bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medical Spending of the US Elderly
Authors: De Nardi Mariacristina , French Eric , Jones John Bailey , McCauley Jeremy
Published: November 2016

We use data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) to document the medical spending of Americans aged 65 and older. We find that medical expenses more than double between ages 70 and 90 and that they are very concentrated: the top 10 per cent of all spenders are responsible for 52 per cent of medical spending in a given year. In addition, those currently experiencing either very low or very high medical expenses are likely to find themselves in the same position in the future. We also find that the poor consume more medical goods and services than the rich and have a much larger share of their expenses covered by the government. Overall, the government pays for over 65 per cent of the elderly's medical expenses. Despite this, the expenses that remain after government transfers are even more concentrated among a small group of people. Thus, government health insurance, while potentially very valuable, is far from complete. Finally, while medical expenses before death can be large, on average they constitute only a small fraction of total spending, both in the aggregate and over the life cycle. Hence, medical expenses before death do not appear to be an important driver of the high and increasing medical spending found in the US.
Health, Disability and Mortality Differences at Older Ages between the US and England
Authors: Banks James , Keynes Soumaya , Smith James P.
Published: November 2016

This paper examines health status differences between England and the United States, with an emphasis on the implications of any health disparities for health care cost differences between the two countries. We first document health status differences in disease prevalence, disability, mortality and co‐morbidity. We find higher disease prevalence in the US than in England (confirming previous findings) but much smaller differences between the two countries in disability and mortality. We attribute the smaller differences in disability to the fact that disability measures rely primarily on subjective questions on experiencing disabilities, which are reported differently in the two countries. Smaller mortality differences are most likely due to a combination of earlier disease diagnosis and more effective disease treatment in the US. Co‐morbidity is a common and important dimension of disease in both countries that is often neglected in scientific papers, especially by economists.

We find, however, that disease prevalence has little implication for out‐of‐pocket health care costs in the US except for relatively few individuals with particular diseases. Instead, costs are more associated with incidence than prevalence and with those who are going to die in the next year or two. Co‐morbidity is associated with higher costs but even this association is limited to a relatively small fraction of people who are co‐morbid.
Long‐Term Health Spending Persistence among the Privately Insured in the US
Authors: Hirth Richard A. , Calónico Sebastian , Gibson Teresa B. , Levy Helen , Smith Jeffrey , Das Anup
Published: November 2016

There is little current information regarding the long‐term persistence of health spending in the United States, in particular among the population aged under 65 (pre‐Medicare eligibility). We describe and model the extent of persistence over a six‐year period (2003–08) using medical and pharmacy claims for over 3 million employees, retirees and dependants derived from the Truven Health MarketScan database. Overall, substantial persistence in spending exists, particularly at the extremes of the distribution and for pharmaceutical spending. Error components models are estimated to separate transient from persistent variation in spending, and dynamic probit models are estimated to assess the predictive power of demographic and co‐morbid conditions and prior high spending in determining the likelihood of future high spending. A better understanding of the persistence of health spending can inform the selection and evaluation of appropriate interventions to address high costs, and can help forecast the likelihood and severity of adverse selection in public and private programmes.
On the Complementarity of the Ages of Life
Authors: Weinstock Daniel
Published: November 2016

In a pair of influential papers, Tamar Schapiro argues that childhood is a ‘predicament’, in that children lack stable characters that allow them to be subjects of ascriptions of moral responsibility. Comparing childhood to the political ‘state of nature’, Schapiro holds that childhood is a stage of life from which agents must be liberated. I argue that the comparison to the state of nature gives rise to the implication that ‘instantaneous adulthood’ would be a desirable state. Canvassing the nascent literature on ‘intrinsic goods of childhood’, I hold that such views cannot defeat Schapiro's implications, as they are based on theories of value that beg the question against Schapiro's. Only if childhood can be shown to be a necessary stage toward a normatively attractive adulthood can the ‘instantaneous adulthood’ implication be defeated. I show that Schapiro's view is only plausible if it incorporates the endorsement condition and the articulacy condition. But these are incompatible with instantaneous adulthood. Childhood can be seen as the stage in life in which agents actively endorse their characters, and gain articulacy with respect to the maxims that constitute them.
Productive procrastination: academic procrastination style predicts academic and alcohol outcomes
Authors: Westgate Erin C. , Wormington Stephanie V. , Oleson Kathryn C. , Lindgren Kristen P.
Published: November 2016

Productive procrastination replaces one adaptive behavior with another adaptive—albeit less important—behavior (e.g., organizing notes instead of studying for an exam). We identified adaptive and maladaptive procrastination styles associated with academic and alcohol outcomes in 1,106 college undergraduates. Cluster analysis identified five academic procrastination styles—non‐procrastinators, academic productive procrastinators, non‐academic productive procrastinators, non‐academic procrastinators, and classic procrastinators. Procrastination style differentially predicted alcohol‐related problems, cravings, risk of alcohol use disorders, and grade point average (all ps < .01). Non‐procrastination and academic productive procrastination were most adaptive overall; non‐academic productive procrastination, non‐academic procrastination, and classic procrastination were least adaptive. Productive procrastination differed from other procrastination strategies, and maladaptive procrastination styles may be a useful risk indicator for preventative and intervention efforts.
The inbreeding strategy of a solitary primate, Microcebus murinus
Authors: Huchard E. , Schliehe‐Diecks S. , Kappeler P. M. , Kraus C.
Published: November 2016

