bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circadian regulation and molecular role of the Bsx homeobox gene in the adult pineal gland
Authors: Carstensen Mikkel B. , Hertz Henrik , Bering Tenna , Møller Morten , Rohde Kristian , Klein David C. , Coon Steven L. , Rath Martin F. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe pineal gland is a neuroendocrine organ responsible for production of the nocturnal hormone melatonin. A specific set of homeobox gene‐encoded transcription factors govern pineal development, and some are expressed in adulthood. The brain‐specific homeobox gene (Bsx) falls into both categories. We here examined regulation and function of Bsx in the mature pineal gland of the rat. We report that Bsx is expressed from prenatal stages into adulthood, where Bsx transcripts are localized in the melatonin‐synthesizing pinealocytes, as revealed by RNAscope in situ hybridization. Bsx transcripts were also detected in the adult human pineal gland. In the rat pineal gland, Bsx was found to exhibit a 10‐fold circadian rhythm with a peak at night. By combining in vivo adrenergic stimulation and surgical denervation of the gland in the rat with in vitro stimulation and transcriptional inhibition in cultured pinealocytes, we show that rhythmic expression of Bsx is controlled at the transcriptional level by the sympathetic neural input to the gland acting via adrenergic stimulation with cyclic AMP as a second messenger. siRNA‐mediated knockdown (>80% reduction) in pinealocyte cultures revealed Bsx to be a negative regulator of other pineal homeobox genes, including paired box 4 (Pax4), but no effect on genes encoding melatonin‐synthesizing enzymes was detected. RNA sequencing analysis performed on siRNA‐treated pinealocytes further revealed that downstream target genes of Bsx are mainly involved in developmental processes. Thus, rhythmic Bsx expression seems to govern other developmental regulators in the mature pineal gland.
Diet and foraging opportunism of the Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) in the Abrolhos Bank, Brazil
Authors: Rodrigues Vitor Leonardo A. , Wedekin Leonardo L. , Marcondes Milton César C. , Barbosa Lupércio , Farro Ana Paula C. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDiet analysis allows exploring how coastal dolphins interact with the environment and their role in the marine food webs. We studied the diet and feeding ecology of the Guiana dolphin,Sotalia guianensis, through analysis of stomach content from 42 animals stranded on the eastern coast of Brazil. A total of 1,336 semidigested prey items (fish, otoliths, cephalopod beaks, and crustaceans) were identified. Teleost fish comprised the most frequent food item (92% of the total), followed by cephalopods, and crustaceans. Prey belonged to 34 taxa and richness in individual stomachs varied from 1 to 15 prey taxa. Prey were generally small, but showed a significant trend to increase in size with dolphin length. The main prey of Guiana dolphins were demersal, estuarine, and sound‐making fish such as catfish and sciaenids. No sex‐related differences in diet were found. Diet composition varied seasonally and occurrence of prey items was coherent with breeding or high abundance periods of some fish species and squids. Our study shows the importance of demersal prey from estuarine and soft‐sediment habitats to Guiana dolphin in the Abrolhos Bank and reveals that feeding habits are generalist and opportunistic, with diet reflecting the seasonal abundance and availability of prey.
A developmental view of mentoring talented students in academic and nonacademic domains
Authors: Subotnik Rena F. , Olszewski‐Kubilius Paula , Khalid Maha , Finster Heather 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe role of mentors for talented students varies according to developmental level and domain. Domains differ as to when they begin, peak, and end. Therefore, mentoring at the beginning of a talent trajectory may take place in middle school for a science student and in elementary school for a violinist. In the later stages of talent development, mentors are more likely to select their protégés than to be organizationally matched with mentees. As mentees gain the requisite skills and knowledge, mentors place more emphasis on modeling and coaching for psychosocial skills and insider knowledge (access to networks of information, attitudes, and behaviors rewarded by gatekeepers) that allow their mentees to stand out and, if necessary, endure pushback derived from proposing creative ideas or performances that challenge the status quo. The conclusions reported here are derived from studies of mentoring talented students, with an emphasis on identifying similarities across domains, and recognition that mentors’ provision of insider knowledge is particularly important for low‐income children and youth.
