bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the young age of intraspecific herbaceous taxa
Authors: Levin Donald A. , Scarpino Samuel V.
Published: October 2016

Dated phylogenies rarely include the divergence times of sister intraspecific taxa, and when they do little is said about this subject.

We show that over 90% of the intraspecific plant taxa found in a literature search are estimated to be 5 million yr old or younger, with only 4% of taxa estimated to be over 10 million yr old or older.

A Bayesian analysis of intraspecific taxon ages indicates that indeed these taxa are expected to be < 10 million yr old. This result for the young age of intraspecific taxa is consistent with the earlier observation that post‐pollination reproductive barriers develop between 5 and 10 million yr after lineage splitting, thus leading to species formation.

If lineages have not graduated to the species level of divergence by 10 million yr or so, they are likely to have gone extinct by that time as a result of narrow geographical distributions, narrow niche breadths, and relatively small numbers across populations.
Animal models for rotator cuff repair
Authors: Lebaschi Amir , Deng Xiang‐Hua , Zong Jianchun , Cong Guang‐Ting , Carballo Camila B. , Album Zoe M. , Camp Christopher , Rodeo Scott A.
Published: October 2016

Rotator cuff (RC) injuries represent a significant source of pain, functional impairment, and morbidity. The large disease burden of RC pathologies necessitates rapid development of research methodologies to treat these conditions. Given their ability to model anatomic, biomechanical, cellular, and molecular aspects of the human RC, animal models have played an indispensable role in reducing injury burden and advancing this field of research for many years. The development of animal models in the musculoskeletal (MSK) research arena is uniquely different from that in other fields in that the similarity of macrostructures and functions is as critical to replicate as cellular and molecular functions. Traditionally, larger animals have been used because of their anatomic similarity to humans and the ease of carrying out realistic surgical procedures. However, refinement of current molecular methods, introduction of novel research tools, and advancements in microsurgical techniques have increased the applicability of small animal models in MSK research. In this paper, we review RC animal models and emphasize a murine model that may serve as a valuable instrument for future RC tendon repair investigations.
The autoimmunity–oral microbiome connection
Authors: Nikitakis NG , Papaioannou W , Sakkas LI , Kousvelari E
Published: October 2016

To date, there is a major effort in deciphering the role of complex microbial communities, especially the oral and gut microbiomes, in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Increasing evidence indicates a key role for the oral microbiome in autoimmune diseases. In this review article, we discuss links of the oral microbiota to a group of autoimmune diseases, that is, Sjögren's syndrome (SS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Crohn's disease (CD), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We particularly focus on factors that affect the balance between the immune system and the composition of microbiota leading to dysbiosis, loss of tolerance and subsequent autoimmune disease progression and maintenance.
Ignoring spatial effects results in inadequate models for variation in littoral macroinvertebrate diversity
Authors: Tolonen Kimmo T. , Vilmi Annika , Karjalainen Satu‐Maaria , Hellsten Seppo , Sutela Tapio , Heino Jani
Published: October 2016

Studies focusing on the effects of spatial processes versus environmental filtering on aquatic metacommunities have so far been focused almost entirely on relatively isolated systems, such as sets of different lakes or streams. In contrast, metacommunity patterns and underlying processes within a single aquatic system have received less attention. In this study, we aimed to examine how strongly variations in different diversity indices are affected by spatial processes (dispersal) versus local environmental conditions (species sorting) within a large lake system. Modern biodiversity research focuses on multiple diversity facets because different indices may be uncorrelated within and between facets, and they may thus describe different phenomena. We investigated the relationship of littoral macroinvertebrate diversity with environmental and spatial factors using 10 indices of species, functional and taxonomic diversity. Using spatial factors as proxies of dispersal, we decomposed variation in diversity indices into fractions attributable to environmental and spatial factors. Our results highlighted generally equal or higher importance of spatial processes in controlling the variation in diversity indices when compared to local environmental variables. Local environmental conditions accounted for higher proportion of variation only in a single index (i.e. taxonomic diversity). These findings suggest that the effects of high dispersal rates (mass effects) may override the influences of local environmental conditions (species sorting) on the diversity in highly‐connected aquatic system, such as large lakes and marine coastal systems. Our results further suggest that biodiversity assessment and environmental monitoring in highly‐connected systems cannot rely solely on the idea of environmental control. We hence recommend that the roles of both environmental and spatial processes should be integrated in basic and applied ecological research of aquatic systems.
Matrix context and patch quality jointly determine diversity in a landscape‐scale experiment
Authors: Deans Robert A. , Chalcraft David R.
Published: October 2016

