bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Riverside wren pairs jointly defend their territories against simulated intruders
Authors: Quirós‐Guerrero Esmeralda , Janeiro Maria João , Lopez‐Morales Marvin , Cresswell Will , Templeton Christopher N.
Published: October 2017

Duets are a jointly produced signal where two or more individuals coordinate their vocalizations by overlapping or alternating their songs. Duets are used in a wide array of contexts within partnerships, ranging from territory defence to pair bond maintenance. It has been proposed that pairs that coordinate their songs might also better coordinate other activities, including nest building, parental care and defending shared resources. Here, we tested in the riverside wren (Cantorchilus semibadius), a neotropical duetting species that produces highly coordinated duet songs, whether males and females show similar responses to playback. During territorial disputes in songbird species, individuals tend to direct their attention towards same‐sex territorial intruders, but this bias might be less pronounced in duetting species. We performed a dual‐speaker playback experiment to examine how mated individuals respond to speakers broadcasting female‐versus‐male duet contributions. We found that riverside wrens have high levels of converging behaviour by duetting and remaining in close proximity to one another when responding to simulated paired intruders. Males and females spent more than 80% of their time less than 1 m apart while defending their territory. Both individuals in a pair aggressively engaged with both male and female simulated trespassers by approaching equally close and spending equal time near the two speakers. These results suggest that both sexes perceive a paired territorial intrusion as a similar threat and that both partners are highly invested in defending the shared resources. This study is one of the few to demonstrate equal attention and aggression from mated pairs towards simulated same‐sex and opposite‐sex intruders. We suggest that pairs responding together, in close proximity to one another, might be favourable in duetting species when defending the territory because maintaining a close distance between partners facilitates the extreme coordination of their joint territorial signals.
A decreased peritumoral CD1a+ cell number predicts a worse prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Jardim Juscelino F , Gondak Rogério , Galvis Marisol M , Pinto Clovis A L , Kowalski Luiz P
Published: October 2017

Aims

Dendritic cells (DCs) are known to play a central role in the regulation of both innate and adaptive immunological responses, including antitumour immunity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of intratumoral and peritumoral DCs in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) affecting the tongue and floor of the mouth.

Methods and results

Immunohistochemistry for CD1a and CD83 was performed in 53 patients with OSCC in the tongue and floor of the mouth. The markers were evaluated by automated examination in intratumoral and peritumoral compartments, and the results were expressed as density of cells/mm2. Correlations between these data and clinicopathological and survival outcomes were investigated. Depletion of peritumoral CD1a+ cells was associated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.05), whereas depletion of peritumoral CD83+ cells was correlated with smoking history (P = 0.04), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.015), and extracapsular spread of lymph nodes (P = 0.018). Peritumoral CD1a+ was correlated with recurrence (P = 0.007) and overall survival (P = 0.03). The results of the survival analysis with the Cox proportional hazard model showed that depletion of peritumoral CD1a+ cells is an independent factor associated with overall survival and disease‐free survival.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that depletion of peritumoral CD1a+ cells is a strong independent prognostic factor, predicting a higher recurrence rates and worse survival outcomes.
Consumers’ motivations and roles in rooting for or against underdog consumer
Authors: Zourrig Haithem , El Hedhli Kamel
Published: October 2017

When wronged customers feel powerless they could bring publicly their fight against offending firms. Doing so could help to put the perpetrator firms under pressure and urge them to restore fairness. While some consumers could express their commitment to wronged consumers, others may disagree and disapprove their fight. This paper investigates consumers’ motivations and roles in supporting and rooting against powerless customers‐ referred here as underdogs. Using a netnography approach to analyse online participants’ postings, we identified two types of roles: supportive and unsupportive roles. The former consist of five consumers’ roles that are endorsed when rooting for underdogs, namely the Admirer, the Rebel, the Learner, the Opportunist and the Lawyer. The latter consists of four roles adopted by opponent consumers when rooting against underdogs, namely the Sarcastic, the Elitist, the Conformist and the Schadenfreudist. Understanding consumers’ roles and motivations in rooting for the underdogs, is helpful for firms in managing their defensive marketing efforts and reduce the anti‐corporate attitudes. Likewise, knowing what motivates consumers to root against an underdog may help in capitalizing on supportive attitudes and to reinforce the commitment toward the firm.
Identification of novel homozygous SLURP1 mutation in a Javanese family with Mal de Meleda
Authors: Radiono Sunardi , Pramono Zacharias A. D. , Oh Glenda G. K. , Surana Uttam , Widiyani Syahfori , Danarti Retno
Published: October 2017

Background

Mal de Meleda (OMIM# 248300; keratosis palmoplantaris transgrediens) is an autosomal recessive form of palmoplantar keratoderma, clinically characterized by sharp demarcated erythema and hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles that progress with age and extend to the dorsal aspects of the hands and feet. The mal de Meleda is caused by mutations in the SLURP1 gene that encodes secreted lymphocyte antigen 6/urokinase‐type plasminogen receptor‐related protein 1 (SLURP1). To date no reported cases from Indonesia. The aims of the study were to describe the typical features of mal de Meleda cases in a Javanese family in Indonesia and identify the mutation in the ARS B gene which encodes SLURP1.

