bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Male brood provisioning rates provide evidence for inter‐age competition for mates in female Cooper's Hawks Accipiter cooperii
Authors: Lien Lauren A. , Millsap Brian A. , Madden Kristin , Roemer Gary W.
Published: July 2015

Life history theory predicts that individuals should maximize lifetime reproductive success (LRS) by breeding as soon as they reach sexual maturity, yet many species delay breeding, either because there are insufficient available mates or breeding sites, or because delayed breeding yields higher LRS. Accipitriform species, such as Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii, exhibit both delayed breeding and delayed plumage maturation. However, in certain circumstances, first‐year females in non‐definitive plumage do breed and apparently compete with older females for high‐quality breeding territories. We predicted that these young females are at a competitive disadvantage compared with older females and that older females would have both higher reproductive success and be able to acquire higher quality nesting territories. We conducted brood counts and measured prey delivery rates by male Cooper's Hawks in an expanding urban population located in Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA), to assess our prediction. We found that older females had higher reproductive success, fledging 1.6 more offspring than younger females, and that they occupied territories where males provisioned at higher rates of 0.37 more prey items per 2‐h period. Our results showed that older females fared better than first‐year females but it is unclear if this is the result of passive or active competition. Older females initiated nesting 14.3 days sooner than first‐year females and thus may have filled vacant, high‐quality territories before first‐year females began seeking mates. Additionally, first‐year females were never observed persistently to confront older females for breeding territories, but they did actively compete against each other. First‐year females may defer to older females who, in a direct competitive interaction, would be most likely to prevail. Thus, delayed plumage maturation in Cooper's Hawks may serve to focus competition for nesting territories within age classes.
Determining female consumers’ perceptions of garment fit, personal values and emotions when considering garment sizing
Authors: Kasambala Josephine , Kempen Elizabeth , Pandarum Reena
Published: July 2015

Female consumer's clothing shopping experience is primarily influenced by the appearance and fit of a garment that may be influenced by their personal values and is a process that involves emotions (Otieno et al., 2005; Lopatovska and Arapakis, 2011). Very little research focussing on the emotional impact and the role that personal values play in the female consumers’ shopping experience of ready‐to‐wear garment fit has been conducted in South Africa to date. The primary objective of this study was to explore the areas of concern of garment sizing to establish the emotional impact garment sizing and the resulting fit have on the female consumer purchasing behaviour when evaluated against their personal value system. This study applied the means‐end chain theory approach that allowed the researcher to explore female consumers’ personal values and the resulting emotions, through the application of the laddering interview techniques. Using open‐ended questions, this study aimed to discover the role of female consumers’ perceptions of garment sizing and the resulting emotional effects of garment fit on their purchasing decisions. The findings from the data collected from a purposeful and convenient sample of 62 female consumers from Gauteng, Johannesburg showed that the majority of the participants in this study failed to attain their personal values through the fit of a garment due to inconsistent, unreliable and inaccurate sizing, garment sizing which is unsuitable for various body shapes and the unavailability of certain clothing sizes in ready‐to‐wear garments. The study established that it is extremely important that South African clothing manufacturers and designers should strategize to satisfy the clothing need of the consumers who are currently having problems with garment sizing, by understanding female consumers’ garment sizing and fit needs through extended research of their target markets.
T‐helper 22 cells as a new player in chronic inflammatory skin disorders
Authors: Mirshafiey Abbas , Simhag Anita , El Rouby Nadia M. M. , Azizi Gholamreza
Published: July 2015

T‐helper 22 (Th22) cell is a new subset of CD4+ T cells that secrets interleukin (IL)‐22 but not IL‐17 or interferon‐γ. Th22 is distinct from Th17 and other known CD4+ T‐cell subsets with distinguished gene expression and function. Th22 subsets have chemokine receptors CCR6+ CCR4+ CCR10+ phenotype and aryl hydrocarbon receptor as the key transcription factor. This T‐helper subset, by producing cytokines such as IL‐22, IL‐13, and tumor necrosis factor‐α, is implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin disorder. This review discusses the role of Th22 and its cytokine IL‐22 in the immunopathogenesis of inflammatory skin disorders such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
Skin disease after occupational dermal exposure to coal tar: a review of the scientific literature
Authors: Moustafa Giannis‐Aimant , Xanthopoulou Eleni , Riza Elena , Linos Athena
Published: July 2015

For about a century, coal tar has been used in industry and has been applied in the therapeutic management of several skin diseases. However, in the last decades the benefits of coal tar exploitation for humans could not outweigh its harmful effects on health. The aim of this study is to present the main adverse effects of coal tar on skin, with the emphasis on occupational exposure. The scientific literature indicates that dermal exposure to coal tar and coal tar pitches can be the cause of phototoxic reactions, irritation and burn, allergic dermatitis, folliculitis, occupational acne, atrophy of the epidermis, and hyperpigmentation. Moreover coal tar has been implicated in tumorigenesis, a relationship shown in numerous studies but not confirmed yet as the mechanism has not been fully clarified. A common finding in most studies is that exposure over a long period is the main risk factor for malignancy development, even in low exposure levels. Additional prospective, well‐designed studies need to be performed to confirm the validity of the carcinogenic, mutagenic, and cytotoxic potential of coal tar on skin.
Information Asymmetry about Investment Risk and Financing Choice
Authors: Baxamusa Mufaddal , Mohanty Sunil , Rao Ramesh P.
Published: July 2015

