bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D as a predictor of mortality and cardiovascular events: A 20‐year study of a community‐based cohort
Authors: Zhu Kun , Knuiman Matthew , Divitini Mark , Hung Joseph , Lim Ee Mun , Cooke Brian R. , Walsh John P. 
Published: September 2017

SummaryObjectiveProspective studies, mostly from Europe and North America, suggest that serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) is inversely associated with mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Data from other regions are limited, and threshold levels for adverse cardiovascular outcomes are uncertain. We examined serum 25(OH)D as a predictor of total mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in an Australian cohort.DesignA 20‐year, community‐based cohort study.PatientsParticipants in the 1994/1995 Busselton Health Survey (n = 3946, baseline age 25‐84 years).MeasurementsBaseline serum 25(OH)D and mortality and cardiovascular outcomes to 2014 obtained by record linkage.ResultsThe mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was 60.6 ± 18.0 nmol/L. During 20‐year follow‐up (excluding the first 2 years), 889 participants died (including 363 from CVD) and 944 experienced a CVD event (including 242 with heart failure). In the full cohort, controlling for Framingham risk score variables, higher baseline 25(OH)D was associated with significantly reduced all‐cause mortality (adjusted HR 0.83 per SD increment of 25(OH)D, 95% CI 0.77‐0.90), CVD death (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74‐0.96) and heart failure (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.69‐0.94), but not CVD events (HR 0.99, 0.92‐1.07). In restricted cubic spline regression models, serum 25(OH)D below 65 and 55 nmol/L was associated with higher total mortality and higher CVD mortality/heart failure, respectively. In participants without CVD at baseline (n = 3220), results were similar, but hazard ratios were attenuated and associations with CVD mortality no longer significant.ConclusionsIn an Australian community‐based cohort, baseline vitamin D levels below 55‐65 nmol/L are predictive of all‐cause mortality, CVD death and heart failure.
Intravenous opioid drug abuse as an independent risk factor for supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma—A case‐control study
Authors: Shoffel‐Havakuk H. , Cohen O. , Slavin M. , Haimovich Y. , Halperin D. , Lahav Y. 
Published: September 2017

ObjectivesIntravenous opioid drug abuse (IVDA) was previously correlated with laryngeal cancer. However, discrimination of this correlation by anatomical subsites has not yet been described. In this study, we aim to further establish the association between IVDA and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and to indicate the laryngeal subsites that are predisposed for this correlation.DesignA retrospective matched case‐control study.Setting and participantsPatients diagnosed with supraglottic SCC (SG‐SCC) between 1996 and 2016 treated in a tertiary academic referral centre were enrolled to the case group. The control group comprised of matched patients diagnosed with glottis SCC (G‐SCC). Matching was based on gender, age and socio‐economic rank.Main outcome measuresVariables studies as risk factors included the following: smoking, alcohol consumption, history of IVDA and infectious diseases. The variables were tested for association with the 2 groups and with each other.ResultsForty‐eight patients with SG‐SCC were matched with 48 patients with G‐SCC. IVDA rates significantly increased among patients with SG‐SCC. Of the SG‐SCC group, 18.8% had a positive history for IVDA compared with 2.1% of the G‐SCC (P = .008). A history of IVDA was found to be a risk factor for SG‐SCC, independent of smoking, excessive alcohol and socio‐economic status. The odds ratio for patients with an IVDA history to have SG‐SCC relatively to G‐SCC was 10.846 (95% CI: 1.3‐89.4).ConclusionsIntravenous opioid drug abuse represents an independent risk factor for SG‐SCC. The pathogenesis should be investigated not just as a risk factor, as opioids are commonly used for pain management in oncologic patients.
