bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adapting Stand‐Alone Renewable Energy Technologies for the Circular Economy through Eco‐Design and Recycling
Authors: Gallagher John , Basu Biswajit , Browne Maria , Kenna Alan , McCormack Sarah , Pilla Francesco , Styles David
Published: November 2017

Renewable energy (RE) technologies are looked upon favorably to provide for future energy demands and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the installation of these technologies requires large quantities of finite material resources. We apply life cycle assessment to 100 years of electricity generation from three stand‐alone RE technologies—solar photovoltaics, run‐of‐river hydro, and wind—to evaluate environmental burden profiles against baseline electricity generation from fossil fuels. We then devised scenarios to incorporate circular economy (CE) improvements targeting hotspots in systems’ life cycle, specifically (1) improved recycling rates for raw materials and (ii) the application of eco‐design. Hydro presented the lowest environmental burdens per kilowatt‐hour of electricity generation compared with other RE technologies, owing to its higher efficiency and longer life spans for main components. Distinct results were observed in the environmental performance of each system based on the consideration of improved recycling rates and eco‐design. CE measures produced similar modest savings in already low GHG emissions burdens for each technology, while eco‐design specifically had the potential to provide significant savings in abiotic resource depletion. Further research to explore the full potential of CE measures for RE technologies will curtail the resource intensity of RE technologies required to mitigate climate change.
Longitudinal investigation of neuroinflammation and metabolite profiles in the APPswe×PS1Δe9 transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Chaney Aisling , Bauer Martin , Bochicchio Daniela , Smigova Alison , Kassiou Michael , Davies Karen E. , Williams Steve R. , Boutin Herve
Published: November 2017

There is increasing evidence linking neuroinflammation to many neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, its exact contribution to disease manifestation and/or progression is poorly understood. Therefore, there is a need to investigate neuroinflammation in both health and disease. Here, we investigate cognitive decline, neuroinflammatory and other pathophysiological changes in the APPswe×PS1Δe9 transgenic mouse model of AD. Transgenic (TG) mice were compared to C57BL/6 wild type (WT) mice at 6, 12 and 18 months of age. Neuroinflammation was investigated by [18F]DPA‐714 positron emission tomography and myo‐inositol levels using 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in vivo. Neuronal and cellular dysfunction was investigated by looking at N‐acetylaspartate (NAA), choline‐containing compounds, taurine and glutamate also using MRS. Cognitive decline was first observed at 12 m of age in the TG mice as assessed by working memory tests . A significant increase in [18F]DPA‐714 uptake was seen in the hippocampus and cortex of 18 m‐old TG mice when compared to age‐matched WT mice and 6 m‐old TG mice. No overall effect of gene was seen on metabolite levels; however, a significant reduction in NAA was observed in 18 m‐old TG mice when compared to WT. In addition, age resulted in a decrease in glutamate and an increase in choline levels. Therefore, we can conclude that increased neuroinflammation and cognitive decline are observed in TG animals, whereas NAA alterations occurring with age are exacerbated in the TG mice. These results support the role of neuroinflammation and metabolite alteration in AD and in ageing.

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MINSKY MODELS: A STRUCTURED SURVEY
Authors: Nikolaidi Maria , Stockhammer Engelbert
Published: November 2017

Minsky's ideas have recently gained prominence in the mainstream as well as in the heterodox literature. However, there exists no agreement upon the formal presentation of Minsky's insights. The aim of this paper is to survey the literature and identify differences and similarities in the ways through which Minskyan ideas have been formalized. We distinguish between the models that focus on the dynamics of debt or interest, with no or a secondary role for asset prices, and the models in which asset prices play a key role in the dynamic behavior of the economy. Within the first category of models, we make a classification between (i) the Kalecki–Minsky models, (ii) the Kaldor–Minsky models, (iii) the Goodwin–Minsky models, (iv) the credit rationing Minsky models, (v) the endogenous target debt ratio Minsky models and (vi) the Minsky–Veblen models. Within the second category of models, we distinguish between (i) the equity price Minsky models and (ii) the real estate price Minsky models. Key limitations of the models and directions for future research are outlined.
A Simplified Quantitative Method to Measure Brain Shifts in Patients with Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke
Authors: Paletta Nina , Maali Laith , Zahran Abdurrehman , Sethuraman Sankara , Figueroa Ramon , Nichols Fenwick T. , Bruno Askiel
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A standardized and validated method to measure brain shifts in malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke with decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) could facilitate clinical decision making, prognostication, and comparison of results between studies.

METHODS

We tested for reliability simplified methods to measure transcalvarial herniation, midline brain shift, and the contralateral cerebral ventricular atrium in malignant MCA stroke after DHC. Multiple raters measured brain shifts on post‐DHC computed tomography (CT) scans with aligned and unaligned slice orientations in 25 patients. We compared the simplified measurements to previously reported more meticulous measurements.

RESULTS

The simplified measurements correlate well with the more meticulous measurements on both aligned and unaligned CTs (intraclass correlation coefficients .72‐.89).

