bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimization of Headspace Solid‐Phase Microextraction (HS‐SPME) Parameters for the Analysis of Pyrazines in Yeast Extract via Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC‐MS)
Authors: Raza Ali , Begum Nabila , Song Huanlu , Li Ku , Li Pei 
Published: July 2019

AbstractYeast extract was analyzed through headspace solid‐phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) in combination with (GC‐MS) for its pyrazine compounds. Four different types of SPME fibers with various polarities were selected for preoptimization. The three coated fiber 50/30 µm DVB/CAR/PDMS showed the maximum volatile extraction efficiency and was selected for further analysis. Twenty‐eight volatile compounds were tentatively identified through GC‐MS including eight pyrazines and were categorically characterized as major volatile compounds responsible for the flavor enhancing notes in YE. Response surface methodology encoded with face centered central composite design was employed to optimize the experimental design. Average peak area of selected pyrazines; methylpyrazine, 2,3‐dimethylpyrazine, 2,6‐dimethylpyrazine, 2‐ethyl‐5‐methylpyrazine, trimethylpyrazine, 3‐ethyl‐2,5‐dimethylpyrazine, tetramethylpyrazine, 3,5‐diethyl‐2‐methylpyrazine, and 2,3,5‐trimethyl‐6‐ethylpyrazine were optimized through RSM‐CCD to get the best conditions for HS‐SPME. The HS‐SPME variables X1 (equilibrium time), X2 (extraction time), and X3 (extraction temperature) were programed into the run sheets to opt an optimistic statistical approach. Among these, the variable X2 and X3 showed the most significant results with the response variable R and could be concluded as the most tantalize variables while practicing pyrazines extraction through HS‐SPME method. Resultantly, the optimization methodology was successfully applied for the extraction of pyrazines from yeast extract.Practical ApplicationThe selection of optimal conditions to conduct a HS‐SPME experiment can dramatically affect the sensitivity and accuracy of aroma extraction process. Optimizing the SPME conditions is the best way to identify the role of all the possible factors that can fluctuate the volatile profile of any sample. This type of statistical approach to optimize the HS‐SPME conditions for pyrazines in yeast extract was practiced for the very first time and could be considered as a prerequisite strategy to proliferate future projects related to some novel studies in terms of pyrazines flavor perception.
Prognosis, complications and treatment response in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients: A single‐center experience
Authors: Barut Kenan , Adrovic Amra , Sahin Sezgin , Tarcin Gurkan , Tahaoglu Gulberk , Koker Oya , Yildiz Mehmet , Kasapcopur Ozgur 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAimSystemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) is a distinctive subtype of JIA characterized by systemic features and poor outcome. We aimed to investigate demographic and clinical features, long‐term treatment response and disease complications in a large sJIA cohort.MethodsPatients diagnosed with sJIA followed up at a pediatric rheumatology outpatient department from January 2003 to December 2017 were included. Demographic and clinical features, long‐term treatment response and disease complications were retrospectively collected.ResultsA total of 168 sJIA patients (51.8% female, 48.2% male) were included: 31.5% with monocyclic, 13.7% polycyclic and 54.8% with persistent clinical course. Corticosteroids were initially used in all patients. Methotrexate was used in 75% and cyclosporine A was used in 17.3% patients. Biological drugs were used in 42.8% patients; etanercept in 29.7%, anakinra in 16%, canakinumab in 16%, tocilizumab in 10% patients. Remission off medication was achieved in 82 (48.8%). Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) was present in 11.9%, growth retardation in 11.3% patients. Eight percent (4/50) of patients had low bone mineral density. Three patients (1.78%) died due to MAS secondary multiorgan insufficiency and infection.ConclusionThe disease is characterized with diverse clinical presentation and possibly severe complications. MAS complicated with multiorgan insufficiency is the major mortality factor. Corticosteroids represent the mainstay of the initial treatment. In patients resistant to classic treatment, biological drugs should be timely introduced.
Prohibiting Autonomous Weapons: Put Human Dignity First
Authors: Rosert Elvira , Sauer Frank 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn addition to its successful mobilization in stigmatization and norm‐setting processes on anti‐personnel landmines and cluster munitions, the principle of distinction as enshrined in International Humanitarian Law also figures prominently in the debate on lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS). Proponents of a ban on LAWS frame these as indiscriminate, that is, unable to distinguish between civilians and combatants, and thus as inherently unlawful. The flip side of this particular legal argument is, however, that LAWS become acceptable when considered capable of distinguishing between combatants and civilians. We thus argue, first, that this particular legal basis for the call for a ban on LAWS might be rendered obsolete by technological progress increasing discriminatory weapon capabilities. Second, we argue that the argument is normatively troubling as it suggests that, as long as civilians remain unharmed, attacking combatants with LAWS is acceptable. Consequently, we find that the legal principle of distinction is not the overall strongest argument to mobilize when trying to stigmatize and ban LAWS. A more fundamental, ethical argument within the debate about LAWS – and one less susceptible to ‘technological fixes’ – should be emphasized instead, namely that life and death decisions on the battlefield should always and in principle be made by humans only.
Open Plurilateral Agreements, International Regulatory Cooperation and theWTO
Authors: Hoekman Bernard , Sabel Charles 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSustained high growth in many developing countries (‘the rise of the rest’) combined with long‐standing World Trade Organization (WTO) working practices hamper the ability of theWTOto perform its routine functions and paralyze efforts to adapt to new circumstances. For want of an alternative, preferential trade agreements have taken up some of the slack in addressing differences in domestic regulation of product safety, environmental and social conditions, but these are exclusionary and inefficient from a global perspective. In this article, we argue that a new type of agreement based on open plurilateral cooperation offers better prospects for groups of countries to explore and develop their potential common interests on regulatory matters, while safeguarding core aspects of their national regulatory sovereignty and increasing the possibility of regenerating theWTOfrom within.
ThermStats: An R package for quantifying surface thermal heterogeneity in assessments of microclimates
Authors: Senior Rebecca A. , Hill Jane K. , Edwards David P. 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Variation in temperature at a fine spatial scale creates critically important microclimates for many organisms. Quantifying thermal heterogeneity at this scale is challenging and, until recently, has been largely restricted to the use of dataloggers to record air temperature. Thermography is becoming an increasingly viable alternative. A single photo from a thermal imaging camera contains thousands of spatially explicit surface temperature measurements, making thermal cameras ideal for rapidly assessing temperature variation at fine scale.

