bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Commonness, rarity, and oligarchies of woody plants in the tropical dry forests of Mexico
Authors: Williams John N. , Trejo Irma , Schwartz Mark W. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe assessed woody plant communities in two widely separated forests in the tropical dry forest (TDF) biome of Mexico for evidence of similar patterns of species commonness and rarity. We used belt transects laid out along contour lines (i.e., constant elevation) and stratified across elevation gradients at sites in Jalisco and Oaxaca to sample woody plant species diversity, abundance, relative frequency and basal area. We assembled a combined species list and compared species found in both sites (shared) to species found in only one site, assessing whether the most and least common species at a site tended to be shared or unshared. Of the 8242 individuals sampled, 370 species or morpho‐species were identified, with 222 species recorded at the Jalisco site and 270 at the Oaxaca site—122 (33%) species were shared across sites. Abundance, frequency and basal area of shared species were greater on average than for unshared species, and were positively correlated across sites. A subset of 68 shared species (18%) accounted for over half of all individuals encountered at the two sites. Species in the most common quartile were more likely to be shared than expected by chance, while species in the least common quartile were less likely. A genus‐level analysis found similar patterns. Our findings suggest that theTDFof Pacific coast Mexico shows evidence of widespread dominance by a small subset of species. These findings have potentially important implications for predicting species composition, understanding the role of oligarchic species in ecological processes, and conserving rare species.
The Influence of First‐Hand Testimony and Hearsay on Children's Belief in the Improbable
Authors: Lane Jonathan D. , Ronfard Samuel , El‐Sherif Diana 
Published: April 2017

Children (3.5–8.5 years; n = 105) heard claims about the occurrence of improbable or impossible events, then were asked whether the events could really happen. Some claims were based on informants' first‐hand observations and others were hearsay. A baseline group (n = 56) reported their beliefs about these events without hearing testimony. Neither first‐hand claims nor hearsay influenced beliefs about impossible events, which remained low across the age range. Hearsay (but not first‐hand claims) did influence beliefs about improbable events. Preschoolers expressed greater belief following hearsay, compared to their beliefs following first‐hand claims and compared to the baseline group's beliefs. By contrast, older children expressed less belief following hearsay, compared to their beliefs following first‐hand claims and compared to the baseline group's beliefs.
Metformin as targeted treatment in fragile X syndrome
Authors: Dy A.B.C. , Tassone F. , Eldeeb M. , Salcedo‐Arellano M.J. , Tartaglia N. , Hagerman R. 
Published: April 2017

BackgroundIndividuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS) have both behavioral and medical comorbidities and the latter include obesity in approximately 30% and the Prader‐Willi Phenotype (PWP) characterized by severe hyperphagia and morbid obesity in less than 10%. Metformin is a drug used in individuals with type 2 diabetes, obesity or impaired glucose tolerance and it has a strong safety profile in children and adults. Recently published studies in the Drosophila model and the knock out mouse model of FXS treated with metformin demonstrate the rescue of multiple phenotypes of FXS.Materials and MethodsWe present 7 cases of individuals with FXS who have been treated with metformin clinically. One case with type 2 diabetes, 3 cases with the PWP, 2 adults with obesity and/or behavioral problems and, a young child with FXS. These individuals were clinically treated with metformin and monitored for behavioral changes with the Aberrant Behavior Checklist and metabolic changes with a fasting glucose and HgbA1c.ResultsWe found consistent improvements in irritability, social responsiveness, hyperactivity, and social avoidance, in addition to comments from the family regarding improvements in language and conversational skills. No significant side‐effects were noted and most patients with obesity lost weight.ConclusionWe recommend a controlled trial of metformin in those with FXS. Metformin appears to be an effective treatment of obesity including those with the PWP in FXS. Our study suggests that metformin may also be a targeted treatment for improving behavior and language in children and adults with FXS.
