bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Agriculture, Pesticide Use, and Economic Development: A Global Examination (1990–2014)
Authors: Hedlund John , Longo Stefano B. , York Richard 
Published: September 2019

AbstractModern agricultural production typically requires large quantities of chemical pesticides, a potential source of both environmental and human harm. Previous social science research has suggested that environmental problems such as those associated with pesticide use may begin to decline at higher levels of economic development. Using fixed effects models, we examine whether this possible relationship holds within nations and over time. This study draws on data from the World Bank as well as pesticide use data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to examine the relationship between pesticide use and economic development within nations from 1990 to 2014. The findings are considered from theoretical perspectives in environmental sociology on the drivers of environmental impacts: the treadmill of production theory, structural human ecology, ecological modernization theory, and the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis. The results of this study show a positive relationship between economic development and pesticide consumption over time, with no decline in use at higher levels of economic development. Thus, they generally support the claims made by treadmill of production and structural human ecology.
Investigation of thyroid function in dogs treated with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor toceranib
Authors: Harper Aaron , Blackwood Laura , Mason Sarah 
Published: September 2019

AbstractTyrosine kinase inhibitors are widely utilized in veterinary oncology for the treatment of mast cell and solid tumours. In man, these drugs are associated with thyroid dysfunction: however, to date only one study has investigated this in dogs. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess thyroid function in a group of dogs with cancer receiving toceranib. Thirty‐four dogs were prospectively enrolled at two referral hospitals into two groups; those receiving toceranib with prednisolone and those receiving toceranib alone. Total thyroxine (TT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was monitored at regular time points during treatment. Follow‐up data was available for 19 dogs. Overall, 12 incidences of elevated TSH occurred but none of these dogs had concurrent low TT4 concentrations. There was a significant difference in median TSH at week six compared with baseline. Hypothyroidism was not diagnosed in any patient during the study period. Patient drop‐out was higher than anticipated which prevented the assessment of longer term toceranib administration on thyroid function. Toceranib therapy was not associated with hypothyroidism in this study but did result in elevations in TSH which confirms what has been previously reported. Toceranib should be considered to cause thyroid dysfunction in dogs and monitoring is advised.
Characterization of chelator‐mediated recovery of pancreatic islets from barium‐stabilized alginate microcapsules
Authors: Rodriguez Samuel , Lau Hien , Corrales Nicole , Heng Jennifer , Lee Sarah , Stiner Rachel , Alexander Michael , Lakey Jonathan R. T. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIntroductionIslet recovery from within alginate‐based microcapsules is necessary for certain analytical assays like flow cytometry; however, this technology has not been widely characterized. In this study, we explore the ability of EDTA, EGTA, and sodium citrate to induce reverse alginate polymerization via chelation and assess the toxicity of each chelator on pancreatic islets.MethodsEDTA, EGTA, and sodium citrate were used to dissolve single‐layered Ba2+ alginate encapsulated islets and the rate of capsule breakdown calculated from analysis of imaging data. The effect of chelator exposure on islet viability and recovery was assessed using flow cytometry, while glucose‐stimulated insulin release (GSIR) assay was used to measure effects on islet function.ResultsEGTA demonstrated the most rapid microcapsule dissolving rate followed by EDTA and sodium citrate. Islet recovery was significantly better when encapsulated islets were treated with EDTA than EGTA and Na+ citrate. A decrease in viability and increase in apoptotic cells were observed when encapsulated islets were treated with Na+ citrate compared to islets treated with EDTA and EGTA. Islets treated with EDTA and EGTA demonstrated comparable stimulation index values to non‐treated control. Conversely, islets treated with Na+ citrate exhibited significantly decreased SI values compared to control. All chelator groups showed significantly lower insulin secretion than non‐treated islets.ConclusionIslet recovery from alginate microcapsule is possible using common chelators like Na+ citrate, EDTA, and EGTA. Chelation of encapsulated islets using EDTA demonstrated the most efficient dissolving capabilities with the least toxicity toward islet recovery and health.
