bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surgical aortic valve replacement in elderly patients: effects on physical performance, cognitive function and health-related quality of life
Authors: De Rui Marina , Tarzia Vincenzo , Mazzochin Mattia , Bertocco Anna , Ceolin Chiara , Trevisan Caterina , Tessari Chiara , Cavalli Chiara , Piperata Antonio , Coin Alessandra , Gerosa Gino , Sergi Giuseppe 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is still the gold standard for treating aortic valve stenosis (AVS). Its effectiveness has been extensively examined in terms of perioperative mortality, but its impact on overall health has received much less attention.

Aims
To assess the physical performance, cognitive status, and health-related quality of life of elderly patients undergoing SAVR, in the short, medium and long term.

Methods
This single-center prospective study enrolled patients aged > 70 years who underwent isolated SAVR for severe AVS. Data were collected on each participant’s clinical status, physical performance, cognitive status, mood, and health-related quality of life. This multidimensional geriatric assessment was performed before surgery (T0), and again at 45 days (T1), 3 months (T2), 6 months (T3), and 12 months (T4) post-surgery. Baseline (T0) and follow-up (T2-T4) data were compared separately for patients grouped by gender using paired t-tests.

Results
Data from a total of 35 patients were analyzed. Compared with the baseline (T0), nutritional status worsened at T1, then gradually improved through to T4. Physical performance, mood, and health-related quality of life improved significantly after surgery. Cognitive function showed no change through to T3, but then deteriorated at T4.

Conclusions
Our results show that SAVR in patients over 70 years of age has a positive impact on nutrition, mood, and health-related quality of life. Cognitive function was not negatively affected in the short and medium term, although it deteriorated in the long term. SAVR also had a positive impact on the physical performance of our sample.
Pedagogical Strategies for the Enhancement of Medical Education
Authors: Azzam Mohammad B. , Easteal Ronald A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractClearly, memory and learning are essential to medical education. To make memory and learning more robust and long-term, educators should turn to the advances in neuroscience and cognitive science to direct their efforts. This paper describes the memory pathways and stages with emphasis leading to long-term memory storage. Particular stress is placed on this storage as a construct known as schema. Leading from this background, several pedagogical strategies are described: cognitive load, dual encoding, spiral syllabus, bridging and chunking, sleep consolidation, and retrieval practice.
The Technological Condition of Human Evolution: Lithic Studies as Basic Science
Authors: Hussain Shumon Tobias , Soressi Marie 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe recent elaboration and rapid expansion of aDNA, paleoproteomics, and related fields have propelled a profound “biomolecular turn” in archaeology and fundamentally changed the topology of archaeological knowledge production. Such a transformation of the archaeological research landscape is not without consequence for long-standing research practices in the field, such as lithic analysis. This special issue derives from the session Old Stones, New Eyes? organized by the authors at the UISPP World Congress in Paris in 2018, which aimed to explore the future of lithic studies. An underlying theme of our session was the felt need to respond to the increasing marginalization of lithic research in terms of its capacity to (1) contribute to the grand narratives of early human evolution and (2) better articulate the role and significance of lithic studies in interdisciplinary human origins research. In this editorial, we briefly outline some of the questions and challenges raised by the biomolecular turn and advocate for a more self-conscious and reflexive stance among lithic experts. We argue that lithic studies fulfill all necessary requirements to act as a basic science for human origins research and that its role and status depends less on technological advances, such as, e.g., improved computing facilities, novel analytical software, or automated shape capture technologies, than on continuous work on the conceptual and methodological foundations of inquiry. We finally draw attention to the unique capability of lithic studies to shed light on the human technological condition and illustrate this potential by introducing and briefly discussing the papers included in this issue.
Metagenomic insights into the effects of submerged plants on functional potential of microbial communities in wetland sediments
Authors: Wang Binhao , Zheng Xiafei , Zhang Hangjun , Yu Xiaoli , Lian Yingli , Yang Xueqin , Yu Huang , Hu Ruiwen , He Zhili , Xiao Fanshu , Yan Qingyun 
Published: August 2021

