bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms and functional impact of Group I metabotropic glutamate receptor modulation of excitability in mouse MNTB neurons
Authors: dos Santos e Alhadas Éverton , Correa Ana Maria Bernal , Naves Ligia Araújo , Kushmerick Christopher 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWe examined effects of Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors on the excitability of mouse medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) neurons. The selective agonist, S‐3,5‐dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG), evoked a dose‐dependent depolarization of the resting potential, increased membrane resistance, increased sag depolarization, and promoted rebound action potential firing. Under voltage‐clamp, DHPG evoked an inward current, referred to as IDHPG, which was developmentally stable through postnatal day P56. IDHPG had low temperature dependence in the range 25–34°C, consistent with a channel mechanism. However, the I‐V relationship took the form of an inverted U that did not reverse at the calculated Nernst potential for K+ or Cl−. Thus, it is likely that more than one ion type contributes to IDHPG and the mix may be voltage dependent. IDHPG was resistant to the Na+ channel blockers tetrodotoxin and amiloride, and to inhibitors of iGluR (CNQX and MK801). IDHPG was inhibited 21% by Ba2+ (500 μM), 60% by ZD7288 (100 μM) and 73% when the two antagonists were applied together, suggesting that KIR channels and HCN channels contribute to the current. Voltage clamp measurements of IH indicated a small (6%) increase in Gmax by DHPG with no change in the voltage dependence. DHPG reduced action potential rheobase and reduced the number of post‐synaptic AP failures during high frequency stimulation of the calyx of Held. Thus, activation of post‐synaptic Group I mGlu receptors modifies the excitability of MNTB neurons and contributes to the reliability of high frequency firing in this auditory relay nucleus.
Maps on positive cones in operator algebras preserving power means
Authors: Molnár Lajos 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
In this paper we consider power means of positive Hilbert space operators both in the conventional and in the Kubo–Ando senses. We describe the corresponding isomorphisms (bijective transformations respecting those means as binary operations) on positive definite cones and on positive semidefinite cones in operator algebras. We also investigate the question when those two sorts of power means can be transformed into each other.
Factor analysis to investigate genotype and genotype × environment interaction effects on pro-vitamin A content and yield in maize synthetics
Authors: Mengesha Wende , Menkir Abebe , Meseka Silvestro , Bossey Bunmi , Afolabi Agbona , Burgueno Juan , Crossa Jose 
Published: October 2019

AbstractVitamin A Deficiency (VAD) is a major public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa affecting 33 million preschool-age children. Enrichment of maize varieties with provitamin A could provide sustainable and affordable solution to VAD. This study was conducted to understand the extent of GEI effects on both grain yield and provitamin A content in 21 maize synthetics and identify synthetics combining stable performance with high level provitamin A content across diverse environments in West Africa. Combined analysis of variance found significant (p < 0.01) GEI effects that prompted further investigation of the GEI magnitude using mixed model with factor analysis. Factors 1 and 2 explained 71% of the total variability. G5, G4, G12, G18, G2 and G14 were broadly adapted to a range of environments and considered the most stable and high yielding. G8, G1, and G10 were specifically adapted to a group of environments. Whereas, G21, G19 and G17 were found to be the worst and unstable genotypes. G4 combined stable performance with high provitamin A content, whereas G20 and G18 were stable but had low provitamin A contents. Three genotypes, G4, G12 and G14 were found to combine stability with high provitamin A contents. These genotypes can be recommended for production in the low-land tropics of West and Central Africa with similar environments.
Certain algebraic structures associated with a double fuzzy topological space
Authors: Vivek S. , Mathew Sunil C. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The algebraic structures of the families of fuzzy sets that arise out of various notions of openness and closedness in a double fuzzy topological space are investigated. The collection of these families forms a bounded, associative lattice. The zero divisors and zero-divisor graph of this lattice are also identified.
Plasmalogen deficiency and neuropathology in Alzheimer's disease: Causation or coincidence?
Authors: Senanayake Vijitha , Goodenowe Dayan B. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCausation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not well understood. It is necessary to look beyond neuropathology to identify the underlying causes of AD and many other common neurological diseases. Lipid abnormalities are well documented in the preclinical phases of many neurological diseases including AD. Here, we use AD as an example to examine the role of lipid abnormalities as an underlying cause of neurodegeneration. Role of lipids, particularly phospholipids, in the optimal function of the nervous system, impact of the aberrations of phospholipid metabolism on β‐amyloid deposition and cholinergic neuronal function, epidemiological evidence on the association of phospholipids with AD, and preliminary data on the possible modulation of risk factors of AD by phospholipids are examined. Implications of these findings on diagnosis and prevention are also discussed.
Light automation for aircraft fuselage assembly
Authors: Trabasso L. G. , Mosqueira G. L. 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTThe ever-growing need to improve manufacturing processes has led recently to an increase in the number of automation solutions used to assemble aircraft structural elements. A process of interest to this industry is the alignment of fuselage sections, which is currently done either manually or by complex, expensive automated systems. The manual method introduces a significant production delay and most automated systems have limited flexibility. This article presents an integration solution implemented in an alternative low-cost, high-flexibility alignment robotic cell. The performance of an optical coordinate measuring machine (CMM) as feedback source for the adaptive control of a conventional industrial manipulator is assessed. Laser interferometry readings are used as reference. The contribution of the work lies in the execution of experiments based on the EN ISO 9283 standard (Manipulating industrial robots - performance criteria and related test methods) to determine the adequacy of the commercial off-the-shelf system to the tolerances and requirements of the fuselage alignment process at hand. The optimal configuration of the integrated system attained the nominal alignment position with an average accuracy of 0.16mm and

