bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rare dental developmental disturbance in primary and permanent teeth following trauma prior to tooth eruption: Case report
Authors: Amaral‐Freitas Gabrielle , Brasileiro Cláudia B. , Zarzar Patrícia M. , Ferreira Fernanda M.
Published: June 2019

Traumatic dental injuries are highly prevalent among preschool children. When occurring at a very young age (prior to the eruption of the primary teeth), such trauma can disturb the normal development of the permanent dentition and, more rarely, affect the primary dentition. This report describes a case of a patient who suffered dentoalveolar trauma at six months of age that caused rare developmental problems in the primary dentition, such as impaction, dilacerations, hypoplasia, and odontoma. Imaging revealed that alterations also occurred in the permanent dentition. This report demonstrates that dentoalveolar trauma prior to complete development of the dentition and even before the eruption of the primary teeth can lead to highly uncommon abnormalities in the primary dentition. Moreover, there may be repercussions in the permanent dentition when the germs of these teeth are injured by the intraosseous displacement of primary teeth.
The unique interaction between the summer annual desert plant Salsola inermis Forssk and weevils residing on its roots: mutualism or parasitism?
Authors: Meng Fengqun , Rundel Philip W. , Sharifi M. Rasoul , Bar‐Shmuel Nitsan , Segoli Michal
Published: June 2019

1. Herbivores and parasites are likely to impose less damage on their host when their growth rate is slow and their dependency on the host is high. Accordingly, it was hypothesised that evolution would favour neutral or even beneficial interactions between a below‐ground herbivore and a plant during the harsh season in a desert ecosystem.

2. This study characterised the relationship between the summer annual plant Salsola inermis Forssk (Chenopodiaceae) and weevils developing in a mud chamber attached to its roots in the Negev Desert of Israel. Plant seedlings were exposed to adult weevils (Conorhynchus palumbus Olivier or Menecleonus virgatus Schoenherr; Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in a controlled outside setting, to induce oviposition and larval establishment. The following were quantified: plant growth, above‐ground biomass, fruit biomass, and fruit size, as well as relative C and N contents, and isotopic signatures (δ13C and δ15N) in plant tissues.

3. Exposure to weevils did not reduce plant survival but significantly and negatively affected plant growth and seed production. However, these effects were mainly due to above‐ground herbivory by adults rather than root herbivory by larvae, and might have been overestimated. Interestingly, %N and δ15N were significantly higher, and the C:N ratio was significantly lower, in plants with larval establishment, suggesting that weevils affect the plant nitrogen budget.

4. The overall results do not support the notion of mutualistic interactions; yet, slow consumption, a low infestation level, and, possibly, N supplementation to the plant may enable the plant to tolerate herbivory under natural conditions.
Pairing dual‐frequency GPR in summer and winter enhances the detection and mapping of coarse roots in the semi‐arid shrubland in China
Authors: Cui X. , Liu X. , Cao X. , Fan B. , Zhang Z. , Chen J. , Chen X. , Lin H. , Guo L.
Published: June 2019

To complement traditional methods of studying coarse roots (>2 mm in diameter) that are often destructive, laborious and point‐based, we tested a dual‐frequency ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) to non‐invasively map lateral coarse roots of shrubs (Caragana microphylla Lam.) in the sandy soil of a temperate semi‐arid shrubland. The dual‐frequency GPR system used in this study simultaneously collects data with two antenna frequencies (400 and 900 MHz). The GPR surveys were repeated in a grid (11 × 4.8 m2 with a total of 46 survey lines) in summer and winter. Both antenna frequencies and seasonal GPR surveys generated a consistent pattern of the distribution of lateral coarse roots, indicating reliable interpretation of GPR data for coarse roots mapping. The 400 MHz GPR and the winter survey detected more roots in the deeper soil (>0.6 m depth), whereas the 900 MHz GPR and the summer survey detected more in the shallower soil (<0.6 m depth). The higher wave velocity and lower degree of GPR energy attenuation in the frozen soil enhanced the detection of deep coarse roots. Combining root detection results obtained under all conditions revealed a higher distribution density of lateral coarse roots beneath a depression and at the depth of 0.4–0.6 m, but a lower abundance under the intershrub area (i.e. showing the avoidance of intershrub root overlap). These patterns were not evident in GPR images collected using a single frequency antenna in one season. Ground truthing confirmed that pairing GPR data collected at two frequencies improved the detection frequency of the number of lateral coarse roots. More field tests are required to validate the application of repeated dual‐frequency GPR surveys to detect and quantify coarse roots in other ecosystems.

Highlights

The detection of lateral coarse roots by GPR needs to be further improved in field soils.

Dual‐frequency GPR surveys were repeated in summer and winter to enhance coarse roots mapping.

Combining seasonal dual‐frequency GPR data improved detection frequency of the number of roots.

Topography and intershrub root competition influence the distribution of lateral coarse roots.
Blood pressure and risk of dementia and its subtypes: a historical cohort study with long‐term follow‐up in 2.6 million people
Authors: Gregson J. , Qizilbash N. , Iwagami M. , Douglas I. , Johnson M. , Pearce N. , Pocock S.
Published: June 2019

Background and purpose

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is prevalent and modifiable and has been hypothesized to lead to increased risk of dementia.

