bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of specimen size on fatigue life of metallic materials in high‐cycle and very‐high‐cycle fatigue regimes
Authors: Sun C. , Zhang X. , Liu X. , Hong Y. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis paper proposes a new method to investigate the effect of specimen size on fatigue life of metallic materials in high‐cycle fatigue and very‐high‐cycle fatigue regimes in the light of statistical analysis. The performance of large specimen is correlated with that of small specimen via control volume (a high stress domain where potential fatigue crack initiation sites are located). The simulation results are in good agreement with a series of experimental data in high‐cycle fatigue and very‐high‐cycle fatigue regimes from literature. The method is helpful for a quantitative estimation of fatigue life of large specimens from the experimental data of small specimens.
Global vegetation productivity response to climatic oscillations during the satellite era
Authors: Gonsamo Alemu , Chen Jing M. , Lombardozzi Danica 
Published: February 2016

AbstractClimate control on global vegetation productivity patterns has intensified in response to recent global warming. Yet, the contributions of the leading internal climatic variations to global vegetation productivity are poorly understood. Here, we use 30 years of global satellite observations to study climatic variations controls on continental and global vegetation productivity patterns. El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phases (La Niña, neutral, and El Niño years) appear to be a weaker control on global‐scale vegetation productivity than previously thought, although continental‐scale responses are substantial. There is also clear evidence that other non‐ENSO climatic variations have a strong control on spatial patterns of vegetation productivity mainly through their influence on temperature. Among the eight leading internal climatic variations, the East Atlantic/West Russia Pattern extensively controls the ensuing year vegetation productivity of the most productive tropical and temperate forest ecosystems of the Earth's vegetated surface through directionally consistent influence on vegetation greenness. The Community Climate System Model (CCSM4) simulations do not capture the observed patterns of vegetation productivity responses to internal climatic variations. Our analyses show the ubiquitous control of climatic variations on vegetation productivity and can further guide CCSM and other Earth system models developments to represent vegetation response patterns to unforced variability. Several winter time internal climatic variation indices show strong potentials on predicting growing season vegetation productivity two to six seasons ahead which enables national governments and farmers forecast crop yield to ensure supplies of affordable food, famine early warning, and plan management options to minimize yield losses ahead of time.
Patient engagement in the process of planning and designing outpatient care improvements at the Veterans Administration Health‐care System: findings from an online expert panel
Authors: Khodyakov Dmitry , Stockdale Susan E. , Smith Nina , Booth Marika , Altman Lisa , Rubenstein Lisa V. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractContextThere is a strong interest in the Veterans Administration (VA) Health‐care System in promoting patient engagement to improve patient care.MethodsWe solicited expert opinion using an online expert panel system with a modified Delphi structure called ExpertLens™. Experts reviewed, rated and discussed eight scenarios, representing four patient engagement roles in designing and improving VA outpatient care (consultant, implementation advisor, equal stakeholder and lead stakeholder) and two VA levels (local and regional). Rating criteria included desirability, feasibility, patient ability, physician/staff acceptance and impact on patient‐centredness and care quality. Data were analysed using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method for determining consensus.FindingsExperts rated consulting with patients at the local level as the most desirable and feasible patient engagement approach. Engagement at the local level was considered more desirable than engagement at the regional level. Being an equal stakeholder at the local level received the highest ratings on the patient‐centredness and health‐care quality criteria.ConclusionsOur findings illustrate expert opinion about different approaches to patient engagement and highlight the benefits and challenges posed by each. Although experts rated local consultations with patients on an as‐needed basis as most desirable and feasible, they rated being an equal stakeholder at the local level as having the highest potential impact on patient‐centredness and care quality. This result highlights a perceived discrepancy between what is most desirable and what is potentially most effective, but suggests that routine local engagement of patients as equal stakeholders may be a desirable first step for promoting high‐quality, patient‐centred care.
