bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fearless dominance and performance in field sales: A predictive study
Authors: Titze Julia , Blickle Gerhard , Wihler Andreas
Published: August 2017

In a prospective study of 150 junior salespeople in the same company, we examined the relation between fearless dominance, which is a dimension of trait psychopathy, and objective performance in field sales. After controlling for demographic variables, length of job tenure, initial sales training quality, and disciplined achievement motivation, the results supported an inverted U‐shaped relation, which showed that, after a certain turning point, increases in fearless dominance resulted in decreases in performance. Thus, the most successful salespeople in our sample possessed moderate levels of fearless dominance. Implications for theory, practice, and future research are provided in light of a number of notable strengths and limitations.
Fabrication of a transversal multilayer thermoelectric generator with substituted calcium manganite
Authors: Reimann Timmy , Bochmann Arne , Vogel Andy , Capraro Beate , Teichert Steffen , Töpfer Jörg
Published: August 2017

The sintering behavior and thermoelectric performance of Ca0.99Gd0.01Mn0.99W0.01O3was studied, and a multilayer thermoelectric generator was fabricated. The addition of CuO as sintering additive was found to be effective for the reduction in the sintering temperature from 1300°C to about 1000°C‐1050°C. Dense samples were obtained after firing at 1050°C, whereas some porosity remained after firing at 1000°C. Samples sintered at reduced temperature exhibit lower electrical conductivity, whereas the Seebeck coefficientS = −150 μV/K at 100°C is not affected by lowering the sintering temperature. The figure of merit is ZT = 0.12 at 700°C for samples sintered at 1300°C; ZT = 0.08 and 0.03 were obtained for multilayer laminates sintered at 1050°C and 1000°C, respectively. A transversal multilayer thermoelectric generator (TMLTEG) was built by stacking layers of substituted CaMnO3green tapes, and printing AgPd conductor stripes onto the thermoelectric layers at an angle of 30° relative to the direction of the heat flow. The multilayer stack was co‐fired at 1000°C. The TMLTEG has a power output of 2.5 mW at ∆T= 200 K in the temperature interval of 25°C‐300°C. A meander‐like generator with larger power output comprising six TMTEGs is also presented.
Redescription and sexual dimorphism of Andaman leg‐skate Cruriraja andamanica (Chondrichthyes: Rajiformes) with comments on the zoogeography of the genus Cruriraja
Authors: Vinu J. , Rajeeshkumar M. P. , Parmeswaran U. V. , Sumod K. S. , Akhilesh K. V. , Manjebrayakath H. , Sanjeevan V. N.
Published: August 2017

This paper redescribes sexually dimorphic Cruriraja andamanica based on five juvenile (four males, one female) and four adult specimens (three males, one female) collected from Andaman waters. Morphometric comparison of the present specimens with a female specimen collected off the coast of Tanzania reveals considerable dissimilarities between them. These findings, along with the wide geographical distance between collection locations, support a need for revision of the Tanzanian specimen, which, in all probability, represents a new species in the genus. The paper also addresses zoogeography of genus Cruriraja across the world's oceans and provides a revised key to the species.
Vertical zonation and functional diversity of fish assemblages revealed by ROV videos at oil platforms in The Gulf
Authors: Torquato F. , Jensen H. M. , Range P. , Bach S. S. , Ben‐Hamadou R. , Sigsgaard E. E. , Thomsen P. F. , Møller P. R. , Riera R.
Published: August 2017

An assessment of vertical distribution, diel migration, taxonomic and functional diversity of fishes was carried out at offshore platforms in The (Arabian–Iranian–Persian) Gulf. Video footage was recorded at the Al Shaheen oil field between 2007 and 2014 using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). A total of 12 822 individual fishes, from 83 taxonomic groups were recorded around the platforms. All the species identified are considered native to The Gulf, although Cyclichthys orbicularis and Lutjanus indicus were recorded for the first time in Qatari waters. Several trends were uncovered in the vertical distribution of the fish community; most species were observed between 20 and 50 m depth and fish abundance decreased towards the bottom, with the highest abundances recorded in the upper layers, i.e. down to 40 m depth. Vertical variation in fish diversity, however, was generally not accompanied by differences in vertical movements. Carnivores and invertivores were the dominant trophic groups, being found at each depth range from surface to seabed. The functional indices showed no significant differences between water depths or diel cycles. The study demonstrates that oil platforms represent a hotspot of fish diversity and interesting sites for studying fish communities, abundance and behaviour.
Assessing and mitigating large wood‐related hazards in mountain streams: recent approaches
Authors: Mazzorana B. , Ruiz‐Villanueva V. , Marchi L. , Cavalli M. , Gems B. , Gschnitzer T. , Mao L. , Iroumé A. , Valdebenito G.
Published: August 2017

