bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The facilitation of the native bluegill sunfish by the invasive bighead carp
Authors: Collins Scott F. , Nelson Kirsten A. , DeBoom Corey S. , Wahl David H.
Published: July 2017

Communities of organisms are shaped by a complex suite of positive and negative species interactions. Ecological phenomena like biological invasions typically evoke notions of negative effects on native communities. Yet, negative effects within specific food‐web components can also have positive feedbacks that manifest elsewhere within the food web.

We designed an experiment to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of invasive bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis: Cyprinidae) on planktonic and benthic invertebrates and the growth and survival of juvenile bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus: Centrarchidae).

Our experiment indicated that the presence of bighead carp indirectly facilitated bluegill growth and survival. The underlying processes driving predator–predator facilitation stemmed from a combination of indirect interactions occurring through invertebrates in planktonic and vegetated habitats. Individual bluegill consumed more cladocerans and predatory macroinvertebrates in the presence of bighead carp. The presence of bighead carp appears to have indirectly influenced interactions among cladocerans, invertebrate predators, and bluegill.

Understanding the cumulative direct and indirect effects of bigheaded carp on aquatic ecosystems requires the documentation of both negative and positive effects. Although one taxon benefitted from the presence of an invader, our findings demonstrate that this response occurred because bigheaded carp caused imbalances within the food web. We urge that future studies consider a priori how positive and negative interspecific interactions shape the structure of food webs.
Effects of plowing on vertical distribution of radioactive Cs and soil physicochemical properties in temperate pastures
Authors: Komissarov Mikhail , Ogura Shin‐ichiro , Kato Hiroaki , Saito Masanori
Published: July 2017

This study investigated the effects of plowing on the vertical migration of radioactive Cs, air dose rate, and soil physicochemical properties in temperate pastures after radioactive pollution from the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. The study area consisted of three plowed pastures (decontamination treatment) and one non‐plowed pasture at the Kawatabi Field Science Center of Tohoku University, 150 km north of the nuclear power plant. Air dose rate was measured at the top, middle, and bottom of the slope of each pasture. A profile pit (1 m × 3 m) was excavated at each location. Plants, litter and soil samples (from 0 cm to the parent material layer) were collected from all locations during the summer of 2014 to determine the radioactive Cs concentration. Particle size distribution and bulk density of the soil samples were also measured. Air dose rate was higher on the non‐plowed (0.090–0.097 μSv h−1) than that on the plowed (0.047–0.073 μSv h−1) pastures. Radioactive Cs concentration was high in the litter layer (207–475 Bq kg−1 dry matter [DM]) and the topsoil (0–2.5 cm depth; 412–1139 Bq kg−1 DM) in the non‐plowed pasture. In the plowed pastures, these variables did not differ within the 0–40 cm layer. In the non‐plowed pasture, there were high sand (37.0%) and low silt (61.4%) proportions at 10–20 cm and the topsoil had a high bulk density. In the plowed pastures, these variables were similar within the 0–20 cm layer. The bulk density (P < 0.001) and organic matter content (P < 0.05) had significant relationships with the concentration of radioactive Cs. These results indicate that plowing reduced air dose rate.
The song of Skylarks Alauda arvensis indicates the deterioration of an acoustic environment resulting from wind farm start‐up
Authors: Szymański Paweł , Deoniziak Krzysztof , Łosak Katarzyna , Osiejuk Tomasz S.
Published: July 2017

The rapid development of wind energy may have negative effects on bird populations, including collisions with turbines, displacement due to disturbance or habitat loss, indirect effects of reduced breeding success and barrier effects. This challenging conservation issue has attracted a great deal of interest, but the noise generated by turbines has been largely overlooked. Here, we studied acoustic behaviour of Skylarks Alauda arvensis in relation to wind farm start‐up to assess whether a change in song parameters can indicate a deterioration in the acoustic environment. We recorded territorial males displaying close to operating and non‐operating turbines and at a control site without turbines. In the following breeding season, we undertook replications at the same sites, except that the non‐operating turbines were now in operation. We found that Skylarks displaying at the wind farm were affected by wind turbine noise. Males singing close to operating wind turbines sang higher‐frequency songs than males from a control site and those that displayed near non‐operating turbines. In addition, an upward frequency shift in songs was observed when non‐operating turbines started to operate in the consecutive season. We therefore conclude that the frequency shift observed did not result from turbine presence, but from the noise they started to generate. This shows that a change in song parameters may reliably and within a relatively short time indicate a significant deterioration of the acoustic environment as a consequence of wind farm start‐up. This may help conservation biologists to identify species and populations that are particularly susceptible to wind farm noise.
Ability of crystal promoters to delay fat bloom development in heat‐resistant compound chocolate with or without the presence of crystal inhibitor
Authors: Rosales Czarina Kristine , Suwonsichon Suntaree , Klinkesorn Utai
Published: July 2017

