bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autoimmune cerebellar ataxia with initial seronegativity and low‐titer anti‐glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody in the cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Sato Kenichiro , Arai Noritoshi , Bannai Taro , Kodama Satoshi , Omori‐Mitsue Aki , Hida Ayumi , Takeuchi Sousuke
Published: May 2017

Background

In cases with anti‐glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibody‐positive cerebellar ataxia, the titer of the antibody is usually very high. However, a few cases of low‐titer GAD antibody‐positive cerebellar ataxia patients have been described recently. In such patients, the antibody has been detected predominantly in serum, rather than in cerebrospinal fluid.

Case presentation

A 34‐year‐old man presented with subacute‐onset cerebellar ataxia, and examinations revealed no abnormal findings except low‐titer anti‐GAD antibody in the cerebrospinal fluid at initial evaluation: the serum antibody became slightly positive in a delayed manner. Treatment with steroid and/or immunoglobulin was effective in improving symptoms, and the effect of these treatments continued for approximately 1 year.

Conclusions

The present case suggested a potential diagnostic pitfall, in which the examination of serum anti‐GAD antibody at initial evaluation alone might be insufficient to rule out this disease. It may be indicated that the routine screening should include examination for the GAD antibody in both the serum and cerebrospinal fluid, plus additional follow‐up checks for the antibody in the subsequent clinical course. Care must be taken to avoid non‐detection of this disease with possibly reversible symptoms in patients with cerebellar ataxia of unknown origin.
Singapore Indian Eye Study‐2: methodology and impact of migration on systemic and eye outcomes
Authors: Sabanayagam Charumathi , Yip Wanfen , Gupta Preeti , Mohd Abdul Riswana BB , Lamoureux Ecosse , Kumari Neelam , Cheung Gemmy CM , Cheung Carol Y , Wang Jie Jin , Cheng Ching‐Yu , Wong Tien Yin
Published: May 2017

Importance

Asian Indians are the fastest growing migration groups in the world. Studies evaluating the impact of migration on disease outcomes in this population are rare.

Background

We describe the methodology of the Singapore Indian Eye Study‐2 (SINDI‐2) aimed to evaluate the impact of migration status on diabetic retinopathy and other major age‐related eye diseases in Asian Indians living in an urban environment.

Design

Population‐based cohort study.

Participants

A total of 2200 adults had participated in baseline SINDI (2007–2009, mean age [range] = 57.8 [42.7–84.1] years) and SINDI‐2 (2013–2015, 56.5 [48.4–90.2] years).

Methods

Participants were classified as ‘first generation’ if they were Indian residents born outside of Singapore and as ‘second‐generation’ immigrants (59.7% in SINDI vs. 63.6% in SINDI‐2) if they were born in Singapore.

Main Outcome Measures

Response rate, participant characteristics and prevalence of systemic diseases were stratified by migration status.

Results

Of the 2914 eligible SINDI participants invited to participate, 2200 participated in SINDI‐2 (response rate of 75.2%). In both SINDI and SINDI‐2, compared with first‐generation immigrants, second‐generation immigrants were younger, less likely to have income <1000 SGD, had lower levels of pulse pressure, higher levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, had lower prevalence of hypertension and chronic kidney disease and had higher prevalence of current smoking and obesity (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions and Relevance

In both SINDI and SINDI‐2, second‐generation immigrants had lower prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors except smoking and obesity compared with first‐generation immigrants. The final report will confirm if these differences between generations are evident with regard to eye diseases.
Deformation Grammars: Hierarchical Constraint Preservation Under Deformation
Authors: Vimont Ulysse , Rohmer Damien , Begault Antoine , Cani Marie‐Paule
Published: May 2017

Deformation grammars are a novel procedural framework enabling to sculpt hierarchical 3D models in an object‐dependent manner. They process object deformations as symbols thanks to user‐defined interpretation rules. We use them to define hierarchical deformation behaviours tailored for each model, and enabling any sculpting gesture to be interpreted as some adapted constraint‐preserving deformation. A variety of object‐specific constraints can be enforced using this framework, such as maintaining distributions of subparts, avoiding self‐penetrations or meeting semantic‐based user‐defined rules. The operations used to maintain constraints are kept transparent to the user, enabling them to focus on their design. We demonstrate the feasibility and the versatility of this approach on a variety of examples, implemented within an interactive sculpting system.
Managing Invasive Mammals to Conserve Globally Threatened Seabirds in a Changing Climate
Authors: Spatz Dena R. , Holmes Nick D. , Reguero Borja G. , Butchart Stuart H. M. , Tershy Bernie R. , Croll Donald A.
Published: May 2017

Invasive mammals are an ongoing threat at many seabird breeding locations, while impacts from climate change can occur over broad time scales. Combining management strategies for invasive mammal and climate change impacts is important for mitigating current threats and maximizing seabird survival into the future. We assessed all 713 islands with threatened seabirds for conservation importance, immediate benefits of three invasive mammal management actions, and risk of climate‐change related flooding. Preventing invasions on the 397 islands without invasive mammals could benefit 72 seabird species. Invasive mammal eradication or localized action on 249 and 67 islands could benefit 71 and 46 seabird species, respectively. The long‐term risk of flooding on the 713 islands was low (69%). Low‐risk islands were concentrated where eradications or localized action were highlighted (75% and 100% of islands, respectively). These results inform management feasibility assessments and highlight rare opportunities to make significant contributions to seabird conservation.
Prolonged corrected QT interval in the donor heart: Is there a risk?
Authors: Leong Derek , Aintablian Tamar , Kittleson Michelle , Olymbios Michael , Patel Jignesh , Chang David H. , Kobashigawa Jon
Published: May 2017

Background

Assessing the QT interval in donors is important to exclude long QT syndrome as the cause of death. A donor heart with a corrected QT (QTc) >500 milliseconds is often concerning. We sought to evaluate first year outcomes for donors with a QTc interval >500 milliseconds.

