bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phosphite does not stimulate a wounding response in Eucalyptus marginata seedlings
Authors: Pilbeam Roslyn A. , Howard Kay , Shearer Bryan L. , Hardy Giles E. St J.
Published: October 2018

Phosphite is used to protect plants from the soilborne plant pathogen, Phytophthora cinnamomi. While several studies have reported a stimulation of defence mechanisms in response to the infection of plants treated with phosphite, the effect of phosphite on abiotic wound repair is unknown. The aim of this histological study was to detail the effects of phosphite on previously undescribed wound repair in Eucalyptus marginata, an important forest tree of south-western Australia, which responds to phosphite treatment. Clonal lines of young plants of E. marginata without a periderm, considered resistant and susceptible to P. cinnamomi, were sprayed with phosphite and the green stems were wounded with liquid nitrogen, where a small area of the vascular cambium was damaged. Transverse hand sections showed phosphite had no effect and there was no genotypic difference on wound responses in E. marginata. Wound periderm and a ligno-suberised boundary zone formed within 7 days. The generation of new phellogen derivatives occurred and by 14 days the vascular cambium was almost fully restored with wound wood formed by 21 days. In the absence of a pathogen, phosphite did not interfere with the quality and speed of wound repair in the E. marginata clones suggesting that wound repair will not be affected when phosphite is used as a prophylactic treatment.
After the fence: vegetation and topsoil condition in grazed, fenced and benchmark eucalypt woodlands of fragmented agricultural landscapes
Authors: Prober Suzanne M. , Standish Rachel J. , Wiehl Georg
Published: October 2018

Emerging ecological theory predicts that vegetation changes caused by introduction of livestock grazing may be irreversible after livestock are removed, especially in regions such as Australia that have a short evolutionary exposure to ungulate grazing. Despite this, fencing to exclude livestock grazing is the major tool used to restore vegetation in Australian agricultural landscapes. To characterise site-scale benefits and limitations of livestock exclusion for enhancing biodiversity in forb-rich York gum (Eucalyptus loxophleba Benth. subsp. loxophleba)–jam (Acacia acuminata Benth.) woodlands, we compared 29 fenced woodlands with 29 adjacent grazed woodlands and 11 little-grazed ‘benchmark’ woodlands in the Western Australian wheatbelt. We explored the following two hypotheses: (1) fencing to exclude livestock facilitates recovery of grazed woodlands towards benchmark conditions, and (2) without additional interventions after fencing, complete recovery of grazed woodlands to benchmark conditions is constrained by ecological or other limits. Our first hypothesis was supported for vegetation parameters, with fenced woodlands being more similar to benchmark woodlands in tree recruitment, exotic plant cover, native plant cover, native plant richness and plant species composition than were grazed woodlands. Further, exotic cover decreased and frequency of jam increased with time-since-fencing (2–22 years). However, we found no evidence that fencing led to decline in topsoil nutrient concentrations towards concentrations at benchmark sites. Our second hypothesis was also supported, with higher topsoil nutrient concentrations and exotic plant cover, and lower native plant richness in fenced than in benchmark woodlands, and different plant species composition between fenced and benchmark woodlands. Regression analyses suggested that recovery of native species richness is constrained by exotic species that persist after fencing, which in turn are more persistent at higher topsoil nutrient concentrations. We conclude that fencing to exclude livestock grazing can be valuable for biodiversity conservation. However, consistent with ecological theory, additional interventions are likely to be necessary to achieve some conservation goals or to promote recovery at nutrient-enriched sites.
Kinetics and Mechanistic Study on the Reaction of Iodo(diethylenetriamine) Platinum(II) with L-Cystine
Authors: Swain Trilochan , Mohanty Prakash
Published: October 2018

Substitution reactions of the complex [Pt(dien)I]+, where dien = diethylenetriamine or 1,5-diamino-3-azapentane, with the sulfur-containing rescue agent l-cystine have been studied in a 1.0 × 10–1 mol dm–3 aqueous perchlorate medium at various temperatures (25–50°C) and pH (2.30–1.00) using a UV-visible spectrophotometer. The products were characterized by their infrared and 1H NMR data at various temperatures. These data indicate that [Pt(dien)I]+ formed a complex with l-cystine through Pt–S bonds at pH 1.00–2.30. This Pt–S bond is observed at 50°C with ring closure of the dien (δ 3.8–3.9, 2H, CH2) and with open-ring dien (δ 3.2, 3.6–3.8 (dien), 2H, CH2). All reactions follow the rate law –d[mixture]/dt = (k1 + k2[Nu])[PtII], where k2 denotes a second-order rate constant and [Nu] is the total concentration of nucleophile. The product formation rate constant and activation parameters Ea, ΔH#, and ΔS# have been determined.
Thioamidation of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes: a New Chemical Functionalization Protocol by the Willgerodt - Kindler Reaction
Authors: Darabi Hossein Reza , Mohandessi Shabnam , Aghapoor Kioumars , Mohsenzadeh Farshid , Karouei Mohammad Hashemi , Tahoori Fatemeh , Herges Rainer
Published: October 2018

