bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validating the shortened Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE‐55) in a sample of children with drug‐resistant epilepsy
Authors: Conway Lauryn , Widjaja Elysa , Smith Mary Lou , Speechley Kathy N. , Ferro Mark A. 
Published: February 2017

SummaryObjectiveThe aim of this study was to validate the newly developed shortened Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE‐55) in a sample of children with drug‐resistant epilepsy.MethodsData came from 136 children enrolled in the Impact of Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery on Health‐Related Quality of Life Study (PEPSQOL), a multicenter prospective cohort study. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the higher‐order factor structure of the QOLCE‐55. Convergent and divergent validity was assessed by correlating subscales of the KIDSCREEN‐27 with the QOLCE‐55. Measurement equivalence of the QOLCE‐55 was evaluated using multiple‐group confirmatory factor analysis of children with drug‐resistant epilepsy from PEPSQOL versus children with new‐onset epilepsy from HERQULES (Health‐Related Quality of Life in Children with Epilepsy Study).ResultsThe higher‐order factor structure of the QOLCE‐55 demonstrated adequate fit: Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.948; Tucker‐Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.946; Root Mean Square of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.060 (90% confidence interval [CI] 0.054–0.065); Weighted Root Mean Square Residuals (WRMR) = 1.247. Higher‐order factor loadings were strong, ranging from λ = 0.74 to 0.81. Internal consistency reliability was excellent (α = 0.97, subscales α > 0.82). QOLCE‐55 subscales demonstrated moderate to strong correlations with similar subscales of the KIDSCREEN‐27 (ρ = 0.43–0.75) and weak to moderate correlations with dissimilar subscales (ρ = 0.25–0.42). The QOLCE‐55 demonstrated partial measurement equivalence at the level of strict invariance – χ2 (2,823) = 3,727.9, CFI = 0.961, TLI = 0.962, RMSEA = 0.049 (0.044, 0.053), WRMR = 1.834.SignificanceThe findings provide support for the factor structure of the QOLCE‐55 and contribute to its robust psychometric profile as a reliable and valid measure. Researchers and health practitioners should consider the QOLCE‐55 as a viable option for reducing respondent burden when assessing health‐related quality of life in children with epilepsy.
Scavenging Opportunities Modulate Escape Responses over a Small Geographic Scale
Authors: Fleming Patricia A. , Bateman Philip W. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMany species that inhabit anthropogenically altered landscapes also opportunistically use human food refuse. Gulls readily exploit anthropogenic food sources (e.g. rubbish dumps and other places of human refuse) and often ‘steal’ food from people eating out of doors. Their behaviour suggests that gulls perceive little risk around people and so we examined whether opportunity costs, that is access to anthropogenic food sources, influence risk monitoring and escape responses in Silver Gulls (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae) around outdoor restaurants (‘food’ sites), where the gulls would scavenge food from people. We recorded alert distance (AD) and flight initiation distance (FID) and compared them with nearby sites where the same cohort of gulls was not interacting with people (‘no‐food’ sites). We used two approach speeds (with the prediction that gulls would take greater efforts to avoid a potential predation threat when approached at speed). Gulls foraging at food sites had lower AD and FID than those approached at no‐food sites. They were not simply ignoring the person, as they demonstrated longer AD when approached at speed but no difference in FID and therefore appeared to be responding to a small geographic scale ‘behavioural footprint’ of anthropogenic influences. Our study also challenges universality of the assumption that starting distance is necessarily correlated with FID, especially in sites where there are many people that animals are constantly monitoring – to determine the risk they represent as well as the likelihood of potential food opportunities.
