bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
FRAX-based fracture probabilities in South Africa
Authors: Johansson Helena , Dela Sapna S. , Cassim Bilkish , Paruk Farhanah , Brown Susan L. , Conradie Magda , Harvey Nicholas C. , Jordaan Johannes D. , Kalla Asgar A. , Liu Enwu , Lorentzon Mattias , Lukhele Mkhululi , McCloskey Eugene V. , Mohamed Ozayr , Chutterpaul Pariva , Vandenput Liesbeth , Kanis John A. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Summary
The hip fracture rates in South Africa were used to create ethnic-specific FRAX® models to facilitate fracture risk assessment.

Introduction
The aim of this study was to develop FRAX models to compute the 10-year probability of hip fracture and major osteoporotic fracture and assess their potential clinical application.

Methods
Age- and sex-specific incidence of hip fracture and national mortality rates were incorporated into a FRAX model for the White, Black African, Coloured and Indian population of South Africa. Age-specific 10-year probabilities of a major osteoporotic fracture were calculated in women to determine fracture probabilities at a femoral neck T score of -2.5 SD, or those equivalent to a woman with a prior fragility fracture. Fracture probabilities were compared with those from selected countries.

Results
Probabilities were consistently higher in Indian than in Coloured men and women, in turn, higher than in Black South Africans. For White South Africans, probabilities were lower than in Indians at young ages up to the age of about 80 years. When a BMD T score of −2.5 SD was used as an intervention threshold, FRAX probabilities in women age 50 years were approximately 2-fold higher than in women of the same age but with an average BMD and no risk factors. The increment in risk associated with the BMD threshold decreased progressively with age such that, at the age of 80 years or more, a T score of −2.5 SD was no longer a risk factor. Probabilities equivalent to women with a previous fracture rose with age and identified women at increased risk at all ages.

Conclusions
These FRAX models should enhance accuracy of determining fracture probability amongst the South African population and help guide decisions about treatment.
Distributed fiber optic monitoring of a CFA pile with a central reinforcement bar bundle
Authors: Rui Yi , de Battista Nicholas , Kechavarzi Cedric , Xu Xiaomin , Yin Mei 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we present an application of distributed fiber optic sensor (DFOS) technology to measure the strain of a continuous flight auger (CFA) test pile with a central reinforcement bar bundle, during a static load test carried out in London. Being distributed in nature, DFOS gives much more information about the pile performance as compared to traditional point sensors, such as identifying cross-sectional irregularities or other anomalies. The strain profiles recorded along the depth of the piles from the DFOS were used to calculate pile deformation (contraction), shaft friction, and tip resistance under various loads. Based on this pile load test, a finite element (FE) analysis was performed using a one-dimensional nonlinear load-transfer model. Calibrated by the shaft friction and tip resistance derived from the monitored data, the FE model was able to simulate the pile and soil performance during the load testing with good accuracy. The effect of the reinforcement cage and central reinforcement bar bundle were investigated, and it was found that the addition of a reinforcement cage would reduce the pile settlement by up to 20%.
Challenges and Controversies in the Genetic Diagnosis of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia
Authors: Saputra Lydia , Kumar Kishore Raj 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose of Review
The hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are a group of disorders characterised by progressive lower limb weakness and spasticity. We address the challenges and controversies involved in the genetic diagnosis of HSP.

Recent Findings
There is a large and rapidly expanding list of genes implicated in HSP, making it difficult to keep gene testing panels updated. There is also a high degree of phenotypic overlap between HSP and other disorders, leading to problems in choosing the right panel to analyse. We discuss genetic testing strategies for overcoming these diagnostic hurdles, including the use of targeted sequencing gene panels, whole-exome sequencing and whole-genome sequencing. Personalised treatments for HSP are on the horizon, and a genetic diagnosis may hold the key to access these treatments.

