bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Automating the Shared Resource Laboratory Using Computer Scripts: A Case Report
Authors: Hall Christopher , Brown Laura , Graham Jennifer , Thompson Sam , Ng Bee Ling 
Published: May 2019

AbstractShared resource laboratories (SRLs) offer instrumentation, training, and support to investigators and play an important role in the progress and development of science. To facilitate daily tasks and to provide an effective service, we have made use of computer scripts; a list of computer commands that are processed sequentially, to automate tasks in our flow cytometry facility. Using Python and an application programming interface (API), we automate user communication and produce a daily schedule display screen. We exploit the accessible nature of open standards to use R and Python to analyze and backup data from the BD Influx cell sorter. Finally, we show that through simple scripting, we can add value to an existing service by producing sort statistics from the Beckman Coulter XDP cell sorter. With these five examples, we demonstrate and wish to inspire other SRLs that the use of scripts helps to improve work efficiency, can solve problems, and can enhance the service provided by the SRL. © 2019 The Authors. Cytometry Part A published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
Rapid characterization of structural and functional similarity for a candidate bevacizumab (Avastin) biosimilar using a multipronged mass‐spectrometry‐based approach
Authors: Brown Kerene A. , Rajendran Shanthi , Dowd Jason , Wilson Derek J. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe ongoing shift from small molecule drugs to protein therapeutics in the pharmaceuticals industry presents a considerable challenge to generic drug developers who are increasingly required to demonstrate biosimilarity for biological macromolecules, a task that is decidedly more complex than doing the same for small molecule drugs. In this work, we demonstrate a multipronged mass‐spectrometry‐based workflow that allows rapid and facile molecular characterization of antibody‐based protein therapeutics, applied to biosimilars development. Specifically, we use a combination of native mass spectrometry (MS), ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), and global time‐resolved hydrogen deuterium exchange (HDX) to provide an unambiguous assessment of the structural, dynamic, and chemical similarity between Avastin (bevacizumab) and a biosimilar in the late stages of pre‐clinical development. Minor structural and dynamic differences between the biosimilar and Avastin, and between lots of the biosimilar, were tested for functional relevance using Surface Plasmon Resonance‐derived kinetic and equilibrium binding parameters.
Why did the buffalo cross the park? Resource shortages, but not infections, drive dispersal in female African buffalo (Syncerus caffer)
Authors: Spaan Robert S. , Epps Clinton W. , Ezenwa Vanessa O. , Jolles Anna E. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDispersal facilitates population health and maintains resilience in species via gene flow. Adult dispersal occurs in some species, is often facultative, and is poorly understood, but has important management implications, particularly with respect to disease spread. Although the role of adult dispersal in spreading disease has been documented, the potential influence of disease on dispersal has received little attention. African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) are wide‐ranging and harbor many pathogens that can affect nearby livestock. Dispersal of adult buffalo has been described, but ecological and social drivers of buffalo dispersal are poorly understood. We investigated drivers of adult buffalo dispersal during a 4‐year longitudinal study at Kruger National Park, South Africa. We monitored the spatial movement of 304 female buffalo in two focal areas using satellite and radio collars, capturing each buffalo every 6 months to assess animal traits and disease status. We used generalized linear mixed models to determine whether likelihood of dispersal for individual female buffalo was influenced by animal traits, herd identity, environmental variables, gastrointestinal parasites, or microparasite infections. The likelihood and drivers of buffalo dispersal varied by herd, area, and year. In the Lower Sabie herd, where resources were abundant, younger individuals were more likely to disperse, with most dispersal occurring in the early wet season and during an unusually dry year, 2009. In the resource‐poor Crocodile Bridge area, buffalo in poor condition were most likely to disperse. Our findings suggest that dispersal of female buffalo is driven by either seasonal (Lower Sabie) or perhaps social (Crocodile Bridge) resource restriction, indicating resource limitation and dispersal decisions are tightly linked for this social ungulate. We found no direct effects of infections on buffalo dispersal, assuaging fears that highly infectious individuals might be more prone to dispersing, which could accelerate the spatial spread of infectious diseases.
