bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transgenic switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) targeted for reduced recalcitrance to bioconversion: a 2‐year comparative analysis of field‐grown lines modified for target gene or genetic element expression
Authors: Dumitrache Alexandru , Natzke Jace , Rodriguez Miguel , Yee Kelsey L. , Thompson Olivia A. , Poovaiah Charleson R. , Shen Hui , Mazarei Mitra , Baxter Holly L. , Fu Chunxiang , Wang Zeng‐Yu , Biswal Ajaya K. , Li Guifen , Srivastava Avinash C. , Tang Yuhong , Stewart Charles Neal , Dixon Richard A. , Nelson Richard S. , Mohnen Debra , Mielenz Jonathan , Brown Steven D. , Davison Brian H. 
Published: November 2016

SummaryTransgenic Panicum virgatum L. silencing (KD) or overexpressing (OE) specific genes or a small RNA (GAUT4‐KD, miRNA156‐OE, MYB4‐OE, COMT‐KD and FPGS‐KD) was grown in the field and aerial tissue analysed for biofuel production traits. Clones representing independent transgenic lines were established and senesced tissue was sampled after year 1 and 2 growth cycles. Biomass was analysed for wall sugars, recalcitrance to enzymatic digestibility and biofuel production using separate hydrolysis and fermentation. No correlation was found between plant carbohydrate content and biofuel production pointing to overriding structural and compositional elements that influence recalcitrance. Biomass yields were greater for all lines in the second year as plants establish in the field and standard amounts of biomass analysed from each line had more glucan, xylan and less ethanol (g/g basis) in the second‐ versus the first‐year samples, pointing to a broad increase in tissue recalcitrance after regrowth from the perennial root. However, biomass from second‐year growth of transgenics targeted for wall modification, GAUT4‐KD, MYB4‐OE, COMT‐KD and FPGS‐KD, had increased carbohydrate and ethanol yields (up to 12% and 21%, respectively) compared with control samples. The parental plant lines were found to have a significant impact on recalcitrance which can be exploited in future strategies. This summarizes progress towards generating next‐generation bio‐feedstocks with improved properties for microbial and enzymatic deconstruction, while providing a comprehensive quantitative analysis for the bioconversion of multiple plant lines in five transgenic strategies.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices for Respiratory and Hearing Health among Midwestern Farmers
Authors: Cramer Mary E. , Wendl Mary J. , Sayles Harlan , Duysen Ellen , Achutan Chandran 
Published: November 2016

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices for hearing and respiratory health/safety among farmers in seven Midwestern states served by a federally funded Agricultural Center. Findings provided a baseline to longitudinally track the Agricultural Center's program outcomes and to design community education to improve safety and health among farmers.Design and SampleThis was a cross‐sectional study using a 30 item mailed survey to describe farmers' operations, demographics, health conditions, related information sources, and knowledge/attitude/practices for personal protective equipment (PPE) (i.e., ear plugs/muffs and dust masks/respirators).MeasuresFrequencies and percentages were calculated for each item and according to responses from younger versus older farmers. The unit of study was farm operators (N = 280) randomly selected from a publicly available database of corn/soybean and hog farmers in seven Midwestern states.ResultsFindings revealed important knowledge gaps among respondents regarding (1) hazardous exposure sources; (2) long‐term health consequences of noise/dust exposure; (3) proper selection/fitting of PPE.ConclusionsPublic health nurses and primary care providers in rural communities should address specific knowledge gaps in order to enhance farmers' perceived understanding of their susceptibility to hazardous exposures. Increasing farmers' knowledge through preferred venues may help to improve PPE effectiveness.
