bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenology of Infection on Apple Fruit by Sooty Blotch and Flyspeck Species in Iowa Apple Orchards
Authors: Ismail S. I. , Batzer J. C. , Harrington T. C. , Gleason M. L.
Published: December 2015

Sooty blotch and flyspeck (SBFS) is a fungal disease complex that can cause significant economic losses to apple growers by blemishing the fruit surface with dark-colored colonies. Little is known about the phenology of host infection for this diverse group of epiphytes. In 2009 and 2010, we investigated the timing of infection of apple fruit by SBFS species in six commercial apple orchards in Iowa. Five trees in each orchard received no fungicide sprays after fruit set. Within 3 weeks after fruit set, 60 apples per tree were covered with Japanese fruit bags to minimize inoculum deposition. Subsequently, a subsample of bagged apples was exposed for a single 2-week-long period and then rebagged for the remainder of the growing season. Experimental treatments included seven consecutive 2-week-long exposure periods; control treatments were apples that were either bagged or exposed for the entire season. After apples had been stored at 2°C for 6 weeks following harvest, all SBFS colonies on the apples were identified to species using a PCR-RFLP protocol. A total of 15 species were identified. For the seven most prevalent species, the number of infections per cm2 of fruit surface was greatest on apples that had been exposed early in the season. Two SBFS species, Peltaster fructicola and Colletogloeopsis-like FG2, differed significantly from each other in time required to attain 50% of the total number of colonies per apple, and analysis of variance indicated a significant interaction of SBFS taxon with exposure period. Our findings are the first evidence of species-specific patterns in timing of SBFS inoculum deposition and infection on apple fruit, and strengthen previous observations that most SBFS infections resulting in visible colonies at harvest develop from infections that occur early in the fruit development period. By defining taxon-specific phenological patterns of fruit infection, our findings, when combined with knowledge of region-specific patterns of taxon prevalence, provide a foundation for development of more efficient and cost-effective SBFS management tactics.
Persistence and Recurrence Following Femoral Derotational Osteotomy in Ambulatory Children With Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Church Chris , Lennon Nancy , Pineault Kevin , Abousamra Oussama , Niiler Tim , Henley John , Dabney Kirk , Miller Freeman
Published: December 2015

Background:

Excessive hip internal rotation is frequently seen in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Femoral derotational osteotomy (FDO) is effective in the short term, but factors associated with long-term correction remain unclear. The purposes of this study were to define the incidence of persistence and recurrence of hip internal rotation following FDO in ambulatory children with CP and to evaluate factors that influence outcome.

Methods:

Following IRB approval, kinematic and passive range of motion (PROM) variables were retrospectively evaluated in children with spastic CP who had FDO to correct hip internal rotation as part of clinical care at a children’s specialty hospital. Children included had a preoperative evaluation (Vpre), a short-term postoperative evaluation (Vshort, 1 to 3 y post), and, in some cases, a long-term postoperative evaluation (Vlong, ≥5 y post). Age at surgery, physical exam measures, and kinematics variables were evaluated as predictors for dynamic and static recurrence.

Results:

Kinematic hip rotation improved from 14±12 degrees (Vpre; internal positive) to 4±13 degrees (Vshort) and relapsed to 9±15 degrees long term (P<0.05 Vpre/Vshort/Vlong; 99 limbs). Hip PROM midpoint improved from 23±9 degrees (Vpre) to 8±11 degrees (Vshort) and relapsed to 14±13 degrees (P<0.01 Vpre/Vshort/Vlong). Persistent hip internal rotation was noted in 41% (kinematics) and 18% (PROM) of limbs at Vshort (105 children, 178 limbs). Of limbs that showed initial improvement at Vshort (62 children, 95 limbs), recurrence was seen in 40% (kinematic hip rotation) and 39% (hip midpoint) at Vlong. Comparing children who had recurrent hip internal rotation and those who maintained long-term correction, we saw higher levels of spasticity and lower gait velocity in the recurrent group (P<0.05).

Conclusions:

Although FDO is an accepted treatment in children with CP, persistence and recurrence of hip internal rotation can occur. Recurrence is associated with spasticity and slower gait velocity. Predictor variables may be useful for surgeons during preoperative discussions of expected outcome with families of FDO candidates.

Level of Evidence:

Level III.
SLTAB2is the paramutatedSULFUREAlocus in tomato
Authors: Gouil Quentin , Novák Ondřej , Baulcombe David
Published: December 2015

Thesulfurea (sulf)allele is a silent epigenetic variant of a tomato gene (Solanum lycopersicum)affecting pigment production. It is homozygous lethal but, in a heterozygotesulf/+, the wild type allele undergoes silencing so that the plants exhibit chlorotic sectors. This transfer of the silenced state between alleles resembles the process of paramutation that is best characterised in maize. To understand the mechanism of paramutation we mappedSULFto the orthologSLTAB2of anArabidopsisgene that, consistent with the pigment deficiency, is involved in the translation of photosystem I. Paramutation ofSLTAB2is linked to an increase in DNA methylation and production of small interfering RNAs at its promoter. Virus-induced gene silencing ofSLTAB2phenocopiessulfconsistent with the possibility that siRNAs mediate the paramutation ofSULFUREA. Unlike the maize systems the paramutagenicity ofsulfis not, however, associated with repeated sequences at the region of siRNA production or DNA methylation.
FGF2 mediates hepatic progenitor cell formation during human pluripotent stem cell differentiation by inducing the WNT antagonist NKD1
Authors: Twaroski Kirk , Mallanna Sunil K. , Jing Ran , DiFurio Francesca , Urick Amanda , Duncan Stephen A.
Published: December 2015

