bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Skeletal maturation and predicted adult height in adolescents with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis
Authors: Hong Seok Woo , Lee Jeong Keun , Kang Jeong‐Hyun 
Published: February 2019

SummaryBackgroundThe occurrence of osteoarthritis (OA) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in juveniles could be associated with fluctuating levels of oestrogen and growth hormone (GH) during adolescence.ObjectiveTo investigate extent of skeletal maturation and predicted adult height in adolescents with TMJ OA.MethodIn total, 155 adolescents (54 males, 101 females; mean age, 14.1 ± 2.0 years) were enrolled. Among them, 19 adolescents (CON) showed no sign of TMD, 50 adolescents exhibited signs of disc displacement but did not have TMJ OA (TMDnoOA), 23 adolescents exhibited the initial stage of TMJ OA (TMJOAini) and 63 adolescents exhibited the severe stage of TMJ OA (TMJOApro). TMJ OA was diagnosed based on the Research Diagnostic Criteria axis I and bone age was estimated using the Greulich‐Pyle method. The height, weight and body mass index of participated adolescents were measured and statistically converted to z‐scores. The predicted adult height and age of peak height velocity (APHV) were calculated using the BoneXpert® software.ResultsIn female adolescents, the differences between the chronological and bone ages were significantly higher and the z‐score for height was significantly lower in the TMJOApro. Female adolescents with TMJOA exhibited a significantly shorter predicted adult height and earlier APHV than those in the CON and TMDnoOA.ConclusionThe adolescents with TMJ OA exhibited premature skeletal maturations and short predicted adult stature, particularly the female adolescents.
Dentin hypersensitivity monitored by cold air quantitative sensory testing
Authors: Brönnimann Ben V. E. , Hou Mei‐Yin , Zembic Anja , Parkinson Charles X. , Meier Michael L , Ettlin Dominik A. 
Published: February 2019

SummaryBackgroundQuantification of dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is challenging and requires standardised, graded stimulation by natural‐like stimuli.ObjectiveThe present study aimed at identifying DH subjects and longitudinally monitoring their pain thresholds by cold air quantitative sensory testing (QST).MethodsSubject recruitment started with an online DH questionnaire. Respondents were screened by dental air stimulation. Sensitising and habituating subjects were excluded. A recently developed stimulation device was employed for cold air QST. Single tooth DH was verified by applying an equi‐intense stimulus to a control tooth. Descriptive statistics were applied for subject characteristics. Mean values were calculated for the stimulation parameters temperature and air flow. Reliability of temperatures for detecting pain and for evoking moderate pain over multiple time points within a 3‐week period was analysed by two‐way random single‐ and average‐measure intra‐class correlation coefficients.ResultsA total of 353 persons completed the online DH questionnaire of which 117 were screened. Forty‐four passed the screening, yet 15 were excluded for various reasons. Twenty‐nine subjects were monitored by QST across 3 weeks. Results revealed a high intra‐individual stability of the temperature inducing moderate to strong pain intensity (MPI) (single‐measure ICC of TMPI 0.83, P < 0.001). Mean TMPI was −13.69°C, yet it highly varied among the 29 subjects (SD ± 10.04°C).ConclusionsUsing a novel approach, namely dental QST based on cold air stimuli, we present evidence for temporally stable DH perceptions over a 3‐week period. The method fulfils international guideline requirements and is recommendable for obtaining valid results when testing various interventions for DH management.
Cooperation in a risky world
Authors: Théroude Vincent , Zylbersztejn Adam 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWe offer a novel investigation of the effect of environmental risk on cooperation in the Voluntary Contribution Mechanism. Our baseline is the standard setting, in which the personal return from the public good is deterministic, homogeneous, and publicly known. Our experimental treatments alter this classic design by making the marginal per capita return from the public good probabilistic. In thehomogeneous risk(HomR) treatment, the random draw is made for the whole group, whereas in theheterogeneous risk(HetR) treatment, this happens independently for each group member. Our hypothesis is that different environmental risks may differently affect the ex post payoff inequalities, so that other‐regarding preferences (inequality aversion) may generate higher contributions in HomR than in HetR. Our main result is that the environmental risk does not affect the patterns of cooperation either in the one‐shot or in the finitely repeated version of the game. This suggests that the standard experimental methodology provides a robust and conservative measure of human cooperation.
