bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incorporating a dynamic gene-based process module into a crop simulation model
Authors: Oliveira Fabio A A , Jones James W , Pavan Willingthon , Bhakta Mehul , Vallejos C Eduardo , Correll Melanie J , Boote Kenneth J , Fernandes José M C , Hölbig Carlos A , Hoogenboom Gerrit 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDynamic crop simulation models are tools that predict plant phenotype grown in specific environments for genotypes using genotype-specific parameters (GSPs), often referred to as ‘genetic coefficients’. These GSPs are estimated using phenotypic observations and may not represent ‘true’ genetic information. Instead, estimating GSPs requires experiments to measure phenotypic responses when new cultivars are released. The goal of this study was to evaluate a new approach that incorporates a dynamic gene-based module for simulating time-to-flowering for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) into an existing dynamic crop model. A multi-environment study that included 187 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a bi-parental bean family was conducted in 2011 and 2012 to measure the effects of quantitative trait loci (QTLs), environment (E) and QTL × E interactions across five sites. A dynamic mixed linear model was modified in this study to create a dynamic module that was then integrated into the Cropping System Model (CSM)-CROPGRO-Drybean model. This new hybrid crop model, with the gene-based flowering module replacing the original flowering component, requires allelic make-up of each genotype that is simulated and daily E data. The hybrid model was compared to the original CSM model using the same E data and previously estimated GSPs to simulate time-to-flower. The integrated gene-based module simulated days of first flower agreed closely with observed values (root mean square error of 2.73 days and model efficiency of 0.90) across the five locations and 187 genotypes. The hybrid model with its gene-based module also described most of the G, E and G × E effects on time-to-flower and was able to predict final yield and other outputs simulated by the original CSM. These results provide the first evidence that dynamic crop simulation models can be transformed into gene-based models by replacing an existing process module with a gene-based module for simulating the same process.
Group Meeting Frequency and Borrowers’ Repayment Performance in Microfinance: Evidence from a Quasi-natural Experiment in South Africa
Authors: Dalla Pellegrina Lucia , De Michele Angela , Di Maio Giorgio , Landoni Paolo , Parravicini Susanna 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
A quasi-natural experiment has been carried out at The Small Enterprise Foundation, a South African microfinance institution offering group lending with joint liability. In a pilot project, the frequency of meetings was reduced from fortnightly to monthly and the members of the groups were no more required to attend all the meetings but they could send a representative. After selecting a suitable control group using propensity score matching techniques, we ran difference-in-difference regressions to evaluate the impact of the policy changes. Estimates suggest that the pilot project increased loan repayment delays and decreased groups’ deposits, but it had a negligible impact on groups’ savings balances. Text mining techniques, applied to survey data, pointed towards the lack of trust within the groups whose members did not meet frequently outside the repayment meetings as one of the causes of the negative outcomes of the pilot experiment. We conclude that group meetings are an effective tool to stimulate the accumulation of social capital among microcredit borrowers.
Plasma Protein Profiling by Proximity Extension Assay Technology Reveals Novel Biomarkers of Traumatic Brain Injury—A Pilot Study
Authors: Chen Michelle , Ren Annie H , Prassas Ioannis , Soosaipillai Antoninus , Lim Bryant , Fraser Douglas D , Diamandis Eleftherios P 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant public health issue affecting nearly 69 million patients worldwide per year. Reliable diagnostic biomarkers are urgently needed to aid in disease diagnosis and prognosis and to guide patient aftercare. Blood biomarkers represent an attractive modality to quickly, cheaply, and objectively evaluate clinical status. We hypothesize that deep and quantitative plasma proteomic profiling with a novel technology, proximity extension assay, may lead to the discovery of diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarkers of TBI.

Methods
We used high-throughput proximity extension assays (PEA) to quantify the relative abundance of over 1000 unique proteins in plasma. PEA is a highly sensitive multiplex immunoassay capable of detecting very low-abundance proteins (down to fg/mL) in complex biological matrices. Our patient cohort consisted of severe TBI (sTBI) patients, matched healthy controls, and another non-TBI group that was included in the analysis to validate the specificity of the candidates during the selection process. The obtained protein quantification data was then filtered to identify candidate biomarkers through statistical analysis, literature searches, and comparison to our reference control groups.

