bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anti‐fertility effect of levonorgestrel and/or quinestrol on striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius): evidence from both laboratory and field experiments
Authors: CHEN Xiaoning , HOU Xiang , FENG Tuo , HAN Ning , WANG Jing , CHANG Gang 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe effect of combined levonorgestrel (P) and quinestrol (E) on the fertility of striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius) has not been evaluated. We performed a series of experiments in both the laboratory and field to assess the effect of P and/or E on the fertility of A. agrarius. In the laboratory, to test the time‐dependent anti‐fertility effects of P and E, as well as their mixtures, 90 male striped field mice were randomly assigned to 6 treatment groups (n = 60), and a control group (n = 30). Mice in 3 treatment groups were administered 1 of the 3 compounds (1 mg⋅kg–1 [body weight] EP‐1, 0.34 mg⋅kg–1 E, 0.66 mg⋅kg–1 P) for 3 successive days (another half for 7 successive days) via oral gavage; mice were then sacrificed 15 and 45 days after initiating the gavage treatment. Our findings indicated that E and EP‐1 treatment, but not P or control treatment, significantly decreased the sperm count in the caudal epididymis, as well as the weight of the testes, epididymides, and seminal vesicles. Additionally, fertile female mice mated with E‐ and EP‐1‐treated males produced smaller pups. These data indicate that E and EP‐1 can induce infertility in male A. agrarius. In the field, the population density of A. agrarius was significantly influenced by EP‐1, and the rodent density in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group. Overall, our results indicate that EP‐1 is an effective contraceptive in A. agrarius, a dominant rodent species in the farmland.
Variation in Pore Space and Structure of Organic‐rich Oil‐prone Shales from a Non‐marine Basin: Constraints from Organic Matter and Minerals
Authors: JIA Jianliang , LIU Zhaojun , ZHOU Renjie , LIU Rong , GAO Yuan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractOrganic matter (OM) and minerals are major particle components of lacustrine shales. The influence of OM and minerals on pore space and structure in organic‐rich oil‐prone shales containing a large range of total organic carbon (TOC) contents is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the variation in pore space and structure of low mature lacustrine shales in the Songliao Basin (NE China), based on a study of the mineralogy, petrography, geochemistry, and geophysical properties of shales. Different pore types make markedly different contributions to the mineral surface area (MSA) and pore volume (PV) of the shales. There exists a negative correlation between MSA/PV and TOC in mesopores (r2 = 0.75/0.65) and macropores (r2 = 0.74/0.68), and a positive correlation in micropores (r2 = 0.59/0.64), which are associated with the variation of mineral and TOC contents. A positive relationship between the throat/pore ratio and TOC (r2 = 0.82) shows an increase in throat radius and decrease in pore radius with increasing TOC content. This relationship is supported by the reduction in mean pore diameter (MPD) for large pores and increase in MPD for small pores. These variations are related to the decreased pores by quartz plus feldspar (Q + F) content, increased throats by clay minerals, and enhanced pore‐fill by OM. We propose that the variation of OM and minerals is a key control on the pore space and structure of low mature organic‐rich oil‐prone shales.
Sjögren’s syndrome complicated with membranous nephropathy, a cause or coincidence?
Authors: Chen Ruiying , Wang Jia , Xie Qionghong , Xue Jun , Hao Chuanming 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundSjögren's syndrome (SS) has been a well‐documented cause of secondary membranous nephropathy (MN); however, the prevalence is quite low. Since primary MN is also a common disease in middle age, whether MN is secondary to SS or just coincidence remains uncertain. The detection of phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R), which is most often positive in idiopathic MN, has been rarely reported in such cases.MethodsWe retrospectively studied 13 cases diagnosed with MN and SS in Huashan Hospital between 2009 and 2020, and performed PLA2R detection. We also review the literature by searching in the PubMed database.ResultsAmong the 13 patients, 8 were found to be PLA2R‐positive and 5 were negative. Nine patients were female. All but 1 patients had normal renal function at the time of biopsy. All patients showed positive anti‐nuclear antibody and anti‐SSA. Two of the 8 PLA2R‐positive patients showed positive anti‐SSB and 1/8 had mild hypocomplementemia, while all 5 PLA2R‐negative patients had positive anti‐SSB and 3 showed hypocomplementemia. Renal biopsy revealed focal MN and markedly mesangial hyperplasia in PLA2R‐negative patients. Mesangial electron deposits were observed in 1 PLA2R‐positive patient in small amounts, and in 3 PLA2R‐negative patients with 2 in large amounts. During follow‐up, 2 patients in the PLA2R‐negative group presented with progressively decreasing serum complement levels, and another one was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).ConclusionsIn patients with both MN and SS, PLA2R‐negative MN should be considered as a secondary form. Careful screen for SLE is necessary in these patients during follow‐up.
