bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Patients with Prior Pulmonary Thromboembolism
Authors: Buyukterzi Zafer , Buyukterzi Meral , Kurtipek Ercan , Alpaydin Mehmet Sertac , Karaarslan Sukru
Published: April 2017

Objective: Recent studies have indicated that endothelial dysfunction is common in patients with a prior history of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). Based on the established relationship between endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis, we aimed to investigate carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) as a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients who have a prior history of PTE. Subjects and Methods: Medical records belonging to patients with a history of PTE and age- and gender-matched control subjects among those who underwent transthoracic echocardiography in Konya Training and Research Hospital were reviewed. Echocardiographic findings and cIMT measurements were recorded. cIMT measurements were compared between patient and control groups, and then independent correlates of cIMT were investigated using appropriate statistical methods. Results: A total of 110 patients (64.02 ± 12.67 years, males: n = 79 [71.81%]; females: n = 31 [28.19%]) were found to be eligible for assessment. Of these patients, 55 (50.00%) had a history of PTE. Patients with a history of PTE had significantly greater cIMT (p = 0.040). In this group of patients, cIMT positively and significantly correlated with basal right ventricular (RV) diameter (r = 0.271, p = 0.022), RV diastolic area (r = 0.376, p = 0.002), and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (r = 0.248, p = 0.037). In the multivariate linear regression analysis, only RV diastolic area was independently associated with cIMT in patients with PTE (p = 0.010). Conclusion: Patients with a history of PTE have increased cIMT when compared to healthy subjects, and cIMT, which is a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, is independently associated with RV diameter in these patients.
Extinction risk or lack of sampling in a threatened species: Genetic structure and environmental suitability of the neotropical frog Pristimantis penelopus (Anura: Craugastoridae)
Authors: Restrepo Adriana , Velasco Julian A. , Daza Juan M.
Published: April 2017

IUCN Red Lists have been a valuable tool to prioritize conservation plans in endemic neotropical frogs. However, many areas in this region are poorly known in terms of their diversity and endemism. Based on examined museum specimens of the threatened species Pristimantis penelopus we revised its geographic distribution and determined the habitat suitability using niche modeling techniques. Using a mitochondrial fragment of COI gene, we determine the phylogenetic position and the extent of the genetic variation across its distribution in Colombia. We present the first records of P. penelopus for the Cordillera Oriental, the western versant of Cordillera Occidental and the northern portion of the Cauca river basin. Based on the molecular phylogenetic analysis, Pristimantis penelopus belongs to the P. ridens series sensu Padial et al. (2014). The mean of intraspecific genetic variation is 2.1% and the variation among population ranges between 2.3 and 3.5%. The genetic distance between the western populations and the Magdalena Valley populations suggests a potential phylogeographic break in northwestern Antioquia. We expand the realized distribution by 258 kilometers north, 200 km east and 223 km northwest. Based on our results and according to the IUCN criteria we propose a new category for the species and highlight the need to increase the surveys in poorly known regions to better understand the geographic distribution and conservation status of listed species.
Diversidade de mamíferos do baixo Rio Jufari, Roraima, Brasil
Authors: Abreu-Júnior Edson Fiedler de , Brennand Pamella Gusmão de Góes , Percequillo Alexandre Reis
Published: April 2017

Faunal inventories are essential to directly access the diversity of a region. Although the Amazon rainforest exhibit large estimates of mammal species richness, the region still exhibits large sampling gaps. Aiming to fill a sampling gap on the mammalian diversity in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, we conducted an inventory of non-volant mammals at “terra firme” forest near the mouth of Rio Jufari, an affluent of north bank of Rio Negro, near its confluence with Rio Branco. To sample small mammals, we applied a total effort of 3,673 live trap nights, and 2,700 pitfall trap nights. For large mammals we performed unstandardized line transect census, and included, as well, records from occasional encounters and material donated by Caicubi community members. The pitfall traps proved to be extremely valuable for the small mammals sampling. We observed a low mammalian diversity when compared to other inventories throughout the Amazon basin. We recorded 27 species belonging to 25 genera, 16 families and nine orders of the Class Mammalia. The majority of recorded species is known from Guianan subregion. However, we present: extension on the known distribution records for Marmosops bishopi; taxonomic comments on the marsupial Monodelphis brevicaudata; and new collection record for species of the genera Oecomys and Makalata. It is remarkable the extremely low number of species from the order Primates. Data based on interviews suggested that this small number of primate specimens is historical, and areas closer to Rio Negro and Rio Branco exhibit higher diversity. Our samples showed that Rio Negro-Rio Branco confluence do not present an endemic mammalian fauna, once the region shares its mammalian composition with other confluence areas in the Amazon basin, especially with those on the northeastern Amazon region.
Trap-nesting bees and wasps (Hymenoptera, Aculeata) in a Semidecidual Seasonal Forest fragment, southern Brazil
Authors: Oliveira Priscila Soares , Gonçalves Rodrigo Barbosa
Published: April 2017

