bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A first note on the excavations at UAQ38, a new Neolithic site in the Emirate of Umm al‐Quwain
Authors: Degli Esposti Michele , Borgi Federico , Gallou Claire , Martin Chloë , Lidour Kevin , Méry Sophie 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAt the end of 2018, the first season of excavation was carried out at the shell midden site of UAQ38. The site occupies the top of a sand dune not far from UAQ36 and UAQ2, two other recently investigated Neolithic shell middens. Several well‐stratified anthropogenic levels were excavated at UAQ38, which can be dated mainly to the 5th millennium BC, although the recorded artefacts suggest a possible older date for the lowest levels. Food waste, post‐holes, fireplaces, and burnt shell dumpings attest to human activities that took place at the site over a rather long period of time. Here the stratigraphic sequence will be presented, together with a first overview of the artefactual assemblage. The collected data will be concisely discussed in order to fit the site within the typology of Neolithic settlements that can be proposed for the area. UAQ38 is so far the only Neolithic site along the northeastern coast of the UAE for which stratified charcoal is available for dating.
Strategic Candidate Entry and Congressional Elections in the Era of Fox News
Authors: Arceneaux Kevin , Dunaway Johanna , Johnson Martin , Vander Wielen Ryan J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractElections are designed to give voters the ability to hold elected officials accountable for their actions. For this to work, voters must be presented with credible alternatives from which to choose. In the United States, as in other weak‐party systems, the decision to challenge an incumbent representative rests with individual, strategic‐minded politicians who carefully weigh the available information. We investigate the role that one source of information—partisan media—plays in shaping electoral competition. We hypothesize that the haphazard expansion of the conservative Fox News Channel in the decade after its 1996 launch influenced congressional elections by affecting the decision calculus of high‐quality potential candidates. Using congressional district‐level data on the local availability of Fox News, we find that Fox News altered Republican potential candidates' perceptions about the vulnerability of Democratic incumbents, thereby changing their entry patterns.
Electrocardiographic characteristics in patients with heart failure and normal ejection fraction: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Nikolaidou Theodora , Samuel Nathan A. , Marincowitz Carl , Fox David J. , Cleland John G. F. , Clark Andrew L. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundLittle is known about ECG abnormalities in patients with heart failure and normal ejection fraction (HeFNEF) and how they relate to different etiologies or outcomes.Methods and ResultsWe searched the literature for peer‐reviewed studies describing ECG abnormalities in HeFNEF other than heart rhythm alone. Thirty five studies were identified and 32,006 participants. ECG abnormalities reported in patients with HeFNEF include atrial fibrillation (prevalence 12%–46%), long PR interval (11%–20%), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH, 10%–30%), pathological Q waves (11%–18%), RBBB (6%–16%), LBBB (0%–8%), and long JTc (3%–4%). Atrial fibrillation is more common in patients with HeFNEF compared to those with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HeFREF). In contrast, long PR interval, LVH, Q waves, LBBB, and long JTc are more common in patients with HeFREF. A pooled effect estimate analysis showed that QRS duration ≥120 ms, although uncommon (13%–19%), is associated with worse outcomes in patients with HeFNEF.ConclusionsThere is high variability in the prevalence of ECG abnormalities in patients with HeFNEF. Atrial fibrillation is more common in patients with HeFNEF compared to those with HeFREF. QRS duration ≥120 ms is associated with worse outcomes in patients with HeFNEF. Further studies are needed to address whether ECG abnormalities correlate with different phenotypes in HeFNEF.
Aflibercept and navigated versus conventional laser in diabetic macular oedema: a 12‐month randomized clinical trial
Authors: Blindbæk Søren L. , Peto Tunde , Grauslund Jakob 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPurposeTo examine the efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept and navigated laser as compared to intravitreal aflibercept and conventional laser in diabetic macular oedema (DME) treatment.MethodsIn 12‐month randomized clinical trial, 48 eyes of 37 patients with centre‐involved DME at Odense University Hospital were randomized 1:1 to receive three monthly injections of aflibercept followed by navigated (group A) or conventional (group B) focal/grid laser. From month four through twelve, patients were examined monthly, and additional injections were given pro re nata (PRN) (central retinal thickness [CRT]>20% from lowest measurement or loss in visual acuity [VA]>5 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS] letters compared with baseline).Outcome measures; (1) percentage of eyes that needed additional injections after laser in group A and B, (2) mean number of injections in group A and B, and (3) mean change in VA and CRT in group A and B.ResultsIn the PRN phase, 60.5% of patients needed additional injections without differences between groups A and B (58.3 versus 63.2%, p > 0.99). The mean number of injections between baseline and month 12 was 4.4 (4.2 versus 4.6, p = 0.41). From baseline to month 12, VA improved by 8.4 ETDRS letters, and CRT was reduced by 97.4 μm (+9.4 versus +7.1 letters, p = 0.17, and −83.2 versus −115.4 μm, p = 0.21).ConclusionNo difference in need for retreatment was detected between treatment arms of aflibercept and navigated versus conventional laser.
