bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do low‐serum vitamin E levels increase the risk of Alzheimer disease in older people? Evidence from a meta‐analysis of case‐control studies
Authors: Dong Yonghai , Chen Xiaodan , Liu Yun , Shu Yan , Chen Ting , Xu Lei , Li Meng , Guan Xihong 
Published: August 2017

ObjectiveWhether low‐serum vitamin E increases the risk of Alzheimer disease (AD) in older people remains inconclusive. This meta‐analysis aims to synthesize evidence‐based case‐control studies to evaluate the association between serum vitamin E and the risk of AD.MethodsPotentially relevant studies were selected through PubMed, Embase, Wanfang, Chongqing VIP, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases by using the core terms Vitamin E/alpha‐tocopherol and Alzheime's disease/senile dementia/AD in the titles, abstracts, and keywords of the articles. The association between serum vitamin E levels and AD was estimated by using the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval by adopting a random effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed by using Cochran Q test and I2 statistic. Forest plot was used to present the results graphically from meta‐analysis. Publication bias was evaluated by using funnel plots and Egger test.ResultsWe identified 17 studies that met the eligibility criteria. The studies included 2057 subjects with 904 AD patients and 1153 controls. The results indicated that AD patients had a lower concentration of serum vitamin E compared with healthy controls among older people (WMD = −6.811 μmol/L, 95% confidence interval −8.998 to −4.625; Z = −6.105, P < .001). Publication bias was not detected and sensitivity analysis performed by omitting each study, and calculating the pooled WMD again for the remaining studies indicated the results stable.ConclusionsAlzheimer disease is associated with a low concentration of serum vitamin E in older people. However, necessary prospective cohort studies should be conducted to determine the risk of serum vitamin E for AD in the future.
The social hippocampus
Authors: Montagrin Alison , Saiote Catarina , Schiller Daniela 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe concept of cognitive map has been proposed as a way to organize our experiences and guide behavior across all domains of cognition. The hippocampus has been identified as the neural substrate supporting cognitive maps for navigating physical space. Recent evidence is broadening the role of the hippocampus into mapping other manner of spaces. Here we focus on the case of social space as a candidate for hippocampal representation because it combines multiple continuous dimensions and requires dynamic navigation through social contexts. We present evidence for the role of the hippocampus in (1) supporting social memory, (2) representing different dimensions of social space, (3) tracking dynamic social behavior, (4) maintaining a flexible map allowing adaptation to new social contexts, and (5) maladaptive social behavior across psychiatric disorders. To do so, we explore evidence across species including birds, rodents, nonhuman primates and humans, indicating hippocampal involvement in a range of social processes. Review of previous findings in a manner predicted by the cognitive map supports the existence of systematic mapping of social space by the hippocampus. Evidence for hippocampal social maps complements findings from other abstract domains, such as auditory, temporal and conceptual, allowing successful navigation through many domains of everyday life.
How much does dry‐season fog matter? Quantifying fog contributions to water balance in a coastal California watershed
Authors: Chung Michaella , Dufour Alexis , Pluche Rebecca , Thompson Sally 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe seasonally‐dry climate of Northern California imposes significant water stress on ecosystems and water resources during the dry summer months. Frequently during summer, the only water inputs occur as non‐rainfall water, in the form of fog and dew. However, due to spatially heterogeneous fog interaction within a watershed, estimating fog water fluxes to understand watershed‐scale hydrologic effects remains challenging. In this study, we characterized the role of coastal fog, a dominant feature of Northern Californian coastal ecosystems, in a San Francisco Peninsula watershed. To monitor fog occurrence, intensity, and spatial extent, we focused on the mechanisms through which fog can affect the water balance: throughfall following canopy interception of fog, soil moisture, streamflow, and meteorological variables. A stratified sampling design was used to capture the watershed's spatial heterogeneities in relation to fog events. We developed a novel spatial averaging scheme to upscale local observations of throughfall inputs and evapotranspiration suppression and make watershed‐scale estimates of fog water fluxes. Inputs from fog water throughfall (10–30 mm/year) and fog suppression of evapotranspiration (125 mm/year) reduced dry‐season water deficits by 25% at watershed scales. Evapotranspiration suppression was much more important for this reduction in water deficit than were direct inputs of fog water. The new upscaling scheme was analyzed to explore the sensitivity of its results to the methodology (data type and interpolation method) employed. This evaluation suggests that our combination of sensors and remote sensing allows an improved incorporation of spatially‐averaged fog fluxes into the water balance than traditional interpolation approaches.
