bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stability Design for the Homogeneous Platoon with Communication Time Delay
Authors: Ma Fangwu , Wang Jiawei , Yang Yu , Wu Liang , Zhu Sheng , Gelbal Sukru Yaren , Aksun-Guvenc Bilin , Guvenc Levent 
Published: June 2020

AbstractA hierarchical control framework is applied for the distributed cooperative vehicular platoon using vehicular ad-hoc networks. The parameter-space-approach-based cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC) controller is proposed to guarantee the $${\mathcal{D}}$$D-stability and the string stability considering the influence of the communication time delay and time lag of vehicular dynamic performance. This CACC controller combines the feedforward loop of the acceleration of the preceding vehicle with the feedback loop of the following errors, in which the gain of the feedforward loop is designed to decrease matching errors and the gains of the feedback loop are selected from the feasible region in the parameter space. To verify the effectiveness of the CACC controller, a six-vehicle platoon with a simplified vehicular dynamic is simulated under speed-up and stop scenarios. The simulation results demonstrate that the disturbance is attenuated along with the platoon and the following errors are convergent with well-designed convergent performance. A CarSim/Simulink co-simulation is designed to further verify the effectiveness of the hierarchical control framework and the rationality of the CACC controller in the real vehicular platoon application. The simulation results under the highway fuel economy test drive cycle show that the CACC controller improves the drive comfort and significantly decreases the following errors.
Biologia Futura: landscape perspectives on farmland biodiversity conservation
Authors: Batáry Péter , Báldi András , Ekroos Johan , Gallé Róbert , Grass Ingo , Tscharntke Teja 
Published: June 2020

AbstractEuropean nature conservation has a strong focus on farmland harbouring threatened species that mainly co-occur with traditional agriculture shaped way before the green revolution. Increased land-use intensity in agriculture has caused an alarming decline in farmland biodiversity during the last century. How can a landscape perspective contribute to fostering our understanding on causes and consequences of farmland biodiversity decline and improving the effectiveness of conservation measures? To answer these questions, we discuss the importance of landscape compositional and configurational heterogeneity, understanding ecological mechanisms determining how landscape structure affects farmland biodiversity and considering the interplay of farmland biodiversity and ecosystem service conservation.
Differential epidemiology and antibiotic resistance of lactose-fermenting and non-fermenting Escherichia coli: Is it just a matter of taste?
Authors: Gajdács Márió , Ábrók Marianna , Lázár Andrea , Burián Katalin 
Published: June 2020

AbstractUrinary tract infections (UTIs) are some of the most common infections affecting humans worldwide. Occurrence of atypical, lactose non-fermenting, biochemically “inactive” strains ofE. coliin clinical material has been described in the literature, which may cause a significant diagnostic challenge. The present retrospective microbiological study was carried out using isolates and data collected between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017, at the Institute of Clinical Microbiology.n = 24,285 positive urine samples were noted during the study period, out of which, samples positive for eitherlac + andlac-E. coliwere included in the analysis.E. colirepresentedn = 7075 (55.8% ± 4.6%) of outpatient andn = 4916 (42.4% ± 3.6%) of inpatient isolates.n = 401 (3.3%; 80.2 ± 14.6/year)lac-E. coliisolates were identified from urinary tract infections. The ratio oflac-E. coliisolates was significantly higher in outpatient samples (262 vs. 139). Resistance levels oflac- isolates for antibiotics commonly used for treating UTIs were significantly higher for both inpatient and outpatient isolates: norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, fosfomycin and nitrofurantoin. It is essential to pay attention to the presence oflac- strains, and their omission from clinical material during diagnostic procedures may have significant consequences for epidemiological studies and therapy.
Immune differences in captive and free-ranging zebras (Equus zebra and E. quagga)
Authors: Seeber Peter A. , Morrison Thomas , Ortega Alix , East Marion L. , Greenwood Alex D. , Czirják Gábor Á. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWild mammals in ex situ captivity experience substantially different environmental conditions compared to free-ranging conspecifics, e.g., in terms of diet, climatic conditions, social factors, movement space, and direct anthropogenic disturbance. Moreover, animals in captivity frequently undergo management interventions such as medical treatments which may influence pathogen pressure. Captivity is known to affect immunological responses in some terrestrial and marine mammals; however, it is unclear whether this can be generalized to other taxa. Furthermore, little is known about how energetically costly life history stages such as lactation influence the immune system in wildlife. We measured expression of components of the constitutive and induced innate immunity and of the adaptive immune system in plains and mountain zebras (Equus quagga and E. zebra), including lactating and non-lactating individuals. As a proxy for general immune function, we screened for lytic equine herpesvirus (EHV) infection, a common and often latent pathogen which is reactivated in response to stress and immune challenge. Both energetically cheap markers of the constitutive innate immunity were lower in captive than in wild zebras, whereas energetically costly markers of the induced innate immunity were more highly expressed in captive zebras. Lactation was associated with higher titers of natural antibodies and lysozyme. Lytic EHV infection was not significantly correlated with any of the measured immune markers. Our results suggest that captivity and lactation may influence immune functions in zebra mares.
