bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fast and Quantitative Analysis of Ediphenphos Residue in Rice Using Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Weng Shizhuang , Wang Fang , Dong Ronglu , Qiu Mengqing , Zhao Jinling , Huang Linsheng , Zhang Dongyan
Published: March 2018

Detection of residual farm chemicals in agricultural crops is a hot topic in the field of food safety. In this study, ediphenphos residue in rice was detected using surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) on a portable Raman spectrometer. A simple pretreatment method for rice samples was developed, and uniform gold nanorods were used for SERS measurement. Characteristic signals can still be detected when ediphenphos concentration in rice extraction solution was higher than or equal to 0.1 mg/L. Quantitative analysis of ediphenphos was conducted by regression models developed using partial least‐squares regression, random forest and kernel principal component analysis, and root‐mean‐square error of cross validation, coefficient of determination and relative predicted deviation of optimal model were 0.022 mg/L, 0.9967 and 297.45, which indicated the proposed method can predict ediphenphos concentration with high precision. To validate the feasibility of practical application further, rice samples spiked with 10, 5, 1, 0.5, and 0.1 μg/g ediphenphos residue were analyzed using the above method. The predicted recovery was in the range of 93.4% to 102%, and the predicted error was small for residue of each concentration. These results demonstrated that the presented method could be used for accurate and quantitative detection of ediphenphos residue in rice.

Practical Application

This study developed a surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) method for detection of ediphenphos in rice coupled with simple extraction protocol and gold nanorods on a portable Raman spectrometer. SERS is a rapid and accurate method which can be applied in agricultural grain safety inspection.
Fuel Prices and Road Deaths in Australia
Authors: Burke Paul J. , Teame Ataklti
Published: March 2018

After years of general progress in reducing Australia's road death toll, road deaths increased in 2015 and 2016, reaching 1293 per annum. These were also years of relatively cheap fuel following the dramatic decline in the world oil price in late 2014. This study uses monthly data to model the number of road deaths in Australia. Our estimates suggest that low fuel prices have contributed to knocking Australia off track for meeting its 2020 road safety target. The paper also provides a discussion of other factors that may have contributed to the rise in Australia's road death toll.
Exchange‐Sponsored Analyst Coverage
Authors: Gao Ru (Tina) , Shivakumar Lakshmanan , Sidhu Baljit K.
Published: March 2018

Several major stock exchanges, including the NASDAQ and NYSE Euronext, have recently embarked on schemes to sponsor and promote analyst coverage for firms listed on their exchanges. We evaluate the efficacy of one such scheme pioneered by the Singapore Exchange (SGX). We find that sponsored analysts produce forecasts with similar bias, but lower accuracy than those issued by analysts voluntarily following a firm. In analyses that control for self‐selection into the SGX Scheme, we find that sponsored firms enjoy at best minor improvements in their information environments and stock liquidity. Any benefits accruing from the scheme are insufficient to make sponsored firms fully comparable to those of firms with voluntary analyst following on the measured attributes.
Development and application of a simple, rapid and sensitive method for detecting moderately carbendazim‐resistant isolates in Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Duan Y.B. , Yang Y. , Li M.X. , Li T. , Fraaije B.A. , Zhou M.G.
Published: March 2018

Sustainable disease management depends on the ability to monitor the development of fungicide resistance in pathogen populations. A point mutation resulting in an alteration (F200Y) at codon 200 of the target protein β‐tubulin leads to a moderate level of resistance to carbendazim in Botrytis cinerea. Although traditional methods remain a cornerstone in detection of fungicide resistance, molecular methods that do not require the isolation of pathogens, can detect the presence of resistance alleles at low frequencies, and require less time and labour than traditional methods. In this study, we present an efficient, rapid, and highly specific method for detecting the moderately carbendazim‐resistant isolates in B. cinerea based on loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). By using specific LAMP primers, we detected the resistance‐conferring mutation underlying β‐tubulin F200Y. The concentrations of LAMP components and LAMP parameters were optimised, resulting in reaction temperatures and times of 61–65°C and 45 min, respectively. The feasibility of the LAMP assay was verified by assaying the diseased samples with artificial inoculation in the different hosts. The LAMP assay developed in the current study was specific, stable, repeatable and sensitive, and was successfully applied for detection of moderately carbendazim‐resistant isolates of B. cinerea in plant samples.
Phenological growth stages of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) according to the extended BBCH scale
Authors: Kishore Kundan
Published: March 2018

