bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic analysis of seed‐related traits in smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis) under well‐watered and water‐stressed conditions
Authors: Majidi M. M. , Bahrami S. , Abtahi M. , Mirlohi A. , Araghi B. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIn forage grasses, knowledge about the genetic basis of seed production and its association with related traits under water stress is very limited. Half‐sib families derived from the polycross of twenty five smooth bromegrass genotypes were evaluated in the field in well‐watered and water‐stressed environments during 2012 and 2013. Results showed that drought stress had a negative effect on seed yield and reduced phenotypic variation for seed yield and agro‐morphological traits. High genotypic variation was observed among families for seed yield and its components. Narrow‐sense heritabilities (h2) ranged from 0·22 (flag leaf weight) to 0·81 (days to anthesis). These moderate‐to‐high heritability estimates for seed yield and its components indicate that phenotypic selection can be successful to achieve genetic progress for these traits. Seed yield had a positive correlation with 1000‐seed weight, number of ears per plant, number of seeds per panicle, seed weight per panicle and panicle length.
Usefulness and limitations of balloon‐occluded transcatheter arterial chemoembolization using miriplatin for patients with four or fewer hepatocellular carcinoma nodules
Authors: Kawamura Yusuke , Ikeda Kenji , Fujiyama Shunichiro , Hosaka Tetsuya , Kobayashi Masahiro , Saitoh Satoshi , Sezaki Hitomi , Akuta Norio , Suzuki Fumitaka , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Arase Yasuji , Kumada Hiromitsu 
Published: June 2016

AimThe aim of this study is to clarify the usefulness and limitations of balloon‐occluded transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (B‐TACE) using miriplatin for patients with four or fewer hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nodules.MethodsWe studied 47 nodules in 30 consecutive patients who received miriplatin by B‐TACE to treat HCC with four or fewer nodules per patient. The treatment effect was evaluated using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Cancer of the Liver.ResultsNodules were divided according to the presence or absence of portal vein visualization during B‐TACE. In the presence group, dynamic computed tomography at 3 months post‐therapy showed Response Evaluation Criteria in Cancer of the Liver treatment effect (TE) 4 in 88% (14/16), TE3 in 0% (0/16), TE2 in 0% (0/16), TE1 in 12% (2/16), and objective response in 88% of nodules. In the absence group, the results were TE4 in 35% (11/31), TE3 in 13% (4/31), TE2 in 26% (8/31), TE1 in 26% (8/31), and objective response decreased to 48% of nodules. In addition to typical hypervascular nodules, we treated three nodules with irregular ring enhancement that predicted poorly differentiated HCC and four nodules that included a hypoenhancement area that predicted well to moderately differentiated HCC. All irregular ring enhancement nodules achieved TE4. Other nodules that were predicted to be well to moderately differentiated HCC did not have portal vein visualization during B‐TACE and could not achieve TE4.ConclusionBalloon‐occluded transcatheter arterial chemoembolization is a useful technique for treatment of classical hypervascular HCC, and portal vein visualization during the B‐TACE procedure may provide more favorable local control.
Sex, Services, and Surveillance: The Cleveland Street Scandal Revisited
Authors: Hindmarch‐Watson Katie 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe 1889 “Cleveland Street Scandal” in London, which exposed a male brothel offering telegraph boys to elite men for sexual services, has long been recognized and evaluated as a window into late Victorian homoerotic subcultures and regulatory legislation. By focusing on the telegraph boys' contribution to the scandal, particularly their roles as information service providers in relation to the broader ideologies associated with telecommunications work in this period, the scandal takes on new meanings for queer history. It reveals the relationship between queer urban encounters and the growth of clandestine communications surveillance in Britain and opens up possibilities for re‐prioritizing service labor in historical accounts of queer interactions and subjectivities.
The diagnostic and prognostic value of SALL4 in hepatoblastoma
Authors: Zhou Shengmei , Venkatramani Rajkumar , Gomulia Ellen , Shillingford Nick , Wang Larry 
Published: June 2016

