bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of in‐hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation for patients with end‐stage liver disease
Authors: Ufere Nneka N. , Brahmania Mayur , Sey Michael , Teriaky Anouar , El‐Jawahri Areej , Walley Keith R. , Celi Leo A. , Chung Raymond T. , Rush Barret
Published: February 2019

Background and Aims

There have been improving survival trends after in‐hospital cardiac arrest for the general population, but there is limited information on the outcomes of hospitalized patients with end‐stage liver disease (ESLD) who undergo cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We aimed to examine survival to hospital discharge after receipt of in‐hospital CPR in patients with ESLD using a nationally representative sample.

Methods

We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 2006 to 2014 to identify adult patients who underwent in‐hospital CPR. Using multivariate modelling, we compared survival to hospital discharge for patients with ESLD to those without ESLD. We also compared outcomes of patients with ESLD to patients with metastatic cancer.

Results

A total of 177 533 patients underwent in‐hospital CPR, of which 1474 (0.8%) had ESLD. Patients with ESLD had lower rates of survival to hospital discharge compared to patients without ESLD (10.7% vs 28.6%, P < 0.01). In multivariate modelling, ESLD was significantly associated with lower odds of survival to hospital discharge after in‐hospital CPR (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.28‐0.44, P < 0.01). Among survivors of in‐hospital CPR, ESLD patients had a significantly lower chance of discharge to home compared to patients without ESLD (3.2% vs 8.0%, P < 0.05). Patients with ESLD also had lower rates of survival to hospital discharge compared to those with metastatic cancer (10.7% vs 15.5%, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Outcomes are poor after in‐hospital CPR in patients with ESLD and are worse than for patients with metastatic cancer. The current analysis can be used to inform goals of care discussions for patients with ESLD.
Evidence of bias during liver transplant evaluation of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis patients
Authors: Danford Christopher J. , Iriana Sentia , Shen Changyu , Curry Michael P. , Lai Michelle
Published: February 2019

Background & Aims

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients and a major source of post‐transplant mortality. We sought to examine the effect of comorbidities on listing for orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) in NASH patients.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we included all patients (n = 955) referred to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for OLT between January 2002 and September 2011 and followed their outcomes through March 2018.

Results

Compared with non‐NASH patients (n = 881), NASH patients (n = 74) were older, more likely female, more overweight, with higher rates of diabetes, hypertension and CVD. NASH patients were less likely to be listed for OLT (55% vs 68.9%, P = 0.01) and were more often declined for ‘medical comorbidities’ (36.1% vs 15.7%, P < 0.001). However, on multivariate analysis, the only significant predictors of listing were model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score (OR 1.04, P = 0.01), HCC (OR 2.16, P = 0.01), and diagnosis of non‐NASH cirrhosis (OR 2.56, P = 0.003) while controlling for comorbidities. NASH patients declined for OLT died primarily from their liver disease and were not more likely to die from CVD than non‐NASH patients. There was no difference in outcomes of NASH vs non‐NASH patients on the waitlist and post‐transplant.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates potential bias against NASH patients referred for OLT arising from heightened concern for comorbidities. Despite being declined for comorbidities, NASH patients are likely to die of their liver disease.
Application of WASP model for assessment of water quality for eutrophication control for a reservoir in the Peruvian Andes
Authors: Mamani Larico Albert Johan , Zúñiga Medina Sebastián Adolfo
Published: February 2019

Water quality models are important tools for facilitating assessment of the main processes occurring in an aquatic system. To this end, a water quality analysis simulation programme (WASP8) was used to assess the eutrophication process in El Pañe Reservoir. The reservoir has a useful water volume of 99.6 hm3 and is connected to six other reservoirs located in the Chili Basin of the Arequipa Region. El Pañe Reservoir, which is the basin head, has exhibited eutrophication problems since 2014, causing water treatment problems for human consumption and a high probability of cyanotoxin releases from intensive algal blooms. Accordingly, the reservoir was divided into 11 segments, ammonia, nitrate, phosphate, total phosphate, dissolved oxygen, water temperature and chlorophyll‐a being the simulated water quality parameters. The simulations were set in a steady state condition for 3 years from October 2015 to October 2018, subsequently determining aquaculture activity and benthic flux as being meaningful nutrient sources impacting the phytoplankton community. The results of the present study provide necessary evidence of the need to exhaustively quantify both sources in future research, which will aid decision makers in identifying the best management option that can help guarantee the sustainable development of the involved human activities.
Zoonotic Semiotics: Plague Narratives and Vanishing Signs in Madagascar
Authors: Sodikoff Genese Marie
Published: February 2019

Zoonosis calls for a multispecies approach to medical semiotics, a method involving the decipherment of outward symptoms and the construction of narrative. In Madagascar, early detection of bubonic plague outbreaks relies on sightings of sick and dead rats. However, people most vulnerable to plague often do not perceive warning signs, and plague symptoms do not always present in rat and human bodies. In August 2015, a plague outbreak killed 10 residents of a rural hamlet in the central highlands. To reconstruct the transmission chain, scientists elicited survivors’ memories of dead rats in the vicinity. Not only were these clues imperceptible to most, but residents had also constructed an alternative outbreak narrative based on different evidence. Stark health disparities, a lack of historical memory of the plague, and genetic adaptations of rats and plague bacteria have created a problem of “semiotic cluelessness” that complicates outbreak control measures and increases mortality.
Changes in gene DNA methylation and expression networks accompany caste specialization and age‐related physiological changes in a social insect
Authors: Morandin Claire , Brendel Volker P. , Sundström Liselotte , Helanterä Heikki , Mikheyev Alexander S.
Published: February 2019

