bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Tacrolimus on T-Cell Proliferation Are Short-Lived: A Pilot Analysis of Immune Function Testing
Authors: Laskin Benjamin L. , Jiao Jing , Baluarte H. Jorge , Amaral Sandra , Furth Susan L. , Akimova Tatiana , Hancock Wayne W. , Levine Matthew H. , Reese Peter P. , Beier Ulf H.
Published: July 2017

Background

Optimal immunosuppression after organ transplant should balance the risks of rejection, infection, and malignancy while minimizing barriers to adherence including frequent or time-sensitive dosing. There is currently no reliable immune function assay to directly measure the degree of immunosuppression after transplantation.

Methods

We developed an immune function assay to mea//sure T-cell proliferation after exposure to immunosuppression in vivo. We tested the assay in mice, and then piloted the approach using single time point samples, 11 pediatric kidney transplant recipients prescribed tacrolimus, mycophenolate, and prednisone 6 months to 5 years posttransplant, with no history of rejection, opportunistic infection, or cancer. Twelve healthy adults were controls.

Results

We demonstrated that our assay can quantify suppression of murine T-cell proliferation after tacrolimus treatment in vivo. In humans, we found a mean 25% reduction in CD4 and CD8 T-cell proliferation in pediatric renal transplant recipients on triple immunosuppression compared with adult healthy controls, but the pilot results were not statistically significant nor correlated with serum tacrolimus levels. We observed that cell processing and washing reduced the effects of tacrolimus on T-cell proliferation, as did discontinuation of tacrolimus treatment shortly before sampling.

Conclusions

T-cell proliferation is currently not suitable to measure immunosuppression because sample processing diminishes observable effects. Future immune function testing should focus on fresh samples with minimal washing steps. Our results also emphasize the importance of adherence to immunosuppressive treatment, because T-cell proliferation recovered substantially after even brief discontinuation of tacrolimus.
Repeated translocation of a gene cassette drives sex chromosome turnover in strawberries
Authors: Tennessen Jacob A , Wei Na , Straub Shannon , Govindarajulu Rajanikanth , Liston Aaron , Ashman Tia-Lynn
Published: July 2017

Turnovers of sex-determining systems represent important diversifying forces across eukaryotes. Shifts in sex chromosomes, but conservation of the master sex-determining genes, characterize distantly-related animal lineages. Yet in plants, where separate sexes have evolved repeatedly and sex chromosomes are typically homomorphic, we do not know whether such translocations drive turnovers within closely related groups. This phenomenon can only be demonstrated by identifying sex-associated nucleotide sequences, still largely unknown in plants. The wild North American octoploid strawberries (Fragaria) exhibit separate sexes (dioecy) with homomorphic, female heterogametic (ZW) inheritance, yet sex maps to at least three different chromosomes. To characterize these turnovers, we sequenced the complete genomes of 60 plants of known sex from fiveFragariataxa. We identified 31-mers unique to females and assembled their reads into contigs. Remarkably, a short (13 kb) sequence is observed in nearly all females and never in male-fertile individuals, implicating it as the sex-determining region (SDR). This female-specific “SDR cassette” contains both a gene with a known role in fruit and pollen production and a novel retrogene absent on Z and autosomal chromosomes. Comparing SDR cassettes across taxa reveals a history of repeated translocation, which can be ordered temporally due to the capture of adjacent sequence with each successive move. The accumulation of these “souvenirs” suggests an adaptive basis for the expanding (up to at least 23 kb) hemizygous region. This is the first plant SDR known to be translocated, and it suggests a new mechanism (“move-lock-grow”) for expansion and diversification of incipient sex chromosomes.

Significance Statement

Sex chromosomes frequently restructure themselves during organismal evolution, often becoming highly differentiated. This dynamic process is poorly understood for most taxa, especially during the early stages typical of many dioecious plants. In wild strawberries, a sex-determining region of DNA has repeatedly changed its genomic location, each time increasing the size of the hemizygous female-specific sequence. This observation shows for the first time that plant sex regions can “jump”, and suggests that this phenomenon may be adaptive by gathering and locking new genes into linkage with sex. This conserved and presumed causal sequence with a variable genomic location presents a unique opportunity to understand how sex chromosomes first begin to differentiate.
Environmental DNA metabarcoding of rivers: Not all eDNA is everywhere, and not all the time
Authors: Macher Jan-Niklas , Leese Florian
Published: July 2017

