bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reference and Influential Factors of Serum Bone Markers in Chinese Adolescents
Authors: Wang Xinyi , Liu Lichao , Li Ping , Ma Jie , Jiang Ranhua , Wang Renee , Li Ling , Guan Haixia 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis study aimed to establish reference ranges of bone markers in Chinese adolescents between the age of 12 and 16, and to search these markers’ characteristics and influential factors. Personal information and fasting blood samples were collected from 174 healthy adolescents in Northeast China. Serum levels of PINP, ALP, β-CrossLaps, calcium, phosphate, PTH, 25(OH)D and TSH were measured. Reference ranges were established for PINP [(85.55–2,028.75)ng/ml], ALP [(53.88–463.63)U/L], β-CrossLaps [(0.16–1.19)ng/ml], calcium [(2.35–2.70)mmol/L], phosphate [(1.17–2.06)mmol/L] and PTH [(2.64–43.36)μg/L] in this population. We observed that bone formation markers PINP and ALP levels were evidently higher when compared to kit references for adults. Reference ranges for calcium, phosphate and PTH also differed from those provided by kit manuals. Serum ALP, PINP, phosphate and PTH changed with age (all P < 0.005), and were significantly higher in boys than in girls (all P < 0.05). Serum 25(OH)D and TSH levels didn’t correlate with PINP, ALP and β-CrossLaps (all P > 0.05). In conclusion, unique reference ranges should be provided for adolescents. BMI, sex and age independently influence certain serum bone markers in adolescents. Vitamin D deficiency is widespread. Serum levels of vitamin D and TSH may not influence bone turnover markers in this population.
Tunable liquid crystal multifocal microlens array
Authors: Algorri José Francisco , Bennis Noureddine , Urruchi Virginia , Morawiak Przemek , Sánchez-Pena José Manuel , Jaroszewicz Leszek R. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA novel liquid crystal microlens array with tunable multifocal capability, high optical power and fill-factor is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. A specific hole pattern design produces a multifocal array with only one voltage control. Three operations modes are possible, “Off”, “Tunable Multifocal” and “Unifocal”. The design is patterned in both substrates. Then, the substrates are arranged in symmetrical configuration. The result is a high optical power in comparison with typical hole patterned structures. Besides, it is proposed a hexagonal pattern that produces a high fill factor, specially indicated for some applications as Integral Imaging. The array has several useful characteristics for this type of application: tunability for the loss of resolution; multifocal for extended DOF; high fill factor for increase the number of views; and low power consumption for integration in portable devices. Moreover, the optical characteristics of the proposed device could bring new applications in other fields.
Molecular thresholds of ITS2 and their implications for molecular evolution and species identification in seed plants
Authors: Qin Ying , Li Meihui , Cao Yong , Gao Ya , Zhang Wei 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAlthough molecular data have revealed huge amounts of plant diversity, interpreting genetic diversity into entities corresponding to species is still challenging. Taxonomic ranking based on genetic distance has been used extensively, but the results have been open to dispute, while the application of the strategy to plants has been restricted to a small number of cases. Here, levels of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequence variation were examined from 17,203 sequences, representing 5,439 species in 113 genera of seed plants, to ascertain the association between species status and their molecular divergence. Our results showed that, although the average genetic distances of sister species (AGDS) varied among angiosperms, the mean value was 3.98% and seemed not to be influenced by higher-level hierarchical classification or life history. AGDS was also stable within the major lineages of the gymnosperms but at approximately half the value of angiosperms, except for the Gnetidae, where the AGDS almost equaled that of angiosperms. We found that these AGDS discrepancies, associated with the rates of molecular evolution, cannot simply be attributed to generation-time differences, and highlight the complex life histories of plants. Our results provide general ITS2 thresholds in seed plants, and suggest their use in species identification.
Aneurysm Severity is Increased by Combined Mmp-7 Deletion and N-cadherin Mimetic (EC4-Fc) Over-Expression
Authors: Lyon Cressida A. , Williams Helen , Bianco Rosaria , Simmonds Steven J. , Brown Bethan A. , Wadey Kerry S. , Smith Frank C. T. , Johnson Jason L. , George Sarah J. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThere is an unmet need for treatments to reduce abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression. Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) apoptosis precipitates AAA formation, whereas VSMC proliferation repairs the vessel wall. We previously demonstrated that over-expression of EC4-Fc (truncated N-cadherin), or deletion of matrix-metalloproteinase-7 (Mmp-7) reduced VSMC apoptosis in mouse atherosclerotic plaques. Additionally, MMP-7 promotes VSMC apoptosis by cleavage of N-cadherin. We investigated their combined effect on AAA formation. Increased apoptosis and proliferation were observed in human AAA (HAAA) sections compared to normal aortae (HA). This coincided with increased MMP-7 activity and reduced N-cadherin protein levels in HAAA sections compared to HA. Using a mouse model of aneurysm formation, we showed that the combination of Mmp-7 deletion and EC4-Fc overexpression significantly increased AAA severity. Medial apoptosis and proliferation were both significantly reduced in these mice compared to control mice. In vitro, MMP-7 inhibition and EC4-Fc administration significantly supressed human aortic VSMC apoptosis (via activation of PI-3 kinase/Akt signalling) and proliferation. In conclusion, combined Mmp-7 deletion and systemic over-expression of EC4-Fc reduced both proliferation and apoptosis. Reduced proliferation-mediated repair over-rides any benefit of reduced apoptosis, increasing aneurysm severity. Future studies should therefore focus on retarding VSMC apoptosis whilst promoting VSMC proliferation.
Transcriptome and metabolome profiling of Narcissus pseudonarcissus ‘King Alfred’ reveal components of Amaryllidaceae alkaloid metabolism
Authors: Singh Aparna , Desgagné-Penix Isabel 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAmaryllidaceae alkaloids (AAs) represent a diverse class of plant specialized metabolites and many display potent pharmacological activities. The AA metabolic pathway is poorly understood and resources are minimal. To enable AA pathway elucidation and novel biosynthetic enzymes discovery, we generated comprehensive metabolomic and corresponding transcriptomic datasets from different tissues of Narcissus pseudonarcissus ‘King Alfred’. In this study, we performed untargeted UPLC-QTOF-MS metabolite analysis from different tissues, which generated exhaustive list of compounds, including several AAs, most predominant and diverse in bulbs. RNA sequencing of N. pseudonarcissus ‘King Alfred’ bulbs yielded 195,347 transcripts, after assembly. Top expressed genes belong to process like metabolism, survival, and defense including alkaloid biosynthetic genes. The transcriptome contained complete sequences for all proposed genes encoding AA-biosynthetic enzymes such as tyrosine decarboxylase (TYDC1 and TYDC2), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL1 and PAL2) and phenolic acids hydroxylases (C4H and C3H) to name a few. Furthermore, transcriptome data were validated using RT-qPCR analysis and expression study in different tissues of N. pseudonarcissus ‘King Alfred’ was performed. Here, we present the first comprehensive metabolome and transcriptome study from N. pseudonarcissus ‘King Alfred’ providing invaluable resources for metabolic engineering and biotechnological applications.
Social learning may lead to population level conformity without individual level frequency bias
Authors: Eriksson Kimmo , Cownden Daniel , Strimling Pontus 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA requirement of culture, whether animal or human, is some degree of conformity of behavior within populations. Researchers of gene-culture coevolution have suggested that population level conformity may result from frequency-biased social learning: individuals sampling multiple role models and preferentially adopting the majority behavior in the sample. When learning from a single role model, frequency-bias is not possible. We show why a population-level trend, either conformist or anticonformist, may nonetheless be almost inevitable in a population of individuals that learn through social enhancement, that is, using observations of others’ behavior to update their own probability of using a behavior in the future. The exact specification of individuals’ updating rule determines the direction of the trend. These results offer a new interpretation of previous findings from simulations of social enhancement in combination with reinforcement learning, and demonstrate how results of dynamical models may strongly depend on seemingly innocuous choices of model specifications, and how important it is to obtain empirical data on which to base such choices.
Mountain hare transcriptome and diagnostic markers as resources to monitor hybridization with European hares
Authors: Marques João P. , Ferreira Mafalda S. , Farelo Liliana , Callahan Colin M. , Hackländer Klaus , Jenny Hannes , Montgomery W. Ian , Reid Neil , Good Jeffrey M. , Alves Paulo C. , Melo-Ferreira José 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWe report the first mountain hare (Lepus timidus) transcriptome, produced by de novo assembly of RNA-sequencing reads. Data were obtained from eight specimens sampled in two localities, Alps and Ireland. The mountain hare tends to be replaced by the invading European hare (Lepus europaeus) in their numerous contact zones where the species hybridize, which affects their gene pool to a yet unquantified degree. We characterize and annotate the mountain hare transcriptome, detect polymorphism in the two analysed populations and use previously published data on the European hare (three specimens, representing the European lineage of the species) to identify 4 672 putative diagnostic sites between the species. A subset of 85 random independent SNPs was successfully validated using PCR and Sanger sequencing. These valuable genomic resources can be used to design tools to assess population status and monitor hybridization between species.
Enhanced Identification of Long Versus Short Voice Onset Time Consonant–Vowel Syllables in a Dichotic Listening Task
Authors: Moncrieff Deborah , Dubyne Lauren 
Published: December 2017

