bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protecting the Invisible Victim: Incorporating Coercive Control in Domestic Violence Statutes
Authors: Candela Kristy
Published: January 2016

All states have domestic violence statutes that offer legal remedies to victims of intimate partner abuse. To qualify for these remedies, the victim must demonstrate that they have been subject to certain elements of abuse. Thus, the definition of abuse under these statutes is crucial, as it determines who qualifies as a victim of abuse and as a result is afforded legal protection. Despite the clear importance of an efficient definition, the elements of abuse are outlined differently by each state. Two‐thirds of states define abuse in their domestic violence statutes as criminal acts or imminent threats or acts of physical violence. Limiting the definition of abuse to purely physical acts or threats of physical acts does not address the unforgiving realities of domestic abuse. In reality, all forms of abuse—emotional, economic, and physical—are interrelated, and based on the desire for power and control. Adding the definition of coercive control can effectively address the complex issues faced by these victims. However, the definition of coercive control itself must be outlined as a gender‐neutral term. Doing so will address the numerous plights faced by victims of domestic abuse and afford them the availability of the protection they deserve. This Note proposes a recognition that coercive control affects all genders and urges legislatures to adopt language based on proposed legislation in the United Kingdom that labels and defines coercive control as abuse, permitting its victims to seek legal remedies.

Key Points for the Family Court Community:

Two‐thirds of state domestic violence statutes require the victim to prove they are victims of physical violence or were threatened physically in order to be considered victims of abuse and be able to petition for a civil protection order.

Nonphysical abuse can be just as, if not more, devastating than physical violence for victims.

Coercive control is a catch‐all term that emphasizes the core of most domestic abuse, which is the need for power and control over another person and incorporates numerous types of nonphysical domestic abuse.

Adding coercive control under the definition of abuse in these statutes will better match the reality of intimate partner abuse, afford protection to victims, and aid in preventing further abuse.

The definition of coercive control must be gender neutral in order to provide protection for all potential victims of this form of abuse and not bar anyone from recovery based on gender.

The proposed legislation in the United Kingdom provides worthy model language and an effective definition of coercive control.
Autophagy in the test tube: In vitro reconstitution of aspects of autophagosome biogenesis
Authors: Rao Yijian , Matscheko Nena , Wollert Thomas
Published: January 2016

Autophagy is a versatile recycling pathway that delivers cytoplasmic contents to lysosomal compartments for degradation. It involves the formation of a cup‐shaped membrane that expands to capture cargo. After the cargo has been entirely enclosed, the membrane is sealed to generate a double‐membrane‐enclosed compartment, termed the autophagosome. Depending on the physiological state of the cell, the cargo is selected either specifically or non‐specifically. The process involves a highly conserved set of autophagy‐related proteins. Reconstitution of their action on model membranes in vitro has contributed tremendously to our understanding of autophagosome biogenesis. This review will focus on various in vitro techniques that have been employed to decipher the function of the autophagic core machinery.
Importance of temporal variability at different spatial scales for diversity of floodplain aquatic communities
Authors: Dittrich Jaqueline , Dias Juliana D. , Bonecker Claudia C. , Lansac‐Tôha Fabio A. , Padial André A.
Published: January 2016

Long‐term ecological data were used to evaluate diversity components of aquatic communities at different spatial scales in the Upper Paraná River floodplain.

Diversity of aquatic macrophytes, fish and zooplankton communities were expected to vary in response to temporal variability in hydrological regime and associated environmental heterogeneity.

Results support the importance of β‐diversity (diversity among sites within a floodplain) for γ‐diversity (regional diversity) at both small (e.g. lakes within a subsystem) and large spatial scales, such as subsystems comprised of a main river channel and associated lakes. Interestingly, diversity components for all groups exhibited low temporal variability, despite relatively high temporal variation in γ‐diversity.

Temporal variability of diversity components and environmental variables were not correlated, indicating that the underlying ecological mechanisms driving diversity were not related to environmental variability of the floodplain.

For management and conservation of floodplain communities our findings imply that efforts designed to preserve biodiversity and maximise environmental heterogeneity at a specific spatial scale should be effective, with conservation focused on maintaining spatial heterogeneity that promotes β‐diversity.
Wood anatomy and carbon‐isotope discrimination support long‐term hydraulic deterioration as a major cause of drought‐induced dieback
Authors: Pellizzari Elena , Camarero J. Julio , Gazol Antonio , Sangüesa‐Barreda Gabriel , Carrer Marco
Published: January 2016

