bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing a Credible Defense Posture for the Philippines: From the Aquino to the Duterte Administrations
Authors: De Castro Renato Cruz
Published: October 2017

Since 2011, the Aquino administration has bolstered the development of a credible external defense posture of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the face of China's territorial expansion in the South China Sea. This move entailed the upgrading of the Philippine Navy's and the Philippine Air Force's capabilities for maritime domain awareness and naval interdiction. The Aquino administration also anchored its strategic agenda on the 60‐year‐old Philippines‐U.S. alliance by signing the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). The election of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as the 16th president of the Philippines, however, generated uncertainties on whether or not he will continue building the AFP's territorial defense capabilities. Eventually, Duterte decided to continue the Aquino administration's build‐up as a hedge, in case he should find it imperative in the future to pursue his predecessor's policy of challenging China's expansive claim in the South China Sea. The article concludes that like Aquino's security policy, the Duterte administration is also committed to building up the Philippine military's credible defense posture—in light of the growing uncertainties in the region marked by China's emergence and the perceived retreat of the United States as a Pacific power.
Associations of specific postoperative complications with costs after radical cystectomy
Authors: Mossanen Matthew , Krasnow Ross E. , Lipsitz Stuart R , Preston Mark A. , Kibel Adam S. , Ha Albert , Gore John L. , Smith Angela B. , Leow Jeffrey J. , Trinh Quoc‐Dien , Chang Steven L.
Published: October 2017

Objective

To quantify the financial impact of complications after radical cystectomy (RC) and their associations with respective 90‐day costs, as RC is a morbid surgery plagued by complications and the expenditure attributed to specific complications after RC is not well characterised.

Patients and Methods

We used the Premier Hospital Database (Premier Inc., Charlotte, NC, USA) to identify 9 137 RC patients (weighted population of 57 553) from 360 hospitals between 2003 and 2013. Complications were categorised according to Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Clinical Classifications. Patients with and without complications were compared, and multivariable analysis was performed.

Results

An index complication increased costs by $9 262 (95% confidence interval [CI] 8 300–10 223) and a readmission complication increased costs by $20 697 (95% CI 18 735–22 660). The four most costly index complications (descending order) were venous thromboembolism (VTE), infection, wound and soft tissue complications, and pulmonary complications (P < 0.001, vs no complication). A complication increased length of stay by 4 days (95% CI 3.6–4.3). One in five patients were readmitted in 90 days and the four costliest readmission complications (descending order) were pulmonary, bleeding, VTE, and gastrointestinal complications (P < 0.001, vs no complication). Readmitted patients had multiple complications upon readmission (median of 3, interquartile range 2–4). On multivariable analysis, more comorbidities, longer surgery (>6 h), transfusions of >3 units, and teaching hospitals were associated with higher costs (P < 0.05), whilst high‐volume surgeons and shorter surgeries (<4 h) were associated with lower costs (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Complications after RC increase index and readmission costs for hospitals, and can be categorised based on magnitude. Future initiatives in RC may also consider costs of complications when establishing quality improvement priorities for patients, providers, or policymakers.
Practicing for the Future: Deliberate Practice in Early Childhood
Authors: Brinums Melissa , Imuta Kana , Suddendorf Thomas
Published: October 2017

Deliberate practice is essential for acquiring a wide range of skills that have been central to humans’ adaptive success, yet little is known about when and how children develop this capability. The current study examined 4‐ to 7‐year‐olds’ (N = 120) ability to selectively practice a skill that would be useful in the near future, as well as their broader understanding of the role of deliberate practice in skill acquisition. Six‐ and 7‐year‐olds demonstrated both an explicit understanding of deliberate practice and the capacity to practice without being prompted. Five‐year‐olds showed an understanding of deliberate practice and some capacity to practice, whereas 4‐year‐olds showed neither of these capabilities. Findings reveal important developments in children's future‐directed behavior beyond the preschool years.
Presence of cancer cells in gastric lavage of gastric cancer patients as an indicator of advanced disease, predictor of tumour aggressive phenotype and independent prognostic factor for poor survival: The endoluminal metastatic pathway of gastric cancer and GL0/GL1 classification
Authors: Virgilio E. , Giarnieri E. , Giovagnoli M. R. , Montagnini M. , Proietti A. , D'Urso R. , Nigri G. , Mercantini P. , Ramacciato G. , Cavallini M. , Balducci G.
Published: October 2017

Objective

As of 2017, the pathobiology of gastric cancer (GC) is far from fully understood; consequently, new methods of basic and advanced research have been proposed and tested. The presence (GL1) vs absence (GL0) of malignant cells exfoliated in gastric lavage (GL) of GC patients was formerly evaluated with diagnostic intent but not for staging or prognostic assessment. We investigated this hitherto unreported application of cytopathology.

