bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating quality of tomato during storage using fusion information of computer vision and electronic nose
Authors: Huang Xing‐yi , Pan Si‐hui , Sun Zhao‐yan , Ye Wei‐tao , Aheto Joshua Harrington
Published: August 2018

A nondestructive method for evaluation of tomato quality was proposed to recognize the different ripening stages of tomatoes and to predict their hardness. Computer vision and electronic nose were used, and data fusion technology was used to establish the decision model of multi‐attribute information fusion. Fisher discriminant analysis (FDA) model and support vector classifier (SVC) model for tomato grading were established. Partial least squares (PLS) model and support vector regression (SVR) model were used for predicting the hardness. Comparing with the single detection technique, the combined system which fused computer vision and electronic nose, achieved better results. In the combined system: with respect to the SVC model, classification accuracy was 96.38% for the training set, 94.20% for the prediction set; while to the FDA model, classification accuracy was 93.48% for the training set, 85.51% for the prediction set; to the PLS model, the correlation coefficient of prediction (Rp) was 94.09% and the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) was 2.33 N; to the SVR model, the Rp was 95.14% and RMSEP was 0.03 N. It was observed that more robust and better prediction performance on tomato detection were achieved by using fusion information.

Practical applications

Computer vision, electronic nose, data fusion, and pattern recognition were used for the evaluation of tomato ripeness and hardness. Computer vision captured the color information of tomatoes and electronic nose responded to the smell of tomatoes. After data fusion, information became more abundant and the discrimination models also got better performance. It proved the possibility of nondestructive method for the evaluation of tomatoes quality during storage. So it is feasible to apply this method to detect tomato quality in factory.
Relationships Influence Health: Family Theory in Health‐Care Research
Authors: Garris Bill R. , Weber Amy J.
Published: August 2018

This article reviews the presence of family theory in health‐care research. First, we demonstrate some disconnect between models of the patient, which tend to focus on the individual, and a large body of research that finds that relationships influence health. We summarize the contributions of family science and medical family therapy and conclude that family science models and measures are generally underutilized. As a result, practitioners do not have access to the rich tool kit of lenses and interventions offered by systems thinking. We propose several possible ways that family scientists can contribute to health‐care research, such as using the family as the unit of analysis, exploring theories of the family as they relate to health, and suggesting greater involvement of family scientists in health research.
Conceptualizing Family Structure in a Social Determinants of Health Framework
Authors: Russell Luke T. , Coleman Marilyn , Ganong Lawrence
Published: August 2018

In this article, we propose the conceptualization of family structure as an important socially stratified grouping within a social determinants of health (SDOH) framework. We explore how family science literature supports this conceptualization of family structure through evidence of inequity in health outcomes across structurally diverse families that can and ought to be addressed; social stratification across family structures in which some family forms have greater prestige and power than others; and internalized, personally mediated, and institutional prejudices and discriminations that operate on the basis of these social stratifications. Ultimately, we contend that conceptualizing family structure as a socially stratified grouping within an SDOH framework can help enhance family science scholarship and assist family professionals in more effectively serving contemporary families.
Evidence Required to Know Whether Marriage Promotion Increases Other Social Benefits
Authors: Feld Scott L. , Meyer Jordan A.
Published: August 2018

For marriage promotion interventions to be effective, social policy for increasing other social benefits (e.g., child welfare, family financial self‐sufficiency), they must increase numbers and/or quality of marriages in such a way to produce those other social benefits. Evidence should show that particular interventions (a) produce increases in numbers and/or quality of marriages, (b) produce increases in other benefits, and (c) produce increases in other benefits through the changes in marriages described in (a). There is some evidence that marriage promotion interventions have produced small increases in numbers and quality of marriages, but there is little evidence regarding the extent to which these interventions have produced other intended social benefits. We describe the nature of additional data and analyses that would enable us to determine the extent to which marriage promotion interventions are effective ways to increase other social benefits.
Integrating Family Ritual and Sociocultural Theories as a Framework for Understanding Mealtimes of Families With Children on the Autism Spectrum
Authors: Curtiss Sarah L.
Published: August 2018

Based on a critical review of research on family meals and autism, this article explores ritual and sociocultural perspectives on shared family meals of families with children on the autism spectrum. Family ritual theory is a lens for analytically understanding phenomena observed in family life, how individuals are connected, and how symbolic meaning is created through patterned behavior. Sociocultural theory explains the presence of culture in thinking, the nature of learning, and the relation between development and instruction. An integration of these theories provides a framework for understanding what mealtime rituals mean and how they are created. Specifically, I address the limitations that impairments associated with autism may impose on a family's ability to have shared family meals by situating sociocultural theory as a method for including children with autism in family rituals when they are not naturally occurring events.
Antibody‐based methods for the measurement of α‐synuclein concentration in human cerebrospinal fluid – method comparison and round robin study
Authors: Mollenhauer Brit , Bowman Frederick DuBois , Drake Daniel , Duong Jimmy , Blennow Kaj , El‐Agnaf Omar , Shaw Leslie M. , Masucci Jennifer , Taylor Peggy , Umek Robert M. , Dunty Jill M. , Smith Chris L. , Stoops Erik , Vanderstichele Hugo , Schmid Adrian W. , Moniatte Marc , Zhang Jing , Kruse Niels , Lashuel Hilal A. , Teunissen Charlotte , Schubert Tanja , Dave Kuldip D. , Hutten Samantha J. , Zetterberg Henrik
Published: August 2018

