bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternative functional strategies and altered carbon pathways facilitate broad depth ranges in coral‐obligate reef fishes
Authors: MacDonald Chancey , Bridge Tom C. L. , McMahon Kelton W. , Jones Geoffrey P.
Published: July 2019

Spatial refuges in peripheral habitats will become increasingly important for species persistence as climate change and other disturbances progressively impact habitat quality and assemblage compositions. However, the capacity for persistence will be determined in part by species‐specific abilities to absorb costs related to altered or decreased quantities and quality of resources at range peripheries.

We compared variations in dietary strategies and energy acquisition trade‐offs along depth gradients in two obligate corallivores that differ in level of diet specialization. We also assessed depth‐related changes in energy pathways and energy content of their mixotrophic prey. We found no changes in feeding effort or total resource availability (total coral cover) towards deep range margins, but availability of the preferred resource (Acropora coral) decreased. While both species selectively targeted Acropora, the more specialized species (Chaetodon baronessa) exhibited limited feeding plasticity along the depth gradient. The degree of selectivity towards the preferred coral increased rather than decreased with depth, being 40 times greater than expected, given availability, at their range periphery. In contrast, the generalist's diet (Chaetodon octofasciatus) varied greatly in response to changes in resource availability with depth.

Unexpectedly, the energy content of Acropora did not decline with depth, likely due to increased coral heterotrophy in deeper water, indicated by shifts in their molecular isotope geochemistry. This shift was accompanied by a 20% increase in plankton‐sourced carbon in the muscle tissue of deep‐resident fish, despite no observations of direct feeding on plankton food sources.

Our results indicate that deep ranges in coral‐obligate reef fishes are supported by multiple mechanisms of trophic versatility in both the fish and corals. This nutritional plasticity likely serves a compensatory role in the resilience and eventual adaptation of organisms at their range peripheries.

For species vulnerable to increasing anthropogenic impacts at range cores, variable and multi‐trophic functional responses can act to buffer against costs and increase the refuge potential of range peripheries. Specialist consumers may also be supported indirectly at range margins via trophic plasticity within their preferred prey.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction is lacking in rats with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Soloviev Anatoly , Ivanova Irina , Melnyk Mariia , Dobrelia Nataliia , Khromov Alexander
Published: July 2019

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) is the most important feature of intact lung circulation that matches local blood perfusion to ventilation. The main goal of this work was to study the effects of diabetes on the development of HPV in rats. The experimental design comprised diabetes mellitus induction by streptozotocin, video‐morphometric measurements of the lumen area of intrapulmonary arteries (iPAs) using perfused lung tissue slices and patch‐clamp techniques. It was shown that iPA lumen size was significantly reduced under physical and chemical hypoxia (7–10 mm Hg) in normal iPA, but, on the contrary, it clearly increased in diabetic lung slices. The amplitude of the outward K+ current in diabetic iPAs smooth muscle cells (SMCs) was two‐fold greater than that seen in healthy cells. Chemical hypoxia led to significant decrease in the amplitude of the K+ outward current in healthy iPA SMCs while it was without effect in diabetic cells. The data obtained clearly indicate a significant dysregulation of vascular tone in pulmonary circulation under diabetes, ie diabetes damages the adaptive mechanism for regulating blood flow from poorly ventilated to better ventilated regions of the lung under hypoxia. This effect could be clinically important for patients with diabetes who have acute or chronic lung diseases associated with the lack of blood oxygenation.
Embracing and Harnessing the Intimate Connection Between Emotion and Cognition to Help Students Learn
Authors: Schmidt Shelly J.
Published: July 2019

Traditionally, cognition and emotion were believed to be independent systems; however, research in the cognitive and neurobiological sciences has shown that the relationship between cognition and emotion is both interdependent and extensive. This intimate connection between emotion and cognition is leading to a number of insights that have the potential to inform and transform educational practices at all levels—from the classroom to the curriculum to educational policy. The question that has been on my mind (and on my heart) is, as a teacher, how can I both embrace and harness the power of emotion to help my students’ learning be more meaningful, useful, and intrinsically motivated? In this article, I would like to share with you some of the effective practices that I have implemented in my classroom and how I have worked to intentionally embed the emotional aspect of learning into the framework of the courses I teach.
Effect of pH and Salinity on the Production of Extracellular Virulence Factors by Aeromonas from Food Sources
Authors: John Nifty , Vidyalakshmi V.B. , Hatha A.A. Mohamed
Published: July 2019

The ability to produce various extracellular enzymes is considered as an important virulence feature inAeromonasspp., in addition to producing specific virulence factors such as aerolysin and hemolysin. In this study, the effect of salinity and pH on the production of extracellular virulence factors byAeromonaswas investigated.Aeromonaswas obtained from different food sources. A comparative study of the activities of extracellular enzymes secreted by these bacteria at different environmental conditions can widen our understanding on their pathogenicity. The activities of various extracellular enzymes such as amylase, gelatinase, and caseinase, which are implicated as virulence factors, were measuredin vitroby calculating the enzymatic activity index (EAI) of each enzyme using standard laboratory protocols. For all enzymes, a significant change (P< 0.05) in the EAI was observed when the concentration of NaCl in the media increased from 0.5% to 3%. Among three enzymes tested, caseinase was found to be affected the most by salinity, with a significant difference in EAI when NaCl concentration in the media increased from 0.5% to 2%. Similarly, amylase was found to be affected the most by acidity. The pH values ranging from 6 to 9 did not exert any significant change in EAI of amylase; however, a pH value of 5 had a significant effect. Overall, compared to salinity, the change in pH was found to be less effective in controlling the extracellular virulence factor production inAeromonas.

