bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduction in hsCRP levels is associated with decreased incidence of cardiovascular events in Japanese hypertensive women but not in men
Authors: Kim-Mitsuyama Shokei , Soejima Hirofumi , Yasuda Osamu , Node Koichi , Jinnouchi Hideaki , Yamamoto Eiichiro , Sekigami Taiji , Ogawa Hisao , Matsui Kunihiko 
Published: October 2020

AbstractTo test our hypothesis that the magnitude of reduction in hsCRP achieved by antihypertensive medications may predict the benefit for cardiovascular outcomes in hypertensive individuals, we performed subanalysis of the ATTEMPT-CVD study. The hypertensive participants enrolled in the ATTMEPT-CVD study were categorized into two groups according to whether achieved reduction in hsCRP levels at 6 months after initiation of antihypertensive medications from baseline was equal to or greater than 40% (responder group) or less than 40% (non-responder group). Baseline characteristics and blood pressure during follow-up period were similar between the groups. For women, the incidence of cardiovascular events was significantly less in responder group than non-responder group (P < 0.0221). However, for men, there was no significant difference between the groups regarding incident cardiovascular events (P = 0.2434). There was a significant interaction (P = 0.0187) between sexes for incident cardiovascular events. Our results provide the evidence suggesting that substantial reduction (40% or greater reduction) in hsCRP on antihypertensive medication predicts the benefit for cardiovascular outcomes in hypertensive women but it does not in hypertensive men. The magnitude of achieved reduction in hsCRP by antihypertensive medications seems to be a useful indicator of successful treatment in Japanese hypertensive women.This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01075698.
Size-specific recolonization success by coral-dwelling damselfishes moderates resilience to habitat loss
Authors: Pratchett Morgan S. , Messmer Vanessa , Wilson Shaun K. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIncreasing degradation of coral reef ecosystems and specifically, loss of corals is causing significant and widespread declines in the abundance of coral reef fishes, but the proximate cause(s) of these declines are largely unknown. Here, we examine specific responses to host coral mortality for three species of coral-dwelling damselfishes (Dascyllus aruanus, D. reticulatus, and Pomacentrus moluccensis), explicitly testing whether these fishes can successfully move and recolonize nearby coral hosts. Responses of fishes to localized coral loss was studied during population irruptions of coral feeding crown-of-thorns starfish, where starfish consumed 29 (34%) out of 85 coral colonies, of which 25 (86%) were occupied by coral-dwelling damselfishes. Damselfishes were not tagged or individually recognizable, but changes in the colonization of different coral hosts was assessed by carefully assessing the number and size of fishes on every available coral colony. Most damselfishes (> 90%) vacated dead coral hosts within 5 days, and either disappeared entirely (presumed dead) or relocated to nearby coral hosts. Displaced fishes only ever colonized corals already occupied by other coral-dwelling damselfishes (mostly conspecifics) and colonization success was strongly size-dependent. Despite movement of damselfishes to surviving corals, the local abundance of coral-dependent damselfishes declined in approximate accordance with the proportional loss of coral habitat. These results suggest that even if alternative coral hosts are locally abundant, there are significant biological constraints on movement of coral-dwelling damselfishes and recolonization of alternative coral habitats, such that localized persistence of habitat patches during moderate or patchy disturbances do not necessarily provide resilience against overall habitat loss.
Reduced resting state functional connectivity with increasing age-related hearing loss and McGurk susceptibility
Authors: Schulte Alina , Thiel Christiane M. , Gieseler Anja , Tahden Maike , Colonius Hans , Rosemann Stephanie 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAge-related hearing loss has been related to a compensatory increase in audio-visual integration and neural reorganization including alterations in functional resting state connectivity. How these two changes are linked in elderly listeners is unclear. The current study explored modulatory effects of hearing thresholds and audio-visual integration on resting state functional connectivity. We analysed a large set of resting state data of 65 elderly participants with a widely varying degree of untreated hearing loss. Audio-visual integration, as gauged with the McGurk effect, increased with progressing hearing thresholds. On the neural level, McGurk illusions were negatively related to functional coupling between motor and auditory regions. Similarly, connectivity of the dorsal attention network to sensorimotor and primary motor cortices was reduced with increasing hearing loss. The same effect was obtained for connectivity between the salience network and visual cortex. Our findings suggest that with progressing untreated age-related hearing loss, functional coupling at rest declines, affecting connectivity of brain networks and areas associated with attentional, visual, sensorimotor and motor processes. Especially connectivity reductions between auditory and motor areas were related to stronger audio-visual integration found with increasing hearing loss.
