bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The roadmap for allergology in Europe: The subspecialty of allergology as “stop‐over” on the way to a full specialty. An EAACI position statement
Authors: Gerth van Wijk R. , Eguiluz‐Gracia I. , Gayraud J. , Gutermuth J. , Hamelmann E. , Heffler E. , Popov T. A. , Schmid‐Grendelmeier P. , Tomazic P. V. , Tsilochristou O. , Muelleneisen N.
Published: September 2017

The vision of European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) and the Union of European Medical Specialists Section and Board on allergology is to promote and to establish a full specialty of allergology in all European countries. In many European countries, a full specialty does not exist. In those countries, organ‐based (sub)specialists or paediatricians and internists with an expertise in allergology may deliver allergy care. There are no generally accepted requirements for the training of subspecialists available. To fill the gap between the need and availability of experienced and accredited physicians who can deliver optimal care to the allergic patients, the EAACI Specialty Committee proposes the minimal requirements for training and certification of subspecialists in allergology. This paper describes the required theoretical knowledge, skills, competences and training facilities (staff and institution). The subspecialist as described in this paper should ideally show the necessary competence in providing good quality care to patients in an environment lacking those full specialists in allergology or tertiary care paediatric subspecialists in allergy.
The pruritogenic mediator endothelin‐1 shifts the dendritic cell–T‐cell response toward Th17/Th1 polarization
Authors: Nakahara T. , Kido‐Nakahara M. , Ohno F. , Ulzii D. , Chiba T. , Tsuji G. , Furue M.
Published: September 2017

Endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) is associated with skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis. ET‐1 is enhanced in the skin of patients AD and psoriasis. In addition, plasma levels of ET‐1 are elevated in AD and psoriasis. Although both AD and psoriasis are T‐cell–mediated skin diseases, the association between ET‐1 and the T‐cell immune response has not been clarified. To evaluate the role of ET‐1 in inflammatory skin disease, we sought to investigate the effects of ET‐1 on the functions of dendritic cells (DCs) and subsequent immune responses. For this purpose, we immunohistochemically confirmed the upregulation of ET‐1 in the epidermis of patients with AD or psoriasis. ET‐1 directly induced phenotypic maturation of bone marrow‐derived DCs (BMDCs). In addition, ET‐1 augmented the production of several cytokines and allogeneic stimulatory capacity of BMDCs. Interestingly, ET‐1–activated BMDCs primed T cells to produce Th1 and Th17 cytokines, but not Th2 cytokines. These findings indicate that ET‐1 polarizes the DC–T‐cell response toward Th17/1 differentiation and may augment the persistent course of inflammatory skin diseases.
Airway pathology in severe asthma is related to airflow obstruction but not symptom control
Authors: Ferreira D. S. , Carvalho‐Pinto R. M. , Gregório M. G. , Annoni R. , Teles A. M. , Buttignol M. , Araújo‐Paulino B. B. , Katayama E. H. , Oliveira B. L. , Del Frari H. S. , Cukier A. , Dolhnikoff M. , Stelmach R. , Rabe K. F. , Mauad T.
Published: September 2017

Background

Patients with asthma present structural and inflammatory alterations that are believed to play a role in disease severity. However, airway remodeling and inflammation have not been extensively investigated in relation to both symptom control and airflow obstruction in severe asthmatics. We aimed to investigate several inflammatory and structural pathological features in bronchial biopsies of severe asthmatics that could be related to symptom control and airflow obstruction after standardized treatment.

Methods

Fifty severe asthmatics received prednisone 40 mg/d for 2 weeks and maintenance therapy with budesonide/formoterol 400/12 μg twice daily + budesonide/formoterol 200/6 μg as needed for 12 weeks. Endobronchial biopsies were performed at the end of 12 weeks. We performed extensive immunopathological analyses of airway tissue inflammation and remodeling features in patients stratified by asthma symptom control and by airflow obstruction.

Results

Airway tissue inflammation and remodeling were not associated with symptom control. Asthmatics with persistent airflow obstruction had greater airway smooth muscle (Asm) area with decreased periostin and transforming growth factor beta‐positive cells within Asm bundles, in addition to lower numbers of chymase‐positive mast cells in the submucosa compared to patients with nonpersistent obstruction.

Conclusions

Symptom control in severe asthmatics was not associated with airway tissue inflammation and remodeling, although persistent airflow obstruction in these patients was associated with bronchial inflammation and airway structural changes.
Urgent closed reduction of the dislocated cervical spine in New Zealand
Authors: Storey Richard N. , Singhal Raj , Inglis Tom , Kieser David , Schouten Rowan
Published: September 2017

Background

Emergent decompression, either by closed reduction or surgical decompression, of the acutely compressed cervical spinal cord is recognized as important in minimizing the neurological outcomes of these injuries. The aim of this study is to optimize New Zealand's capability to perform closed reductions.

Methods

Regional hospitals throughout New Zealand were surveyed on their capability to reduce acute cervical spine dislocations using traction. A systematic literature review was performed to investigate aspects of patient selection, reduction technique and the outcomes achieved with closed reduction of such injuries. This information was combined with our local experience to develop an evidence‐based guideline.

