bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Opportunities and limitations of reduced representation bisulfite sequencing in plant ecological epigenomics
Authors: Paun Ovidiu , Verhoeven Koen J. F. , Richards Christina L. 
Published: August 2018

Contents

Summary
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I.
Introduction
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II.
RRBS loci as genome‐wide epigenetic markers
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III.
Exploiting functional annotation of RRBS loci
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IV.
Limitations of RRBS methods for nonmodel species
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V.
Maximising the impact of RRBS in plants
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VI.
Conclusions
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Acknowledgements
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SummaryInvestigating the features and implications of epigenetic mechanisms across the breadth of organisms and ecosystems is important for understanding the ecological relevance of epigenetics. Several cost‐effective reduced representation bisulfite sequencing approaches (RRBS) have been recently developed and applied to different organisms that lack a well annotated reference genome. These new approaches improve the assessment of epigenetic diversity in ecological settings and may provide functional insights. We assess here the opportunities and limitations of RRBS in nonmodel plant species. Well thought out experimental designs that include complementary gene expression studies, and the improvement of genomics resources for the target group, promise to maximize the effect of future RRBS studies.
Pollen, ovules, and pollination in pea: Success, failure, and resilience in heat
Authors: Jiang Yunfei , Lahlali Rachid , Karunakaran Chithra , Warkentin Thomas D. , Davis Arthur R. , Bueckert Rosalind A. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractField pea (Pisum sativum), a major grain legume crop, is autogamous and adapted to temperate climates. The objectives of this study were to investigate effects of high temperature stress on stamen chemical composition, anther dehiscence, pollen viability, pollen interactions with pistil and ovules, and ovule growth and viability. Two cultivars (“CDC Golden” and “CDC Sage”) were exposed to 24/18°C (day/night) continually or to 35/18°C for 4 or 7 days. Heat stress altered stamen chemical composition, with lipid composition of “CDC Sage” being more stable compared with “CDC Golden.” Heat stress reduced pollen viability and the proportion of ovules that received a pollen tube. After 4 days at 35°C, pollen viability in flower buds decreased in “CDC Golden,” but not in “CDC Sage.” After 7 days, partial to full failure of anthers to dehisce resulted in subnormal pollen loads on stigmas. Although growth (ovule size) of fertilized ovules was stimulated by 35°C, heat stress tended to decrease ovule viability. Pollen appears susceptible to stress, but not many grains are needed for successful fertilization. Ovule fertilization and embryos are less susceptible to heat, but further research is warranted to link the exact degree of resilience to stress intensity.
On the Gender Gap in Financial Knowledge: Decomposing the Effects of Don't Know and Incorrect Responses*
Authors: Chen Zibei , Garand James C. 
Published: August 2018

ObjectivesPast studies have consistently shown that women have lower levels of financial knowledge than men, and hence there is a noticeable gender gap in financial knowledge. We reconsider the conventional measures of financial knowledge by disentangling don't know (DK) responses and incorrect answers and comparing the effect of these two disparate responses’ on the gender gap in financial knowledge.MethodsUsing data from the 2012 National Financial Capability Studies data set, we estimate a series of ordinary least squares regression and multinomial logit models of the gender gap in DK and incorrect responses.ResultsWe find a strong gender gap in financial knowledge, but with a twist: (1) men are more likely to offer correct answers; (2) women are slightly more likely to offer incorrect answers; but (3) women are considerably more likely to provide DK responses. Hence women may exhibit lower levels of financial knowledge because they lose the opportunity to hazard a guess and arrive at a correct answer based either on partial knowledge or on random chance. We consider the possibility that there are psychological processes at work involving risk acceptance and confidence in financial knowledge that prompt women to give DK responses at a rate higher than men.ConclusionWe suggest that future research should consider the relative roles of DK and incorrect responses in measuring financial knowledge.
Dynamic flexion/extension and non‐weight bearing ultrasonography is helpful for identifying manica flexoria tears in horses
Authors: Garcia da Fonseca Rita Martins , Evrard Laurence , Rabba Silvia , Salciccia Alexandra , Busoni Valeria 
Published: August 2018

