bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pelagic marine refugia and climatically sensitive areas in an eastern boundary current upwelling system
Authors: Barceló Caren , Ciannelli Lorenzo , Brodeur Richard D.
Published: August 2017

Refugia are areas relatively buffered from contemporary climate change that enable the persistence of valued physical, ecological, or sociocultural resources. Spatially identifying refugia is important for conservation and applied management. Yet the concept of refugia has not been broadly extended to marine ecosystems. Here, we analyze data from a unique and long‐term (1999–2015) standardized survey of pelagic marine and anadromous species off Oregon and Washington in the northern California Current to identify such refugia. We use quantitative approaches to assess locations with high species richness and community persistence relative to local and basin‐scale environmental fluctuations. We have identified a potential climate change refugial zone along the continental shelf of Washington State in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean, characterized by a species‐rich community with low interannual temporal community change. This region contrasts with adjacent areas to the south and offshore that have lower species richness, and higher temporal species community change. Also, using spatially variant generalized additive mixed models, we identify areas with species compositions that are more influenced by basin‐scale climatic fluctuations than others. We propose that upwelling regions with retentive topographic features, such as wide continental shelves, can function as marine refugia for pelagic fauna, whereas offshore locations are potentially more climatically sensitive and experience high temporal change in species composition. Further identification of these marine refugia using in situ data for pelagic biodiversity and climatically sensitive areas can help guide management in the face of inevitable climatically driven change.
History matters: Heterotrophic microbial community structure and function adapt to multiple stressors
Authors: Feckler Alexander , Goedkoop Willem , Konschak Marco , Bundschuh Rebecca , Kenngott Kilian G. J. , Schulz Ralf , Zubrod Jochen P. , Bundschuh Mirco
Published: August 2017

Ecosystem functions in streams (e.g., microbially mediated leaf litter breakdown) are threatened globally by the predicted agricultural intensification and its expansion into pristine areas, which is associated with increasing use of fertilizers and pesticides. However, the ecological consequences may depend on the disturbance history of microbial communities. To test this, we assessed the effects of fungicides and nutrients (four levels each) on the structural and functional resilience of leaf‐associated microbial communities with differing disturbance histories (pristine vs. previously disturbed) in a 2 × 4 × 4‐factorial design (n = 6) over 21 days. Microbial leaf breakdown was assessed as a functional variable, whereas structural changes were characterized by the fungal community composition, species richness, biomass, and other factors. Leaf breakdown by the pristine microbial community was reduced by up to 30% upon fungicide exposure compared with controls, whereas the previously disturbed microbial community increased leaf breakdown by up to 85%. This significant difference in the functional response increased in magnitude with increasing nutrient concentrations. A pollution‐induced community tolerance in the previously disturbed microbial community, which was dominated by a few species with high breakdown efficacies, may explain the maintained function under stress. Hence, the global pressure on pristine ecosystems by agricultural expansion is expected to cause a modification in the structure and function of heterotrophic microbial communities, with microbially mediated leaf litter breakdown likely becoming more stable over time as a consequence of fungal community adaptions.
Families of adult people with disability: Their experience in the use of services run by social cooperatives in Italy
Authors: Bucci Fiorella , Vanheule Stijn
Published: August 2017

Social cooperation has historically played a pivotal role in developing socio‐educational services for people with disability, thereby contributing to counteracting the social isolation often associated with this condition. Using a mixed‐method methodology, this study maps the diversity of perspectives on how the use of disability‐related services run by social cooperatives impacts on and becomes meaningful to family life. One hundred twenty‐nine interviews with family members of adults with different kinds of disability were studied using emotional textual analysis. It provides a multi‐dimensional model to read and map the multiplicity of emotional meanings related to disability and the use of services, shedding light on key diversities in how family members emotionally make sense of care and support. The results reveal the importance of supporting family‐carers on two main issues: accessing a less passive representation of their relative with disability; and being able to test and acknowledge limits without succumbing to a sense of powerlessness.
Pulmonary Elastic Recoil and Diffusing Capacity in Subjects with Intermediate Concentrations of Alpha‐1 Antitrypsin
Authors: Musk A. W. , Robertson P. W.
Published: August 2017

Serum from 224 males investigated in a prospective study of respiratory disorders in a recently established asbestos industry has been estimated for alpha‐1 antitrypsin (AAT) concentration by single radial immunodiffusion. Mean AAT concentration was 213·4 mg/dl (range 91–400 mg/dl and SD 55·7 mg/dl). No subject with a markedly reduced level was found. A comprehensive range of lung function tests sensitive to changes anticipated in emphysema at a preclinical stage, included measurements of diffusing capacity and pulmonary elastic recoil. The 26 subjects with AAT concentration less than 150 mg/dl, were regarded as likely to comprise a majority of genotypes MZ and SS, and the 19 subjects with AAT concentration greater than 300 mg/dl were considered to comprise mainly MM. No difference in pulmonary function could be demonstrated between these two groups. Evidence of diminished pulmonary elastic recoil was found in nine smoking subjects whose AAT concentrations were normal and also in one young non‐smoking subject with moderately severe asthma, whose AAT concentration was 140 mg/dl. It is concluded that in a male working population, evidence of diminished pulmonary elastic recoil is not a function of AAT concentration.
Histocompatibility Antigens in Graves' Disease
Authors: Ford D. , Knight J. G. , Reeve J. K. , Stewart R. D. H.
Published: August 2017

