bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
GOVERNMENT QUALITY AND THE ECONOMIC RETURNS OF TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT IN EUROPEAN REGIONS
Authors: Crescenzi Riccardo , Di Cataldo Marco , Rodríguez‐Pose Andrés 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTTransport infrastructure investment is a cornerstone of growth‐promoting strategies. However, the link between infrastructure investment and economic performance remains unclear. This may be a consequence of overlooking the role of government institutions. This paper assesses the connection between regional quality of government and the returns of different types of road infrastructure in the regions of the European Union. The results unveil the influence of regional quality of government on the economic returns of transport infrastructure. In weak institutional contexts, investment in motorways—the preferred option by governments—yields significantly lower returns than the more humble secondary road. Government institutions also affect the returns of transport maintenance investment.
Strategic Transparency and Electoral Pressure
Authors: MORETTI LAURA , SUZUKI TORU 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThis paper investigates how an office‐motivated incumbent can use transparency enhancement on public spending to signal his budgetary management ability and win re‐election. We show that, when the incumbent faces a popular challenger, transparency policy can be an effective signaling device. It is also shown that electoral pressure can have a nonmonotonic effect on transparency, but a higher electoral pressure always increases the informativeness of signaling and the voter's utility.
Influences on preschool children's oral health‐related quality of life as reported by English and Spanish‐speaking parents and caregivers
Authors: Born Catherine D. , Divaris Kimon , Zeldin Leslie P. , Rozier R. Gary 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectiveThis study examined young, preschool children's oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) among a community‐based cohort of English and Spanish‐speaking parent–child dyads in North Carolina, and sought to quantify the association of parent/caregiver characteristics, including spoken language, with OHRQoL impacts.MethodsData from structured interviews with 1,111 parents of children aged 6–23 months enrolled in the Zero‐Out Early Childhood Caries study in 2010–2012 were used. OHRQoL was measured using the overall score (range: 0–52) of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). We examined associations with parents' sociodemographic characteristics, spoken language, self‐reported oral and general health, oral health knowledge, children's dental attendance, and dental care needs. Analyses included descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate methods based upon zero‐inflated negative binomial regression. To determine differences between English and Spanish speakers, language‐stratified model estimates were contrasted using homogeneity χ2 tests.ResultsThe mean overall ECOHIS score was 3.9 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.6–4.2]; 4.7 among English‐speakers and 1.5 among Spanish speakers. In multivariate analyses, caregivers' education showed a positive association with OHRQoL impacts among Spanish speakers [prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.12 (95% CI = 1.03–1.22), for every added year of schooling], whereas caregivers' fair/poor oral health showed a positive association among English speakers (PR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.02–1.41).ConclusionsThe overall severity of ECOHIS impacts was low among this population‐based sample of young, preschool children, and substantially lower among Spanish versus English speakers. Further studies are warranted to identify sources of these differences in – actual or reported – OHRQoL impacts.
Paradoxical effects of temperature and solar irradiance on the photodegradation state of killed phytoplankton
Authors: Amiraux Rémi , Jeanthon Christian , Vaultier Frédéric , Rontani Jean‐François 
Published: March 2016

The aim of this paper was to study the effects of temperature and irradiance on the photodegradation state of killed phytoplankton cells. For this purpose, killed cells of the diatom Chaetoceros neogracilis RCC2022 were irradiated (photosynthetically active radiation) at 36 and 446 J · s−1 · m−2 (for the same cumulative dose of irradiation energy) and at two temperatures (7°C and 17°C). Analyses of specific lipid tracers (fatty acids and sterols) revealed that low temperatures and irradiances increased photooxidative damages of monounsaturated lipids (i.e., palmitoleic acid, cholesterol and campesterol). The high efficiency of type II photosensitized degradation processes was attributed to: (i) the relative preservation of the sensitizer (chlorophyll) at low irradiances allowing a longer production of singlet oxygen and (ii) the slow diffusion rate of singlet oxygen through membranes at low temperatures inducing more damages. Conversely, high temperatures and irradiances induced (i) a rapid degradation of the photosensitizer and a loss of singlet oxygen by diffusion outside the membranes (limiting type II photosensitized oxidation), and (ii) intense autoxidation processes degrading unsaturated cell lipids and oxidation products used as photodegradation tracers. Our results may explain the paradoxical relationship observed in situ between latitude and photodegradation state of phytoplankton cells.
