bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating the intensity of use by interacting predators and prey using camera traps
Authors: Keim Jonah L. , Lele Subhash R. , DeWitt Philip D. , Fitzpatrick J. Jeremy , Jenni Noemie S.
Published: March 2019

Understanding how organisms distribute themselves in response to interacting species, ecosystems, climate, human development and time is fundamental to ecological study and practice. A measure to quantify the relationship among organisms and their environments is intensity of use: the rate of use of a specific resource in a defined unit of time. Estimating the intensity of use differs from estimating probabilities of occupancy or selection, which can remain constant even when the intensity of use varies. We describe a method to evaluate the intensity of use across conditions that vary in both space and time. We demonstrate its application on a large mammal community where linear developments and human activity are conjectured to influence the interactions between white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and wolves (Canis lupus) with possible consequences on threatened woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou).

We collect and quantify intensity of use data for multiple, interacting species with the goal of assessing management efficacy, including a habitat restoration strategy for linear developments. We test whether blocking linear developments by spreading logs across a 200‐m interval can be applied as an immediate mitigation to reduce the intensities of use by humans, predator and prey species in a boreal caribou range.

We deployed camera traps on linear developments with and without restoration treatments in a landscape exposed to both timber and oil development. We collected a three‐year dataset and employed spatial recurrent event models to analyse intensity of use by an interacting human and large mammal community across a range of environmental and climatic conditions.

Spatial recurrent event models revealed that intensity of use by humans influenced the intensity of use by all five large mammal species evaluated, and the intensities of use by wolves and deer were inextricably linked in space and time. Conditions that resist travel on linear developments had a strong negative effect on the intensity of human and large mammal use.

Mitigation strategies that resist, or redirect, animal travel on linear developments can reduce the effects of resource development on interacting human and predator–prey interactions. Our approach is easily applied to other continuous time point‐based survey methodologies and shows that measuring the intensity of use within animal communities can help scientists monitor, mitigate and understand ecological states and processes.
P2X7 receptor in cardiovascular disease: The heart side
Authors: Guerra Martinez Camila
Published: March 2019

The P2X7 receptor is a ligand‐gated purinergic receptor activated by extracellular ATP. The receptor is highly expressed in immune cells and in the brain, and, upon activation, the P2X7 receptor allows a cation flux, leading to the distinct activation of intracellular signalling pathways as the secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and modulation of cell survival. Through these molecular mechanisms, P2X7 is known to play important roles in physiology and pathophysiology of a wide spectrum of diseases, including cancer, inflammatory diseases, neurological, respiratory and more recently cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies demonstrated that the P2X7 could modulate the assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome, leading to the secretion of pro‐inflammatory factors and worsen the cardiac disease phenotypes. This review discusses the critical molecular function of P2X7 in the modulation of the onset, progression and resolution of cardiovascular diseases and analyses the putative future use of P2X7‐based therapies that modulate the IL‐1β secretion arm and direct P2X7 antagonists.
Statistical Evidence, Assertions and Responsibility
Authors: Levanon Liat
Published: March 2019

The legal system has been ambivalent about naked statistical evidence. Addressing this ambivalence, the article explores the epistemological status of naked statistical evidence and its normative and practical implications. It is suggested that since naked statistical evidence cannot generate knowledge, it cannot be the basis for assertions of facts; and assertions of facts are practically and legally important: they are essential in order to establish the court's responsibility for its decisions and its errors. Such responsibility is needed in order to maintain the legitimacy of the legal system; to avoid unfairness to defendants; and to ensure that legal decision‐makers have no valid claims against the decision‐making arrangement. As a result, the legal system is inclined to avoid statistical evidence altogether.
The perinatal burden of preterm delivery and twin pregnancy
Authors: Chien Patrick
Published: March 2019

Deputy Editor‐in‐Chief, Dr Patrick Chien, discusses the latest thinking in women's health and highlights articles from this issue in a podcast available at: https://soundcloud.com/bjog/april-editorial-2019
Extraction Technology Can Impose Influences on Peanut Oil Functional Quality: A Study to Investigate the Lipid Metabolism by Sprague–Dawley Rat Model
Authors: Wang Wuliang , Yang Xiaoyu , Ye Zhan , Li Youdong , Liu Yuanfa , Cao Peirang
Published: March 2019

In this study, peanut oil was prepared by cold pressing (temperature under 60 °C), hot pressing (temperature above 105 °C), and enzyme‐assisted aqueous extraction technology. Influences of an extraction technology on the oil fatty acid composition and the content of minor bioactive compounds, including tocopherols, polyphenols, and squalene, were investigated in detail. High‐fat‐diet Sprague–Dawley (SD) rat model was then established to probe the impact of cold‐pressed peanut oil (CPO), hot‐pressed peanut oil (HPO), and enzyme‐assisted aqueous‐extracted peanut oil (EAO) on lipid metabolism outcomes, to explore influences of different extraction technologies on lipid functional quality. Results showed that oleic acid was the predominate fatty acid in the EAO (52.57 ± 0.11%), which was also significantly higher (P < 0.05) than CPO and HPO. The HPO showed higher total tocopherol and polyphenol contents (206.84 ± 6.93 mg/kg and 47.87 ± 6.50 mg GA/kg, respectively) than CPO and EAO (P < 0.05). However, the squalene content in CPO was 475.47 ± 12.75 mg/kg, which was the highest among the three oils (P < 0.05). The animal experiment results revealed that EAO could be more prone to induce lipid accumulation in the liver, which may likely to cause nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. However, the serum lipid profiles indicated that the CPO was more beneficial than the EAO and HPO in lowering the serum low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase contents, and increasing the high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol content. All of our efforts indicated that an extraction technology can affect the peanut oil lipid fatty acid composition, the bioactive compounds content, and, correspondingly, the lipid metabolism in SD rats.
Present Terrestrial Heat Flow Measurements of the Geothermal Fields in the Chagan Sag of the Yingen‐Ejinaqi Basin, Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: FENG Renpeng , ZUO Yinhui , YANG Meihua , ZHANG Jiong , LIU Zhi , ZHOU Yongshui , HAO Qingqing
Published: March 2019