Inbreeding depression may be common in nature, reflecting either the failure of inbreeding avoidance strategies or inbreeding tolerance when avoidance is costly. The combined assessment of inbreeding risk, avoidance and depression is therefore fundamental to evaluate the inbreeding strategy of a population, that is how individuals respond to the risk of inbreeding. Here, we use the demographic and genetic monitoring of 10 generations of wild grey mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus), small primates from Madagascar with overlapping generations, to examine their inbreeding strategy. Grey mouse lemurs have retained ancestral mammalian traits, including solitary lifestyle, polygynandry and male‐biased dispersal, and may therefore offer a representative example of the inbreeding strategy of solitary mammals. The occurrence of close kin among candidate mates was frequent in young females (~37%, most often the father) and uncommon in young males (~6%) due to male‐biased dispersal. However, close kin consistently represented a tiny fraction of candidate mates (< 1%) across age and sex categories. Mating biases favouring partners with intermediate relatedness were detectable in yearling females and adult males, possibly partly caused by avoidance of daughter–father matings. Finally, inbreeding depression, assessed as the effect of heterozygosity on survival, was undetectable using a capture–mark–recapture study. Overall, these results indicate that sex‐biased dispersal is a primary inbreeding avoidance mechanism at the population level, and mating biases represent an additional strategy that may mitigate residual inbreeding costs at the individual level. Combined, these mechanisms explain the rarity of inbreeding and the lack of detectable inbreeding depression in this large, genetically diverse population.
Real‐life efficacy and safety of paritaprevir/ritonavir, ombitasvir, and dasabuvir in chronic hepatitis C patients in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Henry Lik‐Yuen , Tsang Owen Tak‐Yin , Hui Yee‐Tak , Fung James , Lui Grace Chung‐Yan , Lai Ching‐Lung , Wong Grace Lai‐Hung , Chan Kam‐Hon , But David Yiu‐Kuen , Lai Moon‐Sing , Lao Wai‐Cheung , Chan Carmen Ka‐Man , Lam Yip‐Shun , Seto Wai‐Kay , Li Carlton , Yuen Man‐Fung , Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun
Published: November 2016

Background and Aim

In registration studies, combination therapy of paritaprevir/ritonavir, ombitasvir, and dasabuvir (PrOD) with and without ribavirin for 12–24 weeks can achieve > 90% sustained virological response (SVR) for genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, data in Asia is scanty. We aimed to study the efficacy and safety of this combination therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients in Hong Kong.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from six local hospitals that have prescribed PrOD with and without ribavirin to patients with genotype 1 chronic HCV infection as part of a global compassionate program.

Results

Among 41 patients treated, 35 (85%) patients had genotype 1b HCV infection, 6 (15%) had co‐infection with human immunodeficiency virus, 35 (85%) failed previous peginterferon and ribavirin therapy, 25 (61%) had compensated liver cirrhosis, and 3 (7%) had liver transplantation. Thirty‐five (85%) patients received 12‐week treatment and six patients received 24‐week treatment; 26 (63%) patients received ribavirin combination. Thirty‐nine (95%; 95% confidence interval 88.5–100%) patients had undetectable HCV RNA at 12‐week post‐treatment, that is, SVR. The two patients who did not develop SVR discontinued treatment prematurely; both of them were treatment experienced with liver cirrhosis complicated by acute renal failure unrelated to the treatment of PrOD and ribavirin. No patient had hepatic decompensation.

Conclusions

Paritaprevir/ritonavir, ombitasvir, and dasabuvir with or without ribavirin is effective and safe in patients with genotype 1 HCV infection in real‐life clinical setting in Hong Kong.
Tri‐focal Model of Care Implementation: Perspectives of Residents and Family
Authors: Hutchinson Alison , Rawson Helen , O'Connell Beverly , Walker Helen , Bucknall Tracey , Forbes Helen , Ostaszkiewicz Joan , Ockerby Cherene
Published: November 2016

Purpose

To explore residents’ and family members’ perceptions of partnership‐centered long‐term care (LTC) associated with implementation of the Tri‐focal Model of Care. The Model promotes partnership‐centered care, evidence‐based practice, and a positive environment. Its implementation is supported by a specifically designed education program.

Methods

The Model was implemented over approximately 12 months in seven LTC facilities in Victoria, Australia. A qualitative exploratory‐descriptive approach was used. Data were collected using individual and focus group interviews with residents and family members prior to and following implementation of the Model. Data were analyzed thematically.

Findings

Prior to implementation of the Model, residents described experiencing a sense of disempowerment, and emphasized the importance of communication, engagement, and being a partner in the staff–resident care relationship. Following implementation, residents reported experiencing improved partnership approaches to care, although there were factors that impacted on having a good experience. Family members described a desire to remain involved in the resident's life by establishing good communication and rapport with staff. They acknowledged this was important for partnership‐centered care. Following implementation, they described experiencing a partnership with staff, giving them confidence to assist staff and be included in decisions about the resident.

