bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
California's Early Coverage Expansion under the Affordable Care Act: A County‐Level Analysis
Authors: Sommers Benjamin D. , Chua Kao‐Ping , Kenney Genevieve M. , Long Sharon K. , McMorrow Stacey
Published: October 2015

Objective

To assess the coverage effects of California's 2011 Low‐Income Health Program (LIHP), enacted as an “early expansion” under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and to demonstrate the feasibility of using Census data to measure county‐level coverage changes.

Data Sources/Study Setting

2008–2012 American Community Survey (ACS). The sample contained California adults ages 19–64 years (n = 237,876) and children 0–18 years (n = 113,159) with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

Study Design

Differences‐in‐differences analysis comparing public coverage, private insurance, and the uninsured rate in counties that expanded the LIHP in 2011 versus California counties not expanding during this time. Additional analyses tested for heterogeneous impacts of the LIHP and spillover effects on children.

Principal Findings

Compared to nonexpansion counties, public coverage for adults increased by 1.8 percentage points (p = .02) in expanding counties, while the uninsured rate declined by 2.1 percentage points (p = .01). There was no significant change in private coverage. Public coverage gains were largest for Latinos and those with limited English proficiency. The expansion produced a positive spillover effect on children's Medicaid enrollment.

Conclusions

California's 2011 expansion produced significant increases in public coverage for low‐income individuals, particularly Latinos. Substate coverage analyses with the ACS can add valuable detail to future assessments of the ACA.
Distribution and variability of deformed wing virus of honeybees (Apis mellifera) in the Middle East and North Africa
Authors: Haddad Nizar Jamal , Noureddine Adjlane , Al‐Shagour Banan , Loucif‐Ayad Wahida , El‐Niweiri Mogbel A. A. , Anaswah Eman , Hammour Wafaa Abu , El‐Obeid Dany , Imad Albaba , Shebl Mohamed A. , Almaleky Abdulhusien Sehen , Nasher Abdullah , Walid Nagara , Bergigui Mohamed Fouad , Yañez Orlando , de Miranda Joachim R.
Published: October 2015

Three hundred and eleven honeybee samples from 12 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Yemen, Palestine, and Sudan) were analyzed for the presence of deformed wing virus (DWV). The prevalence of DWV throughout the MENA region was pervasive, but variable. The highest prevalence was found in Lebanon and Syria, with prevalence dropping in Palestine, Jordan, and Egypt before increasing slightly moving westwards to Algeria and Morocco Phylogenetic analysis of a 194 nucleotide section of the DWV Lp gene did not identify any significant phylogenetic resolution among the samples, although the sequences did show consistent regional clustering, including an interesting geographic gradient from Morocco through North Africa to Jordan and Syria. The sequences revealed several clear variability hotspots in the deduced amino acid sequence, which furthermore showed some patterns of regional identity. Furthermore, the sequence variants from the Middle East and North Africa appear more numerous and diverse than those from Europe.
On the Consistency of the CAP: Will European Agriculture Meet the Challenges It Faces?
Authors: Popp Jozsef , Jambor Attila
Published: October 2015

The latest reform of the Common Agricultural Policy has just been accepted, identifying important challenges for EU agriculture but proposing only limited changes to existing policy. Now it is time for the implementation of new measures. However, from a theoretical point of view, it seems that the CAP can hardly meet the challenges it faces due to the inconsistencies between the predefined challenges and the measures proposed to meet them. Economic, environmental and social challenges, identified by the Commission, do not seem to align with the measures proposed to meet them. Direct payments along with the EU's agricultural competitiveness and food quality policies do not help in reaching the food security goal, while greening measures can hardly contribute to the environmental challenges European agriculture is faced with. Moreover, current measures under the EU's rural development policy are ineffective in meeting the well‐known European social challenges. In addition, the CAP does not fully fit the needs of New Member States with different endowments and traditions. A new three pillar CAP, with phased‐out direct payments, focusing on climate smart agriculture and genuine rural development policy, along the lines we suggest, is key for the future.
Impact of pH and Total Soluble Solids on Enzyme Inactivation Kinetics during High Pressure Processing of Mango (Mangifera indica) Pulp
Authors: Kaushik Neelima , Nadella Tejaswi , Rao P. Srinivasa
Published: October 2015

