bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The spectrum of epilepsy and electroencephalographic abnormalities due to SHANK3 loss‐of‐function mutations
Authors: Holder J. Lloyd , Quach Michael M.
Published: August 2016

Objective

The coincidence of autism with epilepsy is 27% in those individuals with intellectual disability.1 Individuals with loss‐of‐function mutations in SHANK3 have intellectual disability, autism, and variably, epilepsy.2‐5 The spectrum of seizure semiologies and electroencephalography (EEG) abnormalities has never been investigated in detail. With the recent report that SHANK3 mutations are present in approximately 2% of individuals with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities and 1% of individuals with autism, determining the spectrum of seizure semiologies and electrographic abnormalities will be critical for medical practitioners to appropriately counsel the families of patients with SHANK3 mutations.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed of all individuals treated at the Blue Bird Circle Clinic for Child Neurology who have been identified as having either a chromosome 22q13 microdeletion encompassing SHANK3 or a loss‐of‐function mutation in SHANK3 identified through whole‐exome sequencing. For each subject, the presence or absence of seizures, seizure semiology, frequency, age of onset, and efficacy of therapy were determined. Electroencephalography studies were reviewed by a board certified neurophysiologist. Neuroimaging was reviewed by both a board certified pediatric neuroradiologist and child neurologist.

Results

There is a wide spectrum of seizure semiologies, frequencies, and severity in individuals with SHANK3 mutations. There are no specific EEG abnormalities found in our cohort, and EEG abnormalities were present in individuals diagnosed with epilepsy and those without history of a clinical seizure.

Significance

All individuals with a mutation in SHANK3 should be evaluated for epilepsy due to the high prevalence of seizures in this population. The most common semiology is atypical absence seizure, which can be challenging to identify due to comorbid intellectual disability in individuals with SHANK3 mutations; however, no consistent seizure semiology, neuroimaging findings, or EEG findings were present in the majority of individuals with SHANK3 mutations.
Erythropoietin attenuates motor impairments induced by bilateral renal ischemia/reperfusion in rats
Authors: Tahamtan Mahshid , Moosavi Seyed M.S. , Sheibani Vahid , Nayebpour Mohsen , Esmaeili‐Mahani Saeed , Shabani Mohammad
Published: August 2016

Neurologic sequelae remain a common and destructive problem in patients with acute kidney injury. The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible neuroprotective effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on motor impairments following bilateral renal ischemia (BRI) in two time points after reperfusion: short term (24 h) and long term (1 week). Male Wistar rats underwent BRI or sham surgery. EPO or saline administration was performed 30 min before surgery (1000 U/kg, i.p.). Explorative behaviors and motor function of the rats were evaluated by open field, rotarod, and wire grip tests. Plasma concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) were significantly enhanced in BRI rats 24 h after reperfusion. BRI group had only an increased level of BUN but not Cr 1 week after reperfusion. Impairment of balance function by BRI was not reversed by EPO 24 h after reperfusion, but counteracted 7 days after renal ischemia. Muscle strength had no significant differences between the groups. BRI group had a decrease in locomotor activity, and EPO could not reverse this reduction in both time points of the experiment. Although EPO could not be offered as a potential neuroprotective agent in the treatment of motor dysfunctions induced by BRI, it could be effective against balance dysfunction 1 week after renal ischemia.
Climate tolerances and trait choices shape continental patterns of urban tree biodiversity
Authors: Jenerette G. Darrel , Clarke Lorraine W. , Avolio Meghan L. , Pataki Diane E. , Gillespie Thomas W. , Pincetl Stephanie , Nowak Dave J. , Hutyra Lucy R. , McHale Melissa , McFadden Joseph P. , Alonzo Michael
Published: August 2016

Aim

We propose and test a climate tolerance and trait choice hypothesis of urban macroecological variation in which strong filtering associated with low winter temperatures restricts urban biodiversity while weak filtering associated with warmer temperatures and irrigation allows dispersal of species from a global source pool, thereby increasing urban biodiversity.

Location

Twenty cities across the USA and Canada.

Methods

We examined variation in tree community taxonomic diversity, origins and production of an aesthetic ecosystem service trait in a cross‐section of urban field surveys. We correlated urban tree community composition indicators with a key climate restriction, namely mean minimum winter temperature, and evaluated alternative possible drivers: precipitation, summer maximum temperature, population size and the percentage of adults with a college education.

Results

Species accumulation curves differed substantially among cities, with observed richness varying from 22 to 122 species. Similarities in tree communities decreased exponentially with increases in climatic differences. Ordination of tree communities showed strong separation among cities with component axes correlated with minimum winter temperature and annual precipitation. Variation among urban tree communities in richness, origins and the provisioning of an aesthetic ecosystem service were all correlated with minimum winter temperature.

