bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mosquito-larvicidal binary toxin receptor protein (Cqm1): crystallization and X-ray crystallographic analysis
Authors: Sharma Mahima , Lakshmi Ashwitha , Gupta Gagan D. , Kumar Vinay
Published: September 2018

Cqm1 from Culex quinquefasciatus has been identified as the receptor for Lysinibacillus sphaericus binary toxin (BinAB). It is an amylomaltase that is presented on the epithelial membrane in the larval midgut through a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol anchor. The active core of this protein (residues 23–560) was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified and successfully crystallized by the sitting-drop vapor-diffusion method using D-arabinose and CaCl2 as additives, as identified using high-throughput differential scanning fluorimetry analysis. X-ray diffraction data were collected to a resolution of 2.8 Å using a laboratory X-ray source. The crystals had the symmetry of space group P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 191.3, b = 205.3, c = 59.0 Å and with four monomers in the asymmetric unit. Structure refinement is in progress. This is the first structure report for a binary toxin receptor and for a member of the GH13_17 subfamily in the CAZy database.
Innovation in urban real estate: the role of sustainability
Authors: Kauko Tom
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The sustainability agenda has already become widely recognised in real estate analysis. However, two challenges are to overcome before sustainability issues are brought fully into the professional and academic mainstream: first, the provision of sustainability enhancing qualities; and second, to overcome deep-rooted scepticism towards the higher cost element of such qualities (i.e. creating economies of scale). Another potentially related issue is that the notion of innovation is gaining popularity in this field. Innovation-driven change is cyclical and unpredictable, which in turn calls for an explicit evolutionary and complexity perspective. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Critical literature review. The author’s own experience as participant of the discussions and debates is also used.

Findings

The conclusions suggest that, in line with evolutionary and complexity principles, innovations exist and emerge within the real estate industry itself, and in fields related to it – and this includes various aspects of promoting sustainability thinking.

Research limitations/implications

This contribution uses valuation automata as an example of this argumentation.

Practical implications

The concept of complexity refers to emerging qualities found in the evolution of the development of an industry; the practical implication of complexity concerns the capability of managers to react competently in unfamiliar circumstances.

Social implications

Thus, innovation in real estate is both economic and socio-cultural.

Originality/value

No similar (i.e. theoretically informed) papers on innovation or sustainability in real estate analysis have been written to the best of the author’s knowledge.
Inbreeding diminishes herbivore‐induced metabolic responses in native and invasive plant populations
Authors: Schrieber Karin , Schweiger Rabea , Kröner Lutz , Müller Caroline
Published: September 2018

Inbreeding and herbivory can interactively reduce the performance of flowering plants. Here, we investigated whether the magnitude of plant inbreeding depression increases under herbivory as a result of diminished leaf metabolic responses to herbivory in inbreds, which entails increased herbivore growth and feeding damage. We additionally explored whether genetic differentiation among native and invasive plant populations impacts the magnitude and direction of these inbreeding × herbivory interactions.

Inbred and outbred plants from eight European (native) and eight North American (invasive) populations of Silene latifolia were exposed to two consecutive control or herbivory treatments (infestation with larvae of Mamestra brassicae). After the first treatment, leaf metabolic responses to herbivory were assessed with untargeted metabolic fingerprinting using UHPLC‐ESI+‐QTOF‐MS/MS. After the second herbivory treatment, herbivore growth and plant feeding damage were assessed. Moreover, plant performance traits were recorded 4 weeks after the second herbivory treatment.

Metabolic fingerprinting revealed that changes in the pool sizes of various metabolic features in response to herbivory were less intense in inbred than outbred plants from native and invasive populations. While herbivore growth and feeding damage were largely unaffected by plant breeding status in invasive populations, herbivores consumed more biomass from, but showed reduced growth on, inbred than outbred native plants. The magnitude of inbreeding depression in plant performance traits was not affected by herbivory.

Synthesis. Our findings suggest that inbreeding compromises herbivory‐induced metabolic defences in S. latifolia, and simultaneously reduces the nutritional quality of plants. The magnitude and direction of these inbreeding effects were shaped by genetic differentiation among native and invasive plants. These range‐specific responses provide novel insights into the role of inbreeding x herbivory interactions in invasion success.
Reliance on Medicare Providers by Veterans after Becoming Age‐Eligible for Medicare is Associated with the Use of More Outpatient Services
Authors: Hebert Paul L. , Batten Adam S. , Gunnink Eric , Reddy Ashok , Wong Edwin S. , Fihn Stephan D. , Liu Chuan‐Fen
Published: September 2018

Objective

To estimate the effect of Medicare use on the receipt of outpatient services from 2001 through 2015 for a cohort of Veterans Administration (VA) users who became age‐eligible for Medicare in 1998–2000.

Data Sources/Study Setting

VA administrative data linked with Medicare claims for veterans who participated in the 1999 Large Health Survey of Enrolled Veterans.

Study Design

We coded each veteran as VA‐reliant or Medicare‐reliant based on the number of visits in each system and compared the health and social risk factors between VA‐reliant and Medicare‐reliant veterans. We used bivariate probit and instrumental variables models to estimate the association between a veteran's reliance on Medicare and the receipt of outpatient procedures in Medicare and the VA.

