bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variation of d′ estimates in two versions of the A‐Not A task
Authors: Hautus M. J. , van Hout D. , Lee H.‐S. , Stocks M. A. , Shepherd D. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe pairwise A‐Not A design involves two stimuli presented multiple times in a block of trials: a reference stimulus (A) and a comparison stimulus (B). The combined A‐Not A design employs A and several levels of B in a block of trials. Both designs were compared using ice tea with five levels of sucrose. Six judges were assessed for sensitivity using the same number of trials in each design; including their overall sensitivity, their average sensitivity across four replicated blocks, and the variability in sensitivity across those blocks. The pairwise design gave higher mean sensitivity, but also higher variability, than the combined design. A secondary analysis considered fewer trials in the combined design, such that sensitivity estimates were based on the same number of trials as for the pairwise design. The pattern for sensitivity within each design did not change, but variability was now comparable. This suggests the combined design yields lower variation for an equivalent expenditure of resource, or that the combined design yields similar levels of variation with reduced resourcing. The trade‐off is getting slightly lower estimates of sensitivity. Additionally, the combined design produced sensitivity estimates significantly above chance performance levels when test stimuli were identical. However, the magnitudes of these estimates were small.Practical applicationsThe A‐Not A test is used in industrial research and development for a range of purposes. The results, expressed in sizes of difference between products, d′, and the variance of d′, give guidance for business decisions on whether products are similar enough to be distinguishable, or if they are perceivably different. The variance of d′ is typically predicted from theoretical models, but these do not consider real‐life variation. To study the difference between the real‐life variance and the variance predicted from the theoretical models, an empirical study was conducted in which many A‐Not A data were collected from a small group of subjects under controlled conditions. The results showed that the real‐life variance is larger than predicted, so it might be that small but significant differences in tests might not really be significant anymore if we take into account this real‐life variance. The comparison of paired versus combined designs generated insights on the effect of test design on the outcome. The combined design, which is more efficient when there is more than one prototype to be compared, produces smaller d′ values and variance than the paired design for the same number of collected trials. In this sense the study gives insights on how results from one test design can be translated to another.
Tidal height and sand as potential drivers of the ecological interaction of the two intertidal mussels Perumytilus purpuratus and Semimytilus algosus
Authors: Pinochet Javier , Domínguez Joaquín , Neira Evelyn , Rojas Camila , Acuña Esteban , Cancino Juan M. , Brante Antonio 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe mussels Perumytilus purpuratus and Semimytilus algosus are two dominant species of intertidal rocky shores of central Chile. These species have marked differences in their distribution patterns with P. purpuratus dominating the mid‐intertidal zone and S. algosus dominating the lower intertidal zone usually in habitats influenced by sand. Although it has been suggested that differences in tolerance to environmental conditions, such as air exposure and presence of sand, can explain the distribution of these species, there are currently no experimental studies to support such hypotheses. Here, we evaluated the growth and survival rate in the field of both mussel species at four different tidal heights: 25, 75, 135, and 175 cm above the zero tide. In addition, filtration rates were estimated for both species in the presence and absence of sand in laboratory conditions. The results showed that shell and wet weight growth rates of P. purpuratus were highest in mid‐ and medium‐high tidal heights, whereas the growth rate of S. algosus was highest in the medium‐low level. Similar pattern was observed for survival percentage. Furthermore, small S. algosus individuals cultivated with sand in suspension had significantly higher filtration rates than P. purpuratus. In large individuals, no differences were observed between the two species nor between treatments (presence and absence of sand). These results indicate that the differences in the distribution patterns of P. purpuratus and S. algosus in the intertidal can be explained by differences in physiological tolerances to both air exposure and to the presence of sand.
