bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Justice reactions to deviant ingroup members: Ingroup identity threat motivates utilitarian punishments
Authors: Fousiani Kyriaki , Yzerbyt Vincent , Kteily Nour‐Sami , Demoulin Stéphanie
Published: January 2019

To maintain a positive overall view of their group, people judge likeable ingroup members more favourably and deviant ingroup members more harshly than comparable outgroup members. Research suggests that such derogation of deviant ingroup members aims to restore the image of the group by symbolically excluding so‐called ‘black sheeps’. We hypothesized that information about a harm‐doer's group membership influences observers’ justice‐seeking reactions. Motives for punishment vary based on whether the goal is to punish past harm‐doing (i.e., retributive motives), help harm‐doers recognize the harm inflicted and reintegrate into society (i.e., restorative motives), or control harm‐doer's future behaviour through incapacitating practices and exclusion from society (i.e., utilitarian motives). We hypothesized that immoral behaviours by ingroup rather than outgroup members jeopardize the group's reputation and therefore activate utilitarian (i.e., exclusion‐oriented) motives for punishment. Study 1 (N = 187) confirmed that people displayed more utilitarian motives and less restorative motives when sanctioning an ingroup as opposed to an outgroup harm‐doer. Study 2 (N = 122) manipulated typicality to the ingroup. Participants displayed stronger utilitarian (i.e., exclusion‐oriented) punishment motives when the harm‐doer was presented as a typical ingroup rather than an outgroup member. Study 3 (N = 292) replicated the findings of Studies 1 and 2 and further showed that people displayed stronger utilitarian punishments against an ingroup offender through the experience of increased identity threat. Contrary to our expectations, observers’ ingroup identification did not moderate the effect of group membership or typicality to the ingroup on justice reactions. Yet, ingroup identification influenced both experienced identity threat (i.e., mediator) and utilitarian motives for punishment with high identifiers experiencing higher threat and displaying stronger utilitarian punishment motive. We discuss the results in terms of people's concern for the protection of their group identity.
A Survey of Information Visualization Books
Authors: Rees D. , Laramee R. S.
Published: January 2019

Information visualization is a rapidly evolving field with a growing volume of scientific literature and texts continually published. To keep abreast of the latest developments in the domain, survey papers and state‐of‐the‐art reviews provide valuable tools for managing the large quantity of scientific literature. Recently, a survey of survey papers was published to keep track of the quantity of refereed survey papers in information visualization conferences and journals. However, no such resources exist to inform readers of the large volume of books being published on the subject, leaving the possibility of valuable knowledge being overlooked. We present the first literature survey of information visualization books that addresses this challenge by surveying the large volume of books on the topic of information visualization and visual analytics. This unique survey addresses some special challenges associated with collections of books (as opposed to research papers) including searching, browsing and cost. This paper features a novel two‐level classification based on both books and chapter topics examined in each book, enabling the reader to quickly identify to what depth a topic of interest is covered within a particular book. Readers can use this survey to identify the most relevant book for their needs amongst a quickly expanding collection. In indexing the landscape of information visualization books, this survey provides a valuable resource to both experienced researchers and newcomers in the data visualization discipline.
Disentangling the Mechanisms of Symbolic Number Processing in Adults’ Mathematics and Arithmetic Achievement
Authors: Orrantia Josetxu , Muñez David , Matilla Laura , Sanchez Rosario , San Romualdo Sara , Verschaffel Lieven
Published: January 2019

A growing body of research has shown that symbolic number processing relates to individual differences in mathematics. However, it remains unclear which mechanisms of symbolic number processing are crucial—accessing underlying magnitude representation of symbols (i.e., symbol‐magnitude associations), processing relative order of symbols (i.e., symbol‐symbol associations), or processing of symbols per se. To address this question, in this study adult participants performed a dots‐number word matching task—thought to be a measure of symbol‐magnitude associations (numerical magnitude processing)—a numeral‐ordering task that focuses on symbol‐symbol associations (numerical order processing), and a digit‐number word matching task targeting symbolic processing per se. Results showed that both numerical magnitude and order processing were uniquely related to arithmetic achievement, beyond the effects of domain‐general factors (intellectual ability, working memory, inhibitory control, and non‐numerical ordering). Importantly, results were different when a general measure of mathematics achievement was considered. Those mechanisms of symbolic number processing did not contribute to math achievement. Furthermore, a path analysis revealed that numerical magnitude and order processing might draw on a common mechanism. Each process explained a portion of the relation of the other with arithmetic (but not with a general measure of math achievement). These findings are consistent with the notion that adults’ arithmetic skills build upon symbol‐magnitude associations, and they highlight the effects that different math measures have in the study of numerical cognition.
Environmental filtering governs the spatial distribution of alien fishes in a large, human‐impacted Mediterranean river
Authors: Radinger Johannes , Alcaraz‐Hernández Juan Diego , García‐Berthou Emili
Published: January 2019

Aim

To analyse the occurrence and abundance of native versus alien fish species in relation to climate, land use, hydrologic alteration and habitat fragmentation in a heavily invaded and human‐impacted riverine ecosystem. To test whether co‐occurrence patterns of native versus alien species are structured by environmental filtering or biotic associations.

