bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What are we measuring? Novices agree amongst themselves (but not always with experts) in their assessment of dog behaviour
Authors: Munch Kirke L. , Wapstra Erik , Thomas Scott , Fisher Michelle , Sinn David L. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHumans differ in how they perceive, assess, and measure animal behaviour. This is problematic because strong observer bias can reduce statistical power, accuracy of scientific inference, and in the worst cases, lead to spurious results. Unfortunately, reports and studies of measurement reliability in animal behaviour studies are rare. Here, we investigated two aspects of measurement reliability in working dogs: inter‐observer agreement and criterion validity (comparing novice ratings with those given by experts). Here, we extend for the first time a powerful framework used in human psychological studies to investigate three potential aspects of (dis)agreement in nonhuman animal behaviour research: (a) that some behaviours are easier to observe than others; (b) that some subjects are easier to observe than others; and (c) that observers with different levels of experience with the subject animal give the same or different ratings. We found that novice observers with the same level of experience agreed upon measures of a wide range of behaviours. We found no evidence that age of the dogs affected agreement between these same novice observers. However, when observers with different levels of experience (i.e., novices vs. a working dog expert) assessed the same dogs, agreement appeared to be strongly affected by the measurement instrument used to assess behaviour. Given that animal behaviour research often utilizes different observers with different levels of experience, our results suggest that further tests of how different observers may measure behaviour in different ways are needed across a wider variety of organisms and measurement instruments.
Incorporating existing thermal tolerance into projections of compositional turnover under climate change
Authors: Bush Alex , Catullo Renee , Mokany Karel , Harwood Tom , Hoskins Andrew J. , Ferrier Simon 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAimObserved, realized niche space often underestimates species’ physiological tolerances due to interactions with other species, dispersal constraints, and because some combinations of influential environmental factors do not currently exist in the real world. Conversely, correlative ecological niche models rely on the assumption that the range of environmental conditions encompassed by a species’ geographic distribution accurately reflects their environmental tolerances, including community‐level approaches like generalized dissimilarity modelling (GDM). We extend GDM to better understand what effect broader environmental tolerances could have on compositional turnover under climate change.InnovationWe show how GDM can be adjusted as a function of best‐available estimates of the average ratio between realized and potential niche widths to modify projected temporal turnover. We demonstrate this approach by using the estimated niche ratios of Australian plant species (n = 7,184) relative to thermal extremes, and the rate at which this ratio varied with temperature. The modified GDMs showed existing thermal tolerance could reduce the turnover predicted by standard models under climate change by up to 11%. We further show how the reduction in expected turnover by 2090 will influence where a greater proportion of the current community will persist in a region.Main conclusionsWe suggest that standard spatial GDMs and their modified versions represent the extremes of ecological niche perspectives (i.e., realized and potential) and the range of tolerance communities may have when responding to environmental change. GDM projections therefore identify the range of uncertainty associated with a critical model assumption, and as climate change continues, ongoing community monitoring could be used to validate the balance between the two possibilities.