CONCLUSIONS

These simplified and expedient methods of measuring brain shifts in malignant MCA stroke after DHC correlate well with the more meticulous methods.
Additive Manufacturing: A Comparative Analysis of Dimensional Accuracy and Skin Texture Reproduction of Auricular Prostheses Replicas
Authors: Unkovskiy Alexey , Spintzyk Sebastian , Axmann Detlef , Engel Eva‐Maria , Weber Heiner , Huettig Fabian
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The use of computer‐aided design/computer‐aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and additive manufacturing in maxillofacial prosthetics has been widely acknowledged. Rapid prototyping can be considered for manufacturing of auricular prostheses. Therefore, so‐called prostheses replicas can be fabricated by digital means. The objective of this study was to identify a superior additive manufacturing method to fabricate auricular prosthesis replicas (APRs) within a digital workflow.

Materials and Methods

Auricles of 23 healthy subjects (mean age of 37.8 years) were measured in vivo with respect to an anthropometrical protocol. Landmarks were volumized with fiducial balls for 3D scanning using a handheld structured light scanner. The 3D CAD dataset was postprocessed, and the same anthropometrical measurements were made in the CAD software with the digital lineal. Each CAD dataset was materialized using fused deposition modeling (FDM), selective laser sintering (SLS), and stereolithography (SL), constituting 53 APR samples. All distances between the landmarks were measured on the APRs. After the determination of the measurement error within the five data groups (in vivo, CAD, FDM, SLS, and SL), the mean values were compared using matched pairs method. To this, the in vivo and CAD dataset were set as references. Finally, the surface structure of the APRs was qualitatively evaluated with stereomicroscopy and profilometry to ascertain the level of skin detail reproduction.

Results

The anthropometrical approach showed drawbacks in measuring the protrusion of the ear's helix. The measurement error within all groups of measurements was calculated between 0.20 and 0.28 mm, implying a high reproducibility. The lowest mean differences of 53 produced APRs were found in FDM (0.43%) followed by SLS (0.54%) and SL (0.59%)––compared to in vivo, and again in FDM (0.20%) followed by SL (0.36%) and SLS (0.39%)––compared to CAD. None of these values exceed the threshold of clinical relevance (1.5%); however, the qualitative evaluation revealed slight shortcomings in skin reproduction for all methods: reproduction of skin details exceeding 0.192 mm in depth was feasible.

Conclusion

FDM showed the superior dimensional accuracy and best skin surface reproduction. Moreover, digital acquisition and CAD postprocessing seem to play a more important role in the outcome than the additive manufacturing method used.
Routine follow‐up of preterm infants in New Zealand
Authors: Gledhill Nicole , Scott Gabrielle , de Vries Nathalie KS
Published: November 2017

Aim

To describe the routine follow‐up of preterm infants by different District Health Boards (DHBs) in New Zealand (NZ), and to compare current practice with international guidelines.

Methods

A descriptive survey of the existing routine follow‐up management of preterm infants in NZ. From November 2015 until January 2016, a questionnaire was sent out across NZ to one paediatrician (n = 24) and one Child Development Service (CDS) (n = 20) from each DHB. All paediatricians responded and 85% of the CDSs responded. Responses were collated and compared to recommendations from paediatric literature.

Results

There is tremendous variation across NZ of the eligibility criteria for routine preterm follow‐up. Overall, a gestational age of <32 weeks and/or birthweight <1500 g was the most commonly used indication for routine preterm follow‐up. The timing of visits and the assessments that were performed varied enormously. Respondents commonly reported that limited funding and resources prevented optimal follow‐up management.

Conclusion

There is regional disparity in the routine follow‐up that preterm infants receive in NZ. A standardised approach to follow‐up of preterm infants across NZ, as recommended in the literature, is difficult due to the lack of funding and resources.
Equal treatment and socially optimal R&D in duopoly with one‐way spillovers
Authors: Cosandier Charlène , Feo Giuseppe De , Knauff Małgorzata
Published: November 2017

This paper examines the standard symmetric two‐period R&D model with a deterministic one‐way spillover structure: know‐how flows only from the high R&D firm to the low R&D firm (but not vice versa). Though firms are ex ante identical, one obtains a unique asymmetric equilibrium (pair) in R&D investments, leading to interfirm heterogeneity in the industry. R&D cooperation by means of a joint lab is considered and compared to the non cooperative solution. The main part of the paper provides a second‐best welfare analysis in which we show that the joint lab yields a socially optimal R&D level subject to an equal treatment (of firms) constraint, which also coincides with the noncooperative solution in the absence of spillovers. We also investigate the welfare costs of this equal treatment constraint and find that they can be quite significant.
HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS analysis of fruits from Firmiana simplex (L.) and evaluation of their antioxidant and antigenotoxic properties
Authors: Ghareeb Mosad Ahmed , Mohamed Tamer , Saad Amal Mohamed , Refahy Laila Abdel-Ghany , Sobeh Mansour , Wink Michael
Published: November 2017

Objectives

The secondary metabolites of the fruits of Firmiana simplex (L.) were analysed by LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS; furthermore, we evaluated their antioxidant and antigenotoxic properties.