Long‐term changes in communities of native coccinellids: population fluctuations and the effect of competition from an invasive non‐native species
Authors: Honek Alois , Martinkova Zdenka , Dixon Anthony F.G. , Roy Helen E. , Pekár Stano 
Published: February 2016

Abstract

We assessed the changes in abundance and community composition of native species of coccinellids (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on deciduous trees that occurred between 1970s and 2010s, in the Czech Republic.

As the composition of adult communities varies with host plant and season, coccinellids were sampled in May–June from Acer, Betula and Tilia trees using a standardised sweeping method. This was done before (1976–1986) and after (2011–2014) the arrival of Harmonia axyridis in 2006, with interim samples from a period immediately before it arrived in the Czech Republic (2002–2006).

Twenty‐one native species were identified in the total sample of 2674 adults. The abundance of Adalia bipunctata, Coccinella quinquepunctata and Propylea quatuordecimpunctata decreased over the whole period sampled. Declines in abundance of these species were already evident prior to the arrival of H. axyridis. Recent declines in Adalia decempunctata and Calvia quatuordecimguttata followed the arrival H. axyridis. Their abundance was increasing prior to the arrival of H. axyridis, but decreased following its invasion and the latter species might have affected their decline. The abundance of only one species, Calvia decemguttata, increased. Although the abundance of many species decreased and the frequency of some species varied, the diversity of native coccinellid populations (Shannon index) was similar over the 40 years of this study.

The changes in species composition can in part be attributed to H. axyridis, the role of other factors (e.g. climate change, habitat degradation) in the long‐term fluctuations in abundance of coccinellids should be considered in future assessments.
Influence of N‐methyl pyrrolidone on the activity of the pulp–dentine complex and bone integrity during osteoporosis
Authors: Gjoksi B. , Ruangsawasdi N. , Ghayor C. , Siegenthaler B. , Zenobi‐Wong M. , Weber F. E. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAimTo analyse the effect of systemic application of N‐methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) on the pulp–dentine complex and on the jawbone of ovariectomized rats.MethodFemale Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into a Sham‐operated group (Sham n = 6) and an oestrogen depletion by ovariectomy (OVX n = 12) group. In 6 of the ovariectomized animals, N‐methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) was administered systemically weekly by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.); the other 6 were injected with PBS (Veh). After 15 weeks of injections, the jaw bones were collected and pulps extracted from the incisors teeth. Histology was used to determine pre‐dentine thickness in teeth and radiography to determine alveolar bone mass. Immunohistological staining and RT‐PCR were performed to verify the presence and localization of the odontoblast‐specific dentine sialoprotein and to quantify its expression in the dentine–pulp complex. Mandibular cortical width and mandibular height were evaluated by means of X‐ray analysis. Statistical analysis was performed with analysis of variance (anova).ResultsBoth pre‐dentine (P = 0.029) and alveolar bone structures (P = 0.049) were significantly reduced due to oestrogen deficiency in OVX Veh and OVX. NMP treatment normalized these parameters to the Sham level. DSPP expression in OVX NMP animals was significantly higher (P = 0.046) than in OVX Veh. X‐ray analysis confirmed that ovariectomy significantly reduced the mandibular cortical width in the OVX Veh group compared to the Sham Veh and OVX NMP (P = 0.020).ConclusionN‐methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) had a remarkable anti‐osteoporotic ability preserving activity in the pulp–dentine complex and preventing jawbone loss. These effects make NMP a promising candidate for the preservation of the activity of the pulp–dentine complex and jawbone thickness in post‐menopausal females.
Food choices in Ethiopia: does nutritional information matter?
Authors: Bekele Alemayehu Dekeba , Beuving Joost , Ruben Ruerd 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis article reports results from a framed market experiment conducted to examine whether milk choices are responsive to changes in the nutritional characteristics of milk products. Using a random‐effect Tobit model, we analyzed experimental data collected from 160 participants in urban Ethiopia. It shows that sensory properties play a key role in the acceptance of reduced‐fat milk while the provision of nutrition information has a mixed effect on a price premium. Further, a substantial percentage of participants were found to have a strong preference for whole milk while only 19% of them prefer reduced‐fat milk with 2.8% price premium. The study unveils a heterogeneous preference for the nutritional quality of milk products. Consumers’ health problems and socio‐demographic characteristics influence their preference for the nutritional quality of milk products. The result also shows a nutrition‐taste tradeoff, yet consumers place more value on sensory experience. Contrary to earlier studies, we found that prior belief about milk quality influences how consumers value sensory experience and nutrition information.