Effect of spontaneous saliva swallowing on short‐term heart rate variability (HRV) and reliability of HRV analysis
Authors: Yildiz Metin , Doma Serian 
Published: September 2017

SummaryThe effects of effortful swallowing and solid meal ingestions on heart rate variability (HRV) have been examined previously. The effects of spontaneous saliva swallowing on short‐term HRV and reliability of HRV analysis have not been studied before. The effect of saliva swallowing on HRV analyses parameters [meanRRI, SDNN (standard deviation of normal‐to‐normal), LF (low frequency), HF (high frequency) powers, LH/HF] and the reliability of LF and HF powers were investigated by frequency, time–frequency and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analyses. Electrocardiogram and swallowing signal that obtained from an electronic stethoscope placed on the necks of subjects were recorded simultaneously from 30 healthy and young volunteers in sitting position during 15 min. Spontaneous swallowing has been shown to significantly alter some HRV parameters (SDNN, LF power and LF/HF ratio). Time‐frequency analysis results showed that the contribution of saliva swallowing to LF (1–58%) and HF (2–42%) powers could change significantly depending on the number of swallowing. The ICC of the LF and HF powers for the successive 5‐min signal segments were found 0·89, 0·92, respectively. These values decreased to 0·73 and 0·90 in the subjects with more swallowing rate. When the analyses were made for 2‐min signal periods, these values decreased to 0·63 and 0·67. We concluded that spontaneous saliva swallowing can change HRV parameters. We have also seen that changes in swallowing rate and use of short signal segments may reduce the reliability of HRV analyses.
Mother–Toddler Cortisol Synchrony Moderates Risk of Early Internalizing Symptoms
Authors: Kalomiris Anne E. , Kiel Elizabeth J. 
Published: September 2017

Cortisol synchrony is the degree to which mother–toddler cortisol levels are mutually regulated within a dyad. Synchrony's impact on toddler development is not well understood, so this study investigated how synchronous cortisol levels (reactivity and total concentration) in mother–toddler dyads moderate the association between risk factors (i.e., maternal worry, toddler inhibition) and early internalizing symptoms. Seventy mothers and their 2‐year‐old toddlers provided interpretable saliva samples. Behavioral observations were made to assess the toddler's temperament at age 2, and mothers reported on their toddler's internalizing symptoms when toddlers were 2 and 3 years old. Results suggest that mother–toddler synchrony in total cortisol concentration moderates the relation between risk factors and internalizing symptoms. Specifically, toddler inhibition and maternal worry were less associated with concurrent toddler internalizing symptoms when dyads demonstrated greater cortisol synchrony in total concentration. Further, synchrony in total cortisol levels marginally moderated the association between toddler inhibition and future internalizing symptoms, such that inhibited toddlers were less likely to demonstrate internalizing symptoms at age 3 when dyads demonstrated more cortisol synchrony. This suggests that cortisol synchrony may serve as an advantageous context that reduces the risk of developing of internalizing symptoms and augments the field's understanding of the implications of shared physiological responses within mother–toddler dyads.
Government Credit, a Double‐Edged Sword: Evidence from the China Development Bank
Authors: RU HONG 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTUsing proprietary data from the China Development Bank (CDB), this paper examines the effects of government credit on firm activities. Tracing the effects of government credit across different levels of the supply chain, I find that CDB industrial loans to state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) crowd out private firms in the same industry but crowd in private firms in downstream industries. On average, a $1 increase in CDB SOE loans leads to a $0.20 decrease in private firms' assets. Moreover, CDB infrastructure loans crowd in private firms. I use exogenous timing of municipal politicians' turnover as an instrument for CDB credit flows.
A ribonucleopeptide world at the origin of life
Authors: Saad Nizar Y. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe structural flexibility of RNA and its ability to store genetic information has led scientists to postulate that RNA could be the key molecule for the development of life on Earth, further leading to formulate the RNA world hypothesis that received a lot of success and acceptance after the discoveries of the last thirty‐five years. Despite its highly structural and functional significance, the difficulty in synthesizing the four nucleobases that form the RNA polymer from the same primordial soup, its low stability, and limited catalytic repertoire, make the RNA world hypothesis less convincing even though it remains the best explanation for the origin of life. An increasing number of scientists are becoming more supportive of a more realistic approach explaining the appearance of life. In this review, I propose an enhanced explanation for the appearance of life supported by recent discoveries and theories. Accordingly, amino acids and peptides associated with RNA (e.g., ribonucleopeptides) might have existed at the onset of RNA and might have played an important role in the continuous development of self‐sustaining biological systems. Therefore, in this review, I cover the most recent and relevant scientific investigations that propose a better understanding of the ribonucleopeptide world hypothesis and the appearance of life. Finally, I propose two hypotheses for a primitive translation machinery (PTM) that might have been formed of either a T box ribozyme or a ribopolymerase.
