bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonality, species richness and poor dispersion mediate intraspecific trait variability in stonefly community responses along an elevational gradient
Authors: Garcia‐Raventós Aina , Viza Aida , Tierno de Figueroa José M. , Riera Joan L. , Múrria Cesc
Published: March 2017

Across environmental gradients, some functional strategies are favoured over others resulting in differences in local species composition and distribution of any given functional trait. This generates among‐Species Trait Variability (STV) across the gradient (reflecting species turnover), as well as spatial Intraspecific Trait Variability (ITV), which together contribute to Community Trait Variability (CTV). Understanding functional trait responses of freshwater biota is critical for elucidating the mechanisms that operate during community assembly and addressing community level responses to climate warming.

In freshwater insects, temperature and ecological conditions regulate growth rates. Here, we examined size‐related trait variability components of short‐dispersing stoneflies (Insecta: Plecoptera) within and among multispecies stonefly assemblages (henceforth referred to as communities), located along an elevational gradient in Sierra Nevada (Spain) to assess the components of trait‐elevation matching (STV, ITV, CTV).

Relative to downstream reaches, headwaters hypothetically show greater internal physical habitat heterogeneity (large exposed rocks, tree roots, woody debris) and greater local species richness of cool‐water adapted stoneflies. As a result, we expected CTV to increase with elevation, with a higher contribution of STV than ITV in upper reaches due to higher species richness and trait divergence among them. In contrast, the pattern of ITV should vary depending on whether the main driver across elevation is species richness (decrease due to niche partitioning) or ecological conditions (increase associated to physical habitat heterogeneity).

Eleven streams were sampled every 2 weeks over 1 year and five size‐related traits were measured on 6,893 individuals belonging to 16 species. Overall, STV made a much larger contribution to CTV than ITV, which only became an important contributor in species‐poor assemblages, especially in winter and autumn. Within each season, the trait‐elevation matching was weak. Functional species‐specific responses to the elevational gradient most often did not mirror the response of the entire communities, since highly variable (and even opposed or discontinuous) contributions to ITV were found across species.

Overall, ITV contributed little to trait‐elevation matching, which suggests high vulnerability of short‐dispersing stoneflies to habitat shifting associated to future climate warming due to limited phenotypic plasticity. Moreover, varying functional trait patterns across species emphasise species‐specific responses to climate change as opposed to a unique whole community response. However, further trait‐based macroecological studies across freshwater macroinvertebrates lineages are needed to compare patterns and establish generalisations.
A New Appraisal of Sri Lankan BB Zircon as a Reference Material for LA‐ICP‐MS U‐Pb Geochronology and Lu‐Hf Isotope Tracing
Authors: Santos Maristella M. , Lana Cristiano , Scholz Ricardo , Buick Ian , Schmitz Mark D. , Kamo Sandra L. , Gerdes Axel , Corfu Fernando , Tapster Simon , Lancaster Penelope , Storey Craig D. , Basei Miguel A.S. , Tohver Eric , Alkmim Ana , Nalini Herminio , Krambrock Klaus , Fantini Cristiano , Wiedenbeck Michael
Published: March 2017

A potential zircon reference material (BB zircon) for laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) U‐Pb geochronology and Hf isotope geochemistry is described. A batch of twenty zircon megacrysts (0.5–1.5 cm3) from Sri Lanka was studied. Within‐grain rare earth element (REE) compositions are largely homogeneous, albeit with some variation seen between fractured and homogeneous domains. Excluding fractured cathodoluminescence bright domains, the variation in U content for all analysed crystals ranged from 227 to 368 μg g−1 and the average Th/U ratios were between 0.20 and 0.47. The Hf isotope composition (0.56–0.84 g/100 g Hf) is homogeneous within and between the grains – mean 176Hf/177Hf of 0.281674 ± 0.000018 (2s). The calculated alpha dose of 0.59 × 1018 g−1 for a number of BB grains falls within the trend of previously studied, untreated zircon samples from Sri Lanka. Aliquots of the same crystal (analysed by ID‐TIMS in four different laboratories) gave consistent U‐Pb ages with excellent measurement reproducibility (0.1–0.4% RSD). Interlaboratory assessment (by LA‐ICP‐MS) from individual crystals returned results that are within uncertainty equivalent to the TIMS ages. Finally, we report on within‐ and between‐grain homogeneity of the oxygen isotope systematic of four BB crystals (13.16‰ VSMOW).
Geminin is an indispensable inhibitor of Cdt1 in mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Hosogane Masaki , Bosu Lena , Fukumoto Emiko , Yamada Hidetoshi , Sato Soichiro , Nakayama Keiko
Published: March 2017

