bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tuberculosis outbreak investigation using phylodynamic analysis
Authors: Küehnert Denise , Coscolla Mireia , Stucki David , Metcalfe John , Fenner Lukas , Gagneux Sebastien , Stadler Tanja
Published: December 2017

The fast evolution of pathogenic viruses has allowed for the development of phylodynamic approaches that extract information about the epidemiological characteristics of viral genomes. Thanks to advances in whole genome sequencing, they can be applied to slowly evolving bacterial pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

In this study, we investigate the epidemiological dynamics underlying two M. tuberculosis outbreaks using phylodynamic methods. The first outbreak occurred in the Swiss city of Bern (1993-2012) and was caused by a drug-susceptible strain belonging to the phylogenetic M. tuberculosis Lineage 4. The second outbreak was caused by a multidrug-resistant (MDR) strain of Lineage 2, imported from the Wat Tham Krabok (WTK) refugee camp in Thailand into California.

There is little temporal signal in the Bern data set and moderate temporal signal in the WTK data set. We estimate an evolutionary rate of 0.0039 per single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) per year for Bern and 0.0024 per SNP per year for WTK. Nevertheless, due to its high sampling proportion (90%) the Bern outbreak allows robust estimation of epidemiological parameters despite the poor temporal signal. Conversely, there’s much uncertainty in the epidemiological estimates concerning the WTK outbreak, which has a small sampling proportion (9%). Our results suggest that both outbreaks peaked around 1990, although the Bernese outbreak was only detected in 1993, and the WTK outbreak around 2004. Furthermore, individuals were infected for a significantly longer period (around 9 years) in the WTK outbreak than in the Bern outbreak (4-5 years).

Our work highlights both the limitations and opportunities of phylodynamic analysis of outbreaks involving slowly evolving pathogens: (i) estimation of the evolutionary rate is difficult on outbreak time scales and (ii) a high sampling proportion allows quantification of the age of the outbreak based on the sampling times, and thus allows for robust estimation of epidemiological parameters.
Scanning a compressed ordered representation of the future
Authors: Tiganj Zoran , Singh Inder , Esfahani Zahra G. , Howard Marc W.
Published: December 2017

Several authors have suggested a deep symmetry between the psychological processes that underlie our ability to remember the past and make predictions about the future. The judgment of recency (JOR) task measures temporal order judgments for the past by presenting pairs of probe stimuli; participants choose the probe that was presented more recently. We performed a short-term relative JOR task and introduced a novel judgment of imminence (JOI) task to study temporal order judgments for the future. In the JOR task, participants were presented with a sequence of stimuli and asked to choose which of two probe stimuli was presented closer to the present. In the JOI task, participants were trained on a probabilistic sequence. After training, the sequence was interrupted with probe stimuli. Participants were asked to choose which of two probe stimuli was expected to be presented closer to the present. Replicating prior work on JOR, we found that RT results supported a backward self-terminating search model operating on a temporally-organized representation of the past. We also showed that RT distributions are consistent with this model and that the temporally-organized representation is compressed. Critically, results for the JOI task probing expectations of the future were mirror-symmetric to results from memory, suggesting a forward self-terminating search model operating on a temporally-organized representation of the future.
Drivers of entrepreneurial intentions in sustainable entrepreneurship
Authors: Vuorio Anna Maija , Puumalainen Kaisu , Fellnhofer Katharina
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The role of entrepreneurship has changed to include issues beyond economic growth. This has turned attention toward the drivers of entrepreneurial intentions across entrepreneurship types, particularly in sustainable entrepreneurship. The purpose of this paper is to examine the drivers of entrepreneurial intentions in sustainable entrepreneurship. In particular, the paper aims to extend the existing intention models to include work values and attitudes toward sustainability, thereby bringing the model into the context of sustainable entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a quantitative research design, data were collected in three European countries through anonymous questionnaires. The data consist of responses from 393 university students.

Findings

The results show that attitude toward sustainability and perceived entrepreneurial desirability enhance sustainability-oriented entrepreneurial intentions. Moreover, adding sustainability into the regression equation adds explanation power, hence suggesting that the theory of planned behavior needs to be adapted when applied to sustainable entrepreneurship. Attitudes toward sustainability are positively impacted by altruism, while perceived entrepreneurial desirability is driven by intrinsic and extrinsic rewards.

Research limitations/implications

The study focuses on one particular type of entrepreneurship and one particular age group.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by applying the entrepreneurial intention model to sustainable entrepreneurship. The results imply that it may be the time to consider the variance in entrepreneurial opportunities in intention models as well as the need to address the conflict between work values. The results show that sustainability-oriented entrepreneurial intentions are driven by attitudes toward sustainability and perceived entrepreneurial desirability. These two attitudes are driven by altruism and extrinsic rewards, and, especially, extrinsic reward plays an opposite role in both drivers of sustainability-oriented entrepreneurial intentions.
Audit costs of small cities in an unregulated audit market environment
Authors: Brown Ken W. , Margavio Thomas M.
Published: December 2017

This study provides public administrators with an introduction into research of the determinants of audit fees. A working knowledge of external audit cost determinants can help public administrators hone their evaluation skills for use in audit-procurement. Most prior research on audit cost determinants has focused on the few hundred cities in the nation with populations exceeding 50,000. As a result, this study investigated the audit costs incurred by small cities with populations less than 50,000.

