bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The tetrapod fauna of the upper Permian Naobaogou Formation of China: a new species of Elginia (Parareptilia, Pareiasauria)
Authors: Liu Jun , Bever Gabriel S. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe pareiasaur fossil record in China is poor compared to that of Russia or South Africa. A new pareiasaur specimen is here reported from the upper Permian Naobaogou Formation of the Daqing Mountains, Nei Mongol, China. It is recognized as a new species of Elginia, a taxon otherwise known only from the upper Permian Cutties Hillock Sandstone of Scotland. Diagnostic features include a moderately developed cheek flange; prominent otic notch (formed between squamosal and quadratojugal at the posterior margin of the temporal plate); enlarged supraorbital bosses on prefrontal, postfrontal and postorbital; a hypertrophied supratemporal horn, and squamosal horn prominently projecting posteriorly from caudal margin of temporal plate. The new taxon is differentiated from E. mirabilis by a well‐developed and crescentic postfrontal boss, which is the largest among a series of circumorbital bosses; upper orbital border distinctly domed with a smooth rather than angled anterodorsal margin; lesser developed cranial bosses, basal confluence of the transverse process and postzygapophysis forms a horizontal flange in some dorsal vertebrae. The new discovery significantly extends the geographical distribution of Elginia and Elginiidae.
Improving image quality of mid‐trimester fetal sonography in obese women: role of ultrasound propagation velocity
Authors: Chauveau B. , Auclair C. , Legrand A. , Mangione R. , Gerbaud L. , Vendittelli F. , Boyer L. , Lémery D. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe quality of ultrasound images is impaired in obese patients. All ultrasound scanners are calibrated for an ultrasound propagation velocity of 1540 m/s, but the propagation in fatty tissue is slower (in the order of 1450 m/s). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of images obtained with different ultrasound propagation velocity settings during the mid‐trimester fetal ultrasound examination in obese patients.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional study using image sets of four recommended scanning planes collected from 32 obese pregnant women during their mid‐trimester fetal scan. Each image set comprised three images obtained successively at three different propagation velocity settings (1540 m/s, 1480 m/s and 1420 m/s). A panel of 114 experts assessed the quality of 100 image sets, grading them from A (most acceptable) to C (least acceptable). Scanning‐plane‐specific indicators of adiposity (fatty layer thickness, probe‐to‐organ distance) were analyzed for each scanning plane.ResultsThe experts had a mean of 18.1 ± 10.2 years of experience. The grade distribution (A, B, C) differed significantly (P < 0.0001) between the three propagation velocity settings tested; at the lower speed of 1480 m/s, images were most often graded A, while at the conventional speed of 1540 m/s, they were most often graded C. Regardless of the scanning plane, the thicker the fatty layer of the abdominal wall in a given plane, the lower the preferred speed (P < 0.0001).ConclusionThe construction of images taking into account ultrasound propagation velocities lower than 1540 m/s can improve significantly the quality of images obtained during mid‐trimester fetal ultrasonography in obese women. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Long-term physical activity leads to a significant increase in serum sRAGE levels: a sign of decreased AGE-mediated inflammation due to physical activity?
Authors: Sponder Michael , Campean Ioana-Alexandra , Emich Michael , Fritzer-Szekeres Monika , Litschauer Brigitte , Graf Senta , Dalos Daniel , Strametz-Juranek Jeanette 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThere is growing evidence that low levels of the circulating soluble receptor of advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) are a valuable predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the influence of long-term physical activity on serum sRAGE levels. 109 subjects were recruited, and 98 completed the study. Participants were asked to perform exercise within the calculated training pulse for 8 months. The performance gain was measured/quantified by bicycle stress tests at the beginning and end of the observation period. sRAGE was measured at baseline and after 2/6/8 months by ELISA. Backwards, multiple linear regression analysis was performed to investigate the association of co-variables age, sex, BMI, and performance at baseline, HbA1c, and lipoprotein a with baseline sRAGE levels. We identified BMI and lipoprotein a as significant predictors for baseline sRAGE levels. Compared to subjects with a performance gain ≤ 4.9% subjects with a gain > 5% showed a significant increase in sRAGE levels up to 22%. sRAGE serum levels correlate negatively with lipoprotein a levels and BMI and long-term physical activity leads to a significant increase in serum sRAGE levels (9–22%), whereby the sRAGE increase is most pronounced in subjects with initially low-performance levels, suggesting that in particular, these subject profit the most from increased physical activity. The sport-mediated increase of sRAGE might be a sign of decreased AGE-mediated inflammation and highlight the protective effect of sports on CVD and other disease which are at least partly mediated by an increased inflammation status.Clinical trials registrationNCT02097199.
