bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A citizen‐trapper effort to control Common Myna: Trap success, specificity and preferred bait type
Authors: Linley Grant D. , Paton David C. , Weston Michael A.
Published: August 2017

We describe a community‐run effort to cull Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) in Melbourne undertaken with modest funding (overall: $30.14 per trap day, $5.17 per euthanized Common Myna). Trap success (overall, 0.04 birds per trap per day) peaked early in the effort and slowly declined. Trap specificity was high (83.8%) and similar between bait types. Dry cat food captured more Common Myna, and a similar assemblage of animals, to dry dog food. Bread baits captured a broader assemblage of animals. The community‐led trapping programme reduced the mean density of Common Myna and achieved high target specificity with relatively few unintended trap deaths. While long‐term impacts on the population of Common Myna or native birds are yet to be analysed, the results suggest that ongoing effort is required for population suppression.
Neuropsychiatric adverse events of antiepileptic drugs in brain tumour‐related epilepsy: an Italian multicentre prospective observational study
Authors: Bedetti C. , Romoli M. , Maschio M. , Di Bonaventura C. , Nardi Cesarini E. , Eusebi P. , Siliquini S. , Dispenza S. , Calabresi P. , Costa C.
Published: August 2017

Background and purpose

We assessed the prevalence and magnitude of neuropsychiatric adverse events (NPAEs) associated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) among patients with brain tumour‐related epilepsy (BTRE).

Methods

This observational, prospective, multicentre study enrolled 259 patients with BTRE after neurosurgery. All patients received AED monotherapy. Efficacy was assessed through clinical diaries, whereas NPAEs were collected using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Test‐12 questionnaire at baseline and after 5 months.

Results

Tumour localization in the frontal lobe was associated with a higher prevalence of NPAEs (odds ratio, 7.73; P < 0.001). Independent of tumour localization, levetiracetam (LVT) treatment was associated with higher prevalence and magnitude of NPAEs (odds ratio, 7.94; P < 0.01) compared with other AEDs. Patients with oligodendroglioma reported more NPAEs than patients with other tumour types. NPAEs were not influenced by chemotherapy, radiotherapy or steroid treatment. Evaluating non‐neurobehavioural adverse events of AEDs, no significant differences were found among AEDs, although patients treated with old AEDs had a higher prevalence of adverse events than those treated with new AEDs.

Conclusions

Both tumour localization in the frontal lobe and LVT treatment are associated with a higher risk of NPAEs in patients with BTRE. LVT is regarded as a first‐line option in patients with BTRE because of easy titration and few significant drug‐to‐drug interactions. Thus, as NPAEs lead to poor compliance and a high dropout rate, clinicians need to accurately monitor NPAEs after AED prescription, especially in patients with frontal lobe tumours receiving LVT.
Defensin‐neurotoxin dyad in a basally branching metazoan sea anemone
Authors: Kim Chan‐Hee , Lee Ye Jin , Go Hye‐Jin , Oh Hye Young , Lee Tae Kwan , Park Ji Been , Park Nam Gyu
Published: August 2017

Recent studies suggest that vertebrate and invertebrate defensins have evolved from two independent ancestors, and that both defensins could share origins with animal toxins. Here, we purified novel sea anemone neurotoxin (BDS)‐like antimicrobial peptides (AMPs)—Crassicorin‐I and its putative homolog (Crassicorin‐II)—from the pharynx extract of an anthozoan sea anemone (Urticina crassicornis). Based on structural analyses and cDNA cloning, mature Crassicorin‐I represents a cationic AMP likely generated from a precursor and comprising 40 amino acid residues, including six cysteines forming three intramolecular disulfide bonds. Recombinant Crassicorin‐I produced in a heterologous bacterial‐expression system displayed antimicrobial activity against both a gram‐positive bacterium (Bacillus subtilis) and gram‐negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica). The Crassicorin‐I transcript was upregulated by immune challenge, suggesting its involvement in defense mechanisms against infectious pathogens in sea anemone. Sequence alignment and three‐dimensional molecular modeling revealed that Crassicorin‐I exhibits high degrees of structural similarity to sea anemone neurotoxins that share β‐defensin fold which is found in vertebrate defensins and invertebrate big‐defensins. Consistent with its structural similarity to neurotoxins, Crassicorin‐I exhibited paralytic activity toward a crustacean. These findings motivated our investigation and subsequent discovery of antimicrobial activity from other known sea anemone neurotoxins, such as APETx1 and ShK. Collectively, our work signified that Crassicorin‐I is the first AMP identified from a sea anemone and provided evidence of a functional linkage between AMPs and neurotoxins in a basally branching metazoan.
Linguistic Dimensions of Accentedness and Comprehensibility: Exploring Task and Listener Effects in Second Language French
Authors: Bergeron Annie , Trofimovich Pavel
Published: August 2017

