bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Necessary but not sufficient? Engaging young people in the development of an avatar‐based online intervention designed to provide psychosocial support to young people affected by their own or a family member's cancer diagnosis
Authors: Phelps Ceri , Minou Masoumeh , Baker Andrew , Hughes Carol , French Helen , Hawkins Wayne , Leeuwenberg Andrew , Crabtree Rebecca , Hutchings Paul B.
Published: June 2016

Objective

This study discusses the challenges and successes of engaging young people in a project aimed at developing an online counselling intervention for young people affected by cancer.

Context

For younger people with a diagnosis of cancer or who are caring for someone with cancer, the psychosocial consequences can create significant challenges for their social and educational development. Whilst young people have been shown to be reluctant to make use of traditional face‐to‐face counselling, research is beginning to suggest that effective therapeutic relationships can be formed with young people online.

Design

The first phase of the study involved working with a ‘Young Persons’ Panel’ of healthy school pupils and university students to develop and pilot an online counselling intervention and study materials in preparation for a pilot evaluation of the intervention.

Intervention

An avatar‐based virtual reality counselling world was created where young people can create their own avatar and receive counselling over the Internet from a qualified counsellor via an avatar in a virtual reality world.

Findings

The process of engaging young people in the C:EVOLVE project enabled a unique intervention to be developed and demonstrated positive developmental opportunities. However, despite the rigorous approach to the development of the intervention, initial attempts within the pilot evaluation phase of the study showed difficulties recruiting to the study, and this phase of the study has currently ceased whilst further exploratory work takes place.

Conclusion

This study has demonstrated the complexities of intervention development and evaluation research targeted at young people and the challenges created when attempting to bring clinical practice and research evaluation together.
Functional roles of CSPG4/NG2 in chondrosarcoma
Authors: Jamil Nuor S. M. , Azfer Asim , Worrell Harrison , Salter Donald M.
Published: June 2016

CSPG4/NG2 is a multifunctional transmembrane protein with limited distribution in adult tissues including articular cartilage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible roles of CSPG4/NG2 in chondrosarcomas and to establish whether this molecule may have potential for targeted therapy. Stable knock‐down of CSPG4/NG2 in the JJ012 chondrosarcoma cell line by shRNA resulted in decreased cell proliferation and migration as well as a decrease in gene expression of the MMP (matrix metalloproteinase) 3 protease and ADAMTS4 (aggrecanase). Chondrosarcoma cells in which CSPG4/NG2 was knocked down were more sensitive to doxorubicin than wild‐type cells. The results indicate that CSPG4/NG2 has roles in regulating chondrosarcoma cell function in relation to growth, spread and resistance to chemotherapy and that anti‐CSPG4/NG2 therapies may have potential in the treatment of surgically unresectable chondrosarcoma.
Phase Separation, Crystallization, and Microwave Dielectric Properties of MgO‐Al2O3‐SiO2‐TiO2‐La2O3 Glass‐Ceramic
Authors: Wang Hui‐Juan , Li Bo‐Tao , Lin Hui‐Xing , Luo Lan
Published: June 2016

The effects of heat treatment on phase separation, crystallization, and microwave dielectric properties of the 1MgO·1.2Al2O3·2.8SiO2·1.4TiO2·0.4La2O3 (in molar ratio) glass and glass‐ceramic were investigated. The results show that the parent glass has a two‐liquid phase separation structure, with a droplet phase rich in Al & Ti embedded in the matrix rich in Si. Heat treatment of the glass at 770°C leads to the enlargement of the liquid droplets and promotes the formation of crystals from the droplets. The initial crystalline phase perrierite appears after heat treatment of the parent glass at 850°C, and it is analyzed to precipitate from the Al&Ti‐rich droplet phase. With increasing heat‐treatment temperature from 850°C to 1250°C, the crystallization degree of the glass increases as the other main crystal phases rutile, cordierite and magnesium aluminotitanate precipitate successively from the material. As a summation of the phases present, the dielectric constant εr of the material after heat treatment at 950°C–1250°C fluctuates between 11.3 and 12.3, while the quality factor Q × f and the temperature coefficient τf go up firstly and then decrease with the peak at 1200°C, ranging from 8200 to 19,500 GHz and −57ppm/°C to 24 ppm/°C, respectively.
Using trauma informed care as a nursing model of care in an acute inpatient mental health unit: A practice development process
Authors: Isobel Sophie , Edwards Clair
Published: June 2016

Without agreeing on an explicit approach to care, mental health nurses may resort to problem focused, task oriented practice. Defining a model of care is important but there is also a need to consider the philosophical basis of any model. The use of Trauma Informed Care as a guiding philosophy provides a robust framework from which to review nursing practice. This paper describes a nursing workforce practice development process to implement Trauma Informed Care as an inpatient model of mental health nursing care. Trauma Informed Care is an evidence‐based approach to care delivery that is applicable to mental health inpatient units; while there are differing strategies for implementation, there is scope for mental health nurses to take on Trauma Informed Care as a guiding philosophy, a model of care or a practice development project within all of their roles and settings in order to ensure that it has considered, relevant and meaningful implementation. The principles of Trauma Informed Care may also offer guidance for managing workforce stress and distress associated with practice change.
Living with illness and self‐transcendence: the lived experience of patients with spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Ho Hsin‐Mei , Tseng Ying‐Hua , Hsin Yu‐Mei , Chou Fan‐Hao , Lin Wei‐Ting
Published: June 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of patients afflicted with spinal muscular atrophy.

