bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Empirically derived dimensional syndromes of self‐reported psychopathology: Cross‐cultural comparisons of Portuguese and US elders
Authors: Ivanova Masha Y. , Achenbach Thomas , Leite Manuela , Almeida Vera , Caldas Carlos , Turner Lori , Dumas Julie A. 
Published: December 2017

ObjectiveAs the world population ages, mental health professionals increasingly need empirically supported assessment instruments for older adult psychopathology. This study tested the degree to which syndromes derived from self‐ratings of psychopathology by elders in the US would fit self‐ratings by elders in Portugal.MethodsThe Older Adult Self‐Report (OASR) was completed by 352 60‐ to 102‐year‐olds in Portuguese community and residential settings.ResultsConfirmatory factor analyses tested the fit of the 7‐syndrome OASR model to self‐ratings by Portuguese elders. The primary fit index (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation) showed good fit, while secondary fit indices (the Comparative Fit Index and the Tucker‐Lewis Index) showed acceptable fit. Loadings of 95 of the 97 items on their expected syndromes were statistically significant (mean = .63), indicating that the items measured the syndromes well. Correlations between latent factors, ie, between the hypothesized syndrome constructs measured by the items, averaged .66. The correlations between syndromes reflect varying degrees of comorbidity between problems comprising particular pairs of syndromes.ConclusionsThe results support the syndrome structure of the OASR for Portuguese elders, offering Portuguese clinicians and researchers a useful instrument for assessing a broad spectrum of psychopathology. The results also offer a core of empirically supported taxonomic constructs of later life psychopathology as a basis for advancing clinical practice, training, and cross‐cultural research.
The eyes have it: Using eye tracking to inform information processing strategies in multi‐attributes choices
Authors: Ryan Mandy , Krucien Nicolas , Hermens Frouke 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAlthough choice experiments (CEs) are widely applied in economics to study choice behaviour, understanding of how individuals process attribute information remains limited. We show how eye‐tracking methods can provide insight into how decisions are made. Participants completed a CE, while their eye movements were recorded. Results show that although the information presented guided participants' decisions, there were also several processing biases at work. Evidence was found of (a) top‐to‐bottom, (b) left‐to‐right, and (c) first‐to‐last order biases. Experimental factors—whether attributes are defined as “best” or “worst,” choice task complexity, and attribute ordering—also influence information processing. How individuals visually process attribute information was shown to be related to their choices. Implications for the design and analysis of CEs and future research are discussed.
Multiple model combination methods for annual maximum water level prediction during river ice breakup
Authors: Sun Wei , Trevor Bernard 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe Athabasca River is the largest unregulated river in Alberta, Canada, with ice jams frequently occurring in the vicinity of Fort McMurray. Modelling tools are desired to forecast ice‐related flood events. Multiple model combination methods can often obtain better predictive performances than any member models due to possible variance reduction of forecast errors or correction of biases. However, few applications of this method to river ice forecasting are reported. Thus, a framework of multiple model combination methods for maximum breakup water level (MBWL) Prediction during river ice breakup is proposed. Within the framework, the member models describe the relations between the MBWL (predicted variable) and their corresponding indicators (predictor variables); the combining models link the relations between the predicted MBWL by each member model and the observed MBWL. Especially, adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference systems, artificial neural networks, and multiple linear regression are not only employed as member models but also as combining models. Simple average methods (SAM) are selected as the basic combining model due to simple calculations. In the SAM, an equal weight (1/n) is assigned to n member models. The historical breakup data of the Athabasca River at Fort McMurray for the past 36 years (1980 to 2015) are collected to facilitate the comparison of models. These models are examined using the leave‐one‐out cross validation and the holdout validation methods. A SAM, which is the average output from three optimal member models, is selected as the best model as it has the optimal validation performance (lowest average squared errors). In terms of lowest average squared errors, the SAM improves upon the optimal artificial neural networks, adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference systems, and multiple linear regression member models by 21.95%, 30.97%, and 24.03%, respectively. This result sheds light on the effectiveness of combining different forecasting models when a scarce river ice data set is investigated. The indicators included in the SAM may indicate that the MBWL is affected by water flow conditions just after freeze‐up, overall freezing conditions during winter, and snowpack conditions before breakup.
