bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An unexpected source of invertebrate community recovery in intermittent streams from a humid continental climate
Authors: Pařil Petr , Polášek Marek , Loskotová Barbora , Straka Michal , Crabot Julie , Datry Thibault
Published: August 2019

Intermittent streams are naturally dominant landscape features of Mediterranean and arid regions, but also occur more and more in humid climates, such as in the Czech Republic. Organism abilities to cope with drying (i.e. resistance forms) have been quantified in naturally intermittent streams from Mediterranean and arid regions, in which long‐term flow intermittence patterns have promoted physiological adaptations. In contrast, the capacity of aquatic communities to persist without requiring resistance adaptations under recent intermittent flow regimes in more humid climates is virtually unexplored, along with its contribution to community recovery upon rewetting.

Here, we addressed the ability of aquatic invertebrates devoid of specific desiccation‐resistance forms (e.g. cysts or eggs) to cope with climate change‐induced flow intermittence from rivers in continental climate. Owing to the high relative air humidity, the importance of riparian cover and the short duration of drying events, we expected taxonomically and functionally rich communities to persist in the dry streambed during phases with no surface water and to contribute to community recovery upon flow resumption.

To explore these ideas, we collected invertebrate communities in the riverbeds before, during and after drying from 10 intermittent rivers in the Czech Republic. We quantified the pool of organisms remaining alive in the dry riverbeds and determined its taxonomic and functional contribution to the recovery of benthic communities upon rewetting.

Of the organisms collected, 83%, belonging to 22 taxa, were able to survive during the dry phase without producing desiccation‐resistance forms. This pool of organisms contributed substantially both taxonomically and functionally to the quick recovery of benthic communities. The exponential decrease in taxonomic and functional richness implies an initial quick loss of sensitive taxa, while a pool of less sensitive taxa persisted long in the dry riverbeds, hence contributing to the fast community recovery upon rewetting.

Survival rates of active aquatic macroinvertebrates devoid of specific desiccation‐resistance adaptations have rarely been quantified. Probably promoted by benign environmental conditions prevailing on dry riverbeds in this study, their survival demonstrated the need to protect communities in dry riverbed and their adjacent riparian environments so that assemblages can recover rapidly from short periods without river flow. Riparian forest management along intermittent streams from continental climates could help conserve the value of dry streambeds as a source of resilience for riverine communities.
Yield response of field‐grown soybean exposed to heat waves under current and elevated [CO2]
Authors: Thomey Michell L. , Slattery Rebecca A. , Köhler Iris H. , Bernacchi Carl J. , Ort Donald R.
Published: August 2019

Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]) generally enhances C3 plant productivity, whereas acute heat stress, which occurs during heat waves, generally elicits the opposite response. However, little is known about the interaction of these two variables, especially during key reproductive phases in important temperate food crops, such as soybean (Glycine max). Here, we grew soybean under elevated [CO2] and imposed high‐ (+9°C) and low‐ (+5°C) intensity heat waves during key temperature‐sensitive reproductive stages (R1, flowering; R5, pod‐filling) to determine how elevated [CO2] will interact with heat waves to influence soybean yield. High‐intensity heat waves, which resulted in canopy temperatures that exceeded optimal growth temperatures for soybean, reduced yield compared to ambient conditions even under elevated [CO2]. This was largely due to heat stress on reproductive processes, especially during R5. Low‐intensity heat waves did not affect yields when applied during R1 but increased yields when applied during R5 likely due to relatively lower canopy temperatures and higher soil moisture, which uncoupled the negative effects of heating on cellular‐ and leaf‐level processes from plant‐level carbon assimilation. Modeling soybean yields based on carbon assimilation alone underestimated yield loss with high‐intensity heat waves and overestimated yield loss with low‐intensity heat waves, thus supporting the influence of direct heat stress on reproductive processes in determining yield. These results have implications for rain‐fed cropping systems and point toward a climatic tipping point for soybean yield when future heat waves exceed optimum temperature.
Gender differences in factors associated with depression in infertility patients
Authors: Bai Cai‐Feng , Sun Ji‐Wei , Li Jie , Jing Wan‐Hong , Zhang Xue‐Kun , Zhang Xuan , Ma Li‐Li , Yue Rong , Cao Feng‐Lin
Published: August 2019

Aims

To clarify gender differences in the demographic variables and infertility problems associated with depression among men and women undergoing infertility treatment.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

We surveyed 380 women and 360 men undergoing infertility treatment at the reproductive medicine center of a hospital in China's Ningxia Province from March ‐ September 2016.

Results

For women, ethnicity, the number of clinic visits, social concern, and sexual concern were factors linked with depression symptoms. For men, treatment cost pressure and social concern were significantly associated with depression symptoms.

Conclusion

Psychological counseling and intervention programs should be integrated into in‐vitro fertilization treatments and interventions should be targeted based on gender differences.

