bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing puberty in female cheetahs (
Authors: Maly Morgan A. , Edwards Katie L. , Koester Diana C. , Farin Charlotte E. , Crosier Adrienne E. 
Published: November 2021

With fewer than 7500 cheetahs remaining in the wild, ex situ cheetah populations serve as an insurance policy against extinction and a resource to study species’ biology. This study aimed to identify the age of pubertal onset in ex situ female cheetahs using non-invasive faecal steroid hormone monitoring and body weights. Faecal samples from nine female cheetahs were collected two to three times weekly from 2 to 36 months of age and body weights were recorded every 3 months. Faecal oestrogen metabolites (FOM) and faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM) were analysed using enzyme immunoassays and samples were categorised into 6-month intervals to compare endocrine characteristics. Faecal hormone and body weight data were analysed using generalised linear mixed models. Age was a significant predictor of mean and baseline FOM concentrations, number of FOM peaks, mean and maximum FOM peak concentrations and the number of cycles. Female cheetahs aged 24–30 months exhibited a marked rise in mean FOM concentration and the number of FOM peaks and cycles increased with age until 24–30 months. Females attained adult body weight by 21 months of age. Mean and baseline FGM concentrations were highest at the 0–6 and 12–18 months of age groups and did not follow the same FOM patterns. Based on body weight data, the FOM concentrations and peak patterning, females were considered pubertal from 24 to 30 months of age. Characterisation of cheetah puberty has direct and significant implications for the improvement of management and reproductive success of cheetahs under human care. This information is particularly informative for identifying important windows of development, littermate dispersal and breeding introductions.
What do (most of) our dispersion measures measure (most)? Dispersion?
Authors: Gries Stefan Th. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis paper discusses the degree to which most of the most widely-used measures of dispersion in corpus linguistics are not particularly valid in the sense of actually measuring dispersion rather than some amalgam of a lot of frequency and a little dispersion. The paper demonstrates these issues on the basis of data from a variety of corpora. I then outline how to design a dispersion measure that only measures dispersion and show that (i) it indeed measures information that is different from frequency in an intuitive way and (ii) has a higher degree of predictive power of lexical decision times from the MALD database than nearly all other measures in nearly all corpora tested.
Supermassive black holes surrounded by dark matter modeled as anisotropic fluid: epicyclic oscillations and their fitting to observed QPOs
Authors: Stuchlík Z. , Vrba J. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Recently introduced exact solution of the Einstein gravity coupled minimally to an anisotropic fluid representing dark matter can well represent supermassive black holes in galactic nuclei with realistic distribution of dark matter around the black hole, given by the Hernquist-like density distribution. For these fluid-hairy black hole spacetimes, properties of the gravitational radiation, quasinormal ringing, and optical phenomena were studied, giving interesting results. Here, using the range of physical parameters of these spacetimes allowing for their relevance in astrophysics, we study the epicyclic oscillatory motion of test particles in these spacetimes. The frequencies of the orbital and epicyclic motion are applied in the epicyclic resonance variant of the geodesic model of quasiperiodic oscillations (QPOs) observed in active galactic nuclei to demonstrate the possibility to solve the cases where the standard vacuum black hole spacetimes are not allowing for explanation of the observed data. We demonstrate that the geodesic model can explain the QPOs observed in most of the active galactic nuclei for the fluid-hairy black holes with reasonable halo parameters.
X-Ray and Radio Studies of the Candidate Millisecond Pulsar Binary 4FGL J0935.3+0901
