bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of mare obesity and endocrine function on foal birthweight in Thoroughbreds
Authors: Smith S. , Marr C.M. , Dunnett C. , Menzies‐Gow N.J.
Published: November 2016

Background

Birthweight of Thoroughbred foals has increased in recent years. It is unknown whether this is associated with increased broodmare obesity or endocrine dysfunction.

Objectives

To determine insulin, leptin and triglyceride concentrations in Thoroughbred mares throughout gestation and investigate their association with obesity and foal birthweight.

Study design

Cohort study.

Methods

A total of 66 mares were included from 40 days post‐breeding. Body condition score (BCS), weight and blood samples were obtained every 60 days throughout gestation. Serum/plasma insulin, leptin and triglyceride concentrations and foal birthweight were recorded. Associations between hormone/triglyceride concentration with BCS, stage of gestation and birthweight were analysed using a linear mixed effects model.

Results

Serum insulin concentrations were greater at 1–60 days (4.31 μiu/mL) compared with 241–300 days (3.13 μiu/mL) and 61–120 days (5.33 μiu/mL) compared with 181–240, 241–300 and 301–360 days (3.78, 3.13, 3.37 μiu/mL) gestation (P<0.05). There was no significant hyperinsulinaemia and no association of insulin concentration with BCS. Leptin concentration was greater at 181–240 days (2.28 μg/L, P<0.0001) compared with all other time points and correlated with BCS (P<0.0003). Triglyceride concentration was greater at 241–300 days (0.245 mmol, P<0.02) compared with earlier time points, but was not associated with BCS. Foal birthweight was weakly positively correlated with BCS (r = 0.13, P<0.001) and inversely correlated with leptin concentrations at 61–120 and 241–300 days gestation (r = −0.64, P<0.05).

Main limitations

Reduction in sample size over the study and tight clustering of BCS.

Conclusions

Mare BCS correlated with foal birthweight; obese mares had heavier foals. Significant hyperinsulinaemia was not identified in this population. Increased leptin concentration in early and late gestation was associated with decreased foal birthweight. Further work is required to establish whether leptin concentration in late gestation could predict foal birthweight.
Mediation of oxidative stress in hypothalamic ghrelin‐associated appetite control in rats treated with phenylpropanolamine
Authors: Yu C.‐H. , Chu S.‐C. , Chen P.‐N. , Hsieh Y.‐S. , Kuo D.‐Y.
Published: November 2016

Phenylpropanolamine (PPA)‐induced appetite control is associated with oxidative stress in the hypothalamus. This study explored whether hypothalamic antioxidants participated in hypothalamic ghrelin system‐associated appetite control in PPA‐treated rats. Rats were given PPA daily for 4 days, and changes in food intake and the expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY), the cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART), superoxide dismutase, catalase, ghrelin, acyl ghrelin (AG), ghrelin O‐acyltransferase (GOAT) and the ghrelin receptor (GHSR1a) were examined and compared. Results showed that both food intake and the expression of NPY and ghrelin/AG/GOAT/GHSR1a decreased in response to PPA treatment with maximum decrease on Day 2 of the treatment. In contrast, the expression of antioxidants and CART increased, with the maximum increase on Day 2, with the expression opposite to that of NPY and ghrelin. A cerebral infusion of either a GHSR1a antagonist or reactive oxygen species scavenger modulated feeding behavior and NPY, CART, antioxidants and ghrelin system expression, showing the involvement of ghrelin signaling and oxidative stress in regulating PPA‐mediated appetite control. We suggest that hypothalamic ghrelin signaling system, with the help of antioxidants, may participate in NPY/CART‐mediated appetite control in PPA‐treated rats.
Prevalence and severity by age and other clinical correlates of haemophilic arthropathy of the elbow, knee and ankle among Taiwanese patients with haemophilia
Authors: Chang C.‐Y. , Li T.‐Y. , Cheng S.‐N. , Pan R.‐Y. , Wang H.‐J. , Lin S.‐Y. , Chen Y.‐C.
Published: November 2016

Introduction & Aims

Haemophilic arthropathy (HA) is a major complication in patients with haemophilia (PWH), but the study of age‐specific prevalence and severity of HA is very limited in Asian countries.

Materials & Methods

This study retrospectively reviewed 146 severe‐ and moderate‐type Taiwanese PWH aged 4–73 years, with roentgenograms of elbows, knees and ankles and calculated Pettersson scores.

Results

The prevalence of HA, mean number of HAs per patient and mean Pettersson scores of all the joints were 42.8%, 1.3 and 1.9 points in PWH aged 4–10 years; 64.3%, 1.4 and 4.1 points in PWH aged 11–19 years; 97.1%, 2.9 and 15.6 points in PWH aged 20–29 years; 93.1%, 4.4 and 33.1 points in PWH aged 30–39 years; 100%, 5.1 and 46.1 points in PWH aged 40–49 years and 100%, 5 and 49.6 points in PWH aged ≥50 years, respectively. There was a high prevalence of HA for PWH aged ≥20 years. Among PWH aged <20 years, prevalence of HA was low and mild ankle arthropathy was the most common. Besides, in the four age groups aged <40 years, the prevalence of ankle arthropathy was the highest, followed by elbow arthropathy and then knee arthropathy.