Hydraulic impairment due to xylem embolism and carbon starvation are the two proposed mechanisms explaining drought‐induced forest dieback and tree death. Here, we evaluate the relative role played by these two mechanisms in the long‐term by quantifying wood‐anatomical traits (tracheid size and area of parenchyma rays) and estimating the intrinsic water‐use efficiency (iWUE) from carbon isotopic discrimination. We selected silver fir and Scots pine stands in NE Spain with ongoing dieback processes and compared trees showing contrasting vigour (declining vs nondeclining trees). In both species earlywood tracheids in declining trees showed smaller lumen area with thicker cell wall, inducing a lower theoretical hydraulic conductivity. Parenchyma ray area was similar between the two vigour classes. Wet spring and summer conditions promoted the formation of larger lumen areas, particularly in the case of nondeclining trees. Declining silver firs presented a lower iWUE than conspecific nondeclining trees, but the reverse pattern was observed in Scots pine. The described patterns in wood anatomical traits and iWUE are coherent with a long‐lasting deterioration of the hydraulic system in declining trees prior to their dieback. Retrospective quantifications of lumen area permit to forecast dieback in declining trees 2–5 decades before growth decline started. Wood anatomical traits provide a robust tool to reconstruct the long‐term capacity of trees to withstand drought‐induced dieback.
Phenotypic plasticity is a negative, though weak, predictor of the commonness of 105 grassland species
Authors: Dostál Petr , Fischer Markus , Prati Daniel
Published: January 2016

Aim

The usual hypothesis about the relationship between niche breadth and range size posits that species with the capacity to use a wider range of resources or to tolerate a greater range of environmental conditions should be more widespread. In plants, broader niches are often hypothesized to be due to pronounced phenotypic plasticity, and more plastic species are therefore predicted to be more common. We examined the relationship between the magnitude of phenotypic plasticity in five functional traits, mainly related to leaves, and several measures of abundance in 105 Central European grassland species. We further tested whether mean values of traits, rather than their plasticity, better explain the commonness of species, possibly because they are pre‐adapted to exploiting the most common resources.

Location

Central Europe.

Methods

In a multispecies experiment with 105 species we measured leaf thickness, leaf greenness, specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content and plant height, and the plasticity of these traits in response to fertilization, waterlogging and shading. For the same species we also obtained five measures of commonness, ranging from plot‐level abundance to range size in Europe. We then examined whether these measures of commonness were associated with the magnitude of phenotypic plasticity, expressed as composite plasticity of all traits across the experimental treatments. We further estimated the relative importance of trait plasticity and trait means for abundance and geographical range size.

Results

More abundant species were less plastic. This negative relationship was fairly consistent across several spatial scales of commonness, but it was weak. Indeed, compared with trait means, plasticity was relatively unimportant for explaining differences in species commonness.

Main conclusions

Our results do not indicate that larger phenotypic plasticity of leaf morphological traits enhances species abundance. Furthermore, possession of a particular trait value, rather than of trait plasticity, is a more important determinant of species commonness.
High expression of Mcl‐1L via the MEK‐ERK‐phospho‐STAT3 (Ser727) pathway protects melanocytes and melanoma from UVB‐induced apoptosis
Authors: Fukumoto Takeshi , Iwasaki Tetsushi , Okada Taro , Hashimoto Takanori , Moon Youbin , Sakaguchi Masanobu , Fukami Yasuo , Nishigori Chikako , Oka Masahiro
Published: January 2016

Ultraviolet (UV) B is a major factor in melanomagenesis. This fact is linked to the resistance of melanocytes to UVB‐induced apoptosis. In this study, we characterized the involvement of Mcl‐1L in the regulation of UVB‐induced apoptosis in melanocytes and in melanoma cells. In melanocytes, apoptosis was not evident at 24 h after UVB irradiation. The Mcl‐1L expression increased after UVB irradiation, and the high Mcl‐1L expression continued for at least 24 h. This UVB‐dependent increase in Mcl‐1L was mediated by the MEK‐ERK‐pS‐STAT3 (STAT3 phosphorylated at Ser727) pathway. The Ser727 phosphorylation facilitated nuclear localization of STAT3. In melanoma cells, the expression levels of Mcl‐1L varied depending on the cell line. WM39 melanoma cells expressed high levels of Mcl‐1L via the MEK‐ERK‐pS‐STAT3 pathway and were resistant to UVB‐induced apoptosis without up‐regulation of Mcl‐1L. In melanocytes and in WM39 cells, transfection with Mcl‐1 siRNA promoted UVB‐induced apoptosis. Immunohistochemical studies showed that melanoma cells in in situ lesions expressed high amounts of Mcl‐1L. These results indicate that the high expression of Mcl‐1L mediated by the MEK‐ERK‐pS‐STAT3 pathway protects melanocytes and melanoma cells from UVB‐induced apoptosis.
Acute Treatment Therapies for Pediatric Migraine: A Qualitative Systematic Review
Authors: Patniyot Irene R. , Gelfand Amy A.
Published: January 2016

Objective

We sought to conduct a qualitative systematic review to evaluate the safety and efficacy of available treatments for pediatric patients with migraine or benign primary headache in the emergency department, in an effort to inform future practice.

Methods

Scopus, Medline, and PubMed databases were searched for randomized controlled trials retrospective reviews, review articles, and case studies discussing migraine or benign primary headache management that were conducted in the emergency room or outpatient acute care setting in pediatric patients (less than 18‐years old). Meeting abstracts and cited references within articles were also evaluated. Multiple variables were recorded, including type of treatment, study design, dosing, primary outcome, and side effects. Therapeutic gain was calculated in studies with a placebo arm. Treatments were subjectively assessed based on methodology and number of trials for a particular therapy.

