bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing soil quality indices based on soil organic carbon fractions in different long‐term wheat systems under semiarid conditions
Authors: Duval Matias E. , Martinez Juan M. , Galantini Juan A. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe literature shows a great number of soil quality indices (SQI) based on organic matter and its fractions. Our objectives were to determine the changes in soil organic carbon (SOC), carbon fractions and SQI in three production systems based on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The three production systems involved wheat monoculture under conventional tillage and no‐tillage (WWCT and WWNT, respectively) and traditional management, wheat under conventional tillage and grazing of natural grasses, alternated one year each (WGCT). In turn, each treatment was divided into N‐P‐fertilized (f) and non‐fertilized (nf). We analysed SOC, labile fractions and their ratios (SQI) at 0–5, 5–10 and 10–20 cm soil depths. SOC was significantly higher in WWNT‐f than in WWCT‐f and WGCT‐f at 0–5 and 0–20 cm range. Conversely, the lowest concentration was found in WWNT and WWCT in non‐fertilized plots. Particulate organic C (POC, 105–2,000 μm) was significantly affected by tillage at 0–5 cm with the greatest concentrations found in WWNT (mean = 3.2 g kg−1) followed by WGCT and WWCT (mean = 2.0 g kg−1). Soils under CT showed the lowest lability index (LI) values, whereas the conversion to NT increased it (0.74–1.28). Carbon management index (CMI) increased significantly at the 0–20 cm seven years after NT establishment compared to WWCT. SQI such as LI, CMI and SOC/silt+clay were more sensitive for differentiating production systems, whereas C pool index and C/N were more sensitive for differentiating the fertilizer application effect. Considering improvement in SQI and carbon fractions as indicators of better soil quality, adoption of NT improved the soil quality in the semiarid rainfed conditions in the short term.
Compositional tomography of a gold‐bearing sample by Laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy
Authors: Gervais Félix , Rifai Kheireddine , Plamondon Philippe , Özcan Lütfü , Doucet François , Vidal François 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThis contribution presents the first results of compositional tomography of a geological sample. The volume render of 6 × 8 × 1 mm3 was constructed by assembling 63 compositional maps acquired in 21 min (19.5 s/layer) by laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), which determines the chemical composition of the analysed spot from the light emitted by a plasma produced by the laser. This technique is, therefore, able to directly reveal the 3D distribution of chemical elements in a sample. As an example, the spatial distribution and 3D geometry of visible gold in an ultramafic schist are presented. Inasmuch as this newly developed portable LIBS instrument is able to the rapidly characterize the 3D geometry of any geological materials, it has a high potential to be useful for the mining industry and for a wide range of geosciences, such as structural geology, petrology, sedimentology and economic geology.
Assessing the impact of unilateral trade policies EBA and AGOA on African beneficiaries' exports using matching econometrics
Authors: Sorgho Zakaria , Tharakan Joe 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe existing literature studying the impact of non‐reciprocal preferential trade agreements (NRPTAs) assumes implicitly NRPTAs are non‐randomly assigned without showing the evidence of that. Using a matching methodology, this paper investigates whether the “African Growth and Opportunity Act” (AGOA) and the “Everything But Arms” (EBA) unilateral trade concessions have had an impact, and in what magnitude, on the exports of African beneficiary countries in the light of the evidence of the non‐random nature (endogeneity) of NRPTAs. Methodologically, previous studies using the matching procedure focused on bi or multilateral trade agreements. Our work focuses on NRPTAs that depend only on donors' conditions. Accordingly, we show that for NRPTAs, gravity covariates cannot be used for the matching procedure. We propose to use political variables as determinants for obtaining non‐reciprocal trade preferences in order to address the endogenous nature of NRPTA assignment. Our main results confirm that a country becomes eligible for a NRPTA only when it meets certain conditions, defined by their donors, such as political stability and economic regulation (for AGOA), and freedom of expression and human development (for EBA). Results also show that both AGOA and EBA policies have had a positive impact on African beneficiary countries' exports to NRPTA's providers, even if the magnitude impact of EBA is significantly lower than that of AGOA.
Does Early Low-Intensity Aerobic Exercise Hasten Recovery in Adolescents With Sport-Related Concussion?
Authors: Henke Ryan D. , Kettner Savana M. , Jensen Stephanie M. , Greife Augustus C.K. , Durall Christopher J. 
Published: June 2019

