bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EXPloring attitudes and factors influencing reproductive Choices in kidney Transplant patients (The EXPECT‐study)
Authors: van Buren Marleen C. , Beck Denise K. , Lely A. Titia , van de Wetering Jacqueline , Massey Emma K. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPregnancy can have risks after kidney transplantation (KT). This mixed‐methods study aimed to identify the percentage of women getting pregnant after KT and explore motives for and against pregnancy together with psychosocial and medical factors involved in decision making. Furthermore, experiences of pregnancy and child‐raising were explored. Women who got pregnant after KT were matched with women who had not been pregnant after KT. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using directed content analysis. After KT, only 12% of women got pregnant. Eight women with pregnancies after KT were included (P‐group) and matched with 12 women who had not been pregnant after KT (NP‐group). Women after KT experienced a high threshold to discuss their pregnancy wish with their nephrologist. The nephrologists’ advice played an important role in decision‐making, but differed between the groups. In the P‐group, a desire for autonomy and positive role models were decisive factors in proceeding with their pregnancy wish. In the NP‐group, disease burden and risk perception were decisive factors in not proceeding with their pregnancy. Nephrologists need to be proactive in broaching this subject and aware of factors influencing the decision and outcomes. Standardized preconception guidelines on pregnancy counseling are recommended.
Spatial dependency in abundance of Queen conch, Aliger gigas, in the Caribbean, indicates the importance of surveying deep‐water distributions
Authors: Boman Erik M. , de Graaf Martin , Kough Andrew S. , Izioka‐Kuramae Ayumi , Zuur Alain F. , Smaal Aad , Nagelkerke Leo 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAimTo evaluate how the spatial distribution of a heavily exploited marine gastropod (i.e. Queen conch) varies in response to a number of known biotic and abiotic variables within and between study areas that vary in environmental conditions.LocationThree study areas in the north‐eastern Caribbean, Anguilla, Saba Bank and St. Eustatius.MethodsA novel towed video system and complemented belt transects to estimate adult queen conch densities throughout its depth range. Bayesian hierarchical spatial models (integrated nested Laplace approximations) modelled distribution patterns of adult conch.ResultsOur study revealed patchy distribution patterns of adult conch caused by spatial dependency. This dependency is most likely related to aggregating behaviour during spawning events. Environmental variables, such as algal cover, distance to the open ocean and depth, showed important nonlinear effects on conch abundance, although these differed among study areas. Intermediate and deep areas (ca. 17–45 m) contain most of the reproductive output of conch in the study areas and are highly important for the reproductive capacity.Main conclusionsThe general patchy distribution pattern and the lack of strong generic relationships between biotic and abiotic factors and adult conch abundance and distribution are likely to be at least partly due to spatial dependency and location‐specific factors, which affect different phases of the conch's life history. The depth distribution of conch also indicates that surveying areas at depths beyond the practical limitation of divers is of great importance to obtain more reliable population estimates.
Post‐error slowing: Large scale study in an online learning environment for practising mathematics and language
Authors: de Mooij Susanne M. M. , Dumontheil Iroise , Kirkham Natasha Z. , Raijmakers Maartje E. J. , van der Maas Han L. J. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe ability to monitor and adjust our performance is crucial for adaptive behaviour, a key component of human cognitive control. One widely studied metric of this behaviour is post‐error slowing (PES), the finding that humans tend to slow down their performance after making an error. This study is a first attempt at generalizing the effect of PES to an online adaptive learning environment where children practise mathematics and language skills. This population was of particular interest since the major development of error processing occurs during childhood. Eight million response patterns were collected from 150,000 users aged 5 to 13 years old for 6 months, across 23 different learning activities. PES could be observed in most learning activities and greater PES was associated with greater post‐error accuracy. PES also varied as a function of several variables. At the task level, PES was greater when there was less time pressure, when errors were slower, and in learning activities focusing on mathematical rather than language skills. At the individual level, students who chose the most difficult level to practise and had higher skill ability also showed greater PES. Finally, non‐linear developmental differences in error processing were found, where the PES magnitude increased from 6 to 9‐years‐old and decreased from 9 to 13. This study shows that PES underlies adaptive behaviour in an educational context for primary school students.
A rapid segmentation method of cell boundary for developing embryos using machine learning with a personal computer
Authors: Ota Rikifumi , Ide Takahiro , Michiue Tatsuo 
Published: August 2021