This study explored the effects of task and listeners’ linguistic background on judgments of accentedness and comprehensibility in second language (L2) French. Forty Spanish speakers of L2 French recorded a picture narrative and answered an interview question. These audio samples were assessed by native French listeners with (n = 10) and without (n = 10) knowledge of L2 Spanish using 1,000‐point sliding scales to evaluate accentedness and comprehensibility, as well as nine linguistic variables targeting pronunciation, fluency, lexis, grammar, and discourse. In the picture narrative task (cognitively less complex), accentedness could be distinguished from comprehensibility at the level of the linguistic dimensions associated with each construct. While accentedness was related to pronunciation and fluency (consonant and vowel errors, intonation, speech rate), comprehensibility was additionally linked to lexis (accuracy, richness), grammar (accuracy, complexity), and discourse richness. However, in the interview task (cognitively more complex), both accentedness and comprehensibility had similar linguistic profiles, associated with all nine linguistic variables. Listeners’ experience with L2 Spanish had little impact on listener ratings of accentedness or comprehensibility in both tasks. Findings are discussed in relation to L2 instruction and the role of task complexity in targeting various dimensions of L2 accentedness and comprehensibility.
Global‐scale patterns of nutrient density and partitioning in forests in relation to climate
Authors: Zhang Kerong , Song Conghe , Zhang Yulong , Dang Haishan , Cheng Xiaoli , Zhang Quanfa
Published: August 2017

Knowledge of nutrient storage and partitioning in forests is imperative for ecosystem models and ecological theory. Whether the nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) stored in forest biomass and their partitioning patterns vary systematically across climatic gradients remains unknown. Here, we explored the global‐scale patterns of nutrient density and partitioning using a newly compiled dataset including 372 forest stands. We found that temperature and precipitation were key factors driving the nutrients stored in living biomass of forests at global scale. The N, K, and Mg stored in living biomass tended to be greater in increasingly warm climates. The mean biomass N density was 577.0, 530.4, 513.2, and 336.7 kg/ha for tropical, subtropical, temperate, and boreal forests, respectively. Around 76% of the variation in biomass N density could be accounted by the empirical model combining biomass density, phylogeny (i.e., angiosperm, gymnosperm), and the interaction of mean annual temperature and precipitation. Climate, stand age, and biomass density significantly affected nutrients partitioning at forest community level. The fractional distribution of nutrients to roots decreased significantly with temperature, suggesting that forests in cold climates allocate greater nutrients to roots. Gymnosperm forests tended to allocate more nutrients to leaves as compared with angiosperm forests, whereas the angiosperm forests distributed more nutrients in stems. The nutrient‐based Root:Shoot ratios (R:S), averaged 0.30 for R:SN, 0.36 for R:SP, 0.32 for R:SK, 0.27 for R:SCa, and 0.35 for R:SMg, respectively. The scaling exponents of the relationships describing root nutrients as a function of shoot nutrients were more than 1.0, suggesting that as nutrient allocated to shoot increases, nutrient allocated to roots increases faster than linearly with nutrient in shoot. Soil type significantly affected the total N, P, K, Ca, and Mg stored in living biomass of forests, and the Acrisols group displayed the lowest P, K, Ca, and Mg.
Catching the bus: A call for critical geographies of education
Authors: Nguyen Nicole , Cohen Dan , Huff Alice
Published: August 2017

Informed by recent struggles over schooling, this article proceeds from the premise that education is a deeply geographic and urgently political problem increasingly engaged by a wide range of scholars and activists. We argue that the current political moment demands increasing geographic attention to the confluence of social processes that shape schooling arrangements. We contend that this attention also must address how people involved in collective action understand and enact alternatives and how these mobilizations may articulate with other social movements. Although existing geographers of education have studied schooling in relation to other processes such as gentrification and citizenship, we argue that centering schooling as an object of study can enliven important disciplinary conversations. In light of these arguments, we call on geographers to advance geographic scholarship on education by creating a cohesive critical geographies of education subfield. Drawing from intensified interest in the geographies of education, this subfield can contribute to broader geographic debates by centering schooling in theory generation, rather than only studying education as a site of test cases for existing geographic theories. Given this call, this review highlights how the existing literature on schooling signals the potential of geographic work on education and marks considerations for the development of future research.
Blinded histopathological characterisation of POLE exonuclease domain‐mutant endometrial cancers: sheep in wolf's clothing
Authors: Van Gool Inge C , Ubachs Jef E H , Stelloo Ellen , de Kroon Cor D , Goeman Jelle J , Smit Vincent T H B M , Creutzberg Carien L , Bosse Tjalling
Published: August 2017

Aims

POLE exonuclease domain mutations identify a subset of endometrial cancer (EC) patients with an excellent prognosis. The use of this biomarker has been suggested to refine adjuvant treatment decisions, but the necessary sequencing is not widely performed and is relatively expensive. Therefore, we aimed to identify histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics to aid in the detection of POLE‐mutant ECs.

Methods and results

Fifty‐one POLE‐mutant endometrioid, 67 POLE‐wild‐type endometrioid and 15 POLE‐wild‐type serous ECs were included (total N = 133). An expert gynaecopathologist, blinded to molecular features, evaluated each case (two or more slides) for 16 morphological characteristics. Immunohistochemistry was performed for p53, p16, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2. POLE‐mutant ECs were characterised by a prominent immune infiltrate: 80% showed peritumoral lymphocytes and 59% showed tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes, as compared with 43% and 28% of POLE‐wild‐type endometrioid ECs, and 27% and 13% of their serous counterparts (P < 0.01, all comparisons). Of POLE‐mutant ECs, 33% contained tumour giant cells; this proportion was significantly higher than that in POLE‐wild‐type endometrioid ECs (10%; P = 0.003), but not significantly different from that in serous ECs (53%). Serous‐like features were as often (focally) present in POLE‐mutant as in POLE‐wild‐type endometrioid ECs (6–24%, depending on the feature). The majority of POLE‐mutant ECs showed wild‐type p53 (86%), negative/focal p16 (82%) and normal mismatch repair protein expression (90%).