NLRC5 deficiency has a moderate impact on immunodominant CD8+ T‐cell responses during rotavirus infection of adult mice
Authors: Sun Tian , Ferrero Richard L , Girardin Stephen E , Gommerman Jennifer L , Philpott Dana J 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe NOD‐like receptor (NLR) family plays an important role in innate immunity. Class II transactivator and NOD‐like receptor caspase activation and recruitment domain CARD containing 5 (NLRC5) are unusual members of the NLR family that instead of recognizing pathogen‐associated or damage‐associated molecular patterns, form enhanceosomes with adaptor molecules and modulate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and MHC class I expression, respectively. While NLRC5 has been shown to play a role during intracellular pathogen infection and tumor cell immune evasion, its role in regulating antigen‐specific CD8+ T‐cell responses at the intestinal mucosa has not been investigated. Here, we take advantage of the rotavirus model in adult mice to dissect the impact of NLRC5 on CD8+ T‐cell responses to this viral infection at the gut mucosa. We show that while Nlrc5−/− mice exhibited normal proportions of T‐cell subpopulations in the intraepithelial and lamina propria compartments, these mice had decreased baseline MHC class I expression on various immune cells in the lamina propria. Upon rotavirus infection, Nlrc5 deficiency resulted in impaired H2‐Kb‐restricted antigen‐specific CD8+ T‐cell responses, which were recapitulated in mice deficient for Nlrc5 within the dendritic cell compartment. The impaired CD8+ T‐cell response in Nlrc5−/− mice was not significant enough to impact viral titers, suggesting compensation in Nlrc5−/− mice, perhaps as a result of higher numbers of activated B cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and normal rotavirus‐specific immunoglobulin A responses. Collectively, our results demonstrate a minor role for NLRC5 in modulating H2‐Kb‐restricted antigen‐specific CD8+ T‐cell responses in the small intestine during rotavirus infection in adult mice.
Alopecia neoplastica as a sign of visceral malignancies: a systematic review
Authors: Paolino G. , Pampena R. , Grassi S. , Mercuri S.R. , Cardone M. , Corsetti P. , Moliterni E. , Muscianese M. , Rossi A. , Frascione P. , Longo C. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAlopecia neoplastica (AN) from visceral tumours is a rare form of cutaneous metastasis in which internal malignancies spread to the scalp. The diagnosis of AN may be very challenging, especially when its onset precedes the diagnosis of the primary tumour. We aimed to improve the knowledge on AN, highlighting that in case of scarring localized alopecia, a differential diagnosis with metastasis should always be considered. We performed a systematic review to describe the main demographic and clinical features associated with AN from visceral malignancies; a survival analysis was also performed. In 118 reports, accounting for 123 patients, we found that women were more affected by AN than men (53.7% vs. 46.3%). The most frequent site of the primary tumour was the gastrointestinal tract (24.4%), followed by breast (17.9%), kidney (8.1%), lung (7.3%), thyroid (7.3%), uterus (6.5%), central nervous system (6.5%), liver (3.3%) and other anatomic areas for 18.7% of cases. Furthermore, in more than half of the cases (66.1%), AN lesions were single and were mainly diagnosed after the primary visceral tumour (71.5%). Finally, survival analysis highlighted a lower progression‐free survival in men; while, no significant differences in overall survival were reported among genders. In conclusion, metastatic skin disease should always be taken into consideration when dealing with patients with localized scarring alopecia.
THE REACTIVE BETA MODEL
Authors: Valeyre Sebastien , Aboura Sofiane , Grebenkov Denis 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWe present a reactive beta model that accounts for the leverage effect and beta elasticity. For this purpose, we derive a correlation metric for the leverage effect to identify the relation between the market beta and volatility changes. An empirical test based on the most popular market‐neutral strategies is run from 2000 to 2015 with exhaustive data sets, including 600 U.S. stocks and 600 European stocks. Our findings confirm the ability of the reactive beta model to remove an important part of the bias from the beta estimation and from most popular market‐neutral strategies. To examine the robustness of the reactive beta measurement, we conduct Monte Carlo simulations over seven market scenarios against five alternative methods. The results confirm that the reactive model significantly reduces the bias overall when financial markets are stressed.
