bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation and application of multiple potential natural vegetation models – a case study of Hungary
Authors: Somodi Imelda , Molnár Zsolt , Czúcz Bálint , Bede‐Fazekas Ákos , Bölöni János , Pásztor László , Laborczi Annamária , Zimmermann Niklaus E.
Published: July 2017

Questions

Multiple potential natural vegetation (MPNV) is a framework for the probabilistic and multilayer representation of potential vegetation in an area. How can an MPNV model be implemented and synthesized for the full range of vegetation types across a large spatial domain such as a country? What additional ecological and practical information can be gained compared to traditional potential natural vegetation (PNV) estimates?

Location

Hungary.

Methods

MPNV was estimated by modelling the occurrence probabilities of individual vegetation types using gradient boosting models (GBM). Vegetation data from the Hungarian Actual Habitat Database (MÉTA) and information on the abiotic background (climatic data, soil characteristics, hydrology) were used as inputs to the models. To facilitate MPNV interpretation a new technique for model synthesis (re‐scaling) enabling comprehensive visual presentation (synthetic maps) was developed which allows for a comparative view of the potential distribution of individual vegetation types.

Results

The main result of MPNV modelling is a series of raw and re‐scaled probability maps of individual vegetation types for Hungary. Raw probabilities best suit within‐type analyses, while re‐scaled estimations can also be compared across vegetation types. The latter create a synthetic overview of a location's PNV as a ranked list of vegetation types, and make the comparison of actual and potential landscape composition possible. For example, a representation of forest vs grasslands in MPNV revealed a high level of overlap of the potential range of the two formations in Hungary.

Conclusion

The MPNV approach allows viewing the potential vegetation composition of locations in far more detail than the PNV approach. Re‐scaling the probabilities estimated by the models allows easy access to the results by making potential presence of vegetation types with different data structure comparable for queries and synthetic maps. The wide range of applications identified for MPNV (conservation and restoration prioritization, landscape evaluation) suggests that the PNV concept with the extension towards vegetation distributions is useful both for research and application.
The Perks of Being a Lawmaker: Returns to Office as a Legislative Goal
Authors: Fahey Kevin
Published: July 2017

Extant literature demonstrates that holding public office is financially lucrative. Yet little is known about which sitting legislators profit from office. Relying on original data of members of the Florida legislature, I estimate predictors of income growth among sitting legislators. I find that legislators whose vote share increases by 10 percentage points between elections report income growth of nearly $20,000. This finding is robust to estimation technique and model specification, indicating that electoral safety is tied to income growth. Lawmakers appointed to legislative posts with agenda‐setting power do not obtain additional income. These data demonstrate the market values of electorally dominant legislators.
Landscape genetic analyses reveal fine‐scale effects of forest fragmentation in an insular tropical bird
Authors: Khimoun Aurélie , Peterman William , Eraud Cyril , Faivre Bruno , Navarro Nicolas , Garnier Stéphane
Published: July 2017

Within the framework of landscape genetics, resistance surface modelling is particularly relevant to explicitly test competing hypotheses about landscape effects on gene flow. To investigate how fragmentation of tropical forest affects population connectivity in a forest specialist bird species, we optimized resistance surfaces without a priori specification, using least‐cost (LCP) or resistance (IBR) distances. We implemented a two‐step procedure in order (i) to objectively define the landscape thematic resolution (level of detail in classification scheme to describe landscape variables) and spatial extent (area within the landscape boundaries) and then (ii) to test the relative role of several landscape features (elevation, roads, land cover) in genetic differentiation in the Plumbeous Warbler (Setophaga plumbea). We detected a small‐scale reduction of gene flow mainly driven by land cover, with a negative impact of the nonforest matrix on landscape functional connectivity. However, matrix components did not equally constrain gene flow, as their conductivity increased with increasing structural similarity with forest habitat: urban areas and meadows had the highest resistance values whereas agricultural areas had intermediate resistance values. Our results revealed a higher performance of IBR compared to LCP in explaining gene flow, reflecting suboptimal movements across this human‐modified landscape, challenging the common use of LCP to design habitat corridors and advocating for a broader use of circuit theory modelling. Finally, our results emphasize the need for an objective definition of landscape scales (landscape extent and thematic resolution) and highlight potential pitfalls associated with parameterization of resistance surfaces.
More than meets the eye: The barrier effect of the Yangtze River outflow
Authors: Ni Gang , Kern Elizabeth , Dong Yun‐Wei , Li Qi , Park Joong‐Ki
Published: July 2017

The Yangtze (Changjiang) River enters the East China Sea with huge annual freshwater and sediment deposits. This outflow, known as the Changjiang diluted water (CDW), causes striking ecological gradients that potentially shape coastal species’ distribution and differentiation. TheCDWhas long been rendered as a marine biogeographic boundary separating cold‐temperature and warm‐water faunas, but it remains unclear whether and to what extent it acts as an intraspecific barrier. Here, we synthesize published phylogeographic studies related to theCDWto address these issues. We find that the influence of theCDWon population differentiation is taxonomically variable, and even congeneric species may respond differently. In studies that claim theCDWis a phylogeographic barrier, the underlying assumptions explaining observed genetic breaks are sometimes incorrect, and some may have misinterpreted results due to conceptual confusion or insufficient geographic sampling. After excluding these studies, the remaining ones generally show shallow genetic divergence but significant population structure for coastal species across theCDW, suggesting that theCDWhas not been a historically persistent barrier, but rather has acted as a filter within some species recently, probably after the last glacial maximum.
Novel evaluation and treatment techniques for white spot lesions. An in vitro study
Authors: Bakhsh T. A. , Bakry A. S. , Mandurah M. M. , Abbassy M. A.
Published: July 2017

Structured Abstract

Objective

White spot lesions (WSLs) are commonly seen during and after orthodontic treatment. Therefore, the objective of this in vitro study was to assess the effect of 45S5‐bioglass in remineralizing WSLs using cross‐polarization optical coherence tomography (CP‐OCT) and confirm the findings by micro‐hardness test.

