bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A stable and productive marine microbial community was sustained through the end‐Devonian Hangenberg Crisis within the Cleveland Shale of the Appalachian Basin, United States
Authors: Martinez Aaron M. , Boyer Diana L. , Droser Mary L. , Barrie Craig , Love Gordon D.
Published: September 2018

The end‐Devonian Hangenberg Crisis constituted one of the greatest ecological and environmental perturbations of the Paleozoic Era. To date, however, it has been difficult to precisely constrain the occurrence of the Hangenberg Crisis in the Appalachian Basin of the United States and thus to directly assess the effects of this crisis on marine microbial communities and paleoenvironmental conditions. Here, we integrate organic and inorganic chemostratigraphic records compiled from two discrete outcrop locations to characterize the onset and paleoenvironmental transitions associated with the Hangenberg Crisis within the Cleveland Shale member of the Ohio Shale. The upper Cleveland Shale records both positive carbon (δ13Corg) and nitrogen (δ15Ntotal) isotopic excursions, and replenished trace metal inventories with links to eustatic rise. These dual but apparently temporally offset isotope excursions may be useful for stratigraphic correlation with other productive end‐Devonian epeiric marine locations. Deposition of the black shale succession occurred locally beneath a redox‐stratified water column with euxinic zones, with signs of strengthening denitrification during the Hangenberg Crisis interval, but with an otherwise stable and algal‐rich marine microbial community structure sustained in the surface mixed layer as ascertained by lipid biomarker assemblages. Discernible trace fossil signals in some horizons suggest, however, that bioturbation and seafloor oxygenation occurred episodically throughout this succession and highlight that geochemical proxies often fail to capture these rapid and sporadic redox fluctuations in ancient black shales. The paleoenvironmental conditions, source biota, and accumulations of black shale are consistent with expressions of the Hangenberg Crisis globally, suggesting this event is likely captured within the uppermost strata of the Cleveland Shale in North America.
The elusive quest for balanced regional growth from Barlow to Brexit: Lessons from partitioning regional employment growth in Great Britain
Authors: Ray D. Michael , Hall Peter G. , O’Donoghue Daniel P.
Published: September 2018

The British Government’s economic strategy for post‐Brexit Britain of achieving balanced regional growth by “driving growth across the whole country” echoes the objectives set by the Barlow Report of 1940. The regional policies that followed the Barlow Report were heavily influenced by papers written for the Commission by G D A (later Sir Donald) MacDougall. The first of these papers was included as an appendix to the report itself and introduced the shift‐share methodology to the analysis of regional employment growth, and subsequently shown to be flawed. The second paper considered the urban hierarchy and growth but was never fully developed. Consequently post‐war regional policy focussed on the contribution of industrial structure to employment growth without fully taking into account the urban hierarchy or regional locations of that employment. This article replaces the flawed shift‐share methodology with multifactor partitioning (MFP) and applies it to regional employment growth for the period 1971‐2012, a span of special interest because it largely coincides with British membership of the European Union (EU). The deficiencies in the second paper are addressed by introducing allometry to measure the employment growth of each region relative to that of Great Britain and then regression analysis to relate the allometries to distance from London. The results of the two sets of analyses highlight the need for a multiple‐factor, comprehensive, and integrated approach to regional policy and provide a benchmark against which to gauge the success of Britain's post‐Brexit policy of driving future growth across the whole country.
In situ TEM study on electron irradiation effects in SiO2–Na2O–B2O3 glasses
Authors: Duan Bing‐Huang , Chen Liang , Lv Peng , Du Xin , Zhang Li‐Ming , Wang Tie‐Shan
Published: September 2018

In situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to study the electron irradiation effects of SiO2–Na2O–B2O3 (SNB) glasses. Three kinds of SNB glasses were designed and fabricated with constant K (K = [SiO2]/[B2O3] molar ratio) and varying R (R = [Na2O]/[B2O3] molar ratio). The electron irradiation effects were found to be significantly dependent on the value of R. Gas bubbles and small particles were observed in the bright field (BF) images of irradiated SNB glasses with sufficient Na2O content. The bubbles are believed to be composed of molecular oxygen O2 which was formed in the recombination processes of broken non‐bridging oxygen (NBO) structures. Irradiation‐produced small particles are suggested to be Si‐enriched phases which were formed via deconstruction of reedmergnerite groups. The different responses of these three kinds of SNB glasses agree well with their initial structural groups that are theoretically derived from the Bray's model.
The severity and degree of hypomineralisation in teeth and its influence on oral hygiene and caries prevalence in children
Authors: Ebel Markus , Bekes Katrin , Klode Christian , Hirsch Christian
Published: September 2018

Aim

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the severity of hypomineralised teeth, plaque accumulation, hypersensitivity, associated caries risk, and oral health‐related quality of life limitations of affected children.

Materials and Methods

A total of 250 children (mean age 9.0 years) presenting with at least one hypomineralised molar or incisor were included in the study. The hypersensitivity of the teeth was evaluated using the Schiff Cold Air Sensitivity Scale and the Wong‐Baker Faces Scale. Furthermore, the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth Index was documented, the Quigley Hein Index was obtained, and personal questioning was used to document the patients’ limitations with intake of food. These data were analysed using general linear models that control influencing factors such as age and sex.