A new and convenient method for covalent attachment of thioamide groups to the side-walls of carbon nanotubes (SWNT) via the Willgerodt–Kindler (WK) reaction is presented. Treating SWNTs with 4-acetylaniline and subsequently with morpholine as a secondary amine and sulfur leads to the thioamidation of SWNTs. This approach paves the way for a new chemical functionalization protocol to enhance the potential of SWNTs for further chemical reactions applicable in various fields.
Structural and Optical Properties of ZnS Nanowires and CdS Nanorods Synthesized by a Two-Step Solvothermal Method
Authors: Fan Libo , Feng Tuanhui , Wang Peng , Feng Zhibo , Zhang Chunli
Published: October 2018

ZnS nanowires and CdS nanorods can be synthesized by a two-step solvothermal method. Experiments indicate that the ZnS nanowires (diameter ~100 nm and length 15–20 μm) and CdS nanorods (diameter ~20 nm and length ~200 nm) obtained by this method have uniform morphologies and high yield. X-Ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize them. Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry and thermogravimetric analysis were performed to study the composition and thermal stabilization of the precursors. The possible formation mechanism and the UV-vis absorption and photoluminescent spectra were also studied.
Reaction Pathways to 2-Aminothiophenes and Thiophene-3-carbonitriles
Authors: Aurelio Luigi , Flynn Bernard L. , Scammells Peter J.
Published: October 2018

Over the past two decades 2-amino-3-benzoylthiophenes have been found to act as allosteric enhancers of the adenosine A1 receptor (A1AR). As such, compounds of this type have potential applications in the therapy of a variety of disorders by enhancing A1AR activation. Initial studies in this field identified various 2-amino-3-benzoylthiophenes as potential leads and of these PD 81723 1a has become the benchmark for comparative studies due to its favourable ratio of allosteric enhancement to antagonism. Surprisingly the synthesis and characterization of PD 81723 1a has not been previously reported. Herein we report the synthesis and characterization of this important A1AR allosteric enhancer. As part of this study we also found an unexpected reaction pathway to 2-phenylthiophene-3-carbonitriles.
Singlet Oxygen Release and Cell Toxicity of a Chemiluminescent Squaraine Rotaxane Dye: Implications for Molecular Imaging
Authors: Lee Jung-Jae , Gonçalves Amanda , Smith Bryan A. , Palumbo Rachel , White Alexander G. , Smith Bradley D.
Published: October 2018

The water soluble tetraguanidinium squaraine rotaxane 2 was prepared and photoconverted to its corresponding squaraine rotaxane endoperoxide (SREP), 2EP. As expected, 2EP undergoes a thermal cycloreversion reaction that releases 60 ± 4% singlet oxygen and produces near-infrared emission in aqueous solution. Cell toxicity assays in the dark, using human and bacterial cell cultures, showed that 2EP (up to 20 µM) is no more toxic than its parent 2. This suggests that SREP-derived imaging probes are not likely to exhibit a significant toxicity effect due to the slow release of stoichiometric amounts of singlet oxygen. Additional photosensitization experiments showed that tetraguanidinium squaraine rotaxane 2 is a weak photosensitizer, but nonetheless, red light irradiation of cell cultures that were pre-incubated with 2 (>3 µM) produced moderate phototoxicity. Fluorescence microscopy studies attribute the phototoxicity of 2 to its ability to penetrate into the cell cytosol. The implications of these results are discussed in the context of effective methods to activate SREP as chemiluminescent probes for in vivo optical molecular imaging.
The Mixed Magnetic Property of Co0.76Cu0.74[Fe(CN)6]·7.5H2O
Authors: Xia Yanfang , Liu Min , Li Duxin
Published: October 2018

Co0.76Cu0.74[Fe(CN)6]·7.5H2O was prepared as a powder by a chemical co-precipitation method. The powder X-ray diffraction patterns were indexed to the typical face-centred cubic structure with the lattice parameter a 10.55(2) Å. The temperature dependence of the χ−1 curve obeys the Curie–Weiss law (χ = C/(T – θ)) in the temperature range of 180–300 K. According to Curie–Weiss law, the calculated θ value is −54.82 K. In the paramagnetic state at 300 K, the effective magnetic moment (μeff = (8χT)1/2) is 3.58 μB per formula unit. The calculated theoretical effective magnetic moment is 4.06 μB. The magnetic field cooling measurements under a 200 Oe applied magnetic field show that the saturation magnetization value at 2 K of the complex Co0.76Cu0.74[Fe(CN)6]·7.5H2O is 1.528 emu g−1.
Carbon storage value of native vegetation on a subhumid–semi-arid floodplain
Authors: Smith Rhiannon , Reid Nick
Published: October 2018

The protection of carbon (C) stores in the form of remnant native vegetation and soils is crucial for minimising C emissions entering the atmosphere. This study estimated C storage in soils, woody vegetation, dead standing vegetation, coarse woody debris, herbaceous vegetation, litter and roots in plant communities commonly encountered on cotton farms. River red gum was the most valuable vegetation type for C storage, having up to 4.5% C content in the surface (0–5 cm) soil, a total-site C store of 216 ± 28 t ha–1 (mean ± s.e.) and a maximum value of 396.4 t C ha–1. Grasslands were the least C-dense, with 36.4 ± 3.72 t C ha–1. The greatest proportion of C in river red gum sites was in standing woody biomass, but in all other vegetation types and especially grasslands, the top 0–30 cm of the soil was the most C-rich component. Aboveground woody vegetation determined total-site C sequestration, as it strongly influenced all other C-storing components, including soil C. This study illustrates the value of native vegetation and the soil beneath for storing large amounts of C. There is a case for rewarding farmers for maintaining and enhancing remnant vegetation to avoid vegetation degradation and loss of existing C stores.
A review of the soil science research legacy of the triumvirate of cotton CRC
Authors: Cattle Stephen R. , Field Damien J.
Published: October 2018

