bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Upper limbs total occlusion pressure assessment: Doppler ultrasound reproducibility and determination of predictive variables
Authors: Bezerra de Morais André T. , Santos Cerqueira Mikhail , Moreira Sales Rafael , Rocha Taciano , Galvão de Moura Filho Alberto 
Published: January 2016

SummaryTotal occlusion pressure (TOP) is an important variable to ischaemic exercise training because the optimal pressure of flow restriction (OPR), applied during this exercise modality, is derived from it. Despite the common use of Doppler ultrasound (DU) to determine the TOP, the reproducibility of this assessment was not evaluated yet. Given this, the objective was to evaluate the reproducibility of DU for the measurement of TOP in upper limbs and determine the predictive variables. Thirteen male volunteers attended three times to the laboratory. On the 1st day, we assessed arm circumference (AC), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic (DBP), and brachial artery TOP. On 2nd and 3rd days, only TOP was assessed. We found a coefficient of variation of 5·6% and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0·795 for the DU. In the analysis of TOP predictive variables, the Spearman coefficients (R) were 0·813 (SBP), 0·786 (DBP) and 0·388 (AC). Therefore, these results support that DU has good reproducibility for the TOP and that SBP and DBP should be considered to the determination of TOP in upper limbs.
Physiological and pathological impact of exosomes of adipose tissue
Authors: Zhang Yan , Yu Mei , Tian Weidong 
Published: January 2016

AbstractExosomes are nanovesicles that have emerged as a new intercellular communication system for transporting proteins and RNAs; recent studies have shown that they play a role in many physiological and pathological processes such as immune regulation, cell differentiation, infection and cancer. By transferring proteins, mRNAs and microRNAs, exosomes act as information vehicles that alter the behavior of recipient cells. Compared to direct cell‐cell contact or secreted factors, exosomes can affect recipient cells in more efficient ways. In whole adipose tissues, it has been shown that exosomes exist in supernatants of adipocytes and adipose stromal cells (ADSCs). Adipocyte exosomes are linked to lipid metabolism and obesity‐related insulin resistance and exosomes secreted by ADSCs are involved in angiogenesis, immunomodulation and tumor development. This review introduces characteristics of exosomes in adipose tissue, summarizes their functions in different physiological and pathological processes and provides the further insight into potential application of exosomes to disease diagnosis and treatment.
Changes in four plasma adipokines before and after sleep in OSAS patients
Authors: Xu Ting , Lin Yong , Sun Siqing , Zhang Qiang 
Published: January 2016

AbstractObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate whether plasma levels of four adipokines (chemerin, macrophage migratory inhibitory factor [MIF], visceral adipose tissue‐derived serine protease inhibitor [vaspin] and chemokine CXCL5) are associated with the presence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in patients.MethodsA total of 58 male patients with OSAS and 16 healthy male subjects were enrolled in this study.ResultsFour plasma adipokines (chemerin, MIF, vaspin and chemokine CXCL5) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in severe OSAS patients than in the control group after polysomnography. Plasma levels of these four adipokines were higher (P < 0.05) after sleep than before sleep. These levels were also associated with anthropometric measurements for BMI, neck circumference, body fat percentage, sleep parameters including the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) and minimum SaO2%. Multiple regression analyses showed that BMI, AHI and mean SaO2% were major factors affecting the four plasma adipokine levels in OSAS patients.ConclusionsPlasma chemerin, MIF, vaspin and chemokine CXCL5 levels were severely elevated with OSAS, and were also connected with obesity.
China and Natural Resource Curse in Developing Countries: Empirical Evidence from a Cross‐country Study
Authors: Su Fubing , Wei Guoxue , Tao Ran 
Published: January 2016