Identification of a conserved DNA sulfur recognition domain by characterizing the phosphorothioate‐specific endonuclease SprMcrA from Streptomyces pristinaespiralis
Authors: Yu Hao , Liu Guang , Zhao Gong , Hu Wenyue , Wu Geng , Deng Zixin , He Xinyi 
Published: September 2018

SummaryStreptomyces species have been valuable models for understanding the phenomenon of DNA phosphorothioation in which sulfur replaces a non‐bridging oxygen in the phosphate backbone of DNA. We previously reported that the restriction endonuclease ScoMcrA from Streptomyces coelicolor cleaves phosphorothioate DNA and Dcm‐methylated DNA at sites 16–28 nucleotides away from the modification sites. However, cleavage of modified DNA by ScoMcrA is always incomplete and accompanied by severe promiscuous activity on unmodified DNA. These features complicate the studies of recognition and cleavage of phosphorothioate DNA. For these reasons, we here characterized SprMcrA from Streptomyces pristinaespiralis, a much smaller homolog of ScoMcrA with a rare HRH motif, a variant of the HNH motif that forms the catalytic center of these endonucleases. The sulfur‐binding domain of SprMcrA and its phosphorothioation recognition site were determined. Compared to ScoMcrA, SprMcrA has higher specificity in discerning phosphorothioate DNA from unmodified DNA, and this enzyme generally cuts both strands at a distance of 11–14 nucleotides from the 5′ side of the recognition site. The HRH/HNH motif has its own sequence specificity in DNA hydrolysis, leading to failure of cleavage at some phosphorothioated sites. An R248N mutation of the central residue in HRH resulted in 30‐fold enhancement in cleavage activity of phosphorothioate DNA and altered the cleavage efficiency at some sites, whereas mutation of both His residues abolished restriction activity. This is the first report of a recognition domain for phosphorothioate DNA and phosphorothioate‐dependent and sequence‐specific restriction activity.
The role of medical mycology societies in combating invasive fungal infections in low‐ and middle‐income countries: A Nigerian model
Authors: Oladele Rita O. , Osaigbovo Iriagbonse I. , Ayanlowo Olusola O. , Otu Akaninyene A. , Hoenigl Martin , Cornely Oliver A. , Chakrabarti Arunaloke , Denning David W. 
Published: September 2018

SummaryThe discipline of medical mycology has become increasingly relevant in the face of the rising incidence of invasive fungal infections (IFI), which pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for contemporary medical practice. While firmly established in developed countries, medical mycology remains obscure in many low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). With a teeming vulnerable populace and an incidence rate of 11.8%, Nigeria has one of the highest estimated burdens of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in the world. Regardless, the scourge of IFIs has remained silent due to a combination of factors principal amongst which are a lack of awareness and dearth in personnel skilled in diagnosis. The present narrative examines the status of medical mycology practice in Nigeria and chronicles the journey to change the status quo spurred by the Leading International Fungal Education (LIFE)‐facilitated burden estimate paper and culminating in the birth of the Medical Mycology Society of Nigeria (MMSN), the pioneer national medical mycology society in Africa. The prospects of tackling the IFI challenge are highlighted from the perspective of the nascent society.
Detection of early‐stage changes in people with chronic diseases: A telehome monitoring‐based telenursing feasibility study
Authors: Kamei Tomoko , Yamamoto Yuko , Kanamori Takuya , Nakayama Yuki , Porter Sarah E. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractChronic diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and diabetes mellitus, require long‐term management, which daily telenurse monitoring can provide. The aim of the present feasibility study was to determine if using a telenursing protocol with home monitoring during a 12 week implementation could also identify early signs of deterioration and factors correlated with participants' change in status, while attaining patient acceptance and satisfaction. The purposive sample of 43 participants provided 4533 combined days of monitoring. Outcome feasibility indicators were the range of triggering protocol alerts (70~100%) and diagnoses with exacerbations (20~29.3%). Highly correlated were participants' activity limitation and palpitations with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, activity limitation and ineffective sputum clearance with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and fatigue with diabetes. Acceptance and adherence were high with daily monitoring, including “feelings of safety,” and “understanding own condition”. Telenursing with home monitoring indicated a trend to accurately detect early‐stage changes. Participant acceptance was acceptable. It would be feasible to conduct a randomized, controlled trial using this model with some modifications.
