bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Higher serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations are related to a reduced risk of depression
Authors: Jääskeläinen Tuija , Knekt Paul , Suvisaari Jaana , Männistö Satu , Partonen Timo , Sääksjärvi Katri , Kaartinen Niina E. , Kanerva Noora , Lindfors Olavi 
Published: May 2015

Vitamin D has been suggested to protect against depression, but epidemiological evidence is scarce. The present study investigated the relationship of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) with the prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders. The study population consisted of a representative sample of Finnish men and women aged 30–79 years from the Health 2000 Survey. The sample included 5371 individuals, of which 354 were diagnosed with depressive disorder and 222 with anxiety disorder. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was determined from frozen samples. In a cross-sectional study, a total of four indicators of depression and one indicator of anxiety were used as dependent variables. Serum 25(OH)D was the risk factor of interest, and logistic models used further included sociodemographic and lifestyle variables as well as indicators of metabolic health as confounding and/or effect-modifying factors. The population attributable fraction (PAF) was estimated. Individuals with higher serum 25(OH)D concentrations showed a reduced risk of depression. The relative odds between the highest and lowest quartiles was 0·65 (95 % CI 0·46, 0·93;Pfor trend = 0·006) after adjustment for sociodemographic, lifestyle and metabolic factors. Higher serum 25(OH)D concentrations were associated with a lower prevalence of depressive disorder especially among men, younger, divorced and those who had an unhealthy lifestyle or suffered from the metabolic syndrome. The PAF was estimated to be 19 % for depression when serum 25(OH)D concentration was at least 50 nmol/l. These results support the hypothesis that higher serum 25(OH)D concentrations protect against depression even after adjustment for a large number of sociodemographic, lifestyle and metabolic factors. Large-scale prospective studies are needed to confirm this finding.
Lipid hydrolysis products affect the composition of infant gut microbial communitiesin vitro
Authors: Nejrup Rikke G. , Bahl Martin I. , Vigsnæs Louise K. , Heerup Christine , Licht Tine R. , Hellgren Lars I. 
Published: May 2015

Some lipid hydrolysis products such as medium-chained NEFA (MC-NEFA), sphingosine and monoacylglycerols (MAG) possess antibacterial activity, while others, including oleic acid, are essential for the optimal growth ofLactobacillusspecies. Thus, changes in the concentrations of NEFA and MAG in the distal ileum and colon can potentially selectively modulate the composition of the gut microbiota, especially in early life when lipid absorption efficacy is reduced. As medium-chained fatty acids are enriched in mothers' milk, such effects may be highly relevant during gut colonisation. In the present study, we examined the effect of selected NEFA, MAG and sphingosine on the composition of faecal microbial communities derived from infants aged 2–5 months during a 24 h anaerobicin vitrofermentation. We tested lipid mixtures in the concentration range of 0–200 μm, either based on MC-NEFA (10 : 0 to 14 : 0 and MAG 12 : 0) or long-chained NEFA (LC-NEFA; 16 : 0 to 18 : 1 and MAG 16 : 0) with and without sphingosine, representing lipid hydrolysis products characteristic for intestinal hydrolysis of breast milk lipids. Ion Torrent sequencing of the bacterial16Sribosomal RNA gene revealed that the relative abundance of lactic acid-producing genera, includingLactobacillusandBifidobacterium, was generally increased in the presence of 50 μmor higher concentrations of MC-NEFA. ForBifidobacterium, the same effect was also observed in the presence of a mixture containing LC-NEFA with sphingosine. On the contrary, the relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae was significantly decreased in the presence of both lipid mixtures. Our findings suggest that the high concentration of medium-chained fatty acids in breast milk might have functional effects on the establishment of the gut microbiota in early life.
USING APSIM-MODEL AS A DECISION-SUPPORT-TOOL FOR LONG-TERM INTEGRATED-NITROGEN-MANAGEMENT AND MAIZE PRODUCTIVITY UNDER SEMI-ARID CONDITIONS IN KENYA
Authors: KISAKA M. OSCAR , MUCHERU-MUNA M. , NGETICH F. K. , MUGWE J. N. , MUGENDI D. N. , MAIRURA F. , MURIUKI J. 
Published: May 2015