Homeobox genes in melatonin‐producing pinealocytes: Otx2 and Crx act to promote hormone synthesis in the mature rat pineal gland
Authors: Rohde Kristian , Hertz Henrik , Rath Martin F. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHomeobox genes encode transcription factors that regulate developmental processes; however, in the pineal gland, a neuroendocrine organ responsible for nocturnal melatonin synthesis, expression of the homeobox genes Otx2 (orthodenticle homeobox 2) and Crx (cone‐rod homeobox) persists postnatally. We here show that OTX2 and CRX are exclusively present in melatonin‐producing pinealocytes of the rat pineal gland. To understand the roles of Otx2 and Crx in the mature pineal gland, we used siRNA technology in cultured rat pinealocytes with the nocturnal situation mimicked by adding norepinephrine to the culture media. siRNA‐induced knockdown of Otx2 was found to reduce expression levels of the enzymes involved in melatonin synthesis at both transcript and protein levels. Similar results were obtained when knocking down Crx. Knocking down Otx2 and Crx simultaneously produced an even larger reduction in both transcript and protein levels of the melatonin‐producing enzymes and also reduced the levels of melatonin released to the culture media. These results suggest that Otx2 and Crx, both alone and in combination, act to control pineal melatonin synthesis.
Individuality in seaweeds and why we need to care
Authors: Demes Kyle W. , Pruitt Jonathan N. 
Published: February 2019

Documenting the causes and consequences of intraspecific variation forms the foundation of much of evolutionary ecology. In thisPerspectivespiece, we review the importance of individual variation in ecology and evolution, argue that contemporary phycology often overlooks this foundational biological unit, and highlight how this lack of attention has potentially constrained our understanding of seaweeds. We then provide some suggestions of promising but underrepresented approaches, for instance: conducting more studies and analyses at the level of the individual; designing studies to evaluate heritability and genetic regulation of traits; and measuring associations between individual variation in functional traits and ecological outcomes. We close by highlighting areas of phycological research (e.g., population biology, ecology, aquaculture, climate change management) that could benefit immediately from including a focus on individual variation. Algae, for their part, provide us with a powerful and diverse set of ecological and evolutionary traits to explore these topics. There is much to be discovered.
The Changing Landscape of Diabetes Mortality in the United States Across Region and Rurality, 1999‐2016
Authors: Callaghan Timothy , Ferdinand Alva O. , Akinlotan Marvellous A. , Towne Samuel D. , Bolin Jane 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPurposeThis brief report examines place‐based differences in diabetes mortality in order to understand whether disparities in diabetes mortality have changed across United States Census regions and levels of rurality over time.MethodsWe use data from the National Center for Health Statistics from 1999 to 2016 to analyze changes in diabetes mortality over time and across geographical regions of the United States.FindingsWe find evidence that diabetes mortality has declined in the United States over the past 2 decades, but that improvements in mortality vary considerably by place. Improvements are observed in urban America and in the Northeast and Midwest while diabetes mortality has remained largely unchanged in rural areas, particularly in the rural South.ConclusionsDiabetes is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, but important differences have emerged in the burden of this disease. Reductions in diabetes mortality are lagging in rural areas, and the rural South in particular, relative to other areas of the country. Continued innovations in care and targeted interventions in rural areas are warranted.
