = 437, age 39–83 years) with Parkinson's disease (United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Society criteria) received opicapone 25‐mg (n = 145), opicapone 50‐mg (n = 145), or placebo (n = 147) tablets over the double‐blind treatment period (14–15 weeks). The primary efficacy assessment was change in OFF‐time; secondary efficacy assessments included OFF/ON‐time responders (≥1 hour change from baseline), total ON‐time, ON‐time with and without troublesome dyskinesia, and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale.ResultsThe least squares mean (standard error) change in OFF‐time from baseline to the last visit was −0.42 (0.21) hour for the placebo group, −1.16 (0.22) hour for the opicapone 25 mg group, and −1.04 (0.21) hour for the opicapone 50 mg group. The percentage of ON‐time responders, changes in total ON‐time/ON‐time without troublesome dyskinesia, and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale II (at OFF) all showed statistically significant improvements versus placebo for both opicapone tablet doses (P < 0.05). Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale III (at ON) was improved versus placebo in patients who received opicapone 50 mg (P < 0.05). Adverse events were more common in patients treated with opicapone 25 mg (60.0%) or opicapone 50 mg (54.5%) versus placebo (48.3%). The most commonly reported adverse event was dyskinesia (placebo, 2.7%; opicapone 25 mg, 9.0%; opicapone 50 mg, 12.4%).ConclusionsIn Japanese patients, both opicapone 25 and 50 mg were significantly more effective than placebo with no dose‐dependent difference in efficacy, and both doses were well tolerated. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Antibody‐free bioimprint aided sandwich ELISA technique for cell recognition and rapid screening for bacteria
Authors: Filby Benjamin W. , Hardman Matthew J. , Paunov Vesselin N. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe have developed and tested a novel ELISA‐like approach for bacterial detection based upon selective adhesion of targeted bacteria to microwells with prefabricated bacterial bioimprints. Bioimprints were produced from three bacterial species; Escherichia coli (Gram‐negative), Rhodococcus rhodochrous (Gram‐positive) and Sarcina aurantiaca (Gram‐negative), by using molding with curable silicone from dense layers of bacterial cells deposited on a glass substrate. We demonstrated that the surface functionalized whole cell bioimprints were able to selectively recognize and bind their own bacterial cell type. In order to detect target bacteria that are bound to the matching bioimprint, we also developed silica nanoparticles dual‐functionalized with (3‐glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GLYMO) coupled with 4‐hydroxyphenylboronic acid (4‐HPBA), SiO2NPs/GLYMO/4‐HPBA, which were further conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Bacterial detection was demonstrated to work in the established ELISA‐like protocol using the colorimetric reaction of the conjugated HRP with 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). The bioimprints were used instead of capture antibodies and HRP‐coated dual functionalized silica nanoparticles instead of a secondary antibody with TMB as the enzyme‐converted reagent, producing a colored byproduct. This bacterial bioimprint‐based detection method does not rely on any antibodies, uses stable and inexpensive reagents, and could potentially find application for rapid diagnostics of bacterial pathogens in clinical samples at the point of care.
The psychological contract and volunteering: A systematic review
Authors: Hoye Russell , Kappelides Pam 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis paper explores the use of the concept of the psychological contract in investigating the experience of volunteers and its potential to help develop strategies to attract, retain, and support volunteers and the mission of non‐profit organizations who their efforts support, through a systematic review of what we know about the psychological contract in relation to volunteers. Following the PRISMA, PIECES, and Warwick protocols, we conducted a search of empirical research in business and broader social sciences and humanities databases. From the initial 6,042 studies reviewed, 29 met the inclusion criteria that focused on peer‐reviewed journal articles published in English. The research questions and findings investigated by these studies were categorized using Alcover, Rico, Turnley, and Bolino's (2017) multiple‐exchange model of the PC: PC formation and development, information‐seeking behavior, identification (of the nature of the PC), PC fulfillment, and PC breach. We propose new directions for research on PC and volunteering, including suggestions for research methods and contexts.
Proton Pump Inhibitor Utilization in Veteran Patients on Combined Antithrombotic Therapy and Validation of Simplified Bleeding Risk Score
Authors: Patil Tanvi , Murphy Kimberly , Woodard Laura , Lebrecht Morgan 
Published: October 2020

BackgroundConcomitant use of anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleed (GIB). Use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has been proposed to decrease the risk of GIB in patients on combined antithrombotic therapy (CAT).ObjectiveTo describe the current utilization of PPIs in veteran patients on CAT and associated clinical predictors of GIB.MethodsThis retrospective study included patients on CAT receiving PPIs, with at least one of the CAT agents initiated between January 1, 2018 and October 30, 2018. Data were extracted from the computerized patient record system. Primary end point included estimating proportion of patients on CAT receiving PPI co‐therapy, describing patient characteristics, and identifying clinical predictors of GIB. Secondary outcomes included reporting GIB events and all‐cause mortality. Additional outcome was to validate the five‐factor risk score (FFRS) for GIB in patients on CAT and compare its overall predictive performance to HAS‐BLED score.ResultsThis study reports an overall rate of PPI co‐therapy in patients on CAT of 40.9% (484/1181), with only 22.3% of patients on CAT receiving PPI for GIB prophylaxis. There was no difference in the mean follow up duration of PPI users and PPI co‐therapy (264.01 vs 271.92 days; p=0.3761). Current alcohol use (p=0.005), current smokers (p=0.022), chronic kidney disease (p=0.004), peptic ulcer disease (p<0.001), and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug use (p=0.048) were significant predictors of GIB in multivariate analyses of our study cohort. We further provide exploratory validation that use of a simplified FFRS to predict GIB showed a trend towards better overall predictive performance as compared to HAS‐BLED score (C‐statistic: 0.738; 95% CI 0.684–0.787 for FFRS vs C‐statistic: 0.596; 95% CI 0.538–0.653 for HAS‐BLED; p=0.0094).ConclusionThis study reports lower rate of PPI co‐therapy in veteran patients on CAT per currently available guidance. Further we explore utilization of simplified FFRS model to predict GIB in patients on CAT with long‐term PPI co‐therapy.