bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Are postgraduate qualifications the ‘new frontier of social mobility’?
Authors: Wakeling Paul , Laurison Daniel 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe investigate the relationship between social origin, postgraduate degree attainment, and occupational outcomes across five British age‐group cohorts. We use recently‐available UK Labour Force Survey data to conduct a series of logistic regressions of postgraduate (masters or doctorate) degree attainment among those with first degrees, with controls for measures of degree classification, degree subject, age, gender, ethnicity and national origin. We find a marked strengthening of the effect of class origin on degree‐ and occupational attainment across age cohorts. While for older generations there is little or no difference by class origin in the rates at which first‐degree graduates attain postgraduate degrees, those with working‐class‐origins in the youngest age‐group are only about 28 per cent as likely to obtain a postgraduate degree when compared with their peers from privileged origins. Moreover, social origin matters more for occupational destination, even among those with postgraduate degrees, for those in younger age groups. These findings demonstrate the newly important, and increasing, role of postgraduate degrees in reproducing socio‐economic inequality in the wake of the substantial expansion of undergraduate and postgraduate education. Our findings lend some support to the Maximally Maintained Inequality thesis, suggesting that gains in equality of access to first‐degrees are indeed at risk from postgraduate expansion.
Aberrant blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent signal oscillations across frequency bands characterize the alcoholic brain
Authors: Hong Jui‐Yang , Müller‐Oehring Eva M. , Pfefferbaum Adolf , Sullivan Edith V. , Kwon Dongjin , Schulte Tilman 
Published: July 2017

AbstractChronic alcoholism is associated with widespread regional differences from controls in brain activity and connectivity dynamics measured by blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent (BOLD) signals. Identification of alcoholism‐related neurofunctional power dynamics using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) that relate to cognition and behavior may serve as biomarkers of alcoholism. Previously, resting‐state fMRI studies examined BOLD signals at a single low‐frequency (LF) bandwidth. BOLD signals, however, oscillate systematically at different frequencies and are organized in a resting brain where LF oscillation facilitates long‐distance communication between regions across cortical regions, whereas high‐frequency (HF) oscillation occurs in closely localized, subcortical areas. Using a frequency power quantification approach, we investigated whether the organization of BOLD signal oscillations across all measured frequency bandwidths is altered in alcoholism and relates to cognitive performance. Frequency‐dependent oscillation power differences between 56 sober alcoholics and 56 healthy controls occurred for all frequency bands. Alcoholics exhibited greater frequency oscillation power in the orbitofrontal cortex and less power in the posterior insula within the HF bandwidth than controls. Aberrant orbitofrontal HF power was associated with poorer memory performance and slower psychomotor speed in alcoholics. Middle‐frequency and LF power proved sensitive in detecting altered frequency oscillation dynamics in parietal and postcentral cortical regions of alcoholics. This study is novel in identifying alcohol‐related differences in BOLD oscillation power of the full fMRI frequency bandwidth. Specifically, HF power aberrations were associated with poorer cognitive functioning in alcoholism and may serve as a biomarker for identifying neural targets for repair.
Human papillomavirus infects placental trophoblast and Hofbauer cells, but appears not to play a causal role in miscarriage and preterm labor
Authors: Ambühl Lea M.M. , Leonhard Anne K. , Widen Zakhary Carina , Jørgensen Annemette , Blaakær Jan , Dybkær Karen , Baandrup Ulrik , Uldbjerg Niels , Sørensen Suzette 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIntroductionRecently, an association between human papillomavirus infection and both spontaneous abortion and spontaneous preterm delivery was suggested. However, the reported human papillomavirus prevalence in pregnant women varies considerably and reliable conclusions are difficult. We aimed to investigate human papillomavirus infection in placental tissue of a Danish study cohort. Furthermore, we studied the cellular localization of human papillomavirus.Material and methodsIn this prospective case‐control study, placental tissue was analyzed for human papillomavirus infection by nested PCR in the following four study groups: full‐term delivery (n = 103), spontaneous preterm delivery (n = 69), elective abortion (n = 54), and spontaneous abortion (n = 44). Moreover, human papillomavirus cellular target was identified using in situ hybridization.ResultsHuman papillomavirus prevalence in placental tissue was 8.7% in full‐term deliveries, 8.8% in spontaneous preterm deliveries, 10.9% in spontaneous abortions, and 20.4% in elective abortions. Twelve different human papillomavirus types were detected, and placental human papillomavirus infection was associated to a disease history of cervical cancer. Human papillomavirus DNA was identified in trophoblast cells, cells of the placental villi mesenchyme including Hofbauer cells, and in parts of the encasing endometrium.ConclusionPlacental human papillomavirus infections are not likely to constitute a risk factor for spontaneous preterm labor or spontaneous abortions in the Danish population, although an effect of human papillomavirus DNA in placental cells cannot be excluded.
