bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The development and application of coding frameworks to explore dialogic feedback interactions and self‐regulated learning
Authors: Adie Lenore , van der Kleij Fabienne , Cumming Joy
Published: July 2018

This article presents a focused analysis of teacher and student interaction in feedback conversations to contribute to an understanding of feedback as a dialogic process. Extending the work of previous research, two new and detailed coding frameworks—one for teacher feedback and another for student feedback—were developed to capture teacher–student interactions in feedback conversations. The codings were used to quantitatively and qualitatively analyse how opportunities were opened or closed for student contribution. The article draws on data from video and audio recordings and transcripts from 12 participants (six teacher/student pairs in Year 9 in secondary schools in a range of discipline areas), involved in one‐to‐one feedback conversations. The study took place in a standards‐based assessment system where criteria and standards (rubrics) are the basis of teacher judgement of student performance. Taking an inclusive research approach, student participants included students who had identified special learning needs. The findings identify how the shifts in teacher–student feedback conversations can be captured to demonstrate the intricacies of these interactions and, in particular, how the development of student self‐regulatory skills was supported in some conversations but not in others. The study demonstrates how the dialogic nature of feedback can contribute to learning for both student and teacher.
Open or endovascular revascularization in the treatment of acute lower limb ischaemia
Authors: Grip O , Wanhainen A , Michaëlsson K , Lindhagen L , Björck M
Published: July 2018

Background

Consensus is lacking regarding intervention for patients with acute lower limb ischaemia (ALI). The aim was to study amputation-free survival in patients treated for ALI by either primary open or endovascular revascularization.

Methods

The Swedish Vascular Registry (Swedvasc) was combined with the Population Registry and National Patient Registry to determine follow-up on mortality and amputation rates. Revascularization techniques were compared by propensity score matching 1 : 1.

Results

Of 9736 patients who underwent open surgery and 6493 who had endovascular treatment between 1994 and 2014, 3365 remained in each group after propensity score matching. Results are from the matched cohort only. Mean age of the patients was 74·7 years; 47·5 per cent were women and mean follow-up was 4·3 years. At 30-day follow-up, the endovascular group had better patency (83·0 versus 78·6 per cent; P < 0·001). Amputation rates were similar at 30 days (7·0 per cent in the endovascular group versus 8·2 per cent in the open group; P = 0·113) and at 1 year (13·8 versus 14·8 per cent; P = 0·320). The mortality rate was lower after endovascular treatment, at 30 days (6·7 versus 11·1 per cent; P < 0·001) and after 1 year (20·2 versus 28·6 per cent; P < 0·001). Accordingly, endovascular treatment had better amputation-free survival at 30 days (87·5 versus 82·1 per cent; P < 0·001) and 1 year (69·9 versus 61·1 per cent; P < 0·001). The number needed to treat to prevent one death within the first year was 12 with an endovascular compared with an open approach. Five years after surgery, endovascular treatment still had improved survival (HR 0·78, 99 per cent c.i. 0·70 to 0·86) but the difference between the treatment groups occurred mainly in the first year.

Conclusion

Primary endovascular treatment for ALI appeared to reduce mortality compared with open surgery, without any difference in the risk of amputation.
Radiation‐associated sarcoma after breast cancer in a nationwide population: Increasing risk of angiosarcoma
Authors: Salminen Samuli H. , Sampo Mika M. , Böhling Tom O. , Tuomikoski Laura , Tarkkanen Maija , Blomqvist Carl P.
Published: July 2018

Radiation‐associated sarcoma (RAS) is a rare complication of radiation therapy (RT) to breast cancer (BC). This study explored RAS after RT to BC in a nationwide population‐based material. The Finnish Cancer Registry was queried for patients with BC treated during 1953‐2014 who were later diagnosed with a secondary sarcoma in 1953‐2014. Registry data, patient files, and sarcoma specimens were  analyzed to confirm diagnosis and location of RAS at or close to the RT target volume. A total of 132 512 patients were diagnosed with invasive BC during the study period. A subsequent sarcoma was diagnosed in 355 patients. After exclusion, 96 RAS were identified. Angiosarcoma (AS) was the most prevalent histology in 50 (52%) of 96 patients. However, the first radiation‐associated AS was diagnosed in a patient treated for BC with breast‐conserving surgery in 1984, and thereafter, the proportion of AS continuously increased. The 5‐year sarcoma‐specific survival was 75.1% for RAS treated with a curative intent. The distribution of histologic subtypes of RAS has changed during the 60 years of this registry study. The first radiation‐associated AS was diagnosed in 1989, and presently, AS is the most common histologic subtype of RAS. It is possible that changes in BC treatment strategies are influencing the characteristics of RAS.
Ultrafine SnO2 Nanocrystals Self‐Anchored in Carbon for Stable Lithium Storage
Authors: Fu Shuting , Wu Qili , He Shiman , Tong Shengfu , Yang Xianfeng , Meng Yuying , Wu Mingmei
Published: July 2018

