bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nighttime ambulatory pulse pressure predicts cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality among middle‐aged participants in the 21‐year follow‐up
Authors: Lempiäinen Päivi A. , Ylitalo Antti , Huikuri Heikki , Kesäniemi Y. Antero , Ukkola Olavi H. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractOffice pulse pressure (PP) is a predictor for cardiovascular (CV) events and mortality. Our aim was to evaluate ambulatory PP as a long‐term risk factor in a random cohort of middle‐aged participants. The Opera study took place in years 1991–1993, with a 24‐h ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) performed to 900 participants. The end‐points were non‐fatal and fatal CV events, and deaths of all‐causes. Follow‐up period, until the first event or until the end of the year 2014, was 21.1 years (mean). Of 900 participants, 22.6% died (29.6% of men/15.6% of women, p<.001). A CV event was experienced by 208 participants (23.1%), 68.3% of them were male (p<.001). High nighttime ambulatory PP predicted independently CV mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 2.60; 95% confidence interval [CI 95%] 1.08–6.31, p=.034) and all‐cause mortality in the whole population (HR 1.72; Cl 95% 1.06–2.78, p=.028). In males, both 24‐h PP and nighttime PP associated with CV mortality and all‐cause mortality (24‐h PP HR for CV mortality 2.98; CI 95% 1.11–8.04, p=.031 and all‐cause mortality HR 2.40; CI 95% 1.32–4.37, p=.004). Accordingly, nighttime PP; HR for CV mortality 3.13; CI 95% 1.14–8.56, p=.026, and for all‐cause mortality HR 2.26; CI 95% 1.29–3.96, p=.004. Cox regression analyses were adjusted by sex, CV risk factors, and appropriate ambulatory mean systolic BP. In our study, high ambulatory nighttime PP was detected as a long‐term risk factor for CV and all‐cause mortality in middle‐aged individuals.
To collaborate or not? The moderating effects of team conflict on performance‐prove goal orientation, collaboration, and team performance
Authors: E. Downes Patrick , Gonzalez‐Mulé Erik , Seong Jee Young , Park Won‐Woo 
Published: July 2021

This study examines the effect of team performance‐prove goal orientation on team collaboration and team performance by identifying team conflict as a boundary condition. We propose that team conflict plays a moderating role such that high‐PPGO team members will work collaboratively when they experience task conflict because they perceive other team members to be valuable for team performance. In contrast, high‐PPGO teams will be less likely to work collaboratively when they experience relationship conflict since interpersonal differences will be salient, forcing social comparisons to which high‐PPGO team members are predisposed. We test our hypotheses in a field sample of 485 working teams (2,940 individuals). The result shows that team PPGO was positively related to collaboration and team performance under conditions of high task conflict (and low relationship conflict). In contrast, team PPGO was negatively related to collaboration and team performance under conditions of high relationship (and low task) conflict. Team PPGO showed no relationship with collaboration when both task and relationship conflict were either high or low. These results extend knowledge of the multi‐faceted effects of team PPGO and represent the first study showing the differential effect of PPGO on team collaborative processes. Implications for future research and practices are discussed.Practitioner points

Performance‐prove goal orientation (PPGO) improves team collaboration when task conflict is high and relationship conflict is low, while PPGO harms team collaboration when task conflict is low and relationship conflict is high.

