bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Melatonin prevents Drp1‐mediated mitochondrial fission in diabetic hearts through SIRT1‐PGC1α pathway
Authors: Ding Mingge , Feng Na , Tang Daishi , Feng Jiahao , Li Zeyang , Jia Min , Liu Zhenhua , Gu Xiaoming , Wang Yuemin , Fu Feng , Pei Jianming
Published: March 2018

Myocardial contractile dysfunction is associated with an increase in mitochondrial fission in patients with diabetes. However, whether mitochondrial fission directly promotes diabetes‐induced cardiac dysfunction is still unknown. Melatonin exerts a substantial influence on the regulation of mitochondrial fission/fusion. This study investigated whether melatonin protects against diabetes‐induced cardiac dysfunction via regulation of mitochondrial fission/fusion and explored its underlying mechanisms. Here, we show that melatonin prevented diabetes‐induced cardiac dysfunction by inhibiting dynamin‐related protein 1 (Drp1)‐mediated mitochondrial fission. Melatonin treatment decreased Drp1 expression, inhibited mitochondrial fragmentation, suppressed oxidative stress, reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis, improved mitochondrial function and cardiac function in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic mice, but not in SIRT1−/− diabetic mice. In high glucose‐exposed H9c2 cells, melatonin treatment increased the expression of SIRT1 and PGC‐1α and inhibited Drp1‐mediated mitochondrial fission and mitochondria‐derived superoxide production. In contrast, SIRT1 or PGC‐1α siRNA knockdown blunted the inhibitory effects of melatonin on Drp1 expression and mitochondrial fission. These data indicated that melatonin exerted its cardioprotective effects by reducing Drp1‐mediated mitochondrial fission in a SIRT1/PGC‐1α‐dependent manner. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that PGC‐1α directly regulated the expression of Drp1 by binding to its promoter. Inhibition of mitochondrial fission with Drp1 inhibitor mdivi‐1 suppressed oxidative stress, alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction and cardiac dysfunction in diabetic mice. These findings show that melatonin attenuates the development of diabetes‐induced cardiac dysfunction by preventing mitochondrial fission through SIRT1‐PGC1α pathway, which negatively regulates the expression of Drp1 directly. Inhibition of mitochondrial fission may be a potential target for delaying cardiac complications in patients with diabetes.
Synergistic anti‐oomycete effect of melatonin with a biofungicide against oomycetic black shank disease
Authors: Zhang Shumin , Liu Sen , Zhang Jiankui , Reiter Russel J. , Wang Ying , Qiu Dan , Luo Xiumei , Khalid A. Rehman , Wang Hanyan , Feng Li , Lin Zhenghong , Ren Maozhi
Published: March 2018

Human health, food safety, and agriculture have been threatened by oomycetic diseases caused by notorious pathogenic oomycetes. Chemical oomyceticides are the main approaches in control of pathogenic oomycetes. However, the overused chemical oomyceticides have resulted in serious environmental pollution and drug resistance. The eco‐friendly bio‐oomyceticides are required for sustainable development through screening synergistic drug combinations. In this study, Phytophthora nicotianae (P. nicotianae), as one of the most destructive oomycetic diseases in agriculture, was used as a model system to screen the novel bio‐oomyceticides based on drug combination. The results showed that treatment of melatonin or ethylicin (IUPAC Name: 1‐ethylsulfonylsulfanylethane) alone displayed similar phenotypes such as the inhibition of the hyphal growth, reduction of the cell viability, and suppression of the virulence of P. nicotianae. Importantly, melatonin and ethylicin shared the same targets of interfering with the amino acid metabolism, overexpressing apoptosis‐inducing factor, and dysregulating the virulence‐related genes. Furthermore, strong synergism against P. nicotianae was induced by combining melatonin with ethylicin. Under treatment of the combination of melatonin and ethylicin, the expression of genes associated with amino acid, the apoptosis‐inducing factor, and the virulence‐related genes was much more significantly dysregulated than that of single drug treatment. Thus, the tobacco black shank caused by P. nicotianae can be successfully controlled using the combination of melatonin and ethylicin. These observations suggest that the synergistic effect based on the combination of melatonin and ethylicin is an eco‐friendly alternative for the control of the destructive oomycetic diseases.
Estimate of choline nutritional requirements for chicks from 1 to 21 days of age
Authors: de Lima M. B. , da Silva E. P. , Pereira R. , Romano G. G. , de Freitas L. W. , Dias C. T. S. , Menten J. F. M.
Published: March 2018