Invited for this month's cover picture is the group of Prof. Dr. Mingmei Wu from the School of Chemistry, Sun Yat‐Sen University (China). The cover picture shows ultrafine SnO2 nanocrystals embedded in carbon, and the material with such structure shows superior electrochemical performance, which can potentially be used in electric vehicles. Read the full text of the Article at 10.1002/celc.201800631.
Covalent Functionalization of Carbon Nitride Frameworks through Cross‐Coupling Reactions
Authors: Sun Jingwen , Phatake Ravindra , Azoulay Adi , Peng Guiming , Han Chenhui , Barrio Jesús , Xu Jingsan , Wang Xin , Shalom Menny
Published: July 2018

A new and simple synthetic route is introduced to covalently functionalize the carbon nitride (CN) framework by the implementation of halogenated phenyl groups (Cl, Br and I), which serve as a chemically reactive center, within the CN framework. The covalent modification is demonstrated here by substituting phenyl and tert‐butyl propionate onto the modified‐CN framework through Suzuki and reductive‐Heck cross‐coupling reactions, respectively. The effective functionalization leads to a facile exfoliation of the CN framework into thinner layers and greatly enhances the dispersibility in many solvents as well as the photocatalytic activity compared to the unmodified CN. The general covalent modification opens the possibility for tailor‐made design of dispersible CN materials, including their photophysical and chemical properties, toward their exploitation in many fields, such as photocatalysis, bio‐imaging, sensing, and heterogeneous catalysis.
Ammonothermal Synthesis, Optical Properties, and DFT Calculations of Mg2PN3 and Zn2PN3
Authors: Mallmann Mathias , Maak Christian , Niklaus Robin , Schnick Wolfgang
Published: July 2018

The phosphorus nitrides, Mg2PN3 and Zn2PN3, are wide band gap semiconductor materials with potential for application in (opto)electronics or photovoltaics. For the first time, both compounds were synthesized ammonothermally in custom‐built high‐temperature, high‐pressure autoclaves starting from P3N5 and the corresponding metals (Mg or Zn). Alkali amides (NaNH2, KNH2) were employed as ammonobasic mineralizers to increase solubility of the starting materials in supercritical ammonia through formation of reactive intermediates. Single crystals of Mg2PN3, with length up to 30 μm, were synthesized at 1070 K and 140 MPa. Zn2PN3 already decomposes at these conditions and was obtained as submicron‐sized crystallites at 800 K and 200 MPa. Both compounds crystallize in a wurtzite‐type superstructure in orthorhombic space group Cmc21, which was confirmed by powder X‐ray diffraction. In addition, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction measurements of Mg2PN3 were carried out for the first time. To our knowledge, this is the first single‐crystal X‐ray study of ternary nitrides synthesized by the ammonothermal method. The band gaps of both nitrides were estimated to be 5.0 eV for Mg2PN3 and 3.7 eV for Zn2PN3 by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. DFT calculations were carried out to verify the experimental values. Furthermore, a dissolution experiment was conducted to obtain insights into the crystallization behavior of Mg2PN3.
T helper type 2 signatures in atopic dermatitis
Authors: Furue Masutaka
Published: July 2018

T helper type 2 (Th2)‐derived cytokines, such as IL‐4, IL‐13, and IL‐31, play a fundamental role in the development and progression of atopic dermatitis (AD). In addition to gene mutations of filaggrin (FLG), the Th2‐deviated microenvironment downregulates FLG expression and disrupts barrier function, resulting in Staphylococcus aureus colonization and increased penetration of external allergens. From lesional AD skin, the Th2 milieu helps to release Th2‐related chemokines such as CCL17, CCL22, and CCL26, which augment recruitment of Th2 cells and eosinophils. IL‐4 and IL‐13 stimulate B cells to produce IgE that links AD to other atopic comorbidities. IL‐31 is the major pruritogenic cytokine in AD. Notably, the anti–IL‐4 receptor α antibody dupilumab and the anti–IL‐31 receptor A antibody nemolizumab have proven to be effective for treatment of AD. In the present review, Th2 signatures in AD are examined and overviewed.
The Projected Power Method: An Efficient Algorithm for Joint Alignment from Pairwise Differences
Authors: Chen Yuxin , Candès Emmanuel J.
Published: July 2018

Various applications involve assigning discrete label values to a collection of objects based on some pairwise noisy data. Due to the discrete—and hence nonconvex—structure of the problem, computing the optimal assignment (e.g., maximum‐likelihood assignment) becomes intractable at first sight. This paper makes progress towards efficient computation by focusing on a concrete joint alignment problem; that is, the problem of recovering n discrete variables xi ∊ {1, …, m}, 1 ≤ i ≤ n, given noisy observations of their modulo differences {xi — xj mod m}. We propose a low‐complexity and model‐free nonconvex procedure, which operates in a lifted space by representing distinct label values in orthogonal directions and attempts to optimize quadratic functions over hypercubes. Starting with a first guess computed via a spectral method, the algorithm successively refines the iterates via projected power iterations. We prove that for a broad class of statistical models, the proposed projected power method makes no error—and hence converges to the maximum‐likelihood estimate—in a suitable regime. Numerical experiments have been carried out on both synthetic and real data to demonstrate the practicality of our algorithm. We expect this algorithmic framework to be effective for a broad range of discrete assignment problems.© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On Collision Invariants for Linear Scattering
Authors: Saint‐Raymond Laure , Wilkinson Mark
Published: July 2018

