bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preschool Drawing and School Mathematics: The Nature of the Association
Authors: Malanchini Margherita , Tosto Maria G. , Garfield Victoria , Dirik Aysegul , Czerwik Adrian , Arden Rosalind , Malykh Sergey , Kovas Yulia 
Published: April 2016

The study examined the etiology of individual differences in early drawing and of its longitudinal association with school mathematics. Participants (N = 14,760), members of the Twins Early Development Study, were assessed on their ability to draw a human figure, including number of features, symmetry, and proportionality. Human figure drawing was moderately stable across 6 months (average r = .40). Individual differences in drawing at age 4½ were influenced by genetic (.21), shared environmental (.30), and nonshared environmental (.49) factors. Drawing was related to later (age 12) mathematical ability (average r = .24). This association was explained by genetic and shared environmental factors that also influenced general intelligence. Some genetic factors, unrelated to intelligence, also contributed to individual differences in drawing.
Elevated levels of circulating CD4+CRTh2+ T cells characterize severe asthma
Authors: Palikhe N. S. , Laratta C. , Nahirney D. , Vethanayagam D. , Bhutani M. , Vliagoftis H. , Cameron L. 
Published: April 2016

SummaryBackgroundChemoattractant receptor‐homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTh2) is a receptor for PGD2 and expressed by T cells, eosinophils, basophils, and ILC2 cells. CRTh2 expression by CD4+ T cells identifies the Th2 subset, and these cells have been characterized as allergen‐specific central memory Th2 cells. Recently, activation of the PGD2‐CRTh2 pathway in the lungs was associated with severe asthma.ObjectiveTo assess circulating levels of Th2 cells and related mediators in severe asthma and those who experience asthma exacerbations.MethodsPeripheral blood cells expressing CRTh2 were characterized by flow cytometry and qRT‐PCR. Serum IL‐13 and PGD2 were measured by ELISA and compared with asthma severity and tendency to exacerbate.ResultsSevere asthmatics had more circulating CD4+CRTh2+ T cells, CRTh2 and GATA3 mRNA, and a higher level of serum IL‐13 compared to mild/moderate asthmatics. The proportion of CD4+CRTh2+ T cells was associated with lower lung function and was highest in severe asthmatics that exacerbated in the last year. Circulating CD4+CRTh2+ T cells, unlike eosinophils, were positively correlated with inhaled steroid dose.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceElevated levels of circulating CD4+CRTh2+ T cells are a feature of severe asthma, despite high‐dose corticosteroids. Tracking the systemic level of these cells may help identify type 2 severe asthmatics at risk of exacerbation.
Peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and its association with refractive error in Chinese children: the Anyang Childhood Eye Study
Authors: Kang Meng‐Tian , Li Shi‐Ming , Li He , Li Lei , Li Si‐Yuan , Zhu Bi‐Dan , Guo Yi‐Qin , Meng Bo , Sun Yun‐Yun , Ran Anran , Wang Yi‐Peng , Liu Luo‐Ru , Zhan Si‐Yan , Thomas Ravi , Wang Ningli 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundTo report the thickness of the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) in Chinese children and examine its association with refractive error, axial length (AL) and optic disc parameters.DesignPopulation‐based cross‐sectional study.ParticipantsA total of 2893 seven‐year‐old children from 11 randomly selected primary schools in Anyang, central China.MethodsParticipants underwent ophthalmic examinations including optical biometry, cycloplegic autorefraction and spectral‐domain ocular coherence tomography.Main Outcome MeasuresRetinal nerve fibre layer thickness in 16 radial sections, cycloplegic spherical equivalent, AL.ResultsThe mean (SD) average RNFL thickness was 102.01(8.02) µm. The average RNFL thickness decreased with smaller disc area (r = 0.18, R2 = 0.03, P < 0.0001), bigger cup area (r = −0.11, R2 = 0.01, P < 0.0001), smaller rim area (r = 0.28, R2 = 0.08, P < 0.0001), smaller nerve head volume (r = 0.27, R2 = 0.07, P < 0.0001), longer AL (r = −0.15, R2 = 0.02, P < 0.0001) and a negative spherical equivalent (r = 0.11, R2 = 0.01, P < 0.0001). Hyperopic children had a thicker RNFL than emmetropic children [102.45(8.13) µm vs. 100.81 (7.18) µm, P < 0.001]. Myopic children had thinner RNFL than emmetropic children [99.17 (7.69) µm vs. 100.81 (7.18) µm, P < 0.05].ConclusionRetinal nerve fibre layer thickness decreased with increasing AL, higher myopia, bigger cup area, smaller disc and rim area, and a smaller nerve head volume, but the coefficient of determination for all these associations was small. The RNFL in myopes was significantly thinner than emmetropes or hyperopes, but with small absolute differences. The study provides RNFL values for healthy 7‐year‐old Chinese children. Follow up of this cohort to observe the change of RNFL thickness with myopia and possible change in detected associations with age is planned.
