bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modeling Self-Thinning Patterns in Loblolly Pine with Provenance and Family Effects
Authors: Walker Trevor D , Bullock Bronson P , Smith Benjamin C , McKeand Steven E 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Size-density trajectories and self-thinning boundary lines were modeled for two diverse provenances of Pinus taeda L. and five open-pollinated families within each provenance. The data used come from a single site with replicated 64-tree block plots measured through age 25 years. The effects of provenance and family were tested using linear and nonlinear mixed-effects self-thinning models. The drought-hardy Lost Pines of Texas provenance displayed a greater predicted carrying capacity (almost 200 more trees per hectare at reference diameter 25.4 cm) and had a more abrupt approach to the self-thinning line than the widely planted Atlantic Coastal Plain provenance. However, the growth rate of the Lost Pines of Texas provenance was considerably slower and stem form was unacceptable for timber production. Families from the Atlantic Coastal Plain differed in their maximum stand density index predictions (from 1,118 to 1,282 trees per hectare at the reference diameter), suggesting there is an opportunity for artificial selection to change maximum stand density index in this breeding population of loblolly pine. A novel method for predicting the self-thinning boundary line using random effects inherent to the experimental design is presented and recommended for repeated measures data. Experimental design considerations for evaluating genetic differences in self-thinning are discussed.

Study Implications
Genetic improvement of growth rate in forest trees has resulted in large gains in plantation productivity, but the effect on carrying capacity has not been addressed. This study indicated that artificial selection on tolerance to competition in the widely planted Atlantic Coastal Plain provenance of loblolly pine can potentially increase harvest yield without sacrificing growth rate. The drought-hardy Lost Pines of Texas provenance displayed greater carrying capacity but had poor stem form and slow growth. The Lost Pines provenance may be attractive for aboveground carbon sequestration, since it sustained substantially more biomass because of greater maximum stand density and denser wood.
Automatic anatomical classification of colonoscopic images using deep convolutional neural networks
Authors: Saito Hiroaki , Tanimoto Tetsuya , Ozawa Tsuyoshi , Ishihara Soichiro , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro , Shichijo Satoki , Hirasawa Dai , Matsuda Tomoki , Endo Yuma , Tada Tomohiro 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Background
A colonoscopy can detect colorectal diseases, including cancers, polyps, and inflammatory bowel diseases. A computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system using deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) that can recognize anatomical locations during a colonoscopy could efficiently assist practitioners. We aimed to construct a CAD system using a CNN to distinguish colorectal images from parts of the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum.

Method
We constructed a CNN by training of 9,995 colonoscopy images and tested its performance by 5,121 independent colonoscopy images that were categorized according to seven anatomical locations: the terminal ileum, the cecum, ascending colon to transverse colon, descending colon to sigmoid colon, the rectum, the anus, and indistinguishable parts. We examined images taken during total colonoscopy performed between January 2017 and November 2017 at a single center. We evaluated the concordance between the diagnosis by endoscopists and those by the CNN. The main outcomes of the study were the sensitivity and specificity of the CNN for the anatomical categorization of colonoscopy images.

Results
The constructed CNN recognized anatomical locations of colonoscopy images with the following areas under the curves: 0.979 for the terminal ileum; 0.940 for the cecum; 0.875 for ascending colon to transverse colon; 0.846 for descending colon to sigmoid colon; 0.835 for the rectum; and 0.992 for the anus. During the test process, the CNN system correctly recognized 66.6% of images.

Conclusion
We constructed the new CNN system with clinically relevant performance for recognizing anatomical locations of colonoscopy images, which is the first step in constructing a CAD system that will support us during colonoscopy and provide an assurance of the quality of the colonoscopy procedure.
Examining Community-Based Housing Models to Support Aging in Place: A Scoping Review
Authors: Chum Karen , Fitzhenry Griffin , Robinson Kali , Murphy Michelle , Phan Delyth , Alvarez Jacob , Hand Carri , Laliberte Rudman Debbie , McGrath Colleen 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Background and Objectives
With the global population aging, there is a demand for older adults to age in place, that is, to live and age well in their home and community with some level of independence. Community-based housing models exist and may support this process. This scoping review aimed to describe and synthesize the ways in which community-based housing models relate to older adults’ aging in place and identify strengths and gaps in the literature.

