bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Blood donor testing for hepatitis B virus in the United States: is there a case for continuation of hepatitis B surface antigen detection?
Authors: Dodd Roger Y. , Nguyen Megan L. , Krysztof David E. , Notari Edward P. , Stramer Susan L. 
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUNDIn the United States, blood donor testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was initiated in the early 1970s. More recently, testing for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA have been added. The incidence of hepatitis B has been declining. This study reviews the current status of testing and questions the need for continuation of HBsAg testing.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSFrom July 2011 to June 2015, a total of 22.4 million donations were serologically tested for HBsAg and anti‐HBc and for HBV‐DNA by nucleic acid testing (NAT). All reactive results were evaluated and a subset of donations that were either potential NAT yield (seronegative) or serologically positive but nonreactive by HBV NAT in minipools (MPs) of 16 were further evaluated by individual donation (ID)‐NAT. Samples with detectable HBV DNA were defined as actively infected and considered potentially infectious.RESULTSRoutine testing plus supplemental ID‐NAT identified 2035 samples representing active infection including 1965 with anti‐HBc, 1602 with HBsAg, and 1453 with HBV DNA by MP‐NAT, for respective rates per hundred‐thousand donations of 9.10, 8.78, 7.16, and 6.50, continuing the downward trend previously observed. There were 29 HBV DNA–yield samples (1:771,389), 35 HBsAg‐yield samples (anti‐HBc nonreactive), and 404 with occult hepatitis B infection. There were six samples with HBsAg and HBV DNA detectable only by ID‐NAT in the absence of anti‐HBc; additional testing was consistent with extremely low or negligible levels of DNA.CONCLUSIONSPoint estimates of HBV infection rates among blood donors continue to decline, as do those for incidence and residual risk. Elimination of HBsAg screening would have negligible impact, with a risk less than 1 per 4 million donations.
Determinants of clinical leptospirosis in Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Rupesh , McKenzie Joanna S. , Gautam Milan , Adhikary Ramesh , Pandey Kedarraj , Koirala Pragya , BC Gyan Bahadur , Miller Laurie C. , Collins‐Emerson Julie , Craig Scott B. , Shrestha Sanjaya , Heuer Cord 
Published: August 2018

AbstractLeptospirosis is an important zoonotic disease in Nepal; however, there is a lack of information on sources of leptospirosis infection for people and associated risk factors. We implemented a case–control study nested within a cross‐sectional survey to investigate zoonotic risks of human leptospirosis among adult, febrile patients seeking treatment in healthcare centres in Kaski District, Nepal, from April to October 2013. The study population was 239 febrile patients; the data consisted of paired blood samples; questionnaires on clinical symptoms; occupational, environmental and animal exposures; and a blood sample from animals in the household. In total, 63 cattle, 92 buffalo, 181 goats, 20 dogs and 14 rodents from 119 households were blood sampled. Serology was performed on the samples using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for a panel of 20 serovars with a starting dilution of 1:50. Clinical leptospirosis was defined as a titre of 1:400 or stronger, or a 4‐fold or greater rise between acute and convalescent titres, or evidence of seroconversion for one or more serovars represented by a titre of <1:50 in the acute sample and a titre of ≥1:100 in the convalescent sample. The prevalence of clinical leptospirosis was 5.4% (95% CI 2.6%–8.3%). The most common symptoms among recruited participants were loss of appetite and lethargy followed by chills, profuse sweating and backache. No individual clinical symptom nor combination of any two symptoms was significantly associated with clinical leptospirosis. However, owning goats (OR 1.3, CI 95% 1.05–1.66), working in rice fields (OR 1.3, CI 95% 1.11–1.72) and male gender (OR 4, CI 95% 1.12–17.26) significantly increased the risk of clinical leptospirosis in humans. Findings suggest that leptospirosis should be considered in the clinical differential diagnosis among febrile adult patients in Nepal, especially for men, goat owners and/or those who work in rice fields.
