bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maximum Likelihood Estimation of the Differencing Parameter for Invertible Short and Long Memory Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average Models
Authors: Beran Jan
Published: December 2018

In practical applications of Box-Jenkins autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models, the number of times that the observed time series must be differenced to achieve approximate stationarity is usually determined by careful, but mostly informal, analysis of the differenced series. For many time series, some differencing seems appropriate, but taking the first or the second difference may be too strong. As an alternative, Hosking, and Granger and Joyeux proposed the use of fractional differences. For -1/2 < d < 1/2, the resulting fractional ARIMA processes are stationary. For 0 < d < 1/2, the correlations are not summable. The parameter d can be estimated, for instance by maximum likelihood. Unfortunately, estimation methods known so far have been restricted to the stationary range -1/2 < d < 1/2. In this paper, we show how any real d > -1/2 can be estimated by an approximate maximum likelihood method. We thus obtain a unified approach to fitting traditional Box-Jenkins ARIMA processes as well as stationary and non-stationary fractional ARIMA processes. A confidence interval for d can be given. Tests, such as for unit roots in the autoregressive parameter or for stationarity, follow immediately. The resulting confidence intervals for the ARMA parameters take into account the additional uncertainty due to estimation of d. A simple algorithm for calculating the estimate of d and the ARMA parameters is given. Simulations and two data examples illustrate the results.
The Usefulness of Optimum Experimental Designs
Authors: Atkinson A. C.
Published: December 2018

Optimum experimental designs were originally developed by Kiefer, mainly for response surface models. This survey of recent developments emphasizes potential or actual usefulness. For linear models the construction of exact designs, particularly over irregular design regions, is stressed, as is the blocking of response surface designs. Other important areas include systematic designs that are robust against trend and designs for mixtures with irregular design regions: several industrial examples are mentioned. Both D- and c-optimum designs are found for a non-linear model of the economic response of cereal production to fertilizer level, the c-optimum design being for the conditions of maximum economic return. Locally optimum and Bayesian designs are both described. Similar results for generalized linear models lead to designs for the LD95 in a logistic model in which male and female subjects respond differently. Designs with structure in the variance suggest alternatives to the potentially wasteful product designs of Taguchi. Designs for sequential clinical trials to include random balance are presented. The last section outlines some applications, including life testing and models in which time is a factor.
Reducing the Use of Laboratory Animals in Toxicological Research and Testing by Better Experimental Design
Authors: Festing Michael F. W. , Lovell David P.
Published: December 2018

More than 50 million animals are used in biomedical research in the world each year. It is highly desirable that this number is reduced both for ethical and for economic reasons. Better experimental design could lead to the use of fewer animals and improve the repeatability of animal experiments so that alternative methods would be easier to validate. Screening experiments aimed at identifying rodent carcinogens would be more powerful if more than one strain of mice and/or rats were used. Attempts to validate alternative test methods by using chemicals already tested in the Draize test for eye irritation are complicated by limited information on the interexperiment variability of the whole animal test. In academic toxicological research, surveys suggest that many experiments are poorly designed, and some seem to be unnecessarily large.
Sequential Iterated Bootstrap Confidence Intervals
Authors: Lee Stephen M. S. , Young G. Alastair
Published: December 2018

A version of the sequential probability ratio test for testing simultaneously a set of nested hypotheses is developed. This procedure is then applied to define a sequential procedure of sampling at the inner level of the two nested levels of resampling required by Monte Carlo construction of an iterated bootstrap percentile method confidence interval. The sequential resampling scheme reduces very significantly the computational demands of construction of the iterated bootstrap confidence interval. The scheme may be applied, simply and without any adaptation, to construct a confidence interval for any parameter of interest. The performance of the sequential iterated bootstrap confidence interval is illustrated on two examples involving the ratio of two population means and a population variance.
Coherent Analysis of Forensic Identification Evidence
Authors: Dawid A. P. , Mortera J.
Published: December 2018

A murder has been committed and there is a known population of possible suspects. The identification evidence available, based on information at the scene of the crime, is that the criminal may have a certain characteristic. Information may also be available on a set of suspects about which of them have the characteristic. We discuss the problem of assessing who is the guilty party, taking particular account of the following complicating features: the evidence at the scene of the crime may be unreliable; the suspects examined may have been chosen by means of a search process, which might itself be informative. We also examine the effect of the assumed population dependence structure for the relevant identification characteristics.
Vector Generalized Additive Models
Authors: Yee T. W. , Wild C. J.
Published: December 2018

Vector smoothing is used to extend the class of generalized additive models in a very natural way to include a class of multivariate regression models. The resulting models are called ‘vector generalized additive models‘. The class of models for which the methodology gives generalized additive extensions includes the multiple logistic regression model for nominal responses, the continuation ratio model and the proportional and non-proportional odds models for ordinal responses, and the bivariate probit and bivariate logistic models for correlated binary responses. They may also be applied to generalized estimating equations.
Linear Growth Curve Analysis Based on Exponential Dispersion Models
Authors: Jørgensen Bent , Labouriau Rodrigo , Lundbye-Christensen SØren
Published: December 2018

