bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research advances in deriving renewable energy from biomass in wastewater treatment plants
Authors: Zhang Yuan-kai , Liu Xiu-hong , Liu Xiao-wei , Zha Yi-fei , Xu Xiang-long , Ren Zheng-guang , Jiang Hang-cheng , Wang Hong-chen
Published: May 2016

Anaerobic digestion (AD) can be used to derive renewable energy from biomass in wastewater treatment plants, and the produced biogas represents a valuable end-product that can greatly offset operation costs.
N-Methylation of amines with methanol in a hydrogen free system on a combined Al2O3–mordenite catalyst
Authors: Su Jiahui , Li Xungang , Chen Yunbin , Cui Yuancun , Xu Jingwei , Qian Chao , Chen Xinzhi
Published: May 2016

N-Methylation of primary or second amines with methanol is a green path for the synthesis of N-methyl amines.
Hollow imprinted polymer nanorods with a tunable shell using halloysite nanotubes as a sacrificial template for selective recognition and separation of chloramphenicol
Authors: Xie Atian , Dai Jiangdong , Chen Xiang , Zou Tianbian , He Jinsong , Chang Zhongshuai , Li Chunxiang , Yan Yongsheng
Published: May 2016

Hollow imprinted polymer nanorods with excellent regeneration property were prepared for selective recognition and separation of chloramphenicol.
A polyimide–MWCNTs composite as high performance anode for aqueous Na-ion batteries
Authors: Gu Tiantian , Zhou Min , Liu Mengyun , Wang Kangli , Cheng Shijie , Jiang Kai
Published: May 2016

A PNP@CNT electrode demonstrates a high reversible capacity of 149 mA h g−1 at quite a low potential of −0.65 V (vs. SCE), superior rate capability and long-term cycling stability over 500 cycles.
Modeling and optimization of Hg2+ ion biosorption by live yeast Yarrowia lipolytica 70562 from aqueous solutions under artificial neural network-genetic algorithm and response surface methodology: kinetic and equilibrium study
Authors: Dil Ebrahim Alipanahpour , Ghaedi Mehrorang , Ghezelbash Gholam Reza , Asfaram Arash , Ghaedi Abdol Mohammad , Mehrabi Fatemeh
Published: May 2016

This study was devoted to the investigation of Hg2+ ion biosorption by a live yeast organism, namely, Yarrowia lipolytica 70562 (supplied commercially), which was sufficiently identified and studied by SEM-EDS and FT-IR methods.
Development of analytical thinking ability and attitudes towards science learning of grade-11 students through science technology engineering and mathematics (STEM education) in the study of stoichiometry
Authors: Chonkaew Patcharee , Sukhummek Boonnak , Faikhamta Chatree
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the analytical thinking abilities and attitudes towards science learning of grade-11 students through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education integrated with a problem-based learning in the study of stoichiometry. The research tools consisted of a pre- and post-analytical thinking ability test, a science learning attitude test, classroom observations, student reflective journals, and semi-structured interviews. The findings indicated that STEM learning activities based on problem-based learning successfully developed analytical thinking abilities and attitudes towards science learning. Consequently, the students realized how important theories are, and were able to integrate their knowledge from various fields to solve problems and to create new innovations. About 80% of the students showed higher analytical thinking ability scores above the prescribed criterion of 70% of the full score. After learning, the scores of the students were higher than those before learning at a confidence level of 0.01. The attitudes towards science learning were higher than those before learning at a confidence level of 0.01. The successful activities of STEM started with offering knowledge to students through an inquiry-based process until they could construct the knowledge on their own. After that, the teacher initiated a problem situation and allowed each group of students to create a useful product adopted from the experimental results via integrating STEM knowledge to modify their creative works.
Crambe cake impairs lamb performance and fatty acid profile of meat
Authors: Issakowicz J. , Bueno M. S. , Barbosa C. M. P. , Canova E. B. , Moreira H. L. , Geraldo A. T. , Sampaio A. C. K.
Published: May 2016

The replacement of diet soybean meal protein with crambe cake protein (0%, 22%, 44% and 66%) was investigated to evaluate the effect on lamb performance and meat quality, as well as the extent to which erucic acid was incorporated into the meat. The inclusion of increasing levels of crambe cake resulted in poorer lamb performance, as demonstrated by a linear decrease in final liveweight and carcass weight. There was also an increase in plasma blood concentrations of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase, indicating hepatic injury. Reduced ether extract concentration of meat was observed, leading to higher shear-force values and a linear decrease in meat luminosity. The fatty acid profile of meat was drastically modified, presenting a reduction in total saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations, particularly in the concentration of α-linoleic acid. Additionally, the total monounsaturated fatty acid concentration in meat decreased, while the concentration of erucic acid increased from 0.11% of total fatty acids in Longissimus lumborum samples from lambs fed diets with no inclusion of crambe cake, to 3.70%, 5.82% and 8.04% of total fatty acids in those from lambs fed diets where 22%, 44% and 66%, respectively, of the soybean meal protein was replaced with crambe cake protein. Therefore, the concentration of erucic acid in fatty acid profile of meat was higher than concentration deemed safe for human consumption.
The hands, head, and brow
Authors: Gruber James , King Jeanette , Hay Jen , Johnston Lucy
Published: May 2016

