bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of Maternal Buprenorphine or Methadone Dose with Fetal Growth Indices and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Authors: Coulson Carol C. , Lorencz Erin , Rittenhouse Katelyn , Ramage Melinda , Lorenz Kathleen , Galvin Shelley L. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractObjective Our objective was to compare fetal growth and incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome requiring treatment across pregnant women with opioid use disorders on two types and two dose categories of medication-assisted treatment.Study Design A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a comprehensive, perinatal program in western North Carolina comparing growth percentiles on third-trimester ultrasound and at birth, and diagnosis of neonatal abstinence syndrome requiring treatment. Singletons were exposed in utero to low- to moderate-dose buprenorphine (≤16 mg/day; n = 70), high-dose buprenorphine (≥17 mg/day; n = 36), low- to moderate-dose methadone (≤89 mg/day; n = 41), or high-dose methadone (≥90 mg/day; n = 74). Multivariate analysis of variance with posthoc Bonferroni comparisons (p ≤ 0.01) and multinomial logistic regressions (adjusted odds ratio, 99% confidence interval) were conducted.Results Differences in neonatal outcomes reached statistical significance for larger head circumference for buprenorphine doses (p = 0.01) and for longer length (p < 0.01) and lower odds of neonatal abstinence syndrome requiring treatment (p < 0.01) with low- to moderate-dose buprenorphine versus high-dose methadone.Conclusion Among pregnant women using medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders, low- to moderate-dose buprenorphine (≤16 mg/day) was associated with the most favorable neonatal outcomes. However, more rigorous control of confounders with a larger sample is necessary to determine if low- to moderate-dose buprenorphine is the better treatment choice.
Impaired Arterial Elastic Properties and Endothelial Glycocalyx in Patients with Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source
Authors: Ikonomidis Ignatios , Frogoudaki Alexandra , Vrettou Agathi-Rosa , Andreou Ioannis , Palaiodimou Lina , Katogiannis Konstantinos , Liantinioti Chryssa , Vlastos Dimitrios , Zervas Paschalis , Varoudi Maria , Lambadiari Vaia , Triantafyllidi Helen , Pavlidis George , Efentakis Panagiotis , Tsoumani Maria , Tsantes Argirios E. , Parissis John , Revela Ioanna , Andreadou Ioanna , Tsivgoulis Georgios 
Published: August 2019

Background and Purpose Cardioembolism is a postulated mechanism of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). We investigated endothelial glycocalyx, aortic elastic properties, oxidative stress, and their association with left atrial (LA) function in ESUS and healthy individuals.
Methods In 90 ESUS patients (age 50.4 ± 13.2) and 90 controls with similar risk factors, we measured: (1) perfused boundary region (PBR) of the sublingual arterial microvessels (range 5–25 µm), a marker inversely related with glycocalyx thickness, (2) pulse wave velocity (PWV), central systolic blood pressure (cSBP), and augmentation index (AIx), (3) LA volume and strain using speckle-tracking imaging, and (4) malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyls (PCs), as oxidative stress markers.
Results Compared with controls, ESUS had higher PWV, PBR, MDA, and PC levels as well as higher LA volume and reduced reservoir LA strain (p < 0.05). PBR > 1.2 μm of microvessel ranging from 5 to 9 μm and PWV > 10.2 m/s were associated with ESUS on multivariable analysis (odds ratio: 2.374 and 5.429, p < 0.05, respectively) and increased the c-statistic of the initial model from 0.54 to 0.71. In ESUS, glycocalyx damage (increased PBR) was related with increased PWV (p < 0.01) which was linked with LA reservoir strain after controlling for age, sex, and risk factors (p = 0.03). Increased MDA and PC were related with glycocalyx damage, increased PWV (r = 0.67 and r = 0.52), AIx, cSBP, and aortic atheroma (p < 0.01).
Conclusion Arterial function and endothelial glycocalyx are severely impaired in ESUS and are linked to LA dysfunction suggesting their contribution to ESUS pathogenesis.
Clinical Trial Registration URL-http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT03609437.
CD8αα homodimers function as a coreceptor for KIR3DL1
Authors: Geng Jie , Raghavan Malini 
Published: August 2019