Social insects provide systems for studying epigenetic regulation of phenotypes, particularly with respect to differentiation of reproductive and worker castes, which typically arise from a common genetic background. The role of gene expression in caste specialization has been extensively studied, but the role of DNA methylation remains controversial. Here, we perform well replicated, integrated analyses of DNA methylation and gene expression in brains of an ant (Formica exsecta) with distinct female castes using traditional approaches (tests of differential methylation) combined with a novel approach (analysis of co‐expression and co‐methylation networks). We found differences in expression and methylation profiles between workers and queens at different life stages, as well as some overlap between DNA methylation and expression at the functional level. Large portions of the transcriptome and methylome are organized into “modules” of genes, some significantly associated with phenotypic traits of castes and developmental stages. Several gene co‐expression modules are preserved in co‐methylation networks, consistent with possible regulation of caste‐specific gene expression by DNA methylation. Surprisingly, brain co‐expression modules were highly preserved when compared with a previous study that examined whole‐body co‐expression patterns in 16 ant species, suggesting that these modules are evolutionarily conserved and for specific functions in various tissues. Altogether, these results suggest that DNA methylation participates in regulation of caste specialization and age‐related physiological changes in social insects.
Palmar hyperlinearity in early childhood atopic dermatitis is associated with filaggrin mutation and sensitization to egg
Authors: Fukuie Tatsuki , Yasuoka Ryuhei , Fujiyama Toshiharu , Sakabe Jun‐ichi , Taguchi Tomohide , Tokura Yoshiki
Published: February 2019

Background/Objectives

Palmar hyperlinearity is a typical clinical feature of Filaggrin gene (FLG) null mutations. There are reports of FLG mutations and allergic sensitization; however, reports on the relationship between palmar hyperlinearity to sensitization are limited. This study aimed to examine the association between palmar hyperlinearity and sensitization in atopic dermatitis (AD) children.

Methods

This cross‐sectional, case‐control study included children ˂ 6 years old with moderate‐severe AD whose parents consented for mutation analysis and photographic documentation. Each child underwent genotyping to detect the eight most prevalent FLG mutations in the Japanese population: R501X, 3321delA, S1695X, Q1701X, S2554X, S2889X, S3296X, and K4022X. Clinical features and parameters including egg‐specific IgE were examined, and palm photographs were evaluated by 12 trained dermatologists blinded to genotyping results.

Results

Of the 57 patients (age range, 2 months to 5 years; median, 22 months), 16 were heterozygotes and three were compound heterozygotes. Palmar hyperlinearity, as recognized by more than two‐thirds of dermatologists, was significantly associated with FLG mutation (P = 0.002, OR = 6.98, 95% CI = 2.1‐23.7), and this association was observed especially in children over 2 years. Cross‐shaped crease of the thenar eminence, as known in previous reports, also demonstrated significant correlation with FLG mutation. When the children were divided according to the presence or absence of palmar hyperlinearity, the egg white–specific IgE was significantly higher in the hyperlinearity group (55.9 vs 18.3 IU/mL, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Palmar hyperlinearity indicates possible inherited barrier abnormalities of the skin in early childhood. Its identification may help to predict a more accurate prognosis, such as sensitization.
Medallion‐like dermal dendrocyte hamartoma: A rare congenital CD34‐positive dermal lesion clinically and pathologically overlapping with fibroblastic connective tissue nevus
Authors: Horikawa Hiroto , Sato Tomotaka , Gomi Hiroko , Yamazaki Kazuto , Ishida Yasuo , Yuzaki Ikki , Fukuzumi Satoshi
Published: February 2019

Both medallion‐like dermal dendrocyte hamartoma and fibroblastic connective tissue nevus are rare benign dermal lesions composed of CD34‐positive spindle cells. Although regarded as different diseases, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between them due to their clinical and pathological similarities. We present a case of medallion‐like dermal dendrocyte hamartoma that could also be diagnosed as fibroblastic connective tissue nevus and propose the possibility of overlap in these diseases.
When reach exceeds touch: Student experiences in a cross‐sector community‐based academic‐practice partnership
Authors: Janssen Breen Laurel , Diamond‐Caravella Monica , Moore Geraldine , Wruck Michelle , Guglielmo Claudia , Little Anne , Tedeschi Pamela , Zacharia Marianne , Cataletto Mary
Published: February 2019

Objective

A partnership between three nursing programs, multiple high‐needs public school districts and a local asthma coalition was developed as a way to build shared capacity aimed at improving health outcomes for children with asthma. This article explores student perceptions of their clinical experiences teaching asthma self‐management within a regional cross‐sector, community‐based, multi‐site academic‐practice partnership.

Design

Nursing faculty from three Long Island, New York‐based nursing programs within the partnership jointly created a qualitative focus group methodology to more fully understand the phenomena of interest. A set of open‐ended interview questions guided the sessions.

