bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevention and Reversal of Lipotoxicity-Induced Hepatic Insulin Resistance and Steatohepatitis in Mice by an Antioxidant Carotenoid, β-Cryptoxanthin
Authors: Ni Yinhua , Nagashimada Mayumi , Zhan Lili , Nagata Naoto , Kobori Masuko , Sugiura Minoru , Ogawa Kazunori , Kaneko Shuichi , Ota Tsuguhito 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Excessive hepatic lipid accumulation promotes macrophages/Kupffer cells activation, resulting in exacerbation of insulin resistance and progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, few promising treatment modalities target lipotoxicity-mediated hepatic activation/polarization of macrophages for NASH. Recent epidemiological surveys showed that serum β-cryptoxanthin, an antioxidant carotenoid, was inversely associated with the risks of insulin resistance and liver dysfunction. In the present study, we first showed that β-cryptoxanthin administration ameliorated hepatic steatosis in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Next, we investigated the preventative and therapeutic effects of β-cryptoxanthin using a lipotoxic model of NASH: mice fed a high-cholesterol and high-fat (CL) diet. After 12 weeks of CL diet feeding, β-cryptoxanthin administration attenuated insulin resistance and excessive hepatic lipid accumulation and peroxidation, with increases in M1-type macrophages/Kupffer cells and activated stellate cells, and fibrosis in CL diet-induced NASH. Comprehensive gene expression analysis showed that β-cryptoxanthin down-regulated macrophage activation signal-related genes significantly without affecting most lipid metabolism-related genes in the liver. Importantly, flow cytometry analysis revealed that, on a CL diet, β-cryptoxanthin caused a predominance of M2 over M1 macrophage populations, in addition to reducing total hepatic macrophage and T-cell contents. In parallel, β-cryptoxanthin decreased lipopolysaccharide-induced M1 marker mRNA expression in peritoneal macrophages, whereas it augmented IL-4-induced M2 marker mRNA expression, in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, β-cryptoxanthin reversed steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis progression in preexisting NASH in mice. In conclusion, β-cryptoxanthin prevents and reverses insulin resistance and steatohepatitis, at least in part, through an M2-dominant shift in macrophages/Kupffer cells in a lipotoxic model of NASH.
Facial tracking in video transfer using watershed segmentation
Authors: P Mayilvahanan , S Purushothaman , P Rajeswari 
Published: January 2015

