bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of ceramic and glass science research in meeting societal challenges: Report from an NSF‐sponsored workshop
Authors: Faber Katherine T. , Asefa Tewodros , Backhaus‐Ricoult Monika , Brow Richard , Chan Julia Y. , Dillon Shen , Fahrenholtz William G. , Finnis Michael W. , Garay Javier E. , García R. Edwin , Gogotsi Yury , Haile Sossina M. , Halloran John , Hu Juejun , Huang Liping , Jacobsen Steven D. , Lara‐Curzio Edgar , LeBeau James , Lee William E. , Levi Carlos G. , Levin Igor , Lewis Jennifer A. , Lipkin Don M. , Lu Kathy , Luo Jian , Maria Jon‐Paul , Martin Lane W. , Martin Steve , Messing Gary , Navrotsky Alexandra , Padture Nitin P. , Randall Clive , Rohrer Gregory S. , Rosenflanz Anatoly , Schaedler Tobias A. , Schlom Darrell G. , Sehirlioglu Alp , Stevenson Adam J. , Tani Toshihiko , Tikare Veena , Trolier‐McKinstry Susan , Wang Hong , Yildiz Bilge
Published: April 2017

Under the sponsorship of the U.S. National Science Foundation, a workshop on emerging research opportunities in ceramic and glass science was held in September 2016. Reported here are proceedings of the workshop. The report details eight challenges identified through workshop discussions: Ceramic processing: Programmable design and assembly; The defect genome: Understanding, characterizing, and predicting defects across time and length scales; Functionalizing defects for unprecedented properties; Ceramic flatlands: Defining structure‐property relations in free‐standing, supported, and confined two‐dimensional ceramics; Ceramics in the extreme: Discovery and design strategies; Ceramics in the extreme: Behavior of multimaterial systems; Understanding and exploiting glasses and melts under extreme conditions; and Rational design of functional glasses guided by predictive modeling. It is anticipated that these challenges, once met, will promote basic understanding and ultimately enable advancements within multiple sectors, including energy, environment, manufacturing, security, and health care.
Bismuth sodium titanate lead‐free piezoelectric coatings by thermal spray process
Authors: Guo Kun , Chen Shuting , Tan Chee Kiang Ivan , Sharifzadeh Mirshekarloo Meysam , Yao Kui , Tay Francis Eng Hock
Published: April 2017

Bismuth sodium titanate (BNT) piezoelectric ceramic coatings with dense morphology and single perovskite phase were fabricated by thermal spray process. The melting and crystallization behaviors of BNT near congruent composition and the effect of excess Bi composition were investigated by analyzing the heating‐melting‐cooling cycle for the application in thermal spray process. Crystal structure and morphology of the thermal sprayed BNT coatings were examined, and their electrical and electromechanical properties were tested. An effective piezoelectric coefficient d33 of 50 pm/V was obtained under substrate clamping, measured with laser scanning method. The findings have shed light on the design of appropriate compositions for achieving high quality lead‐free piezoelectric ceramic coatings by the scalable thermal spray process.
Enhanced photocatalytic performance of Bi2Fe4O9/graphene via modifying graphene composite
Authors: Liu Pengdong , Sun Huajun , Liu Xiaofang , Sui Huiting , Zhang Yong , Zhou Dingguo , Guo Qinghu , Ruan Yong
Published: April 2017

Bi2Fe4O9 (BFO) is one of the most important photocatalyst materials and its composition with graphene may leave an optimizing effect on the photocatalytic performance. In this paper, reduced graphene oxide (RGO) with various contents is selected to be composited with BFO successfully via one‐step hydrothermal method. A series of BFO‐xRGO (x=0, 1.25, 2.50, 3.75, 5, 6.25, and 7.50 wt.%) were prepared and the effects of RGO content on crystalline, light absorption, impedance, and photocatalytic degradation rate of methyl violet (MV) solution are characterized. The entire film samples exhibit enhanced photocatalytic efficiency. Especially, with 5 wt.% RGO content added, the film sample shows the best photocatalytic degradation efficiency with a MV solution degradation rate of 95%. This implies that the composition of RGO allows BFO‐based thin film as an efficient photocatalyst candidate, and as well, the BFO/RGO composite possesses the potential for better use in the related photocatalyst applications.
Three‐dimensional mapping of crystalline ceramic waste form materials
Authors: Cocco Alex P. , DeGostin Matthew B. , Wrubel Jacob A. , Damian Peter J. , Hong Tao , Xu Yun , Liu Yijin , Pianetta Piero , Amoroso Jake W. , Brinkman Kyle S. , Chiu Wilson K. S.
Published: April 2017

This work demonstrates the use of synchrotron‐based, transmission X‐ray microscopy (TXM) and scanning electron microscopy to image the 3‐D morphologies and spatial distributions of Ga‐doped phases within model, single‐ and two‐phase waste form material systems. Gallium doping levels consistent with those commonly used for nuclear waste immobilization (e.g., Ba1.04Cs0.24Ga2.32Ti5.68O16) could be readily imaged. The analysis suggests that a minority phase with different stoichiometry/composition from the primary hollandite phase can be formed by the solid‐state ceramic processing route with varying morphology (globular vs. cylindrical) as a function of Cs content. The results presented in this work represent a crucial step in developing the tools necessary to gain an improved understanding of the microstructural and chemical properties of waste form materials that influence their resistance to aqueous corrosion. This understanding will aid in the future design of higher durability waste form materials.
Multilayer lead‐free piezoceramic composites: Influence of co‐firing on microstructure and electromechanical behavior
Authors: Ayrikyan Azatuhi , Weyland Florian , Steiner Sebastian , Duerrschnabel Michael , Molina‐Luna Leopoldo , Koruza Jurij , Webber Kyle G.
Published: April 2017

