bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A single centre experience with an evolving approach for the repair of coarctation of the aorta
Authors: Costopoulos Kelly , Philip Joseph , Lopez-Colon Dalia , Kaliki Giridhar , Chandran Arun , Bleiweis Mark 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackground:Isolated coarctation of the aorta can be repaired by either lateral thoracotomy or sternotomy approach with end-to-end anastomosis. Most commonly, neonates with coarctation of the aorta also have hypoplasia of the arch, requiring median sternotomy and extended end-to-side anastomosis with arch augmentation. The aim of this study was to describe our experience as the institution adopted the median sternotomy approach for repair, by reviewing complications, mortality, and reintervention.Methods:Retrospective chart review of 66 patients aged 0–1 year who had arch repair performed by a single surgeon over an 8-year period was performed. Median age at surgery was 22 days (4–232) and median weight was 3.08 kg (1.25–8.0). Forty-one (62%) patients underwent median sternotomy.Results:There was 1 death from a noncardiac cause. Eighteen per cent of our patients were ≤2.5 kg. Vocal cord paresis occurred in 16% of patients under 2.5 kg and 9.5% of patients 2.5 kg or above at the time of surgery. Hypertension at 6-month follow-up was greater in patients under 2.5 kg (44%) than patients 2.5 kg or above (15%). Total surgical reintervention rate was 6%. For patients above 2.5 kg, the surgical reintervention rate was 5.4% and for patients below 2.5 kg, the surgical reintervention rate was 8.3%.Conclusion:We concluded that for neonates with coarctation of the aorta and hypoplastic arch, median sternotomy is a safe surgical approach with low morbidity and mortality with the possible advantage of reduced surgical re-intervention and mortality in the population below 2.5 kg.
Comparative Review on the Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Relief Teams’ Deployment to Sudden-Onset Disasters
Authors: Bartolucci Andrea , Walter Darren , Redmond Tony 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWhen a disaster exceeds the capacity of the affected country to cope with its own resources, the provision of external rescue and health services is required, and the deployment of relief units requested. Recently, the cost of international relief and the belief that such deployment is cost-effective has been questioned by the international community; unfortunately, there is still little informed debate and few detailed data are available. This paper presents the results of a comparative review on the cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) of search and rescue (SAR) and Emergency Medical Team (EMT) deployment. The aim of this work is to provide an overview of the topic, highlight the criteria used to assess the effectiveness, and identify gaps in existing literature. The results show that both deployments are highly expensive, and their success is strongly related to the time they need to be operational; SAR deployments are characterized by limited outcomes in terms of lives saved, and EMTs by insufficient data and lack of detailed assessment. This research highlights that the criteria used to assess the effectiveness need to be explored further, considering different purposes, lengths of stay, and different activities performed, especially for any comparison. This study concludes that data reporting should be mandatory for humanitarian response agencies.
A graphical model approach to simulating economic variables over long horizons
Authors: Oberoi Jaideep S. , Pittea Aniketh , Tapadar Pradip 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWe present an application of statistical graphical models to simulate economic variables for the purpose of risk calculations over long time horizons. We show that this approach is relatively easy to implement, and argue that it is appealing because of the transparent yet flexible means of achieving dimension reduction when many variables must be modelled. Using the United Kingdom data as an example, we demonstrate the development of an economic scenario generator that can be used by life insurance companies and pension funds.We compare different algorithms to select a graphical model, based on p-values, AIC, BIC and deviance. We find the economic scenario generator to yield reasonable results and relatively stable structures in our example, suggesting that it would be beneficial for actuaries to include graphical models in their toolkit.