Snow model sensitivity analysis to understand spatial and temporal snow dynamics in a high‐elevation catchment
Authors: Engel Michael , Notarnicola Claudia , Endrizzi Stefano , Bertoldi Giacomo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn this paper, we addressed a sensitivity analysis of the snow module of the GEOtop2.0 model at point and catchment scale in a small high‐elevation catchment in the Eastern Italian Alps (catchment size: 61 km2). Simulated snow depth and snow water equivalent at the point scale were compared with measured data at four locations from 2009 to 2013. At the catchment scale, simulated snow‐covered area (SCA) was compared with binary snow cover maps derived from moderate‐resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Landsat satellite imagery. Sensitivity analyses were used to assess the effect of different model parameterizations on model performance at both scales and the effect of different thresholds of simulated snow depth on the agreement with MODIS data. Our results at point scale indicated that modifying only the “snow correction factor” resulted in substantial improvements of the snow model and effectively compensated inaccurate winter precipitation by enhancing snow accumulation. SCA inaccuracies at catchment scale during accumulation and melt period were affected little by different snow depth thresholds when using calibrated winter precipitation from point scale. However, inaccuracies were strongly controlled by topographic characteristics and model parameterizations driving snow albedo (“snow ageing coefficient” and “extinction of snow albedo”) during accumulation and melt period. Although highest accuracies (overall accuracy = 1 in 86% of the catchment area) were observed during winter, lower accuracies (overall accuracy < 0.7) occurred during the early accumulation and melt period (in 29% and 23%, respectively), mostly present in areas with grassland and forest, slopes of 20–40°, areas exposed NW or areas with a topographic roughness index of −0.25 to 0 m. These findings may give recommendations for defining more effective model parameterization strategies and guide future work, in which simulated and MODIS SCA may be combined to generate improved products for SCA monitoring in Alpine catchments.
Arctic Mackenzie Deltachannel planform evolution during 1983–2013 utilisingLandsatdata and hydrological time series
Authors: Vesakoski Jenni‐Mari , Nylén Tua , Arheimer Berit , Gustafsson David , Isberg Kristina , Holopainen Markus , Hyyppä Juha , Alho Petteri 
Published: August 2017

AbstractArctic deltas, such as the Mackenzie Delta, are expected to face major climate change and increased human influence in the near future. Deltas are characterised by highly dynamic fluvial processes, and changing climate will cause considerable evolution of the riverine environment. The changes are difficult to predict with existing knowledge and data. This study quantified channel planform change of the Mackenzie Delta (1983–2013), analysing its temporal and spatial patterns. We addressed the main obstacle of research on large remote areas, the lack of data, by developing a unique work flow that utilised Landsat satellite imagery, hydrological time series, remote sensing‐based change analysis, and automatic vectorisation of channels. Our results indicate that the Mackenzie Delta experienced constant evolution but at a highly varying rate over the 30 years. The study demonstrates that the magnitude and duration of flood peaks and the presence of spring ice breakup floods determine the rate of Arctic delta planform change. Changing winter conditions and spring flood magnitudes may therefore affect the stability of Arctic deltas. However, no clear trends towards decreased recurrence or magnitude of spring floods or increased instability of the delta plain have yet been observed in the Mackenzie Delta. The delta plain was most dynamic at the beginning and at the end of the examined period, corresponding to intense flooding, whereas the rates of change were subtle during the low‐flood period 1994–2007. The largest changes have occurred along the wide Middle Channel and in the outermost delta. Relative to their size, however, smaller meandering channels have been highly dynamic. Hotspots of change in the delta plain are located in anastomosing and braiding channel segments and, at the local scale, in point bars and cut‐banks along meandering channels. Our study describes how Landsat satellite data can be utilised for advancing fluvial geomorphological research in remote areas. However, cloudiness in the delta restricts production of dense time series with simultaneous coverage of the whole area and requires manual preprocessing.
