bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of pre-incubation in sheep and goat saliva on in vitro rumen digestion of tanniferous browse foliage
Authors: AMMAR H. , BODAS R. , GONZÁLEZ J. S. , SALEM A. Z. M. , GIRÁLDEZ F. J. , ANDRÉS S. , LÓPEZ S. 
Published: May 2013

SUMMARYA two-stage in vitro procedure was used for assessing the activity of parotid saliva to enhance rumen digestion of tanniniferous browse foliage. The procedure consisted of pre-incubation in saliva for 4 h at 39 °C followed by incubation in diluted buffered rumen fluid. Using this procedure, a study was conducted to examine the effects of pre-incubation in sheep (SS), quebracho-supplemented sheep (qSS) and goat (GS) parotid saliva or in McDougall's artificial saliva (AS, used as control) on in vitro rumen fermentation kinetics (estimated using the gas production technique) of browse foliage from six shrub species (Cytisus scoparius, Genista florida, Rosa canina, Quercus pyrenaica, Cistus laurifolius and Erica australis) collected over two seasons (spring and autumn), thus varying the in vitro digestibility (from 0·597 to 0·903) and tannin contents (from 3 to 130 g tannic acid equivalent/kg dry matter (DM)). Saliva was collected from four sheep and four goats fed alfalfa hay, and from four sheep fed the same alfalfa hay but supplemented with quebracho (rich in condensed tannins) for 60 d, through a cannula inserted in the parotid duct, and rumen fluid was always from sheep fed alfalfa hay. The extent of degradation when browse foliage was pre-incubated in qSS was similar to that observed with control AS (0·449 v. 0·452, respectively), and 8% less than the value with pre-incubation in SS (0·490). In vitro fermentation kinetics (gas production parameters) of browse foliage were not significantly enhanced with pre-incubation in qSS compared with SS, whereas in vitro digestibility and extent of degradation in the rumen were significantly reduced with qSS compared with SS. After pre-incubation in sheep and goat saliva, the extent of browse foliage degradation was significantly increased by 4–8% compared with pre-incubation in the control AS. Fermentation efficiency of browse foliage was increased (P<0·05) with pre-incubation in GS compared with SS. Sheep or goat saliva may have some activity to affect in vitro rumen fermentation of the foliage samples incubated, enhancing extent of degradation of tannin-rich browse. However, a relationship between the magnitude of this effect and the tannin content of the browse foliage could not be established, suggesting that sheep and goat saliva may not be particularly important in neutralizing tannins.
A simple biologically inspired algorithm for collision-free navigation of a unicycle-like robot in dynamic environments with moving obstacles
Authors: Savkin Andrey V. , Wang Chao 
Published: May 2013

SUMMARYWe present a simple biologically inspired strategy for the navigation of a unicycle-like robot towards a target while avoiding collisions with moving obstacles. A mathematically rigorous analysis of the proposed approach is provided. The performance of the algorithm is demonstrated via experiments with a real robot and extensive computer simulations.
Reliability and validity of a short FFQ for assessing the dietary habits of 2–5-year-old children, Sydney, Australia
Authors: Flood Victoria M , Wen Li Min , Hardy Louise L , Rissel Chris , Simpson Judy M , Baur Louise A 
Published: May 2013