Though it is generally accepted that information asymmetry has an impact on capital structure policy, the nature of the information asymmetry is not well understood. Recent theoretical work and empirical evidence suggests that financing choice depends upon the information asymmetry associated with the investment risk of the particular use of proceeds. Consistent with this view, using the sources and uses of funds framework, we find that equity is used to fund projects with greater information asymmetry about their risk such as research and development expenditure, while debt is used to fund investments with lower information asymmetry about their risk such as liquidity enhancement.
Inter‐rater agreement on PIVC‐associated phlebitis signs, symptoms and scales
Authors: Marsh Nicole , Mihala Gabor , Ray‐Barruel Gillian , Webster Joan , Wallis Marianne C. , Rickard Claire M.
Published: July 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

Many peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) infusion phlebitis scales and definitions are used internationally, although no existing scale has demonstrated comprehensive reliability and validity. We examined inter‐rater agreement between registered nurses on signs, symptoms and scales commonly used in phlebitis assessment.

Methods

Seven PIVC‐associated phlebitis signs/symptoms (pain, tenderness, swelling, erythema, palpable venous cord, purulent discharge and warmth) were observed daily by two raters (a research nurse and registered nurse). These data were modelled into phlebitis scores using 10 different tools. Proportions of agreement (e.g. positive, negative), observed and expected agreements, Cohen's kappa, the maximum achievable kappa, prevalence‐ and bias‐adjusted kappa were calculated.

Results

Two hundred ten patients were recruited across three hospitals, with 247 sets of paired observations undertaken. The second rater was blinded to the first's findings. The Catney and Rittenberg scales were the most sensitive (phlebitis in >20% of observations), whereas the Curran, Lanbeck and Rickard scales were the most restrictive (≤2% phlebitis). Only tenderness and the Catney (one of pain, tenderness, erythema or palpable cord) and Rittenberg scales (one of erythema, swelling, tenderness or pain) had acceptable (more than two‐thirds, 66.7%) levels of inter‐rater agreement.

Conclusions

Inter‐rater agreement for phlebitis assessment signs/symptoms and scales is low. This likely contributes to the high degree of variability in phlebitis rates in literature. We recommend further research into assessment of infrequent signs/symptoms and the Catney or Rittenberg scales. New approaches to evaluating vein irritation that are valid, reliable and based on their ability to predict complications need exploration.
Cordyceps Rice Wine: A Novel Brewing Process
Authors: Yang Runqiang , Gu Dongyan , Gu Zhenxin
Published: July 2015

Cordycepin exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities. In this study, the solid culture conditions of Cordyceps militaris for accumulating cordycepin were optimized, then the medium was added into the brewing process of rice wine; the brewing conditions of cordyceps rice wine were optimized. In addition, the dynamic changes of the main components in cordyceps rice wine during main fermentation process were analyzed. The optimal solid culture condition for C. militaris was liquid‐to‐solid ratio of 1.23 mL/g with inoculum size of 15%, fermenting at 23C. The optimal fermentation conditions of cordyceps rice wine was cordyceps medium addition of 50 g/100 g dry rice, liquid‐to‐solid ratio of 1.96 mL/g, koji addition of 6.53%, fermenting at 25.09C. Under these conditions, the content of cordycepin was 40.58 mg/L after 2 days of main fermentation. During 3 days of main fermentation, the cordycepin content decreased to 33.69 mg/L at the end of fermentation.

Practical Applications

Cordycepin is a kind of nucleoside analogue firstly extracted from Cordyceps militaris that contains antitumor functions and antioxidants that protects the liver, kidney, heart, etc. Rice wine is a traditional alcoholic beverage and belongs to the brewing that is wine consumed largely. If the cordyceps medium is added into the rice wine brewing process, it will make full use of the starch in the medium and improve the functional properties of rice wine. In this study, we optimized the culture condition of C. militaris for accumulating cordycepin, then the medium was added into the brewing process of rice wine; the brewing conditions of cordyceps rice wine were optimized and the variation of cordycepin content during main fermentation was investigated as well.
Design and Performance Evaluation of a Melon Sheller
Authors: Sobowale S.S. , Adebiyi J.A. , Adebo O.A.
Published: July 2015

Melon seed is an important oil seed crop that serves numerous food purposes. Shelling of this crop is vital prior to its vast applications. To address the challenges associated with shelling melon, a melon sheller was designed and constructed. Parameters evaluated include shelling efficiency, percentage seed shelled and damaged, throughput and machine capacity. The machine was constructed using locally available materials and consists of a hopper, frame, shelling and cleaning unit, chutes and prime mover. Shelling operation was carried out using melon seeds of three different moisture contents (6.99, 11.90 and 18.32%) and at different shelling speeds of 2,500 and 1,500 rpm, while performance was evaluated. Results obtained showed that shelling speed of 1,500 rpm and moisture content of 18.32% have the best shelling efficiency of 76.30% and least percentage seed damage of 22.60%, compared with shelling speed of 2,500 rpm and seed moisture content of 6.99%, which had a shelling efficiency of 70.0% and percentage seed damage of 68.10%. Shelling speed of the machine and seed moisture content of melon affect the rate, efficiency and percentage seed damage. The machine and throughput capacity of the equipment are 7.95 and 9.56 kg/h, respectively. This design and set of conditions selected were the most preferred because of its rapid operation, lesser seed damage and minimal human energy expenditure. The developed machine do not require skilled labor, and this melon sheller can effectively address the problems associated with the traditional method of shelling melon among the rural dwellers in Nigeria.