Here, we present an R package—ThermStats—for processing thermal images and other gridded temperature data. The package addresses current constraints on applying thermography in ecology, by speeding up and simplifying the extraction of data from thermal images, and by facilitating the calculation of different metrics of thermal heterogeneity. The metrics capture both the frequency distribution and spatial patterns of temperature, and the package functions are designed to accommodate different sampling strategies and data in either matrix or raster format.

We demonstrate how ThermStats can be used to capture temperature variation at fine spatial scales in structurally complex habitat, such as tropical rainforest. Using thermal images collected in the field (~0.5 cm2 resolution), we found that thermal hetereogeneity varied little between primary and logged forest, but did vary with time of day. Comparing temperature extremes in a microclimate layer estimated from LIght Detection And Ranging data (LIDAR; 2,500 m2 resolution) , we found that both hot and cold extremes were hotter inside oil palm plantations than in the neighbouring forest.

Our package simplifies the processing of thermal data, and our metrics capture key spatiotemporal temperature trends that underpin physiological, behavioural and demographic responses to environmental change. As such, ThermStats can advance a wide range of studies requiring fine‐scale surface temperature data for microclimate investigations.
Conservative vs liberal fluid therapy in septic shock (CLASSIC) trial—Protocol and statistical analysis plan
Authors: Meyhoff Tine Sylvest , Hjortrup Peter Buhl , Møller Morten Hylander , Wetterslev Jørn , Lange Theis , Kjær Maj‐Brit Nørregaard , Jonsson Andreas Bender , Hjortsø Carl Johan Steensen , Cronhjort Maria , Laake Jon Henrik , Jakob Stephan M. , Nalos Marek , Pettilä Ville , van der Horst Iwan , Ostermann Marlies , Mouncey Paul , Rowan Kathy , Cecconi Maurizio , Ferrer Ricard , Malbrain Manu L. N. G. , Ahlstedt Christian , Hoffmann Søren , Bestle Morten Heiberg , Nebrich Lars , Russell Lene , Vang Marianne , Rasmussen Michael Lindhardt , Sølling Christoffer , Rasmussen Bodil Steen , Brøchner Anne Craveiro , Perner Anders 
Published: July 2019