Owing to the lack of terrestrial heat flow data, studying lithospheric thermal structure and geodynamics of the Yingen‐Ejinaqi Basin in Inner Mongolia is limited. In this paper, the terrestrial heat flow of the Chagan sag in the Yingen‐Ejinaqi Basin were calculated by 193 system steady‐state temperature measurements of 4 wells, and newly measuring 62 rock thermal conductivity and 20 heat production rate data on basis of the original 107 rock thermal conductivity and 70 heat production data. The results show that the average thermal conductivity and heat production rate are 2.11±0.28 W/(m·K) and 2.42±0.25 μW/m3 in the Lower Cretaceous of the Chagan sag. The average geothermal gradient from the Lower Suhongtu 2 Formation to the Suhongtu 1 Formation is 37.6 °C/km, and that of the Bayingebi 2 Formation is 27.4 °C/km. Meanwhile, the average terrestrial heat flow in the Chagan sag is 70.6 mW/m2. On the above results, it is clear that there is an obvious negative correlation between the thermal conductivity of the stratum and its geothermal gradient. Moreover, it reveals that there is a geothermal state between tectonically stable and active areas. This work may provide geothermal parameters for further research of lithospheric thermal structure and geodynamics in the Chagan sag.
Diversity and composition of intertidal gastropod microbiomes across a major marine biogeographic boundary
Authors: Neu Alexander T. , Allen Eric E. , Roy Kaustuv
Published: March 2019

Marine biogeographic boundaries act as barriers to dispersal for many animal species, thereby creating distinctive faunas on either side. However, how such boundaries affect the distributions of microbial taxa remains poorly known. To test whether biogeographic boundaries influence the diversity and composition of host‐associated microbiota, we analysed the microbiomes of three species of common intertidal gastropods at two sites separated by the biogeographic boundary at Point Conception (PtC), CA, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Our results show that each host species shows microbiome compositional specificity, even across PtC, and that alpha diversity does not change significantly across this boundary for any of the gastropod hosts. However, for two of the host species, beta diversity differs significantly across PtC, indicating that there may be multiple levels of organization of the marine gastropod microbiome. Overall, our results suggest that while biogeographic boundaries do not constrain the distribution of a core set of microbes associated with each host species, they can play a role in structuring the transient portion of the microbiome.
Efficacy of anti‐inflammatory treatment on major depressive disorder or depressive symptoms: meta‐analysis of clinical trials
Authors: Köhler‐Forsberg O. , N. Lydholm C. , Hjorthøj C. , Nordentoft M. , Mors O. , Benros M. E.
Published: March 2019

Background

No study has gathered evidence from all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with anti‐inflammatory drugs measuring antidepressant effects including a detailed assessment of side‐effects and bias.

Methods

We performed a systematic review identifying RCTs published prior to January 1, 2018, studying antidepressant treatment effects and side‐effects of pharmacological anti‐inflammatory intervention in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) or depressive symptoms. Outcomes were depression scores after treatment, remission, response, and side‐effects. Pooled standard mean differences (SMD) and risk ratios (RR) including 95% confidence intervals (95%‐CI) were calculated.

Results

We identified 36 RCTs, whereof 13 investigated NSAIDs (N = 4214), 9 cytokine inhibitors (N = 3345), seven statins (N = 1576), 3 minocycline (N = 151), 2 pioglitazone (N = 77), and 2 glucocorticoids (N = 59). Anti‐inflammatory agents improved depressive symptoms compared to placebo as add‐on in patients with MDD (SMD = −0.64; 95%‐CI = −0.88, −0.40; I2 = 51%; N = 597) and as monotherapy (SMD = −0.41; 95%‐CI = −0.60, −0.22; I2 = 93%, N = 8825). Anti‐inflammatory add‐on improved response (RR = 1.76; 95%‐CI = 1.44–2.16; I2 = 16%; N = 341) and remission (RR = 2.14; 95%‐CI = 1.03–4.48; I2 = 57%; N = 270). We found a trend toward an increased risk for infections, and all studies showed high risk of bias.

