bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
White‐Coat Effect Among Older Adults: Data From the Jackson Heart Study
Authors: Tanner Rikki M. , Shimbo Daichi , Seals Samantha R. , Reynolds Kristi , Bowling C. Barrett , Ogedegbe Gbenga , Muntner Paul
Published: August 2015

Many adults with elevated clinic blood pressure (BP) have lower BP when measured outside the clinic. This phenomenon, the “white‐coat effect,” may be larger among older adults, a population more susceptible to the adverse effects of low BP. The authors analyzed data from 257 participants in the Jackson Heart Study with elevated clinic BP (systolic/diastolic BP [SBP/DBP] ≥140/90 mm Hg) who underwent ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). The white‐coat effect for SBP was larger for participants 60 years and older vs those younger than 60 years in the overall population (12.2 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval [CI], 9.2–15.1 mm Hg and 8.4 mm Hg, 95% CI, 5.7–11.1, respectively; P=.06) and among those without diabetes or chronic kidney disease (15.2 mm Hg, 95% CI, 10.1–20.2 and 8.6 mm Hg, 95% CI, 5.0–12.3, respectively; P=.04). After multivariable adjustment, clinic SBP ≥150 mm Hg vs <150 mm Hg was associated with a larger white‐coat effect. Studies are needed to investigate the role of ABPM in guiding the initiation and titration of antihypertensive treatment, especially among older adults.
Association of Controlled and Uncontrolled Hypertension With Workplace Productivity
Authors: Unmuessig Victoria , Fishman Paul A. , Vrijhoef Hubertus J.M. , Elissen Arianne M.J. , Grossman David C.
Published: August 2015

The authors estimated the lost productive time (LPT) due to absenteeism and presenteeism among employees at the Group Health Cooperative with controlled and uncontrolled hypertension compared with normotensive patients. The patients responded to a survey inquiring about health behaviors with links to their medical record to identify diagnoses, blood pressure measurement, and prescription drug dispenses. Individuals with controlled hypertension were more likely to report any LPT relative to individuals with uncontrolled hypertension (40.6% vs 32.6%, P<.05). There were no significant differences in the average hours of LPT due to presenteeism among individuals regardless of their hypertension status but individuals with hypertension were more likely to report hours of LPT due to absenteeism compared with normotensive individuals (1.04 vs 0.59 hours; P=.001). Individuals with uncontrolled hypertension were more likely to report LPT due to absenteeism compared with individuals with controlled hypertension (1.35 vs 0.72 hours; P=.001). There were no significant differences between individuals with hypertension whose blood pressure was controlled and normotensive individuals with respect to the likelihood of reporting any LPT or in the amounts of absenteeism and presenteeism.
Antiseptic solutions modulate the paracrine‐like activity of bone chips: differential impact of chlorhexidine and sodium hypochlorite
Authors: Sawada Kosaku , Caballé‐Serrano Jordi , Bosshardt Dieter D. , Schaller Benoit , Miron Richard J. , Buser Daniel , Gruber Reinhard
Published: August 2015

Aim

Chemical decontamination increases the availability of bone grafts; however, it remains unclear whether antiseptic processing changes the biological activity of bone.

Materials and Methods

Bone chips were incubated with four different antiseptic solutions including (1) povidone‐iodine (0.5%), (2) chlorhexidine diguluconate (0.2%), (3) hydrogen peroxide (1%) and (4) sodium hypochlorite (0.25%). After 10 min. of incubation, changes in the capacity of the bone‐conditioned medium (BCM) to modulate gene expression of gingival fibroblasts was investigated.

Results

Conditioned medium obtained from freshly prepared bone chips increased the expression of TGF‐β target genes interleukin 11 (IL11), proteoglycan4 (PRG4), NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), and decreased the expression of adrenomedullin (ADM), and pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in gingival fibroblasts. Incubation of bone chips with 0.2% chlorhexidine, followed by vigorously washing resulted in a BCM with even higher expression of IL11, PRG4 and NOX4. These findings were also detected with a decrease in cell viability and an activation of apoptosis signalling. Chlorhexidine alone, at low concentrations, increased IL11, PRG4 and NOX4 expression, independent of the TGF‐β receptor I kinase activity. In contrast, 0.25% sodium hypochlorite almost entirely abolished the activity of BCM, whereas the other two antiseptic solutions, 1% hydrogen peroxide and 0.5% povidone‐iodine, had relatively no impact respectively.

