bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Decay of Disease Association with Declining Linkage Disequilibrium: A Fine Mapping Theorem
Authors: Maadooliat Mehdi , Bansal Naveen K. , Upadhya Jiblal , Farazi Manzur R. , Ye Zhan , Li Xiang , Schrodi Steven J.
Published: May 2016

Several important and fundamental aspects of disease genetics models have yet to be described. One such property is the relationship of disease association statistics at a marker site closely linked to a disease causing site. A complete description of this two-locus system is of particular importance to experimental efforts to fine map association signals for complex diseases. Here, we present a simple relationship between disease association statistics and the decline of linkage disequilibrium from a causal site. A complete derivation of this relationship from a general disease model is shown for very large sample sizes. Quite interestingly, this relationship holds across all modes of inheritance. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations using a disease genetics model applied to chromosomes subjected to a standard model of recombination are employed to better understand the variation around this fine mapping theorem due to sampling effects. We also use this relationship to provide a framework for estimating properties of a non-interrogated causal site using data at closely linked markers. We anticipate that understanding the patterns of disease association decay with declining linkage disequilibrium from a causal site will enable more powerful fine mapping methods.
iVirus: facilitating new insights in viral ecology with software and community datasets imbedded in a cyberinfrastructure
Authors: Bolduc Benjamin , Youens-Clark Ken , Roux Simon , Hurwitz Bonnie L. , Sullivan Matthew B.
Published: May 2016

Microbes impact nutrient and energy transformations throughout the world’s ecosystems, yet they do so under viral constraints. In complex communities, viral metagenome (virome) sequencing is transforming our ability to quantify viral diversity and impacts. While some bottlenecks, e.g., few reference genomes and non-quantitative viromics, have been overcome, the void of centralized datasets and specialized tools now prevents viromics from being broadly applied to answer fundamental ecological questions. Here we present iVirus, a community resource that leverages the CyVerse cyberinfrastructure to provide access to viromic tools and datasets. The iVirus Data Commons contains both raw and processed data from 1866 samples and 73 projects derived from global ocean expeditions, as well as existing and legacy public repositories. Through the CyVerse Discovery Environment, users can interrogate these datasets using existing analytical tools (software applications known as “Apps”) for assembly, ORF prediction, and annotation, as well as several new Apps specifically developed for analyzing viromes. Because Apps are web-based and powered by CyVerse super-computing resources, they enable scalable analyses for a broad user base. Finally, a use-case scenario documents how to apply these advances towards new data. This growing iVirus resource should help researchers utilize viromics as yet another tool to elucidate viral roles in nature.
Human rights disasters, corporate accountability and the state
Authors: Siddiqui Javed , Uddin Shahzad
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the state-business nexus in responses to human rights violations in businesses and questions the efficacy of the UN guiding principles on human rights in businesses, in particular in the ready-made garments (RMG) industry in Bangladesh. Drawing on Cohen’s notion of “denial” and Black’s (2008) legitimacy and accountability relationships of state and non-state actors, the study seeks to explain why such “soft” global regulations remain inadequate.

Design/methodology/approach

– The empirical work for this paper is based on the authors’ participation in two multiple-stakeholder advisory consultation meetings for the RMG sector in Bangladesh and 11 follow-up interviews. This is supplemented by documentary evidence on human rights disasters, responses of the state and non-state actors and human rights reports published in national and international newspapers.

Findings

– The paper provides clear evidence that the state-business nexus perpetuates human rights disasters. The study also shows that the Bangladeshi state, ruled by family-led political parties, is more inclined to protect businesses that cause human rights disasters than to ensure human rights in businesses. The economic conditions of the RMG industry and accountability and legitimacy relationships between state and non-state actors have provided the necessary background for RMG owners to continue to violate the safety and security of the workplace and maintain inhumane working conditions.

Research limitations/implications

– Complex state politics, including family, kinship and wealthy supporters, and economic circumstances have serious implications for the efficacy of the UN guiding principle on human rights for business. This paper calls for broader political and economic changes, nationally and internationally.

Originality/value

– The study highlights the perpetuation of corporate human rights abuses by the state-business nexus, and indicates that human rights issues continue to be ignored through a discourse of denial. This is explained in terms of legitimacy and accountability relationships between state and non-state actors, bounded by complex political and economic conditions.
Sequence determination of a new parrot bornavirus‐5 strain in Japan: implications of clade‐specific sequence diversity in the regions interacting with host factors
Authors: Komorizono Ryo , Makino Akiko , Horie Masayuki , Honda Tomoyuki , Tomonaga Keizo
Published: May 2016

