bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity and potential of heather (Erica spp.) extracts in the control of Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Santos Anabela , Luís Ângelo , Ferreira Susana , Duarte Ana P.
Published: November 2018

In this work, heather and its flowers were studied regarding their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Plants were subjected to ultrasound‐assisted methanolic extraction followed by fractionation. A phytochemical characterisation of extracts content in total phenols and flavonoids, and their antioxidant activity was performed. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated through the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration and by bioautography. Following, studies on the antilisterial potential were carried out by: time‐kill curves, inhibition of biofilm formation and tolerance of Listeria monocytogenes to adverse conditions. The results evidenced the antioxidant activity in both extracts, as well as, the antimicrobial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria. Concerning the evaluation of the antilisterial potential, a bacteriostatic behaviour and inhibition of biofilms formation ability were observed. Listeria monocytogenes showed an increased susceptibility to adverse conditions when preincubated with extracts. Thus, heather and its flowers may be a source of new compounds with antilisterial activity potential.
Extended care unit: a feasible economic solution for longer‐term palliative inpatients
Authors: Wong Aaron K. , Moran Juli A.
Published: November 2018

Palliative patients who cannot go home are placed into nursing homes. This involves moving between up to five locations in the final weeks of life. We censored all inpatients on a single day from a large tertiary centre to investigate the feasibility of a proposed extended care unit to accommodate patients with a prognosis of less than 90 days, unable to return home, and with nursing home referral process commenced. This study identifies a present demand for an extended care unit (15 patients identified), outlines admission criteria, and proposes a funding model that is predicted to save hospital costs (savings of $207.70 per patient per bed day). This patient‐focused approach is a feasible economic solution to the current unmet needs of this patient demographic.
Experience of establishing an acute geriatric outreach service versus subacute service to nursing homes
Authors: Chan Daniel K. Y. , Liu Frank X. , Irwanto Deni , Prasetyo Davin , Ozorio Gerard , Li Feika , Smith Matthew , Sharma Anurag , Chen Jack
Published: November 2018

To share our experience of establishing an acute outreach service to nursing homes and to evaluate the impact of such service on emergency department presentations, data were drawn from a pre‐existing database from 2013 to 2017. Of the 986 acute patients treated in 12 nursing homes over a 23‐month period, the acute geriatric outreach service was shown to be safe, with few adverse events (one allergic reaction) and 5.3% of patients required transfer to hospital. The acute service decreased emergency department presentation of nursing home patients by 10% compared to the subacute service (incidence rate ratio = 0.90; 95% confidence interval: 0.84–0.96; P = 0.001). Cost–benefit analysis showed for every $1 spent, a saving of $5 was realised.
C‐reactive protein levels in acute respiratory exacerbations of cystic fibrosis
Authors: Kathriachchige Gayan , Daley Christopher , Pallin Michael , Polkinghorne Kevan , King Paul T.
Published: November 2018

C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels increase in response to bacterial infection and have been used to guide the use of antibiotics. We assessed CRP levels in a cohort of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) admitted to hospital with an exacerbation of their lung disease, requiring treatment with broad‐spectrum antibiotics. In this group, most subjects had CRP levels of less than 20 mg/L, including patients who had pneumonia. The clinical utility of the CRP in guiding antibiotic use in exacerbations of CF is limited.
Reduction in internal friction in silica glass with high OH content
Authors: Lunin Boris S. , Tokmakov Kirill V.
Published: November 2018

The aim of this article was to investigate processes occurring during annealing of silica glass classified as being of type III (J Non Cryst Solids. 1970;5(2):123‐75). This is an inexpensive silica glass produced by many manufacturers across the globe. However, it can be successfully used for fabrication of high‐Q mechanical resonators. The relationship between residual internal stress and internal friction is elucidated. Quantitative analysis of the structural relaxation kinetics is presented. The influence of the cooling process for structural transformation is also discussed. On the basis of our results, we suggest optimal annealing conditions for minimizing internal friction type III silica glass. The results will be useful for further improvement of the Q‐factor of mechanical resonators, including the test masses of the next generation of gravitational wave detectors. Our approach might, in addition, be used for studying the modification of atomic structure in multicomponent glasses.
A low temperature approach for photo/cathodoluminescent Gd2O2S:Tb (GOS:Tb) nanophosphors
Authors: Wang Xuejiao , Meng Qinghong , Li Meiting , Wang Xiaojun , Wang Zhihao , Zhu Qi , Li Ji‐Guang
Published: November 2018

Titrating the aqueous solution of equimolar RE(NO3)3 and (NH4)2SO4 with NH4OH to pH~9 at ~4°C produced an amorphous precursor that yielded phase‐pure and well‐dispersed RE2O2S nanopowder (RE = Gd0.99Tb0.01; GOS:Tb) via a RE2O2SO4 intermediate upon annealing in H2. The powders calcined at the typical temperatures of 700/1200°C exhibited unimodal size distributions and have the average crystallize sizes of ~17/55 nm, average particle sizes of ~284/420 nm, and specific surface areas of ~14.62/4.53 m2/g (equivalent particle sizes: ~56/180 nm). The 1200°C product exhibited sharp green luminescence at ~544 nm (FWHM = 2.3 nm; λex = 275 nm), with an absolute quantum yield of ~24.8% and a fluorescence lifetime of ~1.34 ms at room temperature. It was also shown that the powder possesses favorable thermal stability (the activation energy for thermal quenching of luminescence ~0.305 eV) and is stable under electron beam irradiation up to 7 kV and 50 μA. The synthetic technique has the advantages of scalability and favorable dispersion and high chemical/phase purity for GOS powder, which may allow the sintering of scintillation ceramics at lower temperatures.
Composition‐driven broad phase boundary for optimizing properties and stability in lead‐free barium titanate ceramics
Authors: Zhao Chunlin , Wu Bo , Wu Jiagang
Published: November 2018

