bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The cost of treating diabetic ketoacidosis in an adolescent population in the UK: a national survey of hospital resource use
Authors: Dhatariya K. K. , Parsekar K. , Skedgel C. , Datta V. , Hill P. , Fordham R.
Published: January 2019

Aims

Adolescents with Type 1 diabetes commonly experience episodes of ketoacidosis. In 2014, we conducted a nationwide survey on the management of diabetic ketoacidosis in young people. The survey reported how individual adolescents with diabetes were managed. However, the costs of treating diabetic ketoacidosis were not reported.

Methods

Using this mixed population sample of adolescents, we took a ‘bottom‐up’ approach to cost analysis aiming to determine the total expense associated with treating diabetic ketoacidosis. The data were derived using the information from the national UK survey of 71 individuals, collected via questionnaires sent to specialist paediatric diabetes services in England and Wales.

Results

Several assumptions had to be made when analysing the data because the initial survey collection tool was not designed with a health economic model in mind. The mean time to resolution of diabetic ketoacidosis was 15.0 h [95% confidence interval (CI) 13.2, 16.8] and the mean total length of stay was 2.4 days (95% CI 1.9, 3.0). Based on data for individuals and using the British Society of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (BSPED) guidelines, the cost analysis shows that for this cohort, the average cost for an episode of diabetic ketoacidosis was £1387 (95% CI 1120, 1653). Regression analysis showed a significant cost saving of £762 (95% CI 140, 1574; P = 0.04) among those treated using BSPED guidelines.

Conclusion

We have used a bottom‐up approach to calculate the costs of an episode of diabetic ketoacidosis in adolescents. These data suggest that following treatment guidelines can significantly lower the costs for managing episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Valvular heart disease in Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: Isolated Tricuspid stenosis
Authors: Kulkarni Suraj Kumar , Moorthy Nagaraja , Ramalingam Rangaraj
Published: January 2019

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLS) is a rare disorder characterized by a hypercoagulable state. Manifestations include arterial or venous thrombosis, recurrent fetal wastage, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, pulmonary artery hypertension, and intracardiac thrombus. Most commonly mitral valve is affected followed by aortic and then tricuspid valve. In this report, a rare case of spontaneous aortic thrombosis with tricuspid stenosis uncomplicated by other valve lesions is presented with clinical and echocardiographic studies and computed tomographic images.
Circadian rhythm of redox state regulates membrane excitability in hippocampal CA1 neurons
Authors: Naseri Kouzehgarani Ghazal , Bothwell Mia Y. , Gillette Martha U.
Published: January 2019

Behaviors, such as sleeping, foraging, and learning, are controlled by different regions of the rat brain, yet they occur rhythmically over the course of day and night. They are aligned adaptively with the day‐night cycle by an endogenous circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), but local mechanisms of rhythmic control are not established. The SCN expresses a ~24‐hr oscillation in reduction‐oxidation that modulates its own neuronal excitability. Could circadian redox oscillations control neuronal excitability elsewhere in the brain? We focused on the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus, which is known for integrating information as memories and where clock gene expression undergoes a circadian oscillation that is in anti‐phase to the SCN. Evaluating long‐term imaging of endogenous redox couples and biochemical determination of glutathiolation levels, we observed oscillations with a ~24 hr period that is 180° out‐of‐phase to the SCN. Excitability of CA1 pyramidal neurons, primary hippocampal projection neurons, also exhibits a rhythm in resting membrane potential that is circadian time‐dependent and opposite from that of the SCN. The reducing reagent glutathione rapidly and reversibly depolarized the resting membrane potential of CA1 neurons; the magnitude is time‐of‐day‐dependent and, again, opposite from the SCN. These findings extend circadian redox regulation of neuronal excitability from the SCN to the hippocampus. Insights into this system contribute to understanding hippocampal circadian processes, such as learning and memory, seizure susceptibility, and memory loss with aging.
Kantian constructivism and the authority of others
Authors: Tarasenko‐Struc Aleksy
Published: January 2019

I argue that Christine Korsgaard's Kantian constructivism cannot accommodate our obligations to others. Because she holds that all of our obligations are grounded in our obligating ourselves, she is committed to the view that our obligations to others are grounded in corresponding obligations to ourselves. Yet this conclusion is objectionable on substantive moral grounds. The problem is that she embraces an egocentric conception of authority, on which we originally have the authority to obligate ourselves whereas others only have the authority to obligate us because we grant it to them. The solution is to adopt a more thoroughly social conception of authority and autonomy.
100‐year time series reveal little morphological change following impoundment and predator invasion in two Neotropical characids
Authors: Geladi Ilke , De León Luis Fernando , Torchin Mark E. , Hendry Andrew P. , González Rigoberto , Sharpe Diana M.T.
Published: January 2019

