bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between self‐assessment and clinical evaluation of dental plaque and gingival condition in Japanese adolescents
Authors: Shizuma Y , Zaitsu T , Ueno M , Ohnuki M , Kawaguchi Y
Published: April 2017

Objectives

To apply a self‐administered assessment form about dental plaque level and gingival condition to Japanese adolescents and to examine the extent to which they can evaluate their own dental plaque and gingivae by comparing with dentists' clinical evaluation.

Methods

Participants were 151 senior high school students (adolescents) who observed their own mouths and recorded dental plaque seen on their 12 anterior teeth, and gingival inflammation condition of 10 anterior interdental papillae, on a self‐assessment form. Dentists clinically evaluated dental plaque using the, modified Debris Index (modified DI) and gingival condition, modified PMA index (P‐index). “Recognition score” of dental plaque and gingival condition was the total number of agreement between the adolescents' self‐assessment and dentists' evaluation.

Results

Proportion of agreement on dental plaque between the adolescents' self‐assessment and dentists' evaluation with modified DI was 37.4%, and agreement on modified DI score 1, 2 or 3 was significantly lower than that on score 0 (P<.01). Agreement on gingivae was 47.3% in total, and agreement was significantly lower on gingival condition with inflammation than gingivae without inflammation (P<.01). Recognition scores of dental plaque or gingival condition were significantly lower in adolescents with fair or poor modified DI or P‐index than in those with good condition (P<.01).

Conclusion

Most adolescents could not recognize their dental plaque and gingival condition. Adolescents with poorer dental plaque level or gingival condition had lower recognition scores compared to those with better oral health. Improving oral health self‐assessment skills could help adolescents achieve better oral health.
European Society of Endodontology position statement: the use of antibiotics in endodontics
Authors: Segura‐Egea J. J. , Gould K. , Hakan Şen B. , Jonasson P. , Cotti E. , Mazzoni A. , Sunay H. , Tjäderhane L. , Dummer P. M. H.
Published: April 2017

This position statement represents a consensus of an expert committee convened by the European Society of Endodontology (ESE) on Antibiotics in Endodontics. The statement is based on current scientific evidence as well as the expertise of the committee. The goal is to provide dentists and other healthcare workers with evidence‐based criteria for when to use antibiotics in the treatment of endodontic infections, traumatic injuries of the teeth, revascularization procedures in immature teeth with pulp necrosis, and in prophylaxis for medically compromised patients. It also highlights the role that dentists and others can play in preventing the overuse of antibiotics. A recent review article provides the basis for this position statement and more detailed background information (International Endodontic Journal, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1111/iej.12741). Given the dynamic nature of research in this area, this position statement will be updated at appropriate intervals.
International inter‐rater agreement in scoring acne severity utilizing cloud‐based image sharing of mobile phone photographs
Authors: Foolad Negar , Ornelas Jennifer N. , Clark Ashley K. , Ali Ifrah , Sharon Victoria R. , Al Mubarak Luluah , Lopez Andrés , Alikhan Ali , Al Dabagh Bishr , Firooz Alireza , Awasthi Smita , Liu Yu , Li Chin‐Shang , Sivamani Raja K.
Published: April 2017

Background

Cloud‐based image sharing technology allows facilitated sharing of images. Cloud‐based image sharing technology has not been well‐studied for acne assessments or treatment preferences, among international evaluators. We evaluated inter‐rater variability of acne grading and treatment recommendations among an international group of dermatologists that assessed photographs.

Methods

This is a prospective, single visit photographic study to assess inter‐rater agreement of acne photographs shared through an integrated mobile device, cloud‐based, and HIPAA‐compliant platform. Inter‐rater agreements for global acne assessment and acne lesion counts were evaluated by the Kendall's coefficient of concordance while correlations between treatment recommendations and acne severity were calculated by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.

Results

There was good agreement for the evaluation of inflammatory lesions (KCC = 0.62, P < 0.0001), noninflammatory lesions (KCC = 0.62, P < 0.0001), and the global acne grading system score (KCC = 0.69, P < 0.0001). Topical retinoid, oral antibiotic, and isotretinoin treatment preferences correlated with photographic based acne severity.

Conclusions

Our study supports the use of mobile phone based photography and cloud‐based image sharing for acne assessment. Cloud‐based sharing may facilitate acne care and research among international collaborators.
KLRG1 impairs regulatory T‐cell competitive fitness in the gut
Authors: Meinicke Holger , Bremser Anna , Brack Maria , Schrenk Klaudia , Pircher Hanspeter , Izcue Ana
Published: April 2017

