bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surface deformation of Asama volcano, Japan, detected by time series InSAR combining persistent and distributed scatterers, 2014‒2018
Authors: Wang Xiaowen , Aoki Yosuke , Chen Jie 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAsama volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in Japan. Spatially dense surface deformation at Asama volcano has rarely been documented because of its high topography and snow cover around the summit. This study presents the first interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) observation of ground deformation at Asama volcano with 120 Sentinel-1 SAR images from both ascending and descending tracks and 20 descending ALOS-2 images acquired between 2014 and 2018. We exploited both persistent and distributed scatterers to overcome decorrelation of SAR signals and applied a three-dimensional unwrapping method to retrieve the displacement time series efficiently. Our observations reveal an asymmetric deformation around the volcano with two main deformation regions on the northeast and southeast flanks, respectively. The northeast flank (NEF) exhibits line-of-sight (LOS) extensions in all the three SAR datasets with maximum velocities of − 14, − 10, and − 12 mm/year for the descending ALOS-2, ascending, and descending Sentinel-1 measurements, respectively. The southeast flank (SEF) shows LOS extensions in the ascending observations and LOS shortening in the descending observations with velocities between − 12 and 9 mm/year. Decomposition of the LOS displacements reveals nearly pure subsidence at the NEF, while the SEF exhibits a substantial eastward component as well as subsidence. Comparisons of the vertical subsidence at two continuous GNSS stations near the summit crater with our InSAR observations indicate small discrepancies smaller than 4 mm/year. We interpreted that the subsidence at the NEF of Asama is primarily due to the hydrothermal activity, while the deformation at SEF is plausibly due to flank instability. We highlight that efforts should be taken to monitor the slope instability at Asama volcano in the future.
A review of the protection for the multi-terminal VSC-HVDC grid
Authors: Li Bin , He Jiawei , Li Ye , Li Botong 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe multi-terminal VSC-HVDC grid is believed to be widely applied in the future power system. The dc line protection is the key technique for operation security and power supply reliability of the dc grid. In this paper, the single-ended protections, namely, the traveling-wave based protection and transient-variable based protection, as well as the pilot protections, mainly including the directional pilot protection and current differential protection, are discussed in detail. With the analyzed protections, the effective main and back-up protection strategy can be configured for the dc line in multi-terminal VSC-HVDC grid.
Capital inflows, exchange rate and agricultural output in Nigeria
Authors: Ikpesu Fredrick , Okpe Abraham Emmanuel 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe study applied the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) technique in investigating the effect of capital inflows and exchange rate on agricultural output in Nigeria between the periods 1981 and 2016. The technique was selected because the variables are integrated at both 1(1) and 1(0) and the sample size is considerably small. Variables used in the study are agricultural output (AO), private capital inflow (PRCI), public capital inflow (PUBCI), investment (INV), labor (L) and real effective exchange rate. Findings from the empirical research revealed that the variables are cointegrated. The research outcome also indicates that in the short run and long run, private capital inflow and public capital inflow positively affect the country agricultural output. The study also revealed that exchange rate depreciation would cause agricultural output to decline in the short and long run. Based on the research findings, it is recommended that the government should create an enabling and conducive environment to attract more inflows of foreign capital into the country to boost the agricultural output. Also, monetary authority should ensure the stability of the country’s exchange rate (Naira) since exchange rate depreciation affects agricultural output negatively. Furthermore, there is the need for the harmonization of foreign capital inflow policy and monetary policy by the government, taking into consideration the optimal level of capital inflow that will not have a detrimental effect on exchange rate so as to ensure sustainable growth in agricultural output.
Dimensional anhedonia and the adolescent brain: reward and aversion anticipation, effort and consummation
Authors: Rzepa Ewelina , McCabe Ciara 
Published: November 2019

Background
Given the heterogeneity of depression the Research Domain Criteria Framework suggests a dimensional approach to understanding the nature of mental illness. Neural reward function has been suggested as underpinning the symptom of anhedonia in depression but how anhedonia is related to aversion processing is unclear.

Aims
To assess how the dimensional experience of anhedonia and depression severity relate to reward and aversion processing in the human brain.

Method
We examined adolescents and emerging adults (n = 84) in the age range 13–21 years. Using a dimensional approach we examined how anhedonia and depression related to physical effort to gain reward or avoid aversion and neural activity during the anticipation, motivation/effort and consummation of reward and aversion.

