bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quickflow response to forest harvesting and recovery in a northern hardwood forest landscape
Authors: Buttle James M. , Webster Kara L. , Hazlett Paul W. , Jeffries Dean S.
Published: October 2018

Forest harvesting often increases catchment quickflow (QF, water delivered rapidly to the stream channel), a metric of high‐flow events controlling a catchment's solute and sediment export. Nevertheless, our understanding of QF responses to various silvicultural strategies (e.g., clearcutting, selection harvest, and shelterwood harvest) is incomplete. We present a 31‐year examination of QF delivery from treatment (clearcut, selection harvest, and shelterwood harvest) and control catchments in a deciduous forest landscape in central Ontario, Canada. Growing season root‐zone storage capacity was estimated using a water balance approach to evaluate temporal changes in QF response to precipitation (P) for pretreatment and posttreatment periods. Threshold relationships between QF and P were assessed for control and treatment catchments for pretreatment and posttreatment periods using piecewise regression. Root‐zone storage capacity demarcated shifts in the hydrologic regime arising from forest harvesting and subsequent regeneration. This was particularly pronounced for clearcutting where postharvest decline in root‐zone storage capacity was followed by a rise to preharvest values. Similar pretreatment threshold relationships between QF and P, and near‐identical P thresholds for producing significant QF, reflected similar soil and overburden depths in the catchments. Harvesting effects were indicated by increases in QF/P ratios for relative small P and the number of P events that generated QF, thus changing treatment QF vs. P threshold relationships. Prior to harvesting there was no significant increase in QF with P below a threshold P of 35–45 mm; however, there was a significant QF vs. P relationship below this threshold for all treatments postharvest. Clearcutting increased the number of QF events for the entire postharvest period and the first 9‐year postharvest compared to the other treatments; nevertheless, evidence for intertreatment differences in total QF depth delivered from the catchments during the growing season was inconclusive. Our work suggests that changes in threshold relationships between QF and P, coupled with knowledge of the physical processes underlying them, are useful when evaluating hydrologic responses to forest harvesting.
Actual and counterfactual growth incidence and delta Lorenz curves: Estimation and inference
Authors: Ferreira Francisco H.G. , Firpo Sergio , Galvao Antonio F.
Published: October 2018

Different economic growth episodes display very different distributional characteristics, both across countries and over time. Growth is sometimes accompanied by rising and sometimes by falling inequality. Applied economists have come to rely on the growth incidence curve, which gives the quantile‐specific rate of income growth over a certain period, to describe these differences. This paper introduces a mean‐independent analogue, the delta Lorenz curve, which gives the cumulative change in income share up to each quantile. We also develop estimation and inference procedures for both functions of quantiles. We establish the limiting null distribution of the test statistics of interest for those functions, and propose resampling methods to implement inference in practice. The proposed methods are used to compare the growth processes in the USA and Brazil during 1995–2007. Although growth in the average real wages was disappointing in both countries, the distribution of that growth was markedly different. In the USA, wage growth was mediocre for the bottom 80% of the sample, but much more rapid for the top 20%. In Brazil, conversely, wage growth was rapid below the median, and negative at the top. Wage shares fell in the USA up to the 83rd percentile, and rose in Brazil up to the 65th percentile.
Selective cellular imaging with lanthanide‐based upconversion nanoparticles
Authors: Nampi Padmaja P. , Vakurov Alexander , Mackenzie Lewis E. , Scrutton Nigel S. , Millner Paul A. , Jose Gin , Saha Sikha
Published: October 2018

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) with sodium yttrium fluoride, NaYF4 (host lattice) doped with Yb3+ (sensitizer) and Er3+ (activator) were synthesized via hydrothermal route incorporating polyethyleneimine (PEI) for their long‐term stability in water. The cationic PEI‐modified UCNPs with diameter 20 ± 4 nm showed a zeta potential value of +36.5 mV and showed an intense, visible red luminescence and low‐intensity green emission with 976 nm laser excitation. The particles proven to be nontoxic to endothelial cells, with a 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, showing 90% to 100% cell viability, across a wide range of UCNP concentrations (0.3 ng/mL‐0.3 mg/mL) were used in multiphoton imaging. Multiphoton cellular imaging and emission spectroscopy data reported here prove that the UCNPs dispersed in cell culture media are predominantly concentrated in the cytoplasm than the cell nucleus. The energy transfer from PEI‐coated UCNPs to surrounding media for red luminescence in the biological system is also highlighted with spectroscopic measurements. Results of this study propose that UCNPs can, therefore, be used for cytoplasm selective imaging together with multiphoton dyes (eg, 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI)) that are selective to cell nucleus.
An improved methodology to compute surface site interaction points using high density molecular electrostatic potential surfaces
Authors: Oliver Antoni , Hunter Christopher A , Prohens Rafel , Rosselló Josep Lluis
Published: October 2018