Limited evidence of abnormal intra‐colonic pressure profiles in diverticular disease – a systematic review
Authors: Jaung R. , Robertson J. , O'Grady G. , Milne T. , Rowbotham D. , Bissett I. P. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAimAbnormal colonic pressure profiles and high intraluminal pressures are postulated to contribute to the formation of sigmoid colon diverticulosis and the pathophysiology of diverticular disease. This study aimed to review evidence for abnormal colonic pressure profiles in diverticulosis.MethodAll published studies investigating colonic pressure in patients with diverticulosis were searched in three databases (Medline, Embase, Scopus). No language restrictions were applied. Any manometry studies in which patients with diverticulosis were compared with controls were included. The Newcastle−Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) for case−control studies was used as a measure of risk of bias. A cut‐off of five or more points on the NOS (fair quality in terms of risk of bias) was chosen for inclusion in the meta‐analysis.ResultsTen studies (published 1962−2005) met the inclusion criteria. The studies followed a wide variety of protocols and all used low‐resolution manometry (sensor spacing range 7.5−15 cm). Six studies compared intra‐sigmoid pressure, with five of six showing higher pressure in diverticulosis vs controls, but only two reached statistical significance. A meta‐analysis was not performed as only two studies were above the cut‐off and these did not have comparable outcomes.ConclusionThis systematic review of manometry data shows that evidence for abnormal pressure in the sigmoid colon in patients with diverticulosis is weak. Existing studies utilized inconsistent methodology, showed heterogeneous results and are of limited quality. Higher quality studies using modern manometric techniques and standardized reporting methods are needed to clarify the role of colonic pressure in diverticulosis.
Does bowel preparation for inflammatory bowel disease surgery matter?
Authors: Shwaartz C. , Fields A. C. , Sobrero M. , Divino C. M. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAimThe purpose of this study was to determine if bowel preparation influences outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease undergoing surgery.MethodsThe database of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, Procedure Targeted Colectomy, from 2012 to 2014 was analyzed. Inflammatory bowel disease patients undergoing colorectal resection with or without bowel preparation were included in the study.ResultsIn all, 3679 patients with inflammatory bowel disease were identified. 42.5% had no bowel preparation, 21.5% had mechanical bowel preparation only, 8.8% had oral antibiotic bowel preparation only and 27.2% had combined mechanical and oral antibiotic preparation. Combined mechanical and oral antibiotic preparation is associated with lower rates of anastomotic leak, ileus, surgical site infection, organ space infection, wound dehiscence and sepsis/septic shock.ConclusionCombined mechanical and oral antibiotic preparation for inflammatory bowel disease patients undergoing colectomy is associated with decreased rates of surgical site infection, anastomotic leak, ileus. Combined bowel preparation should be the standard of care for inflammatory bowel disease patients undergoing colorectal resection.
Retail revolution and the village shop, c. 1660–1860
Authors: Stobart Jon , Bailey Lucy 
Published: April 2017

AbstractVillage shops have been largely overlooked in the recent literature on British retailing in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which has sought to redefine the parameters and timing of retail transformation. While urban shops have been explored in detail, often in ways that highlight their role in a parallel transformation in consumption patterns, little attempt has been made to look inside village shops or examine the character and practices of rural retailers. This article addresses this lacuna and offers fresh insights into the shifting position of village shops in these broader economic, business, and social changes. Taking a long view of the period c. 1660–1860, it draws on a wide range of sources to examine the stock sold and the degree of specialization exhibited by village shops, and the changing trading practices of village shopkeepers, including the provision of credit, the pricing of goods, and marketing activities. In doing so, the article highlights both long‐term continuities and important innovations of the type that also characterize urban shops, and argues that village shops, while central to rural social and economic networks, were also intimately bound into broader retail systems.