Methods

The antioxidant activity was investigated using the 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), the 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The antigenotoxic potential was determined via the comet assay.

Key findings

The ethyl acetate fraction (EtOAc) was analysed by LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS: phenolic acids and flavonoids were the main polyphenols of the fruits. The EtOAc fraction yielded the highest content of polyphenols with 314.61 mg GAE/g extract, followed by 297.51, 153.75, 101.47, 97.19 for dichloromethane, butanol, methanol and water extracts, respectively. As expected, a strong correlation exists between the antioxidant activity of the investigated extracts and their total phenolic content. In the DPPH assay, the IC50 value of the most active EtOAc fraction was 6.79 μg/ml, relative to 2.92 μg/ml of the standard ascorbic acid. ABTS and FRAP assays supported the results of DPPH assay. Moreover, using the comet assay, we could show that the phenol-rich EtOAc extract exhibits an antigenotoxic potential in human liver cancer cells (Hep-G2) treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a genotoxic agent.

Conclusions

The fruits of Firmiana simplex may be a good natural source of antioxidant and antigenotoxic agents.
Surgical management of impalement injuries to the trunk of dogs: a multicentre retrospective study
Authors: Matiasovic M. , Halfacree Z. J. , Moores A. , Nelissen P. , Woods S. , Dean B. , Chanoit G. , Barnes D. C.
Published: November 2017

Objectives

To review a large series of dogs referred for treatment of traumatic impalement injuries to the thorax and/or abdomen and to report aetiologies, injury characteristics, management and long‐term outcomes.

Materials and Methods

Previously collected data on dogs that were surgically treated for impalement injuries to the trunk at six veterinary specialist referral institutions in the UK over an 11‐year period were reviewed. Data included patient signalment, physiological variables, injury‐specific variables, diagnostic imaging reports, surgical procedures undertaken, duration of hospitalisation, antibiotic use, complications and outcomes. Data were reported with summary statistics.

Results

Fifty‐four dogs were included. Impalement occurred most frequently on wooden objects (n=34), and the thoracic cavity was most commonly penetrated (n=37). Computed tomography was sensitive and specific to identifying wooden material in 64% and 88% of cases (n=11), respectively. Thoracotomy was performed in 56%, coeliotomy in 20% and a foreign body or its fragments were retrieved during surgery in 37% of the cases. Complications occurred in 19 dogs (35%), and of these, 68% were minor and 32% major. The survival rate for thoracotomy cases was 93% (n=30). Overall long‐term survival was 90%.

Clinical Significance

Despite the often dramatic presentation of impalement injuries, the majority of patients treated in the specialist referral setting can achieve excellent outcomes. These injuries require thorough diagnostic imaging and interpretation before adequate surgical exploration and management, augmented by anaesthesia and critical care during the peri‐ and postoperative periods; therefore stable patients should be referred to centres able to provide this type of care.
Structural Damage Detection with Automatic Feature‐Extraction through Deep Learning
Authors: Lin Yi‐zhou , Nie Zhen‐hua , Ma Hong‐wei
Published: November 2017

Structural damage detection is still a challenging problem owing to the difficulty of extracting damage‐sensitive and noise‐robust features from structure response. This article presents a novel damage detection approach to automatically extract features from low‐level sensor data through deep learning. A deep convolutional neural network is designed to learn features and identify damage locations, leading to an excellent localization accuracy on both noise‐free and noisy data set, in contrast to another detector using wavelet packet component energy as the input feature. Visualization of the features learned by hidden layers in the network is implemented to get a physical insight into how the network works. It is found the learned features evolve with the depth from rough filters to the concept of vibration mode, implying the good performance results from its ability to learn essential characteristics behind the data.
Vitamin D2 vs. vitamin D3: They are not one and the same
Authors: Tripkovic L. , Wilson L. R. , Lanham‐New S. A.
Published: November 2017

Conflicting evidence has led to uncertainty as to whether vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 are equally efficacious in improving vitamin D status, despite historically being considered equipotent. A systematic review and meta‐analysis completed in 2012 indicated that D3 was more effective at raising vitamin D levels {using total 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] as a marker of status} but the meta‐analysis identified high levels of heterogeneity between studies and a lack of statistically powered sample sizes to provide a conclusive answer. Thus, to meet the need for robust data, our research team conducted the largest (to date) randomised, controlled trial comparing the two forms of vitamin D. The D2–D3 Study was conducted in 335 healthy South Asian (n = 90) and White European women (n = 245). The study was designed to compare the respective efficacy of vitamin D2 with vitamin D3 at raising total 25(OH)D when added to a juice or a biscuit, at a relatively low dose of 15 μg/day for 12 weeks. Overall, the results showed that those who consumed vitamin D3 showed an average increase in vitamin D status of 74%–75%, whereas an average increase of 33%–34% in vitamin D status was found in those who consumed vitamin D2. Therefore, this study emphatically shows that vitamin D3 is more than twice as effective as vitamin D2 at raising total 25(OH)D concentrations, when given in a low dose that is both physiologically relevant and in line with public health guidance.
Introgression fromPopulus balsamiferaunderlies adaptively significant variation and range boundaries inP. trichocarpa
Authors: Suarez‐Gonzalez Adriana , Hefer Charles A. , Lexer Christian , Douglas Carl J. , Cronk Quentin C. B.
Published: November 2017

Introgression can be an important source of adaptive phenotypes, although conversely it can have deleterious effects. Evidence for adaptive introgression is accumulating but information on the genetic architecture of introgressed traits lags behind.

