bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic structure of the grey side-gilled sea slug (Pleurobranchaea maculata) in coastal waters of New Zealand
Authors: Yıldırım Yeşerin , Anderson Marti J. , Patel Selina , Millar Craig D. , Rainey Paul B. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPleurobranchaea maculatais a rarely studied species of the Heterobranchia found throughout the south and western Pacific – and recently recorded in Argentina – whose population genetic structure is unknown. Interest in the species was sparked in New Zealand following a series of dog deaths caused by ingestions of slugs containing high levels of the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin. Here we describe the genetic structure and demographic history ofP. maculatapopulations from five principle locations in New Zealand based on extensive analyses of 12 microsatellite loci and theCOIandCytBregions of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Microsatellite data showed significant differentiation between northern and southern populations with population structure being associated with previously described regional variations in tetrodotoxin concentrations. However, mtDNA sequence data did not support such structure, revealing a star-shaped haplotype network with estimates of expansion time suggesting a population expansion in the Pleistocene era. Inclusion of publicly available mtDNA sequence from Argentinian sea slugs did not alter the star-shaped network. We interpret our data as indicative of a single founding population that fragmented following geographical changes that brought about the present day north-south divide in New Zealand waters. Lack of evidence of cryptic species supports data indicating that differences in toxicity of individuals among regions are a consequence of differences in diet.
Toward fast and accurate SNP genotyping from whole genome sequencing data for bedside diagnostics
Authors: Sun Chen , Medvedev Paul 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMotivationGenotyping a set of variants from a database is an important step for identifying known genetic traits and disease related variants within an individual. The growing size of variant databases as well as the high depth of sequencing data pose an efficiency challenge. In clinical applications, where time is crucial, alignment-based methods are often not fast enough. To fill the gap, Shajii et al. (2016) propose LAVA, an alignment-free genotyping method which is able to more quickly genotype SNPs; however, there remains large room for improvements in running time and accuracy.ResultsWe present the VarGeno method for SNP genotyping from lllumina whole genome sequencing data. VarGeno builds upon LAVA by improving the speed of k-mer querying as well as the accuracy of the genotyping strategy. We evaluate VarGeno on several read datasets using different genotyping SNP lists. VarGeno performs 7-13 times faster than LAVA with similar memory usage, while improving accuracy.AvailabilityVarGeno is freely available at: https://github.com/medvedevgroup/vargeno.
Transcriptional dysregulation study reveals a core network involving the genesis for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Meng Guofeng , Mei Hongkang 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease is associated with dysregulation at different levels from transcriptome to cellular functioning. Such complexity necessitates investigations of disease etiology to be carried out considering multiple aspects of the disease and the use of independent strategies. The established works more emphasized on the structural organization of gene regulatory network while neglecting the internal regulation changes.MethodsApplying a strategy different from popularly used co-expression network analysis, this study investigated the transcriptional dysregulations during the transition from normal to disease states.Results97 genes were predicted as dysregulated genes, which were also associated with clinical outcomes of Alzheimer’s disease. Both the co-expression and differential co-expression analysis suggested these genes to be interconnected as a core network and that their regulations were strengthened during the transition to disease states. Functional studies suggested the dysregulated genes to be associated with aging and synaptic function. Further, we checked the evolutionary conservation of the gene co-expression and found that human and mouse brain might have divergent transcriptional co-regulation even when they had conserved gene expression profiles.ConclusionOverall, our study reveals a profile of transcriptional dysregulation in the genesis of Alzheimer’s disease by forming a core network with altered regulation; the core network is associated with Alzheimer’s diseases by affecting the aging and synaptic functions related genes; the gene regulation in brain may not be conservative between human and mouse.
Elections and Subjective Living Conditions in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Zeydanli Tugba 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), competitive elections can cause considerable violence and widespread destruction of property, most of which is ethnically motivated. Recent literature shows that ethnic identification is more prominent during competitive election periods in comparison to other identifying categories such as gender, religion, and class/occupation. This paper utilizes data from 12 SSA countries and over 40,000 respondents taken from the Afrobarometer. It asks if individual perceived living conditions changes in the run‐up to competitive elections. Strong evidence shows that a perceived living condition does change. It is positively related to the proximity to an election and this proximity effect depends on the competitiveness of the election. The paper further investigates the background mechanisms behind this positive relationship, that is, to what extent does living conditions of the individual change if the party that the individual supports wins the election and is there a change in living conditions of the individual before and after the election? In addition, this paper documents that ethnic identification also has a positive impact on individual perceived living conditions after controlling for electoral cycle variables.