Jackfruit, the largest known edible fruit bearing tree, is one of the important fruit crops of India. It exhibits wide range of diversity with respect to fruit character and bulb quality. It is an important component of homestead garden because of its multifarious uses (dessert, vegetable and pickle) and high nutritive value. In spite of high food value and market potential, jackfruit is one of the poorly researched crops and there is a dearth of information about its phenology. The present study defines phenological stages of jackfruit according to the extended BBCH (Biologische Bundesantalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie) scale using three‐digit numerical system. Eight principal growth stages, namely bud development (stage 0), shoot development (stage 1), leaf development (stage 3), specialised reproductive shoot development (stage 4), reproductive development (stage 5), flowering (stage 6), fruit development (stage 7) and fruit maturation (stage 8) have been described. A total of 42 secondary growth stages have been described and defined. In this study, bearing and non‐bearing footstalks as well as male and female phases have been defined separately. The study will act as an effective tool for providing a consensual unified approach for standardisation of phenophases, as well as for efficient orchard management for ensuring higher yield and fruit quality. The scale may also be effectively used for characterisation and adaptation of germplasm and assessment of climatic impact on crop phenology.
Cost‐effectiveness of alternative smoking cessation scenarios in Spain: results from the EQUIPTMOD
Authors: Trapero‐Bertran Marta , Muñoz Celia , Coyle Kathryn , Coyle Doug , Lester‐George Adam , Leidl Reiner , Németh Bertalan , Cheung Kei‐Long , Pokhrel Subhash , Lopez‐Nicolás Ángel
Published: March 2018

Aims

To assess the cost‐effectiveness of alternative smoking cessation scenarios from the perspective of the Spanish National Health Service (NHS).

Design

We used the European study on Quantifying Utility of Investment in Protection from Tobacco model (EQUIPTMOD), a Markov‐based state transition economic model, to estimate the return on investment (ROI) of: (a) the current provision of smoking cessation services (brief physician advice and printed self‐helped material + smoking ban and tobacco duty at current levels); and (b) four alternative scenarios to complement the current provision: coverage of proactive telephone calls; nicotine replacement therapy (mono and combo) [prescription nicotine replacement therapy (Rx NRT)]; varenicline (standard duration); or bupropion. A rate of 3% was used to discount life‐time costs and benefits.

Setting

Spain.

Participants

Adult smoking population (16+ years).

Measurements

Health‐care costs associated with treatment of smoking attributable diseases (lung cancer, coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary infection and stroke); intervention costs; quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs). Costs and outcomes were summarized using various ROI estimates.

Findings

The cost of implementing the current provision of smoking cessation services is approximately €61 million in the current year. This translates to 18 quitters per 1000 smokers and a life‐time benefit–cost ratio of 5, compared with no such provision. All alternative scenarios were dominant (cost‐saving: less expensive to run and generated more QALYs) from the life‐time perspective, compared with the current provision. The life‐time benefit–cost ratios were: 1.87 (proactive telephone calls); 1.17 (Rx NRT); 2.40 (varenicline‐standard duration); and bupropion (2.18). The results remained robust in the sensitivity analysis.

Conclusions

According to the EQUIPTMOD modelling tool it would be cost‐effective for the Spanish authorities to expand the reach of existing GP brief interventions for smoking cessation, provide pro‐active telephone support, and reimburse smoking cessation medication to smokers trying to stop. Such policies would more than pay for themselves in the long run.
Flammability dynamics in the Australian Alps
Authors: Zylstra Philip John
Published: March 2018

Forests of the Australian Alps (SEAustralia) are considered some of the most vulnerable to climate change in the country, with ecosystem collapse considered likely for some due to frequent fire. It is not yet known, however, whether increasing fire frequency may stabilize due to reductions in flammability related to reduced time for fuel accumulation, show no trend, or increase due to positive feedbacks related to vegetation changes. To determine what these trends have been historically, dynamics were measured for 58 years of mapped fire history. The 1.4 million ha forested area was divided into broad formations based on structure and dominant canopy trees, and dynamics were measured for each using flammability ratio, a modification of probability of ignition at a point. Crown fire likelihood was measured for each formation, based on satellite‐derived measurements of the 2003 fire effects across a large part of the area. Contrary to popular perception but consistent with mechanistic expectations, all forests exhibited pronounced positive feedbacks. The strongest response was observed in tall, wet forests dominated by Ash‐type eucalypts, where, despite a short period of low flammability following fire, post‐disturbance stands have been more than eight times as likely to burn than have mature stands. The weakest feedbacks occurred in open forest, although post‐disturbance forests were still 1.5 times as likely to burn as mature forests. Apart from low, dry open woodland where there was insufficient data to detect a trend, all forests were most likely to experience crown fire during their period of regeneration. The implications of this are significant for the Alps, as increasing fire frequency has the potential to accelerate by producing an increasingly flammable landscape. These effects may be semi‐permanent in tall, wet forest, where frequent fire promotes ecosystem collapse into either the more flammable open forest formation, or to heathland.
Decentering Americanness: Transnational Youth Experiences of Recognition and Belonging in Two U.S. High Schools
Authors: Shirazi Roozbeh
Published: March 2018

This qualitative study examines how notions of sociopolitical membership and belonging are constructed in conversations about cultural difference. Drawing upon nine months of participant observation, informal conversation, and interviews with transnational youth at two U.S. high schools during the 2013–2014 academic year, my analysis highlights classroom conversations in which notions of “us” and “them” are delimited. These exchanges reveal tensions over the epistemic authority of teachers and how inquiry spaces of the classroom are constructed.
Price premiums, payment delays, and default risk: understanding developing country farmers’ decisions to market through a cooperative or a private trader
Authors: Saitone Tina L. , Sexton Richard J. , Malan Benoît
Published: March 2018

