bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A textual Taylor rule: estimating central bank preferences combining topic and scaling methods
Authors: Baerg Nicole , Lowe Will 
Published: September 2018

AbstractScholars often use voting data to estimate central bankers’ policy preferences but consensus voting is commonplace. To get around this, we combine topic-based text analysis and scaling methods to generate theoretically motivated comparative measures of central bank preferences on the US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) leading up to the financial crisis in a way that does not depend on voting behavior. We apply these measures to a number of applications in the literature. For example, we find that FOMC members that are Federal Reserve Bank Presidents from districts experiencing higher unemployment are also more likely to emphasize unemployment in their speech. We also confirm that committee members on schedule to vote are more likely to express consensus opinion than their off schedule voting counterparts.
Variability of vestibular aqueduct measurements among axial, single-oblique and double-oblique computed tomography images
Authors: Quan Y , Gao X J , Liu J , Gong R Z , Wang Q , Liang H , Fu J L , Cheng Q 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the morphology and dimensions of the vestibular aqueduct on axial, single-oblique and double-oblique computed tomography images.MethodsThe computed tomography temporal bone scans of 112 patients were retrospectively evaluated. Midpoint and opercular measurements were performed using axial, single-oblique and double-oblique images. Morphometric analyses were also conducted. The vestibular aqueduct sizes on axial, single-oblique and double-oblique images were compared.ResultsAt the midpoint, the mean (± standard deviation) vestibular aqueduct measured 0.61 ± 0.23 mm, 0.74 ± 0.27 mm and 0.82 ± 0.38 mm on axial, single-oblique and double-oblique images, respectively; at the operculum, the vestibular aqueduct measured 0.91 ± 0.30 mm, 1.11 ± 0.45 mm and 1.66 ± 1.07 mm on the respective images. The co-efficients of variation of the vestibular aqueduct measured at the midpoint were 37.4 per cent, 36.5 per cent and 47.5 per cent on axial, single-oblique and double-oblique images, respectively; at the operculum, the measurements were 33.0 per cent, 40.5 per cent and 64.5 per cent. Regarding morphology, the vestibular aqueduct was fissured (33.5 per cent), tubular (64.3 per cent) or invisible (2.2 per cent).ConclusionThe morphology and dimensions of the vestibular aqueduct were highly variable among axial, single-oblique and double-oblique images.
QUALITY AND USE OF FREE SMOKING CESSATION APPS FOR SMARTPHONES
Authors: Regmi Dybesh , Tobutt Clive , Shaban Sami 
Published: September 2018

Objectives:Smartphone Apps are one of the tools available to support patients who wish to quit smoking. Content analysis studies have indicated multiple deficiencies within these Apps including minimal use of evidence-based research and Nicotine Dependence Treatment Provider (NDTP) in App development. The aim of this study was to determine quality and features of smoking cessation Apps available on Android® and iOS® platforms.Methods:The first fifty free smoking cessation Apps available for download using the search term smoking cessation on Google Play Store and Apple App Store were chosen. Each of these Apps was analyzed and categorized based on ratings, target audience age, language, and a variety of tracking functionalities noted on the Apps. Indications and suggestions regarding either the use of NDTP or evidence-based behavior change protocols were noted.Results:There were no significant differences in the features of smoking cessation Apps on Android and iOS. Only 15 percent of all Apps analyzed on both platforms indicated some involvement of NDTP and there was no difference between the two platforms. More than 50 percent of Apps studied were downloaded over half a million times and the average user rating was 3.89/5.00 for Android and 3.72/5.00 for iOS with no significant difference.Conclusions:Most smoking cessation Apps in both platforms offer basic tracking functionalities with limited motivational tips. Only a handful of Apps have moved beyond this role and while their development is applaudable much innovation remains.