Results

Most (12/14) of the regional centres throughout New Zealand have recent experience, remain willing and have the resources necessary to reduce appropriate cervical spine injuries using traction. Fourteen published studies from nine countries detail a 75% success rate from 363 cases of attempted closed reduction, with the greatest neurological recovery noted in patients with shorter time period from injury to reduction. One patient suffered neurological worsening. The published protocols were compared and coupled with our local practice to create an online, step‐by‐step, evidence‐based reference to help clinicians in regional hospitals perform a safe and successful closed reduction.

Conclusion

To optimize the capability of inexperienced personnel to perform closed reductions in a safe and timely manner, we have developed an online, step‐by‐step, evidence‐based reference (www.closedreduction.co.nz). This forms part of New Zealand's strategy to achieve urgent cord decompression for appropriate cervical spinal cord injuries.
Angiogenesis in Schistosoma haematobium‐associated urinary bladder cancer
Authors: Dematei Anderson , Fernandes Rúben , Soares Raquel , Alves Helena , Richter Joachim , Botelho Monica C.
Published: September 2017

Schistosoma haematobium, a parasitic flatworm that infects more than 100 million people, mostly in the developing world, is the causative agent of urogenital schistosomiasis, and is associated with a high incidence of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the bladder. During infection, eggs are deposited in the bladder causing an intense inflammatory reaction. Angiogenesis is defined as the formation of new blood vessels from preexisting ones and is recognized as a key event in cell proliferation and carcinogenesis and spread of malignant lesions. A growing amount of evidence points to angiogenesis playing a key role in schistosomiasis‐associated bladder cancer. Thus, identifying biomarkers of this process plays an important role in the study of cancer. Here, we review recent findings on the role of angiogenesis in bladder cancer and the growth factors that induce and assist in their development, particularly SCC of the bladder associated to urogenital schistosomiasis.
Everyday Brexits
Authors: Anderson Ben , Wilson Helen F.
Published: September 2017

In this commentary we explore how geographers might respond to the event of “Brexit” – the decision and process of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union after the referendum of 23 June 2016. Although it is necessary to understand the ways in which Brexit is an effect of a range of named causes and conditions, we argue that geographers should also stay with the event of “Brexit” by following how Brexit surfaces across a variety of everyday scenes and situations. Such geographies of everyday Brexit would begin from the different ways in which people, groups and organisations relate to Brexit through the making present of diverse futures. As futures are anticipated, hoped for, suspended or otherwise related to, Brexit (re)animates relations of power, and gives rise to new forms of collective and bodily life.
Phenotypic characteristics of upright and pendulous comb among chicken breeds and association with growth rate and egg production
Authors: Wan Yi , Wang Zhicheng , Guo Xing , Ma Chendong , Fang Qi , Geng Zhaoyu , Chen Xingyong , Jiang Runshen
Published: September 2017

Upright and pendulous combs commonly exist in most single‐comb chicken breeds. Here, the phenotypic characteristics of upright and pendulous combs in chickens and association with growth rate and egg production were analyzed. Phenotypic frequencies of upright and pendulous comb were investigated in five chicken breeds; the phenotypic frequencies of complete pendulous comb (CPC) and partial pendulous comb (PPC) ranged from 10.1% to 29.0% and 21.8% to 65.3%, respectively. CPC hens produced more eggs than PPC hens (P < 0.05) in Nongda‐3, Huainan and Wenchang breeds. In Huainan breed, CPC males were heavier than PPC males at 12 and 16 weeks of age, while CPC females were heavier at 24 weeks of age. PPC and CPC chickens have greater (P < 0.05) comb length, comb height and comb index than upright comb (UC) chickens. There was no significant difference in comb phenotypic frequency distribution between the offspring from UC(♂) × CPC(♀) and CPC(♂) × UC(♀); however, it differed (χ² = 45.12, P < 0.01) between offspring from UC(♂) × UC(♀) and CPC(♂) × CPC(♀). These results suggested that the comb phenotype does not appear to be Z‐linked; the effective loci influencing the trait could be estimated in a further study.
Clustering Distributions with the Marginalized Nested Dirichlet Process
Authors: Zuanetti Daiane Aparecida , Müller Peter , Zhu Yitan , Yang Shengjie , Ji Yuan
Published: September 2017

We introduce a marginal version of the nested Dirichlet process to cluster distributions or histograms. We apply the model to cluster genes by patterns of gene–gene interaction. The proposed approach is based on the nested partition that is implied in the original construction of the nested Dirichlet process. It allows simulation exact inference, as opposed to a truncated Dirichlet process approximation. More importantly, the construction highlights the nature of the nested Dirichlet process as a nested partition of experimental units. We apply the proposed model to inference on clustering genes related to DNA mismatch repair (DMR) by the distribution of gene–gene interactions with other genes. Gene–gene interactions are recorded as coefficients in an auto-logistic model for the co-expression of two genes, adjusting for copy number variation, methylation and protein activation. These coefficients are extracted from an online database, called Zodiac, computed based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data. We compare results with a variation of k-means clustering that is set up to cluster distributions, truncated NDP and a hierarchical clustering method. The proposed inference shows favorable performance, under simulated conditions and also in the real data sets.
Mobile technology affordance and its social implications: A case of “Rain Classroom”
Authors: Xiangming Li , Song Shuqiang
Published: September 2017

