bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Randomization for a Balanced Superimposition of One Youden Square on Another
Authors: Bailey R. A. , Preece D. A. , Rowley C. A. 
Published: December 2018

SUMMARY
Some experimentation, particularly on trees in orchards, requires the superimposition of a new set of treatments on an existing experiment, on the assumption that the effects of the new treatments do not interact with those of the old. Different approaches to the randomization of such new treatments were considered by Preece, Bailey and Patterson, who investigated in detail the case when one Latin square is superimposed on another to produce a Graeco-Latin square. For non-orthogonal superimpositions the theory is in general much more complicated. However, this paper shows that fairly simple randomization results are obtainable for certain balanced superimpositions of one Youden square on another (i) when each Youden square is of size (t – 1) × t and (ii) when each Youden square is of size k × t, where t is a prime power of the form 4s – 1 and k = 2s – 1 or k = 2s. In each case, t is the number of treatments in each Youden square. The valid randomization procedure obtained for the second case is unlike any previously known randomization procedure and is unlikely to be acceptable in practice; it is, however, an excellent indication of the difficulties that arise when randomization is attempted in unusual circumstances.
Robustifying Model Fitting
Authors: Windham Michael P. 
Published: December 2018

SUMMARY
A robust method for fitting a model from a parametric family is fundamental to effective statistical analysis. A procedure is given for robustifying any model fitting process by using weights from the family from which the model is to be chosen. The weighting reduces the influence of information that is not compatible with the model family, while maintaining the basic structure of a familiar model fitting process. The procedure produces a parametric family of model fitting functions. The value of the parameter determines the degree to which the weighting influences the robustified model fit. A mechanism for determining an appropriate value for the parameter is described.
On Assessing Goodness of Fit of Generalized Linear Models to Sparse Data
Authors: Farrington C. P. 
Published: December 2018

SUMMARY
Approximations to the first three moments of Pearson's statistic are obtained for non-canonical generalized linear models, extending the results of McCullagh. A first-order modification to Pearson's statistic is proposed which induces local orthogonality with the regression parameters, resulting in substantial simplifications and increased power. Accurate and easily computed approximations to the moments of the modified Pearson statistic conditional on the estimated regression parameters are obtained for testing goodness of fit to sparse data. Both the Pearson statistic and its modification are shown to be asymptotically independent of the regression parameters. Simulation studies and examples are given.
Principal Differential Analysis: Data Reduction by Differential Operators
Authors: Ramsay J. O. 
Published: December 2018

SUMMARY
Functional data are observations that are either themselves functions or are naturally representable as functions. When these functions can be considered smooth, it is natural to use their derivatives in exploring their variation. Principal differential analysis (PDA) identifies a linear differential operator L = w 0 I+w 1 D + . . . + w m-1 D m-1 + D m that comes as close as possible to annihilating a sample of functions. Convenient procedures for estimating the m weighting functions w j are developed. The estimated differential operator L is analogous to the projection operator used as the data annihilator in principal components analysis and thus can be viewed as a type of data reduction or exploration tool. The corresponding linear differential equation may also have a useful substantive interpretation. Modelling and regularization features can also be incorporated into PDA.
A Conditional Likelihood Approach to Residual Maximum Likelihood Estimation in Generalized Linear Models
Authors: Smyth Gordon K. , Verbyla Arünas P. 
Published: December 2018

SUMMARY
Residual maximum likelihood (REML) estimation is often preferred to maximum likelihood estimation as a method of estimating covariance parameters in linear models because it takes account of the loss of degrees of freedom in estimating the mean and produces unbiased estimating equations for the variance parameters. In this paper it is shown that REML has an exact conditional likelihood interpretation, where the conditioning is on an appropriate sufficient statistic to remove dependence on the nuisance parameters. This interpretation clarifies the motivation for REML and generalizes directly to non-normal models in which there is a low dimensional sufficient statistic for the fitted values. The conditional likelihood is shown to be well defined and to satisfy the properties of a likelihood function, even though this is not generally true when conditioning on statistics which depend on parameters of interest. Using the conditional likelihood representation, the concept of REML is extended to generalized linear models with varying dispersion and canonical link. Explicit calculation of the conditional likelihood is given for the one-way lay-out. A saddlepoint approximation for the conditional likelihood is also derived.
Associations of body fat and skeletal muscle with hypertension
Authors: Han Thang S. , Al‐Gindan Yasmin Y. , Govan Lindsay , Hankey Catherine R. , Lean Michael E. J. 
Published: December 2018

