bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Periodontitis in individuals with liver cirrhosis: A case–control study
Authors: Costa Fernando Oliveira , Lages Eugênio José Pereira , Lages Elizabeth Maria Bastos , Cota Luís Otávio Miranda
Published: July 2019

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between liver cirrhosis and periodontitis.

Methods

This case–control study included 294 individuals, 98 cases with liver cirrhosis and 196 controls. A full‐mouth periodontal examination was performed and plaque index, probing depth, clinical attachment level and bleeding on probing were recorded. The association of risk variables with periodontitis was tested through univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression, stratified by alcohol status.

Results

A high prevalence of periodontitis was observed among cases (62.2%) when compared to controls (41.8%). Individuals with cirrhosis presented a chance ~2 higher of having periodontitis than controls (OR = 2.28; 95% CI 1.39–3.78; p < .001). Significant variables associated with periodontitis in the final logistic models were as follows: (a) no/occasional alcohol use model—number of teeth up 14, age ≥45–55 years, male sex and smoking; (b) moderate and intensive alcohol use models—cirrhosis, number of teeth up 14, age ≥45–55 years, male sex and smoking.

Conclusions

An important risk association between liver cirrhosis and periodontitis was observed. Additionally, the intensive alcohol use significantly increased the risk for periodontitis.
Limited female dispersal predicts the incidence of Wolbachia across ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Treanor David , Hughes William O. H.
Published: July 2019

The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia is perhaps the greatest panzootic in the history of life on Earth, yet remarkably little is known regarding the factors that determine its incidence across species. One possibility is that Wolbachia more easily invades species with structured populations, due to the increased strength of genetic drift and higher initial frequency of infection. This should enable strains that induce mating incompatibilities to more easily cross the threshold prevalence above which they spread to either fixation or a stable equilibrium infection prevalence. Here, we provide empirical support for this hypothesis by analysing the relationship between female dispersal (as a proxy for population structure) and the incidence of Wolbachia across 250 species of ants. We show that species in which the dispersal of reproductive females is limited are significantly more likely to be infected with Wolbachia than species whose reproductive ecology is consistent with significant dispersal of females, and that this relationship remains after controlling for host phylogeny. We suggest that structured host populations, in this case resulting from limited female dispersal, may be an important feature determining how easily Wolbachia becomes successfully established in a novel host, and thus its occurrence across a wide diversity of invertebrate hosts.
An Ultrastructural Study of the Extruded Polar Tube of Anncaliia algerae (Microsporidia)
Authors: Takvorian Peter M. , Han Bing , Cali Ann , Rice William J. , Gunther Leslie , Macaluso Frank , Weiss Louis M.
Published: July 2019

All microsporidia share a unique, extracellular spore stage, containing the infective sporoplasm and the apparatus for initiating infection. The polar filament/polar tube when exiting the spore transports the sporoplasm through it into a host cell. While universal, these structures and processes have been enigmatic. This study utilized several types of microscopy, describing and extending our understanding of these structures and their functions. Cryogenically preserved polar tubes vary in diameter from 155 to over 200 nm, noticeably larger than fixed‐sectioned or negatively stained samples. The polar tube surface is pleated and covered with fine fibrillar material that projects from the surface and is organized in clusters or tufts. These fibrils may be the sites of glycoproteins providing protection and aiding infectivity. The polar tube surface is ridged with 5–6 nm spacing between ridges, enabling the polar tube to rapidly increase its diameter to facilitate the passage of the various cargo including cylinders, sacs or vesicles filled with particulate material and the intact sporoplasm containing a diplokaryon. The lumen of the tube is lined with a membrane that facilitates this passage. Careful examination of the terminus of the tube indicates that it has a closed tip where the membranes for the terminal sac are located.
Impact of Computer‐Based and Pharmacist‐Assisted Medication Review Initiated in the Emergency Department
Authors: Liu Ying‐Ling , Chu Li‐Ling , Su Hui‐Chen , Tsai Kang‐Ting , Kao Pei‐Hsin , Chen Jung‐Fang , Hsieh Hsing‐Chun , Lin Hung‐Jung , Hsu Chien‐Chin , Huang Chien‐Cheng
Published: July 2019

OBJECTIVES

Whether early medication reconciliation and integration can reduce polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) in the emergency department (ED) remains unclear. Polypharmacy and PIM have been recognized as significant causes of adverse drug events in older adults. Therefore, this pilot study was conducted to delineate this issue.

DESIGN

An interventional study.

SETTING

A medical center in Taiwan.

PARTICIPANTS

Older ED patients (aged ≥65 years) awaiting hospitalization between December 1, 2017, and October 31, 2018 were recruited in this study. A multidisciplinary team and a computer‐based and pharmacist‐assisted medication reconciliation and integration system were implemented.

MEASUREMENTS

The reduced proportions of major polypharmacy (≥10 medications) and PIM at hospital discharge were compared with those on admission to the ED between pre‐ and post‐intervention periods.

