bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Corneal Topographic Astigmatism Based on Total Corneal Power Data (CorT Total): A Benchmark for Total Corneal Astigmatism
Authors: Alpins Noel , Ong James K. Y. , Randleman J. Bradley , Nevyas-Wallace Anita , Stamatelatos George 
Published: October 2019

Purpose:
To evaluate how closely manufacturer-provided measures of total corneal astigmatism correspond with the manifest refractive cylinder, as compared to a benchmark of corneal topographic astigmatism calculated on the basis of measured total corneal power (TCP) data (CorT Total).

Methods:
The SD of the ocular residual astigmatism magnitude (ORAsd) was evaluated for normal virgin eyes based on an optimized benchmark CorT Total and the various measures of total corneal astigmatism provided by 3 different Scheimpflug tomographers.

Results:
The CorT Total corresponded with the manifest refractive cylinder at least as well as all the measures of total corneal astigmatism provided by the tomographers [Sirius CorT Total ORAsd: 0.320D (standard error [SE] 0.017D), Sirius TCP 4 mm ORAsd: 0.324D (SE 0.017D); Pentacam CorT Total ORAsd: 0.338D (SE 0.027D), Pentacam total corneal refractive power apex zone 4 mm ORAsd: 0.337D (SE 0.029D); Galilei CorT Total ORAsd: 0.472D (SE 0.068D), and Galilei TCP2 ORAsd: 0.536D (SE 0.124D)]. The difference between CorT Total and best measure on each tomographer was not statistically significant (Sirius TCP 4 mm: P = 0.24, Pentacam total corneal refractive power apex zone 4 mm: P = 0.64, Galilei TCP2: P = 0.24). Most of the manufacturer-provided measures did not correspond closely with the manifest refractive cylinder. When there were multiple measures of total corneal astigmatism, those derived from a zone with a diameter of 4.0 mm corresponded best with the manifest refractive cylinder.

Conclusions:
The CorT Total is a reliable benchmark measure that can be used to assess how well other measures of total corneal astigmatism correspond with the manifest refractive cylinder.
Late effects of pediatric brain tumors
Authors: Rey-Casserly Celiane , Diver Tanya 
Published: October 2019

Purpose of review
Adverse late effects of pediatric brain tumors can be numerous and complex and potentially alter the life trajectories of survivors in a multitude of ways. We review these inter-related late effects that compromise neurocognitive function, general health, social and psychological adjustment, and overall adaptive and vocational outcomes, and threaten to undermine the ability of survivors to transition independently into adulthood and effectively manage their care. Intervention/prevention strategies and advances in treatment that may reduce such late effects are discussed.

Recent findings
Studies of neuropsychological late effects have revealed specific deficits in core cognitive functions of attention, working memory and processing speed, with many survivors demonstrating decline in working memory and processing speed over time, irrespective of tumor type or treatment. This in turn affects the ongoing development of higher order neurocognitive skills. Research also highlights the increasing burden of health-related, neuropsychological and psychosocial late effects into adulthood and impact across life outcomes.

Summary
Pediatric brain tumor survivors require coordinated interdisciplinary care, ongoing evaluation and management of late effects, and timely interventions focused on mitigating the impact of late effects. The transition to adulthood can be especially vulnerable and addressing barriers to care is of paramount importance.
Excessive drinking and checking in the rat model of Schedule-Induced Polydipsia reveal impaired bi-directional plasticity at BNST GABA synapses
Authors: Angelis Staci , Gregory James Gardner , Hawken Emily R. , Dumont Éric C. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCompulsions, defined by debilitating repetitive actions, permeate many mental illnesses and are challenging to treat partly because of a limited understanding of their neurobiological underpinnings. Accumulating evidence suggests the rodent model of Schedule-Induced Polydipsia (SIP) as a promising pre-clinical assay to elucidate the neurobiological and behavioural manifestations of compulsivity. In the rodent SIP paradigm, susceptible rats develop adjunctive excessive drinking when they are chronically food restricted and presented with food pellets according to a fixed-time schedule. We found that normally, bi-directional plasticity of GABA synapses in the oval bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (ovBNST) tightly followed the rats’ satiety state where low-frequency stimulation-induced potentiation (LTPGABA) prevailed in sated rats whilst food restriction uncovered long-term depression (LTDGABA). In rats that developed excessive drinking during SIP, removing the caloric restriction failed at reverting LTDGABA to LTPGABA whereas bi-directional plasticity at ovBNST GABA synapses was unaltered in low-drinking SIP-trained rats. Excessive drinking ceased in polydipsic rats removed from their caloric restriction; however, these rats retained a form of compulsive schedule-induced checking (SIC) and impaired plasticity at ovBNST GABA synapses for several days following termination of the caloric restriction. We conclude that altered bi-directional plasticity at ovBNST GABA synapses is a neurophysiological trace of compulsivity in susceptible rats in the SIP model.
Corporate governance reporting in Bangladesh
Authors: Rouf Abdur , Akhtaruddin M. 
Published: October 2019