Data

Data on 2 593 629 people from the UK Clinical Practice Research Database aged ≥40 years with a BP measurement between 1992 and 2011 and no prior record of dementia were collected.

Methods

Poisson regression models were used to study the association between BP and physician‐diagnosed dementia. BP is believed to fall during the prodromal phase of dementia development, so associations were investigated by categories of time since BP measurement (<5, 5–10, >10 years) and by subtypes of dementia.

Results

During a median follow‐up of 8.2 years, 65 618 cases of dementia were observed: 49 161 Alzheimer's, 13 816 vascular dementia and 2541 other subtypes. For each 10 mmHg higher systolic BP, the future dementia risk was 9.2% (95% confidence interval 8.4%–10.0%) lower, but this association varied markedly by time since BP measurement. Short‐term associations with dementia were inverse with a 15.8% (15.5%–17.0%) lower risk 0–5 years after BP measurement and a 5.8% (7.7%–4.4%) lower risk 5–10 years after BP measurement. During the period >10 years after BP measurement, dementia risk was only 1.6% (0.1%–3.0%) lower, with a 4.3% (2.5%–6.0%) lower risk of Alzheimer's disease and a 7.0% (3.8%–10.2%) higher risk of vascular dementia.

Conclusions

Elevated BP is associated with decreased risk of dementia in the short term, possibly due to reverse causation. Long‐term associations of BP with dementia are less marked and differ by dementia subtype.
Syntax manipulation changes perception of mobbing call sequences across passerine species
Authors: Dutour Mylène , Lengagne Thierry , Léna Jean‐Paul
Published: June 2019

Many species approach predators to harass them and drive them away. Both the intensity of this antipredator strategy and its success are positively related to the size of the group that carries out this mobbing. To recruit individuals to the mob, members of prey species produce mobbing calls. In some songbirds—the Japanese tit, Parus minor, and the southern pied babbler, Turdoides bicolor—mobbing calls are structurally complex and it has been suggested that they convey information by means of compositional syntax, when meaningful items are combined into larger units. These two species combine alert and recruitment calls into an alert and recruitment sequence when attracting conspecifics to cooperate in mobbing a predator. Whether this rudimentary, two‐call, compositional structure is used by other bird species in mobbing calls and how it can alter the ability of heterospecifics to adequately recognize mobbing calls is not well understood. Heterospecifics’ responses to mobs are critical to the success of the mobbing strategy, so it is of great importance to understand whether and how syntax influences these responses. To address these questions, we conducted two playback experiments. Firstly, we investigated whether the great tit, Parus major, extracts different meanings from different individual motifs (i.e., component calls), and from combined motifs in both natural and artificially reversed order. We found that great tits extract different meanings from the two motifs involved in mobbing calls and that they also discriminate for motif order reversal in the mobbing call sequence. Secondly, we investigated whether heterospecifics (the coal tit, Periparus ater, and the common chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs) are sensitive to syntax alteration of great tit mobbing calls. While chaffinches did not respond to great tit mobbing calls, coal tits were sensitive to mobbing call sequence reversal although they did not react in the same way as conspecific subjects. Overall, whereas our results indicate that tits are sensitive to call reversal, this is not to say that tits actually use compositional syntax to increase the information content.
When fund management skill is more valuable?
Authors: Dong Feng , Doukas John A.
Published: June 2019

Does fund management skill allow managers to identify mispriced securities more accurately and thereby make better portfolio choices resulting in superior fund performance when noise trading – a natural setting to detect skill – is more prevalent? We find skilled fund managers with superior past performance to generate persistent excess risk‐adjusted returns and experience significant capital inflows, especially in high sentiment times, high stock dispersion, and economic expansion states when price signals are noisier. This pattern persists after we control for lucky bias, using the ‘false discovery rate’ approach, which permits disentangling manager ‘skill’ from ‘luck.’
A secure mHealth application for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Rodríguez‐Pérez Nayra , Caballero‐Gil Pino , Rivero‐García Alexandra , Toledo‐Castro Josué
Published: June 2019

Nowadays, many people have smartphones, the fact that encourages the development of new tools to address different problems. One of its consequences is the recent growth of mHealth, a term that refers to the practice of medicine based on the use of mobile devices for medical and health purposes. This work describes a new mHealth tool to improve memory and cognitive abilities through gamification and serious games. In particular, a mobile application here is proposed to help children that suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This application integrates the four profiles involved in this disorder: children, parents, teachers, and medical staff. With it, parents can discover if their children suffer the disorder, and children can improve their cognitive abilities through games of different types. Besides, the security aspect of the proposal is emphasized to highlight its importance in mHealth. Thus, the developed tool includes various cryptographic mechanisms to protect the confidentiality of communications and the authenticity of users and data.
Weakened growth of cropland‐N2O emissions in China associated with nationwide policy interventions
Authors: Shang Ziyin , Zhou Feng , Smith Pete , Saikawa Eri , Ciais Philippe , Chang Jinfeng , Tian Hanqin , Del Grosso Stephen J. , Ito Akihiko , Chen Minpeng , Wang Qihui , Bo Yan , Cui Xiaoqing , Castaldi Simona , Juszczak Radoslaw , Kasimir Åsa , Magliulo Vincenzo , Medinets Sergiy , Medinets Volodymyr , Rees Robert M. , Wohlfahrt Georg , Sabbatini Simone
Published: June 2019

