bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A robust method to authenticate car license plates using segmentation and ROI based approach
Authors: Aggarwal Akarsh , Rani Anuj , Kumar Manoj
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges faced by the automatic recognition systems over the conventional systems by implementing a novel approach for detecting and recognizing the vehicle license plates in order to increase the security of the vehicles. This will also increase the societal discipline among vehicle users.

Design/methodology/approach

From a methodological point of view, the proposed system works in three phases which includes the pre-processing of the input image from the database, applying segmentation to the processed image, and finally extracting and recognizing the image of the license plate.

Findings

The proposed paper provides an analysis that demonstrates the correctness of the algorithm to correctly capture the license plate using performance metrics such as detection rate and false positive rate. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm detects vehicle license plates and provides detection rate of 93.34 percent with false positive rate of 6.65 percent.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed license plate detection system eliminates the need of manually used systems for managing the traffic by installing the toll-booths on freeways and bridges. The design implemented in this paper attempts to capture the license plate by using three phase detection process that helps to increase the level of security and contribute in making a sustainable city.

Originality/value

This paper presents a distinctive approach to detect the license plate of the vehicles using the various image processing techniques such as dilation, grey-scale conversion, edge processing, etc. and finding the region of interest of the segmented image to capture the license plate of the vehicles.
Online risk for people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Chadwick Darren David
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to summarise the current state of empirical knowledge pertaining to online risk and cybercrime relating to people with intellectual disabilities (ID).

Design/methodology/approach

This narrative review summarises, synthesises and critically evaluates the current literature and state of knowledge and offers suggestions for extending current knowledge and practice.

Findings

Evidence regarding risk for people with ID is limited but growing. Existing findings highlight that: risk may increase contingent upon higher levels of sociability, loneliness, anxiety and depression, poorer insight, judgement, discrimination and ability to detect deception online and reduced experience and life opportunities; people without ID perceive high online risk for people with ID, which may lead to gatekeeping restrictions and controlling digital access; restriction may potentially impede online self-determination, participation and development by people with ID; and experience of risk may enhance awareness, independence and resilience in managing future online risk amongst people with ID. Further research work is needed in this area to enhance understanding of risk experience and effective support strategies.

Originality/value

This review of current knowledge has highlighted the necessity for more research to better understand the propensity for engagement in different risky online behaviours and to better inform support practices to help people with ID to manage risk whilst maintaining digital inclusion.
Systematic review of determinants influencing knowledge implementation in occupational therapy
Authors: Pellerin Marc‐André , Lamontagne Marie‐Eve , Viau‐Guay Anabelle , Poulin Valérie
Published: October 2019

Introduction

In knowledge translation, implementation strategies are more effective in fostering practice change. When using these strategies, however, many determinants, such as individual or organisational factors, influence implementation. Currently, there is a lack of synthesis concerning how these determinants influence knowledge implementation (KI). The aim of this systematic review was to document how determinants influence KI outcomes with occupational therapists.

Method

Following the PRISMA statement, we systematically reviewed the literature on KI in occupational therapy across 12 databases: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, AMED, PsychINFO, Cochrane Library, FirstSearch, Web of Science, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, ERIC, Education Source and Sociological Abstracts. Eligible studies reported KI strategies specifically with occupational therapists. Selected studies were appraised for quality with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), we categorised reported mentions of CFIR (sub‐)constructs to identify the determinants studied most often, how they were documented and what influence they had on outcomes.

Results

Twenty‐two studies were analysed for this review. CFIR (sub‐)constructs were mentioned 81 times, and seven (sub‐)constructs received at least 5% of these mentions (4/81). These were as follows: (i) Adaptability of the practice; (ii) Learning climate; (iii) Leadership engagement; (iv) Available resources; (v) Knowledge and Beliefs about the Intervention; (vi) Individual Stage of Change; and vii) Executing the KI strategy. The Inner setting domain was the most documented and the domain with the most (sub‐)constructs with at least four mentions (3/7). Most studies used questionnaires as assessment tools, but these were mainly non‐standardised scales. The data were too heterogenous to perform a meta‐analysis.

Conclusion

Seven (sub‐)constructs mentioned most often would benefit from being assessed for salience by researchers intending to develop a KI strategy for occupational therapists. Future research aimed at improving our understanding of KI should also consider using standardised tools to measure the influence of determinants.
Grazing intensity and climate factors shape species abundance distribution by influencing different components of plant communities in a desert steppe
Authors: Xu Cailin , Wang Zhongwu , Li Zhiguo , Wang Ling , Han Guodong
Published: October 2019