Trap-nesting bee and wasp inventories are common in Brazil but many phytophysiognomies are still poorly studied. The main objective of this study is to survey trap-nesting bees and wasps in a Semidecidual Seasonal Forest fragment. Also, we test the differences on nesting between interior and edge transects. A sum of 1,500 trap nests was made with bamboo cane internodes and two consecutive years were monitored. In the first year 46 nests were occupied by Pachodynerus grandis (19 nests), Pachodynerus guadulpensis (19), Centris analis (two), and Centris tarsata, Megachile fiebrigi, Megachile guaranitica, Megachile susurrans, Trypoxylon sp and Zethus smithii with one nest each. No statistical differences were found between interior and edge transects for richness and occupation rate, but the species composition was different. In the second year 39 nests were occupied by four species, three previously recorded, C. analis (seven nests), P. guadulpensis and P. grandis (six nests each), plus Monobia angulosa with 15 nests. Parasitoids from four families and one cleptoparasite were recorded and the mortality rate was higher in bees than in wasps. These findings reinforce the notion that trap nests assemblages from different studies are not directly comparable for richness and composition.
Personalizing the Intensity of Blood Pressure Control
Authors: Patel Krishna K. , Arnold Suzanne V. , Chan Paul S. , Tang Yuanyuan , Pokharel Yashashwi , Jones Philip G. , Spertus John A.
Published: April 2017

Background—

In SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial), patients with hypertension and high cardiovascular risk treated with intensive blood pressure (BP) control (<120 mm Hg) had fewer major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and deaths but higher rates of treatment-related serious adverse events (SAE) than patients randomized to standard BP control (<140 mm Hg). However, the degree of benefit or harm for an individual patient could vary because of heterogeneity in treatment effect.

Methods and Results—

Using patient-level data from 9361 randomized patients in SPRINT, we developed models to predict risk for MACE or death and treatment-related SAE to allow for individualized BP treatment goals based on each patient’s projected risk and benefit of intensive versus standard BP control. Models were internally validated using bootstrap resampling and externally validated on 4741 patients from the ACCORD-BP (The Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes blood pressure) trial. Among 9361 SPRINT patients, 755 patients (8.1%) had a MACE or death event and 338 patients (3.6%) had a treatment-related SAE during a median follow-up of 3.3 years. The MACE/death and the SAE model had C statistics of 0.72 and 0.70, respectively, in the derivation cohort and 0.69 and 0.65 in ACCORD. The MACE/death model had 10 variables including treatment interactions with age, baseline systolic BP, and diastolic BP, and the SAE model had 8 variables including treatment interaction with number of BP medications. Intensive BP treatment was associated with a mean 2.2±2.6% lower risk of MACE/death compared with standard treatment (range, 20.7% lower risk to 19.6% greater risk among individual patients) and a mean 2.2±1.2% higher risk for SAEs (range, 0.5%–15.8% more harm in individual patients).

Conclusions—

To translate the findings from SPRINT to clinical practice, we developed prediction models to tailor the intensity of BP control based on the projected risk and benefit for each unique patient. This approach should be prospectively tested to better engage patients in shared medical decision making and to improve outcomes.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
https://clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01206062.
Statin Treatment and Clinical Outcomes of Heart Failure Among Africans: An Inverse Probability Treatment Weighted Analysis
Authors: Bonsu Kwadwo Osei , Owusu Isaac Kofi , Buabeng Kwame Ohene , Reidpath Daniel D. , Kadirvelu Amudha
Published: April 2017

Background

Randomized control trials of statins have not demonstrated significant benefits in outcomes of heart failure (
HF
). However, randomized control trials may not always be generalizable. The aim was to determine whether statin and statin type–lipophilic or –hydrophilic improve long‐term outcomes in Africans with
HF
.

Methods and Results

This was a retrospective longitudinal study of
HF
patients aged ≥18 years hospitalized at a tertiary healthcare center between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2013 in Ghana. Patients were eligible if they were discharged from first admission for
HF
(index admission) and followed up to time of all‐cause, cardiovascular, and
HF
mortality or end of study. Multivariable time‐dependent Cox model and inverse‐probability‐of‐treatment weighting of marginal structural model were used to estimate associations between statin treatment and outcomes. Adjusted hazard ratios were also estimated for lipophilic and hydrophilic statin compared with no statin use. The study included 1488 patients (mean age 60.3±14.2 years) with 9306 person‐years of observation. Using the time‐dependent Cox model, the 5‐year adjusted hazard ratios with 95%
CI
for statin treatment on all‐cause, cardiovascular, and
HF
mortality were 0.68 (0.55–0.83), 0.67 (0.54–0.82), and 0.63 (0.51–0.79), respectively. Use of inverse‐probability‐of‐treatment weighting resulted in estimates of 0.79 (0.65–0.96), 0.77 (0.63–0.96), and 0.77 (0.61–0.95) for statin treatment on all‐cause, cardiovascular, and
HF
mortality, respectively, compared with no statin use.

Conclusions

Among Africans with
HF
, statin treatment was associated with significant reduction in mortality.
Bilirubin Prevents Atherosclerotic Lesion Formation in Low‐Density Lipoprotein Receptor‐Deficient Mice by Inhibiting Endothelial VCAM‐1 and ICAM‐1 Signaling
Authors: Vogel Megan E. , Idelman Gila , Konaniah Eddy S. , Zucker Stephen D.
Published: April 2017

Background

Numerous epidemiological studies support an inverse association between serum bilirubin levels and the incidence of cardiovascular disease; however, the mechanism(s) by which bilirubin may protect against atherosclerosis is undefined. The goals of the present investigations were to assess the ability of bilirubin to prevent atherosclerotic plaque formation in low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐deficient (
Ldlr

−/−

) mice and elucidate the molecular processes underlying this effect.