The Australian National Rabbit Database: 50 yr of population monitoring of an invasive species
Authors: Roy‐Dufresne Emilie , Lurgi Miguel , Brown Stuart C. , Wells Konstans , Cooke Brian , Mutze Greg , Peacock David , Cassey Phill , Berman Dave , Brook Barry W. , Campbell Susan , Cox Tarnya , Daly Joanne , Dunk Iain , Elsworth Peter , Fletcher Don , Forsyth David M. , Hocking Greg , Kovaliski John , Leane Michael , Low Bill , Kennedy Malcolm , Matthews John , McPhee Steve , Mellin Camille , Mooney Trish , Moseby Katherine , Read John , Richardson Barry J. , Schneider Kathryn , Schwarz Eric , Sinclair Ronald , Strive Tanja , Triulcio Frank , West Peter , Saltré Frederik , Fordham Damien A. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractWith ongoing introductions into Australia since the 1700s, the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has become one of the most widely distributed and abundant vertebrate pests, adversely impacting Australia's biodiversity and agroeconomy. To understand the population and range dynamics of the species and its impacts better, occurrence and abundance data have been collected by researchers and citizens from sites covering a broad spectrum of climatic and environmental conditions in Australia. The lack of a common and accessible repository for these data has, however, limited their use in determining important spatiotemporal drivers of the structure and dynamics of the geographical range of rabbits in Australia. To meet this need, we created the Australian National Rabbit Database, which combines more than 50 yr of historical and contemporary survey data collected from throughout the range of the species in Australia. The survey data, obtained from a suite of complementary monitoring methods, were combined with high‐resolution weather, climate, and environmental information, and an assessment of data quality. The database provides records of rabbit occurrence (689,265 records) and abundance (51,241 records, >120 distinct sites) suitable for identifying the spatiotemporal drivers of the rabbit's distribution and for determining spatial patterns of variation in its key life‐history traits, including maximum rates of population growth. Because all data are georeferenced and date stamped, they can be coupled with information from other databases and spatial layers to explore the potential effects of rabbit occurrence and abundance on Australia's native wildlife and agricultural production. The Australian National Rabbit Database is an important tool for understanding and managing the European rabbit in its invasive range and its effects on native biodiversity and agricultural production. It also provides a valuable resource for addressing questions related to the biology, success, and impacts of invasive species more generally. No copyright or proprietary restrictions are associated with the use of this data set other than citation of this Data Paper.
A panel co‐integration analysis for economic development, energy consumption, urbanization, and carbon dioxide emissions in China's six provinces
Authors: Zhao Haoran , Guo Sen , Zhao Huiru 
Published: May 2019

AbstractUrban planning and energy consumption management gradually play an increasingly significant role in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reduction. However, the current studies related to the nexus among them are insufficient, which need to be explored. This article focuses on quantifying the nexus among CO2 emissions, economic development, energy consumption, and urbanization according to data collected from top six provinces (Shanxi, Shaanxi, Shandong, Hebei, Jiangsu, and Inner Mongolia) of CO2 emissions in China between 1997 and 2015 using multi‐variate panel data model (PDM). According to the coefficients in PDM, the energy consumption of Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Hebei, and Shaanxi make the greatest contribution to CO2 emissions and the economic development of Jiangsu and Shandong are deemed as the greatest contributor to CO2 emissions. The Granger causality results illustrate a bi‐directional causality exists between economic progress and CO2 emissions and between energy consumption and CO2 emissions for six provinces. Finally, the pathways to handle with the contradictions between economic development and CO2 mitigation of top six provinces are proposed, namely decreasing fossil fuels based energy consumption, giving impetus to renewable energy development, exploring a new evaluation system to judge low carbon economy progress, and increasing investment on equipments to improve energy efficiency.
Clinical and etiological characteristics of epilepsy in people from Niger: a hospital‐based study from a tertiary care referral center of Niamey, Niger
Authors: Assadeck Hamid , Toudou Daouda Moussa , Moussa Konate Mahadi , Mamadou Zakaria , Hassane Djibo Fatimata , Douma Maiga Dijbo , Sanoussi Samuila 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectivesEpilepsy constitutes a major public health concern in the world particularly in developing countries, especially in sub‐Saharan African countries. We designed this study to evaluate epilepsy management at a tertiary referral center in Niger to obtain a comprehensive understanding to determine the intrahospital deficiencies to improve and to make recommendations in terms to improve epilepsy management in Niger.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study at the Neurology Outpatient Clinic of the National Hospital of Niamey (Niger) between May 2013 and May 2018 (5 years), collecting all cases of patients diagnosed with epilepsy by the neurologists. From the registers of consultation, we collected for each patient the demographic, clinical, etiological, and therapeutic data, as well as the outcomes during follow‐up visits.ResultsOf the 4576 patients seen during the period of the study, 1350 patients consulted for epilepsy with a hospital frequency of 29.5%. The mean age of the patients was 18.55 ± 17.15 years (range: 3 months to 83 years) with a predominance of the male sex (sex ratio at 1.5). Patients younger than 20 years were the most represented (61.6%). All patients underwent EEG. Only 463 patients (35.2%) underwent brain imaging. Generalized tonic‐clonic seizures were the most frequent (50%) followed by typical absences seizures (11.8%). Cerebrovascular disease, central nervous system infections, and head injuries were the main etiologies. First‐generation AEDs were the most prescribed (99%). The proportion of patients with drug‐resistance was 9.6%.SignificanceOur study shows limited access to newer generation AEDs and diagnostic tests of epilepsy in Niger. Considerable efforts should be made to facilitate for people living with epilepsy the accessibility to diagnostic tests and newer generation AEDs in order to improve the quality of epilepsy management in Niger.
