bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Large‐scale prerain vegetation green‐up across Africa
Authors: Adole Tracy , Dash Jadunandan , Atkinson Peter M.
Published: May 2018

Information on the response of vegetation to different environmental drivers, including rainfall, forms a critical input to ecosystem models. Currently, such models are run based on parameters that, in some cases, are either assumed or lack supporting evidence (e.g., that vegetation growth across Africa is rainfall‐driven). A limited number of studies have reported that the onset of rain across Africa does not fully explain the onset of vegetation growth, for example, drawing on the observation of prerain flush effects in some parts of Africa. The spatial extent of this prerain green‐up effect, however, remains unknown, leaving a large gap in our understanding that may bias ecosystem modelling. This paper provides the most comprehensive spatial assessment to‐date of the magnitude and frequency of the different patterns of phenology response to rainfall across Africa and for different vegetation types. To define the relations between phenology and rainfall, we investigated the spatial variation in the difference, in number of days, between the start of rainy season (SRS) and start of vegetation growing season (SOS); and between the end of rainy season (ERS) and end of vegetation growing season (EOS). We reveal a much more extensive spread of prerain green‐up over Africa than previously reported, with prerain green‐up being the norm rather than the exception. We also show the relative sparsity of postrain green‐up, confined largely to the Sudano‐Sahel region. While the prerain green‐up phenomenon is well documented, its large spatial extent was not anticipated. Our results, thus, contrast with the widely held view that rainfall drives the onset and end of the vegetation growing season across Africa. Our findings point to a much more nuanced role of rainfall in Africa's vegetation growth cycle than previously thought, specifically as one of a set of several drivers, with important implications for ecosystem modelling.
Coastal ecosystems on a tipping point: Global warming and parasitism combine to alter community structure and function
Authors: Mouritsen Kim N. , Sørensen Mikkel M. , Poulin Robert , Fredensborg Brian L.
Published: May 2018

Mounting evidence suggests that the transmission of certain parasites is facilitated by increasing temperatures, causing their host population to decline. However, no study has yet addressed how temperature and parasitism may combine to shape the functional structure of a whole host community in the face of global warming. Here, we apply an outdoor mesocosm approach supported by field surveys to elucidate this question in a diverse intertidal community of amphipods infected by the pathogenic microphallid trematode,Maritrema novaezealandensis. Under present temperature (17°C) and level of parasitism, the parasite had little impact on the host community. However, elevating the temperature to 21°C in the presence of parasites induced massive structural changes: amphipod abundances decreased species‐specifically, affecting epibenthic species but leaving infaunal species largely untouched. In effect, species diversity dropped significantly. In contrast, four degree higher temperatures in the absence of parasitism had limited influence on the amphipod community. Further elevating temperatures (19–25°C) and parasitism, simulating a prolonged heat‐wave scenario, resulted in an almost complete parasite‐induced extermination of the amphipod community at 25°C. In addition, at 19°C, just two degrees above the present average, a similar temperature–parasite synergistic impact on community structure emerged as seen at 21°C under lower parasite pressure. The heat‐wave temperature of 25°C per se affected the amphipod community in a comparable way: species diversity declined and the infaunal species were favoured at the expense of epibenthic species. Our experimental findings are corroborated by field data demonstrating a strong negative relationship between current amphipod species richness and the level ofMaritremaparasitism across 12 sites. Hence, owing to the synergistic impact of temperature and parasitism, our study predicts that coastal amphipod communities will deteriorate in terms of abundance and diversity in face of anticipated global warming, functionally changing them to be dominated by infaunal species.
A simple and cost‐efficient adherent culture platform for human gastric primary cells, as an in vitro model for Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Saberi Samaneh , Pournasr Behshad , Farzaneh Zahra , Esmaeili Maryam , Hosseini Mahmoud Eshagh , Baharvand Hossein , Mohammadi Marjan
Published: May 2018

Background

Most two‐ dimensional in vitro models for studying host‐ H. pylori interactions rely on tumor‐derived cell lines, which harbor malignant alterations. The recent development of human gastric organoids has overcome this limitation and provides a highly sophisticated, yet costly, short‐term model for H. pylori infection, with restricted use in low‐budget centers.

Method

Tissue specimens from upper, middle, and lower stomachs of H. pylori‐negative volunteers were collectively dispersed and cultured on mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) or collagen‐coated plates. Gastric primary cells (GPCs) were evaluated by light microscopy, immunostaining, qRT‐PCR and ELISA analysis of cellular secretions, before and after H. pylori infection.

Results

The formation and long‐term (up to 1 year) maintenance of GPCs was highly dependent on adherent inactivated MEF cells, cultured in enriched media. These cells were multipassageable and able to undergo stable freezer storage and subsequent revival. The cellular composition of GPCs included the combination of cytokeratin 18 (CK18) and E‐cadherin (E‐cad)‐positive epithelial cells, MUC5AC‐positive gastric cells, and leucine‐rich repeat containing G protein‐coupled receptor 5 (LGR5)‐positive progenitor cells. These cells produced significant amounts of gastric pepsinogens I and II. GPCs also allowed for extended (up to 96 hours) H. pylori infection, during which they underwent morphological alterations (cellular vacuolation and elongation) and hyperproduction of gastric pepsinogens and inflammatory cytokines (IL‐8 and TNF‐α).