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are required to specify hepatic fate within the definitive endoderm through activation of the FGF receptors (FGFRs). While the signaling pathways involved in hepatic specification are well understood, the mechanisms through which FGFs induce hepatic character within the endoderm are ill defined. Here we report the identification of genes whose expression is directly regulated by FGFR activity during the transition from endoderm to hepatic progenitor cell. The FGFR immediate early genes that were identified include those encoding transcription factors, growth factors, and signaling molecules. One of these immediate early genes encodes naked cuticle homolog 1 (NKD1), which is a repressor of canonical WNT (wingless-type MMTV integration site) signaling. We show that loss of NKD1 suppresses the formation of hepatic progenitor cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells and that this phenotype can be rescued by using a pharmacological antagonist of canonical WNT signaling. We conclude that FGF specifies hepatic fate at least in large part by inducing expression of NKD1 to transiently suppress the canonical WNT pathway.
What is an `ideally imperfect' crystal? Is kinematical theory appropriate?
Authors: Fewster Paul F.
Published: December 2015

Most materials are crystalline because atoms and molecules tend to form ordered arrangements, and since the interatomic distances are comparable with the wavelength of X-rays, their interaction creates diffraction patterns. The intensity in these patterns changes with crystal quality. Perfect crystals,e.g. semiconductors, fit well to dynamical theory, whereas crystals that reveal the stereochemistry of complex biological molecules, the structure of organic and inorganic molecules and powders are required to be fragmented (termed `ideally imperfect') to justify the use of the simpler kinematical theory. New experimental results of perfect and imperfect crystals are interpreted with a fundamental description of diffraction, which does not need fragmented crystals but just ubiquitous defects. The distribution of the intensity is modified and can influence the interpretation of the patterns.
Avtar I-WIN: creating flexi-careers
Authors: Raghavan Srividya , Dastidar Surajit Ghosh
Published: December 2015

Subject area

Entrepreneurship.

Study level/applicability

MBA level – entrepreneurship courses, MA level – women empowerment issues, MBA – thriving in unstructured environments.

Case overview

Saundarya Rajesh, was the founder-president of AVTAR Career Creators (ACC) a talent consulting firm that offered solutions in training, hiring, selection process outsourcing and human resource information studies to over 400 clients. The case describes the progressive journey of Saundarya as an entrepreneur in discovering and exploiting opportunities as they arise at different points of her career. Saundarya did pioneering work for creating flexi-career opportunities that included tools for Flexidizing® and Unbundling® of jobs. She has won many accolades for her work that included Tie Stree Shakti Awards 2011 for excellence in entrepreneurship, Cavinkare's Chinnikrishnan Innovation Award for Outstanding Entrepreneurship 2011 and India Today's Business Wizards of Tamil Nadu, 2011. Saundarya was happy with the fact that there were 23,000 women currently on the AVTAR I-WIN network and there were 13-15 lakh more women whose talent could be harnessed. She dreamt of ensuring that 1.2 million Indian women, who had dropped out of the workforce in the past 10-15 years, could be brought back to contribute productively. While there appeared to be an acceptance of the flexible working concept among the potential employees and employers, several questions about the future potential of such a work-force needed to be answered.

Expected learning outcomes

To understand the factors that constitute entrepreneur's alertness such as personality traits, social networks and prior knowledge. To understand the importance of entrepreneur's alertness for identifying business opportunities. To understand types of entrepreneurial opportunities. To understand the opportunity identification triad: recognition, development and evaluation. To understand how to develop a business model in under-defined contexts.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Developing a theoretical framework to analyze an urban culinary culture and explain restaurant cluster developments
Authors: Omholt Tore
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical framework to explain the development of sustainable culinary places and restaurant clusters.

Design/methodology/approach

– The theoretical approach is based on a multi-level and multi-perspective case study approach toward studying the organization and governance of clusters of culinary activities and firms.

Findings

– The main part of findings is based on the comparison of two case studies of the development of restaurant clusters, representing two different forms of knowledge management and governance.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings underscore the importance of local entrepreneurs, cluster organization and governance, knowledge exchange and learning and dependence on a local catchment area. The findings also show that several forms of cluster organization can coexist in the same area and support each other, adding to increased sustainability and connectedness in an urban area.

Practical implications

– The findings indicate that there is a need for a more realistic approach to the development of culinary places and destinations, and not solely rely on place branding, standard marketing procedures and support from local authorities. To develop a sustainable and connected place, we need an appropriate form of organization and governance. The findings indicate that different types of restaurant clusters require different forms of governance of knowledge management processes to be effective.

