bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mind the gap in clinical trials: A participatory action analysis with citizen collaborators
Authors: Price Amy , Liew Su May , Kirkpatrick Jo , Price Jazmin , Lopreto Taylor , Nelken Yasmin
Published: December 2016

What are the strengths, gaps, expectations, and barriers to research engagement in clinical trials as communicated through social media? Clinical trials test treatments to provide reliable information for safety and effectiveness. Trials are building blocks in which what is learned in earlier research can be used to improve treatments, compare alternatives, and improve quality of life. For 20 years, the percentages of clinical trials volunteers have decreased whereas the costs of running clinical trials have multiplied. Participants enroll in trials to access latest treatments, to help others, and to advance science, but there is growing unrest. The priorities of those running the trials differ from those of the participants, and the roles for public research involvement lack clarity. Changes to bridge these gaps in the research culture are proposed through the use of participatory action research (PAR) in which stakeholders collaborate to improve research methodology, galvanize citizen participation, multiply health knowledge, problem‐solve barriers to access, and explore the value of research volunteers as collaborators. PAR enabled the inclusion of citizens as full collaborators.

Social media data were gathered for 120 days until saturation was reached. De‐identified data were organized into a Strengths Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats framework and coded into themes for analysis. After the analysis, the authors prioritized potential solutions for improving research engagement. Strengths and opportunities remained constant through trial phases, disease burdens, and interventions. Threats included alienation, litigation, disparity, and shaming. Poor management and barriers to inclusion were identified as weaknesses. Opportunities included improving resource management and information quality.

Barriers were minimized when relationships between staff and participants were inclusive, respectful, tolerant, and open to change. Participants' communications ranged from fulfillment through trial involvement to disparities and rights violations. PAR provides a safe space without power imbalances in which researchers and citizen worked as equals rather than as researchers and objects of research.
Pop‐up satellite archival tag effects on the diving behaviour, growth and survival of adult Atlantic salmon Salmo salar at sea
Authors: Hedger R. D. , Rikardsen A. H. , Thorstad E. B.
Published: December 2016

The effects of large, externally attached pop‐up satellite archival tags (PSATs) were compared with those of small implanted data storage tags (DSTs) on adult Atlantic salmon Salmo salar during their ocean migration in regards to depth utilization, diving depth, diving rate, diving speed and temperatures experienced. Additionally the return rate and growth of individuals tagged with PSATs was compared with those of small acoustic tags and DSTs. Overall, the depth distribution of individuals tagged with PSATs was similar to that of those tagged with DSTs, reflecting the pelagic nature of S. salar at sea. Individuals tagged with PSATs, however, dived less frequently and to shallower depths, and dived and surfaced at slower velocities. Sea surface temperatures experienced by individuals tagged with PSATs were similar to those experienced by those tagged with DSTs for the same time of year, suggesting that there were no large differences in the ocean migration. Return rates did not depend on whether individuals were tagged with PSATs or not, indicating that survival at sea was not impacted by PSATs in comparison to small internal tags. Individuals tagged with PSATs, however, had a smaller increase in body mass than those tagged with acoustic tags or DSTs. It was concluded that PSATs are suitable for use in researching large‐scale migratory behaviour of adult S. salar at sea, but that some effects on their behaviour from tagging must be expected. Effects of PSATs may be largest in the short term when S. salar are swimming in bursts at high speeds. Even though individuals tagged with PSATs performed deep and frequent dives, the results of this study suggest that untagged individuals would perform even deeper and more frequent dives than tagged individuals.
An Observational Study to Assess Brain MRI Change and Disease Progression in Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Practice—The MS‐MRIUS Study
Authors: Zivadinov Robert , Khan Nasreen , Medin Jennie , Christoffersen Pia , Price Jennifer , Korn Jonathan R. , Bonzani Ian , Dwyer Michael G. , Bergsland Niels , Carl Ellen , Silva Diego , Weinstock‐Guttman Bianca
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUND & PURPOSE

To describe methodology, interim baseline, and longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition parameter characteristics of the multiple sclerosis clinical outcome and MRI in the United States (MS‐MRIUS).

MATERIAL & METHODS

The MS‐MRIUS is an ongoing longitudinal and retrospective study of MS patients on fingolimod. Clinical and brain MRI image scan data were collected from 600 patients across 33 MS centers in the United States. MRI brain outcomes included change in whole‐brain volume, lateral ventricle volume, T2‐ and T1‐lesion volumes, and new/enlarging T2 and gadolinium‐enhancing lesions.