Methods

GL was preoperatively and prospectively collected from 80 GC patients and cytologically analysed. The results were compared with the classic clinicopathological features of GC and related to survival. The prognostic value of GL1 was assessed through univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

GL1 was detected in 36 samples (45%) and correlated with advanced tumour depth (T3‐T4), lymphatic metastasis (N+), distant metastasis (M1) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI1; P=.0317, .0024, .003 and .0028, respectively). Overall survival (OS) was significantly shorter for GL1 (23 months) vs GL0 patients (42 months; P=.005) and GL1 vs GL0 T1 subjects (12.6 vs 47.8 months, P=.0029). Univariate analysis revealed that GL1, N+, M1, LVI1 and advanced stage were significantly associated with OS. Multivariate analysis assessed GL1 as the only independent prognostic factor for worse OS and progression‐free survival (P=.0013 and .0107).

Conclusions

In the present study, GL1 was correlated with advanced disease, aggressive tumour behaviour and poor prognosis. Although additional studies are needed to confirm these findings, the GL0/GL1 classification can be applied to GC patients to achieve higher accuracy in staging, prognostic stratification and treatment selection.
Off‐label prescriptions and decisions on reimbursement requests in Germany – a retrospective analysis
Authors: Seidenschnur Karin Ellen Katharina , Dressler Corinna , Weller Karsten , Nast Alexander , Werner Ricardo Niklas
Published: October 2017

Background and objectives

“Off‐label use” is defined as the prescription of pharmaceutical products outside their approved indications. Rare diseases frequently lack “on‐label” treatment options. In order to avoid reimbursement claims following the prescription of off‐label drugs, physicians in Germany can – on a case‐by‐case basis – file an application for cost coverage with the competent health insurance prior to treatment initiation.

Patients and methods

We conducted a chart review for cost coverage requests submitted by two outpatient clinics at a university‐affiliated dermatology department between 2010 and 2012 (clinic for autoimmune diseases and urticaria clinic). Insurance providers, acceptance rates, reasons for rejection, and processing times were analyzed.

Results

The analysis showed that 56.8 % of applications for off‐label use (n = 44) were approved during the first round. The rate increased to 75.0 % when including approvals granted after up to two rejections. The time between initial application and the response of health insurers was 49 days (median). In case of cost coverage approval, treatments were initiated 92 days (median) after the initial request.

Conclusions

The present case series shows that, in the majority of cases, health insurers in Germany have agreed to reimburse the costs of proposed off‐label therapies. A prospective study is required in order to evaluate whether current changes to legal regulations (GKV‐Versorgungsstrukturgesetz, Patientenrechtegesetz) adequately address the problems identified.
High‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes in the EXAMINE (Examination of Cardiovascular Outcomes with Alogliptin versus Standard of Care) trial
Authors: Hwang You‐Cheol , Morrow David A. , Cannon Christopher P. , Liu Yuyin , Bergenstal Richard , Heller Simon , Mehta Cyrus , Cushman William , Bakris George L. , Zannad Faiez , White William B.
Published: October 2017

Aims

We sought to assess the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) by utilizing high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) level and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) in patients with type 2 diabetes and recent acute coronary syndrome.

Materials and methods

Study participants enrolled in the EXAMINE trial (Clinical trials registration number: NCT00968708) and were stratified by baseline hsCRP levels (<1, 1‐3 and >3 mg/L). They were also sub‐divided into 4 groups according to baseline hsCRP (≤3 or >3 mg/L) and achieved LDL‐C (<70 or ≥70 mg/dL) levels. Among 5380 patients, the MACE rate, a composite of cardiovascular death, non‐fatal acute myocardial infarction and non‐fatal stroke, was evaluated during the 30 months of follow‐up.

Results

Cumulative incidence of MACE was 11.5% (119 events), 14.6% (209 events) and 18.4% (287 events) in patients with hsCRP levels of <1, 1 to 3 and >3 mg/L, respectively (P < .001). In patients with hsCRP >3 mg/L, the adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) was 1.42 (1.13, 1.78; P = .002) for MACE compared with patients with hsCRP <1 mg/L. MACE cumulative incidences were 11.0% (128 events), 14.4% (100 events), 15.6% (194 events) and 21.3% (182 events) in patients with low LDL‐C and low hsCRP, low LDL‐C and high hsCRP, high LDL‐C and low hsCRP, and high LDL‐C and high hsCRP levels, respectively (P < .001).

Conclusions

Levels of hsCRP were associated with recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes and recent acute coronary syndrome, and this association appears to be independent of and additive to the achieved LDL‐C level.
Influence of the geography of speciation on current patterns of coral reef fish biodiversity across the Indo‐Pacific
Authors: Gaboriau Théo , Leprieur Fabien , Mouillot David , Hubert Nicolas
Published: October 2017

