bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of the combined use of intracardiac ultrasound and a steerable sheath visualized by a 3D mapping system on pulmonary vein isolation
Authors: Wakamatsu Yuji , Nagashima Koichi , Kurokawa Sayaka , Otsuka Naoto , Hayashida Satoshi , Yagyu Seina , Hirata Shu , Ohkubo Kimie , Nakai Toshiko , Okumura Yasuo 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundA novel steerable sheath visualized on a three‐dimensional mapping system has become available in this era in which a durable pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) with reduced fluoroscopy is required.MethodsIn 60 patients who underwent a PVI with a visualized sheath (n = 30) and non‐visualized conventional sheath (n = 30), the fluoroscopic time and catheter stability during the PVI were analyzed.ResultsThe fluoroscopic time during the transseptal access (0 [0, 0.1] vs. 1.4 [0.8, 2.3] minutes, P < .001) and PVI (0 [0, 0.1] vs. 0.4 [0.2, 1.1] minutes, P < .001) were shorter in the visualized sheath group than conventional sheath group. The procedure time during the PVI (32.0 [26.8, 36.3] vs. 41.0 [31.8, 47.3] minutes, P = .01), particularly during the right PVI (15.0 [12.8, 18.0] vs. 23.0 [15.8, 26.3] minutes, P = .009), was shorter in the visualized sheath group than conventional sheath group, however, that during the other steps was equivalent. The standard deviation of the catheter contact force during each radiofrequency application was smaller in the visualized sheath group than conventional sheath group (4.5 ± 2.7 vs. 4.9 ± 3.1 g, P = .001). The impedance drop for each lesion was larger in the visualized sheath group than conventional sheath group (10.7 ± 6.5 vs. 9.8 ± 5.5 ohms, P < .001). The incidence of acute PV reconnections per patient (30% vs. 23%, P = .56) and per PV segment (2.5% vs. 2.3%, P = .83) were similar between the two groups. No major complications occurred in either sheath group.ConclusionsThe use of visualized sheaths may reduce the fluoroscopic time and improve the catheter stability during the PVI.
Data integration for the numerical simulation of cardiac electrophysiology
Authors: Pagani Stefano , Dede’ Luca , Manzoni Andrea , Quarteroni Alfio 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe increasing availability of extensive and accurate clinical data is rapidly shaping cardiovascular care by improving the understanding of physiological and pathological mechanisms of the cardiovascular system and opening new frontiers in designing therapies and interventions. In this direction, mathematical and numerical models provide a complementary relevant tool, able not only to reproduce patient‐specific clinical indicators but also to predict and explore unseen scenarios. With this goal, clinical data are processed and provided as inputs to the mathematical model, which quantitatively describes the physical processes that occur in the cardiac tissue. In this paper, the process of integration of clinical data and mathematical models is discussed. Some challenges and contributions in the field of cardiac electrophysiology are reported.
Associations between Environmental dust composition and Atopic Dermatitis in urban and rural settings
Authors: Trikamjee Thulja , Basera Wisdom , Botha Maresa , Facey‐Thomas Heidi E. , Gaunt Ben , Genuneit Jon , Gray Claudia L. , Hadebe Sabelo , Hlela Carol , Kirstein Frank , Lunjani Nonhlanhla , Mankahla Avumile , Ramjith Jordache , Levin Michael 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundEnvironmental exposures are involved in the pathogenesis of the allergic phenotype and in determining which individual triggers a person becomes sensitized to. Atopic dermatitis (AD) may modulate these effects through increased penetration through the skin modifying the immune system and AD may be triggered or intensified by environmental exposures. These exposures and immune‐modulating factors may differ in urban and rural environments.ObjectivesTo compare house dust composition in urban and rural settings and correlate them with AD outcomes.MethodsDust samples were collected from the beds of 156 children aged 6 months to 3 years. 42% of participants had atopic dermatitis. Samples were analyzed for bacterial endotoxin, fungal (β‐1,3‐glucan) levels, and house dust mite, cockroach, dog, cat, mouse, and peanut allergen. Exposures were compared in urban and rural environments and in participants with and without AD.ResultsEndotoxin but not fungal β‐glucan exposure is higher in the environment of healthy controls than children with AD in both urban and rural settings. House dust mite allergen exposure is high in urban and rural settings with Dermatophagoides detected in 100% of samples. Cat and dog allergen exposure mirrors pet ownership patterns which differ slightly between groups and environments. Mouse allergen exposure is higher in urban homes.ConclusionEnvironmental endotoxin may be protective against AD in both urban and rural settings. There are marked differences in allergen exposure in urban and rural settings, but these are unlikely to be important protective or risk factors.