The assessment and mitigation of floods in mountain streams, when large wood (LW) is transported, pose several challenges. The process chain consisting of flood propagation, LW recruitment, entrainment, transport, and entrapment triggers, at critical sections such as bridges, unexpected and exacerbated impacts to the exposed built environment. We provide a review on the recent advances in modelling LW dynamics during extreme river floods through computational approaches. Moreover, we describe how scaled flume experiments can enhance process understanding at critical flow sections such as bridges to address risk mitigation problems. Additionally, we present a framework based on Formative Scenario Analysis (FSA) to allow for expert knowledge integration and to subsequently derive consistent hazard process scenarios in steep mountain streams where the application of computational approaches is less reliable. Finally, we discuss how the application of the presented set of assessment methods can support integral flood risk management by explicitly considering LW dynamics since the effectiveness of mitigation critically depends on the acquired process understanding.
Enhanced Performance of the Eurostat Method for Comprehensive Assessment of Urban Metabolism: A Material Flow Analysis of Amsterdam
Authors: Voskamp Ilse M. , Stremke Sven , Spiller Marc , Perrotti Daniela , van der Hoek Jan Peter , Rijnaarts Huub H. M.
Published: August 2017

Sustainable urban resource management depends essentially on a sound understanding of a city's resource flows. One established method for analyzing the urban metabolism (UM) is the Eurostat material flow analysis (MFA). However, for a comprehensive assessment of the UM, this method has its limitations. It does not account for all relevant resource flows, such as locally sourced resources, and it does not differentiate between flows that are associated with the city's resource consumption and resources that only pass through the city. This research sought to gain insights into the UM of Amsterdam by performing an MFA employing the Eurostat method. Modifications to that method were made to enhance its performance for comprehensive UM analyses. A case study of Amsterdam for the year 2012 was conducted and the results of the Eurostat and the modified Eurostat method were compared. The results show that Amsterdam's metabolism is dominated by water flows and by port‐related throughput of fossil fuels. The modified Eurostat method provides a deeper understanding of the UM than the urban Eurostat MFA attributed to three major benefits of the proposed modifications. First, the MFA presents a more complete image of the flows in the UM. Second, the modified resource classification presents findings in more detail. Third, explicating throughput flows yields a much‐improved insight into the nature of a city's imports, exports, and stock. Overall, these advancements provide a deeper understanding of the UM and make the MFA method more useful for sustainable urban resource management.
Development of postcompressional textural tests to evaluate the mechanical properties of medicated chewing gum tablets with high drug loadings
Authors: Al Hagbani Turki , Nazzal Sami
Published: August 2017

Medicated chewing gum tablets (CGTs) represent a unique platform for drug delivery. Loading directly compressible gums with high concentrations of powdered medication, however, results in compacts with hybrid properties between a chewable gum and a brittle tablet. The aim of the present study was to develop textural tests that can identify the point at which CGTs begin to behave like a solid tablet upon drug incorporation. Curcumin (CUR) CGTs made with Health in gum were prepared with increasing CUR load from 0 to 100% and were characterized for their mechanical properties by a single‐bite (knife) and a two‐bite tests. From each test several parameters were extracted and correlated with drug loading. In the single‐bite test, the change in the resistance of the compacts to plastic deformation was found to give a definitive guide on whether they behave as gums or tablets. A more in depth analysis of the impact of CUR loading on the chewability of the CGTs was provided by the two‐bite test where CUR loading was found to have a nonlinear impact on the mechanical properties of compacts. An upper limit of 10% was found to yield compacts with gum‐like properties, which were abolished at higher CUR loads. The textural test procedure outlined in this study are expected to assist those involved in the formulation of medicated gums for pharmaceutical applications in making an informed decision on the impact of drug loading on gum behavior before proceeding with clinical testing.

Practical applications

There is a growing interest in utilizing medicated chewing gums for drug delivery, especially those made using directly compressible gum bases, such as Health in gum. Directly compressing a gum base with high amounts of solid drug powder, however, poses a challenge as it may result in compressed compacts with hybrid properties between a chewing gum and a hard tablet. Currently, official Pharmacopeias do not specify a testing procedure for the estimation of the mechanical and textural properties of chewing gum tablets. To fill in the knowledge gap, we demonstrated in the present study how complementing a single‐bite (knife) test with a modified two‐bite test could be used to discriminate between chewing gums and hard tablets that were prepared by directly compressing Health in gum base with increasing concentration of curcumin powder in the blend. By utilizing these two tests, it was possible to identify clear demarcations between conventional tablets and chewing gums. In this study, we found that a 10% load by weight is the upper limit for curcumin loading in a binary blend with Health in gum to maintain the mastication properties of the compacts, which become brittle tablets at 30% load.
Vascular plant diversity structures bryophyte colonization in experimental grassland
Authors: Fergus Alexander J.F. , Gerighausen Uta , Roscher Christiane
Published: August 2017

Questions

Numerous grassland biodiversity experiments have explored how plant diversity influences colonization by vascular plants, but no such studies have examined how sown vascular plant diversity structures colonization by bryophytes, which can contribute greatly to grassland diversity.

Location

Grassland biodiversity experiment (Jena Experiment), Germany.

Methods

We studied bryophyte composition in experimental grasslands encompassing a gradient of vascular plant species richness (1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 60 species), functional group richness and composition (one to four; grasses, legumes, tall herbs, small herbs) as well as in additional bare ground and spontaneously colonized plots and semi‐natural control meadows.