Practical Applications

The constructed sheller is practically applicable to melon seed shelling and subsequent cleaning of its chaff. This will address the prevalent challenge associated with processing of melon seeds, which limit its further use.
Mathematical Modeling of Ascorbic Acid Thermal Degradation in Orange Juice during Industrial Pasteurizations
Authors: Vieira Roniérik Pioli , Mokochinski João Benhur , Sawaya Alexandra C.H.F.
Published: July 2015

Orange juice is submitted to thermal treatment to increase its shelf life, which may result in loss of ascorbic acid. This paper uses mathematical models and simulations to reproduce the experimental data of ascorbic acid thermal degradation kinetics. Two different models were considered, and all kinetic parameters were identified using linear regression on the logarithmic curves of experimental data. A quick analytical method based on ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry was developed to quantify ascorbic acid degradation during the process at three different operating temperatures, allowing the determination of Arrhenius' equations. Ascorbic acid losses were simulated in a tubular industrial pasteurization system by developing an appropriate mathematical modeling, and the residence time presents a higher influence on the process than temperature. In addition, some thermodynamic parameters were evaluated, confirming that the process is not spontaneous but irreversible.

Practical Applications

The mathematical modeling developed in this research can be used to estimate the ascorbic acid losses during industrial pasteurization processes. The case study of this paper concerns on tubular systems. However, the kinetic parameter estimation and the degradation rate obtained can be used in any industrial situation by an appropriate modeling adaptation, e.g., considering the common plate systems.
Quality Evaluation of Vacuum Microwave‐Dried Immature Vegetable Soybean (Glycine Max [L.] Merr.)
Authors: Song J.F. , Liu C.Q. , Jiang X.Q. , Li D.J.
Published: July 2015

The main physiochemical indices related to evaluating the quality of vacuum microwave‐dried immature vegetable soybean were investigated by a combination of correlation analysis and principle component analysis (PCA). The results showed that in the 2.94–7.71% range, the moisture content of dried products was significantly related to L* and had a positive correlation with a* the rehydration ratio was significantly related to a* and had a positive correlation with b*, and L* was related to a* and had a positive correlation with total soluble solids (TSS). Six principal components could reflect most details with a cumulative contribution rate of 87.11%, where a*, rehydration ratio, TSS, yield, moisture content, hardness, fracturability and vitamin C content were the key factors. Through a comprehensive evaluation, Sudou No. 4, Sudou No. 8, Tongdou No. 5, Huaidou No. 8 and Xudou No. 17 were selected as the appropriate varieties for dry processing. The PCA model established was highly consistent with the results of sensory evaluation.

Practical Applications

Beyond different drying methods, particular varieties have important impacts on the quality of dried products. This work evaluates the quality of different varieties of vacuum microwave‐dried immature vegetable soybean with principle component analysis, elucidates the main physiochemical factors affecting the quality of dried products and constructs the evaluation model. As a consequence, this work will provide information relevant to the selection of dried products for maintaining good soybean processing quality.
Feeding biomechanics of the cownose ray, Rhinoptera bonasus, over ontogeny
Authors: Kolmann Matthew A. , Huber Daniel R. , Motta Philip J. , Grubbs R. Dean
Published: July 2015

Growth affects the performance of structure, so the pattern of growth must influence the role of a structure and an organism. Because animal performance is linked to morphological specialization, ontogenetic change in size may influence an organism's biological role. High bite force generation is presumably selected for in durophagous taxa. Therefore, these animals provide an excellent study system for investigating biomechanical consequences of growth on performance. An ontogenetic series of 27 cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) were dissected in order to develop a biomechanical model of the feeding mechanism, which was then compared with bite forces measured from live rays. Mechanical advantage of the feeding apparatus was generally conserved throughout ontogeny, while an increase in the mass and cross‐sectional area of the jaw adductors resulted in allometric gains in bite force generation. Of primary importance to forceful biting in this taxon is the use of a fibrocartilaginous tendon associated with the insertion of the primary jaw adductor division. This tendon may serve to redirect muscle forces anteriorly, transmitting them within the plane of biting. Measured bite forces obtained through electrostimulation of the jaw adductors in live rays were higher than predicted, possibly due to differences in specific tension of actual batoid muscle and that used in the model. Mass‐specific bite forces in these rays are the highest recorded for elasmobranchs. Cownose rays exemplify a species that, through allometric growth of bite performance and morphological novelties, have expanded their ecological performance over ontogeny.
Democratic Reforms, Foreign Aid and Production Inefficiency
Authors: Christopoulos Dimitris K , Siourounis Gregorios , Vlachaki Irene
Published: July 2015