EFFECTIVE INSEPARABILITY, LATTICES, AND PREORDERING RELATIONS
Authors: ANDREWS URI , SORBI ANDREA 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWe study effectively inseparable (abbreviated as e.i.) prelattices (i.e., structures of the form$L = \langle \omega , \wedge , \vee ,0,1,{ \le _L}\rangle$whereωdenotes the set of natural numbers and the following four conditions hold: (1)$\wedge , \vee$are binary computable operations; (2)${ \le _L}$is a computably enumerable preordering relation, with$0{ \le _L}x{ \le _L}1$for everyx; (3) the equivalence relation${ \equiv _L}$originated by${ \le _L}$is a congruence onLsuch that the corresponding quotient structure is a nontrivial bounded lattice; (4) the${ \equiv _L}$-equivalence classes of 0 and 1 form an effectively inseparable pair of sets). Solving a problem in (Montagna & Sorbi, 1985) we show (Theorem 4.2), that ifLis an e.i. prelattice then${ \le _L}$is universal with respect to all c.e. preordering relations, i.e., for every c.e. preordering relationRthere exists a computable functionfreducingRto${ \le _L}$, i.e.,$xRy$if and only if$f\left( x \right){ \le _L}f\left( y \right)$, for all$x,y$. In fact (Corollary 5.3)${ \le _L}$is locally universal, i.e., for every pair$a{ < _L}b$and every c.e. preordering relationRone can find a reducing functionffromRto${ \le _L}$such that the range offis contained in the interval$\left\{ {x:a{ \le _L}x{ \le _L}b} \right\}$. Also (Theorem 5.7)${ \le _L}$is uniformly dense, i.e., there exists a computable functionfsuch that for every$a,b$if$a{ < _L}b$then$a{ < _L}f\left( {a,b} \right){ < _L}b$, and if$a{ \equiv _L}a\prime$and$b{ \equiv _L}b\prime$then$f\left( {a,b} \right){ \equiv _L}f\left( {a\prime ,b\prime } \right)$. Some consequences and applications of these results are discussed: in particular (Corollary 7.2) for$n \ge 1$the c.e. preordering relation on${{\rm{\Sigma }}_n}$sentences yielded by the relation of provable implication of any c.e. consistent extension of Robinson’s systemRorQis locally universal and uniformly dense; and (Corollary 7.3) the c.e. preordering relation yielded by provable implication of any c.e. consistent extension of Heyting Arithmetic is locally universal and uniformly dense.
DYNAMIC GRADED EPISTEMIC LOGIC
Authors: MA MINGHUI , VAN DITMARSCH HANS 
Published: July 2019

AbstractGraded epistemic logic is a logic for reasoning about uncertainties. Graded epistemic logic is interpreted on graded models. These models are generalizations of Kripke models. We obtain completeness of some graded epistemic logics. We further develop dynamic extensions of graded epistemic logics, along the framework of dynamic epistemic logic. We give an extension with public announcements, i.e., public events, and an extension with graded event models, a generalization also including nonpublic events. We present complete axiomatizations for both logics.
Evaluation of auxin tolerance in selected tomato germplasm under greenhouse and field conditions
Authors: Zangoueinejad Rouzbeh , Alebrahim Mohammad Taghi , Tseng Te Ming 
Published: July 2019

AbstractTomato is injured by low doses of 2,4-D, dicamba, quinclorac, and glyphosate. New crop varieties resistant to 2,4-D and dicamba are likely to increase use of these herbicides and may increase drift problems. There is a diverse germplasm of tomato available that includes wild relatives known to be tolerant to numerous biotic and abiotic stresses. A greenhouse and field study was conducted to investigate auxin tolerance in three wild tomato accessions (TOM199, TOM198, and TOM300) and compare them with two commercial tomato cultivars (‘Money Maker’ and ‘Better Boy’). Auxin herbicides, which included 2,4-D, dicamba, and quinclorac, were applied at doses of 11, 3, and 39 g ae ha−1, respectively. Visible injury ratings of each accession for each herbicide treatment were recorded at 7, 14, 21, and 28 d after treatment (DAT) on a 0% to 100% scale. Results indicate that all three wild tomato accessions exhibited less than 15% injury compared with 100% injury for two commercial cultivars after application of dicamba. The three wild accessions (TOM199, TOM198, and TOM300) did not show any significant reduction in plant height compared with nontreated plants. At 28 DAT, plant heights of TOM199, TOM198, and TOM300 were 25, 25, and 28 cm when treated with dicamba and 31, 30, and 31 cm nontreated, respectively. Based on these results, the identified lines can serve as a genetic resource for developing herbicide-tolerant tomato, thus minimizing or eliminating the negative impacts of drift from nonlabeled herbicides tested in this project.
Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor–resistant waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) from Nebraska is multiple herbicide resistant: confirmation, mechanism of resistance, and management
Authors: Sarangi Debalin , Stephens Trey , Barker Abigail L. , Patterson Eric L. , Gaines Todd A. , Jhala Amit J. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractA waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus(Moq.) J. D. Sauer] biotype (designated as “NER”) collected from a soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] production field in eastern Nebraska survived the POST application of fomesafen at the labeled rate. The objectives of this study were to (1) quantify the level of resistance to protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitors (acifluorfen, fomesafen, and lactofen) applied POST, (2) determine the mechanism of PPO-inhibitor resistance in the NER biotype, (3) determine whether NER possessed multiple resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS)-, 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS)-, and photosystem II (PSII)-inhibiting herbicides, and (4) control NER with POST soybean herbicides. A whole-plant dose–response bioassay revealed that the NER biotype was 4- to 6-fold resistant to PPO-inhibiting herbicides depending on the known susceptible biotype (S1 or S2) used for comparison. A Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP™) assay was developed and performed for rapid and robust detection of the ΔG210 mutation (deletion of a codon) in thePPX2Lgene. All samples of the NER biotype tested positive for the ΔG210 mutation. Dose–response bioassays confirmed that the NER biotype was resistant to three additional herbicide sites of action. Chlorimuron and imazethapyr, both ALS inhibitors, applied at 32X the labeled rate resulted in &lt;80% reduction in the aboveground biomass of the NER biotype. The same biotype was 3- and 7-fold resistant to glyphosate (EPSPS inhibitor) and atrazine (PSII inhibitor), respectively. Glufosinate, 2,4-D choline plus glyphosate, and dicamba were the only soybean POST herbicides that controlled NER effectively (≥92% aboveground biomass reduction).Amaranthus tuberculatusis the first confirmed weed species in Nebraska to evolve resistance to four distinct herbicide sites of action, leaving no POST herbicide choice for effective control in glyphosate-resistant and conventional (non-transgenic) soybean.
Allometric Models to Estimate Leaf Area for Tropical African Broadleaved Forests
Authors: Sirri N. F. , Libalah M. B. , Momo Takoudjou S. , Ploton P. , Medjibe V. , Kamdem N. G. , Mofack G. , Sonké B. , Barbier N. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractDirect and semidirect estimations of leaf area (LA) and leaf area index (LAI) are scarce in dense tropical forests despite their importance in calibrating remote sensing products, forest dynamics, and biogeochemical models. We destructively sampled 61 trees belonging to 13 most abundant species in a semideciduous forest in southeastern Cameroon. For each tree, all leaves were weighed, and for a subsample of branches, leaves were counted and the LA measured. Allometric models were calibrated to allow semidirect estimation of LAI at tree and stand levels based on forest inventory data (R2 = 0.7, bias = 21.2%, error = 39.5%) and on predictors that could be extracted from very high resolution remote sensing data (R2 = 0.63, bias = 35.1%, error = 58.73). Using twenty‐one 1‐ha forest plots, stand level estimations of LAI ranged from 4.42–13.99. These values are higher than previous estimates generally obtained using indirect methods. These results may have important consequences on ecosystem exchanges and the role of tropical forest in global cycles.
An Approximate Model for Predicting the Specific Yield Under Periodic Water Table Oscillations
Authors: Pozdniakov Sergey P. , Wang Ping , Lekhov Vladimir A. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPredicting specific yield for a given aquifer remains a great challenge due to its dynamic characteristics, especially under periodic (e.g., seasonal and diurnal) groundwater level fluctuations. In this study, a dimensionless period of groundwater level fluctuations, which depends on the saturated hydraulic conductivity, the length of the groundwater level fluctuation period, and the soil water retention properties, is first introduced. Then, the relationship between the predicted specific yield and the dimensionless period of groundwater level fluctuations is defined based on the theory of variably saturated flow. The proposed approximate formula is tested by series of simulations of variably saturated flow within homogeneous and isotropic porous media with the Hydrus‐1D program. The results of numerical experiments demonstrate an invariant relationship between the predicted specific yield and the dimensionless period for a wide range of changes in the dimensionless period of groundwater level oscillations. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis of the dependence of the predicted specific yield on the van Genuchten parameters indicates the applicability of estimating the specific yield via van Genuchten parameters, which can be predicted by the soil texture classes for a given length of the oscillation period and a known saturated hydraulic conductivity in the zone of groundwater level fluctuations. The proposed model can be used for predicting the dynamics of the specific yield under seasonal or diurnal groundwater level fluctuations.