Embracing Teachers as a Vital Literacy Resource
Authors: Conley Mark W. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe policy reforms over the past 15 years have placed all the responsibility for reading achievement on teachers, with little, if any, support. What many have achieved is declining achievement in comparison with other countries. Moreover, there are increasing teacher shortages, as promising individuals choose other careers and teachers leave the profession. An oft‐repeated reason why teachers leave concerns accountability pressures and poor working conditions. This article reviews what countries that perform at the top of the reading achievement scale measured by PISA are doing in their educational systems. Many of these countries are taking a systemic approach to educational reform focused on equitable access to great schools and excellent teachers. Ensuring that the best students are entering the teaching profession and then supporting teachers throughout their careers are cornerstones of this strategy. Countries could make great strides with literacy achievement by embracing teachers as a vital literacy resource.
Through the Mind's Eye: Using Multimodal Assignments to Build Engagement and Comprehension
Authors: Verlaan Wolfram 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMost people have struggled with reading in one situation or another, depending on their appreciation for the content, their prior experiences, and the texts. This department column shares ways for educators to help literacy learners unlock their potential with instruction anchored in their skills, knowledge, ways of learning, interests, and attitudes.
Divergent responsiveness of two isoforms of the estrogen receptor to mixtures of contaminants of emerging concern in four vertebrates
Authors: Kohno Satomi , Katsu Yoshinao , Cipoletti Nicholas , Wang Lina C. , Jorgenson Zachary G. , Miyagawa Shinichi , Schoenfuss Heiko L. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractContaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are ubiquitous in aquatic environments with well‐established endocrine‐disrupting effects. A data matrix of 559 water samples was queried to identify two commonly occurring CECs mixtures in Great Lakes tributaries. One mixture consisted of eight agricultural CECs (AG), while another contained 11 urban CECs (UB). The known estrogenic compounds bisphenol A, estrone and nonylphenol were present in both mixtures. According to the EPA Tox21 in ToxCast database, AG and UB mixture at an environmentally relevant concentration were estimated to account for 6.5% and 3.4% estrogenicity of the model endocrine disruptor estradiol‐17β, respectively. Two isoforms of the estrogen receptor (Esr1 and ‐2, former Erα and Erβ) cloned from fathead minnow, bluegill sunfish, American alligator and human, responded differently to AG and UB mixtures. Human and bluegill Esr1 were the most sensitive to AG and UB mixtures, respectively. Fathead minnow Esr1 and Esr2b were the least sensitive to 10× AG and UB in estrogen dose equivalents, respectively. Even at environmentally documented concentrations, UB significantly activated bluegill Esr1. Moreover, 100× concentrated UB hyperstimulated fathead minnow Esr1 beyond the maximum induction of estradiol‐17β. These results indicate that efficacious receptors and species differ in their response to CEC mixtures. Furthermore, estrogenicity may be present in some CECs not previously considered estrogenic, or, alternatively, estrogenicity of a mixture may be enhanced through chemical interactions. Our study highlights the need for further studies of CECs utilizing a variety of receptors cloned from diverse species.
Nanosecond pulsed electric field incorporation technique to predict molecular mechanisms of teratogenicity and developmental toxicity of estradiol‐17β on medaka embryos
Authors: Yamaguchi Akemi , Ishibashi Hiroshi , Kono Susumu , Iida Midori , Uchida Masaya , Arizono Koji , Tominaga Nobuaki 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHerein, we propose using a nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) technique to assess teratogenicity and embryonic developmental toxicity of estradiol‐17β (E2) and predict the molecular mechanisms of teratogenicity and embryonic developmental defects caused by E2 on medaka (Oryzias latipes). The 5 hour post‐fertilization embryos were exposed to co‐treatment with 10 μm E2 and nsPEF for 2 hours and then continuously cultured under non‐E2 and nsPEF conditions until hatching. Results documented that the time to hatching of embryos was significantly delayed in comparison to the control group and that typical abnormal embryo development, such as the delay of blood vessel formation, was observed. For DNA microarray analysis, 6 day post‐fertilization embryos that had been continuously cultured under the non‐E2 and nsPEF condition after 2 hour co‐treatments were used. DNA microarray analysis identified 542 upregulated genes and one downregulated gene in the 6 day post‐fertilization embryos. Furthermore, bioinformatic analyses using differentially expressed genes revealed that E2 exposure affected various gene ontology terms, such as response to hormone stimulus. The network analysis also documented that the estrogen receptor α in the mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathway may be involved in regulating several transcription factors, such as FOX, AKT1 and epidermal growth factor receptor. These results suggest that our nsPEF technique is a powerful tool for assessing teratogenicity and embryonic developmental toxicity of E2 and predict their molecular mechanisms in medaka embryos.