Results
As anhedonia increased physical effort to gain reward decreased. As anhedonia increased neural activity decreased during effort to avoid in the precuneus and insula (trend) and increased in the caudate during aversive consummation. We found participants with depression symptoms invested less physical effort than controls and had blunted neural anticipation of reward and aversion in the precuneus, insula and prefrontal cortex and blunted neural activity during effort for reward in the putamen.

Conclusions
We show for the first time that both physical effort and neural activity during effort correlate with anhedonia in adolescents and that amotivation might be a specific deficit of anhedonia irrespective of valence. Future work will assess if these neural mechanisms can be used to predict blunted approach and avoidance in adolescents at risk of depression.
Phase II Open-Label Study of Pembrolizumab in Treatment-Refractory, Microsatellite Instability–High/Mismatch Repair–Deficient Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: KEYNOTE-164
Authors: Le Dung T. , Kim Tae Won , Van Cutsem Eric , Geva Ravit , Jäger Dirk , Hara Hiroki , Burge Matthew , O’Neil Bert , Kavan Petr , Yoshino Takayuki , Guimbaud Rosine , Taniguchi Hiroya , Elez Elena , Al-Batran Salah-Eddin , Boland Patrick M. , Crocenzi Todd , Atreya Chloe E. , Cui Yi , Dai Tong , Marinello Patricia , Diaz Jr Luis A. , André Thierry 
Published: November 2019

PURPOSE KEYNOTE-164 (NCT02460198) evaluated the antitumor activity of pembrolizumab in previously treated, metastatic, microsatellite instability–high/mismatch repair–deficient (MSI-H/dMMR) colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS This phase II open-label study involved 128 centers worldwide. Eligible patients were age ≥ 18 years and had metastatic MSI-H/dMMR CRC treated with ≥ 2 prior lines of standard therapy, including fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan with or without anti–vascular endothelial growth factor/epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody (cohort A) or ≥ 1 prior line of therapy (cohort B). MSI-H/dMMR status was assessed locally. Patients received pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks for up to 2 years until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal. The primary end point was objective response rate by RECIST version 1.1 by independent central review. Secondary end points were duration of response, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival, safety, and tolerability. RESULTS A total of 124 patients with MSI-H/dMMR CRC (61 in cohort A, 63 in cohort B) enrolled. At data cutoff, median follow-up was 31.3 months (range, 0.2-35.6 months) for cohort A and 24.2 months (range, 0.1-27.1 months) for cohort B. Objective response rate was 33% (95% CI, 21% to 46%) and 33% (95% CI, 22% to 46%), respectively, with median duration of response not reached in either cohort. Median PFS was 2.3 months (95% CI, 2.1 to 8.1 months) and 4.1 months (95% CI, 2.1 to 18.9 months). Median overall survival was 31.4 months (95% CI, 21.4 months to not reached) and not reached (95% CI, 19.2 months to not reached). Treatment-related grade 3-4 adverse events occurred in 10 patients (16%) in cohort A and 8 (13%) in cohort B, with the most common occurring in ≥ 2 patients being pancreatitis, fatigue, increased alanine aminotransferase, and increased lipase (2 patients each; 3%) in cohort A. CONCLUSION Pembrolizumab is effective with a manageable safety profile in patients with MSI-H/dMMR CRC.
Cancer in Kenya: types and infection-attributable. Data from the adult population of two National referral hospitals (2008-2012)
Authors: Macharia Lucy Wanjiku , Mureithi Marianne Wanjiru , Anzala Omu 
Published: November 2019