High baseline bilirubin and low albumin predict liver decompensation and serious adverse events in HCV‐infected patients treated with sofosbuvir‐containing regimens
Authors: Perumalswami P. V. , Patel N. , Bichoupan K. , Ku L. , Yalamanchili R. , Harty A. , Motamed D. , Khaitova V. , Chang C. , Grewal P. , Liu L. , Schiano T. D. , Woodward M. , Dieterich D. T. , Branch A. D. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryTo conduct surveillance and determine the safety profile of new hepatitis C virus treatments in real‐world clinical practice. Hepatic decompensation and other serious adverse events were investigated in an observational cohort study of 511 patients treated with regimens containing sofosbuvir, December 2013–June 2014. Among 499 previously stable patients (no history of hepatic decompensation during the previous 12 months), a nested case–control study was performed to identify predictors of decompensation/serious adverse event. Cases and controls were matched 1:5 based on treatment regimen and duration. Matched conditional logistic regression was used for analysis. Providers scored the likelihood that events were treatment‐related (scale = 0–4). The cumulative incidence of decompensation/events was 6.4% for the total cohort. Among 499 previously stable patients, the incidence of decompensation/events was 4.5%; the mortality rate was 0.6%. Sixteen of the 499 experienced one or more serious complications considered to be at least potentially treatment‐related, and the sustained virological response rate was 7/16 (44%). Two cases, both on sofosbuvir/simeprevir (without interferon or ribavirin), had complications consistent with autoimmune events (score 3, ‘likely treatment‐related’), and one experienced a flare of autoimmune hepatitis. Compared to controls, cases had higher baseline median model for end‐stage liver disease scores (14 vs 8, P < 0.01). Decompensation/events was independently associated with lower baseline albumin (OR = 0.12/g/dL, P = 0.01) and higher total bilirubin (OR = 4.31/mg/dL, P = 0.01). Reduced hepatic function at baseline increased the risk of liver decompensation/events.
New insights into the natural history of hepatitis E virus infection through a longitudinal study of multitransfused immunocompetent patients in France
Authors: Servant‐Delmas A. , Abravanel F. , Lefrère J.‐J. , Lionnet F. , Hamon C. , Izopet J. , Laperche S. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryLittle is known about the natural history of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in immunocompetent individuals. The prevalence, the course of infection and the occurrence of transmission by transfusion were investigated in multitransfused immunocompetent patients/blood donor pairs included in a longitudinal sample repository collection and followed up between 1988 and 2010. Ninety‐eight subjects aged 6–89 years and suffering from acquired haemoglobinopathies were tested for HEV markers (IgM, IgG and RNA) in serial samples collected every 2 or 3 years. Eighteen patients (18.4%) were positive for HEV‐IgG at baseline with a prevalence increasing from 12.5% below 26 years to 32% above 56 years. Nine patients remained IgG positive along the study and nine lost their antibodies after a mean follow‐up of 7.4 years (1–22 years). One seropositive patient showed an increase of IgG level and RNA‐HEV reappearance 1 year after inclusion, suggesting a reinfection and one seroconversion, probably acquired through blood transfusion was observed. This first longitudinal study including immunocompetent individuals confirms that HEV infection is common in Western Europe and that transfusion transmission occurs probably less frequently than expected. In addition, seroreversion and reinfection seem to be common. This suggests that the anti‐HEV may not persist overtime naturally. However, repeat exposure to the virus related to the high prevalence of HEV infection may result in a sustainable specific IgG response.
