bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treading on sacred ground? Confronting the Anzac myth in higher education
Authors: Kilmister Michael , Bennett James , Ford Margot , Debenham Jennifer
Published: August 2017

The Anzac legend, with its firm grip on popular abstractions of Australian history, nationhood, and identity, incites trepidation in the university History teacher like few other topics. Casting a critical eye over the Anzac metanarrative can also be disquieting for students unfamiliar with scholarly History and method because their conceptions of identity, both individual and national, are disrupted. In the tertiary classroom, popular understandings collide not only with scholarship but also with professional and ethical requirements. In a generic History course, which includes many teacher education students, our trepidation to teach Anzac is highlighted. We argue that many young people belong to a state‐sanctioned conceptualisation of Anzac. This highly nationalistic interpretation is partly reinforced in schools, by certain sections of the media as well as other corporate and political interests. Prompted by the centenary of Anzac, the article suggests that an appreciation of students' existing knowledge and conceptions of the subject become the starting point for engaging with such a contentious topic. This is especially important because the Anzac legend is an evolving, malleable myth that means different things to different people. The article argues that eliciting students' views on Anzac as an entry point enables tertiary teachers to craft strategies to overcome the resilience of the myth.
The Kingdom of Upper Burgundy and the East Frankish Kingdom at the beginning of the 10th century
Authors: Hauff Andrea
Published: August 2017

Although the source base concerning the Kingdom of Upper Burgundy in general is limited, contacts to the East Frankish Kingdom are documented in considerable proportion. This article takes a closer look at the special relationship between Upper Burgundy and the East Frankish Kingdom and analyses which role the Kingdom of Upper Burgundy played among the post‐Carolingian kingdoms at the beginning of the 10th century. It focuses on the reign of Rudolph II of Upper Burgundy (912–937), as the beginning of his reign in 912 almost coincides with that of Conrad I (911–918), the first non‐Carolingian ruler of the East Frankish Kingdom. First, the historical development of the Kingdom of Upper Burgundy and its ruling dynasty, the Rudolfians, is roughly sketched out. Next, the article provides an overview of political interactions between the Kingdom of Upper Burgundy and the East Frankish Kingdom during the reign of Rudolph II of Upper Burgundy, dealing, in particular, with the transfer of the Holy Lance. Finally, by exceeding the narrow conceptual framework of vassalage, this article suggests to reassess the complex relationship between the Kingdom of Upper Burgundy and the East Frankish Kingdom.
Quarantined histories: Sindh and the question of historiography in Colonial India—Part II
Authors: Asif Manan Ahmed
Published: August 2017

This essay examines histories of colonial British India and the annexation of Sindh in 1843 from two perspective. The first is the colonial historiographic project that frames the history of Islam in India, creates an archive for its study, and produces the political and military dominance of Sindh. Fundamentally, it argues that Muslims in India cannot produce their own histories for they lack the language and archives for scientific objectivity. In response, a set of Indian intellectuals take on the project of writing histories of Sindh from the 1890s to 1950s. These histories are written in direct dialogue with the colonial archive and insist on their engagement with social scientific methodologies and tools. In re‐thinking this past, the essay argues that vernacular historiography was itself deemed un‐scientific by modern South Asian historians and abandoned as not “proper history.” This essay thus reflects on the after‐effects of a truncated conversation on history for both anti‐colonial thought and histories of anti‐colonialism.
Jewish Morocco: Religious and national identity during the French Protectorate
Authors: Hissong Kristin
Published: August 2017

This article explores the complex layers of religious and national identity among Moroccan Jews during the French Protectorate, 1912–1956. Self‐assigned or state‐applied identity labels and language do not help to account for the diversity of nations or members of nation‐states. If one refers to the “Arab people,” this term does not reflect the diverse ethnic, religious, and national groups among this label. Located geographically and demographically between Africa and the Middle East and, equally, the Arab world and Europe, Morocco highlights the coming together of multiple identities and narratives. Though the Morocco of 1956, and the years leading to independence, came to construct and develop a religious and national identity that centered on Arab‐Islamic notions of its past and present, French Protectorate Morocco was a heterogeneous society comprised of Berber, Jewish, Muslim, and colonial influences that complicate an Arab‐Islamic understanding of this time. In the years since independence, scholars have built a considerable body of literature on the topic of Protectorate‐era Morocco and its Jewish communities. This article presents a thorough reading and understanding of the existing body of literature on Jewish Morocco and highlights key gaps that demand further investigation and representation.
Assessing the practice of palliative care doctors: what driving advice do they give patients with advanced disease?
Authors: Weir Nashringi , Fischer Amanda , Good Phillip
Published: August 2017

Background

There is little research and no clear guidelines for clinicians to follow when instructing patients with advanced disease about driving.

Aims

To investigate current practice in providing advice to patients with advanced disease and identify areas of consensus or variation with the Australian driving guidelines.

