bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Cassava Cultivars for Resistance to Cassava Mosaic Disease and Yield Potential in Central African Republic
Authors: Zinga Innocent , Chiroleu Frédéric , Valam Zango Adonise , Ballot Christian Simplice Arnaud , Harimalala Mireille , Kosh Komba Ephrem , Yandia Prosper Simplice , Semballa Silla , Reynaud Bernard , Lefeuvre Pierre , Lett Jean‐Michel , Dintinger Jacques
Published: August 2016

Eleven cassava genotypes were tested against cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and compared to a local susceptible cultivar in field conditions from June 2011 to July 2012 in Central African Republic (CAR) at two sites representative of the savanna (Damara) and forest (Pissa) zones of the country. The mean number of whiteflies observed on plants varied among genotypes within each site, but was found nearly three times higher at Damara than at Pissa, resulting in a CMD incidence nearly five times higher at Damara than at Pissa. However, no relation was observed between the number of insect on the plants and the level of susceptibility/resistance of the genotypes. The difference of disease pressure between the two sites revealed high level of resistance in several genotypes, while some other ones indicated rather only a partial resistance. Nevertheless, none of the genotypes tested was found immune, in the end, the virus being detected at least in one site in every genotype, including those ones presenting no symptoms in both sites. The impact of CMD on yield components was assessed on the local susceptible check and three partially resistant genotypes, showing that the disease has no significant effect on the tuberous roots number as well as their weight in both sites. The yield potential varied among different genotypes and between the two sites, the mean number of tuberous roots as well as their mean weight being higher in Damara than in Pissa. This study identified highly resistant genotypes such as ‘Gabon’ that performed well in both sites, and ‘91/02322’ that was symptomless and presented a yield potential equivalent to the local check. These genotypes could be distributed to growers with the main advantage to be resistant to CMD and, therefore, reducing the risk to spread sources of inoculum all over the cassava cropping areas in the country.
Validity and reliability of the Family Empowerment Scale for caregivers of adults with mental health issues
Authors: Kageyama M. , Nakamura Y. , Kobayashi S. , Yokoyama K.
Published: August 2016

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject?

Empowerment of family caregivers of adults with mental health issues has received increasing attention among mental health nurses in Japan and has been recognized as a new goal of family interventions.

The Family Empowerment Scale (FES) was originally developed to measure the empowerment status of parents of children with emotional disorders. However, it was later applied to broader health issues.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge?

We developed a Japanese version of the FES for family caregivers of adults with mental health issues (FES‐AMJ) and examined the validity and reliability among parents. Results showed that the FES‐AMJ had acceptable concurrent validity and reliability; however, insufficient construct validity was found, especially for the subscale regarding the service system.

What are the implications for practice?

Further studies need to modify the scale. Clarification of ideal family empowerment status in the service system through discussion with mental health nurses and family caregivers may be important.

Introduction

The Family Empowerment Scale (FES) was originally developed for parents of children with emotional disorders. In Japan, family empowerment is gaining increasing attention and may be one goal of nursing interventions.

Aim

To develop a Japanese version of the FES for family caregivers of adults with mental health issues and to study the validity and reliability of this scale among parents.

Method

We translated the FES into Japanese and administered this self‐report questionnaire to 275 parents.

Results

The multitrait scaling analysis revealed acceptable convergent validity and insufficient discriminant validity among all subscales. In particular, all items of the Service system subscale had insufficient discriminant and/or convergent validity. Each subscale significantly correlated with the indicator of empowerment. The intraclass correlation coefficients of each subscale were .855–.917. Cronbach's alpha of each factor ranged from .867 to .895.

Discussion

The Service system subscale may not linearly reflect family empowerment, and instead may depend on unclear roles of family caregivers of adults, disorder severity or insufficient services.

Implications for practice

Further studies need to modify the scale. Clarification of ideal family empowerment status in the service system through discussion with mental health nurses and family caregivers may be important.
Religious Zionist Singles: Caught Between “Family Values” and “Young Adulthood”
Authors: Engelberg Ari
Published: August 2016

In current Religious Zionist society, marriage and family are considered sacred values that stand in opposition to the sexual liberalism that believers associate with secular society. Religious Zionists are encouraged to marry in their early 20s; those who fail to follow this societal script find themselves facing social and religious challenges. This article, based upon ethnographic research and in‐depth interviews with RZ singles, examines the contexts of this phenomenon as well as the actual effect of prolonged singlehood upon the religiosity of singles. Singles’ distance from traditional synagogue‐based communities and their tendency to form closed networks of friends with other Religious Zionists (RZs), both of which are typical during young adulthood, were found to impact their religiosity. It was also found that many singles consider their religiosity to be flawed. This is explained as resulting from both the drawing force of Western youth culture and from feelings of loneliness and anomy experienced by singles. Their central strategy for dealing with the arising tension is compartmentalization—viewing singlehood as a period during which a moratorium from strict religious observance is acceptable.
Prayer, Patronage, and Personal Agency in Nicaraguan Accounts of Receiving International Aid
Authors: Probasco LiErin
Published: August 2016