Summary
Developing strategies to overcome the challenges and controversies in HSP may hold the key to a rapid and accurate genetic diagnosis.
High-thermally conductive AlN-based microwave attenuating composite ceramics with spherical graphite as attenuating agent
Authors: Fang Xia , Jiang Lei , Pan Limei , Yin Shuang , Qiu Tai , Yang Jian 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHigh-thermally conductive AlN-based microwave attenuating composite ceramics with spherical graphite (SG) as the attenuating agent were fabricated through hot-pressing sintering. The SG maintains its three-dimensional (3D) morphology within the sintered bodies, which considerably impedes the sintering of the composites to some extent but slightly influences on the growth of AlN grains. The addition of SG reduces the strength of the composites, but provides a moderate toughening effect at the optimal addition amount (3.8 MPa·m1/2 at 4 wt% SG). Benefiting from the low anisotropy, high thermal conductivity, and the 3D morphology of SG, the composites exhibit a relatively higher thermal conductivity (76.82 W·m−1·K−1 at 10 wt% SG) compared with composites added with non-spherical attenuating agent. The dielectric constant and loss (8.2–12.4 GHz) increase remarkably as the amount of SG added increases up to 8 wt%, revealing that the incorporation of SG improves the dielectric property of the composite. The composite with 7 wt% SG exhibits the best absorption performance with a minimum reflection loss of −13.9 dB at 12.4 GHz and an effective absorbing bandwidth of 0.87 GHz. The excellent overall properties of the SG/AlN microwave attenuating composites render them as a promising material for various applications. Moreover, SG has a great potential as an attenuating agent for microwave attenuating composites due to its strong attenuation upon integration, high thermal conductivity, and low anisotropy.
United Kingdom Patent Decisions 2020
Authors: Trigg Robyn 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis report highlights a selection of the most important UK patent decisions from 2020, including: two Supreme Court judgments (one concerning insufficiency and one concerning FRAND); two Court of Appeal judgments (considering SPC fees and Arrow declarations); and four High Court judgments (regarding the Crown use exception, injunctions and the public interest, the treatment of experts in patents trials and technical primers, and interim injunctions).
An Assessment of the Feasibility and Effectiveness of Distance Learning for Students With Severe Developmental Disabilities and High Behavioral Needs
Authors: Tomaino Melaura Andree Erickson , Greenberg Alissa L. , Kagawa-Purohit Sarah Ann , Doering Sagui A. , Miguel Edward Steven 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSchools across the country closed their doors during the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures impacted all students, as schools, educators, and families grappled with the realities of transitioning to distance-learning platforms. The research on distance learning is still in its early phases. However, almost no research exists on educating students with severe disabilities and high behavioral needs using this technology. Study 1 collected survey data from students’ families and their educators on the feasibility and effectiveness of distance-learning programs when working with students with severe developmental disabilities and high behavioral needs. Results indicated that parents and educators had generally neutral attitudes toward distance learning, although educators agreed that their students were obtaining educational benefits during distance learning. Study 2 further examined the effects of a transition to distance learning on students’ Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goal progress. Analyses revealed that students maintained about half of the skills addressed in their IEPs and made progress on an additional quarter of their IEP goals. Findings contribute to a much-needed literature base on distance learning and provide additional information as to the feasibility and effectiveness of distance learning with students with severe developmental disabilities and high behavioral needs. Future work is needed to determine best practices for distance learning with this population.
Demography and provisions for retirement: the pension composition, a behavioral approach
Authors: Van Praag Bernard M.S. , Hop J. Peter 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPensions may be provided for in a modern society by a mix of several methods, namely by voluntary individual savings, mandatory fully-funded occupational pension systems, mandatory social security financed by pay-as-you-go, and old-fashioned hoarding in cash. We call a specific mixture of the four systems a pension composition. We assume that individual workers decide on their own individual savings, that the fully-funded occupational system is decided upon by the age cohort of the median worker, and that social security is decided upon by the median voter. We assume that individual and collective pension savings are the only sources of capital supply. When capital supply equals demand from industry, there is equilibrium in the capital market with a corresponding equilibrium interest rate and pension composition. In this paper, we assume a demography with one hundred age brackets and we investigate how changes in the birth rates, survival rates, and the retirement age affect the pension composition and the capital market equilibrium. Our conclusion is that for a given technology, the pension composition and the interest rate are determined by the demography and cannot be modified at will as a long-term political instrument.
Gender inequality in COVID-19 times: evidence from UK prolific participants
Authors: Oreffice Sonia , Quintana-Domeque Climent 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe investigate gender differences across multiple dimensions after 3 months of the first UK lockdown of March 2020, using an online sample of approximately 1,500 Prolific respondents’ residents in the UK. We find that women's mental health was worse than men along the four metrics we collected data on, that women were more concerned about getting and spreading the virus, and that women perceived the virus as more prevalent and lethal than men did. Women were also more likely to expect a new lockdown or virus outbreak by the end of 2020, and were more pessimistic about the contemporaneous and future state of the UK economy, as measured by their forecasted contemporaneous and future unemployment rates. We also show that between earlier in 2020 before the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic and June 2020, women had increased childcare and housework more than men. Neither the gender gaps in COVID-19-related health and economic concerns nor the gender gaps in the increase in hours of childcare and housework can be accounted for by a rich set of control variables. Instead, we find that the gender gap in mental health can be partially accounted for by the difference in COVID-19-related health concerns between men and women.
Recent recovery and expansion of Guam’s locally endangered Såli (Micronesian Starling) Aplonis opaca population in the presence of the invasive brown treesnake
Authors: POLLOCK HENRY S. , KASTNER MARTIN , WILES GARY J. , THIERRY HUGO , DUEÑAS LAURA BARNHART , PAXTON EBEN H. , SUCKOW NICOLE M. , QUITUGUA JEFF , ROGERS HALDRE S. 
Published: March 2021