Besides providing a glimpse of small-city auditing practices, the study tested the significance of the Single Audit Act in audit-fee determination. Missouri municipalities with populations between 2,000 and 50,000 provided the sample for the study. Because Missouri is one of the few states in the nation that neither legislates nor monitors municipal auditing, it represents an unregulated audit market in which town officials decide on the need for an audit, the firm to conduct the audit, and the process by which the audit firm is selected. The results of a nine-variable regression model suggested that the size of the town, the existence of a city administrator, the complexity of the town's operation, the method of accounting, the timing and completion time of the audit, and audit-firm specialization in municipal auditing were important determinants of audit fees.
Funding local government in australia: the evolution of untied commonwealth financial assistance
Authors: Dollery Brian , Fletcher Michael , Prasada Rao D.S.
Published: December 2017

Australian fiscal federalism possesses a greater degree of vertical imbalance than comparable federations elsewhere due to a concentration of revenue-raising powers at the level of the Commonwealth government and a concentration of expenditure functions at the state and local government levels. Efforts to deal with this problem have focused on intergovernmental grants. While substantial literature exists on the financial nexus between the Commonwealth and state governments, little research effort has been expended on the local government grants process. The present paper seeks to remedy this by documenting the evolution and role of the local government grants process.
All mega-projects are local? citizen participation lessons from the big dig
Authors: Bearfield Domonic A. , Dubnick Melvin J.
Published: December 2017

This paper examines the impact of managerial philosophy on public participation. Specifically the paper explores the historical development of Boston’s Central Artery/Tunnel project, more commonly known as the Big Dig, with a particular focus on how the two men most closely associated with the conception and construction of the project approached this type of administrative reform. This paper uses the concept single and double loop learning to illuminate how each manager attempted to implement this reform.
A two-country comparison of public sector accounting reforms: Same ideas, different paths?
Authors: Timoshenko Konstantin , Adhikari Pawan
Published: December 2017

A number of governments have already moved or intend to move from cash to accrual accounting. This has resulted in a growing body of comparative research in public sector accounting. Little work, however, has been devoted so far to investigating government accounting in developing and transitioning countries. This empirical paper seeks to contribute to this literature by conducting a seemingly unique two-country comparison of public sector accounting reforms in one developing nation and one in transition, namely Nepal and Russia. The study suggests that, although more or less the same rhetoric is used in the two settings, reforms have been framed rather differently due to the potency of various institutional pressures.
Are local governments adopting optimistic actuarial methods and assumptions for defined benefit pension plans?
Authors: Vermeer Thomas E. , Styles Alan K. , Patton Terry K.
Published: December 2017

Recent news articles about pension funding issues highlight the importance of transparent financial reporting and disclosures for defined benefit pension plans. Using pension-related data for local governments in Michigan and Pennsylvania, we provide descriptive evidence regarding the actuarial methods and assumptions adopted and the factors that explain a government’s propensity to adopt optimistic actuarial methods and assumptions that reduce the annual required contribution. Our descriptive data suggests that actuaries are making aggressive assumptions for some governments' pension benefits. Our regression results also suggest there is an association between monitoring mechanisms, fiscal constraints, and socioeconomic factors and the choice of optimistic actuarial methods and assumptions that reduce the annual required contribution. The GASB should consider our findings as they determine whether existing standards should be clarified or whether allowable actuarial methods and assumptions should be restricted.
Governmental influence on unreserved fund balances for Mississippi counties
Authors: Stewart La Shonda M.
Published: December 2017

This research examines the relative influences of different forms of government on local governments' financial management. Specifically, it seeks to determine whether or not the impact of financial and environmental factors on the unreserved fund balance differs between an administrative form of government, such as the Unit system, and a political form of government, such as the Beat system of county governments in Mississippi. The purpose of this study is to explain further why governments maintain far more savings than are the recommended benchmarks. The findings suggest that savings behave differently under different financial environments. During times of resource abundance, Beat systems increase savings as per capita income, property tax, and other revenues increase. Beat systems decrease savings as the population, debt per capita, and intergovernmental revenues increase. Unit systems, however, increase savings as property tax, intergovernmental and other revenues increase, but decrease savings as per capita income, population, and debt per capita increase. During times of resource scarcity, majority-non-white counties spent savings at a much slower rate than did the majority-white counties.
Public budgeting and finance reforms in China: Introduction
Authors: Liou Kuotsai Tom
Published: December 2017