This paper examines the speech-accompanying gesture and other kinesic behaviour of bilingual English-Māori and monolingual English speakers in New Zealand. Physical expression has long been regarded a key component of Māori artistic and spoken performance, as well as in personal interactions. This study asks (1) if there are gestures more common to or exclusively employed by the Māori population of New Zealand and (2) if their frequency and form is influenced by speaking Māori? More generally, the study considers the effect of different languages on gesture within the same speaker. Four bilingual Māori and six monolingual New Zealanders of European ancestry were recorded providing similar narrations. We report three differences between the speaker groups: a prevalence among Māori speakers for flat-handed motion gestures, gestures of the head, and eyebrow flashes. The findings highlight the probabilistic nature of culturally-grounded variation in gesture and the appropriateness of sociolinguistic approaches to their study.
On NPIs and QPs in Sason Arabic
Authors: Akkuș Faruk
Published: May 2016

This paper investigates co-occurrence restrictions between Negative Polarity Items (NPIs) and quantificational elements in Sason Arabic. Based on interpretational restrictions and scope properties of such structures, I show that the Immediate Scope Constraint applying at the level of LF is not enough to account for these co-occurence restrictions in Sason Arabic, and that a PF constraint against homophonous sequences and a locality restriction on Quantifier Raising are required in addition.
Measuring the degree of specialisation of sub-technical legal terms through corpus comparison
Authors: Pérez María José Marín
Published: May 2016

One of the most remarkable features of the legal English lexicon is the use of sub-technical vocabulary, that is, words frequently shared by the general and specialised fields which either retain a legal meaning in general English or acquire a specialised one in the legal context. As testing has shown, almost 50% of the terms extracted from BLaRC, an 8.85m word legal corpus, were found amongst the most frequent 2,000 word families of West’s (1953) GSL, Coxhead’s (2000) AWL or the BNC (2007), hence the relevance of this type of vocabulary in this English variety. Owing to their peculiar statistical behaviour in both contexts, it is particularly problematic to identify them and measure their termhood based on such parameters as their frequency or distribution in the general and specialised environments. This research proposes a novel termhood measuring method intended to objectively quantify this lexical phenomenon through the application of Williams’ (2001) lexical network model, which incorporates contextual information to compute the level of specialisation of sub-technical terms.
Poverty and its Dynamics in Uganda
Authors: Campenhout Bjorn Van , Sekabira Haruna , Aduayom Dede Houeto
Published: May 2016

During the past few decades, Uganda has experienced substantial economic growth, which has been attributed to the new government that has implemented a far-reaching economic reforms agenda, transforming Uganda into one of the most liberal economies in sub-Saharan Africa. The growth has been accompanied by equally impressive declines in the levels of poverty as reported by the government. However, official poverty estimates are based on an outdated poverty line that does not take into account spatial variation in diets. We therefore update poverty estimates using a new set of utility-consistent poverty lines. In addition, we also look at poverty transitions using recent panel data, and try to identify what household characteristics matter for subsequent transitions.
IBD: In Food We Trust
Authors: Marion-Letellier Rachel , Savoye Guillaume , Ghosh Subrata
Published: May 2016

Background and Aims:

Both science and patients associate diet with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. There is no doubt that links between IBD and diet are numerous, based on both epidemiological studies and experimental studies. However, scientific evidence to support dietary advice is currently lacking, and dietary counselling for IBD patients is often limited in clinical practice to the improvement of nutrient intake. This review aimed to focus on both patient’s beliefs about and molecular mechanisms for crosstalk between nutrients and inflammation.

Methods:

A literature search using PubMed was performed to identify relevant studies on diet and/or nutrients and their role in IBD. Pubmed [from inception to January 20, 2016] was searched using the terms: ‘Crohn’, ‘colitis’,’ intestinal epithelial cells’, and a list of terms relating to diet or numerous specific nutrients. Terms associated with nutrients were individually tested in the context of IBD. Reference lists from studies selected were manually searched to identify further relevant reports. Manuscripts about diet in the context of IBD from basic science, epidemiological studies, or clinical trials were selected and reviewed. Only articles published in English were included.

Results:

Epidemiological studies highlight the key role of diet in IBD development, and many IBD patients report diet as a triggering factor in relapse of disease. In addition, we present research on the impact of nutrients on innate immunity.

