bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non‐Scientific Criteria for Belief Sustain Counter‐Scientific Beliefs
Authors: Metz S. Emlen , Weisberg Deena S. , Weisberg Michael 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWhy is evolutionary theory controversial among members of the American public? We propose a novel explanation: allegiance to different criteria for belief. In one interview study, two online surveys, and one nationally representative phone poll, we found that evolutionists and creationists take different justifications for belief as legitimate. Those who accept evolution emphasize empirical evidence and scientific consensus. Creationists emphasize not only the Bible and religious authority, but also knowledge of the heart. These criteria for belief remain predictive of views about evolution even when taking into account other related factors like religion, political affiliation, and education. Each view is supported by its own internally specified criteria for what constitutes a justified belief. Changing minds may thus require changing epistemic norms.
Indirect effects of sea ice loss on summer‐fall habitat and behaviour for sympatric populations of an Arctic marine predator
Authors: Hauser Donna D. W. , Laidre Kristin L. , Stern Harry L. , Suydam Robert S. , Richard Pierre R. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAimClimate change is fundamentally altering habitats, with complex consequences for species across the globe. The Arctic has warmed 2–3 times faster than the global average, and unprecedented sea ice loss can have multiple outcomes for ice‐associated marine predators. Our goal was to assess impacts of sea ice loss on population‐specific habitat and behaviour of a migratory Arctic cetacean.LocationArctic Ocean.MethodsUsing satellite telemetry data collected during summer‐fall from sympatric beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) populations (“Chukchi” and “Beaufort” belugas), we applied generalized estimating equations to evaluate shifts in sea ice habitat associations and diving behaviour during two periods: 1993–2002 (“early”) and 2004–2012 (“late”). We used resource selection functions to assess changes in sea ice selection as well as predict trends in habitat selection and “optimal” habitat, based on satellite‐derived sea ice data from 1990 to 2014.ResultsSea ice cover declined substantially between periods, and Chukchi belugas specifically used significantly lower sea ice concentrations during the late than early period. Use of bathymetric features did not change between periods for either population. Population‐specific sea ice selection, predicted habitat and the amount of optimal habitat also generally did not change during 1990–2014. Chukchi belugas tracked during 2007–2012 made significantly more long‐duration and deeper dives than those tracked during 1998–2002.Main conclusionsTaken together, our results suggest bathymetric parameters are consistent predictors of summer‐fall beluga habitat rather than selection for specific sea ice conditions during recent sea ice loss. Beluga whales were able to mediate habitat change despite their sea ice associations. However, trends towards prolonged and deeper diving possibly indicate shifting foraging opportunities associated with ecological changes that occur in concert with sea ice loss. Our results highlight that responses by some Arctic marine wildlife can be indirect and variable among populations, which could be included in predictions for the future.
Credit Insurance, Distress Resolution Costs, and Bond Spreads
Authors: Narayanan Rajesh , Uzmanoglu Cihan 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCredit default swaps (CDS) introduce friction in debt renegotiations as they alter the incentives of creditors insured with CDS to favor bankruptcy instead of restructuring debt out of court. Such renegotiation friction can increase bond spreads by increasing distress resolution costs. Alternatively, they can decrease bond spreads by deterring the firm from strategic default. Using newly available data on firm‐level CDS positions to proxy for the extent of CDS insurance, we find that bond spreads increase with CDS insurance. Additional tests indicate that this increase is associated with the effect CDS insurance has on increasing distress resolution costs. These results, which are robust to endogeneity concerns associated with CDS insurance, provide evidence that credit insurance can affect a firm's cost of debt.
High proportion of patients with bleeding of unknown cause in persons with a mild‐to‐moderate bleeding tendency: Results from the Vienna Bleeding Biobank (VIBB)
Authors: Gebhart J. , Hofer S. , Panzer S. , Quehenberger P. , Sunder‐Plassmann R. , Hoermann G. , Eigenbauer E. , Haslacher H. , Kepa S. , Kyrle P. A. , Eichinger S. , Knöbl P. , Eischer L. , Mannhalter C. , Ay C. , Pabinger I. 