Here we determine trait architecture inPopulus trichocarpaunder introgression fromP. balsamiferausing admixture mapping and phenotypic analyses.

Our results reveal that admixture is a key driver of clinal adaptation and suggest that the northern range extension ofP. trichocarpadepends, at least in part, on introgression fromP. balsamifera. However, admixture withP. balsamiferacan lead to potentially maladaptive early phenology, and a reduction in growth and disease resistance inP. trichocarpa. Strikingly, an introgressed chromosome 9 haplotype block fromP. balsamiferarestores the late phenology and high growth parental phenotype in admixedP. trichocarpa. This epistatic restorer block may be strongly advantageous in maximizing carbon assimilation and disease resistance in the southernmost populations where admixture has been detected. We also confirm a previously demonstrated case of adaptive introgression in chromosome 15 and show that introgression generates a transgressive chlorophyll‐content phenotype.

We provide strong support that introgression provides a reservoir of genetic variation associated with adaptive characters that allows improved survival in new environments.
The mouse passive‐transfer model of MuSK myasthenia gravis: disrupted MuSK signaling causes synapse failure
Authors: Ghazanfari Nazanin , Trajanovska Sofie , Morsch Marco , Liang Simon X. , Reddel Stephen W. , Phillips William D.
Published: November 2017

While the majority of myasthenia gravis patients express antibodies targeting the acetylcholine receptor, the second most common cohort instead displays autoantibodies against muscle‐specific kinase (MuSK). MuSK is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase found in the postsynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction. During development, MuSK serves as a signaling hub, coordinating the alignment of the pre‐ and postsynaptic components of the synapse. Adult mice that received repeated daily injections of IgG from anti‐MuSK+ myasthenia gravis patients developed muscle weakness, associated with neuromuscular transmission failure. MuSK autoantibodies are predominantly of the IgG4 type. They suppress the kinase activity of MuSK and the phosphorylation of target proteins in the postsynaptic membrane. Loss of postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors is the primary cause of neuromuscular transmission failure. MuSK autoantibodies also disrupt the capacity of the motor nerve terminal to adaptively increase acetylcholine release in response to the reduced postsynaptic responsiveness to acetylcholine. The passive IgG transfer model of MuSK myasthenia gravis has been used to test candidate treatments. Pyridostigmine, a first‐line cholinesterase inhibitor drug, exacerbated the disease process, while 3,4‐diaminopyridine and albuterol were found to be beneficial in this mouse model.
Thymus involvement in early‐onset myasthenia gravis
Authors: Cron Mélanie A. , Maillard Solène , Villegas José , Truffault Frédérique , Sudres Muriel , Dragin Nadine , Berrih‐Aknin Sonia , Le Panse Rozen
Published: November 2017

It has long been established that the thymus plays a central role in autoimmune myasthenia gravis (MG) because of either thymoma or thymic hyperplasia of lymphoproliferative origin. In this review, we discuss thymic changes associated with thymic hyperplasia and their implications in the development of an autoimmune response against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR).The hyperplastic MG thymus displays all the characteristics of tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs): neoangiogenic processes with high endothelial venule and lymphatic vessel development, chemokine overexpression favoring peripheral cell recruitment, and ectopic germinal center development. As thymic epithelial cells or myoid cells express AChR, a specific antigen presentation can easily occur within the thymus in the presence of recruited peripheral cells, such as B cells and T follicular helper cells. How the thymus turns into a TLO is not known, but local inflammation seems mandatory. Interferon (IFN)‐β is overexpressed in MG thymus and could orchestrate thymic changes associated with MG. Knowledge about how IFN‐β is induced in MG thymus and why its expression is sustained even long after disease onset would be of interest in the future to better understand the etiological and physiopathological mechanisms involved in autoimmune MG.
Do asynchronies in extinction debt affect the structure of trophic networks? A case study of antagonistic butterfly larvae–plant networks
Authors: Guardiola Moisès , Stefanescu Constantí , Rodà Ferran , Pino Joan
Published: November 2017

