bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Landscape function analysis to assess soil processes on farms following ecological restoration and changes in grazing management
Authors: Read Z. J. , King H. P. , Tongway D. J. , Ogilvy S. , Greene R. S. B. , Hand G.
Published: June 2016

There is a global need for inexpensive tools for research and monitoring. Landscape function analysis (LFA) is a visual assessment procedure used to assess and monitor soil function rapidly from measurable soil surface characteristics. It uses 11 indicators of soil biogeochemical properties and processes, and generates three indices of soil function: soil stability, nutrient cycling and infiltration. These indices are strongly associated with the provision and regulation of ecosystem services such as soil retention, cycling of water and nutrients, carbon storage and biomass production. The LFA method can be used to quantify changes in soil function response to natural and anthropogenic disturbances such as variation in climate, changes in management practices and land‐use change. Our research assessed LFA for monitoring soil function on livestock farms with four different strategies for grazing management and ecological restoration. With LFA, we showed that (i) soil function returned when severely eroded claypans (scalds) were rehabilitated, (ii) grazing pressure had a greater effect on soil function than grazing regime, (iii) soil function improved with a programme of planned recovery grazing, (iv) soil function increased following afforestation of grazing land with native trees of mixed species and shrubs and (v) soil function responded to seasonal effects and cropping. Our results show that LFA is an effective research and monitoring tool for farm‐scale studies. The LFA method produces integrative indices for soil stability, infiltration and nutrient cycling, and provides information on soil function that can be used to guide both management decisions and soil sampling and analysis when more detailed and expensive soil research is justified.

Highlights:

We evaluate the effectiveness of LFA as a research and monitoring tool with four case studies.

We assess soil function in relation to its maximum potential within biogeochemical limits.

The LFA indices show differences in soil function with grazing management and ecological restoration.

The LFA method is an effective, rapid and inexpensive field research and monitoring tool.
Exploring the arachidonic acid‐induced structural changes in phagocyte NADPH oxidase p47phox and p67phox via thiol accessibility and SRCD spectroscopy
Authors: Bizouarn Tania , Karimi Gilda , Masoud Rawand , Souabni Hager , Machillot Paul , Serfaty Xavier , Wien Frank , Réfrégiers Matthieu , Houée‐Levin Chantal , Baciou Laura
Published: June 2016

The NADPH oxidase is the sole enzymatic complex that produces, in a controlled way, superoxide anions. In phagocytes, it is constituted by the assembly of four cytosolic (p67phox, p47phox, p40phox and Rac) and two membrane (p22phox and Nox2) proteins. In response to pro‐inflammatory mediators, the NADPH oxidase is activated. In cells, arachidonic acid (cis‐AA), released by activated phospholipase A2, also plays a role in activation of the NADPH oxidase complex, but the mechanism of action of cis‐AA is still a matter for debate. In cell‐free systems, cis‐AA is commonly used for activation. We have shown previously that trans‐AA isomers were unable to activate the NADPH oxidase complex. Here, we aim to evaluate the structural changes in p47phox and p67phox induced by AA. The structural impact of both AA isomers on both cytosolic proteins was investigated by the accessibility of the thiol group and by circular dichroism in the far‐UV for global folds. cis‐AA induces secondary structure changes of p47phox and p67phox, while the trans isomer does not, suggesting that the changes observed are of importance for the activation process of these proteins. While five of the nine thiol groups in p67phox and all of them in p47phox have low access to the solvent when proteins are alone in solution, all of them become fully accessible when proteins are together. In conclusion, the secondary structures of p47phox and p67phox are both dependent on the presence of the partner protein in solution and on the presence of the activator molecule cis‐AA.
Influence of residual thermal stresses on fatigue crack growth life of discontinuous reinforcements in metal matrix composites
Authors: Tevatia A , Srivastava S K
Published: June 2016

The fatigue life prediction model based on crack propagation from micro‐structural features is derived and presented for planar and randomly oriented Discontinuous Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites (DRMMCs). The model contains the influence of micro‐structural properties such as aspect ratio, volume fraction of particle/fibre and constraint between particle and the matrix. The effect of residual thermal stresses generated within the matrix during development of composite is considered. The particle/fibre plays a dominant role in the development of the cyclic plastic zone size ahead of the crack tip; moreover, it enhances the cyclic plastic deformation characteristics of DRMMC. The theoretical model‐based evaluations for low cycle fatigue in DRMMCs are within the proximity of the experimental results.
Experimental investigation of local tensile and fracture resistance behaviour of dissimilar metal weld joint: SA508 Gr.3 Cl.1 and SA312 Type 304LN
Authors: Kumar S. , Singh P. K. , Karn K. N. , Bhasin V.
Published: June 2016

