bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Testing the heritability and parent‐of‐origin hypotheses for ages at onset of psoriatic arthritis under biased sampling
Authors: Lakhal‐Chaieb Lajmi , Cook Richard J. , Zhong Yujie 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe heritability and parent‐of‐origin effect hypotheses for chronic diseases can be evaluated by estimating and conducting inference about the parameters that measure the within‐family dependences in disease onset times. We model the within‐family associations in these times using a Gaussian copula whose correlation matrix accommodates the different pairwise family relationships. We derive score‐type statistics to test the heritability and parent‐of‐origin effect hypotheses when the families selection protocol induces a sampling bias. We illustrate the use of the developed methods through an application to a motivating family study in Psoriatic arthritis and provide strong evidence of excessive paternal transmission of risk.
Autoimmune encephalitis: What has changed during the past 15 years?
Authors: Pantoja‐Ruiz Camila , Santucci Catherine , Arenas Luisa , Casallas Laura , Castellanos Gabriel 
Published: August 2019

AbstractNon‐infectious encephalitis has been a recognized entity for many years; however, its pathophysiology was not fully understood. Patients (usually women) presented with acute behavioral changes and were admitted to mental hospitals, without a correct diagnosis. With the new advances on antibody detection, the non‐infectious encephalitis panorama has been changing. Immune‐mediated diseases of the central nervous system encompass a variety of disorders, including the classic paraneoplastic encephalitis and the more recently discovered autoimmune encephalitis. Recognition of the new syndromes and antigens, in addition to the advances in diagnostic methods, such as antibody detection and imaging, and early implementation of immunotherapy, have changed the field of autoimmune encephalitis significantly over the past two decades. The best recognized form of autoimmune encephalitis is anti‐N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor encephalitis, which usually presents with neuropsychiatric changes, seizures, autonomic dysfunction and usually a decreased level of consciousness. Nevertheless, the panorama for other types of receptors, such as anti‐α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid receptor, anti‐gamma‐aminobutyric acid and, most recently, anti‐glycine receptor, anti‐metabotropic glutamate receptor 5, dopamine receptor D2 and dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐like protein 6, which can present clinically as encephalitis, is currently changing, meaning that the panorama for diagnosis and treatment is broadening every day.
Familial relational experiences of a child born into the midst of parental drug misuse and its longevity impact
Authors: Smith Mia Dawn 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThis paper details a study that listened and empowered an adult (Beth, a pseudonym), through the use of a life story methodology, to reflect on her childhood experiences of parental drug misuse. Voice Relational Analysis was applied to Beth's life story to assist the researcher to unravel and cipher, through the complexities and nuances of her voice, Beth's familial relational experiences and the lengthy lineage these have had on her ability to relate with others. This paper highlights the somewhat complex composition of her interpersonal relationships and reveals how she related both positively and negatively within them.
Long‐term changes of resting and exercise right ventricular systolic performance in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension following pulmonary thromboendarterectomy – A two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional echocardiographic study
Authors: Waziri Farhad , Mellemkjær Søren , Clemmensen Tor Skibsted , Hjortdal Vibeke Elisabeth , Ilkjær Lars Bo , Nielsen Sten Lyager , Poulsen Steen Hvitfeldt 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAimsTo characterize right ventricular (RV) geometry and function in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) patients at rest and during exercise before pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PEA), and at 3 and 12 months after PEA using two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional echocardiography with reference to clinical performance and exercise capacity.Methods and resultsForty subjects (20 CTEPH patients and 20 controls) were enrolled between December 2014 and January 2017. Three‐dimensional echocardiography demonstrated a significant reduction and normalization of end‐diastolic and end‐systolic RV volumes in CTEPH patients 12 months after PEA. RV systolic function improved after PEA; however, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (baseline 18 ± 6 mm vs 15 ± 3 mm at 12 months after PEA, P < .05) and tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity (RV‐S′) (baseline −8.3 ± 2.1 cm/s vs −7.2 ± 1.3 cm/s at 12 months after PEA, P < .05) declined significantly after PEA. Tricuspid regurgitation gradient was 64 ± 21 mm Hg at baseline, 40 ± 14 mm Hg at 3 months, and 30 ± 13 at 12 months, P < .00001. RV free‐wall longitudinal strain at peak exercise was significantly increased from baseline (−10.6 ± 5.5%) to 12 months of follow‐up (−15.8 ± 5.2%), P < .005. Physical exercise capacity, measured as peak oxygen uptake, was significantly increased and correlated directly with improvement of resting and exercise‐induced RV‐EF.ConclusionImprovement of RV geometry and systolic function, along with the reduction of systolic pulmonary pressure, can be expected following PEA in CTEPH patients during long‐term follow‐up. Improvement of RV myocardial contractility after PEA was only revealed at peak exercise over time. Importantly, physical exercise capacity was significantly increased and was found to be directly correlated with improvement of resting and exercise‐induced RV‐EF.