Principal Findings

Veterans who chose to rely on the VA (n = 4,317) had substantially worse social and health risk factors than Medicare‐reliant veterans (n = 2,567). Medicare reliance was associated with greater use of outpatient services for 24 of the 28 types of services considered. Instrumental variable estimates found significant effects of Medicare reliance on receipt of advanced imaging and cardiovascular testing.

Conclusions

Expanded access to fee‐for‐service care in the community may be expensive, while the VA will likely continue to care for the most vulnerable veterans.
Diapause affects cuticular hydrocarbon composition and mating behavior of both sexes in Drosophila montana
Authors: Ala‐Honkola Outi , Kauranen Hannele , Tyukmaeva Venera , Boetzl Fabian A. , Hoikkala Anneli , Schmitt Thomas
Published: September 2018

Environmental cues, mainly photoperiod and temperature, are known to control female adult reproductive diapause in several insect species. Diapause enhances female survival during adverse conditions and postpones progeny production to the favorable season. Male diapause (a reversible inability to inseminate receptive females) has been studied much less than female diapause. However, if the males maximized their chances to fertilize females while minimizing their energy expenditure, they would be expected to be in diapause at the same time as females. We investigated Drosophila montana male mating behavior under short‐day conditions that induce diapause in females and found the males to be reproductively inactive. We also found that males reared under long‐day conditions (reproducing individuals) court reproducing postdiapause females, but not diapausing ones. The diapausing flies of both sexes had more long‐chain and less short‐chain hydrocarbons on their cuticle than the reproducing ones, which presumably increase their survival under stressful conditions, but at the same time decrease their attractiveness. Our study shows that the mating behavior of females and males is well coordinated during and after overwintering and it also gives support to the dual role of insect cuticular hydrocarbons in adaptation and mate choice.
Deep inspiration breath hold in breast cancer: Development and analysis of a patient experience questionnaire
Authors: Beaton Nakia‐Rae , Watson Sharon , Browne Patricia , Sharma Harish , Mai Gang Tao , Harvey Jennifer , Bernard Anne , Brown Elizabeth , Hargrave Catriona , Lehman Margot
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Evidence that Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) can reduce cardiac dose during left‐sided breast radiation therapy (RT) has led to widespread uptake of this technology. There is a paucity of published information documenting the impact of this technique on the patient's treatment experience. The aim of this study was to develop a tool to assess the patient's experience with the introduction of DIBH using the Elekta® Active Breathing Coordinator (ABC) in a single institution.

Methods

A patient experience questionnaire was developed and was completed at three different stages of the patient's treatment; at planning, during the second week of treatment (day 6–10) and during the final week of treatment.

Results

Questionnaire data were collected from 30 patients, who underwent DIBH breast treatment during the period March 2016 to May 2017. Patients were very happy with their use of the ABC equipment and most felt they were well supported and informed during their treatment. Levels of general fatigue and personal anxiety were identified to significantly increase from planning to the conclusion of treatment (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001 respectively).

Conclusions

This study produced a useful tool to measure patient experience during DIBH treatment. It demonstrated that the use of the technique was acceptable to patients and did not increase their distress. It provided a compelling case for the provision of tailored, well‐communicated information, consistent routine and emotional support for patients throughout their entire treatment. The tool could be employed to assess the patient experience as new technologies are introduced into RT.
Second‐degree interatrial block: Brief review and concept
Authors: Bayés de Luna Antonio , Baranchuk Adrián , Niño Pulido César , Martínez‐Sellés Manuel , Bayés‐Genís Antonio , Elosua Roberto , Elizari Marcelo V.
Published: September 2018

The advanced interatrial block (A‐IAB) (P ≥ 120 ms plus ± pattern in II, III and aVF) corresponds at atrial level, to right or left advanced bundle branch block at ventricular level, and it is well known that these patterns may be seen transiently in relation to taquicardia or bradycardia (tachycardia or bradycardia dependent right or left bundle branch block). We present for the first time, the same phenomenon at atrial level. In one case, the A‐IAB appears in relation to tachycardization and in the other disappears during a pause induced by ventricular premature complex.
Variation in landmarks for the rectum: an MRI study
Authors: D'Souza N. , Balyasnikova S. , Tudyka V. , Lord A. , Shaw A. , Abulafi M. , Tekkis P. , Brown G.
Published: September 2018

Aim

This study aimed to assess the reliability of measurements and bony landmarks for the rectosigmoid junction on MRI.

Method

The staging MRI scans for 100 patients were reviewed. The junction of the mesorectum and mesocolon was used to identify the rectum and sigmoid. The performance of current metric measurements or bony landmarks was then compared against the actual anatomical bowel segment.

Results

The mean distance of the sigmoid take‐off from the anal verge was 12.6 cm (SD 1.8 cm, range 9.4–19.0 cm). At a cutoff of 12 cm, the anatomical bowel segment was found to be sigmoid colon rather than rectum in 35% of patients. At 15 and 16 cm the bowel segment was sigmoid in 84% and 96% of patients, respectively. At the sacral promontory and the third sacral segment, the bowel segment was sigmoid in 28% and 100% of patients, respectively.

