bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternative and Efficient Extraction Methods for Marine-Derived Compounds
Authors: Grosso Clara , Valentão Patrícia , Ferreres Federico , Andrade Paula
Published: May 2015

Marine ecosystems cover more than 70% of the globe’s surface. These habitats are occupied by a great diversity of marine organisms that produce highly structural diverse metabolites as a defense mechanism. In the last decades, these metabolites have been extracted and isolated in order to test them in different bioassays and assess their potential to fight human diseases. Since traditional extraction techniques are both solvent- and time-consuming, this review emphasizes alternative extraction techniques, such as supercritical fluid extraction, pressurized solvent extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, pulsed electric field-assisted extraction, enzyme-assisted extraction, and extraction with switchable solvents and ionic liquids, applied in the search for marine compounds. Only studies published in the 21st century are considered.
Enhanced Control of Bladder-Associated Tumors Using Shrimp Anti-Lipopolysaccharide Factor (SALF) Antimicrobial Peptide as a Cancer Vaccine Adjuvant in Mice
Authors: Huang Han-Ning , Rajanbabu Venugopal , Pan Chieh-Yu , Chan Yi-Lin , Chen Jyh-Yih , Wu Chang-Jer
Published: May 2015

Shrimp anti-lipopolysaccharide factor (SALF) is an antimicrobial peptide with reported anticancer activities, such as suppression of tumor progression. In this study, we prepared a potential cancer vaccine comprised of SALF in conjunction with the cell lysate of inactivated murine bladder carcinoma cells (MBT-2), and evaluated its efficacy in a mouse tumor model. Our study shows that SALF added to cell culture media inhibits growth progression of MBT-2, and that SALF together with inactivated MBT-2 lysate elevates the level of inflammasome activity, and modulates the levels of IL-1β, MCP-1, IL-6, IL-12, and TNF-α in mouse macrophages. Immunization of 7, 14, and 21 day-old mice with the vaccine prevented growth of MBT-2 cell-mediated tumors. The vaccine was found to enhance expression of T-cell, cytotoxic T cells, and NK cells in the immunized mice groups. Recruitment of macrophages, T-helper cells, and NK cells was enhanced, but levels of VEGF were decreased in immunized mice. This report provides empirical evidence that our SALF as vaccine adjuvant enhances antitumor immunity in mice.
Toxicity and Biokinetics of Colloidal Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Jo Mi-Rae , Bae Song-Hwa , Go Mi-Ran , Kim Hyun-Jin , Hwang Yun-Gu , Choi Soo-Jin
Published: May 2015

Gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) have promising potential for diverse biological application, but it has not been completely determined whether Au-NP has potential toxicity in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, toxicity of Au-NP was evaluated in human intestinal cells as well as in rats after 14-day repeated oral administration. Biokinetic study was also performed to assess oral absorption and tissue distribution. The results demonstrated that Au-NP did not cause cytotoxic effects on cells after 24 h exposure in terms of inhibition of cell proliferation, membrane damage, and oxidative stress. However, when a small number of cells were exposed to Au-NP for seven days, colony forming ability remarkably decreased by Au-NP treatment, suggesting its potential toxicity after long-term exposure at high concentration. Biokinetic study revealed that Au-NP slowly entered the blood stream and slightly accumulated only in kidney after oral administration to rats. Whereas, orally administered Au ions were rapidly absorbed, and then distributed in kidney, liver, lung, and spleen at high levels, suggesting that the biological fate of Au-NP is primarily in nanoparticulate form, not in ionic Au. Fourteen-day repeated oral toxicity evaluation showed that Au-NP did not cause severe toxicity in rats based on histopathological, hematological, and serum biochemical analysis.
Vitamin D and Graves’ Disease: A Meta-Analysis Update
Authors: Xu Mei-Yan , Cao Bing , Yin Jian , Wang Dong-Fang , Chen Kai-Li , Lu Qing-Bin
Published: May 2015

The association between vitamin D levels and Graves’ disease is not well studied. This update review aims to further analyze the relationship in order to provide an actual view of estimating the risk. We searched for the publications on vitamin D and Graves’ disease in English or Chinese on PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medical and Wanfang databases. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for the vitamin D levels. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI were calculated for vitamin D deficiency. We also performed sensitivity analysis and meta-regression. Combining effect sizes from 26 studies for Graves’ disease as an outcome found a pooled effect of SMD = −0.77 (95% CI: −1.12, −0.42; p < 0.001) favoring the low vitamin D level by the random effect analysis. The meta-regression found assay method had the definite influence on heterogeneity (p = 0.048). The patients with Graves’ disease were more likely to be deficient in vitamin D compared to the controls (OR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.31, 3.81) with a high heterogeneity (I2 = 84.1%, p < 0.001). We further confirmed that low vitamin D status may increase the risk of Graves’ disease.
Human Hemorrhagic Fever Causing Arenaviruses: Molecular Mechanisms Contributing to Virus Virulence and Disease Pathogenesis
Authors: Shao Junjie , Liang Yuying , Ly Hinh
Published: May 2015