A new piezoelectric system of (1−x−y)BaTiO3‐yCaZrO3‐xBaSnO3 (BT‐yCZ‐xBS) was designed to achieve enhanced piezoelectric/strain properties and temperature stability. First, the relationships between composition, phase, and electrical properties are systematically investigated. The broad phase boundary with successive rhombohedral‐orthorhombic (R‐O) and orthorhombic‐tetragonal (O‐T) was obtained in 0.04 ≤ x ≤ 0.05 and 0.04 ≤ y ≤ 0.07 by tailoring the relationship of composition and phase structure, confirmed by X‐ray diffraction, temperature‐dependent dielectric constants, and Raman spectra. The optimized piezoelectric coefficient of d33 = 560 pC/N, high strain of >0.20%, and large converse piezoelectric coefficient of d33* = 1170 pm/V were realized. Second, the optimized piezoelectricity both demonstrate a stable performance with fluctuation <8% for d33* and 20% for d33 between 22 and 60°C since the broad phase boundary is exhibited in this temperature range. We believe that this work is a successful example to optimize piezoelectric properties and enhance the stability for piezoceramics.
African shrub distribution emerges via a trade‐off between height and sapwood conductivity
Authors: Gaillard Camille , Langan Liam , Pfeiffer Mirjam , Kumar Dushyant , Martens Carola , Higgins Steven I. , Scheiter Simon
Published: November 2018

Aim

Shrubs are multistemmed woody plants and are a successful growth form in many ecosystems globally. Ecosystems such as the Fynbos in South Africa or mediterranean shrublands are dominated by a dense shrub cover. In savannas, shrubs are a major vegetation component. Despite the importance of shrubs at the global scale, they are, in contrast to trees, often understudied both in empirical and modelling studies. We define shrub and tree strategies by a trade‐off between water uptake capacity and height growth, and aim to explore if this trade‐off allows us to explain shrub distribution.

Location

Sub‐Saharan Africa

Methods

We improve a dynamic vegetation model, the adaptive Dynamic Global Vegetation Model version 2 (aDGVM2), to simulate shrubs as multistemmed woody plants, based on a trade‐off between rapid height growth in single‐stemmed trees and efficient water uptake in multistemmed shrubs.

Results

We show that, in aDGVM2, (a) the implemented trade‐off allows a multistemmed shrub strategy to emerge and is sufficient to simulate the broad distribution of shrubs in African savannas; (b) fire and aridity promote shrubs at the expense of trees and grasses; and (c) the presence of shrubs influences competitive interactions between grasses and woody vegetation.

Main conclusion

We provide a novel approach to simulate shrubs in a dynamic vegetation model. This approach enhances our understanding of the distribution of shrubs, but further work is required for arid and mediterranean shrublands. We conclude that introducing fundamental trade‐offs between growth forms into vegetation models can improve vegetation representation.
The theory of island biogeography, the sample‐area effect, and the habitat diversity hypothesis: complementarity in a naturally fragmented landscape of lake islands
Authors: MacDonald Zachary G. , Anderson Iraleigh D. , Acorn John H. , Nielsen Scott E.
Published: November 2018

Aim

Investigate relationships between fragmentation and species diversity in the context of the theory of island biogeography, sample‐area effect, and habitat diversity hypothesis.

Location

Lake of the Woods, Canada.

Taxon

Vascular plants

Methods

Vascular plant species diversity was inventoried on 30 islands, organized into two island sets. Each island set contained four size classes that varied in degree of fragmentation while controlling for the sample‐area effect (small island set: 8 × 0.1‐ha, 4 × 0.2‐ha, 2 × 0.4‐ha, and 1 × 0.8‐ha islands; large island set: identical pattern utilizing 1.0‐ha to 8.0‐ha islands). Fragmentation effects were then examined usingSLOSS‐based analyses, addressing whether single large or several small islands contained more species/habitats: (a) direct comparisons of species and habitat richness across size classes; (b) extrapolations of species–area relationships; and (c) analyses of species and habitat accumulation curves. Multigroup path analysis was next used to quantify effects of habitat diversity, island area, and isolation on species richness for both island sets. Finally, pairwise and multiple‐site dissimilarity was estimated for both species and habitats across 0.1‐ha and 1.0‐ha islands to investigate whether: (a) variation in species composition was related to habitat composition; and (b) species dissimilarity increased with inter‐island distance.