Results

Thirty‐one studies were included in the final analysis. Of these, 17 were randomized controlled trials, 9 were retrospective reviews, and 5 were prospective chart review studies. One pertained to IV fluids, 2 to nonspecific analgesic use, 5 to dopamine receptor antagonists, 2 to valproic acid, 1 to propofol, 1 to magnesium, 1 to bupivicaine, 13 to triptan medications, and 3 to dihydroergotamine (DHE). Treatments considered effective for acute migraine or benign primary headache in the analgesic category include ibuprofen, and to a lesser degree acetaminophen. Ketorolac was not compared to other NSAIDs, but was found to be less effective than prochlorperazine. Of the phenothiazines, prochlorperazine was considered most effective. Of the triptan medications, almotriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan nasal spray, sumatriptan nasal spray, and combination sumatriptan/naproxen are effective agents for acute treatment. Treatments considered probably effective included IV fluids, chlorpromazine, valproate sodium, injectable sumatriptan, and IV DHE. Treatments with oral zolmitriptan showed inconsistent results, while treatments considered ineffective included isolated oral sumatriptan and oral DHE. There is insufficient evidence to comment on propofol, magnesium, and bupivicaine efficacy.

Conclusions

Of the available evidence, ibuprofen, prochlorperazine, and certain triptan medications are the most effective and safe agents for acute management of migraine and other benign headache disorders in the pediatric population. Additional studies in this population are needed, and should take into consideration variables such as dosing, co‐administered medications, treatment duration, and length of treatment effect.
Improved Pyroelectric Properties of CaBi4Ti4O15 Ferroelectrics Ceramics by Nb/Mn Co‐Doping for Pyrosensors
Authors: Tang Yanxue , Shen Zong‐yang , Zhang Shujun , Shrout Thomas R.
Published: January 2016

The pyroelectric properties of Nb(Mn)‐doped and Nb/Mn co‐doped CaBi4Ti4O15 (CBT) bismuth layer‐structured ferroelectric ceramics were investigated. It was found that Nb/Mn co‐doping resulted in stronger enhancement of pyroelectric properties than that of single Nb or Mn doping. The mechanism of doping effect was explained by the distortion of the [BO6] octahedra induced by the doped Nb and Mn cations occupying the B‐site of the pseudoperovskite structure. A large pyroelectric coefficient of 84.4 μC/m2K was obtained at room temperature for Nb/Mn co‐doped CBT (CBTN‐Mn) ceramics, higher than that of pure, Nb or Mn‐doped counterparts, being on the order of 35.9, 58.2, 44.0 μC/m2K, respectively. The enhanced pyroelectric coefficient together with reduced dielectric constant (99) and dielectric loss (0.002) led to greater improvement of figures of merit (FOMs), including FOMs for voltage responsivity (Fv ~ 3.95 × 10−2 m2/C) and detectivity (Fd ~ 2.44 × 10−5 Pa−1/2), in CBTN‐Mn ceramics. Furthermore, the temperature variations of Fv and Fd were found to be 24% and 68%, respectively, over a broad temperature range from room temperature to 350°C, making CBTN‐Mn ceramics potential candidate for high‐temperature pyroelectric devices.
Chickens and eggs—how should we interpret environment‐behavior associations?
Authors: Burt S. Alexandra
Published: January 2016

As usual, the research published in this issue of the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry contains impressive state‐of‐the‐science studies of child and adolescent psychopathology and related issues. Breeman and colleagues, for example, found that children born before 32 weeks gestation or with a very low birth weight (<1,500 g) were not only more frequently diagnosed with Attention‐Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) during childhood, but continued to have an increased risk for attention problems up through early adulthood.
Are Infrared and Microwave Drying Suitable Alternatives for Moisture Determination of Meat Products?
Authors: Marques Ítalo Engers , Lucion Fernanda Bortoluzzi , Bizzi Cezar Augusto , Cichoski Alexandre José , Wagner Roger , de Menezes Cristiano Ragagnin , Barin Juliano Smanioto
Published: January 2016

The analytical methods used for routine moisture determination are based on a loss on drying (LOD) approach performed by conventional heating in ovens, but infrared loss on drying (IRLOD) and microwave‐assisted loss on drying (MALOD) drying methods have been used to reduce the analysis time. MALOD speeds up water removal from meat products 64 times in comparison to LOD and provided similar results (agreement between 98 and 101%), but with lower energy consumption (<1 and 31 kWh for MALOD and LOD, respectively) and higher sample throughput (60 samples/h). Infrared thermographies showed temperature of 107.8C in MALOD, which is similar to those used in conventional ovens (105 and 120C). For IRLOD the results were generally lower and its use for meat products should be carefully considered. A fast and accurate analysis of moisture in meat products could be achieved using microwaves, saving time and energy expenditure in agreement to green analytical chemistry.

