bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal perception of weight status in first‐born Australian toddlers aged 12–16 months – the NOURISH and SAIDI cohorts
Authors: Byrne R. , Magarey A. , Daniels L. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe preference amongst parents for heavier infants is in contrast to obesity prevention efforts worldwide. Parents are poor at identifying overweight in older children, but few studies have investigated maternal perception of weight status amongst toddlers and none in the Australian setting.MethodsMothers (n = 290) completed a self‐administered questionnaire at child age 12–16 months, defining their child's weight status as underweight, normal weight, somewhat overweight or very overweight. Weight‐for‐length z‐score was derived from measured weight and length, and children categorized as underweight, normal weight, at risk overweight or obese (WHO standards). Objective classification was compared with maternal perception of weight status. Mean weight‐for‐length z‐score was compared across categories of maternal perception using one‐way ANOVA. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine child or maternal characteristics associated with inaccurate weight perception.ResultsMost children (83%) were perceived as normal weight. Twenty nine were described as underweight, although none were. Sixty‐six children were at risk of overweight, but 57 of these perceived as normal weight. Of the 14 children who were overweight, only 4 were identified as somewhat overweight by their mother. Compared with mothers who could accurately classify their normal weight child, mothers who were older had higher odds of perceiving their normal weight child as underweight, while mothers with higher body mass index had slightly higher odds of describing their overweight/at risk child as normal weight.ConclusionThe leaner but healthy weight toddler was perceived as underweight, while only the heaviest children were recognized as overweight. Mothers unable to accurately identify children at risk are unlikely to act to prevent further excess weight gain. Practitioners can lead a shift in attitudes towards weight in infants and young children, promoting routine growth monitoring and adequate but not rapid weight gain.
Are patients with hormonally functional phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma initially receiving a proper adrenoceptor blockade? A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Luiz Henrique Vara , Tanchee Mary Jane , Pavlatou Maria G. , Yu Run , Nambuba Joan , Wolf Katherine , Prodanov Tamara , Wesley Robert , Adams Karen , Fojo Tito , Pacak Karel 
Published: March 2016

SummaryObjectivePharmacological treatment is mandatory in patients with hormonally functional phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PHAEO/PGL). We evaluated if patients initially diagnosed with hormonally functional PHAEO/PGL by various medical subspecialties received proper adrenoceptor blockade, and analysed factors predicting the prescription of adequate treatment.MethodsIn a retrospective cohort study, we reviewed data from patients initially diagnosed with hormonally functional PHAEO/PGL outside the National Institutes of Health and Cedars‐Sinai Medical Center, who were referred to these institutions between January 2001 and April 2015. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with proper adrenoceptor blockade.ResultsA total of 381 patients were included. Adequate pharmacological treatment was prescribed to 69·3%, of which 93·1% received α‐adrenoceptor blockers. Regarding patients who were inappropriately treated, 53% did not receive any medication. Independent predictors of the prescription of a proper blockade were the diagnosis by endocrinologists [odds ratio (OR) 4·14; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2·51–6·85; P < 0·001], the presence of high blood pressure (OR 5·94; 95% CI, 3·11–11·33; P < 0·001) and the evidence of metastasis (OR 5·96; 95% CI, 1·93–18·46; P = 0·002).ConclusionsAlthough most patients received adequate pharmacological treatment, almost one‐third were either not treated or received inappropriate medications. The diagnosis by endocrinologists, the presence of high blood pressure and the evidence of metastatic disease were identified as independent predictors of a proper blockade. These results highlight the need to educate physicians about the importance of starting adequate adrenoceptor blockade in all patients with hormonally functional PHAEO/PGL.