Practical Applications

The practical application is to minimize the extracellular virulence factor production byAeromonasin food commodities by altering the salt content and pH. The results demonstrate that an increase in salinity and a decrease in pH can minimize the extracellular virulence factor production byAeromonasspp.
Antioxidant Profile of 1‐Monocaffeoyl Glycerol in Lipophobic/Lipophilic Media
Authors: Weng Longmei , Li Lin , Ji Lili , Zhao Di , Xu Zhenbo , Su Jianyu , Li Bing , Zhang Xia
Published: July 2019

Oxidative stress has been generally considered as one trigger of organism imbalance, resulting in lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and protein oxidation, which could be relieved by antioxidant supplement or endogenous antioxidant system. In present study, 1‐monocaffeoyl glycerol (1‐MCG), an amphipathic caffeic acid natural derivative, was enzymatically synthesized by Lipozyme 435, and its antioxidant profile in both lipophilic and lipophobic media was evaluated. The 1‐MCG was identified by HPLC‐UV, HPLC‐ESI‐MS, and 1H/13C‐NMR. Subsequently, antioxidant assays in lipophilic (DPPH assay) and lipophobic (ABTS, ORAC, erythrocyte hemolysis, ROS, MDA, and GPx assays) systems were explored. The better and lasting DPPH· and ABTS+· inhibitions of 1‐MCG than caffeic acid (CA) were related to its better solubilities in ethanol/water media and electron transfer ability. ORAC results suggested the radical scavenging activities of 1‐MCG (5 to 40 µM) were higher than Trolox. Furthermore, the effectiveness of 1‐MCG against AAPH‐induced erythrocytes oxidation indicated that 1‐MCG can effectively inhibit hemolysis. ESEM was also applied to verify the hemolysis inhibition and morphology preservation abilities of 1‐MCG. Besides, results showed 1‐MCG was able to prevent ROS from invasion, reduce production of MDA, up‐regulated GPx activity, terminate lipid peroxidation, and maintain the integrity of the structure and function of erythrocytes.

Practical Application

As an amphiphilic caffeic acid derivative, 1‐monocaffeoyl glycerol was synthesized, purified, and identified. 1‐Monocaffeoyl glycerol could significantly eliminate radicals including DPPH·, ABTS+·, and AAPH in ethanol, water, and PBS system, respectively. 1‐Monocaffeoyl glycerol could protect erythrocyte from AAPH induced hemolysis.
Subanesthetic ketamine infusions for the management of pediatric pain in non‐critical care settings: An observational analysis
Authors: Masaracchia Melissa M. , Sites Brian D. , Lee Justin , Thomas James J. , Fernandez Patrick G.
Published: July 2019

Background

Guidelines issued by the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine suggest that ketamine infusions for acute pain management are advantageous as a primary treatment or as an opioid adjunct. Despite significant data regarding its use in adult patients, there remains a paucity of information related to its quality and side effect profile in pediatrics and how it can be effectively used. We aimed to summarize our practice of utilizing ketamine for pediatric pain management in non‐critical care settings.

Methods

Patients aged 0‐21 years receiving low‐dose ketamine infusions (≤0.3 mg/kg/hour) in inpatient care units over five years were retrospectively analyzed. Demographics, specific quality metrics, and side effects were quantified.

Results

About 172 patients received 270 subhypnotic ketamine infusions. The median duration of the infusions was 63.8 hours and 0.2 mg/kg/hour for the highest dose. The primary indication for ketamine was chronic pain exacerbation (83.3%). Despite similar opioid consumption, there was a significant reduction in mean verbal pain scores before (8.9 ± 1.9, P < .001) and after ketamine (6.5 ± 2.7, P < .001) use. Although there were 52 incidences of some side effect (neurologic excitability [10.4%]; over‐sedation [7.4%]; rapid response team alerts [1.1%]), none resulted in termination of the infusion or escalations in care.

Conclusion

Ketamine can effectively be used as part of a multimodal analgesic regimen in pediatric patients in non‐critical care settings. Our five‐year experience using low‐dose ketamine infusions highlights an acceptable side effect profile, with no attributable escalations in care or serious adverse events.
Genetic and environmental risk factors in the non‐medical use of over‐the‐counter or prescribed analgesics, and their relationship to major classes of licit and illicit substance use and misuse in a population‐based sample of young adult twins
Authors: Gillespie Nathan A. , Bates Timothy C. , Hickie Ian B. , Medland Sarah E. , Verhulst Brad , Kirkpatrick Robert M. , Kendler Kenneth S. , Martin Nicholas G. , Benotsch Eric G.
Published: July 2019

Background and Aims

The non‐medical use of over‐the‐counter or prescribed analgesics (NMUA) is a significant public health problem. Little is known about the genetic and environmental etiology of NMUA and how these risks relate to other classes of substance use and misuse. Our aims were to estimate the heritability NMUA and sources of genetic and environmental covariance with cannabis and nicotine use, cannabis and alcohol use disorders and nicotine dependence in Australian twins.