For nearly two decades (1994–2012) a series of three consecutive Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) dealing with cotton production provided the impetus and financial support for a substantial body of soil science research in eastern and northern Australia. Focusing on the most commonly utilised soil for irrigated crop production, the Vertosol, CRC-affiliated soil researchers undertook detailed soil inventories of cotton-growing valleys in New South Wales, and tackled a range of applied soil research questions that faced the entire Australian cotton industry. Across the broad categories of soil mapping and characterisation, soil physical condition, salinity and sodicity, soil chemical fertility, and soil carbon and biota, some 120 CRC-affiliated research papers were published in peer-reviewed journals during the years of the CRC. Findings from this body of research were fed back to the industry through conferences, extension workshops and materials, and to a lesser extent, the peer-reviewed publications. In certain cases, underpinning basic research was carried out concurrently with the more applied research, meaning that the cotton CRC were effectively supporting advances in the discipline of soil science, as well as in sustainable cotton production. A feature of the soil research portfolio over the span of the three cotton CRC was that priorities shifted according to the interplay of three factors; the natural maturation of research topics and the concomitant evolution of cotton farming systems, the rising importance of environmental implications of agricultural land use, and the emergence of carbon as a national research priority. Furthermore, the commitment of the CRC to education resulted in the involvement of undergraduate and postgraduate university students in all aspects of the soil research effort. A legacy of the triumvirate of cotton CRC is a wide-ranging body of both applied and basic knowledge regarding the physical, chemical and biological attributes of Australian Vertosols used for irrigated agriculture.
Drought-induced changes in the accumulation of boiling-soluble proteins (p40, GST, HSP90) in the grains of drought-tolerant and drought-sensitive cultivars of Triticum aestivum
Authors: Rakhra Gurmeen , Dev Sharma Arun , Singh Jatinder
Published: October 2018

Approximately 70% of crop yield losses are caused by abiotic stresses, with drought being the most serious threat to crop production in many areas of the world. Plants have developed physiological and biochemical responses at multiple levels to allow them to grow and survive under drought stress. Among these, hydrophilins (BSPs, proteins soluble after boiling), representing 0.2% of the total genome, play an important role in the stress adaptation in plants. In this study, we examined the effect of drought on BSPs at different developmental stages of leaves and seeds in drought-tolerant (cv. PBW 175) and drought-susceptible (cv. PBW 621) cultivars of Triticum aestivum. The BSP profiles of seeds were outlined via SDS-PAGE followed by immunoblot analysis using anti-HSP (heat shock protein-90), anti-GST (glutathione S-transferases) and anti-p40 (protein 40). In SDS-PAGE profile, BSPs were detected in a genotype- and treatment-dependent manner. Notably, no BSPs were detected in shoots at any stage, whereas in seeds, many BSPs were detected, indicating organ-specific regulation of BSPs. In western blotting, the induced accumulation of protein bands Bsp40-51 and 59 and presence of differential band of BsHSP44 under drought conditions was observed only in tolerant cv. PBW 175, not in sensitive cv. PBW 621, indicating the roles of such proteins in drought-stress adaptation. BSPs were accumulated at different developmental stages in a cultivar- and stage-dependent manner. The induced expression of different BSPs under drought conditions in tolerant cv. PBW 175 implies the relevance of these BSPs under drought conditions. Notably, the different BSPs were also expressed under normal growth and developmental stages at 57 and 76 days post-anthesis, implying their key role in earlier stages and maturity of grain development.
Humic acid complexation to Zn and Cd determined with the new electroanalytical technique AGNES
Authors: Companys Encarnació , Puy Jaume , Galceran Josep
Published: October 2018

Environmental context. Humic substances are complex mixtures that play an important role in trace metal bioavailability in soils and aquatic environments. The bioavailability of a metal depends on what chemical forms, or species, it is in. We need to know how much of the metal is present as a free metal ion in solution, and how much is bound up in complexes with humic acids, for example. This work reports the complexation of Cd and Zn to humic acids by means of a simple and robust technique, AGNES (absence of gradients and Nernstian equilibrium stripping).
Abstract. AGNES (absence of gradients and Nernstian equilibrium stripping), an emerging electroanalytical technique specifically designed for the determination of the free concentration of heavy metals in aqueous solutions, is here implemented to characterise the binding of CdII and ZnII to a soil humic acid. A set of metal titration experiments were performed by adding Cd or Zn to a purified humic acid (Aldrich) at pH 4, 5, 6 and 7 and measuring the free metal concentration by AGNES. The application of a program with two potential steps along the deposition stage allows for the reduction of the deposition time in the humic titration. The polyelectrolytic effects of the macromolecular ligand were taken into account through the Donnan model. Data free of electrostatic effects were reasonably described by the NICA isotherm, which accounts for heterogeneity, considering just a monomodal distribution (because of the range of pH covered). The obtained affinity parameters indicate a similar strength for Zn and Cd binding to the purified humic acid.
Prevalence of intimate partner violence disclosed during routine screening in a large general practice
Authors: Higgins Debs , Manhire Kathy , Marshall Bob
Published: October 2018

