bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation predicts compositional change after discrete disturbances in a global meta‐study
Authors: Shackelford Nancy , Starzomski Brian M. , Banning Natasha C. , Battaglia Loretta L. , Becker Alistair , Bellingham Peter J. , Bestelmeyer Brandon , Catford Jane A. , Dwyer John M. , Dynesius Mats , Gilmour James , Hallett Lauren M. , Hobbs Richard J. , Price Jodi , Sasaki Takehiro , Tanner Edmund V. J. , Standish Rachel J.
Published: November 2016

Globally, anthropogenic disturbances are occurring at unprecedented rates and over extensive spatial and temporal scales. Human activities also affect natural disturbances, prompting shifts in their timing and intensities. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand and predict the response of ecosystems to disturbance. In this study, we investigated whether there are general determinants of community response to disturbance across different community types, locations, and disturbance events. We compiled 14 case studies of community response to disturbance from four continents, twelve aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem types, and eight different types of disturbance. We used community compositional differences and species richness to indicate community response. We used mixed‐effects modeling to test the relationship between each of these response metrics and four potential explanatory factors: regional species pool size, isolation, number of generations passed, and relative disturbance intensity. We found that compositional similarity was higher between pre‐ and post‐disturbance communities when the disturbed community was connected to adjacent undisturbed habitat. The number of generations that had passed since the disturbance event was a significant, but weak, predictor of community compositional change; two communities were responsible for the observed relationship. We found no significant relationships between the factors we tested and changes in species richness. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to search for general drivers of community resilience from a diverse set of case studies. The strength of the relationship between compositional change and isolation suggests that it may be informative in resilience research and biodiversity management.
Methods and models for identifying thresholds of habitat loss
Authors: Yin Deyi , Leroux Shawn J. , He Fangliang
Published: November 2016

There is mounting evidence that many taxa respond in non‐linear ways to perturbation (i.e. deviations from a natural trajectory brought on by an external agent), and many statistical, physical and ecological methods have been developed to detect the critical points or thresholds of perturbation. The majority of these methods define thresholds as the perturbation points causing abrupt ecological response, but in reality most species or ecosystems do not show a break point response but more gradual transitional change to perturbation. We develop a new method which delineates thresholds as a region in which the slope of the relationship between ecological response (y) and perturbation (x; e.g. habitat loss) is larger than 1: |dy/dx|≥ 1, where bothx‐ andy‐axes are scaled to (0, 1) range. The lower end of threshold zones so defined is of particular ecological interest because it is the smallestxthat may trigger impending catastrophic response to a small change inx. We derived two landscape models (edge length and the number of patches of species distribution) and two biodiversity models (endemics–area relationship and half‐population curve) to test this method. We applied our zonal thresholding method to these four models fit to empirical data of two forest plots to detect thresholds of species distribution to habitat loss. The two landscape metric models predict that no species could tolerate more than 40% of habitat loss and these thresholds can be much lower for relatively rare species with occupancy < 0.4 and for aggregated habitat loss compared to random habitat loss. The half‐population model leads to a similar threshold level of 40% habitat loss. Overall, we suggest the maximum permissible habitat loss threshold to be between 0–40%, depending on the pre‐disturbed occupancy (or abundance) of a species. This habitat loss threshold falls within the otherwise wide range of thresholds calculated from conventional methods. Our study contributes novel methods and models to quantify the effect of habitat loss on species distribution and diversity in landscapes with potential for conservation applications.
Latitudinal and altitudinal patterns of plant community diversity on mountain summits across the tropical Andes
Authors: Cuesta Francisco , Muriel Priscilla , Llambí Luis Daniel , Halloy Stephan , Aguirre Nikolay , Beck Stephan , Carilla Julieta , Meneses Rosa Isela , Cuello Soledad , Grau Alfredo , Gámez Luis E. , Irazábal Javier , Jácome Jorge , Jaramillo Ricardo , Ramírez Lirey , Samaniego Natalia , Suárez‐Duque David , Thompson Natali , Tupayachi Alfredo , Viñas Paul , Yager Karina , Becerra María T. , Pauli Harald , Gosling William D.
Published: November 2016

