bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unbundled Legal Services: A Family Lawyer's Guide, by Forrest S. Mosten and Elizabeth Potter Scully, ABA Book Publishing (2017)
Authors: Ortiz Pamela Cardullo
Published: October 2018

Limited scope representation, or unbundling, is an innovative model for delivering legal help to moderate‐income individuals as discrete tasks and in a manner the client can afford. For those family law practitioners willing to meet the needs of a broader range of clients, this book is an excellent place to begin. Limited scope legal services are not for every client, nor is the practice a good fit for every lawyer, but it is one scenario for lawyers responding to the changing demands of the field. In a time when technology and market demands are pressuring law firms to rethink what it means to practice law, Mosten and Scully's book offers a glimpse of the future and practical guidance for how to get there.
Legacies of La Niña: North American monsoon can rescue trees from winter drought
Authors: Peltier Drew M. P. , Ogle Kiona
Published: October 2018

While we often assume tree growth–climate relationships are time‐invariant, impacts of climate phenomena such as the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the North American Monsoon (NAM) may challenge this assumption. To test this assumption, we grouped ring widths (1900‐present) in three southwestern US conifers into La Niña periods (LNP) and other years (OY). The 4 years following each La Niña year are included in LNP, and despite 1–2 year growth declines, compensatory adjustments in tree growth responses result in essentially equal mean growth in LNP and OY, as average growth exceeds OY means 2–4 years after La Niña events. We found this arises because growth responses in the two periods are not interchangeable: Due to differences in growth–climate sensitivities and climatic memory, parameters representing LNP growth fail to predict OY growth and vice versa (decreases in R2 up to 0.63; lowest R2 = 0.06). Temporal relationships between growth and antecedent climate (memory) show warmer springs and longer growing seasons negatively impact growth following dry La Niña winters, but that NAM moisture can rescue trees after these events. Increased importance of monsoonal precipitation during LNP is key, as the largest La Niña‐related precipitation deficits and monsoonal precipitation contributions both occur in the southern part of the region. Decreases in first order autocorrelation during LNP were largest in the heart of the monsoon region, reflecting both the greatest initial growth declines and the largest recovery. Understanding the unique climatic controls on growth in Southwest conifers requires consideration of both the influences and interactions of drought, ENSO, and NAM, each of which is likely to change with continued warming. While plasticity of growth sensitivity and memory has allowed relatively quick recovery in the tree‐ring record, recent widespread mortality events suggest conditions may soon exceed the capacity for adjustment in current populations.
The response of stocks of C, N, and P to plant invasion in the coastal wetlands of China
Authors: Wang Weiqi , Sardans Jordi , Wang Chun , Zeng Congsheng , Tong Chuan , Chen Guixiang , Huang Jiafang , Pan Haoran , Peguero Guille , Vallicrosa Helena , Peñuelas Josep
Published: October 2018

The increasing success of invasive plant species in wetland areas can threaten their capacity to store carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus (C, N, and P). Here, we have investigated the relationships between the different stocks of soil organic carbon (SOC), and total C, N, and P pools in the plant–soil system from eight different wetland areas across the South‐East coast of China, where the invasive tallgrass Spartina alterniflora has replaced the native tall grasses Phragmites australis and the mangrove communities, originally dominated by the native species Kandelia obovata and Avicennia marina. The invasive success of Spartina alterniflora replacing Phragmites australis did not greatly influence soil traits, biomass accumulation or plant–soil C and N storing capacity. However, the resulting higher ability to store P in both soil and standing plant biomass (approximately more than 70 and 15 kg P by ha, respectively) in the invasive than in the native tall grass communities suggesting the possibility of a decrease in the ecosystem N:P ratio with future consequences to below‐ and aboveground trophic chains. The results also showed that a future advance in the native mangrove replacement by Spartina alterniflora could constitute a serious environmental problem. This includes enrichment of sand in the soil, with the consequent loss of nutrient retention capacity, as well as a sharp decrease in the stocks of C (2.6 and 2.2 t C ha‐1 in soil and stand biomass, respectively), N, and P in the plant–soil system. This should be associated with a worsening of the water quality by aggravating potential eutrophication processes. Moreover, the loss of carbon and nutrient decreases the potential overall fertility of the system, strongly hampering the reestablishment of woody mangrove communities in the future.
Environmental drivers interactively affect individual tree growth across temperate European forests
Authors: Maes Sybryn L. , Perring Michael P. , Vanhellemont Margot , Depauw Leen , Van den Bulcke Jan , Brūmelis Guntis , Brunet Jörg , Decocq Guillaume , den Ouden Jan , Härdtle Werner , Hédl Radim , Heinken Thilo , Heinrichs Steffi , Jaroszewicz Bogdan , Kopecký Martin , Máliš František , Wulf Monika , Verheyen Kris
Published: October 2018