The paper introduces a class of linear growth curve models based on combinations of exponential dispersion models. The models have three components, namely a latent Markov growth process with stationary and independent increments, a noise component and a component describing variation between subjects. The models allow a wide range of continuous, discrete and mixed distributions. Estimation for the models is based on an estimating equation derived from an EM-like algorithm combined with Kalman smoothing.
Language, Liberalism and the Critical Religion Challenge
Authors: Bonotti Matteo
Published: December 2018

In this article I consider Cécile Laborde's response to the semantic and Protestant critiques of liberalism's approach to religion. In Section 1 I examine the complex relationship between language and religion that emerges from Laborde's response to the semantic critique. In Section 2 I argue that Laborde's response to the Protestant critique either fails on its own terms or is in tension with her response to the semantic critique. Finally, in Section 3 I critically reflect on the negative conception of freedom that underlies Laborde's response to the Protestant critique, and ask how this can be reconciled with the republican understanding of freedom that characterises Laborde's earlier work.
“Doc, I Think My Meds Are Killing Me! Please Help…”: Transdisciplinary Forces Unite to Refocus Pharmacotherapy for Older Adults
Authors: Forman Daniel E. , Zieman Susan J.
Published: December 2018

This Editorial comments on the Review Article by Schwartz et al. in this issue
Ghrelin's effects on food motivation in rats are not limited to palatable foods
Authors: Bake Tina , Edvardsson Christian E. , Cummings Cameron J. , Dickson Suzanne L.
Published: December 2018

The “hunger” hormone, ghrelin, is powerfully orexigenic. Even in the absence of hunger, ghrelin delivery to rats increases consumption of chow, as well as palatable foods, and increases motivated behaviour for palatable food rewards. Inspired by the finding that ghrelin increases the selection of chow in rats offered a choice diet (lard, sucrose or chow) and even in rats bingeing on a high‐fat diet, we aimed to explore whether the effects of ghrelin on motivation extend to regular chow. Rats were conditioned to lever press for either chow or sucrose pellets in a progressive ratio (PR) operant conditioning task. The effect of acute i.c.v. delivery of ghrelin on both chow and sucrose self‐administration was determined and compared with overnight fasting (ie, when endogenous ghrelin levels are elevated). We found that ghrelin similarly increased motivated behaviour for chow and sucrose pellets. The effect of fasting on motivated behaviour for both food pellets was comparable in magnitude to that induced by ghrelin, albeit with an earlier ceiling effect during the PR session. Devaluation experiments (in which rats are offered either food reinforcer in excess prior to PR testing) did not support the hypothesis that sucrose pellets would be more difficult to devalue (as a result of their higher incentive value) than chow pellets. When exchanging the respective pellets during a PR session, chow‐conditioned rats were more motivated for sucrose pellets compared to chow pellets; however, sucrose‐conditioned rats were similarly motivated for chow pellets compared to sucrose pellets. Thus, using sucrose as a reward may increase the motivation even for less palatable foods. We conclude that the impact of ghrelin on food‐motivated behaviour in fed rats is not limited to palatable foods but extends to regular chow, and also that the magnitude of the effect is considerable compared to that of an overnight fast.
Food preference and olfactory discrimination tests: A complementary approach to understand the drivers of hedonic responses in dogs
Authors: Basque Caroline , Cambou Stéphanie , Peron Franck , Le Paih Laure , Marzin Cécile , Hanaoka Karine , Callejon Laurence , Prost Carole , Lethuaut Laurent
Published: December 2018

Understanding the food preference of animals remains a challenge in sensory science. Here, a complementary approach combining food preference and food odor discrimination tests was applied to dogs as consumers. This approach was designed to distinguish a lack of preferential choice from a lack of discrimination in dogs. Consumption of four pet food products by a taster dog panel was evaluated. First choice and intake ratio results were strongly linked, suggesting that odor perception influenced the dogs' food consumption. Within this test, two products were preferred by the dogs and favored equally. To provide more depth to the interpretation, we used an olfactometer to measure the dogs' discrimination of the four product odors. A panel of dogs, designated the expert panel, was specially trained in olfactory recognition of one of the two equally preferred products. The main results demonstrated that dogs can discriminate products by olfaction and express the same food preference for different products, even if they have different odors. Moreover, the olfactory experiments allowed us to conclude that the differences in intensity among odors did not affect their discrimination.