Efficacy of Adding Dutasteride to α‐Blocker Therapy Treated Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Patients with Small Volume Prostate (<30 mL)
Authors: HASHIMOTO Mamoru , SHIMIZU Nobutaka , SUGIMOTO Koichi , HONGOH Sachiko , MINAMI Takafumi , NOZAWA Masahiro , YOSHIMURA Kazuhiro , HIRAYAMA Akihide , TAHARA Hideo , UEMURA Hirotsugu 
Published: March 2016

ObjectivesTo assess the efficacy of dutasteride add‐on therapy for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with small prostates who have been treated with α‐blocker therapy for >3 months.MethodsA total of 110 men with clinical BPH were enrolled. There were 17 and 93 subjects with a prostate volume (PV) <30 and ≥30 mL, respectively. All subjects had been treated with α‐blocker therapy for >3 months. Subjective and objective clinical variables were assessed using the total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS‐T), IPSS quality of life (IPSS‐QoL), IPSS voiding subscore (IPSS‐V), IPSS storage subscore (IPSS‐S), overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), PV, prostate specific antigen (PSA) level, post‐void residual (PVR), and maximum flow rate (Qmax). These variables were assessed at baseline and every 3 months for 1 year.ResultsIn the small prostate group, IPSS‐T and IPSS‐V showed improvements from baseline at 6 and 9 months, storage subscore at 6 months, and OABSS at 3 months, but no sustained improvements were observed. During the study period, only the IPSS QoL scores did not show any improvement. Conversly, dutasteride was significantly effective at improving IPSS‐T, IPSS‐V, IPSS‐S, and IPSS‐QoL scores throughout the study period in the large prostate BPH group. PSA levels and PV significantly decreased in both groups throughout the study.ConclusionsBenign prostatic hyperplasia in LUTS patients with small prostates did not show a sustainable benefit from the addition of dutasteride to α‐blocker therapy.
Lowest Acceptable Bladder Capacity for Interpretation of Uroflowmetry Tests in Children
Authors: CHANG Shang‐Jen , CHEN Judy Y.‐C. , CHIANG I‐Ni , YANG Stephen S.‐D. 
Published: March 2016

ObjectiveTo determine the age‐specific lowest acceptable value of bladder capacity (LABC) for interpretation of uroflowmetry tests in children.MethodsFrom September 2008 through July 2012, healthy children aged 4–9 years were enrolled. All children were asked to have two sets of uroflowmetry and post‐void residual (PVR) tests. We selected the tests with lower bladder capacity (voided volume+ PVR) of each child to analyze the LABC. Only bell shaped curves were regarded as normal. PVR >20 mL and Qmax <15 mL/s in children aged 4–6 years, and PVR >10 mL, Qmax <15.0 mL/s in children aged 7–9 years were defined as abnormal, respectively. Receiver operative characteristic curves were used to determine the age‐specific cut‐off value of LABC. The upper boundary of optimal bladder capacity (OBC) for interpretation of uroflowmetry was defined at 115% expected bladder capacity, and LABC as lower boundary. Linear regression was used to establish the relationship between age and LABC.ResultsTotally, 930 children were eligible for analysis of LABC. Through ROC curve analysis and regression analysis, the best fitted age specific LABC defined though differentiating low Qmax is 52.08 mL + age in years × 4.78 mL. For simplicity, the proposed LABC is age in years × 5 + 50. Good reproducibility of normal flow pattern, Qmax and PVR in each child were observed in the uroflowmetry tests within OBC.ConclusionThrough the large scale study for uroflowmetry tests in children, we proposed the age‐specific lowest acceptable bladder capacity for interpretation of uroflowmetry tests as age in years × 5 + 50 mL.
Minor and trace element concentrations in adjacent kamacite and taenite in the Krymka chondrite
Authors: Meftah N. , Mostefaoui S. , Jambon A. , Guedda E. H. , Pont S. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe report in situ NanoSIMS siderophile minor and trace element abundances in individual Fe‐Ni metal grains in the unequilibrated chondrite Krymka (LL3.2). Associated kamacite and taenite of 10 metal grains in four chondrules and one matrix metal were analyzed for elemental concentrations of Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Rh, Ir, and Pt. The results show large elemental variations among the metal grains. However, complementary and correlative variations exist between adjacent kamacite‐taenite. This is consistent with the unequilibrated character of the chondrite and corroborates an attainment of chemical equilibrium between the metal phases. The calculated equilibrium temperature is 446 ± 9 °C. This is concordant with the range given by Kimura et al. (2008) for the Krymka postaccretion thermal metamorphism. Based on Ni diffusivity in taenite, a slow cooling rate is estimated of the Krymka parent body that does not exceed ~1K Myr−1, which is consistent with cooling rates inferred by other workers for unequilibrated ordinary chondrites. Elemental ionic radii might have played a role in controlling elemental partitioning between kamacite and taenite. The bulk compositions of the Krymka metal grains have nonsolar (mostly subsolar) element/Ni ratios suggesting the Fe‐Ni grains could have formed from distinct precursors of nonsolar compositions or had their compositions modified subsequent to chondrule formation events.
