bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Chronostratigraphic Framework for the Rise of the Ediacaran Macrobiota: New Constraints from Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve, Newfoundland
Authors: Matthews Jack J. , Liu Alexander G. , Yang Chuan , McIlroy Duncan , Levell Bruce , Condon Daniel J. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The Conception and St. John’s Groups of southeastern Newfoundland contain some of the oldest known fossils of the Ediacaran macrobiota. The Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve UNESCO World Heritage Site is an internationally recognized locality for such fossils and hosts early evidence for both total group metazoan body fossils and metazoan-style locomotion. The Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve sedimentary succession includes ∼1500 m of fossil-bearing strata containing numerous dateable volcanogenic horizons, and therefore offers a crucial window into the rise and diversification of early animals. Here we present six stratigraphically coherent radioisotopic ages derived from zircons from volcanic tuffites of the Conception and St. John’s Groups at Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve. The oldest architecturally complex macrofossils, from the upper Drook Formation, have an age of 574.17 ± 0.66 Ma (including tracer calibration and decay constant uncertainties). The youngest rangeomorph fossils from Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve, in the Fermeuse Formation, have a maximum age of 564.13 ± 0.65 Ma. Fossils of the famous “E” Surface are confirmed to be 565.00 ± 0.64 Ma, while exceptionally preserved specimens on the “Brasier” Surface in the Briscal Formation are dated at 567.63 ± 0.66 Ma. We use our new ages to construct an age-depth model for the sedimentary succession, constrain sedimentary accumulation rates, and convert stratigraphic fossil ranges into the time domain to facilitate integration with time-calibrated data from other successions. Combining this age model with compiled stratigraphic ranges for all named macrofossils within the Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve succession, spanning 76 discrete fossil-bearing horizons, enables recognition and interrogation of potential evolutionary signals. Peak taxonomic diversity is recognized within the Mistaken Point and Trepassey Formations, and uniterminal rangeomorphs with undisplayed branching architecture appear several million years before multiterminal, displayed forms. Together, our combined stratigraphic, paleontological, and geochronological approach offers a holistic, time-calibrated record of evolution during the mid–late Ediacaran Period and a framework within which to consider other geochemical, environmental, and evolutionary data sets.
New age constraints on the duration and origin of the Late Ordovician Guttenberg δ13Ccarb excursion from high-precision U-Pb geochronology of K-bentonites
Authors: Metzger J. Garrecht , Ramezani Jahandar , Bowring Samuel A. , Fike David A. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractPerturbations to the global carbon cycle as recorded in the isotopic compositions of marine deposits have been commonly associated with major shifts in the climate and/or biologic activity, including mass extinctions. The Late Ordovician Guttenberg isotopic carbon excursion (GICE) is a large, globally correlative positive shift (∼3‰) in the carbon isotopic composition of marine carbonates (δ13Ccarb), but its driving mechanism(s) remains ambiguous. This is in large part due to uncertain correlations among Late Ordovician records, as well as complex and poorly constrained temporal relationships of abundant K-bentonite (altered volcanic ash) marker beds deposited in this time interval. Here, we provide new, high-precision U-Pb zircon geochronology by chemical-abrasion–isotope-dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry for K-bentonites bounding the GICE in the North American Midcontinent, including robust 206Pb/238U ages (reported with 2σ analytical uncertainty) for two important regional markers: the Deicke (453.35 ± 0.10 Ma) and Millbrig (453.36 ± 0.14 Ma) K-bentonites. The new data from these K-bentonites directly constrain the duration of the GICE to less than 400 k.y. at two well-studied locations in eastern Missouri, United States. The abruptness of the GICE precludes relatively gradual tectonic mechanisms as possible drivers of the excursion and suggests more rapid environmental drivers, such as changes in eustatic sea level associated with pre-Hirnantian glacial activity.
The effect of posterior vitreous detachment on aflibercept response in diabetic macular oedema
Authors: Özsaygili Cemal , Küçük Bekir , Yildirim Yener 
Published: July 2020