The high tropical Andes host one of the richest alpine floras of the world, with exceptionally high levels of endemism and turnover rates. Yet, little is known about the patterns and processes that structure altitudinal and latitudinal variation in plant community diversity. Herein we present the first continental‐scale comparative study of plant community diversity on summits of the tropical Andes. Data were obtained from 792 permanent vegetation plots (1 m2) within 50 summits, distributed along a 4200 km transect; summit elevations ranged between 3220 and 5498 m a.s.l. We analyzed the plant community data to assess: 1) differences in species abundance patterns in summits across the region, 2) the role of geographic distance in explaining floristic similarity and 3) the importance of altitudinal and latitudinal environmental gradients in explaining plant community composition and richness. On the basis of species abundance patterns, our summit communities were separated into two major groups: Puna and Páramo. Floristic similarity declined with increasing geographic distance between study‐sites, the correlation being stronger in the more insular Páramo than in the Puna (corresponding to higher species turnover rates within the Páramo). Ordination analysis (CCA) showed that precipitation, maximum temperature and rock cover were the strongest predictors of community similarity across all summits. Generalized linear model (GLM) quasi‐Poisson regression indicated that across all summits species richness increased with maximum air temperature and above‐ground necromass and decreased on summits where scree was the dominant substrate. Our results point to different environmental variables as key factors for explaining vertical and latitudinal species turnover and species richness patterns on high Andean summits, offering a powerful tool to detect contrasting latitudinal and altitudinal effects of climate change across the tropical Andes.
Climate drivers of bark beetle outbreak dynamics in Norway spruce forests
Authors: Marini Lorenzo , Økland Bjørn , Jönsson Anna Maria , Bentz Barbara , Carroll Allan , Forster Beat , Grégoire Jean‐Claude , Hurling Rainer , Nageleisen Louis Michel , Netherer Sigrid , Ravn Hans Peter , Weed Aaron , Schroeder Martin
Published: November 2016

Bark beetles are among the most devastating biotic agents affecting forests globally and several species are expected to be favored by climate change. Given the potential interactions of insect outbreaks with other biotic and abiotic disturbances, and the potentially strong impact of changing disturbance regimes on forest resources, investigating climatic drivers of destructive bark beetle outbreaks is of paramount importance. We analyzed 17 time‐series of the amount of wood damaged by Ips typographus, the most destructive pest of Norway spruce forests, collected across 8 European countries in the last three decades. We aimed to quantify the relative importance of key climate drivers in explaining timber loss dynamics, also testing for possible synergistic effects. Local outbreaks shared the same drivers, including increasing summer rainfall deficit and warm temperatures. Large availability of storm‐felled trees in the previous year was also strongly related to an increase in timber loss, likely by providing an alternative source of breeding material. We did not find any positive synergy among outbreak drivers. On the contrary, the occurrence of large storms reduced the positive effect of warming temperatures and rainfall deficit. The large surplus of breeding material likely boosted I. typographus population size above the density threshold required to colonize and kill healthy trees irrespective of other climate triggers. Importantly, we found strong negative density dependence in I. typographus that may provide a mechanism for population decline after population eruptions. Generality in the effects of complex climatic events across different geographical areas suggests that the large‐scale drivers can be used as early warning indicators of increasing local outbreak probability.
Screening for psychosis risk among adolescents in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: a description of the first step with the 16‐item version of the Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ‐16)
Authors: de Jong Yvonne , Mulder Cornelis L. , Boon Albert E. , Deen Mathijs , van ’t Hof Maarten , van der Gaag Mark
Published: November 2016

Aim

Although the 16‐item version of the Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ‐16) is used as a screener in the early detection of psychosis risk, little is known about PQ‐16 scores among adolescents referred to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. We assessed such scores in adolescents referred to these services in the Netherlands, and also their associations with age, gender, diagnosis and level of functioning.

Methods

The PQ‐16 was added to regular intake procedures.

Results

The PQ‐16 was completed by 176 adolescents (mean age 14.58 years; standard deviation = 1.50; 55.1% females), 34.7% of whom scored above the current cut‐off score of ≥6 items. Positive item scores with the highest odds ratio for scoring above the cut‐off were related to tasting or smelling things, seeing things and hearing thoughts out aloud. There were no age‐, gender‐ or disorder‐related differences in total scores on the PQ‐16. Lower Global Assessment of Functioning scores were associated with higher total scores on the PQ‐16.

Conclusions

The PQ‐16 is easy to implement in routine assessment and can be useful to bring up potential psychotic symptoms for further exploration in an early stage, especially in adolescents with low Global Assessment of Functioning scores. The PQ‐16 total scores were not confounded by differences in age, gender or disorder. Future research should investigate the true nature of PQ‐16 items and whether the item scores and cut‐off scores of the PQ‐16 in adolescence have any predictive value regarding the development of an ultra high‐risk status, a psychotic disorder or other mental disorders.
Alemtuzumab consolidation in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: a phase I/II multicentre trial
Authors: Al‐Sawaf Othman , Fischer Kirsten , Herling Carmen D. , Ritgen Matthias , Böttcher Sebastian , Bahlo Jasmin , Elter Thomas , Stilgenbauer Stephan , Eichhorst Barbara F. , Busch Raymonde , Elberskirch Ute , Abenhardt Wolfgang , Kneba Michael , Hallek Michael , Wendtner Clemens‐Martin
Published: November 2016

Objective

Despite high rates of long‐lasting remissions in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) treated with chemoimmunotherapy, none of the current therapeutic approaches is curative with the exception of allogeneic transplantation. One strategy to extend progression‐free survival and long‐term survival might be the establishment of consolidation therapies.

