bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stylistic fronting in corpora
Authors: Sigurðsson Halldór Ármann 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
Stylistic Fronting (SF) fronts various types of non-subjects to preverbal position in subjectless clauses. With the exception of Icelandic and Faroese, SF has disappeared from Scandinavian. It is commonly assumed that even in Icelandic it is formal and old fashioned, indicating that it might be on its way out. However, this assumption has not been supported by frequency surveys. This paper studies the distribution and frequency of Stylistic Fronting in two large language corpora, Timarit.is and the Internet. The results support the common assumption that SF is on the retreat. Nevertheless, the survey also highlights that this change is proceeding slowly. The study also shows that Google Search can be used as a research tool in linguistics – no small advantage.
How can fruit production be made more sustainable?
Authors: Jemrić T. , Vuković M. , Milošević T. 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
The world population is expected to be doubled by the next few decades that will increase the food demand in future. The fruit production is no doubt has of great importance in agricultural sector due to the economic importance and as well as their beneficial effect on human health. Adopting the sustainable ways of fruit production is the need of the day to cope with upcoming future problems. Today's fruit production approaches the goals of sustainability in some respects, but it is seriously lacking in others, such as the narrow genetic base of existing cultivars and the need for soil treatment with broad-spectrum biocides to maintain production in continuous monocultures. Demanding task of keeping competitiveness in global market and in same time enhancing biodiversity, decreasing energy inputs and reducing environmental impact is accompanied with pressure from consumers for selectivity, quality, safety and transparency of products. Logical question arises than, if sustainable development of fruit production sector is possible in the future or not. The purpose of this review is to examine sustainability of today's fruit production and point out possible future trends. This review summarizes the use of resistant cultivars, rootstocks, the use of wild fruits, the changes in soil management fruit nutrition and, light manipulation, pesticides, the use of bioregulators and biostimulants, irrigation, improvements in machinery, advancements in postharvest technology and socioeconomic aspects as tools for achieving sustainability of fruit production. If used together, these tools will enable technological change from a yield-focused model to a system that will be focused on crop quality and conservation of natural resources, as well to benefits of producers, workers, consumers and a society as a whole which is the fundamental characteristic of sustainability. This is not simple task and it will take long time, but with the long-term commitment of all role-players (producers, traders, consumers, government bodies, regulatory agencies, etc.) it can be achieved. The role of science and education has not to be neglected in this process since only innovation and knowledge driven technologies will enable faster improvement of sustainability of fruit production.
The Impact of Farm Animal Housing Restrictions on Egg Prices, Consumer Welfare, and Production in California
Authors: Mullally Conner , Lusk Jayson. L. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractNew animal welfare policies on the horizon in many U.S. states have prompted debates about the cost of achieving happier hens and hogs. A recent policy change in California offers a unique opportunity to measure the economic repercussions of minimum space requirements for egg‐laying hens. Using forecasting methods and structural break tests as applied to sixteen years of monthly data on egg production and input prices, we find that by July 2016, both egg production and the number of egg‐laying hens were about 35% lower than they would have been in the absence of the new regulations. Out‐of‐state eggs were able to compensate for falling California production until around the time the new rules were implemented, at which point imports of eggs into California fell. For consumers, we estimate price impacts using panel structural break tests and difference‐in‐differences models as applied to five years of scanner data from the retail market for shell eggs in three California markets and three control markets. We find that the average price paid per dozen eggs was about 22% higher from December 2014 through September 2016 than it would have been in the absence of the hen housing restrictions. The price impact fell over time, from an initial impact of about 33% per dozen to about 9% over the last six months of the observed time horizon. These price increases correspond to welfare losses of at least $117 million for the three California markets over the observed time horizon. Our results suggest that because of the policy change, California consumers can expect to experience annual welfare losses of at least $25 million in future years from higher retail egg prices alone.
wft4galaxy: a workflow testing tool for galaxy
Authors: Piras Marco Enrico , Pireddu Luca , Zanetti Gianluigi 
Published: July 2017

Abstract

Motivation
Workflow managers for scientific analysis provide a high-level programming platform facilitating standardization, automation, collaboration and access to sophisticated computing resources. The Galaxy workflow manager provides a prime example of this type of platform. As compositions of simpler tools, workflows effectively comprise specialized computer programs implementing often very complex analysis procedures. To date, no simple way to automatically test Galaxy workflows and ensure their correctness has appeared in the literature.

