bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age-friendliness of living environments from the older person’s viewpoint: development of the Age-Friendly Environment Assessment Tool
Authors: Garner Ian W , Holland Carol A 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
according to the World Health Organisation, the role of the environment for older adults is to maintain and facilitate independence and promote quality of life. However, measures that examine the environment in terms of its potential impact on older people are either oriented towards specific aspects of the environment, specifically designed for community-level assessment rather than individually oriented, or are unwieldy for everyday use.

Objectives
this article describes the development and validation of the Age-Friendly Environment Assessment Tool (AFEAT), assessing whether individual function and frailty impact on perceptions of environmental age-friendliness. The extent to which such perceptions may have moderate impacts of frailty on outcomes such as need for care support, quality of life and loneliness is examined.

Methods
a total of 132 participants aged 58–96 were recruited from retirement villages and local communities in the Midlands of the UK. Participants completed the AFEAT, and a series of measures designed to assess frailty and assessments of quality of life, loneliness and perceptions of functional limitations.

Results
internal reliability assessment indicated that the AFEAT possesses a Cronbach’s Alpha score of 0.745. The AFEAT significantly predicted quality of life and loneliness, accounting for 17.1% and 5.8% of variance respectively, indicating high concurrent and predictive validity. Furthermore, the AFEAT moderated the predictive strength of frailty in predicting the amount of formal care an individual receives, but not quality of life or loneliness.

Discussion
the AFEAT is a valid and reliable tool, and analyses highlight the need for an individual-oriented Age-Friendly environment tool.
Martinite: An Alternative to Asbestos Insulation Available Since the Nineteenth Century
Authors: Silvestri Stefano , Angelini Alessia 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The asbestos industry has always claimed that asbestos is a ‘magic mineral’, which is not replaceable. New findings, however, contradict this because asbestos-free alternatives, with excellent insulating properties, have been available since the end of the nineteenth century. The aim of this current research is to gather evidence of the potential of ‘Martinite’ to replace asbestos. We identified references to ‘Martinite’ in documents and brochures pertaining to insulation of ships, dating back as far as possible by acquiring recent interviews, utilizing records in public libraries and in archives, and conducting web searches. Martinite was produced by a small company called ‘Manifatture Martiny’, founded at the end of the nineteenth century in Turin, Italy. This company was specialized in insulation materials production, such as cork, rubber, foams, and even asbestos. In the early twentieth century, Martinite was utilized in warships of the Royal Italian Navy. During this time, it was patented in Italy and in many other industrialized nations. It was also utilized in construction of civilian power plants and was approved by the Architects Corporation in 1940. Furthermore, it was licenced in 1950 by the Italian National Naval Certification Body (UNAV) to be used on ships. We argue that had Martinite been properly advertised and distributed, it could have been used worldwide in place of asbestos for some applications, resulting in a lower incidence of serious and fatal diseases. The small scale of the company, compared to those of the asbestos multinationals, contributed to the lack of commercial development of the product.
Studying 3D genome evolution using genomic sequence
Authors: Mourad Raphaël 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Motivation
The three dimensions (3D) genome is essential to numerous key processes such as the regulation of gene expression and the replication-timing program. In vertebrates, chromatin looping is often mediated by CTCF, and marked by CTCF motif pairs in convergent orientation. Comparative high-throughput sequencing technique (Hi-C) recently revealed that chromatin looping evolves across species. However, Hi-C experiments are complex and costly, which currently limits their use for evolutionary studies over a large number of species.

Results
Here, we propose a novel approach to study the 3D genome evolution in vertebrates using the genomic sequence only, e.g. without the need for Hi-C data. The approach is simple and relies on comparing the distances between convergent and divergent CTCF motifs by computing a ratio we named the 3D ratio or ‘3DR’. We show that 3DR is a powerful statistic to detect CTCF looping encoded in the human genome sequence, thus reflecting strong evolutionary constraints encoded in DNA and associated with the 3D genome. When comparing vertebrate genomes, our results reveal that 3DR which underlies CTCF looping and topologically associating domain organization evolves over time and suggest that ancestral character reconstruction can be used to infer 3DR in ancestral genomes.

