bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic Landmarks During Somatic Reprogramming
Authors: Chen Jiekai , Pei Duanqing 
Published: October 2016

AbstractCells all share essentially the same genome, which is shaped by the developmental program to bring about various outcomes. It is well known that epigenetic regulation is a key process in determining the different cell functional output from the genetic information. Somatic reprogramming is a dramatic demonstration of this effect, and has opened the gate to the investigation of cell fate determination as cells reverse the developmental program. These studies have revealed which epigenetic marks set during normal development are important for cell specification. Here, we review the epigenetic landmarks that cells pass through during somatic reprogramming, and give an overview to the many remaining unclear epigenetic regulatory events that occurs during reprogramming. © 2016 IUBMB Life, 68(11):854–857, 2016
The inadequacies of pre‐market chemical risk assessment's toxicity studies—the implications
Authors: Tweedale Anthony C. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIndustry provides essentially all the data for most (pre‐market) chemical risk assessments (RA); academics study a chemical once it is marketed. For two randomly‐chosen high production chemicals, despite new European Union mandates to evaluate all data, just 13% of the herbicide bentazon and 15% of the flame‐retardant hexabromocyclododecane's published toxicity studies were found in their pre‐market RA, and a systematic review on bentazon concludes it has greater hazards than indicated in its RA. More important, for both, academia's toxicity studies were designated as lower quality than industries were, despite showing hazards at lower doses. The accuracy of industry's test methods is analyzed and found to be replicable but insensitive, thus inaccurate. The synthetic pharmaceutical industry originated them, and by 1983 the Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development mandated their test guidelines (TG) methods be accepted for any new study for pre‐market RA. For existing studies, industry's “Klimisch” criterion is universally used to evaluate quality, but it only states that TG studies produce the best data. However, no TG can answer the realistic exposure effect hypotheses of academics; therefore, crucially in pre‐market RA, tens of thousands of published experimental findings (increasingly at low dose) are ignored to determine the safe dose. Few appreciate this, so scientific debate on the most accurate elements of toxicity tests is urgently indicated. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Elevated dust deposition in Tierra del Fuego (Chile) resulting from Neoglacial Darwin Cordillera glacier fluctuations
Authors: Vanneste Heleen , De Vleeschouwer François , Bertrand Sébastien , Martínez‐Cortizas Antonio , Vanderstraeten Aubry , Mattielli Nadine , Coronato Andrea , Piotrowska Natalia , Jeandel Catherine , Roux Gaël Le 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACTAtmospheric mineral dust is intrinsically linked with climate. Although dust flux variability on glacial–interglacial timescales is well documented, Holocene dust records remain scarce. To fill this gap, we conducted elemental, isotopic and sedimentological analyses on a peat core from the Karukinka Natural Park in Tierra del Fuego. An 8000‐year‐old mineral dust record was extracted indicating three periods of elevated dust deposition: (i) 8.1–7.4 cal ka BP, (ii) 4.2 cal ka BP and (iii) 2.4–1.4 cal ka BP. The two oldest peaks are related to volcanic eruptions of the Hudson and Monte Burney volcanoes, respectively. The most recent dust peak, however, has a rare earth element and neodymium isotopic composition that resembles the geochemical signature of outwash plain sediments from the Darwin Cordillera. Since the timing of this dust peak corresponds to a period of glacier retreat between Neoglacial advances III and IV, we infer that Holocene aeolian dust fluxes in southern Patagonia are mostly driven by glacial sediment availability. Our results underline the important role of glaciers in producing aeolian dust in high‐latitude regions, and they imply that the current retreat of glaciers worldwide may result in elevated atmospheric dust loads.
Physical activity, eating traits and weight in young adulthood: a cross‐sectional and longitudinal study
Authors: Falck R. S. , Drenowatz C. , Blundell J. E. , Shook R. P. , Best J. R. , Hand G. A. , Blair S. N. 
Published: October 2016

