bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A note on measuring natural selection on principal component scores
Authors: Chong Veronica K. , Fung Hannah F. , Stinchcombe John R. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractMeasuring natural selection through the use of multiple regression has transformed our understanding of selection, although the methods used remain sensitive to the effects of multicollinearity due to highly correlated traits. While measuring selection on principal component (PC) scores is an apparent solution to this challenge, this approach has been heavily criticized due to difficulties in interpretation and relating PC axes back to the original traits. We describe and illustrate how to transform selection gradients for PC scores back into selection gradients for the original traits, addressing issues of multicollinearity and biological interpretation. In addition to reducing multicollinearity, we suggest that this method may have promise for measuring selection on high-dimensional data such as volatiles or gene expression traits. We demonstrate this approach with empirical data and examples from the literature, highlighting how selection estimates for PC scores can be interpreted while reducing the consequences of multicollinearity
Do environmental factors drive obesity? Evidence from international graduate students
Authors: Katare Bhagyashree , Beatty Timothy K. M. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractInternational students offer a unique window into the role environmental factors play in driving obesity. Naïve estimates of the relationship between environmental factors and obesity are often plagued by reverse causation, sample selection, and omitted variable bias. In this study, we survey international students at 40 public universities across the United States. We use this unique data to link the weight gain of international students to the prevalence of obesity where they live. We argue that our estimates are less likely to be biased as international students have limited control over the environment to which they are exposed upon arrival in the United States. We find that students living in areas with a higher prevalence of obesity show a biologically important and statistically significantly greater increase in weight as compared to those living in areas with a lower prevalence of obesity. Results provide cautious evidence that environmental characteristics of a region can affect the weight gain of individuals.
Challenges facing sub‐Saharan small‐scale farmers in accessing farming information through mobile phones: A systematic literature review
Authors: Misaki Ezra , Apiola Mikko , Gaiani Silvia , Tedre Matti 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe use of mobile phone technology has increasingly been advocated to assist small‐scale farmers. Accordingly, numerous studies have been conducted on the impact, effectiveness, user's attitude, assessment, empowerment, and the potential use of mobile phone technology in agriculture. This study explores the challenges that small‐scale farmers in sub‐Saharan Africa face when using a mobile phone technology in crop farming projects and proposes areas for future improvement. The study used a systematic literature search conducted by authors at 3 levels, in which 134 studies initially identified were then narrowed to 11. These 11 studies generated 7 projects that use specialized applications in a farming value chain. The findings from the study indicate some of the challenges faced by small‐scale farmers, including the lack of their involvement in the initial phase of the invention process. Other obstacles include low trust and transparency, inappropriate use of foreign language (English) in a local cultural context, bureaucracy, and theft of mobile phones. On the basis of these results, the authors conclude that there are generalized factors for understanding deficiencies experienced by small‐scale farmers, which ought to be understood by all crop farming stakeholders. These factors can be used by software engineers to design future technologies beneficial to small‐scale farmers.
