bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variability of Symmetric Dimethylarginine in Apparently Healthy Dogs
Authors: Kopke M.A. , Burchell R.K. , Ruaux C.G. , Burton S.E. , Lopez‐Villalobos N. , Gal A. 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundSymmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is a screening tool for early kidney dysfunction and monitoring treatment in cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD). There are no current studies describing the suitability of this test for use with published population‐based reference intervals.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo determine the components of biological variability, the index of individuality (IOI), the critical difference between sequential measurements (CD) and the number of measurements required to assess the homeostatic set point (HSP), for both SDMA and serum creatinine (sCr), in apparently healthy dogs.AnimalsTwenty apparently healthy adult dogs owned by clients or staff at a veterinary teaching hospital.MethodsProspective, observational study. Blood was collected from each dog on 9 occasions, and SDMA and sCr were measured in duplicate using commercially available assays.ResultsSDMA and sCr had intermediate and low IOI values of 0.87 and 0.28, respectively. The CD of SDMA and sCr, was 1.34 µg/dL and 0.89 µmol/L, respectively. The sample numbers required for estimation of an individual's HSP (with 90 and 95% CI) for SDMA and sCr were 8 and 45, and 2 and 12 sequential measurements, respectively.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceBased on our findings, in comparison to sCr, SDMA is better suited for use with population‐based reference intervals. False‐negative test results could occur when comparing a single test result from an individual to such intervals. Ideally CD should be used with sequential measurements.
The psychological impact of solitary: A longitudinal comparison of general population and long‐term administratively segregated male inmates
Authors: Chadick Carly D. , Batastini Ashley B. , Levulis Samuel J. , Morgan Robert D. 
Published: February 2018

PurposeThis study expands upon existing research on the psychological impact of administrative segregation on inmates by addressing several methodological limitations in this body of literature.MethodsUsing a pre–post design, this study compared male general population (GP) inmates in the United States to those with up to 4 years in segregated placement across scores on the MCMI‐III.ResultsWhile segregated inmates reported higher levels of distress (particularly on measures of anxiety, depressed mood, post‐traumatic stress, and somatic complaints) compared to the GP at post‐assessment, scores did not reach the clinical cut‐off. Further, inmates generally did not deteriorate as time in restrictive housing increased.ConclusionsThus, compared to the GP, who showed some improvement in functioning, segregated inmates remained largely the same. Rather than causing significant psychological damage, it is more likely that segregation is a barrier to opportunities for continued growth. Study limitations and recommendations for reforms in the use of segregation are presented.
Sensory and cognitive contributions to age‐related changes in spoken word recognition
Authors: Johns Alexis R. , Myers Emily B. , Skoe Erika 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMany older adults experience declines in auditory and cognitive abilities that negatively affect language comprehension, including spoken word recognition. In the case of auditory function, poor neural responses to sound at the earliest stages of auditory processing may adversely affect phoneme identification, and ultimately, lexical access. Declines in cognitive functions, such as inhibitory control or working memory, may also impede word recognition. Furthermore, complex interactions between auditory and cognitive declines make it difficult to distinguish these possible causes of age differences in speech perception. We review age‐related changes in spoken word recognition, with respect to current models of this process. Then, we invoke frameworks of sensory–cognitive compensation and argue that online, sensitive measures of sensory processing and of comprehension are important in distinguishing between effects of sensory and cognitive decline. We conclude that investigations of spoken word recognition in older listeners must carefully assess listener differences at early levels of auditory processing, in conjunction with cognitive abilities.
Chromatic Mediants and Narrative Context in Film
Authors: HEINE ERIK 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTThis article examines specific narrative connotations associated with chromatic mediant motions in film music. Following the neo‐Riemannian work of theorists such as David Kopp and Richard Cohn, and film‐music theorists such as Scott Murphy and Frank Lehman, I propose a lexicon of harmonic motions and associative connotations. The article provides a survey of both major‐mode and minor‐mode chromatic mediant relationships in as many different genres of film as possible, with science‐fiction and fantasy films being most common. Through this survey I aim to demonstrate not only the extent to which chromatic mediants have become staple devices of film‐scoring harmonic practice, with meanings so consistent that they can be subverted for ironic and satirical purposes, but also to lay out a speculative path for future film‐music theorists to use these connotations in additional film contexts.
