bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Habitat Condition Assessment System: a new way to assess the condition of natural habitats for terrestrial biodiversity across whole regions using remote sensing data
Authors: Harwood Tom D. , Donohue Randall J. , Williams Kristen J. , Ferrier Simon , McVicar Tim R. , Newell Graeme , White Matt 
Published: April 2016

Summary

Consistent and repeatable estimation of habitat condition for biodiversity assessment across large areas (i.e. regional to global) with limited field observations presents a major challenge for remote sensing (RS). RS can describe what a site looks like and how it behaves (using time series), but is unable to distinguish anthropogenic impacts from natural dynamics. Consequently, it is possible to mistake a heavily degraded habitat for a natural habitat, for example a logged forest may appear identical to an intact open woodland. This problem is compounded by the existence of multiple natural states in any given environment, and spatial variation in the natural composition and structure of vegetation as a function of variation in environment. Uncertainty in assessing habitat condition from RS is often further exacerbated by sparseness in the spatial coverage of training data.

We describe a novel generic, RS‐based algorithm called Habitat Condition Assessment System, designed to address the above sources of uncertainty and to be highly flexible in its application. It allows for variability in the definition of condition and in the type and quantity of input data employed. Here, we demonstrate the mechanics of the new algorithm in a simple worked example and its practical application in a case study using inferred ‘natural‐only’ reference data, reflective remotely sensed data, and associated environmental data, to map condition for Australia at a 0·01° resolution.

We assess the behaviour and shortcomings of the method, and compare the national case study with estimates from two existing national data sets, and field measured condition data observed at 16 967 sites across the State of Victoria. The modelled predictions outperform both of the existing national data sets, explaining 52% of the variability in field observations for well‐sampled cells (relative to 8% and 12% for the existing products).

The methodology can potentially address some of the key pitfalls of condition modelling and could be applied in other regions with sufficient coverage of reference data. The approach also has good potential to be extended to work with reference data for which condition is measured on a continuous scale, for example from field‐based condition assessment initiatives.
Alcohol Intake and Reduced Mortality in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Cho Jin Seong , Shin Sang Do , Lee Eui Jun , Song Kyoung Jun , Noh Hyun , Kim Yu Jin , Lee Seung Chul , Park Ju Ok , Kim Seong Chun , Hwang Seung‐sik 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundThe purpose of our study was to determine whether alcohol intake influences short‐term mortality in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), using a comprehensive trauma database.MethodsWe collected data from 7 emergency departments (EDs) between June 1, 2008 and May 31, 2010, using the same data form. Cases were included if they met the following criteria: (i) older than 15 and (ii) injuries including TBI. Demographics and outcomes were compared between patients with and without alcohol intake. We present the risk of mortality using hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals.ResultsA total of 76,596 trauma patients visited the EDs during the study period; 12,980 patients were older than 15 and had TBI. There were 4,009 (30.9%) patients in the alcohol‐intake group, of whom 3,306 (82.5%) patients were male, 1,450 (36.2%) patients were moved by ambulance, and 1,218 (30.4%) patients’ injuries were intentional. The most frequent injury mechanism was falling down with alcohol intake and blunt injury without alcohol intake. Mortality rate was 1.0% with alcohol intake and 2.0% without alcohol intake. After adjusting for all factors related to mortality, the hazard ratio of mortality was 0.72 in the alcohol‐intake group.ConclusionsMortality rate due to TBI in the alcohol‐intake group appears to be lower compared to that in the no‐alcohol‐intake group after adjusting for main confounding variables.
Neutrophil Recruitment and Articular Hyperalgesia in Antigen‐Induced Arthritis are Modulated by the Cholinergic Anti‐Inflammatory Pathway
Authors: Kanashiro Alexandre , Talbot Jhimmy , Peres Raphael S. , Pinto Larissa G. , Bassi Gabriel S. , Cunha Thiago M. , Cunha Fernando Q. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe cholinergic anti‐inflammatory pathway (CAP) is a complex neuroimmune mechanism triggered by the central nervous system to regulate peripheral inflammatory responses. Understanding the role of CAP in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) could help develop new therapeutic strategies for this disease. Therefore, we investigated the participation of this neuroimmune pathway on the progression of experimental arthritis. Using antigen‐induced arthritis (AIA) model, we investigated in mice the effects of vagotomy or the pharmacological treatments with hexamethonium (peripheral nicotinic receptor antagonist), methylatropine (peripheral muscarinic receptor antagonist) or neostigmine (peripheral acetylcholinesterase inhibitor) on AIA progression. Unilateral cervical vagotomy was performed 1 week before the immunization protocol with methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA), while drug administration was conducted during the period of immunization. On day 21, 6 hr after the challenge with mBSA injection in the femur–tibial joint, the local neutrophil migration and articular mechanical hyperalgesia were assessed. Herein, we observed that vagotomy or blockade of peripheral nicotinic (but not muscarinic) receptors exacerbated the clinical parameters of this disease. Moreover, peripheral acetylcholinesterase inhibition by neostigmine treatment promoted a reduction of neutrophil recruitment in the knee joint and articular hyperalgesia. Our results demonstrated that peripheral activation of CAP modulates experimental arthritis, providing a pre‐clinical evidence of a potential therapeutic strategy for RA.
Impact of socioeconomic status on disease phenotype, genomic landscape and outcomes in myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Mastaglio Francesca , Bedair Khaled , Papaemmanuil Elli , Groves Michael J. , Hyslop Ann , Keenan Norene , Hothersall Eleanor J. , Campbell Peter J. , Bowen David T. , Tauro Sudhir 
Published: April 2016