Since the late 1970s, Chinese policymakers have implemented many policies to reform their country's administrative systems for the purpose of promoting economic development. In the area of public budgeting and finance, reform policies have been introduced to improve China's taxation system, budgeting system and intergovernmental fiscal relations. The implementation of these policies has resulted in many changes and improvement to China's society and has also created new challenges to China's future development. This symposium introduction provides a brief review of the development of reform policies and a summary of five articles that examine China's revenue system, public expenditure structure, budgeting control, incentive policy, and education finance.
The use of financial derivatives in state and local government bond refinancings: Playing with fire or prudent debt management?
Authors: Luby Martin J.
Published: December 2017

The esoteric area of financial derivatives has become quite salient in light of the financial crisis of the last few years. In the public sector, state and local governments have increasingly employed derivatives in their bond financings. This paper analyzes state and local governments’ use of a specific type of municipal derivative instrument (a floating-to-fixed interest rate swap) in a specific type of transaction (bond refinancing). The paper provides a case study of an executed bond refinancing transaction that employed a floating-to-fixed interest rate swap quantifying the substantial long-term costs financial derivatives can impart on state and local governments. The paper concludes with some specific lessons learned about debt-related derivative usage for public financial managers and offers some suggestions for further empirical and theoretical research in this area of public financial management.
Moving toward comparability: Assessing per student costs in K-12
Authors: Eger III Robert J. , McDonald III Bruce D.
Published: December 2017

The current classifications for public school costs are provided by the National Center for Educational Statistics. To improve comparability between school districts, we provided an alternative classification with fewer numbers of expenditure categories, distinctions between school-based and non-school based administration costs, and school levels. The new classification was then applied to five comparable urban school districts. We found (1) that teacher salaries per student are affected by school level disaggregation; (2) that separating administrative costs into school-based and nonschool- based provides for an observable cost relationship; and (3) that curriculum and instructional support per student differ by school level disaggregation. The alternative classification may assist auditors and investigators whose role is to assess the costs performance of urban school districts by providing comparable school level and cost type.
Understanding dodd-frankʼs reach into the financing of main street
Authors: Johnson Craig L.
Published: December 2017

In response to the financial crisis that began in 2007, United States President Barack Obama signed H.R. 4173, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, into law on July 21, 2010. “Dodd-Frank” is intended to correct certain problems in financial markets by federally regulating the activities of independent municipal financial advisors and comprehensively expanding regulatory oversight over credit rating agencies. This article reviews the legislation and its financial management rationale, and discusses its actual and potential impact on the future operations of the municipal securities market and its participants.
Predicting fiscal distress in special district governments
Authors: Trussel John M. , Patrick Patricia A.
Published: December 2017

This paper uses survival analysis to investigate fiscal distress in special district governments. We hypothesize that fiscal distress is positively correlated with revenue concentration and debt usage, and negatively correlated with organizational slack and entity resources. Our model addresses differences in district functions, financing and legislation. Our regression model predicts the likelihood of fiscal distress and correctly classifies 93.4 percent of the districts as fiscally distressed or not. The results show that the most important indicator of fiscal distress is a low level of capital expenditures relative to total revenues and bond proceeds. The information needed to predict fiscal distress is publicly available, making our model useful in the prevention, detection, and mitigation of fiscal distress in U.S. districts.
Price management in nonprofit hospitals
Authors: Zeidan Rabih , Khumawala Saleha
Published: December 2017

This study examines whether nonprofit hospitals (NPHs) use price increases to overstate reported charity care spending. Anecdotal evidence points to hospitals raising prices to maximize Medicare's supplemental reimbursement and to maximize collection from self-pay and uninsured patients. This study provides empirical evidence that NPHs raise prices in part to satisfy the state's charity care requirements and to substitute real care with price-valued charity care. The ratio of charges to costs (RCC), price standardized by cost - a measure for comparing revenues generated to estimate costs allocations, is used to test the association between price increases and charity care reporting by NPHs. We hypothesize and find evidence that NPHs facing financial and political pressures in addition to charity care regulations are more likely to report a higher value of charity care.
The dimensions of fiscal governance as the cornerstone of public finance sustainability: A general framework
Authors: Giosi Alessandro , Testarmata Silvia , Brunelli Sandro , Staglianò Bianca
Published: December 2017

Recently many European countries have incurred crises in public finance despite the fact that EU institutions have pushed the national governments toward the sustainability of public finance with compulsory and voluntary rules regarding fiscal governance. This paper investigates the relations between the quality of fiscal governance and the financial virtuosity of national fiscal policy. We proposed a general framework for analyzing the fiscal governance issue and we empirically tested the correlation between the dimensions of fiscal governance and the budgetary performance of EU countries. The results showed a positive correlation between the quality of fiscal governance in the EU countries and financial surplus in the period concerned. However further investigations are needed and an effort should be made to collect uniform data on fiscal governance in the European Union.
Lost and found tax dollars: The impact of local option sales taxes on property taxes and own source revenue
Authors: Afonso Whitney B.
Published: December 2017

