bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic model for predicting survival in very preterm infants: an external validation study
Authors: van Beek PE , Groenendaal F , Onland W , Koole S , Dijk PH , Dijkman KP , van den Dungen FAM , van Heijst AFJ , Kornelisse RF , Schuerman FABA , van Westering‐Kroon E , Witlox RSGM , Andriessen P , Schuit E ,   EPI‐DAF study group
Published: November 2021

ObjectiveTo perform a temporal and geographical validation of a prognostic model, considered of highest methodological quality in a recently published systematic review, for predicting survival in very preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. The original model was developed in the UK and included gestational age, birthweight and gender.DesignExternal validation study in a population‐based cohort.SettingDutch neonatal wards.Population or sampleAll admitted white, singleton infants born between 23+0 and 32+6 weeks of gestation between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2019. Additionally, the model’s performance was assessed in four populations of admitted infants born between 24+0 and 31+6 weeks of gestation: white singletons, non‐white singletons, all singletons and all multiples.MethodsThe original model was applied in all five validation sets. Model performance was assessed in terms of calibration and discrimination and, if indicated, it was updated.Main outcome measuresCalibration (calibration‐in‐the‐large and calibration slope) and discrimination (c statistic).ResultsOut of 6092 infants, 5659 (92.9%) survived. The model showed good external validity as indicated by good discrimination (c statistic 0.82, 95% CI 0.79–0.84) and calibration (calibration‐in‐the‐large 0.003, calibration slope 0.92, 95% CI 0.84–1.00). The model also showed good external validity in the other singleton populations, but required a small intercept update in the multiples population.ConclusionsA high‐quality prognostic model predicting survival in very preterm infants had good external validity in an independent, nationwide cohort. The accurate performance of the model indicates that after impact assessment, implementation of the model in clinical practice in the neonatal intensive care unit could be considered.Tweetable abstractA high‐quality model predicting survival in very preterm infants is externally valid in an independent cohort.
Fatal ingestion ofTaxus baccata: English yew
Authors: Brooks‐Lim Elizabeth W. L. , Mérette Sandrine A. , Hawkins Barbara J. , Maxwell Carolyn , Washbrook Andrew , Shapiro Aaron M. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractPoisoning from consumption of foraged alternative medicine products is an uncommon yet recognized occurrence. Here, presented is the case of a 40‐year‐old woman who was witnessed to collapse with labored breathing and subsequently died despite emergency medical personnel attendance and resuscitation efforts. Autopsy revealed the presence of plant matter that was visually identified as leaves fromTaxus baccata– the English Yew. Isolation of alkaloids from the plant material and subsequent identification of the same alkaloids in the decedent's blood by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry indicated a toxicological cause of death. This case illustrates a collaborative team approach among subject matter experts to unexpectedly discover and then confirm the sudden death of this woman fromT. baccatatoxicity.
An efficient method for simultaneous species, individual, and sex identification via in‐solution single nucleotide polymorphism capture from low‐quality scat samples
Authors: Parker Lillian D. , Campana Michael G. , Quinta Jessica D. , Cypher Brian , Rivera Isabel , Fleischer Robert C. , Ralls Katherine , Wilbert Tammy R. , Boarman Ryan , Boarman William I. , Maldonado Jesús E. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractUnderstanding predator population dynamics is important for conservation management because of the critical roles predators play within ecosystems. Noninvasive genetic sampling methods are useful for the study of predators like canids that can be difficult to capture or directly observe. Here, we introduce the FAECES* method (Fast and Accurate Enrichment of Canid Excrement for Species* and other analyses) which expands the toolbox for canid researchers and conservationists by using in‐solution hybridization sequence capture to produce single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes for multiple canid species from scat‐derived DNA using a single enrichment. We designed a set of hybridization probes to genotype both coyotes (Canis latrans) and kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis) at hundreds of polymorphic SNP loci and we tested the probes on both tissues and field‐collected scat samples. We enriched and genotyped by sequencing 52 coyote and 70 kit fox scats collected in and around a conservation easement in the Nevada Mojave Desert. We demonstrate that the FAECES* method produces genotypes capable of differentiating coyotes and kit foxes, identifying individuals and their sex, and estimating genetic diversity and effective population sizes, even using highly degraded, low‐quantity DNA extracted from scat. We found that the study area harbours a large and diverse population of kit foxes and a relatively smaller population of coyotes. By replicating our methods in the future, conservationists can assess the impacts of management decisions on canid populations. The method can also be adapted and applied more broadly to enrich and sequence multiple loci from any species of interest using scat or other noninvasive genetic samples.