SUMMARYThere is continued decline in per capita agricultural productivity in the drier parts of Kenya's central highlands. The declines have been linked to low and declining soil fertility, soil water, high atmospheric heat, prolonged dry-spells and erratic rainfall. Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies have been developed and tested in the region. Despite their significant impacts, high variability in local soils and climate contributes to large variations and inconsistency in research results among replications. Experimentation is expensive and limited to a few years, sites and scenarios. Crop-growth simulation models suitably complement experimental research, to support decision making regarding soil fertility and water management. This study evaluated the performance of the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) model. APSIM was parameterized and calibrated based on a rain-fed randomized complete block trial (2009–2012) at a research station in Machang’a, Embu County. The study further reported on long-term effects of integrated Nitrogen (N) management from organic residues (goat manure, Lantana camara, Tithonia diversifolia and Mucuna pruriens) and their combination with mineral fertilizers in maize production. The model adequately reproduced the observed trends of maize leaf area index (LAI) and yield response to the test N amendments. Long-term simulations showed that application of 0, 20 and 40 Kg N ha−1 had low inter-seasonal variations (CV = 18–33%) in yields. High yield variability (CV > 56%) was observed in the application of 60 and 80 Kg N ha−1. Application of 40 Kg N ha−1 by combining mineral fertilizer and manure showed 80% chance of harvesting more than 2.5 Mg ha−1 of maize grain yield. Maize stover mulching at 5 and 6 Mg ha−1 with the same N application increased long-term guaranteed grain harvests to 3.5 Mg ha−1. This is when complemented with 90 Kg P ha−1. This integrated N and soil water management is thus recommended. For subsistence farming, low-cost recommendations are geared towards some ‘guaranteed’ yield stability each cropping season. This recommendation underpins low-cost technologies that reduce production risks among small-holder farmers who faced with intermittent financial problems, to improve food security. However, there is need to evaluate and verify that there is a positive balance of primary nutrients such as N, P and K in such a fertility and water management option. Its effects on C:N levels ought to be evaluated as well.
Losing Face and Sinking Costs: Experimental Evidence on the Judgment of Political and Military Leaders
Authors: Renshon Jonathan 
Published: May 2015

AbstractStatus has long been implicated as a critical value of states and leaders in international politics. However, decades of research on the link between status and conflict have yielded divergent findings, and little evidence of a causal relationship. I attempt to resolve this impasse by shifting the focus from status to relative status concerns in building a theory of status from the ground up, beginning with its behavioral microfoundations. I build on and extend previous work through an experimental study of status threats and the escalation of commitment, operationalized here as a new behavioral escalation task using real financial incentives and framed around a narrative of war and peace. I utilize a unique sample of high-profile political and military leaders from the Senior Executive Fellow (SEF) program at the Harvard Kennedy School, as well as a group of demographically matched control subjects, allowing me to evaluate the moderating effect of power on status concerns while also addressing typical concerns about external validity in IR experiments. I find strong evidence that the fear of losing status impedes decision making and increases the tendency to “throw good money after bad,” but that power aids decision making by buffering high-power subjects against the worst effects of status loss.
Migration and Foreign Aid
Authors: Bermeo Sarah Blodgett , Leblang David 
Published: May 2015

AbstractWhen it comes to linkages between migration and the global allocation of foreign development assistance, the size of the immigrant population from a recipient country residing in a donor country is an important determinant of dyadic aid commitments. Two complementary hypotheses probe this relationship. First, donors use foreign aid to achieve their broader immigration goals, targeting migrant-sending areas to increase development and decrease the demand for entry into the donor country. Second, migrants already residing in the donor country mobilize to lobby for additional aid for their homeland. Empirical tests on a large sample of country pairs made up of twenty-two donors and more than 150 recipients over the period 1993 to 2008 show robust support for these hypotheses.
Consecutive wheat sequences: effects of contrasting growing seasons on concentrations ofGaeumannomyces graminisvar.triticiDNA in soil and take-all disease across different cropping sequences
Authors: BITHELL S. L. , McKAY A. C. , BUTLER R. C. , CROMEY M. G. 
Published: May 2015

