bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non‐invasive detection of portal hypertension by enhanced liver fibrosis score in patients with different aetiologies of advanced chronic liver disease
Authors: Simbrunner Benedikt , Marculescu Rodrig , Scheiner Bernhard , Schwabl Philipp , Bucsics Theresa , Stadlmann Alexander , Bauer David J. M. , Paternostro Rafael , Eigenbauer Ernst , Pinter Matthias , Stättermayer Albert Friedrich , Trauner Michael , Mandorfer Mattias , Reiberger Thomas 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackground and AimsThe enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) score comprises serum markers of fibrogenesis and matrix remodelling and was developed to detect liver fibrosis, however, it may also be useful for the non‐invasive detection of portal hypertension (PHT).MethodsELF score and its single components (TIMP1/PIIINP/HA) were analysed in 201 patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD; ie hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) ≥6 mm Hg). Patients with pre‐/post‐hepatic PHT, hepatocellular carcinoma beyond Milan criteria, and history of TIPS implantation or liver transplantation were excluded.ResultsELF and its single components correlated with HVPG in the overall cohort: ELF: r = .443, TIMP1: r = .368, PIIINP:r = .332, and HA:r = .419 (all P < .001). The strength of the correlation between ELF and HVPG decreased in higher HVPG strata: 6‐9 mm Hg:r = .569(P = .004), 10‐19 mm Hg:r = .304 (P = .001) and ≥20 mm Hg:r = −.023(P = .853).Area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) of ELF score to detect clinically significant PHT (CSPH; HVPG ≥ 10 mm Hg) was 0.833. Importantly, HA alone yielded an AUROC of 0.828. Detection of CSPH in strictly compensated ACLD (cACLD) patients was less accurate: AUROC: 0.759 (P < .001). CSPH was ruled‐in by ELF ≥ 11.1 with a PPV of 98% (sensitivity: 61%/specificity: 92%/NPV:24%), but CSPH could not be ruled‐out.ELF score had a low AUROC of 0.677 (0.60‐0.75; P < .001) for the diagnosis of high‐risk PHT (HRPH; HVPG ≥ 20mm Hg) and, thus, HRPH could not be ruled‐in by ELF. However, ELF < 10.1 ruled‐out HRPH with a NPV of 95% (sensitivity: 97%/specificity: 26%/PPV: 39%).ConclusionThe ELF score correlates with HVPG at values <20 mm Hg. An ELF ≥ 11.1 identifies patients with a high probability of CSPH, while an ELF < 10.1 may be used to rule‐out HRPH.
Birth Spacing and Child Health Trajectories
Authors: Miller Ray , Karra Mahesh 
Published: May 2020

AbstractUsing longitudinal data on a cohort of over 4,000 children from four low‐ and middle‐income countries, we document the association between birth spacing and child growth trajectories. We find declines in child height at age 1 among children who are born within three years of an older sibling. However, we also observe catch‐up growth for closely spaced children as they age. We find no evidence that catch‐up growth is driven by remedial health investments after birth, suggesting substitutability in underlying biological processes. We also find that very widely spaced children (preceding birth interval of more than seven years) are similar in height at age 1 as children who are spaced three to seven years apart, but outgrow their more closely spaced counterparts as they age. However, further sibling comparisons suggest that the growth premium that is observed for very widely spaced children may be driven by unobserved confounding factors.
Cost of hospitalization for bronchiectasis exacerbation in children
Authors: Goyal Vikas , McPhail Steven M. , Hurley Frank , Grimwood Keith , Marchant Julie M. , Masters I. Brent , Chang Anne B. 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACTBackground and objectiveDespite paediatric bronchiectasis being recognized increasingly worldwide, prior reports of hospitalization costs for bronchiectasis in children are lacking. This study aimed to (i) identify health service costs of hospitalizations and (ii) factors associated with these costs in children admitted to an Australian paediatric hospital following an acute exacerbation of their bronchiectasis.MethodsDemographic and hospital resource use data were prospectively recorded for 100 hospitalizations in 80 children aged <18 years admitted consecutively to the QCH, Brisbane, Australia. Costs (2016 AUD) were obtained from the hospital's Finance Department. Linear regressions, with bootstrap resampling to quantify uncertainty, were used to estimate factors affecting cost of hospitalization.ResultsThe 100 hospitalizations (48 males) had a median (IQR) age of 6.04 (4.04–9.85) years. Their mean (SD) LOS was 12.30 (4.60) days. The mean (SD) direct health service cost was AUD 30 182 (13 998) per hospitalization. The greatest contributor to costs was health professional wages, accounting for 70% of the cost per episode. LOS, younger age at admission and number of bronchiectatic lobes affected were associated with higher costs, whilst HITH service was associated with lower cost. The cost to families on average was AUD 2669.50 (SD: 991.50) per hospitalization when accounting for lost wages and opportunity cost.ConclusionThe per episode healthcare cost burden of hospitalizations for paediatric bronchiectasis exacerbations is substantial. Interventions that prevent hospitalized exacerbations and reduce severity of childhood bronchiectasis with even moderate effectiveness are likely to result in substantial hospital costs savings.