AbstractChina's rising demand for natural resources and its growing presence in many poor and resource‐rich countries have been criticized for promoting neo‐colonialism in the 21st century. Using panel data for 135 developing countries from 1995 to 2007, the present paper empirically evaluates the validity of such claims. Our findings do not support the resource curse thesis in the areas of industrialization and economic growth. Moreover, the effect of resources is conditional on the initial quality of political institutions in a country.
Are China's Farms Growing?
Authors: Ji Xianqing , Rozelle Scott , Huang Jikun , Zhang Linxiu , Zhang Tonglong 
Published: January 2016

AbstractChina's agricultural sector faces challenges because most farms are still small scale. China's policy is to encourage the consolidation of farms and promote farms that are larger in scale. A question that arises is: Are China's farms growing? The goal of the present paper is to determine whether large farms in China have emerged or if farms remain small. To meet this goal, we systematically document the trends in the operational sizes of China's farms and measure the determinants of changes in farm size. Using a nationally representative dataset, the study shows that in 2013 China's farming sector was still mostly characterized by small‐scale farms. However, at the same time, there is an emerging class of middle‐sized and larger‐sized farms. Most large farms are being run by households but there is a set of large farms that are company/cooperative‐run. Today, farmers on larger farms are younger and better educated than the average farmer.
Profile of associated impairments at age 5 years in Australia by cerebral palsy subtype and Gross Motor Function Classification System level for birth years 1996 to 2005
Authors: Delacy Michael J , Reid Susan M ,   the Australian cerebral palsy register group
Published: January 2016

AimTo describe the distribution of impairments among persons with cerebral palsy (CP) in a large Australian cohort.MethodRecords of persons on the Australian Cerebral Palsy Register (ACPR) (n=3466) born from 1996 to 2005 were reviewed to extract year of birth, sex,CPsubtype, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level, and impairments in vision, hearing, speech, intellect, and epilepsy. The distributions ofGMFCSlevels andCPsubtype were plotted, and the proportions of each level of impairment were tabulated and presented as stacked graphs within theGMFCSandCPsubtype distributions.ResultsThe proportions of persons withCPwith each associated impairment increased with increasingGMFCSlevel. Compared with other spasticCPsubtypes, individuals with spastic quadriplegia had higher frequencies of all associated impairments. Other than epilepsy, which was most prevalent in persons with spastic quadriplegia (53%), all impairments were most frequent in non‐spasticCPsubtypes. Hearing impairment was recorded for 21% of persons with dyskinesia whereas the hypotonic subtype had the highest prevalence of visual impairment (57%), intellectual impairment (90%), and speech impairment (95%).InterpretationDistributions of associated impairments across allGMFCSlevels andCPsubtypes in a large cohort are presented in formats suitable for clinical use and discussion with families.
Attitudes of the first cohort of student groups trained together at the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy towards dental interprofessional education
Authors: Colonio Salazar F. B. , Andiappan M. , Radford D. R. , Gallagher J. E. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractObjectiveThis study explored, and compared, the attitudes of student groups trained at the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy (UPDA) in 2010/2011 towards dental interprofessional education (IPE).MethodsThe study population consisted of fifth‐year student dentists (n = 80) from King's College London Dental Institute, second‐ and third‐year dental hygiene and therapy (n = 38) and first‐year dental nursing (n = 14) students from UPDA. A 19‐item, validated and dentally modified questionnaire, ‘Readiness for Inter‐Professional Learning Scale (RIPLS)’, was administered. RIPLS contains three subscales: teamwork and collaboration, professional identity and roles and responsibilities. Mean () and standard deviation (SD) of the scores were calculated, following reversal of negative items. All the analyses were carried out using SPSS version 20 and STATA version 11.ResultsAn overall response rate of 71% (n = 94) was achieved. In reference to teamwork and collaboration, all groups strongly indicated that IPE can contribute to learning teamwork skills ( = 24.98, SD = 3.5) and improving relationships with team members ( = 12.93, SD = 1.63); however, the scores did not differ between the groups (P = 0.09 and P = 0.16, respectively). Concerning professional identity, student dentists had significantly higher preference for a discipline‐based approach (P = 0.002); were more likely to agree that ‘it is not necessary for undergraduate dental and dental care professional students to learn together’ (P = 0.01); and perceived that ‘clinical problem‐solving skills can only be learnt effectively with other students from their own discipline’ (P = 0.02) than dental hygiene and therapy students. In relation to roles and responsibilities, participants demonstrated a strong sense of their own professional role. Student dentists reported that they had ‘to gain more knowledge and skills’ than dental hygiene and therapy (P = 0.01) and dental nursing (P = 0.01) students. Dental hygiene and therapy students were less likely than student dentists to agree that ‘the role of dental nurses and hygienists was to mainly provide support for dentists’ (P = 0.001).ConclusionThe findings suggest that IPE was perceived as beneficial in relation to teamwork; however, the study raises issues regarding professional identity and roles. Educators should consider differing perceptions of professional roles and identities when planning and delivering interprofessional programmes.
Differential effects of forward and backward masks on the relationship between perception and action
Authors: Deplancke A. , Madelain L. , Coello Y. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractA recent series of experiments has shown that the effects of near‐threshold stimuli on perceptual and motor responses are highly dependent on experimental conditions. In particular, motor influences of near‐threshold distractors were observed when using low‐contrast unmasked stimuli and high‐contrast masked stimuli although only the latter affected motor responses in the absence of stimulus awareness. These results are compatible with neurophysiological models of visual masking, suggesting that early neural responses to a visual stimulus can be decomposed in feedforward activations to–and feedback activations from–higher visual areas, correlating respectively with the actual presence of the stimulus and its conscious perception. We tested the compatibility between these neurophysiological models and the behavioural data obtained in near‐threshold experiments. We recorded fast reaching movements directed to a highly visible target followed by a report of the presence of a near‐threshold distractor presented either at low contrast without mask or at high contrast with a backward or forward mask. Analysis of hand trajectories revealed that deviations toward the distractor were observed in the no‐mask condition when the distractor was present and reported, and when it was present but not reported in the backward and forward mask conditions, although the effect was weaker in the latter condition. These data reveal that the presence or absence of perception–action dissociations in behavioural studies are well accounted for by neurophysiological models of visual masking and that behavioural effects of near‐threshold distractors cannot result merely from on a dichotomic visual system for perception and action.
The ghosts of selection past reduces the probability of plastic rescue but increases the likelihood of evolutionary rescue to novel stressors in experimental populations of wild yeast
Authors: Samani Pedram , Bell Graham 
Published: January 2016