Three additives that acted as crystal promoters (CP1, CP2 and CP3), at varying concentrations, were studied to determine their effect on fat bloom inhibition in heat‐resistant compound chocolates. CP1 was composed of mono‐ and diglycerides and polyglycerol esters from high‐oleic sunflower oil. CP2 consisted of mono‐ and diglycerides, lecithin and citric acid esters from blended canola oil and palm stearin. CP3 was composed of triglycerides from fully hydrogenated canola oil. Based on instrumental and sensory evaluations, all crystal promoters significantly (P ≤ 0.05) delayed fat bloom formation. Although compound chocolate with 0.25% CP1 showed more rapid bloom development than those with CP2 and CP3, addition of the crystal inhibitor sorbitan tristearate (STS) to the sample at 0.5% concentration further delayed (P ≤ 0.05) fat bloom development. The considerable delay in fat bloom formation suggests that the addition of carefully selected crystal modifier additives can improve the quality of heat‐resistant compound chocolates.
Trust and Hometown Associations in Haitian Post‐Earthquake Reconstruction
Authors: Joseph Sophonie Milande , Irazábal Clara , Désir Alison M.
Published: July 2017

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12, 2010 in Haiti reawakened in the diaspora a strong sense of purpose to focus efforts beyond family remittances towards regional and national development. Yet Haitian hometown associations (HHTAs) in theUSstruggled to establish a strong, organizational structure to respond systematically and effectively to the country's increased post‐earthquake needs. Based on historical analysis, participatory observations, interviews, and comparisons with other diaspora groups’ models for homeland development, we explore how trust within the transnational Haitian nation has been impacted in the post‐earthquake era by cultural conditionings of the past which constrain the scalability, durability, and viability ofHHTAs’ developmental potential to systematically intervene in a coordinated manner regionally and nationally. We examine the ways in which trust – and resistances to it – operates as a mediating lens remobilized by the earthquake for the interpretation of the Haitian past, present, and future.
Thermoelectric performance of SnTe with ZnO carrier compensation, energy filtering, and multiscale phonon scattering
Authors: Zhou Zhiwei , Yang Junyou , Jiang Qinghui , Zhang Dan , Xin Jiwu , Li Xin , Ren Yangyang , He Xu
Published: July 2017

In this work, the thermoelectric properties of SnTe have been regulated synergistically by introduction of n‐type ZnO nanoinclusions. On one hand, the excessive holes in SnTe matrix were compensated properly by n‐type ZnO, and the Seebeck coefficient has been improved greatly due to the carrier energy filtering effect by a large quantity of ZnO‐SnTe hetero‐junction interface barriers; On the other hand, the thermal conductivity gets reduced by the enhanced phonon scattering from multiscale hierarchical architectures. Consequently, a maximum ZT of ~0.9 at 873K has been obtained in the 0.8 wt% sample, which enhances by 112% in comparison with the nanoinclusion‐free sample.
The use of advanced web‐based survey design in Delphi research
Authors: Helms Christopher , Gardner Anne , McInnes Elizabeth
Published: July 2017

Aim

A discussion of the application of metadata, paradata and embedded data in web‐based survey research, using two completed Delphi surveys as examples.

Background

Metadata, paradata and embedded data use in web‐based Delphi surveys has not been described in the literature. The rapid evolution and widespread use of online survey methods imply that paper‐based Delphi methods will likely become obsolete. Commercially available web‐based survey tools offer a convenient and affordable means of conducting Delphi research. Researchers and ethics committees may be unaware of the benefits and risks of using metadata in web‐based surveys.

Design

Discussion paper.

Data sources

Two web‐based, three‐round Delphi surveys were conducted sequentially between August 2014 ‐ January 2015 and April ‐ May 2016. Their aims were to validate the Australian nurse practitioner metaspecialties and their respective clinical practice standards. Our discussion paper is supported by researcher experience and data obtained from conducting both web‐based Delphi surveys.

Implications for nursing

Researchers and ethics committees should consider the benefits and risks of metadata use in web‐based survey methods. Web‐based Delphi research using paradata and embedded data may introduce efficiencies that improve individual participant survey experiences and reduce attrition across iterations. Use of embedded data allows the efficient conduct of multiple simultaneous Delphi surveys across a shorter timeframe than traditional survey methods.

Conclusion

The use of metadata, paradata and embedded data appears to improve response rates, identify bias and give possible explanation for apparent outlier responses, providing an efficient method of conducting web‐based Delphi surveys.
Sexual care for patients receiving dialysis: A cross‐sectional study identifying the role of nurses working in the dialysis department
Authors: van Ek Gaby F. , Gawi Adina , Nicolai Melianthe P. J. , Krouwel Esmée M. , Den Oudsten Brenda L. , Den Ouden Marjolein E. M. , Schaapherder Alexander F. , Putter Hein , Pelger Rob C. M. , Elzevier Henk W.
Published: July 2017

Aims

To explore the role of nurses in the dialysis department in providing sexual care to patients receiving dialysis.

Background

Sexual health is not self‐evident for patients undergoing dialysis; 70% experience sexual dysfunction. Nevertheless, sexual care is often not provided.

Design

A national cross‐sectional survey.

Methods

Questionnaires (n = 1211) were sent to employees of 34 dialysis centres from January–May 2016. Descriptive statistics and statistical tests were used to describe and interpret data.