The biodiversity of a habitat patch is predicted to be driven in part by interactions between patch quality and landscape context (i.e. type of regional matrix), but these interactions are rarely explored experimentally. Understanding the interaction between patch quality and matrix context can provide insight into the kind of dynamics that best describe a metacommunity and help predict how the diversity of a patch will respond to environmental change at different scales. We conducted a landscape‐scale experiment to examine how regional and local aspects of the terrestrial matrix interact to affect biodiversity within artificial ponds designed to mimic generic features of freshwater ephemeral ponds. We manipulated both the kind of matrix surrounding ponds (open canopy grassland, pine forest, and hardwood forest) and pond quality (three different types of leaf litter substrate). Ponds were left open to natural colonization for three months by aquatic insects and amphibians. The terrestrial matrix had consistent and strong effects on biodiversity throughout the experiment: ponds in open canopy areas had more animal morphotypes than ponds in pine or hardwood forests. Leaf litter type affected biodiversity during the experiment, with more animal morphotypes in ponds with higher quality litter than ponds with lower quality litter, and this effect was stronger in open canopy areas. The effect of leaf litter, however, disappeared by the end of the experiment. Our results suggest that the matrix surrounding patches has strong effects on community dynamics and biodiversity within patches, and conservation efforts aimed at maintaining biodiversity requires simultaneous consideration of both matrix habitats and habitat patches.
The Handle Wagging the Cup. Formal Aspects of Alcohol Consumption in the Transfer of Ideology: Anatolia and the Aegean Towards the End of the Third Millennium BC
Authors: Ünlü Elif
Published: October 2016

Fermented drinks have been socially and economically important since their advent, not only because they are functionally significant in preserving calories, but also as value‐added foodstuffs incorporated into symbolically important ceremonies and feasts to increase the social value of an individual or a group's status. Towards the end of the third millennium BC, just as wine was becoming an important commodity, the manifestation of this emphasis on the communal consumption of alcoholic beverages can be observed in the material culture of Anatolia and the Aegean with the so‐called ‘west Anatolian drinking set’ consisting of drinking cups with characteristically oversized handles and beak‐spouted pitchers. Against the backdrop of the socio‐economic reasons for the distribution of this particular drinking set over a wide geographical area, the focus of this article is on their impact upon the prevailing local pottery traditions and the local adaptation of these vessels into the traditional repertoire where the importance of the oversized handles is recognized.
Identification of fungal candidates for asthma protection in a large population‐based study
Authors: Mueller‐Rompa Susanne , Janke Tobias , Schwaiger Karin , Mayer Melanie , Bauer Johann , Genuneit Jon , Braun‐Fahrlaender Charlotte , Horak Elisabeth , Boznanski Andrzej , von Mutius Erika , Ege Markus J. ,   the GABRIELA study group
Published: October 2016

Background

Exposure to molds has been related to asthma risk both positively and negatively, depending on the environmental setting. The pertinent results are based on generic markers or culturing methods although the majority of present fungi cannot be cultured under laboratory conditions. The aim of the present analysis was to assess environmental dust samples for asthma‐protective fungal candidates with a comprehensive molecular technique covering also non‐cultivable and non‐viable fungi.

Methods

Mattress dust samples of 844 children from the GABRIELA study were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction–single‐strand conformation polymorphism (PCR‐SSCP) of the fungus‐specific internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Known asthma candidate species were tested for their associations with asthma, and further gel positions were sought to explain the above. As a second, data‐driven, analysis, we tested the association of each individual gel position with asthma.

Results

In the hypothesis‐driven approach, Penicillium chrysogenum emerged with an odds ratio of 0.80 (95% confidence interval 0.66–0.96; p = 0.020). The effect size was changed by 39% toward the null when adjusting for the two bands 683 (DNA of Metschnikowia sp., Aureobasidium spp.) and 978 (DNA of Epicoccum spp., Galactomyces spp., uncultured Penicillium). The data‐driven approach yielded an additional band (containing DNA of Pseudotaeniolina globosa) with reduced risk of asthma (OR = 0.80 [0.66–0.96], p = 0.012).

Conclusions

A large population‐based study revealed several fungal taxa with inverse associations with childhood asthma. Molds produce a variety of bioactive compounds with detrimental but also beneficial immunoregulatory capacities, which renders them promising targets for further asthma research.
Computed Tomography‐Guided Percutaneously Controlled Ablation of the Thoracic Paravertebral Nerve Due to Thoracic Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Yang Li‐Qiang , Gong Wei‐Yi , Wang Xiao‐Ping , Dou Zhi , Zeng Yuan‐Jie , Ni Jia‐Xiang
Published: October 2016

Background

Patients with thoracic neuropathic pain often do not respond to medication and physical therapy. Coblation technology has been demonstrated to have potential for pain management.

Methods

Fifteen patients underwent computed tomography‐guided percutaneous coblation to ablate the thoracic paravertebral nerve for their medication‐resistant thoracic neuropathic pain. The pain intensity was assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) 1 day before surgery and 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery, and the difference between preoperative and postoperative VAS values was determined to evaluate the pain relief effectiveness. Patients who achieved > 50% pain relief were defined as responders, and the ratio in all patients was calculated. The number of patients who reported mild pain (VAS ≤ 3) was recorded, and the ratio in all responders was calculated. In addition, adverse effects were also recorded to investigate the security of procedure.