A Visualization‐Based Analysis System for Urban Search & Rescue Mission Planning Support
Authors: Bock Alexander , Svensson Åsa , Kleiner Alexander , Lundberg Jonas , Ropinski Timo 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWe propose a visualization system for incident commanders (ICs) in urban search and rescue scenarios that supports path planning in post‐disaster structures. Utilizing point cloud data acquired from unmanned robots, we provide methods for the assessment of automatically generated paths. As data uncertainty and a priori unknown information make fully automated systems impractical, we present the IC with a set of viable access paths, based on varying risk factors, in a 3D environment combined with visual analysis tools enabling informed decision making and trade‐offs. Based on these decisions, a responder is guided along the path by the IC, who can interactively annotate and reevaluate the acquired point cloud and generated paths to react to the dynamics of the situation. We describe visualization design considerations for our system and decision support systems in general, technical realizations of the visualization components, and discuss the results of two qualitative expert evaluation; one online study with nine search and rescue experts and an eye‐tracking study in which four experts used the system on an application case.
Frogs at the summits: phylogeny of the Andean frogs of the genus Telmatobius (Anura, Telmatobiidae) based on phenotypic characters
Authors: Barrionuevo J. Sebastián 
Published: April 2016

AbstractA phylogenetic hypothesis for the frogs of the genus Telmatobius that includes a comprehensive sample of the morphological and geographical variation is lacking. Obtaining such a hypothesis constitutes the main focus of this contribution. A phylogenetic matrix was generated based on 97 phenotypic characters and 56 terminals. A parsimony analysis of this matrix was performed with TNT. Telmatobius is found to be monophyletic and well supported by 11 synapomorphies. Although the consensus tree shows several polytomies, four main groups have been recovered. The well‐supported T. verrucosus Group includes forest and sub‐paramo species from Bolivia and Peru, and is the sister group of the remaining species. The T. bolivianus Group includes forest and inter‐Andean valley species from Argentina and Bolivia but it is poorly supported. Two supported high‐altitude groups have been recovered, the T. macrostomus Group from the Central Andes of Peru, and the T. marmoratus Group from the Altiplano‐Puna Plateau of Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Chile and its adjacent Pacific and Northern slopes. The synapomorphies proposed for Telmatobius are discussed as well as the evolution of some of these synapomorphies and other characters within the genus.
Marginal healing using Polyetheretherketone as healing abutments: an experimental study in dogs
Authors: Rea Massimiliano , Ricci Sara , Ghensi Paolo , Lang Niklaus P. , Botticelli Daniele , Soldini Claudio 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the marginal soft and hard tissue healing at titanium and Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) healing implant abutments over a 4‐month period.Material and MethodsIn six Labrador dogs, all mandibular premolars and first molars were extracted. After 4 months of healing, flaps were elevated, and two implants were installed at each side of the mandible, one in the premolar and the other in the molar regions. Four different types of healing abutments were positioned on the top of each implant: (i) titanium (Ti); (ii) PEEK material bonded to a base made of titanium (Ti‐P), randomly positioned in the premolar region; (iii) PEEK, pristine (P); and (iv) PEEK, roughened (P‐R), randomly positioned in the molar region. The flaps were sutured to allow a non‐submerged healing, and after 4 months, the animals were sacrificed and ground sections obtained for histological evaluation.ResultsA higher resorption of the buccal bone crest was observed at the PEEK bonded to a base made of titanium abutments (1.0 ± 0.3 mm) compared to those made of titanium (0.3 ± 0.4 mm). However, similar dimensions of the peri‐implant mucosa and similar locations of the soft tissues in relation to the implant shoulder were observed. No statistically significant differences were seen in the outcomes when the pristine PEEK was compared with the roughened PEEK abutments. The mean apical extension of the junctional epithelium did not exceed the implant shoulder at any of the abutment types used.ConclusionsThe coronal level of the hard and soft tissues allows the conclusion that the use of PEEK as healing abutments may be indicated.