Geminin is implicated in regulation of the cell cycle and differentiation. Although loss of Geminin triggers unscheduled DNA rereplication as a result of interruption of its interaction with Cdt1 in some somatic cancer cells, whether such cell cycle regulation also operates in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) has remained unclear. To characterize the Geminin‐Cdt1 axis in ESCs and compare it with that in somatic cells, we established conditional knockout (KO) of Geminin in mouse ESCs and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Geminin KO ESCs manifest a large flattened morphology, develop polyploidy accompanied by DNA damage and G2‐M checkpoint activation, and subsequently undergo apoptosis. Rereplication in Geminin KO ESCs was attenuated by inhibition of G2‐M checkpoint signaling or by expression of wild‐type Geminin, but not by expression of a Geminin mutant that does not bind to Cdt1, indicating the importance of sequestration of Cdt1 by Geminin in G2 phase. In contrast, Geminin KO MEFs did not manifest disturbance of the cell cycle unless they were treated to force abnormal accumulation of Cdt1. Together, our results indicate that Geminin is a key inhibitor of Cdt1 in mouse ESCs, but that it plays a backup role in MEFs to compensate for accidental up‐regulation of Cdt1.
Predictors of post‐hospitalization recovery of renal function among patients with acute kidney injury requiring dialysis
Authors: Pajewski Russell , Gipson Patrick , Heung Michael
Published: March 2017

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring dialysis complicates 1% of all hospital admissions, and up to 30% of survivors will still require dialysis at hospital discharge. There is a paucity of data to describe the postdischarge outcomes or to guide evidence‐based dialysis management of this vulnerable population.

Methods: Single‐center, retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive patients with AKI who survived to hospital discharge and required outpatient dialysis. Data collection included baseline characteristics, hospitalization characteristics, and outpatient dialysis treatment variables. Primary outcome was dialysis independence 90 days after discharge.

Findings: Overall, 43% of patients recovered adequate renal function to discontinue dialysis, with the majority recovering within 30 days post discharge. Worse baseline renal function was associated with lower likelihood of renal recovery. In the first week postdischarge, patients with subsequent nonrecovery of renal function had greater net fluid removal (5.3 vs. 4.1 L, P = 0.037), higher ultrafiltration rates (6.0 vs. 4.7 mL/kg/h, P = 0.041) and more frequent intradialytic hypotension (24.6% vs. 9.3% with 3 or more episodes, P = 0.049) compared to patients that later recovered.

Discussion: A significant proportion of AKI survivors will recover renal function following discharge. Outpatient intradialytic factors may influence subsequent renal function recovery.
Pourfour du Petit Syndrome Associated With Right Eye Pressure
Authors: Evans Randolph W. , Garibay Adam , Foroozan Rod
Published: March 2017

Pourfour du Petit (PDP) syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by ipsilateral mydriasis, eyelid retraction, and hemifacial hyperhidrosis caused by hyperactivity of the ipsilateral oculosympathetic pathway. A case is presented of PDP syndrome associated with likely ipsilateral occipital neuralgia. We review the causes and co‐morbidities and the clinical features of PDP.
Tension‐Type Headache – The Normal and Most Prevalent Headache
Authors: Jensen Rigmor Højland
Published: March 2017

Premise

Tension‐type headache (TTH) is the most prevalent form of primary headache in the general population but paradoxically the least studied headache.

Problem

In this article, the epidemiology and diagnostic challenges of TTH are presented and discussed. The typical features and differential diagnosis of TTH are highlighted and the situations more likely to raise doubts are discussed.

Potential Solution

A structured approach to the patient and a better comprehension of the very frequent coexistence of migraine and medication overuse headache in the clinical population are emphasized. According to the IHS classification, several diagnoses should be applied but still some clinicians prefer to apply a single combined diagnosis in the severely affected patients, namely chronic migraine. Such uneven practice may complicate the diagnostic comparability and the entire management of TTH. The present treatment strategies for TTH are summarized and hopefully an increased awareness of TTH can translate into better quality of care and a more specific diagnosis and treatment for the numerous TTH sufferers.
Health care provider communication training in rural Tanzania empowers HIV‐infected patients on antiretroviral therapy to discuss adherence problems
Authors: Erb S , Letang E , Glass TR , Natamatungiro A , Mnzava D , Mapesi H , Haschke M , Duthaler U , Berger B , Muri L , Bader J , Marzolini C , Elzi L , Klimkait T , Langewitz W , Battegay M ,   the Kilombero Ulanga Antiretroviral Cohort (KIULARCO) study group
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Self‐reported adherence assessment in HIV‐infected patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) is challenging and may overestimate adherence. The aim of this study was to improve the ability of health care providers to elicit patients’ reports of nonadherence using a “patient‐centred” approach in a rural sub‐Saharan African setting.

Methods

A prospective interventional cohort study of HIV‐infected patients on ART for ≥ 6 months attending an HIV clinic in rural Tanzania was carried out. The intervention consisted of a 2‐day workshop for health care providers on patient‐centred communication and the provision of an adherence assessment checklist for use in the consultations. Patients’ self‐reports of nonadherence (≥ 1 missed ART dose/4 weeks), subtherapeutic plasma ART concentrations (< 2.5th percentile of published population‐based pharmacokinetic models), and virological and immunological failure according to the World Health Organization definition were assessed before and after (1–3 and 6–9 months after) the intervention.

