bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrological responses of land use change from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to cellulosic bioenergy crops in the Southern High Plains of Texas,USA
Authors: Chen Yong , Ale Srinivasulu , Rajan Nithya , Morgan Cristine L. S. , Park Jongyoon
Published: September 2015

The Southern High Plains (SHP) region of Texas in the United States, where cotton is grown in a vast acreage, has the potential to grow cellulosic bioenergy crops such as perennial grasses and biomass sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). Evaluation of hydrological responses and biofuel production potential of hypothetical land use change from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to cellulosic bioenergy crops enables better understanding of the associated key agroecosystem processes and provides for the feasibility assessment of the targeted land use change in theSHP. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to assess the impacts of replacing cotton with perennial Alamo switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.),Miscanthus × giganteus(Miscanthus sinensisAnderss. [Poaceae]), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and annual biomass sorghum on water balances, water use efficiency and biofuel production potential in the Double Mountain Fork Brazos watershed. Under perennial grass scenarios, the average (1994–2009) annual surface runoff from the entire watershed decreased by 6–8% relative to the baseline cotton scenario. In contrast, surface runoff increased by about 5% under the biomass sorghum scenario. Perennial grass land use change scenarios suggested an increase in average annual percolation within a range of 3–22% and maintenance of a higher soil water content during August to April compared to the baseline cotton scenario. About 19.1, 11.1, 3.2 and 8.8 Mg ha−1of biomass could potentially be produced if cotton area in the watershed would hypothetically be replaced byMiscanthus, switchgrass, big bluestem and biomass sorghum, respectively. Finally,Miscanthusand switchgrass were found to be ideal bioenergy crops for the dryland and irrigated systems, respectively, in the study watershed due to their higher water use efficiency, better water conservation effects, greater biomass and biofuel production potential, and minimum crop management requirements.
Chief cell‐predominant gastric polyps: a series of 12 cases with literature review
Authors: Chan Karen , Brown Ian S , Kyle Trevor , Lauwers Gregory Y , Kumarasinghe Marian Priyanthi
Published: September 2015

Aims

Rare gastric lesions composed of a combined proliferation of chief and oxyntic cells have been variably called adenocarcinoma of fundic gland type and oxyntic gland polyp/adenoma. Herein, we present a series of cases that show a morphological spectrum of chief and oxyntic cell proliferations.

Methods and results

Routine and consultation cases were collated from five institutions. Information regarding site, size, endoscopic appearance, clinical history and medication use, when available, was accrued, as was the histological features and immunoprofiles. A total of 12 cases were collated. Age ranged from 39 to 81 years. All the lesions were located in the fundus; seven of eight were polypoid lesions endoscopically. Lesions were primarily solitary, averaged 4.6 mm in diameter (largest 9 mm) and comprised >50% chief cells. The predominant architectural pattern was of anastomosing and solid and clustered glands or a mixture of these patterns. Lesions were limited mainly to the mucosa, although two showed submucosal involvement. None had known metastatic disease.

Conclusions

This series included lesions that were previously described as gastric adenocarcinoma of fundic gland type and oxyntic gland polyp/adenoma. They are located exclusively in the fundus and composed predominantly of chief cells with low‐grade cytology and appear to show a morphological continuum.
Sealing ability of two root‐end filling materials in a bacterial nutrient leakage model
Authors: Antunes H. S. , Gominho L. F. , Andrade‐Junior C. V. , Dessaune‐Neto N. , Alves F. R. F. , Rôças I. N. , Siqueira J. F.
Published: September 2015

Aim

To compare in vitro the sealing ability of root‐end fillings with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and EndoSequence BioCeramic Root Repair Material‐Fast Set (BC‐RRM) Putty using a novel bacterial nutrient leakage model, which provides information on whether or not intracanal bacteria are receiving nutrients from serum via leakage channels.

Methodology

Sixty single‐rooted decoronated mandibular incisors with instrumented root canals were subjected to root‐end resection and ultrasonic preparation. The root specimens were mounted in the experimental apparatus, and the root‐end cavities filled with the test materials. The positive control group used warm Gutta‐percha and no sealer. In the negative controls, the entire resected surface was covered with varnish. After sterilization in ethylene oxide, the root canal was inoculated with 1.5 × 105 washed cells of Enterococcus faecalis. The apparatus was filled with foetal bovine serum, leaving only the apical root immersed. After 30‐day incubation, samples were taken from the canal, cultured and the colony‐forming units (CFUs) counted. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney test for quantitative and the Fisher exact test for qualitative data.

Results

In the MTA group, 10 of 20 (50%) specimens still had detectable viable bacteria in the canals (mean, 8.97 × 103 CFUs). In the BC‐RRM Putty group, 5 of 18 (28%) specimens were positive for bacterial growth (mean, 2.88 × 104 CFUs). There was no significant difference when comparing the quantitative or presence/absence data from the MTA and BC‐RRM Putty groups. Positive and negative controls yielded the expected results.