Conclusions

Although severe arthropathy of the six major joints was rare in PWH aged <30 years, it increased rapidly in PWH after 30 years. Analysis of clinical correlates suggested that age, severity of haemophilia, absence of prophylaxis and presence of HCV infection correlated positively with Pettersson scores.
Bioimpedance monitoring of cellular hydration during hemodialysis therapy
Authors: Montgomery Leslie D. , Montgomery Richard W. , Gerth Wayne A. , Lew Susie Q. , Klein Michael D. , Stewart Julian M. , Medow Marvin S. , Velasquez Manuel T.
Published: November 2016

Introduction The aim of this paper is to describe and demonstrate how a new bioimpedance analytical procedure can be used to monitor cellular hydration of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients during hemodialysis (HD).

Methods A tetra‐polar bioimpedance spectroscope (BIS), (UFI Inc., Morro Bay, CA), was used to measure the tissue resistance and reactance of the calf of 17 ESRD patients at 40 discrete frequencies once a minute during dialysis treatment. These measurements were then used to derive intracellular, interstitial, and intravascular compartment volume changes during dialysis.

Findings The mean (± SD) extracellular resistance increased during dialysis from 92.4 ± 3.5 to 117.7 ± 5.8 Ohms. While the mean intracellular resistance decreased from 413.5 ± 11.7 to 348.5 ± 8.2 Ohms. It was calculated from these data that the mean intravascular volume fell 9.5%; interstitial volume fell 33.4%; and intracellular volume gained 20.3%.

Discussion These results suggest that an extensive fluid shift into the cells may take place during HD. The present research may contribute to a better understanding of how factors that influence fluid redistribution may affect an ESRD patient during dialysis. In light of this finding, it is concluded that the rate of vascular refill is jointly determined with the rate of “cellular refill” and the transfer of fluid from the intertitial compartment into the intravascular space.
Sustainable recovery of grape skins for use in an apple beverage with antiglycation properties
Authors: Lavelli Vera , Sri Harsha Pedapati S.C. , Piochi Maria , Torri Luisa
Published: November 2016

An apple puree formulated with red grape skins was developed on pilot scale as a new beverage with antiglycation properties. The addition level of grape skins was selected by a liking test with 70 consumers. The selected formulation was a fibre‐rich source and delivered grape anthocyanins, flavonols and flavanols resulting in ~ twofold higher antiglycation activity than the apple puree. Pasteurisation (3‐D in the target microorganism Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris) did not affect the antiglycation activity, which decreased by 30% upon sterilisation. Storage for 1 month in the temperature range 15–35 °C affected the contents of anthocyanins, monomeric, dimeric and oligomeric flavanols, while chlorogenic acid, flavonols and dihydrochalcones were stable. About 90% antiglycation activity was retained after one‐month storage at 15 °C. The use of red grape skin as ingredient could represent an opportunity for the apple processing industry to develop a value‐added product.
Interactions of digestive enzymes and milk proteins with tea catechins at gastric and intestinal pH
Authors: Liu Chan , He Wenjia , Chen Saisai , Chen Jie , Zeng Maomao , Qin Fang , He Zhiyong
Published: November 2016

The interactions of digestive enzymes (pepsin, pancreatin) and milk proteins (β‐casein, β‐lactoglobulin (β‐Lg)) with (−)‐epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (−)‐epigallocatechin (EGC) and (−)‐epicatechin (EC) at gastric and intestinal pH were investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. The results indicated that in the gastric environment, all three tea catechins showed binding affinities in descending order of strength with β‐casein first, followed by β‐Lg and then pepsin. The highest affinity was observed for EGCG–β‐casein, with a binding constant (KA) of 2.502(±0.201) × 105 m−1. In the intestinal environment, the binding strengths of the proteins with EGCG and EGC were in the order β‐Lg > pancreatin > β‐casein; for binding with EC, the strength order was β‐casein > β‐Lg > pancreatin. The combination EGCG–β‐Lg had the strongest binding affinity, with a KA of 14.300(±0.997) × 105 m−1. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that tea catechins complexed with milk proteins and digestive enzymes via different hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions depending on the different digestion environments and types of catechins, proteins and enzymes.
Clinical benefits of frozen section assessment during urological surgery: Does it contribute to improving surgical margin status and patient outcomes as previously thought?
Authors: Miyamoto Hiroshi
Published: November 2016

Despite significant advances in patient selection as well as surgical technique over the past few decades, it is still not uncommon for patients with urological malignancy and positive surgical margins to be observed. Meanwhile, intraoperative pathology consultation with frozen section assessment, which generally provides useful information for the optimal procedure, has been widely utilized for the assessment of surgical margins during urological surgeries. Thus, it remains unanswered whether intraoperative frozen section assessment has an impact on final surgical margin status as well as long‐term oncological outcomes. The present review summarizes and discusses available data assessing the utility of frozen section assessment of the surgical margins during urological surgeries, such as radical prostatectomy, partial nephrectomy and radical cystectomy. The current findings suggest that select patients might benefit from the routine frozen section assessment.
Neural correlates of explicit and implicit emotion processing in relation to treatment response in pediatric anxiety
Authors: Burkhouse Katie L. , Kujawa Autumn , Klumpp Heide , Fitzgerald Kate D. , Monk Christopher S. , Phan K. Luan
Published: November 2016

Background

Approximately 40%–45% of youth with anxiety disorders do not achieve remission (or a substantial reduction in symptoms) following treatment, highlighting the need to identify predictors of treatment response. Given the well‐established link between attentional biases and anxiety disorders in youth and adults, this study examined the neural correlates of directing attention toward and away from emotional faces in relation to pediatric anxiety treatment response.