This paper proposed the affordance approach of material, affective and social dimensions so as to explore the learners’ engagement and disposition to share of using mobile learning technology. The participants in this study were graduate‐level engineering students (N = 387) from a research university in People's Republic of China. “Rain Classroom” in this case referred to the newly developed built‐in mobile application in China facilitating the didactic practice both synchronously and asynchronously in class. Two surveys were issued to both groups before and after the 14‐week long experiment. All the data were input into SPSS 16.0 and examined in descriptive statistics and independent samples t‐test. The results showed that the group exposed to Rain Classroom had a positive attitude towards the mobile technology tool. Also, the same test group obtained statistically higher scores than the control group in both learning engagement and their willingness to continue and share the learning experience. The study implies that what the mobile learning technology affords has produced positive impact on teachers, students and institutions in terms of curriculum design, learning activities and policy making towards improving academic quality. Future work could focus on comparing learning effects with different time duration and learning intensity. It might also extend to participants from different educational background.
The accuracy of patients’ perceptions of the risks associated with localised prostate cancer treatments
Authors: van Stam Marie‐Anne , van der Poel Henk G. , van der Voort van Zyp Jochem R.N. , Tillier Corinne N. , Horenblas Simon , Aaronson Neil K. , Ruud Bosch J.L.H.
Published: September 2017

Objectives

To assess the accuracy of patients’ perceptions of the risks associated with localised prostate cancer treatments (radical prostatectomy [RP], radiotherapy [RT], and active surveillance [AS]), and to identify correlates of misperceptions.

Patients and methods

We used baseline data (questionnaires completed after treatment information was provided but before treatment) of 426 patients with newly diagnosed localised prostate cancer who participated (87% response rate) in a prospective, longitudinal, multicentre study. Patients’ pretreatment perceptions of differences in adverse outcomes of treatments were compared to those based on the literature. We used univariate and multivariate linear regression to identify correlates of misperceptions.

Results

About two‐thirds (68%, n = 211) of the patients did not understand that the risk of disease recurrence is comparable between RP and RT. More than half of the patients did not comprehend that RP patients are at greater risk of urinary incontinence (65%, n = 202) and erectile dysfunction (61%, n = 190), and less at risk of bowel problems (53%, n = 211) compared to RT patients. Many patients overestimated the risk of requiring definitive treatment following AS (45%, n = 157) and did not understand that mortality rates following AS, RP, and RT are comparable (80%, n = 333). Consulting a radiotherapist or a clinical nurse specialist was positively associated with, and emotional distress was negatively associated with, better understanding of the risks (P < 0.05), although effect sizes were small.

Conclusion

Prior to choosing treatment, most patients with prostate cancer poorly understood the differences in treatment risks. Greater efforts should be made to better understand why these misperceptions occur and, most importantly, how they can be corrected.
Neuronal Rho GTPase Rac1 elimination confers neuroprotection in a mouse model of permanent ischemic stroke
Authors: Karabiyik Cansu , Fernandes Rui , Figueiredo Francisco Rosário , Socodato Renato , Brakebusch Cord , Lambertsen Kate Lykke , Relvas João Bettencourt , Santos Sofia Duque
Published: September 2017

The Rho GTPase Rac1 is a multifunctional protein involved in distinct pathways ranging from development to pathology. The aim of the present study was to unravel the contribution of neuronal Rac1 in regulating the response to brain injury induced by permanent focal cerebral ischemia (pMCAO). Our results show that pMCAO significantly increased total Rac1 levels in wild type mice, mainly through rising nuclear Rac1, while a reduction in Rac1 activation was observed. Such changes preceded cell death induced by excitotoxic stress. Pharmacological inhibition of Rac1 in primary neuronal cortical cells prevented the increase in oxidative stress induced after overactivation of glutamate receptors. However, this was not sufficient to prevent the associated neuronal cell death. In contrast, RNAi‐mediated knock down of Rac1 in primary cortical neurons prevented cell death elicited by glutamate excitotoxicity and decreased the activity of NADPH oxidase. To test whether in vivo down regulation of neuronal Rac1 was neuroprotective after pMCAO, we used tamoxifen‐inducible neuron‐specific conditional Rac1‐knockout mice. We observed a significant 50% decrease in brain infarct volume of knockout mice and a concomitant increase in HIF‐1α expression compared to littermate control mice, demonstrating that ablation of Rac1 in neurons is neuroprotective. Transmission electron microscopy performed in the ischemic brain showed that lysosomes in the infarct of Rac1‐ knockout mice were preserved at similar levels to those of non‐infarcted tissue, while littermate mice displayed a decrease in the number of lysosomes, further corroborating the notion that Rac1 ablation in neurons is neuroprotective. Our results demonstrate that Rac1 plays important roles in the ischemic pathological cascade and that modulation of its levels is of therapeutic interest.
H-ferritin and proinflammatory cytokines are increased in the bone marrow of patients affected by macrophage activation syndrome
Authors: Ruscitti P , Cipriani P , Di Benedetto P , Liakouli V , Berardicurti O , Carubbi F , Ciccia F , Guggino G , Triolo G , Giacomelli R
Published: September 2017