This paper presents the implementation of watershed segmentation for facial tracking. It focuses on tracking face of human in a continuous video transfer. The database is obtained from internet resource. Tracking efficiency is 97.2%. Keywords: Facial Tracking, Watershed Segmentation, Motion Estimation.
Characterization and Deactivation Study of Mixed Vanadium and Potassium Oxide Supported on Microemulsion-Mediated Titania Nanoparticles as Catalyst in Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane
Authors: Shahbazi Kootenaei A. H. , Towfighi J. , Khodadadi A. , Mortazavi Y. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
The influence of potassium addition to the vanadia supported on the microemulsion-mediated TiO2 nanoparticles in propane oxidative dehydrogenation was studied. Raman spectroscopy demonstrated that the addition of potassium caused enhanced dispersion of vanadia species on the support surface. Also, potassium existence affects the H2 temperature programmed reduction maximum reduction temperature and shifted it to 520°C, which was in accordance with its lesser catalytic activity. Nevertheless, a propylene selectivity enhancement was observed by potassium addition. In spite of the fact that the catalytic performance loss was not severe in vanadia-supported TiO2 anatase, potassium addition led to improve the catalyst lifetime. After deactivation test, potassium-containing vanadia catalyst possessed lower surface area loss (i.e. from 52 to 49 m2 g−1). Average crystallite size of potassium-containing vanadia catalyst exhibited lower decrease than that of potassium-free vanadia catalyst after deactivation test. According to Raman spectra, deactivation phenomena had influenced the population of vanadia species so that monovanadates decreased and polyvanadates increased.
Kinetics of Reactive Extraction of Pyruvic Acid Using Tributylamine Dissolved in n-Butyl Acetate
Authors: Pal Dharm , Keshav Amit 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Studies have been made on the kinetics accompanied with mass transfer for the pyruvic acid/tributylamine (TBA)/n-butyl acetate system to investigate the effectiveness of reactive extraction for the separation of pyruvic acid from the aqueous solution. In the present work, kinetic studies, needed for the design of a recovery unit, were carried out using aqueous solution of pyruvic acid. TBA (conc. range 0.420–2.099 kmol/m3) dissolved in n-butyl acetate (conc. range 50–90%) was used as an extractant. The effect of reactant concentration, the effect of stirring speed and the effect of phase volume ratio on the extraction process were investigated. The kinetic parameters such as reaction order and rate constant were calculated. Kinetic measurements showed that the reaction is of second order occurring in the diffusion film and was found to be independent of hydrodynamic conditions. Rate constant was evaluated to be
$0.419\,{{\rm{m}}^3}{\rm{mo}}{{\rm{l}}^{- 1}}{{\rm{S}}^{- 1}}$
.
Directionals, episodic structure, and geographic information systems: Area/punctual distinctions in Ahtna travel narration
Authors: Berez Andrea L. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractInterest in the past decades in the way spatial cognition manifests in language has led to a growing body of literature on the topic. The concurrent development of user-friendly geographic information systems (GIS) software can give linguists new perspectives on spatial language, especially narratives describing geographic landscapes, by allowing the researcher access to those landscapes in a way that was previously only available by visiting the region in person. In this paper, I discuss how the use of GIS reveals that Ahtna speakers use subtle distinctions in the directional system to structure discourse about overland travel into narrative episodes. Ahtna is an Athabascan language spoken in the Copper River area of southcentral Alaska by about 35 native speakers.
The complexity of inflectional systems
Authors: Stump Gregory , Finkel Raphael A. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
We regard the complexity of any inflection-class system as the extent to which the similarities among its inflection classes tend to inhibit motivated inferences about the word forms realizing a paradigm’s cells. We propose ten objective measures of this sort of complexity. We apply these measures in comparing the declensional systems of Latin and Sanskrit, which we represent in a standard format that we call a “plat”; we execute these measurements with an online tool that is freely available for readers to use. We show that the ten measures are not equivalent; together, they show that the declensional systems of Latin and Sanskrit are roughly comparable in complexity. We discuss a number of methodological issues raised by this new approach to typological comparison.
Language structure and social agency: Confirming polar questions in conversation
Authors: Enfield N. J. , Sidnell Jack 
Published: January 2015

