bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Television viewing through ages 2-5 years and bullying involvement in early elementary school
Authors: Verlinden Marina , Tiemeier Henning , Veenstra René , Mieloo Cathelijne L , Jansen Wilma , Jaddoe Vincent WV , Raat Hein , Hofman Albert , Verhulst Frank C , Jansen Pauline W 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
High television exposure time at young age has been described as a potential risk factor for developing behavioral problems. However, less is known about the effects of preschool television on subsequent bullying involvement. We examined the association between television viewing time through ages 2-5 and bullying involvement in the first grades of elementary school. We hypothesized that high television exposure increases the risk of bullying involvement.

Method
TV viewing time was assessed repeatedly in early childhood using parental report. To combine these repeated assessments we used latent class analysis. Four exposure classes were identified and labeled “low”, “mid-low”, “mid-high” and “high”. Bullying involvement was assessed by teacher questionnaire (n = 3423, mean age 6.8 years). Additionally, peer/self-report of bullying involvement was obtained using a peer nomination procedure (n = 1176, mean age 7.6 years). We examined child risk of being a bully, victim or a bully-victim (compared to being uninvolved in bullying).

Results
High television exposure class was associated with elevated risks of bullying and victimization. Also, in both teacher- and child-reported data, children in the high television exposure class were more likely to be a bully-victim (OR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.42-3.13 and OR = 3.68, 95% CI: 1.75-7.74 respectively). However, all univariate effect estimates attenuated and were no longer statistically significant once adjusted for maternal and child covariates.

Conclusions
The association between television viewing time through ages 2-5 and bullying involvement in early elementary school is confounded by maternal and child socio-demographic characteristics.
Vellozia flavicans Mart. ex Schult. hydroalcoholic extract inhibits the neuromuscular blockade induced by Bothrops jararacussu venom
Authors: Tribuiani Natália , da Silva Alexandro Mateus , Ferraz Miriéle Cristina , Silva Magali Glauzer , Bentes Ana Paula Guerreiro , Graziano Talita Signoreti , dos Santos Marcio Galdino , Cogo José Carlos , Varanda Eliana Aparecida , Groppo Francisco Carlos , Cogo Karina , Oshima-Franco Yoko 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundSnakebite is a significant public health issue in tropical countries. In Brazil, some of the most common snake envenomations are fromBothrops. Bothropsbites trigger local and systemic effects including edema, pain, erythema, cyanosis, infections, and necrosis.Vellozia flavicansis a plant from the Brazilian “cerrado” (savanna) that is popularly used as an anti-inflammatory medicine. Since inflammation develops quickly afterBothropsbites, which can lead to infection, the aim of the present study was to observe possible anti-snake venom and antimicrobial activities ofV. flavicans(Vf).MethodsThe chromatographic profile of the main constituents from the Vf leaf hydroalcoholic extract was obtained by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The anti-snake venom activity was measured by Vf’s ability to neutralize thein vitroneuromuscular blockade caused byBothrops jararacussuvenom (Bjssu) in a mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm model (PND). After a 20 min incubation, preparations of PND were added to Tyrode’s solution (control); Vf (0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/mL); 40 μg/mL Bjssu; pre-incubation for 30 min with Bjssu and 1 mg/mL Vf; and a Bjssu pretreated preparation (for 10 min) followed by 1 mg/mL Vf. Myographic recording was performed, and the contractile responses were recorded. The antimicrobial activity (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] and minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC]) was obtained forStaphylococcus aureus,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Escherichia coli, andEnterococcus faecalis, using gentamicin and vancomycin as positive controls.ResultsTLC analysis yielded several compounds from Vf, such as flavonoids (quercetin) and phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid). Bjssu completely blocked the contractile responses of PND preparations, while Vf preserved 97% (±10%) of the contractile responses when incubated with Bjssu. In the PND pretreated with Bjssu, Vf was able to inhibit the neuromuscular blockade progress. MIC and MBC of Vf ranged from 2.5 to 5.0 mg/mL forP. aeruginosaandS. aureusstrains, while no antimicrobial activity was observed forE. coliandE. faecalis.ConclusionsThe hydroalcoholic extract from Vf leaves was able to neutralize and decrease thein vitroneuromuscular blockade caused by Bjssu. However, it did not show significant antimicrobial activity against the tested bacteria.
Anti-allergic effect of a Korean traditional medicine, Biyeom-Tang on mast cells and allergic rhinitis
Authors: Jeong Kyu-Tae , Kim Sun-Gun , Lee Jiean , Park Young Na , Park Hyo-Hyun , Park Na-Young , Kim Keuk-Jun , Lee Hwadong , Lee Youn Ju , Lee Eunkyung 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Biyeom-Tang, a medicine prescribed by oriental clinics, has been used for the treatment of the allergic rhinitis (AR). In the present study, an ethanol extract of Biyeom-Tang (EBT) was investigated for anti-allergic properties on bone-marrow derived mast cells (BMMC) and in vivo models.

