bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neurological and Neurophysiological Findings in Workers with Chronic 2,3,7,8‐Tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐Dioxin Intoxication 50 Years After Exposure
Authors: Pelclova Daniela , Urban Pavel , Fenclova Zdenka , Vlckova Stepanka , Ridzon Petr , Kupka Karel , Meckova Zuzana , Bezdicek Ondrej , Navratil Tomas , Rosmus Jan , Zakharov Sergey 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe last eight survivors of 80 workers accidentally exposed to 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD) during production of herbicides based on trichlorophenoxyacetic acid in 1965–1967 in a chemical factory were followed. All were men, mean age 72.4 ± 1.3 years. Their current median TCDD blood level was 112 (46–390) pg/g lipids. Neurological examination revealed central nervous system impairment in all individuals and signs of polyneuropathy in 87.5%, which was confirmed by a nerve conduction study (NCS) in 75%. A Lanthony test demonstrated acquired dyschromatopsia in 87.5% of the patients, with deterioration of mean colour confusion index (CCI) from 1.52 ± 0.39 in 2010 to 1.73 ± 0.41 in 2016. Single‐photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) of the brain showed focal reduction of perfusion in various brain locations in all patients and worsening in six patients. Visual‐evoked potentials (VEP) was abnormal in 62.6% of individuals. Most patients complained of psychological problems. The neuropsychological test battery showed most positive impairments in the Trail Making Test evaluating processing speed (average level in the range of mild neurocognitive impairment), which correlated with mean CCI (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Fifty years after exposure, blood levels of TCDD are still 10 times higher than the general population. NCS, VEP, Lanthony test and SPECT findings deteriorated from examination of these patients in 2004 and in 2010. The total of abnormal tests per patient in 2016 is very high. Minor differences among patients and their reduced count may explain why the number of impairments in 2016 does not correlate with TCDD blood level.
Topographic growth of the Jishi Shan and its impact on basin and hydrology evolution, NE Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Saylor Joel E. , Jordan Jessica C. , Sundell Kurt E. , Wang Xiaoming , Wang Shiqi , Deng Tao 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPrevious research demonstrates that large basins on the periphery of the northern edge of the Tibetan Plateau were partitioned during development of intrabasin mountain ranges. These topographic barriers segregated basins with respect to surface flow and atmospheric circulation, ponded sediments, and formed rain shadows. However, complex mixing between airmasses and nonsystematic isotope‐elevation lapse rates have hampered application of quantitative paleoaltimetry to determine the timing of development of critical topographic barriers. We address the timing and drivers for changes in surface connectivity and atmospheric circulation in the Linxia and Xunhua basins using a multidisciplinary approach incorporating detrital zircon geochronology, Monte Carlo inverse flexural modelling, and published stable isotope data. Disruption of surface flow between the two basins during exhumation of the Jishi Shan preceded development of topography sufficient to intercept moisture‐bearing airmasses. Detrital zircon data point to disruption of an eastward‐flowing axial fluvial network between 14.7 and 13.1 Ma, coincident with the onset of exhumation in the Jishi Shan. Flexural modelling suggests that by 13 Ma, the Jishi Shan had developed 0.3 ± 0.1 km of relief; sufficient to disrupt eastward‐flowing drainage networks but insufficient to intercept moisture‐bearing airmasses. Stable isotope data indicate that, although surface connections between the Xunhua and Linxia basins were broken, the two basins continued to be dominated by a common climate regime until 9.3 Ma. Subsequent reintegration of surface flow between the basins occurred between 9.3 and 7.6 Ma. Divergence in the stable isotope and depositional environment records between the two basins suggests that at 9.3 Ma the paleo‐Yellow River breached the growing Jishi Shan dam, and may have reintegrated surface flow between the two basins via erosion of the modern Yellow River gorge, which transects the Jishi Shan. The reintegration of the Xunhua and Linxia basins’ surface connection is confirmed by reintroduction of a Songpan‐Ganzi flysch sediment source by 7.6 Ma. Continued exhumation and uplift of the Jishi Shan developed 0.8 ± 0.2 km of relief by ca. 8 Ma capable of intercepting moisture‐bearing airmasses; isolating and increasing aridity in the Xunhua Basin while decreasing it in the Linxia Basin. Our findings point to protracted development of the modern ca. 1 km of relief in the Jishi Shan between 14 and ca. 4.5 Ma followed by attainment of a topographic equilibrium which persists into modern times.