Location

Mediterranean, Iberian Peninsula, Ebro River catchment.

Methods

We modelled freshwater fish distributions and their association with environmental conditions using a hurdle model‐like approach involving boosted regression trees. Additionally, we applied a joint species distribution model to quantify the co‐occurrence of native versus alien fish species that can be attributed to shared environmental responses or potentially to biotic interactions.

Results

Our results point to environmental factors, rather than biotic associations, as major correlates of the increase of alien and the decline of native fishes in the Ebro River. We observed contrasting patterns of native versus alien species along the upstream‐downstream gradient. Alien species dominated in the lower reaches associated with warmer temperatures, higher shares of intensive land use and appeared facilitated by dams and river regulation. Native species richness was highest in the larger tributaries followed by a strong decline in the main stem which was related to the river network position and land use type. Fragmentation played a subordinate role in explaining fish richness and abundance patterns.

Main conclusions

Given the strong association with temperature, a further range expansion of alien fishes in the Ebro with future climate change may be expected. More local‐scale factors related to habitat degradation and hydrologic alteration will further exacerbate the invasion success of many alien fishes. Further multiple, independent species introductions might mask isolation and fragmentation effects of dams on the future spread and distribution of alien fish.
Population structure, genetic connectivity, and adaptation in the Olympia oyster (Ostrea lurida) along the west coast of North America
Authors: Silliman Katherine
Published: January 2019

Effective management of threatened and exploited species requires an understanding of both the genetic connectivity among populations and local adaptation. The Olympia oyster (Ostrea lurida), patchily distributed from Baja California to the central coast of Canada, has a long history of population declines due to anthropogenic stressors. For such coastal marine species, population structure could follow a continuous isolation‐by‐distance model, contain regional blocks of genetic similarity separated by barriers to gene flow, or be consistent with a null model of no population structure. To distinguish between these hypotheses in O. lurida, 13,424 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used to characterize rangewide population structure, genetic connectivity, and adaptive divergence. Samples were collected across the species range on the west coast of North America, from southern California to Vancouver Island. A conservative approach for detecting putative loci under selection identified 235 SNPs across 129 GBS loci, which were functionally annotated and analyzed separately from the remaining neutral loci. While strong population structure was observed on a regional scale in both neutral and outlier markers, neutral markers had greater power to detect fine‐scale structure. Geographic regions of reduced gene flow aligned with known marine biogeographic barriers, such as Cape Mendocino, Monterey Bay, and the currents around Cape Flattery. The outlier loci identified as under putative selection included genes involved in developmental regulation, sensory information processing, energy metabolism, immune response, and muscle contraction. These loci are excellent candidates for future research and may provide targets for genetic monitoring programs. Beyond specific applications for restoration and management of the Olympia oyster, this study lends to the growing body of evidence for both population structure and adaptive differentiation across a range of marine species exhibiting the potential for panmixia. Computational notebooks are available to facilitate reproducibility and future open‐sourced research on the population structure of O. lurida.
Exploring the potential for rosacea therapeutics of siRNA dispersion in topical emulsions
Authors: Colombo Stefano , Harmankaya Necati , Water Jorrit J. , Bohr Adam
Published: January 2019

Rosacea is a prevalent skin condition dependent on the individual genetic profile. The current pharmacological management of this condition is mostly based on small molecule drugs predominately effective in ameliorating the inflammatory condition. Emerging molecular approaches could present an opportunity for managing rosacea conditions at transcriptomic level, and in the future allow personalized approaches. RNA medicines, such as small RNA interference (siRNA), could provide a flexible and applicable tool reaching this aim. However, the topical siRNA delivery by dermatological emulsions, commonly used in the daily management of rosacea, is still largely unexplored. Consequently, RNA interference application to rosacea was defined on molecular bases by genetic expression meta‐data analysis. Based on this, a siRNA directed against TLR2 was designed and validated in vitro on murine macrophages and fibroblasts. Next, siRNA was dispersed in the continuous phase of emulsions and was characterized for commonly used dermatologic bases. Finally, the potential delivery performance of the topical emulsions was tested in vivo on healthy Balb/c mice. It was found that the interaction of siRNA with combination of excipients, such as urea and glycerol, is likely to favour the siRNA delivery, inducing genetic silencing of TLR2. These findings provide a foundation for the future development of topical RNA‐based dispersions for topical molecular medicines, by emphasizing on the formulation and therapeutic‐based opportunities with dermatological treatments.
Environmental characteristics of spawning and nursery grounds of Japanese sardine and mackerels in the Kuroshio and Kuroshio Extension area
Authors: Sogawa Sayaka , Hidaka Kiyotaka , Kamimura Yasuhiro , Takahashi Masanori , Saito Hiroaki , Okazaki Yuji , Shimizu Yugo , Setou Takashi
Published: January 2019

