bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wind energy and insects: reviewing the state of knowledge and identifying potential interactions
Authors: Weschler Michelle , Tronstad Lusha
Published: October 2024

In 2023 the wind industry hit a milestone of one terawatt of installed capacity globally. That amount is expected to double within the next decade as billions of dollars are invested in new wind projects annually. Wildlife mortality is a primary concern regarding the proliferation of wind power, and many studies have investigated bird and bat interactions. Little is known about the interactions between wind turbines and insects, despite these animals composing far more biomass than vertebrates. Turbine placement, coloration, shape, heat output, and lighting may attract insects to turbines. Insects attract insectivorous animals, which may be killed by the turbines. Compiling current knowledge about these interactions and identifying gaps in knowledge is critical as wind power grows rapidly. We reviewed the state of the literature investigating insects and wind energy facilities, and evaluated hypotheses regarding insect attraction to turbines. We found evidence of insect attraction due to turbine location, paint color, shape, and temperature output. We provide empirical data on insect abundance and richness near turbines and introduce a risk assessment tool for comparing wind development with suitable climate for insects of concern. This understudied topic merits further investigation as insects decline globally. Compiling information will provide a resource for mitigation and management strategies, and will inform conservation agencies on what insects may be most vulnerable to the expansion of wind technologies.
Ultra-rapid detection of nuclear protein of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus by colloidal gold immunochromatography assay
Authors: Huang Zhiwei , Li Jianhua , Wei Wentao , Li Hongyu , Yan Hao , Chen Ruyi , Li Jiaxuan , Tie Xiaotian , Wang Di , Wu Guangshang , Zhang Ling , Zhang Yanjun , Chen Keda , Lou Yongliang
Published: October 2024

In 2009, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), also known as the Dabie bandavirus (DBV), was first discovered in Henan, China. It is a tick-borne zoonotic virus with a fatality rate ranging from 6% to 30%. Currently, we lack safe and effective vaccines or antiviral drugs to treat SFTSV infection. Therefore, the development of a specific, sensitive, and cost-effective detection method is crucial. Using inactivated SFTSV and recombinant SFTSV nucleocapsid protein (SFTSV-NP), we repeatedly immunized mice with different adjuvants and obtained two monoclonal antibodies against SFTSV-NP, which were used to develop a colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay (ICA) rapid test kit for SFTSV. Compared with nucleic acid testing (gold standard), the ICA test strips are 97.67% accurate in testing clinical serum samples (36 cases of clinical serum samples and seven cases of whole blood samples). The test kit was 100% accurate in detecting different SFTSV strains. No false-positive results were generated when detecting other arboviruses. Therefore, our developed SFTSV test kit conveniently, rapidly, and effectively detects SFTSV.
A Cross-sectional Study on Gonial Angle Variations by Age and Gender in Tertiary Care Centre, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Singh Diksha , Jaiswal Sonia , Khan Danish Ul Zama , Tewari Vineeta
Published: October 2024

Introduction: The mandibular angle, also known as the gonial angle, is the posterior-most point of the mandible where the ramus and body meet. This angle is crucial in forensic science for identifying gender and age. Aim: To determine whether gonial angle is related to gender and age. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study using 68 lateral cephalograms from participants aged 11-40 was conducted in the Department of Anatomy in collaboration with the Department of Dentistry at Era’s Medical College and Hospital, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. Gonial angle measurements were obtained using a digital protractor. Lateral cephalograms of participants with jaw fractures, acquired skeletal deformity, and postsurgical cases were excluded from the study. To analyse the variation in gonial angle across different age groups, participants were categorised into three groups: 11-20, 21-30, and 31-40. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA to compare the gonial angles among the different age groups. Results: The gonial angle in males was recorded with a mean value of 119.757 and standard deviation of 7.6131, while for females the mean value was recorded as 118.811 with a standard deviation of 5.9614. The mean value of the gonial angle in the age group of 11-20 was 119.734° for males, while for females it was 119.487°. In the age group 21-30 the mean value of gonial angle in male was 113.5° while in females it was 115.112°. There were no male participants in the age group 31-40, however the mean value of gonial angle in females was 122.8°. Conclusion: The current study’s results indicate that gonial angle varies across different age groups, particularly showing a discernible difference between the ages of 21-30 and 31- 40, which can be utilised to determine an individual’s age. No statistically significant difference in gonial angle was found across genders.
Isolation of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi from Infected Intracranial Dermoid Cyst: A Case Report
Authors: Mir Anjum Ara , Roohi Shagufta , Qadri Uksim , Ramakrishnan Susheem , Jaggi Rahul
Published: October 2024