Sea ice variability and maritime activity around Svalbard in the period 2012–2019
Authors: Stocker Alexandra N. , Renner Angelika H. H. , Knol-Kauffman Maaike 
Published: October 2020

AbstractClimate change is strongly impacting the Arctic environment, leading to rapid sea ice loss. In some sectors, the retreating ice edge is perceived as an opportunity to expand and develop economic activities. Previous studies show this development in the Canadian and Russian Arctic. This paper examines mobility patterns of cruise ships and fishing vessels around Svalbard, a major hotspot of maritime activity and retreating sea ice cover, in relation to sea ice variability between August 2012 and September 2019. The results show a slight overall increase in fisheries and cruise activity, as well as remarkable trends of stretching operational seasons and expanding navigational areas in these sectors. Overall increasing activity and changing mobility patterns provoke a discussion about the implications for safe navigation and sustainable management, thus raising issues of high pan-Arctic relevance.
Effects of exogenous α-oxoglutarate on proline accumulation, ammonium assimilation and photosynthesis of soybean seedling (Glycine max(L.) Merr.) exposed to cold stress
Authors: Gai Zhijia , Liu Lei , Zhang Jingtao , Liu Jingqi , Cai Lijun 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe objective of this study was to examine the effects of exogenous α-oxoglutarate on leaf proline accumulation, ammonium assimilation and photosynthesis of soybean when exposed to cold stress. To achieve this objective, exogenous α-oxoglutarate was sprayed to potted seedlings of Henong60 and Heinong48 at 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mmol/L, identified as A0, A2.5, A5.0, and A7.5, respectively. Leaf samples were collected after cold stress of 24 h (S1 stage) and 48 h (S2 stage). The results indicated that exogenous α-oxoglutarate significantly enhanced leaf GS activity, NADP-GDH activity, glutamate content, proline content and photosynthesis of soybean seedling exposed to cold stress at S1 and S2 stages. The ammonium content in leaf was significantly decreased by exogenous α-oxoglutarate at both stages. 5.0 mmol/L of exogenous α-oxoglutarate is the optimum concentration in this study. Leaf proline content for Henong60 and Heinong48 at A5.0 was 37.53% and 17.96% higher than that at A0 at S1 stage, respectively. Proline content for Henong60 and Heinong48 increased by 28.82% and 12.41% at A5.0 and A0, respectively, at S2 stage. Those results suggested that exogenous α-oxoglutarate could alleviate the adverse effects of cold stress.
Early-pregnancy transcriptome signatures of preeclampsia: from peripheral blood to placenta
Authors: Yadama Aishwarya P. , Maiorino Enrico , Carey Vincent J. , McElrath Thomas F. , Litonjua Augusto A. , Loscalzo Joseph , Weiss Scott T. , Mirzakhani Hooman 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSeveral studies have linked maternal asthma, excess BMI, and low vitamin D status with increased risk of Preeclampsia (PE) development. Given prior evidence in the literature and our observations from the subjects in the Vitamin D Antenatal Asthma Reduction Trial (VDAART), we hypothesized that PE, maternal asthma, vitamin D insufficiency, and excess body mass index (BMI) might share both peripheral blood and placental gene signatures that link these conditions together. We used samples collected in the VDAART to investigate relationships between these four conditions and gene expression patterns in peripheral blood obtained at early pregnancy. We identified a core set of differentially expressed genes in all comparisons between women with and without these four conditions and confirmed them in two separate sets of samples. We confirmed the differential expression of the shared gene signatures in the placenta from an independent study of preeclampsia cases and controls and constructed the preeclampsia module using protein–protein interaction networks. CXC chemokine genes showed the highest degrees of connectivity and betweenness centrality in the peripheral blood and placental modules. The shared gene signatures demonstrate the biological pathways involved in preeclampsia at the pre-clinical stage and may be used for the prediction of preeclampsia.