Results

The Quigley Hein Index increased with the severity of the hypomineralised teeth (1.64 in the unaffected, 2.77 in the moderately, and 3.63 in the severely affected teeth). Problems with intake of food were only observed in subjects with severe hypomineralisation. There was no immediate effect on dental caries.

Conclusion

Increased severity of tooth hypomineralisation leads to increased hypersensitivity, which resulted in inadequate oral hygiene among children and limitations to their daily life.
In situ synthesis of [Ca24Al28O64]4+(4e−) electride ceramic from C12A7 + C3A mixture precursor
Authors: Li Fan , Zhang Xin , Liu Hongliang , Zhao Jiping , Xiao Yixin , Feng Qi , Zhang Jiuxing
Published: September 2018

Inorganic electride [Ca24Al28O64]4+(4e−) was successfully synthesized via a reaction of Ca12Al14O33 (C12A7), Ca3Al2O4 (C3A), and Al powder at 1050°C for 5 minutes heated by SPS system. The as‐prepared polycrystalline C12A7:e− electride exhibits an electron concentration of 2.3 × 1021 cm−3 and an optical absorption bands at 2.5ev under room temperature. Electron concentration was also determined by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Furthermore, the molecular structure was investigated by Micro Raman measurements; the appearance of the band at 186 cm−1 strongly suggested the formation of C12A7:e− electride. These results not only suggest a novel precursor for fabricating mayenite electrides but also make it possible to produce efficiently the electride in large volume.
Phase relations of CaO‐Al2O3‐Sc2O3 ternary system
Authors: Zhi Wenke , Wang Fei , Yang Bin , Qu Tao , Deng Yong , Tian Yang , Zhao Jinyang
Published: September 2018

We investigated the isothermal section of the CaO‐Al2O3‐Sc2O3 ternary system at 1773 and 1873 K for 24 hours in Ar, and quenched in water to determine the operative phase equilibrate. The composition of the phases in equilibrium was determined by electron probe microanalysis. The isothermal section phase diagram of two temperature points (1773 and 1873 K) is obtained. The 1773 K isothermal section consists of one liquid compound (L), six binary compounds (CaO+L, Ca2Sc6Al6O20+L C3A+L, CaO.Sc2O3+L, CA+L, Ca2Sc6Al6O20+Sc2O3) and seven ternary compounds (Ca2Sc6Al6O20+Sc2O3+CA6, Ca2Sc6Al6O20+Sc2O3+L, Ca2Sc6Al6O20+CA+L, Ca2Sc6Al6O20+CA2+CA, Ca2Sc6Al6O20+CA2+CA6, CaO.Sc2O3+L+Sc2O3, C3A+CaO+L). At 1873 K, we found one liquid compound (L), five binary compounds (CaO+L, Ca2Sc6Al6O20+L, CaO.Sc2O3+L, CA+L, Ca2Sc6Al6O20+Sc2O3) and six ternary compounds (Ca2Sc6Al6O20+Sc2O3+CA6, Ca2Sc6Al6O20+Sc2O3+L, Ca2Sc6Al6O20+CA+L, Ca2Sc6Al6O20+CA2+CA, Ca2Sc6Al6O20+CA2+CA6, CaO.Sc2O3+L+Sc2O3) to exist at the isothermal section. The experimental information obtained in the present work not only is essential for the thermodynamic assessment of the CaO‐Al2O3‐Sc2O3 ternary system, but also is important for further investigation on separation of rare earths from metallurgical slags and rare‐earth recovery.
Ethical Challenges for Student Design Projects in Health Care Settings in New Zealand
Authors: Godbold Rosemary , Lees Amanda , Reay Stephen
Published: September 2018

Student‐led design projects undertaken within healthcare settings raise considerable ethical challenges, primarily resulting from collaboration with service users. This article emerged out of the experiences of design from a New Zealand university undertaking real world projects in acute health care contexts. A human‐centred approach to design is underpinned by a requirement for students to immerse themselves in the user context to optimise design outcomes. Several issues exist in relation to the management of the ethical complexities arising from these projects. Multiple formal ethical review processes were triggered when students’ projects were defined as research. These processes were perceived as onerous and disproportionate to the scale of the projects, and students were ill equipped to identify ethical issues and engage with formal review processes. This resulted in either abandoned projects or the use of compromised methods. A review of codes of practice and design industry approaches identifies a gap in guidance for both students and qualified designers. Some designers describe their projects as service improvement, and not subject to formal ethical review. This article argues for embedding consideration of ethics in all design projects to enhance the process, to be true to the underpinning philosophy of human centred design and to produce ethically aware graduates. To achieve this, a multi‐pronged pedagogical approach which encompasses both hypothetical, class‐based and real‐world learning experiences is described, with the ultimate goal of normalising the consideration and development of ethical standards for students and best practice across the industry.
Bazon Brock's Visitors’ School on Documenta in Kassel: Training for Reception of Contemporary Art
Authors: Biryukova Marina
Published: September 2018