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is hyperinflammatory life-threatening syndrome, associated typically with high levels of serum ferritin. This is an iron storage protein including heavy (H) and light (L) subunits, categorized on their molecular weight. The H-/L subunits ratio may be different in tissues, depending on the specific tissue and pathophysiological status. In this study, we analysed the bone marrow (BM) biopsies of adult MAS patients to assess the presence of: (i) H-ferritin and L-ferritin; (ii) CD68+/H-ferritin+ and CD68+/L-ferritin+; and (iii) interleukin (IL)-1β, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and interferon (IFN)-γ. We also explored possible correlations of these results with clinical data. H-ferritin, IL-1β, TNF and IFN-γ were increased significantly in MAS. Furthermore, an increased number of CD68+/H-ferritin+ cells and an infiltrate of cells co-expressing H-ferritin and IL-12, suggesting an infiltrate of M1 macrophages, were observed. H-ferritin levels and CD68+/H-ferritin+ cells were correlated with haematological involvement of the disease, serum ferritin and C-reactive protein. L-ferritin and CD68+/L-ferritin+ cells did not correlate with these parameters. In conclusion, during MAS, H-ferritin, CD68+/H-ferritin+ cells and proinflammatory cytokines were increased significantly in the BM inflammatory infiltrate, pointing out a possible vicious pathogenic loop. To date, H-ferritin and CD68+/H-ferritin+ were associated significantly with haematological involvement of the disease, suggesting biomarkers assessing severity of clinical picture.
Considering connections between Hollywood and biodiversity conservation
Authors: Silk Matthew J. , Crowley Sarah L. , Woodhead Anna J. , Nuno Ana
Published: September 2017

Cinema offers a substantial opportunity to share messages with a wide audience. However, there is little research or evidence about the potential benefits and risks of cinema for conservation. Given their global reach, cinematic representations could be important in raising awareness of conservation issues and species of concern, as well as encouraging greater audience engagement due to their heightened emotional impact on viewers. Yet there are also risks associated with increased exposure, including heightened visitor pressure to environmentally sensitive areas or changes to consumer demand for endangered species. Conservationists can better understand and engage with the film industry by studying the impact of movies on audience awareness and behavior, identifying measurable impacts on conservation outcomes, and engaging directly with the movie industry, for example, in an advisory capacity. This improved understanding and engagement can harness the industry's potential to enhance the positive impacts of movies featuring species, sites, and issues of conservation concern and to mitigate any negative effects. A robust evidence base for evaluating and planning these engagements, and for informing related policy and management decisions, needs to be built.
The ABCs of empirical corporate (governance) research
Authors: B. Adams Renée
Published: September 2017

Manuscript Type

Commentary

Research Question/Issue

I ask how academics can do better empirical research in corporate governance and other fields.

Research Findings/Insights

I argue that academics can do better research by using old methods better. I provide a list of recommendations I label as ABCs as a reminder that one can write excellent papers if one gets the basics right. The ABCs also serve as a reminder that one must master the basics before one can credibly use new techniques.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

Following the recommendations I provide can improve research by making the research more transparent and easier to replicate.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

Better research improves policy‐making and practice, especially if improvements in research practices lead to research that is easier to read.
IGF‐1 promotes angiogenesis in endothelial cells/adipose‐derived stem cells co‐culture system with activation of PI3K/Akt signal pathway
Authors: Lin Shiyu , Zhang Qi , Shao Xiaoru , Zhang Tao , Xue Changyue , Shi Sirong , Zhao Dan , Lin Yunfeng
Published: September 2017

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) and crosstalk between endothelial cells (ECs) and adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) in the process of angiogenesis.

Methods

A three‐dimensional collagen gel used to culture mouse ASCs and mouse ECs in vitro was established. The effects of angiogenesis after exposure to IGF‐1 were observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Western blotting and qPCR were performed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Results

IGF‐1 treatment promoted the formation of vessel‐like structures and the recruitment of ASCs in the three‐dimensional collagen gel. The angiogenic genes and proteins in ECs were up‐regulated by IGF‐1 and in co‐culture. Similar changes in the genes and in the proteins were detected in ASCs after exposure to IGF‐1 and co‐culture. p‐Akt expression levels were high in ECs and ASCs after exposure to IGF‐1 and co‐culture.

Conclusions

IGF‐1 and co‐culture between cells facilitate the process of angiogenesis via the PI3‐kinase/Akt signalling pathway. In ECs, IGF‐1 stimulates the expression of angiogenesis‐related growth factors with the activation of the PI3‐kinase/Akt signalling pathway. Co‐cultured ECs exposed to excess VEGF‐A and other angiogenesis‐related growth factors para‐secreted from ASCs exhibit high expression of angiogenesis‐related genes and proteins. In ASCs, IGF‐1 induces the recruitment and function of ASCs by up‐regulating the expression of PDGFB, MMPs and α‐SMA. Crosstalk with ECs further facilitates changes in ASCs.
A survey of knowledge and application of mechanical thromboprophylaxis among the medical staff of intensive care units in North China
Authors: Sun Bing , Tang Xiao , Liang Lirong , Tong Zhaohui
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Mechanical prophylaxis with graduated compression stockings (GCS) or intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) is suggested for patients who are bleeding or at high risk for major bleeding.