INTRODUCTION: Domestic violence in its myriad shapes and forms is a crime affecting every level of society. Gaining a true understanding of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimology allows for the meaningful provision of intervention services. AIM: To explore the prevalence of IPV disclosure during routine screening in a large general practice in provincial New Zealand. METHODS: Data were collected from 13 October 2008 to 30 June 2014 from 6827 individuals screened for IPV on 10 062 occasions and were analysed relative to age, ethnicity, gender, screening outcome, screener and health centre enrolled status. RESULTS: Analysis indicated an overall ever-positive disclosure rate of IPV of 11.1%, lower than New Zealand studies that place ever-positive prevalence as high as 78%. Maori women disclosed an ever-positive rate of 21.6%, Pacific women 13.2%, compared to 8.9% for NZ European/Other women. Casual patients positively disclosed in 13.7% of instances as opposed to enrolled patients in 10.5%. Disclosure of past abuse was made 1.3 times more often than that of a current abusive situation. Those aged between 16 and 65 years disclosed an ever-positive rate =10%. While nurses screened 5.5 times more patients than doctors, the doctors facilitated a higher percentage of positive disclosures than the nurses. DISCUSSION: Disclosure rates from a general practice setting do not mirror those of population studies or administrative datasets due to differences in samples and data collection methods. Routine annual screening is effective, with both doctors and nurses providing support for approximately equal numbers of patients in immediate danger. KEYWORDS: Disclosure; domestic violence; ethnic groups; general practice; women
Self-reported health-related quality of life of mental health service users with serious mental illness in New Zealand
Authors: Wheeler Amanda , McKenna Brian , Madell Dominic , Harrison Jeff , Prebble Kate , Larsson Elin , Dunbar Lucy , Nakarada-Kordic Ivana
Published: October 2018

INTRODUCTION: Although people with serious mental illness (SMI) have a high prevalence of physical illness, health-related quality of life (HQoL) has not been sufficiently explored. AIM: To explore the self-reported HQoL of mental health service users in New Zealand. METHODS: Responses on the Medical Outcomes Study 36 Item Short Form (SF-36) measure of HQoL from 404 adult mental health service users in a metropolitan district health board area in New Zealand were analysed and compared to a representative sample of the general population. RESULTS: Mental health service users scored significantly lower on all eight domains of the SF-36 than the general population, the largest difference being in the role limitation — emotional domain. DISCUSSION: Being female, younger than 25, obese or overweight, or of New Zealand European/Other ethnicity were associated with poorer functioning on multiple HQoL domains. Future studies should seek to understand the factors contributing to perceptions of HQoL of mental health service users in New Zealand. KEYWORDS: Mental illness; mental health; New Zealand; quality of life; self report
Potion or Poison? Cloves
Authors: Martini Nataly
Published: October 2018

SUMMARY MESSAGE: Eugenol contained in clove exhibits antimicrobial activity and has been shown to work synergistically with other conventional antimicrobials. There is evidence of clove's analgesic, anaesthetic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in low concentrations. High concentrations are toxic and can lead to tissue damage and hepatotoxicity. Avoid inhaling clove smoke, and avoid use in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to lack of safety and toxicity data. Eugenol has been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation and use should be avoided with anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents.
Systematic revision of Brachypelma red-kneed tarantulas (Araneae : Theraphosidae), and the use of DNA barcodes to assist in the identification and conservation of CITES-listed species
Authors: Mendoza Jorge , Francke Oscar
Published: October 2018

Mexican red-kneed tarantulas of the genus Brachypelma are regarded as some of the most desirable invertebrate pets, and although bred in captivity, they continue to be smuggled out of the wild in large numbers. Species are often difficult to identify based solely on morphology, therefore prompt and accurate identification is required for adequate protection. Thus, we explored the applicability of using COI-based DNA barcoding as a complementary identification tool. Brachypelma smithi (F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897) and Brachypelma hamorii Tesmongt, Cleton & Verdez, 1997 are redescribed, and their morphological differences defined. Brachypelma annitha is proposed as a new synonym of B. smithi. The current distribution of red-kneed tarantulas shows that the Balsas River basin may act as a geographical barrier. Morphological and molecular evidence are concordant and together provide robust hypotheses for delimiting Mexican red-kneed tarantula species. DNA barcoding of these tarantulas is further shown to be useful for species-level identification and for potentially preventing black market trade in these spiders. As a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) listing does not protect habitat, or control wildlife management or human interactions with organisms, it is important to support environmental conservation activities to provide an alternative income for local communities and to avoid damage to wildlife populations.
Long-term revegetation success of severely degraded chenopod shrublands
Authors: Haby N. A.
Published: October 2018

