bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of the Affordable Care Act on Disparities in Breastfeeding: The Case of Maine
Authors: Hawkins Summer Sherburne , Noble Alice , Baum Christopher F. 
Published: May 2017

Objectives. To evaluate the Affordable Care Act (ACA) breastfeeding provision and test whether changes in coverage affected women differently according to health insurance status. Methods. We used the All-Payer Claims Database from Maine (2012–2014) to compare health insurance claims for lactation classes and breast pumps between women with private insurance and women with Medicaid (1) before the ACA breastfeeding provision, (2) after the provision came into effect, and (3) after health insurance expansion through the Marketplace. Results. We found limited change in claims for lactation classes over the study period. By contrast, the number of claims for breast pumps among women with private insurance increased from 70 claims in the third quarter of 2012 to 629 claims 1 year later and 803 claims in the third quarter of 2014. Women with Medicaid had only 11 claims for breast pumps over the entire study period. Conclusions. This 11-fold rise in claims for breast pumps by women with private insurance suggests that these women will likely increase breastfeeding initiation or duration; however, without additional support for women with Medicaid, disparities in breastfeeding may increase.
Chemical Risk Assessment: Traditional vs Public Health Perspectives
Authors: Gwinn Maureen R. , Axelrad Daniel A. , Bahadori Tina , Bussard David , Cascio Wayne E. , Deener Kacee , Dix David , Thomas Russell S. , Kavlock Robert J. , Burke Thomas A. 
Published: May 2017

Preventing adverse health effects of environmental chemical exposure is fundamental to protecting individual and public health. When done efficiently and properly, chemical risk assessment enables risk management actions that minimize the incidence and effects of environmentally induced diseases related to chemical exposure. However, traditional chemical risk assessment is faced with multiple challenges with respect to predicting and preventing disease in human populations, and epidemiological studies increasingly report observations of adverse health effects at exposure levels predicted from animal studies to be safe for humans. This discordance reinforces concerns about the adequacy of contemporary risk assessment practices for protecting public health. It is becoming clear that to protect public health more effectively, future risk assessments will need to use the full range of available data, draw on innovative methods to integrate diverse data streams, and consider health endpoints that also reflect the range of subtle effects and morbidities observed in human populations. Considering these factors, there is a need to reframe chemical risk assessment to be more clearly aligned with the public health goal of minimizing environmental exposures associated with disease.
Minimum Stocking Requirements for Retailers in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children: Disparities Across US States
Authors: Pelletier Jennifer E. , Schreiber Liana R. N. , Laska Melissa N. 
Published: May 2017

Objectives. To examine state variation in minimum stocking requirements for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)–authorized small food retailers. Methods. We obtained minimum stocking requirements for 50 states and the District of Columbia in 2017 from WIC Web pages or e-mail from the state WIC agency. We developed a coding protocol to compare minimum quantities and varieties required for 12 food and beverage categories. We calculated the median, range, and interquartile range for each measure. Results. Nearly all states set minimum varieties and quantities of fruits and vegetables, 100% juice, whole grain–rich foods, breakfast cereal, milk, cheese, eggs, legumes, and peanut butter. Fewer states set requirements for canned fish, yogurt, and tofu. Most measures had a large range in minimum requirements (e.g., $8–$100 of fruits and vegetables, 60–144 oz of breakfast cereal). Conclusions. WIC-participating retailers must adhere to very different minimum stocking requirements across states, which may result in disparities in food and beverage products available to WIC recipients. Public Health Implications. The results provide benchmarks that can inform new local, state, and federal program and policy efforts to increase healthy food availability in retail settings.
Availability of Additional Mediolateral Implant Option During Total Knee Arthroplasty Improves Femoral Component Fit Across Ethnicities
Authors: Sharma Gaurav , Liu David , Malhotra Rajesh , Zhou Yi Xin , Akagi Masao , Kim T.K. ,   on behalf of the Asia Knee Research Team (AKRT)
Published: May 2017

