bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward high-throughput predictive modeling of protein binding/unbinding kinetics
Authors: Chiu See Hong , Xie Lei
Published: August 2015

One of the unaddressed challenges in drug discovery is that drug potency determinedin vitrois not a reliable indicator of drug activity in humans. Accumulated evidences suggest thatin vivoactivity is more strongly correlated with the binding/unbinding kinetics than the equilibrium thermodynamics of protein-ligand interactions (PLI). However, existing experimental and computational techniques are insufficient in studying the molecular details of kinetics process of PLI. Consequently, we not only have limited mechanistic understanding of the kinetic process but also lack a practical platform for the high-throughput screening and optimization of drug leads based on their kinetic properties. Here we address this unmet need by integrating energetic and conformational dynamic features derived from molecular modeling with multi-task learning. To test our method, HIV-1 protease is used as a model system. Our integrated model provides us with new insights into the molecular determinants of kinetics of PLI. We find that the coherent coupling of conformational dynamics between protein and ligand may play a critical role in determining the kinetic rate constants of PLI. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the relative movement of normal nodes of amino acids upon ligand binding is an important feature to capture conformational dynamics of the binding/unbinding kinetics. Coupled with the multi-task learning, we can predict combined konand koffaccurately with an accuracy of 74.35%. Thus, it is possible to screen and optimize compounds based on their binding/unbinding kinetics. The further development of such computational tools will bridge one of the critical missing links in drug discovery.
Successful asexual lineages of the Irish potato Famine pathogen are triploid
Authors: Li Ying , Zhou Qian , Qian Kun , van der Lee Theo , Huang Sanwen
Published: August 2015

The oomycetePhytophthora infestanswas the causal agent of the Irish Great Famine and is a recurring threat to global food security1. The pathogen can reproduce both sexually and asexually and has a potential to adapt both abiotic and biotic environment2. Although in many regions the A1 and A2 mating types coexist, the far majority of isolates belong to few clonal, asexual lineages3. As other oomycetes,P. infestansis thought to be diploid during the vegetative phase of its life cycle3, but it was observed that trisomy correlated with virulence and mating type locus4and that polyploidy can occur in some isolates5,6. It remains unknown about the frequency of polyploidy occurrence in nature and the relationship between ploidy level and sexuality. Here we discovered that the sexuality ofP. infestansisolates correlates with ploidy by comparison of microsatellite fingerprinting, genome-wide polymorphism, DNA quantity, and chromosome numbers. The sexual progeny ofP. infestansin nature are diploid, whereas the asexual lineages are mostly triploids, including successful clonal lineages US-1 and 13_A2. This study reveals polyploidization as an extra evolutionary risk to this notorious plant destroyer.
Is Britain Facing a Crisis of Democracy?
Authors: Baldini Gianfranco
Published: August 2015

This article contributes to the debate in this journal about the state of British democracy. I criticise the tendency to use a ‘demand–supply’ dichotomy in interpreting the strong distrust experienced by institutions and politicians, and especially the idea that all the blame for current problems is to be attributed to the inadequateness of the British political tradition (BPT). By referring to international data on democracy and to recent British trends in both public attitudes and institutional innovations, a more nuanced picture on the state of democracy emerges. I argue that the BPT is not incompatible with incremental changes that have already introduced innovations in the way politics works in Britain today, and that the task of empowering citizens is one of the most delicate aspects in this process of innovation.
Image Analysis of Foods
Authors: Russ John C.
Published: August 2015

The structure of foods, both natural and processed ones, is controlled by many variables ranging from biology to chemistry and mechanical forces. The structure also controls many of the properties of the food, including consumer acceptance, taste, mouthfeel, appearance, and so on, and nutrition. Imaging provides an important tool for measuring the structure of foods. This includes 2‐dimensional (2D) images of surfaces and sections, for example, viewed in a microscope, as well as 3‐dimensional (3D) images of internal structure as may be produced by confocal microscopy, or computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The use of images also guides robotics for harvesting and sorting. Processing of images may be needed to calibrate colors, reduce noise, enhance detail, and delineate structure and dimensions. Measurement of structural information such as volume fraction and internal surface areas, as well as the analysis of object size, location, and shape in both 2‐ and 3‐dimensional images is illustrated and described, with primary references and examples from a wide range of applications.
Landowner Motivations for Civic Engagement in Water Resource Protection
Authors: Pradhananga Amit K. , Davenport Mae , Olson Bjorn
Published: August 2015

Scholars and water resource professionals recognize citizens must get involved in water resource issues to protect water resources. Yet questions persist on how to motivate community members to get and stay civically involved in nonpoint source pollution issues, given that problems are often ill‐defined. To be successful, interventions intended to engage individuals in collective action must be based on an understanding of the determinants of public‐sphere behavior. The purpose of this study is to explore the psycho‐social factors which influence landowner civic engagement in water resource protection. Data were collected using a self‐administered mail survey of landowners in the Cannon River Watershed and analyzed using structural equation modeling. Study findings suggest landowners are more likely to be civically engaged in water resource issues if they feel a personal obligation to take civic action and perceive they have the ability to protect water resources. Landowners who believe water resource protection is a local responsibility, perceive important others expect them to protect water resources, and believe they have the ability to protect water resources are more likely to feel a sense of obligation to take civic action. A combination of strategies including civic engagement programs addressing barriers to landowner engagement will be most effective for promoting civic engagement in water resource protection.
A framework for detecting natural selection on traits above the species level
Authors: Hoehn Kenneth B. , Harnik Paul G. , Roth V. Louise
Published: August 2015

