bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Skeletal muscle ex vivo mitochondrial respiration parallels decline in vivo oxidative capacity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscle strength: The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging
Authors: Gonzalez‐Freire Marta , Scalzo Paul , D'Agostino Jarod , Moore Zenobia A. , Diaz‐Ruiz Alberto , Fabbri Elisa , Zane Ariel , Chen Brian , Becker Kevin G. , Lehrmann Elin , Zukley Linda , Chia Chee W. , Tanaka Toshiko , Coen Paul M. , Bernier Michel , de Cabo Rafael , Ferrucci Luigi 
Published: January 2018

SummaryMitochondrial function in human skeletal muscle declines with age. Most evidence for this decline comes from studies that assessed mitochondrial function indirectly, and the impact of such deterioration with respect to physical function has not been clearly delineated. We hypothesized that mitochondrial respiration in permeabilized human muscle fibers declines with age and correlates with phosphocreatine postexercise recovery rate (kPCr), muscle performance, and aerobic fitness. Mitochondrial respiration was assessed by high‐resolution respirometry in saponin‐permeabilized fibers from vastus lateralis muscle biopsies of 38 participants from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA; 21 men, age 24–91 years) who also had available measures of peak oxygen consumption (VO2max) from treadmill tests, gait speed in different tasks, 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy, isokinetic knee extension, and grip strength. Results indicated a significant reduction in mitochondrial respiration with age (p < .05) that was independent of other potential confounders. Mitochondrial respiratory capacity was also associated with VO2max, muscle strength, kPCr, and time to complete a 400‐m walk (p < .05). A negative trend toward significance (p = .074) was observed between mitochondrial respiration and BMI. Finally, transcriptional profiling revealed a reduced mRNA expression of mitochondrial gene networks with aging (p < .05). Overall, our findings reinforce the notion that mitochondrial function declines with age and may contribute to age‐associated loss of muscle performance and cardiorespiratory fitness.
Defending the Realm: The Appointment of Female Defense Ministers Worldwide
Authors: Barnes Tiffany D. , O'Brien Diana Z. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThough the defense ministry has been a bastion of male power, a growing number of states have appointed women to this portfolio. What explains men's dominance over these positions? Which factors predict women's appointments? With comprehensive cross‐national data from the post–Cold War era, we develop and test three sets of hypotheses concerning women's access to the defense ministry. We show that women remain excluded when the portfolio's remit reinforces traditional beliefs about the masculinity of the position, particularly in states that are engaged in fatal disputes, governed by military dictators, and large military spenders. By contrast, female defense ministers emerge when expectations about women's role in politics have changed—that is, in states with female chief executives and parliamentarians. Women are also first appointed to the post when its meaning diverges from traditional conceptions of the portfolio, particularly in countries concerned with peacekeeping and in former military states with left‐wing governments.
Cohort study from 11 European countries highlighted differences in the use and efficacy of hypothermia prevention strategies after very preterm birth
Authors: Wilson Emilija , Zeitlin Jennifer , Piedvache Aurélie , Misselwitz Bjoern , Christensson Kyllike , Maier Rolf F. , Norman Mikael , Edstedt Bonamy Anna‐Karin ,   the EPICE Research Group
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimThis study investigated the different strategies used in 11 European countries to prevent hypothermia, which continues to affect a large proportion of preterm births in the region.MethodsWe examined the association between the reported use of hypothermia prevention strategies in delivery rooms and body temperatures on admission to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in 5861 infants born at 22 + 0 to 31 +6 weeks of gestation. The use of plastic bags, wraps, caps, exothermic heat and mattresses was investigated.ResultsThe proportion of infants born in units that systematically used one or more hypothermia prevention strategies was 88.2% and 50.9% of those infants were hypothermic on admission to NICUs. Of the 9.6% born in units without systematic hypothermia prevention, 73.2% were hypothermic. Only 2.2% of infants were born in units with no reported prevention strategies. Lower gestational age increased the probability of hypothermia. No significant differences were found between the various hypothermia prevention strategies. Hyperthermia was seen in 4.8% of all admitted infants.ConclusionVery preterm infants had lower risks of hypothermia on NICU admission if the unit used systematic prevention strategies. All the strategies had similar effects, possibly due to implementation rather than a strategy's specific efficacy.
National population‐based cohort study found that visual‐motor integration was commonly affected in extremely preterm born children at six‐and‐a‐half years