The role of speciation processes in shaping current biodiversity patterns represents a major scientific question for ecologists and biogeographers. Hence, numerous methods have been developed to determine the geography of speciation based on co‐occurrence between sister‐species. Most of these methods rely on the correlation between divergence time and several metrics based on the geographic ranges of sister‐taxa (i.e. overlap, asymmetry). The relationship between divergence time and these metrics has scarcely been examined in a spatial context beyond regression curves. Mapping this relationship across spatial grids, however, may unravel how speciation processes have shaped current biodiversity patterns through space and time. This can be particularly relevant for coral reef fishes of the Indo‐Pacific since the origin of the exceptional concentration of biodiversity in the Indo‐Australian Archipelago (IAA) has been actively debated, with several alternative hypotheses involving species diversification and dispersal. We reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships between three species‐rich families of coral reef fish (Chaetodontidae, Labridae, Pomacentridae) and calculated co‐occurrence metrics between closely related lineages of those families. We demonstrated that repeated biogeographic processes can be identified in present‐day species distribution by projecting co‐occurrence metrics between related lineages in a geographical context. Our study also evidence that sister‐species do not co‐occur randomly across the Indo‐Pacific, but tend to overlap their range within the IAA. We identified the imprint of two important biogeographic processes that caused this pattern in 48% of the sister‐taxa considered: speciation events within the IAA and repeated divergence between the Indian and Pacific Ocean, with subsequent secondary contact in the IAA.
Climate and amphibian body size: a new perspective gained from the fossil record
Authors: Martínez‐Monzón Almudena , Blain Hugues‐Alexandre , Cuenca‐Bescós Gloria , Rodríguez Miguel Ángel
Published: October 2017

In recent years several studies have been carried out to test the validity of Bergmann's rule for amphibians, and have generated varying results. Due to the lack of agreement on this topic, here we examine the relationship between climate and body size for one anuran species (Bufo calamita, commonly known as the natterjack toad) with a new methodological approach that uses the fossil record as the data source. We analysed bones from two archaeo‐paleontological sites located close to each other in the Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain) that together encompass more than one million years from Early to Late Pleistocene. We used ordinary least squares (OLS) simple regression models to integrate body size and palaeoclimatic data (temperature and precipitation) and describe the relationship between the amphibian's body size and climate along the entire temporal gradient. We found the body size of B. calamita to be negatively related to the mean annual temperature and the mean temperature of the coldest month, and positively related to December‐to‐February precipitation. The climatic influence was stronger in females, which were smaller than males in most cases, and therefore an inverse sexual size dimorphism pattern was found. Juvenile individuals or the limited sexual size dimorphism of this species may be causes of this unusual pattern. Bufo calamita populations showed a clear Bergmann cline during the Pleistocene period, and winter stands out as the most influential season. Although this new methodology can only be used to describe patterns, we discuss several mechanisms that could explain our results. We propose that starvation resistance and delayed maturation are the main causes for this increase in size in periods with cooler winters, and a fecundity‐related hypothesis to explain why climate has a greater influence on female body size.
Quantitative losses vs. qualitative stability of ectomycorrhizal community responses to 3 years of experimental summer drought in a beech–spruce forest
Authors: Nickel Uwe T. , Weikl Fabian , Kerner René , Schäfer Cynthia , Kallenbach Christian , Munch Jean C. , Pritsch Karin
Published: October 2017

Forest ecosystems in central Europe are predicted to face an increasing frequency and severity of summer droughts because of global climate change. European beech and Norway spruce often coexist in these forests with mostly positive effects on their growth. However, their different below‐ground responses to drought may lead to differences in ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal community composition and functions which we examined at the individual root and ecosystem levels. We installed retractable roofs over plots in Kranzberg Forest (11°39′42″E, 48°25′12″N; 490 m a.s.l.) to impose repeated summer drought conditions and assigned zones within each plot where trees neighboured the same or different species to study mixed species effects. We found that ECM fungal community composition changed and the numbers of vital mycorrhizae decreased for both tree species over 3 drought years (2014–2016), with the ECM fungal community diversity of beech exhibiting a faster and of spruce a stronger decline. Mixed stands had a positive effect on the ECM fungal community diversity of both tree species after the third drought year. Ectomycorrhizae with long rhizomorphs increased in both species under drought, indicating long‐distance water transport. However, there was a progressive decline in the number of vital fine roots during the experiment, resulting in a strong reduction in enzyme activity per unit volume of soil. Hydrolytic enzyme activities of the surviving ectomycorrhizae were stable or stimulated upon drought, but there was a large decline in ECM fungal species with laccase activity, indicating a decreased potential to exploit nutrients bound to phenolic compounds. Thus, the ectomycorrhizae responded to repeated drought by maintaining or increasing their functionality at the individual root level, but were unable to compensate for quantitative losses at the ecosystem level. These findings demonstrate a strong below‐ground impact of recurrent drought events in forests.
Voting here and there: political integration and transnational political engagement among immigrants in Europe
Authors: CHAUDHARY ALI R.
Published: October 2017

