bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A possible new Bronze Age period at Troy
Authors: Easton Donald , Weninger Bernhard 
Published: July 2018

AbstractStatistical analysis of Carl Blegen's pottery sequence using Correspondence Analysis (CA) suggests a gap of 100–200 years between his Troy III and IV periods. From the Manfred Korfmann excavations three stratigraphic sequences hitherto assigned to Troy IV and V appear to bridge it. This allocation is based on stratigraphic/architectural grounds and on the observable development in ceramic shapes and wares. Heinrich Schliemann's pottery sequence from 1870–1873 is also analysed by CA and found to compare well with Blegen's (with limited exceptions probably due to the larger scope of his excavations), but it does not exhibit the same gap. This suggests that during the ‘bridge’ period occupation shrank to the summit on the western end of the citadel mound. This ‘bridge’ period of seven or more building phases has a distinctive ceramic assemblage and may be called the Proto-IV period. It is broadly contemporary with Middle Helladic I, Beycesultan VIII–VI, Küllüoba II and the Tarsus Early Bronze to Middle Bronze transitional period. Careful re-evaluation of the radiocarbon evidence dates it to ca 2150–1990 cal. BC. Botanical and faunal evidence from the strata in question attests significantly drier climatic conditions which, together with the smaller size of the settlement, probably reflect the 4.2ka cal. BP climatic deterioration.
Sovereignty, conservation and island ecological futures
Authors: MAWYER ALEXANDER , JACKA JERRY K. 
Published: July 2018

SUMMARYIn this paper, we puzzle the way that sovereignty has been a sketchily present dynamic in conservation discourses. In the case of the world's many island communities whose colonial histories extend into the present in virtually every domain, silences around sovereignty in conservation contexts are particularly notable for the way they suggest the enduring domination of local communities by distant metropoles. Here, we provide a review of several critical issues in Pacific Islands contexts – biosecurity, food security, intellectual and material property rights and protected areas – that highlight the importance of conceptualizing sovereignty beyond the state to better enhance conservation outcomes. The novel approach we take in regard to these problems is to encourage conservation practitioners to more deeply engage with the ‘ecological futures’ that indigenous and local island communities are weaving in a period of active (re)articulations of sovereignty in conception, legal constitution and everyday engagements with island environments.
Review of children with Takayasu’s arteritis at a Southern African tertiary care centre
Authors: Cilliers Antoinette M. , Adams Paul E. , Ntsinjana Hopewell , Kala Udai 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIntroductionTakayasu’s arteritis is a rare idiopathic arteritis causing stenosis or aneurysms of the aorta, pulmonary arteries, and their branches. It usually occurs in women, but has been described in children.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the clinical presentation, demographic profile, vascular involvement, origins, management, and outcome of children diagnosed with Takayasu’s arteritis at a Southern African tertiary care centre between 1993 and 2015.MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis of all children with Takayasu’s arteritis captured on a computerised electronic database during the study period.ResultsA total of 55 children were identified. The female:male ratio was 3.2:1, and the mean age was 9.7±3.04 years. Most originated outside the provincial borders of the study centre. The majority presented with hypertension and heart failure. In all, 37 (67%) patients had a cardiomyopathy with a mean fractional shortening of 15±5%. A positive purified protein derivative test was documented in 73%. Abdominal aorta and renal artery stenosis were the predominant angiographic lesions. A total of 23 patients underwent 30 percutaneous interventions of the aorta, pulmonary, and renal arteries: eight stents, 22 balloon angioplasties, and seven had nephrectomies. All patients received empiric tuberculosis treatment, immunosuppressive therapy, and anti-hypertensive agents as required. Overall, there was a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and improvement in fractional shortening (p<0.05) with all treatments.ConclusionTakayasu’s arteritis is more common in girls and frequently manifests with hypertension and heart failure. The abdominal aorta and renal arteries are mostly affected. Immunosuppressive, anti-hypertensive, and vascular intervention therapies improve blood pressure control and cardiac function.