Conclusion

These in vitro findings demonstrate that incubation of bone chips with chlorhexidine differentially affects the activity of the respective BCM compared to the other antiseptic solutions. The data further suggest that the main effects are caused by chlorhexidine remaining in the BCM after repeated washing of the bone chips.
To be or not to be? Mating success and survival trade‐offs when switching between alternative reproductive tactics
Authors: Córdoba‐Aguilar A. , Munguía‐Steyer R.
Published: August 2015

Hormones underlie the decision of assuming a territorial or a nonterritorial role, with territorial individuals usually having higher hormonal levels than nonterritorial individuals. As a territorial status is linked to higher mating opportunities, it is unclear why animals do not keep high hormonal levels and one explanation is that this would imply survival costs. We have tested this using males of the territorial damselfly Argia emma in the field. We increased juvenile hormone (JH) levels using methoprene in both territorial and nonterritorial males and predicted that: (i) males will keep (the case of territorial males) or become (the case of nonterritorial males) territorial after hormonal increase, and (ii) there will be an increase in mating success for nonterritorial males only and an impaired survival for both male tactics. Hormonally treated males remained or became territorial but had their survival impaired compared with control groups. Also, hormonally treated, ex‐nonterritorial males increased their mating success compared with the other control, nonterritorial males. The reduced survival can be explained proximally by the energy devoted either to the enhanced aggression showed during territory defence or immune function (as detected previously in damselflies). Although nonterritorial males may increase their mating success by switching to a territorial tactic, they are possibly unable to do it naturally as JH is dietary dependent and usually nonterritorial animals are in poorer condition than territorial animals.
Safety climate in English general practices: workload pressures may compromise safety
Authors: Bell Brian G. , Reeves David , Marsden Kate , Avery Anthony
Published: August 2015

Objectives

Although most health care interactions in the developed world occur in general practice, most of the literature on patient safety has focused on secondary care services. To address this issue, we have constructed a patient safety toolkit for English general practices. We report how practice and respondent characteristics affect scores on our safety climate measure, the PC‐Safequest, and address recent concerns with high levels of workload in English general practices.

Methods

We administered the PC‐Safequest, a 30‐item tool that was designed to measure safety climate in primary care practices, to 335 primary care staff members in 31 practices in England. Practice characteristics, such as list size and deprivation in the area the practice served, and respondent characteristics, such as whether the respondent was a manager, were also collected and used in a multilevel analysis to predict PC‐Safequest scores.

Results

Managers gave their practices significantly higher safety climate scores than did non‐managers. Respondents with more years of experience had a more negative perception of the level of workload in their practice. Practices with more registered patients and in areas of higher deprivation provided lower safety climate scores.

Conclusions

Managers rated their practices more positively on our safety climate measure, so the differences between the perceptions of managers and other staff may need to be reduced in order to build a strong safety culture. Excessive workload for more experienced staff and lower safety climate scores for larger practices may reflect ‘burnout’. Concerns that pressures in primary care could affect patient safety are discussed.
Effect of Process Parameters on Foam Mat Drying Kinetics of Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) and Thin‐Layer Drying Modeling of Experimental Data
Authors: Franco Talita Szlapak , Perussello Camila Augusto , Ellendersen Luciana Neves , Masson Maria Lucia
Published: August 2015

Because of the health benefits provided by the consumption of yacon and its perishability, the foam mat drying (FMD) was applied in order to increase its shelf life. Yacon juice foams formed by the addition of two different foaming agents (emulsifier and egg albumin) and incorporation of air were subjected to dehydration, with different air temperatures (50, 60 and 70C) and layer thicknesses (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 cm). The drying rate and effective diffusivity increase with the rise in temperature and the thickness of foam, being higher for the foam formed with egg albumin rather than emulsifier. The experimental data were fitted to several thin‐layer models, among which the logarithmic model was the most suitable to represent the process. The effect of temperature, thickness and foaming agent on the drying kinetics has not been studied previously; hence, this research can aid the design of optimized FMD processes.

Practical Applications

Yacon is a food with great potential for research because of its beneficial properties to human health, especially the prebiotic activity, which is ascribed to the high concentration of inulin and fructooligosaccharides in its composition. However, the high percentage of water renders this tuber extremely perishable, hindering transporting and processing. The foam layer drying reduces drying time and energy demand with respect to other drying techniques and allows the formation of products with excellent physicochemical and sensorial characteristics. The assessment of the process kinetics and application of mathematical models to predict it provides information for the process design, increasing the use of yacon in the agro industry.
Recovery of Campylobacter from External and Internal Spleen Samples from Baby Broiler Chicks Following Various Routes of Inoculation
Authors: Cox N.A. , Richardson L.J. , Cosby D.E. , Berrang M.E. , Harrison M.A.
Published: August 2015

Campylobacter have been found in lymphoid tissue of poultry, but the location in these tissues has not been determined. The objective of this study was to determine if Campylobacter are on the outside or on the inside of the spleen. For external (ES) spleen sampling 2 days post‐inoculation, each spleen was rinsed with 3 mL of Bolton's enrichment broth (BEB). For internal (IS) spleen sampling, each rinsed spleen was submerged into 70% ethanol for 10 s, removed and submerged into 0.85% saline. The spleen was then placed into a sterile bag, macerated with 3 mL of BEB and stomached for 30 s before incubation. All samples and the correlating ceca were sampled for Campylobacter jejuni. Overall in four different experiments with baby chicks inoculated by oral, ocular or cloacal routes, Campylobacter was recovered from 75% (82/109) of the ES, 71% (77/109) of the IS and from 100% (109/109) of the ceca. Ethanol and saline samples were all negative for Campylobacter, suggesting that ethanol immersion is adequate to kill C. jejuni on the external surface. With Campylobacter in the internal tissue of the spleen, the organism appears to be systemic. Further research will determine the colonization mechanisms required for this bacterium in these different tissues.