In this article, I examine voting patterns in origin and receiving country national elections among immigrants in Europe. The existing scholarship on transnational political engagement offers two competing interpretations of the relationship between immigrant integration and transnational engagement, which I classify as theresocializationandcomplementarityperspectives. The resocialization perspective assumes that transnational political engagement gradually declines as immigrants become socialized into the new receiving society. Conversely, the complementarity perspective assumes that immigrant integration increases transnational political engagement. I test these competing perspectives with survey data collected between 2004 and 2008 for 12 different immigrant groups residing in seven European cities. The analysis examines how immigrant political and civic participation in receiving countries affect their proclivities to vote in homeland elections. I also analyse the effects of receiving and origin country contexts on immigrant voting behaviour in homeland elections. While my findings support both the resocialization and complementarity perspectives, they also highlight the ways in which a set of origin‐country contexts shape immigrant propensities to engage in transnational electoral politics. I observe a degree of complementarity among immigrants with resources who are motivated and eligible to participate in both receiving and origin‐country elections.
Sent home: mapping the absent child into migration through polymedia
Authors: MCKAY DEIRDRE
Published: October 2017

Migrants and their transnational families document their children and child‐rearing practices on social networking sites (SNS) to enhance their social mobility. In this article, I identify a new group of migrant children, namely those sent home to their parents’ countries of origin for an imagined ‘good childhood‘. I demonstrate that polymedia – SNS and other platforms – sustain these children and create new norms of publicness and visibility in transnational parenting. Exploring how families document child‐raising across international boundaries, I show how the trajectories of parenting relationships remain open ended. I counter the predominant focus on transnational parenting as a kind of abandonment attached to left‐behind children. Instead, I refocus the research on the opportunities polymedia give families to create and sustain intimacies, thus making the trajectories of migrant families and children increasingly dynamic. Polymedia create important shifts in global migration – a transformation that requires changes in the way scholars approach transnational families and long‐distance parenting.
Affects of unease: mother–infant separation among professional Indonesian women working in Singapore
Authors: BUTT LESLIE
Published: October 2017

The extent of systemic forms of mother–child separation has received insufficient attention in research on migrant families. In this article, I explore the little‐studied phenomenon of mother–infant separation among professional women migrants. I draw from in‐depth interviews with Indonesian professional women working in Singapore who have lived apart from their infant children to pursue work and education. Narratives of separation illustrate a complex transnational network of care built around an availability of support offered by spouses or extended kin. Women experience unease about separation, which emerges in how they talk about their absent infants. Mothers articulate ambivalence about the potential cost of their decisions, positing infants as able to pass judgement on them, with potential rejection and disengagement causing them potent concerns. The unease of these mothers moderates claims that transnational separation is readily managed and highlights the ambiguity embedded in an increasingly common form of transnational mother–child separation.
Low dialysate potassium concentration is associated with prolonged recovery time
Authors: Harford Antonia , Gul Ambreen , Cumber Serena , Paine Susan , Schrader Ronald , Trujillo Nicole , Zager Philip
Published: October 2017

Introduction: Modifiable hemodialysis treatment parameters may impact patient reported outcomes, including recovery time. Answers to the recovery question may predict the impact of treatment parameters on clinical outcomes and health related quality of life. However, the reliability of answers to the recovery question after consecutive and nonconsecutive dialysis treatments in diverse populations has not been established.

Objective: To assess the reliability of this instrument and to determine if recovery time was associated with modifiable dialysis parameters, we conducted a quality assurance project in which we asked, “How long did it take you to recover from your last dialysis session?” after consecutive and nonconsecutive treatments.

Methods: We asked patients the recovery question ≤ seven times. We computed polychoric correlations to assess within patient correlations. We used random intercept ordinal logistic regression models to test for associations of recovery time with patient variables.

Results: We obtained answers to the recovery question in association with 1572 treatments in 364 patients. Recovery time was <2 hours in 52.1%; 2 to 7 hours in 20.9%; and >7 hours in 27.0% of treatments. Polychoric correlations demonstrated highly reliable responses within individual patients between consecutive and nonconsecutive treatments. Prolonged recovery was associated with a dialysate potassium of 1 vs. 2 mEq/L (odds ratio [OR] 2.25 {95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43–3.55}) and 1 vs. 3 mEq/L (OR 1.88 [95% CI 1.06–3.33]); vintage >6 months (OR 2.43 [95% CI 1.42–4.16]), body mass index >35 kg/m2 (OR 1.94 [95% CI 1.18–3.20]), post‐dialysis systolic blood pressure (SBP) <115 mmHg (OR 1.57 [95% CI 1.04–2.37]) and intradialytic cramps (OR 1.76 [95% CI 1.09–2.86]). There were no associations with gender, race, age, ESRD etiology, intradialytic SBP <90 mmHg, serum sodium or potassium, dialysate sodium, bicarbonate or temperature, blood flow rate, or ultrafiltration rate.

