bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of phytotoxicity of anthracene in soybean (Glycine max) with a quick method of chlorophyll fluorescence
Authors: Tomar R. S. , Sharma A. , Jajoo A. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractA decrease in photosynthetic efficiency may indicate the toxic effects of environmental pollutants on higher plants. Measurement of chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence to assess the performance of photosystem II (PSII) was used as an bioindicator of toxicity of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) anthracene (ANT) in soybean plants. The results revealed that ANT treatment caused a reduction in quantum yield of PSII, damage to the oxygen evolving complex, as well as a significant reduction in performance index of PSII. However, change in performance index was more prominent, and it seems that the performance index is a more sensitive parameter to environmental contaminants. Moreover, a change in heterogeneity of PSII was also observed. The number of active reaction centres decreased with increasing concentration of ANT, as secondary plastoquinone reducing centres were converted into non‐reducing centres, and PSIIα centres were converted into PSIIβ and PSIIγ centres. The influence of ANT on PSII heterogeneity could be an important reason for reductions in the PSII performance.
Role of Various Fault Attributions and Other Factors in Children's Anticipated Response to Hypothetical Peers With Undesirable Characteristics
Authors: Barnett Mark A. , Wadian Taylor W. , Sonnentag Tammy L. , Nichols Marcella B. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractTwo studies examined the role of various fault attributions and other factors in children's anticipated response to hypothetical peers described as having an undesirable characteristic. The children were found to distinguish among various fault attributions (i.e., general, onset, and perpetuation; study 1), and they tended to agree more strongly that the peers were responsible for the perpetuation than the onset of these characteristics (studies 1 and 2). In study 1, perceiving an aggressive or overweight peer as similar to a friend and believing that the overweight peer will overcome this undesirable characteristic were found to be associated with a relatively favorable response to these peers. The more strongly the children agreed that (1) an aggressive peer is generally at fault for his/her undesirable characteristic (study 1) and (2) peers who are aggressive, overweight, shy, or a poor student are at fault for the onset of their undesirable characteristics (study 2), the less favorably they anticipated responding to these peers. Unexpectedly, attributing responsibility to forces ‘outside the peer's control’ (i.e., parents and biology) for his/her undesirable characteristic in study 2 was not found to be associated with a relatively favorable response to any peer with an undesirable characteristic.
Ebola outbreak in rural West Africa: epidemiology, clinical features and outcomes
Authors: Dallatomasina Silvia , Crestani Rosa , Sylvester Squire James , Declerk Hilde , Caleo Grazia Marta , Wolz Anja , Stinson Kathryn , Patten Gabriela , Brechard Raphael , Gbabai Osman Bamba‐Moi , Spreicher Armand , Van Herp Michel , Zachariah Rony 
Published: January 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo describe Ebola cases in the district Ebola management centre of in Kailahun, a remote rural district of Sierra Leone, in terms of geographic origin, patient and hospitalisation characteristics, treatment outcomes and time from symptom onset to admission.MethodsData of all Ebola cases from June 23rd to October 5th 2014 were reviewed. Ebola was confirmed by reverse‐transcriptase‐polymerase‐chain‐reaction assay.ResultsOf 489 confirmed cases (51% male, median age 28 years), 166 (34%) originated outside Kailahun district. Twenty‐eight (6%) were health workers: 2 doctors, 11 nurses, 2 laboratory technicians, 7 community health workers and 6 other cadres. More than 50% of patients had fever, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhoea/vomiting. An unusual feature was cough in 40%. Unexplained bleeding was reported in 5%. Outcomes for the 489 confirmed cases were 227 (47%) discharges, 259 (53%) deaths and 3 transfers. Case fatality in health workers (68%) was higher than other occupations (52%, P = 0.05). The median community infectivity time was 6.5 days for both general population and health workers (P = 0.4).ConclusionsOne in three admitted cases originated outside Kailahun district due to limited national access to Ebola management centres – complicating contact tracing, safe burial and disinfection measures. The comparatively high case fatality among health workers requires attention. The community infectivity time needs to be reduced to prevent continued transmission.
Optimal method for collection of umbilical cord blood: an Egyptian trial for a public cord blood bank
Authors: Bassiouny M.R. , El‐Chennawi F. , Mansour A.K. , Yahia S. , Darwish A. 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundUmbilical cord blood (UCB) contains stem cells and can be used as an alternative to bone marrow transplantation. Engraftment is dependent on the total nucleated cell (TNC) and CD34+ cell counts of the cord blood units. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of the method of collection of the UCB on the yield of the cord blood units.Study Design and MethodsInformed consent was obtained from 100 eligible mothers for donation of cord blood. Both in utero and ex utero methods were used for collection. The cord blood volume was measured. The TNC and the CD34+ cell counts were enumerated.ResultsWe have found that in utero collection gave significantly larger volumes of cord blood and higher TNC counts than ex utero collection. There was no significant difference between both methods regarding the CD34+ cell counts. This study revealed a significant correlation between the volume of the collected cord blood and both TNC and CD34+ cell counts.ConclusionIt is better to collect cord blood in utero before placental delivery to optimize the quality of the cord blood unit.
Local and global structure of connections on nonarchimedean curves
Authors: Kedlaya Kiran S. 
Published: January 2015