Conclusion:

Diet may offer an alternative approach to restoring deficient innate immunity in IBD, and this may be the scientific rationale for providing dietary counselling for IBD patients.
Genome reduction in an abundant and ubiquitous soil bacterial lineage
Authors: Brewer Tess E , Handley Kim M , Carini Paul , Gibert Jack A , Fierer Noah
Published: May 2016

Although bacteria within theVerrucomicrobiaphylum are pervasive in soils around the world, they are underrepresented in both isolate collections and genomic databases. Here we describe a single verrucomicrobial phylotype within the classSpartobacteriathat is not closely related to any previously described taxa. We examined >1000 soils and found this spartobacterial phylotype to be ubiquitous and consistently one of the most abundant soil bacterial phylotypes, particularly in grasslands, where it was typically the most abundant phylotype. We reconstructed a nearly complete genome of this phylotype from a soil metagenome for which we propose the provisional name ‘CandidatusUdaeobacter copiosus’. TheCa. U. copiosus genome is unusually small for soil bacteria, estimated to be only 2.81 Mbp compared to the predicted effective mean genome size of 4.74 Mbp for soil bacteria. Metabolic reconstruction suggests thatCa. U. copiosus is an aerobic chemoorganoheterotroph with numerous amino acid and vitamin auxotrophies. The large population size, relatively small genome and multiple putative auxotrophies characteristic ofCa. U. copiosus suggests that it may be undergoing streamlining selection to minimize cellular architecture, a phenomenon previously thought to be restricted to aquatic bacteria. Although many soil bacteria need relatively large, complex genomes to be successful in soil,Ca. U. copiosus appears to have identified an alternate strategy, sacrificing metabolic versatility for efficiency to become dominant in the soil environment.
Market perceptions of liquid sovereign Sukūk: a new asset class?
Authors: Nienhaus Volker , Karatas Abdullah
Published: May 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore whether the market perceives liquid international sovereign sukūk as distinct from comparable bonds and as an asset class of their own that could shield investors against turbulences in the bond markets.

Design/methodology/approach

If sukūk and bonds belong to the same asset class, then basically the same supply and demand factors determine inverstors’ activities in both markets. This should lead to matching patterns of yield curves for sukūk and bonds comparable in terms of issuers, maturity, currency, size, liquidity and rating. Only a rough analysis of holding and trading patterns of conventional and Islamic sukūk investors was possible, as most sukūk market transactions are “over-the-counter” and not registered in the Bloomberg database. However, price information could be used for an analysis of yield curves of liquid sovereign sukūk and comparable bonds.

Findings

Conventional investors participate in the sukūk market, but their influence on prices is rather small, as they act primarily as intermediaries (i.e. market makers) as opposed to price setters. The yield curves of the selected bonds and sukūk widely match. This suggests that bonds and liquid sovereign sukūk belong to the same asset class. Furthermore, as turbulences in conventional markets are also reflected in the sukūk markets, Islamic investors themselves play a role in the transmission.

Research limitations/implications

The study of holding patterns and of the market perception of sovereign sukūk and bonds required a focus on four countries with deep and (potentially) liquid sukūk markets (Malaysia, Turkey, Indonesia and Hong Kong) and US$-denominated international securities. Some suitable combinations of sukūk and bonds are relatively young issuances with time series data for two to three years only. Data on holding patterns are sketchy and require interpretations based on market knowledge.

Practical implications

Parallel yield curves indicate that conventional investors do not perceive international sovereign sukūk as an asset class of their own distinct from conventional government bonds. This market perception of liquid international sovereign sukūk could have an impact on other types of sukūk (e.g. on international corporate sukūk) if sovereign sukūk are taken as pricing and performance benchmarks.

Originality/value

The paper sheds light on institutional investor behavior in the bond and sukūk markets and outlines data availability issues that constrain quantitative analyses in over-the-counter markets.
Editorial: beyond publish or perish: the importance of citations and how to get them
Authors: Baron Steve , Russell-Bennett Rebekah
Published: May 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of citations as a success metric and provide practical tips for increasing citations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors build on previous commentators to provide evidence for citations.

Findings

The purpose of academia is not to merely publish. It is to contribute to the body of knowledge. This means shifting focus from publishing as an end goal to publishing as a means to an end.

Originality/value

The editorial reminds scholars of their duty to science and the need to take individual responsibility for the spread of knowledge. The generation of citations is not a difficult process as illustrated by the practical tips offered.
Extinction risk of North American seed plants elevated by climate and land‐use change
Authors: Zhang Jian , Nielsen Scott E. , Chen Youhua , Georges Damien , Qin Yuchu , Wang Si‐Shuo , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Thuiller Wilfried
Published: May 2016

Climate and land‐use change are expected to substantially alter future plant species distributions leading to higher extinction rates. However, little is known about how plant species ranges, richness and phylogenetic diversity of continents will be affected by these dynamics.

We address this gap here by examining the patterns of species' distributions and phylogenetic relationships for 7465 seed plant taxa in North America. An ensemble of species distribution models was used to estimate the potential suitable habitat of species under different sets of climate, land‐use and dispersal constraint scenarios. We then evaluated the vulnerability and extinction risk of individual species to changes in climate and land use, and examined whether rare, endangered and evolutionarily distinct species were disproportionally threatened by climate and land‐use change.

We show that ~2000 species may lose >80% of their suitable habitats under the A1b emission scenario for the 2080s, while ~100 species may experience >80% range expansions (a 20 : 1 ratio of loss to gain). When considering >50% range retraction and expansion, the ratio of loss to gain was 13 : 1. A greater loss of species diversity is expected at low latitudes, while larger gains are expected at high latitudes. Evolutionarily distinct species are predicted to have significantly higher extinction risks than extant species. This suggests a disproportionate future loss of phylogenetic diversity for the North American flora.

