bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heart structure and coronary blood supply of the Giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
Authors: dos Santos Nathany Ribeiro Lima , Benetti Edson José , de Oliveira Kleber Mirallia , Medeiros Max Vinicius Malmann , Simões Karina 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe structure of the heart and the coronary blood supply of wild mammals, including that of threatened species, are poorly understood. This study set out to describe the heart, aortic arch branching and coronary distribution of Myrmecophaga tridactyla, and to compare it with anatomical descriptions of other Xenarthra given elsewhere. Eight adult giant anteater cadaveric specimens were used in this study. Morphological features of the heart and coronary blood supply were examined using gross dissection as well as latex and cast preparations. The heart lied in the median plane of the thoracic cavity and corresponded to a cone‐shape structure with a rounded apex facing left. The internal chambers of the heart comprised the same structures described in other mammals. Two different patterns of coronary blood supply were observed in the giant anteater. Hence, it can be concluded that the three species of Xenarthra share the same heart structure described in other mammals to date. Aortic arch branches and variations in coronary blood supply in this study have been described in carnivores, particularly the cat and the galea. The branching pattern of the coronary artery differed from that of other mammals and may be specific to Myrmecophaga tridactyla. Morphological description of the heart of the giant anteater and comparison with morphological features of other mammals, especially Xenarthra, may assist in phylogenetic analysis and provide significant contributions to clinical anatomy of practical procedures.
Judicial Reshuffles and Women Justices in Latin America
Authors: Arana Araya Ignacio , Hughes Melanie M. , Pérez‐Liñán Aníbal 
Published: July 2020

AbstractCan weak judicial institutions facilitate the advancement of women to the high courts? We explore the relationship between weak institutions and gender diversification by analyzing the consequences of judicial reshuffles in Latin America. Our theory predicts that institutional disruptions will facilitate the appointment of women justices, but only when left parties control the nomination process. We test this argument using difference‐in‐differences and dynamic panel models for 18 Latin American countries between 1961 and 2014. The analysis offers support for our hypothesis, but gains in gender diversification are modest in size and hard to sustain over time. Political reshuffles may produce short‐term advances for women in the judiciary, but they do not represent a path to substantive progress in gender equality.
Increased lipolysis after infusion of acylated ghrelin: a randomized, double‐blinded placebo‐controlled trial in hypopituitary patients
Authors: Lauritzen Esben Stistrup , Jørgensen Jens Otto Lunde , Møller Niels , Nielsen Søren , Vestergaard Esben Thyssen 
Published: July 2020

AbstractContextAcylated ghrelin increases growth hormone (GH) and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) secretion from the anterior pituitary gland. Additionally, it increases free fatty acid levels independently of GH and ACTH, but the impact of ghrelin on fatty acid turnover has not been determined. This study was designed to test whether acylated ghrelin directly increases the turnover rate of fatty acids.DesignEight hypopituitary patients on stable replacement with GH and hydrocortisone were included in a randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled crossover study including two study days: (a) infusion of acylated ghrelin and (b) infusion of saline. The study day comprised a basal period (t = 0‐120 minutes) and a hyperinsulinaemic‐euglycemic clamp period (t = 120‐300 minutes). Whole‐body lipolysis was estimated at t = 90‐120 and t = 270‐300 minutes with a palmitate isotope dilution technique.ResultsInfusion of acylated ghrelin resulted in 10 times increased total ghrelin area under the curve (AUC) levels in the basal period and 15 times increased AUC levels in the clamp period compared with saline infusion (P < .001). GHAUC levels were largely unaffected by ghrelin compared to saline infusion during both the basal and clamp period, but cortisolAUC levels increased by 15% after ghrelin compared to saline infusion in the basal period (P = .03). Palmitate turnover was increased by 43% in the basal period (difference: 77 (20) µmol/min, P = .01) and unchanged in the clamp period (difference 0.9 (17) µmol/min, P = 1.0) after ghrelin compared to saline infusion.ConclusionsOur results support the hypothesis that pharmacological levels of acylated ghrelin directly activate lipolysis at the whole‐body level.