Pressure injury prevention for paediatric cardiac surgical patients using a nurse-driven standardized clinical assessment and management plan
Authors: Kulik Lindyce A. , Connor Jean A. , Graham Dionne A. , Hickey Patricia A. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe description of pressure injury development is limited in children with CHD. Children who develop pressure injuries experience pain and suffering and are at risk for additional morbidity.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to develop a standardized clinical assessment and management plan to describe the development of pressure injury in paediatric cardiac surgical patients and evaluate prevention strategies.MethodsUsing a novel quality improvement initiative, postoperative paediatric cardiac surgical patients were started on a nurse-driven pressure injury prevention standardized clinical assessment and management plan on admission. Data were recorded relevant to nursing assessments and management based on pre-defined targeted data statements and algorithm. Nursing feedback regarding diversions was recorded and analysed.ResultsData on 674 congenital paediatric cardiac surgical patients who met criteria were collected between May, 2011 and June, 2012. In 5918 patient days, a total of 4603 skin assessments were completed by nurses from the cardiac ICU and the cardiac inpatient unit, representing 77% of the expected assessments. The majority (70%, 21/30) of the 30 pressure injuries were medical-device-related and 30% (9/30) were immobility-related. The overall incidence of pressure injury was 4.4%: device-related was 3.1% and immobility-related was 1.3%. Most pressure injuries were Stage 1 (40%), followed by Stage 2 (26.7%), mucosal membrane injury (26.7%), and suspected deep tissue injuries (6.7%).ConclusionA nurse-driven pressure injury prevention standardized clinical assessment and management plan supported a programme-based evaluation of nursing practice and patient outcomes. Review of practices highlighted opportunities to standardise and focus prevention practices and ensure communication of patient vulnerabilities.
Preliminary evaluation of the Healthy Savings Program: a novel health insurance-based wellness programme to encourage healthy food purchases
Authors: Tang Xuyang , Honors Mary Ann , Fertig Angela R , French Simone A , Abraham Jean , Harnack Lisa 
Published: July 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo examine level of participation and satisfaction with the Healthy Savings Program (HSP), a programme that provides price discounts on healthier foods.DesignFor Study 1, a survey was distributed to a random sample of adults who were invited to participate in a version of the HSP that provided a discount for the purchase of fresh produce and discounts on other healthier foods. In Study 2, interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of adults invited to participate in a version of the HSP that provided price discounts on specific products only (no fresh produce discount).SettingThe HSP is provided to all employer-based insurance plan members of a large health plan. Employers can choose to enhance the version of the HSP that their employees receive by paying for a weekly discount on fresh produce.SubjectsEmployees in employer groups that received the enhanced HSP (Study 1) and employees in an employer group (Study 2) that received the standard HSP.ResultsAmong survey respondents in Study 1, 69·3 % reported using the HSP card. Most were satisfied with the fresh produce discount and ease of use of the HSP card. Satisfaction was lower for selection of participating stores, amounts of discounts and selection of discounted products. In Study 2, barriers to the use of the HSP card cited included the limited number of participating stores and the limited selection of discounted products.ConclusionsSatisfaction with some elements of the HSP was high while other elements may need improvement to increase programme use.
A Long‐Term Data Set of Vertical Ion Drift Velocity at High Latitudes Constructed From DMSP Measurements
Authors: Liu Mohan , Zhang Xiao‐Xin , He Fei , Wang Wenbin 
Published: July 2018

AbstractObservations of vertical ion drift velocities (Vz) at the topside of the ionosphere by Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites have been accumulated over decades and provide us a unique opportunity to study the vertical ion drifts through the ionosphere on different temporal and spatial scales. In this paper, Vz data of F13, which are of high quality, are taken as the reference to rescale the measurements of DMSP F11, F12, F14, F15, and F16 at high latitudes from 50°N/S to 90°N/S, which show significant differences from each other in magnitudes. Through rescaling, all Vz data of F11–F16 are in a similar order of magnitudes. Moreover, their spatial and temporal distributions resemble each other on average and are consistent with the excepted averaged behaviors reported in previous studies. Thus, the rescaling is basically effective, which provides an opportunity to construct a data set of Vz from 1995 to 2014 that covers nearly two solar cycles for further statistical analysis. Meanwhile, it should be noted that the rescaling results are qualitative/semiqualitative with some uncertainty, which needs more detailed discussion and analysis in future studies.