The theoretical calculation of Surface Site Interaction Points (SSIP) has been used successfully in some applications in the solid and liquid phase. In this work we propose a new set of optimizations for the search of SSIP using the Molecular Electrostatic Potential Surfaces (MEPS) calculated with Density Functional Theory and B3LYP/6‐31*G basis set. The measures that have been implemented are based on the search for the best agreement between experimental H‐bond donor and acceptor parameters (α and β) and the MEPS extremes exploring a range of electron density levels. Additionally, a parameterization as a function of atom types has been performed. The results show that the MEPS calculated at 0.01 au electron density level slightly improves the correlation with experimental data in comparison with the calculation over other density values. This fact is related to the bigger contribution of local electrostatics at higher density levels. The refinement has provided significant improvements to the correlation between theoretical and experimental data. Moreover, the proposed calculation over 0.01 au is six times faster on average than the computation at 0.002 au. The proposed methodology has been developed with the purpose to obtain high precision SSIP in a fast way and to improve their applications in virtual cocrystal screening, calculation of free energies in solution and molecular docking. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of several laser systems on removal of smear layer with a variety of irrigation solutions
Authors: Ozbay Yagiz , Erdemir Ali
Published: October 2018

To evaluate which laser system is more effective on smear layer removal when distilled water or combination of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) are used as irrigants. Ninety‐six human mandibular premolar teeth were used. Standard access cavities were prepared and the root canals were enlarged using ProTaper system to size F4 and divided into two equal groups according to final irrigation solution. In Group 1, distilled water was used, whilst 2.5% NaOCI and 17% EDTA solutions were used in Group 2. Each group was divided into four equal subgroups according to the activation procedure. In Subgroups 1A (Control) and 2A, no activation protocol was applied. In other subgroups, Er:YAG laser using photon‐induced photoacoustic streaming (PIPS; 1B and 2B), Nd:YAG laser (1C and 2C) and Er,Cr:YSGG laser (1D and 2D) were applied for the activation. Teeth were split longitudinally and subjected to scanning electron microscopy evaluation. Smear layer was scored at 1000× magnification in all thirds. The data were analysed statistically using Kruskal‐Wallis and Mann–Whitney U test post hoc comparisons. The samples irrigated with distilled water had greater smear layer scores when compared with the combination of NaOCl and EDTA (p < .05). The efficacy of smear layer removal increased when using laser systems (p < .05). Smear layer was removed more effectively in the coronal and middle levels compared to the apical level (p < .05). The sequential use of NaOCl and EDTA is significantly more effective than distilled water in smear layer removal. Regardless of the type of irrigant, laser activated irrigation enhances smear layer removal.

Research Highlights

The use of laser systems for activation of NaOCl and EDTA is the most effective method in terms of smear layer removal. Photon‐induced photoacoustic streaming technique with Er:YAG laser was the most efficient smear layer removal method regardless of the solution used.
Bioinformatic data processing pipelines in support of next‐generation sequencing‐based HIV drug resistance testing: the Winnipeg Consensus
Authors: Ji Hezhao , Enns Eric , Brumme Chanson J. , Parkin Neil , Howison Mark , Lee Emma R. , Capina Rupert , Marinier Eric , Avila‐Rios Santiago , Sandstrom Paul , Van Domselaar Gary , Harrigan Richard , Paredes Roger , Kantor Rami , Noguera‐Julian Marc
Published: October 2018

Introduction

Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) has several advantages over conventional Sanger sequencing for HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) genotyping, including detection and quantitation of low‐abundance variants bearing drug resistance mutations (DRMs). However, the high HIV genomic diversity, unprecedented large volume of data, complexity of analysis and potential for error pose significant challenges for data processing. Several NGS analysis pipelines have been developed and used in HIVDR research; however, the absence of uniformity in data processing strategies results in lack of consistency and comparability of outputs from different pipelines. To fill this gap, an international symposium on bioinformatic strategies for NGS‐based HIVDR testing was held in February 2018 in Winnipeg, Canada, convening laboratory scientists, bioinformaticians and clinicians involved in four recently developed, publicly available NGS HIVDR pipelines. The goal of this symposium was to establish a consensus on effective bioinformatic strategies for NGS data management and its use for HIVDR reporting.

Discussion

Essential functionalities of an NGS HIVDR pipeline were divided into five analytic blocks: (1) NGS read quality control (QC)/quality assurance (QA); (2) NGS read alignment and reference mapping; (3) HIV variant calling and variant QC; (4) NGS HIVDR reporting; and (5) extended data applications and additional considerations for data management. The consensuses reached among the participants on all major aspects of these blocks are summarized here. They encompass not only recommended data management and analysis strategies, but also detailed bioinformatic approaches that help ensure accuracy of the derived HIVDR analysis outputs for both research and potential clinical use.