In this study, the genome sequence of a new parrot bornavirus‐5 (PaBV‐5) detected in Eclectus roratus was determined. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the genus Bornavirus is divided into three major clades and that PaBV‐5 belongs to clade 2, which contains avian viruses that exhibit infectivity to mammalian cells. Sequence comparisons of the regions known to interact with host factors indicated that the clade 2 avian viruses possess sequences intermediate between the clade 1 mammalian viruses and the clade 3 avian viruses, suggesting that the identified regions might contribute to the differences in virological properties between the three clades.
SPECT‐CT/VQ versus CTPA for diagnosing pulmonary embolus and other lung pathology: Pre‐existing lung disease should not be a contraindication
Authors: Bhatia Kartik Dev , Ambati Chaitanya , Dhaliwal Rajiv , Paschkewitz Royce , Hsu Eugene , Ho Bao , Young Andy , Emmett Louise
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography‐Ventilation‐Perfusion (SPECT‐VQ) with low‐dose CT (SPECT‐CT/VQ) has equivalent diagnostic accuracy to CTPA for diagnosing pulmonary embolus (PE) while using lower radiation doses, but is underutilized owing to perceived inaccuracy of scintigraphy in the setting of pre‐existing lung disease. This study assesses the accuracy of SPECT‐CT/VQ compared with CTPA for the diagnosis of PE, including in patients with pre‐existing lung disease.

Methods

Retrospective non‐inferiority cohort study of all patients who underwent SPECT‐CT/VQ scanning at St Vincent's Hospital, NSW, from June 2012 to November 2013, who also had a CTPA within the same admission and <72 h apart (n = 102).

Results

SPECT‐CT/VQ had 100% sensitivity and 94.4% specificity when compared with CTPA. Of the 102 patients, 14 were lung transplant patients, and 27 had other pre‐existing lung disease (41/102, 40.2%), with SPECT‐CT/VQ having a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 97.2% in this patient group. Non‐inferiority of SPECT‐CT/VQ was demonstrated at a significance level of 0.005.

Conclusion

SPECT‐CT/VQ has high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing PE compared with CTPA, even among patients with pre‐existing lung disease, with lower radiation doses.
The Theological Landscape of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty: the Catholic Church, the World Council of Churches and the Bomb
Authors: Welty Emily
Published: May 2016

Can religion bring something distinct, critical and useful to global politics? Or do the voices of religious actors mimic those of secularNGOs when given opportunities to speak truth to power in international diplomacy? This article examines these questions through the lens of nuclear disarmament, considering the role of the Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches at the 2015 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. While faith communities have had a potent role in pushing for nuclear disarmament, the article argues that much more can be done by religious actors to argue that nuclear weapons are a stain on the moral conscience of people of faith.
Topoisomerase I expression is associated with prognosis in postoperative non‐small cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Lu Baohua , Zhang Hongmei , Zhang Tongmei , Cai Yiran , Hu Ying , Zheng Hua , Li Baolan
Published: May 2016

Background

Biomarkers may help to improve non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) prognosis. However, the prognostic effect of topoisomerase I (Topo I) on NSCLC is unknown. We evaluated the clinicopathologic and prognostic significance of tumor Topo I and thymidylate synthase (TS) protein expression in postoperative NSCLC patients.

Methods

One hundred and fifteen patients with postoperative NSCLC were enrolled. Topo I and TS protein were detected in removed tumors by immunohistochemistry. The correlations between Topo I/TS protein expression and clinicopathologic characters and outcomes of patients were analyzed.

Results

Increased expression of Topo I was found in 57 (49.6%) tumors. The largest diameter of the tumor was significantly different between patients with high and low Topo I expression (
P
= 0.035). TS staining showed that 35 (30.4%) carcinomas were TS positive. The level of TS expression was correlated with tumor differentiation (
P
= 0.037). Patients with low Topo I expression had significantly longer overall survival (OS) than those with high expression (
P
= 0.004). The correlation between Topo I expression and OS was demonstrated among patients with squamous cell carcinoma (
P
= 0.030) and patients in pathological tumor node metastasis stage I (
P
= 0.027). Topo I expression was positively correlated with TS expression in tumor tissue (R = 0.251,
P
= 0.007).

Conclusions

Low Topo I expression is an independent favorable prognostic factor for longer OS in postoperative NSCLC patients, especially in squamous cell carcinoma. There is a correlation between the expression of TS and Topo I in removed tumor tissue.
Just Google it: assessing the use of Google Images to describe geographical variation in visible traits of organisms
Authors: Leighton Gabriella R. M. , Hugo Pierre S. , Roulin Alexandre , Amar Arjun
Published: May 2016

Describing spatial patterns of phenotypic traits can be important for evolutionary and ecological studies. However, traditional approaches, such as fieldwork, can be time‐consuming and expensive. Information technologies, such as Internet search engines, could facilitate the collection of these data. Google Images is one such technology that might offer an opportunity to rapidly collect information on spatial patterns of phenotypic traits.

We investigated the use of Google Images in extracting data on geographical variation in phenotypic traits visible from photographs. We compared the distribution of visual traits obtained from Google Images with four previous studies: colour morphs of black bear (Ursus americanus); colouration and spottiness in barn owl (Tyto alba); colour morphs of black sparrowhawk (Accipiter melanoleucus) and the distribution of hooded (Corvus corone) and carrion crows (Corvus cornix) across their European hybrid zone. Additionally, we develop and present a web application (Morphic), which facilitates the human data capture process of this method.

