bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circular RNAs in nucleus pulposus cell function and intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Li Zheng , Chen Xin , Xu Derong , Li Shugang , Chan Matthew T. V. , Wu William K. K. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIntervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a common cause of low back pain, which inflicts more global disability than any other condition. Although IDD was deemed to be a natural process that comes with ageing, a growing body of evidence suggested that both genetic and environmental factors could modify the development of IDD. In this connection, aberrant function of nucleus pulposus cells has been implicated in IDD pathogenesis. Circular RNAs are a novel class of endogenous non‐coding RNAs that play crucial regulatory roles in diverse cellular processes. Recently, deregulation of circRNAs in nucleus pulposus cells was found to functionally participate in IDD development. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the deregulation of circRNAs in IDD in relation to their actions on nucleus pulposus cell functions, including cell proliferation, apoptosis and extracellular matrix synthesis/degradation. The potential clinical utilities of circRNAs as therapeutic targets for the management of IDD are also discussed.
Efficacy of the Diabeloop closed‐loop system to improve glycaemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes exposed to gastronomic dinners or to sustained physical exercise
Authors: Hanaire Hélène , Franc Sylvia , Borot Sophie , Penfornis Alfred , Benhamou Pierre‐Yves , Schaepelynck Pauline , Renard Eric , Guerci Bruno , Jeandidier Nathalie , Simon Chantal , Hannaert Patrick , Xhaard Ilham , Doron Maeva , Huneker Erik , Charpentier Guillaume , Reznik Yves 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAimsTo compare closed‐loop (CL) and open‐loop (OL) systems for glycaemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) exposed to real‐life challenging situations (gastronomic dinners or sustained physical exercise).MethodsThirty‐eight adult patients with T1D were included in a three‐armed randomized pilot trial (Diabeloop WP6.2 trial) comparing glucose control using a CL system with use of an OL device during two crossover 72‐hour periods in one of the three following situations: large (gastronomic) dinners; sustained and repeated bouts of physical exercise (with uncontrolled food intake); or control (rest conditions). Outcomes included time in spent in the glucose ranges of 4.4‐7.8 mmol/L and 3.9‐10.0 mmol/L, and time in hypo‐ and hyperglycaemia.ResultsTime spent overnight in the tight range of 4.4 to 7.8 mmol/L was longer with CL (mean values: 63.2% vs 40.9% with OL; P ≤ .0001). Time spent during the day in the range of 3.9 to 10.0 mmol/L was also longer with CL (79.4% vs 64.1% with OL; P ≤ .0001). Participants using the CL system spent less time during the day with hyperglycaemic excursions (glucose >10.0 mmol/L) compared to those using an OL system (17.9% vs 31.9%; P ≤ .0001), and the proportions of time spent during the day with hyperglycaemic excursions of those using the CL system in the gastronomic dinner and physical exercise subgroups were of similar magnitude to those in the control subgroup (18.1 ± 6.3%, 17.2 ± 8.1% and 18.4 ± 12.5%, respectively). Finally, times spent in hypoglycaemia were short and not significantly different among the groups.ConclusionsThe Diabeloop CL system is superior to OL devices in reducing hyperglycaemic excursions in patients with T1D exposed to gastronomic dinners, or exposed to physical exercise followed by uncontrolled food and carbohydrate intake.
Design thinking in pedagogy: Frameworks and uses
Authors: Luka Ineta 
Published: October 2019

AbstractNew learning approaches are now required to meet changing needs and develop appropriate skills and capabilities, often addressed as 21st century skills. In the last decade, design thinking has gained in popularity in higher education. This article describes the design thinking approach, its principles and models, various design thinking tools and their application in pedagogy. It presents the findings of an international study evaluating the creation and implementation of a culture‐based blended‐learning course for adult learners who are developing their 21st century skills by applying innovative teaching/learning methodologies, such as case studies, webquests and design thinking tools. Two hundred and twenty‐seven learners participated in the course and responded to a questionnaire to evaluate the learning platform, the English course developed, the teaching/learning methodologies applied and the development of their 21st century skills applying innovative learning tools. The findings highlight the benefits of the design thinking approach to skills development and point to the impact of the course content and layout and certain design thinking tools applied in developing 21st century skills.
