bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geographies of inequalities in an area of opportunities: ambiguous experiences among young men in the Norwegian High North
Authors: Paulgaard Gry
Published: August 2016

Research within the field ‘geography of education’ points to the importance of studying the relationship between social and spatial variations in educational provision and attainment. This research has mainly focused on the spatial segregation of different social groups in urban settings. There has been limited research on how geography influences youth and education in rural settings. Youth research in general is criticised for an unacknowledged ‘metrocentricity’, referring to the invisibility of how place and geography represent changeable and contingent conditions in young people's lives. This paper is based on interviews with young, unemployed men living in small places that can be termed the marginal edge of the northern periphery, in the northern part of Norway. By combining a geographical approach with theories on social learning, the paper discusses how changes in the local world of education and work are experienced by a group of young men, and how the changes influence their choices, and lack thereof, in specific rural communities. The overall aim of this paper is to demonstrate how place and geography matter, and how gender and place intersect, when it comes to young people's experiences of opportunities and options.
Effect of Incorporation Nanocrystalline Corn Straw Cellulose and Polyethylene Glycol on Properties of Biodegradable Films
Authors: Sun Haitao , Shao Xinru , Ma Zhongsu
Published: August 2016

This work aimed to study the effect of nanocrystalline corn straw cellulose (NCSC) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the properties of biodegradable corn distarch phosphate (CDP) films. The mechanical properties and barrier properties were investigated. Meanwhile, the compatibility, crystallization, thermal stability, and morphological structure of the films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (X‐RD), thermogravimetric (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In contrast with the CDP films, incorporation of NCSC in the films improved their tensile strength (TS) significantly, and incorporation of PEG improved their elongation at break (EAB) significantly else. PEG, CDP, and NCSC (P‐CDP/NCSC) blend films had the best barrier properties. The thermal stability of the films was increased by the incorporation of NCSC. X‐RD showed that CDP and NCSC (CDP/NCSC) films had higher crystallinity. SEM revealed that all films had smooth surface, while the films presented a uniform network structure through the incorporation of NCSC.
Influence of Added Soy Presscake and Soy Flour on Some Physical and Sensory Properties of Corn Tortillas
Authors: Wu Mingjue , Arntfield Susan
Published: August 2016

Corn tortillas fortified with soybean presscake (SP) and defatted soy flour (SF) were studied and compared. Texture, including firmness and cohesiveness, and color, using a CIE L*a*b*, were determined instrumentally. Physical properties such as size, thickness, and rollability, were also investigated. A consumer acceptance test was conducted to evaluate the acceptance of tortillas at high levels of soy fortification (35% SF and 40% SP). Tortillas fortified with soy were found to be smaller and thicker with increased firmness and cohesiveness. Tortillas made with SF showed the poorest rollability, and were almost unrollable at high SF fortification levels (30% and 35%). Soy fortified tortillas were more red and yellow than control corn tortillas. In the consumer acceptance test, 40% SP and 35% SF had high overall acceptability scores (6 to 6.6 on a 9‐point scale) based on all participants (n = 76). In addition, overall flavor and texture of both soy fortified corn tortillas scored above 6. Thus, while fortification with SP and SF had significant effects on tortilla size, thickness, firmness, cohesiveness, rollability, and color, these changes were acceptable to consumers.
Diffusion‐weighted MRI for hepatocellular carcinoma screening in chronic liver disease: Direct comparison with ultrasound screening
Authors: Sutherland Tom , Watts Jane , Ryan Marno , Galvin Angela , Temple Faye , Vuong Jason , Little Andrew Francis
Published: August 2016

Introduction

Ultrasound is a widely utilized method of screening patients with chronic liver disease for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the sensitivity of ultrasound for small tumours is limited. We have prospectively compared ultrasound screening with diffusion‐weighted (DWI) MRI for detecting HCC.

Methods

Patients with chronic liver disease referred for ultrasound screening underwent a liver ultrasound and a liver MRI comprising free breathing DWI. Each test was independently read to determine the accuracy of each modality for detecting HCC.

Results

One hundred and ninety‐two patients were recruited and HCC was diagnosed in six patients (3%); all of whom were detected at ultrasound screening, and five detected at MRI screening. Ultrasound had false‐positive studies 20 times (10%) while DWI MRI had three false‐positive examinations (2%) p≥0.05. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values for ultrasound are 100%, 90%, 23% and 100%, respectively, while for MRI are 83%, 98%, 63% and 99%.

Conclusion

In patients with chronic liver disease undergoing surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma, DWI MRI screening shows similar sensitivity to screening ultrasound but with a significantly lower false‐positive rate.
Rapid annotation of nifH gene sequences using classification and regression trees facilitates environmental functional gene analysis
Authors: Frank Ildiko E. , Turk‐Kubo Kendra A. , Zehr Jonathan P.
Published: August 2016