Species abundance distributions (SADs) have been the focus of many ecological studies. Understanding the causes of SAD patterns is a major stepping stone toward understanding of how ecological communities are organized. While SAD patterns have been well studied in marine environments and forests, knowledge of SADs in response to environmental or human‐induced gradients is limited, especially in desert environments. In this study, we used structural equation modeling to analyze the effects of grazing disturbance and climate on plant SADs in a desert steppe of Inner Mongolia, China, aiming to shed light on the assembly of plant communities in this region. We found both grazing disturbance and climate influenced SADs but through different pathways and with different magnitude. Grazing intensity affected SADs by reducing evenness and richness of common species, while increases in annual mean temperature and annual rainfall affected SADs by increasing richness of rare species. Climate had 30% greater effect on community structure than grazing disturbance, highlighting the role of climate in community assembly in desert environments where biological processes are highly constrained by water. We further found geometric series was associated with low annual rainfall and low richness, and log‐normal with high annual rainfall, high richness and evenness. Geometric best fit for majority of the cases (60%) regardless of grazing intensity suggesting niche differentiation on the local scale is the principal community assembly process operating in the study region. Environmental filtering and niche differentiation may be concurrently operating to structure plant communities in this region.
An exploration of the attitudes that surround and embody those working with children and young people with PMLD
Authors: Shipton Catherine , O'Nions Chris
Published: October 2019

This article reports on a small‐scale, school‐based enquiry regarding the views and reflections from practitioners working with children and young people who have complex learning needs (termed ‘Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties’ (PMLD) in England). The study was built around a series of key questions which enabled the participants to explore their personal and professional thinking around work which is often highly stressful and requires a substantial raft of skills, alongside an orientation which engages fully with the capabilities of the learners.
Inflectional Suppletion and Heteroclite Inflection from a Diachronic Perspective
Authors: Hill Eugen
Published: October 2019

Inflectional suppletion can emerge by three distinct mechanisms, regular sound change, grammaticalisation of derivational patterns, and conflation of originally independent lexemes into one. While the former two mechanisms do not raise questions going beyond historical phonology and grammaticalisation theory, the third mechanism constitutes a mystery. Why two originally independent lexemes sometimes conflate into one and what may govern their distribution in the new suppletive paradigm – both these questions are still awaiting a comprehensive investigation. The major obstacle in the way of such an investigation is the insufficient amount of high‐quality data, i.e. instances of inflectional suppletion whose starting point is either directly documented in texts or can be securely inferred from closely related languages. The paper argues that this problem can be partly overcome by taking into consideration a special kind of non‐canonical inflectional suppletion which is known as heteroclite inflection or heteroclisis. The differences between canonical inflectional suppletion and heteroclisis seem to be confined to their synchronic status within the grammar and to their potential productivity. These differences are irrelevant when the emergence of inflectional suppletion is under consideration. Taking into account the heteroclite inflection has the potential to considerably enlarge the empirical basis of any investigation into the emergence of inflectional suppletion. This is especially important for establishing factors governing the constituent distribution in suppletive paradigms and investigating the role played by pre‐existing non‐suppletive patterns of alternation. It might also be hoped that investigating heteroclisis as inflectional suppletion will help address the semantic relations between lexemes about to merge in a more systematic way.
Transitivity and Subject Positions in Old Irish
Authors: Lash Elliott
Published: October 2019

This article is concerned with some fine‐grained distinctions in the syntax of subjects in Old Irish. Old Irish (7th–9th century) is typically described as aVSOlanguage, but there are a number of sentences in the corpus in which the subject is not immediately after the subject. In this paper two case studies are conducted the results of which show that (a) non‐final late subjects are confined to non‐transitive and ‘atypical transitive’ clauses having the general formVXSY, and (b) the position of final late subjects in the schemaVXS# can understood in descriptive terms as ‘right‐dislocated’ and motivated largely in information structure terms (i.e. Topic‐Comment, Focus‐Alternative), although a small residue of examples are similar to theVXSY‐type of case in being ‘atypical transitives’. The descriptive term ‘atypical transitive’ is introduced here to cover morphologically transitive clauses (with accusative marked direct objects nouns, or pronouns that can replace such nouns) that behave syntactically more like non‐transitive clauses. There are four types: negative clauses with bare indefinite objects, clauses with object‐oriented floating quantifiers, clauses in which a pronominal object serves to ‘detransitivize’ the verb, and clauses containing a verb of motion whose direct object is the goal of movement.
Evaluating Bayesian stable isotope mixing models of wild animal diet and the effects of trophic discrimination factors and informative priors
Authors: Swan George J. F. , Bearhop Stuart , Redpath Steve M. , Silk Matthew J. , Goodwin Cecily E. D. , Inger Richard , McDonald Robbie A.
Published: October 2019

Ecologists quantify animal diets using direct and indirect methods, including analysis of faeces, pellets, prey items and gut contents. For stable isotope analyses of diet, Bayesian stable isotope mixing models (BSIMMs) are increasingly used to infer the relative importance of food sources to consumers. Although a powerful approach, it has been hard to test BSIMM performance for wild animals because precise, direct dietary data are difficult to collect.

We evaluated the performance of BSIMMs in quantifying animal diets when using δ13C and δ15N stable isotope ratios from the feathers and red blood cells of common buzzard Buteo buteo chicks. We analysed mixing model outcomes with various trophic discrimination factors (TDFs), with and without informative priors, and compared these to direct observations of prey provisioned to chicks by adults at nests, using remote cameras.

