bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solar radiation and functional traits explain the decline of forest primary productivity along a tropical elevation gradient
Authors: Fyllas Nikolaos M. , Bentley Lisa Patrick , Shenkin Alexander , Asner Gregory P. , Atkin Owen K. , Díaz Sandra , Enquist Brian J. , Farfan‐Rios William , Gloor Emanuel , Guerrieri Rossella , Huasco Walter Huaraca , Ishida Yoko , Martin Roberta E. , Meir Patrick , Phillips Oliver , Salinas Norma , Silman Miles , Weerasinghe Lasantha K , Zaragoza‐Castells Joana , Malhi Yadvinder
Published: May 2017

One of the major challenges in ecology is to understand how ecosystems respond to changes in environmental conditions, and how taxonomic and functional diversity mediate these changes. In this study, we use a trait‐spectra and individual‐based model, to analyse variation in forest primary productivity along a 3.3 km elevation gradient in the Amazon‐Andes. The model accurately predicted the magnitude and trends in forest productivity with elevation, with solar radiation and plant functional traits (leaf dry mass per area, leaf nitrogen and phosphorus concentration, and wood density) collectively accounting for productivity variation. Remarkably, explicit representation of temperature variation with elevation was not required to achieve accurate predictions of forest productivity, as trait variation driven by species turnover appears to capture the effect of temperature. Our semi‐mechanistic model suggests that spatial variation in traits can potentially be used to estimate spatial variation in productivity at the landscape scale.
The Roles of Pinyin Skill in English‐Chinese Biliteracy Learning: Evidence From Chinese Immersion Learners
Authors: Lü Chan
Published: May 2017

Pinyin is a sound‐annotating system for Chinese characters using Roman letters. Teaching and learning Pinyin has been an important educational practice in Mainland China for native Chinese children, and it is also typically taught to beginning learners of Chinese as a foreign/second language in tertiary‐level classrooms. However, whether it should be taught to nonnative children who are studying Chinese as a second language has been controversial. This study examined the roles of Pinyin skill in Chinese‐English biliteracy learning among a group of second‐grade learners in a Chinese immersion program across one academic year and found that Pinyin facilitates subsequent Chinese word reading at no cost to students’ English literacy learning. Results are discussed in the context of learning Chinese as a nonnative language among young learners in school settings. Implications for teaching Chinese reading, curriculum, and material design, especially for Chinese immersion programs, are discussed.
Higher yields and lower methane emissions with new rice cultivars
Authors: Jiang Yu , van Groenigen Kees Jan , Huang Shan , Hungate Bruce A. , van Kessel Chris , Hu Shuijin , Zhang Jun , Wu Lianhai , Yan Xiaojun , Wang Lili , Chen Jin , Hang Xiaoning , Zhang Yi , Horwath William R. , Ye Rongzhong , Linquist Bruce A. , Song Zhenwei , Zheng Chengyan , Deng Aixing , Zhang Weijian
Published: May 2017

Breeding high‐yielding rice cultivars through increasing biomass is a key strategy to meet rising global food demands. Yet, increasing rice growth can stimulate methane (CH4) emissions, exacerbating global climate change, as rice cultivation is a major source of this powerful greenhouse gas. Here, we show in a series of experiments that high‐yielding rice cultivars actually reduce CH4 emissions from typical paddy soils. Averaged across 33 rice cultivars, a biomass increase of 10% resulted in a 10.3% decrease in CH4 emissions in a soil with a high carbon (C) content. Compared to a low‐yielding cultivar, a high‐yielding cultivar significantly increased root porosity and the abundance of methane‐consuming microorganisms, suggesting that the larger and more porous root systems of high‐yielding cultivars facilitated CH4 oxidation by promoting O2 transport to soils. Our results were further supported by a meta‐analysis, showing that high‐yielding rice cultivars strongly decrease CH4 emissions from paddy soils with high organic C contents. Based on our results, increasing rice biomass by 10% could reduce annual CH4 emissions from Chinese rice agriculture by 7.1%. Our findings suggest that modern rice breeding strategies for high‐yielding cultivars can substantially mitigate paddy CH4 emission in China and other rice growing regions.
Asymmetric effects of cooler and warmer winters on beech phenology last beyond spring
Authors: Signarbieux Constant , Toledano Ester , Sanginés de Carcer Paula , Fu Yongshuo H. , Schlaepfer Rodolphe , Buttler Alexandre , Vitasse Yann
Published: May 2017