The nifH gene is a widely used molecular proxy for studying nitrogen fixation. Phylogenetic classification of nifH gene sequences is an essential step in diazotroph community analysis that requires a fast automated solution due to increasing size of environmental sequence libraries and increasing yield of nifH sequences from high‐throughput technologies. A novel approach to rapidly classify nifH amino acid sequences into well‐defined phylogenetic clusters that provides a common platform for comparative analysis across studies is presented. Phylogenetic group membership can be accurately predicted with decision tree‐type statistical models that identify and utilize signature residues in the amino acid sequences. Our classification models were trained and evaluated with a publicly available and manually curated nifH gene database containing cluster annotations. Model‐independent sequence sets from diverse ecosystems were used for further assessment of the models’ prediction accuracy. The utility of this novel sequence binning approach was demonstrated in a comparative study where joint treatment of diazotroph assemblages from a wide range of habitats identified habitat‐specific and widely‐distributed diazotrophs and revealed a marine – terrestrial distinction in community composition. Our rapid and automated phylogenetic cluster assignment circumvents extensive phylogenetic analysis of nifH sequences; hence, it saves substantial time and resources in nitrogen fixation studies.
Differential role of hypothalamic orexin/hypocretin neurons in reward seeking motivated by cocaine versus palatable food
Authors: Martin‐Fardon Rémi , Cauvi Gabrielle , Kerr Tony M. , Weiss Friedbert
Published: August 2016

Hypothalamic orexin/hypocretin (Orx/Hcrt) neurons are thought to mediate both food‐reinforced behaviors and behavior motivated by drugs of abuse. However, the relative role of the Orx/Hcrt system in behavior motivated by food versus drugs of abuse remains unclear. This investigation addressed this question by contrasting hypothalamic Orx/Hcrt neuronal activation associated with reinstatement of reward seeking induced by stimuli conditioned to cocaine (COC) versus highly palatable food reward, sweetened condensed milk (SCM). Orx/Hcrt neuronal activation in the lateral hypothalamus, dorsomedial hypothalamus and perifornical area, determined by dual c‐fos/orx immunocytochemistry, was quantified in rat brains, following reinstatement of reward seeking induced by a discriminative stimulus (S+) conditioned to COC or SCM. The COC S+ and SCM S+ initially produced the same magnitude of reward seeking. However, over four subsequent tests, behavior induced by the SCM S+ decreased to extinction levels, whereas reinstatement induced by the COC S+ perseverated at undiminished levels. Following both the first and fourth tests, the percentage of Orx/Hcrt cells expressing Fos was significantly increased in all hypothalamic subregions in rats tested with the COC S+ but not rats tested with the SCM S+. These findings point toward a role for the Orx/Hcrt system in perseverating, compulsive‐like COC seeking but not behavior motivated by palatable food. Moreover, analysis of the Orx/Hcrt recruitment patterns suggests that failure of Orx/Hcrt neurons in the lateral hypothalamus to respond to inhibitory inputs from Orx/Hcrt neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus/perifornical area may contribute to the perseverating nature of COC seeking.
mGluR2/3 mediates short‐term control of nicotine‐seeking by acute systemic N‐acetylcysteine
Authors: Moro Federico , Orrù Alessandro , Marzo Claudio Marcello , Di Clemente Angelo , Cervo Luigi
Published: August 2016

Chronic self‐administration of nicotine induces maladaptive changes in the cortico‐accumbal glutamate (Glu) network. Consequently, re‐exposure to nicotine‐associated cues raises extracellular Glu in the nucleus accumbens reinstating drug‐seeking. Restoring basal concentrations of extracellular Glu, thereby increasing tonic activation of the presynaptic group II metabotropic Glu receptors (mGluR2/3) with N‐acetylcysteine (N‐AC), might offer a valid therapeutic approach for maintaining smoking abstinence. Although N‐AC modulates nicotine‐seeking behavior by drug‐associated stimuli in abstinent rats, it is still unclear whether it occurs through activation of mGluR2/3. Male Wistar rats were trained to associate discriminative stimuli (SDs) with the availability of intravenous nicotine (0.03 mg/kg/65 µl/2‐second/infusion) or oral saccharin (100 µl of 50 mg/l) self‐administration versus non‐reward. Reinforced response was followed by a cue signaling 20‐second time‐out (CSs). Once the training criterion was met, rats underwent lever press extinction, without reinforcers, SDs and CSs. Re‐exposure to nicotine or saccharin SD+/CS+, but not non‐reward SD−/CS−, revived responding on the previously reinforced lever. Acute N‐AC, 100 but not 60 or 30 mg/kg i.p., reduced cue‐induced nicotine‐seeking. N‐AC 100 mg/kg did not modify cue‐induced saccharin‐seeking behavior or influenced locomotor activity. Blocking mGluR2/3 with the selective antagonist LY341495, 1 mg/kg i.p., completely prevented the antirelapse activity of N‐AC. The finding that N‐AC prevents cue‐induced nicotine‐seeking by stimulating mGluR2/3 might indicate a therapeutic opportunity for acute cue‐controlled nicotine‐seeking. Future studies could evaluate the persistent effects of chronic N‐AC in promoting enduring suppression of nicotine‐cue conditioned responding.
Understanding conservationists’ perspectives on the new‐conservation debate
Authors: Holmes George , Sandbrook Chris , Fisher Janet A.
Published: August 2016

