bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spectroscopic observations of active solar-analog stars with high X-ray luminosity, as a proxy of superflare stars
Authors: Notsu Yuta , Honda Satoshi , Maehara Hiroyuki , Notsu Shota , Namekata Kosuke , Nogami Daisaku , Shibata Kazunari
Published: November 2016

Recent studies of solar-type superflare stars have suggested that even old slowly rotating stars similar to the Sun can have large starspots and superflares. We conducted high-dispersion spectroscopy of 49 nearby solar-analog stars (G-type main-sequence stars with Teff ≈ 5600–6000 K) identified as ROSAT soft X-ray sources, which are not binary stars from previous studies. We expected that these stars could be used as a proxy of bright solar-analog superflare stars, since superflare stars are expected to show strong X-ray luminosity. More than half (37) of the 49 target stars show no evidence of binarity, and their atmospheric parameters (temperature, surface gravity, and metallicity) are within the range of ordinary solar-analog stars. We measured the intensity of Ca ii 8542 and Hα lines, which are good indicators of the stellar chromospheric activity. The intensity of these lines indicates that all the target stars have large starspots. We also measured v sin i (projected rotational velocity) and lithium abundance for the target stars. Li abundance is a key to understanding the evolution of the stellar convection zone, which reflects the stellar age, mass and rotational history. We confirmed that many of the target stars rapidly rotate and have high Li abundance, compared with the Sun, as suggested by many previous studies. There are, however, also some target stars that rotate slowly (v sin i = 2–3 km s−1) and have low Li abundance like the Sun. These results support that old and slowly rotating stars similar to the Sun could have high activity levels and large starspots. This is consistent with the results of our previous studies of solar-type superflare stars. In the future, it is important to conduct long-term monitoring observations of these active solar-analog stars in order to investigate detailed properties of large starspots from the viewpoint of stellar dynamo theory.
Genetic profiling links changing sea-ice to shifting beluga whale migration patterns
Authors: O'Corry-Crowe Greg , Mahoney Andrew R. , Suydam Robert , Quakenbush Lori , Whiting Alex , Lowry Lloyd , Harwood Lois
Published: November 2016

There is increasing concern over how Arctic fauna will adapt to climate related changes in sea-ice. We used long-term sighting and genetic data on beluga whales (
Delphinapterus leucas
) in conjunction with multi-decadal patterns of sea-ice in the Pacific Arctic to investigate the influence of sea-ice on spring migration and summer residency patterns. Substantial variations in sea-ice conditions were detected across seasons, years and sub-regions, revealing ice–ocean dynamics more complex than Arctic-wide trends suggest. This variation contrasted with a highly consistent pattern of migration and residency by several populations, indicating that belugas can accommodate widely varying sea-ice conditions to perpetuate philopatry to coastal migration destinations. However, a number of anomalous migration and residency events were detected and coincided with anomalous ice years, and in one case with an increase in killer whale (
Orcinus orca
) sightings and reported predation on beluga whales. The behavioural shifts were likely driven by changing sea-ice and associated changes in resource dispersion and predation risk. Continued reductions in sea-ice may result in increased predation at key aggregation areas and shifts in beluga whale behaviour with implications for population viability, ecosystem structure and the subsistence cultures that rely on them.
Efficient Heuristic for Decomposing a Flow with Minimum Number of Paths
Authors: Shao Mingfu , Kingsford Carl
Published: November 2016

Motivated by transcript assembly and multiple genome assembly problems, in this paper, we study the followingminimum path flow decompositionproblem: given a directed acyclic graphG= (V,E) with sourcesand sinktand a flowf, compute a set ofs-tpathsPand assign weightw(p) forp∈Psuch that, and |P| is minimized. We propose an efficient pseudo-polynomialtime heuristic for this problem based on novel insights. Our heuristic gives a framework that consists of several components, providing a roadmap for continuing development of better heuristics. Through experimental studies on both simulated and transcript assembly instances, we show that our algorithm significantly improves the previous state-of-the-art algorithm. Implementation of our algorithm is available athttps://github.com/Kingsford-Group/catfish.
Livestock and microcephaly, traces of an association?
Authors: de Andrade Ion
Published: November 2016

While there is no doubt about the participation of Zika virus in microcephaly, its epidemiology is not entirely clear and doubts remain about the intervention of other factors. In studies on the epidemiology of dengue, the infestation by Aedes aegypti peridomiciliary and the population density are the main determinants for viral spread. However, in Rio Grande do Norte state (RN), the counties that have confirmed cases of microcephaly overlapped the river basins regions surrounded by agriculture and livestock. In addition, the prevalence of microcephaly at the end of the first year of the epidemic was higher in small towns than in larger ones, elements that seem to contradict what is known about the epidemic by other arboviruses. Methods: 234 cases of microcephaly were analyzed from three states and 144 counties. Results: An exponential trend of higher prevalence of microcephaly in the smaller cities (r2=0,7121) was found.The correlation coefficients (R) between the Prevalence of microcephaly and the variables that measured the density of animals in the territory ranged from moderate to strong. Discussion: Concerning microcephaly, studies in progress point to the possibility of association between the Zika Virus and the BVDV, a virus known to produce birth defects in farm animals but perceived as innocuous in humans. Conclusions: The overlap of cases of microcephaly in river basins, their higher prevalence in smaller cities, the strength of the correlation coefficient, render necessary new etiological and pathophysiological studies.

