bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sodium hydrosulfide modifies the nutrient ratios of soybean (Glycine max) under iron deficiency
Authors: Chen Juan , Shang Yu-Ting , Zhang Ni-Na , Zhong Yangquanwei , Wang Wen-Hua , Zhang Jian-Hua , Shangguan Zhouping 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIron (Fe) deficiency in calcareous soils is a major limiting factor which influences production and yield of field crops. The present study investigated the effect of NaHS, a donor of H2S, which is emerging as a potential signaling molecule, on the nutrient ratios of soybean (Glycine maxL.) under Fe deficiency. Soybean seedlings with and without NaHS were subjected to Fe deficiency and Fe sufficiency for 18 d. Subsequently, we determined the biomass of seedlings, chlorophyll concentration, Fe concentration, as well as the ratios of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). The growth of soybean seedlings was inhibited by Fe deficiency. However, under Fe deficiency the application of NaHS increased the biomass as well as the Fe, N, P, and K concentrations compared to the controls. Furthermore, our results also show that the application of NaHS affected the ratios of C : N, C : P, C : K, N : P, N : K, and P : K in soybean seedlings under Fe deficiency and sufficiency. H2S played an important role in promoting the growth of soybean seedlings by enhancing the accumulation of nutrients under Fe deficiency.
Challenges of identifying unpublished data from clinical trials: Getting the best out of clinical trials registers and other novel sources
Authors: Isojarvi Jaana , Wood Hannah , Lefebvre Carol , Glanville Julie 
Published: February 2018

Clinical trial data are essential for assessments of the effectiveness of health care interventions. Information about ongoing or completed, but not yet formally published, trials has been more difficult to identify until the development of clinical trials registers and portals. This paper summarises research evidence on identifying sources of trial data, how and when to search those sources, and which future developments may enhance access to and retrieval of unpublished trial evidence.We conducted a literature search for relevant studies and provide a narrative review of the evidence from these studies. Clinical trial data can be found in resources including clinical trials registers, regulatory agency sources, health technology assessment websites and manufacturers' websites, and submissions for regulatory approval. The challenges of searching these resources are described. Trials registers are relatively unsophisticated in terms of their search interfaces, and searchers need to adapt to each individual register. There is overlap across registers, but little research on the degree and nature of overlap and how best to search. Despite these challenges, trials registers and other resources can be rich sources of additional unique trial data, which may not be available from journal reports. New initiatives, such as OpenTrials, aim to consolidate and link all structured data and documentation related to clinical trials.No single resource gives access to all trials, and multiple registers should be searched as sensitively as possible. Searching is challenging and should be adequately resourced. Information specialists should monitor new developments which may reduce the challenges over the coming years.
Direct and Indirect Effects of Perceived Stigma on Posttraumatic Growth in Gay Men and Lesbian Women in Chile
Authors: Cárdenas Manuel , Barrientos Jaime , Meyer Ilan , Gómez Fabiola , Guzmán Mónica , Bahamondes Joaquín 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis study examined the direct and indirect effects of perceived stigma on posttraumatic growth (PTG) in a sample of gay men and lesbian women in Chile, with coping strategies (positive reappraisal, social support seeking, and active coping strategies) as intermediate variables. Data from 467 gay men (57.4%) and lesbian women (42.6%) were analyzed. A respondent‐driven sampling (RDS) method was used. The hierarchical regression analysis indicated the important predictive role of active coping, β = .23, and positive reappraisal, β = .45, in PTG, R2 = .31, p < .001, f2 = 0.16. Results revealed that, in the presence of positive reappraisal coping as an intermediate variable, partial indirect effects are detected between perceived stigma and PTG. Seeking instrumental social support did not produce indirect effects between perceived stigma and PTG, whereas active coping produced partial indirect effects. These findings suggest that the positive reappraisal of a traumatic experience is essential for reporting personal growth. Implications of these more complex relations for counseling interventions and further research are discussed.