Background

Existing research studies on spinal muscular atrophy address the physical and psychological effects and complications of the disease; they also provide suggestions for how to improve the current management of this disease. However, information is limited on the disease process and the lived experience of spinal muscular atrophy patients.

Design

A phenomenological approach was conducted.

Methods

Through 18 in‐depth interviews recorded by a pen voice recorder, this study collected data obtained from a purposive sample of nine patients from the, ‘Taiwan spinal muscular atrophy Families,’ between November 2010–August 2011. The audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and data were analysed using Colaizzi's steps.

Findings

Four themes and eight subthemes were identified: a loss of control (loss of muscular strength and independence), breaking limitations (assistive device use and mobility design), transcending limitations (independence/autonomy and social development) and living with hope (cherishing life and self‐control). The results showed that the lived experiences of the spinal muscular atrophy patients involved living with illness, transcending the self and pursuing the meaning of life. Facing a life‐threatening illness, these patients made self‐adjustments in their lifestyles and exerted themselves to positively cope with hardships and maintain dignity and self‐control.

Conclusion

These findings could serve as evidence‐based practice resources for healthcare professionals in helping individuals and their family members gain an in‐depth understanding of spinal muscular atrophy's progression and life course and assist individuals in improving self‐integrity to with hope.
Cracks in the Foundations: Understanding the Great Rule of Law Debate in the EU
Authors: Magen Amichai
Published: June 2016

The article offers a succinct conceptual and analytical framework for approaching the ‘great rule of law debate’ currently unfolding in the EU (European Union) and the contending positions of the various EU institutions embroiled in it. It addresses the challenge of conceptualization imbued in the notion of the rule of law, and critically examines the definition of the concept provided by the EC (European Commission). It then demonstrates that over the course of modern European integration, the rule of law emerged as a central dimension in four distinct core areas of EC/EU identity and activity. Should the contemporary crisis of foundational values persist or deepen, each of the four is expected to be adversely affected. Finally, the article explores the emerging ‘rule of law turn’ in the EU.
Optimization of Microwave‐Assisted Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Coriolus versicolor Mushroom Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Maeng Jeong‐Hwan , Muhammad Shahbaz Hafiz , Ameer Kashif , Jo Yunhee , Kwon Joong‐Ho
Published: June 2016

Response surface methodology was applied to optimize microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity from fruiting bodies of Coriolus versicolor mushroom, and to compare its efficiency with conventional reflux extraction. A central composite design was employed for the optimization of three MAE parameters including extraction time (X1, min), ethanol concentration (X2, %) and microwave power (X3, W) for the highest yield of TPC and antioxidant activity measured by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'‐azino‐bis‐3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS) and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays in C. versicolor extracts. The optimum conditions were predicted as 3.8 min extraction time, 40% ethanol concentration and 125 W microwave power to obtain maximum values of TPC (470 mg GAE/100 g dm) and antioxidant activity measured by DPPH (773 µM TE/g dm), ABTS (2,930 µM TE/g dm) and FRAP (1,710 µM TE/g dm) assays, which were statistically verified by comparing with the experimentally observed values.

Practical Applications

In this study, microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) showed significant potential as a green extraction method for obtaining Coriolus versicolor mushroom extract rich in polyphenols with higher antioxidant activity as compared to the extracts obtained by reflux extraction. Furthermore, MAE resulted in reduced consumption of energy, time and solvent with higher extraction yield and efficiency. This work demonstrated further feasibility studies on MAE of phytochemicals including polyphenols‐rich extracts at industrial scale. Moreover, successful application of response surface methodology has opened future research avenues for optimization of bioactive components from other mushrooms of medicinal importance.
Process Optimization for Minimizing Residual Free Fatty Acid Levels in Fried Mustard Oil: Isotherm and Kinetics Studies
Authors: Nayak P.K. , Dash U. , Radha Krishnan K. , Mishra B.K. , Rayaguru K.
Published: June 2016

Adsorbents have been used as filtration aids for the effective regeneration of repeatedly used frying oils. In this study, mustard oil used in the continuous frying of potato chips was treated with bentonite at different concentration levels. Response surface methodologies with central composite rotatable design was employed to optimize the influence of process parameters (contact time, heating time and adsorbent concentration) on residual free fatty acid (FFA) levels. The optimized values of contact time, heating time and adsorbent concentration were found as 10 h, 10 h and 0.4 g/L, respectively, for keeping the residual FFA levels below the allowable limit. Kinetics studies revealed that adsorption of FFA follow pseudo second order with good agreement between calculated and experimental data. The Langmuir adsorption is appropriate for correlation of equilibrium data. Treatment of fried mustard oil with bentonite may improve the quality characteristics of fried foods and extend the frying life of oil.