Methods and Results

Bilirubin, at physiological concentrations (≤20 μmol/L), dose‐dependently inhibits
THP
‐1 monocyte migration across tumor necrosis factor α–activated human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers without altering leukocyte binding or cytokine production. A potent antioxidant, bilirubin effectively blocks the generation of cellular reactive oxygen species induced by the cross‐linking of endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (
VCAM
‐1) or intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (
ICAM
‐1). These findings were validated by treating cells with blocking antibodies or with specific inhibitors of
VCAM
‐1 and
ICAM
‐1 signaling. When administered to
Ldlr

−/−

mice on a Western diet, bilirubin (30 mg/kg intraperitoneally) prevents atherosclerotic plaque formation, but does not alter circulating cholesterol or chemokine levels. Aortic roots from bilirubin‐treated animals exhibit reduced lipid and collagen deposition, decreased infiltration of monocytes and lymphocytes, fewer smooth muscle cells, and diminished levels of chlorotyrosine and nitrotyrosine, without changes in
VCAM
‐1 or
ICAM
‐1 expression.

Conclusions

Bilirubin suppresses atherosclerotic plaque formation in
Ldlr

−/−

mice by disrupting endothelial
VCAM
‐1‐ and
ICAM
‐1‐mediated leukocyte migration through the scavenging of reactive oxygen species signaling intermediaries. These findings suggest a potential mechanism for the apparent cardioprotective effects of bilirubin.
Prognostic Significance of Interleukin‐34 (IL‐34) in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure With or Without Renal Insufficiency
Authors: Tao Rong , Fan Qin , Zhang Hang , Xie Hongyang , Lu Lin , Gu Gang , Wang Fang , Xi Rui , Hu Jian , Chen Qiujing , Niu Wenquan , Shen Weifeng , Zhang Ruiyan , Yan Xiaoxiang
Published: April 2017

Background

Renal dysfunction, commonly associated with cardiac dysfunction, has predictive value for adverse long‐term outcomes in heart failure (
HF
). We previously identified a novel renal biomarker, interleukin‐34 (
IL
‐34), elevated in
HF
patients and associated with kidney dysfunction and coronary artery disease during
HF
. However, the prognostic value of
IL
‐34 in
HF
remains unclear, so that the present study aimed to determine it.

Methods and Results

This prospective, observational study included 510 consecutive
HF
patients with their serum
IL
‐34 as well as other variables measured at baseline, and they were followed up for 2 years. The primary end point was a composite of cardiovascular death or a first
HF
hospitalization, with cardiovascular death,
HF
hospitalization, and all‐cause mortality as secondary outcomes. There was a significant and gradual increase in risk as
IL
‐34 increased, determined by log‐rank tests with Kaplan–Meier curves. Serum
IL
‐34 was also a significant prognostic predictor of the primary end point (1.301 [1.115–1.518];
P
=0.001), cardiovascular death (1.347 [1.096–1.655];
P
=0.005),
HF
hospitalization (1.234 [1.018–1.494];
P
=0.032), and all‐cause mortality (1.343 [1.115–1.618];
P
=0.002) in
HF
as per
SD
increase in the log
IL
‐34 level after adjusting for age, sex, traditional risk factors, and N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide. Especially,
IL
‐34 had a more‐significant prognostic value in
HF
patients with kidney impairment than those without.

Conclusions

IL
‐34 is a significant predictor of cardiovascular death,
HF
hospitalization, and all‐cause mortality in chronic
HF
, especially when concomitant with renal dysfunction. Serum
IL
‐34 measurement may provide new insights linking kidney impairment to poor
HF
outcomes beyond other renal markers.
Use of p53‐Silenced Endothelial Progenitor Cells to Treat Ischemia in Diabetic Peripheral Vascular Disease
Authors: Kundu Nabanita , Domingues Cleyton C. , Chou Cyril , Ahmadi Neeki , Houston Sara , Jerry D. Joseph , Sen Sabyasachi
Published: April 2017

Background

Peripheral vascular disease is a major diabetes mellitus‐related complication. In this study, we noted that expressions of proapoptotic p53 gene and its downstream cascade gene such as p21 are upregulated in hyperglycemia. Therefore, we investigated whether p53‐ and p21‐silenced endothelial progenitor cells (
EPC
s) were able to survive in hyperglycemic milieu, and whether transplantation of either p53 knockout (KO) or p21
KO
or p53‐ and p21‐silenced
EPC
s could improve collateral vessel formation and blood flow in diabetic vaso‐occlusive peripheral vascular disease mouse models.