The aim of the paper is to evaluate the local tensile and fracture toughness properties of the dissimilar metal weld joints between SA508Gr.3 Cl.1 and SA312 Type 304LN pipe. Weld joints have been prepared by manual gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process with conventional V‐groove and automatic hot wire gas tungsten arc welding with narrow gap using different filler wires/electrode such as Inconel 82/Inconel 182 and ER309L/ER308L. The tensile and fracture toughness test specimens have been machined from different regions of dissimilar metal weld such as heat affected zones, fusion lines, buttering layer, weld metal and both base metals. Tensile and fracture toughness tests have been carried out as per the ASTM standard E8 and E1820 respectively. Tensile and fracture toughness results of all the regions of dissimilar metal weld joints have been discussed in this paper. Metallurgical and fracture surface examinations have also been reported to substantiate the tensile and fracture toughness results. Need for the local properties for integrity assessment of the dissimilar metal weld joints has also been brought out.
Anthropogenic‐driven rapid shifts in tree distribution lead to increased dominance of broadleaf species
Authors: Vayreda Jordi , Martinez‐Vilalta Jordi , Gracia Marc , Canadell Josep G. , Retana Javier
Published: June 2016

Over the past century, major shifts in the geographic distribution of tree species have occurred in response to changes in land use and climate. We analyse species distribution and abundance from about 33 000 forest inventory plots in Spain sampled twice over a period of 10–12 years. We show a dominance of range contraction (extinction), and demographic decline over range expansion (colonization), with seven of 11 species exhibiting extinction downhill of their distribution. Contrary to expectations, these dynamics are not always consistent with climate warming over the study period, but result from legacies in forest structure due to past land use change and fire occurrence. We find that these changes have led to the expansion of broadleaf species (i.e. family Fagaceae) over areas formerly dominated by conifer species (i.e. family Pinaceae), due to the greater capacity of the former to respond to most disturbances and their higher competitive ability. This recent and rapid transition from conifers to broadleaves has important implications in forest dynamics and ecosystem services they provide. The finding raises the question as to whether the increasing dominance of relatively drought‐sensitive broadleaf species will diminish resilience of Mediterranean forests to very likely drier conditions in the future.
‘ALSO MEIN ALLERLIEBSTER REDETTE IHRE SAPHO MIT DEM KRIEGE’: LITERARY ROLE‐PLAY IN THE WAR POETRY OF ANNA LOUISA KARSCH
Authors: Pilsworth Ellen
Published: June 2016

Anna Louisa Karsch stylised herself as an uneducated peasant poet possessing natural genius, moved by her ʻfeminineʼ passions and ignorant of literary conventions. As a result of her successful self‐presentation, until recently scholars have not fully grasped the ways in which she engaged in literary role‐play in her poems – instead often reading her works autobiographically or as statements of authentic personal feeling. By demonstrating some of the contradicting viewpoints her poems express on the topic of the ongoing Seven Yearsʼ War, this article should prove two things. Firstly, that Karsch was acutely aware of poetic techniques and genre conventions, employing and citing a variety of literary traditions; and secondly, that by playing different literary roles in her poems, making use of classical, biblical and popular genres, she approaches the topic of war from a variety of perspectives that cannot be reduced to one of simple patriotism, as has been done by most Karsch scholars since her lifetime. In short, I argue that the ʻvoicesʼ in her poems should not be automatically conflated with the authorʼs own.

Die schlesische Bäuerin Anna Louisa Karsch hat sich als ungebildetes ʻweiblichesʼ Naturgenie präsentiert, das seine dichterische Inspiration der Natur und den Siegen Friedrichs des Großen verdankte. Infolge dieser höchst erfolgreichen Selbstpräsentation ist Karsch von der Wissenschaft lange Zeit unterschätzt worden. Ihre mannigfaltigen literarischen Rollenspiele und Selbstinszenierungen sind bisher kaum erforscht worden. Stattdessen werden ihre Gedichte oft reduktiv als Autobiographie verstanden. In diesem Artikel soll im Gegenteil belegt werden, wie sie literarische Konventionen aus der Klassik, der Bibel und dem populären Kriegsdiskurs verwendete, um völlig unterschiedliche Meinungen zum aktuellen Thema des Siebenjährigen Krieges auszudrücken. Wie in der Untersuchung gezeigt wird, resultieren diese verschiedenen Meinungen oft aus der literarischen Rolle, die gerade gespielt wird, und können nicht als ʻauthentischeʼ Ansichten der Autorin selbst gelten, auch wenn sie so inszeniert werden.
In vitro microbicidal, anti‐biofilm and cytotoxic effects of different commercial antiseptics
Authors: Ortega‐Peña Silvestre , Hidalgo‐González Christian , Robson Martin C , Krötzsch Edgar
Published: June 2016

Topical antiseptics are widely used for wound treatment, with the goal of disrupting biofilm capacity. We analysed the effectiveness of a variety of antiseptics to inhibit various stages of biofilm formation and to remove biofilms in vitro as well as the agents' cytotoxic effects on fibroblasts. We found that the chlorine‐releasing agents exhibited immediate anti‐biofilm effects in the short term, with lesser cytotoxicity than agents prepared from more stable compounds, such as biguanide or modified diallyl disulfide‐oxide, which, conversely, have better long‐term effectiveness. Among the examined organisms, Gram‐positive bacteria and Candida albicans were the most sensitive to the antiseptics, whereas Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii were relatively resistant to them. Formulations whose mechanisms of action involve the release of chemically active chlorine were more effective when administered in solution than the gel form, likely because of the stability of the active ingredients during or after preparation of the formula. Interestingly, hypochlorous acid and some superoxidation solutions were effective in preventing biofilm formation within a short time period and showed virtually no toxicity. Our study indicates that most antiseptics remain effective long enough to prevent biofilm formation; thus, even brief application of an antiseptic agent during initial wound treatment can lead to better wound management outcomes.
Abortion Legalization and Childbearing in Mexico
Authors: Gutiérrez Vázquez Edith Y. , Parrado Emilio A.
Published: June 2016