4.

ABBREVIATIONS

BVDV

Bovine diarrhea virus

CE

Ceará state

IBGE

Instituto Brasileiro of Geography and Statistics

IPESQ

Instituto de Pesquisa da Paraíba

PB

Paraíba state

RN

Rio Grande do Norte state

UFRJ

Rio de Janeiro Federal University

ZKV

Zika Virus.
What can genomics tell us about the success of enhancement programs in anadromous Chinook salmon? A comparative analysis across four generations
Authors: Waters Charles D. , Hard Jeffrey J. , Brieuc Marine S.O. , Fast David E. , Warheit Kenneth I. , Waples Robin S. , Knudsen Curtis M. , Bosch William J. , Naish Kerry A.
Published: November 2016

Population enhancement through the release of cultured organisms can be an important tool for marine restoration. However, there has been considerable debate about whether releases effectively contribute to conservation and harvest objectives, and whether cultured organisms impact the fitness of wild populations. Pacific salmonid hatcheries on the West Coast of North America represent one of the largest enhancement programs in the world. Molecular-based pedigree studies on one or two generations have contributed to our understanding of the fitness of hatchery-reared individuals relative to wild individuals, and tend to show that hatchery fish have lower reproductive success. However, interpreting the significance of these results can be challenging because the long-term genetic and ecological effects of releases on supplemented populations are unknown. Further, pedigree studies have been opportunistic, rather than hypothesis driven, and have not provided information on “best case” management scenarios. Here, we present a comparative, experimental approach based on genome-wide surveys of changes in diversity in two hatchery lines founded from the same population. We demonstrate that gene flow with wild individuals can reduce divergence from the wild source population over four generations. We also report evidence for consistent genetic changes in a closed hatchery population that can be explained by both genetic drift and domestication selection. The results of this study suggest that genetic risks can be minimized over at least four generations with appropriate actions, and provide empirical support for a decision-making framework that is relevant to the management of hatchery populations.
Identity-by-descent analyses for measuring population dynamics and selection in recombining pathogens
Authors: Henden Lyndal , Lee Stuart , Mueller Ivo , Barry Alyssa , Bahlo Melanie
Published: November 2016

Identification of genomic regions that are identical by descent (IBD) has proven useful for human genetic studies where analyses have led to the discovery of familial relatedness and fine-mapping of disease critical regions. Unfortunately however, IBD analyses have been underutilized inanalysis of other organisms, including human pathogens. This is in part due to the lack of statistical methodologies for non-diploid genomes in addition to the added complexity of multiclonal infections. As such, we have developed an IBD methodology, called isoRelate, for analysis of haploid recombining microorganisms in the presence of multiclonal infections. Using the inferred IBD status at genomic locations, we have also developed a novel statistic for identifying loci under positive selection and propose relatedness networks as a means of exploring shared haplotypes within populations. We evaluate the performance of our methodologies for detecting IBD and selection, including comparisons with existing tools, then perform an exploratory analysis of whole genome sequencing data from a globalPlasmodium falciparumdataset of more than 2500 genomes. This analysis identifies Southeast Asia as havingmany highly related isolates, possibly as a result of both reduced transmission from intensified control efforts and population bottlenecks following the emergence of antimalarial drug resistance. Many signals of selection are also identified, most of which overlap genes that are known to be associated with drug resistance, in addition to two novel signals observed in multiple countries that have yet to be explored in detail. Additionally, we investigate relatedness networks over the selected loci and determine that one of these sweeps has spread between continents while the other has arisen independently in different countries. IBD analysis of microorganisms using isoRelate can be used for exploring population structure, positive selection and haplotype distributions, and will be a valuable tool for monitoring disease control and elimination efforts of many diseases.
Unstable inheritance of 45S rRNA genes inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Rabanal Fernando A. , Nizhynska Viktoria , Mandáková Terezie , Novikova Polina Yu. , Lysak Martin A. , Mott Richard , Nordborg Magnus
Published: November 2016