Forecasting the growth of tree species to future environmental changes requires a better understanding of its determinants. Tree growth is known to respond to global‐change drivers such as climate change or atmospheric deposition, as well as to local land‐use drivers such as forest management. Yet, large geographical scale studies examining interactive growth responses to multiple global‐change drivers are relatively scarce and rarely consider management effects. Here, we assessed the interactive effects of three global‐change drivers (temperature, precipitation and nitrogen deposition) on individual tree growth of three study species (Quercus robur/petraea, Fagus sylvatica and Fraxinus excelsior). We sampled trees along spatial environmental gradients across Europe and accounted for the effects of management forQuercus. We collected increment cores from 267 trees distributed over 151 plots in 19 forest regions and characterized their neighbouring environment to take into account potentially confounding factors such as tree size, competition, soil conditions and elevation. We demonstrate that growth responds interactively to global‐change drivers, with species‐specific sensitivities to the combined factors. Simultaneously high levels of precipitation and deposition benefitedFraxinus,but negatively affectedQuercus’growth, highlighting species‐specific interactive tree growth responses to combined drivers. ForFagus,a stronger growth response to higher temperatures was found when precipitation was also higher, illustrating the potential negative effects of drought stress under warming for this species. Furthermore, we show that past forest management can modulate the effects of changing temperatures onQuercus’growth; individuals in plots with a coppicing history showed stronger growth responses to higher temperatures. Overall, our findings highlight how tree growth can be interactively determined by global‐change drivers, and how these growth responses might be modulated by past forest management. By showing future growth changes for scenarios of environmental change, we stress the importance of considering multiple drivers, including past management and their interactions, when predicting tree growth.
Stable isotopic evidence for the differential contribution of diazotrophs to the epipelagic grazing food chain in the mid‐Pacific Ocean
Authors: Horii Sachiko , Takahashi Kazutaka , Shiozaki Takuhei , Hashihama Fuminori , Furuya Ken
Published: October 2018

Aim

Biological nitrogen fixation supports primary production in oligotrophic water, but its link to higher trophic levels has not been described fully on a biogeographical basis. Here, we determine the regional patterns of the contribution of the combined nitrogen to biological production within the epipelagic layer of the mid‐Pacific Ocean using the isotopic signatures of nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) in the biological components.

Location

The mid‐Pacific Ocean along 170° W between the southern subtropical front and the Chukchi Sea.

Time period

Northern and austral summer in 2013 and 2014.

Major taxa studied

Planktonic and micronektonic biota in the euphotic layer.

Methods

We measured the geographical variations in δ15N and δ13C of the suspended particulate organic matter (POM), mesozooplankton assemblage and micronektonic fish. We analysed the relationships among these values and the environmental variables of temperature, nitrate concentration and biological nitrogen fixation activity along a 12,000‐km meridional transect.

Results

The POM δ15N at 0 m was negatively correlated with in situ N2 fixation activity in the subtropical region, whereas that in the equatorial and high‐latitude regions was correlated with the nitrate concentration at 0 m. We found that the ratios of the increase in δ15N to δ13C along the grazing food chain were consistent throughout the equatorial and subtropical regions. Cluster analyses based on the stable isotopic signatures in the biotic components revealed that the food chains in the stations within the subtropical mid‐Pacific Ocean were separated into three groups based on the differential contributions of biological nitrogen fixation.

Main conclusions

Distinct food chains from primary to tertiary production sustained by different nitrogen sources, nitrate below the euphotic zone, and diazotrophic nitrogen occur within the same biogeographical provinces in the subtropical mid‐Pacific Ocean. The diazotroph‐dominant community contributes substantially to the apex predators in the central areas of the subtropical gyres.
Adaptive capacity of small‐scale coastal fishers to climate and non‐climate stressors in the Western region of Ghana
Authors: Freduah George , Fidelman Pedro , Smith Timothy F.
Published: October 2018

Small‐scale coastal fisheries (SSCF) in the Western region of Ghana are affected by a combination of climate and non‐climate stressors. Coastal communities are particularly vulnerable to these stressors because of their proximity to the sea and high dependence on small‐scale fisheries for their livelihoods. A better understanding of how fishing communities, particularly SSCF, respond to climate and non‐climate stressors is paramount to improve planning and implementation of effective adaptation action. Drawing on the capitals framework, this study examines the adaptive capacity of SSCF to the combined effects of climate‐related (increasing coastal erosion, and wave and storm frequency) and non‐climate‐related stressors (declining catches; scarcity and prohibitive cost of fuel; inconsiderate implementation of fisheries laws and policies; competition from the oil and gas industry; sand mining; and algal blooms). The findings show how fishers mobilise and use adaptive capacity through exploitation of various forms of capital, including cultural capital (e.g., local innovation); political capital (e.g., lobbying government and local authorities); social capital (e.g., collective action); human capital (e.g., local leadership); and natural capital (e.g., utilising beach sand) to respond to multiple stressors. Nevertheless, in many cases, fishers’ responses were reactive and led to negative (maladaptive) outcomes. Furthermore, this study underscores the importance of critically considering the interactive nature of capitals and how they collectively influence adaptive capacity in the planning and implementation of adaptation research, policy and practice.
Acute arterial cardiovascular events risk in patients with primary membranous nephropathy
Authors: Alawami Mohammed , Wimalasena Samadhi , Ghashi Rajaie , Alnasrallah Basil
Published: October 2018

Background

Venous thromboembolism is a well established risk in patients with primary membranous nephropathy (MN) due to deficiency in natural anti‐coagulants. Recent studies suggested a higher risk of arterial thrombotic events as well in this group.