To what extent can natural selection act on groupings above the species level? Despite extensive theoretical discussion and growing practical concerns over increased rates of global ecological turnover, the question has largely evaded empirical resolution. A flexible and robust hypothesis‐testing framework for detecting the phenomenon could facilitate significant progress in resolving this issue.

We introduce a permutation‐based approach, implemented in the R package perspectev, which provides an explicit test of whether empirical patterns of correlation between upper level trait values and survivorship are reducible to correlations manifested at lower levels. The package is applicable to virtually any nested set of upper‐ and lower level groupings, a wide variety of upper level traits, and both historical and contemporary occurrence data. We apply this approach to five paleontological data sets that represent different magnitudes of extinction and differ in taxonomic breadth, geological timing and geographic extent.

Using simulations, we demonstrate that this method is a robust means of detecting irreducibility in the relationship between upper level traits and survivorship, and outline circumstances in which the method is less effective. We also find evidence consistent with previous findings of selection above the species level for geographic range size in North American K‐Pg molluscs and show that this phenomenon was evident for the same molluscan genera globally.

Ultimately, we conclude that at certain points in history, some higher level taxonomic groups have survived differentially with respect to geographic range size in a manner that is not explained by the same trait at the species level, and we show that evidence for this phenomenon varies across taxa and extinction events. We release our method as a flexible and easy‐to‐use R package that will allow others to help determine the relative frequency of this macroevolutionary phenomenon, both in the fossil record and in estimates of contemporary extinction risk.
Rare disaster risk and the expected equity risk premium
Authors: Berkman Henk , Jacobsen Ben , Lee John B.
Published: August 2015

Consistent with the predictions of rare disaster models, we find that a proxy for the time‐varying probability of rare disasters helps to explain fluctuations in expectations of the equity risk premium. Our proxy for disaster risk is a recently developed measure of global political instability, and the expected market risk premium is from Value Line analysts' expected stock returns. Consistent with long‐run risk models, uncertainty about expected GDP growth and expected consumption growth is also significantly positively related to the expected market risk premium. We obtain similar results when we use the earnings–price ratio and the dividend–price ratio as proxies for the expected market risk premium.
Ritual sounds, political echoes: Vocal agency and the sensory cultures of secularism in the Dutch Syriac diaspora
Authors: BAKKER KELLOGG SARAH
Published: August 2015

Among Syriac Orthodox Christian migrant communities in the Netherlands, liturgical performance is a site of controversy over where and how to draw a boundary between “religious” and “ethnic” identity. Tensions materialize in discordant singing styles and modes of performance, echoing complex historical encounters with Dutch, Syrian, and Turkish secularisms. These encounters, I argue, have refashioned the liturgical tradition's role as a central axis of ethnoreligious social life and kin relations across the diaspora. Secular state practices shape a diasporic sensory culture that is met with a distinct form of vocal agency. Syriac Orthodox liturgical experiments show how the voice can transform the sensorial interface between human subjectivity and social intelligibility, in turn transforming how categories of secular modernity—whether ritual, art, ethnicity, or politics—are distinguished and lived.
The becoming of ancestral land: Place and property in Mapuche land claims
Authors: DI GIMINIANI PIERGIORGIO
Published: August 2015

If Mapuche land claims in southern Chile reflect the incommensurability of local notions of place and the legal principles of property, they also reveal intersections between indigenous and legal ontologies of land. Property languages and technologies allow claimants to frame knowledge about ancestral territory in ways consistent with local significations of place as a sentient agent. Yet they also serve as mechanisms for codifying indigenous geographies in terms congruent with existing property regimes and market configuration. Drawing on Deleuze and Guattari's notions of becoming, I argue that understanding ancestral land formation requires an anthropological imagination that acknowledges the conceptual antagonism of state and indigenous geographies as well as their intersections in claimants’ actions. [land, state, property, indigeneity, Latin America, Chile, deterritorialization]
Dataset of scientific inquiry learning environment
Authors: Ting Choo‐Yee , Ho Chiung Ching
Published: August 2015