SummaryObjectiveTo investigate the association between eating traits (e.g. dietary restraint or opportunistic eating) and weight – both cross‐sectionally and longitudinally – and whether physical activity (PA) moderates these associations.MethodsTwo‐hundred seventy young adults (21–35 years; BMI: 25.40 kg/m2 [SD = 3.90 kg/m2]; 48.90% female) participated in this 12‐month observational cohort study. Cognitive Restraint (CR), Disinhibition (DI) and Hunger (HU) were measured using the Three‐Factor Eating Questionnaire at baseline and 12 months. Participants were measured at quarterly intervals for objectively measured PA and anthropometrics. Cross‐sectional and longitudinal models determined if eating traits were associated with weight or weight change, and whether these associations were moderated by PA.ResultsAt baseline, higher CR (B = 0.429, p < 0.01) and DI (B = 0.942, p < 0.01) were associated with higher weight. The associations of DI (B = −0.008 p = 0.02) and HU (B = −0.006, p = 0.04) with weight were moderated by PA at baseline. The longitudinal model for CR determined PA altered the relationship between change in CR and weight change (B = 0.004, p < 0.01).ConclusionsEating traits and PA are associated with weight and weight change. However, to elucidate how PA and eating traits directly affect weight changes, future weight loss interventions should investigate whether improving eating traits and concomitantly increasing PA amplify weight loss.
Improved parental dietary quality is associated with children's dietary intake through the home environment
Authors: Flórez K. R. , Richardson A. S. , Ghosh‐Dastidar M. B. , Beckman R. , Huang C. , Wagner L. , Dubowitz T. 
Published: October 2016

SummaryBackgroundImproving access to supermarkets has been shown to improve some dietary outcomes, yet there is little evidence for such effects on children. Relatedly, there is a dearth of research assessing the impact of a structural change (i.e. supermarket in a former food desert) on the home environment and its relationship with children's diet.ObjectiveAssess the relative impact of the home environment on children's diet after the introduction of a new supermarket in a food desert.MethodsAmong a randomly selected cohort of households living in a food desert, parental diet was assessed before and after the opening of a full‐service supermarket. The home environment and children's intake of fruits and vegetables was measured at one point – after the store's opening. Structural equation models were used to estimate the pathways between changes in parental dietary quality at follow‐up and children's dietary intake through the home environment.ResultsParental dietary improvement after the supermarket opened was associated with having a better home environment (β = 0.45, p = 0.001) and with healthier children's dietary intake (β = 0.46, p < 0.001) through higher family nutrition and physical activity scores (β = 0.25, p = 0.02).ConclusionsPolicy solutions designed to improve diet among low‐resource communities should take into account the importance of the home environment.
What Can We Learn From A Doubly Randomized Preference Trial?—An Instrumental Variables Perspective
Authors: Wing Coady , Clark M. H. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe doubly randomized preference trial (DRPT) is a randomized experimental design with three arms: a treatment arm, a control arm, and a preference arm. The design has useful properties that have gone unnoticed in the applied and methodological literatures. This paper shows how to interpret the DRPT design using an instrumental variables (IV) framework. The IV framework reveals that the DRPT separately identifies three different treatment effect parameters: the Average Treatment Effect (ATE), the Average Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATT), and the Average Treatment Effect on the Untreated (ATU). The ATE, ATT, and ATU parameters are important for program evaluation research because in realistic settings many social programs are optional rather than mandatory and some people who are eligible for a program choose not to participate. Most of the paper is concerned with the interpretation of the research design. To make the ideas concrete, the final section provides an empirical example using data from an existing DRPT study.
Is surgical resection and observation sufficient for stage I and II sacrococcygeal germ cell tumors? A case series and review
Authors: Egler Rachel A. , Gosiengfiao Yasmin , Russell Heidi , Wickiser Jonathan E. , Frazier A. Lindsay 
Published: October 2016

AbstractBackgroundSacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is the most common germ cell tumor (GCT) of infancy. Up to 35% of infants may have malignant elements. The standard of care for SCT with malignant elements (SCT‐ME) has been surgery and chemotherapy. However, cases where low‐stage SCT‐ME have been successfully observed following resection have been reported.ProcedureTo better understand the outcomes of low‐stage SCT‐ME that do not receive chemotherapy, we reviewed SCT pathology reports from five children's hospitals from 1999 to 2009. Information regarding staging workup, tumor markers, treatment, and outcome was collected for patients with stage I or II SCT‐ME. An English language literature review was also performed.ResultsSeventy‐four SCT were identified: 51 stage I and 23 stage II; 13 (18%) were SCT‐ME: 5 stage I and 8 stage II; four stage I and four stage II tumors were not treated with chemotherapy. No stage I tumors recurred; all of the stage II tumors recurred and were successfully salvaged, two had no ME at recurrence. We identified another 10 stage I SCT‐ME in the literature managed with active surveillance—two recurred and were successfully treated with surgery and chemotherapy.ConclusionsOverall, of the 14 cases of stage I SCT‐ME, 12 survived with no recurrence and the two who did recur were successfully treated with platinum‐based chemotherapy (EFS = 86%, overall survival [OS] = 100%); this suggests that patients with stage I SCT‐ME could be observed after surgery and treated only upon recurrence. Stage II SCT‐ME require further study in a clinical trial setting.
Outcomes of mechanical support in a pediatric lung transplant center
Authors: Toprak Demet , Midyat Levent , Freiberger Dawn , Boyer Debra , Fynn‐Thompson Francis , Visner Gary 
Published: October 2016

SummaryPediatric lung transplantation is a lifesaving option for patients with end stage lung disease, although the scarcity of suitable donor organs results in long wait times and increased waitlist mortality. Many pediatric centers consider mechanical ventilatory support, such as long‐term invasive ventilation and ECMO, a contraindication to lung transplantation. We hypothesized that current survival rates and outcomes for patients on mechanical ventilatory support in the pre‐transplant period were not remarkably different. In our retrospective analysis we included patients between the ages of 0–21 years listed for lung transplantation from deceased donors between 2007 and 2014 at our institution. One‐year survival outcomes were compared between three groups of patients: (i) patients bridged to transplant on ECMO (n = 6, 1‐year survival = 67%); (ii) patients needing mechanical ventilation (either through endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy) but not ECMO (n = 12, 1‐year survival = 75%); and (iii) patients who did not need endotracheal ventilation, tracheostomy, or ECMO (n = 25, 1‐year survival = 88%). Comparison of outcomes of transplanted patients between these three groups were not statistically different in terms of successful hospital discharge and 1‐year survival rates (P > 0.05). We believe that “bridging” the end‐stage lung disease patient with long‐term mechanical ventilation and/or ECMO support is a reasonable option in selected patients until suitable donors become available. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:360–366. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An effective key distribution for secure internet pay‐TV using access key hierarchies
Authors: Vijayakumar Pandi , Naresh Ramu , Islam SK Hafizul , Deborah Lazarus Jegatha 
Published: October 2016

AbstractDistribution of keys in a Conditional Access System takes long computation time because a huge number of keys is to be updated if any user leaves or joins the system. Moreover, it is necessary to send the keys securely to the authorized members. Thus, an effective key distribution protocol for Internet Pay‐TV system is designed in this article to lower the computation time taken to compute the re‐keying information. In the proposed protocol, when the Service Provider needs to refresh a new shared secret key and link values, only a few key updating operations are needed, and they can be achieved using four primary operations, namely, hash function, addition, subtraction, and multiplication. From the experimental results, we perceive that the proposed approach takes less computation cost, communication cost and storage cost compared with other competitive protocols available in the literature. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Individual interaction data are required in community ecology: a conceptual review of the predator–prey mass ratio and more
Authors: Nakazawa Takefumi 
Published: October 2016