Salmonella Typhi is a versatile pathogen that can infect almost all organs of its host. There has been an increase in the number of cases of extraintestinal infection caused by Salmonella species during the past decade. Present case is of a 17-year-old immunocompetent female admitted to the hospital with complaints of a general tonic-clonic seizure and diagnosed with a Suprasellar hypodense lesion with Hydrocephalus (HCP) documented on a Computed Tomography (CT) scan of the head. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revealed signs of an intracranial dermoid cyst. Placement of a right Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) Shunt was performed, followed by a right craniotomy with decompression, during which 5 mL of pus was collected from the lesion. The pus was received in the Department of Microbiology and subjected to culture, which grew Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. The patient had been empirically receiving injection cefoperazone-sulbactam 2g/2g twice daily and injection vancomycin 1g 12 hourly before the isolation of Salmonella Typhi. She had also been receiving injection levetiracetam 500 mg i.v. twice a day and inj. phenytoin 500 mg i.v. thrice a day. Following the positive culture report, injection ceftriaxone 2 g daily was started. The patient was discharged on the fifth postoperative day while on injection ceftriaxone, oral levetiracetam 500 mg, and phenytoin 100 mg and was asked to report to the neurosurgery department after seven days for follow-up. On follow-up, she showed improvement, and there were no complaints of fever, seizure, or loss of consciousness. In conclusion, proper clinical, radiological, and microbiological evaluation is very much necessary, and clinicians should be aware of the relatively rare manifestations of Salmonella Typhi infections.
Risk Factor Profile of Ischemic Stroke Patients
Authors: Yudawijaya Agus , Sihombing Ruth Arthesya Nauli Basa , Aritonang Christina Roseville Lasma , Wibhawa Patria Adri
Published: October 2024

Aims: To determine the risk factor profile of ischemic stroke patients at the Indonesian Christian University Hospital in the period January 2018-January 2022
Place and Duration of Study: This research was conducted at the Indonesian Christian University Hospital with data collection and research time in July 2022-July 2023.
Methodology: The type of research taken for this research is descriptive research with a cross-sectional design. This research collected medical record data from ischemic stroke patients in the period January 2018-January 2022. Later the medical record data was obtained and analyzed to examine the risk factor profile of ischemic stroke patients at the Indonesian Christian University Hospital. The population used in this study were patients suffering from ischemic stroke who came to the Indonesian Christian University Hospital in the period January 2018-January 2022. The sampling technique used a total sampling technique where the amount of medical record data is the same as the number of samples used for research.
Results: The results showed that the most dominant age ≥61 years with a total of 42 patients (64.4%), the most dominant sex was male with 35 patients (53.8%), ischemic stroke patients worked 38 patients (68.5%), the most dominant risk factor was hypertension with 62 patients (95.4%), the obesity risk factor with 48 patients (73.8%), risk factor for the history of heart disease with a total of 35 patients (53.8%), smoking risk factors for 33 patients (50.8%), risk factors for not having diabetes mellitus for 36 patients (55.4%), risk factors for not having dyslipidemia for 36 patients (55.4%) and risk factors for having normal uric acid levels for 43 patients (66.2%)
Conclusion: From the research results it can be concluded that the Risk Factor Profile of Ischemic Stroke Patients at the Indonesian Christian University Hospital in The period January 2018-January 2022 includes gender which is dominated by men with worker group status. The most common risk factor suffered by ischemic stroke patients is the risk factor of hypertension.
Histological Investigations on Potato Tuber Moths, Phthorimaea operculella Treated with a Botanical Extract of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L), with Particular Attention to the Alterations in the Ultrastructure of the Larval Digestive Tract
Authors: MA Gesraha , AF Sharaby , SB Fallatah
Published: October 2024

Background: Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), the potato tuber moth (PTM) is one of the most important pests that attacks potato, Solanum tuberosum L. crops worldwide. Adult moths attack tubers in fields as well as in storage. Infested tubers become unsuitable for trade or consumption, the tuber damage increases gradually after several generations of the pest during storage time. Botanicals have been found to be an efficient control method especially when they act as antifeedant or repellent, or even stomach poisons. The estimation of the mortal impact of some extracts against PTM was examined by emphasizing the Ultrastructure changes in the larval digestive tract by using scanning and transmission electron microscope.
Results: Structural changes throughout the entire digestive tract (Fore-, Mid- and Hind-gut), induced by Basil extract were detected through both microscope, these changes leading lastly to the death of the treated larvae. Many different ruptures and malformations were detected throughout all the digestive tract assessment.
Conclusions: Studies of the occurred changes revealed some histopathological changes through out all the digestive tract (Fore-, Mid- and Hind-gut), the attached muscular layer, tracheal system, and visceral fat bodies of the larvae when fed with tubers treated with Basil extract. From this findings, the use of plant extracts can be recommended for protection of potato tuber against the infestation by the tubers moths.
Evaluation of Different Genotypes of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) for Growth, Yield & Quality under Prayagraj Agro-climatic Condition
Authors: Shukla Saurabh , Samir.E.Topno  , Bahadur Vijay
Published: October 2024

The experiment was conducted at Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj during 2022-23 in order to standardize the best genotype of Cowpea. KASHI NIDHI (G8) found to be the earliest (3.0). The Cowpea genotypes KASHI NIDHI (G8) had noticed more yields per plant (587g), and per ha (168.03t/ha) under Allahabad agro climatic conditions. This variety also recorded desirable values for pod parameters like length of pod (32.53cm), weight of pod (110.07g), which are parameters deciding a better market acceptability. Thus, on the basis of growth characters, flowering behavior (36.87), and yield attributing characters, pod parameters and Cowpea genotypes KASHI NIDHI (G8) found to be promising. The highest profit and maximum benefit cost ratio (2.89) were observed in cowpea genotypes KASHI NIDHI (G8).
Mentoring Relationship Quality and Maltreated Children's Coping
Authors: Chesmore Ashley A. , Weiler Lindsey M. , Taussig Heather N.
Published: August 2017

Highlights

Linking mentoring relationship quality to youth outcomes.