China has experienced rapid agricultural development over recent decades, accompanied by increased fertilizer consumption in croplands; yet, the trend and drivers of the associated nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions remain uncertain. The primary sources of this uncertainty are the coarse spatial variation of activity data and the incomplete model representation of N2O emissions in response to agricultural management. Here, we provide new data‐driven estimates of cropland‐N2O emissions across China in 1990–2014, compiled using a global cropland‐N2O flux observation dataset, nationwide survey‐based reconstruction of N‐fertilization and irrigation, and an updated nonlinear model. In addition, we have evaluated the drivers behind changing cropland‐N2O patterns using an index decomposition analysis approach. We find that China's annual cropland‐N2O emissions increased on average by 11.2 Gg N/year2 (p < .001) from 1990 to 2003, after which emissions plateaued until 2014 (2.8 Gg N/year2, p = .02), consistent with the output from an ensemble of process‐based terrestrial biosphere models. The slowdown of the increase in cropland‐N2O emissions after 2003 was pervasive across two thirds of China's sowing areas. This change was mainly driven by the nationwide reduction in N‐fertilizer applied per area, partially due to the prevalence of nationwide technological adoptions. This reduction has almost offset the N2O emissions induced by policy‐driven expansion of sowing areas, particularly in the Northeast Plain and the lower Yangtze River Basin. Our results underline the importance of high‐resolution activity data and adoption of nonlinear model of N2O emission for capturing cropland‐N2O emission changes. Improving the representation of policy interventions is also recommended for future projections.
Cumulative weather effects can impact across the whole life cycle
Authors: Hindle Bethan J. , Pilkington Jill G. , Pemberton Josephine M. , Childs Dylan Z.
Published: June 2019

Predicting how species will be affected by future climatic change requires the underlying environmental drivers to be identified. As vital rates vary over the lifecycle, structured population models derived from statistical environment–demography relationships are often used to inform such predictions. Environmental drivers are typically identified independently for different vital rates and demographic classes. However, these rates often exhibit positive temporal covariance, suggesting that vital rates respond to common environmental drivers. Additionally, models often only incorporate average weather conditions during a single, a priori chosen time window (e.g. monthly means). Mismatches between these windows and the period when the vital rates are sensitive to variation in climate decrease the predictive performance of such approaches. We used a demographic structural equation model (SEM) to demonstrate that a single axis of environmental variation drives the majority of the (co)variation in survival, reproduction, and twinning across six age–sex classes in a Soay sheep population. This axis provides a simple target for the complex task of identifying the drivers of vital rate variation. We used functional linear models (FLMs) to determine the critical windows of three local climatic drivers, allowing the magnitude and direction of the climate effects to differ over time. Previously unidentified lagged climatic effects were detected in this well‐studied population. The FLMs had a better predictive performance than selecting a critical window a priori, but not than a large‐scale climate index. Positive covariance amongst vital rates and temporal variation in the effects of environmental drivers are common, suggesting our SEM–FLM approach is a widely applicable tool for exploring the joint responses of vital rates to environmental change.
Efficacy of a newly developed auditory–cognitive training system on speech recognition, central auditory processing and cognitive ability among older adults with normal cognition and with neurocognitive impairment
Authors: Yusof Yusmeera , Mukari Siti Zamratol‐Mai Sarah , Dzulkifli Mariam Adawiah , Chellapan Kalaivani , Ahmad Kartini , Ishak Ismarulyusda , Maamor Nashrah , Ishak Wan Syafira
Published: June 2019

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy of a newly developed auditory–cognitive training system on speech recognition, central auditory processing and cognition among older adults with normal cognition (NC) and with neurocognitive impairment (NCI).

Methods

A double‐blind quasi‐experiment was carried out on NC (n = 43) and NCI (n = 33) groups. Participants in each group were randomly assigned into treatment and control programs groups. The treatment group underwent auditory–cognitive training, whereas the control group was assigned to watch documentary videos, three times per week, for 8 consecutive weeks. Study outcomes that included Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Malay Hearing in Noise Test, Dichotic Digit Test, Gaps in Noise Test and Pitch Pattern Sequence Test were measured at 4‐week intervals at baseline, and weeks 4, 8 and 12.

Results

Mixed design anova showed significant training effects in total Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Dichotic Digit Test in both groups, NC (P < 0.001) and NCI (P < 0.01). The NC group also showed significant training effects in the Malay Hearing in Noise Test (quiet) (P < 0.01), Gaps in Noise Test (P < 0.001) and Pitch Pattern Sequence Test (humming) (P < 0.05). All training effects were sustained up to 4 weeks after the training ended.

