bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunoglobulin replacement therapy in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients with hypogammaglobulinaemia and infection
Authors: Keegan Anastazia , Dennington Peta M. , Dhondy Nina , Mulligan Stephen P. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectivesTo analyse total national utilisation of immunoglobulin (Ig) replacement therapy (IgRT) for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia patients with acquired hypogammaglobulinaemia and severe and/or recurrent bacterial infections.MethodsIn 2007, the National Blood Authority first published Criteria for the clinical use of intravenous immunoglobulin in Australia. The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood assessed, approved, and recorded all supply with patient demographics, distribution data, intravenous Ig (IVIg) volumes and treatment episodes. IVIg was the sole product used in Australia from 2008–2013 inclusive.ResultsFrom 2008 to 2013 across Australia, 2734 individual CLL patients received 48,870 treatment episodes using a total 1,324,926 g of IVIg therapy. Six IVIg products were available, with domestically manufactured Intragam® P accounting for 89.7% of supply. The average age for first dose was 74 years. Males received 60.6% of the total treatment episodes representing 20% more than females. The average pre‐treatment IgG level was 4.03 ± 2.03 g/L (range 0.30–10.50 g/L). A sustained average annual increased IVIg utilisation of 5.5% was observed. There was significant regional variation consistent with differences in prescriber preferences across states and territories.ConclusionThis study provides a globally unique insight into IgRT supply and demand in CLL patients by analysis of total national use in Australia over a 6‐year period.
Organic manure and lime change water vapour sorption of a red soil by altering water repellency and specific surface area
Authors: Chen Chong , Jiang Yuji , Sun Bo , Zhou Hu , Hallett Paul D. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractManure and lime as fertiliser and conditioner are widely used on red soils to improve soil fertility and to alleviate soil acidity. Investigating the effects of these compounds on soil interfacial properties is very important for understanding some physical, chemical, and biological processes that are often overlooked. Using a long‐term field experiment (2002–2018) on a red loamy clay soil, we explored how the soil water vapour sorption isotherm, soil organic carbon (SOC), pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), specific surface area (SSA), and water repellency (WR) interacted and were affected by low‐rate pig manure (LM, 150 kg N ha−1 year−1), high‐rate pig manure (HM, 600 kg N ha−1 year−1), and high‐rate pig manure with lime (HML). The HML only increased soil pH relative to the HM. The SSA determined with N2 (SSAN2) showed a significant negative correlation with SOC. Both SSA determined with H2O (SSAH2O) and contact angle (CA) were significantly positively correlated with SOC. Manure amendments increased soil water content change (WCC) in the water activity (aw) range of 0.05–0.2 (WCC0.05–0.2) by 6.3–30.2%, but decreased WCC0.2–0.6 and WCC0.6–0.93 by 5.1–12.5% and 2.8–7.0%, respectively. Local hysteresis became more pronounced with high manure or high manure with lime amendment in the intermediate aw range (0.45–0.75). The observed changes of water vapour sorption were attributed to the alteration of SOC affecting SSA and WR.HIGHLIGHTS
Manure effects on soil water vapour sorption depended on sorption stage and direction.
Manure with lime treatment did not affect soil interfacial properties relative to manure treatment.
Increasing manure application increased local hysteresis at the intermediate aw range (0.45–0.75).
Soil water vapour sorption behaviour was linked to SOC, SSA, and WR.
