bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Function, Applicability, and Properties of a Novel Flexible Total Ossicular Replacement Prosthesis With a Silicone Coated Ball and Socket Joint
Authors: Stoppe Thomas , Bornitz Matthias , Lasurashvili Nikoloz , Sauer Kirsten , Zahnert Thomas , Zaoui Karim , Beleites Thomas
Published: May 2018

Hypothesis:

A total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) with a silicone coated ball and socket joint (BSJ) is able to compensate pressure changes and therefore provide better sound transmission compared with rigid prostheses.

Background:

Dislocation and extrusion are known complications after TORP reconstruction, leading to revisions and recurrent hearing loss. Poor aeration of the middle ear, scar tension, and static pressure variations in conjunction with rigid prosthesis design causes high tension at the implant coupling points.

Methods:

A novel TORP prototype with a silicone coated BSJ has been developed. Experimental measurements were performed on nine fresh cadaveric human temporal bones of which five were used for a comparison between rigid TORP and flexible TORP tympanoplasty. The middle ear transfer function was measured at ambient pressure and at 2.5 kPa, both positive and negative pressure, applied in the ear canal.

Results:

The flexible TORP design yields a better transmission of sound after implantation and at negative pressure inside the tympanic cavity, compared with rigid TORP. In average, it provides an equivalent sound transfer like the intact middle ear. At positive pressure, the flexible TORP performs slightly worse. Both performed worse than the intact middle ear, which is related to an uplifting of the prostheses.

Conclusion:

The findings may be considered preliminary as this experimental study was limited to just one of the many different possible situations of tympanoplasty and it involved a small sample size. Nevertheless, the results with the flexible TORP were promising and could encourage further investigations on such prostheses.
Giant Temporal Lobe Abscess in a Patient With Ectodermal Dysplasia
Authors: Lapenna Ruggero , Ori Michele , Dehgani Puya Mobaraki , Ricci Giampietro
Published: May 2018

Objective:

To present the first reported case of a temporal lobe abscess in a patient with ectodermal dysplasia (ED). To increase awareness among neurotologists of the otological manifestations and complications of ED, we describe a conservative approach in comparison with the surgical strategies to repair bony defects of the tegmen tympani.

Study Design:

Clinical capsule report.

Patient:

A 44-year-old man with ED presented with retroauricular pain and high-grade fever after Eustachian tube catheterizations to treat an effusive otitis media. Since many signs indicated meningitis, a computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain was performed, and an extensive intraparenchymal mass was detected. Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) confirmed a brain abscess of the right temporal lobe.

Interventions:

Surgical drainage of the abscess through craniotomy, antimicrobial therapy, and strict follow-up.

Main Outcome Measures:

Clinical symptoms and radiological signs.

Results:

After craniotomy, the antimicrobial therapy was administered for 8 weeks. Postoperative high resolution TC of the petrous bone showed the presence of material with a soft tissue signal in the right middle ear and dehiscent anterior tegmen tympani. The location of the bony defect in association with the good clinical outcome with medical therapy mitigated against a first choice otosurgical approach to repair the dehiscence. Serial MRI scans provided proof of complete remission and no relapse occurred during a 2-year follow-up.

Conclusions:

Patients with ED can present with chronic otitis media and tegmen tympani defects, predisposing them to serious complications. Imaging is mandatory, and the optimum treatment requires assessment of various factors.
Increased Survival for Children With Acute Myeloid Leukemia Results From Improved Postrelapse Treatment
Authors: Vedi Aditi , Mitchell Richard , Shanmuganathan Sunita , Oswald Cecilia , Marshall Glenn M. , Trahair Toby , Sivarajasingam Siva , Ziegler David S.
Published: May 2018

Background:

The treatment for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has not changed significantly over the past 3 decades, yet outcomes have improved with cure rates increasing from 30% to over 60% of all newly diagnosed children over this period. This improvement in survival has been attributed to both treatment intensification and improved supportive care over the decades, although the precise impact of each remains unknown.

Patients and Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed a unique cohort of 276 patients with de novo AML diagnosed in childhood, all treated with the same chemotherapy protocol over a 25-year period from 1986 to 2012.

Results:

The contemporary cohort (2000-2012), compared with the historical cohort (1986-1999) had significantly improved overall survival (75% vs. 50%; hazard ratio, 2.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-2.93), lower disease-related mortality (38% vs. 19%, P=0.02) and were significantly more likely to receive an allogeneic transplant after relapse (stem cell transplantation [SCT], 73% vs. 12%; P<0.0001). Allogeneic transplant postrelapse was associated with a significantly improved survival across the entire cohort (overall survival 50% for allogeneic SCT vs. 12% for autologous or none, P<0.0001). There was no significant difference between the contemporary and historical cohorts in treatment-related mortality (13% vs. 7%, P=0.42) or relapse rates after induction (50% in older cohort vs. 40% in recent era, P=0.25), suggesting consistency of induction treatment efficacy and toxicity across the 2 periods.