Results

Before the intervention, only 3.3% of 299 patients included in the study reported nonadherence. Subtherapeutic plasma ART drug concentrations and virological and immunological failure were recorded in 6.5%, 7.7% and 14.5% of the patients, respectively. Two months after the intervention, health care providers detected significantly more patients reporting nonadherence compared with baseline (10.7 vs. 3.3%, respectively; P < 0.001), decreasing to 5.7% after 6–9 months. A time trend towards higher drug concentrations was observed for efavirenz but not for other drugs. The virological failure rate remained unchanged whereas the immunological failure rate decreased from 14.4 to 8.7% at the last visit (P = 0.002).

Conclusions

Patient‐centred communication can successfully be implemented with a simple intervention in rural Africa. It increases the likelihood of HIV‐infected patients reporting problems with adherence to ART; however, sustainability remains a challenge.
Daily salt intake is an independent risk factor for pollakiuria and nocturia
Authors: Matsuo Tomohiro , Miyata Yasuyoshi , Sakai Hideki
Published: March 2017

Objective

To clarify the relationships between daily salt intake and lower urinary tract symptoms.

Methods

A cross‐sectional clinical study was carried out with 728 patients. Spot urine samples were collected to evaluate estimated daily salt intake. The patients were divided into two groups based on mean salt intake (9.2 g/day). Their urinary condition was evaluated using the Core Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms score and 3‐day frequency volume charts. The influence of salt intake on lower urinary tract symptoms was investigated using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Daytime frequency (Q1) and nocturia (Q2) in the high salt intake group (H‐salt group) were higher compared with those in the low salt intake group (L‐salt group); P < 0.001). The quality of life scores and nocturnal polyuria index in the H‐salt group were worse than those in the L‐salt group (P < 0.001). Multivariate analyses showed daily salt intake is an independent worsening factor for high daytime frequency (odds ratio 2.32, 95% confidential interval 1.66–3.25, P < 0.001) and nocturia (odds ratio 3.05, 95% confidential interval 2.08–4.52, P < 0.001). Similarly, hypertension was identified as the independent variable for these symptoms. A limitation of the present study was that we recruited only patients with mild or no comorbidity.

Conclusions

Excessive daily salt intake negatively affects pollakiuria and nocturia. The presence of hypertension can also represent a worsening factor for these symptoms. Although not shown by prospective study, the appropriate control of salt intake and blood pressure might be important for the treatment of pollakiuria and nocturia.
Interculturalism in Times of Crisis
Authors: Bello Valeria , Bloom Tendayi
Published: March 2017

This article locates the discussion of this Special Section within the wider analysis of Interculturalism and intercultural dialogue as a new way of framing dynamic inter‐ethnic and broader community relations, and considering how perceived and real crisis affects both states’ and societys’ understandings of ethnicity, culture and diversity. Taking cases from Catalonia, Spain, the European Union, this Special Section's multi‐level approach illustrates how intercultural dialogue can be developed at the sub‐State, State, Region and international levels. By surveying the articles in the Special Section, this introduction critiques the Interculturalism framework and develops it. Crucially, drawing out insights from across these different types of groupings and from theorists offering a range of perspectives, this collection is able to offer new insights on Interculturalism, its relations with Multiculturalism, and forms of intercultural dialogue.
Toward a multi‐ethnic public sphere? Media consumption in highly diverse districts in Spain
Authors: Lobera Josep , Arco Víctor , Giménez Carlos
Published: March 2017

This article examines media consumption in highly diverse districts in Spain as representative of recent changes in this field due to new immigration to countries in Southern Europe in times of crisis. Drawing on findings from two surveys, we observed a decrease in access to media specifically aimed at audiences of minority cultures between 2010 and 2012. It is suggested that this decline is not due to a modification in media consumption habits by minority groups, but rather the economic crisis of 2008. Furthermore, we study the consumption of minority media by natives: we observe that youth and more educated individuals consume other cultures’ minority media to a greater extent, particularly the press, radio, and Internet news sources. We suggest that elements are present that public administrations could utilize to further develop a multi‐ethnic public sphere. Finally, we explore the emergence of a newtransnationaldimension to the multi‐ethnic public sphere.
Does The Legalization of Undocumented Immigrants in the US Encourage Unauthorized Immigration from Mexico? An Empirical Analysis of the Moral Hazard of Legalization
Authors: Wong Tom K. , Kosnac Hillary
Published: March 2017

Does the prospect of a legalization programme in the US increase unauthorized immigration from Mexico? The logic of the moral hazard of legalization suggests that providing lawful status to undocumented immigrants has the unintended effect of incentivizing further unauthorized immigration. However, we argue and show that concerns about the moral hazard of legalization may be overstated. We conceptualize our argument using two distinct temporal dimensions: a concurrent dimension and a prospective one. Our analysis of the 2007 Mexican Migration Field Research Program (MMFRP) survey provides evidence supporting our arguments. The data show that knowledge regarding a prospective legalization programme in the US does not increase the intent to migrate among prospective migrants. Our results hold when accounting for a range of potential confounding factors, across several multivariate model specifications, and also when analysing comparable respondents who are matched using propensity score matching (PSM) techniques.
Despite the crisis: The resilience of intercultural nationalism in Catalonia
Authors: Conversi Daniele , Jeram Sanjay
Published: March 2017