The relationship between the local option sales tax (LOST) and property taxes and own source revenue is not well documented in the literature. This may be due in part to the aggregated nature of the data, which fails to capture different motivations for adoption of LOSTs. Using county-level data from 35 states, this study finds that LOSTs increase own source revenue and in some circumstances decrease property tax burdens. The primary contribution of this research is that it uses a policy variable, the LOST rate, to distinguish between the two types of counties that use their LOST revenues differently. This research represents the first step in bridging the gap between the LOST literature and the tax mix choice literature.
Fiduciary responsibilities to whom? federal grant recipients' perceptions of the public interest
Authors: Hundley Meredith F. , Brock Emily S. , Jensen Laura S.
Published: December 2017

This article explores the implementation of infrastructure development projects funded by the Recovery Act’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) in a southeastern state to provide high-quality Internet connectivity in un- or under-served areas to alleviate the conditions contributing to rural areas’ fiscal crises. This context affords a unique opportunity to view fiscal federalism’s operational dynamics in times of economic crisis and explore how various grant administrators in charge of similar federally funded public works projects define fiduciary responsibility. We find that these administrators comprehend “fiduciary responsibility“ narrowly in terms of complying with the accounting and reporting requirements of the federal grant. However, they have a broader and more nuanced understanding of their overall responsibility that includes working on behalf of their respective communities’ interests to meet local and regional needs.
Municipal accounting restatements and top financial manager turnover
Authors: Rich Kevin T. , Zhang Jean X.
Published: December 2017

We investigate whether municipal financial manager turnover is associated with accounting restatements. This analysis is motivated by the notion that suspect financial reporting could limit the ability of stakeholders to assess the use of public resources (GASB, 2006). The evidence suggests that municipalities disclosing accounting restatements are more likely to see changes in the top financial manager position than a control sample of non-restatement municipalities. Overall, our findings are consistent with associations between financial reporting quality and the labor market for municipal financial managers, and imply that governments should consider adding the prevalence of accounting failures as an input in the evaluation of top financial managers.
Outcome-based grants-in-aid to local school districts: how to apply them and analyze their impacts on fiscal and outcome equity
Authors: Ryu Jay E.
Published: December 2017

This paper investigates whether an outcome-based school aid formula could improve fiscal and outcome equity significantly more than a typical aid formula would. When outcome-based formula is applied to foundation aid, fiscal and outcome equity deteriorates compared to Ohio's recent aid formula. However, when it is applied to power-equalizing aid, the latter improves fiscal and outcome equity more significantly than both foundation aid and Ohio's recent aid formula do. This paper further shows how to apply them to real-world cases. The lessons from this paper can be easily applied to similar grant systems with standardized test scores.
Local option sales taxes and county rainy day funds
Authors: Levine Helisse , Fudge Marc , Propheter Geoffrey
Published: December 2017

Rainy day stabilization funds (RDSFs) and local option sales taxes (LOSTs) are two strategies local governments deploy to combat fiscal stress. While the literature on both is robust, it has thus far failed to consider empirically that the two may be connected. One way the marginal LOST dollar could be spent is by saving it for future use. We test the connection with a sample of 414 counties and correct for selection bias with the Heckman correction technique. We find that each $10 increase in LOST revenue per capita is associated with a $0.10 increase in undesignated general fund balance. Though small, the positive effect size supports the theory that LOSTs contribute to a greater propensity to save.
Phenolic Analysis and Theoretic Design for Chinese Commercial Wines’ Authentication
Authors: Li Si‐Yu , Zhu Bao‐Qing , Reeves Malcolm J. , Duan Chang‐Qing
Published: December 2017

To develop a robust tool for Chinese commercial wines’ varietal, regional, and vintage authentication, phenolic compounds in 121 Chinese commercial dry red wines were detected and quantified by using high‐performance liquid chromatography triple‐quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC‐QqQ‐MS/MS), and differentiation abilities of principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA), and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA) were compared. Better than PCA and PLS‐DA, OPLS‐DA models used to differentiate wines according to their varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon or other varieties), regions (east or west Cabernet Sauvignon wines), and vintages (young or old Cabernet Sauvignon wines) were ideally established. The S‐plot provided in OPLS‐DA models showed the key phenolic compounds which were both statistically and biochemically significant in sample differentiation. Besides, the potential of the OPLS‐DA models in deeper sample differentiating of more detailed regional and vintage information of wines was proved optimistic. On the basis of our results, a promising theoretic design for wine authentication was further proposed for the first time, which might be helpful in practical authentication of more commercial wines.