The political geographies of diaspora strategies: Rethinking the ‘sending state’
Authors: Dickinson Jen 
Published: February 2017

AbstractDiaspora strategies have been at the forefront of new studies of the political geographies of state‐led transnationalism, contributing important insights into the widespread socio‐economic impacts of initiatives used to engage émigrés in extra‐territorial nation‐building. The conceptualization of the ‘sending state’ as a central territorialized bureaucratic form has however contributed to binary framings of diasporic space by failing to capture the range of interplays in and between multiple scales and spaces that characterises the formulation of a states’ diaspora strategies, their evolution over time, and their variegated material outcomes. Alternative conceptualizations of the ‘sending state’ as a multi‐sited network of governing entities disrupts binary readings of diaspora space, but it is argued here that such an approach reproduces top‐down views of political agency. The review concludes by suggesting that scholars of diaspora strategies would benefit from exploring assemblage thinking, where a sustained engagement with spatial emergence and distributed socio‐material agencies has the potential to reveal the dynamic topological connections through which diasporic spatio‐political formations emerge, endure and may be unsettled. This has implications for understanding the variegated outcomes of diaspora strategies for individual diasporic subjectivities and ideas of common citizenship.
Antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activity of Rosa roxburghii fruit and identification of main bioactive phytochemicals by UPLC‐Triple‐TOF/MS
Authors: Zeng Fangfang , Ge Zhiwei , Limwachiranon Jarukitt , Li Li , Feng Simin , Wang Yansheng , Luo Zisheng 
Published: February 2017

SummaryThe content of bioactive phytochemicals, antioxidant activity and tyrosinase inhibitory activity of the hydroalcoholic extracts of Rosa roxburghii were determined. Yellow fruits of cultivated R. roxburghii showed the highest phenolic content (154.81 mg gallic acid g−1), and the green fruits of wild R. roxburghii showed higher content of flavonoid and triterpenoid. Rosa roxburghii fruits from different cultivars and maturity stages all demonstrated as good antioxidant agents and tyrosinase inhibitors, with IC50 value about twice of the positive standard in the DPPH assay and triple of the standard in the tyrosinase inhibitory activity assay. Nineteen compounds, mainly ellagic acids and its derivatives, flavonoids and their glycosides were identified by UPLC‐Triple‐TOF/MS analysis. As the first study of bioactive phytochemicals of R. roxburghii by UPLC‐MS, the present research may provide valuable information for fulfilling the potential of R. roxburghii in the functional food area.
Optimisation of extraction conditions for recovering carotenoids and antioxidant capacity from Gac peel using response surface methodology
Authors: Chuyen Hoang V. , Roach Paul D. , Golding John B. , Parks Sophie E. , Nguyen Minh H. 
Published: February 2017

SummaryThe peel of Gac fruit is regarded as waste product in the processing of Gac although it contains high level of carotenoids and possesses a significant antioxidant capacity. This study optimised the extraction yields of carotenoids and antioxidant capacity from Gac peel. Different organic solvents were examined to determine the most suitable solvent for the extraction. The extraction conditions including time, temperature and solvent–solid ratio were then optimised for maximising extraction yields of carotenoids and antioxidant capacity from Gac peel using response surface methodology. Ethyl acetate was identified as the most suitable solvent. The optimal extraction time, temperature and solvent–solid ratio were 150 min, 40.7 °C and 80 mL g−1, respectively. The carotenoid extraction yield and the antioxidant capacity extraction yield were 271 mg/100 g DW and 737 μm TE/100 g DW, respectively. Thus, the extraction using ethyl acetate with the ratio of 80:1 (mL solvent per g Gac peel) for 150 min at 40.7 °C is suggested for recovering carotenoids and antioxidant capacity from Gac peel.
Using MCDA to evaluate the performance of the logistics process in public hospitals: the case of a Brazilian teaching hospital
Authors: Longaray André , Ensslin Leonardo , Ensslin Sandra , Alves Glaucia , Dutra Ademar , Munhoz Paulo 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe increasing complexity of hospital management indicates a greater need for scientific instruments that underlie the performance evaluations of the organizational processes in this sector. From this perspective, this work evaluates the performance of the main activities of the internal logistics process of a Brazilian public teaching hospital's supply chain. To this end, a multicriteria decision analysis approach is used as an instrument of intervention. The multicriteria model constructed serves as a decision support system to aid decision makers, allowing managers to measure logistics performance in the hospital context and to visualize the performance profile of the main logistics activities, enabling the identification of activities requiring greater attention and improvement.