Practical Applications

It is very difficult to sample the free flowing blood of a living chicken for bacteria without introducing contamination from the skin. This paper describes an effective method of sampling the internal portion of the spleen without introducing external contamination. By doing so, this indicates that the bacteria were systemic and will travel with the blood to all of the internal organs and tissues throughout the bird's body. Therefore when the bacteria are not isolated from certain tissues, it means that reservoirs were either not established or did not persist in that particular tissue even though the bacteria did flow through with the blood. Unless all of the potential reservoirs and sources of bacteria such as Campylobacter and Salmonella are identified and fully understood, successful intervention strategies may not be possible. It would be important to know if reservoirs of these bacteria present in internal organs and tissues can periodically seed the intestinal and/or reproductive tracts of adult breeder birds, thus providing a source of contamination to the offspring.
Perceived Stress and Elder Abuse: A Population‐Based Study of Adult Protective Services Cases in Chicago
Authors: Roepke‐Buehler Susan K. , Dong XinQi
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To characterize the relationship between perceived stress and Adult Protective Services (APS) elder abuse cases in a population‐based sample.

Design

Cross‐sectional.

Setting

Chicago.

Participants

community‐dwelling, older adults (N = 8,558; mean age 74 ± 7, 62% female, 64% African American).

Measurements

Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), APS database linkage.

Results

Bivariate and adjusted analyses showed that perceived stress was significantly higher in APS clients than in participants without any APS interaction for various subtypes of abuse (e.g., abuse from a perpetrator and self‐neglect). This relationship was strongest for those with a confirmed history of abuse from a perpetrator, with a medium‐large effect size (t = −5.8, P < .001, Cohen D = −0.6). Those in the highest stress tertile had a likelihood of having confirmed history of abuse from a perpetrator that was nearly three times as great as that of those in lower stress tertiles (odds ratio = 2.7, 95% confidence interval = 1.2–6.2). Analyses of individual PSS items revealed a robust relationship between distress items and APS involvement. Items reflecting coping were inconsistently associated with elder abuse.

Conclusion

Clients of APS have higher levels of perceived stress, and abuse from a perpetrator strengthens this relationship. Therefore, victims of abuse from a perpetrator may be at the highest risk of stress‐related consequences and should be targeted for intervention efforts that enhance empowerment and effective coping strategies.
“Best Case/Worst Case”: Qualitative Evaluation of a Novel Communication Tool for Difficult in‐the‐Moment Surgical Decisions
Authors: Kruser Jacqueline M. , Nabozny Michael J. , Steffens Nicole M. , Brasel Karen J. , Campbell Toby C. , Gaines Martha E. , Schwarze Margaret L.
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To evaluate a communication tool called “Best Case/Worst Case” (BC/WC) based on an established conceptual model of shared decision‐making.

Design

Focus group study.

Setting

Older adults (four focus groups) and surgeons (two focus groups) using modified questions from the Decision Aid Acceptability Scale and the Decisional Conflict Scale to evaluate and revise the communication tool.

Participants

Individuals aged 60 and older recruited from senior centers (n = 37) and surgeons from academic and private practices in Wisconsin (n = 17).

Measurements

Qualitative content analysis was used to explore themes and concepts that focus group respondents identified.

Results

Seniors and surgeons praised the tool for the unambiguous illustration of multiple treatment options and the clarity gained from presentation of an array of treatment outcomes. Participants noted that the tool provides an opportunity for in‐the‐moment, preference‐based deliberation about options and a platform for further discussion with other clinicians and loved ones. Older adults worried that the format of the tool was not universally accessible for people with different educational backgrounds, and surgeons had concerns that the tool was vulnerable to physicians’ subjective biases.

Conclusion

The BC/WC tool is a novel decision support intervention that may help facilitate difficult decision‐making for older adults and their physicians when considering invasive, acute medical treatments such as surgery.
Provenance of the HP–HT subducted margin in the Variscan belt (Cabo Ortegal Complex, NW Iberian Massif)
Authors: Albert R. , Arenas R. , Gerdes A. , Sánchez Martínez S. , Marko L.
Published: August 2015