Conclusions: Responses to the recovery question were reliable and low dialysate potassium was associated with prolonged recovery.
Evaluation of carotenoid biosynthesis, accumulation and antioxidant activities in sweetcorn (Zea mays L.) during kernel development
Authors: Liu Haiying , Mao Jihua , Yan Shijuan , Yu Yongtao , Xie Lihua , Hu Jian Guang , Li Tong , Abbasi Arshad Mehmood , Guo Xinbo , Liu Rui Hai
Published: October 2017

To have a better understanding of regulatory mechanism of carotenoid accumulation in sweetcorn (Zea mays L.), we analysed carotenoid profiles, expression patterns of carotenogenic genes and antioxidant activities in two genotypes of sweetcorn during kernel development. The results suggested that the expression of carotenogenic genes played an essential role in carotenoid accumulation and higher expression levels of carotenogenic genes obviously led to higher levels of total carotenoids. It was found that the expression of upstream genes (ZmPDS, ZmZDS and ZmCRTISO) had major influence on the content of total carotenoid during kernel development. The accumulation of lycopene was closely related to the coordination of upstream and downstream genes. The expression of ZmHYD and ZmZEP was influential on zeaxanthin accumulation, which was also influenced by the rate of ZmCHYB/ZmCHYE. Expression levels of ZmCHYE were still stable in order for α‐xanthophylls largely accumulated during kernel development. Lutein, zeaxanthin, α‐cryptoxanthin and β‐cryptoxanthin constituted the predominant carotenoids in sweetcorn. Two essential stages for carotenoid accumulation were found in sweetcorn during kernel development.
Characterisation of low‐digestible starch fractions isolated from amylosucrase‐modified waxy corn starch
Authors: Yoo Hyeon Jeong , Kim Ha Ram , Choi Seung Jun , Park Cheon‐Seok , Moon Tae Wha
Published: October 2017

Amylosucrase (AS) modification of starch increases the slowly digestible (SDS) and resistant starch (RS) fractions. However, the characteristics and formation mechanism of each fraction of AS‐modified starch have not been determined yet. Therefore, this study isolated SDS and/or RS from AS‐modified waxy corn starches and investigated their structural characteristics. The amount of SDS+RS and RS had a positive correlation with the proportion of the medium length (13–24 of degree of polymerisation) branched chains of amylopectin. The relative crystallinity increased in the order of AS‐modified starch < SDS+RS < RS, while maintaining the B‐type crystalline structure. The thermal transition temperature ranges of the isolated fractions were also higher than those of undigested starches. The medium branched chains of amylopectin were presumably the clincher for the SDS and/or RS formation in AS‐modified starches. The principal causes of SDS and RS formation were the chain length elongation and the subsequent retrogradation‐like process, respectively.
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people's experiences of nursing health care: An emancipatory nursing practice integrative review
Authors: Nhamo‐Murire Mercy , Macleod Catriona Ida
Published: October 2017

Aim

To review current research on lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals' experience of nursing services from an emancipatory nursing practice framework.

Background

As LGB issues are marginalized in health care, it is important to understand LGB individuals' experiences of nursing.

Design

An integrative literature review using critical analysis based on an emancipatory nursing practice framework was conducted.

Data sources

A search of all English nursing journals in the World of Science database was conducted.

Review methods

Established methods were used to search, identify, and appraise articles meeting the criteria of examining LGB individuals' experiences of nursing services, published in the years 2009 to 2015. Sixteen articles that met the inclusion criteria were identified independently by the two authors. Data were analysed using descriptive and critical phases of enquiry.

Results

Results show a nexus of experiences of exclusion and oppressive social norms. Our analytical framework highlighted absences in nursing practice. No research indicates that LGB people experience nurses as advocates or participatory health care processes.

Conclusion

Standards, training, and systems need to be devised that ensure inclusionary nursing practices, that encourage nurses to act as advocates for LGB health care justice, and that allow LGB individual to participate in the development of health care policies and procedures.
Oxygen diffusion mechanisms during high‐temperature oxidation of ZrB2‐SiC
Authors: Cissel Kathleen S. , Opila Elizabeth
Published: October 2017

Oxygen diffusion mechanisms during oxidation of ZrB2‐30 vol% SiC were explored at temperatures of 1500°C and 1650°C using an 18O tracer technique. Double oxidation experiments in 16O2 and 18O2 were performed using a modified resistive heating system. A combination of scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive spectroscopy, and time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry was used to characterize the borosilicate and ZrO2 oxidation products. Oxygen exchange with the borosilicate network was observed to occur quickly at the oxygen‐borosilicate surface at both 1500°C and 1650°C, while evidence of oxygen permeation was only observed at 1650°C for short time (<1 min) exposures. At longer times, >5‐9 min, complete oxygen exchange throughout both the borosilicate glass and ZrO2 was observed at both temperatures preventing identification of the oxygen transport mechanisms, but demonstrating that oxygen transport is rapid in both oxide phases.
Transparent glass ceramics containing Lu6O5F8:Tb3+ nano‐crystals: Enhanced photoluminescence and X‐ray excited luminescence
Authors: Cao JiangKun , Chen WeiPing , Xu DengKe , Li XiaoMan , Wei RongFei , Chen LiPing , Sun XinYuan , Guo Hai
Published: October 2017