Conclusion

Current definitions of the rectum that rely on arbitrary measurements or bony landmarks will not locate the correct point of transition between the rectum and sigmoid in the majority of patients. The sigmoid take‐off offers an alternative, anatomically bespoke, landmark.
Predictors of renal replacement therapy after heart transplantation and its impact on long‐term survival
Authors: Ivey‐Miranda Juan Betuel , Flores‐Umanzor Eduardo , Farrero‐Torres Marta , Santiago Evelyn , Cepas‐Guillen Pedro L. , Perez‐Villa Felix
Published: September 2018

Background

Renal replacement therapy (RRT) after heart transplant (HT) is associated with worse prognosis. We aimed to identify predictors of RRT and the impact of this complication on long‐term survival.

Methods

Cohort study of HT patients. Univariate and multivariate competing‐risk regression was performed to identify independent predictors of RRT. The cumulative incidence function was plotted for RRT. The Kaplan‐Meier method was used to compare long‐term survival.

Results

We included 103 patients. At multivariate analysis, only the emergency status of HT (short‐term mechanical circulatory support as a bridge to transplant), chronic kidney disease, and low oxygen delivery were independent predictors of RRT (subhazard ratio [SHR] 4.11, 95% CI 1.84‐9.14; SHR 3.17, 95% CI 1.29‐7.77; SHR 2.86, 95% CI 1.14‐7.19, respectively). Elective HT patients that required RRT showed a significantly reduced survival comparable to patients with emergency HT and RRT (75% ± 13% vs. 67% ± 16%). The absence of RRT implied an excellent survival in patients with an emergency status of HT and elective HT (100% vs. 93% ± 4%).

Conclusion

The emergency status of HT, chronic kidney disease, and low oxygen delivery were independent predictors of RRT. The occurrence of RRT increases the risk of death in elective HT as much as in patients with an emergency status.
Endangered Père David’s deer genome provides insights into population recovering
Authors: Zhu Lifeng , Deng Cao , Zhao Xiang , Ding Jingjing , Huang Huasheng , Zhu Shilin , Wang Zhiwen , Qin Shishang , Ding Yuhua , Lu Guoqing , Yang Zhisong
Published: September 2018

The Milu (Père David's deer, Elaphurus davidianus) were once widely distributed in the swamps (coastal areas to inland areas) of East Asia. The dramatic recovery of the Milu population is now deemed a classic example of how highly endangered animal species can be rescued. However, the molecular mechanisms that underpinned this population recovery remain largely unknown. Here, different approaches (genome sequencing, resequencing, and salinity analysis) were utilized to elucidate the aforementioned molecular mechanisms. The comparative genomic analyses revealed that the largest recovered Milu population carries extensive genetic diversity despite an extreme population bottleneck. And the protracted inbreeding history might have facilitated the purging of deleterious recessive alleles. Seventeen genes that are putatively related to reproduction, embryonic (fatal) development, and immune response were under high selective pressure. Besides, SCNN1A, a gene involved in controlling reabsorption of sodium in the body, was positively selected. An additional 29 genes were also observed to be positively selected, which are involved in blood pressure regulation, cardiovascular development, cholesterol regulation, glycemic control, and thyroid hormone synthesis. It is possible that these genetic adaptations were required to buffer the negative effects commonly associated with a high‐salt diet. The associated genetic adaptions are likely to have enabled increased breeding success and fetal survival. The future success of Milu population management might depend on the successful reintroduction of the animal to historically important distribution regions.
Framing the 2011 England Riots: Understanding the Political and Policy Response
Authors: NEWBURN TIM , JONES TREVOR , BLAUSTEIN JARRETT
Published: September 2018

Abstract: This article considers the political reaction and policy response to the 2011 England riots. Drawing on the framework of John Kingdon's (1995) multiple streams approach (MSA) the analysis in this article starts with the ‘policy window’ caused by the focusing event of the riots, and traces the ways in which this was used to frame different kinds of policy ‘problem’, rather than the more typical method of using the MSA to help explain the emergence and development of a particular policy. It then examines how different policy ‘solutions’ became attached to these problems with varying degrees of impact. In fact, more than anything, we argue that the framing of the riots served to close down many avenues for policy development, with the outcome that those that were initiated in the aftermath of the disorder were both limited and short‐lived, with some having only the most tangential links with the riots.
Court‐appointed experts and accuracy in adversarial litigation
Authors: Kim Chulyoung , Koh Paul S.
Published: September 2018

Concerned about distortion of evidence arising from litigants’ strong incentive to misrepresent information provided to fact‐finders, legal scholars and commentators have long suggested that courts appoint their own advisors for neutral information regarding disputes. This paper examines the litigants’ problem of losing incentive to provide information when judges seek the advice of court‐appointed experts. Within a standard litigation‐game framework, we find that assigning court‐appointed experts involves a trade‐off: although such experts help judges obtain more information overall, thereby reducing the number of errors during trials, they weaken litigants’ incentive to supply expert information, thus undermining the adversarial nature of the current American legal system.
Reasonable adjustments to provide equitable and inclusive assessment, screening and treatment of osteoporosis for adults with intellectual disabilities: A feasibility study
Authors: Finlayson Janet , De Amicis Leyla , Gallacher Stephen , Munro Robin , Crockett Jennifer , Godwin Jon , Feeney Wendy , Skelton Dawn A.
Published: September 2018

Background

People with intellectual disabilities are a high risk population for developing osteoporosis and fragility fractures, yet they experience barriers to accessing dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) bone mineral density (BMD) screening and fracture assessment. Reasonable adjustments are a statutory requirement in the UK, but there is a paucity of evidence‐based examples to assist their identification, implementation and evaluation.

