bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between dietitians' personality profiles and practice areas
Authors: Ball Lauren , Eley Diann S. , Desbrow Ben , Lee Patricia , Ferguson Maree
Published: September 2015

Aim

Personality traits refer to habitual patterns of behaviour, thoughts and emotions, and have been shown to influence health professionals' career pathways. The present study explored the associations between dietitians' personality profiles and the areas of dietetic practice they have previously worked.

Methods

Survey of 346 dietitians; 95% female; aged 32 ± 10 years; median 7 years (range 0–35) since graduation. Personality traits were investigated using the Temperament and Character Inventory, and cluster analysis was used to group participants into three clusters, known as Profiles, based upon common combinations of personality trait levels. Relationships between personality clusters and areas of dietetic practice were investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

Compared with other participants, dietitians in Profile A displayed moderate levels of Harm Avoidance, Persistence and Self‐Directedness; dietitians in Profile B displayed higher levels of Persistence and Self‐Directedness, and lower levels of Harm Avoidance; and dietitians in Profile C displayed higher levels of Harm Avoidance and lower levels of Persistence and Self‐Directedness. Dietitians in Profile A were twice as likely to have worked in Private Practice/Consultancy compared with Profile C (OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.07–3.38,P< 0.05), and dietitians in Profile B were over four times more likely to have worked in Food Service Management compared with Profile C (OR = 4.35, 95% CI: 1.47–12.84,P< 0.01).

Conclusions

Dietitians' personality may influence their decision to work in some areas of dietetic practice. Employees and employers should be mindful of personal traits when making employment decisions because some environments may be more conducive to specific attributes of dietitians to facilitate competent performance in a role.
MicNeSs: genotyping microsatellite loci from a collection of (NGS) reads
Authors: Suez Marie , Behdenna Abdelkader , Brouillet Sophie , Graça Paula , Higuet Dominique , Achaz Guillaume
Published: September 2015

Microsatellites are widely used in population genetics to uncover recent evolutionary events. They are typically genotyped using capillary sequencer, which capacity is usually limited to 9, at most 12 loci for each run, and which analysis is a tedious task that is performed by hand. With the rise of next‐generation sequencing (NGS), a much larger number of loci and individuals are available from sequencing: for example, on a single run of a GS Junior, 28 loci from 96 individuals are sequenced with a 30X cover. We have developed an algorithm to automatically and efficiently genotype microsatellites from a collection of reads sorted by individual (e.g. specific PCR amplifications of a locus or a collection of reads that encompass a locus of interest). As the sequencing and the PCR amplification introduce artefactual insertions or deletions, the set of reads from a single microsatellite allele shows several length variants. The algorithm infers, without alignment, the true unknown allele(s) of each individual from the observed distributions of microsatellites length of all individuals. MicNeSs, a python implementation of the algorithm, can be used to genotype any microsatellite locus from any organism and has been tested on 454 pyrosequencing data of several loci from fruit flies (a model species) and red deers (a nonmodel species). Without any parallelization, it automatically genotypes 22 loci from 441 individuals in 11 hours on a standard computer. The comparison of MicNeSs inferences to the standard method shows an excellent agreement, with some differences illustrating the pros and cons of both methods.
Attitudes towards new assisted reproductive technologies in Sweden: a survey in women 30–39 years of age
Authors: Wennberg Anna‐Lena , Rodriguez‐Wallberg Kenny A. , Milsom Ian , Brännström Mats
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Novel pathways to parenthood [oocyte cryopreservation, allowance of surrogacy, uterus transplantation, and assisted reproductive treatments (ART) for single women] are currently being discussed. This study investigates women's attitudes towards oocyte cryopreservation and ART procedures that are not allowed or are still under investigation in Sweden, and whether the attitudes differ between urban women and women from a national cohort.

Materials and methods

Two thousand randomly selected Swedish females aged 30–39 years, 1000 residents of Stockholm (urban cohort) and 1000 from the remainder of Sweden (national cohort), were invited to complete a postal questionnaire on attitudes about existing and novel ARTs.

Results

Response rates for the national and urban cohorts were 52.1% and 48.9%. Ninety‐four per cent of women were positive towards oocyte cryopreservation for medical reasons. Seventy per cent considered that this treatment was also indicated for social reasons. Seventy‐six per cent found it acceptable to offer ART to single women. Uterus transplantation was found to be more acceptable than surrogacy (80% vs. 47%). Urban women were more positive to both oocyte cryopreservation for social reasons and fertility treatment of single women than the national cohort. Urban women were also more tolerant regarding age limits for attempting pregnancy with cryopreserved gametes and regarding permission for a longer duration of maintaining cryopreserved gametes.