Methods
The anti-allergic properties of EBT were evaluated by measuring β-Hex release and the production of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) and leukotriene C4 (LTC4) on BMMC in vitro and PCA and OVA-induced AR models in vivo.

Results
EBT strongly inhibited a degranulation reaction in a dose dependent manner with an IC50 value of 35.6 μg/ml. In addition, the generation of PGD2 and LTC4 was inhibited in BMMC in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 values of 7.0 μg/ml and 10.9 μg/ml, respectively. When administrated orally, EBT ameliorated the mast cell-mediated PCA reaction. In the OVA-induced AR model, the increased levels of IgE were reduced by EBT. The levels of cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 decreased in the splenocytes of EBT-treated mice. The histological analysis shows that the infiltration of inflammatory cells increased by OVA-sensitization was also reduced.

Conclusions
Taken together, these results suggested that EBT has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo models.
Performance-improved thin-film a-Si:H/μc-Si:H tandem solar cells by two-dimensionally nanopatterning photoactive layer
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Li Xiaofeng , Shang Aixue , Zhan Yaohui , Yang Zhenhai , Wu Shaolong 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Tandem solar cells consisting of amorphous and microcrystalline silicon junctions with the top junction nanopatterned as a two-dimensional photonic crystal are studied. Broadband light trapping, detailed electron/hole transport, and photocurrent matching modulation are considered. It is found that the absorptances of both junctions can be significantly increased by properly engineering the duty cycles and pitches of the photonic crystal; however, the photocurrent enhancement is always unevenly distributed in the junctions, leading to a relatively high photocurrent mismatch. Further considering an optimized intermediate layer and device resistances, the optimally matched photocurrent approximately 12.74 mA/cm2 is achieved with a light-conversion efficiency predicted to be 12.67%, exhibiting an enhancement of over 27.72% compared to conventional planar configuration.
Tracking of time-varying genomic regulatory networks with a LASSO-Kalman smoother
Authors: Khan Jehandad , Bouaynaya Nidhal , Fathallah-Shaykh Hassan M 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIt is widely accepted that cellular requirements and environmental conditions dictate the architecture of genetic regulatory networks. Nonetheless, the status quo in regulatory network modeling and analysis assumes an invariant network topology over time. In this paper, we refocus on a dynamic perspective of genetic networks, one that can uncover substantial topological changes in network structure during biological processes such as developmental growth. We propose a novel outlook on the inference of time-varying genetic networks, from a limited number of noisy observations, by formulating the network estimation as a target tracking problem. We overcome the limited number of observations (smallnlargepproblem) by performing tracking in a compressed domain. Assuming linear dynamics, we derive the LASSO-Kalman smoother, which recursively computes the minimum mean-square sparse estimate of the network connectivity at each time point. The LASSO operator, motivated by the sparsity of the genetic regulatory networks, allows simultaneous signal recovery and compression, thereby reducing the amount of required observations. The smoothing improves the estimation by incorporating all observations. We track the time-varying networks during the life cycle of theDrosophila melanogaster. The recovered networks show that few genes are permanent, whereas most are transient, acting only during specific developmental phases of the organism.
Effect of diabetic neuropathy severity classified by a fuzzy model in muscle dynamics during gait
Authors: Watari Ricky , Sartor Cristina D , Picon Andreja P , Butugan Marco K , Amorim Cesar F , Ortega Neli RS , Sacco Isabel CN 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Electromyography (EMG) alterations during gait, supposedly caused by diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy, are subtle and still inconsistent, due to difficulties in defining homogeneous experimental groups with a clear definition of disease stages. Since evaluating these patients involve many uncertainties, the use of a fuzzy model could enable a better discrimination among different stages of diabetic polyneuropathy and lead to a clarification of when changes in muscle activation start occurring. The aim of this study was to investigate EMG patterns during gait in diabetic individuals with different stages of DSP severity, classified by a fuzzy system.

Methods
147 subjects were divided into a control group (n = 30) and four diabetic groups: absent (n = 43), mild (n = 30), moderate (n = 16), and severe (n = 28) neuropathy, classified by a fuzzy model. The EMG activity of the vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius medialis were measured during gait. Temporal and relative magnitude variables were compared among groups using ANOVA tests.

Results
Muscle activity changes are present even before an established neural involvement, with delay in vastus lateralis peak and lower tibialis anterior relative magnitude. These alterations suggest an impaired ankle shock absorption mechanism, with compensation at the knee. This condition seems to be more pronounced in higher degrees of neuropathy, as there is an increased vastus lateralis activity in the mild and severe neuropathy groups. Tibialis anterior onset at terminal stance was anticipated in all diabetic groups; at higher degrees of neuropathy, the gastrocnemius medialis exhibited activity reduction and peak delay.

Conclusion
EMG alterations in the vastus lateralis and tibialis anterior occur even in the absence of diabetic neuropathy and in mild neuropathic subjects, seemingly causing changes in the shock absorption mechanisms at the heel strike. These changes increase with the onset of neural impairments, and the gastrocnemius medialis starts presenting altered activity in the later stages of the disease (moderate and severe neuropathy). The degree of severity of diabetic neuropathy must be taken into account when analyzing diabetic patients’ biomechanical patterns of locomotion; we recommend the use of a fuzzy model for classification of disease stages.
Implementing a successful tuberculosis programme within primary care services in a conflict area using the stop TB strategy: Afghanistan case study
Authors: Seddiq Khaled , Enarson Donald A , Shah Karam , Haq Zaeem , Khan Wasiq M 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Introduction
Afghanistan has faced health consequences of war including those due to displacement of populations, breakdown of health and social services, and increased risks of disease transmission for over three decades. Yet it was able to restructure its National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTP), integrate tuberculosis treatment into primary health care and achieve most of its targets by the year 2011. What were the processes that enabled the programme to achieve its targets? More importantly, what were the underpinning factors that made this success possible? We addressed these important questions through a case study.

Case description
We adopted a processes and outcomes framework for this study, which began with examining the change in key programme indicators, followed by backwards tracing of the processes and underlying factors, responsible for this change. Methods included review of the published and grey literature along with in-depth interviews of 15 key informants involved with the care of tuberculosis patients in Afghanistan.

Discussion and evaluation
TB incidence and mortality per 100,000 decreased from 325 and 92 to 189 and 39 respectively, while case notification and treatment success improved during the decade under study. Efficient programme structures were enabled through high political commitment from the Government, strong leadership from the programme, effective partnership and coordination among stakeholders, and adequate technical and financial support from the development partners.