Availability and implementation
The R code is available at https://github.com/morphos30/PhyloCTCFLooping.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Dwarf geckos and giant rivers: the role of the São Francisco River in the evolution of Lygodactylus klugei (Squamata: Gekkonidae) in the semi-arid Caatinga of north-eastern Brazil
Authors: Lanna Flávia M , Gehara Marcelo , Werneck Fernanda P , Fonseca Emanuel M , Colli Guarino R , Sites Jack W , Rodrigues Miguel T , Garda Adrian A 
Published: October 2019

AbstractSpecies diversification can be strongly influenced by geomorphological features, such as mountains, valleys and rivers. Rivers can act as hard or soft barriers to gene flow depending on their size, speed of flow, historical dynamics and regional topographical characteristics. The São Francisco River (SFR) is the largest perennial river in the Caatinga biome in north-eastern Brazil and has been considered a barrier to gene flow and dispersal. Herein, we evaluated the role of the SFR on the evolution of Lygodactylus klugei, a small gecko from the Caatinga. Using a single-locus species delimitation method (generalized mixed Yule coalescent), we defined lineages (haploclades). Subsequently, we evaluated the role of the SFR in structuring genetic diversity in this species using a multilocus approach to quantify migration across margins. We also evaluated genetic structure based on nuclear markers, testing the number of populations found through an assignment test (STRUCTURE) across the species distribution. We recovered two mitochondrial lineages structured with respect to the SFR, but only a single population was inferred from nuclear markers. Given that we detected an influence of the SFR only on mitochondrial markers, we suggest that the current river course has acted as a relatively recent geographical barrier for L. klugei, for ~450 000 years.
Potential usefulness and clinical relevance of a novel left atrial filling index to estimate left ventricular filling pressures in patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Braunauer Kerstin , Düngen Hans-Dirk , Belyavskiy Evgeny , Aravind-Kumar Radhakrishnan , Frydas Athanasios , Kropf Martin , Huang Feiqiong , Marquez Esteban , Tadic Marijana , Osmanoglou Engin , Edelmann Frank , Tschöpe Carsten , Boldt Leif-Hendrik , Pieske Burkert , Pieske-Kraigher Elisabeth , Morris Daniel A 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Aims
The aim of this study was to examine the potential usefulness and clinical relevance of a novel left atrial (LA) filling index using 2D speckle-tracking transthoracic echocardiography to estimate left ventricular (LV) filling pressures in patients with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods and results
The LA filling index was calculated as the ratio of the mitral early-diastolic inflow peak velocity (E) over LA reservoir strain (i.e. E/LA strain ratio). This index showed a good diagnostic performance to determine elevated LV filling pressures in a test-cohort (n = 31) using invasive measurements of LV end-diastolic pressure (area under the curve 0.82, cut-off &gt; 3.27 = sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 78.9%), which was confirmed in a validation-cohort (patients with cardiovascular risk factors; n = 486) using the 2016 American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging criteria (cut-off &gt; 3.27 = sensitivity 88.1%, specificity 77.6%) and in a specificity-validation cohort (patients free of cardiovascular risk factors, n = 120; cut-off &gt; 3.27 = specificity 98.3%). Regarding the clinical relevance of the LA filling index, an elevated E/LA strain ratio (&gt;3.27) was significantly associated with the risk of heart failure hospitalization at 2 years (odds ratio 4.3, 95% confidence interval 1.8–10.5), even adjusting this analysis by age, sex, renal failure, LV hypertrophy, or abnormal LV global longitudinal systolic strain.