Choline is an essential nutrient in poultry diets because it performs various important metabolic functions. The objective of this study was to re‐evaluate the choline requirements of male broiler chickens from 1 to 21 days of age at two levels of methionine. Two assays using 2,160 Cobb® chickens (1,080 in each assay) were conducted. The study design was completely randomized and consisted of six treatments and six replicates, with 30 animals per experimental unit. The semipurified basal diet was formulated with corn, soya bean meal, soya protein concentrate, starch and sugar, providing 390 mg/kg choline and 0.593% digestible methionine (requirement level) in Assay 1 and a reduction of about one‐quarter in the requirement level of digestible methionine (0.440%) in Assay 2. Choline chloride (62.5%) was added by a supplementation technique to both basal diets to compose crescent levels of choline supplementation (715, 1,040, 1,365, 1,690 and 2,015 mg/kg). The weight gain responses were fitted using quadratic polynomial (QP) and broken‐line (BL) models. The ideal intake of choline (mg/bird.day) was estimated from the first intercept of the QP with the BL plateau (BL + QP). The results showed that the diet with the 25% reduction in digestible methionine limited the maximum weight gain by approximately 10%. The choline requirements of broilers from 1 to 7, 1 to 14 and 1 to 21 days of age were 27,013, 44,458 and 62,535 mg/bird.day, respectively, for the requirement level of digestible methionine and 26,796, 41,820 and 56,578 mg/bird.day for the broilers receiving the diet with the 25% reduction in digestible methionine.
Subgingival glycine powder air‐polishing as an additional approach to nonsurgical periodontal therapy in subjects with untreated chronic periodontitis
Authors: Tsang Y. C. , Corbet E. F. , Jin L. J.
Published: March 2018

Background and Objective

Glycine powder air‐polishing (GPAP) is an alternative approach to removing subgingival plaque biofilms for effective periodontal therapy. This study aimed to investigate the effect of subgingival GPAP as an additional approach to nonsurgical periodontal treatment in subjects with chronic periodontitis.

Material and Methods

Twenty‐seven nonsmoking subjects were recruited. Two quadrants in each subject were randomly assigned, according to a split‐mouth design, to receive scaling and root planing (SRP) and GPAP (Test group) or SRP and air flushing with water (Control group) at sites with probing depth ≥5 mm. Clinical parameters, gingival crevicular fluid volumes and the concentrations of interleukin‐1β and interleukin‐1ra in gingival crevicular fluid were measured at baseline and 1, 3 and 6 months after the treatments.

Results

At baseline, no statistically significant difference in periodontal and gingival crevicular fluid parameters was found between the Test and Control groups. Overall, the periodontal conditions of all subjects showed significant improvement after the treatments. Notably, the Test group showed greater reduction in gingival crevicular fluid volume (0.37 ± 0.26 μL) than the Control group (0.23 ± 0.30 μL) at 3 months (P < .05). The gingival crevicular fluid levels of interleukin‐1β and interleukin‐1ra showed a significant decrease in both groups at 6 months, and no significant difference was found between the groups.

Conclusion

These preliminary results suggest that GPAP, as an additional approach to nonsurgical periodontal treatment, may be beneficial for the short‐term improvement of subclinical inflammation when measured by gingival crevicular fluid volume. Further longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes are required to clarify the exact benefits of GPAP treatment for controlling inflammation and maintaining long‐term periodontal health.
Cigarette smoke modifies neutrophil chemotaxis, neutrophil extracellular trap formation and inflammatory response‐related gene expression
Authors: White P. C. , Hirschfeld J. , Milward M. R. , Cooper P. R. , Wright H. J. , Matthews J. B. , Chapple I. L.C.
Published: March 2018

Background and Objective

Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for periodontitis, and smoking perturbs neutrophil reactive oxygen species production. This study tested the hypothesis that cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and its components/metabolites nicotine, cotinine and thiocyanate (SCN‐), may influence neutrophil functions.

Material and Methods

Chemotaxis was assessed in neutrophils pre‐treated with CSE using real‐time video microscopy. Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) release in response to CSE, nicotine, cotinine, SCN‐ as well as to phorbol 12‐myristate‐13‐acetate and hypochlorous acid following pre‐treatment with CSE, nicotine, cotinine or SCN‐ was assessed using fluorescence‐based assays. The impact of CSE and SCN‐ treatment on neutrophil respiratory burst‐ and inflammation‐related gene expression (NFKBIE, DNAJB1, CXCL8, NCF1, NCF2, CYBB) was determined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Both CSE and SCN‐ pre‐treatment inhibited phorbol 12‐myristate‐13‐acetate‐stimulated NET release. Additionally, SCN‐ inhibited hypochlorous acid‐stimulated NET formation, while SCN‐ alone stimulated NET release. Overall, neutrophils pre‐treated with CSE exhibited reduced speed, velocity and directionality relative to untreated neutrophils. Although CSE and SCN‐ promoted DNAJB1 expression, increased redox‐related gene expression was only detected in response to SCN‐.

Conclusion

These results suggest that CSE can alter ex vivo neutrophil activation by mechanisms independent of SCN‐ and nicotine, and SCN‐ may contribute to the perturbed innate immune responses observed in smokers.
Canine total hip replacement using a cementless threaded cup and stem: a review of 55 cases
Authors: Denny H. R. , Linnell M. , Maddox T. W. , Comerford E. J.
Published: March 2018

Objectives

To determine the long‐term results and complications associated with the Helica® cementless hip endoprosthesis system.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective study of 55 consecutive Helica total hip replacements performed between January 2010 and February 2015.

