bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variation in milk, serum, and blubber fatty acids in young, free‐ranging Steller sea lions
Authors: Keogh Mandy J. , Taras Brian D. , Eischens Carrie , Kennish John M. , Fadely Brian S. , Rea Lorrie D. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractWe determined the fatty acid signatures in milk, serum, and blubber samples collected from young free‐ranging Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and investigated the partitioning of fatty acids among these matrices. We assessed the relationship of fatty acids in each matrix with region, age, season, sex, and body condition to gain information needed to determine the most appropriate type of samples to collect and analyze to address future research questions. The variability of fatty acid composition was almost entirely explained by sample type, highlighting the importance of selecting a matrix consistent with the study objectives. Regional differences in fatty acid composition were found in all sample types and these differences varied among matrices. The proportion of fatty acids in milk and serum were influenced by season of capture whereas blubber samples were more affected by age of the pup. The influence of season on the fatty acid signatures in milk and serum highlights the use of these samples over blubber in studies investigating seasonal changes in diet. Further, our findings suggest that the use of milk samples collected from the stomachs of pups may be a viable alternative to directly collecting milk from adult females.
Ixodid ticks on wild donkeys in a Mediterranean nature reserve (Asinara National Park): diversity and risk factors
Authors: Zanzani S. A. , Pintore E. , Olivieri E. , Columbano N. , Scanu A. , Melosu V. , Sanna Passino E. , Careddu G. , Gazzonis A. L. , Manfredi M. T. , Garippa G. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe Sardinian coloured donkey Equus asinus (Perissodactyla: Equidae) and its albino colour morph represent the wildlife species most typical of the island of Asinara. This Mediterranean island represents a favourable context for ticks and tick‐borne diseases; however, knowledge of the tick fauna on Asinara is scarce. A total of 106 Sardinian donkeys were inspected for tick infestation from June to November 2015. All ticks found were collected, classified by stage and sex, and identified to species level. The level of infestation of each donkey was determined; both the overall tick infestation and infestations of each detected species were classified on a scale of 1–3 to give an infestation score (IS). Overall, 256 hard ticks were collected from 60 of 106 donkeys (56.6%). Rhipicephalus bursa, Haemaphysalis punctata and Hyalomma marginatum (all: Ixodida: Ixodidae) infested 26.4%, 28.3% and 6.6% of donkeys, respectively. Different variables affected the IS. With reference to overall tick infestation, a higher IS was observed in donkeys grazing on grassland and Mediterranean shrubland and in albino donkeys compared with coloured donkeys. The collected ticks included species involved in the transmission of pathogens to humans, which highlights the risks for public health in a tourist destination such as Asinara National Park.
Associations between serum mineral metabolism parameters and mortality in patients on peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Wu Meiju , Wu Haishan , Huang Xuan , Ye Hongjian , Huang Fengxian , Yu Xueqing , Yang Xiao 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTAimDisturbances in mineral metabolism markers are common in patients with chronic kidney disease but there is no consensus on the association between these markers and clinical outcomes. This study investigated associations between mineral metabolism parameters and mortality in Chinese peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.MethodsThis was a single‐centre retrospective cohort study. Incident PD patients between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2013 with baseline phosphate, albumin‐corrected calcium, and calcium‐phosphate product data were enrolled. Associations between these parameters and all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality were assessed using multivariable‐adjusted Cox models.ResultsOf 1662 patients (mean age: 47.4 ± 15.3 years), 59.3% were male and 23.8% had diabetes. Over a median 38.1 month (interquartile range: 21.3–59.7 months) follow‐up period, 382 (23.0%) patients died. After adjusting for confounders, the higher serum phosphate level (>1.78 mmol/L) and calcium‐phosphate product level (≥4.4 mmol2/L2) were significantly associated with an increased risk for all‐cause mortality (hazards ratio (HR) = 1.818, 95% CI = 1.379–2.396 and HR = 1.735, 95% CI = 1.261–2.386) and cardiovascular mortality (HR = 2.069, 95% CI = 1.428–2.998 and HR = 2.175, 95% CI = 1.450–3.262), respectively. While each 1 mmol/L higher baseline albumin‐corrected calcium level was associated with an 14.3% (95% CI = 0.749–0.981) lower risk for all‐cause mortality after adjusting for potential confounders.ConclusionAbnormalities in mineral metabolism markers, particularly higher serum phosphate and calcium‐phosphate product levels, at the commencement of PD were independently associated with increased all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality in this cohort of PD patients.
RNA interference suppression of AGAMOUS and SEEDSTICK alters floral organ identity and impairs floral organ determinacy, ovule differentiation, and seed‐hair development in Populus
Authors: Lu Haiwei , Klocko Amy L. , Brunner Amy M. , Ma Cathleen , Magnuson Anna C. , Howe Glenn T. , An Xinmin , Strauss Steven H. 
Published: December 2018