Relationships among symptoms of spotted wilt disease of peanut and their potential impact on crop productivity and resistance breeding
Authors: Tillman Barry L. , McKinney Justin Lee 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSymptoms of spotted wilt of peanut were evaluated in a field experiment over three years (2010–2012) near Marianna, Florida. Assessment included three visual measures of disease and ImmunoStrip (a form of ELISA) testing of root crowns for the presence of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), the causal agent of spotted wilt in peanut. Foliar symptoms of spotted wilt on a 1 to 10 scale and on a disease incidence rating (DIR) were highly correlated (r = 0.88; p < 0.001). Foliar symptoms were moderately correlated (0.45 < r < 0.54; p < 0.001) with TSWV infection. However, symptoms on the testa were highly correlated with TSWV infection (r = 0.78; p < 0.001). These results indicate that foliar symptomology is less reliable in assessing TSWV infection than testa symptomology. Regression analysis showed that foliar symptoms underestimated the proportion of plants infected by TSWV. Seed inspection may be a good predictor of plant infection and therefore useful in breeding programmes because it is much less expensive than ELISA. Resistance to TSWV infection is characteristic of some resistant peanut genotypes and a lack of testa symptomology could help to identify those genotypes.
Species‐specific differences in water uptake depth of mature temperate trees vary with water availability in the soil
Authors: Brinkmann N. , Eugster W. , Buchmann N. , Kahmen A. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

Temperate tree species differ in their physiological sensitivity to declining soil moisture and drought. Although species‐specific responses to drought have often been suggested to be the result of different water uptake depths, empirical evidence for such a mechanism is scarce.

Here we test if differences in water uptake depths can explain previously observed species‐specific physiological responses of temperate trees to drought and if the water uptake depth of different species varies in response to declining soil moisture. For this purpose, we employed stable oxygen and hydrogen isotopes of soil and xylem water that we collected over the course of three growing seasons in a mature temperate forest in Switzerland.

Our data show that all investigated species utilise water from shallow soil layers during times of sufficient soil water supply. However, Fraxinus excelsior, Fagus sylvatica and Acer pseudoplatanus were able to shift their water uptake to deeper soil layers when soil water availability decreased in the topsoil. In contrast, Picea abies, was not able to shift its water uptake to deeper soil layers.

We conclude from our data that more drought‐resistant tree species are able to shift their water uptake to deeper soil layers when water availability in the topsoil is becoming scarce. In addition, we were able to show that water uptake depth of temperate tree species is a trait with high plasticity that needs to be characterised across a range of environmental conditions.
The effect of red‐blood‐cell transfusion on fatigue in hospitalized patients with anaemia
Authors: Prochaska Micah T. , Newcomb Richard , Jiang David , Meltzer David O. 
Published: September 2018

Background and ObjectiveGuidelines suggest that red‐blood‐cell transfusion decisions for most hospitalized patients be based on haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and the presence of symptoms of anaemia, including fatigue. However, studies differ in whether transfusion is associated with improvements in fatigue. One explanation is that the benefit of transfusion varies by baseline fatigue levels, which existing studies have not examined. The objective of this study was to determine whether the association between transfusion during hospitalization and improvements in fatigue 30 days postdischarge varies by baseline fatigue level.MethodsA prospective observational study of hospitalized general medicine patients with any Hb <9 g/dl. Patients with sickle cell anaemia and gastrointestinal bleeding were excluded since these diagnoses have alternative transfusion practices. Patients with depression were excluded because their fatigue is not primarily due to anaemia. Fatigue was measured during an in‐person interview and a 30‐day postdischarge phone interview. Hb values and receipt of a transfusion were collected from hospital administrative data. Linear regression was used to test associations between ‘change in fatigue’, Hb concentration and receipt of a transfusion.ResultsTransfusion interacted with nadir Hb was associated with reduced fatigue postdischarge for patients with higher baseline fatigue (20% most fatigued: β = 12, P = 0·02; 10% most fatigued: β = 17, P = 0·02). Patients <50 years old with high baseline fatigue had large reductions in fatigue from transfusion (20%: β = 23, P = 0·02; 10%: β = 29, P = 0·03).ConclusionsTransfusion during hospitalization is associated with reduced fatigue 30 days postdischarge in patients with higher levels of baseline fatigue.
