bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The association between aspects of daily life and quality of life of people with dementia living in long-term care facilities: a momentary assessment study
Authors: Beerens Hanneke C. , de Boer Bram , Zwakhalen Sandra M.G. , Tan Frans E.S. , Ruwaard Dirk , Hamers Jan P.H. , Verbeek Hilde 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTBackground:To improve the quality of life (QoL) of people with dementia (PwD) living in long-term care facilities, insight into the association between QoL and how people spend their daily lives is urgently needed. This study investigated which aspects of daily life are related to QoL in dementia.Methods:An observational study was conducted. Daily life was assessed with the tablet-based Maastricht Electronic Daily Life Observation-tool (MEDLO-tool). Aspects included activity, engagement in the activity, social interaction, physical effort, mood, and agitation. QoL was assessed by formal nursing caregivers using the Quality of Life-Alzheimer's Disease scale (QoL-AD). A total of 9,660 momentary assessments were conducted.Results:The mean age of the 115 participants was 84 years and most (75%) were women. Bivariate analyses showed that residents with a higher QoL carried out less passive/purposeless activities (25% vs. 38%), were more engaged in active, expressive, and social activities, (40% vs. 27%), had more social interaction (34% vs. 22%), and had better mood scores (scale 1–7, 5.0 vs. 4.8), compared with residents with a lower QoL (allp-values < 0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that having more social interaction and a positive mood are related to a higher QoL.Conclusions:The results underline the importance of social interaction and a positive mood for a higher QoL. Future research should investigate the importance of engagement in activities in more detail.
Deep-neural network approaches for speech recognition with heterogeneous groups of speakers including children
Authors: SERIZEL ROMAIN , GIULIANI DIEGO 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis paper introduces deep neural network (DNN)–hidden Markov model (HMM)-based methods to tackle speech recognition in heterogeneous groups of speakers including children. We target three speaker groups consisting of children, adult males and adult females. Two different kind of approaches are introduced here: approaches based on DNN adaptation and approaches relying on vocal-tract length normalisation (VTLN). First, the recent approach that consists in adapting a general DNN to domain/language specific data is extended to target age/gender groups in the context of DNN–HMM. Then, VTLN is investigated by training a DNN–HMM system by using either mel frequency cepstral coefficients normalised with standard VTLN or mel frequency cepstral coefficients derived acoustic features combined with the posterior probabilities of the VTLN warping factors. In this later, novel, approach the posterior probabilities of the warping factors are obtained with a separate DNN and the decoding can be operated in a single pass when the VTLN approach requires two decoding passes. Finally, the different approaches presented here are combined to take advantage of their complementarity. The combination of several approaches is shown to improve the baseline phone error rate performance by thirty per cent to thirty-five per cent relative and the baseline word error rate performance by about ten per cent relative.
The psychosocial experiences of older palliative patients while participating in a Living with Hope Program
Authors: Duggleby Wendy , Cooper Dan , Nekolaichuk Cheryl , Cottrell Laura , Swindle Jenny , Barkway Kelsi 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObjective:Several studies have reported the effectiveness of a variety of psychosocial interventions in increasing levels of hope in palliative care patients. The experience of palliative patients while participating in these interventions is unknown. Understanding these experiences would provide a rich understanding of how the interventions work to foster hope. The purpose of the present study was to describe the psychosocial processes that participants with advanced cancer receiving palliative care experienced when taking part in a Living with Hope Program (LWHP).Method:In the context of a study evaluating the LWHP, data were collected from 13 dyads (persons with advanced cancer and their caregivers) at two timepoints (one week apart). A thematic qualitative analysis of 52 open-ended audiotaped interviews was conducted that focused on the psychosocial processes that occurred during the LWHP.Results:The average age of palliative participants was 67 (SD = 6.6) and of their family caregivers 61 years of age (SD = 13.9). A thematic analysis suggested that the participants experienced the following psychosocial processes while participating in the LWHP: (1) reminiscing, (2) leaving a legacy, (3) positive reappraisal, and (4) motivational processes. These processes are the mechanisms by which the LWHP fosters the positive outcomes of increasing hope and improving quality of life. As well, the finding of motivational processes suggested that the LWHP may also increase life satisfaction, which is an outcome of motivational processes.Significance of the results:The findings from our study underscore the importance of uncovering the psychosocial processes through which the LWHP works to foster hope. They will assist in making revisions to the intervention that will increase its effectiveness, as well as providing a better understanding of hope in persons with advanced cancer.
Reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the EORTC QLQ–C15–PAL for patients with advanced cancer
Authors: Ozcelik Hanife , Guzel Yasemin , Sonmez Esra , Aksoy Fatma , Uslu Ruchan 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObjective:Assessing quality of life, which is the main focus of palliative care, is highly important. The number of available, specific, simple, and valid assessment instruments for patients with advanced cancer in Turkey is limited. The aim of our study was to perform a psychometric evaluation of the Turkish version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire–Core 15–PAL (EORTC QLQ–C15–PAL).Method:The study was conducted in İzmir with patients who had received treatment in the palliative care unit of a university hospital between November of 2011 and December of 2013. Sociodemographic and disease characteristics forms, the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) Scale, and the EORTC QLQ–C15–PAL Scale were employed in order to gather data.Results:A total of 150 patients completed the study: 55.3% of participants were female, 80.7% were married, and the average age was 52.76 ± 14.55. The value of Cronbach's α in the analyses ranged from 0.93 to 0.98. Most questionnaire areas had low to moderate correlations with the others. The moderate correlations were between fatigue and physical function (–0.41) and between insomnia and emotional function (–0.53). Conversely, weak correlations were found between nausea/vomiting and appetite loss (0.31) and between insomnia and pain (0.22). KPS scores decreased, patient physical and emotional function were diminished, global QoL declined, and patients' symptoms became more frank.Significance of results:We concluded that the EORTC QLQ–C15–PAL is a valid and reliable tool to determine the quality of life of advanced cancer patients who are undergoing palliative treatment in Turkey.
Prevalence and risk of violence and the mental, physical and sexual health problems associated with human trafficking: an updated systematic review
Authors: Ottisova L. , Hemmings S. , Howard L.M. , Zimmerman C. , Oram S. 
Published: April 2016

Background.To update and expand on a 2012 systematic review of the prevalence and risk of violence and the prevalence and risk of physical, mental and sexual health problems among trafficked people.Method.Systematic review and meta-analysis. Searches of 15 electronic databases of peer-reviewed articles and doctoral theses were supplemented by reference screening, citation tracking of included articles and expert recommendations. Studies were included if they reported on the prevalence or risk of violence while trafficked, or the prevalence or risk of physical, mental or sexual health outcomes among people who have been trafficked. Two reviewers independently screened papers for eligibility and appraised the quality of included studies.Results.Thirty-seven papers reporting on 31 studies were identified. The majority of studies were conducted in low and middle-income countries with women and girls trafficked into the sex industry. There is limited but emerging evidence on the health of trafficked men and the health consequences of trafficking into different forms of exploitation. Studies indicate that trafficked women, men and children experience high levels of violence and report significant levels of physical health symptoms, including headaches, stomach pain and back pain. Most commonly reported mental health problems include depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Although serological data on sexually transmitted infections are limited, women and girls trafficked for sexual exploitation self-report symptoms suggestive of a high prevalence of infections. Limitations of the review include methodological weaknesses of primary studies and some differences in definition and operationalisation of trafficking, which hinder comparability and generalisability of the results.Conclusions.There is increasing evidence human trafficking is associated with high prevalence and increased risk of violence and a range of physical and mental health problems. Although more studies have emerged in recent years reporting on the health of trafficked men and people trafficked for forms of exploitation other than in the sex industry, further research is needed in this area. Appropriate interventions and support services to address the multiple and serious medical needs, especially mental health, of trafficked people are urgently needed.
