bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does cattle and sheep grazing under best management significantly elevate sediment losses? Evidence from the North Wyke Farm Platform, UK
Authors: Pulley S. , Cardenas L. M. , Grau P. , Mullan S. , Rivero M. J. , Collins A. L. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Intensive livestock grazing has been associated with an increased risk of soil erosion and concomitant negative impacts on the ecological status of watercourses. Whilst various mitigation options are promoted for reducing livestock impacts, there is a paucity of data on the relationship between stocking rates and quantified sediment losses. This evidence gap means there is uncertainty regarding the cost–benefit of policy preferred best management.

Methods
Sediment yields from 15 hydrologically isolated field scale catchments on a heavily instrumented ruminant livestock farm in the south west UK were investigated over ~ 26 months spread across 6 years. Sediment yields were compared to cattle and sheep stocking rates on long-term, winter (November–April), and monthly timescales. The impacts of livestock on soil vegetation cover and bulk density were also examined. Cattle were tracked using GPS collars to determine how grazing related to soil damage.

Results
No observable impact of livestock stocking rates of 0.15–1.00 UK livestock units (LU) ha−1 for sheep, and 0–0.77 LU ha−1 for cattle on sediment yields was observed at any of the three timescales. Cattle preferentially spent time close to specific fences where soils were visually damaged. However, there was no indication that livestock have a significant effect on soil bulk density on a field scale. Livestock were housed indoors during winters when most rainfall occurs, and best management practices were used which when combined with low erodibility clayey soils likely limited sediment losses.

Conclusion
A combination of clayey soils and soil trampling in only a small proportion of the field areas lead to little impact from grazing livestock. Within similar landscapes with best practice livestock grazing management, additional targeted measures to reduce erosion are unlikely to yield a significant cost-benefit.
Curcumin suppresses LGR5(+) colorectal cancer stem cells by inducing autophagy and via repressing TFAP2A-mediated ECM pathway
Authors: Mao Xiaohong , Zhang Xin , Zheng Xiaowei , Chen Yongwu , Xuan Zixue , Huang Ping 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Colorectal cancer stem cells (CSCs) have the potential for self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation. And LGR5 is a stem cell marker gene of colorectal cancer. Curcumin can suppress oncogenicity of many cancer cells, yet the effect and mechanism of curcumin in LGR5(+) colorectal cancer stem cells (CSCs) have not been studied. In this study, we studied the effect of curcumin on LGR5(+) colorectal CSCs using the experiments of tumorsphere formation, cell viability and cell apoptosis. Then autophagy analysis, RNA-Seq, and real-time PCR were used to identify the mechanism responsible for the inhibition of LGR5(+) colorectal CSCs. Our results showed that curcumin inhibited tumorsphere formation, decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, and also promoted apoptosis of LGR5(+) colorectal CSCs. Next, we found curcumin induced autophagy of LGR5(+) colorectal CSCs. When LGR5(+) colorectal CSCs were co-treated with curcumin and the autophagy inhibitor (hydroxychloroquine), curcumin-induced cell proliferation inhibition decreased. In addition, we also found that curcumin inhibited the extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction pathway via the downregulation of the following genes: GP1BB, COL9A3, COMP, AGRN, ITGB4, LAMA5, COL2A1, ITGB6, ITGA1, and TNC. Further, these genes were transcriptionally regulated by TFAP2A, and the high expression of TFAP2A was associated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer. In conclusion, curcumin suppressed LGR5(+) colorectal CSCs, potentially by inducing autophagy and repressing the oncogenic TFAP2A-mediated ECM pathway.