This study was undertaken with an aim to enhance the enzyme inactivation during high pressure processing (HPP) with pH and total soluble solids (TSS) as additional hurdles. Impact of mango pulp pH (3.5, 4.0, 4.5) and TSS (15, 20, 25 °Brix) variations on the inactivation of pectin methylesterase (PME), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and peroxidase (POD) enzymes were studied during HPP at 400 to 600 MPa pressure (P), 40 to 70 °C temperature (T), and 6‐ to 20‐min pressure‐hold time (t). The enzyme inactivation (%) was modeled using second order polynomial equations with a good fit that revealed that all the enzymes were significantly affected by HPP. Response surface and contour models predicted the kinetic behavior of mango pulp enzymes adequately as indicated by the small error between predicted and experimental data. The predicted kinetics indicated that for a fixed P and T, higher pulse pressure effect and increased isobaric inactivation rates were possible at lower levels of pH and TSS. In contrast, at a fixed pH or TSS level, an increase in P or T led to enhanced inactivation rates, irrespective of the type of enzyme. PPO and POD were found to have similar barosensitivity, whereas PME was found to be most resistant to HPP. Furthermore, simultaneous variation in pH and TSS levels of mango pulp resulted in higher enzyme inactivation at lower pH and TSS during HPP, where the effect of pH was found to be predominant than TSS within the experimental domain.
Changes in Volatile Compounds of Chinese Luzhou‐Flavor Liquor during the Fermentation and Distillation Process
Authors: Ding Xiaofei , Wu Chongde , Huang Jun , Zhou Rongqing
Published: October 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamic of volatile compounds in the Zaopei during the fermentation and distillation process by headspace solid‐phase microextraction‐gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS‐SPME‐GCMS). Physicochemical properties analysis of Zaopei (fermented grains [FG], fermented grains mixed with sorghum [FGS], streamed grains [SG], and streamed grains mixed with Daqu [SGD]) showed distinct changes. A total number of 66 volatile compounds in the Zaopei were identified, in which butanoic acid, hexanoic acid, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl lactate, ethyl octanoate, hexyl hexanoate, ethyl hydrocinnamate, ethyl oleate, ethyl hexadecanoate, and ethyl linoleate were considered to be the dominant compounds due to their high concentrations. FG had the highest volatile compounds (112.43 mg/kg), which significantly decreased by 17.05% in the FGS, 67.12% in the SG, and 73.75% in the SGD. Furthermore, about 61.49% of volatile compounds of FGS were evaporated into raw liquor, whereas head, heart, and tail liquor accounted for 29.84%, 39.49%, and 30.67%, respectively. Each volatile class generally presented a decreasing trend, except for furans. Especially, the percentage of esters was 55.51% to 67.41% in the Zaopei, and reached 92.60% to 97.67% in the raw liquor. Principal component analysis based ordination of volatile compounds data segregated FGS and SGD samples. In addition, radar diagrams of the odor activity values suggested that intense flavor of fruit was weakened most from FG to SGD.
Impact of Precursors Creatine, Creatinine, and Glucose on the Formation of Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines in Grilled Patties of Various Animal Species
Authors: Gibis Monika , Weiss Jochen
Published: October 2015

The impact of precursors such as creatine, creatinine, and glucose on the formation of mutagenic/carcinogenic heterocyclic amines (HAs) were studied in patties of 9 different animal species equally heat treated with a double‐plate contact grill. All grilled patties of the various species (veal, beef, pork, lamb, horse, venison, turkey, chicken, ostrich) contained several HAs such as MeIQx (2‐amino‐3,8‐dimethylimidazo[4,5‐f] quinoxaline; 0.5‐1.4 ng/g), 4,8‐DiMeIQx (2‐amino‐3,4,8‐trimethylimidazo[4,5‐f] quinoxaline, 0 to 1.3 ng/g), PhIP (2‐amino‐1‐methyl‐6‐phenylimidazo[4,5‐b] pyridine, 1.2 to 10.5 ng/g), harman (1‐methyl‐9H‐pyrido[3,4‐b] indole; 0.5 to 3.2 ng/g), and/or norharman (9H‐pyrido[3,4‐b]indole 0.5 to 1.9 ng/g). Residual glycogen (glucose) content varied greatly from 0.07 to 1.46 wt% on a dry matter (DM) basis. Total creatin(in)e content in raw meat (1.36 to 2.0 wt% DM) hardly differed between species, except in turkey and ostrich (1.1 wt% DM). Chicken contained, compared to all other species, very low concentrations of glucose (0.07 wt% DM) and the highest levels of nonprotein nitrogen compounds. The free amino acids lysine (r = 0.77, P < 0.001), tyrosine, phenylalanine, proline, isoleucine, and aspartic acid (r = 0.47–0.56, P < 0.05) showed significant correlation to PhIP in chicken. Also a linear correlation was found to exist between PhIP (r = 0.87, P < 0.001) and MeIQx (r = 0.35, P < 0.01), and the molar ratio of creatin(in)e to glucose, respectively. Harman as co‐mutagens was linearly correlated to the concentration of glucose (r = 0.65, P < 0.001). By contrast, norharman was not significant correlated to glucose levels.
Clinical analysis of sixty‐four patients with T1aN2M0 stage non‐small cell lung cancer who had undergone resection
Authors: Xiong Jian , Wang Rui , Sun Yihua , Chen Haiquan
Published: October 2015

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features of T1aN2M0 stage non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Method

From November 2008 to May 2013, 498 patients with T1a‐stage NSCLC who visited the Shanghai Cancer Center were included in the study. All patients underwent a lobectomy or segmentectomy with systematic nodal resection for primary lung cancer. Analyses of gender, smoking history, primary tumor site, tumor location, tumor size, pathological classification, cancer gene, pleural invasion, number of positive lymph nodes, skip N2, single or multiple station N2, progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were performed.

Result

There were significant differences in tumor size, tumor size distribution, adenocarcinoma subgroup, and number of positive lymph nodes between patients at T1aN2M0 and T1aN0M0 stages. The most common histology of the T1aN2M0 subgroup was adenocarcinoma. Epidermal growth factor receptor mutations were the most common gene mutation in T1aN2M0 stage NSCLC. There were significant differences in five‐year OS and PFS rates between patients with T1aN2M0, T1aN0M0, and T1aN1M0 stages. Multivariate analyses of mediastinal lymph node metastasis showed that gender, tumor size distribution, and histology type were significant predictive factors. Multivariate analyses of OS and PFS rates in the T1aN2M0 subgroup showed that the number of positive lymph nodes was a significant predictive factor.