AimsTo investigate the expression of spalt‐like transcription factor 4 (SALL4), a regulator of embryonal development, in three epithelial components of hepatoblastoma (HB) and the relationship between SALL4 expression levels and patients’ clinicopathological features.Methods and resultsA total of 115 specimens from 79 patients with HB were selected for immunostaining of SALL4. Nuclear staining was semi‐quantified using the immunoreactive score (IS; range: 0–12). SALL4 expression was seen in all embryonal components (mean IS = 8.58) and in 41% of fetal components (mean IS = 0.78). No SALL4 expression was seen in either small cell undifferentiated or mesenchymal components of HB. Neither chemotherapy nor metastasis altered SALL4 expression significantly. High SALL4 expression levels were associated significantly with decreased overall survival (OS) (P = 0.004), event‐free survival (EFS) (P = 0.003) and the presence of metastasis (P = 0.049) on univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis identified SALL4 as an independent prognostic predictor for OS (P = 0.029).ConclusionsSALL4 is useful for subtyping HB, and high SALL4 expression is associated with decreased survival in HB.
On star and biclique edge‐colorings
Authors: Dantas Simone , Groshaus Marina , Guedes André , Machado Raphael C. S. , Ries Bernard , Sasaki Diana 
Published: June 2016

AbstractA biclique of G is a maximal set of vertices that induces a complete bipartite subgraph of G with at least one edge, and a star of a graph G is a maximal set of vertices that induces a complete bipartite graph . A biclique (resp. star) edge‐coloring is a coloring of the edges of a graph with no monochromatic bicliques (resp. stars). We prove that the problem of determining whether a graph G has a biclique (resp. star) edge‐coloring using two colors is NP‐hard. Furthermore, we describe polynomial time algorithms for the problem in restricted classes: K3‐free graphs, chordal bipartite graphs, powers of paths, and powers of cycles.
Parallel variable neighborhood search for the min–max order batching problem
Authors: Menéndez Borja , Pardo Eduardo G. , Sánchez‐Oro Jesús , Duarte Abraham 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWarehousing is a key part of supply chain management. It primarily focuses on controlling the movement and storage of materials within a warehouse and processing the associated transactions, including shipping, receiving, and picking. From the tactical point of view, the main decision is the storage policy, that is, to decide where each product should be located. Every day a warehouse receives several orders from its customers. Each order consists of a list of one or more items that have to be retrieved from the warehouse and shipped to a specific customer. Thus, items must be collected by a warehouse operator. We focus on situations in which several orders are put together into batches, satisfying a fixed capacity constraint. Then, each batch is assigned to an operator, who retrieves all the items included in those orders grouped into the corresponding batch in a single tour. The objective is then to minimize the maximum retrieving time for any batch. In this paper, we propose a parallel variable neighborhood search algorithm to tackle the so‐called min–max order batching problem. We additionally compare this parallel procedure with the best previous approach. Computational results show the superiority of our proposal, confirmed with statistical tests.
An evaluation of alternative selection indexes for a non‐linear profit trait approaching its economic optimum
Authors: Martin‐Collado D. , Byrne T.J. , Visser B. , Amer P.R. 
Published: June 2016

SummaryThis study used simulation to evaluate the performance of alternative selection index configurations in the context of a breeding programme where a trait with a non‐linear economic value is approaching an economic optimum. The simulation used a simple population structure that approximately mimics selection in dual purpose sheep flocks in New Zealand (NZ). In the NZ dual purpose sheep population, number of lambs born is a genetic trait that is approaching an economic optimum, while genetically correlated growth traits have linear economic values and are not approaching any optimum. The predominant view among theoretical livestock geneticists is that the optimal approach to select for nonlinear profit traits is to use a linear selection index and to update it regularly. However, there are some nonlinear index approaches that have not been evaluated. This study assessed the efficiency of the following four alternative selection index approaches in terms of genetic progress relative to each other: (i) a linear index, (ii) a linear index updated regularly, (iii) a nonlinear (quadratic) index, and (iv) a NLF index (nonlinear index below the optimum and then flat). The NLF approach does not reward or penalize animals for additional genetic merit beyond the trait optimum. It was found to be at least comparable in efficiency to the approach of regularly updating the linear index with short (15 year) and long (30 year) time frames. The relative efficiency of this approach was slightly reduced when the current average value of the nonlinear trait was close to the optimum. Finally, practical issues of industry application of indexes are considered and some potential practical benefits of efficient deployment of a NLF index in highly heterogeneous industries (breeds, flocks and production environments) such as in the NZ dual purpose sheep population are discussed.
Fatigued, but Not Frail: Perceived Fatigability as a Marker of Impending Decline in Mobility‐Intact Older Adults
Authors: Simonsick Eleanor M. , Glynn Nancy W. , Jerome Gerald J. , Shardell Michelle , Schrack Jennifer A. , Ferrucci Luigi 
Published: June 2016