The sustainable use of marine resources requires understanding the surrounding ecosystem and elucidating mechanisms of variation. However, we still lack a comprehensive understanding of environmental variation in the spawning and nursery grounds of important fisheries species Japanese sardine (Sardinops melanostictus) and mackerels (Scomber japonicus and Scomber australasicus) in the northwest Pacific. Here, we investigate detailed physical, chemical, and biological environment variations in the spawning and nursery grounds along the Kuroshio and Kuroshio Extension area from intensive investigation in spawning season (April) of 2013. We found similar water mass property and copepod community in the egg‐rich Kuroshio area and the larvae‐rich downstream Kuroshio Extension area, indicating environmental variability is small during transportation and development processes. The egg‐rich northern Izu Islands region showed high copepod abundance, although low nutrient and chlorophyll concentrations were observed. Eggs were scarce or absent in the second survey 10 days after abundant eggs were observed in the region, along with differences in water property and copepod community. This indicates that not only the location but also the specific water characteristic and copepod community are a determining factor for spawning. Indicator communities of copepod found in our study (indicator community of transportation process from spawning ground, of non‐spawning ground, and of reproductive area in the Kuroshio Extension area) would be a key factor for recruitment prediction.
Least concern to endangered: Applying climate change projections profoundly influences the extinction risk assessment for wild Arabica coffee
Authors: Moat Justin , Gole Tadesse W. , Davis Aaron P.
Published: January 2019

Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) is a key crop in many tropical countries and globally provides an export value of over US$13 billion per year. Wild Arabica coffee is of fundamental importance for the global coffee sector and of direct importance within Ethiopia, as a source of harvestable income and planting stock. Published studies show that climate change is projected to have a substantial negative influence on the current suitable growing areas for indigenous Arabica in Ethiopia and South Sudan. Here we use all available future projections for the species based on multiple general circulation models (GCMs), emission scenarios, and migration scenarios, to predict changes in Extent of Occurrence (EOO), Area of Occupancy (AOO), and population numbers for wild Arabica coffee. Under climate change our results show that population numbers could reduce by 50% or more (with a few models showing over 80%) by 2088. EOO and AOO are projected to decline by around 30% in many cases. Furthermore, present‐day models compared to the near future (2038), show a reduction for EOO of over 40% (with a few cases over 50%), although EOO should be treated with caution due to its sensitivity to outlying occurrences. When applying these metrics to extinction risk, we show that the determination of generation length is critical. When applying the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red list of Threatened Species (IUCN Red List) criteria, even with a very conservative generation length of 21 years, wild Arabica coffee is assessed as Threatened with extinction (placed in the Endangered category) under a broad range of climate change projections, if no interventions are made. Importantly, if we do not include climate change in our assessment, Arabica coffee is assessed as Least Concern (not threatened) when applying the IUCN Red List criteria.
Quantifying the maculation of avian eggs using eggshell geometry
Authors: Pike Thomas W.
Published: January 2019

Birds’ eggs often exhibit considerable variation in the presence and pattern of superficial pigmentation, or maculation. However, despite long appreciation of the nature of this variation both between and within species, there is still poor understanding of why such a diversity of patterns has evolved. Accurately quantifying eggshell maculation is therefore key to elucidating its functional significance. Maculation is typically quantified from photographs, and so measurements may be biased by the perceived distortion introduced by the curvature of the eggshell. Here, I consider egg geometry in order to derive measures of curved distance and surface area that can be used to characterize eggshell maculation patterns more accurately, and demonstrate the utility of this approach for quantifying and visualizing eggshell maculation from standard photographs.
Peritumoral pseudocapsule status according to pathological characteristics from robot‐assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for localized renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Takagi Toshio , Yoshida Kazuhiko , Kondo Tsunenori , Kobayashi Hirohito , Iizuka Junpei , Okumi Masayoshi , Ishida Hideki , Nagashima Yoji , Tanabe Kazunari
Published: January 2019

Objective

To investigate peritumoral pseudocapsule status in patients with renal cell carcinoma who underwent robot‐assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, and to examine predictive factors associated with the absence of peritumoral pseudocapsule.

Methods

A total of 367 patients with clinical T1 renal cell carcinoma who underwent robot‐assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy were divided into two groups according to peritumoral pseudocapsule status. The groups were compared in terms of patient and tumor characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify predictive factors for the absence of peritumoral pseudocapsule.

Results

Of the 367 tumors, 323 (88%) were surrounded by a peritumoral pseudocapsule. The mean tumor size was 30 mm, and 70% of the patients were male. Tumors with a peritumoral pseudocapsule had a larger diameter than those without (31 vs 26 mm; P = 0.0008). A peritumoral pseudocapsule was observed in 92% of the clear cell, in 89% of the papillary and in 86% of the clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma cases compared with just 50% in the chromophobe renal cell carcinoma cases (P < 0.0001). Sex, age, Fuhrman grade and tumor complexity did not differ among patients. A multivariate analysis showed that smaller tumor size (≥34 vs <34 mm, odds ratio 3.31; P = 0.0023) and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (vs other subtypes, odds ratio 12.5; P < 0.0001) predicted an absence of peritumoral pseudocapsule.