Effective specialist or jack of all trades? Experimental evolution of a crop pest in fluctuating and stable environments
Authors: Skoracka Anna , Laska Alicja , Radwan Jacek , Konczal Mateusz , Lewandowski Mariusz , Puchalska Ewa , Karpicka‐Ignatowska Kamila , Przychodzka Anna , Raubic Jarosław , Kuczyński Lechosław 
Published: February 2022

AbstractUnderstanding pest evolution in agricultural systems is crucial for developing effective and innovative pest control strategies. Types of cultivation, such as crop monocultures versus polycultures or crop rotation, may act as a selective pressure on pests’ capability to exploit the host’s resources. In this study, we examined the herbivorous mite Aceria tosichella (commonly known as wheat curl mite), a widespread wheat pest, to understand how fluctuating versus stable environments influence its niche breadth and ability to utilize different host plant species. We subjected a wheat‐bred mite population to replicated experimental evolution in a single‐host environment (either wheat or barley), or in an alternation between these two plant species every three mite generations. Next, we tested the fitness of these evolving populations on wheat, barley, and on two other plant species not encountered during experimental evolution, namely rye and smooth brome. Our results revealed that the niche breadth of A. tosichella evolved in response to the level of environmental variability. The fluctuating environment expanded the niche breadth by increasing the mite’s ability to utilize different plant species, including novel ones. Such an environment may thus promote flexible host‐use generalist phenotypes. However, the niche expansion resulted in some costs expressed as reduced performances on both wheat and barley as compared to specialists. Stable host environments led to specialized phenotypes. The population that evolved in a constant environment consisting of barley increased its fitness on barley without the cost of utilizing wheat. However, the population evolving on wheat did not significantly increase its fitness on wheat, but decreased its performance on barley. Altogether, our results indicated that, depending on the degree of environmental heterogeneity, agricultural systems create different conditions that influence pests’ niche breadth evolution, which may in turn affect the ability of pests to persist in such systems.
An expert system for automated classification of phases in cyclic alternating patterns of sleep using optimal wavelet‐based entropy features
Authors: Sharma Manish , Bhurane Ankit A. , Acharya U. Rajendra 
Published: February 2022

AbstractHumans spend a significant portion of their time in the state of sleep, and therefore one's’sleep health’ is an important indicator of the overall health of an individual. Non‐invasive methods such as electroencephalography (EEG) are used to evaluate the ’sleep health’ as well as associated disorders such as nocturnal front lobe epilepsy, insomnia, and narcolepsy. A long‐duration and repetitive activity, known as a cyclic alternating pattern (CAP), is observed in the EEG waveforms which reflect the cortical electrical activity during non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. The CAP sequences involve various, continuing periods of phasic activation (phase‐A) and deactivation (phase‐B). The manual analysis of these signals performed by clinicians are prone to errors, and may lead to the wrong diagnosis. Hence, automated systems that can classify the two phases (viz. Phase A and Phase B accurately can eliminate any human involvement in the diagnosis. The pivotal aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of stopband energy minimized biorthogonal wavelet filter bank (BOWFB) based entropy features in the identification of CAP phases. We have employed entropy features obtained from six wavelet subbands of EEG signals to develop a machine learning (ML) based model using various supervised ML algorithms. The proposed model by us yielded an average classification accuracy of 74.40% with 10% hold‐out validation with the balanced dataset, and maximum accuracy of 87.83% with the unbalanced dataset using ensemble bagged tree classifier. The developed expert system can assist the medical practitioners to assess the person's cerebral activity and quality of sleep accurately.
The Matthew effect: Common species become more common and rare ones become more rare in response to artificial light at night
Authors: Liu Yanjie , Speißer Benedikt , Knop Eva , van Kleunen Mark 
Published: February 2022

AbstractArtificial light at night (ALAN) has been and still is rapidly spreading and has become an important component of global change. Although numerous studies have tested its potential biological and ecological impacts on animals, very few studies have tested whether it affects alien and native plants differently. Furthermore, common plant species, and particularly common alien species, are often found to benefit more from additional resources than rare native and rare alien species. Whether this is also the case with regard to increasing light due to ALAN is still unknown. Here, we tested how ALAN affected the performance of common and rare alien and native plant species in Germany directly, and indirectly via flying insects. We grew five common alien, six rare alien, five common native, and four rare native plant species under four combinations of two ALAN (no ALAN vs. ALAN) and two insect‐exclusion (no exclusion vs. exclusion) treatments, and compared their biomass production. We found that common plant species, irrespective of their origin, produced significantly more biomass than rare species and that this was particularly true under ALAN. Furthermore, alien species tended to show a slightly stronger positive response to ALAN than native species did (p = .079). Our study shows that common plant species benefited more from ALAN than rare ones. This might lead to competitive exclusion of rare species, which could have cascading impacts on other trophic levels and thus have important community‐wide consequences when ALAN becomes more widespread. In addition, the slightly more positive response of alien species indicates that ALAN might increase the risk of alien plant invasions.