Antimicrobial resistant and enteropathogenic bacteria in ‘filth flies’: a cross-sectional study from Nigeria
Authors: Onwugamba Francis Chinedu , Mellmann Alexander , Nwaugo Victor Oluoha , Süselbeck Benno , Schaumburg Frieder 
Published: October 2020

Abstract‘Filth flies’ facilitate the dispersal of pathogens between animals and humans. The objective was to study the intestinal colonization with antimicrobial resistant and enteropathogenic bacteria in ‘filth flies’ from Nigeria. Flies from Southern Nigeria were screened for extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E), Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., Campylobacter sp. and Yersinia enterocolitica by culture. ESBL-E were tested for blaSHV, blaCTX-M and blaTEM; S. aureus was screened for enterotoxins. Spa typing and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was done for S. aureus and MLST for Escherichia coli. Of 2,000 flies, 400 were randomly collected for species identification. The most common species were Musca domestica (44.8%, 179/400), Chrysomya putoria (21.6%, 85/400) and Musca sorbens (18.8%, 75/400). Flies were colonized with S. aureus (13.8%, 275/2,000) and ESBL-E (0.8%, 16/2,000). No other enteropathogenic bacteria were detected. The enterotoxin sei was most common (26%, 70/275) in S. aureus, followed by sea (12%, n = 32/275). Four S. aureus isolates were methicillin resistant (mecA positive, t674 and t5305, ST15). The blaCTX-M (n = 16) was the most prevalent ESBL subtype, followed by blaTEM (n = 8). ‘Filth flies’ can carry antimicrobial resistant bacteria in Nigeria. Enterotoxin-positive S. aureus might be the main reason for food poisoning by ‘filth flies’ in the study area.
Experimental and mechanistic research on modifying the mechanic properties of the high water backfill material by electrochemical treatment
Authors: Xie Shengrong , Sun Yaohui , Wang En , Chen Dongdong , Wu Xiaoyu , Qi Pengyu 
Published: October 2020

AbstractTo promote the engineering applications of high water backfill materials (HWBM) in mining, a series of experiments are performed to investigate the effects of the direct current (DC) electric field on the mechanic properties and electrical resistivity of HWBMs. Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations, the influence of electrochemical treatment on the hydration products and the microstructure of the HWBM was studied. The results show that the peak strength, elastic modulus, deformation modulus and electrical resistivity of the HWBM samples all first increased and then decreased with the increasing of the potential gradient, and the peak points appeared when the potential gradient was 0.2 V/cm. The anisotropy of content of ettringite and calcium silicate hydrates (C–S–H) increased betweent the anodic and cathodic regions of samples. Meanwhile, microstructure in the anodic region of the samples was more stable after electrochemical treatment, which indicates that the different variation of mineralogical compositions and microstructures in different regions of the samples are the primary factors affecting the mechanic properties and electrical resistivity of the HWBM. Therefore, the electrochemical method is a potential technology to modify the engineering properties of the HWBM.
Increased prevalence of depression in South Korea from 2002 to 2013
Authors: Kim Ga Eun , Jo Min-Woo , Shin Yong-Wook 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSouth Korea has one of the highest suicide rates among countries. However, the prevalence of depression in South Korea has been reported to be much lower than in other countries. The current study aims to estimate the prevalence of major depressive disorder using a large representative sample of the South Korean population. The prevalence of depression in a sampled population of one million individuals increased from 2.8% in 2002 to 5.3% in 2013; it was found to increase with the age of the population, and was higher in females than in males for most age groups. A Cox’s proportional hazard model showed that suicide risk was significantly higher in people with depression (hazard ratio [HR] 3.79, 95% CI 3.14–4.58) than those without depression. It was also significantly higher in older people (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.36–1.70) than in younger people, and in males (HR 2.45, 95% CI 2.02–2.96) than in females. Furthermore, higher income groups were at lower suicide risk as compared to lower income groups (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.80–0.95). This study using the large representative sample data provided evidence that increased prevalence of depression contributed to the increased risk of suicide in South Korea during the recent decade.