Conclusion

We, hereby, present a simple, consistent, and cost‐efficient gastric cell culture system, which provides a suitable model for extended in vitro infection of H. pylori. This platform can be employed for a variety of gastric‐related research.
Prognostic pathological factors in radical cystectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Brimo Fadi , Downes Michelle R , Jamaspishvili Tamara , Berman David , Barkan Guliz A , Athanazio Daniel , Abro Schuharazad , Visram Kash , Yilmaz Asli , Solanki Shraddha , Hahn Elan , Siemens Robert , Kassouf Wassim , Trpkov Kiril
Published: May 2018

Aims

We undertook a systematic evaluation of the prognostic value of numerous histological factors in 165 radical cystectomies (RCs) of patients with invasive urothelial carcinoma (UC) who underwent surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

Methods and Results

Tumour regression grade (TRG) and therapy‐related stromal and epithelial changes were also recorded. Locally advanced disease (≥pT2 and/or pN+) was present in 64% of patients, 22% had no evidence of residual carcinoma (pT0 + pN0), and 28% had no evidence of residual muscle‐invasive carcinoma (≤pT1 + N0). TRG1, TRG2 and TRG3 were found in 32%, 15% and 50% of patients, respectively. Histological variants of UC were reported in 25% of cases. The most common therapy‐related stromal change was fibroblastic reaction (78%), and the most common epithelial change in residual UC was smudgy and poorly preserved chromatin (28%). Prominent stromal and epithelial changes were noted in 41% and 5% of RCs, respectively. Progression was found in 45% of patients, and cancer‐related deaths occurred in 30%. Multivariate analysis showed that the only independent prognostic parameters for progression were T stage, N stage, lymphovascular invasion, and margin status. Similarly, only T stage, N stage and margin status correlated with cancer‐related deaths. Neither TRG nor any of the stromal‐related or epithelial‐related variables correlated with outcome.

Conclusions

We confirm that the traditional and routinely reported histological parameters in RC post‐NAC remain the most powerful prognosticators of disease course. The significance of TRG in the bladder remains unconfirmed.
Mucosal microflora in head and neck cancer patients
Authors: Almståhl A , Finizia C , Carlén A , Fagerberg‐Mohlin B , Alstad T
Published: May 2018

Objective

To analyse the tongue and buccal microflora prospectively in head and neck cancer patients treated with radiation therapy (RT).

Methods

In 33 dentate patients, microbial samples from the tongue and buccal mucosa were collected pretreatment, during treatment, and 6 months, 1 year and 2 years post‐treatment. Microorganisms associated with oral health and oral disorders were analysed using cultivation technique. Oral mucositis was scored at the appointment during treatment.

Results

Compared with pretreatment, lactobacilli and Candida increased on the tongue, while streptococci and Neisseria decreased during treatment. Two years post‐treatment, Neisseria and Prevotella were decreased and Candida increased. On the buccal mucosa, an increased growth of lactobacilli and increased detection frequencies of the opportunistic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Gram‐negative enteric rods and enterococci were seen during treatment compared with pretreatment. Seventy per cent showed severe mucositis during treatment. Two years post‐treatment the total count as well as streptococci, Neisseria and Fusobacterium nucleatum were decreased and lactobacilli increased compared with pretreatment.

Conclusion

Despite improvements in treatment for cancer in the head and neck region, microorganisms associated with oral health decrease during treatment and mucosal pathogens increase. Two years post‐treatment, levels of acid‐tolerant (lactobacilli and Candida) were increased, while acid‐sensitive microorganisms (Neisseria and F. nucleatum) were decreased, plausibly due to persisting decreased salivary secretion rate.
Cellulose degradation in Gastrophysa viridula (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): functional characterization of two CAZymes belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 45 reveals a novel enzymatic activity
Authors: Busch A. , Kunert G. , Wielsch N. , Pauchet Y.
Published: May 2018

Cellulose is a major component of the primary and secondary cell walls in plants. Cellulose is considered to be the most abundant biopolymer on Earth and represents a large potential source of metabolic energy. Yet, cellulose degradation is rare and mostly restricted to cellulolytic microorganisms. Recently, various metazoans, including leaf beetles, have been found to encode their own cellulases, giving them the ability to degrade cellulose independently of cellulolytic symbionts. Here, we analyzed the cellulosic capacity of the leaf beetle Gastrophysa viridula, which typically feeds on Rumex plants. We identified three putative cellulases member of two glycoside hydrolase (GH) families, namely GH45 and GH9. Using heterologous expression and functional assays, we demonstrated that both GH45 proteins are active enzymes, in contrast to the GH9 protein. One GH45 protein acted on amorphous cellulose as an endo‐β‐1,4‐glucanase, whereas the other evolved to become an endo‐β‐1,4‐xyloglucanase. We successfully knocked down the expression of both GH45 genes using RNAi, but no changes in weight gain or mortality were observed compared to control insects. Our data indicated that the breakdown of these polysaccharides in G. viridula may facilitate access to plant cell content, which is rich in nitrogen and simple sugars.
Supervised machine learning in multimodal learning analytics for estimating success in project‐based learning
Authors: Spikol Daniel , Ruffaldi Emanuele , Dabisias Giacomo , Cukurova Mutlu
Published: May 2018