Background:Anatomical variation may represent a challenge in achieving a close fit between a prosthesis and a patient’s osseous geometry in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purposes of this study were to determine whether the shape of the distal part of the femur differs among ethnicities, whether these differences affect the fit of the femoral component of a standard prosthesis, and whether the additional availability of a femoral component with a reduced mediolateral dimension for the same anteroposterior dimension improves femoral component fit across ethnicities.Methods:Femoral dimensions were measured intraoperatively during 967 TKAs performed using the same type of prosthesis in patients of 5 different ethnicities. Aspect ratios were calculated to determine whether the shapes of the femora differed among ethnicities. The component fit (“perfect,” overhang, or underhang) when only standard prostheses were available was compared with the fit when both standard and narrow prostheses were available in all ethnic groups. This enabled us to determine whether the femoral component fit was improved by the additional availability of the narrow version.Results:Wide variations in shape were found among ethnicities as were variations among individuals of the same ethnicity. Differences in shape among ethnicities influenced the rate of overhang. However, overhang was more frequent at the trochlear than at the condylar level across all ethnicities. The availability of both the standard and the narrow femoral components improved the rate of a perfect fit in women in 3 of the 5 ethnic groups and reduced the overhang rate in women in all 5 of the ethnic groups. In contrast, only modest improvements in femoral component fit, which were not statistically significant, were seen in men.Conclusions:The shape of the distal part of the femur varies not only among ethnicities but also within ethnic groups, leading to a high prevalence of overhang when only standard prostheses are available. The additional availability of a femoral component with a reduced mediolateral dimension for the same anteroposterior size can reduce overhang and improve component fit across ethnicities.
Implementing Video Recording to Improve the Content of Opening Speech
Authors: Santoso Dian Rahma 
Published: May 2017

This study investigated the implementation of video recording to improve the students’ ability in presenting opening speech which focused on the content delivery. A classroom action research was used to collect the data from three cycles, and observation. The result showed all students could meet the minimum requirement after doing the process of recording their performance for three cycles.It improved the content delivery significantly after looking at and evaluating the video of performance. Students not only could accomplish the clear purpose of the presentation by introducing the topic clearly, told the thesis statement and preview the points of the speech. Finally, video recording also improved the students’ performance such as movement of gestures and body language, and the eye contact.
Tillage and Cover Cropping Effects on Soil Properties and Crop Production in Illinois
Authors: Dozier Ivan A. , Behnke Gevan D. , Davis Adam S. , Nafziger Emerson D. , Villamil María B. 
Published: May 2017

Core Ideas
Compared corn–soybean rotations with cover crops vs fallows under no‐till or till.
Corn–soybean rotations with cereal rye after corn decreased soil NO3–N by 42%.
Soil attributes and crop yields were generally unaffected by cover crops use.
Tillage increased soil organic matter and exchangeable K compared to no‐till.
Tillage reduced soybean yields by 245 kg/ha compared to no‐till.
Cover crops (CCs) have been heralded for their potential to improve soil properties, retain nutrients in the field, and subsequent crop yields, yet support for these claims within Illinois remains limited. Cover crops were used in corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotations. We assessed five sets of CCs vs. fallow controls under no‐till (NT) and chisel till (Till) on soil attributes and crop yields, encompassing one complete rotation cycle. The experimental layout was a split split‐block where whole plot treatments (P, rotation phase; and Y, year) had a Latin square design and subplot treatments of tillage (NT vs. Till) were split into sub‐subplot treatments of CC rotations. We measured soil properties, crop yields, CC stand counts in late fall, and spring biomass samples, each year. Tillage increased the level of soil organic matter (SOM) and exchangeable potassium (K) within our systems yet significantly decreased the yield of soybean by 245 kg/ha. Compared to winter fallow, soil attributes under corn–soybean rotations that included CCs did not show any statistically significant change after one cycle of production except increased N scavenging with cereal rye growing after corn harvest. Inclusion of CCs in the corn–soybean rotation did not affect cash crop yields in either till or NT systems. Our results show that cereal rye is the CC with the best potential as an N scavenger in the corn–soybean rotation, but claims of crop yield increases in the short term are not supported.
Spring Maize Kernel Number and Assimilate Supply Responses to High‐Temperature Stress under Field Conditions
Authors: Yan Peng , Tao Zhiqiang , Chen Yuanquan , Zhang Xuepeng , Sui Peng 
Published: May 2017

Core Ideas
Spring maize mono‐cropping system is shown to be a water‐saving and high‐yield maize farming system.
Spring maize was traditionally planted in late April or early May but seldom obtained desirable yield.
Altering sowing date reduced frequency of high‐temperature stress of spring maize around silking and grain‐filling stage.
Altering sowing date improved assimilate availability of spring maize during the grain‐filling stage.
Late May turned out to be the better sowing date, rather than traditional sowing dates in late April or early May under current conditions.
The productivity of spring maize (Zea mays L.) in North China Plain (NCP) is primarily limited by high‐temperature stress (HTS) during the grain‐filling stage. To avoid HTS and promote productivity, variable sowing date (SD), treatments were established from 2013 to 2015 (early April, SD1; mid‐April, SD2; late April, SD3; early May, SD4; mid‐May, SD5; and late May, SD6). During the grain‐filling stage, the leaf area index (LAI) and dry matter accumulation (DMA) were greatest at the final SD (SD6) compared with all other treatments. Additionally, the daily mean air temperature (Tmean), daily maximum air temperature (Tmax), and cumulative stressful days (CSD) during this stage across 3 yr decreased at SD6 by 1.4 to 3.2°C, 1.0 to 2.7°C, and 5.7 to 14.7 d, respectively, compared with the values at SD1 to SD5. Planting at SD6 increased the final grain yield by an average of 5.4 to 19.3%. A linear regression analysis showed that the kernel number (KN) per plant increased by 4 with every 100 kg ha−1 DMA. Kernel number was negatively correlated with Tmax and CSD from 15 d pre‐silking to 15 d post‐silking. Compared to SD1 and SD4, ear leaf at 15 d post‐silking under the SD6 treatment had the highest net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and the lowest ABA concentration. In conclusion, to avoid HTS and achieve the greatest corn grain yields in NCP, spring sowing maize should be postponed until late May.
Tassel Deformation in Corn Following Early‐Season Defoliation
Authors: Thomison Peter R. , Lindsey Alexander J. , Geyer Allen B. , Nafziger Emerson D. , Coulter Jeffrey A. , Zarnstorff Mark E. 
Published: May 2017