The development of scintillators is of fundamental and industrial meaning for their diverse applications. Despite the great advance in scintillating mono‐crystals, challenge remains to search for novel scintillating materials with low cost, large volume, and high efficiency. Here, Tb3+‐doped glass ceramics (GC) with crystallized Lu6O5F8 nano‐crystals were prepared and characterized as potential X‐ray scintillators. Their structural, optical, and luminescent properties were explored systematically. After thermal treatment, X‐ray excited luminescence (XEL) intensity from Lu6O5F8:Tb3+ GC is greatly increased and the relative intensity is about 64% of commercial BGO scintillator, benefiting from preferential enrichment of Tb3+ ions into Lu6O5F8 nano‐crystals with low phonon energy. Moreover, unusual decay behaviors of Tb3+ emissions in GC sample are observed and discussed. Our results indicate that rare earth doped GC may offer a novel platform for designing and fabricating new scintillating materials in the future.
Life‐history tradeoffs revealed by seasonal declines in reproductive traits of Arctic‐breeding shorebirds
Authors: Weiser Emily L. , Brown Stephen C. , Lanctot Richard B. , Gates H. River , Abraham Kenneth F. , Bentzen Rebecca L. , Bêty Joël , Boldenow Megan L. , Brook Rodney W. , Donnelly Tyrone F. , English Willow B. , Flemming Scott A. , Franks Samantha E. , Gilchrist H. Grant , Giroux Marie-Andrée , Johnson Andrew , Kennedy Lisa V. , Koloski Laura , Kwon Eunbi , Lamarre Jean-François , Lank David B. , Lecomte Nicolas , Liebezeit Joseph R. , McKinnon Laura , Nol Erica , Perz Johanna , Rausch Jennie , Robards Martin , Saalfeld Sarah T. , Senner Nathan R. , Smith Paul A. , Soloviev Mikhail , Solovyeva Diana , Ward David H. , Woodard Paul F. , Sandercock Brett K.
Published: October 2017

Seasonal declines in breeding performance are widespread in wild animals, resulting from temporal changes in environmental conditions or from individual variation. Seasonal declines might drive selection for early breeding, with implications for other stages of the annual cycle. Alternatively, selection on the phenology of nonbreeding stages could constrain timing of the breeding season and lead to seasonal changes in reproductive performance. We studied 25 taxa of migratory shorebirds (including five subspecies) at 16 arctic sites in Russia, Alaska, and Canada. We investigated seasonal changes in four reproductive traits, and developed a novel Bayesian risk‐partitioning model of daily nest survival to examine seasonal trends in two causes of nest failure. We found strong seasonal declines in reproductive traits for a subset of species. The probability of laying a full four‐egg clutch declined by 8–78% in 12 of 25 taxa tested, daily nest survival rates declined by 1–12% in eight of 22 taxa, incubation duration declined by 2.0–2.5% in two of seven taxa, and mean egg volume declined by 5% in one of 15 taxa. Temporal changes were not fully explained by individual variation. Across all species, the proportion of failed nests that were depredated declined over the season from 0.98 to 0.60, while the proportion abandoned increased from 0.01 to 0.35 and drove the seasonal declines in nest survival. An increase in abandonment of late nests is consistent with a life‐history tradeoff whereby either adult mortality increased or adults deserted the breeding attempt to maximize adult survival. In turn, seasonal declines in clutch size and incubation duration might be adaptive to hasten hatching of later nests. In other species of shorebirds, we found no seasonal patterns in breeding performance, suggesting that some species are not subject to selective pressure for early breeding.
Female dark‐eyed juncos Junco hyemalis thurberi produce male‐like song in a territorial context during the early breeding season
Authors: Reichard Dustin G. , Brothers Daniel E. , George Serena E. , Atwell Jonathan W. , Ketterson Ellen D.
Published: October 2017

Reports of female song, once considered a rarity, have recently increased across a variety of avian taxa. Females of many species can be induced to produce male‐like song with exogenous testosterone, but observations of female song in free‐living birds remain limited by incomplete sampling of females. Here, we report three independent observations of female dark‐eyed juncos Junco hyemalis producing male‐like song early in the breeding season (i.e. post‐territory establishment, pre‐nesting) in a recently established non‐migratory, urban population. To elicit song, we presented 17 free‐living junco pairs with a live, caged female conspecific. Three unique females responded to our trials by diving at the intruding female, chasing their (male) mate, fanning their tail feathers, and singing a trilled song similar in structure to male long‐range (broadcast) song. We compared male and female songs quantitatively and found that the two sexes were statistically similar in many spectral and temporal characteristics, but female songs had significantly lower minimum and peak frequencies than males. This result is particularly surprising, as males in this urban population are known to sing at a significantly higher minimum frequency than males in a nearby montane population. Both the seasonal and social context in which these songs were observed suggest a potential function for female song in mate guarding and polygyny prevention, but more data are needed to test this hypothesis. Whether female song is common in all dark‐eyed juncos during the early breeding season or if it is restricted to this particular urban and non‐migratory population remains an important question for future research.
Second‐generation cryoballoon ablation for treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation: Three‐year outcome and predictors of recurrence after a single procedure
Authors: Akkaya Ersan , Berkowitsch Alexander , Zaltsberg Sergej , Greiss Harald , Hamm Christian W. , Sperzel Johannes , Neumann Thomas , Kuniss Malte
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Data on long‐term outcomes of cryoballoon (CB) ablation for treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) are sparse. Here, we report the first 3‐year follow‐up results and predictors of success for catheter ablation using the second‐generation CB in patients with persistent AF.

