bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts of fire on sources of soil CO2 efflux in a dry Amazon rain forest
Authors: Metcalfe Daniel B. , Rocha Wanderley , Balch Jennifer K. , Brando Paulo M. , Doughty Christopher E. , Malhi Yadvinder
Published: May 2018

Fire at the dry southern margin of the Amazon rainforest could have major consequences for regional soil carbon (C) storage and ecosystem carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, but relatively little information exists about impacts of fire on soil C cycling within this sensitive ecotone. We measured CO2 effluxes from different soil components (ground surface litter, roots, mycorrhizae, soil organic matter) at a large‐scale burn experiment designed to simulate a severe but realistic potential future scenario for the region (Fire plot) in Mato Grosso, Brazil, over 1 year, and compared these measurements to replicated data from a nearby, unmodified Control plot. After four burns over 5 years, soil CO2 efflux (Rs) was ~5.5 t C ha−1 year−1 lower on the Fire plot compared to the Control. Most of the Fire plot Rs reduction was specifically due to lower ground surface litter and root respiration. Mycorrhizal respiration on both plots was around ~20% of Rs. Soil surface temperature appeared to be more important than moisture as a driver of seasonal patterns in Rs at the site. Regular fire events decreased the seasonality of Rs at the study site, due to apparent differences in environmental sensitivities among biotic and abiotic soil components. These findings may contribute toward improved predictions of the amount and temporal pattern of C emissions across the large areas of tropical forest facing increasing fire disturbances associated with climate change and human activities.
Effects of climate legacies on above‐ and belowground community assembly
Authors: Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel , Eldridge David J. , Travers Samantha K. , Val James , Oliver Ian , Bissett Andrew
Published: May 2018

The role of climatic legacies in regulating community assembly of above‐ and belowground species in terrestrial ecosystems remains largely unexplored and poorly understood. Here, we report on two separate regional and continental empirical studies, including >500 locations, aiming to identify the relative importance of climatic legacies (climatic anomaly over the last 20,000 years) compared to current climates in predicting the relative abundance of ecological clusters formed by species strongly co‐occurring within two independent above‐ and belowground networks. Climatic legacies explained a significant portion of the variation in the current community assembly of terrestrial ecosystems (up to 15.4%) that could not be accounted for by current climate, soil properties, and management. Changes in the relative abundance of ecological clusters linked to climatic legacies (e.g., past temperature) showed the potential to indirectly alter other clusters, suggesting cascading effects. Our work illustrates the role of climatic legacies in regulating ecosystem community assembly and provides further insights into possible winner and loser community assemblies under global change scenarios.
Between inequality and difference: the creole world in the twenty‐first century
Authors: ERIKSEN THOMAS HYLLAND
Published: May 2018

A major theme in contemporary social theory is the questioning and destabilization of boundaries – self/other, culture/nature and gender being the most obvious areas. Not least for this reason, creole identities, ostensibly premised on openness and mixing, deserve renewed attention. Although the term creolization, as borrowed from linguistics, is sometimes used in a broad comparative sense, the creole world refers to the outcome of a particular historical experience, namely that of displacement, slavery, emancipation and its aftermath reverberating into the present. Key terms are uprootedness, cultural mixing and creole languages existing in diglossic situations with metropolitan ones. Creole intellectuals in the Caribbean have celebrated the cultural creativity characteristic of these societies but have been criticized for ignoring class, racism and gender issues. By embracing the egalitarianism and openness of creoledom, they have become vulnerable to criticism of being handmaidens of neoliberalism or neocolonialism. Controversies over creole identity are related to fundamental questions in anthropology. Drawing on material mainly from the Indian Ocean region, in this article I attempt to create a dialogue between debates over creole identity and theoretical questions raised in social and cultural theory concerning the relationship between cultural difference and social inequality.
Transgenic mice that accept Luciferase‐ or GFP‐expressing syngeneic tumor cells at high efficiencies
Authors: Aoyama Naoki , Miyoshi Hiroyuki , Miyachi Hitoshi , Sonoshita Masahiro , Okabe Masaru , Taketo Makoto Mark
Published: May 2018

Jellyfish green fluorescent protein (GFP) and firefly luciferase can serve as versatile tracking markers for identification and quantification of transplanted cancer cells in vivo. However, immune reactions against these markers can hamper the formation of syngraft tumors and metastasis that follows. Here, we report two transgenic (Tg) mouse lines that express nonfunctional mutant marker proteins, namely modified firefly luciferase (Luc2) or enhanced GFP (EGFP). These mice, named as Tg‐mLuc2 and Tg‐mEGFP, turned out to be immunologically tolerant to the respective tracking markers and thus efficiently accepted syngeneic cancer cells expressing the active forms of the markers. We then injected intrarectally the F1 hybrid Tg mice (BALB/c × C57BL/6J) with Colon‐26 (C26) colon cancer cells that originated from a BALB/c mouse. Even when C26 cells expressed active Luc2 or EGFP, they formed primary tumors in the Tg mice with only 104 cells per mouse compared with more than 106 cells required in the nontransgenic BALB/c hosts. Furthermore, we detected metastatic foci of C26 cells in the liver and lungs of the Tg mice by tracking the specific reporter activities. These results show the usefulness of the Tg mouse lines as recipients for transplantation experiments with the non‐self tracking marker‐expressing cells.
Tetragonality enhancement in BaTiO3 by mechanical activation of the starting BaCO3 and TiO2 powders: Characterization of the contribution of the mechanical activation and postmilling calcination phenomena
Authors: Moghtada Abdolmajid , Heidary Moghadam Ali , Ashiri Rouholah
Published: May 2018