In temperate trees, the timings of plant growth onset and cessation affect biogeochemical cycles, water, and energy balance. Currently, phenological studies largely focus on specific phenophases and on their responses to warming. How differently spring phenology responds to the warming and cooling, and affects the subsequent phases, has not been yet investigated in trees. Here, we exposed saplings of Fagus sylvatica L. to warmer and cooler climate during the winter 2013–2014 by conducting a reciprocal transplant experiment between two elevations (1,340 vs. 371 m a.s.l., ca. 6°C difference) in the Swiss Jura mountains. To test the legacy effects of earlier or later budburst on the budset timing, saplings were moved back to their original elevation shortly after the occurrence of budburst in spring 2014. One degree decrease in air temperature in winter/spring resulted in a delay of 10.9 days in budburst dates, whereas one degree of warming advanced the date by 8.8 days. Interestingly, we also found an asymmetric effect of the warmer winter vs. cooler winter on the budset timing in late summer. Budset of saplings that experienced a cooler winter was delayed by 31 days compared to the control, whereas it was delayed by only 10 days in saplings that experienced a warmer winter. Budburst timing in 2015 was not significantly impacted by the artificial advance or delay of the budburst timing in 2014, indicating that the legacy effects of the different phenophases might be reset during each winter. Adapting phenological models to the whole annual phenological cycle, and considering the different response to cooling and warming, would improve predictions of tree phenology under future climate warming conditions.
Impact of long‐hours family caregiving on non‐fatal coronary heart disease risk in middle‐aged people: Results from a longitudinal nationwide survey in Japan
Authors: Miyawaki Atsushi , Tomio Jun , Kobayashi Yasuki , Takahashi Hideto , Noguchi Haruko , Tamiya Nanako
Published: May 2017

Aim

The effects of family caregiving, especially long‐hours caregiving, on coronary heart disease (CHD) are debatable. We examined the impact of family caregiving on incident non‐fatal CHD.

Methods

We used data from the Longitudinal Survey of Middle‐Aged and Elderly Persons from 2005 to 2010, a nationwide panel survey for Japanese people aged 50–59 years in 2005 (baseline). After we excluded non‐respondents and people with missing key variables at baseline, 25 121 individuals without CHD, stroke or cancer were followed up for a mean of 4.6 years. The exposure was assessed at baseline by three indicators: (i) family caregiving; (ii) hours spent caregiving; and (iii) kinship type of care recipient. The non‐fatal CHD incidence was identified according to questionnaire responses from 2006 to 2010.

Results

Cox's proportional hazards analysis did not show a statistically significant association between family caregiving and incident non‐fatal CHD (hazard ratio [HR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92–1.40). Caregivers who spent 20–69 h per week on care showed a statistically significant increased risk for non‐fatal CHD (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.23–2.58) compared with non‐caregivers; whereas this increased risk was statistically significant only among women (HR 1.98, 95% CI 1.27–3.08), but not among men (HR 1.35, 95% CI 0.67–2.71). Kinship type of care recipient did not make a significant difference to the effects of family caregiving on incident non‐fatal CHD.

Conclusions

Long‐hours family caregiving could be an independent risk factor for incident non‐fatal CHD among middle‐aged women in Japan. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2109–2115.
Cooking the books: Bureaucratic politicization and policy knowledge
Authors: Boräng Frida , Cornell Agnes , Grimes Marcia , Schuster Christian
Published: May 2017

Accurate knowledge about societal conditions and public policies is an important public good in any polity, yet governments across the world differ dramatically in the extent to which they collect and publish such knowledge. This article develops and tests the argument that this variation to some extent can be traced to the degree of bureaucratic politicization in a polity. A politicized bureaucracy offers politicians greater opportunities to demand from bureaucrats—and raises incentives for bureaucrats to supply—public policy knowledge that is strategically biased or suppressed in a manner that benefits incumbents reputationally. Due to electoral competition, we suggest that the link between bureaucratic politicization and politicized policy knowledge will be stronger in democracies than in autocracies. A case analysis of Argentina's statistical agency lends credence to the underlying causal mechanism. Time‐series cross‐sectional analyses confirm the broader validity of the expectations and show that the relationship is present only in democracies.
Rare earth (RE: Nd, Dy, Ho, Y, Yb, and Sc) aluminosilicates for joining silicon carbide components
Authors: Herrmann Marion , Ahmad Sarfraz , Lippmann Wolfgang , Seifert Hans‐Jürgen , Hurtado Antonio
Published: May 2017

Six different types of glass 12.18 RE2O3‐22 Al2O3‐65.82 SiO2 (mol %) where RE: Nd, Dy, Ho, Y, Yb, and Sc were tested for joining silicon carbide (SiC) components. The different types of glass vary in their thermal properties but they are similar in their behavior for the joining process when a laser‐based heating technology was used. The quality of the joints was characterized by microscopic analysis, mechanical tests, and measurements of tightness. Annealing experiments were conducted at temperatures in the range of the glass transition and crystallization allowing an assessment of the compositions for usability as glass and as glass‐ceramic interlayers. Five of the investigated compositions can be recommended for application up to temperatures of 900°C. The Y‐ and Yb‐based compositions guarantee a high joint quality at temperatures up to 1200°C. The high temperature assessment was based on tightness and microstructural analyses of the joints after the annealing procedures. The results can be transferred to joining processes with lower heating and cooling rates.
Exit or Voice? The Recent Drivers of Kosovar Out‐migration
Authors: Möllers Judith , Arapi‐Gjini Arjola , Herzfeld Thomas , Xhema Sherif
Published: May 2017

A remarkable out‐migration from Kosovo occurred after the winter 2014/15, raising urgent questions about its underlying drivers and implications for both Kosovo and the destination countries. This article aims at providing a better understanding of key migration triggers and some particularities of the phenomenon. We link our empirically found migration drivers to Hirschman's () famous exit, voice or loyalty scheme by asking in how far the exit must be understood as the explicit alternative to voicing dissatisfaction with the current situation in the country. According to our results, the recent Kosovar out‐migration is a clear response to weak governance and thus goes beyond the widespread ‘migration‐cum‐remittances’ livelihood practice. In this sense it could be interpreted as a revolt against the political system. With view to policy implications for destination countries, we point at legal travel and migration opportunities as the better solution to channel both voice and exit.
The many ways tissue phagocytes respond to dying cells
Authors: Blander J. Magarian
Published: May 2017