AbstractCell segmentation is crucial in the study of morphogenesis in developing embryos, but it had been limited in its accuracy until machine learning methods for image segmentation like U‐Net. However, these methods take too much time. In this study, we provide a rapid method for cell segmentation using machine learning with a personal computer, termed Cell Segmentator using Machine Learning (CSML). CSML took four seconds per image with a personal computer for segmentation on average, much less than time to obtain an image. We observed that F‐value of segmentation by CSML was around 0.97, showing better performance than state‐of‐the‐art methods like RACE and watershed in assessing the segmentation of Xenopus ectodermal cells. CSML also showed slightly better performance and faster than other machine learning‐based methods such as U‐Net. CSML required only one whole embryo image for training a Fully Convolutional Network classifier and only two parameters. To validate its accuracy, we compared CSML to other methods in assessing several indicators of cell shape. We also examined the generality of this approach by measuring its performance of segmentation of independent images. Our data demonstrate the superiority of CSML, and we expect this application to improve efficiency in cell shape studies.
Physical therapy with hippotherapy compared to physical therapy alone in children with cerebral palsy: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Santos de Assis Gustavo , Schlichting Tatiane , Rodrigues Mateus Beatriz , Gomes Lemos Alana , dos Santos Adriana Neves 
Published: August 2021

AimTo compare the effects of physical therapy with hippotherapy versus physical therapy alone on the gross motor function of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP).MethodElectronic searches were conducted in January 2021. We included controlled trials of the gross motor function of children and adolescents with CP, aged 2 to 18 years. We extracted means, standard deviations, and changes from the baseline to the end of the intervention. We used the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool modified by Effective Practice and Organization of Care (EPOC) to assess the methodological quality and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) method to verify evidence synthesis. We conducted the meta‐analysis using Revman 5.3.ResultsA total of 315 individuals from six studies were included. Both groups received physical therapy including strength, aerobic, stretch, and mobility exercises, and neurodevelopmental treatment. Studies presented high risk of bias. Both therapies presented similar effects for Gross Motor Function Measure scores, cadence, stride length, and speed during gait. The level of evidence was very low. The change was greater for the physical therapy with hippotherapy group, but inferior to the smallest real difference or the minimal detectable change.InterpretationPhysical therapy with hippotherapy presented similar effects to physical therapy alone on the gross motor function of children and adolescents with CP. Future studies should include larger sample sizes and studies with low risk of bias.
The triglyceride‐glucose index as an adiposity marker and a predictor of fat loss induced by a low‐calorie diet
