bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parent–Child Relationships Among African Immigrant Families in Canada
Authors: Salami Bukola , Alaazi Dominic A. , Yohani Sophie , Vallianatos Helen , Okeke‐Ihejirika Philomina , Ayalew Tesfaye , Nsaliwa Christina 
Published: May 2020

ObjectiveTo examine the factors that influence parent–child relationships in African immigrant families in Alberta, Canada.BackgroundAfrican immigrants are increasingly migrating to high‐income countries, including Canada, in search of a better life. These immigrants often face several challenges, including parenting their children in new sociocultural contexts. We present findings from a critical ethnographic study of parent–child relationships among African immigrants in Alberta, Canada.MethodInformed by transnational feminist theory, we conducted interviews with 14 African immigrant community leaders, 31 African immigrant parents, and 12 service providers and policymakers.ResultsWe found that conflicting cultural practices and value systems, shifting power relations, low socioeconomic status, and gender relations exert both beneficial and strenuous influences on parent–child relations.ConclusionThe determinants of parenting practices and parent–child relationships include the intersecting influences of gender, social class, culture, and changing power relations across transnational spaces.ImplicationsOur findings suggest several policy and practice implications. In particular, we suggest a need to attend to diverse determinants of child well‐being, including income, gender relations, culturally sensitive service delivery, and changing power relations across transnational spaces.
Abrupt changes in Great Britain vegetation carbon projected under climate change
Authors: Boulton Chris A. , Ritchie Paul D. L. , Lenton Timothy M. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPast abrupt ‘regime shifts’ have been observed in a range of ecosystems due to various forcing factors. Large‐scale abrupt shifts are projected for some terrestrial ecosystems under climate change, particularly in tropical and high‐latitude regions. However, there is very little high‐resolution modelling of smaller‐scale future projected abrupt shifts in ecosystems, and relatively less focus on the potential for abrupt shifts in temperate terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we show that numerous climate‐driven abrupt shifts in vegetation carbon are projected in a high‐resolution model of Great Britain's land surface driven by two different climate change scenarios. In each scenario, the effects of climate and CO2 combined are isolated from the effects of climate change alone. We use a new algorithm to detect and classify abrupt shifts in model time series, assessing the sign and strength of the non‐linear responses. The abrupt ecosystem changes projected are non‐linear responses to climate change, not simply driven by abrupt shifts in climate. Depending on the scenario, 374–1,144 grid cells of 1.5 km × 1.5 km each, comprising 0.5%–1.5% of Great Britain's land area show abrupt shifts in vegetation carbon. We find that abrupt ecosystem shifts associated with increases (rather than decreases) in vegetation carbon, show the greatest potential for early warning signals (rising autocorrelation and variance beforehand). In one scenario, 89% of abrupt increases in vegetation carbon show increasing autocorrelation and variance beforehand. Across the scenarios, 81% of abrupt increases in vegetation carbon have increasing autocorrelation and 74% increasing variance beforehand, whereas for decreases in vegetation carbon these figures are 56% and 47% respectively. Our results should not be taken as specific spatial or temporal predictions of abrupt ecosystem change. However, they serve to illustrate that numerous abrupt shifts in temperate terrestrial ecosystems could occur in a changing climate, with some early warning signals detectable beforehand.
Professional Perspectives of Youth Justice Policy Implementation: Contextual and Coalface Challenges
Authors: CASE STEPHEN , DREW JOHN , HAMPSON KATHY , JONES GARETH , KENNEDY DUSTY 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis article offers a multilayered analysis of the subjective perspectives and experiences of key youth justice stakeholders; exploring the inherent dynamism, contradiction, non‐linearity, and contentiousness of youth justice policy implementation. We interrogate how professionals make sense and meaning of policy in the real world and how professional perspectives drive and shape their contributions to policy implementation nationally and locally. Contemporaneously, these analyses enable us to critically examine the caricatures, stereotypes, and assumptions that can (mis)inform common constructions, representations, and understandings of youth justice policy trajectories, including those relating to contextual stability, conceptual clarity, robust evidence bases, and purported foundations in stakeholder consensus.