Results

SLOSS‐based analyses indicated that several small islands contained more species than single large islands in both island sets. This pattern was also observed for habitats, but only in the small islands set. Path analysis suggested that island area had significant direct and indirect (mediated by habitat diversity) effects on species richness. Habitat diversity and island isolation had significant positive and negative effects on species richness, respectively, independent of island area. Species and habitat dissimilarities were significantly related across 0.1‐ha but not 1.0‐ha islands, and showed no relationship to inter‐island distance.

Main conclusions

The overall positive relationship between fragmentation and species richness may be attributed to greater habitat diversity and increased species dissimilarity across smaller islands relative to larger islands. However, negative isolation effects indicate that landscape configuration is still an important conservation consideration. These results each align with different predictions of the theory of island biogeography, sample‐area effect, and habitat diversity hypothesis, questioning the exclusivity of these theoretical frameworks.
Climatic niche evolution in turtles is characterized by phylogenetic conservatism for both aquatic and terrestrial species
Authors: Rodrigues João Fabrício M. , Villalobos Fabricio , Iverson John B. , Diniz‐Filho José Alexandre F.
Published: November 2018

Understanding how the climatic niche of species evolved has been a topic of high interest in current theoretical and applied macroecological studies. However, little is known regarding how species traits might influence climatic niche evolution. Here, we evaluated patterns of climatic niche evolution in turtles (tortoises and freshwater turtles) and whether species habitat (terrestrial or aquatic) influences these patterns. We used phylogenetic, climatic and distribution data for 261 species to estimate their climatic niches. Then, we compared whether niche overlap between sister species was higher than between random species pairs and evaluated whether niche optima and rates varied between aquatic and terrestrial species. Sister species had higher values of niche overlap than random species pairs, suggesting phylogenetic climatic niche conservatism in turtles. The climatic niche evolution of the group followed an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck model with different optimum values for aquatic and terrestrial species, but we did not find consistent evidence of differences in their rates of climatic niche evolution. We conclude that phylogenetic climatic niche conservatism occurs among turtle species. Furthermore, terrestrial and aquatic species occupy different climatic niches but these seem to have evolved at similar evolutionary rates, reinforcing the importance of habitat in understanding species climatic niches and their evolution.
Harsh conditions during early development influence telomere length in an altricial passerine: Links with oxidative stress and corticosteroids
Authors: Gil Diego , Alfonso‐Iñiguez Sergio , Pérez‐Rodríguez Lorenzo , Muriel Jaime , Monclús Raquel
Published: November 2018

Stress during early development can induce substantial long‐term effects in organisms. In the case of birds, despite growth compensations, nestlings reared under harsh conditions typically show reduced survival chances in adulthood. It has been proposed that environmental early‐life stressors could affect longevity via effects on telomere length, possibly mediated through oxidative stress. However, the link between these processes is not clear. In this study, we experimentally manipulated brood size in spotless starlings (Sturnus unicolor) to test the causal relationship between early stress, oxidative and corticosterone‐mediated stress and telomere shortening. Our results show that experimentally enlarged brood sizes led to a reduction in morphometric development on nestlings, the effect being stronger for females than males. Additionally, basal corticosterone levels increased with increasing brood size in female nestlings. Neither plasma antioxidant status nor malondialdehyde levels (a marker of lipid peroxidation) were affected by experimental brood size, although the levels of a key intracellular antioxidant (glutathione) decreased with increasing brood size. We found that the treatment showed a quadratic effect on nestling telomere lengths: these were shortened either by increases or by decreases in the original brood size. Our study provides experimental evidence for a link between developmental stress and telomere length, but does not support a direct causal link of this reduction with corticosterone or oxidative stress. We suggest that future studies should focus on how telomere length responds to additional markers of allostatic load.
New observations and ontogenetic transformation of photogenic tissues in the tubeshoulder Sagamichthys schnakenbecki (Platytroctidae, Alepocephaliformes)
Authors: Poulsen Jan Y.
Published: November 2018

Several species of the luminescent tubeshoulder fish (family Platytroctidae) show extensive ontogenetic transformations in the development of bioluminescent structures from larvae to adults. Several types of luminescent tissues are present in platytroctids, although these tissues are poorly known for most species because specimens are rarely observed. The present study describes the ontogenetic transformation of photogenic structures in Sagamichthys schnakenbecki, a species that is found in meso and bathy‐pelagic depths of the Atlantic Ocean. Five newly described luminous structures are included in addition to a review of all known bioluminescent tissues described in the family. The newly discovered photogenic tissues were observed at the pectoral‐fin base in early juveniles, as a pair of large globule‐like tissues inside the caudal peduncle of early juveniles, at the pelvic girdle of late juveniles and early adults and as photogenic tissue observed as pigment over the cleithral bone in adults. A peculiar skin‐slit structure, which was observed only in S. schnakenbecki, is described and discussed. Skin slits were associated with certain bioluminescent structures during the transformation into adulthood. In addition, coI sequence data from nine of 13 recognized platytroctid genera were used to construct the first molecular phylogenetic tree for the family. Finally, the first photographic evidence of the rarely observed luminous discharge of a tubeshoulder shoulder organ is presented from observations off south‐east Greenland.
Olfactorily‐mediated cortisol response to chemical alarm cues in zebrafish Danio rerio
Authors: Barkhymer Alison J. , Garrett Shawn G. , Wisenden Brian D.
Published: November 2018

