bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Honeydew composition and its effect on life‐history parameters of hyperparasitoids
Authors: van Neerbos Frank A. C. , de Boer Jetske G. , Salis Lucia , Tollenaar Ward , Kos Martine , Vet Louise E. M. , Harvey Jeffrey A.
Published: October 2019

1. Diets that maximise life span often differ from diets that maximise reproduction. Animals have therefore evolved advanced foraging strategies to acquire optimal nutrition and maximise their fitness. The free‐living adult females of parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera) need to balance their search for hosts to reproduce and for carbohydrate resources to feed.

2. Honeydew, excreted by phloem‐feeding insects, presents a widely available carbohydrate source in nature that can benefit natural enemies of honeydew‐producing insects. However, the effects of variation in honeydew on organisms in the fourth trophic level, such as hyperparasitoids, are not yet understood.

3. This study examined how five different honeydew types influence longevity and fecundity of four hyperparasitoid taxa. Asaphes spp. (Pteromalidae) and Dendrocerus spp. (Megaspilidae) are secondary parasitoids of aphid parasitoids and are thus associated with honeydew‐producing insects. Gelis agilis and Acrolyta nens (both Ichneumonidae) are secondary parasitoids of species that do not use honeydew‐producing hosts.

4. Most honeydew types had a positive or neutral effect on life span and fecundity of hyperparasitoids compared with controls without honeydew, although negative effects were also found for both aphid hyperparasitoids. Honeydew produced by aphids feeding on sweet pepper plants was most beneficial for all hyperparasitoid taxa, which can partially be explained by the high amount of honeydew, but also by the composition of dietary sugars in these honeydew types.

5. The findings of this study underline the value of aphid honeydew as a carbohydrate resource for fourth‐trophic‐level organisms, not only those associated with honeydew‐producing insects but also ‘interlopers’ without such a natural association.
Traumatic brain injury and risk of dementia at different levels of cognitive ability and education
Authors: Osler M. , Rozing M. P. , Eliasen M. H. , Christensen K. , Mortensen E. L.
Published: October 2019

Background and purpose

The effect of cognitive resources on the risk of dementia following traumatic brain injury (TBI) has hardly been investigated. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of cognitive ability and education in young adulthood on the association between TBI and dementia in men.

Method

A cohort of 658 447 Danish men, born between 1939 and 1959, who had been cognitively assessed at conscription were followed in the Danish National Patient Registry and the National Prescription Registry from 1977 through 2016 for incident TBI and dementia. The association between TBI and dementia was analysed using Cox proportional regression.

Results

During follow‐up, 29 781(4.5%) men experienced TBI and 10 971(1.7%) developed dementia. TBI was associated with a higher risk of subsequent dementia after adjustment for cognitive ability, education and psychiatric comorbidity. The risk estimate was higher for early‐onset dementia (hazard ratio 5.49, 95% confidence interval 4.97–6.06) than for dementia diagnosed after age 60 years (hazard ratio 2.85, 95% confidence interval 2.63–3.10). The association was slightly stronger in men with the highest cognitive scores or education than amongst those at lower levels.

Conclusion

Young adult cognitive ability did not explain a relatively strong association between TBI and dementia, and no evidence was found that cognitive ability or education was protective.
What remains after transient global amnesia (TGA)? An ultra‐high field 7 T magnetic resonance imaging study of the hippocampus
Authors: Paech D. , Kuder T. A. , Roßmanith C. , Griebe M. , Eisele P. , Platten M. , Ladd M. E. , Schlemmer H. ‐P. , Gass A. , Szabo K.
Published: October 2019

Background and purpose

The aim was to study whether ultra‐high field 7 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can demonstrate chronic focal defects in the hippocampus corresponding to the former acute diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) lesions and to assess chronic T2‐hyperintense hippocampal lesion load in transient global amnesia (TGA) patients.

Methods

Follow‐up of 7 T MRI of the hippocampus was performed in 13 patients with documented hippocampal DWI lesions (detected via 3 T MRI) after acute TGA. The location of the DWI lesions was transformed to 7 T T2 images after data co‐registration. Additionally, the T2‐hyperintense lesion load was estimated in each patient and compared with that of 13 healthy controls.

Results

Magnetic resonance imaging (7 T) was performed after a median of 4 months. No structural abnormality at the site of the previous TGA lesion was observed in any case. None of the controls showed DWI lesions. There was no significant difference between patients and controls concerning the number (P = 0.67) or volume (P = 0.45) of T2‐hyperintense hippocampal lesions.