Conclusions

Small tumor size and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma were significant predictors of a lack of peritumoral pseudocapsule, suggesting that a positive surgical margin must be avoided for these tumors when an enucleation technique is used for robot‐assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.
AD536 – Back to Nature?
Authors: Moreland John
Published: January 2019

A spate of archaeological, historical and scientific publications have recently argued that the dust veil from a volcanic eruption (or series of eruptions) caused climatic change, which ‘forced’ significant historical transformations in the middle of the sixth century AD. In this paper, I situate this phenomenon within a more general return to environmental determinism in archaeological explanation, a return which itself needs to be understood in the context both of contemporary fears about the devastation to be unleashed by the climatic change we have made, and of the rise of precise measurement in environmental and archaeological science. I do not doubt the reality of the climatic change reconstructed for AD536/546 but, given the coarseness of the dating of the historical transformations, I do question the causal connections drawn between the former and the latter. I suggest that for many archaeologists, the AD536 event (and similar phenomena) functions much as written texts once did – as both the framework for analysis and as the explanation of historical process.
West of the Best
Authors: Breunig Peter , Behringer Johannes , Fels Manuela , Maidhof Jana
Published: January 2019

The Northwest of Namibia bears a concentration of rock art that is among the highest in the world. One of the centres is Twyfelfontein, a cluster of sites surrounding a waterhole at the eastern fringe of the Namib Desert, classified as the prime rock engraving site in southern Africa and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Recent prospections in the desert west of Twyfelfontein have resulted in the discovery of engravings and paintings that exceed those at the UNESCO site, both in quantity and quality. Our contribution to this volume in memory of Klavs Randsborg introduces this newly discovered archaeological landscape and discusses the connection between water - a rare commodity in the desert environment - and the rich array of rock art and other archaeological features found here.
Hydration of calcium aluminates at 60°C – Development paths of C2AHx in dependence on the content of free water
Authors: Hueller Florian , Neubauer Juergen , Kaessner Stefan , Goetz‐Neunhoeffer Friedlinde
Published: January 2019

The influence of water loss during the hydration of calcium aluminates on the phase development is investigated at 60°C. This is relevant for applications in which calcium aluminate cement (CAC) based formulations are exposed to quick drying during hydration. The presented results provide new insights into the well‐known conversion processes occurring in CAC pastes. Using in situ XRD two different routes of the development of initially formed C2AH8 are determined: (a) transformation to C3AH6 + AH3 in the presence of sufficient free water and (b) dehydration to C2AH5 at a lack of free water. Moreover, the influence of precuring of the pastes at 23°C before heating to 60°C is investigated. The increasing loss of free water with increasing precuring time resulting from both, precipitation of hydrate phases and evaporation, causes incomplete hydration of CA or CA2 as well as dehydration of C2AH8 instead of conversion into C3AH6. Comparative investigations of sealed samples always revealed complete hydration of CA and CA2 as well as complete conversion of C2AH8.
Species richness of birds along a complete rain forest elevational gradient in the tropics: Habitat complexity and food resources matter
Authors: Sam Katerina , Koane Bonny , Bardos David C. , Jeppy Samuel , Novotny Vojtech
Published: January 2019

Aim

We examined whether the available surface area, temperature, or habitat complexity (foliage height diversity index) determine species richness of birds (and species richness of individual feeding guilds) along a complete forest elevational gradient. Further, we focused on the relationship between species richness of insectivorous birds and the availability of their food resources.

Location

Elevational gradient (200–3,700 m) of Mt Wilhelm (4,509 m a.s.l.), Central Range, Papua New Guinea.

Taxon

Birds.

Methods

We collected data on bird communities at eight sites (500 m elevational increment) during three surveys encompassing both dry and wet seasons over a 2‐year period. We used point counts, mist‐netting, and random walks throughout a standardized area. We tested three predictors of diversity and all of their combinations, in conjunction with sensitivity analyses for spatial effects. Habitat complexity (foliage height diversity index) and temperature were locally measured; surface area available within 200 m elevational intervals was obtained using GIS software. We further locally surveyed insect biomass and related it to species richness of insectivorous birds.

Results

Birds displayed a monotonic decline in species richness (from 113 to 35 bird species) with increasing elevation, and a nested pattern of species loss. The observed patterns were best explained by habitat complexity for the insectivores, frugivore‐insectivores, and total number of bird species. The available surface area was the best predictor for frugivorous birds. The mean temperature had a high correlation with species richness of all birds and gave the best fit of species richness for insectivore‐nectarivores and pure nectarivores. The biomass of insectivorous birds correlated with the biomass of arthropods. We ruled out the possibility that the elevational pattern observed in birds could be driven by a single phylogenetic radiation.

