bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is there a role for vitamin D in human reproduction?
Authors: Nandi Anindita , Sinha Nandita , Ong Erwyn , Sonmez Halis , Poretsky Leonid 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
Vitamin D is a steroid hormone with canonical roles in calcium metabolism and bone modeling. However, in recent years there has been a growing body of literature presenting associations between vitamin D levels and a variety of disease processes, including metabolic disorders such as diabetes and prediabetes and autoimmune conditions such as thyroid disease. This review focuses on the potential role of vitamin D in both male and female reproductive function. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed throughout central and peripheral organs of reproduction. VDR is often co-localized with its metabolizing enzymes, suggesting the importance of tissue specific modulation of active vitamin D levels. Both animal and human studies in males links vitamin D deficiency with hypogonadism and decreased fertility. In females, there is evidence for its role in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, leiomyomas, in-vitro fertilization, and pregnancy outcomes. Studies evaluating the effects of replacing vitamin D have shown variable results. There remains some concern that the effects of vitamin D on reproduction are not direct, but rather secondary to the accompanying hypocalcemia or estrogen dysregulation.
Long-Lasting Phosphorescent Properties of Tb3+ Doped ZnO–P2O5–SiO2 Glasses
Authors: Cao Yuxia 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe long-lasting phosphorescent glass with the composition of ZnO–P2O5–SiO2: Tb3+ was prepared by melt-quenched method. After irradiation by 254 nm light, a visible greenish light can be observed with the naked eyes, in the dark for up to 9 h after removal of the activating light. The luminescent properties of ZnO–P2O5–SiO2: Tb3+ were studied by fluorescence spectra, afterglow spectra and thermoluminescence spectra. The results show that the luminescent properties of the glasses become better with the increase of ZnO contents. The luminescent properties of glasses increase with the increase of Tb3+ contents. When 2% of ZnO is replaced by 2% of RO (RO=CaO, SrO, BaO), the luminescent property of glasses become worse in the order of CaO, SrO, BaO. The higher the contents of RO (RO=CaO, SrO, BaO) are, the worse the luminescent properties of the glasses become.
Effect of Coffee Added to a Polyethylene glycol plus Ascorbic acid Solution for Bowel Preparation prior to Colonoscopy
Authors: Jung Sung Won , Moh In Ho , Yoo Hana , Jang Sung Ill , Shin Su Rin , Kim Jin Bae , Park Sang Hoon , Lee Myung Seok 
Published: March 2016

Background & Aims: Conventional bowel cleansers for colonoscopy have an unpleasant taste and a large volume of solution must be ingested. Coffee increases bowel motility and has an intense flavor. The addition of coffee to a polyethylene glycol+ascorbic acid solution reduces the volume of the solution to be consumed without reducing efficacy, improves the taste of the solution and enhances patient comfort.
Methods: Outpatients with clinical indication or people who wanted screening for cancer were considered eligible. Control group (PEGAS group) consumed a 1-L solution of polyethylene glycol+ascorbic acid twice. Study group (COF group) consumed 750 mL of coffee+polyethylene glycol+ascorbic acid twice. Bowel cleansing was rated using the Aronchick, Ottawa scale, polyp detection rate and colonoscopic insertion time. Tolerability, acceptability, preference, and adverse events were investigated by questionnaires.
Results: The COF group had non-inferiority in efficacy (non-inferiority margin, -15 %; lower limit of 95 % confidence interval for difference between success rates, – 4.7 % and –8.4 % from both scales, respectively). Polyp detection rates were 0.48 and 0.60, respectively (P=0.067). Colonoscopic insertion times were 323.6±166.8 s and 330.7±243.6 s, respectively (P=0.831). Significant improvement was observed with respect to ease of drinking (P=0.012), taste (P=0.026) and preference (P=0.046) in the COF group. Adverse events occurred in 52.4 % and 60.4 % in the two groups, respectively (P = 0.251).
Conclusion: The addition of coffee to polyethylene glycol+ascorbic acid solution reduces the required volume for bowel preparation without reduced efficacy and enhances patient comfort in coffee-drinkers.
Abbreviations: ASC: ascorbic acid; PEG: polyethylene glycol; AE: adverse event; PP: per protocol; ITT: intention-to-treat; PICO: sodium picosulfate.
Derecho al honor y la intimidad versus derecho a la información (análisis crítico de la jurisprudencia española reciente)
Authors: Cariñana Mª Ángeles Zurilla 
Published: March 2016