We found good agreement between fieldwork data and Google Images data across all studies. Indeed, there was strong agreement between the data obtained from the original study and from the Google Images method for the colour morphs of black bear (R2 = 80%) and for two barn owl plumage traits (R2 = 64% and 53%). Our approach also successfully matched the clinal variation of black sparrowhawks morphs across South Africa. Our method also gave a good agreement between the distribution of hooded and carrion crows (with 86% placed on the correct side of the hybrid zone line).

Our results suggest that this method can work well for visible traits of common and widespread species that are objective, binary, and easy to see irrespective of angle. The Google Images method is cost‐effective and rapid and can be used with some confidence when investigating patterns of geographical variation, as well as a range of other applications. In many cases, it could therefore supplement or replace fieldwork.
Smoking history, nicotine dependence and opioid use in patients with chronic non‐malignant pain
Authors: Plesner K. , Jensen H. I. , Højsted J.
Published: May 2016

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated a positive association between smoking and addiction to opioids in patients with chronic non‐malignant pain. This could be explained by a susceptibility in some patients to develop addiction. Another explanation could be that nicotine influences both pain and the opioid system. The objective of the study was to investigate whether smoking, former smoking ± nicotine use and nicotine dependence in patients with chronic non‐malignant pain were associated with opioid use and addiction to opioids.

Methods

The study was a cross‐sectional study carried out at a multidisciplinary Danish pain centre. All patients aged 18 or more in treatment at the pain centre on the 1st of September 2013 were invited to participate in the study.

Results

A total of 98 patients (65%) participated in the study. The prevalence of current smokers was twice as high as in the general population. The prevalence of patients using opioids was 54% and the prevalence of addiction to opioids was 6%. No significant differences in addiction were found between the different smoking groups, but smokers and former smokers using nicotine tended to use opioids more frequently and at higher doses than never smokers and former smokers not using nicotine.

Conclusions

The study supports previous evidence that smoking is associated with chronic pain. Our data suggest that information about use of nicotine substitution in chronic non‐malignant patients are relevant both in a clinical setting, but also in future studies of the association between smoking habits, pain and opioid use.
Prospective observational study of conjunctival scarring after phacoemulsification
Authors: Gozawa Makoto , Takamura Yoshihiro , Miyake Seiji , Yokota Satoshi , Sakashita Masanori , Arimura Shogo , Takihara Yuji , Inatani Masaru
Published: May 2016

Purpose

To examine whether anterior segment‐optical coherence tomography (AS‐OCT) can detect conjunctival scarring after transscleral phacoemulsification and whether temporal transscleral phacoemulsification causes scarring in the superior conjunctiva.

Methods

Transscleral phacoemulsification was performed in the superior conjunctiva (superior incision group) or the temporal conjunctiva (temporal incision group). Anterior segment‐optical coherence tomography (AS‐OCT) images of the superior conjunctiva were obtained before and after surgery. We quantified the thickness of the conjunctiva and preservation rates of the borderlines among the subconjunctival layers. The relationship between the AS‐OCT images and histology was evaluated in rabbit eyes with phacoemulsification.

Results

Each group comprised 25 patients. At ≤1 month after surgery, the superior conjunctiva was significantly thicker in the superior incision group than the temporal incision group (1 day, 7 days, and 1 month after surgery; p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, and p < 0.001 respectively); however, there were no significant differences between the two groups at ≥2 months. The borderline of the conjunctival stroma/Tenon's capsule and the borderline of the Tenon's capsule/sclera were preserved significantly better in the temporal incision group after surgery (p < 0.0001). The cell densities in the conjunctiva of the rabbit temporal incision group were unchanged after surgery, whereas the rabbit superior incision group had significantly more neutrophils (p = 0.0001) and myofibroblasts (p < 0.0001) in the superior conjunctiva than the temporal incision group.

Conclusions

Anterior segment‐optical coherence tomography (AS‐OCT) images can detect conjunctival scarring after transscleral phacoemulsification. The layer structures in the superior conjunctiva are unaffected by temporal transscleral incision.
Late Antique and Early Medieval Glass Vessels from Faragola (Italy)
Authors: Gliozzo E. , Turchiano M. , Giannetti F. , Memmi I.
Published: May 2016

Thirty‐two glass objects (third to ninth centuries ad) have been investigated by means of SEM–EDS, EMPA, ICP–MS and LA–ICP–MS. Siliceous sands and natron were identified as the vitrifying and the fluxing agents, respectively. Colouring agents were iron for yellow/–green, aqua blue and blackish glass; cobalt for blue and, combined with iron, for brownish glass; and copper and lead antimonates for one emerald green glass. Antimony was the main decolourizer, while manganese was rarely used or effective. Half of the collection was probably of Levantine origin, while the other half was assigned to the North African coast (Egypt?). The reliability of the CaO‐rich HIMT glass group has been consolidated.
Bystander killing effect of DS‐8201a, a novel anti‐human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 antibody–drug conjugate, in tumors with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 heterogeneity
Authors: Ogitani Yusuke , Hagihara Katsunobu , Oitate Masataka , Naito Hiroyuki , Agatsuma Toshinori
Published: May 2016