This article examines how religious beliefs and practices influence the reception of international relief and development aid in impoverished communities. Specifically, I explain how Nicaraguan recipients’ prayers both enhance and constrain their ability to assert themselves as “empowered” actors during aid interactions. Data come from observations and interviews over a two‐year period with 81 Nicaraguans in communities that receive aid from Christian development organizations. Compared to secular constructions of aid interactions, prayers provide space for Nicaraguans to position themselves as influential actors effecting change for themselves or their families. Through prayers, recipients portray themselves as influencing the actions of more powerful parties, including God and potential donors. They also pray for donors’ well‐being, thereby offering spiritual reciprocity for material gifts. However, the same prayers that empower individuals at the interpersonal level constrain their ability to envision transformation of social structures. These findings shape understandings of prayer as aligning actions, of the moral and social dimensions of receiving care from strangers, and of the complex and contradictory ways religious practices influence discourses of empowerment and development.
Religion, Poverty, and Development
Authors: Offutt Stephen , Probasco LiErin , Vaidyanathan Brandon
Published: August 2016

This article serves two purposes. First, it introduces the forum that follows in this issue on religion and development. Second, it serves as a review of the small but quickly growing literature on how religion interacts with efforts by (often religious) people and organizations to ameliorate poverty worldwide. We address the need to define both “religion” and “development” with clarity and precision. We also call for further research in this area by sociologists, particularly at a time when the landscape of development practice is shifting, from changes in funding sources and priorities to competition between religious and secular organizations.
Effect of Angum gum in combination with tragacanth gum on rheological and sensory properties of ketchup
Authors: Komeilyfard Ahmadreza , Fazel Mohammad , Akhavan Hamidreza , Mousakhani Ganjeh Alireza
Published: August 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Angum gum (AnG) alone and in combination with tragacanth gum (TG) on the stability, texture, sensory, and rheological properties of tomato ketchup. AnG, TG, and Angum gum and tragacanth gum mixture (AnGT; 1:1 ratio) were added at levels of 0.5, 1, and 1.5%. Ten tomato ketchup formulations were produced: control (without hydrocolloid), AnG (0.5–1.5%), TG (0.5–1.5%), AnGT (0.5–1.5%). It was observed that the hydrocolloids addition to tomato ketchup significantly decreased the Bostwick consistency value and serum separation at 2200, 5000, and 8800 g. Textural properties of tomato ketchup by using back extrusion test and particle size analysis were significantly increased with hydrocolloid addition. All tomato ketchup formulations showed shear thinning behavior and the addition of hydrocolloids increased apparent viscosity. The power law and Herschel–Bulkley models were successfully fitted with experimental data. The flow behavior indices of Herschel–Bulkley and power law models were changed in the range of 0.19–0.24 and 0.14–0.30, respectively. The consistency coefficients of these models were in the range of 16.31–79.57 and 11.19–146.06 Pa sn, respectively. The storage modulus (G′) of all tomato ketchups was higher than the loss modulus (G″). Hydrocolloid addition showed no significant effect on the color indices (L*, a*, b*, hue angle, chroma, and total color differences) of tomato ketchup. The overall acceptability of 1.5% AnG, 0.5% TG, 1 and 1.5% AnGT were significantly higher than other samples. Therefore, AnG can be used alone and in combination with TG as stabilizer in tomato ketchup.

Practical Applications

The consistency of tomato ketchup is an important attribute from both engineering and consumer viewpoints. It was observed that addition of TG, AnG, and AnGT to tomato ketchups significantly decreased their Bostwick consistency values and their serum separation. In addition, hydrocolloid addition showed no significant effect on the color indices (L*, a*, b*, Hue angle, chroma, and total color differences) of samples. Also, the panelists gave greatest sensory scores in term of overall acceptance to ketchups containing 1% AnGT than other samples.
Undermining Gender Equality: Female Attrition from Private Law Practice
Authors: Kay Fiona M. , Alarie Stacey L. , Adjei Jones K.
Published: August 2016

The number of women in the legal profession has grown tremendously over the last 40 years, with women now representing about half of all law school graduates. Despite the decades-long pipeline of women into the profession, women's representation among law firm partnerships remains dismally low. One key reason identified for women's minority presence among law firm partners is the high level of attrition of women associates from law firms. This high rate of female attrition undermines efforts to achieve gender equality in the legal profession. Using a survey of 1,270 law graduates, we employ piecewise constant exponential hazard regression models to explore gendered career paths from private law practice. Our analysis reveals that, for both men and women, the time leading up to partnership decisions sees many lawyers exit private practice, but women continue to leave private practice long after partnership decisions are made. Gender differences in leaving private practice also surface with reference to cohorts, areas of law, billable hours, firm sizes, and career gaps. Notably, working in criminal law augmented women's risk of leaving private practice, but not for men, while taking time away from practice for reasons other than parental leaves, hastens both men's and women's exits from private practice.
The Role of Courtroom Workgroups in Felony Case Dispositions: An Analysis of Workgroup Familiarity and Similarity
Authors: Metcalfe Christi
Published: August 2016