Using Drones and Miniaturized Instrumentation to Study Degassing at Turrialba and Masaya Volcanoes, Central America
Authors: Stix John , de Moor J. Maarten , Rüdiger Julian , Alan Alfredo , Corrales Ernesto , D'Arcy Fiona , Diaz Jorge Andres , Liotta Marcello 
Published: July 2018

AbstractGas measurements using unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, were undertaken at Turrialba volcano, Costa Rica, and Masaya volcano, Nicaragua, in 2016 and 2017. These two volcanoes are the largest time‐integrated sources of gas in the Central American Volcanic Arc, and both systems are currently extremely active with potential for sudden destabilization. We employed a series of miniaturized drone‐mounted instrumentation including a mini‐DOAS, two MultiGAS instruments, and an optical particle counter, supplemented by ground‐based measurements. Payloads were typically 1–1.5 kg and flight times were 10–15 min. The measurements were both accurate and precise due to the inherent sensitivity of the instrumentation and the high gas concentrations, which the drones were able to sample. The quality of data obtained by our drones was comparable to that obtained by our ground‐based measurements. At Turrialba in April 2017, we measured an average SO2 flux of 1,380 ± 280 T/day, CO2/SO2 of 6.5, and H2O/SO2 of 27.8. Using these values, we calculated a CO2 flux of 6,170 T/day and an H2O flux of 10,790 T/day. At Masaya in May 2017, the average SO2 flux was 1,560 ± 180 T/day, with CO2/SO2 of 3.9 and H2O/SO2 of 62.3, giving a mean CO2 flux of 4,150 T/day and mean H2O flux of 27,330 T/day. The elevated carbon and water fluxes and ratios are indicative of underlying magmas that are enriched in these components, resulting in the high levels of activity observed.
Long‐Term Trend of Gaseous Ammonia Over the United States: Modeling and Comparison With Observations
Authors: Yu Fangqun , Nair Arshad Arjunan , Luo Gan 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe concentrations of atmospheric ammonia ([NH3]) have been observed to be increasing over the United States in the last decade, especially in Eastern United States. It is important to understand this temporal trend and variation due to the role of NH3 in particle formation and its ecological effects. Here the long‐term trend of [NH3] over the United States is investigated using GEOS‐Chem, a global 3‐D tropospheric chemistry model, and is corroborated with empirical evidence from the Ammonia Monitoring Network. Model simulations, consistent with observations, show increase in [NH3] over the United States from 2001 to 2016, with magnitude largest in the East (~5% to 12%/year) and smallest in the West (~0% to 5%/year). Reasons for this are examined, and evidence for the role of decreasing SO2 and NOx emissions in increasing [NH3] is provided. The contributions of meteorology and NH3 emission changes to the [NH3] increase appear to be small during the period. Our sensitivity study suggests that decreasing SO2 and NOx emissions over the United States owing to stringent regulations explain about 2/3 and 1/3 of the increase in [NH3], respectively. This effect is different for various NH3 and SO2 and NOx regimes. Given the continued reduction of SO2 and NOx emissions due to U.S. regulations mainly aimed at PM2.5 reduction, the present results are important towards better assessing the environmental impact of emission controlling policies.