Conclusions

The present study suggests that the newly developed auditory–cognitive training system has the potential to improve general cognition and some of the auditory processing abilities in both the NC and NCI groups. Because of the short test–retest intervals used in the present study, it is possible that the training effects were influenced by learning effect and, therefore, should be considered cautiously. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 768–773.
The immune microenvironment and expression of PD‐L1, PD‐1, PRAME and MHC I in salivary duct carcinoma
Authors: Xu Bin , Jungbluth Achim A , Frosina Denise , Alzumaili Bayan , Aleynick Nathaniel , Slodkowska Elzbieta , Higgins Kevin , Ho Alan , Morris Luc , Ghossein Ronald , Katabi Nora
Published: June 2019

Aims

Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is an aggressive salivary malignancy that results in high mortality rates and is often resistant to chemotherapy. Anti‐programmed death‐1 (PD‐1)/programmed death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1) checkpoint inhibitors have led to dramatic improvements in patients with various cancers. Other immunotherapeutic approaches, e.g. cancer vaccines, have shown promising results. Cancer testis antigens, e.g. preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME), are regarded as promising vaccine targets because of their tumour‐specific expression pattern.

Methods and results

We analysed the immunoexpression of PD‐L1, PD‐1, major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) and PRAME in 53 SDCs. The immunoexpression levels of PD‐L1 in tumour cells (TCs) and immune cells (ICs), PD‐1 in ICs, PRAME in TCs and MHC I in TCs were analysed, and were correlated with outcome. PRAME expression was seen in 83% of SDCs. No PRAME staining was present in normal salivary gland tissue. With the three established diagnostic algorithms proposed for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, the criteria being a combined positive score of ≥1, TC% ≥1%, and TC% ≥25%, 35 (66%), 17 (32%) and three cases (6%), respectively, were deemed to be positive for PD‐L1. PD‐1‐positive ICs were seen in 35 (66%) cases. MHC I down‐regulation was seen in 82% of SDCs. There was a significant correlation among PD‐L1 expression in ICs, PD‐1 expression in ICs, and PRAME expression in TCs. PD‐L1 expression in TCs and lack of PD‐1 expression in ICs were associated with decreased disease‐specific survival in SDC patients.

Conclusions

Alterations of the tumour immune microenvironment are common in SDCs, including expression of PD‐1/PD‐L1 and PRAME, which opens the way to potential novel immune therapies, such as cancer vaccination and PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade, in these tumours.
Does the Partners in Health scale allow meaningful comparisons of chronic condition self‐management between men and women? Testing measurement invariance
Authors: Smith David , Fairweather‐Schmidt A. Kate , Harvey Peter , Bowden Jacqueline , Lawn Sharon , Battersby Malcolm
Published: June 2019

Aims

To determine if the Partners in Health scale, pertinent to assessing patient chronic condition self‐management, operates equivalently for men and women.

Background

There are distinct gender‐based differences in self‐management behaviours and health perceptions. This may introduce non‐invariance in self‐report measures. Testing of measurement invariance is a recommended practice in nursing science to ensure robust metrics.

Design

A representative cross‐sectional population survey in South Australian.

Method

In 2014, 940 people responded to the South Australian Health Omnibus Survey, a battery of health‐related questions. MI and estimation of heterogeneity was tested using Bayesian confirmatory factor analysis.

Results

Findings showed self‐management constructs were interpreted equivalently between men and women. Observed population heterogeneity associated lower education levels with poorer illness and treatment knowledge, smokers with poorer treatment partnerships and mental health problems with lower coping capacity.

Conclusion

Approximate measurement invariance was achieved between men and women for Partners in Health scale.

Impact

There is a lack of well‐validated generic instruments, including investigation into gender variability, for measuring chronic condition self‐management behaviours. Lower education levels were found to connect with poorer knowledge of health condition and treatment. Mental health problems attenuated ability to cope with the effect of the condition. Findings can facilitate the development of better tailored interventions for self‐management of patients’ chronic condition/s.
Effects of work practice environment, work engagement and work pressure on turnover intention among community health nurses: Mediated moderation model
Authors: Li Bei , Li Zhaoyang , Wan Qiaoqin
Published: June 2019

Aim

To test the relationship between work practice environment and turnover intention, considering the mediation of work engagement and the moderation of work pressure among community health nurses.

Design and Samples

A cross‐sectional survey design.

Methods

A total of 410 nurses were recruited from 32 community health centres between September 2016–January 2017 with survey on work practice environment, work engagement, work pressure and turnover intention. Structural equation modelling was used to test a mediated moderation model.

Results

Work practice environment was positively associated with higher work engagement and lower turnover intention and work engagement partially mediated the relationship between work practice environment and turnover intention. In addition, work pressure moderated the relationship between work practice environment and work engagement.

Conclusion

The improvement of work practice environment including the physical and humanitarian environment could enhance nurse engagement and reduce turnover intention in community, which was more pronounced among high‐pressure nurses.