Association of dialysis with in‐hospital disability progression and mortality in community‐onset stroke
Authors: Usui Tomoko , Hanafusa Norio , Yasunaga Hideo , Nangaku Masaomi 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTAimEnd‐stage renal disease is associated with increased risk of cerebrovascular disease, but the effect on post‐stroke clinical outcomes has not been thoroughly investigated.MethodsUsing the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, which includes administrative claims and discharge abstract data, we examined the association between risk factors including dialysis therapy and in‐hospital disability progression or mortality in patients with community‐onset stroke. We extracted data of patients aged ≥ 20 years old who were admitted to the hospital within 3 days after onset of stroke between July 2010 and March 2013. The disability level was divided into modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0–1, 2–3, 4–5, and 6 (death). Disability progression was defined as an increase in disability level. Odds ratios for in‐hospital disability progression and mortality were calculated using logistic regression models.ResultsOf 435 403 patients, 7562 (1.7%) received dialysis therapy. The median length of stay was 21 and 20 days for patients with and without dialysis, respectively. During the hospital stay, disability progressed in 100 402 (23.1%) patients and 45 919 (10.5%) died. Patients on dialysis had a higher prevalence of disability progression (26.8%) and mortality (13.1%) compared to those without dialysis (23.0% and 10.5%, respectively). Dialysis was associated with an increased risk of in‐hospital disability progression (odds ratio, 1.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.47–1.66) and mortality (odds ratio 1.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.57–1.84). These risks were comparable among subtypes of stroke.ConclusionsDialysis was associated with an increased risk of in‐hospital disability progression and mortality among patients with community‐onset stroke, regardless of stroke subtype.
Wheezing preschool children with early‐onset asthma reveal a specific metabolomic profile
Authors: Carraro Silvia , Bozzetto Sara , Giordano Giuseppe , El Mazloum Dania , Stocchero Matteo , Pirillo Paola , Zanconato Stefania , Baraldi Eugenio 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundMany children of preschool age present with recurrent wheezing. Most of them outgrow their symptoms, while some have early‐onset asthma. Aim of this prospective preliminary study was to apply a metabolomic approach to see whether biochemical‐metabolic urinary profiles can have a role in the early identification of the children with asthma.MethodsPreschool children with recurrent wheezing were recruited and followed up for 3 years, after which they were classified as cases of transient wheezing or early‐onset asthma. A urine sample was collected at recruitment and analyzed using a metabolomic approach based on UPLC mass spectrometry.ResultsAmong 34 children aged 4.0 ± 1.1 years recruited, at the end of the 3‐year follow‐up, 16 were classified as having transient wheezing and 16 as cases of early‐onset asthma. Through a joint multivariate and univariate statistical analyses, we identified a subset of metabolomic variables that enabled the 2 groups to be clearly distinguished. The model built using the identified variables showed an AUC = 0.99 and an AUC = 0.88 on sevenfold full cross‐validation (P = .002).ConclusionsMetabolomic urinary profile can discriminate preschoolers with recurrent wheezing who will outgrow their symptoms from those who have early‐onset asthma. These results may pave the way to the characterization of early non‐invasive biomarkers capable of predicting asthma development.
Inter‐shift variation in unscheduled intensive care unit transfers at a children's hospital
Authors: Inata Yu , Aoki Yoshihiro , Hatachi Takeshi , Shimizu Yoshiyuki , Takeuchi Muneyuki 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe early detection of clinical deterioration and the prompt escalation of care is important but may be limited in the general ward, especially at night. Identifying variations between work shifts in the number of unscheduled in‐hospital intensive care unit (ICU) transfers and emergency transfers involving life‐threatening conditions may help implement targeted interventions to reduce delayed transfers and improve patient safety and outcomes.MethodsAll unscheduled ICU transfers in a tertiary children's hospital, from January 2013 to December 2016, were reviewed retrospectively. The transfers were categorized into safe transfers and adverse safety events (ASE). The 4 year cumulative numbers for each transfer category in each work shift (day, evening, and night) were assessed for comparison. An ASE was defined as transfer after cardiopulmonary resuscitation or tracheal intubation in the ward, or an unrecognized situation awareness failure event transfer, which was defined as previously reported.ResultsOf 244 unscheduled in‐hospital ICU transfers, 167 were safe transfers and 77 were ASE. The number of unscheduled transfers and of ASE was highest during the day shift (n = 133 and 40, respectively) and lowest during the night shift (n = 25 and 12, respectively). In contrast, the proportion of ASE in the unscheduled transfers was higher during the night shift (48%) compared with the day and evening shifts (30% and 31%, respectively).ConclusionsThe occurrence of unscheduled ICU transfers was disproportionately low during the night shift, whereas the majority of ASE happened during the day shift. Future studies focusing on unravelling the reasons for such variations are warranted.
Naturalizing grounding: How theories of ground can engage science
Authors: Bryant Amanda 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis paper surveys some of the grounding literature searching for points of contact between theories of ground and science. I find that there are some places where a would‐be naturalistic grounding theorist can draw inspiration. I synthesize a list of recommendations for how science may be put to use in theories of ground. I conclude that the prospects for naturalizing the metaphysics of ground are bright.