By‐products including unwanted phase formation and/or unreacted starting materials are normally seen in the outcome of solid‐state synthesis approaches used in the literature for powder processing of advanced materials; this drawback requires critical attention and must be addressed in the new synthesis pathways in order to obtain quality powder products. A high energy mechanical milling approach was developed in this work. Addressing the drawback, the starting materials were mechanically activated by a high energy ball mill before their mixing step. It was found that highly pure barium titanate nanopowders with high tetragonality character are obtained using the approach developed here. The work also characterized tetragonality, role of the mechanical activation and postmilling thermal treatment on structure, phase formation and morphology of the obtained powder products. It was found that the mechanical activation accelerates the kinetic of formation of barium titanate and enhances the purity and tetragonality of the final products. The mechanism behind this achievement and the related reaction pattern are disclosed in this work. In order to obtain highly pure tetragonal barium titanate, a calcination temperature of 1173 K (900°C) after 30 hours mechanical activation is necessary; if these requirements are not satisfied, the final powder product contains impure phases and/or unreacted starting materials. The results also indicated that the processing conditions result in enhancement of tetragonality character of the final powder products. It seems that the method developed here can be used as a generalized methodology for obtaining the quality highly pure monosized nanocrystals of the mixed oxides for assembling in nanotechnology.
Quality assessment of hydroxyapatite derived from bovine bone wastes
Authors: Inyang Adijat Omowumi , Ibitoye Simeon Ademola
Published: May 2018

Musculoskeletal replacement parts are increasingly evolving globally. However, the high cost associated with these parts calls for innovative yet affordable candidate materials. Therefore, this study involves the local production of hydroxyapatite from bovine bone wastes using an unconventional drying technique and its characterization as an alternative material for bone substitutes. The bovine bones used are safe from prions or infectious diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and were further processed using calcination means that excludes possible existing disease. The results obtained from various analyses of the calcined powder confirmed the formation of HAp phase in substantial amount. The preparation was found to be economically viable and production route was time‐ and cost‐ effective.
Écart salarial entre hommes et femmes au début de la vie active: mise en évidence dans un exemple allemand
Authors: BEHR Andreas , THEUNE Katja
Published: May 2018

Les auteurs recherchent l'écart salarial entre hommes et femmes dans une population de jeunes diplômés allemands, y compris selon la position dans la distribution des salaires. Ils décomposent cet écart par la méthode à indice des compétences de DiNardo, Fortin et Lemieux (1996) et Fortin et Lemieux (1998), faisant la part entre effet de dotation, effet de prix et effet du rendement des compétences. L'analyse fait apparaître une prime salariale masculine systématique, mais plus ou moins marquée selon le quantile. En outre, les effets de dotation et de prix favorisent les hommes, annulant l'influence d'un effet du rendement des compétences favorable aux femmes.
Las diferencias salariales entre países en la Unión Europea
Authors: PEREIRA João , GALEGO Aurora
Published: May 2018

Se investigan los determinantes de las brechas salariales entre países de la Unión Europea a lo largo de la distribución salarial según la propuesta metodológica de Firpo, Fortin y Lemieux (2009) y de Fortin, Lemieux y Firpo (2011). Los efectos de estructura salarial y de composición inciden en las diferencias salariales, aunque el primero de una manera más marcada. Este efecto se deriva de las diferencias entre factores desconocidos, mientras que el efecto de composición se explica principalmente por las diferencias en materia de educación, proporción de trabajadores con responsabilidades de supervisión, estructura ocupacional y, en menor medida, estructura de la actividad económica.
Predictive power of the DASA‐IV: Variations in rating method and timescales
Authors: Nqwaku Mphindisi , Draycott Simon , Aldridge‐Waddon Luke , Bush Emma‐Louise , Tsirimokou Alexandra , Jones Dominic , Puzzo Ignazio
Published: May 2018

This project evaluated the predictive validity of the Dynamic Appraisal of Situational Aggression – Inpatient Version (DASA‐IV) in a high‐secure psychiatric hospital in the UK over 24 hours and over a single nursing shift. DASA‐IV scores from three sequential nursing shifts over a 24‐hour period were compared with the mean (average of three scores across the 24‐hour period) and peak (highest of the three scores across the 24‐hour period) scores across these shifts. In addition, scores from a single nursing shift were used to predict aggressive incidents over each of the following three shifts. The DASA‐IV was completed by nursing staff during handover meetings, rating 43 male psychiatric inpatients over a period of 6 months. Data were compared to incident reports recorded over the same period. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and generalized estimating equations assessed the predictive ability of various DASA‐IV scores over 24‐hour and single‐shift timescales. Scores from the DASA‐IV based on a single shift had moderate predictive ability for aggressive incidents occurring the next calendar day, whereas scores based on all three shifts had excellent predictive ability. DASA‐IV scores from a single shift showed moderate predictive ability for each of the following three shifts. The DASA‐IV has excellent predictive ability for aggressive incidents within a secure setting when data are summarized over a 24‐hour period, as opposed to when a single rating is taken. In addition, it has moderate value for predicting incidents over even shorter timescales.
Generalist health professional's interactions with consumers who have a mental illness in nonmental health settings: A systematic review of the qualitative research
Authors: Brunero Scott , Ramjan Lucie M. , Salamonson Yenna , Nicholls Daniel
Published: May 2018