Plant–microbe specificity varies as a function of elevation
Authors: Cobian Gerald M , Egan Cameron P , Amend Anthony S 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Specialized associations between interacting species fundamentally determine the diversity and distribution of both partners. How the specialization of guilds of organisms varies along environmental gradients underpins popular theories of biogeography and macroecology, whereas the degree of specialization of a species is typically considered fixed. However, the extent to which environmental context impacts specialization dynamics is seldom examined empirically. In this study, we examine how specialization within a bipartite network consisting of three co-occurring plant species and their foliar fungal endophyte symbionts changes along a 1000-meter elevation gradient where host species were held constant. The gradient, along the slope of Mauna Loa shield volcano, represents almost the entire elevational range of two of the three plants. Network and plant specialization values displayed a parabolic relationship with elevation, and were highest at middle elevations, whereas bipartite associations were least specific at low and high elevations. Shannon’s diversity of fungal endophytes correlated negatively with specificity, and was highest at the ends of the transects. Although plant host was a strong determinant of fungal community composition within sites, fungal species turnover was high among sites. There was no evidence of spatial or elevational patterning in fungal community compositon. Our work demonstrates that specificity can be a plastic trait, which is influenced by the environment and centrality of the host within its natural range.
Direct visualization of a molecular handshake that governs kin recognition and tissue formation in myxobacteria
Authors: Cao Pengbo , Wall Daniel 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMany organisms regulate their social life through kin recognition, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we use a social bacterium, Myxococcus xanthus, to investigate kin recognition at the molecular level. By direct visualization of a cell surface receptor, TraA, we show how these myxobacteria identify kin and transition towards multicellularity. TraA is fluid on the cell surface, and homotypic interactions between TraA from juxtaposed cells trigger the receptors to coalesce, representing a ‘molecular handshake’. Polymorphisms within TraA govern social recognition such that receptors cluster only between individuals bearing compatible alleles. TraA clusters, which resemble eukaryotic gap junctions, direct the robust exchange of cellular goods that allows heterogeneous populations to transition towards homeostasis. This work provides a conceptual framework for how microbes use a fluid outer membrane receptor to recognize and assemble kin cells into a cooperative multicellular community that resembles a tissue.
Human gut microbiome changes during a 10 week Randomised Control Trial for micronutrient supplementation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Stevens Aaron J. , Purcell Rachel V. , Darling Kathryn A. , Eggleston Matthew J. F. , Kennedy Martin A. , Rucklidge Julia J. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIt has been widely hypothesized that both diet and the microbiome play a role in the regulation of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) behaviour. However, there has been very limited scientific investigation into the potential biological connection. We performed a 10-week pilot study investigating the effects of a broad spectrum micronutrient administration on faecal microbiome content, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The study consisted of 17 children (seven in the placebo and ten in the treatment group) between the ages of seven and 12 years, who were diagnosed with ADHD. We found that micronutrient treatment did not drive large-scale changes in composition or structure of the microbiome. However, observed OTUs significantly increased in the treatment group, and showed no mean change in the placebo group. The differential abundance and relative frequency of Actinobacteria significantly decreased post- micronutrient treatment, and this was largely attributed to species from the genus Bifidobacterium. This was compensated by an increase in the relative frequency of species from the genus Collinsella. Further research is required to establish the role that Bifidobacterium contribute towards neuropsychiatric disorders; however, these findings suggest that micronutrient administration could be used as a safe, therapeutic method to modulate Bifidobacterium abundance, which could have potential implications for modulating and regulating ADHD behaviour. Our pilot study provides an initial observation into this area of research, and highlights an interesting avenue for further investigation in a larger cohort. Furthermore, these novel results provide a basis for future research on the biological connection between ADHD, diet and the microbiome.
