bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linear traveltime perturbation interpolation: a novel method to compute 3-D traveltimes
Authors: Zhang Jianzhong , Shi Junjie , Song Lin-Ping , Zhou Hua-wei
Published: August 2015

The linear traveltime interpolation has been a routine method to compute first arrivals of seismic waves and trace rays in complex media. The method assumes that traveltimes follow a linear distribution on each boundary of cells. The linearity assumption of traveltimes facilitates the numerical implementation but its violation may result in large computational errors. In this paper, we propose a new way to mitigate the potential shortcoming hidden in the linear traveltime interpolation. We use the vertex traveltimes in a calculated cell to introduce an equivalent homogeneous medium that is specific to the cell boundary from a source. Therefore, we can decompose the traveltime at a point on the cell boundary into two parts: (1) a reference traveltime propagating in the equivalent homogeneous medium and (2) a perturbation traveltime that is defined as the difference between the original and reference traveltimes. We now treat that the traveltime perturbation is linear along each boundary of cells instead of the traveltime. With the new assumption, we carry out the bilinear interpolation over traveltime perturbation to complete traveltime computation in a 3-D heterogeneous model. The numerical experiments show that the new method, the linear traveltime perturbation interpolation, is able to achieve much higher accuracy than that based on the linear traveltime interpolation.
Microsatellite DNA analysis of Pacific hake Merluccius productus population structure in the Salish Sea
Authors: Iwamoto Eric M. , Elz Anna E. , García-De León Francisco J. , Silva-Segundo Claudia A. , Ford Michael J. , Palsson Wayne A. , Gustafson Richard G.
Published: August 2015

This study presents the first microsatellite DNA study of population structure of Pacific hake, Merluccius productus (also known as Pacific whiting) within the Salish Sea, which has been identified as a distinct population segment under the US Endangered Species Act and is currently listed as a federal Species of Concern. In contrast, a separate coastal stock component of Pacific hake represents the most abundant commercial groundfish species on the US West Coast. We surveyed variation at 10 microsatellite DNA loci in a total of 655 individuals from three Salish Sea locations (Port Susan (PTS) and Dabob Bay in Washington and south-central Strait of Georgia (SOG) in British Columbia), three coastal locations (two off southern California and one in the Gulf of Alaska), and the Northern Gulf of California (GOC), México. No significant differences were detected among temporal samples from both PTS and SOG locations. Multilocus measures of population subdivision between coastal and Salish Sea populations (all pairwise FST ≥ 0.03) and between PTS and SOG populations (FST ≥ 0.01) suggest a moderate degree of demographic isolation among these spawning populations. No significant genetic differences were found among the three coastal Pacific hake samples; however, Pacific hake from the GOC were significantly differentiated from both coastal (FST > 0.05) and Salish Sea (FST ≥ 0.03) Pacific hake. Correlations between genetic and geographic distance showed that Pacific hake display a very strong isolation by distance signal, both over the whole study area (∼4500 km; r2 = 0.94) and within the Salish Sea (∼280 km; r2 = 0.72). This study suggests that PTS and SOG populations are to some extent demographically isolated from each other.
An analysis of the Podelski–Rybalchenko termination theorem via bar recursion
Authors: Berardi Stefano , Oliva Paulo , Steila Silvia
Published: August 2015

We present an effective proof (with explicit bounds) of the Podelski and Rybalchenko Termination Theorem. The sub-recursive bounds we obtain make use of bar recursion, in the form of the product of selection functions, as this is used to interpret the Weak Ramsey Theorem for pairs. The construction can be seen as calculating a modulus of well-foundedness for a given program given moduli of well-foundedness for the disjunctively well-founded finite set of covering relations. When the input moduli are in system T , this modulus is also definable in system T by a result of Schwichtenberg on bar recursion.
An Automated Surveillance Strategy to Ide.jpegy Infectious Complications After Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Procedures
Authors: Boggan Joel C. , Baker Arthur W. , Lewis Sarah S. , Dicks Kristen V. , Durkin Michael J. , Moehring Rebekah W. , Chen Luke F. , Knelson Lauren P. , Hegland Donald D. , Anderson Deverick J.
Published: September 2015

Background.  The optimum approach for infectious complication surveillance for cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) procedures is unclear. We created an automated surveillance tool for infectious complications after CIED procedures.

Methods.  Adults having CIED procedures between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2011 at Duke University Hospital were ide.jpegied retrospectively using International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision (ICD-9) procedure codes. Potential infections were ide.jpegied with combinations of ICD-9 diagnosis codes and microbiology data for 365 days postprocedure. All microbiology-ide.jpegied and a subset of ICD-9 code-ide.jpegied possible cases, as well as a subset of procedures without microbiology or ICD-9 codes, were reviewed. Test performance characteristics for specific queries were calculated.