Psychosocial services for primary immunodeficiency disorder families during hematopoietic cell transplantation: A descriptive study
Authors: Mangurian Christina , Scalchunes Christopher , Yoo Jennie , Logan Brent , Henderson Tiffany , Iyengar Sumathi , Smith Heather , Cowan Morton J. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveCaregivers for patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) are susceptible to significant psychosocial distress. This cross-sectional study aimed to describe psychosocial support services offered and used by caregivers of pediatric primary immune deficiency (PID) during HCT at 35 hospitals across North America.MethodCaregivers of pediatric patients with PID were recruited by e-mail to participate in an anonymous 140-question survey instrument between April and May 2016 (N = 171).ResultOf those meeting inclusion criteria (53%), family counseling services were only offered to fewer than half of caregivers (42%). Of the survey participants not offered counseling services, the majority desired family counseling (70%) and sibling counseling (73%). That said, when offered counseling, utilization rates were low, with 22% of caregivers using family counseling and none using sibling counseling.Significance of resultsThese results indicate the need to offer and tailor counseling services for families throughout the HCT process. Further research should focus on reducing barriers to utilization of counseling services such as offering bedside counseling services, online modalities, and/or financial assistance.
Early-life origins of disparities in chronic diseases among Indigenous youth: pathways to recovering health disparities from intergenerational trauma
Authors: Phillips-Beck W. , Sinclair S. , Campbell R. , Star L. , Cidro J. , Wicklow B. , Guillemette L. , Morris M. I. , McGavock J. M. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIndigenous women and children experience some of the most profound health disparities globally. These disparities are grounded in historical and contemporary trauma secondary to colonial atrocities perpetuated by settler society. The health disparities that exist for chronic diseases may have their origins in early-life exposures that Indigenous women and children face. Mechanistically, there is evidence that these adverse exposures epigenetically modify genes associated with cardiometabolic disease risk. Interventions designed to support a resilient pregnancy and first 1000 days of life should abrogate disparities in early-life socioeconomic status. Breastfeeding, prenatal care and early child education are key targets for governments and health care providers to start addressing current health disparities in cardiometabolic diseases among Indigenous youth. Programmes grounded in cultural safety and co-developed with communities have successfully reduced health disparities. More works of this kind are needed to reduce inequities in cardiometabolic diseases among Indigenous women and children worldwide.
The Stoichiometry of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen in Peat
Authors: Moore Tim R. , Large David , Talbot Julie , Wang Meng , Riley John L. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCarbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) form ~90% by mass of peat, a product of the input of plant tissues and litter and the output of decomposition under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. We examined patterns of these elements, as the O:C and H:C atomic ratios, in over 1,300 peat samples collected from over 400 profiles in Ontario, Canada, representing bogs, fens, and swamps. The overall O:C ratio decreased from the surface (0.6 to 0.7) to ~0.5 at a depth of 50 cm and showed little further change to a depth of 5 m. In contrast, the H:C ratio decreased only slightly (1.30 to 1.25) over the top 1 m and showed no further significant decline with depth. The C oxidative state (Cox) and oxidation ratio showed strong decreases and increases, respectively, with depth with most changes occurring in the top 0.5 m. The O:C ratio, and Cox and oxidation ratio values were significantly correlated with the von Post humification index, with most changes occurring in index values 1 through 4, the latter representing a slight degree of decomposition. Collation of the Ontario peats with other data sets revealed the very large range in O:C and H:C values, with a general decrease from temperate to tropical and subtropical peatlands. Estimation of the O:C and H:C ratios of input (litter) and output (mineralization to CO2, methanogenesis to CH4 and CO2, and loss as dissolved organic C) allowed an estimation of the degree of decomposition or C loss.