Conclusions

The Tri‐focal Model of Care can enable residents, family members, and staff to be partners in resident care in LTC settings.

Clinical Relevance

With an ageing population, an increasing demand for complex, individualized LTC exists. Delivery of high‐quality LTC requires a strategy to implement a partnership‐centered approach, involving residents, family members, and staff.
Letter to the editor – HPV vaccine and autoimmunity Incidence of new‐onset autoimmune disease in girls and women with pre‐existing autoimmune disease after quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccination: a cohort study
Authors: Dahan S. , Shoenfeld Y.
Published: November 2016

Click here to view the Letter to the Editor by Dr. O. Grönlund et al.
Promise of Combining Antifungal Agents in Denture Adhesives to Fight Candida Species Infections
Authors: Garaicoa Jorge L. , Fischer Carol L. , Bates Amber M. , Holloway Julie , Avila‐Ortiz Gustavo , Guthmiller Janet M. , Johnson Georgia K. , Stanford Clark , Brogden Kim A.
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Several complications may arise in patients wearing complete prosthetic appliances, including denture‐associated infections and mucosal stomatitis due to Candida species. This study evaluated the activity of anti‐Candida agents in denture adhesive and the cytotoxicities of these preparations for primary human gingival epithelial (GE) keratinocytes.

Materials and Methods

The anti‐Candida activities of antimicrobial peptides, antimicrobial lipids, and antifungal agents against C. albicans ATCC 64124 or HMV4C were assessed in microdilution assays containing water or 1% denture adhesive. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and the minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were determined. The cytotoxicities of denture adhesive compounded with these agents were assessed in 1.0 × 105 primary GE keratinocytes in LGM‐3 media with resazurin.

Results

Lactoferricin B, SMAP28, sphingosine, dihydrosphingosine, and phytosphingosine in 1% denture adhesive lost antimicrobial activity for C. albicans (p < 0.05). Amphotericin B, chlorhexidine dihydrochloride, chlorhexidine gluconate, fluconazole, and nystatin in 1% denture adhesive or compounded directly into denture adhesive and then diluted to 1% adhesive, did not lose antimicrobial activity. Compounded formulations were not cytotoxic (LD50 > 100.0 μg/ml) against primary human GE keratinocytes.

Conclusions

Antimicrobial peptides and antimicrobial lipids had diminished activities in 1% adhesive, suggesting that components in adhesives may inactivate local innate immune factors in the oral cavity, possibly predisposing denture wearers to Candida species infections. More importantly, antifungal agents retained their anti‐C. albicans activities in denture adhesive, strongly suggesting that antifungal agents could be candidates for inclusion in adhesive formulations and used as prescribed topical treatments for individuals with denture stomatitis.
Selenium‐enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae improves growth, antioxidant status and selenoprotein gene expression in Arbor Acres broilers
Authors: Chen F. , Zhu L. , Qiu H. , Qin S.
Published: November 2016

One hundred and fifty 7‐day‐old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly assigned into five groups: group 1 served as a control that was fed a basal diet without selenium (Se) supplementation; groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.15, 0.5 and 1.5 mg Se as Se‐enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SSC) per kg of diet; and group 5 was fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.15 mg per kg of Se as sodium selenite (SS). Growth performance, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in plasma and liver, and cellular glutathione peroxidase (GPX‐1) and phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (GPX‐4) mRNA levels in liver were determined. Compared with group 1, groups 2–4 exhibited higher body weights (p < 0.05), lower feed/gain ratios, and higher GPX activities in plasma (p < 0.05) and GPX and SOD activities and GPX‐1 and GPX‐4 mRNA levels in liver (p < 0.05). Compared with group 5, group 2 exhibited higher GPX activity in plasma on day 21 (p < 0.05). Compared with group 2 and 5, group 3 exhibited lower MDA content in plasma on day 7 (p < 0.05), higher GPX activity in plasma, SOD activity and GPX‐1 mRNA levels in liver on day 14 and 21 (p < 0.05), and higher GPX‐4 mRNA levels on day 14 (p < 0.05). Compared with group 4, group 3 exhibited lower MDA contents in plasma on day 14 (p < 0.05) and in liver on day 21 (p < 0.05), higher T‐AOC in plasma and higher GPX‐1 mRNA levels on day 14 and 21 (p < 0.05), and higher SOD activity in plasma and higher SOD and GPX activities in liver on day 21 (p < 0.05). Thus, SSC improves growth and antioxidant status of broilers; the short‐term bioavailability of SS was faster than that of SSC, but the long‐term bioavailability of SSC was greater than SS.
Dietary linseed oil in the maternal diet affects immunoglobulins, tissue fatty acid composition and expression of lipid metabolism‐related genes in piglets
Authors: Chen X. L. , Wang N. , Tian M. L. , Wang L. , Liu T. , Zhang X. W. , Shi B. M. , Shan A. S.
Published: November 2016