Methods and Results

We transplanted p53 and p21
KO
mouse
EPC
s (
mEPC
s) into streptozotocin–induced diabetic (type 1 diabetes mellitus model) C57
BL
/6J and db/db (B6.
BKS
(D)‐Leprdb/J) (type 2 model) post–femoral artery occlusion. Similarly, Ad‐p53–silenced and Ad‐p21–silenced human
EPC
s (
CD
34+) cells were transplanted into streptozotocin‐induced diabetic
NOD
.
CB
17‐Prkdcscid/J mice. We measured blood flow at 3, 7, and 10 days and hindlimb muscles were obtained postsacrifice for
mRNA
estimation and
CD
31 staining. Enhanced blood flow was noted with delivery of p53 and p21
KO mEPC
s in
streptozotocin
‐induced diabetic C57
BL
/6J mice. Similar results were obtained when human Ad‐p53sh
EPC
s(
CD
34+) and Ad‐p21sh
EPC
s(
CD
34+) were transplanted into streptozotocin‐induced nonobese diabetic severe combined immunodeficiency mice. Gene expression analysis of p53 and p21
KO EPC
s transplanted hindlimb muscles showed increased expression of endothelial markers such as endothelial nitric oxide synthase, vascular endothelial growth factor A, and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1. Similarly, quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction of human Ad‐p53sh
EPC
s (
CD
34+)– and Ad‐p21sh
EPC
s (
CD
34+)–transplanted hindlimb muscles also showed increased expression of endothelial markers such as vascular endothelial growth factor A, noted primarily in the p53‐silenced
EPC
s group. However, such beneficial effect was not noted in the db/db type 2 diabetic mouse models.

Conclusions

Transient silencing of p53 using adenoviral vector in
EPC
s may have a therapeutic role in diabetic peripheral vascular disease.
Benefits of Permanent His Bundle Pacing Combined With Atrioventricular Node Ablation in Atrial Fibrillation Patients With Heart Failure With Both Preserved and Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
Authors: Huang Weijian , Su Lan , Wu Shengjie , Xu Lei , Xiao Fangyi , Zhou Xiaohong , Ellenbogen Kenneth A.
Published: April 2017

Background

Clinical benefits from His bundle pacing (
HBP
) in heart failure patients with preserved and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction are still inconclusive. This study evaluated clinical outcomes of permanent
HBP
in atrial fibrillation patients with narrow
QRS
who underwent atrioventricular node ablation for heart failure symptoms despite rate control by medication.

Methods and Results

The study enrolled 52 consecutive heart failure patients who underwent attempted atrioventricular node ablation and
HBP
for symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular end‐diastolic dimension, New York Heart Association classification and use of diuretics for heart failure were assessed during follow‐up visits after permanent
HBP
. Of 52 patients, 42 patients (80.8%) received permanent
HBP
and atrioventricular node ablation with a median 20‐month follow‐up. There was no significant change between native and paced
QRS
duration (107.1±25.8 versus 105.3±23.9 milliseconds,
P
=0.07). Left ventricular end‐diastolic dimension decreased from the baseline (
P
<0.001), and left ventricular ejection fraction increased from baseline (
P
<0.001) in patients with a greater improvement in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction patients (N=20) than in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction patients (N=22). New York Heart Association classification improved from a baseline 2.9±0.6 to 1.4±0.4 after
HBP
in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction patients and from a baseline 2.7±0.6 to 1.4±0.5 after
HBP
in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction patients. After 1 year of
HBP
, the numbers of patients who used diuretics for heart failure decreased significantly (
P
<0.001) when compared to the baseline diuretics use.

Conclusions

Permanent
HBP
post–atrioventricular node ablation significantly improved echocardiographic measurements and New York Heart Association classification and reduced diuretics use for heart failure management in atrial fibrillation patients with narrow
QRS
who suffered from heart failure with preserved or reduced ejection fraction.
Ratcheting Up Carbon Trade: The Politics of Reforming EU Emissions Trading
Authors: Jevnaker Torbjørg , Wettestad Jørgen
Published: April 2017

The EU’s emissions trading system (ETS) covers almost half of its greenhouse gas emissions and has been hailed as the cornerstone and flagship of EU climate policy. In spring 2013, however, the ETS was in severe crisis, with a huge surplus of allowances and a sagging carbon price. Even a formally simple measure to change the timing of auctioning was initially rejected by the European Parliament. Two years later, a much more important, quantity-focused “market thermostat” (the market stability reserve) was adopted, and proposals for a complete ETS overhaul were put on the table. This article examines how it was possible to turn the flagship around so quickly, providing insights into the mechanisms for gradually rendering emissions trading systems more effective. Crucial changes at the EU and national levels are identified, chief among them changes in Germany and in the European Parliament. Furthermore, the quantity-based tightening mechanism discussed could be of relevance for carbon markets outside Europe.
Cellular and humoral responses of Pieris brassicae to infection by Steinernema feltiae, its symbiont bacteria, and their metabolites
Authors: Abdolmaleki Arman , Dastjerdi Hooshang Rafiee , Tanha Maafi Zahra , Naseri Bahram
Published: April 2017