Conclusions:

This data suggests improved survival in pediatric AML in the modern era has predominantly resulted from changes in treatment after relapse, including increased use of allogeneic SCT.
Effect of telerehabilitation on mobility in people after hip surgery: a pilot feasibility study
Authors: Kalron Alon , Tawil Heba , Peleg-Shani Sara , Vatine Jean-Jacques
Published: May 2018

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of telerehabilitation on mobility in people following hip surgery. This feasibility pilot randomized controlled trial included a sample of 40 participants, with 22 male and 18 female patients and mean age (SD) of 67.5 (7.8) years following a surgical intervention. Participants were equally divided and randomly assigned to a telerehabilitation or control intervention group (6 weeks, 3 sessions/week). Telerehabilitation was based on video clips of common rehabilitation exercises focusing on the lower limbs. The control group received an exercise booklet. Both groups participated in physical therapy sessions, twice a week. Outcome measures included the Timed Up and Go test, 2-min walk test, 10-m walk test, sit to stand test, walking speed, and mean step length. Measurements were completed at baseline, at termination of the intervention, and at a 4-week follow-up examination. Improvements in both groups were demonstrated in all outcome measures in the postintervention evaluation. Improvements in the telerehabilitation group were greater in five of six tests compared with those achieved by the controls. The telerehabilitation group showed greater improvements in the 2-min walking test (86.1%) and walking speed (65.6%). During follow-up, the telerehabilitation group continued to improve in all outcome measures in contrast to the control group, who showed no changes in five of the six outcome measures. Telerehabilitation, a complementary treatment to standard physical therapy, generates a positive effect on mobility in people following hip surgery.
A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis to Explore the Effectiveness of Exercise-Based Interventions in Improving Fatigue, Dyspnea, and Depression in Lung Cancer Survivors
Authors: Henshall Catherine L. , Allin Lizzie , Aveyard Helen
Published: May 2018

Background

Lung cancer survival rates are increasing; however, lung cancer survivors' mental and physical well-being can suffer from experiencing symptoms of fatigue, dyspnea, and depression. Exercise can improve these symptoms. However, no studies have examined the effects of different exercise interventions on these symptoms.

Objective

This review aims to examine the evidence on the effects of exercise interventions on fatigue, dyspnea, and depression in lung cancer survivors.

Methods

PRISMA guidelines were followed. CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched between 2000 and May 2017. Gray literature was searched. All identified studies were screened for inclusion. Quantitative data were narratively synthesized.

Results

From 852 records retrieved and screened, 10 full-text articles were included. Seven studies had a high risk of bias, 2 had an unclear risk, and 1 study had a low risk, limiting the robustness of findings. Exercise interventions included pulmonary rehabilitation, aerobic exercise, resistance training, exercise and balance programs, and medical qigong. Six studies reported statistically significant reductions in fatigue; 2 reported significant improvements in dyspnea, and one a significant reduction in depression postintervention.

Conclusions

Exercise interventions may be effective and are unlikely to cause harm for lung cancer survivors. However, evidence quality is limited. More rigorous study designs are required to provide guidance about which interventions may help lung cancer survivors self-manage these symptoms.

Implications for Practice

Health professionals should provide comprehensive, customized exercise screening and treatment plans to lung cancer survivors to complement their lifestyle needs and ensure appropriate recommendations aimed at improving symptom control are communicated to them.
Threshold Concepts in Doctoral Education
Authors: Tyndall Deborah E. , Flinchbaugh Kerri B. , Caswell Nicole I. , Scott Elaine S.
Published: May 2018

Pedagogical practices for writing development in doctoral programs are often the by-product of completing dissertation research and may lack deliberate strategies to assist students with complex genres of writing. This article proposes a framework for doctoral education to assist students with mastery of threshold concepts in writing. Threshold concepts in writing are examined for their applicability to the evolution of writing in PhD nursing students as they begin to think and write like nurse scientists.
Modified Nipple Flap with Free Areolar Graft for Component Nipple-Areola Complex Construction: Outcomes with a Novel Technique for Chest Wall Reconstruction in Transgender Men
Authors: Frey Jordan D. , Yu Jessie Z. , Poudrier Grace , Motosko Catherine C. , Saia Whitney V. , Wilson Stelios C. , Hazen Alexes
Published: May 2018

Background:

A primary goal in chest wall reconstruction (“top surgery”) for trans men is achieving a symmetric, aesthetically pleasing position of the reconstructed male nipple-areola complex.

Methods:

The senior author’s (A.H.) technique for component nipple-areola complex creation in chest wall reconstruction for trans men with a modified skate flap and free areolar graft, in conjunction with double-incision mastectomy, is described. A retrospective analysis of 50 consecutive patients who underwent primary, bilateral chest wall reconstruction with this technique was undertaken for the period of March of 2015 to October of 2016.