Interculturalism provides the core framework for immigration‐related policies in Catalonia, while remaining deeply intertwined with Catalan nationalism. We first identify ‘intercultural nationalism’ as the core doctrine through which Catalan nationalist discourse has been articulated in relation to immigration. We trace interculturalism's origins to nationalism in Quebec and argue that, in Catalonia also, regional immigration policies have been constructed in opposition to those of the central state, while attempting to involve immigrants closely in subnational belonging and social cohesion. Second, we investigate whether interculturalism is durable during economic and political crises, arguing that intercultural policies did not change following the economic recession of the 2010s. This harmonises with broader interpretations that de‐emphasise the role of economic factors in ethnic conflicts. In conclusion we note how the continuing resilience of interculturalism in Catalan policies on immigration contrasts sharply with the rise of xenophobia elsewhere.
Cultural competence among nursing students in Saudi Arabia: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Cruz J.P. , Alquwez N. , Cruz C.P. , Felicilda‐Reynaldo R.F.D. , Vitorino L.M. , Islam S.M.S.
Published: March 2017

Aim

This study assessed the cultural competence of nursing students in a Saudi University.

Background

With the current situation of immigration in Saudi Arabia, the cultural diversity in healthcare facilities is anticipated to grow. This presents a great challenge to the members of the healthcare team.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 272 nursing students in a Saudi university using a self‐administered questionnaire consisting of two parts, namely the respondents’ demographics and cultural background information sheet and the Cultural Capacity Scale Arabic version.

Results

The respondents showed the highest competence in their ability to demonstrate communication skills with culturally diverse patients and lowest in the familiarity with health‐ or illness‐related cultural knowledge or theory. Gender, academic level, clinical exposure, prior diversity training, the experience of taking care of culturally diverse patients and patients belonging to special population groups were significant factors that could likely to influence cultural competence.

Discussion

The findings suggest that the Saudi nursing students possess the ability to provide culturally appropriate nursing care to patients with a diverse cultural background.

Conclusions

Despite the good cultural competence reflected in this study, some aspects in ensuring a culturally competent care rendered by Saudi nursing students need to be improved.

Implications for nursing & health policy

With the country's Saudization policy in health care (replacing foreign nurses with Saudi nurses), the findings can be used in designing training and interventions to meet the needs of Saudi nursing students regarding cultural competence development, which is integral in their preparation to assume their future roles as nurses. Policy guidelines, such as including cultural competency training and foreign languages training as mandatory continuing education for nurses, as well as integrating cultural competency and foreign languages in the prelicensure curriculum, should be developed and implemented in Saudi Arabia and other countries.
Migration and parasitism: habitat use, not migration distance, influences helminth species richness in Charadriiform birds
Authors: Gutiérrez Jorge S. , Rakhimberdiev Eldar , Piersma Theunis , Thieltges David W.
Published: March 2017

Aim

Habitat use and migration strategies of animals are often associated with spatial variation in parasite pressure, but how they relate to one another is not well understood. Here, we use a large dataset on helminth species richness of Charadriiform birds to test whether higher habitat diversity and seasonal migration increase parasite richness in avian hosts.

Location

Global.

Methods

We compiled a global dataset on helminth species richness, habitat use strategies (marine/freshwater/mixed wintering and osmotic generalist/specialist) and various ecological/life‐history traits (migration distance, geographical range size, diet, body mass, sampling latitude) of Charadriiform birds. To test if hosts with different habitat use strategies encounter different parasite pressures, we used comparative methods that correct for shared ancestry and phylogenetic uncertainty.

Results

Habitat generalists (mixed wintering habitats and osmotic generalists) harboured more parasite species than habitat specialists; marine‐ and freshwater‐restricted hosts had similar helminth species richness. Contrary to previous results, we found no association between parasite species richness and migration distance. Overall helminth species richness also increased with diet diversity, with no effects of other ecological/life‐history traits.