Results

The response rate was 45.6%. Three‐quarter of nurses discussed sexual dysfunction with less than half of their patients. Main barriers for discussing were based on language and ethnicity (57.3%), culture and religion (54.1%) and the older age of the patient (49.7%). Eighteen per cent of nurses had sufficient knowledge on sexual dysfunction, competence was present in 51.2% of nurses and 68.3% indicated a need for training. Forty‐three per cent knew about guidelines on sexual care by renal care providers. Nurses who rated their knowledge or competence higher or who were aware of guidelines discussed sexuality more often. The accountability for discussing sexuality was appointed to nephrologists (82.8%) and their own group of professionals (66.3%). Nurses referred 1.16% of their patients to sexual care providers.

Conclusion

Dialysis nurses do not consistently address patients’ sexuality, although they feel accountable to do so. This seems due to self‐imposed insufficient knowledge, cultural barriers and organizational problems. Study findings imply that current situation could benefit from guidelines, additional training, a private moment to discuss sexual dysfunction and adequate referral systems to specialized care providers.
Demand for fair value accounting: The case of the asset revaluation boom in Korea during the global financial crisis
Authors: Yoo Choong‐Yuel , Choi Tae Hee , Pae Jinhan
Published: July 2017

When the fair value accounting (FVA) option for property, plant, and equipment was introduced in the midst of the global financial crisis, a significant proportion of Korean firms elected FVA. We attribute this unusual boom in asset revaluations to the nation's culture of government intervention and civilian compliance, which was particularly espoused during this period of financial turmoil, and a foreseeable option to switch back to historical cost accounting. We find that among those firms whose debt‐to‐equity ratios are low, public firms opt for the FVA option more often than private firms, suggesting that the need to communicate fair value information with diversified equity holders is more important than the need to do so with creditors. In contrast, among those firms whose debt‐to‐equity ratios are high enough to warrant such unfavorable dispositions as new debt freezes and monitoring by regulators, we find no difference in the FVA choice between private and public firms. These findings imply that during the global financial crisis, private firms that rely heavily on debt financing have a strong incentive to utilize FVA to comply with government guidelines for the debt‐to‐equity ratio and to ease a potential hold‐up problem by influential creditors.
Telocytes in normal and keratoconic human cornea: an immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopy study
Authors: Marini Mirca , Mencucci Rita , Rosa Irene , Favuzza Eleonora , Guasti Daniele , Ibba‐Manneschi Lidia , Manetti Mirko
Published: July 2017

Telocytes (TC) are typically defined as cells with telopodes by their ultrastructural features. Their presence was reported in the interstitium of various organs in vertebrates, including humans. However, no study has yet described the presence of TC in the human eye and in particular, within the stromal compartment of the cornea. To address this issue, samples of normal and pathologic (keratoconic) human corneas were tested by immunohistochemistry for CD34, platelet‐derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα) and c‐kit/CD117 or examined by transmission electron microscopy. We found that TC coexpressing CD34 and PDGFRα were distributed throughout the whole normal corneal stroma with different TC subtypes being distinguishable on the basis of the expression of the stemness marker c‐kit (i.e. c‐kit‐positive and c‐kit‐negative TC subpopulations). Transmission electron microscopy examination confirmed the existence of spindle‐shaped and bipolar TC typically displaying two long and thin moniliform telopodes establishing intercellular contacts formed by gap junctions. Keratoconic corneas were characterized by ultrastructural damages and patchy loss of TC with an almost complete depletion of the c‐kit‐positive TC subpopulation. We propose that TC may contribute to the maintenance of corneal stromal homoeostasis and that, in particular, the c‐kit‐positive TC subtype might have stemness capacity participating in corneal regeneration and repair processes. Further studies are needed to clarify the differential roles of corneal TC subtypes as well as the possible therapeutic applications of TC in degenerative corneal disorders such as keratoconus.
Influence of the mode of administration on the results of medication adherence questionnaires
Authors: Cabral Ana C. , Moura‐Ramos Mariana , Castel‐Branco Margarida , Caramona Margarida , Fernandez‐Llimos Fernando , Figueiredo Isabel V.
Published: July 2017

Introduction and objectives

Adherence to medication regimen is commonly assessed through questionnaires, some of which are validated via self‐administration. The inadequate health literacy of elderly people pushes researchers to the use of interviews as a method of administration. The aims of this study were to compare the results obtained with an interviewer‐administered and a self‐administered medication adherence questionnaire and to evaluate the consequences of the adherence status classification of individuals.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was performed in which the Medida de Adesão aos Tratamentos adherence questionnaire was administered to adult patients who were taking at least 1 antihypertensive drug. The data were collected in 7 community pharmacies in central Portugal between March 2014 and September 2015 in 2 different phases: in the first phase, the questionnaire was applied during a healthcare professional interview, and the second phase involved a self‐report administration. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted, and the measurement and structural invariances across the application methods were examined.

Results

A sample of 425 patients with a mean age of 68.21 ± 10.56 years participated in the study. The confirmatory factor analysis revealed that both the interview and self‐report had a good fit with the original model, although the self‐report results exhibited a better fit. In the interview administration, we obtained lower values for skewness and higher levels of kurtosis. The patients subjected to the interview administration presented with a 9.7% higher tendency to answer “never” when compared with the self‐administered application, which overestimated adherence.