Hypertension is known to be associated with obesity, while its relationship to skeletal muscle, SM (SM; a marker of general health and body function), remains uncertain. We analyzed population‐based data of 22 591 men (mean age: 51.6 ± 16.9 years) and 27 845 nonpregnant women (50.6 ± 16.9 years) from Scottish Health Surveys (2003, 2008‐2011) and Health Surveys for England (2003‐2006, 2008‐2013) including 2595 non‐insulin‐ and 536 insulin‐treated diabetic patients. Compared with normotensive individuals (no hypertension history with normal systolic [SBP < 140 mm Hg] and diastolic blood pressure [DBP < 90 mm Hg]), percent body fat (BF%) was significantly higher and percent SM lower (P < 0.001) in undetected (no hypertension history with raised SBP ≥ 140 and/or DBP ≥ 90 mm Hg), controlled (hypertension history with normal BP), uncontrolled (hypertension history with raised BP), and untreated hypertension. The prevalences of hypertension within BF% quintiles were 11.8%, 24.8%, 41.4%, 56.8%, and 71.6% and SM% quintiles were 67.5%, 53.3%, 39.5%, 27.4%, and 18.5%. Compared to referent groups (lowest BF% quintile or highest SM% quintile), odds ratio (age, sex, smoking, ethnicity, country, survey year, and diabetes adjusted) for having all types of hypertension in the highest BF% quintile was 5.5 (95% confidence interval = 5.0‐5.9) and lowest SM% quintile was 2.3 (2.2‐2.5). Compared with those without diabetes, individuals with diabetes had a 2.3‐fold‐2.6‐fold greater risk of hypertension, independent of confounding factors and BF% or SM%. The associations of hypertension with BF% were higher than those with body mass index (BMI). In conclusion, both BF and SM should be considered when analyzing results from health surveys, rather than relying on BMI which does not discriminate between the two.
Prebiotic edible coatings with biopreservatives: Quality and safety of fresh apple cubes
Authors: Bambace María F. , Alvarez María V. , Moreira María R. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractApple fiber (2g/L) was incorporated along with vanillin (2.5g/L) and geraniol (0.6mL/L) into gellan coatings and their effects on the microbiological, physicochemical, nutritional and sensory quality of fresh‐cut apple (12 days at 5±1 °C) were studied. Also, the impact of coatings on the evolution of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria innocua inoculated on apples was evaluated. Geraniol enhanced antioxidant properties of apples and allowed growth rate reduction of native microbiota. Vanillin minimized color changes, improved firmness, reduced yeasts/molds growth and prolonged sensory shelf‐life by 4 days. Moreover, both biopreservatives exerted initial bactericidal effects on E. coli and geraniol reduced E. coli counts. Also, a bacteriostatic effect against L. innocua was found during the first 4 days. Therefore, these functional coatings might be good alternatives for enhancing quality and assuring safety of apples cubes. Vanillin showed the greatest potential to be applied technologically for improving the overall quality of apple cubes.Practical applicationsThe use of natural and functional coatings to enhance the quality of minimally processed fruits constitutes a novel technological alternative to respond to the growing rejection of consumers of foods that contain chemical preservatives that could damage their health. Apple fiber enriched‐gellan coatings added with vanillin provide a safe product with high nutritional quality and a prolonged shelf life.
Quality‐of‐life predictors for men undergoing infertility treatment in Japan
Authors: Asazawa Kyoko , Jitsuzaki Mina , Mori Akiko , Ichikawa Tomohiko , Shinozaki Katsuko , Porter Sarah E. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAimTo dentify the predictors of the quality of life (QOL) of infertile men who are undergoing infertility treatments in Japan and to create a QOL prediction model, with the main variables aimed at providing more adequate support to male patients.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study used the quantitative data that were collected from 321 returned self‐report questionnaires that had been distributed to the men of 411 couples who were undergoing fertility treatment. The following four scales were used to measure the main outcomes: FertiQoL, psychological distress, spousal support, and workplace support. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, multiple regression analyses, and structural equation modeling.ResultsThe number of returned questionnaires was 321 (78.1%). The QOL that was measured by FertiQoL was significantly lower in those men who were diagnosed with male factor infertility than in the other male patients. The two significant predictors of QOL were: spousal support and the infertility period. The structural equation modeling revealed that the same factors were related to QOL.ConclusionsMale factor infertility, less spousal support, and a longer period of infertility were associated with a poorer QOL of those men who were undergoing infertility treatment. These results suggest that focusing on infertility causes, the length of the infertility period, and the couples’ partnership during treatment is needed to provide full support to men who have been diagnosed with infertility.
The Reception of Immigrants and Refugees in Western Countries: The Challenges of Our Time
Authors: Jetten Jolanda , Esses Victoria M. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn a rapidly changing world, the challenges of migration, as well as its potential benefits, are hotly debated. Recent years have seen new challenges as a result of unprecedented levels of migration, instability following the Global Financial Crisis, economic and security concerns surrounding immigration, and negative portrayals of immigrants by some Western leaders. These developments make it all the more important to understand the psychological processes underpinning attitudes toward immigrants and refugees, support for particular immigration policies and responses to changing policies, the role of portrayals of immigrants in the media, and the consequences of immigration attitudes and policies. This special issue brings together researchers interested in the topic of immigration from a psychological perspective, with a focus on understanding the reception of immigrants and refugees in Western countries. In this introductory article, we outline the background to this special issue and briefly describe each article included.
A Scenario Analysis of Future Hong Kong Age and Labour Force Profiles and its Implications
Authors: Lloyd Chris J. , Kwok Raymond , Yip Paul S. F. 
Published: December 2018