Generalist health professionals (GHPs) or those healthcare professionals working in nonmental health facilities are increasingly being required to provide care to consumers with a mental illness. The review aimed to synthesize the qualitative research evidence on the meanings and interpretations made by GHPs (nonmental health professional) who interact with consumers with mental illness in nonmental health settings. A systematic review of the qualitative literature was undertaken for the years 1994–2016. The following electronic databases were searched: CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Sociological Abstracts. Using narrative synthesis methods, the following themes were identified: mental health knowledge (the GHPs’ knowledge level about mental illness and how this impacts their experiences and perceptions); GHPs perceive mental illness as a safety risk (GHPs concern over harm to the consumer and themselves); organizational support (the system response from the environmental design, and expert support and care); and emotional consequences of care (the feelings expressed by GHPs based on their experiences and perceptions of consumers). The results suggest that GHPs provide care in a setting which consists of multiple understandings of what care means. Efforts beyond educational initiatives such as organizational and system‐level changes will need to be implemented if we are to progress care for this consumer group.
Euthanasia and small‐population management: development of transparent processes, good governance and a practical application
Authors: Walraven E. , Andrew P. , Boyle N. , Duffy S.
Published: May 2018

The issue of euthanasia is one of the more challenging aspects of managing populations of animals in human care. The practice of animal euthanasia is a matter of sensitivity within zoos and the wider community. Decisions are centred on the ethical obligations towards the animals in our care, and the acknowledgement that individual animals matter to our staff, volunteers and visitors. In order to facilitate timely decisions in an objective way to benefit the animal population as a whole, and the need to dedicate resources towards the best possible conservation outcomes, Taronga Conservation Society Australia (Taronga) initiated a process of review in 2009. This review resulted in the development of a Euthanasia Decision Key to assist the process in an inclusive way. Taronga recognizes a responsibility not only to the welfare of the individual but also to the resilience of the animal populations in its care. In some species the resilience of a population is prioritized over the interests, but not welfare, of the individual. Taronga used a combination of considerations underpinned by the life‐history parameters of each species as a guide to formulate decisions when these interests are in potential conflict. Euthanasia is a last resort that is only applied once all other alternatives have been considered. Taronga's approach to welfare and animal care is continually evolving to ensure contemporary practice. This paper describes the decision‐making process that was developed, and the ethical underpinnings inherent within it. The approach and processes continue to evolve to remain contemporary with emerging laws, ethics and societal expectations.
Age, condition and dominance‐related sexual ornament size before and during the breeding season in the black grouse Lyrurus tetrix
Authors: Harris Sarah , Kervinen Matti , Lebigre Christophe , Pike Thomas W. , Soulsbury Carl D.
Published: May 2018

Male ornaments function as honest cues of male quality in many species and are subject to intra‐ and intersexual selection. These ornaments are generally studied during peak expression, however their size outside the breeding season may determine ultimate ornament size and costliness, and as such reproductive success. We investigated whether male black grouse Lyrurus tetrix eye comb size was related to age, condition and measures of male dominance before and during the breeding season. Total combined eye comb size began to increase ~70 d before the start of the breeding season. Adult males (aged ≥ 2 yr old) had consistently larger eye combs than younger males (1 yr old) both before and during the breeding season. Heavier and more dominant adult males (attending the lek more frequently and successfully reproducing) had larger eye combs. For younger males, those that were heavier had larger eye combs. Additionally, males that spent more time on the lek showed increased eye comb size as the breeding season approached. Overall we find that ornament size is positively related to dominance and condition before and during the breeding season. Since dominance is accrued through year‐round interactions in many species, the ability to maintain larger signals over prolonged periods, including outside of the breeding season, is likely to be beneficial for adults. For younger males, it is likely that they cannot sustain or are constrained from producing larger eye combs over long periods of time. They therefore prioritise growth of their ornaments later, and according to the amount of time they spend on the lek.
Potential age differences in the migratory behaviour of a nocturnal songbird migrant during autumn and spring
Authors: Schmaljohann Heiko , Müller Florian , Klinner Thomas , Eikenaar Cas
Published: May 2018