Development and characterization of a new nonenzymatic colored time–temperature indicator
Authors: Uddin Zahoor , Boonsupthip Waraporn 
Published: February 2019

AbstractTime–temperature indicators (TTIs) are effective tool for monitoring food quality during processing and distribution. In this study, a new colored nonenzymatic browning (fructose and glycine)‐based TTI was developed. Twelve TTIs were made at four different substrate concentrations and three pH ranges 8.0–10.0. The mathematical models of each TTI were drawn up, which showed the relationships between the color change in terms of absorbance (420 nm), time and temperature. The activation energies (Ea), calculated from Arrhenius relationship ranged between 58.09 and 95.54 kJ mol−1 of all TTIs. Activation energies could be changed to match the Ea of food product, by modifying pH and the proportion of the fructose and glycine. A visual color change of TTI and a wide range of activation energy illustrated that this new chemical‐based TTI could be applied to show the time–temperature history of foodstuffs, and to indicate the food quality, which is associated with the undergoing of the time–temperature exposure.Practical applicationsThis work provides the development of a new smart temperature indicator based on nonenzymatic browning. The indicators are more useful for food quality monitoring from manufacturing till consumer consumption. However, the application of the TTI's can be extended to food processing, that is, sterilization, pasteurization, and drying process. Thus, the use of the TTIs can encourage food producers to scrutinize food processing and distribution to deliver good quality to consumers with guaranteed security.
Pharmacokinetics of meloxicam after oral administration of a granule formulation to healthy horses
Authors: Mendoza Francisco Javier , Serrano‐Rodriguez Juan Manuel , Perez‐Ecija Alejandro 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundNonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs are administered in horses for several systemic diseases. Selective cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitors are preferred because of lower risk of adverse effects. Several meloxicam formulations have been tested in horses, but a recently marketed granule oral formulation has not been studied.ObjectiveTo characterize the pharmacokinetics of a novel granule meloxicam formulation in fasted and fed horses, and to compare pharmacokinetic features with oral suspension and tablets.AnimalsSeven healthy adult horses.MethodsMeloxicam was administered at 0.6 mg/kg in fasted or fed horses. Blood samples were collected for pharmacokinetic analysis, and vital signs, hematology, and biochemistry variables were monitored for 72 hours.ResultsNo adverse effects were detected. Volume of distribution and clearance after intravenous administration of meloxicam were 0.36 L/kg and 29.12 mL/h/kg, respectively, with a 12.39 hours of terminal half‐life. Protein binding was of 97%. Bioavailability was high for every oral formulation, ranging 70%‐110%, without feed effect. Because of a slower absorption, meloxicam after administration of granules had a longer half‐life (24 and 34 hours, fasted and fed, respectively) and mean residence time (31 and 47 hours), than suspension and tablets (ranging 10‐13 and 13‐15 hours, respectively). In addition, the time above therapeutic concentration was higher for the granule formulation than other formulations.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceGranule formulation has different PK parameters compared to other oral formulations, which could enable this formulation to be used for different dosage regimens in order to reach a desired clinical effect or decrease the risk of adverse effects.
Toxic but tasty – temporal dynamics and network architecture of heme‐responsive two‐component signaling in Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Keppel Marc , Piepenbreier Hannah , Gätgens Cornelia , Fritz Georg , Frunzke Julia 
Published: February 2019

SummaryHeme is an essential cofactor and alternative iron source for almost all bacterial species but may cause severe toxicity upon elevated levels and consequently, regulatory mechanisms coordinating heme homeostasis represent an important fitness trait. A remarkable scenario is found in several corynebacterial species, e.g. Corynebacterium glutamicum and Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which dedicate two paralogous, heme‐responsive two‐component systems, HrrSA and ChrSA, to cope with the Janus nature of heme. Here, we combined experimental reporter profiling with a quantitative mathematical model to understand how this particular regulatory network architecture shapes the dynamic response to heme. Our data revealed an instantaneous activation of the detoxification response (hrtBA) upon stimulus perception and we found that kinase activity of both kinases contribute to this fast onset. Furthermore, instant deactivation of the PhrtBA promoter is achieved by a strong ChrS phosphatase activity upon stimulus decline. While the activation of detoxification response is uncoupled from further factors, heme utilization is additionally governed by the global iron regulator DtxR integrating information on iron availability into the regulatory network. Altogether, our data provide comprehensive insights how TCS cross‐regulation and network hierarchy shape the temporal dynamics of detoxification (hrtBA) and utilization (hmuO) as part of a global homeostatic response to heme.