Conclusion

Gender, tumor size distribution, and histology type were independent predictors of mediastinal lymph node metastasis in patients with T1a stage. The number of positive lymph nodes was significantly associated with OS and PFS rates in patients with T1aN2M0 stage NSCLC.
Quantifying variable importance in a multimodel inference framework
Authors: Giam Xingli , Olden Julian D.
Published: October 2015

The sum of Akaike weights (SW) is often used to quantify relative variable importance (RVI) within the information‐theoretic (IT) multimodel inference framework. A recent study (Galipaudet al. 2014,Methods in Ecology and Evolution5: 983) questioned the validity of the SW approach. Regrettably, this study is flawed because SW was evaluated with an inappropriate benchmark. Irrespective of this study's methodological issues, RVI metrics based on the relative contribution of explanatory variables in explaining the variance in the response variable (partitionedR2‐based) are lacking in multimodel inference.

We re‐evaluated the validity of SW by repeating Galipaudet al.'s experiment but with an appropriate benchmark. When explanatory variables are uncorrelated, the quantity that SW estimates (i.e. the probability that a variable is included in the actual best IT model) is monotonically related to squared zero‐order correlation coefficients (r2) between explanatory variables and the response variable. The degree of correspondence between SW andr2rankings(notvalues) of variables in data sets with uncorrelated explanatory variables was therefore used as a benchmark to evaluate the validity of SW as a RVI metric. To address the lack of partitionedR2‐based RVI metrics in multimodel inference, we proposed 2 metrics: (a)Iweighted, the average model probability‐weighted partitionedR2; and (b)Ibest, the partitionedR2derived from the best IT model. We performed Monte Carlo simulations to evaluate the utility ofIweightedandIbestversus partitionedR2derived from the global model (Iglobal).

SW rankings matchedr2rankings of variables; therefore, SW is a valid measure of RVI. Among partitionedR2‐based metrics,IweightedandIglobalwere generally more accurate in estimating the population partitionedR2.Iweightedperformed better when explanatory variables were uncorrelated, whereasIglobalwas better in smaller data sets with correlated explanatory variables. To improve the utility ofIweightedin such data sets, we proposed approaches to eliminate or reduce the influence of correlated variables.

Despite recent criticisms, our results show that SW is a valid RVI metric. To quantify RVI in terms of theR2explained by each variable,IweightedandIglobalare the preferred RVI metrics.
Ethanol Inhibits γ‐Secretase Proteolytic Activity in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Hatch Ekaterina , Morrow David , Liu Weimin , Cahill Paul A. , Redmond Eileen M.
Published: October 2015

Background

Ethanol (EtOH) inhibits Notch‐mediated vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation, an event that is key in vessel remodeling and atherogenesis. The object of this study was to determine whether EtOH inhibits Notch signaling in SMC at the level of γ‐secretase, a protease that in concert with α‐secretase catalyzes the release of the intracellular domain of the Notch receptor necessary for signaling.

Methods

Human coronary artery SMCs (HCASMCs) were treated with a recombinant soluble Notch ligand, Delta‐like ligand 4 (DLL4) (2 μg/ml), or transfected with a constitutively active Notch 1 intracellular domain (N1ICD), in the absence or presence of EtOH. EtOH (25 mM) treatment inhibited DLL4‐stimulated CBF‐1/RBP‐Jk‐dependent promoter activity (determined by luciferase assay) and downstream target gene HRT‐3 mRNA levels. In contrast, EtOH had no effect on N1ICD‐driven CBF‐1/RBP‐Jk‐dependent promoter activity or HRT‐3 expression.

Results

These data suggest that EtOH inhibits Notch signaling at, or prior to, Notch intracellular domain (NICD) generation. γ‐Secretase activity was determined in solubilized membrane preparations from HCASMC treated with/without EtOH (25 mM) or the γ‐secretase inhibitor DAPT (20 μM) using (i) a fluorometric assay and (ii) Western blot detection of cleavage products using a Flag‐tagged Notch‐based substrate, N100Flag. EtOH inhibited basal and DLL4‐stimulated γ‐secretase activity, and SMC growth to a similar extent as DAPT, whereas it had no effect on α‐secretase (TACE/ADAM17) activity also determined by fluorometric assay. Moreover, EtOH treatment inhibited the expression of caveolin‐1, a lipid raft protein implicated in regulating γ‐secretase activity, and altered its cellular distribution in HCASMC.