Impact

In front of the nursing shortage, especially in communities, the strategies on how to retain and motivate nurses have become the focus of concern. Based on the job demands‐resources model and the conservation of resources theory, this study examined the effect of work practice environment on turnover intention with the mediation role of work engagement and the moderation role of work pressure among community health nurses. The nurse managers of communities should pay attention to the role of work practice environment in stimulating nurses’ engagement and decreasing turnover intention, especially when nurses are under high work pressure.
Herbal formula Yangyinjiedu induces lung cancer cell apoptosis via activation of early growth response 1
Authors: Yang Wenxiao , Kang Yani , Zhao Qiang , Bi Ling , Jiao Lijing , Gu Yunzhao , Lu Jun , Yao Jialin , Zhou Di , Sun Jielin , Zhao Xiaodong , Xu Ling
Published: June 2019

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been extensively used in clinical practices and proven to be effective against cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be investigated. In this study, we examined the anticancer activities of Chinese herbal formula Yangyinjiedu (YYJD) and found that YYJD exhibits cytotoxicity against lung cancer cells. Transcriptome analysis indicated that 2178 genes were differentially expressed (P < 0.05) upon YYJD treatment, with 1464 being (67.2%) up‐regulated. Among these, we found that the tumour suppressor early growth response 1 (EGR1) is the most activated. We demonstrated that EGR1 contributes to YYJD‐induced apoptosis in A549. Through dissecting EGR1‐associated transcriptional network, we identified 275 genes as EGR1 direct targets, some targets are involved in apoptosis. Lastly, we observed that YYJD enhances EGR1 expression and induces cell death in tumour xenografts. Collectively, these findings suggest that YYJD exerts its anticancer activities through EGR1 activation, thus providing the evidence for its potential clinical application for lung cancer patients.
Incidence and prevalence of psoriasis in Israel between 2011 and 2017
Authors: Schonmann Y. , Ashcroft D.M. , Iskandar I.Y.K. , Parisi R. , Sde‐Or S. , Comaneshter D. , Batat E. , Shani M. , Vinker S. , Griffiths C.E.M. , Cohen A.D.
Published: June 2019

Background

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with a heavy burden of morbidity, disability and cost. The occurrence of the disease in Israel has not been previously investigated.

Objectives

To provide standardized estimates of trends in psoriasis incidence, prevalence and mortality among patients in Israel between 2011 and 2017.

Methods

Using electronic health records from Clalit Health Services, the largest nationwide public health provider in Israel, we conducted a population‐based study investigating trends in the annual incidence and prevalence of psoriasis between the years 2011 and 2017. We report age‐ and sex‐adjusted rates, using the standard European population as a reference.

Results

We identified 71 094 incident psoriasis cases. The mean (SD) age of onset was 42.4 (21.0) years with a bimodal distribution, peaking in the early ‘30s and early ‘60s. Late‐onset psoriasis, occurring after 40 years of age, accounted for 51.1% of incident cases. The annual psoriasis incidence rate was constant throughout the study period (280/100 000 person‐years). Psoriasis prevalence rose from 2.5% in 2011 to 3.8% in 2017.

Conclusions

Psoriasis prevalence is increasing in Israel, although its incidence is stable. Clinicians and policymakers should plan to address the growing demands in the clinical, economic and societal burden of psoriasis.
A randomised clinical trial on the efficacy of 5% fluorocalcium phosphosilicate‐containing novel bioactive glass toothpaste
Authors: Patel Vivek Rajiv , Shettar Leena , Thakur Srinath , Gillam David , Kamala Daripineni Narayana
Published: June 2019

Dentine hypersensitivity (DH) is a common and harrowing dental condition. A novel BioMin‐F technology that contains 5% fluorocalcium phosphosilicate bioactive glass has been introduced. It forms fluorapatite, which is more stable towards acid erosion. There is a lack of literature with the utility of this toothpaste in treating DH. Therefore, the authors of this randomised clinical trial have aimed to compare and evaluate the efficacy of 5% fluorocalcium phosphosilicate with an 8% arginine and calcium carbonate and placebo toothpaste. A total of 75 patients clinically diagnosed with DH were randomly divided into three groups: Group A, 5% fluorocalcium phosphosilicate; Group B, 8% arginine and calcium carbonate; and Group C, placebo. The DH was evaluated by tactile and evaporative stimuli, and a visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for evaporative stimuli at pre‐baseline, baseline (15 days) and post‐baseline (1 month). The results showed symptoms of DH were reduced in all three groups. However, Group A showed a better reduction of DH than the other two groups. The toothpaste containing 5% fluorocalcium phosphosilicate was reported to be more efficacious than the other two toothpastes in managing DH. This novel development opens up a unique opportunity in the prevention and management of DH and may also be beneficial in preventing acid erosion of the tooth surface and in the maintenance of oral hygiene by reducing the effects of plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation.
Symptom‐related changes in current perception threshold of restless legs syndrome
Authors: Seok Hung Youl , Do So Young , Motamedi Gholam K. , Cho Yong Won
Published: June 2019