The considerable genome size variation inArabidopsis thalianahas been shown largely to be due to copy number variation (CNV) in 45S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Surprisingly, attempts to map this variation by means of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) failed to identify either of the two likely sources, namely the nucleolar organizer regions (NORs). Instead, GWAS implicated atrans-acting locus, as if rRNA CNV was a phenotype rather than a genotype. To explain these results, we investigated the inheritance and stability of rRNA gene copy number using the variety of genetic resources available inA. thaliana— F2 crosses, recombinant inbred lines, the multiparent advanced generation inter-cross population, and mutation accumulation lines. Our results clearly show that rRNA gene CNV can be mapped to the NORs themselves, with both loci contributing equally to the variation. However, NOR size is unstably inherited, and dramatic copy number changes are visible already within tens of generations, which explains why it is not possible to map the NORs using GWAS. We did not find any evidence oftrans-acting loci in crosses, which is also expected since changes due to such loci would take very many generations to manifest themselves. rRNA gene copy number is thus an interesting example of “missing heritability” — a trait that is heritable in pedigrees, but not in the general population.
A study of the geophysical response of distributed fibre optic acoustic sensors through laboratory‐scale experiments
Authors: Papp Bence , Donno Daniela , Martin James E. , Hartog Arthur H.
Published: November 2016

In the past few years, distributed acoustic sensing has gained great interest in geophysics. This acquisition technology offers immense improvement in terms of efficiency when compared with current geophysical acquisition methods. However, the fundamentals of the measurement are still not fully understood because direct comparisons of fibre data with conventional geophysical sensors are difficult during field tests. We present downscaled laboratory experiments that enabled us to characterise the relationship between the signals recorded by conventional seismic point receivers and by distributed fibre optic sensors. Interrogation of the distributed optical fibre sensor was performed with a Michelson interferometer because this system is suited to compact test configurations, and it requires only a very simple data processing workflow for extracting the signal outputs. We show acoustic data that were recorded simultaneously by both the fibre optical interferometer and conventional three‐component accelerometers, thus enabling the comparison of sensor performance. We present results focused on the directionality of fibre measurements, on the amplitude variation with angle of incidence, and on the transfer function that allows accelerometer signals to be transformed into optical fibre signals. We conclude that the optical fibre response matches with the array of the displacement differences of the inline accelerometers deployed along the fibre length. Moreover, we also analysed the influence of various types of coupling and fibre cable coating on the signal responses, emphasising the importance of these parameters for field seismic acquisitions when using the distributed fibre optic technology.
Development of a core outcome set for epilepsy in pregnancy (E‐CORE): a national multi‐stakeholder modified Delphi consensus study
Authors: Al Wattar BH , Tamilselvan K , Khan R , Kelso A , Sinha A , Pirie AM , McCorry D , Khan KS , Thangaratinam S ,   the Antiepileptic Drug Management in Pregnancy (EMPIRE) Collaborative Network
Published: November 2016

Objective

To develop a set of core outcomes for studies on pregnant women with epilepsy.

Design

Delphi consensus study.

Population

Healthcare professionals, and patient representatives with lived experience of epilepsy in the UK.

Methods

We used a modified Delphi method and a consultation meeting to achieve consensus. Potential outcomes were identified by systematic review, and were scored using a Likert scale anchored between 1 (least important) and 5 (most important). We included outcomes that scored ≥4 by >70% of participants, and outcomes that scored ≤2 by <15% of participants.

Main outcome measures

Outcomes in studies on epilepsy in pregnancy.

Results

Seventy‐five healthcare professionals completed the first round, 48 (64%) completed the second round, and 37 (49%) completed the third round of the survey. Twenty‐four patient representatives participated. The final core outcome set included 31 outcomes in three domains: neurological, offspring, and obstetric. Outcomes in the neurological domain were seizure control in pregnancy and postpartum, status epilepticus, maternal mortality, drowning, sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, postnatal depression, and quality of life. Offspring domain included congenital abnormalities (major and minor), fetal anticonvulsant syndrome, neurodevelopment, autism disorder, neonatal clinical complications, admission to a neonatal intensive care unit, and anthropometric measurements. The obstetric domain included live birth, stillbirth, miscarriage, ectopic, termination of pregnancy, admission to a high dependency or intensive care unit, breastfeeding, mode of delivery, preterm birth, pre‐eclampsia, and eclampsia. Outcomes specific for studies on anti‐epileptic drugs (AEDs) included maternal AED toxicity, AED compliance, neonatal withdrawal symptoms, and neonatal haemorrhagic disease.

Conclusion

Embedding this core set in future clinical trials will promote the standardisation of reporting to inform clinical practice.

Tweetable abstract

A Delphi method identifying core outcomes for epilepsy in pregnancy. Final core set includes 31 outcomes.
Prescribing democracy? Party proscription and party system stability in Germany, Spain and Turkey
Authors: CASAL BÉRTOA FERNANDO , BOURNE ANGELA
Published: November 2016