α‐Synuclein is the major component of Lewy bodies and a candidate biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases in which Lewy bodies are common, including Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. A large body of literature suggests that these disorders are characterized by reduced concentrations of α‐synuclein in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), with overlapping concentrations compared to healthy controls and variability across studies. Several reasons can account for this variability, including technical ones, such as inter‐assay and inter‐laboratory variation (reproducibility). We compared four immunochemical methods for the quantification of α‐synuclein concentration in 50 unique CSF samples. All methods were designed to capture most of the existing α‐synuclein forms in CSF (‘total’ α‐synuclein). Each of the four methods showed high analytical precision, excellent correlation between laboratories (R2 0.83–0.99), and good correlation with each other (R2 0.64–0.93), although the slopes of the regression lines were different between the four immunoassays. The use of common reference CSF samples decreased the differences in α‐synuclein concentration between detection methods and technologies. Pilot data on an immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry (IP‐MS) method is also presented. Our results suggest that the four immunochemical methods and the IP‐MS method measure similar forms of α‐synuclein and that a common reference material would allow harmonization of results between immunoassays.

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Adenomatous polyposis coli‐stimulated GEF 1 (Asef1) is a negative regulator of excitatory synaptic function
Authors: Oh Jun‐Young , Lim Chae‐Seok , Yoo Ki‐Seo , Park Hyungju , Park Young Seok , Kim Eung‐Gook , Lee Yong‐Seok , Kaang Bong‐Kiun , Kim Hyong Kyu
Published: August 2018

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Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) play important roles in many cellular processes, including regulation of the structural plasticity of dendritic spines. A GEF protein, adenomatous polyposis coli‐stimulated GEF 1 (Asef1, ARHGEF4) is highly expressed in the nervous system. However, the function of Asef1 has not been investigated in neurons. Here, we present evidence showing that Asef1 negatively regulates the synaptic localization of postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD‐95) in the excitatory synapse by inhibiting Staufen‐mediated synaptic localization of PSD‐95. Accordingly, Asef1 expression impairs synaptic transmission in hippocampal cultured neurons. In addition, neuronal activity facilitates the dissociation of Asef1 from Staufen in a phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)‐dependent manner. Taken together, our data reveal Asef1 functions as a negative regulator of synaptic localization of PSD‐95 and synaptic transmission.
Adjudicating Fear of Witchcraft Claims in Refugee Law
Authors: Millbank Jenni , Vogl Anthea
Published: August 2018

In refugee applications involving witchcraft‐related violence (WRV), those accused of witchcraft are largely women, and those fearing witchcraft are more often men. This is one of two interrelated articles reporting on cases where claimants feared harm from witchcraft or occult practices. It argues that WRV is a manifestation of gender‐related harm, one which exposes major failings in the application of refugee jurisprudence. Systemic inattention to the meaning and application of the Convention ground of religion, combined with gender insensitivity in analysis, meant that claims were frequently reconfigured by decision makers as personal grudges. The fear of witchcraft cases pose an acute ontological challenge to refugee status determination, as the claimed harm falls outside what is understood to be objective, verifiable, or Convention‐related. Male applicants struggled to make their claims comprehensible as a result of the feminized and ‘irrational’ characterization of witchcraft fears and beliefs.
Techniques of Knowing in Administration: Co‐production, Models, and Conservation Law
Authors: Lee Maria , Natarajan Lucy , Lock Simon , Rydin Yvonne
Published: August 2018

Law frequently demands the production, sometimes effortful, of adequate knowledge for decision making. This article explores the challenging epistemic demands made by nature conservation law during planning law approval processes for major offshore wind farms. It explores this area through the prism of co‐production: not only are ‘science’ and ‘facts’ socially and legally constructed, but in addition, scientific and factual findings shape society, and law and governance. Models are used in planning law to assess whether bird deaths associated with a proposed wind farm will have an adverse effect on the integrity of a protected site. As much as providing an accurate factual representation of the impact of a wind farm on biodiversity, the models contribute to the very possibility of governing the impact of these novel infrastructure developments on biodiversity.
Gender Gap in Repartnering: The Role of Parental Status and Custodial Arrangements
Authors: Di Nallo Alessandro
Published: August 2018

Objective: This study assesses whether parenthood influences repartnering for women and men and explores how repartnering is associated with parental status of the prospective partners.

Background: Previous research has not demonstrated whether gender differences in repartnering are conditional on the presence of children. This study aims to better disentangle the specific gender differentials in repartnering probabilities conditional on parenthood and child custody status.

Method: The analytical sample consists of 5,372 women and 3,375 men who reported at least one partnership dissolution in the British Understanding Society survey. Multilevel event history models with Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulations are used to estimate the probabilities of (a) finding a new partner and (b) finding a new childless partner or a new partner who has children.