AbstractSubmerged plants in wetlands play important roles as ecosystem engineers to improve self-purification and promote elemental cycling. However, their effects on the functional capacity of microbial communities in wetland sediments remain poorly understood. Here, we provide detailed metagenomic insights into the biogeochemical potential of microbial communities in wetland sediments with and without submerged plants (i.e.,Vallisneria natans). A large number of functional genes involved in carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) cycling were detected in the wetland sediments. However, most functional genes showed higher abundance in sediments with submerged plants than in those without plants. Based on the comparison of annotated functional genes in the N and S cycling databases (i.e., NCycDB and SCycDB), we found that genes involved in nitrogen fixation (e.g.,nifD/H/K/W), assimilatory nitrate reduction (e.g.,nasAandnirA), denitrification (e.g.,nirK/SandnosZ), assimilatory sulfate reduction (e.g.,cysD/H/J/N/Qandsir), and sulfur oxidation (e.g.,glpE, soeA, sqrandsseA) were significantly higher (correctedp < 0.05) in vegetated vs. unvegetated sediments. This could be mainly driven by environmental factors including total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and C:N ratio. The binning of metagenomes further revealed that some archaeal taxa could have the potential of methane metabolism including hydrogenotrophic, acetoclastic, and methylotrophic methanogenesis, which are crucial to the wetland methane budget and carbon cycling. This study opens a new avenue for linking submerged plants with microbial functions, and has further implications for understanding global carbon, nitrogen and sulfur cycling in wetland ecosystems.
Historical Benchmarks for Quality Tolerance Limits Parameters in Clinical Trials
Authors: Makowski Marcin , Bhagat Ruma , Chevalier Soazig , Gilbert Steven A. , Görtz Dagmar R. , Kozińska Marta , Nadolny Patrick , Suprin Melissa , Turri Sabine 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
In 2016, the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use updated its efficacy guideline for good clinical practice and introduced quality tolerance limits (QTLs) as a quality control in clinical trials. Previously, TransCelerate proposed a framework for QTL implementation and parameters. Historical data can be important in helping to determine QTL thresholds in new clinical trials.

Methods
This article presents results of historical data analyses for the previously proposed parameters based on data from 294 clinical trials from seven TransCelerate member companies. The differences across therapeutic areas were assessed by comparing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and oncology trials using a separate dataset provided by Medidata.

Results
TransCelerate member companies provided historical data on 11 QTL parameters with data sufficient for analysis for parameters. The distribution of values was similar for most parameters with a relatively small number of outlying trials with high parameter values. Medidata provided values for three parameters in a total of 45 AD and oncology trials with no obvious differences between the therapeutic areas.

Conclusion
Historical parameter values can provide helpful benchmark information for quality control activities in future trials.
Counting closed geodesics in a compact rank-one locally CAT(0) space
Authors: RICKS RUSSELL 
Published: August 2021

AbstractLet X be a compact, geodesically complete, locally CAT(0) space such that the universal cover admits a rank-one axis. Assume X is not homothetic to a metric graph with integer edge lengths. Let
$P_t$
be the number of parallel classes of oriented closed geodesics of length at most t; then
$\lim \nolimits _{t \to \infty } P_t / ({e^{ht}}/{ht}) = 1$
, where h is the entropy of the geodesic flow on the space
$GX$
of parametrized unit-speed geodesics in X.
Adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines and prevalence of poor oral health-related quality of life among older Japanese adults in the Kyoto–Kameoka study
Authors: Watanabe Daiki , Kurotani Kayo , Yoshida Tsukasa , Nanri Hinako , Watanabe Yuya , Date Heiwa , Itoi Aya , Goto Chiho , Ishikawa-Takata Kazuko , Kikutani Takeshi , Yoshida Mitsuyoshi , Fujita Hiroyuki , Yamada Yosuke , Kimura Misaka ,   Kyoto-Kameoka Study Group
Published: August 2021