ClinicalScenario:Low-intensity aerobic exercise (LIAEX) below the threshold of symptom exacerbation has been shown to be superior to rest for resolving prolonged (>4 wk) symptoms following sport-related concussion (SRC), but the effects of LIAEX earlier than 4 weeks after SRC need to be elucidated.Focused Clinical Question:Does LIAEX within the first 4 weeks following SRC hasten symptom resolution?Summary of Key Findings:Two randomized controlled trials (RCT) and 1 nonrandomized trial involving adolescent athletes (10–19 y) were included. One RCT reported faster recovery time with LIAEX versus placebo stretching. Likewise, recovery time was faster with LIAEX versus rest in the nonrandomized trial, but not in the underpowered RCT, although effect sizes were similar between these studies (0.5 and 0.4, respectively). All 3 studies reported a reduction in concussion symptom severity with LIAEX; however, the magnitude of symptom reduction across the recovery timeline was greater in the LIAEX group than the rest group in the nonrandomized trial, but not the 2 RCTs. Importantly, no adverse effects or incidence of delayed recovery from LIAEX were reported in any of the studies.Clinical Bottom Line:LIAEX initiated within 10 days after SRC may facilitate a faster recovery time versus placebo stretching or rest, although additional clinical trials are strongly advised to verify this.Strength of Recommendation:Level 1b and 2b evidence suggests subsymptom exacerbation LIAEX may decrease Postconcussion Symptom Scale scores and hasten symptom resolution in adolescent athletes following SRC.
Resolution patterns and duration of retinal haemorrhages measured by two-dimensional retinal area pixel counts from sequential retinal imaging in childhood encephalopathies: a morphometric study
Authors: Jones Patricia A , Minns Robert A , Tandon Anamika , Fleck Brian , Mulvihill Alan 
Published: June 2019

ObjectiveTo determine the time to resolution of different-layered retinal haemorrhages (RHs), and to describe the main patterns of their resolution in a group of children with encephalopathies.Methods and analysisFrom a prospective study of 114 children with traumatic and non-traumatic encephalopathies, 429 selected individual RHs (iRHs) from 18 children were serially imaged from admission using a RetCam. Photoshop and Scion Imaging software allowed calculation of RH area in pixels.ResultsTwo patterns of the resolution were recognised on the basis of area measurements: a progressive decrease (pattern A, 60% of iRHs), and a form of asymmetrical decay in which iRHs first increased in size before then progressively decreasing (pattern B, 35% of iRHs). Within the pattern A group, the Kaplan-Meier median survival time (MST) (95% CI) was 10 (9.3 to 10.7) days for intra-RHs (IRHs) and 38 (10.8 to 65.2) days for pre-RHs (PRHs), log rank (Mantel-Cox) p=0.001. The mean percentage reduction in area per day was 12.5% for all iRHs, 14.5% for IRHs and 6.3% for PRHs.ConclusionSerial area measurements of iRHs revealed that 35% haemorrhages became temporarily larger before decreasing to resolution. Serially imaged selected RHs showed a longer MST for PRHs than for IRHs.
Associations of Cigarettes Smoked Per Day with Biomarkers of Exposure Among U.S. Adult Cigarette Smokers in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Wave 1 (2013–2014)
Authors: Rostron Brian L. , Corey Catherine G. , Chang Joanne T. , van Bemmel Dana M. , Miller Mollie E. , Chang Cindy M. 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Background:
The dose–response relationships between number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) and health outcomes, such as cancer and heart disease, are well established, but much less is known about the relationships between CPD and biomarkers of exposure.