Youth mentoring within a maltreated foster care sample.

Youth mentoring in relation to multiple forms of youth coping.
Adverse Housing Conditions and Early‐Onset Delinquency
Authors: Jackson Dylan B. , Newsome Jamie , Lynch Kellie R.
Published: August 2017

Highlights

Adverse housing conditions are significantly associated with early‐onset delinquency.

Household health/safety hazards play an important role in this association.

Housing risks in the absence of health/safety hazards are unrelated to early delinquency.

Efforts to reduce housing health/safety hazards may protect against early delinquent involvement.
Bloom syndrome helicase in meiosis: Pro‐crossover functions of an anti‐crossover protein
Authors: Hatkevich Talia , Sekelsky Jeff
Published: August 2017

The functions of the Bloom syndrome helicase (BLM) and its orthologs are well characterized in mitotic DNA damage repair, but their roles within the context of meiotic recombination are less clear. In meiotic recombination, multiple repair pathways are used to repair meiotic DSBs, and current studies suggest that BLM may regulate the use of these pathways. Based on literature from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Arabidopsis thaliana, Mus musculus, Drosophila melanogaster, and Caenorhabditis elegans, we present a unified model for a critical meiotic role of BLM and its orthologs. In this model, BLM and its orthologs utilize helicase activity to regulate the use of various pathways in meiotic recombination by continuously disassembling recombination intermediates. This unwinding activity provides the meiotic program with a steady pool of early recombination substrates, increasing the probability for a DSB to be processed by the appropriate pathway. As a result of BLM activity, crossovers are properly placed throughout the genome, promoting proper chromosomal disjunction at the end of meiosis. This unified model can be used to further refine the complex role of BLM and its orthologs in meiotic recombination.
Bipolar Host Materials Based on 1,3,5‐Triazine Derivative for Green Phosphorescent Organic Light‐emitting Diode
Authors: Song Jung Eun , Lee Song Eun , Song Yeong Ran , Kim Tae Woo , Lim Choon Woo , Kim Young Kwan
Published: August 2017

We designed and synthesized new bipolar host materials 2–4, through microwave‐assisted Suzuki‐coupling reaction with 1,3,5‐triazine unit and carbazole/fluorene group. The photophysical and thermal properties of the synthesized 1,3,5‐triazine derivatives 2–4 were investigated by ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectrometer, spectrofluorometer, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The 1,3,5‐triazine derivatives 2–4 have suitable energy bandgap (Eg = 3.15–3.35 eV) and high triplet energy level (ET, 2.63–2.87 eV) for phosphorescent green host. Device performance of 2–4 materials shows that maximum luminescence efficiency (LE) and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of green device A–C were 29.25, 49.67, and 48.74 cd/A and 8.68, 14.52, and 14.30%, respectively.
A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS METHOD FOR THE SEISMIC GEOLOGICAL COMPLEXITY OF NEAR SURFACE
Authors: Gao‐Xiang CHEN , Li‐Yun FU , Geng‐Xin YU , Xi‐Zhu GUAN , Shuang‐Cheng GE
Published: August 2017

Complexity of the near surface, a major factor that influences low signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) in seismic data, scatters and attenuates all wavefields observed on the earth's surface, and causes semi‐random and semi‐coherent near‐surface scattering background noise on shot gathers where deep reflected signals are submerged. How to study and evaluate the near‐surface scattering intensity has long been an unsolved problem in petroleum exploration because of the vague relation to the roughness of surface, the near‐surface lateral velocity variation, and the angle distribution of oblique structures. Based on previous research on wave equation numerical simulation applied to complex near‐surface structure using boundary element method, this article puts forward a complex scattering amplitude matrix method to analyze the scattering intensity near surface. First the complex near‐surface structure is discretized and collocated according to the boundary element method to form the matrix equation of the boundary integral equation. Instead of solving the matrix equations, which involves massive computation, we analyze the coefficient matrix of scattering amplitude by matrix analysis techniques to ascertain the influence of the complex near‐surface structures on wavefields at different frequencies. This strategy relies on the advantage of the boundary element method in accurately describing geometrical characteristics of arbitrary boundaries to investigate how undulating surface and non‐regular geological interface affect seismic wave propagation. The coefficient matrix of scattering amplitude is obtained by applying Gaussian numerical integration of the normal derivative of the fundamental solution on boundaries. This procedure not only describes the interaction between two arbitrary points, but also includes the effect of morphological characteristics of different boundary elements, which provides the possibility to evaluate scattering intensities of different geological structures. As a preliminary evaluation method, we use the ratio of the summation of the matrix elements to the dimension as a scalar complex coefficient to characterize the scattering property of the scattering amplitude coefficient matrix, besides, a set of effective and fast computation methods is developed through theoretical and practical model tests.
Infectivity in bone marrow from sporadic CJD patients
Authors: Huor Alvina , Douet Jean Yves , Lacroux Caroline , Lugan Séverine , Tillier Cécile , Aron Naima , Cassard Hervé , Arnold Mark , Torres Juan Maria , Ironside James W , Andréoletti Olivier
Published: August 2017