Human activities are dramatically altering ecosystems worldwide, often resulting in shifts in selection regimes. In response, natural populations sometimes undergo rapid phenotypic changes, which, if adaptive, can increase their probability of persistence. However, in many instances, populations fail to undergo any phenotypic change, which might indicate a variety of possibilities, including maladaptation. In freshwater ecosystems, the impoundment of rivers and the introduction of exotic species are among the leading threats to native fishes. We examined how the construction of the Panama Canal, which formed Lake Gatun, and the subsequent invasion of the predatory Cichla monoculus influenced the morphology of two native fishes: Astyanax ruberrimus and Roeboides spp. Using a 100‐year time series, we studied variation in overall body shape over time (before vs. after impoundment and invasion) as well as across space (between an invaded and an uninvaded reservoir). In addition, we examined variation in linear morphological traits associated with swim performance and predator detection/avoidance. Notwithstanding a few significant changes in particular traits in particular comparisons, we found only limited evidence for morphological change associated with these two stressors. Most observed changes were subtle, and tended to be site‐ and species‐specific. The lack of a strong morphological response to these stressors, coupled with dramatic population declines in both species, suggests they may be maladapted to the anthropogenically perturbed environment of Lake Gatun, but direct measures of fitness would be needed to test this. In general, our results suggest that morphological responses to anthropogenic disturbances can be very limited and, when they do occur, are often complex and context‐dependent.
Pantarsal arthrodesis in a pony using a locking compression plate
Authors: Vlahos T.
Published: January 2019

This report describes a case of pantarsal arthrodesis for the treatment of a comminuted fracture and luxation of the equine tarsus using a locking compression plate (LCP). A 20‐year‐old, 250‐kg Welsh Pony cross presented with a severely comminuted fracture of the right tarsus. A dorsal approach to the tarsus was made and a 14‐hole, 5.5‐mm LCP was used to achieve arthrodesis. The pony was maintained in a full‐limb cast for 30 days post‐operatively. The incision healed by primary intention, and no surgical complications developed. The pony maintained excellent use of the limb and returned to pasture soundness.
Trading on Private Information: Evidence from Members of Congress
Authors: Karadas Serkan
Published: January 2019

I examine the stock trades of members of Congress and find that over 2004–2010 the buy‐minus‐sell portfolios of powerful Republicans have the highest abnormal returns, exceeding 35% on an annual basis under a one‐week holding period. Among powerful Republicans, the abnormal returns are mostly concentrated in the portfolios of those with less trading experience. I also find that the positive abnormal returns disappear after the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act was passed in 2012. My results imply that the STOCK Act affected politicians' incentives to trade on private information, which they acquired through their power and party membership.
Withdrawn: Three One‐Factor Processes for Option Pricing with a Mean‐Reverting Underlying: The Case of VIX
Authors: Zhao Bo , Yan Cheng , Hodges Stewart
Published: January 2019

The above article from the Financial Review, published online on 6 January 2019 in Wiley Online Library (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/fire.12183), has been withdrawn by agreement between Srini Krishnamurthy and Richard Warr, the Editors‐in‐Chief, and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The withdrawal has been agreed because it became evident after publication that sufficient written permission from the coauthors was not collected by the corresponding author prior to publication.
Plant diversity loss reduces soil respiration across terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Chen Xinli , Chen Han Y. H.
Published: January 2019

The rapid global biodiversity loss has led to the decline in ecosystem function. Despite the critical importance of soil respiration (Rs) in the global carbon and nutrient cycles, how plant diversity loss affects Rs remains uncertain. Here we present a meta‐analysis using 446 paired observations from 95 published studies to evaluate the effects of plant and litter mixtures on Rs and its components. We found that total Rs and heterotrophic respiration (Rh) were, on average, greater in plant mixtures than expected from those of monocultures. These mixture effects increased with increasing species richness (SR) in both plant and litter mixtures. While the positive effects of species mixtures remained similar over time for total Rs, they increased over time for Rh in plant mixtures but decreased in litter mixtures. Despite the wide range of variations in mean annual temperature, annual aridity index, and ecosystem types, the plant mixture effects on total Rs and Rh did not change geographically, except for a more pronounced increase of total Rs in species mixtures with reduced water availability. Our structural equation models suggested that the positive effects of SR and stand age on total and Rh were driven by increased plant inputs and soil microbial biomass. Our results suggest that plant diversity loss has ubiquitous negative impacts on Rs, one of the fundamental carbon‐cycle processes sustaining terrestrial element cycling and ecosystem function.
Modified Kaplan–Meier Estimator and Nelson–Aalen Estimator with Geographical Weighting for Survival Data
Authors: Hu Guanyu , Huffer Fred
Published: January 2019

The Kaplan–Meier and Nelson–Aalen estimators are universally used methods in clinical studies. In a public health study, people often collect data from different locations of the medical services provider. When some studies need to consider survival curves from different locations, traditional estimators simply estimate the marginal survival curves using stratification. In this article, we use the idea from geographically weighted regression to add geographical weights to the observations to get modified versions of the Kaplan–Meier and Nelson–Aalen estimators which can represent the local survival curve and cumulative hazard. We use counting process methods to derive these modified estimators and to estimate their variances. In addition, we discuss some general spatial weighting functions which can be used in computing these estimators. Furthermore, we present simulation results to illustrate the performance of the modified estimators. Finally, we apply our method to prostate cancer data from the SEER cancer registry for the state of Louisiana.
End‐of‐life priorities of older adults with terminal illness and caregivers: A qualitative consultation
Authors: Lewis Ebony T. , Harrison Reema , Hanly Laura , Psirides Alex , Zammit Alexandra , McFarland Kathryn , Dawson Angela , Hillman Ken , Barr Margo , Cardona Magnolia
Published: January 2019

Background

As older adults approach the end‐of‐life (EOL), many are faced with complex decisions including whether to use medical advances to prolong life. Limited information exists on the priorities of older adults at the EOL.