Histocompatibility antigen typing was undertaken in 100 Caucasian patients with Graves' disease (autoimmune thyrotoxicosis) and in 100 healthy Caucasian blood donors. Standard lymphocyte microcytotoxicity methods were used to test for the presence of 22 HL‐A antigens in all subjects. There was a significant difference between the groups in respect of the HL‐A 8 antigen which was present in 40 patients and in 25 controls (P < 0.0023). There was no significant difference between the patients and controls with respect to the frequency of occurrence of any of the other HL‐A antigens tested.
Evidence that Mouse Thyroid Stimulator does not Stimulate the Human Thyroid Gland
Authors: Adams D. D. , Kennedy T. H. , Stewart R. D. H.
Published: August 2017

Thyroid 131/ uptake and human thyroid stimulator (HTS) level were measured in 20 untreated thyrotoxic patients who also showed mouse thyroid stimulator (MTS) activity. The correlation between thyroid uptake and HTS level was highly significant (P < 0·005), the coefficient, r, being 0·66, comparable with the value 0·68 obtained in a previous study of patients not showing MTS. Thus, the presence of widely varying amounts of MTS does not impair the close correlation existing between HTS level and thyroid131/ uptake in thyrotoxic people. There was no correlation between MTS level and thyroid 131/ uptake (r = 0·11, n.s.). It is concluded that MTS, a potent stimulator of the thyroid glands of mice, guinea pigs and monkeys, does not stimulate the human thyroid gland.
T3 Toxicosis and its Relation to the Iodide Status in Singapore
Authors: Yeo Peter P. B. , Gwee H. M. , Tan N. B. , Ho C. L. , Cheah J. S. , Lee G. S. , Lim P. , Jacob E. , Tan Y. T. , Tambyah J. A. , Tan B. Y.
Published: August 2017

Baseline thyroid function tests (including total serum thyroxine iodide‐T4I, total serum tri‐iodothyronine T3 as well as T3 Sephadex Uptake Studies (T3U)) were determined in 82 normal Asian subjects. In addition, another group of normal volunteers (39) were assessed as regards serum and 24‐hour urinary iodide levels to gauge the iodide status of the community; the results were comparable to that of goitre‐free regions of the world.

Having established the range of values of normal thyroid function tests, 103 consecutive clinically thyrotoxic patients (both new and relapsed cases) were similarly studied in an attempt to elucidate the magnitude of the problem of T3 toxicosis, and its relation to the iodide status in Singapore. Only three clinically hyperthyroid patients were found to have normal PBI (protein‐bound iodine), T4I, T3U but raised T3 levels. A detailed analysis and discussion of the data is presented. It is concluded that T3 toxicosis is a rarity in Singapore.
Growth and Immune Function in Aboriginal Children during Recovery from Malnutrition and Infection
Authors: Ford G. W. , Belbin R. , Jose D. G. , Vorbach E. A. , Kirke D. K.
Published: August 2017

The clinical, nutritional progress and immunological changes of 30 Aboriginal children admitted to the Alice Springs Hospital with malnutrition and infection, and 11 adequately nourished children admitted with acute infection were studied. The initial toxic phase of infection lasted from six to 21 days during which the mean weight velocity of malnourished children averaged 8·8 g/kg/day. The subsequent period of nutritional rehabilitation was accompanied by a slower weight velocity of 3·7 g/kg/day up to a body weight at discharge of approximately 80% standard weight for age. The principal clinical form of malnutrition was moderate protein calorie malnutrition of marasmic type. All children showed laboratory evidence of persistent immunological stimulation with leukocytosis, elevated numbers of T and B lymphoid cells, raised erythrocyte sedimentation rates and hyperimmunoglobulinaemia. These findings were not significantly changed by short‐term antibiotic therapy and nutritional rehabilitation and may indicate an underlying defect resulting in the high rate of reinfection and readmission of these children.
Salmonella Typhimurium Colitis
Authors: Green P. H. R. , Middleton W. R. J.
Published: August 2017

A patient in whom Salmonella typhimurium infection caused a localised colitis is described. Colitis has been demonstrated in experimental animals infected with S. typhimurium and noted at post mortem in patients dying from S. typhimurium infection. However colitis is an infrequently recognised feature of this infection in man, the usual diagnosis being one of gastroenteritis. There have been four other cases reported with radiological evidence of colonic involvement due to salmonella infection. Colitis probably occurs more frequently than is usually recognised in this condition and must be distinguished from ulcerative colitis.
Stressors affecting nursing students in Pakistan
Authors: Watson R. , Rehman S. , Ali P.A.
Published: August 2017

Aim

To determine factors contributing to stress experienced by preregistration nursing students in Pakistan, using the Stressors in Nursing Students scale. The aim was to explore the psychometric properties of this instrument and to investigate the effect of a range of demographic variables on the perception of stressors in nursing students.