Summary

The role of the floral homeotic gene AGAMOUS (AG) and its close homologues in development of anemophilous, unisexual catkins has not previously been studied.

We transformed two RNA interference (RNAi) constructs, PTG and its matrix‐attachment‐region flanked version MPG, into the early‐flowering female poplar clone 6K10 (Populus alba) to suppress the expression of its two duplicate AG orthologues.

By early 2018, six out of 22 flowering PTG events and 11 out of 12 flowering MPG events showed modified floral phenotypes in a field trial in Oregon, USA. Flowers in catkins from modified events had ‘carpel‐inside‐carpel’ phenotypes. Complete disruption of seed production was observed in seven events, and sterile anther‐like organs in 10 events. Events with strong co‐suppression of both the two AG and two SEEDSTICK (STK) paralogues lacked both seeds and associated seed hairs. Alterations in all of the modified floral phenotypes were stable over 4 yr of study. Trees from floral‐modified events did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) from nonmodified transgenic or nontransgenic controls in biomass growth or leaf morphology.

AG and STK genes show strong conservation of gene function during poplar catkin development and are promising targets for genetic containment of exotic or genetically engineered trees.
Excess micronutrient intake: defining toxic effects and upper limits in vulnerable populations
Authors: Pike Vanessa , Zlotkin Stanley 
Published: December 2018

AbstractExcessive micronutrient intake causes a variety of adverse health effects, depending on dose and duration. The risk of excess intake carries significant implications for micronutrient delivery interventions, particularly when such programs are overlapping. To minimize risk and provide public health guidance, several countries and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization have set upper intake levels (ULs) for various life‐stage populations using the risk assessment framework. However, there is a lack of international consensus on the actual ULs due to variability in application of this framework and a scarcity of evidence from which to draw upon, especially for children. Often ULs for children are established through a downward weight‐based extrapolation from adult ULs, which is not always appropriate. The published ULs of nine organizations are compared, recent population nutrient intake evidence is presented, and the toxic effects of key minerals and vitamins are reviewed. Finally, the evidence for toxicity and setting of ULs for each nutrient is discussed including a comment on our degree of confidence in the strength of existing individual ULs. Challenges with risk assessment and opportunities for strengthening the definition of ULs are discussed.
Health‐related quality of life, clinical outcomes, and subjective experiences of parent donors of pediatric liver transplant recipients
Authors: Yuen Wing Yan , Tan Ashley , Karthik Sivaramakrishnan Venkatesh , Quak Seng Hock , Kow Alfred Wei‐Chieh , Aw Marion M. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractPurposeThe understanding of the HRQOL issues for parent donors of children who underwent LDLT is lacking. We evaluated the HRQOL of donor and non‐donor parents, described their subjective experiences and identified factors associated with lower HRQOL post‐donation.MethodsThis is a cross‐sectional study of parent donors whose children underwent LDLT, using SF‐36v2 Health Survey to measure HRQOL, and a self‐developed questionnaire to evaluate their subjective experiences.ResultsOf 32 pairs of donor and non‐donor parents, 27 donor and 19 non‐donor parents responded. The data of respondents were analyzed. Both donor and non‐donor parents’ SF‐36v2 norm‐based scores were average or above average as compared to the Singapore population. Donors who made lifestyle changes post‐donation (adopting a healthy balanced diet, regular physical activity, quitting smoking, and moderate alcohol intake) were associated with lower GH (P = 0.009) and PF (P = 0.002) scores. Donors who took more than 3 months for full recovery had lower RP (P = 0.022) and BP scores (P = 0.038). On multivariate analysis, recipient complication of Clavien grade 3 or 4 was associated with increased RP score by 8.71 points (95% CI: 1.74‐15.68), after adjusting for time taken for full recovery. Majority (88.8%) had self‐reported recovery time under 6 months and returned to work within 3 months (74.0%).ConclusionsDonors with factors potentially associated with lower HRQOL may need more support to ensure better HRQOL outcomes post‐donation.
When Is Science Used in Science Policy? Examining the Importance of Scientific and Technical Information in National Research Council Reports
Authors: Bozeman Barry , Youtie Jan , Fukumoto Eriko , Parker Marla 
Published: December 2018