SummaryAssessing the impacts of invasive predators on the demography and distribution of native species is critical for understanding mechanisms of species persistence and informing the design of recovery programmes. On the oceanic island of Guam, the introduction of the predatory brown treesnake Boiga irregularis after World War II caused the near-total loss of the native forest avifauna. Localised snake control measures have been implemented since the early 1990s, yet it remains poorly understood how they have impacted Guam’s remaining native bird populations. To address this question, we combined intensive area searches of Andersen Air Force Base (AAFB) with island-wide transect surveys and opportunistic sightings to provide a comprehensive update on the distribution and abundance of Såli (Micronesian Starling, Aplonis opaca) – one of Guam’s last extant native bird species. Area searches of AAFB, where the largest remnant of the Såli population persists, revealed a 15-fold population increase since the last survey in the early 1990s, and transect surveys and opportunistic sightings indicate incipient recolonisation of other urbanised areas of northern and central Guam. We estimate the current island-wide population size at ~1,400 individuals. The population increase can likely be attributed to a combination of snake control measures and the Såli’s ability to exploit urban refugia for nesting and roosting. Although these trends demonstrate some population recovery, a skewed age ratio (>90% adults and subadults) at AAFB and a highly urbanised distribution and low abundance outside AAFB indicate that snake predation continues to strongly impact the population. More intensive snake suppression efforts, particularly in forested areas, may allow for the Såli population to attain its former distribution and abundance on Guam. More broadly, our findings reinforce the importance of urban areas as refugia for some threatened species.
Complexity of desire for hastened death in terminally ill cancer patients: A cluster analysis
Authors: Hatano Yutaka , Morita Tatsuya , Mori Masanori , Maeda Isseki , Oyamada Shunsuke , Naito Akemi Shirado , Oya Kiyofumi , Sakashita Akihiro , Ito Satoko , Hiratsuka Yusuke , Tsuneto Satoru 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectivesThe present study aims were (1) to identify the proportion of terminally ill cancer patients with desire for hastened death (DHD) receiving specialized palliative care, (2) to identify the reasons for DHD, and (3) to classify patients with DHD into some interpretable subgroups.MethodsAdvanced cancer patients admitted to 23 inpatients hospices/palliative care units in 2017 were enrolled. Data were prospectively obtained by the primarily responsible physicians. The presence/absence of DHD and reasons for DHD were recorded. A cluster analysis was performed to identify patterns of subgroups in patients with DHD.ResultsData from 971 patients, whose Richmond Agitation–Sedation Scale score at admission was zero and who died in palliative care units, were analyzed. The average age was 72 years, common primary cancer sites were the gastrointestinal tract (31%) and the liver/biliary ducts/pancreas (19%). A total of 174 patients (18%: 95% confidence interval, 16–20) expressed DHD. Common reasons for DHD were dependency (45%), burden to others (28%), meaninglessness (24%), and inability to engage in pleasant activities (24%). We identified five clusters of patients with DHD: cluster 1 (35%, 61/173): “physical distress,” cluster 2 (21%, 37/173): “dependent and burdensome,” cluster 3 (19%, 33/173): “hopelessness,” cluster 4 (17%, 30/173): “profound fatigue,” and cluster 5 (7%, 12/173): “extensive existential suffering.”ConclusionsA considerable number of patients expressed DHD and could be categorized into five subgroups. These findings may contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies.
Differences and Correlation Analysis of Birth Weight and Overweight/Obesity in Shanghai Twin Cohort
Authors: Liao Ping , Wang Wen-Jing , Yu Hui-Ting , Zang Jia-Jie , Qian Nai-Si , He Xin , Gao Wen-Jing , Yu Can-Qing , Li Li-Ming , Wu Fan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe objective of this study was to analyze differences in birth weight and overweight/obesity in a Shanghai twin cohort. We also wanted to study their association and explore possible risk factors for the discordance of overweight/obesity within twins. This was an internal case–control study designed for twins. The 2012 Shanghai Twin Registration System baseline survey data of a total of 3417 twin pairs were statistically analyzed using SPSS22 software. Results show that the body mass index (BMI) of the Shanghai twin population increased with age. Twins with a high birth weight had a higher BMI and a higher rate of overweight and obesity; 0- to 6-year-old twins, male twins and dizygotic (DZ) twins had higher rates of overweight/obesity than other groups. The greater the discordant birth weight rate of twins, the more obvious the difference in BMI (p < .05). There was a significant difference in overweight/obesity between twins with a relative difference of birth weight ≥15% in DZ twins (p < .05). DZ twins, male twins and 0- to 6-year-old twins were more likely to be discordant in overweight/obese than others. The discordant birth weight within twins was not a risk factor for discordant overweight/obesity. However, attention should be paid to childhood obesity, and appropriate interventions should be made at the appropriate time. Genetics may play an important role in the occurrence and development of overweight/obesity. In conclusion, discordant growth and development in the uterus early in life may not lead to discordant weight development in the future.
A beneficial cardiometabolic health profile associated with dietary supplement use: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Jacques Paul F. , Rogers Gail 
Published: March 2021

