bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
1SWASP J075102.16+342405.3: A deep overcontact binary system with a period under the short period cut-off
Authors: Jiang Linqiao , Qian Sheng-Bang , Zhang Jia , Liu Nianping
Published: October 2015

New photometry of two different seasons for the extremely short period eclipsing binary 1SWASP J075102.16+342405.3 were performed. The two sets of derived light curves show a large difference in their shape, i.e., the 2013 light curves show big asymmetry, whereas the 2014 light curve is almost symmetric. All light curves were analysed using the 2013 version of the Wilson–Devinney (W-D) code. The obtained solutions show that 1SWASP J075102.16+342405.3 is of the A subtype W UMa contact system with an extremely high fill-out of f ≈ 96% and a high mass ratio of 0.70–0.78. Furthermore, a third light contributing to the total flux of the system was found. All these properties make the system a very special short-period source. The analysis of the 2013 light curves proved that the changes in the light curve shape are caused by magnetic activities. By means of all available times of minimum light, the variation of the orbital period was studied. It was found that the O − C diagram implies an increasing orbital period over a time span of eight years, which may be caused by the mass transfer from the less massive component to the more massive one; however, we are more inclined to say that it is only a part of a long period cyclic variation which can be explained by the light-travel time effect (LTTE) via the third body.
The Relationship Between Cervical Degeneration and Global Spinal Alignment in Patients With Adult Spinal Deformity
Authors: Fujimori Takahito , Le Hai , Schairer William , Inoue Shinichi , Iwasaki Motoki , Oda Takenori , Hu Serena S.
Published: October 2015

Objectives:

To examine the relationship between cervical degeneration and spinal alignment by comparing patients with adult spinal deformity versus the control cohort.

Summary of Background Data:

The effect of degeneration on cervical alignment has been controversial.

Methods:

Cervical and full-length spine radiographs of 57 patients with adult spinal deformity and 78 patients in the control group were reviewed. Adult spinal deformity was classified into 3 types based on the primary characteristics of the deformity: “Degenerative flatback” group, “Positive sagittal imbalance” group, and “Hyperthoracic kyphosis” group. Cervical degeneration was assessed using the cervical degeneration index scoring system.

Results:

The “Degenerative flatback” group had significantly higher total cervical degeneration index score (25±7) than the control group (16±8), the “Positive sagittal imbalance” group (18±8), and the “Hyperthoracic kyphosis” group (12±7) (P<0.01). The “Degenerative flatback” group had significantly less cervical lordosis than the other groups. This reduced amount of cervical lordosis was thought to be induced by a compensatory decrease in thoracic kyphosis. In this group, increased cervical degeneration was significantly associated with a decrease in cervical lordosis. Significantly greater compensatory increase in cervical lordosis was noted in the “Positive sagittal imbalance” group (20±15 degrees) and the “Hyperthoracic kyphosis” group (26±9 degrees) compared with the control group (11±12 degrees) (P<0.02).

Conclusions:

Flat cervical spine coexisted with cervical degeneration when compensatory hypothoracic kyphosis was induced by degenerative flatback. In other situations, cervical lordosis could increase as a compensatory reaction against sagittal imbalance or hyperthoracic kyphosis.
Using Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Catheterization of the Internal Jugular Vein in Patients With Difficult Peripheral Access
Authors: Butterfield Michael , Abdelghani Ramsy , Mohamad Maha , Limsuwat Chok , Kheir Fayez
Published: October 2015

Vascular access is necessary in patients admitted to the intensive care unit and the medical ward. Currently, there are multiple modalities to achieve adequate vascular access, each with their own difficulties and drawbacks. Often, in patients with certain comorbidities, it is difficult to obtain a peripheral intravenous (IV) line, which can lead to multiple failed attempts in achieving access. We describe the feasibility of inserting an ultrasound (US)-guided peripheral IV catheter into the internal jugular vein (IJ) in such populations. This was a prospective observational case series in patients with difficult or failed peripheral IV access. All patients underwent sterile insertion of a peripheral IV catheter (2.5″, 18 gauge) into the IJ under US guidance. Catheter placement was confirmed by ultrasonography. Nineteen consecutive patients were included in this series. A total of 20 US-guided peripheral IJ catheters were placed. The mean patient age was 57. Sixty percent of patients were male and the mean body mass index was 26 (14.1–51.5). The mean time taken to place the peripheral IJ catheter was 5.3 minutes. Eighty-five percent of catheters placed were mostly placed in the right IJ. There were no complications on follow-up. US-guided placement of peripheral IV catheters in the IJ is feasible to achieve short-term IV access in a select patient population who failed traditional peripheral IV placement. Furthermore, larger trials are needed to confirm safety and long-term complications of this method.
Abdominal Pain‐predominant Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Adolescent Nigerians
Authors: Udoh Ekong , Devanarayana Niranga Manjuri , Rajindrajith Shaman , Meremikwu Martin , Benninga Marc Alexander
Published: October 2015

Objectives:

To determine the prevalence, pattern, and predisposing factors of abdominal pain‐predominant functional gastrointestinal disorders (AP‐FGIDs) in adolescent Nigerians.