Practical Applications

Deep fat frying is a complex thermal process producing fried foods with distinct color, flavor and texture. The overuse of oil in deep fat frying results in the formation of several compounds which are harmful to human health. So the repeated use of oil should be prevented in order to overcome these issues. In the present work, we investigated the use of bentonite to reduce the FFA levels in the deep fat fried mustard oil. The effect of heating time, contact time and adsorbent concentration on the adsorption process has been optimized with the application of response surface methodology. By this treatment the health aspects of used frying oils may be improved and the disposal levels of fried mustard oil may be reduced.
Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Delivery of the Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health II Intervention
Authors: Graham‐Phillips Anita , Roth David L. , Huang Jin , Dilworth‐Anderson Peggye , Gitlin Laura N.
Published: June 2016

Objectives

To determine whether there are racial and ethnicity group differences in Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health (REACH II) intervention delivery.

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Community‐based intervention delivered at five sites across the United States.

Participants

Family caregivers of persons with dementia who were randomized to the active intervention condition (N = 323).

Intervention

Nine in‐home sessions (90 minutes each) and three telephone sessions (30 minutes each) were intended to be delivered and designed to reduce caregiver burden and depression, improve caregiver self‐care and social support, and help caregivers manage behavior problems in persons with dementia.

Measurements

Interventionists recorded the type of intervention (home or telephone), start and stop times, and whether specific intervention content modules (e.g., stress management, social support) were administered in each session.

Results

Overall, REACH II intervention delivery was high, with more than 80% of randomized caregivers completing at least five in‐home sessions and receiving eight or more hours of intervention contact, but black caregivers completed fewer in‐home sessions (mean 6.98) than Hispanics (mean 7.84) or whites (mean 8.25) and received less total intervention contact time (mean 683 minutes) than Hispanics (mean 842 minutes) or whites (mean 798 minutes). No significant differences in exposure to content according to race or ethnicity were found after controlling for demographic covariates.

Conclusion

Blacks in REACH II received significantly less intervention contact. Similar multicomponent interventions should examine whether there are systematic differences in intervention delivery across specific demographic subgroups and explore implications for treatment outcomes.
Medicare Expenditures of Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias or Mild Cognitive Impairment Before and After Diagnosis
Authors: Lin Pei‐Jung , Zhong Yue , Fillit Howard M. , Chen Er , Neumann Peter J.
Published: June 2016

Objectives

To characterize Medicare expenditure and usage trends in individuals with a coded diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) during the periods leading up to and after diagnosis.

Design

Retrospective observational cohort study.

Setting

Five percent sample of the 2009 to 2013 Medicare claims files.

Participants

Individuals newly diagnosed with ADRD (n = 25,916) or MCI (n = 2,784), each with a propensity‐score matched control subject.

Measurements

Medicare expenditures and usage during the 24 months before and after a new diagnosis of ADRD or MCI.

Results

Medicare expenditures were 42% higher in participants with ADRD ($10,622 vs $15,091, P < .001) and 41% higher in those with MCI ($9,728 vs $13,691, P < .001) during the year before diagnosis than in matched controls. Medicare expenditures of participants with ADRD increased to $27,126 for the first 12 months immediately after diagnosis and decreased to $17,257 during the 12 months after that. For participants with MCI, average Medicare expenditures were $20,386 for the 12 months after diagnosis and $14,286 for the 12 months after that. Use of inpatient care, postacute skilled nursing facility care, and home health care increased substantially after diagnosis of ADRD or MCI.

Conclusion

Participants with ADRD and MCI incurred significantly higher Medicare expenditures than matched controls, even before they received a formal diagnosis. Medicare expenditures of individuals with ADRD and MCI may start to increase at least 12 months before their diagnosis, peak during the first few months immediately after diagnosis, and decrease afterward but remain at a higher level than before diagnosis. These findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis and indicate the need for complex case management to coordinate care transitions for individuals with ADRD and MCI.
Development and Validation of a Risk Score for Clostridium difficile Infection in Medicare Beneficiaries: A Population‐Based Cohort Study
Authors: Zilberberg Marya D. , Shorr Andrew F. , Wang Li , Baser Onur , Yu Holly
Published: June 2016

Objectives

To create a risk stratification score for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in elderly adults.

Design

A sample from the Medicare 5% data set linked to Medicaid and Minimum Data Set (MDS) files from 2008 to 2009. Risk score was derived via a split‐cohort through logistic regression model used to assign numerical values to each retained covariate. Score characteristics were tested using a threshold analysis.

Setting

Community, long‐term, and acute care settings.

Participants

Population‐based sample Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older on January 1, 2008, with continuous Medicare coverage from January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2009.

Measurements

The primary outcome was incident CDI, defined as International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code 008.45 or CDI according to the MDS, and no CDI in the preceding 12 months.