Authors: Zheng Dong , Wang Zhong-Xiang , Xing Yi , Vadakkumthani Jithesh 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
4FGL J0935.5+0901, a γ-ray source recently identified as a candidate redback-type millisecond pulsar (MSP) binary, shows an interesting feature of having double-peaked emission lines in its optical spectrum. This feature would further suggest the source is a transitional MSP system in the sub-luminous disk state. We have observed the source with XMM-Newton and Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) at X-ray and radio frequencies respectively for further studies. From the X-ray observation, a bimodal count-rate distribution, which is a distinctive feature of the transitional MSP systems, is not detected, but the properties of X-ray variability and power-law spectrum are determined for the source. These results help establish the consistency of it being a redback in the radio pulsar state. However no radio pulsation signals are found in the FAST observation, resulting in an upper limit on the flux density of ∼4 μJy. Implications of these results are discussed.
Natural and anthropogenic noise increase vigilance and decrease foraging behaviors in song sparrows
Authors: Sweet K A , Sweet B P , Gomes D G E , Francis C D , Barber J R 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Animals glean information about risk from their habitat. The acoustic environment is one such source of information, and is an important, yet understudied ecological axis. Although anthropogenic noise has become recently ubiquitous, risk mitigation behaviors have likely been shaped by natural noise over millennia. Listening animals have been shown to increase vigilance and decrease foraging in both natural and anthropogenic noise. However, direct comparisons could be informative to conservation and understanding evolutionary drivers of behavior in noise. Here, we used 27 song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) and 148 laboratory behavioral trials to assess foraging and vigilance behavior in both anthropogenic and natural noise sources. Using five acoustic environments (playbacks of roadway traffic, a whitewater river, a whitewater river shifted upwards in frequency, a river with the amplitude modulation of roadway traffic, and an ambient control), we attempt to parse out the acoustic characteristics that make a foraging habitat risky. We found that sparrows increased vigilance or decreased foraging in 4 of 6 behaviors when foraging in higher sound levels regardless of the noise source or variation in frequency and amplitude modulation. These responses may help explain previously reported declines in abundance of song sparrows exposed to playback of intense river noise. Our results imply that natural soundscapes have likely shaped behavior long before anthropogenic noise, and that high sound levels negatively affect the foraging-vigilance trade-off in most intense acoustic environments. Given the ever-increasing footprint of noise pollution, these results imply potential negative consequences for bird populations.
Highly Sensitive Detection Method of DICER1 Tumor Hotspot Mutations by Drop-off Droplet Digital PCR
Authors: Vibert Roseline , Gauthier-Villars Marion , Carrière Christelle , Dubois d’Enghien Catherine , Cyrta Joanna , Vincent-Salomon Anne , Stoppa-Lyonnet Dominique , Bièche Ivan , Jeannot Emmanuelle , Golmard Lisa 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Background
DICER1 syndrome is an autosomal dominant inherited syndrome predisposing to various benign and malignant tumors, mainly occurring in children and young adults, requiring broad surveillance starting at birth with repeated irradiating imaging exams and sedations for young patients. It is caused by monoallelic germline pathogenic variants in the DICER1 gene. More than 90% of tumors bear an additional somatic DICER1 missense hotspot mutation, as a second hit, involving 1 of 6 codons clustered in exons 24 and 25. We designed and in vitro validated a drop-off droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) system to scan all DICER1 hotspot codons, allowing for a liquid biopsy test, an alternative to sedation and radiation exposure.