Main conclusions

We observed species richness patterns correlate well with habitat complexity and mean temperature, but mean temperature was not ranked as high as expected. Our results thus challenge the generally expected high importance of temperature as a regulator of water availability, production, and biochemical process that influence species richness, and underscore the importance of vegetation structure and the food resources as the driver of observed species richness.
The Sarracenia alata pitcher plant system and obligate arthropod inquilines should be considered an evolutionary community
Authors: Satler Jordan D. , Carstens Bryan C.
Published: January 2019

Aim

The Sarracenia alata pitcher plant and inquiline species comprise an ecological community. These inquilines span the continuum in their ecological association with the host pitcher plant, from species that contain little‐to‐no interaction with the plant to species that are completely dependent on the plant for their entire life cycle. We are interested in testing if degree of ecological dependence is positively correlated with a shared evolutionary history, and in identifying members of this community that display concordant phylogeographic structure.

Location

Southeastern United States.

Methods

We collected genome‐wide sequence data from a set of arthropods that are ecologically associated with the plant to estimate comparative phylogeographic patterns among the species. We estimated species tree distributions from biallelic unlinked SNP data and used phylogeographic concordance factors (PCFs) to test degree of phylogeographic concordance among community members. In addition, for each species we conducted an analysis of molecular variance and calculated FST values to identify population genetic structure across the landscape, and compared these traditional values to the tree‐based approach.

Results

Obligate members of the pitcher plant community display concordant phylogeographic patterns, suggesting their ecological dependence has manifested itself into a shared evolutionary history. In contrast, two spider species do not contain significant population genetic structure or similar phylogeographic histories, highlighting their loose association with the host pitcher plant.

Main conclusion

The S. alata pitcher plant system should be considered an evolutionary community, where multiple members sharing strong ecological interactions also display concordant phylogeographic structure. This work demonstrates that PCFs provide an important quantitative measure into assessing community structure and illustrates how simulations can be used to assess significance of shared patterns of phylogeographic structure across the landscape.
Diverse genotypes of the amphibian‐killing fungus produce distinct phenotypes through plastic responses to temperature
Authors: Muletz‐Wolz Carly R. , Barnett Samuel E. , DiRenzo Graziella V. , Zamudio Kelly R. , Toledo Luís Felipe , James Timothy Y. , Lips Karen R.
Published: January 2019

Phenotypes are the target of selection and affect the ability of organisms to persist in variable environments. Phenotypes can be influenced directly by genes and/or by phenotypic plasticity. The amphibian‐killing fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has a global distribution, unusually broad host range, and high genetic diversity. Phenotypic plasticity may be an important process that allows this pathogen to infect hundreds of species in diverse environments. We quantified phenotypic variation of nine Bd genotypes from two Bd lineages (Global Pandemic Lineage [GPL] and Brazil) and a hybrid (GPL‐Brazil) grown at three temperatures (12, 18 and 24°C). We measured five functional traits including two morphological traits (zoospore and zoosporangium sizes) and three life history traits (carrying capacity, time to fastest growth and exponential growth rate) in a phylogenetic framework. Temperature caused highly plastic responses within each genotype, with all Bd genotypes showing phenotypic plasticity in at least three traits. Among genotypes, Bd generally showed the same direction of plastic response to temperature: larger zoosporangia, higher carrying capacity, longer time to fastest growth and slower exponential growth at lower temperatures. The exception was zoospore size, which was highly variable. Our findings indicate that Bd genotypes have evolved novel phenotypes through plastic responses to temperature over very short timescales. High phenotypic variability likely extends to other traits and may facilitate the large host range and rapid spread of Bd.
Portuguese version of the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS‐9): Validation in a population of chronic pain patients
Authors: Sampaio Rute , Azevedo Luís Filipe , Dias Cláudia Camila , Horne Rob , Castro Lopes José M.
Published: January 2019

Aim

The aim of present study was to perform the translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS‐P9) for the European Portuguese language in a sample of chronic pain patients.

Methods

A Portuguese version of the nine‐item MARS (©Professor Rob Horne) scale (MARS‐P9) was constructed through a process of translation, back translation, and experts' panel evaluation. A total of 141 chronic pain patients were subsequently evaluated at four time assessments during a 1‐year pain medication treatment. The protocol interview included the assessment of pain intensity and interference (BPI), clinical outcomes and quality of life (S‐TOPS), and MARS‐P9.

Results

The internal consistency coefficient was acceptable for the total scale (α = 0.84). Exploratory factor analysis revealed a two‐factor structure (intentional and unintentional nonadherence) that explained 61% of the variance. Convergent and discriminant validity were demonstrated by correlations between MARS scores and pain interference (r = 0.180, P ≤ 0.01) and S‐TOPS (r = 0.242, P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion

MARS‐P9 has been shown to be an adequate instrument for Portuguese researchers and clinicians to assess the pattern of adherence during the management of chronic pain.
Post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis in patients with asymptomatic common bile duct stones
Authors: Saito Hirokazu , Koga Takehiko , Sakaguchi Masafumi , Kadono Yoshihiro , Kamikawa Kentaro , Urata Atsushi , Imamura Haruo , Tada Shuji , Kakuma Tatsuyuki , Matsushita Ikuo
Published: January 2019

Background and Aim

For asymptomatic common bile duct (CBD) stones, removal by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is recommended in available guidelines. However, few studies have reported the risk of post‐ERCP pancreatitis (PEP), which is the most common and serious ERCP‐related complication for asymptomatic CBD stones. We performed a propensity score matching analysis to examine the risk of PEP in therapeutic ERCP for asymptomatic CBD stones.