Antibody–drug conjugates deliver anticancer agents selectively and efficiently to tumor tissue and have significant antitumor efficacy with a wide therapeutic window. DS‐8201a is a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‐targeting antibody–drug conjugate prepared using a novel linker‐payload system with a potent topoisomerase I inhibitor, exatecan derivative (DX‐8951 derivative, DXd). It was effective against trastuzumab emtansine (T‐DM1)‐insensitive patient‐derived xenograft models with both high and low HER2 expression. In this study, the bystander killing effect of DS‐8201a was evaluated and compared with that of T‐DM1. We confirmed that the payload of DS‐8201a, DXd (1), was highly membrane‐permeable whereas that of T‐DM1, Lys‐SMCC‐DM1, had a low level of permeability. Under a coculture condition of HER2‐positive KPL‐4 cells and negative MDA‐MB‐468 cells in vitro, DS‐8201a killed both cells, whereas T‐DM1 and an antibody–drug conjugate with a low permeable payload, anti‐HER2‐DXd (2), did not. In vivo evaluation was carried out using mice inoculated with a mixture of HER2‐positive NCI‐N87 cells and HER2‐negative MDA‐MB‐468‐Luc cells by using an in vivo imaging system. In vivo, DS‐8201a reduced the luciferase signal of the mice, indicating suppression of the MDA‐MB‐468‐Luc population; however, T‐DM1 and anti‐HER2‐DXd (2) did not. Furthermore, it was confirmed that DS‐8201a was not effective against MDA‐MB‐468‐Luc tumors inoculated at the opposite side of the NCI‐N87 tumor, suggesting that the bystander killing effect of DS‐8201a is observed only in cells neighboring HER2‐positive cells, indicating low concern in terms of systemic toxicity. These results indicated that DS‐8201a has a potent bystander effect due to a highly membrane‐permeable payload and is beneficial in treating tumors with HER2 heterogeneity that are unresponsive to T‐DM1.
Strong independent association between obesity and essential hypertension
Authors: Movahed M. R. , Lee J. Z. , Lim W. Y. , Hashemzadeh M. , Hashemzadeh M.
Published: May 2016

Obesity and hypertension (HTN) are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Association between obesity and HTN has not been studied in a large populations following adjustment for comorbidities. The goal of this study was to evaluate any association between obesity and HTN after adjusting for baseline characteristics. We used ICD‐9 codes for obesity and HTN from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) databases. Two randomly selected years, 1992 and 2002, were chosen from the databases as two independent samples. We used uni‐ and multivariable analysis to study any correlation between obesity and HTN. The 1992 database contained a total of 6,195,744 patients. HTN was present in 37.2 % of patients with obesity versus 12% of the control group (OR: 4.36, CI 4.30–4.42, P < 0.001). The 2002 database contained a total of 7,153,982 patients. HTN was present in 50.7% of patients with obesity versus 25.6% of the control group (OR: 2.98, CI 2.96–3.00, P < 0.001). Using multivariable analysis adjusting for gender, hyperlipidaemia, age, smoking, type 2 diabetes and chronic renal failure, obesity remained correlated with HTN in both years (1992: OR 2.69, CI 2.67–2.72, P < 0.001; 2002: OR 2.98, CI 2.96–3.00, P < 0.001). The presence of obesity was found to be strongly and independently associated with HTN. The cause of this correlation is not known warranting further investigation.
Differences in the socio‐economic distribution of inflammatory bowel disease and microscopic colitis
Authors: Sonnenberg A. , Turner K. O. , Genta R. M.
Published: May 2016

Aim

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and microscopic colitis are characterized by different geographical distributions across the USA. In this cross‐sectional study we utilized demographic and socio‐economic information associated with individual ZIP codes to further delineate the epidemiological characteristics of the two diseases.

Method

A total of 813 057 patients who underwent colonoscopy between 2008 and 2014 were extracted from an electronic database of histopathology reports. The prevalence of patients with IBD or microscopic colitis was expressed as percentage of the population associated with specific demographic (age, sex, ethnicity) and socio‐economic characteristics (population size, housing value, annual income, tertiary education).

Results

Both diseases were more common among subjects from ZIP codes with predominantly White residents and less common among subjects from ZIP codes with predominantly non‐White residents such as Black, Hispanic and Asian. These ethnic variations were more pronounced in microscopic colitis than IBD. Markers of affluence, such as average residential house value and annual income, were positively associated with IBD and negatively with microscopic colitis. The prevalence of both diseases was positively correlated with tertiary education.