Results
Overall, we identified 6 novel candidate TBI biomarkers. Candidates exhibit a significant increase in plasma protein abundance in sTBI when comparing between healthy controls and sTBI patients. Candidates generally had low expression in our reference groups compared with the sTBI group.

Conclusions
Our preliminary findings represent a starting point for future validation. These biomarkers, either alone or in combination, may have significant clinical utility in aiding in TBI diagnosis, prognosis, and/or management.
Low Concentration of Quercetin Reduces the Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Imidacloprid on Apis cerana (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Authors: Liu Jialin , Li Yaying , Zhang Zihui , Luo Wenhua , Cao Lan , Liu Huai 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Large-scale use of systemic pesticides has been considered a potential factor for pollinator population decline. Phytochemicals, e.g., quercetin, have been demonstrated to increase the pesticide tolerance of Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae), which is helpful to develop strategies to reduce the pesticides hazards to pollinators. In this study, we hypothesized phytochemicals could reduce the detrimental effects of imidacloprid on Apis cerana Fabricius. The lethal and sublethal effects of imidacloprid on A. cerana workers were investigated. The results showed that A. cerana workers chronically exposed to 100 μg/liter imidacloprid had a significantly shorter longevity by 10.81 d compared with control. Acute exposure to imidacloprid at 100 μg/liter impaired the sucrose responsiveness and memory retention of the workers, and 20 μg/liter reduced the sucrose responsiveness. The treatment with 37.8 mg/liter quercetin for 24 h could increase the longevity of A. cerana workers when chronically exposed to 100 μg/liter imidacloprid, and 75.6 mg/liter quercetin feeding treatment alleviated the impairment of sucrose responsiveness. However, workers treated with 151.2 mg/liter and 75.6 mg/liter quercetin had a significantly shorter longevity compared to that of bees chronically exposed to 100 μg/liter imidacloprid without quercetin treatment. Our results suggested that quercetin treatment could produce a biphasic influence on the lethal effects of imidacloprid on A. cerana. Quercetin at 37.8 mg/liter and 75.6 mg/liter in the diet before pesticide exposure was able to reduce the lethal and sublethal effects of imidacloprid, respectively, providing potential strategies to reduce the pesticides hazards to native honey bees (A. cerana).
Coping Trajectories and the Health-Related Quality of Life of Childhood Cancer Survivors
Authors: Fisher Rachel S , Sharp Katianne M Howard , Prussien Kemar V , Himelhoch Alexandra C , Murphy Lexa K , Rodriguez Erin M , Young-Saleme Tammi K , Vannatta Kathryn , Compas Bruce E , Gerhardt Cynthia A 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Objective
To identify coping trajectories from diagnosis through survivorship and test whether particular trajectories exhibit better health-related quality of life (HRQOL) at 5 years post-diagnosis.

Methods
Families of children with cancer (ages 5-17; M = 10.48, SD = 4.03) were recruited following a new diagnosis of cancer (N = 248). Three follow-up assessments occurred at 1-year (N = 185), 3-years (N = 101), and 5-years (N = 110). Mothers reported on children’s coping using the Responses to Stress Questionnaire for Pediatric Cancer. Survivor HRQOL was measured at 5-year follow-up using self-report on the PedsQL 4.0. Longitudinal patterns of coping were derived using Latent Class Growth Analysis and mean-levels of survivor-report HRQOL were compared across classes.

Results
Two primary control coping trajectories emerged, “Moderate and Stable” (50%) and “Low-moderate and Decreasing” (50%), with no significant differences in HRQOL across trajectories. Three secondary control coping trajectories emerged, “Moderate-high and Increasing” (54%), “Moderate and Stable” (40%), and “High and Increasing” (6%), with survivors in the last trajectory showing better HRQOL. Two disengagement coping trajectories emerged, “Low and Stable” (85%) and “Low and Variable” (15%), with no significant differences in HRQOL across trajectories.