Abstract. As a follow-up to an earlier study demonstrating healthier cardiometabolic profiles among long-term multiple dietary supplement (LTMDS) users, we examined if cardiometabolic health benefits associated with LTMDS use persisted with aging. The study is based on LTMDS users from North America and 2007–2010 NHANES participants who were used for comparison to the LTMDS users. NHANES subjects were classified as non-dietary supplement (NS) users, single supplement/single purpose supplement (SS) users, multivitamin/mineral supplement (MVMS) users, and multiple dietary supplement (MDS) users. Supplement groups were compared for total, HDL and LDL cholesterol; triglycerides; glucose; insulin; CRP and HbA1c ≥ 6.5%, adjusting for age, sex, income, education, BMI, history of CVD, and medications for hypercholesterolemia and diabetes. Geometric mean (95% confidence interval) LDL cholesterol was significantly lower (P < 0.05) for all supplement groups (SS: 110 (104–117) mg/dL; MVMS: 113 (107–119) mg/dL; MDS: 115 (111–118) mg/dL; LTMDS: 112 (105, 119) mg/dL) compared with the NS users (122 (118–126) mg/dL). Compared with the NS group, MDS users had significantly (P < 0.05) lower mean total cholesterol (198 (194–201) vs 201 (197, 206) mg/dL), MDS and LTMDS users higher mean HDL cholesterol (54.2 (53.3–55.1) and 60.0 (57.4, 62.7) mg/dL vs 52.0 (50.8–53.3) mg/dL), LTMDS users lower fasting glucose (100 (98–103) vs 105 (103–106) mg/dL), SS and MDS users lower insulin (8.4 (7.4–9.6) and 9.1 (8.3–9.9) vs 10.2 (9.4–11.1) μIU/mL), and MDS users lower CRP (% ≥ 1.5 mg/L, 50.8 (47.9–53.6) vs 57.0 (52.4–61.6) %). These findings add to the evidence that use of dietary supplements may provide cardiometabolic health benefits.
A choreography of centrosomal mRNAs reveals a conserved localization mechanism involving active polysome transport
Authors: Safieddine Adham , Coleno Emeline , Salloum Soha , Imbert Arthur , Traboulsi Abdel-Meneem , Kwon Oh Sung , Lionneton Frederic , Georget Virginie , Robert Marie-Cécile , Gostan Thierry , Lecellier Charles-Henri , Chouaib Racha , Pichon Xavier , Le Hir Hervé , Zibara Kazem , Mueller Florian , Walter Thomas , Peter Marion , Bertrand Edouard 
Published: March 2021