Background: Cancer in Africa is an emerging health problem. In Kenya it ranks third as a cause of death after infectious and cardiovascular diseases. Nearly 31% of the total cancer burden in sub-Saharan Africa is attributable to infectious agents. Information on cancer burden is scanty in Kenya and this study aimed to provide comprehensive hospital based data to inform policies. Method: A cross-sectional retrospective survey was conducted at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) from January 2008 to December 2012. Data was obtained from the patients files and the study was approved by the KNH/University of Nairobi and MTRH Ethics and Research Committees. Results: In KNH, the top five cancers were: cervical (62, 12.4%), breast (59, 11.8%), colorectal (31, 6.2%), chronic leukemia (27, 5.4%) and stomach cancer (26, 5.2%). Some 154 (30.8%) of these cancers were associated with infectious agents, while an estimated 138 (27.6%) were attributable to infections. Cancers of the cervix (62, 12.4%), stomach (26, 5.2%) and nasopharynx (17, 3.4%) were the commonest infection-associated cancers. In MTRH, the five common types of cancers were Kaposi’s sarcoma (93, 18.6%), breast (77, 15.4%), cervical (41, 8.2%), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (37, 7.4%) and colorectal, chronic leukemia and esophageal cancer all with 27 (5.4%). Some 241 (48.2%) of these cancers were associated with infectious agents, while an estimated 222 (44.4%) were attributable to infections. Kaposi’s sarcoma (93, 18.6%), cancer of the cervix (41, 8.2%) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (37, 7.4%) were the commonest infection-associated cancers. Conclusion: Our results suggest that 30.8% and 48.2% of the total cancer cases sampled in KNH and MTRH respectively were associated with infectious agents, while 27.6% and 44.4% were attributable to infections in the two hospitals respectively. Reducing the burden of infection-attributable cancers can translate to a reduction of the overall cancer burden.
Humanistic burden and economic impact of heart failure – a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Giles Lucia , Freeman Caroline , Field Polly , Sörstadius Elisabeth , Kartman Bernt 
Published: November 2019

Background: Heart failure (HF) is increasing in prevalence worldwide. This systematic review was conducted to inform understanding of its humanistic and economic burden. Methods: Electronic databases (Embase, MEDLINE®, and Cochrane Library) were searched in May 2017. Data were extracted from studies reporting health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in 200 patients or more (published 2007–2017), or costs and resource use in 100 patients or more (published 2012–2017). Relevant HRQoL studies were those that used the 12- or 36-item Short-Form Health Surveys, EuroQol Group 5-dimensions measure of health status, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire or Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire. Results: In total, 124 studies were identified: 54 for HRQoL and 71 for costs and resource use (Europe: 25/15; North America: 24/50; rest of world/multinational: 5/6). Overall, individuals with HF reported worse HRQoL than the general population and patients with other chronic diseases. Some evidence identified supports a correlation between increasing disease severity and worse HRQoL. Patients with HF incurred higher costs and resource use than the general population and patients with other chronic conditions. Inpatient care and hospitalizations were identified as major cost drivers in HF. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that patients with HF experience worse HRQoL and incur higher costs than individuals without HF or patients with other chronic diseases. Early treatment of HF and careful disease management to slow progression and to limit the requirement for hospital admission are likely to reduce both the humanistic burden and economic impact of HF.
Controlled Human Malaria Infection in Semi-Immune Kenyan Adults (CHMI-SIKA): a study protocol to investigate in vivo Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite growth in the context of pre-existing immunity
Authors: Kapulu Melissa C. , Njuguna Patricia , Hamaluba Mainga M. ,   CHMI-SIKA Study Team
Published: November 2019

