bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Continuity of care in after‐hours house call medical services: An exploration of follow‐up patterns in an Australian context
Authors: Ifediora Chris O. , Rogers Gary D.
Published: March 2018

Rationale, aims and objectives

This study explores the postconsultation follow‐up behaviours of patients who used the Australian after‐hours house‐call (AHHC) medical services. These behaviours provide insights into the nature of the continuity of care (CoC) in the industry and are a measure quality in AHHC service delivery. Understanding the patterns of these CoCs and their predictors will enable stakeholders in the industry, both locally and globally, plan and implement higher quality services.

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional survey of all 10,838 patients who used AHHC during the last week of January 2016. A validated questionnaire was used, distributed through a mix of online and postal questionnaires.

Results

One thousand two hundred twenty‐eight questionnaires were returned (11.3%). Had the AHHC not been available, 38.6% of respondents would have gone to their own general practitioners (GPs), 40.1% to an emergency department (ED), 15.9% to an office‐based after‐hours service, and 5.5% would have done nothing. After the AHHC visits, however, 47.3% followed up with their GPs, 8.4% went to an ED, 4.2% arranged for a further AHHC visit, while 40.0% required no follow‐up.

Patients who required GP follow‐ups were likely to be dissatisfied with aspects of the AHHC care received, while those with no follow‐ups were generally satisfied. Patients ≥65 years were more likely to require no follow‐ups (P < .001) and, if they did, were unlikely to do so with their GPs (P = .04). Where required, follow‐ups for those aged ≤16 years were likely to result in ED attendances (P = .01), while students generally rely on AHHCs for follow‐ups (P = .03). Compared to females, males were likely to rely on their GPs (P = .01), and less likely to go to an ED (P = .01).

Conclusion

Most patients seen by Australian AHHC services either end up requiring no further follow‐up, or do so with their own GPs, with few relying on further AHHC visits for follow‐up. The real reasons for follow‐up differences observed by age and gender may need to be explored further so as to ensure that the AHHC services are better used.
Morphological Characterizations of Four Species of Parallelostrombidium (Ciliophora, Oligotrichia), with a Note on the Phylogeny of the Genus
Authors: Song Wen , Wang Lun , Li Lifang , Al‐Farraj Saleh A. , Aleidan Abdullah , Smith Susan , Hu Xiaozhong
Published: March 2018

The morphology and phylogeny of four oligotrichid ciliates, Parallelostrombidium paraellipticum sp. n., P. dragescoi sp. n., P. jankowskii (Xu et al. 2009) comb. n., and P. kahli (Xu et al. 2009) comb. n., are described or redescribed based on live observation, protargol stained material, and SSU rRNA gene sequences. The new species P. paraellipticum sp. n. is characterized by its obovoidal cell shape, adoral zone composed of 17–21 collar, 9–11 buccal, and two thigmotactic membranelles, and extrusomes attached in one row along the girdle kinety. The new species P. dragescoi sp. n. is distinguished from its congeners by its obovoidal cell shape and a lack of thigmotactic membranelles. Based on ciliary patterns recognizable in the original slides, Omegastrombidium jankowskii Xu et al. 2009 and O. kahli Xu et al. 2009 should be transferred to the genus Parallelostrombidium Agatha 2004. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rRNA gene sequence data demonstrate that all four new sequences cluster with previously described congeners. The genus Parallelostrombidium is separated into two clusters, suggesting its non‐monophyly and probably corresponding to the two subgenera proposed by Agatha and Strüder‐Kypke (2014), as well as their morphological difference (cell dorsoventrally flattened vs. unflattened).
Tracking Construction Material over Space and Time: Prospective and Geo‐referenced Modeling of Building Stocks and Construction Material Flows
Authors: Heeren Niko , Hellweg Stefanie
Published: March 2018

Construction material plays an increasingly important role in the environmental impacts of buildings. In order to investigate impacts of materials on a building level, we present a bottom‐up building stock model that uses three‐dimensional and geo‐referenced building data to determine volumetric information of material stocks in Swiss residential buildings. We used a probabilistic modeling approach to calculate future material flows for the individual buildings. We investigated six scenarios with different assumptions concerning per‐capita floor area, building stock turnover, and construction material. The Swiss building stock will undergo important structural changes by 2035. While this will lead to a reduced number in new constructions, material flows will increase. Total material inflow decreases by almost half while outflows double. In 2055, the total amount of material in‐ and outflows are almost equal, which represents an important opportunity to close construction material cycles. Total environmental impacts due to production and disposal of construction material remain relatively stable over time. The cumulated impact is slightly reduced for the wood‐based scenario. The scenario with more insulation material leads to slightly higher material‐related emissions. An increase in per‐capita floor area or material turnover will lead to a considerable increase in impacts. The new modeling approach overcomes the limitations of previous bottom‐up building models and allows for investigating building material flows and stocks in space and time. This supports the development of tailored strategies to reduce the material footprint and environmental impacts of buildings and settlements.
Second‐harmonic imaging microscopy for identifying colorectal intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: LI L.H. , JIANG W.Z. , KANG D.Y. , LIU X. , LI H.S. , GUAN G.X. , ZHUO S.M. , CHEN Z.F. , CHEN J.X.
Published: March 2018