The Eukaryotic Host Factor 14-3-3 Inactivates Adenylate Cyclase Toxins of Bordetella bronchiseptica and B. parapertussis, but Not B. pertussis
Authors: Fukui-Miyazaki Aya , Toshima Hirono , Hiramatsu Yukihiro , Okada Keisuke , Nakamura Keiji , Ishigaki Keisuke , Shinzawa Naoaki , Abe Hiroyuki , Horiguchi Yasuhiko 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTBordetella pertussis,Bordetella bronchiseptica, andBordetella parapertussisshare highly homologous virulence factors and commonly cause respiratory infections in mammals; however, their host specificities and disease severities differ, and the reasons for this remain largely unknown. Adenylate cyclase toxin (CyaA) is a homologous virulence factor that is thought to play crucial roles inBordetellainfections. We herein demonstrate that CyaAs function as virulence factors differently betweenB. bronchiseptica/B. parapertussisandB. pertussis.B.bronchisepticaCyaA bound to target cells, and its enzyme domain was translocated into the cytosol similarly toB.pertussisCyaA. The hemolytic activity ofB.bronchisepticaCyaA on sheep erythrocytes was also preserved. However, in nucleated target cells,B.bronchisepticaCyaA was phosphorylated at Ser375, which constitutes a motif (RSXpSXP [pS is phosphoserine]) recognized by the host factor 14-3-3, resulting in the abrogation of adenylate cyclase activity. Consequently, the cytotoxic effects ofB.bronchisepticaCyaA based on its enzyme activity were markedly attenuated.B.parapertussisCyaA carries the 14-3-3 motif, indicating that its intracellular enzyme activity is abrogated similarly toB.bronchisepticaCyaA; however,B.pertussisCyaA has Phe375instead of Ser, and thus, was not affected by 14-3-3. In addition,B.pertussisCyaA impaired the barrier function of epithelial cells, whereasB.bronchisepticaCyaA did not. Rat infection experiments suggested that functional differences in CyaA are related to differences in pathogenicity betweenB. bronchiseptica/B.parapertussisandB. pertussis.IMPORTANCEBordetella pertussis,B. bronchiseptica, andB. parapertussisare bacterial respiratory pathogens that are genetically close to each other and produce many homologous virulence factors; however, their host specificities and disease severities differ, and the reasons for this remain unknown. Previous studies attempted to explain these differences by the distinct virulence factors produced by eachBordetellaspecies. In contrast, we indicated functional differences in adenylate cyclase toxin, a homologous virulence factor ofBordetella. The toxins ofB. bronchisepticaand presumablyB. parapertussiswere inactivated by the host factor 14-3-3 after phosphorylation in target cells, whereas theB. pertussistoxin was not inactivated because of the lack of the phosphorylation site. This is the first study to show that 14-3-3 inactivates the virulence factors of pathogens. The present results suggest that pathogenic differences inBordetellaare attributed to the different activities of adenylate cyclase toxins.
Minimal disseminated disease evaluation and outcome in trilateral retinoblastoma
Authors: Torbidoni Ana V , Sampor Claudia , Laurent Viviana E , Aschero Rosario , Iyer Saipriya , Rossi Jorge , Alderete Daniel , Alonso Daniel F , Szijan Irene , Chantada Guillermo L 
Published: August 2018

Trilateral retinoblastoma (TRb) presents a management challenge, since intracranial tumours are seldom times resectable and quickly disseminate. However, there are no risk factors to predict the final outcome in each patient.ObjectiveTo evaluate minimal disseminated disease (MDD) in the bone marrow (BM) and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at diagnosis and during follow-up and reviewing its potential impact in the outcome of patients with TRb.Methods and analysisWe evaluated MDD in five patients with TRb, detecting the mRNA of CRX and/or GD2, in samples from BM and CSF, obtained at diagnosis, follow-up and relapse.ResultsTreatment involved intensive systemic chemotherapy in four patients, one did not receive this treatment and died of progression of the disease. Two patients underwent stem cell rescue. Three patients had leptomeningeal relapse and died. One patient remains disease-free for 84 months. RB1 mutations were identified in the five patients, all of them were null mutations. At diagnosis, one patient had tumour cells in the CSF, and none had the BM involved. Only one case of four presented MDD during follow-up in the CSF, without concomitant detection in the BM. On leptomeningeal relapse, no case had MDD in the BM. In all these cases, cells in the CSF were positive for GD2 and/or CRX.ConclusionCSF dissemination always concluded in the death of the patient, without concomitant systemic dissemination denoting the importance of increasing treatment directed to the CSF compartment. The MDD presence could indicate a forthcoming relapse.