PurposeTo investigate the effect of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) on aflibercept response in treatment-naïve diabetic macular oedema (DME).DesignA retrospective cohort study.MethodsOne hundred and fifty eyes of 150 treatment-naïve patients with DME were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups according to their PVD status: group 1 (no PVD during injections), group 2 (PVD during injections) and group 3 (PVD already present initially). Three consecutive aflibercept injections at intervals of 1 month were applied to all patients. The efficacy of the aflibercept treatment on DME was assessed by comparing changes in central retinal thickness (CRT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) values after three loading dose injections.ResultsAfter three consecutive injections, the mean reduction of CRT in groups 1, 2 and 3 were −199.6±106.9, −224.9±124.1 and −210.7±126.3, respectively. The decrease in CRT was significant in all groups (p<0.001 in all groups, paired-samples t-test); however, mean changes in CRT were similar among groups (all p>0.05, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)). The mean improvement in BCVA in groups 1, 2 and 3 was 6.6±0.9, 6.5±0.8 and 6.1±0.4 ETDRS letters, respectively. The improvement of BCVA was significant in all groups (p<0.001 in all groups, paired-samples t-test) and mean changes were similar between groups (p>0.05, one-way ANOVA). There was no significant relationship between the presence or development of PVD and the mean decrease of CRT and improvement of BCVA (for CRT r=−0.052, p=0.531 and for BCVA r=−0.078, p=0.342).ConclusionIn the present study, it was observed that the efficacy of aflibercept treatment in patients with DME did not depend on PVD status.
Long-term safety and tolerability of subretinal transplantation of embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium in Asian Stargardt disease patients
Authors: Sung Youngje , Lee Min Ji , Choi Jinjung , Jung Sang Yoon , Chong So Young , Sung Jung Hoon , Shim Sung Han , Song Won Kyung 
Published: July 2020

BackgroundAlthough human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have been considered a potential therapeutic option for regenerative medicine, there are some concerns regarding tumorigenicity, immunogenicity and ethical considerations. Stargardt macular dystrophy (SMD) is the most common form of juvenile macular degeneration that causes early onset blindness. Therapeutic options for SMD remain limited, although several treatment strategies are currently under investigation. Here, we report a 3-year assessment of a phase I clinical trial involving subretinal transplantation of hESC-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in patients with SMD.MethodsThis prospective, non-randomised clinical trial included three patients with SMD. All transplant recipients had central visual acuity no better than 20/400. Trans-pars plana vitrectomy was performed in the eye with poorer vision. RPE cells were reconstituted in balanced salt solution plus, then injected into the subretinal space using a semi-automated subretinal injection method.ResultsNo serious adverse events occurred throughout the 3-year period following the injection of hESC-RPE cells. The functional and anatomical results were favourable, compared with the natural course of SMD reported in the ProgStar study. One patient showed best-corrected visual acuity improvement, while the other patients had stable best-corrected visual acuity during the 3-year follow-up period.ConclusionThese results suggest the long-term safety, tolerability, and feasibility of subretinal hESC-derived RPE cell transplantation in regenerative medicine.Trial registration numberNCT01625559.
Analysis of new cases of uveitis at academic and community settings
Authors: Berkenstock Meghan , Mopuru Renuka , Thorne Jennifer , Scott Adrienne Willams 
Published: July 2020