ObjectivesTo evaluate perceived fatigability as a predictor of meaningful functional decline in non‐mobility‐limited older adults.DesignLongitudinal analysis of data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA).SettingNational Institute on Aging, Clinical Research Unit, Baltimore, Maryland.ParticipantsMen and women aged 60 to 89 participating in the BLSA with concurrent perceived fatigability and functional assessments and follow‐up functional assessment within 1 to 3 years (N = 540).MeasurementsPerceived fatigability was ascertained using the Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) after 5 minutes of treadmill walking at 1.5 miles per hour. Functional assessments included usual and fast gait speed, the Health, Aging and Body Composition physical performance battery (HABC PPB) and reported walking ability. Reported tiredness and energy level were examined as complementary predictors. Covariates included age, age squared, race, follow‐up time, and baseline function. Meaningful decline was defined as 0.05 m/s per year for usual gait speed, 0.07 m/s per year for fast gait speed, 0.12 points/year for HABC PPB, and 1 point for walking ability index.ResultsOver a mean 2.1 years, 20–31% of participants declined across functional assessments. Fatigability was associated with a 13–19% greater likelihood of meaningful decline in all measures (P = .002– .02) per 1‐unit RPE increase. After considering tiredness and energy level separately, findings were essentially unchanged, and neither was associated with gait speed or physical performance decline. In contrast, each separately predicted decline in reported walking ability independent of fatigability (P = .03 and P < .001, respectively).ConclusionRoutine assessment of fatigability may help identify older persons vulnerable to greater‐than‐expected functional decline.
Development and exploratory testing of a school‐based educational program for healthy life behaviors among fifth grade children in South Korea
Authors: Kim Shin‐Jeong , Baek Seong‐Sook , Kang Kyung‐Ah 
Published: June 2016

AimThe purpose of this study was to develop an educational program to promote healthy life behaviors and to evaluate its potential effects on the health practices of fifth grade elementary school children.MethodsThe program, which consisted of six categories (daily life and health, disease prevention and management, prevention of drug misuse and overuse, sexuality and health, mental health, and injury prevention and first aid), was developed based on the ADDIE model. A pretest–post‐test, one‐group, quasi‐experimental design was used with 85 elementary school students who voluntarily participated in the program.ResultsA school‐based educational program, called the “Six Kid Keys,” referring to the six categories of healthy life behaviors, was developed. Significant pre–post differences in two of the six healthy life behavior categories (disease prevention and management, injury prevention and first aid) were found.ConclusionA school‐based intervention that was aimed at changing habits related to healthy life behaviors could be effective for elementary school children.
The Real Effects of Credit Ratings: The Sovereign Ceiling Channel
Authors: ALMEIDA HEITOR , CUNHA IGOR , FERREIRA MIGUEL A. , RESTREPO FELIPE 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTWe show that sovereign debt impairments can have a significant effect on financial markets and real economies through a credit ratings channel. Specifically, we find that firms reduce their investment and reliance on credit markets due to a rising cost of debt capital following a sovereign rating downgrade. We identify these effects by exploiting exogenous variation in corporate ratings due to rating agencies' sovereign ceiling policies, which require that firms' ratings remain at or below the sovereign rating of their country of domicile.
Clinical leishmaniasis in dogs living in the UK
Authors: Silvestrini P. , Batchelor D. , Allenspach K. , Maunder C. , Seth M. , Mas A. , Hill T. , Serrano G. , Roura X. , Planellas M. , German A. J. , Pastor J. 
Published: June 2016