RESULTS

A total of 911 patients (pre‐intervention = 243 vs post‐intervention = 668) were recruited. The proportions of major polypharmacy and PIM were lower in the post‐intervention than in the pre‐intervention period (−79.4% vs −65.3%; P < .001, and − 67.5% vs −49.1%; P < .001, respectively). The number of medications was reduced from 12.5 ± 2.7 to 6.9 ± 3.0 in the post‐intervention period in patients with major polypharmacy (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Early initiation of computer‐based and pharmacist‐assisted intervention in the ED for reducing major polypharmacy and PIM is a promising method for improving geriatric care and reducing medical expenditures. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:2298–2304, 2019
RALBP1 regulates oral cancer cells via Akt and is a novel target of miR‐148a‐3p and miR‐148b‐3p
Authors: Ieong ChengCheng , Ma Junpeng , Lai Wenli
Published: July 2019

Background

Malignant tumors arising from the epithelium of the oral cavity are termed as squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). The aim of the current work was to understand the role of an isoform of RAS‐like protein (RAL), RALBP1, in mediating squamous cell tumorigenesis. The study also aims to understand epigenetic modifications of RALBP1 mediated through microRNA‐148a/b‐3p.

Methods

Biopsies of tumor and healthy tissues from 25 patients with OSCC were collected and subjected to RNA and protein extraction to confirm upregulation of RLBP1 in tumor tissues. Expression of RLBP1 was silenced in SCC‐9, using shRNA, and HN6 was transfected with plasmid bearing genes for RLBP1 over expression. Tumorigenic traits such as increased glucose uptake, aerobic glycolysis, enhanced cellular survival, cell migration, and invasion were assessed. Probable, molecular machinery involved in the upregulation was also assessed using Western blots. Using Target Scan tool, the miRNAs targeting RLBP1 were identified. Rescue of phenotypes in presence of miRNAs were also evaluated.

Results

Over expression of RLBP1 was associated with increased glucose uptake and aerobic glycolysis mediated ATP synthesis. The cells divided at a faster rate with a higher rate of migration and invasion phenotype. miR‐148a/b‐3p were found to target RLBP1 and rescued RLBP1 mediated phenotype.

Conclusion

RLBP1 may mediate squamous cell tumorigenesis in oral cavity, independently of the RAS protein and through Akt. miR‐148a/b‐3p functions as a tumor suppressor by targeting RLBP1.
Effect of autoclaving on the mechanical properties and structure of the giant squid hydrolysate‐polysaccharide gel
Authors: Chen Ling , Liu Xiangyu , Yang Yan , Xue Changhu , Xue Yong
Published: July 2019

Fish hydrolysates are an attractive option for preparing composite gel foods. However, not much is known regarding their gel properties. Here, we investigated the effect of the autoclaving treatment (121°C, 10 min) on the microstructure and properties of the giant squid hydrolysate‐konjac glucomannan–κ‐carrageenan–locust bean gum gel (GSH‐P gel). The nuclear magnetic resonance proton spin–spin relaxation time (T2) measurements indicated that autoclaving led to stronger water‐binding ability of the GSH‐P gel. The rheological measurements indicated that autoclaving led to significantly higher viscoelastic modulus and gel strength. The results of confocal laser scanning microscopy and small‐angle X‐ray scattering indicated that the phase separation of polysaccharides and proteins/peptides was enhanced by autoclaving, and the polysaccharides swelled better, resulting in less, but ordered, network structures. Autoclaving had a similar, but insignificant, positive effect on the polysaccharide (P) gel. Thus, GSH seems to play an important role in the process of polysaccharide gelation. This study shows that autoclaving can alter the structure and improve the properties of the GSH‐P gel.
Justice, Emotion, and Belonging: Legal Consciousness in a Taiwanese Family Conflict
Authors: Wang Hsiao-Tan
Published: July 2019

This case study of a family conflict in Taiwan explores how legal consciousness is emotionally driven, intersubjective, and dependent on relational factors that are deeply connected to an individual's perception of the self–other relationship and affinity therein. As the members of the Lee family negotiated emotionally on issues involving elder care and inheritance, their adoption of law was at times absent, at others influential, but always shaped by certain Chinese concepts such as zìjǐrén (自己人), which constitute the emotional complex of belonging in Taiwan. This cultural patterning identifies a person as included, accepted, and respected by the group and when in conflict, is the driving force behind a disputants' pursuit of an identity that places them on moral high ground as a form of justice. Rather than depending on rational decision making or legal norms, their legal consciousness was determined by the sense of self, rectitude, emotion, and subjectivity.
Structural Change and the Problem of Phantom Break Locations
Authors: Rao Yao , McCabe Brendan
Published: July 2019

It is well known, in structural break problems, that it is much easier to detect the existence of a break in a data set than to determine the location of such a break in the sample span. This paper investigates why, in the context of Gaussian linear regressions, using a decision theory framework. The nub of the problem, even for moderately sized breaks, is that the posterior probability distribution of the possible break points is usually not very informative about the true break location. The information content is measured here by a proper scoring rule. Hence, even a locally optimal break location procedure, as introduced here, is ineffective. In the regression context, it turns out to be quite common, indeed the norm, for break location procedures to misidentify the true break position up to 100 per cent of the time. Unfortunately too, the magnitude of the difference between the misidentified and true break locations is usually not small.
Environmental heterogeneity and not vicariant biogeographic barriers generate community‐wide population structure in desert‐adapted snakes
Authors: Myers Edward A. , Xue Alexander T. , Gehara Marcelo , Cox Christian L. , Davis Rabosky Alison R. , Lemos‐Espinal Julio , Martínez‐Gómez Juan E. , Burbrink Frank T.
Published: July 2019