This paper presents the dataset collected from student interactions with INQPRO, a computer‐based scientific inquiry learning environment. The dataset contains records of 100 students and is divided into two portions. The first portion comprises (1) raw log data, capturing the student's name, interfaces visited, the interface components the student interacted with, the actions performed by the students and the values asserted at a particular interface component; (2) transformed log data, a restructured and refined raw log data that take the form of an attribute‐value pair record. The second portion of the dataset consists of pretest‐posttest results. This paper begins with an overview of INQPRO and the discussion on how student–computer interactions were captured. Subsequently, the process of preprocessing and transformation of raw log data into relational database tables will be presented. In this paper, two applications of INQPRO dataset are presented; the first application discusses how students' levels of scientific inquiry skills can be extracted from the dataset while the second application demonstrates how the dataset supports the prediction of conceptual change occurrence. The paper ends with highlighting potential future research work by using this dataset, which includes techniques to elicit clusters of students as well as provision of adaptive pedagogical interventions as the student interacts with INQPRO. In conclusion, this dataset attempts to contribute to the research community through: (1) time and cost saving in acquiring field data, and (2) as a benchmark dataset to evaluate and compare different predictive models.
Determining the number of participants needed for the usability evaluation of e‐learning resources: A Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Davids Mogamat Razeen , Harvey Justin , Halperin Mitchell L. , Chikte Usuf M. E.
Published: August 2015

The usability of computer interfaces has a major influence on learning. Optimising the usability of e‐learning resources is therefore essential. However, this may be neglected because of time and monetary constraints. User testing is a common approach to usability evaluation and involves studying typical end‐users interacting with the application being tested. Determining the minimum number of users that are required for such an evaluation is important as it has a direct bearing on the costs and time requirements. This issue has long been a subject of debate and the widely cited recommendation of five users being enough has been questioned. We conducted a usability evaluation of an e‐learning resource for electrolyte and acid‐base disorders by studying the interaction of medical doctors with the application. A total of 15 serious usability problems were detected, most of these related to an interactive treatment simulation. With this report, we are making available the data on the detection of serious usability problems by each of our participants. We have used these data to run a Monte Carlo simulation and examine how many users would be sufficient to test our application. The simulation revealed that we would have required 10 participants to detect 80% of the serious usability problems. The MATLAB® code for running the simulation is supplied, as are our calculations of problem discovery rates. The e‐learning resource which was evaluated is freely available, together with a revised version with all identified usability problems addressed.
Waks, Leonard J (2014) Education 2.0Paradigm Publishers (Boulder, CO, and London) isbn 978‐1‐61205‐036‐2 269 pp $32.95 https://paradigm.presswarehouse.com/books/BookDetail.aspx?productID=356922
Authors: Martin Marie
Published: August 2015

This stimulating book offers a radical vision of education for our networked digital age. It challenges us to make the paradigm shift from the entrenched factory school model to Education 2.0, a “Learningweb revolution” made possible by the internet. It urges its target readers—who are all the stakeholders in education—to accelerate this shift by pressing for change at local level. Does this book seem likely to be relevant to you? If so, I recommend that you arrange to borrow a copy for a while.

Marie Martin
Society for Endocrinology UK guidance on the initial evaluation of an infant or an adolescent with a suspected disorder of sex development (Revised 2015)
Authors: Ahmed S. Faisal , Achermann John C. , Arlt Wiebke , Balen Adam , Conway Gerry , Edwards Zoe , Elford Sue , Hughes Ieuan A. , Izatt Louise , Krone Nils , Miles Harriet , O'Toole Stuart , Perry Les , Sanders Caroline , Simmonds Margaret , Watt Andrew , Willis Debbie
Published: August 2015

It is paramount that any child or adolescent with a suspected disorder of sex development (DSD) is assessed by an experienced clinician with adequate knowledge about the range of conditions associated with DSD. If there is any doubt, the case should be discussed with the regional DSD team. In most cases, particularly in the case of the newborn, the paediatric endocrinologist within the regional team acts commonly as the first point of contact. This clinician should be part of a multidisciplinary team experienced in management of DSD and should ensure that the affected person and parents have access to specialist psychological support and that their information needs are comprehensively addressed. The underlying pathophysiology of DSD and the strengths and weaknesses of the tests that can be performed should be discussed with the parents and affected young person and tests undertaken in a timely fashion. Finally, in the field of rare conditions, it is imperative that the clinician shares the experience with others through national and international clinical and research collaboration.
Multiple apocrine poromas: a new case report
Authors: Nishioka Mina , Kunisada Makoto , Fujiwara Norihiro , Oka Masahiro , Funasaka Yoko , Nishigori Chikako
Published: August 2015

Apocrine poromas are rare and distinctive benign adnexal neoplasms featuring tumor cells differentiating toward folliculosebaceous‐apocrine units. We report an extremely rare case with multiple apocrine poromas in a single patient. Fifteen tumors were distributed on the head, neck, forearm and axilla of a 74‐year‐old man. All tumors were mostly composed of poroid cells that surrounded variably sized duct spaces, some of which exhibited decapitation secretion. The poroid cells were continuous with infundibulum‐like structures that contained aggregates of mature sebocytes. The patient had no family history of similar tumors and no history of immunosuppressive therapy. This is the first report of multiple apocrine poromas, suggesting that predisposing genetic factors might play a part in the development of the tumors.
Diffractive microscopy in dermatopathology
Authors: Zhou Cheng , Thieu Khanh , Elston Dirk M.
Published: August 2015