Organizations should stimulate task conflict, and reduce relationship conflict, in teams with a greater degree of high PPGO members to ensure collaboration and high performance. Otherwise, high PPGO teams will be unlikely to collaborate as members may view each other as rivals.
Induction and maintenance immunosuppression in pediatric kidney transplantation—Advances and controversies
Authors: Balani Shanthi S. , Jensen Chelsey J. , Kouri Anne M. , Kizilbash Sarah J. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAdvances in immunosuppression have improved graft survival in pediatric kidney transplant recipients; however, treatment‐related toxicities need to be balanced against the possibility of graft rejection. Several immunosuppressive agents are available for use in transplant recipients; however, the optimal combinations of agents remain unclear, resulting in variations in institutional protocols. Lymphocyte‐depleting antibodies, specifically ATG, are the most common induction agent used for pediatric kidney transplantation in the US. Basiliximab may be used for induction in immunologically low‐risk children; however, pediatric data are scarce. CNIs and antiproliferative agents (mostly Tac and mycophenolate in recent years) constitute the backbone of maintenance immunosuppression. Steroid‐avoidance maintenance regimens remain controversial. Belatacept and mTOR inhibitors are used in children under specific circumstances such as non‐adherence or CNI toxicity. This article reviews the indications, mechanism of action, efficacy, dosing, and side effect profiles of various immunosuppressive agents available for pediatric kidney transplantation.
Expression characteristics of immune factors in the yak (Bos grunniens) testis
Authors: Zhang Qian , Cui Yan , Yu Sijiu , He Junfeng , Pan Yangyang , Bai Zhanchun 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe goal of this study was to characterize and evaluate the main markers of macrophages, T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and plasmocytes in the testis of juvenile and adult yaks by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Within the same age group, the mRNA expression of CD68 was always highest, followed by that of CD3ε, CD79α, IgG and IgA. Moreover, CD68, CD3, CD79α, IgA and IgG positive cells were all located in the testicular interstitial tissues of juvenile and adult yaks. In the same age group, the frequency of CD68 positive macrophages was higher than that of CD3 positive T lymphocytes, which was followed by that of CD79α positive B lymphocytes and IgA and IgG positive plasmocytes. No significant difference was observed between the B lymphocyte and plasmocyte frequencies in yak testes. Furthermore, CD68, CD3ε, CD79α, IgA and IgG mRNA expression levels and the frequencies of CD68, CD3, CD79α, IgA and IgG positive cells increased from juveniles to adults. Similarly, the frequencies of CD68, CD3, CD79α, IgA and IgG positive cells also increased with age. These results suggest that in the yak testis, the immune defence system against pathogens might primarily comprise macrophages and T lymphocytes in the testicular interstitial tissue. Moreover, the testicular immune environment may mature and expand to a fully functional state in adult yaks. The low frequencies of B lymphocyte and plasmocyte in yaks, differing from those in rodents and humans, might be related to the fact that yaks live in low‐oxygen plateaus.
The role of management practices in acquisitions and the FDI location decision
Authors: Biermann Marcus 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis paper investigates how management practices as intangible transfers are associated with the performance of multinational business groups. Differences in the management level across source countries are predictive for multinationals’ investment patterns for a given destination country. This study argues that acquisitions are a means to transplant management practices from parents to affiliates abroad. It finds that better‐managed parents decrease employment and increase productivity post‐acquisition. The productivity gains are driven by targets with less‐developed management practices and by targets of larger parents. Better‐managed parents are also more likely to install or retain a manager from the parent country post‐acquisition.
Comparison of different luminex single antigen bead kits for memory B cell‐derived HLA antibody detection
Authors: Karahan Gonca E. , de Vaal Yvonne , Bakker Kim , Roelen Dave , Claas Frans H. J. , Heidt Sebastiaan 
Published: July 2021

Detection of HLA‐specific memory B cells can provide additional information on sensitization of alloantigen‐exposed individuals and refine immunological risk assessment. We have recently developed an assay enabling profiling of memory B cell‐derived HLA antibodies using luminex single antigen bead (SAB) assay. Here, we compared the performance of the SAB kits from two vendors for memory B cell‐derived HLA antibody detection. IgG was isolated from culture supernatants of polyclonally activated B cells from alloantigen‐exposed (n = 7) or nonexposed (n = 5) individuals, using our previously established method. Eluates containing isolated IgG from culture supernatants were tested for the presence of HLA antibodies using luminex SAB analysis from both One Lambda and Lifecodes (Immucor). In contrast to Lifecodes, high mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) signals were found for negative control beads in One Lambda (median MFI for class I:1730 and for class II:728), accompanied by high MFI values for self HLA‐coated beads, especially for HLA‐C. Despite high background in the One Lambda assays, 91% concordance for HLA class I and 85% concordance for HLA class II were found between the specificities detected using SAB kits from the two vendors. Our results show that HLA‐specific memory B cells can be profiled using kits from both vendors. However, when analyzing One Lambda results one should be aware of the restrictions related to nonspecific binding particularly in HLA‐C‐coated beads, and pay attention to self HLA‐coated beads in order to accurately identify the reactivities leading to the definition of the actual HLA antibody specificities.
Robotic Assay for Drought (RoAD): an automated phenotyping system for brassinosteroid and drought responses
Authors: Xiang Lirong , Nolan Trevor M. , Bao Yin , Elmore Mitch , Tuel Taylor , Gai Jingyao , Shah Dylan , Wang Ping , Huser Nicole M. , Hurd Ashley M. , McLaughlin Sean A. , Howell Stephen H. , Walley Justin W. , Yin Yanhai , Tang Lie 
Published: July 2021