Apoptosis is an important component of normal tissue physiology, and the prompt removal of apoptotic cells is equally essential to avoid the undesirable consequences of their accumulation and disintegration. Professional phagocytes are highly specialized for engulfing apoptotic cells. The recent ability to track cells that have undergone apoptosis in situ has revealed a division of labor among the tissue resident phagocytes that sample them. Macrophages are uniquely programmed to process internalized apoptotic cell‐derived fatty acids, cholesterol and nucleotides, as a reflection of their dominant role in clearing the bulk of apoptotic cells. Dendritic cells carry apoptotic cells to lymph nodes where they signal the emergence and expansion of highly suppressive regulatory CD4 T cells. A broad suppression of inflammation is executed through distinct phagocyte‐specific mechanisms. A clever induction of negative regulatory nodes is notable in dendritic cells serving to simultaneously shut down multiple pathways of inflammation. Several of the genes and pathways modulated in phagocytes in response to apoptotic cells have been linked to chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as atherosclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and systemic lupus erythematosus. Our collective understanding of old and new phagocyte functions after apoptotic cell phagocytosis demonstrates the enormity of ways to mediate immune suppression and enforce tissue homeostasis.
Effect of low‐to‐moderate‐dose corticosteroids on mortality of hospitalized adolescents and adults with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viral pneumonia
Authors: Li Hui , Yang Shi‐gui , Gu Li , Zhang Yao , Yan Xi‐xin , Liang Zong‐an , Zhang Wei , Jia Hong‐yu , Chen Wei , Liu Meng , Yu Kai‐jiang , Xue Chun‐xue , Hu Ke , Zou Qi , Li Lan‐juan , Cao Bin , Wang Chen ,   the National Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Clinical Investigation Group of China
Published: May 2017

Background

The effect of corticosteroids on influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viral pneumonia patients remains controversial, and the impact of dosage has never been studied.

Methods

Using data of hospitalized adolescent and adult patients with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viral pneumonia, prospectively collected from 407 hospitals in mainland China, the effects of low‐to‐moderate‐dose (25‐150 mg d−1) and high‐dose (>150 mg d−1) corticosteroids on 30‐day mortality, 60‐day mortality, and nosocomial infection were assessed with multivariate Cox regression and propensity score‐matched case–control analysis.

Results

In total, 2141 patients (median age: 34 years; morality rate: 15.9%) were included. Among them, 1160 (54.2%) had PaO2/FiO2<300 mm Hg on admission, and 1055 (49.3%) received corticosteroids therapy. Corticosteroids, without consideration of dose, did not influence either 30‐day or 60‐day mortality. Further analysis revealed that, as compared with the no‐corticosteroid group, low‐to‐moderate‐dose corticosteroids were related to reduced 30‐day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.64 [95% CI 0.43‐0.96, P=.033]). In the subgroup analysis among patients with PaO2/FiO2<300 mm Hg, low‐to‐moderate‐dose corticosteroid treatment significantly reduced both 30‐day mortality (aHR 0.49 [95% CI 0.32‐0.77]) and 60‐day mortality (aHR 0.51 [95% CI 0.33‐0.78]), while high‐dose corticosteroid therapy yielded no difference. For patients with PaO2/FiO2 ≥300 mm Hg, corticosteroids (irrespective of dose) showed no benefit and even increased 60‐day mortality (aHR 3.02 [95% CI 1.06‐8.58]). Results were similar in the propensity model analysis.

Conclusions

Low‐to‐moderate‐dose corticosteroids might reduce mortality of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viral pneumonia patients with PaO2/FiO2<300 mm Hg. Mild patients with PaO2/FiO2 ≥300 mm Hg could not benefit from corticosteroid therapy.
Magnetic and electric properties of wrinkled manganite films derived by sol‐gel method
Authors: Zhao Bo , Chen Ying , Xue Fen , Guo Xin , Wang Genshui , Yang Lihui , Wang Wensheng , Dong Xianlin
Published: May 2017

Flat and wrinkled La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) thin films were prepared by sol‐gel method, respectively, on Si (001) substrates by adjusting heating rate at drying stage. Wrinkled film has larger grains than flat film. Coercive field (about 27 Oe) of wrinkled film is higher than that of flat film, which is much low as around 5 Oe. Compared with flat films, wrinkled films have larger magnetization, higher Curie temperature (334 K) and peak resistivity temperature (243 K), and lower resistivity (0.18 Ohm·cm at 300 K). The introducing of wrinkles is an efficient way to induce compressive stress in sol‐gel derived polycrystalline LSMO films and enhance the magnetic and electric properties.
Highly thermally stable and emission color tunable borate glass for white‐light‐emitting diodes with zero organic resin
Authors: Gou Jing , Fan Jingyan , Zuo Shengnan , Luo Meng , Chen Yali , Zhou Xiaomeng , Yang Yang , Yu Binxun , Liu Shengzhong Frank
Published: May 2017