Testing the predictive and theoretical validity of the network uncertainty measure
Authors: Stein James B. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe present study explores the network uncertainty measure (NUM) as a longitudinal determinant of both relational uncertainty and biased cognitions (the perception that relational talk is threatening) at a later time. Using relational turbulence theory (RTT) as a framework, the NUM was tested for predictive and theoretical validity. Results indicated that network uncertainty at time 1 predicted self and partner, and relationship uncertainty at time 2 with varying strength of relationships. Moreover, the NUM predicted biased cognitions at time 2 when controlling for self, partner, and relationship uncertainty. Efforts were made to see if relational uncertainty mediates the relationship between network uncertainty and biased cognitions. Those results were nonsignificant. These clarify the nature of uncertainties both within and outside of close relationships. Implications are discussed in terms of both theoretical and conceptual development.
Reasons for resentment of high school teenagers with friends
Authors: Öztürk Nilgün , Atli Abdullah 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the reasons for resentment of high school teenagers of their friends, and to categorize these reasons under overarching themes. As a result of the thematic analyses of the qualitative conversations made with 90 (45 = girls, 45 = boys) high school students aged 15–18, the reasons for resentment were collected under the following five main themes: “Jealousy,” “Gossiping and sharing secrets,” “Disagreement on common events,” “Falling in love with my friend's boyfriend/girlfriend” and “Pranks.” We believe that this study provides data in contributing to the in‐depth understanding of the feelings and experiences of resentful teenagers who have problems in friendships.
Drought tolerance inBrassica napusis accompanied with enhanced antioxidative protection, photosynthetic and hormonal regulation at seedling stage
Authors: Ayyaz Ahsan , Miao Yilin , Hannan Fakhir , Islam Faisal , Zhang Kangni , Xu Jianxiang , Farooq Muhammad Ahsan , Zhou Weijun 
Published: February 2021

AbstractClimate change, food insecurity, water scarcity, and population growth are some of today's world's frightening problems. Drought stress exerts a constant threat to field crops and is often seen as a major constraint on global agricultural productivity; its intensity and frequency are expected to increase in the near future. The present study investigated the effects of drought stress (15% w/v polyethylene glycol PEG‐6000) on physiological and biochemical changes in fiveBrassica napuscultivars (ZD630, ZD622, ZD619, GY605, and ZS11). For drought stress induction, 3‐week‐old rapeseed oil seedlings were treated with PEG‐6000 in full strength Hoagland nutrient solution for 7 days. PEG treatment significantly decreased the plant growth and photosynthetic efficiency, including primary photochemistry (Fv/Fm) of PSII, intercellular CO2, net photosynthesis, chlorophyll contents, and water‐use efficiency of all studiedB. napuscultivars; however, pronounced growth retardations were observed in cultivar GY605. Drought‐stressedB. napuscultivars also experienced a sharp rise in H2O2generation and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Additionally, the accumulation of ROS was accompanied by increased activity of enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and monodehydroascorbate reductase), although the increase was more obvious in ZD622 and ZS11. Drought stress also caused an increased endogenous hormonal biosynthesis (abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, salicylic acid) and accumulation of total soluble proteins and proline content, but the extent varies inB. napuscultivars. These results suggest thatB. napuscultivars have an efficient drought stress tolerance mechanism, as shown by improved antioxidant enzyme activities, photosynthetic and hormonal regulation.
Survival and sexual maturity of sexually propagated Acropora verweyi corals 4 years after outplantation
Authors: Ligson Charlon A. , Cabaitan Patrick C. 