Conclusions

A simple combination of morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics (tumour type, grade, peritumoral lymphocytes, MLH1, and p53 expression) can assist in prescreening for POLE exonuclease domain mutations in EC, increasing the probability of a mutation being detected from 7% to 33%. This facilitates the use of this important prognostic biomarker in routine pathology.
CD274 (PDL1) and JAK2 genomic amplifications in pulmonary squamous‐cell and adenocarcinoma patients
Authors: Clavé Sergi , Pijuan Lara , Casadevall David , Taus Álvaro , Gimeno Javier , Hernández‐Llodrà Silvia , Rodríguez‐Rivera María , Lorenzo Marta , Menéndez Silvia , Albanell Joan , Espinet Blanca , Arriola Edurne , Salido Marta
Published: August 2017

Aims

CD274 (PDL1) and JAK2 (9p24.1) gene amplifications have been recently described in pulmonary carcinomas in association with programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression. Furthermore, PTEN loss has been explored preclinically in relation to PD‐L1 expression. Our aim was to determine whether these genomic alterations affect PD‐L1 expression levels in non‐small‐cell lung cancer.

Methods and results

PD‐L1 and PTEN expression determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and CD274, JAK2 and PTEN copy number alterations (CNAs) determined by fluorescence in‐situ hybridisation, were studied in 171 pulmonary carcinoma specimens. PD‐L1 expression was positive in 40 cases (23.3%), and CD274 amplification was present in 14 tumours (8.8%). Concordance between both events was found in 12 of 14 amplified cases (P = 0.0001). We found nine JAK2‐amplified cases (5.7%), seven with PD‐L1 expression (P = 0.0006). Moreover, six of the seven cases had JAK2 and CD274 coamplification (9p24.1 genomic amplification). Remarkably, the average PD‐L1 IHC score was higher in these amplified cases (230 versus 80; P = 0.001). Non‐statistical associations were observed between PD‐L1 expression and PTEN loss and PTEN deletions.

Conclusions

We describe a subset of patients (8.2%) who had 9p24.1 amplifications resulting in high expression of PD‐L1. Our results provide evidence for genomic up‐regulation of PD‐L1 expression in non‐small‐cell lung cancer.
Punch ‘scoring’: a technique that facilitates melanoma diagnosis of clinically suspicious pigmented lesions
Authors: Grogan Judith , Cooper Caroline L , Dodds Tristan J , Guitera Pascale , Menzies Scott W , Scolyer Richard A
Published: August 2017

Aims

Early recognition and accurate diagnosis underpins melanoma survival. Identifying early melanomas arising in association with pre‐existing lesions is often challenging. Clinically suspicious foci, however small, must be identified and examined histologically. This study assessed the accuracy of punch biopsy ‘scoring’ of suspicious foci in excised atypical pigmented skin lesions to identify early melanomas.

Methods and results

Forty‐one excised pigmented skin lesions with a clinically/dermoscopically focal area of concern for melanoma, with the suspicious focus marked prior to excision with a punch biopsy ‘score’ (a partial incision into the skin surface), were analysed. Melanoma was diagnosed in nine of 41 cases (22%). In eight of nine cases (89%) the melanoma was associated with a naevus, and in seven of nine (88%) cases the melanoma was identified preferentially by the scored focus. In six of nine cases (67%), the melanoma was entirely encompassed by the scored focus. In one case of melanomain situ, the diagnostic material was identified only on further levelling through the scored focus. In 28 of 32 of non‐melanoma cases (88%), the scored focus identified either diagnostic features of a particular lesion or pathological features that correlated with the clinical impression of change/atypia including altered architecture or distribution of pigmentation, features of irritation or regression.

Conclusions

The ‘punch scoring technique’ allows direct clinicopathological correlation and facilitates early melanoma diagnosis by focusing attention on clinically suspicious areas. Furthermore, it does not require special expertise inex‐vivoclinical techniques for implementation. Nevertheless, in some cases examination of the lesion beyond the scored focus is also necessary to make a diagnosis of melanoma.
Fracture of nickel titanium rotary instrument during root canal treatment and re‐treatment: a 5‐year retrospective study
Authors: Alfouzan K. , Jamleh A.
Published: August 2017

Aim

To evaluate retrospectively the incidence of K3 nickel titanium rotary instrument fracture in referred cases during root canal treatment and re‐treatment.

Methodology

Clinical and radiographic reports of 12 867 endodontic cases treated at the King Abdulaziz medical city between January 2010 and November 2015 were reviewed to obtain information on intracanal fractured instruments with respect to the treatment performed, tooth type and the size and at what level the instrument fractured (coronal, middle or apical). The degree of canal curvature was classified into mild (<10°), moderate (10–25°) or severe (>25°). Logistic regression was used to test the incidence of instrument fracture in relation to the root canal treatment performed and tooth type. Chi‐square tests were used to analyse the fracture incidence in the treated teeth in respect to fracture level and fractured file diameter. The level of significance was set at 0.05.