Aim

To identify that risk in our cohort.

Methods

We reviewed the data of all patients who had biopsy proven primary MN at our institute between 2003 and 2013. Clinical data were retrospectively reviewed until November 2016. The cardiovascular (CV) events, including acute coronary syndromes and strokes were determined and included only if occurred after the diagnosis of the nephropathy.

Results

A total of 204 patients had biopsy proven MN. Follow up information was available for 166 patients. Thirty‐one patients (18.6%) developed CV events during follow up. Thirty‐eight per cent of total events occurred within 1 year of MN diagnosis. Forty‐two per cent of those who developed CV events were not on anti‐thrombotic medications and 60% were not on statin therapy. Male gender, age, diabetes and absence of statins therapy were associated with higher rates of CV events in this group.

Conclusion

There is an increased risk of arterial events in patients with primary MN. This risk is greatest in the first year of diagnosis. The risk should be highlighted in this group of patients and anti‐platelets and statin therapy should be considered especially during the initial phase of the disease.
Whale shark Rhincodon typus strandings in the Gulf of California, Mexico
Authors: Whitehead Darren A. , Becerril‐García Edgar E. , Petatán‐Ramírez David , Vázquez‐Haikin Abraham , González‐Armas Rogelio , Galván‐Magaña Felipe
Published: October 2018

The present study analyses whale shark Rhincodon typus stranding in the Gulf of California, Mexico, reported by the public, scientists, authorities and artisanal fishermen. A total of 14 strandings were documented during the period 2001–2018. The total length of R. typus ranged from 350–1,102 cm, with a sex ratio of 3.5:1 (males: females). This study highlights potential stranding areas, the need for better stranding protocols to assist R. typus recovery and the importance of samples from dead animals for scientific research.
Survival of food‐borne bacterial pathogens in traditional Mediterranean anchovy products
Authors: Verdos George I. , Makrigiannis Alexandros , Tsigaras Evagelos , Boziaris Ioannis S.
Published: October 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the survival of Salmonella Enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes in salted and marinated anchovy (Engraulis encrasicholus). Total viable counts (TVCs), lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and yeasts/molds were also enumerated. Initially, TVC was as high as 5.5 log10 cfu/g, but the population dropped down to 3.2 and 2.2 log10 CFU/g for salted and marinated anchovy, respectively. S. aureus was the most salt‐tolerant and L. monocytogenes was the most acid‐tolerant microorganism. A biphasic inactivation of S. Enteriditis and L. monocytogenes was apparent during the 8‐hr marination process, implying adaptation and resistance to low pH. Results suggest that salting or marinating of anchovy creates an environment in which pathogenic bacteria are inactivated. However, inherent resistance or possible adaptation to stresses can result to prolonged inactivation times; hence it is important to avoid contamination with high numbers of food‐borne pathogens.

Practical applications

Many food‐borne bacterial pathogens can survive at low pH and aw, especially in cases in which they might adapt to the imposed stresses and become resistant. Knowing the time required to reduce food‐borne pathogens is of great interest for ensuring safety of traditional seafood.
Genetic and epigenetic contribution to astrocytic gliomas pathogenesis
Authors: Khani Pouria , Nasri Farzad , Khani Chamani Fateme , Saeidi Farzane , Sadri Nahand Javid , Tabibkhooei Alireza , Mirzaei Hamed
Published: October 2018

Astrocytic gliomas are the most common and lethal form of intracranial tumors. These tumors are characterized by a significant heterogeneity in terms of cytopathological, transcriptional, and (epi)genomic features. This heterogeneity has made these cancers one of the most challenging types of cancers to study and treat. To uncover these complexities and to have better understanding of the disease initiation and progression, identification, and characterization of underlying cellular and molecular pathways related to (epi)genetics of astrocytic gliomas is crucial. Here, we discuss and summarize molecular and (epi)genetic mechanisms that provide clues as to the pathogenesis of astrocytic gliomas.

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Neuroprotective effect of rLosac on supplement‐deprived mouse cultured cortical neurons involves maintenance of monocarboxylate transporter MCT2 protein levels
Authors: Alvarez‐Flores Miryam P. , Hébert Audrey , Gouelle Cathy , Geller Sarah , Chudzinski‐Tavassi Ana M. , Pellerin Luc
Published: October 2018