Synthesis and applications. Our study provides continental‐scale evidence of plant species extinction risk caused by future climate and land‐use change, and highlights the importance of integrating phylogenetic measures into conservation risk assessments. This work provides insight into the status, trends and threats for a large share of North America's plant species by identifying risks and prioritizing conservation in a rapidly changing world.
Prescribed fire and conifer removal promote positive understorey vegetation responses in oak woodlands
Authors: Livingston Amy C. , Varner J. Morgan , Jules Erik S. , Kane Jeffrey M. , Arguello Leonel A.
Published: May 2016

Fire‐prone woodlands and savannas world‐wide face management challenges resulting from fire exclusion and subsequent encroachment of fire‐sensitive trees. In the Pacific Northwest (USA), Quercus garryana oak woodlands and savannas are threatened by encroachment from the native conifer Pseudotsuga menziesii in the absence of fire.

In the Bald Hills of Redwood National Park (California, USA), prescribed fire and conifer removal have been used to restore encroached woodlands. We examined the effects of encroachment and restoration on understorey vegetation, comparing four treatments: prescribed fire, prescribed fire and conifer removal, conifer removal, and encroached (control).

Treatments including prescribed fire had the greatest native species richness. These two treatments also had the greatest non‐native species richness, at both the site level and the treatment level. Woodlands treated with conifer removal and no prescribed fire were intermediate in species richness and diversity compared to burned treatments and encroached woodlands. Encroached woodlands had diminished richness and diversity compared to all restoration treatments. Non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) ordination demonstrated that conifer basal area, conifer litter and fine wood were associated with low species richness and diversity and that elevation and thatch were associated with higher species richness and diversity. Indicator species analysis identified that most native species and non‐native species were associated with burned woodlands that were never encroached.

Synthesis and applications. Our results suggest that both prescribed fire and conifer removal have benefits for understorey plant communities, increasing species richness, diversity and cover in oak woodlands and shifting understorey communities from forest‐associated species to more woodland‐associated species. Restoration of remnant Quercus garryana oak woodlands is complicated by the persistence and abundance of non‐native herbaceous plants.
Pioneering Leadership: Historical Myth‐Making, Absence, and Identity in the Churches of Christ in Victoria
Authors: Handasyde Kerrie
Published: May 2016

This article explores the role of historiography in the developing identity of congregationally autonomous churches by examining the process and meaning behind the historical myth‐making associated with pioneering church leadership. In the absence of a clerical hierarchy or recognised historical expertise, four competing claims for the title of “first evangelist” emerged in the Churches of Christ (Disciples of Christ) denomination in colonial Victoria. Each of these claims is critically analysed in the light of rapidly developing church identity, the work of the evangelists in the 1860s, the influence of Australian nationalism, and historiographical portrayals which sought to make these four men heroes even in their absence. Finally the article examines absence of another kind — historiographical omission — and the question of the heroic in denominational church history.
Progress on lipid extraction from wet algal biomass for biodiesel production
Authors: Ghasemi Naghdi Forough , González González Lina M , Chan William , Schenk Peer M
Published: May 2016

Lipid recovery and purification from microalgal cells continues to be a significant bottleneck in biodiesel production due to high costs involved and a high energy demand. Therefore, there is a considerable necessity to develop an extraction method which meets the essential requirements of being safe, cost‐effective, robust, efficient, selective, environmentally friendly, feasible for large‐scale production and free of product contamination. The use of wet concentrated algal biomass as a feedstock for oil extraction is especially desirable as it would avoid the requirement for further concentration and/or drying. This would save considerable costs and circumvent at least two lengthy processes during algae‐based oil production. This article provides an overview on recent progress that has been made on the extraction of lipids from wet algal biomass. The biggest contributing factors appear to be the composition of algal cell walls, pre‐treatments of biomass and the use of solvents (e.g. a solvent mixture or solvent‐free lipid extraction). We compare recently developed wet extraction processes for oleaginous microalgae and make recommendations towards future research to improve lipid extraction from wet algal biomass.
Hospitalization costs and complications in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Beijing, China
Authors: Bao Xiaoyuan , Yang Chao , Fang Kai , Shi Moye , Yu Guopei , Hu Yonghua
Published: May 2016

Background

The aim of the present study was to investigate hospitalization costs, diabetes complications, and their relationships using a large dataset in Beijing, China.

Methods

Data for 2006–10 from the 38 top‐ranked (Grade 3 A) hospitals in Beijing, obtained from electronic Hospitalization Summary Reports (HSRs), were analyzed for hospitalization costs and diabetic complications. Patient demographics, types of costs, and length of hospital stay (LOS) were also evaluated.