“It's not who I am”: Children's experiences of growing up with a long‐term condition in England, Australia, and New Zealand
Authors: Carter Bernie , Ford Karen , Bray Lucy , Water Tineke , Arnott Janine , Tichanow Cassandra , Dickinson Annette 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPurposeMost studies of growing up with a long‐term condition focus on older children and adolescents and are condition‐specific. Relatively few studies address the experiences of children in middle childhood or consider their experience across a range of conditions, countries, and health settings. This study aimed to explore children's perceptions and understandings of how their lives are shaped (or not) by a long‐term condition and its associated management.Design and methodsA qualitative, participatory methodology using autodriven photoelicitation interviews (PEIs) with 45 purposively recruited children (6–12 years) with long‐term conditions (e.g., hemophilia, arthritis, Crohn's disease), from England, New Zealand, and Australia was utilized. PEI facilitated the construction of inductively derived understandings of the children's experiences as the children had control over creating and then selecting which photographs to discuss with the researcher.ResultsInterpretive thematic analysis of the interviews and content analysis of the photographs resulted in an overarching theme, “It's not who I am …” but it is part of me, and three subthemes: getting on with my life; the special value of family, friendship, support, and comfort; and things that get in the way of getting on. Across all ages and the three countries, the children actively projected their self‐concept as “well” children and they strove, through their photographs and their accompanying explanations of their lives, to emphasize that they were “normal” children. They were active social agents who demonstrated their capacity to shape parts of their lives interdependently with their parents and the requirements of their condition.Practice implicationsPediatric nurses should be aware of the importance that children with long‐term conditions place on projecting and protecting their sense of being normal and ensure that when they engage with children that they take account of the children's understandings and efforts to live a life constrained but not limited by the condition.
The effect of storage temperature on blue cheese mechanical properties
Authors: Joyner (Melito) Helen S. , Francis Dorothy , Luzzi Brooke , Johnson John R. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBlue cheese is commonly aged for 60 days at 10°C after curing. However, some manufacturers store blue cheese at 4°C and the effect of lower storage temperature on blue cheese final properties is unknown. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of storage temperature and time on blue cheese mechanical behaviors. Blue cheeses were stored at 4 or 10°C for 77 days after production. Composition and small‐ and large‐strain rheological behaviors were evaluated every 2 weeks of storage. Storage time had significant impact on blue cheese rheological behaviors; storage temperature did not. Large‐strain compressive force and viscoelastic moduli decreased with storage time, and the extent of nonlinear viscoelastic behavior increased. These results indicated that sample microstructure likely weakened and was more easily deformed as storage time increased. Overall, blue cheese can be stored at 4–10°C without significant changes to its composition or mechanical behavior.Practical applicationsThe results of this work can be used by blue cheese manufacturers to better understand the impact of storage time and temperature on blue cheese end quality. Manufacturers can take advantage of the effects of storage time on blue cheese mechanical behaviors to determine how long to age blue cheese to achieve the desired texture.