Impact

The provision of treatment‐related sexual knowledge by nurses is indispensable for infertile participants. Mental health policies should be developed to facilitate the implementation of psychological services. Psychological counseling and intervention programs should be integrated into in vitro fertilization treatment to help men and women with infertility cope with psychological distress.
Delivery of care for functional gastrointestinal disorders: A systematic review
Authors: Basnayake Chamara , Kamm Michael A , Salzberg Michael R , Wilson‐O'Brien Amy , Stanley Annalise , Thompson Alexander J
Published: August 2019

Background

A diverse range of treatments are available for the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). Individual treatments, including drug therapies, behavioral therapy (“biofeedback”), psychological therapies, and dietary therapies, have been well validated in controlled, randomized trials and real‐life case series. However, few studies have evaluated models of delivery of care for the whole population of referred patients with an FGID. This review evaluates models of specialist outpatient care for the management of FGIDs.

Methods

A systematic review was performed of full‐text articles published until October 2018 in Pubmed/Medline and Embase. Studies were included if they evaluated a model of outpatient care in a specialist setting for the treatment of adult patients with an FGID and included patient‐reported outcomes comprising symptoms, quality of life, or psychological well‐being.

Results

Few studies have evaluated the delivery of care for the whole population of referred patients with an FGID, and there was one randomized comparison of different models of care. Two studies that evaluated the outcome of gastroenterologist‐only clinics suggested poor long‐term results. Two non‐comparative case series reported the outcome of multidisciplinary care, including gastroenterologists and psychological therapists, suggesting improved patient quality of life and psychological well‐being.

Conclusions

Despite the high prevalence and cost of treating FGIDs, and the availability of effective treatments, there are few data and limited randomized comparisons reporting the outcome of different types of specialist care. The few data available suggest that multidisciplinary care is superior to gastroenterologist‐only care, but this needs to be validated in prospective comparative studies.
Effectiveness of a musical training programme in promoting happiness and quality of life of underprivileged preschool children
Authors: Cheung Ankie Tan , Li William Ho Cheung , Ho Laurie Long Kwan , Ho Ka Yan , Lam Katherine Ka Wai , Chung Oi Kwan
Published: August 2019

Aims and objectives

To test the effectiveness of a musical training programme in promoting happiness and quality of life of Hong Kong Chinese underprivileged preschool children.

Background

The impact of poverty and income disparity on the psychological well‐being of children remains a profound global public health concern. There is substantial evidence that poverty and income disparity have many negative impacts on children's psychological well‐being, adversely affecting their quality of life.

Methods

A nonequivalent, quasi‐experimental, two‐group, pretest and post‐test, between‐subjects design was conducted with 171 Hong Kong Chinese underprivileged preschool children (aged 3–6 years). Participants (n = 100) in the experimental group attended a weekly 1‐hr musical training lesson for 12 weeks conducted by the Music Children Foundation. Participants (n = 71) in the wait list control group received the same training after all data had been collected. Data collection for both groups was conducted at baseline and 12‐week follow‐up. The measured outcomes were happiness level and quality of life. A TREND checklist was completed.

Results

Participants in the experimental group reported significantly higher levels of happiness (p = .002) and quality of life (p = .44) than those in the wait list control group.

Conclusions

The present study indicates the effectiveness of a musical training programme in promoting happiness and quality of life of Hong Kong Chinese underprivileged preschool children. It also demonstrated the feasibility of implementing the programme in a community context.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study aids to inform nurses the beneficial effect of the musical training programme in improving underprivileged children's psychological well‐being and quality of life. Indeed, community nurses may act as facilitators to promote the musical training programme to underprivileged children. The involvement of community nurses may greatly enhance the sustainability of the programme, thus making it to be a routine health promotion activity.
Adolescent cancer survivors' experiences of supportive care needs: A qualitative content analysis
Authors: Valizadeh Leila , Zamanzadeh Vahid , Ghahramanian Akram , Musavi Saeed , Akbarbegloo Masoomeh , Chou Fang‐yu
Published: August 2019

Supportive care is an important strategy that can help cancer survivors manage changes and problems during their follow‐up care. Identifying patients' care needs is one of the primary steps of the nursing process to plan effective nursing interventions. The aim of this study was to explore adolescent cancer survivors' supportive care needs. Purposeful sampling was adopted to select 49 participants from hospitals to participate in face‐to‐face, semistructured interviews. The qualitative content analysis method was conducted for data analysis. Ten subcategories and four main categories – empathetic care, information about survival period, instrumental support, and cooperation in care – were extracted from the data. These four categories formed a major theme, “supportive care”, as the primary healthcare need. This study highlights that supportive care should be developed collaboratively by family and healthcare providers to meet the needs of adolescent cancer survivors. Survivors' strengths and limitations should be identified, and then supportive care can be provided, such as giving appropriate information, enabling survivors to access supportive networks, and improving survivors’ confidence and autonomy with their self‐management.
New approaches to tannin analysis of leaves can be used to explain in vitro biological activities associated with herbivore defence
Authors: Marsh Karen J. , Wallis Ian R. , Kulheim Carsten , Clark Robert , Nicolle Dean , Foley William J. , Salminen Juha‐Pekka
Published: August 2019

Although tannins have been an important focus of studies of plant–animal interactions, traditional tannin analyses cannot differentiate between the diversity of structures present in plants. This has limited our understanding of how different mixtures of these widespread secondary metabolites contribute to variation in biological activity.