Results

Increasing vascular plant species richness and functional group richness as well as the presence of legume species decreased bryophyte species richness and increased the spatial variability of this richness. Bryophyte species richness and cover responded positively to grass presence, which also decreased the spatial variability of both. The proportion of acrocarpous species was largest in bare ground plots and decreased with increasing vascular plant species richness and with grass and legume presence. Non‐metric multidimensional scaling revealed that bryophyte species composition followed the gradient in sown vascular plant species richness and was dependent on grass and legume presence. The effect of plant diversity on bryophytes was only partly attributable to increased vascular plant species cover. Bryophyte habitat indicator values suggested that conditions in communities of higher vascular plant diversity that included grasses were more shady, moist and nutrient‐rich than in communities with lower vascular plant diversity and without grasses, whereas bryophyte assemblages in communities with legumes indicated well‐lit nutrient‐rich conditions. Even after 6 yr, bryophyte species richness and cover was considerably lower in experimental grasslands than in semi‐natural meadows, suggesting a role for dispersal limitation or habitat filtering.

Conclusions

Our study shows that bryophyte colonization is not random, rather it is structured by vascular plant species diversity and composition. Not all components of a plant community respond positively to increased vascular plant diversity and advocating increased richness of one taxonomic group over another in grassland may reduce net species diversity.
The association of breastfeeding with insulin resistance at 17 years: Prospective observations from Hong Kong's “Children of 1997” birth cohort
Authors: Hui Lai Ling , Kwok Man Ki , Nelson E. Anthony S. , Lee So Lun , Leung Gabriel M. , Schooling C. Mary
Published: August 2017

Breastfeeding has many benefits for mother and infant. Whether breastfeeding also protects against type 2 diabetes is unclear. To clarify the role of breastfeeding in type 2 diabetes, we assessed the association of breastfeeding with insulin resistance in late adolescence in a birth cohort from a non‐Western setting where breastfeeding was not associated with higher socio‐economic position. We used multivariable linear regression, with multiple imputation and inverse probability weighting, to examine the adjusted associations of contemporaneously reported feeding in the first 3 months of life (exclusively breastfed, mixed feeding, or always formula‐fed) with fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) at 17 years in a subset (n = 710, 8.6% of entire cohort) of the Hong Kong Chinese birth cohort “Children of 1997.” We found a graded association of breastfeeding exclusivity in the first 3 months of life with lower fasting insulin and HOMA‐IR (p‐for‐trend < .05), but not fasting glucose, at 17 years. Exclusively breastfed adolescents (7%) had nonsignificantly lowest fasting insulin and HOMA‐IR, adjusted for sex, birth weight, parity, length of gestation, pregnancy characteristics, parents' education, and mother's place of birth. Exclusively breastfeeding for 3 months may be causally associated with lower insulin resistance in late adolescence. Further follow‐up studies into adulthood are required to clarify the long‐term protection of breastfeeding from type 2 diabetes.
Reversed Asymmetry in Japan's and Korea's FTAs: TPP and Beyond
Authors: Choi Byung‐il , Oh Jennifer Sejin
Published: August 2017

This paper examines recent reversals and divergences in Japan's and Korea's free‐trade agreement (FTA) patterns and strategies through the cases of the Trans‐Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, the Japan–Australia FTA, and the Korea–China FTA. Throughout the 2000s, South Korea was much more proactive in pursuing FTAs with major trade partners and agricultural exporters compared to Japan. Departing from its past FTA practices, however, Japan recently concluded the Japan–Australia FTA and the TPP negotiations, which include substantial liberalization of Japan's politically sensitive and heavily protected agricultural sector. In contrast, Korea has increasingly been taking a more protective stance in its recent FTAs and has been hesitant to join the TPP negotiations. This paper argues that changes in Japan's and Korea's domestic trade governance – in other words the institutions of trade policy‐making that encompass the authority structure, decision‐making processes, and coordinating mechanisms among various societal and political actors – explain Japan's and Korea's shifting FTA patterns and strategies.
The Rise of the Chinese Navy: A Tirpitzian Perspective of Sea Power and International Relations
Authors: Connolly Daniel
Published: August 2017

Western commentators often view the emergence of a modernizing Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) through the theoretical lens of Alfred Thayer Mahan, an influential 19th century American naval theorist who advocated an imperialistic brand of sea power modeled on the British example. This approach, however, risks painting a misleading picture of China's naval ambitions because it is based on a hegemonic theory of naval power that most regional powers cannot realistically follow. Instead, this article turns to the writings of Alfred von Tirpitz, the architect of the short‐lived German battle fleet that unsuccessfully challenged British naval dominance during World War I. Applying his ideas about naval power and hegemony to East Asia's strategic context is a useful heuristic device for revealing key logics behind three facets of US–Chinese naval rivalry: (i) China's anxieties over access to markets; (ii) the importance of alliance value; and (iii) the fiscal, operational, and technological dynamics that shape naval arms races between a hegemon and its weaker regional contender. In all three cases, the application of non‐hegemonic naval theory raises important questions about the sustainability and justice of current US naval strategy in the Western Pacific while simultaneously laying bare the major pitfalls of China's current trajectory.
Phosphite: a novel P fertilizer for weed management and pathogen control
Authors: Achary V. Mohan M. , Ram Babu , Manna Mrinalini , Datta Dipanwita , Bhatt Arun , Reddy Malireddy K. , Agrawal Pawan K.
Published: August 2017