Environmental DNA metabarcoding has become a popular tool for the assessment of freshwater biodiversity, but it is largely unclear how sampling time and location influence the assessment of communities. Abiotic factors in rivers can change on small spatial and temporal scale and might greatly influence eDNA metabarcoding results. In this study, we sampled three German rivers at four locations per sampling site: 1. Left river side, surface water 2. Right river side, surface water, 3. Left side, close to the riverbed, 4. Right side, close to the riverbed. For the rivers Ruhr and Möhne, sampling was conducted three times in spring, each sampling one week apart. The Ruhr was again sampled in autumn and the Gillbach was sampled in winter. Sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq with COI primers Bf2/BR2 revealed diverse communities (6493 Operational taxonomic units, OTUs), which largely differed between rivers. Communities changed significantly over time in the Ruhr, but not in the Möhne. Sampling location influenced recovered communities in the Möhne and in the Ruhr in autumn. Our results have important implications for future eDNA studies, which should take into account that not all eDNA in rivers is everywhere and not at all times.
Quantius: Generic, high-fidelity human annotation of scientific images at 105-clicks-per-hour
Authors: Hughes Alex J. , Mornin Joseph D. , Biswas Sujoy K. , Bauer David P. , Bianco Simone , Gartner Zev J.
Published: July 2017

We describe Quantius, a crowd-based image annotation platform that provides an accurate alternative to task-specific computational algorithms for difficult image analysis problems. We use Quantius to quantify a variety of computationally challenging medium-throughput tasks with ~50x and 30x savings in analysis time and cost respectively, relative to a single expert annotator. We show equivalent deep learning performance for Quantius- and expert-derived annotations, bridging towards scalable integration with tailored machine-learning algorithms.
PCA based state reduction for inverse problems using prior information
Authors: Neumayer Markus , Bretterklieber Thomas , Flatscher Matthias , Puttinger Stefan
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Inverse problems are often marked by highly dimensional state vectors. The high dimension affects the quality of the estimation result as well as the computational complexity of the estimation problem. This paper aims to present a state reduction technique based on prior knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

Ill-posed inverse problems require prior knowledge to find a stable solution. The prior distribution is constructed for the high-dimensional data space. The authors use the prior distribution to construct a reduced state description based on a lower-dimensional basis, which they derive from the prior distribution. The approach is tested for the inverse problem of electrical capacitance tomography.

Findings

Based on a singular value decomposition of a sample-based prior distribution, a reduced state model can be constructed, which is based on principal components of the prior distribution. The approximation error of the reduced basis is evaluated, showing good behavior with respect to the achievable data reduction. Owing to the structure, the reduced state representation can be applied within existing algorithms.

Practical implications

The full state description is a linear function of the reduced state description. The reduced basis can be used within any existing reconstruction algorithm. Increased noise robustness has been found for the application of the reduced state description in a back projection-type reconstruction algorithm.

Originality/value

The paper presents the construction of a prior-based state reduction technique. Several applications of the reduced state description are discussed, reaching from the use in deterministic reconstruction methods up to proposal generation for computational Bayesian inference, e.g. Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques.
Harmonic balanced Jiles-Atherton hysteresis implementation for finite element simulation
Authors: Wick Markus , Jüttner Matthias , Rucker Wolfgang M.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The high calculation effort for accurate material loss simulation prevents its observation in most magnetic devices. This paper aims at reducing this effort for time periodic applications and so for the steady state of such devices.

Design/methodology/approach

The vectorized Jiles-Atherton hysteresis model is chosen for the accurate material losses calculation. It is transformed in the frequency domain and coupled with a harmonic balanced finite element solver. The beneficial Jacobian matrix of the material model in the frequency domain is assembled based on Fourier transforms of the Jacobian matrix in the time domain. A three-phase transformer is simulated to verify this method and to examine the multi-harmonic coupling.

Findings

A fast method to calculate the linearization of non-trivial material models in the frequency domain is shown. The inter-harmonic coupling is moderate, and so, a separated harmonic balanced solver is favored. The additional calculation effort compared to a saturation material model without losses is low. The overall calculation time is much lower than a time-dependent simulation.

Research limitations/implications

A moderate working point is chosen, so highly saturated materials may lead to a worse coupling. A single material model is evaluated. Researchers are encouraged to evaluate the suggested method on different material models. Frequency domain approaches should be in favor for all kinds of periodic steady-state applications.

Practical implications

Because of the reduced calculation effort, the simulation of accurate material losses becomes reasonable. This leads to a more accurate development of magnetic devices.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a new efficient method to calculate complex material models like the Jiles-Atherton hysteresis and their Jacobian matrices in the frequency domain.
Psychiatrists’ knowledge of novel psychoactive substances
Authors: Owie Raven Egheosa , Gosney Paul , Roney Andrew , O’Brien Aileen
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure the level of experience and knowledge of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) amongst psychiatrists, asking them to rank NPS against other psychoactive substances in terms of concern and the role they believe NPS play in the diagnosis and management of psychiatric disorders.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was created and emailed to all 217 psychiatrists working for a large city Mental Health Trust.

Findings

In total, 108 of 217 psychiatrists responded to the survey. A majority of the respondents believed that their level of knowledge of NPS was inadequate and stated that they would like to receive more training. Half of them either named only one or no NPS that they had encountered within the last five years. There was a correlation between the experience of the respondent and the number of NPS that they could name.