Prion infectivity was recently identified in the blood of both sporadic and variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) patients. In variant CJD (vCJD), the widespread distribution of prions in peripheral tissues of both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients is likely to explain the occurrence of the observed prionaemia. However, in sporadic CJD (sCJD), prion infectivity is described to be located principally in the central nervous system. In this study, we investigated the presence of prion infectivity in bone marrow collected after death in patients affected with different sCJD agents. Bioassays in transgenic mice expressing the human prion protein revealed the presence of unexpectedly high levels of infectivity in the bone marrow from seven out of eight sCJD cases. These findings may explain the presence of blood‐borne infectivity in sCJD patients. They also suggest that the distribution of prion infectivity in peripheral tissues in sCJD patients could be wider than currently believed, with potential implications for the iatrogenic transmission risk of this disease. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analyses Reveal a FluG‐Mediated Signaling Pathway Relating to Asexual Sporulation of Antrodia camphorata
Authors: Li Hua‐Xiang , Lu Zhen‐Ming , Zhu Qing , Gong Jin‐Song , Geng Yan , Shi Jin‐Song , Xu Zheng‐Hong , Ma Yan‐He
Published: August 2017

Medicinal mushroom Antrodia camphorata sporulate large numbers of arthroconidia in submerged fermentation, which is rarely reported in basidiomycetous fungi. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying this asexual sporulation (conidiation) remain unclear. Here, we used comparative transcriptomic and proteomic approaches to elucidate possible signaling pathway relating to the asexual sporulation of A. camphorata. First, 104 differentially expressed proteins and 2586 differential cDNA sequences during the culture process of A. camphorata were identified by 2DE and RNA‐seq, respectively. By applying bioinformatics analysis, a total of 67 genes which might play roles in the sporulation were obtained, and 18 of these genes, including fluG, sfgA, SfaD, flbA, flbB, flbC, flbD, nsdD, brlA, abaA, wetA, ganB, fadA, PkaA, veA, velB, vosA, and stuA might be involved in a potential FluG‐mediated signaling pathway. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of the 18 genes in the proposed FluG‐mediated signaling pathway were analyzed by quantitative real‐time PCR. In summary, our study helps elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the asexual sporulation of A. camphorata, and provides also useful transcripts and proteome for further bioinformatics study of this valuable medicinal mushroom.
Ultrasensitive Determination of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin using a Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemical Sensor
Authors: Shen Xiaolei , Ma Ya , Zeng Qiang , Huang Jianzhi , Tao Jia , Wang Lishi
Published: August 2017

In this work, an ultrasensitive human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) imprinted electrochemical sensor was constructed on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) through surface imprinting. The imprinting template hCG was covalently bound onto the electrode which was modified by layer‐by‐layer coating of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), chitosan (CS) and glutaraldehyde (GA), Followed by electropolymerizing dopamine and effectively eluting, hCG imprinted polymer film was formed on the surface of the modified GCE. Benefiting from the application of MWCNTs and the imprinting effect, the designed sensor presented high sensitivity and selectivity with a widely linear detection range varying from 0.5 pg mL−1 to 250 ng mL−1 and a low detection limit of 0.035 pg mL−1 (S/N=3) which is superior to other electrochemical detection methods for hCG. Moreover, the imprinted sensor possessed low cross‐reactivity with multiple comparative proteins and high resistance to human serum effect. The results compared with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) further confirmed the accuracy and reliability of the hCG imprinted sensor. All electrochemical detection were performed in potassium hexacyanoferrate III (K3[Fe(CN)6]) and potassium hexacyanoferrate II (K4[Fe(CN)6]) trihydrate solution acting as a redox probe.
Visible Light Photoredox Activation of Sulfonyl Chlorides: Applications in Organic Synthesis
Authors: Chaudhary Renu , Natarajan Palani
Published: August 2017

Since the seminal studies from the groups of MacMillan, Stephenson and Yoon, visible light (400‐700 nm) photoredox catalysis has been established as a powerful strategy to facilitate activation of organic molecules and invention of novel synthetic methodologies. Indeed, recent days, this protocol enables the syntheses of diversely functionalized organic molecules such as coerulescines, pseudotabersonines, drugs, agro chemicals, etc. Generally, activation of the redox‐active functional groups of the radical precursors including diazonium salts, iodoniumsalts, sulfoniumsalts, phosphate esters, amines and sulfonyl chlorides is achieved via single‐electron transfer from a photocatalyst excited by visible light irradiation sources. To date, some important reviews are available that summarize the visible light photoredox catalyses of various classes of organic compounds. To the best of our knowledge, however, there is still no review article exclusively discourses about the visible light induced productions and applications of radical species of sulfonyl chlorides (AASO2Cl, AA=alkyl/aryl). Therefore, in this review, we provide an overview on the visible light assisted procedures employed for the production of radical intermediates from sulfonyl chlorides. In addition, here we account the applications of these radical species in the syntheses of bi(hetero)aryls, difluoromethyl lactones, difluoromethyl pyrrolidines, polycyclic aromatic compounds, sulfones, trifluoromethyl (hetero)aryls, α‐trifluoromethyl ketones and so on.
Global and regional climate in 2016
Authors: Kennedy John , Dunn Robert , McCarthy Mark , Titchner Holly , Morice Colin
Published: August 2017