Bacterial community structure in a sympagic habitat expanding with global warming: brackish ice brine at 85–90 °N
Authors: Fernández-Gómez Beatriz , Díez Beatriz , Polz Martin F , Arroyo José Ignacio , Alfaro Fernando D , Marchandon Germán , Sanhueza Cynthia , Farías Laura , Trefault Nicole , Marquet Pablo A , Molina-Montenegro Marco A , Sylvander Peter , Snoeijs-Leijonmalm Pauline 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Larger volumes of sea ice have been thawing in the Central Arctic Ocean (CAO) during the last decades than during the past 800,000 years. Brackish brine (fed by meltwater inside the ice) is an expanding sympagic habitat in summer all over the CAO. We report for the first time the structure of bacterial communities in this brine. They are composed of psychrophilic extremophiles, many of them related to phylotypes known from Arctic and Antarctic regions. Community structure displayed strong habitat segregation between brackish ice brine (IB; salinity 2.4–9.6) and immediate sub-ice seawater (SW; salinity 33.3–34.9), expressed at all taxonomic levels (class to genus), by dominant phylotypes as well as by the rare biosphere, and with specialists dominating IB and generalists SW. The dominant phylotypes in IB were related to Candidatus Aquiluna and Flavobacterium, those in SW to Balneatrix and ZD0405, and those shared between the habitats to Halomonas, Polaribacter and Shewanella. A meta-analysis for the oligotrophic CAO showed a pattern with Flavobacteriia dominating in melt ponds, Flavobacteriia and Gammaproteobacteria in solid ice cores, Flavobacteriia, Gamma- and Betaproteobacteria, and Actinobacteria in brine, and Alphaproteobacteria in SW. Based on our results, we expect that the roles of Actinobacteria and Betaproteobacteria in the CAO will increase with global warming owing to the increased production of meltwater in summer. IB contained three times more phylotypes than SW and may act as an insurance reservoir for bacterial diversity that can act as a recruitment base when environmental conditions change.
Heritability of obsessive–compulsive trait dimensions in youth from the general population
Authors: Burton Christie L. , Park Laura S. , Corfield Elizabeth C. , Forget-Dubois Nadine , Dupuis Annie , Sinopoli Vanessa M. , Shan Janet , Goodale Tara , Shaheen S.-M. , Crosbie Jennifer , Schachar Russell J. , Arnold Paul D. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a heritable childhood-onset psychiatric disorder that may represent the extreme of obsessive–compulsive (OC) traits that are widespread in the general population. We report the heritability of the Toronto Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (TOCS), a new measure designed to assess the complete range of OC traits in youth. We also examined the dimensional nature of the TOCS and the degree to which genetic effects are unique or shared between dimensions. OC traits were measured using the TOCS in 16,718 youth (6–18 years) at a science museum. We conducted a factor analysis to identify OC trait dimensions. We used univariate and multivariate twin models to estimate the heritability of OC trait dimensions in a subset of twins (220 pairs). Six OC dimensions were identified: Cleaning/Contamination, Symmetry/Ordering, Rumination, Superstition, Counting/Checking, and Hoarding. The TOCS total score (74%) and each OC dimension was heritable (30–77%). Hoarding was not highly correlated with other OC dimensions, but did share genetic effects. Shared genetics accounted for most of the shared variance among dimensions, whereas unique environment accounted for the majority of dimension-specific variance. One exception was Hoarding, which had considerable unique genetic factors. A latent trait did not account for the shared variance between dimensions. In conclusion, OC traits and individual OC dimensions were heritable, although the degree of shared and dimension-specific etiological factors varied by dimension. The TOCS may be informative for genetic research of OC traits in youth. Genetic research of OC traits should consider both OC dimension and total trait scores.
Functional characterization of TBR1 variants in neurodevelopmental disorder
Authors: den Hoed Joery , Sollis Elliot , Venselaar Hanka , Estruch Sara B. , Deriziotis Pelagia , Fisher Simon E. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractRecurrent de novo variants in the TBR1 transcription factor are implicated in the etiology of sporadic autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Disruptions include missense variants located in the T-box DNA-binding domain and previous work has demonstrated that they disrupt TBR1 protein function. Recent screens of thousands of simplex families with sporadic ASD cases uncovered additional T-box variants in TBR1 but their etiological relevance is unclear. We performed detailed functional analyses of de novo missense TBR1 variants found in the T-box of ASD cases, assessing many aspects of protein function, including subcellular localization, transcriptional activity and protein-interactions. Only two of the three tested variants severely disrupted TBR1 protein function, despite in silico predictions that all would be deleterious. Furthermore, we characterized a putative interaction with BCL11A, a transcription factor that was recently implicated in a neurodevelopmental syndrome involving developmental delay and language deficits. Our findings enhance understanding of molecular functions of TBR1, as well as highlighting the importance of functional testing of variants that emerge from next-generation sequencing, to decipher their contributions to neurodevelopmental disorders like ASD.