Methods

Ceramic orthodontic brackets were bonded to the buccal surface of 45 human premolars with Transbond XT primer followed by Transbond PLUS according to the manufacturer's instructions. Then, all specimens were varnished excluding the area of interest (AOI) around the bonded brackets, immersed in demineralizing solution and divided into three groups: BG, REM and CONT. In BG group, 15 specimens were treated with bioglass paste for 24 hours. REM group had 15 specimens stored in remineralization solution for 24 hours. CONT group had the remaining 15 specimens with no treatment. All specimens were examined under CP‐OCT and tested using cross‐sectional micro‐hardness techniques.

Results

CP‐OCT analysis showed that the maximum pixel value after bioglass application was significantly increased at AOI when compared to CONT and REM groups (P>.05), which was confirmed by the cross‐sectional micro‐hardness results (P>.05).

Conclusion

Early enamel demineralization and remineralization can be easily and non‐invasively monitored with CP‐OCT. Bioglass is a potent remineralizing agent.
Safety and effectiveness of a 6‐French MRI conditional pacemaker lead: The INGEVITYTM clinical investigation study results
Authors: Nielsen Jens C. , Giudici Michael , Tolasana Viu Jose Maria , Chew Engwooi , Sommerijns Elke , Wold Nicholas , Evert Linda , Love Charles J. , Stein Kenneth , Olaf Hedrich
Published: July 2017

Background

The design of pacemaker leads has continued to evolve; ease of lead handling, improved electrical performance, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conditional aspects have become more important, while safety remains critical. The INGEVITY™ family leads was designed to provide MRI conditional aspects, decreased diameter, and improved performance of pacemaker leads. The INGEVITY study is an investigational device exemption trial evaluating the acute and chronic safety and effectiveness of these leads.

Methods

Consecutive patients were included in 77 institutions worldwide, where 1,657 leads (846 right ventricular active fixation leads, 213 right ventricular passive fixation leads, 121 right atrial passive fixation preformed J‐leads, and 477 right atrial active fixation leads) were implanted or attempted in 1,060 subjects.

Results

At 3‐month follow‐up, the electrical performance were: mean pacing threshold 0.67 V at 0.5‐ms pulse width, pacing impedance 773 ohms, mean P‐wave amplitude 4.8 mV, and R‐wave amplitude 16.5 ± 6.5 mV.

Over a median follow‐up of 31 months, 93 subjects died and 33 subjects reported lead‐related complications. Lead‐related complication‐free rate from 0 to 3 months and 3 to 12 months for all leads was 98.4% and 99.7%, respectively. The hazard of lead‐related complications was observed to be decelerating over the course of follow‐up (Weibull shape = 0.23). The overall lead dislodgment rate observed in the study was 1.3%, the perforation rate was 0.0%, and the pericardial effusion rate was 0.3%.

Conclusions

The clinical performance of the INGEVITY lead demonstrated a high lead‐related complication‐free rate over 12 months of follow‐up and excellent electrical characteristics.
Identification of a novel allele, HLA‐C*02:02:33, by full‐length genomic sequencing
Authors: Park Y. , Kim H. , Im J. , Yoon C. E. , Kim H. S.
Published: July 2017

The HLA‐C*02:02:33 allele differs by a single nucleotide at codon 215 compared with HLA‐C*02:02:02:01.
Effect of solvent/detergent‐treated pooled plasma on fibrinolysis in reconstituted whole blood
Authors: Saadah Nicholas H. , van der Meer Pieter F. , Brinkman Herm Jan M. , de Korte Dirk , Bontekoe Ido J. , Korsten Herbert H. , Middelburg Rutger A. , van der Bom Johanna G. , Schipperus Martin R.
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Hyperfibrinolysis has been observed in patients heavily transfused with solvent/detergent‐treated pooled plasma (S/D plasma). We compared coagulation and fibrinolytic variables in blood containing S/D plasma with blood containing fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP), with and without α2‐antiplasmin or tranexamic acid (TXA) supplementation.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Whole blood samples were reconstituted from red blood cells, platelet (PLT) concentrates, and varying mixtures of FFP and S/D plasma. Hematocrit and PLT count of reconstituted whole blood samples were varied. For a subset of runs, α2‐antiplasmin or TXA was added to S/D plasma whole blood samples. Thromboelastography (TEG) analysis was performed to assess 50% clot lysis time (CLT50%), maximum amplitude (MA), and initial clotting time (R‐time).