Conclusion
The findings from this study suggest that a novel LA filling index using 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography could be of potential usefulness and clinical relevance in estimating LV filling pressures in patients with preserved LVEF.
Newborn girl with coarctation of the aorta and anomalous left coronary artery from pulmonary artery, with retrograde perfusion of left circumflex artery: a case report
Authors: Hölscher Martin , Knirsch Walter , Dave Hitendu , Burkhardt Barbara E U 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Anomalous left coronary artery from pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare coronary abnormality. Although it exists usually as an isolated abnormality, ALCAPA has been described with aortic pathologies like coarctation or aortopulmonary window.

Case summary
An 18-day-old female was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit because of a heart murmur and weak femoral pulses. A transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography was performed and confirmed suspected diagnosis of aortic coarctation. In addition, a total retrograde perfusion of the left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) was found, without visible flow through the ostium of the left coronary artery (LCA) into the aorta. A coronary angiography was performed, showing a single right coronary artery with a normal right posterior descending artery (RPD). Supplied by collaterals from the RPD, the LCX was perfused retrogradely, passing by the lateral wall of the ascending aorta without flowing into it, but into the right pulmonary artery. At 23 days of age, surgery was performed with resection of the aortic coarctation and reimplantation of the LCA into the posterior aortic wall.

Discussion
This case demonstrates that coronary artery anomalies like ALCAPA may occur together with other cardiac malformations. Despite concomitant cardiac lesions, careful assessment of the coronary arteries is mandatory, including cardiac catheterization in case of doubt.
Bail-out unexpanded stent implantation in acute left main dissection treated with intra coronary lithotripsy: a case report
Authors: Tumminello Gabriele , Cavallino Chiara , Demarchi Andrea , Rametta Francesco 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
The percutaneous treatment of heavily calcified coronary lesions is challenging and presents high rate of complications. Unexpandable stent is one of the most serious complication. Both of these conditions may benefit from the intracoronary lithotripsy (ICL-Shockwave®), a new coronary percutaneous technique.

Case summary
This case report describes a man treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for a left main (LM) severe calcified lesion. The PCI was complicated by a huge dissection of LM in a not completely expandable lesion. A bail-out stent implantation was performed with residual unexpansion. The ICL permitted to expand acutely the stent and obtain an optimal final result.

Discussion
Familiarity with dedicated techniques and devices to treat calcified coronary lesions is fundamental to perform high-risk complex PCI. This case emphasizes the potential usefulness of the new ICL technique to treat calcified lesions or related complications like unexpandable stent.
Work-relatedness of the presented health problem and sickness absence
Authors: de Kock Cornelis A , Lucassen Peter L , Akkermans Reinier P , Knottnerus J André , Buijs Peter C , Steenbeek Romy , Lagro-Janssen Antoine L 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Perception by workers of their health problems as work-related is possibly associated with sickness absence (SA). The aim of this study was to to study the relationship between perceived work-relatedness of health problems and SA among workers who visit their GP, taking the influence of other potential determinants into account and to study the influence of these determinants on SA. Design and setting prospective cohort study in 32 Dutch GP practices.

Methods
A secondary analysis of RCT data among workers, aged 18–63 years, who visited their GP. We measured self-reported SA days in 12 months and high SA (&gt;20 days in 12 months) and compared workers who perceived work-relatedness (WR+) with workers who did not (WR−). With multivariable linear and logistic regression models, we analyzed the influence of age, gender, experienced health, chronic illness, prior SA, number of GP consultations and perceived work ability.

Results
We analyzed data of 209 workers, 31% perceived work-relatedness. Geometric mean of SA days was 1.6 (95% CI: 0.9–3.0) for WR+− workers and 1.2 (95% CI: 0.8–1.8) for WR− workers (P = 0.42). Incidence of high SA was 21.5 and 13.3%, respectively (odds ratio 1.79; 95% CI: 0.84–3.84). SA was positively associated with chronic illness, prior SA, low perceived work ability and age over 50.

