bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mining Boom, Labour Market Segmentation and Social Inequality in the Congolese Copperbelt
Authors: Rubbers Benjamin 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACTThe study of the impacts of new mining projects in Africa is generally set in a normative debate about their possible contribution to development, which leads to a representation of African societies as divided between beneficiaries and victims of foreign investments. Based on research in the Congolese copperbelt, this article aims to examine in more detail the inequalities generated by the recent mining boom by taking the processes of labour market segmentation as a starting point. It shows that the labour market in the mining sector has progressively been organized along three intersecting lines that divide it: the first is between employment in industrial and artisanal mining companies, the second is between jobs for mining or subcontracting companies and the third is between jobs for expatriates, Congolese skilled workers and local unskilled workers. Far from simply reflecting existing social inequalities, the labour market has been actively involved in their creation, and its control has caused growing tensions in the Congolese copperbelt region. Although largely neglected in the literature on extractive industries, processes of labour market segmentation are key to making sense of the impacts of mining investments on the shape of societies in the global South.
Assessment tool for visual perception deficits in cerebral visual impairment: development and normative data of typically developing children
Authors: Vancleef Kathleen , Janssens Eva , Petré Yasmine , Wagemans Johan , Ortibus Els 
Published: July 2019

AimTo develop an assessment tool that measures a wide range of visual perceptual deficits common in cerebral visual impairment (CVI) and to provide normative data from typically developing children between 3 and 6 years of age.MethodTest development reflected cross‐talk between vision research and clinical relevance for CVI. The Children's Visual Impairment Test for 3‐ to 6‐year‐olds (CVIT 3–6) includes 14 subtests covering four domains of visual perception: Object Recognition, Degraded Object Recognition, Motion Perception, and Global–Local Processing. Normative data were collected from 301 typically developing children (mean age 4y 8mo [SD 9.7mo]; 148 females, 153 males). A questionnaire was administered to parents about pregnancy duration, birth, and developmental problems.ResultsAverage total CVIT 3–6 performance was 60.1 (SD 5.5) out of 70. The cut‐off score for normal visual perception (53) was set at the 10th centile of scores in typically developing children. Multiple regression indicated CVIT 3–6 visual perception scores increase with age for children born at 36 weeks’ gestational age or later (β=−18.03, 95% confidence interval −31.31 to −4.75).InterpretationCVIT 3–6 is a tool to assess a wide range of visual perceptual deficits common in CVI. Age‐dependent normative data are available because we found performance increased with age.What the paper adds

A test for visual perceptual deficits common in cerebral visual impairment.

Visual perceptual functions improve with age in full‐term typically developing children.
Associations between HbA1c and continuous glucose monitoring‐derived glycaemic variables
Authors: Hirsch I. B. , Welsh J. B. , Calhoun P. , Puhr S. , Walker T. C. , Price D. A. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAimsTo identify clinically useful associations between HbA1c levels and various continuous glucose monitoring‐derived metrics.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed end‐of‐study HbA1c levels and >2 weeks of continuous glucose monitoring data collected from 530 adults with Type 1 diabetes or insulin‐requiring Type 2 diabetes during four randomized trials. Each trial lasted ≥24 weeks and provided central laboratory end‐of‐study HbA1c levels and continuous glucose monitoring data from the preceding 3 months. Participants were assigned to groups based on either HbA1c levels or continuous glucose monitoring‐derived glucose values.ResultsHbA1c was strongly correlated with mean glucose value (r=0.80), time spent with glucose values in the 3.9–10.0 mmol/l range (time in range; r=–0.75) and percentage of glucose values >13.9 mmol/l (r=0.72), but was weakly correlated with the percentage of glucose values <3.9 mmol/l (r=–0.39) or <3.0 mmol/l (r=–0.21). The median percentage of glucose values <3.0 mmol/l was <1.2% (<20 min/day) for all HbA1c‐based groups, but the median percentage of values >13.9 mmol/l varied from 2.5% (0.6 h/day) to 27.8% (6.7 h/day) in the lowest and highest HbA1c groups, respectively. More than 90% of participants with either <2% of glucose values >13.9 mmol/l, mean glucose <7.8 mmol/l, or time in range >80% had HbA1c levels ≤53 mmol/mol (≤7.0%). For participants with HbA1c ≥64 mmol/mol (≥8.0%), the median time in range was 44%, with 90% of participants having a time in range of <59%.ConclusionsThe associations shown in the present study suggest that continuous glucose monitoring‐derived metrics may help guide diabetes therapy intensification efforts in an HbA1c‐independent manner.