Consider a vector bundle with connection on a$p$-adic analytic curve in the sense of Berkovich. We collect some improvements and refinements of recent results on the structure of such connections, and on the convergence of local horizontal sections. This builds on work from the author’s 2010 book and on subsequent improvements by Baldassarri and by Poineau and Pulita. One key result exclusive to this paper is that the convergence polygon of a connection is locally constant around every type 4 point.
Exercise, Energy Expenditure, and Body Composition in People With Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Tanhoffer Ricardo A. , Tanhoffer Aldre I. P. , Raymond Jacqueline , Hills Andrew P. , Davis Glen M 
Published: January 2015

Background:The objective of this study was to verify the long-term effects of exercise on energy expenditure and body composition in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), as very little information is available on this population under free-living conditions.Methods:Free-living energy expenditure and body composition using doubly labeled water (DLW) was measured in 13 individuals with SCI, subdivided in 2 groups: (1) sedentary (SED; N = 7) and (2) regularly engaged in any exercise program, for at least 150 min·wk−1 (EXE; N = 6).Results:The total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) was significantly higher in the EXE group (33 ± 4.5 kcal·kg−1·day−1) if compared with SED group (27 ± 4.3 kcal·kg−1·day−1). The percentage of body fat was significantly higher in SED group than in EXE group (38 ± 6% and 28 ± 9%).Conclusion:Our findings revealed that, despite the severity of SCI, the actual ACSM’s guidelines for weight management for healthy adults exercise could significantly increase TDEE and BMR and improve body composition in individuals who regularly perform exercise. However, the EXE group still showed a high percentage of body fat, suggesting that a more specific approach might be considered (ie, increased intensity or volume, or combining with a diet program).
Contribution of Occupation to High Doses of Light-Intensity Activity and Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Mexican American Adults
Authors: Gay Jennifer L. , Kohl Harold W. , Salinas Jennifer J. , McCormick Joseph B. , Fisher-Hoch Susan P. 
Published: January 2015

Background:The association between light-intensity activity and cardiovascular disease risk is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of light-intensity activity with census-based occupational activity classifications and cardiovascular risk factors among Mexican American adults.Methods:118 Mexican American adults (68.6% female) provided cross-sectional accelerometer and biological data. Self-reported occupations were classified by activity level (sedentary, low, moderate). Participants were classified as At-Risk for BMI, glucose, triglycerides, HDL, blood pressure, waist circumference, and percent body fat.Results:Participants engaged in > 5 hours of light-intensity activity on average, and those in sedentary occupations engaged in fewer light-intensity activity minutes than low-active or moderately active workers (P < .001). Self-reported occupation explained 14% of the variation in light-intensity activity (P < .001). Participants in moderately active occupations were at increased risk for high %body fat than other workers (P = .01), but no other associations between occupation and cardiovascular risk were detected.Conclusion:Early work in physical activity underscored the importance of occupational activity. This study presents evidence of a dose-response association for light-intensity activity by occupational category such that workers in sedentary occupations had less light-intensity activity than employees in more active occupations. Future research on how light-intensity activity derived from occupation may reduce the risk of chronic disease will contribute to improved interventions as light-intensity activity participation may be more feasible than meeting current physical activity guidelines.
In-Classroom Physical Activity and Its Impact on Physical Activity Outside of School in a Hispanic Community
Authors: Sirota Dana , Meyer Dodi , Nieto Andres , Zamula Arlen , Stockwell Melissa , Berger-Jenkins Evelyn 
Published: January 2015

