bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid genetic structuring of populations of the invasive fall webworm in relation to spatial expansion and control campaigns
Authors: Cao Li‐Jun , Wei Shu‐Jun , Hoffmann Ary Anthony , Wen Jun‐Bao , Chen Min
Published: September 2016

Aim

To establish patterns of genetic variation associated with the well‐documented history of invasion and expansion of the fall webworm (FWW), Hyphantria cunea, into China. Patterns are expected to be affected by geographical and environmental factors as well as a history of control campaigns.

Location

Northern and eastern China.

Methods

We genotyped 18 polymorphic microsatellite loci derived from 657 individuals (25 populations) collected from across the distribution range of FWW in China and a native population in USA, and we also sequenced mitochondrial DNA from a subset of 70 individuals. Population genetic structure was analysed by using three Bayesian cluster methods (structure, geneland and tess) and a multivariate principal component analysis (PCA). The scenarios of invasion history were tested using an approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) approach. A multiple matrix regression was performed to assess the relative contributions of geographical and environmental isolation.

Results

The average allelic richness and mitochondrial haplotype diversity of the FWW populations in China was very low compared to native populations from USA, pointing to a significant bottleneck during colonization. Based on the nuclear markers, two genetically separated groups were identified along with a contact zone between them. ABC analyses suggested a single introduction into the east with subsequent westward expansion. Geographic distance was more important than environmental distance in contributing to genetic differentiation, and geographical barriers were likely to have restricted gene flow, with the contact zone occurring in a mountainous area.

Main conclusions

The combination of genetic data and historical records of the expansion suggests that geographical barriers and control campaigns have affected the formation and persistence of the two genetic groups. Our study points to ways in which genetic differentiation can develop rapidly in an invasive species after its introduction.
Visual attention and academic performance in children with developmental disabilities and behavioural attention deficits
Authors: Kirk Hannah E. , Gray Kylie , Riby Deborah M. , Taffe John , Cornish Kim M.
Published: September 2016

Despite well‐documented attention deficits in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), distinctions across types of attention problems and their association with academic attainment has not been fully explored. This study examines visual attention capacities and inattentive/hyperactive behaviours in 77 children aged 4 to 11 years with IDD and elevated behavioural attention difficulties. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; n = 23), Down syndrome (DS; n = 22), and non‐specific intellectual disability (NSID; n = 32) completed computerized visual search and vigilance paradigms. In addition, parents and teachers completed rating scales of inattention and hyperactivity. Concurrent associations between attention abilities and early literacy and numeracy skills were also examined. Children completed measures of receptive vocabulary, phonological abilities and cardinality skills. As expected, the results indicated that all groups had relatively comparable levels of inattentive/hyperactive behaviours as rated by parents and teachers. However, the extent of visual attention deficits varied as a result of group; namely children with DS had poorer visual search and vigilance abilities than children with ASD and NSID. Further, significant associations between visual attention difficulties and poorer literacy and numeracy skills were observed, regardless of group. Collectively the findings demonstrate that in children with IDD who present with homogenous behavioural attention difficulties, at the cognitive level, subtle profiles of attentional problems can be delineated.
A study on negative and depressive symptom prevalence in individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis
Authors: Azar Marleine , Pruessner Marita , Baer Lawrence H. , Iyer Srividya , Malla Ashok K. , Lepage Martin
Published: September 2016

Background

Negative symptoms are known to be present in the prodromal stage of psychotic disorders, yet little is known about their prevalence. Studies examining the presence of negative symptoms in ultra‐high risk (UHR) populations have shown some limitations, notably failing to control depression. The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of negative symptoms in the presence of significant levels of depression and in the absence of such symptoms (primary negative symptoms) over 1 year and to examine differences in negative symptoms in psychosis converters and non‐converters.

Methods

Participants were 123 individuals at UHR for the development of psychosis receiving follow‐up for a period of 2 years. Negative symptoms and depression were measured using the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms and the Montgomery‐Asberg Depression Scale at baseline, 6 and 12 months post‐admission.

Results

At baseline, the prevalence of negative symptoms and primary negative symptoms was 76.4% and 32.7%, respectively. Whereas the prevalence of negative symptoms was significantly decreased at 6 months, the prevalence of primary negative symptoms was similar at all time points. Negative symptoms at baseline were not different between later converters and non‐converters to psychosis.