This experiment investigated the effects of supplementing the maternal diet with linseed oil (LSO) and soya bean oil (SBO) on immunoglobulins, the fatty acid composition and hepatic expression of lipid metabolism‐related genes in piglets. Multiparous sows (twenty‐four per diet) were fed on diets containing a supplement of either SBO or LSO during last week of gestation and lactation. The results indicated that supplementation of maternal diet with LSO could improve the weaning weight of piglets and average daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.05). The concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) was enhanced in sow plasma, colostrum and milk by the addition of LSO (p < 0.05). In addition, the concentration of 18: 3n‐3 fatty acids was higher in the milk of LSO sows. Meanwhile, maternal supplementation with LSO increased the levels of plasma IgG, IgA and the tissues n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in piglets (p < 0.05). Correspondingly, the mRNA expression levels of hepatic ∆5‐desaturase (D5D) and ∆6‐desaturase (D6D) were higher, and fatty acid synthase (FAS) was lower in piglets from LSO‐fed sows when compared with that in the SBO group. In conclusion, LSO supplementation of the maternal diet increases immunoglobulins, modifies the fatty acid composition and affects the gene of D5D and D6D expression of piglets.
The Longitudinal Effect of Bilingual Immersion Schooling on Cognitive Control and Intelligence*
Authors: Woumans Evy , Surmont Jill , Struys Esli , Duyck Wouter
Published: November 2016

Throughout the past century, the effects of bilingualism on general cognition have been extensively explored. Studies evolved from a negative to a more positive perspective, but longitudinal assessments of effects of bilingualism are scarce. This study investigated the long‐term effect of becoming a bilingual on the development of general intelligence and cognitive control. We followed 27 five‐year‐old children initiating bilingual kindergarten and 27 age‐matched controls enrolled in monolingual kindergarten. The two groups were similar with regard to socioeconomic status. At baseline, both groups spoke only French and performed equally on measures of intelligence, cognitive control, and verbal fluency. One year later, all children were tested again. Results revealed that, after 1 year, both groups improved similarly on verbal fluency and cognitive control. However, only children attending bilingual kindergarten improved significantly on intelligence, indicating that cognitive practice gained from acquiring a second language may improve general cognitive abilities assessed by intelligence tests, outside the verbal domain.
Learning to Comprehend Foreign‐Accented Speech by Means of Production and Listening Training
Authors: Grohe Ann‐Kathrin , Weber Andrea
Published: November 2016

The effects of production and listening training on the subsequent comprehension of foreign‐accented speech were investigated in a training‐test paradigm. During training, German nonnative (L2) and English native (L1) participants listened to a story spoken by a German speaker who replaced all English /θ/s with /t/ (e.g., *teft for theft) or they produced the story themselves with the t‐substitutes. During test, participants made auditory lexical decisions to English words with t‐substitutes. L2 participants’ reaction times to words from the training were significantly faster after having produced the story than after no training; having listened to the short story also resulted in faster reaction times, but less strongly so. For L1 participants, the facilitatory effect of training did not differ significantly between production and listening training. Thus, only for L2 participants, the effect of accent production for adaptation was superior to accent listening.
Regulatory gene mutation: a driving force behind group a Streptococcus strain‐ and serotype‐specific variation
Authors: Sarkar Poulomee , Sumby Paul
Published: November 2016

Data from multiple bacterial pathogens are consistent with regulator‐encoding genes having higher mutation frequencies than the genome average. Such mutations drive both strain‐ and type‐ (e.g., serotype, haplotype) specific phenotypic heterogeneity, and may challenge public health due to the potential of variants to circumvent established treatment and/or preventative regimes. Here, using the human bacterial pathogen the group A Streptococcus (GAS; S. pyogenes) as a model organism, we review the types and regulatory‐, phenotypic‐, and disease‐specific consequences of naturally occurring regulatory gene mutations. Strain‐specific regulator mutations that will be discussed include examples that transform isolates into hyper‐invasive forms by enhancing expression of immunomodulatory virulence factors, and examples that promote asymptomatic carriage of the organism. The discussion of serotype‐specific regulator mutations focuses on serotype M3 GAS isolates, and how the identified rewiring of regulatory networks in this serotype may be contributing to a decades old epidemiological association of M3 isolates with particularly severe invasive infections. We conclude that mutation plays an outsized role in GAS pathogenesis and has clinical relevance. Given the phenotypic variability associated with regulatory gene mutations, the rapid examination of these genes in infecting isolates may inform with respect to potential patient complications and treatment options.
RWP‐RK domain‐containing transcription factors control cell differentiation during female gametophyte development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Tedeschi Francesca , Rizzo Paride , Rutten Twan , Altschmied Lothar , Bäumlein Helmut
Published: November 2016

The formation of gametes is a prerequisite for any sexually reproducing organism in order to complete its life cycle. In plants, female gametes are formed in a multicellular tissue, the female gametophyte or embryo sac. Although the events leading to the formation of the female gametophyte have been morphologically characterized, the molecular control of embryo sac development remains elusive.

We used single and double mutants as well as cell‐specific marker lines to characterize a novel class of gene regulators in Arabidopsis thaliana, the RWP‐RK domain‐containing (RKD) transcription factors. Morphological and histological analyses were conducted using confocal laser scanning and differential interference contrast microscopy. Gene expression and transcriptome analyses were performed using quantitative reverse transcription−PCR and RNA sequencing, respectively.