Conclusions

EtOH inhibits Notch signaling in vascular SMCs at the level of γ‐secretase activity, possibly by affecting lipid raft function. Such a response might be expected to result in attenuation of pathologic vessel remodeling and thus may contribute to moderate alcohols' cardioprotective effects.
Reexamining the linear and U‐shaped relationships between self‐control and emotional and behavioural problems
Authors: Situ Qiao‐Min , Li Jian‐Bin , Dou Kai
Published: October 2015

Previous studies have demonstrated a linear relationship between self‐control and emotional and behavioural problems. However, some scholars have assumed that both under‐control and over‐control may result in undesired problems, which implies a U‐shaped relationship between them. This issue was reexamined in three Chinese samples in the present study. Self‐report measures that conceptually assessed self‐control and emotional (i.e. depression and negative emotion) and behavioural (i.e. rule‐breaking behaviour, aggression and counterproductive work behaviour) problems were administered to adolescents (N = 885), university students (N = 671) and employees (N = 500). Results of piecewise linear regression show that there were significant quadratic effects of self‐control on emotional and behavioural problems in adolescents and on behavioural problems in employees, but no significant U‐shaped associations between them were found. Implications for future studies are discussed.
Heritability and confirmation of genetic association studies for childhood asthma in twins
Authors: Ullemar V. , Magnusson P. K. E. , Lundholm C. , Zettergren A. , Melén E. , Lichtenstein P. , Almqvist C.
Published: October 2015

Background

Although the genetics of asthma has been extensively studied using both quantitative and molecular genetic analysis methods, both approaches lack studies specific to the childhood phenotype and including other allergic diseases. This study aimed to give specific estimates for the heritability of childhood asthma and other allergic diseases, to attempt to replicate findings from genomewide association studies (GWAS) for childhood asthma and to test the same variants against other allergic diseases.

Methods

In a cohort of 25 306 Swedish twins aged 9 or 12 years, data on asthma were available from parental interviews and population‐based registers. The interviews also inquired about wheeze, hay fever, eczema, and food allergy. Through structural equation modeling, the heritability of all phenotypes was calculated. A subset of 10 075 twins was genotyped for 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) selected from previous GWAS; these were first tested for association with asthma and significant findings also against the other allergic diseases.

Results

The heritability of any childhood asthma was 0.82 (95% CI 0.79–0.85). For the other allergic diseases, the range was approximately 0.60–0.80. Associations for six SNPs with asthma were replicated, including rs2305480 in the GSDMB gene (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.74–0.86, P = 1.5*10−8; other significant associations all below P = 3.5*10−4). Of these, only rs3771180 in IL1RL1 was associated with any other allergic disease (for hay fever, OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.53–0.77, P = 2.5*10−6).

Conclusion

Asthma and allergic diseases of childhood are highly heritable, and these high‐risk genetic variants associated specifically with childhood asthma, except for one SNP shared with hay fever.
A Flexible AFT Model for Misclassified Clustered Interval-Censored Data
Authors: García-Zattera María José , Jara Alejandro , Komárek Arnošt
Published: October 2015

Motivated by a longitudinal oral health study, we propose a flexible modeling approach for clustered time-to-event data, when the response of interest can only be determined to lie in an interval obtained from a sequence of examination times (interval-censored data) and on top of that, the determination of the occurrence of the event is subject to misclassification. The clustered time-to-event data are modeled using an accelerated failure time model with random effects and by assuming a penalized Gaussian mixture model for the random effects terms to avoid restrictive distributional assumptions concerning the event times. A general misclassification model is discussed in detail, considering the possibility that different examiners were involved in the assessment of the occurrence of the events for a given subject across time. A Bayesian implementation of the proposed model is described in a detailed manner. We additionally provide empirical evidence showing that the model can be used to estimate the underlying time-to-event distribution and the misclassification parameters without any external information about the latter parameters. We also provide results of a simulation study to evaluate the effect of neglecting the presence of misclassification in the analysis of clustered time-to-event data.
Changes in Habitat Use at Rain Forest Edges Through Succession: a Case Study of Understory Birds in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Powell Luke L. , Zurita Gustavo , Wolfe Jared D. , Johnson Erik I. , Stouffer Philip C
Published: October 2015

Primary tropical rain forests are being rapidly perforated with new edges via roads, logging, and pastures, and vast areas of secondary forest accumulate following abandonment of agricultural lands. To determine how insectivorous Amazonian understory birds respond to edges between primary rain forest and three age classes of secondary forest, we radio‐tracked two woodcreepers (Glyphorynchus spirurus, N = 17; Xiphorhynchus pardalotus, N = 18) and a terrestrial antthrush (Formicarius colma, N = 19). We modeled species‐specific response to distance to forest edge (a continuous variable) based on observations at varying distances from the primary‐secondary forest interface. All species avoided 8–14‐yr‐old secondary forest. Glyphorynchus spirurus and F. colma mostly remained within primary forest <100 m from the young edge. Young F. colma rarely penetrated >100 m into secondary forest 27–31 yr old. Young Formicarius colma and most G. spirurus showed a unimodal response to 8–14‐yr‐old secondary forest, with relative activity concentrated just inside primary forest. After land abandonment, G. spirurus was the first to recover to the point where there was no detectable edge response (after 11–14 yr), whereas X. pardalotus was intermediate (15–20 yr), and F. colma last (28–30 yr +). Given the relatively quick recovery by our woodcreeper species, new legislation on protection of secondary forests > 20‐yr old in Brazil's Pará state may represent a new opportunity for conservation and management; however, secondary forest must mature to at least 30 yr before the full compliment of rain forest‐dependent species can use secondary forest without adverse edge effects.
Plant Ontogeny as a Conditionality Factor in the Protective Effect of Ants on a Neotropical Tree
Authors: Koch Elmo B. A. , Camarota Flávio , Vasconcelos Heraldo L.
Published: October 2015