A developmental cascade perspective of paediatric obesity: A systematic review of preventive interventions from infancy through late adolescence
Authors: St. George Sara M. , Agosto Yaray , Rojas Lourdes M. , Soares Mary , Bahamon Monica , Prado Guillermo , Smith Justin D. 
Published: December 2019

SummaryThe goals of this systematic review were to identify and describe paediatric obesity prevention interventions from infancy to late adolescence and to provide recommendations for future intervention research in light of a recently proposed developmental cascade (DC) model of paediatric obesity. We conducted an electronic search of randomized controlled trials with a minimum 6‐month postintervention follow‐up published between 1995 and 2019. We included 74 interventions: prenatal/infancy (n = 4), early childhood (n = 11), childhood (n = 38), early to mid‐adolescence (n = 18), and late adolescence (n = 3). Infancy and early childhood trials targeted early feeding and positive parenting skills. Half of the childhood and adolescence trials were school based and used universal prevention strategies; those classified as selective or indicated prevention tended to involve the family for more intensive lifestyle modification. Less than 10% of studies followed participants over long periods of time (greater than or equal to 5 years), and only 16% and 31% of studies assessed intervention mediators and moderators, respectively. We recommend that future interventions focus on early prevention, assess long‐term intervention effects, use a standardized taxonomy for defining intervention behavioural strategies, assess underlying mechanisms of action and intervention moderators, target parent and family management strategies across development, and increase scientific equity. We also provide specific recommendations regarding intervention targets for each developmental stage.
Global‐flash mfERG responses to local differences in spherical and astigmatic defocus across the human retina
Authors: Turnbull Philip R K , Goodman Lucy K , Phillips John R 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPurposeEmmetropisation is essentially a visually guided, within‐eye process. We investigated differences in global‐flash multifocal electroretinogram (gmfERG) responses to naturally occurring differences in spherical and astigmatic defocus across the retina, which might provide a basis for guiding eye growth.MethodsExperiment 1: The gmfERG responses (direct, DC, and induced, IC, amplitudes and latencies) recorded simultaneously from six retinal areas (15° eccentricity, spaced at 60°, areas 3.2°2) were correlated with the uncorrected retinal defocus measured at the six corresponding retinal locations in 20 adults with foveal refractive errors (−4.75 to +1.25D). No correcting lenses were used to avoid introduction of lens‐induced aberrations and magnification. Experiment 2 investigated the effect of superimposing astigmatic defocus (+2.00/−4.00D Jackson Cross Cylinder presented at four orientations) on gmfERG responses.ResultsExperiment 1: DC and IC response amplitudes were greater in retinal regions naturally exposed to more hyperopic spherical defocus (DC: rho = 0.26, p = 0.005; IC: rho = 0.29, p = 0.001), but response latencies were unaffected by sign or magnitude of spherical defocus (DC: p = 0.34; IC: p = 0.40). Response amplitudes and latencies were unaffected by astigmatic defocus. Experiment 2: Rotating the JCC axis to four different orientations had no effect on the gmfERG responses (DC amplitude, p = 0.39; DC latency, p = 0.10; IC amplitude, p = 0.51; IC latency, p = 0.64).ConclusionThe gmfERG responses from discrete retinal areas varied with the sign and magnitude of local spherical defocus, but we found no evidence that retinal responses were affected by astigmatic defocus. Therefore, local astigmatism is unlikely to provide cues for controlling eye growth, whereas differences in response to spherical defocus between different retinal regions could potentially provide cues for controlling eye growth in emmetropisation.
Factors influencing GH and IGF‐I gene expression on growth in teleost fish: how can aquaculture industry benefit?