Although BSIMMs with different TDFs varied markedly in their performance, the statistical package SIDER generated TDFs for both feathers and blood that resulted in model outputs that accorded well with direct observations of prey provisioning. Using feather TDFs derived from captive peregrines Falco peregrinus resulted in estimates of diet composition that were also similar to provisioned prey, although blood TDFs from the same study performed poorly. The inclusion of informative priors, based on conventional analysis of pellet and prey remains, markedly reduced model performance.

BSIMMs can provide accurate assessments of diet in wild animals. TDF estimates from the SIDER package performed well. The inclusion of informative priors from conventional methods in Bayesian mixing models can transfer biases into model outcomes, leading to erroneous results.
Confounding effect of ethnic diversity on booking‐in body mass index and prevalence of gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders in pregnant women in western Sydney 1997–2016
Authors: Brown James , Kapurubandara Supuni , McGee Therese M.
Published: October 2019

Background

Maternal obesity is a key risk factor for morbidity in pregnancy. Accurate data on trends in obesity are required in high‐risk populations such as in western Sydney to implement effective policy.

Aims

This study examines multi‐site public hospital data on maternal ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and hypertension across 20 years in Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD).

Materials and methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of all women who delivered a live birth beyond 20 weeks at Westmead, Blacktown and Auburn Hospitals (WSLHD) between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2016.

Results

There were 112 308 pregnant women included. Between 1997 and 2006, mean booking‐in BMI climbed from 24.9 (median 23.9) to peak at 26.2 (24.9). It then fell to 25.3 (24.1) in 2012 before rising to 25.6 (24.4) in 2016. Rates of hypertensive disorders changed little over the period, with a small fall in pre‐eclampsia. In contrast, there was a progressive upward trend in the prevalence of GDM, accelerating considerably after 2010. These trends were associated with a shifting ethnic profile with proportions of Australia/New Zealand‐born women falling from 56.9% to 36.8%, while those from South Asia increased from 4.5% to 26.3%.

Conclusions

Western Sydney booking‐in BMI fluctuated between 1997 and 2016, reaching its peak in 2006. Despite this, rates of GDM progressively rose, with one in six mothers in western Sydney now diagnosed with some form of the condition. Both patterns are associated with a notable shift in the ethnic profile of patients booking‐in to antenatal care in the region.
Environmental changes in Arctic Chukotka during Marine Isotope Stages 38‐31: implications for the Early to Middle Pleistocene transition
Authors: Lozhkin Anatoly V. , Anderson Patricia M. , Minyuk Pavel S. , Korzun Julia A. , Nedorubova Ekaterina Y. , Kirillova Mariana A.
Published: October 2019

Lake El'gygytgyn in far northeastern Russia provides one of the few records that can improve understanding of terrestrial responses to climatic changes during the Early to Middle Pleistocene transition (EMPT; 1400–400 ka). Palynological data from MIS 38‐31 (~1260 to 1060 ka) help clarify the complex nature of that transition. In contrast to the evergreen conifer forest of the MIS 31 ‘super’ interglaciation, Larix‐Betula‐Alnus forest with shrub tundra characterized MIS 37 and MIS 35. The Larix forest‐tundra of MIS 33 represents an even cooler interglaciation. The landscapes of MIS 38, MIS 36 and early MIS 34 were a tundra mosaic with areas of Larix‐forest tundra. Although marine records suggest that MIS 38 and MIS 36 were exceptionally harsh glaciations, the decrease in woody taxa (particularly Alnus and Pinus) indicate the coolest conditions at El'gygytgyn occurred during MIS 32 and late MIS 34. When combined with other palynological data from El'gygytgyn, the EMPT portion of the record indicates that Betula was important in the vegetation during both cool and warm periods prior to MIS 24. Following the build‐up of global ice volumes ~900 ka, the taxon was characteristic of warm intervals only, marking the establishment of the herb‐dominated tundra, which typifies the remainder of the Pleistocene glaciations. The more complex successional patterns in post‐900 ka vegetation suggest greater climate variability as ice volume increased. Pinus pumila became a significant component of interglacial vegetation following the shift from a 41 ka to a quasi‐100 ka orbital cycle, indicating an increase in snow cover and a lessening of aridification, at least in this part of the Arctic.
Utility of the modified myocardial performance index in growth‐restricted fetuses
Authors: Öcal Doğa Fatma , Yakut Kadriye , Öztürk Filiz Halıcı , Öztürk Merve , Oğuz Yüksel , Altınboğa Orhan , Çelen Şevki
Published: October 2019

Objectives

The modified myocardial performance index (Mod‐MPI) can be used to assess myocardial function. Fetal growth restriction can affect fetal myocardial function, thereby altering the Mod‐MPI. The results of previous studies on the utility of the Mod‐MPI in growth‐restricted fetuses are conflicting. The aim of this study was to calculate the left modified‐MPI in growth‐restricted fetuses and to compare the results with those of healthy fetuses.

Methods

This was a prospective cross‐sectional case–control study. In total, 40 women with growth‐restricted fetuses and 40 women with fetuses of normal weight (controls) at 29–39 gestational weeks were enrolled in the study. An experienced obstetrician calculated the Mod‐MPI for each fetus. Women with systemic diseases or fetuses with chromosomal/structural abnormalities were excluded from the study. The results of Mod‐MPI measurements of the two groups were compared.