We employ empirical analysis to investigate the link between foreign aid and production inefficiency in the presence of different political orientations in the recipient country. Using a set of 124 countries from 1971 to 2007 and the production frontier toolbox, controlling for unobserved heterogeneity, time horizons, the sources of aid and the timing of aid impact, we document that foreign aid is associated with higher production inefficiency and that this inefficiency is reduced considerably if countries switch to democratic governance. Our study contributes to the aid literature by pointing to the institutional enhancement of the recipient countries through the adoption of democratic rule.
Genes mirror geography in Daphnia magna
Authors: Fields Peter D. , Reisser Céline , Dukić Marinela , Haag Christoph R. , Ebert Dieter
Published: July 2015

Identifying the presence and magnitude of population genetic structure remains a major consideration in evolutionary biology as doing so allows one to understand the demographic history of a species as well as make predictions of how the evolutionary process will proceed. Next‐generation sequencing methods allow us to reconsider previous ideas and conclusions concerning the distribution of genetic variation, and what this distribution implies about a given species evolutionary history. A previous phylogeographic study of the crustacean Daphnia magna suggested that, despite strong genetic differentiation among populations at a local scale, the species shows only moderate genetic structure across its European range, with a spatially patchy occurrence of individual lineages. We apply RAD sequencing to a sample of D. magna collected across a wide swath of the species' Eurasian range and analyse the data using principle component analysis (PCA) of genetic variation and Procrustes analytical approaches, to quantify spatial genetic structure. We find remarkable consistency between the first two PCA axes and the geographic coordinates of individual sampling points, suggesting that, on a continent‐wide scale, genetic differentiation is driven to a large extent by geographic distance. The observed pattern is consistent with unimpeded (i.e. no barriers, landscape or otherwise) migration at large spatial scales, despite the fragmented and patchy nature of favourable habitats at local scales. With high‐resolution genetic data similar patterns may be uncovered for other species with wide geographic distributions, allowing an increased understanding of how genetic drift and selection have shaped their evolutionary history.
Schenker at the Piano
Authors: SIEGEL HEDI
Published: July 2015

Drawing on letters, diaries, lesson‐books and contemporary accounts, this article highlights the importance of piano playing in Schenker's daily life. He was active as a pianist on the concert stage early in his career (in 1899 he toured with the baritone Johannes Messchaert), but after the first decade of the twentieth century he played mainly alone or in the company of his family, friends and pupils. At social gatherings in Vienna and during summer vacations he quite frequently performed for and with his friends. He made music with members of his family, playing duets with his wife, Jeanette, and accompanying his nephew Georg, a cellist. When teaching, he gave demonstrations at the piano for his pupils and also often played duets with them. His pianism gave rise to the valuable sections on performance in his analytic essays and influenced his choice of examples for Free Composition.
High mutation rate ofNPHP3in 18Chinese infantile nephronophthisis patients
Authors: Sun Liangzhong , Tong Huajuan , Wang Haiyan , Yue Zhihui , Liu Ting , Lin Hongrong , Li Jun , Wang Changxi
Published: July 2015

Aim

The present study was designed to explore mutations ofNPHP2andNPHP3and clinical features in 18Chinese infantile nephronophthisis (NPHP) patients.

Methods

Patients were subjected to screen for mutations in bothNPHP2andNPHP3, and clinical data were collected.

Results

Eighteen patients from 17 families were included in this study. Eight of 17 (47.1%) patients detected were identified to have mutations inNPHP3, but none had a mutation inNPHP2. Of the patients withNPHP3mutations, four had compound heterozygous mutations, and the other four harboured single heterozygous mutations. Ten of theNPHP3mutations were novel. Low molecular weight proteinuria was observed in all 16 detected patients. Renal histology were available in seven children, five patients showed infantile typeNPHPfeatures, and the other two patients from the same family showed juvenile typeNPHPfeatures. Liver involvement was observed in all patients withNPHP3mutations and congenital heart disease in two patients harbouringNPHP3mutation of c.2369T > C(p.L790P).

Conclusions

In this group of infantileNPHPpatients, mutations ofNPHP3were prevalent, whereas mutation ofNPHP2was absent. Genotype to phenotype correlations were observed in patients withNPHP3mutations and all patients withNPHP3mutations showed renal‐hepatic phenotype.
Exploring new ways of regulation by resveratrol involving miRNAs, with emphasis on inflammation
Authors: Latruffe Norbert , Lançon Allan , Frazzi Raffaele , Aires Virginie , Delmas Dominique , Michaille Jean‐Jacques , Djouadi Fatima , Bastin Jean , Cherkaoui‐Malki Mustapha
Published: July 2015