Supplemental effect of different levels of taurine in Modena on boar semen quality during liquid preservation at 17°C
Authors: Li Hao , Zhang Xiao‐Gang , Fang Qian , Liu Qi , Du Ren‐Rang , Yang Gong‐She , Wang Li‐Qiang , Hu Jian‐Hong 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPeroxidation damage induces sublethal injury to boar sperm during the storage process. Taurine has already been demonstrated to protect cells effectively from oxidant‐induced injury. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of taurine (0.5, 1, 5 and 10 mmol/L) in Modena diluent on boar sperm quality during liquid storage at 17°C. Ejaculates from sexually mature Duroc pigs were collected, pooled and preserved in the Modena containing different concentrations of taurine. Sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, total antioxidative capacity (T‐AOC) activity and malondialdehyde content (MDA) were examined every 24 h. Modena diluent containing taurine suppressed the reduction in sperm qualities during the process of liquid preservation compared with those of the control group. After 5 days of liquid preservation, the addition of taurine at 5 mmol/L had the optimal effect on survival time as well as maintenance of motility, plasma membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity, T‐AOC activity and MDA content. These results may suggest the possibility that the proper addition of taurine to the semen extender improves the swine production system using artificial insemination by the suppressing of sperm damage and subsequent dysfunction during liquid preservation.
Cytokeratin‐positive folliculo‐stellate cells in chicken adenohypophysis
Authors: Nishimura Shotaro , Yamashita Miyu , Kaneko Takane , Kawabata Fuminori , Tabata Shoji 
Published: July 2017

AbstractFolliculo‐stellate (FS) cells are non‐endocrine cells found in the adenohypophysis and are identified in many animals by the S100 protein marker. Although keratin is another FS marker in several animals, there is no information on localization of keratin in the avian adenohypophysis. In this study, localization of cytokeratin in chicken adenohypophyseal cells was investigated immunohistochemically. Basic cytokeratin (bCK)‐positive cells were arranged radially in the cell cords with their cytoplasmic processes reaching the basal lamina. The cell bodies encircled a follicle in the center of the cell cord. Furthermore, the bCK‐positive cells were also S100B‐positive. Growth hormone, prolactin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, and luteinizing hormone β‐subunit did not co‐localize with the bCK‐positive cells. In addition, the bCK‐positive cells had a laminin‐positive area in their cytoplasm. Transmission electron microscopy observed agranular cells equipped with several microvilli that encircled a follicle. These results indicate that bCK‐positive cells in the chicken adenohypophysis may be a predominant FS cell population and produce laminin. It is suggested that they function as sustentacular cells to sustain the adjacent endocrine cells and the structure of the cell cords in the chicken adenohypophysis.
Examining the Usefulness of an Accounting Work‐readiness Program as Perceived by Employed Program Graduates
Authors: Natoli Riccardo , Jackling Beverley , Jones Asheley 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis study investigates the usefulness of an Australian accounting work‐readiness program as perceived by international accounting graduates. Using logistic regression, the study reports the results of a survey of 186 graduates who completed the program in the period 2010–2013 and are now employed in either accounting or non‐accounting roles. The results show that graduates who were employed in an accounting role perceived internships and critical thinking skills to be the most useful curriculum components of the work‐readiness program in obtaining their employment. The findings have implications for various stakeholders, in particular educators and professional bodies involved in the curriculum design of the work‐readiness program. The government also has an interest in the value of this program as they grant visas for international students to study in Australia and fill a skills shortage in the profession. The results also provide insights for other Western economies that attract large numbers of international graduates as skilled migrants.