Results
With wft4galaxy we offer a tool to bring automated testing to Galaxy workflows, making it feasible to bring continuous integration to their development and ensuring that defects are detected promptly. wft4galaxy can be easily installed as a regular Python program or launched directly as a Docker container—the latter reducing installation effort to a minimum.

Availability and implementation
Available at https://github.com/phnmnl/wft4galaxy under the Academic Free License v3.0.
SPRINT: an SNP-free toolkit for identifying RNA editing sites
Authors: Zhang Feng , Lu Yulan , Yan Sijia , Xing Qinghe , Tian Weidong 
Published: July 2017

Abstract

Motivation
RNA editing generates post-transcriptional sequence alterations. Detection of RNA editing sites (RESs) typically requires the filtering of SNVs called from RNA-seq data using an SNP database, an obstacle that is difficult to overcome for most organisms.

Results
Here, we present a novel method named SPRINT that identifies RESs without the need to filter out SNPs. SPRINT also integrates the detection of hyper RESs from remapped reads, and has been fully automated to any RNA-seq data with reference genome sequence available. We have rigorously validated SPRINT’s effectiveness in detecting RESs using RNA-seq data of samples in which genes encoding RNA editing enzymes are knock down or over-expressed, and have also demonstrated its superiority over current methods. We have applied SPRINT to investigate RNA editing across tissues and species, and also in the development of mouse embryonic central nervous system. A web resource (http://sprint.tianlab.cn) of RESs identified by SPRINT has been constructed.

Availability and implementation
The software and related data are available at http://sprint.tianlab.cn.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Enhanced gamma radiation towards the rotation axis from the immediate vicinity of extremely rotating black holes
Authors: Song Yoogeun , Pu Hung-Yi , Hirotani Kouichi , Matsushita Satoki , Kong Albert K. H. , Chang Hsiang-Kuang 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
We investigate the acceleration of electrons and positrons by magnetic-field-aligned electric fields in the polar funnel of an accreting black hole (BH). Applying the pulsar outer-gap theory to BH magnetospheres, we find that such a lepton accelerator arises in the immediate vicinity of the event horizon due to frame-dragging, and that their gamma-ray luminosity increases with decreasing accretion rate. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the gamma-ray flux is enhanced along the rotation axis by more than an order of magnitude if the BH spin increases from a = 0.90M to a = 0.9999M. As a result, if a ten-solar-mass, almost-maximally rotating BH is located within 3 kpc, when its accretion rate is between 0.005 and 0.01 per cent of the Eddington rate, its high-energy flare becomes detectable with the Fermi/Large Area Telescope, provided that the flare lasts longer than 1.2 months and that we view the source nearly along the rotation axis. In addition, its very high energy flux is marginally detectable with the Cherenkov Telescope Array, provided that the flare lasts longer than a night and that our viewing angle is about 45 deg with respect to the rotation axis.
Diabetes Is Not Associated With Increased 90-Day Mortality Risk in Critically Ill Patients With Sepsis
Authors: van Vught Lonneke A. , Holman Rebecca , de Jonge Evert , de Keizer Nicolette F. , van der Poll Tom 
Published: July 2017

Objectives:
To determine the association of pre-existing diabetes, hyperglycemia, and hypoglycemia during the first 24 hours of ICU admissions with 90-day mortality in patients with sepsis admitted to the ICU.

Design:
We used mixed effects logistic regression to analyze the association of diabetes, hyperglycemia, and hypoglycemia with 90-day mortality (n = 128,222).

Setting:
All ICUs in the Netherlands between January 2009 and 2014 that participated in the Dutch National Intensive Care Evaluation registry.