Main conclusions

The urban climate tolerance and trait choice hypothesis provides a coherent mechanism to explain the large variation among urban tree communities resulting from an interacting environment, species and human decisions. Reconciling the feedbacks between human decision making and biophysical limitations provides a foundation for an urban ecological theory that can better understand and predict the dynamics of other linked biotic communities, associated ecosystem dynamics and resulting services provided to urban residents.
Red clover for silage: management impacts on herbage yield, nutritive value, ensilability and persistence, and relativity to perennial ryegrass
Authors: Clavin D. , Crosson P. , Grant J. , O'Kiely P.
Published: August 2016

This 6‐year experiment quantified the impacts of management factors on red clover yield, persistence, nutritive value and ensilability, and compared these with perennial ryegrass receiving inorganic N fertilizer. Within a randomized complete block design, field plots were used to evaluate a 2 (cultivar, Merviot and Ruttinova) × 2 (alone and with perennial ryegrass) × 2 (0 and 50 kg fertilizer N ha−1 in mid‐March) × 2 (harvest schedule) combination of the factors relating to red clover, and a 2 (harvest schedule) × 4 (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha−1 for each cut) combination of the factors relating to perennial ryegrass. The early and late harvest schedules both involved four cuts per year, but commenced a fortnight apart. Red clover treatments averaged 14 906 kg dry matter (DM) ha−1 per year, whereas perennial ryegrass receiving 600 kg inorganic N fertilizer per year averaged 14 803 kg DM ha−1 per year. There was no yield decline evident across years despite a decline in the proportion of red clover. The early harvest schedule and sowing ryegrass with red clover increased the herbage yield and digestibility. March application of fertilizer N to red clover treatments reduced the annual yield. Early harvest schedule increased and both fertilizer N and sowing with ryegrass decreased the proportion of red clover. Sowing with ryegrass improved the indices of ensilability, but reduced the crude protein content. Both red clover cultivars had similar performance characteristics. A selected red clover‐based treatment, considered to exhibit superior overall production characteristics, outyielded N‐fertilized perennial ryegrass in mid‐season. However, it had poorer digestibility and ensilability indices.
Sustainability standards and certification: looking through the lens of Foucault's dispositif
Authors: SILVA‐CASTAÑEDA LAURA , TRUSSART NATHALIE
Published: August 2016

Over the past few decades, sustainability standards and certification have come to play an important role in the global governance of production and trade. Their purpose is to address the environmental and social problems generated by the globalization of the economy. Yet, as scholars and actors alike have pointed out, framing these problems in terms of technical criteria and procedures might result in rendering some issues invisible and closing potential debate and contestation. Through the empirical analysis of a multi‐stakeholder initiative called the ‘Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil', our aim is to explore how civil society organizations and advocacy networks nevertheless draw new lines of power by using, putting to the test, correcting and constructing formalized knowledge. To shed light on these processes of resistance, we advance an analytic that restores the concept of dispositif coined by Michel Foucault in emphasizing both the disruptive and stabilizing lines that compose a dispositif.
Synthesis and Characterization of NiO Nano‐Spheres by Templating on Chitosan as a Green Precursor
Authors: Choo Cheng Keong , Goh Tze Lim , Shahcheraghi Ladan , Ngoh Gek Cheng , Abdullah Ahmad Zuhairi , Amini Horri Bahman , Salamatinia Babak
Published: August 2016

In this study, nickel oxide was prepared through the calcination of extrusion dripped chitosan/nickel nitrate beads. The morphology and structural properties of the products were studied using various characterization techniques. Uniformly distributed nickel oxide was formed as observed from the studies of surface morphology where the processing parameters play a huge role on the resulting morphology. TEM results have shown that nickel oxide with crystallite sizes of 10–30 nm was obtained. The Fourier‐transform infrared spectra studies show an intense peak at 525 cm−1, which is attributed to the vibration of Ni–O bond. Furthermore, the XRD results show NiO diffraction peaks correspond to (111), (200), (220), (311), and (222) which indicates that a bunsenite structure with a face‐centered cubic phase was produced in this study. The usage of 500°C as the lower limit in this study is justified due to the complete removal of the templating material as seen in the thermalgravimetric analysis studies. Furthermore, it was obtained that the largest surface area of nickel oxide synthesized using this technique is 48.024 m2/g with pore sizes of 19.843 nm. The usage of chitosan as a green template for the synthesis of nanoparticles has shown promising results which allows a more economical and sustainable approach for the fabrication of nanomaterials.
Pressureless Sintering of ZrB2Prepared by Colloidal Processing: Particle Packing, Sintering Conditions, and Additives
Authors: Leo Silvia , Tallon Carolina
Published: August 2016

Nonaqueous colloidal processing in cyclohexane and slip casting allowed the preparation of green ZrB2compacts with 67.3%TD(theoretical density), which upon pressureless sintering at 2100°C densified to a final density of 92.4%TD. The effect of controllable sintering parameters (temperature, time, and heating rate) on the sintered properties of ZrB2compacts prepared using the nonaqueous colloidal processing method was also studied, to maximize the sintered density and tailor the desired microstructure (i.e., dense final object with small grain size). The competition between pore elimination and grain growth mainly controls the final density achievable. ZrB2compacts with maximum sintered densities of 93%TDcould be achieved by controlling the sintering conditions. Finally, the use of carbon and B4C additives to improve the sintered density and microstructure of ZrB2compacts was also investigated. The additives, compatible with colloidal processing, allowed compacts with greater sintered densities (96–98%TD) and finer grain sizes to be achieved by pressureless sintering, even at a lower temperature of 1900°C.
Characterization of Ceramic‐Based Construction and Demolition Waste: Use as Pozzolan in Cements
Authors: Asensio Eloy , Medina César , Frías Moisés , de Rojas María Isabel Sánchez
Published: August 2016

