bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin and enterotoxin in the faeces of dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome
Authors: Allen‐Deal A. , Lewis D. 
Published: March 2021

ObjectivesTo investigate the prevalence of Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin encoding gene and C. perfringens enterotoxin encoding gene in dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome.Materials and MethodsRetrospective study looking at the prevalence of C. perfringens alpha toxin and C. perfringens enterotoxin in the faeces of three groups of dogs – those with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome (n = 16), those with haemorrhagic diarrhoea from another cause (n = 17) and those without haemorrhagic diarrhoea (n = 10). Correlation between the presence of C. perfringens alpha toxin and/or C. perfringens enterotoxin and Acute Patient Physiological and Laboratory Evaluationfast scores, acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea index scores and length of hospitalisation in dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome was assessed.ResultsPrevalence of C. perfringens alpha toxin was not higher in dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome (43.75%) than dogs with haemorrhagic diarrhoea from another cause (58.82%) (difference in prevalence 15.07%; 95% CI −37% to 32%) or in dogs without haemorrhagic diarrhoea (60%) (difference in prevalence 16.25%; 95% CI −4% to 36%). Dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome did not have a significantly higher prevalence of C. perfringens enterotoxin (18.75%) compared to dogs without haemorrhagic diarrhoea (11.76%) (difference in prevalence 6.99%; 95% CI −18% to 32%). Prevalence of C. perfringens enterotoxin was similar in dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome and dogs without haemorrhagic diarrhoea (20%) (difference in prevalence 1.25% 95% CI −33% to 30%).The presence of C. perfringens alpha toxin did not correlate with increased Acute Patient Physiological and Laboratory Evaluationfast scores, acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea index scores or length of hospitalisation in dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome.Clinical SignificanceThis study does not demonstrate increased prevalence of C. perfringens alpha toxin or C. perfringens enterotoxin in dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome compared to dogs with haemorrhagic diarrhoea from another cause or dogs without haemorrhagic diarrhoea.
Normal values for respiratory sleep polygraphy in children aged 4 to 9 years at 2,560 m above sea level
Authors: Ucros Santiago , Granados Claudia , Hill Catherine , Castro‐Rodriguez Jose Antonio , Ospina Juan Camilo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObstructive sleep apnea syndrome affects 1%–4% of all children worldwide. Currently, diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea is based on sea‐level guidelines, without taking into account the altitude at which the populations live. It has been shown that at 3,200 m of altitude there is an increase in obstructive events in healthy children aged 7 to 16 years; on the other hand, it is known that SpO2 dispersion between individuals becomes wider as altitude increases, a phenomenon that is more marked during sleep. About 17 million Colombians live in regions between 2,500 m and 2,700 m, as do significant populations in other Latin American countries. This research aimed to characterize respiratory polygraphy sleep parameters in healthy, non‐snoring children aged 4–9 years living at 2,560 m. We carried out home respiratory polygraphy in 32 children with a mean age of 6.2 years (range 4–9 years). The average recorded sleep time was 7.8 h, the median apnea–hypopnea index was 9.2/h, the obstructive apnea–hypopnea index had a median of 8.8/h (p5 4.2 to p95 17.9) and central apnea a median of 0.4/h. The median SpO2 was 93% (p5 90.5 to p95 94) and transcutaneous CO2 had a median of 39.4 mmHg (p531.7 to p95 42.3). The median oxygen desaturation index ≥ 3% was 11.2 and median oxygen desaturation index ≥ 4% was 3.9. Normal measurements for respiratory polygraphy obtained at sea level do not apply to children at altitude. If such guidelines are used, obstructive sleep apnea will be over‐diagnosed, resulting in unnecessary adenotonsillectomies, among other interventions.
Double continuation regions for American options under Poisson exercise opportunities
Authors: Palmowski Zbigniew , Pérez José Luis , Yamazaki Kazutoshi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe consider the Lévy model of the perpetual American call and put options with a negative discount rate under Poisson observations. Similar to the continuous observation case, the stopping region that characterizes the optimal stopping time is either a half‐line or an interval. The objective of this paper is to obtain explicit expressions of the stopping and continuation regions and the value function, focusing on spectrally positive and negative cases. To this end, we compute the identities related to the first Poisson arrival time to an interval via the scale function and then apply those identities to the computation of the optimal strategies. We also discuss the convergence of the optimal solutions to those in the continuous observation case as the rate of observation increases to infinity. Numerical experiments are also provided.