Immune homeostasis requires the tight, tissue‐specific control of the different CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cell populations. The cadherin‐binding inhibitory receptor killer cell lectin‐like receptor G1 (KLRG1) is expressed by a subpopulation of Treg cells with GATA3+ effector phenotype. Although such Treg cells are important for the immune balance, especially in the gut, the role of KLRG1 in Treg cells has not been assessed. Using KLRG1 knockout mice, we found that KLRG1 deficiency does not affect Treg cell frequencies in spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes or intestine, or frequencies of GATA3+ Treg cells in the gut. KLRG1‐deficient Treg cells were also protective in a T‐cell transfer model of colitis. Hence, KLRG1 is not essential for the development or activity of the general Treg cell population. We then checked the effects of KLRG1 on Treg cell activation. In line with KLRG1's reported inhibitory activity, in vitro KLRG1 cross‐linking dampened the Treg cell T‐cell receptor response. Consistently, lack of KLRG1 on Treg cells conferred on them a competitive advantage in the gut, but not in lymphoid organs. Hence, although absence of KLRG1 is not enough to increase intestinal Treg cells in KLRG1 knockout mice, KLRG1 ligation reduces T‐cell receptor signals and the competitive fitness of individual Treg cells in the intestine.
Caregivers of youth athletes: Developing a theory‐based health communication intervention for concussion education
Authors: Patel Sheetal J. , Trowbridge Cynthia A.
Published: April 2017

Sports‐related concussions (SRCs) are a public health problem. However, caregivers of youth athletes (CYAs) do not receive targeted education even though they are primary decision makers for youth athletes (YAs) who incur injuries. The purpose of this study was to understand CYA's SRC perceptions via the Health Belief Model (HBM) and Message Source Credibility in order to guide development of CYA SRC health education messages. Key informants (n = 20, e.g., sports personnel, medical practitioners, and researchers) who interact with CYAs and YAs and 30 CYAs (3 males, 27 females) from five different states were interviewed. Questions aimed to identify CYA's understanding of SRC prevention, recognition, treatment, and disposition through the framework of the HBM and message source credibility. CYAs had high‐perceived severity of SRCs regardless of sport but mixed views of susceptibility. Despite receiving SRC education, CYAs consistently stated their own lack of understanding and low self‐efficacy. The sources and amount of information CYAs receive are barriers to education. Therefore, a health communication intervention from a trusted source that focuses on HBM constructs like perceived susceptibility, education barriers, and cues to action both pre‐ and post‐injury may fill the current educational gap.
Cold sintering and co‐firing of a multilayer device with thermoelectric materials
Authors: Funahashi Shuichi , Guo Hanzheng , Guo Jing , Baker Amanda L. , Wang Ke , Shiratsuyu Kosuke , Randall Clive A.
Published: April 2017

Cold‐sintered ZnO and Ca3Co4O9 polycrystalline materials were shown to have thermoelectric properties comparable to those of conventionally sintered ceramics. Extending these processing conditions into a cold sintering co‐fired ceramic (CSCC) technology, we integrated n‐type and p‐type thermoelectric oxides and a separating insulating layer to demonstrate functional multilayer thermoelectric generator devices. A co‐fired structure with an insulating 8 mol% yttria‐stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) layer enabled multilayer thermoelectric generators (TEG) to be fabricated with a 5 n‐p junction device (20 layers). A transmission electron microscopy analysis of the interfaces between the various materials under the co‐firing cold sintering showed some interdiffusion of chemical constitutes in a 2.0 μm interface region between the respective ceramic phases. The co‐firing of multilayer ceramic and polymer structures were also shown to be possible using insulation layers of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) thermoplastic layers. This demonstrated the feasibility of a single‐step process for new structures with both ceramics and polymers, opening up new directions for many new device designs.
Synthesis and physical properties of (Zr1−x,Tix)3AlC2MAX phases
Authors: Zapata‐Solvas Eugenio , Hadi Mohammad A. , Horlait Denis , Parfitt David C. , Thibaud Axel , Chroneos Alexander , Lee William E.
Published: April 2017

MAX phase solid solutions physical and mechanical properties may be tuned via changes in composition, giving them a range of possible technical applications. In the present study, we extend the MAX phase family by synthesizing (Zr1−xTix)3AlC2 quaternary MAX phases and investigating their mechanical properties using density functional theory (DFT). The experimentally determined lattice parameters are in good agreement with the lattice parameters derived by DFT and deviate <0.5% from Vegard's law. Ti3AlC2 has a higher Vickers hardness as compared to Zr3AlC2, in agreement with the available experimental data.
Luminescent calcium phosphate bioceramics doped with europium derived from fish industry byproducts
Authors: Piccirillo Clara , Adamiano Alessio , Tobaldi David M. , Montalti Marco , Manzi Jeannette , Castro Paula M. Lima , Panseri Silvia , Montesi Monica , Sprio Simone , Tampieri Anna , Iafisco Michele
Published: April 2017

The recovery of valuable compounds from byproducts is at present a priority topic for social, environmental, and economic reasons. In this work we report for the first time the preparation of luminescent calcium phosphate (CaP) bioceramics from waste codfish bones. Codfish bones were treated in aqueous Eu(NO3)3 solutions of different concentrations, followed by thermal treatment at either 700°C or 1100°C. The resulting materials consisted of hydroxyapatite (HAp), β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) and a small amount of Eu2O3. Chemical and structural characterization showed that the Eu ions were successfully introduced into the bones and, hence, in the thermally treated CaP phases obtained from them, although mainly in the β‐TCP lattice. Photoluminescence investigation revealed that all the materials are luminescent, with samples treated at 1100°C having more intense luminescence than those prepared at 700°C. In vitro evaluation of cell‐materials interaction indicated that all the samples displayed good cytocompatibility toward osteoblast cells. This work demonstrates that a simple and effective process, employing Eu as a dopant, can convert fish industry byproducts into highly valuable luminescent CaP bioceramics, having potential applications in biology and medicine for bio‐imaging.
Intense upconversion luminescence and energy‐transfer mechanism of Ho3+/Yb3+ co‐doped SrLu2O4 phosphor
Authors: Liu Songbin , Ye Xinyu , Liu Shuifu , Chen Mengyao , Niu Hu , Hou Dejian , You Weixiong
Published: April 2017