Method

Prior to beginning treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) sertraline or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), 37 youth (age 7–19 years) with generalized and/or social anxiety disorder completed a task with conditions that manipulated whether participants were instructed to match emotional faces (explicit emotion processing) or match shapes in the context of emotional face distractors (implicit emotion processing) during functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

Results revealed that reduced activation in superior frontal gyrus (SFG), encompassing the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (PFC), during implicit processing of emotional faces predicted a greater reduction in anxiety severity pre‐to‐post treatment. Post hoc analyses indicated that effects were not significantly moderated by the type of treatment or anxiety type.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that less recruitment of SFG, including the dorsal ACC and dorsomedial PFC, during implicit emotion processing predicts a greater reduction in youth anxiety symptoms pre‐to‐post treatment. Youth who exhibit reduced activation in these areas while matching shapes in the context of emotional face distractors may have more to gain from CBT and SSRI treatment due to preexisting deficits in attentional control. These findings suggest that neuroimaging may be a useful tool for predicting which youth are most likely to benefit from anxiety treatment.
Roles of p300 and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein in high glucose‐induced hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α inactivation under hypoxic conditions
Authors: Ding Lingtao , Yang Minlie , Zhao Tianlan , Lv Guozhong
Published: November 2016

Aims/Introduction

Given the high prevalence of diabetes and burn injuries worldwide, it is essential to dissect the underlying mechanism of delayed burn wound healing in diabetes patients, especially the high glucose‐induced hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 (HIF‐1)‐mediated transcription defects.

Materials and Methods

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured with low or high concentrations of glucose. HIF‐1α‐induced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) transcription was measured by luciferase assay. Immunofluorescence staining was carried out to visualize cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB) localization. Immunoprecipitation was carried out to characterize the association between HIF‐1α/p300/CREB. To test whether p300, CREB or p300+CREB co‐overexpression was sufficient to rescue the HIF‐1‐mediated transcription defect after high glucose exposure, p300, CREB or p300+CREB co‐overexpression were engineered, and VEGF expression was quantified. Finally, in vitro angiogenesis assay was carried out to test whether the high glucose‐induced angiogenesis defect is rescuable by p300 and CREB co‐overexpression.

Results

Chronic high glucose treatment resulted in impaired HIF‐1‐induced VEGF transcription and CREB exclusion from the nucleus. P300 or CREB overexpression alone cannot rescue high glucose‐induced HIF‐1α transcription defects. In contrast, co‐overexpression of p300 and CREB dramatically ameliorated high glucose‐induced impairment of HIF‐1‐mediated VEGF transcription, as well as in vitro angiogenesis. Finally, we showed that co‐overexpression of p300 and CREB rectifies the dissociation of HIF‐1α‐p300‐CREB protein complex in chronic high glucose‐treated cells.

Conclusion

Both p300 and CREB are required for the function integrity of HIF‐1α transcription machinery and subsequent angiogenesis, suggesting future studies to improve burn wound healing might be directed to optimization of the interaction between p300, CREB and HIF‐1α.
Uterine angioleiomyoma in an African green monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus)
Authors: Valentine Matthew John , Beierschmitt Amy , DeLay Josepha , Callanan John Joseph
Published: November 2016

Background

A uterine neoplasm was observed, as an incidental finding, during post‐mortem examination of a 26‐year‐old female multiparous African green monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus). The intramural, expansile, 2 to 3 cm well‐demarcated, dark‐red, nodular neoplasm was located on the anterior uterine body (corpus) wall.

Methods

The mass was examined by light microscopy and by immunohistochemistry.

Results

The mass was confirmed as a cavernous uterine angioleiomyoma (syn. vascular leiomyoma) characterized by abundant intratumoural vasculature lined by Factor VIII‐positive endothelial cells and surrounded by smooth muscle actin‐positive cell proliferations.

Conclusion

Angioleiomyoma sharing the characteristics of intramural human cavernous uterine angioleiomyoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of uterine tumours in non‐human primates.
Synaptopodin is regulated by aromatase activity
Authors: Fester Lars , Zhou Lepu , Ossig Christiana , Labitzke Jan , Bläute Corinna , Bader Manuela , Vollmer Günter , Jarry Hubertus , Rune Gabriele M.
Published: November 2016

