bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of physical activity on the nociceptive flexion reflex in healthy people
Authors: Dhondt Evy , Danneels Lieven , Van Oosterwijck Sophie , Palmans Tanneke , Rijckaert Johan , Van Oosterwijck Jessica 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) is a spinal reflex induced by painful stimuli resulting in an appropriate withdrawal response. The NFR is considered to be an objective physiological correlate of spinal nociception. Previous research has already demonstrated that physical activity (PA) can influence pain assessments. To date, no studies have directly examined the relationship between PA and spinal nociception. Hence, this study aimed to investigate whether the NFR threshold can be predicted by report‐based and monitor‐based measures of PA in healthy adults.MethodsPA and the NFR threshold of 58 healthy adults were assessed. PA was evaluated by self‐report using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and by monitor‐based accelerometry data. The NFR threshold was elicited through transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the sural nerve and quantified by the biceps femoris muscle electromyogram. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between PA and the NFR, while controlling for confounders.ResultsMonitor‐based measured step count and activities of moderate‐ to vigorous‐intensity predicted the NFR threshold accounting for 23.0% (p = .047) to 37.1% (p = .002) of the variance. Larger amounts of step counts and higher participation in moderate‐ to vigorous‐intensity activities predicted higher NFR thresholds. Monitor‐based activities of sedentary intensity predicted the NFR threshold accounting for 35.8% (p = .014) to 35.9% (p = .014) of the variance. Spending more time per day on activities of sedentary intensity predicted lower NFR thresholds.ConclusionsThe study provides preliminary evidence indicating that a physically active lifestyle may reduce spinal nociception in healthy adults, while a sedentary lifestyle enhances spinal nociception.SignificanceThe present study provides preliminary evidence that the influencing effects of physical activity on pain are the result of a strong descending control and do not purely rely on supraspinal mechanisms. These study results highlight the importance of considering physical activity levels when evaluating nociceptive processing, given the prognostic value of physical activity in spinal nociception. Furthermore, this study encourages future research to examine the effects of moderate‐ to vigorous‐intensity exercise programmes on spinal nociception in chronic pain populations.
Optimization of staggered distance of coal pillars in multiseam mining: Theoretical analysis and numerical simulation
Authors: Sun Xueyang , Lu Mingjiao , Li Cheng 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAimed at solving problems related to water retention and loss reduction in multiseam mining, a mechanical model of staggered distance mining was established. First, elastic and plastic slip line field theories were used to calculate the reasonable staggered distance expressions of multiseam mining. The staggered distance schemes of multiseam mining were optimized using the numerical simulation software FLAC3D. By performing an experiment comparing similar materials, the influence on water retention and loss reduction by optimal and unfavorable staggered distance schemes in multiseam mining was explored. The results showed that the σzz curve was distributed in the shape of a “peak” of the staggering distance coal pillars, the Z displacement curve was a “Л,” and the surface subsidence curve was a “W.” Each of these displayed the rule of “decrease then increase.” In staggered distance multiseam mining, the optimal staggered distance value for coal seam Nos. 2 and 3 was 40 m, while the most unfavorable staggered distance value was 0 m. The corresponding subsidence coefficients of the optimal staggered distance values were 0.29, 0.23, and 0.19, under the condition of keeping the optimal staggered distance value for coal seam Nos. 1 and 2 unchanged. These results could be beneficial in reduction of surface subsidence and may also have specific practical engineering significance.