Authors: Bolk Jenny , Fredriksson Kaul Ylva , Hellström‐Westas Lena , Stjernqvist Karin , Padilla Nelly , Serenius Fredrik , Hellgren Kerstin , Åden Ulrika 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimThis study aimed to explain the relationship between visual‐motor integration (VMI) abilities and extremely preterm (EPT) birth, by exploring the influence of perinatal variables, cognition, manual dexterity and ophthalmological outcomes.MethodsThis was part of the population‐based national Extremely Preterm Infant Study in Sweden (EXPRESS) study. We studied 355 children, born at a gestational age of <27 weeks from April 2004 to March 2007, and 364 term‐born controls. At six‐and‐a‐half years of age, we assessed VMI, cognitive function, motor skills and vision. VMI impairment was classified as <−1 standard deviation (SD).ResultsThe mean (SD) VMI score was 87 (±12) in preterm children compared to 98 (±11) in controls (p < 0.001). VMI impairment was present in 55% of preterm infants and in 78% of children born at 22–23 weeks. Male sex and postnatal steroids showed a weak association with poorer visual‐motor performance, whereas low manual dexterity and cognitive function showed a stronger association.ConclusionPoor VMI performance was common in this EXPRESS cohort of children born EPT. Its strong association to cognition and manual dexterity confirms that all of these factors need to be taken into account when evaluating risks in preterm born children.
Factors controlling shrub encroachment in subtropical montane systems
Authors: Dechoum Michele S. , Peroni Nivaldo , Pugnaire Francisco I. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimWe aimed to assess the effects of temperature rise and neighbour removal on growth and performance of juvenile individuals of Baccharis uncinella shrubs in a montane grassland. We hypothesized that removal of neighbouring grasses and increased air temperature would enhance B. uncinella growth.LocationHigh‐elevation forest–grassland patches, southern Brazil.MethodsAn experiment with factorial design was carried out from Aug 2014 to Sept 2015 using air temperature and neighbour removal as factors with two levels each. Air temperature was increased using acrylic open‐top chambers (OTC). For the neighbour removal treatment we removed neighbouring grasses from 30 cm around randomly selected B. uncinella juveniles. Survival, growth and plant physiological status were assessed at the end of the experiment.ResultsPlants with OTCs grew more than plants without them. Neighbour removal did not have a significant effect on plant growth. These data suggest that an increase in temperature may enhance encroachment of B. uncinella in the studied grasslands, and that neighbour grasses may act as facilitators for B. uncinella shrubs by improving water balance.ConclusionsConsidering the capacity of B. uncinella to expand from forest edges towards grasslands, it is likely that montane grasslands in southern Brazil will be subject to B. uncinella encroachment within the next decades. The potential synergistic – negative – effects of global warming and habitat loss might jeopardize the high biodiversity of this ecosystem. Specific management actions and conservation public policies are needed to protect this already threatened montane system.
Vegetation response to restoration management of a blanket bog damaged by drainage and afforestation
Authors: Hancock Mark H. , Klein Daniela , Andersen Roxane , Cowie Neil R. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractQuestionsDoes restoration management of a formerly afforested blanket bog lead to the vegetation, and the environmental conditions it indicates, becoming similar to intact bog?LocationA 147‐ha blanket bog in Scotland's Flow Country, afforested in the 1980s but undergoing restoration since 1998.MethodsVegetation in the restoration area was surveyed in nine, 1.6–6.4‐ha plots, in 1998, 2003 and 2011. Each plot was matched to nearby plots that were either intact bog or remained afforested. Principal Response Curves were used to highlight the main axes of vegetation variation and test whether plant community trajectories in the restoration area differed from intact bog. The following restoration outcomes were assessed: floristic similarity to bog vegetation; and moisture, fertility and acidity, as inferred from vegetation using Ellenberg indicator values.ResultsIn the 6 years after restoration began, vegetation developed towards bog‐like conditions. In the subsequent 8 years, overall vegetation change stalled, and spatial variability increased, reflecting diverging trajectories in wetter and drier parts of the site. Ellenberg's F‐values implied significant re‐wetting in the restoration area, reaching moisture levels similar to intact bog. Other restoration outcomes progressed in wetter microsites and areas (furrows and flat ground), but stalled in drier locations (plough‐ridges and steeper slopes).ConclusionsOverall moisture conditions, as indicated by plants, have recovered. However, restoration progress has stalled in drier areas, where additional management may be needed. Long‐term vegetation monitoring has helped clarify barriers to recovery and the management needed to overcome them. The value of such monitoring schemes in guiding restoration should be reflected in their wider implementation, within an adaptive management framework.
Episode forecasting in bipolar disorder: Is energy better than mood?
Authors: Ortiz Abigail , Bradler Kamil , Hintze Arend 
Published: January 2018