Intracranial haemorrhage in children and adolescents with severe haemophilia A or B – the impact of prophylactic treatment
Authors: Andersson Nadine G. , Auerswald Günter , Barnes Chris , Carcao Manuel , Dunn Amy L. , Fijnvandraat Karin , Hoffmann Marianne , Kavakli Kaan , Kenet Gili , Kobelt Rainer , Kurnik Karin , Liesner Ri , Mäkipernaa Anne , Manco‐Johnson Marilyn J. , Mancuso Maria E. , Molinari Angelo C. , Nolan Beatrice , Perez Garrido Rosario , Petrini Pia , Platokouki Helen E. , Shapiro Amy D. , Wu Runhui , Ljung Rolf 
Published: July 2017

SummaryThe discussion of prophylactic therapy in haemophilia is largely focused on joint outcomes. The impact of prophylactic therapy on intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) is less known. This study aimed to analyse ICH in children with haemophilia, with a focus on different prophylaxis regimens and sequelae of ICH. We conducted a multicentre retrospective and prospective study that included 33 haemophilia centres from 20 countries. Inclusion criteria were children and adolescents born between 1993 and 2014, with severe haemophilia A or B without inhibitors. Participants were categorized by prophylaxis regimen: full, partial or none, based on dose and dose frequency of regular infusions. The cohort study included 1515 children: 29 cases of ICH over 8038 patient years were reported. The incidence of ICH in the prophylaxis group, 0·00033 cases of ICH/patient year, was significantly lower compared to the no prophylaxis group, 0·017 cases of ICH/patient year (RR 50·06; P < 0·001) and the partial prophylaxis group, 0·0050 cases of ICH/patient year (RR 14·92; P = 0·007). In the on‐demand‐group, 8% (2/24) children with ICH died and 33% had long‐term sequelae, including intellectual and behavioural problems, paresis and epilepsy. Children on regular, frequent prophylaxis have a low risk of ICH compared to those using non‐frequent or no prophylaxis.
Phylogenetic analyses with four new Cretaceous bristletails reveal inter‐relationships of Archaeognatha and Gondwana origin of Meinertellidae
Authors: Zhang Weiting , Li Hu , Shih Chungkun , Zhang Aibing , Ren Dong 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBased on fifteen Archaeognatha (=Microcoryphia) specimens from Myanmar (Burmese) amber, including males, females and immatures, two new genera and four species, Cretaceomachilis longa sp.n., Unimeinertellus abundus gen. et sp.n., U. bellus sp.n. and Nullmeinertellus wenxuani gen. et sp.n., are described. Phylogenetic analyses of taxa in Archaeognatha were conducted using Maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference based on morphological characters and DNA sequence data. Our results confirm the phylogenetic position of the new genera, clarify the monophyly of Meinertellidae and indicate that the ‘paleo‐types’ excluding Ditrigoniophthalmus are nested within the Machilidae group, but suggest that the three subfamilies within Machilidae may be artificial. The diversity of meinertellids with derived characters found from the Cretaceous indicate that the divergence time of Machilidae and Meinertellidae is much earlier than the Cretaceous. We propose the possibility that Meinertellidae might have originated on Gondwana.