The Disciplining Effect of Credit Default Swap Trading on the Quality of Credit Rating Agencies†
Authors: Bonsall Samuel B. , Koharki Kevin , Neamtiu Monica 
Published: November 2021

ABSTRACTThis study examines whether credit default swap (CDS) trading initiation can serve as a disciplining mechanism for leading credit rating agencies. Specifically, we investigate whether rating agencies improve their rating quality when an alternative source of credit risk information from CDS threatens to expose inaccuracies in their ratings. Understanding potential drivers of credit rating quality is important given the prominence of credit rating agencies as debt market gatekeepers and perceptions that the agencies have underperformed in providing high‐quality credit risk assessments in recent decades. We hypothesize and find that the initiation of CDS trading improves the accuracy of issuer‐paid credit ratings. This evidence is robust to a number of sensitivity tests including alternative ways of measuring rating accuracy and correction for selection bias. We also find that the timeliness of credit ratings, watch list, and outlook placements improves post‐initiation—particularly for negative shocks to credit risk. This study contributes to the credit rating literature by documenting that CDS trading can help discipline rating agencies. It also contributes to the literature studying the implications of the CDS market.
Short‐term mechanical circulatory support in elderly patients
Authors: Alonso‐Fernandez‐Gatta Marta , Merchan‐Gomez Soraya , Toranzo‐Nieto Ines , Gonzalez‐Cebrian Miryam , Diego‐Nieto Alejandro , Barrio Alfredo , Martin‐Herrero Francisco , Sanchez Pedro L. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundAge over 70 years seems to confer poor prognosis for patients under mechanical circulatory support (MCS). Advanced age is usually a relative contraindication. Our objective was to assess the impact of age on survival of patients with short‐term MCS.MethodsRetrospective analysis of ≥70‐year‐old patients supported with veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA‐ECMO) or Impella CP® due to cardiogenic shock and other situations of hemodynamic instability in a referral hospital (elderly group), compared with younger patients (<70 years). We analyze factors associated with survival in elderly group.ResultsOut of 164 short‐term MCS implants from 2013 to October 2020, 45 (27.4%) correspond to ≥70‐year‐old patients (73.3% VA‐ECMO; 26.7% Impella CP®), 80% as bridge to recovery and 15.6% for high‐risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We found no significant differences in complications developed between both groups. Survivals at discharge (40% vs. 43.7%, p = 0.403) and at follow‐up (median 13.6 [30] months) were similar in elderly and young patients (35.6% vs. 37.8%, log‐rank p = 0.061). Predictive factors of mortality in elderly patients were peripheral artery disease (p = 0.037), higher lactate (p = 0.003) and creatinine (p = 0.035) at implant, longer cardiac arrest (p = 0.003), and worse post‐implantation left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.003). Patients with indication of MCS for high‐risk PCI had higher survival compared to other indications (p = 0.013).ConclusionShort‐term MCS with VA‐ECMO or Impella CP® in elderly patients may be a reasonable option in hemodynamic compromise situations as bridge to recovery or elective high‐risk PCI, without a significant increase in complications or mortality. Age should not be an absolute contraindication, but careful selection of candidate patients is necessary.
Mechanosensing by Piezo1 and its implications for physiology and various pathologies
Authors: Lai Austin , Cox Charles D. , Chandra Sekar Nadia , Thurgood Peter , Jaworowski Anthony , Peter Karlheinz , Baratchi Sara 
Published: November 2021

ABSTRACTPiezo1 is a mechanosensitive ion channel with essential roles in cardiovascular, lung, urinary, and immune functions. Piezo1 is widely distributed in different tissues in the human body and its specific roles have been identified following a decade of research; however, not all are well understood. Many structural and functional characteristics of Piezo1 have been discovered and are known to differ greatly from the characteristics of other mechanosensitive ion channels. Understanding the mechanisms by which this ion channel functions may be useful in determining its physiological roles in various organ systems. This review provides insight into the signalling pathways activated by mechanical stimulation of Piezo1 in various organ systems and cell types. We discuss downstream targets of Piezo1 and the overall effects resulting from Piezo1 activation, which may provide insights into potential treatment targets for diseases involving this ion channel.