Chemical cues released as a by‐product of predation mediate antipredator behaviour, but little is known about the physiological responses to olfactory detection of predation risk. In this study, zebrafish Danio rerio were exposed to either chemical alarm cues from conspecifics, or water (control). Compared with water controls, D. rerio exposed to alarm cues responded behaviourally with antipredator behaviours such as erratic dashing and an increase in time spent near the bottom of the test aquarium. Danio rerio were sacrificed 5 min after exposure to test cues (alarm cues or water). Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed whole‐body levels of cortisol that were significantly higher for fish exposed to alarm cues (mean ± SE, 11.9 ± 3.4 ng g−1) than control fish (1.5 ± 0.7 ng g−1). These data provide a benchmark for future studies of the proximate mechanisms of olfactorily mediated antipredator responses, modelling effects on aquatic life in a changing climate and, as a model organism, Danio rerio can further our understanding of anxiety in humans.
Advance Care Planning Requires Training
Authors: Hammes Bud , Meier Diane E.
Published: November 2018

See the Reply by Fulmer et al.
Quality Assessment and Circularity Potential of Recovery Systems for Household Plastic Waste
Authors: Eriksen Marie Kampmann , Damgaard Anders , Boldrin Alessio , Astrup Thomas Fruergaard
Published: November 2018

Plastic recycling is promoted in the transition toward a circular economy and a closed plastic loop, typically using mass‐based recycling targets. Plastic from household waste (HHW) is contaminated and heterogeneous, and recycled plastic from HHW often has a limited application range, due to reduced quality. To correctly assess the ability to close plastic loops via recycling, both plastic quantities and qualities need to be evaluated. This study defines a circularity potential representing the ability of a recovery system to close material loops assuming steady‐state market conditions. Based on an average plastic waste composition including impurities, 84 recovery scenarios representing a wide range of sorting schemes, source‐separation efficiencies, and material recovery facility (MRF) configurations and performances were assessed. The qualities of the recovered fractions were assessed based on contamination and the circularity potential calculated for each scenario in a European context. Across all scenarios, 17% to 100% of the generated plastic mass could be recovered, with higher source‐separation and MRF efficiencies leading to higher recovery. Including quality, however, at best 55% of the generated plastic was suitable for recycling due to contamination. Source‐separation, a high number of target fractions, and efficient MRF recovery were found to be critical. The circularity potential illustrated that less than 42% of the plastic loop can be closed with current technology and raw material demands. Hence, Europe is still far from able to close the plastic loop. When transitioning toward a circular economy, the focus should be on limiting impurities and losses through product design, technology improvement, and more targeted plastic waste management.
Decrease in DNA methylation 1 (DDM1) is required for the formation of mCHH islands in maize
Authors: Long Jin Cheng , Xia Ai Ai , Liu Jing Han , Jing Ju Li , Wang Ya Zhong , Qi Chuang Ye , He Yan
Published: November 2018

DNA methylation plays a crucial role in suppressing mobilization of transposable elements and regulation of gene expression. A number of studies have indicated that DNA methylation pathways and patterns exhibit distinct properties in different species, including Arabidopsis, rice, and maize. Here, we characterized the function of DDM1 in regulating genome‐wide DNA methylation in maize. Two homologs of ZmDDM1 are abundantly expressed in the embryo and their simultaneous disruption caused embryo lethality with abnormalities in cell proliferation from the early stage of kernel development. We establish that ZmDDM1 is critical for DNA methylation, at CHG sites, and to a lesser extent at CG sites, in heterochromatic regions, and unexpectedly, it is required for the formation of mCHH islands. In addition, ZmDDM1 is indispensable for the presence of 24‐nt siRNA, suggesting its involvement in the RdDM pathway. Our results provide novel insight into the role of ZmDDM1 in regulating the formation of mCHH islands, via the RdDM pathway maize, suggesting that, in comparison to Arabidopsis, maize may have adopted distinct mechanisms for regulating mCHH.
BeyondHomo Entrepreneurus: Judgment and the Theory of Cultural Entrepreneurship
Authors: Lounsbury Michael , Gehman Joel , Ann Glynn Mary
Published: November 2018

In this paper, we embrace the critique of the contemporary entrepreneurship literature offered by Foss, Klein, and Bjørnskov, and applaud their advance of the Judgment‐Based Approach (JBA) as a way to broaden our understanding of entrepreneurial processes by contextualizing entrepreneurial action. However, we believe that to attain the promise of the JBA, a broader inter‐disciplinary engagement beyond economics is required. Drawing on theory and arguments in the cultural entrepreneurship literature, we emphasize the fruitfulness of foregrounding the role of culture – a theoretical focus that is marginalized both in the mainstream entrepreneurship literature and in the JBA. We compare the JBA and the Theory of Cultural Entrepreneurship and outline how a wider inter‐disciplinary research agenda could be advanced in entrepreneurial studies.
Changes in masticatory performance of edentulous patients treated with single‐implant mandibular overdentures and conventional complete dentures
Authors: Nogueira Túlio E. , Schimmel Martin , Leles Cláudio R.
Published: November 2018

Objectives

The aim of this study was to test the effect of a single‐implant mandibular overdenture (SIMO), compared with conventional complete denture (CD), on masticatory performance measured by the mixing ability of a two‐coloured chewing gum.