In this study lead‐free 2‐2 and 0‐3 ceramic/ceramic composites comprised of the non‐ergodic relaxor 0.93(Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3–0.07BaTiO3 and ergodic relaxor 0.94Bi0.5(Na0.75K0.25)0.5TiO3–0.06BiAlO3 were investigated. The macroscopic electromechanical behavior was characterized as a function of continuent content, revealing an enhancement in the unipolar strain from the multilayer composite structure. Systematic evaluation of the effects of co‐sintering on microstructural properties, such as grain size and porosity, revealed potential mechanisms by which the increase in unipolar strain was achieved. In addition, interdiffusion between the constituents was observed, providing evidence for the formation of a functionally graded ceramic by co‐sintering. These data are contrasted with high‐resolution energy dispersive X‐ray microanalysis for measurement of chemical composition across the interface of 2‐2 ceramics. These findings provide insight into how synthesis routes can be optimized for tailoring the enhancement of electromechanical properties of lead‐free electroceramic composite systems.
Structural elucidation and iron oxidation states in situ formed β‐Ca3(PO4)2/α‐Fe2O3 composites
Authors: Nandha Kumar Ponnusamy , Mishra Sandeep K. , Kannan Sanjeevi
Published: April 2017

A detailed structural analysis on the in situ synthesized β‐Ca3(PO4)2/α‐Fe2O3 composites is demonstrated. Compositional ratios, the influence and occupancy of iron at the β‐Ca3(PO4)2 lattice, oxidation state of iron in the composites are derived from analytical techniques involving XRD, FT‐IR, Raman, refinement of the powder X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Iron exists in the Fe3+ state throughout the investigated systems and favors its occupancy at the Ca2+(5) site of β‐Ca3(PO4)2 until critical limit, and thereafter crystallizes as α‐Fe2O3 at ambient conditions. Fe3+ occupancy at the β‐Ca3(PO4)2 lattice yields a Ca9Fe(PO4)7 structure that is isostructural with its counterpart. A strong rise in the soft ferromagnetic behavior of β‐Ca3(PO4)2/α‐Fe2O3 composites is obvious that depends on the content of α‐Fe2O3 in the composites. Overall, the diverse level of iron inclusions at the calcium phosphate system with a Ca/P ratio of 1.5 yields a structurally stable β‐Ca3(PO4)2/α‐Fe2O3 composites with assorted compositional ratios.
Effect of lead content on the performance of niobium‐doped {100} textured lead zirconate titanate films
Authors: Borman Trent M. , Zhu Wanlin , Wang Ke , Ko Song Won , Mardilovich Peter , Trolier‐McKinstry Susan E.
Published: April 2017

Niobium‐doped, {100} textured, gradient‐free, lead zirconate titanate (PZT) films were fabricated from solutions with different lead contents. Film lead content was controlled through changes in the average solution lead excess from 14.7% to 17 at.%. The low field dielectric response as well as the polarization‐electric field hysteresis loops were not a strong function of lead content. However, films with lower lead contents in the precursor tended to withstand higher poling fields than films prepared from more lead‐rich precursors. Although no residual PbO was observed at the grain boundaries, films prepared from more lead‐rich solutions had higher levels of grain‐boundary porosity, lower breakdown strengths, and lower threshold electric fields at which cracking was observed.
Geopolymer foams obtained by the saponification/peroxide/gelcasting combined route using different soap foam precursors
Authors: Cilla Marcelo S. , de Mello Innocentini Murilo D. , Morelli Márcio R. , Colombo Paolo
Published: April 2017

This work investigates the influence of eight different vegetable and animal sources of fatty acids as soap foam precursors in the processing of highly porous geopolymers. Four sources rich in saturated chains (coconut and babassu oils, palm stearin and beef tallow), two sources rich in monounsaturated chains (olive and castor oils) and two sources rich in polyunsaturated chains (sunflower oil and soybean biodiesel) were selected. For all soap precursors, bodies treated at 300°C possessed a very high total porosity (84‐88 vol%), open porosity (79‐85 vol%) and relatively high specific surface area (35.1‐63.5 m2/g), but rather low compressive strength (0.2‐0.4 MPa). The increase in the thermal treatment temperature caused a slight decrease in porosity but a substantial increase in compressive strength and decrease in specific surface area due to sintering and formation of crystalline phases. The Darcian permeability coefficients of all bodies (0.6‐10.6×10−10 m2) were typical of gelcasted foams, aerosol filters and fibrous mats. The morphology of pores could be well‐associated to the features of lathers produced by the respective soap precursors.
Thermal annealing effects on the energy storage properties of BST ceramics
Authors: Song Zhe , Liu Hanxing , Lanagan Michael T , Zhang Shujun , Hao Hua , Cao Minghe , Yao Zhonghua , Fu Zhenxiao , Huang Kun
Published: April 2017