Deficits of white matter axial diffusivity in bipolar disorder relative to major depressive disorder: No relationship to cerebral perfusion or body mass index
Authors: Lan Martin J. , Rubin‐Falcone Harry , Sublette M. Elizabeth , Oquendo Maria A. , Stewart Jonathan W. , Hellerstein David J. , McGrath Patrick J. , Zanderigo Francesca , Mann J. John 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo compare white matter integrity (WMI) in bipolar disorder (BD) relative to healthy volunteers (HVs) and major depressive disorder (MDD). To determine the relationship of bipolar‐specific differences in WMI to cerebral perfusion, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure as indices of cardiovascular function.MethodsThirty‐two participants with BD, 44 with MDD, and 41 HV were recruited. All BD and MDD participants were in a major depressive episode, and all but 12 BD participants were medication‐free. 64‐direction diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and arterial spin labeling (ASL) sequences were obtained. Tract‐based spatial statistics (TBSS) on four DTI indices were employed to distinguish patterns of DTI in BD relative to HV and MDD groups. BMI, blood pressure, and medical histories were also obtained for the BD participants.ResultsA cluster of lower axial diffusivity (AD) was found in BD participants in comparison to the HVs in the left posterior thalamic radiation, superior longitudinal fasciculus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, fronto‐occipital fasciculus, and internal capsule. Mean AD in the significant cluster was not associated with cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the region as measured by ASL, and was not associated with BMI or blood pressure. A cluster of lower AD was also found in the BD group when compared to MDD that had spatial overlap with the HV comparison.ConclusionsThe results indicate a deficit of AD in BD when compared to MDD and HV groups. No association between AD values and either cerebral perfusion, BMI, or blood pressure was found in BD.
Time varying structural VARs with sign restrictions: The case of Taiwan
Authors: Chin Kuo‐Hsuan 
Published: October 2019

AbstractI apply a Bayesian approach to a time‐varying structural vector autoregression model with stochastic volatility (TVP‐SVAR‐SV) to study the time‐varying nature of the Taiwanese economy. In particular, the structural parameters are identified via the sign information in a three‐variable VAR system. The estimated results show that TVP‐SVAR‐SV model has the best fit to the data, compared to the time‐varying parameters VAR model with constant volatility and a classical VAR model with constant parameters and volatilities. Moreover, I find the time‐varying contemporaneous relationship between the output growth and inflation rates, particularly significant before the year 2000. Lastly, the impulse responses and the volatilities of all the variables are found to be time‐varying.
Immune cell infiltration as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of digestive system cancer
Authors: Yang Sheng , Liu Tong , Cheng Yanping , Bai Yunfei , Liang Geyu 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe digestive system cancers are aggressive cancers with the highest mortality worldwide. In this study, we undertook a systematic investigation of the tumor immune microenvironment to identify diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. The fraction of 22 immune cell types of patients were estimated using CIBERSORT. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis was carried out to identify important immune predictors. By comparing immune cell compositions in 801 tumor samples and 46 normal samples, we constructed the diagnostic immune score (DIS), showing high specificity and sensitivity in the training (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.929), validation (AUC = 0.935), and different cancer type cohorts (AUC > 0.70 for all). We also established the prognostic immune score (PIS), which was an effective prognostic factor for relapse‐free survival in training, validation, and entire cohorts (P < .05). In addition, PIS provided a higher net benefit than TNM stage. A composite nomogram was built based on PIS and patients' clinical information with well‐fitted calibration curves (c‐index = 0.84). We further used other cohorts from Gene Expression Omnibus databases and obtained similar results, confirming the reliability and validity of the DIS and PIS. In addition, the unsupervised clustering analysis using immune cell proportions revealed 6 immune subtypes, suggesting that the immune types defined as having relatively high levels of M0 or/and M1 macrophages were the high‐risk subtypes of relapse. In conclusion, this study comprehensively analyzed the tumor immune microenvironment and identified DIS and PIS for digestive system cancers.
