bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cautery‐assisted palatal stiffening operation for obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Llewellyn Charles M. , Noller Michael W. , Camacho Macario 
Published: September 2018

ObjectiveTo systematically review outcomes for cautery‐assisted palatal stiffening operation (CAPSO) as a treatment for adult obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).MethodsFive databases (including PubMed/MEDLINE) were searched through July 12, 2017.ResultsEight studies (307 patients) met criteria. Overall, CAPSO alone (80 patients) improved AHI from a mean ± standard deviation (M ± SD) of (16.8 ± 11.9) to (9.9 ± 10.9) events/h (41.1% decrease). Mixed CAPSO with/without tonsillectomy (92 patients) improved AHI from a M ± SD of (24.8 ± 12.6) to (10.6 ± 9.5) events/h (61.7% decrease). CAPSO with expansion pharyngoplasty (EP), (78 patients) improved AHI from a M ± SD of (26.3 ± 17.7) to (12.6 ± 5.8) events/h (52.1% decrease). CAPSO alone (90 patients) improved lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT) by 5.4 points. Mixed CAPSO with/without tonsillectomy (77 patients) improved LSAT by 10.6 points, and CAPSO with EP (78 patients) improved LSAT by 5.2 points. Sleepiness improved (182 patients) from an Epworth Sleepiness Scale score of 11.8 to 5.1, P < 0.001. Snoring reduced (120 patients) from 7.9 to 2.5 on visual analog scales (0–10 scale), P < 0.001.ConclusionsApnea‐hypopnea index has improved by 41.0% for CAPSO alone, 61.7% for CAPSO with tonsillectomy and 52.1% for CAPSO with expansion pharyngoplasty. Additionally, lowest oxygen saturation, sleepiness and snoring have also improved after CAPSO.
Adaptive aerial ecosystem framework to support tactical conflict resolution
Authors: Radanovic M. , Piera M.A. , Koca T. 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTTo support a seamless transition between safety net layers in air traffic management, this article examines an extra capacity in the generation of the resolution trajectories, conditioned by future high dense, complex surrounding air traffic scenarios. The aerial ecosystem framework consists of a set of aircraft services inside a digitalised airspace volume, in which amended trajectories could induce a set of safety events such as an induced collision. Those aircraft services strive to the formation of a cost-efficient airborne separation management by exploring the preferred resolutions and actively interacting with each other. This study focuses on the dynamic analysis of a decreasing rate in the number of available resolutions, as well as the ecosystem deadlock event from the identified spatiotemporal interdependencies among the ecosystem aircraft at the separation management level. A deadlock event is characterised by a time instant at which an induced collision could emerge as an effect of an ecosystem aircraft trajectory amendment. Through simulations of two generated ecosystems, extracted from a real traffic scenario, the paper illustrates the relevant properties inside the structure of the ecosystem interdependencies, demonstrates and discusses an available time capacity for the resolution process of the aerial ecosystem.
Holocene Precipitation Records from Inner Mongolia Derived from Hydrogen Isotope Compositions of Sediment Fatty Acids
Authors: Chen Qingmin , Zhou Weijian , Wang Zhe , Xian Feng , Burr George S 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTThe Inner Mongolian Plateau lies along the northern limit reached by the East Asian summer monsoon. This geographic setting makes it especially sensitive to environmental change and an excellent site for understanding Quaternary East Asian monsoon variability. In this study we present new results of hydrogen isotopic compositions of fatty acids extracted from sediments, which were used to construct Holocene paleoprecipitation (or moisture) changes in Northern China. The hydrogen isotopic composition (D/H ratio) of n-acids in the sedimentary sequence of the Duoerji peat, Inner Mongolia, was determined with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Changes in the precipitation from middle Inner Mongolia are recorded by the D/H ratio of n-C20, n-C22, n-C24, n-C26, n-C28 acids (δD). From 10–9 ka, the relatively high δD values indicate reduced precipitation in the Early Holocene. Subsequently, increased precipitation is reflected by reduced δD values from 9–5.5 ka. After 5.5 ka, gradually increasing δD values record an overall decrease in precipitation. The precipitation trends established for the Duoerji sequence are consistent with other major paleoclimate proxies in the East Asian monsoon region, especially with a distinct Holocene optimum of increased monsoonal activity from 9–5.5 ka. The δD resulting paleo-precipitation record clearly shows that the Holocene climate in Northern China is basically controlled by the insolation changes.