Results:

The average patient age was 30.64 years, and the average body mass index was 28.54 kg/m2. Eighty-two percent of the sample received preoperative testosterone therapy, and average operative time was 2 hours 59 minutes. Average overall mastectomy specimen weight was 627.80 g, average length of hospital stay was 0.96 days, and average follow-up duration was 19.02 months. Complications occurred in five patients (10 percent), including seroma (4 percent), cellulitis (2 percent), hematoma (2 percent), and suture granuloma (2 percent). Only five patients (10 percent) underwent postoperative revision to adjust nipple-areola complex size, projection, or symmetry. Twenty-eight patients (56 percent) underwent secondary revisions, including scar revisions (56 percent), liposuction (12 percent), and fat grafting (2 percent).

Conclusion:

The use of a modified nipple flap and free areola graft in transgender chest wall reconstruction for trans men allows for flexible, component construction of the male nipple-areola complex in a safe and effective manner.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, IV.
Browning of Human Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue after Its Transplantation in Nude Mice
Authors: Qiu Lihong , Zhang Zhaoxiang , Zheng Hui , Xiong Shaoheng , Su Yingjun , Ma Xianjie , Yi Chenggang
Published: May 2018

Background:

The clinical unpredictability of autologous fat grafting originates partially from the unique characteristics of adipose tissue. Evidence of adipose remodeling toward browning (developing of brown-like adipocytes in white adipose tissue) in response to trauma has been emerging. With regard to fat grafting surgery by which adipose tissue depots are directly and ubiquitously traumatized, whether it affects adipose phenotype change toward browning has not been previously reported.

Methods:

Human subcutaneous adipose tissues were harvested from the abdominal region of female patients by means of liposuction and were then injected into the dorsal flanks of athymic nude mice. After 12 weeks, fat grafts were harvested and subjected to histologic analysis.

Results:

Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed the appearance of small multilocular adipocytes in the peripheral region of the grafts. These adipocytes exhibited higher staining for uncoupling protein 1 (a fat browning–specific marker), mitochondrial protein, and CD31 compared with the central ones, indicating the presence of brown-like adipocytes (i.e., beige adipocytes) in this area. Furthermore, immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that these beige adipocytes might be derived from de novo adipogenesis from progenitors of graft origin.

Conclusion:

Results of this study suggest that browning of subcutaneous white adipose tissue participates in adaptive tissue remodeling following grafting and contributes to adipose tissue repair.
An Exploration of Sensation Seeking in Persons With Disabilities in Rehabilitation
Authors: Koszalinski Rebecca S. , Heidel R. Eric , Thomson Cynthia J. , Cochran P. David , Nance Jon , Kaye Al
Published: May 2018

Purpose

This study reports the findings of a study about sensation-seeking or high-risk/challenging sports in persons who have disabilities.

Design

Exploratory, cross-sectional, and descriptive.

Methods

Two hundred and twenty-three recruitment e-mails were sent to potential participants. Data were collected through Qualtrics.

Findings

Mean score for Contextual Sensation Seeking Questionnaire for Skiing and Snowboarding (M = 30.21, SD = 8.18) was significantly lower than a sample of able-bodied skiers and snowboarders, t(239) = 2.75, p = .006. Mean for impulsive sensation seeking was lower than the same sample of able-bodied athletes cited in a previous study, t(240) = 4.56, p = .001. Means for the Zuckerman Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire subscales were impulsivity (M = 1.98, SD = 4.05) and sensation seeking (M = 6.75, SD = 2.68).

Conclusions

This group scored lower in sensation seeking compared to able-bodied high-risk/challenging sports activities participants. Sensation seeking is not a motivating factor in this sample.

Clinical Relevance

Nurses could encourage rehabilitation patients to engage in challenging activities for personal and group mastery.
Current Role of Urethrolysis and Partial Excision in Patients Seeking Revision of Anti-Incontinence Sling
Authors: Drain Alice , Enemchukwu Ekene , Shah Nihar , Syan Raveen , Rosenblum Nirit , Nitti Victor W. , Brucker Benjamin M.
Published: May 2018

Objectives

Stress urinary incontinence is highly prevalent and sling surgery has increased since 2000. Urethrolysis traditionally had been standard management of complications after anti-incontinence surgery; however, partial excision is a less aggressive option. This study describes the different populations in a contemporary cohort that undergo sling excision and urethrolysis and their surgical outcomes.

Methods

Chart analysis was performed on patients assigned Current Procedural Terminology codes for removal or revision of sling for stress incontinence, urethrolysis, or revision of graft at our institution from 2010 to 2015. Demographics, indications, outcomes, and subsequent treatment were evaluated.

Results

A total of 110 patients underwent surgery and were included. Partial excision was performed on 82 patients and urethrolysis on 28 patients. About 32.7% had prior revision, and median length to revision was 3.1 years. Overall success was 75.0% for urethrolysis and 86.6% for partial excision. Without concomitant sling placement, stress incontinence developed in 25.0% of urethrolysis and 21.6% of partial excision patients. New onset overactive bladder symptoms developed in 21.4% of urethrolysis patients and 7.3% of partial excision, which was significantly different (P = 0.039).