Authors: Triantaphyllopoulos Kostas A. , Cartas Dimitris , Miliou Helen 
Published: December 2019

AbstractGrowth is a polygenic and environmentally controlled trait with the most influential genes being those of growth hormone (GH) and insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I), as they consist the core of the hypothalamic–pituitary–somatotropic (HPS) axis. As a result, the influence of environmental and dietary conditions on GH and IGF‐I gene expression has a great potential in planning to optimize fish health and production, as growth rate of fish is a key factor in aquaculture. In this review, we provide a molecular and physiological overview of GH and IGF‐I gene expression as well as all the participating factors regulating GH/IGF‐I axis in growth. We further discuss the genetic, dietary and environmental factors affecting growth rate. More importantly, how external factors in combination with diet such as temperature, photoperiod, salinity, pollutants and stocking density affect GH and IGF‐I expression and growth rate. In addition, there is evidence that photoperiod effect varies among species by altering the seasonal cycle of GH and IGF‐I gene expression and biological cycle of fish. Pollution has also a variable effect on GH, IGF‐I and fish growth rate, depending on the pollutant, species and sex. Finally, increased stocking density influences the HPS axis and growth, dependent on species, temperature and the stage of growth. Notably, interactions among these factors were observed by the reported importance, primarily feeding‐related stress one of the most important factors, while environmental would add or subtract on each other’s optimal or suboptimal conditions in a hierarchy of significance, as further discussed.
Influence of vitamin E and vitamin E‐selenium combination on arginase activity, nitric oxide level and some spermatological properties in ram semen
Authors: Ozer Kaya Seyma , Gur Seyfettin , Erisir Mine , Kandemir Fatih Mehmet , Benzer Fulya , Kaya Emre , Turk Gaffari , Sonmez Mustafa 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe effects of vitamin E and vitamin E‐selenium combination on seminal plasma arginase activity and nitric oxide level and some spermatological properties in rams were investigated in this study. For control group, animals were injected intramuscularly with physiological saline. For vitamin E group, rams were injected intramuscularly with 300 mg/ram vitamin E. For vitamin E + selenium group, animals were injected intramuscularly with 5 ml/ram vitamin E + selenium. The semen was collected by artificial vagina at 1st, 4th, 24th, 48th and 72nd hr after administration in each group. Significant decreases in seminal plasma arginase activity (at 1st, 24th and 48th hr), nitric oxide level (at 72nd hr) and abnormal sperm rate (at 1st, 24th and 72nd hr), and significant increases in semen volume (at 24th hr), semen mass activity (at 24th and 48th hr), sperm motility (at 24th, 48th and 72nd hr) and concentration (at 1st hr) were observed in vitamin E group compared with control group. Similarly, significant increase in semen volume (at 1st, 24th and 48th hr), mass activity, (at 48th hr), motility (at 48th and 72nd hr) and concentration (at 4th, 24th and 48th hr), and significant decrements in abnormal sperm rate (at 1st, 24th, 48th and 72nd hr), seminal plasma nitric oxide level (at 1st, 4th, 24th and 48th hr) and semen pH (at 24th and 48th hr) were detected in vitamin E + selenium group in comparison to the control group. As a result, it is suggested that vitamin E and/or vitamin E + selenium applications may improve reproductive performance.
Oral health behavior and its association with the Caries Index in visually impaired children
Authors: Puteri Mega Moeharyono , Ruslan Fadila Kemala Dwi Ramadhani , Wibowo Teguh Budi 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAimTo assess the correlation between oral health behavior and the Caries Index (CI) among visually impaired children.Methods and ResultsAn analytical cross‐sectional study was conducted from September to October 2017 in four schools in Surabaya, Indonesia. A total of 34 visually impaired and 34 nonvisually impaired children were selected and included in the study using a total sampling method. The oral health knowledge of, attitude towards, and practice of subjects were assessed by means of questionnaire. The author subsequently performed an intraoral examination of all subjects. The presence and extent of dental caries were recorded using dmft and DMFT scoring and categorized according to WHO classification. Visually impaired children were shown to have a low confidence of interval [CI] of 1.5. A Spearman's statistical test showed that, while knowledge significantly affected the CI of visually impaired children (P < .05), attitude (P = .98), or practice (P = .42) did not.ConclusionA correlation clearly exists between oral health knowledge relating to CI in visually impaired children. However, there appeared to be no relationship between attitudes towards and actions in maintaining dental health through a CI in visually impaired children.