Clinical, histopathological, and immunological evaluation of a series of patients with erythema nodosum
Authors: De Simone Clara , Caldarola Giacomo , Scaldaferri Franco , Petito Valentina , Perino Francesca , Arena Vincenzo , Papini Manuela , Caproni Marzia , Peris Ketty 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe pathogenesis of erythema nodosum (EN) is still poorly understood, and studies evaluating the involvement of a cytokine network are very scarce.ObjectivesTo investigate clinical and pathological features, the cytokine profiles, and the balance of T‐regulatory (Treg) and T‐helper (Th)17 cells in serum and lesional skin of patients with EN.MethodsPatients with a diagnosis of EN were consecutively enrolled, and their clinical and histopathological features were recorded. A panel of cytokines was evaluated in both serum and lesional skin using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate the Treg/Th17 cell balance.ResultsHistopathological examination of skin biopsy specimens from all patients (four women and one man) showed classical features of EN. The most widely expressed cytokines were innate immunity cytokines (mainly tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin‐8 and ‐6) and growth factors (mainly granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1). The Treg/Th17 balance was highly different between patients.ConclusionsThe present study emphasizes the crucial role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of EN, as high levels of cytokines and growth factors mainly involved in neutrophil recruitment and activation were detected.
Variations in genes involved in regulation of the nuclear factor – κB pathway and the risk of acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Rybka J. , Gębura K. , Wróbel T. , Wysoczańska B. , Stefanko E. , Kuliczkowski K. , Bogunia‐Kubik K. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryGenes involved in regulation of the nuclear factor – kappa B (NF‐κB) pathway are suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The present study aimed to assess the association between the NF‐κB1, TRAF3 and TLRs genes single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and disease susceptibility as well as progression in patients with AML. For this purpose 62 patients and 126 healthy individuals were genotyped for NF‐κB1 (rs28362491), TRAF3 (rs11160707; rs12147254), TLR2 (rs201786064), TLR4 (rs4986790; rs4986791) and TLR9 (rs5743836; rs187084) alleles. Three SNPs were found to be associated with the risk for the AML development. The TRAF3 (rs12147254) AA homozygosity (RR = 2.770, P = 0.0392), TLR9 (rs5743836) C wild‐type allele (RR = 2.542, P = 0.0096) as well as TLR9 (rs187084) T allele (RR = 13.396, P < 0.0001) and its homozygosity (RR = 11.805, P < 0.0001) were more frequent among patients with AML than healthy individuals. The associations of the rs187084 SNP were significant for both sexes. Moreover, patients who relapsed were more frequently characterized with the presence of the rs187084 TLR9 TT genotype (P = 0.045) or the rs12147254 TRAF3 A variant (P = 0.066). In conclusion, polymorphisms within the TLR9 and TRAF3 genes are associated with predisposition to AML and may affect the progression of the disease in the Polish population.