Conclusions

Both approaches had good success, 75.0% for formal urethrolysis and 86.6% for partial excision. New onset urgency was lower for partial excision, but rates of all other complications were similar. These procedures are often used for different patient populations, and thus, outcomes are not meant to be directly compared. Future work on sling revision should report these procedures separately.
Defining Future Research Priorities in Donation and Organ and Stem Cell Transplantation With Patients, Families, Caregivers, Healthcare Providers and Researchers Within the Canadian National Transplant Research Program
Authors: Ballesteros Gallego Fabián , Martin Carolina , Allard Julie , Anthony Samantha J. , Dumez Vincent , Hartell David , Hébert Marie-Josée , Knoll Greg , West Lori J. , Wright Linda , Fortin Marie-Chantal
Published: May 2018

Background

Patients, families, and caregivers have a unique understanding of the diseases they live with and provide care for every day. Their experience and expertise are important and should be taken into consideration when determining research priorities. The aim of this study was to gather the perspectives of Canadian patients, families, caregivers, researchers, and healthcare professionals on what research priorities were important to them in the field of organ and hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and donation within the Canadian National Transplant Research Program (CNTRP).

Methods

The CNTRP developed a national consultation process, which included a Web-based survey and in-person workshop, to ascertain and validate the viewpoints of the Canadian donation and transplant community. The Web-based survey identified 3 principal research priorities (increasing donation, developing better antirejection drugs and developing tolerance), which were further refined and prioritized during the one-and-a-half day national workshop held in Toronto in November 2015.

Results

A total of 505 participants answered the Web-based survey, and 46 participants (28 patients, 12 researchers and 6 healthcare professionals) participated in the in-person workshop. Workshop participants ranked the following 2 priorities as the most important in the fields of donation, HCT, and solid organ transplantation: methods for developing a culture of donation (within healthcare organizations and throughout society); and methods for improving graft survival and antirejection therapy.

Conclusion

The CNTRP will use these results to prioritize future research projects and studies in donation, HCT, and solid organ transplantation in the years to come.
Role of the light source position in freely falling hoverflies' stabilization performances
Authors: Goulard Roman , Verbe Anna , Vercher Jean-Louis , Viollet Stéphane
Published: May 2018

The stabilization of plummeting hoverflies was filmed and analysed in terms of their wingbeat initiation times as well as the crash and stabilization rates. The flies experienced near-weightlessness for a period of time that depended on their ability to counteract the free fall by triggering their wingbeats. In this paradigm, hoverflies' flight stabilization strategies were investigated here for the first time under two different positions of the light source (overhead and bottom lighting). The crash rates were higher in bottom lighting conditions than with top lighting. In addition, adding a texture to the walls reduced the crash rates only in the overhead lighting condition. The position of the lighting also significantly affected both the stabilization rates and the time taken by the flies to stabilize, which decreased and increased under bottom lighting conditions, respectively, whereas textured walls increased the stabilization rates under both lighting conditions. These results support the idea that flies may mainly base their flight control strategy on visual cues and particularly that the light distribution in the visual field may provide reliable, efficient cues for estimating their orientation with respect to an allocentric reference frame. In addition, the finding that the hoverflies' optic flow-based motion detection ability is affected by the position of the light source in their visual field suggests the occurrence of interactions between movement perception and this visual vertical perception process.
Non-uniform evolutionary response of gecko eye size to changes in diel activity patterns
Authors: Schmitz Lars , Higham Timothy E.
Published: May 2018

Geckos feature a large range of eye sizes, but what drives this phenotypic diversity is currently unknown. Earlier studies point towards diel activity patterns (DAPs) and locomotory mode, but phylogenetic comparative studies in support of the proposed adaptive mode of eye evolution are lacking. Here, we test the hypothesis of DAPs as the driver of eye size evolution with a dataset on 99 species of gecko. Results from phylogenetic generalized least-square analysis (PGLS) and multivariate model-fitting reveal smaller eyes in diurnal geckos consistent with different phenotypic optima. However, Bayesian analyses of selective regime shifts demonstrate that only two of nine transitions from nocturnal to diurnal activity are coupled with decreases in eye size, and two other regime shifts are not associated with DAP transitions. This non-uniform evolutionary response suggests that eye size is not the only functionally relevant variable. Evolutionary adaptations may therefore include different combinations of several traits (e.g. photoreceptors), all with the same functional outcome. Our results further demonstrate that DAP only partially explains eye size diversity in geckos. As open habitats favour the evolution of large eyes while obstructed habitats favour small eyes, the degree of habitat clutter emerges as another potential axis of eye diversification.
Simultaneous radiation of bird and mammal lice following the K-Pg boundary
Authors: Johnson Kevin P. , Nguyen Nam-phuong , Sweet Andrew D. , Boyd Bret M. , Warnow Tandy , Allen Julie M.
Published: May 2018