Research Design and Methods
The housing models explored were villages, naturally occurring retirement communities, congregate housing and cohousing, sheltered housing, and continuing care retirement communities. This exploratory scoping review examined international peer-reviewed literature published from 2004 to 2019. Six databases were searched using terms related to housing models and older adults. Forty-six articles met the inclusion criteria. Descriptive numerical summary and thematic analysis were used to synthesize study characteristics and findings.

Results
Our analysis revealed 4 themes relating to aging in place in the housing models: Social Relations, Health and Well-being, Sense of Self and Autonomy, and Activity Participation. Further analysis identified housing-specific characteristics that appeared to pose barriers to, or enable, aging in place.

Discussion and Implications
To best support aging in place, the findings of the review suggest multiple characteristics worth considering when developing or relocating to a community-based housing model. Further research is required to understand how facilitating characteristics can promote aging in place for community-dwelling older adults.
Efficacy of Canadian health warning statements on caffeinated energy drinks: an experimental study among young Canadians
Authors: Wiggers Danielle , Reid Jessica L , Hammond David 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The current study examined the efficacy of health warnings on caffeinated energy drinks (CEDs). Participants aged 12–24 years (n = 2040) completed an online survey where they were asked to recall any existing warning statements on CED products and were randomized to one of 29 experimental warning conditions. Regression models were fitted to examine differences between conditions in product appeal, perceived safety and message recall. Overall, fewer than 30% of participants were able to accurately describe an existing CED product warning. Experimental findings indicated that exposure to CEDs with warning labels resulted in greater recall. Warnings on the back of CED cans featuring large font, a border, and a ‘caution’ heading resulted in significantly greater recall (P &lt; 0.05 for all). Front-of-package ‘High source of caffeine’ labels resulted in greater recall than a quantitative description (P &lt; 0.001); caffeine labels generally elicited lower product appeal (P &lt; 0.001) and perceived safety (P = 0.002) ratings vs. no caffeine labels, and the qualitative caffeine statement elicited lower perceived safety ratings than the quantitative statement (P = 0.02). Existing warning statements in Canada have low levels of awareness. Warnings on CEDs could be enhanced to increase the salience of messages, with greater impact from clear, descriptive, front-of-package ‘High source of caffeine’ labels.
First-in-children epicardial mapping of the heart: unravelling arrhythmogenesis in congenital heart disease
Authors: Kharbanda Rohit K , van Schie Mathijs S , van Leeuwen Wouter J , Taverne Yannick J.H.J , Houck Charlotte A , Kammeraad Janneke A.E , Bogers Ad J.J.C , de Groot Natasja M.S 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) are prone to develop atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Multiple factors throughout life contribute to arrhythmogenicity substrate such as (i) (longstanding) volume and/or pressure overload, (ii) scar tissue, (iii) ageing-related structural remodelling, (iv) cardiovascular risk factors and (v) tachycardia-induced remodelling. At present, it is unknown whether, and to what extent, paediatric patients with CHD have atrial or ventricular conduction disorders early in life and whether there is a correlation between duration of volume/pressure overload and extensiveness of conduction disorders. To investigate this, we initiated high-resolution intraoperative epicardial mapping in paediatric patients with CHD undergoing primary open-heart surgery.
Semi-abelian Spectral Data for Singular Fibres of the 𝖲𝖫(2,ℂ)-Hitchin System
Authors: Horn Johannes 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
We describe spectral data for singular fibres of the $\textsf{SL}(2,{\mathbb{C}})$-Hitchin fibration with irreducible and reduced spectral curve. Using Hecke transformations, we give a stratification of these singular spaces by fibre bundles over Prym varieties. By analysing the parameter spaces of Hecke transformations, this describes the singular Hitchin fibres as compactifications of abelian group bundles over abelian torsors. We prove that a large class of singular fibres are themselves fibre bundles over Prym varieties. As applications, we study irreducible components of singular Hitchin fibres and give a description of $\textsf{SL}(2,{\mathbb{R}})$-Higgs bundles in terms of these semi-abelian spectral data.
Microbial contamination in the communal-use Lao tobacco waterpipe
Authors: Sinclair Ryan G , Somsamouth Khamphithoun , Sahar Demetria , Englert Robyn , Singh Pramil 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe use of the Asian tobacco waterpipe (TWP) in the Lao People's Democratic Republic represents a potential communal source of infectious disease. This practice of smoking can lead to weakened defences of a smoker's respiratory epithelium, making the smoker vulnerable to respiratory diseases such as coronavirus disease 2019, tuberculosis and others.MethodsThis study evaluated the water quality and hygiene factors among 43 smokers of five villages in rural Luang Namtha Province. Water samples were collected from participant's TWPs and assessed for the presence of Escherichia coli, coliforms and aerobic plate count (APC) bacteria using the 3M Petrifilm.ResultsThe microbial indicator testing results were 95% positive for the APC, 38% positive for coliforms and 17% positive for the E. coli indicator. The concentrations were highest for the APC, with an average of 106 colony forming units (cfu)/ml, followed by coliforms with &lt;100 cfu/ml and lowest for E. coli with &lt;10 cfu/ml. Most TWPs were infrequently cleaned, heavily used and contained a warm, brown-coloured water.ConclusionsThe warm, dark and moist internal water container may facilitate microbial survival and growth. The use of a TWP adds several unstudied modes of transmission to a complex and common biobehavioural and environmental pathogen exposure. Future TWP cessation activities should be tailored to consider risks of infectious disease transmission.
Reproductive Endocrinology Reference Intervals for Transgender Men on Stable Hormone Therapy
Authors: Greene Dina N , Schmidt Robert L , Winston-McPherson Gabrielle , Rongitsch Jessica , Imborek Katherine L , Dickerson Jane A , Drees Julia C , Humble Robert M , Nisly Nicole , Dole Nancy J , Dane Susan K , Frerichs Janice , Krasowski Matthew D 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Background
Gender-affirming therapy with testosterone is commonly prescribed to aid in the masculinization of transgender men. Sex-hormone concentrations are routinely measured, but interpretation of results can be difficult due to the lack of published reference intervals.