In migratory songbirds, older individuals are thought to be more efficient migrants than younger individuals. Age‐specific differences in migratory efficiency have been reported mainly in respect of arrival timing, energy stores, rate of energy accumulation, departure behaviour, and departure direction. Yet, these traits were rarely assessed simultaneously in a single species. We further lack information whether age‐specific differences in behavioural traits present in autumn still manifest to the same degree in spring. Here we used the northern wheatearOenanthe oenanthe, a long‐distance nocturnal songbird migrant, and investigated age‐specific differences in energy stores at capture (autumn: 1059 birds/spring: 803 birds), rate of energy accumulation (168/147), nocturnal departure timing (126/105), and departure direction (94/77) for both seasons. We found that in autumn, young northern wheatears departed significantly later in the night than older birds. This difference was not observed in spring. The resulting advance in nocturnal departure timing by young birds from autumn to spring may be due to learning based on experience gained during autumn, and/or to selective disappearance of those young individuals showing late departure times during autumn. We found no age‐specific difference in any of the other migratory traits investigated. To get a better understanding of age effects in songbird migrants, we need to study the potential adjustments of migratory behaviour within the individual over its life time. By individually tracking songbirds throughout their lifetime, we could start estimating whether a certain migratory decision (fuelling, departure, orientation) translates into higher (or lower) fitness, and whether individuals adjust their migratory behaviour based on learning from ‘wrong decisions’.
Computer‐assisted vocabulary instruction for students with disabilities: Evidence from an effect size analysis of single‐subject experimental design studies
Authors: Mize Min Kyung , Park Yujeong , Moore Tara
Published: May 2018

The purpose of this study was to synthesize the effectiveness of computer‐assisted instruction (CAI) studies aiming to increase vocabulary for students with disabilities in an effort to identify what type of CAI is promising for practice. An extensive search process with inclusion and exclusion criteria yielded a total of 13 single‐subject design studies to be included in the present study. Effect sizes were calculated using a percentage of nonoverlapping data (PND). We also analysed instructional features (e.g., visual supports, auditory supports, font/color selection, and corrective and interactive feedback) from the studies that examined effective instructional design features of CAI. Results indicated (a) the highest PND mean was for secondary school‐aged learners with disabilities; (b) both tablet‐assisted instructions and nontablet‐assisted instruction produced high PND (i.e., highly effective); and (c) although the majority of selected studies included visual and auditory supports in CAI for vocabulary, none of the studies provided opportunities for customization (e.g., student selection of colors and fonts). On the basis of the findings, implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Maternal activity, anxiety, and protectiveness during moderate nutrient restriction in captive baboons (Papio sp.)
Authors: Light Lydia E. O. , Bartlett Thad Q. , Poyas Annica , Nijland Mark J. , Huber Hillary F. , Li Cun , Keenan Kate , Nathanielsz Peter W.
Published: May 2018

Background

We hypothesized that maternal nutrient restriction (NR) would increase activity and behavioral indicators of anxiety (self‐directed behaviors, SDBs) in captive baboons (Papio sp.) and result in more protective maternal styles.

Methods

Our study included 19 adult female baboons. Seven females ate ad libitum (control group), and eight females ate 30% less (NR group) and were observed through pregnancy and lactation.

Results

Control females engage in higher rates of SDB than NR females overall (P ≤ .018) and during the prenatal period (P ≤ .001) and engage in more aggressive behavior (P ≤ .033). Control females retrieved infants more than NR females during weeks 5‐8 postpartum (P ≤ .019).

Conclusions

Lower SDB rates among prenatal NR females reduce energy expenditure and increase available resources for fetal development when nutritionally restricted. Higher infant retrieval rates by controls may indicate more infant independence rather than maternal style differences.
The transcription factor prospero homeobox protein 1 is a direct target of SoxC proteins during developmental vertebrate neurogenesis
Authors: Jacob Anne , Wüst Hannah M. , Thalhammer Johannes M. , Fröb Franziska , Küspert Melanie , Reiprich Simone , Balta Elli‐Anna , Lie D. Chichung , Wegner Michael , Sock Elisabeth
Published: May 2018

The high‐mobility‐group domain containing SoxC transcription factors Sox4 and Sox11 are expressed and required in the vertebrate central nervous system in neuronal precursors and neuroblasts. To identify genes that are widely regulated by SoxC proteins during vertebrate neurogenesis we generated expression profiles from developing mouse brain and chicken neural tube with reduced SoxC expression and found the transcription factor prospero homeobox protein 1 (Prox1) strongly down‐regulated under both conditions. This led us to hypothesize that Prox1 expression depends on SoxC proteins in the developing central nervous system of mouse and chicken. By combining luciferase reporter assays and over‐expression in the chicken neural tube with in vivo and in vitro binding studies, we identify the Prox1 gene promoter and two upstream enhancers at −44 kb and −40 kb relative to the transcription start as regulatory regions that are bound and activated by SoxC proteins. This argues that Prox1 is a direct target gene of SoxC proteins during neurogenesis. Electroporations in the chicken neural tube furthermore show that Prox1 activates a subset of SoxC target genes, whereas it has no effects on others. We propose that the transcriptional control of Prox1 by SoxC proteins may ensure coupling of two types of transcription factors that are both required during early neurogenesis, but have at least in part distinct functions.