Conclusion

The occurrence of both IBD and microscopic colitis is influenced by environmental risk factors. The differences in the demographic, ethnic and socio‐economic distributions of the two diseases suggest that different sets of risk factors affect the two diseases and that their aetiology is unrelated.
Current land use is a poor predictor of hellbender occurrence: why assumptions matter when predicting distributions of data‐deficient species
Authors: Bodinof Jachowski Catherine M. , Millspaugh Joshua J. , Hopkins William A.
Published: May 2016

Aim

Understanding species distributions is fundamental to effective conservation planning. Data deficiency is common among rare and imperiled species and poses challenges for conservation planning because status assessments become reliant on scant data that can introduce bias. We used occupancy modelling to evaluate support for commonly accepted, but previously untested, hypotheses regarding factors that drive the occurrence of an imperiled and data‐deficient amphibian, the eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis). We investigated the potential for mismatch between areas likely to be identified as having high conservation priority based on the common assumption that hellbender occurrence corresponds to areas of high forest cover and those identified by well‐informed models.

Location

South‐west Virginia, USA.

Methods

We conducted triplicate surveys to detect C. alleganiensis in 49 stream reaches stratified across a land use gradient and two major drainages. We used a Bayesian multimodel framework to investigate factors associated with C. alleganiensis occupancy. We used the best‐performing models to predict probability of occupancy at the scale of a 50‐m stream reach throughout our study area and identify areas most likely to be occupied.

Results

Occurrence of C. alleganiensis was explained primarily by differences in underlying geology and topography (i.e. physiography) and negative effects of agriculture were only modestly supported. Best‐performing models suggested ~ 35% of our study area was occupied. Our findings suggest that predictions from models informed by presence‐only data and current land use would likely underestimate C. alleganiensis occupancy by as much as one‐third and incorrectly classify over half the currently occupied area to be of little importance to the species.

Main conclusion

Our study highlights the potential danger of assuming that the distribution of data‐deficient species can be approximated using untested, but commonly accepted, species–habitat associations.
Secondary school teachers and mental health competence: Italy–United Kingdom comparison
Authors: Monducci Elena , Battaglia Claudia , Forte Alberto , Masillo Alice , Telesforo Ludovica , Carlotto Alessandra , Piazzi Gioia , Patanè Martina , De Angelis Giulia , Romano Antonio , Fagioli Francesca , Girardi Paolo , Cocchi Angelo , Meneghelli Anna , Alpi Andrea , Pafumi Nicoletta , Moreno Granados Noelia , Preti Antonio , Masolo Francesca , Benzoni Stefano , Cavenaghi Sonia , Molteni Ilaria , Salvadori Lavinia , Solbiati Sara , Costantino Antonella , Di Lauro Rosalba , Piccinini Annachiara , Collins Eade Amanda , Holmshaw Janet , Fiori Nastro Paolo
Published: May 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences between teachers' knowledge about early psychosis among three different Italian cities and a UK sample.

Methods

The sample consisted of 556 secondary school teachers from three different cities in Italy (Milan, Rome and Lamezia Terme) and London (UK). The research was based on the Knowledge and Experience of Social Emotional Difficulties Among Young People Questionnaire. The Italian version of the questionnaire was used in Italy.

Results

Overall, 67.6% of English teachers, 58.5% of Milan's teachers, 41.8% of Rome's teachers and 33.3% of Lamezia Terme's teachers were able to recognize psychotic symptoms from a case vignette. Logistic regression analysis showed that ‘city’ was the only independent variable significantly related to the correct/wrong answer about diagnosis.

Conclusions

We found statistically significant differences between the three Italian samples and the UK sample regarding teachers' knowledge about first signs of psychosis. English teachers showed a better knowledge than Italian teachers in general. Teachers from Milan, where a specific early detection program was established in 2000, seemed to be more familiar with early signs of psychosis than teachers in the other two Italian towns.
Adolescent construction of mental illness: implication for engagement and treatment
Authors: Chisholm Katharine , Patterson Paul , Greenfield Sheila , Turner Erin , Birchwood Max
Published: May 2016

Aims

Understanding how adolescents perceive mental illness is important for clinicians wishing to improve engagement, and for the development of educational programmes and health‐behaviour directed policies. The current research aimed to develop a preliminary model of how adolescents perceive mental illness and construct their understanding of mental health.

Method

Forty‐six participants aged 11–18 from six schools in Birmingham, UK, took part in one of 12 group interviews.

Results

A thematic analysis highlighted a dual perception of mental illness. Adolescents discussed stereotypes and extreme examples of illness, but also displayed an insightful understanding of mental distress which had developed through participants' own experiences. Participants attempted to reconcile and negotiate these conflicting perceptions by creating distinctions between concepts of ‘craziness’ and ‘normality’, and reported experiencing negative emotions relating to both perceptions of illness.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that once media stereotypes have been acknowledged, adolescents demonstrate a relatively sophisticated understanding of mental illness, although one which differed at times from the diagnostic medical model of mental illness. Focusing on individual symptoms, prevalence rates and prior contact adolescents have had with individuals with mental illnesses provides a framework to discuss mental health and ill‐health with adolescents.
Can trans‐generational experiments be used to enhance species resilience to ocean warming and acidification?
Authors: Chakravarti Leela J. , Jarrold Michael D. , Gibbin Emma M. , Christen Felix , Massamba‐N'Siala Gloria , Blier Pierre U. , Calosi Piero
Published: May 2016

