bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Audiovisual stimulus during urodynamics to provoke detrusor overactivity: A randomized trial
Authors: Shaw Jonathan , Negbenebor Nicole , Wohlrab Kyle , Raker Christine , Sung Vivian
Published: December 2018

Objective

This study estimated the effect of adding an audiovisual (AV) intervention during urodynamic evaluation (UDE) on increasing detrusor contractions (DO) versus routine UDE testing without AV cues.

Methods

A randomized trial was conducted of women with overactive bladder (OAB) undergoing UDE with and without AV intervention. The AV intervention was a 1‐minute video on continuous loop showing common OAB triggers. A continuous running waterfall provided auditory stimulation. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who had DO on UDE, interpreted by masked clinicians. Secondary outcomes included the number, amplitude, and duration of DO and urinary leakage associated with DO. A sample size of 109 per group was calculated to have 80% power to detect a 20% difference with a significance level of 0.05.

Results

In all, 109 women each were randomized to standard UDE and to the AV intervention. There was no difference in the proportion of patients with DO on UDE between the intervention and control groups (35% vs 32%, respectively; P = 0.8). Furthermore, there were no differences between the intervention and control groups in leakage with DO on UDE (24% vs 21%, respectively), mean duration of detrusor contractions (23.9 vs 25.3 s, respectively), or mean maximum detrusor pressure during involuntary contractions (18.1 vs 20.6 cm H2O, respectively). Clinical severity of OAB symptoms was not associated with the detection of DO or other UDE parameters.

Conclusions

Addition of AV intervention during UDE did not increase the finding of detrusor contractions. The relationship between OAB triggers, urge incontinence, and urodynamic findings remains unclear.
Helium and neon in comet 81P/Wild 2 samples from the NASA Stardust mission
Authors: Palma R. L. , Pepin R. O. , Westphal A. J. , Füri E. , Schlutter D. J. , Gainsforth Z. S. , Frank D. R.
Published: December 2018

Helium and neon distributions are reported for a variety of Stardust comet 81P/Wild 2 samples, including particle tracks and terminal particles, cell surface and subsurface slices from the comet coma and interstellar particle collection trays, and numerous small aerogel blocks extracted from comet cells C2044 and C2086. Discussions and conclusions in several abstracts published during the course of the investigation are included, along with the relevant data. Measured isotope ratios span a broad range, implying a similar range for noble gas carriers in the Wild 2 coma. The meteoritic phase Q‐20Ne/22Ne ratio was observed in several samples. Some of these, and others, exhibit 21Ne excesses too large for attribution to spallation by galactic cosmic ray irradiation, suggesting exposure to a solar proton flux greatly enhanced above current levels in an early near‐Sun environment. Still others display evidence for a solar wind component, particularly one C2086 block with large abundances of isotopically solar‐like helium and neon. Eighty‐nine small aerogel samples were cut from depths up to several millimeters below the cell C2044 surface and several millimeters away from the axis of major track T41. A fraction of these yielded measurable and variable helium and neon abundances and isotope ratios, although none contained visible tracks or carrier particle fragments and their locations were beyond estimated penetration ranges for small particles or ions incident on the cell surface, or for lateral ejecta from T41. Finding plausible emplacement mechanisms and sources for these gases is a significant challenge raised by this study.
The niches of nuthatches affect their lineage evolution differently across latitude
Authors: Chen Yu‐Chi , Nazarizadeh Masoud , Lei Fu‐Min , Yang Xiao‐Jun , Yao Cheng‐Te , Dong Feng , Dong Lu , Zou Fa‐Sheng , Drovetski Sergei V. , Liu Yang , Huang Chun‐Cheng , Hung Chih‐Ming
Published: December 2018

Ecological niche evolution can promote or hinder the differentiation of taxa and determine their distribution. Niche‐mediated evolution may differ among climatic regimes, and thus, species that occur across a wide latitudinal range offer a chance to test these heterogeneous evolutionary processes. In this study, we examine (a) how many lineages have evolved across the continent‐wide range of the Eurasian nuthatch (Sitta europaea), (b) whether the lineages’ niches are significantly divergent or conserved and (c) how their niche evolution explains their geographic distribution. Phylogenetic reconstruction and ecological niche models (ENMs) showed that the Eurasian nuthatch contained six parapatric lineages that diverged within 2 Myr and did not share identical climatic niches. However, the niche discrepancy between these distinct lineages was relatively conserved compared with the environmental differences between their ranges and thus was unlikely to drive lineage divergence. The ENMs of southern lineages tended to cross‐predict with their neighbouring lineages whereas those of northern lineages generally matched with their abutting ranges. The coalescence‐based analyses revealed more stable populations for the southern lineages than the northern ones during the last glaciation cycle. In contrast to the overlapping ENMs, the smaller parapatric distribution suggests that the southern lineages might have experienced competitive exclusion to prevent them from becoming sympatric. On the other hand, the northern lineages have expanded their ranges and their current abutting distribution might have resulted from lineages adapting to different climatic conditions in allopatry. This study suggests that niche evolution may affect lineage distribution in different ways across latitude.
Triggering domain restriction
Authors: Mankowitz Poppy
Published: December 2018