A series of novel SrLu2O4: x Ho3+, y Yb3+ phosphors (x=0.005‐0.05, y=0.1‐0.6) were synthesized by a simple solid‐state reaction method. The phase purity, morphology, and upconversion luminescence were measured by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The doping concentrations and sintering temperature were optimized to be x=0.01, y=0.5 and T=1400°C to obtain the strongest emission intensity. Under 980 nm laser diode excitation, the SrLu2O4:Ho3+, Yb3+ phosphors exhibit intense green upconversion (UC) emission band centered at 541 nm (5F4,5S2→5I8) and weak red emission peaked at 673 nm (5F5→5I8). Under different pump‐power excitation, the UC luminescence can be finely tuned from yellow‐green to green light region to some extent. Based on energy level diagram, the energy‐transfer mechanisms are investigated in detail according to the analysis of pump‐power dependence and luminescence decay curves. The energy‐transfer mechanisms for green and red UC emissions can be determined to be two‐photon absorption processes. Compared with commercial NaYF4:Er3+, Yb3+ and common Y2O3:Ho3+, Yb3+ phosphors, the SrLu1.49Ho0.01Yb0.5O4 sample shows good color monochromaticity and relatively high UC luminescence intensity. The results imply that SrLu2O4:Ho3+, Yb3+ can be a good candidate for green UC material in display fields.
Tuning of conductive type and magnetic properties of Ca3Co2O6 ceramics through Pb‐doping
Authors: Song Jiyue , Zhao Bangchuan , Huang Yanan , Qin Yanfeng , Song Wenhai , Sun Yuping
Published: April 2017

The effect of Pb doping on structural, electrical, magnetic, and thermal transport properties of Ca3−xPbxCo2O6 (x=0‐0.3) ceramics has been investigated systemically. It is found that the substituted Pb‐ions have a mixed valence state of +2 and +4, and a small amount of Co3+ ions will transfer into Co2+ due to the substitution of Pb4+ for Ca2+. The resistivity decreases monotonically with increasing Pb content, which is related to the variation in carrier concentration and the enhanced grain connectivity. The signs of both Hall coefficient and thermopower changed from positive to negative by a proper Pb doping, indicating the conductive type of Ca3Co2O6 can be effectively tuned from p to n through the doping. The low‐temperature magnetization, the magnetic exchange coupling constant J and Weiss temperature θ decrease monotonically with the increase in Pb‐doping content, indicating the strength of the ferromagnetic interaction between adjacent high spin Co3+ ions has been weakened due to the reduced magnetic correlation length in these Pb‐doped samples.
NaNbO3‐BaTiO3‐NaSbO3 lead and potassium‐free ceramics with thermally stable small‐signal piezoelectric properties
Authors: Qi He , Zhang Haibo , Zuo Ruzhong
Published: April 2017

A new lead‐potassium‐free ceramic of (0.9‐x)NaNbO3‐0.1BaTiO3‐xNaSbO3 (NN‐BT‐xNS) was successfully prepared via a solid‐state reaction method. The microstructure, phase structure, dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties were investigated as a function of NS content. The substitution of NS for NN was found to dramatically change the grain morphology from cube‐like grains typical for alkaline niobate‐based ceramics to conventional sphere‐like grains especially for Pb‐based perovskite ceramics. A normal to relaxor ferroelectric phase transformation was accompanied by a tetragonal (T) to rhombohedral (R) phase transition. A composition‐temperature phase diagram demonstrated a vertical morphotropic phase boundary between T and R phases in the composition range of x=0.03‐0.04, where optimum electrical properties of d33=252 pC/N, kp=36%, Qm=168, =2063, and Tc=109°C were obtained in the x=0.035 ceramic sintered at 1260°C. Particularly, excellent temperature insensitivity of small‐signal piezoelectric properties suggested large application potentials in various actuators and sensors in comparison with other typical lead‐free materials.
Dispersal limitation determines large‐scale dark diversity in Central and Northern Europe
Authors: Riibak Kersti , Ronk Argo , Kattge Jens , Pärtel Meelis
Published: April 2017

Aim

Previous studies indicate that many plant species present in a surrounding region are absent from potentially suitable sites (i.e. they constitute dark diversity). However, quantitative analyses are lacking where and why dispersal limitation occurs within species occurrence range at the continental scale. We test if species characteristics related to dispersal limitation, that is, low seed production and short potential dispersal distance, affect the formation of dark diversity at large spatial scales. In addition, we explore how the levels of dispersal limitation are affected by climate, landscape heterogeneity and anthropogenic activity.