Methods:

A cross‐sectional study was conducted in 2 states in the southern part of Nigeria in June 2014. Adolescents of age 10 to 18 years were recruited from 11 secondary schools using a stratified random sampling technique. A validated self‐administered questionnaire on Rome III criteria for diagnosing AP‐FGIDs and its determinants were filled by the participants in a classroom setting.

Results:

A total of 874 participants filled the questionnaire. Of this, 818 (93.4%) filled it properly and were included in the final analysis. The mean age of the participants was 14.6 ± 2.0 years with 409 (50.0%) being boys. AP‐FGIDs were present in 81 (9.9%) participants. Forty six (5.6%) of the study participants had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), 21 (2.6%) functional abdominal pain, 15 (1.8%) abdominal migraine while 3 (0.4%) had functional dyspepsia. The difference in AP‐FGIDs between adolescents residing in rural and urban areas was not statistically significant (P = 0.22). Intestinal and extra‐intestinal symptoms occurred more frequently in those with AP‐FGIDs. Nausea was the only symptom independently associated with AP‐FGIDs (p = 0.015). Multiple regression analysis showed no significant association between stressful life events and AP‐FGIDs.

Conclusions:

AP‐FGIDs are a significant health problem in Nigerian adolescents. In addition to the intestinal symptoms, most of the affected children and others also had extraintestinal symptoms. None of the stressful life events evaluated was significantly associated with FGIDs.
Environmental Risk Factors of Pediatric‐Onset Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Autoimmune Hepatitis
Authors: Tenca Andrea , Färkkilä Martti , Jalanko Hannu , Vapalahti Katariina , Arola Johanna , Jaakkola Tytti , Penagini Roberto , Vapalahti Olli , Kolho Kaija‐Leena
Published: October 2015

Objectives:

The aim of this population‐based observational case‐control questionnaire study was to investigate the possible role of environmental risk factors associated with pediatric‐onset autoimmune liver diseases.

Methods:

Seventy‐one patients with autoimmune liver diseases (<16 years) received a questionnaire with 22 items, evaluating contact with environmental factors (eg, family manners, type of housing, pets) before the diagnosis. Two age‐ and sex‐matched control groups were used: inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; n = 91) and healthy subjects (n = 716; matched also for place of residence at birth). Univariate analysis (odds ratio [OR] and 95% confidence interval) for all variables was calculated. Fisher exact test was performed to depict associations between variables and the multivariate logistic regression to test their interactions.

Results:

In the final analyses, the responses of 51 autoimmune liver diseases cases (n = 51/71, 72%), 59 IBD controls (n = 59/91, 65%), and 292 healthy controls (n = 292/716, 41%) were investigated. In univariate analysis only having a cat, a dog, and a cat or a dog were risk factors of autoimmune liver diseases (OR varying between 2.6–3.4); no other significant associations (eg, place of residence, number of siblings, family manners) were found. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that especially living with a cat in block of flats was a risk factor (OR 3.6, 1.2–10.8).

Conclusions:

Living in a close contact with a pet (especially a cat) was a risk factor of autoimmune liver diseases. This finding may suggest an involvement of an unidentified agent (ie, toxin/microbe) among the triggers of these diseases.
Precolectomy Therapy Does Not Alter Histologic Findings Distribution in Resected Colon in Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Wahbeh Ghassan T. , Lawless Margaret E. , Suskind David L. , Shaffer Michele L. , Cole Bonnie
Published: October 2015

Objectives:

Medically intractable pediatric ulcerative colitis can lead to colectomy after which patients commonly receive an ileoanal pouch. Postoperative complications are more common in patients with Crohn disease, a diagnosis that may be rendered after the colectomy specimen is examined. Because most children are likely to be exposed to medications before colectomy, we sought to examine whether such exposure influences the distribution of the inflammation within the resected colon and therefore potentially raise questions about the diagnosis accuracy.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 32 pediatric ulcerative colitis cases undergoing colectomy from 2007 to 2014 for clinical data and precolectomy treatment history. The resected colon histology was reviewed independently by 2 blinded pathologists. The acute/active inflammation was scored using the modified Riley score for 3 colonic segments (proximal, transverse, and distal colon) for each patient. Linear mixed‐effects models were used to evaluate possible association between acute/active inflammation scores at various sites and medication use.

Results:

Twelve cases (38%) showed decreasing acute inflammation score distally to proximally, 8 (25%) had increasing scores, and 12 cases showed no change. Patients were most commonly exposed to corticosteroids, followed by anti‐tumor necrosis factor antibodies. There was no statistically or clinically significant change in the histologic scores across the colonic segments of the resected colon in association with exposure to any specific medication or combination of medications, sex, age at diagnosis and surgery, or duration of disease.

Conclusions:

Precolectomy therapy does not seem to influence the distribution of inflammation within the resected colon.
Role of Vitamin D in Hospitalized Children With Lower Tract Acute Respiratory Infections
Authors: Cebey‐López Miriam , Pardo‐Seco Jacobo , Gómez‐Carballa Alberto , Martinón‐Torres Nazareth , Rivero‐Calle Irene , Justicia Antonio , Redondo Lorenzo , Martinón‐Sánchez José María , Martínez‐Padilla María del Carmen , Giménez‐Sánchez Francisco , Salas Antonio , Martinón‐Torres Federico ,   GENDRES Network
Published: October 2015

Background:

Vitamin D is known to have modulatory actions in the immune system. Its influence on the severity of lower tract acute respiratory infections (LT‐ARIs) is unclear.