Practical implications

Most of the respondents assessed their own knowledge of NPS as either poor or basic. Psychiatrists’ knowledge of NPS could be improved by having regular NPS-related training, by being sent regular updates on NPS and by including lectures in the Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists courses. Psychiatrists should also be encouraged to access online resources such as NEPTUNE and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

Originality/value

This is the first survey of the UK psychiatrists of their knowledge and experience of NPS.
Crisis management by HIV/AIDS non-governmental organisations in the post-Euromaidan Ukraine led to opening new horizons
Authors: Duchenko Anna , Deshko Tetiana , Braga Marina
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Civil society played a significant role during and after the 2014 revolution in Ukraine, which led to the resignation of President Yanukovich and his government and triggered a series of political, economic and social changes. In some areas, particularly by HIV and tuberculosis, the critical gaps threatened the emergence of a public health catastrophe. The purpose of this paper is to describe how civil society expands and strengthens its role in complex crisis situations, self-regulating and re-adjusting own aims and strategy by using the case of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) active in HIV prevention in high-risk groups and harm reduction.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents the analysis of the case of Alliance of Public Health, one of the principal recipients of the Global Fund to Fight Tuberculosis, AIDS and Malaria in 2014-2016, during and after the Euromaidan Revolution in Ukraine.

Findings

In the post-Euromaidan era, NGO sector has been able to sustain the response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic at a stable level despite significant limitations of resources and the overall fragile situation. Special efforts have been undertaken to continue activities in the conflict zone in the east of the country. Furthermore, NGOs managed to extend beyond their usual responsibilities, bridging the gaps in deteriorating public health and social systems, including taking the leadership in medical procurement; advocating for national plans development; and supplying medical goods to the uncontrolled territories in the east of the country.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first exploring the role of non-governmental sector in HIV/AIDS programmes in resource-scarce situation of political, social and economic crisis. Case description of the strategies and activities applied in the situation gives the possibility to reflect on raising the effectiveness of the response to existing and emerging public health issues in complex crisis, as well on the potential for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment advocacy to grow into global health diplomacy.
Explaining the inconsistent results of the impact of information technology investments on firm performance
Authors: Khallaf Ashraf , Omran Mohamed Aboelhamd , Zakaria Taha
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify potential reasons for inconsistent results of the economic value of information technology (IT) investments. Furthermore, the study aims to develop framework and propositions to explore future opportunities and directions for research that examine the returns on IT investments.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted a longitudinal analysis of the literature review concerning the impact of IT investments on firm performance to identify the reasons to the so-called “IT productivity paradox” and to explore future opportunities and directions for future research.

Findings

The study provides and discusses the reasons for the inconsistent results in the prior research that examines IT investments payoff and suggested a framework and propositions for future research. Results of prior studies should be interpreted in the context of research questions raised, data used, level of analysis, IT investment measures, firm performance measures, time horizon and industry characteristics.

Practical implications

IT managers and researchers should align IT investments with the environment in which a firm operates and competes and with firm’s business strategies as important determinants of the return on IT investments.

Originality/value

Understanding the link between firm performance and IT investments assists researchers and practitioners to understand why firms continue to pour enormous resources into IT and, more importantly, specifies the conditions under which firms are likely to achieve competitive advantages from their IT investments.
Business model innovation in base of the pyramid markets
Authors: Gebauer Heiko , Saul Caroline Jennings , Haldimann Mirella
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to highlight how initial business models can be converted into a larger-scale solution for tapping into the emerging base-of-the-pyramid markets.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a qualitative, multi-case research design with 20 organizations tapping into the water market at the base-of-the-pyramid.

Findings

This paper explores three business models innovations: fostering value-in-context, allowing for modifiability and embracing organizational ambidexterity.

Research limitations/implications

Due to our qualitative research approach, generalizability of our findings is limited.

Practical implications

The description of the three business model innovations offers guidance for executives to make their business models financially more sustainable in base-of-the-pyramid markets.

Social implications

The water sector represents one especially interesting sector to examine business model innovations. For, among social goods, safe water remains a huge challenge to date where 700 million people remain without access to an improved water source.

Originality/value

Previous business model discussion in base-of-the-pyramid markets focuses on commercial goods. The authors focus on water as a social good. They demonstrate that the existing recommendations that business models in base-of-the-pyramid markets should be inclusive, complex, collaborative and scalable are mandatory, but not sufficient. In addition, business models should foster value-in-context, allow for modifiability and embrace organizational ambidexterity.
The impact of CEOs’ accounting backgrounds on earnings management and conservatism
Authors: Hu Nan , Huang Rong , Li Xu , Liu Ling
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Existing literature in experimental accounting research suggests that accounting professionals and people with accounting backgrounds tend to have a lower level of moral reasoning and ethical development. Motivated by these findings, this paper aims to examine whether chief executive officers (CEOs) with accounting backgrounds have an impact on firms’ earnings management behavior and the level of accounting conservatism.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors classify CEOs into those with and without accounting backgrounds using BoardEx data. Using discretionary accruals from several different models, they do not find that CEOs with accounting backgrounds are more likely to engage in income-increasing accruals. However, the authors find that CEOs with accounting backgrounds exhibit lower levels of conservatism, proxied by C-scores and T-scores (Basu, 1997). This finding suggests that CEOs with accounting backgrounds recognize bad news more quickly than good news, consistent with the accounting principle of “anticipating all losses but anticipating no gains”.

