bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prioritising topics for the undergraduate ENT curriculum
Authors: Constable J D , Moghul G A , Leighton P , Schofield S J , Daniel M 
Published: May 2017

AbstractObjective:Knowledge of ENT is important for many doctors, but undergraduate time is limited. This study aimed to identify what is thought about ENT knowledge amongst non-ENT doctors, and the key topics that the curriculum should focus on.Methods:Doctors were interviewed about their views of ENT knowledge amongst non-ENT doctors, and asked to identify key topics. These topics were then used to devise a questionnaire, which was distributed to multiple stakeholders in order to identify the key topics.Results:ENT knowledge was generally thought to be poor amongst doctors, and it was recommended that undergraduate ENT topics be kept simple. The highest rated topics were: clinical examination; when to refer; acute otitis media; common emergencies; tonsillitis and quinsy; management of ENT problems by non-ENT doctors; stridor and stertor; otitis externa; and otitis media with effusion.Conclusion:This study identified a number of key ENT topics, and will help to inform future development of ENT curricula.
Nerolidol, the main constituent of Piper aduncum essential oil, has anti-Leishmania braziliensis activity
Authors: CEOLE LIGIA FERNANDA , CARDOSO MARIA DAS GRAÇAS , SOARES MAURILIO JOSÉ 
Published: May 2017

SUMMARYLeishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is a protozoan that causes mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, which is an infectious disease that affects more than 12 million people worldwide. The available treatment is limited, has side-effects or is inefficient. In a search for alternative compounds of natural origin, we tested the microbicidal activity of Piper aduncum essential oil (PaEO) on this parasite. Our data showed that PaEO had an inhibitory effect on the growth of L. braziliensis promastigotes with an IC50/24 h=77·9 µg mL−1. The main constituent (nerolidol: 25·22%) presented a similar inhibitory effect (IC50/24 h = 74·3 µg mL−1). Ultrastructural observation of nerolidol-treated parasites by scanning and transmission electron microscopies revealed cell shrinkage and morphological alterations in the mitochondrion, nuclear chromatin and flagellar pocket. Flow cytometry analysis showed a reduction in the cell size, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, phosphatidylserine exposure and DNA degradation, which when associated with the morphological changes indicated that nerolidol induced incidental cell death in the L. braziliensis promastigotes. The results presented here indicate that nerolidol derivatives are promising compounds for further evaluation against Leishmania parasites.
Neurocognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Are we making mountains out of molehills?
Authors: Moritz S. , Klein J. P. , Desler T. , Lill H. , Gallinat J. , Schneider B. C. 
Published: May 2017

BackgroundMost original studies and all meta-analyses conducted to date converge on the conclusion that patients with schizophrenia display rather generalized neurocognitive deficits. For the present study, we reopen this seemingly closed chapter and examine whether important influences, such as lack of motivation and negative attitudes towards cognitive assessment, result in poorer secondary neuropsychological performance.MethodA sample of 50 patients with an established diagnosis of schizophrenia were tested for routine neurocognitive assessment and compared to 60 nonclinical volunteers. Before and after the assessment, subjective momentary influences were examined (e.g. motivation, concerns about assessment, fear about poor outcome) for their impact on performance using a new questionnaire called theMomentary Influences, Attitudes and Motivation Impact(MIAMI)on Cognitive Performance Scale.ResultsAs expected, patients performed significantly worse than controls on all neurocognitive domains tested (large effect size, on average). However, patients also displayed more subjective momentary impairment, as well as more fears about the outcome and less motivation than controls. Mediation analyses indicated that these influences contributed to (secondary) poorer neurocognitive performance. Differences in neurocognitive scores shrank to a medium effect size, on average, when MIAMI scores were accounted for.ConclusionsThe data argue that performance on measures of neurocognition in schizophrenia are to a considerable extent due to secondary factors. Poor motivation, fears and momentary impairments distinguished patients from controls and these variables heavily impacted performance. Before concluding that neurocognitive deficits in psychiatric patients are present, clinicians should take these confounding influences into account. Although patients with schizophrenia achieved, on average, worse test scores than controls, a large subgroup displayed spared performance.
Distinct phasic and sustained brain responses and connectivity of amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis during threat anticipation in panic disorder
Authors: Brinkmann L. , Buff C. , Feldker K. , Tupak S. V. , Becker M. P. I. , Herrmann M. J. , Straube T. 
Published: May 2017