Results.  Overall, 6097 patients had 7137 procedures. Of these, 1686 procedures with potential infectious complications were ide.jpegied: 174 by both ICD-9 code and microbiology, 14 only by microbiology, and 1498 only by ICD-9 criteria. We reviewed 558 potential cases, including all 188 microbiology-ide.jpegied cases, 250 randomly selected ICD-9 cases, and 120 with neither. Overall, 65 unique infections were ide.jpegied, including 5 of 250 reviewed cases ide.jpegied only by ICD-9 codes. Queries that included microbiology data and ICD-9 code 996.61 had good overall test performance, with sensitivities of approximately 90% and specificities of approximately 80%. Queries with ICD-9 codes alone had poor specificity. Extrapolation of reviewed infectious rates to nonreviewed cases yields an estimated rate of infection of 1.3%.

Conclusions.  Electronic queries with combinations of ICD-9 codes and microbiologic data can be created and have good test performance characteristics for ide.jpegying likely infectious complications of CIED procedures.
Short-Term Omega 3 Fatty Acids Treatment for Dry Eye in Young and Middle-Aged Visual Display Terminal Users
Authors: Bhargava Rahul , Kumar Prachi , Arora Yogesh
Published: August 2015

Objective:

To evaluate the effect of an omega 3 fatty acid (O3FA) oral supplement (2,400 mg/day) for 45 days on dry eye symptoms, tear production, stability, and conjunctival cytology in young and middle-aged visual display terminal (VDT) users.

Methods:

Institutional review board approval was obtained, and a randomized, double-blind, interventional study was done; eyes of 256 VDT users were randomized to receive 4 capsules twice daily for 45 days (O3FA group), each containing 180 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid. The O3FA group was compared with another group (n=266) who received 8 capsules of a placebo (olive oil). Patients were evaluated at baseline, 30 days, and 45 days. The primary outcome measure was an improvement in dry eye symptoms. Secondary outcome measures were improvement in the Nelson grade on conjunctival impression cytology, Schirmer test values, and tear film breakup time (TBUT). Means of groups (pretreatment, day 30, and day 45) were compared with repeated-measure analysis of variance. The relation between the outcome variables and VDT time was evaluated using linear regression.

Results:

In the O3FA group, the mean symptom score differed significantly (P<0.005) (pretreatment, 30 days, and 45 days); the TBUT and Nelson grade also improved significantly but only after 45 days of intervention. Schirmer test values did not differ significantly after adjustment for multiple comparisons (P=0.010). The change was not significant in the placebo group.

Conclusion:

Consumption of 2,400 mg/day of O3FA supplement improves symptoms, tear stability, and conjunctival cytology but not tear production in symptomatic VDT users.
Short Stay Unit and Emergency Department: Pharmacotherapeutic Interventions and Its Impact
Authors: Romero-Ventosa Elena Y. , Pérez-Landeiro Antonio , Leboreiro-Enríquez Belén , Rubianes-González Martín , Lamas-Domínguez Pablo , Pineiro-Corrales Guadalupe
Published: August 2015

The incidence of adverse effects in hospitals is very high and a lot of them are related to medication. The most important factor in pharmaceutical interventions to reduce adverse effects is medication reconciliation, and this process is indispensable during hospital care. Reasons for reconciliation errors are numerous but high-rotation care unit, such as emergency department and short stay units (SSUs) are more hazardous areas for patient safety. Prospective observational study was performed for 3 months. Medication reconciliation and pharmacotherapeutic interventions were carried out. Indicators regarding coverage of the program, quality of prescription, and reconciliation were established and a financial analysis was done. A total of 843 patients were studied and pharmacotherapeutic intervention was carried out in 310 patients. A total of 2463 drugs were checked and 452 pharmacotherapeutic interventions were carried out. The most of these interventions belong to cardiovascular system. A total of 149 interventions were according to the pharmacotherapeutical hospital formulary and 303 were drug-related problems (DRPs). The most frequent cause of DRP was drug omission, followed by incomplete prescriptions. Of the DRP, 56.8% were reconciliation errors. The most common recommendation was starting treatment. An overall saving of $49,846.31 is estimated in this study according to the risk of an increased stay for DRP and the cost of avoidable stays. Patient's safety was increased by pharmacist's involvement on emergency department and SSUs. In SSUs, there are many polymedicated patients, so this is the most suitable place to involve the pharmacist. Pharmacist's interventions are equally accepted in both services.
Risk of Hypertension With Sorafenib Use in Patients With Cancer: A Meta-Analysis From 20,494 Patients
Authors: Yang XiongWen , Pan Xiong , Cheng Xiaoshu , Kuang YuKang , Cheng YingZhang
Published: August 2015