Just inheritance taxation
Authors: Pedersen Jørgen 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis article provides a survey of key topics on just inheritance taxation. It does so by first presenting the main arguments in the debate. Here, I distinguish between arguments in the academic literature and the various arguments which have proven important in the public debate. Secondly, I outline four influential proposals when it comes to how inheritance should be taxed. Finally, I examine a recent controversy and point towards a number of themes that have not been sufficiently discussed.
Suppression of the in vitro growth and development of Microdochium nivale by phosphite
Authors: Dempsey J. J. , Wilson I. , Spencer‐Phillips P. T. N. , Arnold D. 
Published: February 2018

The ascomycete fungus Microdochium nivale is a major pathogen of many species of the gramineae. Control measures rely heavily on chemical fungicides, making alternative means of disease reduction desirable. Phosphite (PO33−), has proven efficacy in reducing susceptibility of different species of gramineae to oomycetes, and has adverse effects on the in vitro growth of numerous other pathogens. The effect of phosphorous acid (H3PO3), phosphoric acid (H3PO4), dihydrogen potassium phosphite (KH2PO3), dihydrogen potassium phosphate (KH2PO4) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) on the in vitro mycelial growth and development of M. nivale was determined. Radial growth on amended potato dextrose agar (PDA) was used to calculate mean daily growth and percentage inhibition. PO33− had a significant inhibitory effect on mycelial growth, with EC50 values ranging between 35.9 and 40.99 μg mL−1, whilst PO43− and KOH had no significant inhibitory effect. Microscopic examination of mycelia showed morphological deformities in hyphae growing on PO33− amended PDA, whilst hyphal growth was normal on PO43− and KOH amended PDA. Conidial germination of M. nivale was significantly reduced following immersion in solutions of 50, 100 and 250 μg mL−1 of PO33−, while PO43− and KOH at the same concentrations induced no inhibitory affect. These results show that PO33− is a significant inhibitor of the growth of M. nivale and may have the potential to be used as a chemical control agent in the field.
Beyond the professional development academy: Teachers' retention of discipline‐specific science content knowledge throughout a 3‐year mathematics and science partnership
Authors: Clary Renee M. , Elder Anastasia , Dunne James , Saebo Svein , Beard Debbie , Wax Charles , Tucker Deborah L. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe Teacher Academy in the Natural Sciences (TANS) provided middle school (U.S. Grades 6–8) teachers (N = 81) with intensive professional development (PD) in chemistry, geosciences, and physics, with teachers enrolled in one scientific discipline per year. Because some teachers were retained and rotated into different disciplines, the TANS program investigated retention of science content 1–2 years beyond an instructional year. All teacher participants exhibited significant gains (p < .001), in chemistry, geosciences, or physics content, between their incoming knowledge and the 10‐day summer academy's conclusion. Chemistry and geosciences content were retained until the end of the PD year. Physics participants reported a significant loss (p < .001), although gains from teachers' incoming knowledge were still significant. When retention was measured beyond the instructional year, only the geosciences content was retained. Chemistry and physics gains were not retained, with no significant differences between incoming teachers' knowledge and content 1–2 years post instruction. Our research indicates that science content support is needed after PD programs, and importantly, that the support differs between scientific disciplines.
Elucidation of the origin of ‘agriocrithon’ based on domestication genes questions the hypothesis that Tibet is one of the centers of barley domestication
Authors: Pourkheirandish Mohammad , Kanamori Hiroyuki , Wu Jianzhong , Sakuma Shun , Blattner Frank R. , Komatsuda Takao 
Published: February 2018

SUMMARYWild barley forms a two‐rowed spike with a brittle rachis whereas domesticated barley has two‐ or six‐rowed spikes with a tough rachis. Like domesticated barley, ‘agriocrithon’ forms a six‐rowed spike; however, the spike is brittle as in wild barley, which makes the origin of agriocrithon obscure. Haplotype analysis of the Six‐rowed spike 1 (vrs1) and Non‐brittle rachis 1 (btr1) and 2 (btr2) genes was conducted to infer the origin of agriocrithon barley. Some agriocrithon barley accessions (eu‐agriocrithon) carried Btr1 and Btr2 haplotypes that are not found in any cultivars, implying that they are directly derived from wild barley through a mutation at the vrs1 locus. Other agriocrithon barley accessions (pseudo‐agriocrithon) carried Btr1 or Btr2 from cultivated barley, thus implying that they originated from hybridization between six‐rowed landraces carrying btr1Btr2 and Btr1btr2 genotypes followed by recombination to produce Btr1Btr2. All materials we collected from Tibet belong to pseudo‐agriocrithon and thus do not support the Tibetan Plateau as being a center of barley domestication. Tracing the evolutionary history of these allelic variants revealed that eu‐agriocrithon represents six‐rowed barley lineages that were selected by early farmers, once in south‐eastern Turkmenistan (vrs1.a1) and again in the eastern part of Uzbekistan (vrs1.a4).