Design

Biometrical genetic analyses or twin methods using structural equation univariate and multivariate modeling.

Setting

Australia.

Participants

A total of 2007 young adult twins [66% female; μage = 25.9, standard deviation (SD) = 3.6, range = 18–38] from the Brisbane Longitudinal Twin Study retrospectively assessed between 2009 and 2016.

Measurements

Self‐reported NMUA (non‐opioid or opioid‐based), life‐time nicotine, cannabis and opioid use, DSM‐V cannabis and alcohol use disorders and the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence.

Findings

Life‐time NMUA was reported by 19.4% of the sample. Univariate heritability explained 46% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.29–0.57] of the risks in NMUA. Multivariate analyses revealed that NMUA is moderately associated genetically with cannabis (rg = 0.41) and nicotine (rg = 0.45) use and nicotine dependence (rg = 0.34). In contrast, the genetic correlations with cannabis (rg = 0.15) and alcohol (rg = 0.07) use disorders are weak.

Conclusions

In young male and female adults in Australia, the non‐medical use of over‐the‐counter or prescribed analgesics appears to have moderate heritability. NMUA is moderately associated with cannabis and nicotine use and nicotine dependence. Its genetic etiology is largely distinct from that of cannabis and alcohol use disorders.
Developmental horizons in the pre‐natal development of the Greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus)
Authors: Mustapha Oluwaseun A. , Olude Matthew A. , Ezekiel Samuel , Seeger Johannes , Fietz Simone A. , Olopade James O.
Published: July 2019

The Greater cane rat (GCR, Thyronomys swinderianus) is a precocial rodent predominantly found within Africa. Economic and scientific interests have led to several research efforts towards the domestication and better understanding of the biology and development of this rodent. Despite these efforts, information on the pre‐natal development of this rodent is currently lacking. This study characterises distinct developmental milestones including skin pigmentation, emergence and distributions of hairs, calvarium consistency, teeth eruption, development of appendages, sensory organs and external genitalia in the pre‐natal GCR and assesses quantitative body parameters, that is body weight, body and crown–rump lengths across its entire gestation length (gestation days [GDs] 10‐140). Using these external features, we provide baseline reference ontogenetic scales for GCR embryos and fetuses, employable for stage, age and sex estimation of the pre‐natal GCR in future studies. We observed that the first evidence of an embryo was not seen before the end of the first trimester (GD50) and that the late second trimester (GD80‐GD100) marks the transition from embryogenesis to fetogenesis in the GCR. As both events occur at a much later developmental time point when compared to precocial non‐rodents including human, sheep and pig and slightly later when compared to other precocial rodents such as guinea pig, our data provide first indication that the pre‐natal GCR development might be associated with a reproductive delay. Together, this study expands our knowledge of the development and biology of the GCR, which will improve reproductive and breeding management, and native species conservation of this hystricomorph mammal.
Letter: use of collagen proportionate area to quantify liver fibrosis and predict clinical outcomes in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Huang Rui , Wu Weihua , Wang Jian , Zhang Zhaoping , Wu Chao
Published: July 2019

Linked Content

This article is linked to Buzzetti et al and Buzzetti and Tsochatzis papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15219 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15385.
Letter: programmed cell death protein‐1‐targeted immunotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma–authors' reply
Authors: Scheiner Bernhard , Pinter Matthias
Published: July 2019

Linked Content

This article is linked to Scheiner et al and Liu et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15245 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15336.
Editorial: older patients are significantly more likely to have colon ischaemia‐associated conditions that are chronic and complex—authors' reply
Authors: Silverman Michael , Aroniadis Olga C. , Feuerstadt Paul , Brandt Lawrence J.
Published: July 2019

Linked Content

This article is linked to Silverman et al and Clarke and Feuerstein papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15268 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15287.
Top executives' perceptions of the inclusion of corporate social responsibility in quality management
Authors: Neri Selina , Pinnington Ashly H. , Lahrech Abdelmounaim , Al‐Malkawi Husam‐Aldin N.
Published: July 2019

Exercise of global responsibility is critical to the future of quality practices in business, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) is relevant to the quality movement. However, not much is known about management perceptions of CSR in the specific context of quality management. This paper examines top executives' views on CSR and quality management implemented through the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) framework. We report the results of a survey of executives in a multinational corporation operating in the outsourcing and technology services industry. The main factors influencing managerial perceptions were value generation, industry forces, institutional and stakeholder pressures, and organizational values and beliefs. In contrast to previous studies, we found limited evidence supporting the influence of shareholder pressures, competition, or the business case for CSR. We concluded that company lifecycle, changes in ownership structure, and owners' orientation toward CSR influenced its potential for adoption through implementation of the EFQM quality framework.
Does Talk Lead to Action? An Examination of the Relationship between Debate and Funding for NGOs in Canada
Authors: Corrigall‐Brown Catherine , Ho Mabel
Published: July 2019