Conclusion

Anti‐inflammatory agents improved antidepressant treatment effects. Future RCTs need to include longer follow‐up, identify optimal doses and subgroups of patients that can benefit from anti‐inflammatory intervention.
“One” But Divided: Tribalism and Grouping among Secondary School Students in South Sudan
Authors: Sano Koji
Published: March 2019

This ethnographic study reconsiders the concept of tribe and its influence on group boundary‐making practices in South Sudan. The findings revealed ways in which students manipulated their group boundaries by giving different meanings to nominal category of tribe. Further, the study unveiled that, moving in and out from those boundaries, students live in a complex social reality in a postcolonial, conflict‐affected country of South Sudan.
Reforming Schools, Disciplining Teachers: Decentralization and Privatization of Education in Honduras
Authors: Levy Jordan
Published: March 2019

This article examines how teachers in post‐coup Honduras approached implementing neoliberal school finance reforms with which they disagreed. The laws in question decentralize national public education and demand that teachers secure funding for basic school infrastructure and academic programs from private businesses. I show how teachers reluctantly engaged aspects of this legislation, but for their own reasons, and suggest that their partial compliance is illuminative of how teachers in other contexts may approach policy implementation.
Strategic Othering: Framing Lebanese Migration and Fraser's “Mistake”
Authors: Betts Judith , Krayem Mehal
Published: March 2019

Australian Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Peter Dutton, has framed the mid‐1970s immigration of Lebanese affected by civil war as Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser's “mistake”. His remarks sparked controversy in the parliament and the media. The issue became a contest of frames between the Murdoch media, which supported the Minister's “mistake” frame and argued his right to “tell the truth”, and the Fairfax media, which viewed the Minister as being “racist” for “scapegoating” the Lebanese community. Along with archival documents, this article examines the context and coverage of the Minister's remarks, noting that the frames presented in the media “indexed” those adopted amongst political elites, while failing to re‐examine the historical record. This case study demonstrates the power of framing and the media's tendency to accept rather than challenge frames used by those in the political contest, with the result that errors in the representation of history were never corrected. This article draws on framing theory and indexing theory and concludes that the “mistake” frame for the Lebanese feeds into narratives that serve to “other” Muslim and Arab groups, fanning fears and mobilising a discourse of Islamophobia around the exclusion of “undesirable” immigrants on the basis of “cultural fit”.
Antibiotic treatment for patients with amniotic fluid “sludge” to prevent spontaneous preterm birth: A historically controlled observational study
Authors: Hatanaka Alan Roberto , Franca Marcelo Santucci , Hamamoto Tatiana Emy Nishimoto Kawanami , Rolo Liliam Cristine , Mattar Rosiane , Moron Antonio Fernandes
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Amniotic fluid “sludge” has been associated with an increased rate of spontaneous preterm delivery before 35 weeks, a higher frequency of clinical and histologic chorioamnionitis in a high‐risk population. Only one study evaluating the use of antibiotics in the presence of amniotic fluid “sludge” showed reduced rates of spontaneous preterm birth at <34 weeks. The objective of this study was to evaluate routine antibiotic treatment in the presence of amniotic fluid “sludge” for prevention of preterm delivery.

Material and methods

A historically controlled observational study was performed between October 2010 and January 2015, including a total of 86 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies and the presence of amniotic fluid “sludge” at ultrasound. Women admitted from October 2010 to September 2012 received no treatment with antibiotics, whereas those admitted from October 2012 to January 2015, received routinely clindamycin and first‐generation cephalosporin. The groups were compared considering the incidence of spontaneous preterm delivery. The effect of antimicrobials was also compared in the subgroup of women at high risk for spontaneous preterm birth (ie, cervical length ≤25 mm, history of spontaneous preterm birth, previous spontaneous loss in the second trimester, Mullerian malformations or cervical conization).

Results

Antibiotic therapy reduced the incidence of spontaneous preterm birth at <34 weeks (13.2% vs 38.5%, P = 0.047) in women at high‐risk for preterm birth, with an odds ratio of 0.24 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.06‐0.99). Birthweight was significantly different between the study groups (2961 ± 705 vs. 2554 ± 819 g, respectively; P = 0.028), with no statistical significance for others variables.

Conclusions

This study suggests that antibiotic treatment in high‐risk pregnant women with amniotic fluid “sludge” can be effective in the reduction of the frequency of spontaneous preterm delivery and can increase the birthweight.
Population structure and morphology of South African deep‐water parapagurid hermit crabs
Authors: Wright Amy G. , Griffiths Charles L. , Botha Thomas P. A.
Published: March 2019

The parapagurid hermit crabs Sympagurus dimorphus (Studer, 1883) and Parapagurus bouvieri (Stebbing, 1910) form dominant components of South African deeper‐water benthic invertebrate communities and, as adults, forego the use of “traditional” gastropod shells in favour of symbiotically associated Epizoanthus carcinoecia. A total of 1,122 adult S. dimorphus and 549 adult P. bouvieri derived from demersal research trawl surveys were examined to investigate parameters of population structure, carcinoecia association and morphology. S. dimorphus had a female‐biased sex ratio of 1:1.5, and P. bouvieri an equal sex ratio of 1:1. The proportion of males of both species increased with cephalothoracic shield length (CL). The lengths of the major right chelipeds of both S. dimorphus males and females, and P. bouvieri males were positively allometric, and negatively allometric in P. bouvieri females. All P. bouvieri inhabited carcinoecia, while 3.39% (n = 38) of S. dimorphus specimens occupied gastropod shells. There was a positive relationship between S. dimorphus CL and rate of gastropod shell occupation (r2 = 0.96). In S. dimorphus, number of zoanthid polyps forming the carcinoecia pseudoshell increased with both total shell volume (R2 = 0.73) and colony height (R2 = 0.61), but no such relationships were found for P. bouvieri. Euspira napus was the most common original shell around which carcinoecia developed in both S. dimorphus (45.45%) and P. bouvieri (39.00%). We speculate that these hermit species exist along an evolutionary continuum of carcinoecia use. Sympagurus dimorphus retains the ability to occupy both gastropod shells and pseudoshells and, like most other hermit crabs, continue to use shells/carcinoecia as shelters to protect the entire body. In contrast, adult P. bouvieri appear to be totally reliant on carcinoecia, which they use more as a brood pouch covering only the abdomen, rather than as a shelter into which they can fully retract to escape predation.
Students’ interest in Scratch coding in lower secondary mathematics
Authors: Dohn Niels Bonderup
Published: March 2019