Northernmost record of reproduction of the expanding golden jackal population
Authors: Kowalczyk Rafał , Wudarczyk Michał , Wójcik Jan M. , Okarma Henryk 
Published: June 2020

AbstractGolden jackal (Canis aureus) is expanding north in Europe. So far, its reproduction has rarely been reported in the expansion area. In this paper, we describe the first cases of reproduction of golden jackal from northern Poland, 500 km north from previously reported records. In summer 2015 and 2017, golden jackal juveniles (four and five individuals, respectively) sightings were recorded near Kwidzyn in Vistula river valley, where jackals have been observed repeatedly since 2015. These are the northernmost records of golden jackal reproduction in Europe. Since 2015, golden jackal was recorded in 15 locations in different parts of Poland, usually in the vicinity of larger rivers in mosaic habitats. The reproduction records suggest local establishment of population with predicted population increase and further expansion. First observation and record of reproduction in the same year suggest that expansion of golden jackal in Poland took place earlier and was not recorded, probably due to lack of knowledge on the species and failure to recognize its individuals.
The dynamics of pine marten predation on red and grey squirrels
Authors: Twining Joshua P. , Montgomery W. Ian , Tosh David G. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractInvasive alien species pose one of the greatest threats to global biodiversity. In parts of Europe, introduced eastern grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) have caused regional extinctions of the native red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). However, exposure to pine martens (Martes martes) has been demonstrated to reverse the competitive outcome between red and grey squirrels. The mechanism whereby this effect occurs remains unclear. It is hypothesised that direct predation, facilitated by a lack of behavioural response, is the mechanism driving this relationship. We review the literature and reanalyse a new dataset to provide further data on the occurrence of both squirrel species in the scats of pine marten. Both squirrel species occurred in the scats of pine marten confirming its role as a predator of these species. Predation of grey squirrels was significantly higher than red squirrels and was recorded only in spring and summer. Our review provides evidence for the mechanism driving the current decline in grey squirrels in Ireland and Scotland and supports the hypothesis that in the presence of a shared predator, direct predation influences the outcome of species interactions between native red and non-native grey squirrels.
Presentation and outcomes of chronic rhinosinusitis following liver and kidney transplant
Authors: Spillinger Aviv , Low Christopher M. , Smith Byron M. , Stokken Janalee K. , O'Brien Erin K. , Choby Garret 
Published: June 2020

ObjectiveThis study aims to describe presenting characteristics of patients diagnosed with non‐invasive chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) following liver or kidney transplant and determine factors associated with disease‐related complications, selection of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), and disease resolution in this population.Study designRetrospective chart review.SettingAn academic tertiary care center (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota).Subjects and methodsLiver and kidney transplant recipients evaluated by Mayo Clinic otolaryngologists for CRS between 1998 and 2018 were identified. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine patient factors and treatment modalities associated with developing complications, selection of ESS, and disease resolution.ResultsFifty‐seven patients met inclusion criteria. No patients developed intraorbital or intracranial complications of their CRS. Multivariate modeling demonstrated that the presence of polyps (P = 0.036) was associated with undergoing ESS within one year of presentation. A higher Lund–Mackay (LM) computed tomography score (P = 0.023) and older age (P = 0.018) were significantly associated with decreased disease resolution. No other factors were significantly associated with the use of endoscopic sinus surgery within one year of otolaryngology presentation or resolution of CRS in this cohort.ConclusionThe risk of developing CRS‐related intraorbital or intracranial complications in this immunecompromised patient cohort may be lower than originally thought. For liver‐ and kidney‐recipients stable on immunosuppressive medication for many years, prognostic factors for CRS may mirror those for immunocompetent patients.
