bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PIWI pathway against viruses in insects
Authors: Kolliopoulou Anna , Santos Dulce , Taning Clauvis Nji Tizi , Wynant Niels , Vanden Broeck Jozef , Smagghe Guy , Swevers Luc 
Published: June 2019

AbstractPiwi‐interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are an animal‐specific class of small non‐coding RNAs that are generated via a biogenesis pathway distinct from small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). There are variations in piRNA biogenesis that depend on several factors, such as the cell type (germline or soma), the organism, and the purpose for which they are being produced, such as transposon‐targeting, viral‐targeting, or gene‐derived piRNAs. Interestingly, the genes involved in the PIWI/piRNA pathway are more rapidly evolving compared with other RNA interference (RNAi) genes. In this review, the role of the piRNA pathway in the antiviral response is reviewed based on recent findings in insect models such as Drosophila, mosquitoes, midges and the silkworm, Bombyx mori. We extensively discuss the special features that characterize host‐virus piRNA responses with respect to the proteins and the genes involved, the viral piRNAs' sequence characteristics, the target strand orientation biases as well as the viral piRNA target hotspots across the viral genomes.This article is categorized under:
Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > RNAi: Mechanisms of Action
Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Biogenesis of Effector Small RNAs
On characteristic classes of exotic manifold bundles
Authors: Krannich Manuel 
Published: June 2019

AbstractGiven a closed simply connected manifoldMof dimension$$2n\ge 6$$2n≥6, we compare the ring of characteristic classes of smooth oriented bundles with fibreMto the analogous ring resulting from replacingMby the connected sum$$M\sharp \Sigma $$M♯Σwith an exotic sphere$$\Sigma $$Σ. We show that, after inverting the order of$$\Sigma $$Σin the group of homotopy spheres, the two rings in question are isomorphic in a range of degrees. Furthermore, we construct infinite families of examples witnessing that inverting the order of$$\Sigma $$Σis necessary.
Illness Perceptions and Depression Are Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life in Youth with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Stapersma Luuk , van den Brink Gertrude , van der Ende Jan , Bodelier Alexander G. , van Wering Herbert M. , Hurkmans Pamela C. W. M. , Mearin M. Luisa , van der Meulen–de Jong Andrea E. , Escher Johanna C. , Utens Elisabeth M. W. J. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundIn youth with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has been shown to be affected by individual disease factors and specific psychological factors. The innovative aim of this study is to examine thecombinedimpact of psychological factors (illness perceptions, cognitive coping, anxiety, and depression) on HRQOL, over and above the associations of demographic and disease factors with HRQOL in youth with IBD.MethodData on clinical disease activity, illness perceptions, cognitive coping, anxiety, depression, and HRQOL were prospectively collected in 262 consecutive youth (age 10–20, 46.6% male) with confirmed IBD. Multiple linear regression analyses tested the associations of demographic, disease, and psychological variables with HRQOL in separate groups for Crohn’s disease (CD;N = 147) and ulcerative colitis and IBD unclassified (UC/IBD-U;N = 115), using age-specific validated instruments.ResultsIn both disease groups, more negative illness perceptions (ß = − .412;ß = − .438,p < .001) and more depression (ß = − .454;ß = − .279,p < .001) were related to lower HRQOL. In the UC/IBD-U group, more anxiety was related to lower HRQOL (ß = − .201,p = .001). The model with the psychological variables explained a large and significant amount of variance in both groups: 74% and 83%, respectively (p < .001).ConclusionIn 10–20-year-old IBD patients, negative illness perceptions and depression were significantly and more strongly associated with lower HRQOL than demographic and disease factors. Thus, it is important to integrate psychological factors in the treatment for IBD patients. To improve HRQOL in young IBD patients, psychological interventions should be targeted at negative illness perceptions and depression.
A comparison of foam stability at varying salinities and surfactant concentrations using bulk foam tests and sandpack flooding
Authors: Hadian Nasr Negar , Mahmood Syed M. , Akbari Saeed , Hematpur Hamed 
Published: June 2019

