bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Establishing a land degradation neutrality national baseline through trend analysis of GIMMS NDVI Time‐series
Authors: Gichenje Helene , Godinho Sérgio 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe land degradation‐neutrality (LDN) national baseline for Kenya in 2015 was established in terms of the three LDN indicators (land cover, land productivity, and carbon stocks), and using trends in GIMMS NDVI and land cover datasets over the 24‐year period from 1992 to 2015. Human‐induced land degradation was separated from degradation driven by climate factors using soil moisture data and the residual trend method. On the basis of Kendall's tau of the NDVI residuals computed using annual mean data of the NDVI and soil moisture relationship, the country has experienced persistent negative trends (browning) over 21.6% of the country, and persistent positive trends (greening) in 8.9% of the country. The land cover change map for the period 1992–2015 showed that in 5.6% of the area there was a change from one land cover class to another. Pronounced changes in terms of land area were the increase in grasslands by 12,171 km2, the decrease of bare land by 9,877 km2, and the decrease in forests by 7,182 km2. Browning and greening trends account for 13% and 12%, respectively, of the land cover change areas. By establishing the LDN national baseline, the LDN concept is now operational. As a first step, targeted field level assessments, alongside the collection of data for the computation of soil organic carbon stocks, should be undertaken in selected browning, greening, and land cover change sites. These field studies will provide decision makers with key information on how to plan for the implementation and monitoring of LDN interventions.
Effects of land‐use changes on runoff and sediment yield: Implications for soil conservation and forest management in Xishuangbanna, Southwest China
Authors: Zhu Xiai , Liu Wenjie , Jiang Xiao Jin , Wang Pingyuan , Li Weixia 
Published: June 2018

AbstractEffects of vegetation traits and soil physical properties on runoff and sediment yield were investigated under different land uses in Xishuangbanna, Southwest China. The cutting‐ring method was applied, and field plot experiments were conducted to determine soil physical properties and monitor runoff and sediment yield in response to land‐use change by comparing tropical rainforest (TR), rubber monoculture (Rm), and four rubber‐based agroforestry systems. Results showed that conversion of tropical forest to rubber resulted in lower leaf area index (LAI), canopy cover, less litter, and an unfavorable soil environment (i.e., high bulk density [BD], low porosity, etc.). The runoff from the Rm was 33.2‐ and 2.6‐ times higher than the TR and the rubber‐based agroforestry systems, respectively. In general, sediment yield from the TR, Rm, and agroforestry systems was 0.041, 11.54, and 2.73 t ha−1, respectively. These trends suggested that the forest conversion caused negative hydrological consequences (i.e., excessive runoff and sediment yield). Compared with the Rm, rubber‐based agroforestry systems could more effectively reduce runoff volume and sediment yield. Overall, the sediment yield were significantly negatively correlated with LAI, canopy cover, stand litter, and saturated water capacity, while positively correlated with BD and runoff. The effects of precipitation on the sediment yield of agroforestry systems in this region became less important due to their partly improved soil conditions and vegetation traits. Solely from the point of erosion control, we recommend that local governments and farmers should consider intercropping Flemingia macrophylla and Theobroma cacao tree species within Rm plantations.
Docking of Covalent Ligands: Challenges and Approaches
Authors: Sotriffer Christoph 
Published: June 2018

AbstractCovalent ligands have recently regained considerable attention in drug discovery. The rational design of such ligands, however, is still faced with particular challenges, mostly related to the fact that covalent bond formation is a quantum mechanical phenomenon which cannot adequately be handled by the force fields or empirical approaches typically used for noncovalent protein‐ligand interactions. Although the necessity for quantum chemical approaches is clear, they cannot yet routinely be applied on large data sets of ligands or for a broader exploration of binding modes in docking calculations. On the other hand, technical solutions for performing docking calculations with covalent ligands are available, but their scope is normally quite limited. Scoring functions typically neglect the contribution from covalent bond formation completely. In this situation, the question arises how to approach covalent ligands and which methods to choose for their docking and design.
The CZEch Mental health Study (CZEMS): Study rationale, design, and methods
Authors: Winkler Petr , Formánek Tomáš , Mladá Karolína , Cermakova Pavla 
Published: June 2018