RESULTS

Interim baseline and longitudinal MRI acquisition parameters results are presented for 252 patients. Mean age was 44 years and 81% were female. Forty percent of scans had 3‐dimensional (3D) T1 sequence in the preindex period, increasing to 50% in the postindex period. Use of 2‐dimensional (2D) T1 sequence decreased over time from 85% in the preindex period to 65% in the postindex. About 95% of the scans with FLAIR and 2D T1‐WI were considered acceptable or good quality compared to 99–100% with 3D T1‐WI. There were notable changes in MRI hardware, software, and coil (39.5% in preindex to index and 50% in index to postindex). MRI sequence parameters (orientation, thickness, or protocol) differed for 36%, 29%, and 20% of index/postindex scans for FLAIR, 2D T1‐WI, and 3D T1‐WI, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The MS‐MRIUS study linked the clinical and brain MRI outcomes into an integrated database to create a cohort of fingolimod patients in real‐world practice. Variability was observed in MRI acquisition protocols overtime.
Dental implant loss in older versus younger patients: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of prospective studies
Authors: Sendyk D. I. , Rovai E. S. , Pannuti C. M. , Deboni M. C. Z. , Sendyk W. R. , Wennerberg A.
Published: December 2016

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate implant loss in younger and older patients. An electronic search of four databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS and the Cochrane Library) was undertaken until May 2016 without time restriction and was supplemented by manual searching. Prospective cohorts were included if they met the following criteria: (i) presence of an exposed group (older subjects) with a minimum age of 60 years; (ii) presence of a control group (younger subjects) with a maximum age of 59 years; and (iii) outcome data considering implant survival or loss. Meta‐analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of ageing on implant failure. Of 4152 potentially eligible articles, four were included in the qualitative analysis and quantitative synthesis. The pooled estimates suggest that the risk of implant loss in older patients is not significantly higher (RR = 0·92; 95% CI 0·43–1·96, P = 0·83) when compared to younger subjects. This systematic review suggests that age is not a limiting factor for dental implant therapy.
INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAVEL AND FDI FLOWS: EVIDENCE FROM BARCELONA
Authors: Fageda Xavier
Published: December 2016

This paper provides a bridge between the literature examining the economic impact of air services and the literature analyzing the determinants of bilateral FDI flows. I estimate a gravity equation for the determinants of bilateral FDI flows between the Spanish region of Catalonia, home to the airport of Barcelona, and countries of all over the world for the period 2002–2015. I find evidence that the reduction in travel time due to the availability of nonstop flights scheduled with sufficient frequency increases the amount of FDI due to the enhanced transmission of information.
HOUSING CONSUMPTION DECLINES WITH INCOME IN THE OPEN‐CITY MODEL: THEORY AND EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE
Authors: Liu Yishen
Published: December 2016

This paper demonstrates that the standard urban model (SUM) has important, previously unknown, and rather counterintuitive predictions about the determinants of housing consumption in cities. For example, the SUM predicts that, as higher wages in the central business district prompt city growth, the housing space per household falls, that is, rising income is associated with falling housing consumption. Empirical testing using a specially constructed panel data set of U.S. cities, confirms this prediction. When city size, income, and housing price rise, housing space per household falls.
Outcome of hepatitis B and C virus‐associated hepatocellular carcinoma occurring after renal transplantation
Authors: Kanaan N. , Raggi C. , Goffin E. , De Meyer M. , Mourad M. , Jadoul M. , Beguin C. , Kabamba B. , Borbath I. , Pirson Y. , Hassoun Z.
Published: December 2016

Kidney transplant recipients (KTR) are subjected to immunosuppressive therapy that can enhance hepatitis B and C virus replication, leading to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and outcome of HCC in KTR. Case‐control study. Patients with chronic HBV and/or HCV infection who underwent kidney transplantation between 1976 and 2011 and subsequently developed HCC were compared to a control group of patients with chronic HBV and/or HCV infection, matched for gender and age at HCC diagnosis, who did not receive kidney transplantation. Among 2944 KTR, 330 had hepatitis B and/or C. Fourteen developed HCC, a period prevalence of 4.2%. Age at HCC diagnosis was 52.6 ± 6.5 years (53.5 ± 5.7 in controls, P=.76). Time between transplantation and HCC diagnosis was 16.7 ± 2.7 years. Six HCCs were related to HBV, six to HCV and two to co‐infection with HBV and HCV. Immunosuppressive therapy was comparable in HBV, HCV and HBV+HCV patients. At diagnosis, 71% of patients met Milan criteria (65% in the control group, P=.4). Alpha‐fetoprotein levels, tumour characteristics and treatment modalities were comparable between both groups. Patient survival 2 years after HCC diagnosis was 28% in KTR, compared to 68% in controls (P=.024). Survival after HCC diagnosis is significantly worse in KTR compared to nontransplanted patients with HBV and/or HCV. Prevention is crucial and should be based on viral eradication/suppression before or after transplantation.
The preventive effect of sustained physical activity on incident nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Kwak Min‐Sun , Kim Donghee , Chung Goh Eun , Kim Won , Kim Joo Sung
Published: December 2016

Background & Aims

Physical activity (PA) is inversely associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) prevalence. However, few studies evaluated the effect of PA on NAFLD incidence in regard to visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and insulin resistance (IR). We investigated whether PA at baseline and change in PA during follow‐up have any effect on incident NAFLD.

Methods

We enrolled subjects who underwent health screenings between 2007 and 2008 and participated in voluntary follow‐up between 2011 and 2013 (median 4.42 years). Incident NAFLD was defined as NAFLD absence at baseline and presence at follow‐up by ultrasonography. PA was measured using a detailed questionnaire‐based metabolic equivalent at baseline and follow‐up; the difference during follow‐up was calculated.