In this article, we extend the result of Boltzmann on the characterization of collision invariants from the case of hard disks to a class of two‐dimensional compact, strictly convex particles.© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An optimized imaging protocol for orofacial cleft patients
Authors: De Mulder Dries , Cadenas de Llano‐Pérula Maria , Willems Guy , Jacobs Reinhilde , Dormaar Jakob Titiaan , Verdonck Anna
Published: July 2018

The objective was to present an optimized imaging protocol for orofacial cleft (OFC) patients, which might be used as an international recommendation for OFC care programs. The present radiological protocol has been structured by the OFC team of the University Hospitals Leuven based on a combined approach of clinical experience and scientific evidence. The development was based on careful monitoring of the existing needs for radiological diagnosis by the involved disciplines. Needs were revised by expert consensus and radiological optimization. Effective doses were converted to panoramic equivalents (professional conversion) and background radiation (patient conversion). At the age of 6, a panoramic radiograph is taken for the evaluation of dental anomalies. For the preoperative planning of secondary alveolar bone, grafting a low‐resolution cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) of a limited field of the maxilla is taken at the age of 7 to 9. At the age of 10, 15, and 20, a low‐resolution CBCT of both jaws with the smallest possible field is taken serving as conventional, presurgical, and end of treatment records, respectively. Two‐dimensional images are reconstructed out of 3D ones. There are currently no international guidelines concerning the imaging protocol for OFC patients. It is clear that a multidisciplinary approach plays a key role in radiation hygiene. In this article, we presented an optimized imaging protocol for OFC patients based on European guidelines to accomplish the concepts of justification and optimization, which might be used as an international recommendation for OFC care programs.
The BER theoretical model and properties of SiPM‐based receiver for OOK optical communication
Authors: Zhang Guoqing , Liu Lina , Zhu Changjun , Wang Anxiang , Yan Xiang'an
Published: July 2018

The bit error rate (BER) theory of silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) based on‐off keying optical communication receiver, which introduces photon equivalent threshold is established. The optical crosstalk effect, the dark counts, the amplitude fluctuations of output pulses of SiPM, the baseline fluctuation, the shape of the incident light pulse, the adjacent symbol interference as well as the photon detection efficiency (PDE) are considered in the theory model. The numerical result shows that the average minimum optical power required is much smaller than that of the avalanche photodiode‐based receivers under the same conditions. The BER of SiPM‐based optical communication receiver is very sensitive to the PDE and optical crosstalk (OC) probability of SiPM. For the application of digital optical communication, a SiPM with high PDE but low OC probability and low dark count rate is a preference, under the premise that the output pulse is fast enough. For the state‐of‐the‐art SiPMs, the dark count rate is small enough to obtain adequate BER, and the OC effect is not a big limitation of the performance of SiPM‐based receiver. Moreover, the amplitude fluctuation and the baseline fluctuation of the SiPM‐based receiver are not bottlenecks of the performance in practice.
“Triple hit” lymphomas: A retrospective cytology case series of an uncommon high grade B‐cell malignancy with C‐MYC, BCL‐2 and BCL‐6 rearrangements
Authors: Eldessouki Tarek , Hanley Kelly , Hamadeh Fatima , Oshilaja Olaronke O. , Sturgis Charles D.
Published: July 2018

The Revised fourth Edition World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumors of Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues suggests novel categories, including “high grade B‐cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and BCL6 gene rearrangements.” These diseases are known colloquially as “double hit” and “triple hit” lymphomas. The “first‐hit” in these cases is the harboring of a MYC rearrangement. Concurrent derangements of BCL2 and BCL6 can be the “second‐hit” or “third‐hit.” To our knowledge, this is the first report of “triple‐hit” lymphomas in cytology specimens. The files of the Cleveland Clinic (January 2007 through December 2017) were searched for all “triple hit” lymphomas. Four cases met inclusion criteria (cytology slides in files and histologically confirmed “triple hit” lymphoma). All slides were reviewed. The mean age was 65 years, with a male predominance. All patients presented at advanced stage and showed progressive disease despite therapy. FISH studies (histologic sections) confirmed translocations of MYC (8q24), BCL2 (18q21) and BCL6 (3q27) in all patients. All cases were characterized by high cellularity, dispersed cells, presence of stripped nuclei, lymphoglandular bodies, apoptotic bodies, cytomegaly, nucleomegaly, nuclear envelope irregularities, macronucleoli (most often single), recognizable mitoses and presence of cytoplasmic vacuoles (variable). The WHO recommends that all large B‐cell lymphomas be investigated using cytogenetic or molecular techniques. Concurrent inhibition of MYC and BCL2 is a potentially effective treatment strategy for triple hit lymphomas, and an expanding literature exists regarding predictive biomarkers and therapeutic regimens. It is our intention to raise awareness of this uncommon mature B‐cell neoplasm within the cytodiagnostic community.
Endoscopic ultrasound FNA: An illustrated review of spindle cell neoplasms of the upper gastrointestinal tract including a novel case of gastric plexiform fibromyxoma
Authors: Rohit Maitreyi , Bhatt Amit , Cruise Michael , Wearsch Pamela A. , Goldblum John R. , Sturgis Charles D.
Published: July 2018