AbstractPersistence by adaptation is called evolutionary rescue. Evolutionary rescue is more likely in populations that have been previously exposed to lower doses of the same stressor. Environmental fluctuations might also reduce the possibility of rescue, but little is known about the effect of evolutionary history on the likelihood of rescue. In this study, we hypothesised that the ubiquitous operation of generalised stress responses in many organisms increases the likelihood of rescue after exposure to other stressors. We tested this hypothesis with experimental populations that had been exposed to long‐term starvation and were then selected on different, unrelated stressors. We found that prior adaptation to starvation imposes contrary effects on the plastic and evolutionary responses of populations to subsequent stressors. When first exposed to new stressors, such populations become extinct more often. If they survive the initial exposure to the new stressors, however, they are more likely to undergo evolutionary rescue.
7TMRIin focal epilepsy with unrevealing conventional field strength imaging
Authors: De Ciantis Alessio , Barba Carmen , Tassi Laura , Cosottini Mirco , Tosetti Michela , Costagli Mauro , Bramerio Manuela , Bartolini Emanuele , Biagi Laura , Cossu Massimo , Pelliccia Veronica , Symms Mark R. , Guerrini Renzo 
Published: January 2016

SummaryObjectiveTo assess the diagnostic yield of 7T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting and characterizing structural lesions in patients with intractable focal epilepsy and unrevealing conventional (1.5 or 3T)MRI.MethodsWe conducted an observational clinical imaging study on 21 patients (17 adults and 4 children) with intractable focal epilepsy, exhibiting clinical and electroencephalographic features consistent with a single seizure‐onset zone (SOZ) and unrevealing conventionalMRI. Patients were enrolled at two tertiary epilepsy surgery centers and imaged at 7T, including whole brain (three‐dimensional [3D] T1‐weighted [T1W] fast‐spoiled gradient echo (FSPGR), 3D susceptibility‐weighted angiography [SWAN], 3D fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery [FLAIR]) and targeted imaging (2D T2*‐weighted dual‐echo gradient‐recalled echo [GRE] and 2D gray–white matter tissue border enhancement [TBE] fast spin echo inversion recovery [FSE‐IR]). MRI studies at 1.5 or 3T deemed unrevealing at the referral center were reviewed by three experts in epilepsy imaging. Reviewers were provided information regarding the suspected localization of theSOZ. The same team subsequently reviewed 7T images. Agreement in imaging interpretation was reached through consensus‐based discussions based on visual identification of structural abnormalities and their likely correlation with clinical and electrographic data.Results7TMRIrevealed structural lesions in 6 (29%) of 21 patients. The diagnostic gain in detection was obtained usingGREandFLAIRimages. Four of the six patients with abnormal 7T underwent epilepsy surgery. Histopathology revealed focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) in all. In the remaining 15 patients (71%), 7TMRIremained unrevealing; 4 of the patients underwent epilepsy surgery and histopathologic evaluation revealed gliosis.Significance7TMRIimproves detection of epileptogenicFCDthat is not visible at conventional field strengths. A dedicated protocol including whole brainFLAIRandGREimages at 7T targeted at the suspectedSOZincreases the diagnostic yield.
Elastic–plastic constraint parameter A for test specimens with thickness variation
Authors: Nikishkov G. P. , Matvienko Yu. G. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThree‐dimensional elastic–plastic problems for a power‐law hardening material are solved using the finite element method. Distributions of the J‐integral in terms of the normalized elastic–plastic stress intensity factor and constraint parameter A along the crack front for varying the strain hardening exponent, specimen thickness and crack length are determined for edge cracked plate, centre cracked plate, three‐point bend and compact tension specimens. The second parameter A in three‐term elastic–plastic asymptotic expansion of the crack tip stress field is a measure of stress field deviation from the Hutchinson‐Rice‐Rosengren field and can be considered as a constraint parameter in elastic–plastic fracture. The loading levels cover conditions from small‐scale to large‐scale yielding. Results of finite element analyses show that the constraint parameter A significantly decreases when specimen thickness changes from 0.1 to 0.5 of the specimen width. Then, it has more or less stable value. Among four specimens, the highest constraint is demonstrated by the compact tension specimen that has the constraint parameter A lower than its small‐scale yielding value.
Catch‐and‐release and angler utility: evidence from an Atlantic salmon recreational fishery
Authors: Olaussen J. O. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractCatch‐and‐release (C&R) is often regarded as a win–win management tool in recreational fisheries. As long as release mortality is low, C&R may ensure both sustainable fish stocks and a large recreational fishing sector. Hence, apparently both the targeted fish populations and the recreational anglers are better off. However, this depends on fish welfare assumptions as well as angler preferences. While fish welfare is widely studied, angler preferences with respect to C&R are less well understood. This study presents the results from a postal survey studying angler preferences in a Norwegian recreational Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., fishery (n = 244). The results suggest that introducing mandatory C&R regimes may reduce the angler utility by up to 80% in this fishery, and hence advocates caution and suggests surveys should be undertaken before C&R introduction. This study also finds that anglers who report concern about fish population status are more likely to be in favour of C&R.
DSC of human hair: a tool for claim support or incorrect data analysis?
Authors: Popescu C. , Gummer C. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractDifferential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data are increasingly used to substantiate product claims of hair repair. Decreasing peak temperatures may indicate structural changes and chemical damage. Increasing the DSC, wet peak temperature is, therefore, often considered as proof of hair repair. A detailed understanding of the technique and hair structure indicates that this may not be a sound approach. Surveying the rich literature on the use of dynamic thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for the analyses of human hair and the effect of cosmetic treatments, we underline some of the problems of hair structure and data interpretation. To overcome some of the difficulties of data interpretation, we advise that DSC acquired data should be supported by other techniques when used for claim substantiation. In this way, one can provide meaningful interpretation of the hair science and robust data for product claims support.
Effects of fruit juice concentrate production on individual anthocyanin species in elderberry
Authors: Szalóki‐Dorkó Lilla , Stéger‐Máté Mónika , Abrankó László 
Published: January 2016