Methods
Three drop-off ddPCR assays were designed, with 2 TaqMan probes per assay, 1 complementary to the wild-type sequence of the region containing hotspots and another 1 used as a reference. Eight tumor-derived DNAs and 5 synthetic oligonucleotides bearing DICER1 hotspot mutations were tested.

Results
All tested mutations were detected, with a limit of detection ranging from 0.07% to 0.31% for codons p. E1705, p. D1709, and p. D1713 in exon 24 and from 0.06% to 0.15% for codons p. G1809, p. D1810, and p. E1813 in exon 25.

Conclusions
The high sensitivity of this method is compatible with its use for plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis for early tumor detection in DICER1 syndrome patients. It may reduce the need for radiation exposure and sedation in surveillance protocols and may also improve patient prognosis. Clinical trials are needed to evaluate ctDNA analysis in these patients.
Western and Carnivorous Dietary Patterns are Associated with Greater Likelihood of IBD Development in a Large Prospective Population-based Cohort
Authors: Peters Vera , Bolte Laura , Schuttert Eva [Monique] , Andreu-Sánchez Sergio , Dijkstra Gerard , Weersma Rinse [Karel] , Campmans-Kuijpers Marjo [Johanna Elisabeth] 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Objective
Nutrition plays a role in the development of Crohn’s disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC]. However, prospective data on nutrition and disease onset are limited. Here, we analysed dietary patterns and scores in relation to inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] development in a prospective population-based cohort.

Methods
We analysed 125 445 participants of whom 224 individuals developed de novo UC and 97 CD over a maximum 14-year follow-up period. Participants answered health-related [also prospectively] and dietary questionnaires [FFQ] at baseline. Principal component analysis [PCA] was conducted deriving a-posteriori dietary patterns. Hypotheses-based a-priori dietary scores were also calculated, including the protein score, Healthy Eating Index, LifeLines Diet Score [LLDS], and alternative Mediterranean Diet Score. Logistic regression models were performed between dietary patterns, scores, and IBD development.

Results
PCA identified five dietary patterns. A pattern characterised by high intake of snacks, prepared meals, non-alcoholic beverages, and sauces along with low vegetables and fruit consumption was associated with higher likelihood of CD development (odds ratio [OR]: 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-1.30, p = 0.013). A pattern comprising red meat, poultry, and processed meat, was associated with increased likelihood of UC development [OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01-1.20, p = 0.023]. A high diet quality score [LLDS] was associated with decreased risk of CD [OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.99, p = 0.009].

Conclusions
A Western dietary pattern was associated with a greater likelihood of CD development and a carnivorous pattern with UC development, whereas a relatively high diet quality [LLDS] was protective for CD development. Our study strengthens the importance of evaluating dietary patterns to aid prevention of IBD in the general population.
A Comparison of the Effect of Physical Activity and Cognitive Training on Dual-Task Performance in Older Adults
Authors: Vrinceanu Tudor , Blanchette Caroll-Ann , Intzandt Brittany , Lussier Maxime , Pothier Kristell , Vu Thien Tuong Minh , Nigam Anil , Bosquet Laurent , Karelis Antony D , Li Karen Z H , Berryman Nicolas , Bherer Louis 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Studies suggest that cognitive training and physical activity can improve age-related deficits in dual-task performances. However, both of these interventions have never been compared in the same study. This article investigates the improvement in dual-task performance in 2 types of exercise training groups and a cognitive training group and explores if there are specific dual-task components that are more sensitive or more likely to improve following each type of training.

Methods
Seventy-eight healthy inactive participants older than the age of 60 (M = 69.98, SD = 5.56) were randomized to one of three 12-week training programs: aerobic training (AET) = 26, gross motor abilities (GMA) = 27, and cognition (COG) = 25. Before and after the training program, the participants underwent physical fitness tests, and cognitive evaluations involving a computerized cognitive dual task. The AET consisted of high- and low-intensity aerobic training, the GMA of full-body exercises focusing on agility, balance, coordination, and stretching, and the COG of tablet-based exercises focusing on executive functions.

Results
Repeated-measures analysis of variance on reaction time data revealed a group × time interaction (F(2,75) = 11.91, p &lt; .01) with COG having the greatest improvement, followed by a significant improvement in the GMA group. Secondary analysis revealed the COG to also improve the intraindividual variability in reaction time (F(1,24) = 8.62, p &lt; .01), while the GMA improved the dual-task cost (F(1,26) = 12.74, p &lt; .01).

Discussion
The results show that physical and cognitive training can help enhance dual-task performance by improving different aspects of the task, suggesting that different mechanisms are in play.
Suicide Biomarkers to Predict Risk, Classify Diagnostic Subtypes, and Identify Novel Therapeutic Targets: 5 Years of Promising Research
Authors: Johnston Jenessa N , Campbell Darcy , Caruncho Hector J , Henter Ioline D , Ballard Elizabeth D , Zarate Carlos A 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Background
Suicide is a global health crisis. However, no objective biomarkers of suicide risk currently exist, and self-reported data can be unreliable, which limits prediction, diagnostic, and treatment efforts. Reliable biomarkers that can differentiate between diagnostic subgroups, predict worsening symptoms, or suggest novel therapeutic targets would be extremely valuable for patients, researchers, and clinicians.