All organizations, including nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), need funding to survive and fulfill their mandates. What is the best strategy for securing that funding? Should groups work to attract government attention and be a focus of government debate or should they avoid this type of scrutiny? This article uses innovative data to systematically examine how being the subject of debate in parliament is related to NGO funding for Indigenous, women, and environmental groups. We also examine if the relationship between debate and funding is dependent on the political party in power. We use data collected from Canadian Public Accounts, which lists all grants to groups by the federal government, and the index of Hansard, a full record of parliamentary debates at the federal level in Canada. Our findings demonstrate that the relationship between debate and funding is dependent on the issue area. While debate is positively associated with funding in all areas, it is a stronger predictor of funding for environmental and Indigenous groups than for organizations focusing on women. In addition, the party in power is critical for shaping how debate is related to funding. Debate has a much stronger effect on environmental funding when Liberals are in power than it does when Conservatives control the Prime Minister's office. This research shows that NGOs must be strategic when garnering attention to their cause as more debate does not necessarily lead to more funding across issue areas and contexts.
Increasedgrp78transcription is correlated to reducedtlr4transcription in patients surviving sepsis
Authors: Stan R C , Pinto Bonin C , Porto R , Soriano F G , de Camargo M M
Published: July 2019

Regulated transcriptional readthrough during stress maintains genome structure and ensures access to genes that are necessary for cellular recovery. A broad number of genes, including of the bacterial sensor Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), are markedly transcribed on initiating the systemic inflammatory response. Here we study the transcriptional patterns of tlr4 and of its modulator grp78 during human sepsis, and establish their correlations with the outcome of patients. We measured the daily tlr4 and grp78 RNA expression levels in peripheral blood of septic patients, immediately after admission to intensive care, and modeled these RNA values with a sine damping function. We obtained negative correlations between the transcription of tlr4 and grp78 RNA in the survivor group. In contrast, such relation is lost in the deceased patients. Loss of transcriptional homeostasis predicted by our model within the initial 4 days of hospitalization was confirmed by death of those patients up to 28 days later.
Who Speaks for (and Feeds) the Community? Competing Definitions of “Community” in the Austin, TX, Urban Farm Debate
Authors: Romero Rachel , Harris Deborah A.
Published: July 2019

Alternative food supporters claim that food produced outside the corporate system can improve the wellbeing of communities. A closer look at these claims raises the question: How are members of the alternative food movement defining “community” and who is being included in and excluded from these definitions? We draw from in–depth interviews with (1) urban famers and their supporters and (2) neighborhood members of gentrifying East Austin to examine irreconcilable disputes on the process of rewriting Austin's urban farm code. We use Stanley Fish's concept of “interpretive communities” to understand competing definitions of “community” and theorize beyond this point by noting that when communities feel at threat, they come together as coalesced communities to gain support for their stance. The discussions in this paper can be situated within dialogues of critical geography, gentrification, alternative foodways, and public health to show how class, race, and ethnicity remain tied to environmental justice.
Cerebellar lesions as potential predictors of neurobehavioural phenotype in tuberous sclerosis complex
Authors: Toldo Irene , Bugin Samuela , Perissinotto Egle , Pelizza Maria Federica , Vignoli Aglaia , Parazzini Cecilia , Canevini Maria Paola , Nosadini Margherita , Sartori Stefano , Manara Renzo
Published: July 2019

Aim

To improve the genetic, clinical, and neuroradiological characterization of cerebellar involvement in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and determine whether cerebellar lesions could be a reliable biomarker of neurological impairment.

Method

This retrospective cohort study, held at two tertiary paediatric university centres, was conducted on patients with a confirmed diagnosis of TSC who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging between October 2009 and May 2016. The study population consisted of 112 patients with TSC (median age 10y; range 5mo–38y; 61 females, 51 males).

Results

The results from multivariable statistical analysis indicated that cerebellar involvement (34 out of 112 patients, none carrying a TSC1 mutation) was the most powerful predictor of supratentorial cortical tuber load; however, cerebellar involvement was not the best predictor of clinical phenotype when supratentorial tuber load and TSC2 mutations were taken into consideration. The association between cerebellar lesions and a more severe clinical and neuroradiological phenotype was statistically significant and may be due to its strong association with TSC2 mutations and higher cortical tuber load.

Interpretation

Cerebellar involvement is not the best predictor of neurobehavioural outcome, including TSC‐related autism, after adjusting for TSC2 and the number of cortical tubers. Its role in the TSC clinical phenotype needs to be investigated further.

What this paper adds

Cerebellar involvement is a powerful predictor of supratentorial cortical involvement and a potential biomarker of disease severity.

Cerebellar lesions significantly correlate with a more severe clinical and neuroradiological phenotype.

