bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Population-Based Estimates of SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Houston, Texas as of September 2020
Authors: Symanski Elaine , Ensor Katherine B , Piedra Pedro A , Sheth Komal , Caton Kelsey , Williams Stephen L , Persse David , Banerjee Deborah , Hopkins Loren 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background
In contrast to studies that relied on volunteers or convenience sampling, there are few population-based severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seroprevalence investigations and most were conducted early in the pandemic. The health department of the fourth largest US city recognized that sound estimates of viral impact were needed to inform decision making.

Methods
Adapting standardized disaster research methodology, in September 2020 the city was divided into high and low strata based on reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positivity rates; census block groups within each stratum were randomly selected with probability proportional to size, followed by random selection of households within each group. Using 2 immunoassays, the proportion of infected individuals was estimated for the city, by positivity rate and sociodemographic and other characteristics. The degree of underascertainment of seroprevalence was estimated based on RT-PCR–positive cases.

Results
Seroprevalence was estimated to be 14% with near 2-fold difference in areas with high (18%) versus low (10%) RT-PCR positivity rates and was 4 times higher compared to case-based surveillance data.

Conclusions
Seroprevalence was higher than previously reported and greater than estimated from RT-PCR data. Results will be used to inform public health decisions about testing, outreach, and vaccine rollout.
Phenotyping Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme in Blood: A Necessary Approach for Precision Medicine
Authors: Samokhodskaya Larisa M , Jain Mark S , Kurilova Olga V , Bobkov Alexander P , Kamalov Armais A , Dudek Steven M , Danilov Sergei M 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) metabolizes a number of important peptides participating in blood pressure regulation and vascular remodeling. Elevated ACE expression in tissues (which is generally reflected by ACE in blood) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Elevated ACE in blood is also a marker for granulomatous diseases.

Methods
We applied our novel approach—ACE phenotyping—to characterize serum ACE in 300 unrelated patients and to establish normal values for ACE levels. ACE phenotyping includes (a) determination of ACE activity with 2 substrates (Z-Phe-His-Leu [ZPHL] and Hip-His-Leu [HHL]), (b) calculation of a ratio for hydrolysis of ZPHL and HHL, and (c) quantification of ACE immunoreactive protein levels and ACE conformation with a set of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to ACE.

Results
Only a combination of ACE activity determination with 2 substrates and quantification of the amount of ACE immunoreactive protein with mAbs 1G12 and 9B9 allows for the unequivocal detection of the presence of ACE inhibitors in the blood. After excluding such subjects, we were able to establish normal values of ACE in healthy populations: 50%–150% from control pooled serum. This ACE phenotyping approach in screening format with special attention to outliers can also identify patients with various mutations in ACE and may help to identify the as yet unknown ACE secretase or other mechanistic details of precise regulation of ACE expression.