Results

Twelve (80%) responders achieved > 50% pain relief. The VAS score of responders significantly decreased from 7.42 ± 1.38 before surgery to 2.17 ± 1.11 (P = 0.000), 1.92 ± 1.16 (P = 0.000), 1.75 ± 0.97 (P = 0.000), and 1.58 ± 1.08 (P = 0.000) at 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery, respectively. The number of responders with mild pain was 10 (83.3%), 11 (91.7%), 12 (100%), and 12 (100%) at 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery, respectively. All responders and 1 nonresponder reported slight numbness after the surgery.

Conclusion

Percutaneous thoracic paravertebral nerve coblation guided by computed tomography is a potential method for the treatment of thoracic neuropathic pain.
The Evolving Functions and Organization of Finance Ministries
Authors: Allen Richard , Hurcan Yasemin , Queyranne Maximilien
Published: October 2016

Relatively little literature analyses the role, functions, and organization of finance ministries. This paper reviews international experiences in an effort to identify trends in organizational design and the allocation of functions, while recognizing the crucial importance of each country's history and institutional context. Over the past 30 years, some finance ministries have moved from a “traditional” to an “emerging” model of organizational design characterized by greater openness and transparency, more flexible management practices, and a broader focus on strategic policy issues. In addition, many operational functions have been devolved to arm's‐length agencies or line ministries as a result of computerization and changes in management practices. Further work would be needed to test the hypotheses laid out in the paper which are not at this stage supported by empirical evidence.
Rapid and convenient gel‐free screening of SCAR markers in wheat using SYBR green‐based melt‐profiling
Authors: Vishwakarma Gautam , Saini Ajay , Das Bikram Kishore , Bhagwat Suresh Gopal , Jawali Narendra
Published: October 2016

Sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers that are highly desirable in crop breeding for marker‐assisted selection (MAS) are routinely analysed by gel‐based methods that are low‐throughput, time‐consuming and laborious. In this study, we showed a rapid and convenient method for analysis of SCAR markers in a gel‐free manner. Seven SCAR markers, linked to rust resistance genes (Sr24, Sr26 and Sr31) and seed quality traits (Pina, Pinb and Glu‐D1) in wheat (Triticum aestivum), were amplified on a real‐time PCR machine using custom reaction mixture. Subsequently, melting curve analysis was performed, to assess the specificity of amplicons. Using the amplicon‐specific melt‐profiles, the presence/absence of SCAR markers was analysed in fifteen genotypes and five F2 populations. Unlike the fluorescence‐based in‐tube detection methods, the present method used the amplicon‐specific melt‐profiles to evaluate the status of the SCAR markers, thus eliminating the need for gel‐based analysis. Results also showed feasibility of multiplex analysis of two markers with well‐separated melting profiles. Overall, the approach is a rapid, convenient and cost‐effective method for high‐throughput screening of SCAR markers.
System analysis of metabolism and the transcriptome in Arabidopsis thaliana roots reveals differential co‐regulation upon iron, sulfur and potassium deficiency
Authors: Forieri Ilaria , Sticht Carsten , Reichelt Michael , Gretz Norbert , Hawkesford Malcolm J. , Malagoli Mario , Wirtz Markus , Hell Ruediger
Published: October 2016

Deprivation of mineral nutrients causes significant retardation of plant growth. This retardation is associated with nutrient‐specific and general stress‐induced transcriptional responses. In this study, we adjusted the external supply of iron, potassium and sulfur to cause the same retardation of shoot growth. Nevertheless, limitation by individual nutrients resulted in specific morphological adaptations and distinct shifts within the root metabolite fingerprint. The metabolic shifts affected key metabolites of primary metabolism and the stress‐related phytohormones, jasmonic, salicylic and abscisic acid. These phytohormone signatures contributed to specific nutrient deficiency‐induced transcriptional regulation. Limitation by the micronutrient iron caused the strongest regulation and affected 18% of the root transcriptome. Only 130 genes were regulated by all nutrients. Specific co‐regulation between the iron and sulfur metabolic routes upon iron or sulfur deficiency was observed. Interestingly, iron deficiency caused regulation of a different set of genes of the sulfur assimilation pathway compared with sulfur deficiency itself, which demonstrates the presence of specific signal‐transduction systems for the cross‐regulation of the pathways. Combined iron and sulfur starvation experiments demonstrated that a requirement for a specific nutrient can overrule this cross‐regulation. The comparative metabolomics and transcriptomics approach used dissected general stress from nutrient‐specific regulation in roots of Arabidopsis.
Resetting of the circannual rhythm of the varied carpet beetle Anthrenus verbasci by low‐temperature pulses
Authors: Miyazaki Yosuke , Watari Yasuhiko , Numata Hideharu
Published: October 2016