Methods

An online survey was distributed to Australian members of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results

The survey was distributed to 322 Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine members and received 92 responses (29% response rate). Most respondents were aware of the driving guidelines (76%) and about half of the respondents had read the driving guidelines (55%). The majority of respondents had been asked to provide advice about driving to their patient or patient's caregiver (91%). Most respondents had asked a patient to stop driving (94%), but only 27% had reported a patient to the Driver Licensing Authority. Only 14% of respondents were in consensus with the guidelines in providing driving advice to a patient with asymptomatic brain metastases. Most doctors (64%) advise patients to refrain temporarily from driving post‐short‐acting oral morphine, with 4 h (36%) being the most common time period for not driving.

Conclusions

This is the first survey investigating the practice of Australian doctors in assessing fitness to drive of patients with advanced disease. The survey found wide variability in practice and substantial discordance with current driving guidelines.
The fracture toughness of inorganic glasses
Authors: Rouxel Tanguy , Yoshida Satoshi
Published: August 2017

Measuring the fracture toughness (KIc) of glasses still remains a difficult task, raising experimental and theoretical problems as well. The available methods to estimate KIc are reviewed, with emphasis on their respective advantages and drawbacks. In view of our current understanding, this analysis gives precedence to the SEPB method. The ultimate glass strength, the critical flaw size, and the indentation load for the onset of crack initiation are discussed, in the light of the fundamentals of fracture mechanics and classical background regarding the mechanics of brittle materials. Analytical expressions were further proposed to predict the fracture energy and fracture toughness of glasses from different chemical systems from their nominal compositions. The theoretical values were compared with the experimental ones, as obtained by self‐consistent methods when available. The agreement observed in most cases suggests that measured KIc values correspond to the crack propagation regime (as opposed to the crack initiation threshold), and supports previous investigations in glasses and ceramics, which showed that a crack tip is nearly atomically sharp in these materials (but for metallic glasses). Some ideas to design tougher glasses are finally presented.
Nano Ca(OH)2synthesis using a cost‐effective and innovative method: Reactivity study
Authors: Taglieri Giuliana , Daniele Valeria , Macera Ludovico , Mondelli Claudia
Published: August 2017

Ca(OH)2nanoparticles in hydro‐alcoholic dispersion (nanolime) are currently used for eco‐compatible treatments of carbonate‐based substrates in the field of Cultural Heritage conservation. Unfortunately, at present nanolime is synthesized by processes which present some drawbacks (considerable cost, multiple steps, low specific production yield), thus limiting the potential of its applications. We have developed a single‐step procedure, based on an ion exchange process, making it possible to produce pure and crystalline Ca(OH)2nanoparticles easily in water, at room temperature and ambient pressure, starting from cheap or renewable reactants. The simplicity of the process and its time‐ and energy‐saving aspects are very promising factors for extending the production from laboratory to industrial scale. The aim of this paper is to investigate the structural and morphological features of the nanoparticles produced and to analyze the influence of crucial parameters of the synthesis process (i.e., time, water usage, reagent concentration and reaction volume) on the nanoparticles’ characteristics. The nanolime produced is investigated byXRD,FTIR,TEM, andAFMtechniques. The nanoparticle reactivity in the carbonation process is also investigated, by varying the suspension concentration, the solvent and relative humidity conditions. Pure, crystalline, and very reactive Ca(OH)2nanoparticles are obtained. The nanoparticles are constituted of thin lamellas, composed of primary hexagonal nanoparticles <10 nm, irrespective of time, water employed, reagents concentration, and reaction volume.
Structural and piezoelectric properties of <001> textured PZT‐PZNN piezoelectric ceramics
Authors: Lee Tae‐Gon , Lee Ho‐Jun , Park Su‐jin , Lee Tae‐Ho , Kim Dae‐hyeon , Hong Chang‐Hyo , Xu HaiBo , Kang Chong‐Yun , Nahm Sahn
Published: August 2017

Rhombohedral 0.69Pb(Zr0.47Ti0.53)‐0.31Pb(Zn0.6Ni0.4)NbO3 (PZT‐PZNN) ceramics were textured using 10.0 vol. % BaTiO3 (BT) platelets along the <001> direction at 950°C with a high Lotgering factor of 95.3%. BT platelets did not react with the PZT‐PZNN ceramics, and the textured PZT‐PZNN ceramic had a tetragonal structure. The PZT‐PZNN ceramics exhibited a strain of 0.174% with a piezoelectric strain constant (d*33) of 580 pC/N at 3.0 kV/mm. The textured PZT‐PZNN ceramic showed an increased strain of 0.276% and d*33 of 920 pC/N at 3.0 kV/mm, which can be explained by the domain rotation. However, the d33 values of the textured specimens are smaller than those of the untextured specimens because of the small remanent polarization and relative dielectric constant of BT platelets. The textured PZT‐PZNN ceramic synthesized in this work can be used for piezoelectric multilayer actuators because of its large strain and low sintering temperature.
Looking forward to helping: The effects of prospection on prosocial intentions and behavior
Authors: Baumsteiger Rachel
Published: August 2017