Numerical Study of a Single-Sided Vibro-Impact Track Nonlinear Energy Sink Considering Horizontal and Vertical Dynamics
Authors: Li Wenke , Wierschem Nicholas E. , Li Xinhui , Yang Tiejun , Brennan Michael J. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
In this paper, the single-sided vibro-impact track nonlinear energy sink (SSVI track NES) is studied. The SSVI track NES, which is attached to a primary structure, has nonlinear behavior caused by the NES mass moving on a fixed track and impacting on the primary structure at an impact surface. Unlike previous studies of the SSVI track NES, both the horizontal and vertical dynamics of the primary structure are considered. A numerical study is carried out to investigate the way in which energy is dissipated in this system. Assuming a track shape with a quartic polynomial, an optimization procedure that considers the total energy dissipated during a time period is carried out, to determine the optimum NES mass and track parameter. It is found that there is dynamic coupling between the horizontal and vertical directions caused by the SSVI track NES motion. The vibrational energy, originally in the structure in the horizontal direction, is transferred to the vertical motion of the structure where it is dissipated. Considering that many civil and mechanical systems are particularly vulnerable to extreme loads in the horizontal direction, this energy transformation can be beneficial to prevent or limit damage to the structure. The effect on energy dissipation of the position of the impact surface in the SSVI track NES and the ratio of the vertical to horizontal stiffness in the primary structure are discussed. Numerical results demonstrate a robust and stable performance of the SSVI track NES over a wide range of stiffness ratios.
Scalable Electro-Osmotic Thruster for Stealthy, Extreme Condition Underwater Propulsion
Authors: Hansen Thomas E. , Stern Aaron , Thuppul Anirudh , Diez Francisco J. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
The concept, design, and testing of an electric thruster for underwater propulsion based on the electro-osmotic principle are presented. A unique feature of the proposed electro-osmotic thruster (EOT) is the absence of dynamic components, enabling robust, stealthy operation, and the potential for application in extreme underwater conditions. Furthermore, the EOT is unaffected by magnetic fields as it does not require metallic components. In a particularly extreme environment test, a small EOT was immersed in an ultrasonic bath and demonstrated normal operation. In another test, multiple EOTs were aligned to work in parallel to increase packing efficiency. In a large-scale test the EOT successfully propelled a small 5 kg unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) at 2.2 cm/s. This experiment was performed using a fraction of the EOT's maximum potential thrust that could be available if it were to be mounted to a large-scale autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) platform, such as a REMUS 100. The EOT described in this paper is the first underwater thruster to continue the abandoned work of magneto-hydrodynamics in finding low-wake steady-state propulsion.
Measurement of Adhesive Bonding Strength With an EMAT in the Resonant Mode
Authors: Liu Tianhao , Zhou Haiqiang , Pei Cuixiang , Chen Zhenmao 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
The electromagnetic acoustic resonance (EMAR) method with shear wave is sensitive to boundary conditions and plate thickness. In this paper, a new noncontact ultrasonic testing method based on the electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) in the resonant mode is proposed for the bonding strength evaluation in metal-based adhesive structures. Different from the conventional pulse-echo method using short-burst excitation for bonding inspection, the attenuation coefficient feature of the resonant ultrasonic signal with long-burst excitation is applied to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and detecting sensitivity of the EMAT for adhesive bonding strength evaluation. A theoretical model for adhesive bonding testing with EMAT signals in the resonant mode is established. To extract the signal feature representing the reflection coefficient, the time-domain signal was processed by Hilbert transformation and exponential curve fitting. Through the simulation on the received signal, the correlation between the attenuation coefficient of the exponent fitted curve and the strength on the adhesive imperfect interface were confirmed. Finally, the proposed correlation is verified by an experiment on stainless steel plates bonded with polymethyl methacrylate plates by epoxy adhesion via a permanent magnetic EMAT.
Development of a patient safety culture scale for maternal and child health institutions in China: a cross-sectional validation study
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Han Hui , Qiu Liqian , Liu Chaojie , Wang Yan , Liu Weiwei 
Published: September 2019

ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop a patient safety culture (PSC) scale for maternal and child healthcare (MCH) institutions in China.MethodsA theoretical framework of PSC for MCH institutions was proposed through in-depth interviews with MCH workers and patients and Delphi expert consultations. The reliability and validity of the PSC scale were tested in a cross-sectional survey of 1256 MCH workers from 14 MCH institutions in Zhejiang province of China. The study sample was randomly split into half for exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, respectively. Test–retest reliability was assessed through a repeated survey of 63 voluntary participants 2 weeks apart.ResultsThe exploratory factor analysis extracted 10 components: patient engagement in patient safety (six items), managerial response to patient safety risks (four items), perceived management support (five items), staff empowerment (four items), staffing and workloads (four items), reporting of adverse events (three items), defensive medical practice (three items), work commitment (three items), training (two items) and transfer and handoff (three items). A good model fit was found in the confirmatory factor analysis: χ2/df=1.822, standardised root mean residual=0.048, root mean square error of approximation=0.038, comparative fit index=0.921, Tucker-Lewis index=0.907. The PSC scale had a Cronbach’s α coefficient of 0.89 (0.59–0.90 for dimensional scales) and a test–retest reliability of 0.81 (0.63–0.87 for dimensional reliability), respectively. The intracluster correlation coefficients confirmed a hierarchical nature of the data: individual health workers nested within MCH institutions.ConclusionThe PSC scale for MCH institutions has acceptable reliability and validity. Further studies are needed to establish benchmarking in a national representative sample through a multilevel modelling approach.
Biallelic mutations inCFAP65cause male infertility with multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella in humans and mice
Authors: Li Weiyu , Wu Huan , Li Fuping , Tian Shixiong , Kherraf Zine-Eddine , Zhang Jintao , Ni Xiaoqing , Lv Mingrong , Liu Chunyu , Tan Qing , Shen Ying , Amiri-Yekta Amir , Cazin Caroline , Zhang Jingjing , Liu Wangjie , Zheng Yan , Cheng Huiru , Wu Yingbi , Wang Jiajia , Gao Yang , Chen Yujie , Zha Xiaomin , Jin Li , Liu Mingxi , He Xiaojin , Ray Pierre F , Cao Yunxia , Zhang Feng 
Published: September 2019

BackgroundMale infertility is a prevalent issue worldwide, mostly due to the impaired sperm motility. Multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) present aberrant spermatozoa with absent, short, coiled, bent and irregular-calibre flagella resulting in severely decreased motility. Previous studies reported several MMAF-associated genes accounting for approximately half of MMAF cases.Methods and resultWe conducted genetic analysis using whole-exome sequencing in 88 Han Chinese MMAF probands.CFAP65homozygous mutations were identified in four unrelated consanguineous families, andCFAP65compound heterozygous mutations were found in two unrelated cases with MMAF. All theseCFAP65mutations were null, including four frameshift mutations (c.1775delC [p.Pro592Leufs*8], c.3072_3079dup [p.Arg1027Profs*41], c.1946delC [p.Pro649Argfs*5] and c.1580delT [p.Leu527Argfs*31]) and three stop-gain mutations (c.4855C>T [p.Arg1619*], c.5270T>A [p.Leu1757*] and c.5341G>T [p.Glu1781*]). Additionally, two homozygousCFAP65variants likely affecting splicing were identified in two MMAF-affected men of Tunisian and Iranian ancestries, respectively. These biallelic variants ofCFAP65were verified by Sanger sequencing and were absent or very rare in large data sets aggregating sequence information from various human populations.CFAP65, encoding the cilia and flagella associated protein 65, is highly and preferentially expressed in the testis. Here we also generated a frameshift mutation in mouse orthologueCfap65using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Remarkably, the phenotypes ofCfap65-mutated male mice were consistent with human MMAF.ConclusionsOur experimental observations performed on both human subjects and onCfap65-mutated mice demonstrate that the presence of biallelic mutations inCFAP65causes the MMAF phenotype and impairs sperm motility.
Echocardiographic evaluation of four giant Aldabra tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea)
Authors: Campolo Marco , Oricco Stefano , Cavicchio Paolo , Piga Sara , Ulivi Valentina , Poggi Marco , Zanatta Renato , Iannaccone Maddalena 
Published: September 2019