The availability of orthophosphate (Pi) is a key determinant of crop productivity because its accessibility to plants is poor due to its conversion to unavailable forms. Weed's competition for this essential macronutrient further reduces its bio‐availability. To compensate for the low Pi use efficiency and address the weed hazard, excess Pi fertilizers and herbicides are routinely applied, resulting in increased production costs, soil degradation and eutrophication. These outcomes necessitate the identification of a suitable alternate technology that can address the problems associated with the overuse of Pi‐based fertilizers and herbicides in agriculture. The present review focuses on phosphite (Phi) as a novel molecule for its utility as a fertilizer, herbicide, biostimulant and biocide in modern agriculture. The use of Phi‐based fertilization will help to reduce the consumption of Pi fertilizers and facilitate weed and pathogen control using the same molecule, thereby providing significant advantages over current orthophosphate‐based fertilization.
Are objective chances compatible with determinism?
Authors: Bradley Seamus
Published: August 2017

We review the question of whether objective chances are compatible with determinism. We first outline what we mean by chance and what we mean by determinism. We then look at the alleged incompatibility between those concepts. Finally, we look at some ways that one might attempt to overcome the incompatibility.
The meaning of generics
Authors: Sterken Rachel Katharine
Published: August 2017

This article discusses recent theories of the meaning of generics. The discussion is centred on how the theories differ in their approach to addressing the primary difficulty in providing a theory of generic meaning: The notoriously complex ways in which the truth conditions of generics seem to vary. In addition, the article summarizes considerations for and against each theory.
Dispositional accounts of abilities
Authors: Vetter Barbara , Jaster Romy
Published: August 2017

This paper explores the prospects for dispositional accounts of abilities. According to so‐called new dispositionalists, an agent has the ability to Φ iff they have a disposition to Φ when trying (or being otherwise properly motivated) to Φ. We show that the new dispositionalism is beset by some problems that also beset its predecessor, the conditional analysis of abilities, and bring up some further problems. We then turn to a different approach, which links abilities not to motivational states but to the notion of success, and consider ways of implementing that approach. Our results suggest that there are principled disanalogies between abilities and disposition which prevent any dispositional account of abilities from succeeding.
Exporters in cross‐section: Direct versus intermediated trade
Authors: Wang Qianqian , Gibson Mark J.
Published: August 2017

How do producers that export their goods directly differ from those that export through trade intermediaries? We take a standard model of trade with heterogeneous firms and add heterogeneity in quality to the usual heterogeneity in productivity. Modeling trade intermediaries as increasing marginal costs but decreasing fixed costs of exporting, we find that only firms with the highest quality‐adjusted productivity levels choose to export directly. Under certain parameter restrictions, the model shows that direct exporters tend to be larger and charge higher prices for their goods. In contrast to the literature, using Chinese customs data, we confirm that direct exporters do charge higher prices for their goods.
Ukrainian Euromaidan protest: Dynamics, causes, and aftermath
Authors: Zelinska Olga
Published: August 2017

In 2013–2014, Ukraine experienced an extraordinary episode of contentious politics, later called Maidan, Euromaidan, or the Revolution of Dignity. It was triggered by the government's refusal to sign the Association Agreement with the European Union, and grew into a nation‐wide social movement that demanded respect for human rights, a change of the political regime, and an end to endemic corruption. Protesters both in the capital and in the regions demanded deeper democracy and justice over the perceived harmful actions of the government. Following the unprecedented use of violence, leaving nearly a hundred dead, Euromaidan resulted in a change in the political regime, a return to pro‐European foreign policy, and an Antimaidan counter‐movement. Reacting to Kyiv events, Russia annexed Ukrainian Crimea and fueled a military conflict in eastern Ukraine. This article presents a short history of Euromaidan and a survey of the growing literature that has examined its conditions, dynamics, and outcomes.
Major structural genomic alterations can be associated with hybrid speciation inAegilops markgrafii(Triticeae)
Authors: Danilova Tatiana V. , Akhunova Alina R. , Akhunov Eduard D. , Friebe Bernd , Gill Bikram S.
Published: August 2017

During evolutionary history many grasses from the tribe Triticeae have undergone interspecific hybridization, resulting in allopolyploidy; whereas homoploid hybrid speciation was found only in rye. Homoeologous chromosomes within the Triticeae preserved cross‐species macrocolinearity, except for a few species with rearranged genomes.Aegilops markgrafii, a diploid wild relative of wheat (2n = 2x = 14), has a highly asymmetrical karyotype that is indicative of chromosome rearrangements. Molecular cytogenetics and next‐generation sequencing were used to explore the genome organization. Fluorescencein situhybridization with a set of wheatcDNAs allowed the macrostructure and cross‐genome homoeology of theAe. markgrafiichromosomes to be established. Two chromosomes maintained colinearity, whereas the remaining were highly rearranged as a result of inversions and inter‐ and intrachromosomal translocations. We used sets of barley and wheat orthologous gene sequences to compare discrete parts of theAe. markgrafiigenome involved in the rearrangements. Analysis of sequence identity profiles and phylogenic relationships grouped chromosome blocks into two distinct clusters. Chromosome painting revealed the distribution of transposable elements and differentiated chromosome blocks into two groups consistent with the sequence analyses. These data suggest that introgressive hybridization accompanied by gross chromosome rearrangements might have had an impact on karyotype evolution and homoploid speciation inAe. markgrafii.
Determination Metacognitive Awareness of Physical Education Teachers
Authors: Aktağ Işıl , Şemşek Önder , Tuzcuoğlu Soner
Published: August 2017

