bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mathematics as a universal language: transcending cultural lines
Authors: Parker Waller Patrice , Flood Chena T.
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Universal language can be viewed as a conjectural or antique dialogue that is understood by a great deal, if not all, of the world’s population. In this paper, a sound argument is presented that mathematical language exudes characteristics of worldwide understanding. The purpose of this paper is to explore mathematical language as a tool that transcends cultural lines.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has used a case study approach. The data relevant to the study were collected using participant observations, video recordings of classroom interactions and field notes.

Findings

Researchers found that mathematics communication and understanding were mutual among both groups whose languages were foreign to each other. Findings from this study stand to contribute to the ongoing discussion and debates about the universality of mathematics and to influence the teaching and learning of mathematics around the world.

Originality/value

Mathematics is composed of definitions, theorems, axioms, postulates, numbers and concepts that can all generally be expressed as symbols and that have been proven to be true across many nations. Through the symbolic representation of mathematical ideas, communication may occur that stands to break cultural barriers and unite all people using one common language.
Math achievement: a role strain and adaptation approach
Authors: Williams Krystal L. , Burt Brian A. , Hilton Adriel A.
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This study aims to better understand how students’ academic strains and multilevel strengths relate to their math achievement, with a particular emphasis on underrepresented students of color and girls given the need to broaden science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) participation for these groups.

Design/methodology/approach

National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 data was used for a historical examination of the various student academic strains and multilevel strengths that relate to math achievement in high school. T-tests and chi-square tests were conducted to examine differences in strains and strengths across policy-relevant student subgroups. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was used to examine how students’ strains and strengths related to their math achievement and the relative importance of each of these factors.

Findings

The findings suggest that both the academic strains and multilevel strengths that students’ experience in middle school are related to their high school math achievement and the prevalence of these factors varies across different policy-relevant student subgroups. Furthermore, the relative importance of these factors on achievement differs.

Originality/value

Studies which focus on either students’ academic challenges or their adaptive strengths fall short of a more nuanced discussion about how both factors relate to math outcomes. This study addresses this limitation and emphasizes that stakeholders who are interested in STEM diversity should consider holistic strategies for alleviating gender and racial/ethnic discrepancies in secondary math achievement.
Perceptions of technology engagement on culturally responsive pre-service teachers
Authors: Greene-Clemons Cheresa Denae
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to serve as an exploration of technology engagement on culturally responsive pre-service teachers. In an effort to increase interests of PK–12 students of diverse populations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, many will need opportunities and introductions presented from their PK–12 teachers. Thus, as a part of teaching in the twenty-first century, PK–12 teachers play an intricate role in sparking beginning and continuing interest in technology. This is especially important for students who may not have the opportunity to engage in technology outside of their school setting. Consequently, it is imperative that PK–12 teachers develop a positive disposition toward and engage in technology themselves.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a mixed-method approach, this study investigates the perceptions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities PK–12 pre-service teachers in the area of technology engagement as they work to become culturally responsive teachers. The study provides an interpretation of the pre-service teachers’ level of interest/engagement practices and its relationship with their preparation as culturally responsive teachers.

Findings

The findings suggest a positive correlation between their education preparation program and their ability to utilize technology with their future students.

Originality/value

Finally, the study highlights the need for teacher educators to place a heavier focus on their own technology integration and for education preparation program courses/practicums to follow suit so that under-represented student populations develop more interest in STEM subjects.
Culture as mediator
Authors: Hinnant-Crawford Brandi Nicole , Faison Morgan Z. , Chang Mei-Lin
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Self-regulation is defined as strategic, metacognitive behavior, motivation and cognition aimed at a goal (Zimmmerman and Schunk, 2011). Co-regulation, arguably more aligned with norms in communal cultures, is the process of learners sharing “a common problem-solving plane” through which self-regulatory strategies are learned (Hadwin and Oshaige, 2011, p.247). This paper aims to investigate the impact of co-regulation on self-regulation and math achievement for culturally diverse students.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical study used structural equation modeling framework to estimate the effects of co-regulation on self-regulation and math achievement, as measured by the statewide-standardized test. Surveys measuring students’ use of co-regulatory and self-regulatory strategies and standardized math test scores were collected from 625 seventh- and eighth-grade students in a suburban district outside a southeastern urban center in the 2011-2012 academic year.

Findings

Results indicated that co-regulation is positively and significantly related to self-regulation strategy use among students in the sample. Self-regulation and co-regulation were positively related to math achievement. Data suggest the modeled relationship of co-regulation, self-regulation and achievement may vary by ethnic group.