Neural Denoising with Layer Embeddings
Authors: Munkberg Jacob , Hasselgren Jon 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe propose a novel approach for denoising Monte Carlo path traced images, which uses data from individual samples rather than relying on pixel aggregates. Samples are partitioned into layers, which are filtered separately, giving the network more freedom to handle outliers and complex visibility. Finally the layers are composited front‐to‐back using alpha blending. The system is trained end‐to‐end, with learned layer partitioning, filter kernels, and compositing. We obtain similar image quality as recent state‐of‐the‐art sample based denoisers at a fraction of the computational cost and memory requirements.
Adaptive Matrix Completion for Fast Visibility Computations with Many Lights Rendering
Authors: Wang S. , Holzschuch N. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSeveral fast global illumination algorithms rely on the Virtual Point Lights framework. This framework separates illumination into two steps: first, propagate radiance in the scene and store it in virtual lights, then gather illumination from these virtual lights. To accelerate the second step, virtual lights and receiving points are grouped hierarchically, for example using Multi‐Dimensional Lightcuts. Computing visibility between clusters of virtual lights and receiving points is a bottleneck. Separately, matrix completion algorithms reconstruct completely a low‐rank matrix from an incomplete set of sampled elements. In this paper, we use adaptive matrix completion to approximate visibility information after an initial clustering step. We reconstruct visibility information using as little as 10 % to 20 % samples for most scenes, and combine it with shading information computed separately, in parallel on the GPU. Overall, our method computes global illumination 3 or more times faster than previous state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Changes in 6‐minute walking distance in lung transplant candidates while participating in a home‐based pre‐habilitation program—A retrospective chart review
Authors: Massierer Daniela , Bourgeois Nicholas , Räkel Agnès , Prévost Karina , Lands Larry C. , Poirier Charles , Janaudis‐Ferreira Tania 
Published: July 2020

AbstractHome‐based exercise programs may offer a less costly alternative to providing exercise pre‐transplant to a large number of patients. We describe the changes in 6‐minute walk distance (6MWD) in lung transplant candidates who participated in a home‐based exercise program and their relationship to post‐transplant outcomes. Retrospectively, we investigated 159 individuals while awaiting transplantation who performed the surgery between 2011 and 2015. Primary outcome was 6MWD at time of assessment for transplant, last test prior to transplant and one‐month post‐transplant. 6MWD decreased by 28 ± 93.9 m between the time of assessment and the last 6MWD prior to transplantation (P < .001). Forty‐one patients (25.8%) increased their 6MWD (mean + 85.8 ± 42.8 m); 72 patients (45.3%) decreased their 6MWD (mean −109.8 ± 71.2 m); and 46 patients (28.9%) had no change in 6MWD (−1.5 ± 15.7 m). There was a moderate correlation (r = .528; P < .001) between the last 6MWD prior to transplant and 6MWD post‐transplant. Change in 6MWD prior to transplant weakly correlated with length of time on mechanical ventilation (r = −.185; P = .034). When adjusted for covariates, change in 6MWD prior to transplant was not associated with length of time on mechanical ventilation, total hospital LOS, or intensive care unit LOS. The majority of the patients were able to either increase or maintain their 6MWD while participating in a home‐based pre‐habilitation program during the waiting list period. Prospective research is needed to evaluate the effects of home‐based pre‐habilitation program for lung candidates.
White racism, civility, and the obligations of the socially privileged
Authors: Andolsen Barbara Hilkert 
Published: July 2020

AbstractCivility is a virtue associated with civic life, particularly with politics. This article briefly discusses civility as a moral principle requiring moral actions that give rise to the virtue of civility. Civility requires different practices on the part of persons with differential access to social power. In a white supremacist society, those with white privilege must avoid the temptation to use accusations of incivility to silence black voices. Suggestions are offered about how those with white privilege can fulfill their particular duties of civility in a racist society. Points include listening to hard truths and resisting retreat into white fragility.
What is the most useful imaging parameter to explore the prognostic value of the right ventricular function at the time of multimodality cardiovascular imaging?