Multimodal learning analytics provides researchers new tools and techniques to capture different types of data from complex learning activities in dynamic learning environments. This paper investigates the use of diverse sensors, including computer vision, user‐generated content, and data from the learning objects (physical computing components), to record high‐fidelity synchronised multimodal recordings of small groups of learners interacting. We processed and extracted different aspects of the students' interactions to answer the following question: Which features of student group work are good predictors of team success in open‐ended tasks with physical computing? To answer this question, we have explored different supervised machine learning approaches (traditional and deep learning techniques) to analyse the data coming from multiple sources. The results illustrate that state‐of‐the‐art computational techniques can be used to generate insights into the "black box" of learning in students' project‐based activities. The features identified from the analysis show that distance between learners' hands and faces is a strong predictor of students' artefact quality, which can indicate the value of student collaboration. Our research shows that new and promising approaches such as neural networks, and more traditional regression approaches can both be used to classify multimodal learning analytics data, and both have advantages and disadvantages depending on the research questions and contexts being investigated. The work presented here is a significant contribution towards developing techniques to automatically identify the key aspects of students success in project‐based learning environments, and to ultimately help teachers provide appropriate and timely support to students in these fundamental aspects.
Response surface modeling for the inactivation of Bacillus cereus on cooked spinach by natural antimicrobials at various temperatures
Authors: Hyun Jeong‐Eun , Yoon Jae‐Hyun , Lee Sun‐Young
Published: May 2018

This study was conducted to investigate the growth of Bacillus cereus on cooked spinach with natural antimicrobial substances (0.00–0.02% thymol, 0.60–1.30% acetic acid, and 0.00–0.05% nisin) at various temperatures (15, 25, and 35°C) in order to find the best combination of inhibition. Response surface modeling with the Gompertz model equation was used to describe the growth of B. cereus vegetative cells on cooked spinach with natural antimicrobial substances as a function of temperature. The specific growth rate of B. cereus at the highest concentration of thymol (0.02%) was lower than with the other treatments. In particular, the lag time of B. cereus was the longest for combinations thymol 0.02%, acetic acid 0.68%, and nisin 0.03% at 25°C. The predicted values were shown to be significantly in good agreement with experimental values because the adjusted determination coefficient (
) was 0.91 and the level of significance was p < .0001. Besides, bias factor (Bf) values of the SGR and LT for B. cereus were 1.07 and 1.10, respectively, indicating that they were mostly at the acceptable level. In sensory evaluation, appearance and color of cooked spinach with antimicrobial substances was similar to the control.

Practical applications

Natural antimicrobials could be used as the preservation method to improve the food safety of cooked foods such as cooked vegetables.
Effect of the fetal movement count on maternal–fetal attachment
Authors: Güney Esra , Uçar Tuba
Published: May 2018

Aim

This study aimed to determine the effect of fetal movement counting on maternal–fetal attachment.

Methods

This study was a randomized controlled trial, conducted with experimental and control groups, each including 55 pregnant women from six family health centers in the Malatya Province, located in the east of Turkey. The data were collected by using a Personal Information Form and the Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale. Training for fetal movement counting was provided to the experimental group. The pre‐ and posttraining maternal–fetal attachment levels of the experimental group (fetal movements that were regularly counted for 4 weeks) and the control group (continual routine monitoring) were compared.

Results

In the pretraining pretest, no difference was found between the maternal–fetal attachment scores of the experimental and the control groups, whereas the maternal–fetal attachment score of the experimental group was found to be higher than that of the control group in the post‐test that was applied 4 weeks later.

Conclusion

This research indicated that fetal movement counting positively affected maternal–fetal attachment.
Effects of a home care mobile app on the outcomes of discharged patients with a stoma: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wang Qing‐Qing , Zhao Jing , Huo Xiao‐Rong , Wu Ling , Yang Li‐Fang , Li Ju‐Yun , Wang Jie
Published: May 2018

Aims and objectives

To explore the effects of a home care mobile app on the outcomes of stoma patients who discharged from hospital.

Background

Patients with a newly formed stoma experience many difficulties after surgery. Mobile application (app) has the potential to help patients self‐manage their diseases and adjust to the changes in their lives and is a convenient way to ensure the continuity of care. However, there is a lack of studies about the effects of a mobile app on the transitional care for improving discharged stoma‐related health outcomes.

Design

A randomised controlled trial.