It is well known that occurrences of sentences such as “Every bottle is empty” will sometimes be understood relative to a subset of the set of all bottles in the universe. Much has been written about what mechanism should be used to model this phenomenon of domain restriction. However, comparatively little attention has been paid to the question ofwhendomain restriction is triggered. I will begin by challenging a recent partial answer to this question. I will then develop my own partial answer based on observations pertaining to information structure.
Insecticide resistance status of three vectors of Japanese encephalitis in east central India
Authors: Sahu S. S. , Sonia T. , Dash S. , Gunasekaran K. , Jambulingam P.
Published: December 2018

Japanese encephalitis (JE) has been reported in different districts of Odisha state (east central India) since 1992. During 2016, a major outbreak of JE and acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) occurred in the Malkangiri district of Odisha, causing 103 deaths in children, of which 37 were caused by JE and 66 by AES. Information on insecticide resistance in JE vectors is important for the selection of appropriate insecticides for use in vector control. The present study was designed to determine the resistance status of three important vectors of JE, Culex vishnui, Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Culex bitaeniorhynchus (Diptera: Culicidae), against dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), malathion and deltamethrin in three districts of Odisha state affected by JE. Female adult mosquitoes were collected using mouth aspirators both indoors and outdoors in JE‐affected villages and used in susceptibility bioassays following World Health Organization guidelines. Knock‐downs were recorded every 10 min up to 1 h and mortality rates were recorded at 24 h post‐exposure. Culex vishnui and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus showed resistance to DDT, malathion and deltamethrin, whereas Cx. bitaeniorhynchus was susceptible in all study districts. The information generated by this study will be highly useful in the planning and implementing of appropriate vector control operations for the prevention and control of JE in east central India.
Randomised clinical trial in women with Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: Efficacy of probiotics and lactoferrin as maintenance treatment
Authors: Russo Rosario , Superti Fabiana , Karadja Eugen , De Seta Francesco
Published: December 2018

Background

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a recurrent vaginal condition in childbearing women.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of an oral formulation containing Lactobacillus acidophilus GLA‐14, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and bovine lactoferrin on symptoms and recurrence of VVC as adjuvant therapy to topical clotrimazole.

Patients/Methods

Forty‐eight women positive for C. albicans, symptoms of VVC and documented history of recurrences were randomised into 2 groups receiving verum or placebo (2 capsules/day for 5 days followed by 1 capsule/day for additional 10 days) as adjuvant treatment to clotrimazole (induction phase) followed by a maintenance cycle of 6 months (1 capsule/day verum or placebo for 10 consecutive days each month). Symptoms, overall cure rate and recurrence rate were assessed.

Results

After clotrimazole therapy, a significant improvement of symptoms was shown in both groups. However, only women treated with probiotics and lactoferrin showed a significant improvement of itching and discharge at 3 and 6 months. During the six‐month follow‐up, recurrences were significantly less in the intervention group vs placebo (33.3% vs 91.7% after 3 months and 29.2% vs 100% after 6 months).

Conclusions

The results show that the investigated lactobacilli mixture in combination with lactoferrin represents a safe and effective adjuvant approach for reducing symptoms and recurrences of RVVC.
Fungal infections of the central nervous system and paranasal sinuses in onco‐haematologic patients. Epidemiological study reporting the diagnostic‐therapeutic approach and outcome in 89 cases
Authors: Candoni A. , Klimko N. , Busca A. , Di Blasi R. , Shadrivova O. , Cesaro S. , Zannier M. E. , Verga L. , Forghieri F. , Calore E. , Nadali G. , Simonetti E. , Muggeo P. , Quinto A.M. , Castagnola C. , Cellini M. , Del Principe M.I. , Fracchiolla N. , Melillo L. , Piedimonte M. , Zama D. , Farina F. , Giusti D. , Mosna F. , Capelli D. , Delia M. , Picardi M. , Decembrino N. , Perruccio K. , Vallero S. , Aversa F. , Fanin R. , Pagano L. ,   SEIFEM Group (Epidemiological Surveillance of Infections in Haematological Diseases)
Published: December 2018