When democracies ban political parties, one of the central issues that usually emerges in both public and academic debate concerns the effects of proscription. Some argue that proscription may lead to radicalisation, a growth of militancy and readiness to use violence. Others argue that, in the long run, banning parties may damage the foundations of a democratic polity as the ban may be interpreted as a silent weakening of democratic rights in the state and therefore a failure of democracy itself. However, and notwithstanding its centrality for the conduct of democratic politics, the impact of party bans on party system development has remained mostly under‐researched. Trying to address this lacuna, and employing a new dataset of banned parties in Europe between 1945 and 2015, the study reported in this article compares the effects of party ban regulation on party system stability in three different arenas: electoral, parliamentary and governmental. In particular, the impact of party proscription on electoral volatility, fragmentation and closure is examined in three countries: Turkey, Germany and Spain. Using examples both at national and regional (e.g., Basque Country, Navarre, Saxony) levels, and making use of survey data when available, it is found that the banning of a relevant political party not only increases volatility and reduces fragmentation, but also alters the existing structure of competition at the time of government formation. Likewise, the empirical analysis also suggests a number of alternative hypotheses (i.e., organisational succession, electoral system) when trying to explain why the outcomes of some cases within each country deviate from theoretical expectations. Finally, the article also examines the phenomenon of ‘non‐banning’ and how the failure of attempts to ban political parties might affect the development of a party system.
Characterization of biosurfactants as insecticidal metabolites produced by Bacillus subtilis Y9
Authors: Yang Si Young , Lim Da Jung , Noh Mi Young , Kim Jin Cheol , Kim Young Cheol , Kim In Seon
Published: November 2016

Biosurfactants have been used for crop protection in integrated pest management programs, as they are generally biodegradable and environmentally friendly. While screening for insecticidal bacteria against green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, we found that a Bacillus isolate, Y9, exhibited strong surface tension activity and produced insecticidal metabolites. The insecticidal metabolites with surface tension activity were extracted from the cell‐free supernatant of Y9 and subjected to repetitive column chromatography and preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Based on data from instrumental analyses, the metabolites were identified as surfactin isomers consisting of C14[Leu7], C14[Val7] and C15[Leu7]. The isomers with leucine showed higher insecticidal activity than the isomers with valine. Y9 was capable of producing biosurfactants as insecticidal metabolites against M. persicae, and showed potential for use as a biocontrol agent in an integrated pest management program.
Life table parameters of an indigenous strain of Neoseiulus californicus McGregor (Acari: Phytoseiidae) when fed Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)
Authors: Uddin Md. Nizam , Alam Md. Zinnatul , Miah Md. Ramiz Uddin , Mian Md. Ismail Hossain , Mustarin Kishowar‐E‐
Published: November 2016

The life table of the indigenous Neoseiulus californicus was studied at different temperatures and 65 ± 5% relative humidity under conditions of 16 h light : 8 h dark (LD 16:8). The total developmental period from egg to adult varied from 3.0 to 14.0 days at 15 to 35°C. Survival to adulthood ranges from 86.21 to 93.94%, with the highest rate at 25°C. The lower threshold temperature from egg to adult stages of females and males was 10.84 and 10.72°C, respectively, and the thermal constant was 57.14 degree‐days (DD) for females and 56.18 DD for males. Total number of eggs laid by each female was the highest (70.38 eggs) at 25°C, whereas average daily fecundity was the highest (3.69 eggs/female/day) at 30°C. The net reproductive rate was the highest (48.49) at 25°C and lowest (26.18) at 30°C. Mean generation time decreased from 19.04 to 11.47 days with increasing temperature from 20 to 30°C. Both intrinsic rate of natural increase (0.284) and finite rate of increase (1.32) were maximum at 30°C. Adult longevity was the highest (42.75 days for females and 32.60 days for males) at 20°C and lowest (22.70 days for females and 15.30 days for males) at 30°C. Sex ratio was female biased and was the highest (78.08) at 25°C and lowest (70.24) at 30°C. Developmental data of five constant temperatures, temperature thresholds and thermal requirements may be used to predict the occurrence, number of generations and population dynamics of N. californicus as an important biocontrol agent of Tetranychus urticae.
Effect of olive leaf extract on glucose levels in diabetes‐induced rats: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Abunab Hamzeh , Dator Wireen L. , Hawamdeh Sana
Published: November 2016

Background

The present systematic review statistically analyzed randomized controlled trials on olive leaf extract (OLE) for effectiveness in managing glucose levels in diabetic rats.

Methods

A literature search was performed using PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and EBSCO host databases. Selected articles, with no date restriction in the search process, were assessed independently by the authors using SYRCLE's risk of bias tool for animal studies. Data from eight trials on 162 rats were reviewed. Data were analyzed using Comprehensive Meta Analysis version 3.0.

Results

Combined random effects analysis revealed that treatment of diabetic rats with OLE significantly increased insulin levels (standardized mean difference [SMD] 4.83 μIU/mL; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.13, 7.54) and reduced blood glucose levels (SMD −4.21 mg/dL; 95% CI −5.75, −2.67). Secondary outcomes included significant reductions in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, with a forest plot showing hypolipidemic effects among OLE‐treated rats compared with placebo (SMD −6.32 mg/dL [95% CI −9.75, −2.88] and −4.22 mg/dL [95% CI −6.96, −1.48], respectively). There was no significant difference in body weight between OLE‐treated rats and the placebo groups (SMD 0.46 g; 95% CI −0.05, 0.96;
P
 = 0.98).