This study describes the mortality effects of the culture broth ofXenorhabdus bovieniiand its aqueous and organic extracts onPieris brassicaelarvae. All the treatments had insecticidal activities when injected into the haemocoel. The culture broth of bacteria and its aqueous extracts exhibited more insecticidal activity. The results showed the immune response ofP. brassicaeexposed toSteinernema feltiae, its symbiont bacteria,X. bovienii, and aqueous and organic extracts of bacteria. Both cellular and humoral responses were investigated. After infection of the larvae ofP. brassicaewithS. feltiae, the total number of haemocytes quickly increased. A reduction in the number of haemocytes was observed over post-injection time. In addition, plasmatocytes and granulocytes showed increased frequency and significant changes when compared to other haemocytes in responding to entomopathogenic nematode injection.Steinernema feltiaeincreased phenoloxidase activity but 3 h post-injection the concentration gradually decreased. However, a reduction in phenoloxidase activity was observed when the larvae were infected with bacteria or their aqueous and organic extracts. This study showed that both living and heat-killed bacteria have suppression effects on phenoloxidase activity. The lysozyme concentration increased inP. brassicaelarvae when they were exposed to living and heat-killedX. bovienii. No suppression effect of the bacteria was detected on lysozyme.
Wind Estimation in the Lower Atmosphere Using Multirotor Aircraft
Authors: Palomaki Ross T. , Rose Nathan T. , van den Bossche Michael , Sherman Thomas J. , De Wekker Stephan F. J.
Published: April 2017

Unmanned aerial vehicles are increasingly used to study atmospheric structure and dynamics. While much emphasis has been on the development of fixed-wing unmanned aircraft for atmospheric investigations, the use of multirotor aircraft is relatively unexplored, especially for capturing atmospheric winds. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the efficacy of estimating wind speed and direction with 1) a direct approach using a sonic anemometer mounted on top of a hexacopter and 2) an indirect approach using attitude data from a quadcopter. The data are collected by the multirotor aircraft hovering 10 m above ground adjacent to one or more sonic anemometers. Wind speed and direction show good agreement with sonic anemometer measurements in the initial experiments. Typical errors in wind speed and direction are smaller than 0.5 and 30°, respectively. Multirotor aircraft provide a promising alternative to traditional platforms for vertical profiling in the atmospheric boundary layer, especially in conditions where a tethered balloon system is typically deployed.
Analysis of Plant Leaves Using Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry: Use of Carbon to Compensate for Matrix Effects
Authors: Chirinos José , Oropeza Dayana , González Jhanis , Zorba Vassilia , Russo Richard E.
Published: April 2017

Direct solid sampling by laser ablation into an inductively coupled plasma synchronous vertical dual view optical emission spectroscope (LA-SVDV-ICP-OES) was used for the elemental analysis of nutrient elements Ca, B, Mn, Mg, K, and Zn and essential (non-metallic) elements P and S in plant materials. The samples were mixed with paraffin as a binder, an approach that provides better cohesion of the particles in the pellets in addition to supplying carbon to serve as an internal standard (atomic line C I 193.027 nm) as a way to compensate for matrix effects, and/or variations in the ablation process. Precision was in the range of 1–8% relative standard deviation (RSD) with limit of detection in the range of 0.4–1 mg/kg–1 and 25–640 mg/kg–1 for metallic and non-metallic elements, respectively.
Challenge problems for the benchmarking of micromechanics analysis: Level I initial results
Authors: Sertse Hamsasew M , Goodsell Johnathan , Ritchey Andrew J , Pipes R Byron , Yu Wenbin
Published: April 2017

Because of composite materials’ inherent heterogeneity, the field of micromechanics provides essential tools for understanding and analyzing composite materials and structures. Micromechanics serves two purposes: homogenization or prediction of effective properties and dehomogenization or recovery of local fields in the original heterogeneous microstructure. Many micromechanical tools have been developed and codified, including commercially available software packages that offer micromechanical analyses as stand-alone tools or as part of an analysis chain. With the increasing number of tools available, the practitioner must determine which tool(s) provides the most value for the problem at hand given budget, time, and resource constraints. To date, simple benchmarking examples have been developed in an attempt to address this challenge. The present paper presents the benchmark cases and results from the Micromechanical Simulation Challenge hosted by the Composites Design and Manufacturing HUB. The challenge is a series of comprehensive benchmarking exercises in the field of micromechanics against which such tools can be compared. The Level I challenge problems consist of six microstructure cases, including aligned, continuous fibers in a matrix, with and without an interphase; a cross-ply laminate; spherical inclusions; a plain-weave fabric; and a short-fiber microstructure with “random” fiber orientation. In the present phase of the simulation challenge, the material constitutive relations are restricted to linear thermoelastic. Partial results from DIGIMAT-MF, ESI VPS, MAC/GMC, finite volume direct averaging method, Altair MDS, SwiftComp, and 3D finite element analysis are reported. As the challenge is intended to be ongoing, the full results are hosted and updated online at www.cdmHUB.org .
Officer Support for Use of Force Policy: The Role of Fair Supervision
Authors: Van Craen Maarten , Skogan Wesley G.
Published: April 2017

Police use of force is an issue of great concern, even in democratic societies. Recent events in the United States and Europe reinforce older lessons that legitimate policing is both important and hard to achieve. This article adds to our understanding of how a fundamental aspect of police organizations—supervision—might contribute to a better justified use of force by the police. We examine the relationship between fair supervision (internal procedural justice) and officers’ support for restrictions on their use of force. Our findings suggest that supervisor modeling can provide an important linkage between the two. The results also suggest that fair supervision fosters support for restraint in the use of force through greater moral alignment with citizens and increased trust in the general public. The implications of this for research and police practice are discussed.
Early Career Developmental Networks and Professionals’ Knowledge Creation
Authors: Dunn Mary B.
Published: April 2017