Methods

Between 2010 and 2014, we assessed 257 donor hearts for QTc interval >500 milliseconds. Post‐transplant outcomes included 1‐year survival, 1‐year freedom from any‐treated rejection, 1‐year freedom from cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) defined as stenosis ≥30% by angiography, and 1‐year freedom from nonfatal major adverse cardiac events.

Results

Patients with QTc interval >500 milliseconds had a significantly lower 1‐year freedom from CAV development. There were no significant differences for other outcomes. A significantly higher percentage of donors with QTc >500 milliseconds had a stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Multivariate analysis found that donor QTc >500 milliseconds was associated with a 6.7‐fold increased risk of developing CAV (P=.029, 95% CI 1.21‐36.6) after adjusting for other known risk factors.

Conclusion

QTc >500 milliseconds in the donor heart appears to be an independent risk factor for the development of early CAV after heart transplantation possibly due to a higher immunological risk.
New perspective on the regionalization of the anterior forebrain in Osteichthyes
Authors: Yamamoto Kei , Bloch Solal , Vernier Philippe
Published: May 2017

In the current model, the most anterior part of the forebrain (secondary prosencephalon) is subdivided into the telencephalon dorsally and the hypothalamus ventrally. Our recent study identified a new morphogenetic unit named the optic recess region (ORR) between the telencephalon and the hypothalamus. This modification of the forebrain regionalization based on the ventricular organization resolved some previously unexplained inconsistency about regional identification in different vertebrate groups. The ventricular‐based comparison also revealed a large diversity within the subregions (notably in the hypothalamus and telencephalon) among different vertebrate groups. In tetrapods there is only one hypothalamic recess, while in teleosts there are two recesses. Most notably, the mammalian and teleost hypothalami are two extreme cases: the former has lost the cerebrospinal fluid‐contacting (CSF‐c) neurons, while the latter has increased them. Thus, one to one homology of hypothalamic subregions in mammals and teleosts requires careful verification. In the telencephalon, different developmental processes between Sarcopterygii (lobe‐finned fish) and Actinopterygii (ray‐finned fish) have already been described: the evagination and the eversion. Although pallial homology has been long discussed based on the assumption that the medial‐lateral organization of the pallium in Actinopterygii is inverted from that in Sarcopterygii, recent developmental data contradict this assumption. Current models of the brain organization are largely based on a mammalian‐centric point of view, but our comparative analyses shed new light on the brain organization of Osteichthyes.
Dynamics of Retail‐Bank Branching in Austria
Authors: Burgstaller Johann
Published: May 2017

This paper examines branch exit from and entry into local banking markets in Austria from 1999 to 2012, as well as changes in concentration and several bank–borrower distance measures. Results from spatial regression models reveal that especially less developed and functionally distant municipalities suffer from branch withdrawal and financial desertification. Bank variety, and thus, choice decreases, for example, in (the vicinity of) communities with ageing population. Most examined processes are found to exhibit spatial correlation and so being geographically extensive. Potential adverse consequences of structural change for non‐urban markets should, thus, receive more attention from economic and regional policy.
Effects of anthropogenic disturbances on α and β diversity of fish assemblages and their longitudinal patterns in subtropical streams, China
Authors: Li Yuru , Tao Juan , Chu Ling , Yan Yunzhi
Published: May 2017

Identifying the spatial patterns of α and β diversity of biotics is an important yet little‐understood area of basic and applied ecological research. Although the upstream–downstream patterns of α diversity of stream fishes are numerously reported, β diversity has received less attention. In this study, we surveyed fishes along the upstream–downstream gradients in three headwater streams of the Qingyi River, China, which were affected by different extents of human activities. We aimed to assess how anthropogenic disturbances affect α and β diversity of stream fishes and their upstream–downstream patterns. We found that, compared with that in the Shuxi Stream disturbed less, endemic species decreased and cosmopolitan species increased in the Maxi and Puxi Stream disturbed heavily. The streams disturbed heavily showed lower α diversity and higher β diversity than that in the stream disturbed less. This among‐stream variations in fish diversity only occurred at the mid‐downstream, not upstream segments. α diversity increased downstream and β diversity decreased downstream from headwaters to mouth in the stream disturbed less, whereas this upstream–downstream pattern in fish diversity shifted in the streams disturbed heavily, in which both α and β diversity showed the quadratic distributions with the hump‐shape for α diversity and the U‐shape for β diversity respectively. Our results suggest that anthropogenic disturbances cause some cosmopolitan fishes replacing many endemic fishes in upland streams. This replacement processes result in α diversity decreasing and β diversity increasing, and shift the spatial patterns in fish diversity along the upstream–downstream gradient.
Multiple antibody detection in ‘seronegative’ myasthenia gravis patients
Authors: Hong Y. , Zisimopoulou P. , Trakas N. , Karagiorgou K. , Stergiou C. , Skeie G. O. , Hao H.‐J. , Gao X. , Owe J. F. , Zhang X. , Yue Y.‐X. , Romi F. , Wang Q. , Li H.‐F. , Gilhus N. E. , Tzartos S. J.
Published: May 2017