The Variscan Upper Allochthon is a continental‐affinity terrane that recorded a Cambrian–Ediacaran magmatic arc generation, a subsequent transition to a passive margin, and a collision‐related high‐P metamorphism during the Devonian–Carboniferous amalgamation of Pangea. The objective of this article is to decipher which continental margin subducted in the Devonian high‐P–high‐T (HP–HT) event. To do so, a provenance study is presented using combined U–Pb (n = 613) and Lu–Hf (n = 463) isotopic LA–ICP–MS zircon analyses and Sm–Nd whole–rock (n = 5) determinations. These analyses have been performed on five samples of the Banded Gneisses (Cabo Ortegal Complex, NW Iberia), which forms a part of the HP–HT bottom member of the Upper Allochthon. Palaeozoic–Neoproterozoic zircon ages (34.7%) have a maximum abundance at 522–512 Ma, peaks at 575, 561, 545 Ma and minor abundance peaks between 780 and 590 Ma, and show from their Lu–Hf compositions a volcanic arc mixing pattern. This arc was probably related to the Cadomian arc system. The Mesoproterozoic population is scarce and scattered (2.8%), and due to its Lu–Hf pattern, it is proposed that this population is also West Africa Craton derived. The Paleoproterozoic population (39.6%) is concentrated at 2.07 Ga and it is linked to the Eburnean Orogeny, where depleted mantle derived magmas intruded an Archean craton margin. This craton is represented by the Archean population (22.8%), which is grouped at 3.0, 2.68‐2.61 and 2.52‐2.48 Ga, and shows long‐term reworking processes and at least two juvenile magma intrusions. These data show that the Variscan Upper Allochthon has a West African provenance and therefore, it strongly suggests that the NW Iberian allochthonous complexes and their correlative European terranes are also West Africa derived. These results allow us to finally clarify that the first high‐P event, recorded during the eo‐Variscan amalgamation of Pangea, was attained by the subduction of the margin of Gondwana under Laurussia.
Age‐dependent loss of parvalbumin‐expressing hippocampal interneurons in mice deficient in CHL1, a mental retardation and schizophrenia susceptibility gene
Authors: Schmalbach Barbara , Lepsveridze Eka , Djogo Nevena , Papashvili Giorgi , Kuang Fang , Leshchyns'ka Iryna , Sytnyk Vladimir , Nikonenko Alexander G. , Dityatev Alexander , Jakovcevski Igor , Schachner Melitta
Published: August 2015

In humans, deletions/mutations in the CHL1/CALL gene are associated with mental retardation and schizophrenia. Juvenile CHL1‐deficient (CHL1−/−) mice have been shown to display abnormally high numbers of parvalbumin‐expressing (PV+) hippocampal interneurons and, as adults, display behavioral traits observed in neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we addressed the question whether inhibitory interneurons and synaptic plasticity in the CHL1−/− mouse are affected during brain maturation and in adulthood. We found that hippocampal, but not neocortical, PV+ interneurons were reduced with age in CHL1−/− mice, from a surplus of +27% at 1 month to a deficit of ‐20% in adulthood compared with wild‐type littermates. This loss occurred during brain maturation, correlating with microgliosis and enhanced interleukin‐6 expression. In parallel with the loss of PV+ interneurons, the inhibitory input to adult CA1 pyramidal cells was reduced and a deficit in short‐ and long‐term potentiation developed at CA3–CA1 excitatory synapses between 2 and 9 months of age in CHL1−/− mice. This deficit could be abrogated by a GABAA receptor agonist. We propose that region‐specific aberrant GABAergic synaptic connectivity resulting from the mutation and a subsequently enhanced synaptic elimination during brain maturation lead to microgliosis, increase in pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels, loss of interneurons, and impaired synaptic plasticity.

image

Close homolog of L1‐deficient (CHL1−/−) mice have abnormally high numbers of parvalbumin (PV)‐expressing hippocampal interneurons in juvenile animals, but in adult animals a loss of these cells is observed. This loss correlates with an increased density of microglia (M), enhanced interleukin‐6 (IL6) production and a deficit in short‐ and long‐term potentiation at CA3–CA1 excitatory synapses. Furthermore, adult CHL1−/− mice display behavioral traits similar to those observed in neuropsychiatric disorders of humans.
SAVINGS AND WEALTH ACCUMULATION: MEASUREMENT, INFLUENCES AND INSTITUTIONS
Authors: Claus Edda , Claus Iris
Published: August 2015

Abstract

Savings and wealth accumulation are important dimensions of policy and research debates. This special issue comprises a collection of survey articles on topical issues ranging from the effects of access to credit, the rise of Islamic finance and sovereign wealth funds, the measurement of wealth inequality and genuine savings, the distribution of wealth across generations and retirement savings.
A study on knowledge, attitudes and health behaviours regardingAlzheimer's disease among community residents inTianjin,China
Authors: Yang H.‐F. , Cong J.‐Y. , Zang X.‐Y. , Jiang N. , Zhao Y.
Published: August 2015

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject?

Several studies have measured the general public's knowledge and attitudes towards Alzheimer's disease; however, much of this work is based on western samples. Due to cultural differences, the western findings may be difficult to generalize to the Chinese general public. In addition, the few studies conducted in China were often restricted to a relatively narrow range of knowledge and attitudes.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge?

The general public had little knowledge of Alzheimer's disease, especially on the causes, symptoms and risk factors. In terms of attitudes, although the general public held positive attitudes towards persons with Alzheimer's disease, most of them were not sure whether or not to share a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease with the patient. In daily life, only a low proportion of people kept mentally active.

What are the implications for practice?

A popularization of a wide range of knowledge about Alzheimer's disease needs to be undertaken, especially focusing on persons with low educational level and emphasizing the causes, symptoms and risk factors. Besides, there is a significant need to draw up evidence‐based dietary and lifestyle guidelines for Alzheimer's disease risk reduction. Moreover, health promotion agencies should identify priority groups for Alzheimer's disease risk reduction initiatives, especially those with lower income, a lower level of knowledge on Alzheimer's disease and with chronic diseases.

Aim

The purpose of this descriptive correlational cross‐sectional study was to assess the current level of knowledge, attitudes and health behaviours regardingAlzheimer's disease among community residents inTianjin,China and to identify factors related to these attributes.

