bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distribution of neutrophil and monocyte/macrophage populations induced by the CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100 in blood and periodontal tissue early after periodontitis induction
Authors: Kim Ae Ri , Bak Eun‑Jung , Yoo Yun‑Jung 
Published: December 2021

AbstractCXCR4, a CXCL12 receptor, is expressed on epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and inflammatory cells. The CXCR4‐CXCL12 interaction is related to the migration of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages. Periodontitis, an inflammatory disease mainly caused by gram‐negative bacteria, is characterized by infiltration of circulating inflammatory cells and alveolar bone (AB) loss. To investigate whether CXCR4 is involved in the distribution of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages early after periodontitis induction, we examined the effects of AMD3100 (AMD), a CXCR4 antagonist, in ligature‐induced periodontitis mice and LPS‐injected air pouch mice. The periodontitis study was accomplished in control (C), periodontitis (P), and P + AMD groups. Periodontitis was induced by ligation of the mandibular first molar. AMD was intraperitoneally administered daily beginning the day before ligation until sacrifice on the third day after ligation. The air pouch study was accomplished in C, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and LPS + AMD groups. Air pouches on mice backs were formed by subcutaneous injection of sterilized air. AMD was administered and then LPS was injected into the air pouch. For the detection of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages in blood and air pouch exudates, flow cytometry was performed with anti‐Ly6G/anti‐CD11b antibodies (Abs) and anti‐CD115 Ab, respectively. In periodontal tissue, Ly6G+ cells and CD115+ cells were counted by immunohistological analysis. AB loss was estimated by the periodontal ligament area in the furcation. In the periodontitis study, the P group showed higher numbers of Ly6G+ cells and CD115+ cells in blood and periodontal tissue than the C group. The P + AMD group showed a greater number of Ly6G+ cells and CD115+ cells in blood, but not in periodontal tissue compared to the P group. There was no difference in AB loss between the P and P + AMD groups. In the air pouch study, the LPS group had higher levels of Ly6G+CD11b+ cells and CD115+ cells in both blood and exudates than the C group. The number of these cells in the LPS + AMD group was higher in blood than in the LPS group, but not in the exudates. The CXCR4 antagonist further increased neutrophil and monocyte/macrophage populations in the blood, but did not alter the levels in the periodontal tissue and exudates in mice with periodontitis and LPS‐injected air pouches. These results suggest that during inflammatory conditions such as periodontitis, CXCR4 is involved in the distribution of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages in the blood, but not in inflamed peripheral tissues.
Low genetic diversity and population connectivity fuel vulnerability to climate change for the Tertiary relict pine Pinus bungeana
Authors: Guo Jing‐Fang , Wang Baosheng , Liu Zhan‐Lin , Mao Jian‐Feng , Wang Xiao‐Ru , Zhao Wei 
Published: December 2021

AbstractEndemic species are important components of regional biodiversity and hold the key to understanding local adaptation and evolutionary processes that shape species distributions. This study investigated the biogeographic history of a relict conifer Pinus bungeana Zucc. ex Endl. confined to central China. We examined genetic diversity in P. bungeana using genotyping‐by‐sequencing and chloroplast and mitochondrial DNA markers. We performed spatial and temporal inference of recent genetic and demographic changes, and dissected the impacts of geography and environmental gradients on population differentiation. We then projected P. bungeana's risk of decline under future climates. We found extremely low nucleotide diversity (average π 0.0014), and strong population structure (global FST 0.234) even at regional scales, reflecting long‐term isolation in small populations. The species experienced severe bottlenecks in the early Pliocene and continued to decline in the Pleistocene in the western distribution, whereas the east expanded recently. Local adaptation played a small (8%) but significant role in population diversity. Low genetic diversity in fragmented populations makes the species highly vulnerable to climate change, particularly in marginal and relict populations. We suggest that conservation efforts should focus on enhancing gene pool and population growth through assisted migration within each genetic cluster to reduce the risk of further genetic drift and extinction.
Why could sleep medicine never do without polysomnography?
Authors: Gauld Christophe , Micoulaud‐Franchi Jean‐Arthur 
Published: December 2021

SummaryGiven the clinical, methodological, conceptual and modelling challenges within the field of sleep medicine, polysomnography (PSG) has emerged as a central diagnostic tool over time. It has been highly beneficial to clinical practice over the years, thanks to the scientific data that it provides. More recently, sleep medicine has sought answers in precision medicine, broadening its quest for biomarkers that take into account environmental factors, big data, and nosological refinement. However, despite these innovative developments that are relatively independent of PSG, sleep medicine remains intimately associated with the latter. The aim of this paper was to show the central role of PSG for sleep medicine. Indeed, PSG is central to sleep medicine, not only due to the empirical data it provides but also because it represents an obligatory passage point (OPP) within the discipline. It crystallizes debate, pulls disparate types of data together, and facilitates a common language for the different specialties involved in sleep medicine, thereby lending legitimacy and credibility to the specialty. Thus, the role of polysomnography as an OPP in the field of sleep medicine reinforces the discipline, especially because critics (e.g., of the Apnea Hypopnea Index) cannot easily find fault with it.