Sorafenib is a new multikinase inhibitor; the incidence of hypertension (HTN) with sorafenib has been reported to vary substantially among clinical trials. We searched multiple databases to investigate the risk of sorafenib-induced HTN in patients with cancer. A total of 93 trials involving 20,494 patients were selected for this meta-analysis. The relative risks (RRs) of all-grade and high-grade HTN associated with sorafenib were 3.06 (P < 0.001) and 3.33 (P < 0.001). There are no significantly RRs of all-grade, 0.81 (P = 0.047), and high-grade HTN, 0.64 (P = 0.075), in sorafenib monotherapy versus other multitargeted antiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The incidence of sorafenib-associated all-grade and high-grade HTN was 21.3% (P < 0.001) and 5.9% (P < 0.001), respectively. The patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and thyroid cancer have high incidence (≥20%) of sorafenib-associated all-grade HTN and high incidence (≥5%) of sorafenib-associated high-grade HTN. The trials with median treatment duration ≥ 4, 5, and 7 months were 21.0% (P < 0.001), 25.4% (P < 0.001), and 27.6% (P < 0.001); progression-free survival ≥ 6, 9, and 12 months were 24.5% (P < 0.001), 26.8% (P < 0.001), and 32.8% (P < 0.001); and overall survival ≥ 12, 18, and 24 months were 18.5% (P < 0.001), 22.5% (P < 0.001), and 25.9% (P < 0.001), respectively. There is a significantly high risk of sorafenib-induced HTN. In comparison between sorafenib and other multitargeted antiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitors, RRs had no significance. The patients with RCC and thyroid cancer have significantly higher incidence of HTN. With prolonged treatment duration, progression-free survival, and overall survival, the incidence of all-grade HTN may increase.
Transcriptomic Characterization of Soybean Roots in Response toBradyrhizobiumInfection by RNA Sequencing
Authors: He Qingyuan , Hongyan Yang , Wu Ping , Li Zhengpeng , Wang Songhua , Zhu Changwei
Published: September 2015

Legumes interact withrhizobiumconvert N2into ammonia for plant use. To investigate the plant basal nitrogen fixation mechanisms induced in response toBradyrhizobium, differential gene expression in root of inoculated and mock-inoculated soybean was analysed by RNA-Seq. A total of 55787 transcripts were aligned to soybean genome reference sequences, 280 and 316 transcripts were found to be up-and down-regulated, respectively, in inoculated relative to mock-inoculated soybean’s root at V1 stage. Gene ontology (GO) analyses detected 104, 182 and 178 genes associated with cell component category, molecular function category and biological process category, respectively. Pathway analysis revealed that 98 differentiallly expressed genes (115 transcripts) involved in 169 biological pathways. We selected 19 differentially expressed genes and analyzed their expressions in mock-inoculated, inoculated USDA110 and CCBAU45436 using qRT-PCR. The results were consistent with those obtained fromrhizobiainfected RNA-Seq data. These showed that the results of RNA-Seq have reliability and universality. Additionally, this study showed some novel genes associated with nitrogen fixation process comparison with the previously identified QTLs.
The rediscovery ofStrix butleri(Hume, 1878) in Oman and Iran, with molecular resolution of the identity ofStrix omanensisRobb, van den Berg and Constantine, 2013
Authors: Robb Magnus S , Sangster George , Aliabadian Mansour , van den Berg Arnoud B , Constantine Mark , Irestedt Martin , Khani Ali , Musavi Seyed Babak , Nunes João M G , Willson Maïa Sarrouf , Walsh Alyn J
Published: September 2015

Background

Most species of owls (Strigidae) represent cryptic species and their taxonomic study is in flux. In recent years, two new species of owls of the genusStrixhave been described from the Arabian peninsula by different research teams. It has been suggested that one of these species,S. omanensis, is not a valid species but taxonomic comparisons have been hampered by the lack of specimens ofS. omanensis, and the poor state of the holotype ofS. butleri.

Methods

Here we use new DNA sequence data to clarify the taxonomy and nomenclature of theS. butlericomplex. We also report the capture of a singleS. butleriin Mashhad, Iran.

Results

A cytochrome b sequence ofS. omanensiswas found to be identical to that of the holotype ofS. butleri, indicating that the nameS. omanensisis best regarded as a junior synonym ofS. butleri. The identity of theS. butlericaptured in Mashhad, Iran, was confirmed using DNA sequence data. This represents a major (1,400 km) range extension of this species.

Conclusions

The population discovered in Oman in 2013 and originally named ‘S. omanensis’actually represents the rediscovery ofS. butleri,which was known from a single specimen and had not been recorded since 1878. The range ofS. butleriextends into northeast Iran. Our study augments the body of evidence for the recognition ofS. butleriandS. hadoramias separate species and highlights the importance of using multiple evidence to study cryptic owl species.
Tissue-specific tagging of endogenous loci inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Koles Kate , Yeh Anna R. , Rodal Avital A.
Published: August 2015

Fluorescent protein tags have revolutionized cell and developmental biology, and in combination with binary expression systems they enable diverse tissue-specific studies of protein function. However these binary expression systems often do not recapitulate endogenous protein expression levels, localization, binding partners, and developmental windows of gene expression. To address these limitations, we have developed a method called T-STEP (Tissue-SpecificTagging ofEndogenousProteins) that allows endogenous loci to be tagged in a tissue specific manner. T-STEP uses a combination of efficient gene targeting and tissue-specific recombinase-mediated tag swapping to temporally and spatially label endogenous proteins. We have employed this method to GFP tag OCRL (a phosphoinositide-5-phosphatase in the endocytic pathway) and Vps35 (a Parkinson's disease-implicated component of the endosomal retromer complex) in diverseDrosophilatissues including neurons, glia, muscles, and hemocytes. Selective tagging of endogenous proteins allows for the first time cell type-specific live imaging and proteomics in complex tissues.
The site-frequency spectrum associated with Ξ-coalescents
Authors: Blath Jochen , Cronjäger Mathias Christensen , Eldon Bjarki , Hammer Matthias
Published: August 2015