Genetic structure can be influenced by local adaptation to environmental heterogeneity and biogeographic barriers, resulting in discrete population clusters. Geographic distance among populations, however, can result in continuous clines of genetic divergence that appear as structured populations. Here, we evaluate the relevant importance of these three factors over a landscape characterized by environmental heterogeneity and the presence of a hypothesized biogeographic barrier in producing population genetic structure within 13 codistributed snake species using a genomic data set. We demonstrate that geographic distance and environmental heterogeneity across western North America contribute to population genomic divergence. Surprisingly, landscape features long thought to contribute to biogeographic barriers play little role in divergence community wide. Our results suggest that isolation by environment is the most important contributor to genomic divergence. Furthermore, we show that models of population clustering that incorporate spatial information consistently outperform nonspatial models, demonstrating the importance of considering geographic distances in population clustering. We argue that environmental and geographic distances as drivers of community‐wide divergence should be explored before assuming the role of biogeographic barriers.
Perfection and the Necessity of the Trinity in Aquinas
Authors: Higgins Michael Joseph
Published: July 2019

For Aquinas, the very meaning of perfection demands that there could be no absolute perfection that was not shared by three Persons. My first aim in this paper is to establish this point, which has been acknowledged only rarely by readers of Thomas, yet which follows unavoidably from Thomas's theology of the Word. I show as much by engaging with scholars who, rightfully attentive to Thomas's teaching on faith and reason, and to his rejection of “necessary reasons” for the Trinity, deny or fail to recognize this link between the meaning of perfection and the necessity of the Trinity. Such scholars, however, all end up running aground on claims that Thomas consistently registers. I hope to show, therefore, that new approaches to this area of Thomas's Trinitarian thought are needed: approaches that can acknowledge his presentation of perfection as necessarily Triune without violating the limits he places on natural reason.
Leukocytoclastic‐vasculitic neuropathy
Authors: Shimizu Ayami , Sakakibara Ryuji , Takahashi Osamu , Tateno Fuyuki , Aiba Yosuke , Oki Takeshi , Ogata Tsuyoshi , Takada Nobuo , Nagao Eri , Abe Fumihito , Mitsuyama Shinji , Kimura Masaaki , Higuchi Tetsuya
Published: July 2019

We report the case of a 46‐year‐old Japanese woman with leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) neuropathy who presented with skin symptoms (skin ulcers and livedo reticularis) and multiple mononeuropathies of the axonal degeneration type. Intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy and subsequent oral prednisolone and warfarin gradually ameliorated all her clinical symptoms. Although rare, neuropathy is an important clinical manifestation of LCV.
µ‐opioid receptor, β‐endorphin, and cannabinoid receptor‐2 are increased in the colonic mucosa of irritable bowel syndrome patients
Authors: Dothel Giovanni , Chang Lin , Shih Wendy , Barbaro Maria Raffaella , Cremon Cesare , Stanghellini Vincenzo , De Ponti Fabrizio , Mayer Emeran A. , Barbara Giovanni , Sternini Catia
Published: July 2019

Background and Aims

The gut immune, cannabinoid, and opioid systems constitute an integrated network contributing to visceral sensation and pain modulation. We aimed to assess the expression of the µ‐opioid receptor (MOR), its ligand β‐endorphin (β‐END), and cannabinoid receptor‐2 (CB2) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and asymptomatic controls (AC) and their correlation with sex and symptom perception.

Methods

Mucosal biopsies were obtained from the left colon of 31 IBS patients (45% women) with predominant constipation (IBS‐C, 9) or diarrhea (IBS‐D, 10) or with mixed bowel habits (IBS‐M, 12) and 32 AC (44% women) and processed for qRT‐PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry.

Key Results

µ‐opioid receptor and CB2 mRNA and protein expression and β‐END protein levels were increased in patients with IBS compared to AC (all Ps=0.021). A significant sex by IBS interaction was found in relation to CB2 mRNA expression (P = .003) with women showing a markedly higher expression to men (P = .035). In contrast, in AC, men had higher expression than women (P = .033). β‐END, MOR, and CB2 immunoreactivities (IR) were localized to CD4+T cells including EMR‐1+ eosinophils and CD31+ T cells but not to mast cells.

Conclusions

The increased expression of MOR, β‐END, and CB2 in the mucosa of IBS patients, where they are localized to immune cells, suggests that opioid and cannabinoid systems play an immune‐related compensatory role in visceral pain in IBS patients. Further work is necessary to support this hypothesis.
PIN‐mediated polar auxin transport facilitates root−obstacle avoidance
Authors: Lee Hyo‐Jun , Kim Hyun‐Soon , Park Jeong Mee , Cho Hye Sun , Jeon Jae Heung
Published: July 2019

Plants sense mechanical stimuli to recognise nearby obstacles and change their growth patterns to adapt to the surrounding environment. When roots encounter an obstacle, they rapidly bend away from the impenetrable surface and find the edge of the barrier. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying root−obstacle avoidance are largely unknown.