Conclusions

While NGS is being adopted more broadly in HIVDR testing laboratories, data processing is often a bottleneck hindering its generalized application. The proposed standardization of NGS read QC/QA, read alignment and reference mapping, variant calling and QC, HIVDR reporting and relevant data management strategies in this “Winnipeg Consensus” may serve as a starting guideline for NGS HIVDR data processing that informs the refinement of existing pipelines and those yet to be developed. Moreover, the bioinformatic strategies presented here may apply more broadly to NGS data analysis of microbes harbouring significant genomic diversity.
Successes and challenges in optimizing the viral load cascade to improve antiretroviral therapy adherence and rationalize second‐line switches in Swaziland
Authors: Etoori David , Ciglenecki Iza , Ndlangamandla Mpumelelo , Edwards Celeste G , Jobanputra Kiran , Pasipamire Munyaradzi , Maphalala Gugu , Yang Chunfu , Zabsonre Inoussa , Kabore Serge M , Goiri Javier , Teck Roger , Kerschberger Bernhard
Published: October 2018

Introduction

As antiretroviral therapy (ART) is scaled up, more patients become eligible for routine viral load (VL) monitoring, the most important tool for monitoring ART efficacy. For HIV programmes to become effective, leakages along the VL cascade need to be minimized and treatment switching needs to be optimized. However, many HIV programmes in resource‐constrained settings report significant shortfalls.

Methods

From a public sector HIV programme in rural Swaziland, we evaluated the VL cascade of adults (≥18 years) on ART from the time of the first elevated VL (>1000 copies/mL) between January 2013 and June 2014 to treatment switching by December 2015. We additionally described HIV drug resistance for patients with virological failure. We used descriptive statistics and Kaplan–Meier estimates to describe the different steps along the cascade and regression models to determine factors associated with outcomes.

Results and Discussion

Of 828 patients with a first elevated VL, 252 (30.4%) did not receive any enhanced adherence counselling (EAC). Six hundred and ninety‐six (84.1%) patients had a follow‐up VL measurement, and the predictors of receiving a follow‐up VL were being a second‐line patient (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 0.72; p = 0.051), Hlathikhulu health zone (aHR: 0.79; p = 0.013) and having received two EAC sessions (aHR: 1.31; p = 0.023). Four hundred and ten patients (58.9%) achieved VL re‐suppression. Predictors of re‐suppression were age 50 to 64 (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.02; p = 0.015) compared with age 18 to 34 years, being on second‐line treatment (aOR: 3.29; p = 0.003) and two (aOR: 1.66; p = 0.045) or three (aOR: 1.86; p = 0.003) EAC sessions. Of 278 patients eligible to switch to second‐line therapy, 120 (43.2%) had switched by the end of the study. Finally, of 155 successfully sequenced dried blood spots, 144 (92.9%) were from first‐line patients. Of these, 133 (positive predictive value: 92.4%) had resistance patterns that necessitated treatment switching.

Conclusions

Patients on ART with high VLs were more likely to re‐suppress if they received EAC. Failure to re‐suppress after counselling was predictive of genotypically confirmed resistance patterns requiring treatment switching. Delays in switching were significant despite the ability of the WHO algorithm to predict treatment failure. Despite significant progress in recent years, enhanced focus on quality care along the VL cascade in resource‐limited settings is crucial.
Assessing feedback of tropical instability wave‐induced wind stress perturbations in the equatorial Pacific
Authors: Wei Yanzhou , Pei Yuhua , Kang Xianbiao
Published: October 2018

A close relationship between tropical instability wave (TIW)‐induced sea surface temperature (SST) and wind stress (τ) perturbations (SSTTIW and τTIW, respectively) has been identified from satellite observations. In this study, we applied an empirical TIW‐induced wind stress model (τ
x, τ
y)TIW=F(SST) to assess τTIW feedback. This empirical model solves (τ
x, τ
y)TIW from TIW‐induced wind stress divergence and curl estimated from time‐evolving downwind and crosswind SST gradients. The empirical model is incorporated into a high‐resolution ocean model based on the Regional Ocean Modeling System, and the derived (τ
x, τ
y)TIW can be added onto the climatological component to force the ocean model, by which the effect of τTIW can be taken into account adequately. From a comparison of two experiments with and without the τTIW effect, the τTIW had a substantial effect on the equatorial Pacific heat budget, which affected the long‐term mean SST, representing an approximate 0.2°C difference. An SST budget analysis suggested that the τTIW influenced SST primarily via thermal advection and vertical mixing, the effects of which were both amplified with additional τTIW feedback and almost counteracted each other. Analysis of two additional sensitivity experiments suggested that both TIW‐induced wind stress divergence and curl components could induce comparable SST differences, with a little difference on that the latter tended to induce more salient SST cooling at the equator.
Methods for the determination of levoglucosan and other sugar anhydrides as biomass burning tracers in environmental samples – A review
Authors: Janoszka Katarzyna , Czaplicka Marianna
Published: October 2018

Nowadays, there is a great pressure on finding an alternative source of energy. One such source is biomass combustion. Biomass is any organic matter such as wood, crops, seaweed, and animal wastes that during combustion emits energy but also smoke and solid residue. Biomass burning tracers, such as levoglucosan, mannosan and galactosan, are sugar anhydrides produced during burning of biomass that contain cellulose and hemicellulose. Analysis of environmental samples for tracers is the source of information about the type of biofuel burned. In this article, a literature review of the preparation and determination of biomass burning tracers for environmental samples was presented. The review discusses the preparation of different samples (particulate matter, soils, sediments, biological samples), extraction, derivatization, and determination. Amongst determination methods the most popular was gas chromatography with mass spectrometry but other techniques were also used, such as high‐performance liquid chromatography with aerosol charge detection, capillary electrophoresis with pulsed amperometric detection, and ion chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection.
Optimization of solid‐phase extraction of parabens and benzophenones in water samples using a combination of Plakett‐Burman and Box‐Behnken designs
Authors: Chávez‐Moreno Carmin A. , Hinojosa‐Reyes Laura , Ruiz‐Ruiz Edgar J. , Hernández‐Ramírez Aracely , Guzmán‐Mar Jorge L.
Published: October 2018