A vibrant debate about the future direction of biodiversity conservation centers on the merits of the so‐called new conservation. Proponents of the new conservation advocate a series of positions on key conservation ideas, such as the importance of human‐dominated landscapes and conservation's engagement with capitalism. These have been fiercely contested in a debate dominated by a few high‐profile individuals, and so far there has been no empirical exploration of existing perspectives on these issues among a wider community of conservationists. We used Q methodology to examine empirically perspectives on the new conservation held by attendees at the 2015 International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB). Although we identified a consensus on several key issues, 3 distinct positions emerged: in favor of conservation to benefit people but opposed to links with capitalism and corporations, in favor of biocentric approaches but with less emphasis on wilderness protection than prominent opponents of new conservation, and in favor of the published new conservation perspective but with less emphasis on increasing human well‐being as a goal of conservation. Our results revealed differences between the debate on the new conservation in the literature and views held within a wider, but still limited, conservation community and demonstrated the existence of at least one viewpoint (in favor of conservation to benefit people but opposed to links with capitalism and corporations) that is almost absent from the published debate. We hope the fuller understanding we present of the variety of views that exist but have not yet been heard, will improve the quality and tone of debates on the subject.
INDUCING OVERCONFIDENCE
Authors: Silva Francisco
Published: August 2016

In this study, I present a theory which explains how the influence of others may generate overconfidence. The argument is built on the idea that the more help an agent receives when performing a task, the less informative the score on that task will be relative to the agent's ability to perform it. If an agent is confident, he tends to benefit from more cooperation opportunities simply because he is likely to be perceived as being more skilled. As a result, he remains confident because the future signals he will observe will contain very little information regarding his ability. On the contrary, if the agent is not confident, he will receive more informative scores, which will help him learn his true ability faster. (JEL D81, D83, D84)
Prey partitioning and use of insects by juvenile sockeye salmon and a potential competitor, threespine stickleback, in Afognak Lake, Alaska
Authors: Richardson Natura , Beaudreau Anne H. , Wipfli Mark S. , Finkle Heather
Published: August 2016

Freshwater growth of juvenile sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) depends upon the quality and quantity of prey and interactions with potential competitors in the foraging environment. To a large extent, knowledge about the ecology of lake‐rearing juvenile sockeye salmon has emerged from studies of commercially important runs returning to deep nursery lakes, yet information from shallow nursery lakes (mean depth ≤ 10 m) is limited. We examined seasonal and ontogenetic variation in diets of juvenile sockeye salmon (N = 219, 30–85 mm) and an abundant potential competitor, threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus; N = 198, 42–67 mm), to understand their foraging ecology and potential trophic interactions in a shallow Alaska lake. This study revealed that adult insects made up 74% of all sockeye salmon diets by weight and were present in 98% of all stomachs in Afognak Lake during the summer of 2013. Diets varied temporally for all fishes, but small sockeye salmon (<60 mm) showed a distinct shift in consumption from zooplankton in early summer to adult insects in late summer. We found significant differences in diet composition between sockeye salmon and threespine stickleback and the origin of their prey indicated that they also separated their use of habitat on a fine scale; however, the two species showed overlap in size selectivity of zooplankton prey. Considering that aquatic insects can be a primary resource for juvenile sockeye salmon in Afognak Lake, we encourage the development of nursery lake carrying capacity models that include aquatic insects as a prey source for sockeye salmon.
Anagrelide reduces thrombotic risk in essential thrombocythaemia vs. hydroxyurea plus aspirin
Authors: Dombi Péter , Illés Árpád , Demeter Judit , Homor Lajos , Simon Zsofia , Karadi Eva , Udvardy Miklos , Egyed Miklos
Published: August 2016

Objective

To evaluate the reduction in thrombotic events (TE) in patients with essential thrombocythaemia (ET) treated with anagrelide versus hydroxyurea + aspirin (HU + ASA).

Methods

A questionnaire was developed using 2008 WHO diagnostic criteria, and thrombotic risk factors were stratified according to Landolfi criteria. Through questionnaire completion, clinicians at Hungarian haematological centres entered data into the Hungarian MPN Registry on patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms. Based on ET registry data, TEs in anagrelide‐treated patients (n = 139) were compared with HU + ASA‐treated patients (n = 141).

Results

Patients were followed up for (median) 6 yr. TEs were reported in significantly fewer anagrelide‐treated patients versus HU + ASA (15.1% versus 49.6%; P < 0.001). Numbers of major arterial and major venous events were similar between the groups, although there were over fivefold more minor arterial and minor venous events in the HU + ASA group (P < 0.001). While median age at diagnosis was older and length of follow‐up shorter in the HU + ASA group (P < 0.05), this did not influence TE incidence; medication and TE before diagnosis only influenced TE incidence.

Conclusions

Anagrelide significantly decreased the number of patients experiencing minor arterial and minor venous TEs versus HU + ASA over 6 yr. Risk of TE after diagnosis was significantly increased if the patient had TE before diagnosis.
Impact Energy Absorption Analysis of Spark Plasma Sintered Al2O3 Reinforced Bulk Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Compacts Using Nanoindentation
Authors: Kar Ajitesh , Sarkar Soumya , Das Probal , Bhattacharya Manjima , Mukhopadhyay Anoop
Published: August 2016

For utilizing the outstanding energy absorbing capacity of highly elastic carbon nanotube (CNT), bulk multiwalled CNT (MWCNT) structure containing 15 wt% alumina (Al2O3) was fabricated using spark plasma sintering at 1600°C for 10 min under 50 MPa. The compacted mass was ~85% dense having morphologically stable MWCNTs. Microindentation studies up to 9.81 N indicated outstanding elastic recovery of the bulk structure leaving only a diffused indentation mark at indenter‐specimen interaction zone. Quantitative estimation of elastic response behavior of the fabricated structure using instrumented nanoindentation in 10–300 mN load range indicated promising applicability of Al2O3/MWCNT compact structure as energy absorbing material.
The intimate and controversial relationship between voltage‐gated proton channels and the phagocyte NADPH oxidase
Authors: DeCoursey Thomas E.
Published: August 2016