Summary
The consequences of reduced fertility and mortality on the age distribution are an issue for most developed countries, but especially for the ‘Asian tiger’ economies. We use functional data analysis forecasting techniques to project the population of Hong Kong. Our projections include error estimates that allow for forecasting error as well as exogenous variations of fertility and migration numbers. We separate out the effects of pure demographic shifts from projected behavioural changes in labour force participation. This enables us to look at the kinds of changes in labour force participation that would be required to offset the aging effects that we estimate.
Soil information management and knowledge sharing in Victoria, Australia—user perspectives
Authors: Imhof Mark P. , Heemskerk Gemma E. , Cox Matthew T. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractFor twenty‐one years, soil information and knowledge in Victoria, Australia has been shared via the Victorian Resources Online (VRO) website. VRO has been the primary online repository for soil and landscape information generated from land resource assessment studies, field days, training workshops, and the visualization and animation of soil and landscape processes. User surveys and qualitative feedback have highlighted the value of online soil information to users, with many considering it a useful “tool of trade,” particularly those involved in agricultural research, extension, planning and education. An extensive series of “Healthy Soils” training workshops (2007–2010) focused on topics such as “soil types and structure,” “soil chemical testing,” “soil biology,” “soil erosion” and “organic matter.” Evaluation has demonstrated their usefulness and relevance, with learning outcomes achieved by >80% of overall participants, many of whom planned to make better management decisions and change management practices on‐farm. The information and knowledge generated through the series of workshops remains a valuable online resource. The development of more sophisticated knowledge visualization tools, such as animations, has broadened the potential audience for soil‐related information. Analytical profiling of VRO users in recent years has highlighted it as a source of information and knowledge for a local, national and international audience. This supports the notion that increasing access to public‐sector data and information provides significant benefits. Lessons learnt from enduring programs such as VRO can inform future information and knowledge management initiatives.
Re‐programming of gene expression in the CS8 rice line over‐expressing ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase induces a suppressor of starch biosynthesis
Authors: Cakir Bilal , Tian Li , Crofts Naoko , Chou Hong‐Li , Koper Kaan , Ng Chun‐Yeung , Tuncel Aytug , Gargouri Mahmoud , Hwang Seon‐Kap , Fujita Naoko , Okita Thomas W. 
Published: December 2018

