bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A core‐transient framework for trait‐based community ecology: an example from a tropical tree seedling community
Authors: Umaña Maria Natalia , Zhang Caicai , Cao Min , Lin Luxiang , Swenson Nathan G. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractTrait‐based studies in community ecology have generally focused on the community as a unit where all species occur due to stochasticity, determinism or some mixture of the two. However, the processes governing population dynamics may vary greatly among species. We propose a core‐transient framework for trait‐based community studies where a core group of species has a strong link to the local environment while transient species have weaker responses to the environment. Consistent with the expectations of the framework, we found that common species exhibit clear linkages between performance and their environment and traits while rare species tend to have weaker or non‐significant relationships. Ultimately, trait‐based ecology should move beyond applying a set of processes to a community as a whole and towards quantifying inter‐specific variation in the drivers of population dynamics that ultimately scale up to determine community structure.
Remission in epilepsy: How long is enough?
Authors: Sillanpää Matti , Schmidt Dieter , Saarinen Maiju M. , Shinnar Shlomo 
Published: April 2017

SummaryObjectiveThe International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) has proposed to expand the definition of remission to 10 years seizure‐free with the last 5 years off antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). We examined if a 10‐year remission is needed to predict the lowest recurrence risk.MethodsThe population‐based study cohort consisted of 148 patients with new‐onset childhood epilepsy living in the catchment area of Turku University Hospital. They were prospectively followed for 44 years (median). Patients in first remission were prospectively followed for the duration of remission or possible relapse at 2 years in remission with the last year without antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), at 5 years in remission with the last 2 years without AEDs, and at 10 years with the last 5 years without AEDs. For comparison of the proportions of relapsed patients within each remission category exact Clopper Pearson 95% confidence intervals were used.ResultsThe magnitude of the relapse rate estimates off AEDs did not significantly improve when remission increased from 2 years (2YR) to 5 years (5YR) and further to 10 years (10YR). However, 10YR was a more sensitive measure of no relapse than 2YR. Among patients with remission on or off AEDs, the ability to predict lower relapse rate increased markedly from 2 to 5 years, and again from 5 to 10 years. The risk of relapse was virtually the same estimated after 2YR off AEDs as after 10YR on or off AEDs, except for patients with generalized epilepsy whose 2YR off AEDs was a weaker predictor than 10YR on or off AEDs.SignificanceGiven the modest differences in relapse rates between the 5 years seizure‐free with last 2 years off medications definition and the 10 years seizure‐free with last 5 years off medications, and the adverse impact of not being considered in remission, we propose that a return to the 5‐year definition may be warranted.
Contextualized behavior patterns for change reasoning in Ambient Assisted Living: A formal model
Authors: Lago Paula , Jiménez‐Guarín Claudia , Roncancio Claudia 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAmbient Assisted Living, smart environments and technology used for elder care, increases independent living time and cuts long‐term care costs. An important requirement for these systems is detecting and informing about abnormal behavior in users' routines. Still, routines may change when certain context conditions hold, which does not mean these changes should concern caregivers. However, changes due to context conditions are not often considered in current proposals. In this paper, we formalize the main concepts related to activities in Ambient Assisted Living, and we introduce contextualized behavior patterns, a long‐term behavior model that considers variability due to context. We adopt a semantic similarity that allows to better detect behavior changes and to understand what makes an observation of daily living different from expected patterns. The results of the experience with three public data sets are promising.
Intergenerational Equity: Treatment of Infrastructure in New Zealand Local Government Financial Planning
Authors: Barnes Kevin , Lord Beverley 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis paper examines how local government authorities plan and financially provide for infrastructure while considering the needs of current and future communities. In New Zealand the Local Government Act 2002 provides a mandate for local authority planning through the requirement to publish Long Term Council Community Plans (LTCCPs). Our content analysis of the LTCCPs, annual plans and annual reports of five New Zealand local authorities reveals that these local authorities make conscious decisions about infrastructure that reflect concern for matters of intergenerational equity. They do so despite problems in relation to valuation, depreciation, deferred maintenance and financing of infrastructure assets.