Results: The results suggest that mothers, and to a lesser extent fathers, are less likely to repartner than their childless counterparts. Among parents who have child custody, there emerges a distinct gender gap because mothers exhibit a significantly lower rate of repartnering than fathers. Finally, coresident single parents are relatively less likely to repartner with childless individuals, and single fathers more frequently form two‐parent stepfamilies than do mothers.

Conclusion: This suggests the presence of a gender divide in repartnering that is especially apparent when child custody is taken into account. The presence of children also reduces the possibility of forming unions with childless individuals.
Interparental Conflict Management Strategies and Parent–Adolescent Relationships: Disentangling Between‐Person From Within‐Person Effects Across Adolescence
Authors: Mastrotheodoros Stefanos , Van der Graaff Jolien , Deković Maja , Meeus Wim H. J. , Branje Susan J. T.
Published: August 2018

Objective: This study investigates the longitudinal, cross‐lagged associations among interparental conflict management strategies and the parent– adolescent relationship.

Background: The following three main hypotheses explain how interparental conflict affects parent–adolescent relationship: the spillover, the compensatory, and the compartmentalization hypotheses. A common key aspect of these hypotheses is the focus on changes within a family; they hypothesize what happens within a family when interparental conflict shakes the family's equilibrium. Although extant research supported the spillover hypothesis, this key aspect was often ignored, and conclusions were based on comparing families with each other. This study investigated how interparental conflict is longitudinally associated with the quality of the parent–child relationship, controlling for stable between‐family differences.

Method: Data consisted of six waves of an ongoing study with 497 Dutch adolescents (M = 13.03, 43.1% girls), their mothers, and their fathers. Parents reported on conflict strategies; parents and adolescents reported on parental support, parent–adolescent negative interaction, and parental behavioral control. Random‐intercept cross‐lagged panel models were applied.

Results: Most associations were found at the between‐person level: Destructive conflict was related to poor parent–adolescent relationships. Few within‐person associations were found: Changes in destructive conflict only were associated positively with changes in father–adolescent negative interaction.

Conclusions: Associations between interparental conflict and the parent–adolescent relationship are mostly due to stable between‐family differences. Intrafamilial fluctuations occur in conflict and the parent–adolescent relationship, but these changes do not predict each other.
Topical emulsion containing pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate: effectiveness against ultraviolet B irradiation-induced injury of hairless mouse skin
Authors: Martinez Renata M , Ivan Ana L M , Vale David L , Campanini Marcela Z , Ferreira Vitor S , Steffen Vinicius S , Vicentini Fabiana T M C , Vilela Fernanda M P , Fonseca Maria J V , Baracat Marcela M , Georgetti Sandra R , Verri Waldiceu A , Casagrande Rúbia
Published: August 2018

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of a topical emulsion containing pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) (EcPDTC) in skin oxidative stress and inflammation triggered by ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation (dose of 4.14 J/cm2).

Methods

Hairless mouse received treatment with 0.5 g of EcPDTC or control emulsion (CTRLE) on the dorsal surface skin 12 h, 6 h and 5 min before and 6 h after the irradiation. Oxidative stress was evaluated by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical (ABTS) scavenging capacity, reduced glutathione quantitation, catalase activity, superoxide anion production and lipid peroxidation products. Inflammation parameters were as follows: skin oedema, myeloperoxidase activity (neutrophil marker), matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity, collagen fibre damage, mast cell and sunburn cell counts, and cytokine production.

Key findings

Topical treatment with EcPDTC protected from UVB-induced skin injury by maintaining the antioxidant capacity levels similar to non-irradiated control group. Furthermore, EcPDTC inhibited UVB irradiation-induced superoxide anion production, lipid peroxidation and reduced skin inflammation by inhibiting skin oedema, neutrophil recruitment, metalloproteinase-9 activity, collagen fibre damage, mast cell and sunburn cell counts, and cytokine (TNF-α and IL-1β) production.

Conclusions

Topical treatment with EcPDTC improves antioxidant systems and inhibits inflammation, protecting the skin from the damaging effects of UVB irradiation.
Survey Satisficing Biases the Estimation of Moderation Effects
Authors: Miura Asako , Kobayashi Tetsuro
Published: August 2018

Survey satisficing in online data collection biases the estimation of treatment effects in many ways. Extending the findings of a previous study, which demonstrated that satisficing biased the estimation of main treatment effects, this study also shows that satisficing distorts the estimation of moderation effects. Targeting Japanese adults’ attitudes toward food, this study tests how the effect of country of production (Japan vs. China) is moderated by preexisting ethnocentric attitudes. The results show that while nonsatisficers predictably adjust their attitude toward food based on their preexisting ethnocentric attitude, satisficers stick to their initial stereotypical response. That is, the theoretically predicted moderation effect was observed among nonsatisficers, but not among satisficers, which indicates that satisficing biases not only the estimation of a treatment effect but also that of a moderation effect.
The Enduring Influence of Religion on Senators’ Legislative Behavior
Authors: Arnon Daniel
Published: August 2018