Three experiments were conducted to further examine how prospection (i.e., thinking about the future) fosters prosociality. In Study 1 (n = 238), participants who wrote about the future expressed significantly stronger prosocial intentions than people who wrote about the past. In a similar study (n = 87), participants who wrote about the future were significantly more likely to behave prosocially than those who wrote about the past. In Study 3 (n = 203), mediational analyses revealed that prospection and optimism each predicted positive affect, which then predicted stronger prosocial intentions. These findings extend previous work by demonstrating that prospection enhances general prosocial intentions, that this effect extends to prosocial behavior, and that the effect is partially mediated by positive affect.
Refining expectations for environmental characteristics of refugia: two ranges of differing elevation and topographical complexity are mesic refugia in an arid landscape
Authors: Byrne Margaret , Millar Melissa A. , Coates David J. , Macdonald Bronwyn M. , McArthur Shelley M. , Zhou Michael , van Leeuwen Stephen
Published: August 2017

Aim

Topographically complex areas are hypothesized to be mesic refugia in arid environments during periods of climatic change. We tested the hypothesis that an elevated and topographically complex range has been a historical refugium in an arid environment during Pleistocene climatic oscillations for a widespread eucalypt.

Location

Pilbara region, north‐west Australia.

Methods

We evaluated genetic diversity and differentiation in chloroplast and nuclear genomes using microsatellite loci in 20 populations of Eucalyptus leucophloia from across the distribution in the Pilbara bioregion, including two ranges with differing topographical complexity and elevation. We evaluated phylogeographical structure using Permut and Network analysis, and assessed genetic structure using principle coordinate (PCoA) and Bayesian analyses.

Results

We found moderate levels of genetic diversity and low genetic differentiation among populations, typical of widespread eucalypts. There was no evidence of genetic structure across the sampled range. Populations in both the Hamersley and Chichester ranges showed higher levels of chloroplast haplotype and nuclear diversity than those in surrounding areas. Diversity was negatively correlated with evapotranspiration, and positively correlated with precipitation.

Main conclusions

Genetic signals of high diversity and low differentiation indicated population persistence throughout historical climate change in ranges, with a signal of expansion in surrounding areas. Our analysis was consistent with the hypothesis of the elevated, topographically complex Hamersley Range acting as a refugium, but revealed an unexpected result of the lower elevation, less rugged Chichester Range also being a refugium. Our results suggest refinement to expectations of environmental characteristics that facilitate persistence, where thresholds of mesic environments for refugia may be lower than expected and moisture availability may be an important contributory aspect of elevation and topographical complexity. In contrast to patterns in reptile species, lack of genetic structure associated with geological substrate and geomorphological features indicates dispersal is not impeded by these landscape features for this widespread eucalypt.
Evaluation of outpatient therapeutic programme (OTP) for treatment of severe acute malnutrition in Yemen: a focus on treatment default and its risk factors
Authors: Al Amad Mohammed , Al‐Eryani Lina , Al Serouri Abdulwahed , Khader Yousef S.
Published: August 2017

Objectives

This study aimed to measure the treatment default rate among children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) who were admitted to the outpatient therapeutic programme (OTP) in Yemen and determine its risk factors.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted among children with SAM who were newly admitted to the 11 OTPs in primary health centres of Sana'a city. A pretested semistructured questionnaire was used for data collection at admission and at after 2 months of admission to the OTP. Univariate and multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression were used to analyse the risk factors of treatment default.

Results

This study included 339 SAM children. Of those, 186 (55%) children discharged as defaulters, 141 (42%) were cured, and 12 (3%) were transferred to other treatment sites. Many factors related to poor accessibility, poor satisfaction with staff and system, and treatment and acceptability of OTP services factors were significantly associated with treatment default. Having difficulty to attend OTP every week (OR 8.4), unavailability of medication during follow‐up visits (OR 5.0), not liking to eat Plumpy'Nut (OR 5.8), and not gaining weight since the start of treatment (OR 9.3) were the strongest predictors of treatment default.

Conclusions

This study showed a high default rate among SAM children in Sana'a city. Factors related to poor accessibility, poor satisfaction with staff and system, and factors related to treatment and acceptability of OTP services were significantly associated with high default rate. Expansion of OTP services and training OTPs staff on SAM treatment protocols are highly recommended.
Comparison of different polishing methods on the surface roughness of microhybrid, microfill, and nanofill composite resins
Authors: Moda Mariana D. , Godas André Gustavo de L. , Fernandes Juliana C. , Suzuki Thaís Y. U. , Guedes Ana Paula A. , Briso André L. F. , Bedran‐Russo Ana Karina , dos Santos Paulo H.
Published: August 2017

Aim

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different polishing methods on the surface roughness of resin‐based composites subjected to a thermocycling procedure.

Methods

A total of 192 specimens were divided into 24 groups, according to composite materials (Filtek Z250, Point 4, Renamel Nanofill, Filtek Supreme Plus, Renamel Microfill, and Premise) and finishing and polishing systems (Sof‐Lex Pop On, Super Snap, Flexidisc, and Flexidisc+Enamelize). The specimens were subjected to thermocycling (5000 cycles).