Mitigation of soil compaction for boosting crop productivity at varying yield environments in southern Brazil
Authors: Pott Luan P. , Amado Telmo J. C. , Leal Otávio A. , Ciampitti Ignacio A. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractSoil compaction is one of the most relevant crop yield‐limiting factors in no‐till (NT) farming systems in southern Brazil. This study aimed to identify strategies to mitigate soil compaction and increase crop productivity at low, medium and high yield environments within a field. Treatments evaluated were: control (without intervention), PG (phosphogypsum), MC (mechanical chiselling), PCC (polyculture of cover crops), MC + PG, PCC + PG, MC + PCC and MC + PCC + PG. Soil physical and chemical attributes (soil macroporosity, bulk density, penetration resistance) and soybean yield (Glycine max L.) and black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb) biomass production were evaluated. In the low and medium yield environments, MC + PCC + PG promoted the highest soybean yields: 5,455 kg ha−1 and 5,534 kg ha−1, respectively. In the high yield environment, PCC + PG promoted the highest soybean yield (5,579 kg ha−1), whereas MC decreased yields relative to the control. Black oat biomass production responded to the treatments similarly to soybean yields. Overall, integrating two or three decompaction strategies improved soil physical attributes in a greater proportion relative to single strategies and to the control, enhancing both soybean and black oat performances. Selection of the right decompaction strategies for each yield environment might help increase productivity under NT and optimize the use of time, labour, fuel and other resources.Highlights
Soil compaction limits crop yields under no‐tillage farming in southern Brazil.
Low, medium and high yield environments were delineated with precision agriculture tools.
Single or integrated mechanical, chemical and biological soil decompaction strategies were tested.
Soil decompaction strategies to increase soybean yields are specific to yield environments.
The effects of plant type, AMF inoculation and water regime on rhizosphere microbial communities
Authors: Monokrousos Nikolaos , Papatheodorou Efimia M. , Orfanoudakis Michael , Jones Dylan‐Gwynn , Scullion John , Stamou George P. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractDifferent plant species, water regimes and microbes in the rhizosphere might shape rhizosphere microbial communities due to their effects on root exudation patterns and interactions. In this study, we investigated whether rhizosphere microbial communities have distinct structures according to plant type (Festuca pratensis, Dactylis glomerata or a mixture of both species), water regime (dry and wet pots) and inoculation with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis (AMF). Following a 60‐day pot experiment we assessed the rhizosphere microbial population structure via phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) and soil processes via the activity of N‐acetyl‐glucosaminidase (NAG), acid phosphatase and urease, and inorganic nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Higher AMF colonization was recorded in F. pratensis, although its root and shoot biomass was lower than in D. glomerata. Although growth differed between the plant types, this exerted no influence on rhizosphere microbial biomass. Low water content decreased the biomass of all microbial groups, whereas inoculation with AMF decreased the biomass of fungi and increased that of bacteria. For enzyme activities only urease showed a response to treatments. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation increased available P and shifted mineral N content from nitrate to ammonium. The water regime had a dominant effect on the structure of the microbial communities, suggesting a direct effect of water on microbes. In wet soils, the structure of the microbial communities was modulated mainly by inoculation; AMF‐inoculated D. glomerata soils showed distinct communities. In dry soils, plant type exerted a profound effect on rhizosphere communities; the communities of all three plant types differed, probably due to limitations in the diffusion of nutrients or via reduced root exudation. We concluded that the relative importance of factors shaping rhizosphere microbial communities varies depending on soil moisture regime.Highlights
Microbial communities were studied in relation to water regime, plant species and AMF inoculation
In wet soils, the microbial communities of AMF‐inoculated D. glomerata plants differed from other communities
In dry soils, the microbial communities of D. glomerata and mixtures differed
AMF increased bacterial biomass and soil P but decreased nitrate:ammonium ratio
Ultra‐early continuous cardiac monitoring improves atrial fibrillation detection and prognosis of patients with cryptogenic stroke
Authors: Cuadrado‐Godia E. , Benito B. , Ois A. , Vallès E. , Rodríguez‐Campello A. , Giralt‐Steinhauer E. , Cabrera S. , Alcalde O. , Jiménez‐López J. , Jiménez‐Conde J. , Martí‐Almor J. , Roquer J. 