Results

Of the 1373 subjects enrolled, 288 (21.0%) developed NAFLD. Both total and leisure‐time PA at baseline were inversely associated with incident NAFLD (P for trend=.005 and .003 respectively). Decreased PA at follow‐up was associated with increased incident NAFLD risk after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, smoking, hypertension, diabetes and diet [hazard ratio (HR) 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04‐2.02, 4th (most decreased PA) vs 1st quartile (increased PA), P=.028]. This relationship was attenuated but remained statistically significant after adjustment for VAT(HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.06‐2.06, 4th vs 1st quartile) and IR(HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.11‐2.27, 4th vs 1st quartile).

Conclusions

This study shows an independent protective effect of PA at baseline on incident NAFLD after 4‐year follow‐up. Furthermore, sustained or increased PA had a preventive effect on incident NAFLD independent of VAT and IR.
The effect of Liver Transplantation on the quality of life of the recipient's main caregiver – a systematic review
Authors: Young Alastair L. , Rowe Ian A. , Absolom Kate , Jones Rebecca L. , Downing Amy , Meader Nick , Glaser Adam , Toogood Giles J.
Published: December 2016

Liver transplantation (LT) is a transformative, life‐saving procedure with life‐long sequale for patients and their caregivers. The impact of LT on the patient's main caregiver can be underestimated. We carried out a systematic review of the impact of LT on the Health‐Related Quality of Life (HRQL) of LT patients’ main caregivers. We searched 13 medical databases from 1996 to 2015. We included studies with HRQL data on caregivers of patients following LT then quality assessed and narratively synthesized the findings from these studies. Of 7076 initial hits, only five studies fell within the scope of this study. In general, they showed caregiver burden persisted in the early period following LT. One study showed improvements, however, the other four showed caregiver's levels of stress, anxiety and depression, remained similar or got worse post‐LT and remained above that of the normal population. It was suggested that HRQL of the patient impacted on the caregiver and vice versa and may be linked to patient outcomes. No data were available investigating which groups were at particular risk of low HRQL following LT or if any interventions could improve this. The current information about LT caregivers’ needs and factors that impact on their HRQL are not adequately defined. Large studies are needed to examine the effects of LT on the patients’ family and caregivers to understand the importance of caregiver support to maximize outcomes of LT for the patient and their caregivers.
Ebola in great apes – current knowledge, possibilities for vaccination, and implications for conservation and human health
Authors: Leendertz Siv Aina J. , Wich Serge A. , Ancrenaz Marc , Bergl Richard A. , Gonder Mary K. , Humle Tatyana , Leendertz Fabian H.
Published: December 2016

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a threat to human health and to the survival of African great apes. The disease has led to major population declines in chimpanzeesPan troglodytesand gorillasGorilla gorilla, and infected great apes play an important role as sources of humanEVDoutbreaks. The threat posed byEVDraises the question whether vaccination of wild apes is an effective strategy to reduce the occurrence and impact of this disease.

We review the current knowledge aboutEVDin great apes and document the link between outbreaks in apes and in humans, mainly via bushmeat consumption. We discuss the need for control strategies, such as vaccination, and describe aspects of primate behaviour, virus biology, vaccine composition, and vaccination principles that need to be considered when making management decisions about great ape vaccination. Finally, we identify gaps in the understanding of Ebola ecology and highlight surveillance and research that can aid the survival of great apes and reduce human exposure to Ebola virus.

The severe impact ofEVDindicates the need for efficient monitoring and, ultimately, control of Ebola. However, the unknown reservoir and unpredictable emergence of Ebola, the elusive nature of great apes, and the lack of licensed and suitable vaccines represent major hurdles for such control. Public education about zoonotic diseases and monitoring of great ape health are both important strategies. Experts should also discuss the feasibility of developing safe vaccines that can be delivered efficiently to large populations of elusive wild apes in their natural remote habitats. This review provides a platform for further interdisciplinary discussions, so that management plans can be discussed and adjusted according to possible future changes in the development, availability and cost of vaccines, the status ofEVD, knowledge about Ebola ecology, and opinion on wildlife vaccination.
NWA 10214—An LL3 chondrite breccia with an assortment of metamorphosed, shocked, and unique chondrite clasts
Authors: Rubin Alan E. , Breen John P. , Isa Junko , Tutorow Sean
Published: December 2016

NWA 10214 is an LL3‐6 breccia containing ~8 vol% clasts including LL5, LL6, and shocked‐darkened LL fragments as well as matrix‐rich Clast 6 (a new kind of chondrite). This clast is a dark‐colored, subrounded, 6.1 × 7.0 mm inclusion, consisting of 60 vol% fine‐grained matrix, 32 vol% coarse silicate grains, and 8 vol% coarse opaque grains. The large chondrules and chondrule fragments are mainly Type IB; one small chondrule is Type IIA. Also present are one 450 × 600 μm spinel‐pyroxene‐olivine CAI and one 85 × 110 μm AOI. Clast 6 possesses a unique set of properties. (1) It resembles carbonaceous chondrites in having relatively abundant matrix, CAIs, and AOIs; the clast's matrix composition is close to that in CV3 Vigarano. (2) It resembles type‐3 OC in its olivine and low‐Ca pyroxene compositional distributions, and in the Fe/Mn ratio of ferroan olivine grains. Its mean chondrule size is within 1σ of that of H chondrites. The O‐isotopic compositions of the chondrules are in the ordinary‐ and R‐chondrite ranges. (3) It resembles type‐3 enstatite chondrites in the minor element concentrations in low‐Ca pyroxene grains and in having a high low‐Ca pyroxene/olivine ratio in chondrules. Clast 6 is a new variety of type‐3 OC, somewhat more reduced than H chondrites or chondritic clasts in the Netschaevo IIE iron; the clast formed in a nebular region where aerodynamic radial drift processes deposited a high abundance of matrix material and CAIs. A chunk of this chondrite was ejected from its parent asteroid and later impacted the LL body at low relative velocity.
Trace elements in olivine and the petrogenesis of the intermediate, olivine‐phyric shergottite NWA 10170
Authors: Howarth Geoffrey H. , Udry Arya
Published: December 2016