This article analyses the problem of reception and interpretation of contemporary art exhibition in the context of Besucherschule (Visitors’ School) invented by Bazon Brock: German philosopher, art historian and a follower of Theodor Adorno. He implemented this practice for the first time on documenta 4 in Kassel (1968) and organised such schools of reception until documenta 9 (1992). The aim of the Visitors’ School was to explain works of contemporary art on display to the public. Brock understood this process as ‘mediation’ in aesthetic education, arguing that dependence on theory was no less problematic for contemporary art perception than the lack of traditional art form. The main symbolic task of art – ‘claim for reality’, was demonstrated by Brock in two ideas: ‘new image‐war’ and ‘speaking image’.
Active Learning and Teaching through Digital Technology and Live Performance: ‘Choreographic Thinking’ as Art Practice in the Tertiary Sector
Authors: Nikolai Jennifer R. A. , Bennett Gregory , Marks Stefan , Gilson Geoff
Published: September 2018

This article is an interdisciplinary reflective response to an intensive studio learning and teaching experience involving artists, academics and postgraduate students. The authors of this article teach, research and practise in coding, digital design, dance, and virtual and live performance. As lecturers and students we reflect upon and propose future approaches to art practice in tertiary education informed by live performance, performance capture and studio‐based responses to digital and virtual platforms. We reflect on an innovative contribution to the field of research–teaching nexus as informed by digital and virtual data capture identifying the key element of immediacy in live performance and choreographic improvisation with systems. We reflect on practice‐based inquiry via the Choreographic Coding Lab (CCL) model – a dialogical negotiation between capture technology and interdisciplinary artists in industry and academia. How can we encourage potential studio inquiry as an adapted model in tertiary learning and teaching? Our interdisciplinary voices, presented as authors’ reflections, provide suggestions for future studio‐based, active learning contexts.
Immersed in Design: Using an Immersive Teaching Space to Visualise Design Solutions
Authors: Chandler Lisa , Ward Alistair
Published: September 2018

A significant component of design pedagogy is the need to foster critical design thinking and to support students in understanding links between educational exercises and their potential application in professional design practice. Problem solving is central to design so it is also essential that students understand that there can be multiple solutions to a design brief, and are supported in creative experimentation and in generating imaginative outcomes. This article examines some innovative approaches to addressing these pedagogical needs. It investigates the effectiveness of pedagogical design incorporating the Immerse Lab, a three‐wall projection room at an Australian university, as a learning context for design practice, for generating ideas and for supporting learning involving the comparative display of design outcomes. Anonymous student survey results revealed that the majority of students found learning in the Immerse Lab to be beneficial; comparative review more effective than in standard tutorial rooms; that the activity generated new ideas; it encouraged students to think differently about their designs; and it inspired students to develop their existing designs or create new ones. The project demonstrated that curricula involving immersive spaces can be effective in supporting engaging and relevant design pedagogy.
Navigating the Methodology of an Interdisciplinary Art and Design Practice with Conscious Bridging
Authors: Pinxit Vaughn
Published: September 2018

The growing emergent field of interdisciplinary research provides opportunities for discussing and attempting to understand interdisciplinarity at a deeper pedagogical level. The author, having completed a PhD in the field of an interdisciplinary art and design practice, presents an analysis of its methodology to contribute to the discussion. Through incidentally applying the method of Bourdieu's notion of reflexivity onto the practice, a clearer understanding of the approaches undertaken in the practice was experienced. This supported navigating between spectrums of approaches and identifying dichotomic knowledges applied in the practice, which the author terms ‘conscious bridging’. In support of the proposed notion of conscious bridging, the author adds further evidential observations of teams participating in interdisciplinary projects and taking into analysis the processes of varied approaches specific to their discipline. This article presents strategies to consider, adopt and apply in an interdisciplinary art and design practice in order to assist the quality and efficiency of research outcomes.
Building a Network for Preserving Intangible Cultural Heritage through Education: A Study of Indonesian Batik
Authors: Wang Ching‐Yi
Published: September 2018

This study aims to discuss a strategy to preserve intangible cultural heritage in education and to deliberate on the batik network in Pekalongan, Indonesia. To investigate the network, this study adopted a framework based on the actor–network theory (ANT). The research data was obtained through observation, interviews and document analysis. Interviews were conducted with eight interviewees who are working professionals in batik. The study achieved the following results: 1. Cultural heritage education needs to connect with the needs of everyday life within the context of the current situation and the social environment. 2. A successful cultural heritage educational network must include the efforts of industry, government, schools, museums and research institutions so that everyone can derive maximum benefit from the network and achieve a sense of accomplishment. 3. Attentiveness to conscious cultural heritage contributes to the promotion of education. Batik knowledge is built by interactions between batik workers, batik, batik museums, school teachers, and workshops or classes, such as student work in schools.
Fostering a Culture of Reading with Wordless Picturebooks in a South African Context
Authors: Haese Adrie , Costandius Elmarie , Oostendorp Marcelyn
Published: September 2018