The efficacy of statins as otoprotective agents: A systematic review
Authors: Prayuenyong Pattarawadee , Kasbekar Anand V. , Baguley David M. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectiveThis systematic review examined current literature, summarised research findings and identified research gaps regarding the efficacy of statins on audiological outcomes.MethodsSystematic search of electronic databases and grey literature was performed. Eligibility criteria were the study of a statin drug with report of audiological outcomes such as hearing, tinnitus or balance in either human or animal studies. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two independently researchers. The characteristics of the study and research findings were collated and summarised. A narrative synthesis was conducted. Meta‐analysis was not possible due to heterogeneity of the included studies.ResultsAnalysis of searches yielded 17 studies meeting the criteria. Included studies had variable drug type and dosage, outcome measures and associated inner ear conditions. Most animal experiments showed promising audiological outcomes after statin treatment, demonstrated by the results of auditory brainstem response, distortion product otoacoustic emissions and inner ear histology. However, no clear effect can be discerned in human trials due to the mixed results, and heterogeneity in research methodology and quality. Audiological outcomes were not always correlated with cholesterol levels.ConclusionsStatins remain a potential candidate as otoprotective agents which warrant further investigation.
Nonlinear responses of soil nematode community composition to increasing aridity
Authors: Xiong Dan , Wei CunZheng , Wubs E. R. Jasper , Veen G. F. , Liang Wenju , Wang Xiaobo , Li Qi , Van der Putten Wim H. , Han Xingguo 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAimIncreasing aridity under global change is predicted to have a profound impact on the structure and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems, yet we have a poor understanding of how belowground communities respond. In order to understand the longer term responses of different trophic levels in the soil food web to increasing aridity, we investigated the abundance, richness and community similarity of the soil nematode community along a 3,200 km aridity gradient.LocationA transect across semi‐arid and arid grasslands in Northern China, where the aridity ranges from .43 to .97.Time periodJuly and August 2012.Major taxa studiedSoil‐borne Nematoda.MethodsWe used generalized additive (mixed) models to analyse the abundance, richness and community similarity patterns of soil nematodes. We used structural equation modelling (SEM) to disentangle the direct and indirect environmental drivers (aridity, soil and plant variables) of the nematode community.ResultsThe abundance, richness and similarity of nematode communities declined nonlinearly with increasing aridity. The most pronounced decline in nematode richness and community similarity occurred in arid conditions (aridity > .80). However, the shape of the response to aridity differed among nematode feeding groups. In arid conditions, the abundance and richness of bacterial feeders were less sensitive to changes in aridity than for fungal feeders. The SEM analysis revealed that nematode community responses to aridity were not mediated via changes in plant and soil variables, but instead were affected directly by aridity.Main conclusionsOur results showed that in mesic grasslands, increasing aridity primarily caused a decline in nematode abundance, whereas increasing aridity in xeric grasslands led to a loss of nematode diversity. The nonlinear responses of nematodes to aridity could also result in nonlinear shifts in ecosystem functioning, because soil nematodes operate at various trophic levels in the soil food web, thereby influencing the performance of plants, soil biodiversity and biogeochemical cycling.
Geographical associations with anthropogenic noise pollution for North American breeding birds
Authors: Klingbeil Brian T. , La Sorte Frank A. , Lepczyk Christopher A. , Fink Daniel , Flather Curtis H. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAimAnthropogenic noise pollution (ANP) is a globally invasive phenomenon impacting natural systems, but most research has occurred at local scales with few species. We investigated continental‐scale breeding season associations with ANP for 322 bird species to test whether small‐scale predictions related to breeding habitat, migratory behaviour, body mass and vocal traits are consistent at broad spatial extents for an extensive group of species.LocationConterminous USA.Time period2004–2011.Major taxa studiedNorth American breeding birds.MethodsWe calculated, for each species, the association between the breeding season and ANP, using spatially explicit estimates of ANP from the National Park Service and weekly estimates of probabilities of occurrence based on observations from the eBird citizen‐science database. We evaluated how the association of the breeding season for each species with ANP was related to expectations based on size, migratory behaviour and breeding habitat. For a subset of species, we used vocal trait data for song duration, pitch and complexity to evaluate hypotheses from the birdsong literature related to habitat complexity and sensitivity to ANP.ResultsSpecies that breed predominantly in anthropogenic environments were associated with twice the level of ANP (~7.4 dB) as species breeding in forested habitats (~3.2 dB). However, we did not find evidence to suggest that birds with higher‐pitched songs are more likely to be found in areas with higher levels of ANP. Residents and migratory species did not differ in associations with ANP, but songs were less complex among forest‐breeding species than non‐forest‐breeding species and increased in complexity with increasing ANP.Main conclusionsAnthropogenic noise pollution is an important factor associated with breeding distributions of bird species in North America. Vocal traits could be useful to understand factors that affect sensitivity to ANP and to predict the potential impact of ANP, although future studies should aim to understand how and why patterns differ across spatial scales.