Published: August 2019

Background and purposeSubclinical atrial fibrillation (AF) is known to underlie a number of cases of cryptogenic stroke (CrS). However, there is need to define the most effective strategy for AF detection. The diagnostic usefulness was analysed of a strategy based on ultra‐early continuous monitoring in patients with CrS in terms of AF detection, oral anticoagulation treatment and stroke recurrence, in comparison to a standard outpatient strategy.MethodsPatients with ischaemic stroke of undetermined origin and confirmed to be cryptogenic after extensive work‐up were searched for AF with (i) a conventional strategy (historical cohort, n = 101) with serial electrocardiograms and 24‐h Holter monitoring or (ii) an ultra‐early monitoring strategy with insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) implanted before discharge (prospective cohort, n = 90). AF episodes lasting >1 min, anticoagulant treatment and stroke recurrence were recorded.ResultsDuring admission, AF was similarly detected in both cohorts (24% of patients). After discharge (mean follow‐up 30 ± 10 months), AF detection rates were 17/80 (21.3%) and 38/65 (58.5%) for patients in the conventional versus the ultra‐early ICM group (P < 0.001). Up to 41% of AF cases in the ICM cohort were detected within the first month. Oral anticoagulation was initiated in 37.6% versus 65.5% (P < 0.001) and stroke recurrence was recorded in 10.9% versus 3.3% (P 0.04) in the conventional versus the ICM cohort.ConclusionsPre‐discharge ICM implant allows detection of AF during follow‐up in up to 58% of selected patients with CrS. Compared to a conventional strategy, ultra‐early ICM implant results in higher anticoagulation rates and a decrease in stroke recurrence.
Model of trawlable area using benthic terrain and oceanographic variables—Informing survey design and habitat maps in the Gulf of Alaska
Authors: Baker Matthew R. , Palsson Wayne , Zimmermann Mark , Rooper Christopher N. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBottom trawl surveys provide fishery‐independent data on relative abundance and life history parameters for a wide range of marine taxa. Survey data are used to assess species distribution, biological interactions, and ecosystem structure and to manage marine resources. Not all bottom types or oceanographic conditions accommodate this survey method. We applied National Ocean Service hydrographic smooth sheets to evaluate physical attributes associated with habitat available to surveys. Random forests were used to evaluate the relative influence of benthic terrain and oceanographic predictors in determining accessibility to bottom trawl gear. We examined the marginal importance of each predictor, quantified the response gradient, and applied piecewise regression to determine threshold breakpoint values. Thresholds were used to develop predictive maps and distinguish untrawlable habitat at the scale of discrete towpaths and survey stations. Untrawlable habitat was associated with increased complexity in terrain, roughness, slope, surface curvature, substrate coarseness, current, and aspect. Maps of critical thresholds suggest different variables constrain the probability of a successful trawl in the nearshore, shelf, and continental slope. Overlay analysis of the model projection demonstrates the utility of archived smooth sheet data and identifies areas where higher resolution data might improve results. The model and maps produced in this analysis might be used to identify habitats available to and impacted by commercial trawl fisheries, inform the relative availability of various species and habitat types to bottom trawl surveys, evaluate bias in assessment indices and ecosystem metrics derived from survey data, and advance habitat‐specific biomass estimates.