Conclusions

Swedish women have a high acceptance of most new ARTs, with the exception of surrogacy. Urban women seem to have a greater acceptance for social egg‐freezing, longer duration of cryopreservation of oocytes, and higher age limit for their use.
Insulin‐like growth factor 1 prevents diastolic and systolic dysfunction associated with cardiomyopathy and preserves adrenergic sensitivity
Authors: Roof S. R. , Boslett J. , Russell D. , del Rio C. , Alecusan J. , Zweier J. L. , Ziolo M. T. , Hamlin R. , Mohler P. J. , Curran J.
Published: September 2015

Aims

Insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1)‐dependent signalling promotes exercise‐induced physiological cardiac hypertrophy. However, the in vivo therapeutic potential of IGF‐1 for heart disease is not well established. Here, we test the potential therapeutic benefits of IGF‐1 on cardiac function using an in vivo model of chronic catecholamine‐induced cardiomyopathy.

Methods

Rats were perfused with isoproterenol via osmotic pump (1 mg kg−1 per day) and treated with 2 mg kg−1 IGF‐1 (2 mg kg−1 per day, 6 days a week) for 2 or 4 weeks. Echocardiography, ECG, and blood pressure were assessed. In vivo pressure–volume loop studies were conducted at 4 weeks. Heart sections were analysed for fibrosis and apoptosis, and relevant biochemical signalling cascades were assessed.

Results

After 4 weeks, diastolic function (EDPVR, EDP, tau, E/A ratio), systolic function (PRSW, ESPVR, dP/dtmax) and structural remodelling (LV chamber diameter, wall thickness) were all adversely affected in isoproterenol‐treated rats. All these detrimental effects were attenuated in rats treated with Iso+IGF‐1. Isoproterenol‐dependent effects on BP were attenuated by IGF‐1 treatment. Adrenergic sensitivity was blunted in isoproterenol‐treated rats but was preserved by IGF‐1 treatment. Immunoblots indicate that cardioprotective p110α signalling and activated Akt are selectively upregulated in Iso+IGF‐1‐treated hearts. Expression of iNOS was significantly increased in both the Iso and Iso+IGF‐1 groups; however, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) levels were decreased in the Iso group and maintained by IGF‐1 treatment.

Conclusion

IGF‐1 treatment attenuates diastolic and systolic dysfunction associated with chronic catecholamine‐induced cardiomyopathy while preserving adrenergic sensitivity and promoting BH4 production. These data support the potential use of IGF‐1 therapy for clinical applications for cardiomyopathies.
Synovial macrophage-derived IL-1βregulates the calcitonin receptor in osteoarthritic mice
Authors: Takano S , Uchida K , Miyagi M , Inoue G , Aikawa J , Fujimaki H , Minatani A , Sato M , Iwabuchi K , Takaso M
Published: September 2015

Recent studies have reported that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) contributes to joint pain. However, regulation of the CGRP/CGRP receptor signalling in osteoarthritis (OA) is not fully understood. To investigate the regulation of CGRP/CGRP receptor signalling by macrophages in the synovial tissue (ST) of OA joints, we characterized the gene expression profiles of CGRP and CGRP receptors in the ST of OA mice (STR/Ort). In addition, we examined whether macrophage depletion by the systemic injection of clodronate-laden liposomes affected the expression of CGRP and CGRP receptors in ST. CD11c+ macrophages in the ST of STR/Ort and C57BL/6J mice were analysed by flow cytometry. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to evaluate the expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, CGRP, calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR) and receptor activity-modifying protein 1 (RAMP1) in F4/80+ and F4/80− cells. The effects of IL-1β on the expression of CGRP and CLR by cultured synovial cells were also examined. The percentage of CD11c+ macrophages in the ST of STR/Ort was higher than that in C57/BL6J mice. Notably, the F4/80+ cell fraction expressed IL-1β highly, whereas the F4/80− cell fraction expressed CGRP, CLR, and RAMP1 highly. In addition, expression of the IL-1β and CLR genes was increased in ST, but was decreased upon macrophage depletion, and the IL-1β treatment of cultured synovial cells up-regulated CLR. Taken together, the present findings suggest that synovial macrophages are the major producers of IL-1β and regulators of CLR in OA mice. Therefore, macrophages and IL-1β may be suitable therapeutic targets for treating OA pain.
Example‐Driven Procedural Urban Roads
Authors: Nishida G. , Garcia‐Dorado I. , Aliaga D. G.
Published: September 2015