We give recursions for the expected site-frequency spectrum associated with so-calledXi-coalescents, that is exchangeable coalescents which admitsimultaneous multiple mergersof ancestral lineages. Xi-coalescents arise, for example, in association with population models of skewed offspring distributions with diploidy, recurrent advantageous mutations, or strong bottlenecks. In contrast, the simplerLambda-coalescentsadmit multiple mergers of lineages, but at most one such merger each time. Xi-coalescents, as well as Lambda-coalescents, can predict an excess of singletons, compared to the Kingman coalescent. We compare estimates of coalescent parameters when Xi-coalescents are applied to data generated by Lambda-coalescents, and vice versa. In general, Xi-coalescents predict fewer singletons than corresponding Lambda-coalescents, but a higher count of mutations of size larger than singletons. We fit examples of Xi-coalescents to unfolded site-frequency spectra obtained for autosomal loci of the diploid Atlantic cod, and obtain different coalescent parameter estimates than obtained with corresponding Lambda-coalescents. Our results provide new inference tools, and suggest that for autosomal population genetic data from diploid or polyploid highly fecund populations who may have skewed offspring distributions, one should not apply Lambda-coalescents, but Xi-coalescents.
Moderating effect of perceived inflation on dual commitment to organization and professional association
Authors: Akoto Edward Osei , Stammerjohan Claire Allison
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to draw upon exchange theory to test the moderating effect of perceived inflation on dual commitment among a sample of health professionals in Ghana. The authors test this effect on the unilateral contributions of commitment to the organization and commitment to the professional association.

Design/methodology/approach

– Survey questionnaires were used to elicit responses from 141 health professionals in Ghana. Least square moderated regression analysis was employed to test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

– The authors found that respondents do exhibit dual commitment to the organization and the professional association. The findings also supported the hypothesized moderating effect of perceived inflation on the contribution of the unilateral commitments to dual loyalty. Perceived inflation alters the contributions from the predictors, hence, reducing dual commitment.

Research limitations/implications

– The study sampled only public sector employees, but the authors do not consider this a fatal flaw since the public sector in Ghana employs a large percentage (51 percent) of the workforce. Future research should focus on the private sector to increase the generalizability of the perceived inflation construct.

Practical implications

– Perceived inflation can have adverse effects on workplace attitudes, including dual loyalty to the organization and to the union. But the finding also suggests that, in periods of inflationary pressures, high affective commitment can benefit the organization. The perceived reduction in the value of the economic exchange clearly has implications for compensation policy for the public sector in Ghana.

Originality/value

– Researchers have examined the perception of inflation on consumer behavior, but none has investigated the inflationary influence on workplace attitudes. This study extends the conceptualization of the index of perceived inflation and the psychology of inflation to the management literature. This study is the first to investigate the effect of perceived inflation on commitment.
Customers’ service quality perception in automotive repair
Authors: Izogo Ernest Emeka
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– This purpose of this paper is to investigate the diagnostic abilities and dimensional structure of the SERVQUAL scale within a non-western automotive repair services setting.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data collected from a randomly generated sample of 555 participants that produced a 50.63 percent response rate was factor analyzed and tested for internal scale consistency. A one samplet-test and a median ranking statistics of component extractions were also conducted.

Findings

– This study reveals that the SERVQUAL scale is a valid and reliable measure of service quality within the automotive repair services setting in a non-western context. Further outcomes from the assessment show that, even though the original five dimensional SERVQUAL structure was successfully replicated, there were definite differences in items assignment. Empathy also emerged as the most important dimension of service quality.

Research limitations/implications

– The outcomes of this study cannot be generalized. As such, the SERVQUAL scale should receive more rigorous research in non-western contexts in two directions. First, the scale should be tested across other services fields to further confirm its diagnostic abilities and dimensional structure. Second, more multi-sectoral as well as cross-cultural studies tested across larger data sets is equally required to enhance generalizability of findings across other non-western environments.

Originality/value

– This study demonstrated that the SERVQUAL scale is a valid and reliable measure of service quality within the automotive repair services setting in a non-western context with empathy emerging as the most significant dimension of service quality.
What could be an institutional framework for Liberia’s petroleum sector?
Authors: Horace John N
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– Reformers in many developing countries with significant hydrocarbon reserves have been drawn to the attention of designing the right policies for their oil sectors. With the right institutional arrangement, benefits from petroleum activities and minimization of transaction costs could be realized. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– This work examines six oil producing countries that have used different methods in managing their hydrocarbon sectors. Their experiences are harnessed to serve as options that Liberia could consider. It therefore uses the Norwegian model of petroleum sector management as lead indicator.