Conclusions
Coping trajectories were relatively stable from diagnosis to 5 years. A small group of survivors with high and increasing secondary control coping over time, per mother-report, reported better HRQOL. Future research should consider tailoring coping interventions to children with cancer to improve survivors’ HRQOL.
Effect of genipin-1-β-d-gentiobioside on diabetic nephropathy in mice by activating AMP-activated protein kinase/silencing information regulator-related enzyme 1/ nuclear factor-κB pathway
Authors: Li Fengtao , Song Lijun , Chen Jing , Chen Yu , Li Yongjun , Huang Meizi , Zhao Wenchang 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Genipin-1-β-d-gentiobioside (GG) is a kind of compound extracted from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. The chemical structure of GG is similar to that of geniposide and has antidiabetic effects. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of GG on diabetic nephropathy (DN) in vivo and in vitro experiments and explore its potential mechanism.

Methods
For high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced DN mice used in our study, the general features of mice were analysed after GG treatment. Oxidative stress parameters and inflammatory factors were also measured by commercial kits. Kidney damage was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Masson staining, respectively. In vitro, podocyte injury was assessed by TUNEL and flow cytometric analyses. AMP-activated protein kinase/silencing information regulator related enzyme 1 (AMPK/SIRT1)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway-related proteins were detected by AMPK-siRNA intervention and western blotting.

Key findings
Treatment of GG could increase cell survival and attenuated kidney damage. Despite the presence of inflammatory and oxidative stress, when GG retained the expression of AMPK/SIRT1, it could be observed that the downstream NLRP3 inflammatory-related proteins were inhibited.