Arenaviruses include multiple human pathogens ranging from the low-risk lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) to highly virulent hemorrhagic fever (HF) causing viruses such as Lassa (LASV), Junin (JUNV), Machupo (MACV), Lujo (LUJV), Sabia (SABV), Guanarito (GTOV), and Chapare (CHPV), for which there are limited preventative and therapeutic measures. Why some arenaviruses can cause virulent human infections while others cannot, even though they are isolated from the same rodent hosts, is an enigma. Recent studies have revealed several potential pathogenic mechanisms of arenaviruses, including factors that increase viral replication capacity and suppress host innate immunity, which leads to high viremia and generalized immune suppression as the hallmarks of severe and lethal arenaviral HF diseases. This review summarizes current knowledge of the roles of each of the four viral proteins and some known cellular factors in the pathogenesis of arenaviral HF as well as of some human primary cell-culture and animal models that lend themselves to studying arenavirus-induced HF disease pathogenesis. Knowledge gained from these studies can be applied towards the development of novel therapeutics and vaccines against these deadly human pathogens.
Object-Based Image Analysis in Wetland Research: A Review
Authors: Dronova Iryna
Published: May 2015

The applications of object-based image analysis (OBIA) in remote sensing studies of wetlands have been growing over recent decades, addressing tasks from detection and delineation of wetland bodies to comprehensive analyses of within-wetland cover types and their change. Compared to pixel-based approaches, OBIA offers several important benefits to wetland analyses related to smoothing of the local noise, incorporating meaningful non-spectral features for class separation and accounting for landscape hierarchy of wetland ecosystem organization and structure. However, there has been little discussion on whether unique challenges of wetland environments can be uniformly addressed by OBIA across different types of data, spatial scales and research objectives, and to what extent technical and conceptual aspects of this framework may themselves present challenges in a complex wetland setting. This review presents a synthesis of 73 studies that applied OBIA to different types of remote sensing data, spatial scale and research objectives. It summarizes the progress and scope of OBIA uses in wetlands, key benefits of this approach, factors related to accuracy and uncertainty in its applications and the main research needs and directions to expand the OBIA capacity in the future wetland studies. Growing demands for higher-accuracy wetland characterization at both regional and local scales together with advances in very high resolution remote sensing and novel tasks in wetland restoration monitoring will likely continue active exploration of the OBIA potential in these diverse and complex environments.
Branch-Based Centralized Data Collection for Smart Grids Using Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Kim Kwangsoo , Jin Seong-il
Published: May 2015

A smart grid is one of the most important applications in smart cities. In a smart grid, a smart meter acts as a sensor node in a sensor network, and a central device collects power usage from every smart meter. This paper focuses on a centralized data collection problem of how to collect every power usage from every meter without collisions in an environment in which the time synchronization among smart meters is not guaranteed. To solve the problem, we divide a tree that a sensor network constructs into several branches. A conflict-free query schedule is generated based on the branches. Each power usage is collected according to the schedule. The proposed method has important features: shortening query processing time and avoiding collisions between a query and query responses. We evaluate this method using the ns-2 simulator. The experimental results show that this method can achieve both collision avoidance and fast query processing at the same time. The success rate of data collection at a sink node executing this method is 100%. Its running time is about 35 percent faster than that of the round-robin method, and its memory size is reduced to about 10% of that of the depth-first search method.
Integrating Immune Checkpoint Blockade with Anti-Neo/Mutated Antigens Reactivity to Increase the Clinical Outcome of Immunotherapy
Authors: Parmiani Giorgio , Maccalli Cristina , Maio Michele
Published: May 2015

Antibodies to immune checkpoints have entered the clinical arena and have been shown to provide a clinical benefit for metastatic melanoma and, possibly, for other tumors as well. In this review paper we summarize this therapeutic activity and underline the functional mechanisms that may be involved. Among them, we discuss the so far neglected role of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) deriving from tumor somatic mutations and summarize the results of recent trials showing the immunogenic strength of such TAAs which can be specifically targeted by T cells activated by immune checkpoint antibodies. Finally we discuss new immunotherapy approaches that involve the combination of self/shared- or neo-TAAs-based vaccines and immune checkpoint blockade antibodies, to increase the clinical response of metastatic melanoma patients.
Modeling of Soil Water and Salt Dynamics and Its Effects on Root Water Uptake in Heihe Arid Wetland, Gansu, China
Authors: Li Huijie , Yi Jun , Zhang Jianguo , Zhao Ying , Si Bingcheng , Hill Robert , Cui Lele , Liu Xiaoyu
Published: May 2015