Honey Bees and Neonicotinoid-Treated Corn Seed: Contamination, Exposure, and Effects
Authors: Lin Chia-Hua , Sponsler Douglas B. , Richardson Rodney T. , Watters Harold D. , Glinski Donna A. , Henderson W. Matthew , Minucci Jeffrey M. , Lee E. Henry , Purucker S. Thomas , Johnson Reed M. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Most corn (Zea mays) seeds planted in the United States in recent years are coated with a seed treatment containing neonicotinoid insecticides. Abrasion of the seed coating generates insecticide-laden planter dust that disperses through the landscape during corn planting and has resulted in many “bee-kill” incidents in North America and Europe. We investigated the linkage between corn planting and honey bee colony success in a region dominated by corn agriculture. Over 3 yr we consistently observed an increased presence of corn seed treatment insecticides in bee-collected pollen and elevated worker bee mortality during corn planting. Residues of seed treatment neonicotinoids, clothianidin and thiamethoxam, detected in pollen positively correlated with cornfield area surrounding the apiaries. Elevated worker mortality was also observed in experimental colonies fed field-collected pollen containing known concentrations of corn seed treatment insecticides. We monitored colony growth throughout the subsequent year in 2015 and found that colonies exposed to higher insecticide concentrations exhibited slower population growth during the month of corn planting but demonstrated more rapid growth in the month following, though this difference may be related to forage availability. Exposure to seed treatment neonicotinoids during corn planting has clear short-term detrimental effects on honey bee colonies and may affect the viability of beekeeping operations that are dependent on maximizing colony size in the springtime. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1212–1221. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Intersecting and 2‐intersecting hypergraphs with maximal covering number: The Erdős–Lovász theme revisited
Authors: Barát János 
Published: December 2020

AbstractErdős and Lovász noticed that an ‐uniform intersecting hypergraph with maximal covering number, that is, , must have at least edges. There has been no improvement on this lower bound for 45 years. We try to understand the reason by studying some small cases to see whether the truth lies very close to this simple bound. Let denote the minimum number of edges in an intersecting ‐uniform hypergraph. It was known that and . We obtain the following new results: The extremal example for uniformity 4 is unique. Somewhat surprisingly it is not symmetric by any means. For uniformity 5, , and we found three examples, none of them being some known graph. We use both theoretical arguments and computer searches. In the footsteps of Erdős and Lovász, we also consider the special case, when the hypergraph is part of a finite projective plane. We determine the exact answer for . For uniformity 6, there is a unique extremal example. In a related question, we try to find 2‐intersecting r‐uniform hypergraphs with maximal covering number, that is, . An infinite family of examples is to take all possible r‐sets of a ‐vertex set. There is also a geometric candidate: biplanes. These are symmetric 2‐designs with . We determined that only three biplanes of the 18 known examples are extremal.
Disturbance‐Mediated Apparent Competition Decouples in a Northern Boreal Caribou Range
Authors: Neufeld Branden T. , Superbie Clara , Greuel Ruth J. , Perry Thomas , Tomchuk Patricia A. , Fortin Daniel , McLoughlin Philip D. 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTThe most widely reported threat to boreal and mountain populations of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou; caribou) involves habitat‐ or disturbance‐mediated apparent competition (DMAC). With DMAC, natural and anthropogenic disturbances that increase the abundance of deciduous‐browsing cervids (e.g., moose [Alces alces], deer [Odocoileus spp.]) are thought to promote predator (especially wolf [Canis lupus]) numbers, which heightens predation risk to caribou. We know most about the effects of DMAC on caribou where the species is under threat by anthropogenic activities in relatively productive southern boreal and mountain systems. Yet, >60% of extant boreal caribou range in North America consists of northern shield and taiga ecoregions of low productivity where caribou may compete with only 1 ungulate species (moose) in the context of DMAC. In this environment, we know very little of how DMAC acts as a limiting factor to caribou. In Saskatchewan, Canada, from 2014–2018, using a combination of vegetation sampling, aerial surveys, and telemetry data (n = 38 wolves), we searched for evidence of DMAC (trends in data consistent with the hypothesis) in an 87,193‐km2 section of the Western Boreal Shield, a poorly productive but pristine region (0.18% of land cover classed as an anthropogenic feature) with a historically high fire‐return interval (47% of stands aged <40 years). Despite the high levels of disturbance, moose density was relatively low (47 moose/1,000 km2), likely because of the scarcity of deciduous or mixed‐wood stands and low abundance of deciduous browse in the young conifer stands that dominated the landscape. In contrast, boreal caribou density was relatively high for the species (37 caribou/1,000 km2). Wolf density (3.1 wolves/1,000 km2) and pack sizes ( = 4.0 wolves/pack) were low and resident (established) territories were large ( = 4,360 km2; 100% minimum convex polygon). The low density of wolves mirrored the low (standardized) ungulate biomass index (UBI; moose + boreal caribou) of the study area (0.36 UBI/km2). We conclude that wolf and hence caribou populations were not responding in accordance with the outcomes generally predicted by DMAC in our study area because the requisite strong, positive response to fire of deciduous‐browse and alternate‐prey abundance was lacking. As a limiting factor to caribou, DMAC is likely modulated at a macroecological scale by factors such as net primary productivity, a corollary to the general hypothesis that we advance here (i.e., primary productivity hypothesis of DMAC). We caution against managing for caribou based on the presumption of DMAC where the mechanism does not apply, which may include much of boreal caribou range in the north. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
One‐Step Solvent‐Free Synthesis of Polyglycolic Acid from Sustainable C1 Feedstocks
Authors: Reyhanoglu Yusuf , Kalayci Berkant , Gokturk Ersen 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPolyglycolic acid (PGA) is an aliphatic biodegradable polyester commonly synthesized through the ring opening polymerization of glycolide using mostly tin (II) octoate catalyst. Previously, a very convenient method for the synthesis of PGA from the cationic alternating copolymerization of formaldehyde (from trioxane) and carbon monoxide (CO) with triflic acid (TfOH) catalyst in dichloromethane (DCM) at 170 °C is described with 92% of yield. The need of using harmful DCM solvent for this polymerization directs to discover solvent‐free polymerization of formaldehyde and CO. Here, one‐step solvent‐free synthesis of PGA from the cationic alternating copolymerization of formaldehyde and CO is presented. Unlike the polymerization carried out in DCM solvent, optimum polymerization in solvent‐free conditions with TfOH catalyst is achieved in 80% of yield at 130 °C. It is considered that utilization of solvent‐free conditions and lower reaction temperatures compared to the previous report provides a more green and economic way of the synthesis of PGA. The method is also extended to copolymerization strategy by adding a minor amount of an epoxide compound to the reaction mixture, and PGA‐based copolymer with improved physical properties (such as solubility and appearance) is obtained in solvent‐free conditions.
Temporal evolution of nerve conduction study abnormalities in anti‐myelin‐associated glycoprotein neuropathy
Authors: Bourque Pierre R. , Masson‐Roy Josée , Warman‐Chardon Jodi , Massie Rami , Melanson Michel , Brooks John , Breiner Ari 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundA distal‐predominant demyelinating symmetric pattern is most frequent in patients with neuropathy associated with anti‐myelin‐associated glycoprotein (MAG) antibodies. The literature however lacks longitudinal data to describe whether this is consistent over time.MethodsFrom the Ottawa Neuromuscular Center database, we identified 23 patients with both immunoglobulin M gammopathy and anti‐MAG antibodies. For median, ulnar and fibular motor conduction studies, we analyzed distal latency and amplitude, negative peak duration, terminal latency index (TLI), and conduction velocity. For median, ulnar, sural, and superficial fibular sensory conduction studies, we analyzed distal latency and amplitude. Results were compared for the earliest and the latest data sets.ResultsThe mean time interval between the two assessment points was 6.5 years. Median and ulnar motor nerve conduction studies did not show a significant change for any of the parameters tested. There was disproportionate prolongation of median distal motor latency and reduction in TLI, compared to the ulnar nerve. Deep fibular motor conduction studies showed a marked reduction in amplitudes over time. Sensory potentials were recordable in the upper limb in less than 50% at the first study and less than 25% on the most recent study. There was an even larger attrition of recordable sural and superficial fibular sensory potentials.ConclusionsOur results highlight the stability of median and ulnar motor conduction study results over a mean observation period of 6.5 years. In contrast, lower limb motor and all sensory potentials show a marked trend toward becoming unrecordable.