Synthesizing and exploring large‐scale realistic urban road networks is beneficial to 3D content creation, traffic animation and urban planning. In this paper, we present an interactive tool that allows untrained users to design roads with complex realistic details and styles. Roads are generated by growing a geometric graph. During a sketching phase, the user specifies the target area and the examples. During a growing phase, two types of growth are effectively applied to generate roads in the target area; example‐based growth uses patches extracted from the source example to generate roads that preserve some interesting structures in the example road networks; procedural‐based growth uses the statistical information of the source example while effectively adapting the roads to the underlying terrain and the already generated roads. User‐specified warping, blending and interpolation operations are used at will to produce new road network designs that are inspired by the examples. Finally, our method computes city blocks, individual parcels and plausible building and tree geometries. We have used our approach to create road networks covering up to 200 and containing over 3500 km of roads.
Treatment of Peri‐Implant Defects in the Rabbit's Tibia with Adipose or Bone Marrow‐Derived Mesenchymal Stems Cells
Authors: Erdogan Özgür , Supachawaroj Nuttawut , Soontornvipart Kumpanart , Kheolamai Pakpoom
Published: September 2015

Background

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) treatment in conjunction with bone graft materials or space filler can be an alternative to autogenous bone grafts in the treatment of peri‐implant bone defects.

Purpose

To evaluate the success of bone regeneration capacity of adipose‐derived and bone marrow‐derived MSCs for the treatment of peri‐implant bone defects when applied with a beta‐tricalcium phosphate/collagen‐based scaffold.

Material and Methods

Forty implants were placed into the tibiae of 10 rabbits bilaterally. Surgical defects created around the implants were treated with one the following treatment modalities: 1) adipose‐derived MSC transplanted scaffold + collagen membrane; 2) bone marrow‐derived MSC transplanted scaffold + collagen membrane; 3) autogenous bone + collagen membrane; and 4) collagen membrane only. The bone regeneration capacity of each technique was determined by histomorphometry, micro‐CT, and measuring the implant stability by resonance frequency analysis.

Results

One limb of one rabbit was excluded because of fracture, and another limb was excluded because of infection. All parameters on 36 implants revealed that both sources of MSC can form equivalently new bone that is comparable with autogenous bone. The defects treated with membrane only had significantly less bone formation compared with other groups.

Conclusion

Both adipose‐derived and bone marrow‐derived MSC treatments are feasible alternatives to autogenous bone grafts in the treatment of peri‐implant osseos defects.
Newsvendor Problems with Demand Shocks and Unknown Demand Distributions
Authors: O'Neil Shawn , Zhao Xuying , Sun Daewon , Wei Jerry C.
Published: September 2015

In today's competitive market, demand volume and even the underlying demand distribution can change quickly for a newsvendor seller. We refer to sudden changes in demand distribution as demand shocks. When a newsvendor seller has limited demand distribution information and also experiences underlying demand shocks, the majority of existing methods for newsvendor problems may not work well since they either require demand distribution information or assume stationary demand distribution. We present a new, robust, and effective machine learning algorithm for newsvendor problems with demand shocks but without any demand distribution information. The algorithm needs only an approximate estimate of the lower and upper bounds of demand range; no other knowledge such as demand mean, variance, or distribution type is necessary. We establish the theoretical bounds that determine this machine learning algorithm's performance in handling demand shocks. Computational experiments show that this algorithm outperforms the traditional approaches in a variety of situations including large and frequent shocks of the demand mean. The method can also be used as a meta‐algorithm by incorporating other traditional approaches as experts. Working together, the original algorithm and the extended meta‐algorithm can help manufacturers and retailers better adapt their production and inventory control decisions in dynamic environments where demand information is limited and demand shocks are frequent
The effect of model inclination during fabrication on mouthguard calliper‐measured and CT scan‐assessed thickness
Authors: Farrington Timothy , Coward Trevor , Onambele‐Pearson Gladys , Taylor Rebecca L. , Earl Philip , Winwood Keith
Published: September 2015

Aim

Excessive material thinning has been observed in the production of custom‐made mouthguards in a number of studies, due to production anomalies that may lead to such thinning. This study investigated thinning material patterns of custom‐made mouthguards when the anterior angulation of dental model was increased during the thermoforming process.