Smallholder farmers in developing countries face a competitive disadvantage in modern agricultural supply chains. Joint marketing through cooperatives is a potential tool to mitigate these disadvantages; yet cooperatives’ success in these settings is uneven at best. We develop an analytical model to study a farmer's choice of selling to a private trader who pays cash on delivery but may exercise market power or a cooperative that promises a price premium but delays payment and carries a concomitant risk of default. In the presence of impatient and risk‐averse farmers, we show that these factors can severely limit smallholder patronage of a cooperative, despite a promised price premium. We then construct and parameterize a simulation model to fit a profile of heterogeneous farmers within a prototype developing‐country village, and study the optimal decisions of farmers regarding marketing through a cooperative versus a private trader. Results suggest that modest improvements in either timeliness of payment or probability of default can induce a substantial increase in a cooperative's market share and economic viability. Extending the simulation analysis to a dynamic setting shows how implementing reasonable policies to improve a cooperative's payment timeliness and default probability can markedly improve its growth trajectory.
The Conditional Nature of Political Risk: How Home Institutions Influence the Location of Foreign Direct Investment
Authors: Beazer Quintin H. , Blake Daniel J.
Published: March 2018

What determines whether countries' institutions attract or deter investment? Although existing theories predict that multinational enterprises (MNEs) avoid locations where institutions cannot constrain public and private actors' opportunistic behavior, we argue host institutions' attractiveness depends on firms' home environment. Home country institutions shape firms' practices and capabilities, thus helping to determine the environments that firms are best prepared to face abroad. We test our predictions using multiple data sets at different levels of analysis: firm‐level data on MNEs' foreign subsidiaries, data on bilateral foreign direct investment (FDI) positions, and longitudinal data on bilateral FDI flows. We find that states with independent judiciaries are particularly attractive to investment from countries also possessing independent courts. Similarly, countries with low judicial independence disproportionately send FDI to countries lacking independent judiciaries. These findings' implications challenge conventional wisdom: “Good” institutions may not attract all investors, and “bad” institutions may not always deter, as current research suggests.
Impaired cerebrospinal fluid dynamics along the entire optic nerve in normal‐tension glaucoma
Authors: Pircher Achmed , Montali Margherita , Wostyn Peter , Pircher Joachim , Berberat Jatta , Remonda Luca , Killer Hanspeter E.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

To investigate the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics along the entire optic nerve (ON) in patients with normal‐tension glaucoma (NTG).

Methods

Retrospective analysis of computed tomographic (CT) cisternographies in Caucasian patients with NTG. Fifty‐six patients (99 of 112 eyes) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of NTG and underwent CT‐cisternography. Twelve subjects without NTG (24 eyes) served as controls. Contrast‐loaded cerebrospinal fluid (CLCSF) density measurements in Hounsfield units (HU) were performed at four defined regions along the ON and in the basal cistern.

Results

In NTG patients, the mean density CLCSF in the bulbar segment measured 76 ± 49 HU right and 88 ± 74 HU left, in the mid‐orbital segment 117 ± 92 HU right and 119 ± 73 HU left, in the intracanalicular ON portion 209 ± 88 HU right and 216 ± 101 HU left, in the intracranial ON portion 290 ± 106 HU right and 286 ± 118 HU left and in the basal cistern 517 ± 213 HU. The distribution of CLCSF along the ON showed a statistically significant reduction in the intraorbital ON segments in NTG patients compared to controls without NTG with the far largest difference within the retrobulbar segment (−150 HU right and −117 HU left; right: p < 0.001, left: p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates a gradual reduction in CLCSF towards the retrobulbar segment in NTG, while in controls without NTG, no reduction in CLCSF was measured within the orbital segments. Impaired CSF dynamics along the ON may contribute to the pathophysiology of NTG.
Detection of gastro‐oesophageal reflux in the neonatal unit
Authors: Rossor Thomas , Lingam Ingran , Douiri Abdel , Bhat Ravindra , Greenough Anne
Published: March 2018

Aim

To determine whether a pH probe or multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII) more frequently detected gastro‐oesophageal reflux and test the hypothesis that acid reflux was associated with lower baseline impedance.

Methods

A prospective study of infants in whom reflux was suspected and evaluated using combined pH and multichannel impedance. Studies were considered abnormal if the acid index was >10% or there were >79MII reflux events in 24 hours. The acid index was the percentage of total study time with a pH<four and the acid clearance time (ACT) the time from the pH falling below four to rising above four.

Results

Forty‐two infants [median gestational age 31 (range 23–42) weeks] were assessed. Only nine infants (21%) had abnormal studies, seven detected by pH monitoring, one by MII monitoring and one by both techniques (p = 0.04). After correcting for gestational age and post‐natal age, baseline impedance remained negatively correlated with the acid index (r = −0.34, p = 0.038) and the maximum ACT (r = −0.44, p = 0.006).