An automated method for the analysis of methylparaben, propylparaben, benzophenone‐3, and benzophenone‐4 in water effluents via on‐line solid‐phase extraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography/ultraviolet detection was proposed. The preconcentration parameters were studied using Plackett‐Burman and Box‐Behnken experimental designs using a C18 sorbent material. The results demonstrated that the eluent volume, composition, and sorbent amount were statistically significant. Optimal conditions for these variables were an eluent volume of 1.55 mL, eluent composition of acetonitrile 100% v/v, and sorbent amount of 100 mg. The eluted sample was analyzed on‐line using high‐performance liquid chromatography equipped with a reversed‐phase C18 column and ultraviolet detection. Separation of the analytes was achieved in 15 min using gradient elution with acetonitrile/water. A simple, sensitive, and rapid analytical method was proposed for personal care compounds without sophisticated or expensive equipment. The limits of detection were 1.20, 1.73, 2.51, and 4.67 μg/L for propylparaben, methylparaben, benzophenone‐3, and benzophenone‐4, respectively. The analysis time was 48 min, consuming only 1.59 mL of eluent acetonitrile for the solid phase extraction step, with minimal sample handling. The method was applied to the analysis of spiked swimming pool and wastewater, with recoveries between 65–107%. These results indicate the reliability of the flow‐based procedure.
Effects of scale and land cover on loggerhead shrike occupancy
Authors: Froehly Jennifer L. , Tegeler Amy K. , Jachowski Catherine M. Bodinof , Jachowski David S.
Published: October 2018

The loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) is a species of concern throughout its range because of severe population declines over the past 7 decades. Grassland habitat loss and fragmentation is widely viewed as contributing to the decline. Habitat associations have primarily been studied up to the territory scale, with few studies assessing shrike habitat selection at landscape scales. We conducted roadside passive‐active point counts for loggerhead shrikes in the coastal plain of South Carolina to evaluate detection probability and how land use and habitat fragmentation at multiple spatial scales influenced the occupancy of loggerhead shrikes. Detection probability increased with fair weather to 63% with clear skies, with temperature to 83% at 28°C, and with declining noise to 63% at no noise. High probability of detection at mean covariate conditions (P = 0.49 ± 0.08 [SE]) indicated support for the application of passive point counts in future loggerhead shrike monitoring. Occupancy was best predicted by percentage of pasture within 1 km, where predicted occupancy increased from 2 ± 0.02% when there was 0% pasture in a 1‐km radius, to 98 ± 0.03% occupancy when there was 43% pasture in a 1‐km radius, though our model‐averaged occupancy estimate was low (ψ = 0.17 ± 0.05). Extrapolation of our averaged model suggested that only 8% of the South Carolina coastal plain was occupied by loggerhead shrikes in the 2016 and 2017 breeding seasons. Our results highlight the importance of habitat beyond breeding territories and highlight the need for the establishment of higher concentrations of pasture and grassland at a 1‐km scale to increase the proportion of area in South Carolina occupied by shrikes. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Photomodulated Morphologies in Halogen Bond–Driven Assembly during Gel–Sol Transition
Authors: Hu Haisi , Qiu Yuan , Wang Jing , Zhao Dongxu , Wang Hong , Wang Qin , Liao Yonggui , Peng Haiyan , Xie Xiaolin
Published: October 2018

Photoresponsive supramolecular gels with various applications are being constantly pursued; however, achieving well‐defined morphology changes of gels via light irradiation remains a formidable challenge. In this study, a gel is prepared through halogen bond between azopyridine‐containing Azopy‐C10 and 1,4‐tetrafluorodiiodobenzene. The gel exhibits gel–sol transition due to trans–cis isomerization of the azopyridine moiety upon UV irradiation. During this transition, the morphologies vary from flake to fluffy bobble‐like and finally to peony‐like with increasing exposure time, which is difficult to achieve in traditional assembly systems. The microstructure change is attributed to the variations of cis‐isomer content and halogen‐bonding strength. The supramolecular gel provides a novel method to achieve photomodulated morphologies and broadens the applications of such kind of materials, ranging from information storage to high‐tech anticounterfeit.
Identification of an inverse source problem for time‐fractional diffusion equation with random noise
Authors: Thach Tran Ngoc , Huy Tuan Nguyen , Tam Pham Thi Minh , Minh Mach Nguyet , Can Nguyen Huu
Published: October 2018