Practical Application

The phenolic data of 121 Chinese commercial dry red wines was processed with different statistical tools for varietal, regional, and vintage differentiation. A promising theoretical design was summarized, which might be helpful for wine authentication in practical situation.
Intra‐articular platelet‐rich plasma injections for knee osteoarthritis: An overview of systematic reviews and risk of bias considerations
Authors: Xing Dan , Wang Bin , Zhang Wei , Yang Ziyi , Hou Yunfei , Chen Yaolong , Lin Jianhao
Published: December 2017

Objectives

Numerous systematic reviews investigating the efficacy of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) in treating knee osteoarthritis (OA) have been recently published. The purpose of the present study was (1) to perform an overview of overlapping systematic reviews investigating PRP for knee OA via evaluating methodological quality and risk of bias of systematic reviews and (2) to provide recommendations through the best evidence.

Methods

A systematic search of systematic reviews published through Feb 2017 was conducted using the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library. The methodological quality and risk of bias of included systematic reviews were assessed by AMSTAR instrument and ROBIS tool respectively. Best evidence choice procedure was conducted according to the Jadad decision algorithm. The systematic reviews with high quality of methodology and low risk of bias were selected ultimately.

Results

Ten systematic reviews were eligible for inclusion. The Jadad decision making tool suggested that the reviews with highest AMSTAR score should be selected. According to the ROBIS tool, there were 4 systematic reviews with low risk of bias and 6 with high risk of bias. As a result, two systematic reviews conducted by Dai et al and Meheux et al with highest AMSTAR score and low risk of bias were selected as the best evidence.

Conclusions

The present overview demonstrates that PRP is an effective intervention in treating knee OA without increased risk of adverse events. Therefore, the present conclusions may help decision makers interpret and choose PRP with more confidence.
Usefulness of indocyanine green fluorescence imaging: A case of laparoscopic distal gastrectomy after distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy
Authors: Maruoka Shimpei , Ojima Toshiyasu , Nakamori Mikihito , Nakamura Masaki , Hayata Keiji , Katsuda Masahiro , Tsuji Toshiaki , Yamaue Hiroki
Published: December 2017

Safe preservation of the remnant stomach during distal gastrectomy in patients who have undergone distal pancreatectomy is important. During distal pancreatectomy, the splenic artery that supplies arterial blood to the cardiac part of stomach is resected. Previous reports suggested that blood flow to the remnant stomach may be insufficient when supplied by only the left inferior phrenic artery. In the present case, a 79‐year‐old woman who underwent distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy 20 years before she was diagnosed with gastric cancer and referred to our hospital. We performed laparoscopic distal gastrectomy and Roux‐en‐Y reconstruction because preoperative CT scan indicated a developed left inferior phrenic artery. To evaluate the blood supply, we employed indocyanine green fluorescence and were able to safely preserve the remnant stomach. Our experience suggests that indocyanine green fluorescence is potentially useful for evaluating blood flow to the remnant stomach.
A retrospective study on clinical and radiological outcomes of oral implants in patients followed up for a minimum of 20 years
Authors: Chrcanovic Bruno Ramos , Kisch Jenö , Albrektsson Tomas , Wennerberg Ann
Published: December 2017

Background

Very long‐term follow‐up of oral implants is seldom reported in the literature.

Purpose

To assess oral implant failure rates and marginal bone loss (MBL) of patients followed up for a minimum of 20 years.

Materials and Methods

Implants placed in patients followed up for 20+ years were included. Descriptive statistics, survival analyses, generalized estimating equations were performed. Three‐hundred implants were randomly selected for MBL.

Results

1,045 implants (227 patients) were included. Implant location, irradiation, and bruxism affected the implant survival rate. Thirty‐five percent of the failures occurred within the first year after implantation, and another 26.8% in the second/third year. There was a cumulative survival rate of 87.8% after 36 years of follow‐up. In the last radiological follow up, 35 implants (11.7%) had bone gain, and 35 implants (11.7%) presented at least 3 mm of MBL. Twenty‐six out of 86 failed implants with available radiograms presented severe MBL in the last radiological register before implant failure.

Conclusions

Most of the implant failures occurred at the first few years after implantation, regardless of a very long follow up. MBL can be insignificant in long‐term observations, but it may, nevertheless, be the cause of secondary failure of oral implants in some cases.
Phengaris (Maculinea) teleius butterflies select host plants close to Myrmica ants for oviposition, but P. nausithous do not
Authors: Wynhoff Irma , van Langevelde Frank
Published: December 2017