Pulmonary function testing in patients with neuromuscular disease
Authors: Miller Kristen , Mayer Oscar H. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractProgressive neuromuscular disease leads to muscle weakness or failure that produces loss of pulmonary function and clinical respiratory morbidity. Tracking pulmonary function in a practical and effective way is very important because it can help identify a stage of disease when a morbidity, such as inadequate airway clearance or respiratory failure, may be present. There are four general categories of pulmonary function outcome measures such as volume, flow, pressure, and gas exchange. These outcome measures have variable precision and accuracy in predicting clinical change, and practicality in performing them relative to age and condition. It is widely recommended to follow multiple measurements longitudinally and create an accurate and timely clinical picture. This manuscript will review the most commonly used and most practical measures for use in clinical practice and how they can help to assess morbidity, disease state, and help optimize patient management.
Centenarians and Supercentenarians in Japan
Authors: Saito Yasuhiko , Ishii Futoshi , Robine Jean-Marie 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this chapter, we use censuses, lists of centenarians, and vital statistics to describe the demography of centenarians, defined as the group of people who are 100 years old or older. We also refer to the group of people between the ages of 105 and 109 as semi-supercentenarians. Finally, we refer to those individuals who reach the age of 110 and beyond as supercentenarians. Although our ability to describe centenarians using these data is currently very limited, censuses and the lists of centenarians can be used to determine the number of people who survive to age 100 or older. Moreover, vital statistics provides the number of deaths, by single year of age and by sex, for those who died above the age of 100 since 1899. Our study examines trends in the highest ages at death for each year between 1963 and 2015, and shows increasing trends during this period. Using the number of deaths and applying the extinct cohort method, we estimate the level of mortality of people aged 100 or older, as well as trends in mortality. We observe decreasing trends in mortality levels among people who have reached very high ages, even as mortality continues to increase with age until very high ages.
Semi-supercentenarians in the United States
Authors: Kestenbaum Bert 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis chapter discusses in detail the procedure followed to identify a 1-in-10 sample of persons born between 1870 and 1899 who resided in the United States at the time of their death at ages 105–109 for men and 108 or 109 for women. We tabulate the characteristics of these “semi-supercentenarians” and offer some observations about the level of their mortality. The procedure for identifying semi-supercentenarians consists of (1) casting a net to find candidates and then (2) determining for which candidates can both date of birth and date of death be validated. The net used to find candidates in the United States is different from the nets typically used in other counties: in the United States we use the file of enrollments in the federal government’s Medicare health insurance program. Some of the information needed for the verification step comes from another administrative file – the Social Security Administration’s file of applications for a new or replacement social security card. Verification of the date of death is accomplished by querying the National Death Index. Dates of birth are verified by using online resources to access the records of several censuses conducted many decades earlier.
Margaret Ann Harvey Neve – 110 Years Old in 1903. The First Documented Female Supercentenarian
Authors: Poulain Michel , Chambre Dany , Jeune Bernard 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMargaret Ann Harvey was born on 18 May 1792 in St Peter Port, which is the capital city of Guernsey, the second-largest of the Channel Islands; and died there on 4 April 1903 at the reported age of 110. In this contribution, her exceptional age is thoroughly validated. Considering the data collected on her parents and siblings, there is no possibility of an erroneous linkage, as the name of Margaret and Ann appears only once in the birth records, her family’s birth intervals were narrow, and the dates of death of her siblings have been checked. As she did not have children, her name was not found in civil registration records after her marriage in 1823 until her death in 1903. This lack of records might have made it difficult to prove that the person who died at age 110 in 1903 was the same person who married in 1823 at age 30. Fortunately, she was enumerated in six successive censuses from 1851 to 1901, and a comparison of the ages reported in these censuses and her exact ages shows only minor deviations. Moreover, numerous letters and her numerous diaries help us to follow her life during that long period. Upon reaching age 100, she became famous in Guernsey. Thus, there are many photos of her and press articles about her life. These data support the reliability of the reported chronology of her life events, and thus allow us to validate this exceptional case. Accordingly, we can state that Margaret Ann Harvey Neve is the first documented female supercentenarian. As in the case of recently deceased supercentenarian Emma Morano, her life spanned three successive centuries – albeit one century earlier.