One of the most fascinating and exciting periods in my scientific career entailed dissecting the symbiotic relationship between two membrane transporters, the Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate reduced form (NADPH) oxidase complex and voltage‐gated proton channels (HV1). By the time I entered this field, there had already been substantial progress toward understanding NADPH oxidase, but HV1 were known only to a tiny handful of cognoscenti around the world. Having identified the first proton currents in mammalian cells in 1991, I needed to find a clear function for these molecules if the work was to become fundable. The then‐recent discoveries of Henderson, Chappell, and colleagues in 1987–1988 that led them to hypothesize interactions of both molecules during the respiratory burst of phagocytes provided an excellent opportunity. In a nutshell, both transporters function by moving electrical charge across the membrane: NADPH oxidase moves electrons and HV1 moves protons. The consequences of electrogenic NADPH oxidase activity on both membrane potential and pH strongly self‐limit this enzyme. Fortunately, both consequences specifically activate HV1, and HV1 activity counteracts both consequences, a kind of yin–yang relationship. Notwithstanding a decade starting in 1995 when many believed the opposite, these are two separate molecules that function independently despite their being functionally interdependent in phagocytes. The relationship between NADPH oxidase and HV1 has become a paradigm that somewhat surprisingly has now extended well beyond the phagocyte NADPH oxidase – an industrial strength producer of reactive oxygen species (ROS) – to myriad other cells that produce orders of magnitude less ROS for signaling purposes. These cells with their seven NADPH oxidase (NOX) isoforms provide a vast realm of mechanistic obscurity that will occupy future studies for years to come.
Human neutrophils and oral microbiota: a constant tug‐of‐war between a harmonious and a discordant coexistence
Authors: Uriarte Silvia M. , Edmisson Jacob S. , Jimenez‐Flores Emeri
Published: August 2016

Neutrophils are a major component of the innate host response, and the outcome of the interaction between the oral microbiota and neutrophils is a key determinant of oral health status. The composition of the oral microbiome is very complex and different in health and disease. Neutrophils are constantly recruited to the oral cavity, and their protective role is highlighted in cases where their number or functional responses are impeded, resulting in different forms of periodontal disease. Periodontitis, one of the more severe and irreversible forms of periodontal disease, is a microbial‐induced chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gingival tissues supporting the tooth. This chronic inflammatory disease is the result of a shift of the oral bacterial symbiotic community to a dysbiotic more complex community. Chronic inflammatory infectious diseases such as periodontitis can occur because the pathogens are able to evade or disable the innate immune system. In this review, we discuss how human neutrophils interact with both the symbiotic and the dysbiotic oral community; an understanding of which is essential to increase our knowledge of the periodontal disease process.
Factors Influencing Diaphragmatic Compound Motor Action Potentials During Cryoballoon Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: SHARMA PARIKSHIT S. , PADALA SANTOSH K. , THOMPSON J. JENKINS , GUNDA SAMPATH , KONERU JAYANTHI N. , ELLENBOGEN KENNETH A.
Published: August 2016

Factors Influencing Diaphragmatic CMAP

Introduction

The diaphragmatic compound motor action potentials (CMAPs) have been used to predict and prevent phrenic nerve injury (PNI) during cryoballoon ablation of right pulmonary veins. We sought to assess factors that influence the amplitude of the surface CMAP recordings.

Methods and Results

We analyzed CMAPs from consecutive patients undergoing cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. CMAP recordings were obtained using electrocardiography electrodes positioned in the “modified lead I” method while stimulating the right PN, until loss of capture (ascertained by palpation and fluoroscopy of the right hemi‐diaphragm). A total of 55 patients (age 63 ± 11 years; 60% men; body mass index [BMI] 31 ± 6) had adequate CMAP recordings and were included for evaluation of CMAP signals. CMAPs demonstrated 2 distinct components, an early higher amplitude signal (pacing artifact) and a later lower amplitude signal (true diaphragmatic CMAP). There was no significant change in the true CMAP recording amplitude with decrease in stimulus strength (P = 0.1). There was no impact of BMI on CMAP amplitude (P = 0.93). There was a significant phasic respiratory variation in CMAP amplitude with a mean decrease in CMAP amplitude of 10.8% (range: 8–12%) with inspiration lasting an average of 2 beats (P < 0.001). A decrease in CMAP amplitude of >30% was noted in 6 cases (11%) and termination of cryoablation prevented PNI.