Conclusions

The interview administration method induced bias that led to a higher percentage of “never” answers and a subsequent overestimation of adherence levels. Self‐report administration should be preferred in the application of medication adherence questionnaires.
Empirical Fuel Consumption and CO2 Emissions of Plug‐In Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Authors: Plötz Patrick , Funke Simon Árpád , Jochem Patrick
Published: July 2017

Plug‐in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) combine electric and conventional propulsion. Official fuel consumption values of PHEVs are based on standardized driving cycles, which show a growing discrepancy with real‐world fuel consumption. However, no comprehensive empirical results on PHEV fuel consumption are available, and the discrepancy between driving cycle and empirical fuel consumption has been conjectured to be large for PHEV. Here, we analyze real‐world fuel consumption data from 2,005 individual PHEVs of five PHEV models and observe large variations in individual fuel consumption with deviation from test‐cycle values in the range of 2% to 120% for PHEV model averages. Deviations are larger for short‐ranged PHEVs. Among others, range and vehicle power are influencing factors for PHEV model fuel consumption with average direct carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions decreasing by 2% to 3% per additional kilometer (km) of electric range. Additional simulations show that PHEVs recharged from renewable electricity can noteworthily reduce well‐to‐wheel CO2 emissions of passenger cars, but electric ranges should not exceed 200 to 300 km since battery production is CO2‐intense. Our findings indicate that regulations should (1) be based on real‐world fuel consumption measurements for PHEV, (2) take into account charging behavior and annual mileages, and (3) incentivize long‐ranged PHEV.
Economic and Environmental Impact Trade‐Offs Related to In‐Water Hull Cleanings of Merchant Vessels
Authors: Pagoropoulos Aris , Kjaer Louise Laumann , Dong Yan , Birkved Morten , McAloone Tim C.
Published: July 2017

Merchant vessels are equipped with antifouling systems to prevent accumulation of marine organisms on the hull—a phenomenon known as fouling. In many cases, however, fouling accumulates and in‐water hull cleaning is required. Hull cleanings are part of a hull management scheme, and although they are an established practice, their associated environmental and economic trade‐offs and conflicts have remained largely unexplored. The purpose of this article is to quantitatively assess both economic and environmental impacts of hull management schemes on the operation of tanker vessels. After identifying induced and avoided costs and environmental impacts from the hull management system, we used both temporally and spatially distributed models to capture the degradation of the antifouling system as well as the global sailing profile of the vessels. Last, we analyzed how each of the modeled impacts varied with the frequency of hull cleanings within the hull management scheme. Our analysis revealed a convex relationship between the frequency of hull cleanings and fuel savings. The higher the frequency of hull cleanings, the less fuel savings can be achieved per cleaning. In terms of costs, from some point on the costs of the service are likely to offset the savings—especially if fuel prices are low. In regards to climate change, avoided emissions due to fuel savings are likely to outweigh the limited impacts from the service itself. Last, while ecosystem impacts from marine, terrestrial, and freshwater eco‐toxicity are likely to increase from hull cleanings, they are subject to high uncertainties.
The effect of dopaminergic medication on conflict adaptation in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Ruitenberg Marit F. L. , Abrahamse Elger L. , Santens Patrick , Notebaert Wim
Published: July 2017

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological disorder associated primarily with motor symptoms such as tremor, slowness of movement, and difficulties with gait and balance. Most patients take dopaminergic medication to improve their motor functions. Previous studies reported indications that such medication can impair higher cognitive functions (cf. dopamine overdose hypothesis). In the present study, we examined the effect of medication status on conflict adaptation. PD patients performed a Stroop task in which we manipulated the proportion of congruent and incongruent items, thereby allowing us to explore conflict adaptation. The use of mouse movements allowed us to examine the action dynamics of conflict adaptation in PD, and their sensitivity to dopaminergic medication. Each patient performed the same task twice: once without making changes to their regular medication regime, and once after overnight withdrawal from their medication. Results showed that medication improved mouse movements and alleviated motor symptoms. Moreover, patients' mouse movements were modulated as a function of the proportion congruency manipulation, revealing conflict adaptation in PD, which was unaffected by medication status. The present study extends earlier work on conflict adaptation in PD where reduced transient (trial‐by‐trial) conflict adaptation was observed ON compared to OFF medication (Duthoo et al., 2013, Neuropsychology, 27, 556). Our findings suggest that more sustained cognitive control processes may not be sensitive to dopamine overdose effects.
An Exploratory Study on Exemplary Practice of Nurse Consultants
Authors: Wong Frances Kam Yuet , Lau Ada Tak Yin , Ng Rebecca , Wong Elaine Wing Yee , Wong So Man , Kan Eva Ching Yee , Liu Eva , Bryant‐Lukosius Denise
Published: July 2017

Purpose

To examine the exemplary practice of nurse consultants (NCs) and derive a model to illustrate the highest level of advanced nursing practice.

Design

A descriptive study was conducted to examine the practice and outcomes of seven NC roles in varied clinical specialties in Hong Kong. Exemplary practice was examined in relation to competencies for advanced practice nursing in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

Methods

Data about NC characteristics and their practices were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Health service documents and clinical notes were analyzed using the framework approach.