In 2007 abortion was legalized in the Federal District of Mexico, making it the largest jurisdiction in Latin America, outside of Cuba, to allow women to have abortions on request during the first trimester of pregnancy. While the implications of the law for women's health and maternal mortality have been investigated, its potential association with fertility behavior has yet to be assessed. We examine metropolitan‐area differences in overall and parity‐specific childbearing, as well as the age pattern of childbearing between 2000 and 2010 to identify the contribution of abortion legalization to fertility in Mexico. Our statistical specification applies difference‐in‐difference regression methods that control for concomitant changes in other socioeconomic predictors of fertility to assess the differential influence of the law across age groups. In addition, we account for prior fertility levels and change to better separate the effect of the law from preceding trends. Overall, the evidence suggests a systematic association between abortion legalization and fertility. The law appears to have contributed to lower fertility in Mexico City compared to other metropolitan areas and prior trends. The influence is mostly visible among women aged 20–34 in connection with the transition to first and second child, with limited impact on teenage fertility. There is some evidence that its effect might be diffusing to the Greater Mexico City Metropolitan area.
Second Season Syndrome
Authors: Gandy Rob
Published: June 2016

How hard is it for a newly-promoted football club to become established in the English Premier League? Rob Gandy explores the statistics of survival in top-flight soccer
Preparation and Characterization of Silver‐Doped Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Films via Nonvacuum Solution Process
Authors: Wu Jyun‐Jie , Yang Che‐Yuan , Lu Chung‐Hsin
Published: June 2016

Cu(In,Ga)Se2 films doped with different contents of silver ions (Ag+) were successfully prepared using nonvacuum spin coating followed by selenization at elevated temperatures. Increasing the Ag+ ion content increased the lattice parameters of the chalcopyrite structure, and shifted the A1 mode in the Raman signals to low frequencies. The band gaps of the prepared (Ag,Cu)(In,Ga)Se2 (ACIGS) films were considerably increased, thereby increasing the open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of the solar cells. As Ag+ ion content increased, the microstructures of ACIGS films became densified because the formed (Cu,Ag)2In alloy phase with a low melting point facilitated liquid‐phase sintering. The evaporation of selenium species was correspondingly suppressed in the films during selenization, thereby reducing the selenium vacancies. The improvement in the microstructures and the defects of ACIGS films increased short‐circuit current (Jsc) and fill factor of the solar cells. The spectral response of the solar cells was also enhanced remarkably. This study demonstrated that incorporation of Ag+ ions into Cu(In,Ga)Se2 films substantially improved the efficiency of the solar cells.
Corrosion of Borosilicate Glasses Subjected to Aggressive Test Conditions: Structural Investigations
Authors: Thorat Vidya S. , Mishra Raman K. , Kumaran Sudarsan V. , Kumar Amar , Vatsa Rajesh K. , Kaushik Chetan P. , Tyagi Avesh K.
Published: June 2016

Sodium borosilicate (NBS) and barium sodium borosilicate (BBS) glasses, used for immobilization of high‐level nuclear waste with compositions (SiO2)0.477(B2O3)0.239(Na2O)0.170(TiO2)0.023(CaO)0.068(Al2O3)0.023 and (SiO2)0.482(B2O3)0.244(Na2O)0.220(BaO)0.054 were subjected leaching experiments under hydrothermal conditions in an autoclave at 200°C for different time durations. Morphological and structural transformations associated with leaching, have been monitored with techniques like XRD, SEM, solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance. XRD and SEM along with NMR studies have confirmed that, upon leaching, formation of an aluminosilicate phase, Zeolite‐P (Na6Al6Si10O32·12H2O), occurs with NBS glass. BBS glass upon subjecting to the same conditions leads to formation of multiple amorphous phases having Q4 (silica rich phase) and Q3 structural units of Silicon along with structurally modified residual glass. Upon leaching BO3 structural units preferentially get released from BBS glass. Comparison of results with international simple glass confirmed that, for the latter, mass loss rates are one order of magnitude lower.
Controversies and challenges in the management of chronic urticaria
Authors: Staubach P. , Zuberbier T. , Vestergaard C. , Siebenhaar F. , Toubi E. , Sussman G.
Published: June 2016

This supplement reports proceedings of the second international Global Urticaria Forum, which was held in Berlin, Germany in November 2015. Despite the clear international guideline, there remain a number of controversies and challenges in the management of patients with chronic urticaria (CU). As a result of major advancements in urticaria over the past 4 years, the current EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/WAO urticaria guideline treatment algorithm requires updating. Case studies from patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) [also called chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU)], chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU) or diseases and syndromes related to CU are useful in describing and exploring challenges in disease management. Case studies of specific CSU patient populations such as children with CU or patients with angio‐edema but no hives also require consideration as potentially challenging groups with unmet needs. The current EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/WAO urticaria guideline provides a general framework for the management of patients with CU but, as these cases highlight, a personalized approach based on the expert knowledge of the physician may be required.
Unexpected findings and promoting monocausal claims, a cautionary tale
Authors: Copeland Samantha Marie
Published: June 2016