Results

During the period evaluated, 62 523 patients with diabetes were hospitalized, of which 41 875 (67.0 %) had diabetes‐associated complications. The median cost of hospitalization for diabetic patients was 7996.11 RMB. Prescribed drugs and laboratory tests were two major contributors to hospitalization costs, accounting for 36.2 % and 22.4 %, respectively. Hospitalization costs were significantly associated with LOS, number of complications, age, year of admission, admission status, sex, and medical insurance (P < 0.001). Both hospitalization costs and LOS increased substantially with an increase in the number of complications (P < 0.001). The highest hospitalization costs were seen in those diabetic patients with foot complications.

Conclusion

Diabetic complications have a significant effect on increases in hospitalization costs and LOS in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Heart Rate–Corrected QT and JT Intervals in Electrocardiograms in Physically Fit Students and Student Athletes
Authors: Misigoj‐Durakovic Marjeta , Durakovic Zijad , Prskalo Ivan
Published: May 2016

In literature, data on the prevalence of prolonged and shortened corrected QT (QTc) have shown considerable variability. The aim of the study was to compare QTc and JTc intervals of competitive student athletes and noncompetitive sport participants to QTc cutoff points used in athletes. A group of 485 physically fit candidates for the study of kinesiology (139 female and 346 male candidates) aged 18–20 participated in the study. Basic anthropometry, field fitness test, cardiovascular, electrocardiograms measurements, and blood sampling for lipid profile were conducted. The prolonged QTc according to European Society of Cardiology criteria was found in 2.9% of female and 4.3% of male students. When the “Seattle criteria” were used, the proportion of prolonged QTc was 1.44% in female and 0.29% in male students. The shortened QTc according to the Seattle cutoff points was presented in 0.7% of female and 2.0% of male students. The JTc over 400 ms was found in 0.72% of female and 0.29% of male students. The JTc shorter than 320 ms was presented in 0.7% of female and 1.1% of male students. No significant differences were found between students involved in competitive sport and those involved in recreational sporting activities. Female students had lower body mass index and blood pressure values, better blood lipid profile, and lower uric acid concentrations. In conclusion, the Seattle criteria markedly decreased the proportion of prolonged QTc in student athletes, particularly in male students. It seems that the JTc interval could be a better parameter than the QTc interval for the estimation of specific repolarization time in physically fit university students.
A retrospective review of cyproheptadine for feeding intolerance in children less than three years of age: effects and side effects
Authors: Merhar Stephanie L. , Pentiuk Scott P. , Mukkada Vincent A. , Meinzen‐Derr Jareen , Kaul Ajay , Butler Dawn R.
Published: May 2016

Aim

Premature infants and those with brain injury often suffer from feeding intolerance and vomiting in the first several years of life. Cyproheptadine is a medication with antihistaminergic, antiserotonergic and anticholinergic effects, thought to increase gastric accommodation. We aimed to retrospectively review our experience using cyproheptadine for feeding intolerance and/or vomiting in children under the age of three.

Methods

This is a retrospective chart review of 39 patients less than three years of age who were prescribed cyproheptadine for feeding intolerance or vomiting and had follow‐up information available.

Results

Starting dose ranged widely (from 0.069 to 0.825 mg/kg/day). Side effects such as sleepiness and constipation were rare. The medication had a significant positive effect, defined as resolution of vomiting, improved feeding tolerance or improved comfort with feeds, in 67% of children. An additional 28% showed possible improvement, defined as some improvement in vomiting or improvement in vomiting or feeding tolerance in conjunction with other changes in addition to cyproheptadine.

Conclusion

In our experience, cyproheptadine appears to be safe and effective in decreasing vomiting and feeding intolerance in children less than three years of age. A trial of cyproheptadine could be considered before invasive testing in infants with feeding issues.
The Front End of Radical Innovation: A Case Study of Idea and Concept Development at Prime Group
Authors: Frishammar Johan , Dahlskog Emmy , Krumlinde Charlotte , Yazgan Kerem
Published: May 2016

A firm's ability to develop radical innovation is heavily contingent on the front‐end phases where ideas and concepts are created, yet few empirical studies provide detailed insights into radical idea and concept development. Using literature on problem finding and problem solving, we explore how radically new ideas and concepts emerge, and outline the process by which they are created. Based on multiple case studies of five completed and two ongoing projects conducted by a highly innovative consultancy firm, Prime Group, the article proposes a six‐step process for radical idea and concept development. The insights provide theoretical implications and advice for how firms can increase novelty and success rates of emergent radical ideas and concepts.
TRUST, TRUSTWORTHINESS, AND BUSINESS SUCCESS: LAB AND FIELD FINDINGS FROM ENTREPRENEURS
Authors: Batsaikhan Mongoljin
Published: May 2016

This article contributes to the literature on trust and small businesses in developing countries by linking the level of trust in others that entrepreneurs display in a lab setting to sales data outside of the lab. The results show a robust positive correlation between trust and business success (with sales used as a measure of success): The successful entrepreneurs invested in trust more than the less successful ones did. In the lab, trusting in others is highly profitable, with successful entrepreneurs doing so to the degree required to maximize revenue. However, I found no association between trustworthiness and business success. (JELO17, L26, C91)
The effect of antagonist tooth contact on the biomechanical response of custom‐fitted mouthguards
Authors: Veríssimo Crisnicaw , Bicalho Aline Aredes , Soares Priscilla Barbosa Ferreira , Tantbirojn Daranee , Versluis Antheunis , Soares Carlos J.
Published: May 2016

Background/Aim

Custom‐fitted mouthguards are devices used to prevent dental injuries. The aim of this study was to verify the influence of the antagonist contact on the stresses and strains of the anterior teeth, shock absorption and displacement of EVA custom‐fitted mouthguards during a horizontal impact.