Originality/value

A large body of literature documents the impact of self-regulation on student achievement, although there is less focus on students of color. This work expands that body of literature by examining co-regulation as a predictor of self-regulation and its mediated effects on student achievement for students of color.
Estimating gas saturation in a thin layer by using frequency‐dependent amplitude versus offset modelling
Authors: Jin Zhaoyu , Chapman Mark , Wu Xiaoyang , Papageorgiou Giorgos
Published: August 2016

Various models have been proposed to link partial gas saturation to seismic attenuation and dispersion, suggesting that the reflection coefficient should be frequency‐dependent in many cases of practical importance. Previous approaches to studying this phenomenon typically have been limited to single‐interface models. Here, we propose a modelling technique that allows us to incorporate frequency‐dependent reflectivity into convolutional modelling. With this modelling framework, seismic data can be synthesised from well logs of velocity, density, porosity, and water saturation. This forward modelling could act as a basis for inversion schemes aimed at recovering gas saturation variations with depth. We present a Bayesian inversion scheme for a simple thin‐layer case and a particular rock physics model and show that, although the method is very sensitive to prior information and constraints, both gas saturation and layer thickness theoretically can be estimated in the case of interfering reflections.
Co‐infections and environmental conditions drive the distributions of blood parasites in wild birds
Authors: Clark Nicholas J. , Wells Konstans , Dimitrov Dimitar , Clegg Sonya M.
Published: August 2016

Experimental work increasingly suggests that non‐random pathogen associations can affect the spread or severity of disease. Yet due to difficulties distinguishing and interpreting co‐infections, evidence for the presence and directionality of pathogen co‐occurrences in wildlife is rudimentary.

We provide empirical evidence for pathogen co‐occurrences by analysing infection matrices for avian malaria (Haemoproteus and Plasmodium spp.) and parasitic filarial nematodes (microfilariae) in wild birds (New Caledonian Zosterops spp.).

Using visual and genus‐specific molecular parasite screening, we identified high levels of co‐infections that would have been missed using PCR alone. Avian malaria lineages were assigned to species level using morphological descriptions. We estimated parasite co‐occurrence probabilities, while accounting for environmental predictors, in a hierarchical multivariate logistic regression.

Co‐infections occurred in 36% of infected birds. We identified both positively and negatively correlated parasite co‐occurrence probabilities when accounting for host, habitat and island effects. Two of three pairwise avian malaria co‐occurrences were strongly negative, despite each malaria parasite occurring across all islands and habitats. Birds with microfilariae had elevated heterophil to lymphocyte ratios and were all co‐infected with avian malaria, consistent with evidence that host immune modulation by parasitic nematodes facilitates malaria co‐infections. Importantly, co‐occurrence patterns with microfilariae varied in direction among avian malaria species; two malaria parasites correlated positively but a third correlated negatively with microfilariae.

We show that wildlife co‐infections are frequent, possibly affecting infection rates through competition or facilitation. We argue that combining multiple diagnostic screening methods with multivariate logistic regression offers a platform to disentangle impacts of environmental factors and parasite co‐occurrences on wildlife disease.
Enhanced synergistic anti‐Lewis lung carcinoma effect of a DNA vaccine harboring a MUC1‐VEGFR2 fusion gene used with GM‐CSF as an adjuvant
Authors: Ruan Junzhong , Duan Yong , Li Fugen , Wang Zitong
Published: August 2016

In order to achieve a synergistic effect on anti‐tumour and anti‐angiogenesis activity, we designed and constructed a DNA vaccine that expresses MUC1and VEGFR2 in the same reading frame. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti‐tumour activity of this DNA vaccine. Furthermore, we also investigated the enhanced synergistic anti‐Lewis lung carcinoma effect of this DNA vaccine by using GM‐CSF as an adjuvant. A series of DNA plasmids encoding MUC1, VEGFR2, GM‐CSF, and their conjugates were constructed and injected into mice intramuscularly (i.m.) followed by an electric pulse. The humoral and cellular immune responses after immunization were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and enzyme‐linked immunospot (ELISPOT), respectively. To evaluate the anti‐tumour efficacy of these plasmids, murine models with MUC1‐expressing tumours were generated. After injection into the tumour‐bearing mouse model, the plasmid carrying the fusion gene of MUC1 and VEGFR2 showed stronger inhibition of tumour growth than the plasmid expressing MUC1 or VEGFR2 alone, which indicated that MUC1 and VEGFR2 could exert a synergistic anti‐tumour effect. Furthermore, mice vaccinated with the combination of the GM‐CSF expressing plasmid and the plasmid carrying the fusion gene of MUC1 and VEGFR2 showed an increased inhibition in the growth of MUC1‐expressing tumours and prolonged mouse survival. These observations emphasize the potential of the synergistic anti‐tumour and anti‐angiogenesis strategy used in DNA vaccines, and the potential of the GM‐CSF gene as an adjuvant for DNA vaccines, which could represent a promising approach for tumour immunotherapy.
Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) improved novel object recognition task and increased cerebral vesicular glutamate transporter type 3 in sub‐chronic phencyclidine rat model of schizophrenia
Authors: Piyabhan Pritsana , Wannasiri Supaporn , Naowaboot Jarinyaporn
Published: August 2016

