bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of water quality on mangroves in an urban lake system
Authors: Moses Sheela A. , Sarasamma Jaya D. , Sethulekshmi Navami S. , Vijayakumari Baiju K. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis study assessed the extent of anthropogenic stresses on two mangrove species (Sonneratia caseolaris and Cerbera odollam) in a tropical coastal lake system. An anaerobic factor, organic pollution and salt factors were identified as being responsible for the risks to mangroves. A flora risk tolerance index was developed to ascertain the spatial and temporal risk of plants to water pollution. This study revealed the risk to the Cerbera odollam species is high, compared to Sonneratia caseolaris. Further, the flora risk tolerance index is a good index for assessing the risks to the mangrove species.
Functions and Health at the Interface of Biology and Technology
Authors: Kingma Elselijn 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSynthetic biology promises to eliminate the distinction between biology and engineering by delivering a philosophically interesting new kind of entity: a biological organism that is wholly designed and constructed by humans. The possibility of such organisms raises interesting questions in three domains: the analysis of (1) biological functions, (2) engineering functions, and (3) health and disease. This paper identifies and systematically answers these questions. This does not only establish how we should think about functions and health and disease in synthetic biological organisms, but it also reveals insights that are of broader relevance: (1) aetiological accounts of biological function need to omit or reinterpret reference tonaturalselection. This results in complete continuity between aetiological analyses of function in engineering and philosophy; (2) considering synthetic biology prompts interesting further questions about heritability, ancestry, and biological individuals; and (3) accounts of disease as biological dysfunction do not straightforwardly map onto our intuitive health and disease judgments regarding non‐human animals. In response to the latter point I examine three possible avenues, and tentatively defend one on behalf of the ‘disease as dysfunction’ theorist.
Structure, stability and ecological significance of natural epigenetic variation: a large‐scale survey in Plantago lanceolata
Authors: Gáspár Bence , Bossdorf Oliver , Durka Walter 
Published: September 2018

Summary

Within‐species diversity is an important driver of ecological and evolutionary processes. Recent research has found that plants can harbour significant epigenetic diversity, but its extent, stability and ecological significance in natural populations is largely unexplored.

We analysed genetic, epigenetic and phenotypic variation in a large number of natural grassland populations of Plantago lanceolata, covering a broad geographical and environmental range. Within‐population diversity and among‐population differentiation were calculated from genetic and epigenetic marker data and from measurements of phenotypic traits, both for plants in the field and for the F1 generation grown in a common environment.

We found weak but significant epigenetic population structure. A large part of the epigenetic population differences observed in the field was maintained in a common environment. Epigenetic differences were consistently related to genetic and environmental variation, and to a lesser degree to phenotypic variation and land use, with more grazed populations harbouring greater epigenetic diversity.

Our study demonstrates that epigenetic diversity exists in natural populations of a common grassland species, and that at least part of this epigenetic diversity is stable, nonrandom and related to environmental variation. Experimental and more detailed molecular studies are needed to elucidate the mechanistic basis of these observed patterns.
Training proprioception with sound: effects of real‐time auditory feedback on intermodal learning
Authors: Ghai Shashank , Schmitz Gerd , Hwang Tong‐Hun , Effenberg Alfred O. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractOur study analyzed the effects of real‐time auditory feedback on intermodal learning during a bilateral knee repositioning task. Thirty healthy participants were randomly allocated to control and experimental groups. Participants performed an active knee joint repositioning task for the four target angles (20°, 40°, 60°, and 80°) bilaterally, with or without additional real‐time auditory feedback. Here, the frequency of auditory feedback was mapped to the knee's angle range (0–90°). Retention measurements were performed on the same four angles, without auditory feedback, after 15 min and 24 hours. A generalized knee proprioception test was performed after the 24‐h retention measurement on three untrained knee angles (15°, 35°, and 55°). Statistical analysis revealed a significant enhancement of knee proprioception, shown as a lower knee repositioning error with auditory feedback. This enhancement of proprioception also persisted in tests performed between the 5th and 6th auditory–motor training blocks (without auditory feedback). Enhancement in proprioception also remained stable during retention measurements (after 15 min and 24 h). Similarly, enhancement in the generalized proprioception on untrained knee angles was evident in the experimental group. This study extends our previous findings and demonstrates the beneficial effects of real‐time auditory feedback to facilitate intermodal learning by enhancing knee proprioception in a persisting and generalized manner.
Generic chemoprevention of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Athuluri‐Divakar Sai Krishna , Hoshida Yujin 
Published: September 2018