Multitasking scheduling with multiple rate‐modifying activities
Authors: Zhu Zhanguo , Liu* Ming , Chu Chengbin , Li Jinlin 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis paper considers scheduling problems with human operators having the option to perform multiple rate‐modifying activities (MRMAs) while they are carrying out multitasking. Thus, the processing of a selected task suffers jointly from interruptions by other available but unfinished tasks and MRMAs. Two types of objective functions are studied: single‐criterion minimizing the total completion time, and multicriteria minimizing a weighted combination of the total completion time, the total absolute differences in completion times, and a weighted combination of the total waiting time and the total absolute differences in waiting times. We propose optimal solution algorithms for all the studied problems and also analyze some special cases of them.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy for the treatment of chronic wound of lower extremity: current perspective and systematic review
Authors: Omar Mohammed TA , Gwada Rehab FM , Shaheen Afaf AM , Saggini Raoul 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to provide an up‐to‐date review for the accurate estimation of the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on the healing of chronic wounds on the lower extremity (CWLE). A systematic review of 10 databases for clinical trials about ESWT in the management of CWLE published between 2000 and 2016 was performed. A total of 11 studies with 925 patients were found. Expert therapists assessed the methodological qualities of the selected studies using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale and categorised each study according to Sackett's levels of evidence. Eight studies were categorised as level II; two studies were categorised as level III and one study was categorised as level V. In conclusion, this review demonstrated mild to moderate evidence to support the use of ESWT as an adjuvant therapy with a standardised wound care programme. However, it is difficult to draw firm conclusions about the efficacy of ESWT. So, future researches with high methodological quality are required to assess the efficacy and cost‐effectiveness of this relatively new physical therapy application.
Around the pole: evolution of sub‐Antarctic Ranunculus
Authors: Lehnebach Carlos A. , Winkworth Richard C. , Becker Matthias , Lockhart Peter J. , Hennion Françoise 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAimDespite an improved understanding of Southern Hemisphere plant biogeography, the origins and evolution of sub‐Antarctic floras remain poorly studied. Here, we investigate the historical biogeography of sub‐Antarctic representatives of the genus Ranunculus. We aimed to establish when and from where the sub‐Antarctic ranunculi originated as well as to examine the extent to which ecomorphological traits explain contemporary biogeographical patterns.LocationSouthern temperate and sub‐Antarctic zones.MethodsWe first estimated a dated phylogeny for Ranunculus using combined chloroplast and nuclear data for 53 accessions; divergence times were inferred based on three temporal calibrations. We then used non‐parametric multidimensional scaling to evaluate the ecomorphological diversity of 67 austral ranunculi representing a combination of sub‐Antarctic species and those restricted to lower latitude landmasses.ResultsPhylogenetic analyses indicated that several Ranunculus lineages have colonized the sub‐Antarctic islands. Divergence time estimates suggest recent arrival from source areas in Australia, New Zealand or South America. Species exhibiting two distinct ecomorphological trait combinations occur in both sub‐Antarctic and lower latitude habitats; the proportions of each combination differed significantly between these areas.Main conclusionsRanunculus has colonized the sub‐Antarctic on several occasions, most often arriving from the lower latitude landmasses prior to the Last Glacial Maximum. Taken together our analyses suggest that chance effects are likely to have influenced species arrival. However, following arrival trait–environment interactions appear to have been important for the subsequent establishment and persistence of ranunculi in sub‐Antarctic habitats.
Connectivity and vagility determine beta diversity and nestedness in North American and European freshwater fish
Authors: Griffiths David 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAimThis study assesses the extent to which biogeographic patterns in freshwater fish beta diversity and nestedness are due to dispersal limitation, from differences in dispersal opportunity across geographic areas and in dispersal ability across species.LocationEurope and the Atlantic and Pacific realms of North America (NA), east and west of the Continental Divide.MethodsThe effects of glaciation, realm shape, connectivity, current climate and vagility on regional‐level beta diversity and nestedness were investigated. Turnover and nestedness‐resultant dissimilarity components of beta diversity and the nestedness metric based on overlap and decreasing fill (NODF) were calculated from regional species lists and the contributions of turnover and segregation to nestedness structure quantified.ResultsGeographic distance was a stronger predictor of beta diversity than climatic and environmental heterogeneity distances. Species range shapes varied with postglacial colonization direction, being more extensive in an east–west direction in Europe than in Atlantic NA. Turnover increased with declining connectivity, in unglaciated areas, and in non‐migratory species. Species were significantly less nested than expected because of high turnover and within‐realm heterogeneity in regional faunas. Deviations from nestedness were greater in unglaciated areas and in migratory species. Non‐migrants, but not migrants, exhibited coincident range boundaries.Main conclusionsSpatial trends in beta diversity and nestedness in freshwater fish in NA and Europe result primarily from differences in postglacial recolonization opportunity across realms and in dispersal ability across species. Multiple metrics are necessary to identify the processes determining the spatial structure of species assemblages.