IDPs in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI): Intractable Return and Absence of Social Integration Policy
Authors: Khedir Hewa Haji 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis paper examines the protracted nature of displacement in the Iraqi context and places emphasis on the need for a social integration policy to bridge the deep cleavages of Iraqi society. Methodologically, the paper utilizes qualitative data by conducting focus‐group discussions with IDPs and semi‐structured individual interviews in KRI. In terms of return possibilities, while return in many ways is perceived to be not practical and to involve future risks, research findings show that a community‐based distinction needs to be made between IDPs from minority backgrounds and IDPs who belong to demographic majorities in the homeland locations. A second distinction is a geographic and political one as findings indicate that IDPs who take refuge in KRI, though remain largely dissatisfied with displacement conditions, are willing to stay in KRI longer in the hope of further security and reconstruction process in the violence‐affected areas. With respect to social integration policy, the paper outlines institutional, political and cultural explanations for a virtually absolute absence of social integration policy on national and regional levels. The paper suggests that the proposed social integration policy can capitalize practical implications of Social Contact Theory (SCT) in enhancing the integration of IDPs in the host communities.
Play in Mexican‐American mothers and toddlers is frequent, multimodal, and rich in symbolic content
Authors: Fletcher Katelyn K. , Cates Carolyn Brockmeyer , Mendelsohn Alan L. , Tamis‐LeMonda Catherine S. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPlay offers rich opportunities for toddlers to develop motor, social, cognitive, and language skills, particularly during interactions with adult caregivers who may scaffold toddlers to higher levels of play than toddlers achieve on their own. However, research on play has narrowly focused on children from White, middle‐income backgrounds, leaving a dearth of knowledge about dyadic play in diverse cultural communities. We videorecorded 222 Mexican‐American mothers playing with their 2‐year‐old toddlers with a standard set of toys. Play behaviors were coded as nonsymbolic or symbolic (play type) and as expressed through manual, verbal, or multiple channels (play modality). Play between toddlers and mothers was frequent, high in symbolic content, and toddler play closely corresponded with mother play in type and modality: Toddlers’ nonsymbolic play related to mothers’ nonsymbolic play; toddlers’ symbolic play related to mothers’ symbolic play; toddlers’ manual play related to mothers’ manual play; and toddlers’ multimodal play related to mothers’ multimodal play. Play in Mexican‐American mothers and toddlers is frequent, multimodal, and symbolically rich, offering new directions for future research and practice.
Partitioning of Ce, as a simulant for Pu, in a multiphase ceramic nuclear waste form
Authors: Zhang Zhaoming , Spiers Kathryn M. , Vance Eric R. , Davis Joel 
Published: May 2020

AbstractA pyrochlore‐rich multiphase ceramic waste form was prepared by the alkoxide‐route and consolidated by sintering in air. Cerium (Ce) was used as a surrogate for plutonium (Pu), which was found in both the major pyrochlore and minor perovskite phases, but not the minor rutile phase. A synchrotron‐based fluorescence X‐ray absorption near‐edge spectroscopy (XANES) imaging technique was employed to determine the Ce oxidation state in each of the two Ce‐containing phases. It was shown that the major pyrochlore phase contains only tetravalent Ce, whereas the minor perovskite phase incorporates exclusively trivalent Ce. The effect of sintering atmosphere was also investigated, which revealed a very different phase assemblage when sintered in argon (Ar). A major perovskite phase was produced under Ar with a minor zirconolite‐4M phase, both containing trivalent Ce. The composition of the minor rutile phase remained the same whether it was sintered in air or Ar. The results demonstrate the importance of controlling the oxidation state of multivalent waste ions in the design of ceramic waste forms.