Objectives:

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of vitamin D on LT‐ARI in paediatric patients.

Methods:

Children admitted to hospital with LT‐ARI were prospectively recruited through the GENDRES network (March 2009–May 2013). The 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25‐OHD) levels were measured by immunoassay. The severity of the illness was evaluated according to clinical scales, length of hospital stay, ventilatory requirements, and pediatric intensive care unit admission.

Results:

A total of 347 patients with a median (interquartile range) age of 8.4 (2.6–21.1) months were included. The mean (SD) 25‐OHD levels in our series were 27.1 (11.3) ng/mL. In this study, a cutoff value of ≥30 ng/mL was considered optimal vitamin status. Patients with 25‐OHD levels <20 ng/mL were at a higher risk of showing severe signs of respiratory difficulties (OR 5.065, 95% confidence interval 1.998–12.842; P = 0.001) than patients with normal values, and had a 117% higher risk of oxygen necessity and 217% higher risk of ventilatory requirement than those patients with normal values. An inverse correlation was found between 25‐OHD levels and the severity in the evaluated scales. 25‐OHD levels did not influence PICU admission rate or length of hospital stay.

Conclusions:

25‐OHD levels of children admitted because of a LT‐ARI are <30 ng/mL. Lower levels of 25‐OHD were found to be correlated with severity of the disease. The possible role of abnormal 25‐OHD levels as a facilitator or consequence of the infection needs further evaluation.
Infected Congenital Epicardial Cyst Presenting as Acute Abdomen
Authors: Dribin Timothy , Files Matthew D. , Rudzinski Erin R. , Kaplan Ron , Stone Kimberly P.
Published: October 2015

A previously healthy 3-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, fever, and emesis. Laboratory and radiologic evaluation for causes of acute abdomen were negative; however, review of the abdominal x-ray demonstrated cardiomegaly with the subsequent diagnosis of pericardial cyst by echocardiogram and computed tomography. The patient underwent surgical decompression and attempted removal of the cystic structure revealing that the cyst originated from the epicardium. His abdominal pain and fever resolved postoperatively and he completed a 3-week course of ceftriaxone for treatment of Propionibacterium acnes infected congenital epicardial cyst. Emergency department physicians must maintain a broad differential in patients with symptoms of acute abdomen to prevent complications from serious cardiac or pulmonary diseases that present with symptoms of referred abdominal pain.
Pediatric Disseminated Lemierre Syndrome in 2 Infants
Authors: García-Salido Alberto , Unzueta-Roch José Luis , García-Teresa María Ángeles , Sirvent-Cerdá Sara , Martínez de Azagra-Garde Amelia , Casado-Flores Juan
Published: October 2015

The Lemierre syndrome is characterized by an oropharyngeal infection, thrombosis of the internal jugular vein, and multiple septic metastases. Fusobacterium necrophorum is a common cause of it. The incidence is 0.6 to 2.3 cases per million with a mortality rate of 4% to 18%. Its fast evolution and the possibility of severe complications require a high index of suspicion for its diagnosis. We present 2 infants with Lemierre syndrome. The younger case, a 6-month-old infant, was fully recovered. In the other side, and despite an aggressive therapy, an 18-month-old infant developed cerebral palsy. We also provide a short literature review with a focus on clinical presentation and differential diagnosis in order to initiate an early and adequate therapy.
Severe Respiratory Distress in a Neonate due to Bilateral Dacryocystoceles
Authors: Klotz Daniel , Schönlaub Jörn , Hackenberg Stephan , Wirbelauer Johannes
Published: October 2015

Nasal passage contributes up to 50% of total resistance in normal breathing especially in neonates who are obligatory nose breathers. Any further increase in airway resistance may lead to severe respiratory distress. Dacryocystoceles are a rare cause of nasal obstruction in neonates. We present the case of a full-term 3-day-old female infant with progressive respiratory distress due to bilateral dacryocystoceles.
A Novel Agent for Management of Agitated Delirium
Authors: Kowalski J. Michael , Kopec Kathryn T. , Lavelle Jane , Osterhoudt Kevin
Published: October 2015

Control of the agitated patient in the emergency department is challenging. Many options exist for chemical sedation, but most have suboptimal pharmacodynamic action, and many have undesirable adverse effects. There are reports of ketamine administration for control of agitation prehospital and in traumatically injured patients. Ketamine is a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor antagonist, making it an effective dissociative agent. We present 5 cases of ketamine administration to manage agitated adolescent patients with underlying psychiatric disease and/or drug intoxication. Ketamine, as a dissociative agent, may be an alternative pharmacological consideration for the control of agitation in patients with undifferentiated agitated delirium.
Geographic Variation in the Use of Low-Acuity Pediatric Emergency Medical Services
Authors: Gregory Emily F. , Chamberlain James M. , Teach Stephen J. , Engstrom Ryan , Mathison David J.
Published: October 2015

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine geographic variation in pediatric low-acuity emergency medical services (EMS) use in Washington, DC.