Findings

– Liberia is a developing economy with limited experience and low institutional capacity with respect to managing her oil sector, and as such, this paper renders the conclusion that Liberia develops her human talents in petroleum activities and should initially have one manager to oversee the petroleum sector until the right institutions are installed and human capacity develops.

Originality/value

– Using the Norwegian model as the basis for the investigation, the researcher looks at intriguing issues on why this model has worked in some countries and fails to exist in others.
Chinese single-listed ADRs: returns and volatility
Authors: Rodríguez Javier , Toledo Wilfredo
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– Single-listed American depositary receipts (ADRs) are traded in US markets, while their underlying share is not listed in the firm’s home market. The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the factors affecting the returns and volatility of a sample of Chinese single-listed ADRs, in comparison with traditional Chinese ADRs.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methods used in this paper are similar to those used in the examination of traditional or dual-listed Chinese ADRs. However, motivated by the very nature of single-listed ADRs, the authors estimate a base model which includes factors from the two presumably most important markets for single-listed Chinese ADRs (i.e. the Chinese and US markets). In all of the estimations, the authors follow a two-step procedure. First, the authors estimate a GARCH(1,1) model with the mean equation modeled as an AR(p) process and from those models estimate GARCH (conditional) variances.

Findings

– In line with the evidence on traditional Chinese ADRs, the authors find that both the Chinese and the US markets are important predictors of single-listed ADR returns. The results are robust to variations in the model specifications.

Originality/value

– Single-listed ADR return behavior is still an under-researched topic. In this paper, the authors contribute to the literature on Chinese single-listed ADRs by empirically examining the determinants of their mean return and volatility.
The challenge of the visual: making medieval seals accessible in the digital age
Authors: McEwan John Alexander
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present and evaluate an innovative classification system for medieval seals that was created as part of the Seals in Medieval Wales (SiMeW) project, funded by the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). The classification system developed in response to the cataloguing challenges associated with rapidly gathering sigillographic information on about 2,500 medieval seals from a number of collections in several UK repositories.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper outlines the challenges involved in recording and classifying medieval seals from the British Isles, and describes existing systems for organizing sigillographic information. The SiMeW system is explained as a response to the limitations of existing systems.

Findings

– Designers of systems for recording seals need to take into account the physical characteristics of seal impressions, matrices, and casts, the strength and limitations of digital media, as well as the need of cataloguers and users.

Originality/value

– In recent years scholars have systematically investigated the problems associated with text-based image indexing and retrieval. Nonetheless, medieval seals have been largely overlooked, even though they are common in UK repositories. SiMeW’s system offers cataloguers an example of an approach that they can use in new and existing seal catalogues, to generate metadata that can help make seals, which are a key component of the cultural legacy of the Middle Ages, more accessible to users.
Documentary credit fraud against banks: analysis of Korean cases
Authors: Han Chang-Ryung , Nelen Hans , Joo Matthew Youngho
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the feature and mechanism of a new type of documentary credit fraud that victimizes banks’ issuing letters of credit (L/C), harming neither the importer nor the exporter and seeks to suggest possible measures to tackle it.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study analyzed 30 cases of documentary credit fraud against banks that were detected by the Korea Customs Service (KCS) and interviewed three key customs investigators to interpret the case reports more accurately and gain a deeper understanding into the mechanisms governing the fraud. This study draws on routine activity theory and crime pattern theory to analyze the opportunity structures of this fraud.

Findings

– This study found that the importer that engaged in the fraud cases had established a solid business relationship with the exporter and had established trust with the victimized banks; the banks, despite the fact that they had their own risk management systems to screen out unqualified L/C applicants, were defrauded by the offending importers and exporters. Unlike ordinary documentary credit fraud, fraud against banks can be tackled by customs because the offender and the victim typically operate in the same jurisdiction, and this type of fraud often results in trade-based capital flight and money laundering, which is the target of customs enforcement.

Research limitations/implications

– As this paper is based on case reports of the KCS, it is inappropriate to generalize the findings or to apply the findings to other contexts. Nevertheless, the opportunity structure elaborated upon in the course of this paper may prove useful in devising measures to tackle this type of fraud elsewhere.

Originality/value

– Documentary credit fraud against banks is relatively unexplored, in particular from criminological perspective. This study can contribute to a refinement of the application of opportunity perspective to white-collar crime.
Psoriasis‐like lesions in a patient with familial Mediterranean fever
Authors: Ashida Miwa , Koike Yuta , Kuwatsuka Sayaka , Ichinose Kunihiro , Migita Kiyoshi , Sano Shigetoshi , Utani Atsushi
Published: September 2015

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a rare hereditary autoinflammatory disorder that is caused by pyrin gene mutation associated with aberrance of the interleukin (IL)‐1β pathway and characterized by recurrent, self‐limiting attacks of fever and other inflammatory symptoms. We report a case of FMF with annular erythema and psoriasis‐like lesions, the latter of which demonstrated parakeratosis with neutrophil microabscesses and mild inflammatory mononuclear cell infiltration in the upper dermis. Immunofluorescence staining showed IL‐17‐positive T‐cells. Skin eruption with neutrophil migration in the epidermis may be provoked by T‐helper 17 cell activation through the abnormal IL‐1β cascade in FMF.
Metabolism correlates with variation in post‐natal growth rate among songbirds at three latitudes
Authors: Ton Riccardo , Martin Thomas E.
Published: September 2015

Variation in post‐natal growth rates is substantial among organisms and especially strong among latitudes because tropical and south temperate species typically have slower growth than north temperate relatives. Metabolic rate is thought to be a critical mechanism underlying growth rates after accounting for allometric effects of body mass. However, comparative tests on a large spatial scale are lacking, and the importance of metabolism for growth rates remains unclear both within and particularly across latitudes.

