bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neurodevelopmental toxicity assessment of flame retardants using a human DNT in vitro testing battery
Authors: Klose Jördis , Pahl Melanie , Bartmann Kristina , Bendt Farina , Blum Jonathan , Dolde Xenia , Förster Nils , Holzer Anna-Katharina , Hübenthal Ulrike , Keßel Hagen Eike , Koch Katharina , Masjosthusmann Stefan , Schneider Sabine , Stürzl Lynn-Christin , Woeste Selina , Rossi Andrea , Covaci Adrian , Behl Mamta , Leist Marcel , Tigges Julia , Fritsche Ellen 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDue to their neurodevelopmental toxicity, flame retardants (FRs) like polybrominated diphenyl ethers are banned from the market and replaced by alternative FRs, like organophosphorus FRs, that have mostly unknown toxicological profiles. To study their neurodevelopmental toxicity, we evaluated the hazard of several FRs including phased-out polybrominated FRs and organophosphorus FRs: 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenylether (BDE-47), 2,2′,4,4′,5-pentabromodiphenylether (BDE-99), tetrabromobisphenol A, triphenyl phosphate, tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate and its metabolite bis-(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate, isodecyl diphenyl phosphate, triphenyl isopropylated phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate, tert-butylphenyl diphenyl phosphate, 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate, tris(1-chloroisopropyl) phosphate, and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate. Therefore, we used a human cell–based developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) in vitro battery covering a large variety of neurodevelopmental endpoints. Potency according to the respective most sensitive benchmark concentration (BMC) across the battery ranked from <1 μM (5 FRs), 1<10 μM (7 FRs) to the >10 μM range (3 FRs). Evaluation of the data with the ToxPi tool revealed a distinct ranking (a) than with the BMC and (b) compared to the ToxCast data, suggesting that DNT hazard of these FRs is not well predicted by ToxCast assays. Extrapolating the DNT in vitro battery BMCs to human FR exposure via breast milk suggests low risk for individual compounds. However, it raises a potential concern for real-life mixture exposure, especially when different compounds converge through diverse modes-of-action on common endpoints, like oligodendrocyte differentiation in this study. This case study using FRs suggests that human cell–based DNT in vitro battery is a promising approach for neurodevelopmental hazard assessment and compound prioritization in risk assessment.
Graphical abstract
Early Childhood Educators’ Wellbeing During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Eadie Patricia , Levickis Penny , Murray Lisa , Page Jane , Elek Catriona , Church Amelia 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe importance of Early Childhood (EC) educators’ wellbeing has been brought into sharp focus during the COVID-19 pandemic, as educators have navigated numerous additional stressors while providing education and care services for some children and ongoing support for many others learning at home. This study aimed to explore the impact of the pandemic on EC educators’ wellbeing and educator-child relationships, as growing evidence shows the influence of these factors on children’s developmental outcomes.In July 2020, members of a Research Network of EC Professionals—who previously identified educator wellbeing as a priority issue—were invited to participate in an online survey. The survey included two published, validated scales: the Early Childhood Professional Wellbeing scale (ECPW) and the Student–Teacher Relationship Scale (modified). Survey items about educators’ experiences during the pandemic were also included. Two hundred and thirty-two EC educators from across Australia completed the survey, mostly from Victoria where lockdowns were most severe. Linear regression analysis demonstrated stronger professional wellbeing was associated with less conflict in educator-child relationships and lower risk of staff turnover. This was more likely to be experienced by senior or more experienced staff. Although a negative impact of COVID-19 was reported, ECPW scores were relatively high, and organizational structures supporting professional wellbeing were most strongly associated with lower risk of turnover (r = 0.63, p < 0.001). Findings highlight that supporting EC educators’ wellbeing is essential for workforce retention, and for promoting quality educator-child relationships which are central to young children’s learning and development.