Does a senator's personal religion influence their legislative behavior in the Senate? To date, empirical research has answered this question only using senators’ religious traditions, while more concurrent work implies that religion should be measured as a multifaceted phenomenon. This study tests this proposition by compiling a unique data set of senators’ religion, conceptualized and measured by three different elements—belonging, beliefs, and behavior. The study estimates the association between these three religious facets and senators’ legislative behavior on economic, social, and foreign policy issues, while controlling for their constituencies’ political and religious preferences. It finds that religious beliefs are a strong predictor of senators’ legislative behavior, while religious tradition and behavior are mostly not. Furthermore, it finds that religious beliefs are associated with legislative behavior across a wide array of policy areas and are not confined to sociocultural issues.
Time‐dependent antiarrhythmic effects of flecainide on induced atrial fibrillation in horses
Authors: Carstensen Helena , Hesselkilde Eva Z. , Fenner Merle , Loft‐Andersen Ameli V. , Flethøj Mette , Kanters Jørgen K. , Sattler Stefan M. , Tfelt‐Hansen Jacob , Pehrson Steen , Jespersen Thomas , Buhl Rikke
Published: August 2018

Background

Pharmacological treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in horses can be challenging because of low efficacy and adverse effects. Flecainide has been tested with variable efficacy.

Objective

To test whether the efficacy of flecainide is dependent on AF duration.

Animals

Nine Standardbred mares.

Methods

Factorial study design. All horses were instrumented with a pacemaker and assigned to a control or an AF group. On day 0, all horses were in sinus rhythm and received 2 mg/kg flecainide IV. Atrial fibrillation subsequently was induced in the AF group by pacemaker stimulation. On days 3, 9, 27, and 55, flecainide was administered to all horses, regardless of heart rhythm.

Results

All horses in AF cardioverted to sinus rhythm on days 3 and 9. On day 27, 5/6 horses cardioverted, whereas only 2/6 cardioverted on day 55. The time from the start of flecainide infusion to cardioversion (range, 3–185 min, log transformed) showed linear correlation with the cumulative duration of AF (r2 = .80, P < .0001). Flecainide induced abnormal QRS complexes in 4/6 AF horses and 1/3 controls. A positive correlation was found between heart rate before flecainide infusion and number of abnormal QRS complexes (0.14, P < .05). One horse suffered from cardiac arrest and died after flecainide infusion.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Flecainide is effective for cardioversion of short‐term induced AF, but the effect decreases with AF duration. Controlling heart rate may minimize adverse effects caused by flecainide, but the drug should be used with great caution.
Serum concentrations of lipid‐soluble vitamins in dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency treated with pancreatic enzymes
Authors: Barko Patrick C. , Williams David A.
Published: August 2018

Background

In humans, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is associated with deficiencies in lipid‐soluble vitamins. Little is reported regarding lipid‐soluble vitamin status in dogs with EPI.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Compare serum concentrations of retinol, 25‐hydrocholecalciferol (25OHD), and α‐tocopherol among dogs with EPI, those with subclinical EPI (sEPI), and healthy dogs. Detect associations between serum concentrations of lipid‐soluble vitamins and residual clinical signs in treated dogs with EPI and sEPI.

Animals

Twenty dogs with EPI and five dogs with sEPI receiving pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. Ten healthy dogs sampled before and after 10 days of pancreatic enzyme supplementation.

Methods

Case‐control study. Serum retinol and α‐tocopherol concentrations were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Serum 25OHD concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay.

Results

Serum retinol concentration was significantly lower in dogs with EPI (median, 490 ng/mL; range, 322‐990 ng/mL) and serum α‐tocopherol concentration was significantly lower in dogs with EPI (median, 11.51 μg/L; range, 4.8‐27.1 μg/L) and sEPI (median, 12.66 μg/L; range, 10.21‐21.03 μg/L) compared with healthy dogs (median, 1203 ng/mL; range, 637‐1768 ng/mL and median, 43.54 μg/L; range, 34.26‐53.97 μg/L, respectively). Dogs with weight loss had significantly lower 25OHD (mean, 243.50 nmol/L; standard deviation [SD], 3.54 nmol/L) than dogs with stable weight (314.0 nmol/L; SD, 138.38 nmol/L).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Altered homeostasis of lipid‐soluble vitamins is present in dogs with EPI and sEPI, despite enzyme replacement therapy. Additional studies are needed to determine the clinical relevance of these findings and the therapeutic potential of lipid‐soluble vitamin supplementation in dogs with EPI and sEPI.
Edaphic specialization in relation to termite mounds in Katanga (DR Congo): A reciprocal transplant experiment with congeneric tree species
Authors: Cuma Mushagalusa Fidèle , Bauman David , Mujinya Bazirake Basile , Mleci Yona , Kalenga Mpibwe , Ngoy Shutcha Mylor , Meerts Pierre
Published: August 2018

Question

Do termitophilous and non‐termitophilous trees of dry tropical woodlands show local adaptation?

Location

Region of Lubumbashi, Upper Katanga, DR Congo.