Olivine‐phyric shergottites represent primitive basaltic to picritic rocks, spanning a large range of Mg# and olivine abundances. As primitive olivine‐bearing magmas are commonly representative of their mantle source on Earth, understanding the petrology and evolution of olivine‐phyric shergottites is critical in our understanding of Martian mantle compositions. We present data for the olivine‐phyric shergottite Northwest Africa (NWA) 10170 to constrain the petrology with specific implications for magma plumbing‐system dynamics. The calculated oxygen fugacity and bulk‐rock REE concentrations (based on modal abundance) are consistent with a geochemically intermediate classification for NWA 10170, and overall similarity with NWA 6234. In addition, we present trace element data using laser ablation ICP‐MS for coarse‐grained olivine cores, and compare these data with terrestrial and Martian data sets. The olivines in NWA 10170 contain cores with compositions of Fo77 that evolve to rims with composition of Fo58, and are characterized by cores with low Ni contents (400–600 ppm). Nickel is compatible in olivine and such low Ni content for olivine cores in NWA 10170 suggests either early‐stage fractionation and loss of olivine from the magma in a staging chamber at depth, or that Martian magmas have lower Ni than terrestrial magmas. We suggest that both are true in this case. Therefore, the magma does not represent a primary mantle melt, but rather has undergone 10–15% fractionation in a staging chamber prior to extrusion/intrusion at the surface of Mars. This further implies that careful evaluation of not only the Mg# but also the trace element concentrations of olivine needs to be conducted to evaluate pristine mantle melts versus those that have fractionated olivine (±pyroxene and oxide minerals) in staging chambers.
Natural variations in the rhenium isotopic composition of meteorites
Authors: Liu R. , Hu L. , Humayun M.
Published: December 2016

Rhenium is an important element with which to test hypotheses of isotope variation. Historically, it has been difficult to precisely correct the instrumental mass bias in thermal ionization mass spectrometry. We used W as an internal standard to correct mass bias on the MC‐ICP‐MS, and obtained the first precise δ187Re values (~±0.02‰, 2SE) for iron meteorites and chondritic metal. Relative to metal from H chondrites, IVB irons are systematically higher in δ187Re by ~0.14 ‰. δ187Re for other irons are similar to H chondritic metal, although some individual samples show significant isotope fractionation. Since 185Re has a high neutron capture cross section, the effect of galactic cosmic‐ray (GCR) irradiation on δ187Re was examined using correlations with Pt isotopes. The pre‐GCR irradiation δ187Re for IVB irons is lower, but the difference in δ187Re between IVB irons and other meteoritic metal remains. Nuclear volume‐dependent fractionation for Re is about the right magnitude near the melting point of iron, but because of the refractory and compatible character of Re, a compelling explanation in terms of mass‐dependent fractionation is elusive. The magnitude of a nucleosynthetic s‐process deficit for Re estimated from Mo and Ru isotopes is essentially unresolvable. Since thermal processing reduced nucleosynthetic effects in Pd, it is conceivable that Re isotopic variations larger than those in Mo and Ru may be present in IVBs since Re is more refractory than Mo and Ru. Thus, the Re isotopic difference between IVBs and other irons or chondritic metal remains unexplained.
A 3D Evaluation Method for Rail–Highway Hump Crossings
Authors: Liu Qingjie , Wang Teng , Souleyrette Reginald R.
Published: December 2016

Rail–highway grade crossing crashes may be caused by long vehicles with low clearances becoming stranded when attempting to negotiate rail–highway crossings with steeply graded profiles—hump crossings. Although design standards have been established to encourage the construction that most vehicles are able to successfully navigate, the combination of grade profile and cross‐section interacting with unique vehicle dimensions may lead to instances where vehicles may have difficulty crossing. This article describes a three‐dimensional (3D)‐based (LiDAR) methodology to identify and evaluate the severity of hump crossings. A five‐level criterion is proposed to rate the magnitude of contact. The methodology is demonstrated by modeling seven common low‐clearance vehicle types at three types of hump crossings. Field testing indicates a good correlation between the predicted degree of vehicle‐crossing conflicts and those observed in the field. Results are applicable to operations (e.g., truck routing) or for maintenance and reconstruction programs. Future research could extend the methodology to tunnel and bridge clearances, real‐time warning systems, autonomous vehicles, or even nontransportation applications.
Siderasis albofasciatasp. nov. (Commelinaceae), endemic to the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, and the typification ofS. fuscata
Authors: de Oliveira Pellegrini Marco Octávio
Published: December 2016