AbstractCommunity ecology is traditionally species‐based and assumes that species comprise identical individuals. However, intraspecific variation is ubiquitous in nature because of ontogenetic growth and critical in food‐we dynamics. To understand individual interaction‐mediated food webs, researchers have recently focused on body size as the most fundamental biological aspect and assessed a parameter called the predator–prey mass ratio (PPMR). Herein, I review the conceptual development of the PPMR and suggest four major concerns regarding its measurement: (1) PPMR should be measured at the individual level because species‐averaged values distort actual feeding relationships, (2) individual‐level PPMR data on gape‐unconstrained predators (e.g., terrestrial carnivores) are limited because previous studies have targeted gape‐limited fish predators, (3) predators’ prey size selectivity (preferred PPRM) is conceptually different from dietary prey size (realized PPMR) and should be distinguished by incorporating environmental prey abundance information, and (4) determinants of preferred PPMR, rather than those of realized PPMR, should be identified to describe size‐dependent predation. Future studies are encouraged to explore not only predation but also other interaction types (e.g., competition, mutualism, and herbivory) at the individual level. However, this is not likely to occur while ecological communities are still considered to be interspecific interaction networks. To resolve this situation and more comprehensively understand biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, I suggest that community ecology requires a paradigm shift in the unit of interaction from species to individuals, similar to evolutionary biology, which revolutionized the unit of selection, because interactions occur between individuals.
Study of the features of coronary artery atheromatous plaque using intravascular ultrasound in patients with impaired glucose tolerance
Authors: Cen Jin‐Ming , Yang Xi‐Li , Xiong Qing‐Yuan , Xu Zhao‐Yan , Liang Ri‐Ming 
Published: October 2016

AbstractObjectiveWe used intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to analyze the features of coronary artery atheromatous plaque in patients with impaired glucose tolerance and mild‐to‐moderate angiographic coronary stenosis. The aim was to determine the clinical significance of plaque characteristics as well as the relationship between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and coronary artery lesions.MethodsHbA1c levels were evaluated in 85 patients (96 lesions), of whom 46 had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT Group) and 39 had normal blood glucose (NBG Group). IVUS was used to analyze the lesion vessel of both groups qualitatively and quantitatively. The external elastic membrane area (EEMA), minimal lumen area (MLA), plaque area (PA), and plaque burden (PB) were measured for both the target lesion and the reference segments (reference external elastic membrane area (REEMA), reference minimal lumen area (RMLA), reference plaque area (RPA), and reference plaque burden (RPB), respectively).ResultsHbA1c levels were significantly higher in the IGT Group than in the NBG Group (P < 0.05). In the IGT Group there was more soft plaque, eccentric plaque, and positive remodeling, and less calcification, while in the NBG Group there was much harder plaque and calcification, no reconstruction, and negative remodeling (P < 0.05). MLA was smaller in the IGT Group than in the NBG Group, while EEMA, PA, and PB were clearly greater (P < 0.05). In the meantime, RMLA was clearly smaller in the IGT Group than in the NBG Group, while RPA and RPB were greater (P < 0.05). HbA1c levels were positively correlated with PA and PB, and negatively correlated with MLA.ConclusionIVUS is very valuable for the evaluation of mild‐to‐moderate coronary lesions. The coronary artery lesions in patients with IGT are more serious and widespread than those in patients with NBG. HbA1c levels might be of some value in assessing the severity of coronary artery lesions.
Reduced particle settling speed in turbulence
Authors: Fornari Walter , Picano Francesco , Sardina Gaetano , Brandt Luca 
Published: October 2016