Human habituation reduces hyrax flight initiation distance in Serengeti
Authors: Mbise Franco P. , Fredriksen Kari‐Elise , Ranke Peter S. , Jackson Craig , Fyumagwa Robert , Holmern Tomas , Fossøy Frode , Røskaft Eivin 
Published: October 2019

AbstractMany animal populations are exposed to disturbance originating from human activities. In response to human disturbance, certain animals display a variety of potentially costly behavioural responses, such as increased antipredator behaviour or relocation to new areas. In contrast, other animals seemingly thrive in the presence of humans and benefit from human‐derived resources. Flight initiation distance (FID: the distance between predator and prey when prey starts to flee) is a measure commonly used to assess animals’ tolerance to humans. In this study, we tested how FID changes in relation to human presence in two hyrax species in Serengeti National Park. Hyraxes living on kopjes (rock outcrops) among human settlements showed a significantly shorter FID than hyraxes living on kopjes without human settlements. In addition, we found that hyraxes feeding before the experiment had shorter FID than hyraxes resting or being vigilant, and hyraxes disturbed during the early morning had shorter FID than hyraxes disturbed during late morning. We did not find any significant effects of group size or species composition on FID. Our results suggest that hyraxes living in the presence of humans are habituated and are not adversely affected by human settlements.
Natural hazard threats to pollinators and pollination
Authors: Nicholson Charlie C. , Egan Paul A. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractNatural hazards are naturally occurring physical events that can impact human welfare both directly and indirectly, via shocks to ecosystems and the services they provide. Animal‐mediated pollination is critical for sustaining agricultural economies and biodiversity, yet stands to lose both from present exposure to natural hazards, and future climate‐driven shifts in their distribution, frequency, and intensity. In contrast to the depth of knowledge available for anthropogenic‐related threats, our understanding of how naturally occurring extreme events impact pollinators and pollination has not yet been synthesized. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to examine the potential impacts of natural hazards on pollinators and pollination in natural and cultivated systems. From a total of 117 studies (74% of which were observational), we found evidence of community and population‐level impacts to plants and pollinators from seven hazard types, including climatological (extreme heat, fire, drought), hydrological (flooding), meteorological (hurricanes), and geophysical (volcanic activity, tsunamis). Plant and pollinator response depended on the type of natural hazard and level of biological organization observed; 19% of cases reported no significant impact, whereas the majority of hazards held consistent negative impacts. However, the effects of fire were mixed, but taxa specific; meta‐analysis revealed that bee abundance and species richness tended to increase in response to fire, differing significantly from the mainly negative response of Lepidoptera. Building from this synthesis, we highlight important future directions for pollination‐focused natural hazard research, including the need to: (a) advance climate change research beyond static “mean‐level” changes by better incorporating “shock” events; (b) identify impacts at higher levels of organization, including ecological networks and co‐evolutionary history; and (c) address the notable gap in crop pollination services research—particularly in developing regions of the world. We conclude by discussing implications for safeguarding pollination services in the face of global climate change.