Long-Term Complications in Patients With Hypoparathyroidism Evaluated by Biochemical Findings: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Underbjerg Line , Sikjaer Tanja , Rejnmark Lars 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

Hypoparathyroidism (HypoPT) is associated with an increased risk of various complications, but only few data are available on risk factors. Using a case-control design, we assessed associations between biochemical findings and risk of different complications within a subpopulation of our previously identified Danish patients. We retrieved all biochemical data available on 431 (81% women) patients from the Central Region of Denmark, covering approximately 20% of the Danish population. Average age of patients was 41 years at time of diagnosis. Most patients (88%) had HypoPT due to surgery, mainly due to atoxic goiter and more than 95% were on treatment with calcium supplements and activated vitamin D. On average, time-weighted (tw) plasma levels of ionized calcium (Ca2+tw) was 1.17 mmol/L (interquartile range [IQR], 1.14 to 1.21 mmol/L) and the calcium-phosphate (CaxPtw) product was 2.80 mmol2/L2 (IQR, 2.51 to 3.03 mmol2/L2). High phosphatetw levels were associated with increased mortality and risk of any infections, including infections in the upper airways. A high CaxPtw product was associated with an increased mortality and risk of renal disease. Compared to levels around the lower part of the reference interval, lower Ca2+tw levels were associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Mortality and risk of infections, cardiovascular diseases, and renal diseases increased with number of episodes of hypercalcemia and with increased disease duration. Treatment with a relatively high dose of active vitamin D was associated with a decreased mortality and risk of renal diseases and infections. In conclusion, risk of complications in HypoPT is closely associated with disturbances in calcium-phosphate homeostasis. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Isolation and characterization of an anti‐leishmanial disintegrin from Cerastes cerastes venom
Authors: Allane Dihia , Oussedik‐Oumehdi Habiba , Harrat Zoubir , Seve Michel , Laraba‐Djebari Fatima 
Published: December 2017

AbstractInvestigating new antimicrobial and antiparasitic components from Viperidae venoms represents an alternative therapeutic strategy. In this study, we report the characterization of a disintegrin isolated from Cerastes cerastes venom, exhibiting antiparasitic activity on Leishmania infantum promastigotes. Indeed, isolated disintegrin, referred to Disintegrin_Cc, induced 84.75% of parasiticidal activity and deep morphological alterations on the parasites. SDS‐PAGE analysis indicated that this disintegrin was homogenous. This dimeric disintegrin of 14,193.97 Da contains an RGD domain and four intramolecular disulfide bridges. It presents a high percentage of identity with other related snake disintegrins. Predicted 3D structure indicated that this peptide shares partial homology with well‐known active antimicrobial peptides. Disintegrin_Cc inhibited 80% of arachidonic acid‐induced platelet aggregation. The obtained results suggest that the isolated molecule plays a dual role as a disintegrin and as an anti‐leishmanial compound. This component could be useful as a drug in the treatment of leishmaniasis.