Methods

A total of 203 patients with a permanent stoma in tertiary hospitals in China were randomly assigned into two groups. Patients in the control group (n = 103) received routine discharge care. Patients in the intervention group (n = 100) received home care via a mobile app besides routine care. The psychosocial adjustment level, self‐efficacy scale and stoma complications incidence were measured in the follow‐up period and compared between the two groups. Data were collected at four time points: before intervention (baseline), at 1, 3 and 6 months after discharge.

Results

The psychosocial adjustment level and stoma self‐efficacy score of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group, respectively, at 1‐, 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐up (all p < 0.05). The incidence of stoma complications in the intervention group was tending to reduce at 1, 3 and 6 months after discharge.

Conclusion

The findings indicated that follow‐up care at home via a mobile app can effectively improve the psychosocial adjustment level, self‐efficacy scale and other related outcomes of stoma patients.

Relevance to clinical practice

The home care mobile app is an effective intervention to support the psychosocial adjustment and self‐efficacy of stoma patients after discharge. It ensures the continuity of care and provides nursing guidance for the patients timely.
Conflicting priorities: Observation of medicine administration
Authors: Alteren Johanne , Hermstad Marit , White Jo , Jordan Susan
Published: May 2018

Aims and objectives

To identify sources of interruptions and distractions to medicine administration rounds in hospitals.

Background

Nurses are frequently interrupted during medicine administration. There is no systematic description of nurses' behaviours and interruptions during administration of medicines to patients.

Design

Exploratory nonparticipant observational study.

Methods

Three hundred and fifty‐one episodes of medicine administration with 32 nurses from three hospitals in Norway were observed using paper‐based observation grids between December 2013 and March 2014.

Results

Nurses were frequently interrupted and distracted, mainly by nurses and other healthcare professionals. One‐third of the nurses interrupted their medicine administration: They prioritised helping patients with direct patient care. When the nurses were interrupted, they left the round and re‐entered the procedure. Even so, they managed to refocus and continue to administer the medicines: Interruptions and disturbances made little difference to most behaviours and actions, possibly because nurses double‐checked more frequently. Some differences were seen in behaviours potentially affecting the safety of the medicine administration, such as leaving medicines at the bedside and not helping patients take their medicines. Some interruptions were avoidable, such as those by other nurses and professionals.

Conclusions

This study offers insights into nurses' behaviours and actions when they are interrupted and distracted during medicine administration. The findings highlight a conflict for nurses administering medicines. Nurses are forced to prioritise between two important activities: direct patient care and medicine administration. Management and education providers need to recognise that nurse interrupting each other is a potential threat to patient safety.

Relevance to clinical practice

Our data indicate that nurses and other healthcare professionals should be warned not to interrupt colleague administering medicines and managers should ensure other staff are available to respond to patients' immediate needs during medicine rounds.
Association of objectively measured physical activity with brain structure: UK Biobank study
Authors: Hamer M. , Sharma N. , Batty G. D.
Published: May 2018

Background

Physical activity may be beneficial for cognition but mechanisms are unclear. We examined the association between objectively assessed physical activity and brain volume, with a focus on the hippocampus region.

Methods

We used data from UK Biobank (n = 5272; aged 55.4 ± 7.5 years; 45.6% men) collected through 2013–2016. Participants wore the Axivity AX3 wrist‐worn triaxial accelerometer for 7 days to assess habitual physical activity. Structural magnetic resonance imaging was performed using a standard Siemens Skyra 3T running VD13A SP4 to obtain images of the brain.

Results

There was an association between physical activity (per SD increase) and grey matter volume after adjustment for a range of covariates, although this association was only detected in older adults (>60 years old). We also observed associations of physical activity with both left (B = 0.52, 95% CI, 0.01, 1.03; P = 0.046) and right hippocampal volume (B = 0.59, 95% CI, 0.08, 1.10; P = 0.024) in covariate‐adjusted models.

Conclusion

In summary, physical activity may play a role in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.
How task instructions affect performance on the unspecified tetrad test
Authors: Castura J. C. , King S. K. , Phipps K.
Published: May 2018

This parallel‐groups study (n = 1,857) investigates compliance of untrained assessors with tetrad instructions. Stimuli are four unique color swatches that differ only in their green chromaticities. Results confirm that the swatches used in this study were generally perceived as nonconfusable visual stimuli ordered A, B, C, D, and that AB and CD were more different than BC. These stimuli thus modeled the scenario in which following the tetrad decision strategy (grouping samples into two groups of two by similarity) gives a correct response, whereas following the select‐two decision strategy (selecting the two most similar samples) gives an incorrect response. Four of the five variants of tetrad task instructions, including the tetrad instructions that are usually recommended, were understood by roughly 90–95% of the assessors. Neither perceptual variance nor guessing provided adequate explanations for the incorrect groupings observed. Results indicate that the optimal cognitive decision strategy is not always followed because some assessors misinterpret instructions systematically. Results imply that d′ estimates from the conventional tetrad test method with untrained assessors may slightly underestimate δ. As a safeguard, it is suggested that any written task instructions be supplemented with verbal instructions and/or visual demonstrations, with the aim of increasing task understanding.