Methods:
We analyzed biomarker data by CPD from more than 2,700 adult daily cigarette smokers in Wave 1 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. Tobacco use categories consisted of exclusive cigarette smokers, dual cigarette and e-cigarette users, and dual cigarette and smokeless tobacco users.

Results:
Biomarker concentrations consistently increased with CPD for each tobacco user group, although concentrations tended to level off at high smoking levels, such as those at and above 20 CPD. Dual cigarette and e-cigarette users had higher levels of some biomarkers such as Total Nicotine Equivalents-2 (P = 0.0036) than exclusive cigarette smokers, and dual cigarette and smokeless tobacco users had higher levels of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (P &lt; 0.0001) and N′-nitrosonornicotine (P = 0.0236) than exclusive cigarette smokers.

Conclusions:
Among daily smokers, exposure to tobacco toxicants and constituents exhibits a dose–response relationship by number of cigarettes smoked, but the relationship is not necessarily linear in form. Dual users of cigarettes with either e-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco are exposed to higher levels of certain toxicants and carcinogens than exclusive cigarette smokers.

Impact:
Availability of biomarker data by CPD may aid in comparisons between cigarette smoking and use of new and potentially reduced exposure tobacco products, which may result in different levels of constituent and toxicant exposure.
Characteristics of Moyamoya Disease Based on National Registry Data in Japan
Authors: Sato Yoko , Kazumata Ken , Nakatani Eiji , Houkin Kiyohiro , Kanatani Yasuhiro 
Published: June 2019

Background and Purpose—
A public registration system for intractable diseases was started in Japan in 1972 to investigate the etiology and pathogenesis of intractable diseases while reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses on patients. The goal of this study was to investigate the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of Moyamoya disease using data from applications submitted to this system between 2004 and 2008.

Methods—
In addition to demographic factors such as onset age and family history, we evaluated clinical presentation type, imaging findings, clinical symptoms, and functioning in activities of daily living (ADL).

Results—
Of 3859 cases for which applications were submitted, 2545 were confirmed to meet the diagnostic criteria after data cleansing. Onset age showed a bimodal distribution, and Moyamoya disease had a higher incidence in women than in men. The presence of occlusion and infarction in the proximal region of the anterior cerebral artery was more frequent in pediatric cases than adult cases. Our findings also indicated that 23% of patients required assistance with ADL. Cerebral infarction (odds ratio [OR], 12.5; 95% CI, 3.55–44.66), seizure (OR, 7.44; 95% CI, 1.29–42.96), and sensory disorders (OR, 5.23; 95% CI, 1.15–23.75) were identified as significant predictors of impaired ADL in pediatric cases 3 years after the initial application. Moderate ADL function (OR, 11.59; 95% CI, 5.29–25.39) and intellectual disabilities (OR, 4.38; 95% CI, 1.58–12.17) at the time of the application were identified as significant prognostic factors in adults.

Conclusions—
The results of this study indicated that characteristics of Moyamoya disease such as onset type, symptoms, and imaging abnormalities differ with onset age. Prognostic analyses suggested that pediatric cases with good ADL but with infarct type onset, seizure, or sensory disorders might have a subsequent decline in ADL.
Healthy People, Healthy Community: Evaluation of a train-the-trainers programme for community health workers on water, sanitation and hygiene in rural Haiti
Authors: Yu Xiaoran , Pendse Asmita , Slifko Shay , Inman Arpana G , Kong Peggy , Knettel Brandon A 
Published: June 2019