A Generalized Earnings‐Based Stock Valuation Model with Learning
Authors: Jacoby Gady , Paseka Alexander , Wang Yan 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe present a stock valuation model in an incomplete‐information environment in which the unobservable mean of earnings growth rate (MEGR) is learned and price is updated continuously. We calibrate our model to a market portfolio to empirically evaluate its performance. Of the 8.84% total risk premium we estimate, the earnings growth premium is 4.57%, the short‐rate risk contributes 3.38%, and the learning‐induced risk premium on the unknown MEGR is 0.89% (a nontrivial 10% of the total risk premium). This result highlights the significant learning effect on valuation, implying an additional risk premium in an incomplete‐information environment.
Do Capital Structure Adjustments by Takeover Targets Influence Acquisition Gains?
Authors: Jandik Tomas , Lallemand Justin 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe link debt issuances by target companies around takeover announcements to enhanced target bargaining power in negotiations with bidders over merger synergy gains in completed takeovers. Announcements of debt issuances by targets—especially new bank loans—are associated with more positive target equity returns relative to those made by nontargets, particularly for debt issuances immediately surrounding the takeover announcement. At least some of these gains to targets come at the expense of bidder shareholders, as bidder equity abnormal returns at target debt issuance are negative. We further show that targets issuing debt are primarily those with relatively low acquisition abnormal returns, consistent with initially poor target bargaining power. Subsequent debt issuances by targets increase the likelihood of positive adjustments to acquisition premiums offered by acquirers.
Counterclockwise or clockwise reciprocating motion for oval root canal preparation: a micro‐CT analysis
Authors: Espir C. G. , Nascimento‐Mendes C. A. , Guerreiro‐Tanomaru J. M. , Freire L. G. , Gavini G. , Tanomaru‐Filho M. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAimTo evaluate oval root canal preparation using one or two instruments in counterclockwise or clockwise reciprocating motion.MethodologyThe radiographic diameter of mandibular human incisors was evaluated, and oval canals were selected (2 ≤ Diameter Ratio ≤ 4). Fifty‐seven teeth were assigned to root canal preparation (n = 19): Reciproc 40 (R40) in a counterclockwise reciprocating motion; Mtwo size 40, .06 taper (M 40.06) in a clockwise reciprocating motion or Mtwo size 20, .06 taper and size 40, .06 taper (M 20/40.06) in a clockwise reciprocating motion. Mtwo instruments were coupled to an ENDO DUAL motor, turning 150° clockwise and 30° counterclockwise. Scanning was performed before and after root canal preparation using a SkyScan 1176 micro‐computed tomography. Volume, percentage of debris and percentage of uninstrumented surface were analysed in the entire root canal and in each third of the canal. Data were compared using anova and Tukey's tests or Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn tests.ResultsThe Reciproc and Mtwo systems using different kinematics were associated with a similar increase in root canal volume. Additionally, both system had similar percentage of uninstrumented surface (P > 0.05). Mtwo size 20, .06 taper and size 40, .06 taper was associated with significantly lower debris (P < 0.05) in the middle third (0.56%) when compared to R40 (1.31%) and M size 40, .06 taper (1.54%).ConclusionsThe conventional reciprocation motion for R40 and the clockwise reciprocation motion for Mtwo resulted in similar root canal preparations. Less remaining debris was present in the middle third when two instruments with different diameters were used.
Relationship between students' opinions, background factors and learning outcomes: Finnish 9th graders learning English
Authors: Härmälä Marita , Leontjev Dmitri , Kangasvieri Teija 
Published: April 2017

The aim of this article is to explore the relationship between opinions, background factors, and learning outcomes of Finnish 9th graders learning English. Two sets of data were analysed: (a) the students' (n = 1,219) proficiency obtained from the English tests of national evaluation of learning outcomes and (b) the students' answers to the background questionnaire exploring their opinions about learning English. The data were analysed statistically using structural equation modelling. Two factors were formed: an opinions factor built from the questionnaire items, and a proficiency factor built from the measures of four language subskills. The results revealed that the students' opinions of English predicted their proficiency, which was also predicted by the students' mother tongues (L1s) and future study plans. It also appeared that the opinions of English were more positive for those students who planned to continue in general upper secondary school, which, in turn, resulted in that the opinions in this group predicted their proficiency especially strongly.
New genes associated with rheumatoid arthritis identified by gene expression profiling
Authors: Wang H. , Guo J. , Jiang J. , Wu W. , Chang X. , Zhou H. , Li Z. , Zhao J. 