Patients:
All unplanned ICU admissions in patients with sepsis.

Interventions:
The association between 90-day mortality and pre-existing diabetes, hyperglycemia, and hypoglycemia, corrected for other factors, was analyzed using a generalized linear mixed effect model.

Measurements and Main Results:
In a multivariable analysis, diabetes was not associated with increased 90-day mortality. In diabetes patients, only severe hypoglycemia in the absence of hyperglycemia was associated with increased 90-day mortality (odds ratio, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.19–7.32), whereas in patients without pre-existing diabetes, several combinations of abnormal glucose levels were associated with increased 90-day mortality.

Conclusions:
In the current retrospective large database review, diabetes was not associated with adjusted 90-day mortality risk in critically ill patients admitted with sepsis.
Sensitive Troponin I and Stress Testing in the Emergency Department for the Early Management of Chest Pain Using 2-Hour Protocol
Authors: Dadkhah Shahriar , Almuwaqqat Zakaria , Sulaiman Samian , Husein Husein , Nguyen Quang , Ali Saad , Taskesen Tuncay 
Published: July 2017

Background:
Despite improvements in identifying high-risk patients with non-ST segment ACS (acute coronary syndrome), low risk patients presenting with atypical chest pain and non-diagnostic Electrocardiogram (ECG) continued to undergo unnecessary admissions and testing. Since 1992, our chest pain protocol included using 4-hour serial biomarkers from ED admission in combination with stress testing to evaluate these patients. Our study aimed at determining whether a new accelerated diagnostic protocol using sensitive cardiac troponin I (cTnI) 2 hours after admission to the ED followed by stress testing is safe and effective in emergency settings, allowing for appropriate triage, earlier discharge and reducing costs.

Methods:
We conducted a single center randomized trial at Presence St. Francis Hospital Chest pain center in Evanston, Illinois enrolling sixty-four consecutive patients with atypical chest pain and non-diagnostic ECG, participants were randomized to accelerated 2 hrs protocol or our pre-existing 4-hrs protocol. Sixty patients completed the protocol and were randomized to either a 2-hour (29 patients) or 4-hour protocol using both I-STAT and PATHFAST cTnI (31 Patients). Troponin I was evaluated at 0 and at 2 hours from ED presentation with and additional draw for patients in the 4-hour rule out-group. Patients with normal serial biomarkers were then evaluated with stress testing and qualified for earlier discharge if the stress test was negative, while those with a positive biomarker at any time were admitted. Thirty-six patients had exercise treadmill stress test and 24 patients had either nuclear or Echo stress test.

Results:
Fifty-three patients had a normal stress test and were discharged home. One patient in the 4-hour group with normal serial troponins developed ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation during the recovery period of a regular stress test. Six patients had a positive PATHFAST cTnI and a normal I-STAT cTnI at 2-hours. Two out of these six patients evaluated by coronary angiography. One patient had severe tortuous coronaries but no significant obstructive lesion and one had a severe CAD who needed Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Three of the six patients had a normal stress test and one patient decided to leave without further testing. None of the patients with a normal stress test had a major cardiac event or adverse cardiac outcome at six-month follow up.

Conclusion:
This study demonstrates that the 2 hours accelerated protocol using high sensitivity Troponin assay at 0 and 2 hours with comprehensive clinical evaluation and ECG followed by stress testing might be successful in identifying low-risk patient population who may benefit from early discharge from ED reducing associated costs and length of stay.
The Association of Cognitive Reserve in Chronic-Phase Functional and Neuropsychological Outcomes Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Leary Jacob B. , Kim Grace Y. , Bradley Catherine L. , Hussain Uzma Z. , Sacco Maryanne , Bernad Martha , Collins John , Dsurney John , Chan Leighton 
Published: July 2017

Objective:
Examine the association of cognitive reserve (CR) factors (estimated premorbid intelligence quotient [IQ], years of education, and occupational attainment) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) severity with functional and neuropsychological outcomes 1 to 5 years following TBI.