A two-step DNA barcoding approach for delimiting moth species: moths of Dongling Mountain (Beijing, China) as a case study
Authors: Jin Qian , Hu Xi-Min , Han Hui-Lin , Chen Fen , Cai Wei-Jia , Ruan Qian-Qian , Liu Bo , Luo Gui-Jie , Wang Hao , Liu Xu , Ward Robert D. , Wu Chun-Sheng , Wilson John-James , Zhang Ai-Bing 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDNA barcoding, based on a fragment of cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) mtDNA, is as an effective molecular tool for identification, discovery, and biodiversity assessment for most animals. However, multiple gene markers coupled with more sophisticated analytical approaches may be necessary to clarify species boundaries in cases of cryptic diversity or morphological plasticity. Using 339 moths collected from mountains surrounding Beijing, China, we tested a pipeline consisting of two steps: (1) rapid morphospecies sorting and screening of the investigated fauna with standard COI barcoding approaches; (2) additional analyses with multiple molecular markers for those specimens whose morphospecies and COI barcode grouping were incongruent. In step 1, 124 morphospecies were delimited into 116 barcode units, with 90% of the conflicts being associated with specimens identified to the genus Hypena. In step 2, 55 individuals representing all 12 Hypena morphospecies were analysed using COI, COII, 28S, EF-1a, Wgl sequences or their combinations with the BPP (Bayesian Phylogenetics and Phylogeography) multigene species delimitation method. The multigene analyses supported the delimitation of 5 species, consistent with the COI analysis. We conclude that a two-step barcoding analysis pipeline is able to rapidly characterize insect biodiversity and help to elucidate species boundaries for taxonomic complexes without jeopardizing overall project efficiency by substantially increasing analytical costs.
Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas of adults: MRI features, molecular markers, and clinical outcomes
Authors: Yan Jing , Cheng Jingliang , Liu Furong , Liu Xianzhi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractFifty adult patients with pathologically-confirmed pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas (PXAs) were retrospectively analyzed. Adult PXAs appeared as a single lesion in 47 patients and multiple lesions in 3 patients. Temporal lobe was the most common location (17/50). Twenty-two cases were superficial with obvious meningeal contact and 9 were closely adjacent to lateral ventricles. Three imaging patterns were differentiated, including a predominantly solid mass with or without cystic changes (n = 33), a predominantly cystic mass with an obvious mural nodule (n = 14), and a predominantly cystic mass with an uneven wall thickness (n = 3). The mean tumoral apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was 0.83 ± 0.17 × 10−3 mm2/s, and the mean ADC ratio was 1.02 ± 0.22. The V-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogenes homolog B1 (BRAF)V600E mutation was found in 12 of 29 patients. In 36 patients with isocitrate dehydrogenases 1 and 2 (IDH1/2) data, only one had IDH1 mutation and no patient had IDH2 mutation. Anaplastic features were common (24/50) and significantly associated with high rates of recurrence or progression (P < 0.001). In conclusion, this study expands our knowledge on the MRI features, molecular markers, and clinical outcomes of adult PXAs, to some extent different from pediatric PXAs.
Circulating microRNAs -192 and -194 are associated with the presence and incidence of diabetes mellitus
Authors: Jaeger Andrea , Zollinger Lukas , Saely Christoph H. , Muendlein Axel , Evangelakos Ioannis , Nasias Dimitris , Charizopoulou Nikoleta , Schofield Jonathan D. , Othman Alaa , Soran Handrean , Kardassis Dimitris , Drexel Heinz , Eckardstein Arnold von 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe sought to identify circulating microRNAs as biomarkers of prevalent or incident diabetes. In a pilot study of 18 sex- and age-matched patients with metabolic syndrome, nine of whom developed diabetes during 6 years of follow-up, an array of 372 microRNAs discovered significantly elevated serum levels of microRNAs -122, -192, -194, and -215 in patients who developed diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM). In two cross-sectional validation studies, one encompassing sex- and age-matched groups of patients with T2DM, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and euglycemic controls (n = 43 each) and the other 53 patients with type 1 diabetes and 54 age- and BMI-matched euglycemic controls, serum levels of miR-192, miR-194, and mi215 were significantly higher in diabetic subjects than in probands with euglycemia or IFG. In a longitudinal study of 213 initially diabetes-free patients of whom 35 developed diabetes during 6 years of follow-up, elevated serum levels of microRNAs 192 and 194 were associated with incident T2DM, independently of fasting glucose, HbA1c and other risk factors. Serum levels of miR-192 and miR-194 were also elevated in diabetic Akt2 knockout mice compared to wild type mice. In conclusion, circulating microRNAs -192 and -194 are potential biomarkers for risk of diabetes.