Methods and results

For this prospective observational study, we enrolled 101 patients ablated with the second‐generation CB at our institution. The endpoint was the first documented recurrence (> 30 seconds) of AF, atrial flutter, or atrial tachycardia after a 3‐month blanking period. Follow‐up data were collected during outpatient clinic visits and included Holter‐ECG recordings. The impact of several variables on recurrence was evaluated by means of univariate and multivariate analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression models.

After a median follow‐up of 37 (31 of 42) months, recurrence was documented in 30 patients (29.7%). The median procedure and fluoroscopy times were 120 (102 of 147) and 20 (16 of 27) minutes, respectively. Phrenic nerve palsy occurred in 2.0% of the patients. Among the 30 patients who experienced recurrence, 16 underwent repeat ablation in radiofrequency technique. Cox regression analysis showed that left atrial area > 21 cm2 and AF history duration > 2 years independently predicted recurrence.

Conclusions

Sinus rhythm was maintained in a substantial proportion of patients even 3 years after CB ablation. Patients with a nonenlarged left atrium and short AF history had the best outcome.
Fibroblast growth factors in the management of spinal cord injury
Authors: Zhou Yulong , Wang Zhouguang , Li Jiawei , Li Xiaokun , Xiao Jian
Published: October 2017

Spinal cord injury (SCI) possesses a significant health and economic burden worldwide. Traumatic SCI is a devastating condition that evolves through two successive stages. Throughout each of these stages, disturbances in ionic homeostasis, local oedema, ischaemia, focal haemorrhage, free radicals stress and inflammatory response were observed. Although there are no fully restorative cures available for SCI patients, various molecular, cellular and rehabilitative therapies, such as limiting local inflammation, preventing secondary cell death and enhancing the plasticity of local circuits in the spinal cord, were described. Current preclinical studies have showed that fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) alone or combination therapies utilizing cell transplantation and biomaterial scaffolds are proven effective for treating SCI in animal models. More importantly, some studies further demonstrated a paucity of clinical transfer usage to promote functional recovery of numerous patients with SCI. In this review, we focus on the therapeutic capacity and pitfalls of the FGF family and its clinical application for treating SCI, including the signalling component of the FGF pathway and the role in the central nervous system, the pathophysiology of SCI and the targets for FGF treatment. We also discuss the challenges and potential for the clinical translation of FGF‐based approaches into treatments for SCI.
Dimethyl fumarate inhibits osteoclasts via attenuation of reactive oxygen species signalling by augmented antioxidation
Authors: Yamaguchi Yuuki , Kanzaki Hiroyuki , Katsumata Yuta , Itohiya Kanako , Fukaya Sari , Miyamoto Yutaka , Narimiya Tsuyoshi , Wada Satoshi , Nakamura Yoshiki
Published: October 2017

Bone destructive diseases are common worldwide and are caused by dysregulation of osteoclast formation and activation. During osteoclastogenesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a role in the intracellular signalling triggered by receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL) stimulation. Previously, we demonstrated that induction of antioxidant enzymes by Nrf2 activation using Nrf2‐gene transfer, an ETGE‐peptide or polyphenols, successfully ameliorated RANKL‐dependent osteoclastogenesis. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has been shown to activate Nrf2 signalling and has been lately used in clinical trials for neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we hypothesized that Nrf2 activation by DMF would inhibit osteoclastogenesis and bone destruction via attenuation of intracellular ROS signalling through antioxidant mechanisms. RAW 264.7 cells were used as osteoclast progenitor cells. We found that DMF induced Nrf2 translocation to the nucleus, augmented Nrf2 promoter‐luciferase reporter activity and increased antioxidant enzyme expression. Using flow cytometry, we found that DMF attenuated RANKL‐mediated intracellular ROS generation, which resulted in the inhibition of RANKL‐mediated osteoclastogenesis. Local DMF injection into the calvaria of male BALB/c mice resulted in attenuated bone destruction in lipopolysaccharide‐treated mice. In conclusion, we demonstrated in a preclinical setting that DMF inhibited RANKL‐mediated osteoclastogenesis and bone destruction via induction of Nrf2‐mediated transcription of antioxidant genes and consequent decrease in intracellular ROS levels. Our results suggest that DMF may be a promising inhibitor of bone destruction in diseases like periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.
Genetic parameters for resistance against Flavobacterium columnare in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Wonmongkol P , Sukhavachana S , Ampolsak K , Srisapoome P , Suwanasopee T , Poompuang S
Published: October 2017