Mating system and population structure in the natural distribution of Toona ciliata (Meliaceae) in South China
Authors: Zhou Wei , Zhang Xin-Xin , Ren Ying , Li Pei , Chen Xiao-Yang , Hu Xin-Sheng 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMost initially perfect flowers of Toona ciliata Roem subsequently develop into functionally unisexual flowers and their relative positions in the same inflorescence could enhance the outcrossing system in this species. Here we investigated the mating system of this species. We used eight nuclear microsatellite markers and investigated the progeny of 125 mother trees from six populations naturally distributed in South China, with sample sizes ranging from 64 to 300 seeds. The multilocus outcrossing rate was 0.970 ± 0.063, and the single locus outcrossing rate was 0.859 ± 0.106, indicating the pattern of predominant outcrossing. Selfing was present in one population, but biparental inbreeding occurred in five populations. Inbreeding was absent in maternal parents, and correlations of selfing among families or among loci were generally insignificant. Positive correlation of paternity at multiple loci was significant in four populations, but was not consistent with the results at single loci. Population substructure occurred in male similarity between outcrosses only in one population. Population genetic differentaitaion was significant (Fst = 34.5%) and the effects of isolation-by-distance at the eight loci were significant among the six populations. These results provide evidence that self-comptability and inbreeding naturally occur in T. ciliata and indicate that inbreeding avoidance is necessary during genetic improvement and breeding of this endangered tree species.
Incorporating a monetary variable into the Schelling model addresses the issue of a decreasing entropy trace
Authors: Mantzaris Alexander V. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe Schelling model of segregation has been shown to have a simulation trace which decreases the entropy of its states as the aggregate number of residential agents surrounded by a threshold of equally labeled agents increases. This introduces a paradox which goes against the second law of thermodynamics that states how entropy must increase. In the efforts to bring principles of physics into the modeling of sociological phenomena this must be addressed. A modification of the model is introduced where a monetary variable is provided to the residential agents (sampled from reported income data), and a dynamic which acts upon this variable when an agent changes its location on the grid. The entropy of the simulation over the iterations is estimated in terms of the aggregate residential homogeneity and the aggregate income homogeneity. The dynamic on the monetary variable shows that it can increase the entropy of the states over the simulation. The path of the traces with both variables in the results show that the shape of the region of entropy is followed supporting that the decrease of entropy due to the residential clustering has a parallel and independent effect increasing the entropy via the monetary variable.
Sleep disordered breathing and subjective excessive daytime sleepiness in relation to the risk of motor vehicle crash: the Toon Health Study
Authors: Matsuo Ryotaro , Tanigawa Takeshi , Tomooka Kiyohide , Ikeda Ai , Wada Hiroo , Maruyama Koutatsu , Saito Isao 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSleep disordered breathing (SDB) is a significant cause of motor vehicle crash (MVC). We conducted a prospective cohort study among 1047 Japanese community-dwellers to detect whether the presence or absence of subjective excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) affect the association of SDB with a risk of MVC. SDB was assessed by a single airflow monitor which measured the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) during one-night, and participants were classified into the SDB group (RDI ≥ 10) and non-SDB group (RDI < 10). Subjective EDS was defined as Japanese version of Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores ≥ 11. A follow-up questionnaire five years after the baseline ascertained history of MVC over the period. Multivariable logistic regression analysis examined the association between SDB and MVC after stratification by subjective EDS. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for MVC among the female SDB group were 1.66 (1.05–2.63) compared with the non-SDB group, and this association was more evident in females without subjective EDS [1.84(1.02–3.32)], but not among those with subjective EDS. There was no significant association in males. These findings indicate that SDB screening should be recommended regardless of subjective EDS to prevent SDB-related MVC among general population, particularly in females.