Determinants of multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis in São Paulo—Brazil: a multilevel Bayesian analysis of factors associated with individual, community and access to health services
Authors: Arroyo Luiz Henrique , Yamamura Mellina , Ramos Antônio Carlos Vieira , Campoy Laura Terenciani , Crispim Juliane de Almeida , Berra Thais Zamboni , Alves Luana Seles , Alves Yan Mathias , dos Santos Felipe Lima , Souza Ludmilla Leidianne Limirio , Bruce Alexandre Tadashi Inomata , de Andrade Hamilton Leandro Pinto , Bollela Valdes Roberto , Krainski Elias Teixeira , Nunes Carla , Arcêncio Ricardo Alexandre 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveMultidrug‐resistant tuberculosis (MDR‐TB) remains a serious public health problem worldwide. Accordingly, this study sought to identify individual, community and access to health services risk factors for MDR‐TB.MethodsRetrospective cohort of all TB cases diagnosed between 2006 and 2016 in the state of São Paulo. A Bayesian spatial hierarchical analysis with a multilevel design was carried out.ResultsIt was identified that the history of previous TB treatment (Odds Ratios [OR]:13.86, 95% credibility interval [95% CI]:12.06–15.93), positive sputum culture test (OR: 5.26, 95% CI: 4.44–6.23), diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.87–2.91), residing at a standard address (OR: 2.62, 95% CI: 1.91–3.60), positive sputum smear microscopy (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.44–2.12), cavitary pulmonary TB (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.14–1.60) and diagnosis performed due to spontaneous request (OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.10–1.46) were associated with MDR‐TB. Furthermore, municipalities that performed HIV tests in less than 42.65% of patients with TB (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.25–1.79), that diagnosed TB cases only after death (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.17–1.93) and that had more than 20.16% of their population with income between ¼ and ½ of one minimum wage (OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.30–1.87) were also related to the MDR‐TB.ConclusionsKnowledge of these predictive factors may help to develop more comprehensive disease prevention strategies for MDR‐TB, avoiding the risks expressed regarding drug resistance expansion.
Core spliceosomal Sm proteins as constituents of cytoplasmic mRNPs in plants
Authors: Hyjek‐Składanowska Malwina , Bajczyk Mateusz , Gołębiewski Marcin , Nuc Przemysław , Kołowerzo‐Lubnau Agnieszka , Jarmołowski Artur , Smoliński Dariusz Jan 
Published: May 2020

SUMMARYIn recent years, research has increasingly focused on the key role of post‐transcriptional regulation of messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) function and turnover. As a result of the complexity and dynamic nature of mRNPs, the full composition of a single mRNP complex remains unrevealed and mRNPs are poorly described in plants. Here we identify canonical Sm proteins as part of the cytoplasmic mRNP complex, indicating their function in the post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression in plants. Sm proteins comprise an evolutionarily ancient family of small RNA‐binding proteins involved in pre‐mRNA splicing. The latest research indicates that Sm could also impact on mRNA at subsequent stages of its life cycle. In this work we show that in the microsporocyte cytoplasm of Larix decidua, the European larch, Sm proteins accumulate within distinct cytoplasmic bodies, also containing polyadenylated RNA. To date, several types of cytoplasmic bodies involved in the post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression have been described, mainly in animal cells. Their role and molecular composition in plants remain less well established, however. A total of 222 mRNA transcripts have been identified as cytoplasmic partners for Sm proteins. The specific colocalization of these mRNAs with Sm proteins within cytoplasmic bodies has been confirmed via microscopic analysis. The results from this work support the hypothesis, that evolutionarily conserved Sm proteins have been adapted to perform a whole repertoire of functions related to the post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression in Eukaryota. This adaptation presumably enabled them to coordinate the interdependent processes of splicing element assembly, mRNA maturation and processing, and mRNA translation regulation, and its degradation.