Diffraction is the process by which a beam of light is spread out as a result of passing through a narrow aperture or across an edge. Light diffraction can be produced by closing the aperture diaphragm beyond the recommended setting, by flipping the condenser cone down, or by using an opaque object such as the microscopist's hand to block the column of light and force it to bend around the edge. Any of these techniques results in greater refractility of objects in the path of the light. We studied 77 biopsy specimens from a variety of conditions selected to compare the value of diffractive microscopy, and found that it worked best in the evaluation of alopecia, tumor stroma, hemosiderin, argyria and imipramine pigmentation. In amyloidosis stained with Congo red and silica granuloma, polarized microscopy was superior to diffraction microscopy, and neither diffractive microscopy nor polarized microscopy was superior to routine light microscopy in the evaluation of melanin, chrysiasis or ochronosis.
Building community resilience: business preparedness lessons in the case of Adapazarı, Turkey
Authors: Orhan Ezgi
Published: August 2015

The lack of attention paid to businesses in disaster management systems from the standpoint of state policies hampers efforts to build community resilience. This paper examines, therefore, the extent of business preparedness for disasters. Empirical research was conducted in Adapazarı, Turkey, 13 years after the İzmit earthquake, which struck the northwest of the country on 17 August 1999, claiming the lives of some 17,000 people. For the study, 232 firms were selected to inquire about their preparedness before and after the event. It is hypothesised that business preparedness is influenced by the following set of variables: business size; business sector; business age; financial condition prior to the disaster; occupancy tenure; market range; education level; and previous disaster experience. In line with the findings of the research, a policy framework is constructed to rationalise the allocation of resources for building resilience at the aggregate level by facilitating business preparedness.
Angiotensin II prevents calcification in vascular smooth muscle cells by enhancing magnesium influx
Authors: Herencia Carmen , Rodríguez‐Ortiz M Encarnacion , Muñoz‐Castañeda Juan R. , Martinez‐Moreno Julio Manuel , Canalejo Rocío , Montes de Oca Addy , Díaz‐Tocados Juan M. , Peralbo‐Santaella Esther , Marín Carmen , Canalejo Antonio , Rodriguez Mariano , Almaden Yolanda
Published: August 2015

Background

Vascular calcification (VC) is highly prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Low magnesium levels are associated with VC, and recent in vitro studies confirm a protective role of magnesium, which is mediated by its entry into the VSMCs through the Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 7 (TRPM7) channel. The role of Angiotensin II (Ang II) on VC is still unclear. As Ang II is able to stimulate TRPM7 activity, we hypothesize that it might prevent VC. Thus, the aim of this study was to dissect the direct effect of Ang II on VC.

Materials and methods

We worked with a model of high phosphate (HP)‐induced calcification in human aortic smooth muscle cells, which resembles the CKD‐related VC.

Results

Addition of Ang II to cells growing in HP decreased calcification, which was associated with the upregulation of the osteogenic factors BMP2, Runx2/Cbfa1, Osterix and ALP. A reduction of magnesium entry into the HP‐calcifying cells was found. The treatment with Ang II avoided this reduction, which was reversed by the cotreatment with the TRPM7‐inhibitor 2‐APB. The protective effect of Ang II was related to AT1R‐induced ERK1/2 MAPKinase activation. HP‐induced calcification was also associated with the upregulation of the canonical Wnt/beta‐catenin pathway, while its downregulation was related to attenuation of calcification by Ang II.

Conclusion

As hypothesized, Ang II prevented phosphate‐induced calcification in VSMCs, which appears mediated by the increase of magnesium influx and by the activation of the ERK1/2 and the inhibition of the canonical Wnt/beta‐catenin signalling pathways.
Prognostic significance of WNT and hedgehog pathway activation markers in cancer of unknown primary
Authors: Fotopoulos George , Gousia Anna , Bareta Eleni , Koumpis Epameinondas , Chrisafi Sofia , Bobos Matthaios , Malamou‐Mitsi Vassiliki , Fountzilas George , Pavlidis Nicholas , Pentheroudakis George
Published: August 2015

Background

Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) possesses distinct biology and peculiar natural history, in which the roles of the winged and hedgehog signalling pathways are unclear.

Materials and methods

We constructed tissue microarrays and studied the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of β‐catenin, smoothened (SMO) and the transcription factors TCF, LEF, GLI1 in 87 CUP cases for prognostic significance.

Results

A low rate of IHC expression of proteins was seen, the cut‐off used being any expression in ≥ 1% of tumour cells. At univariate analysis, only nuclear IHC SMO expression displayed a statistically significant association with favourable outcome [median Overall survival (OS) of 19 months in SMO‐positive vs. 12 months in SMO‐negative cases, P = 0·01]. An activated Wnt pathway, defined as IHC expression of any of nuclear β‐catenin, TCF and LEF, was significantly associated with favourable progression free survival (median 9 vs. 5 months, P = 0·037) and OS (median 19 vs. 13 months, P = 0·04). This prognostic impact on OS was mainly driven by nuclear expression of TCF and/or LEF (P = 0·03). No prognostic significance of the hedgehog pathway activation status, defined as IHC expression of SMO or nuclear GLI1, could be established. A favourable prognostic impact of the concurrent activation of both pathways was observed. A trend for association of activated Wnt with response to chemotherapy (responders 67% among activated Wnt cases vs. 35% among nonactivated Wnt cases, P = 0·07) was observed in CUP adenocarcinomas.