The varied carpet beetle Anthrenus verbasci L. has a circannual pupation rhythm and pupates in the spring in the wild. The change in photoperiod acts as a predominant zeitgeber for this rhythm. However, it is unclear whether the change in ambient temperature acts as a zeitgeber. The present study examines the effects of low‐temperature pulses on this circannual rhythm by exposing larvae kept under constant short‐day conditions (LD 12 : 12 h) at 20 °C to a lower temperature of 15, 10 or 5 °C for 8 or 12 weeks at various phases. Larval development and pupation are suppressed during exposure to low temperature, with this pupation being induced in sufficiently grown larvae within 2 months of a return to 20 °C. These results are attributed to the exogenous suppression and stimulation of pupation, rather than being related to the circannual rhythm (i.e. masking of the circannual rhythm by temperature). Furthermore, long‐term observations demonstrate the existence of phase‐dependent phase shifts of circannual rhythm as a result of low‐temperature pulses. Circannual phase response curves to low temperature are constructed on the basis of the phase shifts obtained. A low‐temperature pulse as a winter signal can reset the circannual rhythm of A. verbasci. It is probable that both temperature and photoperiod play a role in the entrainment of this circannual rhythm to a natural year.
Environmental gradients shape the genetic structure of two medicinal Salvia species in Jordan
Authors: Al‐Gharaibeh M. M. , Hamasha H. R. , Rosche C. , Lachmuth S. , Wesche K. , Hensen I.
Published: October 2016

Environmental gradients, and particularly climatic variables, exert a strong influence on plant distribution and, potentially, population genetic diversity and differentiation. Differences in water availability can cause among‐population variation in ecological processes and can thus interrupt populations’ connectivity and isolate them environmentally. The present study examines the effect of environmental heterogeneity on plant populations due to environmental isolation unrelated to geographic distance.

Using AFLP markers, we analyzed genetic diversity and differentiation among 12 Salvia spinosa populations and 13 Salvia syriaca populations from three phytogeographical regions (Mediterranean, Irano‐Turanian and Saharo‐Arabian) representing the extent of the species’ geographic range in Jordan. Differences in geographic location and climate were considered in the analyses.

For both species, flowering phenology varied among populations and regions. Irano‐Turanian and Saharo‐Arabian populations had higher genetic diversity than Mediterranean populations, and genetic diversity increased significantly with increasing temperature. Genetic diversity in Salvia syriaca was affected by population size, while genetic diversity responded to drought in S. spinosa. For both species, high levels of genetic differentiation were found as well as two well‐supported phytogeographical groups of populations, with Mediterranean populations clustering in one group and the Irano‐Turanian and Saharo‐Arabian populations in another. Genetic distance was significantly correlated to environmental distance, but not to geographic distance.

Our data indicate that populations from moist vs. arid environments are environmentally isolated, where environmental gradients affect their flowering phenology, limit gene flow and shape their genetic structure. We conclude that environmental heterogeneity may act as driver for the observed variation in genetic diversity.
Abscisic acid regulates seed germination of Vellozia species in response to temperature
Authors: Vieira B. C. , Bicalho E. M. , Munné‐Bosch S. , Garcia Q. S.
Published: October 2016

The relationship between the phytohormones, gibberellin (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) and light and temperature on seed germination is still not well understood. We aimed to investigate the role of the ABA and GA on seed germination of Vellozia caruncularis, V. intermedia and V. alutacea in response to light/dark conditions on different temperature.

Seeds were incubated in GA (GA3 or GA4) or ABA and their respective biosynthesis inhibitors (paclobutrazol – PAC, and fluridone – FLU) solutions at two contrasting temperatures (25 and 40 °C). Furthermore, endogenous concentrations of active GAs and those of ABA were measured in seeds of V. intermedia and V. alutacea during imbibition/germination.

Exogenous ABA inhibited the germination of Vellozia species under all conditions tested. GA, FLU and FLU + GA3 stimulated germination in the dark at 25 °C (GA4 being more effective than GA3). PAC reduced seed germination in V. caruncularis and V. alutacea, but did not affect germination of V. intermedia at 40 °C either under light or dark conditions. During imbibition in the dark, levels of active GAs decreased in the seeds of V. intermedia, but were not altered in those of V. alutacea. Incubation at 40 °C decreased ABA levels during imbibition in both V. caruncularis and V. alutacea.

We conclude that the seeds of Vellozia species studied here require light or high temperature to germinate and ABA has a major role in the regulation of Vellozia seed germination in response to light and temperature.
Cross‐modal distractors modulate oscillatory alpha power: the neural basis of impaired task performance
Authors: Weise Annekathrin , Hartmann Thomas , Schröger Erich , Weisz Nathan , Ruhnau Philipp
Published: October 2016

Unexpected novel sounds capture one's attention, even when irrelevant to the task pursued (e.g., playing video game). This often comes at a cost to the task (e.g., slower responding). The neural basis for this behavioral distraction effect is not well understood and is subject of this study. Our approach was motivated by findings from cuing paradigms suggesting a link between modulations in oscillatory activity and voluntary attention shifts. The current study tested whether oscillatory activity is also modulated by a task‐irrelevant auditory distractor, reflecting a neural signature of an involuntary shift of attention and accounting for the impaired task performance. We reanalyzed magnetoencephalographic data collected via an auditory‐visual distraction paradigm in which a task‐relevant visual stimulus was preceded by a task‐irrelevant sound on each trial. In 87.5% this was a regular sound (Standard); in 12.5% this was a novel sound (Distractor). We compared nonphase locked oscillatory activity in a time window prior to the visual target as a function of the experimental manipulation (Distractor, Standard). We found low power in the pretarget time window for Distractors compared to Standards in the alpha and beta frequency bands. Importantly, individual alpha power correlated with response speed on a trial‐by‐trial basis for the Distractor only. Sources were localized to the occipital cortex, and also to the parietal and supratemporal cortices. These findings support our hypothesis that the distractor‐related alpha power modulation indexes an involuntary shift of attention which accounts for the impaired task performance.
Government–University Collaboration at the Root of The Wisconsin Idea
Authors: Thompson Tommy
Published: October 2016