Conclusion

Our findings confirm the presence of secondary and primary negative symptoms in individuals at UHR, but suggest a differential trajectory of both measures over time. Future studies should include larger UHR groups and focus on the investigation of intra‐individual changes in primary negative symptoms over time and further explore their potential role for psychosis conversion.
Chronic systemic inflammation originating from epithelial tissues
Authors: Uluçkan Özge , Wagner Erwin F.
Published: September 2016

Chronic systemic inflammation (CSI) has recently been identified as a major contributor to common diseases ranging from cancer to metabolic disorders and neurologic alterations. In the last decade, we and others have generated genetically engineered mouse models for inflammatory diseases, which enable studying the molecular mechanisms of CSI. Recently, organ cross‐talk induced by CSI under homeostatic and pathological conditions has begun to be appreciated. In this review, we will revisit whole organism physiology in relation to CSI originating from epithelial tissues, such as the skin and gut. Furthermore, we will discuss the current knowledge regarding the mechanisms, the specific immune cells and molecules responsible for inducing the most common comorbidities, such as cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological complications, as well as bone loss, in heterogeneous diseases like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. As it would be impossible to discuss all comorbidities of these diseases as well as all epithelial tissues, we present an overview with a special emphasis on our recent findings linking skin inflammation to bone loss.
Interannual variability in the feeding and condition of subyearling Chinook salmon off Oregon and Washington in relation to fluctuating ocean conditions
Authors: Dale Katherine E. , Daly Elizabeth A. , Brodeur Richard D.
Published: September 2016

Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) is one of several economically‐important species of salmon found in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. The first months at sea are believed to be the most critical for salmon survival, with the highest rate of mortality occurring during this period. In the present study, we examined interannual diet composition and body condition trends for late‐summer subyearling Chinook salmon caught off Oregon and Washington from 1998 to 2012. Interannual variability was observed in juvenile salmon diet composition by weight of prey consumed. Juvenile subyearling Chinook salmon were mainly piscivorous, with northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) being especially important, making up half the diet by weight in some years. Annual diets clustered into two groups, primarily defined by their proportion of invertebrate prey (14% versus 39% on average). Diet composition was found to influence adult returns, with salmon from high‐invertebrate years returning in significantly larger numbers 2–3 yrs later. However, years that had high adult returns had overall lower stomach fullness and poorer body condition as juveniles, a counterintuitive result potentially driven by the enhanced survival of less fit individuals in better ocean conditions (top‐down effect). Ocean conditions in years with a higher percentage of invertebrates in salmon diets were significantly cooler from May to August, and bottom‐up processes may have led to a fall plankton community with a larger proportion of invertebrates. Our results suggest that the plankton community assemblage during this first fall may be critical in predicting adult returns of Chinook salmon in the Pacific Northwest.
How to compare cardiovascular disease and risk factors in elderly patients with haemophilia with the general population
Authors: Berger K. , Schopohl D. , Lowe G. , Holme P. A. , Tait R. C. , Combescure C. , Rauchensteiner S. , Klamroth R.
Published: September 2016

Introduction

Studies on the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and risk factors in patients with haemophilia (PWH) in comparison to the general population have generated inconsistent results. The ADVANCE Working Group collected data on CV comorbidities in PWH aged ≥40 years (H3 Study).

Aim

Identification of German epidemiological data on CVD for the general population, evaluation for appropriateness, and execution of comparisons with PWH.

Methods

Identification of data sources by structured literature (EMBASE, MEDLINE) searches. Inclusion criteria: German general population, CVD and risk factors, gender/age stratification, sample size >500 male persons, age groups ≥40 years, current data collection, language English/German. Comparison of data on CVD and risk factors in PWH (H3 Study) with published German general population data.

Results

Criteria for data source appropriateness were defined. Of five national and three international epidemiological studies, the DEGS1 Study (German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults) was identified as the most suitable comparator. Compared with men from DEGS1, hypertension was significantly more prevalent in PWH aged 50–59 years (41.7% [95% CI: 37.3–46.2] vs. 52.0% [95% CI: 43.7–60.1], P = 0.03). Coronary artery/heart disease (CHD) was significantly less prevalent in PWH aged ≥60 years (60–69 years: 19.5% [95% CI: 15.9–23.7] vs. 8.1% [95% CI: 3.3–16.1], P = 0.02; 70–79 years: 30.5% [95% CI: 25.9–35.5] vs. 11.8% [95% CI: 5.2–21.9], P = 0.002). No statistically significant difference for ischaemic cerebrovascular disease/stroke was detected.

Conclusion

Increased prevalence of hypertension in PWH should trigger regular screening. CHD does occur in PWH aged ≥60 years though apparently with lower prevalence. Given the growing population of elderly PWH, guidelines for prevention and treatment of CVD should be developed.
Cash‐for‐care policy in Sweden: An appraisal of its consequences on female employment
Authors: Giuliani Giuliana , Duvander Ann Zofie
Published: September 2016

In 2008, Sweden introduced a cash‐for‐care benefit consisting of a flat‐rate sum paid by municipalities to parents whose children were between the ages of one and three and who did not use publicly subsidised childcare. The main object of the reform was to increase parents’ ‘freedom to choose’, but the policy was criticised because of its potentially negative effects on gender equality and mothers’ employment. This study focuses on the effects of cash‐for‐care on female employment in Sweden. The study shows that the adoption of this policy had negative effects on female employment, although primarily in rural areas. Cash‐for‐care was abolished in Sweden in 2016. To evaluate the effects that the policy had on female employment during the time it was in place is important as it indicates what may happen if the policy is introduced again.
Elevated systemic glutamic acid level in the non‐obese diabetic mouse is Idd linked and induces beta cell apoptosis
Authors: Banday Viqar Showkat , Lejon Kristina
Published: September 2016