Our results showed that RKD genes are expressed during distinct stages of embryo sac development. Morphological analysis of the mutants revealed severe distortions in gametophyte polarity and cell differentiation. Transcriptome analysis revealed changes in the expression of several gametophyte‐specific gene families (RKD2 and RKD3) and ovule development‐specific genes (RKD3), and identified pleiotropic effects on phytohormone pathways (RKD5).

Our data provide novel insight into the regulatory control of female gametophyte development. RKDs are involved in the control of cell differentiation and are required for normal gametophytic development.
Re‐annotation, improved large‐scale assembly and establishment of a catalogue of noncoding loci for the genome of the model brown alga Ectocarpus
Authors: Cormier Alexandre , Avia Komlan , Sterck Lieven , Derrien Thomas , Wucher Valentin , Andres Gwendoline , Monsoor Misharl , Godfroy Olivier , Lipinska Agnieszka , Perrineau Marie‐Mathilde , Van De Peer Yves , Hitte Christophe , Corre Erwan , Coelho Susana M. , Cock J. Mark
Published: November 2016

The genome of the filamentous brown alga Ectocarpus was the first to be completely sequenced from within the brown algal group and has served as a key reference genome both for this lineage and for the stramenopiles.

We present a complete structural and functional reannotation of the Ectocarpus genome.

The large‐scale assembly of the Ectocarpus genome was significantly improved and genome‐wide gene re‐annotation using extensive RNA‐seq data improved the structure of 11 108 existing protein‐coding genes and added 2030 new loci. A genome‐wide analysis of splicing isoforms identified an average of 1.6 transcripts per locus. A large number of previously undescribed noncoding genes were identified and annotated, including 717 loci that produce long noncoding RNAs. Conservation of lncRNAs between Ectocarpus and another brown alga, the kelp Saccharina japonica, suggests that at least a proportion of these loci serve a function. Finally, a large collection of single nucleotide polymorphism‐based markers was developed for genetic analyses. These resources are available through an updated and improved genome database.

This study significantly improves the utility of the Ectocarpus genome as a high‐quality reference for the study of many important aspects of brown algal biology and as a reference for genomic analyses across the stramenopiles.
The diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum adjusts nonphotochemical fluorescence quenching capacity in response to dynamic light via fine‐tuned Lhcx and xanthophyll cycle pigment synthesis
Authors: Lepetit Bernard , Gélin Gautier , Lepetit Mariana , Sturm Sabine , Vugrinec Sascha , Rogato Alessandra , Kroth Peter G. , Falciatore Angela , Lavaud Johann
Published: November 2016

Diatoms contain a highly flexible capacity to dissipate excessively absorbed light by nonphotochemical fluorescence quenching (NPQ) based on the light‐induced conversion of diadinoxanthin (Dd) into diatoxanthin (Dt) and the presence of Lhcx proteins. Their NPQ fine regulation on the molecular level upon a shift to dynamic light conditions is unknown.

We investigated the regulation of Dd + Dt amount, Lhcx gene and protein synthesis and NPQ capacity in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum after a change from continuous low light to 3 d of sine (SL) or fluctuating (FL) light conditions. Four P. tricornutum strains with different NPQ capacities due to different expression of Lhcx1 were included.

All strains responded to dynamic light comparably, independently of initial NPQ capacity. During SL, NPQ capacity was strongly enhanced due to a gradual increase of Lhcx2 and Dd + Dt amount. During FL, cells enhanced their NPQ capacity on the first day due to increased Dd + Dt, Lhcx2 and Lhcx3; already by the second day light acclimation was accomplished. While quenching efficiency of Dt was strongly lowered during SL conditions, it remained high throughout the whole FL exposure.

Our results highlight a more balanced and cost‐effective photoacclimation strategy of P. tricornutum under FL than under SL conditions.
H+‐pyrophosphatase IbVP1 promotes efficient iron use in sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.]
Authors: Fan Weijuan , Wang Hongxia , Wu Yinliang , Yang Nan , Yang Jun , Zhang Peng
Published: November 2016

Iron (Fe) deficiency is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies limiting crop production globally, especially in arid regions because of decreased availability of iron in alkaline soils. Sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] grows well in arid regions and is tolerant to Fe deficiency. Here, we report that the transcription of type I H+‐pyrophosphatase (H+‐PPase) gene IbVP1 in sweet potato plants was strongly induced by Fe deficiency and auxin in hydroponics, improving Fe acquisition via increased rhizosphere acidification and auxin regulation. When overexpressed, transgenic plants show higher pyrophosphate hydrolysis and plasma membrane H+‐ATPase activity compared with the wild type, leading to increased rhizosphere acidification. The IbVP1‐overexpressing plants showed better growth, including enlarged root systems, under Fe‐sufficient or Fe‐deficient conditions. Increased ferric precipitation and ferric chelate reductase activity in the roots of transgenic lines indicate improved iron uptake, which is also confirmed by increased Fe content and up‐regulation of Fe uptake genes, e.g. FRO2, IRT1 and FIT. Carbohydrate metabolism is significantly affected in the transgenic lines, showing increased sugar and starch content associated with the increased expression of AGPase and SUT1 genes and the decrease in β‐amylase gene expression. Improved antioxidant capacities were also detected in the transgenic plants, which showed reduced H2O2 accumulation associated with up‐regulated ROS‐scavenging activity. Therefore, H+‐PPase plays a key role in the response to Fe deficiency by sweet potato and effectively improves the Fe acquisition by overexpressing IbVP1 in crops cultivated in micronutrient‐deficient soils.
Kinase gene fusions in defined subsets of melanoma
Authors: Turner Jacqueline , Couts Kasey , Sheren Jamie , Saichaemchan Siriwimon , Ariyawutyakorn Witthawat , Avolio Izabela , Cabral Ethan , Glogowska Magdelena , Amato Carol , Robinson Steven , Hintzsche Jennifer , Applegate Allison , Seelenfreund Eric , Gonzalez Rita , Wells Keith , Bagby Stacey , Tentler John , Tan Aik‐Choon , Wisell Joshua , Varella‐Garcia Marileila , Robinson William
Published: November 2016