Conclusion

Clinical suspicion of reflux was frequently incorrect, and reflux was more frequently detected by a pH probe. The inverse relationship of acid reflux to baseline impedance suggests that mucosal disruption may result from acid reflux in this population.
Anglo‐Saxon Style Pottery from the Northern Netherlands and North‐Western Germany: Fabrics and Finish, Regional and Chronological Patterns, and their Implications
Authors: Krol T. N. , Struckmeyer K. , Nieuwhof A.
Published: March 2018

This paper presents the results of a study of Anglo‐Saxon style pottery in the northern Netherlands and north‐western Germany, involving macroscopic and microscopic analysis of fabrics and finish. Both regions show similar developments in form and decoration in the pottery of the fourth and fifth centuries ad, the late Roman and Migration period, resulting in the typical decoration and shapes that are known as the Anglo‐Saxon style. In the northern Netherlands, this style is traditionally associated with Anglo‐Saxon immigrants. It has, however, been suggested that this style was, rather, part of an indigenous development in areas in the northern Netherlands where occupation was continuous, though influenced by stylistic developments in north‐western Germany. That hypothesis is supported by the analysis of fabrics and finish presented here. The characteristic of fabrics and surface treatment indicate technological continuity. The use of local clay sources for Anglo‐Saxon style pottery and for contemporary regional types indicates that most of the Anglo‐Saxon style pottery in the northern Netherlands was not brought by Anglo‐Saxon immigrants or as imports, but must have been made locally. That applies to settlements with continuous habitation, as well as settlements in the coastal area that were not inhabited during the fourth century ad.
Transcriptome differences in frontal cortex between wild boar and domesticated pig
Authors: Long Keren , Mao Ke , Che Tiandong , Zhang Jinwei , Qiu Wanling , Wang Yujie , Tang Qianzi , Ma Jideng , Li Mingzhou , Li Xuewei
Published: March 2018

Animal domestication is a long‐term, multistage process that results in modifications of many traits, especially the less aggressive behavior in domesticated animals. In this study, we used the Illumina RNA‐seq to compare the transcriptome in brain frontal cortex between wild boar and Rongchang pig, a typical indigenous domestic pig in China, and revealed that 604 genes and 639 genes were specifically detected in wild boar and domesticated pig, respectively, with distinct functional characteristics that may be related to their respective environment. In addition, we identified 60 differentially expressed genes showing an enrichment in immune response‐related function. Further comparison of the results against previous studies identified seven genes that are associated with domestication. Our results provide insights for deciphering the mechanism of pig domestication in the future.
Native woody vegetation in central Argentina: Classification of Chaco and Espinal forests
Authors: Cabido Marcelo , Zeballos Sebastián R. , Zak Marcelo , Carranza María L. , Giorgis Melisa A. , Cantero Juan J. , Acosta Alicia T. R.
Published: March 2018

Question

What are the composition and spatial patterns of native woody plant communities in the southern Great Chaco and Espinal?

Location

Córdoba Province, central Argentina, an area of ca. 161,000 km2.

Methods

We collected 351 geo‐referenced relevés representative of the geographic, topographic and ecological variation of the Chaco and Espinal woody vegetation in central Argentina. The relevés were classified into vegetation types using the hierarchical ISOPAM method. Forest and shrubland types were described on the basis of diagnostic species occurrences and their distribution in relation to environmental factors. A map of the actual vegetation derived from remote‐sensed images (Landsat) and field data was used to describe the current distribution and abundance of the different vegetation types.

Results

The classification of the 351 plots × 837 species matrix revealed two major clusters comprising seven woody vegetation types corresponding to Chaco lowland and mountain forests and shrublands, Espinal forests and edaphic vegetation. The most important gradients in woody vegetation types are related to elevation, temperature and rainfall variables.

Conclusions

Subtropical seasonally dry woody plant communities from the southern extreme of the Great Chaco and Espinal forests were described for the first time based on complete floristic data. Our results show that lowland Chaco native forests, as well as replacement communities, are still present in its southern distribution range and are well distinguishable from other vegetation types such as the Espinal and mountain forests. Overall, extensive Espinal forests have almost disappeared while Chaco vegetation is highly fragmented and degraded.
Syntaxonomy and biogeography of dry grasslands on calcareous substrates in the central and southern Balkans
Authors: Matevski Vlado , Čarni Andraž , Ćušterevska Renata , Kostadinovski Mitko , Mucina Ladislav
Published: March 2018

Questions

Which major syntaxa of dry grasslands supported by carbonate bedrock occur in the central and southern Balkans? What is their position along major ecological gradients and in the context of phytogeographic patterns of the region?

Location

Central and southern Balkans, including western Bulgaria, northern Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia (FYROM) and Serbia.

Methods

We compiled a matrix of 660 relevés of dry grasslands over lime‐rich bedrock, previously classified in the Festuco‐Brometea. We applied clustering techniques to classify separately synoptic and relevé data, and applied NMDS with passive projection of indicator values, climatic data and biogeographic geo‐elements onto ordination diagrams to assist interpretation of the syntaxonomic patterns. We constructed elevation distribution profiles for alliances and classes of grasslands of several grassland classes from a broader study area to elucidate the relationship of the elevational sorting of the syntaxa in relation to latitude.