AbstractObjectiveA simple FFQ which ranks young children's dietary habits is necessary for population-based monitoring and intervention programmes. The aim of the present study was to determine the reliability and validity of a short FFQ to assess the dietary habits of young children aged 2–5 years.DesignParents completed a seventeen-item FFQ for their children by telephone on two occasions, two weeks apart. Sixty-four parents also completed 3 d food records for their children. The FFQ included daily servings of fruit and vegetables, frequency of eating lean meat, processed meats, take-away food, snack foods (biscuits, cakes, doughnuts, muesli bars), potato crisps and confectionery, and cups of soft drinks/cordials, juice, milk and water. Weighted kappa and intra-class correlation coefficients were used to assess FFQ reliability and the Bland–Altman method was used to assess validity of the FFQ compared with the 3 d food record.SettingSeven pre-school centres in metropolitan Sydney, Australia.SubjectsSeventy-seven children aged 2–5 years.ResultsThe majority of questions had moderate to good reliability:κwranged from 0·37 (lean meat) to 0·85 (take-away food consumption). Validity analysis showed a significant increase in mean values from the food record with increasing ordered categories from the FFQ for servings of vegetables and fruit and cups of drinks (all trendP≤ 0·01). Spearman rank correlation coefficient was >0·5 for vegetables, fruit, diet soft drinks and fruit juice.ConclusionsThe FFQ provides reliable and moderately valid information about the dietary intakes and habits of children aged 2–5 years, in particular for fruit, vegetables and beverages.
Predictors of increased body weight and waist circumference for middle-aged adults
Authors: MacInnis Robert J , Hodge Allison M , Dixon Helen G , Peeters Anna , Johnson Lucinda EA , English Dallas R , Giles Graham G 
Published: May 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo identify predictors of increased adiposity for different measures of adiposity.DesignProspective cohort study, the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS), with data at baseline (1990–1994) and wave 2 (2003–2007).SettingParticipants recruited from the community.SubjectsAustralian-born participants (n 5879) aged 40 to 69 years who were not current smokers and who were free from common chronic diseases at recruitment. At baseline and at wave 2, weight and waist circumference were measured; while demographic and lifestyle variables were obtained at baseline via structured interviews.ResultsParticipants who reported any recreational physical activity at baseline had lower weight and smaller waist circumference at wave 2 than those who did not, particularly for younger participants and for vigorous physical activity. Walking for leisure was not associated, and greater physical activity at work was associated, with greater adiposity measures at wave 2. A diet low in carbohydrates and fibre, but high in fat and protein, predicted greater weight and waist circumference at wave 2. Participants were less likely to have elevated weight or waist circumference at wave 2 if they consumed low to moderate amounts of alcohol.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that promoting vigorous physical activity, encouraging a diet high in carbohydrate and fibre but low in fat and protein, and limiting alcohol intake could be promising approaches for preventing obesity in middle-aged adults. Similar interventions should successfully address the management of both weight and waist circumference, as they were predicted by similar factors.
The effects of television and Internet food advertising on parents and children
Authors: Pettigrew Simone , Tarabashkina Liudmila , Roberts Michele , Quester Pascale , Chapman Kathy , Miller Caroline 
Published: May 2013

AbstractObjectiveThe current study examined the impact of television and Internet food advertising on Australian parents and children.DesignParents and their children aged 8 to 14 years were exposed to a television advertisement, an Internet advertisement or a control picture for four commonly advertised energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods.SettingOnline web panel survey, Australia.SubjectsParents (n1302) and their children aged 8 to 14 years (n1302).ResultsAfter a single exposure to each advertisement, parent respondents in the two exposure conditions evaluated the products more favourably, had a greater desire to consume the products and thought the product could be consumed more frequently than those in the control condition. Similar trends were observed among children, although the differences were statistically significant only for the frequency of food consumption in the Internet advertisement condition and the evaluation of one product.ConclusionsThe results have implications for assumptions of adults’ immunity to advertising. This is of particular importance in efforts to address child obesity and the reliance on parents to mediate the effects of food advertising.
The Impact of Reading Expressiveness on the Listening Comprehension of Storybooks by Prekindergarten Children
Authors: Mira William A. , Schwanenflugel Paula J. 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine the effect of oral reading expressiveness on the comprehension of storybooks by 4- and 5-year-old prekindergarten children. The possible impact of prosody on listening comprehension was explored.MethodNinety-two prekindergarten children (Mage  =  57.26 months,SD =  3.89 months) listened to an expressive or inexpressive recording of 1 of 2 similar stories. Story comprehension was tested using assessments of both free recall and cued recall.ResultsChildren showed statistically significantly better cued recall for the expressive readings of stories compared to the inexpressive readings of stories. This effect generalized across stories and when story length was controlled across both expressive and inexpressive versions. The effect of expressiveness on children's free recall was not significant.ConclusionHighly expressive readings resulted in better comprehension of storybooks by prekindergarten children. Further, because recordings were used, this effect might be attributed to the facilitation of language processing rather than to enhanced social interaction between the reader and the child.
Factors Influencing the Selection of Standardized Tests for the Diagnosis of Specific Language Impairment
Authors: Betz Stacy K. , Eickhoff Jessica R. , Sullivan Shanleigh F. 
Published: May 2013

Purpose
Standardized tests are one of the primary assessment tools used by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to diagnose child language impairment. Numerous child language tests are commercially available; however, it is unknown what factors lead clinicians to select particular tests to use in clinical practice. This study investigated whether the quality of standardized tests, as measured by the test's psychometric properties, is related to how frequently the tests are used in clinical practice.