Conclusions

MTA and BC‐RRM Putty had similar sealing ability. The experimental model was effective in determining whether or not residual intracanal bacteria could survive by receiving nutrients from outside.
New parameters available on Sysmex XE‐5000 hematology analyzers contribute to differentiating dengue from leptospirosis and enteric fever
Authors: Oehadian A. , Michels M. , de Mast Q. , Prihatni D. , Puspita M. , Hartantri Y. , Sinarta S. , van der Ven A. J. A. M. , Alisjahbana B.
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Distinguishing dengue virus infection from other febrile thrombocytopenic illnesses such as leptospirosis or enteric fever is important but difficult, due to the unavailability of reliable diagnostic tests. Sysmex XE‐5000 hematology analyzers use fluorescence flow cytometry to quantitate new parameters including cells in the atypical lymphocyte area (AL), high‐fluorescent lymphocyte counts (HFLC), immature granulocytes (IG), and immature platelets (IPF). This study aimed to investigate whether these parameters can help to discriminate between the diseases.

Material and methods

We compared hematocytometry performed by a Sysmex XE‐5000 analyzer in Indonesian adults with dengue (n = 93), leptospirosis (n = 11), and enteric fever (n = 6) infection, and in healthy controls (n = 28).

Results

Receiver operating characteristic curves comparing dengue and leptospirosis showed that dengue was characterized by increased %AL (AUC 0.87; 95% CI 0.70–1.03), %HFLC (AUC 0.89; 95% CI 0.78–0.99), and %IPF (AUC 0.81; 95% CI 0.65–0.97), while patients with leptospirosis had increased %IG (AUC 0.86; 95% CI 0.71–1.02). Low %AL, %HFLC, and %IG supported a diagnosis of enteric fever.

Conclusions

The detection of AL, HFLC, IG, and IPF by Sysmex XE‐5000 hematology analyzers can help to differentiate between common causes of febrile illnesses with thrombocytopenia in dengue endemic areas. We recommend further investigating the discriminatory value of these parameters in clinical practice.
Dynamic pathology of islet endocrine cells in type 2 diabetes: β‐Cell growth, death, regeneration and their clinical implications
Authors: Yagihashi Soroku , Inaba Wataru , Mizukami Hiroki
Published: September 2015

Diabetes is defined as a disease of hyperglycemic metabolic disorder caused by impaired insulin action or low insulin secretion, resulting in the occurrence of vascular complications. Based on this definition, diabetes therapy has long been oriented to correct hyperglycemia against the specific complications of diabetes. This definition has posed some difficulties, however, in understanding of the pathophysiology of this complicated disease and as such in the establishment of an effective treatment. With continuing efforts to explore the structural basis for diabetes onset and methodological development of immunohistochemistry, progressive decline of β‐cells is now established as a salient feature of type 2 diabetes. Accordingly, diabetes therapy has now turned out to protect β‐cells concurrently with the correction of hyperglycemia. Together with this effort, exploration of the means to regenerate β‐cells or to supply new β‐cells by, for example, induced pluripotential stem cells, are vigorously made with the search for the mechanism of β‐cell decline in diabetes. In the present review, we describe the advances in the islet pathology in type 2 diabetes with special reference to the dynamic alterations of islet endocrine cells in the milieu of maturation, obesity, aging and ethnic differences. The effect of amyloid deposition is also discussed. We hope it will help with understanding the pathophysiology of diabetes, and suggest the future direction of diabetes treatment.
Eicosapentaenoic Acid Modulates Trichomonas vaginalis Activity
Authors: Korosh Travis , Jordan Kelsey D. , Wu Ja‐Shin , Yarlett Nigel , Upmacis Rita K.
Published: September 2015

Trichomonas vaginalis is a sexually transmitted parasite and, while it is often asymptomatic in males, the parasite is associated with disease in both sexes. Metronidazole is an effective treatment for trichomoniasis, but resistant strains have evolved and, thus, it has become necessary to investigate other possible therapies. In this study, we examined the effects of native and oxidized forms of the sodium salts of eicosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic, and arachidonic acids on T. vaginalis activity. Eicosapentaenoic acid was the most toxic with 190 and 380 μM causing approximately 90% cell death in Casu2 and ATCC 50142 strains, respectively. In contrast, oxidized eicosapentaenoic acid was the least toxic, requiring > 3 mM to inhibit activity, while low levels (10 μM) were associated with increased parasite density. Mass spectrometric analysis of oxidized eicosapentaenoic acid revealed C20 products containing one to six additional oxygen atoms and various degrees of bond saturation. These results indicate that eicosapentaenoic acid has different effects on T. vaginalis survival, depending on whether it is present in the native or oxidized form. A better understanding of lipid metabolism in T. vaginalis may facilitate the design of synthetic fatty acids that are effective for the treatment of metronidazole‐resistant T. vaginalis.
Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Entamoeba nuttalli Strains Showing Novel Isoenzyme Patterns from Wild Toque Macaques in Sri Lanka
Authors: Tachibana Hiroshi , Yanagi Tetsuo , Feng Meng , Bandara K. B. Anura T. , Kobayashi Seiki , Cheng Xunjia , Hirayama Kenji , Rajapakse R. P. V. Jayanthe
Published: September 2015