Background and purpose

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease caused by antibody mediated impairment in the neuromuscular junction. Seronegative MG (SNMG) without antibodies against acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and muscle‐specific kinase (MuSK) by routine assays accounts for about 20% of all MG patients.

Methods

Plasma from 81 Chinese MG patients previously found to be seronegative was tested by routine assays for AChR and MuSK antibodies. These samples were screened by (i) a novel, highly sensitive radioimmunoassay for AChR antibodies; (ii) cell‐based assays for clustered AChR, MuSK and lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 4 (LRP4) antibodies; (iii) a radioimmunoassay for titin antibodies.

Results

Antibodies to AChR, MuSK, LRP4 and titin were found in 25% (20/81), 4% (3/81), 7% (6/81) and 6% (5/78) of SNMG patients, respectively. In total, 37% of SNMG patients were found to be positive for at least one of the tested antibodies. AChR antibody positive patients had more severe disease (P = 0.008) and a trend towards fewer remissions/minimal manifestations than AChR antibody negative patients. The four patients with coexistence of antibodies had more severe disease, whilst the seronegative patients had milder MG (P = 0.015).

Conclusions

Detection of multiple muscle antibodies by more sensitive assays provides additional information in diagnosing and subgrouping of MG and may guide MG treatment.
Phenotypic characterisation of cell populations in the brains of horses experimentally infected with West Nile virus
Authors: Delcambre G. H. , Liu J. , Streit W. J. , Shaw G. P. J. , Vallario K. , Herrington J. , Wenzlow N. , Barr K. L. , Long M. T.
Published: May 2017

Background

West Nile virus (WNV), a mosquito borne member of the Flaviviridae, is one of the most commonly diagnosed agents of viral encephalitis in horses and people worldwide.

Objectives

A cassette of markers for formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue and an archive of tissues from experimental infections in the horse were used to investigate the equine neuroimmune response to WNV meningoencephalomyelitis to phenotype the early response to WNV infection in the horse.

Study design

Quantitative analysis using archived tissue from experimentally infected horses.

Methods

The thalamus and hindbrain from 2 groups of 6 horses were compared and consisted of a culture positive tissues from WNV experimentally horses, in the other, normal horses. Formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue from the thalamus and hindbrain were immunolabeled for microglia, astrocytes, B cells, macrophages/neutrophils, CD3+ T cells. Fresh frozen tissues were immunolabeled for CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte cell markers. Cell counts were obtained using a computer software program. Differences, after meeting assumptions of abnormality, were computed using a general linear model with a Tukey test (P<0.05) for pairwise comparisons.

Results

In WNV‐challenged horses, Iba‐1+ microglia, CD3+ T lymphocyte and MAC387+ macrophage staining were significantly increased. The T cell response for the WNV‐challenged horses was mixed, composed of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. A limited astrocyte response was also observed in WNV‐challenged horses, and MAC387+ and B cells were the least abundant cell populations.

Main limitations

The results of this study were limited by a single collection time post‐infection. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of cellular phenotypes is needed for naturally infected horses. Unfortunately, in clinical horses, there is high variability of sampling in terms of days post‐infection and tissue handling.

Conclusions

The data show that WNV‐challenged horses recruit a mixed T cell population at the onset of neurologic disease.
Higher climate warming sensitivity of Siberian larch in small than large forest islands in the fragmented Mongolian forest steppe
Authors: Khansaritoreh Elmira , Dulamsuren Choimaa , Klinge Michael , Ariunbaatar Tumurbaatar , Bat‐Enerel Banzragch , Batsaikhan Ganbaatar , Ganbaatar Kherlenchimeg , Saindovdon Davaadorj , Yeruult Yolk , Tsogtbaatar Jamsran , Tuya Daramragchaa , Leuschner Christoph , Hauck Markus
Published: May 2017

Forest fragmentation has been found to affect biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in multiple ways. We asked whether forest size and isolation in fragmented woodlands influences the climate warming sensitivity of tree growth in the southern boreal forest of the Mongolian Larix sibirica forest steppe, a naturally fragmented woodland embedded in grassland, which is highly affected by warming, drought, and increasing anthropogenic forest destruction in recent time. We examined the influence of stand size and stand isolation on the growth performance of larch in forests of four different size classes located in a woodland‐dominated forest‐steppe area and small forest patches in a grassland‐dominated area. We found increasing climate sensitivity and decreasing first‐order autocorrelation of annual stemwood increment with decreasing stand size. Stemwood increment increased with previous year's June and August precipitation in the three smallest forest size classes, but not in the largest forests. In the grassland‐dominated area, the tree growth dependence on summer rainfall was highest. Missing ring frequency has strongly increased since the 1970s in small, but not in large forests. In the grassland‐dominated area, the increase was much greater than in the forest‐dominated landscape. Forest regeneration decreased with decreasing stand size and was scarce or absent in the smallest forests. Our results suggest that the larch trees in small and isolated forest patches are far more susceptible to climate warming than in large continuous forests pointing to a grim future for the forests in this strongly warming region of the boreal forest that is also under high land use pressure.
Processing of alumina‐coated glass‐bonded silicon carbide membranes for oily wastewater treatment
Authors: Kim Su Chang , Yeom Hee‐Jong , Kim Young‐Wook , Song In‐Hyuck , Ha Jang‐Hoon
Published: May 2017