Conclusion

Olive leaf extract is beneficial for both the lipid profile and glycemic control in diabetes‐induced rats and may be as effective among humans.
Variations in Isochore Thickness of the Ecca Sediments in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, as Deduced from Gravity Models
Authors: BAIYEGUNHI Christopher , GWAVAVA Oswald
Published: November 2016

Gravity modelling was carried out along five profiles that traverse the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa in order to determine the depositional surface and isochore thickness of the Ecca sediments. Gravity models of the subsurface rock density reveal that the Ecca Group has a maximum vertical thickness of about 3215 ± 160 m. The maximum depositional surface (elevation) above sea level for the Ecca sediments is about 500 m, whilst the depth below sea level reaches about 10000 m. Correlation of the isochore thickness maps with the depositional surfaces shows that the sediments in the basement highs were subsided, deformed, eroded and deposited in the basement lows. The basement highs served as the source area(s) for the sediments in the basement lows, thus basement highs are characterized with thin sediment cover whilst the lows have thick sediment cover.
Depositional System of the Carboniferous Huanglong Formation, Eastern Sichuan Basin: Constraints from Sedimentology and Geochemistry
Authors: WANG Kun , HU Suyun , LI Wei , LIU Wei , HUANG Qingyu , MA Kui , SHI Shuyuan
Published: November 2016

Using analyses of the lithology, sequences, paleoenvironment, and tectonic setting, the depositional system of the Carboniferous Huanglong Formation in the eastern Sichuan Basin was identified. The lithological characteristics of the Lower Member, Middle Member, and Upper Member were analyzed and classified. Before the use of carbon, oxygen, and strontium isotopes in the analysis, all of the geochemical data were tested for validity. On the basis of the Z values obtained from carbon and oxygen isotopes, the paleoenvironments of the three members were elucidated. Lower Member was dominantly an enclosed marine environment with intense evaporation and little freshwater input into the sea. Middle Member developed in a semi‐enclosed to normal marine environment with many rivers. Upper Member was formed in a normal marine environment. The east Sichuan Basin was enclosed by paleouplifts before the deposition of the Huanglong Formation, forming a relatively enclosed depositional setting. Paleogullies developed in the Silurian strata that underlie the Carboniferous rocks; these paleogullies can be identified. On the basis of a comprehensive analysis, we propose that the Huanglong Formation developed in a platform system. Four microfacies were identified: supratidal flat, dolostone flat, grain shoal, and shelf microfacies. The high‐permeability and high‐porosity characteristics of the grain shoal microfacies are favorable for hydrocarbon accumulation, while the supratidal flat and shelf microfacies developed very few high‐quality reservoirs. The paleogullies, in which increased amounts of grain shoal microfacies developed, controlled the distribution of high‐quality reservoirs.
Ocean Chemistry Revealed by Mineralogical and Geochemical Evidence at the Permian‐Triassic Mass Extinction, Offshore the Persian Gulf, Iran
Authors: TAVAKOLI Vahid
Published: November 2016

The Upper Permian Dalan Formation and the Lower Triassic Kangan Formation in the Persian Gulf area are mainly composed of shallow marine facies limestone and dolomite. Two subsurface‐cored intervals were investigated in order to understand the original mineralogy and paleoceanic conditions. The decreasing trend of Sr concentration in these deposits shows that aragonite was precipitated during the Late Permian and then gradually changed to calcite toward the Permian‐Triassic boundary (PTB). The dissolution rate of aragonite decreased from 60 m below the PTB toward the boundary, with the only exception at 10 m below the Permian‐Triassic Boundary (PTB) due to the Permian‐Triassic unconformity in this region. The increasing trend of Mg/Ca ratio in a global scale at the end‐Permian time shows that the interpreted variation of mineralogy does not result from the change of this ratio. The increasing pCO2 and decreasing pH are considered to be the main controlling factors. The increase of Ca2+ at the end‐Permian time due to the input of meteoric waters is too little to fully compensate this effect A local maximum of the Si content just at the PTB confirms the input of runoff waters.
A Review on Shale Reservoirs as an Unconventional Play – The History, Technology Revolution, Importance to Oil and Gas Industry, and the Development Future
Authors: LIN Wen
Published: November 2016