Results

The analysis revealed six major vegetation types, classified into four orders: (1) Stipo pulcherrimae‐Festucetalia pallentis, incl. (sub)montane rocky steppic grasslands of the Saturejion montanae of central Balkans, and the Koelerio‐Festucion dalmaticae – submontane rocky grasslands of southern Serbia and Kosovo; (2) Astragalo onobrychidis‐Potentilletalia represented by the Saturejo‐Thymion (low‐elevation steppic grasslands of southern Balkans); (3) Festucetalia valesiacae represented by grasslands on deep soil and low elevation of northern Greece, and finally (4) high‐elevation rocky grasslands of southern Balkans, classified as a new alliance – Diantho haematocalycis‐Festucion hirtovaginatae, that might belong to a new, yet undescribed, syntaxonomic order. Ordination suggests that the major differentiation of the high‐rank syntaxa follows north–south geographic and low–high elevation gradients.

Conclusions

Because of the transitional biogeographic position of the studied region, as well as considerable large elevation span across latitudes, the diversity of vegetation types is high. The indication a putative new dry grassland order, the mid‐high altitudes of the southern Balkans points to a need to re‐assess the Balkan vegetation occupying the community niche between the low‐elevation dry grasslands (Festuco‐Brometea) and those typical of high elevations (Elyno‐Seslerietea and Daphno‐Festucetea), seeking parallels to patterns described from the western Alps, Pyrenees, and Apennines. This syntaxonomic unit is poised to expand the concept of the Festuco hystricis‐Ononidetea striatae to the Balkans.
Estimating Individualized Treatment Rules for Ordinal Treatments
Authors: Chen Jingxiang , Fu Haoda , He Xuanyao , Kosorok Michael R. , Liu Yufeng
Published: March 2018

Precision medicine is an emerging scientific topic for disease treatment and prevention that takes into account individual patient characteristics. It is an important direction for clinical research, and many statistical methods have been proposed recently. One of the primary goals of precision medicine is to obtain an optimal individual treatment rule (ITR), which can help make decisions on treatment selection according to each patient's specific characteristics. Recently, outcome weighted learning (OWL) has been proposed to estimate such an optimal ITR in a binary treatment setting by maximizing the expected clinical outcome. However, for ordinal treatment settings, such as individualized dose finding, it is unclear how to use OWL. In this article, we propose a new technique for estimating ITR with ordinal treatments. In particular, we propose a data duplication technique with a piecewise convex loss function. We establish Fisher consistency for the resulting estimated ITR under certain conditions, and obtain the convergence and risk bound properties. Simulated examples and an application to a dataset from a type 2 diabetes mellitus observational study demonstrate the highly competitive performance of the proposed method compared to existing alternatives.
Motivating Sample Sizes in Adaptive Phase I Trials Via Bayesian Posterior Credible Intervals
Authors: Braun Thomas M.
Published: March 2018

In contrast with typical Phase III clinical trials, there is little existing methodology for determining the appropriate numbers of patients to enroll in adaptive Phase I trials. And, as stated by Dennis Lindley in a more general context, “[t]he simple practical question of ‘What size of sample should I take’ is often posed to a statistician, and it is a question that is embarrassingly difficult to answer.” Historically, simulation has been the primary option for determining sample sizes for adaptive Phase I trials, and although useful, can be problematic and time-consuming when a sample size is needed relatively quickly. We propose a computationally fast and simple approach that uses Beta distributions to approximate the posterior distributions of DLT rates of each dose and determines an appropriate sample size through posterior coverage rates. We provide sample sizes produced by our methods for a vast number of realistic Phase I trial settings and demonstrate that our sample sizes are generally larger than those produced by a competing approach that is based upon the nonparametric optimal design.
Autoantibodies to thrombopoietin and the thrombopoietin receptor in patients with immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Nazy Ishac , Kelton John G. , Moore Jane C. , Clare Rumi , Horsewood Peter , Smith James W. , Ivetic Nikola , D'Souza Vanessa , Li Na , Arnold Donald M.
Published: March 2018

Autoantibodies to thrombopoietin (TPO, also termed THPO) or the TPO receptor (cMpl, also termed MPL) could play a pathological role in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). In this study, we tested for autoantibodies against TPO, cMpl, or the TPO/cMpl complex in ITP and other thrombocytopenic disorders. Using an inhibition step with excess TPO in fluid‐phase to improve binding specificity, the prevalence of anti‐TPO autoantibodies was: active ITP: 9/32 (28%); remission ITP: 0/14 (0%); non‐immune thrombocytopenias: 1/10 (10%); and healthy controls: 1/11 (9%). Similarly, using an inhibition step with excess cMpl, the prevalence of specific anti‐cMpl autoantibodies was: active ITP: 7/32 (22%); remission ITP: 1/14 (7%); non‐immune thrombocytopenias: 3/10 (30%); and healthy controls: 0/11 (0%). Two active ITP patients had autoantibodies against the TPO/cMpl complex, but not against TPO or cMpl alone. Anti‐TPO or anti‐cMpl autoantibodies were found in 44% of ITP patients, and in 40% of patients with other thrombocytopenic disorders. These autoantibodies did not correlate with ITP disease severity or number of ITP treatments received; however, in this cohort, 3 patients failed to respond to TPO receptor agonist medications, and of those, 2 had anti‐TPO autoantibodies. This suggests that anti‐TPO and anti‐cMpl autoantibodies are associated with thrombocytopenia, and may be clinically relevant in a subset of ITP patients.
Climate and environment in southwest Sweden 15.5–11.3 cal. ka BP
Authors: Wohlfarth Barbara , Luoto Tomi P. , Muschitiello Francesco , Väliranta Minna , Björck Svante , Davies Siwan M. , Kylander Malin , Ljung Karl , Reimer Paula J. , Smittenberg Rienk H.
Published: March 2018