Results

A total of 55 total hip replacements were performed in 50 dogs; 45 dogs had unilateral hip replacements, and five had staged bilateral replacements. A total of 23 first‐generation short femoral stems were implanted in 22 dogs, of which nine cases (39%) experienced complications and 19 (86%) recovered satisfactorily when revisions were included; 31 second‐generation femoral stems were implanted in 28 dogs, of which 10 cases (32%) experienced complications, and 26 (93%) made satisfactory recoveries, including revisions. In 36 dogs for which data were available, postoperative Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs scores were significantly reduced compared to preoperative scores. Complications occurred in a total of 19 cases (34·5%; 95% confidence interval: 22 to 47·1%); the most common was aseptic loosening of the femoral stem [11 cases (20%; 95% confidence interval: 9·4 to 30·6%)]. Following multivariable analysis, no risk factors were identified for overall complications, but there was a significant association of implant type (first‐generation short stem) with loosening (odds ratio 4·9, 95% confidence interval: 1·1 to 22·1, P=0·034).

Clinical Significance

This study found the Helica hip endoprosthesis system to be effective in the management of hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis in dogs. Aseptic loosening of the femoral stem remains the most common complication but appears to have been significantly reduced with the introduction of the second‐generation stem.
Rheological characterization of thickened protein‐based beverages under different food thickeners and setting times
Authors: Kim Chong‐Yun , Yoo Byoungseung
Published: March 2018

The effects of different setting times (15–120 min) on the rheological properties of cold thickened protein‐based beverage (PBB) samples prepared with different xanthan gum (XG)‐based food thickeners were examined. In this study, four commercial XG‐based food thickeners (coded A–D) and three commercial PBB products (whole milk, skim milk, and soybean milk) were used to prepare thickened PBB samples at a 3% thickener concentration. The fastest increases in ηa,50 values of thickened PBB samples were observed at 15 min, and at longer time periods their ηa,50 values gradually increased or remained constant with an increase in setting time (15–120 min). The magnitudes of the rheological parameters (ηa,50, K, G′, and G″) of thickened PBB samples with thickener A were significantly higher compared with those with other thickeners (coded B, C, and D). The flow and dynamic rheological properties of thickened PBB samples prepared with different XG‐based thickeners were significantly different (p < .05), demonstrating that their rheological properties were greatly affected by the type of PBB and thickener as well as the setting time.

Practical statements

Food thickeners have been commonly used in the preparation of various thickened fluids with desirable rheological properties for dysphagic patients to elicit an optimal swallow response. However, among various thickened fluids, there is limited rheological information on cold thickened protein‐based beverage (PBB) (e.g., whole milk, skim milk, and soybean milk) prepared with various xanthan gum (XG)‐based thickeners. Our flow and dynamic rheological results showed that the flow and viscoelastic properties of the thickened PBB samples prepared with different food thickeners were dependent on the PBB type, thickener type, and setting time. These rheological results presented in this study will provide both thickener manufacturers and clinicians with valuable information for thickened PBB products with desirable rheological properties for safe and easy swallowing. New knowledge of the different rheological characterizations of thickened PBB can be practically applied to develop the commercial dysphagia thickeners suitable for PBB in food industry.
An evaluation of serum gentamicin concentrations and bacterial susceptibility to gentamicin in equine practice
Authors: Durham Andy E.
Published: March 2018

Background

Therapeutic drug monitoring and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) data allow more informed use of gentamicin.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To measure peak and trough serum gentamicin concentrations in horses after a 6.6 mg/kg dose of gentamicin given IV and the MIC of gentamicin of bacteria for which gentamicin might be selected.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of hospital records. Peak and trough plasma gentamicin concentrations were measured after 6.6 mg/kg gentamicin IV in 339 hospitalized horses. The MIC of gentamicin was measured for 503 isolates from ambulatory practice and 33 from hospital practice. The distribution of gentamicin concentrations and MIC results were compared to current recommendations for MIC breakpoints.

Results

The median serum gentamicin concentration at 60 minutes after administration (C60min) was 21.4 μg/mL with a distribution indicating that bacteria with MIC ≥2 μg/mL were unlikely to be exposed to sufficient gentamicin for effective killing. Approximately 90% of isolates from ambulatory practice and 36% of hospital isolates had MICs at or below breakpoints for susceptibility with most of the remainder unlikely to be responsive, even to higher IV doses.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Gentamicin at a dosage of 6.6 mg/kg IV is likely to be effective against the majority of infections encountered in ambulatory practice, but less effective in an equine hospital. Because there was a dichotomy of most bacteria as being clearly susceptible or clearly resistant to gentamicin, it appears unlikely that higher doses would have been more efficacious, especially in the hospitalized population in our study.
Effects of fenoldopam on kidney function parameters and its therapeutic efficacy in the management of acute kidney injury in dogs with heatstroke
Authors: Segev Gilad , Bruchim Yaron , Berl Noga , Cohen Adar , Aroch Itamar
Published: March 2018

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in dogs, but evidence of efficacy of its treatment is lacking.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of fenoldopam in the management of AKI.

Animals

Forty dogs with naturally occurring heatstroke.