Materials and methods

Finite element models of human maxillary central incisors with and without a mouthguard for different occlusion conditions (with and without antagonist contact) were created based on tomography. A nonlinear dynamic impact analysis using the single‐step Houbolt method was performed in which a rigid object hit the model at 1 m s−1. Strain and stress were evaluated by means of Von Mises and Critical modified Von Mises criterion and shock absorption during impact were calculated as well as the mouthguard displacement.

Results

The model without mouthguard and without antagonist contact showed the highest stress and strain values at the enamel and dentin in the tooth crown on impact compared to the model without mouthguard and with antagonist contact. Mouthguard presence reduced the stress and strain values regardless of the occlusion condition. The mouthguard displacement decreased with the mandibular antagonist contact.

Conclusions

Mouthguards are efficient at decreasing the stress and strain values on the tooth in front of an impact reaching more than 90% of shock absorption. A mouthguard with balanced occlusion and maximum number of contacts with mandibular anterior teeth should be considered because it reduces mouthguard displacement.
Inbreeding depression in Zebu cattle traits
Authors: Pereira R.J. , Santana M.L. , Ayres D.R. , Bignardi A.B. , Menezes G.R.O. , Silva L.O.C. , Machado C.H.C. , Josahkian L.A. , Albuquerque L.G.
Published: May 2016

The productivity of herds may be negatively affected by inbreeding depression, and it is important to know how intense is this effect on the livestock performance. We performed a comprehensive analysis involving five Zebu breeds reared in Brazil to estimate inbreeding depression in productive and reproductive traits. Inbreeding depression was estimated for 13 traits by including the individual inbreeding rate as a linear covariate in the standard genetic evaluation models. For all breeds and for almost all traits (no effect was observed on gestation length), the performance of the animals was compromised by an increase in inbreeding. The average inbreeding depression was −0.222% and −0.859% per 1% of inbreeding for linear regression coefficients scaled on the percentage of mean (βm) and standard deviation (βσ), respectively. The means for βm (and βσ) were −0.269% (−1.202%) for weight/growth traits and −0.174% (−0.546%) for reproductive traits. Hence, inbreeding depression is more pronounced in weight/growth traits than in reproductive traits. These findings highlight the need for the management of inbreeding in the respective breeding programmes of the breeds studied here.
Cardiac troponin T is necessary for normal development in the embryonic chick heart
Authors: England Jennifer , Pang Kar Lai , Parnall Matthew , Haig Maria Isabel , Loughna Siobhan
Published: May 2016

The heart is the first functioning organ to develop during embryogenesis. The formation of the heart is a tightly regulated and complex process, and alterations to its development can result in congenital heart defects. Mutations in sarcomeric proteins, such as alpha myosin heavy chain and cardiac alpha actin, have now been associated with congenital heart defects in humans, often with atrial septal defects. However, cardiac troponin T (cTNT encoded by gene TNNT2) has not. Using gene‐specific antisense oligonucleotides, we have investigated the role of cTNT in chick cardiogenesis. TNNT2 is expressed throughout heart development and in the postnatal heart. TNNT2‐morpholino treatment resulted in abnormal atrial septal growth and a reduction in the number of trabeculae in the developing primitive ventricular chamber. External analysis revealed the development of diverticula from the ventricular myocardial wall which showed no evidence of fibrosis and still retained a myocardial phenotype. Sarcomeric assembly appeared normal in these treated hearts. In humans, congenital ventricular diverticulum is a rare condition, which has not yet been genetically associated. However, abnormal haemodynamics is known to cause structural defects in the heart. Further, structural defects, including atrial septal defects and congenital diverticula, have previously been associated with conduction anomalies. Therefore, to provide mechanistic insights into the effect that cTNT knockdown has on the developing heart, quantitative PCR was performed to determine the expression of the shear stress responsive gene NOS3 and the conduction gene TBX3. Both genes were differentially expressed compared to controls. Therefore, a reduction in cTNT in the developing heart results in abnormal atrial septal formation and aberrant ventricular morphogenesis. We hypothesize that alterations to the haemodynamics, indicated by differential NOS3 expression, causes these abnormalities in growth in cTNT knockdown hearts. In addition, the muscular diverticula reported here suggest a novel role for mutations of structural sarcomeric proteins in the pathogenesis of congenital cardiac diverticula. From these studies, we suggest TNNT2 is a gene worthy of screening for those with a congenital heart defect, particularly atrial septal defects and ventricular diverticula.
Multiple post‐domestication origins ofkabulichickpea through allelic variation in a diversification‐associated transcription factor
Authors: Varma Penmetsa R. , Carrasquilla‐Garcia Noelia , Bergmann Emily M. , Vance Lisa , Castro Brenna , Kassa Mulualem T. , Sarma Birinchi K. , Datta Subhojit , Farmer Andrew D. , Baek Jong‐Min , Coyne Clarice J. , Varshney Rajeev K. , von Wettberg Eric J. B. , Cook Douglas R.
Published: May 2016

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is among the founder crops domesticated in the Fertile Crescent. One of two major forms of chickpea, the so‐calledkabulitype, has white flowers and light‐colored seed coats, properties not known to exist in the wild progenitor. The origin of thekabuliform has been enigmatic.