Locally synthesized estradiol plays an important role in synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. We have previously shown that in hippocampal neurons, activity of the enzyme aromatase, which converts testosterone into estradiol, is reduced via Ca2+‐dependent phosphorylation. Synaptopodin is a highly estrogen responsive protein, and it has been shown that it is an important regulator of synaptic plasticity, mediated by its close association with internal calcium stores. In this study, we show that the expression of synaptopodin is stronger in the hippocampus of female animals than in that of male animals. Phosphorylation of aromatase, using letrozole, however, down‐regulates synaptopodin immunohistochemistry in the hippocampus of both male and females. Similarly, in aromatase knock‐out mice synaptopodin expression in the hippocampus is reduced sex independently. Using primary‐dissociated hippocampal neurons, we found that evoked release of Ca2+ from internal stores down‐regulates aromatase activity, which is paralleled by reduced expression of synaptopodin. Opposite effects were achieved after inhibition of the release. Calcium‐dependent regulation of synaptopodin expression was abolished when the control of aromatase activity by the Ca2+ transients was disrupted. Our data suggest that the regulation of aromatase activity by Ca2+ transients in neurons contributes to synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus of male and female animals as an on‐site regulatory mechanism.

image
Clinical and genetic spectra of Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease in Chinese Han patients
Authors: Sun Bo , Chen Zhaohui , Ling Li , Yang Fei , Huang Xusheng
Published: November 2016

Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease (CMT) is a common hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy. Epidemiological data for Chinese CMT patients are few. This study aimed to analyze the electrophysiological and genetic characteristics of Chinese Han patients. A total of 106 unrelated patients with the clinical diagnosis of CMT were included. Clinical examination, nerve conduction studies (NCS), next‐generation sequencing (NGS), and bioinformatic analyses were performed. Genetic testing was performed for 82 patients; 27 (33%) patients carried known CMT‐associated gene mutations. PMP22 duplication was detected in 10 (12%) patients and GJB1 mutations in 9 (11%) patients. The mutation rate was higher in patients with a positive family history than in the sporadic cases (50% vs. 27%, p < 0.05). Six novel CMT‐associated gene mutations including BSCL2 (c.461C>T), LITAF (c.32C>G), MFN2 (c.497C>T), GARS (c.794C>T), NEFL (c.280C>T), and MPZ (c.440T>C) were discovered. All except the LITAF (c.32C>G) mutation were identified as “disease causing” via bioinformatic analyses. In this Chinese Han population, the frequency of PMP22 gene duplication in those with CMT1 was slightly (50% vs. 70%–80%) less than in Western/Caucasian populations. The novel CMT‐associated gene mutations broaden the mutation diversity of CMT1. NGS should be considered for genetic analyses in CMT patients.
A multicenter study of diet quality on birth weight and gestational age in infants of HIV‐infected women
Authors: Miller Tracie L. , Jacobson Denise L. , Somarriba Gabriel , Neri Daniela , Kurtz‐Vraney Joy , Graham Patricia , Gillman Matthew W. , Landy David C. , Siminski Suzanne , Butler Laurie , Rich Kenneth C. , Hendricks Kristy , Ludwig David A. ,   for the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study
Published: November 2016

We determined factors associated with diet quality and assessed the relationship between diet quality, birth weight, and gestational age in a prospective national multicenter cohort study. We evaluated diet quality with the Healthy Eating Index (HEI, scale 0–100) in the third trimester of pregnancy with three 24‐hr multiple‐pass dietary recalls in 266 HIV+ women enrolled in the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study. Covariates included demographics, food security, pre‐pregnancy body mass index, HIV disease severity, substance use, and antiretroviral exposures. A two‐stage multivariate process using classification and regression trees (CART) followed by multiple regression described HEI tendencies, controlled possible confounding effects, and examined the association of HEI with birth weight and gestational age. To assess the stability of the CART solution, both the HEI 2005 and 2010 were evaluated. The mean HEI scores were 56.1 and 47.5 for the 2005 and 2010 HEI, respectively. The first‐stage CART analysis examined the relationship between HEI and covariates. Non‐US born versus US‐born mothers had higher HEI scores (15‐point difference, R2 = 0.28). There was a secondary partition due to alcohol/cigarette/illicit drug usage (3.5‐point difference, R2 = 0.03) among US‐born women. For the second‐stage CART adjusted multiple regression, birth weight z‐score was positively related to HEI 2005 and 2010 (partial r's > 0.13, P's ≤ 0.0398), but not gestational age (r = 0.00). We conclude that diet quality among HIV+ women is associated with higher birth weight. Despite the influence of a large cultural effect and poor prenatal behaviors, interventions to improve diet in HIV+ women may help to increase birth weight.
God is the Reason: Hermann Cohen's Monotheism and the Liberal Theologico‐Political Predicament
Authors: Nahme Paul E.
Published: November 2016

This article presents Hermann Cohen's Ethical Monotheism as an epistemological rejoinder to the theologico‐political predicament of liberalism in Wilhelmine Germany (1871‐1918). Beginning with an intellectual historical portrait of liberal Protestantism as a diffuse cultural context rather than a defined ideology, the article then proceeds to explicate Cohen's “liberal” Jewish conception of an epistemological “God‐idea” as a defense against the antisemitic and essentializing thought of Paul de Lagarde. The article then concludes by suggesting that Cohen's interpretation of the Noahide presents a Jewish minority account of “God” as a basis for “secular” public morality in a hyper‐contested public sphere.
Quantification of the zygotic barrier between interbreeding taxa using gene flow data
Authors: Bialozyt Ronald , Niggemann Marc , Ziegenhagen Birgit
Published: November 2016

Hybridization and introgression via interspecific gene flow are common processes in the plant kingdom. The effectiveness of these processes is governed by the strengths of multiple zygotic barriers. These barriers have often been quantified in artificial settings using laborious and time‐consuming hand‐pollination experiments, but their quantification is nonexistent in the landscape. In this study, we utilized gene flow data within a spatially explicit simulation to assess the strengths of zygotic barriers.