AbstractWhile it has been shown that languages can select quite different formal resources for performing similar pragmatic functions in social interaction, our focus in this paper is the possibility that some types of form-function mapping are essentially universal. Our case study looks at how polar questions are confirmed. For confirming a polar question like ‘Have they gone?’, all languages provide two basic alternatives: an interjection type strategy (something like ‘Yes’) and a repetition type strategy (something like ‘They have gone’). Combinations of these are also possible. Does selection of one of these options have a definable pragmatic function? An analysis of cases from English telephone calls shows that interjection type confirmations are used when the confirmation is relatively straightforward in interactional terms, and where the epistemic terms of the question are accepted by the person who is confirming. By contrast, repetition type confirmations are associated with pragmatic functions where the answerer is in some way resisting the epistemic terms of the question, or dealing with a perturbation of the interactional sequence. We argue that the inherent semiotics of the two strategies explain why they have this distribution; i.e., we do not expect that interjection forms would be standardly used for non-straightforward confirmations, etc. In other words, the form-function mapping observed in English is a non-arbitrary one. Given that this semiotic motivation for choosing one over the other alternative for confirming polar questions should be present in other languages as well, we predict that the mapping observed in English will be observed in other languages as well.
A minimalist approach to the emergence of ergativity in Austronesian languages
Authors: Aldridge Edith 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis paper proposes a novel reconstruction of Proto-Austronesian as a language with accusative alignment, in contrast to previous analyses, which have reconstructed PAn with some type of ergative system. The methodology employed in this paper also departs from previous work in basing the proposal on syntactic change rather than on phonological or morphological comparison. In the account of argument licensing in the Minimalist Program, nominative subjects are licensed by a higher functional head T than accusative objects, which value their case with the light verbv. This produces accusative alignment, with the corollary that ergative systems arise only when the unmarked licensing relations are disrupted. Specifically, I propose that this disruption involves the loss of transitivev’s ability to value accusative case on the object and the concomitant ability of thisvto provide inherent licensing for the subject, thereby allowing T to exceptionally value nominative case on the object. The current paper argues that the ergative types of alignment observed in modern Formosan and Philippine languages are the result of consecutive innovations in high-order subgroups of the Austronesian family, being triggered first in irrealis clauses in a daughter of PAn, which I term “Proto-Ergative Austronesian”.
Chemical solution deposition of functional ceramic coatings using ink-jet printing
Authors: De Keukeleere Katrien , Pollefeyt Glenn , Feys Jonas , De Roo Jonathan , Rijckaert Hannes , Lommens Petra , Van Driessche Isabel 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
This paper discusses the development of environmentally-friendly precursor inks suited for ink-jet printing of functional ceramic coatings. We synthesized superconducting materials, SrTiO3 thin films for coated conductor applications and transparent TiO2 photocatalytic coatings. Here, we discuss all aspects of ink formulation, including the stabilization of metal ions, nanoparticle inks or combination of both. This demands the investigation and determination of the inks rheological parameters. Ceramic nanoparticles are often incorporated in our inks to decrease thermal processing temperatures (e.g., TiO2 or YSZ coatings...) or enhance the properties of the functional ceramic coating (e.g., pinning centres in superconducting coatings). These ceramic nanoparticles (ZrO2, HfO2, TiO2...) are synthesized through methods based on microwave heating from aqueous and/or organic solutions. With that, we aim at developing smart and environmentally friendly processes that require lower energy input.
Carbaboranes – more than just phenyl mimetics
Authors: Frank René , Ahrens Verena , Boehnke Solveig , Hofmann Sven , Kellert Martin , Saretz Stefan , Pandey Souvik , Sárosi Menyhárt , Bartók Ágota , Beck-Sickinger Annette G. , Hey-Hawkins Evamarie 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes(12) (C2B10H12, carbaboranes) are highly hydrophobic and stable icosahedral carbon-containing boron clusters. The cage framework of these clusters can be modified with a variety of substituents, both at the carbon and at the boron atoms. Substituted carbaboranes are of interest in medicine as boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) agents or as pharmacophores. High and selective accumulation in tumour cells is an important requirement for a BNCT agent and is achieved by incorporating boron-rich, water-soluble carbaborane derivatives into breast tumour-selective modified neuropeptide Y, [F7, P34]-NPY. Preliminary studies showed that the receptor binding affinity and signal transduction of the boron-modified peptides were very well retained. Use of carbaboranes as pharmacophores was shown by replacement of Bpa32 (Bpa=benzoylphenylalanine) in the reduced-size NPY analogue [Pro30, Nle31, Bpa32, Leu34]-NPY 28–36 by ortho-carbaboranyl propanoic acid. The inclusion of the carbaborane derivative resulted in a short NPY agonist with an interesting hY2R/hY4R preference. This might be a promising approach in the field of anti-obesity drug development.
Benefits of Strict Rest After Acute Concussion: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Thomas Danny George , Apps Jennifer N. , Hoffmann Raymond G. , McCrea Michael , Hammeke Thomas 
Published: January 2015

OBJECTIVES:
To determine if recommending strict rest improved concussion recovery and outcome after discharge from the pediatric emergency department (ED).

METHODS:
Patients aged 11 to 22 years presenting to a pediatric ED within 24 hours of concussion were recruited. Participants underwent neurocognitive, balance, and symptom assessment in the ED and were randomized to strict rest for 5 days versus usual care (1–2 days rest, followed by stepwise return to activity). Patients completed a diary used to record physical and mental activity level, calculate energy exertion, and record daily postconcussive symptoms. Neurocognitive and balance assessments were performed at 3 and 10 days postinjury. Sample size calculations were powered to detect clinically meaningful differences in postconcussive symptom, neurocognitive, and balance scores between treatment groups. Linear mixed modeling was used to detect contributions of group assignment to individual recovery trajectory.