Cerebellar involvement is not the best predictor of neurobehavioural outcome.
Establishing community pathways for the early recognition of cerebral palsy: red flags, enablement, and family support
Authors: Msall Michael E
Published: July 2019

This commentary is on the original article by Boychuck et al. on pages 89‐96 of this issue.
Factors associated with fatigue in children with perinatal stroke
Authors: Stubberud Jan
Published: July 2019

This commentary is on the original article by Wrightson et al. on pages 234–240 of this issue.
The inherent multidimensionality of temporal variability: how common and rare species shape stability patterns
Authors: Arnoldi Jean‐François , Loreau Michel , Haegeman Bart
Published: July 2019

Empirical knowledge of diversity–stability relationships is mostly based on the analysis of temporal variability. Variability, however, often depends on external factors that act as disturbances, which makes comparisons across systems difficult to interpret. Here, we show how variability can reveal inherent stability properties of ecological communities. This requires that we abandon one‐dimensional representations, in which a single variability measurement is taken as a proxy for how stable a system is, and instead consider the whole set of variability values generated by all possible stochastic perturbations. Despite this complexity, in species‐rich systems, a generic pattern emerges from community assembly, relating variability to the abundance of perturbed species. Strikingly, the contrasting contributions of different species abundance classes to variability, driven by different types of perturbations, can lead to opposite diversity–stability patterns. We conclude that a multidimensional perspective on variability helps reveal the dynamical richness of ecological systems and the underlying meaning of their stability patterns.
Ecological disjunction across the sexes in an alloparasitoid: Host requirements, sex ratios and mate localization (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)
Authors: Abeeluck Dav , Walter Gimme H.
Published: July 2019

The larval females of Coccophagus sp. nr gurneyi Compere are primary parasitoids of lantana mealybugs, whereas males develop hyperparasitically through other parasitoids (never their own females), so the species is alloparasitic. Males are seldom even reared from lantana mealybugs (<0.3%, n = 4,212), and have not yet been reared from any other host. Adults were sampled in the field to establish that this species is sexual (by assessing female spermathecal content), and to quantify relative abundance of the sexes around host infestations. Adult males were scarce above hosts (3%, n = 314), but were attracted in relatively high numbers to caged virgin females within those infestations. Caged females outside infestations did not attract males, suggesting that mate attraction requires environmental signals other than those from females. Most females collected in the field above host infestations had sperm in their spermathecal capsules. They presumably had mated with males that developed elsewhere (so mate localization might involve searching across substantial distances). Virgin females were present only early in the day and evidently mate soon after eclosion. Evidence of sperm depletion in mated females was not found. The spatial scale of male and female movements needs to be quantified, but the ongoing movement of individuals (as a consequence of their sex‐related host relationships) seems to be a regular aspect of their ecology. The spatial and temporal dynamics across the sexes illustrates that their abilities to localize one another for mating leaves the sexes free to diverge ecologically, and their sex ratios to vary.
First record of the Madeira mealybug, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), in Jordan
Authors: Katbeh‐Bader A. , Al‐Jboory I. J. , Bora Kaydan M.
Published: July 2019

The Madeira mealybug, Phenacoccus madeirensis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is recorded from Jordan for the first time. Specimens were collected from heavily infested ornamental geranium plants, Pelargonium sp. (Geraniaceae), Chrysanthemum sp. (Asteroideae), Hibiscus rosa‐sinensis L. (Malvaceae), Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Poellnitz (Crassulaceae) and basil, Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae). In addition, this mealybug was taken from infested leaves of cherry tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L., and sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum L. (Solanaceae). Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is recorded as a new host for P. madeirensis. Slide mounts were prepared, and voucher specimens were preserved at the University of Jordan Insect Museum. An urgent survey should be initiated to determine the current distribution of the pest in Jordan. Inspection of ornamental nurseries should be given priority and plant protection officials should pay particular attention to this serious pest.
Changes in serum zinc levels in hepatitis C patients before and after treatment with direct‐acting antiviral agents
Authors: Suda Toshikuni , Okawa Osamu , Shirahashi Ryosaku , Tokutomi Naohiko , Tamano Masaya
Published: July 2019

Aim

Zinc supplementation therapy has been shown to improve the prognosis of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, little is known about the changes in serum zinc levels with treatment using direct‐acting antiviral agents (DAAs). This prospective study investigated the changes in serum zinc levels before and after treatment with DAAs in hepatitis C patients.

Methods

Thirty‐one patients with chronic hepatitis C or HCV‐related compensated cirrhosis who were treated with DAAs (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir or elbasvir/grazoprevir) were included in the study. Serum zinc and serum albumin levels were measured before DAA treatment (Baseline), at the end of treatment (EOT), and at 12 weeks after EOT (Follow‐up 12). The changes over time in the serum zinc and serum albumin levels were investigated.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 68.5 ± 12.1 (range, 40–86) years, and 17 (55%) were women. Based on the Japanese Society of Clinical Nutrition diagnostic criteria, 6 patients had zinc deficiency (<60 μg/dL), and 21 patients had subclinical zinc deficiency (60–80 μg/dL). Significant differences in serum zinc levels were seen between Baseline and EOT (P = 0.01) and between EOT and Follow‐up 12 (P = 0.0003). There was no significant difference in serum albumin levels between Baseline and EOT (P = 0.76), but a significant increase was seen between EOT and Follow‐up 12 (P = 0.01).