In this study, second‐harmonic imaging microscopy was used to monitor precancerous colorectal lesions at different stages. It was found that the morphology of glands and lamina propria in mucosa changes with the progression of colorectal diseases from normal to low‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia to high‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia and this microscopy has the ability of direct visualization of these warning symptoms. Furthermore, two morphologic variables were quantified to determine the changes of glands and collagen in lamina propria during the development of colorectal intraepithelial neoplasia. These results suggest that second‐harmonic imaging microscopy has the potential in label‐freely and effectively distinguishing between normal and precancerous colorectal tissues, and will be helpful for early diagnosis and treatment of colorectal diseases.
A case report of ovotesticular disorder of sex development (OT‐DSD) in a baboon (Papio spp.) and a brief review of the non‐human primate literature
Authors: Perminov Ekaterina , Mangosing Sara , Confer Alexandra , Gonzalez Olga , Crawford Jason R. , Schlabritz‐Loutsevitch Natalia , Kumar Shyamesh , Dick Edward
Published: March 2018

Disorders of sexual development are rare in non‐human primates. We report a case of true hermaphroditism in a 19‐year‐old, nulliparous, female baboon (Papio spp.). At necropsy, the animal was obese with adequate muscle mass and hydration. Reproductive organs appeared normal with the exception of 2 firm nodular structures in the myometrium (1‐1.5 cm diameter) and a thickened, dark endocervical mucosa. Histologically, both gonads were ovotestes and contained discrete areas of ovarian and testicular tissue. There were follicles in various stages of development surrounded by ovarian stroma. Other areas contained hypoplastic seminiferous tubules lined by Sertoli cells, but lacked germ cells and spermatozoa. The uterine lesions were consistent with adenomyosis and cystic endometrial hyperplasia. Cervical lesions were consistent with atypical glandular hyperplasia and squamous metaplasia with dysplasia. We report the first case of ovotesticular disorder of sexual development (OT‐DSD), or true hermaphroditism in a baboon.
Alteration in intrinsic and extrinsic functional connectivity of resting state networks associated with subclinical hypothyroidism
Authors: Kumar M. , Modi S. , Rana P. , Kumar P. , Kanwar R. , Sekhri T. , D'souza M. , Khushu S.
Published: March 2018

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is characterised by a mild elevation of thyroid‐stimulating hormone (range 5‐10 μIU mL‐1) and normal free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine. Cognitive function impairment is well known in thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, although little is known about deficits in brain functions in SCH subjects. Also, whether hormone‐replacement treatment is necessary or not in SCH subjects is still debatable. To obtain an insight into the cognition of SCH subjects, intrinsic and extrinsic functional connectivity (FC) of the resting state networks (RSNs) was investigated. For resting state data analysis, we used an unbiased, data‐driven approach based on independent component analysis and dual‐regression, which can emphasise widespread changes in FC without restricting to a set of predefined seeds. In total, 28 SCH subjects and 28 matched healthy controls (HCs) participated in the study. RSN analysis showed significantly decreased intrinsic FC in somato‐motor network (SMN) and right frontoparietal attention network (RAN) and increased intrinsic FC in default mode network (DMN) in SCH subjects compared to control subjects. The reduced intrinsic FC in the SMN and RAN suggests neurocognitive alterations in SCH subjects in the corresponding functions, as also evident from the deficit in the neuropsychological performance of the SCH subjects on behavioural tests, such as digit span, delayed recall, visual retention, recognition, Bender Gestalt and Mini‐Mental State Examination. We also found a significant reduction in extrinsic network FC between DMN and RAN; SMN and posterior default mode network; and increased extrinsic FC between SMN and anterior default mode network in SCH subjects compared to controls. An altered extrinsic FC in SCH suggests functional reorganisation in response to neurological disruption. The partial correlation analysis between intrinsic and extrinsic RSN FC and neuropsychological performances, as well as clinical indices, provides interesting insights into the brain‐behaviour relationship in SCH subjects.
IL1A (‐889) gene polymorphism is associated with the effect of diet as a risk factor in Acne Vulgaris
Authors: Ibrahim Adel A , Salem Rehab M , El‐Shimi Ola S , Baghdady Shaymaa M A , Hussein Shimaa
Published: March 2018

Background

Despite the several studies suggesting the genetic basis of acne vulgaris, the exact genetic architecture of this very common condition is not yet clear.

Aim of the work

This study aimed to investigate the association between IL‐1A (−889) gene polymorphism and acne vulgaris in a sample of patients.

Subjects and Method

Blood samples from 100 patients with acne vulgaris and 100 healthy age, sex, and BMI matched controls were obtained. DNA samples were isolated from blood cells, and the PCR‐RFLP method was used for genotyping.

Results

The genotype distributions of IL‐1A (−889) polymorphism were as expected under Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium. T allele was predominant in the patients, while C allele predominated in the control subjects (P value < .001). The frequency of TT genotype in patients was significantly higher than in the control subjects (P value < .001). CT genotype was significantly more frequent in the control subjects compared to patients (P value < .001). Among the 47 patients who reported diet as a risk factor for triggering or exacerbating their lesions, 62.5% had TT genotype (P value = .038).