Genomic rearrangements resulting in activating kinase fusions have been increasingly described in a number of cancers including malignant melanoma, but their frequency in specific melanoma subtypes has not been reported. We used break‐apart fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to identify genomic rearrangements in tissues from 59 patients with various types of malignant melanoma including acral lentiginous, mucosal, superficial spreading, and nodular. We identified four genomic rearrangements involving the genes BRAF, RET, and ROS1. Of these, three were confirmed by Immunohistochemistry (IHC) or sequencing and one was found to be an ARMC10‐BRAF fusion that has not been previously reported in melanoma. These fusions occurred in different subtypes of melanoma but all in tumors lacking known driver mutations. Our data suggest gene fusions are more common than previously thought and should be further explored particularly in melanomas lacking known driver mutations.
Skin microtopography as a measure of photoaging and risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in a US population
Authors: Kuklinski Lawrence Fitzgerald , Zens Michael Scot , Perry Ann E. , Green Adele C. , Karagas Margaret R.
Published: November 2016

Background

Skin microtopography as a measure of photoaging is a noninvasive approach to measuring chronic ultraviolet radiation exposure and reflects the degree of dermal elastosis in populations of European descent in the subtropics. Less is known about the utility of this approach in populations at different latitudes, and whether it relates to skin cancer risk.

Methods

A population‐based case–control study of 342 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cases and 331 age‐ and gender‐matched controls were evaluated for histologic evidence of solar damage and severity of photoaging based on microtopography on a six‐grade scale. Odds ratios (OR) for SCC associated with degree of photoaging were estimated using logistic regression analysis adjusted for potentially confounding factors.

Results

After adjustment for known risk factors, SCC was associated with increasing photoaging grade (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 0.9–3.0 for severe photoaging; OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.6–5.0 for very severe photoaging). Associations remained among those with actinic keratosis (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 0.9–12.4 for severe photoaging, OR = 5.7, 95% CI = 1.7–19.6 for very severe photoaging).

Limitations

There was limited statistical power, particularly for subgroup analyses.

Conclusion

Our findings provide further evidence of microtopography as an independent, objective indicator of risk of SCC.
The Politics of Livability: Tutoring “Kinwork” in a New Delhi Women's Arbitration Center
Authors: Lemons Katherine
Published: November 2016

This article provides an analysis of dispute adjudication in a women's arbitration center, or mahila panchayat, in New Delhi, India. In analyzing two exemplary cases from my fieldwork, I argue that mahila panchayat adjudication tends to tutor kinwork as a means of producing livable lives within a context of material and ideological constraint. Successfully adjudicated cases culminate in contracts that explicitly enumerate the demands of marriage and the requirements of reconciliation, thereby rendering disputants responsible subjects who are accountable to the contracts’ terms. This formal conclusion to the adjudication process reflects the mahila panchayat's politics of livability, which entail teaching women to live with and through kinship norms by recognizing and rationally relating to them.
Mixed pollen load and late‐acting self‐incompatibility flexibility in Adenocalymma peregrinum (Miers) L.G. Lohmann (Bignonieae: Bignoniaceae)
Authors: Duarte M. O. , Mendes‐Rodrigues C. , Alves M. F. , Oliveira P. E. , Sampaio D. S.
Published: November 2016

Mixed cross and self‐pollen load on the stigma (mixed pollination) of species with late‐acting self‐incompatibility system (LSI) can lead to self‐fertilized seed production. This “cryptic self‐fertility” may allow selfed seedling development in species otherwise largely self‐sterile. Our aims were to check if mixed pollinations would lead to fruit set in LSI Adenocalymma peregrinum, and test for evidence of early‐acting inbreeding depression in putative selfed seeds from mixed pollinations.

Experimental pollinations were carried out in a natural population. Fruit and seed set from self‐, cross and mixed pollinations were analysed. Further germination tests were carried out for the seeds obtained from treatments.

Our results confirm self‐incompatibility, and fruit set from cross‐pollinations was three‐fold that from mixed pollinations. This low fruit set in mixed pollinations is most likely due to a greater number of self‐ than cross‐fertilized ovules, which promotes LSI action and pistil abortion. Likewise, higher percentage of empty seeds in surviving fruits from mixed pollinations compared with cross‐pollinations is probably due to ovule discounting caused by self‐fertilization. Moreover, germinability of seeds with developed embryos was lower in fruits from mixed than from cross‐pollinations, and the non‐viable seeds from mixed pollinations showed one‐third of the mass of those from cross‐pollinations.