White‐light‐emitting glass is a kind of potential bireplacement of both phosphors and epoxy resin in high‐power white‐light‐emitting diodes (WLEDs) because of its high thermal conductivity and excellent thermal stability in aspect of luminescence, CIE chromaticity, and transmittance. In this study, a series of tunable white‐light‐emitting strontium borate (SBO) glass SBO:Tb3+,Eu3+ were prepared by conventional melt quenching method, and their luminescence properties were systematically studied through their photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra, decay curves, and quantum efficiency. Intense white light emitting can be achieved by in situ mixing of yellowish green and reddish orange emissions from Tb3+ and Eu3+, respectively, in single glass component SBO, and mixed white emissions can be tuned by Tb3+→Eu3+ energy transfer with the increasing concentration of energy acceptor Eu3+. The quantum efficiency of optimal glass SBO:10%Tb3+,6%Eu3+ was measured as 36.78%. And the excellent thermal stability of this glass can remain its luminescence intensity above 80% at the temperatures below 523 K. Its chromaticity shift is less than 0.01 at the temperature below 548 K, which is far smaller than that of commercial DS‐200 and triple‐color white‐emitting phosphor mixture. Except all above, the transmittance of this glass hardly shows loss after thermal aging at 120°C for 240 hours, which is superior to the only remaining 58.8% transmittance of epoxy resin. The thermal conductivity of this glass is 0.65 W/mK much better than the 0.16 W/mK of epoxy resin. Based on above research results, SBO:Tb3+,Eu3+ glass is considered as a promising candidate for high‐power WLEDs, thus a SBO‐WLED is simply assembled by SBO:10%Tb3+,6%Eu3+ glass and 378 nm LED chip that can present excellent luminescence performance with V=10 V, I=600 mA.
An oscillatory pressure sintering of zirconia powder: Rapid densification with limited grain growth
Authors: Han Yao , Li Shuang , Zhu Tianbin , Xie Zhipeng
Published: May 2017

A novel oscillatory pressure sintering (OPS) process is reported to prepare high‐quality ceramics. The oscillatory pressure was applied at three stages (initial, intermediate, and final) during sintering process of zirconia ceramics for the first time. The microstructure of the samples prepared by OPS develops in a more homogeneous manner, leading to a higher final density, a smaller average grain size, and a narrower distribution of grain sizes compared with the samples prepared by conventional pressureless sintering (PS) and hot‐pressing (HP) processes. Remarkably, the OPS samples was obtained at relatively lower heating temperature and less soaking time for 1300°C and 0.5 hours than the samples prepared by other two techniques at 1450°C and 1 hour. The current results suggest that OPS is an effective technique for preparing high‐quality zirconia ceramics with low heating temperature and short sintering time, thus, it obviously reduces cost.
Consolidation of undoped, monoclinic zirconia polycrystals by flash sintering
Authors: Morisaki Nobuhiro , Yoshida Hidehiro , Tokunaga Tomoharu , Sasaki Katsuhiro , Yamamoto Takahisa
Published: May 2017

Consolidated, monoclinic ZrO2 polycrystal was produced from undoped ZrO2 powders in air by flash sintering at the sintering temperature of 1350°C for 5 minutes or 3 hours under an applied DC electric field of 175 V/cm. When the ZrO2 was heated under the applied DC field, the electric current of the specimen steeply increased at the furnace temperature of 1335°C below the sintering temperature of 1350°C. When the furnace temperature was decreased from the sintering temperature of 1350°C to room temperature, volumetric expansion associated with tetragonal‐to‐monoclinic phase transformation gradually took place at the furnace temperature from 1000°C to 750°C, and monoclinic ZrO2 body was remained consolidated even at room temperature in both specimens. In contrast, conventionally sintered ZrO2 without applying DC field exhibited the abrupt volumetric expansion at about 1000°C, and shattered. SEM observation revealed the presence of grain‐boundary second phase in the flash‐sintered specimen for 3 hours, which is a possible origin of keeping a bulk body at room temperature. The thinner second phase is considered to be formed also in the flash‐sintered specimen for 5 minutes, although the formation of the phase could not be observed clearly by SEM observation. On the other hand, XRD measurements showed that <001> directions of the monoclinic ZrO2 grains were oriented along the applied DC field after the isothermal flash sintering for 3 hours while the grain alignment could not be observed in flash‐sintered specimen for 5 minutes. The alignment of ZrO2 grains observed in the isothermal flash sintering is considered to be closely related to the preferential direction of oxygen ionic conduction and the second phase formed along grain boundaries.
Phylogeography of the dry vegetation endemic speciesNephila sexpunctata(Araneae: Araneidae) suggests recent expansion of the Neotropical Dry Diagonal
Authors: Bartoleti Luiz Filipe de Macedo , Peres Elen Arroyo , Sobral‐Souza Thadeu , Fontes Fernanda von Hertwig Mascarenhas , Silva Márcio José da , Solferini Vera Nisaka
Published: May 2017

Aim

The Neotropical Dry Diagonal (DD) is a corridor of distinct dry environments in central South America. The main hypotheses suggest that these environments may have expanded during the glacial cycles together with a retraction of rainforests, and then shrank when the climate became wetter and warmer. However, few studies have explicitly tested the hypotheses onDDevolution. We conducted a phylogeographical study onNephila sexpunctata, a spider endemic to Neotropical dry habitats, to enrich the understanding ofDDevolutionary history.