Background

Nursing is a stressful profession, and nursing students may experience more stress due to competing demands and challenges of nursing education, assessment, placements and worries about employment prospects.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional survey, data from 726 nursing students from 11 schools of nursing in Karachi, Pakistan, were collected using a questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive as well inferential statistics. An exploratory factor analysis was also conducted.

Results

There was no apparent factor structure to the Stressors in Nursing Students scale, unlike in previous studies. The total score on the Stressors in Nursing Students scale was related to gender with males scoring higher. The score generally increased over 4 years of the programme, and students in private schools of nursing scored higher than those in public schools of nursing.

Conclusion

Nursing students in Pakistan do not appear to differentiate between different stressors, and this may be due to cultural differences in the students and to the structure of the programme and the articulation between the academic and clinical aspects. Likewise, cultural reasons may account for differences between stress experienced by male and female students.

Implications for nursing and policy

The fact that scores on the Stressors in Nursing Students scale increased over 4 years of the programme and males scored higher than females should alert nursing schools and policymakers related to nursing education and workforce to pay attention to prevent attrition from nursing programmes.
Multi‐Factor Effective Corporate Taxation, Firms’ Mark‐Ups and Tax Incidence: Evidence from OECD Countries
Authors: Barrios Salvador , Nicodème Gaëtan , Fuentes A. Jesús Sánchez
Published: August 2017

This paper provides novel evidence on the multi‐factor effective marginal tax rates (EMTRs) for a sample of 17 OECD countries and 11 manufacturing sectors. We use a single framework encompassing capital, labour and energy taxes. Our cross‐country/cross‐sector approach allows us to analyse the contributions of these input factors to the effective tax borne by firms, taking explicitly into account their degree of substitution, their tax incidence and the role of mark‐ups. We find that the labour tax plays a particularly important role in the overall level of the EMTR and that the presence of mark‐ups can significantly alter the levels of the multi‐factor EMTR, although without significantly altering the ranking of countries. We also find that the bulk of the variation in EMTRs is across countries, rather than across sectors (within countries).
The {110} reflection in X‐ray diffraction of MXene films: Misinterpretation and measurement via non‐standard orientation
Authors: Ghidiu Michael , Barsoum Michel W.
Published: August 2017

It has been claimed that disappearance of the {110} reflection in powder X‐ray diffraction of MXene films and powders is indicative of shearing or general disorder of restacking of the flakes. Here we show this to be incorrect and provide experimental justification. The disappearance of this peak arises from a combination of sample texture and orientation. Furthermore, our methods provide a simple way to estimate a unit cell parameters when the relevant reflections are not present in most reports of MXene films.
Evidence of opposing fitness effects of parental heterozygosity and relatedness in a critically endangered marine turtle?
Authors: Phillips K. P. , Jorgensen T. H. , Jolliffe K. G. , Richardson D. S.
Published: August 2017

How individual genetic variability relates to fitness is important in understanding evolution and the processes affecting populations of conservation concern. Heterozygosity–fitness correlations (HFCs) have been widely used to study this link in wild populations, where key parameters that affect both variability and fitness, such as inbreeding, can be difficult to measure. We used estimates of parental heterozygosity and genetic similarity (‘relatedness’) derived from 32 microsatellite markers to explore the relationship between genetic variability and fitness in a population of the critically endangered hawksbill turtle,Eretmochelys imbricata. We found no effect of maternalMLH(multilocus heterozygosity) on clutch size or egg success rate, and no single‐locus effects. However, we found effects of paternalMLHand parental relatedness on egg success rate that interacted in a way that may result in both positive and negative effects of genetic variability. Multicollinearity in these tests was within safe limits, and null simulations suggested that the effect was not an artefact of using paternal genotypes reconstructed from large samples of offspring. Our results could imply a tension between inbreeding and outbreeding depression in this system, which is biologically feasible in turtles: female‐biased natal philopatry may elevate inbreeding risk and local adaptation, and both processes may be disrupted by male‐biased dispersal. Although this conclusion should be treated with caution due to a lack of significant identity disequilibrium, our study shows the importance of considering both positive and negative effects when assessing how variation in genetic variability affects fitness in wild systems.
Looks matter: changes in flower form affect pollination effectiveness in a sexually deceptive orchid
Authors: Rakosy D. , Cuervo M. , Paulus H. F. , Ayasse M.
Published: August 2017

Many species of the sexually deceptive genus Ophrys are characterized by insect‐like flowers. Their form has been traditionally considered to play an important role in pollinator attraction and manipulation. Yet, the evolution of the floral form remains insufficiently understood. We hypothesize that pollinator‐mediated selection is essential for driving floral form evolution in Ophrys, but that form components are being subjected to varying selection pressures depending on their role in mediating interactions with pollinators. By using the Eucera‐pollinated Ophrys leochroma as a model, our aim has been to assess whether and in what manner pollination effectiveness is altered by experimental manipulation of the flower form. Our results show that floral form plays an essential and, so far, underestimated role in ensuring effective pollination by mechanically guiding pollinators towards the reproductive structures of the flower. Pollinators are significantly less effective in interacting with flowers having forms altered to resemble those of species pollinated by different hymenopteran genera. Further, those components used by pollinators as gripping points were found to be more effective in ensuring pollinia transfer than those with which pollinators do not directly interact. Thus, mechanically active and inactive components appear to be under different selection pressures. As a consequence, mechanically active components of the flower form could reflect adaptations to the interaction with particular pollinator groups, whereas mechanically inactive components can vary more freely. Disentangling selection patterns between the functionally different components of flower form may provide valuable insights into the mechanisms driving the morphological diversification of sexually deceptive pollination systems.
Apoptosis of Acanthamoeba castellanii Trophozoites Induced by Oleic Acid
Authors: Wu Duo , Qiao Ke , Feng Meng , Fu Yongfeng , Cai Junlong , Deng Yihong , Tachibana Hiroshi , Cheng Xunjia
Published: August 2017