Patients and Methods

In this study, three Javanese patients, siblings from nonconsanguineous nonaffected parents, presented with classical symptoms of mal de Meleda. Genetic analysis screening SLURP1 gene was conducted for the specimens from the patients and other family members.

Results

A novel homozygous three‐nucleotide deletion in exon 3, i.e. c.271‐273TCTdel, was identified in the patients. Subcloning and sequencing revealed both parents (I.2 and I.3) and one of the father's siblings (I.1) carry heterozygous c.271‐273TCTdel, while the other father's sibling (I.2), the mother's sister (I.4), and a healthy control matched the ethnicity of the family, showing normal sequence of the entire SLURP1.

Conclusion

This is the first mal de Meleda case of Javanese ethnicity to be documented, and the unique mutation has not previously been reported. The finding supports the notion that despite the rarity, SLURP1 mutation causing mal de Meleda is ubiquitous.
WHO guide on the economic evaluation of influenza vaccination
Authors: Newall Anthony T. , Chaiyakunapruk Nathorn , Lambach Philipp , Hutubessy Raymond C. W.
Published: October 2017

Influenza is responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality across the globe, with a large share of the total disease burden occurring in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). There have been relatively few economic evaluations assessing the value of seasonal influenza vaccination in LMICs. The purpose of this guide is to outline the key theoretical concepts and best practice in methodologies and to provide guidance on the economic evaluation of influenza vaccination in LMICs. It outlines many of the influenza vaccine‐specific challenges and should help to provide a framework for future evaluations in the area to build upon.
The (dis)embodiment of human capital development projects: the case of Vietnam before and within the global “race for talent”
Authors: Nguyen Chi Hong
Published: October 2017

This paper adds nuance to existing human capital theory by critiquing the rationality principle underpinning this theory that leads to the disembodiment of skills and knowledge. Accordingly, individual investment in education is said to be rationally calculated on a cost‐and‐benefit basis, and a collective of individual skills and knowledge enables social development. In contrast, by using the Heideggerian perspective of engagement with the world, it is argued in this article that such decisions can be affected and reshaped by individuals’ embodied interactions with others under the effects of socio‐political norms and practices. As such, investment in education and training and its outcomes are socially and politically shared and enacted. This argument is supported by an examination of the evolving human capital policies in Vietnam that disembody human capital from individuals’ embeddedness in the world. In Vietnam, human capital is considered as a diplomatic, political, economic, and innovative commodity for socioeconomic development and participation in global competition for talent. This public commodity is collective, symbolic, and quantifiable. This disembodied commodity is produced through a joint‐venture effort among individuals, the Vietnamese Government's exercise of multilateralism, other governments, and foreign universities.
A multicentre randomised controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane (EpiFix®) allograft for the treatment of venous leg ulcers
Authors: Bianchi Christian , Cazzell Shawn , Vayser Dean , Reyzelman Alexander M , Dosluoglu Hasan , Tovmassian Gregory ,   EpiFix VLU Study Group
Published: October 2017

A randomised, controlled, multicentre clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane (EpiFix) allograft as an adjunct to multilayer compression therapy for the treatment of non‐healing full‐thickness venous leg ulcers. We randomly assigned 109 subjects to receive EpiFix and multilayer compression (n = 52) or dressings and multilayer compression therapy alone (n = 57). Patients were recruited from 15 centres around the USA and were followed up for 16 weeks. The primary end point of the study was defined as time to complete ulcer healing. Participants receiving weekly application of EpiFix and compression were significantly more likely to experience complete wound healing than those receiving standard wound care and compression (60% versus 35% at 12 weeks, P = 0·0128, and 71% versus 44% at 16 weeks, P = 0·0065). A Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed to compare the time‐to‐healing performance with or without EpiFix, showing a significantly improved time to healing using the allograft (log‐rank P = 0·0110). Cox regression analysis showed that subjects treated with EpiFix had a significantly higher probability of complete healing within 12 weeks (HR: 2·26, 95% confidence interval 1·25–4·10, P = 0·01) versus without EpiFix. These results confirm the advantage of EpiFix allograft as an adjunct to multilayer compression therapy for the treatment of non‐healing, full‐thickness venous leg ulcers.
“Meal realities” — An ethnographic exploration of hospital mealtime environment and practice
Authors: Ottrey Ella , Porter Judi , Huggins Catherine E. , Palermo Claire
Published: October 2017

Aim

To explore and understand patterns of mealtime culture, environment and social practice from the perspective of staff, volunteers and visitors on the hospital ward.

Background

Inadequate food intake is a common and complex problem in hospital and can lead to malnutrition. Mealtime interventions have been implemented to address this problem with limited success. A better understanding of mealtime environment and practice is needed to ascertain which interventions are more likely to be effective in addressing inadequate food intake in hospital.

Design

A qualitative, ethnographic approach was used to promote a comprehensive understanding of mealtime environment and practice.

Methods

Sixty‐seven hours of fieldwork was conducted August–October 2015. More than 150 participants were observed and 61 unique participants were interviewed in 75 interviews. Data analysis followed an inductive, thematic approach, informed by systems and complexity theory.