Symptom evaluation during the methacholine test: Does it add to the interpretation of the test results based on the PC20FEV1?
Authors: Bohadana Abraham B. , Wild Pascal , Izbicki Gabriel 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPurposeConventionally, symptoms occurring during the methacholine test are not taken into account when interpreting the test results. We examined whether the evaluation of methacholine‐induced symptoms (MIS) added to the test interpretation based on the PC20FEV1 by assessing their prevalence, their similarity with symptoms justifying referral and their relationship with airway responsiveness.MethodsEighty‐two patients with suspected asthma completed a questionnaire of symptoms and underwent bronchial challenge with methacholine. Based on MIS and airway responsiveness (responders = PC20FEV1 < 8 mg/mL), subjects were classified as asymptomatic non‐responders (ANRs), asymptomatic responders (ARs), symptomatic non‐responders (SNRs) and symptomatic responders (SRs). Airway responsiveness for all subjects, including non‐responders (ie, fall in FEV1 < 20%), was assessed by the methacholine concentration response‐slope (MCRS) obtained using all points of the curve.ResultsARs (n = 6) were poor‐perceivers of bronchoconstriction. SNRs (n = 16) did not differ from SRs (n = 34) in any clinical parameter, including the proportion of subjects (∼80%) whose methacholine test reproduced symptoms justifying referral. In turn, SNRs differed significantly from ANRs (n = 26) by having lower baseline FEV1 (P = .005), more physician‐diagnosed asthma (P < .001), more use of respiratory medication (P = .032), and relatively greater responsiveness as manifested by a steeper MCRS (P < .001).ConclusionsThe occurrence of asthma‐like symptoms during the methacholine test was associated with milder airway hyperresponsiveness that would go unnoticed by the PC20FEV1. This finding suggests that SNRs should not be merely classified as having normal responsiveness, as currently recommended, but further assessed for airway inflammation. Our results helped planning a longitudinal study to investigate the prognostic validity of this approach.
Impacts of an invasive tree across trophic levels: Species richness, community composition and resident species’ traits
Authors: Hejda Martin , Hanzelka Jan , Kadlec Tomáš , Štrobl Martin , Pyšek Petr , Reif Jiří 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAimTo investigate the community‐level impacts of woody plant invasions using Robinia pseudoacacia as a model species, affecting organisms on different trophic levels: vascular plants, nocturnal Lepidoptera and birds.LocationCzech Republic, central Europe.MethodsNineteen plots with strong dominance of the invader were compared to 20 plots with native deciduous trees on sites with similar conditions. Species richness was compared using marginal models, species composition and the distribution of species traits by ordination analyses. Functional relationships between the three groups of organisms were investigated using a path analysis.ResultsOnly minor differences in species richness between invaded and uninvaded plots were detected for plants and birds, but the invaded stands hosted significantly fewer species of nocturnal Lepidoptera. On the contrary, all three groups differed in species composition and in the distribution of traits between the invaded and uninvaded stands. Nitrophilous plants, supported by human disturbances, were more represented in the invaded stands, while habitat specialist birds preferred uninvaded forest. Within nocturnal Lepidoptera, species of open habitats and fast life cycle preferred the invaded stands, and forest and canopy species and habitat generalists of larger sizes preferred the uninvaded stands. Path analysis showed a minor effect of R. pseudoacacia on the numbers of plants which were unrelated to species richness at higher trophic levels. However, R. pseudoacacia had a negative direct effect on nocturnal Lepidoptera, contributing to a weak negative indirect impact on birds.Main conclusionsThe impacts of R. pseudoacacia on species richness differed across the trophic levels, questioning the existence of simple cascading effects as a consequence of its invasion. Invasive plants do not always reduce the diversity of species per se, but cause shifts in species composition by replacing some of the pre‐invasion biota by species with traits enabling tolerance to the invaded habitat.
