bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors Explaining Child Survival in Ethiopia: Application of Two‐Stage Probit Model
Authors: Oyekale Abayomi Samuel 
Published: July 2014

AbstractPolicymakers in many developing countries had been mandated to pursue the goal of reducing child mortality as one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This paper analyses the factors influencing child survival in Ethiopia using a 2011 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) dataset. Descriptive statistics and two‐stage least square probit regression were employed for data analyses. Results showed that the majority of the children (82.19 per cent) were born to households in rural areas, while average household heads' age was 42.78 years. Using combined children data, fertility, age of household heads, residence in urban areas, drinking of alcohol and smoking significantly reduced probability of child survival, while altitude, education, male household headship, age at first birth and rendering of assistance on domestic chores by the husband increased it (p < 0.05). It was concluded that efforts at reducing maternal fertility by promoting education of female children will go a long way in reducing child mortality in Ethiopia.
QST–FST comparisons with unbalanced half‐sib designs
Authors: Gilbert Kimberly J. , Whitlock Michael C. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractQST, a measure of quantitative genetic differentiation among populations, is an index that can suggest local adaptation if QST for a trait is sufficiently larger than the mean FST of neutral genetic markers. A previous method by Whitlock and Guillaume derived a simulation resampling approach to statistically test for a difference between QST and FST, but that method is limited to balanced data sets with offspring related as half‐sibs through shared fathers. We extend this approach (i) to allow for a model more suitable for some plant populations or breeding designs in which offspring are related through mothers (assuming independent fathers for each offspring; half‐sibs by dam); and (ii) by explicitly allowing for unbalanced data sets. The resulting approach is made available through the R package QstFstComp.
Trophic cascades in bell miner‐associated dieback forests: Quantifying relationships between leaf quality, psyllids and Psyllaephagus parasitoids
Authors: Steinbauer Martin J. , Sinai Katherine M. J. , Anderson Annette , Taylor Gary S. , Horton Bryony M. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractCoteries of the meliphagid bird Manorina melanophrys are associated with a form of eucalypt defoliation and recovery called bell miner‐associated dieback (BMAD). Through their defence of cooperative colony boundaries against other insectivorous birds, bell miners may foster greater abundances of lerp‐forming psyllids (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae), some of which reduce the lifespan of leaves. Trophic cascades in BMAD forests need to be understood to have a complete picture of regulatory processes. We studied relationships between leaf quality, psyllid and Psyllaephagus parasitoid/hyperparasitoid abundances within the Gondwana Rainforest World Heritage Area, NSW, Australia; our focal tree species were Eucalyptus propinqua and E. biturbinata. Eucalyptus biturbinata had tougher leaves than E. propinqua; leaf toughness of both species varied with site and tree. We found a statistically significant, negative relationship between toughness (surrogate for leaf age) and foliar nitrogen content; younger leaves had higher nitrogen contents. Both bell miner abundance and foliar nitrogen were positively correlated with psyllid abundance. The abundance of Glycaspis species (the psyllid that produces lerps with the highest sugar content) was more closely correlated with foliar nitrogen content than was the abundance of all five psyllid genera combined. We identified 14 Psyllaephagus spp./morphospecies, comprising 11 primary parasitoids and three hyperparasitoids. The abundance of all Psyllaephagus combined was positively correlated with the abundance of lerps. However, psyllid parasitism was not correlated with the abundance of lerps. The abundance of the three hyperparasitoids was positively correlated with the abundance of Psyllaephagus hosts. The availability of epicormic foliage (young, morphologically juvenile leaves produced following defoliation) is likely to alter the nutritional ecology underpinning the diversity and abundance of psyllid populations. Higher quality epicormic foliage should favour populations of Glycaspis species (by enhancing nymphal survival) creating lerp hotspots that induce residency by opportunistic bell miners. The positive contribution of induced amelioration, interacting with feedbacks from parasitoids and hyperparasitoids, to BMAD requires longitudinal investigation.