Here, we demonstrate that PIN‐FORMED (PIN)‐mediated polar auxin transport facilitates root bending during obstacle avoidance. We analysed two types of bending after roots touched barriers. In auxin receptor mutants, the rate of root movement during first bending was largely delayed. Gravity‐oriented second bending was also disturbed in these mutants.

The reporter assays showed that asymmetrical auxin responses occurred in the roots during obstacle avoidance. Pharmacological analysis suggested that polar auxin transport mediates local auxin accumulation. We found that PINs are required for auxin‐assisted root bending during obstacle avoidance.

We propose that rapid root movement during obstacle avoidance is not just a passive but an active bending completed through polar auxin transport. Our findings suggest that auxin plays a role in thigmotropism during plant−obstacle interactions.
Overweight and obesity in sexual and gender minority adolescents: A systematic review
Authors: Grammer Anne Claire , Byrne Meghan E. , Pearlman Arielle T. , Klein David A. , Schvey Natasha A.
Published: July 2019

Population data indicate that sexual and gender minority adolescents may be at increased risk for excess weight gain compared with cisgender, heterosexual youth. However, no studies, to our knowledge, have systematically reviewed the literature on weight disparities in this population nor explored risk for overweight and obesity by sexual and gender minority subgroup across studies. The current systematic review, therefore, identified 21 studies that assessed the relationship between sexual and gender minority status and weight among adolescents. Results indicated an overall greater prevalence of overweight and obesity among sexual and gender minority adolescents compared with cisgender, heterosexual youth. However, cisgender sexual minority males demonstrated lower or no added risk for overweight and obesity, whereas cisgender sexual minority females demonstrated greater risk for overweight and obesity. Findings were mixed among gender minority adolescents. This study highlights weight disparities in sexual and gender minority youth, although important subgroup differences exist. Additional research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms that may contribute to differential weight trajectories in this population and to develop tailored approaches for prevention and treatment.
On the structure and chemistry of fossils of the earliest woody plant
Authors: Strullu‐Derrien Christine , Bernard Sylvain , Spencer Alan R. T. , Remusat Laurent , Kenrick Paul , Derrien Delphine
Published: July 2019

Palaeontology relies on the description of fossil morphologies to understand the evolutionary history of life on Earth. Yet much remains unknown about the impact of fossilization processes, even though these may introduce biases into palaeobiological interpretations. Here, we report the characterization of fossilized remains of the earliest known woody plant Armoricaphyton chateaupannense preserved either in 2D (as flat carbonaceous films) or in 3D (as organo‐mineral structures) in early Devonian shales (c. 407 Ma) of the Armorican Massif on the northern margin of Gondwana. To document the fine‐scale structure and the chemistry of the tracheids of this ancient plant, we used propagation phase contrast synchrotron radiation X‐ray microcomputed tomography (PPC‐SRμCT), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and synchrotron‐based scanning transmission X‐ray microscopy (STXM) coupled with X‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. PPC‐SRμCT enables digital visualization of cell walls in unprecedented detail for the specimens preserved in 3D revealing structures similar to those observed in extant lignified cells, thereby strongly suggesting that the earliest woody plant A. chateaupannense originally contained lignin compounds. STXM‐based XANES and TEM data show that, whatever the preservation modes (3D vs 2D), the remaining organic matter has a chemical composition rather typical of pyrobitumen compounds, raising the possibility of an original source other than lignin. The pyrobitumen compounds also contains automorphic Ti‐nanominerals interpreted as a diagenetic feature. Altogether, the present study illustrates that anatomical and chemical preservations may not always be correlated.
Influence of selenium administration to dry cows on selected biochemical and immune parameters of their offspring
Authors: Żarczyńska Katarzyna , Samardžija Marko , Sobiech Przemysław
Published: July 2019

The study was performed on 16 Holstein‐Friesian calves divided into two groups of eight animals each. The first group was composed of calves whose mothers did not receive selenium supplements (Se0). The second group consisted of calves whose mothers were administered intramuscular injections of a selenium and vitamin E supplement containing 0.5 of sodium selenite/ml and 50 mg of tocopherol acetate/ml in a single dose of 30 ml (Se30) ml, 10 days before the expected parturition date (10 ± 2 days). The calves were fed 2.5 L of the mother's colostrum administered by stomach tube 2 hr after birth and another 2 L 6 hr after birth. Blood from all calves was collected 7 times from external jugular vein (day 0–before colostrum administration and on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 14th and 21st days of life) for analyses of selenium, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, lactoferrin, immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations and gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) and lysozyme activity. Selenium concentration was significantly higher in calves whose mothers received selenium supplements than in the offspring of non‐supplemented cows until 72 hr after birth (p ≤ .05). Lysozyme and GGTP activity and IgG concentration were significantly higher in the S30 group during the entire experiment (p ≤ .05). Supplementation of selenium to the mothers did not influence the ceruloplasmin, lactoferrin and transferrin levels in calves. A single injection of a selenium supplement administered to cows during late pregnancy increases selenium levels in calves and enhances passive transfer from the mother to the offspring.
God, Grant #MeToo Chastity?College Hookup Culture and Christian Ethics: The Lives and Longings of Emerging Adults, JenniferBeste, Oxford University Press, 2018 (ISBN 978‐0‐19‐026850‐3), xii + 364 pp., hb £22.99Faith with Benefits: Hookup Culture on Catholic Campuses, JasonKing, Oxford University Press, 2017 (ISBN 978‐0‐19‐024480‐4), xvi + 224 pp., hb £19.99
Authors: Bugyis Eric
Published: July 2019