Results

The cohort consisted of 6,838 participants with CDI and 1,158,327 without. Logistic regression modeling (hospitalization, nursing home stay, or antibiotics in prior year; inflammatory bowel, chronic liver, chronic kidney, or cardiac disease; aged ≥75, Northeast residence; c‐statistic = 0.858) was used to determine to a score out of 22 possible points. A score of seven points (found in 18.8% of the total population) had a negative predictive value of 98.7%.

Conclusion

CDI risk is high and age dependent in the population aged 65 and older. By stratifying risk, this score should help ensure efficient allocation of prevention resources.
One‐Year Mortality After Hip Fracture: Development and Validation of a Prognostic Index
Authors: Cenzer Irena S. , Tang Victoria , Boscardin W. John , Smith Alexander K. , Ritchie Christine , Wallhagen Margaret I. , Espaldon Roxanne , Covinsky Kenneth E.
Published: June 2016

Objectives

To develop a prediction index for 1‐year mortality after hip fracture in older adults that includes predictors from a wide range of domains.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Settings

Health and Retirement Study (HRS).

Participants

HRS participants who experienced hip fracture between 1992 and 2010 as identified according to Medicare claims data (N = 857).

Measurements

Outcome measure was death within 1 year of hip fracture. Predictor measures were participant demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, social support, health, geriatric symptoms, and function. Variables independently associated with 1‐year mortality were identified, and best‐subsets regression was used to identify the final model. The selected variables were weighted to create a risk index. The index was internally validated using bootstrapping to estimate model optimism.

Results

Mean age at time of hip fracture was 84, and 76% of the participants were women. There were 235 deaths (27%) during the 1‐year follow up. Five predictors of mortality were included in the final model: aged 90 and older (2 points), male sex (2 points), congestive heart failure (2 points), difficulty preparing meals (2 points), and not being able to drive (1 point). The point scores of the index were associated with 1‐year mortality, with 0 points predicting 10% risk and 7 to 9 points predicting 66% risk. The c‐statistic for the final model was 0.73, with an estimated optimism penalty of 0.01, indicating very little evidence of overfitting.

Conclusion

The prognostic index combines demographic, comorbidity, and function variables and can be used to differentiate between individuals at low and high risk of 1‐year mortality after hip fracture.
“Recuperar el trabajo”: Utopia and the Work of Recovery in an Argentine Cooperativist Movement
Authors: Faulk Karen Ann
Published: June 2016

Desde su incepción como unidad ideológica, nacida del encuentro colonial, 'América Latina´ ha sido sujeto y productor de imaginarios idealizados del orden universal y el lugar de la humanidad dentro de él. Este artículo analiza las ideas y acciones de un movimiento cooperativista argentino, la Confederación Nacional de Cooperativas de Trabajo (CNCT), y las sitúa dentro de la historia más amplia de visiones utópicas latinoamericanas. Propongo que las ideas y reclamos avanzados por la CNCT tienen una estrecha relación con dos visiones utópicas fundamentals: las ideologías políticas marxistas y peronistas de la justicia social; y la idea de igualdad universal, especialmente como ésta se encuentra elaborada en el discurso normativo transnacional de los derechos humanos. La CNCT une estas visiones en diseñar un nuevo ideal utópico acorde con las realidades y necesidades del siglo veintiuno, absorbiendo, transformando y transcendiendo las visiones utópicas que la inspiran. [Argentina, autogestión, cooperativas, derechos humanos, economía social, trabajo]
Consequences of Dating for Post‐divorce Maternal Well‐being
Authors: Langlais Michael R. , Anderson Edward R. , Greene Shannon M.
Published: June 2016

Repartnering has been linked to health benefits for mothers, yet few studies have examined relationship quality in this context. According to the divorce–stress–adaptation perspective, relationship quality may influence the relationship between maternal well‐being and dating after divorce. The current study examines the consequences of dating, relationship quality, and dating transitions (breaking up and dating new partners) on maternal well‐being (negative affect and life satisfaction). Using monthly surveys completed by mothers over a 2‐year period after filing for divorce, we examined changes in intercepts and slopes of dating status and transitions for maternal well‐being while also testing the effects of relationship quality. Mothers entering high‐quality relationships were likely to report boosts in well‐being at relationship initiation compared to single mothers and mothers entering low‐quality relationships. Mothers entering lower‐quality relationships were likely to report lower levels of well‐being than single mothers. Dating transitions were associated with increases in well‐being. Implications for maternal adjustment are discussed.
A Meadian Approach to Radical Bohmian Dialogue
Authors: Francovich Chris
Published: June 2016