Main conclusions

We suggest that birds exploiting diverse habitats and diets are exposed to a more diverse parasite fauna and conclude that distribution patterns and habitat use, rather than migration distance, shape parasite diversity within host populations. Overall, these results demonstrate the significant role of habitat use in explaining how migration may indirectly affect parasite richness in host populations.
Early reading intervention by means of a multicomponent reading game
Authors: van de Ven M. , de Leeuw L. , van Weerdenburg M. , Steenbeek‐Planting E.G.
Published: March 2017

This study examined the effects of an intervention with a multicomponent reading game on the development of reading skills in 60 Dutch primary school children with special educational needs. The game contains evidence‐based reading exercises and is based on principles of applied gaming. Using a multiple baseline approach, we tested children's word, pseudoword and text reading fluency, as well as their reading motivation, at three test occasions. The results indicated that the short intervention (9 × 15 min) enhanced children's pseudoword reading fluency as well as their text reading fluency. Interestingly, the early intervention group showed a sustained intervention effect (i.e., also during retention), which shows that using this reading game has a long‐term effect on early text reading development. Intervention did not affect reading motivation, which suggests that the multicomponent reading game can be used to facilitate early reading development without compromising reading motivation.
Does instructor's image size in video lectures affect learning outcomes?
Authors: Pi Z. , Hong J. , Yang J.
Published: March 2017

One of the most commonly used forms of video lectures is a combination of an instructor's image and accompanying lecture slides as a picture‐in‐picture. As the image size of the instructor varies significantly across video lectures, and so do the learning outcomes associated with this technology, the influence of the instructor's image size should be evaluated. This study tested the effect of image size of the instructor on learners' experience of social presence, cognitive load, learning performance and satisfaction. In the study, 87 Chinese undergraduates were randomly assigned to view a video lecture with a small image of the instructor, with a medium image size of the instructor or with a large image of the instructor. The results of analyses of variances and analysis of covariance suggested that learners perceived the same level of social presence and cognitive load across video lectures with different image sizes of the instructor; learners who watched the video lecture with the small image of the instructor learned better than those who watched the video lectures with the medium and the large images of the instructors. Furthermore, learners who watched the video lecture with the small image and medium image of the instructor experienced more learning satisfaction. The findings highlight the importance of image size of the instructor in video lecture learning.
CD38 promotes angiotensin II‐induced cardiac hypertrophy
Authors: Guan Xiao‐Hui , Hong Xuan , Zhao Ning , Liu Xiao‐Hong , Xiao Yun‐Fei , Chen Ting‐Tao , Deng Li‐Bin , Wang Xiao‐Lei , Wang Jian‐Bin , Ji Guang‐Ju , Fu Mingui , Deng Ke‐Yu , Xin Hong‐Bo
Published: March 2017

Cardiac hypertrophy is an early hallmark during the clinical course of heart failure and regulated by various signalling pathways. Recently, we observed that mouse embryonic fibroblasts from CD38 knockout mice were significantly resistant to oxidative stress such as H2O2‐induced injury and hypoxia/reoxygenation‐induced injury. In addition, we also found that CD38 knockout mice protected heart from ischaemia reperfusion injury through activating SIRT1/FOXOs‐mediated antioxidative stress pathway. However, the role of CD38 in cardiac hypertrophy is not explored. Here, we investigated the roles and mechanisms of CD38 in angiotensin II (Ang‐II)‐induced cardiac hypertrophy. Following 14 days of Ang‐II infusion with osmotic mini‐pumps, a comparable hypertension was generated in both of CD38 knockout and wild‐type mice. However, the cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis were much more severe in wild‐type mice compared with CD38 knockout mice. Consistently, RNAi‐induced knockdown of CD38 decreased the gene expressions of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and reactive oxygen species generation in Ang‐II‐stimulated H9c2 cells. In addition, the expression of SIRT3 was elevated in CD38 knockdown H9c2 cells, in which SIRT3 may further activate the FOXO3 antioxidant pathway. The intracellular Ca2+ release induced by Ang‐II markedly decreased in CD38 knockdown H9c2 cells, which might be associated with the decrease of nuclear translocation of NFATc4 and inhibition of ERK/AKT phosphorylation. We concluded that CD38 plays an essential role in cardiac hypertrophy probably via inhibition of SIRT3 expression and activation of Ca2+‐NFAT signalling pathway. Thus, CD38 may be a novel target for treating cardiac hypertrophy.
Development of antimicrobial active film containing CINnamaldehyde and its application to snakehead (Ophiocephalus argus) fish
Authors: Ma Yichao , Li Li , Wang Yifen
Published: March 2017

Active packaging containing plant essential oils as a food preservation method is attracting more and more attention. Bioactive films based on ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) incorporating with and without cinnamaldehyde (CIN）were prepared and characterized in this study. Physical and mechanical properties including tensile strength, elongation at break, water vapor permeability (WVP), oxygen permeability (OP), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and SEM image were investigated. Then active properties including release of bioactive element, antioxidant and antibacterial ability of the film sample were also conducted. Finally, the preservative effects of active films on snakehead dices stored at 4 ± 1 °C were performed by analyzing changes in pH value, water loss rate (WLR), total bacterial counts (TBC) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N). The results showed that film A with CIN possessed higher tensile strength and lower OP compared to those of EVOH film. Moreover, the film with active element had significant antioxidant and antibacterial ability. The radical scavenging rate of the active film reached as high as 39.01%. On day 10, the TBC of fish dices in EVOH film reached 6.07 log CFU/g and the TVB‐N was 16.83 mgN/100 g, while it took 14 days for fish dices packed with film A to reach similar levels. Therefore, active packaging may prolong shelf life of aquatic food and have significance for food preservation.