Plexiform fibromyxoma (PF) is a recently‐described and rare mesenchymal neoplasm of the gastric wall. A few small case series reports of this spindle cell entity exist in the surgical pathology literature, but to our knowledge no prior endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology examples have been reported. In clinical practice, mural gastrointestinal (GI) lesions are often initially evaluated by endoscopic ultrasound guided (EUS) fine needle aspiration (FNA). In addition, newer EUS fine needle biopsy techniques also allow for reliable retrieval of core tissue samples with intact cellular architecture, making EUS histopathologic analyses possible. We report a combined EUS FNA and core biopsy case of PF and correlate the findings with imaging results. The cytomorphology of PF is described and illustrated, and important entities in the differential diagnosis of upper GI spindle cell lesions (including GI stromal tumor, leiomyoma, schwannoma, carcinoid tumor, desmoid‐type fibromatosis, and inflammatory fibroid polyp) are reviewed. Illustrated examples of relevant cytomorphologic, cell block histomorphologic and immunohistochemical characteristics are emphasized.
Quantitative INTERSPECIMEN variability during biphasic pleural fluid cytological sampling in adenocarcinoma effusions
Authors: Michaelides Stylianos A. , Bablekos George D. , Michailidis Avgerinos‐Romanos S. , Analitis Antonis , Kapatsis Paraskevi X. , Ellina Eleni , Maounis Nicoletta
Published: July 2018

Objectives

Given that cytology of adenocarcinoma‐induced pleural effusions has a high diagnostic yield, we have comparatively evaluated the cytological information of smears during biphasic sampling of pleural fluid in patients with metastatic pleural adenocarcinoma from various primary sites.

Methods

We studied 25 male and 21 female patients, aged 59.4 ±17.2 years (mean ± SD) with unilateral malignant effusion of varying magnitude due to confirmed adenocarcinoma from various primary sites. At thoracocentesis we collected two 30‐ml samples of pleural fluid, the first at the very beginning of fluid aspiration (S1) and the second just before termination of fluid removal (S2) and recorded the volume of fluid aspirated between the 2 samples. Cytological smears were examined under light microscopy by 3 independent cytologists after Papanicolaou stain. Quantitative assessment of cell types was averaged among 50 visual fields for each smear.

Results

In S1 versus S2 the mean number of mesothelial cells was 7.8 ± 4.8 versus 12.1 ± 5.4 (mean ± SD), of lymphocytes 64.6 ± 12.9 versus 85.9 ± 17.4, of neutrophils 8.5 ± 4.4 versus 11.7 ± 5.2, of eosinophils 1.5 ± 0.3 versus 1.7 ± 0.8, and the number of malignant cell aggregates(NMCA) was 11.9 ±4.9 versus 20.7 ± 5.1. The differences in numbers of all cell types including NMCA were statistically significant between S1 and S2 (P < .01). A strong significant linear association between S2/S1 ratio of NMCA and the volume of fluid aspirated between samples was also found (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.209‐0.236, P‐value < .001).

Conclusion

Specimens aspirated before completion of fluid drainage are shown to contain significantly more diagnostic information than those aspirated at the beginning of fluid removal.
Glucocorticoid–environment relationships align with responses to environmental change in two co‐occurring congeners
Authors: Hammond Talisin T. , Palme Rupert , Lacey Eileen A.
Published: July 2018

As more species undergo range shifts in response to climate change, it is increasingly important to understand the factors that determine an organism's realized niche. Physiological limits imposed by abiotic factors constrain the distributions of many species. Because glucocorticoids are essential to the maintenance of physiological homeostasis, identifying glucocorticoid–environment relationships may generate critical insights into both limits on species distributions and potential responses to environmental change. We explored relationships between variability in baseline glucocorticoids and sensitivity to environmental conditions in two chipmunk species characterized by divergent patterns of spatial, genetic, and morphological change over the past century. Specifically, we investigated whether the alpine chipmunk (Tamias alpinus), which has undergone pronounced changes, displays greater glucocorticoid sensitivity to environmental parameters than the lodgepole chipmunk (T. speciosus), which has exhibited little change over the same interval. From 2013 to 2015, we collected environmental data and fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) samples from these species. Using generalized linear mixed models and a model averaging approach, we examined the impacts of environmental and individual phenotypic parameters on FGMs. We found pronounced interspecific differences, with environmental parameters being better predictors of FGMs in T. alpinus. FGMs in this species were particularly elevated in less climatically suitable habitats and in areas with higher maximum daily temperatures. Individual phenotypic traits were not predictive of FGMs in T. alpinus, although they were highly predictive for T. speciosus. Collectively, these findings support the hypothesis that T. alpinus is more sensitive to environmental change. More generally, our results suggest that both phenotypic attributes and environmental conditions contribute to FGM responses but that the relative contributions of these factors differ among taxa, including among closely related species. Finally, our analyses underscore the value of glucocorticoids as bioindicators of sensitivity to environmental change in species for which the factors affecting stress physiology have been assessed.
Lactation and resource limitation affect stress responses, thyroid hormones, immune function, and antioxidant capacity of sea otters (Enhydra lutris)
Authors: Chinn Sarah M. , Monson Daniel H. , Tinker M. Tim , Staedler Michelle M. , Crocker Daniel E.
Published: July 2018