Methods

Information from medical databases of three institutions in Japan was collected over 6 years to identify 1113 patients with native papilla who underwent therapeutic ERCP for choledocholithiasis (excluding biliary pancreatitis). We compared the risk of PEP between asymptomatic and symptomatic groups by performing one‐to‐one propensity score matching.

Results

PEP was present in 52 (4.7%) of the 1113 patients overall. Of the 949 symptomatic patients, 28 (3.0%) had PEP, and of the 164 asymptomatic patients, 24 (14.6%) had PEP. The incidence of PEP was significantly higher in the asymptomatic group than in the symptomatic group (3.0% vs 14.6%; P < 0.001, odds ratio = 5.6). Of the 158 propensity score‐matched symptomatic patients, five (3.2%) had PEP. In contrast, of the 158 propensity score‐matched asymptomatic patients, 24 (15.2%) had PEP. Propensity score matching analysis revealed that the risk of PEP increased significantly in the asymptomatic group compared with the symptomatic group (3.2% vs 15.2%; P < 0.001, odds ratio = 5.5).

Conclusions

ERCP for asymptomatic CBD stones had a high risk of PEP. Endoscopists should explain in detail the risk of PEP to patients, especially those with asymptomatic CBD stones.
Long‐term outcomes after therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography using balloon‐assisted enteroscopy for anastomotic stenosis of choledochojejunostomy/pancreaticojejunostomy
Authors: Sano Itsuki , Katanuma Akio , Kuwatani Masaki , Kawakami Hiroshi , Kato Hironari , Itoi Takao , Ono Michihiro , Irisawa Atsushi , Okabe Yoshinobu , Iwashita Takuji , Yasuda Ichiro , Ryozawa Shomei , Kaino Seiji , Sakamoto Naoya
Published: January 2019

Background and Aim

Data on long‐term outcomes after therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) using balloon‐assisted enteroscopy (BAE) for choledochojejunal anastomotic stenosis (CJS) or pancreaticojejunal anastomotic stenosis (PJS) remain limited. We retrospectively assessed the long‐term results of patients who achieved clinical success using BAE for CJS and PJS.

Methods

Patients who achieved technical and clinical success for CJS or PJS by BAE‐ERCP and were followed up for more than 6 months after the initial BAE‐ERCP therapy were retrospectively identified at 11 Japanese institutions. The primary end‐point was CJS or PJS recurrence rates. The secondary end‐points were initial therapy details, initial therapy complications, and CJS or PJS recurrence treatment details. We also evaluated restenosis‐associated factors.

Results

From September 2008 to December 2015, 67 patients (CJS, 61; PJS, six) were included. The overall CJS and PJS recurrence rates were 34.4% and 33.3%, respectively. The 1‐year CJS recurrence rate was 18.5% (95% confidence interval, 10.7–31.0). Of all the patients, 88.1% underwent balloon dilation at the anastomotic stenosis site; stent placement was performed in 15 of 67 patients (22.4%). The complication rate was 8.2% in CJS and 0% in PJS. In patients who underwent balloon dilation, “remaining waist” was significantly associated with CJS recurrence after anastomotic balloon dilation (P = 0.001).

Conclusions

The long‐term outcomes of BAE‐ERCP were comparable with those of percutaneous transhepatic treatment or surgical re‐anastomosis.
Correlative infrared nanospectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy to investigate nanometric amyloid fibrils: prospects and challenges
Authors: PARTOUCHE DAVID , MATHURIN JÉRÉMIE , MALABIRADE ANTOINE , MARCO SERGIO , SANDT CHRISTOPHE , ARLUISON VÉRONIQUE , DENISET‐BESSEAU ARIANE , TRÉPOUT SYLVAIN
Published: January 2019

Propagation of structural information through conformational changes in host‐encoded amyloid proteins is at the root of many neurodegenerative disorders. Although important breakthroughs have been made in the field, fundamental issues like the 3D‐structures of the fibrils involved in some of those disorders are still to be elucidated. To better characterise those nanometric fibrils, a broad range of techniques is currently available. Nevertheless none of them is able to perform direct chemical characterisation of single protein fibrils. In this work, we propose to investigate the structure of the C‐terminal region of a bacterial protein called Hfq as a model amyloidogenic protein, using a correlative approach. The complementary techniques used are transmission electron microscopy and a newly developed infrared nanospectroscopy technique called AFM‐IR. We introduce and discuss the strategy that we have implemented as well as the protocol, challenges and difficulties encountered during this study to characterise amyloid assemblies at the nearly single‐molecule level.