Long‐lasting contribution of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens core, but not dorsal lateral striatum, to sign‐tracking
Authors: Fraser Kurt M. , Janak Patricia H. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe attribution of incentive salience to reward‐paired cues is dependent on dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcC). These dopamine signals conform to traditional reward‐prediction error signals and have been shown to diminish with time. Here we examined whether the diminishing dopamine signal in the NAcC has functional implications for the expression of sign‐tracking, a Pavlovian conditioned response indicative of the attribution of incentive salience to reward‐paired cues. Food‐restricted male Sprague Dawley rats were trained in a Pavlovian paradigm in which an insertable lever predicted delivery of food reward in a nearby food cup. After 7 or 14 training sessions, rats received infusions of saline, the dopamine antagonist flupenthixol, or the GABA agonists baclofen and muscimol into the NAcC or the dorsal lateral striatum (DLS). Dopamine antagonism within the NAcC attenuated sign‐tracking, whereas reversible inactivation did not affect sign‐tracking but increased non‐specific food cup checking behaviors. Neither drug in the DLS affected sign‐tracking behavior. Critically, extended training did not alter these effects. Although extended experience with an incentive stimulus may reduce cue‐evoked dopamine in the NAcC, this does not remove the dependence on dopamine in this region to promote Pavlovian cue approach nor result in the recruitment of dorsal lateral striatal systems for this behavior. These data support the notion that dopamine within the mesoaccumbal system, but not the nigrostriatal system, contributes critically to incentive motivational processes independent of the length of training.
GPR88 in A2A receptor‐expressing neurons modulates locomotor response to dopamine agonists but not sensorimotor gating
Authors: Meirsman A. C. , de Kerchove d'Exaerde A. , Kieffer B. L. , Ouagazzal A.‐M. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe orphan receptor, GPR88, is emerging as a key player in the pathophysiology of several neuropsychiatric diseases, including psychotic disorders. Knockout (KO) mice lacking GPR88 throughout the brain exhibit many abnormalities relevant to schizophrenia including locomotor hyperactivity, behavioural hypersensitivity to dopaminergic psychostimulants and deficient sensorimotor gating. Here, we used conditional knockout (cKO) mice lacking GPR88 selectively in striatal medium spiny neurons expressing A2A receptor to determine neuronal circuits underlying these phenotypes. We first studied locomotor responses of A2AR‐Gpr88 KO mice and their control littermates to psychotomimetic, amphetamine, and to selective D1 and D2 receptor agonists, SKF‐81297 and quinpirole, respectively. To assess sensorimotor gating performance, mice were submitted to acoustic and visual prepulse inhibition (PPI) paradigms. Total knockout GPR88 mice were also studied for comparison. Like total GPR88 KO mice, A2AR‐Gpr88 KO mice displayed a heightened sensitivity to locomotor stimulant effects of amphetamine and SKF‐81297. They also exhibited enhanced locomotor activity to quinpirole, which tended to suppress locomotion in control mice. By contrast, they had normal acoustic and visual PPI, unlike total GPR88 KO mice that show impairments across different sensory modalities. Finally, none of the genetic manipulations altered central auditory temporal processing assessed by gap‐PPI. Together, these findings support the role of GPR88 in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and show that GPR88 in A2A receptor‐expressing neurons modulates psychomotor behaviour but not sensorimotor gating.
Automated T2 relaxometry of the hippocampus for temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Winston Gavin P. , Vos Sjoerd B. , Burdett Jane L. , Cardoso M. Jorge , Ourselin Sebastien , Duncan John S. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryObjectiveHippocampal sclerosis (HS), the most common cause of refractory temporal lobe epilepsy, is associated with hippocampal volume loss and increased T2 signal. These can be identified on quantitative imaging with hippocampal volumetry and T2 relaxometry. Although hippocampal segmentation for volumetry has been automated, T2 relaxometry currently involves subjective and time‐consuming manual delineation of regions of interest. In this work, we develop and validate an automated technique for hippocampal T2 relaxometry.MethodsFifty patients with unilateral or bilateral HS and 50 healthy controls underwent T1‐weighted and dual‐echo fast recovery fast spin echo scans. Hippocampi were automatically segmented using a multi‐atlas–based segmentation algorithm (STEPS) and a template database. Voxelwise T2 maps were determined using a monoexponential fit. The hippocampal segmentations were registered to the T2 maps and eroded to reduce partial volume effect. Voxels with T2 >170 msec excluded to minimize cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contamination. Manual determination of T2 values was performed twice in each subject. Twenty controls underwent repeat scans to assess interscan reproducibility.ResultsHippocampal T2 values were reliably determined using the automated method. There was a significant ipsilateral increase in T2 values in HS (p < 0.001), and a smaller but significant contralateral increase. The combination of hippocampal volumes and T2 values separated the groups well. There was a strong correlation between automated and manual methods for hippocampal T2 measurement (0.917 left, 0.896 right, both p < 0.001). Interscan reproducibility was superior for automated compared to manual measurements.SignificanceAutomated hippocampal segmentation can be reliably extended to the determination of hippocampal T2 values, and a combination of hippocampal volumes and T2 values can separate subjects with HS from healthy controls. There is good agreement with manual measurements, and the technique is more reproducible on repeat scans than manual measurement. This protocol can be readily introduced into a clinical workflow for the assessment of patients with focal epilepsy.