SummaryThe CS8 transgenic rice (Oryza sativa L.) lines expressing an up‐regulated glgC gene produced higher levels of ADPglucose (ADPglc), the substrate for starch synthases. However, the increase in grain weight was much less than the increase in ADPglc levels suggesting one or more downstream rate‐limiting steps. Endosperm starch levels were not further enhanced in double transgenic plants expressing both glgC and the maize brittle‐1 gene, the latter responsible for transport of ADPglc into the amyloplast. These studies demonstrate that critical processes within the amyloplast stroma restrict maximum carbon flow into starch. RNA‐seq analysis showed extensive re‐programming of gene expression in the CS8 with 2073 genes up‐regulated and 140 down‐regulated. One conspicuous gene, up‐regulated ~15‐fold, coded for a biochemically uncharacterized starch binding domain‐containing protein (SBDCP1) possessing a plastid transit peptide. Confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis confirmed that SBDCP1 was located in the amyloplasts. Reciprocal immunoprecipitation and pull‐down assays indicated an interaction between SBDCP1 and starch synthase IIIa (SSIIIa), which was down‐regulated at the protein level in the CS8 line. Furthermore, binding by SBDCP1 inhibited SSIIIa starch polymerization activity in a non‐competitive manner. Surprisingly, artificial microRNA gene suppression of SBDCP1 restored protein expression levels of SSIIIa in the CS8 line resulting in starch with lower amylose content and increased amylopectin chains with a higher degree of polymerization. Collectively, our results support the involvement of additional non‐enzymatic factors such as SBDCP in starch biosynthesis.
Listeria monocytogenes: cell biology of invasion and intracellular growth
Authors: Pizarro-Cerdá Javier , Cossart Pascale 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTThe Gram-positive pathogenListeria monocytogenesis able to promote its entry into a diverse range of mammalian host cells by triggering plasma membrane remodeling, leading to bacterial engulfment. Upon cell invasion,L. monocytogenesdisrupts its internalization vacuole and translocates to the cytoplasm, where bacterial replication takes place. Subsequently,L. monocytogenesuses an actin-based motility system that allows bacterial cytoplasmic movement and cell-to-cell spread.L. monocytogenestherefore subverts host cell receptors, organelles and the cytoskeleton at different infection steps, manipulating diverse cellular functions that include ion transport, membrane trafficking, post-translational modifications, phosphoinositide production, innate immune responses as well as gene expression and DNA stability.
Clinical phenotyping of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes in Yemen
Authors: Gunaid Abdallah Ahmed , Al-Kebsi Mohammed Mohammed , Bamashmus Mahfouth Abdalla , Al-Akily Saleh Ahmed , Al-Radaei Ahmed Nasser 
Published: December 2018

ObjectiveTo identify clinical phenotypes of type 2 diabetes (T2D) among adults presenting with a first diagnosis of diabetes.Research design and methodsA total of 500 consecutive patients were subject to clinical assessment and laboratory investigations. We used data-driven cluster analysis to identify phenotypes of T2D based on clinical variables and Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA2) of insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function estimated from paired fasting blood glucose and specific insulin levels.ResultsThe cluster analysis identified three statistically different clusters: cluster 1 (high insulin resistance and high beta-cell function group), which included patients with low insulin sensitivity and high beta-cell function; cluster 2 (low insulin resistance and low beta-cell function group), which included patients with high insulin sensitivity but very low beta-cell function; and cluster 3 (high insulin resistance and low beta-cell function group), which included patients with low insulin sensitivity and low beta-cell function. Insulin sensitivity, defined as median HOMA2-S, was progressively increasing from cluster 1 (35.4) to cluster 3 (40.9), to cluster 2 (76) (p<0.001). On the contrary, beta-cell function, defined as median HOMA2-β, was progressively declining from cluster 1 (78.3) to cluster 3 (30), to cluster 2 (22.3) (p<0.001). Clinical and biomarker variables associated with insulin resistance like obesity, abdominal adiposity, fatty liver, and high serum triglycerides were mainly seen in clusters 1 and 3. The highest median hemoglobin A1c value was noted in cluster 2 (88 mmol/mol) and the lowest in cluster 1.ConclusionCluster analysis of newly diagnosed T2D in adults has identified three phenotypes based on clinical variables central to the development of diabetes and on specific clinical variables of each phenotype.
Operationalising a conceptual framework for a contiguous hospitalisation episode to study associations between surgical timing and death after first hip fracture: a Canadian observational study
Authors: Sheehan Katie Jane , Levy Adrian R , Sobolev Boris , Guy Pierre , Tang Michael , Kuramoto Lisa , Sutherland Jason M , Beaupre Lauren , Morin Suzanne N , Harvey Edward , Bradley Nick 
Published: December 2018