Quality of life and its association with irritable bowel syndrome and fatigue ten years after giardiasis
Authors: Litleskare Sverre , Rortveit Guri , Eide Geir Egil , Emberland Knut Erik , Hanevik Kurt , Langeland Nina , Wensaas Knut‐Arne 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundGastroenteritis has been associated with complications such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic fatigue (CF). Little is known about the implications for quality of life (QoL) in this setting. The aims of this study were to evaluate the association between exposure to Giardia infection and QoL ten years after the infection, and how this related to IBS and CF.MethodsWe followed 1252 patients with laboratory‐verified Giardia lamblia infection and a matched control group for 10 years after an epidemic in Bergen, Norway, in 2004. The main outcome was QoL after ten years as defined by the Short‐form 12 version 2 with a physical component summary (PCS) and a mental component summary (MCS), both with range 0‐100 (T‐score). Regression analyses were performed using mixed modeling.Key ResultsMean PCS T‐score in the exposed group (51.4; 95% CI: 50.6‐52.1) was 2.8 T‐score points (95% CI: −3.8 to −1.9, P < 0.001) lower than that in the control group (54.2; 95% CI: 53.7‐54.8). The mean MCS T‐score was also 2.8 T‐score points (95% CI: −3.8 to −1.9, P < 0.001) lower among the exposed (48.9; 95% CI: 48.2‐49.6) than the controls (51.7; 95% CI: 51.1‐52.4). Further analyses found that the effect of Giardia exposure on QoL was mediated by IBS and CF.Conclusions & InferencesExposure to Giardia infection was associated with a lower QoL ten years later as compared to a control group, an effect that was mediated by IBS and CF.
Hydraulic traits are more diverse in flowers than in leaves
Authors: Roddy Adam B. , Jiang Guo‐Feng , Cao Kunfang , Simonin Kevin A. , Brodersen Craig R. 
Published: February 2019

SummaryMaintaining water balance has been a critical constraint shaping the evolution of leaf form and function. However, flowers, which are heterotrophic and relatively short‐lived, may not be constrained by the same physiological and developmental factors.We measured physiological parameters derived from pressure–volume curves for leaves and flowers of 22 species to characterize the diversity of hydraulic traits in flowers and to determine whether flowers are governed by the same constraints as leaves.Compared with leaves, flowers had high saturated water content, which was a strong predictor of hydraulic capacitance in both leaves and flowers. Principal component analysis revealed that flowers occupied a different region of multivariate trait space than leaves and that hydraulic traits are more diverse in flowers than in leaves.Without needing to maintain high rates of transpiration, flowers rely on other hydraulic traits, such as high hydraulic capacitance, to maintain turgor pressure. As a result, instead of employing a metabolically expensive but durable carbon (C)‐based skeleton, flowers may rely predominantly on a metabolically cheaper, hydrostatic skeleton to keep their structures on display for pollinators, which has important implications for both the costs of reproduction and the biomechanical performance of flowers, particularly during drought.