SignificanceInhibitory receptors specific for major histocompatibility class I (MHC-I) molecules regulate NK cell responses. Here, we describe that cluster of differentiation 8αα (CD8αα) works as a coreceptor to enhance interaction between MHC-I and one of these receptors, KIR3DL1. We further demonstrate that inhibition of NK cell activation by MHC-I and KIR3DL1 interaction is fine-tuned by CD8αα. By testing cytokine secretion ability, we found CD8αα+NK cells are generally better educated, and thus more responsive to abnormal cells. All these results suggest that CD8αα is an important regulator of NK cell activation.
Sleight is right: Cyber control as a new battleground for African elections
Authors: Amoah Michael 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Sleight of hand in manipulating the computation of results has become the new might for deciding who wins presidential elections. It appears that whoever controls the computation exercises a right to take advantage and win, and whoever loses or relinquishes control of the computation loses the election. As incumbents do not want to be identified with direct interference or rigging, hacking has become an alternative means. This raises a serious challenge for election management bodies (EMBs) and a new frontier for international observation. As electronic data management has become a key battleground, international observers cannot restrict their monitoring to the manual process alone. However, individual states may have data sensitivity concerns about granting electronic monitoring access to partisan international observers. Institutionalizing internationally agreed protocols that would allow real-time monitoring of EMBs’ computer systems by international observers or forensic audits of any stage of the electoral process to investigate interference, manipulation, hacking, and counter claims, is now a necessity. At the same time, the extent to which international monitors can be trusted to be non-partisan is of equal importance and could reduce forum shopping over time.
Investigation of the Obesity Paradox in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, According to Smoking Status, in the United States
Authors: Wu Tianshi David , Ejike Chinedu O , Wise Robert A , McCormack Meredith C , Brigham Emily P 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
An obesity paradox in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), whereby overweight/obese individuals have improved survival, has been well-described. These studies have generally included smokers. It is unknown whether the paradox exists in individuals with COPD arising from factors other than smoking. Nonsmoking COPD is understudied yet represents some 25%–45% of the disease worldwide. To determine whether the obesity paradox differs between ever- and never-smokers with COPD, 1,723 adult participants with this condition were examined from 2 iterations of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988–1994, 2007–2010), with mortality outcomes followed through December 2011. Using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for sociodemographic factors, lung function, and survey cycle, ever/never-smoking was found to modify the association between body mass index and hazard of death. Compared with normal-weight participants, overweight/obese participants had lower hazard of death among ever-smokers (for overweight, adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.43, 0.74; for obesity, aHR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.48, 0.92), but never-smokers did not (overweight, aHR = 1.41, 95% CI: 0.66, 3.03; obesity, aHR = 1.29, 95% CI: 0.48, 3.48). An obesity paradox appeared to be absent among never-smokers with COPD. This, to our knowledge, novel finding might be explained by pathophysiological differences between smoking-related and nonsmoking COPD or by smoking-associated methodological biases.
Advancing an interdisciplinary framework to study seed dispersal ecology
Authors: Beckman Noelle G , Aslan Clare E , Rogers Haldre S , Kogan Oleg , Bronstein Judith L , Bullock James M , Hartig Florian , HilleRisLambers Janneke , Zhou Ying , Zurell Damaris , Brodie Jedediah F , Bruna Emilio M , Cantrell Robert Stephen , Decker Robin R , Efiom Edu , Fricke Evan C , Gurski Katherine , Hastings Alan , Johnson Jeremy S , Loiselle Bette A , Miriti Maria N , Neubert Michael G , Pejchar Liba , Poulsen John R , Pufal Gesine , Razafindratsima Onja H , Sandor Manette E , Shea Katriona , Schreiber Sebastian , Schupp Eugene W , Snell Rebecca S , Strickland Christopher , Zambrano Jenny 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAlthough dispersal is generally viewed as a crucial determinant for the fitness of any organism, our understanding of its role in the persistence and spread of plant populations remains incomplete. Generalizing and predicting dispersal processes are challenging due to context dependence of seed dispersal, environmental heterogeneity and interdependent processes occurring over multiple spatial and temporal scales. Current population models often use simple phenomenological descriptions of dispersal processes, limiting their ability to examine the role of population persistence and spread, especially under global change. To move seed dispersal ecology forward, we need to evaluate the impact of any single seed dispersal event within the full spatial and temporal context of a plant’s life history and environmental variability that ultimately influences a population’s ability to persist and spread. In this perspective, we provide guidance on integrating empirical and theoretical approaches that account for the context dependency of seed dispersal to improve our ability to generalize and predict the consequences of dispersal, and its anthropogenic alteration, across systems. We synthesize suitable theoretical frameworks for this work and discuss concepts, approaches and available data from diverse subdisciplines to help operationalize concepts, highlight recent breakthroughs across research areas and discuss ongoing challenges and open questions. We address knowledge gaps in the movement ecology of seeds and the integration of dispersal and demography that could benefit from such a synthesis. With an interdisciplinary perspective, we will be able to better understand how global change will impact seed dispersal processes, and potential cascading effects on plant population persistence, spread and biodiversity.
tealeaves: an R package for modelling leaf temperature using energy budgets
Authors: Muir Christopher D 
Published: August 2019