Conclusion

IL‐1A (−889) gene polymorphism has a role in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. We suggest that the triggering or exacerbating effect of diet on acne may be related to IL‐1A (−889) gene polymorphism.
School Connectedness and Chinese Adolescents' Sleep Problems: A Cross‐Lagged Panel Analysis
Authors: Bao Zhenzhou , Chen Chuansheng , Zhang Wei , Jiang Yanping , Zhu Jianjun , Lai Xuefen
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

Although previous research indicates an association between school connectedness and adolescents' sleep quality, its causal direction has not been determined. This study used a 2‐wave cross‐lagged panel analysis to explore the likely causal direction between these 2 constructs.

METHODS

Participants were 888 Chinese adolescents (43.80% boys; Mage = 15.55) who provided self‐report data on school connectedness and sleep quality as well as demographic variables at the beginning and the end of a school year.

RESULTS

After controlling for sex and age, we found that sleep problems at the beginning of the school year were a significant and negative predictor of school connectedness at the end of the school year (b2 = −.26, SE = .13, β2 = −.10, p < .05), but school connectedness at the beginning of the school year did not predict sleep problems at the end of the school year (b1 = .05, SE = .03, β1 = .09, p > .05). Separate analyses by sex showed that the above pattern of results was mainly driven by the boys.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrated that sleep problems could be a risk factor for adolescent boys' school connectedness.
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Characteristics Associated With Violence and Safety in Middle Schools
Authors: Vagi Kevin J. , Stevens Mark R. , Simon Thomas R. , Basile Kathleen C. , Carter Sherry P. , Carter Stanley L.
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

This study used a new Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) assessment tool to test the associations between physical attributes of schools and violence‐related behaviors and perceptions of students.

METHODS

Data were collected from 4717 students from 50 middle schools. Student perceptions of risk and safety, and violence were assessed. Evaluators used the CPTED School Assessment (CSA) to quantify how well the physical elements of each school correspond to ideal CPTED principles. Generalized linear mixed models were used to adjust for school‐ and student‐level characteristics.

RESULTS

Higher CSA scores were generally associated with higher perceptions of safety and lower levels of violence perpetration and perceived risk in unadjusted models. Higher CSA scores were also associated with lower odds of missing school because of safety concerns in most adjusted models, with significant adjusted odds ratios (AORs) ranging from 0.32 to 0.63. CSA scores for parking and bus loading areas also remained associated with higher perceived safety (AORs = 1.28 and 1.32, respectively) and lower perceived risk (AORs = 0.73 and 0.66, respectively) in adjusted models.

CONCLUSIONS

The CSA is useful for assessing school environments that are associated with violence‐related behaviors and perceptions. The CSA might help guide school environmental modifications to reduce violence.
The Impact of State Legislation and Model Policies on Bullying in Schools
Authors: Terry Amanda
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the coverage of state legislation and the expansiveness ratings of state model policies on the state‐level prevalence of bullying in schools.

METHODS

The state‐level prevalence of bullying in schools was based on cross‐sectional data from the 2013 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Multiple regression was conducted to determine whether the coverage of state legislation and the expansiveness rating of a state model policy affected the state‐level prevalence of bullying in schools.

RESULTS

The purpose and definition category of components in state legislation and the expansiveness rating of a state model policy were statistically significant predictors of the state‐level prevalence of bullying in schools. The other 3 categories of components in state legislation—District Policy Development and Review, District Policy Components, and Additional Components—were not statistically significant predictors in the model.

CONCLUSIONS

Extensive coverage in the purpose and definition category of components in state legislation and a high expansiveness rating of a state model policy may be important in efforts to reduce bullying in schools. Improving these areas may reduce the state‐level prevalence of bullying in schools.
Consensus guidelines on the use of bisphosphonate therapy in children and adolescents
Authors: Simm Peter J , Biggin Andrew , Zacharin Margaret R , Rodda Christine P , Tham Elaine , Siafarikas Aris , Jefferies Craig , Hofman Paul L , Jensen Diane E , Woodhead Helen , Brown Justin , Wheeler Benjamin J , Brookes Denise , Lafferty Antony , Munns Craig F ,   on behalf of the APEG Bone Mineral Working Group
Published: March 2018

Bisphosphonate therapy is the mainstay of pharmacological intervention in young people with skeletal fragility. The evidence of its use in a variety of conditions remains limited despite over three decades of clinical experience. On behalf of the Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Group, this evidence‐based consensus guideline presents recommendations and discusses the graded evidence (using the GRADE system) for these recommendations. Primary bone fragility disorders such as osteogenesis imperfecta are considered separately from osteoporosis secondary to other clinical conditions (such as cerebral palsy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy). The use of bisphosphonates in non‐fragility conditions, such as fibrous dysplasia, avascular necrosis, bone cysts and hypercalcaemia, is also discussed. While these guidelines provide an evidence‐based approach where possible, further research is required in all clinical applications in order to strengthen the recommendations made.
Melatonin‐mediated miR‐526b‐3p and miR‐590‐5p upregulation promotes chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Wu Zizhao , Qiu Xianjian , Gao Bo , Lian Chengjie , Peng Yan , Liang Anjing , Xu Caixia , Gao Wenjie , Zhang Liangming , Su Peiqiang , Rong Limin , Huang Dongsheng
Published: March 2018

Bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), with inherent chondrogenic differentiation potential appear to be ideally suited for therapeutic use in cartilage regeneration. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that melatonin can promote chondrogenic differentiation in human BMSCs. However, little is known about the mechanism. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to regulate the differentiation of BMSCs, but their roles in melatonin‐promoted chondrogenic differentiation have not been characterized. Here, we demonstrate that melatonin promoted chondrogenic differentiation of human BMSCs via upregulation of miR‐526b‐3p and miR‐590‐5p. Mechanistically, the elevated miR‐526b‐3p and miR‐590‐5p enhanced SMAD1 phosphorylation by targeting SMAD7. Additionally, administration of miR‐526b‐3p mimics or miR‐590‐5p mimics successfully promoted the chondrogenic differentiation of human BMSCs. Collectively, our study suggests that modification of BMSCs using melatonin or miRNA transduction could be an effective therapy for cartilage damage and degeneration.
Diurnal fluctuations in chloroplast GSH redox state regulate susceptibility to oxidative stress and cell fate in a bloom‐forming diatom
Authors: Volpert Adi , Graff van Creveld Shiri , Rosenwasser Shilo , Vardi Assaf
Published: March 2018

Diatoms are one of the key phytoplankton groups in the ocean, forming vast oceanic blooms and playing a significant part in global primary production. To shed light on the role of redox metabolism in diatom's acclimation to light–dark transition and its interplay with cell fate regulation, we generated transgenic lines of the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana that express the redox‐sensitive green fluorescent protein targeted to various subcellular organelles. We detected organelle‐specific redox patterns in response to oxidative stress, indicating compartmentalized antioxidant capacities. Monitoring the GSH redox potential (EGSH) in the chloroplast over diurnal cycles revealed distinct rhythmic patterns. Intriguingly, in the dark, cells exhibited reduced basal chloroplast EGSH but higher sensitivity to oxidative stress than cells in the light. This dark‐dependent sensitivity to oxidative stress was a result of a depleted pool of reduced glutathione which accumulated during the light period. Interestingly, reduction in the chloroplast EGSH was observed in the light phase prior to the transition to darkness, suggesting an anticipatory phase. Rapid chloroplast EGSH re‐oxidation was observed upon re‐illumination, signifying an induction of an oxidative signaling during transition to light that may regulate downstream metabolic processes. Since light–dark transitions can dictate metabolic capabilities and susceptibility to a range of environmental stress conditions, deepening our understanding of the molecular components mediating the light‐dependent redox signals may provide novel insights into cell fate regulation and its impact on oceanic bloom successions.
Seasonal changes in social networks of giraffes
Authors: Wolf T. E. , Ngonga Ngomo A.‐C. , Bennett N. C. , Burroughs R. , Ganswindt A.
Published: March 2018

Fission‐fusion social societies allow animals to respond in a flexible manner to environmental changes by adapting the size and composition of a group. Although group members change frequently in these systems, associations with preferred partners may be found. In this study, we examined the grouping patterns of a population of 80 individual giraffes in a fenced South African game reserve over a 12‐month period. Using social network analyses as a tool to evaluate observed associations, we subsequently analysed both sex‐ and season‐related grouping patterns within the study population. Mixed sex groups represented 49% of all groups observed, and although overall group composition distribution did not differ significantly between seasons, the number of encountered single females decreased by 50%, whereas the number of multi‐male groups increased by over 50% in winter. Overall average group size did not differ significantly between seasons, but significantly larger multi‐female and multi‐male groups were seen in winter. Within the social network, two distinct clusters were found in summer, with the population more divided in winter, with five distinct clusters emerging. The strongest ties (highest HWIGs) were found between adult females. Our study revealed that giraffes not only live in a highly flexible social fission‐fusion system, but also show seasonal patterns of grouping.
An updated global data set for diet preferences in terrestrial mammals: testing the validity of extrapolation
Authors: Gainsbury Alison M. , Tallowin Oliver J. S. , Meiri Shai
Published: March 2018

Diet is a key trait of an organism's life history that influences a broad spectrum of ecological and evolutionary processes. Kissling et al. (2014; Ecology and Evolution 4: 2913–2930) compiled a species‐specific data set of diet preferences of mammals for 38% of a total of 5364 terrestrial mammalian species assessed for the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, to facilitate future studies. The authors imputed dietary data for the remaining 62% by using extrapolation from phylogenetic relatives.

We collected dietary information for 1261 mammalian species for which data were extrapolated by Kissling et al. (2014), in order to evaluate the success with which such extrapolation can predict true diets.

The extrapolation method devised by Kissling et al. (2014) performed well for broad dietary categories (consumers of plants and animals). However, the method performed inconsistently, and sometimes poorly, for finer dietary categories, varying in accuracy in both dietary categories and mammalian orders.