The restoration of severely degraded vegetation communities is often said to require mechanical intervention. However, the degree of intervention required, and its capacity to successfully restore areas of bare (scalded) soil and high weed cover into functioning chenopod shrubland, is unknown. Ten years on from mechanical intervention and direct seeding using a Contour Seeder and Camel Pitter, the abundance and cover of species was compared across disturbed and undisturbed microtopographic zones using one-way repeated-measures ANOVA and pairwise t-tests. Along Contour Seeder rip lines, recruitment of perennial species was greatest in the furrow (e.g. direct seeded: F2,78 = 27.15, P < 0.001; wild-sourced: F2,78 = 13.19, P < 0.001), and annual (and short-lived perennial) species equal to, or greater, on the undisturbed flat (wild-sourced: F2,98 = 43.91, P < 0.001). At the species-level, these trends often coincided with the species’ life-history strategy, but not always (e.g. the perennial Atriplex stipitata illustrated the annual trend; F2,78 = 7.71, P < 0.001). It is also important to note that a trend in recruitment could be driven by recruitment patterns in any one demographic phase. For example, the perennial trend in Atriplex vesicaria and Sida fibulifera abundance was driven by the recruitment of reproductive plants (F2,48 = 15.57, P < 0.001), or seedlings (F2,36 = 5.24, P = 0.010), respectively. These results indicate the functional benefits of mechanical intervention vary between species. The perennial and annual trends detected along Contour Seeder rip lines were less apparent along Camel Pitter rip lines where both perennial and annual species benefited from the initial disturbance. Overall, mechanical intervention facilitated the patchy recruitment of a Maireana pyramidata over A. vesicaria low shrubland, including several perennial and annual chenopods, indicating an early stage of recovery.
Assessing the impact of historical and future climate change on potential natural vegetation types and net primary productivity in Australian grazing lands
Authors: Liu Xiaoni , Zhang Baisen , Henry Beverley , Zhang Jinglan , Grace Peter
Published: October 2018

The study investigated the impact of historical and future climate changes on potential natural vegetation (PNV) types and net primary productivity (NPP) in Australia, using the Comprehensive and Sequential Classification System model and the Miami model coupled with climate of the 1931–70 and 1971–2010 periods and the projected climate in 2050. Twenty-eight vegetation classes were classified based on the key climate indicators with four of them being the major vegetation classes corresponding to Australian rangelands and accounting for 75% of total land area. There was a substantial shift in areas of vegetation classes from the 1931–70 period to the 1971–2010 period due to the increased rainfall over large areas across Australia. The modelling projected a range of changes in vegetation classes for 2050 depending on the climate-change scenario used. Many vegetation classes with more intense land use (e.g. steppe and forest) were projected to decrease in 2050, which may have significant impact on the grazing industry and biodiversity conservation. By 2050, NPP was projected to increase in central and northern Australia and to decrease in southern and eastern coastal areas and was projected to be higher on average than that of the 1931–70 period. The vegetation classes approximately corresponding to Australian rangelands mostly had increased NPP projections compared with the 1931–70 period. Although actual response will partially depend on human management activities, fire and extreme events, the projected increase in average NPP in 2050 indicates that Australian vegetation, particularly the rangeland vegetation, will likely be a net carbon sink rather than a carbon source by 2050, with the exception of a ‘warm-dry’ scenario.
Geomagnetic polar minima do not arise from steady meridional circulation
Authors: Cao Hao , Yadav Rakesh K. , Aurnou Jonathan M.
Published: October 2018

Significance

The geomagnetic field provides one of the best diagnostics of Earth’s core dynamics. In the polar regions of the core–mantle boundary (CMB), the geomagnetic field features weak and even reserved magnetic fluxes that have been referred to as polar magnetic minima. The origin of the geomagnetic polar minima has been commonly attributed to divergent advection of magnetic fluxes by meridional circulation associated with anticyclonic polar vortices. In this study, we performed a quantitative evaluation of this canonical picture. Our analysis showed that steady meridional circulation associated with observed anticyclonic polar vortices are not capable of creating the observed geomagnetic polar minima. We propose three alternative possibilities for the origin of the geomagnetic polar minima.
Habitat rehabilitation in the Detroit River Area of Concern
Authors: Hartig J. H. , Sanders C. , Wyma R. J. H. , Boase J. C. , Roseman E. F.
Published: October 2018

Loss and degradation of fish and wildlife habitat is a long-standing issue in the Detroit River. The Detroit River Remedial Action Plan helped agencies and stakeholder groups reach agreement on impaired beneficial uses, including loss of fish and wildlife habitat, and helped mobilize all stakeholders to rehabilitate habitat. Many organizations played key roles, including the Detroit River Public Advisory Council, Detroit River Canadian Cleanup, State of the Strait Conferences, American and Canadian Heritage River Initiatives, Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, and Western Lake Erie Watersheds Priority Natural Area. Accomplishments include: 14 habitat restoration projects on both the Canadian and U.S. side of the Detroit River; 53 soft shoreline engineering projects in the watershed; nine fish spawning reefs in the river, Common Tern habitat in four locations; and many wetland and green infrastructure projects. Based on Detroit River habitat restoration efforts over the last 32 years, the following advice is offered: reach agreement on severity and geographic extent of the problem; practice adaptive management; involve habitat experts up front in project design; establish quantitative targets for project success; ensure sound multidisciplinary technical support; start with demonstration projects; treat habitat projects as experiments; involve citizen scientists in monitoring; measure benefits; communicate and celebrate successes; promote education and outreach.
Democracy and new ideas in Latin American social policy: the origins of conditional cash transfers in Brazil and Mexico
Authors: Velázquez Leyer Ricardo
Published: October 2018