Conclusions

Diffusion‐weighted imaging lesions in patients with TGA do not provoke any visible sequelae and do not result in hippocampal cavities. The occurrence of incidental hippocampal T2 lesions after TGA is not more frequent than in controls.
Enhancing Theological Education for Women in Africa
Authors: Mwaniki Lydia
Published: October 2019

This paper highlights the models that are being used by African women theologians and the All Africa Conference of Churches to increase women's chances in theological education, hence ensuring equal participation of women and men in church leadership.
A Divine Connection
Authors: Lymore Kimberly M.
Published: October 2019

This article outlines the development of a scholarship programme geared toward African American laypeople in the Archdiocese of Chicago as a partnership between the archdiocese and the Catholic Theological Union.
For the Healing of the Nations
Authors: Winbush Robina Marie
Published: October 2019

This meditation on Revelation 22:1‐5, preached at the conclusion of the World Council of Churches' 9th Assembly in Porto Alegre, Brazil, holds up the vision of a world in transformation, and of a life‐giving river that nourishes the earth and all creation, and that cannot be privatized or exploited for the benefit of a few, and that flows freely and directly from the throne of God. The theme of the 9th Assembly was “God, in your grace, transform the world.” It is a prayer that carries, as most prayers do, a confession of faith that the world needs to be transformed and can be transformed.
An investigation into the association between plantar distal phalanx angle and hindlimb lameness in aUKpopulation of horses
Authors: Clements P. E. , Handel I. , McKane S. A. , Coomer R. P.
Published: October 2019

Low heels are the most common hoof conformational abnormality seen in both the front and hind feet of horses. A low/negative distal phalanx angle in the front feet has been associated with palmar heel injuries but only recently has the significance of low/negative angles in the hind feet received attention. A study including a greater number of horses more representative of theUKhorse population would be useful toUKequine practitioners. Our null hypothesis was that the plantar distal phalanx angle does not differ between horses with and without hindlimb lameness. For this prospective case‐controlled study, horses presenting for orthopaedic complaints underwent a complete lameness assessment. Theplantar distal phalanx angulation(PDPA), the angle between a line parallel to solar surface contacting the ground and the solar margin of the distal phalanx, was calculated from lateromedial radiographs. Horses were included in the study if hindlimb lameness was definitively localised by diagnostic anaesthesia. Student'st‐tests and multivariable linear regression models were used for statistical analysis. One hundred and eighty‐two horses met the inclusion criteria, 132 with hindlimb lameness and 50 controls. The mean leftPDPAforHLLgroup was −1.0° vs. +1.8° for the controls. The mean rightPDPAforHLLgroup was −1.1° vs. +1.4° in controls (both P<0.001). Lameness was most frequently localised to the stifle (59% of horses), followed by the distal tarsal joints and the proximal suspensory region. A limitation of the study was that the control group included some forelimb lame horses. It was concluded that horses with hindlimb lameness, including lameness localised to the stifle, were more likely to have negativePDPAs. While Pezzaniteet al. (2019) previously reported a relationship between negative/neutralPDPAand tarsal/metatarsal lameness, this study is the first to find a relationship to stifle lameness, which may reflect differences in the populations of horses examined. Further kinematic studies are required to determine whether it is a cause or effect relationship.
Leaf litter identity alters the timing of lotic nutrient dynamics
Authors: Robbins Caleb J. , Matthaeus William J. , Cook Stephen C. , Housley Lauren M. , Robison Sarah E. , Garbarino Matt A. , LeBrun Erick S. , Raut Swastika , Tseng Chi‐Yen , King Ryan S.
Published: October 2019

The effects of resource quality on ecosystems can shift through time based on preferential use and elemental needs of biotic consumers. For example, leaf litter decomposition rates are strongly controlled by initial litter quality, where labile litter is processed and depleted more quickly than recalcitrant litters.

We examined the effect of this processing continuum on stream nutrient dynamics. We added one of four different litter compositions differing in litter quality (cottonwood [Populus deltoides], labile; sycamore [Platanus occidentalis], recalcitrant; bur oak [Quercus macrocarpa], recalcitrant; and mixed [equivalent mixture of previous three species]) to 12 large (c. 20 m long, with riffle, glide and pool sections) outdoor stream mesocosms to assess the effect of litter species composition on whole‐stream nutrient uptake. Nutrients were dosed once weekly for 8 weeks to measure uptake of NH4–N, NO3–N, and PO4–P. We also measured changes in litter C, N, and P content on days 28 and 56 of the study.

Nutrient uptake rates were highly variable, but occasionally very different among litter treatments (c. 5× between highest and lowest uptake rates by species). Uptake rates were generally greatest in cottonwood (labile) streams early in the study. However, during the last 4 weeks of the study, bur oak streams (recalcitrant) took up more nutrients than cottonwood streams, resulting in more cumulative NO3–N uptake in bur oak than in cottonwood streams. Cumulative NO3–N uptake was greater in mixed streams than expected (non‐additive) on two dates of measurement, but was generally additive.

Changes in litter nutrient content largely corroborated nutrient uptake patterns, suggesting strong N immobilisation early in the study and some N mineralisation later in the study. P was strongly retained by most litters, but especially bur oak. Nutrient content of litter also largely changed additively, suggesting minimal evidence for non‐additive diversity effects on nutrient source/sink status.