Thermal annealing treatments with different atmospheres (air, oxygen, and reducing atmospheres, respectively) were employed for the conventionally sintered (Ba0.4Sr0.6)TiO3 (BST) ceramics. The effect of thermal annealing on the energy storage properties of BST ceramics was investigated, where oxygen vacancies played an important role. The dielectric loss, bulk resistivity and dielectric breakdown strength (BDS) were found to be sensitive to the annealing process, leading to the different energy densities in the range of 0.30‐0.80 J/cm3. Temperature‐dependent dielectric measurement and thermally stimulated depolarization current analysis were conducted to understand the impacts of oxygen vacancies on the macroscopic properties, which were found to be closely associated with the annealing conditions.
Electric current‐controlled synthesis of BaTiO3
Authors: Nakagawa Yu , Yoshida Hidehiro , Uehashi Akinori , Tokunaga Tomoharu , Sasaki Katsuhiro , Yamamoto Takahisa
Published: April 2017

In BaTiO3, flash‐sintering associated with a surge of the specimen electric current sometimes results in an inhomogeneous microstructure including Ti‐excess secondary phases because of discharging. We applied field‐assisted sintering technique (FAST) under precisely controlled specimen current that was set just below the threshold value for the occurrence of flash event for BaTiO3, to avoid the occurrence of the discharging. As a result, uniform and fine‐grained compacts were obtained without any secondary phases. A relative density of approximately 92% was achieved under FAST condition of 100 V/cm with a limiting current of 72 mA and soaking time of 3 hours at 1070°C. The voltages during sintering under a constant current of 72 mA were found to decrease during the soaking process. Electron energy loss spectroscopy revealed the generation of excess oxygen vacancies at/near grain boundaries. The excess oxygen vacancies induced by application of DC electric fields were confirmed to reduce the voltages and to retard the shrinkage rate in a final sintering stage.
A comprehensive sintering mechanism for TBCs‐Part II: Multiscale multipoint interconnection‐enhanced initial kinetics
Authors: Li Guangrong , Xie Hua , Yang Guanjun , Liu Gang , Li Chengxin , Li Changjiu
Published: April 2017

During thermal exposure, the sintering process of the plasma‐sprayed thermal barrier coatings (PS‐TBCs) presents significant two‐stage kinetics, as reported in the Part I. As a companion study, this part aims to reveal the mechanism responsible for the ultrafast sintering kinetics when initially exposed, since the initial short stage (stage‐I) often finishes most increment of the mechanical and thermal properties. A detailed examination of the pore healing behavior was carried out, based on the experimental result in Part I that the dominant structural change at the stage‐I is the significant healing at intersplat pore tips. Results show that the smooth splat surface, which made up the wedge‐shaped intersplat pores, changed to a rough surface with multiscale convexs after high‐temperature thermal exposure. Moreover, the multiscale roughening is highly sensitive to various orientations of the columnar grains inside the splats. Subsequently, multipoint connection between the counter‐surfaces of the intersplat pores was formed by the bridging of multiscale convexs. This multiscale multipoint connection between pore surfaces significantly accelerated the healing of intersplat pores, which can be dominantly responsible for the ultrafast sintering kinetics at the stage‐I. This comprehensive sintering mechanism could offer some positive suggestions toward prolonging the thermal‐insulating effect of TBCs.
Tailored approach for management of ventricular tachycardia in cardiac sarcoidosis
Authors: Yalagudri Sachin , Zin Thu Ngwe , Devidutta Soumen , Saggu Daljeet , Thachil Ajit , Chennapragada Sridevi , Narasimhan Calambur
Published: April 2017

Introduction

Treating ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is challenging as patients present in different phase of the disease (inflammatory, scar, or sometimes both). A  customized approach to treatment is required for better outcomes. We describe our experience in the management of VT in CS based on the phase of the disease.

Methods and results

Patients were considered to have myocardial inflammation if there was an increased myocardial 18fluorodeoxy glucose (FDG) uptake in PET‐CT scan of the chest (n = 14). These patients were treated with antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) and immunosuppression. Patients with scar related VT (without active inflammation) were managed with AADs and underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) if unresponsive to drug therapy (n = 4). Patients previously treated for CS who presented with VT and evidence of reactivation (abnormal FDG uptake) after a quiescent period of 6 months were treated with intensified immunosuppression alongside AADs (n = 3/14). Patients with myocardial inflammation responded well to immunosuppression. Patients with drug resistant VT in the scar phase responded well to RFA. Four patients in the inflammatory group had recurrence of VT during follow‐up of whom 3 were found to have disease reactivation. Intensified immunosuppression suppressed VT in all 3 patients. In 1 patient, VT recurrence was found to be scar related and required RFA for control.

Conclusion

Tailoring therapy for VT in CS according to the phase of disease results in good clinical outcome and avoids unnecessary immunosuppression.
Study of the wearable cardioverter defibrillator in advanced heart‐failure patients (SWIFT)
Authors: Barsheshet Alon , Kutyifa Valentina , Vamvouris Theodora , Moss Arthur J. , Biton Yitschak , Chen Leway , Storozynsky Eugene , Wan Chingping , Szymkiewicz Steven J. , Goldenberg Ilan
Published: April 2017

Introduction

The wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) may allow stabilization until reassessment for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) among high‐risk heart failure (HF) patients. However, there are limited data on the WCD benefit in the acute decompensated HF setting.

