bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatial Modeling of Summer Precipitation over the Czech Republic Using Physiographic Variables
Authors: MOLIBA BANKANZA JACQUES CÉLESTIN 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThis study aims to develop the spatial model of summer precipitation over the Czech Republic using auxiliary geographical variables in order to produce gridded data needed for various applications. Accordingly, the most significant geographical variables are used to model spatial patterns of summer precipitation during the period 1971–2003. They are related to latitude; longitude; slope aspects of the neighbourhood grids westward and northward from the central grid (location); the slopes of the neighbourhood grids north‐eastward, eastward, and northward from the central grid; maximum value of elevation (percentile 95%) of the neighbourhood grid north‐westward from the central grid; and minimum value of elevation (percentile 5%) of the central grid and vegetation. Different approaches used for selecting significant predictors (i.e., the stepwise and principal component analysis) are compared and considered for spatial prediction. Precipitation data from 203 stations for the period 1971–2003 are used. The kriging of residuals (KR) is used to interpolate summer precipitation during this period onto the 1 × 1 km grid over the Czech Republic. Spatial prediction is calibrated across 153 stations and validated to 50 stations. The final KR prediction model shows a high coefficient of determination (68–70%) and moderate error (5–6 mm mean absolute error or 8 mm root mean square error). The standard error of predicted maps represents about 23% of a global variance. The KR model of summer precipitation is accurately applied to model the second episode of extreme precipitation events in summer 1997 over the Czech Republic.
Purification, Identification, and In Vivo Activity of Angiotensin I‐Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Peptide, from Ribbonfish (Trichiurus haumela) Backbone
Authors: Zou Ping , Wang Jin‐Ling , He Guo‐Qing , Wu Jianping 
Published: December 2013

AbstractRibbonfish (Trichiurus haumela) backbone is normally discarded as an industrial waste from fish processing. A method of developing angiotensin I‐converting enzyme inhibitory (ACEI) peptides from ribbonfish backbone was previously optimized. The purposes of the study were to characterize the active peptides in the hydrolysate and to evaluate its in vivo activity. Ribbonfish backbone protein hydrolysate prepared by acid protease was fractionated into 4 fractions (I, MW < 1 kDa; II, MW = 1 to 5 kDa; III, MW = 5 to 10 kDa; and IV, MW > 10 kDa) through ultrafiltration membranes. Fraction I, showing the highest ACEI activity, was further purified using consecutive chromatographic techniques including gel filtration and reversed phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. The purified ACE inhibitory peptide was determined to have a molecular weight of 317.25 Da, with a sequence of Leu‐Trp and an IC50 value of 5.6 μM. Systolic blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats was significantly decreased from 181 ± 2.0 to 161.3 ± 2.3 mm Hg after 4 h of oral administration of Leu‐Trp at a dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight. These results indicated that ribbonfish backbone protein could be used for development of antihypertensive agent.
Extending the Developmental Milestones Checklist for use in a different context in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Prado Elizabeth L , Abubakar Amina A , Abbeddou Souheila , Jimenez Elizabeth Y , Somé Jérôme W , Ouédraogo Jean‐Bosco 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimSub‐Saharan Africa bears a disproportionate amount of global diseases related to neurodevelopmental delays in infancy, including malnutrition, malaria and HIV. Evaluating interventions to prevent such delays requires developmental assessment tools appropriate for Sub‐Saharan Africa. This study aimed to develop and evaluate such a tool.MethodsThe Developmental Milestones Checklist (DMC) was developed in Kenya to provide motor, language and personal‐social scores for children aged from 3 to 24 months. We developed an extended version (DMC‐II) in Burkina Faso, West Africa, and then evaluated the reliability and sensitivity of the scores to age and nutritional and environmental measures.ResultsThe internal, interinterviewer and test–retest reliability of the DMC‐II scores were >0.7. In 214 children aged 11.6–25.4 months, each score correlated with age (rs > 0.7). In 1123 children aged 16.8–19.9 months, the scores were sensitive to stunting, wasting and underweight (effect sizes 0.31–0.87 SD). The scores also showed expected correlations with measures of play materials in the home and activities with caregivers (rs = 0.13–0.41).ConclusionThe DMC‐II is easily used by trained fieldworkers with no previous experience in developmental assessment. It is a practical, reliable and sensitive tool for evaluating motor, language and personal‐social development in different contexts in Sub‐Saharan Africa.