Invasive fungal infections (IFI) of the Central Nervous System (IFI‐CNS) and Paranasal Sinuses (IFI‐PS) are rare, life‐threatening infections in haematologic patients, and their management remains a challenge despite the availability of new diagnostic techniques and novel antifungal agents. In addition, analyses of large cohorts of patients focusing on these rare IFI are still lacking. Between January 2010 and December 2016, 89 consecutive cases of Proven (53) or Probable (36) IFI‐CNS (71/89) and IFI‐PS (18/89) were collected in 34 haematological centres. The median age was 40 years (range 5‐79); acute leukaemia was the most common underlying disease (69%) and 29% of cases received a previous allogeneic stem cell transplant. Aspergillus spp. were the most common pathogens (69%), followed by mucormycetes (22%), Cryptococcus spp. (4%) and Fusarium spp. (2%). The lung was the primary focus of fungal infection (48% of cases). The nervous system biopsy was performed in 10% of IFI‐CNS, and a sinus biopsy was performed in 56% of IFI‐PS (P = 0.03). The Galactomannan test on cerebrospinal fluid has been performed in 42% of IFI‐CNS (30/71), and it was positive in 67%. Eighty‐four pts received a first‐line antifungal therapy with Amphotericine B in 58% of cases, Voriconazole in 31% and both in 11%. Moreover, 58% of patients received 2 or more lines of therapy and 38% were treated with a combination of 2 or more antifungal drugs. The median duration of antifungal therapy was 60 days (range 5‐835). A surgical intervention was performed in 26% of cases but only 10% of IFI‐CNS underwent neurosurgical intervention. The overall response rate to antifungal therapy (complete or partial response) was 57%, and 1‐year overall survival was 32% without significant differences between IFI‐CNS and IFI‐PS. The overall mortality was 69% but the IFI attributable mortality was 33%. Mortality of IFI‐CNS/PS remains high but, compared to previous historical data, it seems to be reduced probably due to the availability of newer antifungal drugs. The results arising from this large contemporary cohort of cases may allow a more effective diagnostic and therapeutic management of these very rare IFI complications in haematologic patients.
Treatment consensus for management of polymyositis and dermatomyositis among rheumatologists, neurologists and dermatologists
Authors: Kohsaka Hitoshi , Mimori Tsuneyo , Kanda Takashi , Shimizu Jun , Sunada Yoshihide , Fujimoto Manabu , Kawaguchi Yasushi , Jinnin Masatoshi , Muro Yoshinao , Ishihara Shoichiro , Tomimitsu Hiroyuki , Ohta Akiko , Sumida Takayuki
Published: December 2018

Although rheumatologists, neurologists, and dermatologists see patients with polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM), their management appears to vary depending on the physician's specialty. The aim of this study was to establish the treatment consensus among specialists of the three fields to standardize the patient care. We formed a research team supported by a grant from the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, Japan. Clinical questions (CQ) on the management of PM and DM were raised. A published work search on CQ was performed primarily using PubMed. Using the nominal group technique, qualified studies and results in the published work were evaluated and discussed to reach consensus recommendations. They were sent out to the Japan College of Rheumatology, Japanese Society of Neurology, and Japanese Dermatological Association for their approval. We reached a consensus in 23 CQ and made recommendations, and a decision tree for management was proposed. They were officially approved by the three scientific societies. In conclusion, a multidisciplinary treatment consensus for the management of PM and DM was established for the first time.
Advocacy care on HIV disclosure to children
Authors: de Moura Bubadué Renata , Cabral Ivone Evangelista
Published: December 2018

Children with HIV are dependent on taking continuous medication and care, and family preparation is required when disclosing HIV. This study aimed to unveil families’ experiences with HIV disclosure to children under 13 years old. Eight family members who have disclosed HIV to seropositive children were interviewed in‐depth and individually. The fieldwork took place at a public paediatric outpatient hospital in Rio de Janeiro. The results showed that the family members’ discourse highlighted two ways of knowing their own condition and disclosing the condition of the children with HIV. First, they needed to address the communication of bad news and discover their own HIV status through their children's disease. Second, the disclosure was a process constituted by four stages: preparing for disclosure, identifying the time, deciding how and where to tell, and instilling silence after disclosure. They also recognized that nurses had a role in the process as part of an interprofessional team. Nurses can develop advocacy care and empower family members in the preparation of safe HIV disclosure. By systematizing and institutionalizing the care advocacy process, nurses may enable caretakers and children to participate in their therapeutic management, improving adherence to the treatment and self‐care with autonomy.
Annotated checklist of Senegalia and Vachellia (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) for the Indian subcontinent
Authors: Deshpande Anup S. , Krishnan Sellappan , Janarthanam Malapati K. , Maslin Bruce R.
Published: December 2018

An annotated checklist of Senegalia Raf. and Vachellia Wight & Arn. taxa for the Indian subcontinent is presented, following the fragmentation and retypification of the former broadly defined genus Acacia Mill. The countries encompassed by this study include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. All indigenous species (and a few introductions) in this region previously referred to Acacia belong to Senegalia and Vachellia. All Acacia s.s. taxa are introduced (principally from Australia) and are not included in the study. There are 22 species of Senegalia (21 indigenous, 1 introduced; representing 23 taxa) and 21 species of Vachellia (12 indigenous, 9 introduced; representing 27 taxa) currently recognized for the subcontinent. The largest country, India, has most species. This checklist complements that which was recently provided for these genera in southeast Asia and China.

Two names formerly recorded for the Indian subcontinent are excluded, namely, Senegalia intsia (L.) Maslin is a nomen confusum and Acacia pennata subsp. hainanensis (Hayata) I. C. Nielsen is now known to be restricted to southern China and Vietnam. Acacia eriantha Desv. is an unresolved name.