Cross-Disorder Analysis of De Novo Mutations in Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Authors: Li Kuokuo , Fang Zhenghuan , Zhao Guihu , Li Bin , Chen Chao , Xia Lu , Wang Lin , Luo Tengfei , Wang Xiaomeng , Wang Zheng , Zhang Yi , Jiang Yi , Pan Qian , Hu Zhengmao , Guo Hui , Tang Beisha , Liu Chunyu , Sun Zhongsheng , Xia Kun , Li Jinchen 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe clinical similarity among different neuropsychiatric disorders (NPDs) suggested a shared genetic basis. We catalogued 23,109 coding de novo mutations (DNMs) from 6511 patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 4,293 undiagnosed developmental disorder (UDD), 933 epileptic encephalopathy (EE), 1022 intellectual disability (ID), 1094 schizophrenia (SCZ), and 3391 controls. We evaluated that putative functional DNMs contribute to 38.11%, 34.40%, 33.31%, 10.98% and 6.91% of patients with ID, EE, UDD, ASD and SCZ, respectively. Consistent with phenotype similarity and heterogeneity in different NPDs, they show different degree of genetic association. Cross-disorder analysis of DNMs prioritized 321 candidate genes (FDR < 0.05) and showed that genes shared in more disorders were more likely to exhibited specific expression pattern, functional pathway, genetic convergence, and genetic intolerance.
Comparative evaluation of multiple protein extraction procedures from three species of the genus Caulerpa
Authors: Caronni Sarah , Addis Filippa , Delaria Maria Anna , Gentili Rodolfo , Montagnani Chiara , Navone Augusto , Panzalis Pieraugusto , Citterio Sandra 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe aim of this study was to define the simplest and least expensive protocol for total protein extraction for three different macroalgae of the genus Caulerpa (the invasive C. taxifolia and C. cylindracea and the autochthonous C. prolifera). Five multi-step protein extraction procedures, set up for other macroalgal species, were tested. For each of them, different pre-treatment and extraction conditions were simultaneously examined, according to a factorial design, considering the starting material, the solvent-to-biomass ratio, and the incubation temperature. Protein yield in the obtained extracts was estimated with the Bradford method. Further, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was used to resolve proteins, assessing their quality and integrity. Significant differences in protein yield were observed among the extraction protocols and the conditions tested, also in relation to the considered species. Profiles having an acceptable quality were obtained for C. prolifera and C. cylindracea, and from the obtained results, the best method to obtain high yield and quality protein extracts for the two above-mentioned species appears to require the use of a primary TCA/acetone extraction buffer followed by a lysis buffer with NaCl, KCl, urea, Triton, SDS and a protease inhibitor. The best results, in particular, were obtained starting from fresh pulped material with a buffer-to-biomass ratio of 10:1 and an incubation temperature of 4°C. For C. taxifolia, instead, none of the tested protocols produced satisfactory results and further studies will be required.
Incremental Model Fit Assessment in the Case of Categorical Data: Tucker–Lewis Index for Item Response Theory Modeling
Authors: Cai Li , Chung Seung Won , Lee Taehun 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe Tucker–Lewis index (TLI; Tucker & Lewis, 1973), also known as the non-normed fit index (NNFI; Bentler & Bonett, 1980), is one of the numerous incremental fit indices widely used in linear mean and covariance structure modeling, particularly in exploratory factor analysis, tools popular in prevention research. It augments information provided by other indices such as the root-mean-square error of approximation (RMSEA). In this paper, we develop and examine an analogous index for categorical item level data modeled with item response theory (IRT). The proposed Tucker–Lewis index for IRT (TLIRT) is based on Maydeu-Olivares and Joe's (2005) $$M_2$$

M
2

family of limited-information overall model fit statistics. The limited-information fit statistics have significantly better Chi-square approximation and power than traditional full-information Pearson or likelihood ratio statistics under realistic situations. Building on the incremental fit assessment principle, the TLIRT compares the fit of model under consideration along a spectrum of worst to best possible model fit scenarios. We examine the performance of the new index using simulated and empirical data. Results from a simulation study suggest that the new index behaves as theoretically expected, and it can offer additional insights about model fit not available from other sources. In addition, a more stringent cutoff value is perhaps needed than Hu and Bentler's (1999) traditional cutoff criterion with continuous variables. In the empirical data analysis, we use a data set from a measurement development project in support of cigarette smoking cessation research to illustrate the usefulness of the TLIRT. We noticed that had we only utilized the RMSEA index, we could have arrived at qualitatively different conclusions about model fit, depending on the choice of test statistics, an issue to which the TLIRT is relatively more immune.