Abstracts

Issues of communication and the possibilities for the transformation of perspectives through an experimental dialogue resulting in a mutual, open, receptive, and non‐judgmental consideration of the other are addressed in this paper from transdisciplinary theoretical and conceptual standpoints. The warrant for cultivating this type of communicative ability is based on arguments resulting from the assumption of widespread confusion and conflict in intrapersonal, interpersonal, intergroup, and ecological relations across the globe. I argue that there are two distinct classes of “reasons” for this proposed practice of dialogue. First is recognition of the need for human individuals to engage in a regular and systematic “social maintenance” of embodied consciousness to forestall the continuous colonization of the past/future on the living present that embodied consciousness entails. Second is the teaching of a skill to creatively and respectfully engage with others in a mutual transformation of perspectives. This paper addresses the general problem of perspectives and reflexivity at the root of the communication phenomenon and by extension – to its scale and to its pathologies in individuals and collectives. It is argued that suspension of judgment, assumption, and habit (broadly) helps interlocutors to recognize the possibility of holding one's history in a tensional abeyance and to focus on the living present independent of habitualized and reified identities and the embodied manner in which we unconsciously carry ourselves as social or “universalized selves” in social situations.
Efficacy and safety of grazoprevir + ribavirin for 12 or 24 weeks in treatment‐naïve patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection
Authors: Gane E. , Ben Ari Z. , Mollison L. , Zuckerman E. , Bruck R. , Baruch Y. , Howe A. Y. M. , Wahl J. , Bhanja S. , Hwang P. , Zhao Y. , Robertson M. N.
Published: June 2016

Grazoprevir (GZR) is a second‐generation hepatitis C virus NS3/4A protease inhibitor. The aim of this study was to evaluate GZR plus ribavirin (RBV) in patients with HCV GT1 infection. Noncirrhotic, IL28B CC patients with HCV genotype 1 infection were randomized to GZR 100 mg once daily and RBV for 12 or 24 weeks. Patients in the 12‐week arm with detectable HCV RNA at treatment week 4 (TW4) had treatment extended to 24 weeks (response‐guided therapy, RGT). The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response (SVR12) at follow‐up week 12 (HCV RNA <25 IU/mL) in the per‐protocol (PP) population (excluding patients with important protocol deviations). Twenty‐six patients were randomized and 22 were included in the PP population. SVR12 was 58.3% (7 of 12) and 90% (9 of 10) in the RGT and 24‐week arms, respectively. Seven PP patients had virologic failure, including one patient in the 24‐week arm who relapsed after follow‐up week 12. All three breakthrough patients had wild‐type (WT) virus at baseline and developed breakthrough at TW6 or TW12 with Y56H, A156T and D168A/N mutations. Of the five relapse patients, four had WT at baseline (at relapse three had WT and one had V55A and D168A), and one had S122A/T at baseline and S122T at relapse. There were no serious adverse events (AEs), discontinuations due to AEs or grade 3/4 elevations in total and/or direct bilirubin. Grazoprevir plus RBV was associated with a rapid and sustained suppression of HCV RNA. These results support further evaluation of grazoprevir‐based regimens (NCT01716156; protocol P039).
Species composition determines resistance to drought in dry forests of the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence forest region of central Ontario
Authors: Arthur Corinne M. , Dech Jeffery P.
Published: June 2016

Question

Predicted changes in the frequency of short‐term drought events raise concerns about potential effects of climate change on forest ecosystems. Few experiments have investigated the effects of tree species richness and composition in forest assemblages exposed to drought, and general conclusions for these systems are currently lacking. We tested the hypothesis that different species richness and composition affects community‐level stability during a severe short‐term drought event across a gradient of tree species assemblages typical of temperate forest ecosystems on dry substrates.

Location

Great Lakes – St. Lawrence forest region, central Ontario, Canada.

Methods

The study assemblages spanned a gradient of 15 different combinations of species richness and composition of four tree species. The drought occurred in 2005 and was characterized by high growing season temperature and low precipitation. Plots (n = 63) representing replicate assemblages were selected to collect increment cores (n = 1193) and examine growth responses to past drought at the community and population levels. Cross‐dated tree ring measurements were used to reconstruct basal area increment (BAI) and calculate indices of resistance, resilience and productivity over the drought period. We used hierarchical analysis of variance models to estimate the effects of species richness and composition on drought responses.

Results

We identified a significant effect of species composition on community‐level resistance and productivity. White pine (Pinus strobus) abundance was associated with lower community resistance and white birch (Betula papyrifera) abundance with higher resistance. Assemblages with greater productivity were often characterized by the high abundance of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides). There was no overall effect of the assemblage gradient on the population‐level stability; however, red pine (Pinus resinosa) productivity was higher in combination with trembling aspen and white birch.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that species richness had no effect on the community‐level stability of growth during a drought in temperate forests on dry substrates. Instead, there were important compositional effects that determine some aspects of stability during drought events. If pine forests were managed to maintain a component of deciduous species, the capacity to dampen the community‐level effects of more frequent drought would increase.
Mapping pollination types with remote sensing
Authors: Feilhauer Hannes , Doktor Daniel , Schmidtlein Sebastian , Skidmore Andrew K.
Published: June 2016

Questions

Pollination is an ecosystem function that varies at local spatial scales. Remote sensing may help to quantify and map the resulting patterns for a better understanding of ecosystem functioning. This task is challenging because the signal measured by sensors is dominated by leaf and canopy optical traits that determine the vegetation spectrum. No direct influence of pollination types (i.e. wind, insect and self‐pollination) can be expected. We thus ask: (1) how strongly are pollination types at the community level linked with optical traits; and (2) do these links allow us to map spatial patterns of pollination types with remote sensing data?