Conclusions
ACE phenotyping is a promising new approach with potential clinical significance to advance precision medicine screening techniques by establishing different risk groups based on ACE phenotype.
Time budgets of group-housed pigs in relation to social aggression and production
Authors: O′Malley Carly I , Steibel Juan P , Bates Ronald O , Ernst Catherine W , Siegford Janice M 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCommercial producers house growing pigs by sex and weight to allow for efficient use of resources and provide pigs the welfare benefits of interacting with their conspecifics and more freedom of movement. However, the introduction of unfamiliar pigs can cause increased aggression for 24 to 48 h as pigs establish social relationships. To address this issue, a better understanding of pig behavior is needed. The objectives of this study were to quantify time budgets of pigs following introduction into a new social group and how these changed over time and to investigate how social aggression influences the overall time budgets and production parameters. A total of 257 grow-finish Yorkshire barrows across 20 pens were introduced into new social groups at 10 wk of age (~23 kg) and observed for aggression and time budgets of behavior at four periods: immediately after introduction and 3, 6, and 9 wk later. Pigs were observed for the duration of total aggression and initiated aggression (s) for 9 h after introduction and for 4 h at 3, 6, and 9 wk later. Time budgets were created by scan sampling inactive, movement, ingestion, social, and exploration behaviors every 2 min for 4 h in the afternoon and summarizing the proportion of time each behavior was performed by period. The least square means of each behavior were compared across time points. Pigs spent most of their time inactive. In general, the greatest change in pig behavior was observed between introduction and week 3 (P &lt; 0.003), with gradual changes throughout the study period as pigs became more inactive (week 3 vs. week 6: P = 0.209; week 6 vs. week 9: P = 0.007) and spent less time on other behaviors. Pigs’ nonaggressive behavior and production parameters were compared with aggression using generalized linear mixed models. The time pigs spent on nonaggressive behaviors was negatively related to aggression (P &lt; 0.045) with few exceptions. Initiated aggression after introduction was negatively related to loin muscle area (P = 0.003). These results show how finishing pigs spend their time in commercial facilities and indicate that behavior continues to change for up to 9 wk after introduction into a new social group. Efforts to reduce chronic levels of aggression should focus on promoting nonaggressive behaviors, such as exploration and movement, after the initial fighting that occurs immediately after introduction has waned, and should be implemented for up to 9 wk after introduction into new social groups.
Two new species of fairy shrimps (Anostraca: Branchipodidae, Streptocephalidae) from the Northern Cape Province, Republic of South Africa
Authors: Rogers D Christopher , Meyer-Milne Elizabeth 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe describe two new species of fairy shrimp from the Northern Cape Province, Republic of South Africa. Both species are from arid inland regions, where little survey work for crustaceans has been conducted. Branchipodopsis transversusn. sp. is separated from congeners by the unique form of the male second antennae, which bear a transverse anterior lobe on the anteromedial projection of the proximal antennomere. Streptocephalus valkyrien. sp. is unique among members of the genus in that its primary diagnostic character is the presence of a pronounced spiniform ‘horn’ on the posterolateral corner of the female’s head. The male antennal appendages are readily diagnosed by the large spines on the ‘palmar; region of the ‘hand.’
Intraoperative assessment of femoral head perfusion during surgical hip dislocation for slipped capital femoral epiphysis
Authors: Michalopoulos Adrian , Spelman Christopher , Balakumar Jitendra , Slattery David 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Avascular necrosis is the most devastating complication of slipped capital femoral epiphysis, leading to collapse of the femoral head, increased risk of osteoarthritis and the requirement of early total hip arthroplasty. It is believed that intraoperative femoral head perfusion assessment may be an accurate predictor of post-operative avascular necrosis (radiographic collapse). At our institution, femoral head perfusion is assessed intraoperatively during all sub-capital realignment procedures. We hypothesize that our method is accurate in predicting the risk of developing post-operative avascular necrosis. In this retrospective study, we collected data from all patients that had intraoperative blood flow measurements during sub-capital realignment procedures. We correlated this with long-term radiographs looking for radiographic collapse. The intraoperative femoral head perfusion assessments during sub-capital realignment procedures for slipped capital femoral epiphysis at our institution, between January 2015 and March 2020 inclusive were assessed for reliability. In total, 26 of 35 patients had intraoperative femoral head perfusion present. Only 2 (8%) of these patients developed radiographic collapse. In contrast, 7 (78%) of the 9 patients who did not have femoral head perfusion present intraoperatively developed radiographic collapse, indicating that our method may be reliable in predicting a patient’s post-operative risk of developing avascular necrosis.
Field Borders Provide Winter Refuge for Beneficial Predators and Parasitoids: A Case Study on Organic Farms
Authors: Clem C Scott , Harmon-Threatt Alexandra N 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Semi-natural field borders are frequently used in midwestern U.S. sustainable agriculture. These habitats are meant to help diversify otherwise monocultural landscapes and provision them with ecosystem services, including biological control. Predatory and parasitic arthropods (i.e., potential natural enemies) often flourish in these habitats and may move into crops to help control pests. However, detailed information on the capacity of semi-natural field borders for providing overwintering refuge for these arthropods is poorly understood. In this study, we used soil emergence tents to characterize potential natural enemy communities (i.e., predacious beetles, wasps, spiders, and other arthropods) overwintering in cultivated organic crop fields and adjacent field borders. We found a greater abundance, species richness, and unique community composition of predatory and parasitic arthropods in field borders compared to arable crop fields, which were generally poorly suited as overwintering habitat. Furthermore, potential natural enemies tended to be positively associated with forb cover and negatively associated with grass cover, suggesting that grassy field borders with less forb cover are less well-suited as winter refugia. These results demonstrate that semi-natural habitats like field borders may act as a source for many natural enemies on a year-to-year basis and are important for conserving arthropod diversity in agricultural landscapes.
Forecasting Loan Default in Europe with Machine Learning
Authors: Barbaglia Luca , Manzan Sebastiano , Tosetti Elisa 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe use a dataset of 12 million residential mortgages to investigate the loan default behavior in several European countries. We model the default occurrence as a function of borrower characteristics, loan-specific variables, and local economic conditions. We compare the performance of a set of machine learning algorithms relative to the logistic regression, finding that they perform significantly better in providing predictions. The most important variables in explaining loan default are the interest rate and the local economic characteristics. The existence of relevant geographical heterogeneity in the variable importance points at the need for regionally tailored risk-assessment policies in Europe.
Delivery of Financial Navigation Services within National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Centers
Authors: de Moor Janet S , Mollica Michelle , Sampson Annie , Adjei Brenda , Weaver Sallie J , Geiger Ann M , Kramer Barnett S , Grenen Emily , Miscally Memi , Ciolino Henry P 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background
Cancer Centers have a responsibility to help patients manage the costs of their cancer treatment. This article describes the availability of financial navigation services within the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Cancer Centers.