We used UPLC‐MS/MS to determine the concentration and broad composition of tannins and polyphenols in 628 eucalypt (Eucalyptus, Corymbia and Angophora) samples, and related these to three in vitro functional measures believed to influence herbivore defence: protein precipitation capacity, oxidative activity at high pH and capacity to reduce in vitro nitrogen (N) digestibility.

Protein precipitation capacity was most strongly correlated with concentrations of procyanidin subunits in proanthocyanidins (PAs), and late‐eluting ellagitannins. Capacity to reduce in vitro N digestibility was affected most by the subunit composition and mean degree of polymerisation (mDP) of PAs. Finally, concentrations of ellagitannins and prodelphinidin subunits of PAs were the strongest determinants of oxidative activity.

The results illustrate why measures of total tannins rarely correlate with animal feeding responses. However, they also confirm that the analytical techniques utilised here could allow researchers to understand how variation in tannins influence the ecology of individuals and populations of herbivores, and, ultimately, other ecosystem processes.
Subcutaneous dermoid cysts on the eyebrow and neck
Authors: Nakajima Koji , Korekawa Ayumi , Nakano Hajime , Sawamura Daisuke
Published: August 2019

We report a case of dermoid cysts on the right lateral eyebrow and anterior neck. Multiple concurrent dermoid cysts, as in the present case, are very rare. The differential diagnosis of dermoid cyst includes epidermoid (epidermal inclusion) cyst, trichilemmal cyst, pilomatrixoma, lymphatic malformation, and lipoma. In particular, thyroglossal duct cyst and midline anterior neck inclusion cyst are part of the differential diagnosis when the lesion is in the anterior neck.
Predicting admissions for adult asthma exacerbations in North Texas
Authors: Newcomb Patricia , Li Jianling
Published: August 2019

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to provide a picture of asthma disparities and the contributions of social and environmental factors to asthma exacerbations in the north central region of Texas, where intense, rapid development is a feature of contemporary life.

Design and Sample

Cross‐sectional analysis of data associated with 66 hospitals in the 8 counties containing and surrounding the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area. Census blocks containing adult asthma patients admitted to emergency departments (ED) or inpatient units for asthma exacerbations in 2014.

Measures

Data for secondary analysis were collected from the Dallas Fort Worth Hospital Council Foundation.

Results

Sex, family income, education, race, age of housing, speed, and traffic density on neighborhood roads affected asthma admissions. Proximity to urban drilling sites had only a small effect on admissions in this sample. Minorities were significantly more likely to obtain services in the ED than whites.

Conclusions

Attributes associated with poor and underserved patients predicted asthma exacerbations in the target region. These are vulnerable patients who can ill afford further erosion of health care insurance or additional environmental insults.
Underuse of beta‐blockers by patients with COPD and co‐morbid acute coronary syndrome: A nationwide follow‐up study in New Zealand
Authors: Parkin Lianne , Quon Joshua , Sharples Katrina , Barson David , Dummer Jack
Published: August 2019

Background and objective

Clinical guidelines recommend the use of beta‐blockers and other cardiovascular prevention drugs in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Studies in several countries have found that beta‐blockers are underused in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and co‐morbid heart disease, although most have only examined use in subgroups of patients. We undertook a nationwide follow‐up study in New Zealand to describe the use of beta‐blockers and other cardiovascular prevention drugs in patients with COPD and ACS.

Methods

National health and pharmaceutical dispensing data were used to derive the study cohort, identify patients who were admitted to hospital with ACS and/or heart failure before cohort entry and during follow‐up, and ascertain drug use.

Results

The study cohort included 83 435 patients aged ≥45 years, with 290 400 person‐years of follow‐up. Among 2637 patients with ≥1 ACS admission during follow‐up, only 56.6% received a beta‐blocker in the 6 months following the first admission, while 87.7% and 81%, respectively, received aspirin and a statin. Patients with higher COPD severity were less likely to receive a beta‐blocker than those with lower severity, as were those with no history of previous ACS and/or heart failure.

Conclusion

Use of beta‐blockers following an ACS admission was much lower than expected based on the findings of general audits of ACS management in New Zealand. Along with the higher proportions using aspirin and statins, and the differences in beta‐blocker dispensing by COPD severity, this suggests a particular reluctance to prescribe beta‐blockers to patients with COPD.
Crossing borders in the age of confessionalization: seventeenth‐century Italian travel writing on the North
Authors: Raunio Anu
Published: August 2019

This article explores two Catholic travellers’ experiences of what they considered exotic and heretic Scandinavia. It re‐examines religious border‐crossing on the so‐called ‘reverse Grand Tour’ in Francesco Negri’s Viaggio settentrionale (1663) and Alessandro Bichi’s Viaggio in Svezia (1696), together with Bichi’s text on ars apodemica entitled Instruttione et avvertimenti necessari per far longhi viaggi tanto per mare che per terra. Analysing the role of religion and adaptation in early modern cross‐cultural encounters between the Catholic South and Protestant North, it will examine how religious differences were negotiated in the everyday encounters and practicalities of travel. The article will show how on a continent divided by deep confessional differences, information and cultural influences were still mediated, facilitated and ultimately accommodated through both personal contacts and everyday practices.
Alpine Troubles: Trajectories of De‐Consociationalisation in Austria and Switzerland Compared
Authors: Helms Ludger , Jenny Marcelo , Willumsen David M.
Published: August 2019