Methods

A sample of edentulous subjects was randomly assigned to the SIMO (n = 15) and CD (n = 19) groups. Patients in both groups received a set of new complete dentures, and the SIMO group received a single implant in the symphyseal region of the mandible (Straumann® Standard Plus SLActive®) and an eliptical matrix and ball attachment for denture retention. Masticatory tests were performed using a two‐colour chewing gum (Vivident Fruitswing, Perfetti van Melle, Turkey) for 20 and 50 chewing cycles. Colour‐mixing ability was assessed by electronic colourimetric analysis (ViewGum©, Dhal Software, Greece), expressed by the variance of hue. Tests were performed at baseline and at the 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐ups. Multilevel linear regression was used to model the changes in masticatory performance.

Results

Groups were similar at baseline for 20 and 50 cycles (P > 0.05). A significant linear effect was observed on time points for 20 and 50 cycles (P < 0.001). No difference was observed between treatment groups factor (P > 0.05). However, the way masticatory performance varied according to time points differed in the CD and SIMO groups for 20 cycles (P = 0.048).

Conclusion

Masticatory performance improved significantly after 12 months, irrespective to the insertion of a single implant to retain a mandibular overdenture. Moreover, results suggest that SIMO treatment may perform better than CD in the shorter follow‐up period.
Endogenous pain modulation in chronic temporomandibular disorders: Derivation of pain modulation profiles and assessment of its relationship with clinical characteristics
Authors: Moana‐Filho Estephan J. , Herrero Babiloni Alberto
Published: November 2018

Background

Endogenous pain modulation (EPM) reflects the brain's ability to modulate incoming nociceptive inputs, and deficient EPM was implicated as a chronic pain mechanism. EPM status has been investigated in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients with conflicting results, and its relationship with clinical characteristics in this population is not well known.

Objectives

(a) Determine EPM responses in chronic TMD cases and pain‐free controls; (b) Derive pain modulation profiles (PMP) based on individual EPM responses; and (c) Categorise clinical characteristics of TMD cases and pain‐free controls based on their individual PMP.

Methods

Twenty‐two chronic TMD cases and 17 age‐matched pain‐free controls, all females, were comprehensively characterised regarding clinical characteristics and underwent EPM testing using temporal summation of pain (TSP) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) protocols over the face and hand. Individuals were categorised into PMPs (I‐IV) based on predetermined cut‐off points for TSP and CPM responses.

Results

Between‐group comparisons showed similar TSP and CPM responses (P > 0.23) in the face, while TMD cases showed significantly increased TSP (P = 0.04) but similar CPM responses (P > 0.17) in the hand relative to controls. Similar distribution across PMPs and clinical characteristics when categorised into PMPs was found for both groups. Body mass index was associated with increased TSP and reduced CPM in the face in TMD cases.

Conclusion

Endogenous pain modulation responses over the face were similar between groups. TMD cases showed increased hand TSP compared to controls while both groups showed no significant hand CPM. PMP classification showed similar results between groups, and further refinement of PMP determination is warranted.
Fertility, retirement age, and pay‐as‐you‐go pensions
Authors: Chen Hung‐Ju
Published: November 2018

This paper develops an overlapping generations model with exogenous and endogenous retirement age to examine the effects of fertility and retirement age on long‐run pay‐as‐you‐go pensions. For both cases, we find that pensions may not necessarily increase with the fertility rate. In the case with exogenous retirement age, a higher fertility rate (retirement age) raises (reduces) pension benefits if the fertility rate and official pension age are low, whereas this result reverses otherwise. In the case with endogenous retirement age, a higher fertility rate raises pensions if the fertility rate and costs of raising children are low; otherwise, such a change decreases pensions. Our numerical results indicate that, under a reasonable range of parameterization, raising the fertility rate is more likely to increase pensions in the case with exogenous retirement age, whereas such a change tends to reduce pensions in the case with endogenous retirement age.
Atypical lateral tracheal collapse in a Yorkshire terrier
Authors: Hall E. L. , Baines E. A. , Baines S. J.
Published: November 2018

A 10‐month‐old, neutered female Yorkshire terrier was presented with a 6‐month history of inspiratory dyspnoea, coughing and exercise intolerance. Tracheoscopy revealed marked lateral‐to‐lateral fixed collapse of the cervical trachea and mild collapse of the thoracic trachea. Surgical exploration revealed a marked reduction in lateral tracheal width and multiple malformed tracheal rings. Placement of extraluminal ring prostheses around the cervical trachea resulted in widening of the tracheal diameter and an immediate improvement in clinical signs. 6 years postoperatively the patient was reported to have an excellent quality of life with complete resolution of clinical signs.
Evaluation of plasma concentration after intravenous and intramuscular penicillin administration over 24 hr in healthy adult horses
Authors: Younkin Jarrod T. , Santschi Elizabeth M. , Kukanich Butch , Lubbers Brian V. , Warner Matthew
Published: November 2018