We have proposed the revival of the name Entamoeba nuttalli for a virulent ameba strain, P19‐061405, from a rhesus macaque and located it phylogenetically between E. histolytica and E. dispar. As E. nuttalli was originally described for an ameba found in a toque macaque in Sri Lanka, the prevalence and characteristics of Entamoeba species in wild toque macaques were examined. PCR analysis of 227 stool samples from six locations showed positive rates for E. nuttalli, E. dispar, and E. histolytica of 18.5%, 0.4%, and 0%, respectively. Fifteen E. nuttalli strains were cultured successfully from five locations. The 18S ribosomal RNA gene showed only three nucleotide differences in comparison with P19‐061405 strain. In isoenzyme analysis, the pattern of hexokinase in Sri Lankan strains was different from that of P19‐061405 strains and the difference was confirmed by analysis of the genes. Hepatic inoculation of one of the Sri Lankan E. nuttalli strains in hamsters resulted in amebic abscess formation and body weight loss. These results demonstrate that E. nuttalli is prevalent in wild toque macaques and that several characteristics of the strains are unique. We conclude that use of the name E. nuttalli is appropriate for the new Entamoeba species found in nonhuman primates.
Morphological and Molecular Diversity of the Neglected Genus Rhizomastix Alexeieff, 1911 (Amoebozoa: Archamoebae) with Description of Five New Species
Authors: Zadrobílková Eliška , Smejkalová Pavla , Walker Giselle , Čepička Ivan
Published: September 2015

The genus Rhizomastix is a poorly known group of amoeboid heterotrophic flagellates living as intestinal commensals of insects, amphibians or reptiles, and as inhabitants of organic freshwater sediments. Eleven Rhizomastix species have been described so far, but DNA sequences from only a single species have been published. Recently, phylogenetic analyses confirmed a previous hypothesis that the genus belongs to the Archamoebae; however, its exact position therein remains unclear. In this study we cultured nine strains of Rhizomastix, both endobiotic and free‐living. According to their light‐microscopic morphology and SSU rRNA and actin gene analyses, the strains represent five species, of which four are newly described here: R. bicoronata sp. nov., R. elongata sp. nov., R. vacuolata sp. nov. and R. varia sp. nov. In addition, R. tipulae sp. nov., living in the intestine of crane flies, is separated from the type species, R. gracilis. We also examined the ultrastructure of R. elongata sp. nov., which revealed that it is more complicated than the previously described R. libera. Our data show that either the endobiotic lifestyle of some Rhizomastix species has arisen independently from other endobiotic archamoebae, or the free‐living members of this genus represent a secondary switch from the endobiotic lifestyle.
Meaning given to spirituality, religiousness and personal beliefs: explored by a sample of a Norwegian population
Authors: Torskenæs Kristina B , Kalfoss Mary H , Sæteren Berit
Published: September 2015

Aims and objectives

The aim of this article is to explore the meanings given to the words ‘spirituality’, ‘religiousness’ and ‘personal beliefs’ by a Norwegian sample of healthy and sick individuals.

Background

Studies show that a high proportion of nurses do not identify the spiritual needs of their patients, even if the nurses are educated to give care for the whole person, including the spiritual dimension.

Design

This study used an exploratory qualitative design.

Methods

Qualitative data generated from six focus groups were collected in southeast Norway. The focus groups were comprised of three groups of health professionals (n = 18) and three groups of patients from different institutions (n = 15).

Results

The group discussions revealed that the meanings of spirituality, religiousness and personal beliefs were interwoven, and the participants had difficulty in finding a common terminology when expressing their meanings. Many of the participants described the spiritual dimension with feelings of awe and respect. They were dependent on spirituality in order to experience balance in life and cope with life crises.

Conclusion

The themes and categories identified by the focus group discussion highlights that spirituality ought to be understood as a multilayered dimension. An appreciation of the spiritual dimension and it's implication in nursing may help to increase health and decrease suffering.

Relevance to clinical practice

Health professionals need to be cognizant of their own sense of spirituality to investigate the spiritual needs among their patients. This study's focus group discussions helped both patients and health professionals to improve their knowledge regarding the meanings given to the spiritual dimension.
Registered nurses views of caring in coronary care – a deductive and inductive content analysis
Authors: Andersson Ewa K , Sjöström‐Strand Annica , Willman Ania , Borglin Gunilla
Published: September 2015

Aims and objectives

To extend nurses’ descriptions of how they understood caring, as reflected in the findings of an earlier study (i.e. the hierarchical outcome space) and to gain additional understandings and perspectives of nurses’ views of caring in relation to a coronary care patient case.

Background

Scientific literature from the 1970s–1990s contains descriptions of caring in nursing. In contrast, the contemporary literature on this topic – particularly in the context of coronary care – is very sparse, and the few studies that do contain descriptions rarely do so from the perspective of nurses.

Design

Qualitative descriptive study.

Methods

Twenty‐one nurses were interviewed using the stimulated recall interview technique. The data were analysed using deductive and inductive qualitative content analysis.