A second‐generation genetic linkage map for bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) based on microsatellite markers
Authors: Zhu C. , Tong J. , Yu X. , Guo W. , Wang X. , Liu H. , Feng X. , Sun Y. , Liu L. , Fu B. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryBighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) is an important aquaculture fish worldwide. Genetic linkage maps for the species were previously reported, but map resolution remained to be improved. In this study, a second‐generation genetic linkage map was constructed for bighead carp through a pseudo‐testcross strategy using interspecific hybrids between bighead carp and silver carp. Of the 754 microsatellites genotyped in two interspecific mapping families (with 77 progenies for each family), 659 markers were assigned to 24 linkage groups, which were equal to the chromosome numbers of the haploid genome. The consensus map spanned 1917.3 cM covering 92.8% of the estimated bighead carp genome with an average marker interval of 2.9 cM. The length of linkage groups ranged from 52.2 to 133.5 cM with an average of 79.9 cM. The number of markers per linkage group varied from 11 to 55 with an average of 27.5 per linkage group. Normality tests on interval distances of the map showed a non‐normal marker distribution; however, significant correlation was found between the length of linkage group and the number of markers below the 0.01 significance level (two‐tailed). The length of the female map was 1.12 times that of the male map, and the average recombination ratio of female to male was 1.10:1. Visual inspection showed that distorted markers gathered in some linkage groups and in certain regions of the male and female maps. This well‐defined genetic linkage map will provide a basic framework for further genome mapping of quantitative traits, comparative mapping and marker‐assisted breeding in bighead carp.
Minimally Invasive Off‐Pump Left Ventricular Assist Device Exchange: Anterolateral Thoracotomy
Authors: Rojas Sebastian V. , Avsar Murat , Khalpey Zain , Hanke Jasmin S. , Haverich Axel , Schmitto Jan D. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe new generation of left ventricular assist devices has enabled minimally invasive surgical procedures. Herein we present a novel technique of left ventricular assist device exchange through a left‐sided anterolateral thoracotomy.
Validated gene expression biomarker analysis for biopsy‐based clinical trials in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Boland B. S. , Boyle D. L. , Sandborn W. J. , Firestein G. S. , Levesque B. G. , Hillman J. , Zhang B. , Proudfoot J. , Eckmann L. , Ernst P. B. , Rivera‐Nieves J. , Pola S. , Copur‐Dahi N. , Chang J. T. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryBackgroundAccurate and reproducible measurement of expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in colonic biopsies from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) is essential for proof‐of‐concept and mechanism‐of‐action studies. Few studies have rigorously established the number of biopsies required for accurate and reproducible biomarker measurements.AimTo validate methods for measuring changes in gene expression in colonic biopsy samples.MethodsTwelve colonic biopsies were obtained from each of six healthy controls, six patients with inactive UC and seven patients with active UC. Mayo endoscopic scores were used as a clinical reference standard. Quantitative PCR was used to assess mRNA expression of eight known inflammatory genes. The power to detect a reduction in gene expression in active vs. inactive UC was calculated using a linear mixed effect model.ResultsmRNA analysis of colonic biopsies is a sensitive and feasible approach for measuring inflammatory gene expression in colonic biopsies. Inflammatory biomarkers correlate with Mayo endoscopic subscores for each colonic region.For most genes, three rectal biopsies from two to four patients are required to detect changes in gene expression corresponding to active vs. inactive UC to achieve a power of 80% with an alpha of 0.05.ConclusionOur data suggest that systematic measurement of inflammatory biomarkers at the mRNA level can be a valuable tool for hypothesis testing, and assessment of clinical activity and response to therapy in ulcerative colitis.