Value of CT‐guided Core Needle Biopsy in Diagnosing Spinal Lesions: A Comparison Study
Authors: Liang Yun , Liu Peng , Jiang Li‐bo , Wang Hou‐lei , Hu An‐nan , Zhou Xiao‐gang , Li Xi‐lei , Lin Hong , Wu Dong , Dong Jian 
Published: February 2019

ObjectiveA retrospective study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of CT‐guided core needle biopsy in diagnosing spinal lesions through comparison with C‐arm guidance.MethodsFrom April 2013 to July 2017, a total of 188 patients, who suffered from spinal lesions or had malignant tumor history with a new spinal fracture, were included in this study. There were 96 men and 92 women, with an average of 57.1 years. A total of 238 core needle biopsies were performed. A total of 140 core needle biopsies were carried out under C‐arm guidance in 102 patients (group 1); 98 core needle biopsies were carried out under CT guidance in 86 patients (group 2); 108 core needle biopsies were performed in thoracic vertebrae, 116 were in lumbar vertebrae, and 14 were in sacral vertebrae. Seventy‐eight patients accepted surgical treatment after biopsies. For these patients, the histological pathologies of the biopsy and surgery were compared to evaluate the accuracy of the biopsy. For the other 110 patients who did not receive surgical treatment, the treatment response and the clinical course were used to evaluate the accuracy of the biopsy. The success rate, the diagnostic accuracy rate, the true positive/negative rate, and complications of the two groups were calculated and compared.ResultsThere were no significant differences in sex, age, and lesion sites between the C‐arm guidance group (group 1) and the CT guidance group (group 2). There were no complications in the two groups. Pathological diagnoses were established in 232 of 238 biopsies. They revealed that 52 were primary malignant tumors, 12 were benign tumors, 70 were metastatic tumors, 4 were tuberculosis, and 94 were classified as “other.” The success rate of group 2 was higher than that of group 1, but it was not statistically significant (95.7% vs 100%; P = 0.098). According to the final diagnosis, the diagnostic accuracy rates were calculated and compared. There was no significant difference between the two groups (95.5% vs 96.9%; P = 0.835). The kappa coefficient was used to analyze the concordance between the histological pathologies of the biopsy and the final diagnosis in the two groups. The kappa values of the two group were 0.909 and 0.939, respectively. The results showed good consistency in both groups, but seemed better for group 2.ConclusionCT‐guided core needle biopsy is a relatively safe and effective procedure for diagnosing spinal lesions with a high diagnostic accuracy rate and few complications.
Erythemal UV Radiation on Days with Low UV Index Values—an Analysis of Data from the German Solar UV Monitoring Network over a Ten‐year Period
Authors: Lehmann Maria , Sandmann Henner , Pfahlberg Annette B. , Uter Wolfgang , Gefeller Olaf 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAccording to the World Health Organization and partner organizations, no protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation is required on days with “low” values (i.e., values <3) of the Global Solar Ultraviolet Index (UVI). Erythemal irradiance (Eer) data of such days were analyzed to evaluate this claim. Measurements from 9 stations of the German solar UV monitoring network from 2007 to 2016 yielded 14,431 daily Eer time series of low UVI days. Erythemal doses for certain fixed time intervals—acquired from measurements on horizontal planes—were compared with the average minimal erythemal dose (MED) of skin phototype II. Doses from days with rounded UVI values of 0 were insufficient to induce erythema and even on days with rounded UVI values of 1 doses exceeding 1 MED of skin type II could only be acquired under very specific circumstances of prolonged exposure. Conversely, sun exposure on days with rounded UVI values of 2 can indeed provide doses sufficient to induce erythema in skin type II after two hours around noon. In conclusion, our analyses do not support the claim of harmlessness currently associated with the entire low UVI exposure category in public guidance on interpretation of the UVI.
Economic Convergence In Ageing Europe
Authors: Kashnitsky Ilya , De Beer Joop , Van Wissen Leo 
Published: February 2019

AbstractEuropean regions experience accelerating ageing, but the process has substantial regional variation. This paper examines the effect of this variation on regional economic cohesion in Europe. We measure the effect of convergence or divergence in the share of the working age population on convergence or divergence in economies of NUTS 2 regions. The effect of convergence or divergence in ageing on economic convergence or divergence is quite substantial and, in some cases, is bigger than the effect of changes in productivity and labour force participation. Convergence of ageing leads to economic convergence only when the share of the working age population in rich regions exceeds that in poor regions and the former regions experience a substantial decline in the share of the working age population, or the latter regions experience an increase. During 2003–12, an inverse relationship between convergence in ageing and economic convergence was the rule rather than the exception.