Changes in leaf physiognomy of New Zealand woody assemblages in response to Neogene environmental cooling
Authors: Reichgelt Tammo , Lee William G. , Lusk Christopher H. , Kennedy Elizabeth M. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAimTo identify New Zealand Neogene leaf physiognomy change by comparing Miocene fossil floras to modern assemblages and assess the contributions of extinction, immigration and adaptation to leaf morphology evolution.LocationNew Zealand.MethodsWoody angiosperm leaf assemblages were collected from modern forests throughout New Zealand and early/middle Miocene leaf assemblages (23–11 Ma) from New Zealand outcrops. All leaves were scored for 25 attributes of margin morphology, area, apex, base and general shape, and length:width ratio. Additionally, Miocene and modern Queensland leaf assemblages were compared because of their supposed climatic similarity.ResultsModern New Zealand angiosperm leaves are generally smaller, and have rounder apex/base shapes than early/middle Miocene assemblages. The occurrence of leaf serrations and attenuate apices are markedly similar between modern and Miocene assemblages. Leaf size ranges of New Zealand Miocene assemblages appear to be similar to those of modern Queensland. Comparison of leaf sizes in plant families in Australia and New Caledonia with extinct and extant representatives in New Zealand, reveals that there is no consistent pattern of extinction or persistence based on leaf size.Main conclusionsLate Neogene cooling in New Zealand has selected for smaller leaves with rounder apex/base shapes. Genus‐ and species‐level extinction of broad‐leaved plants contributed to leaf morphological change since the Miocene. However, it is unclear why certain broad‐leaved genera persisted while others from the same family did not. The most potent drivers of late Neogene physiognomic change are the persistence, adaptation and radiation of selected pre‐existing families to cooling (e.g. Rubiaceae and Ericaceae) and the arrival and diversification of cold‐adapted families in the late Cenozoic (e.g. Asteraceae and Plantaginaceae). Lack of change in other characteristics, such as entire margin occurrence, suggests that these traits were not under strong selection.
Patriotism, Preferences and Serendipity: Understanding the Adoption of the Defence Transfers Directive
Authors: Fiott Daniel 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe 2009 adoption of the EU directive on intra‐Community transfers of defence equipment (‘ICT directive’) (2009/43/EC) aims to harmonize defence transfer licencing in the EU. The directive is part of a ‘defence package’ – along with a directive on defence procurement (2009/81/EC) – that is geared to liberalizing and regulating the European Defence Equipment Market (EDEM). A major theoretical question is why the EU Member States would agree to the ICT directive when it did not ultimately make much difference to the functioning of the EDEM. A number of competing theories exist that help explain why the 2009 ‘defence package’ was adopted. In the hope of engaging with this theoretical debate, and expanding our empirical understanding of the ICT directive, this article contends that insights from judicial politics, economic patriotism and liberal intergovernmentalism are best placed to explain why the EU Member States eventually adopted the directive.