Conclusions
Perceived work-relatedness was not associated with SA. SA was associated with chronic illness, prior SA, low perceived work ability and age over 50.
Ambient-noise tomography of the Greater Geneva Basin in a geothermal exploration context
Authors: Planès Thomas , Obermann Anne , Antunes Verónica , Lupi Matteo 
Published: October 2019

SUMMARYThe Greater Geneva Basin is one of the key targets for geothermal exploration in Switzerland. Until recently, information about the subsurface structure of this region was mostly composed of well-logs, seismic reflection lines, and gravity measurements. As part of the current effort to further reduce subsurface uncertainty, and to test passive seismic methods for exploration purposes, we performed an ambient-noise tomography of the Greater Geneva Basin. We used ∼1.5 yr of continuous data collected on a temporary seismic network composed of 28 broad-band stations deployed within and around the basin. From the vertical component of the continuous noise recordings, we computed cross-correlation functions and retrieved Rayleigh-wave group-velocity dispersion curves. We then inverted the dispersion curves to obtain 2-D group-velocity maps and proceeded to a subsequent inversion step to retrieve a large-scale 3-D shear-wave velocity model of the basin. We discuss the retrieved features of the basin in the light of local geology, previously acquired geophysical data sets, and ongoing geothermal exploration. The Greater Geneva Basin is an ideal natural laboratory to test innovative geothermal exploration methods because of the substantial geophysical data sets available for comparison. While we point out the limits of ambient-noise exploration with sparse networks and current methodology, we also discuss possible ways to develop ambient-noise tomography as an affordable and efficient subsurface exploration method.
Expanding the use of community health workers in urban settings: a potential strategy for progress towards universal health coverage
Authors: Wahl Brian , Lehtimaki Susanna , Germann Stefan , Schwalbe Nina 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCommunity health worker (CHW) programmes have been used for decades to improve access to health services in rural settings in low- and middle-income countries. With more than half of the world’s population currently living in urban areas and this population expected to grow, equitable access to health services in urban areas is critically important. To understand the extent to which CHW programmes have been successfully deployed in low-income urban settings, we conducted a review of the literature between 2000 and 2018 to identify studies evaluating and describing CHW programmes implemented fully or partially in urban or peri-urban settings. We identified 32 peer-reviewed articles that met our inclusion criteria. Benefits have been documented in several urban settings in low- and middle-income countries including those to address TB/HIV, child health, maternal health and non-communicable diseases through a variety of study designs.
Mendelian disorders of the epigenetic machinery: postnatal malleability and therapeutic prospects
Authors: Fahrner Jill A , Bjornsson Hans T 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The epigenetic machinery in conjunction with the transcriptional machinery is responsible for maintaining genome-wide chromatin states and dynamically regulating gene expression. Mendelian disorders of the epigenetic machinery (MDEMs) are genetic disorders resulting from mutations in components of the epigenetic apparatus. Though individually rare, MDEMs have emerged as a collectively common etiology for intellectual disability (ID) and growth disruption. Studies in model organisms and humans have demonstrated dosage sensitivity of this gene group with haploinsufficiency as a predominant disease mechanism. The epigenetic machinery consists of three enzymatic components (writers, erasers and chromatin remodelers) as well as one non-enzymatic group (readers). A tally of the entire census of such factors revealed that although multiple enzymatic activities never coexist within a single component, individual enzymatic activities often coexist with a reader domain. This group of disorders disrupts both the chromatin and transcription states of target genes downstream of the given component but also DNA methylation on a global scale. Elucidation of these global epigenetic changes may inform our understanding of disease pathogenesis and have diagnostic utility. Moreover, many therapies targeting epigenetic marks already exist, and some have proven successful in treating cancer. This, along with the recent observation that neurological dysfunction in these disorders may in fact be treatable in postnatal life, suggests that the scientific community should prioritize this group as a potentially treatable cause of ID. Here we summarize the recent expansion and major characteristics of MDEMs, as well as the unique therapeutic prospects for this group of disorders.
Automatic segmentation of fish using deep learning with application to fish size measurement
Authors: Garcia Rafael , Prados Ricard , Quintana Josep , Tempelaar Alexander , Gracias Nuno , Rosen Shale , Vågstøl Håvard , Løvall Kristoffer 
Published: October 2019