Practical applications

The combination of a two‐bowl consumption test and an olfactory discrimination task using a dual‐port olfactometer appears to be a complementary approach that could help clarify the drivers of animals' liking. In dogs, for example, olfaction is thought to play a major role in food preference. Therefore, using an automated olfactometer technique provides an opportunity to control and modulate the odors presented to the animal and further explore the role of olfaction in the discrimination of different odorants. Thus, the proposed method could be useful to measure the influence of odor on dogs' food selection and to discern a real absence of preference from a lack of olfactory discrimination capacity, which is currently an important methodological obstacle to analyzing the results of two‐bowl consumption tests. In addition, this complementary approach could be transferred to further works dealing with the understanding of food preference mechanisms in other species.
Suppression of TLR4 by miR-448 is involved in Diabetic development via regulating Macrophage polarization
Authors: Zhao Qing , Wang Xin , Hu Qiaosheng , Zhang Ridong , Yin Yong
Published: December 2018

Objectives

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) contributed to the development and progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), while TLR4 is reported to mediate the LPS-induced inflammation in macrophages. However, the potential molecular mechanisms for TLR4-mediated macrophages activation in T2D have not yet to be fully clarified.

Methods

Type 2 diabetes models in C57BL/6J mice were generated by a combination administration of streptozotocin (STZ) and a high-fat diet (HFD). Cell proportions of M1 and M2 macrophages were analyzed using flow cytometry. Expression profiles of miR-448 and TLR 4 were determined by qRT-PCR and Western blot.

Key findings

LPS/IFN-γ significantly induced M1 polarization in macrophages characterized by the increased levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12, iNOS and decreased levels of TNF-β, CCL-22, IL-10 and Arg-1, with a higher expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in vitro. Consistently, T2D mice-derived macrophages had a significantly elevated expression of TLR4 mRNA and decreased expression of miR-448. We further confirmed that miR-448 could inhibit TLR4 expression by targeting the 3′-UTR of TLR4, rescuing the LPS/IFN-γ-induced M1 macrophage polarization.

Conclusions

Taken together, our results indicated that decreased miR-448 in diabetic macrophages may contribute to LPS-induced M1 polarization by targeting TLR4, thereby modulating T2D development.
Screening for hepatitis C at the emergency department: Should babyboomers also be screened in Belgium?
Authors: Bielen Rob , Kremer Cécile , Koc Özgür M. , Busschots Dana , Hendrickx Diana M. , Vanelderen Pascal , Hens Niel , Nevens Frederik , Robaeys Geert
Published: December 2018

Background & Aims

Patients are not screened adequately for hepatitis C virus infection in Belgium. In the USA, the Center for Disease Control recommends screening for patients born in the babyboom period (1945‐1965). In Europe, the babyboom cohort was born between 1955 and 1974, but no screening policy has been targeted to this group. We aimed to study the prevalence of hepatitis C virus in an emergency department population in Belgium and the risk factors associated with hepatitis C virus infection.

Method

We performed a monocentric, cross‐sectional seroprevalence study between January and November 2017 in a large Belgian non‐university hospital. Patients aged 18‐70 years presenting at the emergency department were eligible. Patients completed a risk assessment questionnaire and were screened for hepatitis C virus antibodies (Ab) with reflex hepatitis C virus ribonucleic acid testing.

Results

Of 2970 patients, 2366 (79.7%) agreed to participate. hepatitis C virus Ab prevalence was 1.31%. Twenty‐one (67.7%) hepatitis C virus Ab‐positive patients were born between 1955 and 1974. With a previous treatment uptake of 54.5%, the prevalence of viremia was 0.9% in retrospect; 0.2% were newly diagnosed. The weighted multiple logistic regression model identified males born in the 1955‐1974 cohort, intravenous drug use and high endemic birth country as significant risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Although the prevalence of hepatitis C virus Ab at the emergency department was higher than previously estimated for the general population in Belgium, the number of newly diagnosed patients with viremia was low. To optimize screening strategies, screening should be offered to males born in the 1955‐1974 cohort, but especially in drug users, the prison population and immigrants from high endemic countries.
Prevalence of sleep apnoea in non‐dialysis chronic kidney disease patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Huang Zhuo , Tang Xi , Zhang Tao , Qiu Shi , Xia Zijing , Fu Ping
Published: December 2018

Aim

The prevalence of sleep apnoea (SA) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) varies greatly across preceding studies. The aim of our study was to provide a summary of the prevalence of SA among non‐dialysis CKD patients.

Method

Medline, Embase, Web of Science, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, VIP Chinese scientific journal database (VIP) and Wanfang Digital Periodical Full‐text database were searched up to September 2018 to identify publications related to the prevalence of SA in non‐dialysis CKD patients assessed by sleep questionnaires or sleep respiration monitoring. Random‐effects meta‐analysis was used to estimate pooled prevalence of SA. And subgroup analysis and meta‐regression were conducted as well.