Novel clonality assays for T cell lymphoma in cats targeting the T cell receptor beta, T cell receptor delta, and T cell receptor gamma loci
Authors: Radtanakatikanon Araya , Moore Peter F. , Keller Stefan M. , Vernau William 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundT cell clonality assays in veterinary medicine currently target only the T cell receptor gamma (TRG) locus. Existing assays have suboptimal sensitivity because of insufficient primer coverage of all possible rearrangements.ObjectiveDevelop higher sensitivity clonality assays targeting the TRG, delta (TRD), and beta (TRB) loci in cats.AnimalsCats with histopathologically confirmed lymphoma (n = 89), non‐lymphoma (n = 35), and possible hepatic small cell lymphoma (n = 31).MethodsMolecular clonality assay development utilizing our recently reported topology and expressed repertoire data of the T cell receptor loci in cats. Determination of clonality status of lymphoma, non lymphoma, and possible hepatic small cell lymphoma samples, and calculation of assay sensitivity and specificity.ResultsThe new multiplex TRG assay yielded the highest sensitivity (95.5%). All assays yielded 100% specificity except for the new multiplex TRG assay (97.3%). The combination of the new TRG and TRB assays yielded sensitivity of 98.9% and specificity of 97.0%. The new TRG assay detected clonality in 17/31 possible small cell lymphoma livers, whereas an existing TRG assay detected clonality in 6/31 livers.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe assessment of multiple T cell loci compensates for the potential shortcomings of individual assays. Using a combination of molecular clonality assays will increase the overall sensitivity for the diagnosis of T‐cell lymphoma in cats, especially intestinal, and hepatic small cell lymphoma. Hepatic small cell lymphomas detected by the new TRG assay utilized rarely expressed V and J genes not recognized by previous assays, likely indicating unique biology of hepatic small cell lymphoma in cats.
The COVID‐19 pandemic and access to health care in people with chronic kidney disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Deng Danny , Liang Amy , Chui Juanita N. , Wong Germaine , Cooper Tess E. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAimThis systematic review aims to evaluate the effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on access to health care for patients with CKD.MethodsMEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched up to July 2021 (PROSPERO CRD42021230831). Data relevant to access to health care before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic were extracted, including outcomes related to access to general nephrology consultations, telehealth, dialysis services and kidney transplantations. Relative and absolute effects were pooled using a random effects model to account for between‐study heterogeneity. Risk of bias was assessed using a modified Quality in Prognostic Studies tool. The certainty of the evidence was rated using the GRADE approach.ResultsTwenty‐three studies across five WHO regions were identified. Reductions in transplantation surgeries were observed during the COVID‐19 pandemic compared with the pre‐COVID‐19 era (risk ratio = 2.15, 95%CI = 1.51–3.06, I2 = 90%, p < .001). Additionally, six studies reported increased use of telehealth services compared with pre‐COVID‐19 times. Four studies found reduced access to in‐person general nephrology services and six studies reported interruptions to dialysis services during the COVID‐19 pandemic.ConclusionOur findings suggest COVID‐19 pandemic may have led to reductions in access to kidney transplantation, dialysis and in‐person nephrology care. Meanwhile, whilst the use of telehealth has emerged as a promising alternate mode of health care delivery, its utility during the pandemic warrants further investigation. This study has highlighted major barriers to accessing care in a highly vulnerable chronic disease group.
What to do with device‐detected atrial high‐rate episodes: Summary of the evidences
Authors: Özge MERT Gurbet , Kepez Alper , Uğur MERT Kadir , Görenek Bülent 
Published: December 2021

AbstractCardiac implanted electronic devices (CIEDs), that perform atrial sensing via an atrial electrode, commonly detect self‐terminating atrial arrhythmias. Nomenclature of these arrhythmias is defined as atrial high‐rate episodes (AHREs) and subclinical atrial fibrillation (SCAF). We have provided a comprehensive summation of the trials regarding the incidence and adverse outcomes of AHREs. The reported incidence of AHRE varies considerably (approximately 10%–70%) between studies depending on the definition of AHRE, duration of follow‐up and the clinical profile of the population. There is increasing evidence related with the association between AHREs’ and stroke and/or systemic embolism. However, risk of stroke and/or systemic embolism seems to be less than the risk associated with clinical AF. There is still lack of sufficient evidence related with oral anticoagulation (OAC) in patients with AHRE to reduce thromboembolic risk. Although, the strongest association of OAC treatment with reduction in stroke has been reported to be observed among patients with device detected SCAF episodes of >24 h; it is still questionable whether AHRE is a direct cause of thromboembolic event or just a marker of increased risk. Results of ongoing randomized clinical trials (NOAH‐AFNET 6 and ARTESIA) will provide robust evidence on effect of OAC therapy on AHREs.