Experimental and numerical investigation of cracked chevron notched Brazilian disc specimen for fracture toughness testing of rock
Authors: Wei M.D. , Dai F. , Xu N.W. , Zhao T. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe cracked chevron notched Brazilian disc (CCNBD) specimen has been suggested by the International Society for Rock Mechanics to quantify mode I fracture toughness (KIc) of rock, and it has also been applied to mode II fracture toughness (KIIc) testing in some research on the basis of some assumptions about the crack growth process in the specimen. However, the KIc value measured using the CCNBD specimen is usually conservative, and the assumptions made in the mode II test are rarely assessed. In this study, both laboratory experiments and numerical modeling are performed to study the modes I and II CCNBD tests, and an acoustic emission technique is used to monitor the fracture processes of the specimens. A large fracture process zone and a length of subcritical crack growth are found to be key factors affecting the KIc measurement using the CCNBD specimen. For the mode II CCNBD test, the crack growth process is actually quite different from the assumptions often made for determining the fracture toughness. The experimental and numerical results call for more attention on the realistic crack growth processes in rock fracture toughness specimens.
Comparing profiles and antioxidant properties of soluble and insoluble phenolics in Perilla frutescens seed flour extracts obtained by different extraction/hydrolysis methods
Authors: Yan Linlin , Zheng Guangyao 
Published: July 2017

SummaryCold‐pressed Perilla frutescens seed flour (CP‐PFSF) is a potential source of natural antioxidants. In this study, different methods were used to extract both soluble and insoluble phenolics from CP‐PFSF. Also, the phenolic profiles and antioxidant properties were compared. Results showed that soluble phenolics could be extracted using aqueous‐organic solvents, where 80% acetone resulted in the highest extraction yield and antioxidant activities. Insoluble phenolics remaining in residues could be released by acid or alkaline hydrolysis, where acid hydrolysis provided higher yield and antioxidant activities than alkaline. Soluble and insoluble phenolics could be extracted simultaneously through acid/alkaline hydrolysis, resulting in nearly the same yields for total phenolics. However, the phenolic components and antioxidant activities of extracts varied significantly, depending on the methods. Principal component analysis and correlation analysis revealed that a strategy of 80% acetone with successive acid hydrolysis steps released more rosmarinic acid, which have high antioxidant activities.
Regulatory T cells in skin
Authors: Ali Niwa , Rosenblum Michael D. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryFoxp3+ CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells are a subset of immune cells that function to regulate tissue inflammation. Skin is one of the largest organs and is home to a large proportion of the body's Treg cells. However, relative to other tissues (such as the spleen and gastrointestinal tract) the function of Treg cells in skin is less well defined. Here, we review our understanding of how Treg cells migrate to skin and the cellular and molecular pathways required for their maintenance in this tissue. In addition, we outline what is known about the specialized functions of Treg cells in skin. Namely, the orchestration of stem cell‐mediated hair follicle regeneration, augmentation of wound healing, and promoting adaptive immune tolerance to skin commensal microbes. A comprehensive understanding of the biology of skin Treg cells may lead to novel therapeutic approaches that preferentially target these cells to treat cutaneous autoimmunity, skin cancers and disorders of skin regeneration.