Findings

Themes of “patient centredness” and “system” and their disharmonious interrelationship emerged. Staff, volunteers and visitors strive for patient centredness at mealtimes. The routine and structured nature of the meal and care systems was constantly in tension with providing patients the care they needed.

Conclusion

The findings of this study expose the challenges associated with maintaining patient centredness at mealtimes in complex healthcare and foodservice systems. This facilitates a better understanding of why inadequate food intake is difficult to address in the hospital setting and highlights the need to support strategies that approach foodservice processes and nutritional care as complex and non‐linear.
Unknown Intracardiac Electrogram
Authors: Prystowsky Eric N.
Published: October 2017

Watch a video presentation of this article.

For additional educational resources, please visit Medtronic Academy .
Safety profiles of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure devices: An analysis of the Food and Drug Administration Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database from 2009 to 2016
Authors: Jazayeri Mohammad‐Ali , Vuddanda Venkat , Turagam Mohit K. , Parikh Valay , Lavu Madhav , Atkins Donita , Earnest Matthew , Di Biase Luigi , Natale Andrea , Wilber David , Reddy Yeruva Madhu , Lakkireddy Dhanunjaya R.
Published: October 2017

Background

Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is a viable option for AF patients who are unable to tolerate long‐term oral anticoagulation (OAC).

Objective

We sought to assess the safety of two commonly used percutaneous devices for LAA closure in the United States by analysis of surveillance data from the FDA Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database.

Methods

The MAUDE database was queried between May 1, 2006 and May 1, 2016 for LARIAT® (SentreHEART Inc., Redwood City, CA, USA) and WATCHMAN™ (Boston Scientific Corp., Marlborough, MA, USA) devices. Among 622 retrieved medical device reports, 356 unique and relevant reports were analyzed. The cumulative incidence of safety events was calculated over the study period and compared between the two devices.

Results

LAAC was performed with LARIAT in 4,889 cases. WATCHMAN was implanted in 2,027 patients prior to FDA approval in March 2015 and 3,822 patients postapproval. The composite outcome of stroke/TIA, pericardiocentesis, cardiac surgery, and death occurred more frequently with WATCHMAN (cumulative incidence, 1.93% vs. 1.15%; P = 0.001). The same phenomenon was observed when comparing the WATCHMAN pre‐ and postapproval experiences for the composite outcome, as well as device embolization, cardiac surgery, and myocardial infarction.

Conclusions

MAUDE‐reported data show that postapproval, new technology adoption is fraught with increased complications. Improved collaboration between operators, device manufacturers, and regulators can better serve patients through increased transparency and practical postmarket training and monitoring mechanisms.
How do Member States Return Unwanted Migrants? The Strategic (non‐)use of ‘Europe’ during the Migration Crisis
Authors: Slominski Peter , Trauner Florian
Published: October 2017

This article analyzes how Member States have used the opportunities and avoided the constraints of the EU's multilevel governance architecture to return unwanted migrants. Drawing on sociological approaches to the EU and a broad understanding of return policies, we investigate the ways in which the northern Member States, notably Germany and Austria, have increasingly relied upon the EU's operational and financial resources to achieve their goal of pursuing a bold return policy. A key ‘usage’ of Europe has been the pooling of political and financial power to externalize and informalize its return policy. At the same time, the northern Member States' deliberate – yet widely under‐researched – ‘non‐use’ of Europe, such as using and maximizing national leeway, has been an equally important strategy to reduce migratory pressure and achieve higher return rates.
Refugee Protection and Burden‐Sharing in the European Union
Authors: Bauböck Rainer
Published: October 2017

This article starts with discussing principles for a globally just system of refugee protection to which states contribute either by admitting refugees for resettlement or by supporting refugee integration in other states. Such a system requires relatively strong assurances of compliance by the states involved, which are absent in the international arena. In the European Union, however, the Member States form a predetermined set with prior commitments and supranational institutions that facilitate effective burden sharing. The article traces the failure of the EU's relocation scheme to meet this expectation to misconceptions how to determine fair shares, to incomplete prior harmonization of normative standards, and to contradictions between the Dublin Regulation's principle of assigning responsibility to first countries of entry, on the one hand, and the Schengen principle of open internal borders, on the other hand.
Backscattered electron imaging and electron backscattered diffraction in the study of bacterial attachment to titanium alloy structure
Authors: WANG ANQI , JONES IAN P. , LANDINI GABRIEL , MEI JUNFA , TSE YAU Y. , LI YUE X. , KE LINNAN , HUANG YUANLI , LIU LI , WANG CHUNREN , SAMMONS RACHEL L.
Published: October 2017