AbstractAlthough better diet quality is inversely related to the risk of geriatric disorders, the association of adherence to dietary guidelines with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is unclear. We aimed to investigate this association in older Japanese adults. This cross-sectional study included 7984 Japanese participants aged ≥ 65 years from the population-based Kyoto–Kameoka study. Dietary intake was estimated using a validated self-administered FFQ. The scores for adherence to the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top (range: 0 (worst) to 80 (best)) were calculated. These scores were stratiﬁed into quartiles (Qs). Poor OHRQoL was defined as a score ≤ 50 using a 12-item Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index. The OR and 95 % CI were calculated using multivariable logistic regression and the spline model. Higher adherence score was associated with a lower prevalence of poor OHRQoL (Q1–Q4:36·0 %, 32·1 %, 27·9 % and 25·1 %, respectively). An inverse association was found between the score for adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines and the OR of poor OHRQoL among all the participants (Q1: reference; Q2: OR, 0·87 (95 % CI: 0·75, 1·00); Q3: OR, 0·77 (95 % CI: 0·66, 0·90); Q4: OR, 0·72 (95 % CI: 0·62, 0·85); Pfor trend < 0·001). These relationships were similar to the results in the spline model. Higher adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines is inversely associated with the prevalence of poor OHRQoL in older adults. Our results may provide useful insights to improve and maintain oral health.
Short-range attraction and oviposition stimulant of a biocontrol agent, Galerucella placida Baly (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) toward weed leaf surface waxes
Authors: Koner Anamika , Das Swati , Mobarak Syed Husne , Barik Anandamay 
Published: August 2021

AbstractTwo Polygonaceae weeds, Rumex dentatus L. and Polygonum glabrum Willd. are abundant in wheat- and rice-fields, respectively, in India. Galerucella placida Baly (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a biocontrol agent of these two weeds. The importance of long-chain alkanes and free fatty acids present in leaf surface waxes of these weeds was assessed as short-range attractant and ovipositional stimulant in G. placida females. Extraction, TLC, GC-MS and GC-FID analyses demonstrated 19 n-alkanes from n-C14 to n-C35 and 14 free fatty acids from C12:0 to C22:0 in leaf surface waxes. Hentriacontane was predominant among alkanes in both weeds, while oleic acid and docosanoic acid were predominant among free fatty acids in R. dentatus and P. glabrum, respectively. Females of G. placida were attracted toward one leaf equivalent surface wax of both weeds against the control solvent (petroleum ether) in a short Y-tube olfactometer bioassay. But, the insect could not differentiate between one leaf equivalent surface wax of R. dentatus and P. glabrum, indicating that both weed leaves were equally attractive in females. A synthetic blend of either 2.44, 35.57 and 23.58 μg ml−1 of octadecane, heptacosane and nonacosane, respectively, resembling the amounts present in one leaf equivalent surface wax of R. dentatus or 4.08, 19.54 and 23.58 μg ml−1 of octadecane, palmitoleic acid and docosanoic acid, respectively, resembling the amounts present in one leaf equivalent surface wax of P. glabrum acted as short-range attractant and ovipositional stimulant in G. placida. These results could be a basis for host plant specificity of the biocontrol agent.
Investigating racing thoughts via ocular temporal windows: deficits in the control of automatic perceptual processes
