bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stochastic modeling of aging cells reveals how damage accumulation, repair, and cell-division asymmetry affect clonal senescence and population fitness
Authors: Song Ruijie , Acar Murat 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTBackgroundAsymmetry during cellular division, both in the uneven partitioning of damaged cellular components and of cell volume, is a cell biological phenomenon experienced by many unicellular organisms. Previous work based on a deterministic model claimed that such asymmetry in the partitioning of cell volume and of aging-associated damage confers a fitness benefit in avoiding clonal senescence, primarily by diversifying the cellular population. However, clonal populations of unicellular organisms are already naturally diversified due to the inherent stochasticity of biological processes.ResultsApplying a model of aging cells that accounts for natural cell-to-cell variations across a broad range of parameter values, here we show that the parameters directly controlling the accumulation and repair of damage are the most important factors affecting fitness and clonal senescence, while the effects of both segregation of damaged components and division asymmetry are frequently minimal and generally context-dependent.ConclusionsWe conclude that damage segregation and division asymmetry, perhaps counterintuitively, are not necessarily beneficial from an evolutionary perspective.
Linkage between tree species richness and soil microbial diversity improves phosphorus bioavailability
Authors: Wu Huili , Xiang Wenhua , Ouyang Shuai , Forrester David I. , Zhou Bo , Chen Lingxiu , Ge Tida , Lei Pifeng , Chen Liang , Zeng Yelin , Song Xinzhang , Peñuelas Josep , Peng Changhui 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

Increased availability of soil phosphorus (P) has recently been recognised as an underlying driving factor for the positive relationship between plant diversity and ecosystem function. The effects of plant diversity on the bioavailable forms of P involved in biologically mediated rhizospheric processes and how the link between plant and soil microbial diversity facilitates soil P bioavailability, however, remain poorly understood.

This study quantified four forms of bioavailable P (CaCl2‐P, citric‐P, enzyme‐P and HCl‐P) in mature subtropical forests using a novel biologically based approach, which emulates how rhizospheric processes influence the release and supply of available P. Soil microbial diversity was measured by Illumina high‐throughput sequencing.

Our results suggest that tree species richness significantly affects soil microbial diversity (p < 0.05), increases litter decomposition, fine‐root biomass and length and soil organic carbon and thus increases the four forms of bioavailable P. A structural equation model that links plants, soil microbes and P forms indicated that soil bacterial and fungal diversity play dominant roles in mediating the effects of tree species richness on soil P bioavailability.

An increase in the biodiversity of plants, soil bacteria and fungi could maintain soil P bioavailability and alleviate soil P limitations. Our results imply that biodiversity strengthens plant and soil feedback and increases P recycling.

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Is phenotypic plasticity an explanation for the invasiveness of goldenrods (SolidagoandEuthamia) in Europe?
Authors: Szymura Magdalena , Szymura Tomasz H. , Rajsz Adam , Świerszcz Sebastian 
Published: May 2019

AbstractHigh phenotypic plasticity contributes to invasiveness of alien species. Goldenrods of American origin (Solidago canadensis,S. giganteaandEuthamia graminifolia) have successfully invaded Europe, and this success can be related to their high phenotypic plasticity. The aim of our study was to test the hypothesis of higher phenotypic plasticity of invasive goldenrods by comparing them with native taxa: closely relatedSolidago virgaureaand similar ecologically, invasive in other regionsTanacetum vulgare. The species studied were grown in a common garden on three different substrates with different fertilizers. After 3 years, the height and number of ramets, biomass production and allocation, phenology and nitrate reductase activity (NRA) were measured. The highest level of phenotypic plasticity was exhibited by the competitively weak native speciesS. virgaurea. The invasive species produced relatively high biomass and exhibited a moderate level of phenotypic plasticity. Variability in the studied traits did not always correlate with differences in substrates. The invasion success of non‐native goldenrods is not caused by their having a higher phenotypic plasticity than native species. Rather, the non‐natives should be considered as “Jack of all traits, and master of some”.