Crack‐free γ‐Al2O3‐coated glass‐bonded SiC membranes were successfully prepared using a simple heat‐treatment and dip‐coating process at a temperature as low as 850°C in air. The changes in the porosity, flexural strength, flux, and oil rejection rate of the membranes were investigated while changing the initial SiC particle size. Larger SiC particles led to bigger pores, resulting in higher flux in the oily water and a lower oil rejection rate. The SiC membranes with a support prepared from 10 μm SiC powder showed an exceptionally high oil rejection rate (99.9%) with a feed oil concentration of 600 mg/L at an applied pressure of 101 kPa. The typical porosity, flexural strength, steady state flux, and oil rejection rate of the alumina‐coated SiC membrane were ~45%, ~81 MPa, 1.78×10−5 m3 m−2s−1, and 99.9%, respectively.
Parasite beta diversity, host beta diversity and environment: application of two approaches to reveal patterns of flea species turnover in Mongolia
Authors: Maestri Renan , Shenbrot Georgy I. , Krasnov Boris R.
Published: May 2017

Aim

We investigated the beta‐diversity patterns of fleas parasitic on rodents along environmental and host turnover gradients using linear and nonlinear approaches. We asked (1) which factors explain a larger proportion of the variation in flea beta diversity and (2) whether the results of the linear versus the nonlinear approach are similar in indicating the relative roles of environment versus host turnover.

Location

Mongolia.

Methods

The linear approach was represented by a partial linear regression of flea turnover against rodent turnover, environmental variables and a spatial term. The nonlinear approach was represented by generalized dissimilarity modelling (GDM) with the response variable being the dissimilarity of flea composition and the predictors being dissimilarity in rodent composition, dissimilarity in environmental variables and geographic distances between localities. To test for the response of rodent beta diversity to environmental gradients, this factor was used as a response variable/matrix.

Results

Partial regression analyses explained only 24% of observed variance. Environmental variables (mainly air temperature) and rodent turnover independently explained similarly small portions of flea turnover. Gradients of air temperature and rodent turnover were the most important factors in explaining flea turnover across space, whereas the altitudinal gradient and the gradient of annual variation in precipitation were the most important in explaining rodent turnover. The GDM resulted in 68.4% of explained deviance. The best predictor of flea species turnover was the air temperature gradient followed by rodent host beta diversity and, to a lesser degree, the precipitation gradient. The responses of rodent and flea turnover to environmental gradients differed.

Main conclusions

Air temperature and rodent host turnover were the main factors affecting flea beta diversity with the latter responding to climate directly and not being mediated by host responses. Accommodation of the nonlinearity of species turnover responses to gradients allows patterns obscured by linear approaches to be revealed.
Clozapine and concomitant medications: Assessing the completeness and accuracy of medication records for people prescribed clozapine under shared care arrangements
Authors: Murphy Kate , Coombes Ian , Moudgil Vikas , Patterson Susan , Wheeler Amanda
Published: May 2017

Rationale, aim, and objective

The objective of the study is to assess the completeness and accuracy of medication records held by stakeholders (secondary care, general practice, and community pharmacy) for clozapine consumers managed in a shared care programme.

Methods

This was an exploratory, descriptive study examining secondary and primary care medication records in a large, urban, public mental health service setting in Queensland, Australia. Consumers (18‐65 years old) prescribed clozapine under shared care management with capacity to consent were eligible (n = 55) to participate. Information from medication and dispensing records was used by a pharmacist to compile a best possible medication history for each consumer. Discrepancies were identified through reconciliation of stakeholder records with the history. Discrepancies were defined as an omission, addition, or administration discrepancy (difference in dose, frequency, or clozapine brand).

Results

Thirty‐five (63.6%) consumers consented for records to be reviewed. Overall, 32 (91.4%) consumers had at least 1 discrepancy in their records with a mean of 4.9 discrepancies per consumer. Of 172 discrepancies, 127 (73.8%) were omissions. Primarily, concomitant medicines were omitted in 19/35 (54%) of secondary care records while clozapine was omitted in 13/32 (40.6%) of community pharmacies records.