A new species ofSiderasisfrom the state of Espírito Santo is here described. This new species is readily differentiated fromS. fuscataby its sessile to subpetiolate leaves covered by hyaline to light‐brown indumenta, blades with a well‐defined white stripe along the midvein on the adaxial side of the blade, main axis of the main florescence elongate, thyrsi reduced to one elongate cincinnus, bracteoles present, anthers purple to bluish–purple, filaments and style apically purple to bluish–purple, aril cream‐colored and slightly hyaline, and by the production of unique axillary flagelliform‐shoots after the flowering period. I present a description of this new species, along with illustrations, a distribution map, comments on conservation assessment, ecology and taxonomy, and a table comparing the new species with the only other accepted species inSiderasis. Furthermore, I designate a lectotype and an epitype forS. fuscata.
Isachne edamalayarensis sp. nov. (Poaceae: Micrairoideae) from southern Western Ghats, India
Authors: Sunil C. N. , Kumar V. V. Naveen , Sivadasan M. , Narayanan M. K. Ratheesh , Alfarhan A. H. , El‐Sheikh M. A.
Published: December 2016

Isachne edamalayarensis, a new species from southern Western Ghats in Kerala, India, is described and illustrated. This species is similar to Isachne oreades (Domin) Bor but can be distinguished by its large and glabrous leaves, unequal glumes, and shape and size of lower and upper glumes.
The physics of pollinator attraction
Authors: Moyroud Edwige , Glover Beverley J.
Published: December 2016

This Tansley Insight focuses on recent advances in our understanding of how flowers manipulate physical forces to attract animal pollinators and ensure reproductive success. Research has traditionally explored the role of chemical pigments and volatile organic compounds as cues for pollinators, but recent reports have demonstrated the importance of physical and structural means of pollinator attraction. Here we explore the role of petal microstructure in influencing floral light capture and optics, analysing colour, gloss and polarization effects. We discuss the interaction between flower, pollinator and gravity, and how petal surface structure can influence that interaction. Finally, we consider the role of electrostatic forces in pollen transfer and pollinator attraction. We conclude that this new interdisciplinary field is evolving rapidly.

Contents

Summary
350

I.
Introduction
350

II.
Playing with the light
350

III.
Floral mechanical tricks
352

IV.
Electrostatic forces
353

V.
Conclusions
353

Acknowledgements
353

References
354
Nuclear Ca2+ signalling in arbuscular mycorrhizal and actinorhizal endosymbioses: on the trail of novel underground signals
Authors: Barker David G. , Chabaud Mireille , Russo Guilia , Genre Andrea
Published: December 2016

Root endosymbioses are beneficial associations formed between terrestrial plants and either bacterial or fungal micro‐organisms. A common feature of these intracellular symbioses is the requirement for mutual recognition between the two partners before host‐regulated microbial entry. As part of this molecular dialogue, symbiosis‐specific microbial factors set in motion a highly conserved plant signal transduction pathway, of which a central component is the activation of sustained nuclear Ca2+ oscillations in target cells of the host epidermis. Here, we focus on recent findings concerning this crucial Ca2+‐dependent signalling step for endosymbiotic associations involving either arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi or nitrogen‐fixing Frankia actinomycetes, and in particular how this knowledge is contributing to the identification of the respective microbial factors.

Contents

Summary
533

I.
Introduction
533

II.
Nuclear calcium reporters illuminate the path to AM fungal signalling
534

III.
Ca2+ signalling at the heart of the Frankia/actinorhizal host dialogue
536

IV.
Conclusions and future outlook
536

Acknowledgements
537

References
537
Phenotypic and genome‐wide association analysis of spike ethylene in diverse wheat genotypes under heat stress
Authors: Valluru Ravi , Reynolds Matthew P. , Davies William J. , Sukumaran Sivakumar
Published: December 2016

The gaseous phytohormone ethylene plays an important role in spike development in wheat (Triticum aestivum). However, the genotypic variation and the genomic regions governing spike ethylene (SET) production in wheat under long‐term heat stress remain unexplored.

We investigated genotypic variation in the production ofSETand its relationship with spike dry weight (SDW) in 130 diverse wheat elite lines and landraces under heat‐stressed field conditions. We employed an IlluminaiSelect 90K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping array to identify the genetic loci forSETandSDWthrough a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) in a subset of the Wheat Association Mapping Initiative (WAMI) panel.

TheSETandSDWexhibited appreciable genotypic variation among wheat genotypes at the anthesis stage. There was a strong negative correlation betweenSETandSDW. TheGWASuncovered five and 32 significantSNPs forSET, and 22 and 142 significantSNPs forSDW, in glasshouse and field conditions, respectively. Some of theseSNPs closely localized to theSNPs for plant height, suggesting close associations between plant height and spike‐related traits.