Human‐assisted, trans‐generational exposure to ocean warming and acidification has been proposed as a conservation and/or restoration tool to produce resilient offspring. To improve our understanding of the need for and the efficacy of this approach, we characterized life‐history and physiological responses in offspring of the marine polychaete Ophryotrocha labronica exposed to predicted ocean warming (OW: + 3°C), ocean acidification (OA: pH −0.5) and their combination (OWA: + 3°C, pH −0.5), following the exposure of their parents to either control conditions (within‐generational exposure) or the same conditions (trans‐generational exposure). Trans‐generational exposure to OW fully alleviated the negative effects of within‐generational exposure to OW on fecundity and egg volume and was accompanied by increased metabolic activity. While within‐generational exposure to OA reduced juvenile growth rates and egg volume, trans‐generational exposure alleviated the former but could not restore the latter. Surprisingly, exposure to OWA had no negative impacts within‐ or trans‐generationally. Our results highlight the potential for trans‐generational laboratory experiments in producing offspring that are resilient to OW and OA. However, trans‐generational exposure does not always appear to improve traits and therefore may not be a universally useful tool for all species in the face of global change.
Threatened and invasive reptiles are not two sides of the same coin
Authors: Tingley Reid , Mahoney Peter J. , Durso Andrew M. , Tallian Aimee G. , Morán‐Ordóñez Alejandra , Beard Karen H.
Published: May 2016

Aim

The ‘two sides of the same coin’ hypothesis posits that biological traits that predispose species to extinction and invasion lie on opposite ends of a continuum. Conversely, anthropogenic factors may have similar effects on extinction and invasion risk. We test these two hypotheses using data on more than 1000 reptile species.

Location

Global.

Methods

We used hierarchical Bayesian models to determine whether biological traits and anthropogenic factors were correlated with whether a species was: (1) listed as Threatened versus Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, and (2) successful versus unsuccessful at establishing a viable population once introduced outside of its native geographical range. The ‘two sides of the same coin’ hypothesis predicts that model coefficients for each trait should be opposite in sign between these two models.

Results

Seventy‐three per cent of model coefficients describing 10 aspects of a species’ life history, ecology, biogeography and environmental niche breadth were opposite in sign between the two groups; however, most effect sizes for variables that showed contrasting relationships were small and/or uncertain. The only exception was body size: larger‐bodied species were more likely to be threatened, whereas smaller‐bodied species were more likely to be invasive. As predicted, human population density across a species’ native geographical range was positively correlated with both threat and invasion probabilities. Other anthropogenic variables did not have strong analogous effects.

Main conclusions

The assumption that threatened and invasive species lie on opposite ends of a continuum, while consistent with life‐history theory, appears to be an oversimplification. Our results do suggest, however, that anthropogenic variables can be important predictors of a species’ fate, and should be more routinely incorporated in trait‐based analyses of extinction and invasion risk.
Designing Institutions for Social Dilemmas
Authors: Rockenbach Bettina , Wolff Irenaeus
Published: May 2016

Considerable experimental evidence has been collected on rules enhancing contributions in public goods dilemmas. These studies either confront subjects with prespecified rules or have subjects choose between different rule environments. In this paper, we completely endogenize the institution design process by asking subjects to design and repeatedly improve rule sets for a public goods problem in order to investigate which rules social planners facing a social dilemma ‘invent’ and how these rules develop over time. We make several noteworthy observations, in particular the strong and successful use of framing, the concealment of individual contribution information and the decreasing use of punishment.
PEPDar: A randomized prospective noninferiority study of ritonavir‐boosted darunavir for HIV post‐exposure prophylaxis
Authors: Fätkenheuer G , Jessen H , Stoehr A , Jung N , Jessen AB , Kümmerle T , Berger M , Bogner JR , Spinner CD , Stephan C , Degen O , Vogelmann R , Spornraft‐Ragaller P , Schnaitmann E , Jensen B , Ulmer A , Kittner JM , Härter G , Malfertheiner P , Rockstroh J , Knecht G , Scholten S , Harrer T , Kern WV , Salzberger B , Schürmann D , Ranneberg B
Published: May 2016

Objectives

PEPDar compared the tolerability and safety of ritonavir‐boosted darunavir (DRV/r)‐based post‐exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with the tolerability and safety of standard of care (SOC). The primary endpoint was the early discontinuation rate among the per‐protocol population.

Methods

PEPDar was an open‐label, randomized, multicentre, prospective, noninferiority safety study. Subjects were stratified by type of event (occupational vs. nonoccupational, i.e. sexual) and were randomized to receive DRV/r plus two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) or SOC PEP. Twenty‐two private or university HIV clinics in Germany participated. Subjects were ≥ 18 years old and had documented or potential HIV exposure and indication for HIV PEP. They initiated PEP not later than 72 h after the event and were HIV negative.