Results

Root canal treatment was performed on 8946 cases, whilst re‐treatment was performed on 3921 cases. The fracture incidence was higher during re‐treatment cases (2.96%) than in primary root canal treatment (0.74%) (P < 0.001) with a 1.41% incidence overall. There was a trend for more fractures in maxillary (1.68%) and mandibular (1.35%) molar teeth. Moreover, 56.6% of the fractured instruments occurred in severely curved canals, and the apical third of the root canal was the most common site for instrument fracture (85.7%), followed by middle (13.2%), and coronal (1.1%) thirds, mostly with file sizes 20 and 25 (59.9% and 25.27%, respectively).

Conclusion

The fracture incidence of K3 instruments was significantly greater during root canal re‐treatment than root canal treatment, mainly with small instruments and in the apical third of the canals.
Investigation of microstructure and thermoelectric properties of p‐type BiSbTe/ZnO composites
Authors: Madavali Babu , Lee Chul‐Hee , Kim Hyo‐Seob , Lee Kap‐Ho , Hong Soon‐Jik
Published: August 2017

In this research work, p‐type BiSbTe/ZnO (2 wt%) nanocomposite powders were fabricated by high‐energy ball milling at different milling times, and subsequently, powders were consolidated by spark plasma sintering at 673 K temperature. The existence of nanoinclusions was confirmed by SEM‐EDS mapping. Vickers hardness values greatly improved due to reduction in grain size which prevents the crack propagation and dispersion strengthening mechanism. The decrease in carrier density, which plays a critical role in thermoelectrics, dramatically increases the Seebeck coefficient, and subsequently, decreases the electrical conductivity upon the dispersion of ZnO nanorods into the BiSbTe matrix. The thermal conductivity was noticeably reduced by ~13% in BiSbTe/ZnO composites for 5‐minute samples due to blocking of carriers/phonons at interfaces, and/or grain boundaries. The peak ZT of 0.92 was obtained for BiSbTe matrix, and 0.91 for BiSbTe/ZnO (5 minutes) composites at room temperatures.
Electrical and dielectric analysis of lithium chloride mixed sodium and lithium phosphate glasses
Authors: Attafi Yosra , Melo Bruno Miguel Gonçalves , Ben Haj Amara Abdesslem , Soreto Teixeira Silvia , Costa Luis Cadillon , Valente Manuel Almeida , Graça Manuel Pedro Fernandes
Published: August 2017

Glasses with molar composition 2xLiCl–(40−x)Na2O–(40−x)P2O5–20Li2O, where 0 ≤ 2x≤7 (mol%), were prepared by the melt‐quenching method. The synthesized glasses were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, which confirmed their amorphous nature. The glass transition temperature and crystallization temperature of the samples were determined by differential thermal analysis. The density of the samples was measure using Archimedes principle, and the structural analysis was further investigated using infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The dc conductivity of the samples was investigated, along with their dielectric properties using impedance spectroscopy, in the frequency range 100 Hz to 1 MHz, which showed a maximum of conductivity for the sample with 7 mol% of LiCl. The results were correlated to the increased number of lithium ions and to the chloride ions which can either form P–Cl bonds or occupy the interstitial sites of the glass network.
A cross-sectional evaluation of the prevalence and detection of predictors of polypharmacy amongst adult in Spain
Authors: Niclós Gracia , Olivar Teresa , Rodilla Vicent
Published: August 2017

Objective

To investigate the association between polypharmacy and sociodemographic factors as well as health status, determinants of health and healthcare use, illness and use of prescribed medicines amongst adults in Spain.

Methods

Data from the 2009 European Health Interview Survey in Spain which included 22 188 subjects were used. Polypharmacy was defined as the use of five or more prescribed medicines. The association between polypharmacy and several variables was assessed by means of bivariate analysis and logistic regression analysis (adjusted by age and gender).

Key findings

Amongst study participants, 15.8% were on prescribed polypharmacy (19.3%, women; 10.3%, men (P < 0.001)). A number of sociodemographic factors (e.g. age, gender, educational level), health status factors (e.g. limitation in daily activities, self-perception of health, presence of chronic disease) and other health-related factors (e.g. smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity) have been studied and have been found to play a role in polypharmacy. Logistic regression analysis provided three variables which together with age could be used to predict polypharmacy.

Conclusion

In Spain, approximately 16% of people who take medicines are on polypharmacy and this is more frequent in women and amongst older adults. From our study, we can conclude that the variables which can predict a higher likelihood of polypharmacy are, together with age, prescribed antidepressants, and prescribed medicines for back/neck pain and joint pain. This may provide a tool for health professionals to readily assess polypharmacy appropriateness in polymedicated patients.
How do people conceptualise the reuse of medicines? An interview study
Authors: Alhamad Hamza , Patel Nilesh , Donyai Parastou
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To capture people’s beliefs about medicines reuse and to map the determinants of intentions to reuse medicines in the future.