In the Heihe River basin, China, increased salinity and water shortages present serious threats to the sustainability of arid wetlands. It is critical to understand the interactions between soil water and salts (from saline shallow groundwater and the river) and their effects on plant growth under the influence of shallow groundwater and irrigation. In this study, the Hydrus-1D model was used in an arid wetland of the Middle Heihe River to investigate the effects of the dynamics of soil water, soil salinization, and depth to water table (DWT) as well as groundwater salinity on Chinese tamarisk root water uptake. The modeled soil water and electrical conductivity of soil solution (ECsw) are in good agreement with the observations, as indicated by RMSE values (0.031 and 0.046 cm3·cm−3 for soil water content, 0.037 and 0.035 dS·m−1 for ECsw, during the model calibration and validation periods, respectively). The calibrated model was used in scenario analyses considering different DWTs, salinity levels and the introduction of preseason irrigation. The results showed that (I) Chinese tamarisk root distribution was greatly affected by soil water and salt distribution in the soil profile, with about 73.8% of the roots being distributed in the 20–60 cm layer; (II) root water uptake accounted for 91.0% of the potential maximal value when water stress was considered, and for 41.6% when both water and salt stress were considered; (III) root water uptake was very sensitive to fluctuations of the water table, and was greatly reduced when the DWT was either dropped or raised 60% of the 2012 reference depth; (IV) arid wetland vegetation exhibited a high level of groundwater dependence even though shallow groundwater resulted in increased soil salinization and (V) preseason irrigation could effectively increase root water uptake by leaching salts from the root zone. We concluded that a suitable water table and groundwater salinity coupled with proper irrigation are key factors to sustainable development of arid wetlands.
Helminth Egg Removal Capacity of UASB Reactors under Subtropical Conditions
Authors: Yaya-Beas Rosa-Elena , Ayala-Limaylla Christian , Kujawa-Roeleveld Katarzyna , Van Lier Jules , Zeeman Grietje
Published: May 2015

This research was conducted to study the anaerobic sludge filtration capacity regarding helminth egg removal in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors. Two 25 L lab-scale UASB reactors were operated at an ambient temperature which varied between 17.1 and 28.6 °C. Ascaris suum egg was selected as the model egg considering its similarity in terms of size and morphology to Ascaris lumbricoides, a human pathogen. Ascaris suum eggs were obtained from female parasites of infected pigs. The anaerobic sludge filtration capacity was performed applying upflow velocities between 0.09 and 0.68 m·h−1. Three sludge bed heights in the range of 0.30–0.40 m, 0.50–0.60 m and 0.60–0.70 m were applied. These sludge bed heights corresponded to 19%–25%, 31%–38% and 38%–44% of the total reactor height, respectively. Under the mentioned conditions, the average helminth egg removal efficiency was reciprocally correlated to the imposed upflow velocity. The studied lab-scale reactors reported an average helminth egg removal between 34%–100%, 30%–91% and 34%–56%, when the sludge bed in the UASB reactor was 19%–25%, 31%–38% and 38%–44% of the total reactor height, respectively. The decreased filtration capacity at increasing sludge bed heights might be likely related to biogas production and channeling formation. The average helminth egg removal efficiency in the control experiments performed without any sludge bed, by plain sedimentation, varied between 44% and 66%.
A New Way for Incorporating GCM Information into Water Shortage Projections
Authors: Seo Seung , Kim Young-Oh , Kim Cho-Rong
Published: May 2015

Climate change information is essential for water resources management planning, and the majority of research available uses the global circulation model (GCM) data to project future water balance. Despite the fact that the results of various GCMs are still heterogeneous, it is common to utilize GCM values directly in climate change impact assessment models. To mitigate these limitations, this study provides an alternative methodology, which uses GCM-based data to assign weights on historical scenarios rather than to directly input their values into the assessment models, thereby reducing the uncertainty involved in the direct use of GCMs. Therefore, the real innovation of this study is placed on the use of a new probability weighting scheme with multiple GCMs rather than on the direct input of GCM-driven data. Applied to make future projections of the water shortage in the Han River basin of Korea, the proposed methodology produced conservative but realistic projection results (15% increase) compared to the existing methodologies, which projected a dramatic increase (144%) in water shortage over 10 years. As a result, it was anticipated that the amount of water shortages in the Han River basin would gradually increase in the next 90 years, including a 57% increase in the 2080s.
Phylogenetic relationships in Asarum: Effect of data partitioning and a revised classification
Authors: Sinn Brandon T. , Kelly Lawrence M. , Freudenstein John V.
Published: May 2015

• Premise of the study: Generic boundaries and infrageneric relationships among the charismatic temperate magnoliid Asarum sensu lato (Aristolochiaceae) have long been uncertain. Previous molecular phylogenetic analyses used either plastid or nuclear loci alone and varied greatly in their taxonomic implications for the genus. We analyzed additional molecular markers from the nuclear and plastid genomes, reevaluated the possibility of a derived loss of autonomous self‐pollination, and investigated the topological effects of matrix‐partitioning‐scheme choice.

• Methods: We sequenced seven plastid regions and the nuclear ITS1–ITS2 region of 58 individuals representing all previously recognized Asarum s.l. segregate genera and the monotypic genus Saruma. Matrices were partitioned using common a priori partitioning schemes and PartitionFinder.

• Key results: Topologies that were recovered using a priori partitioning of matrices differed from those recovered using a PartitionFinder‐selected scheme, and by analysis method. We recovered six monophyletic groups that we circumscribed into three subgenera and six sections. Putative fungal mimic characters served as synapomorphies only for subgenus Heterotropa. Subgenus Geotaenium, a new subgenus, was recovered as sister to the remainder of Asarum by ML analyses of highly partitioned datasets. Section Longistylis, also newly named, is sister to section Hexastylis.