DOES TRAINING IN THE CIRCLE OF SECURITY FRAMEWORK INCREASE RELATIONAL UNDERSTANDING IN INFANT/CHILD AND FAMILY WORKERS?
Authors: McMahon Catherine , Huber Anna , Kohlhoff Jane , Camberis Anna‐Lisa 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTThis article evaluated whether attendance at Circle of Security training workshops resulted in attendees showing greater empathy and attachment‐related knowledge and understanding, and fewer judgmental responses to viewing a stressful parent–child interaction. Participants were 202 practitioners who attended and completed a 2‐day (n = 70), 4‐day (n = 105), or 10‐day (n = 27) COS training workshop in Australia or New Zealand in 2015. In a pre/post design, participant reactions to a video clip of a challenging parent–child interaction were coded for empathic, judgmental, or attachment‐focused language. Attachment understanding was coded in response to questions about the greatest challenge that the dyad faced. In all training conditions, participants provided significantly more attachment‐focused descriptors and showed significantly greater attachment understanding after training, but significantly fewer empathic descriptors. While participants at the longer workshops provided significantly fewer judgmental/critical descriptors, there was no change for those attending the 2‐day workshop. Irrespective of workshop duration or professional background, participants took a more relational perspective on the vignette after the training workshops. More detailed research is required to establish the extent to which this increased knowledge and understanding is retained and integrated into infant mental health practice with parents and young children.
Metal release and cell biological compatibility of beta‐type Ti‐40Nb containing indium
Authors: Pilz Stefan , Gebert Annett , Voss Andrea , Oswald Steffen , Göttlicher Markus , Hempel Ute , Eckert Jürgen , Rohnke Marcus , Janek Jürgen , Calin Mariana 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSmall indium (In) additions up to 5 wt % to the beta‐type Ti‐40Nb alloy effectively improve its mechanical biofunctionality. The impact on its biocompatibility is addressed in this work. Comparative electrochemical polarization studies and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry analyses were conducted in Tris‐buffered saline (on the basis of 150 mM NaCl) with pH 7.6 and 2.0 at 310 ± 1 K with Ti‐6Al‐4V as reference. The metal ion releases from beta‐type alloys were generally very low, for example, those of In3+ ions from (Ti‐40Nb)‐4In specimens were below 6 × 10−7 mmol/cm2. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the passivation mainly by Ti‐ and Nb‐oxides with traces of In‐oxides as the dominating surface process. In vitro studies demonstrate a better human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSC) activity on the beta‐type alloys in comparison to CP‐Ti (grade 2), which is mainly due to their high Nb content. At 24 h after seeding on (Ti‐40Nb)‐4In the metabolic activity of hBMSC was 1.5‐fold higher and after 11 days, the tissue non‐specific alkaline phosphatase activity was 1.8‐fold higher relative to values for CP‐Ti. Surface treatments, like chemical etching or plasma oxidation, change the surface topography and the thickness and composition of the oxide layers, but they are not effective in further improving the cell response. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1686–1697, 2018.