TGF‐β Initiates β‐Catenin‐Mediated CTGF Secretory Pathway in Old Bovine Nucleus Pulposus Cells: A Potential Mechanism for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Authors: Wu Qiuqian , Mathers Chun , Wang Ernest W , Sheng Sen , Wenkert David , Huang Jason H 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTWe have recently demonstrated that overexpression of Smurf2 under the control of type II collagen alpha 1 (Col2a1) promoter induces an intervertebral disc degeneration phenotype in Col2a1‐Smurf2 transgenic mice. The chondrocyte‐like cells that express type II collagen and Smurf2 in the transgenic mouse discs are prone to degenerate. However, how the chondrocyte‐like cells contribute to disc degeneration is not known. Here, we utilized primary old bovine nucleus pulposus (NP) cells as substitutes for the chondrocyte‐like cells in Col2a1‐Smurf2 transgenic mouse discs to identify mechanism. We found that 35% of the cells were senescent; TGF‐β treatment of the cells induced a rapid moderate accumulation of β‐catenin, which interacted with connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) in the cytoplasm and recruited it to the membrane for secretion. The TGF‐β‐initiated β‐catenin‐mediated CTGF secretory cascade did not occur in primary young bovine NP cells; however, when Smurf2 was overexpressed in young bovine NP cells, the cells became senescent and allowed this cascade to occur. These results suggest that Smurf2‐induced disc degeneration in Col2a1‐Smurf2 transgenic mice occurs through activation of CTGF secretory pathway in senescent disc cells. © 2018 The Authors JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Molecular study of Cw/Cx antigens and frequency of Rh phenotypes in southeast Brazilian blood donors
Authors: Costa Sidneia S. , Souza Silva Thamy C. , Chiba Akemi Kuroda , Cruz Bruno R. , Langhi Junior Dante Mário , Bordin José O. 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundThe Cw (RH:8), Cx (RH:9), and MAR (RH:51) antigens are encoded by alleles at the Cc locus of the Rh system, where Cw and Cx are considered low‐frequency antigens and antithetical to the high‐frequency antigen MAR. The frequency of Cw (RH:8) is approximately 2% in Caucasians, 1% in Black people, 4% in Finns, and 9% in Latvians. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of RhD+ phenotypes in a population of southeast Brazilian blood donors and to perform a molecular study to distinguish the RHCE*Ce.08.01 and RHCE*Ce.09 alleles, responsible for the Cw and Cx expressions, respectively.MethodsWe investigated 11,536 RhD+ Brazilian blood donors. All samples were phenotyped for D, C, c, E, e, and Cw. In the Cw+ samples, a molecular analysis was performed to detect the nucleotide substitutions A122G and G106A, which determine the Cw and Cx antigens, respectively.ResultsCw antigen was found in 110 (0.95%) samples in the following phenotypes: DCwe/dCwe (72/0.62%), DCwe/DCwe (30/0.26%), and DCwe/DCwE (8/0.07%). Among 110 Cw+ samples, 108 showed the A122G nucleotide substitution associated with RHCE*Ce.08.01 allele and 2 samples the G106A substitution associated with the RHCE*Ce.09.01 allele.ConclusionThis study showed the prevalence of the RhD+ phenotype in the Brazilian population, and that through the molecular study, it was possible to differentiate the RHCE*Ce.08.01 and RHCE*Ce.09.01 alleles. The phenotype frequency was similar from Black people (1%) and different from Caucasians, Finns, and Latvians.
Manifestations of systemic diseases and conditions that affect the periodontal attachment apparatus: Case definitions and diagnostic considerations
Authors: Albandar Jasim M. , Susin Cristiano , Hughes Francis J. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractObjectivesThis review proposes case definitions and diagnostic considerations of systemic disorders and conditions that affect the periodontal attachment apparatus.ImportancePeriodontal diseases and certain systemic disorders share similar genetic and/or environmental etiological factors, and affected patients may show manifestations of both diseases. Characterizing these diseases and the nature of the association between them could have important diagnostic value and therapeutic implications for patients.FindingsNumerous systemic disorders and certain medications can affect the periodontal attachment apparatus and cause loss of periodontal attachment and alveolar bone. Although many of these disorders are rare or uncommon, they often cause significant loss of periodontal tissue by influencing periodontal inflammation or through mechanisms distinct from periodontitis. Most of these disorders are due to innate mechanisms and some are acquired via environmental factors or lifestyle. Several disorders affect periodontal inflammation through alterations in the host immune response to periodontal infection; others cause defects in the gingiva or periodontal connective tissue, instigate metabolic changes in the host that affect various tissues of the periodontal apparatus, or operate by other mechanisms. For some systemic disorders that are more common, their contribution to the loss of periodontal tissue is modest, while for others, contribution is not supported by clear evidence. Few systemic medications are associated with increased loss of periodontal tissue, and these are typically medications used in the treatment of malignancies.ConclusionsThis review identifies systemic diseases and conditions that can affect the periodontal attachment apparatus and cause loss of periodontal supporting tissues and, where possible, presents case definitions for these. Many of these diseases are associated with a profound loss of periodontal attachment and alveolar bone, and for some of these disorders the periodontal manifestations may be among the first signs of the disease. These case definitions may be useful in the early diagnosis of these diseases and may contribute to an improvement in the management of periodontal manifestations and improve the quality of life for these patients.