The outcome of any interspecific interaction is often determined by the ecological context in which the interacting species are embedded. Plant ontogeny may represent an important source of variation in the outcome of ant–plant mutualisms, as the level of investment in ant rewards, in alternative (non‐biotic) defenses, or both, may be modulated by the plant's developmental stage. In addition, the abundance and identities of the ants involved in the interaction may change during ontogeny of the host‐plant. Here, we evaluated if plant ontogeny affects the interaction between ants and a savanna tree species (Caryocar brasiliense) that produces extrafloral nectar. We found fewer ants per branch and fewer species of ants per tree in juvenile than in reproductive trees of medium and large size. In addition, large‐sized reproductive trees were more likely to host more aggressive ants than were medium‐sized reproductive or juvenile trees. Such differences strongly affected the outcome of the interaction between ants and their host‐plants, as the magnitude of the effect of ants on herbivory was much stronger for large trees than for juvenile ones. The fact that we did not find significant ontogenetic variation in the concentration of leaf tannins suggests that the observed differences in herbivory did not result from a differential investment in chemical defenses among different‐sized plants. Overall, the results of our study indicate that the developmental stage of the host plant is an important factor of conditionality in the interaction betweenC. brasilienseand arboreal foraging ants.
Neural Correlates of Self and Its Interaction With Memory in Healthy Adolescents
Authors: Dégeilh Fanny , Guillery‐Girard Bérengère , Dayan Jacques , Gaubert Malo , Chételat Gaël , Egler Pierre‐Jean , Baleyte Jean‐Marc , Eustache Francis , Viard Armelle
Published: October 2015

Adolescence is marked by the development of personal identity and is associated with structural and functional changes in brain regions associated with Self processing. Yet, little is known about the neural correlates of self‐reference processing and self‐reference effect in adolescents. This functional magnetic resonance imaging study consists of a self‐reference paradigm followed by a recognition test proposed to 30 healthy adolescents aged 13–18 years old. Results showed that the rostral anterior cingulate cortex is specifically involved in self‐reference processing and that this specialization develops gradually from 13 to 18 years old. The self‐reference effect is associated with increased brain activation changes during encoding, suggesting that the beneficial effect of Self on memory may occur at encoding of self‐referential information, rather than at retrieval.
Alternative Approaches to Compensation and Producer Rights
Authors: Schmitz Andrew , Haynes Dwayne J. , Schmitz Troy G.
Published: October 2015

When policies are changed, it is not uncommon for losers to be compensated. Economic theory and quantitative analysis are useful in determining the efficiency gains/losses associated with a policy change, but are little help in deciding what the approach to compensation should be. The amount of compensation varies, depending on, in part, the political clout of the parties being negatively affected by a policy change—compensation is what politicians and the sector demanding compensation can agree on. We formulate four approaches to producer compensation within the context of the Ontario Tobacco Transition Program, where producers would have suffered losses in the absence of compensation. The approaches range from providing zero compensation to providing compensation based on the entire value of the tobacco quota. The Canadian government chose the latter and compensated producers for the termination of the tobacco quota program based on an approach that far exceeded other possible compensation approaches.
A robust nonparametric method for quantifying undetected extinctions
Authors: Chisholm Ryan A. , Giam Xingli , Sadanandan Keren R. , Fung Tak , Rheindt Frank E.
Published: October 2015

How many species have gone extinct in modern times before being described by science? To answer this question, and thereby get a full assessment of humanity's impact on biodiversity, statistical methods that quantify undetected extinctions are required. Such methods have been developed recently, but they are limited by their reliance on parametric assumptions; specifically, they assume the pools of extant and undetected species decay exponentially, whereas real detection rates vary temporally with survey effort and real extinction rates vary with the waxing and waning of threatening processes. We devised a new, nonparametric method for estimating undetected extinctions. As inputs, the method requires only the first and last date at which each species in an ensemble was recorded. As outputs, the method provides estimates of the proportion of species that have gone extinct, detected, or undetected and, in the special case where the number of undetected extant species in the present day is assumed close to zero, of the absolute number of undetected extinct species. The main assumption of the method is that the per‐species extinction rate is independent of whether a species has been detected or not. We applied the method to the resident native bird fauna of Singapore. Of 195 recorded species, 58 (29.7%) have gone extinct in the last 200 years. Our method projected that an additional 9.6 species (95% CI 3.4, 19.8) have gone extinct without first being recorded, implying a true extinction rate of 33.0% (95% CI 31.0%, 36.2%). We provide R code for implementing our method. Because our method does not depend on strong assumptions, we expect it to be broadly useful for quantifying undetected extinctions.
A programme based on repeated hypoxia–hyperoxia exposure and light exercise enhances performance in athletes with overtraining syndrome: a pilot study
Authors: Susta Davide , Dudnik Elena , Glazachev Oleg S.
Published: October 2015