Deep neural network based artificial intelligence assisted diagnosis of bone scintigraphy for cancer bone metastasis
Authors: Zhao Zhen , Pi Yong , Jiang Lisha , Xiang Yongzhao , Wei Jianan , Yang Pei , Zhang Wenjie , Zhong Xiao , Zhou Ke , Li Yuhao , Li Lin , Yi Zhang , Cai Huawei 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBone scintigraphy (BS) is one of the most frequently utilized diagnostic techniques in detecting cancer bone metastasis, and it occupies an enormous workload for nuclear medicine physicians. So, we aimed to architecture an automatic image interpreting system to assist physicians for diagnosis. We developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model based on a deep neural network with 12,222 cases of 99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy and evaluated its diagnostic performance of bone metastasis. This AI model demonstrated considerable diagnostic performance, the areas under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was 0.988 for breast cancer, 0.955 for prostate cancer, 0.957 for lung cancer, and 0.971 for other cancers. Applying this AI model to a new dataset of 400 BS cases, it represented comparable performance to that of human physicians individually classifying bone metastasis. Further AI-consulted interpretation also improved human diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy. In total, this AI model performed a valuable benefit for nuclear medicine physicians in timely and accurate evaluation of cancer bone metastasis.
A scoping review of market links between value chain actors and small-scale producers in developing regions
Authors: Liverpool-Tasie Lenis Saweda O. , Wineman Ayala , Young Sarah , Tambo Justice , Vargas Carolina , Reardon Thomas , Adjognon Guigonan Serge , Porciello Jaron , Gathoni Nasra , Bizikova Livia , Galiè Alessandra , Celestin Ashley 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSustainable Development Goal 2 aims to end hunger, achieve food and nutrition security and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030. This requires that small-scale producers be included in, and benefit from, the rapid growth and transformation under way in food systems. Small-scale producers interact with various actors when they link with markets, including product traders, logistics firms, processors and retailers. The literature has explored primarily how large firms interact with farmers through formal contracts and resource provision arrangements. Although important, contracts constitute a very small share of smallholder market interactions. There has been little exploration of whether non-contract interactions between small farmers and both small- and large-scale value chain actors have affected small farmers’ livelihoods. This scoping review covers 202 studies on that topic. We find that non-contract interactions, de facto mostly with small and medium enterprises, benefit small-scale producers via similar mechanisms that the literature has previously credited to large firms. Small and medium enterprises, not just large enterprises, address idiosyncratic market failures and asset shortfalls of small-scale producers by providing them, through informal arrangements, with complementary services such as input provision, credit, information and logistics. Providing these services directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 2 by improving farmer welfare through technology adoption and greater productivity.
A scoping review of the contributions of farmers’ organizations to smallholder agriculture
Authors: Bizikova Livia , Nkonya Ephraim , Minah Margitta , Hanisch Markus , Turaga Rama Mohana Rao , Speranza Chinwe Ifejika , Karthikeyan Muthumariappan , Tang Lixia , Ghezzi-Kopel Kate , Kelly Julie , Celestin Ashley Casandra , Timmers Beth 
Published: October 2020

AbstractFarmers’ organizations (FOs), such as associations, cooperatives, self-help and women’s groups, are common in developing countries and provide services that are widely viewed as contributing to income and productivity for small-scale producers. Here, we conducted a scoping review of the literature on FO services and their impacts on small-scale producers in sub-Saharan Africa and India. Most reviewed studies (57%) reported positive FO impacts on farmer income, but much fewer reported positive impacts on crop yield (19%) and production quality (20%). Environmental benefits, such as resilience-building and improved water quality and quantity were documented in 24% of the studies. Our analysis indicates that having access to markets through information, infrastructure, and logistical support at the centre of FO design could help integrate FOs into policy. Natural resource management should also be more widely incorporated in the services provided by FOs to mitigate risks associated with environmental degradation and climate change. Finally, farmers who are already marginalized because of poor education, land access, social status and market accessibility may require additional support systems to improve their capacities, skills and resources before they are able to benefit from FO membership.