Published: February 2018

IntroductionData on clinical characteristics and the prevalence of underlying coagulopathies in patients with mild‐to‐moderate bleeding disorders (MBDs) are scarce.AimWe established the Vienna Bleeding Biobank (VIBB) to characterize and thoroughly investigate Austrian patients with MBDs.ResultsFour hundred eighteen patients (female = 345, 82.5%) were included. A platelet function defect (PFD) was diagnosed in 26 (6.2%) and a possible PFD in 30 (7.2%) patients. Eight patients (1.9%) were diagnosed with von Willebrand disease (VWD) (type 1 n = 6; type 2 n = 2), and 29 patients had low VWF (30‐50 IU/dL). Deficiencies in factor VIII, IX, XI or XIII were found in 11 (2.6%), 3 (0.7%), 3 (0.7%) and 1 patient(s), 2 patients had dysfibrinogenaemia, and further 2 had possible PFD and FXI deficiency. Probable causal mutations were detected in 8 of 11 patients with FVIII deficiency, 2 of 3 patients with FIX deficiency and 2 of 8 patients with VWD. Three hundred three patients (72.5%) had normal results in the coagulation assays and were categorized as patients with bleeding of unknown cause (BUC). The bleeding score did not differ between patients with and without established diagnosis. A diagnosis of a bleeding disorder was more frequently made in men than in women (49.3% vs 22.9%). Male sex (OR 3.55, 95% CI: 2.02‐6.22; P < .001) and blood group 0 (OR 1.86, 95% CI: 1.17‐2.94; P = .008) were independently associated with diagnosis of a bleeding disorder.ConclusionThe high rate of patients with BUC despite in‐depth haemostatic assessment underlines the incompleteness of available routine laboratory tests. Males with MBDs were more likely to be diagnosed with an established bleeding disorder than females.
Estimating Precision and Recall for Deterministic and Probabilistic Record Linkage
Authors: Chipperfield James , Hansen Noel , Rossiter Peter 
Published: February 2018

SummaryLinking administrative, survey and census files to enhance dimensions such as time and breadth or depth of detail is now common. Because a unique person identifier is often not available, records belonging to two different units (e.g. people) may be incorrectly linked. Estimating the proportion of links that are correct, called Precision, is difficult because, even after clerical review, there will remain uncertainty about whether a link is in fact correct or incorrect. Measures of Precision are useful when deciding whether or not it is worthwhile linking two files, when comparing alternative linking strategies and as a quality measure for estimates based on the linked file. This paper proposes an estimator of Precision for a linked file that has been created by either deterministic (or rules‐based) or probabilistic (where evidence for a link being a match is weighted against the evidence that it is not a match) linkage, both of which are widely used in practice. This paper shows that the proposed estimators perform well.
Effects of anxiety levels on learning performance and gaming performance in digital game‐based learning
Authors: Yang J. C. , Lin M. Y. D. , Chen S. Y. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAnxiety plays an influential role in foreign language learning. However, a lack of attention was paid to examining the effects of anxiety levels on learning performance and gaming performance in digital game‐based learning. To this end, this study developed a game‐based English learning system and investigated how different levels of anxiety affected learners' learning performance and gaming performance. A quasi‐experiment was conducted in an elementary school. The results showed that high‐anxiety learners performed worse than low‐anxiety learners in speaking, word/sentence match, and overall learning performance. However, they performed similarly in listening performance. Moreover, the results showed that high‐ and low‐anxiety learners demonstrated a similar level of gaming performance. A subsequent analysis showed that significant correlations existed between learning performance and gaming performance for learners with high anxiety whereas such positive correlations were rarely found for learners with low anxiety, indicating that high‐anxiety learners' learning performance could be fostered by their gaming performance. The findings suggested that digital game‐based learning was particularly beneficial to high‐anxiety learners, whose gaming performance was a facilitative factor of their learning performance.
Cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte therapy for post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder after solid organ transplantation in children
Authors: Chiou Fang Kuan , Beath Sue V. , Wilkie Gwen M. , Vickers Mark A. , Morland Bruce , Gupte Girish L. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractEBV‐CTL immunotherapy targets EBV antigens expressed by tumor cells in PTLD. Data on outcome of EBV‐CTL in pSOT patients are limited. The aim of the study is to describe our experience with allogeneic, third‐party EBV‐CTL for the treatment of PTLD in pSOT patients in a single tertiary center. Retrospective review was performed of all pSOT patients who received EBV‐CTL for PTLD. PTLD was diagnosed using World Health Organization histologic criteria. EBV‐CTLs were derived from human leukocyte antigen‐typed, EBV‐seropositive third‐party donors, and cryopreserved and maintained by an accredited national blood transfusion service. Ten patients received EBV‐CTL for histologically proven PTLD from 1999 to 2016 following liver (n=5), combined intestinal/liver (n=4), and liver/kidney (n=1) transplantation. PTLD occurred at median age of 40 months (range: 12‐144) and median post‐transplant interval of 8 months (range: 2‐107). Seven had monomorphic, two had polymorphic, and one had Hodgkin‐type PTLD. All were of B‐cell origin and EBV‐positive on histology. EBV‐CTL achieved an overall remission rate of 80% (8 of 10). Transient adverse effects included fever, tachycardia, and vomiting. None developed graft‐versus‐host disease or opportunistic infections. EBV‐CTL is an effective treatment for PTLD in pSOT patients, with good remission rate and minimal toxicity.
Nitrogen Cycle Evaluation (NiCE) Chip for Simultaneous Analysis of Multiple N Cycle-Associated Genes
Authors: Oshiki Mamoru , Segawa Takahiro , Ishii Satoshi 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT
Various microorganisms play key roles in the nitrogen (N) cycle. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) and PCR amplicon sequencing of N cycle functional genes allow us to analyze the abundance and diversity of microbes responsible for N-transforming reactions in various environmental samples. However, analysis of multiple target genes can be cumbersome and expensive. PCR-independent analysis, such as metagenomics and metatranscriptomics, is useful but expensive, especially when we analyze multiple samples and try to detect N cycle functional genes present at a relatively low abundance. Here, we present the application of microfluidic qPCR chip technology to simultaneously quantify and prepare amplicon sequence libraries for multiple N cycle functional genes as well as taxon-specific 16S rRNA gene markers for many samples. This approach, named the nitrogen cycle evaluation (NiCE) chip, was evaluated by using DNA from pure and artificially mixed bacterial cultures and by comparing the results with those obtained by conventional qPCR and amplicon sequencing methods. Quantitative results obtained by the NiCE chip were comparable to those obtained by conventional qPCR. In addition, the NiCE chip was successfully applied to examine the abundance and diversity of N cycle functional genes in wastewater samples. Although nonspecific amplification was detected on the NiCE chip, this can be overcome by optimizing the primer sequences in the future. As the NiCE chip can provide a high-throughput format to quantify and prepare sequence libraries for multiple N cycle functional genes, this tool should advance our ability to explore N cycling in various samples.

IMPORTANCE
We report a novel approach, namely, the nitrogen cycle evaluation (NiCE) chip, by using microfluidic qPCR chip technology. By sequencing the amplicons recovered from the NiCE chip, we can assess the diversities of N cycle functional genes. The NiCE chip technology is applicable to analysis of the temporal dynamics of N cycle gene transcription in wastewater treatment bioreactors. The NiCE chip can provide a high-throughput format to quantify and prepare sequence libraries for multiple N cycle functional genes. While there is room for future improvement, this tool should significantly advance our ability to explore the N cycle in various environmental samples.