The Use of Episiotomy in a Low‐Risk Population in The Netherlands: A Secondary Analysis
Authors: Seijmonsbergen‐Schermers A. E. , Geerts C. C. , Prins M , van Diem M. T. , Klomp T. , Lagro‐Janssen A. L. M. , de Jonge A. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundTo examine the episiotomy incidence and determinants and outcomes associated with its use in primary care midwifery practices.MethodsSecondary analysis of two prospective cohort studies (n = 3,404).ResultsThe episiotomy incidence was 10.8 percent (20.9% for nulliparous and 6.3% for parous women). Episiotomy was associated with prolonged second stage of labor (adj. OR 12.09 [95% CI 6.0–24.2] for nulliparous and adj. OR 2.79 [1.7–4.6] for parous women) and hospital birth (adj. OR 1.75 [1.2–2.5] for parous women). Compared with episiotomy, perineal tears were associated with a lower rate of postpartum hemorrhage in parous women (adj. OR 0.58 [0.4–0.9]). Fewer women with perineal tears reported perineal discomfort (adj. OR 0.35 [0.2–0.6] for nulliparous and adj. OR 0.22 [0.1–0.3] for parous women). Among nulliparous women episiotomy was performed most frequently for prolonged second stage of labor (38.8%) and among parous women for history of episiotomy or prevention of major perineal trauma (21.1%).ConclusionsThe incidence of episiotomy is high compared with some low‐risk settings in other Western countries. Episiotomy was associated with higher rates of adverse maternal outcomes. Restricted use of episiotomy is likely to be beneficial for women.
Use of Nonmedical Methods of Labor Induction and Pain Management Among U.S. Women
Authors: Kozhimannil Katy B , Johnson Pamela J , Attanasio Laura B , Gjerdingen Dwenda K , McGovern Patricia M 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundThere exists limited documentation of nonmedical methods of labor induction and pain management during childbirth in the United States. We estimated the prevalence of nonmedical interventions for induction and pain management and examined the association between medical and nonmedical care during labor.MethodsWe used a nationally representative survey of U.S. women who gave birth in 2005 (N = 1,382) to examine use of nonmedical methods of labor induction and pain management. Using logistic regression, we calculated odds of nonmedical and medical interventions to induce labor or mitigate pain, and the odds of medical induction and obstetric analgesia by whether nonmedical methods were reported.ResultsNearly 30 percent of women used nonmedical methods to start labor, and over 70 percent of women used nonmedical pain management. Doula support was the strongest predictor of nonmedical methods of labor induction (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 3.0) and labor pain management (AOR = 5.7). Use of nonmedical pain management was significantly associated with decreased odds of medical pain management (OR = 0.65); this relationship was attenuated with covariate adjustment.ConclusionsNonmedical methods to induce labor and manage pain during childbirth are commonly used by U.S. women. Future research should examine effectiveness of these strategies and their influence on medical services use.