Behaviour change during dietary Type 2 diabetes remission: a longitudinal qualitative evaluation of an intervention using a very low energy diet
Authors: Rehackova L. , Araújo‐Soares V. , Steven S. , Adamson A. J. , Taylor R. , Sniehotta F. F. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAimTo understand the process of behaviour change through the experiences of people with Type 2 diabetes engaged in an 8‐month diabetes remission intervention including a 2‐month weight loss phase with the use of a very low energy diet (VLED), and a 6‐month, structured weight maintenance phase.MethodsData were collected in three semi‐structured interviews at baseline, week 8 (end of the weight loss phase), and month 8 (end of the weight maintenance phase). Longitudinal inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse participants’ narratives and identify change over time.ResultsEleven of 18 participants completed all three interviews. The following themes of change were identified in their narratives: (1) ‘Building behavioural autonomy’ as a process of growing confidence to engage in health behaviours that are independent of those of other people; (2) ‘Behavioural contagion’ describing how one's new health behaviours tend to affect those of other people; (3) ‘From rigid to flexible restraint’, reflecting the changes in attitudes and behaviours required for a successful adaptation from weight loss to weight maintenance; and (4) ‘Shift in identity’, representing changes in the participants’ perceptions of themselves.ConclusionsThis longitudinal qualitative study provided new insights into how behaviour change is experienced by people with Type 2 diabetes engaged on a weight management intervention using VLED, contributing to theoretical and practical understanding of weight management behaviours. The themes identify potential areas in which individuals can be supported in achieving dietary diabetes remission and long‐term maintenance of weight loss.
Inhaled alprazolam rapidly suppresses epileptic activity in photosensitive participants
Authors: French Jacqueline A. , Wechsler Robert , Gelfand Michael A. , Pollard John R. , Vazquez Blanca , Friedman Daniel , Gong Lily H. , Kamemoto Edwin , Isojarvi Jouko , Cassella James V. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectiveTreatment options for seizure clusters are limited; the need for easy‐to‐administer treatments remains. The Staccato system delivers drug deep into the lung via inhalation. In this phase 2a study, we investigated the ability of three different doses of Staccato alprazolam to suppress the electroencephalographic (EEG) photoparoxysmal response (PPR) compared with placebo in participants with photosensitive seizures.MethodsAdults (18‐60 years) with a diagnosis and history of PPR on EEG with or without an epilepsy diagnosis were eligible to participate. Participants received Staccato alprazolam 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg, and Staccato placebo (twice) in random order. Intermittent photic stimulation and clinical assessments were performed at one predose and seven postdose time points. The primary endpoint of the study was the change in standardized photosensitivity range (SPR) in participants receiving each dose of Staccato alprazolam.ResultsFifteen participants with a prior epilepsy diagnosis were screened; five were enrolled, randomized, and completed the study. All participants were white females with a mean (SD) age of 27.2 (6.8) years. All doses of Staccato alprazolam reduced the SPR at 2 minutes; the effect was sustained through 4 hours for the 0.5‐mg dose and 6 hours for the 1.0‐ and 2.0‐mg doses. The magnitude and duration of sedation and sleepiness were dose‐related. Four participants (80%) experienced ≥1 adverse event (AE); none was severe or serious. Cough, diarrhea, dysgeusia, oral dysesthesia, sedation, and somnolence were experienced by two participants (40%) each.SignificanceThis proof‐of‐concept study demonstrated that Staccato alprazolam 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg rapidly suppressed epileptiform activity in photosensitive participants with epilepsy. The AE profile of Staccato alprazolam was similar to what has been reported for alprazolam for other indications. The results support further development of Staccato alprazolam as a rescue medication for the acute treatment of seizures.