Retracted: High utility itemset mining using genetic algorithm assimilated with off policy reinforcement learning to adaptively calibrate crossover operation
Authors: Logeswaran K , Suresh P 
Published: November 2021

AbstractMining high utility itemsets (HUI) is a current thrust field in data mining that has received numerous methodologies for addressing it effectively. The difficulty with HUI is to locate a number of items that have a high degree of utility in comparison to other different sets in a transaction database. Traditional accurate HUIM algorithms usually have to solve the exponential problem of big search spaces when the size or number of different items in the database is quite vast. Evolutionary computation (EC)‐based algorithms have been offered as an alternate and successful technique to solving HUIM issues since they may generate a collection of approximately optimum solutions in a short amount of time. Many genetic algorithm (GA)‐based approaches have been developed in recent years to efficiently mine HUI from transaction databases. The selection technique, crossover probability, mutation probability, and finishing criteria of the genetic algorithm have an greater impact on generating a reasonably decent solution and the processing time. Particularly crossover is a convergence operation which is intended to pull the population toward a local minimum/maximum. During HUIM using GA both low and high crossover rate will have the problem of decreasing the quality of intermediate itemset and take longer time to converge to some optima and vice versa. This problem can be solved by adjusting the crossover rate adaptively depending on environmental inputs. The proposed approach describe a hybrid system that employs a reinforcement learning (RL) agent to adaptively calibrate the crossover operation to increase the performance of a genetic algorithm. To estimate state‐action utility values, the RL agent employs Q‐learning, which it then employs to execute high‐level adaptive control over the crossover operation in the genetic algorithm. To evaluate the performance of the proposed methodology, extensive experiments were conducted on a four benchmark datasets and compared with three state‐of‐art EC approaches HUPEUMU‐GRAM, Bio‐HUIF‐GA, HUIM‐BPSO, and one exact approach HUP‐Miner . The result analysis witnessed that proposed approach outperforms EC approaches in terms of execution time, discovered HUIs and convergence.
Characterization and predictive functional profiles on metagenomic 16S rRNA data of liver transplant recipients: A longitudinal study
Authors: Sivaraj Saranya , Copeland Julia K. , Malik Anshu , Pasini Elisa , Angeli Marc , Azhie Amirhossein , Husain Shahid , Kumar Deepali , Allard Johane , Guttman David S. , Humar Atul , Bhat Mamatha 
Published: November 2021

AbstractLong‐term survival after Liver Transplantation (LT) is often compromised by infectious and metabolic complications. We aimed to delineate alterations in intestinal microbiome (IM) over time that could contribute to medical complications compromising long‐term survival following LT. Fecal samples from LT recipients were collected at 3 months (3 M) and 6 months (6 M) post‐LT. The bacterial DNA was extracted using E.Z.N.A. Stool DNA Kit and 16S rRNA gene sequencing at V4 hypervariable region was performed. DADA2 and Phyloseq was implemented to analyze the taxonomic composition. Differentially abundant taxa were identified by metagenomeSeq and LEfSe. Piphillin, an Inferred functional metagenomic analysis tool was used to study the bacterial functional content. For comparison, healthy samples were extracted from NCBI and analyzed similarly. The taxonomic & functional profiles of LT recipients were validated with metagenomic sequencing data from animals exposed to immunosuppressants using Venny. Our findings provide a new perspective on longitudinal increase in specific IM communities post‐LT along with an increase in bacterial genes associated with metabolic and infectious disease.