This review presents recent evidence implicating microRNAs (miRNAs) in the beneficial effects of resveratrol (trihydroxystilbene), a nonflavonoid plant polyphenol, with emphasis on its anti‐inflammatory effects. Many diseases and pathologies have been linked, directly or indirectly, to inflammation. These include infections, injuries, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, obesity, cancer, osteoarthritis, age‐related macular degeneration, demyelination, and neurodegenerative diseases. Resveratrol can both decrease the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL‐6, IL‐8, and TNF‐α) and increase the production of anti‐inflammatory cytokines; it also decreases the expression of adhesion proteins (e.g., ICAM‐1) and leukocyte chemoattractants (e.g., MCP‐1). Resveratrol's primary targets appear to be the transcription factors AP‐1 and NF‐κB, as well as the gene COX2. Although no mechanistic link between any particular miRNA and resveratrol has been identified, resveratrol effects depend at least in part upon the modification of the expression of a variety of miRNAs that can be anti‐inflammatory (e.g., miR‐663), proinflammatory (e.g., miR‐155), tumor suppressing (e.g., miR‐663), or oncogenic (e.g., miR‐21).
The nature and sources of variability in pediatric surgical case duration
Authors: Bravo Fernanda , Levi Retsef , Ferrari Lynne R. , McManus Michael L.
Published: July 2015

Background

Case time variability confounds surgical scheduling and decreases access to limited operating room resources. Variability arises from many sources and can differ among institutions serving different populations. A rich literature has developed around case time variability in adults, but little in pediatrics.

Objective

We studied the effect of commonly used patient and procedure factors in driving case time variability in a large, free‐standing, academic pediatric hospital.

Methods

We analyzed over 40 000 scheduled surgeries performed over 3 years. Using bootstrapping, we computed descriptive statistics for 249 procedures and reported variability statistics. We then used conditional inference regression trees to identify procedure and patient factors associated with pediatric case time and evaluated their predictive power by comparing prediction errors against current practice. Patient and procedure factors included patient's age and weight, medical status, surgeon identity, and ICU request indicator.

Results

Overall variability in pediatric case time, as reflected by standard deviation, was 30% (25.8, 34.7) of the median case time. Relative variability (coefficient of variation), was largest among short cases. For a few procedure types, the regression tree can improve prediction accuracy if extreme behavior cases are preemptively identified. However, for most procedure types, no useful predictive factors were identified and, most notably, surgeon identity was unimportant.

Conclusions

Pediatric case time variability, unlike adult cases, is poorly explained by surgeon effect or other characteristics that are commonly abstracted from electronic records. This largely relates to the ‘long‐tailed’ distribution of pediatric cases and unpredictably long cases. Surgeon‐specific scheduling is therefore unnecessary and similar cases may be pooled across surgeons. Future scheduling efforts in pediatrics should focus on prospective identification of patient and procedural specifics that are associated with and predictive of long cases. Until such predictors are identified, daily management of pediatric operating rooms will require compensatory overtime, capacity buffers, schedule flexibility, and cost.
Vacuolar targeting of r‐proteins in sugarcane leads to higher levels of purifiable commercially equivalent recombinant proteins in cane juice
Authors: Palaniswamy Harunipriya , Syamaladevi Divya P. , Mohan Chakravarthi , Philip Anna , Petchiyappan Anushya , Narayanan Subramonian
Published: July 2015

Sugarcane is an ideal candidate for biofarming applications because of its large biomass, rapid growth rate, efficient carbon fixation pathway and a well‐developed storage tissue system. Vacuoles occupy a large proportion of the storage parenchyma cells in the sugarcane stem, and the stored products can be harvested as juice by crushing the cane. Hence, for the production of any high‐value protein, it could be targeted to the lytic vacuoles so as to extract and purify the protein of interest from the juice. There is no consensus vacuolar‐targeting sequence so far to target any heterologous proteins to sugarcane vacuole. Hence, in this study, we identified an N‐terminal 78‐bp‐long putative vacuolar‐targeting sequence from the N‐terminal domain of unknown function (DUF) in Triticum aestivum 6‐SFT (sucrose: fructan 6‐fructosyl transferase). In this study, we have generated sugarcane transgenics with gene coding for the green fluorescent protein (GFP) fused with the vacuolar‐targeting determinants at the N‐terminal driven by a strong constitutive promoter (Port ubi882) and demonstrated the targeting of GFP to the vacuoles. In addition, we have also generated transgenics with His‐tagged β‐glucuronidase (GUS) and aprotinin targeted to the lytic vacuole, and these two proteins were isolated and purified from the transgenic sugarcane and compared with commercially available protein samples. Our studies have demonstrated that the novel vacuolar‐targeting determinant could localize recombinant proteins (r‐proteins) to the vacuole in high concentrations and such targeted r‐proteins can be purified from the juice with a few simple steps.
Clinical features of long‐term low‐dose levetiracetam treatment for epilepsy
Authors: Yoshikawa Sosuke , Shimakawa Shuichi , Fukui Miho , Nomura Shohei , Tanabe Takuya , Tamai Hiroshi
Published: July 2015

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the rate of response to long‐term low‐dose levetiracetam (LEV) treatment and the clinical factors associated with response.

Methods

The response to low‐dose LEV of 43 patients with epilepsy (22 male, 21 female; age range, 5–39 years; median age, 13 years) was retrospectively assessed. Patients aged <15 years received <20 mg/kg/day LEV, whereas those aged ≥15 years received <1000 mg/day LEV. Clinical features were compared between responders to low‐dose LEV, responders to the recommended dose, and non‐responders.