The phenotypic and genetic elucidation ofSETand its relationship withSDWsupports future efforts toward gene discovery and breeding wheat cultivars with reduced ethylene effects on yield under heat stress.
Evolutionary origins of abnormally large shoot sodium accumulation in nonsaline environments within the Caryophyllales
Authors: White Philip J. , Bowen Helen C. , Broadley Martin R. , El‐Serehy Hamed A. , Neugebauer Konrad , Taylor Anna , Thompson Jacqueline A. , Wright Gladys
Published: December 2016

The prevalence of sodium (Na)‐‘hyperaccumulator’ species, which exhibit abnormally large shoot sodium concentrations ([Na]shoot) when grown in nonsaline environments, was investigated among angiosperms in general and within the Caryophyllales order in particular.

Shoot Na concentrations were determined in 334 angiosperm species, representing 35 orders, grown hydroponically in a nonsaline solution.

Many Caryophyllales species exhibited abnormally large [Na]shoot when grown hydroponically in a nonsaline solution. The bimodal distribution of the log‐normal [Na]shoot of species within the Caryophyllales suggested at least two distinct [Na]shoot phenotypes within this order. Mapping the trait of Na‐hyperaccumulation onto the phylogenetic relationships between Caryophyllales families, and between subfamilies within the Amaranthaceae, suggested that the trait evolved several times within this order: in an ancestor of the Aizoaceae, but not the Phytolaccaceae or Nyctaginaceae, in ancestors of several lineages formerly classified as Chenopodiaceae, but not in the Amaranthaceae sensu stricto, and in ancestors of species within the Cactaceae, Portulacaceae, Plumbaginaceae, Tamaricaceae and Polygonaceae.

In conclusion, a disproportionate number of Caryophyllales species behave as Na‐hyperaccumulators, and multiple evolutionary origins of this trait can be identified within this order.
The ubiquitous self: what the properties of self‐bias tell us about the self
Authors: Sui Jie , Humphreys Glyn W.
Published: December 2016

People show systematic biases in perception, memory, and attention to favor information related to themselves over information related to other people. Researchers have examined these biases in order to throw light on the nature of the self. We review this evidence in memory, face recognition, and simple perceptual matching tasks through objective measures of self‐biases. We argue that the self serves as a stable anchor across different forms of judgment and that referring a stimulus to ourselves enhances the binding of stimulus features at different stages of processing (e.g., in perception and in memory) and also the binding between processing stages. There is neural evidence that self‐biases reflect an underlying neural network that interacts with but is independent of attentional control networks in the brain, and that damage to the self‐related network disrupts the bias effects. We discuss the implications for understanding the nature of the self.
Quality of governance and effectiveness of protected areas: crucial concepts for conservation planning
Authors: Eklund Johanna , Cabeza Mar
Published: December 2016

Protected areas (PAs) are a key tool for biodiversity conservation and play a central role in the Convention on Biological Diversity. Recently, the effectiveness of PAs has been questioned, and assessing how effective they are in enabling the future persistence of biodiversity is not trivial. Here, we focus on terrestrial PAs and clarify the terminology related to PA effectiveness, distinguishing between management and ecological aspects. We suggest that the quality of governance affects both aspects of effectiveness but recognize a lack of synthetic understanding of the topic. We present a conceptual framework linking the underlying mechanisms by which the quality of governance affects conservation outcomes in PAs and how this relates to conservation planning. We show that it is crucial to separate pressure and response and how these together will lead to the observed conservation outcomes. We urge for more focused attention on governance factors and in particular more empirical research on how to address causality and how to account for the quality of governance when prioritizing actions. Our framework is linked to the classic concepts of systematic conservation planning and clarifies the strategies available to achieve a comprehensive and effective network of PAs.
Randomized controlled trial of oral immunotherapy for egg allergy in Japanese patients
Authors: Akashi Masayuki , Yasudo Hiroki , Narita Masami , Nomura Ichiro , Akasawa Akira , Ebisawa Motohiro , Takahashi Takao , Ohya Yukihiro
Published: December 2016

Background

Egg allergy is one of the most common food allergies in young children. While oral immunotherapy (OIT) is not routinely recommended in current guidelines, it has been considered as a potential alternative treatment strategy. Studies on OIT for food allergy have been explored, but no controlled trials have been reported in Japan.

Methods

The first oral food challenge (OFC) was performed before treatment to ensure diagnosis and evaluate the threshold dose for egg using the double‐blind, placebo‐controlled food challenge. Participants were randomly assigned by computerized algorithm to receive OIT using egg (OIT group) or no egg (egg elimination [EE] group). A second OFC was performed in both groups approximately 6 months after therapy. Blood samples were collected and egg white‐specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG4 were measured before and after the treatment period.

Results

Eight of the 14 patients (57%) in the OIT group had no allergic reaction to 4 g dry egg powder whereas none of the 16 patients in the EE group did. All 14 patients in the OIT group had increased threshold for egg powder in the second OFC compared with baseline. There was no significant change in egg white‐specific IgE level during therapy. After therapy, egg white‐specific IgG4 increased significantly in the OIT group, but not in the EE group.