Sea level implications from Late Quaternary/Holocene paleosols from the Oujiang Delta, China
Authors: Fan Daidu , Shang Shuai , Burr George 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTWe describe two coastal paleosols recovered in sediment cores from the Oujiang Delta, Southeast China. These provide useful benchmarks for past sea level change on the East China Sea coast. Radiocarbon (14C) dates on charcoal and plant matter show that one formed during Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3) and was exposed for perhaps 20 ka, during the Last Glacial Maximum. The other formed in the Early Holocene and was briefly exposed, during a period of fluctuating sea level. Similar paleosols have been described from the Changjiang (Yangtze) Delta, and at many other sites from the East China Sea. The MIS 3 paleosol records a regional relative sea level of about –27 m at the end of MIS 3. While this value is consistent with other paleo sea level estimates for the East China Sea region, it is much higher than predicted by eustatic sea level estimates.
Pre-sleep protein in casein supplement or whole-food form has no impact on resting energy expenditure or hunger in women
Authors: Leyh Samantha M. , Willingham Brandon D. , Baur Daniel A. , Panton Lynn B. , Ormsbee Michael J. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a whole-food protein (cottage cheese, CC) consumed before sleep on next-morning resting energy expenditure (REE), RER and appetite compared with an isoenergetic/isonitrogenous casein protein (CP) supplement and placebo (PL) in active women. In a beverage-blinded, randomised, cross-over design, ten active women (age, 23·1 (sd 1·9) years; body fat, 22·0 (sd 4·6) %) consumed pre-sleep CC (30 g of protein, 10 g of carbohydrate and 0 g of fat) or energy- and protein-matched liquid CP or PL (0 kJ). Participants arrived at 18.00 hours for an overnight stay in the laboratory. At 30–60 min before normal bed time (2 h post standard meal), participants consumed CC, CP or PL before measurement of REE. Upon waking (05.00–08.00 hours), REE was repeated and subjective appetite was recorded. Statistical analyses were conducted using repeated-measures ANOVA (SPSS). Significance was accepted at P≤0·05. There were no significant differences in acute REE (CC, 7217 (sd 1368); CP, 7188 (SD 895); PL, 7075 (sd 1108) kJ/d, P=0·95), acute RER (0·79 (sd 0·05), P=0·56), morning REE (CC, 5840 (sd 1225); CP, 5694 (sd 732); PL, 5991 (sd 903) kJ/d, P=0·79) or morning RER (0·77 (sd 0·03), P=0·52). Subjective measures of appetite were not different between groups. In active women, pre-sleep consumption of CC does not alter REE or RER more than a CP or PL beverage. These data suggest that the metabolic response from whole-food protein do not differ from the metabolic response of liquid protein.
Low Growth Equational Complexity
Authors: Jackson Marcel 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe equational complexity function$\beta \nu \,:\,{\open N} \to {\open N}$of an equational class of algebrasbounds the size of equation required to determine the membership ofn-element algebras in. Known examples of finitely generated varietieswith unbounded equational complexity have growth in Ω(nc), usually forc≥ (1/2). We show that much slower growth is possible, exhibiting$O(\log_{2}^{3}(n))$growth among varieties of semilattice-ordered inverse semigroups and additive idempotent semirings. We also examine a quasivariety analogue of equational complexity, and show that a finite group has polylogarithmic quasi-equational complexity function, bounded if and only if all Sylow subgroups are abelian.