AbstractTwo conventional approaches for foam screening are core/sandpack flooding and bulk foam stability tests. The former is more accurate, but requires expensive equipment and long test duration. For initial screening, the faster and cost-effective bulk foam stability tests are used to narrow down the selection to a few surfactants, which are then further tested using corefloods/sandpacks. The bulk foam stability tests have been historically used for surfactant selection at a fixed salinity and fixed surfactant concentration. The foam generated in bulk foam stability test was observed to be quite homogeneous, whereas foam generated through porous media is more heterogeneous; hence, a modification to the bulk foam test was made in that a small quantity of quartz river sand was placed at the bottom of the test tube for generating foam that simulates porous media. To evaluate the use of bulk foam and modified bulk foam stability tests for screening and optimizing salinity and surfactant concentrations, sandpack flooding tests were conducted at a range of salinities, and surfactant concentrations and results were compared. Bulk foam stability tests results were found to be compatible with sandpack results for surfactant concentration optimizations, but showed significant deviation for salinity optimization. The modified bulk foam stability tests, however, showed better agreement with sandpack results in both salinity and surfactant concentration tests.
Hospital-acquired acute kidney injury in very elderly men: clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes
Authors: Li Qinglin , Zhao Meng , Zhou Feihu 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Objectives
We explored the risk factors for, and the clinical characteristics of, acute kidney injury (AKI), and the causes of death 28 days after such injury, in very elderly men.

Methods
This was a retrospective cohort study using data from the Geriatric Department of the Chinese PLA General Hospital. A total of 3464 elderly patients (≥ 75 years) were enrolled from January 2007 to December 2015. All patients were followed for 28 days or until death after AKI.

Results
In total, 668 patients (39.0%) developed AKI, and 623 men were included for the final analysis. The median age was 87 years. The 28-day mortality rate was 25.7%. The AKI etiologies were infections (39.6%), hypovolemia (23.8%), cardiovascular events (15.9%), nephrotoxicity (12.0%), and surgery (7.1%). Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (46.4%) and pulmonary infection (22.5%) were the principal causes of death. Multivariate analysis revealed that time for AKI to develop (HR = 0.865; 95% CI 0.799–0.937; P < 0.001), low mean arterial pressure (HR = 0.970; 95% CI 0.958–0.981; P < 0.001), low serum prealbumin (HR = 0.924; 95% CI 0.894–0.955; P < 0.001) level, oliguria (HR = 2.261; 95% CI 1.424–3.590; P = 0.001), mechanical ventilation (HR = 1.492; 95% CI 1.047–2.124; P = 0.027), blood urea nitrogen (HR = 1.037; 95% CI 1.025–1.049; P < 0.001) level, magnesium (HR = 2.512; 95% CI 1.243–5.076; P = 0.010) level, and more severe AKI stages (stage 2: HR = 3.709; 95% CI 1.926–7.141; P < 0.001 and stage 3: HR = 5.660; 95% CI 2.990–10.717; P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for 28-day mortality.

Conclusions
The incidence of AKI increases significantly as age advanced. Identification of risk factors might lead to more intensive monitoring and early prevention, and might improve AKI patients’ outcomes in the very elderly.
A cross‐lagged model of the link between parental psychological control and adolescent aggression
Authors: He Yan , Yuan Keman , Sun Liping , Bian Yufang 
Published: June 2019