Although type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a T‐cell‐mediated disease in the effector stage, the mechanism behind the initial beta cell assault is less understood. Metabolomic differences, including elevated levels of glutamic acid, have been observed in patients with T1D before disease onset, as well as in pre‐diabetic non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Increased levels of glutamic acid damage both neurons and beta cells, implying that this could contribute to the initial events of T1D pathogenesis. We investigated the underlying genetic factors and consequences of the increased levels of glutamic acid in NOD mice. Serum glutamic acid levels from a (NOD×B6)F2 cohort (n = 182) were measured. By genome‐wide and Idd region targeted microsatellite mapping, genetic association was detected for six regions including Idd2, Idd4 and Idd22. In silico analysis of potential enzymes and transporters located in and around the mapped regions that are involved in glutamic acid metabolism consisted of alanine aminotransferase, glutamic‐oxaloacetic transaminase, aldehyde dehydrogenase 18 family, alutamyl‐prolyl‐tRNA synthetase, glutamic acid transporters GLAST and EAAC1. Increased EAAC1 protein expression was observed in lysates from livers of NOD mice compared with B6 mice. Functional consequence of the elevated glutamic acid level in NOD mice was tested by culturing NOD. Rag2−/− Langerhans’ islets with glutamic acid. Induction of apoptosis of the islets was detected upon glutamic acid challenge using TUNEL assay. Our results support the notion that a dysregulated metabolome could contribute to the initiation of T1D. We suggest that targeting of the increased glutamic acid in pre‐diabetic patients could be used as a potential therapy.
Risky business: Lived experience mental health practice, nurses as potential allies
Authors: Byrne Louise , Happell Brenda , Reid‐Searl Kerry
Published: September 2016

Mental health policy includes a clear expectation that consumers will participate in all aspects of the design and delivery of mental health services. This edict has led to employment roles for people with lived experience of significant mental health challenges and service use. Despite the proliferation of these roles, research into factors impacting their success or otherwise is limited. This paper presents findings from a grounded theory study investigating the experiences of Lived Experience Practitioners in the context of their employment. In‐depth interviews were conducted with 13 Lived Experience Practitioners. Risk was identified as a core category, and included sub‐categories: vulnerability, ‘out and proud’, fear to disclose, and self‐care. Essentially participants described the unique vulnerabilities of their mental health challenges being known, and while there were many positives about disclosing there was also apprehension about personal information being so publically known. Self‐care techniques were important mediators against these identified risks. The success of lived experience roles requires support and nurses can play an important role, given the size of the nursing workforce in mental health, the close relationships nurses enjoy with consumers and the contribution they have made to the development of lived experience roles within academia.
Percutaneous coronary intervention and heart surgery learning needs of patients in Jordan
Authors: Mosleh S.M. , Eshah N.F. , Darawad M.
Published: September 2016

Aim

This study aimed to identify and prioritize the perceived learning needs of patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention or open‐heart surgery.

Background

Identifying learning needs for post‐cardiac intervention patients is essential to establish successful health education programmes based on patient central care.

Methods

A descriptive comparative design was employed on a convenience sample of 260 patients who underwent a percutaneous coronary intervention and 105 patients who underwent open‐heart surgery patients. Participants had completed the Patient Learning Needs Scale. Data were collected between 1 October 2014 and 31 June 2015.

Results

Patients from the two groups highly requesting health and recovery related information. They scored all learning need topics as important or highly important for them. The top priority learning need for both patient groups was ‘information about wound care’, and the lowest priority learning need topic was ‘physical activity’.

Conclusions

The learning needs of both groups were very close, which indicated that educational secondary prevention programmes’ content can be prepared in a unified structure for those patients. Although, specific headings can be used to address the unique needs that emerge from having a specific cardiac interventional procedure.

Implications for nursing and health policy

The fact that wound care and medications are areas of highest learning needs for patients requires health policy decision makers to address these topics at the time of hospital discharge. In addition, a policy focus on considering patients’ actual learning needs requires establishment and managerial support. As patients’ learning needs might change later after discharge, the health services should be proactive and focus on continuous support for patients after hospital discharge. Secondary prevention programmes should incorporate health education topics based on patients’ own views. This can be done by giving higher priority to understand patients’ needs, put much more effort into how to meet patients’ information needs and to create a more engaging learning environment for patients and their families.
The molecular phylogeny of the sea star Echinaster (Asteroidea: Echinasteridae) provides insights for genus taxonomy
Authors: Lopes Elinia Medeiros , Pérez‐Portela Rocio , Paiva Paulo Cesar , Ventura Carlos Renato Rezende
Published: September 2016