Prejudice, Social Dominance, and Similarity among People who Favor Integration of Minorities
Authors: Martínez Carmen , Saiz José , Angosto Josefa 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis study examines differences in prejudice, perceived similarity, and social dominance in members of the majority who favor integration as a means of minority acculturation. A total of 342 non-Gypsy Spanish participants filled out a questionnaire about their relationship to one of three outgroups: Maghrebians, Gypsies, and Latin Americans. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed that a three-cluster solution was most fitting for every outgroup. ANOVAs applied to the three clusters indicated significant differences in prejudice, perceived similarity, and social dominance. Referring to Gypsies the largest effect size was observed in manifest prejudice (η2= .63), in Maghrebians, the largest effect size was observed in subtle prejudice (η2=.77), while for Latin Americans, perceived similarity had the largest effect size η2( = .60). The results reveal a need to modify existing measures of integration; we recommend using questionnaires to measure behaviors that members of the majority would be willing to implement.
Temperate phages enhance pathogen fitness in chronic lung infection
Authors: Davies Emily V , James Chloe E , Kukavica-Ibrulj Irena , Levesque Roger C , Brockhurst Michael A , Winstanley Craig 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
The Liverpool Epidemic Strain (LES) is a polylysogenic, transmissible strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, capable of superinfecting existing P. aeruginosa respiratory infections in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). The LES phages are highly active in the CF lung and may have a role in the competitiveness of the LES in vivo. In this study, we tested this by competing isogenic PAO1 strains that differed only by the presence or absence of LES prophages in a rat model of chronic lung infection. Lysogens invaded phage-susceptible populations, both in head-to-head competition and when invading from rare, in the spatially structured, heterogeneous lung environment. Appreciable densities of free phages in lung tissue confirmed active phage lysis in vivo. Moreover, we observed lysogenic conversion of the phage-susceptible competitor. These results suggest that temperate phages may have an important role in the competitiveness of the LES in chronic lung infection by acting as anti-competitor weapons.
Coupling carbon nanomaterials with photochromic molecules for the generation of optically responsive materials
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Hou Lili , Samorì Paolo 
Published: April 2016

AbstractMultifunctional carbon-based nanomaterials offer routes towards the realization of smart and high-performing (opto)electronic (nano)devices, sensors and logic gates. Meanwhile photochromic molecules exhibit reversible transformation between two forms, induced by the absorption of electromagnetic radiation. By combining carbon-based nanomaterials with photochromic molecules, one can achieve reversible changes in geometrical structure, electronic properties and nanoscale mechanics triggering by light. This thus enables a reversible modulation of numerous physical and chemical properties of the carbon-based nanomaterials towards the fabrication of cognitive devices. This review examines the state of the art with respect to these responsive materials, and seeks to identify future directions for investigation.
Consistent role of weak and strong interactions in high- and low-diversity trophic food webs
Authors: Gellner Gabriel , McCann Kevin S. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe growing realization of a looming biodiversity crisis has inspired considerable progress in the quest to link biodiversity, structure and ecosystem function. Here we construct a method that bridges low- and high-diversity approaches to food web theory by elucidating the connection between the stability of the basic building block of food webs and the mean stability properties of large random food web networks. Applying this theoretical framework to common food web models reveals two key findings. First, in almost all cases, high-diversity food web models yield a stability relationship between weak and strong interactions that are compatible in every way to simple low-diversity models. And second, the models that generate the recently discovered phenomena of being purely stabilized by increasing interaction strength correspond to the biologically implausible assumption of perfect interaction strength symmetry.