2016 was another very warm year globally. Global temperatures in 2015 and 2016 were clearly the warmest two years on record. The record heat arose from the combined effect of the long‐term temperature rise, attributed largely to greenhouse gases, and a temporary boost from the strong 2015/2016 El Niño event. Record low sea‐ice extent was observed in a number of months in the Arctic, and December also saw record low extent for the Antarctic. Winter 2015/2016 was the second wettest winter on record for the UK. European‐average temperatures in 2016 were nominally the third highest on record, slightly cooler than 2014 and 2015.
Age and mineralogical and geochemical parameters of rocks of the China alkaline massif (western Transbaikalia)
Authors: Izbrodin I.A. , Doroshkevich A.G. , Rampilov M.O. , Ripp G.S. , Lastochkin E.I. , Khubanov V.B. , Posokhov V.F. , Vladykin N.V.
Published: August 2017

Geochemical and U–Pb geochronological studies have shown that the alkali syenites of the China massif have an age of 311.4 ± 1.8 Ma and potassic specialization in contrast to most massifs of the Vitim alkaline-magmatism zone. The rocks are similar in geochemistry to the nepheline syenites of the Synnyr massif, dated at 289.5 ± 3.5 Ma. The alkali syenites of the China massif formed, most likely, from crustal protoliths.
Disaster Coverage Predication for the Emerging Tethered Balloon Technology: Capability for Preparedness, Detection, Mitigation, and Response
Authors: Alsamhi Saeed H. , Samar Ansari Mohd , Rajput Navin S.
Published: August 2017

Objective

A disaster is a consequence of natural hazards and terrorist acts, which have significant potential to disrupt the entire wireless communication infrastructure. Therefore, the essential rescue squads and recovery operations during a catastrophic event will be severely debilitated. To provide efficient communication services, and to reduce casualty mortality and morbidity during the catastrophic events, we proposed the Tethered Balloon technology for disaster preparedness, detection, mitigation, and recovery assessment.

Methods

The proposed Tethered Balloon is applicable to any type of disaster except for storms. The Tethered Balloon is being actively researched and developed as a simple solution to improve the performance of rescues, facilities, and services of emergency medical communication in the disaster area. The most important requirement for rescue and relief teams during or after the disaster is a high quality of service of delivery communication services to save people’s lives.

Results

Using our proposed technology, we report that the Tethered Balloon has a large disaster coverage area. Therefore, the rescue and research teams are given higher priority, and their performance significantly improved in the particular coverage area.

Conclusions

Tethered Balloon features made it suitable for disaster preparedness, mitigation, and recovery. The performance of rescue and relief teams was effective and efficient before and after the disaster as well as can be continued to coordinate the relief teams until disaster recovery. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:222–231)
Emerging trends: Inflation
Authors: CHURCH KENNETH
Published: August 2017

Our field has enjoyed amazing growth over the years. Is this a good thing or a bad thing, or just a thing? Good: Growth sounds good. It is hard to imagine a politician arguing against jobs. There are more people working in the field than ever before, and they are publishing more and more, and creating more and more value. What could be wrong with that? Bad: Whatever you measure you get. We are all under too much pressure to publish too much too quickly. Students are graduating these days with more publications than what used to be expected for tenure. So many people are publishing so much that no one has time to think great thoughts, or take time to learn about things that may not be directly relevant to the next publication. Neutral: Inflation is a fact of life. There are long-term macro trends on publication rates that are beyond our control. These trends hold over tens and hundreds of years, and will continue over the foreseeable future.
Trends in dietary fat and fatty acid intakes and related food sources among Chinese adults: a longitudinal study from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (1997–2011)
Authors: Shen Xin , Fang Aiping , He Jingjing , Liu Ziqi , Guo Meihan , Gao Rong , Li Keji
Published: August 2017

Objective

Few studies have evaluated the intake trends of fatty acids in China. The present study aimed to describe the profile of longitudinal dietary fat and fatty acid intakes and their related food sources in Chinese adults.

Design

A longitudinal study using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (1997–2011) was conducted. Dietary intake was estimated using 24 h recalls combined with a food inventory for three consecutive days. Linear mixed models were used to calculate the adjusted mean intake values.

Setting

Urban and rural communities in nine provinces (autonomous regions), China.

Subjects

Adults (n 19 475; 9420 men and 10 055 women).