Attitudes and willingness to donate blood among gay and bisexual men in Australia
Authors: Clackett Shawn , Seed Clive R. , Prestage Garrett , Hammoud Mohamed A. , Hoad Veronica , Saxton Peter , Haire Bridget , Holt Martin , Jin Fengyi , Bourne Adam , Maher Lisa , Kaldor John 
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUNDMen who have sex with men in Australia are currently ineligible to donate blood (are “deferred”) for 12 months since last oral or anal sexual contact with another man. In Australia and overseas, there has been limited research on attitudes and perceptions related to blood donation in this population.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSQuestions on blood donation histories and attitudes toward the deferral policy were included in the questionnaire of an online prospective cohort of gay and bisexual men (GBM) living in Australia.RESULTSIn 2018, 1595 GBM responded to the survey. In this sample, 28.7% reported previously donating blood. Among the remaining men who had never donated blood, 64.5% expressed an interest in doing so. Nearly all men indicated they were not willing to abstain from sex with another man for 12 months in order to donate, and the vast majority believed the rule was unfair, too strict, and homophobic. Three‐quarters (77.7%) said that if the policy changed, they would likely donate blood. Age and openness about oneʼs sexuality were independently associated with oneʼs willingness to donate blood in the absence of the deferral.CONCLUSIONThere was a high level of willingness and desire to donate blood among GBM. However, rather than abstaining from sex in order to donate, many men comply with the deferral policy and do not donate. A less conservative deferral policy may increase donations from GBM.
Red blood cell transfusions alter splanchnic oxygenation response to enteral feeding in preterm infants: an observational pilot study
Authors: Martini Silvia , Spada Caterina , Aceti Arianna , Rucci Paola , Gibertoni Dino , Battistini Barbara , Arcuri Santo , Faldella Giacomo , Corvaglia Luigi 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDPreterm infants often require red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, which may impair splanchnic hemodynamics, thus predisposing to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether RBC transfusions alter splanchnic oxygenation patterns in response to enteral feeding in this population.MATERIALS AND METHODSPreterm neonates (gestational age < 32 weeks and/or birth weight < 1500 g) requiring RBC transfusions for anemia underwent a 12‐hour Near Infrared Spectroscopy monitoring of splanchnic (SrSO2) and cerebral (CrSO2) oxygenation, including the transfusion period, one feed before and one after. Splanchnic‐cerebral oxygenation ratio (SCOR) was also calculated. Patterns of CrSO2, SrSO2, and SCOR changes from baseline (Δ) in response to feed before and after transfusion were analyzed.RESULTSTwenty neonates were enrolled; none of them developed any gastrointestinal complication within 48 hours after transfusion. Pre‐transfusion ΔSrSO2 and ΔSCOR increased significantly in response to feeding; on the contrary, a significant post‐prandial decrease of ΔSrSO2 and ΔSCOR occurred after transfusion (p < 0.05). No difference in pre‐ and post‐transfusion ΔCrSO2 patterns was observed.CONCLUSIONSIn preterm infants, RBC transfusions may alter splanchnic oxygenation response to enteral feeds. Whether these changes are involved in the pathogenesis of transfusion‐associated NEC has to be evaluated in further larger trials.
Hematology of the keeled box turtle (Cuora mouhotii)
Authors: Cerreta Anthony J. , Houck Emma L. , Stowe Devorah M. , Lewbart Gregory A. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractA healthy adult, intact female keeled box turtle (Cuora mouhotii) was found to have a marked heterophilic leukocytosis using normal hematologic parameters established for the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina), a related chelonian species. This animal was monitored with serial complete blood counts (CBCs) over the next 15 years despite remaining asymptomatic for an infectious condition. Retrospective CBC data were compiled from 38 presumably healthy keeled box turtles to establish hematologic values for comparison in this species. Using this species‐specific data, over the 15‐year period, the female keeled box turtle had two times where the white blood cell (WBC) count was greater than 2 standard deviations (SD) above the mean, six times where the WBC count was greater than 1 SD above the mean, six times where the PCV was greater than 2 SD above the mean, and eight times where the PCV was greater than 1 SD above the mean. Infection and inflammation are the most common causes of leukocytosis in reptiles; however, given the clinical presentation of this patient, it was postulated that these clinicopathologic changes could be secondary to a stress response. Establishing reference intervals and understanding how stress impacts CBC parameters are important for evaluating the health status of keeled box turtles kept in captivity and for assessing the effects of environmental changes on the health status of wild populations of this endangered chelonian species.