Authors: Vidal‐Ostos Fernando , Ramos‐Lopez Omar , Blaak Ellen E. , Astrup Arne , Martinez Jose Alfredo 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the putative role of the triglyceride‐glucose index (TyG index) computed as ln[TG (mg/dl) × glucose (mg/dl)/2] and derived proxies as predictors of adiposity and weight loss changes after a low‐calorie diet (LCD) intervention.MethodsA total of 744 adult participants from the multicentre DIOGenes intervention study were prescribed a LCD (800 kcal/day) during 8 weeks. Body composition and fat content at baseline and after 8 weeks were estimated by DEXA/BIA. A multivariate analysis approach was used to estimate the difference in ΔWeight1–2 (kg), ΔBMI1–2 (kg/m2) or ΔFat1–2 (%) between the basal value (point 1) and after 8 weeks following a LCD (point 2), respectively. The TyG index at baseline (TyG1), after following the LCD for 8 weeks (TyG2) or the TyG index differences between both time points (ΔTyG1–2) were analysed as predictors of weight and fat changes.ResultsTyG1 was associated with ΔWeight1–2 (kg) and ΔBMI1‐2 (kg/m2), with β = 0.812 (p = .017) and β = 0.265 (p = .018), respectively. Also, TyG2 values were inversely related to ΔFat1–2 (%), β = −1.473 (p = .015). Moreover, ΔTyG1–2 was associated with ΔWeight1–2 (kg) and ΔFat1–2 (%), β = 0.689 (p = .045) and β = 1.764 (p = .002), respectively. Furthermore, an association between TyG2 and resistance to fat loss was found (p = .015).ConclusionTyG1 index is a good predictor of weight loss induced by LCD. Moreover, TyG2 was closely related to resistance to fat loss, while ΔTyG1–2 values were positively associated with body fat changes. Therefore, TyG index and derived estimations could be used as markers of individualized responses to energy restriction and a surrogate of body composition outcomes in clinical/epidemiological settings in obesity conditions.
The role of mandible morphology in termite inquilinism
Authors: Clemente Lara Oliveira , Constantino Reginaldo , Costa Diogo Andrade , DeSouza Og 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn heterospecific termite–termite (Blattodea, Isoptera) cohabitation, defensive morphologies are more evident in inquiline soldiers than in the workers. Nevertheless, these latter are prone to present defensive adaptations as well. After all, by living and feeding inside the nest of other species, such workers would suffer less pressure from building and foraging, but more demand for defensive adaptations. Interestingly, these three functions – building, foraging, and defense – can be exerted by a single structure, the mandibles. Providing that, in inquilines, defensive needs may prevail over building and foraging, it seems adaptive for inquiline termite workers to have mandibles modified for defense. Here we report on a significant correlation between mandibular modifications in termite workers and their propensity to inquilinism. Using behavioral assays, we show these adaptations to play relevant roles in the defense/attack dynamics of guests and hosts. We show that, in termite workers, the size and position of the apical tooth relative to the marginal teeth may arm termite hosts and termite inquilines with an effective defensive weapon. Hosts may also use it as a weapon to attack inquilines. The latter, however, are unable to do so, confirming previous reports on peaceful behavior as a typical strategy for termite inquilines. We argue that mandibular patterns in termites (as measured by the left mandible index, LMI), more than a product of feeding habit selective pressure, may also serve to mediate nest heterospecific cohabitation.
Credit risk in colonial India
Authors: Nath Maanik 
Published: August 2021