Method
A total of 364 SLPs completed a survey regarding how frequently they used specific standardized tests when diagnosing suspected specific language impairment (SLI). The test manuals for 55 tests were reviewed to determine whether test characteristics, such as test reliability, validity, and accuracy, correlated with the frequency of test use.

Results
The most frequently used standardized tests were omnibus measures (e.g., Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals—Fourth Edition [Semel, Wiig, & Secord, 2003], Preschool Language Scale, Fourth Edition [Zimmerman, Steiner, & Pond, 2002]) and single-word vocabulary measures (e.g., Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Fourth Edition [Dunn & Dunn, 2007]). Publication year was the only test characteristic that correlated significantly with the frequency of test use.

Conclusion
The quality of a standardized test, as measured by the test's psychometric properties, does not appear to influence how frequently a test is used. These results highlight the need for increased evidence-based practice when diagnosing children with language impairment.
Impact of Starch Gelatinization and Kernel Fissuring on the Milling Breakage Susceptibility of Parboiled Brown Rice
Authors: Buggenhout Joke , Brijs Kristof , Delcour Jan A. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTParboiling, a hydrothermal treatment of paddy or brown rice, improves the texture and nutritional characteristics of cooked rice. We investigated milling breakage susceptibility of brown rice parboiled under different soaking and steaming conditions, resulting in samples with different degrees of starch gelatinization and levels of fissured grains and white bellies, that is, parboiled grains with translucent outer layers and an undesirable opaque center. The milling breakage susceptibility was 2.1% for raw rice and ranged from less than 1% up to 11.3% for parboiled rice. Parboiled samples with increased milling breakage susceptibility contained higher levels of white bellies and fissured grains. In white bellies, starch gelatinization is incomplete. Scanning electron microscopy revealed inhomogeneities in individual white bellies and fissured rice grains, indicating moisture gradients inside the grains during parboiling. Starch needs to be completely gelatinized to ensure the absence of white bellies and minimal fissured grain levels in the parboiled end product and, as a consequence, a decreased milling breakage.
Lower 30 Minute Serum Insulin in Healthy Sprague‐Dawley Rats Consuming Chips from Specific Barley Flour Blends
Authors: Harding Scott V. , Storsley Joanne , Thandapilly Sijo J. , Ames Nancy P. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTConsumption of whole grains such as barley is known to inversely correlate with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic diseases. However, data from randomized controlled trials in humans have not produced consistent results. Compositional differences between foods produced from different whole grains are likely to be a main reason for these discrepancies. The purpose of this study was to determine if varying barley flour composition achieved through milling influenced the postprandial glucose and insulin response. Specifically, this study aimed to test barley foods in the form of chips with very low hydration, thereby mimicking human snack foods. Fasted rats (N = 39) were randomized to one of four barley treatments, all produced from a single variety, Hordeum vulgare L. ‘CDC Fibar.’ The treatments used were straight‐grade flour (SGF), whole grain flour (WGF), bran flour with high β‐glucan (BF‐BG), bran flour with high insoluble dietary fiber, and wheat flour (WF) as the control. Blood was sampled over 120 min following treatment consumption to measure postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations. Our data showed that although there were no substantial glycemic or insulin effects following one‐time consumption of barley tortilla chips with specific compositions, those rats consuming WGF, SGF, or BF‐BG tended to have lower 30 min serum insulin concentrations compared with those rats consuming WF.
Sporopollenin Biosynthetic Enzymes Interact and Constitute a Metabolon Localized to the Endoplasmic Reticulum of Tapetum Cells
Authors: Lallemand Benjamin , Erhardt Mathieu , Heitz Thierry , Legrand Michel 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe sporopollenin polymer is the major constituent of exine, the outer pollen wall. Recently fatty acid derivatives have been shown to be the precursors of sporopollenin building units. ACYL-COA SYNTHETASE, POLYKETIDE SYNTHASE A (PKSA) and PKSB, TETRAKETIDE α-PYRONE REDUCTASE1 (TKPR1) and TKPR2 have been demonstrated to be involved in sporopollenin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Here all these sporopollenin biosynthetic enzymes but TKPR2 have been immunolocalized to endoplasmic reticulum of anther tapetal cells. Pull-down experiments demonstrated that tagged recombinant proteins interacted to form complexes whose constituents were characterized by immunoblotting. In vivo protein interactions were evidenced by yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) two-hybrid analysis and by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy/Förster resonance energy transfer studies in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana, which were used to test the possibility that the enzymes interact to form a biosynthetic metabolon. Various pairs of proteins fused to two distinct fluorochromes were coexpressed in N. benthamiana leaf tissues and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy/Förster resonance energy transfer measurements demonstrated that proteins interacted pairwise in planta. Taken together, these results suggest the existence of a sporopollenin metabolon.
Theory, Schmeory. Let's Keep Our Models Simple and Strong
Authors: Kraut Allen I. 
Published: May 2013