Body mass index trajectories from 2 to 18 years – exploring differences between European cohorts
Authors: Graversen L. , Howe L. D. , Sørensen T. I. A. , Sovio U. , Hohwü L. , Tilling K. , Laitinen J. , Taanila A. , Pouta A. , Järvelin M‐R. , Obel C. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryBackgroundIn recent decades, there has been an increase in the prevalence of childhood overweight in most high‐income countries. Within northern Europe, prevalence tends to be higher in the UK compared with the Scandinavian countries. We aimed to study differences in body mass index (BMI) trajectories between large cohorts of children from UK and Scandinavian populations.MethodsWe compared BMI trajectories in participants from the English Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children born in 1991–1993 (ALSPAC) (N = 6517), the Northern Finland Birth Cohorts born in 1966 (NFBC1966) (N = 3321) and 1986 (NFBC1986) (N = 4764), and the Danish Aarhus Birth Cohort born in 1990–1992 (ABC) (N = 1920). We used multilevel models to estimate BMI trajectories from 2 to 18 years. We explored whether cohort differences were explained by maternal BMI, height, education or smoking during pregnancy and whether differences were attributable to changes in the degree of skew in the BMI distribution.ResultsDifferences in mean BMI between the cohorts were small but emerged early and persisted in most cases across childhood. Girls in ALSPAC had a higher BMI than all other cohorts throughout childhood, e.g. compared with the NFBC1986 BMI was 2.2–3.5% higher. For boys, the difference emerging over time (comparing the two NFBC's) exceeded the differences across populations (comparing NFBC1986, ABC and ALSPAC). BMI distribution demonstrated increasing right skew with age.ConclusionPopulation‐level differences between cohorts were small, tended to emerge very early, persisted across childhood, and demonstrated an increase in the right‐hand tail of the BMI distribution.
Representation of age and ageing identities in popular music texts
Authors: Kelly Jacinta , Watson Roger , Pankratova Marina , Pedzeni Ann‐marie 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAimsTo critically examine the representation of ageing identities in popular music texts.BackgroundHaving a positive outlook provides both short‐term benefits and has been proven to help people live longer. Music is capable of conveying positive and negative emotion towards ageing, however, only a limited number of unpublished studies exist on how age and ageing is represented in popular music.DesignQualitative discourse analysis.MethodsIn July 2014, a search without time limits was completed of the music lyrics databases,The Music Lyric Database, Songfacts, The Macronium and Absolute lyricsfor English language music texts relating to age and ageing.ResultsFindings revealed (N = 76) relevant music texts offering up negative and positive discourses of age and ageing, with negative predominating. Identities of age and ageing were categorized as ‘contented and celebrated aged’, ‘pitiful and petulant pensioners’ and ‘frail and flagging old folks’.ConclusionFrom this study, it is evident that mainly negative representations of age and ageing are available in popular music texts. It is imagined that the negative representations of age and ageing can be dispiriting, confidence and esteem lowering for older people and their potential impact might be considered carefully by artists. However, while evidence exists that negative and positive emotions can influence health and well‐being, further qualitative research is needed to explore what impact precisely the negative texts have on those experiencing ageing.
Hikers in Flip‐Flops: Luck Egalitarianism, Democratic Equality and the Distribuenda of Justice
Authors: Gheaus Anca 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe article has two aims. First, to show that a version of luck egalitarianism that includes relational goods amongst its distribuenda can, as a matter of internal logic, account for one of the core beliefs of relational egalitarianism. Therefore, there will be important extensional overlap, at the level of domestic justice, between luck egalitarianism and relational egalitarianism. This is an important consideration in assessing the merits of and relationship between the two rival views. Second, to provide some support for including relational goods, including those advocated by relational egalitarianism, on the distribuenda of justice and therefore to put in a good word for the overall plausibility of this conception of justice. I show why relational egalitarians, too, have reason to sympathise with this proposal.
