bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A causal model for longitudinal randomised trials with time‐dependent non‐compliance
Authors: Becque Taeko , White Ian R. , Haggard Mark
Published: March 2015

In the presence of non‐compliance, conventional analysis by intention‐to‐treat provides an unbiased comparison of treatment policies but typically under‐estimates treatment efficacy. With all‐or‐nothing compliance, efficacy may be specified as the complier‐average causal effect (CACE), where compliers are those who receive intervention if and only if randomised to it. We extend the CACE approach to model longitudinal data with time‐dependent non‐compliance, focusing on the situation in which those randomised to control may receive treatment and allowing treatment effects to vary arbitrarily over time. Defining compliance type to be the time of surgical intervention if randomised to control, so that compliers are patients who would not have received treatment at all if they had been randomised to control, we construct a causal model for the multivariate outcome conditional on compliance type and randomised arm. This model is applied to the trial of alternative regimens for glue ear treatment evaluating surgical interventions in childhood ear disease, where outcomes are measured over five time points, and receipt of surgical intervention in the control arm may occur at any time. We fit the models using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods to obtain estimates of the CACE at successive times after receiving the intervention. In this trial, over a half of those randomised to control eventually receive intervention. We find that surgery is more beneficial than control at 6months, with a small but non‐significant beneficial effect at 12months. © 2015 The Authors. Statistics in Medicine Published by JohnWiley & Sons Ltd.
Displacement‐based simulation of time‐dependent behaviour of RC beams with prestressed FRP or steel tendons
Authors: Knight Daniel , Visintin Phillip , Oehlers Deric J.
Published: March 2015

Predicting the time‐dependent behaviour of prestressed concrete (PC) beams is crucial as time effects under serviceability loading can result in a critical loss of prestress. The conventional technique using moment–curvature (M/χ) to simulate the behaviour of PC beams is based on the Euler‐Bernoulli corollary of a linear strain profile in which all deformations are accommodated through changes in the material strain, i.e. it is strain based. Consequently, the M/χ approach cannot directly accommodate discrete deformations associated with tension stiffening, such as the formation of individual cracks and reinforcement slip. Hence, the M/χ approach can simulate the behaviour prior to cracking purely through mechanics. However, for post‐cracking behaviour it requires empirically derived correction factors, such as empirically derived flexural rigidities, to allow for the deformations associated with tension stiffening. This paper presents a displacement‐based moment–rotation (M/Θ) approach for determining the behaviour of PC beams by applying the Euler‐Bernoulli theorem of plane sections, as opposed to the conventional M/χ approach of a linear strain profile. Being based on plane sections, the M/Θ approach deals directly with displacements and, consequently, can simulate the mechanics of tension stiffening directly. The approach is shown to accommodate the time effects of concrete creep, shrinkage and reinforcement relaxation and can develop equivalent flexural rigidities directly from mechanics.
Multi‐faceted approaches toward unravelling complex ecological networks
Authors: Namba Toshiyuki
Published: March 2015

The main theme of this Special Feature is the complexity‐stability relationship and diversity of interaction types. Five articles by leading authors are submitted. Studies on the relationship between complexity and stability have a long history of 40 years. Effect of multiple interaction types on structure and dynamics of an ecological network is a recent important subject to be resolved. In this preface, I briefly review the history of research on complexity‐stability relationship till the idea of diversity of interaction types appears.
Acute rhabdomyolysis and inflammation
Authors: Hamel Yamina , Mamoune Asmaa , Mauvais François‐Xavier , Habarou Florence , Lallement Laetitia , Romero Norma Beatriz , Ottolenghi Chris , de Lonlay Pascale
Published: March 2015

Rhabdomyolysis results from the rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle fibers, which leads to leakage of potentially toxic cellular content into the systemic circulation. Acquired causes by direct injury to the sarcolemma are most frequent. The inherited causes are: i) metabolic with failure of energy production, including mitochondrial fatty acid ß‐oxidation defects,LPIN1mutations, inborn errors of glycogenolysis and glycolysis, more rarely mitochondrial respiratory chain deficiency, purine defects and peroxysomal α‐methyl‐acyl‐CoA‐racemase defect (AMACR), ii) structural causes with muscle dystrophies and myopathies, iii) calcium pump disorder withRYR1gene mutations, iv) inflammatory causes with myositis. Irrespective of the cause of rhabdomyolysis, the pathology follows a common pathway, either by the direct injury to sarcolemma by increased intracellular calcium concentration (acquired causes) or by the failure of energy production (inherited causes), which leads to fiber necrosis. Rhabdomyolysis are frequently precipitated by febrile illness or exercise. These conditions are associated with two events, elevated temperature and high circulating levels of pro‐inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and chemokines. To illustrate these points in the context of energy metabolism, protein thermolability and the potential benefits of arginine therapy, we focus on a rare cause of rhabdomyolysis, aldolase A deficiency. In addition, our studies on lipin‐1 (LPIN1) deficiency raise the possibility that several diseases involved in rhabdomyolysis implicate pro‐inflammatory cytokines and may even represent primarily pro‐inflammatory diseases. Thus, not only thermolability of mutant proteins critical for muscle function, but also pro‐inflammatory cytokines per se, may lead to metabolic decompensation and rhabdomyolysis.
Spectrum of combined respiratory chain defects
Authors: Mayr Johannes A. , Haack Tobias B. , Freisinger Peter , Karall Daniela , Makowski Christine , Koch Johannes , Feichtinger René G. , Zimmermann Franz A. , Rolinski Boris , Ahting Uwe , Meitinger Thomas , Prokisch Holger , Sperl Wolfgang
Published: March 2015