Conclusions

Activation of the Wnt pathway was a positive prognostic factor in a small CUP series, possibly via enhanced chemosensitivity. Independent validation is warranted.
Magnetic resonance imaging as a tool to image neuroinflammation in a rat model of Parkinson's disease – phagocyte influx to the brain is promoted by bilberry‐enriched diet
Authors: Virel Ana , Rehnmark Anna , Orädd Greger , Olmedo‐Díaz Sonia , Faergemann Erik , Strömberg Ingrid
Published: August 2015

Neuroinflammation is a chronic event in neurodegenerative disorders. In the rat model of Parkinson's disease, including a striatal injection of the neurotoxin 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA), antioxidant treatment affects the inflammatory process. Despite a heavy accumulation of microglia early after the injury, dopamine nerve fibre regeneration occurs. It remains unclear why this heavy accumulation of microglia is found early after the lesion in antioxidant‐treated animals, or even more, what is the origin of these microglia. In this study magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to elucidate whether the inflammatory response was generated from the blood or from activated brain microglia. Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles were injected intravenously prior to a striatal 6‐OHDA injection to tag phagocytes in the blood. Rats were fed either with bilberry‐enriched or control diet. T2*‐weighted MRI scans were performed 1 week after the lesion, and hypointense areas were calculated from T2*‐weighted images, to monitor the presence of SPIO particles. The results revealed that feeding the animals with bilberries significantly promoted accumulation of blood‐derived immune cells. Gadolinium‐enhanced MRI demonstrated no difference in leakage of the blood–brain barrier independent of diets. To conclude, bilberry‐enriched diet promotes an influx of periphery‐derived immune cells to the brain early after injury.
Ultrasonic measurement of the effects of light irradiation and presence of water on the polymerization of self‐adhesive resin cement
Authors: Takenaka Hirotaka , Ouchi Hajime , Sai Keiichi , Kawamoto Ryo , Murayama Ryosuke , Kurokawa Hiroyasu , Miyazaki Masashi
Published: August 2015

Self‐adhesive resin cements are useful in restorations because they reduce the number of clinical steps involved in the restoration process. This study evaluated, using ultrasonic measurements, the influence of light irradiation and the presence of water on the polymerization behavior and elastic modulus of a self‐adhesive resin cement. A self‐adhesive resin cement (RelyX Unicem 2 Automix) or a resin cement (RelyX ARC) was inserted into a transparent mold on a sample stage, and the presence of water and effect of light‐irradiation were evaluated. The transit time of a sonic wave through the cement disk was divided by the specimen thickness to obtain the sonic velocity, and longitudinal and shear waves were used to determine the elastic modulus. When the resin cements were light‐irradiated, the sonic velocity rapidly increased and plateaued at 2,500–2,700 m s−1. When the cements were not irradiated, the rates of increase in the sonic velocity were reduced. When water was applied to the sample stage, the sonic velocity was reduced. The elastic modulus values of the specimens ranged from 9.9 to 15.9 GPa after 24 h. The polymerization behavior of self‐adhesive resin cements is affected by the polymerization mode and the presence of water.
Females of the Cellar Spider Discriminate Against Previous Mates
Authors: Mestre Laia , Rodríguez‐Teijeiro José D. , Tuni Cristina
Published: August 2015

Mate choice for novel partners should evolve when remating with males of varying genetic quality provides females with fitness‐enhancing benefits. We investigated sequential mate choice for same or novel mating partners in females of the cellar spider Pholcus phalangioides (Pholcidae) to understand what drives female remating in this system. Pholcus phalangioides females are moderately polyandrous and show reluctance to remating, but double‐mated females benefit from a higher oviposition probability compared to single‐mated females. We exposed mated females to either their former (same male) or a novel mating partner and assessed mating success together with courtship and copulatory behaviours in both sexes. We found clear evidence for mate discrimination: females experienced three‐fold higher remating probabilities with novel males, being more often aggressive towards former males and accepting novel males faster in the second than in the first mating trial. The preference for novel males suggests that remating is driven by benefits derived from multiple partners. The low remating rates and the strong last male sperm precedence in this system suggest that mating with novel partners that represent alternative genotypes may be a means for selecting against a former mate of lower quality.
The effect of fatigue pre‐cracking forces on fracture toughness
Authors: Nowak‐Coventry M. , Pisarski H. , Moore P.
Published: August 2015