Sample

Through purposive sampling, 42 undergraduate nursing students participated in 60‐min focus group sessions.

Measurement

Focus group data were transcribed. Content analysis, coding, and theme development was carried out collaboratively. The unit of analysis was the individual participant responses informed by group interaction. A researcher diary was maintained.

Results

One overarching theme and three sub‐themes emerged from the data, reflecting student understandings in the areas of positioning, professional/personal identity, and social awareness. Ongoing analysis revealed patterns across the data sets linking student learning and the goals, milieu and workings of the partnership.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that the context of a thriving community‐based academic‐practice partnership, established to improve population health outcomes, offered unique clinical learning opportunities for students through exposure to the values, ideas, and innovation of the partnership itself.
Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation (UV‐A+UV‐B) on the Antioxidant Metabolism of the Red Macroalga Species Acanthophora spicifera (Rhodophyta, Ceramiales) From Different Salinity and Nutrient Conditions
Authors: Pereira Débora Tomazi , Pereira Bárbara , Fonseca Alessandra , Ramlov Fernanda , Maraschin Marcelo , Álvarez‐Gómez Félix , Figueroa Felix L. , Schmidt Éder Carlos , Bouzon Zenilda Laurita , Simioni Carmen
Published: February 2019

Acanthophora spicifera (M.Vahl) Børgesen is a macroalga of great economic importance. This study evaluated the antioxidant responses of two algal populations of A. spicifera adapted to different abiotic conditions when exposed to ultraviolet‐A+ultraviolet‐B radiation (UV‐A+UV‐B). Experiments were performed using the water at two collection points for 7 days of acclimatization and 7 days of exposure to UVR (3 h per day), followed by metabolic analyses. At point 1, water of 30 ± 1 practical salinity unit (psu) had concentrations of 1.06 ± 0.27 mm , 8.47 ± 0.01 mm , 0.17 ± 0.01 mm and pH 7.88. At point 2, water of 35 ± 1 psu had concentrations of 1.13 ± 0.05 mm , 3.73 ± 0.01 mm , 0.52 ± 0.01 mm and pH 8.55. Chlorophyll a, phycobiliproteins, carotenoids, mycosporins, polyphenolics and antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase and guaiacol peroxidase) were evaluated. The present study demonstrates that ultraviolet radiation triggers antioxidant activity in the A. spicifera. However, such activation resulted in greater responses in samples of the point 1, with lower salinity and highest concentration of nutrients.
Interobserver and intraobserver variation in the morphological evaluation of noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary‐like nuclear features in Asian practice
Authors: Liu Zhiyan , Bychkov Andrey , Jung Chan Kwon , Hirokawa Mitsuyoshi , Sui Shaofeng , Hong SoonWon , Lai Chiung‐Ru , Jain Deepali , Canberk Sule , Kakudo Kennichi
Published: February 2019

To evaluate the current diagnostic criteria in reporting nuclear features of noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary‐like nuclear features (NIFTP), nine Asian pathologists with expertise in thyroid reviewed virtual slides of 30 noninvasive follicular patterned thyroid lesions according to the nuclear scoring system originally proposed by an international expert and a more detailed scoring system proposed by the Asian Working Group. The interobserver agreement for nuclear grading score was generally moderate (kappa value = 0.452). The best consistency fell on the chromatin features (kappa value = 0.658–1.000). A fair to moderate interobserver agreement was demonstrated in the evaluation of nuclear elongation, nuclear overlapping, membrane irregularities and distribution of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) type nuclear features. A slight agreement was rendered for the evaluation of the nuclear enlargement. Intraobserver agreement was substantial to perfect when comparing results of both scoring systems. However, both scoring systems were not able to reliably separate NIFTP from an encapsulated follicular variant PTC with minimal lymph node metastasis or BRAFV600E mutation. Although the three‐point nuclear scoring system for the diagnosis of NIFTP is widely used in Asian practice, interobserver variation was considerable. Ancillary immunohistochemical or molecular testing might be helpful in differentiating NIFTP from true PTC.
Dispersal and genetic differentiation of Syntrichia caninervis populations across different desert regions in China
Authors: Yin B. , Zhang Y. , Zhang T. , Lin L. , Lou A.
Published: February 2019

The moss Syntrichia caninervis is widely distributed in cool temperate and cold deserts where environmental pressures create a dependence on asexual reproduction (fragment reproduction). However, when compared to sporophyte‐producing mosses, there is a lack of evidence to support the capacity of drought‐tolerant mosses that predominantly fragment and produce protonema to disperse over long distances.

We used 20 microsatellite loci to study genetic variation and structure in six populations (five natural populations and one population from a regeneration site) in three contrasting and widely separated regions of China.

The genetic diversity and expected heterozygosity were lower in populations from the Tengger Desert than in populations from the other regions. Using PCoA, UPGMA and Structure analysis, the genetic grouping divided the three regions into three distinct groups. This may indicate that in regions where S. caninervis reproduces predominantly asexually, propagules are spread mainly by short‐distance dispersal. The genetic diversity of the population from the regeneration site in the Tengger Desert was slightly higher than that of the nearby, naturally occurring population, and included some input from the Pamir Plateau almost 2,300 km to the west, suggesting long‐distance dispersal of S. caninervis propagules across the region.