Findings

All NCs demonstrated the competence expected of an advanced practice nurse with impacts on patients, nursing profession, and the organization as identified in the advanced nursing practice framework in Hong Kong. NCs also performed at the highest level of practice delineated by Skills for Health in the United Kingdom. They were involved in diagnostic and therapeutic practice, and identified patient satisfaction and symptom management as key outcomes.

Conclusions

This study provides new insight into levels of advanced practice and illustrates the exemplary work of NCs to demonstrate how they have developed and shaped services to bring about positive patient and organizational outcomes. Career laddering that places NCs at the highest level of advanced practice is important for making the best use of nursing expertise to achieve optimal patient and organizational outcomes.

Clinical Relevance

This study addresses a knowledge gap to enrich our current understanding of the impact of advanced practice nursing roles by linking NC role practices and competencies to key outcomes.
Patterns of world wheat trade, 1945–2010: The long hangover from the second food regime
Authors: González‐Esteban Ángel Luis
Published: July 2017

Food regime analysis is concerned with interpreting possibilities and conflicts inherent to the 21st‐century food system in historical terms. This paper summarizes the theoretical discussion of the food regime method, and of the identification of different “food regime periods” throughout modern history. While it is widely accepted that the so‐called “second food regime” has already ended, there is much discussion on whether or not it is possible to talk about a more recent third food regime. This paper traces the evolution of the “wheat complex” over the “second food regime” (1947–1973) and over the next 45 years, and offers an explanation for the evolution of world wheat trade distribution, based on food regime analysis. Certain authors have claimed that the collapse of the WTO Doha round of negotiations may be understood as a “hangover” from the second food regime. Similarly, this paper argues that the increasing wheat dependence of poor and insecure countries over the past 40 years may be considered as a path dependence outcome of a process initiated during the second food regime.
A Geometrical Approach to Giffen Behavior: The Epstein and Spiegel Utility Function Revisited
Authors: Fujimoto Masaki
Published: July 2017

Weber (The Manchester School, Vol. 69 (2001), No. 6, pp. 616–622) has asserted that if we treat the production function of Epstein and Spiegel (The Manchester School, Vol. 68 (2000), No. 5, pp. 503–515) as a utility function, then an inferior good exhibits Giffen behavior at certain prices and income levels. This paper shows that it is not correct. Furthermore, we develop a geometrical method (i) to identify a region in a consumption set where Giffen behavior appears, (ii) to show that Giffen behavior can be categorized into two types: ‘subsistence‐driven’ and ‘satiation‐driven’, and (iii) to present a new class of Giffen utility functions.
Type IX secretion: the generation of bacterial cell surface coatings involved in virulence, gliding motility and the degradation of complex biopolymers
Authors: Veith Paul D. , Glew Michelle D. , Gorasia Dhana G. , Reynolds Eric C.
Published: July 2017

The Type IX secretion system (T9SS) is present in over 1000 sequenced species/strains of the Fibrobacteres‐Chlorobi‐Bacteroidetes superphylum. Proteins secreted by the T9SS have an N‐terminal signal peptide for translocation across the inner membrane via the SEC translocon and a C‐terminal signal for secretion across the outer membrane via the T9SS. Nineteen protein components of the T9SS have been identified including three, SigP, PorX and PorY that are involved in regulation. The inner membrane proteins PorL and PorM and the outer membrane proteins PorK and PorN interact and a complex comprising PorK and PorN forms a large ring structure of 50 nm in diameter. PorU, PorV, PorQ and PorZ form an attachment complex on the cell surface of the oral pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis. P. gingivalis T9SS substrates bind to PorV suggesting that after translocation PorV functions as a shuttle protein to deliver T9SS substrates to the attachment complex. The PorU component of the attachment complex is a novel Gram negative sortase which catalyses the cleavage of the C‐terminal signal and conjugation of the protein substrates to lipopolysaccharide, anchoring them to the cell surface. This review presents an overview of the T9SS focusing on the function of T9SS substrates and machinery components.
Anti‐feeding and insecticidal efficacy of a topical administration of dinotefuran–pyriproxyfen–permethrin spot‐on (Vectra® 3D) on mice against Stegomyia albopicta (= Aedes albopictus)
Authors: TAHIR D. , DAVOUST B. , ALMERAS L. , BERENGER J. M. , VARLOUD M. , PAROLA P.
Published: July 2017

An ectoparasiticide combining three active ingredients [dinotefuran, permethrin and pyriproxyfen (DPP)] was used in mice in an experiment designed to evaluate its anti‐feeding and insecticidal efficacy against Stegomyia albopicta (= Aedes albopictus) (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes. Twenty‐two adult mice were randomly allocated into two groups consisting of an untreated control group and a DPP‐treated group. Mice were exposed individually for 1 h to a mean ± standard deviation of 27 ± 2 starved female mosquitoes on days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 post‐treatment. At the end of the exposure (1 h), mosquitoes were assessed for immediate survival and engorgement status. Additionally, live mosquitoes in both groups were incubated separately and observed for mortality at 24 h after the end of the exposure. The anti‐feeding efficacy of DPP after the 1‐h exposure period was 99.2, 100, 98.0, 89.3 and 87.4% at 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, respectively. Levels of insecticidal efficacy evaluated at 1 h and 24 h after exposure on days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 were 36.7, 28.9, 30.8, 23.1 and 11.9%, and 68.4, 45.0, 43.3, 37.9 and 19.9%, respectively. Based on the mouse model, the present study demonstrates that the DPP combination has significant anti‐feeding and insecticidal efficacy against S. albopicta for at least 4 weeks.
Seasonal dynamics of the tick Haemaphysalis tibetensis in the Tibetan Plateau, China
Authors: LIU M. , LI T. , YU Z. J. , QIU Z. X. , YAN P. , LI Y. , LIU J.
Published: July 2017