Open Science: This manuscript was awarded with the Open Materials Badge. For more information see: https://cos.io/our-services/open-science-badges/

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Promoting new concepts of skincare via skinomics and systems biology—From traditional skincare and efficacy‐based skincare to precision skincare
Authors: Jiang Biao , Jia Yan , He Congfen
Published: May 2018

Traditional skincare involves the subjective classification of skin into 4 categories (oily, dry, mixed, and neutral) prior to skin treatment. Following the development of noninvasive methods in skin and skin imaging technology, scientists have developed efficacy‐based skincare products based on the physiological characteristics of skin under different conditions. Currently, the emergence of skinomics and systems biology has facilitated the development of precision skincare. In this article, the evolution of skincare based on the physiological states of the skin (from traditional skincare and efficacy‐based skincare to precision skincare) is described. In doing so, we highlight skinomics and systems biology, with particular emphasis on the importance of skin lipidomics and microbiomes in precision skincare. The emerging trends of precision skincare are anticipated.
High‐Resolution Nerve Ultrasound and Electrophysiological Findings in Restless Legs Syndrome
Authors: Pitarokoili K. , Fels M. , Kerasnoudis A. , Tönges L. , Gold R. , Yoon M.‐S.
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a multifactorial network disorder of a sensorimotor system extending from dopaminergic and glutamatergic cerebral structures to the spinal neurons and peripheral nerves. The role of peripheral nerve damage in the causality and severity progression for RLS patients remains unclear.

METHODS

We performed a clinical and epidemiological study on a cohort of 34 RLS patients focusing on RLS risk factors and disease severity. We investigated the peripheral nerves with nerve conduction studies and with high‐resolution nerve ultrasound (HRUS).

RESULTS

In 18 of the 34 patients (mean age 67.4 ± 15 years old), a sensorimotor axonal neuropathy was diagnosed. These patients presented with late‐onset RLS were treated with membrane stabilizing agents, whereas no neuropathy predisposing comorbidity could be identified for the majority of them. We could show an inverse correlation between the amplitudes of the tibial nerve for the patients with polyneuropathy and the RLS severity index. Neuropathy patients were characterized by an increase of the cross‐sectional area (CSA) of the tibial nerve in the popliteal fossa and by increased intranerve and internerve variability values showing an asymmetry of CSA distribution. This pattern resembles previous studies on diabetic neuropathy.

CONCLUSIONS

Early diagnosis, characterization, and treatment of neuropathy are increasingly relevant for RLS patients as it correlates with disease severity. HRUS revealed a pattern resembling diabetic neuropathy, which implies a similar pathophysiology with metabolic and ischemic origin of RLS‐related axonal neuropathy.
Combined Evaluation of Noncontrast CT ASPECTS and CT Angiography Collaterals Improves Detection of Large Infarcts in Proximal Artery Occlusive Stroke
Authors: Mehrkhani Farhad , Berkhemer Olvert A. , Majoie Charles B.L.M. , Mansouri Mohammad , Karimi Zahra , Lev Michael H. , Yoo Albert J.
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Imaging may identify patients with very large infarcts who are unlikely to benefit from intra‐arterial therapy. Although computed tomography (CT) is widely used, it suffers from poor sensitivity. We sought to evaluate whether combined evaluation of noncontrast CT (NCCT) and CT angiography (CTA) collaterals would improve the detection of large infarcts.

METHODS

All patients with anterior circulation proximal artery occlusion and baseline CT, CTA, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed were identified. NCCT ASPECTS, CTA collateral score (CS), and diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) lesion volume were determined. Receiver‐operating characteristic analyses were performed to test the discrimination of NCCT ASPECTS 0‐4, CTA malignant collaterals (CS = 0: absent collaterals in >50% of M2 territory), and the combination for DWI volume > 100 mL.

RESULTS

Among 54 patients, mean age was 67 years; median NIHSS was 14. Occlusion locations were ICA terminus (18 [33%]), MCA M1 (20 [37%]), and M2 (16 [30%]). Median NCCT ASPECTS was 8; 8 (15%) had ASPECTS 0‐4. Median CTA CS was 2; 9 (17%) were categorized as malignant. Median DWI lesion volume was 25 mL; 12 (22%) had lesions >100 mL. Individually, the CTA malignant collateral profile (98%) and NCCT ASPECTS 0‐4 (100%) demonstrated high specificity for DWI lesion volume >100 mL, but had suboptimal sensitivity (both 67%). In the combined approach (CTA CS = 0 and/or NCCT ASPECTS ≤4), the sensitivity improved significantly to 92%, while maintaining high specificity (98%).

CONCLUSIONS

Combined evaluation of NCCT ASPECTS and CTA collaterals identifies patients with infarcts >100 mL with high accuracy, and can improve patient selection using current CT techniques.
Growth strategy with social capital, human capital and physical capital—Theory and evidence: The case of Vietnam
Authors: Le Van Cuong , Nguyen Anh Ngoc , Nguyen Ngoc‐Minh , Simioni Michel
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we develop a theoretical model to explain the impact of social capital (defined at the firm level) on individual firm performance and derive a critical optimal threshold for firms to invest in social capital. The theoretical model we propose reveals how social capital, human capital, and physical capital simultaneously affect firm performance under the main assumption of a decreasing function of social capital on unit cost of physical capital. Our theoretical model is then estimated using unique firm‐level longitudinal data from Vietnam for the period 2005–2015. Using a control function approach in a quantile regression framework, we attempt to establish the causal impact of social capital on firm performance. Our empirical results point to a range of revenue in which investment in social capital is efficient and to evidence suggesting that the role of social capital decreases when firms become richer.
Foot cooling does not improve vigilance but may transiently reduce sleepiness
Authors: Sixtus Ryan P. , Galland Barbara C. , Cotter James D.
Published: May 2018