Skunks in an English Woodland: Should England Embrace For‐Profit Higher Education?
Authors: Ahlburg Dennis A. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe British government is encouraging the growth of for‐profit alternative providers of higher education (HE). While it is true that for‐profits have opened HE access to previously under‐served groups and have been more agile in reacting to market demand, they have done so at a considerable cost to students and the taxpayer because they do not share in the cost of the failure of HE to ensure a payoff for many of their students. The US experience with for‐profits should be a cautionary tale for those supporting their expansion in Britain. Policy is needed to craft a regulatory framework that produces the benefits that for‐profits can provide, but minimises the costs that often accompany them. At present, it is far from clear that expanding alternative providers—that is, for‐profits—would ‘work better’ for students.
How Russia's Internet Research Agency Built its Disinformation Campaign
Authors: Dawson Andrew , Innes Martin 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn this article we analyse features of the information influence operations run by the St. Petersburg based Internet Research Agency, targeted at Europe. Informed by publicly available ‘open source’ data, the analysis delineates three key tactics that underpinned their disinformation campaign: account buying; ‘follower fishing’; and narrative switching. Both individually and collectively these were designed to build the reach, impact and influence of the ideologically loaded messages that social media account operators authored and amplified. The particular value of the analysis is that whilst a lot of recent public and political attention has focussed upon Kremlin backed disinformation in respect of the 2016 United States presidential election, far less work has addressed their European activities.
Model Building and Slicing in Food 3D Printing Processes: A Review
Authors: Guo Chaofan , Zhang Min , Bhandari Bhesh 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThree‐dimensional (3D) printing has been successfully applied to food processing, and widely appreciated by food science researchers. Recently, a lot of researches and review works have been done focusing on the ink's properties, printer design, and printing parameters. However, few articles specifically describe 3D models and slicing methods used in food printing. This work introduced the requirements for 3D printing models in some specific areas, discussed the critical parameter settings in the model slicing processes, and discussed the possible use of numerical techniques in the model building and printing of food 3D printing. The objective of this review is to increase researchers' focus on 3D printing models and slices in order to optimize the printing process and to provide some useful information for future research.
International Perspectives on Substantiating the Efficacy of Herbal Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicines Through Evidence on Traditional Use
Authors: Lenssen Karin G. M. , Bast Aalt , de Boer Alie 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe efficacy of botanicals in medicines can be substantiated with evidence on traditional use, whereas in foodstuffs, this is often not possible. In Europe, for example, the evaluation and subsequent authorization of health claims on herbal dietary supplements (HDS) have been put on hold by the European Commission. This study aims to analyze the role of evidence on traditional use in international legal frameworks of foods and pharmaceuticals. Both legal sources as well as scientific studies offering insights into these regulatory frameworks were included into the analysis. The international approach toward evidence on traditional use for substantiating efficacy of botanicals varies highly. For herbal medicines, substantiating efficacy with evidence on traditional use is possible in all studied jurisdictions, except for Japan and the United States. HDS efficacy can only be substantiated with evidence on traditional use in India and New Zealand, although the enforcing authorities do not describe which data are required. Australia and Canada regulate botanicals in a separate “borderline” category from foods and pharmaceuticals. Both jurisdictions allow for substantiating efficacy with evidence on traditional use. This study's second objective was to assess the applicability of the international approaches in the European legal framework, in light of the ongoing political debate regarding the use of traditional evidence. Implementation of the analyzed international approaches would require major revisions of the current European legal framework. This review of international approaches might, however, aid in deciding upon future approaches for substantiating health claims with evidence on traditional use.