Enhanced insulin production and reprogramming efficiency of mesenchymal stem cells derived from porcine pancreas using suitable induction medium
Authors: Lee Song , Moon Soobin , Oh Ju Yun , Seo Eun Ha , Kim Yang Hee , Jun Eunsung , Shim In Kyoung , Kim Song Cheol 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundGenetic reprogramming is a powerful method for altering cell properties and inducing differentiation. However, even if the same gene is reprogrammed, the results vary among cells. Therefore, a better possible strategy involves treating cells with factors that further stimulate differentiation while using stem cells with the same tissue origin. This study aimed to increase induction efficiency and insulin production in reprogrammed cells using a combination of factors that promote cell differentiation.MethodsPorcine pancreatic cells were cultured to obtain mesenchymal stem cells expressing pancreatic cell‐specific markers through sequential passages. The characteristics of these cells were identified, and the M3 gene (Pdx1, Ngn3, MafA) was reprogrammed to induce differentiation into insulin‐producing cells. Additionally, the differentiation efficiency of insulin‐producing cells was compared by treating reprogrammed cells with a differentiation‐promoting factor.ResultsMesenchymal stem cells isolated from porcine pancreatic tissues expressed exocrine cell markers, including amylase and cytokeratin 18, and most cells continuously expressed the beta cell transcription factors Ngn3 and NeuroD. Reprogramming of the M3 gene resulted in differentiation into insulin‐producing cells. Moreover, significantly increased insulin and glucagon expressions were observed in the suitable induction medium, and the characteristic beta cell transcription factors Pdx1, Ngn3, and MafA were expressed at levels as high as those in pancreatic islet cells.ConclusionsDifferentiation into insulin‐producing cells represents an alternative therapy for insufficient pancreatic islet cells when treating diabetes. Therefore, cells with the characteristics of the target cell should be used to improve differentiation efficiency by creating an environment that promotes reprogramming and differentiation.
Coagulation biomarkers in healthy male Cynomolgus macaque monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)
Authors: Rhu Jinsoo , Lee Kyo Won , Kim Kyeong Sik , Lee Ji Soo , Kim Sung Joo , Park Jae Berm 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe designed this study to define reference values of the cynomolgus monkey coagulation system, as the normal range of values has not been established. Measurement of coagulation function was determined by testing plasma samples from 30 healthy male cynomolgus monkeys. Prothrombin time (PT), PT activity, PT international normalized ratio (INR), activated prothrombin time (aPTT), antithrombin III activity, factor II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, and XII, protein C activity, protein S activity, and d‐dimer were measured using standardized techniques. Mean age and body weight were 69.5 ± 11.8 months and 5.3 ± 0.8 kg, respectively. The mean PT, PT activity, PT INR, aPTT, and antithrombin III activities were 11.72 seconds (95% CI = 10.55‐12.88), 143.4% (95% CI = 102.0‐184.9), 0.85 (95% CI = 0.74‐0.96), 28.2 seconds (95% CI = 23.24‐33.09), and 99.7% (95% CI = 79.2‐120.3), respectively. The mean activities of factors II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, and XII were 110.2% (95% CI = 88.8‐131.5), 134.1% (95% CI = 73.0‐195.2), 318.9% (95% CI = 185.0‐452.9) 160.2% (95% CI = 96.9‐261.3), 38.0% (95% CI = 20.9‐55.1), 85.7% (95% CI = 61.4‐110.0), 155.0% (95% CI = 81.4‐228.6), and 353.7% (95% CI = 246.7‐460.6), respectively. The mean activities of protein C and protein S were 195.7% (95% CI = 133.4‐258.0) and 122.7% (95% CI = 83.2‐162.3), respectively. The mean level of d‐dimer was 1.80 μg/mL (95% CI = 0.27‐3.33). Factors V (P = 0.008), IX (P = 0.002), and XI (P = 0.002), and protein S activity (P = 0.025) were positively correlated with age. Our study presented the baseline values of coagulation biomarkers of cynomolgus monkeys. Despite the similarity to previous published studies, more data are required to elucidate the age effect on coagulation biomarkers.