Engineering co-culture system for production of apigetrin in Escherichia coli
Authors: Thuan Nguyen Huy , Chaudhary Amit Kumar , Van Cuong Duong , Cuong Nguyen Xuan 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
Microbial cells have extensively been utilized to produce value-added bioactive compounds. Based on advancement in protein engineering, DNA recombinant technology, genome engineering, and metabolic remodeling, the microbes can be re-engineered to produce industrially and medicinally important platform chemicals. The emergence of co-culture system which reduces the metabolic burden and allows parallel optimization of the engineered pathway in a modular fashion restricting the formation of undesired byproducts has become an alternative way to synthesize and produce bioactive compounds. In this study, we present genetically engineered E. coli-based co-culture system to the de novo synthesis of apigetrin (APG), an apigenin-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside of apigenin. The culture system consists of an upstream module including 4-coumarate: CoA ligase (4CL), chalcone synthase, chalcone flavanone isomerase (CHS, CHI), and flavone synthase I (FNSI) to synthesize apigenin (API) from p-coumaric acid (PCA). Whereas, the downstream system contains a metabolizing module to enhance the production of UDP-glucose and expression of glycosyltransferase (PaGT3) to convert API into APG. To accomplish this improvement in titer, the initial inoculum ratio of strains for making the co-culture system, temperature, and media component was optimized. Following large-scale production, a yield of 38.5 µM (16.6 mg/L) of APG was achieved. In overall, this study provided an efficient tool to synthesize bioactive compounds in microbial cells.
Lower Respiratory Symptoms Associated With Environmental and Reconstruction Exposures After Hurricane Sandy
Authors: Gargano Lisa M. , Locke Sean , Jordan Hannah T. , Brackbill Robert M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectiveIn a population with prior exposure to the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster, this study sought to determine the relationship between Hurricane Sandy-related inhalation exposures and post-Sandy lower respiratory symptoms (LRS).MethodsParticipants included 3835 WTC Health Registry enrollees who completed Wave 3 (2011-2012) and Hurricane Sandy (2013) surveys. The Sandy-related inhalational exposures examined were: (1) reconstruction exposure; (2) mold or damp environment exposure; and (3) other respiratory irritants exposure. LRS were defined as wheezing, persistent cough, or shortness of breath reported on ≥1 of the 30 days preceding survey completion. Associations between LRS and Sandy exposures, controlling for socio-demographic factors, post-traumatic stress disorder, and previously reported LRS and asthma were examined using multiple logistic regression.ResultsOver one-third of participants (34.4%) reported post-Sandy LRS. Each of the individual exposures was also independently associated with post-Sandy LRS, each having approximately twice the odds of having post-Sandy LRS. We found a dose-response relationship between the number of types of Sandy-related exposures reported and post-Sandy LRS.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that post-hurricane clean-up and reconstruction exposures can increase the risk for LRS. Public health interventions should emphasize the importance of safe remediation practices and recommend use of personal protective equipment. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:697-702)
Patients prefer a continuity model of inpatient psychiatric consultant care: a patient survey in the Louth Mental Health Service
Authors: Khan S. , Kashif M. , Wilson L. , McCauley M. , Roche E. 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesThe objective of the paper was to survey patients’ preference in relation to a continuity, or split, model of inpatient consultant care in the Louth Mental Health Service.MethodsA written survey was administered to all patients attending the Louth Mental Health Service over a 2-week period. Participants were asked for their preferred model of care and clinical information was obtained from their clinical notes.ResultsIn total, 149 patients completed the survey questionnaire and 103 respondents (69%) indicated a preference for a continuity model of inpatient consultant psychiatric care. There was a trend for those who reported a past experience of inpatient hospitalisation to indicate a preference for the continuity model (76%v. 61%, respectively,χ23.67,p=0.056).ConclusionsPatients indicate a preference for a continuity model of inpatient psychiatric care and this is important to consider in service planning. More research is needed to evaluate if any model of consultant care is associated with better patient outcomes.