Conclusions

Increases in serum zinc are directly related to DAA treatment and are not a result of increases in albumin. Inhibition of the non‐structural protein (NS)3 and NS5A by DAAs could be associated with the improvement of serum zinc levels in hepatitis C patients.
Incidence of falls among community‐dwelling older adults in Turkey and its relationship with pain and insomnia
Authors: Kulakci Altintas Hulya , Korkmaz Aslan Gülbahar
Published: July 2019

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of falls among community‐dwelling older adults and the impact of pain and insomnia on falls.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study recruited 659 older adults. Pain was assessed by the Geriatric Pain Measure, and insomnia was assessed by the Insomnia Severity Index. The history of falls was assessed within the last 12 months. Risk factors for falls were determined using logistic regression analysis.

Results

The incidence of falls within the last year was 37.2%. Based on the analyses, pain and insomnia were found to be risk factors for falls.

Conclusion

In this study, falls were observed as a common problem among community‐dwelling older adults, and pain and insomnia were determined as risk factors for falls. Therefore, pain and insomnia should be addressed when prevention of falls among community‐dwelling older adults are planned by health care professionals including nurses.
Conceptualizing Rater Judgments and Rating Processes for Rater‐Mediated Assessments
Authors: Wang Jue , Engelhard George
Published: July 2019

Rater‐mediated assessments exhibit scoring challenges due to the involvement of human raters. The quality of human ratings largely determines the reliability, validity, and fairness of the assessment process. Our research recommends that the evaluation of ratings should be based on two aspects: a theoretical model of human judgment and an appropriate measurement model for evaluating these judgments. In rater‐mediated assessments, the underlying constructs and response processes may require the use of different rater judgment models and the application of different measurement models. We describe the use of Brunswik's lens model as an organizing theme for conceptualizing human judgments in rater‐mediated assessments. The constructs vary depending on which distal variables are identified in the lens models for the underlying rater‐mediated assessment. For example, one lens model can be developed to emphasize the measurement of student proficiency, while another lens model can stress the evaluation of rater accuracy. Next, we describe two measurement models that reflect different response processes (cumulative and unfolding) from raters: Rasch and hyperbolic cosine models. Future directions for the development and evaluation of rater‐mediated assessments are suggested.
Recruitment dynamics and fishery characteristics of juvenile goatfishes Mulloidichthys spp. in Hawai‘i
Authors: Kamikawa Keith T. , Humphreys Robert L. , Bowen Brian W. , Friedlander Alan M.
Published: July 2019

The most common goatfishes in Hawai‘i, Mulloidichthys flavolineatus and M. vanicolensis, comprise a unique resource due to their cultural, ecological and biological significance. These species exhibit pulse‐type recruitment to nearshore areas during the summer months. Such pulses of juvenile fishes provide prey for pelagic and nearshore fishes and support a popular directed fishery. However, limited scientific information exists on juvenile stages of these fishes, known locally as oama, despite their contribution to coastal ecology and the extensive nearshore fisheries. Here we resolve growth rates, habitat preferences, hatching dates, size and age structure, as well as fishing catch rates based on new recruits in 2014 and 2015. We sampled 257 M. flavolineatus and 204 M. vanicolensis to compare ecological and fisheries characteristics between species and years. Both show strong habitat segregation, with M. vanicolensis found almost exclusively on hard and M. flavolineatus on soft substrates. Oama recruited in anomalously high numbers in 2014, a trend reflected in a higher catch per unit effort. In contrast, 2015 recruits grew faster, were heavier on average and hatched later than during 2014. Both species have calculated hatch dates in March to July, with M. vanicolensis hatching earlier, recruiting earlier and being consistently larger than M. flavolineatus. This baseline information regarding recruitment and early life‐history characteristics can enhance management for other data‐limited species that comprise a substantial component of nearshore fisheries in Hawai‘i.
Kinetics and mathematical modeling of thin layer drying of mint leaves by a hot water recirculating solar dryer
Authors: Moradi Mehdi , Fallahi Mohammad Ali , Mousavi Khaneghah Amin
Published: July 2019

This research was mainly devoted to evaluating the drying kinetics of mint leaves in a newly introduced solar dryer. In order to assess the drying kinetics of mint leaves, nine drying temperature levels (with the average value of: 41.3, 42.2, 44.1, 45.9, 47, 48.2, 50, 51.5, and 53.9°C and a corresponded drying time of 255, 255, 195, 180, 180, 180, 165, 165, and 150 min, respectively) were used. In addition, the corresponded values for the average drying rate levels were obtained as 2.19, 2.33, 2.96, 3.21, 3.35, 3.44, 3.51, 3.57, and 3.84% dry basis/min, respectively. Specific energy consumption of drying was calculated, which varied 5.5 to 8.6 MJ/kg of water removed. Also, 11 semiempirical models were applied to find the best‐fitted thin layer drying model, and an approximation of diffusion model has the highest correlation (R2 = 0.98, root mean square error = 0.041, k2 = 0.0017) with the experimental moisture ratio than the other models. Also, emitted carbon dioxide due to energy production from fossil fuel for usage in the electrical pump was calculated as 0.3 kg of CO2/kg of water removed. Hence, it can be concluded that the introduced solar drying technique is an eco‐friendly apparatus which was successfully used for the drying of mint leaves.