Location

Seven study areas in Central and Northern Europe – Iceland, Finland, Estonia, the British Isles, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland.

Methods

We used data on vascular plant species occurrences in ca. 10 × 10 km grid cells from each study area. To estimate dark diversity for each grid cell, we applied geographical, biogeographical and environmental filters. Seed production was estimated directly (number of seeds per ramet), and indirectly from seed mass. We used several plant traits in combination (e.g. dispersal syndrome and seed characteristics) to estimate potential dispersal distance of seeds.

Results

Species contributing to dark diversity produced generally fewer seeds and had shorter potential dispersal distances than observed species. Dispersal limitation tended to decrease with increasing environmental stress, human population density and agricultural land use.

Main conclusions

Many species are absent from potentially suitable sites in Central and Northern Europe because of dispersal limitation, induced by low seed production and short potential dispersal distances. However, strong abiotic stress, biotic resistance and human activities have reduced the importance of dispersal limitation. This knowledge can be considered in the predictions of how changes in climate and land use affect biodiversity in the future.
Biogeographical transitions in the Sierra Madre Oriental, Mexico, shown by chorological and evolutionary biogeographical affinities of passerine birds (Aves: Passeriformes)
Authors: Ferro Ignacio , Navarro‐Sigüenza Adolfo G. , Morrone Juan J.
Published: April 2017

Aim

To locate areas of biogeographical transitions within the Sierra Madre Oriental (SMO), Mexican transition zone.

Location

Eastern Mexico (18° to 27° N – 90° to 96° W) and the Americas.

Methods

We deconstructed passerine fauna into biogeographical affinities to map their integration in the studied area. We defined and quantified two features of biogeographical affinity based on raw distributional range concordance (chorological affinity), and on ancestral state reconstruction of published phylogenies (evolutionary biogeographical affinity). Then, we divided the SMO into 500 m elevation intervals and 1.2° latitudinal belts. Point records of resident passerine birds were used to compute species turnover and to map the dominance and heterogeneity of biogeographical affinities along the gradient.

Results

Considering the gradient of biogeographical affinities, we identified the sharpest transition at elevations of c. 1500 m from the southern evergreen cloud forests to the canyons of the middle Pánuco basin (c. 22° of latitude) and then turning eastwards, following the Pánuco river through the semi‐deciduous lowland forest to the river mouth in the Gulf of Mexico.

Main conclusions

Our analysis allowed us to map a gradual pattern of variation based on a quantitative definition of biogeographical affinities. This approach is particularly useful for the analysis of rather small areas where a regional biota cannot be partitioned concomitantly with regionalization procedures. Our findings support previous suggestion of a middle elevation zone of mixture between Neotropical and Nearctic biotas, as shown by their chorotypes and cenocrons, and highlight the Pánuco river as a biogeographical boundary dividing northern and southern assemblages based on bird distributions in north‐eastern Mexico.
Effect of untreated zirconium oxide nanofiller on the flexural strength and surface hardness of autopolymerized interim fixed restoration resins
Authors: Alhavaz Abdolhamid , Rezaei Dastjerdi Maryam , Ghasemi Arman , Ghasemi Azade , Alizadeh Sahraei Abolfazl
Published: April 2017

Objective

Autopolymerized poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin is commonly used for the construction of interim restorations; however, it has less than optimal mechanical properties. In this article, we evaluated the reinforcing effect of adding untreated zirconia nanoparticles on the flexural strength and surface hardness of this resin.

Methods

A total of 80 specimens were fabricated. Forty each were used for the flexural strength test and for the surface hardness test. The specimens were categorized into four groups of 10 specimens each as follows: pure PMMA, PMMA with 1%, PMMA with 2.5%, and PMMA with 5% weight of untreated zirconia nanofillers. The flexural strength of the specimens was evaluated by the three‐point bending test, and the surface hardness was assessed by micro Vickers hardness test. The data obtained from these tests were statistically analyzed using one‐way ANOVA and Tukey tests. In addition, the fracture surface characteristics were assessed using scanning electron microscopy.

Results

Flexural strength testing showed a significant increase in the group with 2.5% zirconia nanofillers, but not in the groups with 1% and 5% nanofillers. Surface hardness was also significantly increased in the groups with 2.5% and 5% nanofillers, but not in the 1% group. The SEM images showed a highly brittle fracture in the pure PMMA group and noticeably less brittle fracture in the group with PMMA with 2.5% weight of zirconia nanofillers. Several cracks and void were also observed in the group with 5% weight of nanofillers.