Building organizational reputation in the European regulatory state: An analysis of EU agencies' communications
Authors: Rimkutė Dovilė 
Published: August 2019

AbstractOrganizational‐reputation literature has advanced our understanding about the U.S. regulatory state and its agencies. However, we lack contributions on what a reputational account can add to our knowledge about the European regulatory state, the strategic behavior of supranational agencies, and their endeavors to legitimize themselves in a multilevel political system. We know little of how reputation‐management strategies vary across EU agencies and why. The study offers the very first mapping of organizational‐reputation‐management patterns across all EU agencies, as well as the first empirical assessment on how reputational considerations guide supranational agencies' legitimation strategies. The results indicate that EU agencies facing higher reputational threats revert to their avowed raison d'être (i.e., technical conduct). We find that regulatory agencies utilize a more diverse set of reputational strategies by emphasizing the technical, procedural, and moral reputations more than nonregulatory agencies, whereas social‐policy agencies foster their technical reputation more than economic‐policy agencies.
Talk is not cheap: Policy agendas, information processing, and the unusually proportional nature of European Central Bank communications policy responses
Authors: Cross James P. , Greene Derek 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThis article unveils the policy agenda of the European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council as found in the speeches that Governing Council Members gave between 1999 and 2018. Using a dynamic topic‐modeling approached based on non‐negative matrix factorization, we demonstrate how the issues discussed by ECB Governing Council members have evolved over time, and how the general punctuation hypothesis (Jones, B. D. & Baumgartner, F. R. (2005). The politics of attention: How government prioritizes problems. University of Chicago Press) sheds light on what drives this process. We find that unlike policy outputs from many other policymaking systems, ECB communications evolve in a proportional manner. We attribute this finding to the information‐processing capacities of the bank. Our findings speak to the literatures on central bank communications, the evolution of policy agendas, and the application of topic models to speech texts.
Innovation in the periphery: Compensation and exploitation strategies
Authors: Eder Jakob , Trippl Michaela 
Published: August 2019

AbstractRecent research has challenged the urban bias in economic geography and innovation studies, showing that highly innovative and competitive firms are also located in peripheral regions. So far, however, analyses has focused on how firms innovate despite their unfavourable location and little has been said about the innovation benefits of peripheral areas. Hence, this article identifies different compensation and exploitation strategies adopted by firms in order to overcome regional innovation constraints and to reap innovation benefits found in the periphery. Drawing on 20 in‐depth qualitative interviews with innovative firms situated in the Austrian periphery, our analysis reveals that innovation in peripheral regions is the outcome of a combination of compensation and exploitation practices. The uptake and composition of these strategies depend on the firm and regional characteristics, with firm size being the most influential factor.
Managing women who decline HIV testing in pregnancy and their infants? A multidisciplinary team guideline
Authors: Astill N , Miall L , Shillito J , Winfield S , Evans A , Schoeman S , Wilson J 
Published: August 2019

ObjectivesThe management of women at high risk of HIV infection who repeatedly decline HIV testing in pregnancy is not covered in any national guideline. In Leeds, we had a case which prompted us to consider maternal rights plus our duty of care to the infant once born.MethodsLeeds has an established HIV and Syphilis in Pregnancy Multidisciplinary Team (MDT). The main issues pertaining to a pregnant woman persistently declining HIV testing were discussed within the MDT: identification of pregnant women declining testing; universal testing versus testing by risk stratification of their infants; calculation of vertical transmission risk; definition of unacceptable risk; timing of the decision to request court authority to test the infant; advanced preparation of court authority request papers.ResultsIt was decided that an HIV transmission risk > 1 in 1000 justified testing an infant at birth. The MDT decision to request court authority for infant HIV testing would be made at 32–34 weeks of gestation, allowing the court papers to be prepared in advance of delivery. The Leeds Obstetrics and Paediatric Guidelines were reviewed, amended and approved by the Trust Guideline Group, Risk Management team and legal team. These guidelines are outlined within the article. The Neonatal guideline also is accessible via this link: http://nww.lhp.leedsth.nhs.uk/common/guidelines/detail.aspx?ID=177ConclusionsIf a woman at high risk declines HIV testing in pregnancy, it remains possible to significantly reduce the risk of vertical transmission once the child is born, but the window of opportunity is small. Therefore, it is vital to have pathways already in place to address this prior to delivery.