Conclusions
The NTP Afghanistan is an example that public health programmes can be effectively implemented in fragile states. High political commitment and strong local leadership are essential factors for such programmes. To ensure long-term effectiveness of the NTP, the international support should be withdrawn in a phased manner, coupled with a sequential increase in resources allocated to the NTP by the Government of Afghanistan.
Tax structure and revenue instability: the Great Recession and the states
Authors: Chernick Howard , Reimers Cordelia , Tennant Jennifer 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
The Great Recession had the most severe impact on state tax revenues of any downturn since the Great Depression. We hypothesize that states with more progressive tax structures are more vulnerable to economic downturns, and that progressivity and income volatility may interact to amplify the recession’s fiscal impact. We find that, while potential revenue exposure is greater in more progressive states, the most important source of variation was differences in income concentration and capital gains shares in the top 5 percent of taxpayers. Though the interaction between income volatility and high tax burdens at the top did produce large decreases in tax revenue in a few states, tax progressivity accounted for little of the overall interstate variation in revenue volatility.

JEL codes

H24; H71
From Humanities to Humanistic Technologies
Authors: Эпштейн  , Epshteyn Mikhail 
Published: February 2014

A need for profound methodological changes in the humanities, as well
as possibility to build humanitarian technologies based on them, are considered
in this paper. The concept of techno humanistics and culturonics
underlines constructive rather than pure research beginning in humanities.
The question is posed how these sciences are able to act on the subject
of their study, what cultural practices can be built on the base of language,
literature and philosophy study.
Giving Feedback to Clients
Authors: Ho Teck-Hua , Yeung Catherine 
Published: February 2014

We examine a prevalent form of client–agent interaction through a feedback-giving game. In this game, a client undertakes a nontrivial task and is compensated based on her task performance, which is only made known to her when the client–agent interaction ends. Meanwhile, her performance is disclosed to an agent, who must then give the client feedback on her performance. Upon receiving the feedback, the client reports her happiness level, which in turn determines the agent's payoff. In eight studies involving 928 subjects, we vary the way the agent's cash earnings depend on the client's reported happiness. When we make the agent's earnings proportional to the client's reported happiness, the agent inflates his feedback, and the client reports a higher level of happiness (than that reported in a control condition where the agent always provides honest feedback). We show that neither the agent nor the client behaves altruistically in their reporting. The client reports being happier because she overestimates her performance and mistakenly believes that the agent's feedback is genuine. The agent stops inflating his feedback when doing so no longer benefits him. Finally, our main findings are shown to be robust with respect to several factors, including making the agent's feedback consequential in affecting the client's payoff. In summary, we show that the agent behaves opportunistically, and the client's overconfidence of her own performance is what makes this strategy successful. Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2013.1846 . This paper was accepted by Uri Gneezy, behavioral economics.
Optimal regeneration method – Planting vs. natural regeneration of Scots pine in northern Sweden
Authors: Simonsen Rune 
Published: February 2014

In this study the profitability of regenerating Scots pine (L.) was examined for two methods; planting and natural regeneration with seed trees. The methods were modelled on stand level and optimised numerically using nonlinear optimisation. The analysis includes 7 site indexes, 16Â toÂ 28 expressed as dominant height in meters at an age of 100 years; and 8 localities in northern Sweden distributed on two latitudes, 60Â°N and 64Â°N and four altitudes, 100 to 400Â m.a.s.l. Furthermore, two scenarios of genetically improved planting material were examined. The results show that the optimal choice of regeneration method depends on the location, site index and discount rate. Considering the same genetic regeneration material, natural regeneration was the optimal method for most of the evaluated sites. Planting was optimal only for stands of high site index and low rate of seedling mortality, which is associated with localities on low altitudes. The break even site index, where the two methods yielded the same net present value, was 27 on average (25 to 28). The choice between the two regeneration methods was found to be more economically important when the discount rate was low and for low site indexes. The option of using genetically improved plant material shift the preference towards planting. Thus, the two levels of genetic gain of +4% and +10% to maximum mean annual increment resulted in an average break even site index of 25 and 21 respectively.Pinus sylvestris
Antagonizing leptin: current status and future directions
Authors: Zabeau Lennart , Peelman Frank , Tavernier Jan 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
The adipocyte-derived hormone/cytokine leptin acts as a metabolic switch, connecting the body’s nutritional status to high energy consuming processes such as reproduction and immune responses. Inappropriate leptin responses can promote autoimmune diseases and tumorigenesis. In this review we discuss the current strategies to modulate leptin signaling and the possibilities for their use in research and therapy.
Cultures juvéniles et bibliothèques publiques
Authors: Roselli Mariangela 
Published: February 2014

