bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anti‐fungal agents in the treatment of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: Systematic review and a network meta‐analysis
Authors: Sehgal Inderpaul Singh , Dhooria Sahajal , Prasad Kuruswamy Thurai , Muthu Valliappan , Aggarwal Ashutosh Nath , Chakrabarti Arunaloke , Agarwal Ritesh 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundOral itraconazole and voriconazole are currently recommended in the initial management of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). However, only a few studies have compared outcomes with different anti‐fungal agents (AFAs) in treating CPA. Herein, we perform a network meta‐analysis comparing the efficacy of different AFAs in CPA.MethodsWe searched the PubMed and EmBase databases to identify studies (either randomised‐controlled trials [RCTs] or observational) reporting treatment outcomes with AFAs in patients of CPA. The study quality was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa scale (NOS). We performed a network meta‐analysis to compare the relative efficacy of different AFAs in treating CPA. The primary outcome was a favourable response to treatment with AFAs.ResultsWe found ten studies (718 patients) investigating different AFAs (oral AFAs [n = 5], intravenous AFAs [n = 5]) in the treatment of CPA. There were four RCTs and six observational studies. The studies using oral agents reported long‐term outcomes (>12 weeks), while those with intravenous agents provided only short‐term outcomes (<6 weeks). We found one study of posaconazole and none with isavuconazole for treating CPA. Amongst the oral agents, itraconazole was significantly better than supportive care and was ranked as the best oral AFA on network rank analysis. We found all intravenous AFAs to be equally effective. Intravenous echinocandins and voriconazole were ranked best for achieving a favourable treatment response.ConclusionOral itraconazole may be preferred over other azoles as the initial therapy for CPA. Amongst the intravenous agents, echinocandins and voriconazole may be preferred over amphotericin B. Randomised‐controlled trials comparing different AFAs, especially the newer AFAs, are urgently needed.
The effect of extended contact with community‐dwelling older adults on the ageist and helping attitudes of home care students: A single‐blind randomised controlled trial
Authors: Pekçetin Serkan , Hasgül Ergün , Yıldırım Düğeroğlu Rasime , Arabacı Zeynep 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundAgeist and helping attitudes among undergraduate homecare students are a concern for educators, healthcare professionals and home care workers due to their potential to increase the marginalisation of older people and negatively impact quality of care.ObjectivesThe current study evaluated the effect of extended contact with community‐dwelling older adults on the ageist and helping attitudes of home care students.MethodsFifty‐five students attending a public university in Turkey were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 27) or control group (n = 28). The intervention group received positive theoretical education and had extended contact with community‐dwelling older adults, while the control group only received positive theoretical education. Before and after the intervention, the students’ ageist attitudes were evaluated with Kogan's Attitudes towards Old People scale (KAOP) and helping attitudes were evaluated with the Helping Attitude Scale (HAS).ResultsThere were statistically significant differences between pre‐ and post‐test mean KAOP total, positive ageism and negative ageism subscale scores in the intervention group (p < 0.05) and in KAOP negative ageism score in the control group (p < 0.05). HAS scores showed no significant post‐intervention change in helping attitudes in either group.ConclusionExtended contact with community‐dwelling older adults had a favourable influence on undergraduate health students’ ageism attitudes. These results suggest that contact with older adults may be an effective strategy to reduce ageism but may not increase helping behaviours.Implications for practicePositive contact experiences with community‐dwelling older adults can be used to reduce ageism in home care students.
Exploring the gene pool ofBrassica napusby genomics‐based approaches
Authors: Hu Dandan , Jing Jinjie , Snowdon Rod J. , Mason Annaliese S. , Shen Jinxiong , Meng Jinling , Zou Jun 
Published: May 2021

SummaryDe novoallopolyploidization inBrassicaprovides a very successful model for reconstructing polyploid genomes using progenitor species and relatives to broaden crop gene pools and understand genome evolution after polyploidy, interspecific hybridization and exotic introgression.B. napus(AACC), the major cultivated rapeseed species and the third largest oilseed crop in the world, is a youngBrassicaspecies with a limited genetic base resulting from its short history of domestication, cultivation, and intensive selection during breeding for target economic traits. However, the gene pool ofB. napushas been significantly enriched in recent decades that has been benefit from worldwide effects by the successful introduction of abundant subgenomic variation and novel genomic variation via intraspecific, interspecific and intergeneric crosses. An important question in this respect is how to utilize such variation to breed crops adapted to the changing global climate. Here, we review the genetic diversity, genome structure, and population‐level differentiation of theB. napusgene pool in relation to known exotic introgressions from various species of the Brassicaceae, especially those elucidated by recent genome‐sequencing projects. We also summarize progress in gene cloning, trait‐marker associations, gene editing, molecular marker‐assisted selection and genome‐wide prediction, and describe the challenges and opportunities of these techniques as molecular platforms to exploit novel genomic variation and their value in the rapeseed gene pool. Future progress will accelerate the creation and manipulation of genetic diversity with genomic‐based improvement, as well as provide novel insights into the neo‐domestication of polyploid crops with novel genetic diversity from reconstructed genomes.
