bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting Freshman Grade‐Point Average from Test Scores: Effects of Variation Within and Between High Schools
Authors: Koretz D. , Langi M. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMost studies predicting college performance from high‐school grade point average (HSGPA) and college admissions test scores use single‐level regression models that conflate relationships within and between high schools. Because grading standards vary among high schools, these relationships are likely to differ within and between schools. We used two‐level regression models to predict freshman grade point average from HSGPA and scores on both college admissions and state tests. When HSGPA and scores are considered together, HSGPA predicts more strongly within high schools than between, as expected in the light of variations in grading standards. In contrast, test scores, particularly mathematics scores, predict more strongly between schools than within. Within‐school variation in mathematics scores has no net predictive value, but between‐school variation is substantially predictive. Whereas other studies have shown that adding test scores to HSGPA yields only a minor improvement in aggregate prediction, our findings suggest that a potentially more important effect of admissions tests is statistical moderation, that is, partially offsetting differences in grading standards across high schools.
The risk of ischaemic stroke in primary antiphospholipid syndrome patients: a prospective study
Authors: Radin M. , Schreiber K. , Cecchi I. , Roccatello D. , Cuadrado M. J. , Sciascia S. 
Published: October 2017

Background and purposeThe most common neurological manifestation of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is ischaemic stroke. Identifying patients with APS at high risk for developing any thrombotic event remains a major challenge. In this study, the aim was to identify predictive factors of ischaemic stroke in a cohort of primary APS (PAPS) patients who presented with new onset symptoms suggestive of acute stroke.MethodsThis prospective multicentre study included 36 consecutive PAPS patients who presented with new onset symptoms suggestive of an acute stroke. Patients were prospectively followed up for 12 months.ResultsIn 10 (28%) out of 36 PAPS patients [mean age 41 years (SD 13.4), 70% female], the suspicion of an acute stroke was confirmed by brain magnetic resonance imaging. Sixty per cent of these patients were <50 years old. Eight of the 10 patients had a history of previous venous thrombosis and were receiving vitamin K antagonist (VKA), with international normalized ratio target 2–3; one patient had a history of a previous arterial event receiving treatment with VKA target international normalized ratio 2–3 plus low dose aspirin; and one patient had a history of previous pregnancy morbidity receiving only low dose aspirin. Time in the therapeutic range for patients receiving VKA was 77.7% (SD 6.6%). Hypercholesterolaemia was significantly higher in patients with confirmed stroke compared to those without (P < 0.05). Similarly, a significantly higher rate of anti‐β2 glycoprotein‐I (β2GPI) antibodies (immunoglobulin G/immunoglobulin M; P < 0.05) and higher adjusted global APS score (aGAPSS) values were found in patients with a confirmed stroke [mean aGAPSS 8.9 (SD 4.7) vs. mean aGAPSS 6.4 (SD 2.5); P < 0.05].ConclusionsPatients with PAPS, including young patients, have a high risk of recurrent thrombosis despite anticoagulation treatment. A careful risk assessment is mandatory to identify patients at risk for recurrence.
Constipation is not associated with dopamine transporter pathology in early drug‐naïve patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Pagano G. , Yousaf T. , Wilson H. , Niccolini F. , Polychronis S. , Chaudhuri K. R. , Politis M. 
Published: October 2017

Background and purposeConstipation is a common non‐motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). Deposition of α‐synuclein inclusions that spread from the gut to the substantia nigra through the vagus nerve has recently been speculated to be a pre‐motor and early stage of PD. The aim of the study was to investigate whether constipation is associated with dopaminergic pathology on dopamine transporter (DAT) single‐photon emission computed tomography in early drug‐naïve patients with PD. Our hypothesis was that constipation is associated with other signs of pre‐motor PD and is independent of DAT pathology. We then investigated for associations with motor and non‐motor symptoms, and with cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of PD pathology.MethodsUsing the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative database, we investigated the prevalence of constipation and the association between constipation and clinical features, striatal [123I]Ioflupane uptake and non‐imaging (cerebrospinal fluid and serum) biomarkers. Constipation was evaluated using Movement Disorder Society‐Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS‐UPDRS) Part I item 1.11.ResultsOne third (132/398) of de‐novo patients with PD had constipation. Higher severity of constipation correlated with older age (r = 0.728, P < 0.001), higher MDS‐UPDRS total score (r = 0.285, P < 0.001), worse postural instability (r = 0.190, P = 0.012), rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (r = 0.228, P < 0.0001) and depression (r = 0.187, P = 0.024). No correlation was found with cerebrospinal fluid, serum and imaging markers of PD pathology.ConclusionsConstipation was not associated with DAT pathology but with rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder and depression, which are speculated to be pre‐motor symptoms of PD. This confirms the hypothesis that constipation may be a pre‐motor sign of PD due to an impairment of non‐dopaminergic pathways.