In this study, we used sequences of two mitochondrial genes, cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and 16S rRNA, and one nuclear gene, 28S rRNA, to test the monophyly of the sea star genus Echinaster, and understand the phylogenetic relationships among species and subgenera within this genus. Phylogenetic analyses based on Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods revealed three clades with high values of genetic divergence among them (K2P distances for COI over 23%). One of the clades grouped all Echinaster (Othilia) species, and the other two clades included Echinaster (non‐Othilia) species and Henricia species, respectively. Although the relationships among Henricia, Othilia, and Echinaster could not be completely clarified, the Othilia clade was a well‐supported group with shared diagnostic morphological characters. Moreover, the approximately unbiased test applied to the phylogenetic reconstruction rejected the hypothesis of the genus Echinaster as a monophyletic group. According to these results, we suggest the revalidation of Othilia as a genus instead of a subgenus within Echinaster. Our study clarifies important points about the phylogenetic relationships among species of Echinaster. Other important systematic questions about the taxonomic classification of Echinaster and Henricia still remain open, but this molecular study provides bases for future research on the topic.
Effectiveness of the ‘Home‐but not Alone’ mobile health application educational programme on parental outcomes: a randomized controlled trial, study protocol
Authors: Shorey Shefaly , Ng Yvonne Peng Mei , Danbjørg Dorthe Boe , Dennis Cindy‐Lee , Morelius Evalotte
Published: September 2016

Aims

The aim of this study was to describe a study protocol that evaluates the effectiveness of the ‘Home‐but not Alone’ educational programme delivered via a mobile health application in improving parenting outcomes.

Background

The development in mobile‐based technology gives us the opportunity to develop an accessible educational programme that can be potentially beneficial to new parents. However, there is a scarcity of theory‐based educational programmes that have incorporated technology such as a mobile health application in the early postpartum period.

Design

A randomized controlled trial with a two‐group pre‐test and post‐test design.

Methods

The data will be collected from 118 couples. Eligible parents will be randomly allocated to either a control group (receiving routine care) or an intervention group (routine care plus access to the ‘Home‐but not Alone’ mobile health application. Outcome measures comprise of parenting self‐efficacy, social support, parenting satisfaction and postnatal depression. Data will be collected at the baseline (on the day of discharge) and at four weeks postpartum.

Discussion

This will be an empirical study that evaluates a theory‐based educational programme delivered via an innovative mobile health application on parental outcomes. Results from this study will enhance parenting self‐efficacy, social support and parenting satisfaction, which may then reduce parental risks of postnatal depression.
Mixed methods systematic review exploring mentorship outcomes in nursing academia
Authors: Nowell Lorelli , Norris Jill M. , Mrklas Kelly , White Deborah E.
Published: September 2016

Aims

The aim of this study was to report on a mixed methods systematic review that critically examines the evidence for mentorship in nursing academia.

Background

Nursing education institutions globally have issued calls for mentorship. There is emerging evidence to support the value of mentorship in other disciplines, but the extant state of the evidence in nursing academia is not known. A comprehensive review of the evidence is required.

Design

A mixed methods systematic review.

Data sources

Five databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, ERIC, PsycINFO) were searched using an a priori search strategy from inception to 2 November 2015 to identify quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods studies. Grey literature searches were also conducted in electronic databases (ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, Index to Theses) and mentorship conference proceedings and by hand searching the reference lists of eligible studies.

Review methods

Study quality was assessed prior to inclusion using standardized critical appraisal instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute. A convergent qualitative synthesis design was used where results from qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods studies were transformed into qualitative findings. Mentorship outcomes were mapped to a theory‐informed framework.

Results

Thirty‐four studies were included in this review, from the 3001 records initially retrieved. In general, mentorship had a positive impact on behavioural, career, attitudinal, relational and motivational outcomes; however, the methodological quality of studies was weak.

Conclusion

This review can inform the objectives of mentorship interventions and contribute to a more rigorous approach to studies that assess mentorship outcomes.
Seasonal variation in male alternative reproductive tactics
Authors: Monroe M. J. , Amundsen T. , Utne‐Palm A. C. , Mobley K. B.
Published: September 2016

Genetic parentage analyses reveal considerable diversity in alternative reproductive behaviours (e.g. sneaking) in many taxa. However, little is known about whether these behaviours vary seasonally and between populations. Here, we investigate seasonal variation in male reproductive behaviours in a population of two‐spotted gobies (Gobiusculus flavescens) in Norway. Male two‐spotted gobies guard nests, attract females and care for fertilized eggs. We collected clutches and nest‐guarding males early and late in the breeding season in artificial nests and used microsatellite markers to reconstruct parentage from a subset of offspring from each nest. We hypothesized that mating, reproductive success and sneaking should be more prevalent early in the breeding season when competition for mates among males is predicted to be higher. However, parentage analyses revealed similar values of mating, reproductive success and high frequencies of successful sneaking early (30% of nests) and late (27% of nests) in the season. We also found that multiple females with eggs in the same nest were fertilized by one or more sneaker males, indicating that some males in this population engage in a satellite strategy. We contrast our results to previous work that demonstrates low levels of cuckoldry in a population in Sweden. Our results demonstrate marked stability in both the genetic mating system and male alternative reproductive tactics over the breeding season. However, sneaking rates may vary geographically within a species, likely due to local selection influencing ecological factors encountered at different locations.
Housing Collateral and Entrepreneurship
Authors: SCHMALZ MARTIN C. , SRAER DAVID A. , THESMAR DAVID
Published: September 2016