The application of secondary electron (SE) imaging, backscattered electron imaging (BSE) and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) was investigated in this work to study the bacterial adhesion and proliferation on a commercially pure titanium (cp Ti) and a Ti6Al4V alloy (Ti 64) with respect to substrate microstructure and chemical composition. Adherence of Gram‐positive Staphylococcus epidermidis 11047 and Streptococcus sanguinis GW2, and Gram‐negative Serratia sp. NCIMB 40259 and Escherichia coli 10418 was compared on cp Ti, Ti 64, pure aluminium (Al) and vanadium (V). The substrate microstructure and the bacterial distribution on these metals were characterised using SE, BSE and EBSD imaging. It was observed that titanium alloy‐phase structure, grain boundaries and grain orientation did not influence bacterial adherence or proliferation at microscale. Adherence of all four strains was similar on cp Ti and Ti 64 surfaces whilst inhibited on pure Al. This work establishes a nondestructive and straight‐forward statistical method to analyse the relationship between microbial distribution and metal alloy structure.
The structure of InAlGaN layers grown by metal organic vapour phase epitaxy: effects of threading dislocations and inversion domains from the GaN template
Authors: BEN AMMAR H. , MINJ A. , CHAUVAT M.‐P. , GAMARRA P. , LACAM C. , MORALES M. , RUTERANA P.
Published: October 2017

Defects in quaternary InAlGaN barriers and their effects on crystalline quality and surface morphology have been studied. In addition to growth conditions, the quality of the GaN template may play an important role in the formation of defects in the barrier. Therefore, this work is focused on effects caused by threading dislocations (TDs) and inversion domains (IDs) originating from the underlying GaN. The effects are observed on the crystalline quality of the barrier and characteristic surface morphologies. Each type of TDs is shown to affect the surface morphology in a different way. Depending on the size of the corresponding hillock for a given pinhole, it was possible to determine the dislocation type. It is pointed out that the smallest pinholes are not connected to TDs whereas the large ones terminate either mixed type or edge type TDs. At sufficiently large layer thickness, the IDs originating from the GaN template lead to the formation of concentric trenches at the layer surface, and this is related to the change in growth kinetics on top and at the immediate surroundings of the ID.
Anatomy and development of the extrahepatic biliary system in mouse and rat: a perspective on the evolutionary loss of the gallbladder
Authors: Higashiyama Hiroki , Uemura Mami , Igarashi Hitomi , Kurohmaru Masamichi , Kanai‐Azuma Masami , Kanai Yoshiakira
Published: October 2017

The gallbladder is the hepatobiliary organ for storing and secreting bile fluid, and is a synapomorphy of extant vertebrates. However, this organ has been frequently lost in several lineages of birds and mammals, including rodents. Although it is known as the traditional problem, the differences in development between animals with and without gallbladders are not well understood. To address this research gap, we compared the anatomy and development of the hepatobiliary systems in mice (gallbladder is present) and rats (gallbladder is absent). Anatomically, almost all parts of the hepatobiliary system of rats are topographically the same as those of mice, but rats have lost the gallbladder and cystic duct completely. During morphogenesis, the gallbladder–cystic duct domain (Gb–Cd domain) and its primordium, the biliary bud, do not develop in the rat. In the early stages, SOX17, a master regulator of gallbladder formation, is positive in the murine biliary bud epithelium, as seen in other vertebrates with a gallbladder, but there is no SOX17‐positive domain in the rat hepatobiliary primordia. These findings suggest that the evolutionary loss of the Gb–Cd domain should be translated simply as the absence of a biliary bud at an early stage, which may correlate with alterations in regulatory genes, such as Sox17, in the rat. A SOX17‐positive biliary bud is clearly definable as a developmental module that may be involved in the frequent loss of gallbladder in mammals.
Influence of ration composition on nutritive and digestive variables in captive giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) indicating the appropriateness of feeding practice
Authors: Gussek I. , Große‐Brinkhaus C. , Südekum K.‐H. , Hummel J.
Published: October 2017

The nutrition of captive giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), a browsing ruminant, is challenging because browse availability is limited in zoos and rations need to be composed of compensatory feeds. In this study, ration composition for giraffes in 12 German zoos was documented and linked to animal variables that indicate suitability of nutrition. Rations differed in proportion of ration items and chemical composition resulting in various grades of accordance with feeding recommendations. An estimated daily metabolisable energy (ME) intake (MEI; mean ± SD) of 0.61 MJ ME/kg0.75 body weight (BW; ±0.1) was sufficient to cover estimated energy requirements. Daily dry matter (DM) intake (DMI) was 61 g DM/kg0.75 BW (±10) and correlated negatively to dietary ME content (p = .009; r = −.596). Apparently, feed intake was regulated by energetic satiety and not by physical properties of forage. A negative correlation between produce proportion and DMI (p = .002; r = −.676) led to the assumption of a low ruminal pH in giraffes fed high proportions of produce. Increasing dietary forage proportions led to an increasing duration of feed intake (p = .045; r = .477) and decreasing occurrence of oral stereotypies (p = .047; r = −.474). The weighted average faecal particle size was larger than reported for free‐ranging giraffes, but no relation to ration characteristics among the facilities existed. The abrasiveness of rations was not excessive, as contents of silicate in faeces were similar to values from the wild. Body condition was generally acceptable, but there was no evident relation to ration characteristics. The capacity to self‐regulate DM and ME intakes with lucerne hay may work at higher forage proportions than often assumed for captive giraffes. Rations with less energetic density can result in a greater DMI, including maximisation of forage intake and reduction of oral stereotypies.
Rural Disparities in Alzheimer's Disease‐Related Community Pharmacy Care in the United States
Authors: Henkel Paul Jacob , Marvanova Marketa
Published: October 2017

Purpose

To examine the relationship between area population density and community pharmacy‐based Alzheimer's Disease (AD)‐related services: pharmacists’ medication knowledge and counseling, immunizations, and in‐stock cognitive enhancers in 3 predominantly rural regions of the United States.