Objective: This evaluation examined the effectiveness and cultural compatibility of a community health worker (CHW) training programme on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in Haiti. Design: Mixed-methods including pre- and post-course tests of WASH knowledge, focus group discussions and semi-structured observation. Setting: Haiti is among the world’s most underdeveloped nations for WASH infrastructure. In rural areas of the country, fewer than half of households have access to clean water and 22% have adequate sanitation facilities. The study evaluated a ‘train-the-trainer’ programme in rural southeast Haiti. Methods: Participants were 22 CHW supervisors responsible for training and monitoring the work of rural junior health agents (JHAs). The training programme was delivered by international trainers and consisted of 1 week of classroom training and 1 week of community-based experiential learning. Paired-samples t-tests were used to assess changes in knowledge, and robust qualitative methods were used to analyse focus group discussion and observation data. Results: Participants showed statistically significant improvement in WASH knowledge from pre- to post-test. In experiential supervisor-led training sessions, participants effectively conveyed course content to JHAs, and successful home visits demonstrated the potential for content to reach community members. The programme would benefit from providing educational materials to enhance dissemination. Participants expressed dissatisfaction with translations of course content and requested more frequent training, more emphasis on leadership development and specific content areas for future training. Conclusion: The CHW training programme enhanced trainees’ WASH knowledge and capacity to educate JHAs to disseminate the knowledge to local residents. The train-the-trainer model offers a cost-effective strategy for building local capacity for health education.
The More You Know: Trust Dynamics and Calibration in Highly Automated Driving and the Effects of Take-Overs, System Malfunction, and System Transparency
Authors: Kraus Johannes , Scholz David , Stiegemeier Dina , Baumann Martin 
Published: June 2019

Objective This paper presents a theoretical model and two simulator studies on the psychological processes during early trust calibration in automated vehicles. Background The positive outcomes of automation can only reach their full potential if a calibrated level of trust is achieved. In this process, information on system capabilities and limitations plays a crucial role. Method In two simulator experiments, trust was repeatedly measured during an automated drive. In Study 1, all participants in a two-group experiment experienced a system-initiated take-over, and the occurrence of a system malfunction was manipulated. In Study 2 in a 2 × 2 between-subject design, system transparency was manipulated as an additional factor. Results Trust was found to increase during the first interactions progressively. In Study 1, take-overs led to a temporary decrease in trust, as did malfunctions in both studies. Interestingly, trust was reestablished in the course of interaction for take-overs and malfunctions. In Study 2, the high transparency condition did not show a temporary decline in trust after a malfunction. Conclusion Trust is calibrated along provided information prior to and during the initial drive with an automated vehicle. The experience of take-overs and malfunctions leads to a temporary decline in trust that was recovered in the course of error-free interaction. The temporary decrease can be prevented by providing transparent information prior to system interaction. Application Transparency, also about potential limitations of the system, plays an important role in this process and should be considered in the design of tutorials and human-machine interaction (HMI) concepts of automated vehicles.
Responding to an Unexpected In-Flight Event: Physiological Arousal, Information Processing, and Performance
Authors: Kinney Lana , O’Hare David 
Published: June 2019

Objective The study was designed to investigate whether a simulated unexpected abnormal flight event can lead to startle and explore differences in behavioral responses between expected and unexpected abnormal flight events. Background Recent research suggests startle (an autonomic response to an acute stimulus) following unexpected abnormal flight events can impact pilot performance and can increase the probability of a negative outcome following the event. Method Information processing, physiological measures, and performance differences between responses to expected and unexpected flight events were compared. General aviation (GA) pilots flew a series of flights in a fixed-base flight simulator including two experimental flights which included an unexpected and an expected, engine failure. During the flights, heart rate, eye tracking, and flight data were recorded. Results During the unexpected engine failure, pilots showed greater increases in heart rate and pupil dilation. Significant differences in scanning were evident with fewer areas scanned following the unexpected event. During the unexpected engine failure, performance was impaired when compared to the expected events. However, poor performance was not associated with higher levels of arousal. Conclusion The study provides an empirical demonstration of impaired pilot response to unexpected events with associated symptoms consistent with the induction of startle. The present research builds on Landman et al.’s conceptual model of startle and surprise. Application Standardized training protocols may not adequately prepare pilots to deal with the unexpected effects of startle in real-world encounters. Introducing greater variety into training events may be useful. The effects of startle in disrupting well-trained responses may also occur in areas other than aviation where critical events may occur unexpectedly or present in an unfamiliar manner.
Adjustable compression wrap devices are cheaper and more effective than inelastic bandages for venous leg ulcer healing. A Multicentric Italian Randomized Clinical Experience
Authors: Mosti Giovanni , Mancini Stefano , Bruni Sergio , Serantoni Simone , Gazzabin Luca , Bucalossi Matteo , Polignano Roberto , Mariani Fabrizio , Luca Bastiani , Partsch Hugo ,   The MIRACLE Trial investigators
Published: June 2019

