bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The mechanisms of organic carbon protection and dynamics of C‐saturation in Oxisols vary with particle‐size distribution
Authors: Souza I. F. , Almeida L. F. J. , Jesus G. L. , Kleber M. , Silva I. R. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryParticle‐size distribution (PSD) determines soil C‐saturation; that is, the capacity of the mineral matrix to protect soil organic carbon (SOC) against decomposition. However, the mechanistic connection between PSD and C‐saturation is not entirely clear, especially for Oxisols. To address this issue, we carried out a 12‐month incubation experiment; 13C‐labelled litter inputs equivalent to 0, 4.5, 9.0 and 18.0 mg C g−1 soil were applied to samples of six Brazilian Oxisols, taken from depths of 0–10, 10–20, 20–40 and 60–100 cm. The effect of PSD on SOC protection and C‐saturation was assessed by ‘diluting’ the mass of the clay + silt fraction (< 53 µm) by adding fine sand (150–250 µm) in increments of 0, 20, 40 and 80% relative to the fine earth fraction (< 2 mm). Carbon‐saturation level (CSL) was assumed to be a linear function of clay + silt contents, whereas C‐saturation deficit (CSD) was the difference between the CSL and original SOC content in the samples. After the incubation, litter‐derived C within the clay + silt fraction increased exponentially with CSD. Carbon saturation was indicated by an asymptotic relation between the litter‐derived C in the clay + silt fraction and the additions of litter‐C. For clay + silt contents as small as 15%, CSL was achieved at 61.6 g C kg−1 clay + silt. Conversely, when the proportion of the fraction < 53 µm exceeded 60%, CSL occurred at 33.4 g C kg−1 clay + silt. Thus, a PSD‐dependent hierarchy of SOC protection and C‐saturation in Oxisols can be inferred. Our observations support a conceptual model of C‐saturation where surface interactions provide the dominant mechanism of SOC protection at small clay + silt contents. At large clay + silt contents, physical protection of SOC resulting from the spatial arrangement of fine‐sized minerals defines C‐saturation.Highlights
The extent to which particle‐size distribution affects mechanisms that define C‐saturation are unclear.
For a clay + silt content of 15%, C‐saturation occurred at 61.6 g C kg−1 clay + silt.
When the proportion of the fraction < 53 µm exceeded 60%, CSL occurred at 33.4 g C kg−1 clay + silt.
A PSD‐dependent hierarchy of SOC protection and C‐saturation in Oxisols can be inferred.
Health‐related quality of life and emotional well‐being after epilepsy surgery: A prospective, controlled, long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Edelvik Anna , Taft Charles , Ekstedt Gerd , Malmgren Kristina 
Published: August 2017

SummaryObjectiveTo evaluate health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) and emotional well‐being in resective epilepsy surgery and nonoperated patients at long‐term follow‐up.MethodsThis is a prospective cohort study where patients undergoing presurgical work‐up during 1995–1998 completed the Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD) at baseline, and 2 and 14 years after resective surgery or presurgical evaluation (nonoperated patients). SF‐36 scores were compared to a normative population. Proportions of patients reaching HRQOL changes of minimum clinically important difference (MCID) were calculated.ResultsAt 14‐year follow‐up, operated patients scored equal to or better than the normative sample on all SF‐36 domains except Social Functioning and Mental Health. Physical component summary (PCS) was better and mental component summary (MCS) was worse than for the normative sample. Nonoperated patients scored worse than the normative sample on five of eight domains, and on PCS and MCS. Change in seizure status from 2 to 14 years did not affect PCS or MCS means. Improvement reaching MCID from baseline to long‐term was seen in 50% (PCS) and 47% (MCS) of operated and in 33% (PCS) and 38% (MCS) of nonoperated patients. Worsening was seen in 18% (PCS) and 22% (MCS) of operated and in 38% (PCS) and 38% (MCS) of nonoperated patients. Differences between groups were nonsignificant.HAD scores did not differ between groups, and the numbers of possible or probable cases were low. Patient satisfaction with surgery was higher in operated seizure‐free patients. Only 5% of all operated patients considered surgery not to be overall beneficial.SignificanceAt the group level, HRQOL was stable 14 years after surgery compared to after 2 years. Social Functioning and Mental Health were still below, but other domains were similar to the normative sample. Individual patterns did not follow seizure outcome changes, indicating that multiple factors are important for long‐term HRQOL.