The recombinant Lonomia obliqua Stuart‐factor activator (rLosac) is a recombinant hemolin which belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules. It is capable of inducing pro‐survival activity in serum‐deprived human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and fibroblasts by increasing mitochondrial metabolism. We hypothesize that it could promote neuronal survival by acting on neuroenergetics. Our study reveals that treatment of primary mouse cortical neurons cultured in neurobasal medium lacking B27 supplement with rLosac led to an enhancement of cell viability in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner. In parallel, preserved or enhanced phosphorylation of Akt, p44, and p42 MAPK, as well as mTOR was observed following treatment with rLosac. During deprivation, as assessed by western blot and qRT‐PCR, protein and mRNA expression of MCT2 (the predominant neuronal monocarboxylate transporter allowing lactate use as an alternative energy substrate) decreased significantly in B27 supplement‐deprived cortical neurons and was hardly detected after 24 h of deprivation. Interestingly, rLosac maintained MCT2 protein expression after 24 h of deprivation including at the cell surface without preventing mRNA loss. MCT2 knockdown reduced rLosac‐enhanced cell viability, confirming its involvement in rLosac effect. Enhanced uptake of lactate was detected following rLosac treatment and might contribute to rLosac‐enhanced viability during deprivation. In the presence of both lactate and rLosac, cell viability was higher than in the presence of lactate alone. Our observations suggest that rLosac promotes cell viability in stressed (B27 supplement‐deprived) neurons by facilitating the use of lactate as energy substrate via the preservation of MCT2 protein expression.

Open science badges

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The firing frequency of spontaneous action potentials and their corresponding evoked exocytosis are increased in chromaffin cells of CCl4‐induced cirrhotic rats with respect to control rats
Authors: Sanz‐Lázaro Sara , Jiménez‐Pompa Amanda , Carmona‐Hidalgo Beatriz , Ubeda María , Muñoz Leticia , Caba‐González Jose Carlos , Hernández‐Vivanco Alicia , López‐García Sarai , Albillos Agustín , Albillos Almudena
Published: October 2018

High catecolamine plasma levels because of sympathetic nervous system over‐activity contribute to cirrhosis progression. The aim of this study was to investigate whether chromaffin cells of the adrenal gland might potentiate the deleterious effect exerted by this over‐activity. Electrophysiological patch‐clamp and amperometric experiments with carbon‐fibre electrodes were conducted in single chromaffin cells of control and CCl4‐induced cirrhotic rats. The spontaneous action potential firing frequency was increased in chromaffin cells of cirrhotic rats with respect to control rats. The exocytosis evoked by that firing was also increased. However, exocytosis elicited by ACh did not vary between control and cirrhotic rats. Exocytosis triggered by depolarizing pulses was also unchanged. Amperometric recordings confirmed the lack of increased catecholamine charge released in cirrhosis after ACh or depolarization stimuli. However, the amperometric spikes exhibited faster kinetics of release. The overall Ca2+ entry through voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channels (VDCC), or in particular through Cav1 channels, did not vary between chromaffin cells of control and cirrhotic rats. The inhibition of VDCC by methionine‐enkephaline or ATP was not either altered, but it was increased by adrenaline in cells of cirrhotic rats. When a cocktail composed by the three neurotransmitters was tested in order to approach a situation closer to the physiological condition, the inhibition of VDCC was similar between both types of cells. In summary, chromaffin cells of the adrenal gland might contribute to exacerbate the sympathetic nervous system over‐activity in cirrhosis because of an increased exocytosis elicited by an enhanced spontaneous electrical activity.

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Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of the genus Chaetophora (Chlorophyceae, Chlorophyta), including descriptions of Chaetophoropsis aershanensis gen. et sp. nov.
Authors: Liu Benwen , Xiong Qian , Liu Xudong , Liu Guoxiang , Hu Zhengyu
Published: October 2018

The broadly defined genus Chaetophora consisted of species with minute, uniseriate branching filaments enveloped in soft or firm mucilage forming macroscopic growths that are spherical, hemispherical, and tubercular or arbuscular, growing epiphytically on freshwater aquatic plants and other submerged surfaces in standing or fast‐flowing water. Recent molecular analyses clearly showed that this genus was polyphyletic. In this study, eight strains of Chaetophora and three strains of Stigeoclonium were identified and successfully cultured. In combination with the morphological data, a concatenated data set of four markers (18S + 5.8S + ITS2+ partial 28S rDNA) was also used to determine their taxonomic relationships and phylogenetic positions. The molecular analysis resolved the broadly defined Chaetophora to at least two genera. Species with a globose thallus of genus Chaetophora formed a separate monophyletic clade, which clearly separated from, a type of lobe‐form Chaetophora species. Therefore, we propose to erect a new genus, Chaetophoropsis, which includes all globose species of the Chaetophora. Chaetophoropsis aershanensis was determined to be a new species, based on its special characteristic of profuse long rhizoids. Stigeoclonium polyrhizum, as the closest relative to Chaetophoropsis, revealed its distant relationships to other species of Stigeoclonium. A globose thallus with a thick, soft mucilage matrix, and special rhizoidal branches lent further support to the placement of S. polyrhizum in the genus Chaetophoropsis and had the closest relationship to C. aershanensis. Taxonomic diversity was proven by distinctive morphological differences and by phylogenetic divergence in the broadly defined Chaetophora identified herein.
Resveratrol attenuates oxidative stress during experimental periodontitis in rats exposed to cigarette smoke inhalation
Authors: Corrêa Mônica Grazieli , Absy Samir , Tenenbaum Howard , Ribeiro Fernanda Vieira , Cirano Fabiano Ribeiro , Casati Marcio Z. , Pimentel Suzana Peres
Published: October 2018

Objectives

This study aimed at investigating the effect of the systemic administration of resveratrol (RESV) on oxidative stress during experimental periodontitis in rats subjected to cigarette smoke inhalation.