Method

A convenience sample of 140 community‐dwelling adults aged 20–75 years was selected to complete a researcher‐designed questionnaire aboutAlzheimer's disease‐related knowledge, attitudes and health behaviours.

Results

The findings revealed that 15.7% of the participants knew the risk factors forAlzheimer's disease. With regard to attitude, 138 participants (98.6%) believed that people withAlzheimer's disease should not be discriminated against, and 55.7% were not sure whether to share a diagnosis ofAlzheimer's disease with the patient. In daily life, 28.6% of the participants pursued their interests and hobbies. A lower level of health behaviours was associated with lower income, presence of chronic diseases and a lower level of knowledge aboutAlzheimer's disease.

Discussion

These findings provide a strong case for population‐level risk reduction initiatives to be undertaken, especially among people with lower income, a lower level of knowledge onAlzheimer's disease and with chronic diseases.
Hepatitis B: 50 years after the discovery of Australia antigen
Authors: Suk‐Fong Lok A.
Published: August 2015

It is an honour to be invited to recount the progress in our understanding and management of hepatitis B 50 years after the discovery of Australia antigen (Au Ag). During this half century, we have gone from identifying the causative agent – hepatitis B virus (HBV), understanding its biology and the disease it causes, to having vaccines that can prevent HBV infection and antiviral therapy that can suppress HBV replication and prevent progression of HBV‐related liver disease. As a result of the progress, prevalence of HBV infection and morbidity and mortality from chronic HBV infection has declined.
Is it really worth adapting liver stiffness cut‐offs according to AST levels?
Authors: Castera Laurent
Published: August 2015

See Article on Page 2514
Relationships between gastrointestinal symptoms, uncertainty, and perceived recovery in patients with gastric cancer after gastrectomy
Authors: Jeon Byeong Hee , Choi Mona , Lee JuHee , Noh Sung Hoon
Published: August 2015

This study examines relationships between gastrointestinal symptoms, uncertainty, and perceived recovery in gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy. Data were collected from 146 patients at an outpatient clinic of a university hospital in Seoul, Korea from October to November 2012. The Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale, the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, and questions on perceived recovery of physical, psychological, and social functions were analyzed. High gastrointestinal symptom scores were reported in women younger patients (F = 5.55, P = 0.005), and in patients without a family history of gastric cancer. The uncertainty score was higher in patients with low economic (F = 3.84, P = 0.024) and educational status and no family history. Regression analysis revealed uncertainty was the strongest factor associated with recovery. Nurses can assist patients and families to predict and deal with health problems by offering education on progress from diagnosis to postoperative management, promoting all aspects of recovery after gastrectomy.
Alcohol and violence: neuropeptidergic modulation of monoamine systems
Authors: Miczek Klaus A. , DeBold Joseph F. , Hwa Lara S. , Newman Emily L. , de Almeida Rosa M. M.
Published: August 2015

Neurobiological processes underlying the epidemiologically established link between alcohol and several types of social, aggressive, and violent behavior remain poorly understood. Acute low doses of alcohol, as well as withdrawal from long‐term alcohol use, may lead to escalated aggressive behavior in a subset of individuals. An urgent task will be to disentangle the host of interacting genetic and environmental risk factors in individuals who are predisposed to engage in escalated aggressive behavior. The modulation of 5‐hydroxytryptamine impulse flow by gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate, acting via distinct ionotropic and metabotropic receptor subtypes in the dorsal raphe nucleus during alcohol consumption, is of critical significance in the suppression and escalation of aggressive behavior. In anticipation and reaction to aggressive behavior, neuropeptides such as corticotropin‐releasing factor, neuropeptide Y, opioid peptides, and vasopressin interact with monoamines, GABA, and glutamate to attenuate and amplify aggressive behavior in alcohol‐consuming individuals. These neuromodulators represent novel molecular targets for intervention that await clinical validation. Intermittent episodes of brief social defeat during aggressive confrontations are sufficient to cause long‐lasting neuroadaptations that can lead to the escalation of alcohol consumption.
Genomic scanning using AFLP to detect loci under selection in the moss Funaria hygrometrica along a climate gradient in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Spain
Authors: Magdy M. , Werner O. , McDaniel S. F. , Goffinet B. , Ros R. M.
Published: August 2015

The common cord moss Funaria hygrometrica has a worldwide distribution and thrives in a wide variety of environments. Here, we studied the genetic diversity in F. hygrometrica along an abiotic gradient in the Mediterranean high mountain of Sierra Nevada (Spain) using a genome scan method. Eighty‐four samples from 17 locations from 24 to 2700 m were fingerprinted based on their amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) banding pattern. Using PCA and Bayesian inference we found that the genetic diversity was structured in three or four clusters, respectively. Using a genome scan method we identified 13 outlier loci, which showed a signature of positive selection. Partial Mantel tests were performed between the Euclidean distance matrices of geographic and climatic variables, versus the pair‐wise genetic distance of the AFLP dataset and AFLP‐positive outliers dataset. AFLP‐positive outlier data were significantly correlated with the gradient of the climatic variables, suggesting adaptive variation among populations of F. hygrometrica along the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We highlight the additional analyses necessary to identify the nature of these loci, and their biological role in the adaptation process.
Gene Expression of Monocarboxylate Transporters and Oocyte‐secreted Factors in Bovine Cumulus‐oocyte Complexes Selected by Brilliant Cresyl Blue
Authors: Lopes EF , Marques LS , Duranti RG , de Oliveira ATD , Lopes RFF , Rodrigues JL
Published: August 2015