Background:School-based physical activity programs can reach large populations of at-risk children however evidence for the sustainability of healthy behaviors as a result of these programs is mixed. Healthy Schools Healthy Families (HSHF) is a physical activity and nutrition program for elementary students in a predominantly minority community. The program includes short teacher led classroom-based physical activities, also known as Transition Exercises (TE). Our aim was to assess whether TE was associated with children’s reported recreational physical activity outside of school.Methods:We surveyed HSHF students in grade 5 (n = 383) about their recreational physical activity at the start and end of the school year. Multivariable analysis was used to determine what factors including TE contributed to their reported activity.Results:Students were predominantly Hispanic with a mean age of 10 ± .03. There was an increase in reported recreational physical activity from the start to the end of the school year (73.6% to 82.4%, P < .05). Students who participated in more TE had a 2.75 times greater odds of reporting participation in recreational activity than students who participated in less TE.Conclusions:For students in HSHF, TE was significantly associated with an increase in recreational physical activity.
Steps Per Day Required for Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines in Japanese Adults
Authors: Cao Zhen-Bo , Oh Taewoong , Miyatake Nobuyuki , Tsushita Kazuyo , Higuchi Mitsuru , Tabata Izumi 
Published: January 2015

Background:This study aimed to determine the optimal number of steps per day needed to meet the current physical activity guidelines in a large population sample of Japanese adults.Methods:An accelerometer-based activity monitor (Kenz Lifecorder) was used to simultaneously measure moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) and step counts in 940 Japanese adults (480 women) aged 20 to 69 years. The step count per day equivalents to 2 different physical activity recommendations (23 MET-h/wk and 150 min/wk of MVPA) were derived using linear regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) methodology.Results:Linear regression analysis showed that daily step counts correlated with weekly PAEE (r = .83) and daily minutes of MVPA (r = .83). Linear regression analysis also showed that 23 MET-h/wk of MVPA is equivalent to 11,160 steps/d, and 150 min/wk of MVPA is equivalent to 7716 steps/d. ROC analysis yielded similar findings: 10,225 steps/d are required to accumulate ≥ 23 MET-h/wk of MVPA and 7857 steps/d are needed to meet the recommendation of ≥ 150 min/wk of MVPA.Conclusions:The findings suggest that 10,000 to 11,000 and 7700 to 8000 steps/d represent the optimal thresholds for accumulating ≥ 23 MET-h/wk of MVPA and ≥ 150 min/wk of MVPA, respectively, for Japanese adults.
Effects of Yoga on Psychological Health in Older Adults
Authors: Bonura Kimberlee Bethany , Tenenbaum Gershon 
Published: January 2015

Background:The objective of this study was to assess the effect of a yoga intervention on psychological health in older adults.Method:A randomized controlled trial study, conducted at 2 North Florida facilities for older adults. Subjects were 98 older adults, ages 65 to 92. Participants were randomly assigned to chair yoga, chair exercise, and control groups and assessed preintervention, postintervention, and 1-month follow-up on the State Anger Expression Inventory, State Anxiety Inventory, Geriatric Depression Scale, Lawton’s PGC Morale Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Chronic Disease Self-Efficacy Scales, and Self- Control Schedule.Results:Yoga participants improved more than both exercise and control participants in anger (Cohen’s d = 0.89 for yoga versus exercise, and 0.90 for yoga versus control, pretest to posttest; and d = 0.90 and 0.72, pretest to follow-up), anxiety (d = 0.27, 0.39 and 0.62, 0.63), depression (d = 0.47, 0.49 and 0.53, 0.51), well-being (d = 0.14, 0.49 and 0.25, 0.61), general self-efficacy (d = 0.63, 1.10 and 0.30, 0.85), and self-efficacy for daily living (d = 0.52, 0.81 and 0.27, 0.42). Changes in self-control moderated changes in psychological health.Conclusions:Over a 6-week period, our findings indicate yoga’s potential for improving psychological health in older adults.
Gender- and Puberty-Dependent Association Between Physical Activity and Depressive Symptoms: National Survey Among Chinese Adolescents
Authors: Sun Ying , An Jing , Wang Xi , Zu Ping , Tao Fang-Biao 
Published: January 2015

Background:The study aims to understand the possible gender difference in the associations between physical activity and depressive symptoms during pubertal transition.Methods:Participants were 30,399 children and adolescents of Han ethnicity from urban and rural areas in 8 cities in China. Physical activity (PA) and depressive symptom was assessed by adapted Youth Risk Behavior Survey and Children Depression Inventory (CDI), respectively. Pubertal development was assessed by trained physicians.Results:In China, over 30% boys and 40% girls reported having no vigorous PA (VPA) or moderate PA (MPA) in the past week. In girls, participating in VPA 1 to 2 days/week showed protective effect for depressive symptoms; whereas in boys, participating in MPA 1 to 2 days/week showed protective effect for depressive symptoms at and after genital stage III (G3).Conclusions:Moderate frequency (1 to 2 days/week) in PA undertaken might be encouraged to prevent depressive symptoms among adolescents.
The Perceived Role and Influencers of Physical Activity Among Pregnant Women From Low Socioeconomic Status Communities in South Africa
Authors: Muzigaba Moise , Kolbe-Alexander Tracy L. , Wong Fiona 
Published: January 2015