Practical applications

Packaging is an essential part of food preservation. Active packaging containing antimicrobial/antioxidant compounds should extend shelf life of the products. Ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) is well known packing material for its excellent oxygen barrier property. Cinnamaldehyde (CIN) is extracted from Cinnamomum cassia Presl bark and exhibits antimicrobial activity against a wide range of microorganisms. The addition of CIN into EVOH not only enhances physical and mechanical properties of the film, but also shows significant antioxidant and antibacterial ability, which can prolong the shelf life of the products. The preservative effects of the active film on fresh snakehead fish presented in this study are valuable information for practical application of active packaging to aquatic products preservation in particular, and food in general.
Integrating Environmental and Social Life Cycle Assessment: Asking the Right Question
Authors: Suckling James R , Lee Jacquetta
Published: March 2017

Mobile phones offer many potential social benefits throughout their lifetime, but this life is often much shorter than design intent. Reuse of the phone in a developing country allows these social benefits to be fully realized. Unfortunately, under the current state of development of recycling infrastructure, recovery rates of phones after reuse are very low in those markets, which may lead to an environmental burden attributed to loss of materials to landfill. In order to recover those materials most effectively, recycling in developed countries may be the best option, but at a cost of the ability to reuse the phones. The issues facing integration of social and environmental concerns into a single life cycle assessment (LCA) and resulting challenges of identifying the disposal option with the most sustainable outcome are explored using mobile phones as a case study. These include obtaining sufficient geographical and temporal detail of the end‐of‐life options, collation and analysis of the large amounts of data generated, and weighting of the disparate environmental and social impact categories. The numerous challenges may mount up to make performing LCA of mobile phones unwieldy. Instead of trying to encompass every aspect in full, it is proposed that focus is given to answering a question that takes into account the resources available: It is important to ask the question that has the best chance of being answered.
Implications of nitrogen phloem loading for carbon metabolism and transport during Arabidopsis development
Authors: Santiago James P. , Tegeder Mechthild
Published: March 2017

Metabolite transport processes and primary metabolism are highly interconnected. This study examined the importance of source‐to‐sink nitrogen partitioning, and associated nitrogen metabolism for carbon capture, transport and usage. Specifically, Arabidopsis aap8 (AMINO ACID PERMEASE 8) mutant lines were analyzed to resolve the consequences of reduced amino acid phloem loading for source leaf carbon metabolism, sucrose phloem transport and sink development during vegetative and reproductive growth phase. Results showed that decreased amino acid transport had a negative effect on sink development of aap8 lines throughout the life cycle, leading to an overall decrease in plant biomass. During vegetative stage, photosynthesis and carbohydrate levels were decreased in aap8 leaves, while expression of carbon metabolism and transport genes, as well as sucrose phloem transport were not affected despite reduced sink strength. However, when aap8 plants transitioned to reproductive phase, carbon fixation and assimilation as well as sucrose partitioning to siliques were strongly decreased. Overall, this work demonstrates that phloem loading of nitrogen has varying implications for carbon fixation, assimilation and source‐to‐sink allocation depending on plant growth stage. It further suggests alterations in source‐sink relationships, and regulation of carbon metabolism and transport by sink strength in a development‐dependent manner.
Supply‐Side Policies in the Depression: Evidence from France
Authors: COHEN‐SETTON JÉRÉMIE , HAUSMAN JOSHUA K. , WIELAND JOHANNES F.
Published: March 2017

The effects of supply‐side policies in depressed economies are controversial. We shed light on this debate using evidence from France in the 1930s. In 1936, France departed from the gold standard and implemented mandatory wage increases and hours restrictions. Deflation ended but output stagnated. We present time‐series and cross‐sectional evidence that these supply‐side policies, in particular the 40‐hour law, contributed to French stagflation. These results are inconsistent both with the standard one‐sector New Keynesian model and with a medium scale, multisector model calibrated to match our cross‐sectional estimates. We conclude that the New Keynesian model is a poor guide to the effects of supply‐side shocks in depressed economies.
Foreign Bank Behavior during Financial Crises
Authors: ADAMS‐KANE JONATHON , CABALLERO JULIÁN A. , LIM JAMUS JEROME
Published: March 2017

This paper studies whether lending by foreign banks is affected by financial crises. We pair a bank‐level data set of foreign ownership with information on banking crises and examine whether the credit supply of majority foreign‐owned banks that underwent home‐country crises differ systematically from those of other foreign banks. In contrast to the literature, our broad global coverage allows us to exploit variations between foreign banks; this enables us to identify an average treatment effect directly attributable to crises. Our baseline results show that banks exposed to home‐country crises between 2007–08 exhibit changes in lending patterns that are lower by between 13% and 42% than their noncrisis counterparts. This finding is robust to potential alternative explanations, and also holds, though less strongly, for the 1997/98 Asian crisis.
What Drives the Owner‐Occupied and Rental Housing Markets? Evidence from an Estimated DSGE Model
Authors: SUN XIAOJIN , TSANG KWOK PING
Published: March 2017