Contents

Oocyte selection based on the brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) staining test has been successfully used to differentiate between competent and incompetent bovine oocytes. Here, the expression of genes involved in transport of monocarboxylates (Mct1‐4) and oogenesis specific genes (Bmp15, Gdf9 and Has2) in BCB+ and BCB‐ selected immature and mature bovine cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COC) was evaluated. In order to find specific molecular markers to characterize successful oocyte maturation, our study was also aimed at identifying the expression of Mcts and oogenesis specific genes in denuded oocytes and cumulus cells. Immature COCs morphological appropriate were (i) stained with 26 mm BCB for 90 min before IVM, (ii) exposed to same incubation conditions as stained COCs, but without BCB (holding group) or (iii) transferred into a maturation medium immediately after morphological selection (control group). mRNA expression was investigated by RT‐PCR in COCs before and after IVM. No relationship was observed in the relative expression of Has2, Gdf9, Bmp15 or Mct1, 2 and 4 transcripts between BCB+ and BCB− COCs. Transcripts analysis showed that Gdf9 and Bmp15 in BCB+, BCB− and holding groups were up‐regulated (p < 0.05) before IVM, while Has2 was up‐regulated (p < 0.01) after IVM in the control group. Other genes remained stable during maturation (Mct1, 2 and 4). Our results showed, for the first time, Mct1, 2 and 4 expression in bovine COCs. Mct1 and Mct4 transcripts were present in denuded oocytes and cumulus cell, while Mct2 was detected only in cumulus cells. These differences between the three isoforms in localization suggest unique roles for each in monocarboxylate transport during maturation.
Does Clinical Treatment with Phenylbutazone and Meloxicam in the Pre‐ovulatory Period Influence the Ovulation Rate in Mares?
Authors: Lima AG , Costa LCB , Alvarenga MA , Martins CB
Published: August 2015

Contents

The presence of anovulatory haemorrhagic follicles during the oestrous cycle of mares causes financial impacts, slowing conception and increasing the number of services per pregnancy. Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as meloxicam and phenylbutazone are used in the treatment of several disorders in mares, and these drugs can impair the formation of prostaglandins (PGs) and consequently interfere with reproductive activity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of treatment with NSAIDs on the development of pre‐ovulatory follicles in mares. In total, 11 mares were studied over three consecutive oestrous cycles, and gynaecological and ultrasound examinations were performed every 12 h. When 32‐mm‐diameter follicles were detected, 1 mg of deslorelin was administered to induce ovulation. The first cycle was used as a control, and the mares received only a dose of deslorelin. In the subsequent cycles, in addition to receiving the same dose of deslorelin, each mare was treated with NSAIDs. In the second cycle, 4.4 mg/kg of phenylbutazone was administered, and in the third cycle, 0.6 mg/kg of meloxicam was administered once a day until ovulation or the beginning of follicular haemorrhage. All of the mares ovulated between 36 and 48 h after the induction in the control cycle. In the meloxicam cycle, 10 mares (92%) did not ovulate, while in the phenylbutazone cycle, nine mares (83%) did not ovulate. In both treatments, intrafollicular hyperechoic spots indicative of haemorrhagic follicles were observed on ultrasound. Thus, our results suggested that treatment with meloxicam and phenylbutazone at therapeutic doses induced intrafollicular haemorrhage and luteinization of anovulatory follicles.
The Consequences of Having a Son on Family Wealth in Urban China
Authors: Li Lixing , Wu Xiaoyu
Published: August 2015

Due to the influence of traditional culture, housing is regarded as a status good and plays an important role in improving male competitiveness in the marriage market in China. Using data from a recent household survey, we find that urban families with a son are more likely to own a house, with a larger size, and at an earlier date. With the booming of the Chinese housing market since the late 1990s as background, having a son thus generates a substantial effect on family wealth through the channel of house ownership. Using the gender of the first‐born child as an instrument, our estimation shows that families with a son have 188 thousand RMB yuan higher housing wealth on average.
Phosphate Binders and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Stage 5D Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Zoccali Carmine , Mallamaci Francesca , Cannata‐Andía Jorge
Published: August 2015

Knowledge informing the prescription and the choice of phosphate binders in end stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients has a weak evidentiary base. To date, no placebo‐controlled trial based on meaningful clinical endpoints (death, cardiovascular events, bone fractures) has been performed to test the efficacy of these drugs. By the same token, we still lack solid proof that noncalcium binders afford better clinical outcomes as compared with calcium‐based binders. Without proper trials, clinical decisions about the treatment of hyperphosphatemia rest on experience and contingent clinical judgment. The use of huge doses of calcium‐based binders typically prescribed in the nineties now appears unwarranted. The relationship between phosphate and the risk of death is U shaped and moderate hyperphosphatemia carries just a mild‐to‐moderate risk excess and may not be seen as a compelling indication for the prescription of phosphate binders. Placebo‐controlled randomized clinical trials assessing whether non‐calcium and calcium‐based binders reduce the risk of death and cardiovascular disease events in ESKD patients remain a public health priority.
Efficacy of ultra‐micronized palmitoylethanolamide in canine atopic dermatitis: an open‐label multi‐centre study
Authors: Noli Chiara , della Valle M. Federica , Miolo Alda , Medori Cristina , Schievano Carlo ,   The Skinalia Clinical Research Group
Published: August 2015

Background

Palmitoylethanolamide is a naturally occurring bioactive lipid, produced on‐demand by damage‐exposed cells. Palmitoylethanolamide is documented to counteract inflammation, itch and pain.