ObjectiveBipolar disorder is a severe mood disorder characterized by alternating episodes of mania and depression. Several interventions have been developed to decrease high admission rates and high suicides rates associated with the illness, including psychoeducation and early episode detection, with mixed results. More recently, machine learning approaches have been used to aid clinical diagnosis or to detect a particular clinical state; however, contradictory results arise from confusion around which of the several automatically generated data are the most contributory and useful to detect a particular clinical state. Our aim for this study was to apply machine learning techniques and nonlinear analyses to a physiological time series dataset in order to find the best predictor for forecasting episodes in mood disorders.MethodsWe employed three different techniques: entropy calculations and two different machine learning approaches (genetic programming and Markov Brains as classifiers) to determine whether mood, energy or sleep was the best predictor to forecast a mood episode in a physiological time series.ResultsEvening energy was the best predictor for both manic and depressive episodes in each of the three aforementioned techniques. This suggests that energy might be a better predictor than mood for forecasting mood episodes in bipolar disorder and that these particular machine learning approaches are valuable tools to be used clinically.ConclusionsEnergy should be considered as an important factor for episode prediction. Machine learning approaches provide better tools to forecast episodes and to increase our understanding of the processes that underlie mood regulation.
Young children's preference for solitary play: Implications for socio‐emotional and school adjustment
Authors: Ooi Laura L. , Baldwin Danielle , Coplan Robert J. , Rose‐Krasnor Linda 
Published: January 2018

The purpose of this study was to provide additional psychometric support for the Preference for Solitary Play Interview (PSPI) and to examine the associations between self‐reported preference for solitary play and indices of adjustment in early childhood. Participants were N = 340 children attending kindergarten and grade 1. Children completed the PSPI, and teachers provided assessments of children's socio‐emotional and school adjustment. In support of the validity of the PSPI, preference for solitary play was positively associated with asocial behaviours. Further, preference for solitary play displayed an indirect (but not direct) association with peer exclusion via asocial behaviours. Findings are discussed in terms of the social and behavioural implications of preference for solitary play in early childhood.
Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Children who spend more time alone are at increased risk of adjustment difficulties.

However, some individuals desire to spend time alone because of an appreciation for solitude.

A preference for solitude is not associated with negative adjustment in adults and older youth.

What does this study add?

This study is among the first to examine self‐reported preference for solitary in early childhood.

Preference for solitude may not be related to emotional or school difficulties in young children.