Inherited disorders of mitochondrial energy metabolism form a large and heterogeneous group of metabolic diseases. More than 250 gene defects have been reported to date and this number continues to grow. Mitochondrial diseases can be grouped into (1) disorders of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) subunits and their assembly factors, (2) defects of mitochondrial DNA, RNA and protein synthesis, (3) defects in the substrate‐generating upstream reactions of OXPHOS, (4) defects in relevant cofactors and (5) defects in mitochondrial homeostasis. Deficiency of more than one respiratory chain enzyme is a common finding. Combined defects are found in 49 % of the known disease‐causing genes of mitochondrial energy metabolism and in 57 % of patients with OXPHOS defects identified in our diagnostic centre. Combined defects of complexes I, III, IV and V are typically due to deficiency of mitochondrial DNA replication, RNA metabolism or translation. Defects in cofactors can result in combined defects of various combinations, and defects of mitochondrial homeostasis can result in a generalised decrease of all OXPHOS enzymes. Noteworthy, identification of combined defects can be complicated by different degrees of severity of each affected enzyme. Furthermore, even defects of single respiratory chain enzymes can result in combined defects due to aberrant formation of respiratory chain supercomplexes. Combined OXPHOS defects have a great variety of clinical manifestations in terms of onset, course severity and tissue involvement. They can present as classical encephalomyopathy but also with hepatopathy, nephropathy, haematologic findings and Perrault syndrome in a subset of disorders.
Biodiesel Production Using a Carbon Solid Acid Catalyst Derived from β‐Cyclodextrin
Authors: Fu Xiao‐bo , Chen Jie , Song Xue‐li , Zhang Yuan‐ming , Zhu Yi , Yang Jun , Zhang Cheng‐wu
Published: March 2015

A novel carbon solid acid catalyst was prepared by incomplete hydrothermal carbonization of β‐cyclodextrin into small polycyclic aromatic carbon sheets, followed by the introduction of –SO3H groups via sulfonation with sulfuric acid. The physical and chemical properties of the catalyst were characterized in detail. The catalyst simultaneously catalyzed esterification and transesterification reactions to produce biodiesel from high free fatty acid (FFA) containing oils (55.2 %). For the as‐prepared catalyst, 90.82 % of the oleic acid was esterified after 8 h, while the total transesterification yield of high FFA containing oils reached 79.98 % after 12 h. By contrast, the obtained catalyst showed comparable activity to biomass (such as sugar, starch, etc.)‐based carbon solid acid catalyst while Amberlyst‐15 resulted in significantly lower levels of conversion, demonstrating its relatively high catalytic activity for simultaneous esterification and transesterification. Moreover, as the catalyst can be regenerated, it has the potential for use in biodiesel production from oils with a high FFA content.
Hip decompression of unstable slipped capital femoral epiphysis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ibrahim Talal , Mahmoud Shady , Riaz Muhammad , Hegazy Abdelsalam , Little David G.
Published: March 2015

Purpose

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is one of the most common adolescent hip conditions. Unstable SCFE is characterized by sudden and severe hip pain with the inability to weight bear, even with crutches. Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is increased in patients with unstable SCFE. The aim of our study was to systematically review the literature that compares hip decompression to no hip decompression of unstable SCFE.

Methods

We searched several databases from 1946 to 2014 for any observational or experimental studies that evaluated hip decompression and osteonecrosis of unstable SCFE. We performed a meta-analysis using a random effects model to pool odds ratios (ORs) for the comparison of osteonecrosis between patients undergoing hip decompression and no hip decompression. We also investigated the type of hip decompression performed. Descriptive, quantitative, and qualitative data were extracted.

Results

Of the 17 articles identified, nine studies (eight case series and one retrospective cohort study) were eligible for the meta-analysis, with a total of 302 unstable SCFE. The pooled OR = 0.91 of osteonecrosis between hip decompression and no hip decompression was in favor of hip decompression, but was not statistically significant [95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.47, 1.75; p = 0.54, I2 = 0 %]. No significant differences in the rates of osteonecrosis were detected in unstable SCFE with open and percutaneous hip decompression alone (OR = 0.97, 95 % CI: 0.36, 2.62; p = 0.69, I2 = 19.1 %) or hip decompression with bony procedures (OR = 0.99, 95 % CI: 0.35, 2.79; p = 0.69, I2 = 0 %).

Conclusions

The cumulative evidence at present does not indicate an association between hip decompression and a lower rate of osteonecrosis of unstable SCFE. However, hip decompression of unstable SCFE remains an option that can potentially decompress the intracapsular hip pressure and optimize the blood flow to the femoral head. Thus, multicenter prospective cohort studies are required and will be able to answer this question with more certainty and a higher level of evidence.