Methods

Participants were recruited through an advert placed in the university’s community newsletter reaching 15 000 households. Adults wishing to participate were interviewed using convenience sampling, with recruitment continuing until data saturation. Participants were interviewed face-to-face by two researchers using a semi-structured interview schedule based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Interview transcripts were analysed by thematic analysis, with the themes classified according to the TPB. The University’s research ethics committee approval was obtained.

Key findings

Nineteen participants were interviewed. The potential economic and environmental benefits of medicines reuse were juxtaposed with stability and safety worries. Participants trusted pharmacists to quality-assure returned medicines, but wondered if they had the time and storage space to dedicate to medicines reuse. Environmentalists were seen as the main proponents of medicines reuse with drug manufacturers, some taxpayers and parents seen as the main opponents. The physical characteristics of reused medicines, and quality assurance and logistics of reuse processes were seen to enable/obstruct engagement in medicines reuse. A working definition of medicines reuse as a behaviour was developed.

Conclusions

People could potentially agree to reuse medicines if their concerns are addressed and the process is well defined and managed. This is a qualitative study with a small number of participants meaning the results may not be generalisable. The themes generated will enable a structured questionnaire to be developed for quantifying broader views.
High‐performance varistors prepared by hot‐dipping tin oxide thin films in Sb2O3 powder: Influence of temperature
Authors: Wang Qi , Peng Zhijian , Lv Changchun , Fu Xiuli
Published: August 2017

A series of SnOx–Sb2O3 thin film varistors were fabricated through hot‐dipping tin oxide films deposited by radio‐frequency magnetron sputtering in Sb2O3 powder at varied temperatures in air. With the increase in hot‐dipping temperature (HDT) from 200°C to 600°C, the nonlinear coefficient (α) of the samples increased first and then decreased, reaching the maximum at 500°C, which was mainly determined by the completeness of high‐resistant Sb2O3 layer at tin oxide grain boundary and the chemical composition of tin oxide films. Correspondingly, the leakage current (IL) decreased first and increased later. The breakdown electric field (E100 mA) decreased constantly with increasing HDT. The SnOx–Sb2O3 film varistors prepared at 500°C exhibited the optimum nonlinear properties with the maximum α of 10.88, the minimum IL of 36.3 mA/cm2, and an E100mA of 0.0188 V/nm. The obtained nanoscaled film varistors would be promising in electrical/electronic devices working in low voltage.
Electrospun Fe2O3 nanotubes and Fe3O4 nanofibers by citric acid sol‐gel method
Authors: Li Jianjun , Wu Yanfeng , Yang Minglong , Yuan Ye , Yin Weilong , Peng Qingyu , Li Yibin , He Xiaodong
Published: August 2017

Citric acid‐based sol‐gel method has been used to synthesize metal oxides widely. Iron‐based one‐dimensional nanostructured materials, including Fe2O3 nanotubes and Fe3O4 nanofibers, have been successfully prepared by directly annealing electrospun citric acid‐based precursor fibers under different atmospheres in this study. Thermo‐gravimetric and differential thermal analyses were carried out from room temperature to 800°C under air and argon atmosphere, respectively. The results reveal the formation mechanisms for Fe2O3 nanotube and Fe3O4 nanofiber. Fe2O3 tubular structures with average inner diameter about 500 nm and wall thickness about 20 nm were obtained. Fe3O4 nanoparticles were self‐assembled along the one dimensional orientation to form Fe3O4 nanofibers with average diameter around 500 nm. The reflection losses as a function of frequency for the samples with 23 and 33 wt% Fe3O4 nanofibers in paraffin were examined. The frequency dependence of reflection losses under various matching thicknesses (2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 mm) was simulated. The as‐fabricated Fe3O4 nanofibers can be believed to be promising candidates as highly effective microwave absorbers.
Architectural design and cryogenic synthesis of Si3N4@(TiN–Si3N4) for high conductivity
Authors: Yang Mei , Lv Mingli , Wang Qi , Zhu Hongmin
Published: August 2017

Si3N4@(TiN–Si3N4) composites with heteroshelled structure were designed for enhanced conductivity and successfully synthesized through the simultaneous reduction and in‐situ cocoating process in liquid ammonia at around −40°C. The heteroshells were composed of nanosized TiN and Si3N4 particles, which were amorphous with the size ranging from 10 to 40 nm. Using spark plasma sintering, dense bulk composite with >98.1% relative density of theoretical value were obtained and their electrical conductivity were increased to an adequate value (6.62 × 102 S·cm−1) for electrical discharge machining by compositing 15 vol% TiN to Si3N4, which is superior to the previous reports. The excellent electric performance could be attributed to the heteroshelled structure which guarantees the conductive network can be formed and kept with minimal TiN content. The nanosized Si3N4 powders in the shells reduce the content of conductive powders and limit the growth of TiN particles.
Nursing lives in the blogosphere: A thematic analysis of anonymous online nursing narratives
Authors: Castro Aimee , Andrews Gavin
Published: August 2017

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore the work‐life narratives of nurses through a thematic analysis of the nursing accounts they post in their publicly accessible, anonymous blogs.

Background

Many nurses participate on social media. Blogs have been advocated as a self‐reflective tool in nursing practice, yet as far as the authors are aware, no previous studies have explored nurses’ individual blogs for their potential to reveal nurses’ perceptions of nursing work.