Methods and results

The Study of the Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator in Advanced Heart Failure Patients (SWIFT) was a prospective clinical trial carried out at two medical centers. Patients hospitalized with advanced HF symptoms and reduced left ventricular ejection function (LVEF) were enrolled and prescribed a WCD prior to discharge for a total of 3 months. Outcome measures included arrhythmic events, WCD discharge, and death. Study patients (n = 75, mean age 51 ± 14 years, 31% women) had a mean LVEF of 21.5 ± 10.4%. Non‐ischemic cardiomyopathy was present in 66% of patients. The median WCD wearing time was 59 (interquartile range 17–97) days, and 80% of patients wore the device >50% of daily hours. WCD interrogations showed a total of 8 arrhythmic events in 5 patients, including 3 nonsustained or self‐terminating ventricular tachycardia (VT) events, and one polymorphic VT successfully terminated by the WCD. None of the patients died while wearing the device and no inappropriate device therapies occurred. Upon termination of treatment with the WCD, 21 patients (28%) received an ICD. At 3 years, the cumulative death rate was 20% in the ischemic and 21% in non‐ischemic cardiomyopathy patients.

Conclusion

A management strategy incorporating the WCD can be safely used to bridge the decision regarding the need for ICD implantation in high‐risk patients with advanced HF.
Immunophenotyping and activation status of maternal peripheral blood leukocytes during pregnancy and labour, both term and preterm
Authors: Zhang Jianhong , Shynlova Oksana , Sabra Sally , Bang Annie , Briollais Laurent , Lye Stephen J.
Published: April 2017

The onset of labour in rodents and in humans is associated with physiological inflammation which is manifested by infiltration of activated maternal peripheral leukocytes (mPLs) into uterine tissues. Here, we used flow cytometry to immunophenotype mPLs throughout gestation and labour, both term and preterm. Peripheral blood was collected from non‐pregnant women and pregnant women in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Samples were also collected from women in active labour at term (TL) or preterm (PTL) and compared with women term not‐in‐labour (TNIL) and preterm not‐in‐labour (PTNIL). Different leukocyte populations were identified by surface markers such as CD45, CD14, CD15, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 and CD56. Their activation status was measured by the expression levels of CD11b, CD44, CD55, CD181 and CD192 proteins. Of all circulating CD45+ leukocytes, we detected significant increases in CD15+ granulocytes (i) in pregnant women versus non‐pregnant; (ii) in TL women versus TNIL and versus pregnant women in the 1st/2nd/3rd trimester; (iii) in PTL women versus PTNIL. TL was characterized by (iv) increased expressions of CD11b, CD55 and CD192 on granulocytes; (v) increased mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) of CD55 and CD192 on monocytes; (vi) increased CD44 MFI on CD3+ lymphocytes as compared to late gestation. In summary, we have identified sub‐populations of mPLs that are specifically activated in association with gestation (granulocytes) or with the onset of labour (granulocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes). Additionally, beta regression analysis created a set of reference values to rank this association between immune markers of pregnancy and to identify activation status with potential prognostic and diagnostic capability.
Distribution and hormonal characterization of primary murine L cells throughout the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Suzuki Kazuyo , Iwasaki Kanako , Murata Yuki , Harada Norio , Yamane Shunsuke , Hamasaki Akihiro , Shibue Kimitaka , Joo Erina , Sankoda Akiko , Fujiwara Yuta , Hayashi Yoshitaka , Inagaki Nobuya
Published: April 2017

Aims/Introduction

Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) secreted from enteroendocrine L cells is an incretin that potentiates insulin secretion and is already applied in therapies for type 2 diabetes. However, detailed examination of L cells throughout the gastrointestinal tract remains unclear, because of difficulties in purifying scattered L cells from other cells. In the present study, we identified characteristics of L cells of the upper small intestine (UI), the lower small intestine (LI) and the colon using glucagon‐green fluorescent protein‐expressing mice that express GFP driven by the proglucagon promoter.

Materials and Methods

The localization and density of primary L cells were evaluated by anti‐green fluorescent protein antibody reactivity. GLP‐1 content, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels and secretion in purified L cells were measured.

Results

The number of L cells significantly increased toward the colon. In contrast, the GLP‐1 content and secretion from L cells were higher in the UI than in the LI and colon. L cells from the UI and LI expressed notably high mRNA levels of the transcription factor, islet 1. The mRNA expression levels of peptide YY in L cells were higher in the LI than in the UI and colon. The mRNA expression levels of gastric inhibitory polypeptide in L cells from the UI were significantly higher compared with those from the LI and colon.

Conclusions

L cells show different numbers and characteristics throughout the gut, and they express different mRNA levels of transcription factors and gastrointestinal hormones. These results contribute to the therapeutic application of promoting GLP‐1 release from L cells for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Application of 3C insulin pump system in combination with non‐invasive ventilation in the treatment of a patient with type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
Authors: Dong Peng , Xu Jing , Wang Junhong , Zhang Chunhong
Published: April 2017

We observed the curative effect of the 3C insulin system in combination with non‐invasive ventilation in a patient with type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The 3C insulin pump is a system of devices that closely monitors and effectively regulates blood glucose levels. Non‐invasive ventilation has been shown to be an effective treatment for OSAS. A type 2 diabetes patient with concomitant OSAS was treated with a 3C insulin pump system for real‐time continuous glucose monitoring and nocturnal non‐invasive ventilation for OSAS. Treatment‐induced diabetic remission with improved sleep and reduced hypoglycemic episodes was achieved. Therefore, the 3C insulin pump system, in combination with non‐invasive ventilation, is an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes patients with concomitant OSAS.
Safety, tolerability and efficacy of lixisenatide in combination with oral antidiabetic treatment in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: An open‐label, multicenter study
Authors: Seino Yutaka , Stjepanovic Aleksandra , Takami Akane , Takagi Hiroki ,   the study investigators
Published: April 2017

Aim/Introduction

To assess the overall safety and efficacy of lixisenatide in combination with background oral antidiabetic drug treatment in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes, as required by Japanese guidelines.