Level of evidence

Level III/IV.
Emerging LNG-fueled ships in the Chinese shipping industry: a hybrid analysis on its prospects
Authors: Wan Chengpeng , Yan Xinping , Zhang Di , Shi Jing , Fu Shanshan , Ng Adolf K. Y.
Published: March 2015

With the prosperity of global shipping industry, a variety of shipping-induced environmental problems and increasingly rigid emission restrictions have drawn more attention to an emerging marine fuel—liquefied natural gas (LNG), a clean and efficient energy that conforms to the essence of green shipping. Although with superiority using onboard, there are only fewer than 40 fully LNG-fueled ships in service worldwide by June 2013, and the quantity of LNG-fueled ships in operation is even much lower in China. Moreover, the majority of those in China are inland ships, which mainly navigate along the Yangtze River and canals. By using the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis in combination with the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), this paper analyzes the development prospect of LNG-fueled ships in inland waterway transportation in China, aiming to fill the gaps of inadequate understanding of the new marine energy. This paper offers some insight on the prospects of the application of LNG in the Chinese shipping industry and simultaneously provides useful information to stakeholders and policy makers for decision-making on the development of LNG-fueled ships.
Right coronary artery perforation by an active‐fixation atrial pacing lead resulting in life‐threatening tamponade
Authors: Nakagawa Eiichiro , Abe Yukio , Komatsu Ryushi , Naruko Takahiko , Itoh Akira
Published: March 2015

Cardiac tamponade resulting from perforation of a cardiac chamber is a relatively rare complication of pacemaker implantation. We report the first case of perforation of the right coronary artery related to the implantation of a screw‐in atrial pacing lead, presenting as life‐threatening cardiac tamponade.

We report the case of a 72‐year‐old woman with complete atrioventricular block and dyspnea on exertion. A permanent pacemaker was implanted with bipolar Medtronic active‐fixation leads positioned in the right atrial appendage and at the right ventricular basal septum without any difficulty. Approximately 3.5 h after the procedure, the patient complained of nausea, and the systolic blood pressure decreased to less than 60 mmHg. Echocardiography revealed a large pericardial effusion. Because the effects of pericardiocentesis lasted for less than an hour, the patient underwent a thoracotomy. After evacuation of a massive hemopericardium, bright red blood was seen gushing out from the right coronary artery, which was located on the opposite site of the right atrial appendage where a small portion of the screw tip was observed to be penetrating the atrial wall. The right coronary artery perforation was repaired using autologous pericardium‐reinforced 7–0 prolene mattress sutures.

Perforation of the right coronary artery is a potential complication and should be part of the differential diagnosis of cardiac tamponade after pacemaker implantation.
Witchcraft, Justice, and Human Rights in Africa: Cases from Malawi
Authors: Ashforth Adam
Published: March 2015

The human rights approach to witchcraft accusations denies their validity and forecloses the possibility of a trial, fair or otherwise. While there is much to be said for a bracing rationalism in all aspects of life, evidence from Africa over the past couple of centuries shows no sign that witchcraft narratives lose their plausibility as a result of people being told that witches do not exist.
Africa’s Intoxicating Beer Markets
Authors: Hesse Brian J.
Published: March 2015

African beer markets are increasingly being commercialized. Select brewers are going to extraordinary lengths to attract new customers on the continent. Economic and business “life cycle” models usually indicate that this can only go on for a finite period, that industries, companies, and products, just like organisms, must move through stages of emergence and maturity to inevitable decline. Such expectations may be too rigid in the African context. Such are the continent’s dynamic economic and social realities that commercial brewers, and especially a handful of multinational corporations, look capable of staving off decline—an intoxicating prospect for them indeed.
Grand Designs: Assessing the African Energy Security Implications of the Grand Inga Dam
Authors: Green Nathaniel , Sovacool Benjamin K. , Hancock Kathleen
Published: March 2015

In May 2013 the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) announced that construction of the world’s largest hydroelectric project will begin in October 2015. Upon completion, according to the DRC, the project will bring electricity to half the African continent. With funding from South Africa, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and others, the U.S.$80 billion Grand Inga Hydroelectric project will construct a 44,000 megawatt (MW) dam anchored to a new transmission network able to distribute electricity to all four of sub-Saharan Africa’s regional electricity power pools. While the dam promises to bring electricity to many millions of Africans who currently lack access, the project also poses risks to the citizens and environment of the DRC. To assess the complex tradeoffs, this article evaluates four dimensions that are part of an energy security framework: availability, affordability, efficiency, and stewardship. In doing so, it explores some of the governance challenges that arise in managing such a “mega-project.” The analysis also reveals tensions between national and regional energy security. It presents evidence that, under certain assumptions, the pursuit of enhanced security at the regional level may result in a net security loss for the DRC. Finally, the article provides suggestions for enhancing the decision-making process of those designing related national and regional energy strategies.
An Economic Analysis of Adherence Engineering to Improve Use of Best Practices During Central Line Maintenance Procedures
Authors: Nelson Richard E. , Angelovic Aaron W. , Nelson Scott D. , Gleed Jeremy R. , Drews Frank A.
Published: March 2015

OBJECTIVE

Adherence engineering applies human factors principles to examine non-adherence within a specific task and to guide the development of materials or equipment to increase protocol adherence and reduce human error. Central line maintenance (CLM) for intensive care unit (ICU) patients is a task through which error or non-adherence to protocols can cause central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). We conducted an economic analysis of an adherence engineering CLM kit designed to improve the CLM task and reduce the risk of CLABSI.