Overtraining syndrome (OTS) is a major concern among endurance athletes and is a leading cause in preventing them to perform for long periods. Intermittent exposure to hypoxia has been shown to be an effective way of improving performance without exercising. Aim of this pilot study was to evaluate intermittent hypoxia–hyperoxia training combined with light exercise as an intervention to facilitate athletes with OTS to restore their usual performance level. Thirty‐four track and field athletes were recruited: 15 athletes with OTS volunteered to participate and undertook a conditioning programme consisting of repeated exposures to hypoxia (O2 at 10%) and hyperoxia (O2 at 30%) (6–8 cycles, total time 45 min–1 h), three times a week, delivered 1·5–2 h after a low‐intensity exercise session (2 bouts of 30 min, running at 50% of VO2max with 10 min rest between bouts) over 4 weeks. Nineteen healthy track and field athletes volunteered to participate as a control group and followed their usual training schedule. Measurements before and after the intervention included exercise capacity, analysis of heart rate variability and hematological parameters. In athletes with OTS, a 4‐week light exercise combined with intermittent hypoxia–hyperoxia training improved exercise performance (191·9 ± 26·9 W versus 170·8 ± 44·8 W in exercise capacity test, P = 0·01). Heart rate variability analysis revealed an improved sympatho‐parasympathetic index (low frequency/high frequency ratio, 8·01 ± 7·51 before and 1·45 ± 1·71 after, P = 0·007). Hematological parameters were unchanged. Our pilot study showed that intermittent hypoxia–hyperoxia training and low‐intensity exercise can facilitate functional recovery among athletes with OTS in a relatively short time.
Postexercise heart rate variability following treadmill and cycle exercise: a comparison study
Authors: Esco Michael R. , Flatt Andrew A. , Williford Henry N.
Published: October 2015

The purpose of this study was to compare postexercise heart rate variability (HRV) immediately following acute bouts of treadmill (T) and cycle (C) exercise at 65% of mode‐specific maximal oxygen consumption reserve (65% VO2R). Fourteen apparently healthy men participated in this study. On two separate and randomized days, each participant performed 30 min of exercise at 65% VO2R on T and C. Supine HRV was evaluated as normalized and log‐transformed (ln) high‐frequency (HF) and low‐frequency (LF) spectral power, as well as the LF:HF ratio in 5‐min segments immediately before (PRE) and at 10–15 min (POST1) and 25–30 min (POST2) following each exercise bout. There were no significant differences in the HRV values at PRE between the modalities. Following each exercise bout, lnHF was significantly lower at POST2 following C compared to T. In addition, lnLF and LF:HF were significantly higher at POST1 and POST2 following C compared to T. All HRV metrics returned towards baseline 30 min following T but remained significantly different than PRE values after C. These results suggest that following exercise at 65% of mode‐specific VO2R, C is associated with a greater delay of postexercise HRV recovery than T in apparently healthy men.
Promoting health and reducing costs: a role for reform of self‐monitoring of blood glucose provision within the National Health Service
Authors: Leigh S. , Idris I. , Collins B. , Granby P. , Noble M. , Parker M.
Published: October 2015

Aim

To determine the cost‐effectiveness of all options for the self‐monitoring of blood glucose funded by the National Health Service, providing guidance for disinvestment and testing the hypothesis that advanced meter features may justify higher prices.

Methods

Using data from the Health and Social Care Information Centre concerning all 8 340 700 self‐monitoring of blood glucose‐related prescriptions during 2013/2014, we conducted a cost‐minimization analysis, considering both strip and lancet costs, including all clinically equivalent technologies for self‐monitoring of blood glucose, as determined by the ability to meet ISO‐15197:2013 guidelines for meter accuracy.

Results

A total of 56 glucose monitor, test strip and lancet combinations were identified, of which 38 met the required accuracy standards. Of these, the mean (range) net ingredient costs for test strips and lancets were £0.27 (£0.14–£0.32) and £0.04 (£0.02–£0.05), respectively, resulting in a weighted average of £0.28 (£0.18–£0.37) per test. Systems providing four or more advanced features were priced equal to those providing just one feature. A total of £12 m was invested in providing 42 million self‐monitoring of blood glucose tests with systems that fail to meet acceptable accuracy standards, and efficiency savings of £23.2 m per annum are achievable if the National Health Service were to disinvest from technologies providing lesser functionality than available alternatives, but at a much higher price.

Conclusion

The study uncovered considerable variation in the price paid by the National Health Service for self‐monitoring of blood glucose, which could not be explained by the availability of advanced meter features. A standardized approach to self‐monitoring of blood glucose prescribing could achieve significant efficiency savings for the National Health Service, whilst increasing overall utilisation and improving safety for those currently using systems that fail to meet acceptable standards for measurement accuracy.
Frequency of cancer events with saxagliptin in the SAVOR‐TIMI 53 trial
Authors: Leiter L. A. , Teoh H. , Mosenzon O. , Cahn A. , Hirshberg B. , Stahre C. A. M. , Hoekstra J. B. L. , Alvarsson M. , Im K. , Scirica B. M. , Bhatt D. L. , Raz I. ,   for the SAVOR‐TIMI 53 Steering Committee and Investigators
Published: October 2015