Methods
Data were obtained from the NCI Survey of Financial Navigation Services and Research, an online survey administered to NCI-Designated Cancer Centers from July to September 2019. Of the 62 eligible Centers, 57 completed all or most of the survey, for a response rate of 90.5%.

Results
Nearly all Cancer Centers reported providing help with applications for pharmaceutical assistance programs and medical discounts (96.5%), health insurance coverage (91.2%), assistance with non-medical costs (96.5%), and help understanding medical bills and out-of-pocket costs (85.9%). Although other services were common, in some cases they were only available to certain patients. These services included direct financial assistance with medical and non-medical costs and referrals to outside organizations for financial assistance. The least common services included medical debt management (63.2%), detailed discussions about the cost of treatment (54.4%), and guidance about legal protections (50.1%). Providing treatment cost transparency to patients was reported as a common challenge: 71.9% of Centers agreed or strongly agreed that it is difficult to determine how much a cancer patient’s treatment will cost and 70.2% of oncologists are reluctant to discuss financial issues with patients.

Conclusions
Cancer Centers provide many financial services and resources. However, there remains a need to build additional capacity to deliver comprehensive financial navigation services and to understand the extent to which patients are referred and helped by these services.
Characterization ofProtothecaCYP51/ERG11 as a possible target for therapeutic drugs
Authors: Watanabe Takahisa , Ishikawa Tomohiro , Sato Hirotaka , Hirose Noriyuki , Nonaka Lisa , Matsumura Kaori , Masubuchi Akira , Nishimura Kazuko , Masuda Michiaki 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPrototheca spp. are achlorophyllous algae, ubiquitous in nature. An increasing number of human and animal cases of Prototheca infection (protothecosis) are reported, and antifungal azoles, which inhibit sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51/ERG11) involved in ergosterol biosynthesis, have empirically been used for the treatment of protothecosis. Although Prototheca, like fungi, has ergosterol in the cell membrane, efficacy of the antifungal azoles in the treatment of protothecosis is controversial. For investigating the interaction of azole drugs with Prototheca CYP51/ERG11, the CYP51/ERG11 genomic genes of four strains of P. wickerhamii and one strain each of P. cutis and P. miyajii were isolated and characterized in this study. Compared with the CYP51/ERG11 gene of chlorophyllous Auxenochlorella Protothecoides, it is possible that ProtothecaCYP51/ERG11 gene, whose exon-intron structure appeared to be species-specific, lost introns associated with the loss of photosynthetic activity. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences revealed that Prototheca CYP51/ERG11 and fungal CYP51/ERG11 are phylogenetically distant from each other although their overall structures are similar. Our basic in silico studies predicted that antifungal azoles could bind to the catalytic pocket of Prototheca CYP51/ERG11. It was also suggested that amino acid residues away from the catalytic pocket might affect the drug susceptibility. The results of this study may provide useful insights into the phylogenetic taxonomy of Prototheca spp. in relationship to the CYP51/ERG11 structure and development of novel therapeutic drugs for the treatment of protothecosis.Lay SummaryCases of infection by microalgae of Prototheca species are increasing. However, effective treatment has not been established yet. In this study, gene and structure of Prototheca’s CYP51/ERG11, an enzyme which might serve as a target for therapeutic drugs, were characterized for the first time.
The first Hubble diagram and cosmological constraints using superluminous supernovae