However, a heightened display of solitary behaviours may still evoke negative responses from peers.
Epigenetics and the maintenance of developmental plasticity: extending the signalling theory framework
Authors: Laubach Zachary M. , Perng Wei , Dolinoy Dana C. , Faulk Christopher D. , Holekamp Kay E. , Getty Thomas 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTDevelopmental plasticity, a phenomenon of importance in both evolutionary biology and human studies of the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD), enables organisms to respond to their environment based on previous experience without changes to the underlying nucleotide sequence. Although such phenotypic responses should theoretically improve an organism's fitness and performance in its future environment, this is not always the case. Herein, we first discuss epigenetics as an adaptive mechanism of developmental plasticity and use signaling theory to provide an evolutionary context for DOHaD phenomena within a generation. Next, we utilize signalling theory to identify determinants of adaptive developmental plasticity, detect sources of random variability – also known as process errors that affect maintenance of an epigenetic signal (DNA methylation) over time, and discuss implications of these errors for an organism's health and fitness. Finally, we apply life‐course epidemiology conceptual models to inform study design and analytical strategies that are capable of parsing out the potential effects of process errors in the relationships among an organism's early environment, DNA methylation, and phenotype in a future environment. Ultimately, we hope to foster cross‐talk and interdisciplinary collaboration between evolutionary biology and DOHaD epidemiology, which have historically remained separate despite a shared interest in developmental plasticity.
Queen palm fruit selection and foraging techniques of squirrels in the Atlantic Forest
Authors: Alves Briza Cristina , Mendes Calebe Pereira , Ribeiro Milton Cezar 
Published: January 2018