Foreign Direct Investment in Ghana: The Role of Infrastructural Development and Natural Resources
Authors: Anarfo Ebenezer Bugri , Agoba Abel Mawuko , Abebreseh Robert 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper examines the role of infrastructural development and natural resources on FDI inflows in Ghana. We examine the empirical relations using the Prais–Winsten regression estimation procedure which is meant to overcome autocorrelation and heteroscedasticity in the error terms in the model, often for regressions applied to series. The data was obtained from World Development Indicators (WDI) spanning from 1975 to 2014. Our findings suggest that infrastructural development and natural resources are drivers of FDI inflows in Ghana. The other variables that significantly influence FDI inflows in Ghana include the lending interest rate, market size and GDP growth rate. The policy implications of this study is that, while Ghana seeks to expand its infrastructure and natural resources to enhance FDI inflows and economic growth, this must be done in tandem with creating an enabling environment to ensure macroeconomic stability.
FDI Determinants in Least Recipient Regions: The Case of Sub‐Saharan Africa and MENA
Authors: Okafor Godwin , Piesse Jenifer , Webster Allan 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper explores the determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) into FDI least recipient regions. Panel data for 20 sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) and 11 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries are used for the period 2000–12. Findings of the fixed effects estimations suggest that FDI inflows into these regions are influenced by GDP per capita, infrastructure development, trade openness, and control of corruption. Conversely, inflation negatively affects FDI inflows, and rents from natural resources do not significantly influence FDI. Furthermore, the findings show that marginal benefits from any increase in the quantity of FDI determinants (with the exception of control of corruption) will be less for SSA countries. The paper concludes with important policy implications deduced from the findings.
Multinationals and Skills Policy Networks: HRM as a Player in Economic and Social Concerns
Authors: Tregaskis Olga , Almond Phil 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper uses an embeddedness framework to reconceptualize HRM agency over the external labour market, and in so doing bring into focus the societal implications of HRM. Drawing on qualitative data from 53 key informants in two English regions, we identify the ways in which the subsidiaries of foreign multinationals (MNCs) engage with labour market skills actors. Our findings reveal how power structures are mobilized by local economic actors to align labour market skills with MNCs’ demand priorities. We show that multinationals may seek to partially endogenize (i.e. take ownership of) the resources of local labour markets when their competitive value is redefined in social as well as economic terms, and demonstrate that the social structure of sub‐national institutional governance arrangements and firm strategic action on skills creates the conduit through which resource endogenization may occur. Theoretically, this paper identifies the social structure of networks as a casual mechanism to bridge divergent skill interests, which is mobilized when network actors have the capacity to frame fields within the social structure of the network around ideas on economic sustainability and moral interest.
‘Just because a doctor says something, doesn't mean that [it] will happen’: self‐perception as having a Fertility Problem among Infertility Patients
Authors: Leyser‐Whalen Ophra , Greil Arthur L. , McQuillan Julia , Johnson Katherine M. , Shrefffler Karina M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractOnly some individuals who have the medically defined condition ‘infertility’ adopt a self‐definition as having a fertility problem, which has implications for social and behavioural responses, yet there is no clear consensus on why some people and not others adopt a medical label. We use interview data from 28 women and men who sought medical infertility treatment to understand variations in self‐identification. Results highlight the importance of identity disruption for understanding the dialectical relationship between medical contact and self‐identification, as well as how diagnosis acts both as a category and a process. Simultaneously integrating new medical knowledge from testing and treatment with previous fertility self‐perceptions created difficulty for settling on an infertility self‐perception. Four response categories emerged for adopting a self‐perception of having a fertility problem: (i) the non‐adopters – never adopting the self‐perception pre‐ or post‐medical contact; (ii) uncertain – not being fully committed to the self‐perception pre‐ or post‐medical contact; (iii) assuming the label – not having prior fertility concerns but adopting the self‐perception post‐medical contact; and (iv) solidifying a tentative identity – not being fully committed to a self‐perception pre‐medical contact, but fully committed post‐medical contact. (A virtual abstract of this paper can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_979cmCmR9rLrKuD7z0ycA).
Irrigator relations with water in the Sunraysia region, northwestern Victoria
Authors: Head Lesley , Klocker Natascha , Dun Olivia , Spaven Tess 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIrrigated agriculture faces significant challenges under climate change, and may not be feasible in parts of the Murray‐Darling Basin beyond 2050. Recent research into the cultural politics of water has paid limited attention to the water cultures and relations of irrigators in Minority World countries. We analyse the water relations of grape farm irrigators in the Sunraysia region of Victoria using interviews and farm tours undertaken between 2014 and 2016. Findings are summarised under five themes: (1) the sociality of irrigation water, (2) temporal and spatial relations, (3) the risk of rain, (4) the micro‐scale of water knowledge, and (5) environment as actor. These themes shed light on the diverse relations that constitute both environmental and irrigation water. Irrigators are embedded in these relations at multiple scales, local and distant, mediated by technology and infrastructure. The scale of our focus makes visible water and other forms of environmental knowledge that often go unnoticed in broader debates over irrigation. The concept of “the environment”, understood as an embodied actor in policy discourse and by irrigators, is an emergent trend that warrants ongoing research attention.