Results

The results of the iterative and integrated content analysis showed that the data mainly reproduced the content of the hierarchical outcome space describing how nurses could understand caring; however, in the outcome space, the relationship broke up (i.e. flipped). The nurses’ views of caring could now also be understood as: person‐centredness ‘lurking’ in the shadows; limited ‘potential’ for safeguarding patients’ best interests; counselling as virtually the ‘only’ nursing intervention; and caring preceded by the ‘almighty’ context. Their views offered alternative and, at times, contrasting perspectives of caring, thereby adding to our understanding of it.

Conclusion

Caring was described as operating somewhere between the nurses caring values and the contextual conditions in which caring occurred. This challenged their ability to sustain caring in accordance with their values and the patients’ preferences.

Relevance to clinical practice

To ensure that the essentials of caring are met at all times, nurses need to plan and deliver caring in a systematic way. The use of systematic structures in caring, as the nursing process, can help nurses to work in a person‐centred way, while sustaining their professional values.
Perceived Social Standing, Medication Nonadherence, and Systolic Blood Pressure in the Rural South
Authors: Cummings Doyle M. , Wu Jia‐Rong , Cene Crystal , Halladay Jacquie , Donahue Katrina E. , Hinderliter Alan , Miller Cassandra , Garcia Beverly , Penn Dolly , Tillman Jim , DeWalt Darren
Published: September 2015

Purpose

Little is known about how perceived social standing versus traditional socioeconomic characteristics influence medication adherence and blood pressure (BP) among African American and white patients with hypertension in the rural southeastern United States.

Methods

Perceived social standing, socioeconomic characteristics, self‐reported antihypertensive medication adherence, and BP were measured at baseline in a cohort of rural African American and white patients (n = 495) with uncontrolled hypertension attending primary care practices. Multivariate models examined the relationship of perceived social standing and socioeconomic indicators with medication adherence and systolic BP.

Findings

Medication nonadherence was reported by 40% of patients. Younger age [β = 0.20; P = .001], African American race [β = ‐0.30; P = .03], and lower perceived social standing [β = 0.08; P = .002] but not sex or traditional socioeconomic characteristics including education and household income, were significantly associated with lower medication adherence. Race‐specific analyses revealed that this pattern was limited to African Americans and not observed in whites. In stepwise modeling, older age [β = 0.57, P = .001], African American race [β = 4.4; P = .03], and lower medication adherence [β = ‐1.7, P = .01] but not gender, education, or household income, were significantly associated with higher systolic BP.

Conclusions

Lower perceived social standing and age, but not traditional socioeconomic characteristics, were significantly associated with lower medication adherence in African Americans. Lower medication adherence was associated with higher systolic BP. These findings suggest the need for tailored, culturally relevant medication adherence interventions in rural communities.
Associations of Provider‐to‐Population Ratios and Population Health by County‐Level Rurality
Authors: Fields Bronwyn E. , Bigbee Jeri L. , Bell Janice F.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To explore the relationship between provider‐to‐population ratios, rurality and population health in the United States using counties as the unit of analysis.

Method

Population ratios for registered nurses (RNs), primary care physicians, and dentists were included in multivariable regression analyses. Population health indices assessed were premature death rate, self‐rated health, teen birth rate, and mammography screening rate.

Findings

County levels of health and health care providers per capita declined as rurality increased. In adjusted regression models, the highest RN‐to‐population ratio was associated with significantly better health measures in most urban/rural categories, with the magnitude of these associations generally increasing as rurality increased. In the smallest rural counties, the highest RN‐to‐population quartile was associated with 1,655 fewer years of potential life lost (YPLL), 2% lower rates of poor or fair health, 11/1,000 fewer teen births, and 6% more mammography screening relative to the lowest quartile. For primary care physicians, more significant associations were found in medium and small rural counties where the highest quartile was associated with 1,482 fewer YPLL, 3% lower rates of poor or fair health, 7/1,000 fewer teen births, and 4% more mammography screening. The highest quartile of dentist‐to‐population ratio was generally associated with lower rates of premature death and poor or fair health in urban, large‐, and medium‐sized rural counties, but not in small rural counties.

Conclusions

The consistency of the results by provider type suggests that the supply of health care professionals, particularly in rural areas, positively impacts the health of the population.
Glutathione as a promising anti‐hydrophobicity agent against Malassezia spp.
Authors: Sivasankar Chandran , Ponmalar Ayyappan , Bhaskar James P. , Pandian Shunmugiah K.
Published: September 2015

