bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First record ofNeocatenulostroma germanicumon pines in Lithuania and Ukraine and its co‐occurrence withDothistromaspp. and other pathogens
Authors: Markovskaja S. , Kačergius A. , Davydenko K. , Fraser S. 
Published: October 2016

SummaryNeocatenulostroma germanicum(syn.Catenulostroma germanicum),an ascomycetous fungus, is recorded for the first time in Lithuania and the Ukraine.N. germanicumwas observed colonizing pine needles and causing needle blight symptoms onPinus mugoin coastal areas of Lithuania,Pinus nigrasubsp.pallasianiain southern areas of the Ukraine andPinus sylvestrisin both coastal and continental areas of Lithuania.N. germanicumwas commonly associated withDothistromaspp. and/orLecanosticta acicolaon needles with symptoms of needle blight, but was also found occurring alone. Phylogenetic analysis, morphological examination and cultural and ecological characterizations ofNeocatenulostromaisolates obtained during this study demonstrated that the species belongs to theN. abietis/N. germanicumspecies complex. Molecular analysis (ofITS,LSU, actin andTEF1‐α sequences) showed that most isolates were more closely related to theN. germanicumex‐type. The pathogenicity of oneN. germanicumisolate from Lithuania onP. sylvestriswas confirmed in an artificial inoculation experiment.
Automating maintenance for a one‐way transmitting blackboard system used for autonomous multi‐tier control
Authors: Straub Jeremy 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe blackboard architecture has particular utility in applications where conclusions must be drawn in the absence of human involvement. Through properly crafted rules, this approach can determine what a collection of data may mean. This can be utilized by other onboard software to limit transmission to only relevant data or conclusions. Some applications, such as robotic exploration, may preclude or severely limit the availability of controller‐to‐craft‐agent communications. In this case, the maintenance of the system must be performed autonomously.This paper discusses common maintenance tasks that may be relevant to a long‐running blackboard‐based system (e.g. clearing extraneous data from the blackboard regularly to improve performance, archiving relevant but infrequently used data for performance enhancement). A system for automating these tasks is presented that is suitable for most blackboard‐style systems. Its particular utility to those that cannot be easily accessed is discussed. Quantitative analysis of the value of removing rules from the system is performed and presented, and these results are extrapolated to several prospective blackboard maintenance approaches.
Silicon mediates the changes in water relations, photosynthetic pigments, enzymatic antioxidants activity and nutrient uptake in maize seedling under salt stress
Authors: Sattar Abdul , Cheema Mumtaz Akhtar , Ali Hakoomat , Sher Ahmad , Ijaz Muhammad , Hussain Mubshar , Hassan Waseem , Abbas Tahira 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIt was hypothesized that silicon (Si) could regulate the salinity induced changes for adequate physiological adaptations against salt stress. Therefore, a pot study was conducted to assess the role of soil applied Si to improve the salt tolerance in maize seedling. Fifteen‐day‐old seedlings were subjected to four saline treatments with four replicates, namely control (no NaCl nor Si added), only Si (4 mmol L−1 Si), only salinity (40 mmol L−1 NaCl) and salinity + Si (40 mmol L−1 NaCl with 4 mmol L−1 Si) as salt concentration. Salt stress imposed negative impacts on plant growth attributes (root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight of root and shoot, seedlings biomass), water relations and photosynthetic pigments. In contrast, the supplementation of Si under stressed and normal growing conditions stimulated plant growth attributes, water relations and photosynthetic pigments. An increase in antioxidant enzyme activity was noted under stressed conditions, which was more pronounced in plants that experienced Si application. Silicon application under stressed conditions lowered the total soluble protein contents. It also regulated the ionic contents of the cell by restricting the sodium (Na+) and improving potassium (K+) contents. To conclude that soil applied Si was found a potential nutrient for reducing the negative effects of salinity and improving the growth of maize seedlings.
Helicobacter pylori infection and its related factors in junior high school students in Nagano Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Nakayama Yoshiko , Lin Yingsong , Hongo Minoru , Hidaka Hiroya , Kikuchi Shogo 
Published: October 2016