Habitat loss and fragmentation affect species richness in fragmented habitats and can lead to immediate or time‐delayed species extinctions. Asynchronies in extinction and extinction debt between interacting species may have severe effects on ecological networks. However, these effects remain largely unknown. We evaluated the effects of habitat patch and landscape changes on antagonistic butterfly larvae–plant trophic networks in Mediterranean grasslands in which previous studies had shown the existence of extinction debt in plants but not in butterflies. We sampled current species richness of habitat‐specialist and generalist butterflies and vascular plants in 26 grasslands. We assessed the direct effects of historical and current patch and landscape characteristics on species richness and on butterfly larvae–plant trophic network metrics and robustness. Although positive species‐ and interactions–area relationships were found in all networks, structure and robustness was only affected by patch and landscape changes in networks involving the subset of butterfly specialists. Larger patches had more species (butterflies and host plants) and interactions but also more compartments, which decreased network connectance but increased network stability. Moreover, most likely due to the rescue effect, patch connectivity increased host‐plant species (but not butterfly) richness and total links, and network robustness in specialist networks. On the other hand, patch area loss decreased robustness in specialist butterfly larvae–plant networks and made them more prone to collapse against host plant extinctions. Finally, in all butterfly larvae–plant networks we also detected a past patch and landscape effect on network asymmetry, which indicates that there were different extinction rates and extinction debts for butterflies and host plants. We conclude that asynchronies in extinction and extinction debt in butterfly–plant networks provoked by patch and landscape changes caused changes in species richness and network links in all networks, as well as changes in network structure and robustness in specialist networks.
Direct and plant trait‐mediated effects of the local environmental context on butterfly oviposition patterns
Authors: Valdés Alicia , Ehrlén Johan
Published: November 2017

Variation in the intensity of plant–animal interactions over different spatial scales is widespread and might strongly influence fitness and trait selection in plants. Differences in traits among plant individuals have been shown to influence variation in interaction intensities within populations, while differences in environmental factors and community composition are shown to be important for variation over larger scales. However, little is still known about the relative importance of the local environmental context vs. plant traits for the outcome of interactions within plant populations. We investigated how oviposition by the seed‐predator butterfly Phengaris alcon on its host plant Gentiana pneumonanthe was related to host plant traits and to local environmental variation, as well as how oviposition patterns translated into effects on host plant fruit set. We considered the local environmental context in terms of height of the surrounding vegetation and abundance of the butterfly's second host, Myrmica ants. The probability of oviposition was higher in plants that were surrounded by lower vegetation, and both the probability of oviposition and the number of eggs increased in early‐flowering and tall plants with many flowers in the three study populations. Flowering phenology, shoot height and flower production were, in turn, related to higher surrounding vegetation. Myrmica abundance was correlated with vegetation height, but had no effect on oviposition patterns. Oviposition and subsequent seed predation by the caterpillars strongly reduced host plant fruit set. Our results show that plant–animal interactions are context‐dependent not only because the context influences the abundance or the behavior of the animal interactor, but also because it influences the expression of plant traits that affect the outcome of the interaction. The results also demonstrate that heterogeneity in environmental conditions at a very local scale can be important for the outcomes of interactions.
The diverse dietary profiles of MIS 3 cave bears from the Romanian Carpathians: insights from stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N) analysis
Authors: Robu Marius , Wynn Jonathan G. , Mirea Ionuţ C. , Petculescu Alexandru , Kenesz Marius , Puşcaş Cristina M. , Vlaicu Marius , Trinkaus Erik , Constantin Silviu
Published: November 2017

Late Pleistocene European cave bears (Ursus spelaeus) have been considered to be largely vegetarian, although stable isotope data (δ13C and δ15N values) from the Romanian Carpathians has suggested considerable dietary variation. Here we evaluate previous and additional adult cave bear isotopic data from four Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3) sites in the Carpathians. Peştera Urşilor (N = 35), Peştera Cioclovina (N = 32), Peştera Muierilor (N = 8), and Peştera cu Oase (N = 72) provide both a dichotomy between samples suggesting vegetarian diets (from Cioclovina and Muierilor) and more omnivorous diets (from Urşilor and Oase), and considerable isotopic variation within samples from each site. While an inference of a strictly vegetarian diet may apply to groups that lived in ecosystems which restricted the available animal protein for these large ursids, the within and between sample isotopic variation among the Carpathian cave bears indicates considerable flexibility in their sources of protein and hence in their dietary regimes. In addition, developmental assessment of Cioclovina isotopic profiles (neonates, juveniles, sub‐adults and adults) provides patterns of transfer of stable isotope signatures throughout immature life for both δ13C and δ15N (increase and decrease, respectively), whereas those from Urşilor show little developmental shift.
Potential impacts of climate change on the threat of potato cyst nematode species in Great Britain
Authors: Skelsey P. , Kettle H. , MacKenzie K. , Blok V.
Published: November 2017