Our results demonstrate that litter species identity can have whole‐ecosystem effects on stream nutrient dynamics, with important implications for the form and fate of nutrients exported downstream. Further, diverse litter assemblages may serve as temporal stabilisers of ecosystem processes, such as nutrient sequestration, due to microbial nutrient requirements and differential decomposition rates, or the classic litter processing continuum.
State‐level capital and investment: Refinements and update
Authors: El‐Shagi Makram , Yamarik Steven
Published: October 2019

This paper presents updated estimates for state‐level private capital and investment for 1950–2015. We improve upon the procedure of Garofalo and Yamarik (2002) and Yamarik (2013) using quantity measures to apportion the mining capital stock and a geometric pattern of depreciation to derive investment data. We provide a brief overview of our new estimates, discuss their reliability, and present the website where the data are posted and updated annually.
Management of Helicobacter pylori infection by clinicians: A nationwide survey in a developing country
Authors: Song Conghua , Xie Chuan , Zhu Yin , Liu Wenzhong , Zhang Guoxin , He Shuixiang , Zheng Pengyuan , Lan Chunhui , Zhang Zhenyu , Hu Renwei , Du Qin , Xu Jianming , Chen Ye , Zeng Zhirong , Cheng Hong , Wang Xuehong , Zuo Xiuli , Lu Hong , Guo Tao , Chen Zhifen , Xie Yong , Lu Nonghua
Published: October 2019

Background & Aims

Developing countries are making efforts to improve health management. Practice deviating from the guideline means inefficient control. The study aims to investigate the management of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection from a developing country perspective.

Methods

An authoritative survey was conducted in 14th (2014) and 17th (2017) Congress of Gastroenterology China, respectively. The Maastricht V/Florence consensus report was invoked as the evaluation criterion.

Results

A total of 4182 valid samples were included in this study. Most of the respondents (94%) updated knowledge by lectures. Respondents had a different awareness rate of H pylori‐related diseases, ranging from 45% to 95%. Up to 40% of the respondents did not follow the recommendations for the diagnosis. Choice accuracy of eradication regimens and antibiotic combinations was <70%. About 20% of the respondents did not pay attention to the confirmation after the eradication. The situation had been improved in 2017 when compared with that in 2014 (all P < .05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that influencing factors including nongastroenterologists, bachelor degree and below, the primary professional title, hospital location, and a small proportion of H pylori infection in daily practice related to the deviation of consensus (all P < .05).

Conclusions

Although the management of H pylori infection has been improved in a developing country, there is still a gap between the real‐world practices and the consensus. Influencing factors should be taken into account in decision‐making, and the corresponding population should be strengthened with precision training during the promotion of the guideline.
Lithological, structural, and chronological relationships between the Sanbagawa Metamorphic Complex and the Cretaceous Shimanto Accretionary Complex on the central Kii Peninsula, SW Japan
Authors: Shimura Yusuke , Tokiwa Tetsuya , Takeuchi Makoto , Mori Hiroshi , Yamamoto Koshi
Published: October 2019

It is essential to clarify the lithological, structural, and chronological relationships between the Sanbagawa Metamorphic Complex (MC) and the Cretaceous Shimanto Accretionary Complex (AC) for understanding the tectonic evolution of SW Japan. To this end, we carried out a detailed field survey of the Sanbagawa MC and the Cretaceous Shimanto AC on the central Kii Peninsula, where they are in direct contact with each other. We also conducted U–Pb dating of detrital zircons from these complexes. The field survey showed that the boundary between the Iro Complex of the Sanbagawa MC and the Mugitani Complex of the Shimanto AC, Narai Fault, shows a sinistral sense of shear with a reverse dip‐slip component, and there are significant differences in the strain intensity and the degree of recrystallization between the two complexes across this fault. Detrital zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the Iro Complex in the hanging wall of the Narai Fault shows a significantly younger maximum depositional age than the Mugitani Complex in the footwall of the fault, and an apparently large gap in the MDA of ca. 35 Myr exists across this fault. This large age gap across the Narai Fault suggests that this fault is an essential tectonic boundary fault within the Cretaceous accretionary–metamorphic complexes on the Kii Peninsula, and is considered to be an out‐of‐sequence thrust. In addition, a similar shear direction and a large age gap have been identified across the Ui Thrust, which marks the boundary between the Kouyasan and Hidakagawa belts of the Cretaceous Shimanto AC. The Cretaceous accretionary–metamorphic complexes record the large‐scale tectonic juxtapositions of complexes, and these juxtaposed structures had been caused by sinistral–reverse movements on the tectonic boundary faults such as the Narai Fault and the Ui Thrust.
Consumer ethics, materialism and material satisfaction: A study on Turkish adolescent consumers
Authors: Ozgen Ozlen , Esiyok Elif
Published: October 2019

The aim of this study is to reveal the differences among consumer ethics, materialistic attitudes and material satisfaction of the adolescents across the socio‐economic level and gender in Turkey. The sample of the study is formed by randomly selected high schools students (n = 350) in Ankara. The results indicated that consumer ethics, materialistic attitudes and material satisfaction varied according to socio‐economic level (p < .01). Among materialistic attitudes and material satisfaction, only a significant difference is found on consumer ethics across the gender. There is no significant difference among gender on materialistic attitudes and material satisfaction. In general, males’ ethical beliefs were found lower than the females.
Development and characterisation of functional cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.)‐based edible films
Authors: Karača Sara , Trifković Kata , Martinić Arijana , Đorđević Verica , Šeremet Danijela , Vojvodić Cebin Aleksandra , Bugarski Branko , Komes Draženka
Published: October 2019