AbstractPlants must regulate leaf temperature to optimize photosynthesis, control water loss and prevent damage caused by overheating or freezing. Physical models of leaf energy budgets calculate the energy fluxes and leaf temperatures for a given set leaf and environmental parameters. These models can provide deep insight into the variation in leaf form and function, but there are few computational tools available to use these models. Here I introduce a new R package called tealeaves to make complex leaf energy budget models accessible to a broader array of plant scientists. This package enables novice users to start modelling leaf energy budgets quickly while allowing experts to customize their parameter settings. The code is open source, freely available and readily integrates with other R tools for scientific computing. This paper describes the current functionality of tealeaves, but new features will be added in future releases. This software tool will advance new research on leaf thermal physiology to advance our understanding of basic and applied plant science.
XI—Responsibilities and Taking on Responsibility
Authors: Calhoun Cheshire 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
There is a familiar, everyday notion of a responsibility. Much of daily life on and off the job is consumed by taking care of responsibilities in this sense. But what is a responsibility, and how are responsibilities related to obligations? Reflection on the phenomenon of taking on responsibilities suggests that the concept of ‘a responsibility’ is distinct from that of ‘an obligation’, and that not all responsibilities are also obligations, even though many are.
Osseocartilaginous Rib Graft L-Strut for Nasal Framework Reconstruction
Authors: Ciolek Peter J , Hanick Andrea L , Roskies Michael , Fritz Michael A 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Background
In the setting of major nasal framework reconstruction, it is critical to create a stable, warp-resistant L-strut to resist the contractile forces of healing to achieve a durable outcome.

Objectives
The authors sought to demonstrate the effectiveness of the osseocartilaginous rib graft for nasal framework reconstruction.

Methods
Retrospective analysis was performed of all patients who underwent osseocartilaginous rib graft for L-strut reconstruction from 2007 to 2017 at a tertiary care hospital. Only patients with severe framework-only defects (Type IV, Daniel Classification) or total/subtotal nasal defects (Type V, Daniel Classification) were included. Primary outcome measures were: (1) maintenance of projection; (2) graft warping; and (3) graft resorption.

Results
Twenty-six patients aged an average of 54.6 years underwent nasal framework reconstruction with an osseocartilaginous rib graft L-strut. Eighteen patients had framework-only deformities (Daniel Type IV) and 8 had total or subtotal nasal deformities (Daniel Type V). Twelve patients underwent reconstruction for autoimmune mediated deformity, 10 for malignancy, 3 for traumatic injury, and 1 for an iatrogenic deformity. Average follow-up was 21 months. There was no observed warping of the L-strut construct, and all but 2 patients demonstrated total maintenance of projection. Resorption of the caudal cartilage graft was identified as the etiology of partial loss of projection in 2 patients.