Findings

The authors show that firms whose CEOs have accounting backgrounds exhibit lower levels of accounting conservatism. However, these firms do not exhibit higher levels of income-increasing discretionary accruals. This study documents the impact of CEOs’ educational backgrounds on firms’ accounting choices and confirms prior findings in experimental accounting research using large sample archival data.

Originality/value

This paper is the first study that investigates the impact of CEOs’ accounting backgrounds on firms’ financial reporting policy. The findings may have some policy implications. If accounting backgrounds of CEOs can make a significant difference on firms’ behavior, it is reasonable to make CEOs accountable for the quality of financial reporting. This paper is one of the first to empirically test inferences drawn by experimental accounting research. There has been a gap between archival and experimental accounting studies. The authors propose that interesting research questions can be addressed by filling in such a gap.
Intellectual capital, knowledge management practices and firm performance
Authors: Hussinki Henri , Ritala Paavo , Vanhala Mika , Kianto Aino
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the association of different configurations of intellectual capital (IC) and knowledge management practices (KMP) with firm performance. Do firms with different profiles concerning their overall levels of IC and KMP differ in terms of innovation and market performance?

Design/methodology/approach

First, the firms were distributed into four distinct profiles based on their overall level of IC and utilization of KMP. Then, the four different IC/KMP profiles were evaluated with regard to their innovation and market performance.

Findings

Consistent with the extant research, this study finds that the firms characterized with high levels of IC and high use of KMP are likely to outperform the firms with low overall levels of IC and KMP. On more interesting note, this study also demonstrates that firms characterized with high level of IC but only low utilization of KMP can match the innovation performance of the firms with high levels of IC and KMP.

Practical implications

While the results indicate that the level of IC alone could predict the innovation potential of the firm, the firms should use KMP to leverage the IC and to capitalize the knowledge potential. This result shows the merits of letting innovation flourish without strict managerial control, while pinpointing the relevance of knowledge management (KM) in exploitation of IC.

Originality/value

As one of the first attempts to merge the IC and KM approaches to find out which configurations could influence firm performance outcomes, this study provides the research community with valuable insights and sets the tone for further discussion.
Interpreting ELISA analyses from wild animal samples: Some recurrent issues and solutions
Authors: Garnier Romain , Ramos Raül , Sanz‐Aguilar Ana , Poisbleau Maud , Weimerskirch Henri , Burthe Sarah , Tornos Jeremy , Boulinier Thierry
Published: July 2017

Many studies in disease and ecological immunology rely on the use of assays that quantify the amount of specific antibodies (immunoglobulin) in samples. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are increasingly used in ecology due to their availability for a broad array of antigens and the limited amount of sampling material they require. Two recurrent methodological issues are nevertheless faced by researchers: (1) the limited availability of immunological assays and reagents developed for non‐model species, and (2) the statistical determination of the cut‐off threshold used to distinguish individual samples that are likely to have or not to have antibodies against a specific antigen.

Here, we outline two solutions to deal with these issues. First, we show that implementing two assays with differing detection methods can help validate the use of reagents, such as antibodies, in species different from their intended target. We illustrate this by comparing the quantification of specific vaccinal antibodies against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) using two ELISA approaches in four seabird species (Cory's shearwater, European shag, European storm petrel and Southern rockhopper penguin).

Second, we provide a simple way to determine from the distribution of ELISA values whether the assayed samples are likely to be made of a single group of individuals (likely negative) or of two groups of individuals (negative and positive). We illustrate the use of this approach with two independent datasets: NDV antibody levels following vaccination and anti‐Borrelia antibody levels following natural exposure.

The practical implementation of these methodological approaches could provide a way to efficiently apply ELISAs and other immune‐based assays to address questions in the growing fields of ecological immunology and disease ecology.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
A “Patch” to the NYU Emergency Department Visit Algorithm
Authors: Johnston Kenton J. , Allen Lindsay , Melanson Taylor A. , Pitts Stephen R.
Published: July 2017

Objective

To document erosion in the New York University Emergency Department (ED) visit algorithm's capability to classify ED visits and to provide a “patch” to the algorithm.

Data Sources

The Nationwide Emergency Department Sample.