Stories of serendipitous discoveries in medicine incorrectly imply that the path from an unexpected observation to major discovery is straightforward or guaranteed. In this paper, I examine a case from the field of research about chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). In Norway, an unexpected positive result during clinical care has led to the development of a research programme into the potential for the immunosuppressant drug rituximab to relieve the symptoms of CFS. The media and public have taken up researchers' speculations that their research results indicate a causal mechanism for CFS – consequently, patients now have great hope that ‘the cause’ of CFS has been found, and thus, a cure is sure to follow. I argue that a monocausal claim cannot be correctly asserted, either on the basis of the single case of an unexpected, although positive, result or on the basis of the empirical research that has followed up on that result. Further, assertion and promotion of this claim will have specific harmful effects: it threatens to inappropriately narrow the scope of research on CFS, might misdirect research altogether, and could directly and indirectly harm patients. Therefore, the CFS case presents a cautionary tale, illustrating the risks involved in drawing a theoretical hypothesis from an unexpected observation. Further, I draw attention to the tendency in contemporary clinical research with CFS to promote new research directions on the basis of reductive causal models of that syndrome. Particularly, in the case of CFS research, underdetermination and causal complexity undermine the potential value of a monocausal claim. In sum, when an unexpected finding occurs in clinical practice or medical research, the value of following up on that finding is to be found not in the projected value of a singular causal relationship inferred from the finding but rather in the process of research that follows.
Satiation meal and the effects of meal and body sizes on gastric evacuation rate in brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis fed commercial pellets
Authors: Dürrani Ö. , Seyhan K. , Başçinar N. , Başçinar N. S.
Published: June 2016

Gastric evacuation (GE) experiments were performed on brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis fed commercial food pellets. The experiments included small fish (36 g; 15 cm total length, LT) fed meals of 0·2, 0·4 and 0·8 g and large fish (152 g; 23 cm) fed meals of 0·8, 2·0 and 4·0 g at temperatures ranging from 15·1 to 18·2° C. The stomach contents were thereafter sampled and weighed at 3 h intervals until the first empty stomach was observed. The course of GE was examined by use of a general power function of the data that revealed that the square‐root function described the GE rate (GER) by the current stomach content mass independently of original meal size. Using the square‐root function, the relationship between GER and fish size was described by a power function of fish length, whereas the effect of temperature was described by a simple exponential function. GER of the commercial pellets fed to S. fontinalis could thus be described by (g h−1), where St is stomach mass (g) at time t (h), L is total fish length (cm) and T is temperature (° C). The result of this study should provide a useful tool for planning of feeding regimes in production of S. fontinalis by optimizing growth and minimizing food waste.
Therapy of calcium oxalate urolithiasis in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Conze Theresa , Wehrend Axel , Exner Cornelia , Kaminiarz André
Published: June 2016

A rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) was presented for anuria. Examination revealed calcium oxalate concrements in the bladder. A cystotomy was performed, and a therapy with alfuzosin was conducted. Over 1 year after the treatment, the rhesus macaque had not shown any more signs of stranguria. This is the first case reporting the successful treatment of urolithiasis in a rhesus macaque.
A Model for Enhancing Midwifery Education With a Global Health Certificate
Authors: De Kleine Morgan , Habashy Mary R. , Collins Michelle R.
Published: June 2016

Global health is centered on promoting health equity for all populations. There is a growing need for midwives to receive education in the field of global health in order to be equipped to care for diverse populations within the United States and internationally. Midwifery students benefit from the opportunity to complete global health coursework and a global health practicum, as these experiences help them learn how to reduce local and global health disparities through interdisciplinary collaboration and international partnerships. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of how a graduate certificate in global health can be used to enhance and enrich midwifery education. The article evaluates the numerous benefits of the global health certificate for midwifery students, and it discusses the logistical challenges of implementation, including potential areas for improvement. By collaborating together, midwifery education programs can expand the breadth of global health courses and practicum experiences available to midwifery students and prepare them to engage in global health projects that improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes in the United States and around the world.
State‐Space beyond Territory: Wormholes, Gravitational Fields, and Entanglement
Authors: Neep Daniel
Published: June 2016

Neo‐Weberian historical sociology and political science establishes that territory is a defining feature of the modern state. Drawing on insights from political geography, I argue that ‘territory’ is not a pre‐existing physical location, but aneffectproduced by state practices and technologies. The spatial fetish of territory, moreover, distracts analytical attention from the equally importantnon‐territorialdimensions of the state. To map these new and unfamiliar dimensions, I propose three analogies from the study of physics ‐ wormholes, gravitational fields, and quantum entanglement ‐ as powerful conceptual devices with the potential to reorient social scientists towards a fuller understanding of state‐space.
Intuitive and Deliberative Empathizers and Systemizers
Authors: Svedholm‐Häkkinen Annika M. , Lindeman Marjaana
Published: June 2016

Objective

Recent findings suggest there may be some overlap between individual differences in orientations for intuitive thinking and empathizing, and between deliberative thinking and systemizing. This overlap is surprising, given that intuitive and deliberative thinking derive from dual‐process theories that concern domain‐general types of processing, whereas theoretically, empathizing and systemizing are domain‐specific orientations for understanding people and lawful physical phenomena.