In this paper, we consider an inverse source problem for a time fractional diffusion equation. In general, this problem is ill posed, therefore we shall construct a regularized solution using the filter regularization method in the random noise case. We will provide appropriate conditions to guarantee the convergence of the approximate solution to the exact solution. Then, we provide examples of filters in order to obtain error estimates for their approximate solutions. Finally, we present a numerical example to show efficiency of the method.
Thermoelastic Stability Behavior of Curvilinear Fiber‐Reinforced Composite Laminates With Different Boundary Conditions
Authors: Manickam Ganapathi , Bharath Anirudh , Das Aditya Narayan , Chandra Anant , Barua Pradyumna
Published: October 2018

In this article, the thermoelastic stability behavior of curvilinear fiber‐reinforced composite laminates is investigated using a shear flexible plate theory. The laminate is composed of layers that make use of curvilinear fibers to create spatial variation of stiffness due to the continuous change of fiber orientation within the lamina. Such composite laminates, subjected to different thermal loads like uniform and non‐uniform temperature distributions, are considered in this analysis. The governing equations obtained using the principle of minimization of total potential energy, are solved for evaluating the critical buckling temperature. The displacement fields of pre‐buckling of the laminate are evaluated before proceeding for the thermal buckling analysis. The formulation is checked against available solutions in the literature. A detailed parametric study considering important design parameters such as curvilinear fiber angles, lay‐up, thickness ratio, coefficients of thermal expansion, and modular ratio on the thermoelastic stability/buckling behavior of composite laminates is made. The present analysis highlights the substantial change in the critical buckling loads due to the curvilinear fiber angles, lay‐up and boundary conditions. The new results presented here for curvilinear fiber‐reinforced composite laminate with clamped/mixed boundary conditions may be useful in assessing similar studies based on higher‐order theories or other numerical studies. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:2876–2890, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Color My World
Authors: Giordano Geoff
Published: October 2018

With material regulations getting stricter and performance requirements getting tougher, suppliers of custom colors for plastics are meeting the demand with highly specific formulations, production of small lots, and faster turnaround times

Whether to meet legal requirements that limit toxic materials or market needs for impact resistance, fire prevention, shelf presence, and more, several color companies are investing heavily and expanding capacity rapidly to rise to the challenge
Redefining Tissue Crosstalk via Shotgun Proteomic Analyses of Plasma Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Whitham Martin , Febbraio Mark A.
Published: October 2018

Protein signaling between tissues, or tissue cross‐talk is becoming recognized as a fundamental biological process that is incompletely understood. Shotgun proteomic analyses of tissues and plasma to explore this concept are regularly challenged by high dynamic range of protein abundance, which limits the identification of lower abundance proteins. In this viewpoint article, it is highlighted how a focus on proteins contained within extracellular vesicles (EVs) not only partially addresses this issue, but can also reveal an underappreciated complexity of the circulating proteome in various physiological and pathological contexts. Furthermore, how quantitative proteomics can inform EV mediated crosstalk is highlighted and the importance of high coverage, sensitive proteomic analyses of EVs to identify both the optimal methods to isolate EV subtypes of interest and proteins that characterize them is stressed.
Extracellular Vesicles: A Prevalent Tool for Microbial Gene Delivery?
Authors: Ben‐Hur Sharon , Biton Mirit , Regev‐Rudzki Neta
Published: October 2018

Genetic plasticity of prokaryotic microbial communities is largely dependent on the ongoing exchange of genetic determinants by Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT). HGT events allow beneficial genetic transitions to occur throughout microbial life, thus promoting adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Here, the significance of secreted vesicles in mediating HGT between microorganisms is discussed, while focusing on the benefits gained by vesicle‐mediated gene delivery and its occurrence under different environmental cues. The potential use of secreted DNA‐harboring vesicles as a mechanism of currently unresolved HGT events in eukaryotic microbes is further discussed.
Synthesis and testing of novel alternative oxidase (AOX) inhibitors with antifungal activity against Moniliophthora perniciosa (Stahel), the causal agent of witches' broom disease of cocoa, and other phytopathogens
Authors: Barsottini Mario RO , Pires Bárbara A , Vieira Maria L , Pereira José GC , Costa Paulo CS , Sanitá Jaqueline , Coradini Alessandro , Mello Fellipe , Marschalk Cidnei , Silva Eder M , Paschoal Daniele , Figueira Antonio , Rodrigues Fábio HS , Cordeiro Artur T , Miranda Paulo CML , Oliveira Paulo SL , Sforça Maurício L , Carazzolle Marcelo F , Rocco Silvana A , Pereira Gonçalo AG
Published: October 2018

Background

Moniliophthora perniciosa (Stahel) Aime & Phillips‐Mora is the causal agent of witches' broom disease (WBD) of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) and a threat to the chocolate industry. The membrane‐bound enzyme alternative oxidase (AOX) is critical for M. perniciosa virulence and resistance to fungicides, which has also been observed in other phytopathogens. Notably AOX is an escape mechanism from strobilurins and other respiration inhibitors, making AOX a promising target for controlling WBD and other fungal diseases.