AbstractOne of the leading causes of overfishing is the catch of unwanted fish and marine life in commercial fishing gears. Echosounders are nowadays routinely used to detect fish schools and make qualitative estimates of the amount of fish and species present. However, the problem of estimating sizes using acoustic systems is still largely unsolved, with only a few attempts at real-time operation and only at demonstration level. This paper proposes a novel image-based method for individual fish detection, targeted at drastically reducing catches of undersized fish in commercial trawling. The proposal is based on the processing of stereo images acquired by the Deep Vision imaging system, directly placed in the trawl. The images are pre-processed to correct for nonlinearities of the camera response. Then, a Mask R-CNN architecture is used to localize and segment each individual fish in the images. This segmentation is subsequently refined using local gradients to obtain an accurate estimate of the boundary of every fish. Testing was conducted with two representative datasets, containing in excess of 2600 manually annotated individual fish, and acquired using distinct artificial illumination setups. A distinctive advantage of this proposal is the ability to successfully deal with cluttered images containing overlapping fish.
Balancing conservation and utilization in spawning aggregation fisheries: a trade-off analysis of an overexploited marine fish
Authors: Erisman Brad E , Grüss Arnaud , Mascareñas-Osorio Ismael , Lícon-González Hector , Johnson Andrew F , López-Sagástegui Catalina 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAlthough the management of fish spawning aggregations (FSAs) often requires a precautionary approach that initially emphasizes conservation, understanding the dynamics of spawning and interactions with fishing activities can help identify long-term management solutions that balance conservation with utilization. We designed a parsimonious, per-recruit model to evaluate the potential effects of seven time-closure scenarios implemented during the spawning season on egg production per recruit (EPR; a conservation metric) and yield per recruit (YPR; a fisheries metric) of Gulf corvina (Cynoscion othonopterus), a vulnerable marine fish that experiences persistent overfishing at its only known spawning grounds in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Three of the seven scenarios provided small-to-large increases in EPR (8–43%) accompanied by only small decreases in YPR (3–11%) that resulted in a sustainable fishery. Increased mortality of juveniles and small adults through targeted fishing or as bycatch in other fisheries, however, would erode the fisheries and conservation benefits of time closures. Our results demonstrate that information on spawning and fishing activities can be combined with stakeholder input to identify regulations that permit the sustainable harvesting of FSAs. Furthermore, the implementation of brief, temporal fishing effort restrictions can represent a viable, less restrictive alternative to marine protected areas for the management of FSAs.
African States, Investor–State Arbitration and the ICSID Dispute Resolution System: Continuities, Changes and Challenges
Authors: Ofodile Uché Ewelukwa 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Against the backdrop of growing public discourse about the usefulness, legitimacy and effectiveness of the investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS) system, this article reviews the participation of African States in international investment arbitration and analyzes some of the cases involving African States in claims initiated under the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes Between States and Nationals of Other States (the “ICSID Convention”). Specifically, the article reviews ICSID cases involving African States in which decisions were reached on the merit [i.e. the tribunal determined whether the challenged measure breached any substantive obligation in an international investment agreement (IIA)]. Focus is on cases where claimants alleged violation of the fair and equitable treatment (FET) obligation and cases where expropriation, both direct and indirect were alleged. A review of cases involving African States suggests that there is no African peculiarity or specialty in terms of the awards and analysis of arbitral tribunals. In cases involving African States, ICSID tribunals appear to be guided primarily by the provisions of applicable texts (IIAs, contracts, and legislation) and ICSID case law rather than by the status of a Respondent State as developing or least developed. The paper raises important questions about the development dimension of the ISDS system or the lack thereof, and could contribute to current debates about ISDS reform and the need for sustainable development-oriented reform of IIAs more broadly. The paper also sheds light on the risks that broad and vague provisions in IIAs pose for host States and calls attention to the capacity constraints that limit meaningful IIA reform in Africa.