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) Medals and Awards celebration 2020 and 2021
Authors: Clifford Nigel , Viles Heather , Eavis Andy , Gardner Rita , Rigg Jonathan , Philo Chris , Kraftl Peter , Noxolo Patricia , Mawdsley Emma , Laurie Nina 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) annual Medals and Awards recognise achievements in researching, communicating and teaching a wide range of geographical knowledge. The speeches and citations are a record of both the 2020 and 2021 celebrations, which were delayed and combined because of COVID‐19, with contributions from Heather Viles, Andy Eavis, Rita Gardner, Jonathan Rigg, Chris Philo, Peter Kraftl, Patricia Noxolo, Emma Mawdsley and Nina Laurie. The event concluded with comments from the Society’s Patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. The speeches included comments on inspirational students and teachers; the importance of collaboration, of equity and inclusivity; understanding places, making connections and crossing boundaries; earth‐writing and earth‐righting.
Body mass index and self‐rated oral health in Korean adults in 2017
Authors: Han A‐Rum , Shin Min‐Ho , Yang Jung ho , Choi Chang Kyun , Koh Jeong‐Tae , Kim Ok‐Su 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the association between obesity and self‐rated oral health (SROH). This study examined the cross‐sectional associations between body mass index (BMI) and SROH in Korean adults.Materials and methodsThis study used data from 217 304 adults (100 110 men and 117 194 women aged > 19 years) from the 2017 Korean Community Health Survey. Participants were categorised into six ordinal groups based on BMI: underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5‐22.9 kg/m2), overweight (23.0‐24.9 kg/m2), obese‐I (25.0‐27.4 kg/m2), obese‐II (27.5‐29.9 kg/m2) or obese‐III (≥30.0 kg/m2). SROH was assessed using responses to the question, “How do you rate your oral health, including your teeth and gums?” rated on a 5‐point scale. SROH was categorised as “good” (reported as “fair,” “good” or “very good”) or “poor” or “very poor.” Age‐ and sex‐stratified associations between BMI categories and poor SROH were assessed using ordinal logistic regression analysis with sampling weights.ResultsThe age‐adjusted odds ratio (OR) for poor SROH according to BMI levels was lowest in the overweight group in both men and women. In men, the OR for poor SROH was 2.03 (99% confidence interval [CI], 1.72‐2.39) in the underweight group, 1.17 (99% CI, 1.17‐1.25) in the normal group, 1.05 (99% CI, 0.98‐1.13) in the obese‐I group, 1.08 (99% CI, 0.98‐1.18) in the obese‐II group and 1.36 (99% CI, 1.20‐1.55) in the obese‐III group. In women, the OR was 1.18 (99% CI, 1.07‐1.31) in the underweight group, 1.01 (99% CI, 0.95‐1.07) in the normal group, 1.07(99% CI, 0.99‐1.16) in the obese‐I group, 1.16 (99% CI, 1.04‐1.30) in the obese‐II group and 1.39 (99% CI, 1.20‐1.62) in the obese‐III group. From the restricted cubic spline models in both sexes, BMI showed a J‐shaped association with poor and very poor SROH in men and women. In a stratified analysis by age group and sex, men and older women in the underweight group had poorer SROH than those in overweight group.ConclusionIn a nationally representative sample of Korean adults, there was a J‐shaped association between BMI and poor SROH, with the highest risk in the underweight group amongst men and in the obese‐III group amongst women. Furthermore, in men and women over 65 years of age, underweight and obesity were associated with poorer SROH.