Methods

A standardized interview was administered by telephone to a 100% sample of community pharmacies in 3 areas: Northern California/Southern Oregon (n = 206), North and South Dakota (n = 278), and West Virginia (n = 420). Key study outcomes included: pharmacists’ medication knowledge, availability of immunization services, and cognitive enhancers in stock. Respondents were classified by population density (persons/mi2) by pharmacy location to evaluate the relationship between rurality and AD‐related pharmacy services. Chi‐squared and logistic regression analyses were performed using Stata 10.1.

Findings

Pharmacies in more rural areas (50.1‐100.0, 25.1‐50.0, and ≤25.0 persons/mi2) were about 50% less likely to offer immunizations (95% CI: 0.32‐0.91; 0.32‐0.76; 0.28‐0.80, respectively) compared to the least rural areas (>100.0 persons/mi2). Compared to the least rural areas, pharmacists in the most rural areas (≤25.0 persons/mi2) were less likely to name ≥2 gastrointestinal adverse effects of donepezil (OR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.31‐0.82) or have memantine XR 28 mg (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.41‐0.89) and other surveyed medications (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.39‐0.82) in stock.

Conclusions

We found disparities in AD‐related services in community pharmacies located in more rural counties, wherein individuals with AD and their caregivers may face barriers to obtaining quality pharmaceutical care. There is a need to strengthen pharmacists’ knowledge and improve pharmacy services to reduce disparities.
The impact of sleep deprivation on visual perspective taking
Authors: Deliens Gaétane , Bukowski Henryk , Slama Hichem , Surtees Andrew , Cleeremans Axel , Samson Dana , Peigneux Philippe
Published: October 2017

Total sleep deprivation (TSD) is known to alter cognitive processes. Surprisingly little attention has been paid to its impact on social cognition. Here, we investigated whether TSD alters levels‐1 and ‐2 visual perspective‐taking abilities, i.e. the capacity to infer (a) what can be seen and (b) how it is seen from another person's visual perspective, respectively. Participants completed levels‐1 and ‐2 visual perspective‐taking tasks after a night of sleep and after a night of TSD. In these tasks, participants had to take their own (self trials) or someone else's (other trials) visual perspective in trials where both perspectives were either the same (consistent trials) or different (inconsistent trials). An instruction preceding each trial indicated the perspective to take (i.e. the relevant perspective). Results show that TSD globally deteriorates social performance. In the level‐1 task, TSD affects the selection of relevant over irrelevant perspectives. In the level‐2 task, the effect of TSD cannot be unequivocally explained. This implies that visual perspective taking should be viewed as partially state‐dependent, rather than a wholly static trait‐like characteristic.
Commissioning guidance for weight assessment and management in adults and children with severe complex obesity
Authors: Welbourn R. , Hopkins J. , Dixon J. B. , Finer N. , Hughes C. , Viner R. , Wass J. ,   on behalf of the Guidance Development Group
Published: October 2017

The challenge of managing the epidemic of patients with severe and complex obesity disease in secondary care is largely unmet. In England, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence and the National Health Service England have published guidance on the provision of specialist (non‐surgical) weight management services. We have undertaken a systematic review of ‘what evidence exists for what should happen in/commissioning of: primary or secondary care weight assessment and management clinics in patients needing specialist care for severe and complex obesity?’ using an accredited methodology to produce a model for organization of multidisciplinary team clinics that could be developed in every healthcare system, as an update to a previous review. Additions to the previous guidance were multidisciplinary team pathways for children/adolescent patients and their transition to adult care, anaesthetic assessment and recommendations for ongoing shared care with general practitioners, as a chronic disease management pathway.
A Framework for Understanding Uncertainty in Seismic Risk Assessment
Authors: Foulser‐Piggott Roxane , Bowman Gary , Hughes Martin
Published: October 2017

A better understanding of the uncertainty that exists in models used for seismic risk assessment is critical to improving risk‐based decisions pertaining to earthquake safety. Current models estimating the probability of collapse of a building do not consider comprehensively the nature and impact of uncertainty. This article presents a model framework to enhance seismic risk assessment and thus gives decisionmakers a fuller understanding of the nature and limitations of the estimates. This can help ensure that risks are not over‐ or underestimated and the value of acquiring accurate data is appreciated fully. The methodology presented provides a novel treatment of uncertainties in input variables, their propagation through the model, and their effect on the results. The study presents ranges of possible annual collapse probabilities for different case studies on buildings in different parts of the world, exposed to different levels of seismicity, and with different vulnerabilities. A global sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the significance of uncertain variables. Two key outcomes are (1) that the uncertainty in ground‐motion conversion equations has the largest effect on the uncertainty in the calculation of annual collapse probability; and (2) the vulnerability of a building appears to have an effect on the range of annual collapse probabilities produced, i.e., the level of uncertainty in the estimate of annual collapse probability, with less vulnerable buildings having a smaller uncertainty.
Intergenerational Wealth Mobility in France, 19th and 20th Century
Authors: Bourdieu Jérôme , Kesztenbaum Lionel , Postel‐Vinay Gilles , Suwa‐Eisenmann Akiko
Published: October 2017