Livestock Insurance as a Coping Strategy Against Economic Loss and Food Insecurity: A Case From Rural Communities of Nawalparasi District Nepal
Authors: Kaphle Manoj , Bastakoti Nagendra 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe primary objective of this paper is to disseminate the practice of risk management by the people from their own management system of livestock insurance in Rupaulia and Daunnedevi Village Development Committees aiming to improve their livelihood. The research found that a number of livestock increased significantly by 74% and income of an individual livestock raiser inclined by 112.1%. The income contributed to purchase food for additional 11 months. Besides their income, their access to service also improved in agriculture, finance, private and local government sectors. The paper disseminates the ideas of rural people towards income generation, risk management and enterprise development. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Little We Know: An Exploratory Literature Review on the Utility of Mobile Phone‐Enabled Services for Smallholder Farmers
Authors: Baumüller Heike 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMobile technologies could help to improve service delivery to smallholder farmers, but whether such services are fulfilling their potential remains poorly understood. To address this gap, this article presents an exploratory literature review regarding the impact of mobile phone‐enabled services on farmers in developing countries. The review highlights a dearth of empirical evidence in this area. Findings suggest that farmers benefited through improvements in production planning, management of weather‐related risks, and greater ease in receiving money. The review also points to several methodological shortcomings, notably the reliance on perception data and the failure to assess impacts in relation to usage. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aerosols characteristics, trends and their climatic implications over Northeast India and adjoining South Asia
Authors: Dahutia Papori , Pathak Binita , Bhuyan Pradip Kumar 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTAerosol characteristics and climatic implications derived for selected locations of the north‐eastern region of India and adjoining locations Thimphu (THM), Dhaka (DAC) and Banmauk between 22–30°N and 88–98°E are reported. The region is found to reveal a distinct spatio‐temporal variability in aerosol distribution, with highest climatological mean aerosol optical depth at 550 nm (AOD550) at DAC (0.65 ± 0.07) and lowest at the high altitude location THM (0.19 ± 0.02). Seasonally the maximum AOD550 is observed in the pre‐monsoon season. Moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer Level‐3 Collection 6 AOD550 and Ångström exponent (AE) exhibit a significant and simultaneous increasing trend in the range of ∼0.003 year−1 to 0.012 year−1 and ∼−0.001 year−1 to 0.020 year−1, respectively, during the period 2001–2014. Together with AE, increasing trend of total ozone mapping spectrometer and ozone monitoring instrument‐retrieved aerosol index (∼0.001 year−1 to 0.007 year−1 during 1979–2014) signifies an increase in anthropogenic aerosol loading, leading to an increase in number density of cloud condensation nuclei and decrease/increase of cloud effective radius /cloud optical depth (COD). This is further associated with overall decreasing trends of rainfall rate over this complex monsoon region. A slow increase in maximum temperature (Tmax) (∼0.008 °C year−1 to 0.049 °C year−1) compared to that in minimum temperature (Tmin) (∼0.007 °C year−1 to 0.068 °C year−1) is attributed to solar dimming due to increasing aerosol loading and COD (∼0.056 year−1 to 0.15 year−1). A decrease in high‐level cloud (CODhigh) counteracts decreasing trends of ground reaching solar radiation over a few locations, including Dibrugarh. This study is important from an aerosol radiation interaction and aerosol cloud interaction viewpoint, which facilitates in reaching a closure of model simulated present day climate change and future climate projections.
Efficacy and rebound rates in propranolol‐treated subglottic hemangioma: A literature review
Authors: Schwartz Tyler , Faria John , Pawar Sachin , Siegel Dawn , Chun Robert H. 