Acanthamoeba spp. can be parasitic in certain situations and are responsible for serious human infections, including Acanthamoeba keratitis, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, and cutaneous acanthamoebiasis. We analyzed the fatty acid composition of Acanthamoeba castellanii trophozoites and tested the inhibitory activity of the main fatty acids, oleic acid and arachidonic acid, in vitro. Oleic acid markedly inhibited the growth of A. castellanii, with trophozoite viability of 57.4% at a concentration of 200 μM. Caspase‐3 staining and annexin V assays showed that apoptotic death occurred in A. castellanii trophozoites. Quantitative PCR and dot blot analysis showed increased levels of metacaspase and interleukin‐1β converting enzyme, which is also an indication of apoptosis. In contrast, arachidonic acid showed negligible inhibition of growth of A. castellanii trophozoites. Stimulated expression of Atg3, Atg8 and LC3A/B genes and monodansylcadaverine labeling suggested that oleic acid induces apoptosis by triggering autophagy of trophozoites.
Pre‐loading therapy with statins in patients with angina and acute coronary syndromes undergoing PCI
Authors: Lampropoulos Konstantinos , Megalou Aikaterini , Bazoukis George , Tse Gary , Manolis Antonios
Published: August 2017

Statins constitute the most powerful class of drugs for cardiovascular risk reduction associated to atherosclerosis. Their important pharmacological properties include reduction of serum lipid concentrations and non‐lipid related, pleotropic effects such as anti‐inflammatory action. Previous largescale randomized studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of statin loading prior to elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for the reduction of periprocedural myocardial infarction and prevention of major adverse cardiac events at 30 days. The present review summarizes the data from major randomized trials that evaluated the clinical benefit of statin pretreatment in the setting of PCI resulting in a better understanding of their impact on reduction of interventional complications.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of the bacterial microbiota on lacustrine Cladophora glomerata (Chlorophyta)
Authors: Braus Michael J. , Graham Linda E. , Whitman Thea L.
Published: August 2017

The branched periphytic green alga Cladophora glomerata, often abundant in nearshore waters of lakes and rivers worldwide, plays important ecosystem roles, some mediated by epibiotic microbiota that benefit from host‐provided surface, organic C, and O2. Previous microscopy and high‐throughput sequencing studies have indicated surprising epibiont taxonomic and functional diversity, but have not included adequate consideration of sample replication or the potential for spatial and temporal variation. Here, we report the results of 16S rRNA amplicon‐based phylum‐to‐genus taxonomic analysis of Cladophora‐associated bacterial epibiota sampled in replicate from three microsites and at six times during the open‐water season of 2014, from the same lake locale (Picnic Point, Lake Mendota, Dane Co., WI, USA) explored by high‐throughput sequencing studies in two previous years. Statistical methods were used to test null hypotheses that the bacterial community: (i) is homogeneous across microsites tested, and (ii) does not change over the course of a growth season or among successive years. Results indicated a dynamic microbial community that is more strongly influenced by sampling day during the growth season than by microsite variation. A surprising diversity of bacterial genera known to be associated with the key function of methane‐oxidation (methanotrophy), including relatively high‐abundance of Crenothrix, Methylomonas, Methylovulum, and Methylocaldum–showed intraseasonal and interannual variability possibly related to temperature differences, and microsite preferences possibly related to variation in methane abundance. By contrast, a core assemblage of bacterial genera seems to persist over a growth season and from year to year, possibly transmitted by a persistent attached host resting stage.
Microtubule‐organizing centers of Aspergillus nidulans are anchored at septa by a disordered protein
Authors: Zhang Ying , Gao Xiaolei , Manck Raphael , Schmid Marjorie , Osmani Aysha H. , Osmani Stephen A. , Takeshita Norio , Fischer Reinhard
Published: August 2017