RESULTS

The change in CLT50% of whole blood as the plasma compartment transitions from FFP to S/D plasma was −52% (95% confidence interval [CI], −60% to −45%; p < 0.001). PLT count strengthened the effect, leading to an additional change in CLT50% of −8% (95% CI, −14% to −2%; p = 0.012) as PLT count increased from 10 × 109 to 150 × 109/L. MA and R‐time were not associated with fraction of S/D plasma in whole blood. α2‐Antiplasmin and TXA restored clot lysis time in S/D plasma whole blood.

CONCLUSION

Whole blood with S/D plasma has shorter clot lysis times in vitro compared to whole blood with FFP. α2‐Antiplasmin and TXA restore clot lysis time of S/D plasma whole blood to that of FFP whole blood. Clinicians should be aware of the decreased clot lysis time associated with S/D plasma transfusion.
Scar formation following excisional and burn injuries in a red Duroc pig model
Authors: Blackstone Britani N. , Kim Jayne Y. , McFarland Kevin L. , Sen Chandan K. , Supp Dorothy M. , Bailey J. Kevin , Powell Heather M.
Published: July 2017

Scar research is challenging because rodents do not naturally form excessive scars, and burn depth, size, and location cannot be controlled in human longitudinal studies. The female, red Duroc pig model has been shown to form robust scars with biological and anatomical similarities to human hypertrophic scars. To more closely mimic the mode of injury, recreate the complex chemical milieu of the burn wound environment and enhance scar development, an animal model of excessive burn‐induced scarring was developed and compared with the more commonly used model, which involves excisional wounds created via dermatome. Standardized, full‐thickness thermal wounds were created on the dorsum of female, red Duroc pigs. Wounds for the dermatome model were created using two different total dermatome settings: ∼1.5 mm and ≥ 1.9 mm. Results from analysis over 150 days showed that burn wounds healed at much slower rate and contracted more significantly than dermatome wounds of both settings. The burn scars were hairless, had mixed pigmentation, and displayed fourfold and twofold greater excess erythema values, respectively, compared with ∼1.5 mm and ≥ 1.9 mm deep dermatome injuries. Burn scars were less elastic, less pliable, and weaker than scars resulting from excisional injuries. Decorin and versican gene expression levels were elevated in the burn group at day 150 compared with both dermatome groups. In addition, transforming growth factor‐beta 1 was significantly up‐regulated in the burn group vs. the ∼1.5 mm deep dermatome group at all time points, and expression remained significantly elevated vs. both dermatome groups at day 150. Compared with scars from dermatome wounds, the burn scar model described here demonstrates greater similarity to human hypertrophic scar. Thus, this burn scar model may provide an improved platform for studying the pathophysiology of burn‐related hypertrophic scarring, investigating current anti‐scar therapies, and development of new strategies with greater clinical benefit.
Review Article: Plasma–surface interactions at the atomic scale for patterning metals
Authors: Altieri Nicholas D. , Chen Jack Kun-Chieh , Minardi Luke , Chang Jane P.
Published: July 2017

Building upon the depth and breadth of Harold Winters's work, this paper pays tribute to his pioneering contribution in the field of plasma etching of metals, and how that knowledge base helps guide the fundamental research in these areas. The fundamental understanding of the plasma–surface interactions during metal etch is key to achieve desirable etch efficacy and selectivity at the atomic scale. This paper presents a generalized methodology, combining thermodynamic assessment and kinetic verification of surface reactions, using copper, magnetic metals, and noble metals as examples, in an effort to demonstrate the applicability of this strategy in tailoring plasma–surface interactions at the atomic scale for a wide range of materials.
Generation of broadband surface acoustic waves using a dual temporal-spatial chirp method
Authors: Fall Dame , Duquennoy Marc , Ouaftouh Mohammadi , Smagin Nikolay , Piwakowski Bogdan , Jenot Frédéric
Published: July 2017

Wideband surface acoustic wave (SAW) generation with a spatial chirp-based interdigital transducer was optimized for non-destructive characterization and testing of coatings and thin layers. The use of impulse temporal excitation (Dirac-type negative pulse) leads to a wide band emitter excitation but with significantly limited SAW output amplitudes due to the piezoelectric crystal breakdown voltage. This limitation can be circumvented by applying a temporal chirp excitation corresponding in terms of frequency band and duration to the spatial chirp transducer configuration. This dual temporal-spatial chirp method was studied in the 20 to 125 MHz frequency range and allowed to obtain higher SAW displacement amplitudes with an excitation voltage lower than that of the impulse excitation.
Observations on Action-Observation Research: An Autobiographical Retrospective Across the Past Two Decades
Authors: Hodges Nicola J.
Published: July 2017

When we watch other people perform actions, this involves many interacting processes comprising cognitive, motor, and visual system interactions. These processes change based on the context of our observations, particularly if the actions are novel and our intention is to learn those actions so we can later reproduce them, or respond to them in an effective way. Over the past 20 years or so I have been involved in research directed at understanding how we learn from watching others, what information guides this learning, and how our learning experiences, whether observational or physical, impact our subsequent observations of others, particularly when we are engaged in action prediction. In this review I take a historical look at action observation research, particularly in reference to motor skill learning, and situate my research, and those of collaborators and students, among the common theoretical and methodological frameworks of the time.
Hydraulic control of tuna fins: A role for the lymphatic system in vertebrate locomotion
Authors: Pavlov Vadim , Rosental Benyamin , Hansen Nathaniel F. , Beers Jody M. , Parish George , Rowbotham Ian , Block Barbara A.
Published: July 2017

Hydraulic fins

The lymphatic system in fish has much the same function as it does in mammals—immune response and homeostasis. Pavlov
et al.
show, however, that in the scromboid (tuna and mackerel) family of fish, this fluid homeostasis function has been co-opted to help facilitate dorsal fin rigidity and movement (see the Perspective by Triantafyllou). In bluefin tuna, a series of lymphatic vessels are integrated with muscles that allow the fish to raise and stiffen their dorsal fin. This provides extra stability during swimming.