Performance of individually measured vs population‐based C‐peptide kinetics to assess β‐cell function in the presence and absence of acute insulin resistance
Authors: Varghese Ron T. , Dalla Man Chiara , Laurenti Marcello C. , Piccinini Francesca , Sharma Anu , Shah Meera , Bailey Kent R. , Rizza Robert A. , Cobelli Claudio , Vella Adrian 
Published: September 2017

AimsTo compare the performance of population‐based kinetics with that of directly measured C‐peptide kinetics when used to calculate β‐cell responsivity indices, and to study people with and without acute insulin resistance to ensure that population‐based kinetics apply to all conditions where β‐cell function is measured.MethodsSomatostatin was used to inhibit endogenous insulin secretion in 56 people without diabetes. Subsequently, a C‐peptide bolus was administered and the changing concentrations were used to calculate individual kinetic measures of C‐peptide clearance. In addition, the participants were studied on 2 occasions in random order using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). On one occasion, free fatty acid elevation, to cause insulin resistance, was achieved by infusion of Intralipid + heparin. The Disposition Index (DI) was then estimated by the oral minimal model using either population‐based or individual C‐peptide kinetics.ResultsThere were marked differences in the exchange variables (k
12 and k
21) of the model describing C‐peptide kinetics, but smaller differences in the fractional clearance; that is, the irreversible loss from the accessible compartment (k
01), obtained from population‐based estimates compared with experimental measurement. Because it is predominantly influenced by k
01, DI estimated using individual kinetics correlated well with DI estimated using population‐based kinetics.ConclusionsThese data support the use of population‐based measures of C‐peptide kinetics to estimate β‐cell function during an OGTT.
LIPID SYNTHESIS IN HUMAN LEUCOCYTES IN ACUTE LEUKÆMIA
Authors: KIDSON CHEV 
Published: September 2017

SUMMARYLipid synthesis in human leucocytes was examined in vitro in blood from patients with acute leukæmia and from normal controls, acetate being used as substrate. The incorporation of acetate‐1‐C14 was measured in total lipids, neutral lipids and phospholipids of the leucocytes and plasma. Both morphological types of acute leukæmia revealed trends away from the normal rates of total lipid synthesis, the rates being high in acute myeloid leukæmia and low in acute lymphatic leukæmia. Fractional lipid synthesis was similar to the normal in acute lymphatic leukæmia, but in the cells of acute myeloid leukæmia proportionally more radioactivity was incorporated into the phospholipid fraction. This difference was not reflected in the plasma‐phospholipid fraction. The changes in leucocyte lipid synthesis are discussed in relation to the mixed‐cell populations involved and to the question of cell age.
Superior thermal stability of polymer capped Fe3O4 magnetic nanoclusters
Authors: Sathya Ayyappan , Ravindran Thoguluva R. , Philip John 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIn general, the technologically important ferrites nanoparticles, magnetite and maghemite, are converted from cubic to the more stable rhombohedral structure above 500°C‐700°C under air/vacuum/inert atmosphere. Here, we report, the superior thermal stability of polymer capped Fe3O4 (PCIO) nanocluster (synthesized using microwave‐assisted polyol approach) up to 1000°C under vacuum and inert atmosphere. Raman spectra of post annealed PCIO nanoclusters show the Fe3O4 phase with carbon signature due to the decomposition of polymer matrix. The carbon layer seems to act as a thermal shield and increases the activation energy thereby preventing the intrusion of heat, oxygen, volatiles mass into the magnetic core. The presence of carbon layer was further confirmed from the high‐resolution transmission electron microscopic image. After thermal annealing at 1000°C, PCIO nanoclusters showed superparamagnetic behavior with a saturation magnetization of 89 emu/g, close to the bulk saturation magnetization of Fe3O4 phase. In contrast, the uncoated Fe3O4 (UCIO) nanoclusters decompose at 700°C into α‐Fe2O3 and FeO phases under similar annealing conditions. Our findings open up new possibilities of stabilizing nanomaterials for high‐temperature applications.