Conditional cash transfers (CCTs) have become the main instrument to combat poverty in Latin America, they have been exported around the globe and are one of the most popular social policies of the twenty-first century. CCTs deliver cash transfers to poor families with conditionalities like attendance to school and health appointments. This article aims to explain the creation of CCTs. The research applies arguments from theories of social policy development to explain the formulation of the first two CCTs introduced in Brazil at the sub-national level and in Mexico at the national level during the mid-1990s. Findings show that the original formulation of CCTs can be explained by the emergence of a new policy paradigm based on a conceptualisation of the nature of poverty as lack of human capital among poor population, enabled by critical junctures created by the transitions to democratic regimes.
Cryo–electron microscopy structure of the lipid droplet–formation protein seipin
Authors: Sui Xuewu , Arlt Henning , Brock Kelly P. , Lai Zon Weng , DiMaio Frank , Marks Debora S. , Liao Maofu , Farese Robert V. , Walther Tobias C.
Published: October 2018

Metabolic energy is stored in cells primarily as triacylglycerols in lipid droplets (LDs), and LD dysregulation leads to metabolic diseases. The formation of monolayer-bound LDs from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) bilayer is poorly understood, but the ER protein seipin is essential to this process. In this study, we report a cryo–electron microscopy structure and functional characterization of Drosophila melanogaster seipin. The structure reveals a ring-shaped dodecamer with the luminal domain of each monomer resolved at ∼4.0 Å. Each luminal domain monomer exhibits two distinctive features: a hydrophobic helix (HH) positioned toward the ER bilayer and a β-sandwich domain with structural similarity to lipid-binding proteins. This structure and our functional testing in cells suggest a model in which seipin oligomers initially detect forming LDs in the ER via HHs and subsequently act as membrane anchors to enable lipid transfer and LD growth.
Final Report "The comparison of national standards of the sound pressure unit in air through calibration of working standard microphones"
Authors: Nikolaenko Alexey , Pozdeeva Valentina , Kosterov Alexander
Published: October 2018

The supplementary comparison COOMET.AUV.A-S2 for secondary calibration methods using WS1 and WS2 measurement microphones was carried out from 2014 to 2015. The results were submitted to and approved by CCAUV in September 2018.

Four National Metrological Institutes which took part in this comparison are as follows: (BelGIM (Belarus), VNIIFTRI (Russia) and DP NDI "Sistema" (Ukraine)). Two of the above NMIs (VNIIFTRI and DP NDI "Sistema") had earlier participated in the COOMET key comparison and one NMI (VNIIFTRI) had also participated in CCAUV key comparison.

The Comparison Reference Values were calculated as the weighted mean values from results obtained by two institutes. The comparison results showed agreement for all participants in the frequency range from 20 Hz to 10 kHz for WS1 microphones and in the frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz for WS2 microphones.

The obtained results confirm the uncertainties of the electrostatic sensitivity measurement level for inch and half-inch working standard microphones Types WS1P and WS2P respectively.

KEY WORDS FOR SEARCH

acoustics, supplementary comparison, standard microphone, electrostatic sensitivity mesurement level

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCAUV, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Pseudo-effective line bundles over holomorphically convex manifolds
Authors: Meng Xiankui , Zhou Xiangyu
Published: October 2018

In the present paper, we consider the pseudo-effective line bundles over holomorphically convex manifolds and obtain some results related to the vanishing, finiteness, and surjectivity of analytic cohomology groups with multiplier ideal sheaves.
On the Boundary Behavior for the Blow-up Solutions of the sinh-Gordon Equation and Rank N Toda Systems in Bounded Domains
Authors: Ao Weiwei , Jevnikar Aleks , Yang Wen
Published: October 2018

In this paper we are concerned with the blow-up analysis of two classes of problems in bounded domains arising in mathematical physics: sinh-Gordon equation and some general rank $n$ Toda systems. The presence of a residual mass in the blowing up limit makes the analysis quite delicate; nevertheless, by exploiting suitable Pohozaev identities and a detailed blow-up analysis we exclude blowup at the boundary. This is the 1st result in this direction in the presence of a residual mass. As a byproduct we obtain general existence results in bounded domains.
Motion picture production incentives and filming location decisions: a discrete choice approach
Authors: Owens Mark F , Rennhoff Adam D
Published: October 2018

We use a discrete choice model to study the impact of tax incentives on firm location choices in situations involving heterogeneous geographic characteristics, heterogeneous firm preferences and large choice sets. We apply our model to investigate the impact of movie production incentives on filming location choices for movies produced from 1999 to 2013. We gather the characteristics of filming locations and use a machine-learning technique to define choice sets. We find production incentives can attract movies to a state, but the impact depends on the type of incentive offered, studio characteristics and inherent location geographic characteristics. Mid-sized studios respond to all forms of incentives, major studios respond only to refundable and transferable tax credits, and independent studios are not sensitive to any incentives. We fail to find strong evidence that incentives create a more permanent movie industry in a state. A counterfactual identifies the states most impacted by these policies. We supplement our discrete choice model with a simple cost-benefit analysis, which indicates that movie incentive programs are revenue-negative for states.
The utility of real-time polymerase chain reaction in detecting Coccidioides immitis among clinical specimens in the Central California San Joaquin Valley
Authors: Dizon Dominic , Mitchell Marilyn , Dizon Bernadette , Libke Robert , Peterson Michael W
Published: October 2018

