bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The distribution of plants and seed dispersers in response to habitat fragmentation in an artificial island archipelago
Authors: Liu Jiajia , Slik Ferry , Coomes David A. , Corlett Richard T. , Wang Yanping , Wilson Maxwell , Hu Guang , Ding Ping , Yu Mingjian
Published: April 2019

Aim

Small, old‐growth forest fragments generally have more small‐seeded plants than large patches, due to the disappearance of large seed dispersing vertebrates. This pattern may differ for secondary forest fragments where differential migration ability rather than persistence of seed dispersers may be driving plant community assembly. In this study, we investigated the effect of habitat fragmentation on seed dispersers and plant community structure in regenerating forests.

Location

The Thousand Island Lake, China.

Taxon

Plants, birds and mammals.

Methods

We compiled diversity and abundance data for birds and mammals on islands in the Thousand Island Lake, China. We also surveyed the secondary plant communities and measured seed dispersal traits.

Results

Community‐weighted mean seed size of woody plants decreased with island size. This pattern was related to compositional difference of the dispersers. We found that mammal diversity and abundance was only weakly or not related to island size; whereas bird diversity and abundance increased strongly with island size. Density of bird‐dispersed plants was significantly positively related with island size. Since birds tend to disperse smaller seeds than mammals, the trend in seed size may have been a consequence of the shift in relative abundance of the two disperser guilds.

Main Conclusions

Differential responses of seed dispersers to habitat fragmentation may lead to pervasive shifts in the plant community structure of regenerating forest fragments. Our study highlights the importance of keeping large continuous forests in order to retain mammals and their dispersal capabilities.
Targeting Bad Doctors: Lessons from Indiana, 1975–2015
Authors: Liu Jing , Hyman David A.
Published: April 2019

For physicians, quality of care is regulated through the medical malpractice and professional licensing/disciplinary systems. The medical malpractice (med mal) system acts through ex post private litigation; the licensing system acts through ex ante permission to practice (i.e., licensure), coupled with ex post disciplinary action against physicians who engage in “bad” behavior. How often do these separate mechanisms for ensuring quality control take action against the same doctors? With what result? We study these questions using 41 years of data (1975–2015) from Indiana, covering almost 30,000 physicians. Disciplinary sanctions are much less common than med mal claims—whether paid or unpaid. Only a small number of physicians are “tagged” by both systems. Disciplinary risk increases with the number of past med mal claims. Paid claims have a greater impact than unpaid claims, and large payouts (≥100 k, 2015$) have a slightly greater impact than small payouts on disciplinary risk. The risk of a paid claim increases with more severe disciplinary sanctions (i.e., revocation and suspension). Our findings suggest an obvious model for the interaction of these two systems.
Periodontal diagnosis, treatment, and referral patterns of general dental practitioners
Authors: Kraatz Jennifer , Hoang Ha , Ivanovski Saso , Ware Robert S. , Crocombe Leonard A.
Published: April 2019

Aim

The aim of the present study was to investigate the diagnosis, treatment, and referral patterns of periodontal patients by general dental practitioners (GDP).

Methods

A questionnaire was mailed to registered GDP with publicly‐listed postal addresses in Tasmania, Australia. Information was collected on demographics, training and professional development, examination, diagnosis and referral patterns, and periodontal treatment patterns.

Results

Seventy‐seven (44.5%) questionnaires were completed. Over 85% always or usually screened for periodontal disease. On average, 0 to ≤7 patients were diagnosed with periodontal disease. GDP were always or usually confident in treating gingivitis (100%), mild (98.7%) and moderate periodontitis (73.7%), and rarely or never confident in treating severe (81.6%) and aggressive periodontitis (86.8%). Over 38% frequently referred to periodontists, 35.5% sometimes, 21.1% rarely, and 5.3% never. Clinical factors associated with referral were periodontal pocketing of ≥6 mm, tooth mobility, no improvement following treatment, and a complex medical history.

Conclusions

Most GDP performed periodontal screening and diagnosis. They were confident in treating gingivitis and mild‐to‐moderate periodontitis. Referral to a periodontist was associated with disease severity, tooth mobility, a complex medical history, or unsuccessful treatment.
α‐synuclein oligomers enhance astrocyte‐induced synapse formation through TGF‐β1 signaling in a Parkinson's disease model
Authors: Diniz Luan Pereira , Matias Isadora , Araujo Ana Paula Bérgamo , Garcia Matheus Nunes , Barros‐Aragão Fernanda G. Q. , Alves‐Leon Soniza Vieira , de Souza Jorge Marcondes , Foguel Débora , Figueiredo Cláudia Pinto , Braga Carolina , Romão Luciana , Gomes Flávia Carvalho Alcantara
Published: April 2019