The diversification of parasite groups often occurs at the same time as the diversification of their hosts. However, most studies demonstrating this concordance only examine single host–parasite groups. Multiple diverse lineages of ectoparasitic lice occur across both birds and mammals. Here, we describe the evolutionary history of lice based on analyses of 1107 single-copy orthologous genes from sequenced genomes of 46 species of lice. We identify three major diverse groups of lice: one exclusively on mammals, one almost exclusively on birds and one on both birds and mammals. Each of these groups radiated just after the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary, the time of the mass extinction event of the dinosaurs and rapid diversification of most of the modern lineages of birds and mammals.
Evidence for contrasting roles for prolactin in eusocial naked mole-rats,
Heterocephalus glaber
and Damaraland mole-rats,
Fukomys damarensis
Authors: Bennett N. C. , Ganswindt A. , Ganswindt S. B. , Jarvis J. U. M. , Zöttl M. , Faulkes C. G.
Published: May 2018

Elevated prolactin (PRL) has been associated with the expression of social and cooperative behaviours in a number of vertebrate species, as well as suppression of reproduction. As social mole-rats exhibit both of these traits, PRL is a prime candidate in mediating their social phenotype. While naked and Damaraland mole-rats (NMRs and DMRs) have evolved eusociality independently within their family, both species exhibit an extreme skew in lifetime reproductive success, with breeding restricted to a single female and one or two males. Non-breeding NMRs of both sexes are physiologically inhibited from reproducing, while in DMRs only the non-breeding females are physiologically suppressed. Newly emerging work has implicated the dopamine system and PRL as a component in socially induced reproductive suppression and eusociality in NMR, but the DMR remains unstudied in this context. To investigate evolutionary convergence in the role of PRL in shaping African mole-rat eusociality, we determined plasma PRL concentrations in breeders and non-breeders of both sexes, comparing DMRs with NMRs. Among samples from non-breeding NMRs 80% had detectable plasma PRL concentrations. As a benchmark, these often (37%) exceeding those considered clinically hyperprolactinaemic (25 ng ml
−1
) in humans: mean ± s.e.m.: 34.81 ± 5.87 ngml
−1
; range 0.00–330.30 ng ml
−1
. Conversely, 85% of non-breeding DMR samples had undetectable values and none had concentrations above 25 ng ml
−1
: 0.71 ± 0.38 ng ml
−1
; 0.00–23.87 ngml
−1
. Breeders in both species had the expected variance in plasma PRL concentrations as part of normal reproductive function, with lactating queens having significantly higher values. These results suggest that while elevated PRL in non-breeders is implicated in NMR eusociality, this may not be the case in DMRs, and suggests a lack of evolutionary convergence in the proximate control of the social phenotype in these mole-rats.
Putative vaccine candidates and drug targets identified by reverse vaccinology and subtractive genomics approaches to controlHaemophilus ducreyi, the causative agent of chancroid
Authors: de Sarom Alissa , Kumar Jaiswal Arun , Tiwari Sandeep , de Castro Oliveira Letícia , Barh Debmalya , Azevedo Vasco , Jose Oliveira Carlo , de Castro Soares Siomar
Published: May 2018

Chancroid is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the Gram-negative bacteriumHaemophilus ducreyi. The control of chancroid is difficult and the only current available treatment is antibiotic therapy; however, antibiotic resistance has been reported in endemic areas. Owing to recent outbreaks of STIs worldwide, it is important to keep searching for new treatment strategies and preventive measures. Here, we applied reverse vaccinology and subtractive genomic approaches for thein silicoprediction of potential vaccine and drug targets against 28 strains ofH. ducreyi. We identified 847 non-host homologous proteins, being 332 exposed/secreted/membrane and 515 cytoplasmic proteins. We also checked their essentiality, functionality and virulence. Altogether, we predicted 13 candidate vaccine targets and three drug targets, where two vaccines (A01_1275, ABC transporter substrate-binding protein; and A01_0690, Probable transmembrane protein) and three drug targets (A01_0698, Purine nucleoside phosphorylase; A01_0702, Transcription termination factor; and A01_0677, Fructose-bisphosphate aldolase class II) are harboured by pathogenicity islands. Finally, we applied a molecular docking approach to analyse each drug target and selected ZINC77257029, ZINC43552589 and ZINC67912117 as promising molecules with favourable interactions with the target active site residues. Altogether, the targets identified here may be used in future strategies to control chancroid worldwide.
Modified α,α′-trehalose andd-glucose: green monomers for the synthesis of vinyl copolymers
Authors: Papacchini A. , Telaretti Leggieri M. R. , Zucchini L. , Ortenzi M. A. , Ridi F. , Giomi D. , Salvini A.
Published: May 2018