Over the past two years, the MeToo movement has brought much needed attention to the prevalence of sexual assault in a variety of workplaces. For much longer than this, scholars and cultural critics have expressed concern about the ‘hookup culture’ on contemporary university campuses and the degree to which it leaves students vulnerable to sexual violence. In both conversations, consent has figured prominently as the primary norm governing ethical reflection, but Christian commentators have counseled going beyond consent to revive traditional sexual norms, like chastity. This review essay considers two books that look at hookup culture on Catholic campuses and seek to provide a more robust framework for thinking about sexuality. It argues that talk of chastity is likely not going to save those most at risk of being harmed by contemporary hookup culture and that what is needed is more ethical reflection about sex itself. Beyond the rhetoric of abstinence or license, serious conversations need to be fostered about the kinds of relationships that make for ethical sex and the kinds of sex that make for ethical relationships.
Regret in health insurance post‐purchase behavior
Authors: Born Patricia H. , Sirmans E. Tice
Published: July 2019

Unlike other forms of insurance, individuals with health insurance generally expect to make claims through the policy period. Selecting an appropriate level of cost‐sharing is difficult and individuals may, ex‐post, regret the choice of a less‐than‐suitable coverage amount. Using a national health insurance survey of private market consumers from 2013 to 2017, we evaluate the potential for post‐purchase regret in the health plan purchasing decision. We employ an ordered logistic model and find that consumers whose plan choices were likely financially dominated by a foregone alternative are significantly more likely to express regret through reporting significantly lower likelihood of renewal, even when controlling for confounding considerations including affordability, self‐assessed risk, and satisfaction with the plan.
Parental advice to preadolescent bystanders about how to intervene during bullying differs by form of bullying
Authors: Grassetti Stevie N. , Hubbard Julie A. , Docimo Marissa A. , Bookhout Megan K. , Swift Lauren E. , Gawrysiak Michael J.
Published: July 2019

The current study examined parental advice given to fourth‐ and fifth‐grade preadolescents who imagined being bystanders to different forms of bullying (physical, verbal, property attack, social manipulation, exclusion). We assessed the frequency with which parents advised youth to follow specific intervention strategies (stop the bully, help/comfort the victim, tell adults), and we tested whether the frequency by which parents provided each kind of advice varied by the form of bullying described. One hundred and six fourth‐ and fifth‐grade preadolescents completed an interaction in which their parent gave them advice about how to respond if they were bystanders to five hypothetical bullying situations. Each situation described a different form of bullying. Across forms of bullying, parents most frequently told bystander children to intervene by telling an adult. However, advice differed based on the form of bullying presented. Parents most frequently advised children to “tell an adult” in response to physical bullying or property attacks, most frequently advised children to “help/comfort victims” in response to social exclusion and physical attacks, and most frequently advised children to “stop the bully” in response to verbal and social manipulation bullying.
Evaluating a low‐cost portableNIRspectrometer for the prediction of soil organic and total carbon using different calibration models
Authors: Sharififar Amin , Singh Kanika , Jones Edward , Ginting Frisa Irawan , Minasny Budiman
Published: July 2019

This study aims to assess the performance of a low‐cost, micro‐electromechanical system‐based, near infrared spectrometer for soil organic carbon (OC) and total carbon (TC) estimation.TCwas measured on 151 soil profiles up to the depth of 1 m inNSW, Australia, and from which a subset of 24 soil profiles were measured forOC. Two commercial spectrometers including the AgriSpecTM(ASD) and NeoSpectraTM(Neospectra) with spectral wavelength ranges of 350–2,500 and 1,300–2,500 nm, respectively, were used to scan the soil samples, according to the standard contact probe protocol. Savitzky–Golay smoothing filter and standard normal variate (SNV) transformation were performed on the spectral data for noise reduction and baseline correction. Three calibration models, including Cubist tree model, partial least squares regression (PLSR) and support vector machine (SVM), were assessed for the prediction of soilOCandTCusing spectral data. A 10‐fold cross‐validation analysis was performed for evaluation of the models and devices accuracies. Results showed that Cubist model predictsOCandTCmore accurately thanPLSRandSVM. ForOCprediction, Cubist showedR2 = 0.89 (RMSE = 0.12%) andR2 = 0.78 (RMSE = 0.16%) usingASDand NeoSpectra, respectively. ForTCprediction, Cubist producedR2 = 0.75 (RMSE = 0.45%) andR2 = 0.70 (RMSE = 0.50%) usingASDand NeoSpectra, respectively.ASDperformed better than NeoSpectra. However, the low‐cost NeoSpectra predictions were comparable to theASD. These finding can be helpful for more efficient future spectroscopic prediction of soilOCandTCwith less costly devices.
Understanding Partiality in pro‐Drop Languages: An Information‐Structure Approach
Authors: Frascarelli Mara , Jiménez‐Fernández Ángel L.
Published: July 2019