There exists an abundance of literature on the use of wordless picturebooks in literacy development, yet very little research exists on their use in the South African context. South Africa is facing what researchers have referred to as a ‘national crisis of reading’. Only 5 per cent of parents read with their children, as a result, many children are not exposed to books or book‐sharing activities prior to entering formal school. Despite the acknowledgement and acceptance of the importance of mother tongue education, especially in Foundation Phase, there still exists a lack of indigenous language picturebooks for young readers. The article reports on the findings of an exploratory study in which wordless picturebooks were used in parent–child joint reading. By moving the reading environment from a community centre or daycare to participant homes, the main aim was to determine the perceptions of the parents or primary caregivers and children that participated in the programme regarding the value of utilising wordless picturebooks in their homes. The research sought to gain an understanding of how wordless picturebooks could assist in ensuring that literacy‐poor families are supported as a child's first educator. We argue that wordless picturebooks warrant further investigation in the South African context, as key findings indicated that they can be viewed as a valuable tool in fostering a culture of reading in the South African context.
High level of extrapair fertilization in individual Tibetan azure‐winged magpies and their adaptive responses
Authors: Gao Li‐Fang , Xian Li‐Li , Luo Juan‐Juan , Du Bo
Published: September 2018

Extrapair fertilizations (EPFs) occur widely in socially monogamous birds and result in mixed parentage in the brood. The response of an individual to these EPFs of its social mate remains poorly investigated in terms of parental care for the mixed brood. We addressed this question in a cooperatively‐breeding corvid, the azure‐winged magpie Cyanopica cyana. Parentage analysis indicated that 45% of females and 37% of males engaged in EPFs. There were 49% of cooperative groups and 36% of bi‐parental nests with extrapair paternity (EPP) offspring, and 22% of cooperative groups and 19% of bi‐parental nests with extrapair maternity (EPM) offspring. Based on the identity of offspring, we classified adults into four types: EPP offspring fathers/mothers, EPM offspring fathers/mothers, cuckolded males/females, and faithful males/females. A comparison of provisioning rates among all four types of breeders showed that 1) EPM offspring fathers had the highest provisioning rate; 2) cuckolded males did not reduce parental care, compared to faithful males and EPP offspring fathers; and 3) females of different types did not differ in their provisioning rates. Our findings suggest that a combination of frequent opportunities, low costs of cuckoldry, and the benefits of establishing a cooperative neighbourhood can explain why EPFs occur frequently in the Tibetan population of azure‐winged magpie.
Selenium‐sensitive miRNA‐181a‐5p targeting SBP2 regulates selenoproteins expression in cartilage
Authors: Min Zixin , Guo Yuanxu , Sun Mengyao , Hussain Safdar , Zhao Yitong , Guo Dongxian , Huang Huang , Heng Lisong , Zhang Fujun , Ning Qilan , Han Yan , Xu Peng , Zhong Nannan , Sun Jian , Lu Shemin
Published: September 2018

Selenium (Se) deficiency brings about defects in the biosynthesis of several selenoproteins and has been associated with aberrant chondrogenesis. Selenocysteine (Sec) Insertion Sequence (SECIS) and SECIS binding protein 2 (SBP2) interaction is a very critical node for the metabolic balance between Se and selenoproteins. The Gpx1, Gpx4 and SelS have different binding affinities with SBP2 in cells. According to our results, both miR‐181a‐5p and SBP2 appeared to be selenium‐sensitive and regulated the expression of selenoproteins in C28/I2 cells under Se sufficient environment. However, they showed significantly opposite expression trend in Se deficiency rats cartilage and SeD C28/I2 cells. The SBP2 is a direct target gene of miR‐181a‐5p in C28/I2 cells as determined by reporter gene and off‐target experiments. And the miR‐181a‐5p could regulate SBP2 and the selenoproteins in C28/I2 cells. Depending upon the Se supply levels, C28/I2 cells were divided into three groups, that is normal Se, SeD and SeS, which underwent through a 7‐day Se deprivation process, then SBP2 was knocked‐down and overexpressed in all the groups. Moreover, the selected selenoproteins were down‐regulated in second‐generation low Se diet rat cartilage. The selenoproteins expression was decreased by Se deficiency which depended on the Selenium‐sensitive miR‐181a‐5p to participate and regulate SBP2 at post‐transcriptional level. It involves a series of antioxidant and ECM (extracellular matrix) genes, to overcome the ROS‐related stress for the protection of essential physiological functions and to maintain the balance between anabolism and catabolism of the cartilage.
Resilience, health perceptions, (QOL), stressors, and hospital admissions—Observations from the real world of clinical care of unstable health journeys in Monash Watch (MW), Victoria, Australia
Authors: Martin Carmel , Hinkley Narelle , Stockman Keith , Campbell Donald
Published: September 2018

Rationale, aims, and objectives

Monash Watch (MW) aims to reduce potentially preventable hospitalisations in a cohort above a risk “threshold” identified by Health Links Chronic Care (HLCC) algorithms using personal, diagnostic, and service data. MW conducted regular patient monitoring through outbound phone calls using the Patient Journey Record System (PaJR). PaJR alerts are intended to act as a self‐reported barometer of stressors, resilience, and health perceptions with more alerts per call indicating greater risk.

Aims: To describe predictors of PaJR alerts (self‐reported from outbound phone calls) and predictors of acute admissions based upon a Theoretical Model for Static and Dynamic Indicators of Acute Admissions.