El objetivo del presente estudio es ofrecer un análisis crítico de lajurisprudencia recaída en los últimos años en España en torno a laconfrontación entre la protección de los derechos al honor, la intimidady la propia imagen, y la de los derechos a la información y a lalibertad de expresión. En los tiempos que vivimos, la proliferación deprogramas del corazón, prensa rosa, tertulias televisivas, radiofónicas,así como el auge imparable de Internet, (con incontables blogs, foros de opinión, videos publicados por los proprios usuarios, redes sociales...) constituye un caldo de cultivo apropiado para la vulneración de losderechos al honor, la intimidad y la propia imagen. Las demandas endefensa de los mismos son constantes. Como paso previo interesa poner de relieve que el tratamiento desdeel Derecho civil de los derechos reconocidos en el texto constituciona sólo se justifica cuando exista alguna particularidad en el régimen de protección frente a los daños, o cuando exista una regulación determinada respecto del régimen aplicable a la transmisión de losderechos; pues ambas son cuestiones exclusivas del Derecho civil.
Quantifying and correcting for scat removal in noninvasive carnivore scat surveys
Authors: Lonsinger Robert C. , Gese Eric M. , Knight Robert N. , Johnson Timothy R. , Waits Lisette P. 
Published: March 2016

Scat surveys are commonly used to monitor wildlife populations. For carnivores, surveys are typically conducted along roads and trails. Scats available for detection may not reflect scats deposited and variation in disappearance may bias results. Previous research has investigated natural decay and deterioration, but scats deposited along roads or trails are likely influenced to a greater degree by anthropogenic disturbance in some systems. We used experimental plots to evaluate variation in scat removal for two model carnivores, coyote Canis latrans and kit fox Vulpes macrotis, along roads in the Great Basin Desert, USA. Using parametric survival regression, we predicted scat survival and developed persistence‐rate correction factors, which were applied to results from relative abundance scat surveys conducted along 15 transects. Kit fox scats disappeared more rapidly than coyote scats, with 3.3% and 10.6%, respectively, persisting through 42 days. At 14 days, 90.8‐41.7% of scats had been removed across road types. Survival models indicated species, road type, scat position and daily traffic were important predictors of scat persistence. Applying persistence‐rate correction factors to scat survey results altered the inferred relative abundances. Across seasons, mean corrected:uncorrected relative abundance ratios ranged from 1.0–91.2 for coyotes and 1.3–139.3 for kit foxes, with higher mean ratios being influenced by high corrected relative abundances on roads with high traffic volumes. Understanding scat removal rates and patterns can improve inferences from surveys. Persistence‐rate correction factors can be used to reduce bias in indices of abundance, but caution should be used when removal rates are high. Knowledge of spatial variation in persistence can elucidate concerns of false‐positives and false‐negatives in occupancy and capture—recapture studies. Considering the disparity in scat removal between species and among road types and positions, we recommend practitioners quantify and consider variation in removal when interpreting scat survey results.
Facet tropism: possible role in the pathology of lumbar disc herniation in adolescents
Authors: Wang Honggang , Zhou Yue 
Published: March 2016

OBJECTIVE
The role of facet tropism (FT) in lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is ambiguous. The present study aimed to investigate the association between FT and LDH in adolescents.

METHODS
This study included 65 adolescents with LDH with 1- or 2-level LDH, or both. Facet angles were measured with MRI. FT was defined as asymmetry of 10° between the left and right side. The same levels of 30 healthy persons who had no lumbar lesions were used as controls. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test.

RESULTS
FT was identified in 16 of 39 patients with LDH in L4–5 and in 3 of 30 controls (p = 0.006, OR 6.261, 95% CI 1.619–24.217). It was also identified in 12 of 27 patients with LDH in L5–S1 and in 4 of 30 controls (p = 0.017, OR 5.200, 95% CI 1.420–19.039). One patient had LDH in both L4–5 and L5–S1.

