bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of autonomic outcomes in APOLLO, a phase III trial of the RNAi therapeutic patisiran in patients with hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis
Authors: González-Duarte Alejandra , Berk John L. , Quan Dianna , Mauermann Michelle L. , Schmidt Hartmut H. , Polydefkis Michael , Waddington-Cruz Márcia , Ueda Mitsuharu , Conceição Isabel M. , Kristen Arnt V. , Coelho Teresa , Cauquil Cécile A. , Tard Céline , Merkel Madeline , Aldinc Emre , Chen Jihong , Sweetser Marianne T. , Wang Jing Jing , Adams David 
Published: November 2019

AbstractHereditary transthyretin-mediated (hATTR) amyloidosis is a progressive, debilitating disease often resulting in early-onset, life-impacting autonomic dysfunction. The effect of the RNAi therapeutic, patisiran, on autonomic neuropathy manifestations in patients with hATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy in the phase III APOLLO study is reported. Patients received patisiran 0.3 mg/kg intravenously (n = 148) or placebo (n = 77) once every 3 weeks for 18 months. Patisiran halted or reversed polyneuropathy and improved quality of life from baseline in the majority of patients. At baseline, patients in APOLLO had notable autonomic impairment, as demonstrated by the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score-31 (COMPASS-31) questionnaire and Norfolk Quality of Life-Diabetic Neuropathy (Norfolk QOL-DN) questionnaire autonomic neuropathy domain. At 18 months, patisiran improved autonomic neuropathy symptoms compared with placebo [COMPASS-31, least squares (LS) mean difference, − 7.5; 95% CI: − 11.9, − 3.2; Norfolk QOL-DN autonomic neuropathy domain, LS mean difference, − 1.1; − 1.8, − 0.5], nutritional status (modified body mass index, LS mean difference, 115.7; − 82.4, 149.0), and vasomotor function (postural blood pressure, LS mean difference, − 0.3; − 0.5, − 0.1). Patisiran treatment also led to improvement from baseline at 18 months for COMPASS-31 (LS mean change from baseline, − 5.3; 95% CI: − 7.9, − 2.7) and individual domains, orthostatic intolerance (− 4.6; − 6.3, − 2.9) and gastrointestinal symptoms (− 0.8; − 1.5, − 0.2). Rapid worsening of all study measures was observed with placebo, while patisiran treatment resulted in stable or improved scores compared with baseline. Patisiran demonstrates benefit across a range of burdensome autonomic neuropathy manifestations that deteriorate rapidly without early and continued treatment.
Climate change adaptation among poultry farmers: evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Liverpool-Tasie Lenis Saweda O. , Sanou Awa , Tambo Justice A. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThough climate events pose increasing challenges for crop and animal production in Africa, most climate adaptation studies focus on staple food crops. Few studies have examined climate adaptation for livestock with even fewer looking at small animals such as poultry. Heat stress associated with climate change is a severe challenge to poultry farmers due to its negative effect on chicken growth and productivity. As poultry plays an important food security role across Africa (being a source of livelihood and an important source of animal protein), understanding how farmers deal with the realities of poultry production due to climate change is critical. This study explores the level and determinants of the adoption of climate change adaptation strategies among poultry farmers in Nigeria. A multivariate probit analysis (which allows for the possibility that the decision to adopt various practices are jointly made) reveals that while poultry farmers are adapting to climate change, there is a clear heterogeneity of adaptation strategies at different production scales. Small farms tend to invest in traditional strategies such as the stocking of local breeds while medium and large farms adopt modern technologies such as air and water ventilation as well as the use of low energy bulbs that emit less heat. Our study finds that farmers who have experienced heat-related losses are more likely to adopt modern practices and more likely to adopt multiple adaptation strategies concurrently.
Physical activity and risk of venous thromboembolism: systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies
Authors: Kunutsor Setor K. , Mäkikallio Timo H. , Seidu Samuel , de Araújo Claudio Gil Soares , Dey Richard S. , Blom Ashley W. , Laukkanen Jari A. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe inverse association between physical activity and arterial thrombotic disease is well established. Evidence on the association between physical activity and venous thromboembolism (VTE) is divergent. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published observational prospective cohort studies evaluating the associations of physical activity with VTE risk. MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and manual search of relevant bibliographies were systematically searched until 26 February 2019. Extracted relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the maximum versus minimal amount of physical activity groups were pooled using random effects meta-analysis. Twelve articles based on 14 unique prospective cohort studies comprising of 1,286,295 participants and 23,753 VTE events were eligible. The pooled fully-adjusted RR (95% CI) of VTE comparing the most physically active versus the least physically active groups was 0.87 (0.79–0.95). In pooled analysis of 10 studies (288,043 participants and 7069 VTE events) that reported risk estimates not adjusted for body mass index (BMI), the RR (95% CI) of VTE was 0.81 (0.70–0.93). The associations did not vary by geographical location, age, sex, BMI, and methodological quality of studies. There was no evidence of publication bias among contributing studies. Pooled observational prospective cohort studies support an association between regular physical activity and low incidence of VTE. The relationship does not appear to be mediated or confounded by BMI.