Conclusion

Reinforcement of the autopolymerized acrylic resin with 2.5% weight of untreated zirconia nanofillers significantly increased its flexural strength and surface hardness.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The interim restorations play an important role in protection of hard and soft oral tissue and providing the critical function and esthetics before the final restoration replacing. Temporary restorations must have sufficient flexural strength to resist deformation during mastication force. Moreover, sufficient surface hardness is also necessary to resist abrasion. The color stability of materials is considered as an important clinical criterion, specifically in esthetics zone. Several materials have been applied to improve ‏the flexural strength and surface hardness for representing clinical success. Zirconia nanoparticles show desirable features, such as high hardness, biocompatibility, and favorable color because of its white color. ‏It seems that the addition of the nano zirconia to acrylic resins can be the appropriate method for improving interim restoration.
The role of local stakeholder participation in flood defence decisions in the United Kingdom and Germany
Authors: Begg C. , Callsen I. , Kuhlicke C. , Kelman I.
Published: April 2017

An important aspect of integrated flood risk management (FRM) around the world is accepted as being the involvement of a range of stakeholders in flood‐related decision‐making processes. Achieving local stakeholder participation in ways that lead to the expected benefits is burdened by challenges and difficulties. By drawing on examples of practices of local stakeholder participation in FRM in two European countries, the United Kingdom and Germany, this paper aims to understand the extent to which local stakeholders are able to influence FRM. Empirically, the paper focuses on flood defence planning and implementation‐related decisions as they still remain the dominant approach of managing flood risks in those locations. The findings from the two case studies show that involvement of local stakeholders in decisions related to flood defence schemes is limited and likely to lead to conflict and frustration as well as, potentially, a strengthening of inequalities. These lessons have implications for the United Kingdom and Germany as well as for other locations around the world.
Good Cop, Better Cop: Evaluation of a Geriatrics Training Program for Police
Authors: Brown Rebecca T. , Ahalt Cyrus , Rivera Josette , Stijacic Cenzer Irena , Wilhelm Angela , Williams Brie A.
Published: April 2017

Objectives

To develop, implement, and evaluate a training program in aging‐related health for police officers.

Design

Cross‐sectional.

Setting

Crisis intervention training program for police officers in San Francisco.

Participants

Police officers attending one of five 2‐hour trainings (N = 143).

Intervention

A lecture on aging‐related health conditions pertinent to police work followed by three experiential trainings on how it feels to be “old.”

Measurements

Participants evaluated the quality of the training and the likelihood that they would apply new knowledge to their work and rated their knowledge using a retrospective pre–post evaluation. In open‐ended responses, participants reported work‐related changes they anticipated making in response to the training.

Results

All 143 participants completed the evaluation. Eighty‐four percent reported interacting with older adults at least monthly; 45% reported daily interactions. Participants rated the training quality at 4.6/5 and the likelihood they would apply new knowledge to their work at 4.4/5. Retrospective pre–post knowledge scores increased for all domains, including how to identify aging‐related health conditions that can affect safety during police interactions (2.9/5 to 4.2/5; P < .001). In open‐ended responses, participants anticipated having more empathy for and awareness of aging‐related conditions and greater ability to provide older adults with appropriate community referrals.

Conclusion

A brief training in aging‐related health significantly increased police officers’ self‐reported knowledge and skills. Clinicians have an important opportunity to help enhance safe and effective community policing for older adults.
An ultrastructural study of chondroptosis: programmed cell death in degenerative intervertebral discs in vivo
Authors: Jiang Li‐Bo , Liu Hai‐Xiao , Zhou Yu‐Long , Sheng Sun‐Ren , Xu Hua‐Zi , Xue En‐Xing
Published: April 2017

Apoptosis has been regarded to mediate intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD); however, the basic question of how the apoptotic bodies are cleared in the avascular intervertebral disc without phagocytes, which are essential to apoptosis, remains to be elucidated. Our goals were to investigate the ultrastructure of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells undergoing chondroptosis, a variant of apoptotic cell death, in a rabbit annular needle‐puncture model of IDD. Experimental IDD was induced by puncturing discs with a 16‐G needle in New Zealand rabbits. At 4 and 12 weeks after puncture, progressive degeneration was demonstrated by X‐ray, magnetic resonance imaging and histological staining. TUNEL staining suggested a significant increase in the apoptosis index in the degenerated NP. However, the percentage of apoptotic cells with the classic ultrastructure morphology was much less than that with chondroptotic ultrastructure morphology under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The chondroptotic cells from the early to late stage were visualized under TEM. In addition, the percentage of chondroptotic cells was significantly enhanced in the degenerated NP. Furthermore, ‘paralyzed’ cells were found in the herniated tissue. Western blotting revealed an increase in caspase3 expression in the degenerated NP. The expression of the Golgi protein (58K) was increased by the fourth week after puncture but decreased later. These findings indicate that chondroptosis is a major type of programmed cell death in the degenerated rabbit NP that may be related to the progressive development of IDD.
The Maghrib's Medieval Mariners and Sea Maps: The Muqaddimah as a Primary Source
Authors: Kahlaoui Tarek
Published: April 2017

Ibn Khaldoun Muqaddimah's richness includes an interesting insight into an issue rarely discussed in the classical sources, that is pre‐modern Muslim mariners ‐ notably those who are active in the Western Mediterranean. This field has been carried out by actors who are rarely concerned with writing down their expertise. The practice is not usually depicted in the realm of the elite. Yet Ibn Khaldoun took the time to discuss the life of these practioners, which contributed to the heart of his methodology, and helped build his theoretical views. It also gives us concrete information that supports the scattered cartographic and textual sources depicting the important role of the Maghribi medieval mariners in shaping Islamic maritime knowledge.
Leptin and NGF in saliva of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2: A pilot study
Authors: Tvarijonaviciute Asta , Castillo Candela , Ceron Jose J. , Martinez‐Subiela Silvia , Tecles Fernando , López‐Jornet Pia
Published: April 2017

Aims

This study aimed to measure salivary levels of leptin and nerve growth factor (NGF) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and to compare with healthy subjects. In addition, markers previously evaluated in diabetes, including insulin, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), and markers of inflammation interleukin ([IL]‐1b, IL‐6, IL‐8, Tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF‐α]), were also measured in saliva to evaluate possible relationship of these markers with the new analytes evaluated in the study.