Simulation of structural characteristics of Mullite melt at high pressure
Authors: Lan Mai Thi , Iitaka Toshiaki , Hong Nguyen Van 
Published: August 2018

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is applied to investigate the structural characteristics of Al2O3–SiO2 system with the Al2O3 content at 60 mol.% (Mullite — 3Al2O[Formula: see text]2SiO2). MD models containing 5250 atoms in cubic box with periodic boundary conditions are constructed at 3500 K in 0–100 GPa pressure range. The Born–Mayer–Huggins potential is applied in this study. Based on the cluster analyzes and MD data visualization technique, the structural characteristics of Mullite melt, such as the short-range and intermediate-range order, the local environments of oxygen and network structure will be clarified. Under compression, the Al–O bonds are broken, leading to incorporation of Al atoms into Si–O subnet through both nonbridging oxygen (NBO) and bridging oxygen (BO), forming –Al–O–Si-network (Al–O–Si, Si–O–Al2, Si2–O–Al, Si–O–Al3, Si2–O–Al2 and Si3–O–Al). The degree of polymerization (DOP) of the silica network and alumina network increase with pressure and the DOP of SiOx-network is lower than that of AlO[Formula: see text]-network under compression. The statistics of corner, edge and face-sharing bonds between two adjacent TO[Formula: see text] units (T is Si, Al; x = 3–7) as well as characteristics of all type OT[Formula: see text] linkages (y = 2–6) are investigated in detail. Structural and compositional heterogeneities are clarified via analysis of structure and size distribution of TO[Formula: see text]-clusters.
The parameter space and third law of thermodynamics for the Borges–Roditi, Abe and Sharma–Mittal entropies
Authors: Canturk Bilal , Oikonomou Thomas , Baris Bagci G. 
Published: August 2018

In order to investigate the role of the parameter space on the third law of thermodynamics, we have checked the validity intervals of the Borges–Roditi, Abe and Sharma–Mittal entropies in the framework of the third law of thermodynamics. The two-parameter Borges–Roditi entropy conforms to the third law for a [Formula: see text] 1, 0 [Formula: see text] b [Formula: see text] 1 or b [Formula: see text] 1, 0 [Formula: see text] a [Formula: see text] 1 due to its a [Formula: see text] b symmetry, while the Abe entropy satisfies the third law in the interval [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 1 or [Formula: see text]. Since the validity interval of the single-parameter Abe entropy can be fully recovered from the two-parameter Borges–Roditi entropy, we note that the third law is immune to the reduction of the parameters in this particular case. The Sharma–Mittal entropy, in this same context, is valid in the interval 0 [Formula: see text] q [Formula: see text] 1, whereas its second parameter r can take any real values without restriction. The interval 0 [Formula: see text] q [Formula: see text] 1 is the intersection of the Sharma–Mittal entropy with its reduced expressions, i.e., the Tsallis and Rényi entropies from the third law perspective. This implies that the additional parameter r of the Sharma–Mittal entropy indeed renders it more generalized compared to the one-parameter Rényi and Tsallis entropies when validated by the third law of thermodynamics. Therefore, based on these observations, we deduce that an additional parameter can extend the interval of validity of the third law for a particular generalized entropy only when this additional parameter is not confined by reduction to some other generalized entropy definitions. We also check our theoretical results by using the one-dimensional Ising model with periodic boundary conditions under zero external field.
The Wicked Priest’s Day of Atonement Assault Revisited
Authors: Tropper Amram 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Pesher Habakkuk tells an enigmatic story about the Wicked Priest who caused the Righteous Teacher and his followers to stumble one Day of Atonement. Shortly after the pesher was discovered, Shemaryahu Talmon offered an interpretation of this story that most scholars have accepted. According to Talmon, the Wicked Priest’s opposition to unsanctioned calendars prompted him to prevent the Righteous Teacher and his followers from observing the Day of Atonement on its rightful day in their dissident calendar. Though widely accepted, I maintain that this calendrical interpretation finds little support in the pesher and, therefore, its broad appeal is puzzling. Furthermore, I propose that Talmon’s calendrical interpretation and its popularity are highly indebted to a famous rabbinic story of a calendrical dispute. In the hopes of illuminating the pesher’s cryptic account, modern scholars retrojected a rabbinic plot into the pesher’s narrative, thereby remaking the pesher in the image of the rabbis.