Method

The present studies (Study 1: N = 2,789, Study 2: N = 87; Finnish volunteers ages 15–69, 65% females) analyzed each of these four constructs using self‐report as well as performance measures.

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis showed that systemizing was strongly and positively related to deliberative thinking and negatively related to intuitive thinking. Empathizing was negatively related to deliberative thinking, whereas no association between empathizing and intuition was found. However, some deliberative aspects and some intuitive aspects were involved in empathizing.

Conclusions

The findings indicate that a distinction between “intuitive empathizing” and “deliberative systemizing” is not warranted.
Preparation and in-vitro/in-vivo evaluation of curcumin nanosuspension with solubility enhancement
Authors: Li Xin , Yuan Huiling , Zhang Caiyun , Chen Weidong , Cheng Weiye , Chen Xin , Ye Xi
Published: June 2016

Objectives

We developed Cur nanosuspension (Cur-NS) with PVPK30 and SDS as stabilizers to improve poor water solubility and short biological half-time of Cur.

Methods

Physicochemical characterization of Cur-NS was characterized systematically. The in-vitro dissolution, cytotoxicity and in-vivo pharmacokinetic experiments of Cur-NS were also evaluated.

Key findings

Scanning electron microscope indicated that the morphologies of Cur-NS were spherical or ellipsoidal in shape. X-ray diffraction verified that Cur was successfully developed as nanoparticles with an amorphous phase in Cur-NS. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested there was no degradation about Cur in the Cur-NS. Furthermore, the in-vitro study showed that the cumulative release of the Cur-NS was 82.16 ± 2.62% within 34 h and the cytotoxicity of the Cur-NS against HepG2 cells was much better than raw Cur. Besides, in-vivo pharmacokinetics in rats by intravenous injection displayed that the in-vivo process of Cur-NS pertained to two-compartment model. Meanwhile, the t1/2 and AUC0–t of Cur-NS were enhanced by 11.0-fold and 4.2-fold comparing to Cur solution.

Conclusions

The Cur-NS significantly increased the water solubility and half-time of Cur, suggesting its potential as a nanocarrier in the delivery of Cur for future clinical application.
Bronchodilatory, antitussive and anti-inflammatory effect of morin in the setting of experimentally induced allergic asthma
Authors: Franova Sona , Kazimierova Ivana , Pappova Lenka , Joskova Marta , Plank Lukas , Sutovska Martina
Published: June 2016

Objective

Using an experimental model of allergic asthma, we evaluated the anti-asthmatic potential of polyphenol flavonol derivate morin after either acute or long-term treatment of male OVA-sensitised guinea pigs.

Methods

The following methods were used in experiments: the in-vitro tracheal smooth muscle contraction induced by histamine; the changes in specific airway resistance (sRaw) to histamine and the sensitivity of a chemically induced cough reflex both via an in-vivo method; the serum and BALF concentrations' analysis of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin IL-4, IL-5, IL-13; and lung tissue infiltration by eosinophils and mastocytes.

Key findings

Our data show that acute morin (30 mg/kg) and chronic 21-day morin (30 mg/kg/day) administration had a comparable antitussive efficiency with opioid antitussive codeine. Acute morin bronchodilatory activity defined by in-vivo sRaw decline did not reach SABA salbutamol effect. However, bronchodilatory efficiency of morin after long-term administration was by 34% higher as effect of LABA salmeterol. The 21-day morin treatment of OVA-sensitised guinea pigs reduced the serum, BALF levels of IL-4 and IL-13, lung tissue eosinophil and mastocyte infiltration comparable with corticosteroid budesonide.

Conclusions

In summary, morin represents very rational target for additional studies as potential substance for control as well as prevention of asthma inflammation and symptoms.
Apparent Digestibility Coefficients and Amino Acid Availability of Cricket Meal, Gryllus bimaculatus, and Fishmeal in African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus, Diet
Authors: Taufek Norhidayah M. , Muin Hasniyati , Raji Ameenat A. , Razak Shaharudin A. , Yusof Hanan M. , Alias Zazali
Published: June 2016

A study was conducted on African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, to examine the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of protein, dry matter, lipid, and energy, and the apparent availability coefficient (AAC) of essential amino acid (EAA) for a cricket meal (CM) diet, Gryllus bimaculatus, and fishmeal (FM). Both diets consisted of 30% isonitrogenous levels with a 70:30 ratio of basal diet to test ingredient. Chromic oxide (0.5%) was added to the diet as an inert marker. The ADCs of crude protein (CP) in CM (81.21%), lipid (89.82%), gross energy (64.42%), and dry matter (73.97%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the value of CP (78.22%), lipid (82.03%), gross energy (56.52%), and dry matter (62.26%) in FM. All EAAs were present in both diets. The AACs for both diets ranged from 0.906 to 0.961 and 0.812 to 0.938 for the CM and FM diets, respectively. The growth performance of fish fed with CM exhibited significantly higher (P < 0.05) weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio compared with FM. Overall, the results suggest that CM could be included in the African catfish diet without affecting their nutrient and amino acid digestibility as well as growth performance.
Evaluation of Potential Feed Ingredients for the Juvenile Four‐sided Sea Cucumber, Isostichopus badionotus
Authors: Martínez‐Milián Gloria , Olvera‐Novoa Miguel A.
Published: June 2016