In this study metacognitive awareness of physical education teachers were investigated. A total of 537 physical education teachers were participated. Data were collected by a survey which was developed by Schraw and Dennison (1994) translated to Turkish by Akın, Abacı and Çetin (2007). The mean of the metacognitive awareness level of physical education teachers is found to be 205.44. A significant difference of metacognitive awareness level in between female and male teachers was recognized. The study showed that the metacognitive awareness level of teachers did not change according to teaching experience except in planning sub-dimension.
Lithium-Ion Capacitor: Analysis of Thermal Behavior and Development of Three-Dimensional Thermal Model
Authors: Berckmans Gert , Ronsmans Jan , Jaguemont Joris , Samba Ahmadou , Omar Noshin , Hegazy Omar , Soltani Mahdi , Firouz Yousef , van den Bossche Peter , Van Mierlo Joeri
Published: August 2017

The large push for more environmental energy storage solutions for the automotive industry by different actors has led to the usage of lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) combining the features of both lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and electric-double layer capacitors (EDLCs). In this paper, the thermal behavior of two types of advanced LICs has been thoroughly studied and analyzed by developing a three-dimensional (3D) thermal model in COMSOL Multiphysics®. Such an extensive and accurate thermal 3D has not been fully addressed in literature, which is a key building block for designing battery packs with an adequate thermal management. After an extensive measurement campaign, the high accuracy of the developed model in this paper is proven for two types of LICs, the 3300 F and the 2300 F. An error between the simulation and measurements is maximum 2 °C. This 3D model has been developed to gain insight in the thermal behavior of LICs, which is necessary to develop a thermal management system, which can ensure the safe operation of LICs when used in modules or packs.
Prediction of Cavitation Inception Within Regions of Flow Separation
Authors: Amromin Eduard
Published: August 2017

Cavitation within regions of flow separation appears in drifting vortices. A two-part computational method is employed for prediction of cavitation inception number there. The first part is an analysis of the average flow in separation regions without consideration of an impact of vortices. The second part is an analysis of equilibrium of the bubble within the core of a vortex located in the turbulent flow of known average characteristics. Computed cavitation inception numbers for axisymmetric flows are in the good agreement with the known experimental data.
Double-mode lateral-field-excitation bulk acoustic wave characteristics of Ca3TaGa3Si2O14 crystals
Authors: Ma Tingfeng , Zhang Qiong , Yu Fapeng , Xie Chao , Wang Ji , Du Jianke , Huang Bin , Huang Jiahan , Zhang Chao
Published: August 2017

The double-mode lateral-field-excitation (LFE) bulk acoustic wave characteristics of Ca3TaGa3Si2O14 (CTGS) crystals are investigated. It is found that LFE devices based on (yxl)-57° CTGS crystals can work on both pure-LFE and pseudo-LFE modes when the driving electric field direction is normal to the crystallographic x axis of the piezoelectric substrate. Several double-mode LFE bulk acoustic wave devices based on CTGS crystals are designed and tested. The experimental results conform to the theoretical prediction well. Being able to operate in pure-LFE and pseudo-LFE modes, the double-mode LFE sensors show high sensitivity to both mechanical and electrical property changes of analytes. The results provide the crystal cut for double-mode LFE sensors, which is a critical basis of designing high-performance chemical and biological sensors by using double-mode LFE devices.
Complete Genome Sequence of a New Maize-Associated Cytorhabdovirus
Authors: Willie Kristen , Stewart Lucy R.
Published: August 2017

A new 11,877-nucleotide cytorhabdovirus sequence with 6 open reading frames has been identified in a maize sample. It shares 50 and 51% genome-wide nucleotide sequence identity with northern cereal mosaic cytorhabdovirus and barley yellow striate mosaic cytorhabdovirus, respectively.
Genome Sequences of Brucella melitensis, Isolated from Blood Samples of Brucellosis Patients in Malaysia
Authors: Mohamed Zahidi Jama’ayah , Ahmad Norazah , Tay Bee Yong , Hashim Rohaidah , Khoo Evie , Ahmad Nurizan , Yee Chung Yan , Dolhan Nur Qhaledaziea
Published: August 2017

Human brucellosis is a neglected zoonotic disease and has widespread geographical distribution.
Brucella melitensis
has caused outbreaks and sporadic cases in Malaysia. Here, we present the whole-genome sequences of four
B. melitensis
strains isolated from brucellosis patients in Malaysia.
Bacillus cereus Group Bacteriophage Flapjack Genome Sequence
Authors: Erill Ivan , Caruso Steven M.
Published: August 2017

The
Bacillus cereus
group bacteriophage Flapjack, a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA)
Myoviridae
isolate collected from soil collected in Washington, DC, is a member of cluster C3 and encodes an intramolecular chaperone-containing tail fiber protein previously found in
Podoviridae
and
Siphoviridae
but not annotated in the
Myoviridae
.
Draft Genome Sequences of the Multiresistant Escherichia coli C20 Strain, Isolated from Domestic Chicken Gut Microbiota
Authors: Tian Rong-Chuan , Huang Wei
Published: August 2017