Modeling of microstructural effects on the creep of hardened cement paste using an experimentally informed lattice model
Authors: Gan Yidong , Romero Rodriguez Claudia , Zhang Hongzhi , Schlangen Erik , van Breugel Klaas , Šavija Branko 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis paper presents a method to numerically investigate the microstructural effect on the creep behavior of cement paste at the microscale. The lattice fracture model is extended to consider local time‐dependent deformations of calcium‐silicate‐hydrate phases in the cement paste by imposing local forces. The term “experimentally informed model” is used herein as the heterogeneous microstructures of hardened cement pastes were obtained by using the X‐ray computed microtomography and directly implemented into the model. The mechanical and creep properties of different constituents at the resolution of 5 µm were inversely identified from the fracture and creep bending tests on cementitious microcantilever beams at the microscale. The model is then validated through the comparison with the testing results of cement pastes with different w/c ratios and microstructures. It is found that the developed model can successfully reproduce experimentally observed behaviors and be applied to explain the experimental results in detail. With the method presented in this paper, the relationship between the volume fractions of different components and the global creep behavior of cement paste can be established. The validation of the model performed at the microscale forms a basis for the multiscale analysis of concrete creep.
Percutaneous Endoscopic Interlaminar Discectomy via Laminoplasty Technique for L5–S1 Lumbar Disc Herniation with a Narrow Interlaminar Window
Authors: Wu Tian‐long , Yuan Jing‐hong , Jia Jing‐yu , He Ding‐wen , Miao Xin‐xin , Deng Jian‐jian , Cheng Xi‐gao 
Published: March 2021

ObjectiveTo improve the treatment effect of patients with L5S1 lumber disc herniation (LDH) with a narrow interlaminar window, we proposed an alternative approach to percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy (PEID) via the laminoplasty technique.MethodsFifteen L5S1 LDH patients (7 men and 8 women; age range, 22 to 56 years; median age, 34 years; 9 left, 6 right) were enrolled in the present study retrospectively. The interlaminar windows of all patients were narrow (the transverse diameter of the L5S1 interlaminar window is equal to or less than that of L4–5). Percutaneous laminoplasty and endoscopic interlaminar discectomy surgery were undergone by all patients from July 2018 to July 2019. All operations were completed under local anesthesia. The target laminoplasty area was the safety zone, use of which avoids both transverse and exit nerve roots. Under fluoroscopic guidance or clear endoscopic visualization, the trephines were used to enlarge the interlaminar window, which allowed the working cannula to enter the spinal canal but avoid nerve roots and the dural sac. The preoperative/postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were statistically analyzed. The modified MacNab criterion was used to assess the clinical effects. The radiological outcomes were evaluated by MRI and CT. SPSS 19.0 software was used for the statistical evaluation.ResultsThe operative time ranged from 70 to 120 min, with a median time of 92 min, and the fluoroscopy times ranged from 8 to 12, with a median of 9.7 times. The body mass index (BMI) of patients ranged from 18.10 to 26.06, with a median of 22.04. All patients were followed up in the outpatient department for at least 12 months after surgery. At the last follow up, the average VAS‐Back score of the study patients was reduced from 5.33 ± 2.09 to 2.00 ± 1.20 (P < 0.001) and the average VAS‐Leg score was reduced from 7.53 ± 1.69 to 1.47 ± 0.92 (P < 0.001). The average ODI scores improved from 47.87 ± 11.41 to 12.93 ± 3.24 (P < 0.01). According to the modified MacNab criteria, 11 cases achieved excellent results and 4 cases achieved good results. All of the operations were successful. There wertr no nerve root injuries, dural tears, or other complications.ConclusionThe laminoplasty approach for PEID provides a safe and useful alternative for the treatment of L5–S1 LDH patients with a narrow interlaminar window.