Methods

Participants: HLCC cohort with predicted 3+ admissions/year in MW service arm for >40 days; n = 244. Baseline measures—Clinical Frailty Index (CFI); Connor Davis Resilience (CD‐RISC): SF‐12v2 Health Survey scores Mental (MSC) and Physical (PSC) and ICECAP‐O. Dynamic measures: PaJR alerts/call in 10 869 MW records. Acute (non‐surgical) admissions from Victorian Admitted Episode database. Analysis: Logistic regression, correlations, and timeseries homogeneity metrics using XLSTAT.

Findings

Baseline indicators were significantly correlated except SF‐12_MCS. SF12‐MSC, SF12‐PSC and ICECAP‐O best predicted PaJR alerts/call (ROC: 0.84). CFI best predicted acute admissions (ROC: 0.66), adding CD‐RISC, SF‐12_MCS, SF‐12_PCS and ICECAP‐O with two‐way interactions improved model (ROC: 0.70). PaJR alerts were higher ≤10 days preceding acute admissions and significantly correlated with admissions. Patterns in PaJR alerts in four case studies demonstrated dynamic variations signifying risk. Overall, all baseline indicators were explanatory supporting the theoretical model. Timing of PaJR alerts and acute admissions reflecting changing stressors, resilience, and health perceptions were not predicted from baseline indicators but provided a trigger for service interventions.

Conclusion

Both static and dynamic indicators representing stressors, resilience, and health perceptions have the potential to inform threshold models of admission risk in ways that could be clinically useful.
Variation in DNA methylation is associated with migratory phenotypes of lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens in the St. Clair River, MI, USA
Authors: Whitaker Justine M. , Welsh Amy B. , Hondorp Darryl W. , Boase James C. , Merovich George T. , Welsh Stuart , Krueger Charles
Published: September 2018

Lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens populations show a variety of movement patterns that are poorly understood. To compare two migratory phenotypes of A. fulvescens in the St. Clair River, MI, USA, multiple data types were analysed. Individual fish were classified into migratory phenotypes based on acoustic telemetry data collected 2012–2015. Acipenser fulvescens consistently showed movement from the St. Clair River upriver into Lake Huron or downriver into Lake St. Clair. The two migratory phenotypes were then compared for differences in morphometrics, genetics and epigenetics. Morphological differences based on linear measurements were not detected between phenotypes. Microsatellite data from 11 loci suggested one population with no genetic differentiation between migratory phenotypes. Our epigenetic results indicated that the migratory phenotypes are differentially methylated (P < 0.05), thus epigenetics may be associated with migratory differences in A. fulvescens. Only one restriction site was identified to be driving the differential methylation (P < 0.05). While little evidence at neutral loci occurred for genetic differentiation of A. fulvescens, DNA methylation may play a role in the observed movement pattern variation. When combined with microsatellite and morphometric analyses, our results suggested that different migratory patterns may reflect phenotypic plasticity, allowing A. fulvescens to acclimate to short‐term environmental variability. Without an integrated approach, the role of epigenetics in the migratory phenotype of A. fulvescens may have been overlooked. Further characterization of migratory phenotypes could be important for management to conserve behavioural variation across the distribution of A. fulvescens and for design of stocking guidelines.
Decadal‐scale response of detritivorous surgeonfishes (family Acanthuridae) to no‐take marine reserve protection and changes in benthic habitat
Authors: Russ Garry R. , Payne Cody S. , Bergseth Brock J. , Rizzari Justin R. , Abesamis Rene A. , Alcala Angel C.
Published: September 2018

No‐take marine reserves (NTMR) are increasingly being implemented to mitigate the effects of fishing on coral reefs, yet determining the efficacy of NTMRs depends largely on partitioning the effects of fishing from the effect of benthic habitat. Species of coral‐reef fishes typically decline in density when subjected to fishing or benthic disturbances, but this is not always the case. This study documents the long‐term (8–31 years) response of six species of detritivorous surgeonfishes (family Acanthuridae) to NTMR protection and benthic habitat change at four islands (Apo, Sumilon, Mantigue, Selinog) in the central Philippines, each island with a NTMR and a monitored fished site. Despite being subject to moderate fishing pressure, these species did not increase in density with NTMR protection. However, density of these surgeonfishes had a strong negative relationship with cover of live hard coral and a strong positive relationship with cover of dead substratum (sand, rubble, hard dead substratum). These surgeonfishes typically feed over dead substrata and thus probably increase in density following large environmental disturbances that substantially reduce live hard coral cover. Here, we describe effects of environmental disturbance events (e.g., use of explosives, typhoons) that reduced live hard‐coral cover and subsequent large increases (up to 25 fold) in surgeonfish densities, which then slowly (over 5–15 years) decreased in density as live hard coral recovered. Density of these functionally important surgeonfish species was influenced more by changes to benthic cover than by NTMR protection. Thus, we highlight the greater importance of bottom‐up controls (i.e., benthic changes to food availability) than top‐down control (i.e., fishing) on a functionally important group of coral‐reef fishes.
Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 treated by poly‐L‐lysine‐coated bacteriophages liposomes in pork
Authors: Lin Lin , Zhu Yulin , Cui Haiying
Published: September 2018