Authors: Inserra C , Sullivan M , Angus C R , Macaulay E , Nichol R C , Smith M , Frohmaier C , Gutiérrez C P , Vicenzi M , Möller A , Brout D , Brown P J , Davis T M , D’Andrea C B , Galbany L , Kessler R , Kim A G , Pan Y-C , Pursiainen M , Scolnic D , Thomas B P , Wiseman P , Abbott T M C , Annis J , Avila S , Bertin E , Brooks D , Burke D L , Carnero Rosell A , Carrasco Kind M , Carretero J , Castander F J , Cawthon R , Desai S , Diehl H T , Eifler T F , Finley D A , Flaugher B , Fosalba P , Frieman J , Garcia-Bellido J , Gaztanaga E , Gerdes D W , Giannantonio T , Gruen D , Gruendl R A , Gschwend J , Gutierrez G , Hollowood D L , Honscheid K , James D J , Krause E , Kuehn K , Kuropatkin N , Li T S , Lidman C , Lima M , Maia M A G , Marshall J L , Martini P , Menanteau F , Miquel R , Plazas Malagón A A , Romer A K , Roodman A , Sako M , Sanchez E , Scarpine V , Schubnell M , Serrano S , Sevilla-Noarbe I , Soares-Santos M , Sobreira F , Suchyta E , Swanson M E C , Tarle G , Thomas D , Tucker D L , Vikram V , Walker A R , Zhang Y , Asorey J , Calcino J , Carollo D , Glazebrook K , Hinton S R , Hoormann J K , Lewis G F , Sharp R , Swann E , Tucker B E ,   (DES Collaboration)
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
We present the first Hubble diagram of superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) out to a redshift of two, together with constraints on the matter density, ΩM, and the dark energy equation-of-state parameter, w(≡p/ρ). We build a sample of 20 cosmologically useful SLSNe I based on light curve and spectroscopy quality cuts. We confirm the robustness of the peak–decline SLSN I standardization relation with a larger data set and improved fitting techniques than previous works. We then solve the SLSN model based on the above standardization via minimization of the χ2 computed from a covariance matrix that includes statistical and systematic uncertainties. For a spatially flat Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM) cosmological model, we find $\Omega _{\rm M}=0.38^{+0.24}_{-0.19}$, with an rms of 0.27 mag for the residuals of the distance moduli. For a w0waCDM cosmological model, the addition of SLSNe I to a ‘baseline’ measurement consisting of Planck temperature together with Type Ia supernovae, results in a small improvement in the constraints of w0 and wa of 4 per cent. We present simulations of future surveys with 868 and 492 SLSNe I (depending on the configuration used) and show that such a sample can deliver cosmological constraints in a flat ΛCDM model with the same precision (considering only statistical uncertainties) as current surveys that use Type Ia supernovae, while providing a factor of 2–3 improvement in the precision of the constraints on the time variation of dark energy, w0 and wa. This paper represents the proof of concept for superluminous supernova cosmology, and demonstrates they can provide an independent test of cosmology in the high-redshift (z &gt; 1) universe.
Searching for new solar twins: The Inti survey for the Northern Sky
Authors: Yana Galarza Jhon , López-Valdivia Ricardo , Lorenzo-Oliveira Diego , Reggiani Henrique , Meléndez Jorge , Gamarra-Sánchez Daniel , Flores Matias , Portal-Rivera Jerry , Miquelarena Paula , Ponte Geisa , Schlaufman Kevin C , Vargas Auccalla Teófilo 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
Solar twins are key in different areas of astrophysics, however only just over a hundred were identified and well-studied in the last two decades. In this work, we take advantage of the very precise Gaia (DR2/EDR3), Tycho, and 2MASS photometric systems to create the ${{Inti}}$ survey of new solar twins in the Northern Hemisphere. The spectra of our targets were initially obtained with spectrographs of moderate resolution (ARCES and Goodman spectrographs with R  = 31 500 and 11 930, respectively) to find the best solar twin candidates and then observed at McDonald Observatory with higher resolving power (TS23, R = 60 000) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR ∼ 300–500). The stellar parameters were estimated through the differential spectroscopic equilibrium relative to the Sun, which allow us to achieve a high internal precision (σ(Teff) = 15 K, σ(log g) = 0.03 dex, σ($\rm {[Fe/H]}$) = 0.01 dex, and σ(vt) = 0.03 km s−1). We propose a new class of stars