Analysis of autonomic modulation of heart rate in patients with Parkinson's disease and elderly individuals submitted to game therapy training
Authors: Rocha Rodrigo Santiago Barbosa , De Oliveira Rocha Larissa Salgado , Pena Elza Sara Maués , Caldas Laiz Cristinna Ponce , Moreno Marlene Aparecida 
Published: August 2017

AimElderly patients and individuals with Parkinson's disease have a reduction in autonomic heart rate modulation, which may influence the survival of these patients, and rehabilitation can minimize this event. We tested the hypothesis that rehabilitation protocol with game console would influence the cardiac autonomic modulation of patients with Parkinson's Disease.MethodsEight‐seven volunteers were divided into two groups, control (n = 45) and Parkinson's (n = 42), they completed the study 40 volunteers in the control group (CG) and 31 patients in the Parkinson group (PG), and subjected to 24 sessions of game therapy physiotherapy, thrice a week. Analysis of autonomic HR modulation was conducted before and after the rehabilitation program using a Polar RS800CX HR sensor. For the analysis of heart rate variability the data were transferred to the Kubios HRV 2.2 program. Statistical analysis was performed in the Biostat 5.2 program, the comparison of the data by ANOVA followed by Tukey test, and the general characteristics by the chi‐square test. The critical value for rejecting the null hypothesis was set at P < 0.05.ResultsHR variability in patients with PD exhibited higher influence on the sympathetic nervous system before protocol implementation and, following the protocol, patients did not attain the normality values of the control group, exhibiting a discreet improvement and maintenance of autonomic modulation of HR values.ConclusionSubjects with PD exhibit less autonomic modulation of HR and the rehabilitation protocol with game therapy improved autonomic modulation of HR. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 20–25.
Mineral trioxide aggregate and other bioactive endodontic cements: an updated overview – part I: vital pulp therapy
Authors: Parirokh M. , Torabinejad M. , Dummer P. M. H. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a bioactive endodontic cement (BEC) mainly comprised of calcium and silicate elements. The cement was introduced by Torabinejad in the 1990s and has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to be used in the United States in 1997. A number of new BECs have also been introduced to the market, including BioAggregate, Biodentine, BioRoot RCS, calcium‐enriched mixture cement, Endo‐CPM, Endocem, EndoSequence, EndoBinder, EndoSeal MTA, iRoot, MicroMega MTA, MTA Bio, MTA Fillapex, MTA Plus, NeoMTA Plus, OrthoMTA, Quick‐Set, RetroMTA, Tech Biosealer and TheraCal LC. It has been claimed that these materials have properties similar to those of MTA without its drawbacks. In this article, the chemical composition and the application of MTA and other BECs for vital pulp therapy (VPT), including indirect pulp cap, direct pulp cap, partial pulpotomy, pulpotomy and partial pulpectomy, have been reviewed and compared. Based on selected keywords, all papers regarding chemical composition and VPT applications of BECs had been reviewed. Most of the materials had calcium and silicate in their composition. Instead of referring to the cements based on their chemical compositions, we suggest the term ‘bioactive endodontic cements (BECs)’, which seems more appropriate for these materials because, in spite of differences in their chemical compositions, bioactivity is a common property for all of them. Numerous articles were found regarding use of BECs as VPT agents for indirect and direct pulp capping, partial pulpotomy and cervical pulpotomy. Most of these investigations used MTA for VPT. In most studies, newly introduced materials have been compared to MTA. Some of the BECs have shown promising results; however, the number of their studies compared to investigations on MTA is limited. Most studies had several methodological shortcomings. Future investigations with rigorous methods and materials are needed.
Electronic payment mechanisms in social security: Extending the reach of benefit and contribution transactions
Authors: Waller Paul 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMore often than not, the existing modes of contribution collection and benefit payment of social security organizations are adapted to the collective arrangements that characterize employer‐employee relationships. Extending coverage to individuals in difficult‐to‐reach groups, however, may require new modalities of service that can cope with many separate, secure transactions rather than a few bulk data transfers between organizations. Recent developments in electronic payment show its wide applicability in enabling huge volumes of such individual transactions. It is in this light that the article explores the potentials of this technology and identifies possible arrangements through which electronic payments could surmount barriers that stand in the way of covering difficult‐to‐reach groups. The high level of mobile phone penetration on a global scale augurs well for using e‐payment mechanisms to collect social security contributions and to deliver social security benefits and services. A generic model is used to describe the requisite elements to implement electronic payments in social protection programmes. Based on empirical evidence of current social protection practices from around the world, five scenarios are presented to describe possible configurations for electronic payment, from the simplest to the most sophisticated. The broader objective is to contribute in a practical manner to the international commitment to extend social protection to all, as defined by the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
TRUTH AND METATHEORY IN FREGE
Authors: Stanley Jason 
Published: August 2017

Abstract:In this paper it is contended, against a challenging recent interpretation of Frege, that Frege should be credited with the first semi‐rigorous formulation of semantic theory. It is argued that the considerations advanced against this contention suffer from two kinds of error. The first involves the attribution to Frege of a sceptical attitude towards the truth‐predicate. The second involves the sort of justification which these arguments assume a classical semantic theory attempts to provide. Finally, it is shown that Frege was in fact mindful of the need for the relevant sort of justification.