As a milestone of the entire energy industry, unconventional resources have inevitably swept the world in the last decade, and will certainly dominate the global oil and gas industry in the near future. Eventually, the “unconventional” will become “conventional”. Along with the rapid development, however, some issues have emerged, which are closely related to the viability of unconventional resources development. Under the current circumstances of low crude oil and gas price, coupled with the prominent environmental concerns, the arguments about the development and production of unconventional resources have been recently heated up. This work introduced the full‐blown aspects of unconventional resources especially shale reservoirs, by discussing their concepts and definitions, reviewing the shale gas and shale oil development history and necessity, analyzing the shale plays' geology and petroleum systems with respects to key hydrocarbon accumulation elements and mechanisms, and summarizing the technology resolution. This study also discussed the relevant key issues, including significant estimation uncertainty of technically recoverable resources, the equivocal understanding of complex geology preventing the production and technologies implementation optimization, the difficulties of experiences and technologies global expanding, and the corresponding risks and uncertainties. In addition, based on the latest production and exploration data, the future perspective of the unconventional resources was depicted from global unconventional resources assessments, technology development, and limitations constraining the development.
British Capital and Merchandise Exports, 1870–1913: The Bilateral Case of New Zealand
Authors: Varian Brian D.
Published: November 2016

The Ford thesis argued that there was a short‐term causal relationship between British overseas investment and British merchandise exports in the late nineteenth century. However, economic historians since Ford have found little empirical evidence in support of this argument. Using data on bilateral British lending, this article finds that such a relationship did exist, with British ex ante lending preceding merchandise exports by 2 years. A case study of New Zealand, which had an extraordinarily high share of Britain in its imports, reveals that the relationship was conditional upon the lending being allocated to social overhead capital.
Response of riparian plant communities to distance from surface water in the Okavango Delta, Botswana
Authors: Tsheboeng Gaolathe , Murray‐Hudson Mike , Kashe Keotshephile
Published: November 2016

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of distance from surface water on riparian woodland communities in the Okavango Delta. Vegetation sampling was conducted in seven sites within the Okavango Delta in 20 m × 10 m belted plots placed perpendicular to the river bank. The plots were placed at 0–10 m, 10–20 m, 20–30 m, 30–40 m and 40–50 m distance classes increasing away from the river bank. Tree height, basal area, species richness, canopy cover and diversity were determined for each distance class. Indicator species analysis was used to determine the characteristic species at each distance class. Single‐factor ANOVA and Tukey post hoc analysis were used to compare species diversity, mean tree height, cover and basal area between distance classes. Correlation between distance from surface water and vegetation parameters was sought using Spearman regression analysis. All parameters except for species richness varied significantly (P < 0.05) along distance from surface water. Distance from surface water was positively correlated all vegetation parameters except for mean species richness/plot. These results show that distance from surface water influences riparian plant community composition and distribution in the Okavango Delta. This implies that riparian plant species can be indicators of long‐term hydrologic conditions in the Delta.
Centrally mediated ejaculatory response via sympathetic outflow in rats: role of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartic acid receptors in paraventricular nucleus
Authors: Xia J.‐D. , Chen J. , Sun H.‐J. , Zhou L.‐H. , Zhu G.‐Q. , Chen Y. , Dai Y.‐T.
Published: November 2016

Ejaculation is mediated by a spinal generator, which integrates inputs related to the sexual activity and coordinates sympathetic, parasympathetic, and motor outflow. Previous clinical studies indicate that primary premature ejaculation is related to the hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. In this study, we explored the roles of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors in paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) on ejaculatory responses and its potential mechanism in the rats. We found that microinjection of 0.20 nmol NMDA into the PVN reduced the latency of intromission and facilitated ejaculation during copulation. Moreover, delayed ejaculation and intromission were observed after the rats were microinjected with NMDA receptor antagonist D (−)‐2‐Amino‐5‐phosphonopentanoic acid (AP‐5). However, we discovered that microinjection of NMDA into PVN significantly increased baseline lumbar splanchnic nerve activity (LSNA), and the NMDA dose was positively correlated with the increased LSNA (r = 0.875, p = 0.04). Meanwhile, the plasma norepinephrine level in rats injected with NMDA was much higher than that in rats injected with saline (1453.4 ± 136.4 pg/mL vs. 492.3 ± 36.8 pg/mL, p < 0.01). Additionally, AP‐5 reduced the baseline LSNA and abrogated the enhancing activity of NMDA in LSNA. Thus, we propose that NMDA receptors in PVN may facilitate ejaculation through enhancing the activity of sympathetic system.
Identification of protein changes in human spermatozoa throughout the cryopreservation process
Authors: Bogle O. A. , Kumar K. , Attardo‐Parrinello C. , Lewis S. E. M. , Estanyol J. M. , Ballescà J. L. , Oliva R.
Published: November 2016