Practical applications

This paper uses empirical evidence from untrained assessors to investigate their performance on various tetrad instructions. Conclusions from this study are relevant to both researchers and practitioners: (i) observed results confirm that the best‐practices tetrad instructions performs well against the other candidate tetrad instructions that were tested; (ii) the use of dissimilar samples revealed that some incorrect tetrad responses are due to task misunderstanding, rather than perceptual variance, as would be assumed by a Thurstonian model; (iii) discriminal distance (d′) estimates from the conventional tetrad test method with untrained assessors may slightly underestimate the true population parameter (δ); and (iv) practitioners are advised to communicate task instructions to untrained assessors using multiple modes (verbal, visual) with the aim of increasing task understanding.
Practical approach to the gastrointestinal manifestations of cystic fibrosis
Authors: Bolia Rishi , Ooi Chee Y , Lewindon Peter , Bishop Jonathan , Ranganathan Sarath , Harrison Jo , Ford Kristyn , van der Haak Natalie , Oliver Mark R
Published: May 2018

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common, life‐shortening, genetic illness affecting children in Australia and New Zealand. The genetic abnormality results in abnormal anion transport across the apical membrane of epithelial cells in a number of organs, including the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, liver and genito‐urinary tract. Thus, CF is a multi‐system disorder that requires a multi‐disciplinary approach. Respiratory disease is the predominant cause of both morbidity and mortality in patients with CF. However, there are significant and clinically relevant gastrointestinal, liver, pancreatic and nutritional manifestations that must be detected and managed in a timely and structured manner. The aim of this review is to provide evidence‐based information and clinical algorithms to guide the nutritional and gastrointestinal management of patients with CF.
Assessment of nursing workload in adult psychiatric inpatient units: A scoping review
Authors: Sousa Carla , Seabra Paulo
Published: May 2018

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject?

There is a shortage of empirical research in the field of psychiatric and mental health nursing regarding how to calculate a safe staffing level in psychiatry inpatient units. Furthermore, the tools to assess nursing workload in this specialty are limited. No systematic reviews on measurement tools in adult psychiatric inpatient settings were found.

What does this paper add to existing knowledge?

This study confirms the scarcity and heterogeneity of instruments with which to evaluate nursing workload in this specific context. Likewise, the instruments identified do not capture the complexity of the psychiatric nursing setting, namely, the relational and psychotherapeutic strategies that must be implemented in the patient care approach. The findings of the study suggest that evidence‐based tools for adult psychiatric inpatient settings require further development.

What are the implications for practice?

This review shows the need to continue to develop tools that assess workload in psychiatric inpatient units that embrace activities related to patient (direct and indirect) and nonpatient activities. The great challenge is providing a sensitive understanding of the workload resulting from psychotherapeutic interventions, the primary treatment that many patients need. This review reinforces the need to add patient outcomes to workload assessment processes.

Introduction

No systematic reviews on measurement tools in adult psychiatric inpatient settings exist in the literature, and thus, further research is required on ways to identify approaches to calculate safe nurse staffing levels based on patients’ care needs in adult psychiatric inpatient units.

Aim

To identify instruments that enable an assessment of nursing workload in psychiatric settings.

Method

A scoping review was conducted.

Results

Four studies were identified, with five instruments used to support the calculation of staff needs and workload. All four studies present methodological limitations. Two instruments have already been adapted to this specific context, but validation studies are lacking.

Discussion

The findings indicate that the tools used to evaluate nursing workload in these settings require further development, with the concomitant need for more research to clarify the definition of nursing workload as well as to identify factors with the greatest impact on nursing workload.

Implications for practice

This review highlights the need to develop tools to assess workload in psychiatric inpatient units that embrace patient‐related and non‐patient‐related activities. The great challenge is to enable a sensitive perception of workload resulting from nurses’ psychotherapeutic interventions, an important component of treatment for many patients.
Lignin composition is related to xylem embolism resistance and leaf life span in trees in a tropical semiarid climate
Authors: Lima Taysla R. A. , Carvalho Ellen C. D. , Martins Fernando R. , Oliveira Rafael S. , Miranda Rafael S. , Müller Caroline S. , Pereira Luciano , Bittencourt Paulo R. L. , Sobczak Jullyana C. M. S. M. , Gomes‐Filho Enéas , Costa Rafael C. , Araújo Francisca S.
Published: May 2018

Wood properties influence the leaf life span (LL) of tree crowns. As lignin is an important component of wood and the water transport system, we investigated its relationship with embolism resistance and the LL of several tree species in a seasonally dry tropical ecosystem.

We determined total lignin and the monomer contents of guaiacyl (G) and syringyl (S) and related them to wood traits and xylem vulnerability to embolism (Ψ50) for the most common species of the Brazilian semiarid, locally known as Caatinga.

Leaf life span was negatively related to Ψ50 and positively related to S : G, which was negatively related to Ψ50. This means that greater S : G increases LL by reducing Ψ50. Lignin content was not correlated with any variable.