While pleading guilty has become ubiquitous in criminal trial courts, limited research has focused on the plea process and the factors that influence guilty plea convictions. Numerous theoretical accounts of the plea process highlight the importance of the court actors and their interactions. Based on this research, the current study analyzes the impact of courtroom actor familiarity and similarity on the chosen mode of disposition and the time to disposition. The findings demonstrate that similarity among the actors and familiarity between the prosecutor and judge increase the odds of a plea disposition and reduce the days to disposition. However, familiarity of the defense attorney seems to impede on the informal plea process, such that cases are more likely to proceed to trial when the defense attorney is more familiar with the other actors.
Breath‐print analysis by e‐nose may refine risk stratification for adverse outcomes in cirrhotic patients
Authors: De Vincentis Antonio , Pennazza Giorgio , Santonico Marco , Vespasiani‐Gentilucci Umberto , Galati Giovanni , Gallo Paolo , Zompanti Alessandro , Pedone Claudio , Antonelli Incalzi Raffaele , Picardi Antonio
Published: August 2016

Background & Aims

The spectrum of volatile organic compounds in the exhaled breath (breath‐print, BP) has been shown to characterize patients with cirrhosis and with worse hepatic function. However, the association of different BPs with clinically relevant outcomes has not been described yet. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the association between BPs, mortality and hospitalization in cirrhotic patients and to compare it with that of the “classical” prognostic indices (Child‐Pugh Classification [CPC] and MELD).

Methods

Eighty‐nine cirrhotic patients (M/F 59/30, mean age 64.8 ± 11.3, CPC A/B/C 37/33/19) were recruited and followed up for a median time of 23 months. Clinical and biochemical data were collected. Breath collection and analysis were obtained through Pneumopipe® and BIONOTE e‐nose respectively.

Results

Four different BP clusters (A, B, C, D) were identified. BP clusters A and D were associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality (HR 2.9, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.5–5.6) and hospitalization (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.4–4.6), even in multiple adjusted models including CPC and MELD score (adjusted [a]HR 2.8, 95% CI 1.1–7.0 for mortality and aHR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1–4.2 for hospitalization). CPC C maintained the strongest association with both mortality (aHR 17.6, 95% CI 1.8–174.0) and hospitalization (aHR 12.4, 95% CI 2.0–75.8).

Conclusions

This pilot study demonstrates that BP clusters are associated with significant clinical endpoints (mortality and hospitalization) even independently from “classical” prognostic indices. Even though further studies are warranted on this topic, our findings suggest that the e‐nose may become an adjunctive aid to stratify the risk of adverse outcomes in cirrhotic patients.
Diagnostic hepatic haemodynamic techniques: safety and radiation exposure
Authors: Hari Andrej , Nair Hari Kumar , De Gottardi Andrea , Baumgartner Iris , Dufour Jean‐François , Berzigotti Annalisa
Published: August 2016

Background & Aims

Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB) are increasingly used in the management of patients with liver disease. We aimed to describe the safety profile of these procedures, providing data on the intra‐ and periprocedure complications, radiation exposure and amount of iodinated contrast material used.

Methods

In 106 consecutive patients undergoing HVPG and TJLB data on fluoroscopy time (FT), absorbed radiation dose, equivalent effective dose (mSv) and volume of iodinated contrast material (ICM) were prospectively collected and reviewed, together with clinical and laboratory data. Incidence and severity of procedure‐related complications were assessed. In 28 hospitalised patients, creatinine values after 72 hours of the procedure were reviewed to identify contrast‐induced nephropathy (CIN).

Results

Median effective radiation dose was 5.4 mSv (IQR 10 mSv). A total 28.3% of patients exceeded an effective exposure of 10 mSv and 9.4% exceeded 20 mSv. Only age and BMI correlated with radiation dose (R = .327, P=.001 and R = .410, P<.0001 respectively), and only BMI remained independently associated with an exposure over 20 mSv. Procedure‐related complications occurred in eight patients (7.5%), and were minor in six cases. Median ICM volume was 12.5 mL. 6/28 patients met the diagnostic criteria for CIN.

Conclusions

Hepatic venous pressure gradient and Transjugular liver biopsy show a good safety profile and radiation exposure associated with these procedures is in most of the cases low. In hepatic haemodynamic procedures, efforts should be made to reduce the radiation dose in patients with overweight/obesity and to use the minimal possible ICM volume in patients with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure.
Taxonomic distinctness in the diet of two sympatric marine turtle species
Authors: Stringell Thomas B. , Clerveaux Wesley V. , Godley Brendan J. , Kent Flora E. A. , Lewis Emma D. G. , Marsh Jessica E. , Phillips Quinton , Richardson Peter B. , Sanghera Amdeep , Broderick Annette C.
Published: August 2016