Characteristics and outcomes of patient presentations made by police to an Australian emergency department
Authors: Crilly Julia , Zhang Ping , Lincoln Cathy , Scuffham Paul , Timms Jo , Becker Ken , van Buuren Nelle , Fisher Andrew , Murphy Danny , Green David 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo describe and compare characteristics and outcomes of patient presentations brought in by police (BIBP) with those not BIBP (NBIBP) to one Australian ED.MethodsA retrospective observational study. All patient presentations to a tertiary hospital ED made during the period 8 October 2012 to 7 April 2013 were included. Routinely collected ED information data and medical record review data were used. ED care delivery for people BIBP from the watch house (WH) or other location was compared. Univariate comparison and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the different characteristics and ED outcomes between BIBP and NBIBP groups.ResultsA total of 35 127 ED presentations occurred within the 6 month period; 392 (1.1%) were BIBP. Compared with those NBIBP, those BIBP were diagnosed with ‘psychiatric’ and ‘toxicology‐related’ illnesses in higher proportions. Overlap in health conditions (primarily for physical health reasons) between those BIBP and NBIBP existed. Presentations BIBP from the WH reflected ‘physical health emergencies’ whereas presentations BIBP from other locations reflected ‘behavioural emergencies’. Compared to those NBIBP, those BIBP had a longer wait to be seen (by about 5 min), longer ED length of stay (LOS) if not admitted (by about 20 min) but shorter ED LOS if admitted (by about 59 min). When adjusted for sex, age group and diagnosis, ED LOS (if admitted) and admission rate were statistically significant. For those BIBP, mental health related orders and alcohol breath tests were common.ConclusionsPatients BIBP were different to those NBIBP. Despite comprising a small proportion of overall ED attendances, they are a group where mental health and drug and alcohol issues are over‐represented. Differences in ED care delivery for those BIBP highlights potential opportunities for pre‐hospital healthcare interventions.
Examining emergency department inequities: Do they exist?
Authors: Curtis Elana , Paine Sarah‐Jane , Jiang Yannan , Jones Peter , Tomash Inia , Raumati Inia , Reid Papaarangi 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectivesEthnic inequities in health outcomes have been well documented with Indigenous peoples experiencing a high level of healthcare need, yet low access to, and through, high‐quality healthcare services. Despite Māori having a high ED use, few studies have explored the potential for ethnic inequities in emergency care within New Zealand (NZ). Healthcare delivery within an ED context is characterised by time‐pressured, relatively brief, complex and demanding environments. When clinical decision‐making occurs in this context, provider prejudice, stereotyping and bias are more likely. The examining emergency department inequities (EEDI) research project aims to investigate whether clinically important ethnic inequities between Māori and non‐Māori exist.MethodsEEDI is a retrospective observational study examining ED admissions in NZ between 2006 and 2012 (5 976 126 ED events). EEDI has been designed from a Kaupapa Māori Research position.ResultsThe primary data source is the existing Shorter Stays in Emergency Department National Research Project (SSED) dataset that will be combined with clinical information extracted from NZ's National Minimum Dataset. The key predictor variable is patient ethnicity with other covariates including: sex, age‐group, area deprivation, mode of presentation, referral method, Australasian Triage Scale and the Multimorbidity Measure (M3 Index) for co‐morbidities. Generalised linear regression models will be used to investigate the associations between pre‐admission variables and the measures of ED care, and to examine the contribution of each measure of ED care on ethnic inequities in mortality.ConclusionThe present study will provide the largest, most comprehensive investigation of ED outcomes by ethnicity to date in NZ.