Most dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models with a housing market do not explicitly include a rental market and assume a tight mapping between house prices and rents over the business cycle. However, rents are much smoother than house prices in the data. We match this feature of the data by adding both an owner‐occupied housing market and a rental market in a standard DSGE model. The intertemporal preference shock accounts for more than half of the variation in house prices and contributes to residential investment fluctuations through the liquidity constraint, and nominal rigidity in rental contracts captures the variation in the price‐rent ratio.
Mortgage Choice in the Euro Area: Macroeconomic Determinants and the Effect of Monetary Policy on Debt Burdens
Authors: EHRMANN MICHAEL , ZIEGELMEYER MICHAEL
Published: March 2017

This paper provides novel evidence on the role of the macroeconomic environment for households’ choice between fixed‐interest‐rate and adjustable‐interest‐rate mortgages (ARMs) in the euro area. We find that relatively more ARMs are taken out when economic growth is strong, the interest rate spread is high, or unemployment shows low volatility. A simulation exercise shows that a reduction in mortgage rates as witnessed during the monetary easing in the course of the global financial crisis produces a substantial decline in debt burdens among mortgage‐holding households, especially in countries where households have higher debt burdens and a larger share of ARMs.
Household Wealth and Macroeconomic Activity: 2008–2013
Authors: FAIR RAY C.
Published: March 2017

This paper provides estimates of the effects of the fall in financial and housing wealth in 2008–09 on overall macroeconomic activity. When the wealth losses are run through a structural macroeconometric model, it is estimated that the fall in wealth contributed about 2.1 percentage points to the rise in the unemployment rate in 2009 and about 3.3 points in 2010. The contribution to the fall in real GDP was 4.5% and 5.4% in the 2 years. These estimates account for most—but not all—of the recessionary increase in unemployment. The remaining increase in unemployment may have resulted more directly from financial stresses, but little evidence is found for this in this study.
A Bayesian Model Comparison for Trend‐Cycle Decompositions of Output
Authors: GRANT ANGELIA L. , CHAN JOSHUA C.C.
Published: March 2017

We compare a number of widely used trend‐cycle decompositions of output in a formal Bayesian model comparison exercise. This is motivated by the often markedly different results from these decompositions—different decompositions have broad implications for the relative importance of real versus nominal shocks in explaining variations in output. Using U.S. quarterly real GDP, we find that the overall best model is an unobserved components model with two features: (i) a nonzero correlation between trend and cycle innovations and (ii) a break in trend output growth in 2007. The annualized trend output growth decreases from about 3.4% to 1.2%–1.5% after the break. The results also indicate that real shocks are more important than nominal shocks. The slowdown in trend output growth is robust when we expand the set of models to include bivariate unobserved components models.
On the Credibility of the Euro/Swiss Franc Floor: A Financial Market Perspective
Authors: HERTRICH MARKUS , ZIMMERMANN HEINZ
Published: March 2017

We estimate the risk‐neutral break probabilities of a realignment of the EUR/CHF 1.20 floor, maintained by the SNB from September 6, 2011, to January 15, 2015, using put options and an option pricing model, which assumes a lower barrier for the exchange rate. We estimate probabilities considerably different from zero, even when the exchange rate traded far above the floor. We observe a drastic increase in the break probabilities up to approximately 50% shortly before the floor was abandoned. From an option market perspective, the credibility of the SNB in maintaining the floor was, thus, substantially lower than publicly claimed.
Permeation characteristics of hypericin across Caco-2 monolayers in the presence of single flavonoids, defined flavonoid mixtures or Hypericum extract matrix
Authors: Verjee Sheela , Kelber Olaf , Kolb Christiane , Abdel-Aziz Heba , Butterweck Veronika
Published: March 2017

Objectives

The major aim of this study was to get a detailed understanding of the exposure and fate of hypericin in the Caco-2 cell system when combined with various flavonoids, mixtures of flavonoids or Hypericum perforatum extract matrix (STW3-VI).

Methods

The permeation characteristics of hypericin in the absence or presence of quercetin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, hyperoside and rutin were tested. Hypericin (5 μm) was mixed with single flavonoids (20 μm) or with different flavonoid combinations (each flavonoid 4 or 10 μm, total flavonoid concentration: 20 μm). Further, the uptake of hypericin (5 μm) in the presence of H. perforatum extract matrix (7.25, 29 and 58 μg/ml) was studied.

Key findings

Following application of hypericin to the apical side of the monolayer, only negligible amounts of the compound were found in the basolateral compartment. From all tested flavonoids, only quercitrin increased the basolateral amount of hypericin. Dual flavonoid combinations were not superior compared to the single combinations. The amount of hypericin in the basolateral compartment increased concentration-dependently in the presence of extract matrix (from 0 to 7.5%).