Background:Facility-based and context-specific interventions to promote physical activity (PA) among pregnant women from economically underprivileged communities remain sparse and undocumented in South Africa. This study aimed to generate information about pregnant women’s views and experiences of PA during pregnancy, which will later be used to inform the development of a PA-based intervention targeting this group.Methods:Qualitative methods were used and framed on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Five focus group discussions were conducted at a Community Health Centre in Cape Town, each comprising a stratified random sample of between 8 and 6 pregnant women living in eight low socioeconomic status communities close to the facility. The participants included primi- and multigravida black and mixed racial ancestry women at different stages of pregnancy. Data were analyzed using a Framework approach.Results:PA was considered important for self and the baby for most participants. However, they reported a number of barriers for translating intentions into action including the lack of supportive environment, fear of hurting oneself and the growing baby, lack of time due to work and family responsibilities, and not knowing which and how much PA is safe to do. Some of the incentives to engage in PA included establishing community-based group exercise clubs, initiating antenatal PA education and PA sessions during antenatal visits.Conclusion:Based on our findings the need for an intervention to promote PA in pregnancy is evident. Such an intervention should, however, aim at addressing barriers reported in this study, particularly those related to the behavioral context.
Academic Performance of Young Competitive Swimmers is Associated With Physical Activity Intensity and Its Predominant Metabolic Pathway: A Pilot Study
Authors: Ayan Carlos , Carral Jose Cancela , Montero Carlos 
Published: January 2015

Background:The relationship between physical activity (PA) and academic performance has been previously studied. However, there is a need to determine if the intensity of the PA performed and its predominant metabolic pathway show any degree of association with the academic achievement.Methods:Cross-sectional data were gathered from Spanish young competitive swimmers. Academic achievement was based on individual grades for each student; the PA level was measured by means of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents. Swimmers were classified according to the preferential energetic cost of the event in which they competed.Results:A total of 254 swimmers finished the study; 62.8% of them were considered moderate active. The statistical analysis showed that the higher the level of PA performed, the better the average grades achieved. This relationship was significant among the girls (P = .04). No significant differences were found regarding the influence of the kind of swimming event. However, taking part in aerobic events proved to have a significant influence on the academic achievement for girls (P = .01).Conclusion:The link between academic achievement and PA depends on the intensity in which the PA is performed, as well as on its predominant metabolic pathway. However, such associations seem to be gender-dependent.
Strength Training in Community Settings: Impact of Lay Leaders on Program Access and Sustainability for Rural Older Adults
Authors: Washburn Lisa T. , Cornell Carol E. , Phillips Martha , Felix Holly , Traywick LaVona 
Published: January 2015

Background:The effect of volunteer lay leaders on availability and sustainability of strength-training programs for older adults has not been well explored. We describe implementation of the StrongWomen strength training program by the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, and report on the relationship between delivery approach (agent-led, lay-led, or combination of agent- and lay-led) and program access and sustainability.Methods:All state Extension agents (n = 66) were surveyed on program implementation, continuance, and use of lay leaders. Program records were used to identify the number of trained lay leaders. Regression models were used to examine the relationship between delivery approach and group availability.Results:Counties using lay leaders had twice as many groups as counties using only agents. There was a significant, positive relationship between the number of lay leaders and the number of groups. Counties using lay leaders were 8.3 times more likely to have continuing groups compared with counties not using lay leaders.Conclusions:Program continuance was significantly and positively associated with lay leader use. Lay delivery expanded access to strength training programs and increased the likelihood that programs would continue. This approach can be used to increase access to and sustainability of strength training programs, particularly in resource-constrained areas.
On Botulinum Neurotoxin Variability
Authors: Montecucco Cesare , Rasotto Maria Berica 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACT The rapidly growing number of botulinum neurotoxin sequences poses the problem of the possible evolutionary significance of the variability of these superpotent neurotoxins for toxin-producing Clostridium species. To progress in the understanding of this remarkable phenomenon, we suggest that researchers should (i) abandon an anthropocentric view of these neurotoxins as human botulism-causing agents or as human therapeutics, (ii) begin to investigate in depth the role of botulinum neurotoxins in animal botulism in the wilderness, and (iii) devote large efforts to next-generation sequencing of soil samples to identify novel botulinum neurotoxins. In order to compare the fitness of the different toxins, we suggest that assays of all the steps from toxin production to animal death should be performed.