The great number of empty seeds, lower germinability, lower mass of non‐viable seeds, and higher variation in seed mass distribution in mixed pollinations, strongly suggests early‐acing inbreeding depression in putative selfed seeds. In this sense, LSI and inbreeding depression acting together probably constrain self‐fertilized seedling establishment in A. peregrinum.
The insect vector Cacopsylla picta vertically transmits the bacterium ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ to its progeny
Authors: Mittelberger C. , Obkircher L. , Oettl S. , Oppedisano T. , Pedrazzoli F. , Panassiti B. , Kerschbamer C. , Anfora G. , Janik K.
Published: November 2016

The phloem‐sucking psyllid Cacopsylla picta plays an important role in transmitting the bacterium ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’, the agent associated with apple proliferation disease. The psyllid can ingest ‘Ca. Phytoplasma mali’ from infected apple trees and spread the bacterium by subsequently feeding on uninfected trees. Until now, this has been the most important method of ‘Ca. Phytoplasma mali’ transmission. The aim of this study was to investigate whether infected C. picta are able to transmit ‘Ca. Phytoplasma mali’ directly to their progeny. This method of transmission would allow the bacteria to bypass a time‐consuming reproductive cycle in the host plant. Furthermore, this would cause a high number of infected F1 individuals in the vector population. To address this question, eggs, nymphs and adults derived from infected overwintering adults of C. picta were reared on non‐infected apple saplings and subsequently tested for the presence of ‘Ca. Phytoplasma mali’. In this study it was shown for the first time that infected C. picta individuals transmit ‘Ca. Phytoplasma mali’ to their eggs, nymphs and F1 adults, thus providing the basis for a more detailed understanding of ‘Ca. Phytoplasma mali’ transmission by C. picta.
Thep-filter: Multilayer False Discovery Rate Control for Grouped Hypotheses
Authors: Barber Rina Foygel , Ramdas Aaditya
Published: November 2016

In many practical applications of multiple testing, there are natural ways to partition the hypotheses into groups by using the structural, spatial or temporal relatedness of the hypotheses, and this prior knowledge is not used in the classical Benjamini–Hochberg procedure for controlling the false discovery rate (FDR). When one can define (possibly several) such partitions, it may be desirable to control the group FDR simultaneously for all partitions (as special cases, the ‘finest’ partition divides the n hypotheses into n groups of one hypothesis each, and this corresponds to controlling the usual notion of FDR, whereas the ‘coarsest’ partition puts all n hypotheses into a single group, and this corresponds to testing the global null hypothesis). We introduce the p-filter, which takes as input a list of n p-values and M ⩾ 1 partitions of hypotheses, and produces as output a list of n or fewer discoveries such that the group FDR is provably simultaneously controlled for all partitions. Importantly, since the partitions are arbitrary, our procedure can also handle multiple partitions which are non-hierarchical. The p-filter generalizes two classical procedures—when M = 1, choosing the finest partition into n singletons, we exactly recover the Benjamini–Hochberg procedure, whereas, choosing instead the coarsest partition with a single group of size n, we exactly recover the Simes test for the global null hypothesis. We verify our findings with simulations that show how this technique can not only lead to the aforementioned multilayer FDR control but also lead to improved precision of rejected hypotheses. We present some illustrative results from an application to a neuroscience problem with functional magnetic resonance imaging data, where hypotheses are explicitly grouped according to predefined regions of interest in the brain, thus allowing the scientist to employ field-specific prior knowledge explicitly and flexibly.
Mesozoic climates and oceans – a tribute to Hugh Jenkyns and Helmut Weissert
Authors: Robinson Stuart A. , Heimhofer Ulrich , Hesselbo Stephen P. , Petrizzo Maria Rose
Published: November 2016

The study of past greenhouse climate intervals in Earth history, such as the Mesozoic, is an important, relevant and dynamic area of research for many sedimentary geologists, geochemists, palaeontologists and climate modellers. The Mesozoic sedimentary record provides key insights into the mechanics of how the Earth system works under warmer conditions, providing examples of natural climate change and perturbations to ocean chemistry, including anoxia, that are of societal relevance for understanding and contextualizing ongoing and future environmental problems. Furthermore, the deposition of widespread organic‐carbon‐rich sediments (‘black shales’) during the Mesozoic means that this is an era of considerable economic interest. In July 2015, an international group of geoscientists attended a workshop in Ascona, Switzerland, to discuss all aspects of the Mesozoic world and to celebrate the four‐decade‐long contributions made by Hugh Jenkyns (University of Oxford) and Helmut Weissert (ETH Zürich) to our understanding of this fascinating era in Earth history. This volume of Sedimentology arose from that meeting and contains papers inspired by (and co‐authored by!) Hugh and Helmi. Here, a brief introduction to the volume is provided that reviews aspects of Hugh and Helmi's major achievements; contextualizes the papers of the Thematic Issue; and discusses some of the outstanding questions and areas for future research.
Non‐invasive evaluation of skin tension lines with elastic waves
Authors: Deroy C. , Destrade M. , Mc Alinden A. , Ní Annaidh A.
Published: November 2016

Background

Since their discovery by Karl Langer in the 19th Century, Skin Tension Lines (STLs) have been used by surgeons to decide the location and orientation of an incision. Although these lines are patient‐specific, most surgeons rely on generic maps to determine their orientation. Beyond the imprecise pinch test, there remains no accepted method for determining STLs in vivo.