PISA and its consequences: Shaping education policies through international comparisons
Authors: Niemann Dennis , Martens Kerstin , Teltemann Janna 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAs the field of education has become a highly internationalised policy field in the last decade, international organisations such as the OECD play an ever more decisive role in the dissemination of knowledge, monitoring of outcomes, and research in education policy. Although the OECD lacks any binding governance instruments to put coercion on States or to provide material incentive, it has successively expanded its competences in this field. OECD advanced its status as an expert organisation in the field of education mainly by designing and conducting the international comparative PISA study. With PISA, the OECD was able to greatly influence national education systems. Basically, States were faced with external advice based on sound empirical data that challenged existing domestic policies, politics, and ideas. One prominent case for the impact of PISA is Germany. PISA was a decisive watershed in German education policy‐making. Almost instantly after the PISA results were publicised in late 2001, a comprehensive education reform agenda was put forward in Germany. The experienced reform dynamic was highly surprising because the traditional German education system and politics were characterised by deep‐rooted historical legacies, many involved stakeholders at different levels, and reform‐hampering institutions. Hence, a backlog of grand education reforms have prevailed in Germany since the 1970s. The external pressure exerted by PISA completely changed that situation.
Coparenting Conflict and Academic Readiness in Children of Teen Mothers: Effortful Control as a Mediator
Authors: Jahromi Laudan B. , Zeiders Katharine H. , Updegraff Kimberly A. , Umaña‐Taylor Adriana J. , Bayless Sara Douglass 
Published: April 2017

Children's exposure to coparenting conflict has important implications for their developmental functioning, yet limited work has focused on such processes in families with diverse structures or ethnically and culturally diverse backgrounds. This longitudinal study examined the processes by which Mexican‐origin adolescent mothers' coparenting conflict with their 3‐year‐old children's grandmothers and biological fathers (N = 133 families) were linked to children's academic and social skills at 5 years of age, and whether children's effortful control at 4 years of age mediated the link between coparenting conflict and indices of children's academic readiness. Findings revealed that adolescent mothers' coparenting conflict with their child's biological father was linked to indices of children's academic and social school readiness through children's effortful control among girls, but not boys, whereas conflict with grandmothers was directly linked to boys' and girls' social functioning 2 years later. Findings offer information about different mechanisms by which multiple coparenting units in families of adolescent mothers are related to their children's outcomes, and this work has important implications for practitioners working with families of adolescent mothers.
CMBS Subordination, Ratings Inflation, and Regulatory‐Capital Arbitrage
Authors: Stanton Richard , Wallace Nancy 
Published: April 2017

AbstractUsing detailed origination and performance data on a comprehensive sample of commercial mortgage‐backed security (CMBS) deals, along with their underlying loans and a set of similarly rated residential mortgage‐backed securities (RMBS), we apply reduced‐form and structural modeling strategies to test for regulatory‐capital arbitrage and ratings inflation in the CMBS market. We find that the spread between CMBS and corporate‐bond yields fell significantly for ratings AA and AAA after a loosening of capital requirements for highly rated CMBS in 2002, whereas no comparable drop occurred for lower rated bonds (which experienced no similar regulatory change). We also find that CMBS rated below AA upgraded to AA or AAA significantly faster than comparable RMBS (for which there was no change in risk‐based capital requirements). We use a structural model to investigate these results in more detail and find that little else changed in the CMBS market over this period except for the rating agencies' persistent reductions in subordination levels between 1997 and late 2007. Indeed, had the 2005 vintage CMBS used the subordination levels from 2000, there would have been no losses to the senior bonds in most CMBS structures.