Few studies have investigated the mechanisms responsible for the symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS). However, these studies were mainly performed during the asymptomatic period and therefore their findings might not apply to changes in sensory processing that occur during the symptomatic period. The objective of this study was to investigate the function of sensory nerve fibres in RLS patients using the current perception threshold (CPT) test during the daytime and in the presence of symptoms. Ninety‐three patients with RLS and 34 healthy controls were included in the study. RLS patients were further divided into two subgroups, those who were experiencing RLS symptoms during the CPT test (symptom+) and those without symptoms (symptom−). Demographic data, RLS rating scale score and visual analogue scale were collected. Of the 127 enrolled subjects, CPT values were significantly lower in RLS patients than in controls for all three frequencies. Among the control and RLS subgroups (53 symptom+, 40 symptom−), symptom+ patients showed lower CPT values than controls. This finding indicates a relative hyperaesthetic state in the sensory afferents of peripheral nerves in symptom+ patients. There were no significant differences between the symptom− group and controls. The significantly lower CPT values for all three frequencies in symptom+ patients suggest that central sensory processing disturbance of sensory nerve fibres’ input may be involved in the development of symptoms in RLS patients.
A mirage of cryptic species: Genomics uncover striking mitonuclear discordance in the butterfly Thymelicus sylvestris
Authors: Hinojosa Joan C. , Koubínová Darina , Szenteczki Mark A. , Pitteloud Camille , Dincă Vlad , Alvarez Nadir , Vila Roger
Published: June 2019

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing has led to an unprecedented rise in the identification of cryptic species. However, it is widely acknowledged that nuclear DNA (nuDNA) sequence data are also necessary to properly define species boundaries. Next generation sequencing techniques provide a wealth of nuclear genomic data, which can be used to ascertain both the evolutionary history and taxonomic status of putative cryptic species. Here, we focus on the intriguing case of the butterfly Thymelicus sylvestris (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae). We identified six deeply diverged mitochondrial lineages; three distributed all across Europe and found in sympatry, suggesting a potential case of cryptic species. We then sequenced these six lineages using double‐digest restriction‐site associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq). Nuclear genomic loci contradicted mtDNA patterns and genotypes generally clustered according to geography, i.e., a pattern expected under the assumption of postglacial recolonization from different refugia. Further analyses indicated that this strong mtDNA/nuDNA discrepancy cannot be explained by incomplete lineage sorting, sex‐biased asymmetries, NUMTs, natural selection, introgression or Wolbachia‐mediated genetic sweeps. We suggest that this mitonuclear discordance was caused by long periods of geographic isolation followed by range expansions, homogenizing the nuclear but not the mitochondrial genome. These results highlight T. sylvestris as a potential case of multiple despeciation and/or lineage fusion events. We finally argue, since mtDNA and nuDNA do not necessarily follow the same mechanisms of evolution, their respective evolutionary history reflects complementary aspects of past demographic and biogeographic events.
The association between mitochondrial genetic variation and reduced colony fitness in an invasive wasp
Authors: Dobelmann Jana , Alexander Alana , Baty James W. , Gemmell Neil J. , Gruber Monica A. M. , Quinn Oliver , Wenseleers Tom , Lester Philip J.
Published: June 2019

Despite the mitochondrion's long‐recognized role in energy production, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation commonly found in natural populations was assumed to be effectively neutral. However, variation in mtDNA has now been increasingly linked to phenotypic variation in life history traits and fitness. We examined whether the relative fitness in native and invasive common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) populations in Belgium and New Zealand (NZ), respectively, can be linked to mtDNA variation. Social wasp colonies in NZ were smaller with comparatively fewer queen cells, indicating a reduced relative fitness in the invaded range. Interestingly, queen cells in this population were significantly larger leading to larger queen offspring. By sequencing 1,872 bp of the mitochondrial genome, we determined mitochondrial haplotypes and detected reduced genetic diversity in NZ. Three common haplotypes in NZ frequently produced many queens, whereas the four rare haplotypes produced significantly fewer or no queens. The entire mitochondrial genome for each of these haplotypes was sequenced to identify polymorphisms associated with fitness reduction. We found 16 variable sites; however, no nonsynonymous mutation that was clearly causing impaired mitochondrial function was detected. We discuss how detected variants may alter secondary structures, gene expression or mito‐nuclear interactions, or could be associated with nuclear‐encoded variation. Whatever the ultimate mechanism, we show reduced fitness and mtDNA variation in an invasive wasp population as well as specific mtDNA variants associated with fitness variation within this population. Ours is one of only a few studies that confirm fitness impacts of mtDNA variation in wild nonmodel populations.
Does modularity undermine the pro‐emotion consensus?
Authors: Majeed Raamy
Published: June 2019

There is a growing consensus that emotions contribute positively to human practical rationality. While arguments that defend this position often appeal to the modularity of emotion‐generation mechanisms, these arguments are also susceptible to the criticism that emotional modularity supports pessimism about the prospects of emotions contributing positively to practical rationality here and now. This paper aims to respond to this criticism by demonstrating how models of emotion processing can accommodate the sorts of cognitive influence required to make the pro‐emotion position plausible whilst exhibiting key elements of modularity.
A novel LC‐MS/MS method to quantify eumelanin and pheomelanin and their relation to UVR sensitivity – A study on human skin biopsies
Authors: Lerche Catharina Margrethe , Olsen Peter , Nissen Christoffer Valdemar , Philipsen Peter Alshede , Wulf Hans Christian
Published: June 2019