ObjectiveWe describe steps to operationalise a published conceptual framework for a contiguous hospitalisation episode using acute care hospital discharge abstracts. We then quantified the degree of bias induced by a first abstract episode, which does not account for hospital transfers.DesignRetrospective observational study.SettingAll acute care hospitals in nine Canadian provinces.ParticipantsWe retrieved acute hospitalisation discharge abstracts for 189 448 patients aged 65 years and older admitted to acute care with hip fracture between 2003 and 2013.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe percentage of patients treated surgically, delayed to surgery (defined as two or more days after admission) and dying, between contiguous hospitalisation episodes and the first abstract episodes of care.ResultsUsing contiguous hospitalisation episodes, 91.6% underwent surgery, 35.7% were delayed two or more days after admission and 6.7% died postoperatively, whereas, using the first abstract only, these percentages were 83.7%, 32.5% and 6.5%, respectively.ConclusionWe demonstrate that not accounting for hospital transfers when evaluating the association between surgical timing and death underestimates reporting of the percentage of patients treated surgically and delayed to surgery by 9%, and the percentage who die after surgery by 3%. Researchers must be aware of this potential and avoidable bias as, depending on the purpose of the study, erroneous inferences may be drawn.
miR-192-5p Silencing by Genetic Aberrations Is a Key Event in Hepatocellular Carcinomas with Cancer Stem Cell Features
Authors: Gu Yuanzhuo , Wei Xiyang , Sun Yulin , Gao Hongjun , Zheng Xin , Wong Linda L. , Jin Ling , Liu Niya , Hernandez Brenda , Peplowska Karolina , Zhao Xiaohang , Zhan Qi-Min , Feng Xin-Hua , Tang Zhao-You , Ji Junfang 
Published: December 2018

AbstractVarious cancer stem cell (CSC) biomarkers have been identified for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but little is known about the implications of heterogeneity and shared molecular networks within the CSC population. Through miRNA profile analysis in an HCC cohort (n = 241) for five groups of CSC+ HCC tissues, i.e., EpCAM+, CD90+, CD133+, CD44+, and CD24+ HCC, we identified a 14-miRNA signature commonly altered among these five groups of CSC+ HCC. miR-192-5p, the top-ranked CSC miRNA, was liver-abundant and -specific and markedly downregulated in all five groups of CSC+ HCC from two independent cohorts (n = 613). Suppressing miR-192-5p in HCC cells significantly increased multiple CSC populations and CSC-related features through targeting PABPC4. Both TP53 mutation and hypermethylation of the mir-192 promoter impeded transcriptional activation of miR-192-5p in HCC cell lines and primary CSC+ HCC. This study reveals the circuit from hypermethylation of the mir-192 promoter through the increase in PABPC4 as a shared genetic regulatory pathway in various groups of primary CSC+ HCC. This circuit may be the driver that steers liver cells toward hepatic CSC cells, leading to hepatic carcinogenesis.Significance:miR-192-5p and its regulatory pathway is significantly abolished in multiple groups of HCC expressing high levels of CSC markers, which may represent a key event for hepatic carcinogenesis.