Objective

This study aimed to explore patient and family experiences and identify factors deemed important to quality EOL care.

Method

A descriptive qualitative study involving three focus group discussions (n = 18) and six in‐depth interviews with older adults suffering from either a terminal condition and/or caregivers were conducted in NSW, Australia. Data were analysed thematically.

Results

Seven major themes were identified as follows: quality as a priority, sense of control, life on hold, need for health system support, being at home, talking about death and competent and caring health professionals. An underpinning priority throughout the seven themes was knowing and adhering to patient's wishes.

Conclusion

Our study highlights that to better adhere to EOL patient's wishes a reorganization of care needs is required. The readiness of the health system to cater for this expectation is questionable as real choices may not be available in acute hospital settings. With an ageing population, a reorganization of care which influences the way we manage terminal patients is required.
Inhibition of the in vitro activities of α‐amylase, α‐glucosidase and pancreatic lipase by yellow field pea (Pisum sativum L.) protein hydrolysates
Authors: Awosika Temitola O. , Aluko Rotimi E.
Published: January 2019

The aim of this work was to produce yellow field pea protein‐derived peptides as inhibitors of α‐amylase, α‐glucosidase and pancreatic lipase activities. A pea protein concentrate was hydrolysed with alcalase, chymotrypsin, pepsin or trypsin and the hydrolysates separated into different fractions (<1, 1–3, 3–5, 5–10 kDa) by membrane ultrafiltration. Peptide sequence analysis showed that the alcalase hydrolysate had higher levels of di‐ and tripeptides when compared with the chymotrypsin, pepsin and trypsin hydrolysates. The peptide fractions inhibited α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase activities at levels that were similar to the unfractionated hydrolysates. The peptides were more active against α‐amylase (inhibition at μg level) than α‐glucosidase (mg level). In contrast, the fractionated peptides had reduced ability (IC50 >4.2 mg mL−1) when compared with the unfractionated hydrolysate (IC50 <4.2 mg mL−1) to inhibit lipase activity. Enzyme kinetic studies revealed that the peptides reduced α‐amylase activity through competitive inhibition. However, inhibition of α‐glucosidase activity was non‐competitive.
Improvement of thermal, microwave and ultrasonication pretreatment on the production of antioxidant peptides from sweet potato protein via in vitro gastrointestinal digestion
Authors: Zhang Miao , Huang Tung‐Shi , Mu Tai‐Hua
Published: January 2019

Effects of thermal (boiling, steaming and autoclaving), microwave and ultrasonication pretreatments on the production of sweet potato protein hydrolysates (SPPH) through in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (GID) were investigated. All pretreatments significantly increased the degree of hydrolysis (DH), antioxidant activities and molecular weight (MW) <3 kDa peptide fractions contents of SPPH in the order of autoclaving > microwave, steaming > boiling > ultrasonication (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis between peptides content and antioxidant activity suggested that antioxidant activity of SPPH mainly attributed to MW <3 kDa peptides. Diverse peptides ranged from 487.24 to 1477.74 Da with 7–13 amino acids were identified in the MW <3 kDa peptides fraction with autoclaving pretreatment and matched sporamins A, A precursor and B sequences from LC–QTOF–MS/MS analysis. Conformational structures of nine peptides were predicted with well‐known antioxidant amino acids. There is a high potential for SPPH used as a functional supplement in food system.
Mapping social work education in the West Africa region: Movements toward indigenization in 12 countries’ training programs
Authors: Canavera Mark , Akesson Bree , Landis Debbie , Armstrong Miranda , Meyer Elizabeth
Published: January 2019

This article presents the results of a systematic mapping of social work training programs in countries throughout West Africa, a region historically under‐represented in global discussions of the social welfare workforce. The research illuminates how social workers and related professionals are trained to engage in social work practice in a number of West African countries. The research was conducted in two phases. In the initial phase, the research team collected documents from 12 West African countries and conducted phone interviews with relevant individuals. The second phase included field research in five West African countries − Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal − where the research team conducted semi‐structured interviews and group discussions with 253 individuals. Framed by indigenization theory, this study describes social service training institutes in West Africa and highlights the varying degrees to which programs have been adapted to indigenous and endogenous realities in the postcolonial era.
Chemical equilibrium analysis of silicon carbide oxidation in oxygen and air
Authors: Chen Samuel Y. , Boyd Iain D.
Published: January 2019