The JAK2/STAT3 pathway is involved in the anti‐melanoma effects of atractylenolide I
Authors: Fu Xiu‐Qiong , Chou Ji‐Yao , Li Ting , Zhu Pei‐Li , Li Jun‐Kui , Yin Cheng‐Le , Su Tao , Guo Hui , Lee Kin‐Wah , Hossen Muhammad Jahangir , Chou Gui‐Xin , Yu Zhi‐Ling 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn this study, we aimed to investigate the anti‐melanoma effects and the JAK2/STAT3 pathway‐related mechanism of action of atractylenolide I in human melanoma cells. Our results showed that atractylenolide I effectively reduced viability, induced apoptosis and inhibited migration of melanoma cells. Meanwhile, atractylenolide I decreased the protein expression levels of phospho‐JAK2 and phospho‐STAT3, and in turn downregulated the mRNA levels of STAT3‐targeted genes, including Bcl‐xL, MMP‐2 and MMP‐9. Furthermore, the cytotoxic effect of atractylenolide I was attenuated in STAT3‐overactivated A375 cells. These findings indicate that inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 signalling contributes to the anti‐melanoma effects of atractylenolide I.
Insufficient generation of Th17 cells in IL‐23p19‐deficient BALB/c mice protects against progressive cutaneous leishmaniasis
Authors: Dietze‐Schwonberg Kirsten , Lorenz Beate , Kostka Susanna Lopez , Schumak Beatrix , Gessner André , von Stebut Esther 
Published: October 2017

AbstractHealing of leishmaniasis—a parasitic skin disease—is associated with high levels of secreted interferon (IFN)γ and IL‐12 in resistant C57BL/6 mice and humans. Susceptible BALB/c mice predominantly react with a Th17/Th2/Treg‐related immune response and finally succumb to infection. Previously, we showed that BALB/c IL‐17A−/− mice are protected against Leishmania (L.) major infections, indicating that IL‐17A—predominantly produced by Th17 cells—plays an important role for disease outcome. We now investigated DC‐derived cytokines and finally identified IL‐23p19 as key cytokine responsible for induction of Leishmania‐specific Th17 cells that play an important role for progressive disease in susceptible BALB/c mice.
A divide‐and‐conquer strategy using feature relevance and expert knowledge for enhancing a data mining approach to bank telemarketing
Authors: Moro Sérgio , Cortez Paulo , Rita Paulo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe discovery of knowledge through data mining provides a valuable asset for addressing decision making problems. Although a list of features may characterize a problem, it is often the case that a subset of those features may influence more a certain group of events constituting a sub‐problem within the original problem. We propose a divide‐and‐conquer strategy for data mining using both the data‐based sensitivity analysis for extracting feature relevance and expert evaluation for splitting the problem of characterizing telemarketing contacts to sell bank deposits. As a result, the call direction (inbound/outbound) was considered the most suitable candidate feature. The inbound telemarketing sub‐problem re‐evaluation led to a large increase in targeting performance, confirming the benefits of such approach and considering the importance of telemarketing for business, in particular in bank marketing.
The climate change‐related disclosures and accountability practices of NGOs: Evidence from Australia
Authors: Haque Shamima , Irvine Helen 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis paper focusses on non‐governmental organisations’ (NGOs) broader social accountability, investigating their public disclosures on climate change commitment and performance. Using a synthesised disclosure index, we analyse the annual reports of 30 NGOs, all signatories to the Australian Council for International Development's Code of Conduct. Overall disclosure rates from 2008 to 2013 were higher for commitment than performance, but were very low overall. However, the number of NGOs disclosing information rose markedly over the period. Although it is not directly possible to attribute the change in disclosure levels to the implementation of the Code, the enactment of the new Code could be one of the motivating factors for NGOs’ disclosure practices and their demonstrations of greater social accountability.
On Tanaka‐Mura's fatigue crack nucleation model and validation
Authors: Wu Xijia 
Published: October 2017

AbstractTanaka‐Mura's fatigue crack nucleation model is revisited. A dimensional problem is found in their cyclic plastic strain formulation obtained by integration of the displacement function, and hence, it is rederived based on the true strain definition. Using the corrected strain formulation, a new fatigue crack nucleation life expression is obtained, and for the first time, low cycle fatigue lives of several metals and alloys are predicted without resorting to experiments. With such theoretical life as the baseline, other factors such as surface roughness, environment, and even high‐temperature damage mechanisms can be delineated in further studies.