This article examines the relationships between professionals’ early career developmental networks and their knowledge creation. An empirical study of 167 novice professionals finds that novices’ knowledge creation benefits from both closed and open structures in developmental networks, but the effects depend on whether they work with a prominent mentor. Traditional developmental networks, characterized by dense structures, relate positively to novices’ future knowledge creation, except when there is a prominent mentor in the network, suggesting that density and prominence are substitutable forms of social capital. Entrepreneurial developmental networks, where novices are positioned between disconnected mentors within the developmental network, relate negatively to future knowledge creation for all novices, including those with prominent mentors. Finally, the extent to which the developmental network reaches collaborators in the broader professional network relates positively to novices’ future knowledge creation, and this effect is strongest for those novices with prominent supervisors in the developmental network. Overall, these findings suggest important implications for understanding novices’ developmental networks and their knowledge creation.
Citizens in robes
Authors: Lafont Cristina
Published: April 2017

The normative place of religion in liberal democracies is as contested as ever. This contestation produces understandable fears that liberal democratic institutions may ultimately be incompatible with religious forms of life. If this is so, if there is genuinely no hope that secular and religious citizens can equally take ownership over and identify with these institutions, then the future of democracy within pluralist societies seems seriously threatened. These fears commonly arise in debates concerning the liberal criterion of democratic legitimacy, according to which citizens ought to justify the imposition of coercive policies on each other with reasons that everyone can reasonably accept. Since religious reasons are not generally acceptable to secular citizens and citizens of different faiths, endorsing this criterion entails accepting the claim that, for the purposes of political justification, public reasons should take priority over religious considerations. This claim has been vigorously criticized on two grounds. First, critics resist such a claim on the skeptical grounds that there is simply no such thing as public reasons, that is, a subset of reasons that all citizens can reasonably accept as having priority for justifying coercive policies. Second, critics contest the claim on the normative grounds that an unequal treatment of religious reasons for the purposes of political justification is unfair to religious citizens and is therefore incompatible with the core values of a liberal democracy. Against both lines of criticism, I articulate a defense of the priority of public reasons that is exclusively based on the normative commitments constitutive of liberal democratic institutions and which can therefore be reflectively endorsed by all democratic citizens, whether religious or secular.
Multifaceted empathy of healthy volunteers after single doses of MDMA: A pooled sample of placebo-controlled studies
Authors: Kuypers Kim PC , Dolder Patrick C , Ramaekers Johannes G , Liechti Matthias E
Published: April 2017

Previous placebo-controlled experimental studies have shown that a single dose of MDMA can increase emotional empathy in the multifaceted empathy test (MET) without affecting cognitive empathy. Although sufficiently powered to detect main effects of MDMA, these studies were generally underpowered to also validly assess contributions of additional parameters, such as sex, drug use history, trait empathy and MDMA or oxytocin plasma concentrations. The present study examined the robustness of the MDMA effect on empathy and investigated the moderating role of these additional parameters. Participants ( n = 118) from six placebo-controlled within-subject studies and two laboratories were included in the present pooled analysis. Empathy (MET), MDMA and oxytocin plasma concentrations were assessed after oral administration of MDMA (single dose, 75 or 125 mg). Trait empathy was assessed using the interpersonal reactivity index. We confirmed that MDMA increased emotional empathy at both doses without affecting cognitive empathy. This MDMA-related increase in empathy was most pronounced during presentation of positive emotions as compared with negative emotions. MDMA-induced empathy enhancement was positively related to MDMA blood concentrations measured before the test, but independent of sex, drug use history and trait empathy. Oxytocin concentrations increased after MDMA administration but were not associated with behavioral effects. The MDMA effects on emotional empathy were stable across laboratories and doses. Sex did not play a moderating role in this effect, and oxytocin levels, trait empathy and drug use history were also unrelated. Acute drug exposure was of significant relevance in the MDMA-induced emotional empathy elevation.
Development and integration at a crossroads: Culture, race and ethnicity in rural Sweden
Authors: Arora-Jonsson Seema
Published: April 2017

The recent arrival of refugees in rural Sweden has raised hopes that they might stave off the depopulation of the country’s periphery and lead to its development. Despite these visions in policy and in some academic literature, there is little research on how immigrant encounters with development and integration practices take shape on the ground. Critical research on immigrant integration in Sweden focuses on urban areas where most immigrants live. Rural areas, with sparse populations, weak economic positions vis a vis cities and increased policy pressures to define themselves as uniquely competitive, stand at a crossroads as they grapple with developing their areas and integrating newcomers. A less visible, but no less decisive crossroads is the vision of multiculturalism grounded in current institutions for democracy, in contrast to the road that I suggest we need to take – one that turns a critical eye on the relations that constitute the culture and institutions for integration and rural development. Drawing on long term ethnographic fieldwork in the province of Hälsingland and on Bourdieu’s conceptualization of misrecognition as well as critical race theories, I probe the ‘misrecognition’ of the rural and of institutions for integration and democracy in Sweden. I argue that the misrecognition of voluntary associations as the template for democracy for all and dominant discourses on what constitutes rural culture, inadvertently embody racial undertones that need to be confronted – both in theorizing and in practice – if aspirations for a multicultural democracy are to be taken as seriously as they must.
Astrocyte-mediated inflammation in cortical spreading depression
Authors: Ghaemi Amir , Alizadeh Leila , Babaei Shahnaz , Jafarian Maryam , Khaleghi Ghadiri Maryam , Meuth Sven G , Kovac Stjepana , Gorji Ali
Published: April 2017