CONCLUSIONS
FT is associated with LDH in both L4–5 and L5–S1 levels in adolescents.
Social renewal through the rural: Agricultural cooperatives in South Korea as a form of critiquing capitalism
Authors: Park Albert L. 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
Although modernist discourse has emphasised industry and the urban over agriculture and the rural, this article proposes that this view of the rural as traditional and conservative is inaccurate; rather, the rural can serve as a powerful tool for critiquing capitalism. Contemporary agricultural and food movements, such as agricultural cooperatives in South Korea, are in the process of imagining alternative systems of working and living. Because they push for economic equality, intimate social exchanges, a harmonious relationship between humanity and the environment and a spatial equality between the city and country, these movements show how the rural has become a resource for reimagining new paths of fruitful social development and a symbol of hope for both urban and rural inhabitants.
SYNTHESIS OF THE S-ONLY 122,123,124TE ISOTOPES AND THE SELECTIVE DEPLETION OF 123TE BY ELECTRON CAPTURE PROCESS IN MASSIVE STARS
Authors: Takahashi K. , Blaum K. , Novikov Yu. 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACT
We investigate the production ratios of the naturally occurring s-only nuclides

Te by solving a nuclear network in the mass number

region under some conditions representing those in the helium–hydrogen inter-shell in low-mass AGB stars as well as those in the helium burning and the carbon burning phases in massive stars. We show that the electron-capture process on 123Te (the natural half-life

years) could proceed decisively fast during the late evolutionary phases of massive stars. We thus re-iterate and re-enforce the decades-old notion that detailed analysis of the relative

Te abundances in due consideration of the selective 123Te depletion in massive stars would set a stringent constraint on the s-process modelings. We stress that the relative abundance ratios of

Te in the solar system become quite difficult to decipher if the s-process in massive stars contributes significantly to the synthesis of nuclides in this intermediate A region.
De epidemiologie van kinderdoding in Nederland, 2009-2014
Authors: Liem Marieke , Haarhuis Stephanie 
Published: March 2016

The epidemiology of child homicide in the Netherlands, 2009-2014
Child homicide is a phenomenon that not infrequently leads to shock and societal unrest. However, the precise nature and scope of child homicide in the Netherlands remains unknown. This article attempts to fill the gap in our current knowledge by reporting descriptive research on child homicide in the Netherlands in the period 2009-2014. Further, this article aims to assess if media attention regarding child homicide brings about a so-called copycat-effect. By means of descriptive statistics, case, victim and perpetrator characteristics of 74 cases of filicide are assessed.
MEAT GOAT ENTERPRISE EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES
Authors: QUSHIM BERDIKUL , GILLESPIE JEFFREY , McMILLIN KENNETH 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMeat goat enterprise efficiency was estimated using an input distance function (IDF) by applying stochastic production frontier techniques for the southeastern U.S. region. We found increasing returns to scale and scope economies for southeastern U.S. meat goat enterprises. Mean technical efficiency was 0.81. Our results suggest southeastern U.S. meat goat enterprises can be scale efficient if their size of operation is >~60 goats or >40 breeding does. Cost and IDF analyses show input expenses decreased substantially with increasing scale of operations in southeastern U.S. meat goat production. Empirical Monte Carlo simulation techniques show consistency of small-sample properties for the IDF.
High-speed trains: in microchannels?
Authors: Morris Jeffrey F. 
Published: March 2016