Depending on its composition and properties, construction and demolition waste (C&DW) may be used today as recycled aggregate to manufacture more eco‐efficient concrete, for drainage or as a sub‐base in roads and on occasion as a decorative or esthetic element in pedestrian pathways in parks and landscaped grounds. In Spain, 54% of C&DW is ceramic‐based (CB‐C&DW). Since the use of such waste as recycled aggregate is not envisaged in Spanish legislation, it is presently stockpiled in landfills, an environmentally, technically, and economically detrimental procedure. The CB‐C&DW recycled at 12 Spanish waste management plants was assessed to determine the feasibility of its use as an alternative to pozzolans such as silica fume and fly ash presently added to cement during manufacture. The proportion of ceramic‐based material contained in this recycled waste varied from plant to plant. The effect of the ceramic‐based material content on the chemical and mineralogical composition, morphology, and pozzolanic activity of CB‐C&DW was explored in a more exhaustive study of two types of waste, one with 20 and the other with 100% ceramic‐based material content. In light of its chemical and mineralogical composition, morphology and lime fixation capacity, this type of C&DW was found to be apt for use as a pozzolan, and hence as a valid alternative for manufacturing more eco‐efficient cements.
A Theoretical Investigation on the Anisotropic Surface Stability and Oxygen Adsorption Behavior of ZrB2
Authors: Sun Wei , Liu Jiachen , Xiang Huimin , Zhou Yanchun
Published: August 2016

Surfaces play pivotal roles during the oxidation and interfacial bonding of ZrB2. To understand the surface properties, the anisotropic stability and oxygen adsorption behavior of ZrB2 surfaces, including (), two types of (0001) and three types of (), were investigated by first‐principles calculations. Using a series of two‐region models, the surface energies were calculated and the (0001) surfaces were found to be less stable than the prismatic ones. The hexagonal rod‐like ZrB2 grain morphology was predicted during the crystal growth under equilibrium conditions. The adsorption energies, electronic structure, and bonding feature of the adsorbed surfaces were also investigated. The Zr‐terminated surfaces were predicted to be more favorable to adsorb oxygen, and the (0001) surfaces should have better oxidation resistance than other surfaces in the equilibrium ZrB2 grains. The Zr‐terminated (0001) surface was also speculated to be stable in the oxygen‐rich environment.
Fostering Emotion Expression and Affective Involvement with Communication Partners in People with Congenital Deafblindness and Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Martens Marga A. W. , Janssen Marleen J. , Ruijssenaars Wied A. J. J. M. , Huisman Mark , Riksen‐Walraven J. Marianne
Published: August 2016

Background

Recent studies have shown that it is possible to foster affective involvement between people with congenital deafblindness and their communication partners. Affective involvement is crucial for well‐being, and it is important to know whether it can also be fostered with people who have congenital deafblindness and intellectual disabilities.

Methods

This study used a multiple‐baseline design to examine whether an intervention based on the Intervention Model for Affective Involvement would (i) increase affective involvement between four participants with congenital deafblindness and intellectual disabilities and their 13 communication partners and (ii) increase the participants' positive emotions and decrease their negative emotions.

Results

In all cases, dyadic affective involvement increased, the participants' very positive emotions also increased and the participants' negative emotions decreased.

Conclusion

The results indicate that communication partners of persons with congenital deafblindness and intellectual disabilities can be successfully trained to foster affective involvement.
Climate change and squid range expansion in the North Sea
Authors: van der Kooij Jeroen , Engelhard Georg H. , Righton David A.
Published: August 2016

Aim

Studies focussing on long‐term changes in squid populations are rare due to limited availability of fisheries‐independent data. However, squid play an important role as predator and prey in marine food‐webs and have also become an increasingly important target for fisheries. Their short life history is thought to make them particularly sensitive to changes in the environment, potentially leading to strong fluctuations in population size. Here, we investigate whether squid have increased in the North Sea, in terms of distribution and abundance, and whether these patterns are related to variability in environmental and climatic factors.

Location

North Sea, north‐east Atlantic Ocean.

Methods

We extracted squid catches from a unique 35‐year time series of bottom trawl survey data in the North Sea (1980–2014), collected during late summer (August–September). Changes in distribution and abundance were compared with climatic variables known to be linked with various ecosystem components in the area.

Results

We found that squid distribution across the North Sea increased over the 35‐year time series. Loligo expanded southward from a predominantly north‐easterly distribution, compared to northward expansions by Alloteuthis and the Ommastrephidae from their core distributions in the southern and central North Sea respectively. In addition, all squid species studied here displayed an overall increase in biomass over the time series and there were large annual fluctuations. Significantly positive relationships were found between this increase and climate variables for each of the dominant individual taxa studied and when all species were combined.