Background

Cortical spreading depression (CSD) related diseases such as migraine, cerebrovascular diseases, and epilepsy have been associated with reactive astrocytosis, yet the mechanisms of these tissue changes remain unclear. CSD-induced inflammatory response has been proposed to play a role in some neurological disorders and thus may also contribute to reactive astrocytosis.

Methods

Using ex vivo brain slices and in vitro astrocytic cultures, we aimed to characterize CSD related changes in astrocytes and markers of inflammation by immunocyto- and immunohistochemistry. CSD was induced by application of KCl (3 mol/l) on neocortical tissues. The application of KCl was repeated weekly over the course of four weeks.

Results

CSD induced an increase in the mean number and volume of astrocytes in rat brain tissue when compared to controls, whereas no changes in neuronal numbers and volumes were seen. These cell-type specific changes, suggestive of reactive astrocytosis, were paralleled by an increased expression of protein markers indicative of astrocytes and neuroinflammation in ex vivo brain slices of animals undergoing CSD when compared to sham-treated controls. Cultured astrocytes showed an increased expression of the immune modulatory enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and an elevated expression of the pro-inflammatory markers, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNFα in addition to increased levels of toll like receptors (TLR3 and TLR4) and astrocytic markers after induction of CSD.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that CSD related reactive astrocytosis is linked to an upregulation of inflammatory markers. Targeting inflammation with already approved and available immunomodulatory treatments may thus represent a strategy to combat or ameliorate CSD-related disease.
Development and validation of a highly sensitive real-time PCR assay for rapid detection of parapoxviruses
Authors: Das Amaresh , Ward Gordon , Lowe Andre , Xu Lizhe , Moran Karen , Renshaw Randall , Dubovi Edward , Reising Monica , Jia Wei
Published: April 2017

Parapoxviruses (PaPVs) cause widespread infections in ruminants worldwide. All PaPVs are zoonotic and may infect humans after direct or indirect contact with infected animals. Herein we report the development and validation of a highly sensitive real-time PCR assay for rapid detection of PaPVs. The new assay (referred to as the RVSS assay) was specific for PaPVs only and had no cross-reactivity against other pox viruses. Using a recombinant plasmid as positive control, the analytical sensitivity of the assay was determined to be 16 genome copies of PaPV per assay. The amplification efficiency estimate (91–99%), the intra- and interassay variability estimate (standard deviation [SD]: 0.28–1.06 and 0.01–0.14, respectively), and the operator variability estimate (SD: 0.78 between laboratories and 0.28 between operators within a laboratory) were within the acceptable range. The diagnostic specificity was assessed on 100 specimens from healthy normal animals and all but 1 tested negative (99%). The diagnostic sensitivity (DSe) was assessed on 77 clinical specimens (skin/scab) from infected sheep, goats, and cattle, and all tested positive (100%). The assay was multiplexed with beta-actin as an internal positive control, and the multiplex assay exhibited the same DSe as the singleplex assay. Further characterization of the PaPV specimens by species-specific real-time PCR and nucleotide sequencing of the PCR products following conventional PCR showed the presence of Orf virus not only in sheep and goats but also in 1 bovid. The validated RVSS assay demonstrated high specificity, sensitivity, reproducibility, and ruggedness, which are critical for laboratory detection of PaPVs.
Development of biomass-derived functionalized activated carbon-coated and polyaniline-grafted cotton fabric with enhanced ultraviolet resistance
Authors: Thennarasu P , Prabunathan P , Senthilkumar M
Published: April 2017

Cotton fabric with enhanced ultraviolet shielding behavior was successfully developed by coating functionalized activated carbon and grafting polyaniline hybrid material through in situ polymerization. Initially, the activated carbon was prepared from bio-mass rice husk and then surface functionalized using suitable silane coupling agent. The optimized sample delivers strong ultraviolet shielding ability with a Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) value of 63.9, which is nearly 20 times higher than that of pristine cotton (UPF = 3.2). Moreover, the same sample shows enhanced tensile strength behavior. The structure and morphological studies are also discussed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy for both pristine cotton and hybrid coated fabrics. The results show that the activated carbon derived from rice husk could be a suitable alternate carbon source for ultraviolet shielding when compared with high-cost carbon derivatives. Thus, the developed material can find good high-performance application with better ultraviolet shielding property.
V-BAG: A virtual bandwidth aggregation scheme for Internet of Things data
Authors: Gwak Yongsu , Kim Young Yong , Kim Ronny Yongho
Published: April 2017