Kahkeshani et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 786, 2016, R3) have studied particle ordering in suspension flow in a rectangular microchannel. Experiments and numerical simulations reveal that inertial focusing and hydrodynamic interactions result in long-lived ‘trains’ of regularly spaced particles. The preferred spacing is frustrated at sufficient particle concentration, an important feature for applications.
Resolved Gas Kinematics in a Sample of Low-Redshift High Star-Formation Rate Galaxies
Authors: Varidel Mathew , Pracy Michael , Croom Scott , Owers Matt S. , Sadler Elaine 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe have used integral field spectroscopy of a sample of six nearby (z ~ 0.01–0.04) high star-formation rate ($\text{SFR} \sim 10\hbox{--}40$$\text{M}_\odot \text{ yr$^{-1}$}$) galaxies to investigate the relationship between local velocity dispersion and star-formation rate on sub-galactic scales. The low-redshift mitigates, to some extent, the effect of beam smearing which artificially inflates the measured dispersion as it combines regions with different line-of-sight velocities into a single spatial pixel. We compare the parametric maps of the velocity dispersion with the Hα flux (a proxy for local star-formation rate), and the velocity gradient (a proxy for the local effect of beam smearing). We find, even for these very nearby galaxies, the Hα velocity dispersion correlates more strongly with velocity gradient than with Hα flux—implying that beam smearing is still having a significant effect on the velocity dispersion measurements. We obtain a first-order non parametric correction for the unweighted and flux weighted mean velocity dispersion by fitting a 2D linear regression model to the spaxel-by-spaxel data where the velocity gradient and the Hα flux are the independent variables and the velocity dispersion is the dependent variable; and then extrapolating to zero velocity gradient. The corrected velocity dispersions are a factor of ~ 1.3–4.5 and ~ 1.3–2.7 lower than the uncorrected flux-weighted and unweighted mean line-of-sight velocity dispersion values, respectively. These corrections are larger than has been previously cited using disc models of the velocity and velocity dispersion field to correct for beam smearing. The corrected flux-weighted velocity dispersion values are σm ~ 20–50 km s−1.
Sugar-sweetened soft drinks are associated with poorer cognitive function in individuals with type 2 diabetes: the Maine–Syracuse Longitudinal Study
Authors: Crichton Georgina E. , Elias Merrill F. , Torres Rachael V. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe importance of adequate nutrition on cognitive performance is well recognised. Greater intakes of soft drinks are associated with a higher risk for type 2 diabetes, as well as other cardiometabolic diseases. A few studies have specifically examined whether the intake of soft drinks may be related to cognitive function. The aim of this study was to investigate whether soft drink intakes, including both sugar-sweetened and diet beverages, are associated with cognitive function, with adjustment for cardiovascular, lifestyle and dietary factors, and stratified according to type 2 diabetes status. Cross-sectional analyses were undertaken using 803 community-dwelling participants, aged 23–98 years, from the Maine–Syracuse Longitudinal Study. Cognitive function was measured using an extensive battery of neuropsychological tests. Usual dietary intake of soft drinks was assessed using a FFQ. Stratification by type 2 diabetes indicated that a greater intake of sugar-sweetened soft drinks was significantly associated with poorer performance in visual spatial memory, working memory, scanning and tracking, executive function, the global composite and the Mini-Mental State Examination in diabetic individuals. These relations were not attenuated with statistical control for BMI and other cardiovascular, lifestyle and dietary factors. Diet soft drink intake was unrelated to cognitive performance. Frequent sugar-sweetened soft drink intake was associated with poorer cognitive performance, particularly in individuals with type 2 diabetes, but the underlying causal mechanisms are yet to be determined. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify these findings and the underlying causal mechanisms.
In defence of transpalatal, transpalatal-circumaxillary (transpterygopalatine) and transpalatal-circumaxillary-sublabial approaches to lateral extensions of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma
Authors: Mishra A , Mishra S C , Verma V , Singh H P , Kumar S , Tripathi A M , Patel B , Singh V 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackground:Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma often presents with lateral extensions. In countries with limited resources, selection of a cost-effective and least morbid surgical approach for complete excision is challenging.Methods:Sixty-three patients with juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, with lateral extensions, underwent transpalatal, transpalatal-circumaxillary (transpterygopalatine) or transpalatal-circumaxillary-sublabial approaches for resection. Clinico-radiological characteristics, tumour volume and intra-operative bleeding were recorded.Results:The transpalatal approach was suitable for extensions involving medial part of pterygopalatine fossa; transpalatal-circumaxillary for extensions involving complete pterygopalatine fossa, with or without partial infratemporal fossa; and transpalatal-circumaxillary-sublabial for extensions involving complete infratemporal fossa, even cheek or temporal fossa up to zygomatic arch. Haemorrhage was greatest with the transpalatal-circumaxillary-sublabial approach, followed by transpalatal approach and transpalatal-circumaxillary approach (1212, 950 and 777 ml respectively). Tumour size (volume) was greatest with the transpalatal-circumaxillary approach, followed by transpalatal-circumaxillary-sublabial approach and transpalatal approach (40, 34 and 29 mm3). There was recurrence in three cases and residual disease in two cases. Long-term morbidity included small palatal perforation (n = 1), trismus (n = 1) and atrophic rhinitis (n = 2).Conclusion:These modified techniques, performed with endoscopic assistance under hypotensive anaesthesia, without embolisation, offer a superior option over other open procedures with regard to morbidity and recurrences.
The evolution of coordinated vocalizations before language
Authors: Bryant Gregory A. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAckermann et al. briefly point out the potential significance of coordinated vocal behavior in the dual pathway model of acoustic communication. Rhythmically entrained and articulated pre-linguistic vocal activity in early hominins might have set the evolutionary stage for later refinements that manifest in modern humans as language-based conversational turn-taking, joint music-making, and other behaviors associated with prosociality.
Why we can talk, debate, and change our minds: Neural circuits, basal ganglia operations, and transcriptional factors
Authors: Lieberman Philip 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAckermann et al. disregard attested knowledge concerning aphasia, Parkinson disease, cortical-to-striatal circuits, basal ganglia, laryngeal phonation, and other matters. Their dual-pathway model cannot account for “what is special about the human brain.” Their human cortical-to-laryngeal neural circuit does not exist. Basal ganglia operations, enhanced by mutations on FOXP2, confer human motor-control, linguistic, and cognitive capabilities.
En route to disentangle the impact and neurobiological substrates of early vocalizations: Learning from Rett syndrome
Authors: Marschik Peter B. , Kaufmann Walter E. , Bölte Sven , Sigafoos Jeff , Einspieler Christa 
Published: March 2016