Methods

Unstimulated whole saliva was collected by passive drooling from a total of 65 individuals (34 controls and 31 with T2D) and used for leptin, NGF, HGF, MCP‐1, insulin, IL‐1b, IL‐6, IL‐8, and TNF‐α determination.

Results

Salivary leptin was 2.1 higher in T2D than in healthy controls (P<.001), while no statistically significant differences were detected between the two groups in salivary concentrations of NGF. Salivary IL‐6, TNF‐α, insulin, and MCP‐1 were higher in DM in comparison with controls (P<.05 in all cases). Leptin showed positive significant correlations with MCP‐1, IL‐6, TNF‐α, and insulin, while NGF positively correlated with HGF, MCP‐1, IL‐1 β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α.

Conclusions

This pilot study indicates that salivary leptin is increased in patients with T2D being positively correlated with insulin and pro‐inflammatory cytokines and should be further explored as a non‐invasive biomarker of T2D. In addition, salivary NGF was positively correlated with pro‐inflammatory cytokines and further studies should be performed to evaluate whether it could be useful to detect diabetic neuropathy in T2D patients.
Characteristics and respiratory risk profile of children aged less than 5 years presenting to an urban, Aboriginal‐friendly, comprehensive primary health practice in Australia
Authors: Hall Kerry K , Chang Anne B , Anderson Jennie , Dunbar Melissa , Arnold Daniel , O'Grady Kerry‐Ann F
Published: April 2017

Aim

There are no published data on factors impacting on acute respiratory illness (ARI) among urban Indigenous children. We describe the characteristics and respiratory risk profile of young urban Indigenous children attending an Aboriginal‐friendly primary health‐care practice.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of data collected at baseline in a cohort study investigating ARI in urban Indigenous children aged less than 5 years registered with an Aboriginal primary health‐care service. Descriptive analyses of epidemiological, clinical, environmental and cultural factors were performed. Logistic regression was undertaken to examine associations between child characteristics and the presence of ARI at baseline.

Results

Between February 2013 and October 2015, 180 Indigenous children were enrolled; the median age was 18.4 months (7.7–35), 51% were male. A total of 40 (22%) children presented for a cough‐related illness; however, ARI was identified in 33% of all children at the time of enrolment. A total of 72% of children were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. ARI at baseline was associated with low birthweight (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–5.94), a history of eczema (aOR 2.67, 95% CI 1.00–7.15) and either having a family member from the Stolen Generation (aOR 3.47, 95% CI 1.33–9.03) or not knowing this family history (aOR 3.35, 95% CI 1.21–9.26).

Conclusions

We identified an urban community of children of high socio‐economic disadvantage and who have excessive exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Connection to the Stolen Generation or not knowing the family history may be directly impacting on child health in this community. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between cultural factors and ARI.
Real‐time individualization of the unified model of performance
Authors: Liu Jianbo , Ramakrishnan Sridhar , Laxminarayan Srinivas , Balkin Thomas J. , Reifman Jaques
Published: April 2017

Existing mathematical models for predicting neurobehavioural performance are not suited for mobile computing platforms because they cannot adapt model parameters automatically in real time to reflect individual differences in the effects of sleep loss. We used an extended Kalman filter to develop a computationally efficient algorithm that continually adapts the parameters of the recently developed Unified Model of Performance (UMP) to an individual. The algorithm accomplishes this in real time as new performance data for the individual become available. We assessed the algorithm's performance by simulating real‐time model individualization for 18 subjects subjected to 64 h of total sleep deprivation (TSD) and 7 days of chronic sleep restriction (CSR) with 3 h of time in bed per night, using psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) data collected every 2 h during wakefulness. This UMP individualization process produced parameter estimates that progressively approached the solution produced by a post‐hoc fitting of model parameters using all data. The minimum number of PVT measurements needed to individualize the model parameters depended upon the type of sleep‐loss challenge, with ~30 required for TSD and ~70 for CSR. However, model individualization depended upon the overall duration of data collection, yielding increasingly accurate model parameters with greater number of days. Interestingly, reducing the PVT sampling frequency by a factor of two did not notably hamper model individualization. The proposed algorithm facilitates real‐time learning of an individual's trait‐like responses to sleep loss and enables the development of individualized performance prediction models for use in a mobile computing platform.
Otomanguean historical linguistics: Past, present, and prospects for the future
Authors: Campbell Eric W.
Published: April 2017