This paper examines intergenerational wealth mobility between fathers and children in France between 1848 and 1960. Considering wealth mobility in the long run requires taking into account not only positional mobility (that is, how families move within a given distribution of wealth), but also structural mobility induced by changes in the distribution of wealth. Such changes are related to two structural phenomena: in the nineteenth century, the rising number of individuals leaving no estate at death and, after World War I, the decline in the number of the very rich who could live off their wealth. The paper studies the movements between these groups and estimates the intergenerational elasticity of wealth, taking into account the persistence at the bottom and at the top.
Mound‐forming cold‐water corals and bryozoans in the Early Palaeocene of Denmark
Authors: Bjerager Morten , Sheldon Emma , Lauridsen Bodil W.
Published: October 2017

The Faxe Quarry in south‐east Denmark offers excellent exposures of Early Palaeocene, Danian deep‐water intercalated coral and bryozoan mounds that form complexes at least 40 m thick and a few kilometres wide along and over submarine highs. The coexisting coral and bryozoan mounds represent two different biogenic carbonate factories with a highly dynamic interplay during growth. The sedimentary facies, mound geometries and the density, diversity and palaeoecology of the associated benthic invertebrates and nannofossils allow recognition of six successive growth units. Unit 1 represents an outer shelf bryozoan mound belt characterized by an oligotrophic cool‐water nannofossil assemblage. Unit 2 comprises a mixed faunal assemblage of bryozoans and octocorals with an initial sparse colonization of hexacorals. The nannofossil assemblage records a decrease in diversity and an increase in warm water forms. Unit 3 marks the onset of dense colonization of the scleractinian coral Dendrophyllia candelabrum with associated low‐diversity macrofauna and nannofossil assemblages. Unit 4 represents the main coral build‐up phase with frame‐building hexacorals of Dendrophyllia and Faxephyllia associated with a high‐diversity invertebrate fauna, and relatively low‐diversity nannofossil assemblages. Unit 5 represents the late coral mound phase showing extensive lateral distribution and finally death and erosion of the coral mounds. This event was contemporaneous with a warming trend in the pelagic environment. The succeeding Unit 6 marks the burial and overgrowth of the coral mound complex by bryozoan‐rich sediments. The coral mound complex in the Faxe Quarry initiated and terminated in global nannofossil zone NP3 and regional nannofossil zones NNTp2G–3 suggesting a mound growth duration of ca 300 kyr and a mean vertical accretion of the coral mound of 13 cm kyr−1. The mound complex probably serves as the best‐exposed analogue to modern deep and cold‐water coral mounds in the North Atlantic.
RiceSUMOproteaseOverly Tolerant to Salt 1targets the transcription factor, OsbZIP23 to promote drought tolerance in rice
Authors: Srivastava Anjil Kumar , Zhang Cunjin , Caine Robert S , Gray Julie , Sadanandom Ari
Published: October 2017

Conjugation ofSUMO(Small Ubiquitin‐like Modifier) protein to cellular targets is emerging as a very influential protein modification system. Once covalently bound,SUMOconjugation can change the stability or functionality of its cognate target proteins.SUMOprotease can rapidly reverseSUMOconjugation making this modification system highly dynamic. A major factor in the variation ofSUMO‐target function is the balance between the conjugated/de‐conjugated forms. The mechanistic role of these regulatorySUMOproteases in mediating stress responses has not been defined in any crops. In this study, we reveal the role of theSUMOprotease, OsOTS1 in mediating tolerance to drought in rice.OsOTS1depleted transgenic plants accumulate moreABAand exhibit more productive agronomic traits during drought whileOsOTS1overexpressing lines are drought sensitive butABAinsensitive. Drought andABAtreatment stimulates the degradation of OsOTS1 protein indicating thatSUMOconjugation is an important response to drought stress in rice achieved through down‐regulation ofOTS1/2 activity. We reveal that OsOTS1SUMOprotease directly targets theABAand drought responsive transcription factor OsbZIP23 for de‐SUMOylation affecting its stability.OsOTS‐RNAi lines show increased abundance of OsbZIP23 and increased drought responsive gene expression whileOsOTS1overexpressing lines show reduced levels of OsbZIP23 leading to suppressed drought responsive gene expression. Our data reveal a mechanism in which rice plants governABA‐dependant drought responsive gene expression by controlling the stability of OsbZIP23 bySUMOconjugation through manipulating specificSUMOprotease levels.
Root transcriptional dynamics induced by beneficial rhizobacteria and microbial immune elicitors reveal signatures of adaptation to mutualists
Authors: Stringlis Ioannis A. , Proietti Silvia , Hickman Richard , Van Verk Marcel C. , Zamioudis Christos , Pieterse Corné M. J.
Published: October 2017