Frailty and associated prognosis among older emergency department patients with suspected infection: A prospective, observational cohort study
Authors: Fernando Shannon M. , Guo Kevin H. , Lukasik Matthew , Rochwerg Bram , Cook Deborah J. , Kyeremanteng Kwadwo , Perry Jeffrey J. 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundPrognosis and disposition among older emergency department (ED) patients with suspected infection remains challenging. Frailty is increasingly recognized as a predictor of poor prognosis among critically ill patients; however, its association with clinical outcomes among older ED patients with suspected infection is unknown.MethodsWe conducted a multicenter prospective cohort study at two tertiary care EDs. We included older ED patients (≥75 years) with suspected infection. Frailty at baseline (before index illness) was explicitly measured for all patients by the treating physicians using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). We defined frailty as a CFS 5–8. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. We used multivariable logistic regression to adjust for known confounders. We also compared the prognostic accuracy of frailty with the Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) and Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) criteria.ResultsWe enrolled 203 patients, of whom 117 (57.6%) were frail. Frail patients were more likely to develop septic shock (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–2.51) and more likely to die within 30 days of ED presentation (aOR 2.05; 95% CI, 1.02–5.24). Sensitivity for mortality was highest among the CFS (73.1%; 95% CI, 52.2–88.4), compared with SIRS ≥ 2 (65.4%; 95% CI, 44.3–82.8) or qSOFA ≥ 2 (38.4; 95% CI, 20.2–59.4).ConclusionsFrailty is a highly prevalent prognostic factor that can be used to risk-stratify older ED patients with suspected infection. ED clinicians should consider screening for frailty to optimize disposition in this population.
A National Spinal Muscular Atrophy Registry for Real-World Evidence
Authors: Hodgkinson Victoria L. , Oskoui Maryam , Lounsberry Joshua , M’Dahoma Saïd , Butler Emily , Campbell Craig , MacKenzie Alex , McMillan Hugh J. , Simard Louise , Vajsar Jiri , Brais Bernard , Chapman Kristine M. , Chrestian Nicolas , Crone Meghan , Dobrowolski Peter , Dojeiji Susan , Dowling James J. , Dupré Nicolas , Genge Angela , Gonorazky Hernan , Hasal Simona , Izenberg Aaron , Johnston Wendy , Leung Edward , Lochmüller Hanns , Mah Jean K. , Marerro Alier , Massie Rami , McAdam Laura , McCormick Anna , Melanson Michel , Mezei Michelle M. , Nguyen Cam-Tu E. , O’Connell Colleen , O’Ferrall Erin K. , Pfeffer Gerald , Phan Cecile , Plamondon Stephanie , Poulin Chantal , Rodrigue Xavier , Schellenberg Kerri L. , Selby Kathy , Sheriko Jordan , Shoesmith Christen , Smith Garth , Taillon Monique , Taylor Sean , Warman Chardon Jodi , Worley Scott , Korngut Lawrence 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACT:Background:Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating rare disease that affects individuals regardless of ethnicity, gender, and age. The first-approved disease-modifying therapy for SMA, nusinursen, was approved by Health Canada, as well as by American and European regulatory agencies following positive clinical trial outcomes. The trials were conducted in a narrow pediatric population defined by age, severity, and genotype. Broad approval of therapy necessitates close follow-up of potential rare adverse events and effectiveness in the larger real-world population.Methods:The Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry (CNDR) undertook an iterative multi-stakeholder process to expand the existing SMA dataset to capture items relevant to patient outcomes in a post-marketing environment. The CNDR SMA expanded registry is a longitudinal, prospective, observational study of patients with SMA in Canada designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of novel therapies and provide practical information unattainable in trials.Results:The consensus expanded dataset includes items that address therapy effectiveness and safety and is collected in a multicenter, prospective, observational study, including SMA patients regardless of therapeutic status. The expanded dataset is aligned with global datasets to facilitate collaboration. Additionally, consensus dataset development aimed to standardize appropriate outcome measures across the network and broader Canadian community. Prospective outcome studies, data use, and analyses are independent of the funding partner.Conclusion:Prospective outcome data collected will provide results on safety and effectiveness in a post-therapy approval era. These data are essential to inform improvements in care and access to therapy for all SMA patients.
Determining Corticospinal Tract Injury from Stroke Using Computed Tomography
Authors: Lam Timothy K. , Cheung Daniel K. , Climans Seth A. , Black Sandra E. , Gao Fuqiang , Szilagyi Gregory M. , Mochizuki George , Chen Joyce L. 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACT:Introduction:Damage to the corticospinal tract (CST) from stroke leads to motor deficits. The damage can be quantified as the amount of overlap between the stroke lesion and CST (CST Injury). Previous literature has shown that the degree of motor deficits post-stroke is related to the amount of CST Injury. These studies delineate the stroke lesion from structural T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, often acquired for research. In Canada, computed tomography (CT) is the most common imaging modality used in routine acute stroke care. In this proof-of-principle study, we determine whether CST Injury, using lesions delineated from CT scans, significantly explains the variability in motor impairment in individuals with stroke.Methods:Thirty-seven participants with stroke were included in this study. These individuals had a CT scan within the acute stage (7 days) of their stroke and underwent motor assessments. Brain images from CT scans were registered to MRI space. We performed a stepwise regression analysis to determine the contribution of CST injury and demographic variables in explaining motor impairment variability.Results:Using clinically available CT scans, we found modest evidence that CST Injury explains variability in motor impairment (R2adj = 0.12, p = 0.02). None of the participant demographic variables entered the model.Conclusion:We show for the first time a relationship between CST Injury and motor impairment using CT scans. Further work is required to evaluate the utility of data derived from clinical CT scans as a biomarker of stroke motor recovery.