Material and Methods

Experimental periodontitis (EP) was induced in 26 male Wistar rats by the insertion of a ligature around one of the first mandibular and maxillary molars. The animals were assigned randomly to the following groups: cigarette smoke inhalation (CSI; 3 times/d, 8 minutes/d) + resveratrol (10 mg/Kg), that is, SMK + RESV (n = 13) and cigarette smoke inhalation + placebo, that is, SMK + PLAC (n = 13). The substances were administered daily for 30 days (19 days prior and 11 days following EP induction), and then, the animals were euthanized. The maxillary specimens were processed for morphometric analysis of bone loss, and the tissue surrounding the first maxillary molars was collected for mRNA quantification of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) by real‐time PCR. The gingival tissues surrounding the mandibular first molars were collected for quantification of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphatase oxidase (NADPH) using an ELISA assay.

Results

Reduced bone loss was demonstrated in animals in the SMK + RESV group as compared to those in the SMK + PLAC (P < 0.05) group on the basis of morphometric analysis. Resveratrol promoted higher levels of SIRT and SOD (P < 0.05) as well as reduced levels of NADPH oxidase (P < 0.05) were found in tissues derived from animals in the SMK + RESV group when compared to those in the SMK + PLAC group.

Conclusion

Resveratrol is an efficient therapeutic agent that reduces exacerbation of bone loss found in animals with EP that were also exposed to smoke. The results suggest that its effects could be mediated, at least in part, by its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties which attenuate the effects of oxidative stress on EP in the presence of cigarette smoke.
Tamoxifen induces apoptosis and inhibits respiratory burst in equine neutrophils independently of estrogen receptors
Authors: Olave Carla , Alvarez Pamela , Uberti Benjamin , Morales Natalia , Henriquez Claudio , Folch Hugo , Sarmiento Jose , Moran Gabriel
Published: October 2018

Neutrophils play an important role in the exacerbation and maintenance of severe equine asthma; persistent neutrophil activity and delayed apoptosis can be harmful to surrounding tissues. Tamoxifen (TX) is a nonsteroidal estrogen receptor modulator with immunomodulatory effects and induces early apoptosis of blood and bronchoalveolar lavage neutrophils from horses with acute lung inflammation. This study investigated if the in vitro effects of tamoxifen are produced by its action on nuclear (α and β) and membrane (GPR30) estrogen receptors in healthy equine neutrophils. Results showed that TX inhibits neutrophil respiratory burst induced by opsonized zymosan in a dose‐dependent manner. Nuclear (17‐β‐Estradiol) and GPR30 cell membrane (G1) estrogen receptor agonists and their antagonists (ICI 182,780 and G15, respectively) do not block or reproduce the effect of TX. Therefore, TX does not inhibit respiratory burst through estrogen receptors. TX (8.5 μM) also increased phosphatidylserine translocation, a marker of early apoptosis, which did not occur with any of the estrogen receptor agonists or antagonists. Thus, tamoxifen generates dose‐dependent inhibition of respiratory burst and increased early apoptosis in healthy equine neutrophils, independently of nuclear or membrane estrogen receptors. Further studies are necessary to explore the signaling pathways of tamoxifen‐induced ROS inhibition and phosphatidylserine translocation.
A Quasi Real‐Time Leading Indicator for the EU Industrial Production
Authors: Donadelli Michael , Paradiso Antonio , Riedel Max
Published: October 2018

We build a quasi‐real‐time leading indicator (LI) for the EU industrial production (EU IP). Differently from previous studies, the technique developed in this paper gives rise to an ex‐ante LI that is immune to ex‐post revisions in constituent variables and, thus, does not suffer from overlapping information drawbacks. Moreover, the set of variables used to construct the LI relies on a two‐step dynamic and systematic statistical procedure. This approach ensures that the choice of the variables is not driven by subjective views. Our LI anticipates—on average—main recession periods in the EU industrial production by two to three months. If revised, its predictive power improves. Additional empirical analyses show that the proposed LI (i) forecasts the Great Recession period better than the ex‐post LIs proposed by the OECD and the Conference Board, and (ii) captures the interest rate policy pattern rather well.
Climate warming alters the structure of farmland tritrophic ecological networks and reduces crop yield
Authors: Derocles Stephane A. P. , Lunt David H. , Berthe Sophie C. F. , Nichols Paul C. , Moss Ellen D. , Evans Darren M.
Published: October 2018