Microstructural analysis of Wark‐Lovering rims in the Allende and Axtell CV3 chondrites: Implications for high‐temperature nebular processes
Authors: Bolser Diana , Zega Thomas J. , Asaduzzaman Abu , Bringuier Stefan , Simon Steven B. , Grossman Lawrence , Thompson Michelle S. , Domanik Kenneth J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractA coordinated, electron‐backscatter‐diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) study was undertaken to obtain information on the origin of rims on refractory inclusions in the Allende and Axtell CV3 chondrites. These measurements were supported by theoretical modeling using density functional theory. Crystal‐orientation analysis of Wark‐Lovering rims via EBSD revealed pyroxene grains with similar crystallographic orientations to one another in both inclusions. An epitaxial relationship between grains within the diopside and anorthite rim layers was observed in Allende. TEM examination of the rims of both samples also revealed oriented crystals at depth. The microstructural data on the rims suggest that grain clusters grew in the form of three‐dimensional islands. Density functional theory calculations confirm that formation of oriented grain islands is the result of energy minimization at high temperature. The results point toward condensation as the mode of origin for the rims studied here.
A contamination assessment of the CI carbonaceous meteorite Orgueil using a DNA‐directed approach
Authors: Aerts J. W. , Elsaesser A. , Röling W. F. M. , Ehrenfreund P. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe Orgueil meteorite has become one of the most well‐studied carbonaceous meteorites, after it fell in France 150 yr ago. Extraterrestrial organic compounds such as amino acids and nucleobases in the parts per billion ranges were identified in Orgueil samples with supporting isotopic analyses. However, speculations of terrestrial contamination such as organic inclusions in the form of microbes and seeds accompanied the analyses of the Orgueil meteorite ever since its fall. By using molecular analysis, we performed DNA extractions and spiking experiments combined with 16S and 18S rRNA gene targeted PCR amplification to quantify the level of terrestrial biocontamination. Our results indicate that terrestrial contamination with DNA was insignificant in the investigated meteorite fraction. We also remeasured and confirmed concentrations of amino acids found in previous studies and conclude that their rather high concentrations and distribution cannot be explained by terrestrial contamination with microorganisms alone. These results represent the first analysis using DNA‐directed tools in the analysis of the Orgueil meteorite to determine trace levels of biomarkers.
Group cell phones are feasible and acceptable for promoting optimal breastfeeding practices in a women's microcredit program in Nigeria
Authors: Flax Valerie L. , Ibrahim Alawiyatu Usman , Negerie Mekebeb , Yakubu Danjuma , Leatherman Sheila , Bentley Margaret E. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAs part of a breastfeeding promotion intervention trial in Nigeria, we provided one cell phone per group of 5–7 microcredit clients and instructed the group's cell phone recipient to share weekly breastfeeding voice and text messages with group members. We measured the feasibility and acceptability of using group cell phones by conducting semi‐structured exit interviews with 195 microcredit clients whose babies were born during the intervention (target group), in‐depth interviews with eight phone recipients and nine non‐phone recipients, and 16 focus group discussions with other microcredit clients. Women in the target group said the group phone worked well or very well (64%). They were motivated to try the recommended practices because they trusted the information (58%) and had support from others (35%). Approximately 44% of target women reported that their groups met and shared messages at least once a week. Women in groups that met at least weekly had higher odds of exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months (OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.6, 19.7) than women in groups that never met. In‐depth interviews and focus group discussions indicated that non‐phone recipients had positive feelings towards phone recipients, the group phone met participants' needs, and messages were often shared outside the group. In conclusion, group cell phone messaging to promote breastfeeding among microcredit clients is feasible and acceptable and can be part of an effective behaviour change package.