Study Design

We used bivariate models to assess whether the percentage of visits unclassifiable by the algorithm increased due to annual changes to ICD‐9 diagnosis codes. We updated the algorithm with ICD‐9 and ICD‐10 codes added since 2001.

Principal Findings

The percentage of unclassifiable visits increased from 11.2 percent in 2006 to 15.5 percent in 2012 (p < .01), because of new diagnosis codes. Our update improves the classification rate by 43 percent in 2012 (p < .01).

Conclusions

Our patch significantly improves the precision and usefulness of the most commonly used ED visit classification system in health services research.
Day length constrains the time budget of aphid predators
Authors: Joschinski Jens , Kiess Tim , Krauss Jochen
Published: July 2017

Phenology shifts and range expansions cause organisms to experience novel day length – temperature correlations. Depending on the temporal niche, organisms may benefit or suffer from changes in day length, thus potentially affecting phenological adaptation. We assessed the impact of day length changes on larvae ofChrysoperla carnea(Stephens) andEpisyrphus balteatus(De Geer), both of which prey on aphids. Larvae ofE. balteatusare night‐active, whereas those ofC. carneaappear to be crepuscular. We subjected both species in climate chambers to day lengths of 16 : 8 L : D and, to circumvent diapause responses, 20 : 4 L : D. We recorded development times and predation rates of both species.E. balteatusgrew 13% faster in the 16 : 8 L : D treatment and preyed on significantly more aphids. In contrast,C. carneagrew 13% faster in the 20 : 4 L : D treatment and higher predation rates in 20 : 4 L : D were marginally significant. Our results show that day length affects development and predation, but that the direction depends on species. Such differences in the use of day length may alter the efficiency of biocontrol agents in a changing climate.
Antimicrobial Effects of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by Fatsia japonica Leaf Extracts for Preservation of Citrus Fruits
Authors: Zhang Jing , Si Guoguo , Zou Jun , Fan Ruiliang , Guo Ailing , Wei Xuetuan
Published: July 2017

Due to their potent antimicrobial activity, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized by biomass might be promising in food preservation, whereas effects of AgNPs on Penicillium italicum‐induced rot of Citrus fruits have not been investigated. In this study, a novel AgNPs biosynthesis method was developed based on Fatsia japonica leaf extracts. It was revealed that concentrations of leaf extracts, AgNO3 and NaCl affected AgNPs yields and particle sizes obviously. Under the optimized conditions (8 mg/mL extracts, 2 mM AgNO3 and 1 mM NaCl), AgNPs, synthesized within 80 min, showed potent preservative effect against P. italicum‐induced rot of Citrus fruits. Furthermore, inhibition test and TEM analysis indicated that as‐synthesized AgNPs caused cell deformation, cytoplasmic leakage, and thereupon cell death of P. italicum. Moreover, AgNPs had significant antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, which might be beneficial for Citrus fruits preservation. Altogether this study develops an efficient AgNPs synthesis method and a novel preservation method for Citrus fruits.
High‐dose Humanin analogue applied during ischemia exerts cardioprotection against ischemia/reperfusion injury by reducing mitochondrial dysfunction
Authors: Thummasorn Savitree , Shinlapawittayatorn Krekwit , Chattipakorn Siriporn C. , Chattipakorn Nipon
Published: July 2017

Aim

Although the gold standard treatment for acute myocardial infarction is reperfusion therapy, reperfusion itself can cause myocardial damage via induction of cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction. This can lead to increased myocardial infarct size, arrhythmias, and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Recently, a newly discovered peptide, Humanin, has been shown to exert several beneficial effects including antioxidative and antiapoptosis effects. We recently reported that a Humanin analogue (HNG, 84 μg/kg) given prior to cardiac ischemia exerted cardioprotection against I/R injury, but failed to do so when it was given after ischemia was induced. However, in a clinical setting, patients can only be treated after the onset of ischemia. In this study, we investigated the potential benefit of various doses of HNG therapy (84, 168, 252 μg/kg) against myocardial I/R injury when applied during ischemia on cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial infarct size, cardiac mitochondrial function, and LV function.

Methods

Myocardial I/R injury was induced in rats by 30‐minute left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion, followed by 120‐minute of reperfusion. HNG at the different doses were given intravenously at 15 minutes after ischemic onset and also at the onset of reperfusion.

Results

HNG (252 μg/kg) applied during the ischemic period not only increased HN levels in the damaged myocardium, but also significantly decreased cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial infarct size, cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction, and left ventricular dysfunction. These benefits were mediated through the attenuation of cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction.

Conclusions

High‐dose HN applied during ischemia in rats could exert cardioprotection against I/R injury‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction.
Classifying ecosystems with metaproperties from terrestrial laser scanner data
Authors: Paynter Ian , Genest Daniel , Saenz Edward , Peri Francesco , Boucher Peter , Li Zhan , Strahler Alan , Schaaf Crystal
Published: July 2017

In this study, we introduce metaproperty analysis of terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) data, and demonstrate its application through several ecological classification problems. Metaproperty analysis considers pulse level and spatial metrics derived from the hundreds of thousands to millions of lidar pulses present in a single scan from a typical contemporary instrument. In such large aggregations, properties of the populations of lidar data reflect attributes of the underlying ecological conditions of the ecosystems.