Methods

Three pairs of congeneric tree species showing strict edaphic specialization with respect to termite mounds, Combretum molle (termitophilous, T)/C. collinum (non‐termitophilous, NT); Strychnos potatorum (T)/S. spinosa (NT), Ziziphus mucronata (T)/Z. abyssinica (NT), were used in a reciprocal transplant experiment in situ. Seedlings were reciprocally transplanted on termite mounds and in the surrounding matrix in a miombo woodland. Growth (height and number of leaves) and survival were monitored for 30 months. Soil physical and chemical properties, and available water, were assessed on and off mounds.

Results

Growth was little affected by habitat; only one species showed better growth in its home habitat (S. spinosa in the matrix). Survival was strongly affected by habitat, in opposite directions consistent with species’ habitat specialization. Termitophilous species experienced a very high mortality rate in the matrix, especially during the dry season. Available water content was higher in termite mound soil than in the matrix soil.

Conclusions

Termitophilous and non‐termitophilous tree species show local adaptation at the seedling stage, expressed mostly as different patterns of mortality in the dry season. The results point to water supply as a critical factor in the edaphic specialization of termitophilous species. In contrast, the higher mortality of non‐termitophilous species on termite mounds is not explained by water stress.
Examining IEPs of English Learners with Learning Disabilities for Cultural and Linguistic Responsiveness
Authors: Hoover John J. , Erickson Jennifer R. , Patton James R. , Sacco Donna M. , Tran Le M.
Published: August 2018

Effective education of English learners (ELs) with learning disabilities requires special educators to deliver culturally/linguistically responsive instruction within the context of special services, embracing the interaction between exceptionality and diversity. A critical concept is the notion that cultural and linguistic features are mandated by law to remain integral to teaching and learning once ELs are appropriately placed for special services. We examined a sampling of IEPs for ELs receiving special education for learning disabilities for cultural/linguistic responsive features to inform instruction. We found from our pilot study that the IEPs contain little to no reference to ELs' diverse linguistic and cultural qualities to (1) meet legislative mandates, and (2) guide delivery of appropriate special education. Practitioner implications for developing culturally and linguistically responsive IEPs are provided to support educators who teach ELs with learning disabilities.
Machine perfusion for liver transplantation in the era of marginal organs—New kids on the block
Authors: Czigany Zoltan , Lurje Isabella , Tolba Rene H. , Neumann Ulf P. , Tacke Frank , Lurje Georg
Published: August 2018

In the face of a critical organ shortage in the Western world, various strategies are employed to expand the donor pool for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Among them is the transplantation of organs from extended criteria donors, a valuable source of liver allografts, however, characterized by potential risks for post‐OLTcomplications and inferior outcomes. In recent years, machine perfusion (MP) of the explanted donor liver as well as regional perfusion techniques has witnessed significant advancements. Here, we aim to discuss different modes of dynamic organ preservation inOLT. These include hypothermic and normothermicMP, hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE), controlled oxygenated rewarming as well as regional perfusion protocols. Over recent years, multiple feasibility trials have demonstrated the clinical prospects ofMP. In the context ofOLTusing organs from extended criteria donors,MPhas numerous advantages compared to conventional cold storage, some of which include the preservation and reconditioning of borderline transplantable organs and the viability assessment of high‐risk donor allografts. This review aims to address the topic of liver allograftMP, highlighting particularly the current trends in clinical applications and future perspectives. Furthermore, different approaches of liver storage and reconditioning are reviewed in the context of ongoing research.
The enduring enigma of reason
Authors: Dutilh Novaes Catarina
Published: August 2018

In The Enigma of Reason, Mercier and Sperber (M&S) present and defend their interactionist account of reason. In this piece, I discuss briefly the points of agreement between M&S and myself and, more extensively, the points of disagreement, most of which pertain to details of the evolutionary components of their account. I discuss in particular the purported modular nature of reason; their account of myside bias as an optimum/adaptation; and the claim that reason thus construed must be an individual‐level and not a group‐level adaptation. In the final section, I offer brief considerations on an alternative account of reasoning, where the focus is on how sociocultural environments may tune the social production and evaluation of arguments.
Why a modular approach to reason?
Authors: Sperber Dan , Mercier Hugo
Published: August 2018

In their reviews, Chater and Oaksford, Dutilh Novaes, and Sterelny are critical of our modularist approach to reason. In this response, we clarify our claim that reason is one of many cognitive modules that produce intuitive inferences each in its domain; the reason module producing intuitions about reasons. We argue that in‐principle objections to the idea of massive modularity based on Fodor's peculiar approach are not effective against other interpretations that have led to insightful uses of the notion in psychology and biology. We explain how the reason module evaluates reasons on the basis of their metacognitive properties. We show how the module fulfils a social function, that of producing reasons to justify oneself and convince others and of evaluating the reasons others produce to convince us.
Efficacy and acceptability of treatment to eradicate nasal Staphylococcus aureus carriage among haemodialysis patients
Authors: Ritchie Stephen R , Burrett Emma , Priest Patricia , Drown Juliet , Taylor Susan , Wei Jason , Collins John , Thomas Mark G
Published: August 2018

Aim

For patients requiring haemodialysis, the risk of Staphylococcus aureus disease is higher in those colonized and persists while the person requires haemodialysis, necessitating frequent decolonization. However, the duration of successful decolonization is not known. This study aimed to determine the duration of efficacy of decolonization in intermittent and persistent S. aureus carriers requiring haemodialysis using two decolonization strategies.