Lactation is the most energetically demanding stage of reproduction in female mammals. Increased energetic allocation toward current reproduction may result in fitness costs, although the mechanisms underlying these trade‐offs are not well understood. Trade‐offs during lactation may include reduced energetic allocation to cellular maintenance, immune response, and survival and may be influenced by resource limitation. As the smallest marine mammal, sea otters (Enhydra lutris) have the highest mass‐specific metabolic rate necessitating substantial energetic requirements for survival. To provide the increased energy needed for lactation, female sea otters significantly increase foraging effort, especially during late‐lactation. Caloric insufficiency during lactation is reflected in the high numbers of maternal deaths due to End‐Lactation Syndrome in the California subpopulation. We investigated the effects of lactation and resource limitation on maternal stress responses, metabolic regulation, immune function, and antioxidant capacity in two subspecies of wild sea otters (northern:E. l. nereisand southern:E. l. kenyoni) within the California, Washington, and Alaska subpopulations. Lactation and resource limitation were associated with reduced glucocorticoid responses to acute capture stress. Corticosterone release was lower in lactating otters. Cortisol release was lower under resource limitation and suppression during lactation was only evident under resource limitation. Lactation and resource limitation were associated with alterations in thyroid hormones. Immune responses and total antioxidant capacity were not reduced by lactation or resource limitation. Southern sea otters exhibited higher concentrations of antioxidants, immunoglobulins, and thyroid hormones than northern sea otters. These data provide evidence for allocation trade‐offs during reproduction and in response to nutrient limitation but suggest self‐maintenance of immune function and antioxidant defenses despite energetic constraints. Income‐breeding strategists may be especially vulnerable to the consequences of stress and modulation of thyroid function when food resources are insufficient to support successful reproduction and may come at a cost to survival, and thereby influence population trends.
Landscape genetics identifies streams and drainage infrastructure as dispersal corridors for an endangered wetland bird
Authors: van Rees Charles B. , Reed J. Michael , Wilson Robert E. , Underwood Jared G. , Sonsthagen Sarah A.
Published: July 2018

Anthropogenic alterations to landscape structure and composition can have significant impacts on biodiversity, potentially leading to species extinctions. Population‐level impacts of landscape change are mediated by animal behaviors, in particular dispersal behavior. Little is known about the dispersal habits of rails (Rallidae) due to their cryptic behavior and tendency to occupy densely vegetated habitats. The effects of landscape structure on the movement behavior of waterbirds in general are poorly studied due to their reputation for having high dispersal abilities. We used a landscape genetic approach to test hypotheses of landscape effects on dispersal behavior of the Hawaiian gallinule (Gallinula galeata sandvicensis), an endangered subspecies endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. We created a suite of alternative resistance surfaces representing biologically plausible a priori hypotheses of how gallinules might navigate the landscape matrix and ranked these surfaces by their ability to explain observed patterns in genetic distance among 12 populations on the island of O`ahu. We modeled effective distance among wetland locations on all surfaces using both cumulative least‐cost‐path and resistance‐distance approaches and evaluated relative model performance using Mantel tests, a causal modeling approach, and the mixed‐model maximum‐likelihood population‐effects framework. Across all genetic markers, simulation methods, and model comparison metrics, surfaces that treated linear water features like streams, ditches, and canals as corridors for gallinule movement outperformed all other models. This is the first landscape genetic study on the movement behavior of any waterbird species to our knowledge. Our results indicate that lotic water features, including drainage infrastructure previously thought to be of minimal habitat value, contribute to habitat connectivity in this listed subspecies.
Heterogeneity of ecological patterns, processes, and funding of marine manipulative field experiments conducted in Southeastern Pacific coastal ecosystems
Authors: Aguilera Moisés A. , Dobringer Johanne , Petit Ignacio J.
Published: July 2018