A clinical audit of the prevalence of colic in the 48 hours after gastroscopy in 436 horses
Authors: Spanton J. A. , Smith L. , Mair T. S. 
Published: July 2019

SummaryGastroscopy is a routine technique performed in equine practice to evaluate the stomach and is the gold standard diagnostic test for equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). There are few publications on the safety of the technique and any associated complications, in particular colic. The objective of the study was to review all gastroscopic examinations performed at two equine clinics over a 5‐year period, and to describe any colic episodes in the 48 h post gastroscopy. In this clinical audit, hospital databases were searched for animals that had a gastroscopic examination in the 5‐year study period. Signalment, sedative drugs, stomach insufflation/deflation, gastroscopic findings, occurrence of colic in the 48 h post examination and any medication administered during that time were recorded. A total of 436 horses underwent 573 gastroscopic examinations during the study period. Post‐gastroscopy colic was recorded in 17/573 examinations (2.9%); 16 were mild, but one (0.2%) required exploratory laparotomy. Cases of gastric impaction were more commonly associated with colic post gastroscopy. When examinations of horses with gastric impaction were excluded, the prevalence of colic post gastroscopy was 5/561 (0.9%). A limitation of the study was that variability in technique was likely, due to multiple different clinicians performing gastroscopic examinations. A study with a larger sample size is required to confirm the findings of this audit. Gastroscopy is a relatively safe procedure but there is a small risk of colic afterwards.
China's high‐tech industry efficiency measurement with virtual frontier data envelopment analysis and Malmquist productivity index
Authors: Liu Xin , Huang Jingkai 
Published: July 2019

AbstractData envelopment analysis (DEA) is a widely used non‐parametric method in efficiency measurement with multiinputs and multioutputs. Malmquist productivity measures the efficiency change in different periods and decomposes the general efficiency change into technical efficiency change and frontier shift. In this paper, we choose a driving industry in social development, the high‐tech industry, as an example to illustrate a new method, virtual frontier DEA model, in the aspect of improvement of the traditional DEA model. Additionally, we decompose the Malmquist productivity index with virtual frontier DEA model to find out the driving force of high‐tech efficiency change.
Productivity does not correlate with species and functional diversity in Australian reforestation plantings across a wide climate gradient
Authors: Staples Timothy L. , Dwyer John M. , England Jacqueline R. , Mayfield Margaret M. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAimUnderstanding biodiversity–ecosystem function (BEF) relationships in forest systems is crucial for effective forest management and restoration, yet testing these relationships is often limited by biased diversity patterns in forestry plantings (biased towards commercially valuable species) and uncontrollable diversity in mature natural forests. Multispecies reforestation plantings present a valuable opportunity to investigate BEF relationships in woody systems, especially across large environmental gradients.LocationReforestation plantings across the arable region of Australia.Time period1951–2012.Major taxa studiedThree hundred and sixty‐four woody plant species.MethodsWe examined relationships between productivity and diversity using inventory data from 977 plots in 386 multispecies reforestation plantings. Diversity was estimated using observed species richness and three functional diversity indices calculated from four functional traits: specific leaf area, wood density, seed mass and maximum attainable height. We modelled how plot‐level biomass accumulation (a productivity proxy) correlated with these diversity indices, as well as age since planting, plant density and three environmental variables: solar radiation, moisture availability and soil sand content. These models were fitted across Australia and, separately, within eight groups of plantings with similar environmental conditions.ResultsWe found no correlation between diversity and productivity, regardless of the diversity metric or spatial scale used (continent‐wide or within environment groups). Instead, productivity was best explained by local environmental conditions and plant density.Main conclusionsA positive relationship between diversity and productivity was not evident in planted forests across a wide range of Australian woodland and forest systems, at least in the first few decades of growth. Our findings suggest that the positive relationship between diversity and productivity commonly reported in experimental settings should not be assumed for all systems and conditions.
Displaying grandparenting within Romanian transnational families
Authors: DUCU VIORELA 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn this article, I use the analytical framework of ‘displaying family relationships’ to explore the transnational grandparenting practices of Romanian families. I discuss the theoretical aspects of the concept of displaying with regard to its scope, specificity and manifestation. I emphasize the uniqueness of each instance of displaying, while also revealing the various patterns through which family‐related motivations trigger individual behaviour. Highlighting the intersections between such internal motivations and displaying behaviour, the research underlines the various challenges that transnational grandparents encounter, and the ways in which they react to them.