Divergent Response of Murine and Porcine Adipocytes to Stimulation of Browning Genes by 18‐Carbon Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Beta‐Receptor Agonists
Authors: Shin Sunhye , Ajuwon Kolapo M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractLong‐chain fatty acids (LCFA) are known to activate brown and beige adipocytes. However, very little is known about the effects of the number and the position of double bonds in LCFA with the same length on brown fat‐specific gene expression. To determine the specificity of LCFA in the regulation of these genes in different adipocyte models, fully differentiated 10T1/2, 3T3‐L1, murine, or porcine primary adipocytes (obtained from the subcutaneous fat pad of C57BL/6 mice or Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc crossbred piglets) were treated with 50 μM of the following 18‐carbon fatty acids: stearic acid (STA; 18:0), oleic acid (OLA; 18:1, Δ9), linoleic acid (LNA; 18:2, Δ9,12), α‐linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3, Δ9,12,15), γ‐linolenic acid (GLA; 18:3, Δ6,9,12), or pinolenic acid (PLA; 18:3, Δ5,9,12) for 24 h with or without 4‐h norepinephrine (NE) treatment. Expression levels of thermoregulatory markers were measured by quantitative real‐time PCR. LNA, ALA, GLA, and PLA upregulated Ucp1 expression and tended to upregulate Pgc1a expression in murine primary adipocytes, but not in 10T1/2, 3T3‐L1, and porcine primary adipocytes. In murine primary adipocytes, NE induced a higher expression of Ucp1 and Pgc1a than non‐NE‐treated cells, and PLA augmented the NE effect. In 10T1/2 cells, NE upregulated Ucp1 and Pgc1a expression, but there was no fatty acid effect. However, 3T3‐L1 cells were insensitive to both fatty acid and beta‐adrenergic agonist stimulation. These results indicate that different adipocyte cell types have different levels of sensitivity to both LCFA and beta agonists in regard to induction of brown fat‐specific gene expression.
Silk Fibroin‐Based Fibrous Anal Fistula Plug with Drug Delivery Function
Authors: Xie Xusheng , Liu Lei , Zheng Zhaozhu , Han Zhifen , Zhi Min , Kaplan David L. , Li Gang , Wang Xiaoqin 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe aim of this work is to develop a drug‐loaded silk fibroin fibrous membrane (DSFM) that can be attached to the surface of an anal fistula plug to improve the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). Curcumin (CUR) and 5‐aminosalicylic acid (5‐ASA)‐loaded silk fibroin (SF) membranes are coaxially electrospun onto the surface of a braided silk filament plug. The membranes show a predominant structure of random coil and silk I conformation. The concentration of CUR/5‐ASA (weight ratio of 1/1) in the SF solution is optimized to 0.4, 0.9, and 1.9 wt%. The morphologies, secondary structures, and in vitro drug release properties of the membranes are examined. Sectional images of fibers in the membranes show core–shell structures. The coaxial electrospinning process does not alter the chemical characteristics of the drugs. The dual‐drugs encapsulated in the membranes are released in a steady and sustainable manner, and the cumulative release rate is improved by the increased drug loading. The membranes exhibit no cytotoxicity, thereafter increase the viability of human fibroblasts on the DSFMs. These SF membranes with core–shell structure and functional encapsulation of CUR and 5‐ASA should be useful for further studies toward the treatment of CD.
Accuracy of Two Cognitive Screening Tools to Detect Mild Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Koevoets Emmie W. , Schmand Ben , Geurtsen Gert J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundPatients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who have mild cognitive impairment (PD‐MCI) are at increased risk of developing PD dementia (PDD). Therefore, it is important to identify PD‐MCI in a reliable way.ObjectivesWe evaluated the accuracy of the Parkinson's Disease‐Cognitive Rating Scale (PD‐CRS) and the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale‐2 (MDRS‐2) for detecting PD‐MCI. Data from healthy subjects were used to correct for demographic influences.MethodsWe compared the accuracy of the two instruments using ROC analysis. The gold standard was level II diagnosis of PD‐MCI according to consensus criteria of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.ResultsSeventy‐five healthy subjects and 125 PD patients were included. Education level, age and sex correlated with the PD‐CRS, but only age correlated with the MDRS‐2. Twenty‐seven percent of the patients had PD‐MCI. Areas under the curve (AUCs) for raw scores of PD‐CRS and MDRS‐2 were 0.83 and 0.81, respectively. At the optimal cut‐off for the PD‐CRS (101/102), sensitivity was 88% and specificity was 64%. For the MDRS‐2 (139/140) sensitivity and specificity were 68% and 79%, respectively.AUCs for demographically corrected scores of PD‐CRS and for age‐corrected scores of MDRS‐2 were 0.80 and 0.78, respectively. At the optimal cut‐off for the PD‐CRS, sensitivity was 79% and specificity was 72%, while for the MDRS‐2 these were 77% and 67%, respectively.ConclusionsBoth cognitive screening tools are suitable for distinguishing PD‐MCI patients from cognitively intact PD patients. Demographical correction of scores did not improve sensitivity and specificity.