Surgeons respond to growing evidence by performing less knee arthroscopic surgery in older patients
Authors: Donaldson Eric T. , Doma Kenji , Parkinson Ben 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundRecent research has shown that knee arthroscopy does not provide a meaningful clinical benefit for degenerative knee changes in the older population. The 2016 Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) Annual Scientific Meeting held a plenary session on this topic to educate surgeons about these research findings and communicate their clinical practice statement on this issue. This paper set out to find if there has been a change in clinical practice since this meeting.MethodsThe analysis consisted of all knee arthroscopies performed in a single city of Far North Queensland, Australia, over an 8‐year period. The number and type of arthroscopies performed in patients <50 and ≥50 years of age was compared before and after the 2016 AOA plenary session.ResultsAfter the 2016 AOA educational session, there was a significant reduction in the number of debridement procedures performed in patients aged 50 years or older (275 vs. 142 per year, P < 0.01) but not in patients under 50 years of age (192 vs. 135 per year, P = 0.91). The annual number of repair procedures for all ages combined, increased from 11 per year to 60 per year (P < 0.01).ConclusionThe surgeons of this city have changed their knee arthroscopy clinical practice in line with the evidence and advice from their professional body.
The Development of Advanced Theory of Mind in Middle Childhood: A Longitudinal Study From Age 5 to 10 Years
Authors: Osterhaus Christopher , Koerber Susanne 
Published: July 2021

This 5‐year longitudinal study investigated advanced theory‐of‐mind (AToM) development in 161 German 5‐ to 10‐year‐olds (89 females, 72 males). Core aspects of AToM developed nonlinearly, with children reaching a milestone at the age of 7 years, around when they attained the conceptual insight that mental states can be recursive. In late elementary school, a multicomponent battery was used. Performance on many aspects of AToM was predicted by information‐processing skills (intelligence and language at 6 years), but not by the age when children acquired the basic conceptual insight; only some naturalistic, social‐interpretative tasks were correlated with children’s age at acquisition. This study documents significant developmental progressions in middle‐childhood AToM and suggests that different mechanisms may underlie diverse aspects of social cognition.
Using a portable monitoring device for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea in patients with multiple coexisting medical illnesses
Authors: To Kin Wang , Chan Tat On , Chan Wing Chi , Choo Kah Lin , Hui David S. C. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIntroductionThe existing guidelines recommend type III devices should be used in patients without significant comorbidities.ObjectivesThis study explored the reliability of using a type III device in patients with significant medical conditions to diagnose sleep apnea.MethodsPatients had an overnight sleep study conducted simultaneously with both polysomnography (PSG) and a type III (NOX‐T3) monitoring device. All patients had stable multiple coexisting medical illnesses without any changes in medications and conditions within 1 month of sleep study.ResultsBetween July 2019 and March 2020, there were altogether 74 patients recruited with analyzable data. Five major disease groups were identified in the cohort: psychiatric illnesses, stroke, ischemic heart diseases (IHDs), chronic kidney diseases (CKDs), and others. Psychiatric patients with medications were found to have the lowest apnea hypopnea index (AHI) (23.7 per hour) and arousal index (46.6 per hour). The CKD group had the highest mean arousal index (71.4 per hour) and obstructive apnea count (110.2). NOX‐T3 respiratory event index (REI) was significantly lower than the PSG AHI (mean REI 31.4 vs. mean AHI: 42.2). The number of patients with no/mild/moderate/severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosed by NOX‐T3 and PSG was 7/17/19/31 and 5/11/20/38, respectively.ConclusionNOX‐T3 device can reliably diagnose OSA in patients with different stable coexisting medical conditions. There is a tendency for underestimation of the severity of the OSA with NOX‐T3 in patients with coexisting medical conditions especially with sedative medications. A positive NOX‐T3 reliably diagnoses OSA whereas a negative NOX‐T3 result needs to be interpreted with caution.
The two‐way interaction between population aging and industrial transformation
Authors: Zou Jingxian , Ji Rundong , Mao Rui 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis study examines the relationship between the labour‐force age structure and industry composition in a multi‐region and multi‐sector framework. Relying on a panel dataset of Chinese provinces, the simultaneous equations model reveals two‐way influences between age and industrial structures. Population aging induces a (an) reduced (increased) secondary‐sector (tertiary‐sector) employment share. The industrial structure then changes the age structure of the local labour force via the migrations of young workers as non‐agricultural sectors expand. With an improved Leslie model, we predict a province‐level population aging and industry structure trend. Accordingly, municipalities, developed coastal provinces and the three northeastern provinces face greater pressure from population aging and a rapid structural, industrial transformation. Further considerations of the ‘two‐child policy’ via simulation results show that relaxed birth restrictions could slow population aging in some but not all these provinces.