AbstractLocal translation allows for a spatial control of gene expression. Here, we use high-throughput smFISH to screen centrosomal protein-coding genes, and we describe 8 human mRNAs accumulating at centrosomes. These mRNAs localize at different stages during cell cycle with a remarkable choreography, indicating a finely regulated translational program at centrosomes. Interestingly, drug treatments and reporter analyses reveal a common translation-dependent localization mechanism requiring the nascent protein. Using ASPM and NUMA1 as models, single mRNA and polysome imaging reveals active movements of endogenous polysomes towards the centrosome at the onset of mitosis, when these mRNAs start localizing. ASPM polysomes associate with microtubules and localize by either motor-driven transport or microtubule pulling. Remarkably, the Drosophila orthologs of the human centrosomal mRNAs also localize to centrosomes and also require translation. These data identify a conserved family of centrosomal mRNAs that localize by active polysome transport mediated by nascent proteins.
Differential regulation of β-catenin-mediated transcription via N- and C-terminal co-factors governs identity of murine intestinal epithelial stem cells
Authors: Borrelli Costanza , Valenta Tomas , Handler Kristina , Vélez Karelia , Gurtner Alessandra , Moro Giulia , Lafzi Atefeh , Roditi Laura de Vargas , Hausmann George , Arnold Isabelle C. , Moor Andreas E. , Basler Konrad 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe homeostasis of the gut epithelium relies upon continuous renewal and proliferation of crypt-resident intestinal epithelial stem cells (IESCs). Wnt/β-catenin signaling is required for IESC maintenance, however, it remains unclear how this pathway selectively governs the identity and proliferative decisions of IESCs. Here, we took advantage of knock-in mice harboring transgenic β-catenin alleles with mutations that specifically impair the recruitment of N- or C-terminal transcriptional co-factors. We show that C-terminally-recruited transcriptional co-factors of β-catenin act as all-or-nothing regulators of Wnt-target gene expression. Blocking their interactions with β-catenin rapidly induces loss of IESCs and intestinal homeostasis. Conversely, N-terminally recruited co-factors fine-tune β-catenin’s transcriptional output to ensure proper self-renewal and proliferative behaviour of IESCs. Impairment of N-terminal interactions triggers transient hyperproliferation of IESCs, eventually resulting in exhaustion of the self-renewing stem cell pool. IESC mis-differentiation, accompanied by unfolded protein response stress and immune infiltration, results in a process resembling aberrant “villisation” of intestinal crypts. Our data suggest that IESC-specific Wnt/β-catenin output requires selective modulation of gene expression by transcriptional co-factors.