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the extent and nature of corporate governance reporting (CGR) in corporate annual reports of Bangladesh. The aim of the study to test empirically the relationship between corporate governance (CG) and CGR by the listed companies in Bangladesh. The CG examined the proportion of independent directors, board leadership structure, board size, ownership structure and audit committee size.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a sample of 86 listed non-financial companies in Dhaka stock exchanges (DSE) from the period of 2015-2017 and all the companies are selected by judgment Sampling. The study has been used as an unweighted relative disclosure index for measuring CGR.FindingsThe empirical results indicate that board leadership structure (BLS) is positively associated with the level of CGR. In contrast, the percentage of equity owned by the insiders to all equity of the firm is negatively associated with the level of CGR.Practical implicationsFindings of this study have important implications for regulatory authority, enforcement agencies such as Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission, DSE, policymakers, shareholders and others who have an interemaammast in CG.Originality/valueFinding of the study will be a benchmark for policymakers and implementers in torching the avenues of improvement in raising the level of CG reporting.
Milk composition traits in Jamunapari goats: Genetic parameters and effect of CSN1S1 gene variants
Authors: Verma Mahima , Dige Mahesh S , Kaushik Rakesh , Gautam Devika , De Sachinandan , Rout Pramod K 
Published: October 2019

Milk protein polymorphism was analysed to improve the protein content in milk. The present study characterises the CSN1S1 gene and the effect of allelic combinations on milk composition traits in Jamunapari goats. The allelic variants obtained from sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism were confirmed by cloning and sequencing. Genetic parameters were obtained from 518 records from 48 sires and 131 dams. The A, B and F alleles were observed in the population and the protein percentage in milk was significantly (P < 0.01) affected by allelic variants. The frequencies of A, B and F alleles were 0.456, 0.503 and 0.041, respectively. The protein content in milk was highest in the goats with AB genotype followed by AA > BB > BF > AF > FF. The goats with AB genotype had a significantly (P < 0.01) higher protein percentage in milk than goats with BF (t = 5.311, df = 113), AF (t = 8.13, df = 123) and FF (t = 9.55, df = 115) genotypes. The direct heritability for protein percentage was 0.441. Parity and season of birth had significant effects (P < 0.05) on the solids‐not‐fat percentage and lactose concentrations. The CSN1S1 AA, AB and BB genotypes should be selected for higher protein content and to improve milk quality and processing traits in Indian goats.
Systemic serotonin inhibits brown adipose tissue sympathetic nerve activity via a GABA input to the dorsomedial hypothalamus, not via 5HT1A receptor activation in raphe pallidus
Authors: Mota Clarissa M. D. , Branco Luiz G. S. , Morrison Shaun F. , Madden Christopher J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAimSerotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine, 5‐HT), an important neurotransmitter and hormone, modulates many physiological functions including body temperature. We investigated neural mechanisms involved in the inhibition of brown adipose tissue (BAT) sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and BAT thermogenesis evoked by 5‐HT.MethodsElectrophysiological recordings, intravenous (iv) injections and nanoinjections in the brains of anaesthetized rats.ResultsCooling‐evoked increases in BAT SNA were inhibited by the intra‐rostral raphé pallidus (rRPa) and the iv administration of the 5‐HT1A receptor agonist, 8‐OH‐DPAT or 5‐HT. The intra‐rRPa 5‐HT, the intra‐rRPa and the iv 8‐OH‐DPAT, but not the iv 5‐HT‐induced inhibition of BAT SNA were prevented by nanoinjection of a 5‐HT1A receptor antagonist in the rRPa. The increase in BAT SNA evoked by nanoinjection of NMDA in the rRPa was not inhibited by iv 5‐HT, indicating that iv 5‐HT does not inhibit BAT SNA by acting in the rRPa or in the sympathetic pathway distal to the rRPa. In contrast, under a warm condition, blockade of 5HT1A receptors in the rRPa increased BAT SNA and BAT thermogenesis, suggesting that endogenous 5‐HT in the rRPa contributes to the suppression of BAT SNA and BAT thermogenesis. The increases in BAT SNA and BAT thermogenesis evoked by nanoinjection of NMDA in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) were inhibited by iv 5‐HT, but those following bicuculline nanoinjection in the DMH were not inhibited.ConclusionsThe systemic 5‐HT‐induced inhibition of BAT SNA requires a GABAergic inhibition of BAT sympathoexcitatory neurones in the DMH. In addition, during warming, 5‐HT released endogenously in rRPa inhibits BAT SNA.
Sequential adaptive variables and subject selection for GEE methods
Authors: Chen Zimu , Wang Zhanfeng , Chang Yuan‐chin Ivan 
Published: October 2019