Methods

In this trial, patients with complete or partial second remission after fludarabine‐based treatment received consolidation therapy with alemtuzumab. The aim of this phase I/II trial was to determine the maximal tolerable dose (MTD) of alemtuzumab consolidation and to evaluate safety and efficacy in patients who responded to second‐line fludarabine‐based treatment. Thirteen patients in complete (CR) or partial remission (PR) received alemtuzumab dose escalation starting with 10 mg intravenously (iv) once weekly for 8 wk and increasing in 10‐mg intervals per dose level.

Results

The main dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs) were infectious complications, and the MTD was determined at 10 mg. After alemtuzumab consolidation, seven of 13 patients (53%) were in CR, and four of these patients (30.7%) achieved minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity (<1 × 10E‐4). At a median follow‐up of 71.5 months, four patients were progression‐free, with a median progression‐free survival (PFS) of 28.5 months after the end of second‐line treatment.

Conclusion

The results provide a safe and efficient schedule with weekly intravenous application of 10 mg of alemtuzumab as a consolidation regime in patients with CLL.
Star Analysts, Overreaction, and Synchronicity: Evidence from China and the United States
Authors: Zhou Mingshan , Lin Jing , An Yunbi
Published: November 2016

This paper examines star analyst coverage, investor overreaction, and stock price synchronicity in the Chinese and US markets. In China, we find that star analyst coverage can induce investor overreaction, such that it is negatively correlated with price synchronicity. This overreaction effect is particularly pronounced for stocks with primarily individual investors. In contrast, in the United States, we find that star analyst coverage is positively related to synchronicity and is not significantly associated with investor overreaction. Our overall findings imply that the heterogeneous nature of investors in a market drives the association among star analyst coverage, overreaction, and stock price synchronicity.
UNHCR and protection and assistance for the victims of climate change
Authors: Fornalé Elisa , Doebbler Curtis F J
Published: November 2016

This contribution argues that despite the fact that the United Nations Refugee Convention does not cover persons subject to climate change induced displacement, these people should be protected by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This is the case because UNHCR's own Executive Committee has incorporated the broader African definition of a refugee that does include climate refugees into their protection mandate. We therefore conclude that UNHCR should exercise protection activities over climate refugees to be consistent with the mandate given to this United Nations programme by international law. To arrive at this conclusion we first briefly introduce the question about the protection of climate change induced displacement in the social science debate. We examine the legal definitions of refugees, agreeing with the most common interpretations of both United Nations and regional instruments. We then indicate how, by expressly extending its mandate, UNHCR itself has taken on the responsibility for the protection of people subject to climate change induced displacement. Finally, we report how, despite this mandate, UNHCR is still refusing to exercise its mandate properly, and that if it were to do so, a significant step could be taken in ensuring the protection of people subject to climate change induced displacement.
Fragmented control: Governing contentious labor organizations in China
Authors: Fu Diana
Published: November 2016

How does an authoritarian state govern contentious civil society and what are the effects on grassroots mobilization? This article theorizes the relationship between repression and mobilization by examining the case of informal labor organizations in South China that threaten social stability. Findings based on 18 months of ethnographic fieldwork inside these organizations suggest that the central state's mandate to maintain social stability is refracted through the interests and capabilities of local agencies. This results in “fragmented control”: divergent, even conflicting, forms of state governance over civil society. Local authorities work at cross‐purposes by simultaneously repressing, co‐opting, and neglecting underground organizing. Fragmented control generates political uncertainty on the part of activists and induces them to engage in “censored entrepreneurialism”—a set of tactical adaptations characterized by a mixture of self‐censorship and entrepreneurial experimentation.
Small spheroids of adipose‐derived stem cells with time‐dependent enhancement of IL‐8 and VEGF‐A secretion
Authors: Furuhata Yuichi , Kikuchi Yuka , Tomita Shunsuke , Yoshimoto Keitaro
Published: November 2016

Wound‐healing factors secreted from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) modulate the immune response and facilitate proliferation of neighboring cells. Although in vitro three‐dimensional (3D) culture techniques have improved the therapeutic potential of MSCs, no studies have focused on the effects of cell aggregation alone. In this study, the effect of cell aggregation on the up‐regulation of wound‐healing proteins secretions was investigated by constructing small spheroids of human adipose‐derived stem cells (hADSCs) on a micropatterned surface. These spheroids were mostly unaffected by the secondary effects of cell aggregation, such as hypoxia, low‐nutrient supply, and metabolic waste accumulation. Small spheroids of hADSCs, which were of 100 μm in diameter, were successfully constructed using micropatterned surface. Expression of the wound‐healing‐related factors, VEGF‐A and IL‐8, was markedly enhanced at the gene and protein levels, whereas the enhancement of VEGF‐A expression was transient and IL‐8 enhancement was maintained for a long time.
Medication‐Overuse Headache: Protocols and Outcomes in 149 Consecutive Patients in a Tertiary Brazilian Headache Center
Authors: Krymchantowski Abouch V. , Tepper Stewart J. , Jevoux Carla , Valença Marcelo
Published: November 2016

Aim

Medication‐overuse headache (MOH) is a challenging clinical disorder often resulting in frustration for patients and physicians. Adherence issues are common and limited treatment evidence is an obstacle to effective care. Individual bias usually directs the treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcome and treatment strategies in consecutive MOH patients from a tertiary center.