Methods

Dogs were prospectively enrolled and divided into treatment and the placebo groups(fenoldopam, constant rate infusion [CRI] of 0.1 µg/kg/min or saline, respectively). Urine production (UP) was measured using a closed system. Urinary clearances were performed at 4, 12, and 24 hours after presentation to estimate the effect of fenoldopam on UP, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and sodium fractional excretion (NaFE).

Results

At presentation, severity of heatstroke, based on a previously developed scoring system, was similar between the study groups, but was significantly worse in nonsurvivors compared with survivors. Fenoldopam administration was not associated with hypotension. Overt AKI was diagnosed, based on the International Renal Interest Society guidelines in 22/40 (55%) of the dogs. Overall, 14/40 dogs (35%) died, with no significant (P = .507) mortality rate difference between the fenoldopam (6/20 dogs; 30%) and placebo (8/20; 40%) groups. The proportion of dogs with AKI did not differ between the fenoldopam and the placebo groups (9/20; 45% versus 13/20; 65%, respectively;P = .204). There were no differences in UP, GFR, and NaFE between the fenoldopam and the placebo groups.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Fenoldopam CRI at 0.1 µg/kg/min did not have a clinically relevant effect on kidney function parameters in dogs with severe heatstroke‐associated AKI.
Environmental filtering limits functional diversity during succession in a seasonally wet tropical secondary forest
Authors: Craven Dylan , Hall Jefferson S. , Berlyn Graeme P. , Ashton Mark S. , van Breugel Michiel
Published: March 2018

Aims

Successional shifts in biodiversity are key drivers of the recovery of ecosystem functioning following disturbances. Identifying mechanisms that enhance or limit the ecological processes that drive these successional patterns can strengthen efforts to manage biodiversity‐dependent ecosystem functions across human‐dominated landscapes. Here, we examine successional patterns of multiple aspects of functional diversity in a seasonally wet tropical secondary forest and changes in the strength of environmental filtering during secondary succession.

Location

Central Panama.

Methods

We calculate functional richness (FRic) and dispersion (FDis) across a secondary forest chronosequence (n = 51 0.1‐ha plots) using nine functional traits related to resource acquisition and conservation. Functional diversity indices are calculated using all traits and each trait individually. Using a null model approach, we test the effects of environmental filtering during secondary succession.

Results

FRic and FDis exhibit saturating relationships with time since abandonment, reaching their maxima after 7 and 10 years, respectively. Overall, we find evidence that environmental filtering reduces FDis to a greater extent than FRic and that the strength of environmental filtering on both FDis and FRic increases during succession. The impacts of environmental filtering on functional diversity of individual traits are consistent; the mean standardized effect sizes (SES) of FRic and FDis of at least six of the nine studied traits are lower than expected. Notably, environmental filtering on FRic and FDis of particular traits associated with light and nutrient acquisition increases significantly along the secondary forest chronosequence, suggesting that functional convergence of multiple resource acquisition strategies strengthens in parallel.

Conclusions

We find that successional shifts in environmental conditions limit trait variation in seasonally wet tropical secondary forests. Our results suggest that the increasing strength of environmental filtering shifts abundance of trait combinations towards a subset of functionally convergent species that compete for light and nutrients in similar ways.
Apparent Digestibility of Minerals from Several Ingredients for Tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum, Juveniles
Authors: Araújo Janaína G. , Nebo Caroline , Pádua Delma M. C. , Souto Cristielle N. , Guimarães Igo G.
Published: March 2018

Based on the importance of tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum, for Latin American aquaculture and the digestibility of minerals for the production of sustainable aquafeeds, we designed a series of trials to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc from six protein sources: soybean meal (SBM), corn gluten meal 60 (CGM60), cottonseed meal 40, fishmeal (FM), poultry byproduct meal (PBM), and meat and bone meal (MBM); four cereal grain products: corn, wheat middlings, broken rice (BR), and rice bran (RB); and dicalcium phosphate (DCP). Considerable variation in the ADCs of minerals was observed among the feed ingredients. In general, CGM60, PBM, and RB tended to show the highest ADC values, while SBM, MBM, DCP, and BR showed the lowest ADC values. ADC‐P was markedly lower in animal protein sources and the phosphate source (DCP), while high P digestibility was observed for plant protein sources and cereal grain products. Interestingly, tambaqui seems to be able to digest and absorb minerals from plant ingredients more efficiently than animal proteins and DCP. In light of the correlation between nutrient levels and the ADCs of minerals, physiological mechanisms that regulate mineral uptake, and the nutritional ecology of the species, we hypothesize that tambaqui are able to digest minerals from plant proteins with high efficiency.
Effect of continuous and alternating episodes of starvation on behavior and reproduction in the red flour beetle
Authors: Gilad T. , Koren R. , Moalem Y. , Subach A. , Scharf I.
Published: March 2018