Social implications

– The paper directs attention to the fact that the food sector constitutes an important sector for employment of immigrants, females and part-time workers, which together constitute the largest group with regard to unemployment in many cities. The paper also shows how the evolution of a culinary culture in Oslo has contributed to solidarity within and between ethnic groups, which is sorely needed today.

Originality/value

– This paper shows that sustainable, liveable and connected places can be developed without reliance on standard branding and marketing procedures, and despite opposition from the retail industry and lack of support from local authorities.
Branding the new city: exploring place branding in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Shoaib Turki , Keivani Ramin
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to explore the development of a new city brand in Saudi Arabia. Place Branding theory is geared towards existing places and does not take into account newly developed cities. Here “Place Branding” takes on a new significance. How do we develop a brand for a city that does not yet exist? Who are the actors involved and how do they influence the process?

Design/methodology/approach

– The study uses discourse analysis to investigate the interplay between actors and place brand development in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) for two separate branding scenarios. It is further structured through the theoretical lens of actor-network theory (ANT) to take advantage of relational aspects that can lend insight on how a brand is created and enacted.

Findings

– Initial findings suggest that branding messages in KAEC are fragmented with little government or other stakeholder involvement leading to poor brand awareness and performance. The study also emphasises the importance of branding practices in the beginning stages of new city development. It further suggests that the message itself, the conceptual place brand, can represent a socially constructed idea or belief that can shape perceptions about the project before physical form is developed.

Originality/value

– The case study in Saudi Arabia will highlight the opportunities and pitfalls associated with place branding in the Middle East while comparing the findings with traditional place-branding approaches in existing cities. By contextualizing discourse analysis research within an ANT-based exploration of the KAEC brand’s gestation in Saudi Arabia, the study highlights the meaningfulness of a place brand construct in the process of city creation.
The effect of physical environment comfort on employees’ performance in office buildings
Authors: Ali Azlan Shah , Chua Shirley Jin Lin , Lim Melissa Ee-Ling
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– Maintaining a comfortable physical environment in the workplace is claimed to be vital as it will create a “healthier” building with optimum environmental conditions, which enable employees to be healthier and have a lower absenteeism rate, and hence be more productive. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to deal with the importance of physical environment comfort in the office workplace. Evaluation was made of the office workers’ performance that is mainly affected by levels of comfort in the office.

Design/methodology/approach

– Three selected case studies were evaluated based on aspects of employees’ comfort, perceived health and absenteeism rate, by considering the elements of physical comfort that consist of room temperature, relative humidity and luminance level. The selected case studies were the Department of Development and Estate Maintenance of three research universities in Malaysia. Field studies were carried out using hygrometers and lux meters in measuring the said elements as well as post-occupancy evaluation, which involved 30 respondents for each case (total 90 respondents), to determine their perception of comfort and its effect on their health and absenteeism rate. Data collected were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.

Findings

– The results suggest that employees did not find luminance level uncomfortable, when compared with room temperature, thus proving that employees are more sensitive to room temperature comfort. Furthermore, when the room temperature comfort was low, significant correlations were found with health-related issues such as feeling “stuffy”, being easily tired and having difficulty concentrating.

Originality/value

– This paper investigates the relationship between employee performance and a comfortable workplace environment. It could be concluded that an uncomfortable environment in an office workplace leads to health-related issues as well as increasing the absenteeism rate. High levels of employee absenteeism lead to decreased employee productivity, therefore affecting their work performance.
Wheat bran promotes enrichment within the human colonic microbiota of butyrate‐producing bacteria that release ferulic acid
Authors: Duncan Sylvia H. , Russell Wendy R. , Quartieri Andrea , Rossi Maddalena , Parkhill Julian , Walker Alan W. , Flint Harry J.
Published: December 2015

Cereal fibres such as wheat bran are considered to offer human health benefits via their impact on the intestinal microbiota. We show here by 16S rRNA gene‐based community analysis that providing amylase‐pretreated wheat bran as the sole added energy source to human intestinal microbial communities in anaerobic fermentors leads to the selective and progressive enrichment of a small number of bacterial species. In particular, OTUs corresponding to uncultured Lachnospiraceae (Firmicutes) related to Eubacterium xylanophilum and Butyrivibrio spp. were strongly enriched (by five to 160 fold) over 48 h in four independent experiments performed with different faecal inocula, while nine other Firmicutes OTUs showed > 5‐fold enrichment in at least one experiment. Ferulic acid was released from the wheat bran during degradation but was rapidly converted to phenylpropionic acid derivatives via hydrogenation, demethylation and dehydroxylation to give metabolites that are detected in human faecal samples. Pure culture work using bacterial isolates related to the enriched OTUs, including several butyrate‐producers, demonstrated that the strains caused substrate weight loss and released ferulic acid, but with limited further conversion. We conclude that breakdown of wheat bran involves specialist primary degraders while the conversion of released ferulic acid is likely to involve a multi‐species pathway.
The deep‐sea glass sponge Lophophysema eversa harbours potential symbionts responsible for the nutrient conversions of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur
Authors: Tian Ren‐Mao , Sun Jin , Cai Lin , Zhang Wei‐Peng , Zhou Guo‐Wei , Qiu Jian‐Wen , Qian Pei‐Yuan
Published: December 2015