The impact of HIV infection and men who have sex with men status on hepatitis A infection: The experience of two tertiary centres in Northern Italy during the 2017 outbreak and in the 2009‐2016 period
Authors: Lombardi Andrea , Rossotti Roberto , Moioli Maria Cristina , Merli Marco , Valsecchi Pietro , Zuccaro Valentina , Vecchia Marco , Grecchi Cecilia , Patruno Savino F. A. , Sacchi Paolo , Fabbiani Massimiliano , Puoti Massimo , Bruno Raffaele 
Published: February 2019

SummaryHepatitis A is a self‐limiting infection representing the most common cause of viral hepatitis worldwide. Despite being a low incidence region, in the European Union, an increasing number of cases have been reported since summer 2016, resulting in a large outbreak in 2017, involving mainly men who have sex with men (MSM). Some reports described a different clinical course of hepatitis A virus in patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or MSM. We consecutively collected all the hospitalized cases of hepatitis A referred to two tertiary centres in Northern Italy in 2017 and retrospectively analysed the electronic records of the 2009‐2016 period (pre‐2017). We evaluated demographics data, risk factors, comorbidities and laboratory results to see whether MSM status or HIV infection influenced the disease. Overall, 117 cases were identified in 2017:107 (91%) were male, 78 reported themselves as MSM (66%) and 17 (14.5%) were infected by HIV. For the pre‐2017 period, 48 cases were reported: 29 (60%) were male and 3 (6.2%) were infected by HIV. After stratification for HIV infection, MSM status and occurrence period, no differences were found in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase; bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin values, hospitalization length, HIV viral load and CD4 + cells count. HIV‐positive patients presented a higher number of patients with INR > 1.5 at admission. MSM status and HIV infection did not affect neither the clinical course nor the severity of hepatitis A.
Advanced liver disease in Russian children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Turkova Anna , Volynets Galina V. , Crichton Siobhan , Skvortsova Tamara A. , Panfilova Victoria N. , Rogozina Natalia V. , Khavkin Anatoly I. , Tumanova Elena L. , Indolfi Giuseppe , Thorne Claire 
Published: February 2019

SummaryRussia has one of the highest prevalences of paediatric chronic hepatitis C infection (CHC). Our aim was to provide a detailed characterization of children and adolescents with CHC including treatment outcomes. Thus, an observational study of children with CHC aged <18 years was conducted in three hepatology centres from November 2014 to May 2017. Of 301 children (52% male), 196 (65%) acquired HCV vertically, 70 (23%) had a history of blood transfusion or invasive procedures, 1 injecting drug use and 34 (11%) had no known risk factors. Median age at HCV diagnosis was 3.1 [interquartile range, IQR 1.1, 8.2] and 10.8 [7.4, 14.7] at last follow‐up. The most common genotype was 1b (51%), followed by 3 (37%). Over a quarter of patients (84, 28%) had raised liver transaminases. Of 92 with liver biopsy, 38 (41%) had bridging fibrosis (median age 10.4 [7.1, 14.1]). Of 223 evaluated by transient elastography, 67 (30%) had liver stiffness ≥5.0 kPa. For each year, increase in age mean stiffness increased by 0.09 kPa (95% CI 0.05, 0.13, P < 0.001). There was significant correlation between liver stiffness and biopsy results (Tau‐b = 0.29, P = 0.042). Of 205 treated with IFN‐based regimens, 100 (49%) had SVR24. Most children (191, 93%) experienced adverse reactions, leading to treatment discontinuation in 6 (3%). In conclusion, a third of children acquired HCV via nonvertical routes and a substantial proportion of those with liver biopsy had advanced liver disease. Only half of children achieved SVR24 with IFN‐based regimens highlighting the need for more effective and better‐tolerated treatments with direct‐acting antivirals. Further studies are warranted in Russia on causes and prevention of nonvertical transmission of HCV in children.