Main conclusions

The results suggest a strong causal relationship between climate variability, notably warming sea temperatures, and squid populations. At least for the last 35 years, climate change appears to have been largely favourable for squid and with changes in climate set to continue, squid may end up beneficiaries where many finfish struggle.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Depressive Symptoms Among Disadvantaged Adolescents: Results from a Population‐Based Study in Bangladesh
Authors: Nasreen Hashima E. , Alam Mohammad Ariful , Edhborg Maigun
Published: August 2016

PROBLEM

Few studies have examined the adolescents’ depression in low‐income countries and no research has yet been carried out in Bangladesh. This study estimated the prevalence of depressive symptoms and explored the associated factors and help seeking behavior among adolescents in Bangladesh.

METHODS

Data originated from a cross section of 2,440 randomly selected boys and girls aged 13–19 years in a rural district and urban slums of Dhaka city, Bangladesh, during October–November 2012. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), a 21‐item scale, measured the prevalence of depressive symptoms using a cut‐off 16 or higher.

FINDINGS

The prevalence of depressive symptoms among adolescents was 14%, with predominance in urban slums and among girls. Older age (15–19 years), poverty, and poor parental relation were found to be associated with depressive symptoms of both sexes; family history of depressive symptoms for boys; and reproductive illness and sexual abuse for girls. More than 80% of depressed adolescents sought no help.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescent depressive symptoms are common and largely undetected public health problem in Bangladesh. Policies aimed at concerted efforts for implementing a school‐based counseling program with components of cognitive behavioral therapy and developing referral systems for those who scored at least 30 at BDI may ameliorate the potential harmful consequences of depressive symptoms in adolescents.
Assessment of pain perception following periodontal and implant surgeries
Authors: Mei Chih‐Chun , Lee Fu‐Ying , Yeh Hwey‐Chin
Published: August 2016

Objective

To evaluate patients’ pain perception following periodontal or implant surgery and to explore risk factors associated with post‐surgical pain.

Materials and Methods

Patients undergoing periodontal or implant surgery were recruited. Post‐surgical pain perception was evaluated by a numeric rating scale (NRS, 1–10) after 1 week. Self‐reported durations of pain (DOP) and of swelling (DOS), and consumption of prescriptions were also recorded. Demographic and surgical variables were compared between the groups of mild (MP) and moderate‐to‐severe post‐surgical pain (SP). Factors associated with SP were analysed statistically.

Results

Ten surgical types in three categories, comprising 330 surgeries in 253 patients, were included. Overall, 70.3% of the subjects experienced MP, 25.5% experienced moderate pain and 4.2% experienced severe pain. The highest median NRS score was found in subjects having advanced implant surgery [4.0, interquartile range (IQR) 4.00] and the lowest in open flap debridement surgery (1.0, IQR 1.00). The median DOP was 2.0 days (IQR 2.00). Analgesic need (median = 2.0 days, IQR 4.00) was correlated with the DOP (r = 0.406, p < 0.01) and the NRS score (r = 0.358, p < 0.01). Subjects receiving periodontal plastic surgery (OR = 3.20, 95% CI = 1.06–9.71), complex surgery (OR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.31–5.25), increased surgical extension (OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.21–2.62) and increased anaesthesia (OR = 2.32, 95% CI = 1.13–4.76) were more likely to experience SP.

Conclusions

The majority of patients perceived mild post‐surgical pain, but the pain level varied among different surgical procedures. Periodontal plastic surgery, complex surgery, surgical extension and anaesthetic volume were associated with more pain.
Lentigo maligna – anatomic location as a potential risk factor for recurrences after non‐surgical treatment
Authors: Greveling K. , van der Klok Th. , van Doorn M.B.A. , Noordhoek Hegt V. , Prens E.P.
Published: August 2016

Background

A higher incidence of lentigo maligna (LM) recurrences on the nose was previously observed in our cohort after non‐surgical treatment.

Objectives

To determine histological parameters that might be related to the previously observed higher incidence of LM recurrences on the nose after non‐surgical treatment.

Methods

We randomly selected 22 surgical specimens of LM on the nose and 22 on the cheek. Histopathological analysis was performed on haematoxylin and eosin stained and microphthalmia transcription factor immunohistochemically stained slides. The number of pilosebaceous units (PSU) per mm, maximum depth of atypical melanocytes along the skin appendages and maximum depth of the PSU itself were determined.

Results

The nose had a significantly higher density of PSU than the cheek. The atypical melanocytes extended deeper along the PSU on the nose with a mean (SD) depth of 1.29 mm (0.48) vs. a mean depth of 0.72 mm (0.30) on the cheek (P < 0.001). The maximum depth of the PSU on the nose was greater than on the cheek, mean (SD) depth of 2.28 mm (0.41) vs. 1.65 mm (0.82) (P = 0.003).