Results

A total of 324 subjects were screened, the per‐protocol population was 305, and 273 subjects completed the study. One hundred and fifty‐five subjects received DRV/r‐based PEP and 150 subjects received ritonavir‐boosted lopinavir (LPV/r)‐based PEP for 28–30 days; 298 subjects also received tenofovir/emtricitabine. The early discontinuation rate in the DRV/r arm was 6.5% compared with 10.0% in the SOC arm (P = 0.243). Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were reported in 68% of DRV/r subjects and 75% of SOC subjects (P = 0.169). Fewer DRV/r subjects (16.1%) had at least one grade 2 or 3 ADR compared with SOC subjects (29.3%) (P = 0.006). All grades of diarrhoea, nausea, and sleep disorders were significantly less frequent with DRV/r, while headache was significantly more frequent. No HIV seroconversion was reported during follow‐up.

Conclusions

Noninferiority of DRV/r to SOC was demonstrated. DRV/r should be included as a standard component of recommended regimens in PEP guidelines.
Submixture model to predict nepheline precipitation in waste glasses
Authors: Vienna John D. , Kroll Jared O. , Hrma Pavel R. , Lang Jesse B. , Crum Jarrod V.
Published: May 2016

High‐alumina high‐level waste (HLW) glasses are prone to nepheline precipitation during canister‐centerline cooling (CCC). If sufficient nepheline forms, the chemical durability of the glass will be significantly impacted. Overly conservative constraints have been developed and used to avoid the deleterious effects of nepheline formation in U.S. HLW glasses. The constraints used have been shown to significantly limit the loading of waste in glass at Hanford and therefore the cost and schedule of cleanup. A 90‐glass study was performed to develop an improved understanding of the impacts of glass composition on the formation of nepheline during CCC. The CCC crystallinity data from these glasses were combined with 657 glasses found in the literature. The trends showed significant effects of Na2O, Al2O3, SiO2, B2O3, CaO, Li2O, and potentially K2O on the propensity for nepheline formation. A pseudo‐ternary submixture model was proposed to identify the glass composition region prone to nepheline precipitation. This pseudo‐ternary with axes of SiO2 + 1.98B2O3, Na2O + 0.653Li2O + 0.158CaO, and Al2O3 was found to divide glasses that precipitate nepheline during CCC from those that do not. Application of this constraint is anticipated to increase the loading of Hanford high‐alumina HLWs in glass by roughly one‐third.
Personality dimensions, positive emotions and coping strategies in the caregivers of people living with HIV in Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Ashraf Mujeeba , Sitwat Aisha
Published: May 2016

The aim of this research was to study the relationship between personality dimensions, positive emotions and coping mechanisms of caregivers of patients living with HIV. This study used a cross‐sectional research design. A sample comprising 56 caregivers was recruited from HIV/AIDS clinics in three teaching hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan. Data were collected between February and July 2010.

Most caregivers were men, and of low socio‐economic status. Individuals with both high and low extraversion used problem‐focused coping, self‐control and accepting responsibility, but those with low extraversion used more escape‐avoidance coping, and they had also high levels of negative emotions. Those high in neuroticism used more tension‐reduction coping than problem‐focused coping, and experienced fewer positive emotions. Regression analysis findings revealed neuroticism as a significant predictor of negative emotions as well as emotion‐focused coping, and only extraversion significantly predicted negative emotions.

This research could help in devising psychological management plans for caregivers of patients living with HIV in order to assist them in coping with the burden of care.
Is it a Container? Young Infants' Understanding of Containment Events
Authors: Mou Yi , Luo Yuyan
Published: May 2016

The present research examined how certain features of a box affected 4.5‐month‐old infants' interpretation of containment events the box was involved in. If the box was a regular container, infants did not respond with increased attention when a tall cylinder became fully hidden after being lowered inside the box, consistent with previous research. In contrast, if a three‐sided object (the box without its back) replaced the box, or if shown that the box had a removable back, infants were able to detect the height violations, 3 months earlier than they normally would. These results demonstrate how infants' perception or representation of objects interplays with their interpretation of physical events these objects involve in.
Glabrous lesional stem cells differentiated into functional melanocytes: new hope for repigmentation
Authors: Kumar R. , Parsad D. , Rani S. , Bhardwaj S. , Srivastav N.
Published: May 2016

Background

Vitiligo is characterized by the loss of pigment‐producing cells, melanocytes and one of the important goals of treatment is replenishing the melanocytes from existing reservoirs. Reservoir for melanocyte stem cell has been reported to be present in the skin hair follicles, but glabrous skin does not have hair follicles. Therefore, repigmentation of glabrous lesional skin is very difficult and almost rare. There is no explanation for melanocyte reservoir in the glabrous lesional skin of vitiligo patients.

Objective

This study is designed to check the glabrous lesional skin for the presence of stem cells as source of melanocytes for repigmentation.

Methods

Skin grafts were collected from glabrous lesional skin of vitiligo patients. Immunohistochemistry of glabrous lesional skin was performed to check for the presence of stem cells. These glabrous lesional stem cells were isolated, cultured and characterized. After characterization, glabrous lesional stem cells were differentiated into melanocytes.