METHODS

We constructed a Markov model to compare the cost-effectiveness of the CLM kit, which contains each of the 27 items necessary for performing the CLM procedure, compared with the standard care procedure for CLM, in which each item for dressing maintenance is gathered separately. We estimated the model using the cost of CLABSI overall ($45,685) as well as the excess LOS (6.9 excess ICU days, 3.5 excess general ward days).

RESULTS

Assuming the CLM kit reduces the risk of CLABSI by 100% and 50%, this strategy was less costly (cost savings between $306 and $860) and more effective (between 0.05 and 0.13 more quality-adjusted life-years) compared with not using the pre-packaged kit. We identified threshold values for the effectiveness of the kit in reducing CLABSI for which the kit strategy was no longer less costly.

CONCLUSION

An adherence engineering–based intervention to streamline the CLM process can improve patient outcomes and lower costs. Patient safety can be improved by adopting new approaches that are based on human factors principles.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015;00(0): 1–7
Characteristics of Bacteremia in Pediatric Oncology Patients Based on Pathogen Classification as Associated with the Gastrointestinal Mucosa or Skin
Authors: Flagg Aron , Worley Sarah , Foster Charles B.
Published: March 2015

Factors favoring blood stream infections associated with gastrointestinal mucosa versus skin organisms were explored. An observed difference was attributable to bacteremia from oral flora in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia or mucositis. Our data do not support the conclusion that isolation of enteric Gram-negatives is unrelated to the central catheter.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015;00(0): 1–4
Verified and validated calculation of unsteady dynamics of viscous hydrogen–air detonations
Authors: Romick C. M. , Aslam T. D. , Powers J. M.
Published: March 2015

The dynamics of one-dimensional, piston-driven hydrogen–air detonations are predicted in the presence of physical mass, momentum and energy diffusion. The calculations are automatically verified by the use of an adaptive wavelet-based computational method which correlates a user-specified error tolerance to the error in the calculations. The predicted frequency of 0.97 MHz for an overdriven pulsating detonation agrees well with the 1.04 MHz frequency observed by Lehr in a shock-induced combustion experiment around a spherical projectile, thus giving a limited validation for the model. A study is performed in which the supporting piston velocity is varied, and the long time behaviour is examined for an initially stoichiometric mixture at 293.15 K and 1 atm. Several distinct propagation behaviours are predicted: a stable detonation, a high-frequency pulsating detonation, a pulsating detonation with two competing modes, a low-frequency pulsating detonation and a propagating detonation with many active frequencies. In the low-frequency pulsating mode, the long time behaviour undergoes a phenomenon similar to period-doubling. Harmonic analysis is used to examine how the frequency of the pulsations evolves as the supporting piston velocity is varied. It is found that the addition of viscosity shifts the neutral stability boundary by about 2 % with respect to the supporting piston velocity. As the supporting piston velocity is lowered, the intrinsic instability grows in strength, and the effect of viscosity is weakened such that the results are indistinguishable from the inviscid predictions.
Rogue waves in opposing currents: an experimental study on deterministic and stochastic wave trains
Authors: Toffoli A. , Waseda T. , Houtani H. , Cavaleri L. , Greaves D. , Onorato M.
Published: March 2015

Interaction with an opposing current amplifies wave modulation and accelerates nonlinear wave focusing in regular wavepackets. This results in large-amplitude waves, usually known as rogue waves, even if the wave conditions are less prone to extremes. Laboratory experiments in three independent facilities are presented here to assess the role of opposing currents in changing the statistical properties of unidirectional and directional mechanically generated random wavefields. The results demonstrate in a consistent and robust manner that opposing currents induce a sharp and rapid transition from weakly to strongly non-Gaussian properties. This is associated with a substantial increase in the probability of occurrence of rogue waves for unidirectional and directional sea states, for which the occurrence of extreme and rogue waves is normally the least expected.
Dietary magnesium deficiency affects gut microbiota and anxiety-like behaviour in C57BL/6N mice
Authors: Pyndt Jørgensen Bettina , Winther Gudrun , Kihl Pernille , Nielsen Dennis S. , Wegener Gregers , Hansen Axel K. , Sørensen Dorte B.
Published: March 2015

Objective

Magnesium deficiency has been associated with anxiety in humans, and rodent studies have demonstrated the gut microbiota to impact behaviour.

Methods

We investigated the impact of 6 weeks of dietary magnesium deficiency on gut microbiota composition and anxiety-like behaviour and whether there was a link between the two. A total of 20 C57BL/6 mice, fed either a standard diet or a magnesium-deficient diet for 6 weeks, were tested using the light-dark box anxiety test. Gut microbiota composition was analysed by denaturation gradient gel electrophoresis.

Results

We demonstrated that the gut microbiota composition correlated significantly with the behaviour of dietary unchallenged mice. A magnesium-deficient diet altered the gut microbiota, and was associated with altered anxiety-like behaviour, measured by decreased latency to enter the light box.

