bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced genetic diversity of weedy rice populations associated with latitude decreases revealed by simple sequence repeat fingerprints
Authors: Wang Zhe , Fu Min‐Jie , Zhu Hai‐Ge , Zhu Yue , Zhao Xiang‐Xiang , Lu Bao‐Rong 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWeedy rice (WR, Oryza sativa L. f. spontanea) is a noxious agricultural weed, infesting rice fields worldwide and causing tremendous yield losses of cultivated rice. However, little is known about the relationship between genetic diversity and distribution of WR populations across a wide latitudinal gradient, in addition to its reasons for genetic differentiation. To determine the distribution of genetic diversity and differentiation, we analyzed 20 WR populations collected from wide geographic ranges of rice‐planting regions across Northeast, Jiangsu, and Guangdong provinces of China, and Sri Lanka, based on 20 simple sequence repeat loci. Our results indicated a significant negative correlation (R = 0.84, P < 0.01) between genetic diversity and latitudinal locations of WR populations. The Mantel test (R2 = 0.49, P < 0.01) showed distinct groupings of WR populations from different rice‐planting regions, fitting an isolation‐by‐distance pattern. In addition, the STRUCTURE analysis and principal coordinates (PCoA) analysis indicated considerable genetic differentiation of WR from different rice‐planting regions, which was associated with the types of co‐occurring rice cultivars. We conclude, based on the above results, that WR genetic diversity is affected by the latitudes where WR populations are located. The genetic differentiation of WR populations is determined by their spatial distances and co‐occurring rice cultivars. Such a pattern of genetic diversity and differentiation across different regions might facilitate the design of effective WR control, in addition to understanding the adaptive evolution of this weed.
Ask me: Children's experiences of pain explored using the draw, write, and tell method
Authors: Pope Nicole , Tallon Mary , Leslie Gavin , Wilson Sally 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPurposePain management within emergency departments (ED) remains challenging. Given that unrelieved pain in children is linked to a number of negative physiological and psychological consequences, optimal management of children's pain is paramount. Many studies exploring children's pain have adopted quantitative methods or sought the perspectives of adults. Compared to adults, studies examining children's views on pain and pain management are limited. This study aimed to explore children's pain experiences, their perception of pain management and expectations of the role of the nurse.DesignThis was a qualitative descriptive study using an inductive approach.MethodsFifteen children, aged 4–8 years who presented to the ED of an Australian tertiary pediatric hospital in acute pain participated. Data were collected using draw, write, and tell (DWT) technique and analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsThree themes emerged (1) “Security,” (2) “My pain” with subthemes: “The pain feelings” and “My sad/happy feelings,” (3) “Comfort and relief” with subthemes: “Taking my mind off it,” “Resting” and “Hospital things.” When in pain children needed to feel secure. Parents and nurses were important in fostering a secure environment for children. Children were capable of describing their pain and identified nonpharmacological strategies to help their pain.Practice implicationsChildren as young as 4 years old can provide detailed accounts of their pain, which extends beyond physical dimensions to include visual, auditory, and sensory features. Nurses need to listen, be honest, and develop trust with children to be helpful. Nonpharmacological pain‐relieving strategies can be implemented by parents and nurses in collaboration with the child. Fostering a secure environment is essential.
Community‐level functional interactions with fire track long‐term structural development and fire adaptation
Authors: Brussel Thomas , Minckley Thomas A. , Brewer Simon C. , Long Colin J. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractQuestionsFunctional interactions between fire and fire‐dependent plant communities have been considered to select for increased community flammability. We address this concept by resolving: (a) can fossil pollen records be used to examine past variations in functional attributes; (b) can community‐level, functional responses to fire be obtained by coupling fire history with pollen derived plant traits; and (c) has directional selection promoted attributes that increase community flammability?LocationBreitenbush Lake, Oregon, USA.MethodsWe developed a framework based on ecological understanding of functional traits and pollen records to analyse variations in functional attribute expressions through time. Fire‐related functional attributes that indicate sensitivity to changes in fire activity were identified and associated with taxa from a pollen record.ResultsNine of the 14 functional attributes were significantly related to fire frequency (number of fires 1,000 per year). When combined with fire history data, variation in the abundances of functional attributes suggest selection of plant community expressions that indicate community‐level responses to fire related to changes in structural development and changes in fire adaptation. Fire frequency variations may drive directional selection for fire‐adapted attributes, and against fire‐sensitive attributes. Our results indicate increased Holocene fire activity may have been linked to vegetation functional interactions with fire.ConclusionsOur method of combining paleoecological data with functional traits allowed reconstruction of community‐level changes in the expression of functional characteristics, providing evidence on structural development and changes in fire adaptation. Our results (a) highlight the capacity of paleoecological records to track plant community trait composition; (b) provide novel information on fire–vegetation relationships, independent of and complementary to conventional methods of disturbance‐based paleoecological interpretations; (c) suggest the Holocene fire trend may be linked to the type of biomass being burned through directional selection; and (d) suggest an application that may be applied to quantify community responses to various disturbances across broad temporal and spatial scales.