with evolution similar to the Sun: solar proxy, which is useful to perform studies related to the evolution of the Sun, such as its rotational and magnetic evolution. Its definition is based on metallicity (−0.15 dex ≤ $\rm {[Fe/H]}$ ≤ + 0.15 dex) and mass (0.95 M⊙ ≤ M ≤ 1.05 M⊙) constraints, thus assuring that the star follows a similar evolutionary path as the Sun along the main sequence. Based on this new definition, we report 70 newly identified solar proxies, 46 solar analogues, and 13 solar-type stars. In addition, we identified nine close solar twins whose stellar parameters are the most similar to those of the Sun.
White dwarfs with planetary remnants in the era of Gaia – I. Six emission line systems
Authors: Gentile Fusillo N P , Manser C J , Gänsicke Boris T , Toloza O , Koester D , Dennihy E , Brown W R , Farihi J , Hollands M A , Hoskin M J , Izquierdo P , Kinnear T , Marsh T R , Santamaría-Miranda A , Pala A F , Redfield S , Rodríguez-Gil P , Schreiber M R , Veras Dimitri , Wilson D J 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
White dwarfs with emission lines from gaseous debris discs are among the rarest examples of planetary remnant hosts, but at the same time they are key objects for studying the final evolutionary stage of planetary systems. Making use of the large number of white dwarfs identified in Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2), we are conducting a survey of planetary remnants and here we present the first results of our search: six white dwarfs with gaseous debris discs. This first publication focuses on the main observational properties of these objects and highlights their most unique features. Three systems in particular stand out: WD J084602.47+570328.64 displays an exceptionally strong infrared excess that defies the standard model of a geometrically thin, optically thick dusty debris disc; WD J213350.72+242805.93 is the hottest gaseous debris disc host known with $\mbox{$T_{\mathrm{eff}}$}=29\,282$ K; and WD J052914.32–340108.11 in which we identify a record number of 51 emission lines from five elements. These discoveries shed light on the underlying diversity in gaseous debris disc systems and bring the total number of these objects to 21. With these numbers we can now start looking at the properties of these systems as a class of objects rather than on a case-by-case basis.
Fundamental properties of stars from Kepler and Gaia data: parallax offset and revised scaling relations
Authors: Yıldız M , Örtel S 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
Data from the space missions Gaia, Kepler, CoRoT and TESS, make it possible to compare parallax and asteroseismic distances. From the ratio of two densities ρsca/ρπ, we obtain an empirical relation fΔν between the asteroseismic large frequency separation and mean density, which is important for more accurate stellar mass and radius. This expression for main-sequence (MS) and subgiant stars with K-band magnitude is very close to the one obtained from interior MS models by Yıldız, Çelik & Kayhan. We also discuss the effects of effective temperature and parallax offset as the source of the difference between asteroseismic and non-asteroseismic stellar parameters. We have obtained our best results for about 3500 red giants (RGs) by using 2MASS data and model values for fΔν from Sharma et al. Another unknown scaling parameter $f_{\nu _{\rm max}}$ comes from the relationship between the frequency of maximum amplitude and gravity. Using different combinations of $f_{\nu _{\rm max}}$ and the parallax offset, we find that the parallax offset is generally a function of distance. The situation where this slope disappears is accepted as the most reasonable solution. By a very careful comparison of asteroseismic and non-asteroseismic parameters, we obtain very precise values for the parallax offset and $f_{\nu _{\rm max}}$ for RGs of –0.0463 ± 0.0007 mas and 1.003 ± 0.001, respectively. Our results for mass and radius are in perfect agreement with those of APOKASC-2: the mass and radius of ∼3500 RGs are in the range of about 0.8–1.8 M⊙ (96 per cent) and 3.8–38 R⊙, respectively.