Methods

We screened 100 outpatients requiring haemodialysis for S. aureus carriage and then decolonized 14 intermittent carriers and 18 persistent carriers. Participants were invited to undertake two decolonization attempts, using systemic or topical antibiotics 12 weeks apart. Nasal swabs were taken weekly to determine the duration of successful decolonization.

Results

Decolonization was successful in 24/32 (75%) participants and the median duration of decolonization was 35 days (95% confidence interval (CI) 11–59). The median duration of S. aureus decolonization was significantly shorter for persistent carriers (19 days, 95% CI 13–25 days) in comparison with intermittent carriers (70 days, 95% CI 61–79 days; P < 0.01). 28/52 (54%) post‐decolonization surveys indicated that they would use the treatment again, 14/52 (27%) surveys indicated that they would not use the treatment again, and 10/52 (19%) were undecided. 16/53 (30%) decolonization attempts resulted in an adverse drug reaction.

Conclusion

Staphylococcus aureus decolonization using topical or systemic treatments was successful for many haemodialysis patients, and provided a month free of S. aureus colonization. Although decolonization treatment provided a shorter duration of success for persistent carriers in comparison with intermittent carriers, persistent carriers are likely to gain the most from effective decolonization strategies.
Effect of long non‐coding RNA growth arrest‐specific 5 on apoptosis in renal ischaemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Geng Xuemei , Xu Xialian , Fang Yi , Zhao Shuan , Hu Jiachang , Xu Jiarui , Jia Ping , Ding Xiaoqiang , Teng Jie
Published: August 2018

Aim

Long non‐coding RNA (lncRNAs) have been shown to play a critical role in a variety of pathophysiological processes, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration. However, there were few studies addressing the function of lncRNAs in renal ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Apoptosis is an important pathogenesis during I/R injury. Here, we identified the effect of hypoxia‐responsive lncRNA growth arrest‐specific 5 (GAS5) on apoptosis in renal I/R injury.

Methods

Ischaemia/reperfusion injury in mice or hypoxia/re‐oxygenation (H/R) in human proximal renal tubular epithelial cells (HK‐2) was practiced to induce apoptosis. The kidneys and blood were collected at 24 h after reperfusion. The GAS5 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and apoptosis‐related gene mRNA and protein levels, including p53, cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein 2 (cIAP2) and thrombospondin‐1 (TSP‐1), were analysed. GAS5 small‐interfering RNA was transfected with H/R induced cells. Over‐expression of GAS5 was performed by plasmid transfection.

Results

Apoptotic cells significantly increased in I/R‐injured kidneys. GAS5 could be up‐regulated in kidneys at 24 h after reperfusion and 3 h after re‐oxygenation, combined with increased expression of its downstream apoptosis‐related proteins p53 and cIAP2. GAS5 small‐interfering RNA treatment down‐regulated the mRNA and protein levels of p53 and TSP‐1, and attenuated apoptosis induced by H/R in HK‐2 cells. Conversely, over‐expression of GAS5 up‐regulated the mRNA and protein levels of p53 and TSP‐1, and promoted apoptosis in HK‐2 cells.

Conclusion

Long non‐coding RNA GAS5 induced by I/R injury could promote apoptosis in kidney. TSP‐1 might be one of the downstream effectors of GAS5, which will be explored in the future.
Qualitative study of women's experiences of safe childbirth in maternity care
Authors: Rönnerhag Maria , Severinsson Elisabeth , Haruna Megumi , Berggren Ingela
Published: August 2018

Few studies have focused on women's childbirth experiences in relation to patient safety. The aim of this study was to explore the meaning of safety as a process phenomenon by outlining women's positive and negative experiences of safety in childbirth. A descriptive explorative design was chosen and 16 interviews were conducted. Qualitative content analysis was used. One main theme emerged: safe childbirth through involvement and guidance, based on four subthemes. The characteristics of women's experiences of safe childbirth included the need to be informed and involved by sharing and receiving trustworthy information. Women's experiences of unsafe childbirth included lack of meaningful and trustworthy information that resulted in feelings of being misled or lulled into a false sense of security. Not being involved evoked feelings of being ignored. In conclusion, this study highlights issues of importance for safe maternity care. The perspectives of childbearing women can contribute to an understanding of how to achieve meaningful improvements to provide safer maternity care.
Interrupted versus uninterrupted novel oral anticoagulant peri‐implantation of cardiac device: A single‐center randomized prospective pilot trial
Authors: Ricciardi Danilo , Creta Antonio , Colaiori Iginio , Scordino Domenico , Ragni Laura , Picarelli Francesco , Calabrese Vito , Providência Rui , Ioannou Adam , Di Sciascio Germano
Published: August 2018

Background

Many patients requiring cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation are on long‐term oral anticoagulant therapy. While continuation of warfarin has been shown to be safe and reduce bleeding complications compared to interruption of warfarin therapy and heparin bridging, it is not known which novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC) regimen (interrupted vs uninterrupted) is better in this setting.