Participants:
Patients with mild (N = 58), moderate (N = 25), or severe (N = 17) TBI.

Main Measures:
Cognitive reserve factors (estimated premorbid IQ, years of education, and occupational attainment); neuropsychological test battery; Glasgow Outcome Scale—Extended; Short Form-36 Health Survey.

Analyses:
Spearman-Brown correlations, linear regression models, and analyses of covariance were used to analyze the relation between CR factors and outcome measures.

Results:
Analyses revealed significant relations between estimated premorbid IQ and neuropsychological outcomes (P < .004): California Verbal Learning Test, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—Fourth Edition working memory, Booklet Category Test, Trail Making Test B, and Grooved Pegboard Test. There was also a significant correlation between estimated premorbid IQ and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—Fourth Edition processing speed. Years of education had significant relations with California Verbal Learning Test and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—Fourth Edition working memory and processing speed scores. There were significant differences between TBI severity groups and performance on the Trail Making Test A, Grooved Pegboard Test, and Finger Tapping Test.

Conclusions:
Cognitive reserve factors may be associated with outcomes following TBI. Additional alternatives to TBI severity are needed to help guide rehabilitative planning postinjury.
An Observational Study of Severe Pertussis in 100 Infants ≤120 Days of Age
Authors: Cherry James D. , Wendorf Kristen , Bregman Brooke , Lehman Deborah , Nieves Delma , Bradley John S. , Mason Wilbert H. , Sande-Lopez Linette , Lopez Merrick , Federman Myke , Chen Tempe , Blumberg Dean , Johnston Samantha , Schwenk Hayden T. , Weintrub Peggy , Quinn Kevin K. , Winter Kathleen , Harriman Kathleen 
Published: July 2017

Background:
Pertussis in young infants is a unique, severe, afebrile, cough illness that is frequently fatal.

Methods:
All pertussis cases ≤120 days of age admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit in California between October 1, 2013, and April 25, 2015, were evaluated.

Results:
Of 100 pertussis patients ≤120 days of age admitted to pediatric intensive care unit, there were 5 deaths. The white blood cell counts in the fatal cases were significantly higher than in the nonfatal cases. Thirty-four percent of patients were intubated, 18% received inotropic and/or vasoactive support, 22% received steroid, 4% received extracorporal membrane oxygenation, and 3% underwent exchange blood transfusion. The median age at the time of illness onset in the patients who died was 23 days.

Conclusions:
These data, as well as data from previous California studies, suggest updated strategies for the management of severe pertussis. These include perform serial white blood cell counts, treat all presumptive cases with azithromycin, evaluate for pulmonary hypertension, intubate and administer oxygen for apneic episodes and administer inotropic/vasoactive agents for cardiogenic shock. Do not administer steroids or nitric oxide. Criteria for exchange blood transfusion therapy for leukocytosis with lymphocytosis are suggested.
Audiologic Gain of Incus Short Process Vibroplasty With Conventional Incus Long Process Vibroplasty: A Retrospective Analysis of 36 Patients
Authors: Lee Jeon Mi , Lee Young Ho , Jung Jinsei , Kim Sung Huhn , Moon In Seok , Choi Jae Young 
Published: July 2017

Objective:
To compare the audiological and non-audiological benefits of incus short process (SP) vibroplasty with those of conventional incus long process (LP) vibroplasty.

Study Design:
Retrospective analysis.

Setting:
Tertiary referral center.

Patients:
Thirty-six patients with sensorineural hearing loss were treated with the semi-implantable middle ear hearing device. Of these, 22 were treated with conventional LP vibroplasty, and 14 were treated with SP vibroplasty using SP couplers.

Interventions:
Implantation with the semi-implantable middle ear hearing device by different methods.

Main Outcome Measures:
Pre- and postoperative hearing level, word recognition score, operation time, and duration of hospital stay were compared. We also surveyed a questionnaire to assess postoperative complications.