The genus Malassezia has recently attracted wide attention in medical microbiology and dermatology as a pathogen. They are lipophilic yeasts possessing high level of cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH). l‐glutathione (GSH) is a ubiquitous antioxidant which offers protection against microbial infections. This study is intended to investigate the role of GSH as a potential anti‐hydrophobicity agent against Malazessia spp. Microbial adherence to hydrocarbon assay was performed to assess the anti‐hydrophobicity activity (AHA) of GSH against four Malassezia spp. The assay revealed that GSH at 400 μg ml−1 concentration inhibited CSH, ranging from 84% to 95% in M. furfur, M. globosa, M. restricta and M. sympodialis without killing the cells. The AHA of GSH was corroborated by auto‐aggregation assay and zeta‐potential measurement, through which delayed cell aggregation was observed due to reduction in CSH level and not by modification in cell surface charge. In addition, colony‐forming unit assay was performed in which 62–93% of CSH reduction was observed in Malassezia spp. tested. Furthermore, GSH treatment enhanced the sensitivity of Malassezia spp. towards human blood at the rate of 64–72%. The AHA was further confirmed through Fourier transform infrared analysis. Thus, this study portrays GSH as a prospective therapeutic alternative for Malassezia‐mediated infections.
Could robots become authentic companions in nursing care?
Authors: Metzler Theodore A. , Lewis Lundy M. , Pope Linda C.
Published: September 2015

Creating android and humanoid robots to furnish companionship in the nursing care of older people continues to attract substantial development capital and research. Some people object, though, that machines of this kind furnish human–robot interaction characterized by inauthentic relationships. In particular, robotic and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have been charged with substituting mindless mimicry of human behaviour for the real presence of conscious caring offered by human nurses. When thus viewed as deceptive, the robots also have prompted corresponding concerns regarding their potential psychological, moral, and spiritual implications for people who will be interacting socially with these machines. The foregoing objections and concerns can be assessed quite differently, depending upon ambient religious beliefs or metaphysical presuppositions. The complaints may be set aside as unnecessary, for example, within religious traditions for which even current robots can be viewed as presenting spiritual aspects. Elsewhere, technological cultures may reject the complaints as expression of outdated superstition, holding that the machines eventually will enjoy a consciousness described entirely in materialist and behaviourist terms. While recognizing such assessments, the authors of this essay propose that the heart of the foregoing objections and concerns may be evaluated, in part, scientifically – albeit with a conclusion recommending fundamental revisions in AI modelling of human mental life. Specifically, considerations now favour introduction of AI models using interactive classical and quantum computation. Without this change, the answer to the essay's title question arguably is ‘no’ – with it, the answer plausibly becomes ‘maybe’. Either outcome holds very interesting implications for nurses.
HOW ‘NATIVES’ WORK: POLITICAL JUDGEMENT AND COHESION THROUGH RITUAL INTERACTION AMONG MINISTERS
Authors: 6 PERRI
Published: September 2015

How do political administrations sustain whatever kinds of cohesion they do, over their time in office? Although recent research emphasizes institutions, sometimes institutions also weaken cohesion. Informal institutions are more important than formal ones in shaping styles of political judgement in governing administrations. But how can institutional processes explain both weakening and strengthening? This article develops a neo‐Durkheimian theory. It proposes that informal institutions should be understood as operating through very particular kinds of practices, which are enacted in a limited number of basic kinds of ritual interaction order. The article innovates by showing how written ritual in government interacts with face‐to‐face ritual in cultivating styles both of thought and of emotions to sustain positive and negative feedback dynamics. The argument is illustrated by analysing negative rites of blame and accusation and positive rites of self‐assertion during positive feedback in the individualistic interaction order in Harold Wilson's 1960s Cabinet.
Pulsed Laser‐Driven Molecular Self‐assembly of Cephalexin: Aggregation‐Induced Fluorescence and Its Utility as a Mercury Ion Sensor
Authors: Singh Pradeep Kumar , Prabhune Asmita , Ogale Satishchandra
Published: September 2015

A fluorescent self‐assembly of cephalexin is obtained by pulsed laser irradiation process. An intense fluorescence emission is found in the self‐assembled form due to occurrence of a typical aggregation‐induced emission in cephalexin molecules. It is observed that fluorescence quenching of the self‐assembled fluorescent nanostructures occurs in the presence of extremely low Hg++ ions concentrations (10−7 m) as compared to other heavy metal ions e.g. Ferrous (Fe++), Manganese (Mn++), Magnesium (Mg++), Cobalt (Co++), Nickel (Ni++) and Zinc (Zn++) at the same concentrations.
Technology and Restructuring the Social Field of Dairy Farming: Hybrid Capitals, ‘Stockmanship’ and Automatic Milking Systems
Authors: Butler Deborah , Holloway Lewis
Published: September 2015

UsingAutomaticMilkingSystems (AMS) as an example we use the work ofBourdieu to illustrate how technology can be seen as restructuring dairy farming practices, what it is to be a dairy farmer, and the wider field of dairy farming. Approaching technology in this way and drawing upon the ‘thinking tools’ ofPierreBourdieu, namely field, capital and habitus, the article critically examines the relevance ofBourdieu's thought to the study of technology. We expand onBourdieu's types of capital to define what we have called ‘hybrid’ capital involving human‐cow‐technology collectives. The concept expresses how new technology can shift power relations within the dairy field, affecting human‐animal relations and changing the stock person' habitus. Hybrid capital is produced through a co‐investment of stock‐keepers, cows and technologies, and can become economically and culturally valuable within a rapidly restructuring dairying field when invested in making dairy farming more efficient changing farmers' social status and work‐life balance. The article shows howAMSand this emergent hybrid capital is associated with new but contested definitions of what counts as ‘good’ dairy farming practice, and with the emergence of new modes of dairy farmer habitus, within a wider dairy farming field.
Great Expectations or Small Country Living? Enabling Small Rural Creative Businesses with ICT
Authors: Anderson Alistair R. , Wallace Claire , Townsend Leanne
Published: September 2015