Conclusions

The higher recurrence risk of LM on the nose after non‐surgical treatment that we previously observed in our cohort is most likely based on a higher density of atypical melanocytes and also their deeper extension into the follicles. These results shed more light on our previous findings and learn that anatomical location is relevant for the risk of recurrence of LM after non‐surgical treatment.
Factors associated with use of falls risk–increasing drugs among patients of a geriatric oncology outpatient clinic in Australia: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Turner Justin P. , Tervonen Hanna E. , Shakib Sepehr , Singhal Nimit , Prowse Robert , Bell J. Simon
Published: August 2016

Older people with cancer are at increased risk of falling. Falls risk–increasing drugs (FRIDs), comprising psychotropics and medications that cause orthostatic hypotension, are a potentially modifiable risk factor for falls. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with use of FRIDs in older people with cancer. Patients aged ≥70 years who presented to a hospital outpatient clinic between January 2009 and July 2010 were included in the study. Information on current medication use, falls in previous 6 months, and frailty criteria was collected. Multinomial logistic regression was used to compute odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors associated with levels of FRID use. Overall, 76.1% (n = 293) of 383 patients used FRIDs. This comprised psychotropics (31.2%, n = 120) and medications causing orthostatic hypotension (69.9%, n = 269). In total, 24.0% (n = 92) patients reported falling in the previous 6 months. Risk factors for falling were associated with use of psychotropics but not orthostatic hypotension drugs. Patients with a history of falls had increased odds of using psychotropics (≥3 psychotropics; OR 13.50; 95%CI, 2.64‐68.94). Likewise, frail patients had increased odds of using psychotropics (≥3 psychotropics; OR 27.78; 95%CI, 6.06‐127.42). Risk factors for falling were associated with the use of psychotropics. This suggests that clinicians either do not recognize or underestimate the contribution of medications to falls in this high‐risk patient group. Further efforts are needed to rationalize medication regimens at the time of patients' first presentation to outpatient oncology services.
Tumours in white suckers from Lake Michigan tributaries: pathology and prevalence
Authors: Blazer V S , Walsh H L , Braham R P , Hahn C M , Mazik P , McIntyre P B
Published: August 2016

The prevalence and histopathology of neoplastic lesions were assessed in white sucker Catostomus commersonii captured at two Lake Michigan Areas of Concern (AOCs), the Sheboygan River and Milwaukee Estuary. Findings were compared to those observed at two non‐AOC sites, the Root and Kewaunee rivers. At each site, approximately 200 adult suckers were collected during their spawning migration. Raised skin lesions were observed at all sites and included discrete white spots, mucoid plaques on the body surface and fins and large papillomatous lesions on lips and body. Microscopically, hyperplasia, papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma were documented. Liver neoplasms were also observed at all sites and included both hepatocellular and biliary tumours. Based on land use, the Kewaunee River was the site least impacted by human activities previously associated with fish tumours and had significantly fewer liver neoplasms when compared to the other sites. The proportion of white suckers with liver tumours followed the same patterns as the proportion of urban land use in the watershed: the Milwaukee Estuary had the highest prevalence, followed by the Root, Sheboygan and Kewaunee rivers. The overall skin neoplasm (papilloma and carcinoma) prevalence did not follow the same pattern, although the percentage of white suckers with squamous cell carcinoma exhibited a similar relationship to land use. Testicular tumours (seminoma) were observed at both AOC sites but not at the non‐AOC sites. Both skin and liver tumours were significantly and positively associated with age but not sex.
Quality Characteristics and Volatile Compounds of Foam Mat Dried Corn Flour
Authors: Teoh Li Shing , Lasekan Ola , Azeez Shakirah
Published: August 2016

Foam mat drying is good in dehydrating liquid foods in a short time. The porous structure of foam material contributes to high drying rate and consequently shorter dehydration time. Corn flour was produced using foam mat drying and its quality was compared to freeze‐dried corn flour. Different concentrations of egg albumen (10, 15 and 20%) and whipping time (5, 10 and 15 min) were used. Foaming characteristics of corn slurry produced were investigated. Corn slurry produced with 20% egg albumen and 15 min whipping time was chosen and the slurry was dried at different temperatures (60, 70 and 80C). Their physicochemical properties and volatile compounds were determined. Foam mat dried corn flour at 60C was found to be the overall optimum corn flour with the highest nutritional composition (protein, 21.51%; crude fat, 4.16%; and crude fiber, 7.52%). However, freeze‐dried corn flour gave better color appearance and more volatile compounds.