Glass sponge (Hexactinellida, Porifera) is a special lineage because of its unique tissue organization and skeleton material. Structure and physiology of glass sponge have been extensively studied. However, our knowledge of the glass sponge‐associated microbial community and of the interaction with the host is rather limited. Here, we performed genomic studies on the microbial community in the glass sponge Lophophysema eversa in seamount. The microbial community was dominated by an ammonia‐oxidizing archaeum (AOA), a nitrite‐oxidizing bacterium (NOB) and a sulfur‐oxidizing bacterium (SOB), all of which were autotrophs. Genomic analysis on the AOA, NOB and SOB in the sponge revealed specific functional features of sponge‐associated microorganisms in comparison with the closely related free‐living relatives, including chemotaxis, phage defence, vitamin biosynthesis and nutrient uptake among others, which are related to ecological functions. The three autotrophs play essential roles in the cycles of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur in the microenvironment inside the sponge body, and they are considered to play symbiotic roles in the host as scavengers of toxic ammonia, nitrite and sulfide. Our study extends knowledge regarding the metabolism and the evolution of chemolithotrophs inside the invertebrate body.
Detection and isolation of plant‐associated bacteria scavenging atmospheric molecular hydrogen
Authors: Kanno Manabu , Constant Philippe , Tamaki Hideyuki , Kamagata Yoichi
Published: December 2015

High‐affinity hydrogen (H2)‐oxidizing bacteria possessing group 5 [NiFe]‐hydrogenase genes are important contributors to atmospheric H2 uptake in soil environments. Although previous studies reported the occurrence of a significant H2 uptake activity in vegetation, there has been no report on the identification and diversity of the responsible microorganisms. Here, we show the existence of plant‐associated bacteria with the ability to consume atmospheric H2 that may be a potential energy source required for their persistence in plants. Detection of the gene hhyL – encoding the large subunit of group 5 [NiFe]‐hydrogenase – in plant tissues showed that plant‐associated high‐affinity H2‐oxidizing bacteria are widely distributed in herbaceous plants. Among a collection of 145 endophytic isolates, seven Streptomyces strains were shown to possess hhyL gene and exhibit high‐ or intermediate‐affinity H2 uptake activity. Inoculation of Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress) and Oryza sativa (rice) seedlings with selected isolates resulted in an internalization of the bacteria in plant tissues. H2 uptake activity per bacterial cells was comparable between plant and soil, demonstrating that both environments are favourable for the H2 uptake activity of streptomycetes. This study first demonstrated the occurrence of plant‐associated high‐affinity H2‐oxidizing bacteria and proposed their potential contribution as atmospheric H2 sink.
Millian Liberalism and Extreme Pornography
Authors: Cowen Nick
Published: December 2015

How sexuality should be regulated in a liberal political community is an important, controversial theoretical and empirical question—as shown by the recent criminalization of possession of some adult pornography in the United Kingdom. Supporters of criminalization argue that Mill, often considered a staunch opponent of censorship, would support prohibition due to his feminist commitments. I argue that this account underestimates the strengths of the Millian account of private conduct and free expression, and the consistency of Millian anticensorship with feminist values. A Millian contextual defense of liberty, however, suggests several other policy approaches to addressing the harms of pornography.
Estimation of Filling and Afterload Conditions by Pump Intrinsic Parameters in a Pulsatile Total Artificial Heart
Authors: Cuenca‐Navalon Elena , Laumen Marco , Finocchiaro Thomas , Steinseifer Ulrich
Published: December 2015

A physiological control algorithm is being developed to ensure an optimal physiological interaction between the ReinHeart total artificial heart (TAH) and the circulatory system. A key factor for that is the long‐term, accurate determination of the hemodynamic state of the cardiovascular system. This study presents a method to determine estimation models for predicting hemodynamic parameters (pump chamber filling and afterload) from both left and right cardiovascular circulations. The estimation models are based on linear regression models that correlate filling and afterload values with pump intrinsic parameters derived from measured values of motor current and piston position. Predictions for filling lie in average within 5% from actual values, predictions for systemic afterload (AoPmean, AoPsys) and mean pulmonary afterload (PAPmean) lie in average within 9% from actual values. Predictions for systolic pulmonary afterload (PAPsys) present an average deviation of 14%. The estimation models show satisfactory prediction and confidence intervals and are thus suitable to estimate hemodynamic parameters. This method and derived estimation models are a valuable alternative to implanted sensors and are an essential step for the development of a physiological control algorithm for a fully implantable TAH.
Preclinical and clinical characterization of the cutaneous bioavailability of the hydrophilic phase of a water‐in‐oil emulsion
Authors: Wohlrab Johannes , Richter Claudia , Stauder Susanne
Published: December 2015

Background

Interactions between the stratum corneum and individual phases of an emulsion system depend on various factors, but primarily on the outer continuous phase of the system. While there is plenty of data on the lipophilic phase, only very little data exists on the actual penetration of the hydrophilic phase of water‐in‐oil emulsions into the stratum corneum.