Conclusions
The osseocartilaginous rib graft L-strut provides a stable, warp-resistant construct for patients lacking major dorsal and caudal support, which may be applied to reconstruction of defects due to malignancy, autoimmune, traumatic, or iatrogenic etiologies.

Level of Evidence: 4
Partner’s age, not social environment, predicts extrapair paternity in wild great tits (Parus major)
Authors: Roth Allison M , Firth Josh A , Patrick Samantha C , Cole Ella F , Sheldon Ben C 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
An individual’s fitness is not only influenced by its own phenotype, but by the phenotypes of interacting conspecifics. This is likely to be particularly true when considering fitness gains and losses caused by extrapair matings, as they depend directly on the social environment. While previous work has explored effects of dyadic interactions, limited understanding exists regarding how group-level characteristics of the social environment affect extrapair paternity (EPP) and cuckoldry. We use a wild population of great tits (Parus major) to examine how, in addition to the phenotypes of focal parents, two neighborhood-level traits—age and personality composition—predict EPP and cuckoldry. We used the well-studied trait “exploration behavior” as a measure of the reactive-proactive personality axis. Because breeding pairs inhabit a continuous “social landscape,” we first established an ecologically relevant definition of a breeding “neighborhood” through genotyping parents and nestlings in a 51-ha patch of woodland and assessing the spatial predictors of EPP events. Using the observed decline in likelihood of EPP with increasing spatial separation between nests, we determined the relevant neighborhood boundaries, and thus the group phenotypic composition of an individual’s neighborhood, by calculating the point at which the likelihood of EPP became negligible. We found no evidence that “social environment” effects (i.e., neighborhood age or personality composition) influenced EPP or cuckoldry. We did, however, find that a female’s own age influenced the EPP of her social mate, with males paired to older females gaining more EPP, even when controlling for the social environment. These findings suggest that partner characteristics, rather than group phenotypic composition, influence mating activity patterns at the individual level.
Age differences in the temporal stability of a male African elephant (Loxodonta africana) social network
Authors: Murphy Derek , Mumby Hannah S , Henley Michelle D 
Published: August 2019

AbstractSocial animals live in complex and variable socio-ecological environments where individuals adapt their behavior to local conditions. Recently, there have been calls for studies of animal social networks to take account of temporal dynamics in social relationships as these have implications for the spread of information and disease, group cohesion, and the drivers of sociality, and there is evidence that maintaining stable social relationships has fitness benefits. It has recently been recognized that male elephants form strong social bonds with other males. The nature of these relationships, and thus network structure, may vary over time in response to varying environmental conditions and as individuals age. Using social network analysis, we examine the stability of relationships and network centrality in a population of male African elephants. Our results suggest that males may maintain stable social relationships with others over time. Older males show greater stability in network centrality than younger males, suggesting younger males face uncertainty in transitioning to adult society. For elephants, where older individuals function as social repositories of knowledge, maintaining a social network underpinned by older males could be of particular importance.
Cardioinformatics: the nexus of bioinformatics and precision cardiology
Authors: Khomtchouk Bohdan B , Tran Diem-Trang , Vand Kasra A , Might Matthew , Gozani Or , Assimes Themistocles L 
Published: August 2019

AbstractCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, causing over 17 million deaths per year, which outpaces global cancer mortality rates. Despite these sobering statistics, most bioinformatics and computational biology research and funding to date has been concentrated predominantly on cancer research, with a relatively modest footprint in CVD. In this paper, we review the existing literary landscape and critically assess the unmet need to further develop an emerging field at the multidisciplinary interface of bioinformatics and precision cardiovascular medicine, which we refer to as ‘cardioinformatics’.
Truncation of MYH8 tail in AML: a novel prognostic marker with increase cell migration and epithelial–mesenchymal transition utilizing RAF/MAPK pathway
Authors: Park Hyejoo , Kim Daeyoon , Kim Dongchan , Park Jihyun , Koh Youngil , Yoon Sung-Soo 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
MYH8 is an actin-based motor protin involved in integrin-mediated cell adhesion and migration. Heretofore, the association of MYH8 mutation and cancer is unclear. In this study, we investigated the biologic significance of novel MYH8 tail truncation mutation, R1292X, in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) which was discovered by whole-exome sequencing and targeted re-sequencing of 209 AML patients. The patients harboring the mutation all relapsed within 3.8–20.9 months. To explore the functional consequence of the mutation in AML progress, we established knock-in cell lines using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. Using the established mutant model, we assessed traits of cancer progress. The mutant cells had improved motility, which was confirmed by immunofluorescence staining, wound healing, transwell migration and adhesion assay. The cell morphology and cell cycle were altered to be accessible to migration and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) transcription factors were also increased. The Raf and p44/42 MAPK pathway was a major regulator of these characteristics proved by a screening of signal transduction and inhibitor assay. Further, a public cancer genome database (cBioPortal) shows that MYH8 tail truncation mutations occurring near the R1292 position of the genome may have a significant function in cancer. In conclusion, truncation of MYH8 could be a novel prognostic marker related to poor prognosis by inducing cell migration and EMT features, and inhibition of the Raf/MAPK pathway would be a therapeutic strategy for AML patients with MYH8 tail truncation.
Mass-transfer studies of solid-base catalyst-aided CO2 absorption and solid-acid catalyst-aided CO2 desorption for CO2 capture in a pilot plant using aqueous solutions of MEA and blends of MEA-MDEA and BEA-AMP
Authors: Coker James , Afari Daniel Boafo , Narku-Tetteh Jessica , Idem Raphael 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Mass-transfer studies of catalyst-aided CO2 absorption and desorption were performed in a full-cycle, bench-scale pilot plant to improve CO2 absorption using 5M MEA, 5M MEA-2M MDEA and 2M BEA-2M AMP. A solid-base catalyst, K/MgO, and an acid catalyst, HZSM-5, were used to facilitate absorption and desorption, respectively. Absorption and desorption mass-transfer performance was presented in terms of the overall mass-transfer coefficient of the gas side (KGav) and liquid side (KLav), respectively. For non-catalytic runs, the highest KGaV and KLaV were 0.086 Kmolm3.kPa.hr and 0.785 1hr for 2M BEA-2M AMP solvent. The results showed 38.7% KGav and 23.6% KLav increase for 2M BEA-2M AMP with only HZSM-5 catalyst in desorber and a 95% KGaV and 45% KLaV increase for both K/MgO catalyst and HZSM-5 catalyst. This was attributed to the role of K/MgO in bonding loosely with CO2 and making it available for the amine reaction.
How Task Interactivity Shapes Action Observation
Authors: Sacheli L M , Verga C , Arcangeli E , Banfi G , Tettamanti M , Paulesu E 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Action observation triggers imitation, a powerful mechanism permitting interpersonal coordination. Coordination, however, also occurs when the partners’ actions are nonimitative and physically incongruent. One influential theory postulates that this is achieved via top-down modulation of imitation exerted by prefrontal regions. Here, we rather argue that coordination depends on sharing a goal with the interacting partner: this shapes action observation, overriding involuntary imitation, through the predictive activity of the left ventral premotor cortex (lvPMc). During functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), participants played music in turn with a virtual partner in interactive and noninteractive conditions requiring 50% of imitative/nonimitative responses. In a full-factorial design, both perceptual features and low-level motor requirements were kept constant throughout the experiment. Behaviorally, the interactive context minimized visuomotor interference due to the involuntary imitation of physically incongruent movements. This was paralleled by modulation of neural activity in the lvPMc, which was specifically recruited during the interactive task independently of the imitative/nonimitative nature of the social exchange. This lvPMc activity reflected the predictive decoding of the partner’s actions, as revealed by multivariate pattern analysis. This demonstrates that, during interactions, we process our partners’ behavior to prospectively infer their contribution to the shared goal achievement, generating motor predictions for cooperation beyond low-level imitation.