Practical Applications

Moisture is a routine analysis performed in every industrial and academic laboratory interested on the study of meat and its products. However, different analytical methods are used for this purpose, and often different results are obtained. Therefore, in this study the performance of three methods based on loss on drying (using conventional, infrared or microwave heating) were evaluated. The results showed lower moisture content by the use of infrared balances for all samples and its use should be carefully evaluated to avoid systematic errors. Contrarily, the results obtained by the use of microwaves were comparable with those of conventional heating, but several advantages were found. The energy consumption was reduced at least 31 times and 15 samples could be processed simultaneously in only 15 min opening the possibility of use of this method to improve routine analysis or as an analytical technique for processing control.
Exploring morphological generality in the Old World monkey postcranium using an ecomorphological framework
Authors: Elton Sarah , Jansson Anna‐Ulla , Meloro Carlo , Louys Julien , Plummer Thomas , Bishop Laura C.
Published: January 2016

Nearly all primates are ecologically dependent on trees, but they are nonetheless found in an enormous range of habitats, from highly xeric environments to dense rainforest. Most primates have a relatively ‘generalised’ skeleton, enabling locomotor flexibility and facilitating other crucial functions, such as manual foraging and grooming. This paper explores the associations between habitat, locomotion and morphology in the forelimbs of cercopithecids (Old World monkeys), contextualising their skeletal ecomorphological patterns with those of other mammals, and complementing functional morphological analyses with phylogenetic comparative techniques. The ecomorphological signals present in the generalised primate postcranium, and how an ancestral arboreal ‘bauplan’ might be modified to incorporate terrestriality or exploit distinct arboreal substrates, are investigated. Analysis of ecomorphological variation in guenons indicates that terrestrialChlorocebusspecies retain core elements of a general guenon form, with modifications for terrestriality that vary by species. Adaptation to different modes of arboreality has also occurred inCercopithecus. The considerable morphological similarity in the guenons sampled emphasises the importance of generality in the primate postcranium – much forelimb variation appears to have emerged stochastically, with a smaller number of traits having a strong functional signal. Analysis of a broader sample of cercopithecids and comparison with felids, suids and bovids indicates that although the cercopithecid humerus has functional morphological signals that enable specimens to be assigned with a reasonable degree of certainty to habitat groups, there is considerable overlap in the specimens assigned to each habitat group. This probably reflects ecological dependence on trees, even in predominantly terrestrial species, as well as the multiple functions of the forelimb and, in some cases, wide geographic distributions that promote intraspecific variation. The use of phylogenetic correction reduced the discriminatory power of the models, indicating that, like allometry, phylogeny contains important ecomorphological information, and should not necessarily be factored out of analyses.
Pre‐soaking of the feed pellets: a trick for successful feed utilization in juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Kanghae H. , Thongprajukaew K. , Phromkunthong W. , Plangsri S. , Jatupornpitukchat S. , Kittiwattanawong K.
Published: January 2016

Pre‐soaking of the feed pellets in water can improve feed utilization in juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758), but the pre‐soaking has not previously been optimized. This study aimed to optimize the water amount used for pre‐soaking the pellets. The experiments followed a completely randomized design with three replications of each dietary treatment group. Initially 10‐day‐old green turtles (20–22 g body weight) were treated in an indoor aquaculture system for 3 months. The dietary treatment pellets were pre‐soaked with 0.3, 0.5 or 0.7 (v/w) relative amounts of water that are here termed soaking ratios. At the end of experiment, there were no significant differences in survival (96% on average) and growth (average body weight 75.34 g and specific growth rate 2%/day, on average) of turtles in three dietary treatments (p > 0.05). Feed utilization was the best in turtles fed with 0.7 pre‐soaked ratio, as indicated by significant reductions (p < 0.05) in the feeding rate (7.44% body weight/day) and the feed conversion ratio (1.12 g feed/g gain). Digestion was also improved by the induction of faecal digestive enzymes as well as the faecal thermal properties. The rapid growth did not negatively affect the general haematological parameters of reared turtles. These findings indicate that the pre‐soaking of feed pellets at the optimal soaking ratio (1:0.7 w/v of pellet to water) can contribute through improved feed utilization of green turtles.
The influence of population structure on gene expression and flowering time variation in the ubiquitous weed Capsella bursa‐pastoris (Brassicaceae)
Authors: Kryvokhyzha Dmytro , Holm Karl , Chen Jun , Cornille Amandine , Glémin Sylvain , Wright Stephen I. , Lagercrantz Ulf , Lascoux Martin
Published: January 2016

Population structure is a potential problem when testing for adaptive phenotypic differences among populations. The observed phenotypic differences among populations can simply be due to genetic drift, and if the genetic distance between them is not considered, the differentiation may be falsely interpreted as adaptive. Conversely, adaptive and demographic processes might have been tightly associated and correcting for the population structure may lead to false negatives. Here, we evaluated this problem in the cosmopolitan weed Capsella bursa‐pastoris. We used RNA‐Seq to analyse gene expression differences among 24 accessions, which belonged to a much larger group that had been previously characterized for flowering time and circadian rhythm and were genotyped using genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) technique. We found that clustering of accessions for gene expression retrieved the same three clusters that were obtained with GBS data previously, namely Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Moreover, the three groups were also differentiated for both flowering time and circadian rhythm variation. Correction for population genetic structure when analysing differential gene expression analysis removed all differences among the three groups. This may suggest that most differences are neutral and simply reflect population history. However, geographical variation in flowering time and circadian rhythm indicated that the distribution of adaptive traits might be confounded by population structure. To bypass this confounding effect, we compared gene expression differentiation between flowering ecotypes within the genetic groups. Among the differentially expressed genes, FLOWERING LOCUS C was the strongest candidate for local adaptation in regulation of flowering time.
PSMCanalysis of effective population sizes in molecular ecology and its application to black‐and‐whiteFicedulaflycatchers
Authors: Nadachowska‐Brzyska Krystyna , Burri Reto , Smeds Linnéa , Ellegren Hans
Published: January 2016