SiC fiber strength after low pO2 oxidation
Authors: Hay Randall S. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractHi‐Nicalon™‐S SiC fiber was heat treated for 1 hour at 1300°C, 1400°C, and 1500°C in argon with pO2 of 3.7, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 ppm. Fiber strengths were measured by 30 single‐filament tensile tests. Fiber microstructure and surface morphology were characterized by TEM. Active oxidation occurred in all cases except at 1500°C with 200 ppm pO2, 1400°C with 100 ppm pO2 or higher, and 1300°C with 50 ppm pO2 or higher. When active oxidation did not occur, a glass SiO2 scale formed at 1300°C and 1400°C, and a cristobalite scale formed at 1500°C. The thickness of these scales was much larger than that predicted by linear dependence of oxidation rate on pO2. Fiber strengths were lowest after heat treatment at 1300°C and a pO2 of 3.7 ppm, 1400°C and a pO2 of 20 ppm, and 1500°C and a pO2 of 200 ppm. Active oxidation caused fiber surface roughening, but no obvious changes to the internal fiber microstructure. Decreased fiber strength correlated with increased fiber surface roughness, but roughness magnitudes were not large enough to explain the amount by which strength was degraded. Fiber strengths, surface roughness, scale thicknesses, and the passive‐active oxidation transition for SiC are compared with previous observations. Possible strength degradation mechanisms are discussed.
Investor sentiment and management earnings forecast bias
Authors: Hurwitz Helen 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis study investigates whether investor sentiment is associated with behavioral bias in managers’ annual earnings forecasts that are generally issued early in the year when uncertainty is relatively high. I provide evidence that management earnings forecast optimism increases with investor sentiment. Furthermore, I find that managers’ annual earnings forecasts are more pessimistic during low‐sentiment periods than during normal‐sentiment periods. Since managers lack incentives to further deflate stock prices during a low‐sentiment period, this evidence indicates that sentiment‐related management earnings forecast bias is likely to be unintentional. In addition, I find that the relationship between management earnings forecast bias and investor sentiment is stronger for firms with higher uncertainty, consistent with investor sentiment having a greater influence on management earnings forecasts when uncertainty is higher.
Genetic susceptibility of lung cancer in Chinese population: An overview of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhao Taiqiang , Xu Chengjie , Huang Jiang , Yu Hua 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundGenetic susceptibility of lung cancer has been widely studied for Chinese population, and meta‐analysis of candidate gene association studies has also been performed for those genes. However, the overall evidence has not been well recognized.ObjectiveTo investigate genetic association for the risk of lung cancer in Chinese.MethodAn overview of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses of candidate gene association studies for lung cancer in Chinese was performed up to August 10th, 2016. The AMSTAR tool was used to assess the quality of the included systematic reviews and meta‐analyses. Bibliometric analysis was performed to analyze the characteristics of reviews.ResultsA total of 21 variants in 17 genes from 20 meta‐analyses were included in this study. All 20 meta‐analyses were published from 2011 to 2016. The quality scores of AMSTAR ranged from 3 to 7. All included genes were in the pathogenesis of lung cancer, such as the CYPs genes, GSTs genes, and base excision repair genes. Three polymorphisms were found to be associated with decreased risk of lung cancer for Chinese, 15 polymorphisms were found to be associated with increased risk of lung cancer for Chinese, but three polymorphisms were found to be not associated with lung cancer risk for Chinese.ConclusionThe current study supports the genetic risk factors of lung cancer for Chinese are more likely to be variants from genes that contribute to the etiology of lung cancer.