Birth Experience in Women with Low, Intermediate or High Levels of Fear: Findings from the First Baby Study
Authors: Elvander Charlotte , Cnattingius Sven , Kjerulff Kristen H. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundFear of childbirth and mode of delivery are two known factors that affect birth experience. The interactions between these two factors are unknown. The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of different levels of fear of birth and mode of delivery on birth experience 1 month after birth.MethodsAs part of an ongoing prospective study, we interviewed 3,006 women in their third trimester and 1 month after first childbirth to assess fear of birth and birth experience. Logistic regression was performed to examine the interactions and associations between fear of birth, mode of delivery and birth experience.ResultsCompared with women with low levels of fear of birth, women with intermediate levels of fear, and women with high levels of fear had a more negative birth experience and were more affected by an unplanned cesarean section or instrumental vaginal delivery. Compared with women with low levels of fears with a noninstrumental vaginal delivery, women with high levels of fear who were delivered by unplanned cesarean section had a 12‐fold increased risk of reporting a negative birth experience (OR 12.25; 95% CI 7.19–20.86). A noninstrumental vaginal delivery was associated with the most positive birth experience among the women in this study.ConclusionsThis study shows that both levels of prenatal fear of childbirth and mode of delivery are important for birth experience. Women with low fear of childbirth who had a noninstrumental vaginal delivery reported the most positive birth experience.
The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14: Ion Channels
Authors: Alexander Stephen P.H. , Benson Helen E. , Faccenda Elena , Pawson Adam J. , Sharman Joanna L. , Catterall William A. , Spedding Michael , Peters John A. , Harmar Anthony J. ,   CGTP Collaborators
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14 provides concise overviews of the key properties of over 2000 human drug targets with their pharmacology, plus links to an open access knowledgebase of drug targets and their ligands (www.guidetopharmacology.org), which provides more detailed views of target and ligand properties. The full contents can be found at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.12444/full.Ion channels are one of the seven major pharmacological targets into which the Guide is divided, with the others being G protein‐coupled receptors, ligand‐gated ion channels, catalytic receptors, nuclear hormone receptors, transporters and enzymes. These are presented with nomenclature guidance and summary information on the best available pharmacological tools, alongside key references and suggestions for further reading. A new landscape format has easy to use tables comparing related targets.It is a condensed version of material contemporary to late 2013, which is presented in greater detail and constantly updated on the website www.guidetopharmacology.org, superseding data presented in previous Guides to Receptors and Channels. It is produced in conjunction with NC‐IUPHAR and provides the official IUPHAR classification and nomenclature for human drug targets, where appropriate. It consolidates information previously curated and displayed separately in IUPHAR‐DB and the Guide to Receptors and Channels, providing a permanent, citable, point‐in‐time record that will survive database updates.
The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14: Nuclear Hormone Receptors
Authors: Alexander Stephen P.H. , Benson Helen E. , Faccenda Elena , Pawson Adam J. , Sharman Joanna L. , Spedding Michael , Peters John A. , Harmar Anthony J. ,   CGTP Collaborators
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14 provides concise overviews of the key properties of over 2000 human drug targets with their pharmacology, plus links to an open access knowledgebase of drug targets and their ligands (www.guidetopharmacology.org), which provides more detailed views of target and ligand properties. The full contents can be found at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.12444/full.Nuclear hormone receptors are one of the seven major pharmacological targets into which the Guide is divided, with the others being G protein‐coupled receptors, ligand‐gated ion channels, ion channels, catalytic receptors, transporters and enzymes. These are presented with nomenclature guidance and summary information on the best available pharmacological tools, alongside key references and suggestions for further reading. A new landscape format has easy to use tables comparing related targets.It is a condensed version of material contemporary to late 2013, which is presented in greater detail and constantly updated on the website www.guidetopharmacology.org, superseding data presented in previous Guides to Receptors and Channels. It is produced in conjunction with NC‐IUPHAR and provides the official IUPHAR classification and nomenclature for human drug targets, where appropriate. It consolidates information previously curated and displayed separately in IUPHAR‐DB and the Guide to Receptors and Channels, providing a permanent, citable, point‐in‐time record that will survive database updates.
PAULOWNIA TOMENTOSA: A Chinese plant in Japan
Authors: Nagata Toshiyuki , DuVal Ashley , Schmull Michaela , Tchernaja Tamara A. , Crane Peter R. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryPaulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Steud., though native to China first came to the attention of Western explorers and naturalists in Japan. It is of cultural importance both in mainland Asia and also in Japan. We describe the early Western encounters with Paulownia tomentosa highlighting in particular a lineage of early illustrations made in Japan and Europe between the mid‐1820s and 1878 that reflect the fusion of Japanese art and Western science.