Our model system consisted of Populus nigra and its hybrid, P. × canadensis, which interbreed under natural conditions. The study population was located in the floodplain of the Eder River in central Germany. Pollen‐mediated introgression rates from hybrid males into the seeds of individual female trees were used as the target pattern using an inverse modeling approach. Simulations that treated pollen from both taxa equally revealed a large discrepancy between the observed and modeled rates of introgression for both taxa. The discrepancy was reduced by introducing a zygotic barrier against the pollen from the hybrid males. The best model outcome values indicated comparably strong zygotic barriers acting against pollen‐mediated introgressive gene flow into the two parental taxa, P. nigra and P. × canadensis.

The sensitivity of our model was tested by applying different dispersal functions. Four common probability density functions were used along with a pollen dispersal function that had previously been fitted to gene flow data from the same dataset. The best barrier value was almost independent of the dispersal functions used here. Moreover, it was within the range previously determined in hand‐pollination‐based investigations, validating our model.

These data indicate that the inverse modeling approach is a powerful method for quantifying hidden processes, and we discuss its use as a valuable tool for generating new insights into plant mating systems that are relevant to evolutionary biology and risk analyses in conservation efforts.
The underappreciated role of life history in mediating the functional consequences of biodiversity change
Authors: Bracken Matthew E. S. , Williams Susan L.
Published: November 2016

Biodiversity is changing on both global and local scales, motivating research to understand the consequences of these changes for how communities and ecosystems function. Here, we explore the role of life history strategies in mediating biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. In particular, we evaluate how the composition, biomass (% cover), and richness of perennial (persistence ≥ 1 year) and ephemeral (persistence < 1 year) species change along a gradient of increasing seaweed species richness on a rocky shoreline. We show that the majority of biomass is comprised of perennial species, especially where overall richness is low, whereas the majority of species are ephemeral, especially where overall richness is high. We then present and discuss the results of an 18‐month field manipulation quantifying the factorial effects of tidal elevation, wave exposure, herbivore removals, thermal and desiccation stress amelioration, and nutrient additions on perennial versus ephemeral species. In particular, the diversity of ephemeral species was strongly affected, relative to perennial species, by tidal elevation, wave exposure, and herbivory; herbivores reduced diversity of ephemeral species relative to perennials. Relative to perennial cover, ephemeral cover was greater higher on the shore, in more wave‐exposed habitats, and where herbivores were removed, plots were unscreened, and/or nutrients were added. Thus, perennials and ephemerals responded differently to environmental context and experimental manipulation. We compared nitrate uptake and photosynthesis rates of ephemeral and perennial species and found that maximum nitrate uptake and photosynthesis rates of ephemerals were twice as high as those of perennials. These results highlight the disproportionate roles that ephemeral species play in mediating ecosystem‐level processes. In combination with our comparisons of the diversity and cover of perennial and ephemeral species along a biodiversity gradient, these results demonstrate the utility of incorporating life history traits into our efforts to understand the functional consequences of biodiversity change.
Conflicting demands on angiosperm xylem: Tradeoffs among storage, transport and biomechanics
Authors: Pratt R. Brandon , Jacobsen Anna L.
Published: November 2016

The secondary xylem of woody plants transports water mechanically supports the plant body and stores resources. These three functions are interdependent giving rise to tradeoffs in function. Understanding the relationships among these functions and their structural basis forms the context in which to interpret xylem evolution. The tradeoff between xylem transport efficiency and safety from cavitation has been carefully examined with less focus on other functions, particularly storage. Here, we synthesize data on all three xylem functions in angiosperm branch xylem in the context of tradeoffs. Species that have low safety and efficiency, examined from a resource economics perspective, are predicted to be adapted for slow resource acquisition and turnover as characterizes some environments. Tradeoffs with water storage primarily arise because of differences in fibre traits, while tradeoffs in carbohydrate storage are driven by parenchyma content of tissue. We find support for a tradeoff between safety from cavitation and storage of both water and starch in branch xylem tissue and between water storage capacity and mechanical strength. Living fibres may facilitate carbohydrate storage without compromising mechanical strength. The division of labour between different xylem cell types allows for considerable functional and structural diversity at multiple scales.
Impact of childhood asthma on growth trajectories in early adolescence: Findings from the Childhood Asthma Prevention Study (CAPS)
Authors: Movin Maria , Garden Frances L. , Protudjer Jennifer L.P. , Ullemar Vilhelmina , Svensdotter Frida , Andersson David , Kruse Andreas , Cowell Chris T. , Toelle Brett G. , Marks Guy B. , Almqvist Catarina ,   for the Childhood Asthma Prevention Team
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT

Background and objective

Understanding the associations between childhood asthma and growth in early adolescence by accounting for the heterogeneity of growth during puberty has been largely unexplored. The objective was to identify sex‐specific classes of growth trajectories during early adolescence, using a method which takes the heterogeneity of growth into account and to evaluate the association between childhood asthma and different classes of growth trajectories in adolescence.