Authors: Cazalbou Stéphanie , Chong Fah Shen Vanessa , Petermann Antoine , Eyharts Damien , Fournier Pauline , Cariou Eve , Lavie‐Badie Yoan , Hennig Alexia , Roncalli Jérôme , Rousseau Hervé , Carrié Didier , Galinier Michel , Berry Isabelle , Lairez Olivier 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundRight ventricular (RV) function is a powerful independent predictor of adverse heart failure outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare the predictive value of main RV systolic imaging parameters for outcome.MethodsSeventy‐nine patients underwent comprehensive cardiovascular imaging modalities including transthoracic echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, and tomographic equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography (ERV) for the assessment of RV function. The composite primary endpoint (CPE) was defined by the occurrence of death, heart transplantation, implantation of a left ventricular assist device, or new‐onset acute heart failure.ResultsDuring a mean follow‐up of 13 ± 9 months, 15 (19%) patients reached the CPE. The areas under the receiver operator characteristic curves for the prediction of the CPE were 0.922 (P < .001), 0.913 (P < .001), 0.906 (P < .001), 0.849 (P = .002), 0.837 (P = .003), 0.799 (P = .009), 0.792 (P = .011), 0.753 (P = .026), 0.720 (P = .053), and 0.608 (P = .346) for integral systolic S’ wave tricuspid annular velocity, RV free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS), RV fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, RV ejection fraction (RVEF) by CMR using the 4‐chamber slices, peak systolic S’ wave tricuspid annular velocity, RVEF by CMR using short‐axis slices, RVEF by ERV, RV myocardial performance index, and RV myocardial acceleration during isovolumic contraction, respectively.ConclusionEchocardiographic parameters, and particularly integral systolic S’ wave tricuspid annular velocity and RVFWLS, have the best prognostic performance.
Mitral leaflet separation index for mitral valve assessment during balloon mitral valvuloplasty
Authors: Kinsara Abdulhalim Jamal , Awadallah Ahmed Mohammed , AlZaki Manar , Goda Hala , C. Nanda Navin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of the mitral leaflet separation index (MLSI) in selected patients with mitral stenosis, before and after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV), compared to conventional methods with transthoracic echocardiography [TTE].MethodsA prospective study was conducted in 30 patients, ages 20‐60 years, with severe symptomatic mitral stenosis (MS) who had PBMV in the Cardiology Department, Zagazig University and National Heart Institute. A mean of three to five measurements of MLSI was taken in diastole in the parasternal long‐axis and apical four‐chamber views. The MLSI was re‐measured 24‐48 hours after PBMV. We calculated the correlation of the MLSI, pre and post BMV, with two‐dimensional (2D) MV planimetry and pressure half‐time (PHT) methods to assess MVA.ResultsThere was a positive, highly significant correlation between pre PBMV 2D planimetry and MLSI (r = .665, P‐value < .001) as well as post PBMV 2D planimetry and MLSI (r = .410, P‐value = .025). A positive highly significant correlation was also noted between pre PBMV PHT and MLSI (r = .678, P‐value <.001) and between post PBMV PHT and MLSI (r = .706, P‐value <.001).ConclusionMitral leaflet separation index is an easy and reliable measurement for the assessment of mitral stenosis before and after PBMV.