Intranasal administration of resveratrol successfully prevents lung cancer in A/J mice
Authors: Monteillier Aymeric , Voisin Aymone , Furrer Pascal , Allémann Eric , Cuendet Muriel 
Published: September 2018

AbstractLung cancer is the most lethal cancer in the world. About 80% of lung cancer deaths are linked to tobacco use. As a complement to tobacco control, efficient chemoprevention strategies are needed to tackle lung cancer epidemic. Resveratrol is one of the most studied natural products, notably for its cancer chemoprevention properties. However, its low oral bioavailability has often limited the translation of in vitro activities to in vivo effects. While oral administration of resveratrol effectively inhibited colorectal carcinogenesis, it failed to protect mice from chemically-induced lung carcinogenesis. Therefore, non-invasive parenteral routes must be considered to bring resveratrol to the lungs. In the present study, intranasal administration of a concentrated formulation proved to be a valid method to expose the lungs to a sufficient amount of resveratrol. This formulation was administered three times a week for 25 weeks to A/J mice having 4-[methyl(nitroso)amino]-1-(3-pyridinyl)-1-butanone-induced lung carcinogenesis. Resveratrol-treated mice showed a 27% decrease in tumour multiplicity, with smaller tumours, resulting in 45% decrease in tumour volume/mouse. In vitro investigations highlighted apoptosis as a potential mechanism of action. This study presents an effective way to overcome resveratrol low oral bioavailability, encouraging a reevaluation of its use in future clinical trials.
Down-regulation of Skp2 expression inhibits invasion and lung metastasis in osteosarcoma
Authors: Zhang Yidan , Zvi Yoav S. , Batko Brian , Zaphiros Nikolas , O’Donnell Edmond F. , Wang Jichuan , Sato Kenji , Yang Rui , Geller David S. , Koirala Pratistha , Zhang Wendong , Du Xiuquan , Piperdi Sajida , Liu Yang , Zheng Deyou , Roth Michael , Gill Jonathan , Zhang Jinghang , Ren Tingting , Gorlick Richard , Zi Xiaolin , Hoang Bang H. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractOsteosarcoma (OS), the most common primary cancer of bone, exhibits a high propensity for local invasion and distant metastasis. This study sought to elucidate the role of S phase kinase-associated protein (Skp2) in osteosarcoma invasion and metastasis and to explore flavokawain A (FKA), a natural chalcone from kava extract, as a potential Skp2 targeting agent for preventing osteosarcoma progression. Skp2 was found to be overexpressed in multiple osteosarcoma cell lines, including 5 standard and 8 primary patient-derived cell lines. Patients whose tumors expressed high levels of Skp2 sustained a significantly worse metastasis-free (p = 0.0095) and overall survival (p = 0.0013) than those with low Skp2. Skp2 knockdown markedly reduced in vitro cellular invasion and in vivo lung metastasis in an orthotopic mouse model of osteosarcoma. Similar to Skp2 knockdown, treatment with FKA also reduced Skp2 expression in osteosarcoma cell lines and blocked the invasion of osteosarcoma cells in vitro and lung metastasis in vivo. Together, our findings suggest that Skp2 is a promising therapeutic target in osteosarcoma, and that FKA may be an effective Skp2-targeted therapy to reduce osteosarcoma metastasis.