Below ground, microbe‐associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) of root‐associated microbiota can trigger costly defenses at the expense of plant growth. However, beneficial rhizobacteria, such as Pseudomonas simiae WCS417, promote plant growth and induce systemic resistance without being warded off by local root immune responses. To investigate early root responses that facilitate WCS417 to exert its plant‐beneficial functions, we performed time series RNA‐Seq of Arabidopsis roots in response to live WCS417 and compared it with MAMPs flg22417 (from WCS417), flg22Pa (from pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and fungal chitin. The MAMP transcriptional responses differed in timing, but displayed a large overlap in gene identity. MAMP‐upregulated genes are enriched for genes with functions in immunity, while downregulated genes are enriched for genes related to growth and development. Although 74% of the transcriptional changes inflicted by live WCS417 overlapped with the flg22417 profile, WCS417 actively suppressed more than half of the MAMP‐triggered transcriptional responses, possibly to allow the establishment of a mutually beneficial interaction with the host root. Interestingly, the sector of the flg22417‐repressed transcriptional network that is not affected by WCS417 has a strong auxin signature. Using auxin response mutant tir1afb2afb3, we demonstrate a dual role for auxin signaling in finely balancing growth‐promoting and defense‐eliciting activities of beneficial microbes in plant roots.
On the Popov–Pommerening conjecture for linear algebraic groups
Authors: Bérczi Gergely
Published: October 2017

Let $G$ be a reductive group over an algebraically closed subfield $k$ of $\mathbb{C}$ of characteristic zero, $H\subseteq G$ an observable subgroup normalised by a maximal torus of $G$ and $X$ an affine $k$-variety acted on by $G$. Popov and Pommerening conjectured in the late 1970s that the invariant algebra $k[X]^{H}$ is finitely generated. We prove the conjecture for: (1) subgroups of $\operatorname{SL}_{n}(k)$ closed under left (or right) Borel action and for: (2) a class of Borel regular subgroups of classical groups. We give a partial affirmative answer to the conjecture for general regular subgroups of $\operatorname{SL}_{n}(k)$.
Comparison study of the low temperature growth of dilute GeSn and Ge
Authors: Grant Perry C. , Dou Wei , Alharthi Bader , Grant Joshua M. , Mosleh Aboozar , Du Wei , Li Baohua , Mortazavi Mansour , Naseem Hameed A. , Yu Shui-Qing
Published: October 2017

Dilute GeSn films have been grown at the temperatures below 400 °C in a cold-walled ultrahigh vacuum chemical-vapor-deposition chamber. Diluted tin-tetrachloride (SnCl4) with a flow rate of 0.02 sccm was used as Sn precursor while the flow rate of Ge precursor germane was 10 sccm. For comparison, the Ge films were grown under the same conditions except only the precursor germane was used. Material growth study revealed the linear growth rates for both films and increased nucleation times at lower temperatures. Material and optical characterizations showed that the GeSn films featured longer nucleation times, higher growth rates, and higher crystal quality compared to those of Ge films grown at the same conditions. The growth mechanism investigation suggested that GeSn growth using SnCl4 is an exothermic chemical reaction which could lead to the improved material quality.
High performance of a cobalt–nitrogen complex for the reduction and reductive coupling of nitro compounds into amines and their derivatives
Authors: Zhou Peng , Jiang Liang , Wang Fan , Deng Kejian , Lv Kangle , Zhang Zehui
Published: October 2017

The cobalt–nitrogen catalyst shows high activity for selective reduction of nitro compounds with H
2
and other hydrogen donors.
Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Increases PD-L1 and Proinflammatory Cytokine Expression in Human Monocytes
Authors: Host Kurtis M. , Jacobs Sarah R. , West John A. , Zhang Zhigang , Costantini Lindsey M. , Stopford Charles M. , Dittmer Dirk P. , Damania Blossom
Published: October 2017

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is associated with the human malignancy Kaposi’s sarcoma and the lymphoproliferative disorders primary effusion lymphoma and multicentric Castleman’s disease. KSHV establishes lytic infection of monocytes
in vivo
, which may represent an important cellular reservoir during KS disease progression. KS tumors consist of latently infected endothelial cells; however, lytic phase gene products are important for KS onset. Early KS lesion progression is driven by proinflammatory cytokines supplied by immune cell infiltrates including T cells and monocytes. KSHV-infected monocytes may supply the lytic viral products and the inflammatory milieu conducive to KS tumor progression. To establish successful infection, KSHV extensively modulates the host immune system. KSHV antigens activate both innate and adaptive immune responses including KSHV-specific T cells, but lifelong infection is still established. Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a prosurvival cell surface protein that suppresses T-cell-mediated killing. PD-L1 is variably present on various tumor cells and is a targetable marker for cancer treatment. We show that KSHV infection of human monocytes increases PD-L1 expression and transcription in a dose-dependent manner. We also saw evidence of lytic gene expression in the KSHV-infected monocytes. Intact KSHV is needed for full PD-L1 response in human monocytes. KSHV induces a general proinflammatory cytokine milieu including interleukins 1α, 1β, and 6, which have been implicated in early KS lesion progression. KSHV-mediated PD-L1 increase may represent a novel mechanism of KSHV-mediated immune modulation to allow for virus survival and eventually malignant progression.