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by selective death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, degeneration of the nigrostriatal pathway, increases in glutamatergic synapses in the striatum and aggregation of α‐synuclein. Evidence suggests that oligomeric species of α‐synuclein (αSO) are the genuine neurotoxins of PD. Although several studies have supported the direct neurotoxic effects of αSO on neurons, their effects on astrocytes have not been directly addressed. Astrocytes are essential to several steps of synapse formation and function, including secretion of synaptogenic factors, control of synaptic elimination and stabilization, secretion of neural/glial modulators, and modulation of extracellular ions, and neurotransmitter levels in the synaptic cleft. Here, we show that αSO induced the astrocyte reactivity and enhanced the synaptogenic capacity of human and murine astrocytes by increasing the levels of the known synaptogenic molecule transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF‐β1). Moreover, intracerebroventricular injection of αSO in mice increased the number of astrocytes, the density of excitatory synapses, and the levels of TGF‐β1 in the striatum of injected animals. Inhibition of TGF‐β1 signaling impaired the effect of the astrocyte‐conditioned medium on glutamatergic synapse formation in vitro and on striatal synapse formation in vivo, whereas addition of TGF‐β1 protected mesencephalic neurons against synapse loss triggered by αSO. Together, our data suggest that αSO have important effects on astrocytic functions and describe TGF‐β1 as a new endogenous astrocyte‐derived molecule involved in the increase in striatal glutamatergic synaptic density present in early stages of PD.

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Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.14514.
The Role of FDG‐PET in Patients with Epilepsy Related to Periventricular Nodular Heterotopias: Diagnostic Features and Long‐Term Outcome
Authors: Popescu Cristina Elena , Mai Roberto , Sara Roberto , Lizio Domenico , Zanni Daniela , Rossetti Claudio , Caobelli Federico
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Periventricular nodular heterotopias (PNHs) are frequently associated with drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE). Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can define the morphological features of PNHs, still there is a need to assess their metabolic activity in order to provide useful information on epileptogenicity and long‐term outcome. To that end, we investigated the ability of 18F‐FDG PET to identify seizure onset zone in order to assess the metabolic activity of the ectopic neurons and to provide prognostic information on the postsurgical outcome.

METHODS

Sixteen patients (6 men and 10 women; ranging between 24 and 53 years of age) with PNHs‐related DRE were evaluated. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, Stereo‐electroencephalogram (SEEG), brain MRI, and 18F‐FDG brain PET/CT. PET images were superimposed on the patient‐specific 3‐dimensional‐brain MRI. The metabolic activity of each nodule and of their cortex was visually and semiquantitatively assessed. The outcome after intervention was assessed in all patients using Engel classification.

RESULTS

Thirty‐one heterotopic sites were identified. Twenty‐one of 23 nodules with detectable electric activity on SEEG were identified by PET (91.3%), while 5 of 8 of nodules without electric activity showed no metabolism on PET (62.5%). Overall, the concordance between SEEG and FDG‐PET was 26/31 (83.9%). Furthermore, cortical metabolic alterations were depicted, correlating with epileptogenic areas. A favorable postsurgical outcome was reported in 13 patients (81.3%). The presence of a hypometabolic nodule significantly correlated with a worse outcome after surgical therapy (P = .036).

CONCLUSIONS

In PNHs‐related epilepsy, FDG‐PET more accurately identifies epileptogenic foci, which aids surgical planning and in postoperative seizure control.
Personality, cognitive ability, and academic performance: Differential associations across school subjects and school tracks
Authors: Brandt Naemi D. , Lechner Clemens M. , Tetzner Julia , Rammstedt Beatrice
Published: April 2019

Aim

Personality traits and cognitive ability are well‐established predictors of academic performance. Yet, how consistent and generalizable are the associations between personality, cognitive ability, and performance? Building on theoretical arguments that trait–performance relations should vary depending on the demands and opportunities for trait expression in the learning environment, we investigated whether the associations of personality (Big Five) and cognitive ability (fluid intelligence) with academic performance (grades and tests scores) vary across school subjects (German and math) and across ability‐grouped school tracks (academic, intermediate, and vocational).

Method

Multiple group structural equation models in a large representative sample of ninth‐grade students (N = 12,915) from the German National Educational Panel Study (NEPS).

Results

Differential associations across school subjects emerged for cognitive ability, Emotional Stability, and Conscientiousness (math > German); and for Openness and Extraversion (German > math). Differential associations across school tracks emerged for cognitive ability, Conscientiousness (academic > intermediate > vocational) and Agreeableness (academic > intermediate > vocational). Personality traits explained more variation in academic performance in the academic than in the other tracks.

Conclusion

Most trait–performance relations varied across subjects, tracks, or both. These findings highlight the need for more nuanced and context‐minded perspective on trait–performance relations.
Feline shoulder luxation: a cadaveric study of injury and repair using ligament prostheses
Authors: Carwardine D. , Langley‐Hobbs S.
Published: April 2019

Objectives

To describe the range of motion and clinical stability of the feline shoulder following experimental injury and repair using a prosthetic suture technique.

Materials and Methods

Eighteen feline cadaveric thoracic limbs were randomly allocated into three groups: medial injury, lateral injury or bilateral injury. Joint range of motion and clinical stability in all directions was recorded before and after specific anatomic structures were sectioned and following surgical repair using a prosthetic suture technique. Results were compared between intact, injured and repaired limbs for each injury type.