Dental plaque–induced gingival conditions
Authors: Murakami Shinya , Mealey Brian L. , Mariotti Angelo , Chapple Iain L.C. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractObjectiveThis review proposes revisions to the current classification system for gingival diseases and provides a rationale for how it differs from the 1999 classification system.ImportanceGingival inflammation in response to bacterial plaque accumulation (microbial biofilms) is considered the key risk factor for the onset of periodontitis. Thus, control of gingival inflammation is essential for the primary prevention of periodontitis.FindingsThe clinical characteristics common to dental plaque–induced inflammatory gingival conditions include: a) clinical signs and symptoms of inflammation that are confined to the gingiva: b) reversibility of the inflammation by removing or disrupting the biofilm; c) the presence of a high bacterial plaque burden to initiate the inflammation; d) systemic modifying factors (e.g., hormones, systemic disorders, drugs) which can alter the severity of the plaque‐induced inflammation and; e) stable (i.e., non‐changing) attachment levels on a periodontium which may or may not have experienced a loss of attachment or alveolar bone. The simplified taxonomy of gingival conditions includes: 1) introduction of the term “incipient gingivitis;” 2) a description of the extent and severity of gingival inflammation; 3) a description of the extent and severity of gingival enlargement and; 4) a reduction of categories in the dental plaque–induced gingival disease taxonomy.ConclusionsDental plaque–induced gingival inflammation is modified by various systemic and oral factors. The appropriate intervention is crucial for the prevention of periodontitis.
Age‐dependent distribution of periodontitis in two countries: Findings from NHANES 2009 to 2014 and SHIP‐TREND 2008 to 2012
Authors: Billings Monisha , Holtfreter Birte , Papapanou Panos N. , Mitnik Gabriela Lopez , Kocher Thomas , Dye Bruce A. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractObjectiveWe used epidemiologic data of clinical periodontal status from two population‐based samples in two countries, United States and Germany, to examine 1) the impact of age on the relative contribution of recession and pocketing on the distribution of clinical attachment loss, and 2) whether it is feasible to define age‐dependent thresholds for severe periodontitis.MethodsThe analytical sample was based on persons aged ≥30 and included 10,713 individuals in the United States, participants in NHANES 2009 to 2014, and 3,071 individuals in Pomerania, Germany, participants in the SHIP‐Trend 2008 to 2012. NHANES used a full‐mouth examination protocol to collect data on recession (R), pocket depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) for six sites/tooth on a maximum of 28 teeth; SHIP‐Trend used a half‐mouth examination at four sites/tooth. In both samples, percentile distributions of mean CAL/person were generated for each 5‐year age interval. Age‐dependent thresholds defining the upper quintile of mean CAL were calculated for both samples. The topographic intraoral distribution of CAL and the relative contribution of R and PD on CAL was assessed.ResultsMean CAL increased linearly with age in both samples and was higher in SHIP‐Trend than NHANES across the age spectrum. In contrast, mean PD was constant across age groups in both populations. R contributed increasingly to CAL with age, especially after 45 to 49 years. Upper quintile mean CAL thresholds in NHANES were < 3 mm for ages up to 39 years, and under 3.58 mm in all other age groups. Corresponding values in SHIP‐Trend were also < 3 mm in ages up to 39 years but increased linearly with age up to 7.21 mm for ages ≥75 years.ConclusionsDespite substantial differences in the overall severity of attachment loss between the two samples, common patterns of CAL and of the relative contribution of R and PD to CAL with increasing age were identified. Although periodontitis severity may vary in different populations, empirical evidence‐driven definitions of CAL thresholds signifying disproportionate severity of periodontitis by age are feasible.