ASSOCIATIVE OBLIGATIONS, VOLUNTARISM, AND EQUALITY
Authors: Jeske Diane 
Published: August 2017

Abstract:Samuel Scheffler has identified two important objections to associative obligations, the voluntarist objection and the distributivist objection. The voluntarist is concerned about protecting the autonomy of the agent who is supposed to have associative obligations. However, the appropriate account of the source of associative obligations reveals that they pose no threat to autonomy, if we understand autonomy in a weak rather than a strong sense. The distributivist is worried about the claims of outsiders being ignored as the result of insiders having associative obligations to one another. This objection loses much of its force when we understand the genuine implications of associative obligations.
Late‐season photosynthetic rate and senescence were associated with grain yield in winter wheat of diverse origins
Authors: Liang X. , Liu Y. , Chen J. , Adams C. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThere is a lack of studies that have investigated grain yield, its components and photosynthesis in late stages of wheat growth, giving us insufficient understanding of how these factors interact to contribute to yield during this period. As a result, three field experiments were carried out examining 20 winter wheat genotypes of diverse origins under irrigated, terminal drought and dryland conditions in the southern Idaho. Our objective was to evaluate the interaction between post‐anthesis physiological traits, especially leaf‐level photosynthetic capacity, senescence and yield components on grain yield in different moisture regimes. Genotype differences were found in leaf‐level photosynthesis and senescence, canopy temperature depression, grain yield and yield components in each water regime. Grain yield was closely associated with traits related to grain numbers. In all three moisture regimes, positive correlations were observed between grain yield and photosynthesis that were dependent on the timing or physiological growth stage of the photosynthetic measurement: highly significant correlations were found in the mid‐ and late grain filling stages, but no correlations at anthesis. Consistent with these findings, flag leaf senescence at the late grain filling stage was negatively correlated with grain yield and photosynthetic rate (under terminal drought and dryland conditions). These findings provided evidence that grain yield was sink‐limited until the final stages of growth, at which time sustained photosynthesis and delayed senescence were critical in filling grain. Because the trends were consistent in moisture sufficient and deficient conditions, the results suggest that late‐season photosynthesis and delayed leaf senescence are driven by the size of the reproductive carbon sink, which was largely governed by factors affecting grain numbers.
Impaired peripheral insulin sensitivity in non‐obese Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and fatty liver
Authors: Furukawa Yasuhiko , Tamura Yoshifumi , Takeno Kageumi , Funayama Takashi , Kaga Hideyoshi , Suzuki Ruriko , Watanabe Takahiro , Kakehi Saori , Kanazawa Akio , Kawamori Ryuzo , Watada Hirotaka 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAims/IntroductionType two diabetes mellitus and fatty liver (FL) are not uncommon in Asians with normal body mass index. Previous studies reported a link between FL and insulin resistance. Thus, FL could coexist with insulin resistance in Asian type two diabetes mellitus patients with a normal body mass index. However, the clinical and metabolic features of such patients have not been characterized yet.Materials and MethodsWe recruited 29 non‐obese (body mass index <25 kg/m2) Japanese patients with early type two diabetes mellitus. Based on intrahepatic lipid level measured by H‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the participants were divided into the FL (intrahepatic lipid ≥5%, n = 7) and non‐FL groups (intrahepatic lipid <5%, n = 22).ResultsPeripheral insulin sensitivity measured by hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp was ~25% lower in the FL group than in the non‐FL group, whereas hepatic insulin sensitivity was comparable between the two groups. The subcutaneous fat area was larger, free fatty acid level was higher, C‐reactive protein was higher and high molecular weight adiponectin was lower in the FL group than the non‐FL group.ConclusionsThe present study showed that the metabolic features of non‐obese Japanese type two diabetes patients with FL include impaired peripheral (mainly muscle) insulin sensitivity, fat accumulation and related metabolic disorders, such as elevated free fatty acid, low high molecular weight adiponectin and low‐grade inflammation.
Blood–brain barrier breakdown and myeloperoxidase activity in silver catfish experimentally infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Baldissera M D , Souza C F , Santos R C V , Baldisserotto B 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCentral nervous system (CNS) infections continue to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality, and microbial invasion of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is considered a prerequisite for CNS infections, which contribute to behavioural abnormalities and disease pathogenesis. Based on this information, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes disruption of the BBB, and to investigate the involvement of cerebral myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in this process in experimentally infected silver catfish. The permeability of the BBB to Evans blue dye increased in the infected animals on days three and six post‐infection (PI) compared to the control group. Moreover, cerebral MPO activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels also increased in the infected animals on days three and six PI compared to the control group. Based on this evidence, we concluded that P. aaeruginosa causes a disruption of the BBB, which may contribute to disease pathogenesis in the CNS. Moreover, the increase in cerebral MPO activity and ROS levels may be considered a pathway involved in BBB breakdown, allowing the passage of bacteria to the CNS.