Lake sedimentary records that allow documentation of the distinct climatic and environmental shifts during the early part of the Last Termination are scarce for northern Europe. This multi‐proxy study of the sediments of Atteköpsmosse, southwest Sweden, therefore fills an important gap and provides detailed information regarding past hydroclimatic conditions and local environmental responses to climatic shifts. Lake infilling started c. 15.5 cal. ka BP, but low aquatic productivity, cold summer lake water temperatures, unstable catchments, and scarce herb and shrub vegetation prevailed until c. 14.7–14.5 cal. ka BP. Inflow of warmer air masses and higher July air temperatures favoured a rise in aquatic productivity and lake water summer temperatures, and the establishment of a diverse herb, shrub and dwarf shrub vegetation, which also included tree birch c. 14.5 cal. ka BP. Freshening of the moisture source region c. 13.7–13.6 cal. ka BP does not seem to have had a large impact on the ancient lake and its catchment, as lake aquatic productivity increased further and lake water summer temperatures and minimum mean July air temperatures remained around 12–14 °C. In contrast, further freshening of the moisture source region c. 13 cal. ka BP triggered a decrease in lake productivity, drier conditions and lower lake water summer temperatures. Macroscopic finds of tree Betula and Pinus sylvestris at 13–12.8 cal. ka BP demonstrate the presence of these trees in the lake's catchment. The transition into the Holocene (11.6–11.5 cal. ka BP) is marked by a change in chironomid assemblages and by a rise in lake water summer temperatures and aquatic productivity. These changes were followed by the re‐establishment of a diverse aquatic and terrestrial vegetation, including tree birch and Pinus sylvestris at 11.4 cal. ka BP.
Design, synthesis, and evaluation of genipin derivatives for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Huang Weijun , Wang Yujun , Li Jiaming , Zhang Yanchun , Ma Xiaodong , Zhu Panhu , Zhang Yang
Published: March 2018

Twenty‐two novel genipin derivatives have been designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE). As a result, compound 13a bearing ligustrazine moiety displayed the most potent AChE inhibitory activity in this series with IC50 value of 218 nm. Besides, MTT assay was performed to investigate the neuroprotection of these compounds against PC12 cells injured by Amyloid β‐protein 1–42 (Aβ1–42). Among them, 8a showed higher inhibition rate (%Inhibition = 22.29) than the positive reference Donepezil (%Inhibition = 17.65).
The Ugandan version of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI‐UG). Part II: Psychometric properties
Authors: Amer A. , Kakooza‐Mwesige A. , Jarl G. , Tumwine J. K. , Forssberg H. , Eliasson A.‐C. , Hermansson L.
Published: March 2018

Background

The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) has been recommended as a gold standard in paediatric rehabilitation. A Ugandan version of PEDI (PEDI‐UG) has been developed by culturally adapting and translating the original PEDI. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the PEDI‐UG in Ugandan children by testing the instrument's rating scale functioning, internal structure, and test–retest reliability.

Methods

Two hundred forty‐nine Ugandan children (125 girls) aged 6 months to 7.5 years (Mean = 3.4, SD = 1.9) with typical development were tested using the PEDI‐UG. Forty‐nine children were tested twice to assess test–retest reliability. Validity was investigated by Rasch analysis and reliability by intraclass correlation coefficient.

Results

The PEDI‐UG domains showed good unidimensionality based on principal component analysis of residuals. Most activities (95%) showed acceptable fit to the Rasch model. Six misfit items were deleted from the Functional Skills scales and one from the Caregiver Assistance scales. The category steps on the Caregiver Assistance scales' rating scale were reversed but functioned well when changed from a 6‐point to 4‐point rating scale. The reliability was excellent; intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.87–0.92 for the domains of the Functional Skills scales and 0.86–0.88 for the domains of the Caregiver Assistance scales.