Reduced vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) and 2 (VGLUT2) indicate glutamatergic hypofunction leading to cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. However, VGLUT3 involvement in cognitive dysfunction has not been reported in schizophrenia. Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) might be a new treatment and prevention for cognitive deficits in schizophrenia by acting on cerebral VGLUT3 density. We aimed to study cognitive enhancement‐ and neuroprotective‐effects of Brahmi on novel object recognition and cerebral VGLUT3 immunodensity in sub‐chronic (2 mg/kg, Bid, ip) phencyclidine (PCP) rat model of schizophrenia. Rats were assigned to three groups for cognitive enhancement effect study: Group 1, Control; Group 2, PCP administration; Group 3, PCP+Brahmi. A neuroprotective‐effect study was also carried out. Rats were again assigned to three groups: Group 1, Control; Group 2, PCP administration; Group 3, Brahmi+PCP. Discrimination ratio (DR) representing cognitive ability was obtained from a novel object recognition task. VGLUT3 immunodensity was measured in the prefrontal cortex, striatum and cornu ammonis fields 1–3 (CA1–3) using immunohistochemistry. We found reduced DR in the PCP group, which occurred alongside VGLUT3 reduction in all brain areas. PCP+Brahmi showed higher DR score with increased VGLUT3 immunodensity in the prefrontal cortex and striatum. Brahmi+PCP group showed a higher DR score with increased VGLUT3 immunodensity in the prefrontal cortex, striatum and CA1–3. We concluded that reduced cerebral VGLUT3 was involved in cognitive deficit in PCP‐administrated rats. Receiving Brahmi after PCP restored cognitive deficit by increasing VGLUT3 in the prefrontal cortex and striatum. Receiving Brahmi before PCP prevented cognitive impairment by elevating VGLUT3 in prefrontal cortex, striatum and CA1–3. Therefore, Brahmi could be a new frontier of restoration and prevention of cognitive deficit in schizophrenia.
Antipodean agricultural and resource economics at 60: agricultural adjustment
Authors: Edwards Geoff , Bates Winton
Published: August 2016

Over the last 60 years, Australian and New Zealand agricultural economists have promoted a better understanding of agricultural adjustment pressures and opportunities among farmers and policy makers. They have emphasised that adjustment pressures faced by farmers are linked to economy‐wide growth processes and that adjustment problems have been aggravated by past government policies, including closer settlement and measures distorting markets for agricultural outputs and inputs. Economists who argued that provision of adjustment assistance would be preferable to price support policies helped to change the focus of agricultural policy toward facilitating adjustment. When rural adjustment schemes were established in the early 1970s, the case for them was made largely in terms of impediments to efficient adjustment in capital and labour markets. However, the schemes involved elements of ‘government failure’, especially concessional interest rates. Over the following decades, as economists became increasingly sceptical about market failure rationales, adjustment assistance schemes gradually became decreasingly important. Nevertheless, there is ongoing support for the view that adjustment assistance can sometimes enable less efficient and less equitable polices to be avoided.
The 2016 Referendum, Brexit and the Left Behind: An Aggregate‐level Analysis of the Result
Authors: Goodwin Matthew J. , Heath Oliver
Published: August 2016

Why did Britain vote for Brexit? What was the relative importance of factors such as education, age, immigration and ethnic diversity? And to what extent did the pattern of public support for Brexit across the country match the pattern of public support in earlier years for eurosceptic parties, notably the UK Independence Party (UKIP)? In this article we draw on aggregate‐level data to conduct an initial exploration of the 2016 referendum vote. First, we find that turnout was generally higher in more pro‐Leave areas. Second, we find that public support for Leave closely mapped past support for UKIP. And third, we find that support for Leave was more polarised along education lines than support for UKIP ever was. The implication of this finding is that support for euroscepticism has both widened and narrowed—it is now more widespread across Britain but it is also more socially distinctive.
Facebook, the Conservatives and the Risk to Fair and Open Elections in the UK
Authors: Moore Martin
Published: August 2016

The Conservative party spent £1.2 million on Facebook during the UK 2015 general election campaign. This enabled the party to target specific voters in marginal constituencies with tailored messages. Their use of Facebook in 2015 shows how central digital media had become to their campaign communication. It also shows, however, that this communication may be compromising the principles of fair and open elections in the UK, for example by allowing parties to effectively bypass constituency spending limits and avoid transparency. Unless electoral legislation and regulation are changed to take account of developments in digital media they are liable to become increasingly anachronistic and ineffective.
Quality of goat′s milk cheese as affected by coating with edible chitosan‐essential oil films
Authors: Cano Embuena Amalia Isabel , Cháfer Nácher Maite , Chiralt Boix Amparo , Molina Pons Mª Pilar , Borrás Llopis Milagros , Beltran Martínez Mª Carmen , González Martínez Chelo
Published: August 2016

The effectiveness of applying chitosan coatings containing rosemary and oregano essential oils to cheeses was analysed. Cheeses were coated by immersing the samples two or three times successively in the different formulations. The ripening indexes, water loss, fungal growth and sensory properties of the coated and noncoated cheeses throughout ripening were evaluated. The coatings both prevented weight loss and improved the microbial safety. The lipolytic and proteolytic activities were reduced in coated cheese, which is in line with the antimicrobial effect of active coatings. Sensory evaluation revealed that the cheeses double‐coated with chitosan–oregano oil were the best evaluated in terms of aroma and flavour.
Water‐, pH‐ and temperature relations of germination for the extreme xerophiles Xeromyces bisporus (FRR 0025), Aspergillus penicillioides (JH06THJ) and Eurotium halophilicum (FRR 2471)
Authors: Stevenson Andrew , Hamill Philip G. , Dijksterhuis Jan , Hallsworth John E.
Published: August 2016