AbstractObjectivesThe CZEch Mental health Study (CZEMS) was launched to inform the ongoing mental health care reform. This paper describes rationale, methods, and the plan for the future analyses of this project.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey on a representative sample of the general adult noninstitutionalized population of the Czech Republic was conducted. Two‐stage sampling was utilized and respondents were interviewed by centrally trained staff using a paper and pencil interviewing. The presence of mental disorders was assessed by The Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview. The study also collected information about disability, self‐identification of having a mental illness, medical history, and help‐seeking behaviour.ResultsThis survey had a 75% response rate, and the final sample consisted of 3,306 persons aged from 18 to 96 years (mean age 49 years old, 54% women) that were interviewed in their homes. The final sample is representative for the Czech Republic in terms of age, gender, education, and region.ConclusionsCZEMS will provide up‐to‐date evidence about a prevalence of mental disorders in the Czech Republic, associated disability, and treatment gap. This will help informed decision‐making about the current mental health care reform and future mental health care development in the Czech Republic.
Age and gender stratified normative values for the International Prostate Symptom Score for adults aged 60 years and over
Authors: Booth Lorna , Skelton Dawn A. , Hagen Suzanne , Booth Joanne 
Published: June 2018

AimsTo identify age and gender stratified normative values for the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) for older community‐living adults.MethodsSecondary analysis of data from a large cohort study produced norms presented as means, standard deviations, medians, ranges, and percentile scores. Non‐parametric analyses were conducted to investigate the effect that demographic variables, smoking status and comorbidity had on the severity of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) as measured by the IPSS.ResultsData from a total of 1103 survey respondents of community‐living men and women aged between 60 and 99 years in the UK were analyzed. Normal ranges for the IPSS (as indicated by the median and 25th to 75th percentiles) were within the mild and low moderate LUTS categories of the IPSS, irrespective of age or gender. Age, gender, co‐habitant status, and comorbidity had an effect on LUTS severity with comorbidity being the best predictor of IPSS scores.ConclusionThis study has provided IPSS normative values for an older UK adult population aged 60‐99 years. These normative values can be used by researchers and practitioners for peer comparison making the individual's IPSS score more meaningful. Presenting the normative values suggests that some mild symptoms may be described as “normal.” It may also help to combat the perception that poor bladder health is an inevitable part of aging, as all norms in the current study fell into either mild or low moderate symptom categories.
Size‐adaptable 13‐channel receive array for brain MRI in human neonates at 3 T
Authors: Lopez Rios Nibardo , Foias Alexandru , Lodygensky Gregory , Dehaes Mathieu , Cohen‐Adad Julien 
Published: June 2018

Neonatal brain injury suffered by preterm infants and newborns with some medical conditions can cause significant neurodevelopmental disabilities. MRI is a preferred method to detect these accidents and perform in vivo evaluation of the brain. However, the commercial availability and optimality of receive coils for the neonatal brain is limited, which in many cases leads to images lacking in quality. As extensively demonstrated, receive arrays closely positioned around the scanned part provide images with high signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs). The present work proposes a pneumatic‐based MRI receive array that can physically adapt to infant head dimensions from 27‐week premature to 1.5 months old. Average SNR increases of up to 68% in the head region and 122% in the cortex region, compared with a 32‐channel commercial head coil, were achieved at 3 T. The consistent SNR distribution obtained through the complete coil size range, specifically in the cortex, allows the acquisition of images with similar quality across a range of head dimensions, which is not possible with fixed‐size coils due to the variable coil‐to‐head distance. The risks associated with mechanical pressure on the neonatal head are minimal and the head motion is restricted. The method could be used in coil designs for other age groups, body parts and subjects.
Bacteria, Bones, and Stones: Managing Complications of Short Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Johnson Erika , Vu Long , Matarese Laura E. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractShort bowel syndrome (SBS) occurs in patients who have had extensive resection. The primary physiologic consequence is malabsorption, resulting in fluid and electrolyte abnormalities and malnutrition. Nutrient digestion, absorption, and assimilation may also be diminished by disturbances in the production of bile acids and digestive enzymes. Small bowel dilation, dysmotility, loss of ileocecal valve, and anatomical changes combined with acid suppression and antimotility drugs increase the risk of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, further contributing to malabsorption. Metabolic changes that occur in SBS due to loss of colonic regulation of gastric and small bowel function can also lead to depletion of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, resulting in demineralization of bone and the eventual development of bone disease. Persistent inflammation, steroid use, parenteral nutrition, chronic metabolic acidosis, and renal insufficiency may exacerbate the problem and contribute to the development of osteoporosis. Multiple factors increase the risk of nephrolithiasis in SBS. In the setting of fat malabsorption, increased free fatty acids are available to bind to calcium, resulting in an increased concentration of unbound oxalate, which is readily absorbed across the colonic mucosa where it travels to the kidney. In addition, there is an increase in colonic permeability to oxalate stemming from the effects of unabsorbed bile salts. The risk of nephrolithiasis is compounded by volume depletion, metabolic acidosis, and hypomagnesemia, resulting in a decrease in renal perfusion, urine output, pH, and citrate excretion. This review examines the causes and treatments of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, bone demineralization, and nephrolithiasis in SBS.
Microstructure and viscoelasticity of electrorheological suspensions with hybrid core‐shell microspheres
Authors: Krzton‐Maziopa Anna , Oratowska Joanna , Zukowska Grazyna , Plocharski Janusz 
Published: June 2018