Local biomass burning is a dominant cause of the observed precipitation reduction in southern Africa
Authors: Hodnebrog Øivind , Myhre Gunnar , Forster Piers M. , Sillmann Jana , Samset Bjørn H. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObservations indicate a precipitation decline over large parts of southern Africa since the 1950s. Concurrently, atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases and aerosols have increased due to anthropogenic activities. Here we show that local black carbon and organic carbon aerosol emissions from biomass burning activities are a main cause of the observed decline in southern African dry season precipitation over the last century. Near the main biomass burning regions, global and regional modelling indicates precipitation decreases of 20–30%, with large spatial variability. Increasing global CO2 concentrations further contribute to precipitation reductions, somewhat less in magnitude but covering a larger area. Whereas precipitation changes from increased CO2 are driven by large-scale circulation changes, the increase in biomass burning aerosols causes local drying of the atmosphere. This study illustrates that reducing local biomass burning aerosol emissions may be a useful way to mitigate reduced rainfall in the region.
MicroRNA 139-5p coordinates APLNR-CXCR4 crosstalk during vascular maturation
Authors: Papangeli Irinna , Kim Jongmin , Maier Inna , Park Saejeong , Lee Aram , Kang Yujung , Tanaka Keiichiro , Khan Omar F. , Ju Hyekyung , Kojima Yoko , Red-Horse Kristy , Anderson Daniel G. , Siekmann Arndt F. , Chun Hyung J. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractG protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signalling, including that involving apelin (APLN) and its receptor APLNR, is known to be important in vascular development. How this ligand–receptor pair regulates the downstream signalling cascades in this context remains poorly understood. Here, we show that mice with Apln, Aplnr or endothelial-specific Aplnr deletion develop profound retinal vascular defects, which are at least in part due to dysregulated increase in endothelial CXCR4 expression. Endothelial CXCR4 is negatively regulated by miR-139-5p, whose transcription is in turn induced by laminar flow and APLN/APLNR signalling. Inhibition of miR-139-5p in vivo partially phenocopies the retinal vascular defects of APLN/APLNR deficiency. Pharmacological inhibition of CXCR4 signalling or augmentation of the miR-139-5p-CXCR4 axis can ameliorate the vascular phenotype of APLN/APLNR deficient state. Overall, we identify an important microRNA-mediated GPCR crosstalk, which plays a key role in vascular development.
Parathyroid hormone receptor signalling in osterix-expressing mesenchymal progenitors is essential for tooth root formation
Authors: Ono Wanida , Sakagami Naoko , Nishimori Shigeki , Ono Noriaki , Kronenberg Henry M. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractDental root formation is a dynamic process in which mesenchymal cells migrate toward the site of the future root, differentiate and secrete dentin and cementum. However, the identities of dental mesenchymal progenitors are largely unknown. Here we show that cells expressing osterix are mesenchymal progenitors contributing to all relevant cell types during morphogenesis. The majority of cells expressing parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) are in the dental follicle and on the root surface, and deletion of its receptor (PPR) in these progenitors leads to failure of eruption and significantly truncated roots lacking periodontal ligaments. The PPR-deficient progenitors exhibit accelerated cementoblast differentiation with upregulation of nuclear factor I/C (Nfic). Deletion of histone deacetylase-4 (HDAC4) partially recapitulates the PPR deletion root phenotype. These findings indicate that PPR signalling in dental mesenchymal progenitors is essential for tooth root formation, underscoring importance of the PTHrP–PPR system during root morphogenesis and tooth eruption.