Results

We present the first study aimed at developing novel fungal AOX inhibitors. N‐Phenylbenzamide (NPD) derivatives were screened in the model yeast Pichia pastoris through oxygen consumption and growth measurements. The most promising AOX inhibitor (NPD 7j‐41) was further characterized and displayed better activity than the classical AOX inhibitor SHAM in vitro against filamentous fugal phytopathogens, such as M. perniciosa, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Venturia pirina. We demonstrate that 7j‐41 inhibits M. perniciosa spore germination and prevents WBD symptom appearance in infected plants. Finally, a structural model of P. pastoris AOX was created and used in ligand structure‐activity relationships analyses.

Conclusion

We present novel fungal AOX inhibitors with antifungal activity against relevant phytopathogens. We envisage the development of novel antifungal agents to secure food production. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Immunomodulatory effect of Cynara scolymus (artichoke) in rats
Authors: Hueza Isis Machado , Gotardo André Tadeu , da Silva Mattos Maria Izabel , Górniak Silvana Lima
Published: October 2018

Cynara scolymus is a plant used both as food as well as medicinal plant worldwide. Cynarin is one of the main active principles of the plant, and it is also present in species such as Echinacea purpurae, which is known to have immunomodulatory activity. Thus, the objective of this study is to evaluate the immune effects of C. scolymus in rats. Rats were treated with 1.0‐, 2.0‐, or 4.0‐g/kg body weight of C. scolymus extract for 28 days. Haemogram, serum biochemistry, lymphoid organs weight, and their cell phenotypes were evaluated. Macrophages and neutrophils oxidative burst, specific humoral immune response, and the delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) were studied. No changes in the haemogram, biochemical profile, antibody titers, lymphoid organs, and in their cellularities were observed. An increase in the basal activity of reactive oxygen species from male's macrophage was observed. There was a suppression of the DTH response in both gender when treated with the highest dose of C. scolymus. This study is the first in the literature that revealed an immunosuppressive effect of C. scolymus. We also verified that the doses of artichoke extract here employed did not cause general toxicity.
Extracting at the borders: Negotiating political and ecological geographies of movement in mineral frontiers
Authors: Ali Saleem H.
Published: October 2018

This paper questions the drive towards more ecologically determined porosity across national borders in the context of incongruent economic regulation and incentives. The push towards regionalization and less austere border conditions have socio‐ecological salience and deserve consideration. However, mining creates human and financial capital flows across “mineral frontiers” which deserve greater attention by policy‐makers who are advocating for more relaxed border conditions. While minerals frontiers can be areas of cooperation under certain circumstances, they are highly vulnerable to acting as threat multipliers if not effectively monitored. A typology from border studies is used to develop a framework of how mineral resource projects can lead to human movement across borders. While mining projects in resource frontiers can be a means of fostering regional cooperation, they can also create vulnerabilities involving the migrants. The ways in which development donors and companies can facilitate more constructive harmonization of regulatory mechanisms to prevent such vulnerabilities are examined.
Performance persistence in the presence of higher‐order resources
Authors: Wibbens Phebo D.
Published: October 2018

Research Summary

This paper presents a formal model of how higher‐order resources affect profit persistence. Higher‐order resources provide an abstract representation of dynamic capabilities, and are defined as resources that do not affect profit directly, but can affect other resources that in turn affect profit over time. The model shows that higher‐order resources lead to persistence not only in the level of profit, but also in its growth. Estimation of the model using empirical profit data of more than 4,000 U.S. firms over 30 years implies an average duration of competitive advantage of about 18 years, which is almost four times as long as implied by traditionally used autoregressive models that exclude the effect of higher‐order resources.

Managerial Summary

If firms want to make more profit than their competitors for prolonged periods of time, they must have access to resources that competitors cannot effectively obtain, such as brands, patents, captive customers, or specialized plants. This paper shows that not only these “operating resources” drive long‐term profit differences across firms, but also “higher‐order resources,” such as strategic planning, M&A capabilities, and superior forecasts. Such higher‐order resources do not affect profits directly, but allow firms to obtain superior operating resources over time. A mathematical model incorporating higher‐order resources suggests an average duration of competitive advantage of about 18 years, almost four times as long as implied by traditionally used models.
KCrS2 Cathode with Considerable Cyclability and High Rate Performance: The First K+ Stoichiometric Layered Compound for Potassium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Naveen Nirmalesh , Park Woon Bae , Singh Satendra Pal , Han Su Cheol , Ahn Docheon , Sohn Kee‐Sun , Pyo Myoungho
Published: October 2018