$0.004^\circ$

, partially meeting the required tolerances, and the obtained values are nearly 16x better compared to a baseline, open-loop manipulator. These results serve as reference for the aerospace industry in the development of the next generation of tools and automated assembly processes.
Triple-sequential defibrillation for refractory ventricular fibrillation in a 24-year-old male out of hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Bignucolo Adam , Parent Adam , Dube Mark , Kusnierczyk John , Ansell Dominique , Ohle Robert 
Published: October 2019

SUMMARYRefractory ventricular fibrillation encountered during cardiac arrest has a mortality rate of 97%.1 As per the advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) guidelines, the management algorithm of ventricular fibrillation consists of chest compressions, epinephrine, defibrillation, and anti-arrhythmics.2 There have been reports describing the use of the fast-acting selective β-blocker, esmolol, and dual-sequential defibrillation in the management of ventricular fibrillation that is refractory to standard ACLS. We present a case of a 24-year-old male who had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, with refractory ventricular fibrillation despite high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and ACLS management. Along with standard ACLS, triple-sequential defibrillation was used to achieve return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after 82 minutes of downtime. An electrocardiogram (ECG) after ROSC showed an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI), and the patient underwent angiography showing a 100% occlusion of his left anterior descending artery. Following management of his coronary artery disease, he was discharged from the hospital 16 days later and was neurologically intact.
Supporting researchers through full-service hotline and consultation services: Success in simplicity, customization, and staffing
Authors: Brouwer Rebecca Namenek , Miller Emily , Patil Sunita , Swamy Geeta K. , Moen Rebbecca , McMillan Amanda , Boulware L. Ebony 
Published: October 2019

AbstractNavigating the research domain at an academic medical center can be challenging, even for seasoned investigators. To address this, Duke University launched two initiatives: (1) a research navigation “hotline” to provide brief assistance with a variety of research questions; and (2) researcher onboarding and consultation, a one-to-one tailored offering to ensure that researchers are equipped to navigate research resources and processes effectively. The services are provided by the myRESEARCHnavigators (MRN) team, funded by Duke’s CTSA. The diverse scientific backgrounds of the six team members align well with those of the research community, allowing for a good match between the researcher and MRN team member. The MRN team answers approximately 30 questions per month, and has provided consultations to almost 400 researchers. Both services receive high satisfaction ratings (4 or 5 stars [out of 5 stars] given to 90% of hotline answers, and 99% of researcher onboarding/consultation sessions). As of July 2019, the School of Medicine has determined that the consultations are critical to their mission and have made them a requirement for new research faculty. The team will continue marketing both services to encourage adoption.
Implication of Burn Disaster Planning and Management: Coverage and Accessibility of Burn Centers in Belgium
Authors: Al-Shamsi Mustafa , Jennes Serge 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIntroduction:Burn disasters represent a real challenge to burn centers worldwide. Several burn disasters with a considerable number of casualties happened in Belgium in the past. The positioning of burn centers is a significant issue to account for in a burn disaster preparedness and response. The objectives of this study are to identify the geographic coverage and accessibility of the burn centers in Belgium in the realm of a burn disaster scenario.Method:Cross-sectional secondary analysis was performed using data from the Belgian Burn Association and Belgian Department of the Statistic. Data were analyzed using ArcGIS, a geographic information system tool to identify the coverage of burn centers within half an hour driving time, and access time of both populations in the districts and the disaster-prone areas to the individual burn centers.Results:Around 7.3 million (65%) people are covered by a half an hour driving time window from the burn centers. However, the accessibility to the individual burn centers is varied across different regions and provinces.Conclusion:There is a slightly over-supply of burn centers in the mid part of the country, contrasted by an under-supply and poor accessibility for the population living near the borders, particularly in the south part of the country. This study would provide a benchmark for stakeholders in Belgium and other industrial countries to consider the coverage and accessibility of the burn centers as part of preparation and planning for burn disasters in the future.
Crevasse initiation and history within the McMurdo Shear Zone, Antarctica
Authors: Kaluzienski Lynn , Koons Peter , Enderlin Ellyn , Hamilton Gordon , Courville Zoe , Arcone Steven 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWhile large-scale observations of intensified fracture and rifting can be observed through remote-sensing observations, understanding crevasse initiation may best be achieved with small-scale observations in which crevasses can be directly observed. Here we investigate the kinematic drivers of crevasse initiation in the McMurdo Shear Zone (MSZ), Antarctica. We delineated 420 crevasses from ~95 km of 400 MHz frequency ground-penetrating radar data and compared these data with kinematic outputs derived from remotely-sensed ice surface velocities to develop a statistical method to estimate crevasse initiation threshold strain rate values. We found the MSZ to be dominated by simple shear and that surface shear strain rates proved best for predicting crevasse features, with regions of higher shear strain rate more likely to have a greater number of crevasses. In the surveyed portion of our study region, values of shear strain rate and vorticity rate derived from the MEaSUREs2 velocity dataset range between 0.005–0.020 and 0.006–0.022 a−1, respectively, with crevasses located at ≥0.011 and ≥0.013 a−1. While threshold values from this study cannot be directly applied to other glacial environments, the method described here should allow for the study of shear margin evolution and assessment of localized damage and weakening processes in other locations where in situ data are available.
Parent and Child Factors Predicting Early Intervention Choices of Australian Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Carlon Sarah , Carter Mark , Stephenson Jennifer , Sweller Naomi 
Published: October 2019