Methods

One‐hundred and one patients were randomized to receive CIED implantation with either interrupted or uninterrupted/continuous NOAC therapy before surgery. No heparin was used in either treatment arm. The primary end‐point was the presence of a clinically significant pocket hematoma after CIED implantation. The secondary end‐point was a composite of other major bleeding events, device‐related infection, thrombotic events, and device‐related admission length postdevice implantation.

Results

Both treatment groups were equally balanced for baseline variables and concomitant medications. One clinically significant pocket hematoma occurred in the uninterrupted NOAC group and none in the interrupted group (P  =  0.320). There was no difference in other bleeding complications. No thrombotic events were observed in either of the two groups.

Conclusions

Despite the paucity of bleeding events, data from this pilot study suggest that uninterrupted NOAC therapy for CIED implantation appears to be as safe as NOAC interruption and does not increase bleeding complications.
Explaining bureaucratic power in intergovernmental relations: A network approach
Authors: Hegele Yvonne
Published: August 2018

The core assumption of the bureaucratic politics model and a large part of public administration scholarship is that bureaucrats influence politicians and political decisions via their crucial role in preparing, coordinating and formulating policy. While this influence has been analysed in a vertical direction, that is, how much do bureaucrats influence politicians, the horizontal perspective has been mostly neglected: which bureaucrats are most powerful and influential during the process of bureaucratic coordination and decision‐making? Deducing hypotheses from bargaining theory and testing them with a novel network dataset on German Intergovernmental Relations (IGR), this contribution finds that bureaucrats indeed possess varying degrees of power. Jurisdictional and organizational power resources, such as voting, financial and institutional power, and also party politics, can best explain these variances in bureaucratic power. Personal characteristics, such as experience and education, however, are not used as power resources.
China's Great Power Identity and Its Policy on the Korean Peninsula in the Xi Jinping Era
Authors: Shin Jongho
Published: August 2018

This study analyzes the reflection of the “great power identity” of China during the Xi Jinping administration in its policy on the Korean Peninsula. The Xi leadership has emphasized the “core interests” of China founded on the great power identity, and has projected more assertive peripheral diplomacy to expand its influence in East Asia. China will not dare to challenge the US dominant international order, but will seek to receive treatments relative to “the rise of China.” On the basis of this recognition, the Chinese leadership regards the Korean Peninsula not simply as a security environment in which the status quo should be maintained, but as a venue on which it wields its expanding leverage. That is, China, as a rising great power, has no choice but to stress its relationship with both South and North Korea to prepare for the strategic competition with the dominating power, the United States, and undermine US regional influence in East Asia. Because of this point, China has shown inconsistent behaviors in its Korean Peninsula policy: It not only strongly denounces the nuclearization of North Korea, but also opposes economic sanctions that could inflict severe damage on the North Korean regime. While China values South Korea's strategic values, it is taking a firm stand on foreign and security issues such as the THAAD deployment. Based on its great power identity, China recognizes the Korean Peninsula as a substructural part of its relations with the United States. However, South Korea should lead in solving the Korean Peninsula problem and North Korean denuclearization by preemptively suggesting a long‐term vision on issues regarding the Korean Peninsula.
RNAi‐suppression of barley caffeic acidO‐methyltransferase modifies lignin despite redundancy in the gene family
Authors: Daly Paul , McClellan Christopher , Maluk Marta , Oakey Helena , Lapierre Catherine , Waugh Robbie , Stephens Jennifer , Marshall David , Barakate Abdellah , Tsuji Yukiko , Goeminne Geert , Vanholme Ruben , Boerjan Wout , Ralph John , Halpin Claire
Published: August 2018

Caffeic acid O‐methyltransferase(COMT), the lignin biosynthesis gene modified in many brown‐midrib high‐digestibility mutants of maize and sorghum, was targeted for downregulation in the small grain temperate cereal, barley (Hordeum vulgare), to improve straw properties. Phylogenetic and expression analyses identified the barleyCOMTorthologue(s) expressed in stems, defining a larger gene family than in brachypodium or rice with threeCOMTgenes expressed in lignifying tissues.RNAi significantly reduced stemCOMTprotein and enzyme activity, and modestly reduced stem lignin content while dramatically changing lignin structure. Lignin syringyl‐to‐guaiacyl ratio was reduced by ~50%, the 5‐hydroxyguaiacyl (5‐OH‐G) unit incorporated into lignin at 10‐–15‐fold higher levels than normal, and the amount ofp‐coumaric acid ester‐linked to cell walls was reduced by ~50%. No brown‐midrib phenotype was observed in anyRNAi line despite significantCOMTsuppression and altered lignin. The novelCOMTgene family structure in barley highlights the dynamic nature of grass genomes. Redundancy in barleyCOMTs may explain the absence of brown‐midrib mutants in barley and wheat. The barleyCOMT RNAi lines nevertheless have the potential to be exploited for bioenergy applications and as animal feed.
Time‐specific and pleiotropic quantitative trait loci coordinately modulate stem growth in Populus
Authors: Du Qingzhang , Yang Xiaohui , Xie Jianbo , Quan Mingyang , Xiao Liang , Lu Wenjie , Tian Jiaxing , Gong Chenrui , Chen Jinhui , Li Bailian , Zhang Deqiang
Published: August 2018