Results

The mean single deepest vertical pocket (SDVP) of amniotic fluid, estimated fetal weight (EFW), and isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT) was significantly lower in the fetal growth restriction (FGR) group as compared with these parameters in the control group (P < .05). The uterine artery (UtA) pulsatility index (PI) was significantly higher in the FGR group as compared with that in the control group (P < .05). There were six cases of absent end‐diastolic flow (AED) in the FGR group. There were no statistically significant between‐group differences in the Mod‐MPI, isovolumetric contraction time (ICT), and ejection time (ET) (P > .05). There was also no statistically significant correlation between the Mod‐MPI in the fetuses with AED and the control group for Mod‐MPI (P > .05).

Conclusion

The utility of the Mod‐MPI in FGR remains unclear. Future studies with larger populations are needed to determine the utility of the Mod‐MPI as a predictor of cardiac compromise in FGR.
Exercise and microstructural changes in the motor cortex of older adults
Authors: Rowley Christopher D. , Bock Nicholas A. , Deichmann Ralf , Engeroff Tobias , Hattingen Elke , Hellweg Rainer , Pilatus Ulrich , Füzéki Eszter , Gerten Sina , Vogt Lutz , Banzer Winfried , Pantel Johannes , Fleckenstein Johannes , Matura Silke
Published: October 2019

Exercise has been shown to counteract age‐related volume decreases in the human brain, and in this imaging study, we ask whether the same holds true for the microstructure of the cortex. Healthy older adults (n = 47, 65–90 years old) either exercised three times a week on a stationary bike or maintained their usual physical routine over a 12‐week period. Quantitative longitudinal relaxation rate (R1) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) maps were made at baseline and after the 12‐week intervention. R1 is commonly taken to reflect cortical myelin density. The change in R1 (ΔR1) was significantly increased in a region of interest (ROI) in the primary motor cortex containing motor outputs to the leg musculature in the exercise group relative to the control group (p = .04). The change in R1 in this ROI correlated with an increase in oxygen consumption at the first ventilatory threshold (VT1) (p = .04), a marker of improvement in submaximal aerobic performance. An exploratory analysis across the cortex suggested that the correlation was predominately confined to the leg representation in the motor cortex. This study suggests that microstructural declines in the cortex of older adults may be staved off by exercise.
The genetics of phenotypic plasticity. XVII. Response to climate change
Authors: Scheiner Samuel M. , Barfield Michael , Holt Robert D.
Published: October 2019

The world is changing at a rapid rate, threatening extinction for a large part of the world's biota. One potential response to those altered conditions is to evolve so as to be able to persist in place. Such evolution includes not just traits themselves, but also the phenotypic plasticity of those traits. We used individual‐based simulations to explore the potential of an evolving phenotypic plasticity to increase the probability of persistence in the response to either a step change or continual, directional change in the environment accompanied by within‐generation random environmental fluctuations. Populations could evolve by altering both their nonplastic and plastic genetic components. We found that phenotypic plasticity enhanced survival and adaptation if that plasticity was not costly. If plasticity was costly, for it to be beneficial the phenotypic magnitude of plasticity had to be great enough in the initial generations to overcome those costs. These results were not sensitive to either the magnitude of the within‐generation correlation between the environment of development and the environment of selection or the magnitude of the environmental fluctuations, except for very small phenotypic magnitudes of plasticity. So, phenotypic plasticity has the potential to enhance survival; however, more data are needed on the ubiquity of trait plasticity, the extent of costs of plasticity, and the rate of mutational input of genetic variation for plasticity.
An investigation into the occurrence of, and risk factors for, concurrent suspensory ligament injuries in horses with hindlimb proximal suspensory desmopathy
Authors: Gruyaert M. , Pollard D. , Dyson S. J.
Published: October 2019

Hindlimb proximal suspensory desmopathy (PSD) is a common cause of lameness or poor performance in horses and may occur alone or together with other suspensory ligament (SL) injuries in forelimbs or hindlimbs. The aims of this retrospective case‐control study (January 2009 to December 2018) were to describe the occurrence of, and identify risk factors for, concurrentSLinjuries in horses with hindlimbPSD. Data concerning age, breed, sex, work discipline, height, bodyweight and work history were collected. ConcurrentSLinjuries were defined as forelimb proximal suspensory desmitis orSLbranch injuries (≥grade 2 [0–3]) in any limb. HindlimbPSDwas graded mild, moderate or severe based on ultrasonography. Data were described, and multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to identify factors associated with concurrentSLinjuries. Data were available for 923 horses with hindlimbPSD, 28.6% (n = 264) of which had concurrentSLinjuries. Age category (≤5 years of age vs. ≥6 years of age; P = 0.008), bodyweight:height ratio (P = 0.001), breed (P = 0.05), symmetry vs. asymmetry of hindlimbPSDultrasonography grade (P = 0.005) and asymmetry vs. symmetry of lameness grade (P = 0.02) were associated with concurrentSLinjury in horses with hindlimbPSD. Compared with horses aged ≥ 6 years, younger horses (odds ratio [OR] 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–2.7) were more likely to have concurrentSLinjury. The risk for concurrentSLinjuries increased for every unit increase in bodyweight:height ratio (OR2.27;CI1.4–3.7). Compared with Thoroughbred crosses, Warmblood crosses (OR3.3,CI1.4–7.8), Thoroughbreds (OR2.9,CI1.1–7.1) and Irish Draught Horses (OR3.5,CI1.3–9.9) were more likely to have concurrentSLinjuries. HindlimbPSDultrasonography grade severity was not associated with concurrentSLinjury. In conclusion, age, bodyweight:height ratio and breed influenced the risk for concurrent lesions of theSLligament. Further prospective studies in young horses are warranted.
Catalase compromises the development of the insect and mammalian stages of Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Horáková Eva , Faktorová Drahomíra , Kraeva Natalia , Kaur Binnypreet , Van Den Abbeele Jan , Yurchenko Vyacheslav , Lukeš Julius
Published: October 2019