Spark plasma sintering preparation of reference targets for field spectroscopy on Mars
Authors: Montagnac G. , Dromart G. , Beck P. , Mercier F. , Reynard B. , Cousin A. , Maurice S. , Wiens R. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractWe propose spark plasma sintering (SPS) as a technique to prepare reference targets for Raman and other spectroscopy instruments involved in future space missions and more generally in‐field work. We have tested the effect of SPS on different international standards that are available in the form of minerals and rocks powders. Advantages and potential issues of SPS were considered by analyzing the Raman signal and mechanical properties of the sintered targets. The shape is well controlled; the rupture toughness is enhanced, and the homogeneous distribution of the mineral phases is verified. A suite of calibration targets has thus been implemented for the SuperCam instrument on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Mars 2020 rover, and SPS may be preferred for future missions as well.
Effects of feeding strategies during lactation and the inclusion of quebracho in the fattening on performance and carcass traits in light lambs
Authors: Lobón Sandra , Blanco Mireia , Sanz Albina , Ripoll Guillermo , Joy Margalida 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe interest for grazing systems and the use of condensed tannins (CTs) as sources of natural antioxidants in animal diets has been increasing in recent years. The objective was to study the animal performance and carcass quality of the lambs according to the feeding strategy during lactation (indoors, grazing alfalfa, grazing sainfoin) and the inclusion of quebracho as a source of CTs (50 g kg−1) in the fattening concentrate.RESULTSThe feeding strategy during lactation only had effects on carcass quality. Indoor lambs had a greater dressing percentage and deposition of kidney fat than sainfoin and alfalfa lambs. The kidney fat of sainfoin‐ and alfalfa‐fed lambs had a greater yellowness, chroma and carotenoid content than the fat of indoor‐fed lambs (P < 0.05), whereas the subcutaneous fat colour was not affected by the feeding during lactation. The use of fat colour to trace the feeding strategy was assessed and found insufficiently accurate to implement its use.The inclusion of 50 g kg−1 quebracho in the concentrate fed during the fattening period increased lamb weight gains and feed intake but had little effect on the carcass characteristics.CONCLUSIONSThe feeding strategies during lactation had an effect on the carcass characteristics, highlighting the importance of the dam's diet during this period. The inclusion of quebracho in the lamb's concentrate had minor effects. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Molecularly imprinted covalent organic polymers for the selective extraction of benzoxazole fluorescent whitening agents from food samples
Authors: Ding Hui , Wang Rongyu , Wang Xiao , Ji Wenhua 
Published: June 2018

AbstractMolecularly imprinted covalent organic polymers were constructed by an imine‐linking reaction between 1,3,5‐triformylphloroglucinol and 2,6‐diaminopyridine and used for the selective solid‐phase extraction of benzoxazole fluorescent whitening agents from food samples. Binding experiments showed that imprinting sites on molecularly imprinted polymers had higher selectivity for targets compared with those of the corresponding non‐imprinted polymers. Parameters affecting the solid‐phase extraction procedure were examined. Under optimal conditions, actual samples were treated and the eluent was analyzed with high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode‐array detection. The results showed that the established method has a wide linearity, satisfactory detection limits and quantification limits, and acceptable recoveries. Thus, this developed method possesses the practical potential for the selective determination of benzoxazole fluorescent whitening agents in complex food samples.