SummaryBrassinosteroids (BRs) are a group of plant steroid hormones involved in regulating growth, development, and stress responses. Many components of the BR pathway have previously been identified and characterized. However, BR phenotyping experiments are typically performed in a low‐throughput manner, such as on Petri plates. Additionally, the BR pathway affects drought responses, but drought experiments are time consuming and difficult to control. To mitigate these issues and increase throughput, we developed the Robotic Assay for Drought (RoAD) system to perform BR and drought response experiments in soil‐grown Arabidopsis plants. RoAD is equipped with a robotic arm, a rover, a bench scale, a precisely controlled watering system, an RGB camera, and a laser profilometer. It performs daily weighing, watering, and imaging tasks and is capable of administering BR response assays by watering plants with Propiconazole (PCZ), a BR biosynthesis inhibitor. We developed image processing algorithms for both plant segmentation and phenotypic trait extraction to accurately measure traits including plant area, plant volume, leaf length, and leaf width. We then applied machine learning algorithms that utilize the extracted phenotypic parameters to identify image‐derived traits that can distinguish control, drought‐treated, and PCZ‐treated plants. We carried out PCZ and drought experiments on a set of BR mutants and Arabidopsis accessions with altered BR responses. Finally, we extended the RoAD assays to perform BR response assays using PCZ inZea mays(maize) plants. This study establishes an automated and non‐invasive robotic imaging system as a tool to accurately measure morphological and growth‐related traits of Arabidopsis and maize plants in 3D, providing insights into the BR‐mediated control of plant growth and stress responses.
Stability of Schwarzschild (Anti)de Sitter black holes in conformal gravity
Authors: Lanteri Daniele , Wan Shen-Song , Iorio Alfredo , Castorina Paolo 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWe study the thermodynamics of spherically symmetric, neutral and non-rotating black holes in conformal (Weyl) gravity. To this end, we apply different methods: (i) the evaluation of the specific heat; (ii) the study of the entropy concavity; (iii) the geometrical approach to thermodynamics known as thermodynamic geometry; (iv) the Poincaré method that relates equilibrium and out-of-equilibrium thermodynamics. We show that the thermodynamic geometry approach can be applied to conformal gravity too, because all the key thermodynamic variables are insensitive to Weyl scaling. The first two methods, (i) and (ii), indicate that the entropy of a de Sitter black hole is always in the interval $$2/3\le S\le 1$$

2
/
3
≤
S
≤
1

, whereas thermodynamic geometry suggests that, at $$S=1$$

S
=
1

, there is a second order phase transition to an Anti de Sitter black hole. On the other hand, we obtain from the Poincaré method (iv) that black holes whose entropy is $$S < 4/3$$

S
<
4
/
3

are stable or in a saddle-point, whereas when $$S>4/3$$

S
>
4
/
3

they are always unstable, hence there is no definite answer on whether such transition occurs. Since thermodynamics geometry takes the view that the entropy is an extensive quantity, while the Poincaré method does not require extensiveness, it is valuable to present here the analysis based on both approaches, and so we do.
Quaternary formations mapping in the region of Volta Grande do Rio Uruguai (Brazil)
Authors: Deodoro Sandra Cristina , Bertolini William Zanete , Temba Plinio da Costa 
Published: July 2021