Augmenter of liver regeneration enhances cell proliferation through the microRNA‐26a/Akt/cyclin D1 pathway in hepatic cells
Authors: Gupta Parul , Sata Teja Naveen , Ahamad Naushad , Islam Rakibul , Yadav Ajay K. , Mishra Amit , Nithyananthan Subramaniyam , Thirunavukkarasu Chinnasamy , Sanal M.G. , Venugopal Senthil K. 
Published: July 2019

AimHepatocytes can proliferate and regenerate when injured by toxins, viral infections, and so on. Augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) is a key regulator of liver regeneration, but the mechanism is unknown. The role of ALR in other cell types is not known. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between microRNA (miRNA)‐26a and ALR in the Huh7 cell line and adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal cells from chronic liver disease patients and healthy individuals.MethodsHuh7 cells were transfected independently with ALR and miRNA‐26a expression vectors, and their effects on cell proliferation, the expression of miRNA‐26a, and activation of the phosphatase and tensin homolog and Akt signaling pathways were determined. The experiments were repeated on mesenchymal stem cells derived from healthy individuals and chronic liver disease patients to see whether the observations can be replicated in primary cells.ResultsOverexpression of ALR or miRNA‐26a resulted in an increase of the phosphorylation of Akt and cyclin D1 expression, whereas it resulted in decreased levels of p‐GSK‐3β and phosphatase and tensin homolog in Huh7 cells. The inhibition of ALR expression by ALR siRNA or anti‐miR‐26a decreased the Akt/cyclin D1 signaling pathway, leading to decreased proliferation. Mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the chronic liver disease patients had a higher ALR expression, while the mesenchymal stem cells isolated from healthy volunteers responded to the growth factor treatments for increased ALR expression. It was found that there was a significant increase in miRNA‐26a expression and proliferation.ConclusionsThese data clearly showed that ALR induced the expression of miRNA‐26a, which downregulated phosphatase and tensin homolog, resulting in an increased p‐Akt/cyclin D1 pathway and enhanced proliferation in hepatic cells.
Predicting a global insect apocalypse
Authors: Cardoso Pedro , Leather Simon R. 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

The last 3 years have seen a global outbreak of media headlines predicting a global insect apocalypse and a subsequent collapse of natural ecosystems, a so‐called ‘ecological armageddon’ resulting in the demise of human civilisation as we know it. Despite the worrying implications of these papers, all studies on global insect extinction to date clearly reflect the Prestonian shortfall, the general lack of knowledge on the abundance of species and their trends in space and time.
Data currently available concerning global insect abundance trends invariably suffer from phylogenetic, functional, habitat, spatial and temporal bias. Here, we suggest that to follow the real global changes in insect (and all other taxa) communities, biases or shortcomings in data collection must be avoided.
An optimised scheme would maximise phylogenetic, functional, habitat, spatial and temporal coverage with minimum investment. Standardised sampling would provide primary data, on a first step in the form of abundance and biomass. Individuals would then be identified to species level whenever possible, with a morphospecies approach or genetics serving as intermediate steps, complementing or even final steps for non‐described species.
If standardised abundance and ecological data can be readily made available, biodiversity trends can be tracked in real time and allow us to predict and prevent an impending global insect apocalypse.