Location

South‐western portion of theDD(Cerrado and Chaco).

Methods

We sequenced two mitochondrial regions and one nuclearDNAregion of 65 individuals from 10 locations across the species’ range. We conducted analyses of genetic structure, variability, demography and inferred divergence times. We used an ecological niche modelling framework to generate hypotheses on the species’ distribution along the last glacial cycle and a model‐based approach to test the demographical scenarios that might explain the genetic patterns.

Results

Both markers presented low genetic diversity. Mitochondrial markers had high genetic structure, with specific geographical lineages within each biome, while the nuclear marker presented low genetic structure. Phylogeographical and demographical events encompass the last glacial cycle, with a strong post‐Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) population and spatial expansion. Model testing corroborated the recent demographical expansion ofN. sexpunctata.

Main Conclusions

Our data suggest that Quaternary climate cycles, when moist forests periodically expanded towards the dry vegetation, influenced the diversification ofDDorganisms by promoting demographical events. These events might explain the genetic structure observed inN. sexpunctata; differently from what was expected by the Pleistocene refugia model, someDDspecies may have experienced post‐LGMexpansion. Climate and geological events have both affectedDD‐endemic organisms’ diversification.
What about Ambivalence and Indifference? Rethinking the Effects of European Attitudes on Voter Turnout in European Parliament Elections
Authors: Kentmen‐Cin Cigdem
Published: May 2017

Previous studies of turnout in European Parliament elections have focused on how positive and negative attitudes towards the EU affect voter turnout while ignoring other EU related attitudes. To fill this gap, this article compares the impact of ambivalence and indifference on turnout with that of positive and negative attitudes. Using multilevel logit regression, it demonstrates that ambivalence increased the odds of turnout in the 2004 and 2009 European Parliament elections compared to both negative and indifferent attitudes. However, ambivalence only increases the possibility of turnout if the number of positive thoughts about the EU is equal to or higher than the number of negative thoughts. Having a greater number of negative thoughts, in contrast, does not discourage turnout. The paper concludes that one‐dimensional measures of EU attitudes are over‐simplistic and fail to provide a complete description of European voting behaviour.
Statistical word learning in children with autism spectrum disorder and specific language impairment
Authors: Haebig Eileen , Saffran Jenny R. , Ellis Weismer Susan
Published: May 2017

Background

Word learning is an important component of language development that influences child outcomes across multiple domains. Despite the importance of word knowledge, word‐learning mechanisms are poorly understood in children with specific language impairment (SLI) and children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study examined underlying mechanisms of word learning, specifically, statistical learning and fast‐mapping, in school‐aged children with typical and atypical development.

Methods

Statistical learning was assessed through a word segmentation task and fast‐mapping was examined in an object‐label association task. We also examined children's ability to map meaning onto newly segmented words in a third task that combined exposure to an artificial language and a fast‐mapping task.

Results

Children with SLI had poorer performance on the word segmentation and fast‐mapping tasks relative to the typically developing and ASD groups, who did not differ from one another. However, when children with SLI were exposed to an artificial language with phonemes used in the subsequent fast‐mapping task, they successfully learned more words than in the isolated fast‐mapping task. There was some evidence that word segmentation abilities are associated with word learning in school‐aged children with typical development and ASD, but not SLI. Follow‐up analyses also examined performance in children with ASD who did and did not have a language impairment. Children with ASD with language impairment evidenced intact statistical learning abilities, but subtle weaknesses in fast‐mapping abilities.

Conclusions

As the Procedural Deficit Hypothesis (PDH) predicts, children with SLI have impairments in statistical learning. However, children with SLI also have impairments in fast‐mapping. Nonetheless, they are able to take advantage of additional phonological exposure to boost subsequent word‐learning performance. In contrast to the PDH, children with ASD appear to have intact statistical learning, regardless of language status; however, fast‐mapping abilities differ according to broader language skills.
Increased pupil dilation to angry faces predicts interpersonal stress generation in offspring of depressed mothers
Authors: Feurer Cope , Burkhouse Katie L. , Siegle Greg , Gibb Brandon E.
Published: May 2017

Background

Interpersonal stress generation is one mechanism hypothesized to increase risk for the intergenerational transmission of depression. Although there is some evidence of stress generation in offspring of depressed mothers, specific predictors of stress generation in these youth remain unknown. The goal of this study was to examine a peripheral measure of cognitive‐affective reactivity (i.e. pupil dilation) to emotional interpersonal stimuli as a predictor of stress generation in offspring of depressed mothers.

Method

The study included 129 mothers and their offspring (ages 8–15) recruited from the community who participated at two time points separated by 6 months. Youth's average pupil dilation to emotional faces (angry, happy, sad) as well as maternal lifetime history of major depressive disorder were assessed at baseline. In addition, both time points included assessments of youth's levels of self‐generated (dependent) and independent episodic life stress in the preceding 6 months.

Results

Youth's pupil dilation to angry, but not sad or happy, faces predicted prospective increases in dependent interpersonal stress across the follow‐up. This effect was only observed in offspring of depressed mothers and was not seen in offspring of never‐depressed mothers.