Results

Fat intake among men in 1997 was 73·4 g/d (28·1 % of total energy (%TE)), while in 2011 it increased to 86·3 g/d (33·2 %TE). Similarly, for women, this intake increased from 62·7 g/d (28·4 %TE) in 1997 to 74·1 g/d (33·7 %TE) in 2011. Energy intake from SFA grew from 6·8 to 7·6 %TE for both sexes. PUFA intake increased from 18·4 to 22·5 g/d for men and from 15·7 to 19·7 g/d for women, and was above 6 %TE in all survey periods. Intakes of 18:2 and 18:3 fatty acids showed significant upward trends in both sexes. Participants consumed less animal fats and more vegetable oils, with more PUFA intake and less energy from SFA. EPA and DHA intakes fluctuated around 20 mg/d.

Conclusions

Fatty acid intakes and profile in Chinese adults are different from those reported in other countries.
Meaning of life, representation of death, and their association with psychological distress
Authors: Testoni Ines , Sansonetto Giulia , Ronconi Lucia , Rodelli Maddalena , Baracco Gloria , Grassi Luigi
Published: August 2017

Objective:

This paper presents a two-phase cross-sectional study aimed at examining the possible mitigating role of perceived meaning of life and representation of death on psychological distress, anxiety, and depression.

Method:

The first phase involved 219 healthy participants, while the second encompassed 30 cancer patients. Each participant completed the Personal Meaning Profile (PMP), the Testoni Death Representation Scale (TDRS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Distress Thermometer (DT). The primary analyses comprised (1) correlation analyses between the overall scores of each of the instruments and (2) path analysis to assess the indirect effect of the PMP on DT score through anxiety and depression as determined by the HADS.

Results:

The path analysis showed that the PMP was inversely correlated with depression and anxiety, which, in turn, mediated the effect on distress. Inverse correlations were found between several dimensions of the PMP, the DT, and the HADS–Anxiety and HADS–Depression subscales, in both healthy participants and cancer patients. Religious orientation (faith in God) was related to a stronger sense of meaning in life and the ontological representation of death as a passage, rather than annihilation.

Significance of Results:

Our findings support the hypothesis that participants who represent death as a passage and have a strong perception of the meaning of life tend to report lower levels of distress, anxiety, and depression. We recommend that perceived meaning of life and representation of death be more specifically examined in the cancer and palliative care settings.
An axially slotted cylinder with specific inhomogeneous coatings
Authors: Awan Z.A.
Published: August 2017

An axially slotted cylinder coated with two different types of inhomogeneous coating layers is considered. These inhomogeneous coatings have decreasing permittivity profiles. The effects of various parameters of these coatings upon the gain pattern have been investigated using numerical simulations. It is studied that the gain at certain observation angles can be enhanced or diminished by controlling the inhomogeneity parameters of these considered profiles. It is further studied that for specific type of considered inhomogeneous coatings, the forward direction gain can be enhanced significantly.
Βeta 2-glycoprotein I protects mice against gram-negative septicaemia in a sexually dimorphic manner
Authors: El-Assaad Fatima , Qi Miao , Gordon Alice Kizny , Qi Jian , Dong Shangwen , Passam Freda , Weaver James Crofton , Giannakopoulos Bill , Krilis Steven Anthony
Published: August 2017

The immune responses of males and females to bacterial infections display differences. The mechanisms that underlie this sexual dimorphism are multifactorial. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) contributes to the pathogenesis of endotoxaemia. We have previously demonstrated that the plasma protein beta-2 glycoprotein-1 (β2GPI) reduces LPS-induced inflammation in male mice. In the present study using a more robust infection model of septicaemia the role of β2GPI is examined in both male and female wild type (WT) and β2GPI deficient (β2GPI−/−) mice challenged withEscherichia coli(E. coli) intravenously. β2GPI deficiency led to an increase ofE. colicolony forming units (CFU) in the circulation of both male and female mice. In male β2GPI−/−mice this was associated with a worse clinical severity score. This difference was not observed between female β2GPI−/−and female WT mice. Male WT mice had decreased levels of total and increased levels of free thiol β2GPI following administration of LPS orE. coli. This pattern of sexual dimorphic response was also observed in our cohort of humans with sepsis. These findings support a role for β2GPI in modulating the sex-specific susceptibility to gram-negative septicaemia.
High-resolution mapping based on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to capture paleoseismic offsets along the Altyn-Tagh fault, China
Authors: Gao Mingxing , Xu Xiwei , Klinger Yann , van der Woerd Jerome , Tapponnier Paul
Published: August 2017

The recent dramatic increase in millimeter- to centimeter- resolution topographic datasets obtained via multi-view photogrammetry raises the possibility of mapping detailed offset geomorphology and constraining the spatial characteristics of active faults. Here, for the first time, we applied this new method to acquire high-resolution imagery and generate topographic data along the Altyn Tagh fault, which is located in a remote high elevation area and shows preserved ancient earthquake surface ruptures. A digital elevation model (DEM) with a resolution of 0.065 m and an orthophoto with a resolution of 0.016 m were generated from these images. We identified piercing markers and reconstructed offsets based on both the orthoimage and the topography. The high-resolution UAV data were used to accurately measure the recent seismic offset. We obtained the recent offset of 7 ± 1 m. Combined with the high resolution satellite image, we measured cumulative offsets of 15 ± 2 m, 20 ± 2 m, 30 ± 2 m, which may be due to multiple paleo-earthquakes. Therefore, UAV mapping can provide fine-scale data for the assessment of the seismic hazards.
Ligand binding modes from low resolution GPCR models and mutagenesis: chicken bitter taste receptor as a test-case
Authors: Di Pizio Antonella , Kruetzfeldt Louisa-Marie , Cheled-Shoval Shira , Meyerhof Wolfgang , Behrens Maik , Niv Masha Y.
Published: August 2017

Bitter taste is one of the basic taste modalities, warning against consuming potential poisons. Bitter compounds activate members of the bitter taste receptor (Tas2r) subfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The number of functional Tas2rs is species-dependent. Chickens represent an intriguing minimalistic model, because they detect the bitter taste of structurally different molecules with merely three bitter taste receptor subtypes. We investigated the binding modes of several known agonists of a representative chicken bitter taste receptor, ggTas2r1. Because of low sequence similarity between ggTas2r1 and crystallized GPCRs (~10% identity, ~30% similarity at most), the combination of computational approaches with site-directed mutagenesis was used to characterize the agonist-bound conformation of ggTas2r1 binding site between TMs 3, 5, 6 and 7. We found that the ligand interactions with N93 in TM3 and/or N247 in TM5, combined with hydrophobic contacts, are typically involved in agonist recognition. Next, the ggTas2r1 structural model was successfully used to identify three quinine analogues (epiquinidine, ethylhydrocupreine, quinidine) as new ggTas2r1 agonists. The integrated approach validated here may be applicable to additional cases where the sequence identity of the GPCR of interest and the existing experimental structures is low.
Atherosusceptible Shear Stress Activates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress to Promote Endothelial Inflammation
Authors: Bailey Keith A. , Haj Fawaz G. , Simon Scott I. , Passerini Anthony G.
Published: August 2017

Atherosclerosis impacts arteries where disturbed blood flow renders the endothelium susceptible to inflammation. Cytokine activation of endothelial cells (EC) upregulates VCAM-1 receptors that target monocyte recruitment to atherosusceptible regions. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress elicits EC dysregulation in metabolic syndrome. We hypothesized that ER plays a central role in mechanosensing of atherosusceptible shear stress (SS) by signaling enhanced inflammation. Aortic EC were stimulated with low-dose TNFα (0.3 ng/ml) in a microfluidic channel that produced a linear SS gradient over a 20mm field ranging from 0–16 dynes/cm2. High-resolution imaging of immunofluorescence along the monolayer provided a continuous spatial metric of EC orientation, markers of ER stress, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression, and monocyte recruitment. VCAM-1 peaked at 2 dynes/cm2 and decreased to below static TNFα-stimulated levels at atheroprotective-SS of 12 dynes/cm2, whereas ICAM-1 rose to a maximum in parallel with SS. ER expansion and activation of the unfolded protein response also peaked at 2 dynes/cm2, where IRF-1-regulated VCAM-1 expression and monocyte recruitment also rose to a maximum. Silencing of PECAM-1 or key ER stress genes abrogated SS regulation of VCAM-1 transcription and monocyte recruitment. We report a novel role for ER stress in mechanoregulation at arterial regions of atherosusceptible-SS inflamed by low-dose TNFα.
Engineered endothelium provides angiogenic and paracrine stimulus to grafted human ovarian tissue
Authors: Man Limor , Park Laura , Bodine Richard , Ginsberg Michael , Zaninovic Nikica , Man Omar Alexander , Schattman Glenn , Rosenwaks Zev , James Daylon
Published: August 2017

Despite major advances in tissue cryopreservation and auto-transplantation, reperfusion ischemia and hypoxia have been reported as major obstacles to successful recovery of the follicular pool within grafted ovarian tissue. We demonstrate a benefit to follicular survival and function in human ovarian tissue that is co-transplanted with exogenous endothelial cells (ExEC). ExECs were capable of forming functionally perfused vessels at the host/graft interface and increased both viability and follicular volume in ExEC-assisted grafts with resumption of antral follicle development in long-term grafts. ExECs that were engineered to constitutively express anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) induced a greater proportion of quiescent primordial follicles than control ExECs, indicating suppression of premature mobilization that has been noted in the context of ovarian tissue transplantation. These findings present a cell-based strategy that combines accelerated perfusion with direct paracrine delivery of a bioactive payload to transplanted ovarian tissue.
Morphological differences of the reproductive system could be used to predict the optimum Grapholita molesta (Busck) control period
Authors: Zhang Zhiwei , Men Lina , Peng Yunfei , Li Jun , Deng Angie , Chen Yuan , Liu Xianqian , Ma Ruiyan
Published: August 2017