Predominantly asexually reproducing populations of S. caninervis are mainly dependent on short‐distance dispersal. Long‐distance dispersal of S. caninervis propagules across the region is difficult. Establishment of populations with dominant asexual reproduction will eventually result in genetic differentiation.
Near‐term impacts of coral restoration on target species, coral reef community structure, and ecological processes
Authors: Ladd Mark C. , Burkepile Deron E. , Shantz Andrew A.
Published: February 2019

The global decline of corals has created an urgent need for effective, science‐based methods to augment coral populations and restore important ecosystem functions. To meet this challenge, the field of coral restoration has rapidly evolved over the past decade. However, despite widespread efforts to outplant corals and monitor survivorship, there is a shortage of information on the effects of coral restoration on reef communities or important ecosystem functions. To fill this knowledge gap, we examined the effects of restoration on three major criteria: diversity, community structure, and ecological processes. We conducted surveys of four restored sites in the Florida Keys ranging in restoration effort (500–2,300 corals outplanted) paired with surveys of nearby, unmanipulated control sites. Coral restoration successfully enhanced coral populations, increasing coral cover 4‐fold, but manifested in limited differences in coral and fish communities. Some restored sites had higher abundance of herbivorous fish, rates of herbivory, or more juvenile‐sized corals, but these effects were limited to individual reefs. Damselfish were consistently more abundant at restored compared to control sites. Despite augmenting target coral populations, 3 years of coral restoration has not facilitated many of the positive feedbacks that help reinforce coral success. In a time of increasingly frequent disturbances, it is urgent we hasten the speed at which reefs recover important ecological processes, such as herbivory and nutrient cycling, that make reefs more resistant and resilient if we are to achieve long‐term restoration success.
Landscape and organismal factors affecting sagebrush‐seedling transplant survival after megafire restoration
Authors: Davidson Bill E. , Germino Matthew J. , Richardson Bryce , Barnard David M.
Published: February 2019

Larger and more frequent disturbances are motivating efforts to accelerate recovery of foundational perennial species by focusing efforts into establishing island patches to sustain keystone species and facilitate recovery of the surrounding plant community. Evaluating the variability in abiotic and biotic factors that contribute to differences in survival and establishment can provide useful insight into the relative importance of these factors. In the western United States, severe degradation of the sagebrush steppe has motivated substantial efforts to restore native perennial cover, but success has been mixed. In this study, we evaluated survival of more than 3,000 sagebrush seedlings transplanted on 12 patches totaling 650 ha within a 113,000 ha burn area, and related the survival to organismal and subtaxonomic traits, and to landscape variables. Big sagebrush has high intraspecific diversity attributed to subspecies and cytotypes identifiable through ultraviolet (UV)‐induced fluorescence, length:width of leaves, or genome size (ploidy). Of these organismal traits, survival was related only to UV fluorescence, and then only so when landscape variables were excluded from analyses. The most significant landscape variable affecting survival was soil taxonomic subgroup, with much lower survival where buried restrictive layers reduce deep water infiltration. Survival also decreased with greater slope steepness, exotic annual grass cover, and burn severity. Survival was optimal where perennial bunchgrasses comprised 8–14% of total cover. These soil, topographic, and community condition factors revealed through monitoring of landscape‐level treatments can be used to explain the success of plantings and to strategically plan future restoration projects.
Organizational aspects of pulmonary rehabilitation in chronic respiratory diseases
Authors: Spruit Martijn A. , Wouters Emiel F.M.
Published: February 2019

Adult patients with chronic respiratory diseases may suffer from multiple physical (pulmonary and extra‐pulmonary), emotional and social features which necessitate a comprehensive, interdisciplinary rehabilitation programme. To date, pulmonary rehabilitation programmes show a lot of variation in setting, content, frequency and duration. Future projects should strive for a standard set of assessment measures to identify patients eligible for pulmonary rehabilitation, taking disease complexity into consideration, which should result in referral to an appropriate rehabilitation setting. Local circumstances may complicate this crucial endeavour.
How Do Sectoral Interests Shape Distributive Politics? Evidence from Gasoline and Diesel Subsidy Reforms
Authors: Blankenship Brian , Urpelainen Johannes
Published: February 2019

Sectoral interests play an important role in distributive politics, but their influence is difficult to measure. We compare the effect of international oil prices on subsidies for domestic gasoline and diesel consumption. Because diesel is used by a smaller number of organized agricultural and transportation interests, they are more capable of collective action than the dispersed beneficiaries of gasoline subsidies. The conventional wisdom holds that sectoral interests could mobilize to stop reform (e.g., price increases, deregulation). Challenging this view, we consider the possibility that sectoral interests promote reform by facilitating the targeted allocation of compensation and exemptions. An empirical analysis of gasoline and diesel prices, 1991–2012, strongly supports the second hypothesis: diesel prices respond to international oil prices more strongly than do gasoline prices. Quantitative tests and case studies allow us to explore causal mechanisms, verify that the gasoline‐diesel difference is related to actual policy reforms, and reject alternative explanations.
Modeling spatial overdispersion via the generalized Waring point process
Authors: Zografi Mimoza , Xekalaki Evdokia
Published: February 2019