The efficacy of bacteriophages as antibacterial agents has fostered the approval and commercialization of several products intended to reduce the risk of food corruption by bacterium. This study investigated the antibacterial activity and mechanism of bacteriophages against Escherichia coli O157:H7. Around 3.75 log cfu/mL reductions in E. coli O157:H7 populations were observed after 109 PFU/mL bacteriophages treatment for 12 hr. Subsequently, bacteriophages were incorporated into a liposome system to improve its chemical stability. Then, poly‐L‐lysine (PLL) was used to further enhance the stability of bacteriophages liposomes. The optimal PLL‐coated bacteriophage liposomes encapsulated 0.2 × 1011 PFU/mL bacteriophages, with polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.268, zeta potential of 21.8 mV, and encapsulation efficiency of 57.59%. In addition, long‐term antibacterial activity illustrated bacteriophages encapsulated in PLL‐coated liposome could extend the treatment time, achieving 2.44 log cfu/mL reductions in E. coli O157:H7 population after 1 day incubation in pork suspension.

Practical applications

The prepared poly‐L‐lysine‐coated bacteriophage liposomes exhibited a promising prospect for biocontrol of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in pork and their further products, without significant impacts on the quality of pork products. The results obtained in this study may provide theoretical basis for meats preservation and broaden the antimicrobial application of bacteriophage in food industries.
High Burden of Palliative Care Needs of Older Adults During Emergency Major Abdominal Surgery
Authors: Cooper Zara , Lilley Elizabeth J. , Bollens‐Lund Evan , Mitchell Susan L. , Ritchie Christine S. , Lipstiz Stuart R. , Kelley Amy S.
Published: September 2018

Objectives

To quantify preoperative illness burden in older adults undergoing emergency major abdominal surgery (EMAS), to examine the association between illness burden and postoperative outcomes, and to describe end‐of‐life care in the year after discharge.

Design

Retrospective study using data from Health and Retirement Study interviews linked to Medicare claims (2000–2012).

Setting

National population‐based dataset.

Participants

Medicare beneficiaries who underwent EMAS.

Measurements

High illness burden, defined as ≥2 of the following vulnerabilities: functional dependence, dementia, use of helpers, multimorbidity, poor prognosis, high healthcare utilization. In‐hospital outcomes were complications and mortality. Postdischarge outcomes included emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and 365‐day mortality. For individuals discharged alive who died within 365 days of surgery, outcomes included hospice use, hospitalization, ICU use, and ED use in the last 30 days of life. Multivariable regression was used to determine the association between illness burden and outcomes.

Results

Of 411 participants, 57% had high illness burden. More individuals with high illness burden had complications (45% vs 28% p=0.00) and in‐hospital death (20% vs 9%, p=0.00) than those without. After discharge (n=349), individuals with high illness burden experienced more ED visits (57% vs 46%, P=.04) and were more likely to die (35% vs 13%, p=0.00). Of those who died after discharge (n=86), 75% had high illness burden, median survival was 67 days (range 21–141 days), 48% enrolled in hospice, 32% died in the hospital, 23% were in the ICU in the last 30 days of life and 37% had an ED visit in the last 30 days of life.

Conclusion

Most older adults undergoing EMAS have preexisting high illness burden and experience high mortality and healthcare use in the year after surgery, particularly near the end of life. Concurrent surgical and palliative care may improve quality of life and end‐of‐life care in these people. J Am Geriatr Soc 66:2072–2078, 2018.
Brassinosteroids function in spikelet differentiation and degeneration in rice
Authors: Zhang Weiyang , Zhu Kuanyu , Wang Zhiqin , Zhang Hao , Gu Junfei , Liu Lijun , Yang Jianchang , Zhang Jianhua
Published: September 2018

Brassinosteroids (BRs) play crucial roles in many aspects of plant development. However, their function in spikelet differentiation and degeneration in rice (Oryza sativa L.) remains unclear. Here, we investigated the roles of these phytohormones in spikelet development in field‐grown rice subjected to five different nitrogen (N) fertilization treatments during panicle differentiation. BR levels and expression of genes involved in BR biosynthesis and signal transduction were measured in spikelets. Pollen fertility and the number of differentiated spikelets were closely associated with 24‐epicastasterone (24‐epiCS) and 28‐homobrassinolide (28‐homoBL) levels in spikelets. Enhanced BR biosynthesis and signal transduction, in response to N treatment, enhanced spikelet differentiation, reduced spikelet degeneration, and increased grain yield. Increases in proton‐pumping ATPase activity, ATP concentration, energy charge, and antioxidant system (AOS) levels were consistent with 24‐epiCS and 28‐homoBL concentrations. Exogenous application of 24‐epiCS or 28‐homoBL on young panicles induced a marked increase in endogenous 24‐epiCS or 28‐homoBL levels, energy charge, AOS levels, spikelet differentiation, and panicle weight. The opposite effects were observed following treatment with a BR biosynthesis inhibitor. Our findings indicate that, in rice, BRs mediate the effects of N fertilization on spikelet development and play a role in promoting spikelet development through increasing AOS levels and energy charge during panicle development.
Conversations for Connection: An Outcome Assessment of the Hold‐Me‐Tight Relationship‐Education Program, and Recommendations for Improving Future Research Methodology in Relationship Education
Authors: Kennedy Nikki , Johnson Susan M. , Wiebe Stephanie A. , Willett John B. , Tasca Giorgio A.
Published: September 2018

