bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modeling the emergence of migratory corridors and foraging hot spots of the green sea turtle
Authors: Dalleau Mayeul , Kramer‐Schadt Stephanie , Gangat Yassine , Bourjea Jérôme , Lajoie Gilles , Grimm Volker 
Published: August 2019

AbstractEnvironmental factors shape the spatial distribution and dynamics of populations. Understanding how these factors interact with movement behavior is critical for efficient conservation, in particular for migratory species. Adult female green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas, migrate between foraging and nesting sites that are generally separated by thousands of kilometers. As an emblematic endangered species, green turtles have been intensively studied, with a focus on nesting, migration, and foraging. Nevertheless, few attempts integrated these behaviors and their trade‐offs by considering the spatial configurations of foraging and nesting grounds as well as environmental heterogeneity like oceanic currents and food distribution. We developed an individual‐based model to investigate the impact of local environmental conditions on emerging migratory corridors and reproductive output and to thereby identify conservation priority sites. The model integrates movement, nesting, and foraging behavior. Despite being largely conceptual, the model captured realistic movement patterns which confirm field studies. The spatial distribution of migratory corridors and foraging hot spots was mostly constrained by features of the regional landscape, such as nesting site locations, distribution of feeding patches, and oceanic currents. These constraints also explained the mixing patterns in regional forager communities. By implementing alternative decision strategies of the turtles, we found that foraging site fidelity and nesting investment, two characteristics of green turtles' biology, are favorable strategies under unpredictable environmental conditions affecting their habitats. Based on our results, we propose specific guidelines for the regional conservation of green turtles as well as future research suggestions advancing spatial ecology of sea turtles. Being implemented in an easy to learn open‐source software, our model can coevolve with the collection and analysis of new data on energy budget and movement into a generic tool for sea turtle research and conservation. Our modeling approach could also be useful for supporting the conservation of other migratory marine animals.
Novel microfluidic device integrated with a fluidic‐capacitor to mimic heart beating for generation of functional liver organoids
Authors: Wu Jiaxu , Hirai Yoshikazu , Kamei Ken‐Ichiro , Tsuchiya Toshiyuki , Tabata Osamu 
Published: August 2019

AbstractLiver organoids hold a great potential to understand liver development and contribute for drug screening and toxicological testing. However, conventional methods to generate organoids provide insufficient liver functions and less reproducibility, due to lack of controllability of cellular microenvironmental cues. To tackle these issues, we focus on one of the environmental cues, pressure stimuli by heart beating, and develop a microfluidic‐based cell culture platform integrating a fluidic capacitor to produce pressure stimuli with hydrostatic pressure. Furthermore, we demonstrate a numerical simulation based on equivalent circuit model for designing the device parameters with sufficient accuracy. This device concept will provide insights into physical micro‐environmental regulation on organoid development.
Secondary succession has surprisingly low impact on arboreal ant communities in tropical montane rainforest
Authors: Mottl Ondrej , Plowman Nichola S. , Novotny Vojtech , Gewa Bradley , Rimandai Maling , Klimes Petr 
Published: August 2019

AbstractUnderstanding forest regeneration processes is increasingly important as disturbed forests spread rapidly in tropical landscapes. While successional dynamics are relatively well‐understood for plants, they remain poorly known for tropical insects, particularly in montane rainforests and tree canopies. We studied the effect of montane forest succession on arboreal ant communities in New Guinea near their natural elevational limit (1800 m a.s.l.). We censused ant species and nests in replicated 0.1‐ha plots of primary, old and young secondary forests, destined to be felled for gardens by the local landowners. Overall, 1249 felled trees were dissected for all ant‐associated microhabitats. We used rarefaction‐based models manipulating vegetation structure and multivariate randomizations to assess the effects of tree density, tree size, and nesting microhabitats on the ant communities. We expected increased ant species diversity, microhabitat specialization, and species turnover among trees throughout the succession, with distinct community composition among the stages. In contrast to our expectations, ant species composition and diversity per plot did not change during succession, and species similarity among trees was significantly higher only in old secondary forest. The number of ant species per tree increased with forest age, but trees of similar size hosted only slightly more species in primary than secondary forests. Many ant species were associated with particular nesting microhabitats; however, the same microhabitat types occurred in all stages and thus did not generate successional trends in ant communities. Secondary succession had an unexpectedly low impact on tree‐dwelling ant communities in this montane ecosystem, in contrast with our previous findings from lowland rainforests. These results highlight the need to study successional processes along entire elevational gradients, as montane taxa may react differently to vegetation changes than their lowland counterparts.