AP1 mediates uPA/uPAR induced FUT4 expression and trophoblast invasion
Authors: Zheng Qin , Yang Yu , Cui Xinyuan , Zhang Dandan , Liu Shuai , Yan Qiu 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTrophoblast invasion is crucial for embryo implantation and successful pregnancy. Urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA)/urokinase‐type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) are expressed on trophoblasts and involved in trophoblast invasion. The transcription factor activator protein 1 (AP1) (c‐Fos and cJun) and fucosyltransferase IV (FUT4) have been found to be involved in this process. However, the relationship of uPA/uPAR, AP1 and FUT4 is unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the role of AP1 in uPA/uPAR induced FUT4 expression and trophoblast invasion. We found that p‐c‐Fos and p‐c‐Jun were decreased in abortion patients compared to that in normal pregnant women. Employing human trophoblastic cells, we then demonstrated that uPA/uPAR induced the expression of p‐c‐Fos and p‐c‐Jun. Applying an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), we further proved that transcription factor AP1 bound to FUT4 promoter that could increase FUT4 transcriptional activity, further promoting trophoblast cell migration and invasion through JNK MAPK signaling pathway. Taken together, these results suggest that uPA/uPAR induces FUT4 expression, and trophoblast cell invasion mediated by AP1 transcription factor (c‐Fos and c‐Jun). Our findings provide novel insights into the relationship between AP1 and abortion.
Group divisible ‐packings with any minimum leave
Authors: Gao Yufeng , Chang Yanxun , Feng Tao 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA decomposition of , the complete n‐partite equipartite graph with a subgraph L (called the leave) removed, into edge disjoint copies of a graph G is called a maximum group divisible packing of with G if L contains as few edges as possible. We examine all possible minimum leaves for maximum group divisible ‐packings. Necessary and sufficient conditions are established for their existences.
Novel insights into FAS defects underlying autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome revealed by studies in consanguineous patients
Authors: Ben-Mustapha Imen , Agrebi Nourhen , Barbouche Mohamed-Ridha 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is a primary immunodeficiency disease due to impaired Fas-Fas ligand apoptotic pathway. It is characterized by chronic nonmalignant, noninfectious lymphadenopathy and/or splenomegaly associated with autoimmune manifestations primarily directed against blood cells. Herein, we review the heterogeneous ALPS molecular bases and discuss recent findings revealed by the study of consanguineous patients. Indeed, this peculiar genetic background favored the identification of a novel form of AR ALPS-FAS associated with normal or residual protein expression, expanding the spectrum of ALPS types. In addition, rare mutational mechanisms underlying the splicing defects of FAS exon 6 have been identified in AR ALPS-FAS with lack of protein expression. These findings will help decipher critical regions required for the tight regulation of FAS exon 6 splicing. We also discuss the genotype-phenotype correlation and disease severity in AR ALPS-FAS. Altogether, the study of ALPS molecular bases in endogamous populations helps to better classify the disease subgroups and to unravel the Fas pathway functioning.
The evolutionary characteristics and structural biology of Gallus toll‐like receptor 21
Authors: Wu Hongping , Wang Hai , Jiang Wuqi , Lian Zhengxing 
Published: December 2017

AbstractToll‐like receptors (TLRs) are an important part of the innate immune system, acting as a first line of defense against many invading pathogens. The ligand known to bind Gallus toll‐like receptor 21 (gTLR21) is the unmethylated cytosine phosphate guanine dideoxy nucleotide motif; however, the evolutionary characteristics and structural biology of gTLR21 are poorly elaborated. Our results suggest that gTLR21 is phylogenetically and evolutionarily related to the TLR11 family and is perhaps a close ortholog of the Mus TLR13. Structural biology of homology modeling of the gTLR21 ectodomain structure suggests that it has no Z‐loop like that seen in Mus TLR9. The cytosolic toll‐IL‐1 receptor region of gTLR21 contains a central 4‐stranded parallel β‐sheet (βA‐βD) surrounded by 5 α‐helices (αA‐αE) on both sides, a highly conserved structure also seen in other TLRs. Molecular docking analysis reveals that the gTLR21 ectodomain has the potential to distinguish between different ligands. Homodimer analysis results also suggest that Phe842 and Pro844 of the BB loop and Cys876 of the αC helix in gTLR21 are conserved in other cytosolic toll‐IL‐1 receptor domains of other TLRs and may contribute to the docking of homodimers. Our study on the evolutionary characteristics and structural biology of gTLR21 reveals that the molecule may have a broader role to play in innate immune system; however, further experimental validation is required to confirm our findings.