Methods

This cross-sectional analysis of low-acuity EMS transports evaluated arrivals at 2 emergency departments and included 93% of pediatric transports in Washington, DC, during the study period. Low-acuity classification was defined as a triage emergency severity index of 4 or 5 not resulting in transfer, admission, or death. Logistic regression compared low-acuity visits arriving via EMS with all other low-acuity visits. Home zip code represented geographic location. Covariates included patient age, sex, race/ethnicity, hour of emergency department arrival, and insurance status.

Results

There were 45,454 low-acuity visits among children aged 0 to 17 years. Of these, 3304 (7.3%) arrived via EMS. The mean age was 5.6 (±5.0) years. Most were African American (84.3%) and had Medicaid insurance (87.3%). Geographic variation predicted EMS use. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of using EMS varied from 1.11 to 2.54 when compared with the lowest EMS use zip code. Odds of EMS use were higher among those with public insurance (adjusted OR [adj OR], 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46–2.00) and those with evening and overnight arrivals (evening arrival, adj OR of 1.65 and 95% CI of 1.47–1.86; overnight arrival, adj OR of 2.98 and 95% CI of 2.43–3.65).

Conclusions

After adjusting for known covariates, residential zip code was associated with low-acuity EMS activation, stressing the importance of geographic variation in EMS use. Providing alternate means of transportation, or targeted education to certain residential areas, may decrease unnecessary EMS activation.
A precise algorithm to detect voids in polydisperse circle packings
Authors: Specht Eckard
Published: October 2015

Computer simulations are the primary tool for studying polydisperse particle packings quanti- tatively. For the problem of packing
N
unequal circles in a larger container circle, nothing is known
a priori
about the optimal packing (i.e. the packing with the highest packing fraction). Simulations usually start from a random initial configuration with the aim to finish with a dense final packing. Unfortunately, smaller circles often get stuck in trapped positions and prevent the rest of the packing from growing larger. Hence, the knowledge of the structure of unoccupied areas or
holes
inside a packing is important to be able to move trapped circles into free circular places or
voids
. A novel algorithm is proposed for detecting such voids in two-dimensional arbitrary circle packings by a decomposition of the contact graph. Combined with a clever object jumping strategy and together with other heuristic methods like swaps and shifts, this approach increases the packing fraction
ϕ
significantly. Its effectiveness for jumping across the maximally random jammed barrier (
ϕ
MRJ
≈0.8575 in the large-
N
limit) for small benchmark instances as well as for large problem sizes (up to
N
≈10
3
) is demonstrated.
Protected areas and poverty
Authors: Brockington Daniel , Wilkie David
Published: October 2015

Protected areas are controversial because they are so important for conservation and because they distribute fortune and misfortune unevenly. The nature of that distribution, as well as the terrain of protected areas themselves, have been vigorously contested. In particular, the relationship between protected areas and poverty is a long-running debate in academic and policy circles. We review the origins of this debate and chart its key moments. We then outline the continuing flashpoints and ways in which further evaluation studies could improve the evidence base for policy-making and conservation practice.
Protected area types, strategies and impacts in Brazil's Amazon: public protected area strategies do not yield a consistent ranking of protected area types by impact
Authors: Pfaff Alexander , Robalino Juan , Sandoval Catalina , Herrera Diego
Published: October 2015

The leading policy to conserve forest is protected areas (PAs). Yet, PAs are not a single tool: land users and uses vary by PA type; and public PA strategies vary in the extent of each type and in the determinants of impact for each type, i.e. siting and internal deforestation. Further, across regions and time, strategies respond to pressures (deforestation and political). We estimate deforestation impacts of PA types for a critical frontier, the Brazilian Amazon. We separate regions and time periods that differ in their deforestation and political pressures and document considerable variation in PA strategies across regions, time periods and types. The siting of PAs varies across regions. For example, all else being equal, PAs in the arc of deforestation are relatively far from non-forest, while in other states they are relatively near. Internal deforestation varies across time periods, e.g. it is more similar across the PA types for PAs after 2000. By contrast, after 2000, PA extent is less similar across PA types with little non-indigenous area created inside the arc. PA strategies generate a range of impacts for PA types—always far higher within the arc—but not a consistent ranking of PA types by impact.
Making parks make a difference: poor alignment of policy, planning and management with protected-area impact, and ways forward
Authors: Pressey Robert L. , Visconti Piero , Ferraro Paul J.
Published: October 2015

Policy and practice around protected areas are poorly aligned with the basic purpose of protection, which is to make a difference. The difference made by protected areas is their impact, defined in program evaluation as the outcomes arising from protection relative to the counterfactual of no protection or a different form of protection. Although impact evaluation of programs is well established in fields such as medicine, education and development aid, it is rare in nature conservation. We show that the present weak alignment with impact of policy targets and operational objectives for protected areas involves a great risk: targets and objectives can be achieved while making little difference to the conservation of biodiversity. We also review potential ways of increasing the difference made by protected areas, finding a poor evidence base for the use of planning and management ‘levers’ to better achieve impact. We propose a dual strategy for making protected areas more effective in their basic role of saving nature, outlining ways of developing targets and objectives focused on impact while also improving the evidence for effective planning and management.
Benchmarking inverse statistical approaches for protein structure and design with exactly solvable models
Authors: Jacquin Hugo , Gilson Amy , Shakhnovich Eugene , Cocco Simona , Monasson Rémi
Published: October 2015