AbstractA frequent lament among researchers is that public policy makers should pay more attention to scientific and technical information (STI). If there is any single area where one might expect STI to be used in public policy making and agenda setting it is in science and technology policy. Many of the policy makers in science and technology policy are themselves scientists or researchers and presumably would prove especially receptive to STI. However, STI is only one of many types of information used in policy making and policy actors often differ in the extent to which they view STI as credible, particularly compared to other types of potentially policy‐relevant information. Research on credibility (the believability of information, information types, and media) has shown variance and policy makers’ “credibility maps.” Thus, some policy makers have preference for formal information generally and STI specifically, but others privilege raw data, personal experience, authority, history and anecdote, analogical reasoning, or conformance to ideology, to name just a few of the information choices. Here, we build on the current researchers’ previous bibliometrics‐based work and use data from 41 semi‐structured elite interviews with National Research Council (NRC) executives and staff and NRC committee members concerning the use of STI in reports issued by the NRC. Findings show that the use of STI in NRC reports varies according to the nature of the inquiry and the sponsor. Information used in the reports is based on not only the assessed credibility of information but also its perceived direct relevance and the availability of STI as compared to other types of information. In general, the amount of STI in the NRC reports tends to have modest effects on the likelihood that reports will be used in policy making or by the mass media. More important factors include the timing of the report with respect to political agendas, the party requesting the report, and the enacted roles of NRC staff members and committee chairs.
“Homeless in life” – loneliness experienced as existential suffering by older adults living at home: a caring science perspective
Authors: Hemberg Jessica , Nyqvist Fredrica , Näsman Marina 
Published: December 2018

BackgroundDue to physical impairments and functional limitations, older adults receiving home care can be considered especially vulnerable to loneliness. To understand how society can provide support that enhances vulnerable individuals’ quality of life, it is important to explore loneliness and its underlying causes in older adults.AimsTo contribute to a deeper understanding of caring science theory, the aim of this study was to use a caring science perspective to explore and understand experiences of suffering from loneliness in older adults receiving home care. The research questions are as follows: What phenomena are associated with the experience of suffering from loneliness in older adults receiving home care? How can this experience be understood?MethodologyA hermeneutical approach was used. The material was collected through interviews with 17 older adults about their quality of life, including their experiences of loneliness. The texts were interpreted through latent content analysis.FindingsThe findings resulted in one main category and three subcategories. The main category was as follows: Being homeless in life–loneliness expressed and primarily stemming from existential suffering. The subcategories were as follows: Loss of communion with one's partner or other loved ones, Loss of meaningful social activities due to isolation and Loss of health due to frailty and vulnerability. All categories were described and implications for practice discussed.ConclusionThis study contributes to an understanding of experiences of suffering from loneliness in older adults receiving home care, with relevance for the healthcare context as well as for what a community or society should focus on when addressing these important issues.
Aging in high functioning elderly persons: study design and analyses of behavioral and psychological factors
Authors: Finkenzeller Thomas , Pötzelsberger Birgit , Kösters Alexander , Würth Sabine , Amesberger Günter , Dela Flemming , Müller Erich 
Published: December 2018