Malaria remains a major public health burden despite approval for implementation of a partially effective pre-erythrocytic malaria vaccine. There is an urgent need to accelerate development of a more effective multi-stage vaccine. Adults in malaria endemic areas may have substantial immunity provided by responses to the blood stages of malaria parasites, but field trials conducted on several blood-stage vaccines have not shown high levels of efficacy. We will use the controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) models with malaria-exposed volunteers to identify correlations between immune responses and parasite growth rates in vivo. Immune responses more strongly associated with control of parasite growth should be prioritized to accelerate malaria vaccine development. We aim to recruit up to 200 healthy adult volunteers from areas of differing malaria transmission in Kenya, and after confirming their health status through clinical examination and routine haematology and biochemistry, we will comprehensively characterize immunity to malaria using >100 blood-stage antigens. We will administer 3,200 aseptic, purified, cryopreserved Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites (PfSPZ Challenge) by direct venous inoculation. Serial quantitative polymerase chain reaction to measure parasite growth rate in vivo will be undertaken. Clinical and laboratory monitoring will be undertaken to ensure volunteer safety. In addition, we will also explore the perceptions and experiences of volunteers and other stakeholders in participating in a malaria volunteer infection study. Serum, plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and whole blood will be stored to allow a comprehensive assessment of adaptive and innate host immunity. We will use CHMI in semi-immune adult volunteers to relate parasite growth outcomes with antibody responses and other markers of host immunity. Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02739763.
Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, and antioxidant activities of Haloxylon salicornicum aqueous fraction
Authors: Ullah Riaz , Alsaid Mansour S. , Alqahtani Ali S. , Shahat Abdelaaty A. , Naser Almoqbil A. , Mahmood Hafiz Majid , Ahamad Syed Rizwan , Al-Mishari Abdullah A. , Ahmad Shabir 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe medicinal plantHaloxylon salicornicumis utilized for therapeutic purposes. We previously reported the antioxidant potential of hexane fraction and methanol extracts of the same species. However, since these solvents could be clinically toxic, the current findings investigated the pharmacological effects of the water fraction. The pain relieving, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic potential ofH. salicornicumwater extract (HEW) were studied at two concentrations (250 and 500 mg/kg) in rodents. The carrageenan stimulated rat paw edema assay was exercised to assess anti inflammatory potential in rats; yeast-stimulated hyperthermia was utilized to test antipyretic activity in mice; analgesic properties were assessed based on acetic acid-induced writhing, tail flicking, and hot-plate test; and antioxidant potential was examined with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay. We found that 500 mg/kg HEW inhibited edema by 44.03%. Yeast-induced hyperthermia in mice was reduced by 250 and 500 mg/kg HEW after 30, 60, and 120 min with significant level of (P < 0.001) compared to rectal temperature of yeast administered group. The high dose of HEW (500 mg/kg) improved the reaction time of mice in the hot-plate test from 6.66 ± 0.33 to 11.33 ± 0.49 s after 120 min. In the acetic acid-stimulated writhing test, 250 and 500 mg/kg HEW decreased writhing by 32.71% and 51.40%, respectively, after 20 min. HEW also showed antioxidant effects. These results demonstrate that HEW is bioactive and has therapeutic potential for treating a variety of ailments.
Human health risk assessment of potential toxic elements in paddy soil and rice (Oryza sativa) from Ugbawka fields, Enugu, Nigeria
Authors: Ezeofor Chidinma C. , Ihedioha Janefrances N. , T.Ujam Oguejiofo , Ekere Nwachukwu R. , Nwuche Charles O. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe potential toxic elements (Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Fe, Cr, Cd, Mn and Hg) were accumulated from rice grains and soil from an Ugbawka farm, Enugu State, Nigeria, which were determined to evaluate the potential health risk to rice consumers. The mean levels of metals found in soil (mg/kg) were as follows: Ni (0.57±0.24), Pb (2.44±0.17), Zn (3.35±2.05), Cu (0.71±0.33), Mn (37.72±10.97), Fe (13 856.6±31.43), Cr (2.51±0.98), Cd (0.51±1.36), and Hg (0.02±0.38); however metals found in rice grains (mg/ kg) were: Ni (0.81±0.72), Pb (0.94±0.70), Zn (8.22±2.97), Cu (0.59±0.42), Mn (13.30±4.56), Fe (13.28±0.73), Cr (15.00±10.00), Cd (0.36±0.07), and Hg (0.002±0.23). A small percentage (2.5%) of the soil samples were above the Chinese Maximum Allowable Concentration for cadmium in soil while cadmium and lead levels in the rice grains were above WHO permissible limit. Pearson’s correlations showed significant correlations amongst some metal pairs in soil and grains showing similarity in origin. The estimated daily intake of Pb was higher than the safety levels given by JECFA. Hazard Quotient for Pb and Total Hazard Index of all the metals were above one. This indicates possible potential health risk and adverse effect resulting from consumption of rice from Ugbawka farm.
Forschungsdatenmanagement schulen – ein Train-the-Trainer Programm zur Kompetenzvermittlung
Authors: Biernacka Katarzyna , Helbig Kerstin , Buchholz Petra , Dolzycka Dominika 
Published: November 2019