KCrS2 is presented as a stable and high‐rate layered material that can be used as a cathode in potassium‐ion batteries. As far as it is known, KCrS2 is the only layered material with stoichiometric amounts of K+, which enables coupling with a graphite anode for full‐cell construction. Cr(III)/Cr(IV) redox in KCrS2 is also unique, because LiCrS2 and NaCrS2 are known to experience S2−/S2
2− redox. O3‐KCrS2 is first charged to P3‐K0.39CrS2 and subsequently discharged to O′3‐K0.8CrS2, delivering an initial discharge capacity of 71 mAh g−1. The following charge/discharge (C/D) shows excellent reversibility between O′3‐K0.8CrS2 and P3‐K0.39CrS2, retaining ≈90% of the initial capacity during 1000 continuous cycles. The rate performance is also noteworthy. A C/D rate increase of 100‐fold (0.05 to 5 C) reduces the reversible capacity only by 39% (71 to 43 mAh g−1). The excellent cyclic stability and high rate performance are ascribed to the soft sulfide framework, which can effectively buffer the stress caused by K+ deinsertion/insertion. During the transformation between P3‐K0.39CrS2 and O′3‐K0.8CrS2, the material resides mostly in the P3 phase, which minimizes the abrupt dimension change and allows facile K+ diffusion through spacious prismatic sites. Structural analysis and density functional theory calculations firmly support this reasoning.
Levator ani muscle coactivation at term is associated with longer second stage of labor in nulliparous women
Authors: Youssef A. , Montaguti E. , Dodaro M. G. , Kamel R. , Rizzo N. , Pilu G.
Published: October 2018

Objective

To assess the effect of levator ani muscle (LAM) coactivation at term on outcome of labor in nulliparous women.

Methods

This was a prospective study of 284 low‐risk nulliparous women with a singleton pregnancy at term recruited before the onset of labor. The anteroposterior diameter of the levator hiatus was measured in each woman on transperineal ultrasound at rest, on maximum pelvic floor muscle contraction and on maximum Valsalva maneuver before and after visual feedback. LAM coactivation was defined as a reduction in the anteroposterior diameter of the levator hiatus on maximum Valsalva maneuver in comparison with that at rest. The association of pelvic hiatal diameter values and LAM coactivation with mode of delivery and duration of labor was assessed.

Results

No significant difference was found between women who underwent Cesarean delivery and those who had a vaginal delivery with regard to the anteroposterior diameter of the levator hiatus at rest, on pelvic floor muscle contraction and on Valsalva maneuver. Longer second stage of labor was associated with shorter anteroposterior diameter of the levator hiatus on all assessments, but in particular at rest and on Valsalva both before and after visual feedback. LAM coactivation was found in 89 (31.3%) and 75 (26.4%) women before and after visual feedback, respectively. Post visual feedback, women with LAM coactivation had a significantly longer second stage of labor than did those without LAM coactivation (83 ± 63 vs 63 ± 42 min; P = 0.006). On Cox regression analysis, LAM coactivation post visual feedback was an independent predictor of longer second stage of labor (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.499 (95% CI, 1.076–2.087); P = 0.017).

Conclusion

LAM coactivation in nulliparous women at term is associated with a longer second stage of labor. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Simulated microgravity triggers characteristic morphology and stress response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Nemoto Shota , Ohnuki Shinsuke , Abe Fumiyoshi , Ohya Yoshikazu
Published: October 2018

Reduction of gravity results in changes in gene expression and morphology in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We studied the genes responsible for the morphological changes induced by simulated microgravity (SMG) using the yeast morphology data. We comprehensively captured the features of the morphological changes in yeast cells cultured in SMG with CalMorph, a high‐throughput image‐processing system. Statistical analysis revealed that 95 of 501 morphological traits were significantly affected, which included changes in bud direction, the ratio of daughter to mother cell size, the random daughter cell shape, the large mother cell size, bright nuclei in the M phase, and the decrease in angle between two nuclei. We identified downregulated genes that impacted the morphological changes in conditions of SMG by focusing on each of the morphological features individually. Gene Ontology (GO)‐enrichment analysis indicated that morphological changes under conditions of SMG were caused by cooperative downregulation of 103 genes annotated to six GO terms, which included cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein granule, RNA elongation, mitotic cell cycle phase transition, nucleocytoplasmic transport, protein–DNA complex subunit organization, and RNA localization. P‐body formation was also promoted under conditions of SMG. These results suggest that cooperative downregulation of multiple genes occurs in conditions of SMG.
NLO QCD corrections to single vector-like top partner production in association with top quark at the LHC
Authors: Zidi Mohamed Sadek
Published: October 2018

Abstract

The single vector-like top partner hadroproduction in association with top quark in the five and the six-flavour schemes at the LHC is investigated. The inclusive cross section and the differential distributions are evaluated for many benchmark scenarios at leading and next-to-leading orders, both for fixed-order and fixed-order matched to parton shower. The associated Higgs production with a top quark pair, where the final state arises from the decay of the vector-like top partner into a Higgs boson and a top quark, is examined.
Freezing in, heating up, and freezing out: predictive nonthermal dark matter and low-mass direct detection
Authors: Krnjaic Gordan
Published: October 2018