Marine turtles are considered keystone consumers in tropical coastal ecosystems and their decline through overexploitation has been implicated in the deterioration of reefs and seagrass pastures in the Caribbean. In the present study, we analysed stomach contents of green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) harvested in the legal turtle fishery of the Turks and Caicos Islands (Caribbean) during 2008–2010. Small juveniles to adult‐sized turtles were sampled. Together with data from habitat surveys, we assessed diet composition and the taxonomic distinctness (and other species diversity measures) in the diets of these sympatric marine turtle species. The diet of green turtles (n = 92) consisted of a total of 47 taxa: including three species of seagrass (present in 99% of individuals), 29 species of algae and eight sponge species. Hawksbill turtles (n = 45) consumed 73 taxa and were largely spongivorous (16 species; sponges present in 100% of individuals) but also foraged on 50 species of algae (present in 73% of individuals) and three species of seagrass. Plastics were found in trace amounts in 4% of green turtle and 9% of hawksbill turtle stomach samples. We expected to find changes in diet that might reflect ontogenetic shifts from small (oceanic‐pelagic) turtles to larger (coastal‐benthic) turtles. Dietary composition (abundance and biomass), however, did not change significantly with turtle size, although average taxonomic distinctness was lower in larger green turtles. There was little overlap in prey between the two turtle species, suggesting niche separation. Taxonomic distinctness routines indicated that green turtles had the most selective diet, whereas hawksbill turtles were less selective than expected when compared with the relative frequency and biomass of diet items. We discuss these findings in relation to the likely important trophic roles that these sympatric turtle species play in reef and seagrass habitats.
Investigating genomic and phenotypic parallelism between piscivorous and planktivorous lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) ecotypes by means ofRADseq and morphometrics analyses
Authors: Bernatchez S. , Laporte M. , Perrier C. , Sirois P. , Bernatchez L.
Published: August 2016

Repeated adaptive ecological diversification has commonly been reported in fish and has often been associated with trophic niche diversity. The main goal of this study was to investigate the extent of parallelism in the genomic and phenotypic divergence between piscivorous and planktivorous lake trout ecotypes from Laurentian Shield lakes, Canada. This was achieved by documenting the extent of morphological differentiation using geometric morphometrics and linear measurements as well as the pattern of genomic divergence by means ofRADseq genotyping (3925 filteredSNPs) in 12 lakes. Our results indicate that the two ecotypes evolved distinct body shape and several linear measurements in parallel. Neutral genetic differentiation was pronounced between all isolated populations (MeanFST = 0.433), indicating no or very limited migration and pronounced genetic drift. Significant genetic differentiation also suggested partial reproductive isolation between ecotypes in the two lakes where they are found in sympatry. Combining different outlier detection methods, we identified 48SNPs putatively under divergent selection between ecotypes, among which 10 could be annotated and related to functions such as developmental processes and ionic regulation. Finally, our results indicate that parallel morphological divergence is accompanied by both parallel and nonparallel genomic divergence, which is associated with the use of different trophic niches between ecotypes. The results are also discussed in the context of management and conservation of this highly exploited species throughout northern North America.
Does adaptive radiation of a host lineage promote ecological diversity of its bacterial communities? A test using gut microbiota of Anolis lizards
Authors: Ren Tiantian , Kahrl Ariel F. , Wu Martin , Cox Robert M.
Published: August 2016

Adaptive radiations provide unique opportunities to test whether and how recent ecological and evolutionary diversification of host species structures the composition of entire bacterial communities. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing of faecal samples to test for differences in the gut microbiota of six species of Puerto Rican Anolis lizards characterized by the evolution of distinct ‘ecomorphs’ related to differences in habitat use. We found substantial variation in the composition of the microbiota within each species and ecomorph (trunk‐crown, trunk‐ground, grass‐bush), but no differences in bacterial alpha diversity among species or ecomorphs. Beta diversity analyses revealed subtle but significant differences in bacterial composition related to host phylogeny and species, but these differences were not consistently associated with Anolis ecomorph. Comparison of a trunk‐ground species from this clade (A. cristatellus) with a distantly related member of the same ecomorph class (A. sagrei) where the two species have been introduced and are now sympatric in Florida revealed pronounced differences in the alpha diversity and beta diversity of their microbiota despite their ecological similarity. Comparisons of these populations with allopatric conspecifics also revealed geographic differences in bacterial alpha diversity and beta diversity within each species. Finally, we observed high intraindividual variation over time and strong effects of a simplified laboratory diet on the microbiota of A. sagrei. Collectively, our results indicate that bacterial communities are only weakly shaped by the diversification of their lizard hosts due to the strikingly high levels of bacterial diversity and variation observed within Anolis species.
Genetic rescue in a severely inbred wolf population
Authors: Åkesson Mikael , Liberg Olof , Sand Håkan , Wabakken Petter , Bensch Staffan , Flagstad Øystein
Published: August 2016