Correlations of serum biochemistry profile with ultrasonic histogram of liver, gallbladder, and kidneys and morphometry of rescued long‐tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis)
Authors: Cardenio Paul A. , Acorda Jezie A. , Lastica‐Ternura Emilia A. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundSerum biochemistry and ultrasonography can be useful diagnostic tools in evaluating the general health condition of long‐tailed macaques in rescue and rehabilitation centers.MethodsThis study was conducted to determine and correlate the serum biochemistry profile of 24 apparently healthy male and female rescued long‐tailed macaques (LTM) with the body weight, crown‐rump length, and ultrasonic histogram of liver parenchyma, gallbladder lumen, and renal cortices.ResultsThere were no sex‐related differences in serum biochemistry values of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma‐glutamyl transferase, blood urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, and total protein. Creatinine was positively correlated with body weights and crown‐rump length. Multiple weak positive and negative correlations of organ‐specific serum parameters and mean ultrasonic histogram of liver, gallbladder, and kidneys were observed.ConclusionThis study established the correlations of serum biochemistry profile with ultrasonic histogram of liver, gallbladder, and kidneys and morphometry of rescued LTM.
Maternal obesity reduces placental autophagy marker expression in uncomplicated pregnancies
Authors: Cohen Matthew , Guo Emily , Pucchio Aidan , de Vrijer Barbra , Shepherd Trevor G. , Eastabrook Genevieve 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAimObesity has been associated with changes in autophagy and its increasing prevalence among pregnant women is implicated in higher rates of placental‐mediated complications of pregnancy such as pre‐eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. Autophagy is involved in normal placentation, thus changes in autophagy may lead to impaired placental function and development. The aim of this study was to investigate the connection between obesity and autophagy in the placenta in otherwise uncomplicated pregnancies.MethodsImmunohistochemistry and western blot analysis were done on placental and omental samples from obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m2) and normal weight (BMI <25 kg/m2) pregnant women with singleton pregnancies undergoing planned Caesarean delivery without labor at term. Samples were analyzed for autophagic markers LC3B and p62 in the peripheral, middle and central regions of the placenta and in omental adipocytes, milky spots and vasculature.ResultsAs pre‐pregnancy BMI increased, there was an increase in both placental and fetal weight as well as decreased levels of LC3B in the central region of the placenta (P = 0.0046). Within the obese patient group, LC3B levels were significantly decreased in the placentas of male fetuses compared to females (P < 0.0001). Adipocytes, compared to milky spots and vasculature, had lower levels of p62 (P = 0.0127) and LC3B (P = 0.003) in obese omenta and lower levels of LC3B in control omenta (P = 0.0071).ConclusionObesity leads to reduced placental autophagy in uncomplicated pregnancies; thus, changes in autophagy may be involved in the underlying mechanisms of obesity‐related placental diseases of pregnancy.
Primary aldosteronism: Higher volume load, cardiac output and arterial stiffness than in essential hypertension
Authors: Choudhary M. K. , Värri E. , Matikainen N. , Koskela J. , Tikkakoski A. J. , Kähönen M. , Niemelä O. , Mustonen J. , Nevalainen P. I. , Pörsti I. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe diagnostics of primary aldosteronism (PA) are usually carried out in patients taking antihypertensive medications. We compared haemodynamics between medicated PA, medicated essential hypertension (EH), never‐medicated EH and normotensive controls (n = 130 in all groups).MethodsThe hypertensive groups were matched for age (53 years), sex (84 male/46 female) and body mass index (BMI) (30 kg m−2); normotensive controls had similar sex distribution (age 48 years, BMI 27 kg m−2). Haemodynamics were recorded using whole‐body impedance cardiography and radial pulse wave analysis, and the results were adjusted as appropriate. Radial blood pressure recordings were calibrated by brachial blood pressure measurements from the contralateral arm.ResultsRadial and aortic systolic and diastolic blood pressure was similar in PA and never‐medicated EH, and higher than in medicated EH and normotensive controls (P ≤ 0.001 for all comparisons). Extracellular water balance was ~ 4% higher in PA than in all other groups (P < 0.05 for all), whilst cardiac output was ~ 8% higher in PA than in medicated EH (P = 0.012). Systemic vascular resistance and augmentation index were similarly increased in PA and both EH groups when compared with controls. Pulse wave velocity was higher in PA and never‐medicated EH than in medicated EH and normotensive controls (P ≤ 0.033 for all comparisons).ConclusionsMedicated PA patients presented with corresponding systemic vascular resistance and wave reflection, but higher extracellular water volume, cardiac output and arterial stiffness than medicated EH patients. Whether the systematic evaluation of these features would benefit the clinical diagnostics of PA remains to be studied in future.