Objectives

To explore how intensive care unit (ICU) medical staff in North China comprehend and practice mechanical thromboprophylaxis.

Methods

Questionnaires comprising 39 questions including 4 dimensions of thromboprophylaxis were administered in ICUs in North China.

Results

Fifty‐two ICUs were surveyed from September 2014 to January 2015. A total of 2500 questionnaires were sent and 1861 were returned, corresponding to approximately 74.4%. Approximately 52.30% of all surveyed medical staff indicated they often practiced mechanical thromboprophylaxis. Twenty‐five percentage of them never used or had never heard of mechanical thromboprophylaxis. Thirty‐eight percent and twenty‐four percent of them doubted the effectiveness of GCS and IPC respectively. Regarding the use of GCS, 50.2% of them were concerned about skin injury, 57.4% were concerned about difficulty with removal and 57.6% were anxious about discomfort. Thirty‐five percent of the medical staff feared the ease of thrombus release during IPC thromboprophylaxis.

Conclusions

A wide gap exists with regards to the knowledge and application of mechanical thromboprophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) between the medical staff of our country and abroad. Strengthened standardized training may help medical staff improve their understanding and application of mechanical thromboprophylaxis. Amelioration of concerns regarding IPC and GCS could help increase the rate of mechanical thromboprophylaxis for VTE, reduce the occurrence of VTE in ICUs and improve the prognosis of these critically ill patients.
CPAP and EPAP elicit similar lung deflation in a non‐equivalent mode in GOLD 3‐4 COPD patients
Authors: Müller Paulo de Tarso , Christofoletti Gustavo , Koch Rodrigo , Zardetti Nogueira João Henrique , Patusco Luiz Armando Pereira , Chiappa Gaspar Rogério
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Lung hyperinflation is associated with inspiratory muscle strength reduction, nocturnal desaturation, dyspnea, altered cardiac function and poor exercise capacity in advanced COPD.

Objectives

We investigated the responses of inspiratory capacity (IC) and inspiratory muscle strength (PImax), comparing continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) with the main hypothesis that there would be similar effects on lung deflation.

Methods

Eligible patients were submitted to 10 cmH2O CPAP and EPAP on different days, under careful ECG (HR) and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring.

Results

Twenty‐one eligible COPD patients were studied (13 male/8 female, FEV1% predicted of 36.5 ± 9.8). Both CPAP and EPAP demonstrated significant post‐pre (Δ) changes for IC and PImax, with mean ΔIC for CPAP and EPAP of 200 ± 100 mL and 170 ± 105 mL (P = .001 for both) in 13 and 12 patients (responders) respectively. There were similar changes in % predicted IC and PImax (∼7%, P = .001 for both) for responders and poor responder/non‐responder agreement depending on CPAP/EPAP mode (Kappa = .113, P = .604). There were no differences in CPAP and EPAP regarding intensity of lung deflation (P =.254) and no difference was measured regarding HR (P = .235) or SpO2 (P = .111).

Conclusions

Both CPAP and EPAP presented a similar effect on lung deflation, without guaranteeing that the response to one modality would be predictive of the response to the other.
The influence of range‐wide plant genetic variation on soil invertebrate communities
Authors: Fitzpatrick Connor R. , Mikhailitchenko Anna V. , Anstett Daniel N. , Johnson Marc T. J.
Published: September 2017

Plant genetic variation can have far‐reaching effects on associated communities and ecosystems. Heritable variation in ecologically relevant plant traits is often non‐randomly distributed across a species’ range and can exhibit geographic clines. In the event of range expansions and migration, previously unfamiliar genotypes may have large impacts on resident communities and ecosystems due to the introduction of novel and heritable phenotypic variation. Here we test the hypothesis that geographic origin of a focal plant genotype has effects on belowground invertebrate communities using a common garden field experiment. We sampled soil invertebrates from 103 Oenothera biennis genotypes, which were collected from across the species’ range and planted into a common garden field experiment at the northern range limit. We enumerated 24 000 individuals from 190 morphospecies and found that the diversity, abundance, and composition of soil invertebrate communities varied greatly among plant genotypes. Despite strong effects of plant genotype, we found few genetic correlations between plant traits and soil invertebrate community variables. However, herbivore damage was strongly related to variation in the soil invertebrate community. Geographic origin of plant genotypes had at most a weak effect on belowground communities. We speculate that predicting the extended effects of population movement on associated communities will require detailed knowledge of the trait variation occurring within focal species across particular environmental gradients.
Pathogenicity of three formulations of Beauveria bassiana and efficacy of autoinoculation devices and sterile fruit fly males for dissemination of conidia for the control of Ceratitis capitata
Authors: Toledo Jorge , Flores Salvador , Campos Sergio , Villaseñor Antonio , Enkerlin Walther , Liedo Pablo , Valle Álvaro , Montoya Pablo
Published: September 2017