Patient‐centred care: barriers and opportunities in the dental surgery
Authors: Asimakopoulou Koula , Gupta Adyya , Scambler Sasha 
Published: July 2014

AbstractObjectivesThis paper explores the practice of patient‐centred care (PCC) within dentistry. The aim of this research was to explore the barriers and opportunities dentists face in practicing PCC.MethodsThe results of N = 20 thematically analysed, in‐depth semi‐structured qualitative interviews with a range of dentists working across clinical and teaching positions within a large UK dental school are presented.ResultsPCC was generally considered a positive, to be embraced concept which dentists believe they practice daily in the absence of any formal training. PCC presented dentists with opportunities to deliver treatment to highly compliant patients. The main barriers revolved around patients (e.g. disengaged or overly inquisitive) and practice factors (e.g. time and funding).ConclusionsPCC is a concept that is generally seen as important in the dental surgery, presenting dentists with opportunities for compliance‐enhanced practice. Significant work is needed if dentists are going to be supported in overcoming self‐identified barriers to their delivery of PCC as per UK General Dental Council guidelines.
Interaction of lectin pathway of complement-activating pattern recognition molecules with M ycobacteria
Authors: Bartlomiejczyk M A , Swierzko A S , Brzostek A , Dziadek J , Cedzynski M 
Published: July 2014

Summary
We have demonstrated that mannose-binding lectin (MBL) recognizes various slow-growing, pathogenic mycobacteria [Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), M. bovis, M. kansasii, M. gordonae] as well as non-pathogenic M. smegmatis. Recognition resulted in activation of the lectin pathway (LP) of complement and an enhancement of phagocytosis (shown for M. tuberculosis). Although MBL may be considered the main factor activating the LP upon recognition of mycobacteria, involvement of ficolins has also to be considered. Interaction of ficolin-3 with M. tuberculosis, M. bovis and M. kansasii, and ficolin-1 with M. tuberculosis and M. bovis was shown for the first time. Binding of recombinant MBL or ficolin-3 to MTB H37Rv led to the agglutination of bacteria and promoted their phagocytosis, but little effect was apparent with ficolin-1 or ficolin-2. Data from Western blots suggest mannosylated lipoarabinomannan (ManLAM) to be one of the main cell components of slow-growing mycobacteria, involved in LP activation. However, the LP was also activated by other cell fractions. Results presented here supplement considerably the data concerning the ability of complement-activating lectins to interact with mycobacteria. Ficolins (especially ficolin-3) might influence host response to infection and thus have clinical significance, at least as disease modifiers.
ConVis: A Visual Text Analytic System for Exploring Blog Conversations
Authors: Hoque E. , Carenini G. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractToday it is quite common for people to exchange hundreds of comments in online conversations (e.g., blogs). Often, it can be very difficult to analyze and gain insights from such long conversations. To address this problem, we present a visual text analytic system that tightly integrates interactive visualization with novel text mining and summarization techniques to fulfill information needs of users in exploring conversations. At first, we perform a user requirement analysis for the domain of blog conversations to derive a set of design principles. Following these principles, we present an interface that visualizes a combination of various metadata and textual analysis results, supporting the user to interactively explore the blog conversations. We conclude with an informal user evaluation, which provides anecdotal evidence about the effectiveness of our system and directions for further design.
A TALEN‐based specific transcript knock‐down of PIWIL2 suppresses cell growth in HepG2 tumor cell
Authors: Chen Y. , Hu W. , Lu Y. , Jiang S. , Li C. , Chen J. , Tao D. , Liu Y. , Yang Y. , Ma Y. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractObjectivesPIWIL2 is widely expressed in various tumours and implicated in playing a role in tumourigenesis. For a more thorough study of PIWIL2 functions in tumour cells, we aimed to establish PIWIL2‐specific transcript knock‐down/knockout HepG2 cell lines using transcription activator‐like effector nuclease (TALEN) technology. Furthermore, we proposed to use the cell models to explore PIWIL2 functions in TGF‐β signalling in HepG2 cells. HepG2s are human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.Materials and methodsWe established PIWIL2 knock‐down or knock‐out cell lines in HepG2 using TALEN technology. Next, we sought to use the cell line models to investigate effects of full length PIWIL2‐specific transcripts in cell proliferation induced by TGF‐β.ResultsFirst, we established PIWIL2‐specific transcript mono‐allele and bi‐allele knockout HepG2 cell lines. By using the cell line models, we found that specific transcript knockdown of full length PIWIL2 can suppress cell proliferation, while ectopic expression of PIWIL2 enhanced proliferation of HepG2 by suppressing the TGF‐β pathway. Furthermore, we demonstrated that PIWIL2 can interact with HSP90 to prevent formation of HSP90–TβR complexes, which promote degradation of TβRs.ConclusionsTaken together, our study revealed critical negative regulation of TGF‐β signalling by PIWIL2 in HepG2 tumour cells, and provided an effective strategy to study specific gene transcript functions in cells.