Conclusions

This study highlights a potential risk factor (heightened reactivity to facial displays of anger) that may identify which offspring of depressed mothers are at greatest risk for interpersonal stress generation.
Effective methods for tick removal: A systematic review
Authors: Huygelen Véronique , Borra Vere , De Buck Emmy , Vandekerckhove Philippe
Published: May 2017

Aim

Providing evidence‐based first aid training to lay people is a cost‐effective intervention. This systematic review aimed to collect the best available evidence on effective methods to remove a tick, performed by lay people.

Methods

A systematic search was performed searching the Cochrane Library (via Wiley), MEDLINE (via the PubMed interface), and Embase (via the Embase.com interface) to identify studies with evidence on tick removal strategies. Study selection was performed by two independent reviewers and data extraction was achieved in a tabular format. GRADE was used to determine the quality of evidence.

Results

Out of 2046 articles, six experimental animal studies were included. These studies compared different chemical treatments (gasoline, petroleum jelly, clear fingernail polish, or methylated spirit) or mechanical techniques (forceps or commercial devices) for tick removal. The available studies were all of very low quality and suggest that there is limited evidence in favor of pulling with commercial devices and in favor of pulling with forceps compared to rotation with forceps to remove ticks.

Conclusions

Limited evidence was found in favor of pulling with commercial tick removal devices or pulling with forceps. The evidence of the included studies is of very low quality and results of these studies are imprecise due to limited sample size, large variability of results, and/or lack of data. Since large high‐quality studies are lacking, more rigorous studies are warranted to enable strong evidence‐based recommendations.
Should everybody be in services? The effect of servitization on manufacturing firm performance
Authors: Crozet Matthieu , Milet Emmanuel
Published: May 2017

The servitization of the manufacturing sector refers to the evolution of manufacturers' capabilities to offer services as complements to or substitutes for the goods that they produce. A vast literature has described these strategies and has shown that this phenomenon is widespread and growing in most developed economies. However, very little systematic evidence of the extent or consequences of servitization based on a comprehensive data set of firms exists. In this paper, we provide such evidence using exhaustive data for French manufacturing firms between 1997 and 2007. We find that the vast majority of French manufacturers sell services in addition to producing goods. The shift toward services is growing steadily but at a slow pace. We also estimate the impact of servitization on firm performance. Controlling for various sources of endogeneity bias, our most conservative results show that firms that start selling services increase their profitability by 0.4%, their employment by 2.1%, and their total sales by 0.6%. For small businesses, we also find a positive impact on the production of goods. We also uncover strong heterogeneity across manufacturing industries.
Repellency of essential oils against Nephotettix cincticeps: Laboratory and glasshouse assays
Authors: Chakira H. , Long M. , Liu S. , Zhao J. , He Y. , Wagan T. A. , Hua H.
Published: May 2017

Four oils from Piper nigrum, Litsea cubeba, Zanthoxylum bungeanum and Curcuma longa were obtained by ethanol extraction. The repellency of these oils and two major compounds (linalool and piperine) was evaluated against female adult and third‐instar nymphs of the rice pest, Nephotettix cincticeps, under laboratory and glasshouse conditions. Paired‐choice and no‐choice assays were used for each treatment, with essential oils evaluated after 24 and 48 hr of exposure and chemical compounds evaluated after 12 and 24 hr of exposure. The potential effects of essential oils on activities of glutathione S tranferase (GST), carboxyl esterase (CarE) and acetyl cholinesterase (AchE) were also evaluated after 48 hr of exposure to leafhoppers. The constituents of the essential oils were determined using GC‐MS. The results showed that the major components in the oils were piperine (34.75%) for P. nigrum, 9,12‐octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z) (18.74%) for L. cubeba, ethanone, 1‐(2‐hydroxy‐4,6‐dimethoxyphenyl) (18.51%) for Z. bungeanum and turmerone (15.89%) for C. longa. In all cases, the essential oils repelled female adults and third‐instar nymphs of N. cincticeps. The repellency of the tested oils and chemicals compounds in the paired‐choice assay was higher than in the no‐choice assay. In all experimental conditions, P. nigrum and C. longa oils were the most and the least potent, respectively. Linalool was the best repellent among the single‐tested compounds under laboratory conditions. In the glasshouse study, the highest repellency was observed in the mixture of linalool and piperine. GST and CarE activities of leafhoppers were significantly enhanced by exposure to the four essentials oils; AchE activity increased significantly only in the P. nigrum and L. cubeba assays. Our results clearly indicate that the tested oils and chemical compounds are promising agents for developing plant‐based pesticides to control N. cincticeps.
Fatty liver index and hepatic steatosis index for prediction of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Sviklāne Laura , Olmane Evija , Dzērve Zane , Kupčs Kārlis , Pīrāgs Valdis , Sokolovska Jeļizaveta
Published: May 2017

Background and Aim

Little is known about the diagnostic value of hepatic steatosis index (HSI) and fatty liver index (FLI), as well as their link to metabolic syndrome in type 1 diabetes mellitus. We have screened the effectiveness of FLI and HSI in an observational pilot study of 40 patients with type 1 diabetes.