For all their differences, both Austria and Switzerland have long been considered to represent key examples of consociational democracy. Since the 1990s, both countries have however faced major challenges to their respective consociationalist regimes. One of the shared features of regime evolution and change in Austria and Switzerland, which can be meaningfully referred to as ‘de‐consociationalisation’, concerns the successful exploitation of external shocks by powerful populist parties. Taking stock of the developments in four different areas (the electoral, the parliamentary and the executive arena as well as interest group/state relations), we identify a complex dynamic which has made the two countries more similar in some respects, but more different in others. Overall, two decades into the twenty‐first century, Austria is significantly less of a consociationalist regime than Switzerland.
Identification of the novel HLA‐C*05:01:49 allele in a Brazilian candidate donor for bone marrow donation
Authors: Vianna Romulo , Santos Angela , Motta Juliana , Porto Luís Cristóvão
Published: August 2019

Identification of the novel HLA‐C*05:01:49 allele that differs from HLA‐C*05:01:01:02 in exon 4.
Being Deceived: Information Asymmetry in Second‐Order False Belief Tasks
Authors: Braüner Torben , Blackburn Patrick , Polyanskaya Irina
Published: August 2019

We analyze four well‐known second‐order false belief tasks. Superficially, all four tasks share a common logical structure: All are based around a principle of inertia, which says that an agent's beliefs are preserved over time, unless the agent receives information to the contrary. However, a deeper analysis reveals details that are both suggestive and puzzling. First, the four tasks exemplify all four possibilities inherent in the two dimensions of being‐deceived versus not‐being‐deceived and change‐in‐world versus change‐in‐belief‐only. Second, there is a feature common to all four tasks: All come with a “built in” first‐order false belief. We call these inner first‐order false beliefs. They introduce an informational asymmetry that has the same logical form in all four tasks, but whose role is unclear. We do two things in this paper. First, we show that inner first‐order false beliefs play an important (though seemingly unremarked) role in the experimental design of the tasks. Second, we present some empirical results (for both typically developing children and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder) on the effects of being‐deceived versus not‐being‐deceived and change‐in‐world versus change‐in‐belief‐only on second‐order reasoning ability.
Preliminary evaluation of a salivary urea test strip method for use in dogs
Authors: Sanchini Lucia , Hare Cassia H. Z. , Restif Olivier , Williams Tim L.
Published: August 2019

Background

Salivary urea concentrations correlate with serum urea concentrations in dogs and humans. Salivary urea concentrations can now be determined semi‐quantitatively using a salivary urea test strip method that has been validated for use in humans.

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the repeatability of the salivary urea test strip score, and the correlation between the salivary urea test strip scores and serum urea concentrations in dogs.

Methods

Intra‐run and inter‐run variabilities were determined (n = 10 in triplicate). Correlations between salivary urea test strip scores and serum urea concentrations in dogs were assessed using the Spearman's correlation coefficient. Receiver operator curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the salivary urea test strip score to identify dogs with serum urea concentration >7.4 mmol/L (upper limit of laboratory RI).

Results

The intra‐run repeatability was good (28/30 concordant results) whereas the inter‐run repeatability was moderate (23/30 concordant results). Salivary and serum urea concentrations showed a moderately positive correlation (rs = .63, n = 33; P < .0001). A salivary urea test strip score ≥4 was 57% sensitive and 96% specific for detecting a serum urea concentration >7.4 mmol/L.

Conclusions

Uremia can be detected using salivary urea test strips in dogs. Based on our preliminary data, salivary urea test strip scores of 1 or 2 might exclude clinically relevant uremia in most cases; however, it is recommended that the salivary urea test be repeated in dogs with a test strip score of 3. Dogs with a salivary urea test strip score of ≥4 would likely require additional investigations.
Surveys, social licence and the Integrated Data Infrastructure
Authors: Gulliver Pauline , Jonas Monique , Fanslow Janet , McIntosh Tracey , Waayer Debbie
Published: August 2019

INTRODUCTION: Statistics New Zealand’s Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) is a central repository for researchers to access multiple government agency datasets. The aim of this investigation was to understand social licence for including survey data in the IDI.METHODS: Two convenience samples were recruited: (1) participants in one of 10 focus groups; and (2) respondents to pilot surveys for the 2018 NZ census or a population-based survey on violence experience. Qualitative data were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Analyses were conducted independently by two members of the research team and results compared.FINDINGS: Whilst little prior awareness of the IDI existed, participants developed considered judgements about it, identifying concerns and proposing safeguards that would encourage them to support its maintenance and use.CONCLUSIONS: While there is the potential for social licence to be granted for the IDI, an on-going, transparent engagement process is required to maintain trust with agencies and researchers. As an over-represented population within government agency data, active, honest engagement is required with Māori, as are safeguards to reduce risks of further stigmatisation and marginalisation.
Feather mites of the family Ptyssalgidae (Acari: Analgoidea) associated with hummingbirds and suboscine passerines—A morphological review supplemented by CO1 barcode sequences