Genetic and epigenetic alterations contribute to the biological and clinical characteristics of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), but a role for socioeconomic environment remains unclear. Here, socioeconomic status (SES) for 283 MDS patients was estimated using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation tool. Indices were assigned to quintile categorical indicators ranked from SES1 (lowest) to SES5 (highest). Clinicopathological features and outcomes between SES quintiles containing 15%, 20%, 19%, 30% and 16% of patients were compared. Prognostic scores identified lower‐risk MDS in 82% of patients, with higher‐risk disease in 18%. SES quintiles did not associate with age, gender, cytogenetics, International Prognostic scores or, in sub‐analysis (n = 95), driver mutations. The odds ratio of a diagnosis of refractory anaemia was greater than other MDS sub‐types in SES5 (OR 1·9, P = 0·024). Most patients (91%) exclusively received supportive care. SES did not associate with leukaemic transformation or cause of death. Cox regression models confirmed male gender (P < 0·05), disease‐risk (P < 0·0001) and age (P < 0·01) as independent predictors of leukaemia‐free survival, with leukaemic transformation an additional determinant of overall survival (P = 0·07). Thus, if access to healthcare is equitable, SES does not determine disease biology or survival in MDS patients receiving supportive treatment; additional studies are required to determine whether outcomes following disease‐modifying therapies are influenced by SES.
The Economics of Public Beta Testing
Authors: Jiang Zhengrui , Scheibe Kevin P. , Nilakanta Sree , Qu Xinxue (Shawn) 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTA growing number of software firms now rely on public beta testing to improve the quality of their products before commercial release. While the benefits resulting from improved software reliability are well recognized, some important market‐related benefits have not been studied. Through word‐of‐mouth, public beta testers can accelerate the diffusion of a software product after its release. Additionally, because of network effects, public beta testers can increase users’ valuation of a product. In this study, we consider both reliability‐related and market‐related benefits, and develop models to determine the optimal number of public beta testers and the optimal duration of testing. Our analyses show that public beta testing can be profitable even if word‐of‐mouth and network effects are the only benefits. Furthermore, when both benefits are considered, there is significant “economies of scope”—the net profit increases at a faster rate when both word‐of‐mouth and network effects are significant than when only one benefit is present. Finally, our sensitivity analyses demonstrate that public beta testing remains highly valuable to software firms over a wide range of testing and market conditions. In particular, firms will realize greater profits when recruiting public beta testers who are interested in the software but unable to afford it.
Dynamic motor control is associated with treatment outcomes for children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Schwartz Michael H , Rozumalski Adam , Steele Katherine M 
Published: April 2016