Purpose
This study investigated the influence of voice onset time (VOT) on the perception of consonant–vowel (CV) signals during a dichotic listening (DL) task.

Method
Sixty-two young adults with normal hearing were tested with the English language version of the Hugdahl Dichotic CV (DCV) Test. They were asked to identify 1 CV syllable during 3 DL conditions: free recall (report the syllable heard most clearly), forced right (report the syllable in the right ear), and forced left (report the syllable in the left ear). Averages for number and percent correct syllables were recorded under each condition and across the entire test.

Results
All subjects demonstrated an overall right-ear advantage (REA) when scores from all 3 listening conditions were averaged. The REA occurred for all VOT pairings except when the long VOT was presented to the left ear, whereas the short VOT was presented to the right ear when subjects produced an average left-ear advantage. The left-ear advantage overcame the structural advantage of the right ear even when subjects were directed to attend to the right ear. This result was consistent with findings of earlier studies done with Norwegian and Australian subjects.

Conclusions
Listeners' REA may be overcome by interaural temporal differences that favor processing in the listener's nondominant ear during the DCV test. Balanced VOT conditions across the DCV test prevent this effect from producing an overall bias toward the left ear, but clinical DL tests with consonant–vowel–consonant words should be examined for effects of the long VOT on laterality of performance.
Early Development of Emotional Competence (EDEC) Assessment Tool for Children With Complex Communication Needs: Development and Evidence
Authors: Na Ji Young , Wilkinson Krista , Liang Jiali 
Published: December 2017

PurposeThis article introduces and provides initial data supporting “The Early Development of Emotional Competence (EDEC): A tool for children with complex communication needs (CCNs).” The EDEC was developed to raise awareness about the relation of language and emotional competence and to maximize the likelihood that intervention includes language to discuss emotions in ways that are consistent with the values and goals of the family.MethodFirst, the theoretical and clinical foundations of the EDEC development were discussed. Then, a description of preferred translation practices was provided, with examples of Korean and Mandarin Chinese translations. Finally, initial data from a pilot study with two sociocultural communities (i.e., 10 American and 10 Korean mothers of children developing typically) were presented to demonstrate the potential of the tool.ResultsThe pilot test offered preliminary support for the sensitivity of the EDEC. The tool solicited responses reflecting cultural differences between American and Korean mothers' perception of a child's emotional skills and mother-child conversation about emotions as predicted based on many cross-cultural studies in emotion.ConclusionsThe information elicited from the EDEC shows promise for enabling culturally natural conversation about emotions with appropriate vocabulary and phrases in their augmentative and alternative communication systems.Supplemental Materialshttps://doi.org/10.23641/asha.5643076
Percent Grammatical Responses as a General Outcome Measure: Initial Validity
Authors: Eisenberg Sarita L. , Guo Ling-Yu 
Published: December 2017

Purpose
This report investigated the validity of using percent grammatical responses (PGR) as a measure for assessing grammaticality. To establish construct validity, we computed the correlation of PGR with another measure of grammar skills and with an unrelated skill area. To establish concurrent validity for PGR, we computed the correlation of PGR with a previously validated measure of grammaticality, percent grammatical utterances (PGU), and examined the extent to which PGR and PGU agreed upon pass/fail decisions for children.

Method
Participants included 79 3-year-olds from mostly middle socioeconomic status homes. Language samples were elicited by asking children to describe 15 pictures in response to 4 questions per picture. To calculate PGU, children's responses to all 4 questions were segmented into communication units, and each communication unit was evaluated for grammatical errors. To calculate PGR, the entire response to just the first question was evaluated for grammatical errors.

Results

PGR scores significantly correlated with a standardized test of grammar (
r
= .70), but not with a measure of vocabulary (i.e., type–token ratio;
r
= .11). In addition, PGR scores were significantly correlated with PGU scores (
r
= .88). Agreement between PGR and PGU was 92% for pass decisions and 94% for fail decisions.

Conclusions
The current study establishes the construct validity of PGR as a measure of grammar and supports the use of PGR as a measure to assess grammaticality.
Radio and infrared study of southern H II regions
G346.056−0.021
and G346.077−0.056
Authors: Das S. R. , Tej A. , Vig S. , Liu T. , Ghosh S. K. , Chandra C. H. I. 
Published: December 2017