Patients and methods

Against this background, two comparable water‐in‐oil emulsions were preclinically and clinically investigated on healthy as well as on artificially damaged skin with regard to interactions of the hydrophilic phase. In preclinical studies, following epicutaneous application on ex vivo skin, the distribution of the hydrophilic phase was quantified using fluorescence tests and analyzed according to anatomic layers. Additionally, a randomized, controlled, investigator‐blinded study investigated the effects of the preparations on the barrier function of healthy and artificially damaged skin over time.

Results

The results clearly show that water substitution using a water‐in‐oil emulsion can only partially be attained by the addition of hygroscopic substances (e. g. urea). These effects may primarily be explained by the occlusive properties of the lipophilic phase.

Conclusions

This, the use of water‐in‐oil emulsions may in particular be recommended for chronic barrier impairment, as long‐lasting effects are not to be expected in acutely damaged skin.
Heterospecific sperm reduction in interspecific crosses between two closely related phytophagous ladybird beetles, Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata and H. pustulosa (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
Authors: Kohyama Tetsuo I. , Matsubayashi Kei W. , Katakura Haruo
Published: December 2015

In interspecific crosses, a mismatch in internal physiological conditions between two species can reduce sperm viability in the interval from insemination to fertilization, leading to gametic isolation. Two closely related Japanese phytophagous ladybird beetles, Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata and H. pustulosa, show several isolating barriers, including reduction in the number of heterospecific sperm in the female reproductive tract and low egg‐hatching rates in interspecific matings. However, the mechanisms of these two potential isolating barriers and the association between them are unknown. Here we investigated temporal changes in the number of sperm stored in the female reproductive tract and egg‐hatching rates in inter‐ and intraspecific crosses between these species. Although the number of sperm decreased after both inter‐ and intraspecific crosses, the reduction was more drastic in inter‐ than in intraspecific crosses for females of both species. Most of the sperm reduction occurred early on, during sperm transfer from the bursa copulatrix to the paired ampullae of the common oviduct (the sperm storage organs). These two species also demonstrated stably low egg‐hatching rates in interspecific crosses. Since the degree and timing of the sperm reduction did not correlate with egg‐hatching rates, the reduction in heterospecific sperm in interspecific crosses may not directly cause the low hatching rates. These two isolating barriers could be different expressions of the physiological mismatch and/or genetic incompatibility between gametes of these species.
Nutrition for Elder Care: a nutritional semantic recommender system for the elderly
Authors: Espín Vanesa , Hurtado María V. , Noguera Manuel
Published: December 2015

The awareness and familiarity of elderly people with the use of new technologies have increased considerably in the last few years, which consequently cause a higher willingness to the use of these technologies in their daily lives. This allows the elderly to benefit from technology through active and conscious participation in activities related to health, leisure and promotion of social relationships, fostering active ageing. Three large dimensions cover almost a major part of health care within the framework of early and intermediate stages of active ageing: physical exercise, healthy nutrition and cognitive stimulation. In this paper, we present a nutritional recommender system, Nutrition for Elder Care, intended to help elderly users to draw up their own healthy diet plans following the nutritional experts guidelines. The system has been developed with the intensive use of Semantic Web technologies pursuing knowledge sharing and reuse between different applications and agents and the discovering of implicit new knowledge.
Macroecological relationships reveal conservation hotspots and extinction‐prone species in Australia's freshwater fishes
Authors: Le Feuvre Matthew C. , Dempster Tim , Shelley James J. , Swearer Stephen E.
Published: December 2015

Aim

We (1) investigate the relationship between range size and body size for all Australian freshwater fish, (2) test whether this relationship changes with dispersal capacity, (3) assess whether this macroecological pattern can be used to detect potentially vulnerable, but currently unprotected, species, and (4) identify hotspots of freshwater fish conservation concern in Australia.

Location

All Australian river basins.

Methods

We test for relationships between geographic range size and body size in all Australian freshwater fishes, using quantile regression. We then investigate how these relationships vary with conservation status and dispersal capacity. We identify currently unlisted freshwater fishes that share traits with currently listed species and map their distribution, along with freshwater fish research effort, across Australia.

Results

We found a positive, triangular relationship between range size and body size. Potamodromous species and species endemic to New Guinea and Australia had the largest geographic ranges, while diadromous and globally distributed species had the smallest geographic ranges. For a given body size, conservation‐listed species had a range less than one‐tenth the size of unlisted species. Based on this relationship, we identified 55 species that may be vulnerable to extinction. Most of these species are restricted to northern Australia, a climatically sensitive and poorly researched region on the verge of major development.