Inverse statistical approaches to determine protein structure and function from Multiple Sequence Alignments (MSA) are emerging as powerful tools in computational biology. However the underlying assumptions of the relationship between the inferred effective Potts Hamiltonian and real protein structure and energetics remain untested so far. Here we use lattice protein model (LP) to benchmark those inverse statistical approaches. We build MSA of highly stable sequences in target LP structures, and infer the effective pairwise Potts Hamiltonians from those MSA. We find that inferred Potts Hamiltonians reproduce many important aspects of ‘true’ LP structures and energetics. Careful analysis reveals that effective pairwise couplings in inferred Potts Hamiltonians depend not only on the energetics of the native structure but also on competing folds; in particular, the coupling values reflect both positive design (stabilization of native conformation) and negative design (destabilization of competing folds). In addition to providing detailed structural information, the inferred Potts models used as protein Hamiltonian for design of new sequences are able to generate with high probability completely new sequences with the desired folds, which is not possible using independent-site models. Those are remarkable results as the effective LP Hamiltonians used to generate MSA are not simple pairwise models due to the competition between the folds. Our findings elucidate the reasons of the power of inverse approaches to the modelling of proteins from sequence data, and their limitations; we show, in particular, that their success crucially depend on the accurate inference of the Potts pairwise couplings.

Author Summary

Inverse statistical approaches, modeling pairwise correlations between amino acids in the sequences of similar proteins across many different organisms, can successfully extract protein structure (contact) information. Here, we benchmark those statistical approaches on exactly solvable models of proteins, folding on a 3D lattice, to assess the reasons underlying their success and their limitations. We show that the inferred parameters (effective pairwise interactions) of the statistical models have clear and quantitative interpretations in terms of positive (favoring the native fold) and negative (disfavoring competing folds) protein sequence design. New sequences randomly drawn from the statistical models are likely to fold into the native structures when effective pairwise interactions are accurately inferred, a performance which cannot be achieved with independent-site models.
Phylogenomic Reconstruction Supports Supercontinent Origins forLeishmania
Authors: Harkins Kelly M , Schwartz Rachel S , Cartwright Reed , Stone Anne
Published: October 2015

Leishmania, a genus of parasites transmitted to human hosts and mammalian/reptilian reservoirs by an insect vector, is the causative agent of the human disease complex leishmaniasis. The evolutionary relationships within the genus Leishmania and its origins are the source of ongoing debate, reflected in conflicting phylogenetic and biogeographic reconstructions. This study employs a recently described bioinformatics method, SISRS, to identify over 200,000 informative sites across the genome from newly sequenced and publicly available Leishmania data. This dataset is used to reconstruct the evolutionary relationships of this genus. Additionally, we constructed a large multi-gene dataset; we used this dataset to reconstruct the phylogeny and estimate divergence dates for species. We conclude that the genus Leishmania evolved at least 90-100 million years ago. Our results support the hypothesis that Leishmania clades separated prior to, and during, the breakup of Gondwana. Additionally, we confirm that reptile-infecting Leishmania are derived from mammalian forms, and that the species that infect porcupines and sloths form a clade long separated from other species. We also firmly place the guinea-pig infecting species, L. enrietti, the globally dispersed L. siamensis, and the newly identified Australia species from kangaroos as sibling species whose distribution arises from the ancient connection between Australia, Antarctica, and South America.
CRISPR system acquisition and evolution of an obligate intracellularChlamydia-related bacterium
Authors: Bertelli Claire , Cissé Ousmane , Rusconi Brigida , Kebbi-Beghdadi Carole , Croxatto Antony , Goesmann Alexander , Collyn François , Greub Gilbert
Published: October 2015

Recently, a newChlamydia-relatedorganism,Protochlamydia naegleriophilaKNic, was discovered within aNaegleriaamoeba. To decipher the mechanisms at play in the modeling of genomes from theProtochlamydiagenus, we sequencedde novothe full genome ofPr. naegleriophilacombining the advantages of two second-generation sequencing technologies. The assembled complete genome comprises a 2,885,111 bp chromosome and a 145,285 bp megaplasmid. For the first time within theChlamydialesorder, a CRISPR system, the immune system of bacteria, was discovered on the chromosome. It is composed of a small CRISPR locus comprising eight repeats and the associatedcasandcsegenes of the subtype I-E. A CRISPR locus was also found withinChlamydiasp. Diamant, anotherPr. naegleriophilastrain whose genome was recently released, suggesting that the CRISPR system was acquired by a common ancestor of these two members ofPr. naegleriophila,after the divergence fromPr. amoebophila.The plasmid encodes an F-type conjugative system similar to that found in the Pam100G genomic island ofPr. amoebophilasuggesting an acquisition of this conjugative system before the divergence of bothProtochlamydiaspecies and the integration of a putativePr. amoebophilaplasmid into its main chromosome giving rise to the Pam100G genomic island. Overall, this newPr. naegleriophilagenome sequence enables to investigate further the dynamic processes shaping the genomes ofChlamydia-relatedbacteria.
Personalisation – love it or hate it?
Authors: Needham Catherine , Glasby Jon
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to reflect on five reasons why personalisation is so contested. It aims to highlight the shared themes that point to common ground between advocates and critics of personalisation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper draws on different academic and practitioner perspectives on personalisation, covering both advocates for and critics of the personalisation reforms.