Aim. We present a multiwavelength study of two southern Galactic H II regions G346.056−0.021 and G346.077−0.056 which are located at a distance of 10.9 kpc. The distribution of ionized gas, cold and warm dust, and the stellar population associated with the two H II regions are studied in detail using measurements at near-infrared, mid-infrared, far-infrared, submillimeter and radio wavelengths.
Methods. The radio continuum maps at 1280 and 610 MHz were obtained using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope to probe the ionized gas. The dust temperature, column density, and dust emissivity maps were generated using modified blackbody fits in the far-infrared wavelength range 160–500 μm. Various near- and mid-infrared color and magnitude criteria were adopted to identify candidate ionizing star(s) and the population of young stellar objects in the associated field.
Results. The radio maps reveal the presence of diffuse ionized emission displaying distinct cometary morphologies. The 1280 MHz flux densities translate to zero age main sequence spectral types in the range O7.5V–O7V and O8.5V–O8V for the ionizing stars of G346.056−0.021 and G346.077−0.056, respectively. A few promising candidate ionizing star(s) are identified using near-infrared photometric data. The column density map shows the presence of a large, dense dust clump enveloping G346.077−0.056. The dust temperature map shows peaks towards the two H II regions. The submillimeter image shows the presence of two additional clumps, one being associated with G346.056−0.021. The masses of the clumps are estimated to range between ~1400 and 15250 M⊙. Based on simple analytic calculations and the correlation seen between the ionized gas distribution and the local density structure, the observed cometary morphology in the radio maps is better explained invoking the champagne-flow model.
Dust cloud evolution in sub-stellar atmospheres via plasma deposition and plasma sputtering
Authors: Stark C. R. , Diver D. A. 
Published: December 2017

Context.In contemporary sub-stellar model atmospheres, dust growth occurs through neutral gas-phase surface chemistry. Recently, there has been a growing body of theoretical and observational evidence suggesting that ionisation processes can also occur. As a result, atmospheres are populated by regions composed of plasma, gas and dust, and the consequent influence of plasma processes on dust evolution is enhanced.Aim.This paper aims to introduce a new model of dust growth and destruction in sub-stellar atmospheres via plasma deposition and plasma sputtering.Methods.Using example sub-stellar atmospheres fromDRIFT-PHOENIX, we have compared plasma deposition and sputtering timescales to those from neutral gas-phase surface chemistry to ascertain their regimes of influence. We calculated the plasma sputtering yield and discuss the circumstances where plasma sputtering dominates over deposition.Results.Within the highest dust density cloud regions, plasma deposition and sputtering dominates over neutral gas-phase surface chemistry if the degree of ionisation is ≳10−4. Loosely bound grains with surface binding energies of the order of 0.1–1 eV are susceptible to destruction through plasma sputtering for feasible degrees of ionisation and electron temperatures; whereas, strong crystalline grains with binding energies of the order 10 eV are resistant to sputtering.Conclusions.The mathematical framework outlined sets the foundation for the inclusion of plasma deposition and plasma sputtering in global dust cloud formation models of sub-stellar atmospheres.
Two-dimensional modeling of density and thermal structure of dense circumstellar outflowing disks
Authors: Kurfürst P. , Feldmeier A. , Krtička J. 
Published: December 2017

Context. Evolution of massive stars is affected by a significant loss of mass either via (nearly) spherically symmetric stellar winds or by aspherical mass-loss mechanisms, namely the outflowing equatorial disks. However, the scenario that leads to the formation of a disk or rings of gas and dust around massive stars is still under debate. It is also unclear how various forming physical mechanisms of the circumstellar environment affect its shape and density, as well as its kinematic and thermal structure.
Aims. We study the hydrodynamic and thermal structure of optically thick, dense parts of outflowing circumstellar disks that may be formed around various types of critically rotating massive stars, for example, Be stars, B[e] supergiant (sgB[e]) stars or Pop III stars. We calculate self-consistent time-dependent models of temperature and density structure in the disk’s inner dense region that is strongly affected by irradiation from a rotationally oblate central star and by viscous heating.
Methods. Using the method of short characteristics, we specify the optical depth of the disk along the line-of-sight from stellar poles. Within the optically thick dense region with an optical depth of τ > 2∕3 we calculate the vertical disk thermal structure using the diffusion approximation while for the optically thin outer layers we assume a local thermodynamic equilibrium with the impinging stellar irradiation. For time-dependent hydrodynamic modeling, we use two of our own types of hydrodynamic codes: two-dimensional operator-split numerical code based on an explicit Eulerian finite volume scheme on a staggered grid, and unsplit code based on the Roe’s method, both including full second-order Navier-Stokes shear viscosity.
Results. Our models show the geometric distribution and contribution of viscous heating that begins to dominate in the central part of the disk for mass-loss rates higher than Ṁ ≳ 10−10 M⊙ yr−1. In the models of dense viscous disks with Ṁ > 10−8 M⊙ yr−1, the viscosity increases the central temperature up to several tens of thousands of Kelvins, however the temperature rapidly drops with radius and with distance from the disk midplane. The high mass-loss rates and high viscosity lead to instabilities with significant waves or bumps in density and temperature in the very inner disk region.
Conclusions. The two-dimensional radial-vertical models of dense outflowing disks including the full Navier-Stokes viscosity terms show very high temperatures that are however limited to only the central disk cores inside the optically thick area, while near the edge of the optically thick region the temperature may be low enough for the existence of neutral hydrogen, for example.