Conclusion

The PEDI‐UG has good to excellent psychometric properties and provides a valid measure of the functional performance of typically developing children from the age of 6 months to 7.5 years in Uganda. Further analysis of all items, including misfit and deleted items, in children with functional disability is recommended.
Contributions of Reward Sensitivity to Ventral Striatum Activity Across Adolescence and Early Adulthood
Authors: Schreuders Elisabeth , Braams Barbara R. , Blankenstein Neeltje E. , Peper Jiska S. , Güroğlu Berna , Crone Eveline A.
Published: March 2018

It was examined how ventral striatum responses to rewards develop across adolescence and early adulthood and how individual differences in state‐ and trait‐level reward sensitivity are related to these changes. Participants (aged 8–29 years) were tested across three waves separated by 2 years (693 functional MRI scans) in an accelerated longitudinal design. The results confirmed an adolescent peak in reward‐related ventral striatum, specifically nucleus accumbens, activity. In early to mid‐adolescence, increases in reward activation were related to trait‐level reward drive. In mid‐adolescence to early adulthood decreases in reward activation were related to decreases in state‐level hedonic reward pleasure. This study demonstrates that state‐ and trait‐level reward sensitivity account for reward‐related ventral striatum activity in different phases of adolescence and early adulthood.
Participatory monitoring to connect local and global priorities for forest restoration
Authors: Evans Kristen , Guariguata Manuel R. , Brancalion Pedro H. S.
Published: March 2018

New global initiatives to restore forest landscapes present an unparalleled opportunity to reverse deforestation and forest degradation. Participatory monitoring could play a crucial role in providing accountability, generating local buy in, and catalyzing learning in monitoring systems that need scalability and adaptability to a range of local sites. We synthesized current knowledge from literature searches and interviews to provide lessons for the development of a scalable, multisite participatory monitoring system. Studies show that local people can collect accurate data on forest change, drivers of change, threats to reforestation, and biophysical and socioeconomic impacts that remote sensing cannot. They can do this at one‐third the cost of professionals. Successful participatory monitoring systems collect information on a few simple indicators, respond to local priorities, provide appropriate incentives for participation, and catalyze learning and decision making based on frequent analyses and multilevel interactions with other stakeholders. Participatory monitoring could provide a framework for linking global, national, and local needs, aspirations, and capacities for forest restoration.
Big Data Toolsets to Pharmacometrics: Application of Machine Learning for Time‐to‐Event Analysis
Authors: Gong Xiajing , Hu Meng , Zhao Liang
Published: March 2018

Additional value can be potentially created by applying big data tools to address pharmacometric problems. The performances of machine learning (ML) methods and the Cox regression model were evaluated based on simulated time‐to‐event data synthesized under various preset scenarios, i.e., with linear vs. nonlinear and dependent vs. independent predictors in the proportional hazard function, or with high‐dimensional data featured by a large number of predictor variables. Our results showed that ML‐based methods outperformed the Cox model in prediction performance as assessed by concordance index and in identifying the preset influential variables for high‐dimensional data. The prediction performances of ML‐based methods are also less sensitive to data size and censoring rates than the Cox regression model. In conclusion, ML‐based methods provide a powerful tool for time‐to‐event analysis, with a built‐in capacity for high‐dimensional data and better performance when the predictor variables assume nonlinear relationships in the hazard function.
Gesture for generalization: gesture facilitates flexible learning of words for actions on objects
Authors: Wakefield Elizabeth M. , Hall Casey , James Karin H. , Goldin‐Meadow Susan
Published: March 2018

Verb learning is difficult for children (Gentner, ), partially because children have a bias to associate a novel verb not only with the action it represents, but also with the object on which it is learned (Kersten & Smith, ). Here we investigate how well 4‐ and 5‐year‐old children (N = 48) generalize novel verbs for actions on objects after doing or seeing the action (e.g., twisting a knob on an object) or after doing or seeing a gesture for the action (e.g., twisting in the air near an object). We find not only that children generalize more effectively through gesture experience, but also that this ability to generalize persists after a 24‐hour delay.
A common data language for clinical research studies: the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Cerebral Palsy Common Data Elements Version 1.0 recommendations
Authors: Schiariti Verónica , Fowler Eileen , Brandenburg Joline E , Levey Eric , Mcintyre Sarah , Sukal‐Moulton Theresa , Ramey Sharon L , Rose Jessica , Sienko Susan , Stashinko Elaine , Vogtle Laura , Feldman Robin S , Koenig James I
Published: March 2018

To increase the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical research studies, cerebral palsy (CP) specific Common Data Elements (CDEs) were developed through a partnership between the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM). International experts reviewed existing NINDS CDEs and tools used in studies of children and young people with CP. CDEs were compiled, subjected to internal review, and posted online for external public comment in September 2016. Guided by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework, CDEs were categorized into six domains: (1) participant characteristics; (2) health, growth, and genetics; (3) neuroimaging; (4) neuromotor skills and functional assessments; (5) neurocognitive, social, and emotional assessments; and (6) engagement and quality of life. Version 1.0 of the NINDS/AACPDM CDEs for CP is publicly available on the NINDS CDE and AACPDM websites. Global use of CDEs for CP will standardize data collection, improve data quality, and facilitate comparisons across studies. Ongoing collaboration with international colleagues, industry, and people with CP and their families will provide meaningful feedback and updates as additional evidence is obtained. These CDEs are recommended for NINDS‐funded research for CP.