Potato cyst nematode (PCN) species have different temperature optima for various life cycle stages, therefore a risk assessment of the threat of PCN species under future climates is essential to guide adaptation strategies. Data defining the spatial coverage of potato crops in Great Britain were combined with probabilistic climate change data and a newly developed PCN life cycle model to project the future risk to potato crops from PCN. The model was based on the results of controlled environment experiments to investigate the effect of temperature on survival to female maturity using three PCN populations: Globodera pallida (Lindley) and G. rostochiensis from the James Hutton Institute PCN collection, and a field population of G. pallida (S‐Fife). It was found that projected increases in soil temperature could result in increased survival to female maturity for all three PCN populations, with greater increases expected for Scotland, followed by Wales then England. The largest projected increases in Scotland were for G. pallida, whereas G. rostochiensis showed the largest increases in Wales and England. The potential impact of several agronomic adaptation strategies on projected PCN risk were also investigated. The results from the model suggest that soil infestation levels would have to be reduced by up to 40% in order to negate projected increases in PCN risk, and that advancing the start date of the growing season or modifying planting patterns could be successful strategies to reduce future PCN risk.
Forecasting the spread of aerially transmitted crop diseases with a binary classifier for inoculum survival
Authors: Skelsey P. , Dancey S. R. , Preedy K. , Lees A. K. , Cooke D. E. L.
Published: November 2017

The risk of between‐field spread of disease is typically omitted from crop disease warning systems, as it is difficult to know the number and location of inoculum sources and thus predict the abundance of inoculum arriving at healthy crops. This study explores the utility of a simple approach to predicting risk of between‐field spread, based on the estimated probability that inoculum will survive the transportation process. Using potato late blight as a case study, the effect of solar radiation on the viability of detached Phytophthora infestans sporangia was assessed. A model to estimate the probability of spore survival was derived using a binomial generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and cross‐validation were used to evaluate the global performance of the model as a binary classifier for discriminating between viable and nonviable sporangia. The model yielded an area under the ROC curve of 0.92 (95% CI = 0.90–0.93), signifying an excellent classification algorithm. Inspection of the curve provided a number of suitable decision threshold (or cut‐off) probabilities for discriminating between viable and nonviable sporangia. The classifier was tested as a forecasting system for potato late blight outbreaks using 10 years of outbreak data from across Great Britain. There was a marked differentiation among the cut‐offs, but the best prediction outcome was an accuracy of 89% with an alert frequency of 1 in 7 days. This model can be easily modified or the methodology replicated for other pathosystems characterized by airborne inoculum.
‘25‐Hydroxyvitamin D, Autoantigenic and Total Antibody Concentrations: Results from a Danish Case–control Study of Newly Diagnosed Patients with Childhood Type 1 Diabetes and their Healthy Siblings’
Authors: Thorsen S. U. , Pipper C. B. , Johannesen J. , Mortensen H. B. , Pociot F. , Svensson J.
Published: November 2017

B cells have recently entered the stage as an important accessory player in type 1 diabetes (T1D) etiopathogenesis. Experimental studies suggest regulatory functions of vitamin D on B cells. However, only a few human studies, with considerable methodological limitations, have been conducted within this field. Our objective was to investigate whether higher 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were inversely associated with β‐cell autoantigens glutamic acid decarboxylase (isoform 65) (GADA) and insulinoma‐associated antigen‐2A (IA‐2A). Further, we also wanted to examine the relationship between 25(OH)D and total antibody concentrations. We randomly selected 500 patients with newly diagnosed T1D and 500 siblings for 25(OH)D, antibody and genetic analysis from the population‐based Danish Registry of Childhood and Adolescent Diabetes. The relative change (RC) in the mean concentration of GADA, IA‐2A and antibody isotypes by a 10 nmol/l increase in 25(OH)D concentration was modelled by a robust log‐normal regression model. We found no association between 25(OH)D and GADA [adjusted RC per 10 nmol/l increase: 1.00; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.98–1.02] and IA‐2A [adjusted RC per 10 nmol/l increase: 0.92; CI: 0.76–1.12]. Further, 25(OH)D was not associated with the total concentration of antibody isotypes [immunoglobulin (Ig)A, IgE, IgG and IgM]. All null findings were unaltered after adjustment for genetic variation in the vitamin D pathway. Physiological concentrations of 25(OH)D are unlikely to have a clinically important effect on antibody concentrations in a paediatric population of newly diagnosed patients with T1D and their healthy siblings.
Prevalence and characterisation of Staphylococcus aureus causing community‐acquired skin and soft tissue infections on Java and Bali, Indonesia
Authors: Santosaningsih Dewi , Santoso Sanarto , Setijowati Nanik , Rasyid Harun A. , Budayanti Nyoman S. , Suata Ketut , Widhyatmoko Dicky B. , Purwono Priyo B. , Kuntaman Kuntaman , Damayanti Damayanti , Prakoeswa Cita R. S. , Laurens Mitchell , van Nierop Josephine W. I. , Nanninga Geraldine L. , Oudenes Neline , de Regt Michelle , Snijders Susan V. , Verbrugh Henri A. , Severin Juliëtte A.
Published: November 2017

Objectives

To define the role of Staphylococcus aureus in community settings among patients with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) in Indonesia.

Methods

Staphylococcus aureus were cultured from anterior nares, throat and wounds of 567 ambulatory patients presenting with SSTI. The mecA gene and genes encoding Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL; lukF‐PV and lukS‐PV) and exfoliative toxin (ET; eta and etb) were determined by PCR. Clonal relatedness among methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and PVL‐positive S. aureus was analysed using multilocus variable‐number tandem‐repeat analysis (MLVA) typing, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) for a subset of isolates. Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) was determined for all MRSA isolates. Moreover, determinants for S. aureus SSTI, and PVL/ET‐positive vs PVL/ET‐negative S. aureus were assessed.