Science
, this issue p.
310
; see also p.
251
Bidirectional eukaryotic DNA replication is established by quasi-symmetrical helicase loading
Authors: Coster Gideon , Diffley John F. X.
Published: July 2017

Getting loaded—make mine a double!

Chromosomal DNA replication initiates bidirectionally by loading two ring-shaped helicases onto DNA in opposite orientations. How this symmetry is achieved has been puzzling because replication initiation sites contain only one essential binding site for the initiator, the origin recognition complex (ORC). Coster and Diffley now show that both helicases are loaded by a similar mechanism. Efficient loading requires binding of two ORC complexes to two ORC binding sites in opposite orientations. Natural origins were found to be partially symmetrical, containing functionally relevant secondary ORC sites. Sites can be flexibly spaced, but introducing an intervening “roadblock” prevented loading, suggesting that individual helicases translocate toward each other on DNA to form a stable double ring.

Science
, this issue p.
314
Cash for carbon: A randomized trial of payments for ecosystem services to reduce deforestation
Authors: Jayachandran Seema , de Laat Joost , Lambin Eric F. , Stanton Charlotte Y. , Audy Robin , Thomas Nancy E.
Published: July 2017

Ecosystem protection payments pay off

Trees take up a lot of CO
2
, so one approach to reducing the rate of increase in atmospheric CO
2
levels is to reduce the cutting down of trees. Jayachandran
et al.
evaluated a program in which forest owners in Uganda were paid to not cut down their trees. Encouragingly, payments did reduce deforestation, and owners did not compensate by cutting down trees in neighboring forests. Furthermore, even in a scenario where cutting resumed after payments ceased, the beneficial delay in CO
2
release from cut trees, as quantified by the social cost of carbon, outweighed the monetary cost.

Science
, this issue p.
267
Comment on “The [4Fe4S] cluster of human DNA primase functions as a redox switch using DNA charge transport”
Authors: Baranovskiy Andrey G. , Babayeva Nigar D. , Zhang Yinbo , Blanco Luis , Pavlov Youri I. , Tahirov Tahir H.
Published: July 2017

O’Brien
et al
. (Research Article, 24 February 2017, eaag1789) proposed a novel mechanism of primase function based on redox activity of the iron-sulfur cluster buried inside the C-terminal domain of the large primase subunit (p58C). Serious problems in the experimental design and data interpretation raise concerns about the validity of the conclusions.
Comment on “The [4Fe4S] cluster of human DNA primase functions as a redox switch using DNA charge transport”
Authors: Pellegrini Luca
Published: July 2017

O’Brien
et al
. (Research Article, 24 February 2017, eaag1789) report that the iron-sulfur cluster of primase has a redox role in enzyme activity. Their analysis is based on a partially misfolded structure of the iron-sulfur cluster domain of primase. In the correctly folded structure, two of the three tyrosines putatively involved in electron transfer, Y345 and Y347, contact the RNA/DNA helix, providing an alternative explanation for the data of O’Brien
et al
.
A cirrus cloud climate dial?
Authors: Lohmann Ulrike , Gasparini Blaž
Published: July 2017

Cirrus cloud seeding may help to reduce climate warming, but large uncertainties remain
Tuna fin hydraulics inspire aquatic robotics
Authors: Triantafyllou Michael S.
Published: July 2017

How tuna control fin shape while making sharp turns suggests optimum engineering design
A twist on the Majorana fermion
Authors: Pribiag Vlad S.
Published: July 2017

A hybrid materials system is used to reveal tunable Majorana modes
A soft robot that navigates its environment through growth
Authors: Hawkes Elliot W. , Blumenschein Laura H. , Greer Joseph D. , Okamura Allison M.
Published: July 2017

A class of soft robot can substantially and rapidly increase length from its tip and steer to navigate its environment.
Accurate Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Mixtures by Use of Single-Bacterium Duplex Droplet Digital PCR
Authors: Luo Jun , Li Junhua , Yang Hang , Yu Junping , Wei Hongping
Published: July 2017