Rejoinders to the comments on my paper “Performance measurement and joint production of intended and unintended outputs”
Authors: Førsund Finn R. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractI will comment on the comments by the groups of three reviewers separately. First of all, I will thank all three groups providing a first round of reports in order for me to get rid of obvious mistakes. In the second round the reviewers were free to comment on the qualities of my revised version. I am not to change my revised paper when giving my comments on what would be honest reports on the quality of my final version. However, the reviewers will not have a go at my rejoinders to comments according to the symposium rules. I keep the section numbering of the authors in order to make it easier to identify the arguments.
Quantum search for scaled hash function preimages
Authors: Ramos-Calderer Sergi , Bellini Emanuele , Latorre José I. , Manzano Marc , Mateu Victor 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe present the implementation of Grover’s algorithm in a quantum simulator to perform a quantum search for preimages of two scaled hash functions, whose design only uses modular addition, word rotation and bitwise exclusive or. Our implementation provides the means to assess with precision the scaling of the number of gates and depth of a full-fledged quantum circuit designed to find the preimages of a given hash digest. The detailed construction of the quantum oracle shows that the presence of AND gates, OR gates, shifts of bits and the reuse of the initial state along the computation require extra quantum resources as compared with other hash functions based on modular additions, XOR gates and rotations. We also track the entanglement entropy present in the quantum register at every step along the computation, showing that it becomes maximal at the inner core of the first action of the quantum oracle, which implies that no classical simulation based on tensor networks would be of relevance. Finally, we show that strategies that suggest a shortcut based on sampling the quantum register after a few steps of Grover’s algorithm can only provide some marginal practical advantage in terms of error mitigation.
Validity, responsiveness and minimal important change of the EQ-5D-5L in patients after rotator cuff repair, shoulder arthroplasty or thumb carpometacarpal arthroplasty
Authors: Marks Miriam , Grobet Cécile , Audigé Laurent 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose

The aim was to investigate the measurement properties of the EQ-5D-5L utility index in patients after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR), total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) or thumb carpometacarpal (CMC I) arthroplasty.

Methods
In this prospective study, all patients completed the EQ-5D-5L before surgery and 6 months and 1 year after surgery. In addition, RCR patients completed the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), TSA patients completed the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and CMC I patients completed the brief Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (brief MHQ) at each designated time point. Construct validity (Pearson’s correlation coefficient, r), responsiveness (effect size), minimal important difference (MID), minimal important change (MIC), and floor and ceiling effects of the EQ-5D-5L were determined. To test discriminative ability, EQ-5D-5L utility indices of patients who were in a patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) or not at follow-up were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test.

Results
We included 153 RCR, 150 TSA, and 151 CMC I patients. The EQ-5D-5L utility index correlated with the OSS (r = 0.73), SPADI (r = − 0.65) and brief MHQ (r = 0.61). The effect sizes were 1.3 (RCR and CMC I group) and 1.1 (TSA). The MID and MIC ranged from 0.027 to 0.209. Ceiling effects were found. The EQ-5D-5L utility index differed significantly between patients being in a PASS versus patients who were not in a PASS.

Conclusion
The EQ-5D-5L utility index shows good construct validity, responsiveness and discriminative ability in patients after arthroscopic RCR, TSA and CMC I arthroplasty and is suitable to quantify quality of life.
