bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Software‐Based Evaluation of Human Age: A Pilot Study
Authors: Patzelt Sebastian B. M. , Schaible Leonie K. , Stampf Susanne , Kohal Ralf J. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractPurposeThis pilot study was to assess a smartphone application regarding its use as an objective evaluation tool for subject age in comparison to human raters and to identify potential factors influencing the estimation of age.Materials and MethodsTen Caucasian participants (six females, four males, mean age 42.1 ± 22.6 years) were randomly chosen, and frontal facial pictures of each participant were taken. The smartphone application PhotoAge (Version 1.5, ©2012, Percipo Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA) was used to evaluate the age of the participants. For comparison, 100 randomly selected raters (60 females, 40 males, mean age 29.3 ± 1.3 years) were asked to evaluate the age of the same participants. The influence of participants' facial expression, age, and sex as well as raters' age, sex, and profession was investigated as well. Statistical analyses (linear mixed models with random intercepts; least square means, confidence interval 95%; p < 0.05) were implemented.ResultsPhotoAge resulted in a mean age of 43.1 ± 18.2 years, with a difference from the true mean age of 1.0 ± 8.2 years (p = 0.5996). The evaluation by the raters revealed a mean age of 41.5 ± 19.0 years, with a difference from the true mean age of −0.6 ± 8.5 years (p = 0.6078). There was no statistical significance between the two groups (p = 0.2783).ConclusionThe evaluation of age with the software application PhotoAge seems to be a reliable procedure with comparable results to human raters.Clinical SignificanceThis study gives a better understanding about the reliability of a software‐based evaluation tool for age and identifies factors (e.g., the visibility of the teeth) potentially affecting the estimation of age. Naturally looking teeth seem to have no influence on the evaluation of a person's age. Thus, the application of this specific application for dental purposes is questionable; however, in forensics, it might be a valuable tool for estimating a person's age.
Isolation and Genetic Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from Black Bears (Ursus americanus), Bobcats (Lynx rufus), and Feral Cats (Felis catus) from Pennsylvania
Authors: Dubey Jitender P. , Verma Shiv K. , Calero‐Bernal Rafael , Cassinelli Ana B. , Kwok Oliver C. H. , Van Why Kyle , Su Chunlei , Humphreys Jan G. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractToxoplasma gondii infects virtually all warm‐blooded hosts worldwide. Recently, attention has been focused on the genetic diversity of the parasite to explain its pathogenicity in different hosts. It has been hypothesized that interaction between feral and domestic cycles of T. gondii may increase unusual genotypes in domestic cats and facilitate transmission of potentially more pathogenic genotypes to humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. In the present study, we tested black bear (Ursus americanus), bobcat (Lynx rufus), and feral cat (Felis catus) from the state of Pennsylvania for T. gondii infection. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 32 (84.2%) of 38 bears, both bobcats, and 2 of 3 feral cats tested by the modified agglutination test (cut off titer 1:25). Hearts from seropositive animals were bioassayed in mice, and viable T. gondii was isolated from 3 of 32 bears, 2 of 2 bobcats, and 2 of 3 feral cats. DNA isolated from culture‐derived tachyzoites of these isolates was characterized using multilocus PCR‐RFLP markers. Three genotypes were revealed, including ToxoDB PCR‐RFLP genotype #1 or #3 (Type II, 1 isolate), #5 (Type 12, 3 isolates), and #216 (3 isolates), adding to the evidence of genetic diversity of T. gondii in wildlife in Pennsylvania. Pathogenicity of 3 T. gondii isolates (all #216, 1 from bear, and 2 from feral cat) was determined in outbred Swiss Webster mice; all three were virulent causing 100% mortality. Results indicated that highly mouse pathogenic strains of T. gondii are circulating in wildlife, and these strains may pose risk to infect human through consuming of game meat.
Isolation and Genotyping of Acanthamoeba Strains from Soil Sources from Jamaica, West Indies
Authors: Todd Cheridah D. , Reyes‐Batlle María , Martín‐Navarro Carmen Mª , Dorta‐Gorrín Alexis , López‐Arencibia Atteneri , Martínez‐Carretero Enrique , Piñero José E. , Valladares Basilio , Lindo John F. , Lorenzo‐Morales Jacob 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAcanthamoeba spp. are opportunistic pathogens that are ubiquitous in nature. Many species of this genus are responsible for a fatal encephalitis and keratitis in humans and other animals. Seventy‐two soil samples were collected from the parishes across Jamaica and assessed for the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. Cultivation was carried out on non‐nutrient agar plates seeded with heat killed Escherichia coli. PCR and sequencing of the DF3 region were carried out in order to genotype the isolated strains of Acanthamoeba. Thermotolerance and osmotolerance assays were utilized to investigate the pathogenic potential of the Acanthamoeba isolates. Acanthamoeba spp. was isolated from 63.9% of soil samples. Sequencing of the DF3 region of the 18S rDNA resulted in the identification of genotypes T4, T5, and T11. T4 genotype was most frequently isolated. Most isolates were thermotolerant or both thermotolerant and osmotolerant, indicating that they may present the potential to cause disease in humans and other animals.