Modeling spatial overdispersion requires point process models with finite‐dimensional distributions that are overdisperse relative to the Poisson distribution. Fitting such models usually heavily relies on the properties of stationarity, ergodicity, and orderliness. In addition, although processes based on negative binomial finite‐dimensional distributions have been widely considered, they typically fail to simultaneously satisfy the three required properties for fitting. Indeed, it has been conjectured by Diggle and Milne that no negative binomial model can satisfy all three properties. In light of this, we change perspective and construct a new process based on a different overdisperse count model, namely, the generalized Waring (GW) distribution. While comparably tractable and flexible to negative binomial processes, the GW process is shown to possess all required properties and additionally span the negative binomial and Poisson processes as limiting cases. In this sense, the GW process provides an approximate resolution to the conundrum highlighted by Diggle and Milne.
Interrelatedness of children’s psychological and physiological responses to interparental conflict: A moderating role of harsh parenting
Authors: Gao Mengyu Miranda , de Silva Aryanne D. , Mark Cummings E. , Davies Patrick T.
Published: February 2019

Children’s psychological and physiological responses to interparental conflict have received considerable attention due to their implications for later adjustment, yet limited research has investigated the interplay between these two response systems. This study investigates patterns of association between children’s psychological responses (e.g., emotional distress) and cortisol reactivity to interparental conflict, including possible moderations by negative caregiving environment. Participants included 193 families (mother, father, and child). Parents completed questionnaires relating to their caregiving behaviors toward the child (107 girls and 86 boys, M age = 7.99 years, SD = 0.53 years) and children’s psychological responses to interparental conflict. Children provided three saliva samples over the course of watching videos depicting conflicts between two adults, whom children were asked to pretend were their parents. Based on a series of Latent Growth Curve Models, only children’s emotional responses to interparental conflict (indicated by increased distress) were associated with greater cortisol reactivity. Additionally, fathers’ harsh parenting behavior moderated the relation between children’s emotional reactivity and cortisol reactivity, yet the moderation effect was not found for mothers’ parenting. Findings are discussed in terms of the importance of exploring both psychological and physiological reactivity to conflict and the possible moderating role of harsh parenting.
A note on the relationship between conditional and unconditional independence and its extensions for Markov kernels
Authors: Nogales A.G. , Pérez P.
Published: February 2019

Two known results on the relationship between conditional and unconditional independence are obtained as a consequence of the main result of this paper, a theorem that uses independence of Markov kernels to obtain a minimal condition, which, added to conditional independence, implies independence. Some examples, counterexamples, and representation results are provided to clarify the concepts introduced and the propositions of the statement of the main theorem. Moreover, conditional independence and the mentioned results are extended to the framework of Markov kernels.
Detection of HLA‐C*08:178, a novel HLA‐C*08 variant, in a Taiwanese hematopoietic stem cell donor
Authors: Yang Kuo‐Liang , Lin Py‐Yu
Published: February 2019

Nucleotide replacement at residue 12 of HLA‐C*08:22 results in a novel allele, HLA‐C*08:178.
Lipid content drives weed seed consumption by ground beetles (Coleopterea, Carabidae) within the smallest seeds
Authors: Gaba S , Deroulers P , Bretagnolle F , Bretagnolle V
Published: February 2019

Seed predation by natural predators can contribute to the regulation of the weed seedbank, hence has been acknowledged as a promising way to significantly reduce the use of chemicals and mechanical weeding to manage arable weeds. However, the complex aspects that determine seed species preference are not yet fully understood, especially, the relationship between weed seed traits and the feeding behaviour of seed predator species. In this study, we examine predation on 42 weed species by four ground beetle species as a function of two major seed traits: seed mass and seed lipid content. We used an _original experimental design to create a statistically independent trait value distribution for evaluating the separate and interactive effects of these two traits. Our results show that all the ground beetles species consumed weed seeds, but at different rates. The smallest weed seeds with high lipid content were among the most consumed. While seed mass might be limiting for ground beetles, due to ease of handling or the thickness of the seed coat, they may preferentially consume seeds rich in lipids to increase energy uptake. To our knowledge, this study is the first to reveal that two major seed traits drive seed predation by ground beetles.
Conidae phylogenomics and evolution
Authors: Abalde Samuel , Tenorio Manuel J. , Uribe Juan E. , Zardoya Rafael
Published: February 2019

Understanding the relative role of different evolutionary processes leading to the extraordinary morphological, ecological and species diversity of cone snails requires a robust phylogeny, which thus far has been elusive. Here, we constructed a mitochondrial (mt) genome data set, which included four newly sequenced mt genomes, 25 publicly available mt genomes and 24 data sets with all mt protein‐coding and rRNA genes assembled from venom gland transcriptomes. In total, we analysed 42 different species representing 27 genera of cone snails, that is, about one third of the generic diversity of the group. In addition, we used the RNA‐Seq reads to assemble 21 nuclear genes, which were concatenated in a nuclear data set. Finally, a combined data set including mt and nuclear genes was also constructed. The three data matrices were analysed with probabilistic methods, site‐homogeneous and site‐heterogeneous models, and with protein‐coding genes both at the amino acid and nucleotide levels. Diet specialization, radular morphology and the type of protoconch (paucispiral or multispiral indicating lecithotrophic or planktonic larvae, respectively) as well as conotoxin diversity were mapped onto the reconstructed mt phylogeny, and a chronogram dating mayor cladogenetic events within the group was also reconstructed.
Improving forecasting accuracy of crude oil prices using decomposition ensemble model with reconstruction of IMFs based on ARIMA model
Authors: Aamir Muhammad , Shabri Ani , Ishaq Muhammad
Published: February 2019