Clinical trial registration: This auxiliary analysis is part of a primary study that was originally registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01954433) on October 1, 2013.
Regulatory approaches for genome edited agricultural plants in select countries and jurisdictions around the world
Authors: Entine Jon , Felipe Maria Sueli S. , Groenewald Jan-Hendrik , Kershen Drew L. , Lema Martin , McHughen Alan , Nepomuceno Alexandre Lima , Ohsawa Ryo , Ordonio Reynante L. , Parrott Wayne A. , Quemada Hector , Ramage Carl , Slamet-Loedin Inez , Smyth Stuart J. , Wray-Cahen Diane 
Published: May 2021

AbstractGenome editing in agriculture and food is leading to new, improved crops and other products. Depending on the regulatory approach taken in each country or region, commercialization of these crops and products may or may not require approval from the respective regulatory authorities. This paper describes the regulatory landscape governing genome edited agriculture and food products in a selection of countries and regions.
Second order Kalman filtering channel estimation and machine learning methods for spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks
Authors: Awe Olusegun Peter , Babatunde Daniel Adebowale , Lambotharan Sangarapillai , AsSadhan Basil 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe address the problem of spectrum sensing in decentralized cognitive radio networks using a parametric machine learning method. In particular, to mitigate sensing performance degradation due to the mobility of the secondary users (SUs) in the presence of scatterers, we propose and investigate a classifier that uses a pilot based second order Kalman filter tracker for estimating the slowly varying channel gain between the primary user (PU) transmitter and the mobile SUs. Using the energy measurements at SU terminals as feature vectors, the algorithm is initialized by a K-means clustering algorithm with two centroids corresponding to the active and inactive status of PU transmitter. Under mobility, the centroid corresponding to the active PU status is adapted according to the estimates of the channels given by the Kalman filter and an adaptive K-means clustering technique is used to make classification decisions on the PU activity. Furthermore, to address the possibility that the SU receiver might experience location dependent co-channel interference, we have proposed a quadratic polynomial regression algorithm for estimating the noise plus interference power in the presence of mobility which can be used for adapting the centroid corresponding to inactive PU status. Simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed algorithm.
Cystic fibrosis improves COVID-19 survival and provides clues for treatment of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Abraham Edward H. , Guidotti Guido , Rapaport Eliezer , Bower David , Brown Jack , Griffin Robert J. , Donnelly Andrew , Waitzkin Ellen D. , Qamar Kenon , Thompson Mark A. , Ethirajan Sukumar , Robinson Kent 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSystemic pools of ATP are elevated in individuals homozygous for cystic fibrosis (CF) as evidenced by elevated blood and plasma ATP levels. This elevated ATP level seems to provide benefit in the presence of advanced solid tumors (Abraham et al., Nature Medicine 2(5):593–596, 1996). We published in this journal a paper showing that IV ATP can elevate the depleted ATP pools of advanced cancer patients up to levels found in CF patients with subsequent clinical, biochemical, and quality of life (QOL) improvements (Rapaport et al., Purinergic Signalling 11(2): 251–262, 2015). We hypothesize that the elevated ATP levels seen in CF patients may be benefiting CF patients in another way: by improving their survival after contracting COVID-19. We discuss here the reasoning behind this hypothesis and suggest how these findings might be applied clinically in the general population.