Protection from cigarette smoke‐induced vascular injury by recombinant human relaxin‐2 (serelaxin)
Authors: Pini Alessandro , Boccalini Giulia , Baccari Maria Caterina , Becatti Matteo , Garella Rachele , Fiorillo Claudia , Calosi Laura , Bani Daniele , Nistri Silvia 
Published: February 2016

AbstractSmoking is regarded as a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study investigates whether serelaxin (RLX, recombinant human relaxin‐2) endowed with promising therapeutic properties in CVD, can be credited of a protective effect against cigarette smoke (CS)‐induced vascular damage and dysfunction. Guinea pigs exposed daily to CS for 8 weeks were treated with vehicle or RLX, delivered by osmotic pumps at daily doses of 1 or 10 μg. Controls were non‐smoking animals. Other studies were performed on primary guinea pig aortic endothelial (GPAE) cells, challenged with CS extracts (CSE) in the absence and presence of 100 ng/ml (17 nmol/l) RLX. In aortic specimens from CS‐exposed guinea pigs, both the contractile and the relaxant responses to phenylephrine and acetylcholine, respectively, were significantly reduced in amplitude and delayed, in keeping with the observed adverse remodelling of the aortic wall, endothelial injury and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) down‐regulation. RLX at both doses maintained the aortic contractile and relaxant responses to a control‐like pattern and counteracted aortic wall remodelling and endothelial derangement. The experiments with GPAE cells showed that CSE significantly decreased cell viability and eNOS expression and promoted apoptosis by sparkling oxygen free radical‐related cytotoxicity, while RLX counterbalanced the adverse effects of CSE. These findings demonstrate that RLX is capable of counteracting CS‐mediated vascular damage and dysfunction by reducing oxidative stress, thus adding a tile to the growing mosaic of the beneficial effects of RLX in CVD.
Prediction of postoperative liver failure using gadoxetic acid‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Jin Young‐Joo , Lee Seung Ho , Cho Soon Gu , Kim Jun Ho , Lee Jin‐Woo , Lee Kun Young , Shin Woo Young 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundWe intended to determine the usefulness of gadoxetic acid‐enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging on preoperative prediction of the risk of postoperative liver failure (PLF) using measurement of relative liver enhancement (RLE) in patients who underwent surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsA total of 121 HCC patients who had underwent gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI before surgery between January 2012 and April 2015 at our hospital was retrospectively analyzed. RLE was calculated as the ratio of signal intensity measurements of the liver parenchyma in each liver segment before and 20 min after intravenous administration of gadoxetic acid. PLF was defined based on the “50–50 criteria” (prothrombin time <50% and serum bilirubin >5 mg/dL on 5 days after surgery).ResultsOf the 121 patients, 74 (61.2%) patients had liver cirrhosis, clinically. Median tumor size 2.8 cm (range, 1–14 cm), 106 (87.6%) patients had a single HCC, and 101 (83.5%) patients had HCC within Milan criteria. Based on the “50–50 criteria”, PLF was observed in 7 (5.8%) patients. Mean RLE was significantly lower in patients with PLF than those without it (55.9% vs 85.5%, P < 0.01). In a multivariate analysis, decreased RLE was a significant independent risk factor for PLF in HCC patients (odds ratio 0.97, P = 0.03). Optimal cut‐off RLE value was 82.36.ConclusionsRLE was significantly lower in patients with PLF than those without it. Measurement of RLE using gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MR imaging before surgery can be useful for prediction of PLF in HCC patients who receive surgical treatment.
Simplified Complete Denture: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Ye Ye , Sun Jian 
Published: February 2016

AbstractPurposeMany procedures are used to construct traditional (T) complete dentures; however, a simplified (S) method requiring fewer steps and less time is available. This systematic review intends to summarize the modeling of simplified methods for complete dentures and evaluate the differences between the T method and S method. With this review, we hope to lay the foundation for proposing a standardized fabrication method for “simplified dentures.”MethodsThe MEDLINE (via PubMed) and EMBASE databases were searched for articles on simplified complete dentures published in English before April 2014. Eleven articles were included. One was about one‐step complete dentures, two were about SET (simplified treatment of edentulous patients), and the others were about the normal simplified method, which includes impression, occlusal registration, and try‐in. Seven were randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs). The time, cost, patient satisfaction, clinical effects, masticatory performance, masticatory ability, and professional evaluation reported in these studies were compared.ResultsWe summarized the different techniques of fabricating complete dentures and discussed the RCTs of the normal complete technique. None of the RCTs identified significant differences between the S and T groups in terms of patient ratings for general satisfaction, OHIP‐edentulous scale, denture quality, or masticatory ability. At the same time, the T method was significantly more expensive and required more time to complete than the S method.ConclusionsCurrent scientific evidence suggests that the S method can replace or partly replace the T method. Moreover, specific rules should be devised to restrict the simplified construction, and detailed research should be conducted.