The accuracy of crude oil price forecasting is more important especially for economic development and is considered a lifeblood of the industry. Hence, in this paper, a decomposition-ensemble model with the reconstruction of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) is proposed for forecasting the crude oil prices based on the well-known autoregressive moving average (ARIMA) model. Essentially, the reconstruction of IMFs enhanced the forecasting accuracy of the existing decomposition ensemble models. The proposed methodology works in four steps: decomposition of the complex data into several IMFs using EEMD, reconstruction of IMFs based on order of ARIMA model, prediction of every reconstructed IMF, and finally ensemble the prediction of every IMF for the final output. A case study is carried out using two crude oil prices time series (i.e. Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI)). The empirical results exhibited that the reconstruction of IMFs based on order of ARIMA model was adequate and provided the best forecast. To check the correctness, robustness and generalizability simulations were also carried out.
Mini review: Application of supercritical carbon dioxide in extraction of propolis extract
Authors: Mohd Idrus Nor Faadila , Yian Lee Nian , Idham Zuhaili , Aris Noor Aiysah , Putra Nicky Rahmana , Abdul Aziz Ahmad Hazim , Che Yunus Mohd Azizi
Published: February 2019

Propolis is a resinous substance produced by bees functioned to seal holes, exclude draught, protect against contamination and external intruders inside their hives has been substantially studied and reported to have numerous health properties such as antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics. Propolis cannot be utilized as raw material, due to its complex mixture of compounds. Hence it must be separated by the extraction process. Extraction targets to removes the inert compounds in the propolis sample and preserves the flavonoids and polyphenolic fraction. The most common technique used in propolis extraction is solvent extraction that involves the use of solvents such as ethanol, water, hexane, ethyl-acetate and chloroform. However, this conventional technique has some drawbacks including strong residual flavour, possible adverse reactions, harmful to the environment, low quality of the extract and long process period requirement. Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) is one of the alternative techniques to conventional extraction that was reported to be an excellent method to purify and fractionate bioactive compounds from natural sources. SC-CO2 extraction was first introduced for analytical application because of the demand to reduce organic solvent utilization in a laboratory environment. It has now become a favourite technique in extraction, fractionation, refinement, and deodorization of natural sample matrices in laboratory scale and industrial scale. Carbon dioxide is an ideal supercritical solvent due to its non-toxic, non-polluting, non-flammable, recoverable and environmentally benign properties. Therefore, this mini review aims to discuss the application of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction specifically on propolis sample starting with a brief introduction on propolis, methods of propolis extraction, the principle of SC-CO2 extraction, application of SC-CO2 in propolis extraction, advantages of SC-CO2 extraction and lastly comparison between SC-CO2 and conventional extraction techniques.
Mechanical and flammability properties of poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) blends and nanocomposites: Effects of compatibilizer and graphene
Authors: Shrivastava Nilesh Kumar , Wooi Ooi Shu , Hassan Azman , Inuwa Ibrahim Mohammed
Published: February 2019

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/polybutylene adipate co-terephthalate (PBAT) blends were prepared by melt blending and compatibilized by glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). The effect of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) on these compatibilized blends were investigated by incorporating GNP at different content. The formulated blend and nanocomposites were characterized for mechanical, morphological, thermal and flammability properties by using universal testing machine, impact tester, field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI) and UL-94 respectively. The incorporation of 8 phr GMA into PLA/PBAT (75:25) blend as a compatibilizer results in a significant increase in impact strength (more than 14 times higher) compared to the uncompatibilized blend. Young's modulus and tensile strength of compatibilized PLA/PBAT nanocomposites increased upon addition of GNP and reached maximum values at 4 phr before decreasing slightly. However, impact strength decreased with increasing GNP contents. The thermal stability and the flame retardancy of the GNP reinforced blend nanocomposites were also improved with an increase in nanofiller content and the maximum values for the nanocomposites were achieved at 6 phr. Interestingly, the nanocomposites samples showed a UL-94 rating of V0 at 4 and 6 phr of GNP. Morphological studies using FESEM showed the GNP were evenly distributed and dispersed in the PLA/PBAT nanocomposites. The current methodology to prepare PLA/PBAT blend nanocomposite is an economical way to produce high strength biodegradable polymer which also has good flame retardancy.
Team Perceptions of Choir Members
Authors: Küçük Duygu Piji , Halvaşi Bülent
Published: February 2019