Melanin in the skin can be divided into eumelanin and pheomelanin subtypes. Simultaneous quantification of these subtypes could clarify their relation to skin type and skin cancer development. We describe a novel, sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method to quantify two eumelanin markers, pyrrole‐2,3,5‐tricarboxylic acid (PTCA) and pyrrole‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid (PDCA), and two pheomelanin markers, thiazole‐4,5‐dicarboxylic acid (TDCA) and thiazole‐2,4,5 tricarboxylic acid (TTCA), performed in a single run using the same biopsy. Volunteers with either Fitzpatrick skin type (FST) I/II or III/IV (n = 30) each provided a 4‐mm punch biopsy from the buttock. Upon analysis, the FST I + II group had significantly less of all four melanin biomarkers (PTCA, 0.75 ng/mm2; PDCA, 0.08 ng/mm2; TTCA, 0.24 ng/mm2; and TDCA, 0.10 ng/mm2) versus the FST III + IV group (PTCA, 4.89 ng/mm2; PDCA, 0.22 ng/mm2; TTCA, 2.61 ng/mm2; and TDCA, 0.72 ng/mm2), p ≤ 0.003. We find that this new LC‐MS/MS method is sensitive enough to quantify eumelanin and pheomelanin markers even in the lightest skin types.
Effect of lead on the physiological, biochemical and ultrastructural properties of Leucaena leucocephala
Authors: Alkhatib R. , Mheidat M. , Abdo N. , Tadros M. , Al‐Eitan L. , Al‐Hadid K.
Published: June 2019

Heavy metals are characterised by a relatively high density and cause genotoxic, cytotoxic and mutagenic effects on plants, animals and humans. Lead (Pb) is one of the heavy metals that causes toxicity to plants and animals.

This experiment was conducted using a hydroponic technique to study the effects of Pb(NO3)2 on physiological, biochemical and ultrastructural characteristics in Leucaena leucocephala seedlings. Plants were grown in a growth chamber for 21 days in Hoagland’s solution supplemented with 0 (control), 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 and 700 µm Pb(NO3)2.

Shoot heights as well as root lengths decreased significantly in Pb‐treated plants with 300, 500 and 700 µm. In Pb‐treated plants with high Pb concentrations, photosynthesis rate (PN), stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rate (E) decreased. Total protein and carbohydrate content in Pb‐treated plants with 300, 500 and 700 µm increased significantly in leaves. Moreover, in Pb‐treated plants with 300, 500 and 700 µm Pb(NO3)2, mesophyll cells had enlarged chloroplasts with disrupted thylakoid membranes associated with large starch grains. In contrast, Pb treatments with 25, 50 µm and 100 µm were not toxic to the plants. Thick sections of roots of Pb‐treated plants with 300, 500 and 700 µm Pb showed distinct changes in structure of epidermal and cortical cells. Moreover, thin sections of roots of Pb‐treated plants with 300, 500 and 700 µm Pb had thickened walls of xylem cells.

These results will shed more light in understanding the effects of heavy metal stress on plants.
From marine bands to hybrid flows: Sedimentology of a Mississippian black shale
Authors: Emmings Joseph F. , Davies Sarah J. , Vane Christopher H. , Moss‐Hayes Vicky , Stephenson Michael H.
Published: June 2019

Organic‐rich mudstones have long been of interest as conventional and unconventional source rocks and are an important organic carbon sink. Yet the processes that deposited organic‐rich muds in epicontinental seaways are poorly understood, partly because few modern analogues exist. This study investigates the processes that transported and deposited sediment and organic matter through part of the Bowland Shale Formation, from the Mississippian Rheic–Tethys seaway. Field to micron‐scale sedimentological analysis reveals a heterogeneous succession of carbonate‐rich, siliceous, and siliciclastic, argillaceous muds. Deposition of these facies at basinal and slope locations was moderated by progradation of the nearby Pendle delta system, fourth‐order eustatic sea‐level fluctuation and localized block and basin tectonism. Marine transgressions deposited bioclastic ‘marine band’ (hemi)pelagic packages. These include abundant euhaline macrofaunal tests, and phosphatic concretions of organic matter and radiolarian tests interpreted as faecal pellets sourced from a productive water column. Lens‐rich (lenticular) mudstones, hybrid, debrite and turbidite beds successively overlie marine band packages and suggest reducing basin accommodation promoted sediment deposition via laminar and hybrid flows sourced from the basin margins. Mud lenses in lenticular mudstones lack organic linings and bioclasts and are equant in early‐cemented lenses and in plan‐view, and are largest and most abundant in mudstones overlying marine band packages. Thus, lenses likely represent partially consolidated mud clasts that were scoured and transported in bedload from the shelf or proximal slope, as a ‘shelf to basin’ conveyor, during periods of reduced basin accommodation. Candidate in situ microbial mats in strongly lenticular mudstones, and as rip‐up fragments in the down‐dip hybrid beds, suggest that these were potentially key biostabilizers of mud. Deltaic mud export was fast, despite the intrabasinal complexity, likely an order of magnitude higher than similar successions deposited in North America. Epicontinental basins remotely linked to delta systems were therefore capable of rapidly accumulating both sediment and organic matter.
Triple‐phased mesenteric CT angiography using a test bolus technique for evaluation of the mesenteric vasculature and small intestinal wall contrast enhancement in dogs
Authors: Lee Sang‐Kwon , Yoon Sooa , Kim Cheolhyun , Choi Jihye
Published: June 2019