Microtubule‐organizing centers (MTOCs) are large, multi‐subunit protein complexes. Schizosaccharomyces pombe harbors MTOCs at spindle pole bodies, transient MTOCs in the division plane (eMTOCs) and nuclear‐envelope associated MTOCs in interphase cells (iMTOCs). In the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans SPBs and septum‐associated MTOCs were described. Although comparable to S. pombe eMTOCs, A. nidulans sMTOCS are permanent septum‐associated structures. The composition of sMTOCs is poorly understood and how they are targeted to septa was unknown. Here, we show that in A. nidulans several SPB outer plaque proteins also locate to sMTOCs while other SPB proteins do not, including SfiA, a protein required for SPB duplication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and S. pombe and PcpA, the anchor for γ‐TuSCs at the SPB inner plaque. The A. nidulans disordered protein Spa18Mto2 and the centrosomin‐domain containing protein ApsBMto1 were required for recruiting the γ‐TuRC component GcpC to sMTOCs and for seeding MT formation from septa. Testing different septum‐associated proteins for a role in sMTOC function, Spa10 was identified. It forms a septal pore disc structure, recruits Spa18 and ApsB to septa and is required for sMTOC activity. This is the first evidence for a septum‐specific protein, Spa10, as anchor for a specific class of MTOCs.
Not all about sex: neural and biobehavioral functions of human dance
Authors: Christensen Julia F. , Cela‐Conde Camilo José , Gomila Antoni
Published: August 2017

This paper provides an integrative review of neuroscientific and biobehavioral evidence about the effects of dance on the individual across cultural differences. Dance moves us, and many derive aesthetic pleasure from it. However, in addition—and beyond aesthetics—we propose that dance has noteworthy, deeper neurobiological effects. We first summarize evidence that illustrates the centrality of dance to human life indirectly from archaeology, comparative psychology, developmental psychology, and cross‐cultural psychology. Second, we review empirical evidence for six neural and biobehavioral functions of dance: (1) attentional focus/flow, (2) basic emotional experiences, (3) imagery, (4) communication, (5) self‐intimation, and (6) social cohesion. We discuss the reviewed evidence in relation to current debates in the field of empirical enquiry into the functions of human dance, questioning the positions that dance is (1) just for pleasure, (2) all about sex, (3) just for mood management and well‐being, and (4) for experts only.

Being a young field, evidence is still piecemeal and inconclusive. This review aims to take a step toward a systematization of an emerging avenue of research: a neuro‐ and biobehavioral science of dance.
Ecological longevity of Polaskia chende (Cactaceae) seeds in the soil seed bank, seedling emergence and survival
Authors: Ordoñez‐Salanueva C. A. , Orozco‐Segovia A. , Canales‐Martínez M. , Seal C. E. , Pritchard H. W. , Flores‐Ortiz C. M.
Published: August 2017

Soil seed banks are essential elements of plant population dynamics, enabling species to maintain genetic variability, withstand periods of adversity and persist over time, including for cactus species. However knowledge of the soil seed bank in cacti is scanty. In this study, over a 5‐year period we studied the seed bank dynamics, seedling emergence and nurse plant facilitation of Polaskia chende, an endemic columnar cactus of central Mexico.

P. chende seeds were collected for a wild population in Puebla, Mexico. Freshly collected seeds were sown at 25 °C and 12‐h photoperiod under white light, far‐red light and darkness. The collected seeds were divided in two lots, the first was stored in the laboratory and the second was use to bury seeds in open areas and beneath a shrub canopy. Seeds were exhumed periodically over 5 years. At the same time seeds were sown in open areas and beneath shrub canopies; seedling emergence and survival were recorded over different periods of time for 5 years.

The species forms long‐term persistent soil seed banks. The timing of seedling emergence via germination in the field was regulated by interaction between light, temperature and soil moisture. Seeds entered secondary dormancy at specific times according to the expression of environmental factors, demonstrating irregular dormancy cycling.

Seedling survival of P. chende was improved under Acacia constricta nurse plants. Finally, plant facilitation affected the soil seed bank dynamics as it promoted the formation of a soil seed bank, but not its persistence.
Plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria enhance wheat salt and drought stress tolerance by altering endogenous phytohormone levels and TaCTR1/TaDREB2 expression
Authors: Barnawal Deepti , Bharti Nidhi , Pandey Shiv S. , Pandey Alok , Chanotiya Chandan S. , Kalra Alok
Published: August 2017

Abiotic stresses such as salt and drought represent adverse environmental conditions that significantly damage plant growth and agricultural productivity. In this study, the mechanism of the plant growth‐promoting rhizo‐bacteria (PGPR)‐stimulated tolerance against abiotic stresses has been explored. Results suggest that PGPR strains, Arthrobacter protophormiae (SA3) and Dietzia natronolimnaea (STR1), can facilitate salt stress tolerance in wheat crop, while Bacillus subtilis (LDR2) can provide tolerance against drought stress in wheat. These PGPR strains enhance photosynthetic efficiency under salt and drought stress conditions. Moreover, all three PGPR strains increase indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) content of wheat under salt and drought stress conditions. The SA3 and LDR2 inoculations counteracted the increase of abscisic acid (ABA) and 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate (ACC) under both salt and drought stress conditions, whereas STR1 had no significant impact on the ABA and ACC content. The impact of PGPR inoculations on these physiological parameters were further confirmed by gene expression analysis as we observed enhanced levels of the TaCTR1 gene in SA3‐, STR1‐ and LDR2‐treated wheat seedlings as compared to uninoculated drought and salt stressed plants. PGPR inoculations enhanced expression of TaDREB2 gene encoding for a transcription factor, which has been shown to be important for improving the tolerance of plants to abiotic stress conditions. Our study suggest that PGPR confer abiotic stress tolerance in wheat by enhancing IAA content, reducing ABA/ACC content, modulating expression of a regulatory component (CTR1) of ethylene signaling pathway and DREB2 transcription factor.
Disease severity staging system for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Japan
Authors: Kondoh Yasuhiro , Taniguchi Hiroyuki , Kataoka Kensuke , Furukawa Taiki , Ando Masahiko , Murotani Kenta , Mishima Michiaki , Inoue Yoshikazu , Ogura Takashi , Bando Masashi , Hagiwara Koichi , Suda Takafumi , Chiba Hirofumi , Takahashi Hiroki , Sugiyama Yukihiko , Homma Sakae
Published: August 2017