Methods
Healthy transgender individuals who had been prescribed testosterone (n = 82) for at least a year were recruited from internal medicine and primary care clinics that specialize in transgender medical care. Total testosterone and estradiol were measured using immunoassay and mass spectrometry; LH, FSH, SHBG, prolactin, progesterone, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were measured using immunoassay; free testosterone was calculated. Reference intervals (central 95%) were calculated according to Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.

Results
When evaluating general endocrine laboratory tests in people using masculinizing hormones, reference intervals for cisgender men can be applied for total and free testosterone and SHBG and reference intervals for cisgender women can be applied for prolactin. Reference intervals for estradiol, LH, FSH, AMH, and DHEAS differ from those used for cisgender men and cisgender women, and therefore should be interpreted using intervals specific to the transmasculine population. For testosterone and estradiol, results from immunoassays were clinically equivalent to mass spectrometry.

Conclusion
Masculinizing hormones will alter the concentrations of commonly evaluated endocrine hormones. Providers and laboratories should use appropriate reference intervals to interpret the results of these tests.
Precision population analytics: population management at the point-of-care
Authors: Tang Paul C , Miller Sarah , Stavropoulos Harry , Kartoun Uri , Zambrano John , Ng Kenney 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Objective
To present clinicians at the point-of-care with real-world data on the effectiveness of various treatment options in a precision cohort of patients closely matched to the index patient.