Due to their refractory nature and oxidation resistance, Ultra‐High Temperature Ceramic materials, including silicon carbide, are of interest in hypersonic aerospace applications. To analyze the thermodynamic behavior of silicon carbide during transition between passive and active oxidation states, chemical equilibrium calculations are performed. The predicted oxygen pressures for passive‐to‐active transition show improved agreement up to an order of magnitude with experimental transition data in the literature, compared with Wagner's model. Both oxygen and air environments are examined, and a 3% difference in transition temperature is observed. Material response analysis demonstrates that a surface temperature jump occurs during thermal oxidation of silicon carbide, corresponding to passive‐to‐active transition.
Heteroepitaxial growth of thick 3C‐SiC (110) films by Laser CVD
Authors: Sun Qingyun , Yang Meijun , Li Jun , Xu Qingfang , Tu Rong , Li Qizhong , Zhang Song , Zhang Lianmeng , Goto Takashi , Ohmori Hitoshi , Kosinova Marina
Published: January 2019

Previously, we found 3C‐SiC films favor to grow in <111> orientation on Si (110) (https://doi.org/10.1111/jace.15260). However, epitaxial growth of thick <110>‐3C‐SiC is still a big challenge. In this study, thick 3C‐SiC (110) epitaxial films were prepared on Si (110) substrate by laser chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) using hexamethyldisilane (HMDS) in H2 atmosphere. The investigation of growth mechanism showed that the laser of LCVD played an important role during the depositions. Observation by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) revealed that the interface of 3C‐SiC (110)/Si (110) exhibited rough texture at atomic level. The atomic roughness on Si (110) surface could be a key factor for 3C‐SiC (110) nucleation. The growth of thick 3C‐SiC (110) epitaxial films could be very promising for new development in power electronics applications.
A plant growth-promoting bacterium alters the microbial community of continuous cropping poplar trees’ rhizosphere
Authors: Sui J. , Ji C. , Wang X. , Liu Z. , Sa R. , Hu Y. , Wang C. , Li Q. , Liu X.
Published: January 2019

Aims

We aimed to develop a biological agent that regulates the microbial community structure of the poplar rhizosphere and alleviates the effects of continuous poplar cropping.

Methods and Results

Poplar rhizosphere soils were treated with or without Paenibacillus polymyxa CP-S316 microbial fermentation medium. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to measure bacteria and fungi in both groups, and microbial communities were analysed by metabarcoding. In fungi, the operational taxonomic units, abundance-based coverage estimator and Chao index of the CP-S316-treated group were significantly lower than those in the control check (CK) group. In bacteria, the proportions of Bacillus in the CP-S316 and CK groups were 5·20 and 2·38%, respectively, whereas those of Rhizoctonia were 2·20 and 5·82% respectively. The diameter at breast height, culturable bacteria and total bacteria of poplars treated with CP-S316 exceeded those in the CK group.

Conclusions

Our data confirmed that CP-S316 could improve the microbial community structure of poplar rhizosphere and promote the growth of poplars.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Research aimed at alleviating continuous cropping obstacles and promoting poplar growth via biocontrol agents is uncommon. We analysed the community structures of bacteria and fungi in rhizosphere soil to illustrate the use of CP-S316 for poplar cropping for improving plant health in the continuous cropping of poplar trees.
Strengthening Inter‐ and Intraprofessional Collaborations to Advance Biobehavioral Symptom Science
Authors: Starkweather Angela R. , Colloca Luana , Dorsey Susan G. , Griffioen Mari , Lyon Debra , Renn Cynthia
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this article was to discuss barriers and potential solutions for strengthening inter‐ and intraprofessional collaborations that will advance biobehavioral symptom science.

Organizing Construct

General and team‐based barriers and solutions for advancing biobehavioral symptom science are reviewed with an exemplar discussion that is guided by Carper's patterns of knowing.

Conclusions

Strategic partnerships across nursing associations and organization can help to build collaborations that are focused on symptom science in a specific population, disease, or setting. Additional strategies to build collaborations include supporting interprofessional workgroups, data sharing, and dissemination of research findings across associations. Prioritization of funding opportunities and resources devoted to building inter‐ and intraprofessional collaborations focused on advancing biobehavioral symptom science will benefit nursing science, the membership, and patients and families.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing associations and organizations can play an integral role in building inter‐ and intraprofessional teams dedicated to advancing biobehavioral symptom science via multiple ways of knowing that nurses use to generate new knowledge, develop innovations, and apply them in practice.
Anatomy of the cavernous muscles of the kangaroo penis highlights marsupial–placental dichotomy
Authors: Warburton Natalie M. , Bateman Philip W. , Fleming Patricia A.
Published: January 2019