Escherichia coli
C20, isolated from domestic chicken gut microbiota, demonstrated multidrug resistance to the tested antibiotics. Here, we present the draft genomic sequences of
E. coli
C20, along with that of its plasmid. The final assembly yielded a chromosome of 4,640,940 bp and plasmid of 277,380 bp, with average coverages of 146.95-fold and 35.63-fold, respectively.
Draft Genome Sequences of Bacillus subtilis Strain DKU_NT_01 Isolated from Traditional Korean Food Containing Soybean (Chung-gook-jang)
Authors: Bang Man-Seok , Jeong Hee-Won , Lee Yea-Jin , Oh Ha-Yeong , Lee Su Ji , Shim Moon-soo , Shin Jang-in , Oh Chung-Hun
Published: August 2017

Here, we report the whole-genome sequence of
Bacillus subtilis
strain DKU_NT_01 isolated from traditional Korean food containing soybean (chung-gook-jang). The
de novo
genome of
Bacillus subtilis
strain DKU_NT_01 has one contig and G+C content of 55.4%, is 4,954,264 bp in length, and contains 5,011 coding sequences (CDSs).
Complete Genome Sequence of
Dengue virus
Type 2 from a Resident of North-Central Florida with Locally Transmitted Dengue Fever
Authors: White Sarah K. , Iovine Nicole M. , Nickels L. Connor , Morris J. Glenn , Lednicky John A.
Published: August 2017

The majority of dengue fever cases reported in the United States recently have been imported. We isolated dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) from a North-Central Florida resident with locally acquired dengue fever in May 2016. This is the first evidence of autochthonous transmission of the virus in north-central Florida.
Health and economic benefits of reducing sugar intake in the USA, including effects via non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a microsimulation model
Authors: Vreman Rick A , Goodell Alex J , Rodriguez Luis A , Porco Travis C , Lustig Robert H , Kahn James G
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Excessive consumption of added sugars in the human diet has been associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), coronary heart disease (CHD) and other elements of the metabolic syndrome. Recent studies have shown that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a critical pathway to metabolic syndrome. This model assesses the health and economic benefits of interventions aimed at reducing intake of added sugars.

Methods

Using data from US National Health Surveys and current literature, we simulated an open cohort, for the period 2015–2035. We constructed a microsimulation model with Markov chains for NAFLD (including steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)), body mass index, T2D and CHD. We assessed reductions in population disease prevalence, disease-attributable disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and costs, with interventions that reduce added sugars consumption by either 20% or 50%.

Findings

The model estimated that a 20% reduction in added sugars intake will reduce prevalence of hepatic steatosis, NASH, cirrhosis, HCC, obesity, T2D and CHD. Incidence of T2D and CHD would be expected to decrease by 19.9 (95% CI 12.8 to 27.0) and 9.4 (95% CI 3.1 to 15.8) cases per 100 000 people after 20 years, respectively. A 20% reduction in consumption is also projected to annually avert 0.767 million (M) DALYs (95% CI 0.757M to 0.777M) and a total of US$10.3 billion (B) (95% CI 10.2B to 10.4B) in discounted direct medical costs by 2035. These effects increased proportionally when added sugars intake were reduced by 50%.

Conclusions

The decrease in incidence and prevalence of disease is similar to results in other models, but averted costs and DALYs were higher, mainly due to inclusion of NAFLD and CHD. The model suggests that efforts to reduce consumption of added sugars may result in significant public health and economic benefits.
The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale; translation and validation of the Dutch language version for ankle fractures
Authors: de Boer A Siebe , Tjioe Roderik J C , Van der Sijde Fleur , Meuffels Duncan E , den Hoed Pieter T , Van der Vlies Cornelis H , Tuinebreijer Wim E , Verhofstad Michael H J , Van Lieshout Esther M M
Published: August 2017

Objectives

The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale is among the most commonly used instruments for measuring outcome of treatment in patients who sustained a complex ankle or hindfoot injury. It consists of a patient-reported and a physician-reported part. A validated, Dutch version of this instrument is currently not available. The aim of this study was to translate the instrument into Dutch and to determine the measurement properties of the AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale Dutch language version (DLV) in patients with a unilateral ankle fracture.

Setting

Multicentre (two Dutch hospitals), prospective observational study.

Participants

In total, 142 patients with a unilateral ankle fracture were included. Ten patients were lost to follow-up.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Patients completed the subjective (patient-reported) part of the AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale-DLV. A physician or trained physician-assistant completed the physician-reported part. For comparison and evaluation of the measuring characteristics, the Foot Function Index and the Short Form-36 were completed by the patient. Descriptive statistics (including floor and ceiling effects), reliability (ie, internal consistency), construct validity, reproducibility (ie, test–retest reliability, agreement and smallest detectable change) and responsiveness were determined.

Results

The AOFAS-DLV and its subscales showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α >0.90). Construct validity and longitudinal validity were proven to be adequate (76.5% of predefined hypotheses were confirmed). Floor effects were not present. Ceiling effects were present from 6 months onwards, as expected. Responsiveness was adequate, with a smallest detectable change of 12.0 points.