Comparing the soybeans (Glycine max) vegetation length in the Polish official variety trials
Authors: Osiecka Agnieszka , Przystalski Marcin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractOne of the best methods to achieve soybean cultivation success is to cultivate varieties with proper vegetation length. In the present work, vegetation length from a Polish soybean series of field trials conducted in years 2017–2020 was analysed using a generalized linear mixed model. It is shown that the tested varieties differ in terms of the vegetation length. In the analysed series of field trials variety, ‘Erica’ had the shortest vegetation length, whereas variety ‘Naya’ the longest. The difference in the vegetation length for these two varieties was 21 days. Moreover, by adopting two stability models to the generalized linear mixed model setting, stability of the vegetation length was studied. It is shown that variety ‘Aurelina’ was the most stable among tested varieties. Moreover, using mixed model factorial regression, it is shown that temperatures in May, June and September and total precipitation in June and August had significant influence on vegetation length in the analysed series of field trials.
Acting and believing on the basis of reasons
Authors: Blake‐Turner Christopher 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis paper provides an opinionated guide to discussions of acting and believing on the basis of reasons. I aim to bring closer together largely separate literatures in practical reason and in epistemology. I focus on three questions. First, is basing causing? Causal theories of basing remain popular despite the notorious Problem of Deviant Causal Chains. Causal theorists in both the epistemic and practical domains have begun to appeal to dispositions to try and solve the problem. Second, how unified are acting and believing on the basis of reasons? I consider an important challenge to their unity due to Setiya. I sketch a response, which posits unity of causal structure across acting and believing on the basis of reasons. Third, how does acting or believing on the basis of a good reason relate to acting or believing on the basis of a reason simpliciter? I generalize a recent argument of Lord and Sylvan's to include acting as well as believing. The conclusion is that, for both believing and acting, ing on the basis of a good reason does not amount to ing on the basis of a reason that just so happens to be good.
More than agents: Federal bureaucrats as information suppliers in policymaking
Authors: Shafran JoBeth S. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBureaucrats are frequently conceptualized as agents of Congress, with much focus placed on their expertise as policy implementers or evaluators. That same expertise, though, allows bureaucrats to supply Congress with information throughout the policy process. Bureaucrats are just one of the many actors that compete to supply Congress with information to define problems and develop solutions. Congressional committees must prioritize all available information, deciding what to attend and what to ignore. I argue that bureaucrats are more likely to testify at hearings when there is (1) limited availability of alternative information sources, (2) the information they hold is necessary for achieving committee goals or tasks (ex. agency oversight), and (3) the information they have can alleviate diverse committee workloads. Using a new dataset of witnesses testifying at congressional committee hearings, I find that the prioritization of bureaucrats as witnesses is explainable in terms of policy area, committee type, and committee agenda.
Gaussian Process Modeling for Dissolution Curve Comparisons
Authors: Pourmohamad Tony , Oliva Avilés Cristian M. , Richardson Robert 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Dissolution studies are an integral part of pharmaceutical drug development, yet standard methods for analysing dissolution data are inadequate for capturing the true underlying shapes of the dissolution curves. Methods based on similarity factors, such as the f2 statistic, have been developed to demonstrate comparability of dissolution curves, however, this inability to capture the shapes of the dissolution curves can lead to substantial bias in comparability estimators. In this article, we propose two novel semi-parametric dissolution curve modeling strategies for establishing the comparability of dissolution curves. The first method relies upon hierarchical Gaussian process regression models to construct an f2 statistic based on continuous time modeling that results in significant bias reduction. The second method uses a Bayesian model selection approach for creating a framework that does not suffer from the limitations of the f2 statistic. Overall, these two methods are shown to be superior to their comparator methods and provide feasible alternatives for similarity assessment under practical limitations. Illustrations highlighting the success of our methods are provided for two motivating real dissolution data sets from the literature, as well as extensive simulation studies.
NATURALISM AND RELIGION: HUNTING TWO SNARKS?