Poor Yield of Routine Transthyretin Screening in Patients with Idiopathic Neuropathy
Authors: Namiranian Dina , Chalk Colin , Massie Rami 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACT:Background and objectives:Transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP) is caused by a mutation in the transthyretin (TTR) gene. Although classically described as rapidly progressive and life-threatening, recent studies on TTR-FAP show significant genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity depending on geographic localization. In light of new therapeutic advances and their implication for patient management, the aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of TTR-FAP within patients with idiopathic neuropathy in a North American population.Methods:We sequenced the TTR gene in a cohort of patients with idiopathic neuropathy. Genetic screening was performed in 110 patients from two neuromuscular clinics in Montreal, Canada.Results:No variants of unknown significance or pathogenic mutations were detected in the TTR gene.Conclusion:Our study confirms that TTR-FAP is a rare entity in our patient population, and that diagnostic yield of screening all patients with idiopathic neuropathy is very low.
Left Behind? Russia’s Entry Bars and Gender Relations in Tajikistan
Authors: Zotova Natalia , Cohen Jeffrey H. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractRussia remains the destination of choice for Tajik migrants. Its migration policies have profound implications for migrants’ legal status and capacity to remit and return home. This article draws on ethnographic research in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, and explores how the enforcement of Russia’s immigration laws affects Tajik migrants and their families. By 2016, over 300,000 Tajik migrants were issued entry bars (zapret na v’ezd) for three or more years for two or more administrative offenses, including the lack of a work permit or a residential registration and a traffic violation. Migration and the transnational lifestyle increase agency among Tajik men and women, informing gender transformations. Entry bars produce temporary constraints to spatial and social mobility as migrants readjust to well-defined gender roles in their home country. We note how immigration laws affect men and women in different ways, contextualizing the gendered effects of entry bars through the lens of gender relations and understandings of masculinity and femininity in Tajikistan. We argue that the constraints to migrants’ mobility developed by Russian migration policies inform the reconstitution of gender relations in Tajikistan.
Contentious colonies: The positional power of imperial peripheries
Authors: Viksand Sindre Gade 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWhile structural models of empire have recently re-emerged in the theoretical debates in the field of International Relations, a lack of attention has been paid to peripheral actors therein. This is particularly true for the analysis of the peripheries’ relations with polities outside the imperial structure of which the peripheries are a part. In this article, I build a framework to better understand how these extra-imperial ties are translated into peripheral positional power. This framework is constructed on the basis of three core arguments. First, to theorise peripheral power, peripheries need to be positioned in networks outside the imperial structure. Second, the positional power of peripheries depends on the quality of the ties they have to external actors. Peripheries with dense and exclusive ties to external actors are more powerful than those with only sparse and non-exclusive ties. Third, from the different combinations of density and exclusivity arise not only variations in positional power, but also the likely strategies that are engaged in forming alliances with external actors. These logics are illustrated through the study of two cases of the diplomacy of decolonisation: the American Revolutionary War and the Angolan War of Independence.
Systematic Review and Evaluation of Mathematical Attack Models of Human Inhalational Anthrax for Supporting Public Health Decision Making and Response
Authors: Chen Xin , Bahl Prateek , de Silva Charitha , Heslop David , Doolan Con , Lim Samsung , MacIntyre C. Raina 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackground:Anthrax is a potential biological weapon and can be used in an air-borne or mail attack, such as in the attack in the United States in 2001. Planning for such an event requires the best available science. Since large-scale experiments are not feasible, mathematical modelling is a crucial tool to inform planning. The aim of this study is to systematically review and evaluate the approaches to mathematical modelling of inhalational anthrax attack to support public health decision making and response.Methods:A systematic review of inhalational anthrax attack models was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. The models were reviewed based on a set of defined criteria, including the inclusion of atmospheric dispersion component and capacity for real-time decision support.Results:Of 13 mathematical modelling studies of human inhalational anthrax attacks, there were six studies that took atmospheric dispersion of anthrax spores into account. Further, only two modelling studies had potential utility for real-time decision support, and only one model was validated using real data.Conclusion:The limited modelling studies available use widely varying methods, assumptions, and data. Estimation of attack size using different models may be quite different, and is likely to be under-estimated by models which do not consider weather conditions. Validation with available data is crucial and may improve models. Further, there is a need for both complex models that can provide accurate atmospheric dispersion modelling, as well as for simpler modelling tools that provide real-time decision support for epidemic response.