This study reports the pathogenicity of three formulations of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Hypocreales) – Bb‐ET, GHA, and Bb‐AES – and their application in panel‐type and cylinder‐type autoinoculation devices, and using sterile males as vectors for the control of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in coffee‐producing areas of the Central Highlands of Guatemala. Using sterile adults of C. capitata under laboratory bioassays, mean lethal concentrations (LC50) of 1.4 × 107, 2.4 × 106, and 8.2 × 105 conidia ml−1, and median survival times of 4.1 ± 0.1, 4.2 ± 0.1, and 3.8 ± 0.1 days, were recorded for the strains GHA, Bb‐AES, and Bb‐ET, respectively. These values indicate that the three strains were sufficiently pathogenic and that their period of biological activity was considered adequate for using sterile flies as vectors of the inoculum. Observed percentages of sporulated wild C. capitata flies were 57.3, 44.7, and 44.3% for sterile fly vectors, panel devices, and cylinder devices, respectively. The total population reduction at the end of the study period was over 90% for the three treatments. Our results show that sterile males used as vectors or disseminator devices may represent a new control method for area‐wide integrated management of Mediterranean fruit flies. The potential of this new approach and its integration with other control methods, including the sterile insect technique, is discussed.
Linkages between nectaring and oviposition preferences of Manduca sexta on two co‐blooming Datura species in the Sonoran Desert
Authors: SMITH GORDON P. , JOHNSON CHRISTOPHER A. , DAVIDOWITZ GOGGY , BRONSTEIN JUDITH L.
Published: September 2017

1. The oviposition choices of phytophagous insects determine the environment that their offspring will experience, affecting both larval performance and host plant fitness. These choices, however, may be influenced by other activities, such as nectar foraging.

2. In the Sonoran Desert, Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) oviposits primarily on the perennial herb Datura wrightii. It has been reported to oviposit on the smaller‐flowered, co‐blooming, sympatric annual Datura discolor as well. Datura is also M. sexta's most important source of nectar in this region. Nectaring and oviposition decisions thus determine M. sexta's reproductive success, as well as the relative benefits (pollination) and costs (herbivory) that each Datura species derives from this interaction.

3. The nectaring and oviposition choices of adult M. sexta on these congeners were studied to investigate how nectar foraging influences oviposition. Larval performance on the two hosts was then assessed.

4. Nectaring and oviposition were behaviourally linked, with M. sexta preferring the perennial D. wrightii as both a nectar source and larval host when given a choice between the two species. This preference disappeared, however, when only D. discolor bore flowers.

5. In the laboratory, larvae developed at equal rates when fed D. wrightii or D. discolor leaves, but survival was higher on D. wrightii when larvae fed on intact plants.

6. These findings suggest that while female preferences match larval performance in most cases, the link between nectaring and oviposition may at times bias moths to lay eggs on inferior larval hosts.
The Undergraduate Spanish Major Curriculum: Faculty, Alumni, and Student Perceptions
Authors: Hertel Tammy Jandrey , Dings Abby
Published: September 2017

This article presents the quantitative and qualitative results of a nationwide survey of the perceptions of faculty, alumni, and students regarding the contribution to the undergraduate Spanish major curriculum of various types of courses and experiences. Quantitative results indicated that all participants valued the importance of study abroad as well as advanced composition and grammar courses. Significant differences were found in the relative importance of other components of the undergraduate curriculum. While faculty tended to value traditional offerings such as literature and culture courses, alumni and students rated advanced conversation courses as most important. In addition, students and alumni rated translation and language for specific purposes courses significantly higher than faculty did. Qualitative analysis of the participants’ comments revealed a generalized tension between student and alumni emphasis on the need for courses that promote practical communicative skills vs. faculty emphasis on the development of critical thinking and cultural awareness alongside language skills. Implications are discussed, including the need to incorporate opportunities for speaking in courses at all levels and of all types, and the potential to involve students in discussions of curricular reform.
Effects of harvesting perennial ryegrass at different levels of herbage mass on voluntary intake and in vivo digestibility in sheep
Authors: Beecher M. , Baumont R. , O'Donovan M. , Boland T. M. , Aufrère J. , Fleming C. , Galvin N. , Lewis E.
Published: September 2017

The production performance of herbage‐fed animals is affected by herbage voluntary dry‐matter intake (VDMI) and organic matter digestibility. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of herbage mass (HM) on in vivo herbage voluntary intake and digestibility in sheep. The three HM treatments were as follows: 1,100 kg dry matter (DM)/ha (low, L), 2,300 kg DM/ha (medium, M) and 3,700 kg DM/ha (high, H). The study was a Latin square design, repeated on two occasions in 2012: 24 May to 20 July (summer) and 21 July to 5 October (autumn). Twelve Texel wether sheep (individually housed) were offered fresh cut perennial ryegrass herbage for ad libitum consumption. Using the total faecal collection method, the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre was determined. In summer, L had a similar VDMI to M and both had a higher VDMI than H. In autumn, L had a higher VDMI than both M and H. For dry‐matter digestibility and organic matter digestibility, there was no significant difference between L and M, which were both higher than H. For every 1% increase in neutral detergent fibre digestibility, VDMI increased by 0.03 kg. In the zero‐grazing scenario examined, offering low (1,100 kg DM/ha) HM swards enabled animals to achieve high intakes of highly digestible herbage, which should ensure high animal production performance.
Pilot study for hepatitis virus screening among employees as an effective approach to encourage employees who screened positive to receive medical care in Japan
Authors: Sugiyama Aya , Fujii Toshiko , Nagashima Shintaro , Ohisa Masayuki , Yamamoto Chikako , Chuon Channarena , Akita Tomoyuki , Matsuo Junko , Katayama Keiko , Takahashi Kazuaki , Tanaka Junko
Published: September 2017