Methods
MEDLINE was searched for reports published between 2016 and 2021 using search terms (suicid*) AND (biomarker*) OR (indicat*). Reports that compared biomarkers between suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, death from suicide, or any suicide subgroup against other neuropsychiatric disorders were included. Studies exclusively comparing suicidal behavior or death from suicide with healthy controls were not included to ensure that biomarkers were specific to suicide and not other psychopathology.

Results
This review summarizes the last 5 years of research into suicide-associated biomarkers and provides a comprehensive guide for promising and novel biomarkers that encompass varying presentations of suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and death by suicide. The serotonergic system, inflammation, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, lipids, and endocannabinoids emerged as the most promising diagnostic, predictive, and therapeutic indicators.

Conclusions
The utility of diagnostic and predictive biomarkers is evident, particularly for suicide prevention. While larger-scale studies and further in-depth research are required, the last 5 years of research has uncovered essential biomarkers that could ultimately improve predictive strategies, aid diagnostics, and help develop future therapeutic targets.
Parametric identification of ARMAX models with unknown forming filters
Authors: Escobar Jesica , Poznyak Alexander 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
In this paper, we present the parameter estimation algorithm for the class of an extended ARMAX model containing a ‘coloured’ noise sequence, formed by an unknown finite-dimensional linear filter. This algorithm represents the extended versions of residual whitening method and least squares method, working in parallel, to identify the extended parameters obtained after the suggested linear model transformation. The strong consistency of the suggested method (convergence with probability one of the obtained extended parameters to their exact values) is proven. A good performance of the proposed method is illustrated by a numerical example with all polynomials containing unknown parameters.
Replacement of Enterococcus faecalis by Enterococcus faecium as the predominant enterococcus in UK bacteraemias
Authors: Horner Carolyne , Mushtaq Shazad , Allen Michael , Hope Russell , Gerver Sarah , Longshaw Christopher , Reynolds Rosy , Woodford Neil , Livermore David M 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Objectives
To review temporal changes in the proportions of different Enterococcus species recorded in two UK bacteraemia surveillance systems. Antibiotic resistance trends were also considered.

Methods
We reviewed data for enterococci from 2001 to 2019 in: (a) the BSAC Resistance Surveillance Programme, which collected up to 7–10 bloodstream enterococci every year from each of 23–39 hospitals in the UK and Ireland and tested these centrally; and (b) PHE bacteraemia surveillance, using routine results from NHS microbiology laboratories in England.

Results
BSAC surveillance, based upon 206–255 enterococci each year (4486 in total), indicated that the proportion of Enterococcus faecium rose from 31% (212/692) in the period 2001–3 to 51% (354/696) in the period 2017–19, balanced by corresponding falls in the proportion of Enterococcus faecalis. PHE surveillance provided a larger dataset, with &gt;5000 enterococcus reports per year; although its identifications are less precise, it too indicated a rise in the proportion of E. faecium. BSAC surveillance for E. faecium indicated no consistent trends in resistance to ampicillin (≥86% in all years), vancomycin (annual rates 19%–40%) or high-level resistance to gentamicin (31%–59%). Resistance to vancomycin remained &lt;4% in E. faecalis in all years, whilst high-level resistance to gentamicin fell, perhaps partly reflecting the decline of two initially prevalent gentamicin- and ciprofloxacin-resistant clones.