Abner of Burgos: The Missing Link between Nasir al-Din al-Tusi and Nicolaus Copernicus?
Authors: Nosonovsky Michael 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
The geometrical theorem known as the ‘Tusi couple’ was first discovered by Persian astronomer Nasir al-Din al-Tusi (1201–1274). The Tusi couple was believed to be discovered for Europeans by Nicolaus Copernicus (1473–1543) and it played an important role in the development of his planetary system. It has been suggested by Willy Hartner, that Copernicus borrowed it from al-Tusi, however, a particular way of transmission is not known. In this article I show that Spanish-Jewish author Abner of Burgos (1270–1340) was familiar with the Tusi couple and followed Tusi’s notation in his diagrams. This may provide a missing link in the transmission of the Muslim astronomic knowledge to Europe and advance our understanding of the European Renaissance as a multicultural phenomenon.
The Community Foehn Classification Experiment
Authors: Mayr Georg j. , Plavcan David , Armi Laurence , Elvidge Andrew , Grisogono Branko , Horvath Kristian , Jackson Peter , Neururer Alfred , Seibert Petra , Steenburgh James W. , Stiperski Ivana , Sturman Andrew , Večenaj Željko , Vergeiner Johannes , Vosper Simon , Zängl Günther 
Published: August 2018

AbstractStrong winds crossing elevated terrain and descending to its lee occur over mountainous areas worldwide. Winds fulfilling these two criteria are called foehn in this paper although different names exist depending on the region, the sign of the temperature change at onset, and the depth of the overflowing layer. These winds affect the local weather and climate and impact society. Classification is difficult because other wind systems might be superimposed on them or share some characteristics. Additionally, no unanimously agreed-upon name, definition, nor indications for such winds exist. The most trusted classifications have been performed by human experts. A classification experiment for different foehn locations in the Alps and different classifier groups addressed hitherto unanswered questions about the uncertainty of these classifications, their reproducibility, and dependence on the level of expertise. One group consisted of mountain meteorology experts, the other two of master’s degree students who had taken mountain meteorology courses, and a further two of objective algorithms. Sixty periods of 48 h were classified for foehn–no foehn conditions at five Alpine foehn locations. The intra-human-classifier detection varies by about 10 percentage points (interquartile range). Experts and students are nearly indistinguishable. The algorithms are in the range of human classifications. One difficult case appeared twice in order to examine the reproducibility of classified foehn duration, which turned out to be 50% or less. The classification dataset can now serve as a test bed for automatic classification algorithms, which—if successful—eliminate the drawbacks of manual classifications: lack of scalability and reproducibility.
Ultrafine Particles in the Lower Troposphere: Major Sources, Invisible Plumes, and Meteorological Transport Processes
Authors: Junkermann Wolfgang , Hacker Jorg M. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractUltrafine particles (UFPs) are distributed highly unevenly in the lower troposphere. Although these UFPs are positively detectable and have been studied for more than a century, their three-dimensional distribution, formation, and budget in the atmosphere remain largely uncertain, despite their obvious climate relevance. This is due to their short lifetime and the fact that they are invisible to the human eye and to remote sensing techniques. From the moment of their emission or generation, their spatial distribution is a result of meteorological processes, regional-scale transport, local thermal convection, and rapid loss by interaction with clouds as cloud condensation nuclei. Here, we report about three-dimensional airborne in situ studies aimed at investigating UFP sources, distribution, and behavior on different spatial and temporal scales. We identified fossil fuel–burning power stations, refineries, and smelters as major anthropogenic UFP sources. On a regional scale, their emissions are significantly higher than urban emissions. Particle emissions from such power stations are released typically at altitudes between 200 and 300 m AGL. Detailed in situ measurements of particle concentration and related parameters, together with meteorological measurements and analyses, enable reliable source attribution even over several hundred kilometers downwind from the emitter. Comprehensive meteorological analysis is required to understand the highly variable 3D concentration patterns generated by advective transport and thermal convection. Knowledge of primary emission strength, together with size distributions and atmospheric 3D transport of UFPs derived from airborne measurements, makes it possible to estimate the aerosols’ impact on meteorology, hydrological cycles, and climate.