Materials and Methods
We developed disease-specific, machine-learning, patient-similarity models for hypertension (HTN), type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and hyperlipidemia (HL) using data on approximately 2.5 million patients in a large medical group practice. For each identified decision point, an encounter during which the patient’s condition was not controlled, we compared the actual outcome of the treatment decision administered to that of the best-achieved outcome for similar patients in similar clinical situations.

Results
For the majority of decision points (66.8%, 59.0%, and 83.5% for HTN, T2DM, and HL, respectively), there were alternative treatment options administered to patients in the precision cohort that resulted in a significantly increased proportion of patients under control than the treatment option chosen for the index patient. The expected percentage of patients whose condition would have been controlled if the best-practice treatment option had been chosen would have been better than the actual percentage by: 36% (65.1% vs 48.0%, HTN), 68% (37.7% vs 22.5%, T2DM), and 138% (75.3% vs 31.7%, HL).

Conclusion
Clinical guidelines are primarily based on the results of randomized controlled trials, which apply to a homogeneous subject population. Providing the effectiveness of various treatment options used in a precision cohort of patients similar to the index patient can provide complementary information to tailor guideline recommendations for individual patients and potentially improve outcomes.
Application of MEKC and UPLC with Fluorescence Detection for Simultaneous Determination of Amlodipine Besylate and Bisoprolol Fumarate
Authors: Elonsy Sohila M , El Yazbi Fawzy A , Shaalan Rasha A , Ahmed Hytham M , Belal Tarek S 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Objective
Two chromatographic methods were described for simultaneous determination of the antihypertensive drugs amlodipine besylate (AML) and bisoprolol fumarate (BIS).

Methods
Method I applies micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography using a deactivated fused silica capillary (25 cm effective length × 50 μm internal diameter). The background electrolyte consisted of 0.01 M borate buffer (pH 9.2) containing 0.025 M sodium dodecyl sulphate and methanol in the ratio of 80:20 (v/v). Valsartan (VAL) was used as an internal standard. Diode array detector was set at 238, 224, and 210 nm for measuring AML, BIS, and VAL, respectively. Method II involves using ultra-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Zorbax SB-C8 column (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.8 μm particle size) was used with isocratic elution of the mobile phase composed of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid, acetonitrile, and methanol in the ratio of 55:35:10 (v/v) at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min. Fluorescence detection was done using excitation wavelengths 230 and 370 nm and emission wavelengths 305 and 450 nm for BIS and AML, respectively. Validation parameters were carefully studied including linearity, ranges, precision, accuracy, robustness, detection, and quantification limits.

Results
Method I showed good linearity over the range 10–100 μg/mL for both dugs. Method II’s linear ranges were 0.001–0.1 and 0.02–1 µg/mL for BIS and AML, respectively.

Conclusion
The proposed methods were successfully validated and applied for assay of the studied drugs in their fixed-dose combination tablets.