AbstractCredit was scarce and expensive in colonial India. Existing explanations assume a lack of market competition let moneylenders charge high interest rates. The article challenges this view and constructs a novel framework to explain the rationality and strategies of lenders. Using new evidence from the Madras Presidency, the study finds that the interconnected issues of climate volatility and enforcement costs shaped the supply and prices of credit. Climate volatility and uncertain seasonal incomes led to high default rates. Enforcement of contracts through courts was expensive and not appropriate where there was no wilful breach of contract. Moneylenders responded to risk in innovative ways. They rationed credit and imposed inflexible enforcement terms in the dry regions that faced higher climatic risk, but used contracts and flexible pricing strategies in the irrigated zones where risks were lower.
Would that it were so simple: Interactions between multiple traits undermine classical single‐trait‐based predictions of microbial community function and evolution
Authors: Lindsay Richard J. , Jepson Alys , Butt Lisa , Holder Philippa J. , Smug Bogna J. , Gudelj Ivana 
Published: August 2021

AbstractUnderstanding how microbial traits affect the evolution and functioning of microbial communities is fundamental for improving the management of harmful microorganisms, while promoting those that are beneficial. Decades of evolutionary ecology research has focused on examining microbial cooperation, diversity, productivity and virulence but with one crucial limitation. The traits under consideration, such as public good production and resistance to antibiotics or predation, are often assumed to act in isolation. Yet, in reality, multiple traits frequently interact, which can lead to unexpected and undesired outcomes for the health of macroorganisms and ecosystem functioning. This is because many predictions generated in a single‐trait context aimed at promoting diversity, reducing virulence or controlling antibiotic resistance can fail for systems where multiple traits interact. Here, we provide a much needed discussion and synthesis of the most recent research to reveal the widespread and diverse nature of multi‐trait interactions and their consequences for predicting and controlling microbial community dynamics. Importantly, we argue that synthetic microbial communities and multi‐trait mathematical models are powerful tools for managing the beneficial and detrimental impacts of microbial communities, such that past mistakes, like those made regarding the stewardship of antimicrobials, are not repeated.
The relation of etiology based on the 2017 ILAE classification to the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet in drug‐resistant epilepsy in childhood
Authors: Breu Markus , Häfele Chiara , Trimmel‐Schwahofer Petra , Schmidt Wolfgang M. , Laconne Franco , Vodopiutz Julia , Male Christoph , Dressler Anastasia 
Published: August 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness and safety of the ketogenic diet (KD) in drug‐resistant epilepsy in childhood in relation to the new 2017 International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification of etiology.MethodsA consecutive cohort of patients treated with the KD were categorized according to the ILAE classification into known (structural, genetic, metabolic, infectious, and immune‐mediated) and unknown etiology. Primary outcome was the frequency of patients achieving seizure freedom with the KD at 3 months, secondary outcomes were seizure reduction >50% at 3 months, and both seizure freedom and seizure reduction >50% at 6, 12 months, and at last follow‐up (LFU), and adverse effects. Outcomes were compared between etiology groups.ResultsEtiology was known in 70% (129/183). Outcomes did not differ at 3 months (known vs unknown: seizure freedom 28% vs 33%, seizure reduction 62 vs 67%), but seizure freedom was significantly less frequent in known etiology at 6 months (26% vs 43%) and beyond (22% vs 37%). Logistic regression identified duration of epilepsy, number of previous antiseizure medications (ASMs), and age‐appropriate psychomotor development as positive determinants of outcome. Among individual etiology groups, the effectiveness of KD was relatively best for genetic (33% at LFU) and poorest for metabolic etiology (8% at LFU). The small number of patients with infectious and immune‐mediated etiology requires larger numbers in each etiology group to corroborate our results. No differences in type and frequency of adverse effects (in 71%) between etiology groups were observed, requiring medical intervention in 21%.SignificanceThe KD was most effective in genetic and unknown etiology, many unknowns probably represent yet unidentified genetic causes. We recommend consequent diagnostic and genetic work‐up to identify etiologies that respond best to the KD. The KD should be offered early to infants with genetic epilepsy before deterioration of epileptic symptoms and of psychomotor development.
Genetic × environment variation in sheep lines bred for divergent resistance to strongyle infection
Authors: Sallé Guillaume , Deiss Véronique , Marquis Céline , Tosser‐Klopp Gwenola , Cortet Jacques , Serreau Delphine , Koch Christine , Marcon Didier , Bouvier Frédéric , Jacquiet Philippe , Blanchard Alexandra , Mialon Marie‐Madeleine , Moreno‐Romieux Carole 
Published: August 2021