Conclusion

OIT is effective in increasing the threshold for allergens and inducing desensitization in Japanese egg allergy patients, similarly to North American and European patients.
Trauma‐related dissociation: Psychological features and psychophysiological responses to script‐driven imagery in borderline personality disorder
Authors: Bichescu‐Burian Dana , Steyer Jürgen , Steinert Tilman , Grieb Benjamin , Tschöke Stefan
Published: December 2016

Defense reactions to threatening situations are vital adaptations to stress that protect organisms from injury and ensure survival. We retrospectively investigated the role of peritraumatic dissociation (PD) in the occurrence of severe psychopathology and dissociative patterns of reactions in borderline personality disorder (BPD). We recruited 28 patients with a clinical diagnosis of BPD and 15 healthy controls. The BPD group was divided according to the level of PD (low vs. high): BPD and PD (n = 15) and BPD only (n = 13). We conducted an extensive investigation of history of trauma, clinical status, and measurements of emotional and physiologic responses to recall of personalized aversive experiences. Participants with BPD and high PD displayed highest degrees of trauma exposure and clinical symptoms. Their significant heart rate decline during the imagery of personal traumatic events was opposed to the heart rate increases exhibited by the other two groups and may indicate a dissociative reaction pattern. Skin conductance responses did not differentiate between groups. Several emotional responses to imagery also reinforced the idea that PD may play a role in memory processing of traumatic events and thus in the aggravation and maintenance of symptoms in particularly severe forms of BPD. Within a stepwise linear regression analysis, the best model for trauma‐evoked heart rate responses included PD and borderline symptoms, but no measures of state or trait dissociation. Our findings may provide initial evidence of an evolutionary model of peritraumatic reaction stages evolving from arousal to dissociation.
Great Expectations Unmet: The Impact of Adolescent Educational Expectations on Deviant Coping During the Transition to Adulthood
Authors: Cundiff Patrick R.
Published: December 2016

Previous research has shown that during adolescence, holding high expectations of college education serves as a protective factor for delinquency and substance use. Little is known whether the protective factor of college expectations extends into young adulthood, especially among ambitious youth who do not earn a degree. Using longitudinal data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, this research focuses on the longer term effects of adolescent educational expectations on deviant coping. This study finds that failing to realize realistically high expectations of college education during the transition to adulthood increases an individual's likelihood of deviant coping during the transition to adulthood.
Influenza A Virus Surveillance in the Invasive American Mink (Neovison vison) from Freshwater Ecosystems, Northern Spain
Authors: Gholipour H. , Busquets N. , Fernández‐Aguilar X. , Sánchez A. , Ribas M. P. , De Pedro G. , Lizarraga P. , Alarcia‐Alejos O. , Temiño C. , Cabezón O.
Published: December 2016

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) are negative‐sense, single‐stranded and segmented RNA viruses of the Orthomyxoviridae family that may cause acute respiratory disease in a wide range of birds and mammals. Susceptibility of several species within the family Mustelidae to IAVs has been reported as a result of natural or experimental infections. The objectives of this study were to assess whether free‐ranging American mink populations from Northern Spain were infected with IAV and try to define the role of this species in the epidemiology of IAV. Sera from 689 American mink from Northern Spain captured between 2011 and 2014 were tested for the presence of antibodies against IAVs using a commercial competition cELISA. Positive sera were further analysed with haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay. Fifteen of the 689 (2.2%, 1.3–3.6 CI95%) of the American minks analysed were ELISA positive. No significant differences were observed between years of capture, provinces, river basins, sexes or ages of the animals. All seropositive sera resulted negative to the panel strains used in the HI assay, showing that the most relevant strains circulating in swine, the most relevant avian subtypes (H5 and H7) and the H10N4 subtype isolated in minks have not been circulating in this free‐ranging exotic carnivore from Spain. In the light of these results, the free‐range American mink from Northern Spain do not seem to have an important role in the epidemiology of IAVs.
Adhesion of Oxides Grown in Supercritical Water on Selected Austenitic and Ferritic/Martensitic Alloys
Authors: Artymowicz D. , Bradley C. , Xing B. , Newman R. C.
Published: December 2016

A series of austenitic alloys (800H, H214, I625, 310S, and 347) with different surface finishes were exposed to supercritical water (SCW) at 550 °C and 2.5 × 107 Pa for 120 h, 260 h, and 450 h in a static autoclave with an initial level of dissolved oxygen of 8 ppm. Indentation with a hardness indenter was used for assessment of oxide adhesion. This was compared with the results of a similar test on SCW-oxidized ferritic alloys. Delamination in all the tested ferritic alloys was insufficient for quantification of the results but allowed for qualitative comparison within this group. In the set of austenitic alloys, oxide on stainless steel (SS) 347 exfoliated during cooling from 550 °C, and from the remaining four alloys, only oxide on H214 delaminated, which made the qualitative comparison across the whole group impossible. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) revealed that under delaminated external Cr2O3 on H214 alloy, there was a submicron thick layer of Al-rich oxide. To investigate a possible oxide spallation on austenitic samples during exposure, mass loss obtained through descaling was compared with mass gain due to SCW exposure. The results indicated that the applied descaling procedure did not, in most cases, fully remove the scale. Apart from one case (SS 347 with alumina surface finish), there was no clear indication of oxide spallation.
A Review of the Turbine Cooling Fraction for Very High Turbine Entry Temperature Helium Gas Turbine Cycles for Generation IV Reactor Power Plants
Authors: Gad-Briggs A. , Pilidis P. , Nikolaidis T.
Published: December 2016