We genotyped a collection of wild and cultivated chickpea genotypes with 538 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and examined patterns of molecular diversity relative to geographical sources and market types. In addition, we examined sequence and expression variation in candidate anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway genes.

A reduction in genetic diversity and extensive genetic admixture distinguish cultivated chickpea from its wild progenitor species. Among germplasm, thekabuliform is polyphyletic. We identified a basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factor at chickpea's B locus that conditions flower and seed colors, orthologous to Mendel's A gene of garden pea, whose loss of function is associated invariantly with thekabulitype of chickpea.

From the polyphyletic distribution of thekabuliform in germplasm, an absence of nested variation within thebHLHgene and invariant association of loss of function ofbHLHamong thekabulitype, we conclude that thekabuliform arose multiple times during the phase of phenotypic diversification after initial domestication of cultivated chickpea.
Crisaborole Topical Ointment, 2% in Patients Ages 2 to 17 Years with Atopic Dermatitis: A Phase 1b, Open‐Label, Maximal‐Use Systemic Exposure Study
Authors: Zane Lee T. , Kircik Leon , Call Robert , Tschen Eduardo , Draelos Zoe Diana , Chanda Sanjay , Van Syoc Merrie , Hebert Adelaide A.
Published: May 2016

Background

Phosphodiesterase‐4 (PDE4) is a promising target in atopic dermatitis (AD) treatment. The pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and efficacy of crisaborole topical ointment, 2% (formerly AN2728) (Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Palo Alto, CA), a boron‐based benzoxaborole PDE4 inhibitor, were evaluated in children with mild to moderate AD.

Methods

This phase 1b, open‐label, maximal‐use study of crisaborole topical ointment, 2% applied twice daily (dose 3 mg/cm2) for 28 days enrolled patients ages 2 to 17 years with extensive AD involving 25% or more or 35% or more treatable body surface area, depending on age. Primary PK and safety assessments included systemic exposure to crisaborole and its metabolites after 7 days of treatment and the incidence of treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Secondary efficacy assessments included change from baseline in Investigator Static Global Assessment (ISGA), treatment success (ISGA score ≤1 with a two‐grade or greater improvement from baseline), and improvement in five AD signs and symptoms.

Results

Of 34 patients enrolled, 31 completed the study. Crisaborole was rapidly absorbed, with limited systemic exposure between days 1 and 8. Twenty‐three of 34 patients reported one or more TEAEs; 95% were mild or moderate and one patient discontinued because of a TEAE. Mean ISGA scores declined from 2.65 at baseline to 1.15 at day 29, 47.1% of patients achieved treatment success, and 64.7% of patients achieved ISGA scores of clear (0) or almost clear . Mean severity scores for AD signs and symptoms declined throughout the study.

Conclusions

This open‐label study provides evidence that crisaborole topical ointment, 2% was well tolerated, with limited systemic exposure under maximal‐use conditions in patients ages 2 years and older.
Reading between the Strata: Teaching Rabbinic Literature with Material Culture
Authors: Gardner Gregg E.
Published: May 2016

This article argues that attention to material culture can enhance teaching classical rabbinic literature (Talmud, Midrash, and related Jewish texts from the first seven centuries C.E.) at universities. Following an examination of broader scholarship on teaching and learning on using visuals, this article explores four ways in which material culture can help instructors teach rabbinics to students without background in Jewish studies or the relevant languages (Hebrew, Aramaic). It builds upon teaching other areas of biblical and religious studies (Hebrew Bible, New Testament, and teaching rabbinics at liberal seminaries), research methods, and broader scholarship on using visuals and material culture for pedagogical purposes. Contributing to these fields, this article addresses a lacuna in research on teaching rabbinic literature at secular institutions of higher learning and models ways to bring material culture into religious studies classrooms.
Evaluation of Molecular Methods for Identification of Salmonella Serovars
Authors: Yoshida Catherine , Gurnik Simone , Ahmad Aaminah , Blimkie Travis , Murphy Stephanie A. , Kropinski Andrew M. , Nash John H. E.
Published: May 2016

Classification by serotyping is the essential first step in the characterization of
Salmonella
isolates and is important for surveillance, source tracking, and outbreak detection. To improve detection and reduce the burden of salmonellosis, several rapid and high-throughput molecular
Salmonella
serotyping methods have been developed.