Published: April 2017

SummaryIn this study, we aimed to find new genes associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) so that more comprehensive genes would be used for monitoring and/or diagnosing patients. Illumina digital gene expression profiling was applied in two sample types – peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and synovial cells to compare the gene expression pattern between 17 patients with RA and three control groups (six osteoarthritis patients, three ankylosing spondylitis patients and 17 healthy controls). Bioinformatics was performed on pathway analysis and protein–protein interaction networks. Four novel genes from PBMCs – DHRS3, TTC38, SAP30BP and LPIN2 – were found to be associated with RA and further confirmed through quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Five new differentially expressed genes (EPYC, LIFR, GLDN, TADA3 and ZNRF3) found in synovial cells were not confirmed. Pathway analyses revealed 10 significantly enriched pathways, and a protein–protein interaction network analysis showed that four novel PBMC‐derived genes were connected to previously reported genes by four intermediate genes. Therefore, we proposed that four newly identified PBMC‐derived genes could be integrated with previously reported RA‐associated genes to monitor and/or diagnose RA.
Immunogenetic profiling of 23 SNPs of cytokine and chemokine receptor genes through a minisequencing technique: Design, development and validation
Authors: Valverde‐Villegas J. M. , de Medeiros R. M. , Almeida S. E. M. , Chies J. A. B. 
Published: April 2017

SummaryThe minisequencing technique offers accuracy and robustness to genotyping of polymorphic DNA variants, being an excellent option for the identification and analyses of prognostic/susceptibility markers in human diseases. Two multiplex minisequencing assays were designed and standardized to screen 23 candidate SNPs in cytokine, chemokine receptor and ligand genes previously associated with susceptibility to cancer and autoimmune disorders as well as to infectious diseases outcome. The SNPs were displayed in two separate panels (panel 1—IL2 rs2069762, TNFα rs1800629, rs361525; IL4 rs2243250; IL6 rs1800795; IL10 rs1800896, rs1800872; IL17A rs8193036, rs2275913 and panel 2—CCR3 rs309125, CCR4 rs6770096, rs2228428; CCR6 rs968334; CCR8 rs2853699; CXCR3 rs34334103, rs2280964;CXCR6 rs223435, rs2234358; CCL20 rs13034664, rs6749704; CCL22 rs4359426; CXCL10/IP‐10 rs3921, rs56061981). A total of 305 DNA samples from healthy individuals were genotyped by minisequencing. To validate the minisequencing technique and to encompass the majority of the potential genotypes for all 23 SNPs, 20 of these samples were genotyped by Sanger sequencing. The results of both techniques were 100% in agreement. The technique of minisequencing showed high accuracy and robustness, avoiding the need for high quantities of DNA template samples. It was easily to be conducted in bulk samples derived from a highly admixed human population, being therefore an excellent option for immunogenetic studies.
Infectious complications in indigenous renal transplant recipients in Western Australia
Authors: Boan Peter , Swaminathan Ramyasuda , Irish Ashley 
Published: April 2017

BackgroundInfectious complications remain a significant risk following renal transplantation.AimTo examine the burden and pattern of infection following renal transplantation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) compared to non‐ATSI.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of 141 consecutive adult renal transplant recipients in Western Australia between 2005 and 2011 was conducted. We determined baseline serological status for relevant organisms, the number of patients with specific infections, infectious admission in the first year post‐transplantation and the rate of infectious death during follow up.ResultsThere were 57 ATSI and 84 non‐ATSI renal transplant recipients. ATSI compared to non‐ATSI had a high rate of cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositivity (98.2% vs 73.2%, P < 0.001), HBcAb positivity (100% vs 13.3%, P < 0.001) and strongyloides seropositivity (ATSI 3/12 tested). In the first year post‐transplant, ATSI compared to non‐ASTI had a higher rate of pneumonia (17.9% vs 3.6% of patients, P = 0.006), and non‐significant trend to higher rates of gastrointestinal parasitic infection (7.0% vs 1.2% of patients, P = 0.158), invasive fungal infection (10.5% vs 4.8% of patients, P = 0.316), and hospitalisation because of infection (10.0 vs 5.5 days, P = 0.071). Overall 5‐year cumulative survival was lower for ATSI versus non‐ATSI (0.64 vs 0.86, P = 0.022) with two‐thirds of ATSI deaths attributed to infection.Conclusions
ATSI are at high risk of infectious complications after renal transplantation associated with a burden of hospitalisation and death. Augmented screening and prophylaxis for infectious diseases should be considered. Further study needs to identify contributing environmental and immunity factors.