The following new combinations are made herein: Senegalia tanjorensis (Ragup., Thoth. & A.Mahad.) A.S.Deshpande & Maslin, Vachellia campbellii (Arn.) A.S.Deshp., & Maslin and V. pseudowightii (Thoth.) A.S.Deshpande & Maslin.

A lectotype has been selected for Acacia pennata var. canescens Graham ex Kurz (= Senegalia pennata (L.) Maslin).
Critical notes on the identity and distribution of Sonneratia griffithii Kurz (Lythraceae) in India – a critically endangered mangrove species
Authors: Ragavan P. , Dubey Sourav Kumar , Panda Muktipada , Deyroy Malancha , Ravichandran K. , Trivedi Raman K. , Jayaraj R. S. C. , Mohan P. M. , Rana T. S.
Published: December 2018

The identity and distribution in India of Sonneratia griffithii Kurz, a critically endangered mangrove species, is validated and corrected. Field surveys showed that S. griffithii only occurs in the Andaman Islands and that specimens from the Indian Sundarbans and Odisha previously misidentified as S. griffithii instead belong to S. alba. An updated taxonomic description and illustration is provided, and the key distinguishing characters of the Sonneratia species found in the study are discussed with the aim to solve any uncertainty about the identity and nomenclature of Indian Sonneratia species.
Bryophytes of Zhelania Cape, Severny Island, Novaya Zemlya Archipelago in the Russian Arctic
Authors: Fedosov Vladimir E. , Churakova Elena Yu. , Kholod Sergey S. , Beldiman Lyudmila N. , Bakalin Vadim , Zakharchenko Darja A. , Afonina Olga M.
Published: December 2018

We present the results of a revsion of an extensive set of collections of bryophytes from the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago northern extremity, the northern‐most sector of polar deserts, which until now has been poorly explored in terms of the bryophyte flora. The checklist produced includes 24 liverwort and 135 moss species. Thirteen species, viz. Lophoziopsis propagulifera, Scapania degenii, Brachytheciastrum collinum, Bryoerythrophyllum cf. rubrum, Bucklandiella microcarpa, Campylium laxifolium, C. longicuspis, Dicranum schljakovii, Drepanium recurvatum, Flexitrichum gracile, Grimmia longirostris, Hamatocaulis vernicosus and Pseudocalliergon angustifolium are reported for the first time from the polar desert region. Though in number of species known the area loses only to the more intensively studied NE Land of Svalbard, a comparative analysis suggests that our study area is still incompletely known and suffers from ‘phytosociological sampling’ which underestimates the number of small pioneer mosses. A comparative analysis based on published data on other areas of the polar desert region is presented but the results does not confirm previously proposed floristic subdivisions of the polar desert region and may be strongly influenced by incomplete and biased sampling. Some species have a higher share in the vegetation cover of the polar desert region than elsewhere, thus contributing to its segregation and among these are mostly calciphilous/basiphilous species.
Multifunctional nanocarriers for the treatment of periodontitis: Immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and regenerative strategies
Authors: Cafferata Emilio A. , Alvarez Carla , Diaz Karla T. , Maureira Miguel , Monasterio Gustavo , González Fermín E. , Covarrubias Cristian , Vernal Rolando
Published: December 2018

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease, in which the host immuno‐inflammatory response against the dysbiotic subgingival biofilm leads to the breakdown of periodontal tissues. Most of the available treatments seem to be effective in the short‐term; nevertheless, permanent periodical controls and patient compliance compromise long‐term success. Different strategies have been proposed for the modulation of the host immune response as potential therapeutic tools to take a better care of most susceptible periodontitis patients, such as drug local delivery approaches. Though, maintaining an effective drug concentration for a prolonged period of time has not been achieved yet. In this context, advanced drug delivery strategies using biodegradable nanocarriers have been proposed to avoid toxicity and frequency‐related problems of treatment. The versatility of distinct nanocarriers allows the improvement of their loading and release capabilities and could be potentially used for microbiological control, periodontal regeneration, and/or immunomodulation. In the present review, we revise and discuss the most frequent biodegradable nanocarrier strategies proposed for the treatment of periodontitis, including polylactic‐co‐glycolic acid (PLGA), chitosan, and silica‐derived nanoparticles, and further suggest novel therapeutic strategies.
Corporate Public Diplomacy and Global Communication of China's “Belt and Road” Initiative
Authors: Yang Yifan
Published: December 2018

The “Belt and Road” initiative (BRI) is centrally located in China's international strategy and its implementation will benefit China's internal economic and political stability. Further, this will affect its relations with neighboring countries as well as current Chinese thinking on regional and global governance. However, its success will be determined by the enthusiastic acceptance of China's neighbors involved in it; thus, communicating the BRI to the world audience matters in China's international strategy. Chinese transnational corporations will be responsible for implementing specific projects in the countries along the BRI routes. By looking at China's international push for its high‐speed railways with its achievements and setbacks, this paper will explain why employing corporate public diplomacy could help China realize its global communication and future constructions of the BRI.
Pediatric oncologic emergencies: Clinical and imaging review for pediatricians
Authors: Handa Atsuhiko , Nozaki Taiki , Makidono Akari , Okabe Tetsuhiko , Morita Yuka , Fujita Kazutoshi , Matsusako Masaki , Kono Tatsuo , Kurihara Yasuyuki , Hasegawa Daisuke , Kumamoto Tadashi , Ogawa Chitose , Yuza Yuki , Manabe Atsushi
Published: December 2018