The role of lysosomes and autophagosomes in frontotemporal lobar degeneration
Authors: Bain H. D. C. , Davidson Y. S. , Robinson A. C. , Ryan S. , Rollinson S. , Richardson A. , Jones M. , Snowden J. S. , Pickering‐Brown S. , Mann D. M. A. 
Published: May 2018

IntroductionCell biological and genetic evidence implicate failures in degrading aggregating proteins, such as tau and TDP‐43, through the autophagy or lysosomal pathways in the pathogenesis of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD).MethodsWe investigated changes in the degradative pathways in 60 patients with different pathological or genetic forms of FTLD employing immunohistochemistry for marker proteins such as lysosomal‐associated membrane proteins 1 (LAMP‐1) and 2 (LAMP‐2), cathepsin D (CTSD) and microtubule‐associated protein 1 light chain 3 alpha (LC3A). Immunostained sections were qualitatively and semi‐quantitatively assessed for the appearance, distribution and intensity of staining in neurones of the dentate gyrus (DG) and CA4 region of the hippocampus, and the temporal cortex (Tcx).ResultsLower levels of neuronal LAMP‐1 immunostaining were present in the DG and Tcx in FTLD‐tau compared to FTLD‐TDP. There was less LAMP‐1 immunostaining in FTLD‐tau with MAPT mutations, and FTLD‐tau with Pick bodies, compared to FTLD‐TDP types A and B, and less LAMP‐1 immunostaining in FTLD‐TDP type C than in FTLD‐TDP types A and B. There was greater LAMP‐1 immunostaining in GRN mutation which may reflect the underlying type A histology rather than mutation. There were no differences in neuronal LAMP‐2, CTSD, EEA‐1 or LC3A immunostaining between any of the five FTLD histological or four genetic groups, nor between FTLD‐TDP and FTLD‐tau.ConclusionsThe underlying pathological mechanism in FTLD‐tau may lie with a relative deficiency of lysosomes, or defective vesicular transport, whereas the failure to clear TDP‐43 aggregates may lie with lysosomal dysfunction rather than a lack of available lysosomes or degradative enzymes.
Measuring the implementation of early childhood development programs
Authors: Aboud Frances E. , Prado Elizabeth L. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn this paper we describe ways to measure variables of interest when evaluating the implementation of a program to improve early childhood development (ECD). The variables apply to programs delivered to parents in group sessions and home or clinic visits, as well as in early group care for children. Measurements for four categories of variables are included: training and assessment of delivery agents and supervisors; program features such as quality of delivery, reach, and dosage; recipients’ acceptance and enactment; and stakeholders’ engagement. Quantitative and qualitative methods are described, along with when measures might be taken throughout the processes of planning, preparing, and implementing. A few standard measures are available, along with others that researchers can select and modify according to their goals. Descriptions of measures include who might collect the information, from whom, and when, along with how information might be analyzed and findings used. By converging on a set of common methods to measure implementation variables, investigators can work toward improving programs, identifying gaps that impede the scalability and sustainability of programs, and, over time, ascertain program features that lead to successful outcomes.
Reporting guidelines for implementation research on nurturing care interventions designed to promote early childhood development
Authors: Yousafzai Aisha K. , Aboud Frances E. , Nores Milagros , Kaur Raghbir 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMeta‐analyses of interventions such as parenting, stimulation, and early childhood education have reported consistent medium‐to‐high effect sizes on early childhood development (ECD) and early learning outcomes. However, few effective interventions promoting ECD have achieved scale. In order to increase the access to effective or high‐quality services, greater focus on implementation research of interventions promoting ECD is necessary. In this paper, we describe the development of reporting guidelines for implementation research of nurturing care interventions designed to promote ECD following an expert consensus‐building process. The goal of these guidelines is to support a transparent and standard reporting of implementation evidence on nurturing care interventions designed to promote early childhood development.
Diffusing and scaling evidence‐based interventions: eight lessons for early child development from the implementation of perinatal home visiting in South Africa
Authors: Tomlinson Mark , Hunt Xanthe , Rotheram‐Borus Mary Jane 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMost low‐ and middle‐income countries lack resources with which to implement public health programs. As such, there is a necessity to facilitate programing that judiciously makes use of what resources there are. However, despite evidence for the efficacy of many interventions, translating these into real‐world effectiveness, and then into scalability, is complex and has often been neglected. We draw on a case study of Philani+ (a maternal and child health intervention implemented in South Africa) to distil eight features of health programing that aid intervention effectiveness. We argue that implementation science should turn its attention to the human resource “process” features of interventions. We describe the importance of staff selection (rigorous selection and hiring procedures); training (developing a set of common core pragmatic problem‐solving skills); monitoring (feedback about quality); community and institutional support (rapport with intervention communities); the importance of stable leadership (consistent leadership focusing on how to optimize the potential of staff); the importance of implementing with sustainable, long‐term change in mind; and, finally, we describe how cultivating consistency within an organization requires disciplined action and disciplined focus on the organization's vision.