Design

The research design was qualitative description.

Methods

Between May–August 2015, Internet search engines were used to discover lists of nursing blogs recommended by organizations representing nurses’ interests. Recommended blogs were purposively sampled. Four anonymous blogs written by nurses from different nursing specialties met the sampling criteria. All 520 of their entries from 2014 were read and copied into NVivo 10, where an inductive coding process was followed.

Findings

Three major themes arose in these nurses’ online discussions of their work lives: they truly care about and value their nursing work, but they are feeling stressed and burnt out and they are using their anonymous blogs to share factors that frustrate them in their nursing work. Three main areas of frustration were revealed: teamwork problems, challenging patients and families, and management issues.

Conclusion

Anonymous nursing blogs offer valuable, longitudinal insights into nurses’ perceptions of their work lives. Nursing blogs should be further explored for ongoing insights into nurses’ experiences of nursing work, as well as nurses’ recommendations for addressing issues causing them to feel frustrated in their work environments.
A double‐masked Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) comparing four periodontitis treatment strategies: 5‐year clinical results
Authors: Preus Hans R. , Gjermo Per , Baelum Vibeke
Published: August 2017

Aim

To test the hypothesis of no difference in the 5‐year clinical outcome of therapy between groups of patients treated with conventional over‐weeks scaling and root planing or same‐day full‐mouth‐disinfection, with or without adjunctive metronidazole (MTZ).

Materials and Methods

Following a three‐month oral hygiene phase, 184 periodontitis patients were randomly allocated to one of four treatment regimens (1) full‐mouth disinfection (FDIS)+ MTZ, (2) FDIS +placebo, (3) scaling and root planing+ MTZ and (4) scaling and root planing+placebo. Following active treatment, patients received biannual maintenance; 161 patients completed the five‐year follow‐up maintenance and examination, where clinical attachment level (CAL), probing pocket depth (PPD), presence of plaque and bleeding were registered.

Results

Metronidazole increased the highest CAL recording statistically insignificantly by an average of 0.17 mm while FDIS decreased it by an average of 0.12 mm. The corresponding values for the highest PPD were 0.00 and 0.05 mm, respectively.

Conclusion

While single‐level analyses showed statistically significant differences, they could not be confirmed with more appropriate analyses and were too small to recommend MTZ, with its risk of patient side effects and environmental consequences, for the treatment of patients with severe periodontitis.
Robust fluorescent labelling of micropipettes for use in fluorescence microscopy: application to the observation of a mosquito borne parasite infection
Authors: BALABAN AMANDA E. , NEUMAN KEIR , SINNIS PHOTINI , BALABAN ROBERT S.
Published: August 2017

The ability to monitor micropipette injections with a high‐resolution fluorescent microscope has utility for a variety of applications. Herein, different approaches were tested for creating broad‐band fluorescently labelled glass micropipettes including: UV cured glass glues, baked glass enamel containing fluorescent dyes as well as nanodiamonds attached during pipette formation in the microforge. The most robust and simplest approach was to use labelled baked enamel on the exterior of the pipette. This approach was tested using pipettes designed to mimic a mosquito proboscis for the injection of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium spp., into the dermis of a living mouse ear. The pipette (∼30 micron diameter) was easily detected in the microscopy field of view and tolerated multiple insertions through the skin. This simple inexpensive approach to fluorescently labelling micropipettes will aid in the development of procedures under the fluorescent microscope.
Ulinastatin inhibited sepsis‐induced spinal inflammation to alleviate peripheral neuromuscular dysfunction in an experimental rat model of neuromyopathy
Authors: Xie Fei , Min Su , Chen Jingyuan , Yang Jun , Wang Xin
Published: August 2017

Sepsis initiates a neuroinflammatory cascade that contributes to spinal cord inflammation and behavioral impairment, and Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) is an important mediator of this cascade. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that ulinastatin (ULI) inhibits sepsis‐induced spinal inflammation to alleviate peripheral neuromuscular dysfunction through the TLR4/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/NF‐κB signaling pathway. Muscular function, spinal cord water content, and cytokine levels of spinal cord were tested in TLR4‐inhibited rats subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The normal rats were intrathecally injected with different concentrations of ULI or normal saline 60 min before CLP. At 24 h after CLP, the activation of microglia/macrophage was detected by immunofluorescence staining; and the cytokines were assayed by ELISA. The protein expression level of the TLR4 and its downstream effectors (MyD88 and NF‐κB), the neuregulin‐1, and the γ‐ and α7‐nicotinic acetylcholine receptor was measured using western blotting. The protein expression of TLR4 in the spinal cord reached a maximum at 24 h post‐CLP. Compared to the sham rats, the TLR4‐inhibited rats showed attenuated functional impairment and cytokine release. ULI (5000 U/kg ) treatment pre‐CLP significantly reduced the number of TLR4‐positive microglia/macrophages as well as inflammatory mediator release in septic rats. Furthermore, the levels of TLR4, MyD88, and NF‐κB and the expression level of γ‐/α7‐nicotinic acetylcholine receptors also decreased after ULI treatment. ULI administration may improve patient outcome by reducing the spinal inflammation through a mechanism involving the TLR4/MyD88/NF‐κB signaling in sepsis.