IntroductionIntravenous (IV) fluid is a key intervention in the management of septic shock. The benefits and harms of lower versus higher fluid volumes are unknown and thus clinical equipoise exists. We describe the protocol and detailed statistical analysis plan for the conservative versus liberal approach to fluid therapy of septic shock in the Intensive Care (CLASSIC) trial. The aim of the CLASSIC trial is to assess benefits and harms of IV fluid restriction versus standard care in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients with septic shock.MethodsCLASSIC trial is an investigator‐initiated, international, randomised, stratified, and analyst‐blinded trial. We will allocate 1554 adult patients with septic shock, who are planned to be or are admitted to an ICU, to IV fluid restriction versus standard care. The primary outcome is mortality at day 90. Secondary outcomes are serious adverse events (SAEs), serious adverse reactions (SARs), days alive at day 90 without life support, days alive and out of the hospital at day 90 and mortality, health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), and cognitive function at 1 year. We will conduct the statistical analyses according to a pre‐defined statistical analysis plan, including three interim analyses. For the primary analysis, we will use logistic regression adjusted for the stratification variables comparing the two interventions in the intention‐to‐treat (ITT) population.DiscussionThe CLASSIC trial results will provide important evidence to guide clinicians’ choice regarding the IV fluid therapy in adults with septic shock.
Storage time of red blood cells among ICU patients with septic shock
Authors: Rygård Sofie L. , Grønlykke Lars , Perner Anders , Winkel Per , Lange Theis , Broksø Holst Lars , Johansson Pär I. , Aneman Anders , Brodersen Thorsten , Laurén Eva , Ullum Henrik , Wetterslev Jørn 
Published: July 2019

BackgroundWe aimed to describe the exposure to blood transfusions and mortality among patients with septic shock.MethodsWe did a retrospective cohort study of two cohorts—patients with septic shock registered in a Danish ICU database (2008‐2010) and patients from the Transfusion Requirements in Septic Shock (TRISS) trial (2011‐2013). We extracted information on blood transfusions issued to all patients. We investigated the number of patients receiving very fresh blood (less than 7 days), very old blood (more than 24 days) and blood with a mixture of storage time.ResultsIn the Danish cohort, 1637 patients were included of whom 1394 (85%) received 20,239 blood units from 14 days prior the ICU admission to 90 days after; 33% were transfused before, 77% in the ICU and 36% after ICU. The exposure to exclusively very fresh or very old blood was 3% and 4%, respectively.In the TRISS cohort, 77% of the 937 patients received 5047 RBC units; 3% received exclusively very fresh and 13% very old blood. The point estimate of mortality was higher among patients receiving large amounts of exclusively very fresh and very old blood, but the number of patients were very small.ConclusionsPatients with septic shock were transfused both before and after ICU. Exposure to blood of less than 7 days or more than 24 days old were limited. We were not able to detect higher mortality among the limited number of patients with septic shock transfused with very fresh or very old blood.
Alcohol Consumption in Later Life and Mortality in the United States: Results from 9 Waves of the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Keyes Katherine M. , Calvo Esteban , Ornstein Katherine A. , Rutherford Caroline , Fox Matthew P. , Staudinger Ursula M. , Fried Linda P. 
Published: July 2019