AimTo estimate the impact of dynamic motor control on treatment outcomes in children with cerebral palsy.MethodWe used multiple regression on a retrospective cohort of 473 ambulatory children with cerebral palsy who underwent conservative treatment, single‐level orthopaedic surgery, single‐event multi‐level orthopaedic surgery, or selective dorsal rhizotomy. Outcomes included gait pattern, gait speed, energy cost of walking, and the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument. Explanatory variables considered were pre‐treatment levels of each outcome, treatment group, prior treatment, age, and dynamic motor control computed from surface electromyography using synergy analysis. Effect sizes were estimated from the adjusted response.ResultsPre‐treatment levels had effect sizes 2 to 13 times larger than the next largest variable. Individuals with milder pre‐treatment involvement had smaller gains or actual declines. Dynamic motor control was significant in all domains except energy cost. The effect size of dynamic motor control was second only to pre‐treatment level, and was substantially larger than the effect size of treatment group for outcomes where both were significant (gait pattern 2:1, gait speed 4:1). The effect of dynamic motor control was independent of treatment group.InterpretationDynamic motor control is an important factor in treatment outcomes. Better dynamic motor control is associated with better outcomes, regardless of treatment.
Brain natriuretic peptide and insulin resistance in older adults
Authors: Kim F. , Biggs M. L. , Kizer J. R. , Brutsaert E. F. , de Filippi C. , Newman A. B. , Kronmal R. A. , Tracy R. P. , Gottdiener J. S. , Djoussé L. , de Boer I. H. , Psaty B. M. , Siscovick D. S. , Mukamal K. J. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAimsHigher levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) have been associated with a decreased risk of diabetes in adults, but whether BNP is related to insulin resistance in older adults has not been established.MethodsN‐terminal of the pro hormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐pro BNP) was measured among Cardiovascular Health Study participants at the 1989–1990, 1992–1993 and 1996–1997 examinations. We calculated measures of insulin resistance [homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), Gutt index, Matsuda index] from fasting and 2‐h concentrations of glucose and insulin among 3318 individuals with at least one measure of NT‐proBNP and free of heart failure, coronary heart disease and chronic kidney disease, and not taking diabetes medication. We used generalized estimating equations to assess the cross‐sectional association of NT‐proBNP with measures of insulin resistance. Instrumental variable analysis with an allele score derived from nine genetic variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms) within or near the NPPA and NPPB loci was used to estimate an un‐confounded association of NT‐proBNP levels on insulin resistance.ResultsLower NT‐proBNP levels were associated with higher insulin resistance even after adjustment for BMI, waist circumference and other risk factors (P < 0.001 for all four indices). Although the genetic score was strongly related to measured NT‐proBNP levels amongst European Americans (F statistic = 71.08), we observed no association of genetically determined NT‐proBNP with insulin resistance (P = 0.38; P = 0.01 for comparison with the association of measured levels of NT‐proBNP).ConclusionsIn older adults, lower NT‐proBNP is associated with higher insulin resistance, even after adjustment for traditional risk factors. Because related genetic variants were not associated with insulin resistance, the causal nature of this association will require future study.
Plasma neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin levels are positively associated with diabetic retinopathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Chung J. O. , Park S. Y. , Cho D. H. , Chung D. J. , Chung M. Y. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAimTo assess the relationship between plasma neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels and diabetic retinopathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes.MethodsIn total, 204 patients with Type 2 diabetes were investigated in this cross‐sectional study. They were classified as having no diabetic retinopathy, non‐proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) or proliferative retinopathy (PDR), according to the degree of diabetic retinopathy. Thus, diabetic retinopathy in the patients in this study was either NPDR or PDR.ResultsPlasma NGAL concentrations were significantly higher in patients with diabetic retinopathy than in those without. The mean plasma NGAL levels differed significantly according to the severity of diabetic retinopathy (no diabetic retinopathy, 120.8 ng/ml; NPDR, 217.8 ng/ml; PDR, 372.4 ng/ml; P for trend = 0.002) after adjustment for other covariates. In multivariable analysis, plasma NGAL levels were significantly associated with diabetic retinopathy (odds ratio for each standard deviation increase in the logarithmic value, 7.75; 95% confidence interval, 2.04–29.41, P = 0.003).ConclusionPlasma NGAL levels were positively associated with diabetic retinopathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
Buying Beauty: Female Beauty Consumption in the Modern British World
Authors: Clark Jessica P. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIn recent years, historians of American, French, and global beauty consumption have charted the rich relationship linking beautifying goods to self‐fashioning and the body, historical subjectivities, and the construction of gender and racial identities. Yet, despite productive attention to male beauty in Britain and its relationship to masculinity and the history of sexuality, little attention has been devoted to women's beauty consumption in modern British history. This article surveys literature on U.S., French, and global female beauty consumption to argue for further study of beauty commodities and their production by historians of modern Britain and its empire. The history of British women's beauty consumption intersects with important historical developments that make it worthy of exploration, most notably the use of beautifying and grooming goods as tools for self‐fashioning in the British imperial context. Ultimately, a focus on female beauty consumers and producers positions women as key figures in the formation of or resistance to the British imperial project.
The perspectives of preceptors regarding clinical assessment for undergraduate nursing students
Authors: Wu X.V. , Enskär K. , Heng D.G.N. , Pua L.H. , Wang W. 
Published: April 2016