Emma Morano – 117 Years and 137 Days
Authors: Jeune Bernard , Poulain Michel 
Published: December 2020

AbstractEmma Morano was born on 29 November 1899 in a small mountain village in Piemonte, and died on 15 April 2017 in Verbania on Lake Maggiore (100 km north of Milano). She was the daughter of Giovanni Morano, a miner; and Mathilde Bresciani, aged 24, a weaver. She was the first child in the family, and her arrival was followed by the births of seven siblings, four sisters and three brothers, all of whom she all survived. On 16 October 1926, Emma Morano married Giovanni Martinuzzi, but they separated a few years later after the death of their child. For more than 30 years, she worked in a jute factory. She then worked for about 20 years in the kitchen of a Marianist boarding school until she retired at the age of 75. After retirement, she lived in a small two-room apartment. In her final years, her hearing and sight were greatly reduced, but she could recognise faces and could communicate when spoken to loudly. She seemed to remember both past events and more recent ones. She had never been hospitalised, but had been treated for gastrointestinal bleeding and for urinary infections. She took no drugs regularly except laxatives. In the archives of four municipalities in the region, we obtained copies of the death certificates of her parents, the birth certificates of all of her siblings, her marriage certificate, and the birth and death certificates of her child. We found no inconsistences in the documents.
The International Database on Longevity: Data Resource Profile
Authors: Jdanov Dmitri A. , Shkolnikov Vladimir M. , Gellers-Barkmann Sigrid 
Published: December 2020

AbstractEven in countries with very good statistical systems, routine population statistics that cover individuals of very high ages are often problematic, as the proportion of erroneous cases increases sharply with age. The desire to measure human mortality at extreme ages was the main motivation for the establishment of the International Database on Longevity (IDL). The IDL is a uniquely valuable source of information on extreme human longevity. It provides high-quality age-validated individual-level data on the ages of semi-supercentenarians and supercentenarians. Moreover, the IDL is the only database that provides such data without age-ascertainment bias. It obtains its candidates from records of government agencies to ensure that there is no dependency between the probability of being included and age. Candidates who meet strict criteria for the validity of their age (date of their birth) are then included in the IDL. Nevertheless, the IDL does not include exhaustive sets of validated supercentenarians and semi-supercentenarians for any country, because it is nearly impossible to find documents that would allow for the validation of the ages of all of the individuals on the list. As of August 2017, the IDL has records on 1,304 validated supercentenarians and 18,590 semi-supercentenarians from 15 countries. The first person in the IDL collection who attained age 110 was born in 1852 and died in 1962 in Quebec, while the last person was born in 1906 and attained age 110 in 2016. This chapter introduces the database and explains its purpose and principles. We also describe the data structure and provide an overview of the information available.
Does the Risk of Death Continue to Rise Among Supercentenarians?
Authors: Villavicencio Francisco , Aburto José Manuel 
Published: December 2020

AbstractA study published in the Society of Actuaries’ 2017 Living to 100 Monograph suggests, in contrast to previous research, that the risk of death after age 110 years increases with age. By fitting a Gompertz model to estimated central death rates for the oldest old, the authors challenge existing theory and empirical research indicating a deceleration of mortality at older ages and the emergence of a plateau. We argue that their results are inconclusive for three reasons: (1) the data selection was arbitrary; (2) the statistical analysis was inappropriate; and (3) the presentation of the results is misleading and inadequate. We therefore claim that the hypothesis that the human force of mortality increases after age 110 has not been proved.