The success of a choir depends on the integrity, concentration and team logic to be formed within the group under the leadership of the choir conductor. Some dimensions of team perception are considered to be important for choral success such as knowing the aims of the choir, being aware of each other's talent levels, sharing the feeling of success and failure, having trust and responsibility for the group members and the conductor, being willing to work, feeling happy and proud for being a member of the choir. In this study, it is aimed to determine the level of team perception of choir members. In addition, it has been tried to determine whether the team perceptions of choir members have made a difference according to the variables of gender, age, type of graduated school and choir experience. The research group consisted of 246 choir members who are members of Marmara University Polyphonic Choir, MEF University Choir, TRT Istanbul Youth Choir, Kocaeli University Fine Arts Faculty Music Department Choir, Croatia Mato Bucar Choir and Bosnia and Herzegovina Bugojno Choir. The data of the study were collected with Chorus Team Perception Scale and personal information form, consisting of 34 items and 5 sub-dimensions. As a result of the research, it was found that the choir members generally had a high level of team perception. The average score of the choir members in sub-dimensions of the team spirit, chorus and conductor relationship, negative emotions, responsibility and effort, emotional support and collaboration, revealed a high level of team perception. According to the gender variable, a high level of difference was found in favour of female choir members among the total scores of the team members of the choir. It was found that choir members aged 22 years and older had higher choir team perception than choir members in the 14-17 and 18-21 age groups. There was no significant difference between the total score of the team perception and the sub-dimension scores of the choir members according to the type of school they graduated and the choir experience variables.
Changes in cellular Ca2+ and Na+ regulation during the progression towards heart failure in the guinea pig
Authors: Ke H.‐Y. , Yang H.‐Y. , Francis A. J. , Collins T. P. , Surendran H. , Alvarez‐Laviada A. , Firth J. M. , MacLeod K. T.
Published: February 2019

Key points

During compensated hypertrophy in vivo fractional shortening (FS) remains constant until heart failure (HF) develops, when FS decreases from 70% to 39%.

Compensated hypertrophy is accompanied by an increase in INa,late and a decrease in Na+,K+‐ATPase current. These changes persist as HF develops.

SR Ca2+ content increases during compensated hypertrophy then decreases in HF. In healthy cells, increases in SR Ca2+ content and Ca2+ transients can be achieved by the same amount of inhibition of the Na+,K+‐ATPase as measured in the diseased cells.

SERCA function remains constant during compensated hypertrophy then decreases in HF, when there is also an increase in spark frequency and spark‐mediated Ca2+ leak.

We suggest an increase in INa,late and a decrease in Na+,K+‐ATPase current and function alters the balance of Ca2+ flux mediated by the Na+/Ca2+ exchange that limits early contractile impairment.

We followed changes in cardiac myocyte Ca2+ and Na+ regulation from the formation of compensated hypertrophy (CH) until signs of heart failure (HF) are apparent using a trans‐aortic pressure overload (TAC) model. In this model, in vivo fractional shortening (FS) remained constant despite HW:BW ratio increasing by 39% (CH) until HF developed 150 days post‐TAC when FS decreased from 70% to 39%. Using live and fixed fluorescence imaging and electrophysiological techniques, we found an increase in INa,late from –0.34 to –0.59 A F−1 and a decrease in Na+,K+‐ATPase current from 1.09 A F−1 to 0.54 A F−1 during CH. These changes persisted as HF developed (INa,late increased to –0.82 A F−1 and Na+,K+‐ATPase current decreased to 0.51 A F−1). Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content increased during CH then decreased in HF (from 32 to 15 μm l−1) potentially supporting the maintenance of FS in the whole heart and Ca2+ transients in single myocytes during the former stage. We showed using glycoside blockade in healthy myocytes that increases in SR Ca2+ content and Ca2+ transients can be driven by the same amount of inhibition of the Na+,K+‐ATPase as measured in the diseased cells. SERCA function remains constant in CH but decreases (τ for SERCA‐mediated Ca2+ removal changed from 6.3 to 3.0 s−1) in HF. In HF there was an increase in spark frequency and spark‐mediated Ca2+ leak. We suggest an increase in INa,late and a decrease in Na+,K+‐ATPase current and function alters the balance of Ca2+ flux mediated by the Na+/Ca2+ exchange that limits early contractile impairment.
El cambio climático y sus representaciones sociales en el medio rural de Chiapas, México
Authors: Santiago Lastra José Antonio , Horita Pérez Luz Helena , Sulvarán López José Luis
Published: February 2019

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue analizar las representaciones sociales de las mujeres y los hombres de las comunidades rurales sobre los cambios ambientales ocurridos en el estado de Chiapas. La investigación se realizó con un enfoque estructural exploratorio de tipo interpretativo, para ello se identificaron sabios de comunidades rurales representativas de las distintas regiones biogeográficas del estado. Se realizó un análisis hermenéutico, se construyó una tipología para la comprensión de las representaciones sociales estudiadas y se verificó la validez de dicha tipología mediante la prueba estadística de Ji cuadrada. Como resultado, se encontró un fuerte consenso sobre la percepción de un aumento en la temperatura y cambios en el patrón de lluvias, lo cual concuerda con los escenarios modelados para el estado, desde la visión de la ciencia occidental.
The Psychometric Properties of the Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 (PID-5) in a Colombian Clinic Sample
Authors: Ferrer Alberto , Londoño Nora Helena , Calvete Esther , Krueger Robert F.
Published: February 2019