766. CERCIDIPHYLLUM MAGNIFICUM – Systematic placement and fossil history of Cercidiphyllum Siebold & Zuccarini
Authors: Crane Peter R. , DuVal Ashley 
Published: December 2013

SummaryCercidiphyllum Sieb. & Zucc. comprises two very similar living species, Cercidiphyllum japonicum Sieb. & Zucc. and Cercidiphyllum magnificum (Nakai) Nakai, both commonly referred to as the katsura tree. The systematic placement and fossil history of Cercidiphyllum are described, and aspects of its cultivation and conservation are discussed. Cercidiphyllum magnificum is illustrated.
Major declines of woody plant species ranges under climate change in Yunnan, China
Authors: Zhang Ming‐Gang , Zhou Zhe‐Kun , Chen Wen‐Yun , Cannon Charles H. , Raes Niels , Slik J. W. Ferry 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimA wide range of forests distributed across steep environmental gradients are found in Yunnan, southwest China. Climate change could profoundly change these forests by affecting species ranges. We produce predictions about species suitable habitat shifts and use these to (1) evaluate species range size change, loss and turn‐over under no‐ and full‐dispersal and nine climate change scenarios and (2) identify environmental variables responsible for current species richness and future local species losses.LocationYunnan Province, Southwest China.MethodsUsing MaxEnt, we modelled current distributions of 2319 woody plant species, corrected for collecting bias and found that 1996 had significant spatial association with environmental factors. Using three General Circulation Models (GCMs: CGCM, CSIRO and HADCM3) for the years 2070–2099 (2080s), based on three emission scenarios for each GCM (A1b, A2a and B2a), we predicted the future geographic position of suitable habitat for each species.ResultsAlthough most species were predicted to persist within Yunnan, with a maximum extinction rate of c. 6% under the most extreme climate change scenario, up to 1400 species (of the 1996 tested) are expected to lose more than 30% of their current range under the most extreme climate change scenario. Assuming no‐ or unlimited dispersal minimally affected these outcomes. Species losses were associated with increasing temperature variability and declining precipitation during the dry season.Main conclusionsTo conserve Yunnan's woody flora, management efforts should focus on providing elevational migration routes at local scales, with priority for those areas located within previously identified conservation hotspots. As almost all species show range contractions, storage of genetic diversity in seed banks and botanical gardens would be sensible. A change in Yunnan's conservation policy will be needed to counter the predicted negative impacts of climate change on its flora.
The deficit of letter processing in developmental dyslexia: combining evidence from dyslexics, typical readers and illiterate adults
Authors: Fernandes Tânia , Vale Ana P. , Martins Bruno , Morais José , Kolinsky Régine 
Published: December 2013

AbstractTo clarify the link between anomalous letter processing and developmental dyslexia, we examined the impact of surrounding contours on letter vs. pseudo‐letter processing by three groups of children – phonological dyslexics and two controls, one matched for chronological age, the other for reading level – and three groups of adults differing by schooling and literacy – unschooled illiterates and ex‐illiterates, and schooled literates. For pseudo‐letters, all groups showed congruence effects (CE: better performance for targets surrounded by a congruent than by an incongruent shape). In contrast, for letters, only dyslexics exhibited a CE, strongly related to their phonological recoding abilities even after partialling out working memory, whereas the reverse held true for the pseudo‐letter CE. In illiterate adults, the higher letter knowledge, the smaller their letter CE; their letter processing was immune (to some extent) to inference from surrounding information. The absence of a letter CE in illiterates and the positive CE in dyslexics have their origin in different aspects of the same ability, i.e. phonological recoding.