ABSTRACTIntroductionThe present study investigated the longitudinal relationship between parental psychological control and adolescent aggression in Chinese adolescents. We also explored whether adolescent gender plays a moderating role in this relationship.MethodsA total of 2458 adolescents (mean age = 13.20 ± 0.65 years; 51.3% male) from Beijing, China, participated at three time points during middle school, 1 year apart. Parental psychological control, adolescent aggression, and demographic characteristics were self‐reported at each time point. A cross‐lagged model was conducted.Results & conclusionsThe results showed that adolescent aggression at Time 1 positively predicted parental psychological control at Time 2. Parental psychological control at Time 2 positively predicted adolescent aggression at Time 3. Adolescent aggression at Time 2 predicted parental psychological control at Time 3. These findings provide evidence that supports the reciprocal effects model and further our understanding of the longitudinal and bidirectional relationship between parental psychological control and adolescent aggression. No significant adolescent gender differences were found in terms of the reciprocal effect model.
Lived Experience of Afghan Refugees in Iran Concerning Primary Health Care Delivery
Authors: Azizi Nemat , Delgoshaei Bahram , Aryankhesal Aidin 
Published: June 2019

ABSTRACTObjective:Access to primary health care (PHC) is very important for refugees. The aim of this study was to illuminate lived experience of Afghan refugees in Iran regarding PHC delivery.Methods:This qualitative study was conducted in 2016–2017 by using the content analysis technique. Data were collected through individual deep interviews with Afghan refugees who lived in Iran. The data were analyzed by using a method by Graneheim and Lundman.Results:Four main categories and 12 subcategories were emerged, including (1) challenges before PHC delivery: large number of children, high service cost, not having medical insurance, access to health centers, appointment to get services, simultaneity of breastfeeding, and pregnancy; (2) challenges during PHC delivery: understanding Iranian words, health care provider’s behavior, delay in getting service in PHC centers; (3) challenges after delivery PHC: referral patient, high costs of paraclinics; and (4) free and good services.Conclusion:Our results showed that Afghan refugees have several challenges in every stage of PHC delivery. Awareness of such problems can help medical personnel improve delivery of service to Afghan refugees, as well as using trained Afghani nurses to serve the refugees.
Droplet precautions on site instead of single room isolation for respiratory tract infections
Authors: Sommerstein Rami , Castro Lopes Azevedo Tiago , Aerschmann Christina , Hobi Fabienne , Egger Martin , Marschall Jonas 
Published: June 2019

AbstractWe introduced a pragmatic concept of on site droplet precautions instead of single room isolation for rural hospitals in a tiered network. A survey among healthcare workers revealed that this approach was considered comprehensive, safe, and acceptable. This concept could be an alternative for hospitals with few single rooms available for isolation.
Re-integrating Archaeology: A Contribution to aDNA Studies and the Migration Discourse on the 3rd Millennium BC in Europe
Authors: Furholt Martin 
Published: June 2019

Since aDNA research suggested a marked gene influx from Eastern into Central Europe in the 3rd millenniumbc, outdated, simplistic narratives of massive migrations of closed populations have re-appeared in archaeological discussions. A more sophisticated model of migration from the steppes was proposed recently by Kristiansenet al. As a reaction to that proposal, this paper aims to contribute to this ongoing debate by refining the latter model, better integrating archaeological data and anthropological knowledge. It is argued that a polythetic classification of the archaeological material in Central Europe in the 3rd millennium reveals the presence of a new complex of single grave burial rituals which transcends the traditional culture labels. Genetic steppe ancestry is mainly connected to this new kind of burials, rather than to Corded Ware or Bell Beaker materials. Here it is argued that a polythetic view on the archaeological record suggests more complicated histories of migration, population mixtures and interaction than assumed by earlier models, and ways to better integrate detailed studies of archaeological materials with a deeper exploration of anthropological models of mobility and social group composition and the molecular biological data are explored.
Magnetospheric Structure of Rotation-Powered Neutron Stars
Authors: Arons Jonathan 
Published: June 2019