Published: February 2021

Most coral reef restoration efforts are carried out over 1–2 years, and few have assessed long‐term (over 3 years) outcomes. Although studies of outplantation of sexually propagated corals have reported promising initial results, few studies have followed outplanted corals to maturity. Here, we monitored sexually propagated Acropora verweyi corals for 4 years post‐outplantation to determine their survival and sexual maturity. These corals were outplanted when 4 months old in two size classes (small = 0.3–0.5 cm; large = 1.0–1.5 cm) at two sites in the northwestern Philippines. Four years after outplantation, the 240 colonies of A. verweyi exhibited 17.9% survival, with mean diameters ranging from 7.48–26.8 cm. Most of the surviving outplants were gravid (81.4% of the 43 colonies) with mean diameters of at least 11.8 cm. Higher survivorship was detected in the initial large size class outplants than in the small ones at the natal site, but not at the other site. However, 4 years after outplantation, there was no significant difference in terms of geometric mean diameter between the initial size classes or between the sites. Results show that 4‐month‐old outplants of sexually propagated corals can survive until sexual maturity and are already capable of contributing gametes for the potential recovery of degraded coral communities at age 4 years.
Health and Economic Outcomes Associated with Polio Vaccine Policy Options: 2019–2029
Authors: Kalkowska Dominika A. , Thompson Kimberly M. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe polio endgame remains complicated, with many questions about future polio vaccines and national immunization policies. We simulated possible future poliovirus vaccine routine immunization policies for countries stratified by World Bank Income Levels and estimated the expected costs and cases using an updated integrated dynamic poliovirus transmission, stochastic risk, and economic model. We consider two reference cases scenarios: one that achieves the eradication of all wild polioviruses (WPVs) by 2023 and one in which serotype 1 WPV (WPV1) transmission continues. The results show that the addition of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) to routine immunization in all countries substantially increased the expected costs of the polio endgame, without substantially increasing its expected health or economic benefits. Adding a second dose of IPV to the routine immunization schedules of countries that currently include a single IPV dose further increases costs and does not appear economically justified in the reference case that does not stop WPV transmission. For the reference case that includes all WPV eradication, adding a second IPV dose at the time of successful oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) cessation represents a cost‐effective option. The risks and costs of needing to restart OPV use change the economics of the polio endgame, although the time horizon used for modeling impacts the overall economic results. National health leaders will want to consider the expected health and economic net benefits of their national polio vaccine strategies recognizing that preferred strategies may differ.
Interpretation of contextual influences with explanatory tools: Travel mode likelihood mapping using GPS trajectories
Authors: Lee Kangjae , Kwan Mei‐Po 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPast studies have failed to address the spatially and temporally varying impacts of environmental factors regarding the uncertain geographic context problem. This study seeks to provide an innovative framework to facilitate the understanding of spatially and temporally varying impacts of multiple contexts on individuals' travel modes using GIS and machine learning techniques. It adopts machine learning techniques to create likelihood maps to predict the spatiotemporal patterns of individual travel behaviors and uses explanatory tools to explore the spatially and temporally varying impacts. The most notable change at a local level in the spatial dimension was that assaults and offenses involving children turned out to be important in two selected communities in Chicago. Regarding the temporally varying impact, batteries, other offenses, and robberies showed negative associations with the walking prediction to some extent at the afternoon peak (5–7:59 p.m.) during weekdays. The proposed approach will enable meaningful interpretation of complex interactions between multiple environmental factors and individual travel behaviors to suggest policies in urban planning and design.