Results

Of the 43 patients who received low‐dose LEV, 13 (30%) showed improvement, defined as seizure cessation or >75% seizure reduction over 6 months for patients with monthly, weekly, and daily seizures; and over 1 year for patients with yearly seizures. Efficacy was maintained for >1 year in 10 (77%) of the 13 patients. Long‐term response to low‐dose LEV was significantly associated with older age at onset and fewer previous treatments with ineffective anti‐epileptic drugs. All patients showing long‐term response to low‐dose LEV developed only focal seizures.

Conclusions

Titration of LEV starting from a low dose may be effective in selected patients. Once patients respond to low‐dose treatment, maintenance of the effective dosage may prolong response.
Revisiting Wittgenstein on Family Resemblance and Colour(s)
Authors: Ma Lin , van Brakel Jaap
Published: July 2015

We argue that all general concepts are family resemblance concepts. These include concepts introduced by ostension, such as colour(s). Concepts of colour and of each of the specific colours are family resemblance concepts because similarities concerning an open‐ended range of colour or of appearance features crop up and disappear. After discussing the notion of “same colour” and Wittgenstein's use of the phrase “our colours”, we suggest family resemblance concepts in one tradition can often be extended to family resemblance concepts in another tradition, illustrated by Wittgenstein's use of the words Spiel and “game”.
Biological significance of dead biomass retention trait in Mediterranean Basin species: an analysis between different successional niches and regeneration strategies as functional groups
Authors: Baeza M. J. , Santana V. M.
Published: July 2015

Standing dead biomass retention is considered one of the most relevant fuel structural traits to affect plant flammability. However, very little is known about the biological significance of this trait and its distribution between different functional groups. Our aim was to analyse how the proportion of dead biomass produced in Mediterranean species is related to the successional niche of species (early‐, mid‐ and late‐successional stages) and the regeneration strategy of species (seeders and resprouters). We evaluated biomass distribution by size classes and standing dead biomass retention in nine dominant species from the Mediterranean Basin in different development stages (5, 9, 14 and 26 years since the last fire). The results revealed significant differences in the standing dead biomass retention of species that presented a distinct successional niche or regeneration strategy. These differences were restricted to the oldest ages studied (>9 years). Tree and small tree resprouters, typical in late‐successional stages, presented slight variations with age and a less marked trend to retain dead biomass, while seeder shrubs and dwarf shrubs, characteristic of early‐successional stages, showed high dead biomass loads. Our results suggest that the species that tend to retain more dead branches are colonising species that may promote fire in early‐successional stages.
Problem Representation, Option Generation, and Poliheuristic Theory: An Experimental Analysis
Authors: Keller Jonathan , Yang Yi Edward
Published: July 2015

Poliheuristic (PH) theory has received strong empirical support for its depiction of the option selection process: it explains how leaders evaluate, weigh, and ultimately choose among a set of policy options. But PH theory does not explain how this initial set of options is generated. Foreign policy problem representation (PR) research has shown that the way in which leaders mentally represent decision problems determines which options are generated for consideration. In this article, we develop a hybrid PR‐PH framework in which leaders’ problem representations drive an unconscious screening process that occurs prior to the conscious screening of PH stage 1. We test hypotheses drawn from this framework experimentally and find that key elements of PR (most notably, perceived threat) determine which options consciously occur to decision makers and which options are not generated during a simulated foreign policy crisis.
Incidence and outcome of lung involvement in IgG4‐related autoimmune pancreatitis
Authors: Ogoshi Takaaki , Kido Takashi , Yatera Kazuhiro , Oda Keishi , Nishida Chinatsu , Yamasaki Kei , Orihashi Takeshi , Kawanami Yukiko , Ishimoto Hiroshi , Taguchi Masashi , Harada Masaru , Mukae Hiroshi
Published: July 2015

We evaluated the incidence and outcome of lung involvement in 35 patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). Our results indicate that lung involvement is commonly observed in AIP (40%). In addition, corticosteroid treatment improved the lung lesions and appeared to reduce the probability of relapse compared with pancreatic lesions (0% vs 36%). This is the first report to assess the long‐term outcome of lung involvement in AIP (52 ± 33 months).
Hetero‐trans‐β‐glucanase, an enzyme unique to Equisetum plants, functionalizes cellulose
Authors: Simmons Thomas J. , Mohler Kyle E. , Holland Claire , Goubet Florence , Franková Lenka , Houston Douglas R. , Hudson Andrew D. , Meulewaeter Frank , Fry Stephen C.
Published: July 2015