Conclusion

Magnesium deficiency altered behavior. The duration of magnesium deficiency is suggested to influence behaviour in the evaluated test.
The hidden paintings of Angkor Wat
Authors: Tan Noel Hidalgo , Sokrithy Im , Than Heng , Chan Khieu
Published: March 2015

The temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia is one of the most famous monuments in the world and is noted for its spectacular bas-relief friezes depicting ceremonial and religious scenes. Recent work reported here has identified an entirely new series of images consisting of paintings of boats, animals, deities and buildings. Difficult to see with the naked eye, these can be enhanced by digital photography and decorrelation stretch analysis, a technique recently used with great success in rock art studies. The paintings found at Angkor Wat seem to belong to a specific phase of the temple's history in the sixteenth century AD when it was converted from a Vishnavaite Hindu use to Theravada Buddhist.
High consumption of vegetable and fruit colour groups is inversely associated with the risk of colorectal cancer: a case–control study
Authors: Luo Wei-Ping , Fang Yu-Jing , Lu Min-Shan , Zhong Xiao , Chen Yu-Ming , Zhang Cai-Xia
Published: March 2015

The colour of the edible portion of vegetables and fruit reflects the presence of specific micronutrients and phytochemicals. No existing studies have examined the relationship between the intake of vegetable and fruit colour groups and the risk of colorectal cancer. The present study, therefore, aimed to investigate these associations in a Chinese population. A case–control study was conducted between July 2010 and July 2014 in Guangzhou, China, in which 1057 consecutively recruited cases of colorectal cancer were frequency-matched to 1057 controls by age (5-year interval), sex and residence (rural/urban). A validated FFQ was used to collect dietary information during face-to-face interviews. Vegetables and fruit were classified into four groups according to the colour of their primarily edible parts: green; orange/yellow; red/purple; white. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to estimate the OR and 95 % CI. A higher consumption of orange/yellow, red/purple and white vegetables and fruit was inversely associated with the risk of colorectal cancer, with adjusted OR of 0·16 (95 % CI 0·12, 0·22) for orange/yellow, 0·23 (95 % CI 0·17, 0·31) for red/purple and 0·53 (95 % CI 0·40, 0·70) for white vegetables and fruit when the highest and lowest quartiles were compared. Total vegetable intake and total fruit intake have also been found to be inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk. However, the intake of green vegetable and fruit was not associated with colorectal cancer risk. The results of the present study, therefore, suggest that a greater intake of orange/yellow, red/purple and white vegetables and fruit is inversely associated with the risk of colorectal cancer.
Characterization of novel microsatellite markers forHyphantria cuneaand implications for other Lepidoptera
Authors: Cao L.J. , Wen J.B. , Wei S.J. , Liu J. , Yang F. , Chen M.
Published: March 2015

This is the first report of microsatellite markers (simple sequence repeats, SSR) for fall webworm,Hyphantria cunea(Drury) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), an important quarantine pest in some European and Asian countries. Here, we developed 48 microsatellite markers forH. cuneafrom SSR enrichment libraries. Sequences isolated from libraries were sorted into four categories and analyzed. Our results suggest that sequences classified asGroupedshould not be used for microsatellite primer design. The genetic diversity of microsatellite loci was assessed in 72 individuals from three populations. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 5 with an average of 3. The observed and expected heterozygosities of loci ranged from 0 to 0.958 and 0 to 0.773, respectively. A total of 18 out of 153 locus/population combinations deviated significantly from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Moreover, significant linkage disequilibrium was detected in one pair of loci (1275 pairs in total). In the neutral test, two loci were grouped into the candidate category for positive selection and the remainder into the neutral category. In addition, a complex mutation pattern was observed for these loci, andFSTperformed better than didRSTfor the estimation of population differentiation in different mutation patterns. The results of the present study can be used for population genetic studies ofH. cunea.
THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD PRINCIPLE AS AN INDEPENDENT SOURCE OF INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION
Authors: Pobjoy Jason M
Published: March 2015

The Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the best interests principle codified in Article 3 in particular, is playing an increasingly significant role in decisions involving the admission or removal of a child from a host State. This article examines the extent to which the best interest principle may provide an independent source of international protection. That protection may, for instance, proscribe the removal of a child from a host State notwithstanding that the child is ineligible for protection as a refugee or protection under the more traditionalnon-refoulementobligations in international human rights law.
The occurrence and pathogenicity ofSerratospiculum tendo(Nematoda: Diplotriaenoidea) in birds of prey from southern Italy
Authors: Santoro M. , D'Alessio N. , Di Prisco F. , Kinsella J.M. , Barca L. , Degli Uberti B. , Restucci B. , Martano M. , Troisi S. , Galiero G. , Veneziano V.
Published: March 2015

The air sacs of free-ranging birds of prey (n= 652) from southern Italy, including 11 species of Accipitriformes and six of Falconiforms, were examined for infections withSerratospiculumtendo(Nematoda: Diplotriaenoidea). Of the 17 species of birds examined, 25 of 31 (80.6%) peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) from Calabria Region and a single northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) from Campania Region were infected withS. tendo, suggesting a strong host specificity for the peregrine falcon. The northern goshawk and 18 of 25 infected peregrine falcons showed cachexia and all infected birds had bone fractures. At gross examination, air sacculitis and pneumonia were the most common lesions in infected birds. Microscopically, the air-sac walls showed thickening of the smooth muscle cells, resulting in a papillary appearance, along with hyperplasia of the mesothelium and epithelium, and foci of plasma cell infiltration and macrophages associated with several embryonated eggs and adult parasites. Extensive areas of inflammation were found in the lungs, characterized by lymphocytes, macrophages and fibroblasts surrounding embryonated eggs. The northern goshawk also had detachment of the dextral lung with several necrotic foci. In this case, the death of the bird was directly attributed toS. tendoinfection. Lesions and pathological changes observed here suggest thatS. tendocan cause disease.
Calopadia saxicola(Pilocarpaceae, Ascomycota), a new saxicolous species growing on rocky seashores in southern Brazil
Authors: Gumboski Emerson Luiz
Published: March 2015