AbstractExtant research addressing implicit factors related to intervention decisions made by parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is limited and findings have been inconsistent. In the present study, 74 parents of preschoolers with ASD were surveyed regarding intervention use. The possible relationships between implicit parent factors (education level, age, causal beliefs about ASD, complementary and alternative medicine [CAM] use, and family income) and child factors (time since diagnosis, and perceived severity of ASD), and the number and type of interventions used were examined. Consistent with previous research, only a small number of significant relationships were found, including that family income, parent use of CAM, mother’s education, parent belief in an unknown aetiology of ASD, and time since child’s diagnosis were all related to the number of interventions used. Some specific findings of previous research were not replicated in the present study (e.g., neither beliefs in environmental aetiology of ASD nor parent education levels were related to the use of specific CAM interventions), indicating that factors affecting decision-making may not be consistent across samples. Nevertheless, future research including an expanded range of possible implicit factors with more diverse samples may provide a more accurate predictive model of parent decision-making.
DNA methylation and one-carbon metabolism related nutrients and polymorphisms: analysis after mandatory flour fortification with folic acid
Authors: Steluti Josiane , Palchetti Cecília Zanin , Miranda Andreia Machado , Fisberg Regina Mara , Marchioni Dirce Maria 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThere is a growing research interest in determining whether changes in the global status of DNA methylation are related to the environment, in particular, to one-carbon metabolism. So, our aim was to investigate the effect of dietary methyl-group donor intake (methionine, folate, choline, betaine, vitamins B2, B6 and B12), biomarkers (total folate, unmetabolised folic acid (FA), 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, homocysteine, vitamins B6 and B12 concentrations) and genetic variants (polymorphisms involved in one-carbon metabolism) on global DNA methylation in a population exposed to mandatory flour fortification with FA. A cross-sectional study of health and living conditions was conducted among a representative sample of residents in São Paulo, Brazil. The mean of global DNA methylation was lower in young people than in adults and the elderly (P = 0·049). No differences between genotypes of polymorphism and global DNA methylation mean were identified. We observed that the increase in betaine intake led to an absolute change in percentage of DNA methylation (β = 0·0005, P = 0·024) using multiple regression. Betaine intake alone was associated with an absolute change in percentage of global DNA methylation. The study did not find an association between global DNA methylation and folate status even in a population exposed to mandatory flour fortification with FA.
Investment Shocks and Asset Prices: An Investment-Based Approach
Authors: Garlappi Lorenzo , Song Zhongzhi 
Published: October 2019