IMMIGRANTS AS VOTERS IN ELECTORAL AUTOCRACIES: THE CASE OF MAINLAND CHINESE IMMIGRANTS IN HONG KONG
Authors: Wong Stan Hok-Wui , Ma Ngok , Lam Wai-man 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMigration to electoral autocracies has become increasingly common. Extant studies, however, accord little attention to the immigrants' influences on the domestic politics of these regimes. We argue that immigrants have attributes (status quo bias and lack of prior exposure to local politics) that make them an attractive co-optation target of the authoritarian regime. We provide a case study of mainland Chinese immigrants in Hong Kong to illustrate our argument. Since the sovereignty transfer, the Hong Kong government has devised various schemes to attract these immigrants, while pro-establishment political parties and groups have actively sought to co-opt them. Using two distinct public opinion surveys, we also find that immigrants are more likely to approve of the political and economic status quo, and less likely to vote for pro-democracy opposition parties than the natives. In addition, we find no evidence that exposure to political information can change the immigrants' vote choice.
Does adherence to the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute of Cancer Research cancer prevention guidelines reduce risk of colorectal cancer in the UK Women’s Cohort Study?
Authors: Jones Petra , Cade Janet E. , Evans Charlotte E. L. , Hancock Neil , Greenwood Darren C. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractEvidence on adherence to diet-related cancer prevention guidelines and associations with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk is limited and conflicting. The aim of this cohort analysis is to evaluate associations between adherence to the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute of Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) 2007 recommendations and incident CRC. The UK Women’s Cohort Study comprises over 35 372 women who filled in a FFQ at baseline in 1995. They were followed up for CRC incidence for a median of 17·4 years, an individual score linking adherence to eight of the WCRF/AICR recommendations was constructed. Cox proportional hazards regression provided hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % CI for the estimation of CRC risk, adjusting for confounders. Following exclusions, 444 CRC cases were identified. In the multivariate-adjusted model, women within the second and third (highest) categories of the WRCF/AICR score had HR of 0·79 (95 % CI 0·62, 1·00) and 0·73 (95 % CI 0·48, 1·10), respectively, for CRC compared with those in the lowest, reference category. The overall linear trend across the categories was not significant (P=0·17). No significant associations were observed between the WCRF/AICR score and proximal colon, distal colon and rectal cancers separately. Of the individual score components, a BMI within the normal weight range was borderline significantly protective only for rectal cancer in the fully adjusted model. In view of the likely different causes of CRC subtypes, further research is needed to identify the optimal dietary patterns associated with reducing colon and rectal cancer risk, respectively.
WHERE WAS THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, 1646–1660?