Conclusions

The AOFAS-DLV is a reliable, valid and responsive measurement instrument for evaluating functional outcome in patients with a unilateral ankle fracture. This implies that the questionnaire is suitable to compare different treatment modalities within this population or to compare outcome across hospitals.

Trial registration

The Netherlands Trial Register (NTR5613; 05-jan-2016).
Development of autoimmune pancreatitis is independent of CDKN1A/p21-mediated pancreatic inflammation
Authors: Seleznik Gitta M , Reding Theresia , Peter Lukas , Gupta Anurag , Steiner Sabrina G , Sonda Sabrina , Verbeke Caroline S , Dejardin Emmanuel , Khatkov Igor , Segerer Stephan , Heikenwalder Mathias , Graf Rolf
Published: August 2017

Objective

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) and autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) are characterised by different inflammatory processes. If pancreatic inflammation is a prerequisite for autoimmunity is still unclear. AIP is considered mostly a T cell-mediated disease; however, in induction of CP, macrophages play a pivotal role. p21—a member of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors—can influence inflammatory processes, in particular can regulate T cell activation and promote macrophage development. We therefore examined the role of p21-mediated inflammation in AIP.

Design

We intercrossed lymphotoxin (LT) overexpressing mice (Tg(Ela1-LTa,b))—a model to study AIP development—with p21-deficient mice. Furthermore, we characterised p21 expression in human AIP and non-AIP specimens.

Results

p21 deficiency in LT mice (LTp21−/−) prevented early pancreatic injury and reduced inflammation. In acinar cells, diminished proliferation and abrogated activation of non-canonical nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell (NF-κB) pathway was observed. In contrast, 12-month-old LT mice with and without p21 had similar inflammatory signatures and T–B cell infiltration. Interestingly, LT and LTp21−/−mice had comparable tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs), autoantibodies and elevated IgG levels. However, acinar cell proliferation, acinar-to-ductal metaplasia and acinar non-canonical NF-κB pathway activation remained impaired in LTp21−/−pancreata.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that p21 is crucial for pancreatic inflammation in LT-driven pancreatic injury. p21 is involved in early acinar secretion of inflammatory mediators that attract innate immune cells. However, p21 is not essential for humoral immune response, accountable for autoimmunity. Remarkably, p21 renders acinar cells less susceptible to proliferation and transdifferentiation. We therefore suggest that AIP can also develop independent of chronic inflammatory processes.
Generating a city’s first report on bicyclist safety: lessons from the field
Authors: Lopez Dahianna S , Hemenway David
Published: August 2017

Background

For cities aiming to create a useful surveillance system for bicycle injuries, a common challenge is that city crash reporting is scattered, faulty or non-existent. We document some of the lessons we learnt in helping the city of Boston, Massachusetts, USA, do the following: (1) Create a prototype for a comprehensive police crash data set (2) Produce the city’s first cyclist safety report, (3) Make crash data available to the public and (4) Generate policy recommendations for both specific roadside improvements and for sustainable changes to the police department’s crash reporting database.

Methods

We provided research and technical assistance to government partners to generate the report and used participant-observation field notes to generate the list of learnt lessons.

Results

After the release of the report, the city implemented immediate activities aimed at making an effort to prevent injuries, including: (1) Furnishing over 1800 taxis with stickers to prevent ‘dooring,’ (2) Adding pavement markings at trolley tracks to decrease the likelihood that cyclists would fall from getting their wheels lodged in the tracks, (3) Conducting targeted enforcement of traffic laws and (4) Working directly with state and federal agencies to fund a more comprehensive surveillance system. As of January of 2017, nearly 4 years after its public release, 19 170 users have viewed the crash data set 23 247 times. Some of the lessons include finding and using committed champions, prioritising the use of existing data, creating opportunities to bridge divisions between stakeholders, partnering with local universities for assistance with advanced analytics and using deliverables, such as a cyclist safety report, to advocate for sustainability.

Conclusion

Providing an initial report on bicycle crashes in Boston served to identify specific problems, showed the value of a data system, and provided a blueprint for an improved data system. Building a useful surveillance system depends in no small part on the wise use of advocacy, group dynamics, and politics. Our hope is that the lessons learnt from our experience in Boston can help others do even better.
Minimal alteration in muscle lipid genes following stabilized weight loss
Authors: Coker Robert H. , Robinette Leizleigh , Kern Philip A.
Published: August 2017