On testing for homogeneity with zero‐inflated models through the lens of model misspecification
Authors: Hsu Wei‐Wen , Mawella Nadeesha R. , Todem David 
Published: July 2021

SummaryIn many applications of two‐component mixture models such as the popular zero‐inflated model for discrete‐valued data, it is customary for the data analyst to evaluate the inherent heterogeneity in view of observed data. To this end, the score test, acclaimed for its simplicity, is routinely performed. It has long been recognised that this test may behave erratically under model misspecification, but the implications of this behaviour remain poorly understood for popular two‐component mixture models. For the special case of zero‐inflated count models, we use data simulations and theoretical arguments to evaluate this behaviour and discuss its implications in settings where the working model is restrictive with regard to the true data‐generating mechanism. We enrich this discussion with an analysis of count data in HIV research, where a one‐component model is shown to fit the data reasonably well despite apparent extra zeros. These results suggest that a rejection of homogeneity does not imply that the underlying mixture model is appropriate. Rather, such a rejection simply implies that the mixture model should be carefully interpreted in the light of potential model misspecifications, and further evaluated against other competing models.
The neglected puzzle of dementia in people with severe/profound intellectual disabilities: A systematic literature review of observable symptoms
Authors: Wissing Maureen B. G. , Ulgiati Aurora M. , Hobbelen Johannes S. M. , De Deyn Peter P. , Waninge Aly , Dekker Alain D. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundDementia is increasingly prevalent in people with severe/profound intellectual disabilities. However, early detection and diagnosis of dementia is complex in this population. This study aimed to identify observable dementia symptoms in adults with severe/profound intellectual disabilities in available literature.MethodA systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO and Web of Science with an exhaustive search string using a combination of search terms for severe/profound intellectual disabilities and dementia/ageing.ResultsEleven studies met inclusion criteria. Cognitive decline, behavioural and psychological alterations, decline in activities of daily living as well as neurological and physical changes were found.ConclusionsOnly a very limited number of studies reported symptoms ascribed to dementia in adults with severe/profound intellectual disabilities. Given the complexity of signalling and diagnosing dementia, dedicated studies are required to unravel the natural history of dementia in this population.
Social inclusion through social status and the emergence of development traps
Authors: Lombardo Vincenzo 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis paper investigates the long‐run implications of concerns for status when heterogeneous agents care about their relative consumption with respect to an endogenous benchmark consumption of their reference group. Agents endogenously choose whether to enter the rat race to consume the benchmark level of a social participation, status, good to gain access to socially advantaged and privileged groups because relative consumption determines agents’ relative position in society which is ultimately instrumental in the accumulation of wealth and absolute consumption. The dynamical analysis predicts that increases in mean incomes and reductions in inequality over the long‐run process of development foster the competition for status, raise the cost of access to the reference group and drive the onset of multiple stable steady‐state equilibria. This mechanism governs the endogenous transition from a Solovian‐type stage to a development traps equilibrium at which the poorest dynasties are excluded from the reference group and trapped in a low‐income stable equilibrium while the richest dynasties strive to differentiate themselves from the poorest ones to reap the economic benefits of the elite position in society.
Early life stress moderated the influence of reward anticipation on acute psychosocial stress responses
Authors: Hu Weiyu , Liu Yadong , Li Jiwen , Zhao Xiaolin , Yang Juan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractRecent studies suggest that reward anticipation decreases individuals’ acute stress responses. However, individuals who have experienced early life stress (ELS) may have a blunted capacity for reward anticipation, which reduces its buffering effect on psychosocial stress responses. To investigate this phenomenon, 66 young adults completed the Trier Social Stress Test following a reward anticipation task, and their ELS levels were measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Meanwhile, the current study collected biological and psychological measures of stress by analysing cortisol levels, heart rates, heart rate variability (HRV) as well as subjective stress levels, in response to the Trier Social Stress test. Results showed that reward anticipation successfully decreased acute stress responses in general, and it also improved participants’ HRV. However, this effect was more evident in individuals with low ELS than those with high ELS. These findings help us deepen understanding of the role of reward anticipation in fostering resilience under stress and the potentially important implications for individuals who have been exposed to ELS are also discussed.