Testing procedures for the determination of the fracture toughness of a material by monotonic loading of fatigue pre‐cracked specimens are well established in standards such as BS 7448, BS EN ISO 15653, ISO 12135, ASTM E1820 and ASTM E1921. However, a review of these standards indicates a wide range of permitted fatigue pre‐cracking forces, whilst the underlying assumption in each standard is that the pre‐cracking conditions do not affect the fracture toughness determined. In order to establish the influence of different fatigue pre‐cracking forces on the fracture toughness, tests were carried out on specimens from an API 5L X70 pipeline steel. Single‐edge notch bend specimens of Bx2B geometry were notched through thickness and tested at temperatures of +20 °C, −80 °C and −140 °C to show the fracture behaviour in different regions of the fracture toughness ductile‐to‐brittle transition curve. Fatigue pre‐cracking was conducted on a high‐frequency resonance fatigue test machine over a range of pre‐cracking forces permissible within the various standards and beyond. The results showed that an excessively high pre‐cracking force can result in a significant overestimation of the value of fracture toughness for material exhibiting brittle behaviour, whilst very low fatigue pre‐cracking forces appeared to result in an increase in scatter of fracture toughness. A review of standards indicated that there was a possibility to misinterpret the intention of the ISO 12135 standard and potentially use excessively high pre‐cracking forces. Suggested clarifications to this standard have therefore been proposed to avoid the risk of overestimating fracture toughness.
The diversity of small‐scale oil palm cultivation in Sarawak, Malaysia
Authors: Soda Ryoji , Kato Yumi , Hon Jason
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this study was to describe the patterns of land use that have emerged on the island of Borneo in the wake of an oil palm boom in its indigenous population. An in‐depth examination of indigenous land‐use changes between 2004 and 2013 in a selected oil palm farming village in Sarawak, Malaysia was conducted using data derived from high‐resolution satellite images to examine the spatial distribution of oil palm cultivation. The results found that oil palms are irregularly and randomly distributed. The results of interviews with villagers further revealed a diversity of oil palm planting actors and demonstrated how this diversity relates to villagers' land‐use options and decision‐making. From the viewpoint of plantation management, the mosaic and patchy cultivation of small‐scale oil palm farming appears inefficient and irrational. However, villagers' land‐use behaviours conform to their traditional land tenure customs and allow them to secure diverse opportunistic land‐use options to survive in the event of a sharp drop in the price of oil palm. The villagers' rationale for oil palm expansion also derives from their complex relationships with the diversity of actors that have interest in their land, including plantations, urban Chinese, and small‐ and middle‐scale developers. It is important to create balanced relationships among these diverse stakeholders in order to maintain mosaic‐like village landscape and realise sustainable development of oil palm cultivation in rural Sarawak.
Association between periodontitis and medical expenditure in older adults: A 33‐month follow‐up study
Authors: Sato Misuzu , Iwasaki Masanori , Yoshihara Akihiro , Miyazaki Hideo
Published: August 2015

Aim

Along with rapid aging, medical expenditure for older adults has been increasing in Japan. Research has shown that periodontitis is a useful predictor for excess medical expenditure; however, limited information is available on the elderly population after adequately considering confounding factors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between periodontitis and long‐term medical expenditure in elderly Japanese.

Methods

Baseline health and periodontal examinations were carried out in June 2008. Japanese adults (n = 245) aged 80 years were classified into quartiles based on periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA), which quantifies the degree of periodontal inflammation. Medical care use and costs were monitored by assessment of the National Health Insurance claim files from the baseline survey through the end of February 2011. Multivariable analysis of the differences in medical expenditure among PISA quartiles was carried out using linear regression with robust standard errors.

Results

The participants in the fourth (with the largest PISA) and third quartiles had significantly higher inpatient medical expenditure compared with those of the first quartile (P < 0.01 and = 0.04, respectively). Participants in the fourth quartile had significantly higher total medical expenditure (P < 0.01) compared with the first quartile. A trend was observed of higher inpatient and total medical expenditure with increasing PISA.

Conclusions

A significant association was found between periodontitis and future increase in medical expenditure, suggesting that periodontitis might be a modifiable factor for the reduction of excess medical expenditure among elderly Japanese. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 856–864.
Relationship between swallowing function and the skeletal muscle mass of older adults requiring long‐term care
Authors: Murakami Kohji , Hirano Hirohiko , Watanabe Yutaka , Edahiro Ayako , Ohara Yuki , Yoshida Hideyo , Kim Hunkyung , Takagi Daisuke , Hironaka Shouji
Published: August 2015

Aim

The present study investigated the risk factors for dysphagia among older adults who require long‐term care, and also examined their systemic decrease in skeletal muscle mass.

Methods

We evaluated 399 people who required long‐term care and who were residing in Omori town, Yokote city, Akita prefecture, Japan. We then analyzed data from 255 participants who had complete information available regarding their sex, age, case history (stroke, Parkinson's disease and dementia), Barthel Index, Skeletal Muscle Mass Index, oral function test and modified water swallowing test results. Participants' water swallowing test results were used to create groups with good or poor swallowing function, and a univariate analysis was carried out for each parameter. Parameters with a P‐value of <0.25 in the univariate analysis were subsequently included in a multiple logistic regression model as explanatory variables, and good or poor swallowing function were defined as the dependent variables.