Findings

– The paper concludes by suggesting that the development of self-directed support in Scotland has the potential to develop social care change in ways which may be palatable to both sides of the English policy debate.

Originality/value

– People who support and critique personalisation often write in ways which do not directly engage with the perspectives of the other side. Here the authors engage directly with the points of difference to explicate why such a diversity of perspectives exists, and how there is more common ground than might be assumed.
The Big Society in Australia: A Case of ‘Non’‐Policy Transfer?
Authors: Manwaring Rob
Published: October 2015

The Big Society was a flagship policy initiative launched by the UK Conservative party, under the leadership of David Cameron, to win office in 2010. Closely associated with the ideas of Phillip Blond, the Big Society agenda seeks to introduce new forms of civic activism and revive wider civil society. There has been speculation that the Big Society agenda might take hold in Australia, and Blond has been active in promoting it in Australia. Using Dolowitz and Marsh's policy transfer heuristic, this article examines the likelihood of the Big Society being adopted by the Abbott Liberal Coalition. The article outlines a number of potential variants of the Big Society, and concludes that for a variety of reasons it is unlikely to be adopted by the Liberal federal government in Australia. The case also highlights both strengths and limitations in the Dolowitz and Marsh framework, arguing that it can be used in an innovative way to speculate on potential transfers, but is limited in accounting for why transfer may or may not take place.
Is the FHA Creating Sustainable Homeownership?
Authors: Caplin Andrew , Cororaton Anna , Tracy Joseph
Published: October 2015

We produce first estimates of the sustainability of homeownership for recent Federal Housing Administration (FHA) borrowers. Unfortunately, the FHA does not produce its own statistics on sustainability. Neither does it permit researchers access to its data on internal refinances. This imposes significant barriers to entry for researchers who wish to track FHA borrower performance over time. We carefully construct the required tracking data to overcome this barrier. We forecast that no more than 75% of the 2007–2009 vintages of FHA borrowers will be able to successfully exit the FHA system. Our work raises questions about FHA's role, its accounting and its accountability.
Spruce budworm feeding and oviposition are stimulated by monoterpenes in white spruce epicuticular waxes
Authors: Ennis Darragh , Despland Emma , Chen Fei , Forgione Pat , Bauce Eric
Published: October 2015

Monoterpenes, source of the distinctive odor of conifers, are generally considered plant defensive compounds. However, they are also known to act as long‐range insect attractants, as they are volatile and permeate forest airspaces. Moreover, they are lipid soluble and can be absorbed into plant epicuticular waxes. We test their role in short‐range host plant choice by both adult females and larvae of a folivorous forest pest (Choristoneura fumiferana). We conducted laboratory assays testing the responses of Eastern spruce budworm to an artificial monoterpene mix (α‐pinene, β‐pinene, limonene, myrcene) and to white spruce (Picea glauca) epicuticular waxes in closed arenas. Ovipositing females preferred filter paper discs treated with P. glauca waxes to controls, and preferred the waxes + monoterpenes treatment to waxes alone. However, females showed no preference between the monoterpene‐treated disc and the control when presented without waxes. Feeding larvae prefered wax discs to control discs. They also consumed discs treated with realistic monoterpene concentrations and wax preferentially over wax‐only discs, but showed no preference between extremely high monoterpene concentrations and wax‐only controls. In an insect‐free assay, P. glauca epicuticular wax decreased monoterpene volatilization. These results suggest that P. glauca waxes and realistic concentrations of monoterpenes are stimulatory to both egg‐laying females and feeding larvae, and that their effects are synergistic.
The monoamine stabilizer (−)‐OSU6162 counteracts downregulated dopamine output in the nucleus accumbens of long‐term drinking Wistar rats
Authors: Feltmann Kristin , Fredriksson Ida , Wirf Malin , Schilström Björn , Steensland Pia
Published: October 2015

We recently established that the monoamine stabilizer (−)‐OSU6162 (OSU6162) decreased voluntary alcohol‐mediated behaviors, including alcohol intake and cue/priming‐induced reinstatement, in long‐term drinking rats, while blunting alcohol‐induced dopamine output in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of alcohol‐naïve rats. Therefore, we hypothesized that OSU6162 attenuates alcohol‐mediated behaviors by blunting alcohol's rewarding effects. Here, we evaluated the effects of long‐term drinking and OSU6162 treatment (30 mg/kg, sc) on basal and alcohol‐induced (2.5 g/kg, ip) NAc dopamine outputs in Wistar rats after 10 months of intermittent access to 20% alcohol. The results showed that basal and alcohol‐induced NAc dopamine outputs were significantly lower in long‐term drinking rats, compared with alcohol‐naïve rats. In the long‐term drinking rats, OSU6162 slowly increased and maintained the dopamine output significantly elevated compared with baseline for at least 4 hours. Furthermore, OSU6162 pre‐treatment did not blunt the alcohol‐induced output in the long‐term drinking rats, a finding that contrasted with our previous results in alcohol‐naïve rats. Finally, OSU6162 did not induce conditioned place preference (CPP) in either long‐term drinking or alcohol‐naïve rats, indicating that OSU6162 has no reinforcing properties. To verify that the CPP results were not due to memory acquisition impairment, we demonstrated that OSU6162 did not affect novel object recognition. In conclusion, these results indicate that OSU6162 attenuates alcohol‐mediated behaviors by counteracting NAc dopamine deficits in long‐term drinking rats and that OSU6162 is not rewarding on its own. Together with OSU6162's beneficial side‐effect profile, the present study merits evaluation of OSU6162's clinical efficacy to attenuate alcohol use in alcohol‐dependent patients.
Measles Inclusion‐Body Encephalitis: Neuronal Phosphorylated Tau Protein is Present in the Biopsy but not in the Autoptic Specimens of the Same Patient
Authors: Maderna Emanuela , Fugnanesi Valeria , Morbin Michela , Cacciatore Francesca , Spinello Sonia , Godani Massimiliano , Zoia Riccardo , Tagliavini Fabrizio , Giaccone Giorgio
Published: October 2015