Authors: Mironov Sergey , Klimov Pavel B. , Pérez Tila Maria , OConnor Barry M
Published: August 2019

To date, the feather mite family Ptyssalgidae (Acariformes: Analgoidea) has been known from a single species associated with hummingbirds (Apodiformes: Trochilidae). Here, based on our collecting in Mexico, we describe (i) a new genus and species, Tyrannoptyssalges striatus gen. n., sp. n., from a passerine host Tolmomyias sulphurescens (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae) and (ii) four new species of the genus Ptyssalges Atyeo and Gaud, 1979 from hummingbirds (Apodiformes: Trochilidae): Ptyssalges amaziliae sp. n. from Amazilia rutila (Delattre) (type host), A. candida (Bourcier & Mulsant) and A. yucatanensis (Cabot), P. anthracothoracis sp. n. from Anthracothorax prevostii (Lesson, R.), P. atyeoi sp. n. from Phaethornis longirostris (Delattre), and P. campylopteri sp. n. from Campylopterus curvipennis excellens (Wetmore). In addition, we redescribe Ptyssalges major (Trouessart, 1887), the type species of the genus, based on newly collected material from the type host, Eutoxeres aquila, from Panama. Standard morphological descriptions of all mite species are supplemented by CO1 barcoding sequence data. In the genus Ptyssalges, CO1 K2P interspecific genetic distances were 11.39–11.89%, while distances between the single species of Tyrannoptyssalges and species of the genus Ptyssalges were 16.34–17.87%. New, amended diagnoses for the family Ptyssalgidae and the genus Ptyssalges and a key to all known ptyssalgid species are provided. Preliminary hypotheses on the origin and ancestral host associations of ptyssalgids are briefly discussed.
Reduction of intratumoral brain perfusion by noninvasive transcranial electrical stimulation
Authors: Sprugnoli G. , Monti L. , Lippa L. , Neri F. , Mencarelli L. , Ruffini G. , Salvador R. , Oliveri G. , Batani B. , Momi D. , Cerase A. , Pascual-Leone A. , Rossi A. , Rossi S. , Santarnecchi E.
Published: August 2019

Transcranial electrical stimulation can safely and noninvasively modulate perfusion of brain tumors in humans.
Cultural selection shapes network structure
Authors: Smolla Marco , Akçay Erol
Published: August 2019

Social networks can affect the emergence and spread of culture, but how does culture shape these social networks in turn?
Grad students struggle with rising fees
Authors: Langin Katie
Published: August 2019

Hefty bills at some U.S. public universities strain STEM students' finances.
Francis's way
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: August 2019

For a decade, Francis Collins has shielded the National Institutes of Health—while making waves of his own.
Active cell migration is critical for steady-state epithelial turnover in the gut
Authors: Krndija Denis , El Marjou Fatima , Guirao Boris , Richon Sophie , Leroy Olivier , Bellaiche Yohanns , Hannezo Edouard , Matic Vignjevic Danijela
Published: August 2019

Active migration renews gut epithelia

Epithelial tissues are continuously renewed throughout adult life, and the gut epithelium is the fastest self-renewing tissue in mammals. Over 3 days or so, epithelial cells migrate from the crypts, where they are born, to the tips of the villi, where they die. It is commonly believed that migration is strictly passive, driven by mitotic pressure in crypts—as cells divide, they push their neighbors upward. Krndija
et al.
now challenge this concept and show that cells migrate actively, using actin-rich basal protrusions oriented in the direction of migration (see the Perspective by Jansen).

Science
, this issue p.
705
; see also p.
642
Berry blues
Wilted
Julie Guthman
University of California Press, 2019. 322 pp.
Authors: Monosson Emily
Published: August 2019

Strawberry growers seek a sustainable path forward without go-to fungicides
Performance Evaluation of the Luminex Aries C. difficile Assay in Comparison to Two Other Molecular Assays within a Multihospital Health Care Center
Authors: Juretschko Stefan , Manji Ryhana , Khare Reeti , Das Shubhagata , Dunbar Sherry
Published: August 2019

Clostridioides difficile
infection (CDI) remain a serious issue in the United States. Fast and accurate diagnosis of CDI is paramount to achieve immediate infection control initiation, triaging, and isolation, as well as appropriate antibiotic treatment. However, both, over- and underdiagnosis can lead to adverse patient outcomes, such as unnecessary administration of antibiotics or unwanted spread of spores in any hospital setting, respectively.
Draft Genome Sequences of Citrobacter freundii and Citrobacter murliniae Strains Isolated from the Feces of Preterm Infants
Authors: Chen Yuhao , Brook Thomas C. , Alcon-Giner Cristina , Clarke Paul , Hall Lindsay J. , Hoyles Lesley
Published: August 2019

Here, we describe the draft genome sequences of three strains of
Citrobacter
isolated from feces of preterm neonates with suspected sepsis. Strains P106E PI and P079F I were
Citrobacter freundii
. Strain P080C CL represents the first draft genome sequence of
Citrobacter murliniae
.
Biallelic mutations inCFAP65lead to severe asthenoteratospermia due to acrosome hypoplasia and flagellum malformations
Authors: Wang Weili , Tu Chaofeng , Nie Hongchuan , Meng Lanlan , Li Yong , Yuan Shimin , Zhang Qianjun , Du Juan , Wang Junpu , Gong Fei , Fan Liqing , Lu Guang-Xiu , Lin Ge , Tan Yue-Qiu
Published: August 2019

Background

The genetic causes for most male infertility due to severe asthenozoospermia remain unclear.