Water activity, temperature and pH are determinants for biotic activity of cellular systems, biosphere function and, indeed, for all life processes. This study was carried out at high concentrations of glycerol, which concurrently reduces water activity and acts as a stress protectant, to characterize the biophysical capabilities of the most extremely xerophilic organisms known. These were the fungal xerophiles: Xeromyces bisporus (FRR 0025), Aspergillus penicillioides (JH06THJ) and Eurotium halophilicum (FRR 2471). High‐glycerol spores were produced and germination was determined using 38 media in the 0.995–0.637 water activity range, 33 media in the 2.80–9.80 pH range and 10 incubation temperatures, from 2 to 50°C. Water activity was modified by supplementing media with glycerol+sucrose, glycerol+NaCl and glycerol+NaCl+sucrose which are known to be biologically permissive for X. bisporus, A. penicillioides and E. halophilicum respectively. The windows and rates for spore germination were quantified for water activity, pH and temperature; symmetry/asymmetry of the germination profiles were then determined in relation to supra‐ and sub‐optimal conditions; and pH‐ and temperature optima for extreme xerophilicity were quantified. The windows for spore germination were ~1 to 0.637 water activity, pH 2.80–9.80 and > 10 and < 44°C, depending on strain. Germination profiles in relation to water activity and temperature were asymmetrical because conditions known to entropically disorder cellular macromolecules, i.e. supra‐optimal water activity and high temperatures, were severely inhibitory. Implications of these processes were considered in relation to the in‐situ ecology of extreme conditions and environments; the study also raises a number of unanswered questions which suggest the need for new lines of experimentation.
Imaging features of immunoglobulin G4‐related disease
Authors: Dillon Jonathan , Dart Andrea , Sutherland Tom
Published: August 2016

Immunoglobulin G4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD) is a fibroinflammatory condition that was first recognised as a systemic disease in 2003, when patients with autoimmune pancreatitis were found to have extrapancreatic manifestations. Since 2003, IgG4‐RD has been described in a diverse range of other organs including the biliary tree, orbits, lacrimal glands, salivary glands, lungs, kidneys, aorta, retroperitoneum, lymph nodes, pachymeninges, prostate and pituitary gland. The disease frequently occurs in the absence of pancreatic involvement. The imaging manifestations of IgG4‐RD are broad and variable depending on the organ involved. The majority of individual organ appearances are non‐specific and differentiation between IgG4‐RD and potentially more serious conditions is not usually possible based on radiological findings in one organ alone. However, if there are simultaneous findings typical of IgG4‐RD in multiple organs then this is a key diagnostic clue and IgG4‐RD should be considered as one of the main differentials. This review article examines the spectrum of imaging appearances of IgG4‐RD. Increased awareness of the spectrum of radiological appearances of IgG4‐RD throughout the body and subsequent consideration of the condition may potentially avoid invasive treatment and lead to more prompt corticosteroid therapy.
Research on Formation Mechanisms of Hot Dry Rock Resources in China
Authors: Guiling WANG , Wenjing LIN , Wei ZHANG , Chuan LU , Feng MA , Haonan GAN
Published: August 2016

As an important geothermal resource, hot dry rock (HDR) reserves have been studied in many countries. HDR resources in China have huge capacity and have become one of the most important resources for the potential replacement of fossil fuels. However, HDR resources are difficult to develop and utilise. Technologies for use with HDR, such as high‐temperature drilling, reservoir characterisation, reservoir fracturing, microseismic monitoring and high‐temperature power stations, originate from the field of oil and drilling. Addressing how to take advantage of these developed technologies is a key factor in the development of HDR reserves. Based on the thermal crustal structure in China, HDR resources can be divided into four types: high radioactive heat production, sedimentary basin, modern volcano and the inner‐plate active tectonic belt. The prospective regions of HDR resources are located in South Tibet, West Yunnan, the southeast coast of China, Bohai Rim, Songliao Basin and Guanzhong Basin. The related essential technologies are relatively mature, and the prospect of HDR power generation is promising. Therefore, analysing the formation mechanisms of HDR resources and promoting the transformation of technological achievements, large‐scale development and the utilisation of HDR resources can be achieved in China.
Understanding the Interactions between Climate Change, Landscape Evolution, Surface Processes and Tectonics in the Earth System: What Can the Studies of Chinese Deserts Contribute?
Authors: Xiaoping YANG , EITEL Bernhard
Published: August 2016