Profiling Arthritis Pain with a Decision Tree
Authors: Hung Man , Bounsanga Jerry , Liu Fangzhou , Voss Maren W. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundArthritis is the leading cause of work disability and contributes to lost productivity. Previous studies showed that various factors predict pain, but they were limited in sample size and scope from a data analytics perspective.ObjectivesThe current study applied machine learning algorithms to identify predictors of pain associated with arthritis in a large national sample.MethodsUsing data from the 2011 to 2012 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, data mining was performed to develop algorithms to identify factors and patterns that contribute to risk of pain. The model incorporated over 200 variables within the algorithm development, including demographic data, medical claims, laboratory tests, patient‐reported outcomes, and sociobehavioral characteristics.ResultsThe developed algorithms to predict pain utilize variables readily available in patient medical records. Using the machine learning classification algorithm J48 with 50‐fold cross‐validations, we found that the model can significantly distinguish those with and without pain (c‐statistics = 0.9108). The F measure was 0.856, accuracy rate was 85.68%, sensitivity was 0.862, specificity was 0.852, and precision was 0.849.ConclusionPhysical and mental function scores, the ability to climb stairs, and overall assessment of feeling were the most discriminative predictors from the 12 identified variables, predicting pain with 86% accuracy for individuals with arthritis. In this era of rapid expansion of big data application, the nature of healthcare research is moving from hypothesis‐driven to data‐driven solutions. The algorithms generated in this study offer new insights on individualized pain prediction, allowing the development of cost‐effective care management programs for those experiencing arthritis pain.
Priority monism
Authors: Trogdon Kelly 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAccording to priority monism, there are many concrete entities and there is one, the cosmos, that is ontologically prior to all the others. I begin by clarifying this thesis as well as its main rival, priority atomism. I show how the disagreement between the priority monist and atomist ultimately turns on how the thesis of concrete foundationalism is implemented. While it's standard to interpret priority monism as being metaphysically noncontingent, I show that there are two competing, prima facie plausible conceptions of metaphysical necessity—the essence‐based and law‐based conceptions—on which it is reasonable to view its modal status differently. This, I suggest, is good for the priority monist—various objections to the thesis presuppose that it's metaphysically noncontingent, while there are arguments for the thesis that don't make the presupposition.
Transgender Women's Experiences with Stigma, Trauma, and Attempted Suicide in the Dominican Republic
Authors: Budhwani Henna , Hearld Kristine R. , Milner Adrienne N. , Charow Rebecca , McGlaughlin Elaine M. , Rodriguez‐Lauzurique Mayra , Rosario Santo , Paulino‐Ramirez Robert 
Published: September 2017

Studies on attempted suicide in transgender populations, particularly those in resource‐limited settings, are scarce. We examined the relationships between stigma, trauma, and suicide attempts in a national sample of transgender women from the Dominican Republic. Bivariate analysis examined differences between suicide attempters and nonattempters (n = 298). Multivariate analysis reported odds ratios with attempted suicide as the outcome (n = 260). About a quarter of respondents (23.9%) experienced sexual abuse, 12.3% were tortured, and 20.3% experienced a murder attempt. More than a quarter reported using illegal drugs. Independent sample t tests found significant differences between suicide attempters and nonattempters. Attempters were more likely to have experienced sexual abuse, psychological abuse, torture, and a murder attempt (p < .001 for all). Respondents who experienced psychological abuse had over three times higher odds of attempting suicide, compared to respondents who had not (OR = 3.203, p < .01). Experience with torture and attempted murder were associated with higher odds of attempting suicide (OR = 2.967, p < .05 and OR = 2.894, p < .05, respectively). Although some nations have implemented antidiscrimination policies protecting transgender citizens, these policies are often not consistently enforced. Eliminating stigmatizing policies may reduce rates of negative health outcomes and subsequently improving population health.
A slice of life: Ecologically valid methods for research on social relationships and health across the life span
Authors: Smyth Joshua M. , Juth Vanessa , Ma Jun , Sliwinski Martin 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis paper describes “slice of life” methods—detailed observations of moment‐to‐moment intraindividual processes that occur over short timescales in the natural environment—as an important research tool in exploring social relationships and health across the life span. Such methods, including ecological momentary assessment, experience sampling, daily diaries, measurement burst, and other slice of life designs, are important supplements to more traditional laboratory, epidemiological, and long‐term longitudinal research methods. Specifically, we highlight how slice of life methods (with a focus on ecological momentary assessment) allow researchers to compare the relative importance of different social relationships (or features thereof) for health outcomes, understand temporal dynamics, identify potentially causal mechanistic pathways at different timescales through which social relationships influence health, and design, implement, and evaluate innovative interventions that target these pathways at different timescales. We conclude with recommendations and future directions for slice of life methods for research on social relationships and health across the life span.