The mammalian penis is a complex hydraulic organ of cavernous (spongy) tissue supported by both smooth and skeletal muscle structures. In placental mammals, the paired ‎Musculus ischiocavernosi anchor the corpora cavernosa to the pelvis (at the ischium), and the paired M. bulbospongiosi converge as they envelop the base of the corpus spongiosum. Male marsupials have a dramatically different anatomy, however, in which both sets of paired muscles remain separate, have a bulbous, globular shape and do not have any direct connection to the pelvis. Here we provide the first detailed anatomical investigation of the muscles of the penis in the western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) incorporating dissection, histology, vascular casting and computed tomography. The M. ischiocavernosus and M. bulbospongiosus form massive, multipennate bodies of skeletal muscle surrounding the paired roots of the corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum, respectively. Bilateral vascular supply is via both the artery of the penis and the ventral perineal artery. Histological examination reveals cavernous tissues with substantial smooth muscle supported by fibroelastic trabeculae, surrounded by the thick collagenous tunica albuginea. The M. ischiocavernosus and M. bulbospongiosus are known to function during erection of the penis and ejaculation via muscular contraction increasing blood pressure within cavernous vascular tissues. The thick muscular anatomy of the kangaroo would be well suited to this function. The absence of any connection to the bony pelvis in marsupials suggests the possibility of different mechanisms of action of these muscles with regard to reduction of venous return, eversion from the cloaca, or movements such as penile flips, which have been described in some placental mammals. This highlights a greater diversity in form and function in the evolution of the mammalian penis than has been previously considered.
Long‐term understory vegetation dynamics of mixed aspen forests in Rocky Mountain National Park, USA
Authors: Bretfeld Mario , Franklin Scott B. , Peet Robert K.
Published: January 2019

Aims

Forests worldwide are subjected to increasing pressures from altered disturbance regimes, climate change, and their interactions. We resampled previously established vegetation plots to directly assess long‐term vegetation dynamics in the forest understory of mixed aspen forests, including species diversity, distribution, and composition.

Study site

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA.

Methods

We resampled 89 vegetation plots that contained aspen (Populus tremuloides) in the original sampling in 1972/1973 in Rocky Mountain National Park to assess changes in understory diversity, non‐native species abundance, community composition, and elevation ranges. Analyses were performed at three spatial scales: landscape (all plots), ecotone (montane vs. subalpine), and seven forest “series” according to the classification presented in the original publication.

Results

Understory vegetation diversity did not significantly change at the landscape scale but increased in forests of the mesic montane series. Changes in diversity varied with elevation, with predominantly increases at lower elevations and decreases at higher elevations. Furthermore, species turnover and upward shifts were more pronounced at lower elevations. The proportion of plots containing non‐native species was similar between data sets, with 48% in 2012/2013 and 46% in 1972/1973. However, the number of non‐native species per plot increased considerably, especially in Pinus contorta forests. Significant shifts in understory community composition occurred in mesic montane forests and Pinus flexilis forests. Generally, higher floristic overlap was evident between forest types, indicating homogenization between 1972/1973 and 2012/2013 understory plant communities.

Conclusions

Although our results indicate overall little change in understory communities between 1972/1973 and 2012/2013 in Rocky Mountain National Park, they also suggest that observed changes differ by elevation, possibly due to the interactions between elevation and changes in local climate. Our study underscores the importance of analyzing long‐term vegetation dynamics at different spatial scales and provides data from direct observations to improve the predictive power of vegetation models.
How informative is vertebral development for the origin of lissamphibians?
Authors: Danto M. , Witzmann F. , Kamenz S. K. , Fröbisch N. B.
Published: January 2019

The origin of lissamphibians remains unresolved and different origins within Paleozoic early tetrapods have been proposed. Both the vertebral morphology as well as the ossification sequence of the vertebrae are potentially important character traits to test these different hypotheses. Here, we aim to determine if vertebral formation and ossification sequence in lissamphibians and early tetrapods are valuable indicatives of phylogenetic relationships. To answer this question, we examined the vertebral development in growth series of different salamander taxa and compared the results with literature data on vertebral development in frogs, caecilians and early tetrapods. In salamanders, caecilians and early tetrapods, the vertebral centrum develops by chordacentral and perichordal centrum formation, whereas in frogs, no chordacentral centrum formation has been observed so far. In the salamander taxa studied here, the following chondrification and ossification sequences are observed: chondrification first of the neural arches and then of the centra followed by ossification first of the centra and then of the neural arches. In frogs, in contrast, the neural arches ossify prior to the centra and it can be assumed that this developmental sequence represents the ancestral condition for tetrapods, as it characterizes some stem‐tetrapods and all temnospondyls from which growth series are known. However, the ossification sequence of the vertebral column is only incompletely known in stem‐amniotes which makes a comparison with extant lissamphibians difficult. This indicates that the mode of centrum formation and the ossification sequence are highly variable and cannot be used to determine the origin of lissamphibians within early tetrapods.
Scent chemistry is key in the evolutionary transition between insect and mammal pollination in African pineapple lilies
Authors: Wester Petra , Johnson Steven D. , Pauw Anton
Published: January 2019

Volatile emissions may play a key role in structuring pollination systems of plants with morphologically unspecialised flowers. Here we test for pollination by small mammals in Eucomis regia and investigate whether its floral scent differs markedly from fly‐ and wasp‐pollinated congeners and attracts mammals.

We measured floral traits of E. regia and made comparisons with insect‐pollinated congeners. We observed floral visitors and examined fur and faeces of live‐trapped mammals for pollen. We determined the contributions of different floral visitors to seed set with selective exclusion and established the breeding system with controlled pollination experiments. Using bioassays, we examined whether mammals are attracted by the floral scent and are effective agents of pollen transfer.