Children with cancer are at increased risk of life‐threatening emergencies, either from the cancer itself or related to the cancer treatment. These conditions need to be assessed and treated as early as possible to minimize morbidity and mortality. Cardiothoracic emergencies encompass a variety of pathologies, including pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade, massive hemoptysis, superior vena cava syndrome, pulmonary embolism, and pneumonia. Abdominal emergencies include bowel obstruction, intussusception, perforation, tumor rupture, intestinal graft‐versus‐host disease, acute pancreatitis, neutropenic colitis, and obstructive uropathy. Radiology plays a vital role in the diagnosis of these emergencies. We here review the clinical features and imaging in pediatric patients with oncologic emergencies, including a review of recently published studies. Key radiological images are presented to highlight the radiological approach to diagnosis. Pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, and pediatric radiologists need to work together to arrive at the correct diagnosis and to ensure prompt and appropriate treatment strategies.
International law and political philosophy: Uncovering new linkages
Authors: Ratner Steven
Published: December 2018

Despite a common agenda of normative analysis of the international order, philosophical work on international political morality and international law and legal scholarship have, until recently, worked at a distance from one another. The mutual suspicion can be traced to different aims and methodologies, including a divide between work on matters of deep structure, on the one hand, and practical institutional analysis and prescription, on the other. Yet international law is a key part of the normative practices of states, has a direct effect on state behavior, and, as a methodological matter, can contribute to good theorizing on matters of international ethics. Recently, philosophical work has demonstrated a greater engagement with the moral aspects of international law. One strand of scholarship has treated the rules of international law as a proper subject for philosophical inquiry. Another has used international legal rules to support moral arguments about aspects of the international order. Future dialogue and cooperation would benefit both fields, in particular on the challenges to global cooperation from nationalism and on strategies for allocating responsibilities among global actors for rectifying global harms.
International reflections on caring for people with advanced dementia
Authors: Yumoto Yoshie , Kernohan W. George , Morioka Noriko , Ogata Yasuko
Published: December 2018

Dementia is causing global concern with its massive impacts on affected individuals, families, society, and national economies. As the disease progresses, patients’ needs increase in number, depth, and breadth, covering physical, psychological, social, and spiritual domains. Care varies from place to place, from country to country and from east to west. To learn from some of these variations, we explored advanced dementia care in United Kingdom and Japan. Informed by an overview of literature on care of people with advanced dementia, we reflected on direct nonparticipant observations of care in urban areas of Northern Ireland and Japan. While we identified a common purpose to address the complex needs of people living with dementia, there were differences in the approach to care. Broadly, dementia care in United Kingdom tends toward person‐centered care with a strong interest in Advance Care Planning as part of a palliative care approach. In Japan, we found less evidence of early stage palliative care and more of family‐based decision making to inform care of older people. In both countries, dementia care varies regionally, being more available in some areas than others. International knowledge exchange and further comparative studies will help to improve care for people with advanced dementia, everywhere.
Defence responses in flag leaves and spikes of common wheat Triticum aestivum cultivars with contrasting levels of basal resistance to blast caused by Pyricularia oryzae
Authors: Silva E. T. , Rios J. A. , Araujo M. U. P. , Silveira P. R. , Rodrigues F. A.
Published: December 2018

Wheat blast, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, can cause large yield losses in crops. This study aimed to investigate defence responses in flag leaves and spikes of wheat cultivars BR‐18 (moderately resistant) and BRS‐Guamirim (susceptible), which differ in their levels of basal resistance. In contrast to cultivar BRS‐Guamirim, infected plants of cultivar BR‐18 showed more pronounced increases in activities of β‐1,3‐glucanase and chitinase as well as higher concentrations of lignin‐thioglycolic acid derivatives in the flag leaves and total soluble phenolics in the spikes. Polyphenoloxidase activity increased in both flag leaves and spikes in response to fungal infection, regardless of cultivar. Phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL) activity increased in infected flag leaves of both cultivars, especially in BR‐18. PAL activity was lower in spikes of infected compared to noninfected plants of both cultivars, although to a lesser extent in BR‐18. Compared to BRS‐Guamirim, the antioxidative system in both flag leaves and spikes of BR‐18 was more efficient in removing reactive oxygen species, reducing cellular damage caused by fungal infection. The lower catalase and peroxidase activities, associated with high superoxide dismutase activity, in flag leaves and spikes of infected BR‐18 culminated in a high hydrogen peroxide concentration. The increase in ascorbate peroxidase activity was higher in both flag leaves and spikes of infected plants of BR‐18 than in infected BRS‐Guamirim. It was concluded that wheat resistance to blast depended on the basal level of resistance of the cultivar, which was mainly associated with the activities of defence enzymes and a more effective antioxidative system.
The invasive green alga Avrainvillea sp. transforms native epifauna and algal communities on a tropical hard substrate reef
Authors: Foster Alexa D. , Spalding Heather L. , Cox T. Erin , La Valle Florybeth F. , Philippoff Joanna
Published: December 2018