Methods

Our longitudinal study included participants with a family history of asthma born during 1997–1999 in Sydney, Australia. Hence, all participants were at high risk for asthma. Asthma status was ascertained at 8 years of age using data from questionnaires and lung function tests. Growth trajectories between 11 and 14 years of age were classified using a latent basis growth mixture model. Multinomial regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between asthma and the categorized classes of growth trajectories.

Results

In total, 316 participants (51.6% boys), representing 51.3% of the entire cohort, were included. Sex‐specific classes of growth trajectories were defined. Among boys, asthma was not associated with the classes of growth trajectories. Girls with asthma were more likely than girls without asthma to belong to a class with later growth (OR: 3.79, 95% CI: 1.33, 10.84). Excluding participants using inhaled corticosteroids or adjusting for confounders did not significantly change the results for either sex.

Conclusion

We identified sex‐specific heterogeneous classes of growth using growth mixture modelling. Associations between childhood asthma and different classes of growth trajectories were found for girls only.
Clinical relevance of necrotizing change in patients with community‐acquired pneumonia
Authors: Seo Hyewon , Cha Seung‐Ick , Shin Kyung‐Min , Lim Jae‐Kwang , Yoo Seung‐Soo , Lee Jaehee , Lee Shin‐Yup , Kim Chang‐Ho , Park Jae‐Yong , Lee Won‐Kee
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT

Background and objective

Few studies have analysed a large number of patients with necrotizing pneumonia (NP) diagnosed based on computed tomography (CT) scans. The aim of the present study was to document the incidence and clinical features of NP in patients with community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted on CAP patients who had been admitted to a tertiary referral centre and who had available enhanced CT scan images. Patients were allocated into NP and non‐NP groups, and they were compared with respect to various clinical variables.

Results

Of the 830 patients included in the present study, necrotizing change was observed in 103 patients (12%). Patients with NP experienced more symptoms of pneumonia, had higher blood levels of inflammatory markers and more often required pleural drainage compared to patients with non‐NP. Although the use of mechanical ventilation, vasopressor infusion, 30‐day mortality, in‐hospital mortality and clinical deterioration did not differ between the NP and non‐NP groups, the median length of hospital stay (LOS) was significantly longer in the NP group. Multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards model showed that necrotizing change independently predicted LOS in patients with CAP.

Conclusion

NP affects approximately one‐tenth of hospitalized CAP patients. It may be associated with more severe clinical manifestations and may increase the need for pleural drainage. NP was found to be an independent predictor of LOS, but not of mortality in CAP patients.
Integrable Nonlocal Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Ablowitz Mark J. , Musslimani Ziad H.
Published: November 2016

A nonlocal nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation was recently found by the authors and shown to be an integrable infinite dimensional Hamiltonian equation. Unlike the classical (local) case, here the nonlinearly induced “potential” is symmetric thus the nonlocal NLS equation is also symmetric. In this paper, new reverse space‐time and reverse time nonlocal nonlinear integrable equations are introduced. They arise from remarkably simple symmetry reductions of general AKNS scattering problems where the nonlocality appears in both space and time or time alone. They are integrable infinite dimensional Hamiltonian dynamical systems. These include the reverse space‐time, and in some cases reverse time, nonlocal NLS, modified Korteweg‐deVries (mKdV), sine‐Gordon, (1 + 1) and (2 + 1) dimensional three‐wave interaction, derivative NLS, “loop soliton,” Davey–Stewartson (DS), partially symmetric DS and partially reverse space‐time DS equations. Linear Lax pairs, an infinite number of conservation laws, inverse scattering transforms are discussed and one soliton solutions are found. Integrable reverse space‐time and reverse time nonlocal discrete nonlinear Schrödinger type equations are also introduced along with few conserved quantities. Finally, nonlocal Painlevé type equations are derived from the reverse space‐time and reverse time nonlocal NLS equations.
The Analytical Solutions for the N‐Dimensional Damped Compressible Euler Equations
Authors: Chow KwokWing , Fan EnGui , Yuen ManWai
Published: November 2016

Employing matrix formulation and decomposition technique, we theoretically provide essential necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of general analytical solutions for N‐dimensional damped compressible Euler equations arising in fluid mechanics. We also investigate the effect of damping on the solutions, in terms of density and pressure. There are two merits of this approach: First, this kind of solutions can be expressed by an explicit formula and no additional constraint on the dimension of the damped compressible Euler equations is needed. Second, we transform analytically the process of solving the Euler equations into algebraic construction of an appropriate matrix . Once the required matrix is chosen, the solution is obtained directly. Here, we overcome the difficulty of solving matrix differential equations by utilizing decomposition and reduction techniques. In particular, we find two important solvable relations between the dimension of the Euler equations and the pressure parameter: in the damped case and for no damping. These two cases constitute a full range of solvable parameter . Special cases of our results also include several interesting conclusions: (1) If the velocity field is a linear transformation on the Euclidean spatial vector , then the pressure p is a quadratic form of . (2) The damped compressible Euler equations admit the Cartesian solutions if is an antisymmetric matrix. (3) The pressure p possesses radially symmetric forms if is an antisymmetrical orthogonal matrix.
Social identity and psychosis: Explaining elevated rates of psychosis in migrant populations
Authors: McIntyre Jason C. , Elahi Anam , Bentall Richard P.
Published: November 2016