Impact of anthropometric features on the applicability and accuracy of FibroScan® (M and XL) in overweight/obese patients
Authors: Puigvehí Marc , Broquetas Teresa , Coll Susanna , Garcia‐Retortillo Montserrat , Cañete Nuria , Fernández Rosa , Gimeno Javier , Sanchez Juan , Bory Felipe , Pedro‐Botet Juan , Solà Ricard , Carrión José A 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackground and AimTransient elastography is the reference method for liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in the general population, having lower applicability in obese patients. We evaluated the applicability and diagnostic accuracy of the M and XL probes in overweight/obese patients to establish the most appropriate approach.MethodsFrom May 2013 to March 2015, we evaluated patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 28 kg/m2. We constructed an algorithm with variables independently related to unreliable LSM with the M probe.ResultsA total of 1084 patients were evaluated. M and XL probe applicability was 88.8% and 98%, respectively. Waist circumference (WC) (OR; 95% CI; P) (0.97; 0.94–0.99; P < 0.001) and skin‐capsule distance (SCD) (0.83; 0.79–0.87; P < 0.001) were independently related to unreliable LSM (M probe). The SCD was > 25 mm in 5.5% of individuals with a BMI ≤ 35 kg/m2 and a WC ≤ 117 cm, with LSM (M probe) applicability rising to 94.3%. In contrast, 36.9% of patients with a BMI > 35 kg/m2 and/or a WC > 117 cm presented an SCD > 25 mm, with M probe applicability being 73.1%. The diagnostic accuracy (area under the receiver operator characteristic) using the M probe to identify significant steatosis (0.76), fibrosis (0.89), and cirrhosis (0.96) was very high in patients with a BMI ≤ 35 kg/m2 and a WC ≤ 117 cm.ConclusionsThe applicability and accuracy of the FibroScan® M probe to identify fibrosis and steatosis was excellent in overweight and obesity grade I (BMI ≤ 35 kg/m2) with a WC ≤ 117 cm. The XL probe increased the applicability of transient elastography in obesity grade II–III (BMI > 35 kg/m2).
Applications of induced pluripotent stem cell technologies in spinal cord injury
Authors: Nagoshi Narihito , Okano Hideyuki 
Published: February 2017

AbstractNumerous basic research studies have suggested the potential efficacy of neural precursor cell (NPC) transplantation in spinal cord injury (SCI). However, in most such studies, the origin of the cells used was mainly fetal tissue or embryonic stem cells, both of which carry potential ethical concerns with respect to clinical use. The development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) opened a new path toward regenerative medicine for SCI. iPSCs can be generated from somatic cells by induction of transcription factors, and induced to differentiate into NPCs with characteristics of cells of the central nervous system. The beneficial effect of iPSC‐derived NPC transplantation has been reported from our group and others working in rodent and non‐human primate models. These promising results facilitate the application of iPSCs for clinical applications in SCI patients. However, iPSCs also have issues, such as genetic/epigenetic abnormalities and tumorigenesis because of the artificial induction method, that must be addressed prior to clinical use. The selection of somatic cells, generation of integration‐free iPSCs, and characterization of differentiated NPCs with thorough quality management are all needed to address these potential risks. To enhance the efficacy of the transplanted iPSC‐NPCs, especially at chronic phase of SCI, administration of a chondroitinase or semaphorin3A inhibitor represents a potentially important means of promoting axonal regeneration through the lesion site. The combined use of rehabilitation with such cell therapy approaches is also important, as repetitive training enhances neurite outgrowth of transplanted cells and strengthens neural circuits at central pattern generators. Our group has already evaluated clinical grade iPSC‐derived NPCs, and we look forward to initiating clinical testing as the next step toward determining whether this approach is safe and effective for clinical use.This article is part of the mini review series “60th Anniversary of the Japanese Society for Neurochemistry”.
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60th Anniversary of the Japanese Society for Neurochemistry
Authors: Imaizumi Kazunori 
Published: February 2017

AbstractTo welcome the 60th anniversary of the Japanese Society for Neurochemistry (JSN), in this issue, we publish five articles from leading groups of the JSN in the Journal of Neurochemistry. These five reviews are regarding molecular base‐investigation of neuronal regulation, and the research styles and its destination are exhibiting the characteristics that identify our society. Here, we introduce what we have archived in the neurochemical fields of research, including Ca2+ neurobiology, synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis and neuroregeneration. With the achievements in the past decades in mind, we will continue to contribute to the development of neurochemistry from now on too.This article is part of the mini review series “60th Anniversary of the Japanese Society for Neurochemistry”.