Results

The pooled prevalence of SA in the included 26 studies was 38% (95% confidence interval [CI], 21–70%). In subgroup analyses, the pooled prevalence of SA varied using different diagnostic tools. The pooled prevalence of questionnaire‐based SA for CKD was 10% (95% CI, 3–27%), while the prevalence of sleep monitoring‐based SA was 56% (95% CI, 49–66%). Also, advanced CKD patients had a greater chance to suffer from moderate‐to‐severe SA than early stage CKD patients. Male patients were more likely to be affected by moderate‐to‐severe SA than female patients (47% vs 30%, P = 0.018).

Conclusion

Sleep apnoea is commonly seen in both early and advanced non‐dialysis CKD patients. Sleep related scales provided lower prevalence than instrumental sleep monitoring, therefore, underestimated the presence of SA. The prevalence of SA increases in advanced CKD. And male patients are more likely to be affected by SA than female patients.
Developing leadership and capacity building: Reflections of a nurse leader
Authors: Kunaviktikul Wipada , Turale Sue , Stone Teresa E.
Published: December 2018

Globally, leadership in nursing and healthcare is vital to develop professional skills and knowledge to improve both practice and population health. Much can be learned from the leadership experiences of others, such as Professor Wipada Kunaviktikul from Thailand, a well‐known nursing leader. Among her many life achievements, she is a founding member of the Editorial Board of Nursing & Health Sciences and was invited to share her life story with readers. Her life story includes experiences of leadership and capacity building in health, administration and education, across many organizations nationally and internationally. She describes how her early experiences contributed to her later achievements, such as working to establish international relationships, networks and collaborating centers, and English‐language nursing degrees and training courses for Thai and international students. Nurses and other health professionals can reflect on how her values and commitment to nursing excellence have shaped her leadership style to the present time. The importance of role models and mentors in capacity building for leadership is emphasized in her personal leadership development and in the development of other leaders. In conclusion, leadership suggestions are given for future and present nursing leaders.
Developmental defects of enamel in the deciduous incisors of infants born preterm: Prospective cohort
Authors: Cortines Andréa Araujo de Oliveira , Corrêa‐Faria Patrícia , Paulsson Liselotte , Costa Paulo Sucasas , Costa Luciane Rezende
Published: December 2018

Objective

Developmental defects of enamel (DDE) in preterm infants still require clarification and may favour dental caries, lower food intake and greater difficulty with weight–height gain. We evaluated factors associated with DDE in preterm infants.

Subjects and Methods

In this prospective cohort study, we monitored 54 prematurely born infants from birth to 24 months of age. Trained and calibrated dentists examined the oral cavity of these children to identify and categorize DDE. Information on perinatal variables was collected from the infants’ medical records and interviews with their mothers. The data were analysed using Student's t test, a chi‐squared test and Pearson's product–moment correlation coefficient.

Results

A total of 46.3% of the 54 children presented DDE, which was observed more frequently in the left hemiarch in children born extremely (<28 weeks of gestation) or very preterm (28 to <32 weeks; RR = 2.2; 95% CI 1.3–3.6), with very low birthweight (<1,500 g; RR = 2.0; 95% CI 1.1–3.5), who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (RR = 1.3; 95% CI 1.0–1.7), and who were intubated (RR = 1.6; 95% CI 1.1–2.2).

Conclusions

The high incidence of incisor enamel defects, particularly on the left side, was related to higher risk prematurity and to local trauma from intubation.
Use and misuse of discrete character data for morphospace and disparity analyses
Authors: Gerber Sylvain
Published: December 2018

The measurement of morphological variation in macroevolutionary studies is increasingly based on morphospaces constructed from discrete character data. This trend mostly results from the appropriation of phylogenetic data matrices as character spaces for carrying out disparity analyses. Phylogenetic matrices provide morphological descriptions of taxa as combinations of character states and thus appear, if not conceptually, at least mathematically, comparable to discrete character datasets found in numerical taxonomy or built for disparity purposes. Hence, phylogenetic matrices seem to constitute an abundant source of data readily available for morphospace analyses. Discrete character spaces have generally been described as more flexible than morphospaces capturing continuous shape variation. The discrete coding of morphology allows morphospaces to accommodate more disparate morphologies and the ability of discrete character schemes to handle missing data is also often emphasized. This flexibility comes at a cost, however. Multivariate ordinations of such spaces often provide deceptive visualizations and may invite the use of inappropriate methodologies for their exploration. The large amount of missing data that typifies many phylogenetic datasets is also problematic for the measurement of dissimilarity among taxa and can therefore be detrimental to the assessment of morphological disparity. Here, the properties of discrete character spaces are described and common pitfalls discussed. Graphical and methodological approaches are suggested to circumvent or limit their impact, and greater caution is recommended when using discrete character data for morphospace and disparity inferences.
Cisgenic overexpression of cytosolic glutamine synthetase improves nitrogen utilization efficiency in barley and prevents grain protein decline under elevated CO2
Authors: Gao Yajie , de Bang Thomas C. , Schjoerring Jan K.
Published: December 2018