Due to large deserts on Earth surface a thorough understanding of climate change, landscape evolution and geomorphological processes having occurred in deserts is crucial for Earth System Science. The landscapes in deserts are, however, diverse and different over the globe with regard to their geomorphological nature, human activities and geological histories. In the last decades a great number of efforts have been put to the investigation of the initial timing of the occurrence of arid climate, e. g. in northwestern China. Silty sediments in the downwind directions have been used to deduce the histories of deserts. In general, there is a lack of knowledge about processes and landscapes in Chinese drylands between the initial Miocene silt sedimentation at desert margins and the late Quaternary multiple occurrences of wetter climate with assumed large lakes in many of the deserts in northern China. The geomorphological concept of three primary triggering factors, i.e., the sediment supply, sediment availability and transport capacity of wind, and additionally the underground geology need to be fully considered for a better understanding of the environmental histories of sand seas which should not be viewed as equivalent for deserts because sand seas cover between < 1% and ca. 45% of the desert areas in various continents dependent on a complex interaction between various processes of both exogenous and endogenous origins.
Building Damage Extraction from Post‐earthquake Airborne LiDAR Data
Authors: Aixia DOU , Zongjin MA , Shusong HUANG , Xiaoqing WANG
Published: August 2016

Building collapse is a significant cause of earthquake‐related casualties; therefore, the rapid assessment of buildings damage is important for emergency management and rescue. Airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) can acquire point cloud data in combination with height values, which in turn provides detailed information on building damage. However, the most previous approaches have used optical images and LiDAR data, or pre‐ and post‐earthquake LiDAR data, to derive building damage information. This study applied surface normal algorithms to extract the degree of building damage. In this method, the angle between the surface normal and zenith (0) is used to identify damaged parts of a building, while the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean absolute deviation () of θ is used to obtain the degree of building damage. Quantitative analysis of 85 individual buildings with different roof types (i.e., flat top or pitched roofs) was conducted, and the results confirm that post‐earthquake single LiDAR data are not affected by roof shape. Furthermore, the results confirm that θ is correlated to building damage, and that represents an effective index to identify the degree of building damage.
Quantitative Geoscience and Geological Big Data Development: A Review
Authors: Jianping CHEN , Jie XIANG , Qiao HU , Wei YANG , Zili LAI , Bin HU , Wei WEI
Published: August 2016

After long‐term development, mathematical geology has today become an independent discipline. Big Data science, which has become a new scientific paradigm in the 21st century, gives rise to the geological Big Data, i.e. mathematical geology and quantitative geoscience. Thanks to a robust macro strategy for big data, China's quantitative geoscience and geological big data's rapid development meets present requirements and has kept up with international levels. This paper presents China's decade‐long achievements in quantitative prediction and assessment of mineral resources, geoscience information and software systems, geological information platform development, etc., with an emphasis on application of geological big data in informatics, quantitative mineral prediction, geological environment and disaster management, digital land survey, digital city, etc. Looking ahead, mathematical geology is moving towards “Digital Geology”, “Digital Land” and “Geological Cloud”, eventually realizing China's grand “Digital China” blueprint, and these valuable results will be showcased on the international academic arena.
The Role of Cities in Shaping Transnational Law in Climate Governance
Authors: Fraundorfer Markus
Published: August 2016

Today, many human rights norms are promoted and reinforced as transnational law in transnational settings involving a multiplicity of state and non‐state actors. Over the last few years, debates about constitutionalising a human right to an adequate environment as a legal instrument to confront the devastating consequences of climate change have steadily grown. While the role of states and non‐state actors from civil society in promoting human rights legislation is widely acknowledged, the role of cities remains largely unexplored. Cities are major greenhouse gas emitters, profoundly affected by the various consequences of climate change, with more than half of the world population living in urban environments. By providing a brief overview of the principal activities of the largest city networks on climate action, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and the C40 Climate Action Leadership Group – the article argues that cities have turned into crucial actors in shaping and promoting environmental rights, essentially a human right to an adequate environment.
A two‐dimensional pooling approach towards efficient detection of parasitoid and pathogen DNA at low infestation rates
Authors: Sint Daniela , Sporleder Marc , Wallinger Corinna , Zegarra Octavio , Oehm Johannes , Dangi Naresh , Giri Yagya P. , Kroschel Jürgen , Traugott Michael
Published: August 2016

Molecular methods are facing increasing application on a broad remit in ecological studies, including work on parasites, parasitoids and pathogens. These studies can entail the screening of large sample numbers to monitor the establishment of parasitoid and pathogen infection rates over extended periods of time. However, when infection or parasitism rates are low, testing many samples individually quickly becomes tedious and costly. To optimize the application of molecular diagnostics in such situations, we developed a pooling approach that is applicable to any host–pathogen and host–parasite/parasitoid system.

In a first step, host individuals are pooled along the two axes of a grid and screened for pathogen/parasite DNA via multiplex PCR. Already from these results a rough estimation of the pathogen/parasitism rate in the pooled samples is possible. To determine the exact infection/parasitism rate in the sample or if it is relevant to identify the respective infected/parasitized individuals, only those samples belonging to two pathogen/parasitoid DNA‐positive pools need to be retested individually. The efficacy of the pooling approach was statistically and empirically evaluated for different infestation levels using three host–parasitoid systems and a newly developed diagnostic multiplex PCR assay.