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the prevalence of leishmaniasis in dogs in the UK and to describe clinical presentation, clinicopathological abnormalities, therapeutic protocols and outcome in this non‐endemic country.MATERIALS AND METHODSMedical records of dogs diagnosed with leishmaniasis at seven referral centres in the UK were retrospectively reviewed.RESULTSThe prevalence was between 0·007 and 0·04% with a higher number of cases in southern England. All dogs had a history of travel to or from an endemic country. Lethargy, dermatological disease, decreased appetite and lameness were the most common reasons for presentation. Allopurinol was used alone for treatment in the majority of cases.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEAlthough rare, leishmaniasis should be considered in dogs in the UK if they have compatible clinical signs and history of travel to or from endemic areas.
Early pathology in sleep studies of patients with familial Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease
Authors: Givaty Gili , Maggio Nicola , Cohen Oren S. , Blatt Ilan , Chapman Joab 
Published: June 2016

SummaryIn this study, we aimed to assess sleep function in patients with recent‐onset familial Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (fCJD). The largest cluster of fCJD patients is found in Jews of Libyan origin, linked to the prion protein gene (PRNP) E200K mutation. The high index of suspicion in these patients often leads to early diagnosis, with complaints of insomnia being a very common presenting symptom of the disease. The study included 10 fCJD patients diagnosed by clinical manifestations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain, elevated tau protein in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and positive PRNP E200K mutation. Standard polysomnography was performed after a brief interview confirming the presence of sleep disturbances. All patients showed a pathological sleep pattern according to all scoring evaluation settings. The sleep stages were characterized by (i) disappearance of sleep spindles; (ii) outbursts of periodic sharp waves and shallowing of sleep consisting in increased Stage 2 and wake periods during the night, as well as decrease of slow‐wave sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Recordings of respiratory functions reported irregular breathing with central and obstructive apnea and hypopnea. The typical hypotonia occurring during the night and atonia during REM sleep were replaced by hyperactive sleep consisting of multiple jerks, movements and parasomnia (mainly talking) throughout the night. In conclusion, we report unique pathological sleep patterns in early fCJD associated with the E200K mutation. Specific respiratory disturbances and lack of atonia could possibly serve as new, early diagnostic tools in the disease.
Development of nap neurophysiology: preliminary insights into sleep regulation in early childhood
Authors: Kurth Salome , Lassonde Jonathan M. , Pierpoint Lauren A. , Rusterholz Thomas , Jenni Oskar G. , McClain Ian J. , Achermann Peter , LeBourgeois Monique K. 
Published: June 2016

SummaryAlthough all young children nap, the neurophysiological features and associated developmental trajectories of daytime sleep remain largely unknown. Longitudinal studies of napping physiology are fundamental to understanding sleep regulation during early childhood, a sensitive period in brain and behaviour development and a time when children transition from a biphasic to a monophasic sleep–wakefulness pattern. We investigated daytime sleep in eight healthy children with sleep electroencephalography (EEG) assessments at three longitudinal points: 2 years (2.5–3.0 years), 3 years (3.5–4.0 years) and 5 years (5.5–6.0 years). At each age, we measured nap EEG during three randomized conditions: after 4 h (morning nap), 7 h (afternoon nap) and 10 h (evening nap) duration of prior wakefulness. Developmental changes in sleep were most prevalent in the afternoon nap (e.g. decrease in sleep duration by 30 min from 2 to 3 years and by 20 min from 3 to 5 years). In contrast, nap sleep architecture (% of sleep stages) remained unchanged across age. Maturational changes in non‐rapid eye movement sleep EEG power were pronounced in the slow wave activity (SWA, 0.75–4.5 Hz), theta (4.75–7.75 Hz) and sigma (10–15 Hz) frequency ranges. These findings indicate that the primary marker of sleep depth, SWA, is less apparent in daytime naps as children mature. Moreover, our fundamental data provide insight into associations between sleep regulation and functional modifications in the central nervous system during early childhood.
Downregulation ofCXCR4 Expression and Functionality After Zoledronate Exposure in Canine Osteosarcoma
Authors: Byrum M.L. , Pondenis H.C. , Fredrickson R.L. , Wycislo K.L. , Fan T.M. 
Published: June 2016