SUMMARYThe extent and severity of wheat take-all (caused byGaeumannomyces graminisvar.tritici(Ggt)) can vary considerably between growing seasons. The current study aimed to identify climatic factors associated with differing concentrations ofGgtDNA in soil and take-all disease at different stages of a sequence of wheat crops. Pre-sowing soilGgtDNA concentrations and subsequent take-all disease in consecutive wheat crop sequences were compared across six seasons in 90 commercial cropping fields in Canterbury and Southland, New Zealand, between 2003 and 2009. Disease progress was assessed in additional fields in 2004/05 and 2005/06. While a general pattern in inoculum and disease fluctuations was evident, there were exceptions among wheat crop sequences that commenced in different years, especially for first wheat crops. In three consecutive growing seasons, there was very low inoculum increase in the first wheat crop, while increases in first wheat crops during the following three seasons was much greater. Low spring–summer rainfall was associated with low build-up of inoculum in first wheat crops. The inoculum derived from the first wheat then determined the amount of primary inoculum for the subsequent second wheat, thereby influencing the severity of take-all in that crop. Differing combinations of weather conditions during one wheat crop in a sequence and the conditions experienced by the next crop provided explanations of the severity of take-all at grain fill and the resulting post-harvest soilGgtDNA concentrations in second wheat crops. Examples of contrasting combinations were: (a) a moderate take-all epidemic and high post-harvest inoculum that followed high rainfall during grain fill, despite low pre-sowing soilGgtDNA concentrations; (b) severe take-all and moderate to high inoculum build-up following high pre-sowing soilGgtDNA concentrations and non-limiting rainfall; and (c) low spring and early summer rainfall slowing epidemic development in second wheat crops, even where there were high pre-sowing soilGgtDNA concentrations. The importance of the environmental conditions experienced during a particular growing season was also illustrated by differences between growing seasons in take-all progress in fields in the same take-all risk categories based on pre-sowing soilGgtDNA concentrations.
Response of grapevine phenology to recent temperature change and variability in the wine-producing area of Sremski Karlovci, Serbia
Authors: RUML M. , KORAĆ N. , VUJADINOVIĆ M. , VUKOVIĆ A. , IVANIŠEVIĆ D. 
Published: May 2015