Multiple acid‐base and electrolyte disturbances upregulate NBCn1, NBCn2, IRBIT and L‐IRBIT in the mTAL
Authors: Wang Jin‐Lin , Wang Xiao‐Yu , Wang Deng‐Ke , Parker Mark D. , Musa‐Aziz Raif , Popple Jacob , Guo Yi‐Min , Min Tian‐Xin , Xia Tian , Tan Min , Liu Ying , Boron Walter F. , Chen Li‐Ming 
Published: May 2020

Key points
The roles of the Na+/HCO3– cotransporters NBCn1 and NBCn2 as well as their activators IRBIT and L‐IRBIT in the regulation of the mTAL transport of NH4+, HCO3–, and NaCl are investigated.
Dietary challenges of NH4Cl, NaHCO3 or NaCl all increase the abundance of NBCn1 and NBCn2 in the outer medulla.
The three challenges generally produce parallel increases in the abundance of IRBIT and L‐IRBIT in the outer medulla.
Both IRBIT and L‐IRBIT powerfully stimulate the activities of the mTAL isoforms of NBCn1 and NBCn2 as expressed in Xenopus oocytes.
Our findings support the hypothesis that NBCn1, NBCn2, IRBIT and L‐IRBIT appropriately promote NH4+ shunting but oppose HCO3– and NaCl reabsorption in the mTAL, and thus are at the nexus of the regulation pathways for multiple renal transport processes.
AbstractThe medullary thick ascending limb (mTAL) plays a key role in urinary acid and NaCl excretion. NBCn1 and NBCn2 are present in the basolateral mTAL, where NBCn1 promotes NH4+ shunting. IRBIT and L‐IRBIT (the IRBITs) are two powerful activators of certain acid‐base transporters. Here we use western blotting and immunofluorescence to examine the effects of multiple acid‐base and electrolyte disturbances on expression of NBCn1, NBCn2 and the IRBITs in rat kidney. We also use electrophysiology to examine the functional effects of IRBITs on NBCn1 and NBCn2 in Xenopus oocytes. NH4Cl‐induced metabolic acidosis (MAc) substantially increases protein expression of NBCn1 and NBCn2 in the outer medulla (OM) of rat kidney. Surprisingly, NaHCO3‐induced metabolic alkalosis (MAlk) and high‐salt diet (HSD) also increase expression of NBCn1 and NBCn2 (effect of NaHCO3 > HSD). Moreover, all three challenges generally increase OM expression of the IRBITs. In Xenopus oocytes, the IRBITs substantially increase the activities of NBCn1 and NBCn2. We propose that upregulation of basolateral NBCn1 and NBCn2 plus the IRBITs in the mTAL: (1) promotes NH4+ shunting by increasing basolateral HCO3– uptake to neutralize apical NH4+ uptake during MAc; (2) inhibits HCO3– reabsorption during MAlk by opposing HCO3− efflux via the basolateral anion exchanger AE2; and (3) inhibits NaCl reabsorption by mediating (with AE2) net NaCl backflux into the mTAL cell during HSD. Thus, NBCn1, NBCn2 and the IRBITs are at the nexus of the regulatory pathways for multiple renal transport processes.
Geometrical Nonlinear Effects in the Dynamic Response of Sandwich Beams
Authors: Odessa Itay , Rabinovitch Oded , Frostig Yeoshua 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe geometrical nonlinear dynamic response of sandwich beams is studied using a dynamic high-order nonlinear model. The model is derived using the variational principle of virtual work and uses the Extended High-Order Sandwich Panel Theory approach with consideration of two interfaces between the three layers. A first-order shear deformation theory is adopted for the face sheets, while the kinematic assumption of high-order small deformations that account for out-of-plane compressibility are considered for the core layer. The nonlinearity of the dynamic model is introduced by considering geometrically nonlinear kinematic relations in the face sheets. The nonlinear kinematic relations and the dynamic modeling aim to evaluate the effects of the two features and their coupling on the response. The nonlinear dynamic response of sandwich beams is studied through two numerical cases and comparison of the nonlinear results with their linear counterparts. The first case looks into the coupling of the global geometrical nonlinear behavior with the dynamic behavior. The second case focuses on the local instability of the face sheets and its interaction with the compressibility of the core in the dynamic response of soft core sandwich beams. The comparison of linear and nonlinear dynamic response in the two cases sheds light on the coupling of the geometrical nonlinear and dynamic behaviors. Among other features, the latter is expressed by nonlinear attractors, higher modes response, nonlinear frequency response, and significant wrinkling response.