BackgroundPanic disorder (PD) patients are constantly concerned about future panic attacks and exhibit general hypersensitivity to unpredictable threat. We aimed to reveal phasic and sustained brain responses and functional connectivity of the amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) during threat anticipation in PD.MethodsUsing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we investigated 17 PD patients and 19 healthy controls (HC) during anticipation of temporally unpredictable aversive and neutral sounds. We used a phasic and sustained analysis model to disentangle temporally dissociable brain activations.ResultsPD patients compared with HC showed phasic amygdala and sustained BNST responses during anticipation of aversive v. neutral stimuli. Furthermore, increased phasic activation was observed in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), insula and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Insula and PFC also showed sustained activation. Functional connectivity analyses revealed partly distinct phasic and sustained networks.ConclusionsWe demonstrate a role for the BNST during unpredictable threat anticipation in PD and provide first evidence for dissociation between phasic amygdala and sustained BNST activation and their functional connectivity. In line with a hypersensitivity to uncertainty in PD, our results suggest time-dependent involvement of brain regions related to fear and anxiety.
Perceived Support and the Retirement Expectations of Sexual Minority Adults
Authors: Mock Steven E. , Schryer Emily 
Published: May 2017

RÉSUMÉMalgré l’importance de la planification de la retraite chez une population vieillissante, on sait peu sur la planification de la retraite par les adultes appartenant à la minorité sexuelle (homosexuels, lesbiennes, bisexuels) et leurs défis potentiellement uniques. Nous avons comparé les perceptions concernant la planification de la retraite de ces adultes et celle des adultes hétérosexuels, en examinant le rôle potentiel du soutien social. Il n’y avait pas de différences significatives entre les minorités sexuelles et les adultes hétérosexuels concernant l’âge prévu à la retraite, l’âge réel de la retraite et l’adéquation prévue du revenu pendant la retraite; les niveaux plus élevés de soutien perçus et une plus grande certitude dans la planification étaient associés à un âge plus précoce à la retraite. Le soutien perçu a également montré une association plus forte avec la planification de la retraite chez les adultes appartenant à la minorité sexuelle, comparativement aux hétérosexuels, de sorte qu’un faible soutien perçu était associé à la retraite à un âge plus avancé et des niveaux inférieurs de soutien perçu étaient liés à une diminution de l’adéquation du revenu à la retraite pour les adultes de la minorité sexuelle.
The calculus of dependent lambda eliminations
Authors: STUMP AARON 
Published: May 2017