Natural populations are becoming increasingly fragmented which is expected to affect their viability due to inbreeding depression, reduced genetic diversity and increased sensitivity to demographic and environmental stochasticity. In small and highly inbred populations, the introduction of only a few immigrants may increase vital rates significantly. However, very few studies have quantified the long‐term success of immigrants and inbred individuals in natural populations. Following an episode of natural immigration to the isolated, severely inbred Scandinavian wolf (Canis lupus) population, we demonstrate significantly higher pairing and breeding success for offspring to immigrants compared to offspring from native, inbred pairs. We argue that inbreeding depression is the underlying mechanism for the profound difference in breeding success. Highly inbred wolves may have lower survival during natal dispersal as well as competitive disadvantage to find a partner. Our study is one of the first to quantify and compare the reproductive success of first‐generation offspring from migrants vs. native, inbred individuals in a natural population. Indeed, our data demonstrate the profound impact single immigrants can have in small, inbred populations, and represent one of very few documented cases of genetic rescue in a population of large carnivores.
Modal Response‐Based Visual System Identification and Model Updating Methods for Building Structures
Authors: Oh Byung Kwan , Kim Doyoung , Park Hyo Seon
Published: August 2016

This article proposes a new system identification (SI) method using the modal responses obtained from the dynamic responses of a structure for estimating modal parameters. Since the proposed SI method visually extracts the mode shape of a structure through the plotting of modal responses based on measured data points, the complex calculation process for the correlation and the decomposition for vibration measurements required in SI methods can be avoided. Also, without dependence on configurations of SI methods inducing variations of modal parameters, mode shapes and modal damping ratios can be stably extracted through direct implementation of modal response. To verify the feasibility of the proposed method, the modal parameters of a shear frame were extracted from modal displacement data obtained from a vibration test, and the results were compared with those obtained from the existing frequency domain SI method. The proposed method introduces the maximum modal response ratio of each mode computed by modal displacement data, and from this, the contribution of each mode and each measured location to the overall structural response is indirectly evaluated. Moreover, this article proposes a model updating method establishing the error functions based on the differences between the analytical model and measurement for the natural frequencies and the modal responses reflecting both mode shape and modal contribution. The validity of the proposed method is verified through the response prediction and modal contributions of the models obtained from model updating based on dynamic displacement from a shaking table test for a shear‐type test frame.
Albuminuria is not associated with elevated urinary vesicle concentration but can confound nanoparticle tracking analysis
Authors: McNicholas Kym , Li Jordan YZ , Michael Michael Z , Gleadle Jonathan M
Published: August 2016

Aim

Extracellular vesicles, such as exosomes, are present in urine with reports of roles in intercellular signalling and diagnostic utility. However, the extent to which the concentration and characteristics of urinary vesicles are altered in albuminuric renal disease has not been well characterized. In this study, we examined the number and characteristics of extracellular vesicles in albuminuric urine.

Methods

Vesicles were isolated from the urine of 32 patients with varying levels of albuminuria using ultracentrifugation and density gradient purification and were examined using nanoparticle tracking analysis, immunoblotting and transmission electron microscopy. The size profile of particles in these urine preparations was compared with albumin‐containing solutions.

Results

Overall, there were no substantial differences in the number, or characteristics, of vesicles released into proteinuric urine. Analysis of albumin‐containing solutions showed particles of exosome‐like size, suggesting that such particles can mimic exosomes in standard nanoparticle tracking analysis. Albumin and IgG depletion of proteinuric urine resulted in a substantial reduction in the concentration of particles detected by nanoparticle tracking analysis.

Conclusion

There was no increase in urinary vesicle concentration in patients with albuminuria. Furthermore, these results demonstrate the need for cautious interpretation of nanoparticle tracking analysis of vesicle concentration in biological fluids containing protein and for sophisticated preparative methods in vesicle purification from urine.
Efficacy and safety of sucroferric oxyhydroxide compared with sevelamer hydrochloride in Japanese haemodialysis patients with hyperphosphataemia: A randomized, open‐label, multicentre, 12‐week phase III study
Authors: Koiwa Fumihiko , Yokoyama Keitaro , Fukagawa Masafumi , Terao Akira , Akizawa Tadao
Published: August 2016

Aim

We aimed to investigate the non‐inferiority of PA21 (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) to sevelamer hydrochloride (sevelamer) in terms of efficacy and safety in Japanese haemodialysis patients with hyperphosphataemia.

Methods

In this Phase III, open‐label, multicentre study, 213 haemodialysis patients with hyperphosphataemia were randomized to PA21 or sevelamer treatment for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was adjusted serum phosphorus concentration at the end of treatment; the non‐inferiority of PA21 was confirmed if the upper limit of the two‐sided 95% confidence interval (CI) is ≤0.32 mmol/L. Secondary outcomes were corrected serum calcium and intact‐parathyroid hormone concentrations. Adverse events (AEs) and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were evaluated.