Snowmelt Events in Autumn Can Reduce or Cancel the Soil Warming Effect of Snow–Vegetation Interactions in the Arctic
Authors: Barrere Mathieu , Domine Florent , Belke-Brea Maria , Sarrazin Denis 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe warming-induced growth of vegetation in the Arctic is responsible for various climate feedbacks. Snow–vegetation interactions are currently thought to increase the snow-insulating capacity in the Arctic and thus to limit soil winter cooling. Here, we focus on autumn and early winter processes to evaluate the impact of the presence of erect shrubs and small trees on soil temperature and freezing. We use snow height and thermal conductivity data monitored near Umiujaq, a low-Arctic site in northern Quebec, Canada (56°N, 76°W), to estimate the snow thermal insulance in different vegetation covers. We furthermore conducted a field campaign in autumn 2015. Results show that the occurrence of melting at the beginning of the snow season counteracted the soil warming effect of snow–vegetation interactions. Refrozen layers on the surface prevented wind drift and the preferential accumulation of snow in shrubs or trees. Snowmelt was more intense in high vegetation covers, where the formation of refrozen layers of high thermal conductivity at the base of the snowpack facilitated the release of soil heat, accelerating its cooling. Consequently, the soil was not necessarily the warmest under high vegetation covers as long as melting events occurred. We conclude that under conditions where melting events become more frequent in autumn, as expected under climate warming, conditions become more favorable to maintain a negative feedback among the growth of erect vegetation, snow, and soil temperature in the Arctic, rather than a positive feedback as described under colder climates.
Surfzone State Estimation, with Applications to Quadcopter-Based Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Wilson Gregory , Berezhnoy Stephen 
Published: August 2018

AbstractA one-dimensional variational data assimilation (1DVar) method is presented based on the depth- and time-averaged alongshore-uniform surfzone wave and current equations, for simultaneous estimation of three uncertain variables: bathymetry, incident wave boundary conditions, and bed roughness. The method is validated using twin tests and in situ field observations, and its results are shown to be comparable to those of an existing ensemble-based bathymetry inversion technique. Unlike existing techniques, the ability to simultaneously estimate boundary conditions and bed roughness along with bathymetry also means the 1DVar method can produce full state estimates without the requirement for additional supporting measurements (e.g., direct measurements of the incident waves). A proof-of-concept field application is shown using observations collected from an unmanned quadcopter sensor package that measures surfzone wave height from a fixed-beam lidar range finder, and time-averaged longshore current from particle image velocimetry of drifting surface foam.
Single- vs. double-dose gadolinium contrast in delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC) in knee osteoarthritis: is dose reduction possible on 3-T MRI?
Authors: Hangaard Stine , Gade Jesper Sörensson , Hansen Philip , Damm Nybing Janus , Gudbergsen Henrik , Bliddal Henning , Boesen Mikael 
Published: August 2018

Background Reduction in gadolinium (Gd) contrast agents is wanted due to the uncertainty of the potential side effects. Purpose To investigate whether it is possible to reduce the contrast dose from conventional double dose to single dose when increasing the field strength from 1.5-T to 3-T for separating early cartilage degeneration from healthy cartilage, assessed by delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage (dGEMRIC). Material and Methods Nine patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), Kellgren–Lawrence grade (KLG) 1–4, were recruited from an ongoing weight loss cohort study. dGEMRIC was performed at 3-T using single (0.1 mmoI/kg) and double (0.2 mmoI/kg) doses of intravenous (i.v.) Gd-DTPA2-. Regions of interest (ROls) were drawn around the posterior weight-bearing femoral knee cartilage in lateral and medial compartments. In five medial compartments ROIs could not be drawn due to severe degeneration of cartilage. T1-relaxation times were compared to previously published values from 1.5-T and to non-contrast values from 3-T. Results Mean dGEMRIC T1-relaxation time in the lateral compartment was 769 ms for single dose vs. 561 ms for double dose ( P < 0.0001); and 685 ms for single dose vs. 454 ms for double dose ( P = 0.004) in the medial compartment. Conclusion We found a dose-response relationship between single and double doses of Gd-DTPA2- using 3-T in knee OA patients, similar to the findings at 1.5-T. Compared to the T1-relaxation time at 3-T without contrast (1240 ms), this further separation between OA and normal cartilage indicates that “single dose” dGEMRIC could be sufficient for cartilage health assessment at 3-T.