• Conclusions: Our analyses do not unambiguously support a single origin for all fungal‐mimicry characters. Topologies recovered through the analysis of PartitionFinder‐optimized matrices can differ drastically from those inferred from a priori partitioned matrices, and by analytical method. We recommend that investigators evaluate the topological effects of matrix partitioning using multiple methods of phylogenetic reconstruction.
Biogeographic analysis of the woody plants of the Southern Appalachians: Implications for the origins of a regional flora
Authors: Manos Paul S. , Meireles José Eduardo
Published: May 2015

• Premise of the study: We investigated the origins of 252 Southern Appalachian woody species representing 158 clades to analyze larger patterns of biogeographic connectivity around the northern hemisphere. We tested biogeographic hypotheses regarding the timing of species disjunctions to eastern Asia and among areas of North America.

• Methods: We delimited species into biogeographically informative clades, compiled sister‐area data, and generated graphic representations of area connections across clades. We calculated taxon diversity within clades and plotted divergence times.

• Key results: Of the total taxon diversity, 45% were distributed among 25 North American endemic clades. Sister taxa within eastern North America and eastern Asia were proportionally equal in frequency, accounting for over 50% of the sister‐area connections. At increasing phylogenetic depth, connections to the Old World dominated. Divergence times for 65 clades with intercontinental disjunctions were continuous, whereas 11 intracontinental disjunctions to western North America and nine to eastern Mexico were temporally congruent.

• Conclusions: Over one third of the clades have likely undergone speciation within the region of eastern North America. The biogeographic pattern for the region is asymmetric, consisting of mostly mixed‐aged, low‐diversity clades connecting to the Old World, and a minority of New World clades. Divergence time data suggest that climate change in the Late Miocene to Early Pliocene generated disjunct patterns within North America. Continuous splitting times during the last 45 million years support the hypothesis that widespread distributions formed repeatedly during favorable periods, with serial cooling trends producing pseudocongruent area disjunctions between eastern North America and eastern Asia.
Tuning of tetrathiafulvalene properties: versatile synthesis of N-arylated monopyrrolotetrathiafulvalenes via Ullmann-type coupling reactions
Authors: Azov Vladimir A , Janott Diana , Schlüter Dirk , Zeller Matthias
Published: May 2015

An Ullmann-type coupling reaction was employed for the preparation of several N-arylated monopyrrolotetrathiafulvalenes with variable substitution patterns. Spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of the coupling products strongly depend on the electronic nature of the aromatic substituents due to their direct conjugation with the tetrathiafulvalene chromophore. The crystal packing of the arylated monopyrrolotetrathiafulvalenes is primarily defined by networks of C–H···X weak hydrogen bonds and short S···S contacts involving the tetrathiafulvalene moieties.
Molecular Diagnostics and Newborns At Risk for Genital Herpes Simplex Virus
Authors: Chua Caroline , Arnolds Marin , Niklas Victoria
Published: May 2015

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in the newborn carries a high mortality rate and can result in lifelong neurologic impairment. The severity of HSV infection in the newborn has always dictated conservative management when prodromal symptoms or active genital lesions (or those suggestive of genital herpes) are present during labor and delivery. The risk of intrapartum infection, however, is related to the presence or absence of maternal immunity (neutralizing antibody) to HSV. The most significant risk of transmission is in first-episode primary infections with active lesions at delivery. Recent recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics Committees on Infectious Diseases and the Fetus and Newborn use rapid serologic and virologic screening in the management of asymptomatic infants born to mothers with active genital herpes. The revised guidelines highlight infants at greatest risk for HSV disease but do not apply to asymptomatic infants born to mothers with a history of HSV but no genital lesions at delivery. The current guidelines also stipulate that maternal serologic screening and molecular assays for HSV in newborn blood and cerebrospinal fluid must be available and reported in a timely fashion.

[
Pediatr Ann
. 2015;44(5):e97–e102.]
Current Controversies in Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Congenital Cytomegalovirus: Updates for the Pediatric Practitioner
Authors: Harrison Gail J.
Published: May 2015

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has been called “the elephant in our living room” because it is a major public health problem that for decades has been unrecognized and unaddressed. Congenital CMV infection is a common cause of sensorineural hearing loss, vision loss, neurodevelopment disabilities, liver disease, and growth failure. Diagnostic tests are now widely available to identify newborns with congenital CMV infection, congenitally infected newborns now can be easily assessed for evidence of organ involvement, and there are now antiviral treatments and other interventions available to improve the outcome in children with congenital CMV disease. A licensed vaccine to prevent CMV infection is not yet available; however, a “CMV knowledge vaccine,” composed of “an ounce of CMV awareness and three simple precautions” and that is endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is available for pregnant women who wish to reduce their contact with potentially CMV-infected secretions and therefore reduce their risk of acquiring CMV during pregnancy. Medical experts in the field of congenital CMV have been called upon for a consensus statement for diagnosis and treatment, and nonprofit organizations of families affected by congenital CMV from around the world have formed a collaborative coalition to facilitate the spread of CMV knowledge and awareness.