Optimized soil inversion in the headlands with a novel section‐controlled mouldboard ploughing system
Authors: Nielsen Søren Kirkegaard , Carstensen Hans Christian , Munkholm Lars J. , Nørremark Michael , Rasmussen Jesper , Bertl Johanna , Labouriau Rodrigo , Green Ole 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn inversion tillage systems, the mouldboard plough is fundamental for producing a desirable seedbed. The desired ploughing quality is achieved when the plough layer is inverted homogeneously. This is, however, difficult to obtain in the main‐headland intersection zone where the plough is lowered and elevated, as ploughed and unploughed triangles are formed. This results in zones where the soil is inverted twice, which may result in poor residue and weed incorporation and a poor seedbed quality. The design of the three‐point linkage‐attached mouldboard plough has not changed since the 1950s, but the number of furrows has increased, which has increased the size of the aforementioned triangles. A novel ploughing system was introduced to meet these headland challenges, where each plough section can be lowered and elevated independently. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of using a section‐controlled mouldboard plough. Two similarly designed, randomized, field plot experiments were conducted on two different soil types (sandy loam and loamy sand) on a stubble field and grass field. The study showed that the section‐controlled plough reduced the main‐headland overlap area by ~98%. The results of a range of soil physical properties measurements and seedbed quality analyses showed that the section‐controlled plough created a homogeneous loosened seedbed quality, improving the incorporation of crop residues and leaving fewer residues on the soil surface. Furthermore, the section‐controlled plough showed additional benefits, for example wedge operations and visual line marking.
Sensitivity of C‐reactive protein for the identification of patients with laboratory‐confirmed bacterial infections in northern Tanzania
Authors: Althaus Thomas , Lubell Yoel , Maro Venance P. , Mmbaga Blandina T. , Lwezaula Bingileki , Halleux Christine , Biggs Holly M. , Galloway Renee L. , Stoddard Robyn A. , Perniciaro Jamie L. , Nicholson William L. , Doyle Kelly , Olliaro Piero , Crump John A. , Rubach Matthew P. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectiveIdentifying febrile patients requiring antibacterial treatment is challenging, particularly in low‐resource settings. In South‐East Asia, C‐reactive protein (CRP) has been demonstrated to be highly sensitive and moderately specific in detecting bacterial infections and to safely reduce unnecessary antibacterial prescriptions in primary care. As evidence is scant in sub‐Saharan Africa, we assessed the sensitivity of CRP in identifying serious bacterial infections in Tanzania.MethodsSamples were obtained from inpatients and outpatients in a prospective febrile illness study at two hospitals in Moshi, Tanzania, 2011–2014. Bacterial bloodstream infections (BSI) were established by blood culture, and bacterial zoonotic infections were defined by ≥4 fold rise in antibody titre between acute and convalescent sera. The sensitivity of CRP in identifying bacterial infections was estimated using thresholds of 10, 20 and 40 mg/l. Specificity was not assessed because determining false‐positive CRP results was limited by the lack of diagnostic testing to confirm non‐bacterial aetiologies and because ascertaining true‐negative cases was limited by the imperfect sensitivity of the diagnostic tests used to identify bacterial infections.ResultsAmong 235 febrile outpatients and 569 febrile inpatients evaluated, 31 (3.9%) had a bacterial BSI and 61 (7.6%) had a bacterial zoonosis. Median (interquartile range) CRP values were 173 (80–315) mg/l in bacterial BSI, and 108 (31–208) mg/l in bacterial zoonoses. The sensitivity (95% confidence intervals) of CRP was 97% (83%–99%), 94% (79%–98%) and 90% (74%–97%) for identifying bacterial BSI, and 87% (76%–93%), 82% (71%–90%) and 72% (60%–82%) for bacterial zoonoses, using thresholds of 10, 20 and 40 mg/l, respectively.ConclusionC‐reactive protein was moderately sensitive for bacterial zoonoses and highly sensitive for identifying BSIs. Based on these results, operational studies are warranted to assess the safety and clinical utility of CRP for the management of non‐malaria febrile illness at first‐level health facilities in sub‐Saharan Africa.