Climatic fluctuations during the Quaternary period governed the demography of species and contributed to population differentiation and ultimately speciation. Studies of these past processes have previously been hindered by a lack of means and genetic data to model changes in effective population size (Ne) through time. However, based on diploid genome sequences of high quality, the recently developed pairwise sequentially Markovian coalescent (PSMC) can estimate trajectories of changes inNeover considerable time periods. We applied this approach to resequencing data from nearly 200 genomes of four species and several populations of theFicedulaspecies complex of black‐and‐white flycatchers.Necurves of Atlas, collared, pied and semicollared flycatcher converged 1–2 million years ago (Ma) at anNeof ≈ 200 000, likely reflecting the time when all four species last shared a common ancestor. Subsequent separateNetrajectories are consistent with lineage splitting and speciation. All species showed evidence of population growth up until 100–200 thousand years ago (kya), followed by decline and then start of a new phase of population expansion. However, timing and amplitude of changes inNediffered among species, and for pied flycatcher, the temporal dynamics ofNediffered between Spanish birds and central/northern European populations. This cautions against extrapolation of demographic inference between lineages and calls for adequate sampling to provide representative pictures of the coalescence process in different species or populations. We also empirically evaluate criteria for proper inference of demographic histories usingPSMCand arrive at recommendations of using sequencing data with a mean genome coverage of ≥18X, a per‐site filter of ≥10 reads and no more than 25% of missing data.
Building Strength or Lending an Ear in Legal Conflicts: Dependence and Conflict Asymmetry as Distinct Predictors of Needs for Support
Authors: van Dijk Marian A. J. , Giebels Ellen , Zebel Sven
Published: January 2016

Being aware of psychological aspects of legal conflicts can benefit the efficiency of legal aid. We propose that needs for support may be particularly dependent upon the experience of asymmetry between conflict parties. We distinguish between two types of asymmetry and examine how they relate to different needs for support. We hypothesized that dependence asymmetry (being more dependent on the other party than vice versa) would predict a need for problem‐focused help. Conflict asymmetry (experiencing more conflict than the other side) was expected to increase the need for emotion‐focused help, particularly when people have a weak social network. We tested these hypotheses with a survey among 700 legal aid clients. Results showed that dependence asymmetry was indeed a strong and positive predictor of problem‐focused empowerment needs, whereas conflict asymmetry positively and significantly predicted the need for emotion‐focused help, particularly in the absence of wider social support.
Advancing a Richer View of Identity at Work: The Role‐Based Identity Scale
Authors: Welbourne Theresa M. , Paterson Ted A.
Published: January 2016

Identity has been studied extensively in several fields including organizational behavior, sociology, and psychology. Even though there have been significant advances, 2 areas of work deserve more attention. First, most empirical investigations have looked only at 1 or 2 identities at a time despite theoretical perspectives that indicate a need to address multiple identities simultaneously. Second, limited work using identity theory has been done in the human resource management (HRM) domain. The purpose of our research is to serve as a catalyst for future work by identifying 5 work‐relevant role‐based identities and creating a parsimonious measure for each. These metrics were tested, and initial evidence of their validity is provided using 6 independent samples. The empirical results suggest that the new measures in the role‐based identity scale can be useful in representing a more realistic and richer view of identity at work by simultaneously assessing 5 distinct role‐based identities.
Competitive and Harmonized R&D Policies for International R&D Alliances involving Asymmetric Firms
Authors: Falvey Rod , Teerasuwannajak Khemarat Talerngsri
Published: January 2016

We examine R&D policies when a national firm forms an R&D alliance with a foreign competitor. Firms differ in R&D capabilities, select among three forms of R&D alliance and adopt a profit‐sharing rule if they coordinate their R&D decisions. When firms coordinate their R&D decisions and governments choose R&D policies independently, R&D taxes are chosen, but if governments harmonize their policies, they decide not to intervene. These policy outcomes affect the types of R&D alliance chosen. Agreements to share R&D information can outperform those with both coordination and sharing as a result of the R&D tax that coordination attracts.
Outcome after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement in 289 patients with minimum 2‐year follow‐up
Authors: Sansone M. , Ahldén M. , Jónasson P. , Thomeé C. , Swärd L. , Öhlin A. , Baranto A. , Karlsson J. , Thomeé R.
Published: January 2016