Materials and methods

A total of 60 samples of mouthguard blanks were thermoformed on identical maxillary models under four anterior inclination conditions (n = 4 × 15): control 0, 15, 30 and 45°. Each mouthguard sample was measured, using an electronic calliper gauge at three anatomical points (anterior labial sulcus, posterior occlusion and posterior lingual). Mouthguards were then CT scanned to give a visual representation of the surface thickness.

Results

Data showed a significant difference (P < 0.005) in the anterior mouthguard thickness between the four levels of anterior inclination, with the 45° inclination producing the thickest mouthguards, increasing the mean anterior thickness by 75% (2.8 mm, SD: 0.16) from the model on a flat plane (1.6 mm, SD: 0.34). Anterior model inclination of 30 and 45° inclinations increased consistencies between the thickest and thinnest mouthguards in the anterior region of these sample groups.

Conclusion

This study highlights the importance of standardizing the thermoforming process, as this has a significant effect on the quality and material distribution of the resultant product. In particular, greater model inclination is advised as this optimizes the thickness of the anterior sulcus of the mouthguard which may be more prominently at risk from sport‐related impact.
NMR studies reveal a novel grab and release mechanism for efficient catalysis of the bacterial 2‐Cys peroxiredoxin machinery
Authors: Nartey Wilson , Basak Sandip , Kamariah Neelagandan , Manimekalai Malathy S. S. , Robson Scott , Wagner Gerhard , Eisenhaber Birgit , Eisenhaber Frank , Grüber Gerhard
Published: September 2015

In bacteria, an ensemble of alkyl hydroperoxide reductase subunits C (AhpC) and F (AhpF) is responsible for scavenging H2O2. AhpC donates electrons for the reduction of H2O2, which are provided after NADH oxidation by AhpF. The latter contains an N‐terminal domain (NTD), catalyzing the electron transfer from NADH via a FAD of the C‐terminal domain (CTD) into AhpC. The NADH‐bound Escherichia coli AhpF structure revealed that NADH binding brings the substrate to the re‐face of the FAD, making the Cys–Cys center of the CTD accessible to the NTD disulfide center for electron transfer (Kamariah et al. (2015) Biochim Biophys Acta 1847, 1139–1152). So far insight into the epitope and mechanism of AhpF and AhpC interaction as well as the electron transfer from the NTD to AhpC have been lacking. Here using NMR spectroscopy, we glean insight into the interaction of the NTD of AhpF with AhpC from E. coli. A coordinated disappearance of EcAhpF NTD peaks was observed in the presence of full length EcAhpC, indicating a long‐lived AhpC–AhpF complex. C‐terminal truncated EcAhpC resulted in a more dynamic interaction, revealing specific residue chemical shift perturbation and hence the binding epitope of the complex. Combined with docking studies, we have suggested that the C terminus of AhpC binds to the backside groove of the NTD. In addition, AhpC–AhpF formation is abolished under reducing conditions. We propose for the first time a binding mechanism in which the C terminus of AhpC wraps around the NTD, slowing the dissociation rate for an efficient electron transfer process, and a release mechanism mediated by the conformational change of the C terminus of AhpC upon reduction.
Functional trait variation along environmental gradients in temperate and Mediterranean trees
Authors: Vilà‐Cabrera Albert , Martínez‐Vilalta Jordi , Retana Javier
Published: September 2015

Aim

Characterizing the variation of functional traits in nature is a first step towards linking environmental changes to changes in ecosystem function. Here we aim to characterize the spatial variability of major plant functional traits along wide environmental gradients in Mediterranean and temperate forests, and assess to what extent this variability differs between two dominant families in Northern Hemisphere forests: Fagaceae and Pinaceae.

Location

Catalonia (north‐east Iberian Peninsula).

Methods

Four functional traits were selected to incorporate information on both the leaf and the wood economic spectra: maximum tree height (Hmax), wood density (WD), leaf mass per area (LMA) and nitrogen content of leaves (Nmass). We quantified the variance distribution of each functional trait across three nested ecological scales: population, species and family. Through such scales, we explored the spatial variation of functional traits through climatic and biotic gradients, as well as the covariation among traits.