The ability to code computer programs is considered an important part of literacy in today’s society. This paper reports from a case study in two sixth‐grade classes where Scratch coding was part of six mathematics lessons. The aim of the study was to investigate how Scratch coding affected students’ interest development in coding and in mathematics. Data were collected using a convergent parallel mixed methods design. The results show a slight, but nevertheless significant, negative effect on students’ average interest in coding, as well as in mathematics. Students attributed this to the level of difficulty and the tedious workflow, indicating that their waning interest was due to the prescriptive nature of tasks that offered neither a sense of accomplishment nor the chance for autonomous input. However, situational interest was triggered in off‐task coding situations. These situations were not related to the mathematical coding tasks but to the use of existing Scratch games and animations. The findings point to the importance of design principles that allow students an opportunity to tinker, but also to a need for an increased focus on facilitating the development of design knowledge within teacher professional development.
A proof‐of‐concept, Phase 2 clinical trial of the gastrointestinal safety of a hydrogen sulfide‐releasing anti‐inflammatory drug
Authors: Wallace John L. , Nagy Peter , Feener Troy D. , Allain Thibault , Ditrói Tamás , Vaughan David J. , Muscara Marcelo N. , de Nucci Gilberto , Buret Andre G.
Published: March 2019

Background and Purpose

ATB‐346 is a hydrogen sulfide (H2S)‐releasing anti‐inflammatory and analgesic drug. Animal studies demonstrated negligible gastrointestinal (GI) damage despite marked inhibition of COX activity and significant analgesic and anti‐inflammatory effects. In humans, ATB‐346 (250 mg once daily) was found to inhibit COX to the same extent as naproxen (550 mg twice daily).

Experimental Approach

Two hundred forty‐four healthy volunteers completed a 2‐week, double‐blind study, taking either ATB‐346 (250 mg once daily) or naproxen (550 mg twice daily), with upper GI ulceration being examined endoscopically.

Key Results

Forty‐two per cent of the subjects taking naproxen developed at least one ulcer (≥3‐mm diameter), while only 3% of the subjects taking ATB‐346 developed at least one ulcer. The two drugs produced comparable and substantial (>94%) suppression of COX activity. Subjects in the naproxen group developed more ulcers per subject than ATB‐346‐treated subjects and a greater incidence of larger ulcers (≥5‐mm diameter). The incidence of dyspepsia, abdominal pain, gastro‐oesophageal reflux, and nausea was lower with ATB‐346 than with naproxen. Subjects treated with ATB‐346 had significantly higher plasma levels of H2S than those treated with naproxen.

Conclusions and Implications

This Phase 2B study provides unequivocal evidence for a marked reduction of GI toxicity of the H2S‐releasing analgesic/anti‐inflammatory drug, ATB‐346, as compared to the conventional dose of naproxen that produced equivalent suppression of COX.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Hydrogen Sulfide in Biology & Medicine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.4/issuetoc
Importance of the intestinal microbiota in ocular inflammatory diseases: A review
Authors: Lin Phoebe
Published: March 2019

The purpose of this article is to review the literature on relationships between the intestinal microbiota and ocular inflammatory disease, specifically non‐infectious uveitis and age‐related macular degeneration. The importance of the intestinal microbiota in uveitis pathogenesis has been shown by multiple groups demonstrating that alterations in the microbiota induced by certain oral antibiotics results in reduced uveitis severity, and another group demonstrating that a commensal intestinal bacterial antigen activates retina‐specific autoreactive T cells, potentially indicating a commensal trigger for uveitis. Additionally, commensal intestinal bacterial metabolite short chain fatty acids can be utilized to suppress autoimmune uveitis. Age‐related macular degeneration is associated with intestinal dysbiosis, which is partially influenced by genetic risk alleles and AREDS supplementation. Strategies for therapeutically targeting the intestinal microbiota might involve several approaches, including the use of antibiotics, dietary changes, drugs that supplement beneficial bacterial metabolites or target causative bacterial strains, dietary strategies or faecal microbial transplantation. In summary, the intestinal microbiota are at the cross‐roads of genetic and environmental factors that can promote ocular conditions such as non‐infectious uveitis and age‐related macular degeneration, partially via its dynamic influence on mucosal and systemic immunity. The intestinal microbiome thus represents a salient potential target for therapeutic modulation to treat these potentially blinding conditions.
Changing biological disease modifying treatment for paediatric uveitis in the real world
Authors: Oh Lawrence J. , Nguyen Chu L. , Phan Kevin , Wong Eugene , Zagora Sophia , Singh‐Grewal Davinder , Chaitow Jeffrey , Grigg John R. , McCluskey Peter
Published: March 2019

Importance

Paediatric uveitis is a severe sight‐threatening uveitis due to disease progression and treatment failure. Biological agents are a promising new treatment. This study provides real‐world data on their use from Sydney, Australia.