Results

Filtek Supreme Plus showed the lowest surface roughness values before thermocycling. After thermocycling, Filtek Supreme Plus continued to have the lowest surface roughness, with a statistically‐significant difference for the other materials. After thermocycling, there was no statistically‐significant difference among all the polishing techniques studied.

Conclusions

The thermocycling was concluded as being able to change composite resins' surface roughness, whereas different finishing and polishing methods did not result in surface roughness changes after thermocycling.
Electricity Intensity of Internet Data Transmission: Untangling the Estimates
Authors: Aslan Joshua , Mayers Kieren , Koomey Jonathan G. , France Chris
Published: August 2017

In order to understand the electricity use of Internet services, it is important to have accurate estimates for the average electricity intensity of transmitting data through the Internet (measured as kilowatt‐hours per gigabyte [kWh/GB]). This study identifies representative estimates for the average electricity intensity of fixed‐line Internet transmission networks over time and suggests criteria for making accurate estimates in the future. Differences in system boundary, assumptions used, and year to which the data apply significantly affect such estimates. Surprisingly, methodology used is not a major source of error, as has been suggested in the past. This article derives criteria to identify accurate estimates over time and provides a new estimate of 0.06 kWh/GB for 2015. By retroactively applying our criteria to existing studies, we were able to determine that the electricity intensity of data transmission (core and fixed‐line access networks) has decreased by half approximately every 2 years since 2000 (for developed countries), a rate of change comparable to that found in the efficiency of computing more generally.
Insights into the complexity of crustal differentiation: K2O‐poor leucosomes within metasedimentary migmatites from the Southern Marginal Zone of the Limpopo Belt, South Africa
Authors: Nicoli G. , Stevens G. , Moyen J‐F. , Vezinet A. , Mayne M.
Published: August 2017

Differentiation of the continental crust is the result of complex interactions between a large number of processes, which govern partial melting of the deep crust, magma formation and segregation, and magma ascent to significantly higher crustal levels. The anatectic metasedimentary rocks exposed in the Southern Marginal Zone of the Limpopo Belt represent an unusually well‐exposed natural laboratory where the portion of these processes that operate in the deep crust can be directly investigated in the field. The formation of these migmatites occurred via absent incongruent melting reactions involving biotite, which produced cm‐ to m‐scale, K2O‐poor garnet‐bearing stromatic leucosomes, with high Ca/Na ratios relative to their source rocks. Field investigation combined with geochemical analyses, and phase equilibrium modelling designed to investigate some aspects of disequilibrium partial melting show that the outcrop features and compositions of the leucosomes suggest several steps in their evolution: (1) Melting of a portion of the source, with restricted plagioclase availability due to kinetic controls, to produce a magma (melt + entrained peritectic minerals in variable proportions relative to melt); (2) Segregation of the magma at near peak metamorphic conditions into melt accumulation sites (MAS), also known as future leucosome; (3a) Re‐equilibration of the magma with a portion of the bounding mafic residuum via chemical diffusion (H2O, K2O), which triggers the co‐precipitation of quartz and plagioclase in the MAS; (3b) Extraction of melt‐dominated magma to higher crustal levels, leaving peritectic minerals entrained from the site of the melting reaction, and the minerals precipitated in the MASs to form the leucosome in the source. The key mechanism controlling this behaviour is the kinetically induced restriction of the amount of plagioclase available to the melting reaction. This results in elevated melt H2O and K2O and chemical potential gradient for these components across the leucosome/mafic residuum contact. The combination of all of these processes accurately explains the composition of the K2O‐poor leucosomes. These findings have important implications for our understanding of melt segregation in the lower crust and minimum melt residency time which, according to the chemical modelling, is <5 years. We demonstrate that in some migmatitic granulites, the leucosomes constitute a type of felsic refractory residuum, rather than evidence of failed magma extraction. This provides a new insight into the ways that source heterogeneity may control anatexis.
Vertebral column regionalisation in Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Authors: De Clercq A. , Perrott M. R. , Davie P. S. , Preece M. A. , Wybourne B. , Ruff N. , Huysseune A. , Witten P. E.
Published: August 2017