In this study, we provide the Metaproperty Classification Model to employ TLS metaproperty analysis for classification problems in ecology. We applied this to a proof‐of‐concept study, which classified 88 scans from rooms and forests with 100% accuracy, to serve as a template.

We then applied the Metaproperty Classification Model in earnest, to separate scans from temperate and tropical forests with 97.09% accuracy (N = 224), and to classify scans from inland and coastal tropical rainforests with 84.07% accuracy (N = 270).

The results demonstrate the potential for metaproperty analysis to identify subtle and important ecosystem conditions, including diseases and anthropogenic disturbances. Metaproperty analysis serves as an augmentation to contemporary object reconstruction applications of TLS in ecology, and can characterize regional heterogeneity.
Transperitoneal rectus sheath block and transversus abdominis plane block for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: A novel approach
Authors: Nagata Jun , Watanabe Jun , Nagata Masato , Sawatsubashi Yusuke , Akiyama Masaki , Tajima Takehide , Arase Koichi , Minagawa Noritaka , Torigoe Takayuki , Nakayama Yoshifumi , Horishita Reiko , Kida Kentaro , Hamada Kotaro , Hirata Keiji
Published: July 2017

Introduction

A laparoscopic approach for inguinal hernia repair is now considered the gold standard. Laparoscopic surgery is associated with a significant reduction in postoperative pain. Epidural analgesia cannot be used in patients with perioperative anticoagulant therapy because of complications such as epidural hematoma. As such, regional anesthetic techniques, such as ultrasound‐guided rectus sheath block and transversus abdominis plane block, have become increasingly popular. However, even these anesthetic techniques have potential complications, such as rectus sheath hematoma, if vessels are damaged. We report the use of a transperitoneal laparoscopic approach for rectus sheath block and transversus abdominis plane block as a novel anesthetic procedure.

Material and Surgical Technique

An 81‐year‐old woman with direct inguinal hernia underwent laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal repair. Epidural anesthesia was not performed because anticoagulant therapy was administered. A Peti‐needle™ was delivered through the port, and levobupivacaine was injected though the peritoneum. Surgery was performed successfully, and the anesthetic technique did not affect completion of the operative procedure. The patient was discharged without any complications.

Discussion

This technique was feasible, and the procedure was performed safely. Our novel analgesia technique has potential use as a standard postoperative regimen in various laparoscopic surgeries. Additional prospective studies to compare it with other techniques are required.
Chitosan‐Fe (III) Complex as a Phosphate Chelator in Uraemic Rats: A Novel Treatment Option
Authors: do Carmo Wander Barros , Castro Bárbara Bruna Abreu , Rodrigues Clóvis Antônio , Custódio Melani Ribeiro , Sanders‐Pinheiro Helady
Published: July 2017

Phosphate retention and hyperphosphataemia are associated with increased mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We tested the use of cross‐linked iron chitosan III (CH‐FeCl) as a potential phosphate chelator in rats with CKD. We evaluated 96 animals, divided equally into four groups (control, CKD, CH‐FeCl and CKD/CH‐FeCl), over 7 weeks. We induced CKD by feeding animals an adenine‐enriched diet (0.75% in the first 4 weeks and 0.1% in the following 3 weeks). We administered 30 mg/kg daily of the test polymer, by gavage, from the third week until the end of the study. All animals received a diet supplemented with 1% phosphorus. Uraemia was confirmed by the increase in serum creatinine in week 4 (36.24 ± 18.56 versus 144.98 ± 22.1 μmol/L; p = 0.0001) and week 7 (41.55 ± 22.1 versus 83.98 ± 18.56 μmol/L; p = 0.001) in CKD animals. Rats from the CKD group treated with CH‐FeCl had a 54.5% reduction in serum phosphate (6.10 ± 2.23 versus 2.78 ± 0.55 mmol/L) compared to a reduction of 25.6% in the untreated CKD group (4.75 ± 1.45 versus 3.52 ± 0.74 mmol/L, p = 0.021), between week 4 and week 7. At week 7, renal function in both CKD groups was similar (serum creatinine: 83.98 ± 18.56 versus 83.10 ± 23.87 μmol/L, p = 0.888); however, the CH‐FeCl‐treated rats had a reduction in phosphate overload measured by fractional phosphate excretion (FEPi) (0.71 ± 0.2 versus 0.4 ± 0.16, p = 0.006) compared to the untreated CKD group. Our study demonstrated that CH‐FeCl had an efficient chelating action on phosphate.
Competition for natural resources and the hold‐up problem
Authors: Hefeker Carsten , Kessing Sebastian G.
Published: July 2017