The objective of this study was to evaluate two seaweed species, Solieria filiformis and Macrocytis piryfera, both as dry‐meal powder and predigested meal, to be used as ingredients in artificial diets for the juvenile four‐sided sea cucumber, Isostichopus badionotus. Four diets were tested in triplicate: S. filiformis dry‐meal powder and predigested meal and M. piryfera dry‐meal powder and predigested meal, mixed with 70% of beach sand. Survival exceeded 90% in all the treatments, and there were no differences in the growth of juveniles using dry‐meal powder or predigested meal. Weight gain was calculated for all the diets, and the highest values were obtained by animals fed S. filiformis. No differences between using dry‐meal powder and predigested meal were found, so these diets were excluded from the second trial. The ingestion rate was the same with both algae, but the feed conversion ratio was twice as high for M. piryfera. Solieria filiformis exhibited a number of differences in fatty acid and amino acid profiles, including higher proline, arginine, and saturated fatty acid levels. The results indicate that S. filiformis has better nutritional characteristics to be an ingredient for an artificial I. badionotus juvenile diet.
Frictional and Non‐Frictional Unemployment in a Labor Market with Matching Frictions
Authors: Ramón García José , Sorolla Valeri
Published: June 2016

Using the Mortensen and Pissarides model of a labor market with frictions, this paper proposes a new method, simpler than the one presented in Michaillat (), for decomposing unemployment into frictional and non‐frictional (rationing) unemployment for a derived rigid wage‐setting rule. We use it to compute the frictional and non frictional unemployment rate for two economies characterized by different labor market institutions, namely the US and the Spanish economy. For the entire period under study, the US frictional unemployment rate is around 36 per cent of total unemployment, whereas for Spain, approximately 20 per cent of all unemployment is due to frictions. This outcome may be explained by the fact that Spain is a country with more labor market rigidities than the US. The empirical results obtained with our method are also consistent with the main result of Michaillat (): in both countries, non‐frictional unemployment increases in recessions.
Finance, Labour, Capital, and International Integration
Authors: Bertola Giuseppe
Published: June 2016

Labour incomes depend on structural as well as politico‐economic factors, because labour market policies partially remedy the financial market imperfections that make labour income shocks difficult to insure, and have different implications for labour and capital income. This paper illustrates such theoretical insights with a simple model, and reviews evidence of their empirical relevance generated by international economic, monetary and financial integration.
Acidic pH sensing in the bacterial cytoplasm is required for Salmonella virulence
Authors: Choi Jeongjoon , Groisman Eduardo A.
Published: June 2016

pH regulates gene expression, biochemical activities and cellular behaviors. A mildly acidic pH activates the master virulence regulatory system PhoP/PhoQ in the facultative intracellular pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The sensor PhoQ harbors an extracytoplasmic domain implicated in signal sensing, and a cytoplasmic domain controlling activation of the regulator PhoP. We now report that, surprisingly, a decrease in Salmonella's own cytoplasmic pH induces transcription of PhoP‐activated genes even when the extracytoplasmic pH remains neutral. Amino acid substitutions in PhoQ's cytoplasmic domain hindered activation by acidic pH and attenuated virulence in mice, but did not abolish activation by low Mg2+ or the antimicrobial peptide C18G. Conversely, removal of PhoQ's extracytoplasmic domains prevented the response to the latter PhoQ‐activating signals but not to acidic pH. PhoP‐dependent genes were minimally induced by acidic pH in the non‐pathogenic species Salmonella bongori but were activated by low Mg2+ and C18G as in pathogenic S. enterica. Our findings indicate that the sensor PhoQ enables S. enterica to respond to both host‐ and bacterial‐derived signals that alter its cytoplasmic pH.
Poor sleep quality is responsible for the nondipper pattern in hypertensive but not in normotensive chronic kidney disease patients
Authors: Zhang Jun , Wang Cheng , Gong Wenyu , Ye Zengchun , Tang Ying , Zhao Wenbo , Peng Hui , Lou Tanqi
Published: June 2016

Aim

This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between sleep quality and hypertension and to determine if there was an association between nondipper blood pressure (BP) and sleep quality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

Methods

A total of 775 pre‐dialysis CKD patients (314 normal BP patients, 461 hypertension patients) defined as dippers or nondippers by ambulatory BP monitoring were recruited for this study. Demographics and clinical correlates were collected, including body mass index, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and other measures. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

Results

A total of 185 (58.9%) patients with normal BP and 341 (74.0%) hypertensive patients had a nondipper BP pattern. The hypertension group had a higher prevalence of the nondipper BP pattern, smoking, alcohol intake and diabetes mellitus (DM) and lower eGFR levels and poorer sleep quality than the normal BP group. Patients with the nondipper BP pattern had lower haemoglobin, worse renal function and poorer sleep quality when compared with hypertensive CKD patients with the dipping BP pattern. PSQI scores were significantly associated with the rate of nocturnal BP decline (P < 0.05) in the hypertension group but not in the normal BP group. Poor sleep quality was an independent factor affecting BP pattern in hypertensive CKD patients using multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses. There was no association between sleep quality and hypertension in CKD patients after multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Conclusion