Background

Traditionally corticosteroids and non‐biological immunosuppressive agents were used to treat paediatric uveitis, often with poor outcomes.

Design

Retrospective, chart review over an 8‐year period at a tertiary referral eye hospital.

Participants

A total of 27 paediatric uveitis patients treated with biological agents.

Methods

Chart review of demographic data and treatment outcomes.

Main Outcome Measures

Treatment efficacy (corticosteroid‐sparing effect, topical steroid cessation/reduction, reduction in systemic‐steroid sparing agents, change in intraocular inflammation, visual acuity and central macular thickness); treatment failure; and adverse events. Data were collected at biological initiation, 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months.

Results

Biological therapy over 1 year was effective with prednisolone dose reduced to <5 mg/day in five of six patients (83%), number of systemic steroid‐sparing agents was reduced to ≤1 in two of four patients (50%) and cessation of topical steroid achieved in 12/41 of eyes (29%). Improvement of anterior chamber cells by two grades occurred in 20/25 eyes (80%), improvement of logMAR to ≤0.3 occurred in 12/18 eyes (67%) and macular oedema decreased in 4/5 eyes (80%). Treatment failure occurred in six eyes (13.01%) and five patients (18.5%) developed an adverse reaction.

Conclusions and Relevance

Biological therapy was effective in paediatric patients with uveitis. Intraocular inflammation improved with maintained visual acuity, systemic corticosteroid dose decreased and there was a low frequency of adverse events.
Is this America? Unfinished business with the U.S. national imaginary, religion and violence
Authors: Denton‐Borhaug Kelly
Published: March 2019

This article first proposes definitions and raises questions about what it means to be a nation. I then analyze the national imaginary of the United States, and suggest that at its deepest core we find “substitute ultimates” regarding America's sacrificial war‐culture. This cultural violence perpetuates destructive consequences, including the phenomena of “U.S. war‐culture,” and “moral injury” among military servicemembers and veterans. But widespread legitimation of the imaginary largely inhibits citizens from awareness about their own reality. Lastly, I inquire about the role of prophetic public theology to address nationalism, and engage in a thought experiment with an imagined community of diverse partners.
Role of femoral derotation on gait after selective dorsal rhizotomy in children with spastic cerebral palsy
Authors: Van Campenhout Anja , Huenaerts Catherine , Poulussen Liesbeth , Prinsen Sandra D , Desloovere Kaat
Published: March 2019

Aim

To evaluate the long‐term outcome of selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) on gait and the influence of previous femoral derotation osteotomy (FDO).

Method

In a retrospective cohort study of 29 children (16 females, 13 males) with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, 14 children received FDO before SDR, whereas 15 children with moderate or near‐normal internal femoral rotation during gait received only SDR. Three‐dimensional gait data were obtained pre‐FDO, pre‐SDR, 1 year post‐SDR, and 3 to 5 years post‐SDR, to study the Gait Profile Score (GPS), pelvic tilt, and knee and hip kinematics. A mixed analysis of variance with the repeated measure ‘time’ was performed between different time points for each group.

Results

Children who first underwent FDO and then SDR started with a more complex gait pathology but showed fewer gait deviations 3 to 5 years post‐SDR, compared to children who only underwent SDR. This was reflected by a lower GPS and pelvic tilt, as well as less knee flexion in stance.

Interpretation

The effect of SDR on gait is only significant in the mid‐ to long‐term if the bony lever arms are also corrected. Thus, the clinical outcome after SDR is dependent on good proximal alignment.

What this paper adds

Pelvic tilt remains stable after femoral derotation osteotomy (FDO)+selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR).

But pelvic tilt deteriorates after SDR only.

Hip and knee extension is better after FDO+SDR than after SDR only.

Spasticity reduction (by SDR) combined with bony lever arm correction (by FDO) improves gait.
Icosapent ethyl for dyslipidaemia in patients with diabetes and coronary artery disease: Act now to reduce it
Authors: Lan Nick S. R. , Fegan P. Gerry , Yeap Bu B. , Rankin James M. , Watts Gerald F.
Published: March 2019

The risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) can be significantly reduced in patients with diabetes who are undergoing low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol‐reducing therapies. However, the elevated triglyceride levels seen in diabetic dyslipidaemia can contribute to residual ASCVD risk. Icosapent ethyl (IPE) has recently been shown to substantially reduce major cardiovascular events in high‐risk patients with hypertriglyceridaemia who are undergoing statin therapy. In a real‐world study of patients with diabetes and acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 17.1% were found to be eligible for treatment with IPE based on Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl–Intervention Trial (REDUCE‐IT) criteria. A significant proportion of patients with diabetes and ACS merit receiving IPE therapy, with important implications for evolving clinical practice guidelines and best standard of care.
Sir Thomas More's Utopia: An overlooked economic classic
Authors: Mangeloja Esa , Ovaska Tomi
Published: March 2019