Accurate and rapid identification of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) is needed to screen MRSA carriers and improve treatment. The current widely used duplex PCR methods are not able to differentiate MRSA from coexisting methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
(MSSA) or other methicillin-resistant staphylococci. In this study, we aimed to develop a direct method for accurate and rapid detection of MRSA in clinical samples from open environments, such as nasal swabs. The new molecular assay is based on detecting the cooccurrence of
nuc
and
mecA
markers in a single bacterial cell by utilizing droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) with the chimeric lysin ClyH for cell lysis. The method consists of (i) dispersion of an intact single bacterium into nanoliter droplets, (ii) temperature-controlled release of genomic DNA (gDNA) by ClyH at 37°C, and (iii) amplification and detection of the markers (
nuc
and
mecA
) using standard TaqMan chemistries with ddPCR. Results were analyzed based on MRSA index ratios used for indicating the presence of the duplex-positive markers in droplets. The method was able to achieve an absolute limit of detection (LOD) of 2,900 CFU/ml for MRSA in nasal swabs spiked with excess amounts of
Escherichia coli
, MSSA, and other
mecA
-positive bacteria within 4 h. Initial testing of 104 nasal swabs showed that the method had 100% agreement with the standard culture method, while the normal duplex qPCR method had only about 87.5% agreement. The single-bacterium duplex ddPCR assay is rapid and powerful for more accurate detection of MRSA directly from clinical specimens.
The Translesion Polymerase Pol η Is Required for Efficient Epstein-Barr Virus Infectivity and Is Regulated by the Viral Deubiquitinating Enzyme BPLF1
Authors: Dyson Ossie F. , Pagano Joseph S. , Whitehurst Christopher B.
Published: July 2017

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and lytic replication are known to induce a cellular DNA damage response. We previously showed that the virally encoded BPLF1 protein interacts with and regulates several members of the translesion synthesis (TLS) pathway, a DNA damage tolerance pathway, and that these cellular factors enhance viral infectivity. BPLF1 is a late lytic cycle gene, but the protein is also packaged in the viral tegument, indicating that BPLF1 may function both early and late during infection. The BPLF1 protein expresses deubiquitinating activity that is strictly conserved across the
Herpesviridae
; mutation of the active site cysteine results in a loss of enzymatic activity. Infection with an EBV BPLF1 knockout virus results in decreased EBV infectivity. Polymerase eta (Pol η), a specialized DNA repair polymerase, functions in TLS and allows for DNA replication complexes to bypass lesions in DNA. Here we report that BPLF1 interacts with Pol η and that Pol η protein levels are increased in the presence of functional BPLF1. BPLF1 promotes a nuclear relocalization of Pol η molecules which are focus-like in appearance, consistent with the localization observed when Pol η is recruited to sites of DNA damage. Knockdown of Pol η resulted in decreased production of infectious virus, and further, Pol η was found to bind to EBV DNA, suggesting that it may allow for bypass of damaged viral DNA during its replication. The results suggest a mechanism by which EBV recruits cellular repair factors, such as Pol η, to sites of viral DNA damage via BPLF1, thereby allowing for efficient viral DNA replication.

IMPORTANCE
Epstein-Barr virus is the causative agent of infectious mononucleosis and infects approximately 90% of the world's population. It causes lymphomas in individuals with acquired and innate immune disorders and is strongly associated with Hodgkin's lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and lymphomas that develop in organ transplant recipients. Cellular DNA damage is a major determinant in the establishment of oncogenic processes and is well studied, but there are few studies of endogenous repair of viral DNA. This work evaluates how EBV's BPLF1 protein and its conserved deubiquitinating activity regulate the cellular DNA repair enzyme polymerase eta and recruit it to potential sites of viral damage and replication, resulting in enhanced production of infectious virus. These findings help to establish how EBV enlists and manipulates cellular DNA repair factors during the viral lytic cycle, contributing to efficient infectious virion production.
Simian T Lymphotropic Virus 1 Infection of Papio anubis:taxSequence Heterogeneity and T Cell Recognition
Authors: Termini James M. , Magnani Diogo M. , Maxwell Helen S. , Lauer William , Castro Iris , Pecotte Jerilyn , Barber Glen N. , Watkins David I. , Desrosiers Ronald C.
Published: July 2017

Baboons naturally infected with simian T lymphotropic virus (STLV) are a potentially useful model system for the study of vaccination against human T lymphotropic virus (HTLV). Here we expanded the number of available full-length baboon STLV-1 sequences from one to three and related the T cell responses that recognize the immunodominant Tax protein to thetaxsequences present in two individual baboons. Continuously growing T cell lines were established from two baboons, animals 12141 and 12752. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of complete STLV genome sequences from these T cell lines revealed them to be closely related but distinct from each other and from the baboon STLV-1 sequence in the NCBI sequence database. Overlapping peptides corresponding to each unique Tax sequence and to the reference baboon Tax sequence were used to analyze recognition by T cells from each baboon using intracellular cytokine staining (ICS). Individual baboons expressed more gamma interferon and tumor necrosis factor alpha in response to Tax peptides corresponding to their own STLV-1 sequence than in response to Tax peptides corresponding to the reference baboon STLV-1 sequence. Thus, our analyses revealed distinct but closely related STLV-1 genome sequences in two baboons, extremely low heterogeneity of STLV sequences within each baboon, no evidence for superinfection within each baboon, and a ready ability of T cells in each baboon to recognize circulating Tax sequences. While amino acid substitutions that result in escape from CD8+T cell recognition were not observed, premature stop codons were observed in 7% and 56% oftaxsequences from peripheral blood mononuclear cells from animals 12141 and 12752, respectively.