Determination of Bioavailable Aluminum in Natural Waters in the Presence of Suspended Solids
Authors: Rodriguez Patricio H. , Arbildua Jose J. , Villavicencio German , Urrestarazu Paola , Opazo Margaret , Cardwell Allison S. , Stubblefield William , Nordheim Eirik , Adams William 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Analyses of natural waters frequently show elevated levels of total aluminum (Al) attributable to acid extraction of Al from the total suspended solids (TSS) minerals. Hence, there is a need for an analytical method that measures only bioavailable Al. Natural waters high in TSS were collected to study the chronic effects of Al on Ceriodaphnia dubia. In the collected waters TSS ranged from 30 to 411 mg/L; total Al concentrations ranged from 2.0 to 44.8 mg/L. The TSS in natural waters inhibited reproduction of C. dubia up to 40% in comparison to the same filtered waters. This inhibition did not correlate with the concentration of TSS or total Al; it was attributed to nutritional deficiency and was prevented by increasing the food supply. To demonstrate that toxicity can be measured in natural waters, samples with elevated TSS were spiked with soluble Al, and survival and reproduction were measured in chronic studies performed at pH 6.3 and 8.0. To properly characterize the Al concentrations in the toxicity studies, a method was needed that could discriminate bioavailable Al from mineral forms of Al. An extraction method at pH 4 for bioavailable Al was developed and evaluated using C. dubia chronic toxicity studies in the presence of TSS. It is concluded that the proposed method is better able to discriminate chronic toxicity effects attributable to bioavailable Al from mineralized nontoxic forms of Al compared with existing methods using total or total recoverable Al (i.e., extraction at pH ≤ 1.5). We propose that this new method be used when assessing the potential for Al in natural surface waters to cause toxicity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1668–1681. © 2019 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
Modeling and mapping dynamic vulnerability to better assess WUI evacuation performance
Authors: Gwynne Steve , Ronchi Enrico , Bénichou Noureddine , Kinateder Max , Kuligowski Erica , Gomaa Islam , Adelzadeh Masoud 
Published: May 2019

SummaryWildland‐urban interface (WUI) fire incidents are likely to become more severe and will affect more and more people. Given their scale and complexity, WUI incidents require a multidomain approach to assess their impact and the effectiveness of any mitigation efforts. The authors recently produced a specification for a simulation framework that quantifies evacuation performance during WUI incidents including inputs from three core domains: fire development, pedestrian performance and vehicular traffic [26]. This framework could produce new insights by simulating evolving conditions of WUI incidents based on developments and interactions between the core components. Thus, it aims to overcome known limitations of previous approaches (eg, static assessment, single domain approaches, or lack of projection), as well as to provide explanatory insights into the outcomes produced by the simulation. The proposed framework would also advance geo‐spatial mapping of WUI incidents. The concept of dynamic vulnerability,
, is at the core of the framework and is enabled by the integrated simulation framework and the emergent conditions predicted. This allows users to construct richer incident narratives from the perspective of specific locations or subpopulations, and also makes fewer simplifying assumptions regarding interactions between the three core domains.
Comparing the attitudes of four groups of stakeholders from Quebec, Canada, toward extending medical aid in dying to incompetent patients with dementia
Authors: Bravo Gina , Trottier Lise , Rodrigue Claudie , Arcand Marcel , Downie Jocelyn , Dubois Marie‐France , Kaasalainen Sharon , Hertogh Cees M. , Pautex Sophie , Van den Block Lieve 
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveThe Canadian province of Quebec has recently legalized medical aid in dying (MAID) for competent patients who satisfy strictly defined criteria. The province is considering extending the practice to incompetent patients. We compared the attitudes of four groups of stakeholders toward extending MAID to incompetent patients with dementia.MethodsWe conducted a province‐wide postal survey in random samples of older adults, informal caregivers of persons with dementia, nurses, and physicians caring for patients with dementia. Clinical vignettes featuring a patient with Alzheimer's disease were used to measure the acceptability of extending MAID to incompetent patients with dementia. Vignettes varied according to the stage of the disease (advanced or terminal) and type of request (written or oral only). We used the generalized estimating equation (GEE) approach to compare attitudes across groups and vignettes.ResultsResponse rates ranged from 25% for physicians to 69% for informal caregivers. In all four groups, the proportion of respondents who felt it was acceptable to extend MAID to an incompetent patient with dementia was highest when the patient was at the terminal stage, showed signs of distress, and had written a MAID request prior to losing capacity. In those circumstances, this proportion ranged from 71% among physicians to 91% among informal caregivers.ConclusionWe found high support in Quebec for extending the current MAID legislation to incompetent patients with dementia who have reached the terminal stage, appear to be suffering, and had requested MAID in writing while still competent.