AbstractDrug‐resistant parasites threaten livestock production. Breeding more resistant hosts could be a sustainable control strategy. Environmental variation linked to animal management practices or to parasite species turnover across farms may however alter the expression of genetic potential. We created sheep lines with high or low resistance to Haemonchus contortus and achieved significant divergence on both phenotypic and genetic scales. We exposed both lines to chronic stress or to the infection by another parasite Trichostrongylus colubriformis, to test for genotype‐by‐environment and genotype‐by‐parasite species interactions respectively. Between‐line divergence remained significant following chronic stress exposure although between‐family variation was found. Significant genotype‐by‐parasite interaction was found although H. contortus‐resistant lambs remained more resistant against T. colubriformis. Growth curves were not altered by the selection process although resistant lambs were lighter after the second round of divergence, before any infection took place. Breeding for resistance is a sustainable strategy but allowance needs to be made for environmental perturbations and worm species.
Does dividend policy affect sales growth in product markets? Evidence from the 2003 dividend tax cut
Authors: Chino Atsushi , Kim Joon Ho 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe examine the effect of firms’ dividend policy on product market outcomes. Exploiting the 2003 dividend tax cut as the exogenous increase in demand for dividends from tax‐sensitive shareholders, we show that firms that raised dividends in response to the tax cut recorded lower sales growth in product markets after the tax cut. These firms experienced a reduction in financial flexibility, which led to a decrease in investment activities. Despite the negative effects of dividends on sales growth, firm value increased on average, indicating that the firms raised dividends when the shareholder benefits outweighed the costs.
Non‐random dispersal in sympatric stream fishes: Influences of natural disturbance and body size
Authors: Terui Akira , Kim Seoghyun , Pregler Kasey C. , Kanno Yoichiro 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAlthough the prevailing paradigms in spatial ecology have treated dispersal as a stochastic process, there is an increasing awareness that spatial processes are non‐random such that individual characteristics and ecological contexts influence dispersal. Natural disturbance, such as river flooding, is known to stimulate dispersal behaviour, but its interactive effects with individual‐level characteristics (e.g. body size) of potential dispersers remain elusive. It is critical to fill this knowledge gap because anthropogenic impacts (including climate change) alter both disturbance regimes and population structures.Here, we examined how extreme high flows and individual body size combined to influence dispersal of three fishes (creek chubSemotilus atromaculatus, bluehead chubNocomis leptocephalus, and striped jumprockMoxostoma rupicartes) in two streams (740 and 520 m long) in South Carolina, U.S.A. We focused on extreme high flows as a natural disturbance, whereas body size was used as an individual‐level characteristic of dispersers. A total of 5,604 individuals were uniquely marked in the two streams over a >2‐year study period, during which sampling occurred every 2 months.The intensive capture–recapture study revealed differential effects of disturbance and body size among sympatric stream fishes. Extreme high flows increased dispersal of striped jumprock and creek chub, whereas body size influenced dispersal of striped jumprock with larger individuals traveling longer distances. Bluehead chub showed a complex dispersal response. That is, size‐dependence in dispersal emerged only during high‐flow periods.The results of this study build upon previous efforts by providing field‐based evidence of how disturbance and individual characteristics (body size) combine to drive non‐random dispersal and how it varies among sympatric species. This finding is important because metapopulations that are maintained by different non‐random dispersal (i.e. externally or internally driven) may show varied sensitivities to human‐induced environmental changes.
Both climate trends and short‐term fluctuations affected algae–zooplankton interactions in a boreal lake during the late Holocene
Authors: Belle Simon , Tõnno Ilmar , Vrede Tobias , Freiberg Rene , L. Nilsson Jenny , Goedkoop Willem 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Most studies aiming to explore the response of algae and zooplankton trophic interactions to climate variability have only been focused on unidirectional and very short‐term trends in temperature changes. As a result, the non‐stationary aspect of climate change (warming and cooling periods, frequencies) remains completely unstudied.

We studied elemental and stable isotope composition of sedimentary organic matter, photosynthetic pigments, and carbon stable isotope composition of Cladocera resting eggs in a sediment record covering the last c. 2,600 years. We examined how past climate change acting at different timescales affected algal biomass and community composition, and carbon assimilation by zooplankton in a boreal lake.

Our study revealed major effects of both long‐term climate trends and shorter‐term fluctuations on algae–zooplankton interactions in a boreal lake. We found the main climate trends, in particular the Little Ice Age, induced algal biomass and community composition changes and drastic changes in carbon assimilation by zooplankton. Interestingly, we found that temperature fluctuations could also contribute to regulating algae–zooplankton interactions. Specifically, we observed drastic changes in sedimentary markers and stable isotope composition of zooplankton remains during the most recent period, suggesting a strong influence of ongoing anthropogenic change on algae–zooplankton interactions.

Our study confirms previous findings showing close long‐term linkage between the temporal dynamics of zooplankton diet and planktonic algae, and that both climate trends and short‐term fluctuations are key in regulating consumer–resource trophic interactions.

Novel approaches that combine high temporal resolution paleolimnological reconstructions and contemporary monitoring studies are needed to better understand climate change effects on algae–zooplankton interactions and lake food webs.