Conclusion

Comparing the effects of various flavonoid mixtures vs the extract matrix, it can be concluded that, besides flavonoids, the extract seems to contain further compounds (e.g. phenolic acids or proanthocyanidins) which substantially improve the permeation characteristics of hypericin.
Variation in Networks and Forms of Support for Care‐Seeking Across the HIV Care Continuum in the Rural Southeastern United States
Authors: Hill Miranda , Huff Amber , Chumbler Neale
Published: March 2017

Purpose

In spite of progress in understanding the importance of social support for health outcomes in Persons Living with HIV (PLWH), more remains to be known about mechanisms of support most beneficial at each stage of HIV treatment. In this study, we use a qualitative analytic approach to investigate the forms and sources of social support deemed most integral to the diagnosis, care engagement, and medication adherence behaviors of a diverse sample of PLWH in a mostly rural health district in the Southeastern United States.

Methods

In‐depth interviews (N = 18) were collected during the qualitative phase of a larger mixed methods needs assessment for the Northeast Georgia Health District. A deductive‐inductive analysis of participant narratives revealed variation in the perceived importance of particular forms and sources of social support during the initial versus advanced stages of HIV care.

Findings

PLWH identified the emotional, informational, and appraisal support provided by family as especially critical for emotional stability, coping, and care linkage during the initial stages of diagnosis and treatment. However, once in care, PLWH emphasized informational and instrumental forms of support from care providers and appraisal support from peers as key influences in care engagement and retention behaviors.

Conclusion

Increased understanding of the social support mechanisms that contribute to the HIV treatment behaviors of PLWH can fill knowledge gaps in research and inform the efforts of health care providers seeking to leverage various aspects of the social support toward improving the care retention, health, and wellness outcomes of PLWH.
Agreement Among 4 Sampling Methods to Identify Respiratory Pathogens in Dairy Calves with Acute Bovine Respiratory Disease
Authors: Doyle D. , Credille B. , Lehenbauer T.W. , Berghaus R. , Aly S.S. , Champagne J. , Blanchard P. , Crossley B. , Berghaus L. , Cochran S. , Woolums A.
Published: March 2017

Background

Four sampling techniques commonly are used for antemortem identification of pathogens from cattle with bovine respiratory disease (BRD): the nasal swab (NS), guarded nasopharyngeal swab (NPS), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and transtracheal wash (TTW). Agreement among these methods has not been well characterized.

Objective

To evaluate agreement amongTTWandNS,NPS, orBALfor identification of viral and bacterial pathogens in dairy calves withBRD.

Animals

One hundred dairy calves with naturally acquired BRD.

Methods

Calves were sampled by all 4 methods. Viral agents were identified by real‐timeRT‐PCR, bacteria were identified by aerobic culture, andMycoplasma bovis(M. bovis) isolates were speciated byPCR. Agreement amongTTWandNS,NPS, orBALwas evaluated by calculating the kappa statistic and percent positive agreement. McNemar's exact test was used to compare the proportions of positive results.

Results

Agreement amongTTWandNS,TTWandNPS, andTTWandBAL, was very good for identification ofP. multocida, M. haemolytica, and M. bovis. For bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), agreement withTTWwas moderate forNS, good forNPS, and very good forBAL. For bovine coronavirus (BCV), agreement withTTWwas moderate forNSandNPS, and good forBAL. McNemar's test was significant only forBCV, indicating that for this pathogen the proportion of positive results fromNSandNPScould not be considered comparable toTTW.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

This study provides guidance for veterinarians selecting diagnostic tests for antemortem identification of pathogens associated withBRD.
Interobserver Agreement Using Histological Scoring of the Canine Liver
Authors: Lidbury J.A. , Rodrigues Hoffmann A. , Ivanek R. , Cullen J.M. , Porter B.F. , Oliveira F. , Van Winkle T.J. , Grinwis G.C. , Sucholdolski J.S. , Steiner J.M.
Published: March 2017

Background

Grading schemes for the assessment of hepatic fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity in humans previously have been applied to dogs with chronic hepatitis. Interobserver agreement is a desirable characteristic for any histological scoring scheme.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To assess interobserver agreement associated with pathologists using a previously published histological scoring scheme to assess hepatic fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity in dogs and to compare fibrosis scores assigned to serial sections stained with hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) and picrosirius red.

Animals

Histological sections of liver from 50 dogs with variable degrees of hepatic fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity were selected from institutional tissue archives.

Methods

Six board‐certified veterinary anatomic pathologists assigned fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity scores to the histological sections. The multiuser kappa statistic was calculated to assess interobserver agreement. Fibrosis stage assigned to serial sections stained with picrosirius red and H&E was compared using the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test.

Results

Multiuser kappa statistics for assessment of fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity from H&E‐stained sections were 0.35 and 0.16, respectively. There was no difference in median fibrosis scores assigned to serial section stained with H&E and picrosirius red (P = .248).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

There was fair interobserver agreement when pathologists assessed fibrosis and poor agreement when they assessed necroinflammatory activity. This suboptimal agreement must be taken into account by clinicians making decisions based on histology reports of the liver and in the design of studies evaluating these findings. To decrease this variability, ideally >1 pathologist should evaluate each section.