AbstractLesions of the manica flexoria are a tenoscopic finding in horses with digital flexor tendon sheath tenosynovitis. This retrospective case series study describes the ultrasonographic findings in seven horses admitted for digital flexor tendon sheath swelling associated with lameness and tenoscopic confirmation of a manica flexoria tear. Six horses had a partial manica flexoria tear, one a complete rupture. The ultrasonographic examination included a static examination on the weight and non‐weight bearing limb and a dynamic limb assessment during flexion and extension. The main ultrasonographic finding at the static weight bearing examination in horses with a partial tear was an asymmetrical appearance of the manica flexoria at the level of the junction with the lateral border of the superficial digital flexor tendon, or an incomplete visualization of the manica flexoria in case of complete rupture. The split edges of the completed ruptured manica flexoria were seen floating in the synovial fluid at the examination in flexion. In six of seven cases, the superficial digital flexor tendon slid abnormally relative to the deep digital flexor tendon, during flexion/extension movements, with medial displacement of the superficial digital flexor tendon, appearance of an anechoic gap between the flexor tendons or reduced superficial digital flexor tendon sliding. Because ultrasonographic diagnosis of the manica flexoria tear is considered challenging, detection of these ultrasonographic features is helpful to increase the likelihood of identifying manica flexoria tears prior to tenoscopy. Authors recommend static ultrasonographic examination of the manica flexoria using a flexed limb position and dynamic ultrasonographic examination using flexion and extension positioning for horses with suspected digital sheath injury.
Influence of Condensation on the Outer Surface of Polymer Hollow Fiber Heat Exchangers During Heat Transfer
Authors: Brozova Tereza , Bartuli Erik 
Published: August 2018

Condensation during heat transfer processes can be very beneficially used due to the large amount of energy contained in phase change (vapor to liquid). This contribution focuses on the possible use of polymer hollow fiber heat exchangers (PHFHEs) in air conditioning. PHFHEs consist of hundreds or thousands of polymer hollow fibers with an outer diameter of around 1 mm. The wall thickness is approximately 10% of the outer diameter. PHFHEs are heat exchangers with such benefits as low weight, easy shaping, corrosion resistance, and resistance to many chemical solutions. In comparison with metal heat exchangers (made of copper, aluminum, or stainless steel) the plastic wall of PHFHEs has low thermal conductivity (between 0.1 and 0.4 Wm-1K-1). This seems to be their key disadvantage. However, due to the extremely small thickness of the fiber’s wall this disadvantage is negligible. PHFHEs are compact heat exchangers with a large heat transfer area with respect to their volume.
This paper shows the results of condensation tests for PHFHEs that consist of 6 equivalent layers of polypropylene fibers with a length of 190 mm. The total number of fibers is 798. The air humidity was set to 50% with an air temperature of 27°C, which are the typical conditions for such tests in air conditioning technology. Another important parameter was the velocity of the air. Testing velocities were chosen as 3 m s−1 and 1 m s−1.
The influence of gravity was studied by putting the PHFHEs in three different positions. The fibers were placed in horizontal and vertical positions, and in a position where fibers form an angle of 45° with the ground.
The study showed the ineffectiveness of placing the PHFHE in a horizontal position and suggests that it is better to have a larger distance between the layers of fibers.
‘Better to save one life than build a seven-storied pagoda’: a qualitative study of health education for patients with acute coronary syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus in Shanghai, China
Authors: Liu Xian-Liang , Willis Karen , Wu Chiung-Jung (Jo) , Shi Yan , Johnson Maree 
Published: August 2018