Evaluation of Food Safety and Quality Parameters for Shelf Life Extension of Pulsed Light Treated Strawberries
Authors: Cao Xinang , Huang Runze , Chen Haiqiang 
Published: May 2019

AbstractStrawberry is a healthy fruit with numerous health‐benefit compounds. Unfortunately, it is highly perishable and occasionally can be contaminated with foodborne pathogens. The overall goal of this study is to evaluate pulsed light (PL) processing for disinfection of strawberries, extension of shelf life, and preservation of quality attributes and compounds that are beneficial to health. Preliminary screening of PL conditions based on visual appearance of strawberries was conducted, and 3 PL treatments were identified for full evaluation. Salmonella inoculum was artificially deposited onto the skin of strawberries via spot‐inoculation or dip‐inoculation. The 3 PL treatments slightly reduced the level of inoculated Salmonella on strawberries, ranging from approximately 0.4 to 0.8 log reduction. They also slowed down the visible mold development on strawberries by 2 to 4 days compared with the untreated control. Regarding the natural yeasts and molds, the quality attributes (weight loss and firmness), and the bioactive compounds (total anthocyanin, total phenolics, and total antioxidant activity). The 3 PL treatment showed no significant or negligible difference comparing to the control group. Overall, the 3 PL treatments demonstrated potential in extending the shelf life of strawberries. The quality attributes or the bioactive compounds of strawberries showed no significant or minimal change after these PL treatments.Practical ApplicationPulsed light (PL) processing for strawberry decontamination and shelf life extension was evaluated. Results demonstrated that PL processing could have the potency to improve strawberry shelf life without significantly affecting the quality and bioactive compounds of strawberries.
Effect of Emulsifier Type, Maltodextrin, and β‐Cyclodextrin on Physical and Oxidative Stability of Oil‐In‐Water Emulsions
Authors: Kibici Duygu , Kahveci Derya 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe effect of emulsifiers, emulsion stabilizer (maltodextrin, MD), and β‐cyclodextrin (BCD) on physical and oxidative properties of oil‐in‐water (O/W) emulsions (5%, 20%, 40% of oil, w/w) was investigated. Four different emulsifiers were selected based on their structure: two types of protein‐based emulsifiers (sodium caseinate, SC; and whey protein isolate, WPI), and two types low molecular weight emulsifiers (LMEWs: lecithin, LEC; and Citrem, CITREM). Physical and oxidative stability of emulsions prepared with these emulsifiers together with MD were compared based on their creaming index (CI), viscosity, droplet size, zeta potential, peroxide and p‐anisidine values. LMWE‐stabilized emulsions (with LEC or CITREM) had better creaming stability with lower droplet sizes whereas protein‐stabilized emulsions (with SC or WPI) had higher viscosities. Droplet size was the lowest when CITREM was used, which increased with increasing oil concentration for all emulsifiers. Formulation with the lowest CI value and droplet size was considered to be more prone to oxidation; therefore, a 1:1 (w/w) combination of CITREM with BCD was used to stabilize the emulsions to improve the oxidative as well as physical stability. Added BCD significantly increased the storage stability of emulsions by reducing CI and droplet size values with a simultaneous increase in the viscosity, both at room temperature and at storage conditions (at 4 and 55 oC). However, the oxidative as well as physical stability of BCD added emulsions were not improved, neither toward heat‐ nor light‐induced lipid oxidation.Practical ApplicationThis work investigated the effects of emulsifiers and dextrins on the stability of oil‐in‐water (O/W) emulsions. Both maltodextrin (MD) and β‐cyclodextrin (BCD) addition resulted in enhanced physical stability, the latter being more effective. The findings can be applied to formulate emulsions with improved shelf life within the limits of allowed daily intake (ADI) level of BCD (5 mg/kg bw per day).
Quality and quantity of genetic relatedness data affect the analysis of social structure
Authors: Foroughirad Vivienne , Levengood Alexis L. , Mann Janet , Frère Céline H. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractKinship plays a fundamental role in the evolution of social systems and is considered a key driver of group living. To understand the role of kinship in the formation and maintenance of social bonds, accurate measures of genetic relatedness are critical. Genotype‐by‐sequencing technologies are rapidly advancing the accuracy and precision of genetic relatedness estimates for wild populations. The ability to assign kinship from genetic data varies depending on a species’ or population's mating system and pattern of dispersal, and empirical data from longitudinal studies are crucial to validate these methods. We use data from a long‐term behavioural study of a polygynandrous, bisexually philopatric marine mammal to measure accuracy and precision of parentage and genetic relatedness estimation against a known partial pedigree. We show that with moderate but obtainable sample sizes of approximately 4,235 SNPs and 272 individuals, highly accurate parentage assignments and genetic relatedness coefficients can be obtained. Additionally, we subsample our data to quantify how data availability affects relatedness estimation and kinship assignment. Lastly, we conduct a social network analysis to investigate the extent to which accuracy and precision of relatedness estimation improve statistical power to detect an effect of relatedness on social structure. Our results provide practical guidance for minimum sample sizes and sequencing depth for future studies, as well as thresholds for post hoc interpretation of previous analyses.