Comprehensive analysis of carbon emissions, economic growth, and employment from the perspective of industrial restructuring: a case study of China
Authors: Bai Shukuan , Zhang Boya , Ning Yadong , Wang Ying 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIndustrial restructuring is a significant measure for low-carbon transition. In principle, carbon emissions can be effectively reduced by limiting the output of high-emission sectors; however, the socio-economic effects of the sectors should also be considered. Moreover, owing to the limitations of the method or data, the interactions between households and production sectors have been neglected in the study of industrial restructuring, resulting in an incomplete and potentially biased understanding of the role of households. To fill this gap, we applied a semi-closed input–output model to identify key sectors by economic and emission linkages and measure the employment impacts (direct, indirect, and induced) of reduced carbon emissions. The empirical results for China in 2010–2018 showed that relatively small changes in key emission sectors would significantly affect the economic growth, and reduced carbon emissions reduction would generally lead to high job losses. Promoting labor-intensive sectors, particularly the service sector, is conducive to achieving a “multi-win” situation for economic development, carbon emission reductions, and stable employment. Furthermore, our results highlight the significance of households: expanding consumption and increasing household income can bring multiple benefits, such as economic growth, job creation, and low carbon emissions. These findings can provide useful information for identifying the optimized path of restructuring and helping achieve the sustainable development of the environment, economy, and society.
The carrot and the stick in online reviews: determinants of un-/helpfulness voting choices
Authors: Sengo Furtado Filipe , Reutterer Thomas , Schröder Nadine 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWith increasing volumes of customer reviews, ‘helpfulness’ features have been established by many online platforms as decision-aids for consumers to cope with potential information overload. In this study, we offer a differentiated perspective on the drivers of review helpfulness. Using a hurdle regression setup for both helpfulness and unhelpfulness voting behavior, we aim to disentangle the differential effects of what drives reviews to receive any votes, how many votes they receive and whether these effects differ for helpful against unhelpful review voting behavior. As potential driving factors we include reviews’ star rating deviations from the average rating (as a proxy for confirmation bias), the level of controversy among reviews and review sentiment (consistency of review content), as well as pricing information in our analysis. Albeit with opposite effect signs, we find that revealed review un-/helpfulness is consistently guided by the tonality (i.e., the sentiment of review texts) and that reviewers tend to be less critical for lower priced products. However, we find only partial support for a confirmation bias with differential effects for the level of controversy on helpfulness versus unhelpfulness review votings. We conclude that the effects of voting disagreement are more complex than previous literature suggests and discuss implications for research and management practice.
Alternative futures for global biological invasions
Authors: Roura-Pascual Núria , Leung Brian , Rabitsch Wolfgang , Rutting Lucas , Vervoort Joost , Bacher Sven , Dullinger Stefan , Erb Karl-Heinz , Jeschke Jonathan M. , Katsanevakis Stelios , Kühn Ingolf , Lenzner Bernd , Liebhold Andrew M. , Obersteiner Michael , Pauchard Anibal , Peterson Garry D. , Roy Helen E. , Seebens Hanno , Winter Marten , Burgman Mark A. , Genovesi Piero , Hulme Philip E. , Keller Reuben P. , Latombe Guillaume , McGeoch Melodie A. , Ruiz Gregory M. , Scalera Riccardo , Springborn Michael R. , von Holle Betsy , Essl Franz 
Published: May 2021

AbstractScenario analysis has emerged as a key tool to analyze complex and uncertain future socio-ecological developments. However, currently existing global scenarios (narratives of how the world may develop) have neglected biological invasions, a major threat to biodiversity and the economy. Here, we use a novel participatory process to develop a diverse set of global biological invasion scenarios spanning a wide range of plausible global futures through to 2050. We adapted the widely used “two axes” scenario analysis approach to develop four families of four scenarios each, resulting in 16 scenarios that were later clustered into four contrasting sets of futures. Our analysis highlights that socioeconomic developments and technological innovation have the potential to shape biological invasions, in addition to well-known drivers, such as climate and human land use change and global trade. Our scenarios partially align with the shared socioeconomic pathways created by the climate change research community. Several factors that drive differences in biological invasions were underrepresented in the shared socioeconomic pathways; in particular, the implementation of biosecurity policies. We argue that including factors related to public environmental awareness and technological and trade development in global scenarios and models is essential to adequately consider biological invasions in global environmental assessments and thereby obtain a more integrative picture of future social–ecological developments.