Stress in general and starvation in particular have various and often contrasting effects on different traits. Previous starvation studies have usually focused on one or two response variables and comprised one starvation treatment versus a control. Here, we used the red flour beetle to study the effects of (1) a starvation gradient of 0–4 days, and (2) alternating starvation over 3 days on multiple response variables: movement activity, food patch discovery, latency to emerge from shelter, body mass, water content, and offspring number and mass. Starvation led to a decline in body mass and water content, as expected. Beetles also became less active, less explorative and less bold, which is in contradiction to the findings from some previous work. Both the number of offspring and their mass at mid‐development diminished, suggesting a non‐adaptive parental effect, from the offspring perspective, due to parental starvation. Recuperation episodes negated starvation effects in most cases, with three exceptions: male body mass, water content and movement activity. The link between starvation duration and the tested response variables was inconsistent between sexes, with movement activity the most prominent example. Females were generally larger and although the rate of their mass loss was steeper, they were more starvation tolerant than males, as evident in their ability to take better advantage of the recuperation episodes. Our results indicate that starvation has a differential effect on the response variables according to sex.
Shifts in gut microbiota composition in an APP/PSS1 transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease during lifespan
Authors: Bäuerl C. , Collado M.C. , Diaz Cuevas A. , Viña J. , Pérez Martínez G.
Published: March 2018

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and one of the major causes of disability and dependency in older people. Accumulating evidences link gut microbiota with different diseases and its relationship with neurodegenerative diseases is becoming most intriguing. This study was aimed to compare the gut microbiota of transgenic APP/PS1 (TG) mice, a well-established deterministic mouse model of AD, with their C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) littermates. Faecal samples were collected from 3-, 6- and 24-month-old mice and analysed by pyrosequencing of the V1–V3 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA genes. Bacterial profiles were similar in all young mice (3 months old), and started to diverge so that 6-month-old WT and TG mice had different and more diverse microbiota. During ageing, Turicibacteriaceae (typical mice bacterial group) and Rikenellaceae increased in all groups, although total Bacteroidetes remained stable. TG mice were characterized by an increase in Proteobacteria after 6 months, particularly the genus Sutterella (Betaproteobacteria), interestingly also increased in autism disorder. Also, the inflammation related family Erysipelotrichaceae was more abundant in TG mice at 24 months compared to wild-type control. In summary, AD pathology in mice shifts the gut microbiota towards profiles that share features with autism and inflammatory disorders.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease and neuroinflammation in the central nervous system appears to have a pivotal role. Using the transgenic APP/PS1 (TG) mouse model, we successfully characterized how AD pathology shifted gut microbiota composition during ageing towards an inflammation related bacterial profile related to Proteobacteria and Erysipelotrichaceae and suggest that these changes could contribute to disease progression and severity. Microbiota-targeted interventions could therefore represent a strategy to postpone disease symptoms.
Investigating deception in second language speakers: Interviewee and assessor perspectives
Authors: Akehurst Lucy , Arnhold Alina , Figueiredo Isabel , Turtle Sarah , Leach Amy‐May
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The first of two experiments investigated the effect that speaking in a non‐native language has on interviewees’ perceptions of their interview experience. A second experiment investigated evaluators’ perceptions of the credibility of interviewees who spoke in their native or non‐native language.

Method

For the first experiment, 52 participants told the truth or lied about their identity during a mock border control interview. All of the participants were interviewed in English, for half of the sample this was their native language, and for the other half of the sample English was not their native tongue. Post‐interview, all participants completed a self‐report questionnaire relating to their perceptions of their interview experience. For the second experiment, 128 participants evaluated the credibility of interviewees from the first experiment. The modality of presentation of interview clips was varied and included ‘Visual and Audio’, ‘Visual Only’, ‘Audio Only’, and ‘Transcript Only’.

Results

Non‐native speakers were more likely than native speakers to report being nervous and cognitively challenged during their interviews and were more likely to monitor their own behaviour. Overall, evaluators were better able to distinguish between truth tellers and liars who were speaking in their native language than between truth tellers and liars who were non‐native speakers. Relative to native speakers, there was a smaller truth bias for evaluations of non‐native speakers. When evaluators were considering the non‐native speakers, they achieved higher discrimination accuracy when they were exposed to ‘Visual Only’ or ‘Transcript Only’ presentations than when they were shown the ‘Visual and Audio’ or ‘Audio Only’ interview clips.

Conclusions

Self‐reported experiences of a mock border control interview differed dependent on whether interviewees were speaking in their native or non‐native language. Discrimination accuracy was better for native speakers than it was for non‐native speakers and was at its worst when evaluators heard the accents of the non‐native speakers.
Relations among psychopathy, moral competence, and moral intuitions in student and community samples
Authors: Gay Jeremy G. , Vitacco Michael J. , Hackney Amy , Beussink Courtney , Lilienfeld Scott O.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The nature of moral decision‐making in those with pronounced psychopathic traits has been passionately debated, both in scientific literature and in the public policy arena. Research investigating the relationship between psychopathic traits and moral decision‐making capacities has been largely inconclusive. However, recent research suggests individuals with elevated psychopathic traits may exhibit abnormal moral intuitions regarding the prevention of harm (Harm) and promotion of fairness (Fairness). Although moral intuitions are widely assumed to be related to moral judgement, no research has simultaneously examined the relations among psychopathy, moral intuition, and moral judgement.

Methods

We hypothesized that psychopathic traits would not be directly related to moral judgement outcomes but would be indirectly related by way of Harm and Fairness moral intuitions. To test these hypotheses, 121 undergraduate students and 205 community residents, across two studies, completed measures of psychopathy, moral intuitions, and moral judgement.