Microvascular perfusion of the placenta, developing fetal liver, and lungs assessed with intravoxel incoherent motion imaging
Authors: Jakab András , Tuura Ruth L. , Kottke Raimund , Ochsenbein‐Kölble Nicole , Natalucci Giancarlo , Nguyen Thi Dao , Kellenberger Christian , Scheer Ianina 
Published: December 2017

BackgroundIn utero intravoxel incoherent motion magnetic resonance imaging (IVIM‐MRI) provides a novel method for examining microvascular perfusion fraction and diffusion in the developing human fetus.PurposeTo characterize gestational changes in the microvascular perfusion fraction of the placenta, fetal liver, and lungs using IVIM‐MRI.Study TypeRetrospective, cross‐sectional study.SubjectsFifty‐five datasets from 33 singleton pregnancies were acquired (17–36 gestational weeks).Field Strength/SequenceIn utero diffusion‐weighted echo‐planar imaging at 1.5T and 3.0T with b‐factors ranging from 0 to 900 s/mm2 in 16 steps.AssessmentUsing the IVIM principle, microvascular perfusion fraction (f), pseudodiffusion (D*), and diffusion coefficients (d) were estimated for the placenta, liver, and lungs with a biexponential model. A free‐form nonlinear deformation algorithm was used to correct for the frame‐by‐frame motion of the fetal organs and the placenta. The IVIM parameters were then compared to a Doppler ultrasound‐based assessment of the umbilical artery resistance index.Statistical TestsPearson product‐moment correlation coefficient (PMCC) to reveal outlier corrected correlations between Doppler and IVIM parameters. Gestational age‐related changes were assessed using linear regression analysis (LR).ResultsPlacental f (0.29 ± 0.08) indicates high blood volume in the microvascular compartment, moderately increased during gestation (LR, R = 0.338), and correlated negatively with the umbilical artery resistance index (PMCC, R = –0.457). The f of the liver decreased sharply during gestation (LR, R = –0.436). Lung maturation was characterized by increasing perfusion fraction (LR, R = 0.547), and we found no gestational changes in d and D* values (LR, R = –0.013 and R = 0.051, respectively). The Doppler measurements of the umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery did not correlate with the IVIM parameters of the lungs and liver.Data ConclusionGestational age‐associated changes of the placental, liver, and lung IVIM parameters likely reflect changes in placental and fetal circulation, and characterize the trajectory of microstructural and functional maturation of the fetal vasculature.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 3J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017.
Impact of the equatorial Pacific and South Atlantic SST anomalies on extremes in austral summer precipitation over Grande river basin in Southeast Brazil
Authors: Bernardino Beatriz S. , Vasconcellos Fernanda C. , Nunes Ana M. B. 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTGrande river basin (GRB) is located in Southeast Brazil, and is socio‐economic important for water supply and electricity generation from its hydroelectric plant reservoirs affected by the inter‐annual variability of precipitation. Dry and rainy summers are selected using rainfall data from the National Water Agency (Agência Nacional de Águas–ANA) in Brazil to assess the influence of the equatorial Pacific and South Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies, and to depict the intensity and positioning of large‐scale circulation patterns that might affect the precipitation extremes in summer over GRB. The European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts global reanalysis provides the meteorological variables to construct the composites of the years of extremes (dry and rainy) in summer precipitation, as well as the preceding springs. The results show that extreme dry summers in GRB are characterized by neutral to negative SST anomalies in the equatorial Pacific and positive anomalies in the subtropical South Atlantic near Brazilian coastline. Rainy extremes are associated with El Niño conditions in Niño 1 + 2, Niño 3 and 3.4 regions during summer and preceding spring. Extreme rainy summers display negative anomalies of SST in the subtropical South Atlantic, coinciding with the northerly South Atlantic Convergence Zone positioning. In GRB, anomalous rainy springs are mostly followed by anomalous dry summers. Large‐scale atmospheric circulation anomalies in the preceding springs to summer precipitation extremes in GRB show characteristic features that might be proven useful in seasonal predictions of hydro‐meteorological extremes.