Practical application

Application of solar for production of heating energy can cause to emit lower CO2, and consequently lower environmental pollution will occur. Hence, apparatuses with fossil fuel consumption can be replaced with this dryer. Also, due to lower air flow and temperature, this dryer can be used for drying of pharmaceutical plants such as mint leaves. Therefore, the introduced dryer has lower specific energy consumption and higher energy performance as a suitable dryer for industrial usages.
The Effect of Fuel Price Changes on Fleet Demand for New Vehicle Fuel Economy
Authors: Leard Benjamin , McConnell Virginia , Zhou Yichen Christy
Published: July 2019

New vehicle purchases by private companies and government agencies, or ‘fleet’ buyers, represent a significant percentage of overall new vehicle sales in the United States. Yet little is known about fleet demand for new vehicle fuel economy including how it responds to fuel price changes. Using unique disaggregated data on fleet and household registrations of new vehicles from 2009 to 2016, we estimate how fleet demand for new vehicle fuel economy responds to fuel price changes. We find that fleet purchases of low fuel economy vehicles fall relative to high fuel economy vehicles when gasoline prices increase, a finding that is consistent with fleet buyers’ taking into account capitalization of fuel costs in the second‐hand market. Our estimates imply that raising gasoline prices by one dollar would increase fuel economy of new vehicles acquired by fleet buyers by 0.33 miles per gallon. We estimate a similar response for household buyers during the same period. This result justifies basing fuel economy responses to fuel cost changes on household data alone, an assumption widely used in the vehicle demand literature and the fuel economy valuation literature. We also find, however, that the response to fuel price changes varies across the types of fleet buyers: rental companies respond strongly to fuel price changes, whereas commercial and government buyers are insensitive. Our estimates imply that an increase in the federal gasoline tax would modestly increase fuel economy of vehicles bought by households and rental companies but would have little to no impact on fuel economy of vehicles bought by non‐rental companies and governments.
Drivers of distance‐decay in bryophyte assemblages at multiple spatial scales: Dispersal limitations or environmental control?
Authors: Cacciatori Cecilia , Tordoni Enrico , Petruzzellis Francesco , Sérgio Cecilia , Garcia César , Chiarucci Alessandro , Bacaro Giovanni
Published: July 2019

Questions

Despite the increasing scientific interest in distance decay of compositional similarity in ecology, the scale dependence of geographical versus environmental control on distance decay of biological communities has not been properly addressed so far. The present work highlights the relative importance of niche‐based processes versus dispersal limitations on distance decay patterns of epilithic bryophyte assemblages at different spatial scales.

Location

Serra de Sintra, central Portugal.

Methods

We adopted a nested sampling design with 32 selected sampling sites in each of which two clusters, each with five rocks, were surveyed. Each cluster was characterized by a set of 15 macroscale variables, which were divided into environmental and anthropogenic. For each rock eight microscale variables were recorded. Partial Mantel tests were used to assess the relative importance of geographical and environmental distance on community dissimilarity for each grain size (site, cluster, rock). Quantile regressions were used to describe the decay patterns of community similarity with respect to geographical and environmental distances. Ordination analyses and variation partitioning techniques were applied to assess the pure and shared effects of measured variables on bryophyte community composition.

Results

Environmental distance based upon macroscale predictors was significantly correlated to community similarity, while no significant correlation was found for ecological distance calculated for microscale predictors, except at the largest grain size. The decrease of community similarity with geographical and environmental distance was thus consistently strengthened with increasing sample grain. Compositional variation was best explained by anthropogenic variables.

Conclusions

The relative importance of environmental versus geographical distance on compositional similarity in epilithic bryophyte communities varies with the spatial scale of the predictors and with the sample grain. The decrease of similarity with increasing distance is related to changes in habitat features, especially those driven by human disturbance, while it is weakly affected by variations in substrate features.
The paradox of re‐oligotrophication: the role of bottom–up versus top–down controls on the phytoplankton community
Authors: Anneville Orlane , Chang Chun‐Wei , Dur Gaël , Souissi Sami , Rimet Frédéric , Hsieh Chih‐hao
Published: July 2019