AbstractQueen palm seeds (Syagrus romanzoffiana) are a vital source of nutrients for Ingram's squirrel (Guerlinguetus ingrami), a common inhabitant of the Atlantic forest biome of Brazil. G. ingrami acts as both a seed predator and disperser of this important palm; however, little is known about how G. ingrami selects or efficiently opens queen palm seeds. The objectives of this study were to: (1) investigate the squirrel's capacity to determine the germinal orifice among the fruit's three pores, which permits more efficient opening of the fruit; (2) assess whether the thickness and size of the fruit endocarp influence the squirrel's palm selection during foraging; and (3) evaluate whether the rodents preferentially select fruits with invertebrate infestations. To answer these questions, we used a series of behavioral experiments measuring patterns of squirrel feeding behavior (fruit opening, fruit selection, and patch selection), controlling for environmental variables. We found that (1) squirrels identify the queen palm germinal pore by its greater relative depth to the other pores; (2) the average size and thickness of fruit does not influence the squirrel's choice of palm for foraging; and (3) squirrels preferentially consume fruits infested by invertebrates. The development of methods for more efficient processing of queen palm fruit highlights the importance of this resource for G. ingrami. In addition, due to its preferential selection of infested fruits, G. ingrami may benefit palms by reducing parasite population loads.
Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in WNT genes with the risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate
Authors: Rafighdoost Houshang , Hashemi Mohammad , Asadi Hossein , Bahari Gholamreza 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTNonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate is a common congenital deformity worldwide with multifaceted etiology. Interaction of genes and environmental factors has been indicated to be related with susceptibility to nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate. Some WNT genes which are involved in craniofacial embryogenesis may play a key role in the pathogenesis of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate. In the present study, we aimed to inspect the relationship between WNT3 (rs3809857 and rs9890413), WNT3A (rs752107 and rs3121310), and WNT10a rs201002930 (c.392 C>T) polymorphisms and nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in an Iranian population. The present case‐control study was carried out on 120 unrelated nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate patients and 112 healthy subjects. The variants were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The findings suggest that the rs3809857 polymorphism significantly decreased the risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in codominant (odds ratio = 0.16, 95% confidence interval = 0.03–0.75, P = 0.020, TT vs GG), recessive (odds ratio = 0.16, 95% confidence interval = 0.03–0.72, P = 0.009, TT vs GG + GT) inheritance models. The rs9890413 variant marginally decreased the risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in codominant (odds ratio = 0.41, 95% confidence interval = 0.17–0.99, P = 0.047, AG vs AA) model. Regarding C392T variant, the findings revealed that this variant significantly decreased the risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in codominant (odds ratio = 0.24, 95% confidence interval = 0.10–0.58, P = 0.002, CT vs CC) and allele (odds ratio = 0.26, 95% confidence interval = 0.11–0.62, P = 0.002, T vs C) models. No significant association was observed between the rs752107 and rs3121310 variants and risk/protection of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate. Stratified analysis showed that WNT10a rs201002930 (c.392 C>T) significantly decreased the risk of cleft lip with cleft palate and cleft palate only. In summary, the results suggest an association between WNT genes polymorphisms and the risk nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in a sample of the southeast Iranian population.
A Survey of Surface‐Based Illustrative Rendering for Visualization
Authors: Lawonn Kai , Viola Ivan , Preim Bernhard , Isenberg Tobias 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn this paper, we survey illustrative rendering techniques for 3D surface models. We first discuss the field of illustrative visualization in general and provide a new definition for this sub‐area of visualization. For the remainder of the survey, we then focus on surface‐based models. We start by briefly summarizing the differential geometry fundamental to many approaches and discuss additional general requirements for the underlying models and the methods' implementations. We then provide an overview of low‐level illustrative rendering techniques including sparse lines, stippling and hatching, and illustrative shading, connecting each of them to practical examples of visualization applications. We also mention evaluation approaches and list various application fields, before we close with a discussion of the state of the art and future work.
How adolescents decide on bariatric surgery: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Doyle J. , Colville S. , Brown P. , Christie D. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryThe National Institute of Clinical Excellence states that bariatric surgery may be considered for adolescents with severe obesity in ‘exceptional circumstances’. However, it is not clear what is deemed to be exceptional, and there is a lack of long‐term outcomes data or research, which would inform patient selection. This is an in‐depth qualitative study involving five adolescents who had previously undergone bariatric surgery (between 1 and 3 years postoperatively) and four who were being assessed for the treatment. All patients were from one tertiary NHS weight management service offering bariatric surgery to adolescents. Participants were interviewed to explore how young people decide whether bariatric surgery is an appropriate intervention for them. Of the nine adolescents recruited, four were male and five female, aged between 17 and 20 years at the time of interview. Participants who had already undergone surgery did so between the ages of 16 and 18. The data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, and key themes were identified, such as (i) wanting a different future, (ii) experiences of uncertainty, (iii) managing the dilemmas and (iv) surgery as the last resort. The findings suggest that young people are prepared to accept a surgical solution for obesity despite numerous dilemmas. Young people choose this intervention as a way of ‘normalizing’ when they perceive there is nothing better available. It is argued that these findings may have implications for the counselling of young people living with overweight and obesity and for government policy.
Participatory development of incentives to coexist with jaguars and pumas
Authors: Amit Ronit , Jacobson Susan K. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractReducing costs and increasing benefits for rural communities coexisting with large carnivores is necessary for conservation of jaguar (Panthera onca) and puma (Puma concolor). To design acceptable incentives, stakeholders must be involved in the process. We conducted an innovative, structured, group communication process based on a Delphi technique as a template for identifying potential incentives. Community workshops with 133 members of 7 communities and surveys with 25 multidisciplinary experts from government, nongovernmental organizations, and academia provided iterative data to design a plan of incentives through 4 rounds of discussion. The final product integrated 862 ideas into 6 types of incentives: organization of communities, mechanisms for improved dialogue, citizen technical assistance, green labeling for community products, payment for the ecosystem service of biodiversity, and an assessment of financial alternatives. We used quantitative and qualitative techniques to indicate support for decisions about the design of incentives, which reduced researcher subjectivity. The diverse incentives developed and the cooperation from multiple stakeholders resulted in an incentive plan that integrated issues of governance, equity, and social norms.