Teleost vertebral centra are often similar in size and shape, but vertebral‐associated elements, i.e. neural arches, haemal arches and ribs, show regional differences. Here we examine how the presence, absence and specific anatomical and histological characters of vertebral centra‐associated elements can be used to define vertebral column regions in juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). To investigate if the presence of regions within the vertebral column is independent of temperature, animals raised at 8 and 12 °C were studied at 1400 and 1530 degreedays, in the freshwater phase of the life cycle. Anatomy and composition of the skeletal tissues of the vertebral column were analysed using Alizarin red S whole‐mount staining and histological sections. Six regions, termed I–VI, are recognised in the vertebral column of specimens of both temperature groups. Postcranial vertebrae (region I) carry neural arches and parapophyses but lack ribs. Abdominal vertebrae (region II) carry neural arches and ribs that articulate with parapophyses. Elastic‐ and fibrohyaline cartilage and Sharpey's fibres connect the bone of the parapophyses to the bone of the ribs. In the transitional region (III) vertebrae carry neural arches and parapophyses change stepwise into haemal arches. Ribs decrease in size, anterior to posterior. Vestigial ribs remain attached to the haemal arches with Sharpey's fibres. Caudal vertebrae (region IV) carry neural and haemal arches and spines. Basidorsals and basiventrals are small and surrounded by cancellous bone. Preural vertebrae (region V) carry neural and haemal arches with modified neural and haemal spines to support the caudal fin. Ural vertebrae (region VI) carry hypurals and epurals that represent modified haemal and neural arches and spines, respectively. The postcranial and transitional vertebrae and their respective characters are usually recognised, but should be considered as regions within the vertebral column of teleosts because of their distinctive morphological characters. While the number of vertebrae within each region can vary, each of the six regions is recognised in specimens of both temperature groups. This refined identification of regionalisation in the vertebral column of Chinook salmon can help to address evolutionary developmental and functional questions, and to support applied research into this farmed species.
Why Do Investors Hold Socially Responsible Mutual Funds?
Authors: RIEDL ARNO , SMEETS PAUL
Published: August 2017

To understand why investors hold socially responsible mutual funds, we link administrative data to survey responses and behavior in incentivized experiments. We find that both social preferences and social signaling explain socially responsible investment (SRI) decisions. Financial motives play less of a role. Socially responsible investors in our sample expect to earn lower returns on SRI funds than on conventional funds and pay higher management fees. This suggests that investors are willing to forgo financial performance in order to invest in accordance with their social preferences.
Retracted: Firm Adaptation, Preadaptation, and Sequential Ambidexterity in Firm Boundaries During an Era of Ferment and an Era of Incremental Change
Authors: Patel Chirag , Husairi Mariyani Ahmad
Published: August 2017

The above article, published online on 31 July 2017, in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by the journal’s Editor‐in‐Chief, Gloria Barczak, the Product Development and Management Association, and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The retraction has been agreed due to the unattributed overlap with a previously published article, authored by the corresponding author (Patel, C. and Haon, C. (2014), The Complementary Role of Branding. European Management Review, 11: 173‐186. https://doi.org/10.1111/emre.12029), and inconsistencies in construct names within the article.
Differences in the Mathematics‐Vocabulary Knowledge of Fifth‐Grade Students With and Without Learning Difficulties
Authors: Forsyth Suzanne R. , Powell Sarah R.
Published: August 2017

The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the impact of mathematics and reading learning difficulties on the mathematics‐vocabulary understanding of fifth‐grade students. Students (n = 114) completed three measures: mathematics computation, general vocabulary, and mathematics vocabulary. Based on performance on the mathematics computation and general vocabulary measures, students were categorized with no learning difficulty (i.e., typical), mathematics difficulty without reading difficulty (MD‐only), reading difficulty without mathematics difficulty (RD‐only), and combined mathematics and reading difficulties (MDRD). On the mathematics‐vocabulary measure, students with MD‐only or RD‐only scored significantly lower than typical students, and students with MDRD demonstrated significantly lower performance than students with MD‐only or RD‐only.
Impact of monopolar TURP, bipolar TURP and photoselective vaporization of prostate for enlarged prostate on erectile function
Authors: Vasudeva Pawan , Kumar Niraj , Kumar Anup , Kumar Gaurav , Patel Mikir , Gupta Pankaj
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To compare monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), bipolar TURP and photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) by 120‐W GreenLight laser with regard to the impact on International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)‐5 score in patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to prostate >80 mL.

Methods

Between April 2012 and March 2015, 110 patients who satisfied eligibility criteria were divided into three groups according to surgical modality adopted to treat benign prostatic enlargement. Preoperative, perioperative, and follow‐up data were collected. The three groups were as follows: group A, monopolar TURP; group B, bipolar TURP; and group C, PVP.

Results

The baseline characteristics of the three groups were similar. All the perioperative parameters were significantly favorable in group C compared with the other two groups, except for mean operative time, which was significantly higher in group C. International Prostate Symptom Score, postvoid residual urine, maximum flow rate and quality of life score had significant and similar improvement during follow up in all three groups. Also, prostate volume reduced significantly in all three groups following surgery, but it remained significantly higher in group C patients compared with groups A and B. Mean IIEF‐5 score was similar between the three groups at baseline and during each of the follow‐up visits. Groups A, B and C had declines of 3.27% (P = 0.34), 2.68% (P = 0.40) and 3.36% (P = 0.35), respectively, in mean IIEF‐5 score at 12‐month follow up compared with baseline.