BackgroundAlcohol consumption in later life has increased in the past decade, and the relationship between alcohol consumption and mortality is controversial. Recent studies suggest little, if any, health benefit to alcohol. Yet most rely on single–time point consumption assessments and minimal confounder adjustments.MethodsWe report on 16 years of follow‐up from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) cohorts born 1931 to 1941 (N = 7,904, baseline mean age = 61, SD = 3.18). Respondents were queried about drinking frequency/quantity. Mortality was established via exit interviews and confirmed with the national death index. Time‐varying confounders included but were not limited to household assets, smoking, body mass index, health/functioning, depression, chronic disease; time‐invariant confounders included baseline age, education, sex, and race.ResultsAfter adjustment, current abstainers had the highest risk of subsequent mortality, consistent with sick quitters, and moderate (men: HR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.60 to 0.91; women: HR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.63 to 1.07) drinking was associated with a lower mortality rate compared with occasional drinking, though smokers and men evidenced less of an inverse association. Quantitative bias analyses indicated that omitted confounders would need to be associated with ~4‐fold increases in mortality rates for men and ~9‐fold increases for women to change the results.ConclusionsThere are consistent associations between moderate/occasional drinking and lower mortality, though residual confounding remains a threat to validity. Continued efforts to conduct large‐scale observational studies of alcohol consumption and mortality are needed to characterize the changing patterns of consumption in older age.
How common is common? Rapidly assessing population size and structure of the frog Mantidactylus betsileanus at a site in east‐central Madagascar
Authors: Edmonds Devin , Kessler Ethan , Bolte Leonard 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPopulation‐level data are urgently needed for amphibians in light of the ongoing amphibian extinction crisis. Studies focused on population dynamics are not only important for rare species but also for common species which shape ecosystems to a greater degree than those that are rare. Some of the greatest global amphibian species diversity is found in Madagascar, yet there are few studies on the ecology of frog species on the island. We carried out a mark‐recapture study on the widespread frog Mantidactylus betsileanus (Mantellidae: Mantellinae: Mantidactylus) at two adjacent rainforest sites in east‐central Madagascar to assess its population size and structure. To do so, we validated and implemented an individual identification protocol using photographs of the ventral patterns of frogs and identified individuals with photographic‐matching software. Using this rapid, non‐invasive survey method, we were able to estimate a density of 26 and 28 frogs per 100 m2 at each of the two sites sampled. Our results show the rainforests near the village of Andasibe, Madagascar support remarkably high amphibian abundance, helping illustrate the significant ecological role of frogs in this ecosystem. Further, individual frog markings allowed us to develop more precise estimates than traditional survey methods. This study provides a blueprint to augment existing population studies or develop new monitoring programs in Madagascar and beyond.
Early responses of bark and wood boring beetles to an outbreak of the hemlock looper Lambdina fiscellaria (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in a boreal balsam fir forest of North America
Authors: Béland Jean‐Michel , Bauce Éric , Cloutier Conrad , Berthiaume Richard , Hébert Christian 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWe investigated the early responses of bark and wood boring beetles to an extensive supply of balsam fir (Abies balsamea) trees, stressed or recently killed during an outbreak of the hemlock looper (Lambdina fiscellaria) in Quebec, Canada.
The present study aimed to (i) examine beetle assemblages across all levels of defoliation and (ii) assess the relative influences of defoliation, tree mortality, stand structure and spatial context on beetle assemblages.
We used three types of traps in each of 36 plots: multidirectional flight interception traps measured adult beetle flight activity within stands, trunk window traps measured visitation rates at trees and emergence traps measured beetle colonization of trees.
Flight traps in nondefoliated plots allowed characterization of ‘pre‐outbreak’ beetle assemblages, which were not discernable in emergence traps because few insects colonize heathy trees. ‘Pre‐outbreak’ assemblages, characterized by a mix of polyphagous beetle species (e.g. Evodinus monticola, Dryocoetes autographus), shifted to those dominated by Trypodendron lineatum after extensive defoliation. Two Pissodes species colonized heavily defoliated trees but not dead ones.
Defoliation level, conifer basal area, basal area of dead balsam firs and the extent of recently logged areas around sampling plots were positively correlated with the abundance of T. lineatum.
Sequential imputation for models with latent variables assuming latent ignorability
Authors: Beesley Lauren J. , Taylor Jeremy M. G. , Little Roderick J. A. 
Published: July 2019