Sprouts of shoot-clipped oak (Quercus alba and Q. robur) germinants show morphological and photosynthetic acclimation to contrasting light environments
Authors: Petersson Linda K. , Löf Magnus , Jensen Anna M. , Chastain Daryl R. , Gardiner Emile S. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractSprouting by woody plants can increase species resilience to disturbance and foster regeneration during periods with little recruitment from seed. Though sprouting often plays a critical role in oak forest regeneration, there is little information available on sprouting capacity and sprout physiology at the seedling stage, particularly for new germinants. This study compared sprouting capacity and sprout photosynthesis of shoot-clipped germinants of two temperate oaks established in contrasting light environments. We studied the North AmericanQuercus albaand the EuropeanQ. robur, both are in the sectionQuercusand appear to share similar biological and ecological requirements. Sprouting capacity for both species was enhanced under high light availability (29% more sprouts per plant), a response not previously noted for oak germinants. Seedling sprouts acclimated to high light with a 34% decrease in leaf area ratio, a 56% increase in leaf mass per area, and a 49% increase in the light-saturated maximum photosynthetic rate. Though both species appeared similarly adapted to shoot loss, a greater sprouting capacity (29% more sprouts per plant) and plant-level net photosynthesis (73% higher) was observed forQ. robur, regardless of light environment. As naturally regenerated oak seedlings in forest understories often experience disturbance or stress resulting in shoot loss or die-back, our results highlight the importance of the light environment during early plant development. Our comparison of temperate oaks from different continents should facilitate exchange of successful stand regeneration practices within the range of temperate oak forests.
Stratum Corneum Sampling to Assess Bioequivalence between Topical Acyclovir Products
Authors: Pensado A. , Chiu W.S. , Cordery S. F. , Rantou E. , Bunge A. L. , Delgado-Charro M. B. , Guy R. H. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Purpose
To examine the potential of stratum corneum (SC) sampling via tape-stripping in humans to assess bioequivalence of topical acyclovir drug products, and to explore the potential value of alternative metrics of local skin bioavailability calculable from SC sampling experiments.

Methods
Three acyclovir creams were considered in two separate studies in which drug amounts in the SC after uptake and clearance periods were measured and used to assess bioequivalence. In each study, a “reference” formulation (evaluated twice) was compared to the “test” in 10 subjects. Each application site was replicated to achieve greater statistical power with fewer volunteers.

Results
SC sampling revealed similarities and differences between products consistent with results from other surrogate bioequivalence measures, including dermal open-flow microperfusion experiments. Further analysis of the tape-stripping data permitted acyclovir flux into the viable skin to be deduced and drug concentration in that ‘compartment’ to be estimated.

Conclusions
Acyclovir quantities determined in the SC, following a single-time point uptake and clearance protocol, can be judiciously used both to objectively compare product performance in vivo and to assess delivery of the active into skin tissue below the barrier, thereby permitting local concentrations at or near to the site of action to be determined.
A survey of antibiotic administration practices involving patients with sepsis in UK critical care units
Authors: Barton Gregory J. , Morecroft Charles W. , Henney Neil C. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackground Alternative administration methods are emerging as a key area of research to improve clinical efficacy of antibiotics and address concerns regarding multi-drug resistance. Extended intermittent infusions or continuous infusions of antibiotics exhibiting time-dependent kill characteristics may be favourable in critically ill septic patients, but more evidence is needed to determine best practice. Objective To find out whether any common practice exists for intravenous antibiotic administration in critical care units across UK NHS Trusts, and identify factors influencing the adoption of extended or continuous infusions. Setting UK hospitals. Method UK critical care pharmacists were invited to participate in a survey on behalf of all 240 critical care units via a UK Clinical Pharmacy Association message board. The survey focused on administration practices for 22 antibacterial agents. Main outcome measure Antibiotic administration method. Results Responses were received covering 64 units, a response rate of 26.2%. Common, but not uniform administration methods were apparent for 17/22 antibiotics. Four antibiotics (piperacillin/tazobactam, doripenem, meropenem and vancomycin) were more likely to be administered as continuous or extended-intermittent infusions. Choice of administration method was especially influenced by altered pk/pd properties in sepsis or severe burns patients, or by the presence of organisms requiring high minimal inhibitory concentrations. Conclusion Unlicensed alternative practices of antibiotic administration are widespread but only weak evidence exists of any patient benefit, such as reduced length of stay in critical care, and none showing improvement in mortality. Further research is needed to determine whether extended infusion methods offer clinically meaningful advantages over shorter licenced administration methods in patients in critical care units.