Vascular endothelial growth factor A/Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 axis promotes human dental pulp stem cell migration via the FAK/PI3K/Akt and p38 MAPK signalling pathways
Authors: Sun X. , Meng L. , Qiao W. , Yang R. , Gao Q. , Peng Y. , Bian Z. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAimTo investigate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and the underlying molecular mechanisms on the migration of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs).MethodologyThe expression of VEGFA in inflammatory pulp tissue and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated dental pulp cells was examined by immunofluorescence staining and qRT‐PCR. The migration of hDPSCs was detected using transwell migration and wound healing assays. The activation of FAK, PI3K, Akt and p38 signalling was evaluated by Western blot analysis. Silence RNA (siRNA) technology was utilized to knockdown the expression of VEGFR1 (Flt‐1) and VEGFR2 (Flk‐1/KDR). PF573228 (inhibitor of FAK), LY294002 (inhibitor of PI3K), SB203580 (inhibitor of p38) and SU5416 (inhibitor of VEGFR2) were employed to investigate the effect of VEGFA on the migratory mechanism of hDPSCs. Data were analysed statistically using the Student’s t‐test or one‐way ANOVA.ResultsThe expression levels of VEGFA in inflammatory pulp tissue in vivo and LPS‐stimulated dental pulp cells in vitro were significantly greater than those in the control groups (P < 0.05). Vascular endothelial growth factor A promoted the migration of hDPSCs in a concentration‐dependent manner. Several signalling pathways, including FAK, PI3K, Akt and p38, were activated by VEGFA in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner in hDPSCs. The VEGFA‐induced migration of hDPSCs was significantly inhibited with drug inhibitors such as PF573228, LY294002, SB203580 or SU5416 (P < 0.05). These signalling pathways activated by VEGFA stimulation were significantly suppressed by pre‐treatment with inhibitor of VEGFR2 (SU5416) or transfection with siRNA of VRGFR2 (P < 0.05) but not VEGFR1 siRNA.ConclusionsVascular endothelial growth factor A/VEGFR2 axis promoted the migration of hDPSCs via the FAK/PI3K/Akt and p38 MAPK signalling pathways. These findings reveal a novel molecular mechanism for cell migration of hDPSCs, which may contribute to the remodelling of pulp tissue and dentine.
Temperature‐sensitive polyurethane (TSPU) film incorporated with carvacrol and cinnamyl aldehyde: antimicrobial activity, sustained release kinetics and potential use as food packaging for Cantonese‐style moon cake
Authors: Dong Hao , He Jiapeng , Xiao Kaijun , Li Chao 
Published: July 2019

SummaryTemperature‐sensitive polyurethane (TSPU) films incorporated with carvacrol and cinnamyl aldehyde were prepared for the potential use of food packaging. The antimicrobial properties and sustained release kinetics of carvacrol and cinnamyl aldehyde in TSPU film were investigated. Results indicated that cinnamyl aldehyde and carvacrol had favourable antimicrobial properties at relatively low addition ratio. The diffusion and release of carvacrol were linearly related to temperature and its addition ratio. The release rates of carvacrol from TSPU film increased from 0.6% to 2.2% with the increase of addition ratio and temperature. The first‐order kinetic equation could be used to describe its diffusion and sustained release process. TSPU films could significantly prolong the shelf life of Cantonese‐style moon cakes by effectively inhibiting microbial growth and decreasing lipid oxidation comparing with commonly used polyethylene food packaging. Results obtained in the present work can provide technical guide of sustained release food packaging films with antimicrobial properties.
Quantitative prediction of the structure and luminescence properties of Nd3+ doped borate laser glasses
Authors: Qian Guoquan , Tang Guowu , Qian Qi , Sun Min , Chen Dongdan , Jiang Zhonghong , Yang Zhongmin 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAlthough great advance has been made in glass science, predicting luminescence properties of laser glass poses a significant challenge for scientists due to the complex relationship between the composition, structure, and properties of the rare earth ions doped laser glasses. The development of high‐performance laser glass usually relies on intuition and trial‐and‐error. Recently, with the proposal of the materials genome engineering, the “glass genome” has also attracted much attention. Here, the structure of the Nd3+ doped B2O3‐Li2O laser glasses was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectra and nuclear magnetic resonance, revealing that the glass contains similar glass‐forming ion‐centered coordination polyhedron structure groups to the neighbor congruent glassy compounds. The structure and properties of glass largely depend on the neighbor congruent glassy compounds. Therefore, the structure and luminescence properties of Nd3+ doped B2O3‐Li2O and B2O3‐MgO‐Li2O laser glasses can be quantitatively predicted via the neighbor congruent glassy compounds. The predictive values are in good agreement with the experimental data, which indicates that our approach is an effective way to predict the structure and luminescence properties of Nd3+ doped borate laser glasses.