RESULTS:
Ninety-nine patients were enrolled; 88 completed all study procedures (45 intervention, 43 control). Postdischarge, both groups reported a 20% decrease in energy exertion and physical activity levels. As expected, the intervention group reported less school and after-school attendance for days 2 to 5 postconcussion (3.8 vs 6.7 hours total, P &lt; .05). There was no clinically significant difference in neurocognitive or balance outcomes. However, the intervention group reported more daily postconcussive symptoms (total symptom score over 10 days, 187.9 vs 131.9, P &lt; .03) and slower symptom resolution.

CONCLUSIONS:
Recommending strict rest for adolescents immediately after concussion offered no added benefit over the usual care. Adolescents’ symptom reporting was influenced by recommending strict rest.
Safety of Measles-Containing Vaccines in 1-Year-Old Children
Authors: Klein Nicola P. , Lewis Edwin , Fireman Bruce , Hambidge Simon J. , Naleway Allison , Nelson Jennifer C. , Belongia Edward A. , Yih W. Katherine , Nordin James D. , Hechter Rulin C. , Weintraub Eric , Baxter Roger 
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:All measles-containing vaccines are associated with several types of adverse events, including seizure, fever, and immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP). Because the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine compared with the separate measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and varicella (MMR + V) vaccine increases a toddler’s risk for febrile seizures, we investigated whether MMRV is riskier than MMR + V and whether either vaccine elevates the risk for additional safety outcomes.METHODS:Study children were aged 12 to 23 months in the Vaccine Safety Datalink from 2000 to 2012. Nine study outcomes were investigated: 7 main outcomes (anaphylaxis, ITP, ataxia, arthritis, meningitis/encephalitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, and Kawasaki disease), seizure, and fever. Comparing MMRV with MMR + V, relative risk was estimated by using stratified exact binomial tests. Secondary analyses examined post-MMRV or MMR + V risk versus comparison intervals; risk and comparison intervals were then contrasted for MMRV versus MMR+V.RESULTS:We evaluated 123 200 MMRV and 584 987 MMR + V doses. Comparing MMRV with MMR + V, risks for the 7 main outcomes were not significantly different. Several outcomes had few or zero postvaccination events. Comparing risk versus comparison intervals, ITP risk was higher after MMRV (odds ratio [OR]: 11.3 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9 to 68.2]) and MMR + V (OR: 10 [95% CI: 4.5 to 22.5]) and ataxia risk was lower after both vaccines (MMRV OR: 0.8 [95% CI: 0.5 to 1]; MMR + V OR: 0.8 [95% CI: 0.7 to 0.9]). Compared with MMR + V, MMRV increased risk of seizure and fever 7 to 10 days after vaccination.CONCLUSIONS:This study did not identify any new safety concerns comparing MMRV with MMR + V or after either the MMRV or the MMR + V vaccine. This study provides reassurance that these outcomes are unlikely after either vaccine.
Bullying and Suicidal Ideation and Behaviors: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Holt Melissa K. , Vivolo-Kantor Alana M. , Polanin Joshua R. , Holland Kristin M. , DeGue Sarah , Matjasko Jennifer L. , Wolfe Misty , Reid Gerald 
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Over the last decade there has been increased attention to the association between bullying involvement (as a victim, perpetrator, or bully-victim) and suicidal ideation/behaviors. We conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the association between bullying involvement and suicidal ideation and behaviors.METHODS:We searched multiple online databases and reviewed reference sections of articles derived from searches to identify cross-sectional studies published through July 2013. Using search terms associated with bullying, suicide, and youth, 47 studies (38.3% from the United States, 61.7% in non-US samples) met inclusion criteria. Seven observers independently coded studies and met in pairs to reach consensus.RESULTS:Six different meta-analyses were conducted by using 3 predictors (bullying victimization, bullying perpetration, and bully/victim status) and 2 outcomes (suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviors). A total of 280 effect sizes were extracted and multilevel, random effects meta-analyses were performed. Results indicated that each of the predictors were associated with risk for suicidal ideation and behavior (range, 2.12 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.67–2.69] to 4.02 [95% CI, 2.39–6.76]). Significant heterogeneity remained across each analysis. The bullying perpetration and suicidal behavior effect sizes were moderated by the study’s country of origin; the bully/victim status and suicidal ideation results were moderated by bullying assessment method.CONCLUSIONS:Findings demonstrated that involvement in bullying in any capacity is associated with suicidal ideation and behavior. Future research should address mental health implications of bullying involvement to prevent suicidal ideation/behavior.
Talking With Parents About End-of-Life Decisions for Their Children
Authors: de Vos Mirjam A. , Bos Albert P. , Plötz Frans B. , van Heerde Marc , de Graaff Bert M. , Tates Kiek , Truog Robert D. , Willems Dick L. 
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
Retrospective studies show that most parents prefer to share in decisions to forgo life-sustaining treatment (LST) from their children. We do not yet know how physicians and parents communicate about these decisions and to what extent parents share in the decision-making process.