T-cell activation is an immune correlate of risk in BCG vaccinated infants
Authors: Fletcher Helen A. , Snowden Margaret A. , Landry Bernard , Rida Wasima , Satti Iman , Harris Stephanie A. , Matsumiya Magali , Tanner Rachel , O’Shea Matthew K. , Dheenadhayalan Veerabadran , Bogardus Leah , Stockdale Lisa , Marsay Leanne , Chomka Agnieszka , Harrington-Kandt Rachel , Manjaly-Thomas Zita-Rose , Naranbhai Vivek , Stylianou Elena , Darboe Fatoumatta , Penn-Nicholson Adam , Nemes Elisa , Hatherill Mark , Hussey Gregory , Mahomed Hassan , Tameris Michele , McClain J Bruce , Evans Thomas G. , Hanekom Willem A. , Scriba Thomas J. , McShane Helen 
Published: April 2016

AbstractVaccines to protect against tuberculosis (TB) are urgently needed. We performed a case–control analysis to identify immune correlates of TB disease risk in Bacille Calmette–Guerin (BCG) immunized infants from the MVA85A efficacy trial. Among 53 TB case infants and 205 matched controls, the frequency of activated HLA-DR+ CD4+ T cells associates with increased TB disease risk (OR=1.828, 95% CI=1.25–2.68, P=0.002, FDR=0.04, conditional logistic regression). In an independent study of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected adolescents, activated HLA-DR+ CD4+ T cells also associate with increased TB disease risk (OR=1.387, 95% CI=1.068–1.801, P=0.014, conditional logistic regression). In infants, BCG-specific T cells secreting IFN-γ associate with reduced risk of TB (OR=0.502, 95% CI=0.29–0.86, P=0.013, FDR=0.14). The causes and impact of T-cell activation on disease risk should be considered when designing and testing TB vaccine candidates for these populations.
Alternative splicing of MALT1 controls signalling and activation of CD4+ T cells
Authors: Meininger Isabel , Griesbach Richard A. , Hu Desheng , Gehring Torben , Seeholzer Thomas , Bertossi Arianna , Kranich Jan , Oeckinghaus Andrea , Eitelhuber Andrea C. , Greczmiel Ute , Gewies Andreas , Schmidt-Supprian Marc , Ruland Jürgen , Brocker Thomas , Heissmeyer Vigo , Heyd Florian , Krappmann Daniel 
Published: April 2016

AbstractMALT1 channels proximal T-cell receptor (TCR) signalling to downstream signalling pathways. With MALT1A and MALT1B two conserved splice variants exist and we demonstrate here that MALT1 alternative splicing supports optimal T-cell activation. Inclusion of exon7 in MALT1A facilitates the recruitment of TRAF6, which augments MALT1 scaffolding function, but not protease activity. Naive CD4+ T cells express almost exclusively MALT1B and MALT1A expression is induced by TCR stimulation. We identify hnRNP U as a suppressor of exon7 inclusion. Whereas selective depletion of MALT1A impairs T-cell signalling and activation, downregulation of hnRNP U enhances MALT1A expression and T-cell activation. Thus, TCR-induced alternative splicing augments MALT1 scaffolding to enhance downstream signalling and to promote optimal T-cell activation.
Neurons in the inferior colliculus of the rat show stimulus-specific adaptation for frequency, but not for intensity
Authors: Duque Daniel , Wang Xin , Nieto-Diego Javier , Krumbholz Katrin , Malmierca Manuel S. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractElectrophysiological and psychophysical responses to a low-intensity probe sound tend to be suppressed by a preceding high-intensity adaptor sound. Nevertheless, rare low-intensity deviant sounds presented among frequent high-intensity standard sounds in an intensity oddball paradigm can elicit an electroencephalographic mismatch negativity (MMN) response. This has been taken to suggest that the MMN is a correlate of true change or “deviance” detection. A key question is where in the ascending auditory pathway true deviance sensitivity first emerges. Here, we addressed this question by measuring low-intensity deviant responses from single units in the inferior colliculus (IC) of anesthetized rats. If the IC exhibits true deviance sensitivity to intensity, IC neurons should show enhanced responses to low-intensity deviant sounds presented among high-intensity standards. Contrary to this prediction, deviant responses were only enhanced when the standards and deviants differed in frequency. The results could be explained with a model assuming that IC neurons integrate over multiple frequency-tuned channels and that adaptation occurs within each channel independently. We used an adaptation paradigm with multiple repeated adaptors to measure the tuning widths of these adaption channels in relation to the neurons’ overall tuning widths.