We show that collateral constraints restrict firm entry and postentry growth, using French administrative data and cross‐sectional variation in local house‐price appreciation as shocks to collateral values. We control for local demand shocks by comparing treated homeowners to controls in the same region that do not experience collateral shocks: renters and homeowners with an outstanding mortgage, who (in France) cannot take out a second mortgage. In both comparisons, an increase in collateral value leads to a higher probability of becoming an entrepreneur. Conditional on entry, treated entrepreneurs use more debt, start larger firms, and remain larger in the long run.
Asset Pricing with Countercyclical Household Consumption Risk
Authors: CONSTANTINIDES GEORGE M. , GHOSH ANISHA
Published: September 2016

We show that shocks to household consumption growth are negatively skewed, persistent, countercyclical, and drive asset prices. We construct a parsimonious model where heterogeneous households have recursive preferences. A single state variable drives the conditional cross‐sectional moments of household consumption growth. The estimated model fits well the unconditional cross‐sectional moments of household consumption growth and the moments of the risk‐free rate, equity premium, price‐dividend ratio, and aggregate dividend and consumption growth. The model‐implied risk‐free rate and price‐dividend ratio are procyclical, while the market return has countercyclical mean and variance. Finally, household consumption risk explains the cross section of excess returns.
Clinical course of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy‐type amniotic fluid embolism: A report of three cases
Authors: Hasegawa Akihiro , Murakoshi Takeshi , Otsuki Yoshiro , Torii Yuichi
Published: September 2016

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare complication of pregnancy and its mortality rate is high. There have been few reports of AFE with presence of severe coagulopathy and incoagulable bleeding, and absence of cardiopulmonary symptoms or limited cardiopulmonary symptoms, followed by massive blood loss during delivery. Such cases have been referred to as disseminated intravascular coagulopathy‐type AFE, and the characteristics of this condition have been presented previously. Here we report three cases that fulfilled the diagnostic characteristics of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy‐type AFE.
Thrombolysis in Real Time: Demonstration of Revascularization with Intravenous Thrombolysis Therapy in the CT Scanner
Authors: Tan Jessica , Aysenne Aimee , Singh Vineeta
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Administration of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in the computed tomography (CT) scanner has been recently implemented at our institution, as a means to decrease door‐to‐needle time. This change in protocol provided us a unique opportunity to visualize imaging signs of early recanalization.

METHODS

We evaluated patients who presented with acute ischemic stroke both before and after a change in protocol for intravenous tPA administration. We identified 10 patients who received tPA on the CT scanner and 22 patients who received tPA after CT imaging was complete. Early recanalization was defined as distal migration of thrombus or disappearance of thrombus between initial phases of imaging, large territory of diminished mean transit time on initial perfusion CT, large territory of increased cerebral blood flow on initial perfusion CT, and/or large territory of increased cerebral blood volume on initial perfusion CT. Late recanalization was defined as distal migration of thrombus or disappearance of thrombus between initial and follow‐up imaging, decreased attenuation of thrombus between initial and follow‐up imaging, or infarcted territory on follow‐up imaging smaller than the cerebral blood volume defect on initial perfusion CT.

RESULTS

In the patients who received tPA on the CT scanner, 20% demonstrated imaging evidence of early recanalization and 30% demonstrated imaging evidence of late recanalization. In the patients who received tPA after CT imaging, 57% demonstrated imaging evidence of late recanalization.

CONCLUSION

Early recanalization of large‐vessel occlusion after intravenous thrombolysis results in unique imaging findings.
Multidirectional lip‐closing force in adult females after short‐term lip training
Authors: Fujiwara A. , Tokura K. , Tome W. , Kitai N.
Published: September 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the multidirectional lip‐closing force in adult females before and after short‐term lip training. Sixty‐six Japanese females participated in this study. The subjects performed lip training that involved maintaining 200 or 400 g of bottled water in the oral vestibule. The signals of directional lip‐closing force were investigated in eight directions before training and 5 and 7 days after the lip training. The differences in the closing force between pre‐ and post‐training were then analysed statistically. The lip‐closing force increased in the following order: pre‐training, 5 days post‐training and 7 days post‐training in every direction (P < 0·05). The patterns of the increase in the lip‐closing force in the upper, lower, right and left directions as a result of the repetitions were similar. No significant differences were noted between the training effects with loads of 200 and 400 g. Our findings demonstrated that the lip‐closing force was influenced by the short‐term lip training.
Identify the syndrome?
Authors: Chauhan Lokesh , Chauhan Monica
Published: September 2016