Guideline‐Directed Medical Therapy and Survival Following Hospitalization in Patients with Heart Failure
Authors: Tran Richard H. , Aldemerdash Ahmed , Chang Patricia , Sueta Carla A. , Kaufman Brystana , Asafu‐adjei Josephine , Vardeny Orly , Daubert Eliza , Alburikan Khalid A. , Kucharska‐Newton Anna M. , Stearns Sally C. , Rodgers Jo E. 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundModification of guideline‐directed medical therapy (GDMT) in hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF) has not been extensively evaluated.MethodsThe community surveillance arm of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study identified 6959 HF hospitalizations from 2005–2011. Predictors of GDMT modification and survival were assessed using multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsFor 5091 hospitalizations, patient mean age was 75 years, 53% were female, 69% were white, and 81% had acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Regarding ejection fraction (EF), 31% of patients had HF with reduced EF (HFrEF), 24% had HF with preserved EF (HFpEF), and 44% were missing EF values. At admission, 52% of patients received angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEIs/ARBs), 66% β‐blockers (BBs), 9% aldosterone‐receptor antagonists, 16% digoxin, 10% hydralazine, and 29% nitrates. Modification of GDMT occurred in up to 23% of hospitalizations. Significant predictors of GDMT initiation included ADHF and HFrEF; discontinuation of medications was observed with select comorbidities. In HFrEF, initiation of any GDMT was associated with reduced 1‐year all‐cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23–0.71) as was initiation of ACEI/ARBs, BBs, and digoxin. Discontinuation of any therapy versus maintaining GDMT was associated with greater mortality (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.02–1.66). Similar trends were observed in HFpEF.ConclusionsOur study suggests that GDMT initiation is associated with increased survival, and discontinuation of therapy is associated with reduced survival in hospitalized patients with HF. Future studies should be conducted to confirm the impact of GDMT therapy modification in this population.
Nussbaum‐type function–based attitude control of spacecraft with actuator saturation
Authors: Hu Qinglei , Shao Xiaodong , Zhang Youmin , Guo Lei 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThis paper investigates the attitude stabilization problem of spacecraft subject to external disturbances and actuator saturation. A novel attitude control scheme is technically proposed by incorporating the Nussbaum gain technique into backstepping design. The key idea behind this is to introduce a special Nussbaum‐type function in order to compensate for the time‐varying nonlinear terms arising from input saturation. By exploiting the dynamic surface control technique, the problem of “explosion of terms” inherent in traditional backstepping designs is effectively eliminated and the computational burden is significantly reduced. Additionally, based on the selected Nussbaum‐type function, a constructive analysis methodology is presented, which plays an important role in analyzing the stability properties of the closed‐loop system. It is then proved that the proposed control scheme can guarantee the boundedness of all closed‐loop signals. Furthermore, the unwinding phenomenon is given a simple and effective remedy by resorting to suitable choices of the attitude error variable and the virtual control law. Finally, simulation experiments are carried out to assess the effectiveness and demonstrate the advantages of the proposed control scheme.
Sliding mode control design using canonical homogeneous norm
Authors: Polyakov Andrey 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThe problem of sliding mode control design for a nonlinear plant is studied. The necessary and sufficient conditions of quadratic‐like stability (stabilizability) for a nonlinear homogeneous (control) system are obtained. Sufficient conditions of robust stability/stabilizability are deduced. The results are supported with academic examples of sliding mode control design.