SummaryElderberry concentrate is widely used for food colouring. Its production includes several processing steps, which influence pigment composition, thus affecting the quality of final product. In this study, qualitative and quantitative changes in anthocyanin components were followed during the production of elderberry juice concentrate using Haschberg and Samocco varieties. Juice concentration resulted in more than five‐fold concentration increase in anthocyanins; however, clarification, filtration and evaporation steps caused slight but continuous decrease in anthocyanins relative to the dry matter of the product. Pectolytic enzymatic treatment was found to be one of the most critical processing steps that affects anthocyanin yield during production, and this effect on yield can be variety‐dependent. Additionally, two condensed dimeric anthocyanin species generated after heat treatment are reported for the first time to be present in elderberry juice concentrate. Our results suggest that cyanidin‐based anthocyanin conjugates with more complex saccharide moieties are more robust during production.
Separation of prescribing and dispensing in Malaysia: the history and challenges
Authors: Tiong John Jeh Lung , Mai Chun Wai , Gan Pou Wee , Johnson James , Mak Vivienne Sook Li 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
This article serves as an update to the work by Shafie et al. (2012) which previously reviewed the benefits of policies separating prescribing and dispensing in various countries to advocate its implementation in Malaysia. This article seeks to strengthen the argument by highlighting not only the weaknesses of the Malaysian health care system from the historical, professional and economic viewpoints but also the shortcomings of both medical and pharmacy professions in the absence of separation of dispensing. It also provides a detailed insight into the ongoing initiatives taken to consolidate the role of pharmacists in the health care system in the advent of separation of dispensing. Under the two tier system in Malaysia at present, the separation of prescribing and dispensing is implemented only in government hospitals. The absence of this separation in the private practices has led to possible profit-oriented medical and pharmacy practices which hinder safe and cost-effective delivery of health services. The call for separation of dispensing has gained traction over the years despite various hurdles ranging from the formidable resistance from the medical fraternity to the public's scepticism towards the new policy. With historical testament and present evidence pointing towards the merits of a system in which doctors prescribe and pharmacists dispense, the implementation of this health care model is justified.
Expression and characterization of a recombinant i‐type lysozyme from the harlequin ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis
Authors: Beckert A. , Wiesner J. , Schmidtberg H. , Lehmann R. , Baumann A. , Vogel H. , Vilcinskas A. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractLysozymes are enzymes that destroy bacterial cell walls by hydrolysing the polysaccharide component of peptidoglycan. In insects, there are two classes of lysozymes, the c‐type with muramidase activity and the i‐type whose prototypical members from annelids and molluscs possess both muramidase and isopeptidase activities. Many insect genes encoding c‐type and i‐type lysozymes have been identified during genome and transcriptome analyses, but only c‐type lysozymes have been functionally characterized at the protein level. Here we produced one of five i‐type lysozymes represented in the immunity‐related transcriptome of the invasive harlequin ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis as recombinant protein. This was the only one containing the serine and histidine residues that are thought to be required for isopeptidase activity. This i‐type lysozyme was recombinantly expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris, but the purified protein was inactive in both muramidase and isopeptidase assays. Transcription and immunofluorescence analysis revealed that this i‐type lysozyme is produced in the fat body but is not inducible by immune challenge. These data suggest that i‐type lysozymes in insects may have acquired novel and as yet undetermined functions in the course of evolution.