See Answer
State of the art and perspectives on neotropical fern and lycophyte systematics
Authors: Almeida Thaís Elias , Salino Alexandre
Published: September 2016

For ferns and lycophytes, the Neotropics is a hotspot of diversity (3000–4500 species), and second only to Southeastern Asia in richness and endemism. This paper presents the current state of knowledge on fern and lycophyte systematics in the Neotropics, and emphasizes sampling sufficiency and current taxonomic and phylogenetic knowledge. Plant systematics plays an important role in documenting diversity and geographic distribution patterns that are needed to understand relationships and evolutionary patterns, and a vital role in species conservation. Although in recent decades this field of science has undergone a revolution because of new approaches and techniques, data presented in this work shows that large gaps remain and there is still a long path towards fully understanding fern and lycophyte systematics in Neotropics. Approaches and how to choose areas that should be targeted in order to try to fulfill these knowledge gaps are discussed.
Endothelial‐smooth muscle cell interactions in the regulation of vascular tone in skeletal muscle
Authors: Dora Kim A.
Published: September 2016

The SMCs of skeletal muscle arterioles are intricately sensitive to changes in membrane potential. Upon increasing luminal pressure, the SMCs depolarize, thereby opening VDCCs, which leads to contraction. Mechanisms that oppose this myogenic tone can involve voltage‐dependent and independent dilator pathways, and can be endothelium‐dependent or independent. Of particular interest are the pathways leading to hyperpolarization of SMCs, as these can potentially evoke both local and conducted dilation. This review focuses on three agonists that cause local and conducted dilation in skeletal muscle: ACh, ATP, and KCl. The mechanisms for the release of these agonists during motor nerve stimulation and/or hypoxia, and their actions to open either Ca2+‐activated K+ channels (KCa) or inwardly rectifying K+ channels (KIR) are described. By causing local and conducted dilation, each agonist has the ability to improve skeletal muscle blood flow during exercise and ischemia.
Allergen immunotherapy for the prevention of allergy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kristiansen Maria , Dhami Sangeeta , Netuveli Gopal , Halken Susanne , Muraro Antonella , Roberts Graham , Larenas‐Linnemann Desiree , Calderón Moises A. , Penagos Martin , Du Toit George , Ansotegui Ignacio J. , Kleine‐Tebbe Jörg , Lau Susanne , Matricardi Paolo Maria , Pajno Giovanni , Papadopoulos Nikolaos G. , Pfaar Oliver , Ryan Dermot , Santos Alexandra F. , Timmermanns Frans , Wahn Ulrich , Sheikh Aziz
Published: September 2016

Background

There is a need to establish the effectiveness, cost‐effectiveness, and safety of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) for the prevention of allergic disease.

Methods

Two reviewers independently screened nine international biomedical databases. Studies were quantitatively synthesized using random‐effects meta‐analyses.

Results

A total of 32 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Overall, meta‐analysis found no conclusive evidence that AIT reduced the risk of developing a first allergic disease over the short term (RR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.04–2.09) and no randomized controlled evidence was found in relation to its longer‐term effects for this outcome. There was, however, a reduction in the short‐term risk of those with allergic rhinitis developing asthma (RR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.30–0.54), with this finding being robust to a pre‐specified sensitivity analysis. We found inconclusive evidence that this benefit was maintained over the longer term: RR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.31–1.23. There was evidence that the risk of new sensitization was reduced over the short term, but this was not confirmed in the sensitivity analysis: RR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.24–2.18. There was no clear evidence of any longer‐term reduction in the risk of sensitization: RR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.08–2.77. AIT appeared to have an acceptable side effect profile.

Conclusions

AIT did not result in a statistically significant reduction in the risk of developing a first allergic disease. There was, however, evidence of a reduced short‐term risk of developing asthma in those with allergic rhinitis, but it is unclear whether this benefit was maintained over the longer term. We are unable to comment on the cost‐effectiveness of AIT.
Lone‐Actor Terrorists’ Emotions and Cognition: An Evaluation Beyond Stereotypes
Authors: Baele Stephane J.
Published: September 2016

Lone‐actor terrorists are very often presented as emotionally and/or cognitively impaired—yet is it really the case? The present article provides the first rigorous assessment of the hypotheses according to which a high level of negative emotions, especially anger, and a lack of cognitive flexibility and complexity play a role in lone‐actor terrorists’ violent actions. Using a sample of lone‐actor terrorists’ writings, we use the LIWC (a fully automated language use analysis software) to compare terrorists’ cognition and emotion with those of other control groups, most notably nonviolent radical activists. Results strongly support the first hypothesis but clearly refute the second one, suggesting that lone‐actor terrorists are in fact characterized by a specific combination of high‐anger and high‐cognitive complexity. These method and results lay the groundwork for a more systematic and nuanced analysis of the psychology of terrorists, which is currently in a deadlock.
Fibrin–alginate hydrogel supports steroidogenesis, in vitro maturation of oocytes and parthenotes production from caprine preantral follicles cultured in group
Authors: Brito IR , Silva GM , Sales AD , Lobo CH , Rodrigues GQ , Sousa RF , Moura AAA , Calderón CEM , Bertolini M , Campello CC , Smitz J , Figueiredo JR
Published: September 2016