Ecological manipulative experiments conducted in marine coastal ecosystems have substantially improved ecological theory during the last decades and have provided useful knowledge for the management and conservation of coastal ecosystems. Although different studies report global trends in ecological patterns worldwide, Southeastern Pacific coastal ecosystems have been poorly considered. Given that the SE Pacific coast encompasses diverse coastal ecosystems, consideration of studies conducted along this range can shed light on the heterogeneity of processes regulating coastal communities. We reviewed the biotic interactions and habitat type considered, as well as the complexity in terms of spatial and temporal extent of manipulative field experimental studies conducted along the SE Pacific coast from 0°S to 56°S (Ecuador to Chile). We test the effect of funding reported by different studies as a main factor limiting experimental complexity. From field ecological studies published from 1970 to 2016, we found that 81 studies were truly manipulative, in which one or multiple factors were “manipulated.” Around 77% of these studies were located between 21°S and 40°S, and conducted in intertidal rocky habitats. An increase in experimental studies was observed between 2010 and 2015, especially focused on herbivore–alga interactions, although we found that both the temporal extent and spatial extent of these studies have shown a decrease in recent decades. Funding grant amount reported had a positive effect on elapsed time of field experiments, but no effect was observed on spatial extent or in the biotic interactions considered. Elapsed time of experiments was different among the main biotic interactions considered, that is, herbivory, predation, and competition. We suggest that to further progress in applied ecological knowledge, it will be necessary to consider pollution and urbanization processes explicitly using a field experimental framework. This information could improve our understanding of how ecosystems present along the SE Pacific coast respond to climate change and increased levels of human interventions.
Huffaker revisited: spatial heterogeneity and the coupling of ineffective agents in biological control
Authors: Ong Theresa Wei Ying , Allen David , Vandermeer John
Published: July 2018

In a classic study, Huffaker demonstrated that abiotic forms of spatial heterogeneity could induce stability in predator–prey interactions. Recent theories suggest that space can also act to destabilize predator–prey systems and that stability can arise from coupling of unstable units. Here, using Huffaker's classic experimental design refitted with modern empirical and statistical techniques, we reassess the effect of space on predator–prey interactions when the prey are pests of agriculture and when predators must compete with pathogens for shared prey resources. Using an empirical system including aphids, ladybird beetles, and entomopathogenic fungi, we show that while two different control agents were ineffective at controlling pests in insolation, coupling them together not only improved control of the pest but also reduced the occurrence of large, spatially clustered pest outbreaks. Our results suggest that as agriculture becomes increasingly isolated and consolidated across landscapes, endogenous forms of spatial heterogeneity, which arise from interactions between diverse assemblages of control agents, may break down. We suggest that improving connectivity across landscapes is important for maintaining effective biological control in agroecosystems.
Waste fat biodegradation and biomodification by Yarrowia lipolytica and a bacterial consortium composed of Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas putida
Authors: Tzirita Markella , Papanikolaou Seraphim , Chatzifragkou Afroditi , Quilty Bríd
Published: July 2018

Fats, oils, and greases (FOGs) are a particular environmental threat. Biodegradation of FOGs is a challenge and in this study the biodegradation of waste cooking fats, namely butter and olive oil, was studied using a non‐conventional yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica strain LFMB 20, and a bioaugmentation product consisting of Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas putida CP1 strain. The microorganisms were grown aerobically in shake‐flask experiments in an enriched medium supplemented with ca 0.85% w/v of waste fat. Analysis of the remaining substrate showed a removal of ca 90% of the fat by the yeast at the end of the incubation, while the bacteria removed ca 95% of both fats. Growth rate, biomass production and biomass yield per unit of fat consumed were all higher for the yeast compared to the bacterial consortium. The bacterial consortium exhibited autolysis and a significant decrease in its DCW value at the late growth phases of both fat substrate cultures. The main fatty acids (FAs) present in both fats were linoleic (Δ9,12C18:2), oleic (Δ9C18:1), palmitic (C16:0), palmitoleic (Δ9C16:1) and stearic (C18:0) acid. Both the bacterial consortium and Y. lipolytica preferentially removed Δ9C18:1 from the medium, while a negative selectivity against C18:0 was reported. Both inocula produced microbial mass that contained intra‐cellular lipid quantities, but the bacterial consortium gave significantly higher lipid in DCW values compared with the yeast (maximum values up to ca 63% w/w for the butter and ca 42% w/w for the olive oil while the respective values for both lipids were 22% ± 2% w/w for Y. lipolytica). In all cases, intra‐cellular lipids in DCW values decreased during the late growth phases, while their FA composition differed with those of the substrate fat.
Chronic effects of lead exposure on topsmelt fish (Atherinops affinis): Influence of salinity, organism age, and relative sensitivity to other marine species
Authors: Reynolds Erik J. , Smith D. Scott , Chowdhury M. Jasim , Hoang Tham C.
Published: July 2018

The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of salinity and organism age on the chronic toxicity of waterborne lead (Pb) to Atherinops affinis and to compare the relative Pb sensitivity of A. affinis with other marine species. Chronic Pb exposure experiments were conducted in a water flow-through testing system. Survival, standard length, dry weight, and tissue Pb concentration were measured and lethal concentrations (LCs), effect concentrations (ECs), and bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were calculated. In general, increasing salinity and organism age decreased Pb toxicity. The LC50s for larval fish at 14 and 28 ppt salinity were 15.1 and 79.8 μg/L dissolved Pb, respectively; whereas, the LC50 for juvenile fish was 167.6 μg/L dissolved Pb at 28 ppt salinity. Using standard length data, the EC10 values for larval fish were 16.4 and 82.4 μg/L dissolved Pb at 14 and 28 ppt salinity, respectively. The dry weight EC25s for low and high salinity were 15.6 and 61.84 μg/L dissolved Pb, respectively. The BCFs were higher with the lower salinity study (1703) in comparison to the higher salinity study (654). Results of Pb speciation calculation showed higher fraction of Pb2+ in water with lower salinity, explaining the higher observed toxicity of Pb in lower salinity water than higher salinity water. Atherinops affinis is more sensitive to Pb than several other marine species. Evidence of abnormal swimming and skeletal deformities were observed in Pb exposure treatments. Results of the present study are useful for marine biotic ligand modeling and support ecological risk assessment and deriving Pb environmental quality criteria for marine environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2705–2713. © 2018 SETAC
Tianshan Orogen along the Silk Road (Volume 3): Orogen links, geochemistry, geochronology, mineral deposits, and environments
Authors: Li Sanzhong , Suo Yanhui , Li Rongxi , Yu Shengyao , Yang Gaoxue , Somerville I.
Published: July 2018