Materials and Methods

A phase 3, multicenter, uncontrolled, open‐label, four‐arm, parallel‐group study of Japanese outpatients with type 2 diabetes was carried out; patients received once‐daily lixisenatide in combination with biguanide, thiazolidinedione, alpha‐glucosidase inhibitors or glinide (NCT01940965). The primary end‐point was safety over 52 weeks; secondary end‐points included absolute change from baseline in glycated hemoglobin A1c at weeks 24 and 52.

Results

A total of 294 patients were enrolled (biguanide, thiazolidinedione, alpha‐glucosidase groups: 73 patients each; glinide group: 75 patients). Overall, 90.4% of patients in the biguanide group, 83.6% in the thiazolidinedione group, 83.6% in the alpha‐glucosidase group and 85.3% in the glinide group reported one or more treatment‐emergent adverse event, the most common of which were nasopharingitis, nausea and constipation. Symptomatic hypoglycemia was reported in 5.5, 0, 1.4, and 10.7% of patients in the biguanide, thiazolidinedione, alpha‐glucosidase and glinide groups, respectively. No severe hypoglycemia was observed. Hemoglobin A1c decreased from baseline at weeks 24 and 52, with mean changes ranging from −0.98 to −1.22%, and from −0.80 to −1.08%, respectively, across all groups.

Conclusions

Lixisenatide treatment administered daily over 52 weeks was well tolerated and effective in improving glycemic control in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes uncontrolled with existing oral antidiabetic drug therapies. The use of lixisenatide in combination with oral antidiabetic drugs is a valuable treatment option for Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes after failure of oral antidiabetic treatment alone.
Mixed evidence for the erosion of intertactical genetic correlations through intralocus tactical conflict
Authors: Pike K. N. , Tomkins J. L. , Buzatto B. A.
Published: April 2017

Alternative reproductive tactics, whereby members of the same sex use different tactics to secure matings, are often associated with conditional intrasexual dimorphisms. Given the different selective pressures on males adopting each mating tactic, intrasexual dimorphism is more likely to arise if phenotypes are genetically uncoupled and free to evolve towards their phenotypic optima. However, in this context, genetic correlations between male morphs could result in intralocus tactical conflict (ITC). We investigated the genetic architecture of male dimorphism in bulb mites (Rhizoglyphus echinopus) and earwigs (Forficula auricularia). We used half‐sibling breeding designs to assess the heritability and intra/intersexual genetic correlations of dimorphic and monomorphic traits in each species. We found two contrasting patterns; F. auricularia exhibited low intrasexual genetic correlations for the dimorphic trait, suggesting that the ITC is moving towards a resolution. Meanwhile, R. echinopus exhibited high and significant intrasexual genetic correlations for most traits, suggesting that morphs in the bulb mite may be limited in evolving to their optima. This also shows that intrasexual dimorphisms can evolve despite strong genetic constraints, contrary to current predictions. We discuss the implications of this genetic constraint and emphasize the potential importance of ITC for our understanding of intrasexual dimorphisms.
Information Content, Complexity, and Uncertainty in Material Flow Analysis
Authors: Schwab Oliver , Rechberger Helmut
Published: April 2017

Material Flow Analysis (MFA) is a useful method for modeling, understanding, and optimizing sociometabolic systems. Among others, MFAs can be distinguished by two general system properties: First, they differ in their complexity, which depends on system structure and size. Second, they differ in their inherent uncertainty, which arises from limited data quality. In this article, uncertainty and complexity in MFA are approached from a systems perspective and expressed as formally linked phenomena. MFAs are, in a graph‐theoretical sense, understood as networks. The uncertainty and complexity of these networks are computed by use of information measures from the field of theoretical ecology. The size of a system is formalized as a function of its number of flows. It defines the potential information content of an MFA system and holds as a reference against which complexity and uncertainty are gauged. Integrating data quality measures, the uncertainty of an MFA before and after balancing is determined. The actual information content of an MFA is measured by relating its uncertainty to its potential information content. The complexity of a system is expressed based on the configuration of each individual flow in relation to its neighboring flows. The proposed metrics enable different material flow systems to be compared to one another and the role of individual flows within a system to be assessed. They provide information useful for the design of MFAs and for the communication of MFA results. For exemplification, the regional MFAs of aluminum and plastics in Austria are analyzed in this article.
Natural hybridization and reproductive isolation between twoPrimulaspecies
Authors: Xie Yanping , Zhu Xingfu , Ma Yongpeng , Zhao Jianli , Li Li , Li Qingjun
Published: April 2017