Related Content: Pelosi (PAR November/December 2016)

Related Content: Chávez (PAR November/December 2016)
Oyster reef restoration: substrate suitability may depend on specific restoration goals
Authors: Graham Patrick M. , Palmer Terence A. , Beseres Pollack Jennifer
Published: October 2016

A limited supply of oyster shell for restoration practices has prompted investigations of alternative substrates used in construction of artificial oyster reefs. The success of oyster reef restoration projects is increasingly focused not only on oyster densities, but also on habitat provisioning for associated fauna. A subtidal oyster reef complex (0.24 km2) was restored in the Mission‐Aransas Estuary, Texas, U.S.A., in July 2013 using replicated mounds of concrete, limestone, river rock, and oyster shell substrates. Oyster and reef‐associated fauna characteristics were quantified quarterly for 15 months, using sampling trays that were deployed 3 months after construction. The highest densities of oyster spat occurred 9 months after tray deployment (July 2014, 1,264/m2), whereas juvenile oyster densities increased throughout the study period to 283/m2. Concrete (1,022/m2) and limestone (939/m2) supported the highest number of oysters over all dates. Oyster shell (1,533/m2) and concrete (1,047/m2) substrates supported the highest densities of associated motile fauna. Faunal diversity (Hill's N1) did not vary by substrate material, but did show seasonal variation. A simple benefit–cost ratio was used to indicate the localized monetary value for each of the substrates. Oyster shell and concrete substrates returned the highest benefit–cost ratio for motile fauna, while concrete yielded the highest benefit–cost ratio for oyster abundance. Incorporating benefit–cost ratios in restoration planning will allow practitioners to better integrate substrate‐specific ecological values with economic considerations and project goals to maximize return on restoration investments.
Assisted migration within species range ignores biotic interactions and lacks evidence
Authors: Bucharova Anna
Published: October 2016

In the context of climate change, many plant species may have problems adapting or dispersing rapidly enough to keep pace with changing environmental conditions. Given these potential problems, some experts argue against using local plant ecotypes for ecosystem restoration. Instead, they propose to use foreign ecotypes that are adapted to the predicted climate in an approach called assisted migration within species range or predictive provenancing. I argue that such actions may cause a mismatch in biotic interactions and have negative effects on other organisms. As such, assisted migration should only be considered in cases when the local ecotypes would fail to ensure ecosystem services. In fact, there is little experimental evidence on the assisted migration approach so far, and what little there is does not seem to support its use. Even in altered climates, local ecotypes mostly performed equally well or better than foreign ones selected for their adaptations to these climates. The reason is that even if adaptation to climate plays a role, this factor may be overridden by other drivers of local adaptation, such as soil or biotic interactions. Despite assisted migration being a popular concept that is repeatedly commended in scientific literature and propagated among practitioners, it should not be considered a universal tool to improve restoration outcomes during climate change. Given the lack of hard experimental data, I call for large‐scale multispecies experimental studies that will provide the necessary evidence to derive general guidelines and recommendations for management of ecosystems during climate change.
Patient versus proxy‐reported problematic activities of daily life in patients with COPD
Authors: Nakken Nienke , Janssen Daisy J.A. , van den Bogaart Esther H.A. , van Vliet Monique , de Vries Geeuwke J. , Bootsma Gerben P. , Gronenschild Michiel H.M. , Delbressine Jeannet M.L. , Muris Jean W.M. , Wouters Emiel F.M. , Spruit Martijn A.
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT

Background and objective

Loved ones (proxies) of patients with COPD are confronted with the patients’ limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs). However, it remains unknown whether proxies are able to correctly estimate the problematic ADLs of the patient. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the level of agreement between patient‐reported and proxy‐reported problematic ADLs of the patient.

Methods

Stable outpatients with moderate to very severe COPD (n = 194) and their resident proxies (n = 194) were included in this cross‐sectional study. Patients’ problematic ADLs were assessed in the domains ‘self‐care’, ‘mobility’, ‘productivity’ and ‘leisure’ using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) in both patients and resident proxies. Furthermore, the perceived performance and satisfaction for important problematic ADLs were rated on a 10‐point scale.

Results

In total, 830 problematic ADLs were reported by patients, and 735 by proxies. Agreement in reporting problematic ADLs within a domain was poor (productivity and leisure; κ; = 0.20 and 0.16, respectively) to fair (self‐care and mobility; κ = 0.32 and 0.22, respectively). Similar performance and satisfaction scores, for equally reported problematic ADLs, were given by 24.0% and 17.6% of the pairs, respectively.