Penicillin is administered intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM) to horses for the prevention and treatment of infections, and both routes have disadvantages. To minimize these shortcomings, a 24‐hr hybrid administration protocol (HPP) was developed. Our objective was to determine penicillin plasma concentrations in horses administered via HPP. Venous blood was collected from seven healthy horses administered IV potassium penicillin G at 0 and 6 hr and IM procaine penicillin G at 12 hr. Blood was collected at 2‐hr intervals from 0 to 20 hr and at 24 hr. Plasma penicillin concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Penicillin susceptibility from equine isolates was examined to determine pharmacodynamic targets. The MIC90 of penicillin for 264 isolates of Streptococcus sp. was ≤0.06 μg/ml. For the 24‐hr dosing interval, the mean plasma penicillin concentration was >0.07 μg/ml. Five horses (72%) exceeded 0.06 μg/ml for 98% of the dosing interval, and two horses exceeded this value for 52%–65% of the dosing interval. The HPP achieved mean plasma penicillin concentrations in healthy adult horses above 0.07 μg/ml for a 24‐hr dosing interval. However, individual variations in plasma concentrations were apparent and deserve future clinical study.
Pervasive gene conversion in chromosomal inversion heterozygotes
Authors: Korunes Katharine L. , Noor Mohamed A. F.
Published: November 2018

Chromosomal inversions shape recombination landscapes, and species differing by inversions may exhibit reduced gene flow in these regions of the genome. Though single crossovers within inversions are not usually recovered from inversion heterozygotes, the recombination barrier imposed by inversions is nuanced by noncrossover gene conversion. Here, we provide a genomewide empirical analysis of gene conversion rates both within species and in species hybrids. We estimate that gene conversion occurs at a rate of 1 × 10–5to 2.5 × 10–5converted sites per bp per generation in experimental crosses withinDrosophila pseudoobscuraand betweenD. pseudoobscuraand its naturally hybridizing sister speciesD. persimilis. This analysis is the first direct empirical assessment of gene conversion rates within inversions of a species hybrid. Our data show that gene conversion rates in interspecies hybrids are at least as high as within‐species estimates of gene conversion rates, and gene conversion occurs regularly within and around inverted regions of species hybrids, even near inversion breakpoints. We also found that several gene conversion events appeared to be mitotic rather than meiotic in origin. Finally, we observed that gene conversion rates are higher in regions of lower local sequence divergence, yet our observed gene conversion rates in more divergent inverted regions were at least as high as in less divergent collinear regions. Given our observed high rates of gene conversion despite the sequence differentiation between species, especially in inverted regions, gene conversion has the potential to reduce the efficacy of inversions as barriers to recombination over evolutionary time.
Harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) reactions to pingers
Authors: Kindt‐Larsen Lotte , Berg Casper Willestofte , Northridge Simon , Larsen Finn
Published: November 2018

The use of acoustic alarms (pingers) has been mandated in several gill net fisheries around the world. Even though pingers have shown to reduce the incidental catch there are still questions to be answered in relation to effective range, habituation and displacement. In the present studies, the vocalization behavior of porpoises was recorded in response to two different pingers, AQUAmark100 (20–160 kHz) and AQUAmark300 (10 kHz). The Scottish experiment included an AQUAmark100 pinger running in on/off cycles. The pinger was placed in an array of acoustic click detectors (C‐PODs) spaced at different distances from the pinger. In Denmark, three experiments were conducted. One had the same AQUAmark100 pinger placed in a C‐POD array. The second and third experiment used an AQUAmark300 pinger running in on/off cycles. Both trial results of the AQUAmark100 revealed significant pinger reduction effects at 0, 200, and 400 m distance; however, the vocalization behavior reveal no signs of habituation. The studies of the AQUAmark300 revealed a significant pinger effect at 0 m distance and either none or 17% reduction at 300 m distance. At one station, however, habituation effects were found indicated by an increase in clicks over time. These results are important in relation to pinger use and thus fisheries management.
False positive bronchoalveolar lavage galactomannan: Effect of host and cut‐off value
Authors: Farmakiotis Dimitrios , Le Audrey , Weiss Zoe , Ismail Nour , Kubiak David W. , Koo Sophia
Published: November 2018

Objectives

Bronchoalveolar lavage galactomannan (BAL‐GM) is a mycological criterion for diagnosis of probable invasive aspergillosis (IA) per European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group (EORT‐MSG) consensus criteria, but its real‐world positive predictive value (PPV) has not been well‐studied. Our aim was to estimate the PPV of BAL‐GM in a contemporary cohort of patients with positive BAL‐GM.

Methods

We identified consecutive patients with ≥1 positive BAL‐GM value (index ≥ 0.5) at Brigham and Women's Hospital from 11/2009 to 3/2016. We classified patients as having no, possible, probable, or proven IA, excluding BAL‐GM as mycological criterion.

Results

We studied 134 patients: 54% had hematologic malignancy (HM), and 10% were solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. A total of 42% of positive (≥0.5) BAL‐GM results were falsely positive (PPV 58%). The number of probable IA cases was increased by 23% using positive BAL‐GM as mycologic criterion alone. PPV was higher in patients with HM or SOT (P < 0.001) and with use of higher thresholds for positivity (BAL‐GM ≥ 1 vs 1‐0.8 vs 0.8‐0.5: P = 0.002).