Conclusions

Discrepancies were highly prevalent in the shared care medication records of clozapine consumers of this service. Where there is incomplete and inaccurate medication information, there is a risk of suboptimal clinical decision making, increasing the likelihood of adverse drug events. This study demonstrates a need for improved documentation and timely access to accurate and complete medication records for shared care stakeholders. Expanding the pharmacist's role in this setting could improve medication accuracy in documentation and related communication.
Redescription and range extension of the endangered Paiva's blenny Lupinoblennius paivai (Perciformes: Blenniidae)
Authors: Machado F. S. , Carvalho‐Filho A. , Giarrizzo T.
Published: May 2017

The Paiva's blenny Lupinoblennius paivai is redescribed and its range redefined along the Brazilian coast. It differs from its congeners by the presence of three cephalic pores between the dorsal‐fin base and lateral line, dorsal‐fin elements XII, 12, anal‐fin elements II, 16, pectoral‐fin rays 14 and 10 + 20 vertebrae. It is here reported from Amazon estuaries (Marajó and Mosqueiro islands, Pará State), increasing its range by c. 3000 km. Lupinoblennius paivai is one of the few blenniid species able to tolerate low salinities. New data about its meristics and morphometrics are presented, as well as a new habitat type.
Economic and Social Impact Assessment of China's Multi‐Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules Production
Authors: Huang Beijia , Zhao Juan , Chai Jingyang , Zhao Feng , Wang Xiangyu
Published: May 2017

It is important to have insights into the potential sustainability impacts as early as possible in the development of technology. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies provide significant environmental, economic, and social benefits in comparison to the conventional energy sources. Because most previous studies of multi‐crystalline silicon (Multi‐Si) PV modules discuss the environmental impacts, this study quantitatively assesses the economic and social impacts of China's multi‐crystalline silicon (mc‐Si) PV modules production stages. The economic analysis is uses life cycle cost analysis, and the social impact analysis is carried out by applying the social index evaluation method. The economic analysis results demonstrate that the main cost of mc‐Si PV modules production in China lies in raw materials and labor and the production of Multi‐Si PV cells have the highest cost among the five manufacturing processes involved in Multi‐Si PV. The result of the social impact analysis reveal that the employment contribution index, S11, is 0.72, indicating that Multi‐Si PV modules production in China has a prominent contribution to employment in comparison with other industries; the labor civilization degree, S12 (i.e., the proportion of mental labor involved in a given job), and labor income contribution index, S13, are both approximately 0.6, indicating that Multi‐Si PV modules production has a less‐significant labor level and income contribution in comparison with other industries; the production capacity contribution index, S14, is merely 0.183, indicating that production of Multi‐Si PV modules does not contribute significantly to the gross domestic product (GDP). Based on the results of these evaluations, some recommendations to improve the economic and social impact of Multi‐Si PV modules production in China are presented, including support for research on polycrystalline silicon production for the purpose of reducing the raw material cost, as well as upgrading manufacturing facilities and implementing the corresponding production training in order to promote the labor civilization degree.
Industrial Symbiosis at the Facility Scale
Authors: Mulrow John S. , Derrible Sybil , Ashton Weslynne S. , Chopra Shauhrat S.
Published: May 2017

Industrial symbiosis (IS), as a subfield of industrial ecology, is concerned with cooperation among industrial firms in managing resources, particularly by‐products, such that the waste of one firm becomes the input of another. This “closed‐loop” pattern also lies at the heart of the concept of the circular economy (CE). Both concepts are typically considered at scales ranging from industrial parks to global supply chains, but rarely at the scale of a single facility housing multiple firms. Moreover, both concepts have requirements and implications that reach beyond the tracking and coordination of material flows. These additional requirements include the cultivation of new business models and political support, as well as engagement of local communities and cultures. Thus, both IS and the CE face the challenge of bridging the gap between the technical and sociocultural aspects of industrial development and adapting to the facility scale. We address this challenge by proposing a framework for the development of facility‐scale industrial symbiosis (Facility‐IS). Facility‐IS accounts for the presence of symbiotic interfirm relationships—including, but not limited to, material and knowledge exchange—within a single physical facility. The conditions for planning, facilitating, and growing Facility‐IS are outlined, as well as three approaches to implement such projects. Overall, this research forms a Facility‐IS framework rooted in existing best practices for understanding the CE at the local scale, tracking business sustainability factors and assessing viable strategies that facilitate IS.
Circular Economy Policies in China and Europe
Authors: McDowall Will , Geng Yong , Huang Beijia , Barteková Eva , Bleischwitz Raimund , Türkeli Serdar , Kemp René , Doménech Teresa
Published: May 2017

The idea of a circular economy (CE) has become prominent in both European and Chinese policy making. Chinese and European perspectives on a CE share a common conceptual basis and exhibit many similar concerns in seeking to enhance resource efficiency. Yet they also differ, and this article explores differences in the focus of CE policy in China and Europe. We present evidence on the differing understandings of the CE concept in Chinese and European policy discourse, drawing on qualitative and quantitative analysis of policy documents, media articles, and academic publications. We show that the Chinese perspective on the CE is broad, incorporating pollution and other issues alongside waste and resource concerns, and it is framed as a response to the environmental challenges created by rapid growth and industrialization. In contrast, Europe's conception of the CE has a narrower environmental scope, focusing more narrowly on waste and resources and opportunities for business. We then examine similarities and differences in the focus of policy activity in the two regions and in the indicators used to measure progress. We show differences in the treatment of issues of scale and place and different priorities across value chains (from design to manufacture, consumption, and waste management). We suggest some reasons for the divergent policy articulation of the CE concept and suggest lessons that each region can learn from the other.
Development and testing of the Attitude Scale for the Dietary Therapy of Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Onbe Hiromi , Kanda Kiyoko
Published: May 2017

Aim

To develop an attitude scale regarding the dietary therapy of hemodialysis patients and to examine its reliability and validity.