Cytosolic glutamine synthetase (GS1) plays a central role in nitrogen (N) metabolism. The importance of GS1 in N remobilization during reproductive growth has been reported in cereal species but attempts to improve N utilization efficiency (NUE) by overexpressing GS1 have yielded inconsistent results. Here, we demonstrate that transformation of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) plants using a cisgenic strategy to express an extra copy of native HvGS1‐1 lead to increased HvGS1.1 expression and GS1 enzyme activity. GS1 overexpressing lines exhibited higher grain yields and NUE than wild‐type plants when grown under three different N supplies and two levels of atmospheric CO2. In contrast with the wild‐type, the grain protein concentration in the GS1 overexpressing lines did not decline when plants were exposed to elevated (800–900 μL/L) atmospheric CO2. We conclude that an increase in GS1 activity obtained through cisgenic overexpression of HvGS1‐1 can improve grain yield and NUE in barley. The extra capacity for N assimilation obtained by GS1 overexpression may also provide a means to prevent declining grain protein levels under elevated atmospheric CO2.
What soil information do crop advisors use to develop nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for grain growers in New South Wales, Australia?
Authors: Schwenke Graeme , Beange Luke , Cameron John , Bell Mike , Harden Steve
Published: December 2018

The Australian grains industry relies on mineralized nitrogen (N) from soil organic matter and plant residues, but fertilizer N is increasingly needed to optimize yields. Most farmers are guided on N fertilizer requirements by commercial crop advisors. We surveyed (n = 132) and interviewed (n = 11) New South Wales grains advisors to gauge the usage of soil process understanding, soil data and decision support systems (DSSs) when developing N recommendations. Soil moisture at sowing, seasonal forecasts, crop rotation, soil mineral N, financial risk profiles and paddock history were all used to prepare N fertilizer advice, but stored soil moisture was most important. Farmer confidence in soil N testing was low due to high spatial variability. Most advisors calculated N fertilizer required for yields within 10%–15% of crop potential, but clients’ attitude to financial risk guided final N recommendations. Conservative growers preferred a low input system, while more reliable rainfall or greater reliance on stored soil water led growers to apply higher N rates to maximize long‐term profits. Advisors preferred “rules‐of‐thumb,” simple DSSs and knowledge of crop growth, to elaborate DSSs requiring detailed inputs and soil characterization. Few used in‐crop N sensing. N decision methodologies need to be updated to account for changes in soil fertility, cropping systems and farming practices. New research is needed to answer practical questions regarding soil N mineralization and N losses associated with alternative N application practices and extreme weather events. Training of new advisors in N processes and DSS use needs to be ongoing.
Testing the public–private soil data and information sharing model for sustainable soil management outcomes
Authors: Robinson Nathan J. , Dahlhaus Peter G. , Wong Megan , MacLeod Andrew , Jones Dean , Nicholson Cam
Published: December 2018

Soil data form the basis of soil information systems across the globe. Soil information needs, and the questions posed by users, are likely to evolve in response to advances in technology in this era of Big Data. This poses a challenge to the pedological community which is already experiencing a decline in soil knowledge and expertise. With a decrease in soil data collection by governments, it is timely to reconsider how and what soil information should be provided to future users. A public–private partnership is advocated to deliver timely and accessible soil information to users. Two public–private provisioning programs are presented, and advantages and considerations for sharing soil data and information amongst industry, government, research organizations, service providers and land managers for these are discussed. Interoperable, open‐source and agreed soil community standards are used to present soil data and information through spatial web portals with tools for interpretation of soil data for public and private beneficiaries.
Biochar has little effect on soil dissolved organic carbon pool 5 years after biochar application under field condition
Authors: Dong Xinliang , Singh Bhupinder Pal , Li Guitong , Lin Qimei , Zhao Xiaorong
Published: December 2018

Biochar application can improve soil properties, such as increasing soil organic carbon content, soil pH and water content. These properties are important to soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC); however, the effects of biochar on DOC concentration and composition have received little research attention, especially several years after biochar application under field conditions. This study was conducted in a long‐term experimental field where the biochar was only applied once in 2009. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of different biochar application rates (0, 30, 60 and 90 t ha−1) on the dynamics of soil water content, DOC concentration and DOC compositions (reducing sugar, soluble phenol and aromatics) over nine samplings during a 12‐month period in 2014. Our results showed that soil water content and DOC concentration varied from 7.1% to 14.5% and 59 to 230 mg C kg−1 soil during the 12 months, respectively. However, the biochar application rates did not significantly (p > 0.05) affect soil water content, DOC concentration and DOC composition at the same sampling period. The DOC concentration across the biochar treatments was positively correlated to soil water content. Moreover, the DOC composition (reducing sugar, soluble phenol or aromatics) and their concentrations were positively correlated to the total DOC concentration. In addition, biochar did not affect soil bulk density, pH, saturated hydraulic conductivity and crop yields. The results indicated that some benefits of biochar to soil may not persist 5 years after the application of biochar under a field condition.
Immunoglobulins and virus antibody titers: of past needs, current requirements, and future options
Authors: Kreil Thomas R. , Farcet Maria R.
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