[
Pediatr Ann
. 2015;44(5):e115–e125.]
Role of Information on Women Consumer Decision Making on Food Quality: An Analysis Based on Visual Presentation of Dairy Quality Attributes
Authors: Thilakarathne N.T. , Jayasinghe-Mudalige U.K. , Udagama J.M.M. , Edirisinghe J.C. , Herath H.M.L.K.
Published: May 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine empirically, using food safety and quality attributes presented in the Caswell’s Classification as the analytical framework, whether a consumer’s decision to purchase a food product at a given point of time, in this case Yoghurt and Full Cream Milk Powder, is predominately governed by a 'single' common attribute/s such as 'appearance' or by a number of other attributes (i.e. 'multiple') such as 'packaging', 'labeling', 'quality certification', and 'brand', collectively. This were examined empirically under three distinct food safety information scenarios available to consumers as the product was presented to them "visually"; (1) 'No'; (2) 'Partial'; or (3) 'Full' information about the product quality. Primary data collected from 200 women consumers from urban household settings in the Gampaha district during May to June 2014 were, in turn, used to derive a Food Quality Information Index (values ranged from 0 to 1) for five different panels derived to elaborate these information scenarios. The outcome of analysis suggests that consumer preference for these products increases as more information is available on multiple attributes, including the 'brand', 'labeling', and 'certification', or in other words, transforming those 'Credence' characteristics towards 'Experience' and/or 'Search' characteristics. Results from Chi-square analysis highlight that consumer behavior is not significantly affected by their age, civil status, education, and level of income.The Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 10, No. 2, May 2015. Pp 109 - 118
Divergent Phenotypes of Human Regulatory T Cells Expressing the Receptors TIGIT and CD226
Authors: Fuhrman Christopher A. , Yeh Wen-I , Seay Howard R. , Saikumar Lakshmi Priya , Chopra Gaurav , Zhang Lin , Perry Daniel J. , McClymont Stephanie A. , Yadav Mahesh , Lopez Maria-Cecilia , Baker Henry V. , Zhang Ying , Li Yizheng , Whitley Maryann , von Schack David , Atkinson Mark A. , Bluestone Jeffrey A. , Brusko Todd M.
Published: May 2015

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a central role in counteracting inflammation and autoimmunity. A more complete understanding of cellular heterogeneity and the potential for lineage plasticity in human Treg subsets may identify markers of disease pathogenesis and facilitate the development of optimized cellular therapeutics. To better elucidate human Treg subsets, we conducted direct transcriptional profiling of CD4+FOXP3+Helios+ thymic-derived Tregs and CD4+FOXP3+Helios− T cells, followed by comparison with CD4+FOXP3−Helios− T conventional cells. These analyses revealed that the coinhibitory receptor T cell Ig and ITIM domain (TIGIT) was highly expressed on thymic-derived Tregs. TIGIT and the costimulatory factor CD226 bind the common ligand CD155. Thus, we analyzed the cellular distribution and suppressive activity of isolated subsets of CD4+CD25+CD127lo/− T cells expressing CD226 and/or TIGIT. We observed TIGIT is highly expressed and upregulated on Tregs after activation and in vitro expansion, and is associated with lineage stability and suppressive capacity. Conversely, the CD226+TIGIT− population was associated with reduced Treg purity and suppressive capacity after expansion, along with a marked increase in IL-10 and effector cytokine production. These studies provide additional markers to delineate functionally distinct Treg subsets that may help direct cellular therapies and provide important phenotypic markers for assessing the role of Tregs in health and disease.
Predicting frequency distribution and influence of sociodemographic and behavioral risk factors of Schistosoma mansoni infection and analysis of co-infection with intestinal parasites
Authors: Rollemberg Carla V.V. , Silva Marília M.B.L. , Rollemberg Karla C. , Amorim Fábio R. , Lessa Nayanna M.N. , Santos Marcos D.S. , Souza Acácia M.B. , Melo Enaldo V. , Almeida Roque P. , Silva Ângela M. , Werneck Guilherme L. , Santos Mario A. , Almeida José A.P. , Jesus Amélia R.
Published: May 2015

Geospatial analysis was used to study the epidemiology of Schistosoma mansoni, intestinal parasites and co-infections in an area (Ilha das Flores) in Sergipe, Brazil. We collected individually georeferenced sociodemographic, behavioral and parasitological data from 500 subjects, analyzed them by conventional statistics, and produced risk maps by Kernel estimation. The prevalence rates found were: S. mansoni (24.0%), Trichuris trichiura (54.8%), Ascaris lumbricoides (49.2%), Hookworm (17.6%) and Entamoeba histolytica (7.0%). Only 59/500 (11.8%) individuals did not present any of these infections, whereas 279/500 (55.8%) were simultaneously infected by three or more parasites. We observed associations between S. mansoni infection and various variables such as male gender, being rice farmer or fisherman, low educational level, low income, water contact and drinking untreated water. The Kernel estimator indicated that high-risk areas coincide with the poorest regions of the villages as well as with the part of the villages without an adequate sewage system. We also noted associations between both A. lumbricoides and hookworm infections with low education and low income. A. lumbricoides infection and T. trichiura infection were both associated with drinking untreated water and residential open-air sewage. These findings call for an integrated approach to effectively control multiple parasitic infections.
Estimating population and livestock density of mobile pastoralists and sedentary settlements in the south-eastern Lake Chad area
Authors: Jean-Richard Vreni , Crump Lisa , Abicho Abbani Alhadj , Abakar Ali Abba , Mahamat II Abdraman , Bechir Mahamat , Eckert Sandra , Engesser Matthias , Schelling Esther , Zinsstag Jakob
Published: May 2015