The impact of culture on mindreading
Authors: Lavelle Jane Suilin 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe role of culture in shaping folk psychology and mindreading has been neglected in the philosophical literature. This paper shows that there are significant cultural differences in how psychological states are understood and used by (1) drawing on Spaulding’s recent distinction between the ‘goals’ and ‘methods’ of mindreading (2018) to argue that the relations between these methods vary across cultures; and (2) arguing that differences in folk psychology cannot be dismissed as irrelevant to the cognitive architecture that facilitates our understanding of psychological states. The paper concludes that any good account of social cognition must have the conceptual resources to explain how culture affects our understanding of psychological states, and that this explanandum should not be an after-thought but instead a guiding feature for those accounts.
Teacher interventions to student misbehaviors: The role of ethnicity, emotional intelligence, and multicultural attitudes
Authors: Abacioglu Ceren Su , Volman Monique , Fischer Agneta H. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractTeachers play an important role in students’ educational trajectories. As a consequence, their approach to diversity in the classroom might contribute to an unfavorable educational position for ethnic minority students. The current study tested whether teachers in Dutch primary schools differed in their interventions towards ethnic minority students compared to ethnic majority students for the same kind of misbehavior and whether this difference was related to their multicultural attitudes and their abilities to recognize and interpret emotions. Teachers responded to scenarios depicted in vignettes, describing student misbehaviors, by providing the frequency with which they would engage in various intervention strategies. Our results yielded no significant differences in teachers’ intervention strategies to student misbehaviors based on student ethnic background. A notable finding was that teachers’ multicultural attitudes were related to their intervention strategies: an increase in teachers’ positive multicultural attitudes predicted an increase in relatively tolerant (e.g., discussing the misbehavior) as opposed to more dismissive intervention strategies (e.g., sending the student out of class). This finding may suggest that demonstrating positive attitudes towards multiculturalism reflects an awareness of and comfort with cultural diversity, as well as general understanding of individual differences between students and their behaviors.
Managing and Surveying the Geological Garden at Tata (Northern Transdanubia, Hungary)
Authors: Szente István , Takács Bence , Harman-Tóth Erzsébet , Weiszburg Tamás G. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe Geological Garden at Tata is an open-air geological museum where a spectacular succession of Tethyan Mesozoic sedimentary rocks, characteristic of the Alpine-Carpathian region, is finely exposed in abandoned quarries and cleaned rock surfaces. In addition to geological values, the area houses copper-age chert mines, the only ones accessible to the wider public in Hungary. Due to financial problems, however, maintenance of the site was more or less confined to mowing for more than 20 years. Renewal of the Geological Garden began in 2015 when large-scale cleaning as well as detailed surveying was carried out. Removing the soil and loose rock debris provided opportunity to study the effects of weathering and growth of vegetation. Near 60 m3 of rock debris and soil had been accumulated on approx. 5000 m2 rock surface over the decades of obligate deterioration. Lower Jurassic marl and Middle Jurassic radiolarite chert beds as well as Middle Jurassic limestones proved to be especially deeply weathered. The cleaning action raised the question whether the sub-horizontal rock surfaces can be conserved for a long time in their present state or not. Lessons drawn from the latter can serve as a basis for future maintenance activities as well as for plans aiming at developing geosites.
Optimizing assessors’ mental workload in rater-based assessment: a&nbsp;critical narrative review
Authors: Paravattil Bridget , Wilby Kyle John 
Published: November 2019

Introduction Rater-based assessment has resulted in high cognitive demands for assessors within the education of health professionals. Rating quality may be influenced by the mental workload required of assessors to complete rating tasks. The objective of this review was to explore interventions or strategies aimed at measuring and reducing mental workload for improvement in assessment outcomes in health professions education.
Methods A critical narrative review was conducted for English-language articles using the databases PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar from conception until November 2018. To be included, articles were eligible if they reported results of interventions aimed at measuring or reducing mental workload in rater-based assessment.
Results A total of six articles were included in the review. All studies were conducted in simulation settings (OSCEs or videotaped interactions). Of the four studies that measured mental workload, none found any reduction in mental workload as demonstrated by objective secondary task performance after interventions of assessor training or reductions in competency dimension assessment. Reductions in competency dimensions, however, did result in improvements in assessment quality across three studies.