Results

Higher psychopathy scores were associated with decreased concerns about preventing harm and promoting justice across both samples. Individuals higher in psychopathic traits did not evidence deficits in moral judgement.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that, although individuals with elevated psychopathic traits may organize their sense of morality differently, they can accurately discern moral from immoral decisions.
Affective encounters: enchantment and the possibility of reading for pleasure
Authors: Burnett Cathy , Merchant Guy
Published: March 2018

Discourses of reading for pleasure have seldom addressed the multiple and complex digital media practices of children and young people or the changing nature of literacy. This article explores the affective encounters that are generated in the relations between readers, digital texts and things by applying Bennett's notion of enchantment. Using examples of everyday literacies, it considers the diversity of ways in which such encounters manifest, noting how such practices are located within intersecting continua ranging from immersive to lightweight, sustained to ephemeral, individual to collective, serious to flippant and from momentary hilarity to deep engagement. The article outlines some implications of enchantment for thinking about reading for pleasure in education focusing on the importance of potentiality and relationality.
How linguistically‐informed are phonics programmes?
Authors: Beard Roger , Brooks Greg , Ampaw‐Farr Jaz
Published: March 2018

Successive UK government policies have strengthened the phonics element of the National Curriculum for English in England. The policies have included inviting publishers to submit completed self‐assessments of their systematic phonics programmes. The self‐assessment criteria focus on what is deemed to be ‘high‐quality provision’, as defined in the Independent Review of the Teaching of Early Reading chaired by Jim Rose. The programmes whose self‐assessments were judged to be accurate by small panels of independent evaluators have been subsequently listed on a central government website. The authors have acted as independent evaluators in this process and, between them, had the opportunity to inspect the content of over 100 phonics programmes. They have noted that many of these programmes (most of which did not meet the Rose criteria) contained numerous linguistic inaccuracies, particularly in relation to the English spelling system and its grapheme‐phoneme correspondences. The existence, number and range of these errors jeopardise policy implementation and National Curriculum delivery and pose risks for the quality of teaching and learning. The article suggests some reasons for these findings in related published debates and in policy documents, and that phonics programmes need to be more linguistically‐informed. The article concludes with some implications for practice.
Hapke mixture modeling applied to VNIR spectra of mafic mineral mixtures and shergottites: Implications for quantitative analysis of satellite data
Authors: Harris Jennifer K. , M. Grindrod Peter
Published: March 2018

The mineralogy of Mars is well understood on a qualitative level at a global scale due to satellite data. Quantitative analysis of visible and near‐infrared (VNIR) satellite data is a desirable but nontrivial task, due partly to the nonlinearity of VNIR reflectance spectra from the mineral mixtures of the Martian surface. In this study, we investigated the use of the Hapke radiative transfer model to generate linearly mixed single scattering albedo data from nonlinearly mixed VNIR reflectance data and then quantitatively analyzed them using the linear spectral mixture model. Simplifications to the Hapke equation were tested accounting for variables that would be unknown when using satellite data. Mineral mixture spectra from the RELAB spectral library were degraded to test the robustness of the unmixing technique in the face of data that mimic some of the complexities of satellite spectral data collected at Mars. A final test was performed on spectra from shergottite meteorites to assess the technique against real Martian mineral mixtures. The simplified Hapke routine produced robust abundance estimates within 5–10% accuracy when applied to laboratory standard spectra from the synthetic mixtures of igneous minerals in agreement with previous studies. The results of tests involving degraded data to mimic the low spectral contrast of the Martian surface and the lack of a priori knowledge of the constituent mineral spectral endmembers, however, were less encouraging, with errors in abundance estimation greater than 25%. These results cast doubt on the utility of Hapke unmixing for the quantitative analysis of VNIR data of the surface of Mars.
Iron meteorite bulk densities determined via 3‐D laser imaging
Authors: Fry C. , Samson C. , McCausland P. J. A. , Ralchenko M. , McLeod T. K.
Published: March 2018

This study tested the feasibility of using 3‐D laser imaging to measure the bulk density of iron meteorites. 3‐D laser imaging is a technique in which a 3‐D model of an object is built after aligning and merging individual detailed images of its surface. Assuming that the mass of the object is known, the volume of the model is calculated by software and an estimate of bulk density can be obtained by dividing mass by volume. The 3‐D laser imaging technique was used to determine the density of 46 fragments from 11 different iron meteorites. The technique proved to be robust and was applied successfully to study samples ranging close to four orders of magnitude in mass (8 g to 156 kg) and exhibiting a variety of surface textures (e.g., cracks, regmaglypts), reflectivities (e.g., polished surfaces, fusion crust, rust), and morphologies (e.g., sharp angular edges, shrapnel tendrils). Three metrics were considered to estimate the error associated with density measurements: the range accuracy of the laser camera, image alignment error, and inter‐operator variability during model building. Inter‐operator variability was the largest source of error and was highest when assembling models of samples which either lacked distinctive features or were very complex in shape. Excluding two anomalous Zagora samples where silicate inclusions might have lowered density, the densities measured using 3‐D laser imaging ranged from 6.98 to 7.93 g cm−3, consistent with previous studies. There is overlap between bulk density and iron meteorite class, and therefore bulk density cannot be used in isolation as a classification criterion. It is a good indicator, however, of weathering effects and of the potential presence of low‐density inclusions.
Fine‐grained volatile components ubiquitous in solar nebula: Corroboration from scoriaceous cosmic spherules
Authors: Rudraswami N. G. , Fernandes D. , Naik A. K. , Shyam Prasad M. , Taylor S.
Published: March 2018

