bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of Avocado Reference Material for Pesticide Residue Analysis
Authors: Morales Laura V , Salinas Andrés S , González Ivonne A , Holguin Katherin , Sinuco Diana C , Díaz-Galiano Francisco J , Ahumada Diego A , Fernández-Alba Amadeo R 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Background
Pesticide quantitation in foods relies on the availability of matrix reference materials, which, however, are scarce because of the general instability of pesticides. In particular, no avocado reference material has been developed.

Objective
This research aimed to develop a reference material to support the determination of pesticide residues in avocado.

Method
Avocado was spiked with 11 selected pesticides at levels of 0.01–0.35 mg/kg. The production process included the assessment of between-unit heterogeneity, stability during dispatch, and best storage conditions according to ISO 17034. Reference values were estimated through an interlaboratory comparison study involving laboratories of demonstrated competence and adhering to ISO/IEC 17025. The corresponding expanded uncertainties were calculated as 4–19% in compliance with the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement.

Results
The reference material was sufficiently homogeneous and stable at 4°C during the entire study period (365 days) for most of the pesticides, and at 40°C during 10 days, but it was unstable at 50 and 60°C during 10 days. Four pesticides showed downward trends; however, this behavior was considered in the uncertainty budget. As this material complied with all requirements of proficiency testing, it was used in an interlaboratory proficiency test designed to investigate analytical performance and assist laboratories in improving the quality of measurement results.

Conclusions
The presented material can be used for the development of novel analytical methods or in-house reference materials and adds to the scarce supply of reference materials for the determination of pesticides in vegetable matrixes with high oil contents and intermediate water contents.

Highlights
A novel reference material has been developed for the reliable and accurate quantitation of multiple pesticides in avocado, allowing researchers to avoid the preparation of in-house reference materials for this purpose.
Maximum-Likelihood Estimation Using the Zig-Zag Algorithm
Authors: Hautsch Nikolaus , Okhrin Ostap , Ristig Alexander 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWe analyze the properties of the Maximum Likelihood (ML) estimator when the underlying log-likelihood function is numerically maximized with the so-called zig-zag algorithm. By splitting the parameter vector into sub-vectors, the algorithm maximizes the log-likelihood function alternatingly with respect to one sub-vector while keeping the others constant. For situations when the algorithm is initialized with a consistent estimator and is iterated sufficiently often, we establish the asymptotic equivalence of the zig-zag estimator and the “infeasible” ML estimator being numerically approximated. This result gives guidance for practical implementations. We illustrate how to employ the algorithm in different estimation problems, such as in a vine copula model and a vector autoregressive moving average model. The accuracy of the estimator is illustrated through simulations. Finally, we demonstrate the usefulness of our results in an application, where the Bitcoin heating 2017 is analyzed by a dynamic conditional correlation model.
Enduring Cancer Disparities by Persistent Poverty, Rurality, and Race: 1990-1992 to 2014-2018
Authors: Moss Jennifer L , Pinto Casey N , Srinivasan Shobha , Cronin Kathleen A , Croyle Robert T 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Background
Most persistent poverty counties are rural and contain high concentrations of racial minorities. Cancer mortality across persistent poverty, rurality, and race is understudied.

Methods
We gathered data on race and cancer deaths (all sites, lung and bronchus, colorectal, liver and intrahepatic bile duct, oropharyngeal, breast and cervical [females], and prostate [males]) from the National Death Index (1990-1992; 2014-2018). We linked these data to county characteristics: 1) persistent poverty or not; and 2) rural or urban. We calculated absolute (range difference [RD]) and relative (range ratio [RR]) disparities for each cancer mortality outcome across persistent poverty, rurality, race, and time.