This article aims to (a) describe the study design of a 6‐year follow‐up multidisciplinary research project on aging, (b) report the psychosocial characteristics of the sample in detail, and (c) evaluate aging‐related changes of health, physical activity, and psychosocial characteristics in 10 young‐old (age at pre‐test: M ± SD = 63.2 ± 1.5) and 12 old‐old (age at pre‐test: M ± SD = 69 ± 2) individuals. Both age groups consist of individuals displaying a high health status, a high extent of physical activity, high levels of psychosocial properties in the dimensions of well‐being, life satisfaction, self‐concept, body image, self‐esteem, and self‐efficacy, as well as a low general depression index. Psychosocial characteristics demonstrated a stable pattern over a period of nearly 6 years in both age groups with the exceptions of physical activity, satisfaction with children, general depression, and self‐efficacy. Furthermore, physical self‐concept decreased in old‐old adults, whereas the young‐olds showed no change. We assume that a high psychosocial status and a physically active lifestyle play an important role for mastering aging successfully in two life phases, each of which has its own challenges for older individuals. The decline in the physical self‐concept of old‐olds is interpreted as a first sign of subjective aging. Its association with losses in physical performance should be addressed in future studies. Finally, aging‐related changes should be monitored on an individual level in order to capture the complex dynamic of aging that is not considered in analyses of between‐person differences or averages.
Evaluation of a prototype dynamic laryngoplasty system in vitro with an equine vacuum airflow system
Authors: Ahern Benjamin J. , Lukas Emily , Lam Kimberly , Wilke Emma , Bertin Francois‐Rene , Van Eps Andrew , Franklin Samantha 
Published: December 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate a prototype dynamic laryngoplasty system (DLPS) in a static airflow model.Study designExperimental.Sample populationTen equine larynges.MethodsThe right arytenoid was fixed in abduction in all specimens. A left‐sided laryngoplasty was performed with No. 2 Fiberwire and a FASTakII anchor. Each larynx was tested in a static airflow model. The system was adjusted to a flow rate of 55 L/s and prelaryngeal pressure of 12 mm Hg prior to testing in maximal arytenoid abduction. In phase 1, the left suture was loosened, shortened, and tested in 3‐mm steps from 0 to 30 mm. In phase 2, the suture was tied with the DLPS in position at a target left‐to‐right quotient angle (LRQ) of 0.5. The DLPS was activated to target psi of 0, 25, and 50 for testing. Translaryngeal impedance (TLI), LRQ, cross‐sectional areas (CSA), and resultant change in LRQ and CSA between, before, and during airflow testing were calculated.ResultsIn phase 1, TLI was reduced by suture shortening up to 6 mm (P = .001) but not by additional shortening (P > .05). In phase 2, activation of the DLPS reduced the TLI from 0 psi (0.43 ± 0.08 mm Hg/L/s) to 25 psi (0.16 ± 0.04 mm Hg/L/s,P < .001), but no further reduction was detected at maximal psi (P = .10).ConclusionActivation of the DLPS effectively reduced TLI.Clinical significanceThese results justify further investigation of the DLPS to assess its clinical applicability.
Solution of Inverse Problems in Thermal Systems
Authors: Jaluria Yogesh 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
A common occurrence in many practical systems is that the desired result is known or given, but the conditions needed for achieving this result are not known. This situation leads to inverse problems, which are of particular interest in thermal processes. For instance, the temperature cycle to which a component must be subjected in order to obtain desired characteristics in a manufacturing system, such as heat treatment or plastic thermoforming, is prescribed. However, the necessary boundary and initial conditions are not known and must be determined by solving the inverse problem. Similarly, an inverse solution may be needed to complete a given physical problem by determining the unknown boundary conditions. Solutions thus obtained are not unique and optimization is generally needed to obtain results within a small region of uncertainty. This review paper discusses several inverse problems that arise in a variety of practical processes and presents some of the approaches that may be used to solve them and obtain acceptable and realistic results. Optimization methods that may be used for reducing the error are presented. A few examples are given to illustrate the applicability of these methods and the challenges that must be addressed in solving inverse problems. These examples include the heat treatment process, unknown wall temperature distribution in a furnace, and transport in a plume or jet involving the determination of the strength and location of the heat source by employing a few selected data points downstream. Optimization of the positioning of the data points is used to minimize the number of samples needed for accurate predictions.
A Prospective Cohort Study of Load and Wellness (Sleep, Fatigue, Soreness, Stress, and Mood) in Elite Junior Australian Football Players
Authors: Lathlean Timothy J.H. , Gastin Paul B. , Newstead Stuart V. , Finch Caroline F. 
Published: December 2018