Graphic abstract
Citizen Science Fiction: The Potential of Situated Speculative Prototyping for Public Engagement on Emerging Technologies
Authors: Schuijer Jantien W. , Broerse Jacqueline E. W. , Kupper Frank 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn response to calls for a research and innovation system that is more open to public scrutiny, we have seen a growth of formal and informal public engagement activities in the past decades. Nevertheless, critiques of several persistent routines in public engagement continue to resurface, in particular the focus on expert knowledge, cognitive exchange, risk discourse, and understandings of public opinion as being static. In an attempt to break out of these routines, we experimented with an innovative engagement format that employs situated speculative prototyping to support citizens in contextualizing and discussing developments regarding—in this case—nanotechnology. This format invites participants to imagine and critically reflect on technological futures through collaborative prototyping and story-writing. In this paper, we outline five reconstructed contextualization patterns in which participants engaged during the format’s exercises and use these to assess the value of the format in the current engagement landscape. We show that situated speculative prototyping has potential in the realm of informal public engagement initiatives, taking an explorative approach, but also warn of ‘the designer fallacy’ as a prominent pitfall of prototyping that could reproduce techno-scientific framings and obstruct critical reflection on technological directions and implications if not treated with caution.
Is It Possible to Predict Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery?—External Validation of Predictive Models
Authors: Karpińska Izabela A. , Kulawik Jan , Pisarska-Adamczyk Magdalena , Wysocki Michał , Pędziwiatr Michał , Major Piotr 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Bariatric surgery is the most effective obesity treatment. Weight loss varies among patients, and not everyone achieves desired outcome. Identification of predictive factors for weight loss after bariatric surgery resulted in several prediction tools proposed. We aimed to validate the performance of available prediction models for weight reduction 1 year after surgical treatment.

Materials and Methods
The retrospective analysis included patients after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) who completed 1-year follow-up. Postoperative body mass index (BMI) predicted by 12 models was calculated for each patient. The correlation between predicted and observed BMI was assessed using linear regression. Accuracy was evaluated by squared Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R2). Goodness-of-fit was assessed by standard error of estimate (SE) and paired sample t test between estimated and observed BMI.

Results
Out of 760 patients enrolled, 509 (67.00%) were women with median age 42 years. Of patients, 65.92% underwent SG and 34.08% had RYGB. Median BMI decreased from 45.19 to 32.53kg/m2 after 1 year. EWL amounted to 62.97%. All models presented significant relationship between predicted and observed BMI in linear regression (correlation coefficient between 0.29 and 1.22). The best predictive model explained 24% variation of weight reduction (adjusted R2=0.24). Majority of models overestimated outcome with SE 5.03 to 5.13kg/m2.

Conclusion
Although predicted BMI had reasonable correlation with observed values, none of evaluated models presented acceptable accuracy. All models tend to overestimate the outcome. Accurate tool for weight loss prediction should be developed to enhance patient’s assessment.

Graphical abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular events in atrial fibrillation. A prospective multicenter cohort study
Authors: Pastori Daniele , Sciacqua Angela , Marcucci Rossella , Del Ben Maria , Baratta Francesco , Violi Francesco , Pignatelli Pasquale ,   the ATHERO-AF study group, Saliola Mirella , Menichelli Danilo , Casciaro Marco Antonio , Angelico Francesco , Cammisotto Vittoria , Nocella Cristina , Bartimoccia Simona , Carnevale Roberto , Novelli Laura 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWhether non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events (CVEs) independently from metabolic syndrome (MetS) is still matter of debate. Aim of the study was to investigate the risk of CVEs in a high-risk population of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) according to the presence of MetS and NAFLD. Prospective observational multicenter study including 1,735 patients with non-valvular AF treated with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). NAFLD was defined by a fatty liver index ≥ 60. We categorized patients in 4 groups: 0 = neither MetS or NAFLD (38.6%), 1 = NAFLD alone (12.4%), 2 = MetS alone (19.3%), 3 = both MetS and NAFLD (29.7%). Primary endpoint was a composite of CVEs. Mean age was 75.4 ± 9.4 years, and 41.4% of patients were women. During a mean follow-up of 34.1 ± 22.8 months (4,926.8 patient-years), 155 CVEs were recorded (incidence rate of 3.1%/year): 55 occurred in Group 0 (2.92%/year), 12 in Group 1 (2.17%/year), 45 in Group 2 (4.58%/year) and 43 in Group 3 (2.85%/year). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that use of DOACs, and female sex were inversely associated with CVEs, whilst age, heart failure, previous cardiac and cerebrovascular events, and group 2 (Group 2, Hazard Ratio 1.517, 95% Confidence Interval, 1.010–2.280) were directly associated with CVEs. In patients with AF, MetS increases the risk of CVEs. Patients with NAFLD alone have lower cardiovascular risk but may experience higher liver-related complications.
Diagnosis and management of leukocytoclastic vasculitis
Authors: Fraticelli Paolo , Benfaremo Devis , Gabrielli Armando 
Published: March 2021

AbstractLeukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a histopathologic description of a common form of small vessel vasculitis (SVV), that can be found in various types of vasculitis affecting the skin and internal organs. The leading clinical presentation of LCV is palpable purpura and the diagnosis relies on histopathological examination, in which the inflammatory infiltrate is composed of neutrophils with fibrinoid necrosis and disintegration of nuclei into fragments (“leukocytoclasia”). Several medications can cause LCV, as well as infections, or malignancy. Among systemic diseases, the most frequently associated with LCV are ANCA-associated vasculitides, connective tissue diseases, cryoglobulinemic vasculitis, IgA vasculitis (formerly known as Henoch–Schonlein purpura) and hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis (HUV). When LCV is suspected, an extensive workout is usually necessary to determine whether the process is skin-limited, or expression of a systemic vasculitis or disease. A comprehensive history and detailed physical examination must be performed; platelet count, renal function and urinalysis, serological tests for hepatitis B and C viruses, autoantibodies (anti-nuclear antibodies and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies), complement fractions and IgA staining in biopsy specimens are part of the usual workout of LCV. The treatment is mainly focused on symptom management, based on rest (avoiding standing or walking), low dose corticosteroids, colchicine or different unproven therapies, if skin-limited. When a medication is the cause, the prognosis is favorable and the discontinuation of the culprit drug is usually resolutive. Conversely, when a systemic vasculitis is the cause of LCV, higher doses of corticosteroids or immunosuppressive agents are required, according to the severity of organ involvement and the underlying associated disease.
Multiple small tumor formation on both surfaces of the aortic valve cusps in Epstein–Barr virus-associated T/NK-cell lymphoproliferative disease: a case report
Authors: Tai Ryuta , Irie Hiroyuki , Kinugasa Yusuke , Teshima Hideki , Ikebuchi Masahiko , Kaneko Keiko , Miyazaki Nobuhiro , Enzan Hideaki , Yoshino Tadashi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractA 41-year-old woman presented acute cerebral infarction. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed multiple masses only on both surfaces of the aortic valve cusps. There was no primary lesion outside the heart according to various examinations. After treatment for cerebral infarction, we replaced the aortic valve instead of preservation because the intraoperative histological examination reported that malignancy was highly suspected. Contrary to the rapid frozen section diagnosis, histological and immunohistochemical examinations failed to exhibit malignancy. The tumors were composed of atypical large lymphoid cells and they were assessed to be related to T-/natural killer-cells. Furthermore, Epstein–Barr virus related markers were also positive. Her three-year postoperative course was uneventful without chemotherapy. We report an extremely rare case of Epstein–Barr virus-associated T-/natural killer-cell lymphoproliferative disease which formed multiple small tumors on both surfaces of the aortic valve.
Archaeology, Participatory Democracy and Social Justice in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Authors: Rankin Lisa , Gaulton Barry 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMemorial University, located in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, was created in 1925 to help build a better future for the people of Canada’s easternmost province, whose largely rural fishing communities were rapidly transforming through industrialization and urbanization. Mandated by a “special obligation to the people of the province,” university archaeologists embraced applied, community-based projects which encouraged local solutions to the social and economic issues arising from the transformation to modernity. Today, community archaeology remains integral to our research program and the majority of our research is undertaken in partnership with rural and Indigenous populations who continue to be marginalized both geographically and economically. Two case studies describe how archaeological resources are being used to promote economic and social justice, as well as reconciliation, and how archaeology has the potential to make valuable local contributions that change lives in the present.