Some introduced species compete directly with native species for resources and their spread can alter communities, while others do not proliferate and remain benign. This study compares community structure and diversity in adjacent areas dominated by the introduced alga Avrainvillea sp. or native algal species on a hard substrate reef. The biomass and species composition of 15 paired plots (30 in total, plot type based on dominance of Avrainvillea sp. or native species) were quantified. Plots dominated by Avrainvillea sp. had a significantly different assemblage of species characterized by lower algal diversity, mostly Dictyota spp. and Laurencia sp., and a higher abundance and diversity of invertebrates, such as small arthropods, polychaetes, and brittlestars. These results suggest that as Avrainvillea sp. becomes more abundant on hard substrate reefs, it will engineer a different community composed of algal epiphytes and an invertebrate assemblage more typically associated with algae in soft sediments.
Applications of microalga Chlorella vulgaris in aquaculture
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad Talba , Shariff Mohamed , Md. Yusoff Fatimah , Goh Yong Meng , Banerjee Sanjoy
Published: December 2018

Microalgae biomass is used in aquaculture as feed, growth enhancers and immunostimulants. Chlorella vulgaris is an important species with a good biomolecular composition. Commercially, it is one of the most commonly used microalga in aquaculture. Several studies confirmed its ability to improve nutrition, immunity, aquatic bioremediation, amelioration of stress, disease resistance of fish and inhibits bacterial quorum sensing when used appropriately. Despite claims of its benefits, C. vulgaris is reported to have unfavourable effects when incorporated in diets at higher inclusion levels. In addition, its rigid cell wall might restrict the access of digestive enzymes to the intracellular components for proper digestion and assimilation. Thus, this review discusses the role of C. vulgaris and its importance in aquaculture with emphasis on its environmental requirements, morphology, pigments, digestibility, dynamics on growth performance, antibacterial activity, bacterial quorum sensing, immunomodulatory effect, anti‐stress effect, gut microbiome, aquatic bioremediation and its safety as food or feed.
The health consequences of hazardous and nonhazardous child labor
Authors: Posso Alberto
Published: December 2018

The health consequences of child labor are ambiguous. On the one hand, heavy lifting, using dangerous tools and handling fertilizers may impact negatively on health. On the other, child labor could be used to achieve a minimal subsistence standard, without which the child could experience deteriorating health. Previous empirical studies are inconclusive because, until now, existing data sources could not disentangle between different activities performed by child workers. To establish how work is related to health, it is essential to know what activities are being performed. This study fills this gap with a unique child labor survey conducted in Peru in 2015. Child labor is classified into hazardous and nonhazardous activities. The econometric results suggest that children doing nonhazardous work are less likely to have health problems than nonworking children. Conversely, those that work in hazardous activities are potentially more likely to exhibit health concerns. A series of robustness tests confirm these findings. The results give impetus to the notion that child work increases total resources available for households, which can improve child health. Therefore, it is over and above this potential increment in resources that some hazardous activities worsen working children's health.
Microfinance and income inequality: New macrolevel evidence
Authors: Lacalle‐Calderon Maricruz , Larrú José Maria , Garrido Silvia Rico , Perez‐Trujillo Manuel
Published: December 2018

This paper addresses the empirical question of whether microfinance has any impact on income inequality at the macrolevel. Very little research has been conducted on the relationship between the macrolevel scale of microfinance and income inequality over time in a country and across countries. Based on panel‐data techniques, with annual data from 85 countries from 2001 to 2012 and a broad theoretical framework on microfinance and inequality, we provide empirical evidence that suggests that increases in the macrolevel scale of microcredit in a country contribute to reducing income inequality within that country over time. Finally, since microfinance may be endogenous, we used instruments from the existing literature to control for this problem.
Government Promotion of Corporate Social Responsibility: Evidence from the EU Eco‐Management and Audit Scheme
Authors: Whitford Andrew B. , Provost Colin
Published: December 2018

Governments play an active role in promoting corporate social responsibility and specifically environmental management system (EMS) programs, but few studies have examined the impact of such support on the decision of businesses to adopt EMS programs. We ask two questions in this paper: how does government support for EMS programs affect adoption of such programs? Second, what effect does this government support have on the pace of adoption of such programs? The answer to the first question can reveal how effective government programs are in boosting membership in EMS programs. The answer to the second reveals to what extent businesses within EU member states are converging upon particular EMS standards. We examine these questions in the context of the European Union’s Eco‐Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), 2010–2014. There is significant variation in government support of EMAS across the EU and at the same time, EMAS competes for business attention with the more established ISO 14001. Our quantitative and qualitative analyses therefore reveal the effectiveness of government programs in boosting adoption, but also to the extent to which such programs cause convergence upon EMAS in the face of a competing standard such as ISO 14001.
Biotic forcing militates against river meandering in the modern Bonneville Basin of Utah
Authors: Ielpi Alessandro , Lapôtre Mathieu G. A.
Published: December 2018