We found two apparently unrelated axes of drought resistance. One axis, associated with lignin monomeric composition, increases LL in the dry season as a result of lower xylem embolism vulnerability. The other, associated with wood density and stem water content, helps leafless trees to withstand drought and allows them to resprout at the end of the dry season. The monomeric composition of lignin (S : G) is therefore an important functional wood attribute affecting several key functional aspects of tropical tree species in a semiarid climate.
Esophageal multimodal stimulation and sensation
Authors: Hoff Dag Arne Lihaug , McMahon Barry , Gregersen Hans
Published: May 2018

Esophageal mechanosensation describes the relationship between a mechanical stimulation of the esophageal wall, such as bag distension, and the reaction to the stimulation perceived or unperceived. When studying mechanosensation in esophageal disease, it is important to recognize that symptoms might be due to alterations at different levels of the neuromuscular system, such as alterations at the mechanoreceptor level or in the afferent mechanosensory pathways, or irregularities in the homeostatic state. One might ask if it is possible to provoke, record, and describe the multidimensional responses behind a mechanosensory experience? It is a complex system and, at a minimum, a multidisciplinary approach is needed to avoid erroneous conclusions. The multimodal study design, taking the mode, location, and parameters of stimulation into consideration, together with controlled recording of assessment parameters, is an approach that seems rational and valid. Gastrointestinal (GI) physicians of the 21th century need to have knowledge of advances in the evaluation of GI mechanical function and what provokes symptoms. Hereby, it is possible to fully appreciate the slowly emerging awareness of how GI pain symptoms should be explored and explained to patients.
Combined effect of parathyroid hormone and strontium ranelate on bone healing in ovariectomized rats
Authors: Göker Funda , Ersanlı Selim , Arısan Volkan , Cevher Erdal , Güzel Emine Elif , İşsever Halim , Ömer Beyhan , Durmuş Altun Gülay , Morina Deniz , Ekiz Yılmaz Tuğba , Dervişoğlu Elmire , Del Fabbro Massimo
Published: May 2018

Objective

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) enhances bone healing. Strontium ranelate (SR) is an antiresorptive agent that increases bone formation. Reports about combined effects of PTH and SR on local bone regeneration in osteoporotic subjects are limited. We aimed at investigating the efficacy of PTH and SR for promoting new bone formation in critical‐sized defects of ovariectomized rats.

Materials and Methods

Parathyroid hormone‐ and/or SR‐containing poloxamer implant tablets with/without chitosan microparticles were delivered locally to calvarial defects of 90 Wistar rats. Biopsies were analyzed histologically and histomorphometrically at 4 and 8 weeks of healing.

Results

Histomorphometry revealed that PTH alone promoted new bone formation at 4 weeks but the efficiency declined in 8 weeks. There was no positive effect of SR alone on bone formation at 4 or 8 weeks. Calvarial defects treated with PTH+SR combinations showed statistically significant greater new bone formation than either treatment alone at both time intervals. Tissue responses were modest and supported the good biocompatibility of the biomaterials used.

Conclusion

Parathyroid hormone and SR combinations can be effective for calvarial bone regeneration of ovariectomized rats. PTH plus SR may have potential use as bone graft material in orthopedic and dental surgery to enhance bone healing and osseointegration.
Why do top predators engage in superpredation? From an empirical scenario to a theoretical framework
Authors: Lourenço Rui , del Mar Delgado Maria , Campioni Letizia , Goytre Fernando , Rabaça João E. , Korpimäki Erkki , Penteriani Vincenzo
Published: May 2018

Lethal interactions can shape ecosystem structure, and consequently understanding their causes is ecologically relevant. To improve both empirical and theoretical knowledge on superpredation (i.e. predation on high‐order predators), we studied an eagle owl population, including its main prey and mesopredators, and then we crossed these results with existing theories to provide a reasoning framework. We fitted our field data into four main causes explaining lethal interactions: food stress, opportunistic superpredation, removal of a competitor, and removal of a potential threat. Empirically, superpredation seemed to be mostly determined by the combination of the food‐stress and opportunistic‐superpredation hypotheses, which highlights the complexity of the factors triggering superpredation. Therefore, besides being a response to lower food availability, superpredation may also represent an effective mechanism to remove potential predators and/or competitors, either intentionally or not. Our theoretical framework focused on the decision‐making process in superpredation, considering four inter‐related stages: encountering; attacking; and capturing a mesopredator; as well as consuming a mesopredator once killed. Superpredation almost certainly results from a complex process of decision‐making, accounting for costs and benefits assessed moment‐to‐moment and for each mesopredator individual. It is time to build bridges between theoretical and empirical studies to further understand the mechanisms driving complex interactions among top predators and mesopredators.
A fibre‐optic pipeline lets the root circadian clock see the light
Authors: McClung C. Robertson
Published: May 2018

This article comments on: Entrainment of Arabidopsis roots to the light:dark cycle by light piping
Hand‐foot‐skin reaction related to use of the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib and hard orthotics
Authors: Kusari Ayan , Borok Jenna , Han Allison M. , Valderrama Alix Jessika , Friedlander Sheila Fallon
Published: May 2018