The results of the extrapolation performance serve as a cautionary tale. Given the large variation in extrapolation performance, we recommend a more conservative approach for inferring mammalian diets, whereby dietary extrapolation is implemented only when there is a high degree of phylogenetic conservatism for dietary traits. Phylogenetic comparative methods can be used to detect and measure phylogenetic signal in diet. If data for species are needed, then only the broadest feeding categories should be used. This would ensure a greater level of accuracy and provide a more robust data set for further ecological and evolutionary analysis.
Differential roles of glucosinolates and camalexin at different stages ofAgrobacterium‐mediated transformation
Authors: Shih Po‐Yuan , Chou Shu‐Jen , Müller Caroline , Halkier Barbara Ann , Deeken Rosalia , Lai Erh‐Min
Published: March 2018

Agrobacterium tumefaciensis the causal agent of crown gall disease in a wide range of plants via a unique interkingdom DNA transfer from bacterial cells into the plant genome.Agrobacterium tumefaciensis capable of transferring its T‐DNA into different plant parts at different developmental stages for transient and stable transformation. However, the plant genes and mechanisms involved in these transformation processes are not well understood. We usedArabidopsis thalianaCol‐0 seedlings to reveal the gene expression profiles at early time points duringAgrobacteriuminfection. Common and differentially expressed genes were found in shoots and roots. A gene ontology analysis showed that the glucosinolate (GS) biosynthesis pathway was an enriched common response. Strikingly, several genes involved in indole glucosinolate (iGS) modification and the camalexin biosynthesis pathway were up‐regulated, whereas genes in aliphatic glucosinolate (aGS) biosynthesis were generally down‐regulated, onAgrobacteriuminfection. Thus, we evaluated the impacts of GSs and camalexin during different stages ofAgrobacterium‐mediated transformation combiningArabidopsismutant studies, metabolite profiling and exogenous applications of various GS hydrolysis products or camalexin. The results suggest that the iGS hydrolysis pathway plays an inhibitory role on transformation efficiency inArabidopsisseedlings at the early infection stage. Later in theAgrobacteriuminfection process, the accumulation of camalexin is a key factor inhibiting tumour development onArabidopsisinflorescence stalks. In conclusion, this study reveals the differential roles of GSs and camalexin at different stages ofAgrobacterium‐mediated transformation and provides new insights into crown gall disease control and improvement of plant transformation.
Radical Pluralism
Authors: Segal Aaron
Published: March 2018

Humean Supervenience is the view that (a) there are a plurality of fundamental beings, (b) there are no inexplicable constraints on modal space, and hence the fundamental nature of each such being is independent of those of all the rest and of the fundamental relations in which it stands to the rest, (c) the fundamental beings stand in no fundamental causal or nomic relations, and hence (d) the distribution of any causal or nomic relations in which they do stand globally supervenes on their fundamental natures and the non‐nomic, non‐causal fundamental relations in which they stand. If Humean Supervenience is true, then as A.J. Ayer put it, it's just one damn thing after another. Radical Pluralism is the view that Humean Supervenience is true, and, moreover, that none of the fundamental beings stands in any fundamental relations at all. If Radical Pluralism is true, then, as William James puts it, the world's pieces are held together by nothing more than conjunction: it's just one damn thing and another. I argue that Radical Pluralism is very likely true, conditional upon Humean Supervenience. Any philosopher pluralist enough to be Humean ought to be radically pluralistic.
Partial correlation analysis of transcriptomes helps detangle the growth and defense network in spruce
Authors: Porth Ilga , White Richard , Jaquish Barry , Ritland Kermit
Published: March 2018

In plants, there can be a trade‐off between resource allocations to growth vs defense. Here, we use partial correlation analysis of gene expression to make inferences about the nature of this interaction.

We studied segregating progenies of Interior spruce subject to weevil attack. In a controlled experiment, we measured pre‐attack plant growth and post‐attack damage with several morphological measures, and profiled transcriptomes of 188 progeny. We used partial correlations of individual transcripts (expressed sequence tags, ESTs) with pairs of growth/defense traits to identify important nodes and edges in the inferred underlying gene network, for example, those pairs of growth/defense traits with high mutual correlation with a single EST transcript. We give a method to identify such ESTs.

A terpenoid ABC transporter gene showed strongest correlations (P = 0.019); its transcript represented a hub within the compact 166‐member gene–gene interaction network (P = 0.004) of the negative genetic correlations between growth and subsequent pest attack. A small 21‐member interaction network (P = 0.004) represented the uncovered positive correlations.

Our study demonstrates partial correlation analysis identifies important gene networks underlying growth and susceptibility to the weevil in spruce. In particular, we found transcripts that strongly modify the trade‐off between growth and defense, and allow identification of networks more central to the trade‐off.
What does the minister do? On the working conditions of political leaders
Authors: Pedersen Lene Holm , Hjelmar Ulf , Bhatti Yosef
Published: March 2018