Results

Functional trait variability was distributed across all the ecological scales considered, but mostly at the family level, with functional traits differing markedly between Fagaceae and Pinaceae. Within families, variation in functional traits was similar or higher within species than between species. The spatial variability in functional traits was related to biotic and abiotic gradients, although this effect was quantitatively small compared with differences between families. Covariation among functional traits was not necessarily conserved across ecological scales. Trait covariation across all species was structured along the Hmax−WD and LMA−Nmass axes, but this structure was partially lost within families, where variation was mostly structured along the Hmax−LMA and WD−Nmass axes.

Main conclusions

Intraspecific variation emerges as a fundamental component of functional trait structure along wide environmental gradients. Understanding the sources of intraspecific variation, as well as how it contributes to community assembly and ecosystem functioning, thus becomes a primary research question.
Influence of cerebral white matter lesions on the activities of daily living of older patients with mild stroke
Authors: Yamashita Yutaka , Wada Ikuo , Horiba Mitsuya , Sahashi Kento
Published: September 2015

Aim

Neurological symptom severity is a prognostic factor for post‐stroke activities of daily living (ADL). Recently, it has been reported that white matter lesions indicate poor functional prognosis in patients with stroke. The present study investigated the influence of white matter lesions on the ADL of older patients with stroke who have mild neurological symptoms.

Method

We investigated ADL at discharge in 44 patients with stroke (men, n = 27; women, n = 17; mean age 78 years [range 71–85 years]) aged ≥65 years with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores of ≤5 (cerebral infarction, n = 37; cerebral hemorrhage, n = 7). We used single correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis to investigate factors that correlated with ADL at discharge. ADL at discharge was also evaluated on the basis of white matter lesion severity (Fazekas classification, grades 0–3).

Results

Single correlation analysis showed that age (r = −0.36, P = 0.016), male sex (r = 0.362, P = 0.016), neurological symptom severity (r = −0.361, P = 0.016), ADL on starting rehabilitation (r = 0.685, P < 0.001) and white matter lesion severity (r = −0.361, P = 0.016) significantly correlated with ADL at discharge. Multiple regression analysis showed that ADL on starting rehabilitation (β = 0.519, t = 4.723, P < 0.001) and white matter lesion severity (β = −0.309, t = −3.057, P < 0.01) were statistically significant prognostic factors for ADL at discharge. ADL at discharge score was significantly lower in the group with high white matter lesion severity (Fazekas, grade 2) than in the other two groups (Fazekas, grade 0, P < 0.01; Fazekas, grade 1, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Severe white matter lesions are a prognostic factor for poor ADL at discharge in older patients with stroke who have mild neurological symptoms. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 942–947.
Identification of risk factors associated with the development of skin tears in hospitalised older persons: a case–control study
Authors: Lewin Gill F , Newall Nelly , Alan Janine J , Carville Keryln J , Santamaria Nick M , Roberts Pam A
Published: September 2015

To identify the risk factors associated with the development of skin tears in older persons four hundred and fifty three patients (151 cases and 302 controls) were enrolled in a case–control study in a 500‐bed metropolitan tertiary hospital in Western Australia between December 2008 and June 2009. Case eligibility was defined by a skin tear on admission, which had occurred in the last 5 days; or, a skin tear developed during hospitalisation. For each case, two controls who did not have a skin tear and had been admitted within 1 day of the case, were also enrolled. Data collected from the nursing staff and inpatient medical records included characteristics known, or hypothesised, to be associated with increased vulnerability to skin tears. Data analysis included a series of multivariate stepwise regressions to identify a number of different potential explanatory models. The most parsimonious model for predicting skin tear development comprised six variables: ecchymosis (bruising); senile purpura; haematoma; evidence of a previously healed skin tear; oedema; and inability to reposition oneself independently. The ability of these six characteristics to predict who among older patients could subsequently develop a skin tear now needs to be determined by a prospective study.
The Influence of Activated Coal Mining Wastes on the Mineralogy of Blended Cement Pastes
Authors: Frías Moisés , Rodriguez Olga , Vigil de la Villa Raquel , García Rosario , Martínez‐Ramiréz Sagrario , Fernández‐Carrasco Lucía J , Vegas Iñigo
Published: September 2015