Response surface and group additivity methodology for estimation of thermodynamic properties of organosilanes
Authors: Janbazi H. , Hasemann O. , Schulz C. , Kempf A. , Wlokas I. , Peukert S. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractGroup additivity methods simplify the determination of thermodynamic properties of a wide range of chemically related species involved in detailed reaction schemes. In this paper, we expand Benson's group additivity method to organosilanes. Based on quantum‐chemical calculations, the thermodynamic data of 22 stable silicon‐organic species are calculated, presented in the form of NASA polynomials, and compared to the available experimental data. Based on this theoretical database, a complete set of 24 Si‐ and C‐atom‐centered, single‐bonded and nonradical group additivity values for enthalpy of formation, standard entropy, and heat capacity at temperatures from 200 to 4000 K is derived through unweighted multivariate linear regression.
Land use/land cover change and it's impacts on diurnal temperature range over the agricultural pastoral ecotone of Northern China
Authors: Wei Baocheng , Xie Yaowen , Jia Xu , Wang Xiaoyun , He Hongjie , Xue Xiaoyu 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe agricultural pastoral ecotone of Northern China (APENC), as a fragile ecological zone, has experienced dramatic land use/land cover changes (LULCC) owing to intensive human disturbances. The understanding of the impacts of LULCC on climate, especially the diurnal temperature range (DTR), is not sufficient in this region. The spatio‐temporal processes of LULCC and its impacts on DTR were quantitatively analyzed, using the Terra/Aqua MODIS data (MYD11A2 and MCD12Q1, 2003–2013), on the premise of eliminating or weakening the effects of background climate. Results showed that the areas of croplands, forests, and waterbody increased with the annual rate of 2.84%, 0.95%, and 8.2%, respectively, whereas grasslands and bare land decreased with the annual rate of 0.69% and 7.32%, and built‐up remained quite stable during the period of 2003–2013. The annual changing rate of LULC for 2008–2013 was nearly 2.84 times the value for 2003–2008. In general, LULC contributed to a decline of DTR over the whole APENC both at monthly/seasonal timescale. Croplands, forests, and mutual transformation between croplands and grasslands tended to decrease daytime maximum temperature (Tmax), resulting in a decline of DTR. The grasslands could reduce the DTR by decreasing Tmax and increasing nighttime minimum temperature (Tmin). By contrast, the conversion of grasslands into forests tended to increase Tmax and decrease Tmin, thus a rise of DTR for winter, summer, and autumn had observed. These results can assist land resource development and relevant policies making in APENC.
Construction of coastline shelterbelts and assessment of their environmental effects in Yuyao, China
Authors: Shan Qihua , Zhang Jianfeng , Sun Shiyong , Chen Guangcai , Zhang Handan , Shen Liming 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThere is 18,000 km of coastline in China. It is extremely important to construct coastal shelterbelts as they have a unique and irreplaceable role in the prevention and mitigation of natural disasters and in maintaining the ecological balance of coastal regions. A coastal shelterbelt was constructed near Yuyao City, Zhejiang Province, and three plots (wasteland, farmland, and forest) were studied to investigate the effects of environmental factors on the diversity of herbaceous plants. The environmental benefits were analyzed by field surveys and soil sampling. A total of 31 species from 30 genera and 14 families of halophyte and salt‐tolerant grasses were found in the survey area. The wasteland included 21 species from 20 genera and 9 families, whereas the shelterbelt forest had 19 species from 19 genera and 8 families, with Poaceae and Asteraceae dominating. Moreover, the Sørensen coefficient for the shelterbelt forest and wasteland was 65 and that for the shelterbelt forest and farmland was 55.56. Additionally, the salinity decreased from 0.52% to 0.02% after 2 years, similar to the value for farmland that has been cultivated for decades. The organic matter content increased from 5.1 to 9.5 g/kg, and the total nitrogen content increased from 0.34 to 0.47 g/kg. We concluded that coastline shelterbelts could be successfully established on the muddy coast. With coastline shelterbelts growing, the structure and diversity of herbaceous plants were affected, and the soil conditions were improved. Therefore, the construction of shelterbelt forest would improve the coastal landscape and enhance soil properties, accelerating the succession of herbaceous plants.