The established multiplex PCR assay allows to reliably identifying three agro‐economically important lepidopteran pest species (Phthorimaea operculella, Symmetrischema tangolias and Tuta absoluta) and five relevant parasitoids (Copidosoma koehleri, Apanteles subandinus, Orgilus lepidus, Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris and Diadegma mollipla). Compared to individual testing and even to standard one‐dimensional pooling approaches, the new method reduces the number of PCRs substantially. At parasitism rates <10%, the pooling approach allowed for a reduction in the screening effort for up to 90%. In general, its efficacy decreases with increasing parasitism rates with a breakeven point at about 20%.

As such the pooling approach presents an efficient and sensitive means for screening of large sample numbers at low parasitism and infection rates. Since it drastically reduces time and costs in diagnostic screenings, it is especially suited for studies with limited financial resources, allowing for extended investigations and routine monitoring screenings when infection/parasitism rates are low.
A cost‐efficient and simple protocol to enrich prey DNA from extractions of predatory arthropods for large‐scale gut content analysis by Illumina sequencing
Authors: Krehenwinkel Henrik , Kennedy Susan , Pekár Stano , Gillespie Rosemary G.
Published: August 2016

Molecular analysis of predator gut content is a popular tool to uncover food web structure and has greatly profited from the emergence of next‐generation sequencing technology. However, the molecular recovery of prey spectra comes with many challenges, particularly the overabundance of predator DNA in extractions. When predator and prey are distantly related, predator‐specific blocking primers can be used to preferentially amplify prey DNA. But this is difficult in the case of arthropods, where prey and predator are often closely related.

Here, we present a simple and cost‐efficient protocol for high‐throughput analysis of the gut content of predatory arthropods without the need for blocking primers. We test several factors for their potential to enrich prey DNA from extractions of predators, including size selection of DNA, selection of different body parts for extraction, and variation in extraction lysis time and PCR fragment length.

Using a locally abundant spider species (Hololena adnexa, Agelenidae), we show that prey DNA can be significantly enriched from predator extracts by selectively removing high molecular weight DNA and by extracting from the midgut and hindgut only. A comparison of our results with observational data from other agelenid spider species indicates a high efficiency of our approach.

Our enrichment protocol allows for the parallel analysis of several hundred predators in a single MiSeq run, reducing the cost per specimen to only a few dollars and requiring a simple and minimal work flow. This will enable large‐scale and ecosystem‐wide analyses of niche differentiation and food web structure.
Dissemination and Implementation of Shared Decision Making Into Clinical Practice: A Research Agenda
Authors: Kanzaria Hemal K. , Booker‐Vaughns Juanita , Itakura Kaoru , Yadav Kabir , Kane Bryan G. , Gayer Christopher , Lin Grace , LeBlanc Annie , Gibson Robert , Chen Esther H. , Williams Pluscedia , Carpenter Christopher R.
Published: August 2016

Shared decision making (SDM) is essential to advancing patient‐centered care in emergency medicine. Despite many documented benefits of SDM, prior research has demonstrated persistently low levels of patient engagement by clinicians across many disciplines, including emergency medicine. An effective dissemination and implementation (D&I) framework could be used to alter the process of delivering care and to facilitate SDM in routine clinical emergency medicine practice. Here we outline a research and policy agenda to support the D&I strategy needed to integrate SDM into emergency care.
Changes in qualitative and quantitative ultrasound assessment of the gastric antrum before and after elective caesarean section in term pregnant women: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Rouget C. , Chassard D. , Bonnard C. , Pop M. , Desgranges F. P. , Bouvet L.
Published: August 2016

Ultrasound measurement of the antral cross‐sectional area allows a quantitative estimate of gastric contents in non‐pregnant adults, but this relationship may be affected by compression of the stomach exerted by the gravid uterus during pregnancy. This study aimed to assess differences in quantitative (Perlas score) and qualitative (antral cross‐sectional area) ultrasound assessments of the gastric antrum performed immediately before and after caesarean section. Forty‐three women having elective caesarean section performed under spinal anaesthesia were studied in the semirecumbent and semirecumbent‐right lateral positions. Thirty‐nine women showed no change in stomach contents using the Perlas score between the two measurement periods; four women showed a change, but by one grade only. The median (IQR [range]) antral cross‐sectional area was 323 (243–495 [103–908]) mm2 before, and 237 (165–377 [112–762]) mm2 after, caesarean section in the semirecumbent position (p = 0.001); the comparable values in the semirecumbent‐right lateral position were 418 (310–640 [161–1238]) mm2 and 362 (280–491 [137–1231]) mm2 (p = 0.09). The distance between the skin and the antrum, and the aorta and the antrum, decreased significantly in both positions after surgery. We suggest that our results indicate that stomach contents remain largely unchanged in women having elective caesarean section, but antral cross‐sectional area decreases, especially in the semirecumbent position, related to a change in the position of the stomach within the abdomen. This implies that the relationship of antral cross‐sectional area to volume of stomach contents, which has been determined for non‐pregnant subjects, may not apply in term pregnant women.
Validation of hospital discharge diagnoses for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Authors: Luef Birgitte M. , Andersen Louise B. , Renäult Kristina M. , Nohr Ellen A. , Jørgensen Jan S. , Christesen Henrik T.
Published: August 2016

Introduction

A correct diagnosis of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension is important for treatment and epidemiological studies. Changes in diagnostic criteria and underreporting in certain subsets of patients may hamper validity of the diagnoses.