IMPORTANCEIt has been estimated that approximately 100,000 people suffer serious morbidity and 10,000 people die each year from the consequences associated with human T lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infection. There are no antiviral drugs and no preventive vaccine. A preventive vaccine would significantly impact the global burden associated with HTLV infections. Here we provide fundamental information on the simian T lymphotropic virus (STLV) naturally transmitted in a colony of captive baboons. The limited viral sequence heterogeneity in individual baboons, the identity of the viral gene product that is the major target of cellular immune responses, the persistence of viral amino acid sequences that are the major targets of cellular immune responses, and the emergencein vivoof truncated variants in the major target of cellular immune responses all parallel what are seen with HTLV infection of humans. These results justify the use of STLV-infected baboons as a model system for vaccine development efforts.
Evolution of Cost-Free Resistance under Fluctuating Drug Selection in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Melnyk Anita H. , McCloskey Nicholas , Hinz Aaron J. , Dettman Jeremy , Kassen Rees
Published: July 2017

Antibiotic resistance is a global problem that greatly impacts human health. How resistance persists, even in the absence of antibiotic treatment, is thus a public health problem of utmost importance. In this study, we explored the antibiotic treatment conditions under which cost-free resistance arises, using experimental evolution of the bacterium
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and the quinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin. We found that intermittent antibiotic treatment led to the evolution of cost-free resistance and demonstrate that compensatory evolution is the mechanism responsible for cost-free resistance. Our results suggest that discontinuous administration of antibiotic may be contributing to the high levels of antibiotic resistance currently found worldwide.
Predictive imaging biomarkers relevant for functional and anatomical outcomes during ranibizumab therapy of diabetic macular oedema
Authors: Gerendas Bianca S , Prager Sonja , Deak Gabor , Simader Christian , Lammer Jan , Waldstein Sebastian M , Guerin Tadhg , Kundi Michael , Schmidt-Erfurth Ursula Margarethe
Published: July 2017

Background/aims

The objective is to identify imaging biomarkers in optical coherence tomography predicting functional/anatomical outcomes in diabetic macular oedema (DMO).

Methods

The presented study is a post hoc analysis of the RESTORE/RESTORE-extension studies. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was analysed using general estimating equation models using treatment group/morphological features as predictor variables. In addition, linear multiple regression models analysed BCVA gain up to 12 and 36 months with BCVA/morphological baseline characteristics as independent predictor variables. The correlations between central retinal thickness (CRT)/BCVA were calculated as Spearman’s/Pearson’s correlation coefficients.

Results

A weak negative linear correlation between CRT/BCVA was observed in all study arms at baseline (r=−0.34, p<0.001) and at month 36 (r=−0.26, p<0.001). Patients with baseline height of intraretinal cystoid fluid (IRC) ≤380 µm had better baseline BCVA compared with patients with IRC height >380 µm (64.84±10.63 vs 61.66±9.92 letters; p=0.0071, respectively), which was maintained until the end of month 12 (70.5±12.33 vs 67.0±14.09 letters; p=0.0252, respectively). With laser, there was a trend for patients with subretinal fluid (SRF) at baseline to lose BCVA letters at month 12 (−5.38±16.54 vs 2.49±9.72 letters; p=0.1038), whereas ranibizumab patients trended towards higher BCVA gains (10.28±7.14 vs 6.76±7.67; p=0.0563), compared with those without SRF. With combined therapy, all patients had similar BCVA gains regardless of SRF (p=0.3768).

Conclusion

With ranibizumab treatment, the height of IRC spaces at baseline was a better predictor of functional/anatomical improvement than CRT alone. There was also a trend for SRF to show a positive impact on ranibizumab therapy response and a negative impact on laser therapy response.
Sedentary time in older adults: a critical review of measurement, associations with health, and interventions
Authors: Copeland Jennifer L , Ashe Maureen C , Biddle Stuart JH , Brown Wendy J , Buman Matthew P , Chastin Sebastien , Gardiner Paul A , Inoue Shigeru , Jefferis Barbara J , Oka Koichiro , Owen Neville , Sardinha Luís B , Skelton Dawn A , Sugiyama Takemi , Dogra Shilpa
Published: July 2017

Sedentary time (ST) is an important risk factor for a variety of health outcomes in older adults. Consensus is needed on future research directions so that collaborative and timely efforts can be made globally to address this modifiable risk factor. In this review, we examined current literature to identify gaps and inform future research priorities on ST and healthy ageing. We reviewed three primary topics:(1) the validity/reliability of self-report measurement tools, (2) the consequences of prolonged ST on geriatric-relevant health outcomes (physical function, cognitive function, mental health, incontinence and quality of life) and(3) the effectiveness of interventions to reduce ST in older adults.

Methods

A trained librarian created a search strategy that was peer reviewed for completeness.

Results

Self-report assessment of the context and type of ST is important but the tools tend to underestimate total ST. There appears to be an association between ST and geriatric-relevant health outcomes, although there is insufficient longitudinal evidence to determine a dose–response relationship or a threshold for clinically relevant risk. The type of ST may also affect health; some cognitively engaging sedentary behaviours appear to benefit health, while time spent in more passive activities may be detrimental. Short-term feasibility studies of individual-level ST interventions have been conducted; however, few studies have appropriately assessed the impact of these interventions on geriatric-relevant health outcomes, nor have they addressed organisation or environment level changes. Research is specifically needed to inform evidence-based interventions that help maintain functional autonomy among older adults.

This consensus statement has been endorsed by the following societies: Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, Exercise & Sports Science Australia, Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging, Society of Behavioral Medicine, and the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine.
Elevated incidence rates of diabetes in Peru: report from PERUDIAB, a national urban population-based longitudinal study
Authors: Seclen Segundo Nicolas , Rosas Moises Ernesto , Arias Arturo Jaime , Medina Cecilia Alexandra
Published: July 2017

Objective

A recent report from a non-nationally representative, geographically diverse sample in four separate communities in Peru suggests an unusually high diabetes incidence. We aimed to estimate the national diabetes incidence rate using PERUDIAB, a probabilistic, national urban population-based longitudinal study.