Columnaris disease is a major cause of mortality in tilapia hatcheries and commonly occurs during the summer season in Thailand. One way of reducing the problem is by selective breeding for increased disease resistance. The objective of this study was to estimate quantitative genetic parameters for resistance against columnaris in the Chitralada 4 strain of Nile tilapia. Data from 43 full‐sib families (2,580 records) of fry (age = 32 ± 4 days post‐hatch) were used in the analyses. Initially, fry were subjected to bath challenge with Flavobacterium columnare (LD50 concentration = 1.2 × 106 CFU/ml) for 14 days. Disease resistance was defined as the number of days from challenge until death (DD) or as a binary trait (dead/alive) on day 14. Linear animal and sire‐dam models were used for DD, while threshold animal, threshold sire‐dam, binary linear animal and binary linear sire‐dam models were used for binary outcomes. Covariate effect of age, fixed effect of challenge day and random effects of the individual animals or sires and dams were included in the models. Mean survival was 32.4 ± 11.6%, and survival rates of the best and poorest families were 70% and 8%, respectively. The highest estimate of heritability (0.30 ± 0.025) was obtained under the threshold sire‐dam model. Heritability estimates for DD (0.16 ± 0.034 and 0.17 ± 0.046) were comparable to those obtained from the threshold animal (0.15 ± 0.031) and the binary linear (0.14 ± 0.045 and 0.15 ± 0.044) models. The linear animal and sire‐dam models for DD and the threshold sire‐dam models performed equally with similar values of rEBV (0.629, 0.628 and 0.627) and accuracy of selection (0.793, 0.793 and 0.791). This study reveals the potential of selective breeding to increase disease resistance to F. columnare in the studied population of Nile tilapia.
Carp edema virus from three genogroups is present in common carp in Hungary
Authors: Adamek M , Baska F , Vincze B , Steinhagen D
Published: October 2017

Hungary is an important carp producer with intensive trading relationships with farms in other carp‐producing areas in Europe. Carp in Europe were recently found infected with carp edema virus (CEV), a poxvirus which causes the koi sleepy disease (KSD) syndrome. Moribund carp were collected from 17 fish farms and angling ponds in different regions of Hungary. Histological analysis of gills from these carp revealed a proliferation of the interlamellar epithelium and an infiltration by eosinophilic cells. In 13 of 17 of these carp, CEV DNA was detected by qPCR and in seven fish more than 1 × 104 copies of virus‐specific DNA sequences per 250 ng of DNA, which could be considered as clinically relevant and a cause of disease. A phylogenetic analysis of the sequences revealed that all three genogroups of CEV were present in Hungarian common carp with genogroup I being most abundant. These results support the hypothesis of a prolonged presence of CEV in European carp populations and suggest that previous outbreaks of KSD were not recorded or misdiagnosed. Hence, a testing of carp and koi for infection with CEV should be included into disease surveillance programmes to prevent further spreading of this disease.
ARTHUR ASBURY LECTURE: Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy: clinical aspects and new animal models of auto‐immunity to nodal components
Authors: Illa Isabel
Published: October 2017

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an autoimmune disorder of the peripheral nerves with clinical and immunological heterogeneity. Both cellular and humoral immune mechanisms against peripheral nerve antigens are considered to contribute to the pathogenesis of the disorder. Currently, the diagnosis of CIDP is based on clinical, laboratory and electrophysiological criteria. The field of CIDP recently underwent a major change with the identification of autoantibodies directed against paranodal (CNTN1, CASPR1 and NF155) and nodal (NF186/140) proteins. Over the last 5 years, correlations have been found between these autoantibodies and CIDP clinical subtypes including the likelihood of response to specific immunotherapies. Additionally, during this time a series of experimental studies have unraveled the underlying immunopathogenesis for CNTN1 and NF155 antibody associated CIDP. Although paranodal and nodal autoantibodies are only found in a small subset of patients with CIDP, the detection of these immune biomarkers should be incorporated in the evaluation of patients, considering the implications of their presence on prognosis, follow‐up, and treatment decisions.
ANALYTICAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
Authors: Veneziani Roberto , Zamparelli Luca
Published: October 2017

This paper is the Introduction to the Special Issue on Analytical Political Economy.
Barriers to Entry and Competitive Behavior: Evidence from Reforms of Cable Franchising Regulations
Authors: Bagchi Sutirtha , Sivadasan Jagadeesh
Published: October 2017

Between 2005 and 2008, nineteen of the fifty states of the U.S. reformed the franchising process for cable television, significantly easing entry into local markets. Using a difference‐in‐differences approach that exploits the staggered introduction of reforms, we find that prices for ‘Basic’ service declined systematically by about 5.5 to 6.8 per cent following the reforms, but we find no statistically significant effect on average price for the more popular ‘Expanded Basic’ service. We also find that the reforms led to increased actual entry in reformed states, by about 11.6% relative to non‐reformed states. Our analysis shows that the decline in price for ‘Basic’ service holds for markets that did not experience actual entry, consistent with limit pricing by incumbents. To control for potential state‐level shocks correlated with the reforms, we undertake a sample‐split test that finds larger declines in prices for both ‘Basic’ and ‘Expanded Basic’ services in local markets which faced a greater threat of entry (because they were close to a prominent second entrant). Our results are consistent with limit pricing models that predict incumbents respond to increased threat of entry, and suggest that the reforms facilitated entry and modestly benefited consumers in reformed states.