Temperature of the skin (TSk) and core (TC) play key roles in sleep–wake regulation. The diurnal combination of low TSk and high TC facilitates alertness, whereas the transition to high TSk and low TC correlates with sleepiness. Sleepiness and deteriorating vigilance are induced with peripheral warming, whereas peripheral cooling appears to transiently improve vigilance in narcolepsy. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that foot cooling would maintain vigilance during extended wakefulness in healthy adults. Nine healthy young adult participants with habitually normal sleep completed three constant‐routine trials in randomized crossover order. Trials began at 22:30 hours, and involved continuous mild foot cooling (30°C), moderate foot cooling (25°C) or no foot cooling, while undertaking six × 10‐min Psychomotor Vigilance Tasks and seven × 7‐min Karolinska Drowsiness Tasks, interspersed with questionnaires of sleepiness and thermal perceptions. Foot temperatures in control, mild and moderate cooling averaged 34.5 ± 0.5°C, 30.8 ± 0.2°C and 26.4 ± 0.1°C (all p < .01), while upper‐limb temperatures remained stable (34–35°C) and TC declined (approximately −0.12°C per hr) regardless of trial (p = .84). Foot cooling did not improve vigilance (repeated‐measures‐ANOVA interaction for response speed: p = .45), but transiently reduced subjective sleepiness (−0.8 ± 0.8; p = .004). Participants felt cooler throughout cooling trials, but thermal comfort was unaffected (p = .43), as were almost all Karolinska Drowsiness Tasks’ encephalographic parameters. In conclusion, mild or moderate cooling of the feet did not attenuate declines in vigilance or core temperature of healthy young adults during the period of normal sleep onset and early sleep, and any effect on sleepiness was small and transient.
Effect of Different Feeding Levels of Plant‐ingredient‐based Feed on Fillet Fatty Acid Profile, Carcass Trait, and Sensory Characteristics of Indian Major Carps in Earthen Pond Polyculture
Authors: Pradhan Chiranjiv , Giri Shiba S. , Mohanty Satyandra N. , Narasimmalu Rajendran
Published: May 2018

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of plant‐ingredient‐based feeds on fillet fatty acid profiles, proximate composition, carcass traits, and sensory characteristics of three Indian major carps (IMCs), Catla catla, Labeo rohita, and Cirrhinus mrigala, when fed at different levels of their body weight. An experimental feed was prepared with only plant ingredients. The IMCs were fed twice daily at 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5% of their body weight for 150 d in 0.06‐ha earthen pond polyculture systems. The maximum growth and best feed utilization was achieved with feeding at 2% of fish biomass in the ponds. Fillet yield and lipid recovery increased significantly (P < 0.05), with increasing feeding level up to 2% of body weight and plateaued thereafter. In fillets, eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n‐3) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n‐3) concentration increased with increasing feeding levels. Carcass traits, sensory characteristics, and consumer acceptance of IMC fillets were not influenced by feeding plant‐ingredient‐based feeds at different feeding rates.
Lysosomes, autophagosomes and Alzheimer pathology in dementia with Lewy body disease
Authors: Gurney Rowan , Davidson Yvonne S. , Robinson Andrew C. , Richardson Anna , Jones Matthew , Snowden Julie S. , Mann David M.A.
Published: May 2018

A failure of protein degradation may underpin Lewy body disease (LBD) where α‐synuclein is assimilated into the pathognomic Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. We investigated histological alterations in lysosomes and autophagosomes in the substantia nigra (SN) and cingulate gyrus (CG) in 34 patients with LBD employing antibodies against phosphorylated α‐synuclein and lysosomal (lysosomal associated membrane proteins 1 and 2 (LAMP‐1 and LAMP‐2), cathepsin D (CTSD)) and autophagosomal (microtubule‐associated protein light chain 3α (LC3A)) proteins. Immunostained sections were qualitatively and semi‐quantitatively assessed for the appearance, distribution and intensity of staining. Four LBD patients had mutations in GBA1. There was significantly less LAMP‐1, LAMP‐2 and CTSD immunostaining in neurons of the SN in LBD cases compared to control cases and marginally less LAMP‐1 in patients with GBA1 mutations compared to those without. Loss of LAMP‐1 and CTSD immunoreactivity correlated with cell loss from the SN. There were no changes in LC3A immunoreactivity in the SN, nor any major changes in the CG, or glial cell activity in the SN and CG, for any of the markers. A proportion of amyloid plaques in both the LBD and control cases was immunoreactive for LAMP‐1 and LAMP‐2, but not CTSD or LC3A proteins. These immunohisochemical features were seen in glial cells, which were negative for amyloid‐β. Alterations in lysosomal structure or function, but not macroautophagy, may underpin the pathogenesis of LBD.
Indistinguishable Senses
Authors: Gray Aidan
Published: May 2018