The bacterial community of entomophilic nematodes and host beetles
Authors: Koneru Sneha L. , Salinas Heilly , Flores Gilberto E. , Hong Ray L. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractInsects form the most species‐rich lineage of Eukaryotes and each is a potential host for organisms from multiple phyla, including fungi, protozoa, mites, bacteria and nematodes. In particular, beetles are known to be associated with distinct bacterial communities and entomophilic nematodes. While entomopathogenic nematodes require symbiotic bacteria to kill and reproduce inside their insect hosts, the microbial ecology that facilitates other types of nematode–insect associations is largely unknown. To illuminate detailed patterns of the tritrophic beetle–nematode–bacteria relationship, we surveyed the nematode infestation profiles of scarab beetles in the greater Los Angeles area over a five‐year period and found distinct nematode infestation patterns for certain beetle hosts. Over a single season, we characterized the bacterial communities of beetles and their associated nematodes using high‐throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. We found significant differences in bacterial community composition among the five prevalent beetle host species, independent of geographical origin. Anaerobes Synergistaceae and sulphate‐reducing Desulfovibrionaceae were most abundant in Amblonoxia beetles, while Enterobacteriaceae and Lachnospiraceae were common in Cyclocephala beetles. Unlike entomopathogenic nematodes that carry bacterial symbionts, insect‐associated nematodes do not alter the beetles' native bacterial communities, nor do their microbiomes differ according to nematode or beetle host species. The conservation of Diplogastrid nematodes associations with Melolonthinae beetles and sulphate‐reducing bacteria suggests a possible link between beetle–bacterial communities and their associated nematodes. Our results establish a starting point towards understanding the dynamic interactions between soil macroinvertebrates and their microbiota in a highly accessible urban environment.
A Two‐Dimensional Plum‐Blossom Sensor Array‐Based Multiple Signal Classification Method for Impact Localization in Composite Structures
Authors: Zhong Yongteng , Xiang Jiawei 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe growing use of composite materials on aircraft structures has attracted much attention for the impact monitoring as a kind of structural health monitoring method. Uniform linear sensor array (ULSA)‐based multiple signal classification (MUSIC) technology is a promising method because of its directional scanning ability and easy arrangement of the sensor array. However, the monitoring range of ULSA‐based MUSIC method is 0°–180°, and its beamforming properties degrade at angles close to 0° and 180°. Besides, the ULSA‐based MUSIC methods proposed require the knowledge of the direction dependent velocity profile obtained by additional experiments. This article presents a novel two‐dimensional (2‐D) plum‐blossom sensor array (PBSA)‐based MUSIC method. First, the velocity propagating at the specific direction is estimated by impact signal itself using PBSA directly. Second, 2‐D PBSA‐based MUSIC method well realizes omnidirectional 0°–360° impact localization of composite structures. Experimental results show its successful performance on epoxy laminate plate and complex composite structure.
The cytochrome bd oxidase of Escherichia coli prevents respiratory inhibition by endogenous and exogenous hydrogen sulfide
Authors: Korshunov Sergey , Imlay Karin R. C. , Imlay James A. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryWhen sulfur compounds are scarce or difficult to process, Escherichia coli adapts by inducing the high‐level expression of sulfur‐compound importers. If cystine then becomes available, the cystine is rapidly overimported and reduced, leading to a burgeoning pool of intracellular cysteine. Most of the excess cysteine is exported, but some is adventitiously degraded, with the consequent release of sulfide. Sulfide is a potent ligand of copper and heme moieties, raising the prospect that it interferes with enzymes. We observed that when cystine was provided and sulfide levels rose, E. coli became strictly dependent upon cytochrome bd oxidase for continued respiration. Inspection revealed that low‐micromolar levels of sulfide inhibited the proton‐pumping cytochrome bo oxidase that is regarded as the primary respiratory oxidase. In the absence of the back‐up cytochrome bd oxidase, growth failed. Exogenous sulfide elicited the same effect. The potency of sulfide was enhanced when oxygen concentrations were low. Natural oxic‐anoxic interfaces are often sulfidic, including the intestinal environment where E. coli dwells. We propose that the sulfide resistance of the cytochrome bd oxidase is a key trait that permits respiration in such habitats.