Developing and Testing an Integrative Framework for Open Government Adoption in Local Governments
Authors: Grimmelikhuijsen Stephan G. , Feeney Mary K. 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
Open government is an important innovation to foster trustworthy and inclusive governments. The authors develop and test an integrative theoretical framework drawing from theories on policy diffusion and innovation adoption. Based on this, they investigate how structural, cultural, and environmental variables explain three dimensions of open government: accessibility, transparency, and participation. The framework is tested by combining 2014 survey data and observational data from 500 local U.S. government websites. Organizational structure, including technological and organizational capacity, is a determinant shared by all dimensions of open government. Furthermore, accessibility is affected by a mixture of an innovative and participative culture and external pressures. A flexible and innovative culture positively relates to higher levels of transparency, whereas capacity is a strong predictor of adopting participatory features. The main conclusion is that there is no one‐size‐fits‐all solution to fostering the three dimensions of open government, as each dimension is subject to a unique combination of determinants.
The impact of cross‐breeding Egyptian and Italian buffalo on reproductive and productive performance under a subtropical environment
Authors: Nasr MAF 
Published: November 2016

ContentsThe aim of this study was to investigate the reproductive and productive performance of pure Egyptian (PE) buffaloes and their crosses with Italian buffaloes. In this study, 2969 dairy buffaloes were used (1599 PE; 615 F1 crosses, 50% PE and 50% Italian buffaloes; and 755 backcross [BC], 75% PE and 25% Italian buffaloes). When compared to PE, the BC and F1 had a significantly lower incidence of calving difficulty (odds ratio [OR] = 0.18, p < .0001 and .34, p < .0001, respectively) in conjunction with a lesser incidence of stillbirth (OR = 0.06, p < .0001 and 0.43, p < .0001, respectively). Backcross buffaloes were also noted to have a lower rate of not conceived after first insemination (OR = 0.74, p < .0001) in comparison with PE. The cross F1 buffaloes were superior in terms of productive traits, whereas PE buffaloes were best in most of the reproductive traits (days of non‐pregnant p = .001, service per conception p < .0001 and calf weight p = .01). Although the study results appeared to indicate towards a contrary association between milk production and reproductive traits, BC was similar to F1 in terms of production and similar to PE in terms of reproductive traits. Thus, the farmers should be encouraged to breed BC animals in their herds for enhancing milk yield to meet with the market demands.
Lesion heterogeneity and risk of infectious complications following peripheral endobronchial ultrasound
Authors: Fortin Marc , Taghizadeh Niloofar , Chee Alex , Hergott Christopher A. , Dumoulin Elaine , Tremblay Alain , MacEachern Paul 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT
Background and objectiveThe reported incidence of peripheral endobronchial ultrasound (pEBUS)‐related infectious complications is below 1%, although studies have never focused solely on them or reported their risk factors. The goal of this study is to describe our local pEBUS infectious complication rate and characterize patient, lesion and procedural factors associated with infectious complications.MethodsAll charts, computed tomography scans and electronic records of patients who underwent a pEBUS at the Foothills Medical Center and South Health Campus Hospital in Calgary between 1 May 2014 and 1 October 2015 were reviewed.ResultsOne hundred and ninety‐nine pEBUS procedures were included in our study. The local infectious complication rate was 4.0% (8/199). Two lesion characteristics were more frequent in patients who suffered infectious complications: larger lesion diameter (P = 0.016) and lesion heterogeneity on imaging suggestive of areas of necrosis (P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, only the presence of lesion heterogeneity was significantly associated with infectious complications (OR = 16.74 (2.95–95.08)). The rate of infectious complications in lesions with a heterogeneous appearance was 20.7% (6/29).ConclusionThe rate of infectious complications after pEBUS is elevated when biopsying heterogeneous appearing lesions. This may not have previously been reported as studies of pEBUS focused on smaller and probably rarely necrotic lesions. Future studies of methods to prevent infections complications in pEBUS‐guided biopsies of heterogeneous appearing lesions are warranted.
Modelling Illegal Drug Participation
Authors: Brown Sarah , Harris Mark N. , Srivastava Preety , Zhang Xiaohui 
Published: November 2016

Summary
We contribute to the small, but important, literature exploring the incidence and implications of misreporting in survey data. Specifically, when modelling ‘social bads’, such as illegal drug consumption, researchers are often faced with exceptionally low reported participation rates. We propose a modelling framework where firstly an individual decides whether to participate or not and, secondly, for participants there is a subsequent decision to misreport or not. We explore misreporting in the context of the consumption of a system of drugs and specify a multivariate inflated probit model. Compared with observed participation rates of 12.2%, 3.2% and 1.3% (for use of marijuana, speed and cocaine respectively) the true participation rates are estimated to be almost double for marijuana (23%), and more than double for speed (8%) and cocaine (5%). The estimated chances that a user would misreport their participation is a staggering 65% for a hard drug like cocaine, and still about 31% and 17%, for the softer drugs of marijuana and speed.