This article explores the acceptability and interpretation of referential null subjects in several varieties of Spanish (both Peninsular and American varieties) in different syntactic contexts (matrix and embedded) and distinct clause types (under bridge verbs, under factive verbs, and in adverbial clauses). Based on the results of an original online survey, completed by almost 300 respondents all over the world, it is shown that, in contrast with a consistent‐pro‐drop language like Italian, some Spanish varieties exhibit partial‐pro‐drop properties; this contributes to a recent line of research dealing with partiality in consistent‐pro‐drop languages. We argue that such variation can be accounted for within an information‐structure approach, in which the Topic Criterion (Frascarelli 2007), the formation of topic chains, and the existence of silent topics play a crucial role. Degrees of partiality are attributed to an interface condition that combines information‐structure requirements with PF visibility of overt copies in topic chains. Partial‐pro‐drop properties can then be explained by reference to independent syntactic conditions, such as the preference for overt minimal links and the sensitivity to islands.
Ssy1 functions at the plasma membrane as a receptor of extracellular amino acids independent of plasma membrane‐endoplasmic reticulum junctions
Authors: Ring Andreas , Martins António , Ljungdahl Per O.
Published: July 2019

Evidence from multiple laboratories has implicated Ssy1, a nontransporting amino acid permease, as the receptor component of the yeast plasma membrane (PM)‐localized SPS (Ssy1‐Ptr3‐Ssy5)‐sensor. Upon binding external amino acids, Ssy1 is thought to initiate signaling events leading to the induction of amino acid permease gene expression. In striking contrast, Kralt et al (2015) (Traffic 16:135‐147) have questioned the role of Ssy1 in amino acid sensing and reported that Ssy1 is a component of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where it reportedly participates in the formation of ER‐PM junctions. Here, we have re‐examined the intracellular location of Ssy1 and tested the role of ER‐PM junctions in SPS sensor signaling. We show that the C‐terminal of Ssy1 carries a functional ER‐export motif required for proper localization of Ssy1 to the PM. Furthermore, ER‐PM junctions are dispensable for PM‐localization and function of Ssy1; Ssy1 localizes to the PM in a Δtether strain lacking ER‐PM junctions (ist2Δ scs2Δ scs22Δ tcb1Δ tcb2Δ tcb3Δ), and this strain retains the ability to initiate signals induced by extracellular amino acids. The data demonstrate that Ssy1 functions as the primary amino acid receptor and that it carries out this function at the PM.
GRASP65 controls Golgi position and structure during G2/M transition by regulating the stability of microtubules
Authors: Ayala Inmaculada , Crispino Roberta , Colanzi Antonino
Published: July 2019

The mammalian Golgi apparatus is organized in the form of a ribbon‐like structure positioned near the centrosome. Despite its multimodular organization, the Golgi complex is characterized by a prominent structural plasticity, which is crucial during essential physiological processes, such as the G2 phase of the cell cycle, during which the Golgi ribbon must be “unlinked” into isolated stacks to allow progression into mitosis. Here we show that the Golgi‐associated protein GRASP65, which is well known for its role in Golgi stacking and ribbon formation, is also required for the organization of the microtubule cytoskeleton. GRASP65 is not involved in microtubule nucleation or anchoring. Instead, it is required for the stabilization of newly nucleated microtubules, leading to their acetylation and clustering of Golgi stacks. Ribbon formation and microtubule stabilization are both regulated by JNK/ERK‐mediated phosphorylation of S274 of GRASP65, suggesting that this protein can coordinate the Golgi structure with microtubule organization. In agreement with an important role, tubulin acetylation is strongly reduced during the G2 phase of the cell cycle, allowing the separation of the Golgi stacks. Thus, our data reveal a fundamental role of GRASP65 in the integration of different stimuli to modulate Golgi structure and microtubule organization during cell division.
Utility of bronchoscopy combined with surgery in the treatment and outcomes of dogs with intrathoracic disease secondary to plant awn migration
Authors: Gibson Erin A. , Balsa Ingrid M. , Mayhew Philipp D. , Phillips Kathryn , Giuffrida Michelle A. , Culp William T. N. , Steffey Michele A. , Johnson Lynelle R.
Published: July 2019

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic utility of bronchoscopy in dogs undergoing computed tomography (CT) and surgery for intrathoracic disease (pyothorax and pneumothorax) secondary to migrating plant awns (MPA) and to report outcomes in dogs that did and did not undergo bronchoscopy in addition to CT and surgery.

Study design

Retrospective case series.

Animals

Thirty‐seven client‐owned dogs.