Results

The adjusted mean serum phosphorus concentration at the end of treatment confirmed the non‐inferiority of PA21 for lowering serum phosphorus compared with sevelamer (1.62 vs 1.72 mmol/L; difference, −0.11 mmol/L; 95% CI, −0.20 to −0.02 mmol/L). The mean daily tablet intake was 5.6 ± 2.6 and 18.7 ± 7.1 tablets in the PA21 and sevelamer groups, respectively. The incidences of AEs and ADRs were not significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusion

The non‐inferiority of PA21 to sevelamer was confirmed for the treatment of Japanese haemodialysis patients with hyperphosphataemia. PA21 was effective, safe, and well tolerated, while having a considerably lower pill burden than sevelamer.
Diabetes‐induced mechanophysiological changes in the esophagus
Authors: Zhao Jingbo , Gregersen Hans
Published: August 2016

Esophageal disorders are common in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. DM induces mechanostructural remodeling in the esophagus of humans and animal models. The remodeling is related to esophageal sensorimotor abnormalities and to symptoms frequently encountered by DM patients. For example, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disorder associated with DM. This review addresses diabetic remodeling of esophageal properties and function in light of the Esophagiome, a scientifically based modeling effort to describe the physiological dynamics of the normal, intact esophagus built upon interdisciplinary approaches with applications for esophageal disease. Unraveling the structural, biomechanical, and sensory remodeling of the esophagus in DM must be based on a multidisciplinary approach that can bridge the knowledge from a variety of scientific disciplines. The first focus of this review is DM‐induced morphodynamic and biomechanical remodeling in the esophagus. Second, we review the sensorimotor dysfunction in DM and how it relates to esophageal remodeling. Finally, we discuss the clinical consequences of DM‐induced esophageal remodeling, especially in relation to GERD. The ultimate aim is to increase the understanding of DM‐induced remodeling of esophageal structure and sensorimotor function in order to assist clinicians to better understand the esophageal disorders induced by DM and to develop better treatments for those patients.
Where civics meets science: building science for the public good through Civic Science
Authors: Garlick JA , Levine P
Published: August 2016

Public understanding of science and civic engagement on science issues that impact contemporary life matter more today than ever. From the Planned Parenthood controversy, to the Flint water crisis and the fluoridation debate, societal polarization about science issues has reached dramatic levels that present significant obstacles to public discussion and problem solving. This is happening, in part, because systems built to support science do not often reward open‐minded thinking, inclusive dialogue, and moral responsibility regarding science issues. As a result, public faith in science continues to erode. This review explores how the field of Civic Science can impact public work on science issues by building new understanding of the practices, influences, and cultures of science. Civic Science is defined as a discipline that considers science practice and knowledge as resources for civic engagement, democratic action, and political change. This review considers how Civic Science informs the roles that key participants—scientists, public citizens and institutions of higher education—play in our national science dialogue. Civic Science aspires to teach civic capacities, to inform the responsibilities of scientists engaged in public science issues and to inspire an open‐minded, inclusive dialogue where all voices are heard and shared commitments are acknowledged.
Candida virulence and ethanol‐derived acetaldehyde production in oral cancer and non‐cancer subjects
Authors: Alnuaimi AD , Ramdzan AN , Wiesenfeld D , O'Brien‐Simpson NM , Kolev SD , Reynolds EC , McCullough MJ
Published: August 2016

Objectives

To compare biofilm‐forming ability, hydrolytic enzymes and ethanol‐derived acetaldehyde production of oral Candida isolated from the patients with oral cancer and matched non‐oral cancer.

Material and Methods

Fungal biofilms were grown in RPMI‐1640 medium, and biofilm mass and biofilm activity were assessed using crystal violet staining and XTT salt reduction assays, respectively. Phospholipase, proteinase, and esterase production were measured using agar plate method, while fungal acetaldehyde production was assessed via gas chromatography.

Results

Candida isolated from patients with oral cancer demonstrated significantly higher biofilm mass (P = 0.031), biofilm metabolic activity (P < 0.001), phospholipase (P = 0.002), and proteinase (P = 0.0159) activity than isolates from patients with non‐oral cancer. High ethanol‐derived acetaldehyde‐producing Candida were more prevalent in patients with oral cancer than non‐oral cancer (P = 0.01). In univariate regression analysis, high biofilm mass (P = 0.03) and biofilm metabolic activity (P < 0.001), high phospholipase (P = 0.003), and acetaldehyde production ability (0.01) were significant risk factors for oral cancer; while in the multivariate regression analysis, high biofilm activity (0.01) and phospholipase (P = 0.01) were significantly positive influencing factors on oral cancer.

Conclusion

These data suggest a significant positive association between the ability of Candida isolates to form biofilms, to produce hydrolytic enzymes, and to metabolize alcohol to acetaldehyde with their ability to promote oral cancer development.
Long‐Term Follow‐Up of Isolated Epicardial Left Ventricular Lead Implant Using a Minithoracotomy Approach for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: McALOON CHRISTOPHER J. , ANDERSON BENJAMIN M. , DIMITRI WADIH , PANTING JONATHAN , YUSUF SHAMIL , BHUDIA SUNIL K. , OSMAN FAIZEL
Published: August 2016

Background

Transvenous left ventricular (LV) lead placement for cardiac resynchronization therapy is unsuccessful in 5–10% of reported cases. These patients may benefit from isolated surgical placement of an epicardial LV lead via minithoracotomy approach.