A substantial body of literature suggests that migrants are at greater risk of developing psychotic symptoms, such as paranoia, compared to non‐migrants. To date, researchers have been unable to identify the primary cause of this effect, finding scarce support for biological, diagnostic, and economic explanations. Social determinants have received little empirical attention in this domain, which we assert is a critical gap in the literature. Here, we propose that the social identity approach offers a framework to help explain the elevated rates of psychosis among migrants, and in turn inform policies and interventions to address this important mental health issue. We propose that cultural identities play a central role in mitigating the psychological precursors of psychosis and that disidentification and social disconnection subsequent to migration could initiate or exacerbate psychosis for multiple generations. We draw together research from social and clinical psychology to detail a social identity approach to psychosis in migrant populations, and make recommendations for future research.
A REVIEW ON EDDY CURRENT THERMOGRAPHY TECHNIQUE FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING APPLICATION
Authors: Rusli N. S. , Abidin I. Z. , Aziz S. A.
Published: November 2016

Eddy current thermography is one of the non-destructive testing techniques that provide advantages over other active thermography techniques in defect detection and analysis. The method of defect detection in eddy current thermography has become reliable due to its mode of interactions i.e. eddy current heating and heat diffusion, acquired via an infrared camera. Such ability has given the technique the advantages for non-destructive testing applications. The experimental parameters and settings which contribute towards optimum heating and defect detection capability have always been the focus of research associated with the technique. In addition, the knowledge and understanding of the characteristics heat distribution surrounding a defect is an important factor for successful inspection results. Thus, the quantitative characterisation of defect by this technique is possible compared to the conventional non-destructive which only acquired qualitative result. In this paper, a review of the eddy current thermography technique is presented which covers the physical principles of the technique, associated systems and its applications. Works on the application of the technique have been presented and discussed which demonstrates the ability of eddy current thermography for non-destructive testing of conductive materials.
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF THE MICROSCOPIC DAMAGE DEVELOPMENT AT MODE I FATIGUE DELAMINATION TIPS IN CARBON/EPOXY LAMINATES
Authors: Khan Rafiullah , Alderliesten Rene , Badshah Saeed , Khattak M. A. , S. Khan M. , Benedictus Rinze
Published: November 2016

This paper investigates the damage development ahead of mode I delamination tips in carbon /epoxy laminates using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Two techniques were adopted for the investigation; the first technique consisted of the application of stepwise load increments on DCB (double cantilever beam) specimens inside the SEM, while images were recorded until delamination onset. For the second technique, the DCB specimens were fatigue tested under different combinations of monotonic and cyclic loading. After the fatigue tests, the specimens were kept open in the microscope by insertion of steel wedges allowing the inspection of the delamination tips. The investigation revealed that multiple micro-cracks are formed parallel to the delamination growth direction ahead of the tip that coalesces. Micro-cracks that were formed 2 or 3 plies away from the delamination plane were observed to cause fibre bridging.
ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FACED BY GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDINGS IN PERFORMING MAINTENANCE WORK
Authors: Ali Azlan Shah , Chua Shirley Jin Lin , Ag Ali Dg Badariah
Published: November 2016

In Malaysia, most of the building managers faced problems in conducting maintenance operation due to unclear plan and unsystematic approach. Improper maintenance management and practices could affect the performance levels of the maintenance works and the productivity of the building users. This paper aims to examine the issues and challenges faced by government office building managers in selecting an appropriate maintenance strategies. This study adopted mixed method which is a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods. Three government office buildings in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia were selected as the case study. Structured interviews were conducted with the building maintenance managers and 200 questionnaires were distributed to the buildings occupants. A total of 67.5% questionnaires were valid for data analysis. The results showed that there are significant correlation between the frequency of services breakdown and the productivity of the building user. Top management, human resource and technical problems were identified as the issues and challenges faced by building managers in conducting maintenance work. Based on the data obtained, the performance level of building maintenance services are analysed using three selected performance indicators. From the findings, it is proven that the issues and challenges faced affect the performance levels of the maintenance works. In contrast, if the building managers do not face too many issues and challenges in implementing the maintenance works, the maintenance strategies will perform in an optimum level.
MODELLING PERFORMANCE OF OCEAN-THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION CYCLE ACCORDING TO DIFFERENT WORKING FLUIDS
Authors: Samsuri Norazreen , Shaikh Salim Sheikh Ahmad Zaki , Musa Md Nor , Mat Ali Mohamed Sukri
Published: November 2016