Auditory Verbal Experience and Agency in Waking, Sleep Onset, REM, and Non‐REM Sleep
Authors: Speth Jana , Harley Trevor A. , Speth Clemens 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe present one of the first quantitative studies on auditory verbal experiences (“hearing voices”) and auditory verbal agency (inner speech, and specifically “talking to (imaginary) voices or characters”) in healthy participants across states of consciousness. Tools of quantitative linguistic analysis were used to measure participants’ implicit knowledge of auditory verbal experiences (VE) and auditory verbal agencies (VA), displayed in mentation reports from four different states. Analysis was conducted on a total of 569 mentation reports from rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, non‐REM sleep, sleep onset, and waking. Physiology was controlled with the nightcap sleep–wake mentation monitoring system. Sleep‐onset hallucinations, traditionally at the focus of scientific attention on auditory verbal hallucinations, showed the lowest degree of VE and VA, whereas REM sleep showed the highest degrees. Degrees of different linguistic‐pragmatic aspects of VE and VA likewise depend on the physiological states. The quantity and pragmatics of VE and VA are a function of the physiologically distinct state of consciousness in which they are conceived.
Exchange Rate Pass‐through to China's Export Price: A Product‐level Investigation
Authors: Han Jian , Shen Yanzhi 
Published: March 2016

AbstractExchange rate movement usually results in changes in the production costs of exporting firms, and, therefore, the prices and the quantity of traded products. The present paper constructs a theoretical model to demonstrate that export products with higher productivity, or with larger market share, or of higher quality will experience a less complete pass‐through. Using the six‐digit harmonized system export data from the CEPII database over the period of 2000 to 2013, the present paper examines how product heterogeneity affects the exchange rate pass‐through of Chinese exports. The empirical results show that the most competitive Chinese export products, or those least affected by exchange rate risks, are those of higher quality, with higher technological complexity and at the high end of the international value chain. Therefore, Chinese exporting firms should pay more attention to improving export quality and upgrading technology to better cope with exchange rate risks and to enjoy more bargaining power in the international market.
Increased iron levels and lipid peroxidation in a Mediterranean population of Spain
Authors: Aranda Nuria , Fernandez‐Cao Jose Candido , Tous Monica , Arija Victoria 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundMany chronic diseases are adversely affected by elevated iron levels. It has been speculated that this relationship is mediated by increased oxidative stress, due to the ability of iron to generate reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between elevated iron levels and lipid peroxidation in Caucasian adults residing in the north‐eastern Mediterranean region of Spain.Materials and methodsThis cross‐sectional case–control study included 300 subjects: 150 adults displaying elevated iron levels (cases) selected from a representative sample of our general population and 150 age‐ and sex‐matched adults exhibiting normal iron levels (controls). Dietary assessment (3‐day food records), iron biomarkers (serum iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation) and lipid profile were determined. Elevated iron levels were defined by high serum ferritin (SF>110 μg/L in women and>200 μg/L in men) and/or transferrin saturation (TS)>45%. Oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (oxLDL) plasma levels were measured, and oxLDL/LDL‐cholesterol ratio was calculated to estimate lipid peroxidation. Multiple linear regression (MLR) models were applied.ResultsIndividuals with elevated serum iron levels showed increased oxLDL/LDL ratio, but not oxLDL levels, compared to control subjects (20·92 ± 4·89 U/mmol vs. 19·72 ± 3·573 U/mmol, P = 0·028). These results were further confirmed by the regression models adjusted for demographic characteristics, diet, lipid profile and inflammation. Importantly, higher serum levels of triglycerides, LDL‐cholesterol and lower intake of Vitamin E increased lipid peroxidation.ConclusionsIn our general population, we have observed that higher circulating levels of iron, measured by serum ferritin and/or TS, increased lipid peroxidation (measured by oxLDL/LDL ratio).
Work–Family Conflict and Health Among Working Parents: Potential Linkages for Family Science and Social Neuroscience
Authors: Grzywacz Joseph G. , Smith Amy M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIn this paired article the authors review research on paid work, parenting, and health in order to isolate fundamental questions and issues that remain unaddressed. Next, consistent with the theme of this special issue, the authors introduce social neuroscience and highlight how this emerging multidisciplinary science offers substantial promise for advancing key unresolved issues in the paid work, parenting, and health literature. The article concludes with suggestions for promising areas of research wherein family scientists and social neuroscientists could build collaborative research to address gaps in the work–family literature.