Abstract

Freeze-in dark matter (DM) mediated by a light (≪ keV) weakly-coupled dark-photon is an important benchmark for the emerging low-mass direct detection program. Since this is one of the only predictive, detectable freeze-in models, we investigate how robustly such testability extends to other scenarios. For concreteness, we perform a detailed study of models in which DM couples to a light scalar mediator and acquires a freeze-in abundance through Higgs-mediator mixing. Unlike dark-photons, whose thermal properties weaken stellar cooling bounds, the scalar coupling to Standard Model (SM) particles is subject to strong astrophysical constraints, which severely limit the fraction of DM that can be produced via freeze-in. While it seems naively possible to compensate for this reduction by increasing the mediator-DM coupling, sufficiently large values eventually thermalize the dark sector with itself and yield efficient DM annihilation to mediators, which depletes the freeze-in population; only a small window of DM candidate masses near the ∼ GeV scale can accommodate the total observed abundance. Since many qualitatively similar issues arise for other light mediators, we find it generically difficult to realize a viable freeze-in scenario in which production arises only from renormalizable interactions with SM particles. We also comment on several model variations that may evade these conclusions.
A critical perspective on the modified personal interview
Authors: Pieris Dilshan
Published: October 2018

Medical school interviews are critical for screening candidates for admission. Traditionally, the panel format is used for this process, although its drastically low reliabilities sparked the creation of the highly reliable multiple mini-interview (MMI). However, the multiple mini-interview’s feasibility issues made it unappealing to some institutions, like the University of Toronto, who created the modified personal interview (MPI) as a more feasible alternative. The lack of literature about the MPI, however, prevents the medical community from determining whether this interview format achieves this goal. Therefore, evidence was compiled and critically appraised for the MPI using Kane’s validity framework, which enables analysis of four levels of inference (Scoring, Generalization, Extrapolation, Implication). Upon examining each level, it was concluded that assumptions made at the ‘Scoring’ and ‘Generalization’ levels had the least support. Based on these findings, it was recommended that in-person rater training become mandatory and the number of stations increase twofold from four to eight. Moreover, the following research initiatives were suggested to improve understanding of and evidence for the modified personal interview: (1) formally blueprint each station; (2) conduct predictive validity studies for the modified personal interview, and (3) relate admission to medical school on the basis of the MPI with medical error rates. By making these changes and studying these initiatives, the MPI can become a more feasible and equally effective alternative to the MMI with more evidence to justify its implementation at other medical schools.
Clinical audit on the practice of documentation at preanesthetic evaluation in a specialized university hospital
Authors: Woldegerima Yophtahe , Kemal Semira
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Performing preanesthetic evaluation, documenting and keeping readily accessible record are responsibilities of anesthetists. Documentation can improve overall patient outcome. It also has an irreplaceable role in medico-legal aspects. Documentation is one of the challenges in providing quality care. The objective of the study was to evaluate documentation practice during preanesthetic visits.

Method:

A descriptive study was conducted in a university hospital. Predefined twenty-two indicators were prepared according to modified global quality index (GQI). SPSS version-20 was used for analysis.

Results:

A total of 122 pre-anesthetic evaluation tools (PAETs) were reviewed. None of PAETs found fully completed according to the indicators. Trends differ between elective and emergency conditions. Indicators with high completion rate (>90%) were signed a consent, past medical history (PMH), history of medication, allergy, anesthesia and surgery, cardiopulmonary examination, airway examination, preoperative diagnosis and planned procedure. Anesthetic plan, vital signs, a name, per-oral status, premedication, and age were found with below average (<50%) completion rate.

Conclusion and recommendations:

Documentation practice during the pre-anesthetic visit was below the standard. Unclear instructions should be replaced with standardized contents. Providing regular trainings on clinical documentation for students and staffs, and introducing modern electronic-based documentation system may improve the practice.

Highlights:
Randomized clinical trial comparing a small intestinal submucosa anal fistula plug to advancement flap for the repair of complex anal fistulas
Authors: Schwandner Thilo , Thieme Anique , Scherer Roland , Hodde Jason P. , Sötje Ulrike , Roblick Michael , Padberg Winfried , Fürst Alois
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Current treatments for complex anal fistulas are associated with substantial variability in healing, recurrence, and incontinence rates. This study compared the effectiveness and safety of the Biodesign anal fistula plug to the anorectal advancement flap in patients with transsphincteric anal fistulas.

Methods:

A total of 82 patients attending coloproctology clinics in Germany were enrolled in this prospective, non-blinded, multicenter trial and randomized to the advancement flap or the plug. Study endpoints included healing rates, health-related quality of life, continence-related quality of life, pain, and safety at the time of surgery and 2 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months following surgery.

Results:

Follow-up at 12 months (n = 82) revealed healing rates of 67% for the plug and 76% for the flap (p = 0.56), with the noninferiority analysis confirming equivalence (p = 0.47). Fecal continence rates and the overall safety profile were similar between the two interventions. There were trends for lower pain scores at the time of surgery and 2 weeks postoperatively, and higher overall quality of life in the plug group. The surgical time required for the plug procedure was, on average, 34% shorter than the time required for the advancement flap. Regardless of treatment group, higher healing rates were observed in patients with a higher body mass index (p = 0.03), shorter fistula length (p = 0.01), and fewer previous colorectal surgeries (p < 0.001), while prior colorectal surgeries were associated with lower healing rates (p = 0.026).

Conclusions:

The plug and advancement flap were equally effective treatments for complex anorectal fistula, with the plug associated with significantly less surgical time and a favorable safety profile.

Clinical trial registration:

NCT00545441.

Highlights: