bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Future is in the Past: Projecting and Plotting the Potential Rate of Growth and Trajectory of the Structural Change of the Chinese Economy for the Next 20 Years
Authors: Zhang Jun , Xu Liheng , Liu Fang 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBased on the convergence hypothesis and referring to the experience of East Asian high‐performing economies from 1950 to 2010, this paper projects and plots the potential growth rate of the Chinese economy over the next 20 years. It predicts that the potential growth rate of per capita GDP adjusted by purchasing power parity averages at 6.02 percent from 2015 to 2035, while the potential GDP growth rate of 2015 would still be above 8 percent, which implies that the realized rate of growth has not reached its potential since 2012. Besides, based on the per capita GDP projected and on cross‐country comparison, the paper plots the trajectory of structural change of the Chinese economy from 2015 to 2035. The result shows that: (i) the value‐added share of primary industry will drop more rapidly than the employment share; (ii) the value‐added share of secondary industry will decline and employment share will present an inverted U shape whose turning point will probably come between 2020 and 2025; (iii) both the value‐added and employment share of tertiary industry will increase continuously.
Vanishing of China's Twin Surpluses and Its Policy Implications
Authors: Zhang Ming , Tan Xiaofen 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis paper argues that the twin surpluses in China's balance of payments will disappear in the future as a result of external and internal structural changes. China's current account surplus will diminish as a result of the decline in the goods trade surplus, the expanding service trade deficit and negative investment income. China's capital account might shift from surplus to deficit as a result of shrinking net direct investment inflows and more volatile short‐term capital flows. When the twin surpluses no longer exist, the normalization of the US treasury bond yields will be sped up, terminating the one‐way appreciation of the RMB exchange rate; the People's Bank of China's pressure to sterilize inflows will be alleviated, and new problems for the People's Bank of China's monetary operation will emerge; new financial vulnerabilities for the Chinese economy will arise. Finally, the present paper provides some policy suggestions for the Chinese Government to deal with the declining twin surpluses.
Novel mutation in insulin receptor gene identified after muscle biopsy in a Niuean woman with severe insulin resistance
Authors: Murphy R. , Smith G. , Isaac I. , Hutchinson D. , Semple R. K. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundSevere, early‐onset insulin resistance in the absence of obesity, hepatic steatosis and dyslipidaemia is frequently attributable to a genetic defect affecting the insulin receptor. We describe a patient with severe insulin resistance in whom insulin receptor mutation analysis was mistakenly recorded as normal. Western blot analysis of skeletal muscle showed reduced insulin receptor protein and led to re‐evaluation of the insulin receptor and the discovery of a novel mutation.Case reportA Niuean women, first evaluated at age 6 years for severe acanthosis nigricans, hirsutism, poor growth and cognitive impairment, had extremely elevated fasting insulin levels of 10740 IU/l (fasting reference range 4–24 IU/l) and a normal glucose concentration (4.9 mmol/l). Diabetes was diagnosed at age 9 years and metformin treatment introduced. By age 14 years, she developed refractory hyperglycaemia despite metformin, rosiglitazone and 240 IU insulin daily. Insulin receptor genetic analysis was documented as normal. At age 23 years, with a blood glucose concentration of 37 mmol/l and an HbA1c concentration of 116 mmol/mol, U500 insulin 2000 IU/day was required for glycaemic control. She developed severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy with neovascular glaucoma leading to blindness. There was no renal dysfunction, dyslipidaemia or hepatic steatosis. A muscle biopsy was performed to evaluate the insulin signalling pathway and showed reduced insulin receptor protein. Sequencing of the insulin receptor showed a homozygous p.Val1010Leu missense mutation.ConclusionThis patient illustrates the use of muscle biopsy in the evaluation of a patient with unexplained severe insulin resistance. This approach may usefully be applied to other cases of severe insulin resistance, where genetic testing for known mutations in the insulin signalling pathway has been negative.
Biological embedding of early‐life exposures and disease risk in humans: a role for DNA methylation
Authors: Demetriou Christiana A. , van Veldhoven Karin , Relton Caroline , Stringhini Silvia , Kyriacou Kyriacos , Vineis Paolo 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundFollowing wider acceptance of ‘the thrifty phenotype’ hypothesis and the convincing evidence that early‐life exposures can influence adult health even decades after the exposure, much interest has been placed on the mechanisms through which early‐life exposures become biologically embedded.Materials and methodsIn this review, we summarize the current literature regarding biological embedding of early‐life experiences. To this end, we conducted a literature search to identify studies investigating early‐life exposures in relation to DNA methylation changes. In addition, we summarize the challenges faced in investigations of epigenetic effects, stemming from the peculiarities of this emergent and complex field. A proper systematic review and meta‐analyses were not feasible given the nature of the evidence.ResultsWe identified seven studies on early‐life socio‐economic circumstances, 10 studies on childhood obesity and six studies on early‐life nutrition all relating to DNA methylation changes that met the stipulated inclusion criteria. The pool of evidence gathered, albeit small, favours a role of epigenetics and DNA methylation in biological embedding, but replication of findings, multiple comparison corrections, publication bias and causality are concerns remaining to be addressed in future investigations.ConclusionsBased on these results, we hypothesize that epigenetics, in particular DNA methylation, is a plausible mechanism through which early‐life exposures are biologically embedded. This review describes the current status of the field and acts as a stepping stone for future, better designed investigations on how early‐life exposures might become biologically embedded through epigenetic effects.
Anthropogenic and natural drivers of gene flow in a temperate wild fruit tree: a basis for conservation and breeding programs in apples
Authors: Cornille Amandine , Feurtey Alice , Gélin Uriel , Ropars Jeanne , Misvanderbrugge Kristine , Gladieux Pierre , Giraud Tatiana 
Published: January 2015

AbstractGene flow is an essential component of population adaptation and species evolution. Understanding of the natural and anthropogenic factors affecting gene flow is also critical for the development of appropriate management, breeding, and conservation programs. Here, we explored the natural and anthropogenic factors impacting crop‐to‐wild and within wild gene flow in apples in Europe using an unprecedented dense sampling of 1889 wild apple (Malus sylvestris) from European forests and 339 apple cultivars (Malus domestica). We made use of genetic, environmental, and ecological data (microsatellite markers, apple production across landscapes and records of apple flower visitors, respectively). We provide the first evidence that both human activities, through apple production, and human disturbance, through modifications of apple flower visitor diversity, have had a significant impact on crop‐to‐wild interspecific introgression rates. Our analysis also revealed the impact of previous natural climate change on historical gene flow in the nonintrogressed wild apple M. sylvestris, by identifying five distinct genetic groups in Europe and a north–south gradient of genetic diversity. These findings identify human activities and climate as key drivers of gene flow in a wild temperate fruit tree and provide a practical basis for conservation, agroforestry, and breeding programs for apples in Europe.
Engagement in paid work as a protective predictor of basic activities of daily living disability in Japanese urban and rural community‐dwelling elderly residents: An 8‐year prospective study
Authors: Fujiwara Yoshinori , Shinkai Shoji , Kobayashi Erika , Minami Ushio , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Yoshida Hideyo , Ishizaki Tatsuro , Kumagai Shu , Watanabe Shuichiro , Furuna Taketo , Suzuki Takao 
Published: January 2015

AimTo examine whether engaging in paid work is a predictor of maintaining good functional health among Japanese older adults in both urban and rural communities.MethodsWe used the 8‐year longitudinal Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Longitudinal Interdisciplinary Study on Aging with 306 and 675 persons aged 65–84 years from Koganei City (urban) and Nangai Village (rural), respectively, who are independent in basic activities of daily living (BADL). In order to examine the declining patterns in BADL and evaluate the predictive value of working status for future BADL disability, we applied the log–rank test of cumulative proportion curves and the Cox proportional hazard model by sex, controlling for age, research fields, years of education, marital state, chronic medical conditions, pain, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), smoking status, exercise habits, life satisfaction, usual walking speed and serum albumin for evaluating the predictive value of working status at baseline for future BADL disability.ResultsIn both areas, participants who were not working were more likely to decline in BADL than those working (P < 0.05), except for women in urban Koganei. Male participants who did not engage in paid work had a higher adjusted hazard ratio of onset of BADL disability, compared with those working, but this was not seen for female participants.ConclusionsWorking might be protective from a decline in BADL only for men, but not for women. Regarding the difference of sex roles in conventional Japanese society, working would be an effective solution especially for men to participate in social activities. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 126–134.
Walking can be more effective than balance training in fall prevention among community‐dwelling older adults
Authors: Okubo Yoshiro , Osuka Yosuke , Jung Songee , Rafael Figueroa , Tsujimoto Takehiko , Aiba Tatsuya , Kim Teaho , Tanaka Kiyoji 
Published: January 2015

AimTo examine the effects of walking on falls among community‐dwelling older adults while accounting for exposures.MethodsA total of 90 older adults, ranging in age from 65 to 79 years, were allocated into either the walking (brisk walking,n = 50) or the balance (balance and strength training,n = 40) group to participate in a 3‐month supervised and 13‐month unsupervised fall‐prevention program held from 2012 to 2014 in Japan. Falls and trips that occurred during the 16‐month period were monitored with a monthly fall calendar. The risk of falls and trips was evaluated by person‐year, physically active person‐day and person‐step.ResultsThe walking group showed a significant reduction in the fall risk when evaluated by the falls per physically active person‐day (rate ratio 0.38, 95% confidence interval 0.19–0.77) and falls per person‐step (rate ratio 0.47, 95% confidence interval 0.26–0.85) compared with the balance group. In contrast, the number of trips significantly increased with walking, even when evaluated as trips per physically active person‐day (rate ratio 1.50, 95% confidence interval 1.12–2.00).ConclusionThe present findings suggest that walking among community‐dwelling older adults can be more effective for fall prevention than balance training. However, because walking can induce more trips, walking should not be recommended for older adults who are susceptible to falling or frailty.Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 118–125.
Frontal white matter hyperintensity predicts lower urinary tract dysfunction in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Ogama Noriko , Yoshida Masaki , Nakai Toshiharu , Niida Shumpei , Toba Kenji , Sakurai Takashi 
Published: January 2015

AimLower urinary tract symptoms often limit activities of daily life and impair quality of life in the elderly. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether regional white matter hyperintensity (WMH) can predict lower urinary tract symptoms in elderly with amnestic mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease.MethodsThe participants were 461 patients aged 65–85 years diagnosed with amnestic mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease. Patients and their caregivers were asked about symptoms of lower urinary tract symptoms (urinary difficulty, frequency and incontinence). Cognition, behavior and psychological symptoms of dementia and medication were evaluated. WMH and brain atrophy were analyzed using an automatic segmentation program. Regional WMH was evaluated in the frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes.ResultsPatients with urinary incontinence showed significantly greater volume of WMH. WMH increased with age, especially in the frontal lobe. WMH in the frontal lobe was closely associated with urinary incontinence after adjustment for brain atrophy and classical confounding factors.ConclusionsFrontal WMH was a predictive factor for urinary incontinence in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease. Urinary incontinence in demented older adults is not an incidental event, and careful insight into regional WMH on brain magnetic resonance imaging might greatly help in diagnosing individuals with a higher risk of urinary incontinence. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 167–174.
The Effects of Passage of Time on Alumni Recall of ‘Student Experience’
Authors: Koenig‐Lewis Nicole , Asaad Yousra , Palmer Adrian , Petersone Elina 
Published: January 2015

Abstract‘Student experience’ has become a popular term with higher education managers but is theoretically under‐developed. This paper conceptualises student experience as a construction from memory and advances previous discussion within the higher education sector by distinguishing between recalled academic and social experience. The results of a predominantly quantitative survey of 883 alumni indicated that recalled academic experience had greater effect on subsequent loyalty attitudes and behaviours than recalled social experience. Cluster analyses indicated that alumni having strong ties with their university were more likely over time to identify with the recalled academic experience of their university, while those with weak ties were more likely to identify with recalled social experiences. Implications for development of alumni associations are made based on targeting groups with different levels of ties with the university.
Towards the imaging of Weibel–Palade body biogenesis by serial block face‐scanning electron microscopy
Authors: MOURIK M.J. , FAAS F.G.A , ZIMMERMANN H. , EIKENBOOM J. , KOSTER A.J. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryElectron microscopy is used in biological research to study the ultrastructure at high resolution to obtain information on specific cellular processes. Serial block face‐scanning electron microscopy is a relatively novel electron microscopy imaging technique that allows three‐dimensional characterization of the ultrastructure in both tissues and cells by measuring volumes of thousands of cubic micrometres yet at nanometre‐scale resolution. In the scanning electron microscope, repeatedly an image is acquired followed by the removal of a thin layer resin embedded biological material by either a microtome or a focused ion beam. In this way, each recorded image contains novel structural information which can be used for three‐dimensional analysis.Here, we explore focused ion beam facilitated serial block face‐scanning electron microscopy to study the endothelial cell–specific storage organelles, the Weibel–Palade bodies, during their biogenesis at the Golgi apparatus. Weibel–Palade bodies predominantly contain the coagulation protein Von Willebrand factor which is secreted by the cell upon vascular damage. Using focused ion beam facilitated serial block face‐scanning electron microscopy we show that the technique has the sensitivity to clearly reveal subcellular details like mitochondrial cristae and small vesicles with a diameter of about 50 nm. Also, we reveal numerous associations between Weibel–Palade bodies and Golgi stacks which became conceivable in large‐scale three‐dimensional data. We demonstrate that serial block face‐scanning electron microscopy is a promising tool that offers an alternative for electron tomography to study subcellular organelle interactions in the context of a complete cell.