Method

Thirty adults with intellectual disabilities underwent DXA BMD screening and fracture risk assessment. Reasonable adjustments were identified and implemented.

Results

The presence of osteopenia or osteoporosis was detected in 23 out of 29 (79%) participants. Osteoporosis professionals report that 17 of 18 reasonable adjustments identified and implemented are both important and easy to implement.

Conclusion

Adults across all levels of intellectual disabilities can complete DXA BMD screening with reasonable adjustments. Widely implementing these reasonable adjustments would contribute to reducing inequalities in health care for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Burn severity controls on postfire Araucaria‐Nothofagus regeneration in the Andean Cordillera
Authors: Assal Timothy J. , González Mauro E. , Sibold Jason S.
Published: September 2018

Aim

The aim of the study was to investigate postfire regeneration patterns of Araucaria‐Nothofagus forests on the west slope of the Andes; to evaluate the relationship between remotely sensed burn severity and forest mortality; and to assess controls of burn severity on forest response at local spatio‐temporal scales.

Location

Araucanía region in the western Andean Range of south‐central Chile where fire occurred during the 2001–2002 season.

Methods

Sampling of prefire stand structure and postfire vegetation response was performed along a burn severity gradient a decade after the fire. We evaluated the relationship between field‐measured tree mortality and satellite‐derived burn severity using a generalized linear model. We fit zero‐inflated mixture models to regeneration data of each genus to assess the importance of abiotic variables, stand characteristics, and biotic interactions.

Results

The relative version of the delta Normalized Burn Ratio explained 85% of the variability in canopy mortality. Nearly 12,000 hectares burned; the majority at high severity (67%). Regeneration densities of both genera were lower at higher levels of burn severity and higher with greater total basal area (live, dead, and down trees). The relative effect size of burn severity on regeneration was nearly twice as large for Nothofagus, which suggests information legacies of Araucaria have cascading effects on postdisturbance material legacies.

Main conclusions

Araucaria‐Nothofagus mortality from wildfire can be readily mapped using satellite‐derived burn severity. Although environmental site characteristics and biotic interactions mediate regeneration, basal area, and burn severity are the main mechanisms controlling regeneration. Forest refugia and postfire regeneration are vulnerable to recurrent fire. Therefore, we expect future fire (either increased severity or frequency), driven by landscape level changes, as a potential mechanism that can reduce local resilience of these forests as initial postfire material legacies (e.g., refugia and regeneration) are removed from the landscape. Our findings highlight an approach to quantify important attributes of forest disturbance and refugia, and identify areas for monitoring postdisturbance regeneration as the forests throughout south‐central Chile and Argentina face a multitude of potential change agents.
Effects of low‐intensity resistance training on muscular function and glycemic control in older adults with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Takenami Eri , Iwamoto ShinMin , Shiraishi Noriko , Kato Akiko , Watanabe Yuichi , Yamada Yoshifumi , Yamada Satoru , Ishii Naokata
Published: September 2018

Aims/Introduction

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of low‐intensity resistance training with slow movement and tonic force generation (LST) on muscular function and glucose metabolism in older patients with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

A total of 10 patients with type 2 diabetes (age 68.2 ± 9.7 years) engaged in LST training twice a week for 16 weeks. Before the long‐term intervention, they were subjected to the measurement of acute changes in blood factors relating to glycemic control as a result of a bout of LST. Body composition, muscular size and strength, and glycated hemoglobin were measured before and after the intervention.

Results

The magnitudes of the acute changes in the blood factors were all small and were not considered harmful for glucose metabolism. The 16‐week LST training caused significant increases in thigh muscle thickness and strength, and decreases in body fat mass and glycated hemoglobin. The change in glycated hemoglobin showed a significant negative correlation with the change in the isokinetic knee extension peak torque measured at a high angular velocity (180°/s).

Conclusions

The LST training was shown to be effective for gaining muscular size and strength, and improving glycemic control in older patients with type 2 diabetes. The mechanisms underlying this effect might involve the improvement of contractile function in fast glycolytic fibers.
Development of Information Functions and Indices for the GGUM‐RANK Multidimensional Forced Choice IRT Model
Authors: Joo Seang‐Hwane , Lee Philseok , Stark Stephen
Published: September 2018