AimTo explore the perspectives of preceptors about clinical assessment for undergraduate nursing students in transition to practice.BackgroundThe assessment of clinical competence is a complex process due to the diverse nature of nursing practice. As such, nurse preceptors play a crucial role in clinical assessment for nursing students. Although preceptors may enjoy the process of clinical teaching and assessment, they face challenges that need to be addressed to facilitate students' clinical learning and assessment.MethodsAn exploratory qualitative approach was adopted. A purposive sample of 17 preceptors from two tertiary hospitals in Singapore was recruited to participate in three focus group discussions from March to July 2014.FindingsFive themes emerged from the data analysis: the need for a valid and reliable clinical assessment tool; meaningful reflection and feedback; varied methods in clinical assessment; high level of commitment and struggles with dual roles and the need to enhance the support system for preceptors.ConclusionsThere is no doubt that a valid and reliable clinical assessment tool can serve as a guide for preceptors to enhance their clarity in assessment and feedback. It is essential for all stakeholders to be involved in the development of the clinical assessment tool. Workload, time, support system and formal educational programmes for preceptors influenced their preparation and self‐confidence.Implications for nursing and/or health policyThe themes that emerged from the focus group discussions could assist in the development of a more reliable and valid clinical assessment tool to evaluate the clinical competence of nursing students in transition to practice. Clinical and educational institutions could collaborate closely to develop an educational programme and a preceptorship handbook, focusing on pedagogical contents for clinical education and assessment.
Expert System Based on Fuzzy Logic to Define the Production Process in the Coffee Industry
Authors: Hernández‐Vera Beatriz , Aguilar Lasserre Alberto Alfonso , Gastón Cedillo‐Campos Miguel , Herrera‐Franco Ligia E. , Ochoa‐Robles Jesús 
Published: April 2016

AbstractCoffee is the 7th largest agricultural crop in Mexico and occupies the 12th place as value generator. Cherry coffee production reaches about 1.3 million tons. This production equivalent to about 250 thousand tons of benefited coffee. Mexican exports reaches an average of 175 thousand tons, of which 90% are in grain and the rest are derivatives. The production process of coffee has not changed significantly over the years. In Mexico is common to select the type of process that coffee will be subject based on expert judgment, which causes problems in the absence of one. An expert system based on a fuzzy logic model was develop to support decision making on the type of production process considering variables such as weight, pellets, green aspect and the percentage of minor and major defects, all this information obtained from organoleptic analysis. A simulation model was used to test the validity of this expert system.Practical ApplicationsIn most Mexican coffee companies processing only a few people have the knowledge and expertise required to select the process by which green coffee or green coffee will be obtained. So an expert decides the most appropriate process to transform the coffee. The expert takes into account the customer requirements, characteristics of raw material and factors influencing the quality. But the expert cannot make decisions simultaneously when several inputs of coffee arrives and when this expert is not present the production may be delayed or even stopped. This article presents a Mandani‐Fuzzy logic model to become a support tool for selecting the most appropriate process on a dry mill according to customer requirements and in order to avoid delays in the production of coffee. The potential benefit of this tool could prevent production stoppage by the absence of an expert who can make a decision about the process to be performed and cost reduction generated by reprocessing.
The Geriatrics in Primary Care Demonstration: Integrating Comprehensive Geriatric Care into the Medical Home: Preliminary Data
Authors: Engel Peter A. , Spencer Jacqueline , Paul Todd , Boardman Judith B. 
Published: April 2016

Three thousand nine hundred thirty‐one veterans aged 75 and older receive primary care (PC) in two large practices of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System. Cognitive and functional disabilities are endemic in this group, creating needs that predictably exceed available or appropriate resources. To address this problem, Geriatrics in Primary Care (GPC) embeds geriatric services directly into primary care. An on‐site consulting geriatrician and geriatric nurse care manager work directly with PC colleagues in medicine, nursing, social work, pharmacy, and mental health within the VA medical home. This design delivers interdisciplinary geriatric care within PC that emphasizes comprehensive evaluations, care management, planned transitions, informed resource use, and a shift in care focus from multiple subspecialties to PC. Four hundred thirty‐five veterans enrolled during the project's 4‐year course. Complex, fragmented care was evident in a series of 50 individuals (aged 82 ± 7) enrolled during Months 1 to 6. The year before, these individuals made 372 medical or surgical subspecialty clinic visits (7.4 ± 9.8); 34% attended five or more subspecialty clinics, 48% had dementia, and 18% lacked family caregivers. During the first year after enrollment the mean number of subspecialty clinic visits declined significantly (4.7 ± 5.0, P = .01), whereas the number of PC‐based visits remained stable (3.1 ± 1.5 and 3.3 ± 1.5, respectively, P = .50). Telephone contact by GPC (2.3 ± 2.0) and collaboration with PC clinicians replaced routine follow‐up geriatric care. GPC facilitated planned transitions to rehabilitation centers (n = 5), home hospice (n = 2), dementia units (n = 3), and home care (n = 37). GPC provides efficient, comprehensive geriatric care and case management while preserving established relationships between patients and the PC team. Preliminary results suggest “care defragmentation,” as reflected by a significant reduction in subspecialty clinic use. Model simplicity and flexibility facilitated ready implementation.