Threat imminence modulates neural gain in attention and motor relevant brain circuits in humans
Authors: de Echegaray Javier , Moratti Stephan 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDifferent levels of threat imminence elicit distinct computational strategies reflecting how the organism interacts with its environment in order to guarantee survival. Thereby, parasympathetically driven orienting and inhibition of on‐going behavior in post‐encounter situations and defense reactions in circa‐strike conditions associated with sympathetically driven action preparation are typically observed across species. Here, we show that healthy humans are characterized by markedly variable individual orienting or defense response tendencies as indexed by differential heart rate (HR) changes during the passive viewing of unpleasant pictures. Critically, these HR response tendencies predict neural gain modulations in cortical attention and preparatory motor circuits as measured by neuromagnetic steady‐state visual evoked fields (ssVEFs) and induced beta‐band (19–30 Hz) desynchronization, respectively. Decelerative HR orienting responses were associated with increased ssVEF power in the parietal cortex and reduced beta‐band desynchronization in pre‐motor and motor areas. However, accelerative HR defense response tendencies covaried with reduced ssVEF power in the parietal cortex and lower beta‐band desynchronization in cortical motor circuits. These results show that neural gain in attention‐ and motor‐relevant brain areas is modulated by HR indexed threat imminence during the passive viewing of unpleasant pictures. The observed mutual ssVEF and beta‐band power modulations in attention and motor brain circuits support the idea of two prevalent response tendencies characterized by orienting and motor inhibition or reduced stimulus processing and action initiation tendencies at different perceived threat imminence levels.
Oxytocin facilitates socially directed attention
Authors: Le Jiao , Zhao Weihua , Kou Juan , Fu Meina , Zhang Yingying , Becker Benjamin , Kendrick Keith M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSocially directed gaze following is an important component of social interaction and communication, allowing us to attend mutually with others to objects or people so that we can share their experience and also learn from them. This type of joint social attention is impaired in disorders such as autism. Previous research has demonstrated that the neuropeptide oxytocin can facilitate attention toward social cues, although to date no study in humans has investigated its influence on socially directed gaze or on associations of the latter with autistic and empathic traits. In a within‐subject, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial we used eye‐tracking to investigate the effects of intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) on socially directed gaze toward one of two objects in 40 adult male subjects. Subjects viewed videos of an actor and actress directing their gaze toward one of two objects by either moving only their eyes, moving both their eyes and head, or moving their eyes and head and pointing with a finger. Results showed that OXT increased the proportion of time subjects viewed the object the actor or actress were looking/pointing at across all three conditions, although unexpectedly we found no associations with trait autism or empathy under either placebo or OXT treatments. These findings demonstrate that OXT can facilitate socially directed gaze following to promote mutual attention toward objects which may be potentially beneficial therapeutically in disorders with impaired social communication and interaction.
Global‐phase portrait and large‐degree asymptotics for the Kissing polynomials
Authors: Barhoumi A. , Celsus A. F. , Deaño A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe study a family of monic orthogonal polynomials that are orthogonal with respect to the varying, complex‐valued weight function, , over the interval , where is arbitrary. This family of polynomials originally appeared in the literature when the parameter was purely imaginary, that is, , due to its connection with complex Gaussian quadrature rules for highly oscillatory integrals. The asymptotics for these polynomials as have recently been studied for , and our main goal is to extend these results to all in the complex plane. We first use the technique of continuation in parameter space, developed in the context of the theory of integrable systems, to extend previous results on the so‐called modified external field from the imaginary axis to the complex plane minus a set of critical curves, called breaking curves. We then apply the powerful method of nonlinear steepest descent for oscillatory Riemann–Hilbert problems developed by Deift and Zhou in the 1990s to obtain asymptotics of the recurrence coefficients of these polynomials when the parameter is away from the breaking curves. We then provide the analysis of the recurrence coefficients when the parameter approaches a breaking curve, by considering double scaling limits as approaches these points. We see a qualitative difference in the behavior of the recurrence coefficients, depending on whether or not we are approaching the points or some other points on the breaking curve.