Study of Water Relative Permeability in Fractures Using Well Tests and Radon: Gas Bubbles Effect
Authors: Kuo M. C. Tom 
Published: February 2022

AbstractFew published data are available for two‐phase flow in fractures from field studies. All measurements of relative permeability reported in the literature were done in laboratory‐scale. The in situ water saturations are normally not known for multiphase flow in natural fractures; therefore, the direct measurements of relative permeability are difficult in field‐scale. With the help of a case study before and after the 2008 Mw 5.4 Antung earthquake, groundwater radon was used as a tracer to determine the gas and water saturations in a small naturally fractured aquifer. Well tests were also conducted to estimate aquifer transmissivity before and after the 2008 Antung earthquake. Anomalous declines in both groundwater radon concentration and transmissivity were observed precursory to the 2008 Antung earthquake. Both declines are two precursory phenomena having a common effect of gas bubbles. Using the data from well tests and radon tracer, one data point of water relative permeability can be obtained for in situ fractures. This data point reveals strong phase interference between water and gas bubbles for multiphase flow in natural fractures. Both the data of well tests and radon tracer are essential to gain an improved understanding of mass transfer behavior of groundwater‐dissolved gases between water and gas phases.
DNA extracellular traps as potential biomarker of chronic haemophilic synovitis and therapeutic perspective in patients treated with PRP: A pilot study
Authors: Oneto Paula , Landro María Eulalia , Daffunchio Carla , Douglas Price Ana Laura , Carrera Silva Eugenio Antonio , Caviglia Horacio , Etulain Julia 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIntroductionHemarthrosis causes chronic haemophilic synovitis (CHS). Although neutrophils are major immune cells infiltrating joints after bleeding, their role on the pathogenesis of CHS is unknown. Neutrophils release extracellular DNA traps (ETs), structures of DNA with bound granular enzymes that were associated with tissue damage.AimsTo evaluate the presence of ETs as pathogenic biomarker and the protective effect of intraarticular injection of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) in patients with CHS.MethodsHaemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS) and bleeding episodes (BE) were measured and correlated with ETs indicators (DNA/DNA‐Elastase) in synovial fluids (SF), PRP and plasma of 21 patients.ResultsSoluble DNA and DNA‐Elastase were detected in SF and plasma of patients. The synovial and plasma levels of DNA‐Elastase positively correlated with worse HJHS/BE. Interestingly, remaining ETs‐inducer factors were present in SF that induced the in vitro release of ETs from blood‐isolated neutrophils. This phenomenon was impaired by adding plasma or PRP. Finally, preliminary data obtained from five patients indicate that levels of DNA‐Elastase and HJHS/BE decreased after receiving intraarticular injection of PRP.ConclusionsThe synovial and plasma levels of DNA‐Elastase correlated with worse HJHS/BE suggesting that ETs formation could be a biomarker and potential therapeutic target for CHS. The intraarticular injection of PRP underlined a new potential alternative therapy, decreasing ETs formation in synovia of patients with CHS. However, our hypotheses must be confirmed in the future with better designed and more statistical power studies. Meanwhile, the use of intraarticular injections of PRP for the treatment of CHS remains controversial.
The views of women with bleeding disorders: Results from the Cinderella study
Authors: Khair Kate , Pollard Debra , Steadman Lisa , Jenner Kathryn , Chaplin Steve 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIntroductionDespite therapeutic advances in bleeding disorder treatment, over the past 20 years women with bleeding disorders have reported delayed diagnosis, impaired quality of life, dismissive attitudes from health professionals and inappropriate care.AimTo explore the lived experience of women with a diagnosed bleeding disorder and to improve understanding of their unmet needs.MethodsWomen haemophilia carriers (WHC), women with a diagnosed bleeding disorder (WBD) and women with immune thrombocytopenia (WITP) were invited to complete an online survey. Those who indicated a willingness to be interviewed took part in a focus group or one‐to‐one interview to further explore their lived experiences.ResultsTwo hundred and eighty women completed the survey (126 WHC, 96 WBD, 58 WITP) 13 women (seven WHC, three WBD, three WITP) participated in a focus group (11) or individual interview (2). The most frequently reported symptoms were heavy periods (81%) and bruising (81%). Compared to the group as a whole, more WBD took time off work or school due to symptoms, had discussed symptoms with a healthcare professional (HCP), and had seen a nurse or gynaecologist. WHC were least likely to be screened for a bleeding disorder or seen in a specialist setting. Themes discussed included difficulty obtaining a diagnosis, lack of awareness amongst and poor communication from HCPs, stress and anxiety, coping strategies and sources of support.ConclusionMany of the experiences described by women with bleeding disorders 20 years ago remain prevalent. Healthcare provision needs to change to offer them better treatment and support.