Results

There was a significant difference in joint range of motion in specific limb directions between intact and injured joints and between injured and repaired joints. There was no difference in joint range of motion between intact and repaired joints. Four of six medially injured joints were deemed clinically stable and five of six laterally injured joints were deemed clinically stable. All bilaterally injured joints were deemed unstable.

Clinical Significance

The relative contributions of shoulder stabilisers to joint range of motion and clinical stability provide a reference for clinical cases with suspected shoulder instability. The prosthetic suture repair technique described was effective at returning the shoulder joint to a normal range of motion in this ex vivo model.
Evaluation of C‐reactive protein and its kinetics as a prognostic indicator in canine leptospirosis
Authors: Buser F. C. , Schweighauser A. , im Hof‐Gut M. , Bigler B. , Marti E. , Mirkovitch J. , Francey T.
Published: April 2019

Objective

To evaluate C‐reactive protein at presentation and during hospitalisation in dogs with acute kidney injury resulting from leptospirosis to compare C‐reactive protein at presentation in dogs with acute kidney injury of different aetiology and to study its correlation with markers of inflammation, azotaemia and survival.

Materials and Methods

Prospective observational study of 41 dogs with acute kidney injury secondary to leptospirosis and 15 control dogs with acute kidney injury of different aetiology. C‐reactive protein was measured at presentation in both groups and daily for 7 days in a subgroup of 28 dogs with leptospirosis. The associations of C‐reactive protein with neutrophil count, albumin, urea, creatinine and survival were analysed.

Results

C‐reactive protein was increased at presentation in all dogs with leptospirosis but was not significantly different from dogs with acute kidney injury of different cause. It was associated with markers of inflammation (neutrophil count, albumin) but not with azotaemia (creatinine, urea). It decreased gradually from presentation to day 4, with significantly lower concentrations in survivors than non‐survivors. Initial C‐reactive protein was only weakly associated with outcome, but its average concentration from presentation to day 2 was more strongly associated. Absolute and relative changes in C‐reactive protein during hospitalisation and creatinine at presentation were not associated with survival.

Clinical Significance

Serial assessment of C‐reactive protein may improve outcome prediction in dogs with leptospirosis compared with a single measurement at presentation or with markers of renal function.
The effect of sleep deprivation on objective and subjective measures of facial appearance
Authors: Holding Benjamin C. , Sundelin Tina , Cairns Patrick , Perrett David I. , Axelsson John
Published: April 2019

The faces of people who are sleep deprived are perceived by others as looking paler, less healthy and less attractive compared to when well rested. However, there is little research using objective measures to investigate sleep‐loss‐related changes in facial appearance. We aimed to assess the effects of sleep deprivation on skin colour, eye openness, mouth curvature and periorbital darkness using objective measures, as well as to replicate previous findings for subjective ratings. We also investigated the extent to which these facial features predicted ratings of fatigue by others and could be used to classify the sleep condition of the person. Subjects (n = 181) were randomised to one night of total sleep deprivation or a night of normal sleep (8–9 hr in bed). The following day facial photographs were taken and, in a subset (n = 141), skin colour was measured using spectrophotometry. A separate set of participants (n = 63) later rated the photographs in terms of health, paleness and fatigue. The photographs were also digitally analysed with respect to eye openness, mouth curvature and periorbital darkness. The results showed that neither sleep deprivation nor the subjects’ sleepiness was related to differences in any facial variable. Similarly, there was no difference in subjective ratings between the groups. Decreased skin yellowness, less eye openness, downward mouth curvature and periorbital darkness all predicted increased fatigue ratings by others. However, the combination of appearance variables could not be accurately used to classify sleep condition. These findings have implications for both face‐to‐face and computerised visual assessment of sleep loss and fatigue.
Multivariate Quantile Impulse Response Functions
Authors: Montes‐Rojas Gabriel
Published: April 2019

A reduced form multivariate quantile autoregressive model is developed to study heterogeneity in the effects of macroeconomic shocks. This framework is used for forecasting and for constructing quantile impulse response functions that explore dynamic heterogeneity in the response of endogenous variables to different shocks. The methodology allows evaluating different quantile paths, defined as the dynamic effects for a fix collection of quantile indexes. The model is applied to study monetary shocks in a three‐variable macroeconomic model (output gap, inflation, Fed Funds rate) for the USA for the period 1980q1–2010q1.
Testing Cointegrating Relationships Using Irregular and Non‐Contemporaneous Series with an Application to Paleoclimate Data
Authors: Miller J. Isaac
Published: April 2019

Time series that are observed neither regularly nor contemporaneously pose problems for most multivariate analyses. Common and intuitive solutions to these problems include interpolation and other types of imputation to a higher, regular frequency. However, interpolation is known to cause serious problems with the size and power of statistical tests. Due to the difficulty in dating paleoclimate data such as CO2concentrations and surface temperatures, time series of such measurements are observed neither regularly nor contemporaneously. This article presents large‐ and small‐sample analyses of the size and power of cointegration tests of time series with these features and supports the robustness of cointegration of these two series found in the extant literature. Compared to linear or higher‐order polynomial interpolation, step interpolation results in the least size distortion and is therefore recommended.
Male semelparity and multiple paternity confirmed in an arid‐zone dasyurid
Authors: Hayes G. L. T. , Simmons L. W. , Dugand R. J. , Mills H. R. , Roberts J. D. , Tomkins J. L. , Fisher D. O.
Published: April 2019