Delaying cognitive and physical decline through multidomain interventions for residents with mild‐to‐moderate dementia in dementia care units in Taiwan: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Liang Chih‐Kuang , Chou Ming‐Yueh , Chen Liang‐Yu , Wang Kuei‐Yu , Lin Shih‐Yi , Chen Liang‐Kung , Lin Yu‐Te , Liu Tsung‐Yun , Loh Ching‐Hui 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAimTo develop experimental multi‐domain interventions for older people with mild‐to‐moderate dementia, and to evaluate the effect of delaying cognitive and physical decline, and improvement or prevention of geriatric syndromes during 1‐year follow up.MethodsParticipants aged 65 years and older with mild‐to‐moderate dementia (clinical dementia rating [CDR] 1 or 2) were grouped as intervention in Jia‐Li Veterans Home and usual care model in the community (Memory clinic). All residents in Jia‐Li Veterans Home received comprehensive intervention, including Multi‐disciplinary team consultation and intervention, Multi‐component non‐pharmacological management, geriatric syndromes survey and intervention by CGA, and a dementia friendly medical Green channel Approach (2MCGA). The decline of cognitive and physical function are determined by the change of Mini‐Mental State Examination score, CDR and the sum of CDR box, as well as activities of daily living based on the Barthel Index. We also screened geriatric syndromes at baseline and 1 year later.ResultsParticipants in the intervention group were older and had a lower educational level, lower body mass index, poor baseline activities of daily living function, lower visual impairment, and higher rates of hearing impairment, polypharmacy and risk of malnutrition. The residents receiving 2MCGA had lower baseline Mini‐Mental State Examination scores, and higher CDR. For residents in Jia‐Li Veterans Home, all cognitive measurements except Mini‐Mental State Examination were significantly associated with delaying the decline of cognition after analyzing by multiple linear regression, and multivariate logistic regression also showed that patients living in the community was independently associated with a higher odds ratio for activities of daily living decline (3.180, 95% CI 1.384–7.308, P = 0.006). There are also more improvement in their baseline geriatric syndromes and suffered less from new geriatric syndromes, including falls, urinary incontinence, and risk of malnutrition.ConclusionsThe 2MCGA intervention shows strong delays in the decline of cognition and physical function for older residents with mild‐to‐moderate dementia. Furthermore, this strategy can also improve or prevent the onset of new geriatric syndromes, especially fall episodes, urinary incontinence and risk of malnutrition. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17 (Suppl. 1): 36–43.
Reduced infectivity of waterborne viable but nonculturable Helicobacter pylori strain SS1 in mice
Authors: Boehnke Kevin F. , Eaton Kathryn A. , Fontaine Clinton , Brewster Rebecca , Wu Jianfeng , Eisenberg Joseph N.S. , Valdivieso Manuel , Baker Laurence H. , Xi Chuanwu 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundHelicobacter pylori infection has been consistently associated with lack of access to clean water and proper sanitation, but no studies have demonstrated that the transmission of viable but nonculturable (VBNC) H. pylori can occur from drinking contaminated water. In this study, we used a laboratory mouse model to test whether waterborne VBNCH. pylori could cause gastric infection.Materials and MethodsWe performed five mouse experiments to assess the infectivity of VBNCH. pylori in various exposure scenarios. VBNC viability was examined using Live/Dead staining and Biolog phenotype metabolism arrays. High doses of VBNCH. pylori in water were chosen to test the “worst‐case” scenario for different periods of time. One experiment also investigated the infectious capabilities of VBNC SS1 using gavage. Further, immunocompromised mice were exposed to examine infectivity among potentially vulnerable groups. After exposure, mice were euthanized and their stomachs were examined for H. pylori infection using culture and PCR methodology.ResultsVBNC cells were membrane intact and retained metabolic activity. Mice exposed to VBNCH. pylori via drinking water and gavage were not infected, despite the various exposure scenarios (immunocompromised, high doses) that might have permitted infection with VBNCH. pylori. The positive controls exposed to viable, culturable H. pylori did become infected.ConclusionsWhile other studies that have used viable, culturable SS1 via gavage or drinking water exposures to successfully infect mice, in our study, waterborne VBNC SS1 failed to colonize mice under all test conditions. Future studies could examine different H. pylori strains in similar exposure scenarios to compare the relative infectivity of the VBNC vs the viable, culturable state, which would help inform future risk assessments of H. pylori in water.