The Saxagliptin Assessment of Vascular Outcomes Recorded in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus (SAVOR)–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 53 trial randomized trial of 16 492 patients (placebo, n = 8212; saxagliptin, n = 8280) treated and followed for a median of 2.1 years afforded an opportunity to explore whether there was any association with cancer reported as a serious adverse event. At least one cancer event was reported by 688 patients (4.1%): 362 (4.3%) and 326 (3.8%) in the placebo and saxagliptin arms, respectively (p = 0.13). There were 59 (0.6%) deaths adjudicated as malignancy deaths with placebo and 53 (0.6%) with saxagliptin. Stratification by gender, age, race and ethnicity, diabetes duration, baseline glycated haemoglobin and pharmacotherapy did not show any clinically meaningful differences between the two study arms. The overall number of cancer events and malignancy‐associated mortality rates were generally balanced between the placebo and saxagliptin groups, suggesting a null relationship with saxagliptin use over the median follow‐up of 2.1 years. Multivariable modelling showed that male gender, dyslipidaemia and current smoking were independent predictors of cancer. These randomized data with adequate numbers of cancer cases are reassuring but limited, by the short follow‐up in a trial not designed to test this hypothesis.
Megafauna extinction, tree species range reduction, and carbon storage in Amazonian forests
Authors: Doughty Christopher E. , Wolf Adam , Morueta‐Holme Naia , Jørgensen Peter M. , Sandel Brody , Violle Cyrille , Boyle Brad , Kraft Nathan J. B. , Peet Robert K. , Enquist Brian J. , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Blake Stephen , Galetti Mauro
Published: October 2015

During the Late Pleistocene and early Holocene 59 species of South American megafauna went extinct. Their extinction potentially triggered population declines of large‐seeded tree species dispersed by the large‐bodied frugivores with which they co‐evolved, a theory first proposed by Janzen and Martin (1982). We tested this hypothesis using species range maps for 257 South American tree species, comparing 63 species thought to be primarily distributed by megafauna with 194 distributed by other animals. We found a highly significant (p < 0.001) decreased mean range size of 26% for the megafauna dispersed fruit (n = 63 species) versus fruit dispersed by other animals (n = 194), results which support the hypothesis. We then developed a mathematical model of seed dispersal to estimate the theoretical impact of megafauna extinction on tree species range and found the estimated dispersal capacity (Φseed) of a 2 g seed decreases by > 95% following disperser extinction. A numerical gap dynamic simulations suggests that over a 10 000 yr period following the disperser extinctions, the average convex hull range size of large‐seeded tree species decreased by ∼ 31%, while the estimated decrease in population size was ∼ 54%, indicating a likely greater decrease in species population size than indicated by the empirical range patterns. Finally, we found a positive correlation between seed size and wood density of animal‐dispersed tree species implying that the Late Pleistocene and early Holocene megafaunal extinctions reduced carbon content in the Amazon by ∼ 1.5 ± 0.7%. In conclusion, we 1) provide some empirical evidence that megafauna distributed fruit species have a smaller mean range size than wind, water or other animal‐dispersed species, 2) demonstrate mathematically that such range reductions are expected from megafauna extinctions ca 12 000 yr ago, and 3) illustrate that these extinctions may have reduced the Amazon's carbon storage capacity.
IL‐1α and inflammasome‐independent IL‐1β promote neutrophil infiltration following alum vaccination
Authors: Oleszycka Ewa , Moran Hannah B.T. , Tynan Graham A. , Hearnden Claire H. , Coutts Graham , Campbell Matthew , Allan Stuart M. , Scott Christopher J. , Lavelle Ed C.
Published: October 2015

Despite its long record of successful use in human vaccines, the mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory effects of alum are not fully understood. Alum is a potent inducer of interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) secretion in vitro in dendritic cells and macrophages via Nucleotide‐binding domain and leucine‐rich repeat‐containing (NLR) family, pyrin domain‐containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation. However, the contribution of IL‐1 to alum‐induced innate and adaptive immune responses is controversial and the role of IL‐1α following alum injection has not been addressed. This study shows that IL‐1 is dispensable for alum‐induced antibody and CD8 T cell responses to ovalbumin. However, IL‐1 is essential for neutrophil infiltration into the injection site, while recruitment of inflammatory monocytes and eosinophils is IL‐1 independent. Both IL‐1α and IL‐1β are released at the site of injection and contribute to the neutrophil response. Surprisingly, these effects are NLRP3‐inflammasome independent as is the infiltration of other cell populations. However, while NLRP3 and caspase 1 were dispensable, alum‐induced IL‐1β at the injection site was dependent on the cysteine protease cathepsin S. Overall, these data demonstrate a previously unreported role for cathepsin S in IL‐1β secretion, show that inflammasome formation is dispensable for alum‐induced innate immunity and reveal that IL‐1α and IL‐1β are both necessary for alum‐induced neutrophil influx in vivo.
Impacts of trails on plants, soil and their interactions in the subalpine meadows of Mount Jade Dragon, Northwestern Yunnan of China
Authors: Huang Xiaoxia , Sheng Zhilu , Zhang Yong , Ding Jiao , He Kejian
Published: October 2015

Trails are a type of tourism infrastructure that impact vegetation and soil, which are essential for sustainable recreation practices. There is limited recreation ecology research on the impact of trails in China, especially on Mount Jade Dragon, where it is characterized as a global biodiversity hotspot with high scenic value. Impacts of trails on vegetation, soil and their interaction were assessed for the subalpine meadow area of Mount Jade Dragon. The aims of this research were: (i) to assess trail effects on vegetation, soil and their interaction, and (ii) to evaluate the effects of the trail type and usage level on trail impacts. Vegetation and soil properties were measured at control and trailside sites along formal and informal trails of different usage levels. A three‐way analysis of variance was performed to determine the effects of site location, trail type and usage level. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to visualize species composition along trails and to ordinate species with respect to the soil variables. A multiple linear regression model was used to examine relationships between soil variables and vegetation cover. The results showed that trails led to vegetation cover, height and species richness reduction as well as soil organic matter and moisture content loss. Trails also affected soil‐vegetation relationships. Soil organic matter and soil moisture content played an important role in determining vegetation along trails at low‐usage sites. The soil‐vegetation relationships were weakened at high‐usage sites. Compared with informal trails, formal trails had a protective effect on vegetation cover, especially at high‐usage sites. These results suggest that park managers should limit the spread of informal trails at high‐usage sites, upgrade existing informal trails, and rehabilitate damaged areas. Further, greater recognition should be given to research on soil protection and soil‐vegetation relationships.
Comparative analyses of ion release, pH and multispecies biofilm formation between conventional and bioactive gutta‐percha
Authors: Carvalho C. N. , Wang Z. , Shen Y. , Gavini G. , Martinelli J. R. , Manso A. , Haapasalo M.
Published: October 2015