Results

Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from SSTI wounds of 257 (45.3%) patients, eight (3.1%) of these were MRSA. Genes encoding PVL and ETs were detected in 21.8% and 17.5% of methicillin‐susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), respectively. PVL‐positive MRSA was not detected. Nasopharyngeal S. aureus carriage was an independent determinant for S. aureus SSTI (odds ratio [OR] 1.8). Primary skin infection (OR 5.4) and previous antibiotic therapy (OR 3.5) were associated with PVL‐positive MSSA. Primary skin infection (OR 2.2) was the only factor associated with ET‐positive MSSA. MLVA typing revealed two more prevalent MSSA clusters. One ST1‐MRSA‐SCCmec type IV isolate and a cluster of ST239‐MRSA‐SCCmec type III were found.

Conclusions

Community‐acquired SSTI in Indonesia was frequently caused by PVL‐positive MSSA, and the hospital‐associated ST239‐MRSA may have spread from the hospital into the community.
The limited role of differential fractionation in genome content variation and function in maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines
Authors: Brohammer Alex B. , Kono Thomas J. Y. , Springer Nathan M. , McGaugh Suzanne E. , Hirsch Candice N.
Published: November 2017

Maize is a diverse paleotetraploid species with considerable presence/absence variation and copy number variation. One mechanism through which presence/absence variation can arise is differential fractionation. Fractionation refers to the loss of duplicate gene pairs from one of the maize subgenomes during diploidization. Differential fractionation refers to non‐shared gene loss events between individuals following a whole‐genome duplication event. We investigated the prevalence of presence/absence variation resulting from differential fractionation in the syntenic portion of the genome using two whole‐genome de novo assemblies of the inbred lines B73 and PH207. Between these two genomes, syntenic genes were highly conserved with less than 1% of syntenic genes being subject to differential fractionation. The few variably fractionated syntenic genes that were identified are unlikely to contribute to functional phenotypic variation, as there is a significant depletion of these genes in annotated gene sets. In further comparisons of 60 diverse inbred lines, non‐syntenic genes were six times more likely to be variable than syntenic genes, suggesting that comparisons among additional genome assemblies are not likely to result in the discovery of large‐scale presence/absence variation among syntenic genes.
A sociolinguistic profile of English in Lebanon
Authors: ESSEILI FATIMA
Published: November 2017

This article provides an overview of the historical presence of foreign languages in Lebanon, focusing on language contact from the eighteenth century to date. Through sociolinguistic profiling, the paper describes the users and uses of English, as well as Lebanese attitudes towards English. The article begins by offering a general overview of the country, its languages and cultures, and its ethnic and religious groups. It presents a description of users of English along with a characterization of how the interpersonal, instrumental, regulative, and innovative functions of the language are manifested, while the final section of the article discusses attitudes to English in Lebanese society.
Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) as an occupational hazard: 1. Knowledge of B. procyonis and attitudes towards it and other zoonoses among wildlife rehabilitators
Authors: Sapp S. G. H. , Murray B. A. , Hoover E. R. , Green G. T. , Yabsley M. J.
Published: November 2017

Wildlife rehabilitators are at risk of zoonotic diseases because they often have prolonged contact with many species of wildlife and their bodily fluids. Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) is a common zoonotic parasite of raccoons that has the potential to cause severe or fatal neurologic disease in a broad variety of hosts if the eggs within raccoon faeces are ingested. We administered an online survey to wildlife rehabilitators to assess their knowledge regarding aspects of transmission, biology and disease caused by B. procyonis, and also to evaluate attitudes towards wildlife diseases and B. procyonis as an occupational hazard. Knowledge was assessed using multiple choice and true–false questions; attitudes were measured using Likert‐type items. A total of 659 complete or near‐complete responses (missing fewer than three knowledge or attitudes items and/or non‐response to some demographic fields) were collected. The median knowledge score was 7/14 questions correct (range: 0–14 correct). Generally, individuals with higher levels of education and rehabilitation experience, veterinary professionals and those who are members of professional wildlife rehabilitation groups scored above the median significantly more often (p < .01). Significantly more rehabilitators who were located in the south‐east and those with part‐time or infrequent commitments scored below the median overall knowledge score. There was general agreement that B. procyonis is a health risk of rehabilitators and that measures should be taken to control transmission to people and animals. Some factors explaining differences in attitudes include setting of rehabilitation (home versus animal care facility), veterinary profession, region, membership in a wildlife rehabilitation group and rehabilitation of raccoons. Findings emphasize the importance of awareness and mentorship to inform rehabilitators on the potential risks of B. procyonis and other potential zoonoses within captive wildlife settings, and the important role of professional wildlife rehabilitator groups in disseminating educational materials.
On the singularity type of full mass currents in big cohomology classes
Authors: Darvas Tamás , Di Nezza Eleonora , Lu Chinh H.
Published: November 2017