Conclusions

Monopolar TURP, bipolar TURP and PVP by 120‐W GreenLight laser for prostate size >80 mL do not have a significant impact on IIEF‐5 score at 12‐month follow up.
Evolution of defence cocktails: Antimicrobial peptide combinations reduce mortality and persistent infection
Authors: Zanchi Caroline , Johnston Paul R. , Rolff Jens
Published: August 2017

The simultaneous expression of costly immune effectors such as multiple antimicrobial peptides is a hallmark of innate immunity of multicellular organisms, yet the adaptive advantage remains unresolved. Here, we test current hypotheses on the evolution of such defence cocktails. We use RNAi gene knock‐down to explore, the effects of three highly expressed antimicrobial peptides, displaying different degrees of activity in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus, during an infection in the beetle Tenebrio molitor. We find that a defensin confers no survival benefit but reduces bacterial loads. A coleoptericin contributes to host survival without affecting bacterial loads. An attacin has no individual effect. Simultaneous knock‐down of the defensin with the other AMPs results in increased mortality and elevated bacterial loads. Contrary to common expectations, the effects on host survival and bacterial load can be independent. The expression of multiple AMPs increases host survival and contributes to the control of persisting infections and tolerance. This is an emerging property that explains the adaptive benefit of defence cocktails.
Effect of intragastric FODMAP infusion on upper gastrointestinal motility, gastrointestinal, and psychological symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome vs healthy controls
Authors: Masuy I. , Van Oudenhove L. , Tack J. , Biesiekierski J. R.
Published: August 2017

Background

The low fermentable oligo‐, di‐, mono‐saccharides and polyol (FODMAP) diet is a treatment strategy to reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Acute effects of FODMAPs on upper gastrointestinal motility are incompletely understood. Our objectives were to assess the acute effects of intragastric FODMAP infusions on upper gastrointestinal motility and gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms in healthy controls (HC) and IBS patients.

Methods

A high‐resolution solid‐state manometry probe and an infusion tube were positioned into the stomach. Fructans, fructose, FODMAP mix, or glucose was intragastrically administered to HC, and fructans or glucose was administered to IBS patients until full satiation (score 0‐5), in a randomized crossover fashion. Manometric measurements continued for 3 hours. Gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms were assessed by questionnaires at predefined time points. The study was registered on www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02980406).

Key Results

Twenty HC and 20 IBS patients were included. Fructans induced higher postprandial gastric pressures compared with glucose over both groups (P<.001). Bloating, belching, and pain increased more in IBS over both carbohydrates (P<.041). In addition, IBS patients reported more flatulence and cramps compared with HC following fructans (P<.001). Glucose induced more fatigue and dominance compared with fructans (P=.028, P=.001). Irritable bowel syndrome patients reported a higher increase in anger (P=.030) and a stronger decrease in positive affect (P=.021).

Conclusions & Inferences

The upper gastrointestinal motility response varies between carbohydrates. Irritable bowel syndrome patients are more sensitive to fructan infusion, reflected in their higher gastrointestinal symptom scores. Acute carbohydrate infusion can have differential psychological effects in IBS and HC.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia without favorable cytogenetics
Authors: Suh Jin Kyung , Lee Seong Wook , Koh Kyung‐Nam , Im Ho Joon , Choi Eun Seok , Jang Seongsoo , Park Chan‐Jeoung , Seo Jong Jin
Published: August 2017

Intensified chemotherapy, HSCT, and supportive care improve the survival of pediatric patients with AML. However, no consensus has been reached regarding the role of HSCT in patients without favorable cytogenetics. We evaluated OS and EFS according to prognostic factors that affect clinical outcomes, including cytogenetics risk group, conditioning regimen, donor type, disease status at the time of HSCT, and number of chemotherapy cycles prior to HSCT in 65 pediatric patients with AML without favorable cytogenetics who underwent HSCT. Fifteen of the 65 patients died: three of TRM and 12 of disease‐related mortality. The 5‐year OS and EFS were 78.0% and 72.0%, respectively, and the 5‐year cumulative relapse and TRM rates were 26.9% and 5.1%, respectively. Survival rates were not influenced by cytogenetic group (intermediated vs. poor), donor type (related vs. unrelated), transplant type (myeloablative vs. reduced‐intensity conditioning), or number of pretransplant chemotherapy cycles (≤3 vs. >3 cycles). The low TRM rate and encouraging outcomes suggest that HSCT may be a feasible treatment for pediatric patients with AML without favorable cytogenetics.
A case of Chediak‐Higashi syndrome presented with accelerated phase could be treated effectively by unrelated cord blood transplantation
Authors: Zhang Yan , Gao Zhiyong , Yu Xinjian
Published: August 2017