Addressing Early Adversity Through Mental Health Consultation in Early Childhood Settings
Authors: Perry Deborah F. , Conners‐Burrow Nicola 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe science of early childhood adversity has advanced in recent years, documenting long‐term consequences of exposure to traumatic events and toxic stress for health and development. Sequelae of toxic stress exposure can be mitigated by the buffering effect of a caregiver who can help young children manage their reactivity to these early stressors. Interventions are needed to build the capacity for caregivers (including the early childhood workforce) to build resilience in young children exposed to early adversity. This article shares best practices from the field of early childhood mental health consultation (ECMHC) as a strategy to help reduce the impact of stressors on young children. ECMHC embedded with child care, focused on children in foster care, and lessons learned from early work on ECMHC in home visiting are highlighted as examples of interventions to build the buffering capacities of important adults in children's lives. Policy recommendations are offered for integrating mental health services into early childhood settings to build resilience in high‐risk children and families.
Descriptive Analysis of Intervention for Parents of Young Children Having Sleep Problems
Authors: Skúladóttir Arna 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe aim of this qualitative study was to describe an intervention for parents at a nurse‐led clinic for children age 6–24 months with sleeping problems. Data were gathered from 10 families. Intervention sessions were recorded. The nurse also wrote field notes and kept a reflection diary about the interventions. The data were coded in a search for categories of meaning and then grouped and raised to a higher level of abstraction to describe the intervention. Three themes were constructed. Theme 1: Sharing Stories, includes establishing a working relationship and learning about the family. Theme 2: Empowering, includes education and motivation. Theme 3: Guidance, includes environmental and behavioral intervention and review plans. Empowering was the strongest theme. Behavioral intervention had less emphasis than expected. Environmental intervention was surprisingly relevant. These results can be used to design a protocol for an experimental study and teaching materials for professionals who work with infant sleep problems.
Family Caregiving Amidst Age‐Associated Cognitive Changes: Implications for Practice and Future Generations
Authors: Bailey Whitney A. , Gordon Sarah R. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAs the number of older adults has increased, so has the prevalence of age‐associated needs, including cognitive changes. Correspondingly, more than 43 million people provide care for an older family member whose needs range from basic household maintenance to 24‐hour care. Those who serve aging families exclusively or work with multigenerational families face the challenges of inaccurate and/or incomplete information, confusing and unreachable services, and uncertainty about managing stress and ways to foster resilience within multigenerational family systems. Thus, the purpose of this article is to highlight the prevalence of age‐associated cognitive changes and how they relate to the short‐ and long‐term family resilience processes. More specifically, this article is directed to orient practitioners to the critical roles caregivers play, and individual, relational, and sociological dynamics of cognition, care, and resilience are discussed. The authors provide an overview of assumptions and outcomes related to caregiving, as well as considerations for care recipients, including personhood and empowerment. Finally, because practitioners become a key ingredient in navigating the normative and nonnormative processes of aging, the authors provide a checklist of relational processes to focus on when working with aging families, along with specific recommendations for practice for family life educators and marriage and family therapists.