Quaternary formations (detrital and weathered materials) are an important natural resource for different areas of scientific investigation, from understanding their relation to erosive processes and morphodynamic processes that create landforms or to understanding the history of the first human settlements (geoarcheology). Quaternary coverings can be formed in situ or be transported by external geologic agents. Regarding soils, Quaternary formations are related to landscape topography and are transformed according to the characteristics of this topography. Hence, classifying and mapping these soils is not always easy. The present article aims to map the Quaternary formations along a stretch of the Uruguay River basin known as Volta Grande (SC/RS-Brazil), by using topographic attributes derived from the SRTM GL1-Up Sampled digital elevation model, soil particle-size analysis, and a generated Multiresolution Index of Valley Bottom Flatness (MRVBF) index . The results of the analysis show that: (i) colluvium is the predominant Quaternary formation in the study area; (ii) there is a predominance of clay, corroborating previous studies of the region; (iii) the spatial distribution of the study area’s Quaternary formations reflect local slope dynamics based on morphology and topographic position; and, (iv) the existence of colluvium-alluvium on the Uruguay River’s banks indicates that slope attributes contributed to the pedogeomorphological dynamics of the study area and not only fluvial dynamics. Based on the results, the methodology applied in this study might be useful for pedogeomorphological studies, notably in the analysis and mapping of Quaternary formations, despite some of its limitations.
Educação Clandestina no Gueto de Varsóvia: Cantinas-Escola Como Espaço de Resistência
Authors: Souza Nanci 
Published: July 2021

Esta comunicação apresenta alguns resultados da pesquisa de mestrado a respeito da educação enquanto forma de resistência. O objeto deste estudo é o ensino elementar clandestino, posto em prática pelos educadores logo após o fechamento do gueto de Varsóvia, época em que as crianças e jovens vivenciavam situações extremas de intolerância. A partir de registros de época, procurou-se conhecer as estratégias direcionadas para preservar os judeus como povo,visto que esses estavam condenados ao extermínio pelos nazistas. Constatou-se que a educação, em distintos momentos e espaços clandestinos, serviu para garantir o mínimo de dignidade, fosse física ou cultural, aos judeus excluídos pelos nazistas como “raça inferior”. Como espaço de resistência, tem-se como exemplo as cantinas-escola da Rua Karmelicka n° 29, da Rua Krochmalna n° 36 e da Rua Nowolipki n° 68, nas quais foram implementadas o Programa dos Cursos Clandestinos sob a tutela da instituição de ensino TsYShO. A relevância deste estudo está em analisar a ação daqueles que se encontravam degradados da condiçãohumana, que buscavam, por meio da educação clandestina, fazer frente aos conceitos nazistas, preservando sua dignidade e defendendo sua própria ideologia, vinculada a sua sobrevivência e a sua continuidade como indivíduos e como povo.
Nos Calcanhares de Esaú: Algumas Considerações sobre “O Diário de um Comedor de Lentilhas”, de Moacyr Scliar
Authors: Pereira Kenia Maria de Almeida 
Published: July 2021

São vários os contos de Moacyr Scliar em que esse autor gaúcho estabelece um diálogo paródico com a tradição bíblica. Neste artigo, enfocaremos esse discurso intertextual humorístico e irônico efetuado por Scliar no conto intitulado “Diário de um comedor de lentilhas”. Nessa narrativa, o autor evoca o duplo Esaú e Jacó, enfocando principalmente o personagem Esaú, bem como as angústias e os dissabores desse gêmeo profano, o qual teria registrado seus infortúnios, advindos de um prato de lentilhas, num confuso diário, encontrado, séculos mais tarde, por estudiosos que se debruçaram sobre esses textos apócrifos.
Abstract 249: Stationary Signal and Flow Velocity Assessment by MRI of a New Nitinol Nanocomposite Polymer Stent-Graft
Authors: Desai Mital , Clough Rachel E , Gaddum Nicholas R , Rhode Kawal , Zhou Xiang , You Zhong , Seifalian Alexander M , Hamilton George 
Published: July 2021

Objective:
To assess MRI compatibility and suitability of a new sutureless stent-graft made from Nitinol bonded to nanocomposite polymer (NP).