Zusammenfassung
Forschungsdatenmanagement bedarf in den kommenden Jahren einer Vielzahl an qualifiziertem Personal, um Aufgaben in Instituten, Forschungsprojekten und im Rahmen der zu schaffenden Nationalen Forschungsdateninfrastruktur zu erfüllen. Im Hinblick auf fehlende Aus- und Fortbildungswege zum entsprechenden Kompetenzerwerb erscheint ein Fachkräftemangel kaum vermeidbar. Um Forschende und Infrastrukturpersonal schnell und umfassend für die Wissensvermittlung zu qualifizieren, wurde im Rahmen des Projekts FDMentor ein Train-the-Trainer Programm entwickelt.
Persistent homeothermy in large domestic mammals maintained under standard farming conditions
Authors: Piccione Giuseppe , Giannetto Claudia , Giudice Elisabetta , Refinetti Roberto 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Background
Mammals, particularly large domestic ones, are considered to be year-round homeotherms. Surprisingly, however, very few long-term studies of the stability of core temperature of large domestic mammals have been conducted.

Methods
We monitored the auricular temperature and rectal temperature of goats, sheep, cows, and donkeys monthly for 2 years and compared their annual variation with their daily and day-to-day variations.

Results
Although ambient temperature varied from 8 °C in the winter to 30 °C in the summer, auricular temperature varied less than 0.5 °C, and rectal temperature varied less than 0.3 °C. We found that the daily oscillation in body temperature was up to three times as large as the day-to-day and month-to-month variations and that month-to-month variation was negligibly larger than day-to-day variation.

Conclusion
Our results confirm persistent homeothermy in large domestic mammals with unrestricted access to food and water and provide a quantitative measure of the relationship between long-term homeothermy and the wider range of daily/circadian oscillation.
Redox modulating effects of grape juice during aging
Authors: Kumar Raushan , Bhoumik Sukanya , Rizvi Syed Ibrahim 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Background
Polyphenols are known because of their phytochemical constituents having antioxidative properties. In this regard, grape juice is highly enriched with polyphenolic constituents, and its supplementation has been known to improve many health and age-associated diseases and risk factors. Our study was entirely dedicated to evaluating the positive effects of grape juice on young and old rats’ erythrocytes and plasma.

Methods
Young (4 months) and old (24 months) male Wistar rats were given an oral dose of grape juice for 28 days. They were grouped into four categories (n = 6): Group I: young control rats; Group II: young grape juice treated rats; Group III: old control rats; Group IV: old treated rats. The treated groups were administered with 10 μL/g of grape juice according to body weight. The following biomarkers of antioxidant defense were measured: ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), reactive oxygen species (ROS), plasma membrane redox system (PMRS), glutathione (GSH), osmotic fragility, and the decrease in lipid peroxidation measured in terms of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels.

Results
A significant increase (p<0.05) in antioxidant levels of FRAP, PMRS, and GSH and a significant decrease (p<0.05) in oxidized products such as ROS and MDA were seen in the treated rats in comparison to the controls. The decrease in ROS and rise in FRAP and PMRS levels suggest the ability of grape juice to combat oxidative stress effectively.

Conclusion
We propose the role of grape juice as a potent antioxidant because of its easy bioavailability and its role in combating stress. Our results also approve grape juice as a possible antiaging agent.
3-Methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase deficiency newborn screening in a population of 536,008: is routine screening necessary?
Authors: Wang Huaiyan , Liu Shuang , Wang Benjing , Yang Yuqi , Yu Bin , Wang Leilei , Wang Ting 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Objective
To evaluate whether 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase deficiency (3-MCCD) should be routinely screened in newborns.

Methods
Dried blood spots (DBS) were collected and analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry (TMS). Blood samples were collected from infants with positive 3-MCCD results. Targeted sequencing was performed using the extended panel for inherited metabolic diseases to detect 306 genes. The sequencing libraries were quantified and used for massively parallel sequencing on the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform.

Results
A total of 536,008 infants underwent newborn screening (NBS) and 14 cases of 3-MCCD were diagnosed. The incidence of 3-MCCD in Jiangsu province was 1:38,286. During the last 3 years of follow-up, none of the subjects with 3-MCCD exhibited obvious clinical symptoms. Only two children had mild feeding difficulties and vomiting. Eleven patients had complex variants of the MCCC1 gene, and three patients had mutations in MCCC2. In total, 17 types of MCCC1 or MCCC2 variants were found, and c.639 + 2t > a was the most common mutation.

Conclusions
As far as the current results are concerned, 3-MCCD may be benign in Jiangsu province. However, additional investigations and a longer follow-up period are necessary to decide whether NBS of 3-MCCD is necessary or not.