PurposeDescribe the demographics of new patients with uveitis presenting to an urban, academic centre and affiliated, suburban satellite clinics to assess if changes in infrastructure were needed for clinical care. Secondarily, examine the frequency of infectious uveitides.MethodsA retrospective chart review of single academic centre of 436 consecutive, new patients with uveitis (686 eyes) and 3 affiliated, satellite clinics seen by 8 uveitis specialists from 1 July 2013 to 31 March 2017. Demographics recorded included patient age, race, associated systemic disease, uveitis chronicity, and anatomic location. The main outcome measure was comparing frequencies of patient demographics, immunosuppressive agent use, and infectious uveitis between locations.Results366 patients (587 eyes) were evaluated at the academic clinic and 70 (99 eyes) at the satellite locations. Anterior uveitis was the most common anatomic location; more acute, unilateral cases were seen at satellites (p=0.007; p=0.002, respectively). A larger percentage of posterior and panuveitis cases presented to the academic centre (p<0.0001). There was no difference in systemic disease association (p=0.925) or infectious uveitis cases (p=0.956). The use of non-corticosteroid immunosuppressive medications was higher at the academic clinic (p<0.001).ConclusionsAnterior uveitis comprised the majority of cases in both clinics. Non-corticosteroid immunosuppressive agents were used more frequently at the academic clinic, reflecting more cases of chronic posterior and panuveitis. Compounded intravitreal injections, specialised ophthalmic imaging studies and high-risk medication monitoring can be centralised in the academic clinic. Infectious uveitis cases were seen at both locations, with an increase in syphilis diagnoses at the academic centre.
Female and male US Olympic athletes live 5 years longer than their general population counterparts: a study of 8124 former US Olympians
Authors: Antero Juliana , Tanaka Hirofumi , De Larochelambert Quentin , Pohar-Perme Maja , Toussaint Jean-François 
Published: July 2020

ObjectiveTo quantify US female and male Olympic athletes’ longevity and the years of life lost or saved due to multiple causes of death as compared with the US general population.MethodsFormer US athletes who had participated in the summer or winter Olympic Games at least once between 1912 and 2012 were included. Olympians’ date of birth, death and the underlying causes of death were certified by the National Death Index. The Olympians’ overall and cause-specific mortality were compared with the US general population based on the US life tables, adjusted by sex, period and age. Mortality differences between the populations were quantified using the years lost/years saved (YS) method.Results8124 US Olympians (2301 women and 5823 men) lived 5.1 years longer (YS 95% CI 4.3 to 6.0) than the general population, based on 2309 deaths observed (225 women, 2084 men). Different causes of death contributed to longevity for Olympians as follows: 2.2 years were saved (1.9 to 2.5) from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs); cancer, 1.5 years (1.3 to 1.8); respiratory diseases (eg, influenza, pneumonia), 0.8 years (0.7 to 0.9); external causes (eg, accidents, homicides), 0.5 years (0.4 to 0.6); endocrine and metabolic diseases (eg, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia), 0.4 years (0.2 to 0.5) and digestive system diseases (eg, cirrhosis, hepatic failure), 0.3 years (0.2 to 0.4). Mortality rates due to nervous system disorders (eg, Alzheimer’s and Parkinsons’s diseases) and mental illness (eg, dementia, schizophrenia) were not different from the general population.ConclusionUS Olympians lived longer than the general population, an advantage mainly conferred by lower risks of CVD and cancer. Nervous system disorders and mental illness did not differ between US Olympians and the general population.
Preventable causes of cancer in Texas by race/ethnicity: insufficient physical activity
Authors: Gudenkauf Franciska J , Thrift Aaron P 
Published: July 2020