Practical Application

This study provides some basic information necessary for the production of foam mat dried corn flour with better nutritional quality than the traditional hot air drying method. This study will enhance the availability of foam mat dried corn flour with improved physical, nutritional and sensory properties that could serve as a base material for infant formula in developing countries.
Beyond Global Warming Potential: A Comparative Application of Climate Impact Metrics for the Life Cycle Assessment of Coal and Natural Gas Based Electricity
Authors: Farquharson DeVynne , Jaramillo Paulina , Schivley Greg , Klima Kelly , Carlson Derrick , Samaras Constantine
Published: August 2016

In the ongoing debate about the climate benefits of fuel switching from coal to natural gas for power generation, the metrics used to model climate impacts may be important. In this article, we evaluate the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of coal and natural gas used in new, advanced power plants using a broad set of available climate metrics in order to test for the robustness of results. Climate metrics included in the article are global warming potential, global temperature change potential, technology warming potential, and cumulative radiative forcing. We also used the Model for the Assessment of Greenhouse‐gas Induced Climate Change (MAGICC) climate‐change model to validate the results. We find that all climate metrics suggest a natural gas combined cycle plant offers life cycle climate benefits over 100 years compared to a pulverized coal plant, even if the life cycle methane leakage rate for natural gas reaches 5%. Over shorter time frames (i.e., 20 years), plants using natural gas with a 4% leakage rate have similar climate impacts as those using coal, but are no worse than coal. If carbon capture and sequestration becomes available for both types of power plants, natural gas still offers climate benefits over coal as long as the life cycle methane leakage rate remains below 2%. These results are consistent across climate metrics and the MAGICC model over a 100‐year time frame. Although it is not clear whether any of these metrics are better than the others, the choice of metric can inform decisions based on different societal values. For example, whereas annual temperature change reported may be a more relevant metric to evaluate the human health effects of increased heat, the cumulative temperature change may be more relevant to evaluate climate impacts, such as sea‐level rise, that will result from the cumulative warming.
Dietary effect of dried bay leaves (Laurus nobilis) meal on some biochemical parameters and on plasma oxidative status in New Zealand white growing rabbit
Authors: Casamassima D. , Palazzo M. , Vizzarri F. , Coppola R. , Costagliola C. , Corino C. , Di Costanzo A.
Published: August 2016

Effects of dietary supplementation of Laurus nobilis on selected biochemical parameters and plasma oxidative status in growing rabbits, fed with and without enriched‐fat diet, integrated with and without dried bay leaves meal, were investigated. In the test, 120 New Zealand white 35‐day‐old male rabbits were divided into four homogeneous groups of 30 animals each. A negative control group (CON) received a feed that met the animal nutrient requirement; a positive control group (CG) receiving a supplement of 2.5% pig fat in feed; an experimental group (GA) feeding an integration of 2.5% pig fat and 1 g/kg of dried bay leaves (Laurus nobilis) in feed; an experimental group (CA) with dried bay leaves at the rate of 1 g/kg in feed. The dietary integration with dried bay leaves meal have resulted in a significant decrease in the blood lipid profile, glycemic profile and liver enzymes, with reduced levels of ALT and AST, glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and increased HDL cholesterol. Plasma oxidative status markers have statistically improved with an increase in blood total phenols, SOD, ORAC, the FRAP and lipo‐vitamin concentration, together with a significant reduction in ROMs and the MDA values. The results of present research underline that the dietary treatment with bay leaves meal, in the extend of 1 g/kg feed, confirms the lowering cholesterol activity and the epato‐protective and ipo‐glycemic effect in enrich‐fat diet, controlling the oxidative status of plasma markers.
Health Service Accessibility and Risk in Cervical Cancer Prevention: Comparing Rural Versus Nonrural Residence in New Mexico
Authors: McDonald Yolanda J. , Goldberg Daniel W. , Scarinci Isabel C. , Castle Philip E. , Cuzick Jack , Robertson Michael , Wheeler Cosette M.
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Multiple intrapersonal and structural barriers, including geography, may prevent women from engaging in cervical cancer preventive care such as screening, diagnostic colposcopy, and excisional precancer treatment procedures. Geographic accessibility, stratified by rural and nonrural areas, to necessary services across the cervical cancer continuum of preventive care is largely unknown.

Methods

Health care facility data for New Mexico (2010‐2012) was provided by the New Mexico Human Papillomavirus Pap Registry (NMHPVPR), the first population‐based statewide cervical cancer screening registry in the United States. Travel distance and time between the population‐weighted census tract centroid to the nearest facility providing screening, diagnostic, and excisional treatment services were examined using proximity analysis by rural and nonrural census tracts. Mann‐Whitney test (P < .05) was used to determine if differences were significant and Cohen's r to measure effect.

Findings

Across all cervical cancer preventive health care services and years, women who resided in rural areas had a significantly greater geographic accessibility burden when compared to nonrural areas (4.4 km vs 2.5 km and 4.9 minutes vs 3.0 minutes for screening; 9.9 km vs 4.2 km and 10.4 minutes vs 4.9 minutes for colposcopy; and 14.8 km vs 6.6 km and 14.4 minutes vs 7.4 minutes for precancer treatment services, all P < .001).

Conclusion

Improvements in cervical cancer prevention should address the potential benefits of providing the full spectrum of screening, diagnostic and precancer treatment services within individual facilities. Accessibility, assessments distinguishing rural and nonrural areas are essential when monitoring and recommending changes to service infrastructures (eg, mobile versus brick and mortar).
A Closer Look at Rural‐Urban Health Disparities: Associations Between Obesity and Rurality Vary by Geospatial and Sociodemographic Factors
Authors: Cohen Steven A. , Cook Sarah K. , Kelley Lauren , Foutz Julia D. , Sando Trisha A.
Published: August 2016

Background

Obesity affects over one‐third of older adults in the United States. Both aging and obesity contribute to an increased risk for chronic disease, early mortality, and additional health care utilization. Obesity rates are higher in rural areas than in urban areas, although findings are mixed. The objectives of this study are to assess potential nonlinearity in the association between rurality and obesity, and to evaluate the potential for socioeconomic status and geographic area to moderate the associations between rurality and obesity.