AbstractModern constructive type theory is based on pure dependently typed lambda calculus, augmented with user-defined datatypes. This paper presents an alternative called the Calculus of Dependent Lambda Eliminations, based on pure lambda encodings with no auxiliary datatype system. New typing constructs are defined that enable induction, as well as large eliminations with lambda encodings. These constructs are constructor-constrained recursive types, and a lifting operation to lift simply typed terms to the type level. Using a lattice-theoretic denotational semantics for types, the language is proved logically consistent. The power of CDLE is demonstrated through several examples, which have been checked with a prototype implementation called Cedille.
Exceptional flooding tolerance in the totipotent recalcitrant seeds ofEugenia stipitata
Authors: Calvi Geângelo P. , Anjos Antônio M. G. , Kranner Ilse , Pritchard Hugh W. , Ferraz Isolde D. K. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractEugenia stipitataoccurs along rivers in Western Amazonia and produces berry-type fruits with economic potential. Its large recalcitrant (i.e. desiccation-intolerant) seeds have been proposed as a model to study seed stress response, as no apparent differentiation between the embryonic axis and the fused cotyledons are visible. Here, the longevity of submerged seeds was analysed with a view to understanding adaptive mechanisms to seasonal flooding. Submerged seeds began germinating after 2 months. After 1 year, 87 and 96% total germination was reached when seeds were submerged under a water column of 6 cm (where seedlings could emerge from under the water) and 26 cm (where seedlings could not reach the water surface), respectively. Seedling morphology was altered underwater, with short internodes and rudimentary leaf blades, and when submersion was terminated, seedlings transplanted to nursery conditions recovered a normal phenotype. Furthermore, when seedlings were detached from the seeds, the ‘resown’ seeds produced a second, normal seedling within 9 months. Concentrations of the antioxidant glutathione, which was measured as a stress marker, increased with submersion time in water. Seeds that had developed roots and shoots underwater had higher concentrations of glutathione disulphide than non-germinated seeds, suggesting that the flooding stress was more intense for seedlings than seeds, although more oxidizing cellular redox environments are also consistent with the conditions required for differentiation. Submergence underwater is recommended for storage of the recalcitrant seeds ofE. stipitatafor up to 1 year.
A scalable architecture for data-intensive natural language processing
Authors: BELOKI ZUHAITZ , ARTOLA XABIER , SOROA AITOR 
Published: May 2017

AbstractComputational power needs have greatly increased during the last years, and this is also the case in the Natural Language Processing (NLP) area, where thousands of documents must be processed, i.e., linguistically analyzed, in a reasonable time frame. These computing needs have implied a radical change in the computing architectures and big-scale text processing techniques used in NLP. In this paper, we present a scalable architecture for distributed language processing. The architecture uses Storm to combine diverse NLP modules into a processing chain, which carries out the linguistic analysis of documents. Scalability requires designing solutions that are able to run distributed programs in parallel and across large machine clusters. Using the architecture presented here, it is possible to integrate a set of third-party NLP modules into a unique processing chain which can be deployed onto a distributed environment, i.e., a cluster of machines, so allowing the language-processing modules run in parallel. No restrictions are placed a priori on the NLP modules apart of being able to consume and produce linguistic annotations following a given format. We show the feasibility of our approach by integrating two linguistic processing chains for English and Spanish. Moreover, we provide several scripts that allow building from scratch a whole distributed architecture that can be then easily installed and deployed onto a cluster of machines. The scripts and the NLP modules used in the paper are publicly available and distributed under free licenses. In the paper, we also describe a series of experiments carried out in the context of the NewsReader project with the goal of testing how the system behaves in different scenarios.
The Sufyānī in Early Islamic Kerygma: An Enquiry into His Origins and Early Development
Authors: SHADDEL MEHDY 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe present study aims to contribute to the quest for the origins of belief in the eschatological figure of the Sufyānī, a matter of hot debate since the late nineteenth century. To this end, three different bodies of evidence are produced and analysed: reports indicating that the Sufyānī was, indeed, thought of as a redemptive personality in some Syrian quarters, traditions on him in the Muslim endtimes literature that contain an ex eventu pronouncement, and reports concerning the propaganda activities of the first Sufyānī claimant, Abū Muḥammad Ziyād ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn Yazīd “al-Sufyānī”, in the historical record. Making use of hitherto unavailable sources and looking afresh at the previously studied sources, it is argued that the myth of the Sufyānī emerged during the counterrevolutionary revolt of Abū Muḥammad al-Sufyānī in 132ah, with vague residues of it traceable to his earlier military activities, against the Umayyad caliph Yazīd III, in 126ah.
Israel ‘Looks East:’ Besides India and China, Israel's Relations with Japan Seem to Flourish
Authors: AGDEMIR A. MURAT 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIsrael seeks to have good relations with most members of the international community, and establishes friendly relations with as many states as possible. As part of the Asian continent, Israel has been interested from its inception in good ties with China and India in particular. In this regard, besides India and China, another important Asian country with which Israel's relations are flourishing is Japan. Over recent years, the two countries’ relations have steadily progressed. Cooperation between the two countries could be productive, and both Israel and Japan have much to gain from developing a relationship. In this context, this article firstly gives a brief summary of Israel's developing relations with two important countries of Asia, India and China, then tries to explain the nature of the developing relations between Israel and Japan, and aims to point out possible future areas of cooperation.
India's Subnational Governments Foray into the International Arena
Authors: JAIN PURNENDRA , MAINI TRIDIVESH SINGH 
Published: May 2017