Petrogensis and tectonic setting of the Yemaquan granite from the iron‐polymetallic ore area of Qimantag, Eastern Kunlun Mountains, Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Zhang Aikui , Mo Xuanxue , Yuan Wanming , Khattak Nimat U. , Feng Chengyou , Zhang Wenquan , Liu Guanglian , Jing Xiangyang , Hao Nana 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBeing a part of the Paleo‐Tethys Ocean, closing of the Buqingshan‐Anyemaqen oceanic basin left a rich geologic record in the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt. The genesis and tectonic setting of the granites including quartz monzodiorite, granodiorite and mozogranite is discussed in light of the geochemical and U–Pb chronological data obtained. U–Pb dating studies on zircon from the quartz monzodiorite and monzogranite of the research area yielded ages of 220.11 ± 0.49 Ma ((Mean Square Weighted Deviates) MSWD = 0.046) and 223.33 ± 0.54 Ma (MSWD = 0.14), respectively, by Laser Ablation Multiple Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA–MC–ICP–MS) method. According to sedimentological and structural investigations, the Paleo‐Tethys Ocean in the Qimantag region began to close at about 235 Ma, and completely disapperared at about 220 Ma. The three types of granites in this study are considered to intrude the syn‐ to post‐collisional stages. The quartz monzodiorite and granodiorite belong to the I‐type granite whereas the monzogranite is of the S‐type granite. These two types of granites were formed by different ways of partial melting: first, partial melting of the lower crust took place as a result of asthenosphere upwelling triggered by break‐up of the leading edge or tearing of the descending oceanic slab. Subsequently partial melting of the middle–lower crust was caused by the underplating of basaltic magma formed by partial melting of the mantle wedge fluxed by fluids liberated by the oceanic slab dehydration. The magma responsible for the formation of S‐type granites appears to have originated from partial melting of the upper crustal material at a shallower level with a clear signature of continental crust.
Real‐time monitoring of crystal accumulation in the high‐level waste glass melters using an electrical conductivity method
Authors: Edwards Matthew , Matyáš Josef , Crum Jarrod 
Published: April 2017

AbstractDuring the vitrification of high‐level radioactive waste (HLW) in HLW melters in the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant located in Washington State, spinel crystals may precipitate from glass and accumulate in the melter riser, preventing the discharge of molten glass into canisters. Therefore, an effort is being made to develop an electrical conductivity method to monitor crystal buildup in the melter riser. A vertically configured electrical conductivity (EC) probe with an alumina shaft and Pt‐10%Rh‐electrodes was designed and tested in standard conductivity solutions and glass melts both with and without spinel crystals. The EC probe measured conductivity in conductivity solutions within 10% of their certified values and showed a linear relationship with increased spinel layer thicknesses. Testing in silicate glass containing spinel crystals allowed for the determination of spinel conductivity as a function of temperature. The conductivities of spinel crystals of 20‐24 S/m at 800°C were in excellent agreement with the conductivity of trevorite (NiFe2O4) crystals at 800°C reported in the literature. The conductivities of spinel crystals and measured changes in the conductivity across the accumulated layer allowed for a successful measurement of spinel crystal accumulation in simulated HLW glass.
Hair diameter evaluation in different regions of the safe donor area in Asian populations
Authors: Park Jae H. , Park Jae M. , Kim Na R. , Manonukul Kotchamol 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundThere is little information about how hair diameter differences within the safe donor area. Thicker or thinner hair may be needed depending on the recipient area, hairline design, and surgical purpose.MethodsThirty‐eight non‐alopecic subjects (19 males and 19 females) were evaluated. The safe donor area was defined as the area contained within 28 cm from the horizontal plane of the upper border of the hair rim to the vertical line of the bilateral external acoustic meatus. Seven zones were defined starting 2 cm on each side (bilateral 4 cm) from the mid‐occiput to the temporal side. The diameters of 10 randomly selected anagen hairs were measured from each of the seven zones.ResultsThe results showed significant differences in hair diameter by zone between males and females (P < 0.0001). In general, hair diameter tended to decrease from zone 3 to 7.ConclusionOur results suggest that safe donor areas between zones 4 and 7 could be useful for specific hair transplantation surgeries requiring thinner hair, such as eyebrows, eyelashes, and female hairline correction surgery, whereas hair from zones 1–3 could be more useful for those requiring thicker hair, such as male and female pattern hair loss. Our data could be clinically valuable for planning hair transplant surgery and choosing the most optimal donor region.