Outcome of full pulpotomy in mature permanent molars using 3 calcium silicate‐based materials: A parallel, double blind, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Taha Nessrin A. , Al‐Rawash Mohanad H. , Imran Z. A. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAimThe aim of the study was to compare the outcome of full pulpotomy using 2 calcium silicate‐based materials compared with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) in symptomatic mature permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure.MethodologyThis study was designed as a parallel, double blind, randomized controlled trial where symptomatic mature permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly treated with full pulpotomy using one of 3 calcium silicate‐based materials (ProRoot MTA, Biodentine and TotalFill). Full pulpotomy was performed, and haemostasis was achieved via a cotton pellet moistened with 2.5% NaOCl. A 3‐mm layer of the calcium silicate‐based material was randomly placed as the pulpotomy agent through a block randomization process followed by a resin‐based composite restoration. Postoperative periapical radiograph was taken. Clinical and radiographic evaluation were completed after 6 months and 1 year. The patient and evaluator were blinded to the type of materials used. Pain levels were scored preoperatively and 7 days after treatment. Effect of potential prognosis factors including gender, age, diagnosis, bleeding time and type of caries were also analysed.ResultsOne hundred and sixty‐four teeth in 146 patients received full pulpotomy and were randomly assigned to either the tested or control material through block randomization technique (50 MTA, 50 Biodentine and 64 TotalFill). The age ranged from 10 to 70 years. The diagnosis was irreversible pulpitis in 112 teeth (72%) and reversible pulpitis in 28 teeth (28%). The majority of patients presented with severe pain, during the first week 96.9% reported complete relief of pain or mild pain. Four cases had immediate failure. At 6 months the overall success rate was 92.2%, over 1 year 156/164 teeth attended follow‐up with 12 failures (2 restorative failures and 10 endodontic failures), the overall success of pulpotomy at 1 year was 92.3% (144/156); 91.8% in MTA, 93.3% in Biodentine and 91.9% in TotalFill with no significant difference amongst the groups and no side effects observed. No significant association was evident between outcome and the investigated variables.ConclusionsThe 1‐year success rate of full pulpotomy did not differ significantly between Biodentine pulpotomy, TotalFill pulpotomy, and MTA pulpotomy. The study was registered with clinical trials; registration number (NCT04345263).
FIRM EXPORT DYNAMICS AND THE EXCHANGE RATE: A QUANTITATIVE EXPLORATION
Authors: Lopez‐Martin Bernabe 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThis article provides a theoretical model of firm dynamics that replicates the export elasticity values estimated in the empirical literature, and the heterogeneous response of firms. The analysis of alternative versions of the model allows for a decomposition of the contributions of the different mechanisms (distribution costs, imported intermediate inputs, gradual growth of foreign demand, and market access costs in foreign/domestic currency). Distribution costs represent the most important factor to replicate elasticity estimations. Furthermore, distribution costs allow the model to replicate the heterogeneous response of exports to exchange rate movements by decreasing the demand elasticity of more productive firms.
Quality protein maize: nutritional and bioactive composition, technological attributes and potential food applications
Authors: Joshi Swati , Sharma Rajan , Sharma Savita , Gupta Antima , Singh Baljit 
Published: February 2022

SummaryThe present review aimed to explain the composition, nutritional importance, technological functionality, morphology, rheological and bioactive profile of quality protein maize (QPM). This review further highlights the potentiality of QPM for the development of versatile value‐added products, which are advantageous for consumers, researchers and industries related to this area. Literature searches were conducted using PubMed, Research gate and Google scholar. Full‐text screening of 112 articles was carried out, resulting in a final sample of 90 articles of which the most reliable and recent articles were thoroughly reviewed. Quality protein maize contains the opaque‐2 gene that limits the zein synthesis meanwhile promoting the synthesis of other non‐zein proteins that are rich in tryptophan and lysine. QPM has high antioxidative properties that prevent cardiovascular and degenerative disorders. Regular intake of QPM can also reduce the symptoms of protein–energy malnutrition. Thus, QPM has an excellent potential to be utilised as an ingredient or enrichment source in several food categories.