The scoriaceous cosmic spherules (CSs) that make up to a few percent (for sizes >150 μm size) of total micrometeorite flux are ubiquitous and have remained enigmatic. The present work provides in‐depth study of 81 scoriaceous CSs, from observed ~4000 CSs, collected from Antarctica (South Pole water well) and deep‐sea sediments (Indian Ocean) that will allow us to analyze the nature of these particles. The fine‐grained texture and the chemical composition of scoriaceous particles suggest that they are formed from matrix materials that are enriched in volatiles. The volatile components such as water, sulfide, Na, K, etc. have vanished due to partial evaporation and degassing during Earth's atmospheric entry leaving behind the vesicular features, yet largely preserving the elemental composition. The elemental ratios (Ca/Si, Mg/Si, Al/Si, Fe/Si, and Ni/Si) of interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) are compatible with the scoriaceous CSs, which in turn are indistinguishable from the matrices of CI and CM chondrites signifying similarities in the nature of the sources. Furthermore, the texture of cometary particles bears resemblance to the texture of the scoriaceous particles. The compilation of petrographic texture, chemical, and trace element composition of scoriaceous CSs presents a strong case for matrix components from hydrated and volatile‐rich bodies, such as CI and CM chondrites, rather than chondrules. We conclude that the fine‐grained scoriaceous CSs, the matrix materials of hydrated chondrites, IDPs, and cometary particles that overlap compositionally were widespread, indicating a dominant component in the early solar nebula.
Alteration of CAIs as recorded by 36S/34S as a function of 35Cl/34S
Authors: Leya I. , Masarik J. , Lin Y.
Published: March 2018

Using new model calculations, we study the production of chlorine and sulfur isotopes in different irradiation scenarios. We demonstrate that irradiation during meteorite transit from the asteroid belt to Earth has a negligible influence on the sulfur isotopic composition. We analyzed five different physical assemblages: carbonaceous chondrites, carbonaceous chondrites covered with water ice, carbonaceous chondrites covered with water ice that contains silicates and chlorine, precursor CAIs, and water ice that contains chlorine. For each of these five we ran simulations in which they were irradiated by galactic cosmic rays or solar energetic particles. We found that for producing sufficient amounts of 36Cl, the required GCR and SEP flux densities must have been either unreasonably high on absolute terms or must had been high relatively late after the formation of the solar system. This finding casts doubt on the interpretation of the correlation lines in the diagram 36S/34S and 35Cl/34S as isochrons. Alternatively, the correlation may be interpreted as mixing between water that contains chlorine that has been irradiated (likely as ice) either by GCR or SEP particles and sulfur (without any chlorine) with solar isotopic composition. Using this model we can explain the correlation as mixing between components, one of which was exposed to energetic particles; the conditions of this irradiation are not unrealistic.
Effectiveness of the national food supplementary program on children growth and nutritional status in Iran
Authors: Ghodsi Delaram , Omidvar Nasrin , Rashidian Arash , Eini‐Zinab Hassan , Raghfar Hossein , Aghayan Maryam
Published: March 2018

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the national food distribution program on the growth and nutritional status of malnourished or growth‐retarded children in 2 provinces of Iran. A quasi‐experimental design was used for the effectiveness evaluation. Qualitative data were gathered to explain the results. An intervention group consisted of 362 children aged 6–72 months who were under coverage of the program. These children received monthly food as foodstuff, food vouchers, or cash. A comparison group included 409 children aged 6–72 months who were selected from those covered by the Primary Health Care system. Children anthropometric indices were measured at the baseline and also 6 months later. Twelve focus group discussions were held with mothers who had at least 1 child under the coverage of the program. At the end of the study, the mean weight‐for‐age Z scores, height‐for‐age Z scores, and weight‐for‐height Z scores increased compared with the baselines in both groups (p < .001). The differences between 2 groups in weight‐for‐age Z scores, height‐for‐age Z scores, and weight‐for‐height Z scores were not significant at the end of the study (p = .62, p = .91, and p = .94, respectively). According to the mothers' reports, factors affected the program outcome, that is, children anthropometric indices were low income, intrahousehold food sharing, irregular distribution, quantity and quality of the distributed food, and insufficient training. Providing foods for the malnourished children living in low‐income families helped to prevent a worsening of their nutritional status; however, it has not been effective in solving the problem, probably due to the weak implementation and lack of empowerment strategies.
Conservation of a domestic metapopulation structured into related and partly admixed strains
Authors: Ramljak Jelena , Bunevski Gjoko , Bytyqi Hysen , Marković Božidarka , Brka Muhamed , Ivanković Ante , Kume Kristaq , Stojanović Srđan , Nikolov Vasil , Simčič Mojca , Sölkner Johann , Kunz Elisabeth , Rothammer Sophie , Seichter Doris , Grünenfelder Hans‐Peter , Broxham Elli T. , Kugler Waltraud , Medugorac Ivica
Published: March 2018