Background and objective

In Japan, the classification of disease severity of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) (J‐system) has been used in making decisions on medical care subsidies. The present J‐system consists of arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and exercise desaturation in stages of I–IV. It provides a good prognostic classification in stages III and IV, but not in stages I and II. Therefore, we propose a revised system to improve discriminative ability in stages I and II.

Methods

We compared the revised J‐system with the present J‐system using Cox proportional hazards model to predict mortality rate. We also evaluated the recently proposed GAP (Gender, Age and Physiology) system in comparison to both J‐systems.

Results

Two‐hundred and fifteen IPF patients were studied retrospectively. A univariate model showed that the present and revised J‐systems and a modified GAP system were all significant prognostic factors. The C‐statistic for discriminating prognosis was higher in the revised J‐system than the modified GAP system and the present J‐system (0.677, 0.652 and 0.659, respectively). The C‐statistics of these models produced from the 10 000 bootstrap samples were similar to those of the original models, suggesting good internal validation (0.665 (95% CI: 0.621–0.705), 0.645 (0.600–0.686) and 0.659 (0.616–0.700), respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that the revised J‐system (P = 0.0038) and the modified GAP system (P = 0.0029) were independent prognostic factors.

Conclusion

The revised J‐system can provide a better mortality prediction than the present one. Both the revised J‐system and the modified GAP system are independent and valuable tools for prognostication and clinical management for IPF.
Modelling Time Varying Heterogeneity in Recurrent Infection Processes: An Application to Serological Data
Authors: Abrams Steven , Wienke Andreas , Hens Niel
Published: August 2017

Frailty models are often used in survival analysis to model multivariate time-to-event data. In infectious disease epidemiology, frailty models have been proposed to model heterogeneity in the acquisition of infection and to accommodate association in the occurrence of multiple types of infection. Although traditional frailty models rely on the assumption of lifelong immunity after recovery, refinements have been made to account for reinfections with the same pathogen. Recently, Abrams and Hens quantified the effect of misspecifying the underlying infection process on the basic and effective reproduction number in the context of bivariate current status data on parvovirus B19 and varicella zoster virus. Furthermore, Farrington, Unkel and their co-workers introduced and applied time varying shared frailty models to paired bivariate serological data. In this paper, we consider an extension of the proposed frailty methodology by Abrams and Hens to account for age-dependence in individual heterogeneity through the use of age-dependent shared and correlated gamma frailty models. The methodology is illustrated by using two data applications.
Bayesian Non-Parametric Conditional Copula Estimation of Twin Data
Authors: Valle Luciana Dalla , Leisen Fabrizio , Rossini Luca
Published: August 2017

Several studies on heritability in twins aim at understanding the different contribution of environmental and genetic factors to specific traits. Considering the national merit twin study, our purpose is to analyse correctly the influence of socio-economic status on the relationship between twins’ cognitive abilities. Our methodology is based on conditional copulas, which enable us to model the effect of a covariate driving the strength of dependence between the main variables. We propose a flexible Bayesian non-parametric approach for the estimation of conditional copulas, which can model any conditional copula density. Our methodology extends the work of Wu, Wang and Walker in 2015 by introducing dependence from a covariate in an infinite mixture model. Our results suggest that environmental factors are more influential in families with lower socio-economic position.
Shelf‐margin clinothem progradation, degradation and readjustment: Tanqua depocentre, Karoo Basin (South Africa)
Authors: Gomis‐Cartesio Luz E. , Poyatos‐Moré Miquel , Hodgson David M. , Flint Stephen S.
Published: August 2017