SUMMARYThe historical temperature (1981–2007) and phenological (1986–2011) data were analysed for the region of Sremski Karlovci, one of the oldest grapevine growing areas in Europe, with the aim of detecting trends of changes in the data, evaluating the sensitivity of grapevine phenology to temperature and revealing diversity among cultivars in their response to observed changes in temperature. The onset dates of four major phenological stages (budburst, flowering, veraison and harvest), along with the corresponding growth intervals between them, were examined for 20 wine grape cultivars. A number of climatically important parameters for viticulture were calculated for the calendar year, growing season and different grapevine growth periods. Significant increases were detected in average and heat-related extreme temperature indices. The greatest rate of change in temperature variables across the growing season was observed during the period from the beginning of flowering to the beginning of veraison and the smallest during the ripening period. Linear trends indicated that all phenological stages, except budburst, have advanced significantly. Averaged across all cultivars, detected trends were –0·4, –0·7 and –0·6 days/year for the beginning of flowering, the beginning of veraison and harvest date, respectively. Observed warming and change in the timing of phenological events did not significantly affect the duration of the growth intervals, which can be explained by significant inter-correlation between the phenological stages’ onset. Ripening was occurring under warmer conditions due to earlier flowering and veraison, rather than because of considerably higher temperatures preceding harvest or shortening of the ripening period. Most of the variation in phenology timing (74–90%) can be explained by a linear relationship between the onset date of phenological stage and temperature, with mean and maximum temperatures being more important than minimum temperatures. According to the current results, a 1 °C increase in the most influential temperature variable during the most relevant periods for the onset of phenological stages led to an advancement in the beginning of budburst, the beginning of flowering, the beginning of veraison and harvest by 3·6, 3·1, 5·2 and 7·4 days, respectively, on average for all cultivars. Among the cultivars studied, Pinot Noir displayed the greatest phenology advancement in response to increased temperature.
Use of tracheal stenting in the palliation of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: tertiary centre experience
Authors: Varadharajan K , Mathew R , Odutoye B , Williamson P , Madden B 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackground:Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is rare but carries a poor prognosis. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma leads to tracheal compression, airway compromise and eventually death. Airway compromise, a particularly distressing symptom, can be palliated with tracheal stenting.Method:A retrospective case note analysis was conducted of patients diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma between July 2003 and July 2013.Results:Twelve patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma were identified. Four patients underwent palliative tracheal stenting. Three patients had no dyspnoea at the time of stenting. Two stented patients subsequently developed dyspnoea secondary to stent migration; this was managed successfully with stent exchange. The other stented patient remained asymptomatic with regards to dyspnoea. All non-stented patients died with or from airway compromise.Conclusion:Tracheal stenting is a relatively safe and effective method for palliation of distressing airway symptoms in patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Early prophylactic tracheal stenting in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma may be an effective option to prevent development of airway compromise as the disease progresses.
Formalising land rights based on customary tenure: community delimitation and women's access to land in central Mozambique
Authors: Kaarhus Randi , Dondeyne Stefaan 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTThe Mozambican Land Law of 1997 intends to provide flexible rules of access to land, while securing local people's customary rights, as well as equal rights for women and men. Drawing on participant observation during a ‘land delimitation’ process in central Mozambique, this article analyses the complex negotiation ensuing from the implementation of the Land Law in a local community. It shows how the delimitation process provided spaces for asserting – male – roles of power and authority, while local women were increasingly marginalised in the process. By presenting oral testimonies from women in the community, the authors seek to balance the account, providing women's perspectives on the highly gendered character of interests in, access to, and exclusion from land. The analysis ends with the question: What would be required to provide a space for local women to articulate their interests in a secure access to land during the delimitation process itself?
Coping with urban food insecurity: findings from Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Pottier Johan 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTResearch carried out in two densely populated wards of Kampala in 2012 shows that food-insecure households dropped, or significantly decreased, their consumption of matoke, the plantain staple, soon after its availability declined and the market price rose. They shifted to a diet for which the base was a stiff maize porridge (posho), eating just one meal a day. Many such households were headed by grandparents, single grandmothers especially. For the full set of household heads interviewed (118), access to rural family land (kibanja) stood out as critical for achieving year-round urban food security. With few exceptions, households that farmed ‘at home’ – about half the sample – saw themselves as food secure. Access negotiations, however, could be difficult, especially for women. The growing number of grandparents responsible for raising grandchildren and nieces/nephews, many of whom were orphaned, has given rise to a new discourse whereby care is increasingly given to maternal grandchildren.
Toxoplasma gondiiseropositivity and cognitive functions in school-aged children
Authors: MENDY A. , VIEIRA E. R. , ALBATINEH A. N. , GASANA J. 
Published: May 2015