Results:
The improvement in hearing gain was comparable between SP vibroplasty and conventional LP vibroplasty, except at 8 kHz, at which LP vibroplasty showed better hearing gain (p < 0.05). Patients undergoing SP vibroplasty had shorter operation time (p < 0.01) and duration of hospital stay (p < 0.01). While four patients who underwent incus LP vibroplasty experienced taste changes, none who underwent incus SP vibroplasty experienced any complications.

Conclusions:
SP vibroplasty with the newly invented SP coupler could be a good alternative to conventional LP vibroplasty for treating patients with sensorineural hearing loss. Although both SP vibroplasty and LP vibroplasty produce good results, the former is associated with a shorter operation time and duration of hospital stay as well as fewer complications.
The Relationship Between Environmental Sound Awareness and Speech Recognition Skills in Experienced Cochlear Implant Users
Authors: Harris Michael S. , Boyce Lauren , Pisoni David B. , Shafiro Valeriy , Moberly Aaron C. 
Published: July 2017

Hypothesis:
1) Environmental sound awareness (ESA) and speech recognition skills in experienced, adult cochlear implant (CI) users will be highly correlated, and, 2) ESA skills of CI users will be significantly lower than those of age-matched adults with normal hearing.

Background:
Enhancement of ESA is often discussed with patients with sensorineural hearing loss as a potential benefit of implantation and, in some cases, ESA may be a major motivating factor. Despite its ecological validity and patients’ expectations, ESA remains largely a presumed skill. The relationship between ESA and speech recognition is not well-understood.

Methods:
ESA was assessed in 35 postlingually deaf, experienced CI users and a control group of 41 age-matched, normal hearing listeners using the validated, computerized familiar environmental sounds test—identification (FEST-I) and a diverse speech recognition battery. Demographic and audiological factors as well as nonverbal intelligence quotient (IQ)/nonverbal reasoning and spectral resolution were assessed.

Results:
Six of the 35 experienced CI users (17%) demonstrated FEST-I accuracy within the range of the NH controls. Among CI users all correlations between FEST-I accuracy and speech recognition scores were strong. Chronological age at the time of testing, duration of deafness, spectral resolution, and nonverbal IQ/nonverbal reasoning were strongly correlated with FEST-I accuracy. Partial correlation analysis showed that correlations between FEST-I and speech recognition measures remained significant when controlling for the demographic and audiological factors.

Conclusion:
Our findings reinforce the hypothesis that ESA and speech perception share common underlying processes rather than reflecting truly separate auditory domains.
Utilization of Sexually Transmitted Infection Services at 2 Health Facilities Targeting Men Who Have Sex With Men in South Africa: A Retrospective Analysis of Operational Data
Authors: Rees Kate , Radebe Oscar , Arendse Clarissa , Modibedi Charlotte , Struthers Helen E. , McIntyre James A. , Peters Remco P.H. 
Published: July 2017

Background
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are a key population, particularly vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, but there are limited data on health programs targeting MSM in Africa. This study aims to describe the utilization of nongovernmental organization–supported sexual health services for MSM at 2 public sector health facilities in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Methods
We retrospectively analyzed routine data over the period of January 2014 to June 2016. We report on service utilization for STI syndromes, HIV testing, and the antiretroviral therapy (ART) program.

Results
Some 5796 men visited the facilities. Seven thousand one hundred eighty-eight STI episodes were managed, 68.2% (4903 episodes) of which were classified as male urethritis and 9.8% (704 episodes) as genital ulcers. Positivity yield for first-time HIV tests was 38.0% (205 positive test results) in MSM, compared with 14.1% (471 positive test results) in other men. At the end of the study, there were 1090 clients on ART, and 2-year retention was 82% (95% confidence interval, 78%–85%). There was no difference in retention between MSM and other men (P = 0.49).

Conclusions
This study is the first to show that sexual health services targeting MSM in Africa have managed to attract MSM and other men in need of STI and HIV care. The observed high HIV testing yield among MSM illustrates the relevance of MSM-focused services in the South African public health sector, and the good retention on ART demonstrates that high-quality care can be provided to MSM in our setting.