Biotic forcing on river meandering is a highly debated topic in sedimentology. Vegetation is assumed to hold a vital role on channel stability and sinuosity, for example through bank stabilization and pedogenic production of cohesive clays. However, statistically solid and causal relationships between vegetation density and river sinuosity remain largely untested in natural systems. This study investigates physical and biotic forcings on channel sinuosity in the Bonneville Basin of Utah (USA), an endorheic depression flanked by active fluvial networks (‘washes’) that display diverse vegetation density and channel‐planform style. By means of remote sensing and ground‐data collection, 58 washes are considered, 0·1 to 90 km2 in surface area and drained by trunk channels <45 m wide and <1·2 m deep. Each wash is composed of a catchment basin connected downstream to an aggradational and distributive channel network. Statistically solid regressions highlight the primary roles played by base level and catchment size on fluvial morphogenesis. In contrast, no correlation is found between vegetation density and other parameters such as trunk‐channel width or surface area of the largest meander in a wash. Similarly, no statistical correlation exists between vegetation density and meander size or sinuosity index. Rather, larger and more sinuous meanders are invariably associated with lower vegetation density. These results are corroborated by field evidence showing that sparse vegetation promotes flow disturbance, channel branching and bar braiding instead of stabilizing sediment surfaces. Thus, river meandering is attributed to cohesion offered by mud retention within the endorheic basin, as well as discharge and stream‐power modulation along bifurcating and low‐gradient channel reaches. Hence, this work demonstrates how meandering‐channel patterns may arise from entirely physical forcings in the absence of vegetation.
A factor model approach for the joint segmentation with between‐series correlation
Authors: Collilieux Xavier , Lebarbier Emilie , Robin Stéphane
Published: December 2018

We consider the detection of changes in the mean of a set of time series. The breakpoints are allowed to be series specific, and the series are assumed to be correlated. The correlation between the series is supposed to be constant along time but is allowed to take an arbitrary form. We show that such a dependence structure can be encoded in a factor model. Thanks to this representation, the inference of the breakpoints can be achieved via dynamic programming, which remains one the most efficient algorithms. We propose a model selection procedure to determine both the number of breakpoints and the number of factors. This proposed method is implemented in theFASegR package, which is available on the CRAN. We demonstrate the performances of our procedure through simulation experiments and present an application to geodesic data.
Effects of oral curcumin ingested before or after eccentric exercise on markers of muscle damage and inflammation
Authors: Tanabe Yoko , Chino Kentaro , Ohnishi Takahiro , Ozawa Hitomi , Sagayama Hiroyuki , Maeda Seiji , Takahashi Hideyuki
Published: December 2018

We examined the effect of curcumin (CUR) ingestion before or after exercise on changes in muscle damage and inflammatory responses after exercise. We conducted two parallel experiments with different CUR ingestion timings using a double‐blind crossover. In Exp. 1, ten healthy men ingested 180 mg d−1 of CUR or placebo (PLA) 7 days before exercise. In Exp. 2, ten other healthy men ingested 180 mg d−1 of CUR or PLA 7 days after exercise. They performed 30 maximal isokinetic (120°s−1) eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors using an isokinetic dynamometer, and this was repeated with the other arm ≥4 weeks later. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque of the elbow flexors, elbow joint range of motion (ROM), muscle soreness, and serum creatine kinase (CK) activity were measured before, immediately after, and 1‐7 days after exercise. Plasma interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) was measured before, immediately after, 12 hours after, and 1‐7 days after exercise. The changes were compared over time. In Exp. 1, no significant differences were found between CUR and PLA subjects for each parameter. However, increases in IL‐8 were significantly reduced 12 hours after exercise when CUR was ingested before exercise. In Exp. 2, compared to the PLA subjects, MVC torque and ROM were higher 3‐7 days and 2‐7 days after exercise (P < 0.05), respectively, whereas muscle soreness and CK activity were lower 3‐6 days and 5‐7 days after exercise (P < 0.05), respectively, in CUR subjects. CUR ingestion before exercise could attenuate acute inflammation, and after exercise could attenuate muscle damage and facilitate faster recovery.
Global Norms vs. Global Actors: International Politics, Muslim Identity, and Support for Shariʿa
Authors: Gorman Brandon
Published: December 2018