This article contributes insight into the working conditions of political leaders based on rarely accessible high‐quality data that include unique surveys of Danish ministers, mayors, and permanent secretaries supplemented by in‐depth interviews. The results show that the classical metaphor of the leader as a puppet master being pulled by an endless number of strings also fits the ministers. Their work life is fragmented in time and space, and their time is in great demand when compared to mayors and permanent secretaries. They experience high work pressure, which comes at a cost to their personal lives. They are exposed in public life and harassed, especially on social media. The implications for the balance between the minister and permanent bureaucracy, descriptive representation as well as policy innovation and quality of decision‐making are discussed. It is concluded that stressful working conditions are likely to affect the way our democracies work.
Ethylene mediates dichromate‐induced inhibition of primary root growth by altering AUX1 expression and auxin accumulation in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Wakeel Abdul , Ali Imran , Upreti Sakila , Azizullah Azizullah , Liu Bohan , Khan Ali Raza , Huang Linli , Wu Minjie , Gan Yinbo
Published: March 2018

The hexavalent form of chromium [Cr(VI)] causes a major reduction in yield and quality of crops worldwide. The root is the first plant organ that interacts with Cr(VI) toxicity, which inhibits primary root elongation, but the underlying mechanisms of this inhibition remain elusive. In this study, we investigate the possibility that Cr(VI) reduces primary root growth of Arabidopsis by modulating the cell cycle‐related genes and that ethylene signalling contributes to this process. We show that Cr(VI)‐mediated inhibition of primary root elongation was alleviated by the ethylene perception and biosynthesis antagonists silver and cobalt, respectively. Furthermore, the ethylene signalling defective mutants (ein2‐1 and etr1‐3) were insensitive, whereas the overproducer mutant (eto1‐1) was hypersensitive to Cr(VI). We also report that high levels of Cr(VI) significantly induce the distribution and accumulation of auxin in the primary root tips, but this increase was significantly suppressed in seedlings exposed to silver or cobalt. In addition, genetic and physiological investigations show that AUXIN‐RESISTANT1 (AUX1) participates in Cr(VI)‐induced inhibition of primary root growth. Taken together, our results indicate that ethylene mediates Cr(VI)‐induced inhibition of primary root elongation by increasing auxin accumulation and polar transport by stimulating the expression of AUX1.
Phosphorus acquisition by citrate‐ and phytase‐exuding Nicotiana tabacum plant mixtures depends on soil phosphorus availability and root intermingling
Authors: Giles Courtney D. , Richardson Alan E. , Cade‐Menun Barbara J. , Mezeli Malika M. , Brown Lawrie K. , Menezes‐Blackburn Daniel , Darch Tegan , Blackwell Martin S.A. , Shand Charles A. , Stutter Marc I. , Wendler Renate , Cooper Patricia , Lumsdon David G. , Wearing Catherine , Zhang Hao , Haygarth Philip M. , George Timothy S.
Published: March 2018

Citrate and phytase root exudates contribute to improved phosphorus (P) acquisition efficiency in Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) when both exudates are produced in a P‐deficient soil. To test the importance of root intermingling in the interaction of citrate and phytase exudates, Nicotiana tabacum plant‐lines with constitutive expression of heterologous citrate (Cit) or fungal phytase (Phy) exudation traits were grown under two root treatments (roots separated or intermingled) and in two soils with contrasting soil P availability. Complementarity of plant mixtures varying in citrate efflux rate and mobility of the expressed phytase in soil was determined based on plant biomass and P accumulation. Soil P composition was evaluated using solution 31P NMR spectroscopy. In the soil with limited available P, positive complementarity occurred in Cit + Phy mixtures with roots intermingled. Root separation eliminated positive interactions in mixtures expressing the less mobile phytase (Aspergillus niger PhyA) whereas positive complementarity persisted in mixtures that expressed the more mobile phytase (Peniophora lycii PhyA). Soils from Cit + Phy mixtures contained less inorganic P and more organic P compared to monocultures. Exudate‐specific strategies for the acquisition of soil P were most effective in P‐limited soil and depended on citrate efflux rate and the relative mobility of the expressed phytase in soil. Plant growth and soil P utilization in plant systems with complementary exudation strategies are expected to be greatest where exudates persist in soil and are expressed synchronously in space and time.
Immunolocalization of angiogenic growth factors in the ovine uterus during the oestrus cycle and in response to Steroids
Authors: Tremaine TD , Fouladi‐Nashta AA
Published: March 2018

Contents

The vascular changes associated with endometrial maturation in preparation for embryo implantation depend on numerous growth factors, known to regulate key angiogenic events. Primarily, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family promotes vascular growth, whilst the angiopoietins maintain blood vessel integrity. The aim was to analyse protein levels of VEGFA ligand and receptors, Angiopoietin‐1 and 2 (ANG1/2) and endothelial cell receptor tyrosine kinase (TIE‐2) in the ovine endometrium in the follicular and luteal phases of the oestrus cycle and in response to ovarian steroids. VEGFA and its receptors were localized in both vascular cells and non‐vascular epithelium (glandular and luminal epithelium) and stroma cells. VEGFA and VEGFR2 proteins were elevated in vascular cells in follicular phase endometrium, compared to luteal phase, most significantly in response to oestradiol. VEGFR1 was expressed by epithelial cells and endothelial cells and was stimulated in response to oestradiol. In contrast, Ang‐1 and Ang‐2 proteins were elevated in luteal phase endometrium compared to follicular phase, and in response to progesterone, evident in vascular smooth muscle cells and glands which surround TIE‐2‐expressing blood vessels. Our findings indicate that VEGFA is stimulated by oestradiol, most predominantly in follicular phase endometrium, and Ang‐1 and 2 are stimulated by progesterone and were increased during the luteal phase of the oestrus cycle, during the time of vascular maturation.
Oral myiasis in older adult with severe Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Filho Almir Oliva , Dias Danielle , Miranda Águida , Hebling Eduardo
Published: March 2018

Aims

Myiasis is a disease caused by the invasion of tissues by larvae of flies. The aim of this study was to carry out a review of reported cases of oral and maxillofacial myiasis in older adults and to show a case report of oral myiasis in a 95‐year‐old frail man with severe Alzheimer’s disease from Brazil.