Clinical significance of tissue Doppler imaging in chronic Chagas disease
Authors: Cianciulli Tomás F. , Saccheri María C. , Papantoniou Alonso , Prado Nilda G. , Riarte Adelina R. , Méndez Ricardo J. , Clérici Javier E. , Beck Martin A. , Lax Jorge A. , Gagliardi Juan A. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIntroductionChagas disease (ChD) is one of the main parasitic diseases in Latin‐America. Its heart involvement is the most important cause of death. The aim of this study is to evaluate if Doppler Tissue Imaging (DTI) may have a predictive value for later events in subjects with chronic ChD.Methodswe analyses DTI variables of 543 patients with chronic ChD for the evaluation of predicting factors of events. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were considered as stroke, heart failure resistant to treatment, sustained ventricular tachycardia, implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator, sudden death, and cardiovascular death. The following findings were also included in total evens: heart failure, bradycardia, ventricular arrhythmia, new conduction system abnormalities, and new echocardiographic abnormalities. Multivariate analysis with logistic regression was used in order to assess the Doppler and DTI parameters predicting events. Variables with a P‐value ≤ .5 in the univariate analysis were included in the multivariate analysis.ResultsIn patients with chronic ChD, the analysis of DTI parameters showed that S′ wave and E′ wave of the lateral wall of the left ventricle were significant predictors of MACE (OR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.71–0.96; P‐value: .015 and OR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.66–0.98; P‐value: .031, respectively).ConclusionsThis study found that patients with chronic ChD who had events showed significantly lower parameters in the DTI. What is more, this study showed that even lower DTI parameters are significant predictors of events.
Compressing soil structural information into parameterized correlation functions
Authors: Karsanina Marina V. , Lavrukhin Efim V. , Fomin Dmitry S. , Yudina Anna V. , Abrosimov Konstantin N. , Gerke Kirill M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSoil structure is highly interconnected to all of its properties and functions. The structure for most soils is very complex and hierarchical in nature. Considering the fact that a truly multiscale digital 3D soil structure model for a single genetic horizon, even with the resolution not finer than 1 μm, will contain an enormous amount (approx. up to 1015 voxels or even more) of data, it is an appealing idea to compress this structural information. Effective management and pore‐scale simulations based on such datasets do not seem feasible at the moment. Another approach would be to reduce the complexity to a limited but meaningful set of characteristics/parameters, for example using universal correlation functions (CFs). In this study, we successfully compressed the soil structural information in the form of 3D binary images into a set of correlation functions, each of which is described using only six parameters. We used four different correlation functions (two‐point probability, lineal, cluster and surface‐surface functions) computed in three orthogonal directions for the pores. The methodology was applied to 16 different soil 3D images obtained using X‐ray microtomography (XCT) and segmented into pores and solids. All computed CFs were fitted using a superposition of three basis functions. In other words, we reduced 900–13003 voxel images into sets of 72 parameters. Fitting of computed correlation functions and reducing them to a number of parameters is a powerful way of compressing soil structural information. However, the analysis based on parameters alone is different from the one where correlation functions are used. This problem can be negated by uncompressing the correlation functions back from these parameters before any application. This way, correlation functions are not only a way to compress the soil structural information with minimal loss, but also may be used to solve a number of additional problems, including the comparison and differentiation of soil samples, location of elementary volumes, effective physical property prediction using machine learning, and fusion of hierarchical soil structures.Highlights
The 900–13003 voxels soil XCT scans were compressed into sets of 72 parameters
The use of fitted parameters alone may result in the inconsistent analysis of the soil structures
Each soil structure was uniquely described by a set of directional correlation functions
Correlation functions were found to be sensitive to the structural difference of all the studied soils
Edge crack forming mechanism and the countermeasures in as‐sintered 2024 aluminium alloy during cold rolling
Authors: Wang Tao , Yang Lun , Huang Yufeng , Ma Yunzhu , Wu Lei , Yan Huanyuan , Liu Chao , Liu Yang , Liu Bing , Liu Wensheng 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn order to solve the problem of edge cracking of the as‐sintered 2024 aluminium alloy during cold rolling, the initiation mechanisms of edge cracking were studied. The results indicate that the “herringbone” crack parallel to the rolling direction and the “zigzag” crack perpendicular to the rolling direction easily formed during cold rolling. The former mainly occurred during the early stage of cold rolling and was related to the poor plasticity of the as‐sintered alloy and the stress state at the end of the rolled plate, whereas the latter appeared in a sample with a rolling reduction of more than 60%, mainly because the grains at the edge of the sample were subjected to three‐direction shear stress, which results in cracking along the grain boundaries. However, both herringbone and zigzag cracks propagated along the grain boundary. Finally, the crack‐free products were obtained by optimizing the cold rolling process.