Comparison between magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and arthrography to identify artificially induced cartilage defects of the equine carpal joints
Authors: Suarez Sanchez‐Andrade José , Richter Henning , Kuhn Karolin , Bischofberger Andrea S. , Kircher Patrick R. , Hoey Séamus 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWhile articular cartilage changes are considered to be one of the initial events in the pathological cascade leading to osteoarthritis, these changes remain difficult to detect using conventional diagnostic imaging modalities such as plain radiography. The aim of this prospective, experimental, methods comparison study was to compare the sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance arthrography, computed tomography (CT), and CT arthrography in the detection of artificially induced articular cartilage defects in the equine carpal joints. Defects were created in the antebrachiocarpal and middle carpal joint using curettage by a board‐certified equine surgeon. Normal articular cartilage thickness varied from a maximum of 1.22 mm at the level of the distal aspect of the radius to a minimum of 0.17 mm in the proximal articular surface of the third carpal bone. Regarding cartilaginous defect measurements the remaining cartilaginous bed range from a maximum of 0.776 mm in the partial thickness defects, and 0 mm (defect reaches the subchondral bone) when total thickness defect were made. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed followed by CT arthrography and magnetic resonance arthrography after antebrachiocarpal and middle carpal intraarticular contrast administration. All images were reviewed by two board‐certified veterinary radiologists, both of whom were blinded to the location, presence of, and thickness of the cartilage defects. A total number of 72 lesions in nine limbs were created. Mean sensitivity for localizing cartilage defects varied between imaging modalities with CT arthrography showing the best sensitivity (69.9%), followed by magnetic resonance arthrography (53.5%), MRI (33.3%), and CT (18.1%) respectively. The addition of contrast arthrography in both magnetic resonance and CT improved the rate of cartilage lesion detection although no statistical significance was found. Computed tomographic arthrography displayed the best sensitivity for detecting articular cartilage defects in the equine antebrachiocarpal and middle‐carpal joints, compared to magnetic resonance arthrography, MRI, and CT.
Repetitive squatting exercise as a diagnostic predictor in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Sveric Krunoslav Michael , Ulbrich Stefan , Rady Mohamed , Pflücke Christian , Quick Silvio , Katzke Stefanie , Ibrahim Karim , Strasser Ruth H , Jellinghaus Stefanie 
Published: February 2018

ObjectivesNon-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterised by a highly variable disease progression. Stress echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) are beneficial in risk assessment, but are labour intensive. Repetitive squatting and standing without weights is a simple exercise (EX). The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic role of left ventricular (LV) contractile recruitment (CR) after a simple EX of repetitive squatting through three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography.MethodsPatients with DCM (LV ejection fraction (EF)<50%, n=68) and age-matched healthy volunteers (n=25) received a 3D echocardiographic evaluation of LV EF before and after 30 repetitions of squatting-standing EX. CR was defined by the change of LV EF (Δ>4%). Patients were followed up prospectively (2 years) for cardiac death and deteriorating heart failure.ResultsDuring follow-up, 14 cardiac events occurred (21%) with six deaths and eight severe heart failure deteriorations. A poor CR after squatting EX differentiated DCM patients with cardiac events during follow-up as accurately as a reduced peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2<20 mL/kg/min) (sensitivity: 0.97 and 0.95). Both had a significant incremental diagnostic value over clinical (age, dyspnoea and natriuretic peptide level) or resting echocardiographic parameters (E/E’ ratio, LV EF and end-diastolic LV volume) to predict cardiac events (global χ2: 16.0 vs 5.3; 19.5 vs 6.1; P<0.01 for all).ConclusionsThe presence of LV CR after EX of repetitive squatting without weights can stratify risk and predict cardiac events in patients with DCM as correct as CPET.
Structural, stability, and vibrational properties of BinPm clusters
Authors: Shen Wanting , Han Lihong , Liang Dan , Zhang Chunfang , Ruge Quhe , Wang Shumin , Lu Pengfei 
Published: February 2018

An in-depth investigation is performed on stability mechanisms, electronic and optical properties of III–V semiconductor vapor phases clusters. First principles electronic structure calculations of CAM-B3LYP are performed on neutral Bi[Formula: see text]P[Formula: see text] (n + m [Formula: see text] 14) clusters. The geometrical evolution of all stable structures remains amorphous as the clusters size increases. Binding energies (BEs), energy gains and highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO–LUMO) gaps confirm that all four-atom structures of Bi[Formula: see text]P[Formula: see text] clusters have more stable optical properties. Orbitals composition and vibrational spectra of stable clusters are analyzed. Our calculations will contribute to the study of diluted bismuth alloys and compounds.