CHS is a rare immunodeficiency syndrome with defects in the functions of cytotoxic cells and neutrophils. Approximately 85% of patients with CHS undergo an AP within the first decade, which is similar to FHLH. Chemotherapy could induce transient remission, but only allogeneic HCT could correct the underlying genetic defect and prevent relapse. We reported a case of CHS diagnosed at 19 months, who had an elder brother who had previously succumbed to the same disease. The little girl presented with severe AP manifestations including recurrent high fever, enlarged superficial lymph nodes, and extraordinary hepatosplenomegaly occupying the whole abdominal and pelvic cavity. Comprehensive therapies including HLH 2004 protocol, supportive care, and antibiotics, especially antituberculous agents, were given to her to induce remission. After remission, the patient received fully HLA‐matched UCBT. The transplantation course was uneventful, except for fluctuation of donor chimerism. The patient has been alive for 36 months without infection and neurologic manifestations and is under further follow‐up. Our result provides another case that UCBT can be effective for treating patients with CHS and remission before HCT is important for good prognosis.
Heteranthery as a solution to the demand for pollen as food and for pollination – Legitimate flower visitors reject flowers without feeding anthers
Authors: Mesquita‐Neto J. N. , Costa B. K. P. , Schlindwein C.
Published: August 2017

Heteranthery, the presence of feeding and pollinating anthers in the same flower, seems to mediate the evolutionary dilemma for plants to protect their gametes and yet provide food for pollinators. This study aims to elucidate the role of heteranthery in the buzz‐pollinated Senna reniformis.

The fecundity of pollen from long‐, medium‐ and short‐sized anthers was determined by hand cross‐pollination experiments, and the quantity, size, ornamentation and viability of pollen of different anthers were compared. Rates of flower rejection by bees were measured in anther removal experiments to assess the preferences of flower visitors for feeding or pollinating anthers.

Large bees, which were the effective pollinators of self‐incompatible S. reniformis, avoided flowers without short feeding anthers, but not those without medium or long anthers. Illegitimate small and medium‐sized bees were unresponsive to anther exclusion experiments. Long anthers deposited pollen on the back and short anthers on the venter of large bees. Pollen from long anthers had higher in vitro viability and higher fruit and seed set after cross‐pollination than pollen from other sized anthers.

Short anthers produce feeding pollen to effective pollinators and long anthers are related to pollination of S. reniformis. Bee behaviour and size was found to directly influence the role of anthers in the ‘division of labour’. Only large bee pollinators that carry the pollinating pollen from long anthers in ‘safe sites’ associated short anthers with the presence of food. In the absence of these larger bee pollinators, the role of heteranthery in S. reniformis would be strongly compromised and its function would be lost.
Dissecting seed dormancy and germination in Aquilegia barbaricina, through thermal kinetics of embryo growth
Authors: Porceddu M. , Mattana E. , Pritchard H. W. , Bacchetta G.
Published: August 2017

Threshold‐based thermal time models provide insight into the physiological switch from the dormant to the non‐dormant germinating seed.

This approach was used to quantify the different growth responses of the embryo of seeds purported to have morphophysiological dormancy (MPD) through the complex phases of dormancy release and germination. Aquilegia barbaricina seeds were incubated at constant temperatures (10–25 °C) and 25/10 °C, without pre‐treatment, after warm+cold stratification (W+C) and GA3 treatment. Embryo growth was assessed and the time of testa and endosperm rupture scored. Base temperatures (Tb) and thermal times for 50% (θ50) of embryo growth and seed germination were calculated.

W+C enabled slow embryo growth. W+C and GA3 promoted rapid embryo growth and subsequent radicle emergence. The embryo internal growth base temperature (Tbe) was ca. 5 °C for W+C and GA3‐treated seeds. GA3 treatment also resulted in similar Tb estimates for radicle emergence. The thermal times for embryo growth (θe50) and germination (θg50) were four‐ to six‐fold longer in the presence of GA3 compared to W+C.

A. barbaricina is characterised by a multi‐step seed germination. The slow embryo growth during W+C reflects continuation of the maternal programme of development, whilst the thermal kinetics of both embryo and radicle growth after the removal of physiological dormancy are distinctly different. The effects of W+C on the multiphasic germination response in MPD seeds are only partially mimicked by 250 mg·l−1 GA3. The thermal time approach could be a valid tool to model thermal kinetics of embryo growth and radicle protrusion.
Multiple and Counterstereotypic Categorization of Immigrants: The Moderating Role of Political Orientation on Interventions to Reduce Prejudice
Authors: Prati Francesca , Moscatelli Silvia , Pratto Felicia , Rubini Monica
Published: August 2017

Multiple and counterstereotypic categorization of outgroup members reduces prejudice towards them. The present research addresses, for the first time, the role of political orientation in moderating the impact of these strategies on prejudice reduction. Given that right‐wingers have very likely a higher need for cognitive closure compared to left‐wingers and thus may be less tolerant to social diversity, for them, increasing the complexity of outgroup members through counterstereotypic versus stereotypic or multiple versus simple categorizations should be a less effective strategy of prejudice reduction than it is for left‐wingers and moderate individuals. Results using Romanians and immigrants as outgroup targets for Italian participants supported our prediction. Further, we found that the effect of prejudice reduction was explained by the sequential mediation of increased individuation of immigrants and reduced sense of threat from them. Implications of the interplay between multiple categorization and political orientation are discussed.
Affordability of Fertility Treatments and Multiple Births in the United States
Authors: Kulkarni Aniket D. , Adashi Eli Y. , Jamieson Denise J. , Crawford Sara B. , Sunderam Saswati , Kissin Dmitry M.
Published: August 2017

Background

Affordability plays an important role in the utilisation of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and non‐IVF fertility treatments. Fertility treatments are associated with increased risk of multiple births. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between the affordability of fertility treatments across US states and the percentage of multiple births due to natural conception, non‐IVF treatments, and IVF, and the association between these percentages and state‐specific multiple birth rates.