A novel type of electrorheological (ER) fluids with hybrid microspheres as dispersed phases was prepared and their rheological properties in dynamic and oscillatory modes in the presence of electric field were studied. Hybrid microspheres are new types of inorganic‐organic composites consisting of inorganic hollow cores covered with a thin layer of conjugated polymer poly (3‐octylthiophene)—P3OT, followed by a polyurethane electrolyte shell of defined thicknesses and controlled (electronic and ionic) conductivities. It has been found that the rate of ER response for the applied electric field of the order of few kV/mm, as well as the recovery time after high shear loads of the novel ER fluids, was significantly improved in comparison to the typical solid electrolyte‐based materials. It has been shown that upon the application of an electric field the suspensions of hybrid microspheres form a gel‐like network structure at low strain region with reasonable rigidity characterized by the domination of G′ moduli over G″ and broad linear viscoelastic range. It was shown that at electric fields as high as 3 kV/mm, the investigated ER materials exhibited predominantly elastic behavior and were able to endure strains up to 3% without significant deformation of the material microstructure. Moreover, the novel ER materials exhibited much faster microstructure recovery after high shear loads in comparison to ER fluids comprising core‐shell composites without poly (3‐octylthiophene) interlayer, which makes them more suitable for the applications requiring immediate response to an external electric field.
Second‐trimester maternal serum screening for fetal Down syndrome: As a screening test for hemoglobin Bart's disease: A prospective population‐based study
Authors: Wanapirak Chanane , Piyamomgkol Wirawit , Sirichotiyakul Supatra , Tongprasert Fuanglada , Srisupundit Kasemsri , Luewan Suchaya , Traisrisilp Kuntharee , Jatavan Phudit , Tongsong Theera 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of second‐trimester maternal serum screening for Down syndrome as a screening test for fetal hemoglobin (Hb) Bart's disease among an unselected population.MethodsA secondary analysis of a large prospective database (20 254 pregnancies) was conducted to compare the levels of maternal serum screening, alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP), free beta‐human chorionic gonadotropin, and unconjugated estriol between pregnancies with Hb Bart's disease and unaffected pregnancies.ResultsThe median AFP levels were much higher among affected fetuses (1.96 vs 1.12 multiple of the median; P < .001), yielding a sensitivity of 81.6% and specificity of 86.4%. Thus, AFP measurement is effective in predicting fetal Hb Bart's disease among an unselected population when using a cutoff value of 1.5 multiple of the median. The serum free beta‐human chorionic gonadotropin levels were slightly, but significantly, higher in the affected pregnancies, while the serum unconjugated estriol levels were minimally, but significantly, lower among the affected pregnancies.ConclusionSecond‐trimester maternal serum AFP levels were significantly elevated in cases of fetal Hb Bart's disease. Pregnancies with unexplained elevated serum AFP levels in areas of high prevalence of Hb Bart's disease should always undergo a detailed ultrasound examination to detect any early signs of fetal anemia before development of hydrops fetalis.
Does sharing good news buffer fear of bad news? A daily diary study of fear of cancer recurrence in couples approaching the first mammogram post‐diagnosis
Authors: Soriano Emily C. , Perndorfer Christine , Otto Amy K. , Siegel Scott D. , Laurenceau Jean‐Philippe 
Published: June 2018