The Rightful Share: Land and Effective Claim Making in Odisha, India
Authors: Balaton‐Chrimes Samantha , Pattnaik Sandeep Kumar 
Published: November 2021

ABSTRACTScholars James Ferguson and Tania Murray Li have recently and persuasively argued that a new politics of distribution is needed to address the needs of the growing numbers of people who are permanently landless and jobless. The authors of this article explore how land might feature in James Ferguson's idea of a ‘rightful share’. It details a case study of the Anti‐POSCO People's Movement (POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti) of farmers, fisherfolk and landless labourers in Odisha, India, which prevented South Korean steel company POSCO from acquiring land for a steel plant. The authors offer two key arguments. The first is that a sharp distinction between landed and landless, and therefore a politics of production versus distribution, is difficult to draw. If people in need of distribution are, therefore, not necessarily landed or landless, it follows that the idea of a rightful share need not necessarily reject a role for land. The second argument is that in practical politics, land's animating and mobilizing force can potentially be harnessed toward cultivating a sense of entitlement to a rightful share.
Improving the residual risk of renal and cardiovascular outcomes in diabetic kidney disease: A review of pathophysiology, mechanisms, and evidence from recent trials
Authors: Chaudhuri Ajay , Ghanim Husam , Arora Pradeep 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBased on global estimates, almost 10% of adults have diabetes, of whom 40% are estimated to also have chronic kidney disease (CKD). Almost 2 decades ago, treatments targeting the renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) were shown to slow the progression of kidney disease. More recently, studies have reported the additive benefits of antihyperglycaemic sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors in combination with RAS inhibitors on both CKD progression and cardiovascular outcomes. However, these recent data also showed that patients continue to progress to kidney failure or die from kidney‐ or cardiovascular‐related causes. Therefore, new agents are needed to address this continuing risk. Overactivation of the mineralocorticoid (MR) receptor contributes to kidney inflammation and fibrosis, suggesting that it is an appropriate treatment target in patients with diabetes and CKD. Novel, selective non‐steroidal MR antagonists are being studied in these patients, and the results of two large recently completed clinical trials have shown that one such treatment, finerenone, significantly reduces CKD progression and cardiovascular events compared with standard of care. This review summarizes the pathogenic mechanisms of CKD in type 2 diabetes and examines the potential benefit of novel disease‐modifying agents that target inflammatory and fibrotic factors in these patients.
Pro‐inflammatory monocytes are increased in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and suppressed with omega‐3 fatty acids: A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled pilot study
Authors: Villaldama‐Soriano Marco A. , Rodríguez‐Cruz Maricela , Hernández‐De la Cruz Sthephanie Y. , Almeida‐Becerril Tomas , Cárdenas‐Conejo Alan , Wong‐Baeza Carlos 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundOmega‐3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) reduce circulating cytokines produced by monocytes. Nevertheless, whether the omega‐3 LCPUFA regulate the monocytes and their cytokines in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether circulating pro‐inflammatory monocytes are increased and whether omega‐3 LCPUFA selectively suppress these monocytes and their cytokines in patients with DMD.MethodsThis was a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled pilot study carried out in patients with DMD supplemented with omega‐3 LCPUFA (n = 6) or sunflower oils (placebo, n = 6) for 6 months. Monocytes and their cytokines were measured at baseline and after 1, 2, 3, and 6 months of supplementation.ResultsThe anti‐inflammatory monocytes (median, [95% CI]) are increased at month 3 (−0.46 [−13.5–9.5] vs. 8.4 [5.5–12.5], p = 0.05) in the omega‐3 LCPUFA group compared with the placebo group. The pro‐inflammatory monocytes (−5.7 [−63.8–114.1] vs. −51.9 [−91.2 to −25.4], p = 0.026 and −16.4 [−50.8–50.6] vs. −57.9 [−86.9 to −18.5], p = 0.045 at months 3 and 6, respectively) and their cytokine interleukin 6 (−11.9 [−93.5–148.9] vs. −64.7 [−77.8 to −42.6], p = 0.019 at month 6) decreased in the omega‐3 LCPUFA group compared with the placebo group. Pro‐inflammatory monocytes decreased and anti‐inflammatory monocytes were augmented (p < 0.05) during the 6 months of supplementation with omega‐3 LCPUFA.ConclusionsThis pilot study suggests that supplementation with omega‐3 LCPUFA could have a selective reductive effect on pro‐inflammatory monocytes and their cytokines in patients with DMD. These findings also support the performance of studies in a significant population to explore the role of omega‐3 LCPUFA on monocyte populations and their cytokines in patients with DMD. This research was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT018264229).