AbstractBackgroundThere have been few reports on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in asymptomatic Japanese children and adolescents. We hypothesized that the prevalence of H. pylori infection is very low among Japanese children and that clinical variables such as serum pepsinogen and iron levels are associated with H. pylori infection.Materials and MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of a sample of 454 junior high school students aged 12‐15 years in four areas in Nagano Prefecture. A commercial ELISA kit (E‐plate Eiken H. pylori antibody) was used to measure IgG antibody against H. pylori. Serum pepsinogen and iron levels were also measured using standard methods. A urea breath test was performed for seropositive students.ResultsThe overall prevalence of H. pylori was 3.1% (14/454). There were no significant differences in H. pylori prevalence among mountain, rural, and urban areas. The mean level of both serum pepsinogen (PG I) and PG II was significantly increased in the seropositive subjects compared with the seronegative subjects. When the cutoff values for adults (PG I: 70 ng/mL and PG I/II ratio: 3) were used, 4 of 14 subjects had PG I ≤70 ng/mL and PG I/II ratio ≤3. The results of a logistic regression analysis showed that low serum iron levels were significantly associated with H. pylori infection (P=.02).ConclusionsThe prevalence of H. pylori infection is as low as 3% among junior high school students aged 12‐15 years in Japan. The disappearance of H. pylori is accelerating in Japanese children.
Is there a role for patients and their relatives in escalating clinical deterioration in hospital? A systematic review
Authors: Albutt Abigail K. , O'Hara Jane K. , Conner Mark T. , Fletcher Stephen J. , Lawton Rebecca J. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractBackgroundMeasures exist to improve early recognition of, and response to, deteriorating patients in hospital. However, deteriorating patients continue to go unrecognized. To address this, interventions have been developed that invite patients and relatives to escalate patient deterioration to a rapid response team (RRT).ObjectiveTo systematically review articles that describe these interventions and investigate their effectiveness at reducing preventable deterioration.Search strategyFollowing PRISMA guidelines, four electronic databases and two web search engines were searched to identify literature investigating patient and relative led escalation.Inclusion criteriaArticles investigating the implementation or use of systems involving patients and relatives in the detection of clinical patient deterioration and escalation of patient care to address any clinical or non‐clinical outcomes were included. Articles’ eligibility was validated by a second reviewer (20%).Data extractionData were extracted according to pre‐defined criteria.Data synthesisNarrative synthesis was applied to included studies.Main resultsNine empirical studies and 36 grey literature articles were included in the review. Limited studies were conducted to establish the clinical effectiveness of patient and relative led escalation. Instead, studies investigated the impact of this intervention on health‐care staff and available resources. Although appropriate, this reflects the infancy of research in this area. Patients and relatives did not overwhelm resources by activating the RRT. However, they did activate it to address concerns unrelated to patient deterioration.ConclusionsActivating a RRT may not be the most appropriate or cost‐effective method of resolving non‐life‐threatening concerns.
Bumblebees depend on ericaceous species to survive in temperate heathlands
Authors: Moquet Laura , Vanderplanck Maryse , Moerman Romain , Quinet Muriel , Roger Nathalie , Michez Denis , Jacquemart Anne‐Laure 
Published: October 2016

Abstract

Bumblebees are the predominant wild pollinators for many plant species in temperate regions. A bumblebee colony requires pollen and nectar throughout its lifetime, but degraded and fragmented habitats may have gaps in the temporal and spatial continuity of floral resources.

Heathlands are open biotopes that provide favourable habitat for bumblebees like Bombus jonellus, a declining species in Belgium. In heathlands, ericaceous species are the main plants that provide pollen and nectar for bumblebees. Although the nectar composition of ericaceous species has been previously studied, data on pollen composition remain scarce.

We examined bumblebee diets (composition of their pollen loads) in Belgian heathlands over the course of a colony lifetime to assess the fidelity of bumblebees for ericaceous species. We compared nutritional values by investigating the chemical composition (amino acids, polypeptides and sterols) of the pollen of the ericaceous and dominant non‐ericaceous species present in pollen loads. No relationship was detected between the abundance of a particular plant species in bumblebee loads and its pollen composition.

The successive flowering periods and the nutritional quality of pollen of ericaceous species offer valuable resources for bumblebees. Ericaceous species represent a large part of bumblebee diets in heathlands, especially in early spring and late summer when the diversity of other flowering species was low.

Bumblebee pollen loads also contained non‐ericaceous flowering species that grow outside heathlands. Thus, land planning must incorporate conservation strategies for the different elements of the landscape matrix, including heathlands, peatlands, meadows and margins.
Interrelationships of child appetite, weight and snacking among Hispanic preschoolers
Authors: Rudy E. , Bauer K. W. , Hughes S. O. , O'Connor T. M. , Vollrath K. , Davey A. , Correa N. E. M. , Chen T.‐A. , Fisher J. O. 
Published: October 2016