Contrasting changes in the abundance and diversity of North American bird assemblages from 1971 to 2010
Authors: Schipper Aafke M. , Belmaker Jonathan , de Miranda Murilo Dantas , Navarro Laetitia M. , Böhning‐Gaese Katrin , Costello Mark J. , Dornelas Maria , Foppen Ruud , Hortal Joaquín , Huijbregts Mark A. J. , Martín‐López Berta , Pettorelli Nathalie , Queiroz Cibele , Rossberg Axel G. , Santini Luca , Schiffers Katja , Steinmann Zoran J. N. , Visconti Piero , Rondinini Carlo , Pereira Henrique M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAlthough it is generally recognized that global biodiversity is declining, few studies have examined long‐term changes in multiple biodiversity dimensions simultaneously. In this study, we quantified and compared temporal changes in the abundance, taxonomic diversity, functional diversity, and phylogenetic diversity of bird assemblages, using roadside monitoring data of the North American Breeding Bird Survey from 1971 to 2010. We calculated 12 abundance and diversity metrics based on 5‐year average abundances of 519 species for each of 768 monitoring routes. We did this for all bird species together as well as for four subgroups based on breeding habitat affinity (grassland, woodland, wetland, and shrubland breeders). The majority of the biodiversity metrics increased or remained constant over the study period, whereas the overall abundance of birds showed a pronounced decrease, primarily driven by declines of the most abundant species. These results highlight how stable or even increasing metrics of taxonomic, functional, or phylogenetic diversity may occur in parallel with substantial losses of individuals. We further found that patterns of change differed among the species subgroups, with both abundance and diversity increasing for woodland birds and decreasing for grassland breeders. The contrasting changes between abundance and diversity and among the breeding habitat groups underscore the relevance of a multifaceted approach to measuring biodiversity change. Our findings further stress the importance of monitoring the overall abundance of individuals in addition to metrics of taxonomic, functional, or phylogenetic diversity, thus confirming the importance of population abundance as an essential biodiversity variable.
A new family of insect muscarinic acetylcholine receptors
Authors: Xia R.‐Y. , Li M.‐Q. , Wu Y.‐S. , Qi Y.‐X. , Ye G.‐Y. , Huang J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMost currently used insecticides are neurotoxic chemicals that target a limited number of sites and insect cholinergic neurotransmission is the major target. A potential target for insecticide development is the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR), which is a metabotropic G‐protein‐coupled receptor. Insects have A‐ and B‐type mAChRs and the five mammalian mAChRs are close to the A‐type. We isolated a cDNA (CG12796) from the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. After heterologous expression in Chinese hamster ovary K1 cells, CG12796 could be activated by acetylcholine [EC50 (half maximal effective concentration), 73 nM] and the mAChR agonist oxotremorine M (EC50, 48.2 nM) to increase intracellular Ca2+ levels. Thus, the new mAChR is coupled to Gq/11 but not Gs and Gi/o. The classical mAChR antagonists atropine and scopolamine N‐butylbromide at 100 μM completely blocked the acetylcholine‐induced responses. The orthologues of CG12796 can also be found in the genomes of other insects, but not in the genomes of the honeybee or parasitoid wasps. Knockdown of CG12796 in the central nervous system had no effect on male courtship behaviours. We suggest that CG12796 represents the first recognized member of a novel mAChR class.
The use of composite indicators to evaluate the performance of Brazilian hydropower plants
Authors: Calabria Felipe A. , Camanho Ana S. , Zanella Andreia 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThis paper investigates the performance of the largest Brazilian hydropower plants. This study covers 78% of the total installed capacity from hydros in the country, and considers indicators reflecting operational and maintenance costs as well as quality of service. The assessment was conducted using a new approach for the construction of composite indicators, based on a directional distance function model. First, we assessed the hydropower plants allowing for complete flexibility in the definition of weights, enabling the identification of underperforming plants, and quantification of their potential for improvement. Next, we assessed the plants considering different perspectives regarding the importance attributed to each indicator. This allowed reflecting different points of view, focusing primarily on operation and maintenance costs or quality issues. The results identify the hydropower plants that can be considered benchmarks in different scenarios, and allow testing the robustness of plants' classification as benchmarks in the unrestricted model.