Aim

Countermeasures against hepatitis B and C virus (HBV, HCV) infection at work sites in Japan have not yet been implemented. This study aimed to determine the status of viral hepatitis infection among employees in Japan.

Methods

We undertook a workplace‐based cross‐sectional study from 2011 to 2016 in Hiroshima, Japan. Hepatitis B virus and HCV markers were identified during a routine checkup of employees in 15 enterprises. The screening results were sent to employees directly and not to employers. A thorough examination of the participants who screened positive was encouraged by forwarding to them a referral letter by our research group to specialized medical institutions.

Results

Of the 3015 employees, 2420 (80.3%) underwent hepatitis virus screening. Of these, 13.8% had been screened for hepatitis virus before this survey. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen was 0.95% (n = 23; 95% confidence interval, 0.6–1.3%). The prevalence of hepatitis B core antibody was as high as 31.5% at age 60–69 years, and 41.5% at age 70 years and over. The HCV carrier rate was 0.45% (n = 11; 0.2–0.7%) and 54.5% of them had genotype 2. Thirty‐four carriers were detected, and 44.1% of them were detected for the first time; 53.3% of the newly detected carriers visited medical institutions with the referral, and underwent a periodic follow‐up or treatment.

Conclusion

Promoting hepatitis virus screening for employees may help detect carriers who are unaware of their infection and require treatment. Submitting the results to employees with a referral letter to medical institutions at the time of positive diagnosis may be effective.
Patient family advisors’ perspectives on engagement in health‐care quality improvement initiatives: Power and partnership
Authors: Goodridge Donna , Isinger Tanner , Rotter Thomas
Published: September 2017

Background

Engagement of the public in defining and shaping the organization and delivery of health care is increasingly viewed as integral to improving quality and promoting transparent decision making. Meaningful engagement of the public in health‐care reform is predicated on shifting entrenched power imbalances between health‐care systems and those it claims to serve.

Objectives

To describe the expressions, forms and spaces of power from the perspectives of persons who participated as Patient/Family Advisors (PFAs) in Rapid Process Improvement Workshops (RPIWs) within Saskatchewan, Canada.

Methods

Using a qualitative, interpretive approach, in‐depth interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 18 PFAs who had participated in at least one RPIW over the past year. Deductive thematic analysis was informed by Gaventa's model of power.

Results

Motivations for serving as a PFA included a sense of obligation to contribute to the improvement of a public system, recognition of their rights as citizens within a publicly funded system and an opportunity to openly express their concerns where previous encounters had been very negative. The invited spaces of the RPIWs were created by policymakers to accord visible power to PFAs. Participation resulted in PFAs gaining new insights into the structure and operations of the system, affirmation of their right to advocate and recognition of the potential to claim spaces of power as consumers. Advisement on specific health‐care initiatives using the vehicle of PFAs shaped and promoted new forms and spaces of power, representing one step in a very long road to full engagement of consumers in health care.
No evidence for a negative effect of conspecific brood parasitism on annual survival of female Prothonotary Warblers
Authors: Tucker Anna M. , Bulluck Lesley P.
Published: September 2017

Species that provide intensive parental care could suffer fitness costs associated with conspecific brood parasitism. Here we evaluate the effect of conspecific brood parasitism on apparent annual survival probability of female Prothonotary WarblersProtonotaria citreausing a multistate model with imperfect state assignment analysed in a hierarchical Bayesian framework. We found no difference in annual survival probability between host and non‐host females. These findings agree with previous work in that there seems to be little apparent cost of conspecific brood parasitism to female Warblers in this system.
Polypharmacy and use of potentially inappropriate medications in long-term care facilities: does coordinated primary care make a difference?
Authors: Andrew Melissa K , Purcell Chad A , Marshall Emily G , Varatharasan Nirupa , Clarke Barry , Bowles Susan K
Published: September 2017

Objectives

Polypharmacy is both common and harmful for frail residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF). We aimed to study rates of polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) before and after the implementation of a new model of coordinated primary care in LTCF, ‘Care by Design (CBD)’.

Methods

This was an observational before/after study in 10 LTCFs in Halifax, NS, Canada. Chart reviews were conducted for 529 LTCF residents for whom medication use was available. Both regularly scheduled and PRN medications were included but topical, inhaled and other non-systemic agents were excluded. Polypharmacy was defined as the concomitant use of more than 10 medications. PIMs were identified using Beers Criteria.