Seminal plasma insulin‐like growth factor I and total protein concentration in peripubertal period of the Gyr bulls
Authors: Souza Fernando Andrade , Martins Jorge André Matias , Emerick Lucas Luz , Laskoski Luciane Maria , Perez‐Osorio Jair , de Souza Fabiana Ferreira , Paredes Cañon Astrid L. , do Vale Filho Vicente Ribeiro 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the correlation of seminal plasma IGF‐I and total proteins from peripubertal bulls with semen characteristics and onset of puberty. Sixteen dairy Gyr bulls were separated into early (n = 8) and regular (n = 8) groups, according to the onset of puberty. Semen was monthly collected by electroejaculation from 14 to 26 months of age, and the onset of puberty was retrospectively determined (17.0 ± 1.6 and 19.2 ± 1.5 months, to early and regular group, respectively). Five time points were evaluated (day −60, day −30, day 0, day 30 and day 60 days of puberty), being day 0 considered as beginning of puberty. Scrotal circumference and body weight were also assessed. Semen characteristics were evaluated, the seminal plasma was separated by centrifugation and total protein and IGF‐I concentrations were determined. There was no difference between groups to concentration of the seminal plasma total proteins, but we found an interaction between group and age. Seminal plasma IGF‐I concentrations were not different between early and regular groups; thus, the data were combined for analysis. Combined IGF‐I concentrations were positively correlated with sperm motility and concentration, age, body weight and scrotal circumference. Negative correlation was found between IGF‐I concentration and total sperm defects. Increased IGF‐I was observed in day −30 and day 0 of puberty in early and regular groups, respectively. Seminal plasma total proteins are involved in peripubertal modifications and IGF‐I from Zebus dairy bulls can influence the seminal characteristics and the growth factor increase occurs concomitantly with body growth but cannot be used to define puberty bulls earlier.
Occupational segregation by gender in veterinary specialties: Who we are choosing, or who is choosing us
Authors: Morello Samantha L. , Genovese Jordan , Pankowski Anne , Sweet Emma A. , Hetzel Scott J. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractObjectiveGender demographics vary across specialties including surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, and oncology. Our objective was to determine whether residency selection or the decision to apply for training drives these differences.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.Sample PopulationMatched and unmatched residents lists from Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program (VIRMP) from 2011 to 2020. Comparative Data Reports from the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges from 2010 to 2019.MethodsNames for matched and unmatched residents with addresses in the United States or Canada were coded for gender for seven programs: large and small animal surgery, large and small animal medicine, cardiology, neurology, and oncology. Match rate by gender was compared using chi‐square tests. Gender demographics of applicants were compared to demographics of graduates using tests of two proportions.ResultsNo differences were observed between genders for the likelihood of successfully matching into each residency program evaluated except in large animal internal medicine. Women (44.2%) were slightly more likely to match, overall, than men (39.0%, p = .003). The proportions of women applying for residencies overall (70.7%), in large and small animal surgery (66.1%, 62.2%), cardiology (70.2%), and neurology (70.7%) were lower than the proportion of female graduates (79%; p's < .001).ConclusionNo evidence for gender bias was detected in the VIRMP resident selection process. Female veterinary graduates seemed less likely to apply for residencies than their male counterparts.ImpactOccupational segregation seems to stem from the decision to apply for residency. Interventions aimed at altering gender demographics in specialized medicine should target potential applicants.
Carbon Capture and Storage Energy Consumption and Performance Optimization Using Metamodels and Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Allahyarzadeh-Bidgoli Ali , Hamidishad Nayereh , Yanagihara Jurandir Itizo 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Oil and gas industries have high carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, which is a great environmental concern. Monoethanolamine (MEA) is widely used as a solvent in CO2 capture and storage (CCS) systems. The challenge is that MEA–CCS itself is an energy-intensive process that requires optimum configuration and operation, and numerous design parameters and heat demands must be considered. Thus, the current work evaluates the energy distributions and CO2 removal efficiency of a CCS installed in floating production storage and offloading units under different operating conditions of a power and heat generation hub. The optimization procedures are implemented using highly accurate surrogate models for the following responses: (1) overall power consumption of CCS, (2) CCS separation performance, and (3) CCS heating and cooling demands. The input variables considered in the present research include the following: (1) the exhaust gas compositions and mass flowrate, (2) the operating pressure and temperature parameters of CCS and the injection compression unit, (3) the structural parameters of absorber and stripper columns, and (4) MEA solution parameters. The optimum CCS configuration significantly reduces the total heating and cooling demands by 62.77% (7 × 106 kW) and the overall power consumption by 8.65% (1.8 MW), and it increases the CCS separation performance by 4.46% (97.46%) and mitigates the CO2 emissions of proper CCS by 1.02 t/h compared with conventional operating conditions.