Objective

Our objective was to identify unknown genetic factors in 47 patients with severe asthenozoospermia from 45 unrelated Chinese families.

Methods

We performed whole exome sequencing of 47 individuals with severe asthenozoospermia from 45 unrelated families. Mutation screening was performed in a control cohort of 637 individuals, including 219 with oligoasthenospermia, 195 with non-obstructive azoospermia and 223 fertile controls. Ultrastructural and immunostaining analyses of patients’ spermatozoa were performed to characterise the effect of variants.

Results

One homozygous non-sense mutation (NM_194302, c.G5341T:p.E1781X), two compound heterozygous mutations (c.C2284T:p.R762X and c.1751delC:p.P584fs) and two compound heterozygous mutations (c.5714_5721del:p.L1905fs and c.C3021A:p.N1007K) were identified inCFAP65of three individuals with completely immotile spermatozoa, respectively. No biallelic deleterious variants ofCFAP65were detected in the control cohort of 637 individuals. Ultrastructural and immunostaining analyses of spermatozoa from two patients showed highly aberrant sperm morphology with severe defects such as acrosome hypoplasia, disruption of the mitochondrial sheath and absence of the central pair complex.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to report thatCFAP65mutations may cause spermatozoa to be completely immotile.
Genetic factors contributing to autism spectrum disorder in Williams-Beuren syndrome
Authors: Codina-Sola Marta , Costa-Roger Mar , Pérez-García Debora , Flores Raquel , Palacios-Verdú Maria Gabriela , Cusco Ivon , Pérez-Jurado Luis Alberto
Published: August 2019

Background

The hallmark of the neurobehavioural phenotype of Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is increased sociability and relatively preserved language skills, often described as opposite to autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, the prevalence of ASD in WBS is 6–10 times higher than in the general population. We have investigated the genetic factors that could contribute to the ASD phenotype in individuals with WBS.

Methods

We studied four males and four females with WBS and a confirmed diagnosis of ASD by the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised. We performed a detailed molecular characterisation of the deletion and searched for genomic variants using exome sequencing.

Results

A de novo deletion of 1.55 Mb (6 cases) or 1.83 Mb (2 cases) at 7q11.23 was detected, being in 7/8 patients of paternal origin. No common breakpoint, deletion mechanism or size was found. Two cases were hemizygous for the rare T allele at rs12539160 inMLXIPL, previously associated with ASD. Inherited rare variants in ASD-related or functionally constrained genes and a de novo nonsense mutation in theUBR5gene were identified in six cases, with higher burden in females compared with males (p=0.016).

Conclusions

The increased susceptibility to ASD in patients with WBS might be due to additive effects of the common WBS deletion, inherited and de novo rare sequence variants in ASD-related genes elsewhere in the genome, with higher burden of deleterious mutations required for females, and possible hypomorphic variants in the hemizygous allele orcis-acting mechanisms on imprinting.
Exposure to crystalline silica in Canadian workplaces and the risk of kidney cancer
Authors: Peters Cheryl E , Bogaert Laura , Latifovic Lidija , Kachuri Linda , Harris Shelley A , Parent Marie-Elise , Villeneuve Paul J
Published: August 2019

Objectives

The causes of kidney cancer are not well understood though occupational exposures are thought to play a role. Crystalline silica is a known human carcinogen, and despite previous links with kidney disease, there have been few studies investigating its association with kidney cancer. We addressed this research gap using a population-based case-control study of Canadian men.

Methods

Questionnaire data were obtained from individuals with histologically confirmed kidney cancer, and population-based controls recruited from eight Canadian provinces (1994–1997). An industrial hygienist characterised participants’ lifetime occupational exposure, and their confidence in the assessment (possibly, probably or definitely exposed) to silica on three dimensions (intensity, frequency and duration), and cumulative exposure was estimated. Logistic regression was used to estimate ORs and 95% CIs, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Nearly half of the 689 kidney cancer cases (49%) and 2369 controls (44%) had ever been occupationally exposed to crystalline silica. In a fully adjusted model, workers ever-exposed to silica had a slightly increased risk of kidney cancer relative to those who were unexposed (OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.32). Odds were modestly (and generally not statistically significantly) increased for models with duration of exposure and cumulative exposure, though exposure-response relationships were not evident.