The potential for high turbine entry temperature (TETs) turbines for nuclear power plants (NPPs) requires improved materials and sophisticated cooling. Cooling is critical for maintaining mechanical integrity of the turbine for temperatures >1000 °C. Increasing TET is one of the solutions for improving efficiency after cycle optimum pressure ratios have been achieved but cooling as a percentage of mass flow will have to increase, resulting in cycle efficiency penalties. To limit this effect, it is necessary to know the maximum allowable blade metal temperature to ensure that the minimum cooling fraction is used. The main objective of this study is to analyze the thermal efficiencies of four cycles in the 300–700 MW class for generation IV NPPs, using two different turbines with optimum cooling for TETs between 950 and 1200 °C. The cycles analyzed are simple cycle (SC), simple cycle recuperated (SCR), intercooled cycle (IC), and intercooled cycle recuperated (ICR). Although results showed that deterioration of cycle performance is lower when using improved turbine material, the justification to use optimum cooling improves the cycle significantly when a recuperator is used. Furthermore, optimized cooling flow and the introduction of an intercooler improve cycle efficiency by >3%, which is >1% more than previous studies. Finally, the study highlights the potential of cycle performance beyond 1200 °C for IC. This is based on the IC showing the least performance deterioration. The analyses intend to aid development of cycles for deployment in gas-cooled fast reactors (GFRs) and very high-temperature reactors (VHTRs).
Experimental Testing of a Novel Kilowatt-Scale Multistack Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell Assembly for Combined Heat and Power
Authors: Anyenya Gladys , Haun Buddy , Daubenspeck Mark , Braun Robert , Sullivan Neal P.
Published: December 2016

This paper describes experimental testing of a “geothermic fuel cell (GFC),” a novel application of solid-oxide fuel cells for combined heat and power. The geothermic fuel cell (GFC) is designed for in situ oil-shale processing. When implemented, the GFC is placed underground within an oil-shale formation; the heat released by the fuel cells while generating electricity is transferred to the oil shale, converting it into high-quality crude oil and natural gas. The GFC module presented here is comprised of three 1.5-kWe solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack-and-combustor assemblies packaged within a stainless-steel housing for the ease of installation within a bore hole drilled within the earth. The results from above-ground, laboratory testing of the geothermic fuel cell module are presented, with a number of operating conditions explored. Operation is demonstrated under hydrogen and natural-gas reformate fuels. The combined heat-and-power efficiency ranges from 56.2% to 74.2% at operating conditions that generally favor heat generation over electricity production. Testing of the geothermic fuel cell module over a wide operating range in a controlled, laboratory setting provides a valuable data set for developing more-detailed electrochemical and heat transfer models of module operation.
Ventilation of Lifting Bodies: Review of the Physics and Discussion of Scaling Effects
Authors: Young Y. L. , Harwood C. M. , Miguel Montero F. , Ward J. C. , Ceccio S. L.
Published: December 2016

Ventilation is relevant to the performance, safety, and controllability of marine vessels, propulsors, and control surfaces that operate at or near the free surface. The objectives of this work are to (1) review the fundamental physics driving ventilation and its impact upon the hydrodynamic and structural response, and (2) discuss the scaling relations and its implications on the design and interpretation of reduced-scale studies. Natural ventilation occurs when the flow around a body forms a cavity that is open to the free surface. The steady flow regimes, hydrodynamic loads, and unsteady transition mechanisms of naturally ventilated flows are reviewed. Forced ventilation permits control of the cavity pressure and cavity shape, but can result in unsteady cavity pulsations. When a lifting surface is flexible, flow-induced deformations can increase the loading and the size of cavities, as well as lead to earlier ventilation formation. Ventilation tends to reduce the susceptibility of a lifting surface to static divergence. However, fluctuations of fluid added mass, damping, and disturbing forces caused by unsteady ventilation will change the structural resonance frequencies and damping, and may accelerate hydroelastic instabilities. Scaling relations are developed for both the hydrodynamic and hydroelastic response. Similarity in the three-dimensional (3D) ventilation pattern and hydrodynamic response requires simultaneous satisfaction of Froude number, cavitation number, and geometric similarity. However, Froude scaling complicates the selection of suitable model-scale material to achieve similarity in the dynamic hydroelastic response and material failure mechanisms between the model and full scale.
Use of Frequency Response for Damage Detection: An Optimization Approach
Authors: Altammar Hussain , Kaul Sudhir , Dhingra Anoop
Published: December 2016

This paper presents results from a study that investigates the use of frequency response for damage detection. A two-stage optimization approach is proposed to identify the presence of damage in a structure, and to find the location and severity of damage. The proposed approach requires the measured frequency response to statistically quantify the presence and severity of damage. Multiple simulations are presented to demonstrate the capability of the proposed approach. For the simulations, damage is characterized as a local flexibility through the use of a model that is based on Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM). A simply supported beam is used to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed damage detection algorithm by using the frequency response from the simulation model and incorporating different levels of noise. The optimization approach is found to be successful in determining the status of the beam, and in predicting the crack size and the crack location even in the presence of a high level of noise and with relative coarse sampling of the frequency response. It is also observed that the crack size predicted by the damage detection algorithm is relatively more sensitive to the random noise added to the frequency response as compared to the location of the crack.