Determining multi-species site use outside the protected areas of the Maasai Mara, Kenya, using false positive site-occupancy modelling
Authors: Madsen Emily K. , Broekhuis Femke 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAlthough protected areas are the basis for many conservation efforts they are rarely of an adequate size for the long-term survival of populations of large, wide-roaming mammals. In the Maasai Mara, Kenya, communally owned wildlife conservancies have been developed to expand the area available for wildlife. As these continue to develop it is important to ensure that the areas chosen are beneficial to wildlife. Using presence data for cheetahsAcinonyx jubatus, elephantsLoxodonta africana, spotted hyaenasCrocuta crocuta, leopardsPanthera pardus, lionsPanthera leoand wild dogsLycaon pictus, collected through interviews with 648 people living outside protected areas, we identify key wildlife areas using false positive site-occupancy modelling. The probabilities of site use were first determined per species based on habitat, distance to protected area, human presence and rivers, and these probabilities were then combined to create a map to highlight key wildlife areas. All species, except hyaenas, preferred sites closer to the protected areas but site use varied by species depending on habitat type. All six species avoided human presence. Leopards, elephants, lions and wild dogs preferred sites closer to rivers. The resulting combined map highlights areas that could potentially benefit from conservation efforts, including the expansion of wildlife areas, and areas where human development, such as a newly tarmacked road, could have an impact on wildlife.
PREFERENCES OF PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS FOR ATTRIBUTES OF INJECTABLE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS TREATMENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND FRANCE
Authors: Poulos Christine , Kinter Elizabeth , van Beek Johan , Christensen Katrine , Posner Joshua 
Published: September 2018

Objectives:Adherence to injectable disease-modifying treatments in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) impacts outcomes and can be influenced by perceptions of treatment efficacy, side effects, injection frequency, and the duration of injection. This study aimed to quantify preferences for selected attributes of injectable treatments among individuals with MS in the United Kingdom and France.Methods:Respondents with a self-reported diagnosis of MS completed an online discrete-choice-experiment survey, consisting of a series of treatment-choice questions. Each choice question presented two hypothetical treatments, each with six attributes (years until disability progression, relapses in the next 4 years, injection time, injection frequency, flu-like symptoms (FLS), and injection-site reactions), each with various levels. Mixed-logit regression analysis was used to estimate preference weights for attribute levels and to calculate the relative importance of changes in treatment attributes (vertical distance between preference weights). Minimum acceptable efficacy estimates indicate improvement in efficacy that respondents would require in exchange for worsening injection frequency and FLS.Results:In both countries, 100 respondents completed the survey. In the United Kingdom and France, respectively, improving the time until disability progression from 2 to 4 years, reducing injection frequency from “daily” to “every 2 weeks”, and reducing FLS from 3 days after every injection to none had a relative importance of 2.9 and 2.6, 3.0 and 3.5, and 2.5 and 3.1. Given the ranges included in the study, changes in these attributes were more important than most changes in other attributes assessed.Conclusions:Reductions in the injection frequency of MS treatments and FLS can be as important to patients as improvements in treatment efficacy.
Homotypic and heterotypic continuity of internalizing and externalizing symptoms from ages 3 to 12: The moderating role of diurnal cortisol
Authors: Frost Allison , Kessel Ellen , Black Sarah , Goldstein Brandon , Bernard Kristin , Klein Daniel N. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPsychological symptoms that arise in early childhood can follow a multitude of patterns into adolescence, including homotypic continuity (i.e., similar symptoms over time) and heterotypic continuity (i.e., a shift in symptoms over time). However, we know very little about the factors that distinguish homotypic vs. heterotypic continuity of early internalizing and externalizing symptoms over development. In a separate line of research, diurnal cortisol has been shown to predict later internalizing and externalizing problems. In the current study, we tested whether diurnal cortisol patterns moderated the course of internalizing and externalizing symptoms from preschool to early adolescence. 554 children (54% male) and parents participated in a longitudinal study. Parents reported on their children’s internalizing and externalizing symptoms at ages 3 and 12, and children collected diurnal saliva samples at age 9. Results showed that asteepercortisol decline at age 9 combined with high internalizing or externalizing problems at age 3 predicted higher internalizing problems at age 12. A morebluntedcortisol decline combined with early internalizing or externalizing problems predicted higher externalizing problems in early adolescence. These results illustrate the moderating role of stress system functioning in homotypic and heterotypic patterns of psychopathology from preschool to early adolescence.