Eucomis regia differs from closely related insect‐pollinated species mainly in floral scent, with morphology, colour and nectar properties being similar. We found that mice and elephant‐shrews pollinate E. regia, which is self‐incompatible and reliant on vertebrates for seed production. Mammals are strongly attracted to the overall floral scent, which contains unusual sulphur compounds, including methional (which imparts the distinctive potato‐like scent and which was shown to be attractive to small mammals).

The results highlight the important role of scent chemistry in shifts between insect and mammal pollination systems.
Scheduling Elective Surgeries with Emergency Patients at Shared Operating Rooms
Authors: Jung Kyung Sung , Pinedo Michael , Sriskandarajah Chelliah , Tiwari Vikram
Published: January 2019

Operating rooms (ORs) are the greatest source of revenues for hospitals and also their largest cost centers. When scheduling surgeries, hospitals face a trade‐off between the need to conduct planned elective surgeries and the need to be responsive to emergency cases. However, scheduling ORs, especially at Level‐1 trauma hospitals, is challenging due to significant uncertainties in the arrivals of patients requiring emergent surgery. The issue of allocating limited capacity to emergent surgery cases while scheduling elective patients has major policy implications. We develop a model for allocating the OR capacity to elective patients in such a way that the emergency patients who arrive randomly can be accommodated without incurring excessive delays. The objective is to develop a framework for aggregate weekly schedules and generate detailed daily schedules that minimize the total cost of the ORs’ expected operating time, idle time, and overtime. We present optimization procedures for generating effective schedules and rescheduling procedures that adjust the schedules of elective patients affected by emergency arrivals. Initially, the procedures assume deterministic surgery times for elective patients; the procedures are then extended to include stochastic surgery times. We show that for a given arrival rate of emergency patients, the total expected cost is convex in the weekly load of elective surgeries being scheduled. Numerical experiments are devised to obtain total expected cost curves for various emergency arrival rates. Using these curves, the optimal capacity allocation of ORs to elective patients can be determined as a function of the emergency arrival rate.
Fear‐potentiated startle response as an endophenotype: Evaluating metrics and methods for genetic applications
Authors: Savage Jeanne E. , Moore Ashlee A. , Sawyers Chelsea K. , Bourdon Jessica L. , Verhulst Brad , Carney Dever M. , Moroney Elizabeth , Machlin Laura , Kaabi Oumaima , Vrana Scott , Grillon Christian , Brotman Melissa A. , Leibenluft Ellen , Pine Daniel S. , Roberson‐Nay Roxann , Hettema John M.
Published: January 2019

The modulation of the startle response (SR) by threatening stimuli (fear‐potentiated startle; FPS) is a proposed endophenotype for disorders of the fearful‐fearlessness spectrum. FPS has failed to show evidence of heritability, raising concerns. However, metrics used to index FPS—and, importantly, other conditional phenotypes that are dependent on a baseline—may not be suitable for the approaches used in genetic epidemiology studies. Here, we evaluated multiple metrics of FPS in a population‐based sample of preadolescent twins (N = 569 from 320 twin pairs, Mage = 11.4) who completed a fear‐conditioning paradigm with airpuff‐elicited SR on two occasions (~1 month apart). We applied univariate and multivariate biometric modeling to estimate the heritability of FPS using several proposed standardization procedures. This was extended with data simulations to evaluate biases in heritability estimates of FPS (and similar metrics) under various scenarios. Consistent with previous studies, results indicated moderate test‐retest reliability (r = 0.59) and heritability of the overall SR (h2 = 34%) but poor reliability and virtually no unique genetic influences on FPS when considering a raw or standardized differential score that removes baseline SR. Simulations demonstrated that the use of differential scores introduces bias in heritability estimates relative to jointly analyzing baseline SR and FPS in a multivariate model. However, strong dependency of FPS on baseline levels makes unique genetic influences virtually impossible to detect regardless of methodology. These findings indicate that FPS and other conditional phenotypes may not be well suited to serve as endophenotypes unless such codependency can be disentangled.
Institutions or Contingencies? A Cross‐Country Analysis of Management Tool Use by Public Sector Executives
Authors: George Bert , Van de Walle Steven , Hammerschmid Gerhard
Published: January 2019

Management tools are often argued to ameliorate public service performance. Indeed, evidence has emerged to support positive outcomes related to the use of management tools in a variety of public sector settings. Despite these positive outcomes, there is wide variation in the extent to which public organizations use management tools. Drawing on normative isomorphism and contingency theory, this article investigates the determinants of both organization‐oriented and client‐oriented management tool use by top public sector executives. The hypotheses are tested using data from a large‐N survey of 4,533 central government executives in 18 European countries. Country and sector fixed‐effects ordinary least squares regression models indicate that contingency theory matters more than normative isomorphism. Public executives working in organizations that are bigger and have goal clarity and executive status are more likely to use management tools. The only normative pressure that has a positive impact on management tool use is whether public sector executives have a top hierarchical position.
Sustainability and Disaster Planning: What Are the Connections?
Authors: Homsy George C. , Liao Lu , Warner Mildred E.
Published: January 2019