A fifth of all species in the carnivorous‐insectivorous marsupial family Dasyuridae show obligate male semelparity (die‐off), where males die after their first mating season, but females may breed in more than one season. Life history strategies of many species in the genera Antechinus and Phascogale are well known, but the other dasyurid genus with apparently obligately semelparous males, Dasykaluta, is poorly known, and there have been no demographic studies of this monotypic genus in the wild. Both sexes in Antechinus and Phascogale species are highly polygamous. Comparative and experimental tests of insectivorous marsupials indicate that this polygamy is linked to the evolution of semelparity in more strongly seasonal breeders, through intense sperm competition. We assessed whether the kaluta (Dasykaluta rosamondae), a small dasyurid endemic to the broader Pilbara region of Western Australia, has obligate male semelparity, multiple paternity within litters, and positive testis allometry in the wild. We documented complete die‐off of males over two breeding seasons. Multiple paternity was confirmed in seven of eight litters, where either two or three fathers sired young. The seven young in the remaining litter appeared to be sired by one male. Intraspecific positive testis allometry was found in adult males. We conclude that the life history strategies of wild male and female kalutas are consistent with those of the two other genera of dasyurids with obligate male semelparity (Antechinus and Phascogale), and sperm competition is likely to be important in the mating system of kalutas. Our results show that male obligate semelparity has evolved twice in dasyurids.
Labor Reallocation, Employment, and Earnings: Vector Autoregression Evidence
Authors: Hyatt Henry R. , McElroy Tucker S.
Published: April 2019

We present time series evidence for the USA 1993–2013 on the relationship between labor reallocation, employment, and earnings using a vector autoregression framework. We find that an increase in labor market churn by 1 percentage point predicts that employment will increase by 100,000–560,000 jobs, lowering the unemployment rate by 0.05–0.25 percentage points. Job destruction does not predict changes in employment but a 1 percentage point increase in job destruction leads to an increase in unemployment 0.14–0.42 percentage points. We find mixed results on the relationship between labor reallocation rates and earnings.
Geology of the Morasko craters, Poznań, Poland—Small impact craters in unconsolidated sediments
Authors: Szokaluk M. , Jagodziński R. , Muszyński A. , Szczuciński W.
Published: April 2019

Confirmed small impact craters in unconsolidated deposits are rare on Earth, and only a few have been the subjects of detailed investigations. Consequently, our knowledge of indicators permitting unambiguous identification of such structures is limited. In this work, detailed geological mapping was performed in the area of the Morasko craters, of which the largest crater is of about 96 m diameter. These craters were formed in the mid‐Holocene (~5000 yr ago) in unconsolidated sediments of a glacial terminal moraine. Fragments of the impactor—an iron meteorite—have been found in the craters’ vicinity for many decades. Despite numerous studies of the meteorite, no detailed research concerning the geological structure around the craters and of the ejecta deposits has been undertaken. The new data, including evaluation of over 52 sediment cores and 260 shallow drillings, permit the identification of four main sediment types: Neogene clays, diamicton with Neogene clay clasts containing charcoal pieces, diamicton without clasts, and sand with locally preserved paleosoil and charcoal pieces. Based on sedimentological properties, the ejecta deposits are mainly identified as diamicton with Neogene clay clasts, described as lithic impact breccia, covering locally preserved pre‐impact soil. Moreover, crater sections characterized by inverse stratigraphy of sediments are identified as belonging to overturned flaps.
The transcription factors ActR and SoxR differentially affect the phenazine tolerance of Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Authors: Perry Elena K. , Newman Dianne K.
Published: April 2019

Bacteria in soils encounter redox‐active compounds, such as phenazines, that can generate oxidative stress, but the mechanisms by which different species tolerate these compounds are not fully understood. Here, we identify two transcription factors, ActR and SoxR, that play contrasting yet complementary roles in the tolerance of the soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens to phenazines. We show that ActR promotes phenazine tolerance by proactively driving expression of a more energy‐efficient terminal oxidase at the expense of a less efficient alternative, which may affect the rate at which phenazines abstract electrons from the electron transport chain (ETC) and thereby generate reactive oxygen species. SoxR, on the other hand, responds to phenazines by inducing expression of several efflux pumps and redox‐related genes, including one of three copies of superoxide dismutase and five novel members of its regulon that could not be computationally predicted. Notably, loss of ActR is far more detrimental than loss of SoxR at low concentrations of phenazines, and also increases dependence on the otherwise functionally redundant SoxR‐regulated superoxide dismutase. Our results thus raise the intriguing possibility that the composition of an organism's ETC may be the driving factor in determining sensitivity or tolerance to redox‐active compounds.
The chitin connection of polyphenols and its ecosystem consequences
Authors: Hättenschwiler Stephan , Sun Tao , Coq Sylvain
Published: April 2019