Main conclusion

Despite differences in environments, levels of connectivity and life‐history strategies, freshwater fishes exhibit a positive relationship between geographic range size and body size consistent with that found in terrestrial fauna. By identifying northern Australia as a hotspot of potentially vulnerable species, we provide an important context for guiding targeted research and informing future conservation management of Australia's freshwater fishes. We suggest macroecological relationships are likely to be useful for identifying species at risk of extinction across most taxa when detailed ecological data are absent.
Effectiveness of pacemaker tele‐monitoring on quality of life, functional capacity, event detection and workload: The PONIENTE trial
Authors: Lopez‐Villegas Antonio , Catalan‐Matamoros Daniel , Robles‐Musso Emilio , Peiro Salvador
Published: December 2015

Aims

The purpose of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of the remote monitoring (RM) of older adults with pacemakers on health‐related quality of life, functional capacity, feasibility, reliability and safety.

Methods

The PONIENTE study is a controlled, non‐randomized, non‐blinded clinical trial, with data collection carried out during the pre‐implant stage and after 12 months. Between October of 2012 and November of 2013, 82 patients were assigned to either a remote monitoring group (n = 30) or a conventional hospital monitoring (HM) group (n = 52). The EuroQol‐5D (EQ‐5D) and the Duke Activity Status Index were used to measure health‐related quality of life and functional capacity, respectively. Baseline characteristics and number of hospital visits were also analyzed.

Results

The baseline characteristics of the two study groups were similar for both the EQ‐5D (RM 0.74, HM 0.67; P = 0.404) and the Duke Activity Status Index (RM 21.42, HM 19.95; P = 0.272). At the 12‐month follow up, the EQ‐5D utility score was improved for both groups (RM 0.91, HM 0.81; P = 0.154), unlike the EQ‐5D Visual Analog Scale (P = 0.043). The Duke Activity Status Index score was similar to the baseline score. The number of in‐hospital visits was 27% lower (3 vs 4; P < 0.001) in the remote group as compared with the hospital group.

Conclusions

The PONIENTE trial suggests that the remote monitoring of pacemakers in older adults is an equivalent option to hospital monitoring, in terms of health‐related quality of life and functional capacity. Furthermore, it allows for the early detection of clinical and pacemaker‐related adverse events, and significantly reduces the number of in‐hospital visits. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 1188–1195.
Radiographic evaluation of nursing‐ and healthcare‐associated pneumonia
Authors: Haga Takahiro , Fukuoka Mizuki , Morita Mizuo , Cho Kohei , Tatsumi Koichiro
Published: December 2015

Aim

Radiographic testing has an important role in the diagnosis and evaluation of pneumonia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of computed tomography (CT), in comparison with chest roentography (CR), in the diagnosis and evaluation of nursing‐ and healthcare‐associated pneumonia (NHCAP) .

Methods

The utility of CT in the diagnosis of NHCAP was compared with that of CR in a prospective study of patients who visited the emergency room in Nissan Tamagawa Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, with clinical symptoms that were indicative of NHCAP. We also evaluated whether particular CT findings were risk factors for NHCAP‐associated mortality.

Results

A total of 162 patients with suspected NHCAP were included in the study. The 162 patients included 147 (90.6%) patients who were diagnosed with NHCAP based on the detection of pneumonic infiltration on CT. In contrast, CR was not capable of recognizing pneumonic infiltration in 15 of the 147 (10.2%) patients. A multivariable analysis which was carried out to determine the risk factors for NHCAP‐associated mortality, showed that oxygen desaturation had the greatest odds ratio, followed by a blood urea nitrogen level of ≥21 mg/dL and the detection of bilateral pneumonic infiltration by CT.

Conclusions

We herein show that CT is superior to CR for the diagnosis and evaluation of NHCAP. The present study will provide a foundation for further studies to clarify whether the use of CT in the diagnosis and evaluation of NHCAP can improve the clinical outcome of patients with NHCAP. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 41–47.
Improved wound management at lower cost: a sensible goal for Australia
Authors: Norman Rosana E , Gibb Michelle , Dyer Anthony , Prentice Jennifer , Yelland Stephen , Cheng Qinglu , Lazzarini Peter A , Carville Keryln , Innes‐Walker Karen , Finlayson Kathleen , Edwards Helen , Burn Edward , Graves Nicholas
Published: December 2015

Chronic wounds cost the Australian health system at least US$2·85 billion per year. Wound care services in Australia involve a complex mix of treatment options, health care sectors and funding mechanisms. It is clear that implementation of evidence‐based wound care coincides with large health improvements and cost savings, yet the majority of Australians with chronic wounds do not receive evidence‐based treatment. High initial treatment costs, inadequate reimbursement, poor financial incentives to invest in optimal care and limitations in clinical skills are major barriers to the adoption of evidence‐based wound care. Enhanced education and appropriate financial incentives in primary care will improve uptake of evidence‐based practice. Secondary‐level wound specialty clinics to fill referral gaps in the community, boosted by appropriate credentialing, will improve access to specialist care. In order to secure funding for better services in a competitive environment, evidence of cost‐effectiveness is required. Future effort to generate evidence on the cost‐effectiveness of wound management interventions should provide evidence that decision makers find easy to interpret. If this happens, and it will require a large effort of health services research, it could be used to inform future policy and decision‐making activities, reduce health care costs and improve patient outcomes.
The value of inflammatory markers to diagnose and monitor diabetic foot osteomyelitis
Authors: Van Asten Suzanne AV , Nichols Adam , La Fontaine Javier , Bhavan Kavita , Peters Edgar JG , Lavery Lawrence A
Published: December 2015