HOUSE PRICE IMPACTS OF RACIAL, INCOME, EDUCATION, AND AGE NEIGHBORHOOD SEGREGATION
Authors: Brasington David M. , Hite Diane , Jauregui Andres 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTWe study housing prices and neighborhood segregation. We advance the literature by (1) studying not just racial segregation like previous studies, but also segregation by age, income, and education level, (2) using a finer unit of geography to construct segregation measures, (3) incorporating spatial statistics, and (4) separating segregation effects from underlying population level effects. We find race segregation is positively related to house prices, with an elasticity of 0.19. In contrast, income and educational segregation reduce housing values, with elasticities of −0.23 and −0.21. By comparison, house age has an elasticity of −0.15. Age segregation is not generally capitalized.
Variation in body size and degree of melanism within a lizards clade: is it driven by latitudinal and climatic gradients?
Authors: Moreno Azócar D. L. , Perotti M. G. , Bonino M. F. , Schulte J. A. , Abdala C. S. , Cruz F. B. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBody size (BS) varies in response to several selective pressures. In ectotherms, thermal inertia may affect thermoregulation, since largerBSs increase heat conservation asBergmann originally stipulated for endotherms. However,Bergmann's rule is controversial in ectotherms. The heat balance hypothesis states that ectotherms' thermoregulatory capability is relevant for trends inBS. In cold climates, largerBSswould be advantageous for small thermoregulating ectotherms, by increasing heat conservation. However,BSimplies a delaying effect on heating too; therefore, ectotherms may need another trait to compensate the later effect. Thermal melanism hypothesis posits that melanism increases heat gain, and may be adaptive for animals inhabiting cold climates. We propose that the higher solar radiation absorption from increased melanism may be such a compensatory trait. We expectBSand melanism to increase with latitude in response to seasonal temperatures and solar radiation. To test this, we studied the monophyleticLiolaemus goetschigroup of lizard species across its 2200 km (32–48°Slatitude) range. We used phylogenetically informed analyses to study geographic variation ofBSand melanism (dorsal, ventral and total) in relation to temperatures, thermal amplitude, cloudiness and net solar radiation. Our results show that lizards'BSincreases latitudinally in relation to thermal amplitude and temperature. Only ventral melanism varied latitudinally, but all melanism variables varied in response to cloudiness and net radiation. The relationship betweenBSand melanism was significant and positive in all cases. We suggest thermal inertia may be a fair candidate mechanism explaining geographic variation inBS(heat balance hypothesis), while melanism may influence heat gain according to the thermal melanism hypothesis. However, it remains unclear why latitudinal variation is related to ventral instead of dorsal melanism, and further investigation is needed to clarify the relationship betweenBSand melanism in light of cold climates.
The role of male's anal horns in copulation of a scorpionfly
Authors: Zhong Wen , Ding Guo , Hua Baozhen 
Published: November 2014

AbstractSexual conflict drives evolution of sexually antagonistic adaptations that give advantages to the bearer. As a consequence of sexual conflict, male scorpionflies (Mecoptera: Panorpidae) provide nuptial gifts for the female and use grasping organs to repress female resistance. These organs, except notal organ, have not been satisfactorily studied. In this paper, the mating behavior of Dicerapanorpa magna (Chou) was investigated to reveal the role of the anal horns (a pair of posterior processes on tergum VI) of males. The males initiate copulation through grasping the female with the notal organ and anal horns, prolonging copulation by providing salivary masses to the female as nuptial gifts and maintaining copulation after the female consumed the salivary masses. The results of a manipulative experiment show that the anal horns play a significant role in the mating success for the males of D. magna by promoting male domination in copulation through increasing the duration of pre‐ and post‐gift‐providing copulatory stages against female resistance and by avoiding wasting of nuptial gifts. The anal horns of male D. magna seem to be a male adaptation evolved to overcome female mating resistance.
Circadian Rhythms in Cognitive Processes: Implications for School Learning
Authors: Valdez Pablo , Ramírez Candelaria , García Aída 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTCircadian variations have been found in cognitive processes, such as attention, working memory, and executive functions, which may explain oscillations in the performance of many tasks. These cognitive processes improve during the day and decrease during the night and early hours of the morning. Sleep deprivation further decreases these cognitive processes during daytime hours. This review analyses the recent findings on circadian rhythms in cognitive processes, as well as the implications of these rhythms for school learning.