Core Ideas
Severe early‐season defoliation, such as hail injury, may cause abnormal growth and development of corn tassels.
If defoliation induced tassel deformation occurs within a large field, poor pollen production could greatly reduce yield.
Certain genetic backgrounds may be more likely to express tassel deformation in response to early‐season defoliation.
Comparison of the Performance of Different Microbial Source Tracking Markers among European and North African Regions
Authors: Yahya Mariem , Blanch Anicet R. , Meijer Wim G. , Antoniou Katerina , Hmaied Fatma , Ballesté Elisenda 
Published: May 2017

Microbial source tracking (MST) has been extensively used to detect the sources of fecal pollution in water. The inclusion of MST in water management strategies improves the ecological status of the ecosystem and human and animal health under interdisciplinary analysis in all aspects of health care for humans, animals, and the environment (One Health approach). In this study, the performance of MST markers targeting host‐specific Bacteroidales (HF183 and Rum‐2‐Bac) and Bifidobacterium species (HMBif and CWBif) were evaluated in raw sewage collected from human, ruminant, swine, and poultry sources in Tunisia, Cyprus, Ireland, and Spain. In addition, the ratio between somatic coliphages and bacteriophages infecting Bacteroides GA17 (SOMCPH/GA17PH) was measured in Tunisia and Spain. The obtained results showed variability of the bacterial markers between the four countries, suggesting that their usefulness could be affected by several conditions (dietary habits, agricultural practices, and climatic conditions) that differ between countries. The Rum‐2‐Bac marker stood out as a valid MST tool, particularly in Ireland, whereas CWBif was the best option in Tunisia, Spain, and Cyprus. The human‐specific HMBif marker showed good sensitivity and specificity in Tunisia, Spain, and Ireland, whereas HF183 showed a low specificity. However, HF183 was suggested as a good human marker in Ireland and Cyprus because of its higher concentration than HMBif. Regarding viral markers, the ratio of SOMCPH/GA17PH showed a clear discrimination between human and nonhuman samples. The combined use of molecular bacterial markers and the ratio of SOMCPH/GA17PH may improve the success of MST.Core Ideas
• Differences among geographical areas have been observed for human source tracking markers
• Agricultural practices and/or climate conditions may affect the selection of ruminant MST markers.
• The MST markers described must be validated in each area before use for water management.
Soil Carbon Fractions in Response to Long‐Term Crop Rotations in the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Fu Xin , Wang Jun , Sainju Upendra M. , Liu Wenzhao 
Published: May 2017