The Monterey Event within the Central Mediterranean area: The shallow‐water record
Authors: Brandano Marco , Cornacchia Irene , Raffi Isabella , Tomassetti Laura , Agostini Samuele 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe middle Miocene is an important time to understand modern global climate evolution and its consequences on marine systems. The Mid‐Miocene Climatic Optimum (between 17·0 Ma and 13·5 Ma) was the warmest time interval of the past 35 million years during which atmospheric CO2 concentrations were lower than today. In the Mid‐Miocene Climatic Optimum, a significant carbon cycle perturbation occurred, expressed as a last long‐term positive carbon isotope shift, known in literature as the Monterey Carbon Isotope Excursion and recorded in open‐ocean settings. In this work, the lower to middle Miocene carbon isotope records from three different domains of the Central Mediterranean are analysed with the aim of identifying the local carbonate platform response to the major global carbon cycle perturbation of the Monterey Event. Carbon and oxygen isotope ratios have been measured on samples belonging to three different stratigraphic sections, two of them are representative of shallow‐water settings (Latium–Abruzzi and Apula platforms), and the latter of a hemipelagic setting (Umbria–Marche Basin). A well‐defined Monterey Carbon Isotope Excursion is recorded also in these shallow‐water sections. Despite their expected problematic stratigraphic constraints, a reliable age model is provided by calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy and strontium isotope stratigraphy. In both of the carbonate platform successions examined, the Monterey Carbon Isotope Excursion coincides with a spread of bryozoans over other carbonate‐producing biota. The high productivity of the bryozoan‐dominated factory in the aphotic zone had an important control on the platform depositional profile. The high rates of sediment production in the deeper aphotic and oligophotic zones produced a depositional profile of a low‐angle ramp.
Thyrotropin Alters T Cell Development in the Thymus in Subclinical Hypothyroidism Mouse Model
Authors: Wu K. , Zhao M. , Ma C. , Zhang H. , Liu X. , Zhou L. , Zhao J. , Gao L. , Wang D. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractSubclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is highly prevalent in the general population and is associated with potential deleterious effects. Although developing T cells express thyroid‐stimulating hormone receptor (TSH‐R), the changes of T cell development in thymus in SCH have not been fully clarified. SCH mouse model, which is characterized by elevated serum TSH but similar thyroid hormone levels, was used to study the role of TSH in T cell development. Thymus weight of SCH mice increased 18% compared with controls. Importantly, the frequencies of CD4+ and CD8+ single‐positive (SP) thymocytes increased 38% and 44%, respectively. We demonstrated that TSH protected thymocytes from apoptosis as evidenced by a significant decrease of Annexin V‐positive thymocytes in SCH mice. Further analysis showed that extracellular‐regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 in thymus were activated in SCH mice. With analysis of T cell receptor excision circles (TREC), we found that TSH increased recent thymic emigrants (RTE) in spleen tissue in SCH mice. Thus, these results suggest that TSH promoted T cell development and enhanced the thymic recent output in SCH mice, possibly by suppression of apoptosis of thymocytes, indicating that modification of the ERK signalling pathways.