We study the settling of finite-size rigid spheres in sustained homogeneous isotropic turbulence (HIT) by direct numerical simulations using an immersed boundary method to account for the dispersed solid phase. We study semi-dilute suspensions at different Galileo numbers, $Ga$. The Galileo number is the ratio between buoyancy and viscous forces, and is here varied via the solid-to-fluid density ratio $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{p}/\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{f}$. The focus is on particles that are slightly heavier than the fluid. We find that in HIT, the mean settling speed is less than that in quiescent fluid; in particular, it reduces by 6 %–60 % with respect to the terminal velocity of an isolated sphere in quiescent fluid as the ratio between the latter and the turbulent velocity fluctuations $u^{\prime }$ is decreased. Analysing the fluid–particle relative motion, we find that the mean settling speed is progressively reduced while reducing $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{p}/\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{f}$ due to the increase of the vertical drag induced by the particle cross-flow velocity. Unsteady effects contribute to the mean overall drag by about 6 %–10 %. The probability density functions of particle velocities and accelerations reveal that these are closely related to the features of the turbulent flow. The particle mean-square displacement in the settling direction is found to be similar for all $Ga$ if time is scaled by $(2a)/u^{\prime }$ (where $2a$ is the particle diameter and $u^{\prime }$ is the turbulence velocity root mean square).
Formation of the Planetary Candidates Observed by Kepler Mission
Authors: Wang Su , Ji Jianghui 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe Kepler Mission which launched in 2009 March focuses on detecting potentially habitable terrestrial-sized planets. To date the Kepler mission has released more than 4000 planetary candidates. There are plenty of planet pairs trapped near the first order mean motion resonance (MMR). From the statistical results of numerical simulations based on the formation scenario we proposed for the planetary configurations near 3:2 and 2:1 MMRs, we find that the proportions of period ratios close to 1.5 and 2.0 can arrive at 14.5% and 26.0%, respectively. This scenario may explain the formation of Kepler candidates pairs in near 3:2 and 2:1 MMRs.
Dynamical Effects of Stellar Companions
Authors: Naoz Smadar 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe fraction of stellar binaries in the field is extremely high (about 40% − 70% forM > 1M⊙ stars), and thus, given this frequency, a high fraction of all exoplanetary systems may reside in binaries. While close-in giant planets tend to be found preferentially in binary stellar systems it seems that the frequency of giant planets in close binaries (>100-1000 AU) is significantly lower than in the overall population. Stellar companions gravitational perturbations may significantly alter the planetary orbits around their partner on secular timescales. They can drive planets to large eccentric orbits which can either result in plunging these planets into the star or shrinking their orbits and forming short period planets. These planets typically are misaligned with the parent star.
Protection of SAAO observing site against light and dust pollution
Authors: Sefako Ramotholo , Väisänen Petri 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) observing station near Sutherland, Northern Cape in South Africa, is one of the darkest sites in the world for optical and IR astronomy. The SAAO hosts and operates several facilities, including the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) and a number of international robotic telescopes. To ensure that the conditions remain optimal for astronomy, legislation called the Astronomy Geographic Advantage (AGA) Act, of 2007, was enacted. The Act empowers the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to regulate issues that pose a threat to optical and/or radio astronomy in areas declared Astronomy Advantage Areas in South Africa. For optical astronomy, the main challenges are those posed by light and dust pollution as result of wind energy developments, and petroleum gas and oil exploration/exploitation in the area. We give an update of possible threats to the quality of the night skies at SAAO, and the challenges relating to the AGA Act implementation and enforcement. We discuss measures that are put in place to protect the Observatory, including a study to quantify the threat by a planned wind energy facility.
Astronomical Knowledge from Holy Books
Authors: Farmanyan Sona V. , Devrikyan Vardan G. , Mickaelian Areg M. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractWe investigate religious myths related to astronomy from different cultures in an attempt to identify common subjects and characteristics. The paper focuses on astronomy in religion. The initial review covers records from Holy books about sky related superstitious beliefs and cosmological understanding. The purpose of this study is to introduce sky related religious and national traditions (particularly based on different calendars; Solar or Lunar). We carried out a comparative study of astronomical issues contained in a number of Holy books. We come to the conclusion that the perception of celestial objects varies from culture to culture, and from religion to religion and preastronomical views had a significant impact on humankind, particularly on religious diversities. We prove that Astronomy is the basis of cultures, and that national identity and mythology and religion were formed due to the special understanding of celestial objects.
Introduction
Authors: Aigrain Suzanne , Feigelson Eric 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe IAU's Statistics and Exoplanets Focus Meeting brings together observers, modelers and methodologists to discuss the intricate challenges of extracting and interpreting faint planetary signals from dominant starlight. Initiated by the IAU's new groups concentrating on astroinformatics and astrostatistics, the meeting stimulated the wider exoplanetary community as well as experts in data and science analysis. This proceedings presented selected papers from the Focus Meeting.