Results

Our results demonstrate that NGFRp75‐positive stem cells are present in the glabrous lesional skin of vitiligo patients and can be differentiated into melanocytes. These dermal stem cells showed self‐renewal capacity and were capable of differentiating into melanocytes which are required for the repigmentation.

Conclusion

Presence of stem cells in the glabrous lesional skin which are capable of self‐renewal and differentiating into melanocytes gives new hope for vitiligo patients having lesion on the glabrous skin. However, still repigmentation of glabrous lesional skin is very difficult and rare with current available treatments. This clearly means that treatments available till date are not effective enough to activate these dermal stem cells differentiation and their migration to the lesional epidermis. Stimulating these stem cells to differentiate into melanocytes and migrate to lesional epidermis can be ideal for repigmentation of the glabrous lesions.
Effect of Exposure to Pulsed Magnetic Field on Microbiological Quality, Color and Oxidative Stability of Fresh Ground Beef
Authors: Goldschmidt Lins Patricia , Aparecida Silva Alessandra , Marina Piccoli Pugine Silvana , Ivan Cespedes Arce Aldo , José Xavier Costa Ernane , Pires De Melo Mariza
Published: May 2016

This study aimed to evaluate the use of 1 Hz pulsed magnetic field (PMF) in the preservation of fresh ground beef during aerobic refrigerated storage. Supraspinatus muscle from Angus cattle was ground and aerobically packaged into 21 portions. These portions were divided into three treatment groups: not exposed to PMF (control); exposed to PMF for 2 h (PMF‐2h) and exposed to PMF for 12 days (PMF‐12d). Packages from all groups were stored for 12 days in the dark at 4°C. One package from each group was used for microbiological assays and analyses of pH, instrumental color, myoglobin and lipid oxidation. Results have shown that exposure to PMF for 12 days did not alter the preservation and quality of ground beef compared to the control. However, samples exposed to PMF for 2 h reduced the microorganism growth and metmyoglobin content in relation to the control group. However, pH, instrumental color and lipid oxidation of samples exposed to PMF for 2 h did not change during storage compared to the control. We concluded that PMF could be used for fresh meat preservation. However, more studies are needed to understand the mechanisms of action of the magnetic field.

Practical Applications

In the present study, the use of a moderate pulsed magnetic field for preservation of fresh beef looks promising for preventing microbial growth, without changing some parameters such as pH, color or lipid oxidation. However, this mild and nonthermal technology needs more studies to evaluate some factors such as the exposure time to the magnetic field. In general, the use of the magnetic field in food preservation may be a viable alternative to the traditional technologies, and can be used alone or in combination with traditional methods in order to increase their efficiency.
A Database to Facilitate a Process‐Oriented Approach to Urban Metabolism
Authors: Ravalde Tom , Keirstead James
Published: May 2016

In view of urbanization trends coupled with climate‐change challenges, it is increasingly important to establish less‐harmful means of urban living. To date, urban metabolism (UM) studies have quantified the aggregate material and energy flows into and out of cities and, further, have identified how consumer activity causes these flows. However, little attention has been paid to the networks of conversion processes that link consumer end‐use demands to aggregate metabolic flows. Here, we conduct a systematic literature search to assemble a database of 202 urban energy, water, and waste management processes. We show how the database can help planners and policy makers choose the preferred process to meet a specific resource management need; identify synergies between energy, water, and waste management processes; and compute optimal networks of processes to meet an area's consumer demand at minimum environmental cost. We make our database publicly available under an open‐source license and discuss the possibilities for how it might be used alongside other industrial ecology data sets to enhance research opportunities. This will encourage more holistic UM analyses, which appreciate how both consumer activity and the engineered urban system work together to influence aggregate metabolic flows and thus support efforts to make cities more sustainable.
An in situ correlative STEM‐EDS and HRTEM based nanoscale chemical characterization of solid–liquid interfaces in an aluminium alloy
Authors: ESWARA S. , MITTERBAUER C. , WIRTZ T. , KUJAWA S. , HOWE J.M.
Published: May 2016

The chemistry and the structure of solid–liquid interface in an Al‐Si based alloy during high temperature phase transformation were characterized at nanoscale using scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy‐EDS and HRTEM. Such studies were until recently limited by large sample drift associated with conventional heating holders. This study was made possible thanks to the modern low‐drift MEMS‐chip based localized heating technology. The results reveal that (i) the structural interface between solid (111) oriented Si phase and the liquid phase (i.e. decay of crystalline order) coexisting at 600°C is 3.2 nm wide (ii) the STEM‐EDS chemical maps show inhomogeneous distribution of the elements with the solid phase being rich in Si and the liquid phase rich in Al (iii) the HRTEM and the HAADF images display respectively dark and bright intensity bands along the interface which could be due to apparent enrichment of Cu at the interface region resulting in enhanced amplitude‐contrast (darker band in HRTEM) and Z‐contrast (bright band in HAADF) and (iv) intriguingly, the concentration profiles within (i.e. compositional width) and across the solid–liquid interface display element‐specific complex and asymmetric variation in the chemical widths.