Methods

Every consecutive patient seen between January and December 2014 with the diagnosis of MOH was included. Psychiatric comorbidities, inability to report baseline headache frequency, current or previous 2‐month use of preventive medications, and refusal to sign informed consent were exclusion criteria. The patients were evaluated by the same specialist (AVK) in thorough initial consultations. The diagnosis and treatment strategies were clearly explained, and a detailed headache diary was given to all patients. Endpoints were headache frequency and adherence after 2, 4, and 8 months.

Results

One hundred sixty‐eight patients (31 M, 137 F) met the inclusion criteria. Nineteen patients (11.3%) were excluded. All patients had migraine or chronic migraine as primary headache. Mean baseline frequency was 24.8 headache days/month, average headache history was 20.6 years (1–37), and mean time with > 15 headache days/month was 4.8 years (.5–32). All patients were overusing acute symptomatic medications (SM), and 59 (39.5%) were using more than one pharmacological class. Outpatient withdrawal from overused medications was carried out with all patients, who received different preventive treatment choices and triptan plus NSAID for the acute attacks (maximum of 2 days/week). One hundred and one patients (67.8%) received prednisone during the first 5–7 days. After 2 months, 30 (20.1%) were lost to follow‐up, and in those who followed up, the mean headache frequency decreased to 10.7 headache days/month (ITT 13.1). After 4 and 8 months, 109 and 105 patients, respectively, were under treatment, with a mean headache frequency of 7.9 and 8.2 headache days/month. Patients who received prednisone did not perform better than those who did not (P = .3032, 5 d vs no prednisone; P = .639, 7 d vs no prednisone).

Conclusions

Withdrawing overused medications, starting prevention, and motivating patients may have helped the high adherence rates and decreasing headache frequency. Additionally, real‐world patient studies are scarce and may be useful to guide clinicians struggling to help their daily headache patients. Open studies do not allow definitive conclusions and controlled studies with this subset of patients are necessary.
The Hammermen: Life and Death as a Gang Hitman in Cape Town
Authors: SHAW MARK , SKYWALKER LUKE LEE
Published: November 2016

Contract killing and hitmen are underexplored in criminology. Recent studies, including an ongoing project in South Africa, have examined a large number of individual cases relating to contract killings, producing a series of typologies of hitmen. Despite this thematic ordering, few empirically‐based studies – incorporating interviews with hitmen themselves – exist, especially given the practical and ethical issues involved. Such information remains essential, however, to more clearly understand the socialisation and criminal careers of contract killers. Our subjects occupy a specific place within the gangs of Cape Town: they are ordered to kill for gang bosses as well as being recruited by external parties to conduct ‘hits’. On the basis of seven interviews with ‘hammermen’ and two with senior gang bosses, we explore the experiences of gang‐associated hitmen. We conclude that the current literature, by seeking to identify a series of typologies of contract killers that focus mainly on their level of ‘professionalism’, provides only a one‐dimensional and – in some respects – stereotypical picture of the realities of contract killing. Instead, we show that hitmen occupy an ambiguous and tenuous position within local gangs and gang culture: essential to the security of gang bosses, but also a threat to it as a result of what they know and what they do. As a result, ‘hammermen’ express a surprising degree of vulnerability, and may themselves be subject to assassination.
Development and validation of an ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometric method for determination of phenylethyl resorcinol in new topical nanoemulsions
Authors: Hong L. , Han D. , Li M.‐X. , Zhang P. , Liu C.‐G.
Published: November 2016

Objective

To develop a rapid, simple and efficient ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectrophotometric method for the quantification of phenylethyl resorcinol (PR), a potent skin‐lightening agent, incorporated into new topical nanoemulsions, and to validate this method according to International Commission for Harmonization (ICH) guidelines.

Methods

UV–vis spectrophotometric method for quantification of PR in new topical nanoemulsions was developed and validated in terms of specificity, linearity, sensitivity, precision and accuracy. The method was applied to determine PR content (extraction recoveries) in the nanoemulsions and entrapment efficiencies.

Results

The calibration curve for PR was linear in the range of 10–60 μg mL−1, with a determination coefficient (r2) which is higher than 0.999. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were 1.55 and 4.69 μg mL−1, respectively. The method was shown to be specific, precise [intraday, interday and reproducibility levels relative standard deviation < 3%] and accurate (between 91.90 ± 1.28% and 104.73 ± 0.60%). The extraction recoveries of PR in nanoemulsions were 97.07%, 96.64% and 103.54% at concentrations of 3, 6 and 9 mg mL−1, respectively. The entrapment efficiencies were nearly 100%, which agrees with the oil core location of PR in nanoemulsions.