Small businesses are prototypical rural business, but limited by distance. However, creative businesses are less constrained by space and hold great promise for rural development. Indeed, the rural is an attractive creative aesthetic milieu. Moreover, new broadband technologies seem to offer a solution to address connectivity; the social and spatial problem of being rural. Consequently, we ask how does broadband enable small rural creative firms. We sought out the practices and experiences of creative business owners, finding that broadband offered useful technical, creative, and business linking. However many were frustrated by poor technical performance. Furthermore, the accelerating pace of ICT worried respondents, who feared being left behind. Nonetheless for most–without broadband their rural location would have been impossible. We found that broadband has fostered creative rural businesses, but as new ways of making a small country living rather than stimulating a rural creative milieu. The digital promise of a creative transformation of the rural has not been realised in Scotland.
Management influence on maize–wheat system performance, water productivity and soil biology
Authors: Jat H. S. , Singh Gurbachan , Singh Ranbir , Choudhary M. , Jat M. L. , Gathala M. K. , Sharma D. K.
Published: September 2015

Cereal cropping productivity in the Indo‐Gangetic Plain (IGP) of India is declining, which may be overcome by diversification, alternate crop establishment methods and mulching. This study was conducted to determine whether no‐till flat (NTF), permanent raised beds (PRB) and nontraditionalex situmulching would improve crop and water productivity, economic profitability and soil biological properties in an irrigated maize (Zea mays)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) system (MWS).NTFsystems produced 10% higher economic net returns compared withPRBs. Non‐traditional mulching (Sesbania, JatrophaandBrassica)increased yields by >10% and net returns by >12% compared with no‐mulch. The water saving inPRBs compared withNTFsystems was 79, 94 and 173 mm/ha in maize, wheat andMWS, respectively.PRBs saved 29.2% of irrigation water and improved theMWSirrigation water productivity (WPI) by 24.5% overNTF. On average, mulching saved 23.8 mm/ha irrigation water over no‐mulch and improvedWPIby 12.0%.PRBs withex situmulching produced wheat and maize equivalent system yields lower thanNTFbut improvedWPIand soil biological properties.JatrophaandSesbaniamulching improved yield, water saving,WPIand system profitability. In limited irrigation and no crop residue availability conditions,Sesbania, JatrophaandBrassicavegetation material have potential applications forex situmulching underPRBs for water saving andNTFfor productivity.
Do Trade Agreements Increase Food Trade?
Authors: Mujahid Irfan , Kalkuhl Matthias
Published: September 2015

In addition to multilateral trade agreements under the World Trade Organization (WTO), the world has seen a remarkable proliferation of regional trade agreements (RTAs) in the last two decades. This study investigates whether these multilateral and regional trade institutions increase food trade and bring the world into a freer flow of food. The gravity model of international trade is used for the empirical analysis. The model is developed in a large panel data setting and attempted to address some potential problems in the estimations including multilateral trade resistances, zero trade values and endogeneity. The results suggest that both the WTO and RTAs have delivered significant positive effects on trade among the participant countries, but not food. Only RTAs are found to have increased food trade among the participant countries. However, although on average the WTO is found to have negative implications on food trade, it facilitates the developing countries more than the developed countries.
Thermodynamic Analysis of Hydraulic Braking Energy Recovery Systems for a Vehicle
Authors: Panchal Satyam , Dincer Ibrahim , Agelin-Chaab Martin
Published: September 2015

In this study, a thermodynamic analysis of a hydraulic braking energy recovery system used in vehicles is performed for newly developed systems. The present system is related to the field of energy efficiency in vehicles. The energy recovery system comprises a first pump, a hydraulic accumulator, and a hydraulic motor. The first pump is a variable displacement hydraulic pump (VDP). The hydraulic accumulator is connected to the first pump which operates to store hydraulic fluid under pressure. The hydraulic motor is hydraulically connected to the accumulator to receive hydraulic fluid. The motor is adapted to drive a second hydraulic pump, which is hydraulically connected to the auxiliary system, using hydraulic energy stored in the accumulator. The overall charging and discharging efficiencies, and the overall system efficiency is calculated and presented in this paper. For the purpose of the analysis, EES (engineering equation solver) is used. In addition, parametric studies are performed to observe the effects of different substantial parameters, namely, the inlet pressure and temperature of the accumulator, and the reference environment temperature, in order to investigate the variations in the system performance in terms of the efficiencies. Two systems are developed and it is found that the charging and discharging efficiencies for one system are 83.81% and 87.73%, while for the other system the charging and discharging efficiencies are 81.84% and 85.67%, respectively.
Effects of defect density on ultrathin graphene-based metal diffusion barriers
Authors: Oh Sooyeoun , Jung Younghun , Kim Jihyun
Published: September 2015