Fregeanism and Relationism are competing families of solutions to Frege's Puzzle, and by extension, competing theories of propositional representation. My aim is to clarify what is at stake between them by characterizing and evaluating a Relationist argument. Relationists claim that it is cognitively possible for distinct token propositional attitudes to be, in a sense, qualitatively indistinguishable: to differ in no intrinsic representational features. The idea of an ‘intrinsic representational feature’ is not, however, made especially clear in the argument. I clarify it here and, having done so, offer reason to doubt the argument. This will put us in a position to draw some lessons about the relation betweenobject‐directedandrepresentation‐internalaspects of cognitive significance.
Divergent trait and environment relationships among parallel radiations inPelargonium(Geraniaceae): a role for evolutionary legacy?
Authors: Moore Timothy E. , Schlichting Carl D. , Aiello‐Lammens Matthew E. , Mocko Kerri , Jones Cynthia S.
Published: May 2018

Functional traits in closely related lineages are expected to vary similarly along common environmental gradients as a result of shared evolutionary and biogeographic history, or legacy effects, and as a result of biophysical tradeoffs in construction. We test these predictions inPelargonium, a relatively recent evolutionary radiation.

Bayesian phylogenetic mixed effects models assessed, at the subclade level, associations between plant height, leaf area, leaf nitrogen content and leaf mass per area (LMA), and five environmental variables capturing temperature and rainfall gradients across the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Trait–trait integration was assessed via pairwise correlations within subclades.

Of 20 trait–environment associations, 17 differed among subclades. Signs of regression coefficients diverged for height, leaf area and leaf nitrogen content, but not forLMA. Subclades also differed in trait–trait relationships and these differences were modulated by rainfall seasonality. Leave‐one‐out cross‐validation revealed that whether trait variation was better predicted by environmental predictors or trait–trait integration depended on the clade and trait in question.

Legacy signals in trait–environment and trait–trait relationships were apparently lost during the earliest diversification ofPelargonium, but then retained during subsequent subclade evolution. Overall, we demonstrate that global‐scale patterns are poor predictors of patterns of trait variation at finer geographic and taxonomic scales.
Nearly exact discretization of single species population models
Authors: Kwessi Eddy , Elaydi Saber , Dennis Brian , Livadiotis George
Published: May 2018

We present a nonstandard discretization method related to the methods of Mickens and Elaydi and Sacker for converting single species population models from continuous time to discrete time. The method falls in the category of the so‐called nonstandard discretization schemes, that is more advantageous than the classical discretization methods (such as adaptive step‐size) since it allows large step sizes. For instance, a large step size could better represent a generation time or a time interval between empirical measurements. Examples of single‐species models with and without negative density dependence, with an Allee effect, and with an alternative positive stable equilibrium (predator pit) are studied. Comparative analyses of bifurcations of ordinary differential equations and difference equations show how the new discretization proposed here preserves the dynamical properties of the continuous‐time models.

Recommendations for Resource Managers

The discretization method we propose preserves the original dynamic properties of the continuous model, in the sense of equilibria, their stability, and bifurcation characteristics. Unlike the traditional numerical methods that are widely used in ecology, the dynamical consistency of our method does not depend on the size of the step size used.

The discretization method we propose produces solution trajectories in a remarkable agreement with those of the corresponding continuous models irrespective of the size of the time interval used.

Results presented here will be important to future ecological studies that seek to evaluate the pervasiveness and strength of negative density dependence as well as Allee effects, along with the prospects of alternative stable states, in natural populations.
Saliva in the “Omics” era: A promising tool in paediatrics
Authors: Pappa Eftychia , Kousvelari Eleni , Vastardis Heleni
Published: May 2018

In vulnerable populations, such as infants and children, saliva makes the perfect diagnostic medium because of its noninvasive collection, easy handling and storage of samples. Its unique biomarker profiles help tremendously in the diagnosis of many diseases and conditions. In fact, saliva genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and microbiome‐based discoveries have led to complementary and powerful diagnostic information. In children and neonates, saliva is the preferred medium not only for diagnosis of caries and aggressive periodontitis but also for a number of systemic conditions, metabolic diseases, cognitive functions, stress assessment and evaluation of immunological and inflammatory responses to vaccination. In this review, we provide an overview of current and future applications of saliva diagnostics to various diseases and conditions and highlight studies in paediatrics across the “omic” spectrum. Emerging frontiers in salivary diagnostics research that may significantly advance the field are also highlighted.
Depth of invasion on pathological outcomes in clinical low‐stage oral tongue cancer patients
Authors: Masood Maheer M. , Farquhar Douglas R. , Vanleer Jessica P. , Patel Samip N. , Hackman Trevor G.
Published: May 2018

Objectives

Depth of invasion was added to the eighth edition American Joint Committee on Cancer guidelines for T staging of HPV‐negative oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. Our aim was to determine the impact of depth of invasion on pathological variables and outcomes in low‐stage tongue cancer patients. We also examine the impact of tumor thickness and tumor clinical staging for comparison.