Ficolin‐A/2, acting as a new regulator of macrophage polarization, mediates the inflammatory response in experimental mouse colitis
Authors: Yang Yi‐Fei , Zhou Yi‐Dan , Hu Jia‐Chen , Luo Feng‐Ling , Xie Yan , Shen Yan‐Ying , Bian Wen‐Xiu , Yin Zhi‐Nan , Li Hong‐Liang , Zhang Xiao‐Lian 
Published: April 2017

SummaryHuman ficolin‐2 (FCN‐2) and mouse ficolin‐A (FCN‐A, a ficolin‐2‐like molecule in mouse) are activators of the lectin complement pathway, present in normal plasma and usually associated with infectious diseases, but little is known about the role of FCN‐A/2 in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In our present study, we found that patients with IBD exhibited much higher serum FCN‐2 levels than healthy controls. In the dextran sulphate sodium‐induced acute colitis mouse model, FCN‐A knockout mice showed much milder disease symptoms with less histological damage, lower expression levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines [interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐1β and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α)], chemokines (CXCL1/2/10 and CCL4) and higher levels of the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 compared with wild‐type mice. We demonstrated that FCN‐A/2 exacerbated the inflammatory pathogenesis of IBD by stimulating M1 polarization through the TLR4/MyD88/MAPK/NF‐κB signalling pathway in macrophages. Hence, our data suggest that FCN‐A/2 may be used as a novel therapeutic target for IBD.
Geopolymer reinforced with E‐glass leno weaves
Authors: Sankar Kaushik , Kriven Waltraud M. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis study explores the viability of fiberglass‐geopolymer composites as an intermediate temperature structural ceramic composite. E‐glass fibers are cheap, readily available, resistant to heat, electricity and chemical attack. Geopolymers are refractory and can be processed at room temperature. However, pure geopolymers have low tensile strength and fracture toughness, as is typical of ceramics. In this work, tensile and flexure properties of metakaolin‐based sodium and potassium geopolymers reinforced with E‐glass leno weaves were measured and the data was analyzed by Weibull statistics. The average tensile and flexural strengths for sodium geopolymer reinforced with E‐glass leno weaves were 39.3 ± 7.2 MPa and 25.6 ± 4.8 MPa, respectively. For potassium geopolymer reinforced with E‐glass leno weaves, the average tensile and flexural strengths were 40.7 ± 9.9 MPa and 15.9 ± 4.0 MPa, respectively. The composites were heat treated for one hour at two temperatures, 300°C and 550°C and their flexure properties were studied at room temperatures. The average flexural strengths for sodium geopolymer reinforced with E‐glass leno weaves were reduced to 6.6 ± 1.0 MPa after heat treatment at 300°C, and 1.2 ± 0.3 MPa after heat treatment at 550°C, respectively. For potassium geopolymer reinforced with E‐glass leno weaves, the average flexural strengths were 6.1 ± 1.5 MPa and 1.3 ± 0.3 MPa after heat treatment at 300°C and 550°C, respectively.SEMandEDSwere performed to observe the fiber‐matrix interface.XRDwas done to check if the geopolymer was amorphous as expected.
Preparation and properties of pure crystalline perovskite CeFeO3 thin films with vanadium doping
Authors: Lin Nanxi , Huo Lina , Liu Haipeng , Fang Xiao , Wu Shuting , Chen Xin , Hu Xiaolin , Zhuang Naifeng 
Published: April 2017

AbstractCerium ferrite (CeFeO3) thin films doped with vanadium (V:CeFeO3) were grown on SiO2 quartz glass and <100>‐oriented SrTiO3 (STO) crystal substrates by the radio‐frequency magnetron sputtering method in this study. The effects of crystallization, substrate, and V‐doping on the quality, the magnetic property and the magneto‐optical property of as‐prepared films are investigated. V:CeFeO3 film grown on STO substrate has better crystallinity and has better lattice integrity due to the higher lattice matching between substrate and film. The magnetic hysteresis loop and the magnetic circular dichroism spectra show that the magnetization strength and the magneto‐optical properties of V:CeFeO3 films have the significant anisotropy. Moreover, V‐doping and the stress lead to the change in easy magnetization direction of film. It shows that the perovskite B‐site doping with transition‐metal ion has significant influence on the magnetic and the magneto‐optical properties of CeFeO3 thin films.