Methods

An initial item pool of 37 items was extracted from a conceptual model that had been developed in the authors' previous study and the literature was reviewed. An expert panel examined the content validity. A total of 381 Japanese hemodialysis patients then were recruited. Exploratory factor analyses and a confirmatory factor analysis were used to test the construct validity and an item analysis, internal consistency coefficients, and test–retest were used to verify the reliability.

Results

The expert panel judged the content validity index to be satisfactory. The data from the final 16 items consisted of three factors (propensity of behavior that is affected by cognition, propensity of behavior that is affected by the food culture, and negative affect that modifies the diet). Regarding the subscales, the Cronbach's coefficient alpha values were confirmed to be reliable, showing medium‐to‐high internal consistency. The test–retest method confirmed the stability of the scale.

Conclusion

With the reliability and validity confirmed, it was established that the Attitude Scale for the Dietary Therapy of Hemodialysis Patients described herein is capable of determining the attitude of hemodialysis patients towards their dietary therapy. This scale makes it possible to quantitatively evaluate hemodialysis patients' attitudes toward dietary therapy. The accuracy of the scale needs to be improved by further examining its reliability and validity.
Observation of asphalt binder microstructure with ESEM
Authors: Mikhailenko P. , Kadhim H. , Baaj H. , Tighe S.
Published: May 2017

The observation of asphalt binder with the environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) has shown the potential to observe asphalt binder microstructure and its evolution with binder aging. A procedure for the induction and identification of the microstructure in asphalt binder was established in this study and included sample preparation and observation parameters. A suitable heat‐sampling asphalt binder sample preparation method was determined for the test and several stainless steel and Teflon sample moulds developed, finding that stainless steel was the preferable material. The magnification and ESEM settings conducive to observing the 3D microstructure were determined through a number of observations to be 1000×, although other magnifications could be considered. Both straight run binder (PG 58‐28) and an air blown oxidised binder were analysed; their structures being compared for their relative size, abundance and other characteristics, showing a clear evolution in the fibril microstructure. The microstructure took longer to appear for the oxidised binder. It was confirmed that the fibril microstructure corresponded to actual characteristics in the asphalt binder. Additionally, a ‘bee’ micelle structure was found as a transitional structure in ESEM observation. The test methods in this study will be used for more comprehensive analysis of asphalt binder microstructure.
Area‐preserving colour coding of inverse pole figure domain
Authors: KARTHIKEYAN T.
Published: May 2017

The inverse pole figure (IPF) map is a routinely displayed output in microtexture studies, interpreted using the attached colour legend/diagram. An area‐preserving relation between the IPF domain and RGB colour domain has been developed here, and the resultant IPF colour diagrams of different crystal point group symmetries are presented.
Intra‐dialytic hypotension: Identifying patients most at risk
Authors: Sangala Nicholas , Gangaram Venkat , Atkins Katey , Elliot Graham , Lewis Robert
Published: May 2017

Background

Intra‐dialytic hypotension (IDH) remains a frequent but serious complication of haemodialysis.

Methods

We performed a retrospective observational analysis of our prevalent dialysis population extracting data from an online database.

Results

Four hundred and thirty‐two patients underwent 21 consecutive outpatient dialysis sessions during the study period: Of the 9,072 dialysis sessions studied, 438 were complicated by episodes of IDH (4.8%). 266/432 patients were asymptomatic whilst 166/432 experienced at least one episode of IDH. Symptomatic patients had significantly lower pre‐dialysis systolic blood pressures (137 mmHg compared with 146 mmHg p < 0.0001) and demonstrated a greater per cent drop in their systolic blood pressure (delta systolic) before and after dialysis (9.7% vs. 4.1% p < 0.0001). Patients taking either a single or no anti‐hypertensive agents had a significantly higher delta systolic than those on two or more anti‐hypertensive agents (7.6% vs. 2.2% p < 0.01) and were almost 50% more likely to suffer from IDH (RR = 1.48, p = 0.017). Using logistical regression we identified pre‐dialysis systolic blood pressure and delta systolic blood pressure as strong predictor variables for IDH (p < 0.0001). We constructed a model able to calculate the risk of an individual patient suffering with IDH using delta systolic and pre‐dialysis systolic blood pressure. A ROC analysis suggests this to be an accurate model (AUC = 0.79).