Results
The 1990-1992 RD for all sites combined indicated persistent poverty counties had 12.73 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 11.37 to 14.09) excess deaths per 100 000 people per year compared with nonpersistent poverty counties; the 2014-2018 RD was 10.99 (95% CI = 10.22 to 11.77). Similarly, the 1990-1992 RR for all sites indicated mortality rates in persistent poverty counties were 1.06 (95% CI = 1.05 to 1.07) times as high as nonpersistent poverty counties; the 2014-2018 RR was 1.07 (95% CI = 1.07 to 1.08). Between 1990-1992 and 2014-2018, absolute and relative disparities by persistent poverty widened for colorectal and breast cancers; however, for remaining outcomes, trends in disparities were stable or mixed. The highest mortality rates were observed among African American or Black residents of rural, persistent poverty counties for all sites, colorectal, oropharyngeal, breast, cervical, and prostate cancers.

Conclusions
Mortality disparities by persistent poverty endured over time for most cancer outcomes, particularly for racial minorities in rural, persistent poverty counties. Multisector interventions are needed to improve cancer outcomes.
Variation in ecosystem services of street tree assemblages can guide sustainable urban development
Authors: Yao Jing , Chen Nina , Guo Fangqin , Liu Miao , Chen Wei , He Xingyuan 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Urban afforestation is an important strategy for promoting sustainable urban development. In cities where large new green spaces are not available, the planting of curbside trees is deemed to be an important afforestation strategy. However, variations in the ecosystem services provided by street tree assemblages across socioeconomic gradients have been unexplored. We examined such variations in ecosystem services provided by street tree assemblages along an urban–suburban continuum. Our findings were as follows. (i) Not all ecosystem services showed increasing trends along the urban–suburban continuum. Some ecosystem services at the street tree assemblage level, such as air purification and rainfall interception were prominent in areas of high urbanization intensity. (ii) Diverse ecosystem service trends were found in relation to differential characteristics of street trees assemblages. Structural properties of street tree assemblages, such as tree density and age structure, are likely key factors influencing variations. (iii) Although street tree density could partially compensate for the loss of large old trees, the protection of such trees is important because of their close associations with key ecosystem services, such as total carbon storage. To maximize the value of street trees in promoting urban sustainable development, trade-offs among multiple ecosystem services should be integrated within the overall planning process and adjustments of planting regimes.
Development and Validation of a Parenting Stress Module for Parents of Children Using Cochlear Implants
Authors: Cejas Ivette , Coto Jennifer , Sarangoulis Christina , Hoffman Michael F , Quittner Alexandra L 
Published: March 2022

AbstractObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to develop and validate a cochlear implant (CI)-specific parenting stress measure using the FDA Guidance on Patient-Reported Outcomes (2009).MethodsThe development and psychometric validation of the Parenting Stress-CI module for both the Early Childhood (EC; 0–5 years) and School-Age (SA; 6–12 years) versions are reported in this article. Instrument development consisted of qualitative interviews with parents of children with CIs (EC: N = 19; SA: N = 21), content analysis, item development, and cognitive testing of the instrument. Last, we conducted the psychometric validation (EC: N = 72; SA: N = 64), including analyses of internal consistency, test–retest reliability (∼2 weeks between administrations; N = 24), and convergent validity with the Parenting Stress Index-4 (PSI-4).ResultsThe final EC version includes 15 questions, and the SA version includes 8 questions. Both the EC and SA versions had strong reliability (EC α = .88; SA α = .85), with all items significantly correlated with the overall module (r = .43–.80). Both versions also had strong test–retest reliability (r = .99, p &lt; .001). Last, analyses of convergent validity demonstrated significant correlations with the PSI-4 Total Stress scale for both Parenting Stress-CI versions (EC r = .66, p &lt; .00; SA r = .45, p &lt; .001).ConclusionsThe Parenting Stress-CI modules are reliable and valid condition-specific parenting stress instruments for parents of children with CIs ages 0–12 years, filling a significant gap in the literature. These fully validated instruments can be used to assess parental needs for support and guide the development of targeted, family centered interventions.
Different acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferases vary widely in function, and a targeted amino acid substitution enhances oil accumulation
Authors: Hatanaka Tomoko , Tomita Yoshiki , Matsuoka Daisuke , Sasayama Daisuke , Fukayama Hiroshi , Azuma Tetsushi , Soltani Gishini Mohammad Fazel , Hildebrand David 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Triacylglycerols (TAGs) are the major component of plant storage lipids such as oils. Acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) catalyzes the final step of the Kennedy pathway, and is mainly responsible for plant oil accumulation. We previously found that the activity of Vernonia DGAT1 was distinctively higher than that of Arabidopsis and soybean DGAT1 in a yeast microsome assay. In this study, the DGAT1 cDNAs of Arabidopsis, Vernonia, soybean, and castor bean were introduced into Arabidopsis. All Vernonia DGAT1-expressing lines showed a significantly higher oil content (49% mean increase compared with the wild-type) followed by soybean and castor bean. Most Arabidopsis DGAT1-overexpressing lines did not show a significant increase. In addition to these four DGAT1 genes, sunflower, Jatropha, and sesame DGAT1 genes were introduced into a TAG biosynthesis-defective yeast mutant. In the yeast expression culture, DGAT1s from Arabidopsis, castor bean, and soybean only slightly increased the TAG content; however, DGAT1s from Vernonia, sunflower, Jatropha, and sesame increased TAG content &gt;10-fold more than the former three DGAT1s. Three amino acid residues were characteristically common in the latter four DGAT1s. Using soybean DGAT1, these amino acid substitutions were created by site-directed mutagenesis and substantially increased the TAG content.
Toward Developing a Powered Ankle-Foot Prosthesis With Electromyographic Control to Enhance Functional Performance: A Case Study in a U.S. Service Member
Authors: Knight Ashley D , Bass Sarah R , Elrod Jonathan M , Hassinger Louise M , Dearth Christopher L , Gonzalez-Vargas Jose , Hendershot Brad D , Han Zhixiu 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACT
The only commercially available ankle-foot prosthesis with powered propulsion lacks ruggedization and other capabilities for service members seeking to return to duty and/or other physically demanding activities. Here, we evaluated a ruggedized powered ankle-foot prosthesis with electromyographic control (“Warrior Ankle”; WA) in an experienced male user of the predicate (Empower) prosthesis. The participant (age = 56 years, mass = 86.8 kg, stature = 173 cm) completed a 650 m simulated hike with varying terrain at a fixed, self-selected speed in the WA and predicate prosthesis, with and without a 22.8 kg weighted vest (“loaded” and “unloaded,” respectively). Peak dorsiflexion and plantarflexion angles were extracted from each gait cycle throughout the simulated hike (∼500 prosthetic-side steps). The participant walked faster with the WA (1.15 m/s) compared to predicate (0.80 m/s) prosthesis. On the prosthetic side, peak dorsiflexion angles were larger for the WA (loaded: 27.9°; unloaded: 26.9°) compared to the predicate (loaded: 19.4°; unloaded: 21.3°); peak plantarflexion angles were similar between prostheses and loading conditions [WA (loaded: 15.5°; unloaded: 14.9°), predicate (loaded: 16.9°; unloaded: 14.8°). The WA better accommodated the varying terrain profile, evidenced by greater peak dorsiflexion angles, as well as dorsiflexion and plantarflexion angles that more closely matched or exceeded those of the innate ankle [dorsiflexion (WA: 31.6°, predicate: 27.5°); plantarflexion (WA: 20.7°, predicate: 20.5°)]. Furthermore, the WA facilitated a faster walking speed, suggesting a greater functional capacity with the WA prosthesis. Although further design enhancements are needed, this case study demonstrated feasibility of a proof-of-concept, ruggedized powered ankle-foot prosthesis with electromyographic control.
Transverse oscillations and damping of magnetic flux tubes with a thick transitional layer
Authors: Bahari Karam 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACT
In this paper, the magnetohydrodynamic kink waves and their damping are investigated in a thin coronal flux tube model. The thickness of the inhomogeneous transitional layer is of the order of the tube’s radius. The governing equations are solved analytically in all regions of the tube except for the thin dissipative layer. The dispersion relation is derived and solved numerically. The oscillation frequency does not vary much when varying the thickness of the transitional layer. When the transitional layer is thin, the damping rate of the kink wave increases significantly with the increase in the thickness of the transitional layer; however, when the transitional layer is thick, the damping rate does not vary much with the increase in the thickness of the transitional layer. For small values of the thickness of the transitional layer, our results are in agreement with results obtained in the thin tube, thin boundary approximation. In flowing tubes, the effect of flow on the damping rate of the waves depends on the direction of the wave propagation and plasma flow. The resonant instability of the kink waves in flux tubes with flowing transitional layer has been investigated.
First high resolution interferometric observation of a solar prominence with ALMA
Authors: Labrosse Nicolas , Rodger Andrew S , Radziszewski Krzysztof , Rudawy Paweł , Antolin Patrick , Fletcher Lyndsay , Levens Peter J , Peat Aaron W , Schmieder Brigitte , Simões Paulo J A 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACT
We present the first observation of a solar prominence at 84 − 116 GHz using the high resolution interferometric imaging of ALMA. Simultaneous observations in Hα from Białkaw Observatory and with SDO/AIA reveal similar prominence morphology to the ALMA observation. The contribution functions of 3 mm and Hα emission are shown to have significant overlap across a range of gas pressures. We estimate the maximum millimetre-continuum optical thickness to be τ3mm ≈ 2, and the brightness temperature from the observed Hα intensity. The brightness temperature measured by ALMA is ∼6000 – 7000 K in the prominence spine, which correlates well with the estimated brightness temperature for a kinetic temperature of 8000 K.
Creation of a Multidisciplinary Drug Use Endocarditis Treatment (DUET) Team: Initial Patient Characteristics, Outcomes, and Future Directions
Authors: Vyas Darshali A , Marinacci Lucas , Bearnot Benjamin , Wakeman Sarah E , Sundt Thoralf M , Jassar Arminder S , Triant Virginia A , Nelson Sandra B , Dudzinski David M , Paras Molly L 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Background
Consensus guidelines recommend multidisciplinary models to manage infective endocarditis, yet often do not address the unique challenges of treating people with drug use–associated infective endocarditis (DUA-IE). Our center is among the first to convene a Drug Use Endocarditis Treatment (DUET) team composed of specialists from Infectious Disease, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiology, and Addiction Medicine.