Contents

This study aimed to establish a culture system that improves the in vitro development of caprine preantral follicles. In a first experiment, follicles were encapsulated as a single unit per bead and cultured singly or in groups or with five follicles in the same alginate (ALG) bead for 18 days. In a subsequent experiment, the “five follicles per bead” design was chosen to culture in ALG, fibrin–alginate (FA) or hyaluronate (HA) for 18 days. In a third experiment, we chose the five follicles per bead in FA to culture for 30 days. The culture set‐up of five follicles per ALG bead increased antrum formation and follicle diameter compared to the other culture designs (p < .05). Moreover, under this condition, 44.44% of the oocytes from in vitro cultured preantral follicles reached meiotic resumption. A significant increase of follicle diameter occurred in attachment system and FA (p < .05), but the ALG condition reached the highest among all groups on day 18 (p < .05). Follicles encapsulated in matrix produced more estradiol and progesterone than attachment system (p < .05). The expression of MMP‐9 mRNA was higher in FA than in other groups (p < .05) and similar to antral follicles from in vivo control (p > .05). Only FA group resulted in oocytes matured. After 30 days, oocytes from preantral follicles in vitro grown in FA developed to eight‐cell parthenotes. In conclusion, a culture system using FA supported the development of caprine preantral follicles cultured in group and included in the same bead of hydrogel, improving the oocyte maturation and producing parthenotes.
Exuberance, attention bias, and externalizing behaviors in Chinese preschoolers: A longitudinal study
Authors: He Jie , Li Pengchao , Wu Weiyang , Zhai Shuyi
Published: September 2016

Exuberance, a temperament type influenced by approach motivation, has been found to be associated with maladaptive behaviors such as more externalizing behaviors in early childhood. A possible mechanism underlying it is children's selective attention to environmental cues. However, few studies have investigated the effect of attention bias on the relation between exuberance and externalizing behaviors. This longitudinal study examined the association of temperamental exuberance (as assessed by behavioral observation and parental report) at 3 years old with attention bias to reward and punishment (as assessed by a spatial cueing task) and teachers' reports of externalizing behaviors at 5 years old in 153 Chinese preschool‐age children. As predicted, externalizing behaviors were positively predicted by exuberance and attention bias to reward. However, novel findings were that attention bias to punishment moderated the relation between exuberance and externalizing behaviors, such that exuberant children showed an increased risk of externalizing behaviors when they did not have high punishment bias. The results highlight attention bias to punishment as an important factor for the development of behavioral problems in exuberant children.
Modular embeddings of Teichmüller curves
Authors: Möller Martin , Zagier Don
Published: September 2016

Fuchsian groups with a modular embedding have the richest arithmetic properties among non-arithmetic Fuchsian groups. But they are very rare, all known examples being related either to triangle groups or to Teichmüller curves. In Part I of this paper we study the arithmetic properties of the modular embedding and develop from scratch a theory of twisted modular forms for Fuchsian groups with a modular embedding, proving dimension formulas, coefficient growth estimates and differential equations. In Part II we provide a modular proof for an Apéry-like integrality statement for solutions of Picard–Fuchs equations. We illustrate the theory on a worked example, giving explicit Fourier expansions of twisted modular forms and the equation of a Teichmüller curve in a Hilbert modular surface. In Part III we show that genus two Teichmüller curves are cut out in Hilbert modular surfaces by a product of theta derivatives. We rederive most of the known properties of those Teichmüller curves from this viewpoint, without using the theory of flat surfaces. As a consequence we give the modular embeddings for all genus two Teichmüller curves and prove that the Fourier developments of their twisted modular forms are algebraic up to one transcendental scaling constant. Moreover, we prove that Bainbridge’s compactification of Hilbert modular surfaces is toroidal. The strategy to compactify can be expressed using continued fractions and resembles Hirzebruch’s in form, but every detail is different.
Measuring the Effect of Vegetated Roofs on the Performance of Photovoltaic Panels in a Combined System
Authors: Ogaili Hamid , Sailor David J.
Published: September 2016