Methods

(i) The speed of an elastic motion travelling radially on the skin of canine cadavers was measured with a commercial device called the Reviscometer®. (ii) Similar to the original experiments conducted by Karl Langer, circular excisions were made on the skin and the geometric changes to the resulting wounds and excised samples were used to determine the orientation of STLs.

Results

A marked anisotropy in the speed of the elastic wave travelling radially was observed. The orientation of the fastest wave was found to correlate with the orientation of the elongated wound (P<0.001, R2=74%). Similarly, the orientation of fastest wave was the same for both in vivo and excised isolated samples, indicating that the STLs have a structural basis. Resulting wounds expanded by an average area of 9% (+16% along STL and −10% across) while excised skin shrunk by an average area of 33% (23% along STL and 10% across).

Conclusion

Elastic surface wave propagation has been validated experimentally as a robust method for determining the orientation of STLs non‐destructively and non‐invasively. This study has implications for the identification of STLs and for the prediction of skin tension levels, both important factors in both human and veterinary reconstructive surgery.
Patterning corrosion‐susceptible metallic alloys for digital image correlation in a scanning electron microscope
Authors: Githens A. , Daly S.
Published: November 2016

We investigate the self‐assembly of gold nanoparticles on the surface of magnesium functionalized with 3‐(aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane or 3‐(mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane. These nanoparticles served as a speckle pattern for high magnification deformation tracking via digital image correlation combined with scanning electron microscopy. Controlling the pH of the gold nanoparticle suspension to a specific basicity passivated corrosion in magnesium and in three of its alloys to enable proper nanoparticle bonding and self‐assembly. Magnesium was used as a model material as it is particularly difficult to modify for self‐assembly because of its propensity to quickly form a thick oxide, hydroxide, and carbonate layer in the presence of oxygen, water, and carbon dioxide, respectively. Moreover, it corrodes in acidic and slightly basic solutions, further complicating the self‐assembly process. Due to these difficulties, the successful self‐assembly of nanoparticles on magnesium has not previously been reported, to the best of the authors' knowledge. This technique is potentially amendable to other corrosion‐susceptible materials. Gold nanoparticles were self‐assembled in a uniformly dispersed random distribution on pure cast magnesium, cast AM60 (Mg‐6Al‐0.5Mn), rolled WE43 (Mg‐4Y‐3Nd/Gd), and extruded ZE20 (Mg‐2Zn‐0.2Ce).
Cognitive Analysis of Educational Games: The Number Game
Authors: van der Maas Han L. J. , Nyamsuren Enkhbold
Published: November 2016

We analyze the cognitive strategies underlying performance in the Number task, a Math game that requires both arithmetic fluency and mathematical creativity. In this game all elements in a set of numbers (for instance, 2, 5, 9) have to be used precisely once to create a target number (for instance, 27) with basic arithmetic operations (solution: [5−2] × 9). We argue that some instances of this game are NP complete, by showing its relation to the well‐known Partition problem. We propose heuristics based on the distinction in forward and backward reasoning. The Number Game is part of Math Garden, a popular online educational platform for practicing and monitoring math skills using innovations in computerized adaptive testing. These educational games generate enormous amounts of rich data on children's cognitive development. We found converging evidence for the use of forward proximity heuristics in the data of Math Garden, consisting of more than 20 million answers to 1,700 items. Item difficulties and the structure of correct answers were analyzed.
High‐throughput physiological phenotyping and screening system for the characterization of plant–environment interactions
Authors: Halperin Ofer , Gebremedhin Alem , Wallach Rony , Moshelion Menachem
Published: November 2016

We present a simple and effective high‐throughput experimental platform for simultaneous and continuous monitoring of water relations in the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum of numerous plants under dynamic environmental conditions. This system provides a simultaneously measured, detailed physiological response profile for each plant in the array, over time periods ranging from a few minutes to the entire growing season, under normal, stress and recovery conditions and at any phenological stage. Three probes for each pot in the array and a specially designed algorithm enable detailed water‐relations characterization of whole‐plant transpiration, biomass gain, stomatal conductance and root flux. They also enable quantitative calculation of the whole plant water‐use efficiency and relative water content at high resolution under dynamic soil and atmospheric conditions. The system has no moving parts and can fit into many growing environments. A screening of 65 introgression lines of a wild tomato species (Solanum pennellii) crossed with cultivated tomato (S. lycopersicum), using our system and conventional gas‐exchange tools, confirmed the accuracy of the system as well as its diagnostic capabilities. The use of this high‐throughput diagnostic screening method is discussed in light of the gaps in our understanding of the genetic regulation of whole‐plant performance, particularly under abiotic stress.