Poor sleep quality, which is commonly observed in pre‐dialysis CKD patients, is an independent associated factor of the nondipper BP pattern in hypertensive CKD patients. No association was found between poor sleep and nondipper BP in normotensive patients.
Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 agonists improve intestinal transit in a murine model of postoperative ileus
Authors: Tsuchiya K. , Kubota K. , Ohbuchi K. , Kaneko A. , Ohno N. , Mase A. , Matsushima H. , Yamamoto M. , Miyano K. , Uezono Y. , Kono T.
Published: June 2016

Background

Stimulation of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), which abundantly expressed in enterochromaffin cells (ECC), has been reported to exert apparently contradictory results in in vitro contractility and in vivo gastrointestinal (GI) transit evaluations. The pharmaceutical‐grade Japanese traditional medicine daikenchuto (TU‐100) has been reported to be beneficial for postoperative ileus (POI) and accelerate GI transit in animals and humans. TU‐100 was recently shown to increase intestinal blood flow via stimulation of TRPA1 in the epithelial cells of the small intestine (SI).

Methods

The effects of various TRPA1 agonists on motility were examined in a manipulation‐induced murine POI model, in vitro culture of SI segments and an ECC model cell line, RIN‐14B.

Key Results

Orally administered TRPA1 agonists, aryl isothiocyanate (AITC) and cinnamaldehyde (CA), TU‐100 ingredients, [6]‐shogaol (6S) and γ‐sanshool (GS), improved SI transit in a POI model. The effects of AITC, 6S and GS but not CA were abrogated in TRPA1‐deficient mice. SI segments show periodic peristaltic motor activity whose periodicity disappeared in TRPA1‐deficient mice. TU‐100 augmented the motility. AITC, CA and 6S increased 5‐HT release from isolated SI segments and the effects of all these compounds except for CA were lost in TRPA1‐deficient mice. 6S and GS induced a release of 5‐HT from RIN‐14B cells in a dose‐ and TRPA1‐dependent manner.

Conclusions & Inferences

Intraluminal TRPA1 stimulation is a potential therapeutic strategy for GI motility disorders. Further investigation is required to determine whether 5‐HT and/or ECC are involved in the effect of TRPA1 on motility.
Convergent acclimation of leaf photosynthesis and respiration to prevailing ambient temperatures under current and warmer climates in Eucalyptus tereticornis
Authors: Aspinwall Michael J. , Drake John E. , Campany Courtney , Vårhammar Angelica , Ghannoum Oula , Tissue David T. , Reich Peter B. , Tjoelker Mark G.
Published: June 2016

Understanding physiological acclimation of photosynthesis and respiration is important in elucidating the metabolic performance of trees in a changing climate. Does physiological acclimation to climate warming mirror acclimation to seasonal temperature changes?

We grew Eucalyptus tereticornis trees in the field for 14 months inside 9‐m tall whole‐tree chambers tracking ambient air temperature (Tair) or ambient Tair + 3°C (i.e. ‘warmed’). We measured light‐ and CO2‐saturated net photosynthesis (Amax) and night‐time dark respiration (R) each month at 25°C to quantify acclimation. Tree growth was measured, and leaf nitrogen (N) and total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) concentrations were determined to investigate mechanisms of acclimation.

Warming reduced Amax and R measured at 25°C compared to ambient‐grown trees. Both traits also declined as mean daily Tair increased, and did so in a similar way across temperature treatments. Amax and R (at 25°C) both increased as TNC concentrations increased seasonally; these relationships appeared to arise from source–sink imbalances, suggesting potential substrate regulation of thermal acclimation.

We found that photosynthesis and respiration each acclimated equivalently to experimental warming and seasonal temperature change of a similar magnitude, reflecting a common, nearly homeostatic constraint on leaf carbon exchange that will be important in governing tree responses to climate warming.
Exploratory study to evaluate plasma vasopressin and apelin‐13 levels in children with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Bilgiç Ayhan , Toker Aysun , Uysal Saliha
Published: June 2016

Aim

Vasopressin exerts robust influences on social communication and behavior in humans. Apelin is a relatively novel neuropeptide that could counteract vasopressin's actions and has been shown to be closely related with a broad range of physiological functions. Abnormalities in vasopressin and apelin have been detected in a variety of psychiatric disorders, but their relation to attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is unknown. In the present study, we explored the plasma levels of vasopressin and apelin‐13 in children with ADHD.

Methods

Thirty‐four children with ADHD and 36 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The severity of ADHD symptoms was assessed via Conners’ Parent Rating Scale and Conners’ Teacher Rating Scale. Plasma levels of vasopressin and apelin‐13 were measured using commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits.

Results

The mean plasma apelin‐13 levels were significantly higher in male children with ADHD than in male control subjects; no significant difference was found between the groups for plasma apelin‐13 levels in girls or in the entire subject cohort. Plasma vasopressin levels did not show any significant differences between groups. There were no significant correlations between plasma levels of these neuropeptides and scores for Conners’ Parent Rating Scale and Conners’ Teacher Rating Scale.