The tick Haemaphysalis tibetensis (Acari: Ixodidae) Hoogstraal is an important arthropod vector widespread in the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, and knowledge of its seasonal dynamics is still poor. The current study investigated the seasonal dynamics of the parasitic and non‐parasitic H. tibetensis over a 2‐year period from March 2014 to February 2016 in the Tibetan Plateau, China. During this timeframe, non‐parasitic ticks were collected weekly by flag‐dragging in grassland and shrubland areas, and parasitic ticks were removed weekly from selected sheep. Plateau pikas were captured using traps and examined for immature ticks between May to September 2014. Results suggest that non‐parasitic H. tibetensis were mainly distributed in the grassland, and the parasitic adults and nymphs were found mostly on sheep. Larvae were usually found on Plateau pikas and the prevalence of infestation and mean parasitic intensity were 72.1 and 1.81%, respectively. Adults were observed from March to July with the major peak occurring in mid‐April. Nymphs were found from March to August and reached a peak in late June. Larvae were collected from April to September, and their numbers peaked in late May. In the parasitic and non‐parasitic period, the overall sex ratio of males to females was 1.62 and 1.30, respectively. Results show that H. tibetensis can complete one generation per year, with a population overlap between stages over the spring‐summer months. These findings provide additional information on the biology and ecology of H. tibetensis as well as insights on its control in the environment and on sheep.
The Best Predictors of Survival: Do They Vary by Age, Sex, and Race?
Authors: Goldman Noreen , Glei Dana A. , Weinstein Maxine
Published: July 2017

We consider a broad set of variables used by social scientists and clinicians to identify the leading predictors of five‐year survival among American adults. We address a question not considered in earlier research: Do the strongest predictors of survival vary by age, sex or race/ethnicity? The analysis uses hazard models with 30 well‐established predictors to examine five‐year survival in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We find that the simple measure of self‐assessed health and self‐reported measures of functional ability and disability are the strongest predictors in all demographic groups, and are generally ranked considerably higher than biomarkers. Among the biomarkers, serum albumin is highly ranked in most demographic groups, whereas clinical measures of cardiovascular and metabolic function are consistently among the weakest predictors. Despite these similarities, there is substantial variation in the leading predictors across demographic groups, most notably by race and ethnicity
Comparative experimental taphonomy of eight marine arthropods indicates distinct differences in preservation potential
Authors: Klompmaker Adiël A. , Portell Roger W. , Frick Michael G.
Published: July 2017

Global biodiversity patterns in deep time can only be understood fully when the relative preservation potential of each clade is known. The relative preservation potential of marine arthropod clades, a diverse and ecologically important component of modern and past ecosystems, is poorly known. We tackled this issue by carrying out a 205‐day long comprehensive, comparative, taphonomic experiment in a laboratory by scoring up to ten taphonomic characters for multiple specimens of seven crustacean and one chelicerate species (two true crabs, one shrimp, one lobster, one hermit crab, one stomatopod, one barnacle and one horseshoe crab). Although the results are preliminary because we used a single experimental setup and algal growth partially hampered observations, some parts of hermit crabs, stomatopods, swimming crabs and barnacles decayed slowly relative to other parts, implying differential preservation potentials within species, largely consistent with the fossil record of these groups. An inferred parasitic isopod, manifested by a bopyriform swelling within a hermit crab carapace, decayed relatively fast. We found limited variation in the decay rate between conspecifics, and we did not observe size‐related trends in decay rate. Conversely, substantial differences in the decay rate between species were seen after c. 50 days, with shrimps and stomatopods decaying fastest, suggesting a relatively low preservation potential, whereas the lobster, calico crabs, horseshoe crabs and barnacles showed relatively slow decay rates, suggesting a higher preservation potential. These results are supported by two modern and fossil record‐based preservation potential metrics that are significantly correlated to decay rate ranks. Furthermore, we speculate that stemward slippage may not be ubiquitous in marine arthropods. Our results imply that diversity studies of true crabs, lobsters, horseshoe crabs and barnacles are more likely to yield patterns that are closer to their true biodiversity patterns than those for stomatopods, shrimps and hermit crabs.
Membrane topology and identification of key residues of EaDAcT, a plant MBOAT with unusual substrate specificity
Authors: Tran Tam N. T. , Shelton Jennifer , Brown Susan , Durrett Timothy P.
Published: July 2017