LcERF2 modulates cell wall metabolism by directly targeting a UDP‐glucose‐4‐epimerase gene to regulate pedicel development and fruit abscission of litchi
Authors: Yi Jun‐Wen , Wang Yi , Ma Xiao‐Sha , Zhang Jie‐Qiong , Zhao Ming‐Lei , Huang Xu‐Ming , Li Jian‐Guo , Hu Gui‐Bing , Wang Hui‐Cong 
Published: February 2021

SUMMARYElucidating the biochemical and molecular basis of premature abscission in fruit crops should help develop strategies to enhance fruit set and yield. Here, we report that LcERF2 contributes to differential abscission rates and responses to ethylene in Litchi chinensis (litchi). Reduced LcERF2 expression in litchi was observed to reduce fruit abscission, concurrent with enhanced pedicel growth and increased levels of hexoses, particularly galactose, as well as pectin abundance in the cell wall. Ecoptic expression of LcERF2 in Arabidopsis thaliana caused enhanced petal abscission, together with retarded plant growth and reduced pedicel galactose and pectin contents. Transcriptome analysis indicated that LcERF2 modulates the expression of genes involved in cell wall modification. Yeast one‐hybrid, dual‐luciferase reporter and electrophoretic mobility shift assays all demonstrated that a UDP‐glucose‐4‐epimerase gene (LcUGE) was the direct downstream target of LcERF2. This result was further supported by a significant reduction in the expression of the A. thaliana homolog AtUGE2‐4 in response to LcERF2 overexpression. Significantly reduced pedicel diameter and enhanced litchi fruit abscission were observed in response to LcUGE silencing. We conclude that LcERF2 mediates fruit abscission by orchestrating cell wall metabolism, and thus pedicel growth, in part by repressing the expression of LcUGE.
NOL‐mediated functional stay‐green traits in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) involving multifaceted molecular factors and metabolic pathways regulating leaf senescence
Authors: Yu Guohui , Xie Zheni , Zhang Jing , Lei Shanshan , Lin Wenjing , Xu Bin , Huang Bingru 
Published: February 2021

SUMMARYLoss of chlorophyll (Chl) is a hallmark of leaf senescence, which may be regulated by Chl catabolic genes, including NON‐YELLOW COLORING 1 (NYC1)‐like (NOL). The objective of this study was to determine molecular factors and metabolic pathways underlying NOL regulation of leaf senescence in perennial grass species. LpNOL was cloned from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and found to be highly expressed in senescent leaves. Transient overexpression of LpNOL accelerated leaf senescence and Chl b degradation in Nicotiana benthamiana. LpNOL RNA interference (NOLi) in perennial ryegrass not only significantly blocked Chl degradation in senescent leaves, but also delayed initiation and progression of leaf senescence. This study found that NOL, in addition to functioning as a Chl b reductase, could enact the functional stay‐green phenotype in perennial grass species, as manifested by increased photosynthetic activities in NOLi plants. Comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed that NOL‐mediated functional stay‐green in perennial ryegrass was mainly achieved through the modulation of Chl catabolism, light harvesting for photosynthesis, photorespiration, cytochrome respiration, carbohydrate catabolism, oxidative detoxification, and abscisic acid biosynthesis and signaling pathways.
Using the flow regimes framework to de‐hierarchise the analysis of commercial movements: Case studies from the Central African Copperbelt
Authors: Blaszkiewicz Hélène 
Published: February 2021

Observing trade flows at a Southern African border reveals that different commodities move differently, raising the question of why some commodities stop when others flow, and why some flows move faster when others experience speed reductions and stoppages. This paper is concerned with presenting a theoretical framework – the flow regime framework – to make sense of the uneven rhythms and manners of the flow of commodities. Building on a review of four economic geography trends (transport geography, logistics studies, thing‐following studies, and scalar analysis) and of the orderings and dichotomies they create, I argue that we need a non‐hierarchical way to understand the complexity and variability of trade flows and traders’ strategies along different paces and rhythms. The flow regimes, defined as lasting socio‐technical agencements of practices, actors, infrastructure uses, and ideologies, comprise the proposed theoretical solution to make sense of the variability of commodities’ paces. This theoretical framework is illustrated empirically through the examples of the three flow regimes identified in the Central African Copperbelt, based on 11 months of ethnographic fieldwork: the off‐road regime, characterised by modular and flexible rhythms; the spare‐wheel regime, whose flows are subjected to state‐induced accelerations and stoppages; and the power‐steering regime, based on costly public and private technologies allowing for fast and fluid commercial movements. Without attempting to describe a particular scale of action, the concept of regimes makes it possible to analyse head‐on activities that are usually studied separately (such as “small” border trade and flows driven by large logistics firms). I conclude by suggesting that the flow regimes framework allows to highlight how the globalisation of flows features irregularity and lumpiness.