AbstractResearch on acoustic communication and its underlying neurobiological substrates has led to new insights about the functioning of central pattern generators (CPGs). CPG-related atypicalities may point to brainstem irregularities rather than cortical malfunctions for early vocalizations/babbling. The “vocal pattern generator,” together with other CPGs, seems to have great potential in disentangling neurodevelopmental disorders and potentially predict neurological development.
Speech, vocal production learning, and the comparative method
Authors: Merker Bjorn 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe faith that “comparative analysis of the behaviour of modern primates, in conjunction with an accurate phylogenetic tree of relatedness, has the power to chart the early history of human cognitive evolution” (Byrne 2000 p. 543) runs afoul of the fact that no other primate besides humans is capable of vocal production learning. This basic enabling adaptation for articulate speech bears crucially on the reconstruction of language origins.
PHILIP II AGAINST THE CORTES AND THE CREDIT FREEZE OF 1575-1577
Authors: Álvarez-Nogal Carlos , Chamley Christophe 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTNumerous archival documents show how the suspension of payments by Philip II, in September 1575, on the contracts with Genoese bankers (asientos) induced a freeze of the domestic credit market in Castile through the bankers’ intermediation forasientosand the credit interconnections. Commercial fairs stopped, banks failed and trade suffered while the king granted legal protection to the Genoese bankers. The evidence strikingly confirms that by his strategy, Philip II was able to remove thede factoceiling on the domestic debt (juros) imposed by the fixed revenue commitment of the Castilian cities in the Cortes. The agreement with the bankers was signed in December 1577 immediately after the cities had agreed to the doubling of their commitment.
Microstructural Evolution in 2101 Lean Duplex Stainless Steel During Low- and Intermediate-Temperature Aging
Authors: Maetz Jean-Yves , Cazottes Sophie , Verdu Catherine , Danoix Frédéric , Kléber Xavier 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe microstructural evolution of a 2101 lean duplex stainless steel (DSS) during isothermal aging from room temperature to 470 °C was investigated using thermoelectric power (TEP) measurements to follow the kinetics, atom probe tomography, and transmission electron microscopy. Despite the low Ni, Cr, and Mo contents, the lean DSS was sensitive to α–α′ phase separation and Ni–Mn–Si–Al–Cu clustering at intermediate temperatures. The time–temperature pairs characteristic of the early stages of ferrite decomposition were determined from the TEP kinetics. Considering their composition and locations, the clusters are most likely G phase precursors.