AbstractModeling correlated or highly stratified multiple‐response data is a common data analysis task in many applications, such as those in large epidemiological studies or multisite cohort studies. The generalized estimating equations method is a popular statistical method used to analyze these kinds of data, because it can manage many types of unmeasured dependence among outcomes. Collecting large amounts of highly stratified or correlated response data is time‐consuming; thus, the use of a more aggressive sampling strategy that can accelerate this process—such as the active‐learning methods found in the machine‐learning literature—will always be beneficial. In this study, we integrate adaptive sampling and variable selection features into a sequential procedure for modeling correlated response data. Besides reporting the statistical properties of the proposed procedure, we also use both synthesized and real data sets to demonstrate the usefulness of our method.
Designing precision medicine trials to yield a greater population impact
Authors: Zhao Ying‐Qi , LeBlanc Michael L. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractTraditionally, a clinical trial is conducted comparing treatment to standard care for all patients. However, it could be inefficient given patients’ heterogeneous responses to treatments, and rapid advances in the molecular understanding of diseases have made biomarker‐based clinical trials increasingly popular. We propose a new targeted clinical trial design, termed as Max‐Impact design, which selects the appropriate subpopulation for a clinical trial and aims to optimize population impact once the trial is completed. The proposed design not only gains insights on the patients who would be included in the trial but also considers the benefit to the excluded patients. We develop novel algorithms to construct enrollment rules for optimizing population impact, which are fairly general and can be applied to various types of outcomes. Simulation studies and a data example from the SWOG Cancer Research Network demonstrate the competitive performance of our proposed method compared to traditional untargeted and targeted designs.
Stratigraphic evolution from the early Albian to late Campanian of the Potiguar Basin, Northeast Brazil: An approach in seismic scale
Authors: Melo Anderson H. , Andrade Peryclys R. O. , Magalhães Antonio J. C. , Fragoso Daniel G. C. , Lima‐Filho Francisco P. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractFive 3rd‐order depositional sequences are interpreted from the early Albian to late Campanian interval in the Potiguar Basin. An integrated analysis of seismic interpretations, well logs, cores and biostratigraphic data provides a stratigraphic framework composed by stratigraphic surfaces, systems tracts and sequences. Depositional Sequence 1 and 2 are, respectively, Albian and early to mid‐Cenomanian aged and are composed by the falling stage, low stand, transgressive and high stand systems tracts. Depositional Sequence 3 is late Cenomanian to mid‐Turonian aged and is composed by the transgressive and high stand systems tracts. Depositional sequences 4 and 5 are, respectively, late Turonian to mid‐Santonian and late Santonian to mid‐Campanian aged and are composed only by transgressive and high stand systems tracts. The lack of falling stage and low stand systems tracts in depositional sequences 3, 4 and 5, as well the increasing in transgressive and highstand systems tracts thickness as depositional sequences get younger, are reflection of an overall transgressive trend of a 2nd‐order sequence. The interpretation proposed in this paper correlates onshore with offshore deposits within a seismic scale (3rd‐order) sequence stratigraphy framework. This approach allows a better understanding of the Açu Formation, the primary oil‐bearing formation of the Potiguar Basin. The Açu Formation is part of depositional sequences 1, 2 and 3 and is characterized by lateral and vertical variations of depositional systems instead of being associated to a specific depositional system. This sequence stratigraphy analysis can be used as a low‐resolution framework for future high‐resolution (4th‐order scale) studies.
The deforestation of Easter Island
Authors: Rull Valentí 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTEaster Island deforestation has traditionally been viewed as an abrupt island‐wide event caused by the prehistoric Rapanui civilization, which precipitated its own cultural collapse. This view emerges from early palaeoecological analyses of lake sediments, which showed a sudden and total replacement of palm pollen by grass pollen shortly after Polynesian settlement (800–1200 CE). However, further palaeoecological research has challenged this view, showing that the apparent abruptness and island‐wide synchronicity of forest removal was an artefact due to the occurrence of a sedimentary gap of several millennia that prevented a detailed record of the replacement of palm‐dominated forests by grass meadows. During the last decade, several continuous (gap‐free) and chronologically coherent sediment cores encompassing the last millennia have been retrieved and