Methods

Using a representative sample of adults aged 65 and above from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) was modeled against the primary exposure of rural‐urban status, as measured by the Index of Relative Rurality. Binary logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of obesity by rurality both as a continuous variable and by decile of rurality. Models were then stratified by per‐capita income and state to assess potential moderation by these factors.

Results

The prevalence of obesity in older adults was highest in intermediate rurality areas (OR in rurality decile #5 1.134, 95% CI: 1.086‐1.184) and lowest in the most rural and most urban areas. Obesity was highest in low‐ and middle‐income areas, regardless of rural‐urban status. In high‐income areas, obesity among older adults was highest in areas of intermediate rurality and lowest in the most rural areas (OR 0.726, 95% CI: 0.606‐0.870) and more urban areas, showing a J‐shaped association. There were substantial differences in the associations between rurality and obesity in older adults among states.

Conclusion

Associations between rurality and obesity varied by degree of rurality, socioeconomic status, and geography. Therefore, traditional “one‐size‐fits‐all” approaches to reducing rural‐urban health disparities in older adults may be more effective if tailored to the area‐specific rural‐urban gradients in health.
When does selective hunting select, how can we tell, and what should we do about it?
Authors: Festa‐Bianchet Marco
Published: August 2016

Potential evolutionary consequences of selective hunting of mammals are controversial because of limited evidence and important socio‐economic impacts. Several ecological and management variables facilitate evolutionary responses to selection for horn, tusk or antler size, including strong selective hunting pressure; harvest of males with large horns, tusks or antlers before they can breed; unavailable or ineffective sources of unselected immigrants; and age‐dependent relationships between horn, tusk or antler size and male mating success. Plastic responses of male horns, tusks and antlers to environment are probably more common than evolutionary changes. Evidence for evolutionary effects of selective hunting is strong for large mammals where biological characteristics and hunting regulations combine to favour them.
Consensus movements by groups of sperm whales
Authors: Whitehead Hal
Published: August 2016

When animals live in cohesive groups they need to make consensus decisions about movements. As a very large‐scale example of communal movement, nomadic female sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) travel about 50 km per day as coherent groups of 10–50 animals spread over several km of ocean. From 543 h of data during which 3,873 headings of small clusters of whales or individual whales were recorded, I quantified the heading behavior of groups foraging off the Galápagos Islands. The groups made both sudden and gradual turns. Using piecewise regression models, I estimate that sudden and gradual turns in heading both occurred at rates of 0.10/h. The mean change in heading was 69° for sudden turns and 84° for gradual turns. The mean duration of gradual turns was 1.3 h, so turns were often slow. Using the recorded headings within 30 min of each of 1,798 focal headings, a regression of heading on time gave a mean rate of turn of the group and error of each focal heading about the mean heading. Absolute heading errors increased with absolute turn rate (rS= 0.241;P= 0.0000), so turns were often messy. Thus sperm whales often make slow and messy—likely democratic—consensus decisions when groups change heading.
Ontogeny of the Furongian (late Cambrian) trilobite Proceratopyge cf. P. Lata Whitehouse from northern Victoria Land, Antarctica, and the evolution of metamorphosis in trilobites
Authors: Park Tae‐Yoon S. , Kihm Ji‐Hoon , Woo Jusun , Kim Young‐Hwan G. , Lee Jong‐Ik
Published: August 2016

There were multiple origins of metamorphosis‐undergoing protaspides in trilobite evolution: within the superfamilies Remopleuridioidea, Trinucleoidea, and within the Order Asaphida. Recent studies have revealed that the protaspides of the Cambrian representatives of the Remopleuridioidea and the Trinucleoidea did not undergo metamorphosis. However, ontogeny of the Cambrian members of the Order Asaphida has remained unknown. This study documents the ontogeny of the Furongian asaphoidean ceratopygid trilobite, Proceratopyge cf. P. lata Whitehouse, from northern Victoria Land, Antarctica. Two stages for the protaspid phase, five developmental stages for the post‐protaspid cranidia, and ten stages for the post‐protaspid pygidia have been identified. Interestingly, the protaspis directly developed into a meraspis without metamorphosis. A new cladistic analysis resulted in a single most parsimonious tree, according to which the presence of the bulbous commutavi protaspis turns out to be a synapomorphy for Asaphidae + Cyclopygoidea, not a synapomorphy for the Order Asaphida as previously suggested. In addition, it is inferred that there was convergent evolution of indirectly‐developing commutavi protaspides during the Furongian and Early Ordovician. Metamorphosis‐entailing planktonic larvae evolved in many different metazoan lineages near the Cambrian–Ordovician transition, due to the escalating ecological pressure of the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event. Since the bulbous commutavi protaspid morphology is thought to be an adaptation for a planktonic life mode, the convergent evolution of the indirect development in the three trilobite lineages at this period might have been a result of adaptation to the early phase of the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event.
Geometric Calibration of a Hyperspectral Frame Camera
Authors: de Oliveira Raquel A. , Tommaselli Antonio M. G. , Honkavaara Eija
Published: August 2016