Conclusions
Both surveillance systems indicate a growing proportion of E. faecium in enterococcal bloodstream infections. This is important because fewer therapeutic options remain against this frequently multiresistant species than against E. faecalis.
γ-Secretase structure and activity are modified by alterations in its membrane localization and ambient environment
Authors: Suzuki Toshiharu , Sobu Yuriko , Hata Saori 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
γ-Secretase cleaves type I transmembrane proteins in a hydrophobic membrane environment following ectodomain shedding. Mutations in PSEN genes, encoding the catalytic subunits of γ-secretase, presenilins, are the most common cause of familial Alzheimer’s disease (ad). Pathogenic mutations in PSEN genes increase production of longer and neurotoxic amyloid-β (Aβ) by intramembrane cleavage of membrane-associated amyloid-β protein precursor (APP) carboxyl-terminal fragment β, which is generated via primary cleavage of APP by β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1. The longer Aβ is prone to aggregate and accumulate in the brain; however, the accumulation of Aβ in brain is also a pathological feature of sporadic ad. Increased pathogenic Aβ generation, even in the absence of pathogenic PSEN gene mutations, is one of proposed mechanisms for sporadic ad pathogenesis. γ-Secretase digests substrates in the transmembrane region, generating Aβ peptide intermediates of various lengths. The end products, shorter Aβ40 and Aβ38 peptides, are less neurotoxic, whereas PSEN gene mutations increase the production ratio of longer, neurotoxic Aβ species such as Aβ42, an intermediate in Aβ38 production. γ-Secretase activity or structures is altered because of its aberrant membrane localization or changes in the ambient environment such as luminal acidification. Interestingly, γ-secretase has a pH sensor in presenilins.
A Scientific Method to the Madness of Unit 731’s Human Experimentation and Biological Warfare Program
Authors: Johnson Kishor 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The Japanese Imperial Army Unit 731’s Biological Warfare (BW) research program committed atrocious crimes against humanity in their pursuit of biological weapons development during the Second World War. Due to an American cover-up, the details behind Unit 731’s human experimentation were slow to be revealed. The recent literature discloses the gruesome details of the experiments but characterizes the human trials as crude in nature. Further, there is a lack of clarity as to how human trial results were extrapolated for use in real world missions.
Through an examination of testimony from the Soviet Union’s Khabarovsk War Crime Trials, this paper argues that Unit 731’s inoculation and airborne warfare experiments on prisoners of war were scientifically rigorous. The scientific method is used as the basis against which the scientific rigor of the experiments is tested. The paper reveals that the successes and failures of the human trials were extrapolated to BW missions during the Sino-Japanese war. American researchers’ expectations of BW data were fulfilled, thus paving the way for an immunity deal. Ethical standards in medicine before WWII were not well established, but wartime medical practices and experimentation reveal the context in which the pursuit of scientific knowledge has no boundaries.
Outcomes of SBRT for lung oligo-recurrence of non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Lin Qingren , Zhou Ning , Zhu Xiang , Lin Juan , Fang Jun , Gu Feiying , Sun Xiaojiang , Wang Yuezhen 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The benefit of local ablative therapy (LAT) for oligo-recurrence has been investigated and integrated into the treatment framework. In recent decades, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has been increasingly used to eliminate metastasis owing to its high rate of local control and low toxicity. This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of SBRT for patients with lung oligo-recurrence of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from our therapeutic center. Patients with lung oligo-recurrence of NSCLC treated with SBRT between December 2011 and October 2018 at Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital) were reviewed. The characteristics, treatment-related outcomes, and toxicities of the patients were analyzed. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression were performed to identify the factors associated with survival. A total of 50 patients with lung oligo-recurrence of NSCLC were enrolled. The median follow-up period was 23.6 months. The 3-year local progression-free survival (LPFS), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) after SBRT were 80.2%, 21.9% and 45.3%, respectively. Patients in the subgroup with LAT to all residual diseases showed significantly improved OS and PFS. No treatment-related death occurred after SBRT. SBRT is a feasible option to treat patients with lung oligo-recurrence of NSCLC, with high rates of local control and low toxicity. LAT to all residual diseases was associated with better survival outcomes. Future prospective randomized clinical trials should evaluate SBRT strategies for such patients.