In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of inflammatory markers to diagnose and monitor the treatment of osteomyelitis in the diabetic foot. We evaluated 35 consecutive patients admitted to our hospital with infected foot ulcers. Patients were divided in two groups based on the results of bone culture and histopathology: osteomyelitis and no osteomyelitis. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C‐reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐8 (IL‐8), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1) and macrophage inflammatory protein‐1 alpha (MIP1α) were measured at baseline after 3 and 6 weeks of standard therapy. PCT levels in the osteomyelitis group were significantly higher at baseline than in the group with no osteomyelitis (P = 0·049). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the levels of the other markers. CRP, ESR, PCT and IL‐6 levels significantly declined in the group with osteomyelitis after starting therapy, while MCP‐1 increased (P = 0·002). TNFα and MIP1α levels were below range in 80 out of 97 samples and therefore not reported. Our results suggest that PCT might be useful to distinguish osteomyelitis in infected foot ulcers. CRP, ESR, PCT and IL‐6 are valuable when monitoring the effect of therapy.
Effect of an alpha‐ and beta‐adrenoceptor‐blocking agent (labetalol) on haemodynamics in hypertension.
Authors: Bahlmann J , Brod J , Hubrich W , Cachovan M , Pretschner P
Published: December 2015

1 The effect of an intravenous bolus of labetalol (0.6–1.6 mg/kg body weight) on central and peripheral haemodynamics was studied in nine subjects with essential hypertension and in eleven subjects with chronic renal disease and hypertension. 2 The BP reduction amounting to 20/13 mmHg was entirely due to the lowering of the total peripheral vascular resistance. This also included the vascular resistance in the muscles. 3 This peripheral vasodilatation was not counteracted by a reflex increase of the cardiac output. 4 The reflex tachycardia and overshoot of BP in Valsalva's manoeuvre were largely abolished. 5 Central and peripheral venous BPs, vascular volume of the forearm and venous distensibility did not show any significant change after treatment with labetalol. 6 In spite of the lowering of the vascular resistance of the forearm by labetalol, forearm blood flow was not significantly affected due to the parallel decrease in the perfusion pressure. 7 Plasma renin activity fell after labetalol in all instances.
A long‐term study of labetalol in general practice.
Authors: Kane J , Gregg I , Stephens MD
Published: December 2015

1 Forty‐one patients with mild to moderate hypertension have been treated with labetalol for up to 5 years. 2 Mean BP before treatment was 180/107 mm Hg, after 2–3 yr treatment was 136/81 mmHg and after 5 yr was 136/74 mmHg. 3 One patient developed a licheniform rash and two patients have died of myocardial infarction. No other side‐effects, not already observed in a previously reported double‐blind trial, have emerged.
Use of labetalol in the treatment of severe hypertension during pregnancy.
Authors: Michael CA
Published: December 2015

1 Labetalol, a hypotensive agent combining alpha‐ and beta‐adrenoceptor antagonist properties, was used to treat severe hypertensive disease complicating pregnancy. 2 Effective reduction in BP was achieved in all but 3 of the 25 patients treated. Careful monitoring of feto‐placental function was undertaken to ensure the maintenance of fetal well‐being. Maternal and fetal side‐effects were minimal and it was not necessary to discontinue the drug in any patient. 3 Labetalol was estimated in the cord blood of the fetus at delivery as well as in the breast milk of mothers on day 3 post partum. There were no adverse effects of the drug on the infants and significant hypotension did not occur. 4 The reults suggest that labetalol has a direct action on fetal lung maturation and this, together with its effective hypotensive effect, contributes to the low perinatal mortality (3.5%) observed. 5 Oculotoxicity due to the labetalol was not observed in the infants delivered. 6 It is concluded that the efficient hypotensive action of labetalol, together with apparent freedom from maternal and fetal side‐ effects, and consequent improved perinatal mortality, suggest that it is a suitable drug for use in pregnancy complicated by hypertension.
Use of labetalol and methyldopa in pregnancy‐induced hypertension.
Authors: Lamming GD , Symonds EB
Published: December 2015

1 Nineteen pregnant patients whose mean arterial pressure (MAP) was persistently greater than or equal to 103.3 mmHg were given labetalol or methyldopa. 2 Singificant falls (P less than 0.001) in BP only occurred in the group treated with labetalol, and daily BP control was better in this group. 3 Two severely hypertensive patients were successfully treated with intravenous labetalol. 4 There was a higher incidence of spontaneous labour in the labetalol group and a significant difference (P less than 0.05) in the Bishop score of the cervix between the two groups. 5 There were no apparent detrimental effects on the foetus antenatally, during labour or post partum. 6 Slight breathlessness in one patient treated with labetalol was the only side‐effect observed but drowsiness, headache and postural hypotension were reported in patients receiving methyldopa.
Labetalol infusion in acute myocardial infarction with systemic hypertension.
Authors: Marx PG , Reid DS
Published: December 2015