Methods

Medical records from 2008 to 2017 were reviewed for dogs with documented MPA in the thoracic cavity treated with CT and surgery with or without bronchoscopy. Information regarding diagnostics, treatments, complications, and outcomes relating to hospitalization was evaluated.

Results

At least one abnormal lung lobe was identified by CT in all dogs. Bronchial abnormalities were identified with bronchoscopy in 21 of 22 dogs (95.4%) with available reports. Agreement between CT and bronchoscopy findings ranged from 50% to 81.8%, depending on lung lobe. Thirty‐six dogs had one or more lung lobes surgically removed. Thirty‐seven MPA were retrieved via bronchoscopy in 10 of 27 (37%) dogs, and 39 MPA were retrieved at surgery in 26 of 37 (70.3%) dogs. Actinomyces spp. were cultured from surgical samples in 7 of 33 (21.2%) dogs. Thirty‐five of 37 (94.6%) dogs survived to discharge.

Conclusion

Migrating plant awns were successfully retrieved via bronchoscopy. Agreement between CT findings and bronchoscopy was inconsistent, so there may be roles for both modalities. Short‐ and long‐term survival was excellent in this cohort.

Clinical significance

Bronchoscopy may allow for diagnostic and therapeutic advantages compared with CT in dogs with endobronchial MPA. Actinomyces spp appear to be variably present in surgically acquired bacterial cultures in dogs with MPA.
Visible/infrared refractive index and phonon properties of GaN films grown on sapphire by hollow-cathode plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition
Authors: Gungor Nese , Alevli Mustafa
Published: July 2019

Using Raman spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry, the authors report on the refractive index and optical phonon modes of GaN layers with thicknesses from 6.57 to 84.35 nm, grown on sapphire (0001) substrates by hollow-cathode plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition at low temperature (200 °C). The crystalline nature of the GaN films was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry. The dispersion of the refractive index of GaN films in the UV-visible and infrared part of the spectrum is determined. The finding of this work indicates that the film thickness has important effects on the refractive index in the wavelength range of 300–1000 nm. On the other hand, the refractive index in the infrared region does not obviously change with increasing thickness. The authors compare the results of infrared ellipsometry with Raman spectra. They have identified E1(TO), E1(LO), A1(LO), and E2High phonon modes. The dependencies of their frequencies on the stress state of GaN films were analyzed and discussed.
Unsupervised speaker adaptation for speaker independent acoustic to articulatory speech inversion
Authors: Sivaraman Ganesh , Mitra Vikramjit , Nam Hosung , Tiede Mark , Espy-Wilson Carol
Published: July 2019

Speech inversion is a well-known ill-posed problem and addition of speaker differences typically makes it even harder. Normalizing the speaker differences is essential to effectively using multi-speaker articulatory data for training a speaker independent speech inversion system. This paper explores a vocal tract length normalization (VTLN) technique to transform the acoustic features of different speakers to a target speaker acoustic space such that speaker specific details are minimized. The speaker normalized features are then used to train a deep feed-forward neural network based speech inversion system. The acoustic features are parameterized as time-contextualized mel-frequency cepstral coefficients. The articulatory features are represented by six tract-variable (TV) trajectories, which are relatively speaker invariant compared to flesh point data. Experiments are performed with ten speakers from the University of Wisconsin X-ray microbeam database. Results show that the proposed speaker normalization approach provides an 8.15% relative improvement in correlation between actual and estimated TVs as compared to the system where speaker normalization was not performed. To determine the efficacy of the method across datasets, cross speaker evaluations were performed across speakers from the Multichannel Articulatory-TIMIT and EMA-IEEE datasets. Results prove that the VTLN approach provides improvement in performance even across datasets.
Slowing deep-sea commercial vessels reduces underwater radiated noise
Authors: MacGillivray Alexander O. , Li Zizheng , Hannay David E. , Trounce Krista B. , Robinson Orla M.
Published: July 2019

During 2017, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority's Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation program carried out a two-month voluntary vessel slowdown trial to determine whether slowing to 11 knots was an effective method for reducing underwater radiated vessel noise. The trial was carried out in Haro Strait, British Columbia, in critical habitat of endangered southern resident killer whales. During the trial, vessel noise measurements were collected next to shipping lanes on two hydrophones inside the Haro Strait slowdown zone, while a third hydrophone in Strait of Georgia measured vessels noise outside the slowdown zone. Vessel movements were tracked using the automated identification system (AIS), and vessel pilots logged slowdown participation information for each transit. An automated data processing system analyzed acoustical and AIS data from the three hydrophone stations to calculate radiated noise levels and monopole source levels (SLs) of passing vessels. Comparing measurements of vessels participating in the trial with measurements from control periods before and after the trial showed that slowing down was an effective method for reducing mean broadband SLs for five categories of piloted commercial vessels: containerships (11.5 dB), cruise vessels (10.5 dB), vehicle carriers (9.3 dB), tankers (6.1 dB), and bulkers (5.9 dB).
Randomized Controlled Trial of Primary Health Care Strategies for the Promotion of Leisure-Time Physical Activity Among Older Brazilians
Authors: Novais Francini Vilela , Simoes Eduardo J. , Schmaltz Chester , Ramos Luiz R.
Published: July 2019