This research derived information functions and proposed new scalar information indices to examine the quality of multidimensional forced choice (MFC) items based on the RANK model. We also explored how GGUM‐RANK information, latent trait recovery, and reliability varied across three MFC formats: pairs (two response alternatives), triplets (three alternatives), and tetrads (four alternatives). As expected, tetrad and triplet measures provided substantially more information than pairs, and MFC items composed of statements with high discrimination parameters were most informative. The methods and findings of this study will help practitioners to construct better MFC items, make informed projections about reliability with different MFC formats, and facilitate the development of MFC triplet‐ and tetrad‐based computerized adaptive tests.
Low 6‐thioguanine nucleotide level: Effective in maintaining remission in Chinese patients with Crohn's disease
Authors: Feng Rui , Guo Jing , Zhang Sheng‐hong , Qiu Yun , Chen Bai‐li , He Yao , Zeng Zhi‐rong , Ben‐Horin Shomron , Chen Min‐hu , Mao Ren
Published: September 2018

Background and Aim

Measuring 6‐thioguanine nucleotide (6‐TGN) level is useful in optimizing dose of azathioprine (AZA) and monitoring for toxicity. Lower dose of AZA was suggested for maintenance of clinical remission in Asian patients than Caucasian patients with Crohn's disease (CD). However, the optimal 6‐TGN threshold required in Asian patients is undetermined. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to explore the optimal 6‐TGN threshold required in Asian patients with CD for maintenance of clinical remission.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study in a tertiary referral center recruited 252 CD patients. The primary endpoint was disease relapse. The levels of 6‐TGN and AZA dose were compared in remission group and relapse group. Remission rate was compared across the increased 6‐TGN level and dose range.

Results

Patients with 6‐TGN range of 0–180.94 pmol/8 × 108 red blood cells (RBC) had lower remission rate compared with those with 180.94–255.50 pmol/8 × 108 RBC (P = 0.020). Quartile analysis showed that increasing 6‐TGN level beyond 180 pmol/8 × 108 RBC produced negligible gain in rate of remission. Frequency of adverse events significantly increased in patients with 6‐TGN level > 355 pmol/8 × 108 RBC (8.0% with 6‐TGN > 355 pmol/8 × 108 RBC vs 2.7% with 6‐TGN < 355 pmol/8 × 108 RBC, P = 0.035).

Conclusion

Our study suggested that optimal 6‐TGN threshold required to maintain clinical remission in Chinese patients was 180–355 pmol/8 × 108 RBC.
Distribution and β‐diversity of tree species in igapó forests (Negro River basin, Brazilian Amazon)
Authors: Scudeller Veridiana Vizoni , Vegas‐Vilarrúbia Teresa
Published: September 2018

Questions

How are the tree species of the periodically flooded black water forest distributed along the Negro River basin (igapó)? Can we classify the tree communities into similarity groups? Are oligarchic species present?

Methods

We analysed available data on tree species composition in vegetation plots located in the Negro River basin (igapó forests) in Brazil and built a similarity matrix based on Sørensen's similarity index. We applied principal coordinates analysis, established community groups (a posteriori) and applied both multi‐response permutation procedures and indicator species analysis.

Results

Among 19 surveys conducted in igapó forests, at least 604 woody taxa were recognized, and 384 taxa were identified to species level. Igapó tree species were not as frequent or abundant as were other tree species of the Amazon upland forest, although they were widely distributed in other forest types. The Sørensen similarity index was low (Ss = 0.16). Generally, the highest similarity values were recorded between surveys that were spatially close. The multivariate analyses suggested the existence of a strong vegetation gradient along the Negro River. The two groups established a posteriori showed 25 species with an indicator value (IV) >50%, and 68 species presented IndValues in both groups.

Conclusions

Our results show a strong turnover of tree species replacement along the course of the Negro River, with 57.5% of species restricted to one survey of occurrence. This trend is particularly notable from the point at which the Branco River strongly discharges into the Negro River. No species show high values for range distribution or local abundance, although four were considered moderately frequent. The upper parts of the main rivers have indicator species that are less frequent downstream.
Temporal variability of bacterioplankton is habitat driven
Authors: Obertegger Ulrike , Bertilsson Stefan , Pindo Massimo , Larger Simone , Flaim Giovanna
Published: September 2018

Temporal dynamics of bacterioplankton are rarely investigated for multiple habitats and years within individual lakes, limiting our understanding of the variability of bacterioplankton community (BC) composition with respect to environmental factors. We assessed the BC composition of a littoral and two pelagic habitats (euphotic zone and hypolimnion) of Lake Tovel monthly from April 2014 to May 2017 by high‐throughput sequencing of the V3–V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. The three habitats differed in temperature, light, oxygen and hydrology. In particular, the littoral was the most hydrologically unstable because it receives most of the lake inflow, the hypolimnion was the most stable because of its hydrologically sheltered position, and the pelagic euphotic habitat was intermediate. Consequently, we hypothesized different temporal patterns of BC composition for all three habitats according to their environmental differences. We applied PERMANOVA, nonmetric multidimensional scaling and source–sink analysis to characterize BC composition. Overall, BCs were different among habitats with the littoral showing the highest variability and the hypolimnion the highest stability. The BC of rainy 2014 was distinct from the BCs of other years irrespective of the habitats considered. Seasonal differences in BCs were limited to spring, probably linked to meltwater inflow and mixing. Thus, temporal effects related to year and season were linked to the hydrological gradient of habitats. We suggest that despite potential within‐lake dispersal of bacterioplankton by water flow and mixing, local environmental conditions played a major role in Lake Tovel, fostering distinct BCs in the three habitats.
Clinical and pathological features of idiopathic membranous nephropathy in young people
Authors: Lin Chu , Zheng Danxia , Wang Yue , Wang Song
Published: September 2018

Aim

To investigate the clinico‐pathological features of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) in youth.