Association Between Spousal Caregiver Well‐Being and Care Recipient Healthcare Expenditures
Authors: Ankuda Claire K. , Maust Donovan T. , Kabeto Mohammed U. , McCammon Ryan J. , Langa Kenneth M. , Levine Deborah A. 
Published: August 2017

ObjectivesTo measure the association between spousal depression, general health, fatigue and sleep, and future care recipient healthcare expenditures and emergency department (ED) use.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingHealth and Retirement Study.ParticipantsHome‐dwelling spousal dyads in which one individual (care recipient) was aged 65 and older and had one or more activity of daily living or instrumental activity of daily living disabilities and was enrolled in Medicare Part B (N = 3,101).ExposureCaregiver sleep (Jenkins Sleep Scale), depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression‐8 Scale), and self‐reported general health measures.MeasurementsPrimary outcome was care recipient Medicare expenditures. Secondary outcome was care recipient ED use. Follow‐up was 6 months.ResultsCaregiver depressive symptoms score and six of 17 caregiver well‐being measures were prospectively associated with higher care recipient expenditures after minimal adjustment (P < .05). Higher care recipient expenditures remained significantly associated with caregiver fatigue (cost increase, $1,937, 95% confidence interval (CI) = $770–3,105) and caregiver sadness (cost increase, $1,323, 95% CI = $228–2,419) after full adjustment. Four of 17 caregiver well‐being measures, including severe fatigue, were significantly associated with care recipient ED use after minimal adjustment (P < .05). Greater odds of care recipient ED use remained significantly associated with caregiver fatigue (odds ratio (OR) = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.01–1.52) and caregiver fair to poor health (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.04–1.45) after full adjustment. Caregiver total sleep score was not associated with care recipient outcomes.ConclusionPoor caregiver well‐being, particularly severe fatigue, is independently and prospectively associated with higher care recipient Medicare expenditures and ED use.
Variation in floral characters, particularly floral scent, in sapromyophilous Stemona species
Authors: Chen Gao , Gong Wei‐Chang , Ge Jia , Schinnerl Johann , Wang Bin , Sun Wei‐Bang 
Published: August 2017

AbstractFlowers or inflorescences often deploy various signals, including visual, olfactory, and gustatory cues, that can be detected by their pollinators. In many plants, these cues and their functions are poorly understood. Deciphering the interactions between floral cues and pollinators is crucial for analyzing the reproductive success of flowering plants. In this study, we examined the composition of the fetid floral scents produced by several Stemona species, including nine S. tuberosa populations from across China, using dynamic headspace adsorption, gas chromatography, and mass spectrometry techniques. We compared variations in floral phenotype, including floral longevity, nectar rewards, pollinator behavior, and flower length and color among the Stemona species. Of the 54 scent compounds identified, the major compounds include fetid dimethyl disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, 1‐pyrroline, butyric acid, p‐cresol, isoamyl alcohol, and indole. We detected striking differentiation in floral scent at both the species and population level, and even within a population of plants with different colored flowers. Floral characteristics related to sapromyophily and deceptive pollination, including flower color mimicking livor mortis and a lack of nectar, were found in five Stemona species, indicating that Stemona is a typical sapromyophilous taxon. Species of this monocot genus might employ evolutionary tactics to exploit saprophilous flies for pollination.
Suspension rates of students with autism or intellectual disabilities in Maryland from 2004 to 2015
Authors: Krezmien M. P. , Travers J. C. , Camacho K. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundLittle research exists on suspension of students with autism or intellectual disabilities. We examined suspension rates of students with autism or intellectual disability in Maryland from 2004 to 2015 to understand whether race and disability status predicted the odds of being suspended.MethodWe used school enrollment data and school suspension data in Maryland for analysis. Descriptive statistics by race and disability category were calculated. Logistic regression was used to examine differences in odds of suspension by race and by disability (ID and autism) each year.ResultsSuspension rates in Maryland decreased overall from 2004 to 2015, but African American students with intellectual disability or no disability were significantly more likely to be suspended. White students with autism and White students with intellectual disability had significantly higher odds of suspension than White students without a disability.ConclusionsOverall risk for suspension in Maryland decreased over time. African American students with autism or intellectual disability, as well as white students with autism or intellectual disability, experienced significantly higher odds of suspension when compared to their White students without a disability. This relatively unexplored issue commands attention from researchers and policymakers alike.