School Schedules Affect Sleep Timing in Children and Contribute to Partial Sleep Deprivation
Authors: Anacleto Tâmile Stella , Adamowicz Taísa , Simões da Costa Pinto Laura , Louzada Fernando Mazzilli 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTAlthough the environmental light/dark cycle is the main zeitgeber for the human species, the social cues seem to be important in the synchronization of circadian rhythms. In Brazil, the existence of two school schedules—one with only morning classes (MG) and other with only afternoon classes (AG)—allows the investigation of the effect of school activities on light exposure and sleep/wake patterns in children. Forty‐seven children wore wrist actimeters for a week for registration of light and sleep data. MG children presented shorter sleep duration on school days than the children from the AG. The results showed that during school days MG children were exposed to bright light earlier in the morning when compared to AG children. Nevertheless, there were no differences in light exposure after sunset. The results reflect the role of school schedules and artificial light in shaping light exposure, and its association with sleep timing in children.
School Characteristics, Child Work, and Other Daily Activities as Sleep Deficit Predictors in Adolescents from Households with Unsatisfied Basic Needs
Authors: Vigo Daniel E. , Simonelli Guido , Tuñón Ianina , Pérez Chada Daniel , Cardinali Daniel P. , Golombek Diego 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTSleep in adolescents has been shown to be an important factor when looking at physical, mental, and social well‐being. Little evidence is found regarding sleep patterns in adolescents from households facing extreme poverty, where conditions such as crowding, poor housing, sanitation or education, and precarious employment set an adverse environment for sleep. In this study, we sought to assess in a nationwide sample comprised of 1,682 adolescents from Argentina, how the presence of extreme poverty—as defined by the presence of unsatisfied basic needs (UBN)—affects the relationship of sleep duration with school, work, and other daily activities. A global high prevalence of short sleeping time, a slight increase of sleep time in adolescents with UBN, and different patterns of wake activities that predict sleep deficit, depending on the presence of UBN, were found. The poor academic achievement, increased risk of accidents, and adverse health outcomes associated with sleep deprivation support the view that sleep is an additional unsatisfied basic need that worsens living conditions at this age. The results may help to design public health policies that contribute to ameliorate this adverse situation.
Determinants of Sleep Duration Among High School Students in Part‐Time Employment
Authors: Laberge Luc , Ledoux Élise , Auclair Julie , Gaudreault Marco 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTAdolescents who work while attending school are reported to sleep less than those who do not. This study aimed to identify factors associated with short sleep duration in students who work during the school year. A cross‐sectional survey aiming to describe working conditions and occupational safety and health was completed by representative samples of Quebec high school students aged 12–19 years from three administrative regions (n = 3,871). A multiple stepwise regression analysis was performed with sleep duration as the dependent variable, and sociodemographic, school, occupational, and health factors as potential explanatory variables. Significant factors associated with shorter sleep duration were later bedtimes (p < .001), shorter weekend oversleep (p < .001), higher physical work factors related to handling efforts (p < .001), and female gender (p < .01). Addressing work conditions of student workers may help prevent sleep deprivation. Special efforts should also target girls combining work and study.
SpoIIID‐mediated regulation of σK function during Clostridium difficile sporulation
Authors: Pishdadian Keyan , Fimlaid Kelly A. , Shen Aimee 
Published: November 2014

SummaryThe spore‐forming bacterial pathogen Clostridium difficile is a leading cause of health‐care‐associated diarrhea worldwide. Although C. difficile spore formation is essential for disease transmission, the regulatory pathways that control this developmental process have only been partially characterized. In the well‐studied spore‐former Bacillus subtilis, the highly conserved σE, SpoIIID and σK regulatory proteins control gene expression in the mother cell to ensure proper spore formation. To define the precise requirement for SpoIIID and σK during C. difficile sporulation, we analyzed spoIIID and sigK mutants using heterologous expression systems and RNA‐Seq transcriptional profiling. These analyses revealed that expression of sigK from a SpoIIID‐independent promoter largely bypasses the need for SpoIIID to produce heat‐resistant spores. We also observed that σK is active upon translation, suggesting that SpoIIID primarily functions to activate sigK. SpoIIID nevertheless plays auxiliary roles during sporulation, as it enhances levels of the exosporium morphogenetic protein CdeC in a σK‐dependent manner. Analyses of purified spores further revealed that SpoIIID and σK control the adherence of the CotB coat protein to C. difficile spores, indicating that these proteins regulate multiple stages of spore formation. Collectively, these results highlight that diverse mechanisms control spore formation in the Firmicutes.