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a common cause of hip pain and dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to report outcome 2 years after the arthroscopic treatment of FAI using validated outcome measurements. Two hundred and eighty‐nine patients (males = 190, females = 99) with a mean age of 37 years underwent arthroscopic surgery for FAI. Patients were included consecutively in a hip arthroscopy registry. The cohort was evaluated using online web‐based validated health‐related patient‐reported outcomes measurements, including the iHOT‐12, HAGOS, EQ‐5D, HSAS for physical activity level, VAS for overall hip function and overall satisfaction. The mean follow‐up time was 25.4 months. Pre‐operative scores compared with those obtained at follow‐up revealed statistically and clinically significant improvements (P < 0.05) for all measured outcomes; iHOT‐12 (43 vs 66), VAS for global hip function (50 vs 71), HSAS (2.9 vs 3.6), EQ‐5D index (0.58 vs 0.75), EQ‐VAS (67 vs 75) and HAGOS different subscales (56 vs 76, 51 vs 69, 60 vs 78, 40 vs 65, 29 vs 57, 33 vs 58). At the 2‐year follow‐up, 236 patients (82%) reported they were satisfied with the outcome of surgery. We conclude that arthroscopic treatment for FAI resulted in statistically and clinically significant improvements in outcome parameters.
A retrospective analysis of chemotherapy switch suggests improved outcome in surgically removed, biologically aggressive canine haemangiosarcoma
Authors: Finotello R. , Henriques J. , Sabattini S. , Stefanello D. , Felisberto R. , Pizzoni S. , Ferrari R. , Marconato L.
Published: January 2016

Haemangiosarcoma (HSA) has an aggressive biological behaviour and carries a poor prognosis, with less than 10% of treated dogs surviving longer than 1 year. In this retrospective study a varied metronomic chemotherapy (MC) regimen preceded by adjuvant doxorubicin‐based maximum‐tolerated dose chemotherapy (MTDC) was compared with MTDC, in terms of efficacy [time to metastasis, (TTM) and survival time (ST)] and safety in dogs with biologically aggressive HSA. Dogs were eligible if they had no metastasis after MTDC and received either no further chemotherapy or MC maintenance. Twelve dogs received MTDC, and 10 received MC thereafter. Median TTM and ST were significantly longer for dogs receiving MTDC‐MC (not reached versus 150 days, P = 0.028; and not reached versus 168 days, P = 0.030, respectively). Treatment was well tolerated. MTDC followed by MC is safe and suggests improved TTM and ST in dogs with surgically removed, biologically aggressive HSA that are treated in the microscopic setting.
Plasmatic l‐lactate in pet rabbits: association with morbidity and mortality at 14 days
Authors: Ardiaca Maria , Dias Sara , Montesinos Andres , Bonvehi Cristina , Barrera Sara , Cuesta Marina
Published: January 2016

Background

The clinical relevance of plasmatic l‐lactate concentration (PLLC) is unknown in rabbits. Due to an entirely different metabolism of lactic acid, PLLC in rabbits can reach much higher concentrations than in other species.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to establish a reference interval (95% RI) for venous PLLC in pet rabbits and to assess its diagnostic and prognostic significance in ill pet rabbits.

Methods

Plasmatic l‐lactate concentration was determined by an enzymatic colorimetric method. In the first study, healthy rabbits (n = 140) were the control group. The ill rabbits group (n = 405) included the deceased (n = 108) and the survivors (n = 266), depending on the outcome at day 14. In a second study, variation in the PLLC was determined in 25 boarding (control‐serial), 99 hospitalized (deceased‐serial [n = 27], and survivors‐serial [n = 72]) rabbits sampled at 0, 12, 24 and 48 hours.

Results

The 95% RI for PLLC in controls was 2.1–15.2 mmol/L. On‐arrival PLLC in ill rabbits was not statistically different from those in the control group, but was significantly lower in deceased compared to survivors or controls. The range of PLLC variation differed significantly between control‐serial, deceased‐serial, and survivors‐serial groups. A better prognosis was associated with an increase of 3.3 mmol/L PLLC within 48 hours after arrival.

Conclusions

Contrary to the available information in other species, morbidity and mortality is associated with sustained low PLLC in pet rabbits, while a good prognosis is associated with an increase in PLLC. Monitoring PLLC in hospitalized rabbits is advisable.
Isolation of digital dermatitis treponemes from cattle hock skin lesions
Authors: Clegg Simon R. , Bell Jennifer , Ainsworth Stuart , Blowey Roger W. , Bell Nick J. , Carter Stuart D. , Evans Nicholas J.
Published: January 2016

Background

Bovine hock lesions present a serious welfare and production issue on dairy farms worldwide. Current theories suggest that trauma is an important factor in the formation of hock lesions, although infection may also play a role in increasing their severity and duration.

Hypothesis

Digital dermatitis (DD) lesions in dairy cows are strongly associated with specific treponeme bacteria which are opportunistic invaders of other skin regions. Hock lesions were tested to ascertain if they too contained treponemes.

Animals

Swab and tissue samples were taken from hock lesions from two farms in South West England.

Methods

Hock lesions were classified into two categories: open lesions, which were often bleeding and ulcerated, or were encrusted; and closed lesions, which were classified as hair loss with no skin breakage. PCR assays and bacterial isolation were used to detect treponemes in hock lesions.