analysed, providing a new picture of forest removal on Easter Island. According to these analyses, deforestation was not abrupt but gradual and occurred at different times and rates, depending on the site. Regarding the causes, humans were not the only factors responsible for forest clearing, as climatic droughts as well as climate–human–landscape feedbacks and synergies also played a role. In summary, the deforestation of Easter Island was a complex process that was spatially and temporally heterogeneous and took place under the actions and interactions of both natural and anthropogenic drivers. In addition, archaeological evidence shows that the Rapanui civilization was resilient to deforestation and remained healthy until European contact, which contradicts the occurrence of a cultural collapse. Further research should aim to obtain new continuous cores and make use of recently developed biomarker analyses to advance towards a holistic view of the patterns, causes and consequences of Easter Island deforestation.
Lysyl oxidase impacts disease outcomes and correlates with global DNA hypomethylation in esophageal cancer
Authors: Kalikawe Rebecca , Baba Yoshifumi , Nomoto Daichi , Okadome Kazuo , Miyake Keisuke , Eto Kojiro , Hiyoshi Yukiharu , Nagai Youhei , Iwatsuki Masaaki , Ishimoto Takatsugu , Iwagami Shiro , Miyamoto Yuji , Yoshida Naoya , Watanabe Masayuki , Baba Hideo 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAbnormal function of human body enzymes and epigenetic alterations such as DNA methylation have been shown to lead to human carcinogenesis. Lysyl oxidase (LOX) enzyme has attracted attention due to its involvement in tumor progression in various cancers. The purpose of this study was to clarify the clinical importance of LOX expression and its epigenetic regulation in the pathogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Using a database of 284 ESCCs, we examined LOX expression and its prognostic characteristics. The functional role of LOX was assessed by in vitro growth, migration, and invasion assays. The relationship between LOX expression, global DNA hypomethylation (ie, LINE‐1 methylation), and LOX promoter methylation was evaluated by using mRNA expression arrays and pyrosequencing technology. High LOX expression cases had a significantly shorter overall survival and cancer‐specific survival (log‐rank, P < .001). The prognostic effect of LOX expression was not significantly modified by other clinical variables. Silencing and enzymatic inhibition of LOX suppressed growth and reduced the invasion and migration ability of ESCC cell lines along with the downregulation of AKT and MMP2. An integrated gene analysis in tissues and cell lines revealed that LOX was the most highly upregulated gene in LINE‐1 hypomethylated tumors. In vitro, LOX expression was upregulated following DNA demethylation. LOX promoter methylation was not associated with LOX expression. Conclusively LOX expression was associated with poor prognosis in ESCC and was regulated epigenetically by genome‐wide hypomethylation. It could serve as a prognostic biomarker in ESCC patients, and therapeutically targeting LOX could reverse the progression of esophageal cancer.
The methylisothiazolinone epidemic goes along with changing patients' characteristics – After cosmetics, industrial applications are the focus
Authors: Schnuch Axel , Schubert Steffen , Lessmann Holger , Geier Johannes ,   for the IVDK
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundSensitization to methylisothiazolinone (MI) has seen an exceptional epidemic, mainly attributed to its use in cosmetics.ObjectivesTo trace the epidemic of MI allergy (2009–2018), and to analyze a possible change of patients' characteristics.MethodsInformationsverbund Dermatologischer Kliniken‐data of patients patch tested between 2009 and 2018 with MI (0.05% aq.) were analyzed concerning anamnestic items and sensitization frequencies.ResultsOverall, 4.9% reacted positive to MI. Comparing sensitization to MI in three periods (2009, 2013/14, and 2017/18), there was an increase to 7% in 2013 and a decrease to 3.4% in 2018. The MOAHLFA Index (M=Men, O=Occupational Dermatitis, A=Atopic Dermatitis, L=Leg Dermatitis, F=Face Dermatitis, A= Age > 40) for the period 2013/14 is characterized by a lower proportion of occupational dermatitis and a higher proportion of face dermatitis. The period 2017/18 is characterized by increases of occupational dermatitis and hand dermatitis, and a decrease of face dermatitis. Painters, personal care workers, and hairdressers were particularly affected. Sensitization in hairdressers and personal care workers (mostly cosmeticians) decreased after the peak in 2013/14, whereas sensitization to MI in painters continued to increase.ConclusionsAfter an unprecedented epidemic of MI allergy, mainly caused by its use in cosmetics, the continuous use of MI in industrial applications, for example, paints, and subsequent sensitization remain a matter of concern.
Rapid detection and toxicity assessment of ochratoxin A by Photobacterium leiognathi in drinking water
Authors: Li Liang , Wu Shizheng , Yang Panpan , Liu Qianyu , Tang Shuze 
Published: October 2019