Poisoning causing the decline in South-East Asia’s largest vulture population
Authors: LOVERIDGE ROBIN , RYAN GERARD EDWARD , SUM PHEARUN , GRAY-READ OLIVER , MAHOOD SIMON P. , MOULD ALISTAIR , HARRISON STEFAN , CROUTHERS RACHEL , KO SOK , CLEMENTS TOM , EAMES JONATHAN C. , PRUVOT MATHIEU 
Published: September 2018

SummaryCambodia supports populations of three Critically Endangered vulture species that are believed to have become isolated from the rest of the species’ global range. Until recently Cambodia’s vulture populations had remained stable. However a recent spike in the number of reports of the use of poisons in hunting practices suggests the need to re-evaluate the conservation situation in Cambodia. Population trend analysis showed that since 2010 populations of the White-rumped VultureGyps bengalensisand Red-headed VultureSarcogyps calvushave declined, while the Slender-billed VultureGyps tenuirostrismay also have started to decline since 2013. These trends are supported by evidence of reduced nesting success. A survey of veterinary drug availability revealed that diclofenac, the non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug responsible for vulture declines in South Asia was not available for sale in any of the 74 pharmacies surveyed. However, a poisoned Slender-billed Vulture tested positive for carbofuran in toxicology tests. This provides the first evidence of a vulture mortality resulting from carbofuran in Cambodia. The findings suggest the urgent need to tackle use of carbamate pesticides in hunting. Proposed conservation actions are: a) prevention of poisoning through national bans on harmful carbamate pesticides and diclofenac and education campaigns to reduce demand and use; b) training of personnel in priority protected areas in detection and response to poisoning incidents; c) maintenance of a safe and reliable food source through vulture restaurants to ensure short-term survival, and d) protection and restoration of large areas of deciduous dipterocarp forests to enable long-term species recovery.
Explicitly Accounting for the Role of Remote Oceans in Regional Climate Modeling of South America
Authors: Erfanian Amir , Wang Guiling 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe common practice in dynamic downscaling is to nest a higher‐resolution regional climate model (RCM) into a global model that resolves the large‐scale circulation. However, nested RCMs can develop distinct large‐scale features that substantially diverge from those of the driving model. This is especially problematic over regions such as South America (SA), where the climate features strong teleconnection with remote oceans. Here we propose to explicitly resolve the atmospheric processes underlying the teleconnection by expanding the RCM domain to include the influential oceans. Using the coupled RegCM4.3.4‐CLM4.5 model, RCM simulations designed under the new paradigm demonstrate a substantial improvement of model skills over those using the standard CORDEX SA domain. Analysis of the underlying physical mechanisms indicates that the RCM captures the large‐scale dynamics and climate teleconnections substantially better when it includes the influential oceans. The Big Brother experimental protocol is then used to identify sources of uncertainties and skills, and the results suggest that the nesting practice cannot effectively capture the impact of forcings and processes acting outside the RCM domain. This uncertainty introduces substantial systematic bias to RCM simulations yet is not sampled by existing coordinated regional modeling projects (e.g., CORDEX) due to the use of a single domain focusing over land. Explicitly including oceans within the domain substantially reduces the sensitivity of the SA model climate to domain size/location and promises great potential for RCM applicability in studying regional mechanisms and feedback processes of SA's hydroclimate.
Algorithm for Analysis of Power Grid Vulnerability to Geomagnetic Disturbances
Authors: Sokolova O. , Burgherr P. , Sakharov Ya. , Korovkin N. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractMultiple power system equipment damage from strong geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) can significantly disrupt power grid operation. This has happened twice: in 1989, in North America and the United Kingdom and, in 2003, in Scandinavia and South Africa. Modern bulk high‐voltage power grids were designed more than 60 years ago for achieving more economic benefits in power transfer. In turn, high‐voltage, and especially the lately designed ultrahigh‐voltage, grids are more vulnerable to GMD. It is anticipated that the demand of detailed study of power grid's vulnerability to GMD will expand with broader awareness of the negative effects. The common approach requires the knowledge of the data on geophysical parameters of the study region, which is not accessible to the specialists without relevant background. In this paper, an alternative algorithm for preliminary evaluation of power grid's robustness to GMD is proposed. It takes into account various critical factors and provides a useful tool for stakeholders to identify potentially weak power grids and develop mitigation procedures beforehand. The advantage is that this algorithm can be used by specialists who do not have a comprehensive understanding of the GMD effect on power grid operation.