Results

All three phylogroups of digital dermatitis treponemes were detectable and isolated from open hock lesions only, with closed lesions showing no evidence of treponeme infection, either by PCR or bacterial culture. When analysed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the cultured treponeme DNA showed complete homology or was very similar to that found in foot lesions. Additionally, skin swabs from near the open hock wounds were also positive by PCR assay and isolation for the DD treponemes.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Identification of the contribution of these infectious agents will allow for more optimal treatments to be developed that reduce the prevalence and healing times of both hock and DD lesions.
Effect of competition between Vicia faba and Camelina sativa as a model weed in breeding for organic conditions
Authors: Ghaouti L , Schierholt A , Link W
Published: January 2016

Weeds can have a detrimental effect on faba bean (Vicia faba) crops in organic farming. Breeding for competitive cultivars is one option for weed control in organic conditions. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of heterozygosity and heterogeneity levels and plant height on the competitive ability of faba bean genotypes. A set of 24 genotypes, classified as genotype groups (eight inbred lines, eight polycross progenies, two inbred line bulks, two hybrid bulks and four controls), was tested under two treatments: with and without a model weed. Each group of genotypes was equally composed of tall and short genotypes. The competitive ability of the faba bean genotypes was tested with Camelina sativa (false flax) as the model weed in two German locations over the course of 2 years. Yield loss due to weed competition, as recorded per faba bean genotype, was mainly dependent on the heterozygosity level of the genotypes; hybrid bulks were the most competitive genotype group with an average loss of yield of only 6%, whereas the inbred lines were the least competitive genotype group and recorded an average yield loss of 35%. Within the genotype group, no correlations were found between either the yield performance of the genotypes or their plant height and their competitive responses. The competitive ability of faba bean against weeds was mainly determined by their level of heterozygosity; thus, highly heterozygous cultivars should be promoted for breeding.
Rate of utilization of a given fraction of W′ (the curvature constant of the power–duration relationship) does not affect fatigue during severe‐intensity exercise
Authors: de Souza Kristopher Mendes , Dekerle Jeanne , Salvador Paulo Cesar do Nascimento , de Lucas Ricardo Dantas , Guglielmo Luiz Guilherme Antonacci , Greco Camila Coelho , Denadai Benedito Sérgio
Published: January 2016

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Does the rate of utilization of W′ (the curvature constant of the power–duration relationship) affect fatigue during severe‐intensity exercise?

What is the main finding and its importance?

The magnitude of fatigue after two severe‐intensity exercises designed to deplete the same fraction of W′ (70%) at two different rates of utilization (fast versus slow) was similar after both exercises. Moreover, the magnitude of fatigue was related to critical power (CP), supporting the contention that CP is a key determinant in fatigue development during high‐intensity exercise. Thus, the CP model is a suitable approach to investigate fatigue mechanisms during high‐intensity exercise.

The depletion of W′ (the curvature constant of the power–duration relationship) seems to contribute to fatigue during severe‐intensity exercise. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of a fast versus a slow rate of utilization of W′ on the occurrence of fatigue within the severe‐intensity domain. Fifteen healthy male subjects performed tests to determine the critical power, W′ and peak torque in the control condition (TCON) and immediately after two fatiguing work rates (THREE and TEN) set to deplete 70% W′ in either 3 (TTHREE) or 10 min (TTEN). The TTHREE and TTEN were significantly reduced (F = 19.68, P = 0.01) in comparison to TCON. However, the magnitude of reduction in peak torque (TTHREE = −19.8 ± 10.1% versus TTEN = −16.8 ± 13.3%) was the same in the two fatiguing exercises (t = −0.76, P = 0.46). There was a significant inverse relationship between the critical power and the reduction in peak torque during both THREE (r = −0.49, P = 0.03) and TEN (r = −0.62, P = 0.02). In contrast, the W′ was not significantly correlated with the reduction in peak torque during both THREE (r = −0.14, P = 0.33) and TEN (r = −0.30, P = 0.10). Thus, fatigue following severe‐intensity exercises performed at different rates of utilization of W′ was similar when the same work was done above the critical power (i.e. same amount of W′ used).
Tribological Properties of Laser Microtextured Surface Bonded With Composite Solid Lubricant at High Temperature
Authors: Hua Xijun , Sun Jianguo , Zhang Peiyun , Liu Kai , Wang Rong , Ji Jinghu , Fu Yonghong
Published: January 2016

A combination technology of the solid lubricant and the laser surface texturing (LST) can significantly improve the tribological properties of friction pairs. The plate sample was textured by fiber laser and composite lubricant of polyimide (PI) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) powders were filled in the microdimples. Sliding friction performances of micron-sized composite lubricant and nano-sized composite lubricant were investigated by ring-plate tribometer at temperatures ranging from room temperature (RT) to 400 °C. On the one hand, the results of the micron-sized composite lubricant show that the friction coefficient of the textured surface filled with composite lubricant (TS) exhibits the lowest level and the highest stability compared to a textured surface without solid lubrication, smooth surface without lubrication, smooth surface burnished with a layer of composite solid lubricant. The better dimple density range is 35–46%. The friction coefficients of the sample surface filled with micron-composite solid lubricant with the texture density of 35% are maintained at a low level (about 0.1) at temperatures ranging from RT to 300 °C. On the other hand, the results of the nano-sized composite lubricant show that these friction properties are better than those of MoS2-PI micron-sized composite. The friction coefficients of MoS2-PI-CNTs nano-sized composite solid lubricant are lower than those of the MoS2-PI composite lubricant at temperatures ranging from RT to 400 °C. In addition, the possible mechanisms involving the synergetic effect of the surface texture and the solid lubricant are discussed in the present work.
Hydration forces at solid and fluid biointerfaces
Authors: Shrestha Buddha Ratna , Banquy Xavier
Published: January 2016