Songbirds exhibit strong interspecific variation in growth rates across geographic space, although within latitudes an association between metabolic rate and growth rate has not always been observed. Moreover, the hypothesis that differences in growth rates across latitudes reflect underlying differences in metabolism is untested. Here, we investigate these possibilities across north temperate, south temperate and tropical study sites.

Phylogenetic analyses showed that, for a given body mass, metabolic rates of north temperate nestlings were higher than tropical and south temperate species. Metabolic rates controlled for body mass correlated with post‐natal growth rates both within and among latitudes. Offspring body mass explained substantial residual variation in growth rates as expected under classic allometric theory.

Our results suggest that variation in metabolic rates has an important influence on broad patterns of avian growth rates at a global scale. We suggest further studies that address the ecological and physiological costs and consequences of variation in metabolism and growth rates.
Multiple mating reveals complex patterns of assortative mating by personality and body size
Authors: Montiglio Pierre‐Olivier , Wey Tina W. , Chang Ann T. , Fogarty Sean , Sih Andrew
Published: September 2015

Understanding patterns of non‐random mating is central to predicting the consequences of sexual selection. Most studies quantifying assortative mating focus on testing for correlations among partners' phenotypes in mated pairs. Few studies have distinguished between assortative mating arising from preferences for similar partners (expressed by all or a subset of the population) vs. from phenotypic segregation in the environment. Also, few studies have assessed the robustness of assortative mating against temporal changes in social conditions.

We tracked multiple matings by stream water striders (Aquarius remigis) across variable social conditions to investigate mating patterns by both body size and behavioural type (personality). We documented temporal changes in partner availability and used a mixed model approach to analyse individual behaviours and changes in mating status recorded on an hourly basis. We assessed whether all or only a subset of individuals in the population expressed a tendency to mate with similar phenotypes. Our analyses took into account variation in the level of competition and in the phenotypes of available partners.

Males and females exhibited significant assortative mating by body size: the largest males and females, and the smallest males and females mated together more often than random. However, individuals of intermediate size were equally likely to mate with small, intermediate or large partners. Individuals also displayed two contrasting patterns of assortative mating by personality (activity level). Individuals generally mated preferentially with partners of similar activity level. However, beyond that general trend, individuals with more extreme personalities tended to exhibit disassortative mating: the most active males mated disproportionately with less active females and the least active males tended to mate with more active females.

Our analyses thus revealed multiple, distinct patterns of nonrandom mating. These mating patterns did not arise from differences in partner availability among individuals and were robust to temporal changes in social conditions. Hence, mating patterns likely reflect mate preferences or arise from male–male competition coupled with sexual conflict. Our study also stresses the importance of accounting for variation in partner availability and demonstrates the influence of behavioural variation on mating patterns.
Divergent effects of forest edges on host distribution and seed disperser activity influence mistletoe distribution and recruitment
Authors: Magrach Ainhoa , Rodríguez‐Pérez Javier , Piazzon Martín , Santamaría Luis
Published: September 2015

Species interactions define functional diversity and community stability across ecosystems, and depend on the spatial distribution, the habitat requirements and the sensitivity to disturbances of all interacting partners. Hence, assessing the effects of such anthropogenic disturbances on multi‐species interactions may be essential to improve adaptation and mitigation measures for biodiversity conservation.

We determined the importance of edge effects on the interaction and distribution of three keystone species in South American temperate rain forests: the hemiparasitic mistletoe Tristerix corymbosus, its main host (the liana Campsidium valdivianum) and its only seed disperser (the marsupial Dromiciops gliroides).

The discordant impacts of forest edges on host (positive) and seed disperser (negative) affected mistletoe distribution at large spatial scales, owing to the combined effects of increased dispersal limitation and decreased host availability. More importantly, marsupial abundance had contrasting effects on mistletoe abundance at small and large spatial scales – suggesting a potential trade‐off between local and long‐distance dispersal.

We found the number of adult mistletoes per host increased with host size, which likely indicates that mistletoe colonization accumulated over the host's lifespan. However, the number of juveniles found per host peaked at medium‐sized hosts, increased with marsupial abundance and host availability and showed a negligible response to edges.