Introduction Compression therapy by inelastic bandages is highly effective in achieving venous leg ulcer healing. Inelastic bandages may be expensive as they need to be changed and discarded at every dressing change. In addition, correct application is difficult in the clinical practice, even by expert healthcare personnel. The aim of our work was to assess whether adjustable compression wraps are more cost effective and more effective than inelastic bandage to achieve venous leg ulcer healing. Methods Sixty-six venous leg ulcer patients were randomized to be treated by adjustable compression wrap (CircAid® JuxtaCure®) ( n = 33) and inelastic bandage (Coban 2 Layer®) ( n = 33). Study duration was 12 weeks. During weekly visits, the ulcers were cleansed and dressed with the same products, and the only variable was the compression device. Ulcer size, ulcer pain, patient’s perception of compression systems, and compression pressure were assessed during the visits, and the material cost was evaluated at the 12th week. Results Adjustable compression wraps were significantly cheaper than bandages (p < 0.0001) and were also more effective (not significantly) in achieving ulcer healing. To heal one ulcer patient, €228 had to be spent when applying an adjustable compression wrap and €381 if inelastic bandages were used. About 26/33 (78.8%) patients in the adjustable compression wrap group were healed after 12 weeks versus 23/33 (69.7%) in the inelastic bandage group (n.s.). Ulcer pain was reduced by both compression devices. Patient perception of compression pressure was similar with both compression devices. Compression pressure was similar at application but better maintained by adjustable compression wrap over time. Conclusions Adjustable compression wraps are significantly cheaper and more effective (not significantly) in achieving venous leg ulcer healing. Self-applicable, adjustable compression wraps are therefore a powerful, cost-effective alternative to inelastic bandages in treating venous leg ulcer.
Frontal haemodynamic responses in depression and the effect of electroconvulsive therapy
Authors: Downey Darragh , Brigadoi Sabrina , Trevithick Liam , Elliott Rebecca , Elwell Clare , McAllister-Williams R Hamish , Anderson Ian M 
Published: June 2019

Background: Reduced frontal cortex metabolism and blood flow in depression may be associated with low mood and cognitive impairment. Further reduction has been reported during a course of electroconvulsive therapy but it is not known if this relates to mood and cognitive changes caused by electroconvulsive therapy. Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate frontal function while undertaking cognitive tasks in depressed patients compared with healthy controls, and following electroconvulsive therapy in patients. Methods: We measured frontal haemodynamic responses to a category verbal fluency task and a working memory N-back task using portable functional near infra-red spectroscopy (fNIRS) in 51 healthy controls and 18 severely depressed patients, 12 of whom were retested after the fourth treatment of a course of electroconvulsive therapy. Mood was assessed using the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and cognitive function using category Verbal Fluency from the Controlled Oral Word Association Test and Digit Span backwards. Results: Compared to healthy controls, depressed patients had bilaterally lower frontal oxyhaemoglobin responses to the cognitive tasks, although this was only significant for the N-Back task where performance correlated inversely with depression severity in patients. After four electroconvulsive therapy treatments oxyhaemoglobin responses were further reduced during the Verbal Fluency task but the changes did not correlate with mood or cognitive changes. Discussion: Our results confirmed a now extensive literature showing impaired frontal fNIRS oxyhaemoglobin responses to cognitive tasks in depression, and showed for the first time that these are further reduced during a course of electroconvulsive therapy. Further research is needed to investigate the biology and clinical utility of frontal fNIRS in psychiatric patients.