Mobile pastoralists provide major contributions to the gross domestic product in Chad, but little information is available regarding their demography. The Lake Chad area population is increasing, resulting in competition for scarce land and water resources. For the first time, the density of people and animals from mobile and sedentary populations was assessed using randomly defined sampling areas. Four sampling rounds were conducted over two years in the same areas to show population density dynamics. We identified 42 villages of sedentary communities in the sampling zones; 11 (in 2010) and 16 (in 2011) mobile pastoralist camps at the beginning of the dry season and 34 (in 2011) and 30 (in 2012) camps at the end of the dry season. A mean of 64.0 people per km2 (95% confidence interval, 20.3-107.8) were estimated to live in sedentary villages. In the mobile communities, we found 5.9 people per km2 at the beginning and 17.5 people per km2 at the end of the dry season. We recorded per km2 on average 21.0 cattle and 31.6 small ruminants in the sedentary villages and 66.1 cattle and 102.5 small ruminants in the mobile communities, which amounts to a mean of 86.6 tropical livestock units during the dry season. These numbers exceed, by up to five times, the published carrying capacities for similar Sahelian zones. Our results underline the need for a new institutional framework. Improved land use management must equally consider the needs of mobile communities and sedentary populations.
Evaluation of universal newborn hearing screening in South African primary care
Authors: Khoza-Shangase Katijah , Harbinson Shannon
Published: May 2015

Background: Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHC) is the gold standard toward early hearing detection and intervention, hence the importance of its deliberation within the South African context.Aim: To determine the feasibility of screening in low-risk neonates, using Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs), within the Midwife Obstetric Unit (MOU) three-day assessment clinic at a Community Health Centre (CHC), at various test times following birth.Method: Within a quantitative, prospective design, 272 neonates were included. Case history interviews, otoscopic examinations and Distortion Product OAEs (DPOAEs) screening were conducted at two sessions (within six hours and approximately three days after birth). Data were analysed via descriptive statistics.Results: Based on current staffing profile and practice, efficient and comprehensive screening is not successful within hours of birth, but is more so at the MOU three-day assessment clinic. Significantly higher numbers of infants were screened at session 2, with significantly less false-positive results. At session 1, only 38.1% of the neonates were screened, as opposed to more than 100% at session 2. Session 1 yielded an 82.1% rate of false positive findings, a rate that not only has important implications for the emotional well-being of the parents; but also for resource-stricken environments where expenditure has to be accounted for carefully.Conclusion: Current findings highlight the importance of studying methodologies to ensure effective reach for hearing screening within the South African context. These findings argue for UNHS initiatives to include the MOU three-day assessment to ensure that a higher number of neonates are reached and confounding variables such as vernix have been eliminated.
Tibial bone metastasis as an initial presentation of endometrial carcinoma diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Boukhar Sarag Aboujafar , Kaneshiro Ricky , Schiller Alan , Terada Keith , Tauchi-Nishi Pamela
Published: May 2015

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy in the United States. However, bony metastasis is infrequent and exceptionally rare as the initial presentation. We report a case of a 77-year-old female with a clinically silent endometrial carcinoma who presented with a left tibial metastasis as the first manifestation of her disease. Ours is only the third case diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology, and the first to detail the cytomorphologic features of metastatic endometrial cancer to bone. These microscopic findings, including three-dimensional cohesive clusters with cellular overlapping and cuboidal to columnar cells exhibiting low nuclear: cytoplasmic ratios and partially vacuolated cytoplasm, differ significantly from those of endometrial carcinoma on a Papanicolaou test. The tumor bore similarity to the more commonly encountered metastatic colon cancer, but immunohistochemical staining enabled reliable distinction between these entities. A review of osseous metastases of endometrial cancer demonstrates a predilection for bones of the lower extremity and pelvis with a predominance of the endometrioid histologic subtype. In about a quarter of the cases, the bony metastasis was the first manifestation of the cancer. FNA was an effective diagnostic modality for this unusual presentation of a common malignancy. Awareness of this entity and its differential diagnosis is essential for accurate and timely diagnosis.
Connected components of the strata of the moduli space of meromorphic differentials
Authors: Boissy Corentin
Published: May 2015

We study the translation surfaces corresponding to meromorphic differentials on compact Riemann surfaces. Such geometric structures naturally appear when studying compactifications of the strata of the moduli space of Abelian differentials. We compute the number of connected components of the strata of the moduli space of meromorphic differentials. We show that in genus greater than or equal to two, one has up to three components with a similar description as the one of Kontsevich–Zorich for the moduli space of Abelian differentials. In genus one, one can obtain an arbitrarily large number of connected components that are distinguished by a simple topological invariant.
Abstract commensurators of lattices in Lie groups
Authors: Studenmund Daniel
Published: May 2015