This article is a Commentary on Adamczyk et al. (2019), 223: 16–21.
Polycentric Systems and Multiscale Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in the Built Environment
Authors: Ba Yuhao , Galik Christopher
Published: April 2019

Addressing climate change requires consideration of mitigation and adaptation opportunities at multiple spatial scales. This is particularly true in the built environment, defined here to include individual buildings, neighborhoods, and the spaces between. The current U.S. political environment portends fewer resources and coordinating services for mitigation and adaptation at the federal level, however, reinforcing the relevance and necessity of actions at subnational levels. In this study, we evaluate the applicability of a polycentric model of governance to the implementation of mitigation and adaptation practices, as well as the presence of polycentric systems in the built environment. We assemble a database of practices with the potential to achieve both mitigation and adaptation objectives, as well as those that may be cross‐purposed or that may achieve one but not the other. We review practices to gauge the applicability of a polycentric model of governance to mitigation and adaptation practices in the built environment, and examine the attributes of three existing adaptation and/or mitigation programs to assess the extent to which they exhibit polycentric attributes. We conclude with recommendations for a broader research agenda, including efforts to develop more in‐depth examinations into individual programs and comparative analysis of performances of different governance attributes.
Intrinsic Gaussian Processes on Complex Constrained Domains
Authors: Niu Mu , Cheung Pokman , Lin Lizhen , Dai Zhenwen , Lawrence Neil , Dunson David
Published: April 2019

We propose a class of intrinsic Gaussian processes (GPs) for interpolation, regression and classification on manifolds with a primary focus on complex constrained domains or irregularly shaped spaces arising as subsets or submanifolds of R, R2, R3 and beyond. For example, intrinsic GPs can accommodate spatial domains arising as complex subsets of Euclidean space. Intrinsic GPs respect the potentially complex boundary or interior conditions as well as the intrinsic geometry of the spaces. The key novelty of the approach proposed is to utilize the relationship between heat kernels and the transition density of Brownian motion on manifolds for constructing and approximating valid and computationally feasible covariance kernels. This enables intrinsic GPs to be practically applied in great generality, whereas existing approaches for smoothing on constrained domains are limited to simple special cases. The broad utilities of the intrinsic GP approach are illustrated through simulation studies and data examples.
The relationships between socially prescribed perfectionism, in‐group affect, negative urgency, and disordered eating in women
Authors: Bouguettaya Ayoub , Moulding Richard , King Ross M. , Harrold Georgia
Published: April 2019

Socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP) is often considered as a key risk factor for disordered eating (DE). However, current conceptualizations of SPP largely assume that this perfectionism pressure is non‐specific (i.e., a global pressure), despite research indicating that for females experiencing DE, female‐dominated groups impose this pressure (as a perceived norm). Furthermore, this relationship may be mediated by a negative reaction to this pressure, in the form of impulsivity (or negative urgency). To date, no research has investigated whether the relationship between SPP and DE is mediated by negative urgency, nor has there been research clarifying how in‐group identification relates to DE, independent of SPP and negative urgency. To address these gaps, we assessed these variables in 147 female dieters (Mage = 25.12 years, SD = 3.08) using a cross‐sectional design. Consistent with our hypotheses, negative urgency fully mediated the link between female‐based SPP and disordered eating, while female‐based in‐group affect (identification) was predictive of disordered eating (although the latter relationship was not sustained in a multiple regression model). These findings suggest that the SPP from other women may relate to DE through increasing negative urgency, and that the link between in‐group (female) affect and DE may be better explained by SPP's link to DE.
Coming Together to Punish Others: Social Capital, Racial Context, and Social Control*
Authors: Hawes Daniel P.
Published: April 2019

Objectives

The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between social capital and the use of social controls in public policy. Social capital is strongly correlated with a wide range of positive societal outcomes across many policy domains. However, others have cautioned that the benefits of social capital are not uniformly distributed to all members of society and that there may even be negative effects of social capital. This article posits that communities with higher levels of social capital will be more punitive toward those who break society's “norms of reciprocity.” This tendency for social capital to reinforce social controls will be particularly strong for groups within society that are considered “others” by the dominant group. Thus, as racial and ethnic diversity increases, punitive (and targeted) social controls are likely to increase.

Methods

The analysis uses state‐level panel data from 1986–2009 to examine the effect of social capital on public policies relating to social control within criminal justice policy, and how this relationship is conditioned by minority group size.

Results

The empirical analysis finds that states with higher levels of social capital tend to have more punitive criminal justice and drug enforcement policies and outcomes but only when there is a significant black population.