High dietary intake of branched‐chain amino acids is associated with an increased risk of insulin resistance in adults
Authors: Asghari Golaleh , Farhadnejad Hossein , Teymoori Farshad , Mirmiran Parvin , Tohidi Maryam , Azizi Fereidoun 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the association between branched‐chain amino acid (BCAA) intake and markers of insulin metabolism in adults.MethodsThis cohort study was conducted within the framework of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study on 1205 subjects, aged ≥20 years, who were followed‐up for a mean of 2.3 years. Dietary intake of BCAAs, including valine, leucine, and isoleucine, was determined using a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire. Hyperinsulinemia, β‐cell dysfunction, insulin resistance (IR), and insulin insensitivity were determined according to optimal cut‐off values. Logistic regression was to estimate the occurrence of IR across tertiles of BCAA intake.ResultsThe mean (± SD) age and BCAA intake of participants (43% male) at baseline were 42.7 ± 13.1 years and 13.8 ± 5.1 g/day, respectively. The incidence of hyperinsulinemia, β‐cell dysfunction, insulin insensitivity, and IR was 19.5%, 24.0%, 28.0%, and 12.5%, respectively. After adjustment for confounding variables, subjects in the highest tertile for total BCAAs (odds ratio [OR] 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–2.71), leucine (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.09–2.82), and valine (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.01–2.60) intake had a greater risk of incident IR than subjects in the lowest tertile. A higher intake of isoleucine was not associated with risk of incident IR. There was no association of total BCAAs, leucine, isoleucine, and valine intake with the risk of hyperinsulinemia, insulin insensitivity, or β‐cell dysfunction.ConclusionThe findings of this study support the hypothesis that higher intakes of BCAAs may have adverse effects on the development of IR.
Sex hormones in alcohol consumption: a systematic review of evidence
Authors: Erol Almila , Ho Ada M.‐C. , Winham Stacey J. , Karpyak Victor M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSex hormones play an important role in establishing sex‐distinctive brain structural and functional variations that could contribute to the sex differences in alcohol consumption behavior. Here, we systematically reviewed articles that studied sex hormone impacts on alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorder (AUD). An extensive literature search conducted in MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus and CINAHL databases identified 776 articles, which were then evaluated for pre‐specified criteria for relevance and quality assurance. A total of 50 articles, including 19 human studies and 31 animal studies, were selected for this review. Existing evidence supports the association of increased testosterone level and increased risk for alcohol use and AUD in males but results are inconclusive in females. In contrast, the evidence supports the association of increased estrogen level and increased alcohol use in females, with mixed findings reported in males. Much less is known about the impact of progestins on alcohol use and misuse in human subjects. Future observational and experimental studies conducted in both sexes with a comprehensive hormone panel are needed to elucidate the impact of the interplay between various sex hormone levels during various developmental stages on alcohol use‐related phenotypes and AUD.
Rich club and reward network connectivity as endophenotypes for alcohol dependence: a diffusion tensor imaging study
Authors: Zorlu Nabi , Çapraz Necip , Oztekin Esra , Bagci Başak , Di Biase Maria A. , Zalesky Andrew , Gelal Fazıl , Bora Emre , Durmaz Ercan , Beşiroğlu Lütfullah , Sarıçiçek Aybala 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWe aimed to examine the whole‐brain white matter connectivity and local topology of reward system nodes in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and unaffected siblings, relative to healthy comparison individuals. Diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans were acquired from 18 patients with AUD, 15 unaffected siblings of AUD patients and 15 healthy controls. Structural networks were examined using network‐based statistic and connectomic analysis. Connectomic analysis showed a significant ordered difference in normalized rich club organization (AUD < Siblings < Controls). We also found rank ordered differences (Control > Sibling > AUD) for both nodal clustering coefficient and nodal local efficiency in reward system nodes, particularly left caudate, right putamen and left hippocampus. Network‐based statistic analyses showed that AUD group had significantly weaker connectivity than controls in the right hemisphere, mostly in the edges connecting putamen and hippocampus with other brain regions. Our results suggest that reward system network abnormalities, especially in subcortical structures, and impairments in rich‐club organization might be related to the familial predisposition for AUD.