Integration of HIV services with primary care in Yangon, Myanmar: a retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: Tun NN , McLean ARD , Wilkins E , Hlaing MMM , Aung YY , Linn T , Ashley EA , Smithuis FM 
Published: July 2020

ObjectivesIntegration of HIV care with general healthcare may improve patient engagement. We assessed patient outcomes in four clinics offering HIV care integrated into primary care clinics in Yangon, Myanmar.MethodsWe carried out a retrospective cohort analysis of 4551 patients who started antiretroviral therapy between 2009 and 2017. Mortality and disengagement from care were assessed using Cox regression.ResultsPeople living with HIV presented late with low CD4 counts [median (25th, 75th percentile) = 178 (65, 308) from 4216 patients] and advanced HIV (69% with stage 3 or 4). Survival was 0.95 at 1 year and 0.90 at 5 years. Males were at a higher risk of mortality than females [unadjusted hazard ratio (uHR) = 1.6 (95% CI: 1.3–2.0). Patients linked to HIV care via antenatal care or partner/parent notification were at reduced risk of mortality [uHR = 0.4 (95% CI: 0.1–1.0) and uHR = 0.5 (95% CI: 0.3–0.7)] relative to patients who presented for HIV testing. The cumulative incidence of disengagement was 0.06 at 1 year and 0.15 at 5 years. Young adults had a higher risk of disengagement than did children and older patients. Women linked to HIV care via antenatal care services were at increased risk of disengagement relative to patients who came for HIV testing (uHR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.7–3.4). Mortality and disengagement remained steady over calendar time as the programme scaled up.ConclusionsHIV care within a primary care model is effective to attain early linkage to care, with high survival. However, close attention should be given to disengagement from care, in particular for pregnant women.
Adipokinetic hormone enhances CarE‐mediated chlorpyrifos resistance in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Tang B. , Cheng Y. , Li Y. , Li W. , Ma Y. , Zhou Q. , Lu K. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAdipokinetic hormone (AKH), the principal stress‐responsive neurohormone in insects, has been implicated in insect responses to insecticides. However, the functionality of AKH and its mode of signalling in insecticide resistance are unknown. Herein, we demonstrated that the enhanced activity of carboxylesterases (CarEs) is involved in the chlorpyrifos resistance in Nilaparvata lugens [brown planthopper (BPH)]. Chlorpyrifos exposure significantly induced the expression of AKH and its receptor AKHR in the susceptible BPH (Sus), and these two AKH signalling genes were over‐expressed in the chlorpyrifos‐resistant strain (Res) compared to Sus. RNA interference (RNAi) against AKH or AKHR decreased the CarE activity and suppressed the BPH's resistance to chlorpyrifos in Res. Conversely, AKH peptide injection elevated the CarE activity and enhanced the BPH's survival against chlorpyrifos in Sus. Furthermore, five CarE genes were identified to be positively affected by the AKH pathway using RNAi and AKH injection. Among these CarE genes, CarE and Esterase E4‐1 were found to be over‐expressed in Res compared to Sus, and knockdown of either gene decreased the BPH's resistance to chlorpyrifos. In conclusion, AKH plays a role in enhancing chlorpyrifos resistance in the BPH through positive influence on the expression of CarE genes and CarE enzyme activity.
T cells and cytokines in inflamed psoriatic skin. Who's in charge?
Authors: Milling Simon , Siebert Stefan 
Published: July 2020

SummaryInflammation in psoriasis is driven through the IL‐23/IL‐17 pathway. Monoclonal antibodies targeting cytokines in the pathway have proven highly effective and are widely used in clinical practice. There is still much to learn, however, about how these pathogenic responses are controlled, particularly with respect to the highly immunologically active molecules produced by the inflamed skin tissue itself. These tissue‐derived molecules, which include IL‐33, play important roles in modulating chronic inflammation that we are only beginning to understand. Here we highlight new research indicating a role for IL‐33 in modulating the inflammatory Th17 response in psoriasis, which may provide avenues for developing new psoriasis treatments.