Location

Mires and Molinia grasslands in Bavaria, southern Germany.

Methods

We sampled vascular plant species composition, as well as traits related to optical spectral signals, for 100 plots. Information on pollination types and additional optical traits were compiled from established plant trait databases. Simultaneously with the field sampling, image data of the study site were acquired using the airborne sensor AISA Dual. We tested for correlations between pollination types and optical traits. Based on these results, we regressed the plot‐based information on pollination types against the corresponding spectral signal extracted from the image data. We inverted the models using the image in order to obtain maps of the pollination type distribution across the study site.

Results

In our study site, pollination types and optical traits were significantly correlated, up to R = −0.813 in the case of wind pollination and leaf dry matter content. These relations are, however, not necessarily transferable to other ecosystems, phenological stages and spatial scales, and their physical interpretation requires careful consideration. We were able to statistically model the spatial distribution of pollination types with a RMSE < 10.5%. The resulting maps provide detailed insights into the spatial distribution of pollination types at the community level.

Conclusions

The results show that pollination types are indeed related to canopy reflectance in a way that allows their mapping using remote sensing. More research is needed in order to improve our knowledge about transferable relations between pollination types and plant traits in other ecosystems and at different phenological stages.
Multidimensional structure of grass functional traits among species and assemblages
Authors: Sandel Brody , Monnet Anne‐Christine , Vorontsova Maria
Published: June 2016

Questions

Research efforts have sought to understand trait–trait relationships among species and trait–environment relationships. However, connections between these two approaches are rare, despite the fact that species‐level trait–trait correlations constrain the possible trait–environment correlations. We ask how functional traits of grasses are related to each other and to environmental variation.

Location

Global, with particular focus on the continental United States.

Methods

We compiled distribution data for grasses with three spatial grains – TDWG Level 3 ‘botanical countries’, US counties and vegetation plots within the US. We combined these data with trait data compiled from published sources for 14 traits describing physical and chemical features of the leaves, seeds, roots and entire plant. Trait–trait relationships were explored using correlations and PCA, and trait–environment relationships using regression. Finally, we implemented a null model to predict trait–trait correlations at the assemblage level from those at the species level.

Results

The functional trait composition of grass species varied strongly along environmental gradients. At the species level, there were two main clusters of related traits – one describing general plant size (including height, seed mass, leaf size and rooting depth), and one describing the leaf economics spectrum (including specific leaf area, Nmass and Pmass). Most trait–trait correlations at the assemblage level did not differ significantly from that predicted from the species level, suggesting that the former are strongly constrained by the latter. Trait–trait and trait–environment relationships in grasses were broadly similar to those observed for other groups, with some exceptions related to the particular growth form, physiology and ecology of grass species.

Conclusions

The unique evolutionary history and ecological role of grasses has led to some unusual trait–climate relationships in the group. Co‐variation among traits at the species level is an important template upon which environmental filters act to determine assemblage trait composition.
Vegetation resilience to mega‐drought along a typical floodplain gradient of the southern Murray‐Darling Basin, Australia
Authors: Capon Samantha J. , Reid Michael A.
Published: June 2016

Questions

How diverse and resilient is vegetation following a decade of extreme drought along a typical floodplain gradient of semi‐arid south‐eastern Australia? How do mechanisms of resilience (i.e. persistence and soil seed banks) vary between major plant groups and spatially with respect to habitat type and position along a flood frequency gradient?

Location

Southern Murray‐Darling Basin, Australia.

Methods

We surveyed understorey vegetation and conducted germination trials to examine responses to re‐wetting from soil seed banks of seven major habitat types along a typical floodplain gradient of the southern Murray‐Darling Basin. We assessed abundance, species richness, functional diversity and composition, including exotic species, within and between extant and germinating assemblages.

Results

Understorey vegetation was surprisingly diverse, although low in cover, following a decade of extreme drought, with considerable numbers of plant species (61) and functional plant groups represented. Historically drier habitats, towards floodplain margins, had higher species richness and cover overall and for exotic species. Plant assemblages exhibited high heterogeneity between habitats. Soil seed banks were very dissimilar from extant vegetation, comprising mainly amphibious and damp taxa as well as some terrestrial herbs, mostly annuals. Seed banks were most abundant and diverse in intermediate floodplain habitats, and their composition was very distinct between habitat types.

Conclusions

Semi‐arid floodplain vegetation is likely to be highly resilient to prolonged drought. Plants persisting under dry conditions do not appear to rely on local soil seed banks for regeneration and may either tolerate drying in situ or arrive from neighbouring ecosystems. Soil seed banks allow understorey vegetation to respond to re‐wetting, especially in intermediate floodplain habitats. Lake bed assemblages and aquatic/amphibious species lacking soil seed banks appear most vulnerable to drought. Vegetation resilience is promoted by landscape heterogeneity.
Associations of Psychometric Affective Parameters with Urodynamic Investigation for Urinary Frequency
Authors: VRIJENS Desiree M. J. , DROSSAERTS Jamie M. A. F. L. , RADEMAKERS Kevin , SMITS Martijn , DE WACHTER Stefan G. , LEUE Carsten , VAN KOEVERINGE Gommert A.
Published: June 2016

Objectives

To assess an association between affective symptoms and conventional urodynamic results in a pilot study.