A randomised controlled trial comparing the impact of yoga and physical education on the emotional and behavioural functioning of middle school children
Authors: Haden Sara C , Daly Leslie , Hagins Marshall 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBackgroundYoga programmes geared for school children have become more widespread, but research regarding its impact on children is lacking. Several studies have reported positive outcomes, though there is a need for more RCTs.ObjectivesTo determine the effects of yoga on children's emotional and behavioural functioning when compared with physical education (PE) classes.MethodsThirty middle school children were randomised to participate in either a school‐based ashtanga‐informed yoga or PE class three times a week for 12 weeks. Emotional (i.e. affect, self‐perceptions) and behavioural (i.e. internalising and externalising problems, aggression) functioning were measured pre‐ and post‐intervention.ResultsThere were no significant changes between groups in self‐reported positive affect, global self‐worth, aggression indices or parent reports of their children's externalising and internalising problems. However, negative affect increased for those children participating in yoga when compared to the PE programme.ConclusionsIn general, findings suggest that yoga and PE classes do not differentially impact on middle school children's emotional and behavioural functioning. However, children reported experiencing increased negative emotions after receiving yoga while children in the PE group reported a decrease in these feelings. Implications of these results and potential directions for future research on children's yoga are discussed.
Singularity analysis near the vertex of the V‐notch in Reissner's plate by coupling the asymptotic expansion technique with the interpolating matrix method
Authors: Cheng C. Z. , Han Z. L. , Wang D. P. , Niu Z. R. , Recho N. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTA new numerical method for calculating the singularity orders of V‐notches in Reissner's plate is proposed in this paper. By introducing the asymptotic expansion of the generalised displacement field at the notch tip into the equilibrium equations of a plate, a set of characteristic ordinary differential equations with respect to the singularity order are established. In addition, by adopting the variable substitution technique, the obtained non‐linear characteristic equations are transformed into linear ones, which are solved by the interpolating matrix method. The singularity orders of moments and shear forces can be obtained simultaneously and can be distinguished from the corresponding characteristic angular functions conveniently. Four types of boundary conditions are proposed to investigate the influence of boundary conditions on the singularity order values. The effect of the Poisson's ratio on the singularity orders of the V‐notch in Reissner's plate is discussed. The present method is versatile for the singularity analysis of single material V‐notches and bi‐material V‐notches, and can be easily extended to multi‐material V‐notches.