This special issue (Volume 3) belongs to the special issues on the orogens along the Silk Road. We selected 34 papers to focus on the mineral deposits, orogeny‐links, geochemistry, geochronology, and environments related to the Tianshan Orogen of the Silk Road. We hope that these papers will highlight more geological research along the Silk Road to promote the construction and development of the Road and Belt.
Neuronal activity induces glutathione metabolism gene expression in astrocytes
Authors: McGann James C. , Mandel Gail
Published: July 2018

The idea that astrocytes provide support for neurons has a long history, but whether neurons play an instructive role in these processes is poorly understood. To address this question, we co‐culture astrocytes with genetically labeled neurons, permitting their separation by flow cytometry, and test whether the presence of neurons influences the astrocyte transcriptome. We find that numerous pathways are regulated in the co‐cultured astrocytes, in a time‐dependent matter coincident with synaptic maturation. In particular, the induction of glutathione metabolic genes is prominent, resulting in increased glutathione production. We show that the induction of the glutathione pathway is mediated by astrocytic metabotropic glutamate receptors. Using a candidate approach, we identify direct binding of the nuclear factor E2‐related factor, NRF2, to several of the induced genes. Blocking nuclear accumulation of astrocytic NRF2 abolishes neuron‐induced glutathione gene induction and glutathione production. Our results suggest that astrocyte transcriptional and metabolic profiles are tightly coupled to the activity of neurons, consistent with the model that astrocytes dynamically support healthy brain function.
Orthostatic hypotension in patients with late‐life depression: Prevalence and validation of a new screening tool
Authors: Shanbhag Amruta , Awai Helen , Rej Soham , Thomas Alan J. , Puka Klajdi , Vasudev Akshya
Published: July 2018

Objectives

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of orthostatic hypotension (OH) in a sample of late life depression (LLD) patients and to determine the validity of a standardized questionnaire, the Orthostatic Hypotension Questionnaire (OHQ). Secondarily, we wished to assess variables associated with OH.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study on 82 consecutive geriatric outpatients presenting with LLD. OH was defined as a fall in systolic blood pressure of greater than 20 mm Hg and/or 10 mm Hg on diastolic blood pressure on an orthostatic stress test from sitting to standing. Logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with OH.

Results

The prevalence of OH as measured on the orthostatic stress test and on the OHQ was 28% and 57%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the OHQ were 69.6% (95% CI 47%‐87%), 47.5% (95%CI 34%‐61%), 0.54 (95% CI: 0.43‐0.64), 34% (95%CI 21%‐49%), and 80% (95%CI 63%‐92%), respectively. Females were more likely to have OH (OR: 3.96, 95%CI 1.06‐14.89, P = .041), and those married or in a common‐law relationship were less likely to have OH (OR: 0.25, 95% CI 0.08‐0.72, P = .011).

Conclusions

OH is common in patients with LLD conferring them a risk of gait instability and falls. Females had a higher risk of having OH while participants who were married or in a common‐law relationship were less likely to have OH. Although the OHQ is a quick to administer paper‐based screening test, it did not show adequate diagnostic accuracy in patients with LLD seen in a routine psychiatry clinic.
Neuromodulation of reinforced skill learning reveals the causal function of prefrontal cortex
Authors: Dayan Eran , Herszage Jasmine , Laor‐Maayany Rony , Sharon Haggai , Censor Nitzan
Published: July 2018

Accumulating evidence has suggested functional interactions between prefrontal cortex (PFC) and dissociable large‐scale networks. However, how these networks interact in the human brain to enable complex behaviors is not well‐understood. Here, using a combination of behavioral, brain stimulation and neuroimaging paradigms, we tested the hypothesis that human PFC is required for successful reinforced skill formation. We additionally tested the extent to which PFC‐dependent skill formation is related to intrinsic functional communication with this region. We report that inhibitory noninvasive transcranial magnetic stimulation over lateral PFC, a hub region with a diverse connectivity profile, causally modulated effective reinforcement‐based motor skill acquisition. Furthermore, PFC‐dependent skill formation was strongly related to the strength of functional connectivity between the PFC and regions in the sensorimotor network. These results point to the involvement of lateral PFC in the neural architecture that underlies the acquisition of complex skills, and suggest that, in relation to skill acquisition, this region may be involved in functional interactions with sensorimotor networks.
How has the global financial crisis affected syndicated loan terms in emerging markets? Evidence from China
Authors: Caporale Guglielmo Maria , Lodh Suman , Nandy Monomita
Published: July 2018