Synthesis. The lack of spatial congruence between host and seed disperser probably explains the scarcity of mistletoes in the study area, although the discordant drivers of juvenile and adult distributions suggest that there is a trade‐off between recruitment patterns but also potential dispersal limitation at small scales. In essence, the interdependence amongst species linked by (mutualistic and antagonistic) interactions makes them more sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance, exacerbating its impact on the diversity and functioning of forest ecosystems.
The ex turpi causa principle in Hounga and Servier
Authors: Fisher James C.
Published: September 2015

In Hounga v Allen the majority of the Supreme Court employed a test for the application of the ex turpi causa defence involving the balancing of public policy arguments for and against allowing the defence. Although this has attracted some early academic support, this note will argue it is inconsistent with authority and principle. The later decision in Servier v Apotex does not address the Hounga decision directly but strongly endorses a more conservative approach to the ex turpi causa principle. The resulting tension between these two Supreme Court decisions is likely further to destabilise the law in this area. This note advances arguments in favour of the Servier approach, summarises both decisions in terms of their consistency with authority and considers the ways in which Servier may have limited the effects of Hounga.
Mental Capacity Act, Anorexia Nervosa and the Choice Between Life‐Prolonging Treatment and Palliative Care: A NHS Foundation Trust v Ms X
Authors: Wang Daniel Wei L.
Published: September 2015

The Court of Protection decided in A NHS Foundation Trust v Ms X that an anorexia nervosa patient lacked the capacity to refuse treatment for her eating disorder, but that it was not in her best‐interests to be subject to force‐feeding to prolong her life. The Court, vindicating previous judgments in similar cases, considered that the eating disorder rendered the patient incapable of deciding on nutrition and, therefore, that she lacked the capacity to refuse treatment for anorexia nervosa. This paper questions the narrow way in which the patient's decision was characterised by the Court in this and previous cases, which led to an application of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 that is incompatible with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities because, based on a diagnosis only, anorexia nervosa patients were denied the right to decide where the balance lies between quality and duration of their own lives.
Maternal outcomes at 3 months after planned caesarean section versus planned vaginal birth for twin pregnancies in the Twin Birth Study: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hutton EK , Hannah ME , Ross S , Joseph KS , Ohlsson A , Asztalos EV , Willan AR , Allen AC , Armson BA , Gafni A , Mangoff K , Sanchez JJ , Barrett JF ,   the Twin Birth Study Collaborative Group
Published: September 2015

Objective

To compare outcomes at 3 months post partum for women randomised to give birth by planned caesarean section (CS) or by planned vaginal birth (VB) in the Twin Birth Study (TBS).

Design

We invited women in the TBS to complete a 3‐month follow‐up questionnaire.

Setting

Two thousand and eight hundred and four women from 25 countries.

Population

Two thousand and five hundred and seventy women (92% response rate).

Methods

Women randomised between 13 December 2003 and 4 April 2011 in the TBS completed a questionnaire and outcomes were compared using an intention‐to‐treat approach.

Main outcome and measures

Breastfeeding, quality of life, depression, fatigue and urinary incontinence.

Results

We found no clinically important differences between groups in any outcome. In the planned CS versus planned VB groups, breastfeeding at any time after birth was reported by 84.4% versus 86.4% (P = 0.13); the mean physical and mental Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF‐36) quality of life scores were 51.8 versus 51.6 (P = 0.65) and 46.7 versus 46.0 (P = 0.09), respectively; the mean Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue score was 20.3 versus 20.8 (P = 0.14); the frequency of probable depression on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was 14.0% versus 14.8% (P = 0.57); the rate of problematic urinary incontinence was 5.5% versus 6.4% (P = 0.31); and the mean Incontinence Impact Questionnaire‐7 score was 20.5 versus 20.4 (P = 0.99). Partner relationships, including painful intercourse, were similar between the groups.

Conclusion

For women with twin pregnancies randomised to planned CS compared with planned VB, outcomes at 3 months post partum did not differ. The mode of birth was not associated with problematic urinary incontinence or urinary incontinence that affected the quality of life. Contrary to previous studies, breastfeeding at 3 months was not increased with planned VB.

Tweetable abstract

Planned mode of birth for twins doesn't affect maternal depression, wellbeing, incontinence or breastfeeding.
The Impact of Pediatrician Supply on Child Health Outcomes: Longitudinal Evidence from Japan
Authors: Sakai Rie , Fink Günther , Kumamaru Hiraku , Kawachi Ichiro
Published: September 2015

Objective

To investigate the effect of pediatrician supply on under‐5 mortality over the period 2000–2010.

Data Sources

Multiple publicly available data sources were used.

Study Design

Japan's 366 “Secondary Tier of Medical Care Units” (STMCU) were used as study units. To evaluate the association between under‐5 mortality and pediatrician supply, we explored time and area fixed‐effects Poisson regression model. The following factors were introduced into the models as time‐varying controls: (1) number of physicians other than pediatricians per total population except for under‐5‐year‐old population, and (2) income per total population by year and STMCU. Extensive sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess robustness of results.

Principal Findings

Pediatrician density was inversely associated with under‐5 mortality. We estimated that a unit increase in pediatrician density was associated with a 7 percent (95 percent CI: 2–12 percent) reduction in the child mortality rate after adjustment for all other variables. The results were consistent and robust across all specifications tested.