Let

\Gamma

be a lattice in a simply-connected solvable Lie group. We construct a

\mathbb Q

-defined algebraic group

\mathcal{A}

such that the abstract commensurator of

\Gamma

is isomorphic to

\mathcal{A}(\mathbb Q)

and Aut

(\Gamma)

is commensurable with

\mathcal{A}(\mathbb Z)

. Our proof uses the algebraic hull construction, due to Mostow, to define an algebraic group

\mathbf H

so that commensurations of

\Gamma

extend to

\mathbb Q

-defined automorphisms of

\mathbf H

. We prove an analogous result for lattices in connected linear Lie groups whose semisimple quotient satisfies superrigidity.
Finite-dimensionality and cycles on powers of $K3$ surfaces
Authors: Yin Qizheng
Published: May 2015

For a

K3

surface

S

, consider the subring of

\mathrm {CH}(S^n)

generated by divisor and diagonal classes (with

\mathbb Q

-coefficients). Voisin conjectures that the restriction of the cycle class map to this ring is injective. We prove that Voisin's conjecture is equivalent to the finite-dimensionality of

S

in the sense of Kimura-O'Sullivan. As a consequence, we obtain examples of

S

whose Hilbert schemes satisfy the Beauville-Voisin conjecture.
An introduction to video instant ticket vending machines
Authors: MacLaren Vance V. , Harrigan Kevin A. , Dixon Michael J.
Published: May 2015