Catalase is a widespread heme‐containing enzyme, which converts hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to water and molecular oxygen, thereby protecting cells from the toxic effects of H2O2. Trypanosoma brucei is an aerobic protist, which conspicuously lacks this potent enzyme, present in virtually all organisms exposed to oxidative stress. To uncover the reasons for its absence in T. brucei, we overexpressed different catalases in procyclic and bloodstream stages of the parasite. The heterologous enzymes originated from the related insect‐confined trypanosomatid Crithidia fasciculata and the human. While the trypanosomatid enzyme (cCAT) operates at low temperatures, its human homolog (hCAT) is adapted to the warm‐blooded environment. Despite the presence of peroxisomal targeting signal in hCAT, both human and C. fasciculata catalases localized to the cytosol of T. brucei. Even though cCAT was efficiently expressed in both life cycle stages, the enzyme was active in the procyclic stage, increasing cell's resistance to the H2O2 stress, yet its activity was suppressed in the cultured bloodstream stage. Surprisingly, following the expression of hCAT, the ability to establish the T. brucei infection in the tsetse fly midgut was compromised. In the mouse model, hCAT attenuated parasitemia and, consequently, increased the host's survival. Hence, we suggest that the activity of catalase in T. brucei is beneficial in vitro, yet it becomes detrimental for parasite's proliferation in both invertebrate and vertebrate hosts, leading to an inability to carry this, otherwise omnipresent, enzyme.
Sarcopenia as a predictor of activities of daily living capability in stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation
Authors: Matsushita Tatsuya , Nishioka Shinta , Taguchi Shiori , Yamanouchi Anna
Published: October 2019

Aim

The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between sarcopenia, as defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People, and the recovery of the capability to carry out activities of daily living in convalescent stroke patients who completed a rehabilitation program.

Methods

This retrospective study included consecutive stroke patients admitted to convalescent rehabilitation wards. To determine which patients had sarcopenia, we used the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People criteria. At admission, participants were classified by either the presence or absence of sarcopenia. Baseline characteristics, including the Functional Independence Measure–motor domain score (FIM‐M), were retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome to be explained was the FIM‐M at discharge. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine how well a sarcopenia diagnosis and various baseline characteristics could predict the FIM‐M score at discharge.

Results

In total, 267 participants (117 women) were included in this study. Of these, 129 (48.3%) were classified as definitely having sarcopenia. Participants with sarcopenia showed lower FIM‐M at discharge than those without this condition (median 72 vs 89, P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analyses exploring determinants of the FIM‐M scores showed that a diagnosis of sarcopenia independently predicted them at discharge for men (B −4.957, 95% confidence interval −9.902–−0.012), but not for women.

Conclusions

Stroke‐related sarcopenia appears to be a predictor of how well male patients can engage in activities of daily living after rehabilitation. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 1124–1128.
Effects of vegetation cutting on invertebrate communities of high conservation valueCallunaupland peatlands
Authors: Sanderson Roy , Newton Samuel , Selvidge Jen
Published: October 2019

Upland moors and bogs in the United Kingdom are peatlands of high nature conservation value, many designated under the European Union's Habitat Directive, with internationally important bird populations, which depend on abundant invertebrate populations when breeding.

Moorland management in the United Kingdom traditionally employs controlled burning in 10–30 year rotations of heather,Calluna vulgaris, creating habitat mosaics of different species composition and physical structure. This can increase overall invertebrate biodiversity and abundance, for certain key invertebrate groups. Burning has potential negative environmental effects, including peat erosion and contamination of drinking‐water supplies.

Rotational cutting of vegetation is now being trialled as an alternative to burning, but its long‐term effects on invertebrates are poorly understood. We surveyed invertebrates on a 16‐year chronosequence of rotational cutting on an extensive area of dwarf shrub vegetation on upland peat soils in Northern England.