Lay Description

Propagation of structural information through conformational changes in amyloid proteins is at the root of many neurodegenerative disorders. Amyloids are nanostructures originating from the aggregation of multiple copies of peptide or protein monomers that eventually form fibrils. Often described as being the cause for the development of various diseases, amyloid fibrils are of major significance in the public health domain. While important breakthroughs have been made in the field, fundamental issues like the 3D‐structures of the fibrils implied in some of those disorders are still to be elucidated. To better characterise these fibrils, a broad range of techniques is currently available for the detection and visualisation of amyloid nanostructures. Nevertheless none of them is able to perform direct chemical characterisation of single protein fibrils. In this work, we propose to investigate the structure of model amyloidogenic fibrils using a correlative approach. The complementary techniques used are transmission electron microscopy and a newly developed infrared nanospectroscopy technique called AFM‐IR that allows chemical characterisation at the nanometric scale. The strategy, protocol, challenges and difficulties encountered in this approach are introduced and discussed herein.
Leptin mediates the effects of melatonin on female reproduction in mammals
Authors: Lv Dongying , Tan Tan , Zhu Tianqi , Wang Jing , Zhang Suhong , Zhang Lu , Hu Xiaoxiang , Liu Guoshi , Xing Yiming
Published: January 2019

Melatonin is a natural molecule produced in the pineal gland and other tissues. It participates in numerous biological activities including the regulation of reproduction. However, the mechanism by which melatonin affects mammalian female reproductive performance is not fully investigated. In the present study, it was observed that melatonin positively regulated the level of leptin in female mouse and pig. To understand the potential association between melatonin and leptin on the female reproductive activities, the melatonin receptor 1 MT1 knockout (MT1−/−) mouse and Leptin knockout (Leptin−/−) pig were created. It was found that the deficiency of M

T1 caused low leptin secretion and litter size in mouse. Meanwhile, the deletion of leptin in pig did not affect melatonin production, but significantly reduced follicle‐stimulating hormone, estradiol‐17β (E2), and Luteinizing hormone and increased progesterone (P) at estrum stage, which also led to smaller litter size than that in control. Melatonin treatment increased the production of leptin in pigs, while the supplementary of leptin was also able to improve the ovulation number, polar body rates, and expression of StAR in MT1−/− females. Therefore, it is first time, we described that leptin is the downstream target of melatonin in regulating female reproduction. These findings provide the novel information on the physiology of melatonin in animal reproduction.
Superfolder mTurquoise2ox optimized for the bacterial periplasm allows high efficiency in vivo FRET of cell division antibiotic targets
Authors: Meiresonne Nils Y. , Consoli Elisa , Mertens Laureen M.Y. , Chertkova Anna O. , Goedhart Joachim , den Blaauwen Tanneke
Published: January 2019

Fluorescent proteins (FPs) are of vital importance to biomedical research. Many of the currently available fluorescent proteins do not fluoresce when expressed in non‐native environments, such as the bacterial periplasm. This strongly limits the options for applications that employ multiple FPs, such as multiplex imaging and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). To address this issue, we have engineered a new cyan fluorescent protein based on mTurquoise2 (mTq2). The new variant is dubbed superfolder turquoise2ox (sfTq2ox) and is able to withstand challenging, oxidizing environments. sfTq2ox has improved folding capabilities and can be expressed in the periplasm at higher concentrations without toxicity. This was tied to the replacement of native cysteines that may otherwise form promiscuous disulfide bonds. The improved sfTq2ox has the same spectroscopic properties as mTq2, that is, high fluorescence lifetime and quantum yield. The sfTq2ox‐mNeongreen FRET pair allows the detection of periplasmic protein‐protein interactions with energy transfer rates exceeding 40%. Employing the new FRET pair, we show the direct interaction of two essential periplasmic cell division proteins FtsL and FtsB and disrupt it by mutations, paving the way for in vivo antibiotic screening.

Significance

The periplasmic space of Gram‐negative bacteria contains many regulatory, transport and cell wall‐maintaining proteins. A preferred method to investigate these proteins in vivo is by the detection of fluorescent protein fusions. This is challenging since most fluorescent proteins do not fluoresce in the oxidative environment of the periplasm. We assayed popular fluorescent proteins for periplasmic functionality and describe key factors responsible for periplasmic fluorescence. Using this knowledge, we engineered superfolder mTurquoise2ox (sfTq2ox), a new cyan fluorescent protein, capable of bright fluorescence in the periplasm. We show that our improvements come without a trade‐off from its parent mTurquoise2. Employing sfTq2ox as FRET donor, we show the direct in vivo interaction and disruption of unique periplasmic antibiotic targets FtsB and FtsL.
On Language Learner Agency: A Complex Dynamic Systems Theory Perspective
Authors: LARSEN–FREEMAN DIANE
Published: January 2019