Methods

The study represents a retrospective analysis of prospectively obtained clinical data, voiding diaries, urodynamic parameters and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Results

A total of 74 patients with urinary frequency attending a multidisciplinary pelvic care centre was included in this study. There was a significant association between the total HADS scores and presence of DO (P = 0.019). In addition, results showed an association between HADS anxiety scores (≥8) and Detrusor Overactivity (DO) (P = 0.018) and between HADS depression scores (≥8) and the feeling of urgency (P = 0.028). Comparative analysis showed differences in age, mean voiding volume, bladder capacity and strong desire between patients with DO and those without.

Conclusion

This pilot study revealed an association between psychometric parameters and urodynamic results indicating a common pathway of bladder function and affective complaints. Further research is needed to elucidate which parts of the bladder‐brain axis are involved and how these parts correspond by means of urodynamics.
The Agoudal (High Atlas Mountains, Morocco) shatter cone conundrum: A recent meteorite fall onto the remnant of an impact site
Authors: Chennaoui Aoudjehane Hasnaa , El Kerni Houda , Reimold Wolf Uwe , Baratoux David , Koeberl Christian , Bouley Sylvain , Aoudjehane Mohamed
Published: June 2016

Associations between impact structures and meteorite occurrences are rare and restricted to very young structures. Meteorite fragments are often disrupted in the atmosphere, and in most cases, meteorite falls that have been decelerated by atmospheric drag do not form a crater. Furthermore, meteorites are rapidly weathered. In this context, the finding of shatter cones in Jurassic marly limestone in the same location as a recent (105 ± 40 ka) iron meteorite fall near the village of Agoudal (High Atlas Mountains, Morocco) is enigmatic. The shatter cones are the only piece of evidence of a meteorite impact in the area. The overlap of a meteorite strewn field with the area of occurrence of shatter cones led previous researchers to consider that the meteorite fall was responsible for the formation of shatter cones in the context of formation of one or several small (<100 m) impact craters that had since been eroded. Shatter cones are generally not reported in association with subkilometer‐diameter impact craters. Here, we present new field observations and an analysis of the distribution and characteristics of shatter cones, breccia, and meteorites in the Agoudal area. Evidence for local deformation not related to the structural High Atlas tectonics has been observed, such as a vertical to overturned stratum trending N150‐N160. New outcrops with exposures of shatter cones are reported and extend the previously known area of occurrence. The area of in situ shatter cones (~0.15 km2) and the strewn field of meteorites are distinct, although they show some overlap. The alleged impact breccia is revealed as calcrete formations. No evidence for a genetic relationship between the shatter cones and the meteorites can be inferred from field observations. The extent of the area where in situ shatter cones and macrodeformation not corresponding to Atlas tectonic deformation are observed suggest that the original diameter of an impact structure could have been between at least 1–3 km. For typical erosion rates in the Atlas region (~0.08 cm yr−1), the period of time required for the erosion of such a structure (1.25–3.75 Ma) is much larger than the age of the meteorite fall. This line of reasoning excludes a genetic link between the shatter cones and the meteorite fall and indicates that the observed shatter cones belong to an ancient impact structure that has been almost entirely eroded.
Critical review on retrospective and prospective changes in antifungal susceptibility testing for dermatophytes
Authors: Thatai Purva , Sapra Bharti
Published: June 2016

Antifungal susceptibility testing is a progressive field of mycology with respect to dermatophytes as well as non‐dermatophytes. Documentation and approval regarding standardisation of in vitro susceptibility testing have been done by different governing bodies such as Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing and British Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. The process of standardisation and approval started in 1985 with certain amendments in 2002 and 2004. In case of dermatophytes, antifungal susceptibility testing protocol has been approved recently in 2008; however, the approved standardisation also needs certain amendments/modifications due to the limitations of an existing method. In the present review, we have compiled these standardisation techniques along with the limitations and advantages and the amendments that have been proposed at different time periods by different researchers and regulatory agencies.
Review: Induced pluripotent stem cell models of frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Preza E. , Hardy J. , Warner T. , Wray S.
Published: June 2016

The increasing prevalence of dementia in the ageing population combined with the lack of treatments and the burden on national health care systems globally make dementia a public health priority. Despite the plethora of important research findings published over the past two decades, the mechanisms underlying dementia are still poorly understood and the progress in pharmacological interventions is limited. Recent advances in cellular reprogramming and genome engineering technologies offer an unprecedented new paradigm in disease modeling. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have enabled the study of patient‐derived neurons in vitro, a significant progress in the field of dementia research. The first studies using iPSCs to model dementia have recently emerged, holding promise for elucidating disease pathogenic mechanisms and accelerating drug discovery. In this review, we summarize the major findings of iPSC‐based studies in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and FTD overlapping with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FTD/ALS). We also discuss some of the main challenges in the use of iPSCs to model complex, late‐onset neurodegenerative diseases such as dementias.
Biological nitrification inhibition by rice root exudates and its relationship with nitrogen‐use efficiency
Authors: Sun Li , Lu Yufang , Yu Fangwei , Kronzucker Herbert J. , Shi Weiming
Published: June 2016

Microbial nitrification in soils is a major contributor to nitrogen (N) loss in agricultural systems. Some plants can secrete organic substances that act as biological nitrification inhibitors (BNIs), and a small number of BNIs have been identified and characterized. However, virtually no research has focused on the important food crop, rice (Oryza sativa).