In recent years, kaolinite‐based wastes are focusing the attention of researchers to obtain recycled metakaolinite, with consequent environmental and socioeconomic benefits. One of these lines of research is based on coal mining waste, which once activated thermally, it becomes a highly pozzolanic product (ACM). This study reports the influence of activated carbon mining waste on the formation and evolution of the mineralogical phases in the ACM/cement system as well as their influence on the microstructure up to 90 d of reaction. Mineralogical analyses clearly show that the addition of ACM modified mineralogical compounds of blended cements. The C4AH13 and C4AH12 were the predominant phases in this type of cements; while in the ordinary portland cement cements, portlandite, ettringite, and carboaluminate were main hydrated phases. Two differential zones in the pore size distribution of the C–S–H gels at 12 and 4.5 nm were observed, predominating the formation of C–S–H gels at 12 nm when 20% of ACM was added to the cement.
Optical and Tunable Dielectric Properties of K0.5Na0.5NbO3–SrTiO3 Ceramics
Authors: Liu Zhiyong , Fan Huiqing , Zhao Yuwei , Dong Guangzhi
Published: September 2015

Pure perovskite K0.5Na0.5NbO3–xSrTiO3 (x = 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, and 0.19) ceramics were prepared by using a solid‐state reaction process. The ceramics were optically transparent for visible and near‐infrared wavelengths. Then, high tunability (24.1%) and low dielectric loss (0.016) for the x = 0.18 sample indicated the transparent ceramics could be used in tunable devices. The Lorentz‐type relation fitting for the temperature dependence of dielectric permittivity showed that these ceramics had a typical relaxor behavior, and the polar nanoregions were related to the tunable dielectric properties. The nonlinear dielectric behavior was further explored by the Johnson model combined with Langevin terms, which revealed that the polar nanoregions contributed to the nonlinear ε(E) dependencies with contributions of 12.3%, 11.6%, 5.9%, and 3.6% for x = 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, and 0.19, respectively.
Plasmonic Effects of Infiltrated Silver Nanoparticles Inside TiO2 Film: Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance in DSSCs
Authors: Garmaroudi Zahra Andaji , Mohammadi Mohammad Reza
Published: September 2015

The plasmonic effects of infiltrated silver (Ag) nanoparticles, with different contents, inside a nanostructured TiO2 film on the photovoltaic performance of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are explored. The synthesized Ag nanoparticles are immobilized onto deposited TiO2 nanoparticles by a new strategy using 3‐mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), a bifunctional linker molecule. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images show that monodispersed Ag and polydispersed TiO2 nanoparticles have an average diameter of 12 ± 3 nm and 5 ± 1 nm, respectively. Moreover, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis reveals that Ag nanoparticles were successfully functionalized and capped with MPA. Optical studies on the MPA‐capped Ag nanoparticles inside TiO2 film show an increase in the total absorbance of the electrode. Moreover, EIS measurements confirm that MPA‐capped Ag nanoparticles inhibit the charge recombination and improve the stability of nanoparticles in I3−/I− electrolyte. The DSSC assembled with optimal content of MPA‐capped Ag nanoparticles demonstrated an enhanced power conversion efficiency (8.82% ± 0.07%) compared with the pure TiO2 (7.30% ± 0.05%). The increase in cell efficiency was attributed to the enhanced dye light absorption in strength and spectral range due to the surface plasmon resonance of MPA‐capped Ag nanoparticles in the photoanode.
Phase Relationship and Ionic Conductivity in Na–SrSiO3 Ionic Conductor
Authors: Jee Youngseok , Zhao Xuan , Lei Xueling , Huang Kevin
Published: September 2015

The Na–SrSiO3 as a potential high‐conductivity ionic conductor for intermediate temperature solid oxide electrochemical cells (SOECs) has drawn much attention recently. Some of these studies questioned the feasibility of Na doping and therefore the creation of oxygen vacancies, while others suggested an alternative phase responsible for the ionic conduction. In this study, a systematic investigation was carried out to understand the ionic conduction in Na–SrSiO3. Through in situ high‐temperature X‐ray diffraction, thermal analysis, microstructural characterization, and electrical conductivity measurement, Na–SrSiO3 was shown as a two‐phase material, one being slightly Na‐doped SrSiO3 and another being amorphous Na2Si2O5. The former was an electrical insulator whereas the latter was a good ionic conductor. It was also found that the amorphous Na2Si2O5 phase was unstable at the temperature ≥500°C, crystallizing into the insulating polycrystalline Na2Si2O5 which causes conductivity to “bend‐over” at higher temperatures. A preliminary Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics (AIMD) simulation suggested that the amorphous Na2Si2O5 be predominantly a Na+ conductor.
Microstructure and Electrical Properties of Nonstoichiometric 0.94(Na0.5Bi0.5+x)TiO3–0.06BaTiO3Lead‐Free Ceramics
Authors: Qiao Xiao‐Shuang , Chen Xiao‐Ming , Lian Han‐Li , Chen Wei‐Ting , Zhou Jian‐Ping , Liu Peng
Published: September 2015