Euonymus alatus diacylglycerol acetyltransferase (EaDAcT) catalyzes the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl‐CoA to the sn‐3 position of diacylglycerol to form 3‐acetyl‐1,2‐diacyl‐sn‐glycerol (acetyl‐TAG). EaDAcT belongs to a small, plant‐specific subfamily of the membrane bound O‐acyltransferases (MBOAT) that acylate different lipid substrates. Sucrose gradient density centrifugation revealed that EaDAcT colocalizes to the same fractions as an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐specific marker. By mapping the membrane topology of EaDAcT, we obtained an experimentally determined topology model for a plant MBOAT. The EaDAcT model contains four transmembrane domains (TMDs), with both the N‐ and C‐termini orientated toward the lumen of the ER. In addition, there is a large cytoplasmic loop between the first and second TMDs, with the MBOAT signature region of the protein embedded in the third TMD close to the interface between the membrane and the cytoplasm. During topology mapping, we discovered two cysteine residues (C187 and C293) located on opposite sides of the membrane that are important for enzyme activity. In order to identify additional amino acid residues important for acetyltransferase activity, we isolated and characterized acetyltransferases from other acetyl‐TAG‐producing plants. Among them, the acetyltransferase from Euonymus fortunei possessed the highest activity in vivo and in vitro. Mutagenesis of conserved amino acids revealed that S253, H257, D258 and V263 are essential for EaDAcT activity. Alteration of residues unique to the acetyltransferases did not alter the unique acyl donor specificity of EaDAcT, suggesting that multiple amino acids are important for substrate recognition.
Implementing a protocol to optimize blood use in a cardiac surgery service: results of a pre‐post analysis and the impact of high‐volume blood users
Authors: Grau Juan B. , Fortier Jacqueline H. , Kuschner Cyrus , Ferrari Giovanni , Brizzio Mariano E. , Zapolanski Alex , Shaw Richard E.
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Blood transfusions are a common and costly intervention for cardiac surgery patients. Evidence suggests that a more restrictive transfusion strategy may reduce costs and transfusion‐related complications without increasing perioperative morbidity and mortality.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A transfusion‐limiting protocol was developed and implemented in a cardiovascular surgery unit. Over a 5‐year period, data were collected on patient characteristics, procedures, utilization of blood products, morbidity, and mortality, and these were compared before and after the protocol was implemented.

RESULTS

After the protocol was put in place, fewer patients required transfusions (38.2% vs. 45.5%, p = 0.004), with the greatest reduction observed in postoperative blood use (29.1% vs. 37.2%, p = 0.001). In‐hospital morbidity and mortality did not increase. When patients who received transfusions were stratified by procedure, the protocol was most effective in reducing transfusions for patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG; 4.09 units vs. 2.51 units, p = 0.009) and CABG plus valve surgery (10.32 units vs. 4.77 units, p = 0.014). A small group of patients were disproportionate recipients of transfusions, with approximately 6% of all patients receiving approximately half of the blood products.

CONCLUSION

A protocol to limit transfusions decreased the proportion of cardiothoracic surgery patients who received blood products. A very small group of patients received a large number of transfusions, and within that group the observed mortality was significantly higher than in the general patient population. Current protocols cannot possibly account for these patients, and this should be considered when analyzing the performance of protocols designed to reduce unnecessary transfusions.
High hepatitis E virus antibody positive rates in dogs and humans exposed to dogs in the south‐west of China
Authors: Zeng M. Y. , Gao H. , Yan X. X. , Qu W. J. , Sun Y. K. , Fu G. W. , Yan Y. L.
Published: July 2017

Hepatitis E (HE) is a zoonotic viral disease caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV). The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of HEV infection among dogs and humans exposed to dogs in the south‐west region of China. A total of 4,490 dog serum samples and 2,206 relative practitioner serum samples were collected from 18 pet hospitals and dog farms in Yunnan, Sichuan and Guizhou province, and the anti‐HEV IgG antibodies were detected by ELISA. The results showed that the total positive rate of anti‐HEV antibodies was 36.55% with the highest rate in city stray dogs, and the differences in distinct species and growth phases were significant. The positive rate of anti‐HEV antibody in veterinarian and farm staff‐related practitioners was significantly higher than the general population. The finding of the present survey suggested that high HEV seroprevalence in dogs and humans exposed to dogs in the south‐west area of China poses a significant public health concern. It is urgent to improve integrated strategies to detect, prevent and control HEV infection in dogs and humans exposed to dogs in this area.
Acetylcholine‐dependent upregulation of TASK‐1 channels in thalamic interneurons by a smooth muscle‐like signalling pathway
Authors: Leist Michael , Rinné Susanne , Datunashvili Maia , Aissaoui Ania , Pape Hans‐Christian , Decher Niels , Meuth Sven G. , Budde Thomas
Published: July 2017

Key points

The ascending brainstem transmitter acetylcholine depolarizes thalamocortical relay neurons while it induces hyperpolarization in local circuit inhibitory interneurons.

Sustained K+ currents are modulated in thalamic neurons to control their activity modes; for the interneurons the molecular nature of the underlying ion channels is as yet unknown.

Activation of TASK‐1 K+ channels results in hyperpolarization of interneurons and suppression of their action potential firing.

The modulation cascade involves a non‐receptor tyrosine kinase, c‐Src.

The present study identifies a novel pathway for the activation of TASK‐1 channels in CNS neurons that resembles cholinergic signalling and TASK‐1 current modulation during hypoxia in smooth muscle cells.