Nutritional, physicochemical, and textural properties of gluten‐free extruded snacks containing cowpea and whey protein concentrate
Authors: HewaNadungodage Nadeesha Dilrukshi , Torrico Damir D. , Brennan Margaret A. , Brennan Charles S. 
Published: November 2021

SummaryReady‐to‐eat extruded snacks with high protein and fibre were developed from a composite flour comprising rice flour, cowpea flour and whey protein concentrate (WPC). Nutritional, physicochemical, and textural properties of extrudates were evaluated, at five ratios of cowpea: WPC (10:0, 15:05, 20:10, 25:15, 30:20); rice flour was used as a control. The protein and fibre content in the extrudates significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) with cowpea (10%–30%) and WPC (5%–20%) incorporation compared to the control. The extrudates with higher levels of cowpea and WPC showed a significant increase in bulk density and hardness. A slight decrease of 12% was observed in the expansion of 15% cowpea and 5% WPC fortified extrudates compared to the control. The number of peaks during compression increased with incorporations of cowpea and WPC. All cowpea and WPC containing snacks were darker than the control. Significant correlations were found between the protein, fibre, colour values and textural properties. The essential and non‐essential amino acid profiles increased in the extrudates, proportionally to the cowpea and WPC fortification.
Synthesis and stability of chitosan gold nanocomposites: Effect of time of heating and concentration of reactant
Authors: Sreelakshmi Kannanchery R. , Mohan Chitradurga O. , Anas Korpulliyil K. , Renjith Rajamma K. , Remya Sasikala , Ashraf Pachareentavita M. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractGold nanoparticles (AuNPs) exhibit red colour and is suitable for development of indicators based on colour change. This work investigated the influence of concentration of gold precursor and time of thermal treatment on the properties of chitosan gold nanocomposites. Three concentrations of gold, 5 mM, 10 mM, and 15 mM were used and the heating time studied were 5 min and 15 min. The UV–vis spectra, transmission electron microscopic characteristics, zeta potential, and visible colour were inspected. All the samples have shown distinct colour change and the characteristic surface plasmonic resonance peak at ~530 nm. The spectral properties, zeta potential, and particle dispersity were significantly affected by the concentration and time. Furthermore, the nanoparticles were exposed to frozen condition at −18 °C ± 2 °C. The absorbance maxima of surface plasmonic resonance peak have changed significantly in all the samples. The visible colour of chitosan gold nanocomposites has changed on freezing and the microscopic analysis demonstrated the clustering and change in shape of nanoparticles on freezing. The results suggest that the chitosan gold nanocomposites synthesised with 10 mM gold chloride and 5 min of heating can be efficiently used as freeze indicator.
The International Labour Review and gender equality: The importance of women's unpaid and paid work
Authors: FOLBRE Nancy 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis introduction to the Centenary Issue of the International Labour Review (ILR) on women and gender equality reflects on the distinctive contributions included. It emphasizes the need to recognize the undervaluation of work that women have traditionally performed both in the home and in the labour market. It also highlights diverse efforts to remedy these intricately linked problems.
Lista para ser escuchada: La voz de las personas trabajadoras en el Fair Food Program
Authors: MIERES Fabiola , MCGRATH y Siobhán 
Published: November 2021

ResumenEl Fair Food Program (FFP), creado por la Coalición de Trabajadores de Immokalee (Florida, Estados Unidos), brinda un mecanismo a través del cual la voz colectiva de los trabajadores agrícolas se expresa, se escuchay se responde en una cadena mundial de valor. El modelo de Responsabilidad Social Impulsada por los Trabajadores del FFP ofrece una alternativa a la RSE corporativa tradicional. Se identifican aquí los componentes clave del FFP y se demuestra su resiliencia al ser aplicado a un nuevo grupo de trabajadoras y trabajadores migrantes estacionales. Se pone así de relieve el gran potencial del programa para reducir los abusos laborales en los mercados de trabajo transnacionalizados. También se proponen ideas sobre la posibilidad de reproducibilidad del FFP.