What policymakers need from implementation evaluations of early childhood development programs
Authors: Lombardi Joan 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAs early childhood interventions move from small‐ to large‐scale programs, the partnerships among researchers, policymakers, communication experts, practitioners, and local communities become increasingly critical for successful implementation. The results from evaluations of programs need to guide policymakers so that they can make informed administrative and fiscal decisions. This commentary makes five recommendations for researchers to consider when designing early childhood programs for scale.
Measuring the cost of investing in early childhood interventions and applications of a standardized costing tool
Authors: Gustafsson‐Wright Emily , Boggild‐Jones Izzy 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn this paper we analyze the need for consistent and accurate cost data on early childhood development (ECD) interventions as a basis for increasing and improving the effectiveness of current spending on ECD. We establish the key components necessary in a costing model and present a new standardized costing tool intended for use across a broad range of stakeholders and contexts. Learnings from piloting the tool in Bangladesh, Malawi, Mali, Mexico, and Mozambique are shared. Providing a standardized methodology for costing ECD is an important contribution to the field and has the potential to improve both the volume and effectiveness of ECD financing.
Building capacity in health and education systems to deliver interventions that strengthen early child development
Authors: Nores Milagros , Fernandez Camila 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBuilding capacity within health and education systems of low‐ and middle‐income countries in order to deliver high‐quality early childhood services requires coordinated efforts across sectors, effective governance, sufficient funding, an adequate workforce, reliable data systems, and continuous monitoring, evaluation, and improvement cycles; it also requires partnerships with the private sector, communities, and parents. In addition, building capacity requires leadership, innovation of strategies to fit into existing structures, evidence‐based intervention models, and effective partnerships that help make interventions more culturally relevant, help finance them, and help create institutional long‐term support and sustainability for them. In this article, we focus on identifying eight critical aspects of enabling systemic support for early childhood services. Every action that strengthens these critical aspects should be seen as necessary, but insufficient, steps toward a national strong governance structure for delivering a locally relevant and comprehensive early child development program that promotes children's developmental potentials.
A network for early childhood development
Authors: Zonji Shekufeh 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPolitical action and investment are critical to meet the development needs of vulnerable young children today. Early childhood development (ECD) has become a global priority: an ECD target and other ECD‐related targets are included in the sustainable development goals, over 75 countries have officially adopted multisectoral ECD policy instruments, and ECD is a programmatic focus in major global institutions (including UNICEF, UNESCO, the WHO, and the World Bank). However, lack of clear and strong ownership of and champions for ECD, operational and communication siloes of constituent sectors that constitute ECD, political pressures for investment in other arenas, and low international investment in ECD inhibit making a compelling and cohesive investment case for ECD. This commentary explores how a global ECD network can facilitate systematic alignment and action across sectors to support country systems, strengthen political will, and increase investment to deliver results for young children's development. The ECD Action Network is in formation and offers an opportunity for the field to share knowledge among countries and sectors, identify pathways for sectoral coordination and collaboration, and undertake advocacy to generate the scale of political and financial support necessary to ensure that every child receives the nurturing care he/she needs.
Effect of chronic toluene exposure on heart rhythm parameters
Authors: Arslan Şűkrű , Uzunhasan Isil , Kocas Betul Balaban , Cetinkal Gokhan , Arslan Şeyma , Kocas Cuneyt , Abaci Okay , Yildiz Mustafa , Celiker Cengiz , Turkoglu Cengizhan 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundToluene is used extensively in various industrial processes, and an increasing number of workers are getting exposed to its vapor. Cardiac abnormalities that have been reported in association with toluene exposure (in toxic doses) are atrioventricular conduction abnormalities, sinus bradycardia, ventricular tachycardia, recurrent myocardial infarction, dilated cardiomyopathy, and coronary vasospasm.HypothesisWe aimed to investigate the effects of chronic toluene exposure on cardiac rhythm.MethodsIn this study, 40 workers in the polishing industry with more than 3 months of exposure to a mixture of organic solvents including toluene and 38 control subjects working in other fields who were matched by age, sex, smoking, habits, and living accommodation were investigated. Twelve‐lead surface electrocardiogram and 24‐hour Holter recordings were performed to determine QRS duration, PR duration (P and R wave interval on electrocardiograms), P wave dispersion, corrected QT dispersion, and heart rate variability parameters.ResultsThe maximum heart rate was significantly lower in the toluene‐exposed group compared to the control group (130.5 ± 15.1 vs 138.6 ± 16.0, P = 0.02). Corrected low frequency (cLF) and cLF/corrected high frequency (cHF) were also significantly lower in toluene‐exposed group (43.6 ± 7.2 vs 50.7 ± 10.5, P = 0.01 and 1.4 ± 0.4 vs 2.2 ± 1.0, P < 0.01, respectively). Mean cHF, root‐mean‐square successive difference, and standard deviation of all five‐minute NN interval means values were significantly higher in the toluene‐exposed group (32.8 ± 8.1 vs 25.4 ± 8.2, P ≤ 0.01; 74.0 ± 46.1 vs 60.3 ± 59.4, P = 0.02; and 149.5 ± 77.0 vs 108.9 ± 43.2, P = 0.01, respectively).ConclusionsThis study implies that chronic toluene exposure disturbs cardiac autonomy, particularly by suppressing sympathetic activity, and parasympathetic suppression also occurs with increased exposure duration. We also demonstrated that chronic toluene exposure was not associated with major cardiac arrhythmias and rhythm conduction system disorders.