Results

After adjusting for age and sex, our analysis showed that poor tongue motility (odds ratio 17.23, 95% confidence interval 5.90–50.31, P < 0.001) and decreased Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (odds ratio 3.36, 95% confidence interval 1.41–7.99, P = 0.006) were significantly correlated with decreased swallowing function.

Conclusions

Decreased swallowing function was closely correlated with poor tongue motility, and this finding is similar to those of previous studies. However, the present results also show that decreased Skeletal Muscle Mass Index is a novel risk factor for dysphagia among older adults who require long‐term care. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 1185–1192.
Independent association of subclinical coronary artery disease and emphysema in HIV‐infected patients
Authors: Besutti G , Raggi P , Zona S , Scaglioni R , Santoro A , Orlando G , Ligabue G , Leipsic J , Sin DD , Man SFP , Guaraldi G
Published: August 2015

Objectives

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and coronary artery disease are inflammatory states with a significant clinical impact. The relationship between them has not been investigated in patients with HIV infection. We assessed the presence of subclinical emphysema and coronary artery disease using chest computed tomography (CT) imaging in a cohort of HIV‐infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy.

Methods

Gated chest CT scans were performed in 1446 consecutive patients to assess the presence and severity of coronary artery calcium (CAC) (classified as a score of 0, 1–100 or > 100) and emphysema (classified using a visual semiquantitative scale: 0, absent; 1–4, mild to moderate; > 4, severe). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors independently associated with CAC and emphysema.

Results

The emphysema score was significantly higher in patients with CAC scores of 1–100 and > 100 compared with those with a CAC score of 0. After adjustments for age, sex, smoking status, pack‐years of smoking, visceral adiposity and duration of HIV infection, the presence of any emphysema was significantly associated with a CAC score > 0 [odds ratio (OR) 1.43; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–1.88; P = 0.012]. The association persisted after adjustment for the Framingham risk score (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.16–1.99; P = 0.002). There was a dose‐dependent effect in the association between emphysema score and CAC score.

Conclusions

In this cross‐sectional study of HIV‐infected patients, there was an independent association between emphysema and CAC, after adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, suggesting a common pathogenesis of these chronic inflammatory conditions in a chronic inflammatory disease such as HIV infection.
Cardiovascular risk prediction in HIV‐infected patients: comparing the Framingham, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score (ASCVD), Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation for the Netherlands (SCORE‐NL) and Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti‐HIV Drugs (D:A:D) risk prediction models
Authors: Krikke M , Hoogeveen RC , Hoepelman AIM , Visseren FLJ , Arends JE
Published: August 2015

Objectives

The aim of the study was to compare the predictions of five popular cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction models, namely the Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti‐HIV Drugs (D:A:D) model, the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) coronary heart disease (FHS‐CHD) and general CVD (FHS‐CVD) models, the American Heart Association (AHA) atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score (ASCVD) model and the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation for the Netherlands (SCORE‐NL) model.

Methods

A cross‐sectional design was used to compare the cumulative CVD risk predictions of the models. Furthermore, the predictions of the general CVD models were compared with those of the HIV‐specific D:A:D model using three categories (< 10%, 10–20% and > 20%) to categorize the risk and to determine the degree to which patients were categorized similarly or in a higher/lower category.

Results

A total of 997 HIV‐infected patients were included in the study: 81% were male and they had a median age of 46 [interquartile range (IQR) 40–52] years, a known duration of HIV infection of 6.8 (IQR 3.7–10.9) years, and a median time on ART of 6.4 (IQR 3.0–11.5) years. The D:A:D, ASCVD and SCORE‐NL models gave a lower cumulative CVD risk, compared with that of the FHS‐CVD and FHS‐CHD models. Comparing the general CVD models with the D:A:D model, the FHS‐CVD and FHS‐CHD models only classified 65% and 79% of patients, respectively, in the same category as did the D:A:D model. However, for the ASCVD and SCORE‐NL models, this percentage was 89% and 87%, respectively. Furthermore, FHS‐CVD and FHS‐CHD attributed a higher CVD risk to 33% and 16% of patients, respectively, while this percentage was < 6% for ASCVD and SCORE‐NL.

Conclusions

When using FHS‐CVD and FHS‐CHD, a higher overall CVD risk was attributed to the HIV‐infected patients than when using the D:A:D, ASCVD and SCORE‐NL models. This could have consequences regarding overtreatment, drug‐related adverse events and drug−drug interactions.
Fs‐Laser Processing of Glass: Plasma Dynamics and Spectroscopy
Authors: Witcher Jon J. , Hernandez‐Rueda Javier , Krol Denise M.
Published: August 2015