BackgroundAccording to the 2018 Third Expert Report from the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research, there is strong evidence that physical activity of all types and intensities protects against colon, endometrial and breast cancers. We aimed to estimate the percentage and number of incident cancer cases diagnosed in Texas in 2015 that were attributable to insufficient physical activity, and we examined for differences across racial/ethnic subgroups to reveal important causes of and potential avenues for reductions to cancer health disparities.MethodsWe calculated population attributable fractions for cancers attributable to insufficient physical activity using prevalence data from the Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and relative risk estimates associated with insufficient physical activity from prior studies. Cancer incidence data were gathered from the Texas Cancer Registry.ResultsOverall, approximately 2.0% of all new cancers or 2094 excess cancer cases diagnosed in 2015 in Texans aged ≥25 years were attributable to insufficient physical activity, with more cancers in women (3.2%) than in men (0.8%). Of all cancer sites, the highest population attributable fraction for insufficient physical activity was observed for endometrial cancers (21.7% compared with 12.7% for colon cancers, 10.9% for premenopausal breast cancers and 2.0% for postmenopausal breast cancers). Hispanics (2.6%) and non-Hispanic blacks (2.5%) had higher proportions of cancers attributable to insufficient physical activity than non-Hispanic whites (1.8%).ConclusionsPublic health programmes should stress physical activity as a means of cancer prevention, especially among minority groups, who may have disproportionately higher percentages of cancers attributable to insufficient physical activity.
Management of tracheostomies in the intensive care unit: a scoping review
Authors: Whitmore Kirsty A , Townsend Shane C , Laupland Kevin B 
Published: July 2020

ObjectivesWhile there is an extensive body of literature surrounding the decision to insert, and methods for inserting, a tracheostomy, the optimal management of tracheostomies within the intensive care unit (ICU) from after insertion until ICU discharge is not well understood. The objective was to identify and map the key concepts relating to, and identify research priorities for, postinsertion management of adult patients with tracheostomies in the ICU.DesignScoping review of the literature.Data sourcesPubMed, Embase and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched from inception to 3 October 2019. Additional sources were searched for published and unpublished literature.Eligibility criteriaWe included studies of any methodology that addressed the a priori key questions relating to tracheostomy management in the ICU. No restrictions were placed on language or year of publication.Data extraction and synthesisTitles and abstracts were screened by two reviewers. Studies that met inclusion criteria were reviewed in full by two reviewers, with discrepancies resolved by a third. Data were extracted for included studies, and results mapped along the prespecified research questions.Results6132 articles were screened, and 102 articles were included for detailed analysis. Protocolised weaning was found to be successful in liberating patients from the ventilator in several cohort studies. Observational studies showed that strategies that use T-pieces and high-flow oxygen delivery improve weaning success. Several lines of evidence, including one clinical trial, support early cuff deflation as a safe and effective strategy as it results in a reduced time to wean, shorter ICU stays and fewer complications. Early tracheostomy downsizing and/or switching to cuffless tubes was found to be of benefit in one study. A substantial body of evidence supports the use of speaking valves to facilitate communication. While this does not influence time to wean or incidence of complications, it is associated with a major benefit in patient satisfaction and experience. Use of care bundles and multidisciplinary team approaches have been associated with reduced complications and improved outcomes in several observational studies.ConclusionsThe limited body of evidence supports use of weaning protocols, early cuff deflation, use of speaking valves and multidisciplinary approaches. Clinical trials examining post-tracheostomy management strategies in ICUs are a priority.
Epididymitis rates in Australian hospitals 2009–2018: ecological analysis
Authors: Goller Jane L , De Livera Alysha M , Donovan Basil , Fairley Christopher K , Low Nicola , Hocking Jane S 
Published: July 2020

ObjectivesTo investigate rates of acute epididymitis diagnosed in Australian hospital settings.MethodsYearly hospital admission and emergency department (ED) rates of epididymitis as primary diagnoses were calculated for 15–44-year-old men for three states (Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland) from 2009 to 2014 using population denominators. Zero inflated Poisson regression models were used to analyse variation in rates by year, age, and residential area. Additionally, we investigated national epididymitis admission trends from 2009 to 2018 using generalised linear models.ResultsBetween 2009 and 2014, there was a total of 7375 admissions and 17 281 ED presentations for which epididymitis was the main reason for care. Most epididymitis diagnoses (94.0% in admissions, 99.7% in EDs) were without abscess, and 2.5% of admissions were for chlamydial epididymitis. Almost a quarter (23.3%) of epididymitis diagnosed in EDs resulted in hospital admission. In 2014, the epididymitis rate per 100 000 men was 38.7 in admissions and 91.9 in EDs. Comparing 2014 with 2009, the overall epididymitis diagnosis rate increased in admissions by 32% (adjusted incident rate ratio (aIRR) 1.32, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.44) and in ED attendances by 40% (aIRR 1.40, 95% CI 1.31 to 1.49). By age, the highest rates were among men 35–44 years in admissions and men 15–24 years in EDs. National admission rates of epididymitis during 2009–2018 showed a similar pattern.ConclusionRates of epididymitis diagnosis in hospital admission and ED presentations increased. Different age-related rates in these settings suggest a different aetiology or differential severity by age group.
Embedded class solutions of an anisotropic object in Rastall gravity
Authors: Mustafa G. , Xia Tie-Cheng 
Published: July 2020