Lower elevation animal species do not tend to be better competitors than their higher elevation relatives
Authors: Freeman Benjamin G. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAimWhat factors set species' range edges? One general hypothesis, often attributed to Darwin and MacArthur, is that interspecific competition prevents species from inhabiting the warmest portions along geographic gradients (i.e., low latitudes or low elevations). A prediction arising from this Darwin–MacArthur hypothesis is that lower elevation species are better competitors than related higher elevation species. An alternative prediction is that higher elevation animal taxa will tend to be better competitors because they will tend to be larger (Bergmann's rule). Here, I test these opposing predictions.LocationGlobal.Time period1971–2019.Major taxa studiedBirds, mammals, amphibians, fishes.MethodsI conducted a meta‐analysis of studies that measured pairwise behavioural aggression between species‐pairs of closely related animals where the two species inhabit divergent elevational distributions.ResultsI found that (a) interspecific aggression appears to be a reliable indicator of interspecific competition; (b) elevational position was not consistently linked to interspecific aggression—while lower elevation songbird species in the tropics showed stronger interspecific aggression in response to playback experiments, higher elevation species showed stronger interspecific aggression in direct observations of interspecific aggression across a range of taxa and latitudes; (c) body size was a good predictor of pairwise interspecific aggression and (d) there was limited evidence for Bergmann's rule.Main conclusionsMy results do not support the longstanding prediction that lower elevation animals are generally better competitors than their higher elevation relatives. Instead, patterns of interspecific aggression are linked to body size, with larger animals showing more aggression towards smaller relatives than vice versa. Hence, a trait—body size—that is idiosyncratically related to elevational position appear to determine the outcome of pairwise behavioural interactions. Last, I consider these results in the context of the hypothesis that behavioural interactions may impact rates of upslope range shifts associated with recent warming.
Household valuation of energy development in amenity‐rich regions
Authors: Stephens Heather M. , Weinstein Amanda L. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe juxtaposition of oil and gas wells against the Rocky Mountains on Colorado's Front Range provides a picture of the complicated interaction between Colorado's natural resources above and below ground. As hydraulic fracturing has increased oil and gas development—bringing jobs and money to an already highly sought after amenity‐rich area—it has also increased concerns about the impact on natural amenities, such as water quality and mountain views. Using data on housing sales between 2006 and 2014, we estimate how shale development is capitalized into housing prices in a booming market when households are in close proximity to other natural amenities. We find that shale development negatively impacts house prices, more so for houses with private water and houses that are closer to the mountains, but that competition for land along the Front Range has driven up house prices overall in the region. Our results also suggest the policy responses to shale development may differ for growing, amenity‐rich regions.
Synthesis, structural, mechanical, and in vitro evaluations of NiFe2O4/ZrO2 composites
Authors: Raveendran Subina , Khan Mohd. Imran K. , Dhayalan Arunkumar , Kannan S. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractNiFe2O4/ZrO2 composite with varied compositional ratios was formed through solution‐based sol‐gel synthetic route. The ability to retain NiFe2O4/ZrO2 composite structures was dependent on the concomitant effect of temperature gradient and precursor concentration. The crystallization of t‐ZrO2 alongside the incidence of NiFe2O4 and NiO was evident at 900°C. However, the gradual elimination of NiO and simultaneous enhancement in NiFe2O4 content is inevitable at 1300°C. Morphological analysis of the composite revealed discrete distribution of ZrO2 and NiFe2O4 grains and also portrays the dense and pore‐free microstructures. Despite the presence of varied amount of NiFe2O4 in the composites, the resultant mechanical properties displayed relatively better values and exhibited good similarities with the hard tissue. As expected, a gradual increment in the ferrimagnetic properties as a function of enhanced NiFe2O4 content was induced. Further, in vitro analysis delivered good biocompatibility features of the investigated NiFe2O4/ZrO2 composite.
Does stardom affect the informativeness of a CEO's insider trades?
Authors: Sabherwal Sanjiv , Uddin Mohammad Riaz 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis study examines whether the celebrity or star status of a chief executive officer (CEO) affects the informativeness of his insider trades. Using three different measures to identify star CEOs in a sample of S&P 1500 firms, we find that trades of non‐star CEOs predict future abnormal returns and earnings innovations and that trades of star CEOs do not. The predictive power of non‐star CEO trades is mostly attributable to opportunistic trades, not routine trades. We also find evidence suggesting that the abnormal returns associated with non‐star CEO insider trades are due to the lower visibility and consequently less scrutiny of non‐star CEOs compared with star CEOs.