0.94(Na0.5Bi0.5+x)TiO3–0.06BaTiO3(x = −0.04, 0, 0.02; namedNB0.46T‐6BT,NB0.50T‐6BT,NB0.52T‐6BT, respectively) lead‐free piezoelectric ceramics were prepared via the solid‐state reaction method. Effects of Bi3+nonstoichiometry on microstructure, dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties were studied. All ceramics show typical X‐ray diffraction peaks ofABO3perovskite structure. The lattice parameters increase with the increase in the Bi3+content. The electron probe microanalysis demonstrates that the excess Bi2O3in the starting composition can compensate the Bi2O3loss induced during sample processing. The size and shape of grains are closely related to the Bi3+content. For the unpoledNB0.50T‐6BTandNB0.52T‐6BT, there are two dielectric anomalies in the dielectric constant–temperature curves. The unpoledNB0.46T‐6BTshows one dielectric anomaly accompanied by high dielectric constant and dielectric loss at low frequencies. After poling, a new dielectric anomaly appears around depolarization temperature (Td) for all ceramics and theTdvalues increase with the Bi3+amount decreasing from excess to deficiency. The diffuse phase transition character was studied via the Curie–Weiss law and modified Curie–Weiss law. The activation energy values obtained via the impedance analysis are 0.69, 1.05, and 1.16 eV forNB0.46T‐6BT,NB0.50T‐6BTandNB0.52T‐6BT, respectively, implying the change in oxygen vacancy concentration in the ceramics. The piezoelectric constant, polarization, and coercive field of the ceramics change with the variation in the Bi3+content. The Rayleigh analysis suggests that the change in electrical properties of the ceramics with the variation in the Bi3+amount is related to the effect of oxygen vacancies.
The role of fire and a long‐lived soil seed bank in maintaining persistence, genetic diversity and connectivity in a fire‐prone landscape
Authors: Bradbury Donna , Tapper Sarah‐Louise , Coates David , McArthur Shelley , Hankinson Margaret , Byrne Margaret
Published: September 2015

Aim

Terrestrial plant ecology and evolution is significantly influenced by the phenomenon of fire, but studies of its potential impact on intraspecific genetic variation and phylogeography are rare. This understanding will be important for predicting the biogeographical consequences of changing fire regimes under global climate change. Here, we asked whether changing historical fire regimes, together with climatic and geological history, have influenced phylogeographical patterns in a fire‐ephemeral vine. We also asked whether demographic stochasticity associated with a fire‐ephemeral life history results in nuclear genetic drift as expected from spatio‐temporal patchiness, or if this effect is buffered by the connectivity and diversity afforded by a persistent soil seed bank.

Location

The fire‐prone, mediterranean‐type climate region of south‐western Australia.

Methods

We used Bayesian phylogeny reconstruction and statistical tests of demographic expansion based on variation at three non‐coding chloroplast sequence regions (atpF, ndhF–rpl32, psbD–trnT) to reconstruct phylogeographical history. Nuclear diversity and population structure at 11 microsatellite loci were investigated for evidence of genetic drift.

Results

Evidence for prolonged persistence and a lack of vicariance within the species range was found, together with strong evidence of historical demographic expansion. Contrary to expectations, there was little evidence of nuclear genetic drift despite strong, above‐ground spatio‐temporal population patchiness.

Main conclusions

Our findings suggest that a late Pleistocene increase in fire frequency may have led to demographic expansion in this fire‐ephemeral species; alternatively, the expansion signal may be an inherent feature of fire ephemerals with a persistent soil seed bank. Prolonged climatic stability has likely fostered persistence within the species range in contrast to contraction and vicariance. The notable lack of genetic drift implies a role for ample pollen dispersal and a long‐lived soil seed bank in the maintenance of diversity and connectivity in an otherwise stochastic, fire‐driven system.
Femoral Access PCI in a Default Radial Center Identifies High‐Risk Patients With Poor Outcomes
Authors: Uddin Muezz , Bundhoo Shantu , Mitra Rito , Ossei‐Gerning Nicholas , Morris Keith , Anderson Richard , Kinnaird Tim
Published: September 2015

Background

Increasingly the trans‐radial route (TRR) is preferred over the trans‐femoral route (TFR) for PCI. However, even in high volume default TRR centers a cohort of patients undergo TFR PCI. We examined the demographics, procedural characteristics, and outcomes of patients undergoing PCI via the TF.