Aim

To evaluate the success of this approach at long‐term follow‐up.

Methods

Retrospective evaluation of all consecutive patients undergoing isolated epicardial LV lead placement after failed transvenous attempt over a 6‐year period. Data collected on baseline parameters, procedural details, and outcome at follow‐up (hospital stay, complications, mortality, and clinical response).

Results

Forty‐two patients underwent epicardial lead implant. Five died within 1 year (11.9%): two (4.8%) died within 30‐days post op (one from intraoperative hemorrhage, the other from multiple organ failure); 39 (95.1%) were admitted to the high dependency unit and transferred to the ward <24 hours. Median hospital stay was 3.4 ± 1.9 days. The overall complication rate was 17.5% (n = 7): 15.0% (n = 6) short term and 2.5% (n = 1) long term; these included three (7.5%) LV noncapture events all treated with reprogramming. There were two (5.0%) wound infections requiring oral antibiotics and two (5.0%) device infections requiring intravenous antibiotics (one had device resiting, the other developed septic shock requiring intensive care admission). Assessment of clinical response was possible in 34 (81.0%) at follow‐up: 21 (61.8%) were responders and 13 (28.2%) nonresponders with no significant differences between these groups; no clinical predictors of response were identified.

Conclusion

Isolated epicardial LV lead implant using minithoracotomy is relatively safe and effective at successful LV pacing. Response rate and postoperative recovery at long‐term follow‐up are reasonable in these high‐risk patients.
Specific oral tolerance induction in childhood
Authors: Peters Rachel L. , Dang Thanh D. , Allen Katrina J.
Published: August 2016

Food allergy continues to be a significant public health concern for which there are no approved treatments and management strategies primarily include allergen avoidance and pharmacological measures for accidental exposures. Food allergy is thought to result from either a failure to establish oral tolerance or the breakdown of existing oral tolerance, and therefore, experimental preventative and treatment strategies are now aimed at inducing specific oral tolerance. This may occur in infancy prior to the development of food allergy through the optimal timing of dietary exposure (primary oral tolerance induction) or as a treatment for established food allergy through oral immunotherapy (secondary oral tolerance induction). Trials examining the effectiveness of early dietary allergen exposure to prevent food allergy have yielded promising results for peanut allergy but not so for other allergens, although the results of several trials are yet to be published. Although infant feeding guidelines no longer advise to avoid allergenic foods and exposure to food allergens orally is an important step in inducing food tolerance by the immune system, evidence regarding the optimal timing, dose and form of these foods into the infant's diet is lacking. Likewise, oral immunotherapy trials appear promising for inducing desensitization; however, the long‐term efficacy in achieving sustained desensitization and optimal protocols to achieve this is unknown. More research is needed in this emerging field.
No difference in health‐related quality of life, after a food challenge with cashew nut in children participating in a clinical trial
Authors: van der Valk J. P. M. , Gerth van Wijk R. , Flokstra‐de Blok B. M. J. , van der Velde J. L. , de Groot H. , Wichers H. J. , Dubois A. E. J. , de Jong N. W.
Published: August 2016

Background

Previous studies showed that health‐related quality of life (HRQL) significantly improved after the food challenge, with greater improvements in HRQL after a negative outcome than after a positive outcome. It is currently unknown whether this also occurs in patients undergoing DBPCFCs with cashew nut in the context of a clinical trial.

Methods

Quality of life was studied in children enrolled in a cashew nut study using Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaires (FAQLQs). Children, teenagers and parents of the children completed the questionnaires before the challenge test and 6 months after the DBPCFC with cashew nut. The difference in the change in HRQL between the children with a positive and negative DBPCFC outcome was studied by Mann–Whitney U‐test.

Results

In total, 112 children (67 boys, median age of 9 years) were included. The children, teenagers and parents of the children completed 143 sets of questionnaires in total. There were no significant differences in baseline total and domain scores compared to the follow‐up scores in the FAQLQ‐CF, FAQLQ‐TF and FAQLQ‐PF. In children, the delta FAIM score in the negative DBPCFC tested group was significantly better than the delta FAIM score in the positive challenged group (p = 0.026). There were no significant differences in the changes in the scores of the FAQLQ‐CF and FAQLQ‐PF in the children with a positive challenge outcome, compared to the children with a negative challenge result. However, there was a significant difference in the change in score between the latter groups in the domain ‘accidental exposure’ of the FAQLQ‐TF (p = 0.049).