Conclusion

Proxies were often not able to identify the patients’ most important problematic ADLs. Moreover, when patient and proxy agreed about the presence of a specific problematic ADL, the perception of the performance and the satisfaction with that performance differed within most pairs. This emphasizes the importance of involving proxies, besides patients alone, in identifying patients’ problematic ADLs.
Characteristics of sarcoidosis in Maori and Pacific Islanders
Authors: Wilsher Margaret L. , Young Lisa M. , Hopkins Raewyn , Cornere Megan
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT

Background and objective

Ethnicity is strongly associated with variable clinical presentation in sarcoidosis but the association between ethnicity and clinical characteristics has not previously been described in patients of Polynesian ancestry, Maori and Pacific Islander (PI). The objective of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of sarcoidosis in Maori and PI patients and determine if those were different to European patients.

Methods

A retrospective review of the medical records of 406 patients (69 Maori/PI) attending a specialist interstitial lung disease (ILD) clinic.

Results

The population (207 females, mean age at presentation: 36) reflected the current New Zealand census data (2013) with only people of Indian ethnicity over‐represented. Parenchymal lung involvement was uncommon in Maori and PI patients (21% Scadding stage 2, 2% stage 3), and no patient had extensive pulmonary fibrosis (stage 4). Computed tomography (CT) patterns of sarcoid parenchymal lung involvement were less commonly reported for Maori/PI. There were no differences in respect of baseline lung function or requirement for treatment. Ocular and skin involvement occurred more frequently in Maori and PI (P = 0.0045, P = 0.03), and erythema nodosum was more common in Caucasians (P = 0.0008).

Conclusion

People of Polynesian ancestry appear to have less pulmonary and more extra‐pulmonary manifestations of sarcoidosis. This adds to our knowledge that sarcoidosis heterogeneity is influenced by ethnicity.
Causal Inference by using Invariant Prediction: Identification and Confidence Intervals
Authors: Peters Jonas , Bühlmann Peter , Meinshausen Nicolai
Published: October 2016

What is the difference between a prediction that is made with a causal model and that with a non-causal model? Suppose that we intervene on the predictor variables or change the whole environment. The predictions from a causal model will in general work as well under interventions as for observational data. In contrast, predictions from a non-causal model can potentially be very wrong if we actively intervene on variables. Here, we propose to exploit this invariance of a prediction under a causal model for causal inference: given different experimental settings (e.g. various interventions) we collect all models that do show invariance in their predictive accuracy across settings and interventions. The causal model will be a member of this set of models with high probability. This approach yields valid confidence intervals for the causal relationships in quite general scenarios. We examine the example of structural equation models in more detail and provide sufficient assumptions under which the set of causal predictors becomes identifiable. We further investigate robustness properties of our approach under model misspecification and discuss possible extensions. The empirical properties are studied for various data sets, including large-scale gene perturbation experiments.
An educational programme to improve acute care nurses' knowledge, attitudes and family caregiver involvement in care of people with cognitive impairment
Authors: Kang Yun , Moyle Wendy , Cooke Marie , O'Dwyer Siobhan T.
Published: October 2016

Background

The population is ageing in South Korea, increasing the incidence of dementia and delirium. Despite this, registered nurses in South Korea tend to have poor understanding and limited involvement in the assessment of delirium.

Aim

To evaluate the effect of an educational programme on acute care nurses' knowledge, attitudes and the potential for family caregiver involvement in care for older adults with cognitive impairment.

Methods

A mixed‐methods study that included a single group, pre–post design and individual interviews was used. Forty registered nurses were recruited from four medical wards of one regional general hospital in South Korea. A 3‐month educational programme on care for older adults with cognitive impairment tailored to the specific learning needs of nurses and guided by adult learning principles was provided to participants. A purposive sample of 12 registered nurses who participated in the quantitative component, and a nominated sample of six family caregivers whose older family members were cared for by participating nurses, joined individual interviews.

Results

The educational programme had a positive impact on nurses' knowledge of cognitive impairment and attitudes towards older adults. The qualitative data indicated that the educational programme improved nurses' knowledge of cognitive impairment and their attitudes towards older adults with cognitive impairment. It also increased nurses' initial efforts to involve family caregivers in cognitive impairment care.

Conclusion

Educational programmes are an effective means of improving nurses' knowledge and attitudes, but more research is required to explore the impact of such a programme on practice change and patient health‐related outcomes including incidence of delirium, length of hospital stay and hospital‐acquired complications.
Response of unconfined turbidity current to normal‐fault topography
Authors: Ge Zhiyuan , Nemec Wojciech , Gawthorpe Rob L. , Hansen Ernst W.M.
Published: October 2016