Subjects and Methods

All clinical T1/T2 N0 HPV‐negative tongue squamous cell carcinoma patients who received elective neck dissections at our institution between 2000 and 2015 were included. Logistic regression models and Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine pathological variables, recurrence, and 3‐year disease‐free survival.

Results

Sixty‐seven patients met criteria; the mean age was 52.0 (SD: 17.7). Depth of invasion was a significant predictor of occult metastasis (OR: 2.0, p = 0.05) and lymphovascular invasion (OR: 4.1, p = 0.02), and tumor thickness was a significant predictor of lymphovascular invasion (OR: 3.3, p = 0.04). None of the variables were predictive of recurrence or disease‐free survival.

Conclusion

Depth of invasion at biopsy may be a potential useful metric to inform on regional management selection in this radiographic node‐negative population.
Resistance of native oak to recurrent drought conditions simulating predicted climatic changes in the Mediterranean region
Authors: Saunier Amélie , Ormeño Elena , Havaux Michel , Wortham Henri , Ksas Brigitte , Temime‐Roussel Brice , Blande James D. , Lecareux Caroline , Mévy Jean‐Philippe , Bousquet‐Mélou Anne , Gauquelin Thierry , Fernandez Catherine
Published: May 2018

The capacity of a Quercus pubescens forest to resist recurrent drought was assessed on an in situ experimental platform through the measurement of a large set of traits (ecophysiological and metabolic) studied under natural drought (ND) and amplified drought (AD) induced by partial rain exclusion. This study was performed during the third and fourth years of AD, which correspond to conditions of moderate AD in 2014 and harsher AD in 2015, respectively. Although water potential (Ψ) and net photosynthesis (Pn) were noticeably reduced under AD in 2015 compared to ND, trees showed similar growth and no oxidative stress. The absence of oxidative damage could be due to a strong accumulation of α‐tocopherol, suggesting that this compound is a major component of the Q. pubescens antioxidant system. Other antioxidants were rather stable under AD in 2014, but slight changes started to be observed in 2015 (carotenoids and isoprene) due to harsher conditions. Our results indicate that Q. pubescens could be able to cope with AD, for at least 4 years, likely due to its antioxidant system. However, growth decrease was observed during the fifth year (2016) of AD, suggesting that this resistance could be threatened over longer periods of recurrent drought.
Singlet oxygen‐triggered chloroplast‐to‐nucleus retrograde signalling pathways: An emerging perspective
Authors: Dogra Vivek , Rochaix Jean‐David , Kim Chanhong
Published: May 2018

Singlet oxygen (1O2) is a prime cause of photo‐damage of the photosynthetic apparatus. The chlorophyll molecules in the photosystem II reaction center and in the light‐harvesting antenna complex are major sources of 1O2 generation. It has been thought that the generation of 1O2 mainly takes place in the appressed regions of the thylakoid membranes, namely, the grana core, where most of the active photosystem II complexes are localized. Apart from being a toxic molecule, new evidence suggests that 1O2 significantly contributes to chloroplast‐to‐nucleus retrograde signalling that primes acclimation and cell death responses. Interestingly, recent studies reveal that chloroplasts operate two distinct 1O2‐triggered retrograde signalling pathways in which β‐carotene and a nuclear‐encoded chloroplast protein EXECUTER1 play essential roles as signalling mediators. The coexistence of these mediators raises several questions: their crosstalk, source(s) of 1O2, downstream signalling components, and the perception and reaction mechanism of these mediators towards 1O2. In this review, we mainly discuss the molecular genetic basis of the mode of action of these two putative 1O2 sensors and their corresponding retrograde signalling pathways. In addition, we also propose the possible existence of an alternative source of 1O2, which is spatially and functionally separated from the grana core.
Understanding genetic control of root system architecture in soybean: Insights into the genetic basis of lateral root number
Authors: Prince Silvas J. , Valliyodan Babu , Ye Heng , Yang Ming , Tai Shuaishuai , Hu Wushu , Murphy Mackensie , Durnell Lorellin A. , Song Li , Joshi Trupti , Liu Yang , Van de Velde Jan , Vandepoele Klaas , Grover Shannon J. , Nguyen Henry T.
Published: May 2018

Developing crops with better root systems is a promising strategy to ensure productivity in both optimum and stress environments. Root system architectural traits in 397 soybean accessions were characterized and a high‐density single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)‐based genome‐wide association study was performed to identify the underlying genes associated with root structure. SNPs associated with root architectural traits specific to landraces and elite germplasm pools were detected. Four loci were detected in landraces for lateral root number (LRN) and distribution of root thickness in diameter Class I with a major locus on chromosome 16. This major loci was detected in the coding region of unknown protein, and subsequent analyses demonstrated that root traits are affected with mutated haplotypes of the gene. In elite germplasm pool, 3 significant SNPs in alanine‐glyoxalate aminotransferase, Leucine‐Rich Repeat receptor/No apical meristem, and unknown functional genes were found to govern multiple traits including root surface area and volume. However, no major loci were detected for LRN in elite germplasm. Nucleotide diversity analysis found evidence of selective sweeps around the landraces LRN gene. Soybean accessions with minor and mutated allelic variants of LRN gene were found to perform better in both water‐limited and optimal field conditions.