AbstractObjectiveThe core of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR)—a top concern of couples after successful breast cancer (BC) treatment—is fear of death. Daily relationship processes may be instrumental in regulating FCR as triggers of existential distress are encountered. We tested the hypothesis that daily capitalization, the process of sharing good news (capitalization attempts) to a partner perceived as responsive (responsiveness), buffers patient and spouse FCR as they confront the first mammogram post‐diagnosis.MethodsFifty‐seven early‐stage BC survivors and their spouses reported daily FCR, capitalization, and positivity of the disclosed event during a 3‐week diary period beginning 2 weeks before the first annual mammogram post‐diagnosis. Dyadic multilevel path models estimated within‐person effects of patient and spouse capitalization on same‐day FCR, controlling for event positivity.ResultsBefore the mammogram, capitalization attempts were unrelated to FCR, but for patients, responsiveness was predictive of greater same‐day FCR. After the mammogram, for both partners, attempts were predictive of greater same‐day FCR, yet responsiveness was predictive of lower FCR.ConclusionsFindings were largely inconsistent with the hypothesis that capitalization buffers existential distress. However, results revealed novel insights about daily dyadic processes that may characterize within‐person adaptation to existential threat. Potential explanations for the differential links between capitalization and FCR based on timing (before versus after threat) and capitalization component (attempts versus responsiveness) are discussed.
The G protein–coupled estrogen receptor agonist, G‐1, attenuates BK channel activation in cerebral arterial smooth muscle cells
Authors: Evanson Kirk W. , Goldsmith Jacob A. , Ghosh Payal , Delp Michael D. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe G protein–coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) is a significant modulator of arterial contractility and blood flow. The GPER‐specific activator, G‐1, has been widely used to characterize GPER function in a variety of tissue types. Large conductance, calcium (Ca2+)‐activated K+ (BK) channels are sensitive to 17β‐estradiol (17β‐E2) and estrogenic compounds (e.g., tamoxifen, ICI 182 780) that target estrogen receptors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of G‐1 on BK channel activation and function in cerebral arterial myocytes. Inside‐out and perforated patch clamp were utilized to assess the effects of G‐1 (50 nmol·L−1‐5 μmol·L−1) on BK channel activation and currents in cerebral arterial myocytes. Pressurized artery myography was used to investigate the effects of G‐1 on vasodilatory response and BK channel function of cerebral resistance size arteries. G‐1 reduced BK channel activation in cerebral arterial myocytes through elevations in BK channel mean close times. Depressed BK channel activation following G‐1 application resulted in attenuated physiological BK currents (transient BK currents). G‐1 elicited vasodilation, but reduced BK channel function, in pressurized, endothelium‐denuded cerebral arteries. These data suggest that G‐1 directly suppresses BK channel activation and currents in cerebral arterial myocytes, BK channels being critically important in the regulation of myocyte membrane potential and arterial contractility. Thus, GPER‐mediated vasodilation using G‐1 to activate the receptor may underestimate the physiological function and relevance of GPER in the cardiovascular system.
Aircraft reliability assessment for an individual mission based on recordable flight parameters
Authors: Ma Xiaobing , Wang Zhihua , Guan Tianyu , Ma Tao 
Published: June 2018

AbstractReliability of aircraft varies with different missions, because load conditions are always diverse. In limited sample size circumstances, convention aircraft mission reliability assessment method can only give an average result for a kind of mission. Motivated by the practical need of reliability assessment for an individual mission, this paper constructs a novel method, which can assess reliability for a specific mission based on flight parameters. The mission reliability model can be established according to the relationship between flight loads, flight parameters, and reliability via adopting fault data and flight parameters synthetically. Statistical inference of aircraft failure rate is proposed, and then, the mission reliability can be assessed according to the fault data of the focused aircraft. It is worth noticing that the proposed method can also assess the reliability for a mission category via conducting an average calculation across all individual missions belonging to the target mission category. An illustrative example shows that the proposed method not only can give reliability assessments with a same precision with existing approaches for a specific mission category but also can reasonably assess the reliability regarding an individual mission.
Rare case of occult testosterone‐producing ovarian tumor that was diagnosed by selective venous hormone sampling
Authors: Kuno Yoshika , Baba Tsuyoshi , Kuroda Takafumi , Teramoto Mizue , Hirokawa Naoki , Endo Toshiaki , Saito Tsuyoshi 
Published: June 2018

AbstractCaseA 32 year old woman was referred because of secondary amenorrhea, hirsutism, and voice deepening.OutcomeThe blood testosterone level was markedly high. A transvaginal ultrasound revealed a small region in the left ovary, but whether or not it was a tumor was unclear. Therefore, selective ovarian venous sampling was performed. Consequently, the testosterone level was selectively increased in a blood sample that was taken from the left ovarian vein, the tumor was successfully localized, and a laparoscopic left oophorectomy was performed. Although the left ovary appeared to be normal at laparoscopy, the androgen‐secreting tumor was located within it. The tumor was diagnosed as a Leydig cell tumor by histopathological analyses.ConclusionThis report demonstrates that selective blood sampling from ovarian veins before an operation is effective in localizing an androgen‐producing ovarian tumor that is difficult to diagnose by imaging studies.
Ethical adoption: A new imperative in the development of technology for dementia
Authors: Robillard Julie M. , Cleland Ian , Hoey Jesse , Nugent Chris 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIntroductionTechnology interventions are showing promise to assist persons with dementia and their carers. However, low adoption rates for these technologies and ethical considerations have impeded the realization of their full potential.MethodsBuilding on recent evidence and an iterative framework development process, we propose the concept of “ethical adoption”: the deep integration of ethical principles into the design, development, deployment, and usage of technology.ResultsEthical adoption is founded on five pillars, supported by empirical evidence: (1) inclusive participatory design; (2) emotional alignment; (3) adoption modelling; (4) ethical standards assessment; and (5) education and training. To close the gap between adoption research, ethics and practice, we propose a set of 18 practical recommendations based on these ethical adoption pillars.DiscussionThrough the implementation of these recommendations, researchers and technology developers alike will benefit from evidence‐informed guidance to ensure their solution is adopted in a way that maximizes the benefits to people with dementia and their carers while minimizing possible harm.