It is unclear how sustained increases in temperature and changes in precipitation, as a result of climate change, will affect crops and their interactions with agricultural weeds, insect pests and predators, due to the difficulties in quantifying changes in such complex relationships. We simulated the combined effects of increasing temperature (by an average of 1.4°C over a growing season) and applying additional rainwater (10% of the monthly mean added weekly, 40% total) using a replicated, randomized block experiment within a wheat crop. We examined how this affected the structure of 24 quantitative replicate plant–aphid–parasitoid networks constructed using DNA‐based methods. Simulated climate warming affected species richness, significantly altered consumer–resource asymmetries and reduced network complexity. Increased temperature induced an aphid outbreak, but the parasitism rates of aphids by parasitoid wasps remained unchanged. It also drove changes in the crop, altering in particular the phenology of the wheat as well as its quality (i.e., fewer, lighter seeds). We discuss the importance of considering the wider impacts of climate change on interacting species across trophic levels in agroecosystems.
Embracing standardisation and contextualisation in medical education
Authors: Bates Joanna , Schrewe Brett , Ellaway Rachel H , Teunissen Pim W , Watling Christopher
Published: October 2018

Context

The tensions that emerge between the universal and the local in a global world require continuous negotiation. However, in medical education, standardization and contextual diversity tend to operate as separate philosophies, with little attention to the interplay between them.

Methods

The authors synthesise the literature related to the intersections and resulting tensions between standardization and contextual diversity in medical education. In doing so, the authors analyze the interplay between these competing concepts in two domains of medical education (admissions and competency‐based medical education), and provide concrete examples drawn from the literature.

Results

Standardization offers many rewards: its common articulations and assumptions promote patient safety, foster continuous quality improvement, and enable the spread of best practices. Standardization may also contribute to greater fairness, equity, reliability and validity in high stakes processes, and can provide stakeholders, including the public, with tangible reassurance and a sense of the stable and timeless. At the same time, contextual variation in medical education can afford myriad learning opportunities, and it can improve alignment between training and local workforce needs. The inevitable diversity of contexts for learning and practice renders any absolute standardization of programs, experiences, or outcomes an impossibility.

Conclusions

The authors propose a number of ways to examine the interplay of contextual diversity and standardization and suggest three ways to move beyond an either/or stance. In reconciling the laudable goals of standardization and the realities of the innumerable contexts in which we train and deliver care, we are better positioned to design and deliver a medical education system that is globally responsible and locally engaged.
Acute ischemic stroke in myeloproliferative neoplasia: Using molecular pathophysiology knowledge to treat prothrombotic state with direct oral anticoagulants
Authors: Hollen Christopher W , Shujaat Syeda D , Ray Bappaditya
Published: October 2018

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are defined by clonal expansion of hematopoietic progenitor cells and often associated with systemic thrombosis. Arterial thrombi due to MPN have a multifactorial etiology and are typically managed with antiplatelet agents. However, recent mechanistic studies on patients with JAK2V617F mutations have demonstrated alterations in cellular heparanase activity that results in a hypercoagulable state. We report a patient with MPN presenting with acute ischemic stroke caused by a basilar artery thrombus due to JAK2V617F mutation related hypercoagulability. Newer direct oral anticoagulants may be appropriate for secondary stroke prevention in such cases.
The β5 subunit is essential for intact 26S proteasome assembly to specifically promote plant autotrophic growth under salt stress
Authors: Han Jia‐Jia , Yang Xiaoyuan , Wang Qian , Tang Lu , Yu Feifei , Huang Xiahe , Wang Yingchun , Liu Jian‐Xiang , Xie Qi
Published: October 2018

The ubiquitin 26S proteasome (26SP) system efficiently degrades many key regulators of plant development. 26SP consists of two subcomplexes: the catalytic 20S core particle (CP) and the 19S regulatory particle (RP). Previous studies have focused on 19S RP; whether there is a specific subunit in 20S CP that has a stress‐related biological function in plants is unclear.

PBE1, one of the β5 subunits of Arabidopsis proteasome CP, is essential for the assembly and proteolytic activity of 26SP in salt‐stressed seedlings. The expression of PBE1 is stress‐induced. During the transition from seed germination to autotrophic growth in salt‐stressed seedlings, loss of PBE1 function results specifically in arrest in developmental transition but not in germination and post‐germination growth. PBE1 is also important for other types of proteasome stress and Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress.

PBE1 modulates the protein level of the transcription factor ABI5 and thereby down‐regulates the expression of several genes downstream of this key regulator which are known to be essential for plant growth under stress.

Collectively, our results showed PBE1‐mediated intact proteasome assembly that is essential for successful autotrophic growth, and revealed how PBE1 mediated stress proteasome functions to control both proteasome activity and abscisic acid (ABA)‐mediated stress signaling in plants.
The fluorescent protein sensor roGFP2‐Orp1 monitors in vivo H2O2 and thiol redox integration and elucidates intracellular H2O2 dynamics during elicitor‐induced oxidative burst in Arabidopsis
Authors: Nietzel Thomas , Elsässer Marlene , Ruberti Cristina , Steinbeck Janina , Ugalde José Manuel , Fuchs Philippe , Wagner Stephan , Ostermann Lara , Moseler Anna , Lemke Philipp , Fricker Mark D. , Müller‐Schüssele Stefanie J. , Moerschbacher Bruno M. , Costa Alex , Meyer Andreas J. , Schwarzländer Markus
Published: October 2018

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is ubiquitous in cells and at the centre of developmental programmes and environmental responses. Its chemistry in cells makes H2O2 notoriously hard to detect dynamically, specifically and at high resolution. Genetically encoded sensors overcome persistent shortcomings, but pH sensitivity, silencing of expression and a limited concept of sensor behaviour in vivo have hampered any meaningful H2O2 sensing in living plants.