Coccidioidomycosis, the fungal infection caused by dimorphic Coccidioides species, is typically diagnosed by histopathologic identification of spherules, by culture, or by serology. These tests are reliable but time-intensive, delaying diagnosis and treatment. Rapid real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) can be performed and was validated to identify Coccidioides immitis using an in-house developed assay for the Becton Dickinson molecular instrument (BD MAXTM). These studies were performed using patient samples that had been shown to be positive on previously set up fungal cultures. To evaluate this new RT-PCR test in the clinical setting, we conducted a retrospective chart review of patients (N = 1160) who underwent Coccidioides PCR (Cocci PCR) on clinical samples between March 1, 2014, and Dec 31, 2016. We abstracted clinical, microbiologic, serologic, radiographic, treatment, and follow-up data. Specimens of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), bronchioalveolar lavage fluid (BAL), lung tissue biopsy (LTB), sputum, and pleural fluid were evaluated to determine sensitivity and specificity. Of the 113 specimens that tested positive for Cocci PCR, all had clinical disease defined by traditional clinical criteria, yielding 100% specificity. Overall sensitivity was 74% versus 46% for fungal culture and was available in 4 hours rather than 1–2 weeks. Sensitivities varied by source material and clinical setting. CSF had a sensitivity of 59%, BAL for acute pneumonia 91%, sputum for acute pneumonia 94%, pleural fluid 86%, but LTB for lung nodules only 44%. Overall positive predictive value (PPV) was 100%, while negative predictive value (NPV) was 96%, but again this varied by specimen and clinical setting. Our experience with clinical testing of >1160 specimens over 2–3 years shows we can utilize this technology to improve our ability to diagnose disease but that the sensitivity varies by specimen source and clinical setting.
The relationship between disability and suicide: prospective evidence from the Ten to Men cohort
Authors: Milner Allison , Bollier Anne-Marie , Emerson Eric , Kavanagh Anne
Published: October 2018

Background

People with disabilities often face a range of social and economic adversities. Evidence suggests that these disadvantages result in poorer mental health. Some research also indicates that people with disabilities are more likely experience thoughts about suicide than people without disability, although most of this research is based on small cross-sectional samples.

Methods

We explored the relationship between self-reported disability (measured at baseline) and likelihood of reporting thoughts of suicide (measured at follow up) using a large longitudinal cohort of Australian males. A logistic regression model was conducted with thoughts of suicide within the past 12 months (yes or no) as the outcome and disability as the exposure. The models adjusted for relevant confounders, including mental health using the SF-12 MCS, and excluded males who reported thoughts of suicide at baseline.

Results

After adjustment, there was a 1.48 (95% CI: 0.98–2.23, P = 0.063) increase in the odds of thoughts of suicide among men who also reported a disability. The size of association was similar to that of being unemployed.

Conclusions

Males reporting disability may also suffer from thoughts of suicide. We speculate that discrimination may be one explanation for the observed association. More research on this topic is needed.
Health Care Experiences of Lesbian Women
Authors: Snyder Marianne
Published: October 2018

Lesbian women experience discrimination within the health care system that leads many to cautiously navigate a heteronormative system. This metasynthesis offers a richer contextual understanding about lesbian health care experiences. The 4 overarching themes that emerged are: (a) sizing up the provider and the environment, (b) to say or not to say: “paradoxes of disclosure,” (c) reactions to provider's assumptions, (d) and acknowledging my partner. Lesbian women perceive their health care experiences based on the nature of the relationship with the provider. These women are more likely to seek care from health care providers who acknowledge, affirm, and respect a woman's sexual identity, cultural beliefs, and family structures.
Cost and Hospital Resource Utilization of Staphylococcus aureus Infection Post Elective Posterior Instrumented Spinal Fusion Surgeries in U.S. Hospitals: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Rosenthal Ning A. , Heinrich Kirstin H. , Chung Jessica , Yu Holly
Published: October 2018

Study Design.

A retrospective cohort study.

Objective.

The aim of this study was to assess hospital resource utilization and costs associated with Staphylococcus aureus infection within 180 days post elective posterior instrumented spinal fusion surgeries (index surgery) between 2010 and 2015.

Summary of Background Data.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) and blood stream infections (BSIs) post spinal fusion surgeries are associated with worse clinical outcomes and increased costs. Economic data specific to the most common pathogen of infections post spinal fusion surgeries, S. aureus, are limited.

Methods.

We analyzed hospital discharge and microbiology data from 129 U.S. hospitals in Premier Healthcare Database. Selection criteria included age ≥ 18 years; had a primary/secondary ICD-9-CM procedure code for index surgery; and had microbiology data during study period. Outcomes included total hospitalization cost, length of stay, and risk of all-cause readmission. Infection status was classified as culture-confirmed invasive (i.e., BSIs, deep or organ/space SSIs), any, and no S. aureus infection. Multivariable regression analyses were used to compare outcome variables between infection groups controlling for known confounders.

Results.