Methods:

1. Using MRI and Magnevist contrast, isotropic 3D T1-weighted FFE images of NP stent-graft were acquired to observe artefacts and stationary signal attenuation. Average signal magnitude was calculated. Medtronic ValiantTM was used as control.
2. In second stage, steady flow phantom was setup for flow-encoded MRI signal assessment of both stent-grafts. Baseline values were obtained by velocity measurements without stent-graft using identical settings. 2D through-plane phase contrast images were acquired and average velocity and amount of flow (flux) were calculated.

Results:
On static assessment of NP and ValiantTM stent-grafts no significant image artefacts were seen. The signal inside and outside the ValiantTM stent-graft was 644.2(SD 36.2) and 659.6(SD 85.8) respectively. The signal attenuation for this device was 2.39%. The signal inside and outside the NP stent graft was 1561.7(SD 31.2) and 1595.5(SD 40.8) respectively with comparable signal attenuation of 2.16%. In MRI velocity attenuation study, steady flow phantom was set at mean volume of 105.3 ml and mean velocity of 79.5 cm/sec. Flux measured in ValiantTM stent-graft was 102±2.27 ml/sec with no significant difference to baseline (104±1.98 ml/sec; P=0.892). Similarly flux for NP stent-graft at mean stroke volume 104.4 ml and mean velocity of 92.3 cm/sec showed no difference to baseline (99.8±2.4 vs. 104±0.96 ml/sec; P=0.176). There was no significant difference in flux between Medtronic and NP stent-grafts (102±2.27 vs. 99.8±2.4 ml/sec; P=0.328).

Conclusion:
NP stent-graft does not display any material-induced artefacts on MRI. On flow assessment, signal attenuation is comparable with the commercial device. These properties are important in developing this stent-graft, compliant, durable, visco-elastic, biocompatible and anti-thrombogenic, for future clinical use.
Abstract 276: Tissue Engineering a Small Diameter Vascular Graft
Authors: Tatterton Mark R , Wilshaw Stacy-Paul , Ingham Eileen , Homer-Vanniasinkam Shervanthi 
Published: July 2021

Introduction
The patency rate of synthetic small diameter grafts for coronary and peripheral arterial bypass remains poor. The aim of this study was to engineer an acellular, biocompatible conduit with biomechanical properties similar to native artery and investigate the regenerative capacity of the conduit using ovine vascular cells.

Methods
Porcine carotid arteries were harvested and decellularized using an established protocol. In short, arteries were treated sequentially with EDTA, hypotonic buffer, 0.1% (w/v) sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), DNase and RNase, hypertonic buffer and sterilised using 0.1% (v/v) peracetic acid. In order to determine the biomechanical properties of the acellular arteries, suture retention strength, ultimate tensile strength and burst pressure measurements were performed in comparison to native tissue.

Ovine endothelial cells were harvested from the femoral arteries of sheep following digestion with collagenase. Ovine smooth muscle cells were isolated from ovine arterial explant cultures. The phenotype of the cells was confirmed using antibodies to ovine vascular cell markers (myosin, α-actin, VWF, CD62) by indirect immunofluorescence..
Biocompatability of the scaffolds was assessed using contact and extract cytotoxicity tests with two cell lines (BHK and 3T3) and primary ovine vascular cells (endothelial and smooth muscle cells). The capacity of the acellular arteries to support vascular cell adhesion was determined by seeding cells onto the scaffolds and evaluation using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)..

Results
Histiological characterization and DNA quantification confirmed successful decellularization of porcine carotid arteries. Decellularized vessels were shown to retain the biomechanical strength and properties of native vessels. Decellularized arteries displayed no evidence of cytotoxicity to cell lines or primary vascular cells. Initial cell adhesion studies confirmed successful adherence of ovine vascular cells to decellularized arteries.

Conclusion
The study resulted in an acellular, biocompatible scaffold that retained the biomechanical properties of the native artery. Initial re-cellularization studies with ovine vascular cells was successful.