Research design and methods

662 subjects without diabetes, selected by multistage, cluster, random sampling of households, representing the 24 administrative and the 3 (coast, highlands and jungle) natural regions across the country, from both sexes, aged 25+ years at baseline, enrolled in 2010–2012, were followed for 3.8 years. New diabetes cases were defined as fasting blood glucose ≥126 mg/dL or on medical diabetes treatment.

Results

There were 49 cases of diabetes in 2408 person-years follow-up. The weighted cumulative incidence of diabetes was 7.2% while the weighted incidence rate was estimated at 19.5 (95% CI 13.9 to 28.3) new cases per 1000 person-years. Older age, obesity and technical or higher education were statistically associated with the incidence of diabetes.

Conclusion

Our results confirm that the incidence of diabetes in Peru is among the highest reported globally. The fast economic growth in the last 20 years, high overweight and obesity rates may have triggered this phenomenon.
Evaluation of a pilot police-led suicide early alert surveillance strategy in the UK
Authors: McGeechan Grant James , Richardson Catherine , Weir Kevin , Wilson Lynn , O’Neill Gillian , Newbury-Birch Dorothy
Published: July 2017

Introduction

Those bereaved by suicide are at increased risk of psychological harm, which can be reduced with the provision of timely support. This paper outlines an evaluation of a pilot police-led suicide strategy, in comparison to a coroner-led suicide strategy looking at the number, and length of time it takes for deaths to be recorded for each strategy. Additionally, the police-led strategy offers timely contact from support services for bereaved individuals. We examined what impact this offer of support had on the capacity of support services.

Methods

A mixed methods evaluation compared how long it took for suspected suicides to be recorded using both strategies. The number of referrals received by support services during the pilot strategy were compared with those from previous years. A feedback focus group, and interviews, were held with key stakeholders.

Results

The coroner strategy was more consistent at identifying suspected suicides; however, reports were filed quicker by the police. Bereaved individuals were willing to share contact details with police officers and consent for referral to support services which lead to increased referrals. The focus group and interviews revealed that the pilot police strategy needs better integration into routine police practice.

Conclusions

This strategy has the potential to deliver a real benefit to those bereaved by suicide; however, there are still aspects which could be improved.
A Wideband Continuous Time Quadrature Delta Sigma Modulator Based on a Real DSM for Low Power WLAN Receiver
Authors: Shamsi Alireza , Aghdam Esmaeil Najafi
Published: July 2017

Power consumption and bandwidth are two of the most important parameters in design of low power wideband modulators as power consumption is growing with the increase in bandwidth. In this study, a multi bit wideband low-power continuous time feed forward quadrature delta sigma modulator (CT-FF-QDSM) is designed for WLAN receiver applications by eliminating adders from modulator structure. In this method, a real modulator is designed and its excess loop delay (ELD) is compensated, then, it is converted into a quadrature structure by applying the complex coefficient to loop filter. Complex coefficients are extracted by the aid of a genetic algorithm to further improve signal to noise ratio (SNR) for bandwidth. One of the disadvantages of CT-FF-QDSM is the adders of loop filters which are power hungry and reduce the effective loop gain. Therefore, the adders have been eliminated while the transfer function is intact in the final modulator. The system level SNR of the proposed modulator is 62.53[Formula: see text]dB using OSR of 12. The circuit is implemented in CMOSTSMC180nm technology. The circuit levels SNR and power consumption are 54[Formula: see text]dB and 13.5[Formula: see text]mW, respectively. Figure of Merit (FOM) obtained from the proposed modulator is about 0.824 (pj/conv) which is improved (by more than 40%) compared to the previous designs.
Energy Efficient Quality Tunable CORDIC for DSP Applications on Battery Operated Portable Devices
Authors: Nawandar Neha K. , Satpute Vishal R.
Published: July 2017

COrdinate Rotation DIgital Computer (CORDIC) is commonly utilized for the computation of cosine/sine i.e., the trigonometric functions, singular value decomposition, in digital signal processing (especially in image/video processing), etc. This paper introduces an energy efficient quality tunable CORDIC architecture that computes the cosine/sine values of any required angle in real-time, and is thus well suited for real time DSP applications, especially for image or video processing applications. The proposed architecture reduces the latency and overcomes data dependency by simultaneously performing all the five iterations, that may vary depending upon the desired energy efficiency. The novelty of this architecture is that, desired quality can be achieved by selecting one out of the available three modes. In order to assess the efficacy of the suggested architecture, some benchmark images are processed using the Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) coefficients obtained via the proposed design. Energy saving is achieved at the cost of slight acceptable degradation in the output image quality. Further, the simulation results show that the proposed architecture is 92.3%, 2.8% and 49.08% more energy efficient than the existing basic, scale-free and lookahead CORDIC architectures, respectively.
Enhancement of stream-sediment dispersion trails using R-mode factor analysis: an example from Wadi Kamal layered complex, NW Arabian Shield
Authors: Al-Saleh Ahmad M.
Published: July 2017