Objective

The aim of this 8‐week study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral ultra‐micronized palmitoylethanolamide (PEA‐um) in dogs with moderate atopic dermatitis.

Animals

Clinicians from 39 veterinary clinics enrolled 160 dogs with nonseasonal atopic dermatitis and moderate pruritus.

Methods

This was a multi‐centre open‐label study. On days 0 (D0) and 56 (D56), owners evaluated pruritus with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and completed a validated Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaire. Veterinarians assessed the severity of skin lesions using the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Lesion Index (CADLI).

Results

Mean pruritus VAS score decreased from 5.7 ± 0.08 cm (range 3.8–7.9 cm) to 3.63 ± 0.19 cm (range 0.1–9.2 cm) (P < 0.0001). At D56, 58% of dogs showed a greater than 2 cm reduction from baseline and 30% showed an absent‐to‐very mild pruritus (VAS ≤ 2 cm). Mean total CADLI at D56 decreased significantly (P < 0.0001); in 62% of dogs this score reached a value in the remission range (≤5). Mean total QoL score was significantly decreased (P < 0.0001) with 45% of dogs reaching QoL values described for healthy animals. Tolerability was good‐to‐excellent with only four dogs reporting treatment associated reversible adverse events.

Conclusions and clinical importance

PEA‐um appears to be effective and safe in reducing pruritus and skin lesions, and in improving QoL in dogs with moderate atopic dermatitis and moderate pruritus.
The Hele-Shaw flow and moduli of holomorphic discs
Authors: Ross Julius , Nyström David Witt
Published: August 2015

We present a new connection between the Hele-Shaw flow, also known as two-dimensional Laplacian growth, and the theory of holomorphic discs with boundary contained in a totally real submanifold. Using this, we prove short-time existence and uniqueness of the Hele-Shaw flow with varying permeability both when starting from a single point and also when starting from a smooth Jordan domain. Applying the same ideas, we prove that the moduli space of smooth quadrature domains is a smooth manifold whose dimension we also calculate, and we give a local existence theorem for the inverse potential problem in the plane.
Independent Effects of Surface and Gas Temperature on Coal Fly Ash Deposition in Gas Turbines at Temperatures up to 1400 °C
Authors: Laycock Robert , Fletcher Thomas H.
Published: August 2015

Deposition of coal fly ash in gas turbines has been studied to support the concept of integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC). Although particle filters are used in IGCC, small amounts of ash particles less than 5 μm in diameter enter the gas turbine. Previous deposition experiments in the literature have been conducted at temperatures up to about 1288 °C. However, few tests have been conducted that reveal the independent effects of gas and surface temperature, and most have been conducted at gas temperatures lower than 1400 °C. The independent effects of gas and surface temperature on particle deposition in a gas turbine environment were measured using the Turbine Accelerated Deposition Facility (TADF) at Brigham Young University. Gas temperatures were measured with a type K thermocouple and surface temperatures were measured with two-color pyrometry. This facility was modified for testing at temperatures up to 1400 °C. Subbituminous coal fly ash, with a mass mean diameter of 4 μm, was entrained in a hot gas flow at a Mach number of 0.25. A nickel base super alloy metal coupon 2.5 cm in diameter was held in this gas stream to simulate deposition in a gas turbine. The gas temperature (and hence particle temperature) governs the softening and viscosity of the particle, while the surface temperature governs the stickiness of the deposit. Two test series were therefore conducted. The first series used backside cooling to hold the initial temperature of the deposition surface (Ts,i) constant at 1000 °C while varying the gas temperature (Tg) from 1250 °C to 1400 °C. The second series held Tg constant at 1400 °C while varying Ts,i from 1050 °C to 1200 °C by varying the amount of backside cooling. Capture efficiency and surface roughness were calculated. Capture efficiency increased with increasing Tg. Capture efficiency also initially increased with Ts,i until a certain threshold temperature where capture efficiency began to decrease with increasing Ts,i.
One-Dimensional Flow-Adaptive Measurement Grid Algorithm for Pneumatic Probe Measurements
Authors: Bartsch Christian , Hölle Magnus , Jeschke Peter , Metzler Timo
Published: August 2015