Turbidity currents descending the slopes of deep‐water extensional basins or passive continental margins commonly encounter normal‐fault escarpments, but such large‐magnitude phenomena are hydraulically difficult to replicate at small scale in the laboratory. This study uses advanced computational fluid dynamics numerical simulations to monitor the response of large, natural‐scale unconfined turbidity currents (100 m thick and 2000 m wide at the inlet gate) to normal‐fault topography with a maximum relief of nearly 300 m. For comparative purposes, the turbidity current is first released on a non‐faulted pristine slope of 1·5° (simulation model 1). The expanding and waxing flow bypasses the slope without recognizable deposition within the visibility limit of 8 vol.% sand grain packing. Similar flow is then released towards the tip (model 2) and towards the centre (model 3) of a normal‐fault escarpment. In both of these latter models, the sand carried by flow tends to be entrapped in four distinct depozones: an upslope near‐gate zone of flow abrupt expansion and self‐regulation; a flow‐transverse zone at the fault footwall edge; a flow‐transverse zone at the immediate hangingwall; and a similar transverse zone near the crest of the hangingwall counter‐slope, where some of the deposited sand also tends to be reshuffled to the previous zone by a secondary reverse underflow. The near‐bottom reverse flow appears to be generated on a counter‐slope of 1·1°, increased to 2·0° by deposition. The Kelvin–Helmholtz interface instability plays an important role by causing three‐dimensional fluctuations in the flow velocity magnitude and sediment concentration. The thick deposits of large single‐surge flows may thus show hydraulic fluctuations resembling those widely ascribed to hyperpycnal flows. The study indicates further that the turbiditic slope fans formed on such fault topographies are likely to be patchy and hence may differ considerably from the existing slope‐fan conceptual models when it comes to the spatial prediction of main sand depozones.
Palm Distributions for Log Gaussian Cox Processes
Authors: Coeurjolly Jean‐François , Møller Jesper , Waagepetersen Rasmus
Published: October 2016

This paper establishes a remarkable result regarding Palm distributions for a log Gaussian Cox process: the reduced Palm distribution for a log Gaussian Cox process is itself a log Gaussian Cox process that only differs from the original log Gaussian Cox process in the intensity function. This new result is used to study functional summaries for log Gaussian Cox processes.
Coproducing urban space: Rethinking the formal/informal dichotomy
Authors: Koster Martijn , Nuijten Monique
Published: October 2016

Providing an introduction to the special section ‘Close encounters: ethnographies of the coproduction of space by the urban poor’, this article sets out to argue that the image of ‘the informal’ as unruly, messy and dirty continues to inform urban planning around the world. As a reaction to this view, it contends that the informal and formal should be analysed as interconnected and that the informal sphere should be revalued. Urban development is studied as close encounters between established practices, with a locus and a history (tree‐like), and newly emerging, unstable and untraceable practices (rhizomatic). Contrary to the tendency in urban planning to conflate the formal with the tree and the informal with the rhizome, we argue that from the perspective of marginal urbanites, formal planning tends to be very arbitrary and frightening (rhizomatic), whereas informal practices can be very predictable and stable (arboreal). The article analyses residents of marginalized urban areas as inventive navigators who explore the changing physical, spatial and sociopolitical environment, avoiding threats and looking for opportunities, grounded in their everyday practices and life histories. The article concludes that marginal urbanites should be acknowledged as coproducers of urban space and that the right to ‘coproduce’ the city lies at the heart of the call for the right to the city.
Changes in leisure‐time physical activity and physical and mental health functioning: a follow‐up study
Authors: Holstila A. , Mänty M. , Rahkonen O. , Lahelma E. , Lahti J.
Published: October 2016

Functioning will be an increasingly important issue in Finland over the coming decades as the proportion of the population aged 65 and older is growing significantly. However, the associations between changes in physical activity and subsequent health functioning are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine how changes in physical activity relate to concurrent and prospective levels of health functioning. Cohort data from the Helsinki Health Study were used. Phase 1 (n = 8960, response rate 67%, 80% women) was conducted among 40‐ to 60‐year‐old employees of the City of Helsinki in 2000–2002, phase 2 in 2007 (n = 7332, response rate 83%), and phase 3 in 2012 (n = 6814, response rate 79%). Linear mixed models were used as the main statistical method. Increasing physical activity was associated with higher concurrent and prospective levels of physical health functioning, whereas decreasing activity was associated with lower levels of physical health functioning. The associations were stronger with physical than with mental health functioning. Promoting physical activity among aging people may help to maintain their level of health functioning.
Physical fitness and academic performance in youth: A systematic review
Authors: Santana C. C. A. , Azevedo L. B. , Cattuzzo M. T. , Hill J. O. , Andrade L. P. , Prado W. L.
Published: October 2016

Physical fitness (PF) is a construct of health‐ and skill‐related attributes which have been associated with academic performance (AP) in youth. This study aimed to review the scientific evidence on the association among components of PF and AP in children and adolescents. A systematic review of articles using databases PubMed/Medline, ERIC, LILACS, SciELO, and Web of Science was undertaken. Cross‐sectional and longitudinal studies examining the association between at least one component of PF and AP in children and adolescents, published between 1990 and June 2016, were included. Independent extraction of articles was carried out by the two authors using predefined data fields. From a total of 45 studies included, 25 report a positive association between components of PF with AP and 20 describe a single association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and AP. According to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines: 12 were classified as low, 32 as medium risk, and 1 as high risk of bias. Thirty‐one studies reported a positive association between AP and CRF, six studies with muscular strength, three studies with flexibility, and seven studies reported a positive association between clustered of PF components and AP. The magnitude of the associations is weak to moderate (β = 0.10–0.42 and odds = 1.01–4.14). There is strong evidence for a positive association between CRF and cluster of PF with AP in cross‐sectional studies; and evidence from longitudinal studies for a positive association between cluster of PF and AP; the relationship between muscular strength and flexibility with AP remains uncertain.
Acute and long‐term effects of blood flow restricted training on heat shock proteins and endogenous antioxidant systems
Authors: Cumming K. T. , Ellefsen S. , Rønnestad B. R. , Ugelstad I. , Raastad T.
Published: October 2016