Methods

State‐specific per capita disposable personal income and state‐specific infertility insurance mandates were used as measures of affordability. Maternal age‐adjusted percentages of multiple births due to natural conception, non‐IVF treatments, and IVF were estimated for each state using birth certificate and IVF data. Scatter plots and regression analysis were used to explore associations between state‐level measures of affordability, the percentage of multiple births due to natural conception and fertility treatments, and state‐specific multiple birth rates.

Results

In 2013, age‐adjusted contributions of natural conception, non‐IVF fertility treatments, and IVF to multiple births in US were 58.2, 22.8, and 19.0% respectively. States with greater affordability of fertility treatments had higher percentages of multiples due to IVF and lower percentages due to natural conception. Higher percentages of multiples due to IVF and lower percentages due to natural conception were associated with higher state‐specific multiple birth rates.

Conclusion

Increasing affordability of fertility treatments may increase state‐specific multiple birth rates. Policies and treatment practices encouraging single‐gestation pregnancies may help reduce multiple births resulting from these treatments.
Harnessing transcription for bioproduction in cyanobacteria
Authors: Stensjö Karin , Vavitsas Konstantinos , Tyystjärvi Taina
Published: August 2017

Sustainable production of biofuels and other valuable compounds is one of our future challenges. One tempting possibility is to use photosynthetic cyanobacteria as production factories. Currently, tools for genetic engineering of cyanobacteria are not good enough to exploit the full potential of cyanobacteria. A wide variety of expression systems will be required to adjust both the expression of heterologous enzyme(s) and metabolic routes to the best possible balance, allowing the optimal production of a particular substance. In bacteria, transcription, especially the initiation of transcription, has a central role in adjusting gene expression and thus also metabolic fluxes of cells according to environmental cues. Here we summarize the recent progress in developing tools for efficient cyanofactories, focusing especially on transcriptional regulation.
Reinventing the Wheel? Public Sector Innovation in the Age of Governance
Authors: Demircioglu Mehmet A.
Published: August 2017

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Algorithmic regulation: A critical interrogation
Authors: Yeung Karen
Published: August 2017

Innovations in networked digital communications technologies, including the rise of “Big Data,” ubiquitous computing, and cloud storage systems, may be giving rise to a new system of social ordering known as algorithmic regulation. Algorithmic regulation refers to decisionmaking systems that regulate a domain of activity in order to manage risk or alter behavior through continualcomputationalgeneration of knowledge by systematically collecting data (in real time on a continuous basis) emitted directly from numerous dynamic components pertaining to the regulated environment in order to identify and, if necessary, automatically refine (or prompt refinement of) the system's operations to attain a pre‐specified goal. This study provides a descriptive analysis of algorithmic regulation, classifying these decisionmaking systems as either reactive or pre‐emptive, and offers a taxonomy that identifies eight different forms of algorithmic regulation based on their configuration at each of the three stages of the cybernetic process: notably, at the level of standard setting (adaptive vs. fixed behavioral standards), information‐gathering and monitoring (historic data vs. predictions based on inferred data), and at the level of sanction and behavioral change (automatic execution vs. recommender systems). It maps the contours of several emerging debates surrounding algorithmic regulation, drawing upon insights from regulatory governance studies, legal critiques, surveillance studies, and critical data studies to highlight various concerns about the legitimacy of algorithmic regulation.
A multi‐label cellular automata model for land change simulation
Authors: Charif Omar , Omrani Hichem , Abdallah Fahed , Pijanowski Bryan
Published: August 2017

The use of cellular automata (CA) has for some time been considered among the most appropriate approaches for modeling land‐use changes. Each cell in a traditional CA model has a state that evolves according to transition rules, taking into consideration its own and its neighbors’ states and characteristics. Here, we present a multi‐label CA model in which a cell may simultaneously have more than one state. The model uses a multi‐label learning method—a multi‐label support vector machine, Rank‐SVM—to define the transition rules. The model was used with a multi‐label land‐use dataset for Luxembourg, built from vector‐based land‐use data using a method presented here. The proposed multi‐label CA model showed promising performance in terms of its ability to capture and model the details and complexities of changes in land‐use patterns. Applied to historical land use data, the proposed model estimated the land use change with an accuracy of 87.2% exact matching and 98.84% when including cells with a misclassification of a single label, which is comparably better than a classical multi‐class model that achieved 83.6%. The multi‐label cellular automata outperformed a model combining CA and artificial neural networks. All model goodness‐of‐fit comparisons were quantified using various performance metrics for predictive models.