Computed tomography angiography is widely used for the assessment of various mesenteric vascular and bowel diseases in humans. However, there are only few studies that describe CT angiography application to mesenteric vessels in dogs. In this prospective, experimental, exploratory study, the mesenteric vasculature and enhancement pattern of the intestinal wall were evaluated on triple‐phase CT angiography, and improvement of the visibility of vasculature was assessed on multiplanar reformation, maximum intensity projection, and volume rendering technique. After test bolus scanning at the level of the cranial mesenteric artery arising from the aorta, mesenteric CT angiography was performed in 10 healthy, male, Beagle dogs. Scan delay was set based on time‐to‐attenuation curves, drawn by placing the regions of interest over the aorta, intestinal wall, and cranial mesenteric vein. Visualization and enhancement of mesenteric arteries and veins were evaluated with multiplanar reformation, maximum intensity projection, and volume rendering techniques. The degree of intestinal wall enhancement was assessed on the transverse images in precontrast, arterial, intestinal, and venous phases. Pure arterial images were obtained in the arterial phase. Venous phase images allowed good portal vascular mapping. All CT angiography images were of high quality, allowing for excellent visualization of the anatomy of mesenteric vasculature including the small branches, particularly on maximum intensity projection and volume rendering technique. Distinct contrast enhancement of the intestinal wall was observed in both intestinal and venous phases. Findings indicated that this technique is feasible for the evaluation of mesenteric circulation in dogs.
Synthesizing Designs With Interpart Dependencies Using Hierarchical Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Chen Wei , Fuge Mark
Published: June 2019

Real-world designs usually consist of parts with interpart dependencies, i.e., the geometry of one part is dependent on one or multiple other parts. We can represent such dependency in a part dependency graph. This paper presents a method for synthesizing these types of hierarchical designs using generative models learned from examples. It decomposes the problem of synthesizing the whole design into synthesizing each part separately but keeping the interpart dependencies satisfied. Specifically, this method constructs multiple generative models, the interaction of which is based on the part dependency graph. We then use the trained generative models to synthesize or explore each part design separately via a low-dimensional latent representation, conditioned on the corresponding parent part(s). We verify our model on multiple design examples with different interpart dependencies. We evaluate our model by analyzing the constraint satisfaction performance, the synthesis quality, the latent space quality, and the effects of part dependency depth and branching factor. This paper’s techniques for capturing dependencies among parts lay the foundation for learned generative models to extend to more realistic engineering systems where such relationships are widespread.
Effect of Heat Treatment Temperature and Lubricating Conditions on the Fretting Wear Behavior of SAF 2507 Super Duplex Stainless Steel
Authors: Wang Mengjiao , Wang Yunxia , Wang Jianzhang , Fan Na , Yan Fengyuan
Published: June 2019

Super duplex stainless steel (SDSS) has excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. However, currently, there are few researches conducted on its fretting wear performance. This paper studies the influence of different heat treatment temperatures and medium environment on the fretting wear performance of SAF 2507 SDSS. Results show that the combined effect of the sigma phase and seawater lubrication can significantly improve the wear resistance of SAF 2507 SDSS. After treated with different heat treatment temperatures, different contents of sigma phases are precipitated out of SAF 2507 SDSS, which improves the wear resistance of the material to different degrees. In addition, the fretting wear performance of SAF 2507 SDSS also relates to the lubrication medium. In air, the friction and wear performance of SAF 2507 SDSS is poor, while in seawater, solution and corrosion products that acted as a lubricant dramatically improve the wear resistance of the material. Under the combined action of heat treatment and seawater lubrication medium, the friction coefficient and wear reduce by 70% and 91%, respectively.
Modeling the Compressive Buckling Strain as a Function of the Nanocomposite Interphase Thickness in a Carbon Nanotube Sheet Wrapped Carbon Fiber Composite
Authors: Wang Xuemin , Xu Tingge , Zhang Rui , de Andrade Monica Jung , Kokkada Pruthul , Qian Dong , Roy Samit , Baughman Ray H. , Lu Hongbing
Published: June 2019

Polymer matrix composites have high strengths in tension. However, their compressive strengths are much lower than their tensile strengths due to their weak fiber/matrix interfacial shear strengths. We recently developed a new approach to fabricate composites by overwrapping individual carbon fibers or fiber tows with a carbon nanotube sheet and subsequently impregnate them into a matrix to enhance the interfacial shear strengths without degrading the tensile strengths of the carbon fibers. In this study, a theoretical analysis is conducted to identify the appropriate thickness of the nanocomposite interphase region formed by carbon nanotubes embedded in a matrix. Fibers are modeled as an anisotropic elastic material, and the nanocomposite interphase region and the matrix are considered as isotropic. A microbuckling problem is solved for the unidirectional composite under compression. The analytical solution is compared with finite element simulations for verification. It is determined that the critical load at the onset of buckling is lower in an anisotropic carbon fiber composite than in an isotropic fibfer composite due to lower transverse properties in the fibers. An optimal thickness for nanocomposite interphase region is determined, and this finding provides a guidance for the manufacture of composites using aligned carbon nanotubes as fillers in the nanocomposite interphase region.