Asian management of hypertension: Current status, home blood pressure, and specific concerns in Japan
Authors: Kabutoya Tomoyuki , Hoshide Satoshi , Kario Kazuomi 
Published: October 2019

AbstractHypertension is highly prevalent in Japan, affecting up to 60% of males and 45% of females. Stroke is the main adverse cardiovascular event, occurring at a higher rate than acute myocardial infarction. Reducing blood pressure (BP) therefore has an important role to play in decreasing morbidity and mortality. The high use of home BP monitoring (HBPM) in Japan is a positive, and home BP is a better predictor of cardiovascular event occurrence than office BP. New 2019 Japanese Society of Hypertension Guidelines strongly recommend the use of HBPM to facilitate control of hypertension to new lower target BP levels (office BP < 130/80 mm Hg and home BP < 125/75 mm Hg). Lifestyle modifications, especially reducing salt intake, are also an important part of hypertension management strategies in Japan. The most commonly used antihypertensive agents are calcium channel blockers followed by angiotensin receptor blockers, and the combination of agents from these two classes is the most popular combination therapy. These agents are appropriate choices in South East Asian countries given that they have been shown to reduce stroke more effectively than other antihypertensives. Morning hypertension, nocturnal hypertension, and BP variability are important targets for antihypertensive therapy based on their association with target organ damage and cardiovascular events. Use of home and ambulatory BP monitoring techniques is needed to monitor these important hypertension phenotypes. Information and communication technology‐based monitoring platforms and wearable devices are expected to facilitate better management of hypertension in Japan in the future.
Serendipitous re‐sighting of a basking shark Cetorhinus maximus reveals inter‐annual connectivity between American and European coastal hotspots
Authors: Johnston Emmett M. , Mayo Paul A. , Mensink Paul J. , Savetsky Eric , Houghton Jonathan D. R. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractTransatlantic stock mixing in basking sharks Cetorhinus maximus is supported by low genetic diversity in populations throughout the Atlantic Ocean. However, despite significant focus on the species' movements; >1500 individual sharks marked for recapture and >150 individuals equipped with remote tracking tags, only a single record of transatlantic movment has been previously recorded. Within this context, the seredipitous re‐sighting of a female basking shark fitted with a satellite transmitter at Malin Head, Ireland 993 days later at Cape Cod, USA is noteworthy.
Development and pilot study of an oral health literacy tool for older adults
Authors: Wanichsaithong Pinpinut , Goodwin Michaela , Pretty Iain A. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAimOral health literacy is emerging as an important element in oral health promotion, but few studies have been conducted in older adults. This work aimed to develop and validate the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Dentistry for Older Adults (OA‐TOFHLiD).MethodsThe tool was developed by a researcher and then evaluated by experts for face validity. A convenience sample was conducted to recruit 105 older adults, aged more than 60 years in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2016. 2 existing health literacy tools and the newly developed test were administered and oral health statuses were examined by a dentist.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 67.4 years (SD = 5.86). The OA‐TOFHLiD scores were positively correlated with education, income, self‐reported general literacy, health literacy scores and dental caries. However, it was negatively correlated with the number of decayed and missing teeth (P < .05). Cronbach's alpha was 0.88 and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.86.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that OA‐TOFHLiD has acceptable validity and reliability; however, it is suggested that the predictive validity of this tool should be improved.