Sir Thomas More's Utopia, published in 1516, is a classic work of how to organise a society based on common property. With a unique mix of common property, institutions and sound economic insights, we argue that More built a framework for a society that could be viable in the long run. While the conditions that make Utopia work are quite restrictive, it does provide a sketch of a society where common property may not stifle long‐term development, but is associated with productive workers and people content with their lives.
How to draft ‘good’ minutes of monetary policy decisions
Authors: Qvigstad Jan Fredrik
Published: March 2019

The minutes of monetary policy decisions at central banks vary substantially. A common norm does not exist. To ensure accountability and guide policy expectations, the minutes should satisfy some basic requirements. In search of criteria for ‘good’ minutes, it is relevant to look at how supreme courts write their decisions. Four criteria for ‘good’ minutes are proposed. The minutes of six central banks are assessed against the proposed criteria. In spite of the substantial variation in format, their minutes largely satisfy the criteria. The central banks' minutes seem to reflect their individual communication histories. The central banks could learn from each other, but also from the supreme courts, especially in terms of how they organise the writing of the minority view.
Misclassification of bicuspid aortic valves is common and varies by imaging modality and patient characteristics
Authors: Cramer Peyton M. , Prakash Siddharth K.
Published: March 2019

Background

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most prevalent adult congenital heart defect. BAV causes lifelong progressive disease that can be prevented by early diagnosis and long‐term surveillance, but may be compromised by misclassification of valve morphology.

Methods

The study population was derived from the UTHealth Bicuspid Aortic Valve Registry, which includes serial images on more than 200 participants over a mean follow‐up interval of 2.8 years. We abstracted descriptions of aortic valve morphology from transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography, computed tomography angiography, and magnetic resonance angiography reports. We used chi‐square and t tests to determine associations between reported valve morphologies (definitely bicuspid, possibly bicuspid, tricuspid, or uncertain) and clinical characteristics and assessed image quality using a validated tool.

Results

About 40% of participants were misclassified in at least one imaging report. The mean interval between misclassification and correct diagnosis was 22 months. TEE, MR and CT were more sensitive than TTE and successfully reclassified 20% of participants, but were only used in 14% of patients. Misclassification was associated with age, the extent of valve calcification and image quality, but was not significantly associated with aortic regurgitation, gender, or cusp configuration.

Conclusion

Misclassification of BAV is prevalent, frequently leads to delayed diagnosis, and is more likely to occur in the most severely affected cases. TEE, CT and MR may increase diagnostic accuracy in up to half of BAV cases but are underutilized. Additional studies are needed to determine if misclassification of BAV patients leads to increased long‐term morbidity and mortality.
Remodeling classification system considering left ventricular volume in patients with aortic valve stenosis: Association with adverse cardiovascular outcomes
Authors: Barbieri Andrea , Bartolacelli Ylenia , Bursi Francesca , Manicardi Marcella , Boriani Giuseppe
Published: March 2019

Background

To assess prevalence and clinical implications of left ventricular (LV) remodeling considering: LV volume, mass and relative wall thickness at the time of aortic valve stenosis diagnosis.

Methods and Results

We retrospectively analyzed 343 patients (age 79.2 ± 9.5 years, 48.1% males) with functional aortic valve area (AVA) ≤ 1.5 cm2. LV geometric patterns and clinical outcomes (combined death, cardiac hospitalization, aortic valve replacement [AVR]) were evaluated. According to the new LV remodeling classification, 4.9% had normal geometry, 7.5% concentric remodeling, 39.3% concentric hypertrophy (LVH), 22.4% mixed LVH, 12.5% dilated LVH, 3.2% eccentric LVH and 4.3% eccentric remodeling, 5.5% had not classifiable LVH. Indexed stroke volume (SVi) was higher in patients with concentric LVH (40.3 ± 11.9 mL/m2) and mixed LVH (41.6 ± 13.4 mL/m2) and lower in patients with eccentric LVH (24.9 ± 7.7 mL/m2), concentric (36.6 ± 12.7 mL/m2) and eccentric remodeling (34.9 ± 9.5 mL/m2), P = 0.003. During a median follow‐up of 2.2 years, 260 (75.8%) had the combined end point. A significant association between the combined end point and LV dilation (P = 0.010) or LV remodeling patterns (P = 0.0001) was found. After multivariable adjustment for AVR, concentric remodeling (HR 3.12, IC 95% 1.14–8.55; P = 0.02) and dilated LVH (HR 3.48, IC 95% 1.31–9.27; P = 0.01) were strongly associated with death or cardiac hospitalizations.

Conclusions

In patients with AVA ≤ 1.5 cm2, when the new LV remodeling classification system is applied, only a minority had normal geometry and less than half had “classic” concentric LVH or remodeling. LV volume dilatation is frequent and associated with adverse outcome. Concentric remodeling, eccentric remodeling, dilated LVH had the worst noninvasive hemodynamic profile and prognosis.
DO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AFFECT ON‐THE‐JOB SEARCH? EVIDENCE FROM LABOR TURNOVER BEFORE ESTABLISHMENT CLOSURES
Authors: Gutierrez Italo A.
Published: March 2019

We develop a job search model that predicts that potential job losers would reduce on‐the‐job search (OTJS) effort and job‐to‐job transitions before layoffs, in response to an increase in the potential duration of unemployment benefits (UB). To test this prediction, we exploit changes in the maximum potential duration of benefits in Germany to analyze how it affected labor turnover before establishment closings. The evidence supports the model prediction that workers with longer potential benefit duration are more likely to remain with their establishments until closure and to enter nonemployment. These findings indicate that the effects of UB on the OTJS decisions of potential job losers should be considered in the optimal design of the parameters of unemployment insurance systems. (JEL J63, J64, J65)
Agricultural land use yields reduced foraging efficiency and unviable offspring in the wild bee Ceratina calcarata
Authors: Nooten Sabine S. , Rehan Sandra M.
Published: March 2019

1. Agricultural intensification generally leads to large‐scale habitat changes marked by decreasing availability of nesting sites and flower resources for pollinators. However, little is known about how such changes impact wild bee maternal body size and foraging effort and, more importantly, whether there is a subsequent effect on their offspring.