Conclusions

These findings support the hypothesis that the effects of social capital are conditioned by racial context.
The nature and spatial variability of lowland savanna soils: Improving the resolution of soil properties to support land management policy
Authors: Donoghue Sarah , Furley Peter A. , Stuart Neil , Haggis Robyn , Trevaskis Alex , Lopez German
Published: April 2019

A fresh approach is presented to address the increasingly urgent need for alternative land management strategies in savannas. We illustrate how fine‐scale information of soil characteristics can be used to enable a more precise delimitation of sites suitable for different forms of land stewardship, including agro‐pastoral activities, forestry, biodiversity and tourism. By collating data from previous soil surveys, and augmenting this with targeted new surveys, we produce the first national data set of soil properties for the lowland savannas of Belize. Most of these soils are typical of savanna soils worldwide, that is acidic (mean surface pH = 5.7), nutrient‐poor (mean surface total exchangeable bases [TEB] = 3.4 cmol kg−1) and coarse‐textured (mean surface clay = 13.0%). Nevertheless, there is a marked spatial variability across the country in these soil properties. Some soils exhibit unusually high subsurface clay fractions (max = 73%), whilst other sites have exceptionally high pH in lower horizons (max = 8.4). Cluster analysis is used to group sites with similar soil properties. Across 79 sites, there is a clear division between soils with high clay percentages and those with coarser textures. These are sub‐divided into five groups based on further differences in parent material, chemical properties and site characteristics. Mapping the locations of these groups enables more specific land use recommendations to be made. This ability to make targeted land use recommendations from fine‐scale soil information represents an advance over the previous national land use policy, where all savanna lands were considered unsuitable for any form of agriculture. This approach could be applied to marginal savannas worldwide.
Heartland virus infection in a heart transplant recipient from the Heartland
Authors: Hevey Matthew A. , O'Halloran Jane A. , Jagger Brett W. , Staples Jennifer E. , Lambert Amy J. , Panella Amanda J. , Kosoy Olga I. , Turabelidze George , Raymer David S. , Ewald Gregory A. , Kwon Jennie H.
Published: April 2019

Tick‐borne infections represent a significant health risk each year in the United States. Immunocompromised patients are typically at risk of more severe disease manifestations than their immunocompetent counterparts. Here we report a case of a newly emerging phlebovirus, Heartland virus, in a heart transplant recipient.
Enzymatic basis for C‐lignin monomer biosynthesis in the seed coat of Cleome hassleriana
Authors: Zhuo Chunliu , Rao Xiaolan , Azad Rajeev , Pandey Ravi , Xiao Xirong , Harkelroad Aaron , Wang Xiaoqiang , Chen Fang , Dixon Richard A.
Published: April 2019

C‐lignin is a linear polymer of caffeyl alcohol, found in the seed coats of several exotic plant species, with promising properties for generation of carbon fibers and high value chemicals. In the ornamental plant Cleome hassleriana, guaiacyl (G) lignin is deposited in the seed coat for the first 6–12 days after pollination, after which G‐lignin deposition ceases and C‐lignin accumulates, providing an excellent model system to study C‐lignin biosynthesis. We performed RNA sequencing of seed coats harvested at 2‐day intervals throughout development. Bioinformatic analysis identified a complete set of lignin biosynthesis genes for Cleome. Transcript analysis coupled with kinetic analysis of recombinant enzymes in Escherichia coli revealed that the switch to C‐lignin formation was accompanied by down‐regulation of transcripts encoding functional caffeoyl CoA‐ and caffeic acid 3‐O‐methyltransferases (CCoAOMT and COMT) and a form of cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (ChCAD4) with preference for coniferaldehyde as substrate, and up‐regulation of a form of CAD (ChCAD5) with preference for caffealdehyde. Based on these analyses, blockage of lignin monomer methylation by down‐regulation of both O‐methyltransferases (OMTs) and methionine synthase (for provision of C1 units) appears to be the major factor in diversion of flux to C‐lignin in the Cleome seed coat, although the change in CAD specificity also contributes based on the reduction of C‐lignin levels in transgenic Cleome with down‐regulation of ChCAD5. Structure modeling and mutational analysis identified amino acid residues important for the preference of ChCAD5 for caffealdehyde.
Full‐length mRNA sequencing and gene expression profiling reveal broad involvement of natural antisense transcript gene pairs in pepper development and response to stresses
Authors: Wang Jubin , Deng Yingtian , Zhou Yingjia , Liu Dan , Yu Huiyang , Zhou Yuhong , Lv Junheng , Ou Lijun , Li Xuefeng , Ma Yanqing , Dai Xiongze , Liu Feng , Zou Xuexiao , Ouyang Bo , Li Feng
Published: April 2019

Pepper is an important vegetable with great economic value and unique biological features. In the past few years, significant development has been made toward understanding the huge complex pepper genome; however, pepper functional genomics has not been well studied. To better understand the pepper gene structure and pepper gene regulation, we conducted full‐length mRNA sequencing by PacBio sequencing and obtained 57 862 high‐quality full‐length mRNA sequences derived from 18 362 previously annotated and 5769 newly detected genes. New gene models were built that combined the full‐length mRNA sequences and corrected approximately 500 fragmented gene models from previous annotations. Based on the full‐length mRNA, we identified 4114 and 5880 pepper genes forming natural antisense transcript (NAT) genes in‐cis and in‐trans, respectively. Most of these genes accumulate small RNAs in their overlapping regions. By analyzing these NAT gene expression patterns in our transcriptome data, we identified many NAT pairs responsive to a variety of biological processes in pepper. Pepper formate dehydrogenase 1 (FDH1), which is required for R‐gene‐mediated disease resistance, may be regulated by nat‐siRNAs and participate in a positive feedback loop in salicylic acid biosynthesis during resistance responses. Several cis‐NAT pairs and subgroups of trans‐NAT genes were responsive to pepper pericarp and placenta development, which may play roles in capsanthin and capsaicin biosynthesis. Using a comparative genomics approach, the evolutionary mechanisms of cis‐NATs were investigated, and we found that an increase in intergenic sequences accounted for the loss of most cis‐NATs, while transposon insertion contributed to the formation of most new cis‐NATs.