Two hundred ninety-four patients had any S. aureus infection (151 had invasive infection) and 12,918 had no infection. Compared with no infection group, invasive and any infection groups had higher total hospitalization cost (adjusted mean in 2015 U.S. dollars: $88,353 and $64,356 vs. $47,366, P < 0.001), longer length of stay (adjusted mean: 20.98 and 13.15 vs. 6.77 days, P < 0.001), and higher risk of all-cause readmission [adjusted risk ratio: 2.15 (95% confidence interval: 2.06–2.25) for invasive and 1.70 (95% confidence interval: 1.61–1.80) for any infection groups].

Conclusion.

S. aureus infections post elective posterior instrumented spinal fusion surgeries are associated with significantly higher hospitalization cost, length of stay, and 180-day risk of readmission than those with no such infection, which presents substantial burden to hospitals and patients. Reducing such infections may cut costs and hospital resource utilization.

Level of Evidence: 3
Comparative Analysis of Two Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Techniques
Authors: Ge David H. , Stekas Nicholas D. , Varlotta Christopher G. , Fischer Charla R. , Petrizzo Anthony , Protopsaltis Themistocles S. , Passias Peter G. , Errico Thomas J. , Buckland Aaron J.
Published: October 2018

Study Design.

A retrospective cohort study at a single institution.

Objective.

The aim of this study was to analyze the perioperative and postoperative outcomes of patients who underwent open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (O-TLIF) and bilateral minimally invasive surgery (MIS) Wiltse approach TLIF (Wil-TLIF).

Summary of Background Data.

Several studies have compared open TLIF to MIS TLIF; however, comparing the techniques using a large cohort of one-level TLIFs has not been fully explored.

Methods.

We reviewed the charts of patients undergoing a single-level primary posterior lumbar interbody fusion between 2012 and 2017. The cases were categorized as Open TLIF (traditional midline exposure including lateral exposure of transverse processes) or bilateral paramedian Wiltse TLIF approach. Differences between groups were assessed by t tests.

Results.

Two hundred twenty-seven patients underwent one-level primary TLIF (116 O-TLIF, 111 Wil-TLIF). There was no difference in age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), or body mass index (BMI) between groups. Wil-TLIF had the lowest estimated blood loss (EBL; 197 vs. 499 mL O-TLIF, P ≤ 0.001), length of stay (LOS; 2.7 vs. 3.6 days O-TLIF, P ≤ 0.001), overall complication rate (12% vs. 24% O-TLIF, P = 0.015), minor complication rate (7% vs. 16% O-TLIF, P = 0.049), and 90-day readmission rate (1% vs. 8% O-TLIF, P = 0.012). Wil-TLIF was associated with the higher fluoroscopy time (83 vs. 24 seconds O-TLIF, P ≤ 0.001). There was not a significant difference in operative time, intraoperative or neurological complications, extubation time, reoperation rate, or infection rate.

Conclusion.

In comparing Wiltse MIS TLIF to Open TLIF, the minimally invasive paramedian Wiltse approach demonstrated the lowest EBL, LOS, readmission rates, and complications, but longer fluoroscopy times when compared with the traditional open approach.

Level of Evidence: 3
Ten-year Outcomes of Cervical Disc Replacement With the BRYAN Cervical Disc
Authors: Lavelle William F. , Riew K. Daniel , Levi Allan D. , Florman Jeffrey E.
Published: October 2018

Study Design.

A prospective, randomized multicenter IDE trial between May 2002 and October 2004.

Objective.

The aim of this study was to report on the 10-year safety and efficacy of BRYAN cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA).

Summary of Background Data.

Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) is a potential alternative for anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) with the hope that maintenance of motion may decrease the likelihood of adjacent segment disease.

Methods.

This is an analysis of a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation comparing CDA with ACDF for single-level patients. Eligible patients were ≥ 21 years of age with symptomatic cervical disc disease who had failed conservative care. Patients were followed at regular intervals with the current data set at > 10 years. Protocol for overall success: ≥ 15-point improvement in NDI scores, maintenance or improvement in neurologic status, no serious adverse events related to implant or implant/surgical procedure, and no subsequent surgery or intervention classified as “failure.”

Results.

At 10-year follow-up, 128 (CDA) and 104 (ACDF) patients were available for evaluation. Overall success rate was significantly higher for CDA group (81.3% vs. 66.3%; P = 0.005). The rate of second surgeries at adjacent levels was lower for CDA group (9.7% vs. 15.8%; P = 0.146). NDI scores improved significantly in CDA group (Δ38.3 vs. Δ31.1; P = 0.010). Visual Analog Scale (VAS) neck and arm improved in the CDA group (Δ54.3 vs. Δ49.2; P = 0.119), (Δ58.1 vs. Δ51.6; P = 0.0.60) respectively. About 4.1% of CDA patients and 4.9% of ACDF patients had serious adverse events related to study device. Mean angular motions at index level for BRYAN disc and ACDF were 8.69° and 0.60°, respectively.

Conclusion.

CDA can preserve and maintain motion in the long term compared with ACDF. There was a trend toward fewer adjacent segment surgeries for BRYAN disc that did not reach significance. Significant improvement in CDA NDI scores may suggest better long-term success for CDA as compared to fusion.

Level of Evidence: 2