Flow velocity–ecology thresholds in Canadian rivers: A comparison of trait and taxonomy‐based approaches
Authors: Monk Wendy A. , Compson Zacchaeus G. , Armanini David G. , Orlofske Jessica M. , Curry Colin J. , Peters Daniel L. , Crocker Jeffrey B. , Baird Donald J. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractUnderstanding the physical and biological mechanisms contributing to flow velocity–ecology relationships is crucial for successful river management. The application of an ecological traits‐based approach offers the potential to explore mechanistic linkages between aquatic communities and a hydrological gradient. To date, however, studies focused on identifying these relationships have been limited by a lack of large‐scale, long‐term biological data.To address this gap at a scale relevant for water policy management, we employed data from a large‐scale standardised benthic monitoring program—the Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network—obtained from wadeable river sites across Canada. We applied the Threshold Indicator TaxaANalysis method to quantify the response of the macroinvertebrate community, expressed as traditional taxonomic information and also as ecological traits, along a flow velocity gradient in reference and potential reference sites.Five key findings emerged: (1) using taxa and trait modalities revealed different flow velocity thresholds, (2) trait flow velocity indicators were less variable than taxon indicators, especially for positively responding trait modalities, (3) labile and non‐labile trait modalities demonstrated highly similar patterns along the flow velocity gradient, (4) taxa from 12 different orders responded negatively to flow velocity, while onlyEPTtaxa and some dipterans responded positively to flow velocity, and (5) traits related to mobility and ecology (e.g. climber and swimmer habits, preference of cold‐cool eurythermal water and ability to survive desiccation) tended to respond positively to flow velocity, while traits related to morphology, life history and ecology (e.g. sprawler and burrower habits, preference for warm eurythermal water and inability to survive desiccation) tended to respond negatively to flow velocity.Providing ecologically based flow management targets can improve management plans, anticipate ecosystem consequences of anthropogenic change and support the development of policies to mitigate anthropogenic flow alteration.While our taxon and trait modality flow indicators were developed for Canadian watersheds, our methods to develop flow indicators and thresholds are transferrable to other systems where long‐term biomonitoring programs are being developed, underscoring the need for long‐term biomonitoring programs to support better ecosystem management.
Uncertain recovery of the North Atlantic right whale in a changing ocean
Authors: Meyer‐Gutbrod Erin L. , Greene Charles H. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractHuman activities have placed populations of many endangered species at risk and mitigation efforts typically focus on reducing anthropogenic sources of mortality. However, failing to recognize the additional role of environmental factors in regulating birth and mortality rates can lead to erroneous demographic analyses and conclusions. The North Atlantic right whale population is currently the focus of conservation efforts aimed at reducing mortality rates associated with ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. Consistent monitoring of the population since 1980 has revealed evidence that climate‐associated changes in prey availability have played an important role in the population's recovery. The considerable interdecadal differences observed in population growth coincide with remote Arctic and North Atlantic oceanographic processes that link to the Gulf of Maine ecosystem. Here, we build capture‐recapture models to quantify the role of prey availability on right whale demographic transitional probabilities and use a corresponding demographic model to project population growth rates into the next century. Contrary to previous predictions, the right whale population is projected to recover in the future as long as prey availability and mortality rates remain within the ranges observed during 1980–2012. However, recent events indicate a northward range shift in right whale prey, potentially resulting in decreased prey availability and/or an expansion of right whale habitat into unprotected waters. An annual increase in the number of whale deaths comparable to that observed during the summer 2017 mass mortality event may cause a decline to extinction even under conditions of normal prey availability. This study highlights the importance of understanding the oceanographic context for observed population changes when evaluating the efficacy of conservation management plans for endangered marine species.
Do all leaf photosynthesis parameters of rice acclimate to elevated CO2, elevated temperature, and their combination, in FACE environments?
Authors: Cai Chuang , Li Gang , Yang Hailong , Yang Jiaheng , Liu Hong , Struik Paul C. , Luo Weihong , Yin Xinyou , Di Lijun , Guo Xuanhe , Jiang Wenyu , Si Chuanfei , Pan Genxing , Zhu Jianguo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractLeaf photosynthesis of crops acclimates to elevated CO2 and temperature, but studies quantifying responses of leaf photosynthetic parameters to combined CO2 and temperature increases under field conditions are scarce. We measured leaf photosynthesis of rice cultivars Changyou 5 and Nanjing 9108 grown in two free‐air CO2 enrichment (FACE) systems, respectively, installed in paddy fields. Each FACE system had four combinations of two levels of CO2 (ambient and enriched) and two levels of canopy temperature (no warming and warmed by 1.0–2.0°C). Parameters of the C3 photosynthesis model of Farquhar, von Caemmerer and Berry (the FvCB model), and of a stomatal conductance (gs) model were estimated for the four conditions. Most photosynthetic parameters acclimated to elevated CO2, elevated temperature, and their combination. The combination of elevated CO2 and temperature changed the functional relationships between biochemical parameters and leaf nitrogen content for Changyou 5. The gs model significantly underestimated gs under the combination of elevated CO2 and temperature by 19% for Changyou 5 and by 10% for Nanjing 9108 if no acclimation was assumed. However, our further analysis applying the coupled gs–FvCB model to an independent, previously published FACE experiment showed that including such an acclimation response of gs hardly improved prediction of leaf photosynthesis under the four combinations of CO2 and temperature. Therefore, the typical procedure that crop models using the FvCB and gs models are parameterized from plants grown under current ambient conditions may not result in critical errors in projecting productivity of paddy rice under future global change.