AbstractChronic fibrotic liver disease caused by viral or metabolic etiologies is a high‐risk condition for developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Even after curative treatment of early‐stage HCC tumor, the carcinogenic microenvironment persists in the remnant diseased liver and supports the development of de novo HCC tumors (de novo HCC recurrence). Therefore, prevention of HCC development in patients at risk of not only first‐primary but also second‐primary HCC tumors is theoretically the most impactful strategy to improve patient prognosis. However, no such therapy has been established to date. One major challenge is the identification of clinically relevant targets that can be achieved by utilizing the reverse‐engineering strategy of chemoprevention discovery, which integrates omics information from clinical cohorts with completed follow‐up for cancer development. Clinical and experimental studies have suggested etiology‐specific and generic candidate HCC chemoprevention strategies, including statins, antidiabetic drugs, selective molecular targeted agents, and dietary and nutritional substances. Clinical testing of the candidate compounds can be cost‐effectively performed by combining it with HCC risk biomarker evaluation to specify the target patient population most likely to benefit from the therapy. Nontoxic, generic agents will have broad clinical applicability across the diverse HCC etiologies and clinical contexts and are expected to substantially improve the still dismal prognosis of HCC.
Binocular contrast summation and inhibition depends on spatial frequency, eccentricity and binocular disparity
Authors: Alberti Concetta F , Bex Peter J 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPurposeWhen central vision is compromised, visually‐guided behaviour becomes dependent on peripheral retina, often at a preferred retinal locus (PRL). Previous studies have examined adaptation to central vision loss with monocular 2D paradigms, whereas in real tasks, patients make binocular eye movements to targets of various sizes and depth in 3D environments.MethodsWe therefore examined monocular and binocular contrast sensitivity functions with a 26‐AFC (alternate forced choice) band‐pass filtered letter identification task at 2° or 6° eccentricity in observers with simulated central vision loss. Binocular stimuli were presented in corresponding or non‐corresponding stereoscopic retinal locations. Gaze‐contingent scotomas (0.5° radius disks of pink noise) were simulated independently in each eye with a 1000 Hz eye tracker and 120 Hz dichoptic shutter glasses.ResultsContrast sensitivity was higher for binocular than monocular conditions, but only exceeded probability summation at low‐mid spatial frequencies in corresponding retinal locations. At high spatial frequencies or non‐corresponding retinal locations, binocular contrast sensitivity showed evidence of interocular suppression.ConclusionsThese results suggest that binocular vision deficits may be underestimated by monocular vision tests and identify a method that can be used to select a PRL based on binocular contrast summation.
Vision and academic performance in primary school children
Authors: Wood Joanne M , Black Alex A , Hopkins Shelley , White Sonia L J 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPurposeVision is considered important for academic performance in children; however, the evidence in this area tends to be inconsistent and inconclusive. This study explored the association between vision function and visual information processing measures and standardised academic achievement scores in Grade 3 Australian children.MethodsParticipants included 108 Grade 3 primary school children (M = 8.82 ± 0.32 years) from three state primary schools in South‐East Queensland. All participants underwent a standard vision screening, including distance visual acuity (VA), binocular vision testing and stereoacuity (SA). A computer‐based battery of visual information processing tests including the Development Eye Movement (DEM) test, Visual Sequential Memory (VSM) and Symbol Search (SS) was also administered. Australian National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) scores across five subtests of academic performance were obtained for each child: Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar/Punctuation and Numeracy.ResultsThe DEM adjusted horizontal and vertical times were most strongly associated with all of the NAPLAN subtest scores (p < 0.01), adjusted for age and the socio‐economic status of the school; the DEM ratio was not significantly associated with any of the NAPLAN subtests. VSM and SS scores were significantly associated with one or more NAPLAN subtests, as were worse and better eye VA; SA showed no significant association with any of the NAPLAN subtests.ConclusionsPerformance on the horizontal and vertical DEM subtests was most strongly associated with academic performance. These data, in conjunction with other clinical data, can provide useful information to clinicians regarding their prescribing and management philosophy for children with lower levels of uncorrected refractive error and binocular vision anomalies.
Acute and long‐term outcomes of simultaneous atrioventricular node ablation and leadless pacemaker implantation
Authors: Martínez‐Sande José Luis , Rodríguez‐Mañero Moisés , García‐Seara Javier , Lago Ramón , González‐Melchor Laila , Kreidieh Bahij , Iacopino Saverio , De Regibus Valentina , De Greef Yves , Bruno Schwagten , Curnis Antonio , Sieira Juan , Chierchia Gian Battista , Brugada Pedro , González‐Juanatey José Ramón , de Asmundis Carlo 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAimsLeadless pacemaker (LDP) allows implantation using a femoral approach. This access could be utilized for conventional atrioventricular nodal ablation (AVNA). It could facilitate unifying the two procedural components. Data regarding its feasibility and long‐term outcomes remain lacking. We aim to evaluate the feasibility and long‐term outcomes of sequential LDP and AVNA.MethodsProspective, observational multicenter study including consecutive patients with indication for single‐chamber pacemaker placement. In those with additional indication for AVNA, ablation was performed immediately after the LPD through the same sheath.ResultsA total of 137 patients were included. Mean age was 77.9 ± 10.5 years; 74 (54%) were men. Immediately following LDP implantation, 27 patients (19.7%) underwent concurrent AVNA. There were six (5.5%) complications in patients referred for LDP procedures and three (11%) in those who underwent a combined approach. None of these complications were solely attributable to the added AVNA component. No mechanical dislodgement, electrical damage to any device, or electromagnetic interference ever took place. During a mean follow‐up period of 123 ± 48 days, three patients (3.6%) died of noncardiovascular causes. The remaining population stayed alive without significant arrhythmias. There were no relevant differences with regard to sensing and pacing thresholds between patients in the two groups.ConclusionsAVNA can safely be performed immediately following LDP. A combined approach obviates the need for additional vascular access and optimizes feasibility and comfort for patients and healthcare providers. It offers an acceptable safety and efficacy profile, both acutely and upon intermediate‐term follow‐up.
Analyzing the chance of developing dementia among geriatric people: a cross‐sectional pilot study in Bangladesh
Authors: Uddin Md. Sahab , Mamun Abdullah Al , Takeda Shinya , Sarwar Md. Shahid , Begum Mst. Marium 
Published: September 2018

AimAlzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, representing 60–80% of cases, and ageing is the primary risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease. The objective of this study was to examine the chance of developing dementia (i.e. mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease) among geriatric people in Bangladesh.MethodsThis study included 390 adult citizens of Bangladesh (age range: 60–70 years). The Takeda Three Colors Combination (TTCC) test was used to detect the prevalence of MCI and mild dementia among the subjects, and then the Clinical Dementia Rating was used to determine the level of dementia.ResultsThe subjects who were aged 60–65 years included 154 with MCI, 76 with mild dementia, 1 with moderate dementia, 4 with severe dementia, and 29 without dementia. The subjects who were aged 66–70 years included 75 with MCI, 36 with mild dementia, 0 with moderate dementia, 2 with severe dementia, and 13 without dementia. The sensitivity of the TTCC was 75% and 58% for the mild dementia and MCI groups, respectively, and the specificity was 52%. The odds ratio of incorrect responses to the TTCC was 3.42 (95% confidence interval: 1.63–7.21) for subjects with mild dementia compared those without dementia. However, the TTCC outcomes revealed no significant differences between the MCI and non‐dementia groups. The results showed no significant associations between cognitive decline/developing dementia and social status/occupation.ConclusionThe outcomes of this study indicated that most of the subjects had MCI or mild dementia and were farmers aged 60–65 years.
Clay‐coat diversity in marginal marine sediments
Authors: Wooldridge Luke J. , Worden Richard H. , Griffiths Joshua , Utley James E. P. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe specific mineralogy of clay grain coats controls the ability of the coat to inhibit quartz cementation in sandstones during prolonged burial and heating. How and why clay‐coat mineralogy varies across marginal marine systems is poorly understood, even though these eogenetic phenomena strongly influence subsequent mesodiagenesis and reservoir quality. The novel development of the ability to predict the distribution of clay‐coat mineralogy would represent an important development for sandstone reservoir quality prediction. In marginal marine sediments, clay minerals occur as grain‐coats, floccules, mud intraclasts, clay‐rich rock fragments or as dispersed material. However, the relationships between clay mineralogy, the amount of clay, and its distribution is poorly understood. This study focused on the Ravenglass Estuary, UK. The key aim was to develop and apply a novel methodology utilising scanning electron microscope – energy dispersive spectrometry, for the first time, on grain coats in modern sediments, to differentiate the clay‐coat mineral signature from that of the bulk sediment, and reveal the distribution of clay minerals across marginal marine sediments. The study showed that marginal marine sediments principally have their clay mineral assemblage present as clay‐coats on sand grains. These clay‐coats have a mixed clay mineralogy and are spatially heterogeneous across the range of marginal‐marine depositional environments. The study further showed that clay‐coat mineralogy is governed initially by the hydrologically‐controlled segregation of the clay minerals within inner estuarine depositional environments, and subsequently by the selective abrasive removal of specific clay mineral types during reworking and transport into the outer estuary and the marine environment. The highest relative abundance of grain‐coating chlorite was in sand‐flat and tidal‐bar depositional environments. The availability of an analogue data set, and an understanding of the controlling processes of clay‐coat mineralogy, offer crucial steps in building a predictive capability for clay‐coat derived elevated reservoir quality in deeply buried sandstones.
Mixed accountability within new public governance: The case of a personalized welfare scheme in early implementation
Authors: Malbon Eleanor , Carey Gemma , Reeders Daniel 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe explore personalized funding schemes and associated changes for accountability within new welfare governance reforms. Using the case of the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme as hybrid institution, requiring mixed accountability arrangements, we examine the implications for broader discussions of accountability in personalized welfare arrangements. Methods used were semistructured interviews with government actors and disability service providers in Australia. In describing how accountability structures emerge, we argue that the way that layers fit together during implementation are often imperfect because of the conditions under which they arise. As a result, critical gaps can emerge in layered systems, which can put end users at risk. We demonstrate that theories on accountability in new public governance welfare reforms must also be informed by context and history informed qualitative analysis of case studies.
Origins of early STEM interest for Black male graduate students in engineering: A community cultural wealth perspective
Authors: Burt Brian A. , Johnson Jarrel T. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe development of talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields remains a national priority, one for which increasing the number of STEM participants from historically underrepresented populations is germane. Increasing the number of historically underrepresented students who complete advanced degrees in STEM will not only aid in solving national problems such as building infrastructure and strengthening national security, but also provide more models of success for future generations. Addressing this priority requires developing a better understanding of what leads students into and through STEM pathways, and finding ways to eliminate systemic barriers to their participation in STEM. This study reports on the origins of early STEM interest among 30 Black male graduate students in engineering. Using a community cultural wealth perspective, this article uncovers the people and activities that nurtured students into and through STEM pathways. The findings from this study provide clues to the social support and activities necessary for early interest in STEM.
Gathering Hints for Myofascial Force Transmission Under In Vivo Conditions: Are Remote Exercise Effects Age Dependent?
Authors: Wilke Jan , Kalo Kristin , Niederer Daniel , Vogt Lutz , Banzer Winfried 
Published: September 2018