2. Nests were collected from the common eastern North American stem nesting bee, Ceratina calcarata, across three land management types: (i) intensely managed conventional farms; (ii) moderately disturbed organic farmland; and (iii) least managed roadsides. The study assessed the effects of land use types on body size and wing wear (a proxy for foraging effort) of maternal bees, and on their offspring in terms of clutch size, survival, sex ratio and body size.

3. Findings revealed that more brood reached pupal stages from nests collected in conventional farmlands. This was due to the total lack of parasites, possibly because the host density is below the threshold that can support a brood parasite population in intensively farmed landscapes. A positive association between maternal bee size and clutch size was only found in least managed roadsides, while, in both farm types, body sizes for daughters and sons were smaller, barely reaching the predicted overwintering threshold.

4. The results suggest that the effects of intensified agricultural land use will be more pronounced in bee offspring, potentially leading to decreased fitness for subsequent generations. This implies far‐reaching consequences for agricultural pollination services and declines in wild bee populations.
Direct quantitative real‐time PCR assay for detection of the emerging pathogen Neonectria neomacrospora
Authors: Nielsen Knud N. , Thomsen Iben M. , Hansen Ole K.
Published: March 2019

The epidemic outbreak in northern Europe of Neonectria neomacrospora, the causal agent of dieback in Abies spp., led the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) to include the pathogen on its alert list in 2017. Effective monitoring of this pathogen calls for a rapid and sensitive method of identification and quantification. A probe‐based real‐time PCR (qPCR) assay based on the β‐tubulin gene was developed for the detection and quantification of N. neomacrospora in infected wood samples, and directly for ascospores. This study presents the first published species–specific molecular detection assay for N. neomacrospora. The analytical specificity was validated on taxonomically closely related fungal species as well as on 18 fungal species associated with the host (Abies sp.). The analytical sensitivity was tested on naturally infected wood, on purified pathogen DNA in a matrix of host DNA and on N. neomacrospora ascospores for detection of airborne inoculum. The latter was tested both with a DNA extraction step prior to qPCR and without DNA extraction by direct qPCR on collected ascospores. The assay was specific to N. neomacrospora, with a sensitivity of 130 fg purified DNA, or 10 ascospores by direct qPCR. Omitting DNA extraction and amplifying directly on unpurified ascospores improved assay sensitivity significantly.
Complex stifle injury in a foal
Authors: Santschi E. , Younkin J. , Girard C. , Laverty S.
Published: March 2019

A 130 kg, 60‐day‐old Quarter Horse male foal presented with bilateral stifle effusion and severe left hindlimb lameness. Clinical examination and imaging including radiography, ultrasound and computed tomography revealed bilateral stifle trauma. Specifically, disruption of the left medial meniscus and deep bone injury to the left medial femoral condyle (MFC) were detected, and bilateral injury to the origin of the cranial cruciate ligaments was suspected. Treatment consisted of stall rest and joint injection with corticosteroids, however there was little improvement in lameness. Due to the poor prognosis for soundness, the foal was subject to euthanasia 10 weeks after initial presentation. Post‐mortem examination supported the left medial meniscus andMFCinjuries and revealed avulsions of the origin of the cranial cruciate ligaments (complete on the left and partial on the right) from the lateral femoral condyle. Histopathology of the left stifle joint revealed varying depths ofMFCosteochondral injury and severe left medial meniscus damage.
Heavy grazing effects on stem elongation and internode allometry: Insights from a natural pasture grass
Authors: Liu Zhiying , Zhang Zhen , Zhang Tianyu , Gao Ruofan , Li Xiliang
Published: March 2019

Limited plant stem elongation is hypothesized to be the primary cause of decreased plant growth in response to long‐term heavy grazing (LHG). However, it remains largely unknown how LHG‐induced changes in stem elongation are mediated by internode traits. Accordingly, we experimentally investigated the effects of LHG (defined as twice the stocking rate recommended by the local government) on plant stem elongation and internode allometry in Leymus chinensis in Xilinhot, Inner Mongolia, China. Plant size and internode traits, including internode length (IL), internode diameter (ID), and internode number (IN), from plant individuals were measured according to their phytomer position from base to apex. The results revealed that IN and their distributions were changed in response to LHG. Although LHG negatively affected IL and ID of each L. chinensis internode from base to apex and eventually stem length, the plasticity index of IL and ID increased initially and then decreased from the lowermost to the uppermost internode in response to LHG. These contrasting responses of internode traits were result of allometry between internode traits determined by both LHG and internode position. Ultimately, IL and IN were identified to be key traits influencing stem length reduction under LHG conditions and explaining 52.51% and 47.49% of variation in stem length, respectively. Overall, our findings suggest that the limitation of L. chinensis stem elongation induced by LHG is mediated by the plasticity and allometry of internode traits. This result emphasizes the sensitivity of individual plants to LHG and is potentially valuable for optimal grassland management.
THE BRIDE BY THE WATER: DUTY, PROCESSION, AND SACRIFICE IN THEODOR FONTANE'S UNWIEDERBRINGLICH
Authors: Sorenson Alexander
Published: March 2019