Conclusion

Diaphragmatic CMAP amplitude is not affected by stimulus strength or BMI. There is a significant respirophasic decrease in CMAP signal amplitude with inspiration. It is important to be aware of this variation to avoid premature termination of cryoablation.
The Impact of Azilsartan Medoxomil Treatment (Capsule Formulation) at Doses Ranging From 10 to 80 mg: Significant, Rapid Reductions in Clinic Diastolic and Systolic Blood Pressure
Authors: Perez Alfonso , Cao Charlie
Published: August 2016

In this phase 2, multicenter, parallel‐group, double‐blind, dose‐ranging study, hypertensive adults (n=449) were randomized to receive one of five doses of a capsule formulation of azilsartan medoxomil (AZL‐M; 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 mg), olmesartan medoxomil (OLM) 20 mg, or placebo once daily. The primary endpoint was change in trough clinic diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at week 8. AZL‐M provided rapid statistically and clinically significant reductions in DBP and systolic blood pressure (SBP) vs placebo at all doses except 5 mg. Placebo‐subtracted changes were greatest with the 40 mg dose (DBP, −5.7 mm Hg; SBP, −12.3 mm Hg). Clinic changes with AZL‐M (all doses) were statistically indistinguishable vs OLM, although there were greater reductions with AZL‐M 40 mg using 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure. Adverse event frequency was similar in the AZL‐M and placebo groups. Based on these and other findings, subsequent trials investigated the commercial AZL‐M tablet in the dose range of 20 to 80 mg/d.
Effectiveness of a secondary prevention protocol for occupational contact dermatitis
Authors: Mauro M. , De Giusti V. , Bovenzi M. , Larese Filon F.
Published: August 2016

Background

Occupational skin diseases are often responsible for sick leave or job changes, affect mostly young subjects, are costly to society and have been reported as significant predictor of unemployment.

Objectives

To assess, over time, the course of occupational hand dermatitis (OHD) after a specific training, by means of follow‐up visits and TEWL measurement, to evaluate skin barrier integrity and if preventive measures for hand skin care provided may influence the course of the disease.

Methods

Workers with a diagnosis of OHD from January 2011 to December 2013 were contacted by telephone, filled in a questionnaire (NOSQ‐2002) and were invited to a training course on prevention of skin dermatitis, and to a new clinical evaluation with TEWL measurement. Workers who joined the training programme were asked to undergo a new evaluation after 3 months. A total of 65 subjects without contact dermatitis were recruited as control group.

Results

One hundred and one subjects from 143 workers, who were contacted, filled in the questionnaire. Sixty‐five of them followed the training course and underwent a new clinical evaluation withTEWL measurements.

Ongoing symptoms of subjects decreased from 60.0% to 42.3% 3 months after the training, and the subgroup which strictly adhered to the recommendations given achieved better results (61.9% of symptoms improvement when compared to 29.0% obtained in subjects with partial adhesion to the protocol). TEWL values changed from 21.3 ± 9.6 to 18.6 ± 7.2 g/m²/h (P = 0.001) on the hands and from 16.6 ± 9.0 to 10.5 ± 4.6 g/m²/h (P = 0.001) on the forearm, confirming the skin barrier improvement.

Conclusions

Our secondary prevention intervention was effective, leading to a reduction in clinical signs of dermatitis. TEWL measurement is a useful tool to evaluate skin integrity, mostly in apparently healthy skin, which may have a compromised barrier function, resulting in an exacerbation of the dermatitis.
Minimizing injury to the donor area in follicular unit extraction (FUE) harvesting
Authors: Zontos Georgios , Williams Ken L. , Nikiforidis George
Published: August 2016

Background

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is considered to be a minimally invasive procedure, and the injury to the donor area caused by a sharp punch may result in dermal fibrosis and clinically observed hypopigmentation.

Objective

To evaluate with advanced image processing the efficacy of using 0.9% normal saline in minimizing the injury to the donor area in FUE donor harvesting.

Patients and methods

The term acute extraction (AE) is used to describe the donor harvesting technique, whereby a follicular unit (FU) is removed with a punch that is aligned parallel with the exit angle of the hair follicle. The term vertical extraction (VE) describes the technique where a FU is removed in like manner, but normal saline is injected intradermally prior to harvesting so the punch being perpendicular to the skin. Thirty‐five patients were selected for this study to apply both harvesting techniques and then to compare the differences in wound surface size and skin mass removed by the punch.

Results

A significant reduction in the mean values of wound surface and skin mass was recorded in vertical extraction compared to those in acute extraction.

Conclusion

The injection of normal saline prior to harvesting proved to be very efficient in minimizing skin injury in FUE harvesting.
Optimal rationing within a heterogeneous population
Authors: Choné Philippe , Gauthier Stéphane
Published: August 2016

A government agency delegates to a provider (hospital, medical gatekeeper, school, social worker) the decision to supply a service or treatment to individual recipients. The agency does not perfectly know the distribution of individual treatment costs in the population. The single‐crossing property is not satisfied when the uncertainty pertains to the dispersion of the distribution. We find that the provision of service should be distorted upward when the first‐best efficient number of recipients is sufficiently high.
Immunologic characteristics of human gingival fibroblasts in response to oral bacteria
Authors: Jang J. Y. , Song I.‐S. , Baek K. J. , Choi Y. , Ji S.
Published: August 2016

Background and Objective

There is ample evidence that gingival fibroblasts (GFs) participate in the immune response to oral bacteria and serve as immune‐regulatory cells. The objective of this study was to investigate the innate immune response of GFs to oral bacteria.