The dorsal part of the lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) is the main thalamic site for state‐dependent transmission of visual information. Non‐retinal inputs from the ascending arousal system and inhibition provided by γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic local circuit interneurons (INs) control neuronal activity within the dLGN. In particular, acetylcholine (ACh) depolarizes thalamocortical relay neurons by inhibiting two‐pore domain potassium (K2P) channels. Conversely, ACh also hyperpolarizes INs via an as‐yet‐unknown mechanism. By using whole cell patch‐clamp recordings in brain slices and appropriate pharmacological tools we here report that stimulation of type 2 muscarinic ACh receptors induces IN hyperpolarization by recruiting the G‐protein βγ subunit (Gβγ), class‐1A phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐bisphosphate 3‐kinase, and cellular and sarcoma (c‐Src) tyrosine kinase, leading to activation of two‐pore domain weakly inwardly rectifying K+ channel (TWIK)‐related acid‐sensitive K+ (TASK)‐1 channels. The latter was confirmed by the use of TASK‐1‐deficient mice. Furthermore inhibition of phospholipase Cβ as well as an increase in the intracellular level of phosphatidylinositol‐3,4,5‐trisphosphate facilitated the muscarinic effect. Our results have uncovered a previously unknown role of c‐Src tyrosine kinase in regulating IN function in the brain and identified a novel mechanism by which TASK‐1 channels are activated in neurons.
A reduction in SK channels contributes to increased activity of hypothalamic magnocellular neurons during heart failure
Authors: Ferreira‐Neto Hildebrando C. , Biancardi Vinicia C. , Stern Javier E.
Published: July 2017

Key points

Small conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ (SK) channels play an important role in regulating the excitability of magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs). Although an increased SK channel function contributes to adaptive physiological responses, it remains unknown whether changes in SK channel function/expression contribute to exacerbated MNC activity under disease conditions.

We show that the input–output function of MNCs in heart failure (HF) rats is enhanced. Moreover, the SK channel blocker apamin enhanced the input–output function in sham, although not in HF rats.

We found that both the after‐hyperpolarizing potential magnitude and the underlying apamin‐sensitive IAHP are blunted in MNCs from HF rats.

The magnitude of spike‐induced increases in intracellular Ca2+ levels was not affected in MNCs of HF rats.

We found a diminished expression of SK2/SK3 channel subunit mRNA expression in the supraoptic nucleus of HF rats.

Our studies suggest that a reduction in SK channel expression, but not changes in Ca2+‐mediated activation of SK channels, contributes to exacerbated MNC activity in HF rats.

Small conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channels (SK) play an important role in regulating the activity of magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) and hormone release from the posterior pituitary. Moreover, enhanced SK activity contributes to the adaptive responses of MNCs to physiological challenge, such as lactation. Nevertheless, whether changes in SK function/expression contribute to exacerbated MNC activity during diseases such as heart failure (HF) remains unknown. In the present study, we used a combination of patch clamp electrophysiology, confocal Ca2+ imaging and molecular biology in a rat model of ischaemic HF. We found that the input–output function of MNCs was enhanced in HF compared to sham rats. Moreover, although the SK blocker apamin (200 nm) strengthened the input–output function in sham rats, it failed to have an effect in HF rats. The magnitude of the after‐hyperpolarizing potential (AHP) following a train of spikes and the underlying apamin‐sensitive IAHP were blunted in MNCs from HF rats. However, spike‐induced increases in intracellular Ca2+ were not affected in the MNCs of HF rats. Real‐time PCR measurements of SK channel subunits mRNA in supraoptic nucleus punches revealed a diminished expression of SK2/SK3 subunits in HF compared to sham rats. Together, our studies demonstrate that MNCs from HF rats exhibit increased membrane excitability and an enhanced input–output function, and also that a reduction in SK channel‐mediated, apamin‐sensitive AHP is a critical contributing mechanism. Moreover, our results suggest that the reduced AHP is related to a down‐regulation of SK2/SK3 channel subunit expression but not the result of a blunted activity‐dependent intracellular Ca2+ increase following a burst of action potentials.
Robust Iterative Learning Control for Vibration Suppression of Industrial Robot Manipulators
Authors: Wang Cong , Zheng Minghui , Wang Zining , Peng Cheng , Tomizuka Masayoshi
Published: July 2017

Vibration suppression is of fundamental importance to the performance of industrial robot manipulators. Cost constraints, however, limit the design options of servo and sensing systems. The resulting low drive-train stiffness and lack of direct load-side measurement make it difficult to reduce the vibration of the robot's end-effector and hinder the application of robot manipulators to many demanding industrial applications. This paper proposes a few ideas of iterative learning control (ILC) for vibration suppression of industrial robot manipulators. Compared to the state-of-the-art techniques such as the dual-stage ILC method and the two-part Gaussian process regression (GPR) method, the proposed method adopts a two degrees-of-freedom (2DOF) structure and gives a very lean formulation as well as improved effects. Moreover, in regards to the system variations brought by the nonlinear dynamics of robot manipulators, two robust formulations are developed and analyzed. The proposed methods are explained using simulation studies and validated using an actual industrial robot manipulator.