Geese are overlooked dispersal vectors for vascular plants in archipelago environments
Authors: Hattermann Dirk , Bernhardt‐Römermann Markus , Otte Annette , Eckstein Rolf Lutz 
Published: February 2019

AbstractQuestionWe addressed the importance of gut‐mediated dispersal by greylag geese for vascular plants in archipelago environments and asked: (a) What proportion of the local species pool is dispersed by geese? (b) Which plant traits characterize species dispersed by geese? (c) Which plant communities are likely to benefit from endozoochory by geese?LocationThree Swedish Baltic archipelagos.MethodsGoose droppings were collected on 45 islands. Plants germinating from the droppings represent the endozoochorous species pool (ESP). On 108 islands, the presence of vascular plants was recorded in each habitat. These species represent the island species pool (ISP). Differences in functional traits between ESP and ISP were expressed as effect sizes and tested using meta‐regressions. Using indicator species analyses and indicator species for managed semi‐natural grasslands, we identified the primary habitats of the ESP.ResultsGeese dispersed viable diaspores of 97 plant species, which represents 22% of the ISP. Most ESP species were typical for small islands. Geese dispersed a higher proportion of graminoids and less woody plants, higher proportions of chamaephytes and therophytes and less phanerophytes; annuals and bi‐annuals were significantly overrepresented. On average, seed volume of the ESP was 95% smaller than that of the ISP. About 51% of all ESP species were dispersed in at least two archipelagos. Geese showed a bias towards species of rocky shore habitats.ConclusionGeese potentially disperse large amounts of diaspores of many terrestrial island plant species. Through their feeding behaviour, geese select species with certain suites of traits from the regional species pool. Plant dispersal by geese may benefit plants species of rocky shores, but species of formerly managed semi‐natural grasslands may also find refuge sites on epilittoral shores after goose‐mediated dispersal. The relative importance of geese as dispersal vectors may increase under on‐going land‐use changes and cessation of grazing networks.
Hedgerow age affects the species richness of herbaceous forest plants
Authors: Litza Kathrin , Diekmann Martin 
Published: February 2019

AbstractQuestionsAre recent hedgerows less rich in forest vascular plants than ancient hedgerows? Does the proximity to potential source populations influence the forest species richness in recent hedgerows? Is there a difference in the dispersal potential of forest specialists found in recent and ancient hedgerows? How similar is the species composition between hedgerows of different ages?LocationSoutheastern Schleswig‐Holstein, Northern Germany.MethodsWe investigated 30 hedgerows in a pairwise design to compare the species composition of ancient and recent hedgerows.ResultsWhile recent hedgerows already function as habitats for herbaceous forest specialists, they contain significantly fewer forest species than ancient hedgerows. Besides hedgerow age proximity to ancient forests, a wide shrub layer, high pH values and a low phosphorus content are also positively associated with the number of forest specialists. The similarity in species composition between recent and ancient hedgerows increases with the age of the recent hedgerow. Epizoochorous dispersal and reproduction by seed favour the colonisation of recent hedgerows by forest species. Most environmental and hedgerow structural parameters do not differ between the age categories except for pH, which is significantly higher in recent hedgerows.ConclusionsAncient hedgerows are important for regional biodiversity, especially as source populations for recent hedgerows, and therefore need to be protected. If the recent hedgerows are managed traditionally, they can over time transform into valuable habitats similar to ancient hedgerows.
Connecting spectral radiometry of anthropogenic light sources to the visual ecology of organisms
Authors: Seymoure B. M. , Linares C. , White J. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHumans have drastically altered nocturnal environments with electric lighting. Animals depend on natural night light conditions and are now being inundated with artificial lighting. There are numerous artificial light sources that differ in spectral composition that should affect the perception of these light sources and due to differences in animal visual systems, the differences in color perception of these anthropogenic light sources should vary significantly. The ecological and evolutionary ramifications of these perceptual differences of light sources remain understudied. Here, we quantify the radiance of nine different street lights comprised of four different light sources: Metal Halide, Mercury Vapor, Light Emitting Diodes, and High‐Pressure Sodium and model how five animal visual systems will be stimulated by these light sources. We calculated the number of photons that photoreceptors in different visual systems would detect. We selected five visual systems: avian UV/VIS, avian V/VIS, human, wolf and hawk moth. We included non‐visual photoreceptors of vertebrates known for controlling circadian rhythms and other physiological traits. The nine light types stimulated visual systems and the photoreceptors within the visual systems differently. Furthermore, we modelled the chromatic contrast (Just Noticeable Differences [JNDs]) and color space overlap for each light type comparison for each visual system to see if organisms would perceive the lights as different colors. The JNDs of most light type comparisons were very high, indicating most visual systems would detect all light types as different colors, however mammalian visual systems would perceive many lights as the same color. We discuss the importance of understanding not only the brightness of artificial light types, but also the spectral composition of light types, as most organisms have different visual systems from humans. Thus, for researchers to understand how artificial light sources affect the visual environment of specific organisms and thus mitigate the effects, spectral information is crucial.