Material and Methods

Human GFs were cocultured with relatively less‐pathogenic (Leptotrichia wadei, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Campylobacter gracilis) and pathogenic red‐complex bacteria. The expression of mRNA for antimicrobial peptides [AMPs; namely human beta defensins (HBDs)], chemokines with antimicrobial activity [chemokine C‐X‐C motif (CXCL)10, CXCL11 and chemokine C‐C motif ligand 20 (CCL20)] and proinflammatory mediators [interleukin (IL)6 and IL8] and the levels of CXCL11, CCL20, IL‐6 and IL‐8 accumulated in supernatants were analyzed using real‐time PCR and ELISA, respectively. The proteolytic activities of CXCL11, CCL20, IL‐6 and IL‐8 produced by six species of bacteria were also determined.

Results

The relatively less‐pathogenic bacteria strongly up‐regulated the expression of antimicrobial chemokines and proinflammatory mediators, whereas the red‐complex bacteria stimulated low levels, or often suppressed, expression of these factors. Regarding the regulation of AMPs, the inhibition of HBD3, HBD106 and HBD107 mRNAs by Porphyromonas gingivalis was noticeable; however, differences between the two bacterial groups were not conspicuous. Differential degradation of proteins by the six bacterial species was observed: P. gingivalis and Treponema denticola degraded proteins well, whereas the other species degraded proteins to a relatively lower degree.

Conclusion

The invasion of red‐complex bacteria into gingival connective tissue can suppress the immune response of GFs and can be a source of persistent infection in connective tissue.
Veteran Use of Health Care Systems in Rural States: Comparing VA and Non‐VA Health Care Use Among Privately Insured Veterans Under Age 65
Authors: Charlton Mary E. , Mengeling Michelle A. , Schlichting Jennifer A. , Jiang Lan , Turvey Carolyn , Trivedi Amal N. , Kizer Kenneth W. , West Alan N.
Published: August 2016

Objective

To quantify use of VA and non‐VA care among working‐age veterans with private insurance by linking VA data to private health insurance plan (PHIP) data.

Methods

Demographics and utilization were compared between dual users of VA and non‐VA systems versus single‐system users for veterans < 65 living in 2 rural Midwestern states concurrently enrolled in VA health care and a PHIP for ≥ 1 complete federal fiscal year from 2000 to 2010. Chi‐square and t‐tests were used for univariate analyses. VA reliance was computed as the percentage of visits, admissions and prescriptions in VA. Multinomial logistic regression was used to compare characteristics by dual use versus non‐VA only or VA only use.

Results

Of 16,330 eligible veterans, 54% used both VA and non‐VA services, 39% used non‐VA only, and 5% used VA only. Compared with single‐system use, dual use was associated with older age, priority levels 1‐4, service‐connected conditions, rural residence, greater years of study eligibility, and enrollment in the PHIP before VA. VA reliance was 33% for outpatient care, 14% for inpatient, and 40% for pharmacy. PHIP data substantially underestimated VA use compared to VA data; 26% who used VA health care had no VA claims in the PHIP dataset.

Conclusions

Over half of working‐age veterans enrolled in VA and private insurance used services in both systems. Care coordination efforts across systems should include veterans of all ages, particularly rural veterans more likely to be dual users, and better methods are needed to identify veterans with private insurance and their private providers.
Appropriate handling of pet rabbits: a literature review
Authors: Bradbury A. G. , Dickens G. J. E.
Published: August 2016

Many rabbits show fear behaviours when lifted off the ground. Estimates from owner surveys suggest that around 60% of pet rabbits struggle when lifted and fear‐related aggression is common. This article integrates information from both laboratory and pet rabbit studies to formulate a list of recommendations for appropriate handling of rabbits. Reduction of the frequency of the stressor can be achieved by educating owners on alternative management practices to reduce the need to carry their rabbits. However, in some situations, it is unavoidable that a rabbit is lifted. Amelioration of the stress in these instances can be achieved by a 2 pronged strategy. First, the population of rabbits can be made more resilient to infrequent stressors by selectively breeding for confident rabbits and by better socialisation of unweaned kits, and, where possible, training of individual animals to permit handling. Secondly, any unavoidable lifting can be made less stressful by educating veterinary staff in appropriate methods of holding rabbits during both consultations and inpatient care. Better understanding of appropriate interactions with rabbits will improve welfare.
Proteomic Analysis of Proteins Related to Homozygotic Sterility Derived from Gynogenesis in the Japanese Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus
Authors: Jiang Hong B. , Bao Jie , Zhang Xiao Y. , Wang, Gui X. , Liu Hai J. , Jiang Li , Han Ying
Published: August 2016

Double haploid (DH) fishes produced by gynogenesis are ideal research subjects. However, the fertility of DH female fishes is often compromised because of irregularities in their reproductive development, which frequently restricts them from producing progeny and, consequently, limits their use in research. This study compared differentially expressed proteins between fertile and infertile DH Japanese flounders, Paralichthys olivaceus. We identified 42 proteins from 1600 validated, reproducible protein spots using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Among the candidate proteins, vitellogenin 1, scaffold attachment factor B2, and nucleobindin 1 were downregulated in the gonads of infertile fishes, compared with those of fertile controls. In addition, several calcium‐binding proteins such as EF‐hand calcium‐binding domain‐containing protein 3, EF‐hand calcium‐binding domain‐containing protein 4B, and basonuclin 2 were also downregulated in infertile fishes. These candidate proteins provide important information for further analysis of the molecular mechanisms underlying homozygotic infertility.
Transcription factor PRO1 targets genes encoding conserved components of fungal developmental signaling pathways
Authors: Steffens Eva Katharina , Becker Kordula , Krevet Sabine , Teichert Ines , Kück Ulrich
Published: August 2016