1 Fifteen patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction and systemic BP of greater than 160/110 mmHg were treated with an incremental infusion of labetalol. 2 Systemic BPs were safely and effectively lowered to less than 130 mm Hg systolic or 90 mmHg diastolic in all pateints. 3 Heart rate, mean pulmonary artery wedge pressure cardiac index and stroke work index were significantly reduced. 4 The dose of labetalol varied from 30 mg‐440 mg and was significantly higher (mean 295 mg) in those patients with pre‐existing systemic hypertension compared with others (mean 133 mg). 5 No side‐ effects occurred and all patients survived to leave hospital.
THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS OF THE STONE METEORITES YAMATO (a), (b), (c) and (d), AND NUMAKAÍ
Authors: Shima Masako
Published: December 2015

The stone meteorites Yamato (a), (b), (c) and (d) were found in Antarctica in 1969, and the chondrite Numakai was seen to fall in Hokkaido, Japan, in 1925. The chemical compositions of these meteorites have been determined by classical and instrumental methods.

With the help of the stepwise fractional dissolution method the chemical composition confirmed the author's previous classification of Yamato (a), (b), (c) and (d) as enstatite chondrite, Ca‐poor achondrite, type III carbonaceous chondrite and H‐group chondrite, respectively. Numakai is classified as an H‐group olivine‐bronzite chondrite. The distribution of the major elements in each phase of these chondrites is discussed.
ROOSEVELT COUNTY 027: A LOW‐SHOCK UREILITE WITH INTERSTITIAL SILICATES AND HIGH NOBLE GAS CONCENTRATIONS
Authors: Goodrich Cyrena Anne , Keil Klaus , Berkley John L. , Laul J.C. , Smith M.R. , Wacker John F. , Clayton Robert N. , Mayeda Toshiko K.
Published: December 2015

The lightly‐shocked ureilite RC027 was found in Roosevelt County, New Mexico in 1984. In terms of petrography, texture, mineral compositions, bulk chemical composition, and oxygen isotopic composition it is a typical ureilite. It contains ∼75% olivine (Fo 79.4) and 25% pigeonite (mg 81.3, Wo 8.0), with intergranular graphite and (Fe, Ni) metal. It also contains less than 1% of fine‐grained, interstitial silicate material, which had not previously been recognized in any ureilite. This material is an assemblage of low‐Ca pyroxene (Wo 3.5–9, mg 87–93), augite (Wo 24–36, mg 90–98), glass (typically ∼95% SiO2, 4% Al2O3, 0.5% Na2O), and crystalline SiO2. This material has an igneous texture, indicating that it crystallized from an interstitial liquid. Low‐Ca pyroxene compositions indicate that the interstitial liquid was not in equilibrium with core pigeonite and olivine and cannot have been either an evolved intercumulus liquid or a low‐degree partial melt. It may contain a component of shock‐melted olivine and pigeonite, although petrographic evidence indicates that it could not have been an in situ shock melt. One sample of RC027 has a V‐shaped rare earth element pattern, typical of ureilites. Another is depleted in light rare earth elements (LREE), similar to acid‐treated samples of ureilites, which suggests that LREE in ureilites are contained in an inhomogeneously‐distributed phase. RC027 shows the strongest olivine preferred‐orientation yet observed in a ureilite. Its fabric is characteristic of fabrics formed by tabular minerals in a fluid laminar flow regime and is unlike those formed by syntectonic recrystallization and plastic flow.

The elemental and isotopic compositions of noble gases in RC027 are typical of previously analyzed ureilites. This result indicates that there is no correlation of noble gas content with degree of shock in ureilites, and thus suggests that the gases were present in the ureilite material before shock. Cosmogenic He and Ne contents indicate cosmic ray exposure ages of 1.7 and 1.9 Myr, respectively. Thus, RC027 is not paired with Kenna (a ureilite also found in Roosevelt County), which has an exposure age of ∼33 Myr.
TALEMZANE: ALGERIAN IMPACT CRATER DETECTED ON SIR‐A ORBITAL IMAGING RADAR
Authors: McHone John F. , Greeley Ronald
Published: December 2015

In November, 1981, NASA's first Shuttle Imaging Radar mission (SIR‐A) began producing maplike photographic strips of Earth scenes from orbital altitude. A Saharan radar image acquired over Algeria clearly delineates two sedimentary basins, Erg Occidental and Erg Oriental, separated by an elongated zone of exposed bedrock, the M'Zab Chebka. At the NE margin of the Chebka, rimrocks, slopes, and ejecta deposits of Talemzane meteorite impact crater appear as a distinct two km wide radar‐bright ring. This unique circle of strong radar backscatter distinguishes the solitary impact structure from numerous dayas (similarly appearing karstic depressions) which characterize the region. The crater is prominant on radar, but is obscure on optically obtained satellite and aircraft images, as are partly buried fluvial drainage systems and fault‐block traces developed in bedrocks of the Chebka. Radar detection of an annular drainage system indicates possible presence of a ring graben at the crater. Brightest radar signals on the image are cultural features at recently developed gas fields near Hassi er R'Mel.