Invertebrate Simpson diversity was greatest on intermediate‐aged patches, and along edges between cut and uncut areas. Older patches, cut between 2000 and 2008, were dominated by ants (Hymenoptera‐Formicidae), plant‐feeding bugs (Hemiptera‐Auchenorrhyncha) and parasitic wasps (Hymenoptera‐Parasitica). Patches cut more recently, between 2009 and 2016, had significantly lower invertebrate abundance, and were dominated by predatory ground beetles (Coleoptera‐Carabidae), ants and harvestmen (Opiliones).

There were significant relationships between vegetation and invertebrate community composition under both invertebrate sampling methods. We recommend that rotational cutting is used as the primary means of management, it should be undertaken in approximately 15–20 year rotations, in irregularly shaped mosaics, to maximise the benefits to invertebrates and associated wildlife.
Efficacy and safety of single versus multiple intralesional immunotherapy with purified protein derivative (PPD) in the treatment of multiple verruca vulgaris
Authors: Milante Riza R. , Venida‐Tablizo Abelaine , King‐Ismael Daisy
Published: October 2019

Background

Despite the numerous studies on the use of purified protein derivative (PPD), a protein extracted from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, in verruca vulgaris, there is no standardized regimen, and efficacy of single versus multiple injections has not been compared.

Methods

This is a randomized, open‐label, superiority trial. Sixty‐six patients with at least three warts in two different anatomic sites were randomized into two groups: a single injection (n = 29) and multiple injection (n = 29) groups. Patients were treated every 2 weeks until a maximum of six sessions.

Results

Multiple injections (79.3%) showed superior clearance rates compared to a single injection of PPD (58.6%) (P‐value = 0.0236). Multiple injections also exhibited faster clearance at each time point (P = 0.048). Pain was statistically more significant in the multiple injection group (P = 0.0005). There was no statistically significant difference in incidence of adverse events (P = 0.1795). Amongst all cleared patients in both groups, there were no recurrences after 6 months.

Conclusion

Multiple injections of warts with PPD cleared more patients with multiple common warts than the use of single injections at the end of 12 weeks and were faster in clearing patients at every time point. Single injection was better tolerated than multiple injections. Both treatments exhibited similar safety profiles and recurrence rates.
Combined use of hydrocolloids in pomegranate juice and their effects on clarification and copigmentation
Authors: Türkyılmaz Meltem , Hamzaoğlu Fatmagül , Özkan Mehmet
Published: October 2019

Pomegranate juices (PJs) were clarified using hydrocolloids [albumin (A), casein (C), chitosan (CH) and xanthan gum (XG)] and in combination with each other. The lowest turbidity was observed in PJs clarified with ‘CH+XG’ and ‘A+C+CH’. Unlike ‘CH+XG’, effects of albumin and its combinations on clarity were mainly related with the contents of ellagic acid (r = −0.861), α‐punicalagin (r = −0.761), rutin (r = −0.734), β‐punicalagin (r = −0.730) and total punicalagin (r = −0.713). ‘CH+XG’ caused the highest phenolic (602 mg L−1) and anthocyanin (449 mg L−1) contents, and the second highest Amax (0.811 ABS), resulting from copigmentation of delphinidin‐3‐glucoside and delphinidin‐3,5‐diglucoside with CH. Since A showed moderate copigmentation effect, A had lower hyperchromic effect than CH. Moreover, C reduced Amax, anthocyanin content and colour density when combined with other hydrocolloids. As a result, ‘CH+XG’ would be the best combination to obtain high clarity, maintain phenolics and anthocyanins and provide high copigmentation effect in PJ.
Are there differences in immune responses following delivery of vaccines through acutely or chronically sun‐exposed compared with sun‐unexposed skin?
Authors: Hart Prue H. , Norval Mary
Published: October 2019

The majority of human vaccines are administered above the deltoid muscle of the arm, a site that is chronically sun‐exposed in many people. It is known that exposure of the skin to the UV wavelengths in sunlight stimulates systemic immunosuppression, an outcome that is associated with reduced immunity to microbial infections in animal models. Here we consider whether immunization of humans through a UV‐irradiated skin site will lead to a less effective immune response compared with immunization through an unexposed site. Studies showing that the efficacy of vaccination can be reduced when surrogates of increased levels of sun exposure, such as latitude of residence and season of the year, are considered. Results from a limited number of intervention experiments in humans demonstrate a similar pattern. To provide an explanation for these findings, changes in the number and functional potential of immune cells in chronically sun‐exposed compared with unexposed skin are outlined. UV radiation‐induced changes to skin cells are also relevant when considering skin sites for administration of immune‐tolerizing peptides. The review provides the basis for further research into the effects of acute and chronic UV radiation exposure on skin cells in the context of vaccination.
Prognostic factors in patients with primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma: a multicentric, retrospective analysis of the Spanish Group of Cutaneous Lymphoma
Authors: Fernández‐de‐Misa R. , Hernández‐Machín B. , Combalía A. , García Muret M.P. , Servitje O. , Muniesa C. , Gallardo F. , Pujol R.M. , Martí R.M. , Ortiz‐Brugués A. , Maroñas‐Jiménez L. , Ortiz‐Romero P.L. , Blanch Rius L. , Izu R. , Román C. , Cañueto J. , Blanes M. , Morillo M. , Bastida J. , Peñate Y. , Pérez Gala S. , Espinosa Lara P. , Pérez Gil A. , Estrach T.
Published: October 2019

Background

Reliable prognostic factors for patients with primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (PCALCL) are lacking.