Is outcome of constraint‐induced movement therapy in unilateral cerebral palsy dependent on corticomotor projection pattern and brain lesion characteristics?
Authors: Islam Mominul , Nordstrand Linda , Holmström Linda , Kits Annika , Forssberg Hans , Eliasson Ann‐Christin 
Published: December 2013

AimThe aim of the study was to explore individual variations in outcome of hand function after constraint‐induced movement therapy (CIMT) in relation to the organization of corticomotor projection and brain lesion characteristics in participants with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP).MethodSixteen participants (eight males, eight females; mean age 13y, [SD 2y] range 10–16y) with unilateral CP (nine right‐sided; Manual Ability Classification System [MACS] level I, n=1; level II, n=15) who participated in a 2‐week CIMT day camp (63h) were included in the study. Various aspects of hand function were measured by the Jebsen–Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT), the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA), and the Melbourne Assessment, both before and after the day camp. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to explore the corticomotor organization, and brain lesion characteristics were described by visual assessment of conventional structural magnetic resonance images.ResultsAt a group level, the training was associated with significant improvements in JTHFT (p=0.003) and AHA (p=0.046), but not in Melbourne Assessment scores. Improvements were found in all types of corticomotor projection patterns, i.e. contralateral, mixed, and ipsilateral. There was no relationship between functional improvement and brain lesion characteristics.InterpretationIndividuals with CP experience improved motor outcomes after CIMT, independent of corticomotor projection pattern and lesion characteristics.
Predicting cognitive ability in ageing cohorts using Type 2 diabetes genetic risk
Authors: Luciano M. , Mõttus R. , Harris S. E. , Davies G. , Payton A. , Ollier W. E. R. , Horan M. A. , Starr J. M. , Porteous D. J. , Pendleton N. , Deary I. J. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimsTo investigate whether there is overlap in the genetic determinants of Type 2 diabetes and cognitive ageing by testing whether a genetic risk score for Type 2 diabetes can predict variation in cognitive function in older people without dementia.MethodsType 2 diabetes genetic risk scores were estimated using various single nucleotide polymorphism significance inclusion criteria from an initial genome‐wide association study, the largest in Type 2 diabetes to date. Scores were available for 2775–3057 individuals, depending on the cognitive trait.ResultsType 2 diabetes genetic risk was associated with self‐reported diabetes mellitus. Across varying single nucleotide polymorphism‐inclusion levels, a significant association between Type 2 diabetes genetic risk and change in general cognitive function was found (median r = 0.04); however, this was such that higher Type 2 diabetes genetic risk related to higher cognitive scores.ConclusionsTo investigate more fully the source of the often observed comorbidity between Type 2 diabetes and cognitive impairment, one direction for future research will be to use cognitive ability polygenic risk scores to predict Type 2 diabetes in line with the reverse causation hypothesis that people with lower pre‐morbid cognitive ability are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.
The role of the one‐carbon cycle in the developmental origins of Type 2 diabetes and obesity
Authors: Finer S. , Saravanan P. , Hitman G. , Yajnik C. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractVitamin B12 deficiency is common in certain populations, such as in India, where there is also a rising prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, obesity and their complications. Human cohorts and animal models provide compelling data suggesting the role of the one‐carbon cycle in modulating the risk of diabetes and adiposity via developmental programming. Early mechanistic studies in animals suggest that alterations to the cellular provision of methyl groups (via the one‐carbon cycle) in early developmental life may disrupt DNA methylation and induce future adverse phenotypic changes. Furthermore, replacement of micronutrient deficits at suitable developmental stages may modulate this risk. Current human studies are limited by a range of factors, including the accuracy and availability of methods to measure nutritional components in the one‐carbon cycle, and whether its disruptions exert tissue‐specific effects. A greater understanding of the causal and mechanistic role of the one‐carbon cycle is hoped to generate substantial insights into its role in the developmental origins of complex metabolic diseases and the potential of targeted and population‐wide prevention strategies.