Methods

Patients with biopsy‐proven IMN in Peking University Third Hospital from May 2015 to October 2017 (n = 147) were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into youth (≤35 years old), middle‐age (35–65 years old) and elderly group (>65 years old) accordingly. Medical records of patients were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

Youth group exhibited shorter duration from onset to biopsy (3.49 ± 4.25 months in youth vs 8.71 ± 12.24 months in elderly) and milder clinical presentations in terms of less proteinuria and higher serum albumin (P < 0.05). Furthermore, lower anti‐phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibody titre (65.36 ± 101.14 RU/mL in youth vs 137.45 ± 215.12 RU/mL in middle‐age), less C3 deposits (35.14% in youth vs 65.00% in elderly) and higher 6‐month remission rate (63.64% in youth vs 36.00% in middle‐age) were observed in youth (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression confirmed C3 deposits (P = 0.005) and anti‐PLA2R (P = 0.040) were independent factors influencing proteinuria, and age is an independent influencing factor for time from onset to biopsy (P = 0.043). Older age (OR = 2.044, 95% CI: 1.073–3.896, P = 0.030) and higher anti‐PLA2R (OR = 1.413, 95% CI: 1.020–1.959, P = 0.038) were significantly associated with non‐remission by 6 months.

Conclusion

Younger patients with IMN tend to have rapider onset and quicker remission than older patients. Milder clinical presentations in youth are associated with lower anti‐PLA2R antibody titre and less C3 deposits.
Strobilanthes kannanii – a new species of Acanthaceae from the Western Ghats, India
Authors: Josekutty E. J. , Biju P. , Wood J. R. I. , Augustine Jomy
Published: September 2018

Strobilanthes kannanii, a new species of Acanthaceae from southern Western Ghats is described and illustrated. It shows similarity to S. sessilis in some vegetative, floral and palynological characters. Notes on the habitat, distribution, and affinities are also provided along with color images and line drawings.
Weight bias among exercise and nutrition professionals: a systematic review
Authors: Panza G. A. , Armstrong L. E. , Taylor B. A. , Puhl R. M. , Livingston J. , Pescatello L. S.
Published: September 2018

Obesity affects approximately one‐third of American adults. Recent evidence suggests that weight bias may be pervasive among both exercise and nutrition professionals working with adults who have obesity. However, the published literature on this topic is limited. This review aimed to (i) systematically review existing literature examining weight bias among exercise and nutrition professionals; (ii) discuss the implications of this evidence for exercise and nutrition professionals and their clients; (iii) address gaps and limitations of this literature; and (iv) identify future research directions. Of the 31 studies that met the criteria for this review, 20 examined weight bias among exercise professionals, of which 17 (85%) found evidence of weight bias among professionals practicing physical therapy (n = 4), physical education (n = 8) and personal/group fitness training (n = 5). Of 11 studies examining weight bias among nutrition professionals, eight (73%) found evidence of weight bias. These findings demonstrate fairly consistent evidence of weight bias among exercise and nutrition professionals. However, the majority of studies were cross‐sectional (90%). Given that weight bias may compromise quality of care and potentially reinforce weight gain and associated negative health consequences in patients with obesity, it is imperative for future work to examine the causes and consequences of weight bias within exercise and nutrition professions using more rigorous study designs.
Phosphatidylinositol‐hydrolyzing phospholipase C4 modulates rice response to salt and drought
Authors: Deng Xianjun , Yuan Shu , Cao Huasheng , Lam Sin Man , Shui Guanghou , Hong Yueyun , Wang Xuemin
Published: September 2018

Phosphatidylinositol‐specific phospholipase C (PI‐PLC) is involved in stress signalling but its signalling function remains largely unknown in crop plants. Here, we report that the PI‐PLC4 from rice (Oryza sativa cv), OsPLC4, plays a positive role in osmotic stress response. Two independent knockout mutants, plc4‐1 and plc4‐2, exhibited decreased seedling growth and survival rate whereas overexpression of OsPLC4 improved survival rate under high salinity and water deficiency, compared with wild type (WT). OsPLC4 hydrolyses PI, phosphatidylinositol 4‐phosphate (PI4P), and phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐bisphosphate (PIP2) to generate diacylglycerol (DAG) in vitro. Knockout of OsPLC4 attenuated salt‐induced increase of phosphatidic acid (PA) whereas overexpression of OsPLC4 decreased the level of PI4P and PIP2 under salt treatment. Applications of DAG or PA restored the growth defect of plc4‐1 to WT but DAG kinase inhibitor 1 blocked the complementary effect of DAG in plc4‐1 under salt stress. In addition, the loss of OsPLC4 compromised the increase of inositol triphosphate and free cytoplasmic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]cyt) and inhibited the induction of genes involved in Ca2+ sensor and osmotic stress response to salt stress. The results indicate that OsPLC4 modulates the activity of two signalling pathways, PA and Ca2+, to affect rice seedling response to osmotic stress.
Conflict of Interest Mitigation Procedures May Have Little Influence on the Perceived Procedural Fairness of Risk‐Related Research
Authors: Besley John C. , Zahry Nagwan R. , McCright Aaron , Elliott Kevin C. , Kaminski Norbert E. , Martin Joseph D.
Published: September 2018