Synthesis of meso‐macro alumina using yeast cells as a bio‐template and optimization using a genetic algorithm
Authors: Al‐dujaili Mohammed Assi Ahmed , Saud Amir Najah , Aswad Mohsin Abbas 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMeso‐Macro porous alumina was fabricated using yeast cells as a pore‐forming agent. Alumina powder synthesis was achieved by a low cost process (recrystallisation of alum).The effect of the pore forming agent on the true porosity, bulk density and thermal conductivity of porous alumina was characterized. The results show that the true porosity increased with the increasing addition of yeast cells. The bulk density and thermal conductivity at room temperature decreased with the increasing yeast addition. A genetic algorithm method was used to minimize the thermal conductivity of the macro‐porous alumina based on the amount of yeast cells used, the sintering temperature, and the hold time. The genetic algorithm found that the best thermal conductivity achievable was equal to 0.152 Watt/m. °C at 20wt% concentration of yeast, a sintering temperature of 1230°C and 1.5 hours of soaking time. The experimental value was 0.14 Watt/m. °C and the slight variance between these values were postulated to be due to experimental error in the measurements.
Instantaneous depolarization of T cells via dopamine receptors, and inhibition of activated T cells of Psoriasis patients and inflamed human skin, by D1‐like receptor agonist: Fenoldopam
Authors: Keren Aviad , Gilhar Amos , Ullmann Yehuda , Zlotkin‐Frušić Marina , Soroka Yoram , Domb Abraham J. , Levite Mia 
Published: August 2019

SummaryActivated T cells are pathological in various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases including Psoriasis, and also in graft rejection and graft‐versus‐host‐disease. In these pathological conditions, selective silencing of activated T cells through physiological receptors they express remains a clinical challenge. In our previous studies we found that activation of dopamine receptors (DRs) in resting human T cells activates these cells, and induces by itself many beneficial T cell functions. In this study, we found that normal human T cells express all types of DRs, and that expression of D1R, D4R and D5R increases profoundly after T cell receptor (TCR) activation. Interestingly, DR agonists shift the membrane potential (Vm) of both resting and activated human T cells, and induces instantaneous T cell depolarization within 15 seconds only. Thus, activation of DRs in T cells depolarize these immune cells, alike activation of DRs in neural cells. The skin of Psoriasis patients contains 20‐fold more D1R+ T cells than healthy human skin. In line with that, 25‐fold more D1R+ T cells are present in Psoriasis humanized mouse model. Highly selective D1‐like receptor agonists, primarily Fenoldopam (Corlopam) – a D1‐like receptor agonist and a drug used in hypertension, induced the following suppressive effects on activated T cells of Psoriasis patients: reduced chemotactic migration towards the chemokine SDF‐1/CXCL12; reduced dramatically the secretion of eight cytokines: tumor necrosis factor‐α, interferon‐γ, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐8 and IL‐10; and reduced three T cell activation proteins/markers: CD69, CD28 and IL‐2. Next, we invented a novel topical/dermal Fenoldopam formulation, allowing it to be spread on, and providing prolonged and regulated release in, diseased skin. Our novel topical/dermal Fenoldopam: reduced secretion of the eight cytokines by activated human T cells; reduced IL‐1β and IL‐6 secretion by human lipopolysaccharide‐inflamed skin; eliminated preferentially >90% of live and large/proliferating human T cells. Together, our findings show for the first time that both resting and activated T cells are depolarized instantaneously via DRs, and that targeting D1‐like receptors in activated T cells and inflamed human skin by Fenoldopam, in Psoriasis, and potentially in other T cell‐mediated diseases, could be therapeutic. Validation in vivo is required.