From Exploration to Re-Enactment: Instructional Uses of a Desktop Virtual Environment for Training Nuclear Plant Field Operators
Authors: Drakos Artémis , Flandin Simon , Filippi Geneviève , Palaci François , Veyrunes Philippe , Poizat Germain 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDespite the growing use of virtual environments for training in complex industrial settings, we have little understanding of how these innovative settings transform training and trainers everyday work. This study investigates the instructional use of an industrial building’s virtual environment by expert trainers during a training session for nuclear power plant field operators. Drawing from the course-of-action theoretical and methodological framework, field notes, continuous video-recording of the training sessions and verbalisations during post-training self-confrontation interviews with the trainers were collected and analysed. The results point out four typical instructional uses of the virtual environment in authentic settings: (a) showing the material elements and spatial layout of certain areas of the reactor building, (b) displaying safe and typical paths through the building, (c) explaining functional aspects to help trainees develop an operating model of the nuclear building, and (d) sharing salient experience through real-life anecdotes. These typical uses and their related learning dimensions are anchored in the re-enactments of expert trainer’s embodied past events. The discussion develops the counterintuitive idea that from an instructional point of view, the intensified immersion of trainers afforded by the virtual environment seems less influential than emerging practice-based learning experiences. We conclude with new possibilities for improving learning through and for work thanks to re-enactment of expert trainers’ past work practices.
Assimilation of D-InSAR snow depth data by an ensemble Kalman filter
Authors: Yang Jinming , Li Chengzhi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSnow depth mirrors regional climate change and is a vital parameter for medium- and long-term numerical climate prediction, numerical simulation of land-surface hydrological process, and water resource assessment. However, the quality of the available snow depth products retrieved from remote sensing is inevitably affected by cloud and mountain shadow, and the spatiotemporal resolution of the snow depth data cannot meet the need of hydrological research and decision-making assistance. Therefore, a method to enhance the accuracy of snow depth data is urgently required. In the present study, three kinds of snow depth data which included the D-InSAR data retrieved from the remote sensing images of Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar, the automatically measured data using ultrasonic snow depth detectors, and the manually measured data were assimilated based on ensemble Kalman filter. The assimilated snow depth data were spatiotemporally consecutive and integrated. Under the constraint of the measured data, the accuracy of the assimilated snow depth data was higher and met the need of subsequent research. The development of ultrasonic snow depth detector and the application of D-InSAR technology in snow depth inversion had greatly alleviated the insufficiency of snow depth data in types and quantity. At the same time, the assimilation of multi-source snow depth data by ensemble Kalman filter also provides high-precision data to support remote sensing hydrological research, water resource assessment, and snow disaster prevention and control program.
Two-season agriculture and irrigated rice during the Dian: radiocarbon dates and archaeobotanical remains from Dayingzhuang, Yunnan, Southwest China
Authors: Dal Martello Rita , Li Xiaorui , Fuller Dorian Q. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHistorical sources describe irrigation and intensive agriculture being practiced in lowland Yunnan from at least the first century AD, but so far archaeobotanical remains allowing investigation of this issue have been scarce. Here, we present new archaeobotanical evidence, including macro-botanical and phytoliths results, from the Dian settlement site of Dayingzhuang, with direct AMS radiocarbon dates on two wheat grains falling between 750 and 390 BC. We compare these results with contemporary Dian sites and analyse the agricultural systems in Central Yunnan between the eight and fourth centuries BC. We propose that agriculture was intensified toward the end of the Dian through both multiple cropping seasons and increased evidence for irrigated rice fields.