Risk of suicide attempt in reserve versus active component soldiers during deployment to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
Authors: Naifeh James A. , Ursano Robert J. , Stein Murray B. , Mash Holly B. Herberman , Aliaga Pablo A. , Fullerton Carol S. , Dinh Hieu M. , Vance Mary C. , Wynn Gary H. , Kao Tzu‐Cheg , Sampson Nancy A. , Kessler Ronald C. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIntroductionLittle is known about the degree to which U.S. Army soldiers in the Reserve Components (Army National Guard and Army Reserve) and Active Component (Regular Army) differ with respect suicide attempt (SA) risk during high‐stress times, such as deployment.MethodUsing administrative person‐month records of enlisted soldiers on active duty during 2004–2009, we identified 1170 soldiers with a medically documented SA during deployment and an equal‐probability control sample of other deployed soldiers (n = 52,828 person‐months). Logistic regression analyses examined the association of Army component (Guard/Reserve vs. Regular) with SA before and after adjusting for socio‐demographic and service‐related predictors.ResultsGuard/Reserve comprised 32.1% of enlisted soldiers and 19.7% of suicide attempters in‐theater, with a SA rate of 81/100,000 person‐years (vs. 157/100,000 person‐years among Regular; rate ratio = 0.5 [95% CI = 0.5–0.6]). Risk peaked near mid‐deployment for both groups but was consistently lower for Guard/Reserve throughout deployment. Guard/Reserve had lower odds of SA after adjusting for covariates (OR = 0.7 [95%CI = 0.6–0.8]). Predictors of SA were similar between components.ConclusionsGuard/Reserve and Regular soldiers had similar patterns and predictors of SA during deployment, but Guard/Reserve had lower risk even after controlling for important risk factors. Additional research is needed to understand the lower SA risk among Guard/Reserve in‐theater.
Unpacking Populism: Using Correlational Class Analysis to Understand How People Interrelate Populist, Pluralist, and Elitist Attitudes
Authors: Dekeyser Dieter , Roose Henk 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPopulist attitudes are generally considered to consist of three types of beliefs, viz. people‐centrist, anti‐elitist, and Manichean beliefs. There is less agreement, however, on how populist attitudes are related to liberal democratic attitudes. Some argue that populist attitudes are incompatible with liberal democratic attitudes (e.g., pluralism and elitism). Others assert that these attitudes are compatible. Starting off from the concept of belief systems, we analyze the different ways in which people interrelate populist, pluralist, and elitist attitudes. Using correlational class analysis, we uncover four belief systems that differ in (a) how consistently people support populist beliefs and (b) the direction of the relationship between populist and pluralist beliefs. We also find that the differences between belief systems are related to people’s support for populism. People holding populist beliefs tend to associate populist attitudes with pluralist attitudes, while people who do not hold populist beliefs associate populist attitudes with anti‐pluralist attitudes.
Hepatocyte‐derived canine familiaris‐microRNAs as serum biomarkers of hepatic steatosis or fibrosis as implicated in the pathogenesis of canine cholecystolithiasis
Authors: El‐Sebaey Ahmed M. , Abramov Pavel N. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundHepatic cholesterol accumulation in small breed dogs is a leading risk factor for hepatic fatty changes, gallbladder hypomotility, and cholelith development, which, if not discovered early, could lead to life‐threatening choledocholithiasis and acute pancreatitis.ObjectiveThis study proposed to assess the use of hepatocyte‐derived canine familiaris (cfa)‐microRNAs (miRNA‐122, ‐34a, and ‐21) as new diagnostic serum biomarkers of liver steatosis or fibrosis, for which both processes have been implicated in canine cholecystolithiasis.MethodsForty client‐owned dogs diagnosed with cholecystolithiasis and hepatic steatosis (C+HS) or fibrosis (C+HF) based on ultrasonographic, biochemical, and histopathologic findings, and 20 healthy dogs used as controls were included in the study. Serum cfa‐miRNA expression was determined using a real‐time polymerase chain reaction assay.ResultsSerum cfa‐miRNA‐122 and −34a expression was significantly upregulated in the C+HS (P < .001) and C+HF (P < .01) groups compared with the control group and showed a positive correlation with alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ‐glutamyl transferase (GGT), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG) levels in the C+HS group. Cfa‐miRNA‐122 and −34a expression discriminated the diseased groups from the control group better than traditional serum‐derived liver biomarkers, as evidenced by areas under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC‐ROC) curve of 0.99 and 0.97 for cfa‐miRNA‐122 expression in the C+HS and C+HF groups, and 1.0 and 0.96 for cfa‐miRNA‐34a in the C+HS and C+HF groups, respectively. Cfa‐miRNA‐21 expression was upregulated only in the C+HF group compared with the C+HS (P < .01) and control (P < .001) groups and showed a positive correlation with serum ALT, AST, TBIL, ALP, and GGT and negative correlation with serum TC and TG levels. Cfa‐miRNA‐21 expression could also differentiate the C+HF group from the control and C+HS groups with a diagnostic performance superior to that of the conventional serum biochemical variables as evidenced by AUCs of 1.0 and 0.98, respectively.ConclusionsSerum cfa‐miRNA‐122, ‐34a, and ‐21 expression was significantly upregulated in dogs with cholecystolithiasis with hepatic steatosis or fibrosis compared with control dogs. These miRNAs could serve as novel biomarkers for hepatic steatosis or fibrosis, which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cholecystolithiasis.