The Hold Me Tight (HMT) program is a new approach to relationship education based on Emotionally‐Focused Therapy (Johnson, 2004), an evidence‐based approach to couple therapy. In this exploratory longitudinal research, we examined individual growth in relationship satisfaction and trust for partners in 95 couples in 16 HMT groups across four occasions of measurement: Baseline, Pre‐Program, Post‐Program and at either 3‐ or 6‐month Follow‐Up. We found that relationship satisfaction and trust increased during program participation, and declined during follow‐up. We believe our findings provide support for the short‐term effectiveness of the HMT program, and suggest a longer period of program delivery may result in improved retention of gains. Finally, we present recommendations for improving the design of future longitudinal research in relationship education.
Together we stand, divided we fall? Smallholders' access to political power and their place in Poland's agricultural system
Authors: Fałkowski Jan
Published: September 2018

It has long been recognized that agrarian transformation can be seen as an outcome of struggles between politically influential interest groups. At the same time, numerous theoretical arguments suggest that small‐scale farmers are politically weak. Smallholders are commonly believed to comprise a particularly vulnerable group, which has only little influence on the pace and the direction of the ongoing restructuring. One may wonder, however, whether smallholders are able to affect the paths of agrarian development once they solve collective action problem and attain political office. In this paper, we try to improve our understanding in this respect by analysing smallholders in Poland. Our findings suggest that in municipalities in which smallholders had access to political offices, the rate of smallholders' exits from farming was significantly lower than elsewhere.
Introduction to symposium: Smallholders in communist and postcommunist societies
Authors: Wegren Stephen K. , O'Brien David J.
Published: September 2018

The primary contributions of smallholders during the communist and early postcommunist periods have been food production and labour for large farms. Those conditions are changing, however, as modern farms require less labour and food supply may be imported. For most smallholders in Central and Eastern European and former Soviet Union countries, the postcommunist neoliberal environment has not brought significant improvement, and strong arguments can be made that land grabbing, social and economic exclusion, and rural poverty are worse than regime bias during the communist period. Cooperatives, which have empowered smallholders in other parts of the world, have not been as well developed in postcommunist nations.
Assessment of practice efficacy by retrospective analysis of long‐term patient outcomes: A proposed method
Authors: Boudreaux Lauren , Key Douglas J.
Published: September 2018

Background

Regardless of changes in clinical techniques and approaches, practices may find value in self‐assessment.

Objective

To propose a retrospective method by which an aesthetic practice may use patient before and after photographs to assess practice efficacy among long standing patients.

Methods

Patients who had been with the practice and undergone various aesthetic procedures (n = 73, 59 women, age range 25‐83 years) were selected, with associated photographs before treatment and after their last intervention, covering an average period of 10.71 ± 1.32 years. Photographs were examined by 11 non‐expert graders in random order (along with duplicate photographs of 50 untreated individuals) who guessed and recorded the perceived age of each patient. The difference between the actual and estimated age was compared with that of the after picture to derive numerical values, averaged from among the 11 graders for each patient photo set, followed by statistical testing for confidence interval (CI) to group patients as high, medium, or low responders.

Results

Of 73 patients, 26 were graded as responders, 23 as medium, and 24 as low, meaning that average perceived aging changed little as per the non‐expert graders.

Conclusion

Statistical analysis of before and after photographs over time may provide physicians with a window into their performance.
THE REGIONAL EFFECTS OF MONETARY POLICY: A SURVEY OF THE EMPIRICAL LITERATURE
Authors: Dominguez‐Torres Helena , Hierro Luis A.
Published: September 2018

This survey provides an updated review of the empirical literature on the regional effects of monetary policy in economic activity by means of undertaking a threefold perspective. First, the main methodological dimensions of this literature are examined while pinpointing those modelling or methodological traits that constitute a source of diverging estimates and thereby produce inconclusive evidence. Secondly, the estimates yielded by the literature are summarized by carrying out a cross‐study analysis of the results for each monetary union. By drawing on empirical regularities that are robust across studies, the conclusiveness of the results is assessed, while those monetary unions for which conclusive evidence is still lacking are also identified. Lastly, the sources of regional heterogeneity identified by these studies are reviewed in order to shed some light on the linkage between monetary policy and territorial heterogeneity. As a result of this threefold perspective, this survey delivers overall structured conclusions and updated policy‐relevant lessons. Moreover, various research gaps and emerging topics in the literature are also identified.
The efficacy and safety of dydrogesterone for treatment of dysmenorrhea: An open‐label multicenter clinical study
Authors: Taniguchi Fuminori , Ota Ikuko , Iba Yumiko , Toda Toshiko , Tagashira Yukiko , Ohata Yorie , Kurioka Hiroko , Endo Yusuke , Sunada Hiroshi , Noma Hisashi , Azuma Yukihiro , Harada Tasuku
Published: September 2018

Aims

Dydrogesterone is a retro‐progesterone preparation widely used for over a half century. We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dydrogesterone in Japanese women with dysmenorrhea.