Parental feeding concerns of infants and young children with oesophageal atresia
Authors: Menzies Jessica , Hughes Jennifer 
Published: May 2020

AimFeeding problems have been described in young children with oesophageal atresia (OA). The primary aim of this study was to determine the specific concerns of parents and carers of infants and young children with OA regarding introducing solids and moving up to family foods.MethodsA questionnaire was developed for parents and carers of infants and children with OA, aged 12 months to 6 years. Questionnaires were completed by 20 parents attending a multidisciplinary OA clinic between June 2016 and June 2017. Demographics and parental concern regarding feeding milestones were collected. The Montreal Children's Hospital Feeding Scale was completed.ResultsThe majority of children (95%) had type C OA. Eleven (55%) parents agreed/strongly agreed that they were concerned about their child's feeding prior to the introduction of solids and about moving to more textured solids. The most common concern was choking and food impaction for both time points. Twelve (60%) parents agreed/strongly agreed that the majority of mealtimes in their child's first 1–2 years of life were stressful. Thirteen (65%) parents reported avoiding particular foods due to their child's OA. The majority of children (n = 17) had no feeding difficulty according to an objective scale, and the rest had minor difficulty.ConclusionsParental concern around feeding still exists in infants and children without a severe feeding difficulty. Multidisciplinary involvement, including a dietitian and speech pathologist, from an early age is important for infants and children with OA.
Long‐term postoperative pain evaluation in dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation after hemilaminectomy
Authors: Zidan Natalia , Medland Julia , Olby Natasha 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundChronic neuropathic pain is a common complication in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) but has not been investigated in dogs.ObjectiveTo determine the reliability of measuring spinal mechanical sensory thresholds (MSTs) in dogs and to compare MSTs of healthy dogs and dogs with SCI caused by acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion after hemilaminectomy over a 1‐year period.Study DesignProspective study.AnimalsThirty‐two healthy and 40 SCI dogs.MethodsDogs were divided into group 1 (healthy Dachshunds), group 2 (healthy dogs including several breeds), and SCI group. The MSTs were measured using algometry at an incision (thoracolumbar) and control site. Dogs in group 1 were tested once; those in group 2 were tested for 5 consecutive days; and SCI dogs were tested on days 7, 14, 28, 42, 180, and 365 postoperatively. The MSTs were compared among days in healthy and SCI dogs and between SCI and healthy dogs using mixed effect models. P < .05 was considered significant.ResultsAt the incision site of SCI dogs, MST was significantly lower than in healthy dogs for 42 days postoperatively, but not subsequently. However, 4/27 dogs had control site MST below the reference range 1 year after surgery.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceMechanical sensory thresholds normalize by 6 months after surgery in most dogs with SCI. Approximately 15% of SCI dogs may develop chronic neuropathic pain. Improving long‐term pain assessment of SCI dogs is important for offering treatment options and advising owners.
Evaluation of a 3‐dimensional ultrasound device for noninvasive measurement of urinary bladder volume in dogs
Authors: DiFazio Matthew R. , Thomason Justin D. , Cernicchiaro Natalia , Biller David , Thomason Sasha , Harness Paxton 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe BladderScan Prime Plus (BPP; Verathon, Bothell, Washington) is an application‐specific, three‐dimensional ultrasound device used for human, point‐of‐care volumetry of the urinary bladder.ObjectiveTo estimate the BPP's accuracy, repeatability, and optimized settings for assessing urinary bladder volumes in dogs, a variable utilized in assessing micturition disorders.AnimalsTwenty‐four, client‐owned, healthy, male dogs presenting for routine examination.MethodsProspective examinations were conducted by an experienced ultrasonographer and a novice, selecting the BPP's “man” or “child” setting, and were compared to urine volume obtained by catheterization.ResultsMean urine volume significantly varied by operator (P = .05), device setting (P < .001), and weight (P = .01); the “man” setting produced mean volumes nearer to catheterized volumes. The mean difference between BPP's “man” setting and catheterized volume was 0.88 mL, with maximal positive and negative disagreement of +23.2 mL to −55.3 mL (SD 19.0). Percent disagreement between BPP and catheterized volumes demonstrated a mean of −4.5%, with maximal positive and negative disagreement of +58.1% to −74.1% (SD 34.9). The experienced operator recorded volumes significantly (P = .05) higher than the novice, with difference in means of 3.2 mL. In dogs weighing >5.5 kg (n = 18/24), mean difference between BPP's “man” setting and catheterized measurements, regardless of operator, was not significant.ConclusionsAlthough small magnitude interuser variability is present in BPP examinations, the device provides accurate, though imprecise quantification of bladder volume in canids weighing >5.5 kg.