Global microRNA modification in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)
Authors: Xie Fuliang , Wang Qinglian , Zhang Baohong 
Published: November 2014

SummaryMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs participating in versatile biological processes via post‐transcriptionally gene regulation. However, how miRNAs are modified or degraded remains unknown, despite years of studies have unravelled much details of miRNA biogenesis and function. Here, we systematically investigated miRNA modification using six small RNA sequencing libraries generated from cotton seedling as well as cotton fibre at five developmental stages. Our results show that 1–2‐nt truncation and addition on both 5′ and 3′ ends of miRNAs are the major modification forms. The 5′ and 3′ end miRNA modification was almost equal in the six development stages. Truncation was more common than addition on both 5′ and 3′ end. Structure analysis of the 5′ and 3′ ends of miRNAs and isomiRs shows that uridine is the preferential nucleotide at the first position of both 5′ and 3′ ends. According to analysis of nucleotides truncated and tailed from miRNAs, both miRNAs and isomiRs share a similar positional structure distribution at their 5′ and 3′ ends, respectively. Furthermore, opposite to previous reports, cytodine is more frequently truncated and tailed from the two ends of isomiRs, implying existence of a complex cytodine balance in isomiRs. Comparison of isomiR expression shows differential miRNA modification amongst the six developmental stages in terms of selective modification form, development‐dependent modification and differential expression abundance. Our results globally uncovered miRNA modification features in cotton, which could contribute us to understanding miRNA's postmature modification and its regulatory function.
Does Corporate Taxation Deter Multinationals? Evidence from a Historic Event in Ireland
Authors: Görg Holger , Strobl Eric 
Published: November 2014

AbstractWe use a unique exogenous corporate tax policy change in the Republic of Ireland to investigate how corporate taxation affects foreign direct investment at the extensive and intensive margin. To this end, we construct exhaustive sectoral and plant level panel data and use difference‐in‐differences strategies. Our results do not provide strong evidence that the increase in corporate tax rates for exporters did affect the entry or exit of plants from the US or UK in Ireland. Entry rates of German firms seem to be negatively affected, however. At the intensive margin, there is evidence that foreign plants in Ireland reduce the size of their operations in response to the tax change.
Hypofractionated radiation therapy for the treatment of microscopic canine soft tissue sarcoma
Authors: Kung M. B. J. , Poirier V. J. , Dennis M. M. , Vail D. M. , Straw R. C. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractSoft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are locally invasive and surgery with or without radiation therapy is the current standard of care in dogs. Typical protocols for treating incompletely excisedSTSsinvolve curative intent radiation with total dose in excess of 50 Gy. Forty‐eight dogs with histologically confirmed incomplete or closely excisedSTSswere treated with a hypofractionated protocol that is typically reserved for palliative radiation therapy (RT) (6–8 Gy/weekly fractions to a total dose of 24–32 Gy). Ten dogs (21%) developed local recurrence, 11 dogs (23%) developed metastasis, and 3 dogs developed both (included in each group). The median progression free survival was 698 days. The local failure‐free probability at 1 and 3 years was 81 and 73%. The 1 and 3 years tumour‐specific overall survival was 81 and 61%. Long‐term local tumour control was achieved in the majority of dogs. This protocol is reasonable to prescribe in older patients or when financial limitations exist.
The influence of anatomical noise on optimal beam quality in mammography
Authors: Cederström Björn , Fredenberg Erik 
Published: November 2014

Purpose:Beam‐quality optimization in digital mammography traditionally considers detection of a target obscured by quantum noise in a homogeneous background. This does not correspond well to the clinical imaging task because real mammographic images contain a complex superposition of anatomical structures, resulting in anatomical noise that may dominate over quantum noise. The purpose of this paper is to assess the influence on optimal beam quality in mammography when anatomical noise is taken into account.Methods:The detectability of microcalcifications and masses was quantified using a theoretical ideal‐observer model that included quantum noise as well as anatomical noise and a simplified model of a photon‐counting mammography system. The outcome was experimentally verified using two types of simulated tissue phantoms.Results:The theoretical model showed that the detectability of tumors and microcalcifications behaves differently with respect to beam quality and dose. The results for small microcalcifications were similar to what traditional optimization methods yield, which is to be expected because quantum noise dominates over anatomical noise at high spatial frequencies. For larger tumors, however, low‐frequency anatomical noise was the limiting factor. Because anatomical structure noise has similar energy dependence as tumor contrast, the optimal x‐ray energy was found to be higher and the useful energy region was wider than traditional methods suggest. A simplified scalar model was able to capture this behavior using a fitted noise mixing parameter. The phantom measurements confirmed these theoretical results.Conclusions:It was shown that since quantum noise constitutes only a small fraction of the noise, the dose could be reduced substantially without sacrificing tumor detectability. Furthermore, when anatomical noise is included, the tube voltage can be increased well beyond what is conventionally considered optimal and used clinically, without loss of image quality. However, no such conclusions can be drawn for the more complex mammographic imaging task as a whole.