Disease and outcome disparities in multiple myeloma: exploring the role of race/ethnicity in the Cooperative Group clinical trials
Authors: Ailawadhi Sikander , Jacobus Susanna , Sexton Rachael , Stewart Alexander K. , Dispenzieri Angela , Hussein Mohamad A. , Zonder Jeffrey A. , Crowley John , Hoering Antje , Barlogie Bart , Orlowski Robert Z. , Rajkumar S. Vincent 
Published: July 2018

AbstractMultiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematologic malignancy with disparities in outcomes noted among racial-ethnic subgroups, likely due to disparities in access to effective treatment modalities. Clinical trials can provide access to evidence-based medicine but representation of minorities on therapeutic clinical trials has been dismal. We evaluated the impact of patient race-ethnicity in pooled data from nine large national cooperative group clinical trials in newly diagnosed MM. Among 2896 patients enrolled over more than two decades, only 18% were non-White and enrollment of minorities actually decreased in most recent years (2002–2011). African-Americans were younger and had more frequent poor-risk markers, including anemia and increased lactate dehydrogenase. Hispanics had the smallest proportion of patients on trials utilizing novel therapeutic agents. While adverse demographic (increased age) and clinical (performance status, stage, anemia, kidney dysfunction) factors were associated with inferior survival, patient race-ethnicity did not have an effect on objective response rates, progression-free, or overall survival. While there are significant disparities in MM incidence and outcomes among patients of different racial-ethnic groups, this disparity seems to be mitigated by access to appropriate therapeutic options, for example, as offered by clinical trials. Improved minority accrual in therapeutic clinical trials needs to be a priority.
The origin and adaptive evolution of domesticated populations of yeast from Far East Asia
Authors: Duan Shou-Fu , Han Pei-Jie , Wang Qi-Ming , Liu Wan-Qiu , Shi Jun-Yan , Li Kuan , Zhang Xiao-Ling , Bai Feng-Yan 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been an essential component of human civilization because of its long global history of use in food and beverage fermentation. However, the diversity and evolutionary history of the domesticated populations of the yeast remain elusive. We show here that China/Far East Asia is likely the center of origin of the domesticated populations of the species. The domesticated populations form two major groups associated with solid- and liquid-state fermentation and appear to have originated from heterozygous ancestors, which were likely formed by outcrossing between diverse wild isolates primitively for adaptation to maltose-rich niches. We found consistent gene expansion and contraction in the whole domesticated population, as well as lineage-specific genome variations leading to adaptation to different environments. We show a nearly panoramic view of the diversity and life history of S. cerevisiae and provide new insights into the origin and evolution of the species.
Physical Activity as a Determinant of Successful Aging over Ten Years
Authors: Gopinath Bamini , Kifley Annette , Flood Victoria M. , Mitchell Paul 
Published: July 2018

AbstractWe aimed to examine the temporal association between physical activity and successful aging. The analyses involved 1,584 adults aged 49 + years living west of Sydney (Australia), who did not have cancer, coronary artery disease and stroke at baseline and who were followed over 10 years. Participants provided information on the performance of moderate or vigorous activities and walking exercise and this was used to determine total metabolic equivalents (METs) minutes of activity per week. Successful aging status was determined through interviewer-administered questionnaire and was classified as the absence of: depressive symptoms, disability, cognitive impairment, respiratory symptoms and systemic conditions (e.g. cancer, coronary artery disease). 249 (15.7%) participants (mean age 59.9 ± 6.1) had aged successfully 10 years later. After multivariable adjustment; older adults in the highest level of total physical activity (≥5000 MET minutes/week; n = 71) compared to those in the lowest level of total physical activity (<1000 MET minutes/week; n = 934) had 2-fold greater odds of aging successfully than normal aging, odds ratio, OR, 2.08 (95% confidence intervals, CI, 1.12–3.88). Older adults who engaged in high levels of total physical activity, well above the current recommended minimum level had a greater likelihood of aging successfully 10 years later.