New Insights into the Function and Global Distribution of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)-Degrading Bacteria and Enzymes in Marine and Terrestrial Metagenomes
Authors: Danso Dominik , Schmeisser Christel , Chow Jennifer , Zimmermann Wolfgang , Wei Ren , Leggewie Christian , Li Xiangzhen , Hazen Terry , Streit Wolfgang R. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most important synthetic polymers used today. Unfortunately, the polymers accumulate in nature and to date no highly active enzymes are known that can degrade it at high velocity. Enzymes involved in PET degradation are mainly α- and β-hydrolases, like cutinases and related enzymes (EC 3.1.1). Currently, only a small number of such enzymes are well characterized. In this work, a search algorithm was developed that identified 504 possible PET hydrolase candidate genes from various databases. A further global search that comprised more than 16 Gb of sequence information within 108 marine and 25 terrestrial metagenomes obtained from the Integrated Microbial Genome (IMG) database detected 349 putative PET hydrolases. Heterologous expression of four such candidate enzymes verified the function of these enzymes and confirmed the usefulness of the developed search algorithm. In this way, two novel and thermostable enzymes with high potential for downstream application were partially characterized. Clustering of 504 novel enzyme candidates based on amino acid similarities indicated that PET hydrolases mainly occur in the phyla of
Actinobacteria
,
Proteobacteria
, and
Bacteroidetes
. Within the
Proteobacteria
, the
Betaproteobacteria
,
Deltaproteobacteria
, and
Gammaproteobacteria
were the main hosts. Remarkably enough, in the marine environment, bacteria affiliated with the phylum
Bacteroidetes
appear to be the main hosts of PET hydrolase genes, rather than
Actinobacteria
or
Proteobacteria
, as observed for the terrestrial metagenomes. Our data further imply that PET hydrolases are truly rare enzymes. The highest occurrence of 1.5 hits/Mb was observed in sequences from a sample site containing crude oil.

IMPORTANCE
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) accumulates in our environment without significant microbial conversion. Although a few PET hydrolases are already known, it is still unknown how frequently they appear and with which main bacterial phyla they are affiliated. In this study, deep sequence mining of protein databases and metagenomes demonstrated that PET hydrolases indeed occur at very low frequencies in the environment. Furthermore, it was possible to link them to phyla that were previously not known to harbor such enzymes. This work contributes novel knowledge on the phylogenetic relationships, the recent evolution, and the global distribution of PET hydrolases. Finally, we describe the biochemical traits of four novel PET hydrolases.
Impact of sex work on risk behaviours and their association with HIV positivity among people who inject drugs in Eastern Central Canada: cross-sectional results from an open cohort study
Authors: Campeau Laurence , Blouin Karine , Leclerc Pascale , Alary Michel , Morissette Carole , Blanchette Caty , Serhir Bouchra , Roy Elise 
Published: February 2018

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were: (1) to examine the correlates of HIV positivity among participants who injected drugs and engaged in sex work (PWID-SWs) in the SurvUDI network between 2004 and 2016, after stratification by sex, and (2) to compare these correlates with those of sexually active participants who did not engage in sex work (PWID non-SWs).Design and settingThis biobehavioural survey is an open cohort of services where participants who had injected in the past 6 months were recruited mainly through harm reduction programmes in Eastern Central Canada.ParticipantsData from 5476 participants (9223 visits in total; 785 not included in multivariate analyses due to missing values) were included.MethodsParticipants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire and provided saliva samples for anti-HIV antibody testing. Generalised estimating equations taking into account multiple participations were used.ResultsBaseline HIV prevalence was higher among SWs compared with non-SWs (women: 13.0% vs 7.7%; P<0.001, and men: 17.4% vs 10.8%; P<0.001). PWID-SWs were particularly susceptible to HIV infection as a result of higher levels of vulnerability factors and injection risk behaviours. They also presented different risk-taking patterns than their non-SWs counterparts, as shown by differences in correlates of HIV positivity. Additionally, the importance of sex work for HIV infection varies according to gender, as suggested by a large proportion of injection risk behaviours associated with HIV among women and, conversely, a stronger association between sexual behaviours and HIV positivity observed among men.ConclusionThese results suggest that sex work has an impact on the risk of HIV acquisition and that risk behaviours vary according to gender. Public health practitioners should take those specificities into account when designing HIV prevention interventions aimed at PWIDs.