Two between‐subject experiments explored perceived conflict of interest (COI)—operationalized as perceived procedural unfairness—in a hypothetical public–private research partnership to study the health risks of trans fats. Perceived fairness was measured as subjects’ perceptions that health researchers would be willing to listen to a range of voices and minimize bias (i.e., COI) in the context of a research project. Experiment 1 (n= 1,263) randomly assigned research subjects to a partnership that included (1) a combination of an industry partner, a university partner, and a nongovernmental organization (NGO) partner; and (2) one of three processes aimed at mitigating the potential for COI to harm the quality of the research. The procedures included an arm's‐length process meant to keep the university‐based research team from being influenced by the other partners, an independent advisory board to oversee the project, and a commitment to making all data and analyses openly available. The results suggest that having an industry partner has substantial negative effects on perceived fairness and that the benefit of employing a single COI‐mitigation process may be relatively small. Experiment 2 (n= 1,076) assessed a partnership of (1) a university and either an NGO or industry partner and (b) zero, one, two, or three of the three COI‐mitigation procedures. Results suggest there is little value in combining COI‐mitigation procedures. The study has implications for those who aim to foster confidence in scientific findings for which the underlying research may benefit from industry funding.
Probabilistic Integrated Human Mixture Risk Assessment of Multiple Metals Through Seafood Consumption
Authors: Lin Yi‐Jun , Lin Pinpin
Published: September 2018

Inorganic arsenic (iAs), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and methylmercury (MeHg) are toxic metals that cause substantial health concern and are present in various seafood items. This study linked probabilistic risk assessment to the interactive hazard index (HIINT) approach to assess the human mixture risk posed by the dietary intake of iAs, Cd, Pb, and MeHg from seafood for different age populations, and joint toxic actions and toxic interactions among metals were also considered in the assessment. We found that, in combination, an iAs–Cd–Pb–MeHg mixture synergistically causes neurological toxicity. Furthermore, an iAs–Cd–Pb mixture antagonistically causes renal and hematological effects and additively causes cardiovascular effect. Our results demonstrated that if toxic interactions are not considered, the health risk may be overestimated or underestimated. The 50th percentile HIINT estimates in all age populations for neurological, renal, cardiovascular, and hematological effects were lower than 1; however, the 97.5th percentile HIINT estimates might exceed 1. In particular, toddlers and preschoolers had the highest neurological risk, with 0.16 and 0.19 probabilities, respectively, of neurological HIINT exceeding 1. Saltwater fish consumption was the principal contributor to the health risk. We suggest that regular monitoring of metal levels in seafood, more precise dietary surveys, further toxicological data, and risk–benefit analysis of seafood consumption are warranted to improve the accuracy of human mixture risk assessment and determine optimal consumption.
Challenges in Applying Risk Management Concepts in Practice: A Perspective
Authors: Hofmann Annette , Scordis Nicos A.
Published: September 2018

The existing concepts of risk management face challenges when applied in practice. The perception of risk depends on the observer's cognitive biases and worldview, which nuance risk‐related decisions. How an observer decides also depends on the metric used to quantify risk. While there is extensive literature on how people perceive risk, and on how to price risk in relation to the market, there is little on how to price risk according to how risks interact within the firm. The article concludes with a suggestion (and includes relevant citations) for a way forward.
On the Corporate Demand for Insurance: Evidence From the Global Reinsurance Market
Authors: Altuntas Muhammed , Garven James , Rauch Jannes
Published: September 2018

In this article, we view the demand for reinsurance as a “special case” of the corporate demand for insurance. We analyze the extent to which reinsurance purchases by the global property–liability insurance industry vary across countries and assess the relative importance of country‐level factors compared with firm‐level factors. Using a data set consisting of 21,814 firm‐year observations from 33 (developed and developing) countries during the period 2000–2012, we find that after controlling for firm‐level factors, country‐level factors have economically as well as statistically significant effects on the demand for reinsurance.
Stepwise evolution of supercomplex formation with photosystem I is required for stabilization of chloroplast NADH dehydrogenase‐like complex: Lhca5‐dependent supercomplex formation in Physcomitrella patens
Authors: Kato Yoshinobu , Odahara Masaki , Fukao Yoichiro , Shikanai Toshiharu
Published: September 2018