Scholars of Theodor Fontane's Unwiederbringlich (1891) have long been intrigued by the protagonist's pious wife, Christine Holk, and especially by her suicidal drowning at the end of the story. After all, death by water – a ubiquitous topos of German Realism – at first seems to contradict Christine's inner system of law and its Lutheran precepts of duty. However, the motivic context surrounding the drowning suggests that her death is motivated by precisely this interior domain of ‘Pflicht’. In order to pursue this argument, the present article focuses upon the leitmotif of wedding and funeral processions, and particularly the way in which they become intertwined in Fontane's novel. The juxtaposition of both processional rites is strikingly anticipated by Euripides’ Alcestis, and the article suggests that comparing these two texts allows us to see Christine's suicidal drowning in a new light: not as an act of revenge or despair, but instead as a sacrificial exchange of moral paradigms. By transgressing against an individual system of duty, Christine aims to inculcate a collective model of duty that is rooted in the communal, ceremonial act of memorialisation.
‘IN EINEM UNVERSTANDENEN GESETZ’: THE ROLE OF THE LAW IN INGEBORG BACHMANN'S WRITING
Authors: Gallagher Kaleen
Published: March 2019

This article argues that the law represents a significant and largely overlooked motif in Ingeborg Bachmann's work. It offers an initial overview of the role of the law in the author's writing and identifies two major patterns: in texts like Der gute Gott von Manhattan, ‘Undine geht’, and ‘Ein Schritt nach Gomorrha’, the law functions above all as a metaphor for a repressive social order. Yet others, including ‘Ein Wildermuth’ and the libretti ‘Monolog des Fürsten Myschkin’ and Der Prinz von Homburg, are at least partially about the law as an institution: they examine the nature of legal authority and explore where the limits of legal systems lie – expressing doubt, for example, about the courts’ ability to ever uncover the ‘truth' of a case. Finally, it is argued that in the Todesarten texts we can see a mixture of these two patterns: here, the law is sometimes used as a metaphor for society as a whole, but Bachmann also continues to explore jurisprudential problems such as the question of whether absolute justice can ever be achieved.
Low‐risk non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer: Further prognostic stratification into the “very‐low‐risk” group based on tumor size
Authors: Lee Alvin , Lee Han Jie , Huang Hong Hong , Ho Henry , Chen Kenneth
Published: March 2019

Objective

To validate the significance of the entity of “very‐low‐risk” bladder cancer by analyzing the clinical outcomes of low‐risk bladder cancer when further stratified by tumor size.

Methods

We accessed our prospectively maintained, single‐institution, electronic bladder cancer registry to extract the clinicopathological data of patients who were diagnosed with primary, solitary, Ta, low‐grade tumors that were <3 cm. Patients were divided into two prognostic groups based on tumor size (≤1.0 cm vs >1.0 cm). The survival data of the two groups were compared for recurrence, progression and mortality.

Results

A total of 165 patients were followed up for a median period of 79 months (interquartile range 47–118 months). A total of 45% (75/165) of the study cohort had tumors that were ≤1.0 cm. Recurrences were found in 40% (66/165) of the study cohort. On Kaplan–Meier analysis, patients with tumor size ≤1.0 cm had significantly longer time to recurrence (P < 0.001, log–rank test). Using multivariate Cox modeling, only tumor size >1.0 cm was significantly associated with shorter time to recurrence (HR 2.54, 95% CI 1.35–4.77, P = 0.004). Tumor size was not significantly associated with any differences in time to overall progression, muscle‐invasive progression or overall mortality (P = 0.108, P = 0.362 and P = 0.225, respectively, log–rank test).

Conclusions

Low‐risk bladder cancer can be further stratified based on tumor size. Larger tumors (>1.0 cm) are significantly associated with shorter time to recurrence compared with smaller tumors (≤1.0 cm). However, there were no significant differences in the probability of developing disease progression or overall mortality between larger and smaller tumors.
Latin Americans and Caribbeans in Europe: A Cross‐Country Analysis
Authors: Bayona‐i‐Carrasco Jordi , Avila‐Tàpies Rosalia
Published: March 2019

With the beginning of the 21st century, there has been an acceleration of migratory flows from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to Europe. As a result, and despite the negative impact of the economic crisis, 4.6 million Latin American and Caribbean immigrants reside in Europe, half of them in Spain. This article analyses the recent evolution of these migratory flows, their territorial distribution, and their demographic profiles according to the 2011 European census data disseminated by a new tool —the Census Hub— implemented by the European Statistical System. The analysis shows the existence of a high LAC immigrant concentration in Spain and in certain European cities, a marked young and feminized demographic profile, a great variety of educational levels and a different insertion in each European labour market, although many LAC immigrants work in low‐skill occupations, being overqualified and underemployed in most of the countries.