Association between chondrocalcinosis and osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Yilun , Wei Jie , Zeng Chao , Xie Dongxing , Li Hui , Yang Tuo , Ding Xiang , Cui Yang , Xiong Yilin , Li Jiatian , Lei Guanghua 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimTo systematically examine the existing literature on the associations between chondrocalcinosis (CC) and osteoarthritis (OA) at different joints, and to quantify such associations through meta‐analysis.MethodsPubMed, Embase and Scopus databases were searched through from inception to June 2017. Cohort, case‐control or cross‐sectional studies were included if they examined the association between CC and OA. Data on the odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the prevalence or progression of OA between the CC group and non‐CC group with respect to the same joint were extracted.ResultsA total of 14 studies were identified. Twelve studies were eligible for assessing the association between knee CC and knee OA. The combined data showed a positive association between them (OR = 2.84; 95% CI, 2.12‐3.81; P < 0.001). Three studies were eligible for assessing the association between hip CC and hip OA. The data on the OR could only be extracted from one study (OR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.68‐1.24; P = 0.59). Two studies were eligible for assessing the association between hand CC and hand OA, and the data on the OR could only be extracted from one study which reported significant associations between CC and OA at the metacarpophalangeal joint (OR = 4.75; 95% CI, 2.12‐10.64; P < 0.001) and the wrist joint (OR = 4.44; 95% CI, 3.56‐5.54; P < 0.001).ConclusionThis study established a strong association between knee CC and knee OA. However, the associations between CC and OA at the hip or hand still remain controversial and warrant further study.
Alcohol‐induced blackouts at age 20 predict the incidence, maintenance and severity of alcohol dependence at age 25: a prospective study in a sample of young Swiss men
Authors: Studer Joseph , Gmel Gerhard , Bertholet Nicolas , Marmet Simon , Daeppen Jean‐Bernard 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackground and AimsAlcohol‐induced blackout (AIB) is a common alcohol‐related adverse event occurring during teenage years. Although research provides evidence that AIB predicts acute negative consequences, less is known about the associations of AIB with chronic consequences, such as alcohol dependence (AD). This study estimated the associations between an experience of AIB at age 20 and the incidence, maintenance and severity of AD at age 25 among Swiss men.DesignProspective cohort study with 5.5 years separating baseline and follow‐up.SettingSwitzerland.ParticipantsSwiss male drinkers (n = 5469, age 20 at baseline) drawn from the Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors (C‐SURF).MeasurementsSelf‐report questionnaires assessing AIB, AD, alcohol (drinking volume, binge drinking), cigarette and cannabis use, several risk factors (sensation‐seeking, family history of problematic alcohol use, age of first alcohol intoxication) and socio‐demographic variables.FindingsGeneralized estimating equation models with and without adjustment for risk factors, including alcohol use and socio‐demographics, showed that AIB at age 20 significantly predicted the incidence of AD at age 25 in men without AD at age 20 [odds ratio (OR) = 2.52, 95% confidence interval (CI), unadjusted = 2.04, 3.11, P < 0.001; fully adjusted, OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.13, 1.91, P = 0.004], maintenance of AD in men with AD at age 20 (unadjusted, OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.12, 2.95, P = 0.015; fully adjusted, OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.00, 2.76, P = 0.048] and AD severity [unadjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.69, 2.11, P < 0.001; fully adjusted, IRR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.10, 1.31, P < 0.001].ConclusionsAmong Swiss men, alcohol‐induced blackout at age 20 predicts the development, maintenance and severity of alcohol dependence at age 25.