Craig Russell has done us all a service in his review of current turnover research (2013), but I think he is too severe in his judgment of the validities and relevance of our field's research, and he encourages us to go down some questionable research paths in the future. Despite his expertise in the field, there are several points where I believe other views are more attractive.We can recognize the usefulness of assessing so many studies and meta-analyses done in recent decades, as summarized in his Table 1 (drawn from Griffeth, Hom, & Gaertner, 2000). But let us also note that Russell would have done readers a bigger favor if the results were presented in some logical order. Right now, not even an alphabetic order among the variables is evident. This is a flaw that obscures key understandings. Looking at the data another way can make one more optimistic about its predictive validity and relevance.
Hydrogen isotopic substitution of solid methylamine through atomic surface reactions at low temperatures: A potential contribution to the D/H ratio of methylamine in molecular clouds
Authors: Oba Yasuhiro , Chigai Takeshi , Osamura Yoshihiro , Watanabe Naoki , Kouchi Akira 
Published: May 2013

AbstractWe experimentally studied hydrogen (H)–deuterium (D) substitution reactions of solid methylamine (CH3NH2) under astrophysically relevant conditions. We also calculated the potential energy surface for the H–D substitution reactions of methylamine isotopologues using quantum chemical methods. Despite the relatively large energy barrier of more than 18 kJ mol−1, CH3NH2 reacted with D atoms to yield deuterated methylamines at 10 K, suggesting that the H–D substitution reaction proceeds through quantum tunneling. Deuterated methylamines reacted with H atoms as well. On the basis of present results, we propose that methylamine has potential for D enrichment through atomic surface reactions on interstellar grains at very low temperatures in molecular clouds. D enrichment would occur in particular in the methyl group of methylamine.
Cohomological and projective dimensions
Authors: Varbaro Matteo 
Published: May 2013