Highlights
To the best of our knowledge, this study suggests the first electro-chromatographic and LC with fluorescence detection methods for simultaneous determination of amlodipine and bisoprolol.
China’s ‘Going Global’ Policy: Transnational Production Subsidies Under the WTO SCM Agreement
Authors: Crochet Victor , Hegde Vineet 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACT
As China is increasingly ‘going global’, foreign direct investment under its Belt and Road Initiative is becoming heavily scrutinized. One of the concerns is that Chinese companies establishing themselves in third countries would be unfairly advantaged by the financing they receive under China’s expansionist strategy. This financing gives rise to a situation that had long been described as ‘unrealistic’, in which a government subsidizes a firm outside of its territory. When such a firm’s products are exported to third countries, could such financing be disciplined under the World Trade Organization Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures? Should such financing, which enhances development in the receiving countries, be disciplined at all? The authors shed light on these issues and provide a preliminary guidance on how to structure this problem under international trade law.
Mitotic cells can repair DNA double-strand breaks via a homology-directed pathway
Authors: Sakamoto Yuki , Kokuta Tetsuya , Teshigahara Ai , Iijima Kenta , Kitao Hiroyuki , Takata Minoru , Tauchi Hiroshi 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The choice of repair pathways of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is dependent upon the cell cycle phases. While homologous recombination repair (HRR) is active between the S and G2 phases, its involvement in mitotic DSB repair has not been examined in detail. In the present study, we developed a new reporter assay system to detect homology-directed repair (HDR), a major pathway used for HRR, in combination with an inducible DSB-generation system. As expected, the maximal HDR activity was observed in the late S phase, along with minimal activity in the G1 phase and at the G1/S boundary. Surprisingly, significant HDR activity was observed in M phase, and the repair efficiency was similar to that observed in late S phase. HDR was also confirmed in metaphase cells collected with continuous colcemid exposure. ChIP assays revealed the recruitment of RAD51 to the vicinity of DSBs in M phase. In addition, the ChIP assay for gamma-H2AX and phosphorylated DNA-PKcs indicated that a part of M-phase cells with DSBs could proceed into the next G1 phase. These results provide evidence showing that a portion of mitotic cell DSBs are undoubtedly repaired through action of the HDR repair pathway.
The disruption of the low-mass globular cluster E 3
Authors: Carballo-Bello Julio A , Salinas Ricardo , Piatti Andrés E 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACT
We use Gaia DR2 photometry and proper motions to search for the hypothetical tidal tails of the Galactic globular cluster E 3. Using a modified version of a classical decontamination procedure, we are able to identify the presence of an extended structure emerging from the cluster up to r ∼ 1 deg from its centre, thus suggesting that this poorly studied cluster is undergoing a tidal disruption process. These low surface brightness structures are aligned with the direction to the Galactic centre, as expected for a cluster close to its perigalacticon. Different scenarios to explain the important amount of mass lost by this cluster are discussed.
GRB spectrum from gradual dissipation in a magnetized outflow
Authors: Gill Ramandeep , Granot Jonathan , Beniamini Paz 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACT
Modelling of many gamma-ray burst prompt emission spectra sometimes requires a (quasi) thermal spectral component in addition to the Band function that sometimes leads to a double-hump spectrum, the origin of which remains unclear. In photospheric emission models, a prominent thermal component broadened by sub-photospheric dissipation is expected to be released at the photospheric radius, $r_{\rm ph}\sim 10^{12}\,$ cm. We consider an ultra-relativistic strongly magnetized steady outflow with a striped-wind magnetic-field structure undergoing gradual and continuous magnetic energy dissipation at r &lt; rs that heats and accelerates the flow to a bulk Lorentz factor Γ(r) = Γ∞min [1, (r/rs)1/3], where typically rph &lt; rs. Similar dynamics and energy dissipation rates are also expected in highly variable magnetized outflows without stripes/field-reversals. Two modes of particle energy injection are considered: (a) power-law electrons, e.g. accelerated by magnetic reconnection, and (b) distributed heating of all electrons (and e±-pairs), e.g. due to magnetohydrodynamic instabilities. Steady-state spectra are obtained using a numerical code that evolves coupled kinetic equations for a photon-electron-positron plasma. We find that (i) the thermal component consistently peaks at $(1+z)E_{\rm pk}\sim 0.2-1\,$MeV, for a source at redshift z, and becomes sub-dominant if the total injected energy density exceeds the thermal one, (ii) power-law electrons cool mainly by synchrotron emission whereas mildly relativistic and almost monoenergetic electrons in the distributed heating scenario cool by Comptonization on thermal peak photons, (iii) both scenarios can yield a low-energy break, and (iv) the $\sim 0.5(1+z)^{-1}\,$ keV X-ray emission is suppressed in scenario (a), whereas it is expected in scenario (b). Energy-dependent linear polarization can differentiate between the two particle heating scenarios.