Published: August 2017

ObjectivePropranolol has recently become the treatment of choice for management of subglottic and airway hemangiomas. This literature review aimed to determine the success rate of propranolol for managing these lesions as well as the rate of rebound growth following propranolol treatment cessation.Study DesignLiterature search involving MEDLINE and Scopus to identify English‐language articles.MethodsStudies were identified using hemangioma, subglottic or airway, and propranolol for search terms. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported the treatment used, individual deidentified patient data, and contained patients without medical or surgical treatment prior to propranolol therapyResultsInitial review included 107 abstracts. Twenty‐four articles including case reports and case series met inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative analysis. Forty‐nine patients were included. Twenty‐eight (57%) were treated with propranolol alone, and 20 (41%) were treated with a combination of propranolol and a corticosteroid. Thirty‐seven (76%) of patients were treated with a dose of 2 mg/kg/d of propranolol. The initial treatment was successful in 43 (88%) of patients. Rebound growth occurred in four (9%) patients. Overall, six (12%) patients underwent surgical resection.ConclusionsPropranolol is efficacious for treating subglottic hemangiomas. Rebound growth does occur in a small subset of patients during the propranolol wean. Close observation for children during weaning of propranolol therapy for subglottic hemangioma is essential. Adjunctive management strategies need to be used in patients with rebound growth. Laryngoscope, 127:2665–2672, 2017
Effects of Solvents on Stereocomplex Crystallization of High‐Molecular‐Weight Polylactic Acid Racemic Blends in the Presence of Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Yang Su , Xu Jia‐Zhuang , Li Yang , Lei Jun , Zhong Gan‐Ji , Wang Ruyin , Li Zhong‐Ming 
Published: August 2017

AbstractStereocomplex (SC) crystallization of solution‐casted high‐molecular‐weight polylactic acid/carbon nanotube (CNT) composites is investigated under the effects of solvents, including dichloromethane (CH2Cl2), chloroform (CHCl3),N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF), and 1,4‐dioxane (DIOX). It is found that addition of 0.1 wt% CNTs can promote the SC formation in the equimolar poly(l‐lactic acid) (PLLA)/poly(d‐lactic acid) (PDLA) blends. More interestingly, the final content of SC crystallites is mediated by solvent species to a large extent. Results of wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry reveal that the capability of solvents for enhancing the SC content in PLLA/PDLA/CNT composites follows the sequence: DMF > DIOX > CHCl3> CH2Cl2. Especially, exclusive SC crystallites are formed in the DMF. Such a disparity is explained in terms of solubility parameter and vapor pressure of the solvents. The above results also provide the possible solution to regulate the crystalline composition of the PLLA/PDLA/CNT blends, by which the expected performance may be obtained.
3D Printing of BaTiO3/PVDF Composites with Electric In Situ Poling for Pressure Sensor Applications
Authors: Kim Hoejin , Torres Fernando , Villagran Dino , Stewart Calvin , Lin Yirong , Tseng Tzu‐Liang Bill 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis paper presents 3D printing of piezoelectric sensors using BaTiO3 (BTO) filler in a poly(vinylidene) fluoride (PVDF) matrix through electric in situ poling during the 3D printing process. Several conventional methods require complicated and time‐consuming procedures. Recently developed electric poling‐assisted additive manufacturing (EPAM) process paves the way for printing of piezoelectric filaments by incorporating polarizing processes that include mechanical stretching, heat press, and electric field poling simultaneously. However, this process is limited to fabrication of a single PVDF layer and quantitative material characterizations such as piezoelectric coefficient and β‐phase percentage are not investigated. In this paper, an enhanced EPAM process is proposed that applies a higher electric field during 3D printing. To further increase piezoelectric response, BTO ceramic filler is used in the PVDF matrix. It is found that a 55.91% PVDF β‐phase content is nucleated at 15 wt% of BTO. The output current and β‐phase content gradually increase as the BTO weight percentage increases. Scanning electron microscopy analysis demonstrates that larger agglomerates are formulated as the increase of BTO filler contents and results in increase of toughness and decrease of tensile strength. The highest fatigue strength is observed at 3 wt% BTO and the fatigue strength gradually decreases as the BTO filler contents increases.
Core fecal microbiota of domesticated herbivorous ruminant, hindgut fermenters, and monogastric animals
Authors: O’ Donnell Michelle M. , Harris Hugh M. B. , Ross R. Paul , O'Toole Paul W. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn this pilot study, we determined the core fecal microbiota composition and overall microbiota diversity of domesticated herbivorous animals of three digestion types: hindgut fermenters, ruminants, and monogastrics. The 42 animals representing 10 animal species were housed on a single farm in Ireland and all the large herbivores consumed similar feed, harmonizing two of the environmental factors that influence the microbiota. Similar to other mammals, the fecal microbiota of all these animals was dominated by the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla. The fecal microbiota spanning all digestion types comprised 42% of the genera identified. Host phylogeny and, to a lesser extent, digestion type determined the microbiota diversity in these domesticated herbivores. This pilot study forms a platform for future studies into the microbiota of nonbovine and nonequine domesticated herbivorous animals.