Core Ideas
Long‐term (30 yr) diversified crop rotations had a positive impact on soil C fractions.
Carbon fractions increased with increased rotation length.
Diversified rotations enhanced soil C sequestration and microbial biomass and activity.
Diversified crop rotations may enhance C fractions and soil quality by affecting the quality and quantity of crop residue returned to the soil compared with monocropping and fallow. We evaluated the effect of 30‐yr‐old diversified crop rotations on soil C fractions at 0‐ to 15‐, 15‐ to 30‐, and 0‐ to 30‐cm depths in the Loess Plateau of China. Crop rotations were continuous winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (W); 3‐yr rotations of corn (Zea mays L.)–winter wheat–winter wheat–millet (Eleusine coracana L.) (CWWM), pea (Pisum sativum L.)–winter wheat–winter wheat–millet (PWWM), and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.)–winter wheat–winter wheat–sainfoin (SWWS); 4‐yr rotation of pea–winter wheat–winter wheat–corn (PWWC); and 8‐yr rotation of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) (4 yr)–potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) (1 yr)–winter wheat (3 yr) (A4PoW3). A fallow (F) treatment was also included for comparison. Carbon fractions were soil organic C (SOC), particulate organic C (POC), potential C mineralization (PCM), and microbial biomass C (MBC). At all depths, SOC and POC were greater in A4PoW3 than F, W, and PWWC. The PCM and MBC were greater with SWWS than most other crops rotations. Soil C fractions increased linearly with increased belowground crop residue returned to the soil. Both SOC and POC increased linearly with increased rotation length. All C fractions were also correlated with mean annualized crop grain yield. Diversified crop rotations with increased belowground residue production enhanced soil C sequestration and microbial biomass and activity as well as crop yield compared with monocropping.
Antimicrobial resistance profile and molecular characterization of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus isolates in Tripoli Central Hospital, Libya
Authors: Aetrugh S , Aboshkiwa M , Husien W , Erhuma M , Corrente M , Grandolfo E , Ellabib M , Emahbes T , Mustafa M 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
Background: Nosocomial infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococci could lead to increased morbidity and mortality, but little is known about the prevalence of infections with these organisms in healthcare facilities and in the community in Tripoli. This study investigated the in vitro susceptibility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococci (MRCNS) to antimicrobial agents, and determined the molecular characteristics of MRSA.
Methods: This is a retrospective observational study aiming at determining the prevalence and antibiotic resistance pattern of (MRSA) and (MRCNS) isolated from non-duplicated clinical specimens in Tripoli Central Hospital (TCH) between June 2013 and June 2014. Isolates were identified using standard laboratory procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were carried out by disk diffusion method and automated systems. DNA of the MRSA isolates was used for PCR to determine the molecular analysis.
Results: 218 isolates of Staphylococci were obtained, 71.6% were coagulase positive staphylococci (CPS) and 28.4% were coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS). 39.7% of CPS were MRSA, while 75.8% of CNS were MRCNS. The rates of hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) and community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) among MRSA isolates were 61.3% and 38.7% respectively. A similar trend was detected among MRCNS isolates, where 74.5% were HA-MRCNS and 25.5% were CA-MRCNS. All the MRSA and MRCNS isolates were susceptible (100%) to vancomycin, tigecycline, linezolid, quinupristin/dalfopristin, daptomycin and moxifloxacin. Generally, hospital-acquired strains showed higher resistance rates than community-acquired ones to the most commonly tested non-beta-lactam antibiotics. 35.5% of all staphylococcal isolates exhibited mecA+ gene and 12.9% expressed mecC+. Meanwhile, 38.7% of MRSA isolates harbored both mecA and mecC. However, 12.9% of MSSA isolates were negative for both mecA and mecC. The mecA gene was detectable in 59.1% and 40.9 % of HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA isolates respectively.
Conclusion: Hospital-acquired MRSA and MRCNS isolates had higher resistance rates to non-beta lactam antimicrobial drugs than the respective community-acquired isolates. This was shown by early detection of mecC gene among MRSA isolates.
Evaluación de la susceptibilidad a Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid en diferentes variedades e híbridos comerciales de sorgo en Sinaloa, México
Authors: Moreno Gallegos Tomas , Melgoza-Villagómez Claudia Maria , Cuevas Reyes Venancio , Hernández-Espinal Luis Alberto 
Published: May 2017

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar la reacción a M. phaseolina de tres variedades experimentales y siete variedades de polinización libre del INIFAP, así como 14 híbridos comerciales de sorgo, con la finalidad de identificar variedades e híbridos que puedan presentar tolerancia o menor susceptibilidad a esta enfermedad. Los experimentos se establecieron en Culiacán, Sinaloa, México, durante los ciclos Primavera-Verano de 2010 y 2011, bajo condiciones de campo en temporal. Se utilizó un diseño de bloques al azar en cada experimento con tres repeticiones y un análisis combinado para los dos ciclos agrícolas. La parcela experimental consistió en inocular 10 plantas con mondadientes infectados del hongo. El análisis de varianza detecto diferencias significativas (p<0.05) en longitud de lesión ocasionada por el hongo entre años. En el ciclo 2010, se observó una longitud de lesión promedio significativamente mayor (10.10 cm) en comparación con el ciclo 2011 (5.79 cm). Los genotipos con menor longitud de lesión en promedio de los dos ambientes fueron: Fortuna y Mazatlán-16 (3.5 y 4.95 cm, respectivamente). Los genotipos con mayor longitud de lesión fueron Kilate, G-STAR-7402 y G-STAR-7205 (13.2, 15.7 y 16.65 cm, respectivamente). No existió correlación entre la longitud de lesión y rendimiento de grano. Las variedades Fortuna y Mazatlán-16 mostraron menor daño a M. phaseolina, por lo cual se sugieren para siembras de temporal y como progenitores en la formación de híbridos de sorgo tolerantes a esta enfermedad.