The authors review the different molecular mechanisms giving rise to the repulsive hydration force between biologically relevant surfaces such as lipid bilayers and bioceramics. As the authors will show, the hydration force manifests itself in very different and subtle ways depending on the substrates. Soft, mobile surfaces such as lipid bilayers tend to exhibit monotonic, decaying hydration force, originated from the entropic constriction of the lipid head groups. Solid surfaces, on the other hand, tend to exhibit a periodic oscillatory hydration force, originated from the surface induced polarization of water molecules. In this review, the authors will describe both subtle faces of this important interaction by first describing the early experiments performed on solid surfaces and their interpretation by recent simulation studies. Then, the authors will describe the hydration force between fluid interfaces such as bilayers and explain how experimentally researchers have unraveled the dominant role of the lipid head groups' conformation.
Kinetic theory of vehicular traffic
Authors: Iannini M. L. L. , Dickman Ronald
Published: January 2016

We review the kinetic theory of traffic proposed by Prigogine and Herman in which the Boltzmann equation is adapted to vehicular traffic. The kinetic equation and its solution are discussed, and a novel distribution of desired velocities that is more suitable for describing real traffic conditions is analyzed. We also study the stationary velocity distribution at the transition between individual and collective flow patterns. At this transition, the distribution splits into a smoothly varying regular part, in which vehicles have nonzero velocities, and a singular one, corresponding to stopped vehicles. Computational methods for obtaining the stationary velocity distribution and the full space-time evolution of the vehicular distribution are explained.
Active sites of nitrogen-doped carbon materials for oxygen reduction reaction clarified using model catalysts
Authors: Guo Donghui , Shibuya Riku , Akiba Chisato , Saji Shunsuke , Kondo Takahiro , Nakamura Junji
Published: January 2016

The right kind of dopant

The oxygen reduction reaction is an important step in fuel cells and other electrochemical processes but is still largely dependent on precious metal-containing catalysts. Recently explored alternatives include carbon materials that are doped with different, preferably non-precious metal, atoms. Guo
et al.
studied model graphite catalysts to try to understand the role of nitrogen doping and to elucidate the active catalytic sites. A nitrogen atom bound to two carbons formed an active catalyst site with an activity rivaling that of N-doped graphene catalysts.

Science
, this issue p.
361
Oligodendrocyte precursors migrate along vasculature in the developing nervous system
Authors: Tsai Hui-Hsin , Niu Jianqin , Munji Roeben , Davalos Dimitrios , Chang Junlei , Zhang Haijing , Tien An-Chi , Kuo Calvin J. , Chan Jonah R. , Daneman Richard , Fancy Stephen P. J.
Published: January 2016

Neuronal migrations follow vascular pathways

In the developing brain, various types of cells migrate from their birthplaces to their workplaces. Oligodendrocyte precursors, which develop to form the insulating sheaths that make signal transmission along an axon faster, travel farther than many. Tsai
et al.
now show just how the oligodendrocyte precursor cells find their way (see the Perspective by Dejana and Beltsholtz). The progenitor cells follow along the endothelial cells of the vasculature. Disrupting endothelial cells interfered with oligodendrocyte migration, leaving some sections of the brain deficient in insulators.

Science
, this issue p.
379
; see also p.
341
Archean upper crust transition from mafic to felsic marks the onset of plate tectonics
Authors: Tang Ming , Chen Kang , Rudnick Roberta L.
Published: January 2016

New crustal clues from old rocks

The ghost of continental crust long eroded away may exist in certain element ratios found in Archean rocks. Tang
et al.
used Ni/Co and Cr/Zn ratios as a proxy for the magnesium oxide that long ago weathered away in Earth's oldest rocks. This allowed a reconstruction of rock composition, which appears to be very different from that of the crust today. The shift to contemporary crust composition occurred after the Archean era, suggesting the onset of plate tectonics.

Science
, this issue p.
372
Future Earth
Authors: Rockström Johan
Published: January 2016

The new year ushers in important international agendas secured at the end of 2015: the Paris climate agreement to limit global warming to a 1.5° to 2°C increase and adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Both actions reflect the world's recognition that development in all nations hinges on a stable and resilient Earth system. This is a political paradigm shift, fortified by three decades of remarkable advancements in Earth system science. The International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP), which ended in December 2015, can take considerable credit for coordinating and catalyzing much of this fundamental research. The recently launched Future Earth research program builds on this legacy and is the right response to the new scientific challenges.
Commentary: Impact of CLSI Breakpoint Changes on Microbiology Laboratories and Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs
Authors: Heil Emily L. , Johnson J. Kristie
Published: January 2016

In 2010, the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) lowered the MIC breakpoints for many beta-lactam antibiotics to enhance detection of known resistance among
Enterobacteriaceae
. The decision to implement these new breakpoints, including the changes announced in both 2010 and 2014, can have a significant impact on both microbiology laboratories and antimicrobial stewardship programs. In this commentary, we discuss the changes and how implementation of these updated CLSI breakpoints requires partnership between antimicrobial stewardship programs and the microbiology laboratory, including data on the impact that the changes had on antibiotic usage at our own institution.