Experimental Study of Hydraulic Sealability and Shear Bond Strength of Cementitious Barrier Materials
Authors: Kamali Mohammadreza , Khalifeh Mahmoud , Eid Elsayed , Saasen Arild 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In this experimental study, two different cementitious materials, including (i) a class of expansive cement currently used for plug and abandonment (P&A) operations and (ii) a non-cement-based naturally occurring rock, known as geopolymer, are selected to examine the hydraulic bond strength and shear bond strength. Clean machined steel and rusty corroded steel were selected to represent the casing. The test samples were cured at 90 °C considered as bottom-hole static temperature (BHST) and under elevated pressure of 17.2 MPa for 1 week. The hydraulic sealability of the barrier materials tested up to 3.4 MPa of differential pressure. The results indicated that additives used in slurry preparation impact the hydraulic sealability of the material. Additionally, the rusty corroded steel provided a better hydraulic sealability comparing to the clean machined steel for the same cementitious material. The shear bond strength test was performed by running the push-out test. According to the present test observations, no correlation was found between the shear bond and hydraulic bond strength of different barrier materials. The geopolymer showed the lowest shear bond strength, while it provided the highest hydraulic sealability.
Relating Lifetime Activity Behavior to the Current Level of Physical Activity of Older Adults
Authors: Vogel Oliver , Niederer Daniel , Wilke Jan , Steinmann Maike , Vogt Lutz 
Published: May 2021

This study investigates methods of data gathering and management, along with the relationship of lifespan and older adults’ activity. Community-dwelling older adults (n = 47, 81.7 ± 3.6 years) completed the Lifetime Leisure Physical Activity Questionnaire. Current activity was assessed by use of accelerometers. The data were converted to the metabolic equivalent of task hours. Correlations between the main outcomes (metabolic equivalent of task/hour, Lifetime Leisure Physical Activity Questionnaire), as well as individual estimation errors for data adjustments, were computed. The accelerometer and Lifetime Leisure Physical Activity Questionnaire data for the last 12 months’ activity were associated (r = .31, p = .033). The average overestimation in the self-reported data was 176%. The adapted data on lifetime physical activity reveals correlations between older adults’ activity and the activity levels of three 15-year episodes (r = .354; r = .336; r = .323; each p < .05), as well as compliance with guidelines throughout life (Hotelling’s T2 = 45–164; p ≤ .002). Our findings indicate a relationship between lifetime and older adults’ activity and provide further support for lifelong engagement in physical activity.
Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Forces Applied by Trained Clinicians During a Simulated Treatment
Authors: Martonick Nickolai J.P. , Reeves Ashley J. , Whitlock James A. , Stevenson Taylor C. , Cheatham Scott W. , McGowan Craig P. , Baker Russell T. 
Published: May 2021

Context: Instrument-assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) is a therapeutic intervention used by clinicians to identify and treat myofascial dysfunction or pathology. However, little is known about the amount of force used by clinicians during an IASTM treatment and how it compares to reports of force in the current literature. Objective: To quantify the range of force applied by trained clinicians during a simulated IASTM treatment scenario. Design: Experimental. Setting: University research laboratory. Participants: Eleven licensed clinicians (physical therapist = 2, chiropractor = 2, and athletic trainer = 7) with professional IASTM training participated in the study. The participants reported a range of credentialed experience from 1 to 15 years (mean = 7 [4.7] y; median = 6 y). Intervention: Participants performed 15 one-handed unidirectional sweeping strokes with each of the 5 instruments for a total of 75 data points each. Force data were collected from a force plate with an attached skin simulant during a hypothetical treatment scenario. Main Outcome Measures: Peak force and average forces for individual strokes across all instruments were identified. Averages for these forces were calculated for all participants combined, as well as for individual participants. Results: The average of peak forces produced by our sample of trained clinicians was 6.7 N and the average mean forces was 4.5 N. Across individual clinicians, average peak forces ranged from 2.6 to 14.0 N, and average mean forces ranged from 1.6 to 10.0 N. Conclusions: The clinicians in our study produced a broad range of IASTM forces. The observed forces in our study were similar to those reported in prior research examining an IASTM treatment to the gastrocnemius of healthy individuals and greater than what has been reported as effective in treating delayed onset muscle soreness. Our data can be used by researchers examining clinically relevant IASTM treatment force on patient outcomes.