Discussion The concept of mental workload in assessment in medical education needs further exploration, including investigation into valid measures of assessors’ mental workload. It appears that adjusting raters’ focus may be a valid strategy to improve assessment outcomes. Future research should be designed to inform how to best reduce load in assessments to improve quality, while balancing the type and quantity of data needed for judgments.
Watermelon-infesting Tephritidae fruit fly guild and parasitism by Psyttalia phaeostigma (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Authors: Layodé Babatoundé Ferdinand Rodolphe , Onzo Alexis , Karlsson Miriam Frida 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAn ecological guild of Tephritidae fruit flies exploits cucurbit vegetable fruits, tremendously reducing their production worldwide. Knowledge of the composition of the guild of infesting flies in the field and information on their natural enemy species, might improve pest management strategies. Our aim was therefore to identify Tephritidae species infesting the watermelonCitrullus lanatus(Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai in the Republic of Benin. Morphological and molecular identification of parasitoid species present in the field collections was also done. Infested watermelons were sampled in one of the main watermelon-production areas in the country. Adult tephritid flies emerging from watermelons were identified asDacus bivittatus(Bigot), D. ciliatusLoew, D. punctatifronsKarsch,D. vertebratusBezzi, Zeugodacus cucurbitae(Coquillet), andCeratitis cosyra(Walker). In this study period,D. vertebratuswas consistently the most abundant species emerging from watermelon.Dacus ciliatuswas the second most common species followed byZ. cucurbitae.The number of emerging fruit flies per kilogram of watermelon varied with collection date and month, and was most variable forD. vertebratus. Parasitism in the fruit flies was 1.6 ± 6.4% and occurred through one wasp species that was identified asPsyttalia phaeostigmaWilkinson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). This solitary parasitoid is closely related to other members of theP. concolorspecies complex, some of which are used in biological control. Problems associated with identifyingPsyttaliaspecies and possibility of using this wasp as a biological control agent against tephritid flies were discussed.
The effects of urine nitrogen application rate on nitrogen transformations in grassland soils
Authors: Somers C. , Girkin N. T. , Rippey B. , Lanigan G. J. , Richards K. G. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractUrine is a critical nitrogen (N) input in temperate grazed grasslands and can drive substantial nitrous oxide (N2O) production in soils. However, it remains unclear how differences in the N input rate affect N2O fluxes and vary between different grassland soils. The effect of increasing urine N application on ammonium (NH4+), nitrite (NO2−) and nitrate (NO3−) concentrations and N2O production was tested in two grassland soils, a free-draining loam and an imperfectly drained sandy-loam. It was hypothesized that high-urine N application rates would lead to ammonia/ammonium (NH3/NH4+) accumulation influencing N transformation rates and N2O production which differ between grassland soils. Fresh cattle urine was applied at rates equivalent to 300 and 1000 kg N/ha in an aerobic incubation experiment. Soils were destructively sampled over 80 days to measure changes in inorganic-N and pH. The higher N addition rate was associated with elevated NH3concentrations up to day 35 in soils, probably inhibiting NO2−to NO3−reduction. In contrast, there was no inhibition of nitrification in the 300 kg N/ha treatment. Cumulative N2O fluxes were greatest from the 300 kg N/ha treatment for the loam soil, but were greater for the sandy-loam under the 1000 kg N/ha treatment. The results also show that differences in soil properties, in particular carbon availability, can be important in regulating N transformation and N2O production. Collectively, these results demonstrate the proposed mechanism of nitrification inhibition at high-N input rates, driven by either high NH3/NH4and/or increased levels of NH4HCO3from urea hydrolysis.
Do birds of a feather flock together? Factors for religious heterogamy
Authors: Fieder Martin , Schahbasi Alexander , Huber Susanne 
Published: November 2019

AbstractSocial cohesion – particularly with regard to the integration of migrants – is primarily measured in terms of education, labour market participation, unemployment, income levels and poverty. When seen from a historical long-term perspective (considering the migrations of Homo sapiens in the past 300,000 years) admixture merged members of diverse groups and forged – in addition to social ties – ‘strong biological ties’ of kinship, proposing that religious heterogamy is a long-term layer of social cohesion. Accordingly, this study investigated, on the basis of more than 600,000 men and women aged 26–35 years from Austria 2001, Germany (West) 1987, Ireland 2011, Portugal 2011, Romania 2011 and Switzerland 2000, which demographic characteristics foster religious heterogamy, controlling for various confounding factors using linear mixed modelling. By far the most important factor explaining religious heterogamy was the share of adherents to an individual’s religious group in their area of residence. It can be concluded that the rate of intermarriage declines with the increasing size of an individual’s religious group in their area of residence. From a long-term perspective the lack of familial ties (and conjoint offspring) between religious groups could lead to a lack of social cohesion.