METHODS:
We conducted a prospective exploratory study in 2 Dutch University Medical Centers.

RESULTS:
Overall, 27 physicians participated, along with 37 parents of 19 children for whom a decision to withhold or withdraw LST was being considered. Forty-seven conversations were audio recorded, ranging from 1 to 8 meetings per patient. By means of a coding instrument we quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed physicians’ and parents’ communicative behaviors. On average, physicians spoke 67% of the time, parents 30%, and nurses 3%. All physicians focused primarily on providing medical information, explaining their preferred course of action, and informing parents about the decision being reached by the team. Only in 2 cases were parents asked to share in the decision-making. Despite their intense emotions, most parents made great effort to actively participate in the conversation. They did this by asking for clarifications, offering their preferences, and reacting to the decision being proposed (mostly by expressing their assent). In the few cases where parents strongly preferred LST to be continued, the physicians either gave parents more time or revised the decision.

CONCLUSIONS:
We conclude that parents are able to handle a more active role than they are currently being given. Parents’ greatest concern is that their child might suffer.
Sleep Duration, Restfulness, and Screens in the Sleep Environment
Authors: Falbe Jennifer , Davison Kirsten K. , Franckle Rebecca L. , Ganter Claudia , Gortmaker Steven L. , Smith Lauren , Land Thomas , Taveras Elsie M. 
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
Associations of inadequate sleep with numerous health outcomes among youth necessitate identifying its modifiable determinants. Television (TV) has been associated with sleep curtailment, but little is known about small screens (eg, smartphones), which can be used in bed and emit notifications. Therefore, we examined associations of different screens in sleep environments with sleep duration and perceived insufficient rest or sleep.

METHODS:
Participants included 2048 fourth- and seventh-graders participating in the Massachusetts Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration Study in 2012 to 2013. Using linear and log binomial regression, we examined cross-sectional associations of small screens and TVs in sleep environments and screen time with weekday sleep duration and perceived insufficient rest or sleep in the past week.

RESULTS:
Children who slept near a small screen (compared with never) reported 20.6 fewer minutes of sleep (95% confidence interval [CI], −29.7 to −11.4) and had a higher prevalence of perceived insufficient rest or sleep (prevalence ratio, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.21 to 1.60). Children who slept in a room with a TV (compared with no TV) reported 18.0 fewer minutes of sleep (95% CI, −27.9 to −8.1). TV or DVD viewing and video or computer game playing were associated with both sleep outcomes (P &lt; .01). Some associations were stronger among Hispanic, non-Hispanic black, and older children (P &lt; .05 for heterogeneity).

CONCLUSIONS:
Sleeping near a small screen, sleeping with a TV in the room, and more screen time were associated with shorter sleep durations. Presence of a small screen, but not a TV, in the sleep environment and screen time were associated with perceived insufficient rest or sleep. These findings caution against unrestricted screen access in children’s bedrooms.