Calopadia saxicolais described as new to science. The species grows on rocky shores in southern Brazil and is characterized by the corticate thallus, pruinose apothecia with brownish to reddish brown disc, mainly 2–3-spored asci with muriform ascospores, and the absence of secondary metabolites. A description with ecological data, figures, comments and a key to all species in the genus known from Brazil are given.
Taxonomic study of the genus Anzia (Lecanorales, lichenized Ascomycota) from Hengduan Mountains, China
Authors: Wang Xin Yu , Goffinet Bernard , Liu Dong , Liang Meng Meng , Shi Hai Xia , Zhang Yan Yun , Zhang Jun , Wang Li Song
Published: March 2015

Analyses of morphological, anatomical, chemical and DNA sequences led to the recognition of ten species of Anzia in the Hengduan Mountains, which harbour all species known from China, including A. pseudocolpota sp. nov. and A. hypomelaena comb. & stat. nov. Furthermore, populations similar to A. hypoleucoides but with narrow lobes and a yellow-orange pigmented medulla may be a phylogenetically distinct species tentatively recognized as A. aff. hypoleucoides. The species are primarily distinguished by the presence or absence of a central axis, the colour and shape of the spongy cushion and the nature of the secondary compounds. A key to all known species of Anzia from China is presented.
Contributions to the genus Synarthonia (lichenized Ascomycota, Arthoniaceae)
Authors: Joseph Siljo , Sinha Gopal Prasad
Published: March 2015

The type specimens of Synarthonia bicolor and S. stigmatidialis were examined, leading the authors to revise their descriptions as well as the generic description. Also, two new species of Synarthonia, viz. S. psoromica and S. sikkimensis are described from India. Synarthonia psoromica, collected from the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, is characterized by immersed synascomata and the presence of psoromic acid. Synarthonia sikkimensis, collected from Sikkim-Himalaya, is characterized by the sorediate thallus with a rhizomorph-like prothallus. These distinguishing characters are observed for the first time in Synarthonia. After considering the protologue of the recently described S. sarcographoides, a comprehensive account of this genus is made. In addition, a world key to all known species of Synarthonia is provided.
Ectoparasites and endoparasites of fish form networks with different structures
Authors: BELLAY S. , DE OLIVEIRA E. F. , ALMEIDA-NETO M. , MELLO M. A. R. , TAKEMOTO R. M. , LUQUE J. L.
Published: March 2015

Hosts and parasites interact with each other in a variety of ways, and this diversity of interactions is reflected in the networks they form. To test for differences in interaction patterns of ecto- and endoparasites we analysed subnetworks formed by each kind of parasites and their host fish species in fish–parasite networks for 22 localities. We assessed the proportion of parasite species per host species, the relationship between parasite fauna composition and host taxonomy, connectance, nestedness and modularity of each subnetwork (n= 44). Furthermore, we evaluated the similarity in host species composition among modules in ecto- and endoparasite subnetworks. We found several differences between subnetworks of fish ecto- and endoparasites. The association with a higher number of host species observed among endoparasites resulted in higher connectance and nestedness, and lower values of modularity in their subnetworks than in those of ectoparasites. Taxonomically related host species tended to share ecto- or endoparasites with the same interaction intensity, but the species composition of hosts tended to differ between modules formed by ecto- and endoparasites. Our results suggest that different evolutionary and ecological processes are responsible for organizing the networks formed by ecto- and endoparasites and fish.
Breast-feeding patterns of ethnic groups in rural western China
Authors: Qu Pengfei , Wang Ting , Liu Fang , Dang Shaonong , Zeng Lengxia , Yan Hong
Published: March 2015

Objective

To determine the breast-feeding pattern of four main ethnic groups (the Han, Uygur, Tibetan and Zhuang) living in rural western China.

Design

The study utilized a cross-sectional design.

Setting

Forty-five counties in ten provinces in western China in 2005.

Subjects

A sample of 11 783 children younger than 36 months old (8960 Han, 1281 Uygur, 792 Tibetan and 750 Zhuang) and their mothers were recruited using a stratified, multistage, cluster random sampling method.

Results

The rates of exclusive breast-feeding of children at 6 months of age in the Han, Uygur, Tibetan and Zhuang ethnic groups were 11·6 %, 0·8 %, 4·4 % and 13·8 %, respectively. The rates of any breast-feeding for children at 24 months of age were 8·5 %, 25·7 %, 3·0 % and 4·3 % in the four ethnic groups, respectively. After adjusting for related factors, Zhuang children had a higher odds ratio of exclusive breast-feeding to 6 months compared with Han children, whereas Uygur and Tibetan children had lower odds ratio (Zhuang: OR=1·291; 95 % CI 1·006, 1·657; Uugur: OR=0·062; 95 % CI 0·032, 0·121; Tibetan: OR=0·323; 95 % CI 0·220, 0·475). Uygur children had a lower hazard ratio of discontinued breast-feeding compared with Han children, whereas Tibetan children had a higher hazard ratio (Uygur: HR=0·368; 95 % CI 0·333, 0·408; Tibetan: HR=1·366; 95 % CI 1·244, 1·500).