We established H2O2 monitoring in the cytosol and the mitochondria of Arabidopsis with the fusion protein roGFP2‐Orp1 using confocal microscopy and multiwell fluorimetry.

We confirmed sensor oxidation by H2O2, show insensitivity to physiological pH changes, and demonstrated that glutathione dominates sensor reduction in vivo. We showed the responsiveness of the sensor to exogenous H2O2, pharmacologically‐induced H2O2 release, and genetic interference with the antioxidant machinery in living Arabidopsis tissues. Monitoring intracellular H2O2 dynamics in response to elicitor exposure reveals the late and prolonged impact of the oxidative burst in the cytosol that is modified in redox mutants.

We provided a well defined toolkit for H2O2 monitoring in planta and showed that intracellular H2O2 measurements only carry meaning in the context of the endogenous thiol redox systems. This opens new possibilities to dissect plant H2O2 dynamics and redox regulation, including intracellular NADPH oxidase‐mediated ROS signalling.
Sectoral Effects of News Shocks
Authors: Vukotić Marija
Published: October 2018

This paper argues that an aggregate news shock reveals news about technological improvements in the durable goods sector. Better technological prospects translate into large responses of the fundamentals in the durable goods sector; much larger than the responses of the fundamentals in the non‐durable goods sector. These better technological prospects, contrary to common belief, do not induce short‐run comovement among fundamentals within either of the two sectors. The behaviour of inventories, an important margin that durable goods producers can use to buffer news shocks, proves to be crucial for reconciling the effects of news shocks in a two‐sector model with the data.
Structured intervention plan including component‐resolved diagnostics helps reducing the burden of food allergy among school‐aged children
Authors: Savolainen Johannes , Mascialino Barbara , Pensamo Elina , Åberg K. Magnus , Silvan Maija , Borres Magnus P. , Korhonen Krista
Published: October 2018

Background

Food allergies can substantially burden patients and families by negatively affecting finances, social relationships, and personal perceptions of health. This study was performed under the Finnish Allergy Programme aimed at reducing avoidance diets to foods in schoolchildren by 50%. The main goal of this study was to investigate how many children could be freed from diet restrictions in a Finnish school district through a diagnostic algorithm including component‐resolved diagnostics and food challenge. The secondary aim was to provide a crude estimate of the burden of the elimination food diets in the region, and the savings associated with the proposed intervention.

Methods

A total of 205 children on a food avoidance diet according to the school register because of food allergy were invited into the study. One hundred and fifty‐seven children were interviewed, tested for IgE to extracts and allergen components and food challenged in respective order.

Results

After two years, 12 children still had an avoidance diet and three of them were treated successfully with sOTI; the rest suspended their avoidance diet (n = 134) or dropped out of the study (n = 11). The cost of the elimination diets was estimated in 172 700€ per year at start and 13 200€ per year at the end of the study; total savings were 128 400€ yearly.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate a 65% reduction of avoidance diets to foods in school‐aged children, exceeding the 50% aim of the Finnish Allergy Programme. Therefore, it is possible to actively reduce the number of food allergy diagnoses that remain unmonitored in the society through a tailored diagnostic work‐up.
Policy Feedback Effects on Mass Publics: A Quantitative Review
Authors: Larsen Erik Gahner
Published: October 2018

There has been an impressive stride in the research on policy feedback effects on mass publics over recent years. However, we lack systematic evidence on how large such policy feedback effects are in the literature. This article provides a review of 65 published studies and quantifies the findings and key themes in the policy feedback literature. The results show a great degree of heterogeneity in the domains and outcomes being studied and in the effects of policies on the public. In line with the findings from narrative reviews, feedback effects are greater for outcomes related to political participation and engagement. Last, the review sheds light on important theoretical and methodological limitations to be addressed in future research.
An Axiomatic Foundation of the Multiplicative Human Development Index
Authors: Kawada Yoko , Nakamura Yuta , Otani Shuhei
Published: October 2018

The aggregation formula in the Human Development Index (HDI) was changed to a geometric mean in 2010. In this paper, we search for a theoretical justification for employing this new HDI formula. First, we find a maximal class of index functions, what we call quasi‐geometric means, that satisfy symmetry for the characteristics, normalization, and separability. Second, we show that power means are the only quasi‐geometric means satisfying homogeneity. Finally, the new HDI is the only power mean satisfying minimal lower boundedness, which is a local complementability axiom proposed by Herrero et al. (2010).
Water adsorption with relative humidity changes for keratin and collagen as studied by infrared (IR) micro‐spectroscopy
Authors: Kudo Sachie , Nakashima Satoru
Published: October 2018

Background

Natures and amounts of water retained at the surface of stratum corneum (SC) of human skins, affecting skin health and penetration of chemical components, remain unclear.

Methods

A keratin film, a main component of human SC surface, was measured by IR micro‐spectroscopy combined with a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and a relative humidity (RH) control system.