The oriental fruit moth (OFM), Grapholita molesta (Busck), is one of the dominant fruit-boring pests worldwide. In order to conduct integrated control of OFM effectively, it is important to predict the optimum control period. OFM populations have been monitored either by the number of trapped male moths exposed to sex pheromones or by the number of trapped male and female moths using food traps in orchards. The mating status and development stage of the trapped moths have not been characterized. The present paper studies the anatomical morphology of the OFM reproductive system at different development periods. The results revealed that OFM ovarian development can be divided into six stages. The average daily fecundity of OFM had an excellent positive correlation (r = 0.86) with the percentages of OFM in the egg maturation & oviposition stage, which could be used as an indicator in field population prediction work. There were obvious differences in the morphology of the corpus bursa and the heavy muscular area of the ductus ejaculatorius simplex before and after mating, and these differences could be used to increase the accuracy in predicting the optimum OFM control period.
(Pflege-)Bedarfe und (Pflege-)Bedürfnisse im Alter
Authors: Kriesten Ursula
Published: August 2017

Begriffsbestimmungen Über den Unterschied von Bedürfnis und Bedarf im Kontext von Lebenswelt und Alltagsmanagement älterer
Menschen.
Wie funktioniert die Pflegeversicherung?
Authors: Schumann Susette
Published: August 2017

Schlüsselbegriffe „Selbstbestimmung und Eigenverantwortung des Versicherten“, „Vorrang der häuslichen Pflege vor stationärer Pflege“,
„Vorrang von Prävention und Rehabilitation vor Pflege“ und „Leistungen der Pflegeversicherung gegen Qualität“ sind die zentralen
Schlüsselbegriffe der Pflegeversicherung.
Entwicklung einer Kurzversion des Bielefelder Fragebogens zu Partnerschaftserwartungen (BFPE-12)
Authors: Altmann Uwe , Brenk-Franz Katja , Brähler Elmar , Stöbel-Richter Yve , Strauß Bernhard
Published: August 2017

Der Bielefelder Fragebogen zu Partnerschaftserwartungen (BFPE) ist ein Instrument zur Selbstbeschreibung partnerschaftsbezogener Bindungsaspekte, welches neben der Messung der Dimensionen Akzeptanzprobleme, Öffnungsbereitschaft und Zuwendungsbedürfnis auch eine Klassifizierung in 5 Bindungsmuster erlaubt. Anhand von Daten einer bevölkerungsrepräsentativen Befragung (N=1768) wurde zunächst mittels explorativer Faktorenanalyse eine Kurzversion mit 12 Items entwickelt. Konfirmatorische Faktorenanalysen anhand zweier Datensätze (N=1768 und N=801) bestätigen die 3-Faktoren-Struktur (RMSEA<0,08, CFI>0,93). Lang- und Kurzversion weisen sowohl hinsichtlich der 3 Skalen (r=0,799–0,914) als auch hinsichtlich der Klassifizierung in 5 Bindungsmuster (κ=0,659) eine beachtliche Übereinstimmung auf. Die Kurzversion kann somit als Substitut der Langversion im klinischen und nicht-klinischen Bereich eingesetzt werden.
A key regulatory mechanism of antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Adams Felise G
Published: August 2017

Acinetobacter baumannii is a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen that has become a pressing global health issue in recent decades. Although virulence factors for this pathogen have been identified, details of how they are regulated are largely unknown. One widely employed regulatory mechanism that bacteria, such as A. baumannii, have adopted is through two component signal transduction systems (TCS). TCS consist of two proteins; a histidine kinase and response regulator. The histidine kinase allows the bacterium to sense alterations in the extracellular milieu, transmitting the information to the response regulator which prompts the cell to modify gene expression levels accordingly. Bacteria can encode multiple TCS, where each system can mediate specific responses to particular conditions or stressors. Identifying those conditions in which these TCS are expressed, and the genes they regulate known as their ‘regulon', is vital for understanding how A. baumannii survives and persists within the hospital environment or the human host during infection. As we enter the post-antibiotic era, knowledge of TCS could prove to be invaluable, as they offer an alternative target for the treatment of multidrug resistant bacterial infections.
Force-induced transcellular tunnel formation in endothelial cells
Authors: Ng Win Pin , Webster Kevin D. , Stefani Caroline , Schmid Eva M. , Lemichez Emmanuel , Bassereau Patricia , Fletcher Daniel A.
Published: August 2017

The endothelium serves as a protective semipermeable barrier in blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. Leukocytes and pathogens can pass directly through the endothelium by opening holes in endothelial cells, known as transcellular tunnels, which are formed by contact and self-fusion of the apical and basal plasma membranes. Here we test the hypothesis that the actin cytoskeleton is the primary barrier to transcellular tunnel formation using a combination of atomic force microscopy and fluorescence microscopy of live cells. We find that localized mechanical forces are sufficient to induce the formation of transcellular tunnels in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). When HUVECs are exposed to the bacterial toxin called epidermal cell differentiation inhibitor (EDIN), which can induce spontaneous transcellular tunnels, less mechanical work is required to form tunnels due to the reduced cytoskeletal stiffness and thickness of these cells, similarly to the effects of a Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor. We also observe actin enrichment in response to mechanical indentation that is reduced in cells exposed to the bacterial toxin. Our study shows that the actin cytoskeleton of endothelial cells provides both passive and active resistance against transcellular tunnel formation, serving as a mechanical barrier that can be overcome by mechanical force as well as disruption of the cytoskeleton.