Hand‐foot‐skin reaction is a distinct clinical condition arising in association with the use of multikinase inhibitors, including sorafenib. Because multikinase inhibitors are increasingly being used in children with cancer, recognition of this previously unfamiliar condition is of importance to pediatric dermatologists. We describe the diagnosis and successful treatment of a case of hand‐foot‐skin reaction in a child taking sorafenib for an unresectable desmoid tumor.
Erythema nodosum arising during everolimus therapy for tuberous sclerosis complex
Authors: Galligan Eloise R. , Fix Lindsey , Levin Laura E. , Imundo Lisa , Yamashiro Darrell J. , Garzon Maria C.
Published: May 2018

Indications for everolimus and other drugs within the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor class have recently expanded to include tuberous sclerosis complex. Everolimus is generally well tolerated, but it is important for physicians to identify and manage associated cutaneous adverse effects. We report the first case of a child developing erythema nodosum while undergoing everolimus therapy.
A Dose Finding Design for Seizure Reduction in Neonates
Authors: Ursino Moreno , Yuan Ying , Alberti Corinne , Comets Emmanuelle , Favrais Geraldine , Friede Tim , Lentz Frederike , Stallard Nigel , Zohar Sarah
Published: May 2018

Clinical trials in vulnerable populations are extremely difficult to conduct. A sequential phase I–II trial aimed at finding the appropriate dose of levetiracetam for treating neonatal seizures was planned with a maximum sample size of 50 newborns. Three primary outcomes are considered: efficacy and two types of toxicity that occur at the same time but are measured at different time points. In the case of failure, physicians could add a second agent as a rescue medication. The primary outcomes were modelled via a logistic model for efficacy and a weighted likelihood with pseudo-outcomes for the two toxicities taking into account the dependences under Bayesian inference. Simulations were conducted to assess the design properties.
Suicidal Behavior and Personality Traits Contribute to Disability in First‐episode Psychosis: A 1‐Year Follow‐up Study
Authors: Canal‐Rivero Manuel , Lopez‐Moriñigo Javier‐David , Barrigón Maria‐Luisa , Ayesa‐Arriola Rosa , Crespo‐Facorro Benedicto , Ruiz‐Veguilla Miguel , Obiols‐Llandrich Jordi E.
Published: May 2018

Background

Disability encompasses impairments, activity limitations, and restrictions on participation. Improvement in functioning has therefore become a crucial outcome of treatment in psychosis.

Objective

The main aim of this study was to analyze the potential relationship between suicidal behavior after first episode of psychosis (FEP) and family disability. The second aim was to find out whether personality traits are associated with disability dimensions.

Method

The study sample was composed of 65 FEP patients. The personal care, occupational, family, and social dimensions of disability were evaluated at 12 months after FEP. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to explore any putative outcome factors associated with dimensions of disability.

Results

Personal care during the 1‐year follow‐up was significantly impaired in suicide attempters and significantly associated with sociopathic personality traits. A decline in occupational functioning was significantly associated with schizotypy traits. On the other hand, deterioration in family, social, and global functioning at 1 year after FEP was related to poor premorbid adjustment during late adolescence.

Conclusions

Suicidal behavior prevention could improve psychosocial functioning, particularly personal care, in FEP. In addition, sociopathic and schizotypy personality traits as well as poor premorbid adjustment during late adolescence appear to be useful early markers of future disability.
Enhanced cell growth on 3D graphene scaffolds implanted with nitrogen ions
Authors: Zhao Mengli , Cao Ye , Gong Huanhuan , Sun Yanqiu , Deng Jianhua , Li Dejun , Wan Rongxin , Gu Hanqing
Published: May 2018

One of the key challenges in engineering tissues for cell-based therapies is developing biocompatible scaffold materials to direct cell behavior. In this paper, the cytocompatibilities of a flexible three-dimensional graphene scaffold (3D-G) and the same scaffold implanted with nitrogen ions (N+/3D-G) are compared using an in vitro assay based on 3(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide. The N+/3D-G samples were prepared from low-temperature hydrothermally synthesized flexible 3D-G by ion implantation and were found to display improved adhesion and proliferation of rat osteoblast and mouse fibroblast cells. In particular, the N+/3D-G sample with a nitrogen content of ∼10% showed the highest levels of cell viability and proliferation. The flexible N+/3D-G has potential applications as a biocompatible scaffold material that provides improved surface area and hydrophilic groups for cell growth and proliferation.
Diffraction effects in mechanically chopped laser pulses
Authors: Gambhir Samridhi , Singh Mandip
Published: May 2018