Agency has attracted considerable attention, especially of late. Nevertheless, perceptions of language learners as nonagentive persist. In this article the Douglas Fir Group's call for a transdisciplinary perspective is heeded in a Complex Dynamic Systems Theory's (CDST) conceptualization of agency. It is suggested that CDST maintains the structure–agency complementarity while bringing to the fore the relational and emergent nature of agency. Coordination dynamics is identified as a possible mechanism for the phylogenetic and ontogenetic emergence of agency. CDST further characterizes agency as spatially–temporally situated. It can be achieved and changed through iteration and co‐adaptation. It is also multidimensional and heterarchical. In this era of posthumanism, an issue that is also taken up is whether it is only humans who have agency. The article then discusses educational practices that could support learner agency. Finally, the article closes with a discussion of agency and ethical action.
Coralline red algae from the Silurian of Gotland indicate that the order Corallinales (Corallinophycidae, Rhodophyta) is much older than previously thought
Authors: Teichert Sebastian , Woelkerling William , Munnecke Axel
Published: January 2019

Aguirrea fluegelii gen. et sp. nov. (Corallinales, Corallinophycidae, Rhodophyta) is described from the mid‐Silurian of Gotland Island, Sweden (Högklint Formation, lower Wenlock). The holotype is of dimerous construction and includes a uniporate conceptacle with a sporangium, thus providing evidence that taxa of the Corallinales/Corallinaceae existed at least 300 million years earlier than previously documented. Aguirrea fluegelii cannot be unequivocally placed in any of seven currently recognized lineages/subfamilies/groups of the Corallinaceae as not all diagnostic characters are preserved, and thus is accorded incertae sedis status within the family Corallinaceae and order Corallinales. Extant evolutionary history studies of Corallinophycidae involving molecular clocks now require updating using new calibration points to take account of the much earlier unequivocal mid‐Silurian record of uniporate conceptacle‐bearing taxa of Corallinales/Corallinaceae as well as the parallel record of Graticula, a genus attributed to the Sporolithales.
Let's Call it Quits: Break‐Even Effects in the Decision to Stop Taking Risks
Authors: Fraser‐Mackenzie Peter A. F. , Ma Tiejun , Sung Ming‐Chien , Johnson Johnnie E. V.
Published: January 2019

“Chasing” behavior, whereby individuals, driven by a desire to break even, continue a risky activity (RA) despite incurring large losses, is a commonly observed phenomenon. We examine whether the desire to break even plays a wider role in decisions to stop engaging in financially motivated RA in a naturalistic setting. We test hypotheses, motivated by this research question, using a large data set: 707,152 transactions of 5,379 individual financial market spread traders between September 2004 and April 2013. The results indicate strong effects of changes in wealth around the break‐even point on the decision to cease an RA. An important mediating factor was the individual's historical long‐term performance. Those with a more profitable trading history were less affected by a fall in cash balance below the break‐even point compared to those who had been less profitable. We observe that break‐even points play an important role in the decision of nonpathological risk takers to stop RAs. It is possible, therefore, that these nonpathological cognitive processes, when occurring in extrema, may result in pathological gambling behavior such as “chasing.” Our data set focuses on RAs in financial markets and, consequently, we discuss the implications for institutions and regulators in the effective management of risk taking in markets. We also suggest that there may be a need to consider carefully the nature and role of “break‐even points” associated with a broader range of nonfinancially‐focused risk‐taking activities, such as smoking and substance abuse.
Cambio climático e instrumentos económicos: propuestas de regulación jurídica para un mercado de emisiones para Chile
Authors: Lucas Garín Andrea
Published: January 2019

El artículo inicia con un examen de los instrumentos económicos que, según la doctrina, deben ser parte de las políticas climáticas, algunos cuya creación se ha dispuesto en Chile, como es el llamado ‘impuesto verde’ y otros en proceso de estudio, como son los mercados de emisiones. Aborda los fundamentos jurídicos de estas herramientas en contextos climáticos y revisa la arquitectura climática para caracterizarla brevemente en base a las principales medidas de adaptación y mitigación que son parte de este entorno. Examina el mercado de emisiones más conocido que es el europeo (EU ETS); para concentrarse en este mecanismo a fin de considerar los principales desafíos que enfrenta Chile para implementarlos y hacer recomendaciones de regulación jurídica de cómo debiera incorporarse a la realidad chilena.
El derecho comercial como un fragmento constitucional para efectos de una adecuada protección jurídica del ambiente en la contratación mercantil en Colombia
Authors: Wilches Durán Rafael Eduardo
Published: January 2019

Frente al fenómeno de la constitucionalización del Derecho privado, el autor propone como solución entender al Derecho comercial como un fragmento constitucional, en los términos propuestos por Gunther Teubner.  Tal propuesta surge como resultado de estudios sobre la protección jurídica del ambiente desde el Derecho comercial en Colombia. La conclusión obtenida apunta a señalar que, debido a la dificultad de compaginar los diferentes discursos del Derecho comercial y el Derecho ambiental, es necesario repensar los contenidos del Derecho comercial desde su interior, para efectos de lograr realizar la idea de unitas multiplex o unidad dentro de la diversidad y diversidad dentro de la unidad en el discurso del Derecho.