SummaryModels that involve an outcome variable, covariates, and latent variables are frequently the target for estimation and inference. The presence of missing covariate or outcome data presents a challenge, particularly when missingness depends on the latent variables. This missingness mechanism is called latent ignorable or latent missing at random and is a generalisation of missing at random. Several authors have previously proposed approaches for handling latent ignorable missingness, but these methods rely on prior specification of the joint distribution for the complete data. In practice, specifying the joint distribution can be difficult and/or restrictive. We develop a novel sequential imputation procedure for imputing covariate and outcome data for models with latent variables under latent ignorable missingness. The proposed method does not require a joint model; rather, we use results under a joint model to inform imputation with less restrictive modelling assumptions. We discuss identifiability and convergence‐related issues, and simulation results are presented in several modelling settings. The method is motivated and illustrated by a study of head and neck cancer recurrence. Imputing missing data for models with latent variables under latent‐dependent missingness without specifying a full joint model.
Climate regime shift detection with a trans‐dimensional, sequential Monte Carlo, variational Bayes method
Authors: McGrory Clare A. , Ahfock Daniel C. , Lemos Ricardo T. 
Published: July 2019

SummaryWe present an application study which exemplifies a cutting edge statistical approach for detecting climate regime shifts. The algorithm uses Bayesian computational techniques that make time‐efficient analysis of large volumes of climate data possible. Output includes probabilistic estimates of the number and duration of regimes, the number and probability distribution of hidden states, and the probability of a regime shift in any year of the time series. Analysis of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) index is provided as an example. Two states are detected: one is associated with positive values of the PDO and presents lower interannual variability, while the other corresponds to negative values of the PDO and greater variability. We compare this approach with existing alternatives from the literature and highlight the potential for ours to unlock features hidden in climate data.
RPE65 mutation frequency and phenotypic variation according to exome sequencing in a tertiary centre for genetic eye diseases in China
Authors: Li Shiqiang , Xiao Xueshan , Yi Zhen , Sun Wenmin , Wang Panfeng , Zhang Qingjiong 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPurposeRetinoid isomerohydrolase RPE65 has received a tremendous amount of attention due to successful clinical gene therapy for Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) cases caused by RPE65 mutations. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of RPE65 mutations and the associated phenotypes based on exome sequencing.MethodsRPE65 variants were collected from exome sequencing data obtained from 2133 probands with different forms of hereditary retinal degeneration (HRD). Clinical data were collected from probands with homozygous or compound heterozygous variants in RPE65. Associated phenotypes were characterized based on clinical data.ResultsBiallelic RPE65 mutations were detected in 18 families, including eight with LCA, five with early‐onset retinal degeneration, four with fundus albipunctatus‐like (FA‐like) changes and one with high hyperopia. These cases accounted for approximately 3.0% (8/269) of LCA and 0.8% (18/2133) of HRD cases. An almost identical FA‐like change was identified in seven patients from four unrelated families with RPE65 mutations. Classification of mutations suggested that FA‐like changes may be associated with biallelic missense mutations in RPE65.ConclusionFundus albipunctatus‐like (FA‐like) change, a common characteristic fundus sign in RPE65 biallelic mutations, was unexpected but was confirmed by the finding that affected siblings from different families exhibited similar phenotypes. These results enrich our understanding of RPE65 mutation frequencies and their associated phenotypic variants.
1 Why Neighborhoods? The Neighborhood in Archaeological Theory and Practice
Authors: Pacifico David , Truex Lise A. 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACTThis chapter introduces the central themes in this volume and articulates those themes with previous approaches. Neighborhoods in this volume are integrative socio‐spatial groups between the household and the settlement that are found in urbanizing landscapes. Previous theorizations of neighborhoods constrain them to specific populations or forms of sociality. Our cases show that the fundamental aspects of these theorizations (intermediate, distinct, cohesive, nested) can endure while population, morphology, and temporality vary. Neighborhood studies are presented as complementary to household, community, and urban/peri‐urban studies, while attention is drawn to the diversity of forms neighborhoods take and diversity of themes neighborhoods help scholars address.