The filamentous fungus Sordaria macrospora is a model system to study multicellular development during fruiting body formation. Previously, we demonstrated that this major process in the sexual life cycle is controlled by the Zn(II)2Cys6 zinc cluster transcription factor PRO1. Here, we further investigated the genome‐wide regulatory network controlled by PRO1 by employing chromatin immunoprecipitation combined with next‐generation sequencing (ChIP‐seq) to identify binding sites for PRO1. We identified several target regions that occur in the promoter regions of genes encoding components of diverse signaling pathways. Furthermore, we identified a conserved DNA‐binding motif that is bound specifically by PRO1 in vitro. In addition, PRO1 controls in vivo the expression of a DsRed reporter gene under the control of the esdC target gene promoter. Our ChIP‐seq data suggest that PRO1 also controls target genes previously shown to be involved in regulating the pathways controlling cell wall integrity, NADPH oxidase and pheromone signaling. Our data point to PRO1 acting as a master regulator of genes for signaling components that comprise a developmental cascade controlling fruiting body formation.
Oral iron supplementation with sodium ferrous citrate reduces the serum intact and c‐terminal fibroblast growth factor 23 levels of maintenance haemodialysis patients
Authors: Yamashita Kazuomi , Mizuiri Sonoo , Nishizawa Yoshiko , Kenichiro Shigemoto , Doi Shigehiro , Masaki Takao
Published: August 2016

Aim

Iron deficiency stimulates fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) transcription. This study aimed to determine whether oral ferrous iron (Fe2+) reduces the serum FGF23 levels of iron‐deficient maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) patients in the same way as oral ferric iron (Fe3+)

Methods

Thirty‐one MHD patients with iron deficiency were enrolled in this prospective study. Patients who had taken iron supplements during the 8 weeks before the study were excluded. The patients’ iron stores and their serum FGF23, phosphate, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), albumin, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and albumin‐adjusted calcium (Ca) levels were examined at the baseline and after 3 months’ treatment with sodium ferrous citrate (Fe2+).

Results

The patients’ transferrin saturation values and serum iron and ferritin levels were significantly increased after 3 months’ treatment (P < 0.01), as were their serum albumin levels (P < 0.05). Conversely, their serum intact FGF23 (iFGF23) [1820 (342–4370) vs 1240 (214–2940) pg/mL, P < 0.05], C‐terminal FGF23 (cFGF23) [309 (120–1211) vs 259 (99–600) pg/mL, P < 0.05)], and CRP levels (P < 0.01) were significantly reduced after 3 months’ treatment. No changes were detected in the patients’ serum iFGF23:cFGF23 ratios or their serum phosphate, Ca, or iPTH levels. The changes in the patients’ serum iFGF23 and cFGF23 levels induced by sodium ferrous citrate supplementation were shown to be attributable to changes in their serum ferritin levels (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Short‐term oral iron supplementation with sodium ferrous citrate replenished the iron stores and reduced the serum iFGF23 and cFGF23 levels of MHD patients with iron deficiency without affecting their serum phosphate, Ca, or iPTH levels.
New developments in the effort to model ecosystems under water stress
Authors: Medlyn Belinda E. , De Kauwe Martin G. , Duursma Remko A.
Published: August 2016

This article is a commentary on Xu et al., 212: 80–95.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities from tropical Africa reveal strong ecological structure
Authors: Rodríguez‐Echeverría Susana , Teixeira Helena , Correia Marta , Timóteo Sérgio , Heleno Ruben , Öpik Maarja , Moora Mari
Published: August 2016

Understanding the distribution and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and the rules that governAMFassemblages has been hampered by a lack of data from natural ecosystems. In addition, the current knowledge onAMFdiversity is biased towards temperate ecosystems, whereas little is known about other habitats such as dry tropical ecosystems.

We explored the diversity and structure ofAMFcommunities in grasslands, savannas, dry forests and miombo in a protected area under dry tropical climate (Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique) using 454 pyrosequencing.

In total, 147AMFvirtual taxa (VT) were detected, including 22VTnew to science. We found a high turnover ofAMFwith ˂ 12% ofVTpresent in all vegetation types. Forested areas supported more diverseAMFcommunities than savannas and grassland. Miombo woodlands had the highestAMFrichness, number of novelVT, and number of exclusive and indicator taxa.

Our data reveal a sharp differentiation ofAMFcommunities between forested areas and periodically flooded savannas and grasslands. This marked ecological structure ofAMFcommunities provides the first comprehensive landscape‐scale evidence that, at the background of globally low endemism ofAMF, local communities are shaped by regional processes including environmental filtering by edaphic properties and natural disturbance.
The geographic mosaic of plant chemistry and its effects on community and population genetic diversity
Authors: Kessler André
Published: August 2016

This article is a commentary on Glassmire et al., 212: 208–219
Free Trade versus Autarky under Asymmetric Cournot Oligopoly
Authors: Amir Rabah , Jin Jim Y. , Tröge Michael
Published: August 2016

The paper compares free trade with autarky in an asymmetric multi‐country world under Cournot competition with constant returns to scale and linear demand. We derive respective conditions under which free trade will hurt a country's consumers, benefit its firms, induce it to export, increase its output and raise its welfare. We show that these conditions are linked in a clear order, with one implying the next. We further demonstrate that free trade can reduce world total output and total consumer surplus as well as world welfare. Along the way, we correct several oversights in the literature.
Incremental Hemodialysis: How I Do It
Authors: Golper Thomas A.
Published: August 2016