Objective

To identify prognostic factors for specific survival in patients with PCALCL.

Methods

Using the convenience sampling method, patients with PCALCL diagnosed from May 1986 to August 2017 in 16 University Departments were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

One hundred eight patients were included (57 males). Median age at diagnosis was 58 years. All of them showed T1‐3N0M0 stages. Seventy per cent of the cases presented with a solitary lesion, mostly at the limbs. Complete response rate after first‐line treatment was 87%, and no advantage was observed for any of them (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other approaches). Nodal and visceral progression rate was 11% and 2%, respectively. 5‐year specific survival (SSV) reached 93%; 97% for T1 patients and 84% for T2/T3 patients (P = 0.031). Five‐year SSV for patients developing early cutaneous relapse was 64%; for those with late or no relapse, 96% (P = 0.001). Estimated median SSV for patients showing nodal progression was 103 months (95% CI: 51–155 months); for patients without nodal progression, estimated SSV did not reach the median (P < 0.001). Nodal progression was an independent predictive parameter for shorter survival (P = 0.011).

Conclusion

Multiple cutaneous lesions at presentation, early skin relapse and nodal progression portrait worse prognosis in patients with PCALCL.
Stability of supported geomembrane tube flood barriers of novel design
Authors: Sun Liqiang , Qi Yumeng , Gao Xin , Guo Wei , Zhang Ning
Published: October 2019

Geomembrane tube is an alternative method for the construction of flood barriers, cofferdams and breakwaters for flood risk management. Compared to the traditional method of using sandbags to build flood barriers, geomembrane tubes could be inflated very quickly using water, folded and transported easily after the flood recedes and reused in the future. A method of inserting the L‐shaped block on the downstream side of a geomembrane tube is proposed to prevent the geomembrane tubes from rolling off or slipping along the ground surface. Numerical studies using particle flow code (PFC2D) software are carried out to analyse the behaviour of the geomembrane tube supported by L‐shaped blocks. Parametric studies are also conducted to identify the influences from the key factors and to provide predictive charts for practical usage. It is found that the optimum edge length of the L‐shaped block is 0.12L and the suggested initial pumping pressure is 0.162γL where L is the cross‐sectional perimeter of the geomembrane tube and γ is the unit weight of the filling liquid. The suggested central angle of the segment of the L‐shaped block is π/3. The geomembrane tube designed using the suggested parameters can sustain and external water level of 0.296L.
Diagnostic imaging observations in cats treated with the subcutaneous ureteral bypass system
Authors: Dirrig H. , Lamb C. R. , Kulendra N. , Halfacree Z.
Published: October 2019

Objectives

To describe pre‐ and post‐operative ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic findings, including any abnormalities, in cats treated for ureteral obstruction with a subcutaneous ureteral bypass system.

Methods

Retrospective review of imaging findings in cats with ureteral obstruction that had surgery to place the first version of the bypass system and at least one follow‐up ultrasound or fluoroscopic study. Pre‐ and post‐operative renal pelvic diameter on ultrasound, fluoroscopic appearance of the bypass system and any related abnormality were recorded.

Results

Eighty‐one cats were included (47 unilateral, 34 bilateral bypass systems). Median preoperative renal pelvic diameter was 9 mm (range 3 to 28 mm) and median renal pelvic diameter at the first postoperative ultrasound was 3 mm (range 2 to 23 mm). The median number of postoperative imaging studies was two (range 1 to 8) and the median follow‐up period after surgery was 205 days (range 1 to 1378 days). Bypass system abnormalities were identified postoperatively in 43 (53%) cats, including nephrostomy or cystostomy catheter blockage due to an undetermined cause or kinking of the catheter, nephrostomy or cystostomy catheter leakage, non‐obstructive kinking of the catheter and loose nephrostomy pig‐tail loop. Many abnormalities required repeat surgery, but others were managed conservatively. Fifty‐four percent of obstructed ureters became patent after bypass placement, although the majority remained slightly dilated or had irregular margins compatible with chronic inflammation.

Clinical Significance

Bypass abnormalities, mainly tube blockage, occurred frequently in cats treated for ureteral obstruction. Ultrasonography and fluoroscopy were useful for postoperative examination, including documenting renewed ureteral patency and investigation of suspected abnormalities.
Clinical, clinicopathologic, and gastrointestinal changes from administration of clopidogrel, prednisone, or combination in healthy dogs: A double‐blind randomized trial
Authors: Whittemore Jacqueline C. , Mooney Allison P. , Price Joshua M. , Thomason John
Published: October 2019

Background

Dogs with immune‐mediated disease often receive glucocorticoids with clopidogrel, but ulcerogenic effects of current protocols are unknown.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To compare gastrointestinal endoscopic findings among dogs administered clopidogrel, prednisone, and combination treatment.

Animals

Twenty‐four healthy research dogs.