Methods

FLI and HSI were calculated for 201 patients with type 1 diabetes. Forty patients with FLI/HSI values corresponding to different risk of liver steatosis were invited for liver magnetic resonance study. In‐phase/opposed‐phase technique of magnetic resonance was used. Accuracy of indices was assessed from the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results

Twelve (30.0%) patients had liver steatosis. For FLI, sensitivity was 90%; specificity, 74%; positive likelihood ratio, 3.46; negative likelihood ratio, 0.14; positive predictive value, 0.64; and negative predictive value, 0.93. For HSI, sensitivity was 86%; specificity, 66%; positive likelihood ratio, 1.95; negative likelihood ratio, 0.21; positive predictive value, 0.50; and negative predictive value, 0.92. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for FLI was 0.86 (95% confidence interval [0.72; 0.99]); for HSI 0.75 [0.58; 0.91]. Liver fat correlated with liver enzymes, waist circumference, triglycerides, and C‐reactive protein. FLI correlated with C‐reactive protein, liver enzymes, and blood pressure. HSI correlated with waist circumference and C‐reactive protein. FLI ≥ 60 and HSI ≥ 36 were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome and nephropathy.

Conclusions

The tested indices, especially FLI, can serve as surrogate markers for liver fat content and metabolic syndrome in type 1 diabetes.
Fatty acid supplements improve hair coat condition in rhesus macaques
Authors: Hamel A. F. , Menard M. T. , Novak M. A.
Published: May 2017

As captive rhesus macaques often exhibit hair loss, alopecia was quantified and behavior was recorded before, during, and after fatty acid supplementation in six macaques. Fatty acid treatment was associated with a decrease in alopecia and in self‐grooming behavior. Therefore, fatty acids may be a viable treatment for alopecia in some captive primates.
A Novel Semiautomated Pipeline to Measure Brain Atrophy and Lesion Burden in Multiple Sclerosis: A Long‐Term Comparative Study
Authors: Uher Tomas , Krasensky Jan , Vaneckova Manuela , Sobisek Lukas , Seidl Zdenek , Havrdova Eva , Bergsland Niels , Dwyer Michael G. , Horakova Dana , Zivadinov Robert
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Lesion burden and brain volume changes are frequent end points in research but nowadays are becoming important in the clinical practice of multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures obtained by in‐house developed ScanView software and commonly used volumetric techniques for assessment of T2 lesion and whole brain volumes and their changes.

METHODS

Together 3,340 MRI scans from 209 patients after first demyelinating event suggestive of MS, 181 relapsing‐remitting MS patients and 43 controls were analyzed. The average number of MRI scans and follow‐up duration was 8.2 and 6.5 years, respectively. All MRI scans were performed in a single center but independently analyzed in two neuroimaging centers. Volumetric analysis by ScanView software was applied in Prague. Commonly used techniques, such as SIENA, SIENAX, and Jim software, were applied in Buffalo. Correlations between MRI measures were evaluated using correlation coefficients. Intraindividual variability of longitudinal MRI data was estimated by mean squared error.

RESULTS

The associations of the cross‐sectional and longitudinal MRI measures between commonly used techniques and ScanView were significant (r/rho = .83‐.95). The associations of cross‐sectional MRI measures were stronger (r/rho = .90‐.95) compared with longitudinal ones (r = .83). Standardized intraindividual variability of whole brain % volume change was greater in ScanView compared with SIENA (mean squared error .32 vs. .21; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

We found relatively strong correlations of cross‐sectional and longitudinal data obtained by both techniques. However, SIENA showed lower intraindividual variability than the ScanView method in measuring whole brain volume loss over time.
School‐Based Sleep Education Programs for Short Sleep Duration in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Chung Ka‐Fai , Chan Man‐Sum , Lam Ying‐Yin , Lai Cindy Sin‐Yee , Yeung Wing‐Fai
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

Insufficient sleep among students is a major school health problem. School‐based sleep education programs tailored to reach large number of students may be one of the solutions. A systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted to summarize the programs' effectiveness and current status.

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched up until May 2015. Randomized controlled trials of school‐based sleep intervention among 10‐ to 19‐year‐old students with outcome on total sleep duration were included. Methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane's risk of bias assessment.

RESULTS

Seven studies were included, involving 1876 students receiving sleep education programs and 2483 attending classes‐as‐usual. Four weekly 50‐minute sleep education classes were most commonly provided. Methodological quality was only moderate, with a high or an uncertain risk of bias in several domains. Compared to classes‐as‐usual, sleep education programs produced significantly longer weekday and weekend total sleep time and better mood among students at immediate post‐treatment, but the improvements were not maintained at follow‐up.

CONCLUSIONS

Limited by the small number of studies and methodological limitations, the preliminary data showed that school‐based sleep education programs produced short‐term benefits. Future studies should explore integrating sleep education with delayed school start time or other more effective approaches.
Neuroprotection by plumbagin involves BDNF-TrkB-PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2/JNK pathways in isoflurane-induced neonatal rats
Authors: Yuan Jun-Hui , Pan Feng , Chen Jie , Chen Cai-Er , Xie Deng-Pan , Jiang Xing-Zhu , Guo Su-Juan , Zhou Jun
Published: May 2017

Objectives

This study was designed to assess the effects of plumbagin on isoflurane-induced neurotoxicity.

Methods

Neonatal Sprague Dawley rat pups were treated with plumbagin (50, 100 or 150 mg/kg body weight, orally) from postnatal day 2. The pups on postnatal day 7 were subjected to isoflurane (0.75%) exposure for 6 h. Neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampal tissues was detected by TUNEL assay and FluroJade B staining following isoflurane exposure. Protein expressions were analysed by immunoblotting. RT-PCR was performed to assess mRNA levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and TrkB.