AbstractSubnational diplomacy has come to life in India. Although still nowhere near in the same league as their counterparts in North America, Europe, parts of Asia, and even other developing countries, subnational governments (SNGs) in India are increasingly engaged abroad through involvement in regional and global affairs, questioning the central government on international matters, seeking foreign direct investment, organizing trade fairs and investment summits, leading economic missions, and hosting visiting dignitaries to showcase their jurisdiction's economic potential. These new and emerging actors on India's foreign affairs landscape are pluralizing and decentralizing India's foreign policy, albeit in a limited way and on small scale, as all states and territories are not as yet actively involved in foreign affairs. The paper argues that management of India's external relations is no longer informed or conducted simply by a select group of diplomats, high-ranking political leaders, and other specialist foreign policy advisers in New Delhi. Today subnational actors are becoming an essential component in India's foreign affairs. They are joining the huge traffic of SNGs from countries around the world that are linking with counterparts and others across national borders to serve the interests of local constituencies. It is a trend that is changing not only diplomatic roles, but also the nature of economic and political relationships among government actors worldwide.
A Study of Career Networks and the Geographical Characteristics of CCP's Top Political and Military Positions
Authors: LIN SHYH-CHYANG 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis research study attempts to map out the career network of selected members from the Politburo and Central Military Commission (CMC) of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), by adopting social network analysis techniques, calculating various network indices, and quantifying the value and importance of each position. The purpose of this research is to uncover the crucial positions leading to the CCP's political and military power center, as well as to how these positions interrelate. The results show the following. First, in the Jiang Zemin era (Jiang's era), Politburo members were mainly promoted from the central party committee or Central Government. Secondly, in the Hu Jintao era (Hu's era), key members from administrative regions started to step into the power center. Third, in the era of Xi Jinping (Xi's era), most Politburo members were promoted directly from administrative regions, especially from the coastal areas, such as Shanghai and Guangdong province. The research also indicates that being a military commander for Military Regions appears to provide experience necessary for promotion, whilst being an officer at the central military departments, such as a (Deputy) Chief General of Staff or Commander of Armed Services, is considered a major stepping stone. Although the succession trend defined by the innovative analysis of this research might not match the fixed model used by the CCP for its succession plan, under the circumstances of probable further institutionalization of the CCP, a quantified analysis of network position could be considered a more promising method of prediction.
Foxp3+ regulatory T cells maintain the bone marrow microenvironment for B cell lymphopoiesis
Authors: Pierini Antonio , Nishikii Hidekazu , Baker Jeanette , Kimura Takaharu , Kwon Hye-Sook , Pan Yuqiong , Chen Yan , Alvarez Maite , Strober William , Velardi Andrea , Shizuru Judith A. , Wu Joy Y. , Chiba Shigeru , Negrin Robert S. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractFoxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg cells) modulate the immune system and maintain self-tolerance, but whether they affect haematopoiesis or haematopoietic stem cell (HSC)-mediated reconstitution after transplantation is unclear. Here we show that B-cell lymphopoiesis is impaired in Treg-depleted mice, yet this reduced B-cell lymphopoiesis is rescued by adoptive transfer of affected HSCs or bone marrow cells into Treg-competent recipients. B-cell reconstitution is abrogated in both syngeneic and allogeneic transplantation using Treg-depleted mice as recipients. Treg cells can control physiological IL-7 production that is indispensable for normal B-cell lymphopoiesis and is mainly sustained by a subpopulation of ICAM1+ perivascular stromal cells. Our study demonstrates that Treg cells are important for B-cell differentiation from HSCs by maintaining immunological homoeostasis in the bone marrow microenvironment, both in physiological conditions and after bone marrow transplantation.