Reclassified cognitive leisure activity and risk of cognitive impairment in Chinese older adults aged ≥80 years: A 16‐year prospective cohort study
Authors: Qiu Jiayan , Sun Hongpeng , Zhong Chongke , Ma Qinghua , Wang Congju , Zhou Xufeng , Ma Yana 
Published: October 2019

AimThere is accumulating evidence that participation in cognitive leisure activities might be related to a reduced risk of cognitive impairment. However, there is no consensus regarding the classification of cognitive leisure activities, and it cannot clearly define each activity and quantitatively evaluate the effect of it. In the present study, we propose a new classification method, and examine the relationship between reclassified cognitive leisure activities and cognitive function.MethodsThe analysis included 4830 participants of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, who were aged >80 years and free of cognitive impairment at 1998. They were followed up six times. Six cognitive leisure activities were mainly grouped into intrapersonal and interpersonal cognitive leisure activity by categorical principal component analysis. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between reclassified cognitive leisure activities and the risk of cognitive impairment.ResultsAfter a median follow‐up period of 16 years, 1763 participants suffered from cognitive impairment (Mini‐Mental State Examination score <24). Reading newspapers or books, taking part in some social activities and sometimes playing cards or mahjong were associated with a decreased risk of cognitive impairment (P < 0.05 for all). In multivariable adjusted models, compared with those with lower intensities, the hazard ratios (95% confident intervals) of cognitive impairment were 0.86 (0.74–0.99) and 0.71 (0.60–0.83) for participants with high intensities of intrapersonal and interpersonal cognitive leisure activity, respectively.ConclusionA high frequency of participation in intrapersonal and interpersonal cognitive leisure activities showed a lower risk of cognitive impairment among the oldest‐old in China. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 1041–1047.
Immune tolerance induction with moroctocog‐alpha (Refacto/Refacto AF) in a population of Italian haemophilia A patients with high‐titre inhibitors: Data from REF.IT Registry
Authors: Zanon Ezio , Pasca Samantha , Pollio Berardino , Santagostino Elena , Linari Silvia , Tagliaferri Annarita , Santoro Cristina , Rocino Angiola , Marino Renato , Aru Brigida , Borchiellini Alessandra , Siragusa Sergio , Coppola Antonio 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe appearance of inhibitors is the most serious complication in haemophilia A (HA) patients. The primary objective is their eradication. Up to date, immune tolerance induction (ITI) was the only therapeutic option to achieve this.AimTo assess the efficacy of moroctocog‐alpha as an ITI regimen in a population of HA patients with high‐titre inhibitors.MethodsThe REF.IT Registry is a retrospective‐prospective study that collected data on all patients with HA and high‐titre inhibitors treated with moroctocog‐alpha as an ITI regimen at twelve Italian Haemophilia Centres.ResultsWe enrolled 27 patients, 85.2% were children. All patients were high responders, 88.9% had severe HA. We found 69.3% of them had one or more risk factors for poor ITI prognosis, 14.8% were ITI rescue. Overall 59.3% achieved a complete/partial success (complete in 51.9%). ITI failed in 11 patients, 63.6% of them with poor‐prognosis risk factors. Inhibitors appeared after a mean of 27 exposure days. Mean historical peak was 78.8 BU/mL. The primary ITIs started on average 20.2 months after the diagnosis. A partial or complete success after a mean of 15 months of treatment was achieved in 56.6% of the children while the same result was obtained by 75.0% adults after 22 months from ITI onset. Patients who were treated with high‐dose moroctocog‐alpha (200 UI/kg/day) were 63.0%.ConclusionOur Registry showed that the use of moroctocog‐alpha in the setting of ITI was effective and safe also in a population of patients with high‐titre inhibitors, presenting one or more risk factors for poor ITI prognosis.
What is Needed for Evidence‐Based Dietary Recommendations for Migraine: A Call to Action for Nutrition and Microbiome Research
Authors: Slavin Margaret , Li Huilun (Amber) , Frankenfeld Cara , Cheskin Lawrence J. 
Published: October 2019

BackgroundThe gastrointestinal symptoms of migraine attacks have invited numerous dietary hypotheses for migraine etiology through the centuries. Substantial efforts have been dedicated to identifying dietary interventions for migraine attack prevention, with limited success. Meanwhile, mounting evidence suggests that the reverse relationship may also exist – that the biological mechanisms of migraine may influence dietary intake. More likely, the truth involves some combination of both, where the disease influences food intake, and the foods eaten impact the manifestations of the disease. In addition, the gut's microbiota is increasingly suspected to influence the migraine brain via the gut‐brain axis, though these hypotheses remain largely unsubstantiated.ObjectiveThis paper presents an overview of the strength of existing evidence for food‐based dietary interventions for migraine, noting that there is frequently evidence to suggest that a dietary risk factor for migraine exists but no evidence for how to best intervene; in fact, our intuitive assumptions on interventions are being challenged with new evidence. We then look to the future for promising avenues of research, notably the gut microbiome.ConclusionThe evidence supports a call to action for high‐quality dietary and microbiome research in migraine, both to substantiate hypothesized relationships and build the evidence base regarding nutrition's potential impact on migraine attack prevention and treatment.