The authors investigated the effects of defect density on the performance of monolayer graphene as a barrier to metal diffusion. The defects were introduced to the graphene by controlled ultraviolet-ozone irradiation. The barrier performance of pristine graphene was found to be superior to that of defective graphene at temperatures up to 700 °C. Changes in surface morphology were more prevalent in the defective graphene-based films than in the pristine graphene-based film; the thermal stability of graphene films depends on their defect density. Defect density was found to be a determining factor in the barrier performance of graphene.
Across-frequency processing of modulation phase differences in hearing-impaired listeners
Authors: Lentz Jennifer J. , Valentine Susie
Published: September 2015

Two experiments tested the influence of hearing impairment (HI) on representing across-frequency temporal coherence. In one experiment, HI listeners demonstrated similar abilities to normal-hearing listeners in detecting across-frequency differences in modulation phase. In another, spectral-shape discrimination was detrimentally affected by modulation phase disparities imposed on spectral components. Spectral-shape discrimination by HI listeners was less influenced by the disparities, suggesting that hearing loss alters the representation of envelope phase. Results suggest that multiple approaches may be necessary to determine alterations associated with hearing loss—detection tasks may not be sufficient to elucidate distortions to temporal envelope associated with hearing loss.
An eye on the sky
Authors: Stone Richard
Published: September 2015

Astronomers in Iran are on the verge of success in their long quest to build a world-class astronomy observatory.
Neutrophil trails guide influenza-specific CD8
+
T cells in the airways
Authors: Lim Kihong , Hyun Young-Min , Lambert-Emo Kris , Capece Tara , Bae Seyeon , Miller Richard , Topham David J. , Kim Minsoo
Published: September 2015

Neutrophils lay down the tracks

T cells constantly circulate throughout the body until an invading pathogen calls them into action. Microbes often cause localized infections, so how do T cells know where to go? Lim
et al.
explore this question in a mouse model of influenza infection and find that immune cells called neutrophils help guide the way (see the Perspective by Kiermaier and Sixt). Upon infection, neutrophils quickly traffic to the trachea. There, they lay down “tracks” enriched in proteins called chemokines, especially the chemokine CXCL12, which guide CD8
+
T cells to the infected organ. Mice whose neutrophils could not lay down such tracks exhibited defects in CD8
+
T cell recruitment and viral clearance.

Science
, this issue
10.1126/science.aaa4352
; see also p.
1055
Cult of the machine
Big Science Ernest Lawrence and the Invention That Launched the Military-Industrial Complex
Michael Hiltzik
Simon and Schuster, 2015. 549 pp.
Authors: Wellerstein Alex
Published: September 2015

A major player in 20th-century physics, Ernest Lawrence helped usher in an era of big-budget research projects
Fueling connections between chemistry and biology
Authors: Zwaag Daan van der , Meijer E. W.
Published: September 2015

Chemical reactions create far-from-equilibrium materials by mastering self-assembly

[Also see Report by

Boekhoven
et al.

]
Fragmented communication between immune cells
Authors: Kiermaier E. , Sixt M.
Published: September 2015

Neutrophils blaze a trail with migratory cues for T cells to follow to sites of infection

[Also see Research Article by

Lim
et al.

]
Sustainable development agenda: 2030
Authors: Colglazier William
Published: September 2015

Building knowledge-based societies is key to transformative technologies
An Epidemiologic Investigation of a Case of Acute Hepatitis E
Authors: Sarkar Souvik , Rivera Elenita M. , Engle Ronald E. , Nguyen Hanh T. , Schechterly Cathy A. , Alter Harvey J. , Liang T. Jake , Purcell Robert H. , Hoofnagle Jay H. , Ghany Marc G.
Published: September 2015

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is considered a zoonotic infection in developed nations. A case of acute hepatitis E in a researcher following a scalpel injury while working on a pig prompted a seroepidemiologic study to identify potential modes of transmission and determine the seroprevalence of HEV among animal handlers at the institute. Sera from personnel (
n
= 64) in two animal facilities and age/sex-matched blood donors (
n
= 63) as controls were tested for IgG anti-HEV and, if positive, for IgM anti-HEV and HEV RNA. Sera and stool from pigs aged 6 to 12 weeks from the breeding farm and older pigs from animal facilities were tested similarly. The median age of personnel was 36 years, 74% were white, 56% were male, and 74% had direct exposure to pigs. The prevalence of anti-HEV was 3.1% among personnel compared to 3.2% among blood donors; none were positive for IgM anti-HEV or HEV RNA. IgG anti-HEV was detected in sera from 10% of pigs aged 6 to 8 weeks, 80% aged 10 weeks, 100% aged 12 weeks, and 76% aged >12 weeks. HEV RNA was detected in stool but not sera from three 12-week-old pigs. Sequencing revealed HEV genotype 3 with ∼10% difference between the patient and pig sequences. Parenteral transmission is a potential mode of acute HEV infection. The low and similar seroprevalence of anti-HEV between the at-risk group and age-matched blood donors suggests low transmission risk with universal precautions among animal handlers.
Clinical Performance of a Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry Method for Detection of Certain
bla
KPC
-Containing Plasmids
Authors: Youn Jung-Ho , Drake Steven K. , Weingarten Rebecca A. , Frank Karen M. , Dekker John P. , Lau Anna F.
Published: September 2015