Open Research Badges

This article has earned an Open Data Badge for making publicly available the digitally‐shareable data necessary to reproduce the reported results. The data is available at http://bigd.big.ac.cn/gsa Accession number, CRA001412
Establishment of three‐dimensional canine osteosarcoma cell lines showing vasculogenic mimicry and evaluation of biological properties after treatment with 17‐AAG
Authors: Massimini Marcella , De Maria Raffaella , Malatesta Daniela , Romanucci Mariarita , D'Anselmo Angela , Della Salda Leonardo
Published: April 2019

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is an alternative type of blood perfusion characterized by formation of non‐endothelial cell‐lined microcirculatory channels and is responsible for aggressive tumour biology and increased tumour‐related mortality. VM‐correlated genes are associated with vascular endothelial grown factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1), and hypoxia‐related (hypoxia inducible factor 1 α—HIF1α) signalling pathways, whose molecules are client proteins of Hsp90 (heat shock protein 90) and are potential therapeutic targets. This pilot study was aimed to investigate vasculogenic mimicry in a three‐dimensional (3D) cell culture system of two aggressive canine osteosarcoma (OSA) cell lines (D22 and D17), and to evaluate the response of these cells to 17‐AAG (17‐N‐allylamino‐17‐demethoxygeldanamycin) treatment in relation to tubular‐like structure formation in vitro. Only D17 cell line formed hollow matrix channels in long‐term 3D cultures and assumed endothelial morphology, with cells expressing both Hsp90 and VEGFR1, but lacking expression of endothelial marker CD31. 17‐AAG treatment inhibited migration of D17 OSA cells, also decreasing VM markers in vitro and inducing a reduction of HIF1α transcript and protein in this cell line. Taken together, these preliminary data indicate that the biological effects of 17‐AAG on D17 3D culture and on HIF1α regulation can provide interesting information to translate these findings from the basic research to clinical approach for the treatment of canine OSA as a model in comparative oncology.
The role of oclacitinib in the management of ischaemic dermatopathy in four dogs
Authors: Levy Britt J. , Linder Keith E. , Olivry Thierry
Published: April 2019

Background

Ischaemic dermatopathy represents a heterogenous and poorly‐characterized canine syndrome that is often refractory to conventional immunosuppression. Janus‐kinase inhibitors (JAKinibs) are used for the treatment of various human autoimmune diseases, including dermatomyositis. Oclacitinib is a generally well‐tolerated, veterinary‐approved, nonselective JAKinib that has therapeutic potential as an immunosuppressant.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To describe four cases of treatment refractory juvenile‐onset ischaemic dermatopathy that rapidly and durably responded to oclacitinib administration.

Animals

Four mixed‐breed dogs, three 9‐month‐old male littermates and one 6‐month‐old female, were presented for generalized patchy alopecia, scarring and ulcerative dermatitis. Microscopic skin lesions were consistent with a severe ischaemic dermatopathy.

Methods and materials

A complete remission of skin lesions could not be achieved in any dog with glucocorticoids alone, nor when these were combined with adjuvant immunosuppressants. Oclacitinib treatment was then initiated at the dosage of 0.4‐0.7 mg/kg twice daily, along with a tapering regimen of oral prednisolone.

Results

A full clinical remission was achieved within four weeks of starting this combination therapy, with prednisolone being stopped within eight weeks thereof. Remission was maintained in two dogs with lower doses or dosing frequencies of oclacitinib, whereas the two others required persistent twice daily administration of this JAKinib.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Oclacitinib was a useful immunosuppressive adjuvant to oral glucocorticoids for the treatment of refractory or severe cases of ischaemic dermatopathy in these four dogs. Such observation warrants further studies of the safety, efficacy and mechanism of action of oclacitinib as an immunosuppressant.
Self‐induced, noninflammatory alopecia associated with infestation with Lynxacarus radovskyi: a series of 11 cats
Authors: Han Hock Siew , Chua Hui Li , Nellinathan Geetha
Published: April 2019

Background

Infestation of Lynxacarus radovskyi (Lynxacarosis) on cats is usually asymptomatic – most cats are presented with a dull, dry, dishevelled coat, with easily epilated hairs. The physical presence of the mite gives the coat a “peppered” appearance, and previous reports have described some cats developing pruritus and alopecia.

Objectives

To describe the clinical signs of Lynxacarus radovskyi associated self‐induced alopecia.

Animals

Eleven client‐owned, indoor and naturally infested cats.