Objective: to validate the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) in a Colombian clinical population and the gender differences. Participants: 341 patients between 18 and 60 years of age, 60% of women. Method: Confirmatory Factor Analyses (AFC) and concurrent validity whit PBQ-SF. Results: supported the existence of the 25 first-order factors. In terms of domains (second-order analysis), several organization models were posed. The results supported the model proposed by Krueger, Derringer, Markon, Watson, and Skodol (2012): c2(2661, n = 341) = 3350, RMSEA = 0.028 (90% CI: 0.025; 0.030), CFI = 0.99, NNFI=0.99. Men scored significantly higher than women on grandiosity, irresponsibility, manipulativeness, risk-taking, antagonism, and disinhibition. Women scored significantly higher than men on emotional lability and intimacy avoidance. The concurrent validity of PID with the PBQ-SF was high, giving support to the traits of personality disorder models of the DSM-5.
High-throughput process chain for single electron transistor devices based on field-emission scanning probe lithography and Smart Nanoimprint lithography technology
Authors: Lenk Claudia , Krivoshapkina Yana , Hofmann Martin , Lenk Steve , Ivanov Tzvetan , Rangelow Ivo W. , Ahmad Ahmad , Reum Alexander , Holz Mathias , Glinsner Thomas , Eibelhuber Martin , Treiblmayr Dominik , Schamberger Barbara , Chouiki Mustapha , Chan Boon Teik , el Otell Ziad , de Marneffe Jean-François
Published: February 2019

Next generation electronic devices like single electron transistors (SETs) operating at room temperature (RT) demand for high-resolution patterning techniques and simultaneously cost-effective, high-throughput manufacturing. Thereby, field-emission scanning probe lithography (FE-SPL) is a direct writing method providing high-resolution and high-quality nanopatterns. SET devices prepared by FE-SPL and plasma etching at cryogenic substrate temperature were shown to operate at RT [C. Lenk et al., Microelectron. Eng. 192, 77 (2018); Z. Durrani, M. Jones, F. Abualnaja, C. Wang, I. W. Rangelow, M. Kaestner, S. Lenk, C. Lenk, and A. Andreev, J. Appl. Phys. 124, 144502 (2018); I. W. Rangelow et al., J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B 34, 06K202 (2016)]. Nevertheless, FE-SPL lacks in writing speed and large area manufacturing capability required for industrial device manufacturing. This can be overcome by combining FE-SPL with nanoimprint lithography (NIL), which enables the replication of high-resolution features on large areas and provides high throughput. In this work, the authors will review a high-throughput process chain for RT-SET fabrication based on reproducing FE-SPL prepared masters by NIL and etching.
Immunometabolism regulates TCR recycling and iNKT cell functions
Authors: Fu Sicheng , Zhu Shasha , Tian Chenxi , Bai Shiyu , Zhang Jiqian , Zhan Chonglun , Xie Di , Wang Lu , Li Zonghong , Li Jie , Zhang Huimin , Zhou Rongbin , Tian Zhigang , Xu Tao , Bai Li
Published: February 2019

Glycolysis augments T cell receptor recycling to promote downstream signaling and interferon-γ responses in iNKT cells.
Bacteria “Read” Light To Gain a Competitive Advantage
Authors: Lubner Carolyn E.
Published: February 2019

Photosynthesis, the process of converting solar energy into stored chemical bonds, represents the primary mechanism by which biological organisms utilize photons. Light can also be used to activate a number of photosensory compounds and proteins designed to carry out tasks, such as DNA repair, gene regulation, and synchronization with the diurnal cycle.
A Dual-Species Biofilm with Emergent Mechanical and Protective Properties
Authors: Yannarell Sarah M. , Grandchamp Gabrielle M. , Chen Shih-Yuan , Daniels Karen E. , Shank Elizabeth A.
Published: February 2019

In the environment, many microbes form biofilms. However, the interspecies interactions underlying bacterial coexistence within these biofilms remain understudied. Here, we mimic environmentally relevant biofilms by studying a dual-species biofilm formed between
Bacillus subtilis
and
Pantoea agglomerans
and subjecting the coculture to chemical and physical stressors that it may experience in the natural world. We determined that both bacteria contribute structural elements to the coculture, which is reflected in its overall viscoelastic behavior. Existence within the coculture can be either beneficial or detrimental depending on the context. Many of the features and determinants of the coculture biofilm appear distinct from those identified in monoculture biofilm studies, highlighting the importance of characterizing multispecies consortia to understand naturally occurring bacterial interactions.
Complete Sequences of Two Plasmids Found in a Brazilian Bacillus thuringiensis Serovar israelensis Strain
Authors: Campos Fabrício S. , Cerqueira Fernando B. , Santos Gil R. , Pereira Eliseu J. G. , Corrêia Roberto F. T. , Cangussu Alex S. R. , Melo Fernando L. , Ribeiro Bergmann M. , Aguiar Raimundo W. S.
Published: February 2019

Plasmids play a crucial role in the evolution of bacterial genomes by mediating horizontal gene transfer. In this work, we sequenced two plasmids found in a Brazilian
Bacillus thuringiensis
serovar israelensis strain which showed 100% nucleotide identities with
Bacillus thuringiensis
serovar kurstaki plasmids.