Comparison of Image-Guided Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy and Low-dose Rate Brachytherapy with or without External Beam Radiotherapy in Patients with Localized Prostate Cancer
Authors: Tsubokura Takuji , Yamazaki Hideya , Masui Koji , Sasaki Naomi , Shimizu Daisuke , Suzuki Gen , Nakamura Satoaki , Yamada Kei , Okihara Koji , Shiraishi Takumi , Yoshida Ken , Nishikawa Tatsuyuki , Okabe Haruumi 
Published: July 2018

AbstractTo compare the outcome of low-dose rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) and image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IG-IMRT) for localized prostate cancer, we examined 488 LDR-BT and 269 IG-IMRT patients. IG-IMRT treated older and advanced disease with more hormonal therapy than LDR-BT, which excluded T3b–T4 tumor and initial PSA > 50 ng/ml. The actuarial five-year biochemical failure-free survival rate was 88.7% and 96.7% (p = 0.0003) in IG-IMRT and LDR-BT, respectively; it was 88.2% (85.1% for IG-IMRT and 94.9% for LDR-BT,p = 0.0578) for the high-risk group, 95.2% (91.6% and 97.0%,p = 0.3361) for the intermediate IG-IMRT and 96.8% (95.7% and 97%,p = 0.8625) for the low-risk group. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) involving propensity scores was used to reduce background selection bias. IPTW showed a statistically significant difference between LDR-BT and IG-IMRT in high risk (p = 0.0009) and high risk excluding T3-4/initial PSA > 50 ng/ml group (p = 0.0073). IG-IMRT showed more gastrointestinal toxicity (p = 0.0023) and less genitourinary toxicity (p < 0.0001) than LDR-BT. LDR-BT and IG-IMRT showed equivocal outcome in low- and intermediate-risk groups. For selected high-risk patients, LDR-BT showed more potential to improve PSA control rate than IG-IMRT.
CB1 receptor activation induces intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and 2-arachidonoylglycerol release in rodent spinal cord astrocytes
Authors: Hegyi Zoltán , Oláh Tamás , Kőszeghy Áron , Piscitelli Fabiana , Holló Krisztina , Pál Balázs , Csernoch László , Di Marzo Vincenzo , Antal Miklós 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAccumulating evidence supports the role of astrocytes in endocannabinoid mediated modulation of neural activity. It has been reported that some astrocytes express the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1-R), the activation of which is leading to Ca2+ mobilization from internal stores and a consecutive release of glutamate. It has also been documented that astrocytes have the potential to produce the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol, one of the best known CB1-R agonist. However, no relationship between CB1-R activation and 2-arachidonoylglycerol production has ever been demonstrated. Here we show that rat spinal astrocytes co-express CB1-Rs and the 2-arachidonoylglycerol synthesizing enzyme, diacylglycerol lipase-alpha in close vicinity to each other. We also demonstrate that activation of CB1-Rs induces a substantial elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration in astrocytes. Finally, we provide evidence that the evoked Ca2+ transients lead to the production of 2-arachidonoylglycerol in cultured astrocytes. The results provide evidence for a novel cannabinoid induced endocannabinoid release mechanism in astrocytes which broadens the bidirectional signaling repertoire between astrocytes and neurons.
Increasing isoflurane dose reduces homotopic correlation and functional segregation of brain networks in mice as revealed by resting-state fMRI
Authors: Bukhari Q. , Schroeter A. , Rudin M. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractEffects of anesthetics on brain functional networks are not fully understood. In this work, we investigated functional brain networks derived from resting-state fMRI data obtained under different doses of isoflurane in mice using stationary and dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) analysis. Stationary network analysis using FSL Nets revealed a modular structure of functional networks, which could be segregated into a lateral cortical, an associative cortical network, elements of the prefrontal network, a subcortical network, and a thalamic network. Increasing isoflurane dose led to a loss of functional connectivity between the bilateral cortical regions. In addition, dFC analysis revealed a dominance of dynamic functional states (dFS) exhibiting modular structure in mice anesthetized with a low dose of isoflurane, while at high isoflurane levels dFS showing widespread unstructured correlation displayed highest weights. This indicates that spatial segregation across brain functional networks is lost with increasing dose of the anesthetic drug used. To what extent this indicates a state of deep anesthesia remains to be shown. Combining the results of stationary and dynamic FC analysis indicates that increasing isoflurane levels leads to loss of modular network organization, which includes loss of the strong bilateral interactions between homotopic brain areas.