Key findings

We observed reduced apoptosis in hippocampal CA1, CA3 and dentate gyrus regions along with severely reduced pro-apoptotic factors (Bad, Bax and cleaved caspase-3) expression and raised levels of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, survivin, xIAP and cIAPs (cell survival proteins) in plumbagin supplemented rats. Decrease in the levels of JNK, phospho-JNK, c-Jun and phospho-c-Jun with enhanced ERK1/2 levels was observed on plumbagin pretreatment. Down-regulated PI3K/Akt signalling following isoflurane was activated by plumbagin as evidenced by raised PI3K/Akt pathway proteins – mTORc1, Akt, phospho-Akt, GSK-3β, phospho-GSK-3β, PTEN and NF-κBp65 in the hippocampal tissues as detected by Western blotting. The mRNA levels were enhanced on plumbagin supplementation.

Conclusions

Plumbagin exerted its neuroprotective effects by effectively suppressing isoflurane-induced neuronal apoptosis via regulating BDNF-TrkB-PI3/Akt and ERK/JNK signalling.
Rural Medicine Realities: The Impact of Immersion on Urban‐Based Medical Students
Authors: Crump Allison M. , Jeter Karie , Mullins Samantha , Shadoan Amber , Ziegler Craig , Crump William J.
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of our study was to determine what effect a rural‐based 8‐week surgical clerkship during the third year of medical school in a rural setting has on students' opinions about rural living and practice.

Methods

Thirty‐three third‐year medical students completed a rural health opinion survey at the beginning and end of their 8‐week rural rotation and a survey measuring their interest in rural practice after the rotation. The setting was a rural hospital with an average acute care census of 100 that is a regional referral center for 5 rural counties.

Findings

Urban campus‐based students had a statistically significant positive change in opinions about rural comfortable living, availability of quality services, community support, and medical resources. The urban campus‐based students also showed a significantly increased interest in small town practice after the rotation.

Conclusions

Our hypothesis that urban‐based students would report an increased level of rural community support at the end of the rotation was confirmed. These urban‐based students also reported positive opinions about rural living and practice. The students primarily based at the urban campus also showed a statistically significant more positive attitude toward pursuing a career in a small town after the 8‐week experience. This suggests that brief rural immersion experiences may make the larger student pool at an urban campus available to address rural workforce challenges. Future studies at multiple rural sites with a larger sample size are needed to confirm this possibility.
Trends and Characteristics of Occupational Suicide and Homicide in Farmers and Agriculture Workers, 1992–2010
Authors: Ringgenberg Wendy , Peek‐Asa Corinne , Donham Kelley , Ramirez Marizen
Published: May 2017

Objective

We examined work‐related homicides and suicides among farm operators/workers in the United States from 1992 to 2010.

Methods

Work‐related homicide and suicide cases from 1992 to 2010 were obtained from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. To calculate rates, denominator data on the US working population were also obtained from 2003 to 2010 Current Population Survey. Logistic regression was used to identify factors that were differentially associated with homicide and suicide.

Results

Over these 19 years, 171 farm operators/workers died from homicide and 230 died from suicide. When compared to rates of all workers, suicide rates were higher while homicide rates were lower among farm operators/workers. Males (OR = 6.1), whites (OR = 4.7), and 35‐ to 54‐year‐old (OR = 2.3) farm operators/workers had increased odds of suicide over homicide compared with their respective counterparts (ie, females, nonwhites, <35‐year‐olds). Those working in smaller farm operations with <11 employees had 1.7 times the odds of suicide over homicide.

Conclusions

Suicide and homicide are both present in the agricultural industry, with suicide being more common than homicide. Translation of suicide prevention programs should be explored for the agricultural industry.
Echocardiographic Features of Giant Right Atrial Diverticulum in a Dog
Authors: Park S. , Kittleson M.D. , Yu D. , Choi J.
Published: May 2017

A 12‐year‐old spayed female miniature Poodle presented for coughing, respiratory distress, and anorexia. After thoracentesis for pleural effusion, radiography revealed an enlarged cardiac silhouette with a bulge in the area of the body of the right atrium. Echocardiography revealed an anechoic chamber‐like cavity lateral to the right atrium that communicated with the right atrium through a 13 mm defect in the right atrial free wall. Contrast echocardiography and color flow Doppler were used to prove that the cavity communicated with the right atrium. The cavity was diagnosed as a giant right atrial diverticulum.
Is Mazur the new Langdell? The strange trajectory of interactive law teaching
Authors: Bartie Susan
Published: May 2017

This paper examines the cross fertilisation of ideas about interactive teaching from law to physics and back again. In particular it considers the origin, legacy and merits of Langdell's teaching model and the way it has been used by a physics professor, Eric Mazur, to support arguments for what is commonly known as the ‘flipped classroom’. It examines the similarities and differences between Langdell's and Mazur's approaches and the adoption by some law teachers of Mazur's model. It also considers how this phenomenon bares out a thesis advanced by educationalist Lee Shulman that when it comes to teaching, both professional and liberal disciplines are pursuing many of the same ends. Finally it considers the implications of adopting Mazur's approach for the discipline of law and issues some words of caution.