ObjectiveTo describe, from the perspectives of health professionals, the health education currently being provided from hospital admission to discharge to home to patients who present with acute coronary syndrome who also have type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsA qualitative study using semistructured interviews was undertaken in the coronary care unit (CCU) of a major hospital in Shanghai, China. Fifteen health professionals (nine registered nurses and six physicians) from the CCU who delivered health education to patients with acute coronary syndrome and T2DM participated. Participants also completed an Education Content Checklist containing topics consistent with existing national guidelines.FindingsMajor themes identified included: health education is an essential embedded component of treatment; health education comprises varied strategies to facilitate behavioural change; and barriers and required resources to deliver effective health education.ConclusionsSurviving the initial symptoms and providing immediate treatment is the first step in recovery for patients with acute coronary syndrome and T2DM. Health education is an essential component of the management of these patients, and content and focus that is responsive to the recovery stage of the patient is required. Teaching and supporting strategies appropriate for the inpatient phase prior to discharging to the community phase are required.
Education level and health-related quality of life after oesophageal cancer surgery: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Schandl Anna Regina , Johar Asif , Mälberg Kalle , Lagergren Pernilla 
Published: August 2018

ObjectiveThe purpose of the study was to investigate whether low education level was associated with patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after oesophageal cancer resection.SettingA nationwide cohort study in Sweden.ParticipantsIn total, 378 patients who underwent oesophageal cancer surgery in 2001–2005 were followed up 6 months and 3 years after surgery.Outcome measuresHRQOL was assessed by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and the oesophageal cancer-specific module. The association between level of education and HRQOL was calculated with linear regression models, providing mean score differences (MD) and 95% CIs. Data were analysed separately for women and men.ResultsEducation level was not associated with HRQOL recovery after oesophageal cancer surgery. However, when data were stratified by sex, lower education was associated with worse emotional function (MD −13; 95% CI −22 to −3), more symptoms of insomnia (MD 20; 95% CI 8 to 32) and reflux (MD: 15; 95% CI 3 to 26) for women, but not for men. Among women, low education was in general associated with worse functioning and more symptoms.ConclusionsLow education was not associated with worse HRQOL after oesophageal cancer surgery. However, when data were stratified for sex, low education level was associated with worse functioning and more symptoms in certain HRQOL domains for women, particularly in a short-term perspective. For men, no such association was found.
Links between blood pressure and medication intake, well-being, stress, physical activity and symptoms reported via a mobile phone-based self-management support system: a cohort study in primary care
Authors: Taft Charles , Hallberg Inger , Bengtsson Ulrika , Manhem Karin , Kjellgren Karin 
Published: August 2018

ObjectivesTo explore relationships between patients’ self-monitoring of blood pressure (BP) and their concurrent self-reports of medication intake, well-being, stress, physical activity and symptoms.DesignThis study is a secondary analysis of a prospective study exploring the 8-week effectiveness of a mobile phone-based self-management support system for patients with hypertension.SettingFour primary healthcare centres situated in urban and suburban communities in Sweden.Participants50 patients undergoing treatment for hypertension.Primary and secondary outcome measuresAssociations between systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and 10 self-report lifestyle-related variables were analysed using linear mixed effects modelling.ResultsMedication intake, better well-being, less stress and greater physical activity were associated variously with lower same-day SBP and DBP. The single strongest association was found between medication intake and SBP, where failure to take medications was associated with an estimated 7.44 mm Hg higher SBP. To a lesser degree, medication intake was also associated with DBP, where DBP was 4.70 mm Hg higher in cases where medications were not taken. Well-being and stress were consistently associated with SBP and DBP, whereas physical activity was associated with only SBP. None of the symptoms—dizziness, headache, restlessness, fatigue or palpitations—were significantly associated with BP.ConclusionsOur findings that BP was associated with patients’ BP management behaviours and experiences of well-being and stress, but not symptoms suggest that enabling persons with hypertension to monitor and track their BP in relation to medication intake, physical activity, well-being, stress and symptoms may be a fruitful way to help them gain first-hand understanding of the importance of adherence and persistence to treatment recommendations.Trial registration numberNCT01510301; Pre-results.
Risk of cardiac and non-cardiac adverse events in community-dwelling older patients with atrial fibrillation: a prospective cohort study in the Netherlands
Authors: van Doorn Sander , Tavenier Annerien , Rutten Frans H , Hoes Arno W , Moons Karel G M , Geersing Geert-Jan 
Published: August 2018