The aim of this study was to develop functional edible films containing cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) powder extract using alginate, pectin and chitosan in combination with proteins (whey protein isolate, soya and hemp protein). The films were examined for their physico‐chemical (dry matter content, colour, thickness), mechanical (elongation at break (EAB)), bioactive (the content of total polyphenols (TPC), flavan‐3‐ols (F3olC), antioxidant capacity (AC)) and sensory properties. The plain alginate film exhibited the highest EAB (29.1%). The highest TPC and F3olC were determined in plain alginate (29 mg GAE/g and 2.75 mg (+)‐catechin/g) and pectin (29 mg GAE/g and 2.25 mg (+)‐catechin/g) films. The addition of proteins resulted in prolonged release of polyphenols and enhanced functional properties; however, the formation of protein–polyphenol complexes caused slight alterations in the bioactive composition of the films. The obtained results indicate a high potential of the developed films as functional, biodegradable form of active food packaging.
Effects of the programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1) polymorphisms in susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Fathi Farshid , Sadeghi Erfan , Lotfi Noushin , Hafezi Hossein , Ahmadi Meysam , Mozafarpoor Samaneh , Motedayyen Hossein
Published: October 2019

The failure of immunological tolerance to self‐antigens plays a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). PD‐1 is an inhibitory receptor for regulating the immune system and preventing development of autoimmune disorders. This study aimed to determine the role of four single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1 or PD‐1) gene and haplotypes defined by these SNPs in susceptibility to SLE in the Iranian population. Blood samples were obtained from 253 SLE and 564 healthy subjects. Red blood cells were lysed and genomic DNAs were extracted using salting‐out method. Genotype determinations of PD1.1, PD1.3, PD1.5 and PD1.9 SNPs were performed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP), and 12 haplotypes were constructed by PDCD1 SNPs. Our results showed significant differences in PD1.5 genotype frequencies between patient and control groups (p < .001). The frequencies of PD1.5 C/C, C/T and T/T genotypes versus other genotypes in SLE patients significantly differed from healthy subjects (p < .001, p = .001 and p = .002, respectively). Allelic analysis indicated a significant association between the frequency of PD1.5C allele and development of SLE in our population (odds ratio [OR] = 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.51–2.42, p < .001). At the haplotype level, GGCC, GACT and GGCT haplotypes were significantly different between SLE and control groups (OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.73–2.66, p < .001; OR = 9.76, 95% CI = 4.47–21.3, p < .001; and OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.24–0.42, p < .001, respectively). Based on these findings, PD1.5 SNP and some haplotypes of PDCD1 contribute to SLE risk in the Iranian population.
Trans‐tract electrocoagulation can decrease the need for postoperative nephrostomy tube after endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery
Authors: Takeda Masashi , Iwamoto Hideyasu , Miyake Nao , Ito Kaoru , Inoue Masahiro , Sato Shunsuke , Shitamura Takahiro , Kamimura Toshio , Terada Naoki , Kobayashi Takahiko , Kamoto Toshiyuki
Published: October 2019

Aim

To assess the efficacy and safety of trans‐tract electrocoagulation at the end of endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery for renal or ureteral stones.

Methods

The present study included patients who underwent endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery from May 2010 to March 2018. After June 2013, the trans‐tract electrocoagulation procedure, to coagulate bleeding from the access tract using a resectscope was carried out at the end of the operation. We compared the patients’ background and surgical outcomes between patients with and without trans‐tract electrocoagulation.

Results

Between the trans‐tract electrocoagulation (n = 225) and non‐trans‐tract electrocoagulation (n = 72) groups, the stone number was significantly smaller (1:2:3 or more, 126:72:27 vs 59:10:3, P = 0.001) and the initial stone‐free rates were significantly higher (80% vs 72%, P = 0.006) in the trans‐tract electrocoagulation group than in the non‐trans‐tract electrocoagulation group. Patients experienced a higher nephrostomy tube‐free rate (67% vs 26%, P < 0.0001), shorter postoperative catheterization time (2.8 ± 3.8 vs 5.4 ± 5.0 days, P = 0.002) and shorter hospital stay (6.5 ± 3.6 vs 8.8 ± 5.0 days, P = 0.0001) in the trans‐tract electrocoagulation group than in the non‐trans‐tract electrocoagulation group.

Conclusions

Trans‐tract electrocoagulation in endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery is a safe and efficient procedure that decreases the need for nephrostomy tube placement after surgery.
L'effet de l'éducation sur les disparités salariales dans le secteur informel: l'exemple du Cameroun
Authors: ATANGANA ONDOA Henri
Published: October 2019