Regulation of the expression of nine antimicrobial peptide genes by TmIMD confers resistance against Gram-negative bacteria
Authors: Jo Yong Hun , Patnaik Bharat Bhusan , Hwang Jihun , Park Ki Beom , Ko Hye Jin , Kim Chang Eun , Bae Young Min , Jung Woo Jin , Lee Yong Seok , Han Yeon Soo 
Published: July 2019

AbstractImmune deficiency (IMD) is a death domain-containing protein that is essential for the IMD/NF-κB humoral and epithelial immune responses to Gram-negative bacteria and viruses in insects. In the immune signaling cascade, IMD is recruited together with FADD and the caspase DREDD after the mobilization of PGRP receptors. Activated IMD regulates the expression of effector antimicrobial peptides (AMP) that protect against invading microorganisms. To date, most studies of the IMD pathway, and the IMD gene in particular, have been restricted to Drosophila; few similar studies have been conducted in other model insects. Herein, we cloned and functionally characterized an IMD homolog from the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor (TmIMD) and studied its role in host survival in the context of pathogenic infections. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the conserved caspase cleavage site and inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP)-binding motif (IBM). TmIMD expression was high in the hemocytes and Malpighian tubules of Tenebrio late-instar larvae and adults. At 3 and 6 hours’ post-infection with Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, or Candida albicans, TmIMD expression significantly increased compared with mock-infected controls. Knockdown of the TmIMD transcript by RNAi significantly reduced host resistance to the Gram-negative bacterium E. coli and fungus C. albicans in a survival assay. Strikingly, the expression of nine T. molitor AMPs (TmTenecin1, TmTenecin2, TmTenecin4, TmDefensin2, TmColeoptericin1, TmColeoptericin2, TmAttacin1a, TmAttacin1b, and TmAttacin2) showed significant downregulation in TmIMD knockdown larvae challenged with E. coli. These results suggest that TmIMD is required to confer humoral immunity against the Gram-negative bacteria, E. coli by inducing the expression of critical transcripts that encode AMPs.
Impact of coxsackievirus-B4E2 combined with a single low dose of streptozotocin on pancreas of outbred mice: investigation of viral load, pathology and inflammation
Authors: Benkahla Mehdi A. , Sane Famara , Bertin Antoine , Vreulx Anais-Camille , Elmastour Firas , Jaidane Hela , Desailloud Rachel , Hober Didier 
Published: July 2019

AbstractCoxsackieviruses B (CV-B) belong to the EV-B species. CV-B and particularly CV-B4 are thought to be involved in the development of chronic diseases like type 1 diabetes (T1D). The mechanisms of the enteroviral pathogenesis of T1D are not well known, yet. The in vitro studies are rich with information but in vivo infection models are needed to investigate the impact of viruses onto organs. Our objective was to study the impact of CV-B4E2 combined with a single sub-diabetogenic dose of streptozotocin (STZ) on the pancreas of mice. The infection with CV-B4E2 of CD1 outbred mice treated with a sub-diabetogenic dose of STZ induced hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia. Along with the chemokine IP-10, viral RNA and infectious particles were detected in the pancreas. The pancreas of these animals was also marked with insulitis and other histological alterations. The model combining STZ and CV-B4E2 opens the door to new perspectives to better understand the interactions between virus and host, and the role of environmental factors capable, like STZ, to predispose the host to the diabetogenic effects of enteroviruses.
Late Eocene onset of the Proto-Antarctic Circumpolar Current
Authors: Sarkar Sudipta , Basak Chandranath , Frank Martin , Berndt Christian , Huuse Mads , Badhani Shray , Bialas Joerg 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe formation of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is critical for the evolution of the global climate, but the timing of its onset is not well constrained. Here, we present new seismic evidence of widespread Late Eocene to Oligocene marine diagenetic chert in sedimentary drift deposits east of New Zealand indicating prolonged periods of blooms of siliceous microorganisms starting ~36 million years ago (Ma). These major blooms reflect the initiation of the arrival and upwelling of northern-sourced, nutrient-rich deep equatorial Pacific waters at the high latitudes of the South Pacific. We show that this change in circulation was linked to the initiation of a proto-ACC, which occurred ~6 Ma earlier than the currently estimated onset of the ACC at 30 Ma. We propose that the associated increased primary productivity and carbon burial facilitated atmospheric carbon dioxide reduction contributing to the expansion of Antarctic Ice Sheet at the Eocene-Oligocene Transition.