Rapid detection of
bla
KPC
-containing organisms can significantly impact infection control and clinical practices, as well as therapeutic choices. Current molecular and phenotypic methods to detect these organisms, however, require additional testing beyond routine organism identification. In this study, we evaluated the clinical performance of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to detect pKpQIL_p019 (p019)—an ∼11,109-Da protein associated with certain
bla
KPC
-containing plasmids that was previously shown to successfully track a clonal outbreak of
bla
KPC
-pKpQIL-
Klebsiella pneumoniae
in a proof-of-principle study (A. F. Lau, H. Wang, R. A. Weingarten, S. K. Drake, A. F. Suffredini, M. K. Garfield, Y. Chen, M. Gucek, J. H. Youn, F. Stock, H. Tso, J. DeLeo, J. J. Cimino, K. M. Frank, and J. P. Dekker, J Clin Microbiol 52:2804–2812, 2014,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JCM.00694-14
). PCR for the
p019
gene was used as the reference method. Here, blind analysis of 140 characterized
Enterobacteriaceae
isolates using two protein extraction methods (plate extraction and tube extraction) and two peak detection methods (manual and automated) showed sensitivities and specificities ranging from 96% to 100% and from 95% to 100%, respectively (2,520 spectra analyzed). Feasible laboratory implementation methods (plate extraction and automated analysis) demonstrated 96% sensitivity and 99% specificity. All p019-positive isolates (
n
= 26) contained
bla
KPC
and were carbapenem resistant. Retrospective analysis of an additional 720 clinical
Enterobacteriaceae
spectra found an ∼11,109-Da signal in nine spectra (1.3%), including seven from p019-containing, carbapenem-resistant isolates (positive predictive value [PPV], 78%). Instrument tuning had a significant effect on assay sensitivity, highlighting important factors that must be considered as MALDI-TOF MS moves into applications beyond microbial identification. Using a large blind clinical data set, we have shown that spectra acquired for routine organism identification can also be analyzed automatically in real time at high throughput, at no additional expense to the laboratory, to enable rapid detection of potentially
bla
KPC
-containing carbapenem-resistant isolates, providing early and clinically actionable results.
Clinical Performance of Check-Direct CPE, a Multiplex PCR for Direct Detection of
bla
KPC
,
bla
NDM
and/or
bla
VIM
, and
bla
OXA-48
from Perirectal Swabs
Authors: Lau Anna F. , Fahle Gary A. , Kemp Margaret A. , Jassem Agatha N. , Dekker John P. , Frank Karen M.
Published: September 2015

We evaluated the clinical performance of Check-Direct CPE for carbapenemase detection directly from 301 perirectal swabs (258 patients) in a nonoutbreak setting. Culture of a PCR-confirmed, carbapenemase-containing organism, or history of colonization with such organism within the previous 2 weeks, was used as the reference standard. Check-Direct CPE demonstrated a sensitivity value, specificity value, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of 100% (all
bla
KPC
), 88%, 21%, and 100%, respectively. False positives accounted for 79% (
n
= 34) of samples for which a cycle threshold (

C
T

) value was reached. Simulated studies to evaluate specimen pooling as an approach to minimize costs showed no difference in

C
T

values for pooled groups of three or five that each contained a single specimen spiked with ∼1,500 CFU
bla
KPC
Klebsiella pneumoniae
; however, the detection rate dropped to 60% at a seeded concentration of ∼150 CFU. When data were pooled,

C
T

values for
bla
KPC
were higher for heavy-feces-containing than for light-feces-containing liquid-suspended specimens. Furthermore,

C
T

values for liquid-suspended specimens were 4 to 5

C
T

values lower (i.e., represented greater sensitivity) than those seen in direct swab analysis. Culture was equivalent to or better than Check-Direct CPE for 13/15 (87%) isolates tested in a limit-of-detection analysis. Detection of a carbapenemase gene at a

C
T

cutoff value of ≤35 was culture confirmed in 23/24 (96%) of cases; however,

C
T

values of >35 overlapped broadly between culture-positive (
n
= 21) and culture-negative (
n
= 36) specimens. Check-Direct CPE will likely prove most useful in high-prevalence areas or in outbreak settings where rapid carbapenemase detection is critical for infection control management.
Quality Assurance for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Canada, 2003 to 2012
Authors: Sawatzky Pam , Liu Gary , Dillon Jo-Anne R. , Allen Vanessa , Lefebvre Brigitte , Hoang Linda , Tyrrell Greg , Van Caeseele Paul , Levett Paul , Martin Irene
Published: September 2015

Data from the Canadian National Gonococcal Antimicrobial Susceptibility Comparison Program, including results from 25 proficiency panels distributed between 2003 and 2012, were analyzed. The average MIC agreement between the participating laboratories ranged from 85.6% to 98.8% over the 10-year period, with the interpretation agreement ranging from 85.7% to 98.1%.