L'auteur analyse l'effet de l'éducation sur les disparités salariales dans le secteur informel au Cameroun. L'analyse s'appuie sur des régressions quantiles et des données de l'enquête EESI 2 (deuxième enquête sur l'emploi et le secteur informel au Cameroun, menée en 2010). Elle montre que, dans le secteur informel, le salaire augmente avec le niveau d'instruction, de même que les disparités salariales (qui se creusent notamment sous l'effet d'un diplôme du supérieur). Plusieurs recommandations de politique générale en découlent, en vue d'une formalisation de l'économie: créer plus d'emplois pour la main‐d'œuvre qualifiée, fournir des infrastructures adaptées aux activités informelles et développer la formation professionnelle.
Infection by the castrating parasitic nematode Sphaerularia bombi changes gene expression in Bombus terrestris bumblebee queens
Authors: Colgan T. J. , Carolan J. C. , Sumner S. , Blaxter M. L. , Brown M. J. F.
Published: October 2019

Parasitism can result in dramatic changes in host phenotype, which are themselves underpinned by genes and their expression. Understanding how hosts respond at the molecular level to parasites can therefore reveal the molecular architecture of an altered host phenotype. The entomoparasitic nematode Sphaerularia bombi is a parasite of bumblebee (Bombus) hosts where it induces complex behavioural changes and host castration. To examine this interaction at the molecular level, we performed genome‐wide transcriptional profiling using RNA‐Sequencing (RNA‐Seq) of S. bombi‐infected Bombus terrestris queens at two critical time‐points: during and just after overwintering diapause. We found that infection by S. bombi affects the transcription of genes underlying host biological processes associated with energy usage, translation, and circadian rhythm. We also found that the parasite affects the expression of immune genes, including members of the Toll signalling pathway providing evidence for a novel interaction between the parasite and the host immune response. Taken together, our results identify host biological processes and genes affected by an entomoparasitic nematode providing the first steps towards a molecular understanding of this ecologically important host–parasite interaction.
Review of HIV testing recommendations in Australian specialty guidelines for HIV indicator conditions: a missed opportunity for recommending testing?
Authors: Lin Yi Dan , Eades Laura , Nair Ajit , Korman Tony M. , Woolley Ian
Published: October 2019

Background

Australian National human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Testing policy recommends HIV indicator condition‐based testing, adapted from the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) guidelines.

Aim

To evaluate the extent that Australian non‐HIV specialty guidelines mention and recommend HIV testing in HIV indicator conditions.

Methods

EACS guidelines were reviewed to produce a list of 24 AIDS‐defining conditions (ADC) and 31 indicator conditions (IC) where HIV prevalence >0.1%, and 5 IC where HIV non‐diagnosis would have adverse effect on patients' management. Australian guidelines for these conditions were identified from websites of specialty societies, electronic Therapeutic Guidelines, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), state governments, MEDLINE and Google searches. We identified eight key IC as that were part of the HIDES I study.

Results

Overall, 51 ADC and IC had Australian guidelines: 24/51(47%) mention association with HIV and 14/51 (27%) recommend HIV testing. Twenty‐five out of 51 (49%) Australian guidelines were for ADC: 18/25(72%) mention association with HIV and 5/25 (20%) recommend testing. Twenty‐five out of 51 (49%) were guidelines IC with HIV prevalence of 0.1%: 6/25 (24%) mention HIV association and 8/25 (32%) recommend HIV testing. Two of eight (25%) key IC had no Australian guidelines and 3/8 (38%) do not mention HIV association or recommend HIV testing.

Conclusions

Although almost half of HIV non‐HIV guidelines for ADC and IC mention HIV association, only 27% specifically recommend HIV testing. This suggests partnership with guideline development and specialist groups may be useful to ensure patients diagnosed with ADC/IC are tested for HIV.
NDVI‐based estimates of evapotranspiration of winter wheat indicate positive effects of N fertilizer application on agronomic water‐use efficiency
Authors: Drerup Philipp , Brueck Holger , Eticha Dejene , Scherer Heinrich W.
Published: October 2019

Yield increases by fertilizer application impose higher crop water use, as biomass production is positively correlated with transpiration. To quantify effects of N fertilizer supply on evapotranspiration (ET) of winter wheat, a field experiment with three nitrogen rates (N0, N120 and N230) under non‐water‐limited conditions was performed during 2014 and 2015. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was used to derive crop coefficients which were used to calculate N effects on bare soil evaporation (E), transpiration, evapotranspiration (ET), grain yield and harvest index (HI). E during the early post‐winter growth period was measured with micro‐lysimeters and compared with model estimates. N fertilizer supply resulted in lower cumulative E, and increases in grain yield were higher than increases in ET, resulting in a higher agronomic water‐use efficiency (WUEY). HI of treatment N120 was higher than that of treatment N230 indicating that HI was not the main reason of higher WUEY of treatment N230. It is concluded that estimates of ET under variable N supply require consideration of N‐induced effects on canopy development which could be successfully monitored by NDVI measurements. N supply increases ET and WUEY potentially imposing a trade‐off between water conservation and efficiency of water use for crop production.
Low‐temperature joining of SiC ceramics using NITE phase with Al2O3‐Ho2O3 additive
Authors: Niu Wen‐Bin , Xue Jia‐Xiang , Wu Li‐Xiang , Liao Ye‐Hong , Liu Tong , Ren Qi‐Sen , Guo Wei‐Ming , Sun Shi‐Kuan , Lin Hua‐Tay
Published: October 2019