Human Secretory IgM Antibodies Activate Human Complement and Offer Protection at Mucosal Surface
Authors: Michaelsen T. E. , Emilsen S. , Sandin R. H. , Granerud B. K. , Bratlie D. , Ihle O. , Sandlie I. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractIgM molecules circulate in serum as large polymers, mainly pentamers, which can be transported by the poly‐Ig receptor (pIgR) across epithelial cells to mucosal surfaces and released as secretory IgM (SIgM). The mucosal SIgM molecules have non‐covalently attached secretory component (SC), which is the extracellular part of pIgR which is cleaved from the epithelial cell membrane. Serum IgM antibodies do not contain SC and have previously been shown to make a conformational change from ‘a star’ to a ‘staple’ conformation upon reaction with antigens on a cell surface, enabling them to activate complement. However, it is not clear whether SIgM similarly can induce complement activation. To clarify this issue, we constructed recombinant chimeric (mouse/human) IgM antibodies against hapten 5‐iodo‐4‐hydroxy‐3‐nitro‐phenacetyl (NIP) and in addition studied polyclonal IgM formed after immunization with a meningococcal group B vaccine. The monoclonal and polyclonal IgM molecules were purified by affinity chromatography on a column containing human SC in order to isolate joining‐chain (J‐chain) containing IgM, followed by addition of excess amounts of soluble SC to create SIgM (IgM J+ SC+). These SIgM preparations were tested for complement activation ability and shown to be nearly as active as the parental IgM J+ molecules. Thus, SIgM may offer protection against pathogens at mucosal surface by complement‐mediated cell lysis or by phagocytosis mediated by complement receptors present on effector cells on mucosa.
Effects of menthol application on the skin during prolonged immersion in swimmers and controls
Authors: Botonis P. G. , Geladas N. D. , Kounalakis S. N. , Cherouveim E. D. , Koskolou M. D. 
Published: November 2016

We hypothesized that menthol application on the skin would enhance vasoconstriction of subjects immersed in cool water, which would reduce heat loss and rectal temperature (Tre) cooling rate. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that this effect would be greater in individuals acclimatized to immersion in 24 °C water, such as swimmers. Seven swimmers (SW) and seven physical education students (CON) cycled at 60% VO2 max until Tre attained 38 °C, and were then immediately immersed in stirred water maintained at 24 °C on two occasions: without (NM) and with (M; 4.6 g per 100 mL of water) whole‐body skin application of menthol cream. Heart rate, Tre, proximal–distal skin temperature gradient, oxygen uptake (VO2), electromyographic activity (EMG), and thermal sensation were measured. Tre reduction was similar among SW and CON in NM and CON in M (−0.71±0.31 °C in average), while it was smaller for SW in M (−0.37±0.18 °C, P < 0.01). VO2 and heart rate were greater in M compared with NM condition (P = 0.01). SW in M exhibited a shift of the threshold for shivering, as reflected in increased VO2 and EMG activity, toward a higher Tre compared with the other trials. Menthol application on the skin before immersion reduces heat loss, but defends Tre decline more effectively in swimmers than in non‐swimmers.
Role of African–Eurasian plate setting in the felt areas of intermediate‐depth earthquakes: an investigation using crowdsourced data
Authors: Sbarra Paola , Tosi Patrizia , De Rubeis Valerio 
Published: November 2016

AbstractGreek intermediate‐depth earthquakes, occurring in the subducted plate of the Hellenic Arc, are felt at greater distances than expected, reaching Italy in some cases. We study in detail macroseismic intensity data from intermediate‐depth Italian and Greek earthquakes collected from Internet users who felt the shaking in Italy. The huge amount of data allowed us to outline the felt/not‐felt limit and to find a correspondence between attenuation areas and the presence of asthenospheric material at shallow depths. We show that plate boundaries, known to produce the majority of earthquakes, are, in some specific cases, the boundaries of areas in which earthquakes are felt. The Ionian subducted lithosphere propagates seismic waves with low attenuation over large distances, whereas high‐attenuation zones in Italy, linked to asthenospheric upwelling, limit the propagation, as evidenced also by PGA values. We identify a typical pattern that can be used to recognize intermediate‐depth earthquakes, and to properly locate historical events.