Cryoinjury is a consequence of cryopreservation and may have a negative impact on sperm quality regarding motility, morphology, and viability. This study was designed to identify potential proteomic changes in human sperm cells throughout the cryopreservation process. Comparisons made within this study included the detection of the sperm proteomic changes induced by incubation of the sperm cells with a protein‐free cryoprotectant (with and without CryoSperm), and the proteomic changes induced by freezing, thawing, and subsequent after‐thawing incubation at two different temperatures (0 °C vs. 23 °C). Tandem Mass Tag (TMT) peptide labeling coupled withLC‐MS/MSwas used for protein quantification.LC‐MS/MSresulted in the identification of 769 quantifiable proteins. The abundance of 105 proteins was altered upon CryoSperm incubation. Freezing and thawing also induced substantial protein changes. However, fewer changes were observed when semen was thawed and then maintained after‐thawing at approximately 0 °C than when it was maintained after‐thawing at 23 °C, with 60 and 99 differential proteins detected, respectively, as compared to unfrozen semen incubated in CryoSperm. Collectively, these differences indicate that substantial changes occur in the sperm proteome at every stage of the cryopreservation process which may ultimately impair the sperm fertilizing capability. This is the first study to compare protein levels in fresh and cryopreserved semen using theTMTtechnology coupled toLC‐MS/MS.
Very low birthweight bronchopulmonary dysplasia survivors had similar cardiac outcomes to controls at six years to 14 years of age
Authors: Suursalmi Piia , Eerola Anneli , Poutanen Tuija , Korhonen Päivi , Kopeli Tarja , Tammela Outi
Published: November 2016

Aim

This study evaluated cardiac function and its associations with lung function and neonatal pulmonary morbidity in very low birthweight (VLBW) children, with and without severe radiographic bronchopulmonary dysplasia (radBPD), at school age.

Methods

We examined 18 VLBW children with radBPD, 17 VLBW children without radBPD and 18 healthy term‐born children using conventional echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging, speckle tracking echocardiography and real‐time three‐dimensional echocardiography at six years to 14 years of age. Lung function was studied by impulse oscillometry. Plasma N‐terminal‐proBNP concentrations were measured.

Results

Cardiac function and N‐terminal‐proBNP concentrations did not differ between the groups. No associations were found between cardiac function and neonatal dexamethasone, oxygen or ventilator therapies. In VLBW children, poorer reactance correlated with larger left ventricle (LV) end‐systolic (Spearman′s ρ = −0.45) and end‐diastolic (ρ = −0.50) volumes and higher resistance correlated with higher LV dyssynchrony indexes, with ρ ranging from 0.37 to 0.48. Greater bronchodilation responses correlated with lower early diastolic myocardial relaxation velocities, with ρ ranging from 0.39 to 0.42.

Conclusion

BPD survivors had normal cardiac function at the age of six years to 14 years. No associations were found between neonatal pulmonary morbidity and cardiac parameters. Poorer lung function correlated modestly with LV echocardiographic parameters in VLBW children.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: the comparative effectiveness of aspirin vs. screening for colorectal cancer prevention
Authors: Emilsson L. , Holme Ø. , Bretthauer M. , Cook N. R. , Buring J. E. , Løberg M. , Adami H.‐O. , Sesso H. D. , Gaziano M. J. , Kalager M.
Published: November 2016

Background

Both aspirin use and screening with flexible sigmoidoscopy or guaiac faecal occult blood testing (FOBT) may reduce mortality from colorectal cancer, but comparative effectiveness of these interventions is unknown.

Aim

To compare aspirin to guaiac FOBT screening with regard to incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer in a network meta‐analysis.

Methods

We searched Medline, EMBASE and the COCHRANE central register (CENTRAL) for relevant randomised trials identified until 31 October 2015. Randomised trials in average‐risk populations that reported colorectal cancer mortality, colorectal cancer incidence, or both, with a minimum follow‐up of 2 years, and more than 100 randomised individuals were included.

Three investigators independently extracted data. We calculated relative risks [RR with 95% predictive intervals (PrIs)] for the comparison of the interventions by frequentist network meta‐analyses.

Results

The effect of aspirin on colorectal cancer mortality was similar to FOBT (RR 1.03; 95% PrI 0.76–1.39) and flexible sigmoidoscopy (RR 1.16; 95% PrI 0.84–1.60). Aspirin was more effective than FOBT (RR 0.36; 95% PrI 0.22–0.59) and flexible sigmoidoscopy (RR 0.37; 95% PrI 0.22–0.62) in preventing death from or cancer in the proximal colon. Aspirin was equally effective as screening in reducing colorectal cancer incidence, while flexible sigmoidoscopy was superior to FOBT (RR 0.84; 95% PrI 0.72–0.97).

Conclusions

Low‐dose aspirin seems to be equally effective as flexible sigmoidoscopy or guaiac FOBT screening to reduce colorectal cancer incidence and mortality, and more effective for cancers in the proximal colon. A randomised comparative effectiveness trial of aspirin vs. screening is warranted.
Bayesian Variable Selection for Post-Analytic Interrogation of Susceptibility Loci
Authors: Chen Siying , Nunez Sara , Reilly Muredach P. , Foulkes Andrea S.
Published: November 2016