In order to avoid the property degradation resulting from high‐temperature joining process, nano‐infiltrated transient eutectoid (NITE) phase with the Al2O3‐Ho2O3 as the joining adhesives was adopted to join silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics with the attempts to lower down the joining temperature. The liquid‐phase‐sintered silicon carbide (LPS‐SiC) specimens were joined at 1500‐1800°C by spark plasma sintering (SPS) under the pressure of 20 MPa. The results of the shear test and microstructure observation showed that the joining process could be finished at a relatively lower temperature (1700°C) compared to other NITE‐phase joining. In contrast to the shear strength of 186.4 MPa derived from the SiC substrate, the joint exhibited the shear strength of 157.8 MPa with the fully densified interlayer.
Optical dispersion and bandgap of pure and Mn‐doped 0.92Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3‐0.08K0.5Bi0.5TiO3 lead‐free single crystals
Authors: Wu Yang , Hu Yuqing , Xue Saidong , Zhao Xiangyong , Wang Feifei , Tang Yanxue , Duan Zhihua , Shi Wangzhou , Luo Haosu , Sun Renbing
Published: October 2019

Optical properties of lead‐free ferroelectric pure and Mn‐doped 0.92Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3‐0.08K0.5Bi0.5TiO3 (NBT‐8KBT) single crystals have been investigated systematically. Refractive index and extinction coefficient were measured and the critical parameters are obtained by modified Sellmeier dispersion equations and single‐oscillator dispersion relation. The decline of refractive index for Mn:NBT‐8KBT could be related to the lattice distortion of the Mn ions doping. High transmittance (>70%) over the transparent region (>400 nm) was found in the pure NBT‐8KBT, higher than that of Mn:NBT‐8KBT, which could be caused by the increase of domain wall density. An about 100 nm red‐shift of absorption edge was observed in the Mn:NBT‐8KBT single crystal, which is located in the visible region. Optical bandgap energies calculated through Tauc equation and a large bandgap difference of 2.96 and 2.62 eV occurs in the NBT‐8KBT and Mn:NBT‐8KBT, respectively, which illustrates the modulation of the band structures by Mn doping.
Chelerythrine induces apoptosis via ROS‐mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress and STAT3 pathways in human renal cell carcinoma
Authors: He Hongchao , Zhuo Ran , Dai Jun , Wang Xiaojing , Huang Xin , Wang Haofei , Xu Danfeng
Published: October 2019

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a heterogeneous histological disease and it is one of the most common kidney cancer. The treatment of RCC has been improved for the past few years, but its mortality still remains high. Chelerythrine (CHE) is a natural benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloid and a widely used broad‐range protein kinase C inhibitor which has anti‐cancer effect on various types of human cancer cells. However, its effect on RCC has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the effect and mechanism of CHE on RCC cells. Our study showed that CHE induced colony formation inhibition and G2/M cell cycle arrest in a dose‐dependent manner in RCC cells. In addition, CHE increased cellular ROS level, leading to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, inactivating STAT3 activities and inducing apoptosis in RCC cells which were suppressed by NAC, a special ROS inhibitor. We further found that both knockdown of ATF4 protein and overexpression of STAT3 protein could reduce CHE‐induced apoptosis in Caki cells. These results demonstrated that the apoptosis induced by CHE was mediated by ROS‐caused ER stress and STAT3 inactivation. Collectively, our studies provided support for CHE as a potential new therapeutic agent for the management of RCC.
TRPM2 channel: A novel target for alleviating ischaemia‐reperfusion, chronic cerebral hypo‐perfusion and neonatal hypoxic‐ischaemic brain damage
Authors: Mai Chendi , Mankoo Harneet , Wei Linyu , An Xinfang , Li Chaokun , Li Dongliang , Jiang Lin‐Hua
Published: October 2019

The transient receptor potential melastatin‐related 2 (TRPM2) channel, a reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐sensitive cation channel, has been well recognized for being an important and common mechanism that confers the susceptibility to ROS‐induced cell death. An elevated level of ROS is a salient feature of ischaemia‐reperfusion, chronic cerebral hypo‐perfusion and neonatal hypoxia‐ischaemia. The TRPM2 channel is expressed in hippocampus, cortex and striatum, the brain regions that are critical for cognitive functions. In this review, we examine the recent studies that combine pharmacological and/or genetic interventions with using in vitro and in vivo models to demonstrate a crucial role of the TRPM2 channel in brain damage by ischaemia‐reperfusion, chronic cerebral hypo‐perfusion and neonatal hypoxic‐ischaemia. We also discuss the current understanding of the underlying TRPM2‐dependent cellular and molecular mechanisms. These new findings lead to the hypothesis of targeting the TRPM2 channel as a potential novel therapeutic strategy to alleviate brain damage and cognitive dysfunction caused by these conditions.
Trichoscopy of primary cicatricial alopecias: an updated review
Authors: Mathur M. , Acharya P.
Published: October 2019