Methods
The objective of this study was to describe the demographics, infectious characteristics, and clinical outcomes of the first cohort of patients cared for by the DUET team. This was a retrospective chart review of patients referred to the DUET team between August 2018 and May 2020 with DUA-IE.

Results
Fifty-seven patients were presented to the DUET team between August 2018 and May 2020. The cohort was young, with a median age of 35, and injected primarily opioids (82.5% heroin/fentanyl), cocaine (52.6%), and methamphetamine (15.8%). Overall, 14 individuals (24.6%) received cardiac surgery, and the remainder (75.4%) were managed with antimicrobial therapy alone. Nearly 65% of individuals were discharged on medication for opioid use disorder, though less than half (36.8%) were discharged with naloxone and only 1 patient was initiated on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. Overall, the cohort had a high rate of readmission (42.1%) within 90 days of discharge.

Conclusions
Multidisciplinary care models such as the DUET team can help integrate nuanced decision-making from numerous subspecialties. They can also increase the uptake of addiction medicine and harm reduction tools, but further efforts are needed to integrate harm reduction strategies and improve follow-up in future iterations of the DUET team model.
Inferring lumbar lordosis in Neandertals and other hominins
Authors: Williams Scott A , Zeng Iris , Paton Glen J , Yelverton Christopher , Dunham ChristiAna , Ostrofsky Kelly R , Shukman Saul , Avilez Monica V , Eyre Jennifer , Loewen Tisa , Prang Thomas C , Meyer Marc R 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Lumbar lordosis is a key adaptation to bipedal locomotion in the human lineage. Dorsoventral spinal curvatures enable the body's center of mass to be positioned above the hip, knee, and ankle joints, and minimize the muscular effort required for postural control and locomotion. Previous studies have suggested that Neandertals had less lordotic (ventrally convex) lumbar columns than modern humans, which contributed to historical perceptions of postural and locomotor differences between the two groups. Quantifying lower back curvature in extinct hominins is entirely reliant upon bony correlates of overall lordosis, since the latter is significantly influenced by soft tissue structures (e.g. intervertebral discs). Here, we investigate sexual dimorphism, ancestry, and lifestyle effects on lumbar vertebral body wedging and inferior articular facet angulation, two features previously shown to be significantly correlated with overall lordosis in living individuals, in a large sample of modern humans and Neandertals. Our results demonstrate significant differences between postindustrial cadaveric remains and archaeological samples of people that lived preindustrial lifestyles. We suggest these differences are related to activity and other aspects of lifestyle rather than innate population (ancestry) differences. Neandertal bony correlates of lumbar lordosis are significantly different from all human samples except preindustrial males. Therefore, although Neandertals demonstrate more bony kyphotic wedging than most modern humans, we cast doubt on proposed locomotor and postural differences between the two lineages based on inferred lumbar lordosis (or lack thereof), and we recommend future research compare fossils to modern humans from varied populations and not just recent, postindustrial samples.
Short-term bioelectric stimulation of collective cell migration in tissues reprograms long-term supracellular dynamics
Authors: Wolf Abraham E , Heinrich Matthew A , Breinyn Isaac B , Zajdel Tom J , Cohen Daniel J 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe ability to program collective cell migration can allow us to control critical multicellular processes in development, regenerative medicine, and invasive disease. However, while various technologies exist to make individual cells migrate, translating these tools to control myriad, collectively interacting cells within a single tissue poses many challenges. For instance, do cells within the same tissue interpret a global migration ‘command’ differently based on where they are in the tissue? Similarly, since no stimulus is permanent, what are the long-term effects of transient commands on collective cell dynamics? We investigate these questions by bioelectrically programming large epithelial tissues to globally migrate ‘rightward’ via electrotaxis. Tissues clearly developed distinct rear, middle, side, and front responses to a single global migration stimulus. Furthermore, at no point poststimulation did tissues return to their prestimulation behavior, instead equilibrating to a 3rd, new migratory state. These unique dynamics suggested that programmed migration resets tissue mechanical state, which was confirmed by transient chemical disruption of cell–cell junctions, analysis of strain wave propagation patterns, and quantification of cellular crowd dynamics. Overall, this work demonstrates how externally driving the collective migration of a tissue can reprogram baseline cell–cell interactions and collective dynamics, even well beyond the end of the global migratory cue, and emphasizes the importance of considering the supracellular context of tissues and other collectives when attempting to program crowd behaviors.
Circulating inflammatory monocytes oppose microglia and contribute to cone cell death in retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Funatsu Jun , Murakami Yusuke , Shimokawa Shotaro , Nakatake Shunji , Fujiwara Kohta , Okita Ayako , Fukushima Masatoshi , Shibata Kensuke , Yoshida Noriko , Koyanagi Yoshito , Akiyama Masato , Notomi Shoji , Nakao Shintaro , Hisatomi Toshio , Takeda Atsunobu , Paschalis Eleftherios I , Vavvas Demetrios G , Ikeda Yasuhiro , Sonoda Koh-Hei 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an intractable inherited disease that primarily affects the rods through gene mutations followed by secondary cone degeneration. This cone-related dysfunction can lead to impairment of daily life activities, and ultimately blindness in patients with RP. Paradoxically, microglial neuroinflammation contributes to both protection against and progression of RP, but it is unclear which population(s)— tissue-resident microglia and/or peripheral monocyte-derived macrophages (mφ)— are implicated in the progression of the disease. Here, we show that circulating blood inflammatory monocytes (IMo) are key effector cells that mediate cone cell death in RP. Attenuation of IMo and peripherally engrafted mφ by Ccl2 deficiency or immune modulation via intravenous nanoparticle treatment suppressed cone cell death in rd10 mice, an animal model of RP. In contrast, the depletion of resident microglia by a colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor exacerbated cone cell death in the same model. In human patients with RP, IMo was increased and correlated with disease progression. These results suggest that peripheral IMo is a potential target to delay cone cell death and prevent blindness in RP.