In silico study of the impact of cancer stem cell dynamics and radiobiological hypoxia on tumour response to hyperfractionated radiotherapy
Authors: Marcu L. G. , Marcu D. , Filip S. M. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObjectivesAdvanced head and neck carcinomas (HNCs) are aggressive tumours, mainly due to hypoxia and a cancer stem cell (CSC) subpopulation. The aim of this study was to simulate tumour growth and behaviour during radiotherapy of three HNC groups (governed by different growth kinetics, hypoxia levels and CSC division pattern) to determine correlation between resistance factors and responses to hyperfractionated radiotherapy.MethodsAn in silico HNC model was developed based on biologically realistic input parameters. During radiotherapy simulation, three parameters were studied: growth kinetics, hypoxia and probability of CSC symmetrical division. Both independent and combined effects on tumour response to hyperfractionated radiotherapy were assessed.ResultsOxic and very mildly hypoxic HNCs were revealed to be controlled by hyperfractionated radiotherapy, irrespective of growth kinetics and CSC division pattern. Moderately hypoxic tumours had different responses to radiotherapy: while slowly proliferating HNCs were still controllable, tumours with higher cell turnover were more resistant. In rapidly proliferating tumours, the number of fractions needed for tumour control increased exponentially with the probability of CSC symmetrical division, whereas in moderately growing HNC, this behaviour was linear. Severely hypoxic tumours could not be controlled by radiotherapy alone. Tumours with CSCs in a severely hypoxic niche required adjuvant therapies to be eradicated.ConclusionsGrowth kinetics strongly influence tumour responses to treatment. Slowly growing tumours showed linear dependence between dose and hypoxia/CSC, whereas rapidly growing tumours followed exponential behaviour.
Cold air drainage flows subsidize montane valley ecosystem productivity
Authors: Novick Kimberly A. , Oishi A. Christopher , Miniat Chelcy Ford 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIn mountainous areas, cold air drainage from high to low elevations has pronounced effects on local temperature, which is a critical driver of many ecosystem processes, including carbon uptake and storage. Here, we leverage new approaches for interpreting ecosystem carbon flux observations in complex terrain to quantify the links between macro‐climate condition, drainage flows, local microclimate, and ecosystem carbon cycling in a southern Appalachian valley. Data from multiple long‐running climate stations and multiple eddy covariance flux towers are combined with simple models for ecosystem carbon fluxes. We show that cold air drainage into the valley suppresses local temperature by several degrees at night and for several hours before and after sunset, leading to reductions in growing season respiration on the order of ~8%. As a result, we estimate that drainage flows increase growing season and annual net carbon uptake in the valley by >10% and >15%, respectively, via effects on microclimate that are not be adequately represented in regional‐ and global‐scale terrestrial ecosystem models. Analyses driven by chamber‐based estimates of soil and plant respiration reveal cold air drainage effects on ecosystem respiration are dominated by reductions to the respiration of aboveground biomass. We further show that cold air drainage proceeds more readily when cloud cover and humidity are low, resulting in the greatest enhancements to net carbon uptake in the valley under clear, cloud‐free (i.e., drought‐like) conditions. This is a counterintuitive result that is neither observed nor predicted outside of the valley, where nocturnal temperature and respiration increase during dry periods. This result should motivate efforts to explore how topographic flows may buffer eco‐physiological processes from macroscale climate change.