Let$X$be a compact Kähler manifold and$\{\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}\}$be a big cohomology class. We prove several results about the singularity type of full mass currents, answering a number of open questions in the field. First, we show that the Lelong numbers and multiplier ideal sheaves of$\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}$-plurisubharmonic functions with full mass are the same as those of a current with minimal singularities. Second, given another big and nef class$\{\unicode[STIX]{x1D702}\}$, we show the inclusion${\mathcal{E}}(X,\unicode[STIX]{x1D702})\cap \operatorname{PSH}(X,\unicode[STIX]{x1D703})\subset {\mathcal{E}}(X,\unicode[STIX]{x1D703})$. Third, we characterize big classes whose full mass currents are ‘additive’. Our techniques make use of a characterization of full mass currents in terms of the envelope of their singularity type. As an essential ingredient we also develop the theory of weak geodesics in big cohomology classes. Numerous applications of our results to complex geometry are also given.
Phase Change of Carbon Atoms in Surface Layer Under Nanocutting During Diamond Lapping Process
Authors: Yang Ning , Xia Zhihui , Wang Xingjun
Published: November 2017

Lapping is still an efficient and economical way in diamond shaping process, which is important in both industrial and scientific applications. It has been known that the material removal originates from the phase change or amorphization of diamond crystal carbon atoms that are chemically activated by stress, forming a top layer of amorphous carbon atoms. In this paper, the phase change of amorphous carbon atoms undergoing the nanocutting of amorphous layer during diamond lapping process is studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Two regions, the debris layer and cutting surface underneath, are studied. In the debris layer, the change of sp2 carbon atoms is directly affected by impact, while underneath the cutting surface the changes of carbon atoms are almost not affected; the change speed of amorphous carbon atoms is higher than that of pristine crystal ones; the main phase change is transformation of sp3 into sp2; cutting depth to different extent affects the phase changes of sp3 and sp2 carbon atoms. Our study expands the understanding of diamond lapping process.
Pool Boiling Inversion on Surfaces With Separate Liquid-Vapor Pathways and Enhanced Macroconvection Mechanisms
Authors: Jaikumar Arvind , Kandlikar Satish G.
Published: November 2017

A typical pool boiling curve relating the heat flux and wall superheat is often used to quantify the efficacy of the engineered surfaces. Surface enhancements promoting nucleation activity, wicking, roughness and microlayer partitioning have shown remarkable enhancements in CHF and HTC. The boiling curve for these surfaces show an increase in wall superheat with an increase in heat flux. However, recently developed surfaces using the concept of separate liquid-vapor pathways and enhanced macroconvection have shown a reverse trend where an increase in heat flux is accompanied by decreasing wall superheats. This counter intuitive trend in the boiling curve characteristics is called as boiling inversion in this work. The macroconvection heat transfer is identified as the contributing mechanism to the boiling inversion trend. The vapor-stream induced flow transition and the impinging liquid jet characteristics is quantitatively explained through analytical models available in literature. Furthermore, two surfaces exploiting this mechanism is also demonstrated in this work which sheds light on the interplay mechanisms.
Porous and Wettability-Controlled Microstructures for Enhanced Heat Transfer Coefficient in Pool Boiling
Authors: Noh Hyunwoo , Yoo Junseon , Kim Jin-Oh , Kim Dong-Hwi , Kim Dong-Pyo , Park Hyun Sun , Kim Moo Hwan
Published: November 2017

Microstructures on boiling surfaces had been adopted to study heat transfer enhancement mechanism because of its controllability of precise geometries by MEMS techniques. In addition, several bubble-inducing surfaces such as porous or hydrophobic surfaces were verified to be combined with microstructures for further enhancement of cooling efficiency. In this research, microstructures with porous and dual-wettability (Janus) were fabricated by soft-lithography with replicating molds. In saturated pool boiling at atmospheric pressure, the porous and Janus microstructures increased the heat transfer coefficient by 50% over that of plain-cylindrical microstructures. The increase occurred because the porous and wettability-controlled structures favored vigorous bubble generation, and supported high contact line density, which is strongly related to effective cooling through the near-bubble region.
Internal Jet Formation During Bubble Generation in Microchannels
Authors: Reichmann Felix , Koch Moritz , Körner Sarah , Kockmann Norbert
Published: November 2017

Bubble generation is a very dynamic process including surface forces with fluid flow and structure interaction on short time and length scales. This study describes interaction effects during bubble generation in combination with bubble flow through a nozzle for redispersion purpose. At certain flow velocities and phase ratios, liquid jets within gas bubbles have been observed in microchannels, which origin from the rear tip of the bubble cap and penetrate through the whole bubble. The penetration of the filament or thread leads to bubble surface corrugation and causes bubble breakup, when the opposite cap of the bubble is hit. In the case of micronozzles behind the contact element, jet formation within the bubble is also caused by another bubble leaving the micronozzle and probably leading to a pressure disturbance acting on the just generated bubble. First data indicate major influence parameters in jet formation; however, systematic investigations are following.