In angiosperms, such as Arabidopsis and barley, the chloroplast NADH dehydrogenase‐like (NDH) complex associates with two copies of photosystem I (PSI) supercomplex to form an NDH−PSI supercomplex for the stabilization of the NDH complex. Two linker proteins, Lhca5 and Lhca6, are members of the light‐harvesting complex I (LHCI) family and mediate this supercomplex formation. The liverwort Marchantia polymorpha has branched from the basal land plant lineage and has neither Lhca5 nor Lhca6. Consequently, the NDH complex does not form a supercomplex with PSI in this plant. The Lhca6 gene does not seem to exist also in the moss Physcomitrella patens (Physcomitrella). Conversely, the Lhca5 gene has been found in Physcomitrella, although experimental evidence is still lacking for its contribution to NDH−PSI supercomplex formation as a linker. Here, we biochemically characterized the Lhca5 knock‐out mutant (lhca5) in Physcomitrella. The NDH−PSI supercomplex observed in wild‐type Physcomitrella was absent in the lhca5 mutant. Lhca5 protein was detected in this NDH−PSI supercomplex. Some PSI and NDH subunits were co‐immunoprecipitated with Lhca5−HA. These results indicate that the Physcomitrella gene is the functional ortholog of Lhca5 reported in Arabidopsis. Between Physcomitrella and Arabidopsis, the stromal loop region is highly conserved in Lhca5 proteins but not in other LHCI members. We found that Lhca5 contributed to the stable accumulation of the NDH complex, but part of the NDH complex was still sensitive to high light intensity, even in the wild‐type. We considered that angiosperms acquired another linker protein, Lhca6, to further stabilize the NDH complex.
Analysis of Residual Stress in the Rotational Autofrettage of Thick-Walled Disks
Authors: Kamal S. M.
Published: September 2018

Autofrettage is a means of generating compressive residual stresses at the inner side of a thick-walled cylinder or hollow disk by causing nonhomogeneous plastic deformation of the material at the inner side. The presence of residual compressive stresses at the inner region of the cylinder/disk enhance the pressure withstanding capacity, fatigue life and the resistance to stress corrosion cracking of the component. Despite the hydraulic and swage autofrettage are the widely practiced processes in industries, there are certain disadvantages associated with these processes. In view of this, in the recent years, researchers have proposed new methods of achieving autofrettage. Rotational autofrettage is such a recently proposed autofrettage method for achieving the beneficial compressive residual stresses in the cylinders. In the present work, the rotational autofrettage is studied for a thick-walled hollow circular disk. A theoretical analysis of the residual stresses produced in the disk after unloading are obtained assuming plane stress condition, Tresca yield criterion and its associated flow rule. The analysis takes into account the effect of strain hardening during plastic deformation. Further, the effect of residual stresses in the typical SS304 and aluminum disk is studied by subjecting them into three different types of loads viz., internal pressure, radial temperature difference, and rotational speed individually. A three-dimensional (3D) finite element method (FEM) validation of the theoretical stresses during rotational autofrettage of a disk is also presented.
Failure Modes of American Petroleum Institute 12F Tanks With a Rectangular Cleanout and Stepped Shell Design
Authors: Azzuni Eyas , Guzey Sukru
Published: September 2018

The design and fabrication of shop-welded and prefabricated relatively small tanks, when compared to field-welded tanks, used in the upstream segment of the oil and gas industry is governed by the American Petroleum Institute specification 12F (API 12F). This study explores the changing designs of API 12F tanks to include a new rectangular cleanout design with reinforcement as shell extension internally of cleanout frame and a stepped shell design. This study also investigated the introduction of two additional tank sizes in addition to existing eleven tank sizes in the current 12th edition of API 12F. The adequacy of the new design changes and proposed tank designs were verified by elastic stress analysis with nonlinear geometry, elastic–plastic stress analysis with nonlinear geometry, and elastic buckling analysis to verify their ability to operate at a design internal pressure of 16 oz/in2 (6.9 kPa) and maximum pressure during emergency venting of 24 oz/in2 (10.3 kPa). A vacuum pressure of 1.5 oz/in2 (0.43 kPa) was also investigated using the elastic buckling analysis. The stress levels and uplift of the tanks are reported in this report to provide insights into the behavior of proposed API 12F tanks exposed to higher internal pressure and vacuum pressure.
Denoising and Chaotic Feature Extraction of Electrocardial Signals for Driver Fatigue Detection by Kolmogorov Entropy
Authors: Jiang Yongxiang , Guo Shijie , Deng Sanpeng
Published: September 2018

This paper proposes a detection method of driver fatigue by use of electrocardial signals. First, lifting wavelet transform (LWT) was used to reduce signal noise and its effect was confirmed by applying it to the denoising of a white-noise-mixed Lorenz signal. Second, phase space reconstruction was conducted for extracting chaotic features of the measured electrocardial signals. The phase diagrams show fractal geometry features even under a strong noise background. Finally, Kolmogorov entropy, which is a factor reflecting the uncertainty in and the chaotic level of a nonlinear dynamic system, was used as an indicator of driver fatigue. The effectiveness of Kolmogorov entropy in the judgment of driver fatigue was confirmed by comparison with a semantic differential (SD) subjective evaluation experiment. It was demonstrated that Kolmogorov entropy has a strong relationship with driver fatigue. It decreases when fatigue occurs. Furthermore, the influences of delay time and sampling points on Kolmogorov entropy were investigated, since the two factors are important to the actual use of the proposed detection method. Delay time may have significant influence on fatigue determination, but sampling points are relatively inconsequential. This result indicates that real-time detection can be realized by selecting a reasonably small number of sampling points.