In this article, we examine the connections between resiliency and sustainability by asking: Can disaster planning lead to more sustainability actions? In a survey we conducted of 1,899 cities, towns, and counties across the United States in 2015, we found that disaster plans are three times more common than sustainability plans. Our regression models find both types of plans lead to sustainability action as does regional collaboration across the rural‐urban interface. However, we find that hazard mitigation planning may be done without including sustainability staff, citizens, and other officials. After controlling for motivations, capacity, and cooperation, we find that rural communities are more likely to have sustainability plans than suburbs, though their level of sustainability action is lower due to capacity constraints. Our models of multilevel governance find local motivations balance sustainability’s concept of environmental protection, economic development, and social equity—and are more important drivers of action than grassroots or higher‐level government funding and policy. This bodes well in a context where federal government leadership on sustainability is absent.
Influence of fixation systems on complications after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in dogs greater than 45.4 kilograms (100 lb)
Authors: Chiu King Wa , Amsellem Pierre M. , Yu Jenny , Ho Pui Shan , Radasch Robert
Published: January 2019

Objective

To determine the influence of 3 fixation systems on complications rate after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) in dogs >45.4 kg.

Study design

Retrospective case series.

Sample population

Dogs (N = 287, 342 stifles) >45.4 kg with cranial cruciate ligament tear treated with TPLO.

Methods

The medical records of dogs treated with TPLO were reviewed for fixation and postoperative complications, with a follow‐up of at least 6 weeks. A random effects logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between the type of TPLO fixation system and complications.

Results

The fixation systems included a 3.5‐mm broad TPLO plate alone (8P; 78.4%), a 3.5‐mm broad TPLO plate with SOP (String of Pearls) plate (8AP; 14.9%), and a 3.5‐mm standard TPLO plate (6P; 6.7%). Among the included stifles, 214 (62.6%) fixation systems were classified as locking, and 128 (37.4%) were classified as nonlocking. The fixation system was predictive of complications. The 8P had the lowest odds ratio for complication among the 3 fixation systems. Odds of developing complications were higher with the 8AP fixation system than with the 8P fixation system. Locking fixation eliminated the association between weight and complication rate.

Conclusion

Fixation of a TPLO with the 8AP increased the risk of complications compared with the 8P in this population of large dogs.

Clinical significance

Locking fixation of TPLO with a 3.5‐mm broad TPLO plate alone should be considered in large dogs because it may reduce complications.
Perceptual deletion and asymmetric lexical access in second language learners
Authors: Melnik Gerda Ana , Peperkamp Sharon
Published: January 2019

French listeners have difficulty perceiving /h/, and as L2 speakers they frequently omit /h/ in English words. This study investigated their processing of English /h/-initial words. Participants performed a lexical decision task on words and nonwords, where the nonwords were created from /h/-initial and vowel-initial words by removing or adding /h/, respectively. The results mirrored the production pattern, with more misses on /h/-initial words (e.g., holiday) and more false alarms on vowel-initial nonwords (e.g., usband). These results are interpreted in light of previous research on asymmetries in L2 lexical access.
Homologous Expression and Characterization of Gassericin T and Gassericin S, a Novel Class IIb Bacteriocin Produced by Lactobacillus gasseri LA327
Authors: Kasuga Genki , Tanaka Masaru , Harada Yuki , Nagashima Hiroshi , Yamato Taisei , Wakimoto Ayaka , Arakawa Kensuke , Kawai Yasushi , Kok Jan , Masuda Tetsuya
Published: January 2019

Bacteriocins are regarded as potential alternatives for antibiotics in the absence of highly resistant bacteria. In particular, two-peptide (class IIb) bacteriocins exhibit the maximum activity through the synergy of two components, and their antimicrobial spectra are known to be relatively wide. However, there are few reports of synergistic activity of class IIb bacteriocins determined by isolation and purification of individual peptides. Our results clarified the interaction of each class IIb component peptide for GT and GS via the construction of homologous mutants, which were not dependent on the purification. These data may contribute to understanding the mechanisms of action by which class IIb bacteriocins exhibit wide antibacterial spectra.
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
VopA Is a Potent Inhibitor of Cell Migration and Apoptosis in the Intestinal Epithelium of
Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Luo Liping , Matthews Jason D. , Robinson Brian S. , Jones Rheinallt M.
Published: January 2019

Animal models have played a key role in providing an understanding of the mechanisms that govern the pathophysiology of intestinal diseases. To expand on the repertoire of organisms available to study enteric diseases, we report on the use of the
Drosophila melanogaster
model to identify a novel function of an effector protein secreted by
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
, which is an enteric pathogen found in contaminated seafood.
Indole Inhibits ToxR Regulon Expression in
Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Howard Mondraya F. , Bina X. Renee , Bina James E.
Published: January 2019

Indole is a degradation product of tryptophan that functions as a signaling molecule in many bacteria. This includes
Vibrio cholerae
, where indole was shown to regulate biofilm and type VI secretion in nontoxigenic environmental isolates.
Increased Intracellular Cyclic di-AMP Levels Sensitize Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus to Osmotic Stress and Reduce Biofilm Formation and Adherence on Intestinal Cells
Authors: Teh Wooi Keong , Dramsi Shaynoor , Tolker-Nielsen Tim , Yang Liang , Givskov Michael
Published: January 2019