Many lycaenid butterfly species have interactions with ants, with 12% obligatorily depending on two sequential sources of larval food, namely host plants and host ants. When host plants are abundant but the density of host ant nests is relatively low, most host plants have no host ant nest in their vicinity and are thus unsuitable for larval survival. Obligatorily myrmecophilous female butterflies, whose caterpillars feed on ant larvae, would have a comparative advantage if they deposit eggs on host plants in the proximity of a host ant nest. However, this ant‐mediated oviposition has been hotly debated. In an open‐air insectory experiment, we tested whether oviposition is ant‐mediated or not for two obligatory myrmecophilous butterfly species, Phengaris (Maculinea) nausithous Bergsträsser and Phengaris teleius Bergsträsser (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Female butterflies could select host plants close to either no ant nest or a nest of one of the two Myrmica species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) that are thought to be their host ant. Our results support ant‐mediated oviposition in P. teleius, but also indicate that there is no preference for either of the Myrmica species. More eggs were deposited and more caterpillars were found on long flowerheads close to Myrmica ant nests than on those without nests. Our findings suggest that ant presence is more important than flowerhead phenology for females of P. teleius. In contrast, P. nausithous females were not attracted by ants but preferred long flowerheads with a low percentage of green coloration. With these findings, this study contributes to better understanding of the habitat requirements of two highly specialized butterfly species.
Where should I lay my eggs? Oviposition choices of a shelter‐building moth and the shifting danger of being parasitized
Authors: Morse Douglass H.
Published: December 2017

Young unable to move freely depend on their parents to place them in sites with superior resources or protection from unfavorable factors. The preference‐performance hypothesis holds that females should oviposit on sites that maximize the performance of their offspring. Shelters may provide their inhabitants with superior food resources, protection from enemies, and ameliorated physical factors. Accordingly, one might predict that females would prefer shelters to alternatives, since they might provide enemy‐free space. However, Herpetogramma theseusalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) fern moths oviposited both in shelters constructed on sensitive ferns (Onoclea sensibilis L., Dryopteridaceae) and on exposed fern pinnae, perhaps as a bet‐hedging tactic. The moths laid eggs on the outer parts of the shelters, but after hatching the young caterpillars moved toward the center of the shelters, often beyond the reach of their common larval parasitoid, Alabagrus texanus (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Although caterpillars in both areas grew at the same rate, those in shelters were parasitized less frequently than those on exposed pinnae. However, shelters senesced from the center to the periphery, depriving the caterpillars of progressively more of their food source and eventually forcing them into the open, potentially increasing their vulnerability. But numbers of wasps decreased simultaneously; hence, most caterpillars were not exposed until danger from the parasitoids had greatly diminished. Thus, offspring of females ovipositing in shelters experienced superior success, consistent with the preference‐performance hypothesis, but through lowered mortality via use of enemy‐free space, rather than superior feeding conditions.
A field study with geometrid moths to test the coevolution hypothesis of red autumn colours in deciduous trees
Authors: Männistö Elisa , Holopainen Jarmo K. , Häikiö Elina , Klemola Tero
Published: December 2017

Red autumn colouration of trees is the result of newly synthesized anthocyanin pigments in senescing autumn leaves. As anthocyanin accumulation is costly and the trait is not present in all species, anthocyanins must have an adaptive significance in autumn leaves. According to the coevolution hypothesis of autumn colours, red autumn leaves warn herbivorous insects – especially aphids that migrate to reproduce in trees in the autumn – that the tree will not be a suitable host for their offspring in spring due to a high level of chemical defence or lack of nutrients. The signalling allows trees to avoid herbivores and herbivores to choose better host trees. In this study the coevolution hypothesis was tested with four deciduous tree species that have red autumn leaf colouration – European aspen (Populus tremula L.) (Salicaceae), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.) (Rosaceae), mountain birch [Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii (NI Orlova) Hämet‐Ahti], and dwarf birch (Betula nana L.) (Betulaceae), and with two generalist herbivores, the autumnal moth [Epirrita autumnata (Borkhausen)] and the winter moth [Operophtera brumata (L.)] (both Lepidoptera: Geometridae). Anthocyanin concentrations of autumn leaves were determined from leaf samples and the growth performance parameters of the moth larvae on the study trees were measured in the spring. Trees with higher anthocyanin concentration in the autumn were predicted to be low‐quality food for the herbivores. Our results clearly showed that anthocyanin concentration was not correlated with the growth performance of the moths in any of the studied tree species. Thus, our study does not support the coevolution hypothesis of autumn colours.
Drought stress affectsSolanum lycopersicumsusceptibility toBactericera cockerellicolonization
Authors: Huot Ordom Brian , Tamborindeguy Cecilia
Published: December 2017