Natural hybridization frequently occurs in plants and can facilitate gene flow between species, possibly resulting in species refusion. However, various reproductive barriers block the formation of hybrids and maintain species integrity. Here, we conducted a field survey to examine natural hybridization and reproductive isolation (RI) between sympatric populations ofPrimula secundifloraandP. poissoniiusing ten nuclear simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci. Although introgressive hybridization occurred, species boundaries betweenP. secundifloraandP. poissoniiwere maintained through nearly complete reproductive isolation. These interfertile species provide an excellent model for studying the RI mechanisms and evolutionary forces that maintain species boundaries.
Circadian clock component, LHY, tells a plant when to respond photosynthetically to light in nature
Authors: Joo Youngsung , Fragoso Variluska , Yon Felipe , Baldwin Ian T. , Kim Sang‐Gyu
Published: April 2017

The circadian clock is known to increase plant growth and fitness, and is thought to prepare plants for photosynthesis at dawn and dusk; whether this happens in nature was unknown. We transformed the native tobacco, Nicotiana attenuata to silence two core clock components, NaLHY (irLHY) and NaTOC1 (irTOC1). We characterized growth and light‐ and dark‐adapted photosynthetic rates (Ac) throughout a 24 h day in empty vector‐transformed (EV), irLHY, and irTOC1 plants in the field, and in NaPhyA‐ and NaPhyB1‐silenced plants in the glasshouse. The growth rates of irLHY plants were lower than those of EV plants in the field. While irLHY plants reduced Ac earlier at dusk, no differences between irLHY and EV plants were observed at dawn in the field. irLHY, but not EV plants, responded to light in the night by rapidly increasing Ac. Under controlled conditions, EV plants rapidly increased Ac in the day compared to dark‐adapted plants at night; irLHY plants lost these time‐dependent responses. The role of NaLHY in gating photosynthesis is independent of the light‐dependent reactions and red light perceived by NaPhyA, but not NaPhyB1. In summary, the circadian clock allows plants not to respond photosynthetically to light at night by anticipating and gating red light‐mediated in native tobacco.
Sucrose transporters and plasmodesmal regulation in passive phloem loading
Authors: Liesche Johannes
Published: April 2017

An essential step for the distribution of carbon throughout the whole plant is the loading of sugars into the phloem in source organs. In many plants, accumulation of sugars in the sieve element‐companion cell (SE‐CC) complex is mediated and regulated by active processes. However, for poplar and many other tree species, a passive symplasmic mechanism of phloem loading has been proposed, characterized by symplasmic continuity along the pre‐phloem pathway and the absence of active sugar accumulation in the SE‐CC complex. A high overall leaf sugar concentration is thought to enable diffusion of sucrose into the phloem. In this review, we critically evaluate current evidence regarding the mechanism of passive symplasmic phloem loading, with a focus on the potential influence of active sugar transport and plasmodesmal regulation. The limited experimental data, combined with theoretical considerations, suggest that a concomitant operation of passive symplasmic and active phloem loading in the same minor vein is unlikely. However, active sugar transport could well play an important role in how passively loading plants might modulate the rate of sugar export from leaves. Insights into the operation of this mechanism has direct implications for our understanding of how these plants utilize assimilated carbon.
High body mass and kidney dysfunction relate to worse nerve function, even in adults without neuropathy
Authors: Hanewinckel Rens , Ikram M. Arfan , Franco Oscar H. , Hofman Albert , Drenthen Judith , van Doorn Pieter A.
Published: April 2017

Polyneuropathy is a prevalent and disabling disorder. Despite extensive evaluation, the cause often remains unknown. Factors that predispose for the development of polyneuropathy need to be identified. We investigated the effect of anthropometric and metabolic factors on peripheral nerve function in 908 participants of the population‐based Rotterdam Study without any symptoms or signs of polyneuropathy. Participants underwent nerve conduction studies of the sural and peroneal nerve. Data on age, height, weight, waist circumference, diabetes, lipid levels, hypertension, and kidney function were collected. Regression analyses were used to investigate determinants of nerve action potential amplitudes. The frequency of abnormal sural sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitudes increased with age from 1% under 60 years to 23% over 80 years. Similarly, the frequency of abnormal peroneal nerve compound motor action potential (CMAP) amplitudes increased from 4% to 13%. High weight and body mass index were independently associated with reduced sural SNAP amplitudes and peroneal CMAP amplitudes. Participants with hypertension and kidney dysfunction were more likely to have abnormal sural SNAP amplitudes. Older age, high weight, hypertension, and moderate kidney dysfunction might thus lead to peripheral nerve dysfunction in persons yet without symptoms or signs of polyneuropathy.
Understanding asexual identity as a means to facilitate culturally competent care: A systematic literature review
Authors: Jones Catriona , Hayter Mark , Jomeen Julie
Published: April 2017

Aims and objectives

To provide a contemporary overview of asexuality and the implications this has for healthcare practice.

Background

Individuals belonging to sexual minority groups face many barriers in accessing appropriate health care. The term “sexual minority group” is usually used to refer to lesbian women, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. Anecdotal and research evidence suggests that those who identify as asexual have similar poor experiences.

Design

Systematic review and qualitative analysis.

Methods

This work uses a systematic review and qualitative analysis of the existing interview data from self‐identified asexuals, to construct features of the asexual identity. The findings will help practitioners and health professionals develop an understanding of this poorly understood construct. Ultimately this work is aimed at facilitating culturally competent care in the context of asexuality.