Dehydration of xylose to furfural in butanone catalyzed by Brønsted‐Lewis acidic ionic liquids
Authors: Zhao Yuan , Xu Hao , Lu Kaifeng , Qu Yang , Zhu Lingjun , Wang Shurong 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIn this study, the most abundant C5 carbohydrate unit in biomass, namely xylose, was chosen as the feedstock, and its hydrothermal conversion for furfural production was carried out in a green and renewable solvent system composed of water and butanone, in order to study the role of FeCl3 and [bmim]Cl of ionic liquid catalyst in the conversion process of xylose. A key intermediate named xylulose from Lewis acid‐catalyzed xylose isomerization was quantified. It was concluded that appropriate content of FeCl3 and [bmim]Cl favored the isomerization‐dehydration reaction path along which xylose was converted into furfural, while excessive amount of either component would result in side reactions leading to furfural consumption at long reaction times. By comparison between ionic liquid catalysts that had different active metal sites, xylose conversion and furfural yields were found to increase when the Lewis acidity of the metal ions became stronger. Moreover, chlorometallate anions with better catalytic performance than the original neutral salts were formed during catalyst preparation, and in this way, the xylose conversion and furfural formation were further promoted. Finally, the optimized ionic liquid catalyst produced a highest furfural yield of 75% and xylose conversion of 99% at 140°C.
Influence of chitosan nanoparticles and fennel essential oils (Foeniculum vulgare) on the shelf life of Huso huso fish fillets during the storage
Authors: Maghami Mohadeseh , Motalebi Abbas Ali , Anvar Seyed Amir Ali 
Published: August 2019

AbstractFish and fishery products are important parts of the human diet, but the microbial, chemical, and physical deteriorations limit their shelf life. Using the modified atmospheric packaging system and edible coatings is one of the main procedures to improve the shelf life of fish. In this research, the effect of chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) loaded with fennel essential oils along with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) system on chemical, microbial, and sensorial properties of Huso huso fish fillets during storage at fridge were evaluated. The results showed that coating fish fillets with CNPs and fennel EO significantly reduced the peroxide value, total volatile nitrogen, and thiobarbituric acid value compared with the control samples. Microbial analyses showed a lower number of mesophilic, psychotropic, pseudomonas, and lactic acid bacteria in coated fillets compared with control and MAP packaging. Fish fillets coated with CNPs and EO showed high acceptability in all sensorial attribute through the storage. It can be concluded that using CNPs and fennel EO along with MAP packaging can enhance the shelf life for H. huso fillets up to 18 days in the fridge.
Factors driving frequent attendance at emergency departments for patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Tan Aidan L. , Iyer Narayanan Gopalakrishna , Putri Natascha , Nadkarni Nivedita , Skanthakumar Thakshayeni , Wong Ting Hway , Tay Gerald Ci An 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundPatients with head and neck cancer have a higher risk of emergency department (ED) frequent attender (FA). We hypothesized that FAs present with issues different from non‐FAs.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted on Singapore residents with head and neck cancers using de‐identified registry merged with electronic medical record data. A competing risk regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with FA. Aggregated primary diagnoses were compared for patients with and without FA risk factors.ResultsThirteen percent of patients with head and neck cancer were FAs. FA risk factors were Charlson comorbidity index (3+), and socioeconomic status (SES). FAs had a higher proportion of respiratory infections. The spectrum of diagnosis was similar for patients with low and high SES. Current smokers had a greater proportion of respiratory complaints, relative to never smokers.ConclusionPatients with greater comorbidity scores or higher SES were more likely to be FA. FAs were more likely to present with respiratory complaints, likely related to cancer treatment, or smoking status.