Recent outbreaks in plant diseases associated withLiberibacterpathogens have impacted large areas of western and southern North America. The increase in frequency and severity of drought could render plants more susceptible to the colonization by insect vectors. Experiments were conducted in a laboratory setting to evaluate the influence of water scarcity on drought stress of tomato plants,Solanum lycopersicumL. (Solanaceae). Weekly water treatment of 200, 100, and 50 ml resulted in unstressed (control, Ψw = −0.55 MPa), lowly drought‐stressed (LDS, Ψw = −0.70MPa), and moderately drought‐stressed (MDS, Ψw = −0.87MPa) plants, respectively. By controlling for both water availability and plant drought stress, the effect of drought stress onS. lycopersicumsusceptibility to potato psyllid,Bactericera cockerelli(Šulc) (Hemiptera:Triozidae), was evaluated. In a no‐choice experiment,MDSplants had significantly moreB. cockerellinymphs than control plants. However, plant susceptibility toB. cockerellicolonization was not due to the oviposition preference forMDS, but rather to the higherB. cockerellinymphal survival onMDSthan on control plants. Nymphal survival ofB. cockerellionMDSplants was consistently and significantly higher than on control plants. Throughout all nymphal stages,B. cockerellihad higher survival onMDSplants than on control plants. Drought stress not only enhancedB. cockerellisurvival onS. lycopersicumbut it also resulted in 60% more adults produced on water‐stressed plants than on control plants. Therefore, as adults can move from plant to plant, drought stress could increaseB. cockerelli's dispersion potential. Although plant drought stress improvedB. cockerellisurvival, it did not affectB. cockerellioviposition. No difference in number of offspring was found betweenB. cockerelliadults that developed onMDSvs. control plants. These results might be relevant toB. cockerellioutbreaks andLiberibacterepidemics.
14‐3‐3 proteins mediate inhibitory effects of cAMP on salt‐inducible kinases (SIKs)
Authors: Sonntag Tim , Vaughan Joan M. , Montminy Marc
Published: December 2017

The salt‐inducible kinase (SIK) family regulates cellular gene expression via the phosphorylation of cAMP‐regulated transcriptional coactivators (CRTCs) and class IIA histone deacetylases, which are sequestered in the cytoplasm by phosphorylation‐dependent 14‐3‐3 interactions. SIK activity toward these substrates is inhibited by increases in cAMP signaling, although the underlying mechanism is unclear. Here, we show that the protein kinase A (PKA)‐dependent phosphorylation of SIKs inhibits their catalytic activity by inducing 14‐3‐3 protein binding. SIK1 and SIK3 contain two functional PKA/14‐3‐3 sites, while SIK2 has four. In keeping with the dimeric nature of 14‐3‐3s, the presence of multiple binding sites within target proteins dramatically increases binding affinity. As a result, loss of a single 14‐3‐3‐binding site in SIK1 and SIK3 abolished 14‐3‐3 association and rendered them insensitive to cAMP. In contrast, mutation of three sites in SIK2 was necessary to fully block cAMP regulation. Superimposed on the effects of PKA phosphorylation and 14‐3‐3 association, an evolutionary conserved domain in SIK1 and SIK2 (the so called RK‐rich region; 595–624 in hSIK2) is also required for the inhibition of SIK2 activity. Collectively, these results point to a dual role for 14‐3‐3 proteins in repressing a family of Ser/Thr kinases as well as their substrates.
The effects of the attributable fraction and the duration of symptoms on burden estimates of influenza‐associated respiratory illnesses in a high HIV prevalence setting, South Africa, 2013‐2015
Authors: Tempia Stefano , Walaza Sibongile , Moyes Jocelyn , Cohen Adam L. , von Mollendorf Claire , McMorrow Meredith L. , Mhlanga Sarona , Treurnicht Florette K. , Venter Marietjie , Pretorius Marthi , Hellferscee Orienka , Wolter Nicole , von Gottberg Anne , Nguweneza Arthemon , McAnerney Johanna M. , Dawood Halima , Variava Ebrahim , Madhi Shabir A. , Cohen Cheryl
Published: December 2017

Background

The attributable fraction of influenza virus detection to illness (INF‐AF) and the duration of symptoms as a surveillance inclusion criterion could potentially have substantial effects on influenza disease burden estimates.

Methods

We estimated rates of influenza‐associated influenza‐like illness (ILI) and severe acute (SARI‐10) or chronic (SCRI‐10) respiratory illness (using a symptom duration cutoff of ≤10 days) among HIV‐infected and HIV‐uninfected patients attending 3 hospitals and 2 affiliated clinics in South Africa during 2013‐2015. We calculated the unadjusted and INF‐AF‐adjusted rates and relative risk (RR) due to HIV infection. Rates were expressed per 100 000 population.

Results

The estimated mean annual unadjusted rates of influenza‐associated illness were 1467.7, 50.3, and 27.4 among patients with ILI, SARI‐10, and SCRI‐10, respectively. After adjusting for the INF‐AF, the percent reduction in the estimated rates was 8.9% (rate: 1336.9), 11.0% (rate: 44.8), and 16.3% (rate: 22.9) among patients with ILI, SARI‐10, and SCRI‐10, respectively. HIV‐infected compared to HIV‐uninfected individuals experienced a 2.3 (95% CI: 2.2‐2.4)‐, 9.7 (95% CI: 8.0‐11.8)‐, and 10.0 (95% CI: 7.9‐12.7)‐fold increased risk of influenza‐associated illness among patients with ILI, SARI‐10, and SCRI‐10, respectively. Overall 34% of the estimated influenza‐associated hospitalizations had symptom duration of >10 days; 8% and 44% among individuals aged <5 and ≥5 years, respectively.