Trichoscopy is an emerging technique for the evaluation of various hair and scalp disorders including primary cicatricial alopecias (PCAs). Early diagnosis of PCAs can lead to effective management and trichoscopy could be a useful aid during this process. Multiple studies have reported the trichoscopic features of PCAs, however, a focused review evaluating these disorders with their trichoscopic features is lacking. With the objective of evaluating the trichoscopic findings reported in the literature for various PCAs, we conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed and Embase. The search yielded 310 studies in a total of which 54 studies were included in our review. Majority of these studies originated from the Caucasian or Asian population. Through this review, we provide an overview of the frequent and specific trichoscopic findings in different PCAs with their clinical significance where applicable based on the current knowledge and identify the areas for future research.
Development and validation of new diagnostic criteria for atopic dermatitis in children of China
Authors: Cheng R. , Zhang H. , Zong W. , Tang J. , Han X. , Zhang L. , Zhang X. , Gu H. , Shu Y. , Peng G. , Huang L. , Liu Q. , Gao X. , Guo Y. , Yao Z.
Published: October 2019

Background

In previous epidemiological study, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) was 12.94% among children aged 1–7 years by clinical diagnosis, whereas that was 4.76% and 3.51% using U.K., and Hanifin and Rajka diagnostic criteria.

Objective

We aimed to propose new diagnostic criteria for children and evaluate its efficiency in different populations.

Methods

We screened atopic features and analysed their correlation with AD using data from a previous study. A new set of diagnostic criteria for children in China was proposed and validated in 1031 children in outpatient clinics and 538 children in a birth cohort survey. Clinical diagnosis and atopic feature evaluation were performed face to face by dermatologists specialized in AD. Three criteria were compared for diagnostic efficiency using the clinical diagnosis as the reference.

Results

The new diagnostic criteria for children were based on (i) pruritus; (ii) ‘typical morphology and distribution’ or ‘atypical morphology and distribution with xerosis’; and (iii) a chronic or chronically relapsing course. Compared to classical diagnostic criteria, the sensitivity of the new diagnostic criteria was significantly higher in the epidemiological survey and the clinical setting, especially obvious among mild and moderate AD. In the birth cohort, the new criteria showed similar sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusion

The new criteria for children yielded higher sensitivity for the diagnosis of AD in the epidemiological survey and clinical setting, particularly for mild and moderate AD. Among the birth cohort with a complete medical history, three criteria showed similar sensitivity and specificity.
Comparing the Accuracy of Student Growth Measures
Authors: Castellano Katherine E. , McCaffrey Daniel F.
Published: October 2019

Testing programs are often interested in using a student growth measure. This article presents analytic derivations of the accuracy of common student growth measures on both the raw scale of the test and the percentile rank scale in terms of the proportional reduction in mean squared error and the squared correlation between the estimator and target. The study contrasts the accuracy of the growth measures against that of current status measures—current test scores and their percentile ranks. Key findings include the extent that status measures are more accurate than any of the growth measures and that alternative methods to estimate growth could be more accurate than the currently used methods. Our findings highlight the importance for evaluating the statistical properties of growth measures along with other concerns for states that are debating the reporting of growth. Our results also point out that assessing the accuracy of growth measures requires the specification of quantities of interest in terms of latent achievement rather than observed test scores, which is common practice for developing status measures but essentially never done by testing programs for growth measures.
Improving Item‐Exposure Control in Adaptive Testing
Authors: van der Linden Wim J. , Choi Seung W.
Published: October 2019

One of the methods of controlling test security in adaptive testing is imposing random item‐ineligibility constraints on the selection of the items with probabilities automatically updated to maintain a predetermined upper bound on the exposure rates. Three major improvements of the method are presented. First, a few modifications to improve the initialization of the method and accelerate the impact of its feedback mechanism on the observed item‐exposure rates are introduced. Second, the case of conditional item‐exposure control given the uncertainty of examinee's ability parameter is addressed. Third, although rare for a well‐designed item pool, when applied in combination with the shadow‐test approach to adaptive testing the method may meet occasional infeasibility of the shadow‐test model. A big M method is proposed that resolves the issue. The practical advantages of the improvements are illustrated using simulated adaptive testing from a real‐world item pool under a variety of conditions.
Age‐based life history of humpback red snapper, Lutjanus gibbus, in New Caledonia
Authors: Moore Bradley R.
Published: October 2019

This paper examines the life history of humpback red snapper Lutjanus gibbus, an important fishery species for coastal communities across the Indo‐Pacific, in southern New Caledonia, where the species is lightly exploited. A total of 243 L. gibbus were sampled between January 2013 and December 2016 from occasional harvests of commercial fishers. Examination of sectioned otoliths revealed that opaque increment formation occurred annually between November and March, coinciding with the species' spawning season. Estimates of maximum age were similar between sexes, with observed ages of 38 and 36 years for females and males, respectively, extending the reported longevity of this species by at least 11 years. Growth differed significantly between sexes, with males reaching greater length at age and greater asymptotic length than females (38.88 v. 31.46 cm fork length (LF). Total mortality for all samples was estimated as 0.13 and was slightly higher for males (0.16) than females (0.11). Estimates of natural and fishing mortality were low and slightly higher for males than females. Male L. gibbus were found to mature at slightly greater lengths and younger ages than females, with the length and age at which 50% of individuals attained maturity estimated to be 25.8 cm LF and 3.9 years of age for females and 26.8 cm LF and 3.4 years of age for males. The results provide key baseline information from which to assess the effect of fishing on the species for populations in New Caledonia and adjacent locations and, when viewed with those of other studies, highlight the importance of understanding spatial patterns in demography of harvested fish species across gradients of exploitation and environmental influences.
Adding a US Perspective for Stroke Risk in Noncompliant Older Adults
Authors: Amraotkar Alok R. , Singh Sandeep , Desai Rupak
Published: October 2019