This paper examines the impact of the recent global financial crisis on the cost of debt capital (syndicated loans) in a leading emerging market, namely China, using the difference‐in‐differences approach. Before the crisis, China adopted banking reforms allowing the entry of foreign banks and more domestic participation in the syndicated loan market. As a result, during the crisis, the volume of syndicated loans grew steadily, in contrast to other countries. In addition, the amount of foreign syndicated loans decreased and average maturity increased compared with the pre‐crisis period. Our findings provide useful information to policy makers for devising effective responses to financial crises.
Rational beliefs, happiness and optimism: An empirical assessment of REBT's model of psychological health
Authors: Oltean Horea‐Radu , Hyland Philip , Vallières Frédérique , David Daniel Ovidiu
Published: July 2018

This study sought to test the validity of the psychological health model of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT). Specifically, this study sought to investigate if rational beliefs were associated with happiness and optimism. A multinational sample of 397 university students completed self‐report measures of rational beliefs, happiness and optimism. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used in order to test the validity of the REBT model of psychological health. The result of the SEM analysis provided empirical support for REBT's psychological health model of happiness and optimism. The model as a whole explained 33% of variance in levels of happiness and 40% of variance in levels of optimism. Self‐acceptance beliefs were positively and directly associated with happiness and optimism. Preference beliefs were positively and indirectly associated with happiness and optimism via self‐acceptance beliefs. REBT may offer a viable psychotherapeutic method to not only alleviate psychological distress, but also build positive emotion. Current findings may help to bridge the divide between the fields of positive psychology and clinical psychology.
Which wavelength is optimal for transcranial low‐level laser stimulation?
Authors: Wang Pengbo , Li Ting
Published: July 2018

One of the challenges in transcranial low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) is to optimally choose illumination parameters, such as wavelength. However, there is sparse study on the wavelengths comparison especially on human transcranial LLLT. Here, we employed Monte Carlo modeling and visible human phantom to compute the penetrated photon fluence distribution within cerebral cortex. By comparing the fluence distribution, penetration depth and the intensity of laser‐tissue‐interaction within brain among all candidate wavelengths, we found that 660, 810 nm performed much better than 980, 1064 nm with much stronger, deeper and wider photon penetration into cerebral tissue; 660 nm was shown to be the best and slightly better than 810 nm. Our computational finding was in a surprising accordance with previous LLLT‐neurobehavioral studies on mice. This study not only offered quantitative comparison among wavelengths in the effect of LLLT light penetration effectiveness but also anticipated a delightful possibility of online, precise and visible optimization of LLLT illumination parameters.
Comparing Strategies Targeting Osteoporosis to Prevent Fractures After an Upper Extremity Fracture (C-STOP Trial): A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Majumdar Sumit R , McAlister Finlay A , Johnson Jeffrey A , Rowe Brian H , Bellerose Debbie , Hassan Imran , Lier Douglas A , Li Stephanie , Maksymowych Walter P , Menon Matthew , Russell Anthony S , Wirzba Brian , Beaupre Lauren A
Published: July 2018

We compared osteoporosis care after upper extremity fragility fracture using a low-intensity Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) versus a high-intensity FLS in a pragmatic patient-level parallel-arm comparative effectiveness trial undertaken at a Canadian academic hospital. A low-intensity FLS (active-control) that identified patients and notified primary care providers was compared to a high-intensity FLS (case manager) where a specially-trained nurse identified patients, investigated bone health, and initiated appropriate treatment. A total of 361 community-dwelling participants 50 years or older with upper extremity fractures who were not on bisphosphonate treatment were included; 350 (97%) participants completed 6-month follow-up undertaken by assessors blinded to group allocation. The primary outcome was difference in bisphosphonate treatment between groups 6 months postfracture; secondary outcomes included differences in bone mineral density (BMD) testing and a predefined composite measure termed “appropriate care” (taking or making an informed decision to decline medication for those with low BMD; not taking bisphosphonate treatment for those with normal BMD). Absolute differences (%), relative risks (RR with 95% confidence intervals [CIs]), number-needed-to-treat (NNT), and direct costs were compared. A total of 181 participants were randomized to active-control and 180 to case-manager using computer-generated randomization; the groups were similar on study entry. At 6 months, 51 (28%) active-control versus 86 (48%) case-manager participants started bisphosphonate treatment (20% absolute difference; RR 1.70; 95% CI, 1.28 to 2.24; p < 0.0001; NNT = 5). Of active-controls, 108 (62%) underwent BMD testing compared to 128 (73%) case-managed patients (11% absolute difference; RR 1.17; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.36; p = 0.03). Appropriate care was received by 76 (44%) active-controls and 133 (76%) case-managed participants (32% absolute difference; RR 1.73; 95% CI, 1.43 to 2.09; p < 0.0001). The direct cost per participant was $18 Canadian (CDN) for the active-control intervention compared to $66 CDN for the case-manager intervention. In summary, case-management led to substantially greater improvements in bisphosphonate treatment and appropriate care within 6 months of fracture than the active control. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.