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Role of theGM1 ganglioside oligosaccharide portion in the TrkA‐dependent neurite sprouting in neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Chiricozzi Elena , Pomè Diego Yuri , Maggioni Margherita , Di Biase Erika , Parravicini Chiara , Palazzolo Luca , Loberto Nicoletta , Eberini Ivano , Sonnino Sandro
Published: August 2017

GM1 ganglioside (II3NeuAc‐Gg4Cer) is known to promote neurite formation in neuroblastoma cells by activating TrkA‐MAPKpathway. The molecular mechanism by whichGM1 is involved in the neurodifferentiation process is still unknown, however,in vitroandin vivoevidences have suggested that the oligosaccharide portion of this ganglioside could be involved. Here, we report that, similarly to the entireGM1 molecule, its oligosaccharideII3NeuAc‐Gg4,rather than its ceramide (Cer) portion is responsible for the neurodifferentiation process by augmenting neurite elongation and increasing the neurofilament protein expression in murine neuroblastoma cells, Neuro2a. Conversely, asialo‐GM1,GM2 andGM3 oligosaccharides are not effective in neurite elongation on Neuro2a cells, whereas the effect exerted by the Fuc‐GM1 oligosaccharide (IV2αFucII3Neu5Ac‐Gg4) is similar to that exerted byGM1 oligosaccharide. The neurotrophic properties ofGM1 oligosaccharide are exerted by activating the TrkA receptor and the following phosphorylation cascade. By photolabeling experiments performed with a nitrophenylazide containingGM1 oligosaccharide, labeled with tritium, we showed a direct interaction between theGM1 oligosaccharide and the extracellular domain of TrkA receptor. Moreover, molecular docking analyses confirmed thatGM1 oligosaccharide binds the TrkA‐nerve growth factor complex leading to a binding free energy of approx. −11.5 kcal/mol, acting as a bridge able to increase and stabilize the TrkA‐nerve growth factor molecular interactions.

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Protection of melatonin in experimental models of newborn hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury through MT1 receptor
Authors: Sinha Bharati , Wu Qiaofeng , Li Wei , Tu Yanyang , Sirianni Ana C. , Chen Yanchun , Jiang Jiying , Zhang Xinmu , Chen Wu , Zhou Shuanhu , Reiter Russel J. , Manning Simon M. , Patel Nirav J. , Aziz‐Sultan Ali M. , Inder Terrie E. , Friedlander Robert M. , Fu Jianfang , Wang Xin
Published: August 2017

The function of melatonin as a protective agent against newborn hypoxic‐ischemic (H‐I) brain injury is not yet well studied, and the mechanisms by which melatonin causes neuroprotection in neurological diseases are still evolving. This study was designed to investigate whether expression of MT1 receptors is reduced in newborn H‐I brain injury and whether the protective action of melatonin is by alterations of the MT1 receptors. We demonstrated that there was significant reduction in MT1 receptors in ischemic brain of mouse pups in vivo following H‐I brain injury and that melatonin offers neuroprotection through upregulation of MT1 receptors. The role of MT1 receptors was further supported by observation of increased mortality in MT1 knockout mice following H‐I brain injury and the reversal of the inhibitory role of melatonin on mitochondrial cell death pathways by the melatonin receptor antagonist, luzindole. These data demonstrate that melatonin mediates its neuroprotective effect in mouse models of newborn H‐I brain injury, at least in part, by the restoration of MT1 receptors, the inhibition of mitochondrial cell death pathways and the suppression of astrocytic and microglial activation.
Resistance training does not alter same‐day sleep architecture in institutionalized older adults
Authors: Herrick Jeffrey E. , Puri Shipra , Richards Kathy C.
Published: August 2017

Sleep disturbance is a common symptom in institutionalized older adults that reduces their quality of life and may contribute to progression of cognitive impairment. While we found that a 7‐week combination of resistance training, walking and social activity significantly improved sleep in institutionalized older adults compared with a usual care control group, no one to our knowledge has determined the acute effects of resistance training on same‐day sleep in this population. Given the effort required to promote exercise adherence in institutionalized older adults and to obtain a positive training effect, understanding of the acute effects of resistance training on same‐day sleep architecture should be elucidated, especially with respect to unintended consequences. This secondary data analysis assessed if resistance training altered the same‐day sleep architecture in institutionalized older adults. Forty‐three participants (age 81.5 ± 8.1 years, male = 17, female = 26) had two attended overnight polysomnography tests in their rooms for sleep architecture analysis; one polysomnography with same‐day resistance training, one without any resistance training. Resistance training consisted of chest and leg press exercises (three sets, eight repetitions, 80% predicted one‐repetition maximum). There were no significant changes in sleep architecture between either polysomnography nights; sleep efficiency (P = 0.71), time in non‐rapid eye movement stages (P = 0.50), time in rapid eye movement stages (P = 0.14), time awake (P = 0.56), time until sleep onset (P = 0.47), total sleep stage shifts (P = 0.65) or rapid eye movement sleep stage latency (P = 0.57). Our results show no acute same‐day effects of resistance training on sleep architecture in institutionalized older adults.

Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00888706.
Identity, Inequality, and Legitimacy: Religious Differences in Primary School Completion in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Manglos‐Weber Nicolette D.
Published: August 2017

This study uses survey data from 17 countries in Sub‐Saharan Africa, along with country‐level indicators, to examine the relationship between religious identity and the odds of completing primary schooling, as a key aspect of socioeconomic inequality. The results reveal a significant and robust schooling disadvantage for Muslims and those of traditional African faiths both relative to Christians at the aggregate level as well as within 13 country samples. This effect is seen in both rural and urban areas and is slightly smaller among men versus women, though it is still large and significant. The effect is also larger in countries in West Africa, with greater Muslim populations, with cooperative church‐state relations, and with mandatory religious education in schools. I interpret these results to indicate greater obstacles to the establishment of the legitimacy of the formal school system among Muslim and traditionalist families and communities, as a still troublesome legacy of the historical links between Christian missionization and the colonial project.
Factors Influencing Early Survival and Growth of Laboratory‐reared Pacific Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus orientalis, Larvae
Authors: Tanaka Yosuke , Kumon Kazunori , Higuchi Kentaro , Eba Takeshi , Nishi Akefumi , Nikaido Hideki , Shiozawa Satoshi
Published: August 2017

The collection of fertilized eggs for mass culture of Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT) relies on the spontaneous spawning of broodstock in captivity, and the spawning season of the broodstock is generally from mid‐May to September. The diameter of fertilized eggs from the broodstock decreases during the spawning season. To investigate the influence of three potential factors, the egg diameter (larger or smaller), the rearing water temperature (25 or 28 C), and the aeration rate during the night (strong or weak), on early survival and on growth of PBT larvae, replicate trials were conducted to assess these three factors until 7 d after hatching (d.a.h.). At 7 d.a.h., survival rates of larvae reared with strong nighttime aeration were found by a three‐way ANOVA to be significantly higher than for larvae reared with weak aeration. Furthermore, growth rates of PBT larvae hatched from larger eggs were significantly faster than those from smaller eggs. However, a significant difference in the survival rate was not detected for the factors, egg diameter and rearing water temperature. The results indicate that rearing with strong nighttime aeration significantly improved the early survival of PBT larvae and the egg diameter (a proxy for egg quality) and influenced growth.
Efficient Networks in Models with Player and Partner Heterogeneity
Authors: Unlu Emre
Published: August 2017

This paper characterizes efficient networks in player and partner heterogeneity models for both the two‐way flow and the one‐way flow networks. Player (partner) dependent network formation allows benefits and costs to be player (partner) heterogeneous, which is an important extension for modeling social networks in the real world. This paper shows that efficient networks are minimally connected and have either a star‐type or a variation of star‐type architectures in the two‐way flow model, and have the wheel architecture in the one‐way flow model.
New World Health Organization guidance helps protect breastfeeding as a human right
Authors: Grummer‐Strawn Laurence M. , Zehner Elizabeth , Stahlhofer Marcus , Lutter Chessa , Clark David , Sterken Elisabeth , Harutyunyan Susanna , Ransom Elizabeth I. ,   on behalf of the WHO/UNICEF NetCode
Published: August 2017

Written by the WHO/UNICEF NetCode author group, the comment focuses on the need to protect families from promotion of breast‐milk substitutes and highlights new WHO Guidance on Ending Inappropriate Promotion of Foods for Infants and Young Children. The World Health Assembly welcomed this Guidance in 2016 and has called on all countries to adopt and implement the Guidance recommendations. NetCode, the Network for Global Monitoring and Support for Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast‐milk Substitutes and Subsequent Relevant World Health Assembly Resolutions, is led by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund. NetCode members include the International Baby Food Action Network, World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, Helen Keller International, Save the Children, and the WHO Collaborating Center at Metropol University. The comment frames the issue as a human rights issue for women and children, as articulated by a statement from the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa defense systems against microbicidal oxidants
Authors: Groitl Bastian , Dahl Jan‐Ulrik , Schroeder Jeremy W. , Jakob Ursula
Published: August 2017

The most abundant oxidants controlling bacterial colonization on mucosal barrier epithelia are hypochlorous acid (HOCl), hypobromous acid (HOBr) and hypothiocyanous acid (HOSCN). All three oxidants are highly antimicrobial but little is known about their relative efficacies, their respective cellular targets, or what specific responses they elicit in bacteria. To address these important questions, we directly tested the individual oxidants on the virulent Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA14. We discovered that HOCl and HOBr work almost interchangeably, impacting non‐growing bacterial cultures more significantly than actively growing bacteria, and eliciting similar stress responses, including the heat shock response. HOSCN treatment is distinctly different, affecting primarily actively growing PA14 and evoking stress responses suggestive of membrane damage. What all three oxidants have in common, however, is their ability to cause substantial protein aggregation. This effect became particularly obvious in strains lacking polyphosphate, a newly recognized chemical chaperone. Treatment of PA14 with the FDA‐approved anti‐inflammatory drug mesalamine, which has recently been shown to attenuate polyP production in a wide range of bacteria, effectively decreased the resistance of PA14 toward all three oxidants, suggesting that we have discovered a novel, targetable defense system in P. aeruginosa.