Exergy analysis of single‐flow solar air collectors with different configurations of absorber plates
Authors: Khalil Wissam Hashim , Obaid Zain Alabdeen Hussein , Dawood H. K. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIn the current study, an experimental analysis of exergy performance for different absorber plates is done. Three types of absorber plates are supplied with different fin arrangements with a variable air mass flow rate. The exergy analysis to evaluate the exergy performance of the solar air heaters uses experimental data for conventional and finned solar air collectors with different arrangements of fins. The main aim of the current study is to compare the exergy performance of the conventional solar air collector with those equipped with fins. The introducing of the fins in different arrangements enhances the absorber surface area, which leads to increased heat transfer. Also, fins induce air turbulence in the flow field, which improves the exergy performance of solar air collector. It is found that the exergy reduces and exergy efficiency enhances with increasing the airflow rate. The traditional flat absorber plate has undesirable exergy loss and exergy efficiency for all ranges of airflow rates. Thus, the flat plate collector presents the most substantial irreversibility, for which the exergy efficiency is the least. However, the results show that the exergy efficiency of inclined staggered turbulators is higher than that of in‐line and staggered turbulators. The optimal value of exergy efficiency is recorded at nearly 77% for the solar air collectors equipped with inclined staggered turbulators compared with other types of configurations.
Monte Carlo Simulation Methodologies for β‐Lactam/β‐Lactamase Inhibitor Combinations: Effect on Probability of Target Attainment Assessments
Authors: Kidd James M. , Stein Gary E. , Nicolau David P. , Kuti Joseph L. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMonte Carlo simulations (MCSs) are used in antibiotic development to predict the probability of pharmacodynamic target attainment (PTA) for a dosing regimen. However, for β‐lactam/β‐lactamase inhibitor combinations (BL‐BLICs), methods for linking simulated concentration profiles of the β‐lactam (BL) and β‐lactamase inhibitor (BLI) components are rarely described. Using a previously defined pharmacokinetic model of ceftazidime/avibactam from critically ill patients, we performed four 5000‐patient MCSs using different methods of increasing complexity to couple the BL and BLI components and compared PTA for ceftazidime and avibactam targets of >70% fT>MIC and >70% fT>1 mg/L, respectively, at MICs from 1 to 128 mg/L. Method A ignored all covariates and correlations, whereas methods B, C, and D enhanced associations by adding (B) pharmacokinetic parameter correlation within each drug only; (C) pharmacokinetic parameter correlation within each drug and creatinine clearance (CRCL); and (D) pharmacokinetic parameter correlation within each drug, CRCL, and pharmacokinetic parameter correlation between drugs. Method D produced a simulated patient population that best recapitulated the observed relationships between pharmacokinetic parameters in actual patients. Ceftazidime/avibactam PTA at MIC 8 mg/L (the susceptibility break point) and 16 mg/L ranged from 92.4% to 98.3% and 80.2% to 88.4%, respectively. PTA was lowest with method A, whereas PTA estimates were similar for all other methods. Compared with ignoring all pharmacokinetic parameter associations, the inclusion of covariate relationships and parameter correlation between both components of ceftazidime/avibactam leads to fewer patients with discordant pharmacokinetic parameters and results in higher PTA. Consideration of these methodologies should guide future MCS analyses for BL‐BLIC.