Immunoglobulins (Igs) have been in clinical use for almost 70 years, and early on were also used in conjunction with exposure to the measles virus or polio virus. The US regulations that describe functional Ig lot release thus require the demonstration of minimum antibody titers against these two viruses, although the use of vaccines has now dramatically reduced their incidence. The lower clinical importance of these viruses raises the question of whether other virus antibodies might be more informative for patients with immunodeficiency.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A literature survey was conducted to identify viruses of potential clinical concern for people with immunodeficiency. The viruses selected have stable seroepidemiology and associated functional antibody assays. As a result, neutralizing antibody titers to human adenovirus 5 (HAdV5), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) serotypes A and B, and human parainfluenza virus 3 (hPIV3) were determined in Ig lots produced from plasma collected in either the United States or the European Union.

RESULTS

The virus antibody titers measured were high and consistent among the Ig lots tested. Use of either US‐ or EU‐derived plasma as starting material resulted in equivalent virus antibody titers, with the exception of RSV serotype B, for which a lower titer was seen in EU plasma–derived Ig lots.

CONCLUSION

With the significant decline in measles virus and polio virus circulation, and even their potential eradication, measurement of antibody titers against other viruses in Ig products may be more informative for functional lot release testing.
Antibodies to vaccine antigens in pooled polyclonal human IgG products
Authors: Berger Melvin
Published: December 2018

Immune‐deficient patients depend on the antibodies in pooled human immunoglobulin G (IgG) preparations to remain free from serious infections. The potency of IgG preparations is therefore an ongoing concern. The use of pooled IgG to prevent infection is based on the concept that healthy adults have recovered from infections earlier in life and maintain relatively high antibody titers. In general, vaccine‐induced immunity is less robust or long‐lasting than immunity after natural infection, and many infectious diseases which were formerly widely prevalent have become much less common due to improved hygiene and vaccines. This raises questions as to the adequacy of protective antibodies in current IgG preparations. This paper reviews available data on antibodies against selected bacterial and virus vaccine antigens in current IgG products. Most products contain sufficient antibody to yield levels above minimal protective concentrations to a broad range of pathogens and toxins. Illustrative examples of effects of vaccines on antibody content of IgG products are also discussed: antibody titers to hepatitis A virus in donor plasma pools in both the US and EU are dropping due to decreased natural infection, but they are still sufficient to provide robust protection. Increasing seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus as a result of immunization suggests that antibody titers against this virus may actually be increasing. Finally, serial studies suggest that pooled IgG provides protection against seasonal influenza viruses despite year‐to‐year antigenic drift, and is also likely to provide at least some protective antibody against potentially pandemic strains.
A novel c.166A>T (p.Thr56Ser) mutation in GYPB*S accounting for unusual S antigen expression
Authors: Suzuki Yumi , Isa Kazumi , Ogasawara Kenichi , Kikuchi Yuika , Yabe Ryuichi , Tsuno Nelson‐Hirokazu , Uchikawa Makoto , Satake Masahiro
Published: December 2018

We found an individual with weakened S antigen expression on red blood cells (RBCs) during routine blood grouping. The proband was typed S+s+ by polyclonal antibodies, but the RBCs demonstrated different reactivity with three monoclonal anti‐S. The proband did not have alloanti‐S. Cloning and Sanger sequencing revealed that the proband had a c.166A>T (p.Thr56Ser) mutation in exon 4 of GYPB*S. When antibody screening of 60 455 blood donors was performed using the proband RBCs, no antibodies were detected. GYPB*S with c.166T should encode an unusual S antigen but the creation of a novel antigen remains to be investigated.
Distinctiveness of Highly Risky Italian Firms That are Saved-A Logistic Approach
Authors: Muscettola Marco
Published: December 2018

In our paper, we use a default mode approach in order to accurately classify a sample of 3,835 Italian manufactu­ring companies, and to gauge their health status on the basis of variables taken from the financial statement. The present study is oriented to test the potentiality of salvation for firms included within the worst classes of rating. The research aims to support the resolution of an elaborate theme: the identification of both highly risky companies designed to survive despite their own class of statistical rating, and firms that will move closer to a default status. In this way, the consequences of our examination could help to recognize, among firms considered "highly risky", the latent durability on the time.
Family-oriented interventions for adults with acquired brain injury and their families: a scoping review
Authors: de Goumoëns Véronique , Rio Laura Marques , Jaques Cécile , Ramelet Anne-Sylvie
Published: December 2018

Objective:

This scoping review sought to describe the literature on the different types of interventions to support families of patients with acquired brain injuries (ABIs) and their outcomes.