Bleaching events regulate shifts from corals to excavating sponges in algae‐dominated reefs
Authors: Chaves‐Fonnegra Andia , Riegl Bernhard , Zea Sven , Lopez Jose V. , Smith Tyler , Brandt Marilyn , Gilliam David S. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractChanges in coral–sponge interactions can alter reef accretion/erosion balance and are important to predict trends on current algal‐dominated Caribbean reefs. Although sponge abundance is increasing on some coral reefs, we lack information on how shifts from corals to bioeroding sponges occur, and how environmental factors such as anomalous seawater temperatures and consequent coral bleaching and mortality influence these shifts. A state transition model (Markov chain) was developed to evaluate the response of coral‐excavating sponges (Cliona delitrix Pang 1973) after coral bleaching events. To understand possible outcomes of the sponge–coral interaction and build the descriptive model, sponge–corals were monitored in San Andres Island, Colombia (2004–2011) and Fort Lauderdale, Florida (2012–2013). To run the model and determine possible shifts from corals to excavating sponges, 217 coral colonies were monitored over 10 years (2000–2010) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and validated with data from 2011 to 2015. To compare and test its scalability, the model was also run with 271 coral colonies monitored in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands over 7 years (2004–2011), and validated with data from 2012 to 2015. Projections and sensitivity analyses confirmed coral recruitment to be key for coral persistence. Excavating sponge abundance increased in both Fort Lauderdale and St. Croix reefs after a regional mass bleaching event in 2005. The increase was more drastic in St. Croix than in Fort Lauderdale, where 25% of the healthy corals that deteriorated were overtaken by excavating sponges. Projections over 100 years suggested successive events of coral bleaching could shift algae–coral dominated reefs into algae–sponge dominated. The success of excavating sponges depended on the intensity of coral bleaching and consequent coral mortality. Thus, the proportion of C. delitrix excavating sponges is a sensitive indicator for the intensity and frequency of recent disturbance on Caribbean coral reefs.
A meta‐analysis of nestedness and turnover components of beta diversity across organisms and ecosystems
Authors: Soininen Janne , Heino Jani , Wang Jianjun 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAimThe number of studies investigating the nestedness and turnover components of beta diversity has increased substantially, but our general understanding of the drivers of turnover and nestedness remains elusive. Here, we examined the effects of species traits, spatial extent, latitude and ecosystem type on the nestedness and turnover components of beta diversity.LocationGlobal.Time period1968–2017.Major taxa studiedFrom bacteria to mammals.MethodsFrom the 99 studies that partition total beta diversity into its turnover and nestedness components, we assembled 269 and 259 data points for the pairwise and multiple site beta‐diversity metrics, respectively. Our data covered a broad variation in species dispersal type, body size and trophic position. The data were from freshwater, marine and terrestrial realms, and encompassed geographical areas from the tropics to near polar regions. We used linear modelling as a meta‐regression tool to analyse the data.ResultsPairwise turnover, multiple site turnover and total beta diversity all decreased significantly with latitude. In contrast, multiple site nestedness showed a positive relationship with latitude. Beta‐diversity components did not generally differ among the realms. The turnover component and total beta diversity increased with spatial extent, whereas nestedness was scale invariant for pairwise metrics. Multiple site beta‐diversity components did not vary with spatial extent. Surprisingly, passively dispersed organisms had lower turnover and total beta diversity than flying organisms. Body size showed a relatively weak relationship with beta diversity but had important interactions with trophic position, thus also affecting beta diversity via interactive effects. Producers had significantly higher average pairwise turnover and total beta diversity than carnivores.Main conclusionsThe present results provide evidence that species turnover, being consistently the larger component of total beta diversity, and nestedness are related to the latitude of the study area and intrinsic organismal features. We showed that two beta‐diversity components had generally opposing patterns with regard to latitude. We highlight that beta‐diversity partition may give additional insights into the underlying causes of spatial variability in biotic communities compared with total beta diversity alone.