Conclusion

This developed method was confirmed to be rapid, simple, cost‐effective, specific, precise, accurate and suitable for determination of PR content in nanoemulsions and entrapment efficiencies.
Outcome of Patients With Cardiac Sarcoidosis Who Received Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Comparison With Dilated Cardiomyopathy Patients
Authors: YUFU KUNIO , KONDO HIDEKAZU , SHINOHARA TETSUJI , KAWANO KYOKO , ISHII YUMI , MIYOSHI MIHO , IMAMURA TAKAAKI , SAITO SHOTARO , OKADA NORIHIRO , AKIOKA HIDEFUMI , TESHIMA YASUSHI , NAKAGAWA MIKIKO , TAKAHASHI NAOHIKO
Published: November 2016

Cardiac Sarcoidosis and CRT Outcome

Introduction

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been shown to be effective for patients with chronic heart failure; however, the efficacy of CRT in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) has not been established.

Methods

We compared the outcomes of patients with CS who received CRT to patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The incidence of major adverse cerebral and cardiovascular events (MACCE) in 11 consecutive CS patients (8 females; mean age, 66 ± 8.0 years) who received CRT were compared with 29 DCM patients (9 females; mean age, 70 ± 8.9 years).

Results

Females and patients with previous right ventricular pacing were largely included in the comparison of CS and DCM patients (P < 0.05 and P < 0.0001, respectively). During the mean follow‐up period (465 ± 383 days for CS and 729 ± 393 days for DCM), MACCE were evident in 9 patients (23%); specifically, 5 CS and 4 DCM patients developed MACCE (45% vs. 14%, P < 0.05), respectively. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis demonstrated that CS patients had a higher prevalence of MACCE than DCM patients (log rank = 6.306, P = 0.0120; and Wilcoxon = 7.1333, P = 0.0076). Based on univariate analysis, the etiology of CS was associated with MACCE.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the long‐term outcome of CRT in patients with CS was very poor compared with DCM patients. Thus, caution should be exercised regarding the indication of CRT in patients with CS.
Focus group interviews examining the contribution of intellectual disability clinical nurse specialists in Ireland
Authors: Doody Owen , Slevin Eamonn , Taggart Laurence
Published: November 2016

Aims and objectives

To explore the contribution of clinical nurse specialists in intellectual disability nursing in Ireland.

Background

While clinical nurse specialists exist since the 1940s, they have only been a reality in Ireland since 2001. While the role of clinical nurse specialist has developed over the years, it still however is often seen as a complex multifaceted role that causes confusion, frustration and controversy.

Design

A exploratory qualitative approach using focus groups with Irish intellectual disability clinical nurse specialists (n = 31).

Methods

Five focus group interviews were conducted to gather qualitative data to gain insight into the attitudes, perceptions and opinions of the participants. Data were audio‐recorded, transcribed and analysed using Burnard's (Vital Notes for Nurses: Research for Evidence‐Based Practice in Healthcare, 2011, Blackwell Publishing, Oxford) framework. Ethical approval was gained from the researcher's university and access granted by the national council for the professional development of nursing/midwifery in Ireland.

Results

The study highlights that intellectual disability clinical nurse specialists contribute to and support care delivery across a range of areas including client‐focused and family‐centred care, staff support, organisation support, community support and supporting other agencies.

Conclusions

Overall, the study shows the importance of intellectual disability clinical nurse specialists and their contribution across a range of services, care environments and the support they offer to clients/families/staff/multidisciplinary team members and outside agencies.

Relevance to clinical practice

Ireland is in a unique position to develop knowledge regarding specialist care for people with intellectual disability that can be shared and adapted by other healthcare professionals in other countries that do not have specialised intellectual disability nurses.
The relationships between odd‐ and branched‐chain fatty acids to ruminal fermentation parameters and bacterial populations with different dietary ratios of forage and concentrate
Authors: Zhang Y. , Liu K. , Hao X. , Xin H.
Published: November 2016

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of different dietary ratios of forage and concentrate (F:C) on ruminal odd‐ and branched‐chain fatty acids (OBCFAs) contents and to evaluate the relationships between OBCFA and ruminal fermentation parameters as well as bacterial populations tested by real‐time PCR technique. The experimental design was a 3 × 3 Latin square. Three rumen‐fistulated dry Holstein cows were fed three rations with different dietary F:C ratios (F:C; 30:70, 50:50 and 70:30). The rumen samples were collected every two hours (0600, 0800, 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, 1800, 2000, 2200, 2400, 0200 and 0400 h) over three consecutive days in each sampling period. The results showed that rumen OBCFA profiles are significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the dietary F:C ratios. The concentrations of C11:0, C13:0, iso‐C15:0, iso‐C16:0, iso‐C17:0 and C17:0 were higher in the cows fed dietary F:C ratio of 70:30 than those fed with other two rations. However, the concentrations of anteiso‐C15:0, C15:0 and total OBCFA were on the lowest level in the high forage diet. Correlation and regression analysis showed that ruminal OBCFAs had strong relationships with ruminal fermentation parameters and bacterial populations. In particular, the iso‐fatty acids had potential power to predict butyrate and isoacids metabolized in the rumen, whereas the fatty acids with 17 carbon atoms correlated with ruminal NH3‐N content. The OBCFA contents have different relationships with fibrolytic and starch bacteria in the rumen. C17:0 and its isomers might be used to predict populations of fibrolytic bacteria.
No detectable carotenoid concentrations in serum of llamas and alpacas
Authors: Raila J. , Schweigert F. J. , Stanitznig A. , Lambacher B. , Franz S. , Baldermann S. , Wittek T.
Published: November 2016