Authors: HAIGH CHRISTOPHER 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWhen parliament abolished episcopacy, cathedrals, and the Book of Common Prayer, what was left of the Church of England? Indeed, as contemporaries asked between 1646 and 1660, ‘Where is the Church of England?’ The episcopalian clergy could not agree. Some thought the remaining national framework of parishes and congregations was ‘the Church of England’, though now deformed, and worked within it. Others thought that only those ministers and parish congregations who remained loyal in heart to the church as it had been qualified as ‘the church’: most of them continued to serve a parish church and tried to keep the old practices going. A third category of hard-liners thought ‘the Church of England’ was now restricted to a recusant community that worshipped with the Prayer Book in secret and rejected the new national profession. The fundamental issue was the nature of a church: was it a society of believers, however organized, or a hierarchical institution following rules prescribed by God? The question caused tensions and distrust among the clergy, and the rigorists thought of the rest as time-servers and traitors. Disagreements continued to divide the clergy after the Restoration, and were reflected in attitudes towards concessions to dissenters.
From the Streets to the Government: Socialist Militants and Labour Law in Brazil
Authors: Castellucci Aldrin A.S. , Schmidt Benito B. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis article analyses and compares the careers of a group of socialist militants who were active in several regions of Brazil in the final decades of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. It underscores their similarities and differences with a view to understanding the various ways of being a socialist in that context. This includes examining their wide-ranging activities, the main ideas they upheld, and their role in the development of Brazilian labour laws in the 1930s and 1940s.1
THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AND INITIATION OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Bengesai Annah V. , Khan Hafiz T. A. , Dube Russell 
Published: January 2018

SummaryAlthough young people in South Africa are growing up in an era where their socioeconomic circumstances are seemingly better than those of their parents’ generation, they face greater risks in their trajectory to adulthood. This is mainly because the environment in which they are making sexual decisions is also rapidly evolving. Currently, South Africa has the highest prevalence of HIV and AIDS in the world among young people aged 15–24. This study examined the effect of sexual behaviours initiated in adolescence on enrolment in post-secondary education. The analysis was conducted using data from the longitudinal Cape Area Panel Study (CAPS, Waves 1–5) conducted in 2002–2009, which focused on young people’s sexual behaviours in Cape Town, South Africa. The sample was restricted to 3213 individuals who reported sexual debut during adolescence. Using logistic regression models fitted separately for males and females, the results revealed that several factors acted as either hindrances or protective factors to enrolment in post-secondary education. Early sexual debut (by age 17) was negatively associated with participation in tertiary education. Other variables that had a negative effect included not using contraception at first sex, parenthood, engaging in risky behaviours such as illegal substance use, cigarette smoking and drinking alcohol and neglect of school homework (doing less than an hour a day). Higher levels of parental education (except for paternal education in the female model), urban residence and higher aspirations and analogous behaviours (studying) acted as protective factors and were positively associated with post-secondary education initiation. The paper also points to the relationship between early sexual debut and persistent socioeconomic inequality and provides empirical evidence for re-thinking policy development and implementation around schooling and sex education.
AGE AT MENARCHE AND SEXUAL DEBUT AMONG YOUNG FILIPINO WOMEN
Authors: Tey Nai-Peng , Lai Siow-Li , Ng Sor-Tho 
Published: January 2018

SummaryThere has been a secular decline in age at menarche since the 19th century. Early-maturing women are more likely to have their sexual debut at a younger age, which in turn gives rise to a host of reproductive health and social problems. This study used data from five waves of National Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in the Philippines between 1993 and 2013 to examine the trends and socioeconomic differentials in age at menarche and sexual debut. The changing trend in age at menarche and sexual debut was examined across birth cohorts, and logistic regressions were used to identify the determinants of early sexual debut. In the Philippines, the mean and median ages at menarche declined from 13.2 years and 12.6 years, respectively, among young women born in 1973–1977, to 12.9 years and 12.3 years, respectively, among those born in 1993–1997. The proportion who had their sexual debut by age 20 increased from 41.2% for the 1968–1972 birth cohort to 53.4% for the 1988–1992 birth cohort. Filipino women with low education, from poor families and living in rural areas were more likely to have earlier sexual debut despite attaining menarche at a later age as compared with their higher educated counterparts, and those from wealthier families and urban areas. Logistic regression analysis showed that, besides marital status, women’s education and age at menarche were important determinants of early sexual debut. However, ethnicity, place of residence and family wealth had no significant effects on age at menarche. An increasing proportion of young women were found to be having unprotected sexual debut and at a younger age, with health and social ramifications. Hence, apart from increasing the enrolment of girls in schools and discouraging teenage marriage, there is a need for social and health agencies to implement appropriate adolescent sexual and reproductive health programmes such as counselling and educational campaigns, as well as support services, to address sexual problems among the youth.