Conclusion

Delta systolic blood pressure is clinically useful in identifying patients most at risk of IDH. Anti‐hypertensive medication use is associated with a lower delta systolic and a lower risk of IDH.
Totally tall sounds totally younger: Intensification at the socio‐semantics interface
Authors: Beltrama Andrea , Staum Casasanto Laura
Published: May 2017

In two social perception experiments, we explore the relationship between the social meaning and the semantic/pragmatic properties of the intensifier totally in American English. In Experiment 1, we show that totally is perceived as a more salient index of social identity categories – measured in terms of Age, Solidarity and Status attributes – when it targets a scalar dimension grounded in the speaker's attitude, as opposed to when it occurs in contexts where the scale is provided by the subsequent predicate. In Experiment 2, we show that the social indexicality of totally is even more salient in contexts in which the intensifier, by virtue of its pragmatic contribution, invites a stance of heightened proximity and convergence between the interlocutors. These results point to a principled connection between the semantic, pragmatic and personality‐based social meanings of totally, providing new insights into the dynamics whereby different layers of meaning conspire to determine what an expression ‘says’ when deployed in interaction.
Challenges for the pharmaceutical technical development of protein coformulations
Authors: Mueller Claudia , Altenburger Ulrike , Mohl Silke
Published: May 2017

Objectives

This review discusses challenges to stability, analytics and manufacturing of protein coformulations. Furthermore, general considerations to be taken into account for the pharmaceutical development of coformulated protein drug products are highlighted.

Key findings

Coformulation of two or more active substances in one single dosage form has recently seen increasing use offering several advantages, such as increased efficacy and/or the overall reduction of adverse event incidents in patients. Most marketed coformulated drug products are composed of small molecules. As proteins are not only comparatively large but also complex molecules, the maintenance of their physicochemical integrity within a formulation throughout pharmaceutical processing, storage, transport, handling and patient administration to ensure proper pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in vivo already represents various challenges for single-entity products. Thus, nowadays, only sparse biologics-based coformulations can be found, as additional complexity during development is given for these products.

The complexity of the dosage form and the protein molecules results into additional challenges to formulation, manufacture, storage, transport, handling and patient administration, stability and analytics during the pharmaceutical development of protein coformulations. Various points have to be considered during different stages of development in order to obtain a safe and efficacious product.
Farnesylthiosalicylic acid-loaded lipid–polyethylene glycol–polymer hybrid nanoparticles for treatment of glioblastoma
Authors: Kaffashi Abbas , Lüle Sevda , Bozdağ Pehlivan Sibel , Sarısözen Can , Vural İmran , Koşucu Hüsnü , Demir Taner , Buğdaycı Kadir Emre , Söylemezoğlu Figen , Karlı Oğuz Kader , Mut Melike
Published: May 2017

Objectives

We aimed to develop lipid–polyethylene glycol (PEG)–polymer hybrid nanoparticles, which have high affinity to tumour tissue with active ingredient, a new generation antineoplastic drug, farnesylthiosalicylic acid (FTA) for treatment of glioblastoma.

Method

Farnesylthiosalicylic acid-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-1,2 distearoyl-glycerol-3-phospho-ethanolamine-N [methoxy (PEG)-2000] ammonium salt (PLGA-DSPE-PEG) with or without 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) hybrid nanoparticles has been prepared and evaluated for in-vitro characterization. Cytotoxicity of FTA-loaded nanoparticles along with its efficacy on rat glioma-2 (RG2) cells was also evaluated both in vitro (in comparison with non-malignant cell line, L929) and in vivo.

Key findings

Scanning electron microscopy studies showed that all formulations prepared had smooth surface and spherical in shape. FTA and FTA-loaded nanoparticles have cytotoxic activity against RG2 glioma cell lines in cell culture studies, which further increases with addition of DOTAP. Magnetic resonance imaging and histopathologic evaluation on RG2 tumour cells in rat glioma model (49 female Wistar rats, 250–300 g) comparing intravenous and intratumoral injections of the drug have been performed and FTA-loaded nanoparticles reduced tumour size significantly in in-vivo studies, with higher efficiency of intratumoral administration than intravenous route.

Conclusion

Farnesylthiosalicylic acid-loaded PLGA-DSPE-PEG-DOTAP hybrid nanoparticles are proven to be effective against glioblastoma in both in-vitro and in-vivo experiments.
Cardiac autonomic activity during daytime nap in young adults
Authors: Cellini Nicola , Torre Jacopo , Stegagno Luciano , Sarlo Michela
Published: May 2017

The current study investigated both sympathetic and vagal autonomic patterns during a daytime sleep in 25 healthy adults (23.2 ± 2.4 years). Pre‐ejection period (PEP; related inversely to beta‐adrenergic sympathetic activity), the interval between consecutive R‐waves (RR) and frequency‐domain heart rate variability (HRV) were computed during pre‐nap wakefulness and undisturbed sleep stages. Results showed sleep‐related changes in RR and HRV measures, whereas PEP decreased significantly from pre‐nap to sleep, showing no differences across sleep stages. Moreover, pre‐nap PEP and HFnu (the normalized unit of the high‐frequency component of HRV) were associated negatively with sleep latency and wake after sleep onset. These results indicate a marked autonomic output reduction during daytime sleep, with different stage‐dependent fluctuations for sympathetic and vagal activity. Importantly, pre‐nap autonomic activity seems to modulate subsequent sleep quality.
Sleep disorders and an increased risk of Parkinson's disease in individuals with non‐apnea sleep disorders: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Hsiao Yi‐Han , Chen Yung‐Tai , Tseng Ching‐Ming , Wu Li‐An , Perng Diahn‐Warng , Chen Yuh‐Min , Chen Tzeng‐Ji , Chang Shi‐Chuan , Chou Kun‐Ta
Published: May 2017