Incremental hemodialysis (incrHD) is not widely used nor is it well understood. In addition, and perhaps with more impact, governmental regulations in the United States and their consequential influences on dialysis provider organizations have made the practice of incrHD more difficult than traditional thrice weekly in‐center HD. IncrHD is critically dependent on the amount of residual kidney function (RKF) as well as the individualized goals of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) management. RKF has to be assessed frequently and dialysis adjusted accordingly. Home HD lends itself to an incremental approach more so than in‐center HD. This may be due to more experience of the provider, more knowledge of the therapy by the patient and family, the availability of dialysis platforms conducive to incrHD, and/or that its less onerous regulation by the government. I have had a long and successful experience performing incremental dialysis (both peritoneal and hemodialysis) and share here my practice strategies and approaches for incrHD.
Thermal Performance of the U-Tube Solar Collector Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Farjallah Rim , Chaabane Monia , Mhiri Hatem , Bournot Philippe , Dhaouadi Hatem
Published: August 2016

In this paper, we propose a numerical study of a tubular solar collector with a U-tube. A three-dimensional numerical model is developed. It was first used in order to study the efficiency of the solar collector and to evaluate the validity of the developed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model by comparison with experimental results from the literature. For the numerical simulations, the turbulence and the radiation were, respectively, modeled using the standard k–ε model and the discrete ordinates (DO) model. This numerical model was then used to carry out a parametrical study and to discuss the effect of selected operating parameters such as the fluid mass flow rate, the absorber selectivity, and the material properties. Numerical results show that with the increase of the working fluid flow rate from 0.001 kg/s to 0.003 kg/s, the efficiency of the solar collector is improved (from 30% to 35%). Numerical results also show that the filled-type evacuated tube with graphite presents a best result in comparison with those found using the copper fin tube (η increases from 54% to 64%). Finally, we noted that the use of a high selective absorber surface adds to better performance in comparison with the black absorber tube. This is mainly due to the radiation losses reduction.
Phase Change Material For Solar Thermal Energy Storage In Buildings: Numerical Study
Authors: Bouhssine Zineb , Najam Mostafa , El Alami Mustapha
Published: August 2016

Thermal storage plays a major role in a wide variety of industrial, commercial, and residential applications when there is a mismatch between the offer and the claim of energy. In this paper, we study numerically the contribution of phase change materials (PCMs) for solar thermal energy storage (TES) in buildings. The studied configuration is a plane solar collector incorporating a PCM layer and coupled to a concrete slab (a roof of a building). The study is conducted for Casablanca (Morocco) meteorological conditions. Several simulations were performed to optimize the melting temperature and the PCM layer thickness. The results show that PCM imposes, on the roof, a temperature close to its melting temperature. The choice of a melting temperature Tmelt = 22 °C (the local indoor temperature Tc is fixed as Tc = 22 °C) limits the losses through the concrete slab, considerably. This last seems to be, nearly, adiabatic, in this case. Also, the energy released by PCM solidification, overnight, increases the outlet temperature of the coolant fluid to 35 °C and the useful flux to 80 W/m2, increasing the efficiency of the solar collector by night. The PCM functioned both as an energy storage material for the stabilization of the coolant fluid temperature and as an insulating material for the building.
Auditory categories with separable decision boundaries are learned faster with full feedback than with minimal feedback
Authors: Yi Han Gyol , Chandrasekaran Bharath
Published: August 2016

During visual category learning, full feedback (e.g., “Wrong, that was a category 4.”), relative to minimal feedback (e.g., “Wrong.”), enhances performance when the relevant dimensions are separable. This pattern is reversed with inseparable dimensions. Here, the interaction between trial-by-trial feedback and separability of dimensions in the auditory domain is examined. Participants were trained to categorize auditory stimuli along separable or inseparable dimensions. One group received full feedback, while the other group received minimal feedback. In the separable-dimensions condition, the full-feedback group achieved higher accuracy than did the minimal-feedback group. In the inseparable-dimensions condition, performance was equivalent across the feedback groups. These results altogether suggest that trial-by-trial feedback affects auditory category learning performance differentially for separable and inseparable categories.
Whiskers aid anemotaxis in rats
Authors: Yu Yan S. W. , Graff Matthew M. , Bresee Chris S. , Man Yan B. , Hartmann Mitra J. Z.
Published: August 2016

Rats localized airflow originating from one of five directions; performance was reduced after their whiskers were removed.
Cholesterol screening for kids sparks debate (again)
Authors: Couzin-Frankel Jennifer
Published: August 2016

Evidence for universal testing is insufficient, task force says
Educators collaborate to optimize STEM teacher prep
Authors: Jarvis Michaela
Published: August 2016

AAAS 2016 Noyce Summit unites academics and practitioners to develop research agenda
Hassles versus prices
Authors: Olken Benjamin A.
Published: August 2016

How can subsidized health products best target those who value them?
The future of three-dimensional thinking
Microsoft Hololens Development Edition
Microsoft Corporation
$3000
Authors: Hoffman Mark A
Published: August 2016

A new holographic platform holds promise for enhancing education, research, and collaboration