Conclusions

The results suggest that increasing human health resources can have positive effects on child health, even in settings where child mortality of less than 5 per 1,000 has been achieved.
Deneddylase 1 regulates deneddylase activity of the Cop9 signalosome in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Kim Kiyoung , Yoon Jeongsook , Yim Jeongbin , Kim Hyung‐Jun
Published: September 2015

NEDD8 conjugation of Cullin has an important role in ubiquitin‐mediated protein degradation. The COP9 signalosome, of which CSN5 is the major catalytic subunit, is a major Cullin deneddylase. Another deneddylase, Deneddylase 1, has also been shown to process the Nedd8 precursor. In Drosophila, the DEN1 mutants do not have increased levels of Cullin neddylation, but instead show a significant decrease in neddylated Cullin. This characteristic decrease in neddylated Cullins in the DEN1null background can be rescued by UAS‐dDEN1WT overexpression but not by overexpression of mature NEDD8, indicating that this phenotype is distinct from the NEDD8‐processing function of DEN1. We examined the role of DEN1–CSN interaction in regulating Cullin neddylation. Overexpression of DEN1 in a CSN5hypo background slightly reduced unneddylated Cullin levels. The CSN5, DEN1 double mutation partially rescues the premature lethality associated with the CSN5 single mutation. These results suggest that DEN1 regulates Cullin neddylation by suppressing CSN deneddylase activity.
External Supply Risks in the Context of Food Security: An Index Borrowed from the Energy Security Literature
Authors: Hubbard Carmen , Hubbard Lionel
Published: September 2015

In recent years many countries have become increasingly concerned about food security. Concern was heightened by the sudden and sharp increase in world food prices in 2007–08, but additionally other factors are now adjudged to pose a threat, such as climate change, oil shortages, increased use of biofuels, rapidly growing demand in China and India, embargos and international terrorism. This article focuses on one aspect of overall food security, that of external supply risks. It highlights an interesting parallel between the food security debate and that of security of energy supplies, and offers a quantitative assessment of the risks associated with external food supplies through application of an index borrowed from the recent literature on energy security. The index accounts for risks associated with (i) the number of supplying countries, (ii) the political and economic situation in each of these, and (iii) import dependency. A worked example for the UK, using bilateral trade data for the period 1988–2010, shows that values of the index are very low with no clear trend. Consequently, external supply risks are not high with respect to food imports into the UK and do not warrant alarm or undue concern.
Autoimmune hepatitis: Unveiling faces
Authors: Zhu Jiang Yi , Han Ying
Published: September 2015

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a complex multifactorial liver disease with unknown etiology. It may be induced by certain triggers that cause immune disorders and autoimmune attack in genetically susceptible individuals, which ultimately results in chronic persistent interface inflammation of the liver. The diagnosis of AIH is made based on comprehensive evaluation score system. All AIH patients should receive interventions and the mainstay therapy is prednisone alone or in combination with azathioprine. Further exploratory researches on refractory AIH have been developed. Liver transplantation is still the only effective option for patients with decompensated cirrhosis or hepatic failure.
Comparison of roentgenographic manifestations of active pulmonary tuberculosis between migrant and non‐migrant populations in the Hunter Region
Authors: Stott Samantha M , Soans Barry , Bui John QH
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Active pulmonary tuberculosis in Australia is considered more common in migrants and the immunocompromised, but little data exist on how it manifests in non‐migrants. This study identified the radiographic findings of active pulmonary tuberculosis in the Hunter Region, NSW, Australia, and determined whether this manifests differently in non‐migrant and migrant populations.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed 64 patients over 8 years from the Hunter Region, who had positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultures and contemporaneous thoracic imaging. Recorded data included age, gender, country of origin and chest radiographic findings, the latter categorised into apical fibrocavitatory disease, mixed apical fibrocavitation and consolidation, consolidation, lymphadenopathy, pleural effusions, tree‐in‐bud, empyema and miliary nodules.

Results

Sixty‐four patients (men = 37, women = 27) had available thoracic imaging, of which 34 were Australian born. There was no statistically significant difference in the age between Australian‐born and migrants (49.1 years (95% confidence interval, CI 42.8–55.5) vs 48.2 years (95% CI 41.1–55.3), P = 0.71). The most common radiographic manifestations were purely apical fibrocavitatory lesions (22%), mixed apical fibrocavitation and consolidation (6%) and purely consolidation (27%). Migrants were more likely to have consolidation (40%), while Australian‐born individuals were more likely to have apical fibrocavitatory lesions (26%). Australian‐born individuals were slightly more likely to have a normal chest radiograph (18% vs 10%).

Conclusion

There are radiographic differences between Australian‐born and migrant populations with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Migrants are more likely to present with consolidation, and Australian‐born with fibrocavitatory lesions. A normal chest radiograph does not exclude active tuberculosis, and while thoracic computed tomography may be useful to detect tree‐in‐bud opacities, neither should not detract from commencing treatment of a positive culture for tuberculosis.