The use of glucocorticoids in marmoset wasting syndrome
Authors: Otovic Pete , Smith Shanequa , Hutchinson Eric 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundMarmoset wasting syndrome (MWS) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in captive marmosets, and thus far no reliable treatment has been found. Glucocorticoids are used widely to treat inflammatory conditions of the GI tract such as human and feline inflammatory bowel disease, which, such as MWS, are histologically characterized by chronic lymphoplasmacytic inflammation in the intestines. Budesonide is a glucocorticoid with few reported side effects due to the majority of it being metabolized into inactive compounds by the liver before entering the systemic circulation.MethodEleven marmosets presented with antemortem signs consistent with MWS and were treated with oral prednisone or budesonide for 8 weeks.ResultsThe marmosets in our study demonstrated a significant increase in both weight and albumin levels (relative to pre‐treatment values) after glucocorticoid therapy.ConclusionsGlucocorticoids are an effective therapy to ameliorate the clinical signs associated with MWS with minimal side effects.
Effectiveness of Health Education Teachers and School Nurses Teaching Sexually Transmitted Infections/Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention Knowledge and Skills in High School
Authors: Borawski Elaine A. , Tufts Kimberly Adams , Trapl Erika S. , Hayman Laura L. , Yoder Laura D. , Lovegreen Loren D. 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDWe examined the differential impact of a well‐established human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infections (STIs) curriculum, Be Proud! Be Responsible!, when taught by school nurses and health education classroom teachers within a high school curricula.METHODSGroup‐randomized intervention study of 1357 ninth and tenth grade students in 10 schools. Twenty‐seven facilitators (6 nurses, 21 teachers) provided programming; nurse‐led classrooms were randomly assigned.RESULTSStudents taught by teachers were more likely to report their instructor to be prepared, comfortable with the material, and challenged them to think about their health than students taught by a school nurse. Both groups reported significant improvements in HIV/STI/condom knowledge immediately following the intervention, compared to controls. Yet, those taught by school nurses reported significant and sustained changes (up to 12 months after intervention) in attitudes, beliefs, and efficacy, whereas those taught by health education teachers reported far fewer changes, with sustained improvement in condom knowledge only.CONCLUSIONSBoth classroom teachers and school nurses are effective in conveying reproductive health information to high school students; however, teaching the technical (eg, condom use) and interpersonal (eg, negotiation) skills needed to reduce high‐risk sexual behavior may require a unique set of skills and experiences that health education teachers may not typically have.
Association of School Social Networks' Influence and Mass Media Factors With Cigarette Smoking Among Asthmatic Students
Authors: Kanamori Mariano , Beck Kenneth H. , Carter‐Pokras Olivia 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDAround 10% of adolescent students under 18 years have current asthma. Asthmatic adolescents smoke as much or more than non‐asthmatic adolescents. We explored the association between exposure to mass media and social networks' influence with asthmatic student smoking, and variations of these exposures by sex.METHODSThis study included 9755 asthmatic and 38,487 non‐asthmatic middle and high school students. Secondary data analysis incorporated the complex sample design; and univariate, bivariate, and logistic regression statistics.RESULTSAsthmatic students had greater odds of smoking than non‐asthmatic students. Asthmatic female students were more likely than asthmatic male students to have been exposed to secondhand smoke in rooms or cars and to smoking actors, but less likely to associate smoking with intent to wear tobacco‐marketing products, or with looking cool/fitting in. Asthmatic male and female students, who have smoking friends, were exposed to secondhand smoke in rooms (only girls) or cars, intended to smoke if best friends offered cigarettes, or received/bought tobacco marketing products had greater odds of smoking than other asthmatic students.CONCLUSIONSThe observed associations suggest the need for general interventions to reduce middle and high school students' cigarette smoking as well as targeted interventions for asthmatic adolescent students.
Constraining the source regions of lunar meteorites using orbital geochemical data
Authors: Calzada‐Diaz A. , Joy K. H. , Crawford I. A. , Nordheim T. A. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractLunar meteorites provide important new samples of the Moon remote from regions visited by the Apollo and Luna sample return missions. Petrologic and geochemical analysis of these meteorites, combined with orbital remote sensing measurements, have enabled additional discoveries about the composition and age of the lunar surface on a global scale. However, the interpretation of these samples is limited by the fact that we do not know the source region of any individual lunar meteorite. Here, we investigate the link between meteorite and source region on the Moon using the Lunar Prospector gamma ray spectrometer remote sensing data set for the elements Fe, Ti, and Th. The approach has been validated using Apollo and Luna bulk regolith samples, and we have applied it to 48 meteorites excluding paired stones. Our approach is able broadly to differentiate the best compositional matches as potential regions of origin for the various classes of lunar meteorites. Basaltic and intermediate Fe regolith breccia meteorites are found to have the best constrained potential launch sites, with some impact breccias and pristine mare basalts also having reasonably well‐defined potential source regions. Launch areas for highland feldspathic meteorites are much less well constrained and the addition of another element, such as Mg, will probably be required to identify potential source regions for these.