Materials and Methods

We validated the discharge diagnoses of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension, which are reported to the Danish National Patient Registry, in a cohort of 2163 pregnant women by retrospective evaluation of electronic hospital data.

Results

A preeclampsia discharge diagnosis was found in 113 (5.2%) of the participants. After validation, significantly more patients fulfilled criteria for diagnosis of preeclampsia (n = 163, 7.5%, p = 0.002); more had severe preeclampsia, 14 (0.6%) vs. 70 (3.2%), p < 0.001 and gestational hypertension, 62 (2.9%) vs. 46 (2.1%), p = 0.12. The diagnostic sensitivity for preeclampsia by discharge diagnosis was 55.8%; severe preeclampsia 18.6%; gestational hypertension 39.1%. Corresponding positive predictive values were 80.5, 92.9 and 29.0%. Misclassification occurred in 4.3, 2.7 and 3.3%, respectively. Misclassification was more prevalent in obese compared to lean women (10% vs. 3.6%, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Discharge diagnoses substantially underestimated the prevalence of preeclampsia, especially severe preeclampsia. Misclassification was most common in obese preeclamptic women. These findings depict the limitations associated with the direct use of discharge diagnoses of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy for research purposes.
Preoperative evaluation in women with uterine leiomyosarcoma. A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Skorstad Mette , Kent Andrew , Lieng Marit
Published: August 2016

Introduction

The goal of this study was to assess the sensitivity of different preoperative diagnostic tools used in women with uterine leiomyosarcomas.

Material and methods

Retrospective cohort study of all women with verified uterine leiomyosarcoma in Norway in the period 2000 to 2012. Data were collected from the Cancer Registry of Norway and medical records.

Results

There were 212 women diagnosed with uterine leiomyosarcoma in the 13‐year period. Histopathological examinations by fractional curettage or endometrial biopsies verified malignancy in 55/142 (38.7%). MRI suggested malignancy in 45/55 (81%) of the examinations. CT evaluations indicated suspected malignancy in 64/107 women (59.8%). Biomarkers had low sensitivity for leiomyosarcoma, but suggested more advanced stage disease when high values were detected. Stage IV disease was present in 53.1% versus 25.5% (p = 0.01) of women with CA 125 values above 35 kU/L, compared with women with normal CA 125 values. In 115/212 (54.2%), leiomyosarcoma was only diagnosed postoperatively by histopathological examination of the removed specimen.

Conclusions

Preoperative diagnostic modalities appear to have low sensitivity for differentiating leiomyosarcoma from fibroids. In Norway, approximately 54% of uterine leiomyosarcoma are unidentified before surgery. MRI evaluation was the imaging modality with the greatest sensitivity in identifying leiomyosarcoma preoperatively.
The value of patient reporting to the pharmacovigilance system: a systematic review
Authors: Inácio Pedro , Cavaco Afonso , Airaksinen Marja
Published: August 2016

Aims

Current trends in pharmacovigilance systems are veering towards patient involvement in spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The aim of the current systematic review was to identify what is known and what remains unknown with respect to patient reporting to pharmacovigilance systems.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Journals@Ovid and the Cochrane Library. Studies were included if they contained: (i) reviews about patient reporting; (ii) evaluation of patient reports to national or supranational pharmacovigilance authorities; (iii) a comparison between patient and healthcare professional (HCP) reports submitted to pharmacovigilance authorities; and (iv) surveys of patient experiences, opinions and awareness about reporting ADRs. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed according to principles of Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE).

Results

A total of thirty four studies were included. Five of the studies were reviews (two of which systematic reviews), fourteen retrospective observational studies, nine surveys and six applied mixed research methods. Patient reporting has the advantages of bringing novel information about ADRs. It provides a more detailed description of ADRs, and reports about different drugs and system organ classes when compared with HCP reporting. In addition, patients describe the severity and impact of ADRs on daily life, complementing information derived from HCPs. Patient reporting is relatively rare in most countries.

Conclusions

Patient reporting adds new information, and perspective about ADRs in a way otherwise unavailable. This can contribute to better decision‐making processes in regulatory activities. The present review identified gaps in knowledge that should be addressed to improve our understanding of the full potential and drawbacks of patient reporting.
An assessment of the variation in the concentration of acetylcysteine in infusions for the treatment of paracetamol overdose
Authors: Bailey George P. , Wood David M. , Archer John R. H. , Rab Edmund , Flanagan Robert J. , Dargan Paul I.
Published: August 2016

Background

Intravenous acetylcysteine is the treatment of choice for paracetamol poisoning. A previous UK study in 2001 found that 39% of measured acetylcysteine infusion concentrations differed by >20% from anticipated concentrations. In 2012, the UK Commission on Human Medicines made recommendations for the management of paracetamol overdose, including provision of weight‐based acetylcysteine dosing tables. The aim of this study was to assess variation in acetylcysteine concentrations in administered infusions following the introduction of this guidance.