Here, 19 rice varieties were explored for BNI potential on the key nitrifying bacterium Nitrosomonas europaea. Exudates from both indica and japonica genotypes were found to possess strong BNI potential. Older seedlings had higher BNI abilities than younger ones; Zhongjiu25 (ZJ25) and Wuyunjing7 (WYJ7) were the most effective genotypes among indica and japonica varieties, respectively.

A new nitrification inhibitor, 1,9‐decanediol, was identified, shown to block the ammonia monooxygenase (AMO) pathway of ammonia oxidation and to possess an 80% effective dose (ED80) of 90 ng μl−1. Plant N‐use efficiency (NUE) was determined using a 15N‐labeling method. Correlation analyses indicated that both BNI abilities and 1,9‐decanediol amounts of root exudates were positively correlated with plant ammonium‐use efficiency and ammonium preference.

These findings provide important new insights into the plant–bacterial interactions involved in the soil N cycle, and improve our understanding of the BNI capacity of rice in the context of NUE.
Granzyme B‐truncated VEGF fusion protein represses angiogenesis and tumor growth of OSCC
Authors: Lv X‐Z , Zheng M‐Y , Lin Z‐Q , Zhao M , Wang H , Zeng W‐S
Published: June 2016

Objective

To evaluate the antitumor effects of fusion protein hGrB‐TV of human granzyme B (hGrB) and truncated vascular endothelial growth factor (tVEGF) on human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

The fusion protein hGrB‐TV was expressed and purified from E. coli bacteria by affinity chromatography. The cytotoxcity of hGrB‐TV on VEGFR‐2 (Flk‐1)+ OSCC cells was analyzed in vitro. The antitumor therapeutic study was conducted on OSCC xenografts in vivo.

Results

The purified hGrB‐TV fusion protein was selectively internalized into VEGFR‐2 (Flk‐1)+ OSCC cells and endothelial cells. It can cleave inactive caspase 3 into its active p20 form. The hGrB‐TV showed dose‐dependent cytotoxicity on VEGFR‐2+ SCC‐9 cells. The morphological changes and cytolysis were appeared within dozen minutes. However, no cytotoxicity was observed on VEGFR‐2− cells. The hGrB alone or tVEGF alone did not have any toxicity on SCC‐9 cells. In addition, hGrB‐TV treatment completely destroyed the vasculature of the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) in vivo and consequently led to chick embryo development arrest. Most importantly, the fusion protein hGrB‐TV inhibited tumor angiogenesis and growth of human OSCC xenografts in nude mice without any apparent toxicity.

Conclusions

The fusion protein hGrB‐TV specifically inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth of OSCC; hGrB‐TV is a powerful and safe therapeutic molecule for tumor therapy.
Optimized preoperative fasting times decrease ketone body concentration and stabilize mean arterial blood pressure during induction of anesthesia in children younger than 36 months: a prospective observational cohort study
Authors: Dennhardt Nils , Beck Christiane , Huber Dirk , Sander Bjoern , Boehne Martin , Boethig Dietmar , Leffler Andreas , Sümpelmann Robert
Published: June 2016

Background

In pediatric anesthesia, preoperative fasting guidelines are still often exceeded.

Objective

The objective of this noninterventional clinical observational cohort study was to evaluate the effect of an optimized preoperative fasting management (OPT) on glucose concentration, ketone bodies, acid–base balance, and change in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) during induction of anesthesia in children.

Methods

Children aged 0–36 months scheduled for elective surgery with OPT (n = 50) were compared with peers studied before optimizing preoperative fasting time (OLD) (n = 50) who were matched for weight, age, and height.

Results

In children with OPT (n = 50), mean fasting time (6.0 ± 1.9 h vs 8.5 ± 3.5 h, P < 0.001), deviation from guideline (ΔGL) (1.2 ± 1.4 h vs 3.7 ± 3.1 h, P < 0.001, ΔGL>2 h 8% vs 70%), ketone bodies (0.2 ± 0.2 mmol·l−1 vs 0.6 ± 0.6 mmol·l−1, P < 0.001), and incidence of hypotension (MAP <40 mmHg, 0 vs 5, P = 0.022) were statistically significantly lower and MAP after induction was statistically significantly higher (55.2 ± 9.5 mmHg vs 50.3 ± 9.8 mmHg, P = 0.015) as compared to children in the OLD (n = 50) group. Glucose, lactate, bicarbonate, base excess, and anion gap did not significantly differ.

Conclusion

Optimized fasting times improve the metabolic and hemodynamic condition during induction of anesthesia in children younger than 36 months of age.