SummaryBackgroundSnacking among US preschoolers has increased in recent decades, raising questions about whether snacking contributes to dietary excess.ObjectivesThis research aimed to characterize snacking contributions to dietary excess and to evaluate associations with appetite and weight among preschool‐aged children.MethodsThis study is a cross‐sectional, observational study of 187 Hispanic low‐income preschoolers. Three 24‐h dietary recalls were used to assess snacking frequency and parameters of dietary excess including energy, saturated fat, trans fats and added sugars. Parental reports of child satiety responsiveness, food responsiveness, and enjoyment of food were obtained. Child height and weight were measured.ResultsChildren consumed 28% (395 kcal) of daily energy from snacks eaten at 2.3 ± 1.0 occasions per day. Greater snacking frequency was associated with greater daily intakes of energy (p < 0.05) and added sugars (p < 0.001). Among overweight/obese children, higher enjoyment of food was associated with more frequent snacking and greater energy intake from snacks (p = 0.01). Inverse associations of enjoyment of food with snacking frequency and energy intake were seen among normal weight children (p < 0.05).ConclusionsMore frequent snacking among low‐income Hispanic preschoolers may contribute to excessive intakes of energy and added sugars, particularly among overweight/obese children with greater motivation to eat.
Predictors for clinical deterioration of mental state in patients assessed by telephone‐based mental health triage
Authors: Sands Natisha , Elsom Stephen , Corbett Rebecca , Keppich‐Arnold Sandra , Prematunga Roshani , Berk Michael , Considine Julie 
Published: October 2016

AbstractPatient safety research focussing on recognizing and responding to clinical deterioration is gaining momentum in generalist health, but has received little attention in mental health settings. The focus on early identification and prompt intervention for clinical deterioration enshrined in patient safety research is equally relevant to mental health, especially in triage and crisis care contexts, yet the knowledge gap in this area is substantial. The present study was a controlled cohort study (n = 817) that aimed to identify patient and service characteristics associated with clinical deterioration of mental state indicated by unplanned admission to an inpatient psychiatric unit following assessment by telephone‐based mental health triage. The main objective of the research was to produce knowledge to improve understandings of mental deterioration that can be used to inform early detection, intervention, and prevention strategies at the point of triage. The results of the study found that the clinical profile of admitted patients was one of complexity and severity. Admitted patients were more likely to have had complex psychiatric histories with multiple psychiatric admissions, severe psychotic symptoms, a history of treatment non‐adherence, and poorer social functioning than non‐admitted patients.
Inflammatory markers in saliva as indicators of gingival inflammation in cerebral palsy children with and without cervical motor control
Authors: Santos Maria Teresa Botti Rodrigues , Diniz Michele Baffi , Guaré Renata Oliveira , Ferreira Maria Cristina Duarte , Gutierrez Gabriela Mancia , Gorjão Renata 
Published: October 2016

SummaryAimTo evaluate the relation among gingival inflammation, salivary osmolality, levels of IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, TNF‐α, and s‐IgA concentrations in children with spastic CP with or without cervical motor control in a cross‐sectional study.DesignUnstimulated whole saliva and the gingival index were collected in 37 and 34 CP children with and without cervical motor control, respectively. The data were dichotomized as follows: (=0) absence of gingival inflammation and (≥0.1) presence of gingival inflammation.ResultsThe group without cervical control presented statistically higher mean values of salivary osmolality, s‐IgA, and cytokines. In addition, statistically positive correlation between the gingival index and salivary cytokines was observed in the group with cervical control. Salivary osmolality, salivary cytokines, and s‐IgA from both groups presented a significant positive correlation. Significant differences (P = 0.00336) in the values of salivary osmolality were observed between the CP individuals with (93.9 ± 32.7) and without gingival inflammation (74.4 ± 16.6). ROC analysis was performed, and values of salivary osmolality >80 indicated a sensitivity of 0.54 and a specificity of 0.79.ConclusionsChildren without cervical motor control presented a more pronounced oral inflammatory status that was characterized by higher levels of cytokines.
Piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of (Bi,Na)TiO3–(Bi,Li)TiO3–(Bi,K)TiO3 ceramics for accelerometer application
Authors: Lee Gyoung‐Ja , Kim Byung‐Hoon , Yang Sun‐A , Park Jin‐Ju , Bu Sang‐Don , Lee Min‐Ku 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of 0.76(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3–0.04(Bi0.5Li0.5)TiO3–0.2(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3 (abbreviated as 0.76BNT–0.04BLT–0.2BKT) ceramics were investigated to clarify the optimal sintering temperature, and the vibration characteristics were examined for a compression‐mode accelerometer assembly in which 0.76BNT–0.04BLT–0.2BKT ceramics sintered at the optimized temperature served as the piezoelectric elements. The increase in the grain size of the 0.76BNT–0.04BLT–0.2BKT ceramics with the sintering temperature provides a beneficial contribution to the piezoelectric coefficient; however, it detrimentally contributes to the depolarization temperature. The charge sensitivity of the prototype accelerometers was evaluated with changes in the seismic mass and the layer number of the piezoceramics. The deviation between the theoretical and measured values of charge sensitivity was less than 10%.
Reducing patient delay in Acute Coronary Syndrome (RAPiD): research protocol for a web‐based randomized controlled trial examining the effect of a behaviour change intervention
Authors: Farquharson Barbara , Johnston Marie , Smith Karen , Williams Brian , Treweek Shaun , Dombrowski Stephan U , Dougall Nadine , Abhyankar Purva , Grindle Mark 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAimsTo evaluate the efficacy of a behaviour change technique–based intervention and compare two possible modes of delivery (text + visual and text‐only) with usual care.BackgroundPatient delay prevents many people from achieving optimal benefit of time‐dependent treatments for acute coronary syndrome. Reducing delay would reduce mortality and morbidity, but interventions to change behaviour have had mixed results. Systematic inclusion of behaviour change techniques or a visual mode of delivery might improve the efficacy of interventions.DesignA three‐arm web‐based, parallel randomized controlled trial of a theory‐based intervention.MethodsThe intervention comprises 12 behaviour change techniques systematically identified following systematic review and a consensus exercise undertaken with behaviour change experts. We aim to recruit n = 177 participants who have experienced acute coronary syndrome in the previous 6 months from a National Health Service Hospital. Consenting participants will be randomly allocated in equal numbers to one of three study groups: i) usual care, ii) usual care plus text‐only behaviour change technique‐based intervention or iii) usual care plus text + visual behaviour change technique‐based intervention. The primary outcome will be the change in intention to phone an ambulance immediately with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome ≥15‐minute duration, assessed using two randomized series of eight scenarios representing varied symptoms before and after delivery of the interventions or control condition (usual care). Funding granted January 2014.DiscussionPositive results changing intentions would lead to a randomized controlled trial of the behaviour change intervention in clinical practice, assessing patient delay in the event of actual symptoms.Trial registrationRegistered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02820103.
Developing an Easy Read Version of the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit (ASCOT)
Authors: Turnpenny Agnes , Caiels James , Whelton Beckie , Richardson Lisa , Beadle‐Brown Julie , Crowther Tanya , Forder Julien , Apps Joanna , Rand Stacey 
Published: October 2016