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a promising renewable energy technology with the concept to harness the energy stored at the surface seawater (SSW) and the cold deep seawater (DSW). The operation is based on the Rankine cycle, and involves at a minimum temperature difference of 20 K of the SSW and DSW to generate electricity. This research focuses on the economic efficiency of different working fluids used in the OTEC Rankine cycle. The various working fluids include ammonia, ammonia-water mixture (0.9), propane, R22, R32, R134a, R143a, and R410a. Most of the existing commercial OTEC systems use ammonia as the working medium despite its toxic nature. This study shows that the ammonia-water mixture still gives the best results in terms of heat transfer characteristics because of its greater transport properties and stability compared to other fluids. However, fluids such as propane and R32 can also be used as a substitute for ammonia-water mixture despite having slightly lower efficiency, because they are non-toxic and safer towards the environment. The same developmental model was used to present the proposed modified OTEC Rankine cycle, which shows a 4% increase in thermal cycle efficiency. This study reveals economically efficient and environmentally friendly working fluids.
Affine Weyl group multiple Dirichlet series: type
Authors: Whitehead Ian
Published: November 2016

We define a multiple Dirichlet series whose group of functional equations is the Weyl group of the affine Kac–Moody root system $\widetilde{A}_{n}$, generalizing the theory of multiple Dirichlet series for finite Weyl groups. The construction is over the rational function field $\mathbb{F}_{q}(t)$, and is based upon four natural axioms from algebraic geometry. We prove that the four axioms yield a unique series with meromorphic continuation to the largest possible domain and the desired infinite group of symmetries.
Upper Cervical Spine Loading Simulating a Dynamic Low-Speed Collision Significantly Increases the Risk of Pain Compared to Quasi-Static Loading With Equivalent Neck Kinematics
Authors: Holsgrove Timothy P. , Jaumard Nicolas V. , Zhu Nina , Stiansen Nicholas S. , Welch William C. , Winkelstein Beth A.
Published: November 2016

Dynamic cervical spine loading can produce facet capsule injury. Despite a large proportion of neck pain being attributable to the C2/C3 facet capsule, potential mechanisms are not understood. This study replicated low-speed frontal and rear-end traffic collisions in occiput-C3 human cadaveric cervical spine specimens and used kinematic and full-field strain analyses to assess injury. Specimens were loaded quasi-statically in flexion and extension before and after dynamic rotation of C3 at 100 deg/s. Global kinematics in the sagittal plane were tracked at 1 kHz, and C2/C3 facet capsule full-field strains were measured. Dynamic loading did not alter the kinematics from those during quasi-static (QS) loading, but maximum principal strain (MPS) and shear strain (SS) were significantly higher (p = 0.028) in dynamic flexion than for the same quasi-static conditions. The full-field strain analysis demonstrated that capsule strain was inhomogeneous, and that the peak MPS generally occurred in the anterior aspect and along the line of the C2/C3 facet joint. The strain magnitude in dynamic flexion continued to rise after the rotation of C3 had stopped, with a peak MPS of 12.52 ± 4.59% and a maximum SS of 5.34 ± 1.60%. The peak MPS in loading representative of rear-end collisions approached magnitudes previously shown to induce pain in vivo, whereas strain analysis using linear approaches across the facet joint was lower and may underestimate injury risk compared to full-field analysis. The time at which peak MPS occurred suggests that the deceleration following a collision is critical in relation to the production of injurious strains within the facet capsule.
Plane-Strain Shear Dislocation on a Leaky Plane in a Poroelastic Solid
Authors: Song Yongjia , Rudnicki John W.
Published: November 2016

Solutions for the stress and pore pressure p are derived due to sudden introduction of a plane strain shear dislocation on a leaky plane in a linear poroelastic, fluid-infiltrated solid. For a leaky plane, y=0, the fluid mass flux is proportional to the difference in pore pressure across the plane requiring that Δp=R∂p/∂y, where R is a constant resistance. For R=0 and R→∞, the expressions for the stress and pore pressure reduce to previous solutions for the limiting cases of a permeable or impermeable plane, respectively. Solutions for the pore pressure and shear stress on and near y=0 depend significantly on the ratio of x and R. For the leaky plane, the shear stress at y=0 initially increases from the undrained value, as it does from the impermeable plane, but the peak becomes less prominent as the distance x from the dislocation increases. The slope (∂σxy/∂t) at t=0 for the leaky plane is always equal to that of the impermeable plane for any large but finite x. In contrast, the slope ∂σxy/∂t for the permeable fault is negative at t=0. The pore pressure on y=0 initially increases as it does for the impermeable plane and then decays to zero, but as for the shear stress, the increase becomes less with increasing distance x from the dislocation. The rate of increase at t=0 is equal to that for the impermeable fault.
Localized Necking in Elastomer-Supported Metal Layers: Impact of Kinematic Hardening
Authors: Ben Bettaieb Mohamed , Abed-Meraim Farid
Published: November 2016

This paper deals with localized necking in stretched metal sheets using the initial imperfection approach. The first objective is to study the effect of kinematic hardening on the formability of a freestanding metal layer. To this end, the behavior of the metal layer is assumed to follow the rigid-plastic rate-independent flow theory. The isotropic (respectively, kinematic) hardening of this metal is modeled by the Hollomon (respectively, Prager) law. A parametric study is carried out in order to investigate the effect of kinematic hardening on the formability limits. It is shown that the effect of kinematic hardening on the ductility limit is noticeably different depending on the strain path considered. The second aim of this paper is to analyze the effect of an elastomer substrate, perfectly bonded to the metal layer, on the formability of the whole bilayer. It is found that the addition of an elastomer layer substantially enhances the formability of the bilayer, in agreement with earlier studies.