Allyl saccharide/vinyl copolymers were synthesized using renewable feedstocks (α,α′-trehalose andd-glucose) to obtain ‘green monomers’. Properly designed synthetic procedures were used to obtain copolymers with high purity and without protection/deprotection steps in agreement with the principles of green chemistry and industrial sustainability. The use of saccharide derivatives as monomers allowed products to be obtained that showed high affinity and compatibility for the cellulosic substrates, like paper or wood, and that were suitable for applications like adhesion or consolidation in the field of cultural heritage. All reaction products were characterized by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopies and SEC analyses, while thermal properties were evaluated by DSC analyses.
Formation and optical properties of metal/10-hydroxybenzo[h]quinolone complexes in the interlayer spaces of magadiite by solid–solid reactions
Authors: Zhang Yifu , Gao Shengnan , Jiang Hanmei , Wang Qiushi , Cheng Yan , Zhu Jiang , Meng Changgong
Published: May 2018

Intercalation and
in situ
formation of three fluorescent complexes, Al(III)-, Cr(III)- and Cu(II)-10-hydroxybenzo[h]quinolone (M-HBQ, M = Al, Cr and Cu), in the interlayer spaces of magadiite (mag) were studied by solid–solid reactions between metal ions exchanged mags (M-mag, M = Al, Cr and Cu) and HBQ. Results show that the basal spacings of the intercalated composites increase after the intercalation of HBQ into M-mags. The amount of HBQ in the intercalated compounds is different due to the amount of metal ions and the diversification of coordination ability of metal ions, and the order of the coordination ability of these three metal ions is Cu
2+
 > Cr
3+
 > Al
3+
. The amount of the metal cations in the interlayer of mag is enough for the
in situ
complex formation of M-HBQ complexes. The slight shift of the absorption and luminescence bands of the complexes suggests the different microstructures, including molecular packing of the complexes in the interlayer spaces of mags, resulting that the host–guest interactions are formed. These findings show that the intercalation and
in situ
formation of M-HBQ complexes (M = Al, Cr and Cu) in the interlayer space of mag are successfully achieved in the current work.
Evidence of sexual dimorphism in skeletal morphology of a gonochoric reef coral
Authors: González-Espinosa P. C. , Paz-García D. A. , Reyes-Bonilla H.  , Cabral-Tena R. A. , Balart E. F.
Published: May 2018

In the emerald coral
Porites panamensis
, the rates of elongation and calcification of colonies are higher in males than in females, probably because of the higher energetic demands of the latter in order to cope with the development of the large planulae produced throughout the year. This differing energetic demand could also be reflected in the sexual dimorphism of the calyces; hence, to test this hypothesis, 11 morphological traits of the corallite were assessed from 63 colonies that were collected in the southern Gulf of California, Mexico. Three traits showed statistical differences between sexes, enabling accurate distinction of males from females. Our results confirm for the first time the existence of external sexual dimorphism in a reef-building coral, opening the possibility that sex-related morphological differences may occur generally in gonochoric scleractinians. These findings can be very useful for the correct classification and characterization of recent and fossil records, helping to improve the historical and evolutive understanding of reef-building corals facing threats under environmental changes.
Chimpanzee quiet hoo variants differ according to context
Authors: Crockford Catherine , Gruber Thibaud , Zuberbühler Klaus
Published: May 2018

In comparative studies of evolution of communication, the function and use of animal quiet calls have typically been understudied, despite that these signals are presumably under selection like other vocalizations, such as alarm calls. Here, we examine vocalization diversification of chimpanzee quiet ‘hoos’ produced in three contexts—travel, rest and alert—and potential pressures promoting diversification. Previous playback and observational studies have suggested that the overarching function of chimpanzee hoos is to stay in contact with others, particularly bond partners. We conducted an acoustic analysis of hoos using audio recordings from wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) of Budongo Forest, Uganda. We identified three acoustically distinguishable, context-specific hoo variants. Each call variant requires specific responses from receivers to avoid breaking up the social unit. We propose that callers may achieve coordination by using acoustically distinguishable calls, advertising their own behavioural intentions. We conclude that natural selection has acted towards acoustically diversifying an inconspicuous, quiet vocalization, the chimpanzee hoo. This evolutionary process may have been favoured by the fact that signallers and recipients share the same goal, to maintain social cohesion, particularly among those who regularly cooperate, suggesting that call diversification has been favoured by the demands of cooperative activities.
Synthetic explorations of the briarane jungle: progress in developing a synthetic route to a common family of diterpenoid natural products
Authors: Moon Nicholas G. , Harned Andrew M.
Published: May 2018

The briarane diterpenoids are a large family of marine natural products that have been primarily isolated from gorgonian octocorals around the world. Structurally, the family is characterized by a
trans
-fused bicyclo[8.4.0]tetradecane ring system containing a central, stereogenic, all-carbon quaternary carbon (C1) flanked by three additional stereocentres (C2, C10, C14). Many family members have demonstrated biological activity in numerous areas, including: cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, immunomodulatory and insect control. Despite their interesting structural properties and bioactivity, the briaranes have been largely overlooked by the synthetic community. However, in recent years, several research groups have reported progress toward developing a synthetic route to these natural products. Most of these efforts have focused on the stereoselective construction of the central C1–C2–C10–C14 stereotetrad. This review will discuss the various synthetic efforts aimed at the briarane diterpenoids along with the challenges that remain.
Hydrogen sensing enhancement of zinc oxide nanorods via voltage biasing
Authors: Choo Thye Foo , Saidin Nur Ubaidah , Kok Kuan Ying
Published: May 2018