We propose a new approach, based on investment data, to determine firms’ return exposure to investment-specific technology (IST) shocks. When applied to U.S. data, we find that, in contrast to the pattern estimated from empirical IST proxies, value firms have higher exposure to IST shocks than growth firms. When applied to simulated data from existing theoretical models, our approach reveals that existing empirical findings may result from measurement errors in the IST proxies. Importantly, our simulation analysis uncovers the key role played by investment data in determining the economic mechanism through which IST shocks affect cross-sectional asset prices.
A socio-economic study of Fasciola infections in cattle and sheep at the Etoudi slaughterhouse, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Authors: Takang E.E. , LeBreton M. , Ayuk C.E. , MacLeod E.T. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
A cross-sectional socio-economic study of fascioliasis in livestock was carried out at the Livestock Development Cooperation (SODEPA) slaughterhouse in Etoudi, Yaoundé during the periods covering the beginning and late dry season in the northern and eastern regions of Cameroon. A total of 768 cattle and 267 sheep were inspected for the presence of Fasciola species. The overall infection rate in cattle and sheep was 18% (n = 767) and 27% (n = 267), respectively. For the animals that were Fasciola positive, a total of 267.86 kg of liver in cattle was condemned, resulting in a loss of US$1124, while a total of 57 kg of liver was condemned from the sheep population, amounting to a loss of US$114. A total of US$76,097 was determined as losses incurred from condemnation of liver for both cattle and sheep per annum based on the total number slaughtered each year. The findings indicate that fascioliasis is present in cattle and sheep slaughtered in Cameroon and that it causes great economic losses due to condemnation of liver. The local climatic conditions, husbandry systems and the presence of snails (intermediate hosts) are probably the main factors influencing the incidence of the disease and may account for the epidemiological significance found in this study.
Does the Atlantic bonito, Sarda sarda, spawn in the eastern Adriatic Sea?
Authors: Čikeš Keč Vanja , Zorica Barbara , Vuletin Vedran 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAtlantic bonito, Sarda sarda, is one of the representatives of the Scombridae family in the Adriatic Sea. Larvae and juveniles have been found and described in the area, but no information has been published regarding adults spawning in the Adriatic Sea. To explore the strong possibility that Atlantic bonito are reproducing in the Adriatic Sea, 122 specimens of adult Atlantic bonito were collected from a purse seine net ‘palamidara’ over four seasons in 2017. The fork length of the analysed specimens varied from 37.5 to 60.8 cm, with a mean of 48.83 ± 5.59 cm, while total body weight varied between 742.68 and 3102.59 g, with a mean value of 1700.49 ± 543.82 g. Gonadosomatic index values showed an increasing trend from autumn (0.123 for males, 0.897 for females) until spring, while in the summer, they reached their maximum values (3.609 for males, 5.604 for females). This trend was also confirmed by histological and macroscopic analyses of gonads, which suggested that the Atlantic bonito spawning season is in the spring-summer in the Adriatic Sea. Hence, this confirms that this species is spawning in the Adriatic Sea.
Determinants of Equitable Social Policy in Latin America (1990–2013)
Authors: ALTMAN DAVID , CASTIGLIONI ROSSANA 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe fact that equitable social policy expanded drastically in Latin America during the left turn and during a time of prosperity does not necessarily mean that the ideological color of governing parties and economic growth are the engines behind changes in social policy, as is usually claimed by part of the literature. Using panel data from Latin American countries for 1990–2013, this paper offers an alternative explanation, derived from previous qualitative research, that the level of political competition, the strength of civil society, and wealth are the key factors behind the expansion of equitable social policy. Once these explanations are included in our models, the ideological leaning of governments and economic growth lose statistical significance. Thus, this paper challenges dominant approaches that consider social policy change in Latin America a consequence of the ideological leaning of the government and economic growth.
Health Technology Assessment Implementation in Ukraine: Current Status and Future Perspectives
Authors: Csanádi Marcell , Inotai András , Oleshchuk Oleksandra , Lebega Oksana , Alexandra Brodovskaya , Piniazhko Oresta , Németh Bertalan , Kaló Zoltán 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectivesThe need for improving healthcare decision making by implementing health technology assessment (HTA) has been a top priority in Ukraine since 2016. This study sought to provide a tailor-made HTA implementation roadmap, drawing on insights from national stakeholders.MethodsWe conducted a survey using a questionnaire already applied in previous HTA research. We assessed the status of HTA when reforms were initiated in 2016 and examined perspectives on possible future developments among policy makers and representatives of pharmaceutical companies and patient organizations.ResultsThirty-two respondents answered the survey. Forty-eight percent of respondents were not aware of HTA training in Ukraine, but 91 percent preferred having either a graduate or postgraduate training. Experts stated that funding for HTA research and for critical appraisal of HTA submissions was limited, but in the future, they would increase funding mainly from public sources. A public HTA agency with academic support was the most preferred organizational structure. Eighty-eight percent of respondents opted for full transparency, making the HTA agency's recommendations and the related appraisal reports publicly available. A great majority of participants preferred mandating the use of local data in certain categories and indicated the importance of evaluating the transferability of international evidence. Healthcare priority and cost-effectiveness were the most important criteria for decisions, applied with a soft explicit threshold.ConclusionsUkraine is in the early phase of implementing HTA and our study provides a clear vision of national stakeholders about the future directions. In addition, learning from the experiences of other countries may help the implementation process.