Microbiota and skin defense peptides may facilitate coexistence of two sympatric Andean frog species with a lethal pathogen
Authors: Flechas Sandra V , Acosta-González Alejandro , Escobar Laura A , Kueneman Jordan G , Sánchez-Quitian Zilpa Adriana , Parra-Giraldo Claudia M , Rollins-Smith Louise A , Reinert Laura K , Vredenburg Vance T , Amézquita Adolfo , Woodhams Douglas C 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Management of hyper-virulent generalist pathogens is an emergent global challenge, yet for most disease systems we lack a basic understanding as to why some host species suffer mass mortalities, while others resist epizootics. We studied two sympatric species of frogs from the Colombian Andes, which coexist with the amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), to understand why some species did not succumb to the infection. We found high Bd prevalence in juveniles for both species, yet infection intensities remained low. We also found that bacterial community composition and host defense peptides are specific to amphibian life stages. We detected abundant Bd-inhibitory skin bacteria across life stages and Bd-inhibitory defense peptides post-metamorphosis in both species. Bd-inhibitory bacteria were proportionally more abundant in adults of both species than in earlier developmental stages. We tested for activity of peptides against the skin microbiota and found that in general peptides did not negatively affect bacterial growth and in some instances facilitated growth. Our results suggest that symbiotic bacteria and antimicrobial peptides may be co-selected for, and that together they contribute to the ability of Andean amphibian species to coexist with the global pandemic lineage of Bd.
Higher ambient synaptic glutamate at inhibitory versus excitatory neurons differentially impacts NMDA receptor activity
Authors: Yao Lulu , Grand Teddy , Hanson Jesse E. , Paoletti Pierre , Zhou Qiang 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSelective disruption of synaptic drive to inhibitory neurons could contribute to the pathophysiology of various brain disorders. We have previously identified a GluN2A-selective positive allosteric modulator, GNE-8324, that selectively enhances N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-mediated synaptic responses in inhibitory but not excitatory neurons. Here, we demonstrate that differences in NMDAR subunit composition do not underlie this selective potentiation. Rather, a higher ambient glutamate level in the synaptic cleft of excitatory synapses on inhibitory neurons is a key factor. We show that increasing expression of glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1) eliminates GNE-8324 potentiation in inhibitory neurons, while decreasing GLT-1 activity enables potentiation in excitatory neurons. Our results reveal an unsuspected difference between excitatory synapses onto different neuronal types, and a more prominent activation of synaptic NMDARs by ambient glutamate in inhibitory than excitatory neurons. This difference has implications for tonic NMDAR activity/signaling and the selective modulation of inhibitory neuron activity to treat brain disorders.
Metabolic profiling of metformin treatment for low-level Pb-induced nephrotoxicity in rat urine
Authors: Huang Yu-Shen , Wang Shwu-Huey , Chen Shih-Ming , Lee Jen-Ai 
Published: September 2018

AbstractChronic kidney disease is a worldwide problem, and Pb contamination is a potential risk factor. Since current biomarkers are not sensitive for the diagnosis of Pb-induced nephrotoxicity, novel biomarkers are needed. Metformin has both hypoglycaemic effects and reno-protection ability. However, its mechanism of action is unknown. We aimed to discover the early biomarkers for the diagnosis of low-level Pb-induced nephrotoxicity and understand the mechanism of reno-protection of metformin. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, Pb, Pb + ML, Pb + MH and MH groups. Pb (250 ppm) was given daily via drinking water. Metformin (50 or 100 mg/kg/d) was orally administered. Urine was analysed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics coupled with multivariate statistical analysis, and potential biomarkers were subsequently quantified. The results showed that Pb-induced nephrotoxicity was closely correlated with the elevation of 5-aminolevulinic acid, d-lactate and guanidinoacetic acid in urine. After co-treatment with metformin, 5-aminolevulinic acid and d-lactate were decreased. This is the first demonstration that urinary 5-aminolevulinic acid, d-lactate and guanidinoacetic acid could be early biomarkers of low-level Pb-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The reno-protection of metformin might be attributable to the reduction of d-lactate excretion.