Aim

To analyse the effect of commercial and experimental gutta‐percha with the addition of niobium phosphate glass on biofilm formation by oral bacteria from human dental plaque. Additional pH and elemental release of the materials were analysed.

Methodology

The multispecies biofilm was grown anaerobically from plaque bacteria on standardized discs of each material: hydroxyapatite (HA), gutta‐percha pellets (OBT) (Obtura pellets, Shoreline, CT, USA), ProTaper gutta‐percha (PTP) (ProTaper Universal Gutta‐Percha Points, Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), EndoSequence BC gutta‐percha (GBC) (Brasseler USA, Savannah, GA, USA), experimental gutta‐percha associated with niobium phosphate glass (GNB) and niobium phosphate glass (NPG). Specimens (n = 5 per group and per incubation period) were incubated in brain–heart infusion broth for 3, 14 and 30 days, at 37 °C, and stained using live/dead viability assay. Images were analysed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and the total biovolume (mm3), viable bacteria biovolume (mm3), and live percentage (%) were quantified. For pH measurement, specimens of each material (n = 3) were immersed in phosphate‐buffered saline at 37 °C, and pH was monitored in multiple intervals, up to 30 days. For elemental analysis, additional specimens (n = 3) were immersed in deionized water and elemental release was analysed by ICP‐OES (inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry) at time intervals of 3, 14 and 30 days. Differences between groups were evaluated by the two‐way analysis of variation (anova) with Tukey's post hoc test (P < 0.05).

Results

The lowest total biovolume at 30 days was found in GNB, GBC and NPG. GNB had the lowest viable bacteria biovolume (mean value) at 30 days (P < 0.05), and the lowest live percentage of bacteria at 3 and 30 days (P < 0.05), whilst NPG had the lowest live percentage at 14 days (P < 0.05). GNB had the highest pH (8.45) after 30 days (P < 0.05), and the greatest Zn and Na release at all time intervals (P < 0.05). Both GBC and GNB had significantly higher Ca release at 14 and 30 days.

Conclusion

GNB and GBC reduced biofilm formation, GNB had the lowest amount of viable bacteria in biofilms with the highest pH, and high Zn and Na release values after 30 days.
Effect of sprouting on physicochemical, antioxidant and flavonoid profile of onion varieties
Authors: Majid Ishrat , Dhatt Ajmer Singh , Sharma Savita , Nayik Gulzar Ahmad , Nanda Vikas
Published: October 2015

This study investigated the impact of sprouting in four Indian onion varieties (Punjab White, Punjab Naroya, PRO‐6 and Commercial). Results showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in protein, crude fibre, ascorbic acid content, total phenol content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, anthocyanin content and significant (P < 0.05) decrease in total carbohydrate, energy value and hardness due to sprouting in all the four varieties. HPLC analysis revealed irregular pattern of increase and decrease in flavonoid components. There was no particular trend observed within analysed flavonols due to sprouting in all the four varieties except with the maximum increase in quercetin (219.3–287.4 mg kg−1), kaempferol (13.8–17 mg kg−1), myricetin (34.6–40.9 mg kg−1), quercetin‐3ꞌ‐glucoside (2.9–4.1 mg kg−1) and quercetin‐4ꞌ‐glucoside (83–87.1 mg kg−1) in case of PRO‐6 variety only. The present research work implied sprouting to be beneficial in onion as nutritional and functional potential of all the four onion varieties was improved by sprouting.
Antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory potential of phenolics from purple basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) leaves induced by jasmonic, arachidonic and β‐aminobutyric acid elicitation
Authors: Złotek Urszula , Szymanowska Urszula , Karaś Monika , Świeca Michał
Published: October 2015

The study presents changes in the phenolic levels, antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory potential of purple basil leaves caused by different chemical elicitors: arachidonic acid (AA), jasmonic acid (JA) and β‐aminobutyric acid (BABA). The application of the all tested elicitors increased the concentration of phenolic compounds, including flavonoids and phenolic acids; especially, in comparison with control (457.62 μg g−1 FW), the rosmarinic acid level significantly increased after AA and JA treatment ‐ 705.0 and 596.5 μg g−1 FW, respectively. Phenolics from AA‐elicited plants showed the highest anti‐inflammatory activities designated as lipoxygenase (EC50 = 1.67 mg FW mL−1) and cyclooxygenase inhibition (EC50 = 0.31 mg FW mL−1). Elicitors' treatments (especially AA and JA) may be a very useful biochemical tool for improving the production of phenolic compounds in purple basil leaves.