Video Instant Ticket Vending Machines (V-ITVMs) are a new form of electronic gambling machine currently being introduced to the North American markets of Ontario, Maryland, Missouri and New Mexico. The present paper is intended to raise awareness among regulators, problem gambling researchers, and clinicians about the nature of these games. These V-ITVMs resemble slot machines and present audiovisual content along with the sale of the tickets. We discuss several potentially harmful features of these games, ones which may promote problem gambling behaviour, such as fast continuous play, losses disguised as wins, near misses, deceptive bonus rounds, and a tendency to promote false beliefs among players who are vulnerable to disordered gambling behaviour. Effective programs for problem gambling prevention and treatment should be implemented as vital parts of any initiative to introduce V-ITVMs.
Genetic analysis of clinical mastitis data for Holstein cattle in the Czech Republic
Authors: Zavadilová L. , Štípková M. , Šebková N. , Svitáková A.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. Cases of mastitis were recorded from 22 812 lactations of 10 294 cows on seven farms in the Czech Republic from 2000 to 2012. The per cow number of clinical mastitis (CM) cases per lactation (CM1), number of days of CM per lactation (CM2), and CM considered as an all-or-none trait (CM3) with values of 0 (no CM case) or 1 (at least 1 CM case) were analyzed with linear animal models. Bivariate linear animal models were used for estimation of genetic correlations between CM traits and average lactation somatic cell score (SCS305), average 305-day milk (MY305), fat (FY305) and protein (PY305) yield, and interval between calving and first insemination (INT) and days open (DO). Factors included in the model of choice were parity, herd effect, year of calving, calving season, permanent environmental effect of the cow, and additive genetic effect of the cow. Estimated heritabilities for CM traits were in the range of 0.09 to 0.10. Genetic correlations of SCS305 with CM traits 1, 2, and 3 were 0.22 ± 0.062, 0.23 ± 0.064, and 0.29 ± 0.086, respectively; those of MY305 with the three CM traits were 0.80 ± 0.037, 0.79 ± 0.040, and 0.83 ± 0.038, respectively; those of INT with the three CM traits were 0.19 ± 0.087, 0.17 ± 0.089, and 0.26 ± 0.091, respectively; and those of DO with the three CM traits were 0.28 ± 0.089, 0.22 ± 0.091, and 0.27 ± 0.091, respectively. Knowledge of genetic parameters of mastitis incidence and assessment of the economic importance of the disease is necessary to design breeding programs to improve udder health.
AOD trends during 2001–2010 from observations and model simulations
Authors: Pozzer A. , de Meij A. , Yoon J. , Tost H. , Georgoulias A. K. , Astitha M.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. The aerosol optical depth (AOD) trend between 2001 and 2010 is estimated globally and regionally from observations and results from simulations with the EMAC (ECHAM5/MESSy Atmospheric Chemistry) model. Although interannual variability is applied only to anthropogenic and biomass-burning emissions, the model is able to quantitatively reproduce the AOD trends as observed by the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) satellite sensor, while some discrepancies are found when compared to MISR (Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer) and SeaWIFS (Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor) observations. Thanks to an additional simulation without any change in emissions, it is shown that decreasing AOD trends over the US and Europe are due to the decrease in the emissions, while over the Sahara Desert and the Middle East region, the meteorological changes play a major role. Over Southeast Asia, both meteorology and emissions changes are equally important in defining AOD trends. Additionally, decomposing the regional AOD trends into individual aerosol components reveals that the soluble components are the most dominant contributors to the total AOD, as their influence on the total AOD is enhanced by the aerosol water content.
Simulation of the isotopic composition of stratospheric water vapour – Part 1: Description and evaluation of the EMAC model
Authors: Eichinger R. , Jöckel P. , Brinkop S. , Werner M. , Lossow S.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. This modelling study aims at an improved understanding of the processes that determine the water vapour budget in the stratosphere by means of the investigation of water isotope ratios. An additional (and separate from the actual) hydrological cycle has been introduced into the chemistry–climate model EMAC, including the water isotopologues HDO and H218O and their physical fractionation processes. Additionally an explicit computation of the contribution of methane oxidation to H2O and HDO has been incorporated. The model expansions allow detailed analyses of water vapour and its isotope ratio with respect to deuterium throughout the stratosphere and in the transition region to the troposphere. In order to assure the correct representation of the water isotopologues in the model's hydrological cycle, the expanded system has been evaluated in several steps. The physical fractionation effects have been evaluated by comparison of the simulated isotopic composition of precipitation with measurements from a ground-based network (GNIP) and with the results from the isotopologue-enabled general circulation model ECHAM5-wiso. The model's representation of the chemical HDO precursor CH3D in the stratosphere has been confirmed by a comparison with chemical transport models (1-D, CHEM2D) and measurements from radiosonde flights. Finally, the simulated stratospheric HDO and the isotopic composition of water vapour have been evaluated, with respect to retrievals from three different satellite instruments (MIPAS, ACE-FTS, SMR). Discrepancies in stratospheric water vapour isotope ratios between two of the three satellite retrievals can now partly be explained.
Compilation and evaluation of gas phase diffusion coefficients of reactive trace gases in the atmosphere: Volume 2. Diffusivities of organic compounds, pressure-normalised mean free paths, and average Knudsen numbers for gas uptake calculations
Authors: Tang M. J. , Shiraiwa M. , Pöschl U. , Cox R. A. , Kalberer M.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. Diffusion of organic vapours to the surface of aerosol or cloud particles is an important step for the formation and transformation of atmospheric particles. So far, however, a database of gas phase diffusion coefficients for organic compounds of atmospheric interest has not been available. In this work we have compiled and evaluated gas phase diffusivities (pressure-independent diffusion coefficients) of organic compounds reported by previous experimental studies, and we compare the measurement data to estimates obtained with Fuller's semi-empirical method. The difference between measured and estimated diffusivities are mostly < 10%. With regard to gas-particle interactions, different gas molecules, including both organic and inorganic compounds, exhibit similar Knudsen numbers (Kn) although their gas phase diffusivities may vary over a wide range. This is because different trace gas molecules have similar mean free paths in air at a given pressure. Thus, we introduce the pressure-normalised mean free path, λP ≈ 100 nm atm, as a near-constant generic parameter that can be used for approximate calculation of Knudsen numbers as a simple function of gas pressure and particle diameter to characterise the influence of gas phase diffusion on the uptake of gases by aerosol or cloud particles. We use a kinetic multilayer model of gas-particle interaction to illustrate the effects of gas phase diffusion on the condensation of organic compounds with different volatilities. The results show that gas phase diffusion can play a major role in determining the growth of secondary organic aerosol particles by condensation of low-volatility organic vapours.
Evaluation of a regional air quality model using satellite column NO2: treatment of observation errors and model boundary conditions and emissions
Authors: Pope R. J. , Chipperfield M. P. , Savage N. H. , Ordóñez C. , Neal L. S. , Lee L. A. , Dhomse S. S. , Richards N. A. D. , Keslake T. D.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. We compare tropospheric column NO2 between the UK Met Office operational Air Quality in the Unified Model (AQUM) and satellite observations from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) for 2006. Column NO2 retrievals from satellite instruments are prone to large uncertainty from random, systematic and smoothing errors. We present an algorithm to reduce the random error of time-averaged observations, once smoothing errors have been removed with application of satellite averaging kernels to the model data. This reduces the total error in seasonal mean columns by 10–70%, which allows critical evaluation of the model. The standard AQUM configuration evaluated here uses chemical lateral boundary conditions (LBCs) from the GEMS (Global and regional Earth-system Monitoring using Satellite and in situ data) reanalysis. In summer the standard AQUM overestimates column NO2 in northern England and Scotland, but underestimates it over continental Europe. In winter, the model overestimates column NO2 across the domain. We show that missing heterogeneous hydrolysis of N2O5 in AQUM is a significant sink of column NO2 and that the introduction of this process corrects some of the winter biases. The sensitivity of AQUM summer column NO2 to different chemical LBCs and NOx emissions data sets are investigated. Using Monitoring Atmospheric Composition and Climate (MACC) LBCs increases AQUM O3 concentrations compared with the default GEMS LBCs. This enhances the NOx–O3 coupling leading to increased AQUM column NO2 in both summer and winter degrading the comparisons with OMI. Sensitivity experiments suggest that the cause of the remaining northern England and Scotland summer column NO2 overestimation is the representation of point source (power station) emissions in the model.