CODIFI (Concordance in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Infection): a cross-sectional study of wound swab versus tissue sampling in infected diabetic foot ulcers in England
Authors: Nelson Andrea , Wright-Hughes Alexandra , Backhouse Michael Ross , Lipsky Benjamin A , Nixon Jane , Bhogal Moninder S , Reynolds Catherine , Brown Sarah 
Published: February 2018

ObjectiveTo determine the extent of agreement and patterns of disagreement between wound swab and tissue samples in patients with an infected diabetic foot ulcer (DFU).DesignMulticentre, prospective, cross-sectional study.SettingPrimary and secondary care foot ulcer/diabetic outpatient clinics and hospital wards across England.ParticipantsInclusion criteria: consenting patients aged ≥18 years; diabetes mellitus; suspected infected DFU. Exclusion criteria: clinically inappropriate to take either sample.InterventionsWound swab obtained using Levine’s technique; tissue samples collected using a sterile dermal curette or scalpel.Outcome measuresCoprimary: reported presence, and number, of pathogens per sample; prevalence of resistance to antimicrobials among likely pathogens. Secondary: recommended change in antibiotic therapy based on blinded clinical review; adverse events; sampling costs.Results400 consenting patients (79% male) from 25 centres.Most prevalent reported pathogens wereStaphylococcus aureus(43.8%),Streptococcus(16.7%) and other aerobic Gram-positive cocci (70.6%). At least one potential pathogen was reported from 70.1% of wound swab and 86.1% of tissue samples. Pathogen results differed between sampling methods in 58% of patients, with more pathogens and fewer contaminants reported from tissue specimens.The majority of pathogens were reported significantly more frequently in tissue than wound swab samples (P<0.01), with equal disagreement forS. aureusandPseudomonas aeruginosa.Blinded clinicians more often recommended a change in antibiotic regimen based on tissue compared with wound swab results (increase of 8.9%, 95% CI 2.65% to 15.3%). Ulcer pain and bleeding occurred more often after tissue collection versus wound swabs (pain: 9.3%, 1.3%; bleeding: 6.8%, 1.5%, respectively).ConclusionReports of tissue samples more frequently identified pathogens, and less frequently identified non-pathogens compared with wound swab samples. Blinded clinicians more often recommended changes in antibiotic therapy based on tissue compared with wound swab specimens. Further research is needed to determine the effect of the additional information provided by tissue samples.Trial registration numberISRCTN52608451.
Socioeconomic differences in hearing among middle-aged and older adults: cross-sectional analyses using the Health Survey for England
Authors: Scholes Shaun , Biddulph Jane , Davis Adrian , Mindell Jennifer S. 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundHearing loss impacts on cognitive, social and physical functioning. Both hearing loss and hearing aid use vary across population subgroups. We examined whether hearing loss, and reported current hearing aid use among persons with hearing loss, were associated with different markers of socioeconomic status (SES) in a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults.MethodsHearing was measured using an audiometric screening device in the Health Survey for England 2014 (3292 participants aged 45 years and over). Hearing loss was defined as >35 dB HL at 3.0 kHz in the better-hearing ear. Using sex-specific logistic regression modelling, we evaluated the associations between SES and hearing after adjustment for potential confounders.Results26% of men and 20% of women aged 45 years and over had hearing loss. Hearing loss was higher among men in the lowest SES groups. For example, the multivariable-adjusted odds of hearing loss were almost two times as high for those in the lowest versus the highest income tertile (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.74). Among those with hearing loss, 30% of men and 27% of women were currently using a hearing aid. Compared with men in the highest income tertile, the multivariable-adjusted odds of using a hearing aid nowadays were lower for men in the middle (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.99) and the lowest (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.97) income tertiles. Associations between SES and hearing were weaker or null among women.ConclusionsWhile the burden of hearing loss fell highest among men in the lowest SES groups, current hearing aid use was demonstrably lower. Initiatives to detect hearing loss early and increase the uptake and the use of hearing aids may provide substantial public health benefits and reduce socioeconomic inequalities in health.