In perennial woody plants, the coordinated increase of stem height and diameter during juvenile growth improves competitiveness (i.e. access to light); however, the factors underlying variation in stem growth remain unknown in trees. Here, we used linkage‐linkage disequilibrium (linkage‐LD) mapping to decipher the genetic architecture underlying three growth traits during juvenile stem growth. We used two Populus populations: a linkage mapping population comprising a full‐sib family of 1,200 progeny and an association mapping panel comprising 435 unrelated individuals from nearly the entire natural range of Populus tomentosa. We mapped 311 quantitative trait loci (QTL) for three growth traits at 12 timepoints to 42 regions in 17 linkage groups. Of these, 28 regions encompassing 233 QTL were annotated as 27 segmental homology regions (SHRs). Using SNPs identified by whole‐genome re‐sequencing of the 435‐member association mapping panel, we identified significant SNPs (P ≤ 9.4 × 10−7) within 27 SHRs that affect stem growth at nine timepoints with diverse additive and dominance patterns, and these SNPs exhibited complex allelic epistasis over the juvenile growth period. Nineteen genes linked to potential causative alleles that have time‐specific or pleiotropic effects, and mostly overlapped with significant signatures of selection within SHRs between climatic regions represented by the association mapping panel. Five genes with potential time‐specific effects showed species‐specific temporal expression profiles during the juvenile stages of stem growth in five representative Populus species. Our observations revealed the importance of considering temporal genetic basis of complex traits, which will facilitate the molecular design of tree ideotypes.
An apple sucrose transporter MdSUT2.2 is a phosphorylation target for protein kinase MdCIPK22 in response to drought
Authors: Ma Qi‐Jun , Sun Mei‐Hong , Lu Jing , Kang Hui , You Chun‐Xiang , Hao Yu‐Jin
Published: August 2018

Sugars increase with drought stress in plants and accumulate in the vacuole. However, the exact molecular mechanism underlying this process is not clear yet. In this study, protein interaction and phosphorylation experiments were conducted for sucrose transporter and CIPK kinase in apple. The specific phosphorylation site of sucrose transporter was identified with mass spectrometry. Transgenic analyses were performed to characterize their biological function. It was found that overexpression of sucrose transporter gene MdSUT2.2 in apple plants promoted sugar accumulation and drought tolerance. MdSUT2.2 protein was phosphorylated at Ser381 site in response to drought. A DUALmembrane system using MdSUT2.2 as bait through an apple cDNA library got a protein kinase MdCIPK22. Bimolecular fluorescence complementary (BiFC), pull‐down and co‐immunoprecipitation (Co‐IP) assays further demonstrated that MdCIPK22 interacted with MdSUT2.2. A series of transgenic analysis showed that MdCIPK22 was required for the drought‐induced phosphylation at Ser381 site of MdSUT2.2 protein, and that it enhanced the stability and transport activity of MdSUT2.2 protein. Finally, it was found that MdCIPK22 overexpression promoted sugar accumulation and improved drought tolerance in an MdSUT2.2‐dependent manner in transgenic apple plants. MdCIPK22‐MdSUT2.2 regulatory module shed light on the molecular mechanism by which plant accumulates sugars and enhances tolerance in response to drought stress.
When 2 × 4 is meaningful: the N400 and P300 reveal operand format effects in multiplication verification
Authors: Dickson Danielle S. , Cerda Vanessa R. , Beavers Rosemary N. , Ruiz Andres , Castañeda Ricardo , Wicha Nicole Y.Y.
Published: August 2018

Arithmetic problems share many surface‐level features with typical sentences. They assert information about the world, and readers can evaluate this information for sensibility by consulting their memories as the statement unfolds. When people encounter the solution to the problem 3 × 4, the brain elicits a robust ERP effect as a function of answer expectancy (12 being the expected completion; 15 being unexpected). Initially, this was labeled an N400 effect, implying that semantic memory had been accessed. Subsequent work suggested instead that the effect was driven by a target P300 to the correct solutions. The current study manipulates operand format to differentially promote access to language‐based semantic representations of arithmetic. Operands were presented either as spoken number words or as sequential Arabic numerals. The critical solution was always an Arabic numeral. In Experiment 1, the correctness of solutions preceded by spoken operands modulated N400 amplitude, whereas solutions preceded by Arabic numerals elicited a P300 for correct problems. In Experiment 2, using only spoken operands, the delay between the second operand and the Arabic numeral solution was manipulated to determine if additional processing time would result in a P300. With a longer delay, an earlier N400 and no distinct P300 were observed. In brief, highly familiar digit operands promoted target detection, whereas spoken numbers promoted semantic level processing—even when solution format itself was held constant. This provides evidence that the brain can process arithmetic fact information at different levels of representational meaningfulness as a function of symbolic format.