Conclusions

Our findings do not provide evidence that occupational exposure to crystalline silica increases risk of kidney cancer in men.
Evaluation of a simplified soil constitutive model considering implied strength and pore-water pressure generation for one-dimensional (1D) seismic site response
Authors: Mei Xuan , Olson Scott M. , Hashash Youssef M.A.
Published: August 2019

Pore-water pressure (PWP) generation can lead to soil softening and liquefaction of sandy soils during earthquakes, with potential influence on site response and seismic design. The authors evaluated the generalized quadratic/hyperbolic (GQ/H) constitutive model, which captures small-strain stiffness, large-strain shear strength, and is coupled with a widely used cyclic strain–based PWP generation model (termed GQ/H+u). A suite of cyclic direct simple shear tests with a range of relative densities (∼30%–80%) and effective vertical stresses (∼25–200 kPa) and dynamic centrifuge tests with liquefiable sands were used to evaluate the ability of the GQ/H+u model to simulate cyclic soil behavior. Results indicate that GQ/H+u provides reasonable estimates of PWP increase during cyclic shear, with differences between measured and computed excess PWP ratios (ru) for both element and centrifuge tests generally smaller than 0.1. Computed spectral accelerations are comparable to centrifuge test measurements, with almost no bias at medium to long periods (T > 0.4 s) when the computed maximum shear strain (γmax) was smaller than the limit shear strain (γlimit). When computed ru > 0.8 and computed γmax > γlimit, spectral accelerations may be underestimated at both short and long periods as dilative behavior is not captured by GQ/H+u.
Bayesian arrival model for Atlantic salmon smolt counts powered by environmental covariates and expert knowledge
Authors: Pulkkinen Henni , Orell Panu , Erkinaro Jaakko , Mäntyniemi Samu
Published: August 2019

Annual run size and timing of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolt migration was estimated using Bayesian model framework and data from 6 years of a video monitoring survey. The model has a modular structure. It separates subprocesses of departing, traveling, and observing, of which the first two together define the arrival distribution. The subprocesses utilize biological background and expert knowledge about the migratory behavior of smolts and about the probability to observe them from the video footage under varying environmental conditions. Daily mean temperature and discharge were used as environmental covariates. The model framework does not require assuming a simple distributional shape for the arrival dynamics and thus also allows for multimodal arrival distributions. Results indicate that 20%–43% of smolts passed the Utsjoki monitoring site unobserved during the years of study. Predictive studies were made to estimate daily run size in cases with missing counts either at the beginning or in the middle of the run, indicating good predictive performance.
Estimation of growth parameters based on length-stratified age samples
Authors: Perreault Andrea M.J. , Zheng Nan , Cadigan Noel G.
Published: August 2019

Response-selective stratified sampling (RSSS) has been well studied in the statistical literature; however, the application of the resulting statistical theories and methods to a specific case of RSSS in fisheries studies, namely length-stratified age sampling (LSAS), is inadequate. We review nine estimation approaches for RSSS found in the statistical and fisheries science literature in terms of three sampling components: the first phase length composition sample, the second phase age composition sample, and the sampling scheme. We compare the performance in terms of RRMSE (relative root mean squared error) for von Bertalanffy (vonB) growth model parameter estimation using an extensive simulation study. We further demonstrate methods by applying the two best-performing and the most popular methods to estimate the vonB model parameters for American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) in NAFO Divisions 3LNO. Our simulations demonstrated that mis-specifying one or more of the three sampling components increases the RRMSEs, and this effect is magnified when the age distribution is incorrectly specified. The optimal approach for data based on LSAS is the empirical proportion approach, and we recommend this method for growth parameter estimation based on LSAS data.
Study of vector charmonium electromagnetic Dalitz decays
Authors: Zhang Jielei , He Jinjin , Zhu Tengjiao , Xu Shuangquan , Wang Rumin
Published: August 2019

Using the largest [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] data samples in the world, BESIII has measured some charmonium electromagnetic Dalitz decays. Stimulated by the recent experimental results from BESIII, we study the electromagnetic Dalitz decays of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], based on the pointlike QED theory and the simple pole approximation theory, and we present the numerical values of the branching fractions. With the available large samples of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] events collected with the BESIII detector, the expected events for these electromagnetic Dalitz decays are estimated, which offers a unique opportunity to check the theoretical predictions and to measure the transition form factor (TFF). The TFF could characterize the electromagnetic structure arising at the vertex of the transition, and serve as a sensitive probe to the internal structures. These results could be useful for the data taking plan in the future at BESIII.
The effect of electron beam on nanocrystallites size, strain and structural parameters of the silicon carbide nanopowder
Authors: Tashmetov Mannab , Abdurakhimov Bekhzodjon , Mirzayev Matlab N. , Thang To Xuan
Published: August 2019

The effect of high-energy electron beam on the silicon carbide nanopowder’s structural parameters, strain and powder size was studied. The sample was irradiated with [Formula: see text]2-MeV electron beam energy under different fluencies such as 1.13 ⋅ 10[Formula: see text], 1.89 ⋅ 10[Formula: see text], 2.79 ⋅ 10[Formula: see text] and 3.69 ⋅ 10[Formula: see text] cm[Formula: see text] at the linear electronic accelerator. Initial and irradiated samples at various doses have been analyzed in the XRD. The nanostructural effects within FullProf are treated using the pseudo-Voigt profile function. The dependences of maximum strain and nanocrystallite size on irradiation dose were obtained and analyzed.
High-pressure melting curves of FCC metals Ni, Pd and Pt with defects
Authors: Quang Hoc Nguyen , Dinh Cuong Tran , Duc Tinh Bui , Hong Viet Le
Published: August 2019