ObjectivesPatients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at increased risk of many adverse events, notably stroke. To prevent all adverse outcomes, integrated AF care is advocated though the potential domain for such multidisciplinary management is still unclear. Therefore, insight in the systemic nature of AF and identifying patients at risk of adverse events after oral anticoagulation is needed. The aim of this study is to first describe the risk of hospitalisation and mortality in community-dwelling older patients with AF using anticoagulants, and second to assess the association between traditional cardiac risk factors and these outcomes.DesignA prospective cohort.SettingGeneral practice.Participants2068 patients with AF using oral anticoagulants.Outcome measuresWe calculated incidence rates (IRs) of ischaemic stroke, bleeding, hospitalisations and mortality, and compared risk factors using Cox regression between those with and without an adverse event, both for cardiac and non-cardiac causes.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 2.7 (IQR 2.2–3.0) years, the IR per 100 person-years was 22.1 for hospitalisations and 6.7 for mortality. Non-cardiac events outnumbered cardiac events (IRs 15.7 vs 7.6 per 100 person-years for hospitalisation, p<0.001 and 5.0 vs 1.7, p<0.001 for mortality). As a comparison, the IRs for stroke and major bleeding were 1.7 and 0.8 per 100 person years, respectively. In multivariate models, high age, heart failure and vascular disease were independently associated with all-cause hospitalisation and— in addition to diabetes, previous stroke and renal disease—for all-cause mortality.ConclusionsIn anticoagulated community-dwelling patients with AF, stroke risk is effectively reduced and thus fairly low, whereas risks of hospitalisation and mortality remain high, importantly mainly for non-cardiac causes. Notably high age, heart failure and vascular disease are predictive for such outcomes and may be of value in identifying high-risk patients in the future.Trial registration numberNTR3741.
Trends in gambling participation and gambling severity among Finnish men and women: cross-sectional population surveys in 2007, 2010 and 2015
Authors: Castrén Sari , Heiskanen Maria , Salonen Anne H 
Published: August 2018

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to evaluate trends in past-year gambling participation and gambling severity among Finnish men and women from 2007 to 2015.DesignCross-sectional population surveys from years 2007, 2011 and 2015.SettingData were drawn from the population register and collected using computer-assisted telephone interviews.ParticipantsRepresentative random samples of Finns aged 15–74 were drawn in the study in 2007 (n=5008), 2011 (n=4484) and 2015 (n=4515) with response rates of 58%, 40% and 62%, respectively.Outcome measuresThe outcome measures were gambling versatility, type of games, gambling intensity and gambling severity. Significance (p) between time points was determined using χ2tests. All temporal comparisons between 2007–2011, 2011–2015 and 2007–2015 were performed separately for all respondents aged 15–74 and for women and men.ResultsGambling participation overall showed a rising trend (6.6 percentage points, 95% CI 4.9 to 8.3) from 2007 to 2015. In 2007–2011 women’s gambling participation increased more (7.8 percentage points, 95% CI 5.5 to 10.4) than men’s (5.4 percentage points, 95% CI 3.2 to 7.6). The most popular game types since 2007 have been lottery games, scratch cards and electronic gaming machines (EGMs). EGM gambling, on the other hand, has decreased since 2007. Online gambling has increased significantly from 2007 to 2015 in both genders. Men’s at-risk gambling decreased from 2007 to 2011, while women’s at-risk gambling and problem gambling increased from 2011 to 2015.ConclusionsWomen’s increasing gambling participation is causing gender differences in gambling behaviour to narrow. The article concludes with a discussion of the need for gender-specific interventions aimed at preventing gambling-related harm and ultimately at protecting the most vulnerable groups.
Oral human papillomavirus infection in England and associated risk factors: a case–control study
Authors: Hearnden Vanessa , Murdoch Craig , D’Apice Katy , Duthie Susan , Hayward Nicholas J , Powers Hilary Jane 
Published: August 2018