Spatial and body‐size dependent response of marine pelagic communities to projected global climate change
Authors: Lefort Stelly , Aumont Olivier , Bopp Laurent , Arsouze Thomas , Gehlen Marion , Maury Olivier 
Published: July 2014

AbstractTemperature, oxygen, and food availability directly affect marine life. Climate models project a global warming of the ocean's surface (~+3 °C), a de‐oxygenation of the ocean's interior (~−3%) and a decrease in total marine net primary production (~−8%) under the ‘business as usual’ climate change scenario (RCP8.5). We estimated the effects of these changes on biological communities using a coupled biogeochemical (PISCES) – ecosystems (APECOSM) model forced by the physical outputs of the last generation of the IPSL‐CM Earth System Model. The APECOSM model is a size‐structured bio‐energetic model that simulates the 3D dynamical distributions of three interactive pelagic communities (epipelagic, mesopelagic, and migratory) under the effects of multiple environmental factors. The PISCES‐APECOSM model ran from 1850 to 2100 under historical forcing followed by RCP8.5. Our RCP8.5 simulation highlights significant changes in the spatial distribution, biomass, and maximum body‐size of the simulated pelagic communities. Biomass and maximum body‐size increase at high latitude over the course of the century, reflecting the capacity of marine organisms to respond to new suitable environment. At low‐ and midlatitude, biomass and maximum body‐size strongly decrease. In those regions, large organisms cannot maintain their high metabolic needs because of limited and declining food availability. This resource reduction enhances the competition and modifies the biomass distribution among and within the three communities: the proportion of small organisms increases in the three communities and the migrant community that initially comprised a higher proportion of small organisms is favored. The greater resilience of small body‐size organisms resides in their capacity to fulfill their metabolic needs under reduced energy supply and is further favored by the release of predation pressure due to the decline of large organisms. These results suggest that small body‐size organisms might be more resilient to climate change than large ones.
Thatcherism and the public sector
Authors: Jackson Peter M. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThis article analyses the impact of Thatcher's economic reforms upon the UK public sector. It argues that Thatcherism was a continuation, albeit pursued with a stronger conviction, of changes in economic policy perspectives which had been initiated many years earlier. What became known as Thatcherism began life incompletely formed. Its precise form emerged subsequently through its implementation. Thatcher's original intentions to tame the public sector and to roll back the frontiers of the state were frustrated by the reality of events. Making real cuts in public spending proved to be difficult while expenditure on social security increased rapidly, partly as a result of the economic policies of the first Thatcher government. The ‘burden’ of taxation was not reduced, although marginal rates of income tax did fall. A feature of the Thatcher governments was a move towards introducing greater amounts of managerialism into the public sector in an attempt to secure efficiency improvements in the delivery of public services. This has produced mixed results.
Temporal evolution of coral reef fishes: global patterns and disparity in isolated locations
Authors: Hodge Jennifer R. , van Herwerden Lynne , Bellwood David R. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractAimMany coral reef regions have a history of isolation and extinction. Our aim was to test whether the disparate evolutionary and biogeographical histories of the world's coral reef regions have significantly impacted temporal patterns of speciation within regions. In essence, do assemblages in peripheral locations contain the youngest coral reef fish species?LocationPan‐tropical coral reef systems.MethodsMolecular data (mitochondrial 16S rRNA, 12S rRNA, CO1, cytochrome b; nuclear TMO‐4C4, S7 intron 1) were assembled for genera with near‐complete taxon sampling (minimum 70% nominal species) from four major coral reef fish families (Chaetodontidae, Labridae, Pomacanthidae and Serranidae). This was combined with fossil data to simultaneously infer the phylogeny and estimate species' divergence times. species' distributions were quantified using IUCN maps and the ages of species with different biogeographical extents were compared. Model fitting was used to compare the distribution of species' ages across the whole phylogeny with age distributions of species restricted to the Red Sea and Hawaiian Islands.ResultsTemporal patterns of coral reef fish divergence were similar among major marine realms and regions. However, notable differences were recorded between the Red Sea and Hawaiian Islands. Red Sea endemics have diverged consistently throughout the last 16 Myr, whereas endemic species colonized the Hawaiian Islands in two distinct waves (0–3 Ma and 8–12 Ma). Differences in the proportions of allopatric and sympatric sister‐species between Red Sea and Hawaiian endemics were also detected.Main conclusionsDespite differing geological histories, marine realms and regions have all experienced comparable and relatively recent divergences of extant coral reef fish species. Differences in age distributions and spatial relationships of endemic species in the Red Sea and Hawaiian Islands suggest that markedly different processes have shaped patterns of diversification in these peripherally isolated locations.