Experiments were conducted in summer using two identical photovoltaic (PV) panels at two heights using three roofing types: white, black, and green (vegetated). For experiments at an 18 cm height, the mean power output of the PV-green roof system was 1.2% and 0.8% higher than the PV-black and PV-white roofs, respectively. At a 24 cm height, the benefit of the green roof was slightly diminished with power output for the PV above a green roof being 1.0% and 0.7% higher than the black and white roof experiments, respectively. These results were consistent with measured variations in mean panel surface temperatures; the green roof systems were generally cooler by 1.5–3 °C. A unique aspect of this research is the investigation into the effect of vegetation on the convective cooling of the PV panels. Panel heat transfer coefficients for the PV-green roof were 10–20% higher than for the white and black roof configurations, suggesting a mixing benefit associated with the roughness of the plant canopy. While the best PV performance was obtained by locating PV above a green roof, the relative benefits diminish with distance between the PV and the roof.
Decentralized Rendezvous of Nonholonomic Robots With Sensing and Connectivity Constraints
Authors: Kan Zhen , Klotz Justin R. , Shea John M. , Doucette Emily A. , Dixon Warren E.
Published: September 2016

A group of wheeled robots with nonholonomic constraints is considered to rendezvous at a common specified setpoint with a desired orientation while maintaining network connectivity and ensuring collision avoidance within the robots. Given communication and sensing constraints for each robot, only a subset of the robots are aware or informed of the global destination, and the remaining robots must move within the network connectivity constraint so that the informed robots (IRs) can guide the group to the goal. The mobile robots are also required to avoid collisions with each other outside a neighborhood of the common rendezvous point. To achieve the rendezvous control objective, decentralized time-varying controllers are developed based on a navigation function framework to steer the robots to perform rendezvous while preserving network connectivity and ensuring collision avoidance. Only local sensing feedback, which includes position feedback from immediate neighbors and absolute orientation measurement, is used to navigate the robots and enables radio silence during navigation. Simulation results demonstrate the performance of the developed approach.
Modeling of a Smart Heat Pump Made of Laminated Thermoelectric and Electrocaloric Materials
Authors: Feng Dudong , Yao Shi-Chune , Zhang Tian , Zhang Qiming
Published: September 2016

In this study, a smart heat pump, which could be used for the cooling of electronics, made of laminated structure of thermoelectric (TE) and electrocaloric (EC) materials, is studied. A simple arrangement of two TE layers sandwiched with one EC layer is modeled. This smart heat pump utilized the newly developed EC materials of giant adiabatic temperature change and the TE materials of high figure of merit. The system has the advantages of no moving parts, made of solid state, operable over large working temperature difference, and can be formed into very small size. The operation of the device is numerically modeled considering the three major parametric effects: EC operation as a function of time, electric current applied on TE, and temperature difference between the hot and cold sinks. The results on coefficient of performance (COP) and heat flow per unit area are discussed. This study is performed as an early attempt of analyzing the basic physical features of TE–EC–TE laminated structure heat pump and extends the understanding by further discussing the tradeoff between lower COP and larger overall temperature difference coverage in the TE/EC hybrid heat pump system with multilaminated structure.
Multiphase Differential Scheme for Effective Properties of Magnetoelectroelastic Composite Materials
Authors: Abderrahmane Bakkali , Lahcen Azrar , Ali Aljinaidi Abdulmalik
Published: September 2016

The differential scheme is extended to predict the effective properties of multiphase magnetoelectroelastic composite materials. The prediction of effective properties is done gradually by adding a series of incremental additions of a small volume of particulate phase materials to an initial material (matrix phase). The construction process is compatible with high volume concentration of inclusion. A system of coupled differential equations is formulated and its numerical solution leads to effective properties of reinforced magnetoelectroelastic composites. For the numerical results, two-phase and three-phase magnetoelectroelastic composites are considered. The effective properties are presented as function of volume fractions and shapes of inclusions and compared with predictions based on the Mori–Tanaka and incremental self-consistent models.
Probing the Effect of High Energy Ball Milling on the Structure and Properties of LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 Cathodes for Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Stein Malcolm , Chen Chien-Fan , Mullings Matthew , Jaime David , Zaleski Audrey , Mukherjee Partha P. , Rhodes Christopher P.
Published: September 2016

Particle size plays an important role in the electrochemical performance of cathodes for lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. High energy planetary ball milling of LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 (NMC) cathode materials was investigated as a route to reduce the particle size and improve the electrochemical performance. The effect of ball milling times, milling speeds, and composition on the structure and properties of NMC cathodes was determined. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that ball milling decreased primary particle (crystallite) size by up to 29%, and the crystallite size was correlated with the milling time and milling speed. Using relatively mild milling conditions that provided an intermediate crystallite size, cathodes with higher capacities, improved rate capabilities, and improved capacity retention were obtained within 14 μm-thick electrode configurations. High milling speeds and long milling times not only resulted in smaller crystallite sizes but also lowered electrochemical performance. Beyond reduction in crystallite size, ball milling was found to increase the interfacial charge transfer resistance, lower the electrical conductivity, and produce aggregates that influenced performance. Computations support that electrolyte diffusivity within the cathode and film thickness play a significant role in the electrode performance. This study shows that cathodes with improved performance are obtained through use of mild ball milling conditions and appropriately designed electrodes that optimize the multiple transport phenomena involved in electrochemical charge storage materials.