Emotional coping among communities affected by wildlife–caused damage in north-east India: opportunities for building tolerance and improving conservation outcomes
Authors: Gogoi Mayuri 
Published: January 2018

AbstractHuman–wildlife conflict has been the focus of much research, and incidents of damage caused by wildlife to communities, as well as damage inflicted on wildlife by people, have been studied extensively to determine causes, conditions, impacts and mitigation strategies. However, few studies have explored the coping strategies employed by communities to deal with these stressful events. Understanding coping is important, as effective coping builds tolerance towards wildlife, whereas poor coping erodes tolerance and thus jeopardizes conservation. Interviews conducted with people who had experienced damage caused by wild elephantsElephas maximusin eight villages of Assam, in north-east India, found that the stress experienced by the communities as a result of the damage was eased by their religious beliefs associated with elephants, and their feelings of empathy towards these animals. Belief in the elephant as God and as avenger of wrong-doing further strengthened people's coping capacity. These findings have positive implications for elephant conservation, showing that people's tolerance towards marauding elephants can be based on religious beliefs rather than compensation for losses.
An ecological momentary assessment evaluation of emotion regulation abnormalities in schizophrenia
Authors: Visser Katherine Frost , Esfahlani Farnaz Zamani , Sayama Hiroki , Strauss Gregory P. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundPrior studies using self-report questionnaires and laboratory-based methods suggest that schizophrenia is characterized by abnormalities in emotion regulation (i.e. using strategies to increase or decrease the frequency, duration, or intensity of negative emotion). However, it is unclear whether these abnormalities reflect poor emotion regulation effort or adequate effort, but limited effectiveness. It is also unclear whether dysfunction results primarily from one of the three stages of the emotion regulation process: identification, selection, or implementation.MethodThe current study used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to address these questions in the context of everyday activities. Participants included 28 outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia (SZ) and 28 demographically matched healthy controls (CN) who completed 6 days of EMA reports of in-the-moment emotional experience, emotion regulation strategy use, and context.ResultsResults indicated that SZ demonstrated adequate emotion regulation effort, but poor effectiveness. Abnormalities were observed at each of the three stages of the emotion regulation process. At the identification stage, SZ initiated emotion regulation efforts at a lower threshold of negative emotion intensity. At the selection stage, SZ selected more strategies than CN and strategies attempted were less contextually appropriate. At the implementation stage, moderate to high levels of effort were ineffective at decreasing negative emotion.ConclusionsFindings suggest that although SZ attempt to control their emotions using various strategies, often applying more effort than CN, these efforts are unsuccessful; emotion regulation abnormalities may result from difficulties at the identification, selection, and implementation stages.
Retrieval is central to the distinctive function of episodic memory
Authors: Aronowitz Sara 
Published: January 2018

AbstractEpisodic retrieval is heavily and asymmetrically dependent on the temporal order of the remembered events. This effect, or rather the underlying structure which it reflects, is a distinctive feature missing from the account in the target article. This structure explains significant successes and failures of episodic retrieval, and it has clear consequences for the fitness of the organism extending beyond communication.
Episodic memory must be grounded in reality in order to be useful in communication
Authors: Blank Hartmut 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe primary function of episodic memory is to provide reliable information about reality that is essential for surviving and navigating in an environment. The communicative function of episodic memory “sits on top of” this basic function but does not, in itself, explain it in its totality (but may explain particular aspects such as its sensitivity to source credibility).