Introduction:

Acquired brain injuries are among the leading causes of disability in adults worldwide and have physical, cognitive or/and behavioral consequences not only for the patient, but also for the family. Several support interventions have been proposed in different contexts at different phases of recovery with various levels of evidence, yet no synthesis is available to date.

Inclusion criteria:

We included studies that focused on family members of patients suffering from ABI. The concept under review included any type of intervention or action oriented to support families of patients with ABI, in any care setting. We included all published qualitative and quantitative designs, including those in the gray literature.

Methods:

A three-step search strategy was performed. Searches were conducted in eight major databases, MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane, JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, Web of Science in April 2017, and seven databases for unpublished studies in November 2017. This review was limited to studies published in English and French since January 2007. Additional studies were searched amongst reference lists of all included articles.

Results:

We included 89 studies, 19 secondary studies (systematic reviews n = 13, other type of reviews n = 6) and 70 primary studies (experimental studies n = 20, quasi-experimental studies n = 33, other designs n = 17). Even if heterogeneity was found in the characteristics of the 64 selected interventions, emotional support and education were highlighted as the main core components for family-oriented interventions. Mental health and burden were the two most prevalent outcomes found in this scoping review. Interventions targeted families and patients together in 56% of the cases or families alone.

Conclusion:

This scoping review provides an actual state of the current evidence available for families of patients with ABI. Extended and heterogeneous literature was found, showing the growing interest for considering ABI as a family issue in recent years. However, the overall level of evidence found indicates that more research is still needed to determine key components to intervene within this specific population.
Solar and Climatic High Performance Factors for the Placement of Solar Power Plants in Argentina Andes Sites—Comparison With African and Asian Sites
Authors: Della Ceca L. S. , Micheletti M. I. , Freire M. , Garcia B. , Mancilla A. , Salum G. M. , Crinó E. , Piacentini R. D.
Published: December 2018

The installation of solar power plants is currently having a notable expansion. The results presented show that the Argentinean Andes range, from the central to northern latitudes, is an excellent region for the placement of these plants, due to the sum of different positive factors: very high mean annual solar irradiation, low ambient temperature and relative humidity, low precipitable water content, normal wind speeds, and extremely low aerosol content of the atmosphere. The proposed regions are nearby San Antonio de los Cobres and El Leoncito and are compared with two important locations where large solar power plants have been (or will be) built: a site in Africa (Ouarzazate, Morocco) and one in Asia (Dubai, Arab Emirates). We present the results of the possible production of electricity, supplying a total of about 21,000 GWh, which is 15.6% of the 2015 Argentinean electric consumption and, consequently, could reduce the emission of greenhouse gases in a total mass of 11.2 × 106 tons of CO2eq. The installation of this type of renewable power plant will contribute significantly to the Argentinean population due to frequent (mainly summer) cutoff of electric power supply and, in particular, to isolated (low income) populations leaving in the Argentinean Andes range.
A new species of Caligonella Berlese (Acari, Caligonellidae) from Turkey
Authors: AKYOL Mustafa
Published: December 2018

A new species viz. Caligonella urhani sp. nov., collected from soil and litter under Astragalus sp. (Fabaceae), Bromus sp. (Poaceae), Juncus sp. (Juncaceae) Medicago sativa (Fabaceae), Pistacia lentiscus (Anacardiaceae), Quercus infectoria (Fagaceae), Robinia pseudoacacia (Fabaceae) Salvia sp. (Lamiaceae) and  Verbascum sp. (Scrophulariaceae), is described and illustrated based on adult females and protonymphs. A key to known species of Caligonella is provided.
Study of plasma induced nanostructure formation and surface morphology changes on tungsten and stainless steel at atmospheric pressure
Authors: Kovach Yao E. , Zhang Feifei , Gao Fei , Foster John E.
Published: December 2018

The formation of nanostructures such as “fuzz,” holes, and flakes was observed on tungsten and stainless steel anodes in a 1 atm glow discharge with helium as the feed gas. The structures exhibited morphology similar to the tungsten fuzz growth observed in experiments that simulate wall conditions in fusion reactors, suggesting that similar physics may be present in both scenarios. The anode surface temperature ranged between 1000 and 1300 K with an ion fluence rate of order 1024 s−1 m−2. In this work, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope were used to characterize the evolution of nanostructure formation as a function of time. Observed nanostructures were found to vary with the morphology of the discharge plasma attachment. The composition of the structures was found to be predominantly the native metal by using energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. This work gives some insight into the formation of nanostructures at atmospheric pressure, which not only has applications for material processing, but also provides potentially another avenue to study fuzz formation processes relevant to fusion plasma-wall interactions.
ZnO-based nanocomposites prepared by a vapor phase route, investigated by XPS
Authors: Bigiani Lorenzo , Gasparotto Alberto , Carraro Giorgio , Maccato Chiara , Barreca Davide
Published: December 2018