Tauopathies are sporadic or familial neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the accumulation of phosphorylated tau in neurons and glial cells and include encephalitis related to measles virus such as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. We describe a 45‐year‐old woman, with a history of lymphoma treated with immunosuppressant therapy who underwent an open biopsy of the right frontal cortex for a suspect of encephalitis, and died 4 days later. The neuropathological assessment on the bioptic sample revealed edema, severe gliosis and microglial activation, with lymphomonocytic perivascular cuffing and neurons containing both nuclear and cytoplasmic eosinofilic inclusions that ultrastructurally appeared as tubular and curvilinear non‐membrane‐bound 12–18 nm structures, leading to the diagnosis of measles inclusion‐bodies encephalitis. The biopsy specimen showed several cortical neurons with intense perikaryal immunoreactivity for anti‐tau antibodies recognizing phosphorylated epitopes while on autoptic specimens no phosphorylated tau immunoreactivity was detected. Our findings suggest that in specific conditions biopsy‐derived human tau may be phosphorylated at sites that may result not phosphorylated in autopsy‐derived specimens, most likely caused by post‐mortem dephosphorylation.
A 5‐Year Longitudinal Study on Mood Variability Across Adolescence Using Daily Diaries
Authors: Maciejewski Dominique F. , van Lier Pol A. C. , Branje Susan J. T. , Meeus Wim H. J. , Koot Hans M.
Published: October 2015

This study explored the development of mood variability in 474 Dutch adolescents (56.8% male, 90.1% medium to high socioeconomic status) from a community sample, followed from ages 13 to 18 years. Three times per year, adolescents reported on daily happiness, anger, sadness, and anxiety for 5 days using Internet diaries (15 assessment weeks; from 2006 to 2010). Mood variability scores were calculated as means of absolute differences between consecutive days. Results showed that happiness, anger, and sadness variability continuously declined across adolescence, while anxiety variability increased initially, then decreased, and then increased toward late adolescence. Despite females experiencing higher happiness and sadness variability, the rate of change across adolescence was similar for both sexes. Implications for normative emotional development and future studies are discussed.
When to Offer Lower Quality or Remanufactured Versions of a Product
Authors: Jin Yue , Muriel Ana , Lu Yihao
Published: October 2015

We investigate the profitability of adding a lower quality or remanufactured product to the product portfolio of a monopoly firm, both in single‐period and steady‐state settings. Consumer behavior is characterized by a deterministic utility function for the original product and a nonlinear relative utility function for the lower quality product. We find a threshold for the cost of the low‐quality product below which it is optimal to add it to the firm's portfolio, and show that while a cost advantage is necessary to make the lower quality offering profitable under linear or convex relative utility functions, market segmentation alone can justify the addition of the lower quality product under concave relative utility functions. In particular, we characterize (i) the new product cost under which it is optimal to offer a lower quality version of the product even if it is as costly to produce as the original product; and (ii) the weighted average of new and remanufactured product costs in the steady state under which it becomes cost effective to offer new products under the remanufactured label. Finally, we also identify the maximum possible profits from customer segmentation and the form of the relative utility function that achieves them. We discuss the implications for the common marketing practices of branding and generics.
Alveolar process fractures in the permanent dentition. Part 2. The risk of healing complications in teeth involved in an alveolar process fracture
Authors: Lauridsen Eva , Gerds Thomas , Ove Andreasen Jens
Published: October 2015

Aim

To analyze the risk of pulp canal obliteration (PCO), pulp necrosis (PN), repair‐related resorption (RRR), infection‐related resorption (IRR), ankylosis‐related resorption (ARR), marginal bone loss (MBL), and tooth loss (TL) for teeth involved in an alveolar process fracture and to identify possible risk factors.

Material and method

A total of 91 patients with 223 traumatized teeth.

Statistics

The risks of PCO, PN, RRR, IRR, ARR, MBL, and TL were analyzed separately for teeth with immature and mature root development using Kaplan–Meier and Aalen–Johansen methods. Possible risk factors for PN (age, fracture in relation to apex, displacement, gingival injury, degree of repositioning, type of splint, duration of splinting, treatment delay, and antibiotics) were analyzed for mature teeth using Cox regression. The level of significance was 5%.