See the Reply by Eilat-Tsanani and Schonmann
Prenatal Attachment, Parental Confidence, and Mental Health in Expecting Parents: The Role of Childhood Trauma
Authors: Berthelot Nicolas , Lemieux Roxanne , Garon‐Bissonnette Julia , Muzik Maria
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Exposure to childhood abuse or neglect may lead to negative outcomes during pregnancy in expecting parents, which may contribute to a negative experience of childbearing and have consequences for the developing fetus. This study examined the associations between exposure to childhood abuse or neglect, psychological symptoms, prenatal attachment, and perception of parental competence in expectant parents.

Methods

Individuals at low sociodemographic risk were recruited in community perinatal care settings and completed self‐report assessment measures of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, dissociation, personality disorders, perception of parental competence, and prenatal attachment.

Results

There were 322 participants (78% women), including 91 adults with a history of childhood abuse or neglect, Participants who were exposed to childhood abuse or neglect reported significantly higher levels of symptoms on all indices of mental health than nonexposed adults, even when controlling for sociodemographic risks. However, both groups reported similar levels of prenatal attachment and parental confidence. The impact of childhood maltreatment was similar in men and women. Structural equation modeling showed that childhood abuse or neglect leads to poor mental health and that poor mental health, but not childhood maltreatment, is associated with low parental confidence and prenatal attachment.

Discussion

Psychological symptoms are frequent in expectant parents who experienced maltreatment during their childhood. However, childhood abuse or neglect is not associated with their attitude regarding parenthood and the child in the absence of psychopathology. Supporting mental health may be an important target of parental programs offered during pregnancy to women and men with a history of childhood abuse or neglect.
The Regenerative Horizon: Opportunities for Nursing Research and Practice
Authors: Chlan Linda L. , Tofthagen Cindy , Terzic Andre
Published: October 2019

Background

Regenerative technologies aim to restore organ form and function. Technological advances in regenerative treatments have led to patients increasingly seeking these therapies. The readiness of nursing to fully contribute to this emerging healthcare field is uncertain.

Purpose

The goal of this discipline‐oriented overview is to enhance awareness in the nursing community regarding regenerative science, and to provide suggestions for nursing research contributions and practice implications.

Methods

Evolving and applied cutting‐edge therapies, such as regenerative immunotherapies with chimeric antigen receptor expressing T lymphocytes, are highlighted in the context of emerging opportunities for nurses in practice and research.

Discussion

Next generation nurses will increasingly be at the forefront of new therapies poised to make chronic illnesses curable, thus restoring health and function to diverse groups of individuals.

Clinical Relevance

The regenerative care model imposes on the nursing community the imperative to (a) increase research awareness; (a) educate, develop, and deploy a skilled nursing workforce; (c) integrate regenerative technologies into nursing practice; and (d) embrace the regenerative technologies horizon as a future in health care.
Assessment of Cerebral Vasodilatory Capacity as Part of Catheter‐Based Cerebral Angiography
Authors: Qureshi Adnan I. , Asif Ahmer , Waqas Muhammad A. , Aytac Emrah , Gurkas Erdem , Saleem Muhammad A. , Wallery Shawn S.
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Cerebral vasodilatory capacity assessment for risk stratification in patients with extracranial arterial stenosis or occlusion may be useful. We describe a new method that assesses cerebral vasodilatory capacity as part of catheter‐based cerebral angiography.

METHODS

We prospectively assessed regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV) in the arterial distribution of interest using a controlled contrast injection in the common carotid or the subclavian arteries. rCBV maps were created using a predefined algorithm based on contrast distribution in the venous phase (voxel size: .466 mm3). rCBV maps were acquired again after selective administration of intra‐arterial nicardipine (2.0 mg) distal to the stenosis. Two independent observers graded the change in rCBV in 10 predefined anatomical regions within the tributaries of the artery of interest (0 = reduction, 1 = no change, 2 = increase) and total rCBV change scores were summated.

RESULTS

Twenty‐five patients with internal carotid artery stenosis (n = 18; 0‐90% in severity) or extracranial vertebral artery stenosis (n = 7; 0‐100% in severity) were assessed. There was an increase in rCBV in a tributary of the artery of interest in 18 of 25 after intra‐arterial nicardipine (mean score: 11.98; range 0‐19.5). There was no change or decrease in rCBV in 7 of 25 patients. The mean rCBV change score was similar in patients with an assessment of internal carotid artery or vertebral artery distributions (12.2 ± 5.3; 11.4 ± 2.5; P = .68).

CONCLUSION

Selective vasodilatory response to intra‐arterial nicardipine in the affected arterial distribution during catheter‐based cerebral angiography may provide new data for risk stratification.