Dressant une ethnographie des usages juvéniles des bibliothèques, l’article repère les codes comportementaux associés à l’acte de lire comme autant de composantes d’un rapport négatif à la lecture que produit le lieu : règle du silence, injonction à la solitude, capacité à s’enfermer et à rester immobile, présupposé d’autonomie, volonté de concentration. Sur la base de ces constats, cette étude invite les bibliothèques à offrir une scène d’expérimentation dynamique de formes culturelles et sociétales plus conviviales et récréatives, plus permissives et audacieuses de manière à se distinguer des institutions de la culture consacrée.
L'Europe comme enjeu clivant
Authors: Belot Céline , Cautrès Bruno , Strudel Sylvie 
Published: February 2014

Quel rôle a tenu l’enjeu européen, à la fois dans l’offre électorale et dans le choix des électeurs, au cours de la séquence électorale présidentielle de 2012 ? À partir de l’articulation d’un triple jeu de données (professions de foi, discours de campagne, enquête post-électorale Cevipof), les résultats présentés mettent en évidence les effets perturbateurs des questions européennes. Un double cadrage de dénonciation et de politisation (indexée sur une structuration gauche-droite opposant État providence/État souverain) organise de manière inédite les argumentaires des candidats et fait écho aux préoccupations des citoyens. La bidimensionalité confirmée des attitudes à l’égard de l’UE et son influence contrastée sur les comportements électoraux montre aussi que la réflexion sur l’intégration européenne comme clivage n’est pas un débat clos.
La maladie de Lyme entre cadrage infectieux, vectoriel et zoonotique : vers une écologisation des problèmes sanitaires ?
Authors: Massart Clémence 
Published: February 2014

Cet article est consacré à la qualification de la maladie de Lyme en France. Principale pathologie vectorielle de l’hémisphère nord, la maladie de Lyme est transmise par une tique du genre Ixodes (Ixodes ricinus en Europe ; Ixodes persulcatus en Asie ; Ixodes scapularis aux États-Unis et au Canada). Les médecins et les malades ont d’abord développé un cadrage infectieux, ancré dans la santé humaine, réservé à Lyme et soumis à une vive controverse. Progressivement, un second cadrage vectoriel s’est structuré autour des entomologistes médicaux puis des écologues, généralement étrangers à la problématique des maladies humaines. Axé sur le vecteur, ce cadrage englobe les autres maladies transmises par Ixodes ricinus en Europe qui, durant les 30 dernières années, n’ont cessé d’être découvertes : bartonnelles, babésioses, tularémie, encéphalite à tiques, etc. Combinée à ces nouvelles pathologies, la notoriété de Lyme a finalement contribué à ouvrir la catégorie « transmission vectorielle » – traditionnellement associée aux moustiques des pays tropicaux – aux tiques et aux maladies de l’hémisphère nord qu’elles véhiculent. Un troisième cadrage axé sur les réservoirs et qualifié de zoonotique commence enfin à se dessiner. Il faut reconnaître dans cette juxtaposition des cadrages – infectieux, vectoriel et zoonotique – une forme d’écologisation des problèmes sanitaires.