Ultralong‐Discharge‐Time Biobattery Based on Immobilized Enzymes in Bilayer Rolled‐Up Enzymatic Nanomembranes
Authors: Liu Bo , Yan Chenglin , Si Wenping , Sun Xiaolei , Lu Xueyi , Ansorge‐Schumacher Marion , Schmidt Oliver G. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractGlucose biofuel cells (GBFCs) are highly promising power sources for implantable biomedical and consumer electronics because they provide a high energy density and safety. However, it remains a great challenge to combine their high power density with reliable long‐term stability. In this study, a novel GBFC design based on the enzyme biocatalysts glucose dehydrogenase, diaphorase, and bilirubin oxidase immobilized in rolled‐up titanium nanomembranes is reported. The setup delivers a maximum areal power density of ≈3.7 mW cm−2 and a stable power output of ≈0.8 mW cm−2. The power discharges over 452 h, which is considerably longer than reported previously. These results demonstrate that the GBFC design is in principle a feasible and effective approach to solve the long‐term discharge challenge for implantable biomedical device applications.
Coaching in Practice‐Based Literacy Education Courses
Authors: Husbye Nicholas E. , Wessel Powell Christy , Vander Zanden Sarah , Karalis Tiffany 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAs teacher education programs shift to more practice‐based methods in the preparation of literacy teachers, the ways in which teacher educators support the learning of their preservice teachers (PSTs) becomes paramount. In an effort to supportPSTs in developing competency in instructional literacy routines, coaching has been found to supportPSTs’ understandings of how to teach for student learning. In this article, three approaches to coaching are explored: rehearsals, a modified behind‐the‐glass approach, and structured video reflection. Drawing from rich examples of practice, attention is paid to the ways each method of coaching supports novice teachers in developing competency and the contexts in which each is used.
“Bridge to the Literature”? Third‐Party Genetic Interpretation Tools and the Views of Tool Developers
Authors: Nelson Sarah C. , Fullerton Stephanie M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPatients and health care consumers can obtain access to their “raw,” or uninterpreted, genetic data from direct‐to‐consumer genetic testing companies, researchers, or providers and pursue self‐directed analysis via third‐party interpretation tools. Yet relatively little is known about the nature of currently available interpretation tools or the motivations of tool developers. We conducted a structured content analysis of 23 third‐party interpretation tool websites and supporting information, tracking features such as types of information returned, modes of generating and presenting that information, and privacy and security measures. We additionally conducted qualitative interviews with a subset of 10 tool developers. A majority of tools (16 of 23, or 70%) offer some type of health or wellness‐related information, often extracted from publicly available variant annotation databases. Half of those interviewed characterized their activities as “bridging” users to the scientific literature rather than interpretation, for which they gave a variety of scientific, ethical, and regulatory justifications. The scale, heterogeneity, and complexity of information available from third‐party interpretation are unprecedented. While developers aim to enlighten and empower tool users, interpretation‐free “bridging” to rapidly evolving databases may instead impose burdens on genetic counselors and other health care providers asked to provide further contextualization and explanation.
Why Do Criminal Trials ‘Crack’? An Empirical Investigation of Late Guilty Pleas in Hong Kong
Authors: CHENG Kevin Kwok-yin , CHUI Wing Hong , YOUNG Simon N M , ONG Rebecca 
Published: February 2018

Abstract‘Cracked trials’, where defendants enter a late guilty plea after a trial date has been set, are considered a societal problem because public resources set aside for trials are wasted. Various government reports attribute the main cause to tactical defendants playing the system, and reforms have been initiated to encourage early guilty pleas and strongly discourage late ones. The aim of the present study is to investigate the reasons for cracked trials in the Hong Kong context, insofar as the reasons for late guilty pleas can be investigated without the influence of reforms seen in other jurisdictions used to discourage late pleas. A mixed methods approach of courtroom observations and interviews with defendants was adopted. We find that defendants who were represented by publicly-funded lawyers or who were in prolonged pre-trial detention were more disposed to changing their pleas. Subsequent interviews illustrate why these factors are salient. The findings support the notion that it is the pressures of the criminal justice process that lead defendants to ‘crack’ and highlight the costs to defendants for decisions on how to plead that are influenced by considerations other than actual culpability.
Clinical and haematological characteristics of human trichostrongyliasis
Authors: Ghanbarzadeh L. , Saraei M. , Kia E.B. , Amini F. , Sharifdini M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTrichostrongylusspp. are primarily parasites of ruminants, but humans can become infected as accidental hosts. Information about the clinical aspects of human trichostrongyliasis is limited. This study investigated the clinical and haematological characteristics of a large number of trichostrongyliasis patients. In the Fouman district of Guilan Province in northern Iran, during 2015–2016, 60 patients were identified as positive forTrichostrongylusspp., using stool examination methods. The clinical manifestations and demographic data of all patients were recorded and further analysed. Twenty-three patients (38.3%) were male and 37 (61.7%) were female. Among the individuals infected only withTrichostrongylus, only nine patients (16.4%) were asymptomatic. Forty-six patients (83.6%) presented with gastrointestinal (76.3%), pulmonary (30.9%) and cutaneous (12.7%) symptoms. No statistically significant relationship was found between clinical manifestations and sex or age groups. Ten patients (18.1%) revealed eosinophilia and five (9.1%) presented with hypochromic microcytic anaemia. The relationship between eosinophilia and age group, sex and clinical manifestations showed no statistical significance. Our study indicated that trichostrongyliasis may be a major parasitic aetiology for gastrointestinal symptoms and eosinophilia in rural residents of endemic areas.
Redescription ofMacrolaimus canadensisSanwal, 1960 andM. ruehmiAndrássy, 1966 (Nematoda, Rhabditida, Chambersiellidae), and new data onM. crucisMaupas, 1900
Authors: Abolafia J. , Ruiz-Cuenca A.N. , Foit J. , Čermak V. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThree species belonging to the genusMacrolaimus, namelyM. canadensis,M. crucisandM. ruehmi, have been obtained from areas of natural vegetation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Corsica (France), the Czech Republic and Spain. These three species are characterized by the body length of males and females, stomatal proportion of the gymnostom and cheilostom, excretory pore position, postvulval uterine sac length, male and female tail length and morphology, and the length and morphology of the spicules and gubernacula. The occurrence ofM. crucisin Spain has, as a result of this study, now also been expanded to a larger area of the southern Iberian Peninsula. Morphological and morphometrical analyses showed thatM. canadensisandM. ruehmiare very similar, sharing apomorphic characters. In contrast,M. crucishas plesiomorphic characters. Description, measurements and illustrations are provided for these three species.
Brain–behavior patterns define a dimensional biotype in medication-naïve adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Lin Hsiang-Yuan , Cocchi Luca , Zalesky Andrew , Lv Jinglei , Perry Alistair , Tseng Wen-Yih Isaac , Kundu Prantik , Breakspear Michael , Gau Susan Shur-Fen 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundChildhood-onset attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults is clinically heterogeneous and commonly presents with different patterns of cognitive deficits. It is unclear if this clinical heterogeneity expresses a dimensional or categorical difference in ADHD.MethodsWe first studied differences in functional connectivity in multi-echo resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) acquired from 80 medication-naïve adults with ADHD and 123 matched healthy controls. We then used canonical correlation analysis (CCA) to identify latent relationships between symptoms and patterns of altered functional connectivity (dimensional biotype) in patients. Clustering methods were implemented to test if the individual associations between resting-state brain connectivity and symptoms reflected a non-overlapping categorical biotype.ResultsAdults with ADHD showed stronger functional connectivity compared to healthy controls, predominantly between the default-mode, cingulo-opercular and subcortical networks. CCA identified a single mode of brain–symptom co-variation, corresponding to an ADHD dimensional biotype. This dimensional biotype is characterized by a unique combination of altered connectivity correlating with symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, inattention, and intelligence. Clustering analyses did not support the existence of distinct categorical biotypes of adult ADHD.ConclusionsOverall, our data advance a novel finding that the reduced functional segregation between default-mode and cognitive control networks supports a clinically important dimensional biotype of childhood-onset adult ADHD. Despite the heterogeneity of its presentation, our work suggests that childhood-onset adult ADHD is a single disorder characterized by dimensional brain–symptom mediators.