A modern Green Revolution gene for reduced height in wheat
Authors: Würschum Tobias , Langer Simon M. , Longin C. Friedrich H. , Tucker Matthew R. , Leiser Willmar L. 
Published: September 2017

SummaryIncreases in the yield of wheat during the Green Revolution of the late 20th century were achieved through the introduction of Reduced height (Rht) dwarfing genes. The Rht‐B1 and Rht‐D1 loci ensured short stature by limiting the response to the growth‐promoting hormone gibberellin, and are now widespread through international breeding programs. Despite this advantage, interference with the plant's response to gibberellin also triggers adverse effects for a range of important agronomic traits, and consequently modern Green Revolution genes are urgently required. In this study, we revisited the genetic control of wheat height using an association mapping approach and a large panel of 1110 worldwide winter wheat cultivars. This led to the identification of a major Rht locus on chromosome 6A, Rht24, which substantially reduces plant height alone as well as in combination with Rht‐1b alleles. Remarkably, behind Rht‐D1, Rht24 was the second most important locus for reduced height, explaining 15.0% of the genotypic variance and exerting an allele substitution effect of –8.8 cm. Unlike the two Rht‐1b alleles, plants carrying Rht24 remain sensitive to gibberellic acid treatment. Rht24 appears in breeding programs from all countries of origin investigated, with increased frequency over the last decades, indicating that wheat breeders have actively selected for this locus. Taken together, this study reveals Rht24 as an important Rht gene of commercial relevance in worldwide wheat breeding.
Trade Policy Review for China: The world's top exporter with “new normal” economic growth
Authors: Zhang Xufei 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis paper has evaluated the WTO trade policy review, and added more information and recent data to examine more closely China's economy and trade. Major trade policies during 2014–16 were summarised as the Belt and Road Initiative, policies facilitating trade and new adjustments to support and promote cross‐border e‐commence. After evaluating data on China's trade and economic performance, it discussed three challenges the Chinese government needs to deal with in the near future.
Impact of ABO‐mismatch on outcome in bone marrow transplantation
Authors: De Santis G. C. , Malta R. O. , Garcia‐Silva A. C. , Prata K. de L. , de Oliveira M. C. , de Moraes D. A. , Stracieri A. B. P. , Pieroni F. , Martinez E. Z. , Simões B. P. , Covas D. T. 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundABO‐mismatch between donor and recipient of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) can impact clinical outcome. This is a retrospective single‐centre study that aimed to compare overall survival, transfusion requirements, time of neutrophil engraftment and the incidence of veno‐occlusive disease (VOD) and graft‐vs‐host disease (GVHD) in recipients of BMT with ABO‐match and mismatch.MethodsWe reviewed the charts of 140 recipients of related HLA full‐match BMT, between 1998 and 2014. We found 39 cases of ABO‐mismatch (27·9%), of which 21 (53·8%) with major, 14 (35·9%) with minor and 4 (10·3%) with bidirectional mismatch.ResultsABO‐mismatch had no impact on survival, neutrophil engraftment and the incidence of VOD and acute GVHD. Minor mismatch patients had higher risk for chronic GVHD than major mismatch (P = 0·02). Median transfusions of red blood cell (RBC) units were 5 (0–57) and 10 (1–47) for match and mismatch groups (P = 0·004), and 12 (2–47) for major mismatch (P = 0·005). Median transfusions of platelet units were 46 (0–756) and 73 (0–429) for match and mismatch groups (P = 0·06).ConclusionABO‐mismatch seems to be less frequent in Brazil. ABO‐mismatch had no significant impact on survival, neutrophil engraftment and VOD, but resulted in increased transfusion of RBC.