Optimizing the innovation and development process of medical devices - a study based on angiographic equipment
Authors: Busch Erik , Strobel Norbert , Nobach Kai , Bulitta Clemens , Hirshfeld John W. , Wu Lin , de Abreu Marcel Gama 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death. The gold standard for their diagnosis and treatment are angiographic procedures, which require specialized equipment. The speed of their continued development is important as better technology enables progress in clinical outcomes. This article proposes a new process model for the innovation and development and shows how to optimize it such that it takes minimal time. The conducted literature research identifies this closed loop process model as being unique in comparison to the well-established models proposed by Brockhoff, Cooper, Crawford, Durfee, Ebert, Eppinger, Hughes, Pleschak, Thom, Ulrich, Vahs and Witt. During a long-term observation of the innovation and development process of angiographic systems 672 data sets on 302 topics were collected over 47 months to validate this process model. The data collected is equivalent to efforts worth 30 man-years. This input was used to calculate key process parameters, analyse key process roles, evaluate the use of problem-solving methods and identify key technologies. We recommend to apply a continuous loop process in the context of innovation and development of medical devices. In the analysed datasets a potential of an up to 20% shorter process time was identified. Our results can be used for an Activity Based Costing Approach or be applied to bring new or upgraded angiography systems faster to market benefitting patient outcome due to improved diagnosis and treatment. According to the best knowledge of the authors no comparable data collection relating to angiography systems has been performed and presented anywhere else yet.
Probiotic Properties of Alcaligenes faecalis Isolated from Argyrosomus regius in Experimental Peritonitis (Rat Model)
Authors: Gutiérrez-Falcón A. I. , Ramos-Nuez A. M. , de los Monteros y Zayas A. Espinosa , Castillo D. F. Padilla , García-Laorden M. Isabel , Chamizo-López F. J. , Real Valcárcel F. , Campelo F. Artilles , Benítez A. Bordes , Salgueiro P. Nogueira , Cabrera C. Domínguez , Rivero-Vera J. C. , González-Martín J. M. , Caballero J. Martín , Frías-Beneyto R. , Villar Jesús , Martín-Barrasa J. L. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractA strain ofAlcaligenes faecalisA12C (A. faecalisA12C) isolated fromArgyrosomus regiusis a probiotic in fish. Previous experiments showed thatA. faecalisA12C had inhibitory effects on the growth of multidrug-resistant bacteria. We aimed to confirm whetherA. faecalisA12C is safe and has adequate intestinal colonization in experimental rats, and evaluate its efficacy in an animal model of peritonitis.We used 30 male rats, randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 5): three groups (HA7, HA15, HA30) receivedA. faecalisA12C in drinking water (6 × 108 CFU/mL) for 7 days, and three control groups received drinking water only. All groups were evaluated at 7, 15, and 30 days. Survival afterA. faecalisA12C administration was 100% in all groups. Mild eosinophilia (1.5%,p < 0.01) and increased aspartate aminotransferase (86 IU/L,p < 0.05) were observed in HA7, followed by progressive normalization. No histological signs of organ injury were found. We observed significantE. colidecline in faeces, parallel to an increase inA. faecalisA12C at 7 days.E. colihad a tendency to recover initial values, whileA. faecalisA12C disappeared from the intestinal microbiota at 30 days. To evaluate its efficacy against peritonitis, we studied two additional groups of animals: IA group pretreated withA. faecalisA12C beforeE. coliintra-abdominal inoculation, and IC group inoculated with noA. faecalisA12C. We found an increase in C-reactive protein, alanine aminotransferase, urea, and eosinophils in IC animals when compared with IA. Peritonitis was more evident in IC than in IA animals. Our findings suggest thatA. faecalisA12C altered clinically relevant parameters in sepsis and was associated with a lesser spread of infection.