Conclusions

The breast-feeding pattern differed among the Han, Uygur, Tibetan and Zhuang ethnic groups. The results suggest that health education regarding the benefits of breast-feeding is needed in rural western China.
Trends in socio-economic inequalities in the Scottish diet: 2001–2009
Authors: Barton Karen L , Wrieden Wendy L , Sherriff Andrea , Armstrong Julie , Anderson Annie S
Published: March 2015

Objective

To explore the association between diet and socio-economic position for 2007–2009 and investigate trends in socio-economic inequalities in the Scottish diet between 2001 and 2009.

Design

UK food purchase data (collected annually from 2001 to 2009) were used to estimate household-level consumption data. Population mean food consumption, nutrient intakes and energy density were estimated by quintiles of an area-based index of multiple deprivation. Food and nutrient intakes estimated were those targeted for change in Scotland and others indicative of diet quality. The slope and relative indices of inequality were used to assess trends in inequalities in consumption over time.

Setting

Scotland.

Subjects

Scottish households (n 5020).

Results

Daily consumption of fruit and vegetables (200 g, 348 g), brown/wholemeal bread (17 g, 26·5 g), breakfast cereals (16 g, 27 g) and oil-rich (21 g, 40 g) and white fish (77 g, 112 g) were lowest, and that of total bread highest (105 g, 91·5 g) in the most deprived compared with the least deprived households, respectively, for the period 2007–2009. With regard to nutrients, there was no association between deprivation and the percentage of food energy from total fat and saturated fat; however, non-milk extrinsic sugar intakes (15·5 %, 14·3 %) and energy density (741 kJ/100 g, 701 kJ/100 g) were significantly higher in the most deprived households. The slope and relative indices of inequality showed that inequalities in intakes between 2001 and 2009 have changed very little.

Conclusions

There was no evidence to suggest that the difference in targeted food and nutrient intakes between the least and most deprived has decreased compared with previous years.
Sustainability and public health nutrition at school: assessing the integration of healthy and environmentally sustainable food initiatives in Vancouver schools
Authors: Black Jennifer L , Velazquez Cayley E , Ahmadi Naseam , Chapman Gwen E , Carten Sarah , Edward Joshua , Shulhan Stephanie , Stephens Teya , Rojas Alejandro
Published: March 2015

Objective

To describe the development and application of the School Food Environment Assessment Tools and a novel scoring system to assess the integration of healthy and environmentally sustainable food initiatives in elementary and secondary schools.

Design

The cross-sectional study included direct observations of physical food environments and interviews with key school personnel regarding food-related programmes and policies. A five-point scoring system was then developed to assess actions across six domains: (i) food gardens; (ii) composting systems; (iii) food preparation activities; (iv) food-related teaching and learning activities; and availability of (v) healthy food; and (vi) environmentally sustainable food.

Setting

Vancouver, Canada.

Subjects

A purposive sample of public schools (n33) from all six sectors of the Vancouver Board of Education.

Results

Schools scored highest in the areas of food garden and compost system development and use. Regular integration of food-related teaching and learning activities and hands-on food preparation experiences were also commonly reported. Most schools demonstrated rudimentary efforts to make healthy and environmentally sustainable food choices available, but in general scored lowest on these two domains. Moreover, no schools reported widespread initiatives fully supporting availability or integration of healthy or environmentally sustainable foods across campus.

Conclusions

More work is needed in all areas to fully integrate programmes and policies that support healthy, environmentally sustainable food systems in Vancouver schools. The assessment tools and proposed indicators offer a practical approach for researchers, policy makers and school stakeholders to assess school food system environments, identify priority areas for intervention and track relevant changes over time.
Structural Heterogenity of Intraluminal Content of The Prostate: A Histochemical and Ultrastructural Study
Authors: Badea Paula , Petrescu Amelia , Moldovan Lucia , Zarnescu Otilia
Published: March 2015

Intraluminal contents of benign and malignant prostatic tissue are associated with varying forms of acellular structures. These include corpora amylacea, prostatic calculi, and prostatic crystalloids. There are relatively few microscopy studies about the characterization of intraluminal structures from benign and malignant prostatic glands and little is known about their chemical composition. In the present study, we used a combination of special histochemical methods, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy to characterize intraluminal contents of benign and malignant prostate glands. The study was done on 33 radical prostatectomy and four transurethral resections of prostate specimens. Histochemical methods such as von Kossa, autometallography (AMG), as well as PSA immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy were performed to characterize intraluminal contents of benign and malignant prostate glands. Von Kossa staining was observed in acellular structures, corpora amylacea, prostatic calculi, and calcified blood vessels. AMG staining was observed in the lumen of small glands, in the epithelium lining prostate glands, and corpora amylacea. PSA staining showed prostatic glands with both positive and negative corpora amylacea and epithelial cells. Ultrastructural observation revealed the presence of a variety of highly heterogeneous aggregates composed of fibrillar elements that were similar to those of amyloid.
Hyperpolarized 15N-pyridine Derivatives as pH-Sensitive MRI Agents
Authors: Jiang Weina , Lumata Lloyd , Chen Wei , Zhang Shanrong , Kovacs Zoltan , Sherry A. Dean , Khemtong Chalermchai
Published: March 2015