A mechanical beam chopper consists of a rotating disc of regularly spaced wide slits which allow light to pass through them. A continuous light beam, after passing through the rotating disc, is switched-on and switched-off periodically, and a series of optical pulses are produced. The intensity of each pulse is expected to rise and fall smoothly with time. However, a careful study has revealed that the edges of mechanically chopped laser light pulses consist of periodic intensity undulations which can be detected with a photo detector. In this paper, it is shown that the intensity undulations in mechanically chopped laser pulses are produced by diffraction of light from the rotating disc, and a detailed explanation is given of the intensity undulations in mechanically chopped laser pulses. An experiment presented in this paper provides an efficient method to capture a one dimensional diffraction profile of light from a straight sharp-edge in the time domain. In addition, the experiment accurately measures wavelengths of three different laser beams from the undulations in mechanically chopped laser light pulses.
Fin whale density and distribution estimation using acoustic bearings derived from sparse arrays
Authors: Harris Danielle V. , Miksis-Olds Jennifer L. , Vernon Julia A. , Thomas Len
Published: May 2018

Passive acoustic monitoring of marine mammals is common, and it is now possible to estimate absolute animal density from acoustic recordings. The most appropriate density estimation method depends on how much detail about animals' locations can be derived from the recordings. Here, a method for estimating cetacean density using acoustic data is presented, where only horizontal bearings to calling animals are estimable. This method also requires knowledge of call signal-to-noise ratios, as well as auxiliary information about call source levels, sound propagation, and call production rates. Results are presented from simulations, and from a pilot study using recordings of fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) calls from Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) hydrophones at Wake Island in the Pacific Ocean. Simulations replicating different animal distributions showed median biases in estimated call density of less than 2%. The estimated average call density during the pilot study period (December 2007–February 2008) was 0.02 calls hr−1 km2 (coefficient of variation, CV: 15%). Using a tentative call production rate, estimated average animal density was 0.54 animals/1000 km2 (CV: 52%). Calling animals showed a varied spatial distribution around the northern hydrophone array, with most detections occurring at bearings between 90 and 180 degrees.
Interface reconstruction with emerging charge ordering in hexagonal manganite
Authors: Cheng Shaobo , Xu Changsong , Deng Shiqing , Han Myung-Geun , Bao Shanyong , Ma Jing , Nan Cewen , Duan Wenhui , Bellaiche Laurent , Zhu Yimei , Zhu Jing
Published: May 2018

A MnO double layer self-assembled at the interface between YMnO
3
and Al
2
O
3
, forming a new type of charge ordering.
Gate-tuned quantum Hall states in Dirac semimetal (Cd

1−
x

Zn

x

)
3
As
2
Authors: Nishihaya Shinichi , Uchida Masaki , Nakazawa Yusuke , Kriener Markus , Kozuka Yusuke , Taguchi Yasujiro , Kawasaki Masashi
Published: May 2018

Electronic structure of quantum-confined Dirac semimetal is elucidated by establishing carrier control techniques in films.
Incidences of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Associated Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia within Studies of Respiratory Tract Applications of Polymyxin: Testing the Stoutenbeek Concurrency Postulates
Authors: Hurley James C.
Published: May 2018

Regimens containing topical polymyxin appear highly effective at preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) overall and, more so, VAP caused by Gram-negative bacteria. However, Stoutenbeek's postulates that VAP incidences within studies of topical antibiotics depend on the context of whether the component (control and intervention) groups of each study were concurrent versus nonconcurrent remain untested. The literature was searched for concurrent control (CC) versus nonconcurrent control (NCC) designed studies of respiratory tract applications of topical polymyxin to mechanically ventilated (MV) patients that reported incidences of
Pseudomonas
-associated ventilator-associated pneumonia (PsVAP). Studies of various interventions other than topical polymyxin (nonpolymyxin studies) served to provide additional points of reference. The PsVAP incidences within the component groups of all studies were benchmarked against groups from observational studies. This was undertaken by meta-regression using generalized estimating equation methods. Dot plots, caterpillar plots, and funnel plots enable visual benchmarking. The PsVAP benchmark (and 95% confidence interval [CI]) derived from 102 observational groups is 4.6% (4.0 to 5.3%). In contrast, the mean PsVAP within NCC polymyxin intervention groups (1.6%; CI, 1.0 to 4.5%) is lower than that of all other component group categories. The mean PsVAP within CC polymyxin control groups (9.9%; CI, 7.6 to 12.8%) is higher than that of all other component group categories. The PsVAP incidences of control and intervention groups of studies of respiratory tract applications of polymyxin are dependent on whether the groups were within a concurrent versus nonconcurrent study. Stoutenbeek's concurrency postulates are validated.
IgG Responses to the Plasmodium falciparum Antigen VAR2CSA in Colombia Are Restricted to Pregnancy and Are Not Induced by Exposure to Plasmodium vivax
Authors: Lopez-Perez Mary , Larsen Mads Delbo , Bayarri-Olmos Rafael , Ampomah Paulina , Stevenson Liz , Arévalo-Herrera Myriam , Herrera Sócrates , Hviid Lars
Published: May 2018

Clinical immunity to malaria is associated with the acquisition of IgG specific for members of the
Plasmodium falciparum
erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) family of clonally variant antigens on the surface of infected erythrocytes (IEs). The VAR2CSA subtype of PfEMP1 mediates IE binding in the placenta.