Degradation of basin‐margin clinothems around the shelf‐edge rollover zone may lead to the generation of conduits through which gravity flows transport sediment downslope. Many studies from seismic‐reflection data sets show these features, but they lack small‐scale (centimetre to metre) sedimentary and stratigraphic observations on process interactions. Exhumed basin‐margin clinothems in the Tanqua depocentre (Karoo Basin) provide seismic‐reflection‐scale geometries and internal details of architecture with depositional dip and strike control. At the Geelhoek locality, clinothem parasequences comprise siltstone‐rich offshore deposits overlain by heterolithic prodelta facies and sandstone‐dominated deformed mouth bars. Three of these parasequences are truncated by a steep (6 to 22°), 100 m deep and 1·5 km wide asymmetrical composite erosion surface that delineates a shelf‐incised canyon. The fill, from base to top comprises: (i) thick‐bedded sandstone with intrabasinal clasts and multiple erosion surfaces; (ii) scour‐based interbedded sandstone and siltstone with tractional structures; and (iii) inverse‐graded to normal‐graded siltstone beds. An overlying 55 m thick coarsening‐upward parasequence fills the upper section of the canyon and extends across its interfluves. Younger parasequences display progressively shallower gradients during progradation and healing of the local accommodation. The incision surface resulted from initial oversteepening and high sediment supply triggering deformation and collapse at the shelf edge, enhanced by a relative sea‐level fall that did not result in subaerial exposure of the shelf edge. Previous work identified an underlying highly incised, sandstone‐rich shelf‐edge rollover zone across‐margin strike, suggesting that there was migration in the zone of shelf edge to upper‐slope incision over time. This study provides an unusual example of clinothem degradation and readjustment with three‐dimensional control in an exhumed basin‐margin succession. The work demonstrates that large‐scale erosion surfaces can develop and migrate due to a combination of factors at the shelf‐edge rollover zone and proposes additional criteria to predict clinothem incision and differential sediment bypass in consistently progradational systems.
Automated counting of sand‐sized particles in marine records
Authors: Becker Lukas W. M. , Hjelstuen Berit O. , Støren Eivind W. N. , Sejrup Hans Petter
Published: August 2017

Content and fluxes of ice‐transported sand‐sized and gravel‐sized, lithic particles in marine sediment cores are a common tool used to reconstruct glacial variability. Ice‐rafted debris data sets are currently acquired in several different and often time‐consuming ways, and within various grain‐size fractions. This article proposes a novel workflow using an automated method to count ice‐rafted debris to reduce analysis time and subjectivity. The described method is based on the instrument ‘Morphologi G3’ from Malvern Instruments Limited and includes all pre‐processing and post‐processing steps. This particle characterization tool is an automated microscope combined with a proprietary software package. In this study, the analysis was performed on the 150 to 1000 μm fraction. If desired, grain counts can be carried out on the entire sand and silt fractions. However, this would result in a considerably greater turnover time. A total of 350 sediment samples from core MD99‐2283, taken on the upper continental slope at the southern part of the north‐east Atlantic margin, were counted with this automated method. In addition, a total of 161 samples were counted manually as a control on the reliability of the scanning. The comparison of automated versus manually counted biogenic and lithic material shows a convincing correlation between the two methods. The turnover time per automatically counted sample is around 20 min, the method requiring less experience and skills than manual counting. The results yield a promising, time‐saving new technique to achieve high‐resolution ice‐rafted debris counting records with acceptable error margins.
Identification of the novel allele, HLA‐A*02:653, in an Italian patient
Authors: Condello R. , Picardi A. , Battarra M. , Troiano M. , Andreani M.
Published: August 2017

HLA‐A*02:653 differs from A*02:01:01:01 by a C to T substitution in exon 2.
Median preoptic glutamatergic neurons promote thermoregulatory heat loss and water consumption in mice
Authors: Abbott Stephen B. G. , Saper Clifford B.
Published: August 2017

Key points

Glutamatergic neurons in the median preoptic area were stimulated using genetically targeted Channelrhodopsin 2 in transgenic mice.

Stimulation of glutamatergic median preoptic area neurons produced a profound hypothermia due to cutaneous vasodilatation.

Stimulation also produced drinking behaviour that was inhibited as water was ingested, suggesting pre‐systemic feedback gating of drinking.

Anatomical mapping of the stimulation sites showed that sites associated with hypothermia were more anteroventral than those associated with drinking, although there was substantial overlap.

The median preoptic nucleus (MnPO) serves an important role in the integration of water/electrolyte homeostasis and thermoregulation, but we have a limited understanding these functions at a cellular level. Using Cre–Lox genetic targeting of Channelrhodospin 2 in VGluT2 transgenic mice, we examined the effect of glutamatergic MnPO neuron stimulation in freely behaving mice while monitoring drinking behaviour and core temperature. Stimulation produced a strong hypothermic response in 62% (13/21) of mice (core temperature: −4.6 ± 0.5°C, P = 0.001 vs. controls) caused by cutaneous vasodilatation. Stimulating glutamatergic MnPO neurons also produced robust drinking behaviour in 82% (18/22) of mice. Mice that drank during stimulation consumed 912 ± 163 μl (n = 8) during a 20 min trial in the dark phase, but markedly less during the light phase (421 ± 83 μl, P = 0.0025). Also, drinking during stimulation was inhibited as water was ingested, suggesting pre‐systemic feedback gating of drinking. Both hypothermia and drinking during stimulation occurred in 50% of mice tested. Anatomical mapping of the stimulation sites showed that sites associated with hypothermia were more anteroventral than those associated with drinking, although there was substantial overlap. Thus, activation of separate but overlapping populations of glutamatergic MnPO neurons produces effects on drinking and autonomic thermoregulatory mechanisms, providing a structural basis for their frequently being coordinated (e.g. during hyperthermia).
Analysis for Feasibility of the Method for Bars Driving the Ball Tensegrity Robot
Authors: Luo Ani , Liu Heping
Published: August 2017