Synthesis and characterization of low Tg As‐S‐I chalcohalide glass for processing of raw diamonds
Authors: Molla Atiar Rahaman , Tarafder Anal , Sasmal Nibedita , Mistry Janak , Karmakar Basudeb 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAs‐S‐I chalcohalide glass has been synthesized using elemental sulfur (S), arsenic (As), and iodine (I) in an evacuated sealed silica ampoule. DSC and dilatometry study revealed that the As‐S‐I glass has very low Tg of only about 50°C, deformation temperature of ~61°C, and high CTE ~68×10−6 K−1 (40‐60°C). Refractive index (n) has been found to vary in the range of 2.3‐2.4 which is close to the n value of diamond. When defective diamond pieces are embedded in such glasses, the defects within diamond become visible, enabling the optimized processing of diamonds to get maximum yields.
Evaluation of polyphenolic fingerprints and antioxidant profiles of wild fruits
Authors: Sima Ioana Anamaria , Sârbu Costel 
Published: April 2016

SummaryHigh‐performance thin‐layer chromatography and UV–vis spectrometry, coupled with multivariate exploratory techniques, have been investigated to fingerprint some local wild fruit extracts. The study was conducted using extracts of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos), rose hip (Cynosbati fructus), blackberry (Rubus fruticosus), raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and less‐known berries such as cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), all acquired from local markets. The extracts were firstly subjected to chromatographic separation coupled with digital image analysis and secondly to spectrophotometric analysis. Also, the DPPH˙ scavenging profiles were investigated through the UV–vis spectrum (200–700 nm), and RSA%–time profiles were determined for the first time using these samples, at different concentrations.
Perceptions of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria: Understanding the influence of imagination on health orientation
Authors: Oduyemi Rachael O , Ayegboyin Matthew , Salami Kabiru K 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe 2014 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak was officially declared in the West Africa region by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 23 March 2014. This first episode of EVD in Nigeria on 20 July 2014 raised more intense panic globally than the seven occurrences of the disease in Zaire. Although Nigeria was declared Ebola free by the WHO within 3 months, it is imperative to understand people's perceptions of the disease in the country. A discussion of peoples' perception of EVD in Nigeria is the aim of this article. This discussion paper complements secondary data with grey literature to explore how peoples' imagination and personification of thoughts influence their health orientation. Data are sourced from secondary information compiled from ‘The Nation Newspaper, 2014’; ‘Nairaland online forum, 2014’ and ‘Giftedgreen online magazine, 2014’. Ebola virus disease was perceived as a spiritual manipulation of witchcraft activities and described as biological terrorism and a means of creating a drug market, among other issues, in the country. Public health professionals should consider the sociocultural milieu to understand and offer health‐care services in epidemics. Public health orientation work is urgently required in Nigeria to forestall future occurrence of EVD and other highly infectious diseases.