AbstractI survey recent theoretical work on the structure of the magnetospheres of rotation-powered pulsars, within the observational constraints set by their observed spindown, their ability to power synchrotron nebulae and their ability to produce beamed collective radio emission, while putting only a small fraction of their energy into incoherent X- and gamma radiation. I find no single theory has yet given a consistent description of the magnetosphere, but I conclude that models based on a dense outflow of pairs from the polar caps, permeated by a lower density flow of heavy ions, are the most promising avenue for future research.
An Empirical Theory of Pulsar Emission
Authors: Rankin Joanna M. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractA system of pulsar profile classification is used as a starting point to study the emission characteristics of pulsars. Two types or mechanisms of pulsar radiation are identified which combine geometrically to produce five major species of profile. The core emission, which forms a pencil beam of radiation, is apparently produced close to the stellar surface throughout the entire polar cap region by low γ particles. The conal emission, which consists of a hollow conical beam, then seems to be emitted at heights of 10 to 20 stellar radii by currents of high γ particles travelling along some of the most peripheral of the “open” field lines.
Spectral Analysis of Four Recycled Pulsars
Authors: Foster R. S. , Fairhead L. , Backer D. C. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractFlux density measurements of four recycled pulsars, PSR 1620-26, PSR 1821-24, PSR 1855+09, and PSR 1937+21, have been made to determine their spectral indices in the range between 425 MHz to 3 GHz. The four objects are shown to have indices that range from –1.3 to –2.6. The luminosities of these four pulsars are spread over nearly three orders of magnitude. An analytic pulse component model is developed for each object. Individual components are allowed to have different spectral indices and hence different component ratios as a function of frequency. Component separations are evaluated as a function of frequency. The analytic models are used to determine dispersion measures with a precision better than 0.01 pc cm–3 for each object. The intrinsic pulse widths of each of these objects is less than ~4 percent of their respective pulse periods.
Curvature Radiation and Polarized Emission from PSR 2303+30
Authors: Gil J. A. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractWe present 430-M Hz Arecibo single pulse polarization measurements for PSR 2303+30. Single pulses typically consist of one or two subpulses. Each subpulse is associated with circular polarization which reverses sense near the subpulse peak and with its own swing of the position angle which does not coincide with the average position-angle curve. We attempt to explain these complicated characteristics within the framework of a coherent curvature radiation model of pulsar emission.
Dietary vitamin D improves performance and bone mineralisation, but increases parasite replication and compromises gut health in Eimeria-infected broilers
Authors: Sakkas Panagiotis , Oikeh Idiegberanoise , Blake Damer P. , Smith Sheralyn , Kyriazakis Ilias 
Published: June 2019

AbstractCoccidial infections reduce fat-soluble vitamin status and bone mineralisation in broiler chickens. We hypothesised that broilers infected with Eimeria maxima would benefit from increased dietary supplementation with vitamin D (vitD) or with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D3 or 25D3). Broilers were assigned to diets with low (L) or commercial (M) vitD levels (25 v. 100 μg/kg) supplemented as cholecalciferol (D3) or 25D3. At day 11 of age, birds were inoculated with water or 7000 E. maxima oocysts. Pen performance was calculated over the early (days 1–6), acute (days 7–10) and recovery periods (days 11–14) post-infection (pi). At the end of each period, six birds per treatment were dissected to assess long bone mineralisation, plasma levels of 25D3, Ca and P, and intestinal histomorphometry. Parasite replication and transcription of cytokines IL-10 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were assessed at day 6 pi using quantitative PCR. Performance, bone mineralisation and plasma 25D3 levels were significantly reduced during infection (P < 0·05). M diets or diets with 25D3 raised plasma 25D3, improved performance and mineralisation (P < 0·05). Offering L diets compromised feed efficiency pi, reduced femur breaking strength and plasma P levels at day 10 pi in infected birds (P < 0·05). Contrastingly, offering M diets or diets with 25D3 resulted in higher parasite loads (P < 0·001) and reduced jejunal villi length at day 10 pi (P < 0·01), with no effect on IL-10 or IFN-γ transcription. Diets with M levels or 25D3 improved performance and mineralisation, irrespective of infection, while M levels further improved feed efficiency and mineralisation in the presence of coccidiosis.
Reconceptualizing Dimensions of Political Competition In Europe: A Demand-side Approach
Authors: Wheatley Jonathan , Mendez Fernando 
Published: June 2019