Results

Water contents increased with RH up to about 19 wt% and were correlated linearly with the OH + NH band areas in IR spectra of the keratin film. The OH + NH band areas for the triple helix collagen film are about twice as large as those for the keratin film (double helix). The free water component increases with RH by keeping the bound water component minor for the keratin film. About twice of water retention capacity of the collagen film can be due to increasing adsorption of free water, interacting possibly with hydrophobic aliphatic CH surfaces.

Conclusion

The present results suggest relatively low water contents less than about 19 wt% of outermost SC layers of human skin composed mostly of keratin exposed to ambient RH conditions. The triple helix collagen can be used as an effective moisturizing agent.
Metastatic disease in a dog with a well‐differentiated perianal gland tumor
Authors: McCourt Maggie R. , Levine Greg M. , Breshears Melanie A. , Wall Corey R. , Meinkoth James H.
Published: October 2018

Fine‐needle aspirates from a perianal mass on an 8‐year‐old, intact male, Miniature Poodle presenting for tenesmus showed a uniform population of well‐differentiated hepatoid cells with no notable criteria of malignancy. The cytologic diagnosis was a perianal gland tumor, with adenoma likely given the cytomorphology. The abdominal ultrasound revealed multiple, markedly enlarged, intra‐abdominal lymph nodes. LN aspirates also showed well‐differentiated polygonal, hepatoid cells displaying no notable cellular atypia. The presence of the metastasis led to the interpretation of a well‐differentiated, malignant perianal gland tumor despite the benign cellular appearance. Histopathology of the surgically excised perianal mass and one enlarged abdominal lymph node revealed lobules of uniform polygonal hepatoid cells arranged in organized islands and trabeculae surrounded by a single layer of uniform reserve cells. Few mitotic figures were present. The only histopathologic indication of malignancy within the primary mass was the presence of small islands of well‐differentiated hepatoid cells infiltrating into adjacent tissue and possible lymphatic invasion. The histopathologic diagnosis was perianal gland adenocarcinoma. Most textbooks describe perianal gland adenocarcinomas as showing increased cellular atypia including pleomorphism, disorganization of hepatoid cells, and increased numbers of pleomorphic reserve cells with mitotic figures. This case is an example of the occurrence of a well‐differentiated perianal gland tumor with metastasis and highlights the importance of realizing that with these tumors, a benign cytologic and histologic appearance may not correlate with biologic behavior. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case reporting both the cytologic and histologic appearance of a well‐differentiated metastatic hepatoid gland tumor.
Experiences of adult patients in discharge and recovery from day surgery: a qualitative systematic review protocol
Authors: Mayo Irene , Lizarondo Lucylynn , Stokan Murray
Published: October 2018

Review question/objective:

The objective of this review is to critically appraise and synthesize the evidence on experiences of adult patients in discharge and recovery after day surgery.
Effects of Upstream Step Geometry on Axisymmetric Converging Vane Endwall Secondary Flow and Heat Transfer at Transonic Conditions
Authors: Li Zhigang , Liu Luxuan , Li Jun , Sibold Ridge A. , Ng Wing F. , Xu Hongzhou , Fox Michael
Published: October 2018

This paper presents a detailed experimental and numerical study on the effects of upstream step geometry on the endwall secondary flow and heat transfer in a transonic linear turbine vane passage with axisymmetric converging endwalls. The upstream step geometry represents the misalignment between the combustor exit and the nozzle guide vane endwall. The experimental measurements were performed in a blowdown wind tunnel with an exit Mach number of 0.85 and an exit Re of 1.5×106. A high freestream turbulence level of 16% was set at the inlet, which represents the typical turbulence conditions in a gas turbine engine. Two upstream step geometries were tested for the same vane profile: a baseline configuration with a gap located 0.88Cx (43.8 mm) upstream of the vane leading edge (upstream step height = 0 mm) and a misaligned configuration with a backward-facing step located just before the gap at 0.88Cx (43.8 mm) upstream of the vane leading edge (step height = 4.45% span). The endwall temperature history was measured using transient infrared thermography, from which the endwall thermal load distribution, namely, Nusselt number, was derived. This paper also presents a comparison with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predictions performed by solving the steady-state Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes with Reynolds stress model using the commercial CFD solver ansysfluent v.15. The CFD simulations were conducted at a range of different upstream step geometries: three forward-facing (upstream step geometries with step heights from −5.25% to 0% span), and five backward-facing, upstream step geometries (step heights from 0% to 6.56% span). These CFD results were used to highlight the link between heat transfer patterns and the secondary flow structures and explain the effects of upstream step geometry. Experimental and numerical results indicate that the backward-facing upstream step geometry will significantly enlarge the high thermal load region and result in an obvious increase (up to 140%) in the heat transfer coefficient (HTC) level, especially for arched regions around the vane leading edge. However, the forward-facing upstream geometry will modestly shrink the high thermal load region and reduce the HTC (by ∼10% to 40% decrease), especially for the suction side regions near the vane leading edge. The aerodynamic loss appears to have a slight increase (0.3–1.3%) because of the forward-facing upstream step geometry but is slightly reduced (by 0.1–0.3%) by the presence of the backward upstream step geometry.