The use of respiratory pathogen panel nasal polymerase chain reaction testing in predicting cutaneous enteroviral infections in the pediatric population
Authors: Perez Victoria A. , Melnick Laura E. , Whittier Susan , Dayan Peter S. , Garzon Maria C. , Morel Kimberly D. , Levin Laura E , Lauren Christine T 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackground/ObjectiveTo characterize the relationship between the presence of enteroviral skin infection, defined as a positive skin polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, and the nasopharyngeal (NP) respiratory pathogen panel (RPP) PCR test which includes enterovirus/rhinovirus as an analyte.MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed on 543 subjects, age 18 years or younger, who had enterovirus (EV) skin swabs performed at an academic medical center in New York City between September 2014 and November 2019. Those patients with positive EV skin PCR were considered to have an enteroviral skin infection, and those with a negative EV skin PCR were considered not to have an enteroviral skin infection. Of those 543 children who had EV skin PCR, 170 also had an NP swab RPP performed. These NP swab RPP results were characterized as positive or negative, and if positive, it was noted if the patient was positive or negative for enterovirus/rhinovirus. The positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), specificity, and sensitivity of a NP swab RPP for enteroviral skin infection were then calculated.ResultsAn enterovirus/rhinovirus NP swab RPP had a NPV of 95%, PPV of 43%, sensitivity of 90%, and specificity of 62% for cutaneous enterovirus infection.ConclusionThe enteroviral skin PCR test is an assay that was validated at this institution. In clinically suspicious cases of EV, a positive NP swab RPP for enterovirus/rhinovirus is a sensitive test. A negative test is highly predictive of not having EV on the skin. Although further data are needed, given that NP swab RPP is readily available, these data may suggest that an NP swab RPP, when appropriately utilized, can support or exclude a clinical diagnosis of cutaneous enterovirus in the pediatric population.
Molecular and biochemical characterization of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolates resistant to azoxystrobin from grape in China
Authors: Wei Lingling , Zheng Huanhuan , Zhang Pengcheng , Chen Wenchan , Zheng Jiaqiu , Chen Changjun , Cao Aibing 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAnthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, is one of the most important diseases in grape‐growing regions worldwide. In Jiangsu Province of China, quinone‐outside inhibitor fungicides (QoIs) have been extensively sprayed as disease control for more than 10 years. A spore germination assay of 64 isolates obtained from 32 commercial vineyards was used to assess isolate sensitivity to azoxystrobin and 62 were found to be resistant to azoxystrobin. The biological fitness of QoI‐resistant (QoIR) isolates was significantly lower than the sensitive isolates (QoIS) in terms of mycelial growth and conidiation. Nucleotide sequence alignment of CgCytb genes from the QoIR and QoIS isolates revealed that two point mutations (F129L and G143A) are involved in the QoI resistance. Isolates with the G143A mutation expressed high resistance to azoxystrobin, whereas isolates carrying the F129L mutation exhibited moderate resistance. Positive cross‐resistance was observed between azoxystrobin and kersoxim‐methyl, pyraclostrobin, or benzothiostrobin, but not with fluazinam. This study provides important information for management of QoIR populations of C. gloeosporioides in the field.
Significance of solute specificity, expression, and gating mechanism of tonoplast intrinsic protein during development and stress response in plants
Authors: Sudhakaran Sreeja , Thakral Vandana , Padalkar Gunashri , Rajora Nitika , Dhiman Pallavi , Raturi Gaurav , Sharma Yogesh , Tripathi Durgesh K. , Deshmukh Rupesh , Sharma Tilak Raj , Sonah Humira 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIPs), belonging to the aquaporin family, are transmembrane channels located mostly at the tonoplast of plant cells. The TIPs are known to transport water and many other small solutes such as ammonia, urea, hydrogen peroxide, and glycerol. In the present review, phylogenetic distribution, structure, transport dynamics, gating mechanism, sub‐cellular localization, tissue‐specific expression, and co‐expression of TIPs are discussed to define their versatile role in plants. Based on the phylogenetic distribution, TIPs are classified into five distinct groups with aromatic‐arginine (Ar/R) selectivity filters, typical pore‐morphology, and tissue‐specific gene expression patterns. The tissue‐specific expression of TIPs is conserved among diverse plant species, more particularly for TIP3s, which are expressed exclusively in seeds. Studying TIP3 evolution will help to understand seed development and germination. The solute specificity of TIPs plays an imperative role in physiological processes like stomatal movement and vacuolar sequestration as well as in alleviating environmental stress. TIPs also play an important role in growth and developmental processes like radicle protrusion, anther dehiscence, seed germination, cell elongation, and expansion. The gating mechanism of TIPs regulates the solute flow in response to external signals, which helps to maintain the physiological functions of the cell. The information provided in this review is a base to explore TIP's potential in crop improvement programs.