Conclusion

This study showed no difference in the change in HRQL scores after a DBPCFC with cashew nut in children participating in a clinical trial. The utility of HRQL as an outcome for clinical trials in food allergy may be limited if participant baseline HRQL is relatively unimpaired.
The Virtue of Being Supportive
Authors: Tsai George
Published: August 2016

I develop an account of the nature and value of being supportive in interpersonal relationships. In particular, I argue that the virtue of being supportive, construed as a modally demanding value, facilitates the autonomy of one's intimate and promotes a sense of unity in one's relationship. Moreover, the practice of being supportive plays an important role with regard to the familiar need to reconcile the normative demands of one's own projects with one's responsibilities to intimates.
Visual Feeling of Presence
Authors: Ferretti Gabriele
Published: August 2016

Everyday visual experience constantly confronts us with things we can interact with in the real world. We literally feel the outside presence of physical objects in our environment via visual perceptual experience. The visual feeling of presence is a crucial feature of vision that is largely unexplored in the philosophy of perception, and poorly debated in vision neuroscience. The aim of this article is to investigate the feeling of presence. I suggest that visual feeling of presence depends on the visual representation of a very particular spatial relation with the object we interact with: the visual representation of absolute egocentric depth, which is due to stereoscopic vision.
Freezing behaviours in winteringCornus floridaflower bud tissues revisited using MRI
Authors: Ishikawa Masaya , Ide Hiroyuki , Yamazaki Hideyuki , Murakawa Hiroki , Kuchitsu Kazuyuki , Price William S. , Arata Yoji
Published: August 2016

How plant tissues control their water behaviours (phase and movement) under subfreezing temperatures through adaptative strategies (freezing behaviours) is important for their survival. However, the fine details of freezing behaviours in complex organs and their regulation mechanisms are poorly understood, and non‐invasive visualization/analysis is required. The localization/density of unfrozen water in winteringCornus floridaflower buds at subfreezing temperatures was visualized with high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This allowed tissue‐specific freezing behaviours to be determined. MRI images revealed that individual anthers and ovules remained stably supercooled to −14 to −21 °C or lower. The signal from other floral tissues decreased during cooling to −7 °C, which likely indicates their extracellular freezing. Microscopic observation and differential thermal analyses revealed that the abrupt breakdown of supercooled individual ovules and anthers resulted in their all‐or‐nothing type of injuries. The distribution of ice nucleation activity in flower buds determined using a test tube‐based assay corroborated which tissues primarily froze. MRI is a powerful tool for non‐invasively visualizing unfrozen tissues. Freezing events and/or dehydration events can be located by digital comparison of MRI images acquired at different temperatures. Only anthers and ovules preferentially remaining unfrozen are a novel freezing behaviour in flower buds. Physicochemical and biological mechanisms/implications are discussed.
Aquaporins and plant transpiration
Authors: Maurel Christophe , Verdoucq Lionel , Rodrigues Olivier
Published: August 2016

Although transpiration and aquaporins have long been identified as two key components influencing plant water status, it is only recently that their relations have been investigated in detail. The present review first examines the various facets of aquaporin function in stomatal guard cells and shows that it involves transport of water but also of other molecules such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide. At the whole plant level, changes in tissue hydraulics mediated by root and shoot aquaporins can indirectly impact plant transpiration. Recent studies also point to a feedback effect of transpiration on aquaporin function. These mechanisms may contribute to the difference between isohydric and anisohydric stomatal regulation of leaf water status. The contribution of aquaporins to transpiration control goes far beyond the issue of water transport during stomatal movements and involves emerging cellular and long‐distance signalling mechanisms which ultimately act on plant growth.
Incidence and Burden of Wheezing Disorders, Eczema, and Rhinitis in Children: findings from the Born in Bradford Cohort
Authors: Mebrahtu Teumzghi F. , Feltbower Richard G. , Parslow Roger C.
Published: August 2016

Background

Bradford city has high infant mortality and there is a major health concern in the community due to environmental pollution. The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence and burden of wheezing disorders, eczema, and rhinitis in children aged 3–7 years .

Methods

It is a prospective cohort study; the participants were 13 734 children from the Born in Bradford cohort.

Results

There were a total of 22.1% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 21.4, 22.8%), 52.4% (95% CI 51.5%, 53.2%), and 19.3% (95% CI 18.6, 19.9%) incidence cases of wheezing disorders, eczema, and rhinitis respectively. A total of 37% (95% CI 36.2%, 37.8%), 19.5% (95% CI 18.9%, 20.2%,) and 5.9% (95% CI 5.5%, 6.3%) of the children were affected by only one, two, and three diseases respectively. Boys to girls incidence rate ratios for wheezing disorders, eczema, and rhinitis was 1.41 (95% CI 1.31, 1.51), 1.02 (95% CI 0.97, 1.07), and 1.18 (95% CI 1.09, 1.28) respectively. The respective incidence rate ratios of Pakistani to White British were 0.94 (95% CI 0.87, 1.02), 1.31 (95% CI 1.24, 1.39), and 2.03 (95% CI 1.83, 2.25) respectively.

Conclusion

This study shows that the burden of wheezing disorders, eczema, and rhinitis in this cohort is higher than previously reported in earlier studies. In addition, it indicates that while boys are more likely to suffer from wheezing disorders, rhinitis, and multiple diseases than girls, Pakistani children are more likely to suffer from eczema, rhinitis, and multiple diseases than White British children.