The subject of this paper is an algorithm for a flow-adaptive measurement grid developed for pneumatic probe measurements in steady flow fields. The performance of the algorithm is demonstrated by a circumferential traverse at a constant radial position with a pneumatic five-hole probe in an annular cascade wind tunnel. Compared to a conventional equidistant measurement grid, the algorithm automatically computes the amount of measurement points needed for a high resolution of the pressure distribution in turbomachinery flows. The algorithm is fully automated and approximates the pressure distribution of a preliminary transient measurement very accurately. Even though the spacing of the computed measurement points differs significantly from an equidistant grid, postprocessing corrections related to the probe head geometry can still be applied. Accompanying a redistribution of the measurement points is a reduction in the overall points needed for the measurement. The commonly encountered problem of data oversampling is therefore avoided. Compared to a conventional equidistant measurement grid, the adaptive grid showed a significant reduction in the overall measurement points and a reduction in the duration of the measurement—while maintaining the accuracy in the computation of flow parameters. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the performance of an automatic detection of measurement points so that valuable measurement time can be saved without a loss in quality of the obtained data.
Correlation between electron-irradiation defects and applied stress in graphene: A molecular dynamics study
Authors: Kida Shogo , Yamamoto Masaya , Tada Kazuhiro , Kawata Hiroaki , Hirai Yoshihiko , Yasuda Masaaki
Published: August 2015

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are performed to study the correlation between electron irradiation defects and applied stress in graphene. The electron irradiation effect is introduced by the binary collision model in the MD simulation. By applying a tensile stress to graphene, the number of adatom-vacancy (AV) and Stone–Wales (SW) defects increase under electron irradiation, while the number of single-vacancy defects is not noticeably affected by the applied stress. Both the activation and formation energies of an AV defect and the activation energy of an SW defect decrease when a tensile stress is applied to graphene. Applying tensile stress also relaxes the compression stress associated with SW defect formation. These effects induced by the applied stress cause the increase in AV and SW defect formation under electron irradiation.
Effect of body position on vocal tract acoustics: Acoustic pharyngometry and vowel formants
Authors: Vorperian Houri K. , Kurtzweil Sara L. , Fourakis Marios , Kent Ray D. , Tillman Katelyn K. , Austin Diane
Published: August 2015

The anatomic basis and articulatory features of speech production are often studied with imaging studies that are typically acquired in the supine body position. It is important to determine if changes in body orientation to the gravitational field alter vocal tract dimensions and speech acoustics. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of body position (upright versus supine) on (1) oral and pharyngeal measurements derived from acoustic pharyngometry and (2) acoustic measurements of fundamental frequency (F0) and the first four formant frequencies (F1–F4) for the quadrilateral point vowels. Data were obtained for 27 male and female participants, aged 17 to 35 yrs. Acoustic pharyngometry showed a statistically significant effect of body position on volumetric measurements, with smaller values in the supine than upright position, but no changes in length measurements. Acoustic analyses of vowels showed significantly larger values in the supine than upright position for the variables of F0, F3, and the Euclidean distance from the centroid to each corner vowel in the F1-F2-F3 space. Changes in body position affected measurements of vocal tract volume but not length. Body position also affected the aforementioned acoustic variables, but the main vowel formants were preserved.
Unmasking the effects of masking on performance: The potential of multiple-voice masking in the office environment
Authors: Keus van de Poll Marijke , Carlsson Johannes , Marsh John E. , Ljung Robert , Odelius Johan , Schlittmeier Sabine J. , Sundin Gunilla , Sörqvist Patrik
Published: August 2015

Broadband noise is often used as a masking sound to combat the negative consequences of background speech on performance in open-plan offices. As office workers generally dislike broadband noise, it is important to find alternatives that are more appreciated while being at least not less effective. The purpose of experiment 1 was to compare broadband noise with two alternatives—multiple voices and water waves—in the context of a serial short-term memory task. A single voice impaired memory in comparison with silence, but when the single voice was masked with multiple voices, performance was on level with silence. Experiment 2 explored the benefits of multiple-voice masking in more detail (by comparing one voice, three voices, five voices, and seven voices) in the context of word processed writing (arguably a more office-relevant task). Performance (i.e., writing fluency) increased linearly from worst performance in the one-voice condition to best performance in the seven-voice condition. Psychological mechanisms underpinning these effects are discussed.
Enhancing speech learning by combining task practice with periods of stimulus exposure without practice
Authors: Wright Beverly A. , Baese-Berk Melissa M. , Marrone Nicole , Bradlow Ann R.
Published: August 2015

Language acquisition typically involves periods when the learner speaks and listens to the new language, and others when the learner is exposed to the language without consciously speaking or listening to it. Adaptation to variants of a native language occurs under similar conditions. Here, speech learning by adults was assessed following a training regimen that mimicked this common situation of language immersion without continuous active language processing. Experiment 1 focused on the acquisition of a novel phonetic category along the voice-onset-time continuum, while Experiment 2 focused on adaptation to foreign-accented speech. The critical training regimens of each experiment involved alternation between periods of practice with the task of phonetic classification (Experiment 1) or sentence recognition (Experiment 2) and periods of stimulus exposure without practice. These practice and exposure periods yielded little to no improvement separately, but alternation between them generated as much or more improvement as did practicing during every period. Practice appears to serve as a catalyst that enables stimulus exposures encountered both during and outside of the practice periods to contribute to quite distinct cases of speech learning. It follows that practice-plus-exposure combinations may tap a general learning mechanism that facilitates language acquisition and speech processing.