Understanding the complex interplay among protein coding genes and regulatory elements requires rigorous interrogation with analytic tools designed for discerning the relative contributions of overlapping genomic regions. To this aim, we offer a novel application of Bayesian variable selection (BVS) for classifying genomic class level associations using existing large meta-analysis summary level resources. This approach is applied using the expectation maximization variable selection (EMVS) algorithm to typed and imputed SNPs across 502 protein coding genes (PCGs) and 220 long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that overlap 45 known loci for coronary artery disease (CAD) using publicly available Global Lipids Gentics Consortium (GLGC) (Teslovich et al., 2010; Willer et al., 2013) meta-analysis summary statistics for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The analysis reveals 33 PCGs and three lncRNAs across 11 loci with 50% posterior probabilities for inclusion in an additive model of association. The findings are consistent with previous reports, while providing some new insight into the architecture of LDL-cholesterol to be investigated further. As genomic taxonomies continue to evolve, additional classes such as enhancer elements and splicing regions, can easily be layered into the proposed analysis framework. Moreover, application of this approach to alternative publicly available meta-analysis resources, or more generally as a post-analytic strategy to further interrogate regions that are identified through single point analysis, is straightforward. All coding examples are implemented in R version 3.2.1 and provided as supplemental material.
Model-Robust Inference for Continuous Threshold Regression Models
Authors: Fong Youyi , Di Chongzhi , Huang Ying , Gilbert Peter B.
Published: November 2016

We study threshold regression models that allow the relationship between the outcome and a covariate of interest to change across a threshold value in the covariate. In particular, we focus on continuous threshold models, which experience no jump at the threshold. Continuous threshold regression functions can provide a useful summary of the association between outcome and the covariate of interest, because they offer a balance between flexibility and simplicity. Motivated by collaborative works in studying immune response biomarkers of transmission of infectious diseases, we study estimation of continuous threshold models in this article with particular attention to inference under model misspecification. We derive the limiting distribution of the maximum likelihood estimator, and propose both Wald and test-inversion confidence intervals. We evaluate finite sample performance of our methods, compare them with bootstrap confidence intervals, and provide guidelines for practitioners to choose the most appropriate method in real data analysis. We illustrate the application of our methods with examples from the HIV-1 immune correlates studies.
The Developing Role of Unions in China's Foreign‐Invested Enterprises
Authors: Chan Andy W. , Snape Ed , Luo Michelle S. , Zhai Yujuan
Published: November 2016

This article evaluates the development of Chinese enterprise unions, drawing on case‐study evidence from foreign‐invested enterprises in the Pearl River Delta. Findings suggest that it was difficult for such employers to resist the establishment of an enterprise union. However, they generally sought to co‐opt the union to meet organizational needs. Management strategy was critical in shaping the union's role, and our evidence suggests that this was influenced by factors such as home‐country policies, the expectations of overseas customers, management ideology and pressures from the ACFTU and the Party‐State to comply with the requirement for a union. The implications for the role of unions are evaluated.
A developing context: Evaluation and FedNor's evolving institutional context
Authors: Sharaput Markus
Published: November 2016

Context matters when understanding evaluation. This case study illustrates how the internal dynamics of the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor) since 2008 were affected by evaluation priorities. Recent changes meant evaluation of FedNor programs focused on indicators of short‐term growth. This prompted a range of adaptive responses by actors within FedNor concerned with securing its developmental mandate, while meeting the requirements of evaluation.
Impact of North Carolina's Early Childhood Programs and Policies on Educational Outcomes in Elementary School
Authors: Dodge Kenneth A. , Bai Yu , Ladd Helen F. , Muschkin Clara G.
Published: November 2016

North Carolina's Smart Start and More at Four (MAF) early childhood programs were evaluated through the end of elementary school (age 11) by estimating the impact of state funding allocations to programs in each of 100 counties across 13 consecutive years on outcomes for all children in each county‐year group (n = 1,004,571; 49% female; 61% non‐Latinx White, 30% African American, 4% Latinx, 5% other). Student‐level regression models with county and year fixed effects indicated significant positive impacts of each program on reading and math test scores and reductions in special education and grade retention in each grade. Effect sizes grew or held steady across years. Positive effects held for both high‐ and low‐poverty families, suggesting spillover of effects to nonparticipating peers.
Patterns and risk factors of birth defects in rural areas of south‐eastern Gabon
Authors: Mombo Landry‐Erik , Yangawagou‐Eyeghe Leslie‐Monica , Mickala Patrick , Moutélé Jean , Bah Thierno‐Souleymane , Tchelougou Damehan , Bisseye Cyrille
Published: November 2016

Within the context of high neonatal mortality in sub‐Saharan Africa, a retrospective study was conducted on the prevalence of congenital malformations and the association between maternal risk factors and birth defects in rural populations of south‐eastern Gabon. Two populations were studied: a group of 3500 births recorded in rural area (Koula‐Moutou) and a second group of 4212 births in a semi‐rural area (Franceville) in Gabon. Our data showed an increasing prevalence in congenital anomalies from rural to urban areas (P < 0.001). Maternal risk factors such as age > 35 years, multiparity and employment status were significantly associated with the levels of stillbirth. Together with abortions and stillbirths, congenital malformations require strong monitoring in rural and urban areas of sub‐Saharan Africa.