Methods and Results

Between 1988 and 2017, 35 oral and maxillofacial myiasis cases were reported in older adults in English‐language studies from PubMed and Lilacs databases.

Conclusions

Oral and maxillofacial myiasis in older adults showed low incidence and good prognosis of cure, when there were no systemic complications. Weakness, frailty, dementia, oral lesions, labial incompetence, poor oral hygiene, and bad breath were associated with this disease in reported cases. Preferential therapy choices were debridement alone or combined with Ivermectin. In this case report, debridement and Ivermectin prescription was an effective therapy for an older adult with severe Alzheimer’s disease.
Reconstituting Male Identities through Joint Farming Ventures in Ireland
Authors: Cush Peter , Macken‐Walsh Áine
Published: March 2018

The analysis of this article is located in the theoretical interplay between the concepts of identity and masculinity, contributing to the ongoing debate on gendered identities and masculinities in family farming. Our focus in this article is specifically on men who established formal collaborative arrangements (Joint Farming Ventures, JFVs) with fellow farmers, including family members. We present an empirical analysis of primary qualitative data, using the Biographic Narrative Interpretive Method (BNIM), which has particular analytical purchase in the study of identity. Our analysis finds that formal collaborative arrangements in the form of JFVs are employed as resilience strategies by male farmers. The strategies strive to continue the performance of some traditional masculinity traits but markedly involve the renegotiation of hegemonic masculine identity forms, resonant with debates elsewhere on reconstituting gender norms in family farming. Our narrative analysis finds that men's entry to and operation of JFVs entail a conscious and active relinquishing of dominant decision‐making power on their farms, an openness to the views and opinions of others, and a greater willingness to help‐seek and express emotions.
Diversification patterns of the grasshopper genus Zoniopoda Stål (Romaleidae, Acridoidea, Orthoptera) in open vegetation biomes of South America
Authors: POCCO MARTINA E. , GUZMÁN NOELIA , PLISCHUK SANTIAGO , CONFALONIERI VIVIANA , LANGE CARLOS E. , CIGLIANO MARÍA MARTA
Published: March 2018

The open vegetation biomes, within the limits of the Chacoan subregion, occur along a diagonal in eastern South America covering a large range of environmental conditions. In order to contribute to the knowledge on the biodiversity of these open biomes, we analysed the phylogenetic relationships of the grasshopper genus Zoniopoda to the remaining South American Romaleinae, and examined the biogeographical patterns of diversification of the genus. The study is based on morphological and molecular (COI and H3) evidence, including 12 species of Zoniopoda and 17 species of four tribes of South American Romaleinae. We describe a new species of Zoniopoda, and test its taxonomic placement within the group. Results of our phylogenetic analyses recovered Zoniopoda as a monophyletic group with high support values. According to the dispersion–vicariance analysis, the ancestor of Zoniopoda may have been distributed in an area corresponding to the Chacoan and Cerrado provinces. A vicariant event, that could be explained by the uplift of the Brazilian Plateau and the subsidence of the Chaco, is hypothesized to have occurred splitting the ancestral distribution of Zoniopoda, resulting in the independent evolution of the Tarsata group within the Cerrado and the Iheringi group in the Chacoan subregion.

This published work has been registered in ZooBank,
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:FCFB4C5D-1741-46F1-8E25-B37ED2B9D872.
Accuracy of syndromic management in targeting vaginal and cervical infections among symptomatic women of reproductive age attending primary care clinics in Dakar, Senegal
Authors: Barry Mamadou Saidou , Ba Diallo Awa , Diadhiou Mohamed , Mall Ibrahima , Gassama Omar , Ndiaye Guèye Mame Diarra , Covi‐Alavo Serge , Gawa Epainete , Ndao Fall Amy , Gaye Diallo Aissatou , Moreau Jean Charles
Published: March 2018

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of the WHO syndromic algorithm in the management of vaginal discharge among women of reproductive age in Dakar.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study of consecutive female patients (aged 18–49 years) presenting with vaginal symptoms at six selected study sites in Dakar; of these, 276 patients were included in the analysis. Vaginal and cervical swab samples were collected and analysed to establish an aetiological diagnosis of any infection. Syndrome‐based diagnosis was compared with the laboratory results to evaluate its accuracy based on sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values. The degree of agreement between the two approaches was assessed using the Cohen's kappa concordance analysis.