Methods

A 6‐month single‐centre prospective study was undertaken at a UK teaching hospital. After preparation, 5‐ml samples were taken from the first, second and third/any subsequent acetylcysteine infusions. Acetylcysteine was measured in diluted (1:50) samples by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Comparisons between measured and expected concentrations based on prescribed weight‐based dose and volume were made for each infusion.

Results

Ninety samples were collected. There was a variation of ≤10% in measured compared to expected concentration for 45 (50%) infusions, of 10–20% for 27 (30%) infusions, 20.1–50% for 14 (16%) infusions and >50% for four (4%) infusions. There was a median (interquartile range) variation in measured compared to expected concentration of −3.6 mg ml−1 (−6.7 to −2.3) for the first infusion, +0.2 mg ml−1 (−0.9 to +0.4) for the second infusion and −0.3 mg ml−1 (−0.6 to +0.2) for third and fourth infusions.

Conclusion

There has been a moderate improvement in the variation in acetylcysteine dose administered by infusion. Further work is required to understand the continuing variation and consideration should be given to simplification of acetylcysteine regimes to decrease the risk of administration errors.
Inhomogeneous distribution of Alzheimer pathology along the isocortical relief. Are cortical convolutions an Achilles heel of evolution?
Authors: Arendt Thomas , Morawski Markus , Gärtner Ulrich , Fröhlich Nadine , Schulze Falko , Wohmann Nils , Jäger Carsten , Eisenlöffel Christian , Gertz Hermann‐Josef , Mueller Wolf , Brauer Kurt
Published: August 2016

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is neuropathologically characterized by neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Progression of both plaques and tangles throughout the brain follows a hierarchical distribution which is defined by intrinsic cytoarchitectonic features and extrinsic connectivity patterns. What has less well been studied is how cortical convolutions influence the distribution of AD pathology. Here, the distribution of both plaques and tangles within subsulcal gyral components (fundi) to components forming their top regions at the subarachnoidal brain surface (crowns) by stereological methods in seven different cortical areas was systematically compared. Further, principle differences in cytoarchitectonic organization of cortical crowns and fundi that might provide the background for regionally selective vulnerability were attempted to identify. It was shown that both plaques and tangles were more prominent in sulcal fundi than gyri crowns. The differential distribution of pathology along convolutions corresponds to subgyral differences in the vascular network, GFAP‐positive astrocytes and intracortical and subcortical connectivity. While the precise mechanisms accounting for these differences remain open, the presence of systematic inhomogeneities in the distribution of AD pathology along cortical convolutions indicates that the phylogenetic shaping of the cortex is associated with features that render the human brain vulnerable to AD pathology.
l‐citrulline prevents asymmetric dimethylarginine‐mediated reductions in nitric oxide and nitrosative stress in primary human airway epithelial cells
Authors: Winnica D. , Que L. G. , Baffi C. , Grasemann H. , Fiedler K. , Yang Z. , Etling E. , Wasil K. , Wenzel S. E. , Freeman B. , Holguin F.
Published: August 2016

Background

Asthma is associated with reduced systemic levels of l‐arginine and increased asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). This imbalance leads to nitric oxide synthase (NOS) uncoupling with reduced nitric oxide (NO) formation and greater oxidative and nitrosative stress. Whether this imbalance also occurs in bronchial epitheliumof asthmatics is unknown.

Objectives

We used primary human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) from asthmatics and healthy controls to evaluate: (i) ADMA‐mediated NOS uncoupling reduces epithelial production of NO and increases oxygen and nitrogen reactive species, and (ii) l‐citrulline can reverse this mechanism by recoupling NOS, restoring NO production and reducing oxidative and nitrosative stress.

Results

In HBECsIL‐13 and INFγ stimulated NOS2 and increased NOx levels. The addition of ADMA reduced NOx and increased H2O2 levels (p<0.001). Treatment with l‐citrulline (800, 1600 μm) rescued NOx when the l‐arginine media concentration was 25 μm but failed to do so with higher concentrations (100 μm). Under reduced l‐arginine media conditions, HBECs treated with l‐citrulline increased the levels of argininosuccinate, an enzyme that metabolizes l‐citrulline to l‐arginine. l‐citrulline prevented the ADMA‐mediated increase in nitrotyrosine in HBECs in cells from asthmatics and controls.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Increasing ADMA reduces NO formation and increases oxidative and nitrosative stress in airway epithelial cells. l‐citrulline supplementation restores NO formation, while preventing nitrosative stress. These results, suggest that l‐citrulline supplementation may indeed be a powerful approach to restore airway NO production and may have a therapeutic potential in diseases in which there is a defective production of NO.