Carotenoids are lipid‐soluble pigments and important for a variety of physiological functions. They are major dietary vitamin A precursors and act as lipophilic antioxidants in a variety of tissues and are associated with important health benefits in humans and animals. All animals must acquire carotenoids from their diet, but to our knowledge, there are no studies investigating the intestinal carotenoid absorption and their blood concentrations in New World camelids. The present study aimed to assess the serum concentrations of selected carotenoids in llamas (n = 13) and alpacas (n = 27). Serum carotenoids as well as retinol (vitamin A) andα‐tocopherol (vitamin E) were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and these were unable to detect any carotenoids (α‐ andβ‐carotene,α‐ andβ‐cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene) in the samples. The concentrations of retinol in alpacas (2.89 ± 1.13 μmol/l; mean ± SD) were higher (p = 0.024) than those found in llamas (2.05 ± 0.87 μmol/l); however, the concentrations ofα‐tocopherol were not significantly (p = 0.166) different (llamas: 3.98 ± 1.83 μmol/l; alpacas: 4.95 ± 2.14 μmol/l). The results show that both llamas and alpacas are not able to absorb intact carotenoids, but efficiently convert provitamin A carotenoids to retinol.
Multiple calcifying pseudoneoplasms of the neuraxis (MCAPNON): Distinct entity, CAPNON variant, or old neurocysticercosis?
Authors: Abdaljaleel Maram , Mazumder Rajarshi , Patel Chirag B. , Im Kyuseok , Pope Whitney , Liau Linda M. , Vinters Harry V. , Yong William H.
Published: November 2016

We report a case of multiple calcifying pseudoneoplasms of the neuraxis (MCAPNON) with associated multifocal perivascular microcalcifications and vascular calcinosis. Calcifying pseudoneoplasm of the neuraxis (CAPNON) is a very rare condition that may arise in extra‐axial and occasionally, in intra‐axial locations. Moreover, it is nearly always a solitary mass with only one case with two lesions reported. While the etiology and pathogenesis of CAPNON remains unclear, the histopathology findings of this entity have been well described. We report a case of a 62‐year‐old woman with 18 calcifying radiologic lesions involving bilateral cerebral hemispheres. Histologically, these lesions have features similar to that reported for CAPNON, including nodular calcification with fibro‐osseous components and peripheral histiocytic reaction. The patient had a poorly documented diagnosis of neurocyticercosis 32 years prior, although without tissue confirmation. The lack of detectable cysticercus serum antibody titers, and absence of residual larval or cyst wall tissue render multifocal calcific involution of that parasite unprovable although still plausible. We also raise the possibility of a blood–brain barrier derangement and/or a metabolic disorder as an alternative etiology. Whether this case of MCAPNON shares the same pathogenesis as the usual solitary CAPNON is unclear.
Parental attachment, romantic competence, relationship satisfaction, and psychosocial adjustment in emerging adulthood
Authors: KUMAR SHAINA A. , MATTANAH JONATHAN F.
Published: November 2016

Research has found significant relations between attachment to parents and psychosocial adjustment. This study explored parental attachment and psychosocial adjustment during emerging adulthood with romantic competence and relationship satisfaction as mediators. In a sample of 188 emerging adult college students, results revealed that mother and father attachment uniquely predicted greater life satisfaction and less distress. Regression analyses showed that romantic competence predicted better psychosocial adjustment, controlling for attachment style and mutuality, and significantly mediated, along with relationship satisfaction, the link between mother attachment and psychosocial adjustment. Additionally, patterns of secure parental attachment, when compared with avoidant or ambivalent attachment, were associated with better psychosocial adjustment. Clearly, secure attachment provides a template for successful romantic relationship development and thereby contributes to greater psychosocial adjustment.
Freedom and the incarnation
Authors: Pawl Timothy , Timpe Kevin
Published: November 2016

In this paper, we explore how free will should be understood within the Christian doctrine of the Incarnation, particularly on the assumption of traditional Christology. We focus on two issues: (i) reconciling Christ's free will with the claim that Christ's human will was subjected to the divine will in the Incarnation; and (ii) reconciling the claims that Christ was fully human and free with the belief that Christ, since God, could not sin.
Invasive pneumococcal infections in children following transplantation in the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine era
Authors: Olarte Liset , Lin Philana Ling , Barson William J. , Romero Jose R. , Tan Tina Q. , Givner Laurence B. , Hoffman Jill A. , Bradley John S. , Hultén Kristina G. , Mason Edward O. , Kaplan Sheldon L.
Published: November 2016

Background

Pediatric recipients of hematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplants are at increased risk of invasive pneumococcal infections (IPI). Data on IPI in this population are scarce. To our knowledge, this is the first study describing the epidemiology of IPI among pediatric transplant recipients in the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) era.