Among the linguistic lineages of Mesoamerica, the Otomanguean family is the most diverse and most widely spread. Long occupying a central position in one of the cradles of human civilization, speakers of Otomanguean languages have played important roles in the region, about which their languages have much to tell. However, Otomanguean is perhaps the least understood of the major Mesoamerican language families, due to its great diversity, the remarkable structural complexity of Otomanguean languages and the history of the field of Otomanguean historical linguistics, which has seen great achievement alternating with periodic controversy and doubt. With a focus on the higher levels and more ancient time depths of the family, this article surveys Otomanguean historical linguistic work and presents a state of the art perspective on Otomanguean classification, reconstruction, linguistic prehistory, remaining challenges, and prospects for the future.
Nearly a decade‐long repeatable seasonal diversity patterns of bacterioplankton communities in the eutrophic Lake Donghu (Wuhan, China)
Authors: Yan Qingyun , Stegen James C. , Yu Yuhe , Deng Ye , Li Xinghao , Wu Shu , Dai Lili , Zhang Xiang , Li Jinjin , Wang Chun , Ni Jiajia , Li Xuemei , Hu Hongjuan , Xiao Fanshu , Feng Weisong , Ning Daliang , He Zhili , Van Nostrand Joy D. , Wu Liyou , Zhou Jizhong
Published: April 2017

Uncovering which environmental factors govern community diversity patterns and how ecological processes drive community turnover are key questions related to understand the community assembly. However, the ecological mechanisms regulating long‐term variations of bacterioplankton communities in lake ecosystems remain poorly understood. Here we present nearly a decade‐long study of bacterioplankton communities from the eutrophic Lake Donghu (Wuhan, China) using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing with MiSeq platform. We found strong repeatable seasonal diversity patterns in terms of both common (detected in more than 50% samples) and dominant (relative abundance >1%) bacterial taxa turnover. Moreover, community composition tracked the seasonal temperature gradient, indicating that temperature is a key environmental factor controlling observed diversity patterns. Total phosphorus also contributed significantly to the seasonal shifts in bacterioplankton composition. However, any spatial pattern of bacterioplankton communities across the main lake areas within season was overwhelmed by their temporal variabilities. Phylogenetic analysis further indicated that 75%–82% of community turnover was governed by homogeneous selection due to consistent environmental conditions within seasons, suggesting that the microbial communities in Lake Donghu are mainly controlled by niche‐based processes. Therefore, dominant niches available within seasons might be occupied by similar combinations of bacterial taxa with modest dispersal rates throughout different lake areas.
The roles of ecology, behaviour and effective population size in the evolution of a community
Authors: Hung Chih‐Ming , Drovetski Sergei V. , Zink Robert M.
Published: April 2017

Organismal traits such as ecological specialization and migratory behaviour may affect colonization potential, population persistence and degree of isolation, factors that determine the composition and genetic structure of communities. However, studies focusing on community assembly rarely consider these factors jointly. We sequenced 16 nuclear genes and one mitochondrial gene from Caucasian and European populations of 30 forest‐dwelling avian species that represent diverse ecological (specialist–generalist) and behavioural (migratory‐resident) backgrounds. We tested the effects of organismal traits on population divergence and community assembly in the Caucasus forest, a continental mountain island setting. We found that (i) there is no concordance in divergence times between the Caucasus forest bird populations and their European counterparts, (ii) habitat specialists tend to be more divergent than generalists and (iii) residents tend to be more divergent than migrants. Thus, specialists and residents contribute to the high level of endemism of Caucasus forest avifauna more than do generalists and migrants. Patterns of genetic differentiation are better explained by differences in effective population sizes, an often overlooked factor in comparative studies of phylogeography and speciation, than by divergence times or levels of gene flow. Our results suggest that the Caucasus forest avifauna was assembled through time via dispersal and/or multiple vicariant events, rather than originating simultaneously via a single isolation event. Our study is one of the first multilocus, multispecies analyses revealing how ecological and migratory traits impact the evolutionary history of community formation on a continental island.
Relationship type affects the reliability of dispersal distance estimated using pedigree inferences in partially sampled populations: A case study involving invasive American mink in Scotland
Authors: Melero Y. , Oliver M. K. , Lambin X.
Published: April 2017

Estimating dispersal—a key parameter for population ecology and management—is notoriously difficult. The use of pedigree assignments, aided by likelihood‐based software, has become popular to estimate dispersal rate and distance. However, the partial sampling of populations may produce false assignments. Further, it is unknown how the accuracy of assignment is affected by the genealogical relationships of individuals and is reflected by software‐derived assignment probabilities. Inspired by a project managing invasive American mink (Neovison vison), we estimated individual dispersal distances using inferred pairwise relationships of culled individuals. Additionally, we simulated scenarios to investigate the accuracy of pairwise inferences. Estimates of dispersal distance varied greatly when derived from different inferred pairwise relationships, with mother–offspring relationship being the shortest (average = 21 km) and the most accurate. Pairs assigned as maternal half‐siblings were inaccurate, with 64%–97% falsely assigned, implying that estimates for these relationships in the wild population were unreliable. The false assignment rate was unrelated to the software‐derived assignment probabilities at high dispersal rates. Assignments were more accurate when the inferred parents were older and immigrants and when dispersal rates between subpopulations were low (1% and 2%). Using 30 instead of 15 loci increased pairwise reliability, but half‐sibling assignments were still inaccurate (>59% falsely assigned). The most reliable approach when using inferred pairwise relationships in polygamous species would be not to use half‐sibling relationship types. Our simulation approach provides guidance for the application of pedigree inferences under partial sampling and is applicable to other systems where pedigree assignments are used for ecological inference.
A Mesoamerican origin of cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill.): Implications for the conservation of plant genetic resources
Authors: Larranaga N. , Albertazzi F. J. , Fontecha G. , Palmieri M. , Rainer H. , van Zonneveld M. , Hormaza J. I.
Published: April 2017