Complications of cold versus hot snare polypectomy of 10–20 mm polyps: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ket Shara N , Mangira Dileep , Ng Allysia , Tjandra Douglas , Koo Ja H , La Nauze Richard , Metz Andrew , Moss Alan , Brown Gregor 
Published: August 2019

Background and AimCold snare polypectomy is safe and efficacious for removing polyps <10 mm with reduced rates of delayed postpolypectomy bleeding and postpolypectomy syndrome. This technique can also be used for sessile polyps ≥10 mm; however, further evidence is required to establish its safety. The aim of this study was to compare intraprocedure and postprocedure adverse events in patients who underwent cold (CSP) versus hot snare polypectomy (HSP) of 10–20 mm sessile colonic polyps.MethodsElectronic medical records and endoscopy reports of all patients who underwent polypectomy for Paris 0‐IIa, Is, or 0‐IIa + Is 10–20 mm colonic polyps between January 2015 and June 2017 at three tertiary academic hospitals and one private hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Data on patient demographics, polyp characteristics, method of polypectomy, and intraprocedural and postpolypectomy adverse events were collected.ResultsA total of 408 patients (median age 67, 50% male) had 604 polyps, 10–20 mm in size, removed. Of these, 258 polyps were removed by HSP, with a median size of 15 mm (interquartile range [IQR] 12–20), compared to 346 polyps that were removed by CSP, with median size of 12 mm (IQR 10–15), P < 0.001. In the HSP group, 15 patients presented with postprocedure complications, including 11 with clinically significant bleeding, 2 with postpolypectomy syndrome, and 2 with abdominal pain. This compares with no postpolypectomy complications in the CSP group, P < 0.001.ConclusionIn this study, CSP was not associated with any postpolypectomy adverse events. CSP appears to be safer than HSP for removing 10–20 mm‐sized sessile polyps. A prospective multicenter study has been commenced to verify these findings and to assess the efficacy of CSP for the complete resection of polyps of this size.
Additional effect of magnifying narrow‐band imaging on estimating the invasion depth of superficial esophageal cancer
Authors: Kato Minoru , Hayashi Yoshito , Uema Ryotaro , Kimura Keiichi , Inoue Takanori , Sakatani Akihiko , Yoshii Shunsuke , Tsujii Yoshiki , Shinzaki Shinichiro , Iijima Hideki , Takehara Tetsuo 
Published: August 2019

Background and AimTo investigate whether assessment by magnifying narrow‐band imaging (M‐NBI) based on the classification of the Japan Esophageal Society provides additional value to the estimation of the invasion depth of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) compared with assessment by white light endoscopy (WLE) alone.MethodsEndoscopic images of 211 consecutive superficial esophageal SCCs resected by endoscopic submucosal dissection were separated into WLE and M‐NBI images. Depth estimation was performed independently by five evaluators using the numerical depth estimation scale (0 = epithelium (EP)/lamina propria (LPM), 1 = EP/LPM > muscularis mucosa (MM)/shallow submucosa (SM1), 2 = MM/SM1 > EP/LPM, 3 = MM/SM1, 4 = MM/SM1 > deep submucosa (SM2), 5 = SM2 > MM/SM1, 6 = SM2), using primarily WLE images (step 1), and subsequently both WLE and M‐NBI images (step 2). The discordance scores, determined by the average of the five evaluators' difference between the estimated score (from 0 to 6) and pathological score (0 for histologically proven EP/LPM, 3 for MM/SM1, and 6 for SM2), were analyzed in steps 1 and 2.ResultsThe discordance scores significantly decreased in step 2 (0.53 ± 0.06) compared with those in step 1 (0.79 ± 0.07) (P < 0.001). When the discordance score < 1.5 was regarded as a clinically correct diagnosis, the rate of the clinically correct diagnosis significantly increased in step 2 compared with that in step 1 (81% to 91%, P < 0.001).ConclusionM‐NBI has an additive value for estimating the invasion depth of superficial esophageal SCCs.
HOXA9 rs3801776 G>A polymorphism increases congenital talipes equinovarus risk in a Chinese population
Authors: Li Jingchun , Wu Jianping , Liu Yanhan , Li Yiqiang , Xiao Zhilan , Jiang Xiaoling , Tang Yaping , Xu Hongwen 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundCongenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) is the most common congenital deformity in children, and muscular dysplasia plays a potential role in the etiology of CTEV. Notably, previous studies have found that HOXA9 rs3801776 and TPM2 rs2025126 genetic polymorphisms play important roles in regulating muscle development in Caucasian children; however, there is a lack of investigations conducted in Chinese children.MethodsWe conducted a hospital‐based, case–control study of 189 children with CTEV and 457 CTEV‐free children aiming to examine the associations between these two polymorphisms and CTEV susceptibility. The rs3801776 (G>A) and rs2025126 (G>A) polymorphisms were genotyped using TaqMan. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to measure the associations between the selected polymorphisms and CTEV susceptibility.ResultsWe found that rs3801776A was associated with increased CTEV risk (GA versus GG: adjusted OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.22–2.69, p = 0.0031; AA versus GG: adjusted OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.28–3.73, p = 0.0041; GA/AA versus GG: adjusted OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.29–2.76, p = 0.0010). In a stratified analysis, the risk effect of rs3801776 GA/AA was observed in both unilateral and bilateral patients.ConclusionsThe present study suggests that the rs3801776 G>A polymorphism is associated with CTEV risk in Chinese children; however, this conclusion should be validated in larger studies.