Strongyloides hyperinfection following hematopoietic stem cell transplant in a patient with HTLV‐1‐associated T‐cell leukemia
Authors: Alpern Jonathan D. , Arbefeville Sophie S. , Vercellotti Gregory , Ferrieri Patricia , Green Jaime S. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractStrongyloides stercoralis has the potential to cause accelerated autoinfection in immunocompromised hosts. Screening tests for strongyloidiasis may be falsely negative in the setting of immunosuppression. We report a case of Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome in a patient with human T‐lymphotropic virus type 1‐associated T‐cell leukemia early after hematopoietic stem cell transplant. The diagnosis was made by stool ova and parasite examination, despite a negative screening enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Because of anticipated prolonged neutropenia, an extended course of treatment was utilized.
Recurrence of Plasmodium falciparum after treatment with quinine and doxycycline in the Amazon basin
Authors: Gomes Margarete do Socorro Mendonça , Vieira José Luiz Fernandes , Couto Álvaro Augusto Ribeiro D'Almeida , Couto Vanja Suely Calvosa D'Almeida , Vieira Michelle Valéria Dias Ferreira , Pereira Francis Christian da Silva , Machado Ricado Luiz Dantas 
Published: November 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate whether the recurrence of infection by Plasmodium falciparum in patients from the Brazilian Amazon was caused by an inadequate exposure to quinine.MethodsA retrospective study was carried out using blood samples from patients with slide‐confirmed infection by P. falciparum, classified according to the parasitological response after 28 days of follow‐up. Quinine and doxycycline were measured in plasma samples by high‐performance liquid chromatography. A statistical model was used to estimate parasite clearance rates.ResultsSix of 40 patients who met the criteria for inclusion in the study showed recurrence of parasitaemia within 28 days after the commencement of treatment. A group of six patients with adequate parasitological response was formed to avoid bias when the variables were compared. Parasitaemia at admission was similar in both groups. Plasma quinine concentrations were similar in both groups on days 1, 2 and 3 and ranged from 1.07 to 4.35 μg/ml in cured patients and from 1.1 to 3.2 μg/ml in patients with parasite recurrence. Concentrations of doxycycline were similar in both groups on day 3. The parasite clearance rate constant was 0.131 ± 0.16 h in the cured patients and 0.117 ± 0.02 h in those showing recurrence. The slope half‐life in the cured patients was 4.8 h and 5.4 h in recurrence cases. The hillslope of the cured group (14.24) increased sharply compared to the recurrence group (4.13).ConclusionThere is evidence of a decreased in vivo sensitivity to quinine of P. falciparum strains in the Brazilian Amazon basin.
Evaluation of response strategies against epidemics due to Neisseria meningitidis C in Niger
Authors: Maïnassara Halima Boubacar , Oumarou Garba Idé , Issaka Bassira , Sidiki Ali , Idi Issa , Pelat Jean‐Paul Moulia , Fontanet Arnaud , Mueller Judith E. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo inform public health recommendations, we evaluated the effectiveness and efficiency of current and hypothetical surveillance and vaccine response strategies against Neisseria meningitidis C meningitis epidemics in 2015 in Niger.MethodsWe analysed reports of suspected and confirmed cases of meningitis from the region of Dosso during 2014 and 2015. Based on a definition of epidemic signals, the effectiveness and efficiency of surveillance and vaccine response strategies were evaluated by calculating the number of potentially vaccine‐preventable cases and number of vaccine doses needed per epidemic signal.ResultsA total of 4763 weekly health area reports, collected in 90 health areas with 1282 suspected meningitis cases, were included. At a threshold of 10 per 100 000, the total number of estimated vaccine‐preventable cases was 29 with district‐level surveillance and vaccine response, 141 with health area‐level surveillance and vaccination and 339 with health area‐level surveillance and district‐level vaccination. While being most effective, the latter strategy required the largest number of vaccine doses (1.8 million), similar to the strategy of surveillance and vaccination at district level (1.3 million), whereas the strategy of surveillance and vaccination at health area level would have required only 0.8 million doses. Thus, efficiency was lowest for district‐level surveillance and highest for health area‐level surveillance with district‐level vaccination.ConclusionIn this analysis, we found that effectiveness and efficiency were higher at health area‐level surveillance and district‐level vaccination than for other strategies. Use of N. meningitidis C vaccines in a preventive strategy thus should be considered, in particular as most reactive vaccine response strategies in our analysis had little impact on disease burden.