IMPORTANCE
The aim of this study was to compare three commercial kits, Salm SeroGen (Salm Sero-Genotyping AS-1 kit), Check&Trace (Check-Points), and xMAP (xMAP
Salmonella
serotyping assay), to the
Salmonella
genoserotyping array (SGSA) developed by our laboratory. They were assessed using a panel of 321 isolates that represent commonly reported serovars from human and nonhuman sources globally. The four methods correctly identified 73.8% to 94.7% of the isolates tested. The methods correctly identified 85% and 98% of the clinically important
Salmonella
serovars Enteritidis and Typhimurium, respectively. The methods correctly identified 75% to 100% of the nontyphoidal, broad host range
Salmonella
serovars, including Heidelberg, Hadar, Infantis, Kentucky, Montevideo, Newport, and Virchow. The sensitivity and specificity of
Salmonella
serovars Typhimurium and Enteritidis ranged from 85% to 100% and 99% to 100%, respectively.

IMPORTANCE
It is anticipated that whole-genome sequencing will replace serotyping in public health laboratories in the future. However, at present, it is approximately three times more expensive than molecular methods. Until consistent standards and methodologies are deployed for whole-genome sequencing, data analysis and interlaboratory comparability remain a challenge. The use of molecular serotyping will provide a valuable high-throughput alternative to traditional serotyping. This comprehensive analysis provides a detailed comparison of commercial kits available for the molecular serotyping of
Salmonella
.
Stent Polymers
Authors: Rizas Konstantinos D. , Mehilli Julinda
Published: May 2016

The necessity of polymers on drug-eluting stent (DES) platforms is dictated by the need of an adequate amount and optimal release kinetic of the antiproliferative drugs for achieving ideal DES performance. However, the chronic vessel wall inflammation related to permanent polymer persistence after the drug has been eluted might trigger late restenosis and stent thrombosis. Biodegradable polymers have the potential to avoid these adverse events. A variety of biodegradable polymer DES platforms have been clinically tested, showing equal outcomes with the standard-bearer permanent polymer DES within the first year of implantation. At longer-term follow-up, promising lower rates of stent thrombosis have been observed with the early generation biodegradable polymer DES platforms compared to first-generation DES. Whether this safety benefit still persists with newer biodegradable polymer DES generations against second-generation permanent polymer DES needs to be explored.
A Statistical Framework to Evaluate Extreme Weather Definitions from a Health Perspective: A Demonstration Based on Extreme Heat Events
Authors: Vaidyanathan Ambarish , Kegler Scott R. , Saha Shubhayu S. , Mulholland James A.
Published: May 2016

Issuance of alerts, prior to or during extreme weather events, can be critical to preventing adverse health outcomes. In this paper, data describing episodes of extreme heat are used to demonstrate the application of a statistical framework for evaluating event definitions within the context of human health impacts. Numerous extreme heat event (EHE) definitions appear in the literature but there is a lack of scientific consensus on consistent identification of periods of extreme heat having the potential for such impacts. Ninety-two EHE definitions were operationalized for this region-specific demonstration covering the United States, using station-based meteorological data for the years 1999–2009. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to group definitions into homogeneous sets, and a representative definition was then selected from each set. The representative definitions were combined with different exposure offsets (e.g., a 1-day lag) and evaluated against daily heat mortality data, using a negative binomial rate regression modeling approach. The EHE definition and exposure offset combinations most closely associated with heat mortality were found to vary with climate region. Those involving high but not extreme meteorological thresholds, and employing a 1-day lag or no lag, showed the strongest associations with heat mortality for all climate regions except the South and Southwest. The framework presented in this study could be applied to other geographic areas, provided the necessary meteorological and health data are available. Additionally, this framework could help regional and national weather offices, in partnership with local and state health departments, identify definitions that are well suited to issuing alerts and health advisories related to other types of severe weather.
Multiannual Ocean–Atmosphere Adjustments to Radiative Forcing
Authors: Rugenstein Maria A. A. , Gregory Jonathan M. , Schaller Nathalie , Sedláček Jan , Knutti Reto
Published: May 2016

In radiative forcing and climate feedback frameworks, the initial stratospheric and tropospheric adjustments to a forcing agent can be treated as part of the forcing and not as a feedback, as long as the average global surface temperature response is negligible. Here, a very large initial condition ensemble of the Community Earth System Model is used to analyze how the ocean shapes the fast response to radiative forcing. It is shown that not only the stratosphere and troposphere but also the ocean adjusts. This oceanic adjustment includes meridional ocean heat transport convergence anomalies, which are locally as large as the surface heat flux anomalies, and an increase of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation. These oceanic adjustments set the lower boundary condition for the atmospheric response of the first few years, in particular, the shortwave cloud radiative effect. This cloud adjustment causes a nonlinear relationship between global energy imbalance and temperature. It proceeds with a characteristic time scale of a few years in response to the forcing rather than scaling nonlinearly with global mean temperature anomaly. It is proposed that even very short time scales are treated as a fully coupled problem and encourage other modeling groups to investigate whether our description also suits their models’ behavior. A definition of the forcing term (“virtual forcing”) including oceanic adjustment processes is introduced and serves as an interpretive idea for longer time scales.