Background: Physical activity promotion within primary health care is in the spotlight. However, few studies have evaluated the long-term effectiveness of possible interventions. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of 3 primary health care interventions in increasing leisure-time physical activity among older Brazilians. Methods: Experimental study with 142 older residents of an ongoing urban cohort in São Paulo (Brazil). Participants were randomized into 3 groups: minimal intervention group, physician-based counseling group, and individual counseling and referral for physical activity programs group (CRG). We used the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire to assess leisure-time physical activity at baseline, 4 years after baseline without any intervention, 3 months after intervention, and 6 months after intervention. Statistical analysis included repeated analysis of variance. Results: At baseline, 31% of the individuals were active, and this figure remained stable for a period of 4 years. Three months after the interventions, there was a significant increase in leisure-time physical activity for CRG compared with the minimal intervention (P < .001) and physician-based counseling (P < .02) groups, and these differences persisted after 6 months (P < .001 and P < .05, respectively). Conclusion: Results indicate that interventions with CRG are effective in producing sustained changes in physical activity among older Brazilians.
Effects of Different Movement Programs on Motor Competence: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jiménez-Díaz Judith , Chaves-Castro Karla , Salazar Walter
Published: July 2019

Background: To use the meta-analytic approach to assess the effectiveness of different types of movement programs on motor competence (MC) in participants of all ages. Methods: Studies were retrieved by searching 13 databases and included when criteria were met. Studies were selected, and data were extracted by 2 authors. Random effects models using the standardized mean difference effect size (ES) were used to pool results. Risk of bias, heterogeneity, and inconsistency were examined. Results: Thirty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 374 ESs were calculated and partitioned into 4 groups (motor intervention, free play, physical education classes, and control group). Statistically significant improvements in MC were observed for the motor intervention (ES = 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18 to 1.82; n = 36), as well as for free play (ES = 0.33; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.57; n = 5), physical education classes (ES = 0.52; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.97; n = 15), and smaller statistically significant differences in MC were observed for the control groups (ES = 0.16; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.31; n = 6). Conclusions: All 4 groups analyzed improved MC in children, adolescents, and young adults. However, motor interventions were superior to all other groups for improving MC.
A Group Dynamics-Based Exercise Intervention to Improve Physical Activity Maintenance in Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Leach Heather J. , Potter Katie B. , Hidde Mary C.
Published: July 2019

Background: To maintain increases in physical activity (PA), interventions that implement group dynamics principles and strategies with the intent of enhancing group cohesion may be advantageous. This study examined group cohesion and PA following a group dynamics-based PA intervention among breast cancer survivors.Methods: The study was designed as a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing an 8-week group dynamics-based intervention with an individually supervised intervention. Group cohesion was measured by the Physical Activity Group Environment Questionnaire, and PA was measured at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up using a self-report questionnaire and pedometer.Results: Group cohesion levels were high following the intervention and positively associated with PA at 3-month follow-up (ranger = .182–.555). At 3-month follow-up, 91.7% of participants in the group-dynamics-based intervention (n = 12) were classified as moderately active or greater, compared with 54.5% in the individually supervised intervention (n = 11).Conclusions: These results suggest that, for breast cancer survivors, peer support and fostering group cohesion as part of an exercise program may help to support PA following the completion of a structured intervention. A larger trial with longer follow-up is needed to establish comparative efficacy for a group-dynamics-based exercise intervention to enhance long-term PA adherence in breast cancer survivors.
Attention, Perception, and Action in a Simulated Decision-Making Task
Authors: Hüttermann Stefanie , Ford Paul R. , Williams A. Mark , Varga Matyas , Smeeton Nicholas J.
Published: July 2019

Over the last decade, research on the visual focus of attention has become increasingly popular in psychological science. The focus of attention has been shown to be important in fast team-sport games. The authors developed a method that measures the extent of the attentional focus and perceptual capabilities during performance of a sport-specific task. The participants were required to judge different player configurations on their left and right sides with varying visual angles between the stimuli. In keeping with the notion that the focus of attention is smaller than the visual field, attentional performance was poorest at the wider viewing angles compared with perceptual performance. Moreover, the team-sport players were better able to enlarge their attentional focus and make correct decisions more frequently than individual athletes, particularly when a motor response was required. The findings provide a new perspective, dissociating the attentional and perceptual processes that affect decision making under various response modes.
Theory Creation in Sport for Development: Reflections on Barriers and Strategies for Advancement
Authors: LeCrom Carrie W. , Dwyer Brendan , Greenhalgh Gregory
Published: July 2019

The scholars of sport for development (SFD) suggest the need for advancements in theory development and stronger connections between practice and theory. This article outlines some of the challenges and barriers to theory development in SFD and suggests ways to move forward. The authors state that theories and frameworks in SFD are underdeveloped as a result of methodological and contextual challenges due to the variance in SFD programming. The SFD programs are being implemented across the globe in a myriad of countries and contexts, addressing varying social issues that make theory development challenging. Suggestions are put forward to help scholars and practitioners overcome these challenges, including creativity in methodology, collaborations in program assessment, and the need for patience required of fields focusing on social and behavioral change.