Longitudinal trajectories of emotional problems and unmet mental health needs among people newly diagnosed with HIV in China
Authors: Niu Lu , Luo Dan , Chen Xi , Wang Min , Zhou Wei , Zhang Dexing , Xiao Shuiyuan 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIntroductionConcern over mental health morbidity affecting people living with HIV is increasing worldwide. The objective of this study was to describe the longitudinal trajectories of depression and anxiety, and mental health service utilization among people newly diagnosed with HIV.MethodsThis was an observational cohort study that enrolled people newly diagnosed with HIV consecutively and followed them for one year in Changsha, China. Socio‐demographic, clinical and psychological data were collected at the baseline and at one‐year follow‐up. Participants were recruited between March 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014. The final follow‐up was in September 30, 2015.ResultsAmong 557 people newly diagnosed with HIV enrolled at the baseline, 410 (73.6%) completed the one‐year follow‐up survey (median (interquartile range) age at follow‐up: 29 (25, 39) years; 376 men (91.7%)), and were included in the analysis. 39.3% and 30.2% of the 410 participants were screened with significant symptoms of depression and anxiety at baseline respectively. An overall drop in the prevalence of each condition was found at follow‐up, however, 10.5% and 6.1% of participants were found to have persistent depression and anxiety. The results of mixed‐effect models showed that bisexuality, homosexual transmission, other clinical symptoms (for example, not on antiretroviral therapy (ART)), non‐disclosure, higher levels of HIV/AIDS‐related stress, and lack of social support were associated with significant symptoms of depression and anxiety. One year after diagnosis, 8.3% had visited healthcare providers for emotional or psychological problems.ConclusionsDespite the obvious need people newly diagnosed with HIV in China rarely seek professional help. Integrating depression and anxiety screening and referral into HIV care settings is warranted.
Long‐term retention in pre‐exposure prophylaxis care among men who have sex with men and transgender women in the United States
Authors: Chan Philip A , Patel Rupa R , Mena Leandro , Marshall Brandon DL , Rose Jennifer , Sutten Coats Cassandra , Montgomery Madeline C , Tao Jun , Sosnowy Collette , Mayer Kenneth H , Nunn Amy 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIntroductionRetention in HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care in real‐world settings, outside of controlled trials or demonstration projects, remains poorly understood.MethodsWe evaluated retention in PrEP care outcomes among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women prescribed PrEP through March 2017 at three clinical sites in the United States (US): Jackson, Mississippi; Providence, Rhode Island; and St. Louis, Missouri. We determined retention rates by attendance of clinical visits every three months, per US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, as well as by the timing of patients’ actual clinical visits. Multivariable analyses examined demographic and behavioural factors associated with retention.ResultsFrom 2013 to 2015, 282 MSM and transgender women were prescribed PrEP; 82% attended a follow‐up visit. Based on CDC recommendations, 56% of patients were retained in PrEP care at the first follow‐up visit, having attended a visit three months after initiation. However, 76% had a follow‐up visit within eight months. Thirty‐percent were retained at 12 months by CDC criteria, but 62% were retained when using a 16‐month endpoint. Self‐reported adherence was strongly correlated with retention. In multivariable analyses, younger age was associated with decreased odds of retention at initial follow‐up, and completing college was associated with increased odds of retention at 16 months. Eight participants were newly diagnosed with HIV; six were African American, and seven were under 30 years of age.ConclusionsMeasuring retention in PrEP care using three‐month follow‐up intervals may underestimate true retention. Nevertheless, retention in PrEP care is suboptimal in real‐world settings and should be the focus of future interventions.