ObjectivesThis study was conducted to determine the prevalence of and associated risk factors for infection with oral high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) in adult participants within England, and to explore any association with oral mucosal buccal epithelial cell and whole blood folate concentration.DesignThis was an observational study to determine oral HR-HPV prevalence in the study population. A case–control study was performed to explore the association between infection and folate status.SettingThis study was conducted in Sheffield, UK, between April 2013 and August 2014.ParticipantsSeven hundred participants, aged 18–60 years, were recruited from university students (n=179), university and hospital staff (n=163), dental hospital patients (n=13), Sexual Health Sheffield patients (n=122) and the general public (n=223).InterventionsParticipants completed a lifestyle and sexual behaviour questionnaire, provided an oral rinse and gargle sample for the detection of oral HR-HPV and an oral mucosal buccal epithelial cell sample for the measurement of oral mucosal buccal epithelial cell folate. A blood sample was collected for measurement of whole blood folate concentration.Outcome measuresThe prevalence of oral HR-HPV infection in the study population was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures included associations between risk factors, folate status and infection.ResultsThe prevalence of oral HR-HPV infection in this cohort was 2.2% (15/680) with 0.7% (5/680) positive for HPV16 or HPV18. Twenty samples were excluded due to insufficient material for HPV detection. Participants with oral HR-HPV infection were more likely to be a former smoker, and have a greater number of sexual and oral sexual partners. Folate status was not linked to likelihood of HPV infection.ConclusionsThe prevalence of oral infection with HR-HPV in adult men and women in Sheffield in the North of England was low. Smoking and sexual behaviour were associated with HR-HPV positivity.Trial registration numberID14106.
Incidence of household transmission of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in a primary care sentinel network (1992–2017): cross-sectional and retrospective cohort study protocol
Authors: de Lusignan Simon , Konstantara Emmanouela , Joy Mark , Sherlock Julian , Hoang Uy , Coyle Rachel , Ferreira Filipa , Jones Simon , O’Brien Sarah J 
Published: August 2018

IntroductionAcute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a highly transmissible condition. Determining characteristics of household transmission will facilitate development of prevention strategies and reduce the burden of this disease.We are carrying out this study to describe household transmission of medically attended AGE, and explore whether there is an increased incidence in households with young children.Methods and analysisThis study used the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Research and Surveillance Centre (RSC) primary care sentinel network, comprising data from 1 750 167 registered patients (August 2017 database). We conducted a novel analysis using a ’household key', to identify patients within the same household (n=811 027, mean 2.16 people). A 25-year repeated cross-sectional study will explore the incidence of medically attended AGE overall and then a 5-year retrospective cohort study will describe household transmission of AGE. The cross-sectional study will include clinical data for a 25-year period—1 January 1992 until the 31 December 2017. We will describe the incidence of AGE by age-band and gender, and trends in incidence. The 5-year study will use Poisson and quasi-Poisson regression to identify characteristics of individuals and households to predict medically attended AGE transmitted in the household. This will include whether the household contained a child under 5 years and the age category of the first index case (whether adult or child under 5 years). If there is overdispersion and zero-inflation we will compare results with negative binomial to handle these issues.Ethics and disseminationAll RCGP RSC data are pseudonymised at the point of data extraction. No personally identifiable data are required for this investigation. The protocol follows STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology guidelines (STROBE). The study results will be published in a peer-review journal, the dataset will be available to other researchers.