BackgroundThis study reports the experiences of developing and pre‐testing an Easy Read version of the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit (ASCOT) for self‐report by people with intellectual disabilities.MethodsThe study has combined survey development and pre‐testing methods with approaches to create accessible information for people with intellectual disabilities. A working group assisted researchers in identifying appropriate question formats, pictures and wording. Focus groups and cognitive interviews were conducted to test various iterations of the instrument.ResultsSubstantial changes were made to the questionnaire, which included changes to illustrations, the wording of question stems and response options.ConclusionsThe process demonstrated the benefits of involving people with intellectual disabilities in the design and testing of data collection instruments. Adequately adapted questionnaires can be useful tools to collect information from people with intellectual disabilities in survey research; however, its limitations must be recognized.
Credit Ratings and Earnings Management around IPOs
Authors: Gounopoulos Dimitrios , Pham Hang 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThis study examines the impact of having a credit rating on earnings management (EM) through accruals and real activities manipulation by initial public offering (IPO) firms. We find that firms going public with a credit rating are less likely to engage in income‐enhancing accrual‐based and real EM in the offering year. The monitoring by a credit rating agency (CRA) and the reduced information asymmetry due to the provision of a credit rating disincentivise rated issuers from managing earnings. We also suggest that the participation of a reputable auditing firm is crucial for CRAs to effectively restrain EM. Moreover, we document that for unrated issuers, at‐issue income‐increasing EM is not linked to future earnings and is negatively related to post‐issue long‐run stock performance. However, for rated issuers, at‐issue income‐increasing EM is positively associated with subsequent accounting performance and is unrelated to long‐run stock performance following the offering. The evidence indicates that managers in unrated firms generally manipulate earnings to mislead investors, while managers in rated firms tend to exercise their accounting and operating discretion for informative purposes.
Effect of the extract and compound from Solanum nigrum Linn on Tetranychus cinnabarinus
Authors: Chen Y. J. , Dai G. H. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe carmine spider mite Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) is a serious pest affecting various glasshouse vegetables, fruits and crops and causes significant damage to crop yields and quality by piercing and sucking foliar tissues. The control of this mite primarily involves the application of synthetic chemical pesticides. In this study, a Solanum nigrum L. extract was evaluated for its potential acaricidal activity against adult female T. cinnabarinus in laboratory conditions, and the S. nigrum extract showed marked efficacy in controlling the carmine spider mite both in vitro and in potted seedlings. Furthermore, the active compound, a phytostanol ester (β‐sitosterol‐3‐O‐heptadeca‐8Z, 11Z‐dienoate), was isolated from the petroleum ether‐soluble fraction of S. nigrum extract via repeated column chromatography and identified based on its physiochemical properties and spectral data. At 7 days after treatment in a potted seedling experiment, the LC50 values of the S. nigrum extract and active compound were found to be 4.70 and 1.85 g/l, respectively. All of these results demonstrated that the S. nigrum extract and its active component exhibit the potential for use as new natural acaricides for controlling carmine spider mites.