Fast Simulation of a Single Degree-of-Freedom System Consisting of An Iwan Element Using the Method of Averaging
Authors: Shetty Drithi , Allen Matthew 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
While Iwan elements have been used to effectively model the stiffness and energy dissipation in bolted joints, integrating the equations of motion of these elements is fairly expensive since implicit schemes, such as Newmark’s methods, need to be used. This paper presents a method of simulating dynamic systems containing nonlinear Iwan elements that significantly reduce the computation cost by using closed-form expressions for stiffness and damping in the microslip regime and an averaging method for regions of time in which no external force is applied. The proposed algorithm is demonstrated on a single degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system to evaluate the range over which it retains accuracy and the improvement in performance it offers. Although the current implementation is limited to SDOF systems, it can be used to simulate the response of each mode in structures exhibiting weak nonlinearity that can be modeled using the modal Iwan approach. To verify this, the dynamic response of a finite element model of a beam assembly, integrated using the Newmark-β method, has been compared with its equivalent modal model integrated using the proposed algorithm. The results show that the algorithm accurately predicts the response in a fraction of the time taken by implicit integration schemes, so long as the modes remain uncoupled and weakly nonlinear.
Domain Randomization Using Deep Neural Networks for Estimating Positions of Bolts
Authors: Ameperosa Ezra , Bhounsule Pranav A. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Current manual practices of replacing bolts on structures are time-consuming and costly, especially because of numerous bolts. Thus, an automated method that can visually detect and localize bolt positions would be highly beneficial. We demonstrate the use of deep neural networks using domain randomization for detecting and localizing bolts on a workpiece. In contrast to previous approaches that require training on real images, the use of domain randomization enables all training in simulation. The key idea is to create a wide variety of computer-generated synthetic images by varying the texture, color, camera position and orientation, distractor objects, and noise, and train the neural network on these images such that the neural network is robust to scene variability and hence provides accurate results when deployed on real images. Using domain randomization, we train two neural networks, a faster regional convolutional neural network for detecting the bolt and placing a bounding box, and a regression convolutional neural network for estimating the x- and y-position of the bolts relative to the coordinates fixed to the workpiece. Our results indicate that in the best case, we can detect bolts with 85% accuracy and can predict 75% of bolts within 1.27 cm accuracy. The novelty of this work is in using domain randomization to detect and localize: (1) multiples of a single object and (2) small-sized objects (0.6 cm × 2.5 cm).
Theoretical and Experimental Determination of Proppant Crushing Rate and Fracture Conductivity
Authors: Guo Dali , Zhao Yunxiang , Guo Zixi , Cui Xianhui , Huang Bo 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Proppant is an important material for hydraulic fracturing that impacts the production and production cost of oil and gas wells. The key properties of proppant are crushing rate and fracture conductivity. The most common way to evaluate the key properties of proppant is physical testing, but this method is time-consuming and costly, and it may result in different results under the same experimental conditions. This paper presents a method for calculating proppant crushing rate and fracture conductivity, which are obtained by combining a series of simple and economical laboratory experiments with a significant amount of numerical calculations under various experimental conditions. First, the arrangement of proppant particles was simulated, and the location of particles was determined with the Monte Carlo method, the optimization model, and search algorithm in this process. Second, by mechanical analysis of proppant particles, a mathematical model of force was established, and the singular-value decomposition (SVD) method was used to calculate the force of each particle. Third, the crushing rate of proppant particles was calculated under irregular conditions using mathematical statistics. The Kozeny–Carman equation was improved on to establish a fracture conductivity model. Finally, the average fracture conductivity was calculated on the basis of the simulation results. The calculated fracture conductivity is consistent with the experimental results, which verifies the accuracy of the model.