Variations in skeletal muscle peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), carntine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1), perilipin protein 2 (PLIN2), and adipose tissue triglyceride lipase (ATGL), and comparative gene identification-58 (CGI-58) have been described as playing important roles in the metabolic regulation of lipid oxidation, and may influence intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) and muscle lipid droplet size (LDS). While acute changes in caloric balance and/or aerobic capacity may affect lipid metabolism, the influence of sustained weight loss derived from caloric restriction with weight loss (CWL) compared with exercise training with weight loss (EWL) on the abovementioned parameters has not been fully elucidated. Using a combination of metabolic feeding and/or supervised exercise training, we evaluated the influence of stabilized weight loss elicited by CWL compared with EWL without the confounding influence of acute alterations in caloric balance on molecular markers of mitochondrial metabolism and lipid droplet size in middle-aged overweight individuals with impaired glucose tolerance. There were no significant changes in PGC-1α, CPT-1, PLIN2, ATGL and, CGI-58 messenger RNA (mRNA) in CWL and EWL. While there were no changes in ATGL mRNA in CWL, there was a strong trend (P = 0.05) for the ΔATGL mRNA in EWL with stabilized weight loss. There were no significant changes in IMCL or LDS within skeletal muscle in CWL or EWL, respectively. In conclusion, under the conditions of chronic caloric balance following dietary or exercise-based interventions, mediators of mitochondrial function, IMCL and LDS, were largely unaffected. Future studies should focus on intervention-based changes in protein expression and/or phosphorylation and the relationship to physiological endpoints.
Non-tuberculous Mycobacterium or Fungus Induced Chronic Tenosynovitis with Rice Body of the Hand
Authors: Yamamoto Daiki , Tada Kaoru , Suganuma Seigo , Ikeda Kazuo , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki
Published: August 2017

Background: Chronic tenosynovitis of the wrist and hand is commonly seen by orthopedists, especially hand surgeons. However, cases with rice body formation are comparatively rare. Thus, we retrospectively reviewed the cases of chronic tenosynovitis in our department and evaluated the necessity of antibiotic therapy in the early post-surgical stage.

Methods: We analyzed the medical and surgical records of patients who had undergone surgery for chronic tenosynovitis with rice body formation in our department from 1997 to 2015. We evaluated the causes of chronic tenosynovitis, culture findings, pathological findings, and post-operative treatment courses.

Results: Nineteen patients with 23 involved hands underwent surgery for chronic tenosynovitis, and 9 patients had rice body formation. The most common cause of chronic tenosynovitis was non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis, and other causes were fungal infection and infection of unknown origin. Recurrence was observed in 2 cases of mycobacteriosis and 1 case of fungal infection; 1 case of mycobacteriosis also had a re-recurrence.

Conclusions: In the diagnosis of chronic tenosynovitis with rice body formation, it is necessary to consider not only non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis, but also fungal infection as its origin. However, it is difficult to define the cause of synovitis, but in cases in which these infections are suspected, anti-bacterial therapy in the early post-surgical period could be effective.
Severe Destructive Tendinopathy in the Wrist Due to Dialysis-Related Amyloidosis
Authors: Kim Dongmin , Choi In Cheul , Park Jong Woong
Published: August 2017

Dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA) is a specific subtype of amyloidosis with several clinical presentations. Herein we report a case of severe destructive tendinopathy around the wrist associated with long-standing hemodialysis (HD). A 63-year-old female patient who had been on regular HD for 23 years suffered from symptoms of pain and a palpable mass around the wrist. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an ill-defined soft tissue mass around the extensor tendons that partially invaded the wrist joint. We performed surgical excision and tenolysis for the mass. The operative finding revealed an ill-defined yellowish soft tissue mass extensively invading the extensor tendons and wrist joint. The tendon fibers were severely fibrillated and showed impending rupture due to the infiltrated mass. Histological examination showed DRA. Amyloidosis-induced tendinopathy should be considered when a patient on long-term HD complains of an unusual mass-like lesion in the extremity and/or nonspecific joint stiffness. Early surgical intervention improves patient’s disability and decreases the risk of spontaneous tendon rupture.
Ulnar Neuropathy due to Volar/Ulnar Displacement of the Flexor Tendons after Open Carpal Tunnel Release: Case Report
Authors: Tanabe Katsuhisa , Miyamoto Nao
Published: August 2017

Ulnar nerve neuropathy is a rare complication following the carpal tunnel release. Above all, compression neuropathy is much rare. We report an acute ulnar nerve neuropathy following open carpal tunnel release due to the volar and ulnar displacement of the flexor tendons from the carpal tunnel and review the literature.
A Case of Non-Union of Ulna Fracture Managed with Tibial Strut Cortico-Cancellous Bone Grafting in a Paediatric Patient
Authors: Looi Collin S.K. , S.A. Roohi , Gill Ranjit Singh
Published: August 2017

Forearm fractures in children complicated with non-union are uncommon. Various methods have previously been reported to manage this condition. Well documented techniques would include iliac crest grafting, cancellous insert grafting, ulnar segment grafting, cortical tibial grafting, vascularized fibular grafting and bone transport by ring fixation. The authors present a case of a child with an atrophic non-union of the ulna who was successfully treated with a cortico-cancellous tibial strut bone graft.
An extracting method of movie genre similarity using aspect-based approach in social media
Authors: Han Youngsub , Kim Yanggon
Published: August 2017

In the movie industry, a movie recommendation is a manner of advertisement or promotion. To recommend movies, we used movie reviews and YouTube comments because user-generated data containing people's opinions. To analyze the data, we used MSP model, which is one of aspect-based approaches and it guarantees relatively higher accuracy than existing approaches. To discover a genre similarity, we proposed two methods, which are "TDF-IDF" and "Genre Score". The "TDF-IDF" is designed to extract genre specific keywords and the "Genre Score" indicates a degree of correlation between a movie and genres. Then, the system recommends movies based on results of K-means and K-NN.