Results

Overall prevalence of vaginal infections was 56.9% (157/276); 5.4% (15/276) of the patients had cervical infection. Using the syndromic approach, 51% of patients were correctly managed for Trichomonas vaginalis (TV)/Gardnerella vaginalis (GV); 61% for Candida albicans (CA) and 54% for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT)/Neisseria gonorrhoea (NG) infections. Consequently, 31% of patients with TV/GV, 51% with CA and 53% with CT/NG infections would have missed treatment. Further, the kappa value was <0.20, indicating that there was no agreement or only slight agreement between the syndromic approach and laboratory‐based diagnosis.

Conclusion

This study highlights the limitations of the applicability of the WHO syndromic approach in settings with low prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and calls for affordable and accurate rapid tests for STIs.
Sound scattering and transmission through a circular cylindrical aperture revisited using the radial polynomials
Authors: Rdzanek Wojciech P.
Published: March 2018

The problem of sound scattering and transmission through a circular cylindrical aperture in a flat thick rigid wall has been revisited rigorously using the radial polynomials. The acoustic power transmission and back scattering coefficients have been presented in the form of highly convergent hypergeometric series described earlier in the literature for vibrating circular pistons and plates based on the crucial property of the polynomials in terms of the Hankel transform. The problem is solved by using the continuity conditions at both aperture outlets. The complex integrals necessary to satisfy the continuity conditions are expressed as the exact formulas, which makes the final results for the acoustic power coefficients much more accurate than in the case of numerical integration. A significant improvement has also been reached in numerical efficiency. On average, the calculations are 500 times more efficient compared to numerical integration with no accuracy loss. Additionally, the acoustic pressure on the aperture outlets has been presented exactly in the form of a highly convergent hypergeometric series as well as using the modal impedance coefficients.
Long-range reverberation in an Arctic environment: Effects of ice thickness and elasticity
Authors: Frank Scott D. , Ivakin Anatoliy N.
Published: March 2018

A full-field perturbation approach is modified for an ice-covered ocean and applied to estimating narrowband long-range reverberation caused by roughness of the ice-water interface. First-order approximation of the approach is used which requires the roughness amplitudes be small compared to the acoustic wavelength. To obtain the zeroth-order Green's function and transmission loss field used in the reverberation model, elastic parabolic equation solutions are generated in range-independent environments. Ice is represented by an isospeed layer on top of a linear transition layer. Effects of ice properties are discussed and demonstrated by comparing reverberation calculated for different ice layer thicknesses and wave speeds for typical ice values.
Effects of age on sensitivity to interaural time differences in envelope and fine structure, individually and in combination
Authors: Moore Brian C. J. , Heinz Michael G. , Braida Louis D. , Léger Agnès C.
Published: March 2018

Sensitivity to interaural time differences (ITDs) in envelope and temporal fine structure (TFS) of amplitude-modulated (AM) tones was assessed for young and older subjects, all with clinically normal hearing at the carrier frequencies of 250 and 500 Hz. Some subjects had hearing loss at higher frequencies. In experiment 1, thresholds for detecting changes in ITD were measured when the ITD was present in the TFS alone (ITDTFS), the envelope alone (ITDENV), or both (ITDTFS/ENV). Thresholds tended to be higher for the older than for the young subjects. ITDENV thresholds were much higher than ITDTFS thresholds, while ITDTFS/ENV thresholds were similar to ITDTFS thresholds. ITDTFS thresholds were lower than ITD thresholds obtained with an unmodulated pure tone, indicating that uninformative AM can improve ITDTFS discrimination. In experiment 2, equally detectable values of ITDTFS and ITDENV were combined so as to give consistent or inconsistent lateralization. There were large individual differences, but several subjects gave scores that were much higher than would be expected from the optimal combination of independent sources of information, even for the inconsistent condition. It is suggested that ITDTFS and ITDENV cues are processed partly independently, but that both cues influence lateralization judgments, even when one cue is uninformative.
Native Human Monoclonal Antibodies with Potent Cross-Lineage Neutralization of Influenza B Viruses
Authors: Vigil Adam , Estélles Angeles , Kauvar Lawrence M. , Johnson Scott K. , Tripp Ralph A. , Wittekind Michael
Published: March 2018

Although antibodies that effectively neutralize a broad set of influenza viruses exist in the human antibody repertoire, they are rare. We used a single-cell screening technology to identify rare monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that recognized a broad set of influenza B viruses (IBV). The screen yielded 23 MAbs with diverse germ line origins that recognized hemagglutinins (HAs) derived from influenza strains of both the Yamagata and Victoria lineages of IBV. Of the 23 MAbs, 3 exhibited low expression in a transient-transfection system, 4 were neutralizers that bound to the HA head region, 11 were stalk-binding nonneutralizers, and 5 were stalk-binding neutralizers, with 4 of these 5 having unique antibody sequences. Of these four unique stalk-binding neutralizing MAbs, all were broadly reactive and neutralizing against a panel of multiple strains spanning both IBV lineages as well as highly effective in treating lethal IBV infections in mice at both 24 and 72 h postinfection. The MAbs in this group were thermostable and bound different epitopes in the highly conserved HA stalk region. These characteristics suggest that these MAbs are suitable for consideration as candidates for clinical studies to address their effectiveness in the treatment of IBV-infected patients.