Conclusions
Results showed that the protective efficacy of GG on DN works together with hypoglycemia and suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation, which at least partly involved in APMK/SIRT1/NF-κB-dependent pathway.
A rare case of retroperitoneal lymphangioma in a 74-year-old Chinese male
Authors: Lim Hui Jun , Tan Joey Wee-Shan , Chia Claramae Shulyn , Ong Chin-Ann Johnny 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Retroperitoneal lymphangioma is an uncommon and benign mesodermal tumour that arises from the retroperitoneal lymphatics. Notably, it is a rare occurrence in adults, where &lt;200 adult retroperitoneal lymphangioma cases have been published in the literature. Additionally, retroperitoneal lymphangioma is often difficult to diagnose preoperatively and formal diagnosis is frequently determined following surgical exploration. Here, we describe a rare case of retroperitoneal lymphangioma in a 74-year-old man who presented with a 6-month history of intermittent fresh per rectal bleeding with an incidental non-tender left iliac fossa firm mass on examination. Computed tomography scan established a retroperitoneal cystic lesion abutting the aorta and left common iliac vessels. Surgical exploration revealed a large cystic mass and a clean plane of dissection was performed, where the mass was completely excised with all the key structures preserved. Histology was consistent with a retroperitoneal lymphangioma.
Potential problems of partial resection for colitis-associated cancer in a patient with ulcerative colitis: case report
Authors: Horio Yuki , Uchino Motoi , Kihara Takako , Bando Toshihiro , Kuwahara Ryuichi , Minagawa Tomohiro , Kusunoki Kurando , Watanabe Kenji , Hirota Seiichi , Ikeuchi Hiroki 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Total proctocolectomy and an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis are recommended as the standard procedure for ulcerative colitis (UC)-colitis-associated cancer (CAC). However, several studies have reported the partial colectomy and endoscopic resection of UC-CAC in recent years. We present a surgical case of UC-CAC that was detected at a site that had not been diagnosed preoperatively, and we report potential problems of partial colectomy and endoscopic resection through this case. Considerations of synchronous and metachronous cancer/dysplasia are important before partial resection is planned for CAC in UC. Moreover, it should be noted that endoscopic resection at the anal site can be a risk factor for pouch surgery failure due to fibrosis after resection.
Enucleation of a giant symptomatic gastric lipoma, a safe surgical approach
Authors: Parreira Rafaela , Rama Tiago , Eloi Teresa , Carneiro Vítor , Leite Maria Inês 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Gastric lipomas are rare, representing 2–3% of all benign tumours of the stomach. Most of these stomach neoplasms are small and detected incidentally during endoscopic or radiology evaluations. Computed tomography is highly specific imaging for lipoma diagnosis. Endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound are other important diagnostic modalities to confirm the diagnosis. Identifying typical features can avoid biopsy or surgery in asymptomatic patients. In patients with larger lesions, usually more than 2 cm, clinical presentation may encompass haemorrhage, abdominal pain, pyloric obstruction and dyspepsia. As a result of its extreme low incidence, treatment is not standardized, though it is widely accepted that a symptomatic tumour mandates resection. Here, we present the case of a 60-year-old female presenting with abdominal pain and recurrent vomiting due to a giant gastric lipoma (80 × 35 × 35 mm). The patient underwent laparotomy and an enucleation was performed.
Tatian’s Diatessaron: The Arabic Version, the Dura Europos Fragment, and the Women Witnesses
Authors: Monier Mina , Taylor Joan E 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Tatian’s Diatessaron (c. 180 CE) does not survive in its original form but only in later versions. Its content and wording, even its original language, can then be debated. However, there is a small, third-century fragment written in Greek (P. Dura 10), discovered in Dura Europos, identified as coming from the Diatessaron. Some have disputed this identification. The difficulty is that reconstructing the Diatessaron on the basis of later versions has proven problematic, so there is no agreed-upon text with which the fragment can be compared. This study presents current understandings of the Diatessaron and reviews the situation in regard to the Arabic version: a translation of the Diatessaron done in the 11th century from a Syriac text. It is argued that the Arabic Diatessaron manuscripts offer readings that are close to the Dura parchment, and this can be shown particularly in regard to the women’s presence as witnesses to the crucifixion, though there is a slightly different ordering of component parts. It is observed that the Dura fragment itself is not a perfect copy of any master text, but contains significant errors of reading, and thus it may be a writing exercise. As such it cannot be considered a definitive version of the Diatessaron, made by an expert scribe. It does, nevertheless, attempt to copy the Diatessaron, given that its content significantly overlaps with the Arabic version. This analysis uses more manuscripts than ever before assembled of the Arabic Diatessaron, so as to provide a reliable reading of the section that overlaps with the Dura fragment, and calls for a new edition, given that it provides a reasonably accurate representation of the content of Tatian’s work.
Pursuing futures through children: Crisis, social reproduction, and transformation in Burundi’s transnational families