Cross‐modal predictive processing depends on context rather than local contingencies
Authors: Dercksen Tjerk T. , Stuckenberg Maria V. , Schröger Erich , Wetzel Nicole , Widmann Andreas 
Published: March 2021

AbstractVisual symbols or events may provide predictive information on to‐be‐expected sound events. When the perceived sound does not confirm the visual prediction, the incongruency response (IR), a prediction error signal of the event‐related brain potentials, is elicited. It is unclear whether predictions are derived from lower‐level local contingencies (e.g., recent events or repetitions) or from higher‐level global rules applied top‐down. In a recent study, sound pitch was predicted by a preceding note symbol. IR elicitation was confined to the condition where one of two sounds was presented more frequently and was not present with equal probability of both sounds. These findings suggest that local repetitions support predictive cross‐modal processing. On the other hand, IR has also been observed with equal stimulus probabilities, where visual patterns predicted the upcoming sound sequence. This suggests the application of global rules. Here, we investigated the influence of stimulus repetition on the elicitation of the IR by presenting identical trial trains of a particular visual note symbol cueing a particular sound resulting either in a congruent or an incongruent pair. Trains of four different lengths: 1, 2, 4, or 7 were presented. The IR was observed already after a single presentation of a congruent visual‐cue‐sound combination and did not change in amplitude as trial train length increased. We conclude that higher‐level associations applied in a top‐down manner are involved in elicitation of the prediction error signal reflected by the IR, independent from local contingencies.
Influence of seminal plasma during different stages of bovine sperm cryopreservation
Authors: Zoca Gabriela Bertaiolli , Celeghini Eneiva Carla Carvalho , Pugliesi Guilherme , de Carvalho Carla Patricia Teodoro , Assumpção Mayra Elena Ortiz D'Avila , Siqueira Adriano Felipe Perez , Oliveira Leticia Zoccolaro , Lançoni Renata , de Arruda Rubens Paes 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of seminal plasma on bovine sperm cryopreservation and to assess the integrity of plasma and acrosomal membranes, mitochondrial potential, remodelling of F‐actin cytoskeleton and sperm chromatin fragmentation during the cooling, equilibrium and freezing/thawing stages. Six ejaculates collected from seven Nelore bulls (n = 42) were used in this study. Each ejaculate was divided into two aliquots (with seminal plasma = SP group; without seminal plasma = NSP group) and packed to a final concentration of 50 × 106 sperm per straw. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS software (version 9.3), and p ≤ .05 was considered significant. A time effect was observed for all sperm characteristics (p < .05), except for chromatin fragmentation (p > .05). The presence of seminal plasma better preserved the acrosomal integrity (SP = 75.2% and NSP = 71.7%; p < .05) and also provided lower F‐actin remodelling during cryopreservation process (SP = 29.9% and NSP = 32.4%; p < .05). Regarding to the cryopreservation stages, it was observed that cooling step induced higher remodelling of F‐actin than the equilibrium and freezing/thawing stages (56.3%, 32.2% and 23.9%, respectively; p < .05). The equilibrium step had minor influence on overall sperm characteristics while the freezing/thawing stage was responsible for the highest percentage of damage in plasma membrane (−65.2%), acrosomal membrane (−34.0%) and mitochondrial potential (−48.1%). On the other hand, none of the cryopreservation stages affected chromatin integrity. It was concluded that the presence of seminal plasma provides increased acrosomal integrity and reduced remodelling of F‐actin cytoskeleton. Higher F‐actin remodelling is observed after the cooling step while the freezing/thawing step is most damaging to sperm membranes and mitochondrial potential during bovine sperm cryopreservation.