Highly sensitive MR imaging agents that can accurately and rapidly monitor changes in pH would have diagnostic and prognostic value for many diseases. Here, we report an investigation of hyperpolarized 15N-pyridine derivatives as ultrasensitive pH-sensitive imaging probes. These molecules are easily polarized to high levels using standard dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) techniques and their 15N chemical shifts were found to be highly sensitive to pH. These probes displayed sharp 15N resonances and large differences in chemical shifts (Δδ >90 ppm) between their free base and protonated forms. These favorable features make these agents highly suitable candidates for the detection of small changes in tissue pH near physiological values.
Highly efficient cell-type-specific gene inactivation reveals a key function for the Drosophila FUS homolog cabeza in neurons
Authors: Frickenhaus Marie , Wagner Marina , Mallik Moushami , Catinozzi Marica , Storkebaum Erik
Published: March 2015

To expand the rich genetic toolkit of Drosophila melanogaster, we evaluated whether introducing FRT or LoxP sites in endogenous genes could allow for cell-type-specific gene inactivation in both dividing and postmitotic cells by GAL4-driven expression of FLP or Cre recombinase. For proof of principle, conditional alleles were generated for cabeza (caz), the Drosophila homolog of human FUS, a gene implicated in the neurodegenerative disorders amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Upon selective expression in neurons or muscle, both FLP and Cre mediated caz inactivation in all neurons or muscle cells, respectively. Neuron-selective caz inactivation resulted in failure of pharate adult flies to eclose from the pupal case and adult escapers displayed motor performance defects and reduced life span. Due to Cre-toxicity, FLP/FRT is the preferred system for cell-type-specific gene inactivation and this strategy outperforms RNAi-mediated knock-down. Furthermore, the GAL80 target system allowed for temporal control over gene inactivation, as induction of FLP expression from the adult stage onwards still inactivated caz in >99% of neurons. Remarkably, selective caz inactivation in adult neurons did not affect motor performance and life span, indicating that neuronal caz is required during development, but not for maintenance of adult neuronal function.
UV sensing using film bulk acoustic resonators based on Au/n-ZnO/piezoelectric-ZnO/Al structure
Authors: Bian Xiaolei , Jin Hao , Wang Xiaozhi , Dong Shurong , Chen Guohao , Luo J. K. , Deen M. Jamal , Qi Bensheng
Published: March 2015

A new type of ultraviolet (UV) light sensor based on film bulk acoustic wave resonator (FBAR) is proposed. The new sensor uses gold and a thin n-type ZnO layer deposited on the top of piezoelectric layer of FBAR to form a Schottky barrier. The Schottky barrier's capacitance can be changed with UV light, resulting in an enhanced shift in the entire FBAR's resonant frequency. The fabricated UV sensor has a 50 nm thick n-ZnO semiconductor layer with a carrier concentration of ~ 1017 cm−3. A large frequency downshift is observed when UV light irradiates the FBAR. With 365 nm UV light of intensity 1.7 mW/cm2, the FBAR with n-ZnO/Au Schottky diode has 250 kHz frequency downshift, much larger than the 60 kHz frequency downshift in a conventional FBAR without the n-ZnO layer. The shift in the new FBAR's resonant frequency is due to the junction formed between Au and n-ZnO semiconductor and its properties changes with UV light. The experimental results are in agreement with the theoretical analysis using an equivalent circuit model of the new FBAR structure.
7-Ketocholesterol Increases Retinal Microglial Migration, Activation and Angiogenicity: A Potential Pathogenic Mechanism Underlying Age-related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Indaram Maanasa , Ma Wenxin , Zhao Lian , Fariss Robert N. , Rodriguez Ignacio R. , Wong Wai T.
Published: March 2015

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been associated with both accumulation of lipid and lipid oxidative products, as well as increased neuroinflammatory changes and microglial activation in the outer retina. However, the relationships between these factors are incompletely understood. 7-Ketocholesterol (7KCh) is a cholesterol oxidation product localized to the outer retina with prominent pro-inflammatory effects. To explore the potential relationship between 7KCh and microglial activation, we localized 7KCh and microglia to the outer retina of aged mice and investigated 7KCh effects on retinal microglia in both in vitro and in vivo systems. We found that retinal microglia demonstrated a prominent chemotropism to 7KCh and readily internalized 7KCh. Sublethal concentrations of 7KCh resulted in microglial activation and polarization to a pro-inflammatory M1 state via NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Microglia exposed to 7KCh reduced expression of neurotrophic growth factors but increased expression of angiogenic factors, transitioning to a more neurotoxic and pro-angiogenic phenotype. Finally, subretinal transplantation of 7KCh-exposed microglia promoted choroidal neovascularization (CNV) relative to control microglia in a Matrigel-CNV model. The interaction of retinal microglia with 7KCh in the aged retina may thus underlie how outer retinal lipid accumulation in intermediate AMD results in neuroinflammation that ultimately drives progression towards advanced AMD.