We study the role of competition for the hold‐up problem in foreign direct investment in resource‐based industries. The host country government is not only unable to commit not to expropriate investment ex post but also unable to commit to the provision of local resources. In the case of competition for local resources, this dual commitment problem triggers higher investment levels and increases host country revenues, but hurts profits of international investors.
Increased fibre and reduced trans fatty acid intake are primary predictors of metabolic improvement in overweight polycystic ovary syndrome—Substudy of randomized trial between diet, exercise and diet plus exercise for weight control
Authors: Nybacka Åsa , Hellström Per M. , Hirschberg Angelica L.
Published: July 2017

Objective

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is commonly affected by obesity. PCOS phenotypes are prone to increased waist/hip ratio, insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia. This substudy was undertaken to evaluate the effects of lifestyle interventions on metabolic biomarkers in overweight/obese PCOS women and the interventional effects of dietary components related to metabolic outcomes.

Design

Randomized three‐arm parallel study.

Patients

Fifty‐seven PCOS women body mass index (BMI >27 kg/m2, age 18‐40) were randomly assigned to diet (D, n = 19), exercise (E, n = 19) or diet plus exercise (DE, n = 19) in three‐arm fashion over 16 weeks. The D group received nutritional counselling by a dietician to reduce their energy intake by at least 600 kcal/d. The E group received an ambulatory exercise regimen from a physiotherapist. The DE group had both interventions.

Measurements

Self‐reported food intake over 4 days, exercise pedometers, BMI, waist/hip ratio, blood pressure, body composition and oral glucose tolerance test were performed before and at the end of intervention.

Results

BMI, waist circumference and total cholesterol were significantly reduced in the D and DE groups, as well as low‐density lipoprotein and Homeostasis Model of Assessment index in the D group. In the E group, exercise was increased along with a decrease in BMI and waist circumference. The strongest predictor of reduced BMI was increased fibre intake (−0.44, P = .03), while a decrease in trans fatty acid intake predicted reduced insulinogenic index (0.44, P < .01).

Conclusions

Nutritional counselling with dieting is clearly effective to improve metabolic disturbances in overweight/obese women with PCOS. Increased fibre and reduced trans fatty acid intake are primary predictors of metabolic improvement and weight control.
Impact of plant cover on the cavity‐nesting ant Temnothorax crassispinus
Authors: MITRUS SŁAWOMIR , MOROŃ DAWID , NOWAK ARKADIUSZ
Published: July 2017

1. Plant communities influence the availability of important resources for ants, such as nest sites and food, as well as environmental conditions. Thus, plants affect the abundance and distribution of ants.

2. In a field experiment, the influence of plant cover on the settlement of nest sites and per‐capita productivity of sexual individuals by the ant Temnothorax crassispinus was analysed. In July 2014, in five areas with patches of alien balsam Impatiens parviflora, and another five of native balsam I. noli‐tangere, transects composed of artificial nests were established; the nest sites were situated inside patches of balsams, and outside of them. Four hundred and forty artificial nests were used. One year later, the nests were collected.

3. Colonies of the ants three times more often inhabited nest sites outside the patches of both balsams. Besides, colonies with queens were more frequently found in nest sites located away from balsams. The per‐capita productivity of sexual individuals was higher in nests collected in patches of balsam, and the colonies from patches of alien balsam produced a more female‐biased sex ratio.

4. In terms of the impact on the ant, no clear differences were found between the alien balsam and the native one. The most important factor affecting the fitness of ants in areas dominated by balsams is the presence of herbaceous plant cover rather than whether the plant is alien or native.
Glucocorticoid assessment in the domestic horse: The impacts of time and climatic variables on sample integrity
Authors: Yarnell K. , Walker S. L.
Published: July 2017

Background

Assessment of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM) offers a noninvasive method of monitoring adrenal activity in domestic horses. Samples are collected on an opportunistic basis and, if they are not fresh or have been exposed to the elements before they are identified, may not accurately reflect FGM concentrations.

Objectives

To explore the impact of a range of environmental conditions upon the integrity of FGM levels in equine faeces.

Study design

In vitro experiment.

Method

Equine faeces were exposed to six controlled environmental conditions intended to simulate a range of weather and seasonal patterns (temperate climate, high heat, high heat and rainfall, temperate climate and rainfall, high heat/temperate climate, freeze/thaw) over a period of 5 days. FGM were quantified using an enzyme‐linked immunoassay.

Results

Faecal samples exposed to room temperature and high heat demonstrated significant increases in FGM levels over time. No changes in FGM levels were observed in the remaining treatments.

Main limitations

The study should be repeated in field conditions and with known high and low levels of FGM to further inform sampling regimes.