A combined epicardial implantation and subsequent extraction strategy in pacemaker device infection in pacemaker‐dependent patients
Authors: van den Brink Floris S. , van Dijk Vincent F. , Boersma Lucas V.A. , Wijffels Maurits C.E.F. , Gelissen John , Daeter Edgar , Sonker Uday , Balt Jippe 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIntroductionTreatment infections is challenging in pacemaker (PM) dependent patients. We proposed a novel implantation strategy for this group of patients.MethodsPatients who were PM dependent and were admitted with a PM infection received a combined procedure of left ventricular (LV) epicardial implantation of a PM lead and subsequent extraction of the infected system. No temporary pacing wire was used and the PM generator was placed in the left flank.ResultsBetween 2012 and 2015 we treated 16 patients who were PM dependent and with a PM infection. The majority of patients were male (81% [13/16]) and the median age was 71 years (50–91). The cause of infection was valvular endocarditis in 38% (6/16), lead infection in 25% (4/16), and isolated pocket infection in 38% (6/16).All patients underwent epicardial implantation of a LV lead (1084T bipolar lead; St. Jude Medical Myodex, St. Paul, MN, USA) and extraction of the infected device. There was no occurrence of periprocedural mortality and no postprocedural tamponades. There was one complication in the form of a hemorrhage at the infected device extraction site. In the median follow‐up period of 17 months there were four of 16 deaths, none of which were attributable to epicardial LV implantation. LV‐lead threshold was 1.1V (±0.7V) upon implantation that increased to 1.2V (±0.6V) at 0.4‐ms pulse duration. There were no reinfections of the epicardial lead or device.ConclusionEpicardial left ventricle PM implantation and subsequent extraction of an infected PM in PM‐dependent patients is feasible and safe with good long‐term outcome.
Vegetative compatibility groups in Colletotrichum coccodes from Turkey and their aggressiveness to potato
Authors: Özer G. , Bayraktar H. , Tsror (Lahkim) L. , Yaman T. , Kabakcı H. , Göre M. E. 
Published: May 2018

Black dot, caused by Colletotrichum coccodes, is a common disease of potato in Turkey, affecting tuber quality and yield. The objectives of the current study were to characterize vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) of C. coccodes isolates from three regions in Turkey, and to assess the correlation between VCGs and aggressiveness of isolates on potato. A total of 147 C. coccodes isolates were recovered from plants showing typical black dot symptoms on stolons, roots and stems. The frequency of nitrate non‐utilizing (nit) nit1/nit3 and NitM phenotypes were 79% and 21%, respectively. Complementation between nit mutants of the isolates and eight European/Israeli EU/I‐VCG tester isolates was used to characterize the VCGs. Amongst the tested isolates, 33.3% were assigned to EU/I‐VCG6, 21.8% to EU/I‐VCG8, 15.7% to EU/I‐VCG4. EU/I‐VCG1, EU/I‐VCG3, EU/I‐VCG5 and EU/I‐VCG7 were classified at 1.4%, 3.4%, 4.8% and 5.4%, frequency, respectively. No isolate was assigned to EU/I‐VCG2 group, while 21 isolates (14.3%) were not assigned to any of the EU/I‐VCGs. The pathogenicity tests indicated significant differences in aggressiveness of the isolates with respect to sclerotia density on potato tissues. The highest densities of sclerotia on roots and crown were obtained with EU/I‐VCG6 isolates and the lowest with EU/I‐VCG1, EU/I‐VCG3 and EU/I‐VCG5 isolates. The results demonstrate that there is significant VCG diversity among C. coccodes isolates from potato plants in Turkey.