AbstractLet $\mathfrak{a}$ be a homogeneous ideal of a polynomial ring $R$ in $n$ variables over a field $\mathbb{k}$. Assume that $\mathrm{depth} (R/ \mathfrak{a})\geq t$, where $t$ is some number in $\{ 0, \ldots , n\} $. A result of Peskine and Szpiro says that if $\mathrm{char} (\mathbb{k})\gt 0$, then the local cohomology modules ${ H}_{\mathfrak{a}}^{i} (M)$ vanish for all $i\gt n- t$ and all $R$-modules $M$. In characteristic $0$, there are counterexamples to this for all $t\geq 4$. On the other hand, when $t\leq 2$, by exploiting classical results of Grothendieck, Lichtenbaum, Hartshorne and Ogus it is not difficult to extend the result to any characteristic. In this paper we settle the remaining case; specifically, we show that if $\mathrm{depth} (R/ \mathfrak{a})\geq 3$, then the local cohomology modules ${ H}_{\mathfrak{a}}^{i} (M)$ vanish for all $i\gt n- 3$ and all $R$-modules $M$, whatever the characteristic of $\mathbb{k}$ is.
Fungal Virulence in a Lepidopteran Model Is an Emergent Property with Deterministic Features
Authors: Garcia-Solache Monica A. , Izquierdo-Garcia David , Smith Cameron , Bergman Aviv , Casadevall Arturo 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTVirulence has been proposed to be an emergent property, which by definition implies that it is not reducible to its components, but this application of a philosophical concept to the host-microbe interaction has not been experimentally tested. The goals of our study were to analyze the correlation of the phenotype with the ability to cause disease and to determine the dynamics of an experimental cryptococcal infection inGalleria mellonellaandAcanthamoeba castellanii. By studying the outcome of infection as host death, we showed that the dynamics of virulence in theG. mellonella/Cryptococcus neoformansinteraction follow a predictable pattern. We also found that the experimental temperature and not the presence of virulence factors was a critical parameter defining the pathogenic potential of cryptococcal species. Our results established that cryptococcal species not considered pathogenic could be pathogens given suitable conditions. Our results support the idea that virulence is an emergent property that cannot be easily predicted by a reductionist approach and yet it behaves as a deterministic system in a lepidopteran cryptococcal infection. These findings provide a road map for evaluating whether host-microbe interactions in other systems are chaotic, deterministic, or stochastic, including those with public health importance.IMPORTANCEVirulence is a complex phenotype that cannot be easily studied by analyzing its individual components in isolation. By studying the outcome of infection as the death of the host, we found that a given microbial phenotype does not necessarily correlate with its ability to cause disease and that the presence of so-called virulence factors does not predict pathogenicity, consistent with the notion that virulence is an emergent property. This paper reports that the dynamics of virulence inGalleria mellonellalarvae infected with the fungusCryptococcus neoformansfollows a predictable pattern. Establishing that virulence is an emergent property is important because it implies that it is not reducible to its components, and consequently, this phenomenon needs to be studied by a holistic approach.
Real-world outcomes of US employees with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with insulin glargine or neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin: a comparative retrospective database study
Authors: Wang Li , Wei Wenhui , Miao Raymond , Xie Lin , Baser Onur 
Published: May 2013

ObjectivesTo compare real-world outcomes of initiating insulin glargine (GLA) versus neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin among employees with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had both employer-sponsored health insurance and short-tem-disability coverages.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingMarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters/Health and Productivity Management Databases 2003–2009.ParticipantsAdult employees with T2DM who were previously treated with oral antidiabetic drugs and/or glucagon-like-peptide 1 receptor agonists and initiated GLA or NPH were included if they were continuously enrolled in healthcare and short-term-disability coverages for 3 months before (baseline) and 1 year after (follow-up) initiation. Treatment selection bias was addressed by 2:1 propensity score matching. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using different matching ratios.Primary and secondary outcome measuresOutcomes during 1-year follow-up were measured and compared: insulin treatment persistence and adherence; hypoglycaemia rates and daily average consumption of insulin; total and diabetes-specific healthcare resource utilisation and costs and loss in productivity, as measured by short-term disability, and the associated costs.ResultsA total of 534 patients were matched and analysed (GLA: 356; NPH 178) with no significant differences in baseline characteristics. GLA patients were more persistent and adherent (both p<0.05), had lower rates of hospitalisation (23% vs 31.4%; p=0.036) and endocrinologist visits (19.1% vs 26.9%; p=0.038), similar hypoglycaemia rates (both 4.4%; p=1.0), higher diabetes drug costs ($2031 vs $1522; p<0.001), but similar total healthcare costs ($14 550 vs $16 093; p=0.448) and total diabetes-related healthcare costs ($4686 vs $5604; p=0.416). Short-term disability days and costs were numerically lower in the GLA cohort (16.0 vs 24.5 days; p=0.086 and $2824 vs $4363; p=0.081, respectively). Sensitivity analyses yielded similar findings.ConclusionsInsulin GLA results in better persistence and adherence, compared with NPH insulin, with no overall cost disadvantages. Better persistence and adherence may lead to long-term health benefits for employees with T2DM.