In this current work, we explore an anisotropic compact model with radius 9.1 km and mass 2.01 [Formula: see text] in the regime of Karmarkar condition in Rastall theory. To solve the extended field equations for the Rastall framework we have employed the Karmarkar condition. We investigate a comparative discussion to show the physical acceptance of Karmarkar condition in Rastall theory. Our obtained solutions, i.e. metric functions, density function and both the pressure components have well-behaved nature. The energy bounds and the equilibrium stability in the background of modified TOV equation (for Rastall proposal) are also discussed in this study. The parameter [Formula: see text] from [Formula: see text] metric function has some important role in this current model. All the calculated properties have different natures for [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]. In this current study we also discuss some physical parameters of this current model to check the validity of the model. In the end, it is concluded that our model is acceptable physically and geometrically.
Natural Higgs inflation, gauge coupling unification, and neutrino masses
Authors: Chen Heng-Yu , Gogoladze Ilia , Hu Shan , Li Tianjun , Wu Lina 
Published: July 2020

We present a class of nonsupersymmetric models in which the so-called critical Higgs inflation [Formula: see text] can be naturally realized without using specific values for Higgs and top quark masses. In these scenarios, the Standard Model (SM) vacuum stability problem, gauge coupling unification, neutrino mass generation and Higgs inflation mechanism are linked to each other. We adopt in our models Type I seesaw mechanism for neutrino masses. An appropriate choice of the Type I seesaw scale allows us to have an arbitrarily small but positive value of SM Higgs quartic coupling around the inflation scale. We present a few benchmark points where we show that the scalar spectral indices are around 0.9626 and 0.9685 for the number of [Formula: see text]-folding [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively. The tensor-to-scalar ratios are of the order of [Formula: see text]. The running of the scalar spectral index is negative and is of the order of [Formula: see text].
Caledonian and Pre-Caledonian orogenic events in Shetland, Scotland: evidence from garnet Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd geochronology
Authors: Walker S. , Bird A. F. , Thirlwall M. F. , Strachan R. A. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Garnet Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd ages from the Shetland Caledonides provide evidence of a polyorogenic history as follows: (1)
c.
1050 Ma Grenvillian reworking of Neoarchaean basement; (2)
c.
910 Ma Renlandian metamorphism of the Westing Group; (3)
c.
622–606 Ma metamorphism of the Walls Metamorphic Series but of uncertain significance because the eastern margin of Laurentia is thought to have been in extension at that time; (4) Grampian I ophiolite obduction at
c.
491 Ma followed by crustal thickening and metamorphism between
c.
485 and
c.
466 Ma; (5) Grampian II metamorphism between
c.
458 and
c.
442 Ma that appears to have been focused in areas where pre-existing foliations were gently inclined and thus may have been relatively easily reworked; (6) Scandian metamorphism at
c.
430 Ma, although the paucity of these ages suggests that much of Shetland did not attain temperatures for garnet growth. There is no significant difference in the timing of Caledonian orogenic events either side of the Walls Boundary Fault, although this need not preclude linkage with the Great Glen Fault. However, the incompatibility of Ediacaran events either side of the Walls Boundary Fault may indicate significant lateral displacement and requires further investigation.