In tensegrity robots, the ball tensegrity robot attracts the most attention. The method of driving the ball tensegrity robot is analyzed here. At first, the ball tensegrity structure is described, and its mathematical model is setup. Through analysis, the method for driving bars to make the robot deform and roll is selected. A method for analyzing the deformation of the tensegrity robot is studied. In the method, the nodes are regarded as the objects and displacement increment of the nodes is the product of displacement mode of the robot structure and unbalanced forces on the nodes. The method is applied to analyze deformation of the robot driven by the bars. The methods of driving the robot on two ground-touching triangles are studied. Then, through experiments with the physical model, the methods are verified. A continuous movement of the model is done further to prove the correctness of the analysis. The method for driving bars to make the ball tensegrity robot deform and roll is obtained finally.
Application of maximum entropy to statistical inference for inversion of data from a single track segment
Authors: Stotts Steven A. , Koch Robert A.
Published: August 2017

In this paper an approach is presented to estimate the constraint required to apply maximum entropy (ME) for statistical inference with underwater acoustic data from a single track segment. Previous algorithms for estimating the ME constraint require multiple source track segments to determine the constraint. The approach is relevant for addressing model mismatch effects, i.e., inaccuracies in parameter values determined from inversions because the propagation model does not account for all acoustic processes that contribute to the measured data. One effect of model mismatch is that the lowest cost inversion solution may be well outside a relatively well-known parameter value's uncertainty interval (prior), e.g., source speed from track reconstruction or towed source levels. The approach requires, for some particular parameter value, the ME constraint to produce an inferred uncertainty interval that encompasses the prior. Motivating this approach is the hypothesis that the proposed constraint determination procedure would produce a posterior probability density that accounts for the effect of model mismatch on inferred values of other inversion parameters for which the priors might be quite broad. Applications to both measured and simulated data are presented for model mismatch that produces minimum cost solutions either inside or outside some priors.
The Long-Term Impact of Osteoarthritis Following Knee Surgery in Former College Athletes
Authors: Simon Janet E. , Grooms Dustin R. , Docherty Carrie L.
Published: August 2017

Context: Individuals who sustain a knee surgery have been shown to have an increased likelihood to develop osteoarthritis (OA). Objective: Identify the consequences of knee surgery in a cohort of former college athletes. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Research laboratory. Participants: A group of 100 former Division I college athletes aged 40–65 years (60 males and 40 females) participated in the study. Interventions: All individuals self-reported whether they sustained a knee injury during college requiring surgery and if they have been diagnosed with knee OA by a medical physician post knee injury. Individuals were categorized into 3 groups: no history of knee injury requiring surgery (33 males and 24 females; 54.53 [5.95] y), history of knee surgery in college with no diagnosis of OA later in life (4 males and 6 females; 51.26 [7.29] y), and history of knee surgery in college with physician diagnosed OA later in life (23 males and 10 females; 54.21 [7.64] y). All individuals completed the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) and short form-36 version 2. Main Outcome Measures: Scores on the KOOS and short form-36 version 2. Results: A majority (76.7%) of individuals who had a knee surgery in college did develop OA. The largest mean differences were between the healthy knee and surgical knee/OA groups on the KOOS-quality of life scale (mean difference: 49.76; χ2(3) = 44.65; P < .001) and KOOS-sports scale (mean difference: 43.69; χ2(3) = 28.69; P < .001), with the surgical knee/OA group scoring worse. Conclusions: Later in life functional limitations were observed in individuals who sustained a knee injury requiring surgery and developed OA. These findings support increased efforts toward prevention of knee injuries and consideration of the long-term implication when making treatment and return to activity decisions.
Comparison of a Vibration Roller and a Nonvibration Roller Intervention on Knee Range of Motion and Pressure Pain Threshold: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Cheatham Scott W. , Stull Kyle R. , Kolber Morey J.
Published: August 2017

Background: Roller massage (RM) has become a common intervention among health and fitness professionals. Recently, manufacturers have merged the science of vibration therapy and RM with the development of vibration rollers. Of interest, is the therapeutic effects of such RM devices. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a vibration roller and nonvibration roller intervention on prone knee-flexion passive range of motion (ROM) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the quadriceps musculature. Methods: Forty-five recreationally active adults were randomly allocated to one of 3 groups: vibration roller, nonvibration roller, and control. Each roller intervention lasted a total of 2 minutes. The control group did not roll. Dependent variables included prone knee-flexion ROM and PPT measures. Statistical analysis included parametric and nonparametric tests to measure changes among groups. Results: The vibration roller demonstrated the greatest increase in PPT (180 kPa, P < .001), followed by the nonvibration roller (112 kPa, P < .001) and control (61 kPa, P < .001). For knee flexion ROM, the vibration roller demonstrated the greatest increase in ROM (7°, P < .001), followed by the nonvibration roller (5°, P < .001) and control (2°, P < .001). Between groups, there was a significant difference in PPT between the vibration and nonvibration roller (P = .03) and vibration roller and control (P < .001). There was also a significant difference between the nonvibration roller and control (P < .001). For knee ROM, there was no significant difference between the vibration and nonvibration roller (P = .31). A significant difference was found between the vibration roller and control group (P < .001) and nonvibration roller and control group (P < .001). Conclusion: The results suggest that a vibration roller may increase an individual’s tolerance to pain greater than a nonvibration roller. This investigation should be considered a starting point for future research on this technology.