The life and times of focus alternatives: Tracing the activation of alternatives to a focused constituent in language comprehension
Authors: Gotzner Nicole , Spalek Katharina 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe function of focus is to activate a set of alternatives, providing the locus for focus‐sensitive particles likeonly. In the past decade, psycholinguistic research has shown that listeners entertain a set of alternatives in online language comprehension, similar to the algorithm stipulated by Alternative Semantics. The purpose of the present review is to gain a comprehensive picture of the role of focus alternatives in utterance comprehension and interpretation. Specifically, we focus on how the processing of focus particles interacts with alternatives activated by focus. We show that focus marking activates a network of related concepts, but over time, only those that can be considered as focus alternatives in the relevant context of the utterance are retained in the mental representation of the discourse. Focus particles, in turn, increase the competition between the focused element and its alternatives during the initial stages of comprehension, helping contextual restriction of the set of alternatives. Overall, the studies presented in this review show that focus does not only guide a listener in determining which alternatives are relevant for the purpose of conversation, it also plays a fundamental role in the memory representation of a discourse.
The Maribo CM2 meteorite fall—Survival of weak material at high entry speed
Authors: Borovička Jiří , Popova Olga , Spurný Pavel 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHigh entry speed (>25 km s−1) and low density (<2500 kg m−3) are the two factors that lower the chance of a meteoroid to drop meteorites. The 26 g carbonaceous (CM2) meteorite Maribo recovered in Denmark in 2009 was delivered by a bright bolide observed by several instruments across northern and central Europe. By reanalyzing the available data, we confirmed the previously reported high entry speed of (28.3 ± 0.3) km s−1 and trajectory with slope of 31° to the horizontal. In order to understand how such a fragile material survived, we applied three different models of meteoroid atmospheric fragmentation to the detailed bolide light curve obtained by radiometers located in Czech Republic. The Maribo meteoroid was found to be quite inhomogeneous with different parts fragmenting at different dynamic pressures. While 30–40% of the (2000 ± 1000) kg entry mass was destroyed already at 0.02 MPa, another 25–40%, according to different models, survived without fragmentation up to the relatively large dynamic pressures of 3–5 MPa. These pressures are only slightly lower than the measured tensile strengths of hydrated carbonaceous chondrite (CC) meteorites and are comparable with usual atmospheric fragmentation pressures of ordinary chondritic (OC) meteoroids. While internal cracks weaken OC meteoroids in comparison with meteorites, this effect seems to be absent in CC, enabling meteorite delivery even at high speeds, though in the form of only small fragments.
An Embodied Cyberlearning Platform for Gestural Interaction with Cross‐Cutting Science Concepts
Authors: Lindgren Robb , Morphew Jason , Kang Jina , Junokas Michael 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTResearch from brain science and the learning sciences support the notion that human cognition is grounded in our sensorimotor engagement with the physical world and that processes of learning can be shaped by our movements and actions. Increasing recognition that effective educational interventions can be seeded with embodied actions is paralleled by recent and rapid advances in sensing and motion capture technologies. These advances allow for a new wave of cyberlearning environments that permit learners to use their bodies to create and manipulate digital representations of core ideas in a variety of learning domains. Drawing on the research literature on embodied cognition and design principles for creating effective embodied educational simulations, we present the design of a cyberlearning platform called ELASTIC3S. We describe the design rationale and preliminary data from a small empirical study of the ELASTIC3S platform that address the potential for enhancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning and engagement through embodied interaction.