Previous exploration delineated Ni-Cu-PGE targets within a peridotite and gabbro unit at the southern tip of the Wadi Kamal layered complex. Stream sediment samples were collected from wadis draining the KMS-1 and nearby gossans. R-mode factor analysis was applied to the data set, and 4 factors were identified. Factor 1 is a lithological factor and includes Ni, Cr, Mg and Co; factor 2 has high loadings for Pd, Pt, Cu and Co and is interpreted as an ‘ore factor’. Factor 3 consists of REE, P, K, Na and Al and is related to granitic detritus, while factor 4 contains only gold. On the factor scores map, factor-1 dominates in the serpentinite section and diminishes south towards the gabbros. Factor-3 is highest within a granitic dyke swarm, a pattern also emulated by factor-4 (gold). As expected, factor-2 (the ore factor) is best represented in the two wadis draining the KMS-1 gossan but with a longer dispersion trail compared to the absolute values for Cu and Pt + Pd. Factor analysis proved to be an effective tool in enhancing the geochemical signature of the weak mineralization especially in the case of Pd, Pt and Cu with Co being less useful as a pathfinder element.
Exploring Energy-Efficient Cache Design in Emerging Mobile Platforms
Authors: Yan Kaige , Peng Lu , Chen Mingsong , Fu Xin
Published: July 2017

Mobile devices are quickly becoming the most widely used processors in consumer devices. Since their major power supply is battery, energy-efficient computing is highly desired. In this article, we focus on energy-efficient cache design in emerging mobile platforms. We observe that more than 40% of L2 cache accesses are OS kernel accesses in interactive smartphone applications. Such frequent kernel accesses cause serious interferences between the user and kernel blocks in the L2 cache, leading to unnecessary block replacements and high L2 cache miss rate. We first propose to statically partition the L2 cache into two separate segments, which can be accessed only by the user code and kernel code, respectively. Meanwhile, the overall size of the two segments is shrunk, which reduces the energy consumption while still maintaining the similar cache miss rate. We then find completely different access behaviors between the two separated kernel and user segments and explore the multi-retention STT-RAM-based user and kernel segments to obtain higher energy savings in this static partition-based cache design. Finally, we propose to dynamically partition the L2 cache into the user and kernel segments to minimize overall cache size. We also integrate the short-retention STT-RAM into this dynamic partition-based cache design for maximal energy savings. The experimental results show that our static technique reduces cache energy consumption by 75% with 2% performance loss, and our dynamic technique further shows strong capability to reduce cache energy consumption by 85% with only 3% performance loss.
Tumor necrosis factor-α, kidney function, and hypertension
Authors: Mehaffey Eamonn , Majid Dewan S. A.
Published: July 2017

Hypertension is considered to be a low-grade inflammatory condition characterized by the presence of various proinflammatory cytokines. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a constituent of the proinflammatory cytokines that is associated with salt-sensitive hypertension (SSH) and related renal injury. Elevated angiotensin II (ANG II) and other factors such as oxidative stress conditions promote TNF-α formation. Many recent studies have provided evidence that TNF-α exerts a direct renal action by regulating hemodynamic and excretory function in the kidney. The cytokine incites a strong natriuretic response and plays a part in regulation of the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system. The exact mechanistic role of TNF-α in the development of SSH is as yet poorly understood. While TNF-α antagonism has been shown to attenuate hypertensive responses in many hypertensive animal models, contrasting findings demonstrate that the direct systemic administration of TNF-α usually induces hypotensive as well as natriuretic responses, indicating a counterregulatory role of TNF-α in SSH. Differential activities of two cell surface receptors of TNF-α (receptor type 1 and type 2) may explain the contradictory functions of TNF-α in the setting of hypertension. This short review will evaluate ongoing research studies that investigate the action of TNF-α within the kidney and its role as an influential pathophysiological variable in the development of SSH and renal injury. This information may help to develop specific TNF-α receptor targeting as an effective treatment strategy in this clinical condition.
Acute Appendicitis in Pregnancy and the Developing World
Authors: Bhandari Tika Ram , Shahi Sudha , Acharya Sarita
Published: July 2017

Background. Acute appendicitis is the commonest nonobstetric surgical emergency during pregnancy. The aim of the study was to compare perioperative outcomes of acute appendicitis in pregnant and nonpregnant patients.Methods. A retrospective review of medical records of 56 pregnant patients between 2011 and 2016 who were compared with 164 nonpregnant women of reproductive age who underwent open appendectomy between 2014 and 2016 for acute appendicitis. The patient’s demographics and perioperative data were analyzed.Results. The median age of pregnant and nonpregnant patients observed was 26 years (range 19–37) and 26 years (range 18–43). There were no significant differences between the groups in negative appendectomy (21.4 and 21.3%,P=0.52), perforated appendicitis (25 and 23.8%,P=0.85), postoperative complications (28.6 and 26.8%,P=0.80), and median length of hospital stay (5 and 4.5 days,P=0.36). There were 3.6% preterm labour, no maternal mortality, and no fetal loss. In multivariate analysis, WBC >18000/mm3and long patient time to surgery were independent risk factors for appendicular perforation and postoperative complication (P<0.05).Conclusion. Our results of appendectomy in pregnant patients are comparable with nonpregnant patients. Hence the same perioperative treatment protocol can be followed in pregnant and nonpregnant patients even in resource-poor setting.