Methods and materials

Cats with the primary complaint of pruritus and alopecia with sole infestation of Lynxacarus radovskyi, were included in this case series. Their age, sex, breed and clinical presentation were recorded. Cats were treated with selamectin twice, with a 14 day interval, followed by monthly maintenance therapy.

Results

Self‐induced alopecia was found on the perianal (10 of 11), caudal‐lateral thighs (eight of 11), sacral‐tail base region, abdomen (each seven of 11), on the flanks (five of 11) and dorsal‐lumbar (four of 11) areas. There were no eosinophilic dermatitis lesions nor head and neck pruritus in any cat.

Conclusion and clinical importance

Lynxacarus radovskyi infested cats can have lesions which are strikingly similar to flea allergic dermatitis with lesions most commonly found on the perianal area.
The Impact of Space Delocalization and Time Delocalization on the CSR Strategy in a Transition Period ——A Case Study of Chinese Small and Medium-sized Export-oriented Apparel Firms
Authors: Shuai Ping , Zhang Hong , Huang Ling
Published: April 2019

Since the 1990s, many Chinese small and medium-sized export-oriented firms have begun to accept higher corporate social responsibility (CSR) standards because of factory inspections. In recent years, firms have been facing greater market competition in a period of transition. Different firms have different attitudes toward CSR behavior in same external macroenvironment, and some firms have formed a CSR strategy. To further explore the issue, this paper studied the impact of space delocalization and time delocalization on the CSR strategy of Chinese small and medium-sized export-oriented firms based on social structure theory. Using the case study approach, the results showed the following: (1) space delocalization can stimulate the CSR behavior of firms, although some behaviors are the result of compromise, and CSR strategy will not be initiated because of passive CSR behavior; (2) the stimulation of space delocalization can stimulate endogenous changes, but the cultural background of time delocalization has a far-reaching impact on the formation of CSR strategy.
Sociology and Digital Culture
Authors: Ferreira Carlos Miguel
Published: April 2019

The society increasingly based on digital culture is already an unavoidable reality. This paper aims to contribute, in a preliminary way, to understand several of the implications in Sociology that this propagation of digital culture involves through a bibliographical review. We analyse several implications in dimensions such as the very purpose of Sociology (highlighting digital literacy and the level of democracy) and social research (addressing issues raised by the big date, the interdisciplinary dialogue between Sociology and other scientific areas, and new ethical dilemmas). We conclude that there are profound implications both in the research object and in the research processes of Sociology, which we will develop in later phases of the dissemination of this research. As a major implication, the reflective capacity of sociological knowledge is central to the preparation for this new reality, but, at the same time, also to a well-founded critical understanding of digital society.
Expansion of the Open Area (Johari Window) and Group Work Directed to Enhancing the Level of Subjective Well-being
Authors: Osmanoğlu Devrim Erginsoy
Published: April 2019

Open and healthy communication plays an important role in the determination of human relations. While people are interpreting the bodily feedbacks given by the people they are communicating with to understand their intentions, they rely on the information they give about themselves; that is, their explanations about themselves. The Johari Window technique is the technique that supports the creation of trust in interpersonal relations, as well as the elimination of problems arising in the communication used in counseling processes. According to this technique, the area including an individual's behaviors, attitudes, feelings, experiences, skills or clear information about how he/she looks is called the open area. This area’s being broad plays an important role in the individual’s developing close relationships with other members of society, in his/her happiness or in his/her living positive emotions. In many studies, it was determined that both the physical health and psychological health of the people who shared their knowledge about themselves were positively affected. The purpose of the current study is to expand the open area of the group members participating in nine-session group work by using Johari window so that their understanding and awareness of themselves can be improved and their understanding of others can be enhanced and they can be enabled to see interpersonal differences. The study group of the current research is comprised of 12 students; 5 females and 7 males, from the Department of Psychological Counseling and Guidance who participated in the study on a volunteer basis. In the current study, in order to collect data, the Psychological Well-being Scale, which was developed on the basis of Ryff's (1989) psychological well-being model and the Johari Window Evaluation Form developed according to the model proposed by Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham were used. According to the posttest results obtained at the end of the study, it was observed that the open areas of the university students participating in the group work were expanded and their scores taken from the sub-dimension “positive relationships with others” of the subjective well-being increased.
Extracting Mode Shapes for Beams Through a Passing Auxiliary Mass
Authors: Zhang Yao , Zhao Hai-Sheng , Lie Seng-Tjhen
Published: April 2019

This paper shows an approach to evaluate mode shapes for beams through using a passing auxiliary mass. The coupled system of an auxiliary mass passing over a beam is time-dependent, and the corresponding instantaneous frequencies (IFs) are equivalent to the mode shapes. Hence, reconstruction of the mode shapes is easy to be achieved through estimating the IFs. A simple algorithm based on ridge detection is proposed to reconstruct the mode shapes. This method is effective if the beam is light or the lumped mass is heavy. It is convenient since it requires an accelerometer mounted on the passing auxiliary mass rather than a serious of sensors mounted on the structure itself. It is also more practical because it is usually difficult to install external exciter. A lab-scale experimental validation shows that the new technique is capable of identifying the first three mode shapes accurately.