The high-pressure melting curves of defective metals Ni, Pd and Pt with face-centered cubic structure have been studied up to 100 GPa by using the statistical moment method. Our melting theory is based on the absolute stability limit for crystalline state. The effects of pressure and vacancies on the melting properties of Ni, Pd and Pt have been considered. These obtained results are consistent with previous experiments and other theoretical calculations.
Accounting Research on Private Firms: State of the Art and Future Directions
Authors: Bar-Yosef Sasson , D’Augusta Carlo , Prencipe Annalisa
Published: August 2019

Private companies play a significant role and are the main growth engine of the global economy. Yet, until recently, empirical research in accounting has focused primarily on public companies. Over the last few years, we have observed a change in trend. Accounting scholars have started researching private firms and have contributed to a better understanding of their accounting decisions. This growing attention is likely due to a better availability of public data and to the fact that several regulators issued specific regulations on private firms’ financial reporting. In this paper, we analyze the state of the art of accounting research in this area. We review 95 papers published in 21 accounting journals over the period 1986–2018. After looking into the definition of private firms, we highlight the role of the private firm status in the research design, classify each paper into four main research areas (i.e., financial accounting, taxation, auditing, and valuation) and discuss the main contributions. We argue that the current state of accounting research on private firms — although quite rich — is still insufficient in light of the relevance of such a segment of the world economy. After soliciting additional research, we devise possible venues for future studies.
Towards behavior-driven graphical user interface testing
Authors: Bünder Hendrik , Kuchen Herbert
Published: August 2019

The majority of users interacts with an application through its graphical user interface (GUI). To ensure high quality and expected behavior, those graphical user interfaces have to be tested thoroughly. Yet, creating graphical user interface test cases is considered expensive in comparison to unit or integration tests. In addition, test cases are perceived to be expensive to run and brittle, therefore causing a lot of false negative test results. Behavior-driven test case design addresses this challenges by bringing requirement specifications and test cases closer together. Although industry-proven tools map test specifications automatically, test methods making test scripts executable need to be implemented manually. The specification language Slang introduced by this paper generates automatically executable test cases from BDD-like feature descriptions that integrate low-fidelity prototypes in form of wireframesketcher models. To quantify the economic advantage of our approach an AB/BA crossover designed experiment was conducted. The experiment showed that creating automatically executable test cases utilizing Slang takes 63% less time compared to the industry-proven tool JBehave. In addition to presenting the experiment's results, the paper elaborates on first experience from applying the approach in a large Swiss bank. The findings of our experiments are supported by results from applying our approach in real-world scenarios. In addition, experiment as well as case study participants appreciated the sophisticated editor support of Slang.
Detecting anomalies in hybrid business process logs
Authors: Pauwels Stephen , Calders Toon
Published: August 2019

Checking and analyzing various executions of different Business Processes can be a tedious task as the logs from these executions may contain lots of events, each with a (possibly large) number of both numerical and categorical attributes. We developed a way to automatically model the behavior captured in log files with dozens of these attributes. The advantage of our method is that we do not need any prior knowledge about the data or the attributes. We introduce a new algorithm that is able to learn a model of a log file starting from the data itself. The learned model can then be used to detect anomalous executions in the data. To achieve this we extend Dynamic Bayesian Networks with numerical attributes and functional dependencies to better model the normal behavior found in log files. The model is capable of scoring events and cases, even when previously unseen values or new combinations of values appear in the log file. An important benefit of our model is the ability to give a decomposition of the score that indicates the root cause of the anomalies. We also conducted a comparison with other state-of-the-art algorithms for detecting anomalies in Business Processes which shows that our approach outperforms other algorithms.
The Invasion Hierarchy: Ecological and Evolutionary Consequences of Invasions in the Fossil Record
Authors: Stigall Alycia L.
Published: August 2019

Species invasions are pervasive in Earth history, yet the ecological and evolutionary consequences vary greatly. Ancient invasion events can be organized in a hierarchy of increasing invasion intensity from ephemeral invasions to globally pervasive invasive regimes. Each level exhibits emergent properties exceeding the sum of interactions at lower levels. Hierarchy levels correspond to, but do not always exactly correlate with, geographic extent of invasion success. The ecological impacts of lower-level impacts can be negligible or result in temporary community accommodation. Invasion events at moderate to high levels of the hierarchy permanently alter ecological communities, regional faunas, and global ecosystems. The prevalence of invasive species results in evolutionary changes by fostering niche evolution, differential survival of ecologically generalized taxa, faunal homogenization, and suppressing speciation. These impacts can contribute to mass extinctions and biodiversity crises that alter the trajectory of ecological and evolutionary patterns of life. The fossil record provides a long-term record of how invasion impacts may scale up through time, which can augment ecological studies of modern species invasions.