Recently, miniaturised hyperspectral sensors operable from small unmanned airborne vehicle platforms have entered the market. The emerging hyperspectral imaging technologies, based on frame cameras and tuneable filters, are attractive alternatives to hyperspectral pushbroom sensors. This paper addresses the geometric calibration process of a hyperspectral frame camera based on a Fabry–Pérot interferometer. However, the addition of more optical elements in front of the image sensor can affect the parameters related to the internal geometry of the camera, and a deficiency in knowledge regarding these parameters can have a critical effect on the accuracy of 3D measurements in photogrammetric applications. The experiments focused on assessing the self‐calibrating bundle adjustment to verify the behaviour of the interior parameters, considering different spectral bands. The results indicated that the applied self‐calibration method can accurately characterise the interior parameters of this camera and that one set of parameters is required for each internal sensor.
Relationship between endometritis and oxidative stress in the follicular fluid and luteal function in the buffalo
Authors: Behera BK , Sharma CG , Singh SK , Kumar H , Chaudhari RK , Mahla AS , Das GK , Krishnaswamy N
Published: August 2016

Contents

In this study, alteration in the follicular fluid composition and luteal function was investigated in the buffalo with endometritis. Genitalia were classified into cytological and purulent endometritis on the basis of polymorphonuclear cell cut off while non‐endometritis served as control (n = 10/group). In the follicular phase, the number of surface follicles was counted, diameter of the largest follicle was measured and the follicular fluid was assayed for total protein, cholesterol, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4). The P4 content of corpus luteum during mid‐luteal phase was estimated by radioimmunoassay. Ovaries from the follicular phase of oestrous cycle showed no significant difference in the total number of surface follicles, size of the largest follicle and volume of follicular fluid in the buffaloes with and without endometritis (p > .05). However, the antral fluid of the largest follicle from the genitalia of buffalo with cytological and purulent endometritis showed a significant decrease in the concentration of total protein, cholesterol, TAC and E2 and a significant increase in the concentration of MDA and P4 (p < .05). The results indicated that there is an association between endometritis and decreased ovarian function.
Are People Interested in Probabilities of Natural Disasters?
Authors: Michailova Julija , Tyszka Tadeusz , Pfeifer Katarzyna
Published: August 2016

Previous research has demonstrated that in naturalistic risky decisions people tend to have little interest in receiving information about probabilities. The present research asked whether subjects search for and employ probabilistic information in situations that are representative of natural disasters: namely, situations where (1) they have no control over the occurrence of a negative event and (2) there might be huge losses of physical and human capital. Pseudo‐realistic scenarios involving risky situations were presented to 116 experimental participants. Based on the active information search paradigm, subjects were given only a basic description of the situation and had to acquire additional information from the experimenter. In addition to the main task, the individual risk aversion of participants was measured. We demonstrate that in pseudo‐naturalistic scenarios involving natural disasters people tend to show more interest in probabilities compared to scenarios with generally more controllable risks. Moreover, this interest increases with an increase in the importance of the situation to the decisionmaker. The importance of the situation also has a positive influence on the thoroughness of information search. The experiment detected no connection between individual risk aversion and information search.
An Update on Intradialytic Cardiac Dysfunction
Authors: Odudu Aghogho , McIntyre Christopher W.
Published: August 2016

Cardiac dysfunction is a key factor in the high morbidity and mortality rates seen in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Much of the dysfunction is manifest as adverse changes in cardiac and vascular structure prior to commencing dialysis. This adverse vascular remodeling arises as a dysregulation between pro‐ and antiproliferative signaling pathways in response to hemodynamic and nonhemodynamic factors. The HD procedure itself further promotes cardiomyopathy by inducing hypotension and episodic regional cardiac ischemia that precedes global dysfunction, fibrosis, worsening symptoms, and increased mortality. Drug‐based therapies have been largely ineffective in reversing HD‐associated cardiomyopathy, in part due to targeting single pathways of low yield. Few studies have sought to establish natural history and there is no framework of priorities for future clinical trials. Targeting intradialytic cardiac dysfunction by altering dialysate temperature, composition, or ultrafiltration rate might prevent the development of global cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and mortality through multiple pathways. Novel imaging techniques show promise in characterizing the physiological response to HD that is a unique model of repetitive ischemia‐reperfusion injury. Reducing HD‐associated cardiomyopathy may need a paradigm shift from empirical delivery of solute clearance to a personalized therapy balancing solute and fluid removal with microvascular protection. This review describes the evidence for intradialytic cardiac dysfunction outlining cardioprotective strategies that extend to multiple organs with potential impacts on exercise tolerance, sleep, cognitive function, and quality of life.