Methods

Double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled randomized trial. Dogs received placebo, clopidogrel (2–3 mg/kg q24h), prednisone (2 mg/kg q24h), or prednisone with clopidogrel PO for 28 days. Attitude, food intake, vomiting, and fecal score were determined daily. Clinicopathologic testing was performed at baseline and on day 28. Gastrointestinal hemorrhages, erosions, and ulcers were numerated by 2 blinded investigators for endoscopies performed on days 0, 14, and 28, and endoscopic mucosal lesion scores were calculated. Results were compared using mixed model, split‐plot repeated measures ANOVAs and generalized estimating equation proportional odds models as appropriate.P < .05 was considered significant.

Results

Clinical signs of gastrointestinal bleeding were not noted. Endoscopic mucosal lesion scores differed significantly by group (F[3, 20] = 12.8,P < .001) and time (F[2, 40] = 8.3,P < .001). Posthoc analysis revealed higher lesion scores in the prednisone‐receiving groups (P ≤ .006 for each) and on day 14 (P ≤ .007 for each). Ulcers were identified in 4 dogs administered prednisone and 3 dogs administered prednisone/clopidogrel. Odds of having endoscopic mucosal lesion scores ≥4 were 7‐times higher for dogs in prednisone (95%CI 1.1, 43.0;P= .037) and prednisone‐clopidogrel (95%CI 1.1, 43.4;P= .037) groups than those in the placebo group.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Gastrointestinal bleeding and ulceration occur commonly in healthy dogs administered prednisone or prednisone/clopidogrel treatment, but not clopidogrel monotherapy. Though lesions are severe in many cases, they are not accompanied by clinical signs.
Distinct taxonomic and phylogenetic patterns of plant communities on acid and limestone soils in subtropical and tropical China
Authors: Liu Changcheng , Qiao Xianguo , Wang Zi , Lu Shuaizhi , Hou Manfu , Wentworth Thomas R. , Hou Dongjie , Guo Ke
Published: October 2019

Question

Understanding the mechanisms determining species composition is one of the central goals in ecology. The limestone landscape of southwestern China is one of the most widely known landscapes developed on carbonate bedrock in the world. We explored the following question: What are the patterns of species composition and phylogenetic structures of the communities developed on the acid and limestone soils?

Location

Southwestern China.

Methods

Using 536 plots on acid and limestone soils, we identified distinct vegetation types on both soil types based on hierarchical clustering and ordination. Variation partitioning partitioned the effects of climate, geographic distance and soil on species composition. Generalized linear models determined the effects of climate and soil on phylogenetic diversities.

Results

The typical vegetation on acid soils is evergreen broad‐leaved forests characterized by Castanopsis species, while typical vegetation on limestone soils is mixed evergreen and deciduous forests characterized by a high proportion of deciduous trees and calciphytes. Soil type was much more important in driving species composition than climate and spatial distance. The standardized mean pairwise phylogenetic distance (ses.MPD) and mean nearest taxon distance (ses.MNTD) were significantly lower on limestone soils than on acid soils, indicating a more clustered phylogenetic structure. The effect of soil on ses.MPD was stronger than on ses.MNTD, and ses.MNTD increased with increasing annual temperature and precipitation seasonality on acid soils but decreased on limestone soils, suggesting that soil affected phylogenetic structure at relatively deep branches, while climate combined with soil mainly affects the relatively recent branches, as ses.MPD measures phylogenetic structure at deep branches and ses.MNTD that at shallow branches.

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of soil in shaping community structure at a regional scale, and it also reveals the unique features of limestone vegetation and supports the validity of limestone vegetation types in the Chinese vegetation classification system.
Diversity of functional trade‐offs enhances survival after fire in Neotropical savanna species
Authors: Corrêa Scalon Marina , Maia Chaves Bicalho Domingos Fabricius , Jonatar Alves da Cruz Wesley , Marimon Júnior Ben Hur , Schwantes Marimon Beatriz , Oliveras Imma
Published: October 2019

Questions

What are the trade‐offs and/or associated syndromes within and between fire‐associated traits? Does bud protection relate to bark properties and tree resprouting ability? Which traits will influence post‐fire tree survival (mortality rate and top‐kill) and tree recovery (canopy recovery and resprouting volume)? Do species with different leaf phenology have the same ecological strategies to survive and recover from fire?

Location

Tree community in a Neotropical savanna.

Methods

For each of the 24 most abundant species, we characterised the trade‐offs among bud protection, bark traits, mortality, canopy recovery and top‐kill, and resprouting strategies in both a burned and adjacent unburned area of Cerrado vegetation.

Results

Species with unprotected buds had a higher risk of dying, while high bud protection was associated to the ability to resprout from both the canopy and the base of the tree. We found three major trade‐offs defined by bark traits and plant properties. Cerrado woody species invest in either (a) high inner bark thickness and bark moisture, or (b) fast growth rate, height and bark density, or (c) thick outer bark and high wood density with high bud protection.

Conclusions

Cerrado species show different sets of fire‐related traits that seem to be important for both individual survival and community assembly. Here, we report these trade‐offs for Neotropical savannas, and our findings also shed light on how changes in fire regime may favour different groups of species, leading to changes in plant communities over time.