What this paper adds

This is the first comprehensive Common Data Elements (CDEs) for children and young people with CP for clinical research.

The CDEs for children and young people with CP include common definitions, the standardization of case report forms, and measures.

The CDE guides the standardization for data collection and outcome evaluation in all types of studies with children and young people with CP.

The CDE ultimately improves data quality and data sharing.
The Test of Infant Motor Performance at 3 months predicts language, cognitive, and motor outcomes in infants born preterm at 2 years of age
Authors: Peyton Colleen , Schreiber Michael D , Msall Michael E
Published: March 2018

Aim

To determine the relationship between the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) at 3 months and cognitive, language, and motor outcomes on the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley‐III) at 2 years of age in high‐risk infants born preterm.

Method

One hundred and six infants (47 females, 59 males) born at earlier than 31 weeks gestational age were prospectively tested with the TIMP at 10 to 15 weeks after term age and were assessed again with the Bayley‐III at 2 years corrected age. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for various cut points of the TIMP z‐score and Bayley‐III composite scores of no more than 85.

Results

The TIMP z‐scores at 10 to 15 weeks of age were significantly associated with all three subscales on the Bayley‐III at 2 years of age (p<0.001). Using a TIMP z‐score cutoff of −0.5, specificity was relatively high for cognitive (87%), language (88%), and motor (89%) outcomes, but sensitivity was low (cognitive 41%, language 49%, motor 57%).

Interpretation

This study demonstrates that the TIMP is related to cognitive, language, and motor outcomes on the Bayley‐III at 2 years of age in high‐risk infants born preterm.

What this paper adds

The Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) predicts Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition outcomes at 2 years of age.

The TIMP is relatively good at discriminating between children who will and will not have typical development.
Mid‐term development of hamstring tendon length and velocity after distal femoral extension osteotomy in children with bilateral cerebral palsy: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Salami Firooz , Wagner Julia , van Drongelen Stefan , Klotz Matthias C M , Dreher Thomas , Wolf Sebastian I , Niklasch Mirjam
Published: March 2018

Aim

Flexed knee gait can be treated with distal femoral extension osteotomy (DFEO) and additional patellar tendon advancement (PTA) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). This study assesses changes in hamstring muscle tendon length (MTL) and velocity after DFEO (+PTA).

Method

Nineteen children (mean age 13y [standard deviation 3y] at surgery) with CP and flexed knee gait who were treated with DFEO (15 limbs) or DFEO+PTA (10 limbs) were retrospectively included in this study. Gait analyses were performed preoperatively (E0), 1 year postoperatively (E1), and for 10 limbs additionally 2 to 5 years postoperatively (E2). Hamstring MTL and velocities were assessed at all examination dates using OpenSim.

Results

Hamstring MTL and velocity did not change significantly over time. From E0 to E1, knee flexion in stance improved for both DFEO and DFEO+PTA (p<0.05), knee flexion in swing only improved after DFEO+PTA (p<0.05). The improved knee flexion in stance and swing was maintained at E2.

Interpretation

DFEO led to a significant improvement in knee kinematics at E1 which was maintained at E2. DFEO seems to prevent recurrent hamstring tightness but does not lead to lengthened or fastened hamstrings.

What this paper adds

Distal femoral extension osteotomy (DFEO) does not change hamstring muscle tendon length.

DFEO does not change hamstring lengthening velocity.

DFEO leads to a significant improvement in knee kinematics.

Changes in knee kinematics after DFEO can be maintained at mid‐term.

DFEO seems to prevent recurrent hamstring tightness.
Newly released non‐native dung beetle species provide enhanced ecosystem services in New Zealand pastures
Authors: Forgie Shaun A. , Paynter Quentin , Zhao Zeng , Flowers Christine , Fowler Simon V.
Published: March 2018

1. Whether the release of non‐native insect species benefits or harms ecosystem services has been the subject of debate. In New Zealand, the release of new non‐native dung beetle species was intended to enhance ecosystem services but concerns were raised over possible negative effects.

2. Field cage trials used three newly released dung beetle species to investigate two concerns: that soil disturbance from dung beetle activity increases soil losses in runoff after rainfall; and that dung burial increases survival of infective parasitic nematodes on pasture.

3. Three treatments – dung + beetles, dung‐only, and controls (without dung or beetles) – were applied on each of three soil types with different permeability: sandy loam, clay loam, and compacted clay.

4. Dung beetle activity resulted in significant reductions of 49% and 81% in mean surface runoff volume, depending on simulated rainfall intensity. Amounts of sediment in the runoff did not change under an extreme rainfall simulation, but in a less extreme rainfall simulation the presence of dung beetles resulted in a 97% reduction in mean sediment amount in runoff.

5. The numbers of infective third‐stage nematode larvae recovered from foliage varied considerably between soil types and through time; however, dung beetle activity reduced overall mean nematode numbers on grass around the dung pats by 71%.

6. This study adds to global evidence that dung beetles can improve agricultural ecosystem services by providing data on services that have rarely been investigated: reduced runoff/soil losses through increased soil porosity, and reductions in parasitic nematodes.