Methods

We identified transplant recipients with IPI at 8 children's hospitals in the U.S. from our surveillance database (2000‐2014). Pneumococcal isolates were collected prospectively. Serotyping and antibiotic susceptibility were performed in a central laboratory. Categorical variables were analyzed by Fisher's exact test and continuous variables with nonparametric tests. Indirect cohort study design was used to calculate vaccine effectiveness.

Results

We identified 65 episodes of IPI in transplant recipients. Recurrent IPI was observed in 10% of transplant recipients. The IPI crude incidence rate in solid organ transplant recipients was higher than in the general population. Most IPI episodes occurred >6 months after transplantation. Bacteremia and pneumonia were the most common presentations. Meningitis was unusual. No case fatalities were observed. Serotype 19A was the most common serotype (n=10), followed by 6C (n=7). In 2010‐2014, 37% of IPI was caused by PCV13 serotypes. Four cases of vaccine breakthrough were identified. Most isolates were susceptible to penicillin and ceftriaxone. Pneumococcal conjugate and polysaccharide immunization rates were low.

Conclusion

Pediatric transplant recipients remain at increased risk of IPI in the vaccine era. Most cases presented as a late post‐transplant infection. The interval between transplantation and IPI may allow adequate time for pneumococcal immunization.
Anopheles plumbeus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Germany: updated geographic distribution and public health impact of a nuisance and vector mosquito
Authors: Heym Eva C. , Kampen Helge , Fahle Marcus , Hohenbrink Tobias L. , Schäfer Mandy , Scheuch Dorothee E. , Walther Doreen
Published: November 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to map the current spatial distribution of Anopheles plumbeus in Germany, a potential vector of malaria parasites and West Nile virus. Reports of mass occurrence and nuisance connected with artificial breeding site usage by this species were analysed.

Methods

Distribution data were collected from 2011 to 2014 mainly through trapping and submissions of adult mosquito specimens to a citizen science project. In the framework of the latter, additional information was gathered on recent nuisance incidents caused by An. plumbeus, including a longitudinal analysis of mosquito occurrence and the impact of management measures at a nuisance site in south‐western Germany.

Results

Based on the most comprehensive set of collection data obtained during the last decades, An. plumbeus is shown to be widely distributed over Germany. The data also indicate a continuing extension of the breeding site repertoire of the species from natural to artificial habitats that facilitate mass development. Increasing incidents of persistent nuisance suggest that this mosquito species is rarely diagnosed correctly and managed adequately.

Conclusions

As An. plumbeus is both a serious nuisance pest and a potential vector species, awareness of this species and the public health problems linked to it should be raised among pest managers and public health personnel.
European Union Market Access Conditions and Africa's Extensive Margin of Food Trade
Authors: Kareem Fatima Olanike , Brümmer Bernhard , Martinez‐Zarzoso Inmaculada
Published: November 2016

This paper examines the impact of two European Union (EU) market access regulations in the food sector presumed to simultaneously affect firms’ decisions to export food products to the EU. We analysed EU pesticide standards on African exports alongside a complementary non‐tariff measure in the form of a minimum entry price regulation, which aims to protect EU growers of certain fruits and vegetables against international competition. Analysis was based on Africa's exports of tomatoes, oranges, and lime and lemon to the EU between 2008 and 2013, using the gravity model of trade. Our results show that EU market access conditions constitute significant barrier to the formation of new trade relation between the EU and Africa. In addition, initiation of trade relationships is contingent not only on market access conditions but also on domestic market constraints in Africa. These results imply that negotiating preferential entry prices duties and the removal of domestic market restraints as well as strengthening domestic capacity to comply with EU standards to enhance continuous market access for the continent could stimulate food trade along the extensive margin.
Metabolism of ketone bodies during exercise and training: physiological basis for exogenous supplementation
Authors: Evans Mark , Cogan Karl E. , Egan Brendan
Published: November 2016

Optimising training and performance through nutrition strategies is central to supporting elite sportspeople, much of which has focused on manipulating the relative intake of carbohydrate and fat and their contributions as fuels for energy provision. The ketone bodies, namely acetoacetate, acetone and β‐hydroxybutyrate (βHB), are produced in the liver during conditions of reduced carbohydrate availability and serve as an alternative fuel source for peripheral tissues including brain, heart and skeletal muscle. Ketone bodies are oxidised as a fuel source during exercise, are markedly elevated during the post‐exercise recovery period, and the ability to utilise ketone bodies is higher in exercise‐trained skeletal muscle. The metabolic actions of ketone bodies can alter fuel selection through attenuating glucose utilisation in peripheral tissues, anti‐lipolytic effects on adipose tissue, and attenuation of proteolysis in skeletal muscle. Moreover, ketone bodies can act as signalling metabolites, with βHB acting as an inhibitor of histone deacetylases, an important regulator of the adaptive response to exercise in skeletal muscle. Recent development of ketone esters facilitates acute ingestion of βHB that results in nutritional ketosis without necessitating restrictive dietary practices. Initial reports suggest this strategy alters the metabolic response to exercise and improves exercise performance, while other lines of evidence suggest roles in recovery from exercise. The present review focuses on the physiology of ketone bodies during and after exercise and in response to training, with specific interest in exploring the physiological basis for exogenous ketone supplementation and potential benefits for performance and recovery in athletes.

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The “α-Invariant”: An Energy-Based Nonlinear Minimal Damping Model for Robotic Joints With Friction
Authors: Milne Bart , Hann Chris , Chen XiaoQi
Published: November 2016

System identification of the sinusoidal steady-state response of the Phantom Omni using a local linear model revealed that friction has a non-negligible effect on the accuracy of a global linear model, particularly at low frequencies. Some of the obvious errors observed with the global linear model at low frequencies were (i) the response amplitude was lower; (ii) local linear model coefficients became physically impossible (e.g., negative) at low frequencies; and (iii) low frequency inputs resulted in a greater nonlinearity in the response compared to higher frequency inputs. While standard friction models such as Coulomb friction could be used to model the nonlinearity, there is a desire to create a friction model that is not only accurate for sinusoidal steady-state responses, but can also be generalized to any input response. One measure that is universally present in dynamical systems is energy, and in this paper the relationship between a generalized measure of energy and damping for modeling the effect of friction is developed. This paper introduces the “α-invariant” as a means of generalizing the friction behavior observed with sinusoidal steady-state responses to other waveforms. For periodic waveforms, the α-invariant is shown to be equivalent to the energy dissipated in each cycle, which demonstrates the physical significance of this quantity. The α-invariant nonlinear model formulation significantly outperforms the linear model for both sinusoidal steady state and step responses, demonstrating that this method accurately represents the physical mechanisms in the Phantom Omni. Overall, the α-invariant provides an efficient way of capturing nonlinear dynamics with a small number of parameters and experiments.
Optimal Test Selection for Prediction Uncertainty Reduction
Authors: Mullins Joshua , Mahadevan Sankaran , Urbina Angel
Published: November 2016

Economic factors and experimental limitations often lead to sparse and/or imprecise data used for the calibration and validation of computational models. This paper addresses resource allocation for calibration and validation experiments, in order to maximize their effectiveness within given resource constraints. When observation data are used for model calibration, the quality of the inferred parameter descriptions is directly affected by the quality and quantity of the data. This paper characterizes parameter uncertainty within a probabilistic framework, which enables the uncertainty to be systematically reduced with additional data. The validation assessment is also uncertain in the presence of sparse and imprecise data; therefore, this paper proposes an approach for quantifying the resulting validation uncertainty. Since calibration and validation uncertainty affect the prediction of interest, the proposed framework explores the decision of cost versus importance of data in terms of the impact on the prediction uncertainty. Often, calibration and validation tests may be performed for different input scenarios, and this paper shows how the calibration and validation results from different conditions may be integrated into the prediction. Then, a constrained discrete optimization formulation that selects the number of tests of each type (calibration or validation at given input conditions) is proposed. The proposed test selection methodology is demonstrated on a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) example.
Measurements of Decompression Wave Speed in Natural Gas Containing 2-8% (Mole) Hydrogen by a Specialized Shock Tube
Authors: Botros K. K. , Igi S. , Kondo J.
Published: November 2016

The Battelle two-curve method is widely used throughout the industry to determine the required material toughness to arrest ductile (or tearing) pipe fracture. The method relies on accurate determination of the propagation speed of the decompression wave into the pipeline once the pipe ruptures. GASDECOM is typically used for calculating this speed, and idealizes the decompression process as isentropic and one-dimensional. While GASDECOM was initially validated against quite a range of gas compositions and initial pressure and temperature, it was not developed for mixtures containing hydrogen. Two shock tube tests were conducted to experimentally determine the decompression wave speed in lean natural gas mixtures containing hydrogen. The first test had hydrogen concentration of 2.88% (mole) while the second had hydrogen concentration of 8.28% (mole). The experimentally determined decompression wave speeds from the two tests were found to be very close to each other despite the relatively vast difference in the hydrogen concentrations for the two tests. It was also shown that the predictions of the decompression wave speed using the GERG-2008 equation of state agreed very well with that obtained from the shock tube measurements. It was concluded that there is no effects of the hydrogen concentration (between 0–10% mole) on the decompression wave speed, particularly at the lower part (towards the choked pressure) of the decompression wave speed curve.