Knowledge on the structure and distribution of genetic diversity is a key aspect to plan and execute an efficient conservation and utilization of the genetic resources of any crop as well as for determining historical demographic inferences. In this work, a large data set of 1,765 accessions of cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill, Annonaceae), an underutilized fruit tree crop native to the Neotropics and used as a food source by pre‐Columbian cultures, was collected from six different countries across the American continent and amplified with nine highly informative microsatellite markers. The structure analyses, fine representation of the genetic diversity and an ABC approach suggest a Mesoamerican origin of the crop, contrary to previous reports, with clear implications for the dispersion of plant germplasm between Central and South America in pre‐Columbian times. These results together with the potential distribution of the species in a climatic change context using two different climate models provide new insights for the history and conservation of extant genetic resources of cherimoya that can be applied to other currently underutilized woody perennial crops.
Natural selection on MHC IIβ in parapatric lake and stream stickleback: Balancing, divergent, both or neither?
Authors: Stutz William E. , Bolnick Daniel I.
Published: April 2017

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes encode proteins that play a central role in vertebrates' adaptive immunity to parasites. MHC loci are among the most polymorphic in vertebrates' genomes, inspiring many studies to identify evolutionary processes driving MHC polymorphism within populations and divergence between populations. Leading hypotheses include balancing selection favouring rare alleles within populations, and spatially divergent selection. These hypotheses do not always produce diagnosably distinct predictions, causing many studies of MHC to yield inconsistent or ambiguous results. We suggest a novel strategy to distinguish balancing vs. divergent selection on MHC, taking advantage of natural admixture between parapatric populations. With divergent selection, individuals with immigrant alleles will be more infected and less fit because they are susceptible to novel parasites in their new habitat. With balancing selection, individuals with locally rare immigrant alleles will be more fit (less infected). We tested these contrasting predictions using three‐spine stickleback from three replicate pairs of parapatric lake and stream habitats. We found numerous positive and negative associations between particular MHC IIβ alleles and particular parasite taxa. A few allele–parasite comparisons supported balancing selection, and others supported divergent selection between habitats. But, there was no overall tendency for fish with immigrant MHC alleles to be more or less heavily infected. Instead, locally rare MHC alleles (not necessarily immigrants) were associated with heavier infections. Our results illustrate the complex relationship between MHC IIβ allelic variation and spatially varying multispecies parasite communities: different hypotheses may be concurrently true for different allele–parasite combinations.
High gene flow despite opposite chirality in hybrid zones between enantiomorphic door snails
Authors: Koch Eva L. , Neiber Marco T. , Walther Frank , Hausdorf Bernhard
Published: April 2017

We studied differentiation and geneflow patterns between enantiomorphic door‐snail species in two hybrid zones in the Bucegi Mountains (Romania) to investigate the effects of intrinsic barriers (complications in copulation) and extrinsic selection by environmental factors. A mitochondrial gene tree confirmed the historical separation of the examined populations into the dextralAlopia lividaand the sinistralAlopia straminicollisin accordance with the morphological classification, but also indicated gene flow between the species. By contrast, a network based on amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) markers revealed local groups of populations as units independent of their species affiliation. Admixture analyses based onAFLPdata showed that the genomes of most individuals in the hybrid zones are composed of parts of the genomes of both parental taxa. The introgression patterns of a notable fraction of the examined markers deviated from neutral introgression. However, the patterns of most non‐neutral markers were not concordant between the two hybrid zones. There was also no concordance between non‐neutral markers in the two genomic clines and markers that were correlated with environmental variables or markers that were correlated with the proportion of dextral individuals in the populations. Neither extrinsic selection by environmental factors nor intrinsic barriers resulting from positive frequency‐dependent selection of the prevailing coiling direction were sufficient to maintain the distinctness ofA. straminicollisandA. livida. Despite being historically separated units, we conclude that these taxa now merge where they come into contact.
A simple generalization of the singular rent model
Authors: Huang Biao
Published: April 2017

Salvadori discovered a new variety of rent, called singular rent, when requirements are functions of income distribution. This note makes a simple generalization of the singular rent model by introducing many agricultural processes. Hence the problem of choice of technique arises. With respect to singular rent alone, it is shown that there may exist more than one cost‐minimizing technique even though joint production is set aside, and there may be no cost‐minimizing technique even though all techniques are feasible. However, in the latter case, at least one system determining intensive rent is feasible and cost‐minimizing.