Accelerated estimation and permutation inference for ACE modeling
Authors: Chen Xu , Formisano Elia , Blokland Gabriëlla A. M. , Strike Lachlan T. , McMahon Katie L. , de Zubicaray Greig I. , Thompson Paul M. , Wright Margaret J. , Winkler Anderson M. , Ge Tian , Nichols Thomas E. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThere are a wealth of tools for fitting linear models at each location in the brain in neuroimaging analysis, and a wealth of genetic tools for estimating heritability for a small number of phenotypes. But there remains a need for computationally efficient neuroimaging genetic tools that can conduct analyses at the brain‐wide scale. Here we present a simple method for heritability estimation on twins that replaces a variance component model‐which requires iterative optimisation‐with a (noniterative) linear regression model, by transforming data to squared twin‐pair differences. We demonstrate that the method has comparable bias, mean squared error, false positive risk, and power to best practice maximum‐likelihood‐based methods, while requiring a small fraction of the computation time. Combined with permutation, we call this approach “Accelerated Permutation Inference for the ACE Model (APACE)” where ACE refers to the additive genetic (A) effects, and common (C), and unique (E) environmental influences on the trait. We show how the use of spatial statistics like cluster size can dramatically improve power, and illustrate the method on a heritability analysis of an fMRI working memory dataset.
Muscle Alterations Are Associated With Minimal and Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Nardelli Silvia , Lattanzi Barbara , Merli Manuela , Farcomeni Alessio , Gioia Stefania , Ridola Lorenzo , Riggio Oliviero 
Published: May 2019

Muscle alterations (myosteatosis and sarcopenia) are frequent in cirrhosis and related to some complications including overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE). The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between muscle alterations and minimal HE (MHE) and their role in the risk of overt HE. Sixty‐four patients with cirrhosis were administered the Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score and animal naming test to detect MHE. Computed tomography was used to analyze the skeletal muscle index and attenuation. The incidence of the first episode of HE, taking into account the competing risk nature of the data, was estimated. Myosteatosis was observed in 24 patients (37.5%), sarcopenia in 37 (58%), and MHE in 32 (50%). Both myosteatosis (62.5% versus 12.5%, P < 0.001) and sarcopenia (84% versus 31%, P < 0.001) were more frequent in patients with MHE. The variables independently associated with the presence of MHE were sarcopenia, previous overt HE, and myosteatosis. Thirty‐one (48%) patients developed overt HE over 16.1 ± 13 months; myosteatosis was detected in 68% and sarcopenia in 84% of them. Sarcopenia and myosteatosis were also independently associated with the development of overt HE. Venous ammonia was significantly higher in patients with sarcopenia (62.6 ± 17.7 versus 41.4 ± 16.1 μg/dL, P < 0.001) and in patients with myosteatosis (65.2 ± 19.2 versus 46.7 ± 17.1 μg/dL, P < 0.001) and inversely correlated to both parameters. Survival was significantly lower in malnourished patients compared to patients without myosteatosis or sarcopenia (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Myosteatosis and sarcopenia, probably by reducing the handling of ammonia in the muscle, are independently associated with MHE and the risk of overt HE in patients with cirrhosis; in malnourished patients, the amelioration of nutritional status may be a goal to decrease both the prevalence of MHE and the incidence of overt HE.
Measurement method for human body anteflexion angle based on image processing
Authors: Zhang Yujing , Lu Xu 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMeasurement of the human body anteflexion angle is an essential method for evaluating human flexibility. In this study, a method based on edge detection is proposed for measuring the angle of human body anteflexion. In this technique, an adaptive Gaussian filter is used to filter an image while preserving as much of its edge information as possible. A 5 × 5 template is adopted to calculate the gradient amplitude and direction of the image. Moreover, the Otsu algorithm is used to compute the high and low thresholds of the gradient image, thereby rendering the algorithm adaptive and eliminating any need for manual threshold setting. After the edges are obtained, the feature points of the head, buttocks, and foot are extracted to calculate the anteflexion angle of the human body.
Developing Academic Discourse Through Literacy and the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election: A Design‐Based Approach
Authors: Wrenn Melissa , Reed Adam 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn this qualitative study, the authors investigated seventh‐ and eighth‐grade students’ participation in an elective civics course focused on the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The researcher and classroom teacher collaborated to embed literacy strategies into his curriculum in this design‐based research study. The intervention cycle was repeated through six units of instruction over a nine‐week period. Data analysis suggests that literacy strategies supported students with citing facts, understanding issues, and considering others. Teachers may learn how to use literacy strategies to develop disciplinary knowledge within civics education.