Context: Recent research has underpinned the occurrence of nonlocal exercise effects. For instance, self-myofascial release (SMR) of the plantar fascia increases hamstring extensibility. A possible mechanism consists in a mechanical force transmission across myofascial chains. However, as the degree of structural continuity in these chains decreases with age, the magnitude of the above described remote effects might also be reduced throughout a lifespan. Objective: To examine the age dependency of nonlocal exercise effects following plantar fascia SMR. Design: Regression experimental study. Setting: General population. Participants: 168 healthy participants (Mage = 45 [21] y, 85 males). Intervention: One 120 s bout of plantar foot SMR, performed in standing position. Main Outcomes Measure: Hamstring extensibility was assessed using sit and reach testing. Relative pre–post differences were classified as no improvement, clinically nonrelevant improvement, or clinically relevant improvement according to previously published data. The age dependency of the effects was calculated by means of multinomial stepwise logistic regression. If the latter revealed other factors than age to affect treatment effectivity, their effect was eliminated using partial correlation. Results: SMR increased hamstring extensibility by 10.1% (pre: 24.9 [9.7] cm, post: 27.4 [9.3] cm, P < .001). About 99 participants (58.9%) attained a clinically relevant change. Multinomial logistic regression demonstrated no influence of sex, amount of physical activity, height, body mass index, and time of day, but a significant impact of baseline flexibility and age (Nagelkerke’s r2 = .32, P < .001). Post hoc partial correlation analysis demonstrated that age, corrected for baseline flexibility, had a small to moderate association with treatment effectivity (r = .29, P < .001). Conclusions: Plantar foot SMR increases hamstring extensibility, which is explained by age to a small degree. Additional research is warranted to delineate the substrate of remote exercise effects. Besides mechanical force transmission, cortical adaptations might also represent the driving factor.