Nonlinear processing of glass using femtosecond laser pulses has been shown as a reliable method for producing photonic devices. To optimize the writing of optical waveguides and harness the true power of fs‐laser modification, it is imperative that we gain a greater understanding of the physical mechanisms behind it. This requires experimental and theoretical studies into the dynamical processes during ultrashort laser–matter interaction. In this study, plasma emission spectroscopy and microscopy are shown as a reliable monitor for predicting the smoothness or roughness of the final laser‐induced modification. Spectrally and temporally resolved optical transmission measurements using a supercontinuum probe beam are presented as experimental approach for investigating the transient optical properties of fs‐laser‐processed glass. The description of the light–plasma interaction is given by a simple model, which is used for inferring the order of magnitude of the electron density under such experimental conditions.
Chalcogenide Glasses for Infrared Photonics
Authors: Adam Jean‐Luc , Calvez Laurent , Trolès Johann , Nazabal Virginie
Published: August 2015

The last advances in the synthesis and shaping techniques of chalcogenide glasses suitable for infrared photonics are reported. Ball milling combined with spark plasma sintering allows the preparation of bulk chalcogenide glasses at lower temperature and at lower cost. Microstructuring of optical fibers results in enhanced nonlinear properties leading to the demonstration of low‐threshold Brillouin laser at 1.55 μm, all‐optical wavelength conversion and time‐domain demultiplexing with a 170 Gb/s rate, and supercontinuum between 1.5 and 2.8 μm. The potential of integrated waveguides for functions such as near‐IR sensing, mid‐IR injection, and (bio)‐chemical functionalization is shown.
Thymic emigration patterns in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin
Authors: Dworacki Grzegorz , Urazayev Olzhas , Bekmukhambetov Yerbol , Iskakova Saule , Frycz Bartosz A. , Jagodziński Paweł P. , Dworacka Marzena
Published: August 2015

Recent data suggest that thymic output, which provides the naive T cells necessary for the normal functioning of T‐cell‐dependent immunosurveillance cellular immunity including anti‐cancer protection, can be disturbed in the course of type 2 diabetes. Metformin, an anti‐diabetic drug commonly confirmed as an agent with many potential anti‐cancer activities, might be helpful in this immune correction. The profile of thymic output was evaluated in the current study on the basis of the signal‐joint T‐cell receptor excision circle (sjTREC) concentration in peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cells and thymic emigrant content in peripheral blood evaluated from CD127 and/or CD132 antigen expression. It was revealed that recent thymic emigrants and more differentiated CD127+ CD132+ cell populations were decreased among naive T cells and CD8+ T cells, whereas RTE count was increased in CD4+ T cells, and the CD127+ CD132+ cell population was less numerous than in non‐diabetic participants. Terminally differentiated thymic emigrants, i.e. CD127− CD132+ cells, were increased in naive T cells and in CD8+ T cells. Metformin affects mainly the early phases of thymic export, increasing CD127+ CD132− and CD127+ CD132+ cell populations in naive T cells and the CD127+ CD132− population in CD4+ T lymphocytes. It could be concluded that type 2 diabetes deteriorates thymic immunostasis. The decreased thymic output could be compensated by metformin, especially with regard to CD4+ naive T cells. It is the first time that therapy with metformin has been documented by us as particularly useful in the control and normalization of thymus function, regarding correction of early populations of thymic emigrants.
Temperature Before Cold Acclimation Affects Cold Tolerance and Photoacclimation in Timothy (Phleum pratense L.), Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.)
Authors: Dalmannsdottir S. , Rapacz M. , Jørgensen M. , Østrem L. , Larsen A. , Rødven R. , Rognli O. A.
Published: August 2015

The expected temperature rise in late summer/early autumn can change the conditions for acclimation and affect the winter survival of perennial crops. This study examined the effect of the temperature just before the onset of cold acclimation (pre‐acclimation) on freezing tolerance of timothy (Phleum pratense L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) populations (both cultivars and breeding populations) adapted to either northern or southern parts of Norway. Using phytotron experiments, we studied whether increasing pre‐acclimation temperature delays growth cessation, affects photoacclimation and reduces freezing tolerance. Furthermore, we assessed whether these effects were related to the latitudinal adaptation of the plant material. The results showed that a rise in pre‐acclimation temperature decreased both cold acclimation capacity and photoacclimation in these species. This affected the freezing tolerance, which was reduced significantly more in northern‐adapted population of timothy and perennial ryegrass compared with southern‐adapted populations. Red clover was less affected by temperature changes than the grasses.
Incubation temperature influences survival in a small passerine bird
Authors: Berntsen Henrik H. , Bech Claus
Published: August 2015

In birds parental incubation behaviour is an important factor shaping the environmental conditions under which the embryos develop, and sub‐optimal incubation temperatures are known to negatively affect early growth and development. It is less well known if variation in incubation temperature can impose life‐long differences in individual performance and survival. In the present study we investigated the effects of incubation temperature on long‐term survival in a small passerine bird. Using our captive population of the zebra finchTaeniopygia guttatawe artificially incubated eggs at three biologically relevant temperatures (35.9, 37.0 and 37.9°C) for two‐thirds of the incubation period and then monitored individual lifespan of the hatched chicks for two and a half years. We found that individuals from eggs incubated under the lowest temperature exhibited significantly lower long‐term survival compared to those which had been incubated at the highest temperature. Our results show that incubation temperature in birds, and thus parental incubation behaviour, play an important role in shaping the life‐history trajectories of offspring.