The wrist is not the brain: Estimation of sleep by clinical and consumer wearable actigraphy devices is impacted by multiple patient‐ and device‐specific factors
Authors: Danzig Rachel , Wang Mengxi , Shah Amit , Trotti Lynn Marie 
Published: October 2019

AbstractClinical actigraphy devices provide adequate estimates of some sleep measures across large groups. In practice, providers are asked to apply clinical or consumer wearable data to individual patient assessments. Inter‐individual variability in device performance will impact such patient‐specific interpretation. We assessed two devices, clinical and consumer, to determine the magnitude and predictors of this individual‐level variability. One hundred and two patients (55 [53.9%] female; 56.4 [±16.3] years old) undergoing polysomnography wore Jawbone UP3 and/or Actiwatch2. Device total sleep time, sleep efficiency, wake after sleep onset and sleep latency were compared with polysomnography. Demographics, sleep architecture and clinical measures were compared to device performance. Actiwatch overestimated total sleep time by 27.2 min (95% confidence limits [CL], 138.3 min over to 84.0 under), overestimated sleep efficiency by 6.8% (95% CL, 34.1% over to 20.5% under), overestimated sleep onset latency by 2.6 min (95% CL, 63.3 over to 58.2 under) and underestimated wake after sleep onset by 50.7 min (95% CL, 162.5 under to 61.2 over). Jawbone overestimated total sleep time by 59.1 min (95% CL, 208.6 min over to 90.5 under) and overestimated sleep efficiency by 14.9% (95% CL, 52.6% over to 22.7% under). In multivariate models, age, sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset, % N1 and apnea–hypopnea index explained only some of the variance in device performance. Gender also affected performance. Actiwatch and Jawbone mis‐estimate sleep measures with very wide confidence limits and accuracy varies with multiple patient‐level characteristics. Given these large individual inaccuracies, data from these devices must be applied only with extreme caution in clinical practice.
Aquinas's ‘Integral Parts of Prudence’ as a Resource for Human Formation
Authors: Love John D. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAquinas's articulation of the eight ‘integral parts’ of prudence can serve as a manageable, practical focus for ongoing human development. Although Aquinas holds that there is an infused Prudence, this does not render acquired prudence redundant, because (1) God moves things in ways that befit their natures, and it is our nature to have dominion over our actions; (2) human beings have free will, characteristically exercised in electio, choice of means; (3) grace perfects nature; (4) some scholars have defended the complementarity of the acquired and infused virtues, and there is widespread agreement that the psychological structures needed by acquired virtue persist in the life of graced virtue.The ‘integral parts’ of a Cardinal Virtue must concur for its perfect acts. Aquinas examines them in detail, and offers methods of building ‘memory’ through human effort; he leaves to our diligence the discernment of how to build other parts of prudence. He explains how the parts are deployed in the acts of deliberation, judgment and command.Aquinas's consideration of the vices opposed to prudence and its parts enables him to warn us about what impedes prudence, and to help us distinguish false from legitimate concerns for bodily goods, superfluous from proportionate solicitude, etc.
Decelerated carbon cycling by ectomycorrhizal fungi is controlled by substrate quality and community composition
Authors: Fernandez Christopher W. , See Craig R. , Kennedy Peter G. 
Published: October 2019

Summary

Interactions between symbiotic ectomycorrhizal (EM) and free‐living saprotrophs can result in significant deceleration of leaf litter decomposition. While this phenomenon is widely cited, its generality remains unclear, as both the direction and magnitude of EM fungal effects on leaf litter decomposition have been shown to vary among studies.
Here we explicitly examine how contrasting leaf litter types and EM fungal communities may lead to differential effects on carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling. Specifically, we measured the response of soil nutrient cycling, litter decay rates, litter chemistry and fungal community structure to the reduction of EM fungi (via trenching) with a reciprocal litter transplant experiment in adjacent Pinus‐ or Quercus‐dominated sites.
We found clear evidence of EM fungal suppression of C and N cycling in the Pinus‐dominated site, but no suppression in the Quercus‐dominated site. Additionally, in the Pinus‐dominated site, only the Pinus litter decay rates were decelerated by EM fungi and were associated with decoupling of litter C and N cycling.
Our results support the hypothesis that EM fungi can decelerate C cycling via N competition, but strongly suggest that the ‘Gadgil effect’ is dependent on both substrate quality and EM fungal community composition. We argue that understanding tree host traits as well as EM fungal functional diversity is critical to a more mechanistic understanding of how EM fungi mediate forest soil biogeochemical cycling.