Utility of hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype for predicting incident type 2 diabetes: The Isfahan Diabetes Prevention Study
Authors: Janghorbani Mohsen , Amini Masoud 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAim/IntroductionWe evaluated the association between hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTW) phenotype and the risks of type 2 diabetes in an Iranian high‐risk population.Materials and MethodsWe analyzed 7‐year follow‐up data (n = 1,865) in non‐diabetic first‐degree relatives of consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes aged 30–70 years. The primary outcome was the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes based on repeated oral glucose tolerance tests. We used multiple logistic regressions to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for incident type 2 diabetes across four groups according to baseline fasting serum triglycerides (TG) level and waist circumference (WC): normal WC and normal TG, normal WC and high TG, enlarged WC and normal TG, and HTW (enlarged WC high TG).ResultsThe HTW phenotype at baseline was associated with the incidence of type 2 diabetes. Those with HTW were 2.4‐fold (OR 2.36, 95% confidence interval 1.61–3.44), those with normal WC high TG were 1.9‐fold (OR 1.87, 95% confidence interval 1.29–2.70) and those with enlarged WC but normal TG were 2.8‐fold (OR 2.84, 95% confidence interval 1.96–4.13) more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with normal WC and normal TG.ConclusionsThese data provide further evidence that the HTW phenotype is a robust predictor of type 2 diabetes in high‐risk individuals in Iran, and the predictive power is not higher than that of simple enlarged WC and normal TG, emphasizing the importance of enlarged WC to the development of type 2 diabetes.
Optimization of Protein Removal from Soybean Whey Wastewater Using Chitosan Ultrafiltration
Authors: Cheng Jianjun , Xie Siyu , Wang Shuai , Xue Yanfang , Jiang Lianzhou , Liu Li 
Published: March 2016

AbstractProteins were removed from soybean whey wastewater using the chitosan flocculation technique, and this method was compared with lime flocculation, and transglutaminase polymerization. Compared with other flocculation methods, chitosan flocculation exhibited higher saccharide levels (p < 0.05), lower protein movement (p < 0.05) through the membrane and lower ultrafiltration membrane pollution levels and could be[0] useful for the development of industrial flocculation processes. The chitosan flocculation procedure was optimized by an L18(37) orthogonal array experimental design (OAD) with four factors at three levels. Optimum variables were a chitosan dosage of 0.8 g/L and a standing pH, time and temperature of 5.5, 60 min and 30C, respectively. Under these conditions, the experimental rate of protein removal was 61.21%, which was consistent with the predicted value (58.85%). These results showed that chitosan flocculation alleviated membrane fouling to a large extent.Practical ApplicationsThis study demonstrated the differences in the protein removal properties due to the different processes, i.e., lime flocculation, transglutaminase polymerization and chitosan flocculation technique, in the purification soybean whey wastewater. The information on chitosan combined with ultrafiltration would help in understanding their influences on soybean whey wastewater. Chitosan‐ultrafiltration process will facilitate the subsequent recovery of soybean polysaccharides and can be used as an environmentally friendly means for soy whey wastewater purification.
Nanoemulsions‐Based Delivery Systems for Encapsulation of Quercetin: Preparation, Characterization, and Cytotoxicity Studies
Authors: Ni Shilei , Hu Caibiao , Sun Rui , Zhao Guodong , Xia Qiang 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIn this study, quercetin loaded nanoemulsions (QT‐NE) were prepared using high pressure homogenization (HPH) method.The optimum QT‐NE exhibited an average droplet size of 152 ± 6 nm, zeta potential of −50 ± 2 mV and entrapment efficiency of 93.50 ± 0.35%. The selected QT‐NE had good physical and chemical stability. DPPH free radical scavenging assay showed comparable antioxidant activity of QT‐NE to free quercetin. The release behavior of quercetin in simulated gastrointestinal conditions was investigated and kinetically modeled. The in vitro digestion model demonstrated that the bioaccessibility of quercetin in simulated small intestinal conditions was improved by nanoencapsulation. MTT cell viability assay showed that QT‐NE did not have significant toxicity on HeLa cell line. In general, nanoemulsions‐based delivery systems can be developed to encapsulate quercetin for improved stability and bioavailability.Practical ApplicationsQuercetin is widely found in the plant kingdom, and has been proved to exert numerous benefits in body. However, the applications of QT in functional fields are greatly limited due to its low solubility and chemical unstability. This study aimed at incorporating QT into lipid‐based delivery systems produced by high pressure homogenization (HPH) method for improved bioavailability and evaluating its potential application in functional food industries.