Preservation of genetic diversity is one of the most pressing challenges in the planetary boundaries concept. Within this context, we focused on genetic diversity in a native, unselected and highly admixed domesticated metapopulation. A set of 1,828 individuals from 60 different cattle breeds was analysed using a medium density SNP chip. Among these breeds, 14 Buša strains formed a metapopulation represented by 350 individuals, while the remaining 46 breeds represented the global cattle population. Genetic analyses showed that the scarcely selected and less differentiated Buša metapopulation contributed a substantial proportion (52.6%) of the neutral allelic diversity to this global taurine population. Consequently, there is an urgent need for synchronized maintenance of this highly fragmented domestic metapopulation, which is distributed over several countries without sophisticated infrastructure and highly endangered by continuous replacement crossing as part of the global genetic homogenization process. This study collected and evaluated samples, data and genomewide information and developed genome‐assisted cross‐border conservation concepts. To detect and maintain genetic integrity of the metapopulation strains, we designed and applied a composite test that combines six metrics based on additive genetic relationships, a nearest neighbour graph and the distribution of semiprivate alleles. Each metric provides distinct information components about past admixture events and offers an objective and powerful tool for the detection of admixed outliers. The here developed conservation methods and presented experiences could easily be adapted to comparable conservation programmes of domesticated or other metapopulations bred and kept in captivity or under some other sort of human control.
Rapid divergence of mussel populations despite incomplete barriers to dispersal
Authors: Maas Diede L. , Prost Stefan , Bi Ke , Smith Lydia L. , Armstrong Ellie E. , Aji Ludi P. , Toha Abdul Hamid A. , Gillespie Rosemary G. , Becking Leontine E.
Published: March 2018

Striking genetic structure among marine populations at small spatial scales is becoming evident with extensive molecular studies. Such observations suggest isolation at small scales may play an important role in forming patterns of genetic diversity within species. Isolation‐by‐distance, isolation‐by‐environment and historical priority effects are umbrella terms for a suite of processes that underlie genetic structure, but their relative importance at different spatial and temporal scales remains elusive. Here, we use marine lakes in Indonesia to assess genetic structure and assess the relative roles of the processes in shaping genetic differentiation in populations of a bivalve mussel (Brachidontes sp.). Marine lakes are landlocked waterbodies of similar age (6,000–10,000 years), but with heterogeneous environments and varying degrees of connection to the sea. Using a population genomic approach (double‐digest restriction‐site‐associated DNA sequencing), we show strong genetic structuring across populations (range FST: 0.07–0.24) and find limited gene flow through admixture plots. At large spatial scales (>1,400 km), a clear isolation‐by‐distance pattern was detected. At smaller spatial scales (<200 km), this pattern is maintained, but accompanied by an association of genetic divergence with degree of connection. We hypothesize that (incomplete) dispersal barriers can cause initial isolation, allowing priority effects to give the numerical advantage necessary to initiate strong genetic structure. Priority effects may be strengthened by local adaptation, which the data may corroborate by showing a high correlation between mussel genotypes and temperature. Our study indicates an often‐neglected role of (evolution‐mediated) priority effects in shaping population divergence.
Genetic signatures through space, time and multiple disturbances in a ubiquitous brooding coral
Authors: Underwood Jim N. , Richards Zoe T. , Miller Karen J. , Puotinen Marji L. , Gilmour James P.
Published: March 2018

The predominance of self‐recruitment in many reef‐building corals has fundamental and complex consequences for their genetic diversity, population persistence and responses to climate change. Knowledge of genetic structure over local scales needs to be placed within a broad spatial context, and also integrated with genetic monitoring through time to disentangle these consequences. Here, we examined patterns of genetic diversity over multiple spatio‐temporal scales across tropical Australia in the ubiquitous brooding coral, Seriatopora hystrix. We also analysed complimentary environmental and demographic data to elucidate the seascape drivers of these patterns. Large genetic differences were detected between the east vs. west coasts of Australia. In northwest Australia, geographic differentiation dominated genetic structure over multiple scales. However, three sympatric lineages were detected at the largest offshore reef system (Scott Reef). Similar to the differences observed among putative species in eastern Australia, these lineages were associated with different levels of wave exposure. Local genetic structure within the Scott Reef system was relatively stable over 10 years, but temporal differences were observed that reflected small but important genetic changes over a few generations during recovery after severe bleaching. These results highlight the importance of self‐recruitment together with occasional longer distance connectivity for the persistence of a metapopulation across spatially and temporally variable environments. Our multidimensional research provides a foundation for further long‐term genetic monitoring to inform conservation strategies and highlights that sampling scales, ecological effects and cryptic diversity are important considerations to develop realistic understanding of the evolutionary resilience of corals.