Increases in phytoplankton biomass have been widely observed over the past decades, even in lakes experiencing nutrient reduction. However, the mechanisms giving rise to this trend remain unclear. Here, we unveil the potential mechanisms through quantifying the relative contribution of bottom–up versus top–down control in determining biomasses of phytoplankton assemblages in Lake Geneva. Specifically, we apply nonlinear time series analysis, convergent cross mapping (CCM), to decipher the degree of bottom–up versus top–down control among phytoplankton assemblages via quantifying 1) causal links between environmental factors and various phytoplankton assemblages and 2) the relative importance of bottom–up, top–down, and environmental effects. We show that the recent increase in total phytoplankton biomass, albeit with phosphorus reduction, was mainly caused by a particular phytoplankton assemblage which was better adapted to the re‐oligotrophicated environment characterized by relatively low phosphorus concentrations and warm water temperature, and poorly controlled by zooplankton grazing. Our findings suggest that zooplankton act as a critical driver of phytoplankton biomass and strongly impact the dynamics of recovery from eutrophication. Therefore, our phytoplankton assemblage approach in combination with causal identification of top–down versus bottom–up controls provides insights into the reason why phytoplankton biomass may increase in lakes undergoing phosphorus reduction.
OsNAC2 integrates auxin and cytokinin pathways to modulate rice root development
Authors: Mao Chanjuan , He Jianmei , Liu Lina , Deng Qiming , Yao Xuefeng , Liu Chunming , Qiao Yongli , Li Peng , Ming Feng
Published: July 2019

The rice root system is important for growth. The crosstalk between auxin and cytokinin mediates root initiation and elongation. However, it remains unclear how the transcriptional network upstream of the auxin and cytokinin signalling pathways determines root development. Here, we observed that the knockdown of OsNAC2, which encodes a NAC transcription factor, increased the primary root length and the number of crown roots. OsNAC2 predominantly expressed in primary root tips, crown roots and lateral root primordia, implying it influences root development. Molecular analyses revealed that the expressions of auxin‐ and cytokinin‐responsive genes were affected in OsNAC2‐overexpressing (OsNAC2‐OX; ON7 and ON11), RNA interference (OsNAC2‐RNAi; RNAi25 and RNAi31) and CRISPR/Cas9 plants. Additionally, OsNAC2 can directly bind to the promoters of IAA inactivation‐related genes (GH3.6 and GH3.8), an IAA signalling‐related gene (OsARF25), and a cytokinin oxidase gene (OsCKX4). Furthermore, genetic analysis of ON11/osgh3.6 and RNAi31/osckx4 homozygote confirmed that OsCKX4 and OsGH3.6 functioned downstream of OsNAC2. The mRNA levels of CROWN ROOTLESS (CRL) genes and cyclin‐dependent protein kinase (CDK) genes increased in OsNAC2‐RNAi and OsNAC2‐cas9 lines while reduced in OsNAC2‐OX lines. Thus, we describe that OsNAC2 functions as an upstream integrator of auxin and cytokinin signals that affect CRL and CDK production to regulate cell division during root development. This novel auxin‐OsNAC2‐cytokinin model should provide a new insight into the understanding of NAC TFs and crosstalk of auxin and cytokinin pathway, and can be potentially applied in agriculture to enhance rice yields by genetic approaches.
The flip side of phospho‐signalling: Regulation of protein dephosphorylation and the protein phosphatase 2Cs
Authors: Bhaskara Govinal Badiger , Wong Min May , Verslues Paul E.
Published: July 2019

Protein phosphorylation is a key signalling mechanism and has myriad effects on protein function. Phosphorylation by protein kinases can be reversed by protein phosphatases, thus allowing dynamic control of protein phosphorylation. Although this may suggest a straightforward kinase–phosphatase relationship, plant genomes contain five times more kinases than phosphatases. Here, we examine phospho‐signalling from a protein phosphatase centred perspective and ask how relatively few phosphatases regulate many phosphorylation sites. The most abundant class of plant phosphatases, the protein phosphatase 2Cs (PP2Cs), is surrounded by a web of regulation including inhibitor and activator proteins as well as posttranslational modifications that regulate phosphatase activity, control phosphatase stability, or determine the subcellular locations where the phosphatase is present and active. These mechanisms are best established for the Clade A PP2Cs, which are key components of stress and abscisic acid signalling. We also describe other PP2C clades and illustrate how these phosphatases are highly regulated and involved in a wide range of physiological functions. Together, these examples of multiple layers of phosphatase regulation help explain the unbalanced kinase–phosphatase ratio. Continued use of phosphoproteomics to examine phosphatase targets and phosphatase–kinase relationships will be important for deeper understanding of phosphoproteome regulation.
DNA sequencing and anatomy demonstrate that Pacific Codium simulans is a genetically variable species found in the floras of Bermuda and Florida
Authors: Schneider Craig W. , Lam Daryl W. , Verbruggen Heroen
Published: July 2019

When DNA sequences from Bermuda plants described as Codium isthmocladum ssp. clavatum and a recent collection from Florida originally thought to be C. decorticatum were analyzed, they were found to be a genetic match to the Pacific Mexican species C. simulans. Historical voucher collections assigned to C. isthmocladum ssp. clavatum show that this Pacific lineage has been present in Bermuda (Atlantic) waters for over a century, thus precluding a very recent introduction from the Pacific. We hypothesize that C. simulans may have hitched a ride on the ballast rocks of early commercial ships plying their trade between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.