Conclusion

Our results suggest a sex‐specific association between plasma apelin‐13 levels and ADHD. Apelin‐13 may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of ADHD either with a direct impact on the apelin receptor or via its opposing effect on the vasopressinergic system.
A Report of Two Patients with Darier Disease and Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Authors: Ornelas Jennifer , Sivamani Raja , Awasthi Smita
Published: June 2016

We report two unique cases of patients with Darier disease and hidradenitis suppurativa. Although it is unknown whether there is a connection between the two diseases, it is possible that an interaction between sarcoendoplasmic reticulum calcium transport ATPase and Notch homolog 1, translocation‐associated (Drosophila) caused both diseases in these individuals.
Approaches to Develop Alternative Testing Strategies to Inform Human Health Risk Assessment of Nanomaterials
Authors: Stone Vicki , Johnston Helinor J. , Balharry Dominique , Gernand Jeremy M. , Gulumian Mary
Published: June 2016

The development of alternative testing strategies (ATS) for hazard assessment of new and emerging materials is high on the agenda of scientists, funders, and regulators. The relatively large number of nanomaterials on the market and under development means that an increasing emphasis will be placed on the use of reliable, predictive ATS when assessing their safety. We have provided recommendations as to how ATS development for assessment of nanomaterial hazard may be accelerated. Predefined search terms were used to identify the quantity and distribution of peer‐reviewed publications for nanomaterial hazard assessment following inhalation, ingestion, or dermal absorption. A summary of knowledge gaps relating to nanomaterial hazard is provided to identify future research priorities and areas in which a rich data set might exist to allow ATS identification. Consultation with stakeholders (e.g., academia, industry, regulators) was critical to ensure that current expert opinion was reflected. The gap analysis revealed an abundance of studies that assessed the local and systemic impacts of inhaled particles, and so ATS are available for immediate use. Development of ATS for assessment of the dermal toxicity of chemicals is already relatively advanced, and these models should be applied to nanomaterials as relatively few studies have assessed the dermal toxicity of nanomaterials to date. Limited studies have investigated the local and systemic impacts of ingested nanomaterials. If the recommendations for research prioritization proposed are adopted, it is envisioned that a comprehensive battery of ATS can be developed to support the risk assessment process for nanomaterials. Some alternative models are available for immediate implementation, while others require more developmental work to become widely adopted. Case studies are included that can be used to inform the selection of alternative models and end points when assessing the pathogenicity of fibers and mode of action of nanomaterial toxicity.
Risk Assessment of Human Listeriosis from Semisoft Cheeses Made from Raw Sheep's Milk in Lazio and Tuscany (Italy)
Authors: Condoleo Roberto , Mezher Ziad , Marozzi Selene , Guzzon Antonella , Fischetti Roberto , Senese Matteo , Sette Stefania , Bucchini Luca
Published: June 2016

Semisoft cheese made from raw sheep's milk is traditionally and economically important in southern Europe. However, raw milk cheese is also a known vehicle of human listeriosis and contamination of sheep cheese with Listeria monocytogenes has been reported. In the present study, we have developed and applied a quantitative risk assessment model, based on available evidence and challenge testing, to estimate risk of invasive listeriosis due to consumption of an artisanal sheep cheese made with raw milk collected from a single flock in central Italy. In the model, contamination of milk may originate from the farm environment or from mastitic animals, with potential growth of the pathogen in bulk milk and during cheese ripening. Based on the 48‐day challenge test of a local semisoft raw sheep's milk cheese we found limited growth only during the initial phase of ripening (24 hours) and no growth or limited decline during the following ripening period. In our simulation, in the baseline scenario, 2.2% of cheese servings are estimated to have at least 1 colony forming unit (CFU) per gram. Of these, 15.1% would be above the current E.U. limit of 100 CFU/g (5.2% would exceed 1,000 CFU/g). Risk of invasive listeriosis per random serving is estimated in the 10−12 range (mean) for healthy adults, and in the 10−10 range (mean) for vulnerable populations. When small flocks (10–36 animals) are combined with the presence of a sheep with undetected subclinical mastitis, risk of listeriosis increases and such flocks may represent a public health risk.
A Multilayer Strategy for Improving the Abrasion Resistance of Silica Nanoparticle-Based Motheye Antireflective Coatings on Glass
Authors: Palanisamy Barath , Han Seung-Yeol , Paul Brian K.
Published: June 2016

Motheye antireflective coatings (ARCs) are based on periodic or stochastic features with dimensions below the wavelength of visible light which can be used to produce a gradient index of refraction between air and the substrate. In this work, two silica nanoparticle-based motheye ARCs of similar optical performance, but different physical structures, were deposited on glass and characterized for mechanical behavior to provide insights into the mechanisms for abrasion resistance in these films. Optical and mechanical performances were evaluated in light of the mechanical properties and physical structure of the films using models for describing the mechanical behavior of the films. The results show that the three-layer coating was found to have better abrasion resistance than a simple single layer coating largely due to better crack nucleation resistance and scratch resistance. The simple single-layer film showed better crack propagation resistance than the three-layer film due to the existence of nanoparticles (NPs) throughout the cross section of the film. The three-layer film appears to have higher work of adhesion based on exhibiting better delamination and spallation resistance.