BackgroundThe establishment and progression of metastases remains the life‐limiting factor for dogs diagnosed with osteosarcoma (OS). The pattern of metastases is likely regulated through interactions between chemokine receptors and chemokines, and perturbations in these signaling cascades responsible for cytoskeletal organization and directional migration have the potential to alter metastatic cell trafficking behaviors.HypothesisZoledronate will impair directional migration ofOScells through downregulation of chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) expression and functionality.SamplesNineteen archived tumor specimens and plasma from 20 dogs withOS.MethodsProspectively, the expressions ofCXCR4 were studied inOScell lines and spontaneous tumor samples. The effect of zoledronate onCXCR4 expression and functionality was investigated by characterizing responses in 3OScell lines. In 19OSspecimens and 20 dogs withOS, changes inCXCR4 expression and circulatingCXCR4 concentrations were characterized in response to zoledronate therapy respectively.ResultsAll canineOScells expressCXCR4, and zoledronate reducesCXCR4 expression and functionality by 27.7% (P< .0001), through augmented proteasome degradation and reduced prenylation of heterotrimeric G‐proteins in 33% of tumor cell lines evaluated. InOS‐bearing dogs, zoledronate reducesCXCR4 expressions by 40% within the primary tumor compared to untreated controls (P= .03) and also decreases the circulating concentrations ofCXCR4 in 18 of 20 dogs withOS.Conclusions and clinical importanceZoledronate can alterCXCR4 expression and functionality inOScells, and consequent perturbations inCXCR4 intracellular signaling cascades might influence patterns of metastases.
Diachronic Developments in the Domain of Negation
Authors: Zeijlstra Hedde 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThis overview article discusses several important diachronic developments in the domain of negation. Every natural language has some device at its disposal to express that the truth‐value of the propositional contents of a sentence is reversed. Languages vary not only synchronically with respect to the way they express negation but also diachronically. However, languages do not undergo arbitrary changes in the domain of negation but rather follow particular diachronic pathways that leave little room for language‐specific variation. Consequently, the study of these diachronic developments may shed more light on the nature of negation in natural language than synchronic studies already do. Why is it that negation may only change along particular pathways and what does this tell us about the (special) status of negation as a functional category? This article aims to pave the way for everybody interested in the answers to these questions. I provide a brief overview of the major diachronic developments in the domain of negation that have been discovered thus far and the explanations that have been provided for these patterns. I also discuss some of the consequences of the existence of these attested patterns.
The LysR‐type transcriptional regulator, CidR, regulates stationary phase cell death in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Chaudhari Sujata S. , Thomas Vinai C. , Sadykov Marat R. , Bose Jeffrey L. , Ahn Daniel J. , Zimmerman Matthew C. , Bayles Kenneth W. 
Published: June 2016

SummaryThe Staphylococcus aureus LysR‐type transcriptional regulator, CidR, activates the expression of two operons including cidABC and alsSD that display pro‐ and anti‐death functions, respectively. Although several investigations have focused on the functions of different genes associated with these operons, the collective role of the CidR regulon in staphylococcal physiology is not clearly understood. Here we reveal that the primary role of this regulon is to limit acetate‐dependent potentiation of cell death in staphylococcal populations. Although both CidB and CidC promote acetate generation and cell death, the CidR‐dependent co‐activation of CidA and AlsSD counters the effects of CidBC by redirecting intracellular carbon flux towards acetoin formation. From a mechanistic standpoint, we demonstrate that CidB is necessary for full activation of CidC, whereas CidA limits the abundance of CidC in the cell.