Judges’ Perceptions of Screening, Assessment, Prevention, and Treatment for Substance Use, Mental Health, and HIV among Juveniles on Community Supervision: Results of a National Survey
Authors: Scott Christy K. , Lurigio Arthur J. , Dennis Michael L. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractJuvenile Justice‐Translational Research on Interventions for Adolescents in the Legal System (JJ‐TRIALS) National Survey was funded in part to describe the current status of screening, assessment, prevention and treatment for substance use, mental health, and HIV for youth on community supervision within the US juvenile justice system. Surveys were administered to community supervision agencies and their primary behavioral healthcare providers, as well as the juvenile or family court judge with the largest caseload of youth on community supervision. This article presents the findings from the judges’ survey. Survey results indicated juvenile and family court judges were open to innovations for improving the court's performance, rated their relationships with collaborators highly, and appreciated the impact of screening, assessment, prevention, and treatment on judicial practices.
Enhancing Information Sharing in Family Drug Courts: A Lean Six Sigma Case Study
Authors: Kovach Jamison V. , Curiel Veronica , Franklin York Alicia , Bogard Sarah , Revere Lee 
Published: September 2017

AbstractGiven the variety of stakeholders involved in cases within family drug courts, efficient communication and information sharing, which are needed to support decision‐making, can be quite challenging. Through a case study in one family drug court system, this research employed an action research approach to improve the information sharing process following the Lean Six Sigma methodology. The solutions implemented through this study contributed to improving the quality of the services provided by this court system and its overall productivity. In addition, this research extends our knowledge about methods for improving court systems from which others can learn to guide future improvement efforts.
MONETARY POLICY SURPRISES, INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND ASSET PRICES
Authors: Detzel Andrew 
Published: September 2017

AbstractRecent evidence shows that monetary policy announcements convey significant information about expected market returns and are therefore good candidates for innovations in intertemporal asset pricing state variables. I propose an asset pricing model with the market return and a mimicking portfolio for unexpected changes in the federal funds rate on days of Federal Open Market Committee announcements. This economically motivated two‐factor model prices portfolios formed on size, value, momentum, investment, and profitability with an R2 of 80% and an average annual pricing error of 0.93%, performing as well as standard four‐, five‐, and six‐factor models designed to price these assets.
MARKETING STRATEGY AFTER MEETING WALL STREET: THE ROLE OF INFORMATION ASYMMETRY
Authors: Ma Minghui , Dewally Michaël , Huang Jian 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe relate marketing strategy to the initial public offering (IPO) process during 1980–2010. Pre‐IPO marketing intensity provides information to the market, which reduces underpricing and the magnitude of price revisions during the filing period. Firms that experience upward (downward) price revisions spend more (less) on marketing in the five years post‐IPO. We confirm that marketing spending is related to a firm's informational environment by finding a positive relation between marketing intensity and firm information transparency post‐IPO. This finding indicates that marketing spending is one channel through which a firm affects its perception by the public equity market at issuance and later.
Sociodemographic profile and oral health status of thalassemic patients attending the National Thalassaemia Centre, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka
Authors: Kularatne Wickramasooriyage Nandana , Jayasinghe Rasika M. , Diyunugala Mahinda Chandika , Bandara Dayananda , Abeysundara Sachith , Perera Irosha 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAimThe aim of the present study was to investigate the sociodemographic profile and oral health status (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth [DMFT] and periodontal health) of thalassemic patients compared to healthy individuals.MethodsThe data were collected by means of an interviewer‐administered, pretested, and validated questionnaire, followed by oral examination. Patients attending the outpatient department, who were age and sex matched, but without any diagnosed or suspected long‐term illnesses, were considered for the control group. Both groups were compared in terms of facial profile, skeletal pattern, facial angles, DMFT, and periodontal health (plaque index, bleeding on probing, and probing pocket depth).ResultsThe association of convex facial profile and class II skeletal pattern with Thalassemic status was statistically significant when compared to healthy individuals. Decayed, missing, and filled teeth in the permanent and deciduous dentition, plaque index, and probing pocket depths of the control group were significantly higher compared with the thalassemic group. Surprisingly, 67.8% of thalassemic patients did not show bleeding on probing.ConclusionFamilies of the thalassemic patients attending the National Thalassaemia Centre are from a low socioeconomic background. Their DMFT and periodontal health are significantly better than those of healthy individuals.