Purpose: To investigate associations between load (training and competition) and wellness in elite junior Australian Football players across 1 competitive season. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted during the 2014 playing season in 562 players from 9 teams. Players recorded their training and match intensities according to the session-rating-of-perceived-exertion (sRPE) method. Based on sRPE player loads, a number of load variables were quantified, including cumulative load and the change in load across different periods of time (including the acute-to-chronic load ratio). Wellness was quantified using a wellness index including sleep, fatigue, soreness, stress, and mood on a Likert scale from 1 to 5. Results: Players spent an average of 85 (21) min in each match and 65 (31) min per training session. Average match loads were 637 (232) arbitrary units, and average training loads were 352 (233) arbitrary units. Over the 24 wk of the 2014 season, overall wellness had a significant linear negative association with 1-wk load (B = −0.152; 95% confidence interval, −0.261 to −0.043; P = .006) and an inverse U-curve relationship with session load (B = −0.078; 95% confidence interval, 0.143 to 0.014; P = .018). Mood, stress, and soreness were all found to have associations with load. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that load (within a session and across the week) is important in managing the wellness of elite junior Australian Football players. Quantifying loads and wellness at this level will help optimize player management and has the potential to reduce the risk of adverse events such as injury.
Effects of Ball Drills and Repeated-Sprint-Ability Training in Basketball Players
Authors: Maggioni Martina A. , Bonato Matteo , Stahn Alexander , La Torre Antonio , Agnello Luca , Vernillo Gianluca , Castagna Carlo , Merati Giampiero 
Published: December 2018

Purpose: To investigate the effects of ball drills and repeated-sprint-ability training during the regular season in basketball players. Methods: A total of 30 players were randomized into 3 groups: ball-drills training (BDT, n = 12, 4 × 4 min, 3 vs 3 with 3-min passive recovery), repeated-sprint-ability training (RSAT, n = 9, 3 × 6 × 20-m shuttle running with 20-s and 4-min recovery), and general basketball training (n = 9, basketball technical/tactical exercises), as control group. Players were tested before and after 8 wk of training using the following tests: , squat jump, countermovement jump, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YIRT1), agility T test, line-drill test, 5-/10-/20-m sprints, and blood lactate concentration. A custom-developed survey was used to analyze players’ technical skills. Results: After training, significant improvements were seen in YIRT1 (BDT P = .014, effect size [ES] ± 90% CI = 0.8 ± 0.3; RSAT P = .022, ES ± 90% CI = 0.7 ± 0.3), the agility T test (BDT P = .018, ES ± 90% CI = 0.7 ± 0.5; RSAT P = .037, ES ± 90% CI = 0.7 ± 0.5), and the line-drill test (BDT P = .010, ES ± 90% CI = 0.3 ± 0.1; RSAT P < .0001, ES ± 90% CI = 0.4 ± 0.1). In the RSAT group, only 10-m sprint speeds (P = .039, ES ± 90% CI = 0.3 ± 0.2) and blood lactate concentration (P = .004, ES ± 90% CI = 0.8 ± 1.1) were improved. Finally, technical skills were increased in BDT regarding dribbling (P = .038, ES ± 90% CI = 0.8 ± 0.6), shooting (P = .036, ES ± 90% CI = 0.8 ± 0.8), passing (P = .034, ES ± 90% CI = 0.9 ± 0.3), rebounding (P = .023, ES ± 90% CI = 1.1 ± 0.3), defense (P = .042, ES ± 90% CI = 0.5 ± 0.5), and offense (P = .044, ES ± 90% CI = 0.4 ± 0.4) skills. Conclusions: BDT and RSAT are both effective in improving the physical performance of basketball players. BDT had also a positive impact on technical skills. Basketball strength and conditioning professionals should include BDT as a routine tool to improve technical skills and physical performance simultaneously throughout the regular training season.