Differences Between Expert and Novice Tennis Coaches’ Perceptual Capacities
Authors: Schempp Paul G. , Woorons Sophie 
Published: September 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine analytic perceptions of expert and novice tennis coaches. Four expert and four novice tennis coaches volunteered as study participants. Both a video analysis and a recall test provided data for this investigation. In the video analysis protocol, participants were asked to describe what they observed while viewing a 10-minute video of a tennis practice session. In the recall test, a series of 10 tennis related slides were viewed by each of the coaches. After viewing each slide for five seconds, the coaches were asked what they recalled from the slide. The completed written accounts from the video analysis and the recall test audiotapes were transcribed and served as the primary data. The researchers looked for recurring themes and categories using the generic qualitative study technique. Data analysis revealed six themes: (a) the quantity of cues perceived, (b) attention to critical features, (c) analytic depth, (d) recognizing meaningful patterns, (e) anticipating the future, and (f) from description to prescription. These findings, while new to the coaching literature, supported previous research in other fields regarding the importance and domain specificity of experts’ superior perceptual capacities.
Lung cancer risk and occupational exposures in crop farming: results from the AGRIculture and CANcer (AGRICAN) cohort
Authors: Boulanger Mathilde , Tual Séverine , Lemarchand Clémentine , Guizard Anne-Valérie , Delafosse Patricia , Marcotullio Elisabeth , Pons Romain , Piel Clément , Pouchieu Camille , Baldi Isabelle , Clin Bénédicte , Lebailly Pierre 
Published: September 2018

ObjectivesFarmers are considered at lower risk of lung cancer. However, specific tasks can expose them to hazardous air contaminants such as pesticides, diesel exhaust and mineral dust. This study aimed to assess the associations between various crops and related tasks and the risk of lung cancer, overall and by histological subtypes.MethodsAGRIculture and CANcer is a prospective French cohort of individuals affiliated to the agricultural health insurance scheme. Incident lung cancers (n=897) were identified by cancer registries from enrolment (2005–2007) to 2013. Data on crop and livestock exposure during lifetime were obtained from the enrolment questionnaire. We used a Cox model with attained age as timescale, adjusted for gender, smoking history and exposure to cattle and horses. Effects of duration and surface were assessed and analyses stratified on gender and smoking status were performed.ResultsWinegrowers were at higher risk of adenocarcinoma (HR=1.27 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.72)). We also found an association between pea growing and small cell lung cancer: significant effect of duration (ptrend=0.04) and the suggestion of a surface–effect relationship (ptrend=0.06); increased risk (HR=2.38 (95% CI 1.07 to 5.28)) for pesticide users; and significant effect of duration (ptrend=0.01) for harvesters. The risk of squamous cell carcinoma was increased for sunflower growing (HR=1.59 (95% CI 0.97 to 2.62), fruit-tree pruning (HR=1.44 (95% CI 0.92 to 2.27)) and pesticide use on beets (HR=1.47 (95% CI 0.92 to 2.34)). Corn and/or wheat/barley growers were at lower risk of lung cancer.ConclusionsOur results suggest associations between lung cancer and several crop-related tasks, even if we cannot rule out some chance findings due to multiple comparisons.