Authors: Drees Willem B. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractLewis Carroll's poemThe Hunting of the Snarkhas as its subtitleAn Agony in Eight Fits. Agony: struggle, violent and painful contest, the pangs of death. Many think of confrontations over naturalism and religion as a struggle, to be or not to be. Others think the situation is not that bad. Perhaps religion and naturalism may co‐exist. Some even speak of “religious naturalism.” In the poem, the hunt for the snark fails. The hunters do not know where to look, nor what to look for. Do we know how to understand the key terms, naturalism, religion, and religious naturalism? This exploration serves to introduce the articles in this thematic section, drawing on the 2021 conference of IRAS. Its title, “Naturalism—asReligion,withinReligions,withoutReligion,” asks about the way naturalism might function, as a replacement of religion, as an incentive for reform, or as a reason to reject religion.
TROPICAL REHABILITATION FOREST CONTROL ON WATER CHEMISTRY PATTERN IN BINTULU SARAWAK MALAYSIA
Authors: Rosli Noraini , James Gerusu Geoffery , Jui Heng Roland Kueh 
Published: December 2021

With rapid development in South East Asian countries, there is a risk of serious degradation of stream water quality in areas adjacent to developing city areas, where basic information on toxic heavy metals and acidic compounds (NO3- and SO42-) concentrations and spatiotemporal variation is still unknown in these areas. The concentrations of water quality parameters, major ions, and heavy metals were examined from selected stream in a rehabilitation forest near a developing city having petroleum refinery facility in Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia. The concentrations of water quality parameters, major ions, and heavy metals were examined from twelve stream locations in a rehabilitation forest near a developing city with a petroleum refinery facility. Analyses suggested that there is no clear tendency that is detected in heavy metals and basic water properties (EC, DO, BOD, COD, alkalinity and pH) except for turbidity, total suspended solids, and major ion which were high during rainy seasons. Annual means of SO42-, NO3- and NH₄⁺ concentrations were 6.34, 1.05 and 0.24 mg/L. The concentration in K+, Mg2+, Na+ and Ca2+ were 0.61, 1.21, 2.82 and 1.12 mg/L during hot and rainy season. The mean concentration in almost all heavy metals (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn) were less than 0.01 mg/L. The concentrations of water quality variables in all samples collected across the seasons except for turbidity found within the permissible limit by the WHO and NWQS for Malaysia. Rehabilitation forest might give a positive impact in preserving water quality especially for COD and major ions except SO42-.
The Cavitation Issue in Asymmetrical Axial-Piston Pumps
Authors: Costa Gustavo Koury , Sepehri Nariman 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Pump-controlled single-rod hydraulic actuators have long been the subject of intensive research toward building valve-less, more efficient systems. The main challenge is to deal with the uneven flows into and out of the differential cylinders. Over the past few years, several hydraulic circuits providing flow compensation have been proposed using hydrostatic pumps with identical input and output flows. However, one alternative solution would be to use a pump, whose input/output flow ratio matches the area ratio of the differential cylinder. Typical design and prototyping of the so-called asymmetrical pumps have been well reported previously. In this paper, we theoretically study the flow behavior in a common design of asymmetrical axial-piston pumps and demonstrate some serious internal flow characteristics that can drastically limit the performance and range of operation of these pumps. Cavitation is the main problem to be addressed, and cannot be overlooked because of the very nature of the pump design.
Interpretable Machine Learning in Damage Detection Using Shapley Additive Explanations
Authors: Movsessian Artur , Cava David García , Tcherniak Dmitri 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
In recent years, machine learning (ML) techniques have gained popularity in structural health monitoring (SHM). These have been particularly used for damage detection in a wide range of engineering applications such as wind turbine blades. The outcomes of previous research studies in this area have demonstrated the capabilities of ML for robust damage detection. However, the primary challenge facing ML in SHM is the lack of interpretability of the prediction models hindering the broader implementation of these techniques. For this purpose, this study integrates the novel Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) method into a ML-based damage detection process as a tool for introducing interpretability and, thus, build evidence for reliable decision-making in SHM applications. The SHAP method is based on coalitional game theory and adds global and local interpretability to ML-based models by computing the marginal contribution of each feature. The contribution is used to understand the nature of damage indices (DIs). The applicability of the SHAP method is first demonstrated on a simple lumped mass-spring-damper system with simulated temperature variabilities. Later, the SHAP method has been evaluated on data from an in-operation V27 wind turbine with artificially introduced damage in one of its blades. The results show the relationship between the environmental and operational variabilities (EOVs) and their direct influence on the damage indices. This ultimately helps to understand the difference between false positives caused by EOVs and true positives resulting from damage in the structure.