Results

Qualitative analysis produced three themes, which can be used, not only to frame asexuality in a positive and normalising way, but also to provide greater understanding of asexuality, “romantic differences coupled with sexual indifference,” “validation through engagement with asexual communities” and “a diversity of subasexual identities.”

Conclusions

Having some understanding of what it means to identify as asexual, and respecting the choices made by asexuals can markedly improve the experiences of those who embrace an asexual identity when engaging with health care.

Relevance to clinical practice

Anecdotal evidence, taken from one of the largest asexual online forums, suggests that a number of self‐identified asexuals choose not to disclose their identity to healthcare professionals through fear of their asexual status being pathologised, problematised or judged. Given that asexuality is a poorly understood concept, this may be due to lack of understanding on behalf of healthcare providers. The review provides health professionals and practitioners working in clinical settings with some insights of the features of an asexual identity to facilitate culturally competent care.
Luxury, State and Society: The Theme of Enslavement in Ibn Khaldun
Authors: Alatas Syed Farid
Published: April 2017

Classical social theory in the Western tradition concerned itself with the history of the human condition and sought answers to big questions such as the meaning of change and progress. They were interested in the nature, origins and consequences for human life of modern society, with its new means of organizing production as well as legal and political arrangements. Contrary to the optimism of the Enlightenment with its unbounded faith in the ability of reason and scientific inquiry to liberate humans from domination by both religion and nature, classical social theorists saw the negative side of modern civilization. This can be summarized in terms of the loss of freedom or the enslavement of humans, which each theorist understood as taking different forms. For Marx it was alienation, for Weber confinement in the iron‐cage of rationality, and for Durkheim anomie. Although Ibn Khaldun lived centuries before the rise of classical social theory and was by no means a product of the modern world, it is possible to read his work as thematising the absence of freedom or enslavement as well. Bringing out this aspect of Ibn Khaldun shows, to some extent, the modern relevance of his thought. This article elaborates on Ibn Khaldun's theme of enslavement via his discussion on luxury and senility. It is the enslavement of sedentary people to luxury that explains the loss of group feeling or ‘asabiyyah, setting in motion a chain of developments that results in the senility of the dynasty and its eventual demise. In the first section I discuss the Enlightenment promise of freedom. The section that follows discusses classical social theory's critique of modernity or what amounts to a loss of faith in the Enlightenment project. Here the thought of Marx, Weber and Durkheim are presented as examples of Western assessments of the problem of the human condition in modernity. I then turn in the next two sections to Ibn Khaldun, discussing his theory of the rise and decline of states in terms of the role played by luxury.
Cohabiting and Married Individuals' Relations With Their Partner's Parents
Authors: Aarskaug Wiik Kenneth , Bernhardt Eva
Published: April 2017

Using Norwegian survey data on partnered individuals ages 18 to 55 (N = 4,061; 31% cohabitors), the current study investigated differences across marital and cohabiting unions regarding the patterns of contact with the parents of the partner. In addition to investigating the frequency of such contact, we assessed the nature of and perceived quality of contacts with the partner's parents. The authors grouped respondents according to whether they had children with their partner and controlled for a range of selection characteristics. Results confirmed that parents with preschool children met their in‐laws more frequently than the childless, irrespective of union type. Married respondents as well as cohabitors with preschool children reported better relations with their partner's parents than childless cohabitors. Taken together, the results imply that having small children was more decisive for the relationship with the parents of the partner than getting married, particularly with regard to contact frequency.
Genomic evidence for population‐specific responses to co‐evolving parasites in a New Zealand freshwater snail
Authors: Bankers Laura , Fields Peter , McElroy Kyle E. , Boore Jeffrey L. , Logsdon John M. , Neiman Maurine
Published: April 2017

Reciprocal co‐evolving interactions between hosts and parasites are a primary source of strong selection that can promote rapid and often population‐ or genotype‐specific evolutionary change. These host–parasite interactions are also a major source of disease. Despite their importance, very little is known about the genomic basis of co‐evolving host–parasite interactions in natural populations, especially in animals. Here, we use gene expression and sequence evolution approaches to take critical steps towards characterizing the genomic basis of interactions between the freshwater snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum and its co‐evolving sterilizing trematode parasite, Microphallus sp., a textbook example of natural coevolution. We found that Microphallus‐infected P. antipodarum exhibit systematic downregulation of genes relative to uninfected P. antipodarum. The specific genes involved in parasite response differ markedly across lakes, consistent with a scenario where population‐level co‐evolution is leading to population‐specific host–parasite interactions and evolutionary trajectories. We also used an FST‐based approach to identify a set of loci that represent promising candidates for targets of parasite‐mediated selection across lakes as well as within each lake population. These results constitute the first genomic evidence for population‐specific responses to co‐evolving infection in the P. antipodarum‐Microphallus interaction and provide new insights into the genomic basis of co‐evolutionary interactions in nature.
Application of an embryonated chicken egg model to assess the vector competence of Australian Culicoides midges for bluetongue viruses
Authors: VAN DER SAAG M. R. , WARD M. P. , KIRKLAND P. D.
Published: April 2017

Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are vectors of a number of globally important arboviruses that affect livestock, including bluetongue virus (BTV), African horse sickness virus and the recently emerged Schmallenberg virus. In this study, a model using embryonated chicken eggs (ECEs) was utilized to undertake vector competence studies of Australian Culicoides spp. for 13 laboratory‐adapted or wild‐type virus strains of BTV. A total of 7393 Culicoides brevitarsis were reared from bovine dung, and 3364 Culicoides were induced to feed from ECEs infected with different strains of BTV. Of those, 911 (27%) survived the putative extrinsic incubation period of 9–12 days. In some trials, virus was also transmitted onward to uninfected ECEs, completing the transmission cycle. This model does not rely on the use of colonized midges and has the capacity to assess the vector competence of field‐collected insects with strains of virus that have not previously been passaged in laboratory culture systems. There is also potential for this model to be used in investigations of the competence of Culicoides spp. for other arboviruses.
Dietary shifts have consequences for the repertoire of allergens produced by the European house dust mite
Authors: VIDAL‐QUIST J. C. , ORTEGO F. , ROMBAUTS S. , CASTAÑERA P. , HERNÁNDEZ‐CRESPO P.
Published: April 2017

Products manufactured from mass‐cultured house dust mites, currently commercialized for the diagnosis and immunotherapy of allergy, are heterogeneous in terms of allergen composition and thus present concerns to regulatory authorities. The most abundant species, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Trouessart) (Astigmata: Pyroglyphidae), produces 19 allergenic proteins. Many of these are putatively involved in mite digestive physiology and metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mite‐rearing media on allergen production. Mites were adapted to feed on culture media supplemented with proteins, lipids, carbohydrates or beard shavings, and collected to quantify major allergens (Der p 1 and 2) by immunodetection, transcription of allergen genes by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and allergen‐related enzymatic activities. All culture media significantly affected the content of major allergens. Modification of macronutrients in the diet produced minor effects on the transcription of allergen genes, but significantly altered mite allergen‐related activities. The most remarkable impacts were detected in mites feeding on beard shavings and were reflected in reductions in the content of major allergens, alterations in the transcription of nine allergen genes, and changes in eight allergen‐related activities. These results demonstrate the importance of culture media to the quality and consistency of mite extracts used for pharmaceuticals, and highlight the need to further elucidate allergen production by mites in the laboratory and in domestic environments.
Prevalence of the reversed halo sign in neutropenic patients compared with non‐neutropenic patients: Data from a single‐centre study involving 27 patients with pulmonary mucormycosis (2003‐2016)
Authors: Bourcier Jessie , Heudes Pierre‐Marie , Morio Florent , Gastinne Thomas , Chevallier Patrice , Rialland‐Battisti Fanny , Garandeau Claire , Danner‐Boucher Isabelle , Le Pape Patrice , Frampas Eric , Moreau Philippe , Defrance Claire , Peterlin Pierre
Published: April 2017

Pulmonary mucormycosis (PM) is a life‐threatening infection and the diagnosis can be challenging. The objective was to retrospectively explore the value of the RHS in our cohort of 27 patients with mucormycosis and its relation to neutropenia. This was a retrospective study including all patients with a diagnosis of probable or proven invasive PM according to the 2008 EORTC/MSG criteria between September 2003 to April 2016. Fisher's exact test and Mann‐Whitney test, with a P‐value statistically significant under .05 (P<.05), were used to compare neutropenic and non‐neutropenic groups. 27 patients were eligible. The RHS could be identified in 78% of cases in the neutropenic group, and was less common in the non‐neutropenic group (31%) (P<.05). Reticulations inside ground‐glass opacity in case of RHS were present in 13 out of 15 patients (87%). Mucorales DNA detection by PCR on serum provided, a median time to the first PCR‐positive sample of 3 days (−33 to +60 days) before diagnosis was confirmed. Six patients had IPA co‐infection. In conclusion, RHS is more frequent in case of PM in neutropenic patients compare to non‐neutropenic patients. Its presence in immunocompromised patients should be sufficient to promptly start Mucorales‐active antifungal treatment, while its absence especially in non‐neutropenic cases should not be sufficient to exclude the diagnosis.
Epidemiology of invasive fungal diseases in children with solid tumours undergoing autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a 10‐year experience in a tertiary Italian centre
Authors: Tatarelli Paola , Faraci Maura , Caviglia Ilaria , Bandettini Roberto , Cangemi Giuliana , Magnano Gian Michele , Garaventa Alberto , Viscoli Claudio , Castagnola Elio
Published: April 2017

The objective of the study was to determine the incidence of invasive fungal disease (IFD) in children undergoing autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auHSCT) for solid tumours (ST). Retrospective study on auHSCT was performed in children with ST (January 2006‐December 2015). Data on the number of patient‐days at risk (pdr) during the first 30 and 90 days after auHSCT and cases of proven/probable IFDs were collected. Infection rate (IR, episodes/1000 pdr) and proportions and cumulative risk (CR) of IFD were evaluated. In 186 patients, 270 auHSCT were performed, for a total of 8327 pdr during the first 30 days and 24 366 up to day 90. Median age was 5 years (interquartile range 2;8), 63% were male. At day 30, seven procedures were complicated by IFD, with an IR of 0.84 (95% CI 0.66‐1.02) and aCR of 2.6% (95% CI 1.4‐5.4) at 18 days after HSCT. Within day 90, two further IFDs were detected with an IR of 0.37 (95% CI −0.49 to 1.23) and a CR of 3.3% (95% CI 1.7‐6.3) at day 69. Children undergoing auHSCT for ST have a low incidence of IFDs in the first 90 days after the procedure.