Time Course of Potassium Nitrate Penetration into the Pulp Cavity and the Effect of Penetration Levels on Tooth Whitening Efficacy
Authors: Kwon So Ran , Dawson Deborah V. , Wertz Philip W. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObjectivesTo establish time‐course of potassium nitrate (PN) penetration into the pulp cavity, and determine whether PN pretreatment would affect whitening efficacy.Materials and MethodsExtracted teeth (n = 100) were randomized into five groups of 20 specimens each. Relief ACP (Philips Oral Healthcare, Los Angeles, CA, USA) was applied for 0, 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes for groups 15, respectively. A nitrate/nitrite assay kit was used for colorimetric detection of nitrate. Whitening was performed using a Zoom White Speed system (Philips Oral Healthcare) for 60 minutes. Tooth color was measured with a spectrophotometer at baseline (T0), 1‐day post PN application (T1), 1‐day post‐whitening (T2), and 1‐month post‐whitening (T3). Kruskal‐Wallis test was used to assess group differences in PN penetration and tooth color change.ResultsPN penetration differed among all groups except 2 and 3. There were no differences among groups for any baseline color parameters (p > 0.30). At T2 there was no change relative to baseline for individual components L*, a*, and b*. At T3 and T4 there was significant change relative to baseline for ΔL*, Δb*, and ΔE*, for all groups.ConclusionsPN penetration is time dependent and pretreatment with PN does not affect whitening efficacy.Clinical SignificancePostassium nitrate penetration into the pulp cavity occurred as early as 5 minutes after application, and pretreatment with potassium nitrate containing desensitizers did not adversely affect tooth whitening efficacy. (J Esthet Restor Dent 28:S14–S22, 2016)
The scaling of postcranial muscles in cats (Felidae) II: hindlimb and lumbosacral muscles
Authors: Cuff Andrew R. , Sparkes Emily L. , Randau Marcela , Pierce Stephanie E. , Kitchener Andrew C. , Goswami Anjali , Hutchinson John R. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIn quadrupeds the musculature of the hindlimbs is expected to be responsible for generating most of the propulsive locomotory forces, as well as contributing to body support by generating vertical forces. In supporting the body, postural changes from crouched to upright limbs are often associated with an increase of body mass in terrestrial tetrapods. However, felids do not change their crouched limb posture despite undergoing a 300‐fold size increase between the smallest and largest extant species. Here, we test how changes in the muscle architecture (masses and lengths of components of the muscle‐tendon units) of the hindlimbs and lumbosacral region are related to body mass, to assess whether there are muscular compensations for the maintenance of a crouched limb posture at larger body sizes. We use regression and principal component analyses to detect allometries in muscle architecture, with and without phylogenetic correction. Of the muscle lengths that scale allometrically, all scale with negative allometry (i.e. relative shortening with increasing body mass), whereas all tendon lengths scale isometrically. Only two muscles' belly masses and two tendons' masses scale with positive allometry (i.e. relatively more massive with increasing body mass). Of the muscles that scale allometrically for physiological cross‐sectional area, all scale positively (i.e. relatively greater area with increasing body mass). These muscles are mostly linked to control of hip and thigh movements. When the architecture data are phylogenetically corrected, there are few significant results, and only the strongest signals remain. None of the vertebral muscles scaled significantly differently from isometry. Principal component analysis and manovas showed that neither body size nor locomotor mode separate the felid species in morphospace. Our results support the inference that, despite some positively allometric trends in muscle areas related to thigh movement, larger cats have relatively weaker hindlimb and lumbosacral muscles in general. This decrease in power may be reflected in relative decreases in running speeds and is consistent with prevailing evidence that behavioural changes may be the primary mode of compensation for a consistently crouched limb posture in larger cats.
Experiences and insomnia‐associated factors in Chinese breast cancer survivors: a qualitative study
Authors: Wang Mu‐Lan , Liu Jun‐E , Su Ya‐Li , Xue Cui‐Cui 
Published: April 2016

Aims and objectivesThis study aimed to explore the experiences and factors associated with insomnia in Chinese breast cancer survivors.BackgroundInsomnia is a common and significant symptom in breast cancer survivors. Quantitative studies are unable to describe the experience of insomnia and the sleep‐associated factors from a personal point of view. A profound understanding of the experience of insomnia in breast cancer survivors can provide information for health workers and caregivers to allow them to provide more effective support.DesignA descriptive qualitative research was adopted.MethodsIn‐depth interviews were conducted with 22 insomniac breast cancer survivors. A qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data.ResultsThree themes emerged concerning the experiences of insomnia, including sleep neglect, insomnia perception and insomnia anxiety. Participants reported their own opinions on three insomnia‐associated factors, including factors associated with hospitalisation, factors associated with breast cancer and the therapies and too much attention placed on sleep.ConclusionsSurvivors would neglect their sleep problems in the early stage after diagnosis. When they became aware of their sleep problems, they were inclined to worry too much and sought help from traditional Chinese medicine. Anticipatory sleep anxiety, excessive negative cognitive activities and insomnia became a vicious circle for insomniac breast cancer survivors.Relevance to clinical practiceThe findings provide detailed information to help nurses understand the experiences of breast cancer survivors with insomnia. Nurses could provide proper care to help prevent insomnia or improve sleep.