Conclusions

Adrenal monitoring in the domestic horse should be performed with consideration of the impact of climate on the integrity of faecal samples in order to further inform sampling schedules and improve the reliability of results.
How We Invest
Authors: Bloomberg Michael , Pope Carl
Published: July 2017

In this chapter from their new book, Climate of Hope: How Cities, Businesses, and Citizens Can Save the Planet, the founder of Bloomberg LP and former mayor of New York City collaborates with the former executive director of the Sierra Club in showing how the pursuit of profit by companies and their investors is playing an important role in the battle against global warming. Climate change is shown as posing a series of discrete, manageable challenges—such as accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy—that have spurred a search for solutions that promise to make our society healthier and stronger. National governments, the authors argue, are not the best places to create or carry out these solutions. Rather, it is the mayors, CEOs, entrepreneurs, activists, concerned citizens, and other local actors who have the strongest incentives as well as the power and means to win the battle against climate change—and in ways that have already begun to generate economic growth and improve public health.

State governors and mayors of cities around the U.S., in red and blue states alike, have been responsible for much of this progress. Cities and states have negotiated contracts with local utilities to provide greater amounts of clean energy, and used combinations of public and private capital to fund rapid transit, waste‐water treatment, and other infrastructure programs. But an equally important if not larger role is now being played by business. Companies large and small, with the backing of a growing number of environmentally conscious but resolutely profit‐seeking investors, are finding ways to reduce waste and strengthen worker protection and morale throughout supply chains that are providing increasingly climatefriendly products and services.

The authors' bottom line, then, is that preventing climate change will require more than goodwill and government regulation. It will take the profit motive, a force that that many environmentalists have long viewed with suspicion. While acknowledging the past efforts of socially responsible investment funds that have shown a willingness to sacrifice returns, the authors conclude that the enlightened self‐interest of value‐seeking investors may well prove more effective than the “beneficence” of social investors and philanthropists in producing investments of sufficient scale and practical efficacy to meet the challenges of global warming.
The SEC and Improving Sustainability Reporting
Authors: Higgins Keith , White John , Beller Alan , Schapiro Mary
Published: July 2017

In this discussion that took place at the SASB 2016 Symposium, the former Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission explores recent developments in corporate sustainability reporting with three Directors—two past and one current—of the SEC's Division of Corporation Finance (or “CorpFin”). The consensus of the panelists was that investors want companies to provide more and better disclosure of their ESG exposures, particularly climate change, and their plans to manage those exposures. According to the current director of CorpFin, the most common demand expressed in the thousands of “comment letters” elicited by the SEC's recent concept release was for more and better sustainability information. And among the many issues cited by investors in those letters, including economic inequality, corruption, indigenous rights, and community relations, the subject of greatest interest by far was climate change.

While none of the panelists claimed to see private‐sector demand for SEC action and a new set of mandatory requirements, all seemed to agree that many companies would welcome the establishment of voluntary guidelines and standards for providing ESG information—and that the guidelines recently developed by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board are a promising model. For companies in each of 79 different industries, the SASB has identified a specific set of “material” concerns along with metrics or KPIs that can be used to evaluate corporate performance in responding to those concerns. Perhaps the most important advantage of this approach is that, by limiting such reporting to material exposures (and so adhering to a principle that has long informed SEC requirements), the SASB guidelines should significantly increase the relevance and value to investors—while possibly holding down the costs—of the sustainability reports that large companies in the U.S. and abroad have been producing for decades.

But, as the former SEC Chair also notes in closing, the adoption of such guidelines by companies should be viewed as just a first step toward improving disclosure. To help companies develop the most useful and cost‐effective disclosure practices, investors themselves will have to become more active in communicating their own demands and preferences for information.
The mother–offspring dyad: microbial transmission, immune interactions and allergy development
Authors: Jenmalm M. C.
Published: July 2017

The increasing prevalence of allergy in affluent countries may be caused by reduced intensity and diversity of microbial stimulation, resulting in abnormal postnatal immune maturation. Most studies investigating the underlying immunomodulatory mechanisms have focused on postnatal microbial exposure, for example demonstrating that the gut microbiota differs in composition and diversity during the first months of life in children who later do or do not develop allergic disease. However, it is also becoming increasingly evident that the maternal microbial environment during pregnancy is important in childhood immune programming, and the first microbial encounters may occur already in utero. During pregnancy, there is a close immunological interaction between the mother and her offspring, which provides important opportunities for the maternal microbial environment to influence the immune development of the child. In support of this theory, combined pre‐ and postnatal supplementations seem to be crucial for the preventive effect of probiotics on infant eczema. Here, the influence of microbial and immune interactions within the mother–offspring dyad on childhood allergy development will be discussed. In addition, how perinatal transmission of microbes and immunomodulatory factors from mother to offspring may shape appropriate immune maturation during infancy and beyond, potentially via epigenetic mechanisms, will be examined. Deeper understanding of these interactions between the maternal and offspring microbiome and immunity is needed to identify efficacious preventive measures to combat the allergy epidemic.