The capability of zinc oxide (ZnO) as a hydrogen sensing element has been pushed to its limits. Different methods have been explored to extend its sensing capability. In this paper, we report a novel approach which significantly improves the hydrogen sensing capability of zinc oxide by applying a bias voltage to ZnO nanorods as the sensing elements. Zinc oxide in the form of aligned nanorods was first synthesized on an Au-coated Si(111) substrate using a facile method via the galvanic-assisted chemical process. The sensing performance of the zinc oxide nanorods was investigated in response to the applied biasing voltage. It was found that the sensitivity, response time and detection limit of the ZnO sensing elements were dramatically improved with increasing bias voltage. A 100% increment in sensing response was achieved for the detection of 2000 ppm hydrogen gas when the bias voltage was increased from −2 to −6 V with 70% reduction in response and recovery times. This remarkable sensing performance is attributed to the reaction of hydrogen with chemisorbed oxygen ions on the surface of the ZnO nanorods that served as the electron donors to increase the sensor conductance. Higher reverse bias voltages sweep the electrons faster across the electrodes. This shortened the response time and, at the same time, depleted the electrons in the sensor elements and weakens oxygen adsorption. The oxygen ions could then be readily removed by hydrogen, leading to a higher sensitivity of the sensors. This, therefore, envisages a way for high-speed hydrogen gas sensing with high detection sensitivities.
A surface renewal model for unsteady-state mass transfer using the generalized Danckwerts age distribution function
Authors: Horvath Isabelle R. , Chatterjee Siddharth G.
Published: May 2018

The recently derived steady-state generalized Danckwerts age distribution is extended to unsteady-state conditions. For three different wind speeds used by researchers on air–water heat exchange on the Heidelberg Aeolotron, calculations reveal that the distribution has a sharp peak during the initial moments, but flattens out and acquires a bell-shaped character with process time, with the time taken to attain a steady-state profile being a strong and inverse function of wind speed. With increasing wind speed, the age distribution narrows significantly, its skewness decreases and its peak becomes larger. The mean eddy renewal time increases linearly with process time initially but approaches a final steady-state value asymptotically, which decreases dramatically with increased wind speed. Using the distribution to analyse the transient absorption of a gas into a large body of liquid, assuming negligible gas-side mass-transfer resistance, estimates are made of the gas-absorption and dissolved-gas transfer coefficients for oxygen absorption in water at 25°C for the three different wind speeds. Under unsteady-state conditions, these two coefficients show an inverse behaviour, indicating a heightened accumulation of dissolved gas in the surface elements, especially during the initial moments of absorption. However, the two mass-transfer coefficients start merging together as the steady state is approached. Theoretical predictions of the steady-state mass-transfer coefficient or transfer velocity are in fair agreement (average absolute error of prediction = 18.1%) with some experimental measurements of the same for the nitrous oxide–water system at 20°C that were made in the Heidelberg Aeolotron.
An experimental study on the manufacture and characterization of in-plane fibre-waviness defects in composites
Authors: Christian W. J. R. , DiazDelaO F. A. , Atherton K. , Patterson E. A.
Published: May 2018

A new method has been developed for creating localized in-plane fibre waviness in composite coupons and used to create a large batch of specimens. This method could be used by manufacturers to experimentally explore the effect of fibre waviness on composite structures both directly and indirectly to develop and validate computational models. The specimens were assessed using ultrasound, digital image correlation and a novel inspection technique capable of measuring residual strain fields. To explore how the defect affects the performance of composite structures, the specimens were then loaded to failure. Predictions of remnant strength were made using a simple ultrasound damage metric and a new residual strain-based damage metric. The predictions made using residual strain measurements were found to be substantially more effective at characterizing ultimate strength than ultrasound measurements. This suggests that residual strains have a significant effect on the failure of laminates containing fibre waviness and that these strains could be incorporated into computational models to improve their ability to simulate the defect.
A convenient and eco-friendly cerium(III) chloride-catalysed synthesis of methoxime derivatives of aromatic aldehydes and ketones
Authors: Cortés Iván , Kaufman Teodoro S. , Bracca Andrea B. J.
Published: May 2018

The use of CeCl3·7H2O as an efficient and eco-friendly promoter for the convenient synthesis of methoximes derived from aromatic aldehydes and ketones, is reported. The transformations entail the use of equimolar amounts of MeONH2·HCl and NaOAc in EtOH at 50°C, and no special precautions are needed with regard to the presence of oxygen. The scope and limitations of the transformation were studied and a reaction mechanism was proposed.
Inter-generational change in African elephant range use is associated with poaching risk, primary productivity and adult mortality
Authors: Goldenberg Shifra Z. , Douglas-Hamilton Iain , Wittemyer George
Published: May 2018