Ultrathin N‐doped carbon‐coated TiO2 coaxial nanofibers as anodes for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Xu Bingqing , Luo Yidong , Liu Ting , Zhang Qinghua , Lin Yuan‐Hua , Nan Ce‐Wen , Shen Yang , Chen Rujun , Xu Hong , Li Jingwei 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe structural optimization of TiO2 materials has a significance for improving the electrochemical performance since TiO2 suffers from poor electronic conductivity. For this purpose, ultrathin N‐doped carbon‐coated TiO2 coaxial nanofibers have been designed and synthesized by a facile electrospinning approach. Microstructure analysis indicates that the TiO2 nanofibers can be coated by the ultrathin carbon layers. Electrochemical tests reveal that the rate performance and cycling ability of TiO2@C nanofibers have been enhanced obviously. The TiO2@C6 nanofibers carbonized at 600°C exhibit superior features with a specific discharge capacity of 284 mAh g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1 after 100 cycles. Besides improved rate performance of 117 mAh g−1 at a high current density of 2000 mA g−1 and excellent cycling stability with only about 0.008% capacity loss per cycle were also obtained in the sample TiO2@C6 after 500 cycles at the current density of 1000 mA g−1. Such remarkable performance may be ascribed to the unique one‐dimensional nanofibers as flexible carbon matrix.
Crystalline phase and electrical properties of lead‐free piezoelectric KNN‐based films with different orientations
Authors: Chen Wen , Wang Lingyan , Ren Wei , Niu Gang , Zhao Jinyan , Zhang Nan , Liu Ming , Tian Ye , Dong Ming 
Published: April 2017

AbstractLead‐free piezoelectric 0.915K0.5Na0.5NbO3‐0.075BaZrO3‐0.01Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 (KNN‐BZ‐BNT) films were grown on Nb‐doped SrTiO3 substrates with different orientations. The thin films show highly preferential orientations in accordance with the orientations of single crystalline substrates. The films all exhibit a weak contrast and remarkable homogeneity in the local static out‐of‐plane piezoresponse phase images, suggesting a strong self‐polarization. Combining with the analysis of XRD‐RSM, TEM and PFM, the crystalline phase of our samples was determined to be rhombohedral, which has the spontaneous polarization along [111] direction. Thus, the (100)‐oriented film demonstrates the most superior piezoelectric properties. Our detailed studies on structural and electrical properties of KNN‐BZ‐BNT films further clarify the structure‐property relationship and make a step closer to use this lead‐free material for many piezoelectric applications.
Processes and kinetics of mass gain in archeological brick following drying and reheating
Authors: Barrett Gerard Thomas 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe mass gain behavior of archeological bricks was examined following drying (130°C)/reheating (500°C) and aging at a range of temperatures (25°C, 35°C, 45°C). For drying or reheating, samples exhibit a two‐stage mass gain behavior, the second stage, Stage 2, continuing indefinitely and better described by a t1/n model (1/n=1/6‐1/2); a correlation between the 1/n value and the specific surface area/pore volume demonstrates diffusion mechanisms with some pore geometry/morphology dependence. Stage 2 is shown to have an Arrhenius temperature dependence with activation energies of similar orders of magnitude following both drying and reheating. Supported by thermogravimetric‐mass spectrometry (TG‐MS), Stage 2 is demonstrated as likely due to the recombination of chemisorbed water, previously removed, whereas following reheating due to two components, a chemisorbed component associated with drying and a component associated with rehydroxyls removed at higher temperatures during reheating. Differences between activation energies of chemisorption and rehydroxylation components support this. Evidence for a fundamental compositional relationship between these processes is presented by a strong linear relationship between the drying and reheating mass gain rates. Stage 1, following drying or reheating, is shown to be likely associated with physisorption processes alone.