Conclusion

The marginal differences between unadjusted and INF‐AF‐adjusted rates are unlikely to affect policies on prioritization of interventions. HIV‐infected individuals experienced an increased risk of influenza‐associated illness and may benefit more from annual influenza immunization. The use of a symptom duration cutoff of ≤10 days may underestimate influenza‐associated disease burden, especially in older individuals.
Acute exposure to high‐induction electromagnetic field affects activity of model peripheral sensory neurons
Authors: Prucha Jaroslav , Krusek Jan , Dittert Ivan , Sinica Viktor , Kadkova Anna , Vlachova Viktorie
Published: December 2017

Exposure to repetitive low‐frequency electromagnetic field (LF‐EMF) shows promise as a non‐invasive approach to treat various sensory and neurological disorders. Despite considerable progress in the development of modern stimulation devices, there is a limited understanding of the mechanisms underlying their biological effects and potential targets at the cellular level. A significant impact of electromagnetic field on voltage‐gated calcium channels and downstream signalling pathways has been convincingly demonstrated in many distinct cell types. However, evidence for clear effects on primary sensory neurons that particularly may be responsible for the analgesic actions of LF‐EMF is still lacking. Here, we used F11 cells derived from dorsal root ganglia neurons as an in vitro model of peripheral sensory neurons and three different protocols of high‐induction magnetic stimulation to determine the effects on chemical responsiveness and spontaneous activity. We show that short‐term (<180 sec.) exposure of F11 cells to LF‐EMF reduces calcium transients in response to bradykinin, a potent pain‐producing inflammatory agent formed at sites of injury. Moreover, we characterize an immediate and reversible potentiating effect of LF‐EMF on neuronal spontaneous activity. Our results provide new evidence that electromagnetic field may directly modulate the activity of sensory neurons and highlight the potential of sensory neuron‐derived cell line as a tool for studying the underlying mechanisms at the cellular and molecular level.
Examining Differentiation of Self as a Mediator in the Biobehavioral Family Model
Authors: Priest Jacob B.
Published: December 2017

The Biobehavioral Family Model (BBFM) is a biopsychosocial model of health. This model proposes that biobehavioral reactivity mediates the association between the family emotional climate and disease activity. To improve the clinical relevance of the BBFM, variables that mediate the association between family emotional climate and biobehavioral reactivity need to be tested. This study examined differentiation of self as a mediator. Using data from the Midlife Development in the United States study (n = 854), results suggested that differentiation of self mediated the association between the family and intimate partner emotional climate and mental health symptoms. These findings suggest that including differentiation of self into the BBFM may help interventions based on the model target factors that could improve health outcomes.
From stowaways to karst‐aways: unloading the Peninsular Malaysia endemic Polyalthia brunneifolia (Annonaceae)
Authors: Turner I. M. , Tan J. P. C. , Utteridge T. M. A.
Published: December 2017

Detailed examination of specimens collected from limestone outcrops in Peninsular Malaysia and previously included in Polyalthia brunneifolia shows that they do not belong in this species. Three new species are described to accommodate these collections: Polyalthia chinii I.M.Turner & Utteridge from Bukit Serdam, Raub, Pahang; P. guabatuensis I.M.Turner & Utteridge from Batu Caves, Selangor, and P. guamusangensis I.M.Turner & Utteridge from Gua Musang, Kelantan. Conservation assessments are included for the new species and the general threats faced by species confined to limestone hills are discussed. In addition, an updated key to all species of Polyalthia known from Peninsular Malaysia is provided.
Reliability-Based Topology Optimization Using Mean-Value Second-Order Saddlepoint Approximation
Authors: Papadimitriou Dimitrios I. , Mourelatos Zissimos P.
Published: December 2017

A reliability-based topology optimization (RBTO) approach is presented using a new mean-value second-order saddlepoint approximation (MVSOSA) method to calculate the probability of failure. The topology optimizer uses a discrete adjoint formulation. MVSOSA is based on a second-order Taylor expansion of the limit state function at the mean values of the random variables. The first- and second-order sensitivity derivatives of the limit state cumulant generating function (CGF), with respect to the random variables in MVSOSA, are computed using direct-differentiation of the structural equations. Third-order sensitivity derivatives, including the sensitivities of the saddlepoint, are calculated using the adjoint approach. The accuracy of the proposed MVSOSA reliability method is demonstrated using a nonlinear mathematical example. Comparison with Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) shows that MVSOSA is more accurate than mean-value first-order saddlepoint approximation (MVFOSA) and more accurate than mean-value second-order second-moment (MVSOSM) method. Finally, the proposed RBTO-MVSOSA method for minimizing a compliance-based probability of failure is demonstrated using two two-dimensional beam structures under random loading. The density-based topology optimization based on the solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP) method is utilized.