Cell walls are metabolically active components of plant cells. They contain diverse enzymes, including transglycanases (endotransglycosylases), enzymes that ‘cut and paste’ certain structural polysaccharide molecules and thus potentially remodel the wall during growth and development. Known transglycanase activities modify several cell‐wall polysaccharides (xyloglucan, mannans, mixed‐linkage β‐glucan and xylans); however, no transglycanases were known to act on cellulose, the principal polysaccharide of biomass. We now report the discovery and characterization of hetero‐trans‐β‐glucanase (HTG), a transglycanase that targets cellulose, in horsetails (Equisetum spp., an early‐diverging genus of monilophytes). HTG is also remarkable in predominantly catalysing hetero‐transglycosylation: its preferred donor substrates (cellulose or mixed‐linkage β‐glucan) differ qualitatively from its acceptor substrate (xyloglucan). HTG thus generates stable cellulose–xyloglucan and mixed‐linkage β‐glucan–xyloglucan covalent bonds, and may therefore strengthen ageing Equisetum tissues by inter‐linking different structural polysaccharides of the cell wall. 3D modelling suggests that only three key amino acid substitutions (Trp → Pro, Gly → Ser and Arg → Leu) are responsible for the evolution of HTG's unique specificity from the better‐known xyloglucan‐acting homo‐transglycanases (xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolases; XTH). Among land plants, HTG appears to be confined to Equisetum, but its target polysaccharides are widespread, potentially offering opportunities for enhancing crop mechanical properties, such as wind resistance. In addition, by linking cellulose to xyloglucan fragments previously tagged with compounds such as dyes or indicators, HTG may be useful biotechnologically for manufacturing stably functionalized celluloses, thereby potentially offering a commercially valuable ‘green’ technology for industrially manipulating biomass.
Costs and outcomes after cardiac surgery in patients refusing transfusion compared with those who do not: a case‐matched study
Authors: Guinn Nicole R. , Roberson Russell S. , White William , Cowper Patricia A. , Broomer Bob , Milano Carmelo , Chiricolo Antonio , Hill Steven
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

Although numerous studies have demonstrated the feasibility of cardiac surgery for blood refusal patients, few studies match to controls, and fewer examine cost. This historical cohort study aims to compare costs and outcomes after cardiac surgery in Jehovah's Witness patients who refuse blood transfusion with a group of matched patients accepting transfusion.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A retrospective database review was performed to find all patients having cardiac surgery who refused blood products from January 2005 to July 2012 at Duke University Medical Center. These 45 patients were closely matched 1:2 with controls who accepted transfusion based on characteristics likely to influence transfusion. Cost from day of surgery to hospital discharge and other outcome data (length of stay [LOS], discharge hemoglobin [Hb], acute kidney injury) were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Forty‐five Witnesses having cardiac surgery were temporally matched to two controls having the same surgery. Median euroSCORE was the same in both groups (6.0, p = 0.9981). In the matched‐pairs comparison of cost, there was no significant difference in total cost for Witnesses and controls. There was no difference in intensive care unit LOS (median, 1 day, both groups) or total LOS (median, 9 days for Witnesses vs. 7 days for controls). Mean Hb at discharge was higher in Witnesses than in controls (11.7 g/dL vs. 9.8 g/dL, p < 0.001). Thirty‐day mortality was zero in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Utilizing applicable blood conservation measures, cardiac surgery may be performed with similar outcomes and cost from day of surgery to discharge compared to controls in select patients without blood transfusion.
Measurement of Air Flow Rate Sensitivity to the Differential Pressure Across a Server Rack in a Data Center
Authors: Arghode Vaibhav K. , Joshi Yogendra
Published: July 2015

Presently, air cooling is the most common method of thermal management in data centers. In a data center, multiple servers are housed in a rack, and the racks are arranged in rows to allow cold air entry from the front (cold aisle) and hot air exit from the back (hot aisle), in what is referred as hot-aisle-cold-aisle (HACA) arrangement. If the racks are kept in an open room space, the differential pressure between the front and back of the rack is zero. However, this may not be true for some scenarios, such as, in the case of cold aisle containment, where the cold aisle is physically separated from the hot data center room space to minimize cold and hot air mixing. For an under-provisioned case (total supplied tile air flow rate < total rack air flow rate) the pressure in the cold aisle (front of the rack) will be lower than the data center room space (back of the rack). For this case, the rack air flow rate will be lower than the case without the containment. In this paper, we will present a methodology to measure the rack air flow rate sensitivity to differential pressure across the rack. Here, we use perforated covers at the back of the racks, which results in higher back pressure (and lower rack air flow rate) and the corresponding sensitivity of rack air flow rate to the differential pressure is obtained. The influence of variation and nonuniformity in the server fan speed is investigated, and it is observed that with consideration of fan laws, one can obtain results for different average fan speeds with reasonable accuracy. The measured sensitivity can be used to determine the rack air flow rate with variation in the cold aisle pressure, which can then be used as a boundary condition in computational fluid dynamics (CFD)/rapid models for data center air flow modeling. The measured sensitivity can also be used to determine the change in rack air flow rate with the use of different types of front/back perforated doors at the rack. Here, the rack air flow rate is measured using an array of thermal anemometers, pressure is measured using a micromanometer, and the fan speed is measured using an optical tachometer.
Exact Solution of Electroviscous Flow and Heat Transfer in a Semi-annular Microcapillary
Authors: Moghadam Ali Jabari
Published: July 2015