Key findings

Mean age of LTCF residents was older pre- versus post-CBD (85.7 versus 82.1 years; P = 0.0015). The burden of polypharmacy was high, but decreased significantly from 86.8% pre-CBD to 79.5% post-CBD (P = 0.046). The mean number of medications per resident decreased from 16.7 (SD 5.6) pre- to 15.5 (SD 6.2) post-CBD (P = 0.037). Residents with dementia were taking fewer medications both overall and following the implementation of CBD (mean 15.9, SD 0.6 pre-CBD versus 14.4, SD 0.4 post-CBD; P = 0.04). PIM rates were high and showed no change with CBD (86.2% versus 81.1%, P = 0.16).

Conclusions

Polypharmacy was the norm of this sample of LTCF residents. Implementation of coordinated care through the CBD model was associated with a small decrease in polypharmacy but not overall use of PIMs. Further targeted efforts are required to substantially reduce both polypharmacy and PIMs in clinical practice.
Seed crystal of modified potassium sodium niobate prepared by simple molten salt synthesis
Authors: Rahman Attaur , Cho Kyung‐Hoon , Ahn Cheol‐Woo , Ryu Jungho , Choi Jong‐Jin , Kim Jong‐Woo , Yoon Woon‐Ha , Choi Joon‐Hwan , Park Dong‐Soo , Hahn Byung‐Dong
Published: September 2017

Recently, an interesting phenomenon has been reported in (K,Na)NbO3 (KNN)‐based ceramics. That is the growth of huge grains (10‐30 mm) which is a kind of abnormal grain growth (AGG). It was also interesting that the huge grains showed the stack of plate‐type grains. Using one of those compositions, therefore, seed plates were synthesized by not topochemical reaction but simple molten salt synthesis (SMSS) which was a simple‐and‐cheap process. The calcined K0.4925Na0.4925Ba0.0165Nb0.998O3.004 (KNBN) powders and KF powders were heat‐treated at 1050°C‐1150°C. The seed crystals showed the (100)C‐oriented structure. The size of seed plates was smaller than 500 μm and one layer of a thin plate‐type grain might show the thickness of 50 nm. They might be useful as the seeds at RTGG or TGG process.
Comparison of hot pressing and spark plasma sintering in the densification behavior of indium tin oxide‐borosilicate glass composites
Authors: Rudzik Thomas J. , Gerhardt Rosario A.
Published: September 2017

The goal of this study was to fabricate borosilicate glass matrix composites with high optical transmittance and high conductivity by forming percolated segregated networks of indium tin oxide (ITO) in the microstructure. ITO nanoparticles and borosilicate glass microspheres were mechanically mixed with ITO concentrations varying from 0 to 2.99 vol%. The mixes were then consolidated using either hot pressing (HP) or spark plasma sintering (SPS). The effects of changing sintering methods, along with varying other processing parameters such as heating rate, maximum temperature, and applied pressure, had surprising and unanticipated effects. Ac impedance spectroscopy (IS), SEM, and EDS results indicated the successful formation of a grain‐like microstructure of the sintered glass using both HP and SPS processing, with the ITO particles segregated to the boundary regions in all samples. IS results indicated percolation threshold values between 0.154 and 0.307 vol% ITO in the HP samples and between 0.307 and 0.764 vol% ITO in the SPS samples, with resistivities as low as 29 (Ω·cm) at 2.99 vol% ITO. Optical properties were dominated by impurities and light scattering at defects such as pores. Contrary to conventional belief, it was found that samples made using SPS required far higher temperatures to fully densify, with all other processing conditions being the same, compared with HP. This behavior was confirmed through repeat tests using different SPS equipment and a wide range of processing conditions.
Cr‐doped ZnAl2O4: Microwave solution route for ceramic nanoparticles from metalorganic complexes in minutes
Authors: Hebbar Deepak N. , Menon Samvit G. , Choudhari Khoobaram S. , Shivashankar Srinivasrao A. , Santhosh Chidangil , Kulkarni Suresh D.
Published: September 2017

A combination of microwave irradiation and metalorganic precursors in solution was used for the synthesis of Cr:ZnAl2O4nanoparticles with high yields (~92%). Though the spinel phase is formed after ~40 minutes, 60 minutes of microwave irradiation was required for the complete transformation of precursors into the spinel. The as‐prepared material is nanocrystalline and phase‐pure and was subjected to annealing in air at different temperatures. Annealing improved the crystallinity, and the material turned pink at 1200°C. The structural and optical properties were investigated by XRD, HR‐TEM, FE‐SEM, FT‐IR, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The two bands in the excitation spectra (400 and 540 nm) became more intense as the annealing temperature was raised. The 400 nm band was asymmetric and consisted of two peaks, suggesting a trigonal distortion. The emission spectra consisted of a zero phonon line (ZPL), along with its associated multi‐phonon side bands. The high Dq/B (3.21) suggested the presence of Cr3+in a strong crystal field. With annealing, the emission lifetimes increased from ~7 to ~34 ms. This work demonstrates rapid, low‐temperature synthesis of a red‐emitting phosphor, with potential applications in bio‐imaging, sensors, and lighting.