SUMMARYToxoplasma gondii(T. gondii) infects one-third of the world population, but its association with cognitive functions in school-aged children is unclear. We examined the relationship betweenToxoplasmaseropositivity and neuropsychological tests scores (including math, reading, visuospatial reasoning and verbal memory) in 1755 school-aged children 12–16 years old who participated to the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, using multiple linear regressions adjusted for covariates.Toxoplasmaseroprevalence was 7·7% and seropositivity to the parasite was associated with lower reading skills (regression coefficient [β] = −5·86, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −11·11, −0·61,P= 0·029) and memory capacities (β= −0·86, 95% CI: −1·58, −0·15,P= 0·017). The interaction betweenT. gondiiseropositivity and vitamin E significantly correlated with memory scores. In subgroup analysis,Toxoplasma-associated memory impairment was worse in children with lower serum vitamin E concentrations (β= −1·61, 95% CI: −2·44, −0·77,P< 0·001) than in those with higher values (β= −0·12, 95% CI: −1·23, 0·99,P= 0·83). In conclusion,Toxoplasmaseropositivity may be associated with reading and memory impairments in school-aged children. Serum vitamin E seems to modify the relationship between the parasitic infection and memory deficiency.
Identifying neuroanatomical signatures of anorexia nervosa: a multivariate machine learning approach
Authors: Lavagnino L. , Amianto F. , Mwangi B. , D'Agata F. , Spalatro A. , Zunta-Soares G. B. , Abbate Daga G. , Mortara P. , Fassino S. , Soares J. C. 
Published: May 2015

BackgroundThere are currently no neuroanatomical biomarkers of anorexia nervosa (AN) available to make clinical inferences at an individual subject level. We present results of a multivariate machine learning (ML) approach utilizing structural neuroanatomical scan data to differentiate AN patients from matched healthy controls at an individual subject level.MethodStructural neuroimaging scans were acquired from 15 female patients with AN (age = 20,s.d.= 4 years) and 15 demographically matched female controls (age = 22,s.d.= 3 years). Neuroanatomical volumes were extracted using the FreeSurfer software and input into the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) multivariate ML algorithm. LASSO was ‘trained’ to identify ‘novel’ individual subjects as either AN patients or healthy controls. Furthermore, the model estimated the probability that an individual subject belonged to the AN group based on an individual scan.ResultsThe model correctly predicted 25 out of 30 subjects, translating into 83.3% accuracy (sensitivity 86.7%, specificity 80.0%) (p< 0.001;χ2test). Six neuroanatomical regions (cerebellum white matter, choroid plexus, putamen, accumbens, the diencephalon and the third ventricle) were found to be relevant in distinguishing individual AN patients from healthy controls. The predicted probabilities showed a linear relationship with drive for thinness clinical scores (r= 0.52,p< 0.005) and with body mass index (BMI) (r= −0.45,p= 0.01).ConclusionsThe model achieved a good predictive accuracy and drive for thinness showed a strong neuroanatomical signature. These results indicate that neuroimaging scans coupled with ML techniques have the potential to provide information at an individual subject level that might be relevant to clinical outcomes.
Longitudinal trajectories of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among adolescents after the Wenchuan earthquake in China
Authors: Fan F. , Long K. , Zhou Y. , Zheng Y. , Liu X. 
Published: May 2015

BackgroundThis study examines the patterns and predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom trajectories among adolescent survivors following the Wenchuan earthquake in China.MethodA total of 1573 adolescent survivors were followed up at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months post-earthquake. Participants completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Self-Rating Scale (PTSD-SS), Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist, Social Support Rate Scale, and the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire. Distinct patterns of PTSD symptom trajectories were established through grouping participants based on time-varying changes of developing PTSD (i.e. reaching the clinical cut-off on the PTSD-SS). Multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine predictors for trajectory membership.ResultsPTSD prevalence rates at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months were 21.0, 23.3, 13.5 and 14.7%, respectively. Five PTSD symptom trajectories were observed: resistance (65.3% of the sample), recovery (20.0%), relapsing/remitting (3.3%), delayed dysfunction (4.2%) and chronic dysfunction (7.2%). Female gender and senior grade were related to higher risk of developing PTSD symptoms in at least one time point, whereas being an only child increased the possibility of recovery relative to chronic dysfunction. Family members’ injury/loss and witness of traumatic scenes could also cause PTSD chronicity. More negative life events, less social support, more negative coping and less positive coping were also common predictors for not developing resistance or recovery.ConclusionsAdolescents’ PTSD symptoms showed an anniversary reaction. Although many adolescents remain euthymic or recover over time, some adolescents, especially those with the risk factors noted above, exhibit chronic, delayed or relapsing symptoms. Thus, the need for individualized intervention with these adolescents is indicated.