Peri‐implant squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ito K , Takahashi K , Eda T , Kondoh T , Goss A 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPeri‐implant squamous cell carcinoma is an uncommon pathological manifestation, whereas peri‐implantitis is commonly found in association with dental implants. Both present similarly with loss of supporting soft and hard tissue around dental implants; therefore, a careful differential diagnosis is required. The present case concerns a 62‐year‐old Japanese man who had a dental implant which had been in the left maxillary incisor region for 4 years who apparently developed peri‐implantitis. This did not respond to localized therapy and antibiotics so was referred for specialist surgical management. A biopsy confirmed it to be a squamous cell carcinoma rather than an inflammatory lesion. A literature review shows that this is an unusual presentation without a previous history of malignancy, mucosal disease or risk factors for cancers. Although rare, the possibility of peri‐implant squamous cell carcinoma should be borne in mind by all practitioners who monitor implant patients.
The comparative efficacy and safety of sugammadex and neostigmine in reversing neuromuscular blockade in adults. A Cochrane systematic review with meta‐analysis and trial sequential analysis
Authors: Hristovska A.‐M. , Duch P. , Allingstrup M. , Afshari A. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryWe compared the efficacy and safety of sugammadex and neostigmine in reversing neuromuscular blockade in adults. Our outcomes were: recovery time from second twitch to train‐of‐four ratio > 0.9; recovery time from post‐tetanic count 1–5 to train‐of‐four ratio > 0.9; and risk of composite adverse and serious adverse events. We searched for randomised clinical trials irrespective of publication status and date, blinding status, outcomes reported or language. We included 41 studies with 4206 participants. Time to reversal of neuromuscular blockade from second twitch to a train‐of‐four ratio > 0.9 was 2.0 min with sugammadex 2 mg.kg−1 and 12.9 min with neostigmine 0.05 mg.kg−1, with a mean difference (MD) (95%CI)) of 10.2 (8.5–12.0) (I2 = 84%, 10 studies, n = 835, Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE): moderate quality). Time to reversal of neuromuscular blockade from a post‐tetanic count of 1–5 to a train‐of‐four ratio > 0.9 was 2.9 min with sugammadex 4 mg.kg−1 and 48.8 min with neostigmine 0.07 mg.kg−1, with a MD (95%CI) of 45.8 (39.4–52.2) (I2 = 0%, 2 studies, n = 114, GRADE: low quality). There were significantly fewer composite adverse events in the sugammadex group compared with neostigmine, with a risk ratio (95%CI) of 0.60 (0.49–0.74) (I2 = 40%, 28 studies, n = 2298, number needed to treat (NNT): 8, GRADE: moderate quality). Specifically, the risk of bradycardia (RR (95%CI) 0.16 (0.07–0.34), n = 1218, NNT: 14, GRADE: moderate quality), postoperative nausea and vomiting (RR (95%CI) 0.52 (0.28–0.97), n = 389, NNT: 16, GRADE: low quality) and overall signs of postoperative residual paralysis (RR (95%CI) 0.40 (0.28–0.57), n = 1474, NNT: 13, GRADE: moderate quality) were all reduced. There was no significant difference regarding the risk of serious adverse events (RR 0.54, 95%CI 0.13–2.25, I2 = 0%, n = 959, GRADE: low quality). Sugammadex reverses neuromuscular blockade more rapidly than neostigmine and is associated with fewer adverse events.
Modification of Aortic Cannula With an Inlet Chamber to Induce Spiral Flow and Improve Outlet Flow
Authors: Darlis Nofrizalidris , Osman Kahar , Padzillah Muhamad Hasbullah , Dillon Jeswant , Md Khudzari Ahmad Zahran 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPhysiologically, blood ejected from the left ventricle in systole exhibited spiral flow characteristics. This spiral flow has been proven to have several advantages such as lateral reduction of directed forces and thrombus formation, while it also appears to be clinically beneficial in suppressing neurological complications. In order to deliver spiral flow characteristics during cardiopulmonary bypass operation, several modifications have been made on an aortic cannula either at the internal or at the outflow tip; these modifications have proven to yield better hemodynamic performances compared to standard cannula. However, there is no modification done at the inlet part of the aortic cannula for inducing spiral flow so far. This study was carried out by attaching a spiral inducer at the inlet of an aortic cannula. Then, the hemodynamic performances of the new cannula were compared with the standard straight tip end‐hole cannula. This is achieved by modeling the cannula and attaching the cannula at a patient‐specific aorta model. Numerical approach was utilized to evaluate the hemodynamic performance, and a water jet impact experiment was used to demonstrate the jet force generated by the cannula. The new spiral flow aortic cannula has shown some improvements by reducing approximately 21% of impinging velocity near to the aortic wall, and more than 58% reduction on total force generated as compared to standard cannula.