Quantum-coherent mixtures of causal relations
Authors: MacLean Jean-Philippe W. , Ried Katja , Spekkens Robert W. , Resch Kevin J. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractUnderstanding the causal influences that hold among parts of a system is critical both to explaining that system’s natural behaviour and to controlling it through targeted interventions. In a quantum world, understanding causal relations is equally important, but the set of possibilities is far richer. The two basic ways in which a pair of time-ordered quantum systems may be causally related are by a cause-effect mechanism or by a common-cause acting on both. Here we show a coherent mixture of these two possibilities. We realize this nonclassical causal relation in a quantum optics experiment and derive a set of criteria for witnessing the coherence based on a quantum version of Berkson’s effect, whereby two independent causes can become correlated on observation of their common effect. The interplay of causality and quantum theory lies at the heart of challenging foundational puzzles, including Bell’s theorem and the search for quantum gravity.
Earliest signs of life on land preserved in ca. 3.5 Ga hot spring deposits
Authors: Djokic Tara , Van Kranendonk Martin J. , Campbell Kathleen A. , Walter Malcolm R. , Ward Colin R. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe ca. 3.48 Ga Dresser Formation, Pilbara Craton, Western Australia, is well known for hosting some of Earth’s earliest convincing evidence of life (stromatolites, fractionated sulfur/carbon isotopes, microfossils) within a dynamic, low-eruptive volcanic caldera affected by voluminous hydrothermal fluid circulation. However, missing from the caldera model were surface manifestations of the volcanic-hydrothermal system (hot springs, geysers) and their unequivocal link with life. Here we present new discoveries of hot spring deposits including geyserite, sinter terracettes and mineralized remnants of hot spring pools/vents, all of which preserve a suite of microbial biosignatures indicative of the earliest life on land. These include stromatolites, newly observed microbial palisade fabric and gas bubbles preserved in inferred mineralized, exopolymeric substance. These findings extend the known geological record of inhabited terrestrial hot springs on Earth by ∼3 billion years and offer an analogue in the search for potential fossil life in ancient Martian hot springs.
Ultra-large supramolecular coordination cages composed of endohedral Archimedean and Platonic bodies
Authors: Byrne Kevin , Zubair Muhammad , Zhu Nianyong , Zhou Xiao-Ping , Fox Daniel S. , Zhang Hongzhou , Twamley Brendan , Lennox Matthew J. , Düren Tina , Schmitt Wolfgang 
Published: May 2017

AbstractPioneered by Lehn, Cram, Peterson and Breslow, supramolecular chemistry concepts have evolved providing fundamental knowledge of the relationships between the structures and reactivities of organized molecules. A particular fascinating class of metallo-supramolecular molecules are hollow coordination cages that provide cavities of molecular dimensions promoting applications in diverse areas including catalysis, enzyme mimetics and material science. Here we report the synthesis of coordination cages with exceptional cross-sectional diameters that are composed of multiple sub-cages providing numerous distinctive binding sites through labile coordination solvent molecules. The building principles, involving Archimedean and Platonic bodies, renders these supramolecular keplerates as a class of cages whose composition and topological aspects compare to characteristics of edge-transitive {Cu2} MOFs with A3X4 stoichiometry. The nature of the cavities in these double-shell metal-organic polyhedra and their inner/outer binding sites provide perspectives for post-synthetic functionalizations, separations and catalysis. Transmission electron microscopy studies demonstrate that single molecules are experimentally accessible.