ObjectivesIn recent years echocardiography has become a good diagnostic tool in Zoo Medicine but in some cases, it is still a challenge. In Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) the big size of animals and the few individuals hosted in Zoo are critical points for the application of this diagnostic technique.The purposes of this research were: to evaluate the feasibility of the diagnostic imaging technique on big‐sized turtles; to define the echographic parameters for this species; and to describe the morphofunctional and physiological echographic characteristics of their cardiovascular system.DesignRepeated measures in vivo.SettingUltrasonography systematic description and Doppler analysis of the cardiovascular system of Aldabra giant tortoise were carried out; B‐mode examination allowed the evaluation of the kinetics of the ventricle, the atria and the atrioventricular valves.Participants4 Aldabra giant tortoises (two adult males and two young females) hosted in two zoological gardens.InterventionsEchocardiography was performed placing the animals in ventral on a restraining platform raised from the floor, to provide adequate accessibility to the thoracic windows where the probe was placed. No chemical restraint was used.Primary and secondary outcome measuresHeart rate, systolic and diastolic areas and volumes, vessel diameters and blood flow velocity were measured.ResultsHeart rate was 21±4 bpm (range 14–25 bpm). The averages of the diastolic and systolic area indexes linked to the subject weight were: 21±3 cm2 and 9±1 cm2.The aortic annulus diameter in female specimens measured 11.2±0.8 mm, while it measured 21.5±0.3 mm in male species.ConclusionResults confirm the effectiveness of echocardiography as a means to study and evaluate the cardiovascular system of this species even if more studies on a bigger number of patients would be necessary to develop the echocardiography technique.
Transport of marine microplastic particles: why is it so difficult to predict?
Authors: Khatmullina Liliya , Chubarenko Irina 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Marine microplastic particles (MPs, <5 mm) exhibit wide ranges of densities, sizes, and shapes, so that the entire MPs “ensemble” at every time instant can be characterized by continuous distributions of these parameters. Accordingly, this community of particles demonstrates distributions of dynamical properties, such as sinking or rising velocity, critical shear stress, and the re-suspension threshold. Moreover, all the MPs’ properties vary significantly with the time spent in marine environment and with particular conditions experienced by the particle on its journey. A brief review of the present-day numerical efforts towards prediction of MPs transport shows the prevalence of the Lagrangian particle tracking approach, especially for floating litter. In a broader context, the present practice of MPs transport modelling follows the “selective” strategy (e.g., only a certain sub-class of MPs, or specific processes, are considered, sometimes in only one- or two-dimensional setting). The heterogeneous nature of MPs, their enormous longevity and movability in marine environment, and the wide spectrum of the involved environmental processes suggest further integration (or coupling) of different models in future, as well as application of other types of models (ensemble modeling, chaos theory approaches, machine learning, etc.) to the problems of MPs transport and fate in the marine environment.
Isoflavone does not promote additional effects on heart rate variability of postmenopausal women performing combined exercise training: a clinical, controlled, randomized, double-blind study
Authors: Mariano Igor Moraes , de Freitas Victor Hugo , Dechichi Juliene Gonçalves Costa , Batista Jaqueline Pontes , de Souza Tállita Cristina Ferreira , Amaral Ana Luiza , Rodrigues Mateus de Lima , Carrijo Victor Hugo Vilarinho , Puga Guilherme Morais 
Published: September 2019