Repeated use of the same areas may benefit animals as they exploit familiar sites, leading to consistent home ranges over time that can span generations. Changing risk landscapes may reduce benefits associated with home range fidelity, however, and philopatric animals may alter movement in response to new pressures. Despite the importance of range changes to ecological and evolutionary processes, little tracking data have been collected over the long-term nor has range change been recorded in response to human pressures across generations. Here, we investigate the relationships between ecological, demographic and human variables and elephant ranging behaviour across generations using 16 years of tracking data from nine distinct female social groups in a population of elephants in northern Kenya that was heavily affected by ivory poaching during the latter half of the study. Nearly all groups—including those that did not experience loss of mature adults—exhibited a shift north over time, apparently in response to increased poaching in the southern extent of the study area. However, loss of mature adults appeared to be the primary indicator of range shifts and expansions, as generational turnover was a significant predictor of range size increases and range centroid shifts. Range expansions and northward shifts were associated with higher primary productivity and lower poached carcass densities, while westward shifts exhibited a trend to areas with higher values of primary productivity and higher poached carcass densities relative to former ranges. Together these results suggest a trade-off between resource access, mobility and safety. We discuss the relevance of these results to elephant conservation efforts and directions meriting further exploration in this disrupted society of a keystone species.
A systematic method for surveying data visualizations and a resulting genomic epidemiology visualization typology: GEViT
Authors: Crisan Anamaria , Gardy Jennifer L. , Munzner Tamara
Published: May 2018

Motivation:

Data visualization is an important tool for exploring and communicating findings from genomic and healthcare datasets. Yet, without a systematic way of organizing and describing the design space of data visualizations, researchers may not be aware of the breadth of possible visualization design choices or how to distinguish between good and bad options.

Results:

We have developed a method that systematically surveys data visualizations using the analysis of both text and images. Our method supports the construction of a visualization design space that is explorable along two axes:whythe visualization was created andhowit was constructed. We applied our method to a corpus of scientific research articles from infectious disease genomic epidemiology and derived a Genomic Epidemiology Visualization Typology (GEViT) that describes how visualizations were created from a series of chart types, combinations, and enhancements. We have also implemented an online gallery that allows others to explore our resulting design space of visualizations. Our results have important implications for visualization design and for researchers intending to develop or use data visualization tools. Finally, the method that we introduce is extensible to constructing visualizations design spaces across other research areas.

Availability:

Our browsable gallery is available athttp://gevit.netand all project code can be found athttps://github.com/amcrisan/gevitAnalysisRelease
Chlorosis as a developmental program in cyanobacteria: the proteomic fundament for survival and awakening
Authors: Spät Philipp , Klotz Alexander , Rexroth Sascha , Maček Boris , Forchhammer Karl
Published: May 2018

Cyanobacteria that do not fix atmospheric nitrogen gas survive prolonged periods of nitrogen starvation in a chlorotic, dormant state where cell growth and metabolism are arrested. Upon nutrient availability, these dormant cells return to vegetative growth within 2–3 days. This resuscitation process is highly orchestrated and relies on the stepwise re-installation and activation of essential cellular structures and functions. We have been investigating the transition to chlorosis and the return to vegetative growth as a simple model of a cellular developmental process and a fundamental survival strategy in biology. In the present study, we used quantitative proteomics and phosphoproteomics to describe the proteomic landscape of a dormant cyanobacterium and its dynamics during the transition to vegetative growth. We identified intriguing alterations in the set of ribosomal proteins, in RuBisCO components, in the abundance of central regulators and predicted metabolic enzymes. We found O-phosphorylation as an abundant protein modification in the chlorotic state, specifically of metabolic enzymes and proteins involved in photosynthesis. Non-degraded phycobiliproteins were hyperphosphorylated in the chlorotic state. We provide evidence that hyperphosphorylation of the terminal rod linker CpcD increases the lifespan of phycobiliproteins during chlorosis.
Privatisation rescues function following loss of cooperation
Authors: Andersen Sandra B. , Ghoul Melanie , Marvig Rasmus L. , Lee Zhuo-Bin , Molin Søren , Johansen Helle Krogh , Griffin Ashleigh S.
Published: May 2018

A single cheating mutant can lead to the invasion and eventual eradication of cooperation from a population. Consequently, cheat invasion is often considered as “game over” in empirical and theoretical studies of cooperator-cheat dynamics, especially when cooperation is necessary for fulfilling an essential function. But is cheat invasion necessarily “game over” in nature? By following a population of bacteria through loss of cooperation and beyond, we observed that individuals evolved to replace cooperation with a selfish, or “private” behaviour. Specifically, we show that when cheating caused the loss of cooperative iron acquisition in a collection ofPseudomonas aeruginosaisolates from cystic fibrosis patients, a private uptake system that only benefits the focal individual was upregulated. This observation highlights the importance of social dynamics of natural populations and emphasizes the potential impact of past social interaction on the evolution of private traits.