Conclusions

42% of positive BAL‐GM values were falsely positive. We propose a critical reassessment of BAL‐GM cutoff values in different patient populations. Accurate noninvasive tests for diagnosis of IA are urgently needed.
The migration response to local labour market shocks: Evidence from EU regions during the global economic crisis
Authors: Mitze Timo
Published: November 2018

The global economic crisis has strongly affected Europe's economic geography. This study investigates the role of local labour market disparities in determining regional net in‐migration rates. While only a weak link is detected in the precrisis period, the local labour market context of migration grows significantly stronger during the crisis. Decompositions of the estimation results show that changes in migration rates are firstly a result of widened disparities across European regions throughout the crisis. However, also behavioural adjustment processes occur, e.g. an orientation of migrants towards urban areas and away from regions with persistently high long‐run unemployment rates.
Induction of resistance against pine wilt disease caused by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus using selected pine endophytic bacteria
Authors: Kim N. , Jeon H. W. , Mannaa M. , Jeong S.‐I. , Kim J. , Kim J. , Lee C. , Park A. R. , Kim J.‐C. , Seo Y.‐S.
Published: November 2018

Pine wilt disease (PWD) is the most destructive disease threatening pine worldwide. The disease is mainly caused by the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, which is vectored by pine sawyer longhorn‐beetles, Monochamus spp. This study aimed to select resistance‐inducing pine endophytic bacteria for management of PWD. To set up a defence‐related genes expression pattern for screening, four chemical inducers (salicylic acid, γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), β‐aminobutyric acid and α‐aminobutyric acid) were tested in vitro on pine calli and in vivo on pine seedlings. Treatment with GABA had the greatest reduction in PWD severity on pine seedlings. The pattern of defence‐related gene expression in calli treated with GABA was used to select potential resistance‐inducing bacterial strains. In addition, 92 bacterial strains were isolated from pine tree needles and stems and were tested for expression of defence‐related genes in pine calli in vitro. Among the tested strains, 13 showed a similar pattern to GABA treatment in at least four tested defence‐related genes and were selected for the seedling assay. From the seedling assay, three bacterial strains (16YSM‐E48, 16YSM‐P180 and 16YSM‐P39) showed significant reduction in PWD severity compared to the untreated control. Moreover, among the selected strains, cell‐free culture supernatant of strain 16YSM‐P180 significantly reduced PWD severity in inoculated pine seedlings. The selected strains were identified based on the 16S rRNA sequence as Pseudomonas putida 16YSM‐E48, Curtobacterium pusillum 16YSM‐P180 and Stenotrophomonas rhizophila 16YSM‐P39. These selected strains are suggested as potential alternatives for management of PWD by induction of systemic resistance.
Histochemical study of the distribution of epidermal melanoblasts and melanocytes in Asian human skin
Authors: Hirobe Tomohisa , Enami Hisao
Published: November 2018

Introduction

The classical study revealed the melanocyte density in the epidermis of many skin sites of humans. However, these data were obtained by counting melanocytes using dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa)‐treated epidermal sheets. Since rete ridges are developed well in human epidermis, there is a concern about the accuracy of these data. The accurate counting of the melanocyte density in the epidermis including the rete ridges should be performed using histological sections after the dopa treatment. Moreover, it is not known well how many melanoblasts are present in Asian epidermis. The aim of this study was to count the accurate number of melanocytes and melanoblasts.

Methods

Normal skin sites of 9‐ to 77‐year‐old patients were fixed with buffered formalin and processed to the dopa and combined dopa‐premelanin reactions. The numbers of cells positive to the dopa reaction (melanocytes) and to the combined dopa‐premelanin reaction (melanoblasts and melanocytes) were scored.

Results

In the skin of arms, legs, back, and belly, similar density (approximately 110‐120 cells/0.1 mm2) of melanocytes was observed, whereas in the skin of scalp, melanocyte density was much lower (approximately 70 cells/0.1 mm2). By contrast, the melanoblast density did not differ between skin sites (approximately 100 cells/0.1 mm2).

Conclusions

These results suggest that the melanocyte density does not differ between skin sites except the scalp skin, and a certain number of melanoblasts are present in each skin site of Asian. Melanoblasts seem to be required for producing new melanocytes required to maintain epidermal homeostasis.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐C*07:639 allele by sequencing‐based typing
Authors: Cargou Marine , Ralazamahaleo Mamy , Blouin Laura , Guidicelli Gwendaline , Visentin Jonathan
Published: November 2018

HLA‐C*07:639 differs from HLA‐C*07:19 by one nucleotide substitution at codon 324 in exon 6.
Optimization of surgical approach for thoracoscopic‐assisted pulmonary surgery in dogs
Authors: Singh Ameet , Scott Jacqueline , Case J. Brad , Mayhew Philipp D. , Runge Jeffrey J.
Published: November 2018

Objective

To determine the optimal intercostal space (ICS) to perform thoracoscopic‐assisted lung lobectomy.

Study design

Cadaveric study.

Animals

Six mature, medium‐sized canine cadavers.

Methods

Cadavers were placed in right or left lateral recumbency. A 15‐mm thoracoscopic cannula was inserted in the middle third of the 9th or 10th ICS. A wound retraction device was placed into a 7‐cm minithoracotomy incision created in the middle third of the 4th‐7th ICS on the left side and the 4th‐8th ICS on the right side. The pulmonary ligaments were sectioned by using a combined intracorporeal and extracorporeal technique. Each lung lobe was sequentially withdrawn from the wound retraction device at the respective ICS and side. A thoracoabdominal stapler was positioned to simulate lung lobectomy, and the distance from the stapler anvil to the hilus was measured.