Clinical outcomes and transfusion management following intracranial hemorrhage in patients with acute leukemia
Authors: Nixon Shannon , Lieberman Lani , Atenafu Eshetu G. , Doherty Mary , Murray Cindy , Wolfe Amanda , Brandys Danielle , Rowland Suzanne , Kwan Benjamin YM , Yu Eugene , Lechner Breanne , Maze Dawn 
Published: December 2019

BACKGROUNDThere is little evidence to guide management of patients with acute leukemia and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Predictors of long‐term outcome following ICH are unknown.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThis study included adult patients with acute leukemia and ICH over an 8‐year period. The primary outcome was data regarding 90‐day mortality. Secondary outcomes included data related to the proportion of patients receiving post‐remission therapy and predictors of 90‐day mortality.RESULTSICH occurred in 101 patients; 12 patients died within 72 hours. For the 89 others, 90‐day mortality was 40%. Of 43 patients who received induction, 30 achieved remission and 26 received post‐remission therapy. Older age (p = 0.03) and higher white count (p = 0.02) at the time of ICH were predictive of inferior survival. During 90‐day follow‐up, median platelet count was 37 x 109/L (0‐1526 x 109/L). Lower platelet count during follow‐up was predictive of 90‐day mortality (p = <0.01). Twenty‐one percent of platelet transfusions were provided when the platelet count was less than 10 x 109/L, 54% between 10 and 29 x 109/L, and 25% greater than 30 x 109/L. New or progressive ICH occurred in 23 patients. There was no difference in the median platelet transfusion trigger between patients who had new or progressive ICH and those who did not.CONCLUSIONIn patients with acute leukemia, survival following ICH is poor. Older age and higher white count is associated with increased mortality, perhaps reflecting higher risk disease. Following ICH in acute leukemia platelet transfusions do not appear to alter the risk of progressive bleeding or mortality.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Brown Bennett 
Published: December 2019

International Journal of Law and Public Administration (IJLPA) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this Volume. Many authors, regardless of whether IJLPA publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this Volume.Reviewers for Volume 2, Number 2Adrian Cristian Moise, Spiru Haret University of Bucharest, RomaniaAllison Jean Ballard, University of Canberra, AustraliaCarmen Garcimartin, University of A Coruña, SpainDragoljub Popović, Union University School of Law, SerbiaElena Atienza-Macias, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, SpainEncarnación Abad Arenas, National University of Distance Education (UNED), SpainGeorge Ndi, University of Huddersfield, UKIvan Kosnica, University of Zagreb, CroatiaJaber Seyvanizad, Shahid Beheshti University, IranJuanita Goicovici, University Babeș-Bolyai of Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaMarcin Czubala Czubala Ostapiuk, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, SpainRose Casimiro, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, PhilippinesSabina Hilaiel, Hastings College, USATatiana Bachvarova, Special Tribunal for Lebanon, BulgariaTaylisi de Souza Corrêa Leite, Anhanguera University, BrazilYusra, University Utara Malaysia, Malaysia Best Regards, Bennett BrownEditorial AssistantInternational Journal of Law and Public Administration--------------------------------------------------------------------Redfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USATel: 1-503-828-0536 ext. 511Fax: 1-503-828-0537E-mail: ijlpa@redfame.comURL: http://ijlpa.redfame.com
The Shape of a Photo-Actuated Pyramidal Cone
Authors: He L. H. , Xia S. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPolydomain nematic sheets can be designed for desired shape transition, and a typical example is a disc composed of congruent wedges with rank-1 connected director field. Recent theoretical study indicated that such a disc, if infinitesimally thin, tends to become a perfect pyramid upon illumination. Nonetheless, what is the influence of the finite thickness remains unexplored. In the present work, we reexamine this problem by treating the disc as an elastic plate with finite thickness. Analytical solution to the photo-actuated shape is obtained in small deformations, and the influences of the number of domains and the attenuation of photo intensity are discussed in detail. The results are expected helpful to the design of related photo-responsive devices.