Restoration benefits of soil nutrient manipulation and weeding in invaded dry and wet tropical ecosystems in Hawaiʻi
Authors: Cole Rebecca J. , Soper Fiona M. , Litton Creighton M. , Knauf Amanda E. , Sparks Kimberlee , Gerow Kenneth G. , Giardina Christian P. , Sparks Jed P. 
Published: March 2021

Reducing soil nutrient availability has been proposed as a strategy to favor native vs. non‐native invasive plant species and represents a potential alternative to traditional manual removal or chemical control methods. We implemented a field experiment in invaded dry and wet montane Hawaiian ecosystems to test responses of soil and dominant plant species to three soil nutrient treatments (Control = no nutrient manipulation; Carbon = C substrate added to reduce nutrients; Fertilizer = fertilizer added to increase nutrients) and two non‐native plant treatments (Weeds removed; Weeds present) in a fully factorial experiment in each ecosystem over 18 months. Carbon amendments reduced soil inorganic nutrient availability by 60–70% in dry shrubland and 30–50% in wet forest. Fertilizer amendments increased soil inorganic nutrient availability by >20‐fold. Altered nutrient availability did not impact gross mineralization or nitrification rates in either ecosystem. In dry shrubland, neither C amendments nor weed removal altered growth or reproduction, but fertilizer increased woody growth and forb/grass reproduction in both natives and non‐natives. In wet forest, weed removal but not C amendments increased growth and survival of native woody seedlings, while fertilizer decreased native seedling survival and increased non‐native woody seedling growth. Overall, growth and reproduction of native and non‐natives responded similarly to altered nutrient availability, indicating that for the tropical ecosystems and species examined, manipulating nutrient availability does not favor native versus non‐native invasive plants in the first 18 months. In contrast, weed removal had positive effects on native plant growth, likely mediated through changes in other resources.
The Validity of Women's Reports of Family Planning Service Quality in Cambodia and Kenya
Authors: Blanc Ann K. , McCarthy Katharine J. , Warren Charlotte , Bajracharya Ashish , Bellows Benjamin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPopulation‐based indicators of the coverage of key elements of high‐quality family planning services are tracked via household surveys with female respondents, yet little work has been done to establish their validity. We take advantage of existing data sets from Cambodia and Kenya to compare women's responses at exit interviews following a health facility visit against the observations of a trained third‐party observer during the visit. The results, which treat the observations as the reference standard, show that indicators that measure contraceptive methods received are accurately reported while indicators of whether the woman received her preferred method and whether information was “discussed” or “explained” during counseling are less reliably reported. Studies designed explicitly to assess the validity of family planning questions in household surveys, especially questions in large survey programs critical for monitoring demographic trends and programmatic coverage, are needed.
The psychometric properties and norm data of the Norwegian military personality inventory (NMPI)
Authors: Nordmo Morten , Skoglund Tom H. , Lang‐ree Ole C. , Austad Sara K. , Martinussen Monica 
Published: March 2021

The five‐factor structure is a well‐established model for personality. The five traits covary with job‐performance and work‐relevant outcomes. The practical administration of existing big‐five measurement scales is, however, somewhat limited, in a Norwegian setting, as existing scales are impractically large or have unknown psychometric properties. Because of this, a new brief Norwegian personality assessment tool has been developed by the Norwegian Armed Forces. This study aims to uncover the psychometric properties of the 50‐item Norwegian military personality inventory (NMPI‐50) and establish norm data for practical use. The inventory was administered to the 2002 cohort of Norwegian 17‐year olds (N = 54,355), and analyzed with factor analysis, graded response models and tests of gender invariance. The five scales of the NMPI‐50 showed satisfactory internal consistency, yielded high information across a broad range of the five traits, and conformed to a bi‐factor structure with one general factor and five specific factors. The general factor was positively associated with motivation for military service, indicating some measurement bias. The openness scale is less clearly psychometrically defined, compared to the other scales, and both extroversion and openness show some evidence of multidimensionality. The scales also showed scalar invariance between genders except for the openness scale. Overall, the results support the use of NMPI‐50 in personnel assessment and research.