Results

Simulated thoracoscopic‐assisted lung lobectomy performed at left or right ICS 4 and 5, compared with other ICS evaluated, resulted in a significantly shorter median distance from the stapler anvil to the pulmonary hilus of the left cranial and caudal lung lobes and right cranial and middle lung lobes, respectively (all P < .05). Lobectomy at right ICS 5 or 6 resulted in a significantly shorter median distance from the stapler anvil to the pulmonary hilus of the right caudal and accessory lung lobes, respectively (both P < .05).

Conclusion

These data may inform minithoracotomy positioning to optimize tumor margin excision during thoracoscopic‐assisted lung lobectomy for treatment of pulmonary neoplasia in dogs.

Clinical significance

Complete lung lobectomy is possible by using the described thoracoscopic‐assisted technique in normal, cadaveric lungs.
An upgraded comprehensive multilocus phylogeny of the Tardigrada tree of life
Authors: Guil Noemi , Jørgensen Aslak , Kristensen Reinhardt
Published: November 2018

Providing accurate animals’ phylogenies rely on increasing knowledge of neglected phyla. Tardigrada diversity evaluated in broad phylogenies (among phyla) is biased towards eutardigrades. A comprehensive phylogeny is demanded to establish the representative diversity and propose a more natural classification of the phylum. So, we have performed multilocus (18S rRNA and 28S rRNA) phylogenies with Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood. We propose the creation of a new class within Tardigrada, erecting the order Apochela (Eutardigrada) as a new Tardigrada class, named Apotardigrada comb. n. Two groups of evidence support its creation: (a) morphological, presence of cephalic appendages, unique morphology for claws (separated branches) and wide‐elongated buccopharyngeal apparatus without placoids, and (b) phylogenetic support based on molecular data. Consequently, order Parachela is suppressed and its superfamilies erected as orders within Eutardigrada, maintaining their current names. We propose a new classification within the family Echiniscidae (Echiniscoidea, Heterotardigrada) with morphological and phylogenetic support: (a) subfamily Echiniscinae subfam. n., with two tribes Echiniscini tribe n. and Bryodelphaxini tribe n.; (b) subfamily Pseudechiniscinae subfam. n., with three tribes Cornechiniscini tribe n., Pseudechiniscini tribe n. and Anthechiniscini tribe n.; and (c) subfamily Parechiniscinae subfam. n., with two tribes Parechiniscini tribe n. and Novechiniscini tribe n. Reliable biodiversity selection for tardigrades in broad phylogenies is proposed due to biased analyses performed up to now. We use our comprehensive molecular phylogeny to evaluate the evolution of claws in the clawless genusApodibiusand claw reduction across the Tardigrada tree of life. Evolutionary consequences are discussed.
One-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Design Strategies for Pressure Slope Optimization of High-Flow Transonic Centrifugal Compressor Impellers
Authors: Hildebrandt A. , Ceyrowsky T.
Published: November 2018

This paper deals with the numerical and theoretical investigations of the effect of geometrical dimensions and one-dimensional (1D)-design parameters on the impeller pressure slope of a transonic centrifugal compressor stage for industrial process application. A database being generated during the multi-objective and multipoint design process of a high flow coefficient impeller, comprising 545 computational fluid dynamics (CFD) designs is investigated in off-design and design conditions by means of Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulation of an impeller with vaneless diffuser. For high flow coefficients of 0.16 < ϕdes < 0.18, the CFD-setup has been validated against measurement data regarding stage and impeller performance taken from MAN test rig experimental data for a centrifugal compressor stage of similar flow coefficient. This paper aims at answering the question how classical design parameter, such as the impeller blade angle distribution, impeller suction diameter, and camber line length affect the local and total relative diffusion and pressure slope toward impeller stall operation. A second-order analysis of the CFD database is performed by cross-correlating the CFD data with results from impeller two-zone 1D modeling and a rapid loading calculation process by Stanitz and Prian. The statistical covariance of first-order 1D-analysis parameters such as the mixing loss of the impeller secondary flow, the slip factor, impeller flow incidence is analyzed, thereby showing strong correlation with the design and off-design point efficiency and pressure slope. Finally, guide lines are derived in order to achieve either optimized design point efficiency or maximum negative pressure slope characteristics toward impeller stall operation.
Over-Constrained Mechanisms Derived From RPRP Loops
Authors: Ting Kwun-Lon , Hsu Kuan-Lun
Published: November 2018

This paper addresses the assembly strategy capable of deriving a family of over-constrained mechanisms systematically. The modular approach is proposed. It treats the topological synthesis of over-constrained mechanisms as a systematical derivation rather than a random search. The result indicates that a family of over-constrained mechanisms can be constructed by combining legitimate modules. A spatial four-bar linkage containing two revolute joints (R) and two prismatic joints (P) is selected as the source-module for the purpose of demonstration. All mechanisms discovered in this paper were modeled and animated with computer aided design (CAD) software and their mobility were validated with input-output equations as well as computer simulations. The assembly strategy can serve as a self-contained library of over-constrained mechanisms.