Streptococcus gallolyticus
is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for septicemia and endocarditis in the elderly and is also strongly associated with colorectal cancer.
S. gallolyticus
can form biofilms, express specific pili to colonize the host tissues, and produce a specific bacteriocin allowing killing of commensal bacteria in the murine colon. Nevertheless, how the expression of these colonization factors is regulated remains largely unknown. Here, we show that c-di-AMP plays pleiotropic roles in
S. gallolyticus
, controlling the tolerance to osmotic stress, cell size, biofilm formation on abiotic surfaces, adherence and cell aggregation on human intestinal cells, expression of Pil3 pilus, and production of bacteriocin. This study indicates that c-di-AMP may constitute a key regulatory molecule for
S. gallolyticus
host colonization and pathogenesis.
A Minigenome Study of Hazara Nairovirus Genomic Promoters
Authors: Matsumoto Yusuke , Ohta Keisuke , Kolakofsky Daniel , Nishio Machiko
Published: January 2019

A minigenome system for HAZV, closely related to CCHFV, was used to study its genome replication. HAZV genome ends, like those of other sNSV, such as peribunyaviruses and arenaviruses, are highly complementary and serve as promoters for genome synthesis. These promoters are composed of two elements: the extreme termini of both 3′ and 5′ strands that are initially bound to separate sites on the polymerase surface in a sequence-specific fashion and the following sequences with the potential to anneal but whose sequence is not important. Nairovirus promoters differ from the other sNSV cited in that they contain a short single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) region between the two elements. The single-stranded nature of this region is an essential element of the promoter, whereas its sequence is unimportant. The sequence of the following complementary region is unexpectedly also important, a possible rare example of sequence-specific dsRNA recognition.
Low Postseroconversion CD4
+
T-cell Level Is Associated with Faster Disease Progression and Higher Viral Evolutionary Rate in HIV-2 Infection
Authors: Palm Angelica A. , Lemey Philippe , Jansson Marianne , Månsson Fredrik , Kvist Anders , Szojka Zsófia , Biague Antonio , da Silva Zacarias José , Rowland-Jones Sarah L. , Norrgren Hans , Esbjörnsson Joakim , Medstrand Patrik , N’Buna Babetida , Biague Antonio , Biai Ansu , Camara Cidia , Esbjörnsson Joakim , Jansson Marianne , Karlson Sara , Lindman Jacob Lopatko , Medstrand Patrik , Månsson Fredrik , Norrgren Hans , Palm Angelica A. , Sahin Gülsen Özkaya , da Silva Zacarias Jose
Published: January 2019

The relationship between HIV evolution and disease progression is fundamental to our understanding of HIV immune control and vaccine design. There are no clear definitions for faster and slower HIV-2 disease progression and for the relationship of the rate of progression with HIV-2 evolution. To address the hypothesis that viral evolution is correlated with disease progression in HIV-2 infection, we determined faster and slower disease progression based on follow-up data from a prospective cohort of police officers in Guinea-Bissau. The analysis showed that although the CD4
+
T-cell level and the decline in the level were independently associated with progression to AIDS, only the CD4
+
T-cell level or a combined CD4
+
T-cell level/decline stratification was associated with the rate of HIV-2 evolution. The HIV-2 evolutionary rate was almost twice as high among the faster progressors as among the slower progressors. Importantly, this report defines previously unknown characteristics linking HIV-2 disease progression with virus evolution.
Regulation of the Peptidoglycan Polymerase Activity of PBP1b by Antagonist Actions of the Core Divisome Proteins FtsBLQ and FtsN
Authors: Boes Adrien , Olatunji Samir , Breukink Eefjan , Terrak Mohammed
Published: January 2019

Bacterial cell division is governed by a multiprotein complex called divisome, which facilitates a precise cell wall synthesis at midcell and daughter cell separation. Protein-protein interactions and activity studies using different combinations of the septum synthesis core of the divisome revealed that the glycosyltransferase activity of PBP1b is repressed by FtsBLQ and that the presence of FtsN or LpoB suppresses this inhibition. Moreover, FtsBLQ also inhibits the PBP3 activity on a thioester substrate. These results provide enzymatic evidence of the regulation of the peptidoglycan synthase PBP1b and PBP3 within the divisome. The results confirm that PBP1b plays an important role in
E. coli
cell division and shed light on the specific role of FtsN, which functions to relieve the repression on PBP1b by FtsBLQ and to initiate septal peptidoglycan synthesis.
Glycyl Radical Enzyme-Associated Microcompartments: Redox-Replete Bacterial Organelles
Authors: Ferlez Bryan , Sutter Markus , Kerfeld Cheryl A.
Published: January 2019

An increasing number of microbes are being identified that organize catabolic pathways within self-assembling proteinaceous structures known as bacterial microcompartments (BMCs). Most BMCs are characterized by their singular substrate specificity and commonly employ B
12
-dependent radical mechanisms.