Many scholars argue that local cultures are an impediment to the diffusion of “global” norms. Others point out that local populations domesticate global cultural elements by integrating them into preexisting cultures, generating hybridized systems. In the current study, I argue that local cultures are not necessarily impediments to cultural change and hybridization is only one aspect of cultural domestication. Instead, I find that individuals attribute global norms to local cultural objects as a means for disassociating putatively universal norms from the powerful actors that dominate international politics. I illustrate this process using the case of support for shariʿa (sometimes called Islamic law) in majority‐Muslim countries. Results of multimethod analyses show that with the exception of attitudes about gender roles and sexuality, Muslims who support implementing shariʿa do not systematically object to many so‐called global norms; in fact, they may express more enthusiasm about democracy, tolerance for people of other religions, optimism about scientific advances, and concern for environmental preservation than those who oppose implementing shariʿa. Likewise, many Muslims assert their full participation in global society on terms not dictated by Western actors by repackaging ostensibly universal norms as components of the unambiguously local shariʿa.
Interrelation between empathy and friendship development during (pre)adolescence and the moderating effect of developmental language disorder: A longitudinal study
Authors: van den Bedem Neeltje P. , Willems Danique , Dockrell Julie E. , van Alphen Petra M. , Rieffe Carolien
Published: December 2018

The association between empathy and friendship quality in children and adolescents is well established, but longitudinal studies are lacking. Because social interactions typically involve language, these relations might be moderated by children's communication problems. The current study examined the interrelation of friendship quality (positive and negative) and empathy (affective, cognitive, and prosocial motivation) development of 317 children (8–16 years old) at three time points across 18 months. Of these children 112 had a developmental language disorder (DLD). Results confirmed a bidirectional relation between empathy and friendship quality across time. Cognitive empathy and prosocial motivation contributed to the development of more positive friendship features in children with and without DLD. For children with unstable friendships, more cognitive empathy was related to fewer negative friendship features. Positive friendship features in turn contributed to higher empathy on all three aspects. Negative friendship features were related to higher affective empathy and lower prosocial motivation in both groups, but did not predict empathy development across time. These results imply that positive friendship features are important for development of empathic skills and vice versa that empathy enables children to grow in friendship quality in children with and without DLD.
Digital by default? A qualitative study of exclusion in digitalised welfare
Authors: Schou Jannick , Pors Anja Svejgaard
Published: December 2018

Digitalisation reforms have become increasingly pervasive across European welfare agencies and public sector institutions. As welfare provision becomes premised on the use of digital technologies, often in the form of “self‐service” solutions, new demands are imposed on citizens, including already disadvantaged groups. Although existing research has showcased how digitalisation often reproduces existing lines of stratification, little to no work has been conducted on such processes in the context of welfare provision and public administration. Through a study of citizen service centres in Denmark, based on ethnographic observations and qualitative interviews, this article analyses the new exclusionary mechanisms that emerge at the frontline of the digital agenda. The article argues that digitalised welfare agencies simultaneously sustain existing lines of social stratification and enhance these by producing new forms of digital exclusion. Taken together, the article contributes with new knowledge on the impact of digitalisation policies and their exclusionary consequences for disadvantaged citizens.
Brecciation driven by changes in fluid column heights
Authors: Peacock David C. P. , Rotevatn Atle , Sanderson David J.
Published: December 2018

A mechanism is presented for the pulses of high fluid pressure (PF) necessary for fluid‐assisted brecciation. Establishment of hydraulic‐ or pneumatic‐connectivity between rock masses with different PF can cause overpressure in the higher rocks because the PF gradient is parallel to the hydrostatic gradient (the centroid effect). PF can become high enough to create a fracture network, with an influx of fluids and mineralisation occurring as fluids migrate to areas of lower PF. Changes in PF caused by the centroid effect can cause other structures and seismicity.
Long‐term survival and clinical forms in the acute phase of Chikungunya virus infection in older Caribbeans
Authors: Godaert Lidvine , Bartholet Seendy , Najioullah Fatiha , Andrianasolo Hanitra , Kanagaratnam Lukshe , Joachim Clarisse , Césaire Raymond , Fanon Jean‐Luc , Dramé Moustapha
Published: December 2018

Objective

To investigate whether the long‐term survival in elderly patients with prior Chikungunya virus infection (CVI) is associated with the clinical form presented in the acute phase, as defined by the WHO classification.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study performed in Martinique University Hospitals. Patients who attended the emergency department for suspected CVI, and who had a positive biological diagnosis of CVI by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction on a plasma sample between 10 January and 31 December 2014 were eligible for inclusion. Time‐to‐death was the primary outcome. The independent relationship between clinical forms and time‐to‐death was analysed using a Cox model.

Results

In total, 268 patients were included. Mean age was 80 ± 8 years, 53% were women. Median length of follow‐up was 28 months (range: 0–39). During follow‐up, 53 (19.8%) patients died. Median survival time was 13.2 months (range: 0–33.6). At the end of follow‐up, death rates were 4.6% for acute clinical cases, 19.0% for atypical cases, 19.2% for severe acute cases and 23.5% for unclassifiable cases. By multivariable analysis, the clinical form of CVI at admission was found to be independently associated with long‐term survival (atypical form: HR = 2.38; 95% CI = 2.15–2.62; severe acute form: HR = 2.40; 95% CI = 2.17–2.64; unclassifiable form: HR = 2.28; 95% CI = 2.06–2.51).

Conclusion

The clinical form at presentation with CVI has a significant impact on long‐term survival. Management of CVI patients should be tailored according to their clinical form at admission.