Methods

This study was conducted as an open‐label, single‐arm, multicenter study. One dydrogesterone 5‐mg tablet (Duphaston) was administered orally twice daily for 21 days from the 5th to 25th day of each menstrual cycle. A total of 44 (safety analysis) and 31 patients (efficacy analysis) were enrolled. Total dysmenorrhea score, dysmenorrhea subscale scores, dysmenorrhea visual analog scale, severity of menstruation‐related lower abdominal pain, low back pain, headache, and nausea/vomiting, basal body temperature, and serum estradiol and progesterone levels were evaluated.

Results

Baseline of the total dysmenorrhea score was 4.61, which went down over time following the administration of dydrogesterone, and the decrease was statistically significant at and after 2nd cycle of menstruation. Mean change from baseline at the final evaluation point was −1.84 (P < 0.001). Severity of menstruation‐related lower abdominal pain, low back pain, headache, and nausea/vomiting, in the evaluated menstruation cycles tended to decrease over time. Basal body temperature showed a biphasic pattern in 70% at baseline, 50% in 2nd menstruation cycle, and 61% in 5th menstruation cycle, and at least half of the patients may have had ovulation during the treatment. Incidence of adverse drug reactions was 31.8%, and the most common adverse event was metrorrhagia.

Conclusion

Dydrogesterone is efficacious, safe, and clinically beneficial in patients with dysmenorrhea, thereby indicating that dydrogesterone can be considered as a treatment option for patients with dysmenorrhea.
Recent advances in fertility preservation
Authors: Dolmans Marie‐Madeleine , Manavella Diego D.
Published: September 2018

Background

Most cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiotherapy or a combination of both are highly toxic to the gonads, putting girls and young women at risk of premature ovarian insufficiency and subsequent infertility. Non‐oncological conditions may also require therapies that put women's reproductive potential at risk. Fertility preservation counseling should therefore be offered to all patients requiring gonadotoxic treatments, and to those who wish to postpone motherhood for social/personal reasons. Among the most effective fertility preservation options available today, oocyte and embryo cryopreservation, and ovarian tissue cryopreservation have emerged as the front‐runners.

Aim

This review focuses on the currently available and most widely accepted fertility preservation and restoration strategies, with a special focus on recent advances in ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation.

Conclusions

To manage cancer patients satisfactorily and offer proper counsel on the most appropriate option available to them, different parameters need to be taken into account, including pubertal status, partner status and urgency of treatment for the underlying pathology. When fertility preservation is carried out for non‐oncological indications or personal reasons, oocyte cryopreservation by vitrification is clearly the highest‐yield clinical strategy. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation followed by transplantation is rapidly gaining ground as a fertility preservation and restoration strategy, and will hopefully soon have its ‘experimental’ label removed to allow practitioners to move on to open clinical application. Techniques to improve grafted ovarian tissue life span and quality as well as to avoid transmission of malignant cells have been developed, showing promise as a way to expand this procedure.
Cohabitation Experience and Cohabitation's Association With Marital Dissolution
Authors: Rosenfeld Michael J. , Roesler Katharina
Published: September 2018

Background

Before data existed on premarital cohabitation and divorce, scholars assumed that the experience of premarital cohabitation would select compatible couples into marriage and lead to lower rates of divorce. The advent of data on premarital cohabitation and divorce overturned the early preconceptions, as premarital cohabitation was found to be associated with higher rates of divorce. Premarital cohabitation has risen dramatically in the United States. Scholars disagree about whether the divorce rates of premarital cohabiters and noncohabiters have converged.

Method

A harmonized data set of 6 waves of the retrospective National Surveys of Family Growth (with 216,455 couple‐years) is analyzed with discrete time‐event history methods to predict marital dissolution. The data are nationally representative of women aged 44 years and younger in first marriages in the United States for 1970 to 2015. Different criteria for model selection are discussed.

Results

The results show that in the first year of marriages, couples who cohabited before marriage have a lower marital dissolution rate than couples who did not cohabit before marriage, a difference that may be due to the practical experience of cohabitation, as couples who have cohabited learned to adapt to each other. We find that the association between marital dissolution and premarital cohabitation has not changed over time or across marriage cohorts. The benefits of cohabitation experience in the first year of marriage has misled scholars into thinking that the most recent marriage cohorts will not experience heightened marital dissolution due to premarital cohabitation.

Conclusion

Premarital cohabitation has short‐term benefits and longer term costs for marital stability.
Circumcision in the paediatric patient: A review of indications, technique and complications
Authors: Prabhakaran Swetha , Ljuhar Damir , Coleman Robert , Nataraja Ramesh M
Published: September 2018

Circumcision is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the world. Despite this, the practice of paediatric circumcision remains highly controversial, and continues to generate ongoing debate. This debate has become more relevant recently with the provisional guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommending a change of practice. In this review article, we provide an overview of the history and incidence of circumcision, normal preputial development, types of phimosis, the absolute and relative indications for circumcision as well as the evidence base for its use as a preventative measure. Our aim is to provide paediatricians with a greater understanding of this common surgical procedure and the conditions it treats, to guide their clinical practice and parent counselling.