Hepatocyte KLF6 expression affects FXR signalling and the clinical course of primary sclerosing cholangitis
Authors: Sydor Svenja , Manka Paul , van Buren Lea , Theurer Sarah , Schwertheim Suzan , Best Jan , Heegsma Janette , Saeed Ali , Vetter Diana , Schlattjan Martin , Dittrich Anna , Fiel Maria I. , Baba Hideo A. , Dechêne Alexander , Cubero Francisco J. , Gerken Guido , Canbay Ali , Moshage Han , Friedman Scott L. , Faber Klaas Nico , Bechmann Lars P. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackground & AimsPrimary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is characterized by chronic cholestasis and inflammation, which promotes cirrhosis and an increased risk of cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCA). The transcription factor Krueppel‐like‐factor‐6 (KLF6) is a mediator of liver regeneration, steatosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but no data are yet available on its potential role in cholestasis. Here, we aimed to identify the impact of hepatic KLF6 expression on cholestatic liver injury and PSC and identify potential effects on farnesoid‐X‐receptor (FXR) signalling.MethodsHepatocellular KLF6 expression was quantified by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in liver biopsies of PSC patients and correlated with serum parameters and clinical outcome. Liver injury was analysed in hepatocyte‐specific Klf6‐knockout mice following bile duct ligation (BDL). Chromatin‐immunoprecipitation‐assays (ChIP) and KLF6‐overexpressing HepG2 cells were used to analyse the interaction of KLF6 and FXR target genes such as NR0B2.ResultsBased on IHC, PSC patients could be subdivided into two groups showing either low (<80%) or high (>80%) hepatocellular KLF6 expression. In patients with high KLF6 expression, we observed a superior survival in Kaplan‐Meier analysis. Klf6‐knockout mice showed reduced hepatic necrosis following BDL when compared to controls. KLF6 suppressed NR0B2 expression in HepG2 cells mediated through binding of KLF6 to the NR0B2 promoter region.ConclusionHere, we show an association between KLF6 expression and the clinical course and overall survival in PSC patients. Mechanistically, we identified a direct interaction of KLF6 with the FXR target gene NR0B2.
Mutually constructive roles of Ail and LPS in Yersinia pestis serum survival
Authors: Singh Chandan , Lee Hwayoung , Tian Ye , Schesser Bartra Sara , Hower Suzanne , Fujimoto Lynn M. , Yao Yong , Ivanov Sergey A. , Shaikhutdinova Rima Z. , Anisimov Andrey P. , Plano Gregory V. , Im Wonpil , Marassi Francesca M. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe outer membrane is a key virulence determinant of gram‐negative bacteria. In Yersinia pestis, the deadly agent that causes plague, the protein Ail and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)6 enhance lethality by promoting resistance to human innate immunity and antibiotics, enabling bacteria to proliferate in the human host. Their functions are highly coordinated. Here we describe how they cooperate to promote pathogenesis. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we identify mutually constructive interactions between Ail and LPS that produce an extended conformation of Ail at the membrane surface, cause thickening and rigidification of the LPS membrane, and collectively promote Y. pestis survival in human serum, antibiotic resistance, and cell envelope integrity. The results highlight the importance of the Ail–LPS assembly as an organized whole, rather than its individual components, and provide a handle for targeting Y. pestis pathogenesis.