SummaryThis study was aimed to develop a rapid technique for detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) by Photobacterium leiognathi (P. leiognathi) based on its inhibition of luminescence on P. leiognathi. The freeze‐dried powder of P. leiognathi was incubated and grown aerobically in sterile liquid medium at 28 °C for 20 h. Optical cell density (OD) at wavelength of 610 nm was measured using UV spectrometer every 2 h. Different concentrations of standard OTA solution were used to measure its luminescence inhibition and calculate its half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), flow cytometry (FCM), sodium dodecyl sulphonate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE), DNA extraction and gel electrophoresis were used to observe the performance of P. leiognathi under the treatment of OTA. A correlation (R2 > 0.98) was obtained between the relative luminosity unit of P. leiognathi and OTA concentration in the range of 0.01–20 mg L−1 with recoveries of 80.8–87.4%. The effects of OTA on P. leiognathi are time‐dependent, and the IC50 value of 12.71 mg L−1 at 30 min demonstrated its good sensitivity to OTA. The cells of P. leiognathi under 40 mg L−1 OTA exposure for 30 mins showed morphological alterations, protein damage, apoptosis and necrosis. The aforementioned results indicate that biological assay is a promising and alternative method used for rapidly monitoring the sudden pollution of OTA in the early emergency warning of drinking water system.
National Governance Frameworks in the Global Compact on Refugees: Dangers and Opportunities
Authors: Arnold‐Fernández Emily E. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis article examines the treatment of national governance frameworks in the Global Compact on Refugees. Given that national governance frameworks are the primary determinants of whether a refugee can live safely, move freely, work, and access state and private services such as education, healthcare, banking and justice, their treatment in the Global Compact has important implications for future prospects for local integration, the durable solution least‐often discussed but most likely to become the de facto reality for most of the world's refugees.