IMPORTANCE
KSHV is the etiologic agent of Kaposi’s sarcoma and the lymphoproliferative disorders primary effusion lymphoma and multicentric Castleman’s disease. Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is an immunosuppressive cell surface marker that inhibits T cell activation. We report that KSHV infection of primary human monocytes upregulates PD-L1 transcription and protein expression. Analysis of the cytokine and chemokine milieu following KSHV infection of monocytes revealed that KSHV induces interleukins 1α, 1β, and 6, all of which have been implicated in KS development. Our work has identified another potential immune evasion strategy for KSHV and a potential target for immunotherapy of KSHV-derived disease.
Reciprocal Prioritization to Dietary Glycans by Gut Bacteria in a Competitive Environment Promotes Stable Coexistence
Authors: Tuncil Yunus E. , Xiao Yao , Porter Nathan T. , Reuhs Bradley L. , Martens Eric C. , Hamaker Bruce R.
Published: October 2017

When presented with nutrient mixtures, several human gut
Bacteroides
species exhibit hierarchical utilization of glycans through a phenomenon that resembles catabolite repression. However, it is unclear how closely these observed physiological changes, often measured by altered transcription of glycan utilization genes, mirror actual glycan depletion. To understand the glycan prioritization strategies of two closely related human gut symbionts,
Bacteroides ovatus
and
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
, we performed a series of time course assays in which both species were individually grown in a medium with six different glycans that both species can degrade. Disappearance of the substrates and transcription of the corresponding polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs) were measured. Each species utilized some glycans before others, but with different priorities per species, providing insight into species-specific hierarchical preferences. In general, the presence of highly prioritized glycans repressed transcription of genes involved in utilizing lower-priority nutrients. However, transcriptional sensitivity to some glycans varied relative to the residual concentration in the medium, with some PULs that target high-priority substrates remaining highly expressed even after their target glycan had been mostly depleted. Coculturing of these organisms in the same mixture showed that the hierarchical orders generally remained the same, promoting stable coexistence. Polymer length was found to be a contributing factor for glycan utilization, thereby affecting its place in the hierarchy. Our findings not only elucidate how
B. ovatus
and
B. thetaiotaomicron
strategically access glycans to maintain coexistence but also support the prioritization of carbohydrate utilization based on carbohydrate structure, advancing our understanding of the relationships between diet and the gut microbiome.

IMPORTANCE
The microorganisms that reside in the human colon fulfill their energy requirements mainly from diet- and host-derived complex carbohydrates. Members of this ecosystem possess poorly understood strategies to prioritize and compete for these nutrients. Based on direct carbohydrate measurements and corresponding transcriptional analyses, our findings showed that individual bacterial species exhibit different preferences for the same set of glycans and that this prioritization is maintained in a competitive environment, which may promote stable coexistence. Such understanding of gut bacterial glycan utilization will be essential to eliciting predictable changes in the gut microbiota to improve health through the diet.
Characterization of Inner and Outer Membrane Proteins from
Francisella tularensis
Strains LVS and Schu S4 and Identification of Potential Subunit Vaccine Candidates
Authors: Post Deborah M. B. , Slütter Bram , Schilling Birgit , Chande Aroon T. , Rasmussen Jed A. , Jones Bradley D. , D’Souza Alexandria K. , Reinders Lorri M. , Harty John T. , Gibson Bradford W. , Apicella Michael A.
Published: October 2017

Francisella tularensis
is the causative agent of tularemia and a potential bioterrorism agent. In the present study, we isolated, identified, and quantified the proteins present in the membranes of the virulent type A strain, Schu S4, and the attenuated type B strain, LVS (live vaccine strain). Spectral counting of mass spectrometric data showed enrichment for membrane proteins in both strains. Mice vaccinated with whole LVS membranes encapsulated in poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles containing the adjuvant polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I·C)] showed significant protection against a challenge with LVS compared to the results seen with naive mice or mice vaccinated with either membranes or poly(I·C) alone. The PLGA-encapsulated Schu S4 membranes with poly(I·C) alone did not significantly protect mice from a lethal intraperitoneal challenge with Schu S4; however, this vaccination strategy provided protection from LVS challenge. Mice that received the encapsulated Schu S4 membranes followed by a booster of LVS bacteria showed significant protection with respect to a lethal Schu S4 challenge compared to control mice. Western blot analyses of the sera from the Schu S4-vaccinated mice that received an LVS booster showed four immunoreactive bands. One of these bands from the corresponding one-dimensional (1D) SDS-PAGE experiment represented capsule. The remaining bands were excised, digested with trypsin, and analyzed using mass spectrometry. The most abundant proteins present in these immunoreactive samples were an outer membrane OmpA-like protein, FopA; the type IV pilus fiber building block protein; a hypothetical membrane protein; and lipoproteins LpnA and Lpp3. These proteins should serve as potential targets for future recombinant protein vaccination studies.

IMPORTANCE
The low infectious dose, the high potential mortality/morbidity rates, and the ability to be disseminated as an aerosol make
Francisella tularensis
a potential agent for bioterrorism. These characteristics led the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to classify
F. tularensis
as a Tier 1 pathogen. Currently, there is no vaccine approved for general use in the United States.