The electro-osmotic flow (EOF) and associated heat transfer are investigated in a semi-annular microcapillary. The potential, velocity, and temperature fields are solved by analytic approaches including the eigenfunction expansion and the Green’s function methods. By selecting the potential sign of each surface of the channel, the bulk fluid may flow in two opposite directions. Effects of the key parameters governing the problem are examined. The mass flow rate increases when the hydraulic diameter is increased or the electrokinetic radius is decreased. The results reveal that surface cooling and/or surface heating (of the inner or outer walls) strongly affects the fluid temperature distributions as well as the position of the maximum/minimum temperature region inside the domain; the latter indicates temperature gradients in fluid. Also, higher thermal scale ratio leads to broaden the temperature distribution. Depending on the value of the geometric radius ratio (and for all values of the thermal scale ratio), the fully developed Nusselt number approaches a specific value as the electrokinetic radius tends to infinity.
The MechProcessor: Helping Novices Design Printable Mechanisms Across Different Printers
Authors: Fuge Mark , Carmean Greg , Cornelius Jessica , Elder Ryan
Published: July 2015

Additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D-printing, sits at the heart of the Maker Movement—the growing desire for wider-ranges of people to design physical objects. However, most users that wish to design functional moving devices face a prohibitive barrier-to-entry: they need fluency in a computer-aided design (CAD) package. This limits most people to being merely consumers, rather than designers or makers. To solve this problem, we combine advances in mechanism synthesis, computer languages, and design for AM to create a computational framework, the MechProcessor, which allows novices to produce 3D-printable, moving mechanisms of varying complexity using simple and extendable interfaces. The paper describes how we use hierarchical cascading configuration languages, breadth-first search, and mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) for mechanism synthesis, along with a nested, printable test-case to detect and resolve the AM constraints needed to ensure the devices can be 3D printed. We provide physical case studies and an open-source library of code and mechanisms that enable others to easily extend the MechProcessor framework. This encourages new research, commercial, and educational directions, including new types of customized printable robotics, business models for customer-driven design, and STEM education initiatives that involve nontechnical audiences in mechanical design. By promoting novice interaction in complex design and fabrication of movable components, we can move society closer to the true promise of the Maker Movement: turning consumers into designers.
Corrections to Morse and Ingard's variational-based treatment of weakly-nonlinear acoustics in lossless gases
Authors: Christov Ivan C. , Jordan P. M.
Published: July 2015

Errors in Morse and Ingard's treatment of the topic of weakly-nonlinear acoustics in Sec. 6.2 of their book [Theoretical Acoustics (1968)] are noted and corrected.
Motor Unit Interpulse Intervals During High Force Contractions
Authors: Stock Matt S. , Thompson Brennan J.
Published: July 2015

We examined the means, medians, and variability for motor-unit interpulse intervals (IPIs) during voluntary, high force contractions. Eight men (mean age = 22 years) attempted to perform isometric contractions at 90% of their maximal voluntary contraction force while bipolar surface electromyographic (EMG) signals were detected from the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscles. Surface EMG signal decomposition was used to determine the recruitment thresholds and IPIs of motor units that demonstrated accuracy levels ≥ 96.0%. Motor units with high recruitment thresholds demonstrated longer mean IPIs, but the coefficients of variation were similar across all recruitment thresholds. Polynomial regression analyses indicated that for both muscles, the relationship between the means and standard deviations of the IPIs was linear. The majority of IPI histograms were positively skewed. Although low-threshold motor units were associated with shorter IPIs, the variability among motor units with differing recruitment thresholds was comparable.
Complete Genome Sequence of Avian Paramyxovirus Strain APMV-6/red-crested pochard/Balkhash/5842/2013 from Kazakhstan
Authors: Karamendin Kobey , Kydyrmanov Aidyn , Seidalina Aigerim , Jenckel Maria , Starick Elke , Grund Christian , Asanova Saule , Khan Elizaveta , Daulbayeva Klara , Kasymbekov Yermukhammet , Zhumatov Kainar , Sayatov Marat , Beer Martin , Fereidouni Sasan
Published: July 2015

An avian paramyxovirus 6 strain was isolated during a wild bird monitoring study in Kazakhstan in 2013. The virus was isolated from a wild duck red-crested pochard (
Netta rufina
) in southeastern Kazakhstan. Here, we present the complete genome sequence of the virus.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Geobacillus
sp. Isolate T6, a Thermophilic Bacterium Collected from a Thermal Spring in Argentina
Authors: Ortiz Elio M. , Berretta Marcelo F. , Navas Laura E. , Benintende Graciela B. , Amadio Ariel F. , Zandomeni Rubén O.
Published: July 2015

Geobacillus
sp. isolate T6 was collected from a thermal spring in Salta, Argentina. The draft genome sequence (3,767,773 bp) of this isolate is represented by one major scaffold of 3,46 Mbp, a second one of 207 kbp, and 20 scaffolds of <13 kbp. The assembled sequences revealed 3,919 protein-coding genes.
Complete Genome Sequence of an Emerging Melon Necrotic Spot Virus Isolate Infecting Greenhouse Cucumber in North America
Authors: Li Rugang , Zheng Yi , Fei Zhangjun , Ling Kai-Shu
Published: July 2015

The complete genome sequence (4,267 nt) of a
Melon necrotic spot virus
(MNSV) isolate (ABCA13-01) infecting greenhouse cucumber in Canada was determined through deep sequencing of small RNAs. Its genome sequence was most closely related to MNSV-N (97%) but lacked a 55-nucleotide insertion at the 3′ untranslated region for resistance breaking.