AbstractScholars seeking to understand political competition in Europe have proposed various models of political dimensionality. While most scholars draw on data from the supply side of politics (political parties), demand-side (voter) studies remain few. In this article we compare the two approaches. The main difference is that while supply-side approaches suggest a single model of dimensionality that can be applied to all EU countries, demand-side approaches suggest a greater degree of divergence. In particular, the bundle of issues commonly identified by supply-side studies as TAN/GAL not only fail to form a coherent dimension when viewed from a demand-side perspective, but incorporate issues of EU integration in some (northern European) cases, but not in others.
The Investment of Life Assurance Funds
Authors: May G. E. 
Published: June 2019

At first sight one might perhaps be loth to admit that a very close analogy can be drawn between the insurance of under-average lives and the investment of life assurance funds. It seems to me, however, that in some important respects the two operations are comparable.I think it must be admitted that practically any life, however bad, would be insurable provided the risk to be run could be accurately assessed and the requisite premium charged. Similarly, almost any investment would be worth buying provided that the risk of the loss of capital could be accurately gauged and the rate of interest was sufficiently large to pay what may be called an investment rate and to provide a sufficient margin to cover the risk of loss of capital.
Seasonal and spatial vulnerability to agricultural damage by elephants in the western Serengeti, Tanzania
Authors: Denninger Snyder Kristen , Mneney Philemon , Benjamin Benson , Mkilindi Peter , Mbise Noel 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIn the western Serengeti of Tanzania, African elephant Loxodonta africana populations are increasing, which is rare across the species’ range. Here, conservation objectives come into conflict with competing interests such as agriculture. Elephants regularly damage crops, which threatens livelihoods and undermines local support for conservation. For damage reduction efforts to be successful, limited resources must be used efficiently and strategies for mitigation and prevention should be informed by an understanding of the spatial and temporal distribution of crop damage. We assessed historical records of crop damage by elephants to describe the dynamics and context of damage in the western Serengeti. We used binary data and generalized additive models to predict the probability of crop damage at the village level in relation to landscape features and metrics of human disturbance. During 2012–2014 there were 3,380 reports of crop damage by elephants submitted to authorities in 42 villages. Damage was concentrated in villages adjacent to a reserve boundary and peaked during periods of crop maturity and harvest. The village-level probability of crop damage was negatively associated with distance from a reserve, positively with length of the boundary shared with a reserve, and peaked at moderate levels of indicators of human presence. Spatially aggregated historical records can provide protected area managers and regional government agencies with important insights into the distribution of conflict across the landscape and between seasons, and can guide efforts to optimize resource allocation and future land use planning efforts.
Inter-population variation in the intensity of host manipulation by the fish acanthocephalanPomphorhynchus tereticollis: are differences driven by predation risk?
Authors: Fayard M. , Cezilly F. , Perrot-Minnot M.-J. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMany trophically-transmitted parasites induce behavioural alteration in their intermediate hosts that tend to increase host vulnerability to predation. Inter-population variability in parasite-induced alterations is expected to arise from variable local opportunities for trophic transmission. Yet, this hypothesis has not been investigated so far. We addressed the issue in four populations of the fish parasitePomphorhynchus tereticollis(Acanthocephala), using variable fish biomass density as a proxy for transmission opportunities. We found variation in the intensity of parasite-induced changes in phototaxis and refuge use among populations. Two of the populations with the lowest predator biomass exhibited the highest levels of behavioural manipulation and prevalence, as expected at low transmission opportunities. They also exhibited micro-habitat segregation between infected and uninfected gammarids in the field. In addition, infection had variable effects on two physiological defence systems, immunity and antioxidant capacity, and on total protein content. Overall, our study brings partial support to the prediction that host manipulation and prevalence should be higher at low predator biomass. Although stronger evidence should be sought by increasing population replicates, our study points to the importance of the ecological context, specifically transmission opportunities brought about by predation pressure, for the evolution of parasite manipulation in trophically-transmitted parasites.