Blood flow restricted exercise (BFRE) with low loads has been demonstrated to induce considerable stress to exercising muscles. Muscle cells have developed a series of defensive systems against exercise‐induced stress. However, little is known about acute and long‐term effects of BFRE training on these systems. Nine previously untrained females trained low‐load BFRE and heavy load strength training (HLS) on separate legs and on separate days to investigate acute and long‐term effects on heat shock proteins (HSP) and endogenous antioxidant systems in skeletal muscles. BFRE and HLS increased muscle strength similarly by 12 ± 7% and 12 ± 6%, respectively, after 12 weeks of training. Acutely after the first BFRE and HLS exercise session, αB‐crystallin and HSP27 content increased in cytoskeletal structures, accompanied by increased expression of several HSP genes. After 12 weeks of training, this acute HSP response was absent. Basal levels of αB‐crystallin, HSP27, HSP70, mnSOD, or GPx1 remained unchanged after 12 weeks of training, but HSP27 levels increased in the cytoskeleton. Marked translocation of HSP to cytoskeletal structures at the commencement of training indicates that these structures are highly stressed from BFRE and HLS. However, as the muscle gets used to this type of exercise, this response is abolished.
Two's company, three's a crowd: new insights on spruce budworm species boundaries using genotyping‐by‐sequencing in an integrative species assessment (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
Authors: BRUNET BRYAN M. T. , BLACKBURN GWYLIM S. , MUIRHEAD KEVIN , LUMLEY LISA M. , BOYLE BRIAN , LÉVESQUE ROGER C. , CUSSON MICHEL , SPERLING FELIX A. H.
Published: October 2016

Species delimitation requires an assessment of varied traits that can contribute to reproductive isolation, as well as of the permanence of evolutionary differentiation among closely related lineages. Integrative taxonomy, including the combination of genome‐wide molecular data with ecological data, offers an effective approach to this issue. We use genotyping‐by‐sequencing together with a review of ecological divergence to assess the traditionally recognized species status of three closely related members of the spruce budworm species complex,Choristoneura fumiferana(Clemens),C. occidentalisFreeman (=C. freemaniRazowski) andC. biennisFreeman, each of which is a major defoliator of conifer forests. We sampled a broad region of overlap between these three taxa in Alberta and British Columbia (Canada) where potential for gene flow provides a strong test of the durability of divergence among lineages. A total of 2218 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were assayed, and patterns of differentiation were evaluated under the biological, ecological, genotypic cluster and phylogenetic species concepts.Choristoneura fumiferanawas genetically distinct with substantial barriers to genetic exchange withC. occidentalisandC. biennis. Conversely, divergence betweenC. occidentalisandC. bienniswas limited to a small subset of outlier loci and was within the range observed within any one of the taxa. Considering both population genetic and ecological patterns of divergence,C. fumiferanashould continue to be recognized as a distinct species, andC. biennis(syn.n.) should be treated as a subspecies (C. occidentalis biennisFreeman, 1967) ofC. occidentalis,thereby automatically establishing the nominate nameC. occidentalis occidentalisFreeman, 1967 for univoltine populations of this species.
Associations between TNFAIP3 gene polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus risk: an updated meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang M.‐Y. , Yang X.‐K. , Pan H.‐F. , Ye D.‐Q.
Published: October 2016

In order to determine whether tumor necrosis factor alpha inducible protein 3 (TNFAIP3) gene polymorphisms confers susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in ethnically different populations. A meta‐analysis was conducted to examine the association between TNFAIP3 polymorphisms and susceptibility to SLE. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify all relevant studies. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the strength of the association. A total of 23 studies from 20 articles, involving 18,501 patients with SLE and 30,435 healthy controls were included in this meta‐analysis. Overall, we found significant association between SLE and the TNFAIP3 rs2230926, rs5029937, rs5029939, and rs3757173 polymorphisms (all P < 0.001). Stratification by ethnicity indicated that rs5029939 polymorphism was associated with SLE in Europeans, while rs2230926, rs5029937, and rs3757173 polymorphisms were associated with SLE both in Europeans and Asians (all P < 0.001). The results of our meta‐analysis suggest that TNFAIP3 (rs2230926, rs5029937, rs5029939, and rs3757173) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to SLE.
Identification of a novel HLA‐DRB1*08 allele, HLA‐DRB1*08:45:02
Authors: Huo M.‐R. , Xi B. , Yu Y. , Li D.
Published: October 2016

HLA‐DRB1*08:45:02 differs from DRB1*08:30:01 by a single nucleotide substitution at position 227 of exon 2.