Nanostructured materials based on ZnO, eventually functionalized with titanium oxide (TiO2) or tungsten oxide (WO3), were fabricated on fluorine-doped tin oxide-coated glass substrates by a combined chemical vapor deposition/radio frequency-sputtering route. In particular, the present work focuses on the use of x-ray photoelectron and x-ray excited Auger electron spectroscopies for a detailed investigation of the system O 1s, Zn 2p3/2, Zn 3p, and Zn LMM core levels, as well as Ti 2p and W 4f photoelectron peaks. In a nutshell, the results of these analyses highlight the obtainment of pure ZnO nanodeposits, as well as of ZnO-TiO2 and ZnO-WO3 composites, in which the identity of each component is preserved, and the occurrence of an electronic interplay between ZnO and WO3 phases in the latter system.
A valley valve and electron beam splitter
Authors: Li Jing , Zhang Rui-Xing , Yin Zhenxi , Zhang Jianxiao , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Liu Chaoxing , Zhu Jun
Published: December 2018

Making a practical valleytronics device

Two-dimensional materials with a hexagonal lattice, such as graphene, have two distinct “valleys” in their band structure. Researchers in the emerging field of valleytronics hope that these valley degrees of freedom can be exploited as information carriers, but making valleytronic devices is tricky. Li
et al.
created chiral valley Hall states on the boundary between oppositely gated regions of bilayer graphene. They then guided these so-called kink states through their sample using spatially modulated gating, demonstrating right and left turns, as well as a valley valve function.

Science
, this issue p.
1149
Climate change and marine mass extinction
Authors: Kump Lee
Published: December 2018

The end of the Permian Period was catastrophic for life in high-latitude regions
Hantavirus RdRp Requires a Host Cell Factor for Cap Snatching
Authors: Jeeva Subbiah , Mir Sheema , Velasquez Adrain , Weathers Brandy A. , Leka Aljona , Wu Sharon , Sevarany Ariga Tahmasian , Mir Mohammad
Published: December 2018

Humans acquire hantavirus infection by the inhalation of aerosolized excreta of infected rodent hosts. Hantavirus infections cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), with mortality rates of 15% and 50%, respectively (1). Annually 150,000 to 200,000 cases of hantavirus infections are reported worldwide, for which there is no treatment at present. Cap snatching is an early event in the initiation of virus replication in infected hosts. Interruption in cap snatching will inhibit virus replication and will likely improve the prognosis of the hantavirus disease. Our studies provide mechanistic insight into the cap-snatching mechanism and demonstrate the requirement of a host cell factor for successful cap snatching. Identification of this host cell factor will reveal a novel therapeutic target for combating this viral illness.
Linkage to primary care after home-based blood pressure screening in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Siedner Mark J , Baisley Kathy , Orne-Gliemann Joanna , Pillay Deenan , Koole Olivier , Wong Emily B , Matthews Philippa , Tanser Frank , Herbst Kobus , Barnighausen Till , Bachmann Max
Published: December 2018

Objectives

The expanding burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally will require novel public health strategies. Community-based screening has been promoted to augment efficiency of diagnostic services, but few data are available on the downstream impact of such programmes. We sought to assess the impact of a home-based blood pressure screening programme on linkage to hypertension care in rural South Africa.

Setting

We conducted home-based blood pressure screening withinin a population cohort in rural KwaZulu-Natal, using the WHO Stepwise Approach to Surveillance (STEPS) protocol.

Participants

Individuals meeting criteria for raised blood pressure (≥140 systolic or ≥90 diastolic averaged over two readings) were referred to local health clinics and included in this analysis. We defined linkage to care based on self-report of presentation to clinic for hypertension during the next 2 years of cohort observation. We estimated the population proportion of successful linkage to care with inverse probability sampling weights, and fit multivariable logistic regression models to identify predictors of linkage following a positive hypertension screen.

Results

Of 11 694 individuals screened, 14.6% (n=1706) were newly diagnosed with elevated pressure. 26.9% (95% CI 24.5% to 29.4%) of those sought hypertension care in the following 2 years, and 38.1% (95% CI 35.6% to 40.7%) did so within 5 years. Women (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.41, 95% CI 1.68 to 3.45), those of older age (aOR 11.49, 95% CI 5.87 to 22.46, for 45–59 years vs <30) and those unemployed (aOR 1.71, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.65) were more likely to have linked to care.

Conclusions

Linkage to care after home-based identification of elevated blood pressure was rare in rural South Africa, particularly among younger individuals, men and the employed. Improved understanding of barriers and facilitators to NCD care is needed to enhance the effectiveness of blood pressure screening in the region.