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of ingesting isoflavones associated with combined aerobic and resistance exercise training on heart rate variability (HRV) indices in postmenopausal women. Twenty-eight healthy postmenopausal women performed 10 weeks of combined exercise training associated with isoflavone (n = 16) or placebo (n = 12) supplementation. The RR intervals (RRi) were collected for 20 min using a heart rate monitor. Analysis of HRV was performed in time (mean squared difference of successive RRi (RMSSD), standard deviation of all normal RRi (SDNN), and percentage of adjacent RRi differing by more than 50 ms (pNN50)), frequency (low-frequency percentage (LF%), high-frequency percentage (HF%), and low-/high-frequency ratio (LF/HF)), and nonlinear domains (standard deviation of the instantaneous variability of the beat-to-beat interval (SD1), long-term variability of the continuous RRi (SD2), and their ratio (SD2/SD1)). Student’s t test did not show differences between groups in any general baseline characteristic variables. The results of the generalized estimating equation tests did not demonstrate interaction or group effects for any HRV indices. However, the results reported time effects for mean RR (p < 0.001), RMSSD (p = 0.044), and SD1 (p = 0.044), with increases in these indices in response to exercise training. There were no time effects for LF%, HF%, LF/HF, SDNN, pNN50, SD2, or SD2/SD1. In conclusion, isoflavone supplementation did not promote additional effects on HRV indices of postmenopausal women subjected to 10 weeks of combined exercise training. Novelty Combined training improves heart rate variability in postmenopausal women. Isoflavone supplementation did not promote additional effects on heart rate variability in postmenopausal women.
Post-MGUS Diagnosis Serum Monoclonal-Protein Velocity and the Progression of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance to Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Chang Su-Hsin , Gumbel Jason , Luo Suhong , Thomas Theodore S. , Sanfilippo Kristen M. , Luo Jingqin , Colditz Graham A. , Carson Kenneth R. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background:
Multiple myeloma is a common hematologic malignancy consistently preceded by monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Little is known about postdiagnosis clinical predictors of progression of MGUS to multiple myeloma to guide MGUS management. This study aimed to investigate whether the rate of rise in serum monoclonal protein concentration during the year after MGUS diagnosis—M-protein velocity—predicts progression of MGUS to multiple myeloma.

Methods:
Data from the U.S. Veterans Health Administration system were used. A retrospective cohort of patients with MGUS who progressed to multiple myeloma were matched on age at MGUS diagnosis and race in a 1:4 ratio to the patients with MGUS using incidence density sampling. Kaplan–Meier curves were plotted. Univariable and multivariable conditional logistic regression analyses were fitted from the matched risk sets.

Results:
A total of 128 cases and 490 matched controls were included. The case group contained a higher percentage of patients with M-protein velocity &gt;0.1 g/dL/year than the control group (44.5% vs. 28.2%, P &lt;0.0001). M-protein velocity of &gt;0.1 g/dL during the year following MGUS diagnosis was positively associated with progression of MGUS to multiple myeloma (multivariable-adjusted odds ratio = 2.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.37–3.35).

Conclusions:
Patients with a positive M-protein velocity during the year after MGUS diagnosis may be considered for more frequent monitoring for early detection and timely treatment of multiple myeloma. Future prevention studies could target these patients for intervention evaluation.

Impact:
Our results suggest a new clinical predictor of progression to multiple myeloma following MGUS diagnosis, which has potential to identify high-risk patients for management and prevention.
CNDAC-Induced DNA Double-Strand Breaks Cause Aberrant Mitosis Prior to Cell Death
Authors: Liu Xiaojun , Jiang Yingjun , Takata Kei-ichi , Nowak Billie , Liu Chaomei , Wood Richard D. , Hittelman Walter N. , Plunkett William 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Incorporation of the clinically active deoxycytidine analogue 2′-C-cyano-2′-deoxy-1-β-D-arabino-pentofuranosyl-cytosine (CNDAC) into DNA generates single-strand breaks that are subsequently converted to double-strand breaks (DSB). Here, we investigated the cellular manifestations of these breaks that link these mechanisms to cell death, and we further tested the relevance of DNA repair pathways in protection of cells against CNDAC damage. The present investigations demonstrate that following exposure to CNDAC and a wash into drug-free medium, chromosomal aberrations, DNA strand breaks, and multinucleate cells arose. These portended loss of viability and were dependent upon exposure time, CNDAC concentration, and passage through mitosis. Following a pulse incubation with CNDAC, live cell imaging using GFP-tagged histone H2B as a marker demonstrated a normal rate of progression to mitosis, but a concentration-dependent delay in passage to a second mitosis. Progression through mitosis was also delayed and accompanied by formation of multinucleate cells. CNDAC-treated cells lacking XPF-ERCC1 nuclease function showed a 16-fold increase in chromosome aberrations. Chromosomal damage in Rad51D-mutant cells (homologous recombination repair deficient) were even more severely affected with extensive aberrations. Rodent or human Polq (POLQ) mutant cells, defective in Pol θ–mediated alternative end joining, did not show enhanced cellular sensitivity to CNDAC. These findings are consistent with formation of DSBs in the second S-phase following exposure, resulting in chromosome aberrations, aberrant mitoses, and subsequent apoptosis.