Sleep disorders are common non‐motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. Our study aims to explore the relationship between non‐apnea sleep disorders and future Parkinson's disease. This is a cohort study using a nationwide database. The participants were recruited from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between 2000 and 2003. A total of 91 273 adult patients who had non‐apnea sleep disorders without pre‐existing Parkinson's disease were enrolled. An age‐, gender‐, income‐, urbanization‐ and Charlson comorbidity index score‐matched control cohort consisting of 91 273 participants was selected for comparison. The two cohorts were followed for the occurrence of Parkinson's disease, death or until the end of 2010, whichever came first. The Kaplan–Meier analyses revealed patients with non‐apnea sleep disorders tended to develop Parkinson's disease (log‐rank test, P < 0.001). After a multivariate adjustment in a Cox regression model, non‐apnea sleep disorders was an independent risk factor for the development of Parkinson's disease [crude hazard ratio: 1.63, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.54–1.73, P < 0.001; adjusted hazard ratio: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.11–1.26, P < 0.001]. In the subgroup analysis, patients with chronic insomnia (lasting more than 3 months) had the greatest risk (crude hazard ratio: 2.91, 95% CI: 2.59–3.26, P < 0.001; adjusted hazard ratio: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.21–1.55, P < 0.001). In conclusion, this study revealed that non‐apnea sleep disorders, especially chronic insomnia, are associated with a higher risk for future Parkinson's disease.
Microfluidics Technologies and Approaches for Studying the Microcirculation
Authors: Murfee Walter L. , Peirce Shayn M.
Published: May 2017

A challenge for basic and applied microvascular research is the lack of ex vivo experimental platforms that mimic the structural and functional complexity that is inherent to the microcirculation in living organisms. This Special Topic Issue highlights the emergence of microfluidic‐based approaches as tools for recapitulating physiologically relevant network architectures and hemodynamics to study biochemical and biomechanical mechanisms of microvascular function and adaptation. This collection of review and original research articles showcases the value of microfluidics in bridging the gap between in vivo and in vitro model systems by demonstrating the utility of this technology for investigating microvascular dynamics spanning angiogenesis to blood cell rheology and for preclinical evaluation of therapeutic strategies that target the microcirculation.
The N‐succinyl‐l,l‐diaminopimelic acid desuccinylase DapE acts through ZapB to promote septum formation in Escherichia coli
Authors: Du Shishen , Lutkenhaus Joe
Published: May 2017

Spatial regulation of cell division in Escherichia coli occurs at the stage of Z ring formation. It consists of negative (the Min and NO systems) and positive (Ter signal mediated by MatP/ZapA/ZapB) regulators. Here, we find that N‐succinyl‐L,L‐diaminopimelic acid desuccinylase (DapE) facilitates functional Z ring formation by strengthening the Ter signal via ZapB. DapE depends on ZapB to localize to the Z ring and its overproduction suppresses the division defect caused by loss of both the Min and NO systems. DapE shows a strong interaction with ZapB and requires the presence of ZapB to exert its function in division. Consistent with the idea that DapE strengthens the Ter signal, overproduction of DapE supports cell division with reduced FtsZ levels and provides some resistance to the FtsZ inhibitors MinCD and SulA, while deletion of dapE, like deletion of zapB, exacerbates the phenotypes of cells impaired in Z ring formation such as ftsZ84 or a min mutant. Taken together, our results report DapE as a new component of the divisome that promotes the integrity of the Z ring by acting through ZapB and raises the possibility of the existence of additional divisome proteins that also function in other cellular processes.
Ecosystem memory of wildfires affects resilience of boreal mixedwood biodiversity after retention harvest
Authors: Bergeron J. A. Colin , Pinzon Jaime , Odsen Sonya , Bartels Samuel , Macdonald S. Ellen , Spence John R.
Published: May 2017

The extent to which past states influence present and future ecosystem characteristics (ecosystem memory (EM)) is challenging to assess because signals of past ecological conditions fade with time. Using data about seven different taxa, we show that ecological gradients initiated by wildfires up to three centuries earlier affect biotic recovery after variable retention harvest in the boreal mixedwood forest. First, we show that fire history over the last 300 years is reflected in pre‐harvest species‐specific stand basal area (BA), with longer times since high severity fire associated with proportionally higher BA of shade‐tolerant softwood species than shade‐intolerant hardwoods. Second, using patterns in the BA of pre‐harvest tree species we link fire history to species composition of pre‐harvest assemblages of bryophytes, herbs, shrubs, regenerated trees, songbirds, spiders and carabid beetles. Finally, we use variance partitioning to compare the importance of species‐specific pre‐ versus post‐harvest BA for explaining the structure of these seven biotic assemblages two, five and ten years after harvest. We detected persistent significant effects of pre‐harvest BA in all post‐harvest biotic assemblages up to ten years after harvest. Pre‐harvest BA was more strongly associated with early post‐harvest understory plant and carabid beetle assemblages than was post‐harvest BA, but the opposite was true for spiders, songbirds and regenerated trees. EM effects were detected two, five and ten years after harvest but temporal patterns varied according to taxa. Thus, EM of fire history can persist at least ten years after variable retention harvest and such effects appear to be stronger for understory plants than for animals. We conclude that management of biological legacies to increase post‐disturbance EM will increase overall resilience and sustainability of these mixedwood forests.