Authors: Berckmoes Lidewyde , Turner Simon 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBased on multisited fieldwork in Kigali, Rwanda, Belgium, and the Netherlands following the political crisis in Burundi in 2015, we explore decisions and plans for the future among Burundians in exile. In this way, we contribute to research about future making and social reproduction in families in a transnational social field affected by crisis. Adding to the literature, we show the specific effects of crisis on transnational families’ practices and aspirations, such as parental efforts to prevent traumatic world views and the constant need for families to readjust their plans to ongoing crisis dynamics. We argue that as the violence has disrupted the migrant parents’ hopes for a better future for themselves, they redirect their efforts towards their children’s futures. We thus argue that not only future making practices but also aspirations should be seen as social and relational, particularly in times of crisis. In particular, the Burundians living in Rwanda, Belgium and the Netherlands seek to provide their offspring with the skills to become educated, social and moral beings, even it entails sacrificing their own lives and aspirations. Moreover, adding to debates on migrants’ efforts to reproduce their own cultural values and practices in host societies, we find that the Burundian parents attempt to change what they perceive as a ‘culture of hatred and vengeance’ with parenting practices. As such, we argue that many migrant parents explicitly pursue social transformation through their children.
The nearby spiral density-wave structure of the Galaxy: line-of-sight velocities of the Gaia DR2 OB stars
Authors: Griv Evgeny , Gedalin Michael , Jiang Ing-Guey 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT
Distances and line-of-sight velocities of 964 Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2) OB stars of Xu et al. within 3 kpc from the Sun and 500 pc from the Galactic mid-plane with accuracies of &lt;50 per cent are selected. The data are used to find small systematic departures of velocities from the mean circular motion for the stars in the solar neighborhood due to the spiral compression-type (Lin–Shu-type) waves, or spiral density waves, e.g. those produced by real instabilities of spontaneous gravity disturbances, a central bar or a companion system. A key point of the study is that our results are consistent with the ones extracted from the asymptotic density-wave theory. Revised parameters of density waves in the solar vicinity of the Galaxy are also provided.
Dynamical model of an obscuring clumpy torus in AGNs – I. Velocity and velocity dispersion maps for interpretation of ALMA observations
Authors: Bannikova E Yu , Sergeyev A V , Akerman N A , Berczik P P , Ishchenko M V , Capaccioli M , Akhmetov V S 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT
We have developed the dynamical model of a clumpy torus in an active galactic nucleus (AGN) and compared to recent The Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) observations. We present N-body simulations of a torus in the field of a supermassive black hole (SMBH), made of up to N = 105 gravitationally interacting clouds. As initial conditions, we choose random distributions of the orbital elements of the clouds with a cut-off in the inclination to mimic the presence of wind cones produced at the early AGN stage. When the torus reaches an equilibrium, it has a doughnut shape. We discuss the presence of box orbits. We have then constructed the velocity and velocity dispersion maps using the resulting distributions of the clouds at equilibrium. The effects of torus inclination and cloud sizes are duly analysed. We discuss the obscuration effects of the clouds using a ray tracing simulation matching the model maps to ALMA resolution. By comparing the model with the observational maps of NGC 1068, we find that the SMBH mass is $M_\text{smbh}=5\times 10^6 \, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ for the range of the torus inclination angles 45°–60°. We also construct the velocity dispersion maps for NGC 1326 and NGC 1672. They show that the peaks in the ALMA dispersion maps are related to the emission of the torus throat. Finally, we obtain the temperature distribution maps with parameters that correspond to our model velocity maps for NGC 1068. They show stratification in temperature distribution with the shape of the high-temperature region as in the VLTI/MIDI map.
Removing the giants and learning from the crowd: A new SZ power spectrum method and revised Compton y-map analysis
Authors: Rotti Aditya , Bolliet Boris , Chluba Jens , Remazeilles Mathieu 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT
The Sunyaev–Zeldovich (SZ) effect provides a powerful cosmological probe, which traditionally is approached independently as cluster number count (CNC) or power spectrum (PS) analysis. Here, we devise a new method for analysing the y-map by introducing the survey completeness function, conventionally only used in the CNC analysis, in the yy-PS modelling. This provides a systematic method, based mainly on SZ observables, for obtaining two complementary y-maps, one incorporating detected/resolved clusters and the other relying only on diffuse/unresolved SZ contributions. We use the catalogue of clusters obtained in the Planck CNC analysis to define the completeness function linking these two y-maps. The split depends on the chosen signal-to-noise detection threshold, which we vary in our discussion. We carefully propagate the effect of completeness cuts on the non-Gaussian error contributions in the yy-PS analysis, highlighting the benefits of masking massive clusters. Our analysis of the Planck yy-PS for the unresolved component yields a mass bias of b = 0.15 ± 0.04, consistent with the standard value (b ≈ 0.2), in comparison to b = 0.4 ± 0.05 for the total yy-PS. We find indications for this drift being driven by the CIB-tSZ cross-correlation, which dominantly originates from clusters in the resolved component of the y-map. Another possible explanation is the presence of a mass-dependent bias, which has been theoretically motivated and can be quantified with our novel method. We furthermore find first hints for the presence of the 2-halo terms in the yy-PS. Finally, the proposed method provides a new framework for combining the complementary information of the CNC and PS analyses in upcoming SZ surveys.