In order to meet the two crucial requirements of Internet of Things (support of a large number of Internet of Things devices and low power consumption), this article proposes a novel and efficient virtual bandwidth aggregation scheme for Internet of Things data. Since many Internet of Things applications require reliable Internet of Things data transmission, a Transmission Control Protocol is chosen as a transport protocol in this article. The proposed scheme consists of three salient functions: packet scheduler, estimator, and ACK buffer. The packet scheduler provides an efficient heterogeneous link selection using the proposed scheduling algorithm. The estimator provides an accurate delay and bandwidth estimation of heterogeneous wireless links using network layer information. Finally, the ACK buffer substantially boosts the performance of the scheduler and estimator with a simple ACK buffering scheme. Our extensive analysis using a numerical method and simulation corroborates the outstanding performance of the proposed scheme. Because of the salient functions of the proposed scheme, it can provide maximum capacity for future Internet of Things data transmission.
Vitamin D Levels Do Not Predict Risk of Metatarsal Fractures
Authors: Williams Benjamin R. , Thomas Avis J. , Collier Rachel C. , Boffeli Troy J , Anderson Sarah A.
Published: April 2017

Introduction. In the literature, there is conflicting data regarding the relationship between vitamin D and fractures. Reports on the effects of vitamin D levels on pathologies of the foot and ankle are limited. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in patients who have sustained low-energy metatarsal fractures compared to foot or ankle sprains without osseous involvement. Methods. Between May 2012 and August 2014, vitamin D levels and demographic data were collected prospectively in a total of 99 patients; 71 with metatarsal fractures and 28 with sprains, both from a low-energy mechanism of injury. Data between the metatarsal fracture group and sprain group were compared through univariate and multivariate analyses. Results. Mean vitamin D in the fracture group was 26.9 ng/mL (range = 78.0-4.3), and in the sprain group it was 27.1 ng/mL (range = 64.1-8.3; P = .93). Vitamin D insufficiency (<30 ng/mL) was present in 47 (66%) of fracture patients and 20 (71%) of sprain patients ( P = .81). Conclusion. A high incidence of hypovitaminosis D was seen in all foot and ankle patients. There was no difference in mean vitamin D level or incidence of vitamin D insufficiency between patients with metatarsal fractures or sprains resulting from similar low-energy mechanisms.

Levels of Evidence: Level III: Prospective, case-control study
Magnesio-riebeckite from the Varenche mine (Aosta Valley, Italy): crystal-chemical characterization of a grandfathered end-member
Authors: Oberti Roberta , Boiocchi Massimo , Hawthorne Frank C. , Ciriotti Marco E.
Published: April 2017

Magnesio-riebeckite from the dumps of the abandoned mine of Varenche (45°47’22’’ N, 7°29’17’’ E), Saint-Barthélemy, Nus, Aosta Valley (Italy), was studied to provide the complete mineral description (including crystal structure) and insights into the crystal-chemistry of riebeckite. The empirical formula derived from electron microprobe analysis and single-crystal structure refinement is A(Na0.09K0.01)Σ=0.10B(Na1.77Ca0.11Mg0.08Mn2+ 0:04)Σ=2.00C(Mg2.93Mn2+0:13Fe2+0:07Zn0.01Ni0.12Fe3+1:25Al0.48Ti0.01)Σ=5.00T(Si7.92Al0.08)Σ=8.00 O22W(OH1.88F0.12)Σ=2.00. Magnesio-riebeckite is biaxial (+), with α = 1.678(2), β = 1.682(2), γ = 1.688(2) and 2V (meas.) = 80.2(1.7)°, 2V (calc.) = 78.7°. The unit-cell parameters are a = 9.6481(14), b = 17.873(3), c = 5.3013(7) Å, β = 103.630(2)°, V = 888.4 (2)Å3, Z = 2, space group C2/m. The strongest ten reflections in the powder X-ray pattern [d values (in Å), I, (hkl)] are: 2.701, 100, (151); 8.303, 83, (110); 3.079, 62, (310); 3.391, 53, (131); 4.467, 50, (040,021); 2.522, 50, (̅202); 2.578, 35, (061); 2.155, 30, (261), 4.855, 30, (̅111), 2.300, 29, (̅351).
Trace-element compositions of sapphire and ruby from the eastern Australian gemstone belt
Authors: Wong Jacqueline , Verdel Charles , Allen Charlotte M.
Published: April 2017

Significant uncertainty surrounds the processes involved in the formation of basalt-hosted corundum, particularly the role that the mantle plays in corundum generation. Some previous studies have suggested that trace-element ratios (namely, Cr/Ga and Ga/Mg) are useful for distinguishing two types of corundum: ‘magmatic’ and ‘metamorphic’, designations that include mantle and crustal processes. However, recent studies, including this one, have discovered transitional groups between these end-members that are difficult to classify.We used laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) to measure trace-element concentrations in sapphire and ruby crystals from eight alluvial deposits that span a significant length of the eastern Australian gemstone belt. Additionally, we collected LA–ICP–MS U–Pb and traceelement data from zircon megacrysts atWeldborough, Tasmania, which is also within the gemstone belt. Our sapphire and ruby results reveal a continuum in trace-element compositions, an observation that raises questions regarding previous classifications that ascribe corundum from basalt-hosted gemfields to either ‘magmatic’ or ‘metamorphic’ sources. The spatial association of basalt-related gemfields in eastern Australia with a long-lived convergent margin suggests a link between corundum formation and Al-enrichment of the mantle wedge during periods of subduction.