Pandemic trade: COVID‐19, remote work and global value chains
Authors: Espitia Alvaro , Mattoo Aaditya , Rocha Nadia , Ruta Michele , Winkler Deborah 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis paper studies the trade effects of COVID‐19 using monthly disaggregated trade data for 28 countries and multiple trading partners from the beginning of the pandemic to June 2020. Regression results based on a sector‐level gravity model show that the negative trade effects induced by COVID‐19 shocks varied widely across sectors. Sectors more amenable to remote work contracted less throughout the pandemic. Importantly, participation in global value chains increased traders’ vulnerability to shocks suffered by trading partners, but it also reduced their vulnerability to domestic shocks.
COVID‐19, public procurement regimes and trade policy
Authors: Hoekman Bernard , Shingal Anirudh , Eknath Varun , Ereshchenko Viktoriya 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis paper analyses a prominent dimension of the initial policy response to the COVID‐19 pandemic observed in many countries: the imposition of export restrictions and actions to facilitate imports. Using weekly data on the use of trade policy instruments during the first seven months of the COVID‐19 pandemic (January–July, 2020), we assess the relationship between the use of trade policy instruments and attributes of pre‐crisis public procurement regulation. Controlling for country size, government effectiveness and economic factors, we find that use of export restrictions targeting medical products is strongly positively correlated with the total number of steps and average time required to complete procurement processes in the pre‐crisis period. Membership of trade agreements encompassing public procurement disciplines is associated with actions to facilitate trade in medical products. These findings suggest future empirical assessments of the drivers of trade policy during the pandemic should consider public procurement systems.
The effect of autologous repair and voluntary wheel running on force recovery in a rat model of volumetric muscle loss
Authors: Washington Tyrone A. , Perry Richard A. , Kim John T. , Haynie Wesley S. , Greene Nicholas P. , Wolchok Jeffrey C. 
Published: February 2021

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?
Following large traumatic loss of muscle tissue (volumetric muscle loss; VML), permanent functional and cosmetic deficits present themselves and regenerative therapies alone have not been able to generate a robust regenerative response: how does the addition of rehabilitative therapies affects the regenerative response?

What is the main finding and its importance?
Using exercise along with autologous muscle repair, we demonstrated accelerated muscle force recovery response post‐VML. The accentuated force recovery 2 weeks post‐VML would allow patients to return home sooner than allowed with current therapies.

AbstractSkeletal muscle can regenerate from damage but is overwhelmed with extreme tissue loss, known as volumetric muscle loss (VML). Patients suffering from VML do not fully recover force output in the affected limb. Recent studies show that replacement tissue (i.e., autograph) into the VML defect site plus physical activity show promise for optimizing force recovery post‐VML. The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of autologous repair and voluntary wheel running on force recovery post‐VML. Thirty‐two male Sprague–Dawley rats had 20% of their left tibialis anterior (LTA) excised then replaced and sutured into the intact muscle (autologous repair). The right tibialis anterior (RTA) acted as the contralateral control. Sixteen rats were given free access to a running wheel (Wheel) whereas the other 16 remained in a cage with the running wheel locked (Sed). At 2 and 8 weeks post‐VML, the LTA underwent force testing; then the muscle was removed and morphological and gene expression analysis was conducted. At 2 weeks post‐injury, normalized LTA force was 58% greater in the Wheel group compared to the Sed group. At 8 weeks post‐VML, LTA force was similar between the Wheel and Sed groups but was still lower than the uninjured RTA. Gene expression analysis at 2 weeks post‐VML showed the wheel groups had lower mRNA content of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6 and tumour necrosis factor α compared to the Sed group. Overall, voluntary wheel running promoted early force recovery, but was not sufficient to fully restore force. The accentuated early force recovery is possibly due to a more pro‐regenerative microenvironment.