Results

Immature: No severe complications (PN, IRR, ARR, MBL, or TL) were diagnosed during follow up. Mature: Estimated risk after a 10‐year follow up: PN: 56% (95% confidence interval (CI): 48.1–63.9), IRR: 2.5% (95% CI: 0–5.1), ARR: 2.1% (95% CI: 0.1–4.1), MBL: 2.4% (95% CI: 0.3–4.4), and TL: 7.8% (95% CI: 0–15.7). The following factors significantly increased the risk of PN in teeth with mature root development: fracture in relation to apex (hazard ratio (HR): 2.6 (95% CI: 0.2 – 5.7), P = 0.01), displacement in the horizontal part of the fracture >2 mm (HR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.1–3.2, P = 0.03), incomplete repositioning (HR: 2.1 (95% CI: 1.3–3.5), P = 0.003), and age >30 years (HR: 2.3 (95% CI: 1.1–4.6), P = 0.02). The type of splint (rigid or flexible), the duration of splinting (more or less than 4 weeks), and the administration of antibiotics did not affect the risk of PN.

Conclusion

Teeth involved in alveolar process fractures appear, apart from PN, to have a good prognosis. A conservative treatment approach is recommended.
Does soil amended with biochar and hydrochar reduce ammonia emissions following the application of pig slurry?
Authors: Subedi R. , Kammann C. , Pelissetti S. , Taupe N. , Bertora C. , Monaco S. , Grignani C.
Published: October 2015

Combining amendments to the soil made by biochar or hydrochar with nitrogen (N) fertilizer can modify soil N dynamics and availability. Such a response suggests that these amendments would affect ammonia (NH3) emissions from slurry similarly, and potentially reduce volatilization of NH3. This study measured the potential emissions of NH3 following application of pig slurry to the surface of silt‐loam and loam soils amended with biochar and hydrochar (both derived from Miscanthus × giganteus (Greef et Deu)) at a rate of 3% soil dry weight (16 t ha−1 soil area, on average) and 60% water‐filled pore space (WFPS). The experiment was carried out in a dynamic chamber connected to a photo‐acoustic trace gas analyser in a controlled climate (20°C) for 48 hours. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in total emissions were observed between both treatment and soil types. Surprisingly, both amendments increased emissions of NH3 compared with the control; cumulative NH3 emissions averaged 38.7 and 23.5% of applied total ammonium nitrogen (TAN) for hydrochar and biochar, respectively, whereas it was 18.2% for the control. The larger emissions in hydrochar‐amended soil were attributed to the reduced ability to absorb NH4+ associated with greater hydrophobicity and strong pH buffering of the slurry. Furthermore, final soil analyses with deionised water extracts showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in mineral N concentration between treatments. The smaller ammonium concentrations in biochar‐amended soil suggest that some NH4+‐N was immobilized by adsorption on to biochar surfaces. This study observed that biochar and hydrochar properties, as well as soil characteristics, play important roles in controlling NH3 emissions from surface slurry applications. The results obtained identified circumstances where these amendments even enhance volatilization, which provides new information on and insight into the extent and limitations of the potential of biochar and hydrochar for the mitigation of emissions.
Supernumerary cheek tooth in a Byzantine horse from Theodosius Harbour, Istanbul, Turkey
Authors: Pasicka E. , Onar V. , Dixon P. M.
Published: October 2015

The subject was a mandible belonging to a morphologically mature horse of the late Byzantium period, discovered during excavations at Theodosius Harbour in Istanbul, Turkey that had a developmental molar tooth abnormality, i.e. a supernumerary molar tooth. This is an interesting case due to the rarity of supernumerary molars in archaeozoological materials, and also because it is the only such case of equid polydontia from the late Byzantium period from that archaeological site.
Aggravated phosphorus limitation on biomass production under increasing nitrogen loading: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Yong , Niu Shuli , Yu Guirui
Published: October 2015

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), either individually or in combination, have been demonstrated to limit biomass production in terrestrial ecosystems. Field studies have been extensively synthesized to assess global patterns of N impacts on terrestrial ecosystem processes. However, to our knowledge, no synthesis has been done so far to reveal global patterns of P impacts on terrestrial ecosystems, especially under different nitrogen (N) levels. Here, we conducted a meta‐analysis of impacts of P addition, either alone or with N addition, on aboveground (AGB) and belowground biomass production (BGB), plant and soil P concentrations, and N : P ratio in terrestrial ecosystems. Overall, our meta‐analysis quantitatively confirmed existing notions: (i) colimitation of N and P on biomass production and (ii) more P limitation in tropical forest than other ecosystems. More importantly, our analysis revealed new findings: (i) P limitation on biomass production was aggravated by N enrichment and (ii) plant P concentration was a better indicator of P limitation than soil P availability. Specifically, P addition increased AGB and BGB by 34% and 13%, respectively. The effect size of P addition on biomass production was larger in tropical forest than grassland, wetland, and tundra and varied with P fertilizer forms, P addition rates, or experimental durations. The P‐induced increase in biomass production and plant P concentration was larger under elevated than ambient N. Our findings suggest that the global limitation of P on biomass production will become severer under increasing N fertilizer and deposition in the future.