Authors: Polgári Patrik , Weiner Luisa , Causin Jean-Baptiste , Bertschy Gilles , Giersch Anne 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundRacing thoughts have been found in several states of bipolar disorder (BD), but also in healthy populations with subclinical mood alterations. The evaluation of racing thoughts relies on subjective reports, and objective measures are sparse. The current study aims at finding an objective neuropsychological equivalent of racing thoughts in a mixed group of BD patients and healthy controls by using a bistable perception paradigm.MethodEighty-three included participants formed three groups based on participants' levels of racing thoughts reported via the Racing and Crowded Thoughts Questionnaire. Participants reported reversals in their perception during viewing of the bistable Necker cube either spontaneously, while asked to focus on one interpretation of the cube, or while asked to accelerate perceptual reversals. The dynamics of perceptual alternations were studied both at a conscious level (with manual temporal windows reflecting perceptual reversals) and at a more automatic level (with ocular temporal windows derived from ocular fixations).ResultsThe rate of windows was less modulated by attentional conditions in participants with racing thoughts, and most clearly so for ocular windows. The rate of ocular windows was especially high when participants with racing thoughts were asked to focus on one interpretation of the Necker cube and when they received these instructions for the first time.ConclusionsOur results indicate that in subjects with racing thoughts automatic perceptual processes escape cognitive control mechanisms. Racing thoughts may involve not only conscious thought mechanisms but also more automatic processes.
Neuropsychological Phenotypes in Pediatric Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Schraegle William A. , Nussbaum Nancy L. , DeLeon Rosario C. , Titus Jeffrey B. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractObjective:Adults with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) have been found to have a fairly characteristic pattern of neuropsychological performance, but there is considerably less research and more variability in findings with children. Because the cognitive domains included in most studies with children have been limited, the current study attempted to better characterize the cognitive phenotype of children with TLE using a broader neuropsychological battery.Methods:The study included 59 children with TLE (59% male) age 7 to 16 (M = 12.67; SD = 3.12) who underwent comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. Patient results were grouped into cognitive domains (reasoning, language, visuoperceptual, verbal memory, executive function, and motor function) based upon their test performance. These factor scores were subjected to Ward’s hierarchical clustering method with squared Euclidean distance.Results:Cluster analysis revealed three distinct cognitive profiles: (1) normal functioning (20% of sample); (2) delayed verbal memory and motor weaknesses (61% of the sample); and (3) global impairment (19% of the sample). Cluster 3 had longer epilepsy duration and a higher incidence of hippocampal sclerosis (HS) compared to Cluster 1 (p < .05). There were no significant differences among the three cluster groups on demographic characteristics or remaining clinical characteristics.Conclusions:Children with TLE present with distinct cognitive phenotypes ranging from average performance to global impairment. Results partially support previous hypotheses highlighting the cumulative neurobiological burden on the developing brain in the context of chronic epilepsy and provide a preliminary framework for the cognitive domains most vulnerable to the TLE disease process.
Multifractal Analysis of a Seismic Moment Distribution Obtained From InSAR Inversion
Authors: Saylor Cameron , Rundle John B. , Donnellan Andrea 
Published: August 2021

AbstractInterferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) interferograms contain valuable information about the fault systems hidden beneath the surface of the Earth. In a new approach, we aim to fit InSAR ground deformation data using a distribution of multiple seismic point sources whose parameters are found by a genetic algorithm. The resulting source distribution could provide another useful tool in solving the difficult problem of accurately mapping earthquake faults. We apply the algorithm to an ALOS‐2 InSAR interferogram and perform a multifractal analysis on the resulting distribution, finding that it exhibits multifractal properties. We report first results and discuss advantages and disadvantages of this approach.
Identifying the Drivers of Modeling Uncertainties in Isoprene Emissions: Schemes Versus Meteorological Forcings
Authors: Cao Yang , Yue Xu , Lei Yadong , Zhou Hao , Liao Hong , Song Yu , Bai Jianhui , Yang Yang , Chen Lei , Zhu Jia , Ma Yimian , Tian Chenguang 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIsoprene dominates global biogenic volatile organic compounds and has significant impacts on atmospheric chemistry. Global simulations of isoprene emissions show large uncertainties in both the trend and interannual variability. Here, we explored the uncertainties of simulated isoprene emissions during 1982–2015 using the Yale Interactive terrestrial Biosphere model, which is implemented with two emission schemes (PS_BVOC and Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature [MEGAN]) and driven by two long‐term reanalysis meteorology (WFDEI and Modern‐Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications [MERRA]). Model evaluations show that both PS_BVOC and MEGAN schemes capture reasonable spatial patterns of the global isoprene emissions. The averaged fluxes from simulations using two meteorological forcings show isoprene trends of 0.69 Tg C m2 a−1 with PS_BVOC scheme but −0.22 Tg C m2 a−1 with MEGAN scheme. Such opposite trend is mainly because PS_BVOC considers both CO2 fertilization and inhibition effects to isoprene while the MEGAN scheme implements CO2 inhibition effect alone. Meanwhile, the averaged fluxes from simulations using two schemes yield interannual variability of 1.59% with WFDEI and 2.06% with MERRA reanalyses. Such discrepancies are mainly attributed to the larger variability in MERRA data. On the global scale, differences in schemes are the main driver of uncertainties in isoprene trends. In contrast, differences in meteorological forcings dominate the uncertainties in the interannual variability of isoprene emissions. Our sensitivity experiments reveal the key sources of modeling uncertainties, which are vital for the improvement of parameterizations and future projections of isoprene emissions.
Observation of Terrestrial Gamma‐Ray Flashes at Mid Latitude
Authors: Maiorana C. , Marisaldi M. , Füllekrug M. , Soula S. , Lapierre J. , Mezentsev A. , Skeie C. A. , Heumesser M. , Chanrion O. , Østgaard N. , Neubert T. , Reglero V. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe present a sample of Terrestrial Gamma‐ray Flashes (TGFs) observed at mid latitudes by the Atmosphere Space Interaction Monitor (ASIM). The events were detected between June 2018 and August 2020 in the latitude bands between 35° and 51° in both hemispheres, which we hereafter refer to as “mid latitudes.” The sample includes the first observations above and consists of 14 events clustered in four geographical regions: north‐west Atlantic and eastern USA; Mediterranean Sea; the ocean around South Africa; and north‐eastern China and Siberia. We examine the characteristics of each event, both standalone and in the context of the global ASIM TGF data set, and we find that our sample is consistent with the global population concerning the number of counts, but shows significantly shorter durations. We analyze the meteorological context and the general evolution of the parent storms and we show that the storms are not extreme in terms of total duration and extension. Whenever possible, we also include the radio sferics and the peak current of the parent stroke. Finally, we present an estimation of the TGF occurrence rate at mid latitudes, based on ASIM's exposure, the local flash rate and tropopause altitude, and we show that it is outside but very close to two standard deviation from the rate of production at tropical latitudes, corrected by the higher atmospheric absorption of higher latitudes. This means that atmospheric absorption plays a major role in the detection of TGFs at mid latitudes, but we cannot rule out other factors.
Impoverishing Roots Will Improve Wheat Yield and Profitability Through Increased Water and Nitrogen Use Efficiencies
Authors: Woo D. K. , Riley W. J. , Paez‐Garcia A. , Marklein A. R. , Mekonnen Z. A. , Liu X. , Ma X. , Blancaflor E. , Wu Y. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMore than a 60% increase in crop production is required by the 2050's to feed a growing world population. Understanding how plant functional traits and field management affect crop yields has the potential to improve agricultural productivity, minimize economic and environmental losses, and maximize food security. We explored the influence of winter wheat root characteristics and management on winter wheat growth, yield, and profit using a mechanistic and well‐tested ecosystem and crop model, ecosys. We applied and further tested ecosys at an agricultural farm growing winter wheat in Ardmore, Oklahoma, United States. The model accurately predicted observed shoot carbon ( = 0.95), soil moisture ( = 0.67), soil temperature ( = 0.91), and yield (percent error = 17%). Numerical optimization experiments were conducted to explore potential improvements of winter wheat yield and profit by modifying root characteristics, including root radius and root:shoot carbon transfer conductance, and fertilizer inputs. Our results show the potential for simultaneously improving winter wheat yields and profits. The optimum conditions were found to be in the range of root radius between 0.1 and 0.3 mm, carbon transfer conductance between 0.004 and 0.01 , and the currently applied fertilizer rate of 112 kg . Under these conditions, improvements in yields and profits of up to approximately 25% and 110%, respectively, were modeled compared to those under baseline root traits. These improvements were achieved by impoverishing root structures, thereby increasing nutrient allocation to grains. Our results also demonstrate and motivate model structures that integrate the complex network of plant physiology, soil nutrient biogeochemistry, hydrology, and management.