Methods

The patient demographics, procedural data, and outcomes of 5,379 consecutive patients undergoing PCI at a default radial center between 2009 and 2012 were examined. Major bleeding (MB) was classified by ACUITY and BARC definitions.

Results

A total of 559 (10.4%) patients underwent PCI via the TFR and 4,820 patients via the TRR (89.6%). Baseline variables associated with TFR were shock, previous CABG, chronic total occlusion intervention, rotablation/laser use, female sex, and renal failure. Sixty‐five patients of the TFR cohort (11.6%) experienced MB with 27 (41.5%) being access site related. MB was significantly more frequent than in the radial cohort. The variables independently associated with MB in the TFR cohort were renal failure, acute presentation, shock, and age. In the TFR, patients with MB mortality was high at 30 days (17.2% vs 2.6% for no MB, P < 0.0001) and at 1 year (37.6% vs 5.0%, P < 0.0001). Shock and MB were highly predictive of 30 day and 12 month mortality.

Conclusion

In a default radial PCI center 10% of patients undergo PCI via the femoral artery. These patients have high baseline bleeding risk and undergo complex interventions. As a result the incidence of major bleeding, transfusion and death are high. Alternative strategies are required to optimize outcomes in this select group. (J Interven Cardiol 2015;28:485–492)
Rural Enrollment in the Federally Facilitated Marketplace
Authors: Drake Coleman , Abraham Jean M. , McCullough Jeffrey S.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

We sought to examine the demographic, market, and policy‐related factors influencing first year enrollment rates for the population targeted by the Health Insurance Marketplaces (HIMs) established as part of the Affordable Care Act. In particular, we analyzed differences in enrollment rates across urban and rural counties in 32 states served by the Federally Facilitated Marketplace.

Methods

We used enrollment data from the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation of the US Department of Health and Human Services and demographic data from the American Community Survey, supplemented with other market and policy‐related information. Using multivariate regression, we investigated how county‐level enrollment rates are associated with demographic, market and policy‐related characteristics, including rurality.

Findings

Relative to an adjusted mean enrollment rate of 17.1% for large metropolitan counties, small metropolitan counties have a 2.8% lower enrollment rate and rural counties have a 2.7% lower enrollment rate. States’ decisions to expand Medicaid and to have the federal government fully manage the HIM are both negatively associated with enrollment rates. Partnership HIMs exhibit a positive association with enrollment rates as do navigator grants, but the latter relationship is only present in counties located in Medicaid expansion states.

Conclusions

Enrollment rates vary by rurality, but differences are statistically significant only between large metropolitan counties and all other types of counties—small metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore. State‐level policies, particularly Medicaid expansion, have the largest association with enrollment rates among the explanatory variables examined in the model.
Tunisia's “Revolutionary” Lawyers: From Professional Autonomy to Political Mobilization
Authors: Gobe Eric , Salaymeh Lena
Published: September 2015

On January 14, 2011, after twenty‐three years in power and one month of popular protest demanding his resignation, President Ben Ali fled Tunisia. Lawyers, wearing their official robes, had marched frequently in the uprising's demonstrations. By engaging with and supporting the uprising, lawyers—both the profession in general and the bar's leadership—gained considerable symbolic influence over the post‐uprising government that replaced Ben Ali's regime. This article outlines the various forms of political lawyering undertaken by Tunisian lawyers and their professional associations from Tunisia's independence to post‐uprising transitions. We demonstrate that economic concerns, professional objectives, and civic professionalism contributed to the collective action of Tunisian lawyers before and after the uprising. Tunisian lawyers moved beyond the realm of their profession to adopt a role as overseers of the post‐uprising government.
Abstraction and its Limits: Finding Space For Novel Explanation
Authors: Knox Eleanor
Published: September 2015

Several modern accounts of explanation acknowledge the importance of abstraction and idealization for our explanatory practice. However, once we allow a role for abstraction, questions remain. I ask whether the relation between explanations at different theoretical levels should be thought of wholly in terms of abstraction, and argue that changes of the quantities in terms of which we describe a system can lead to novel explanations that are not merely abstractions of some more detailed picture. I use the example of phase transitions as described by statistical mechanics and thermodynamics to illustrate this, and to demonstrate some details of the relationship between abstraction, idealization, and novel explanation.
Know How to Transmit Knowledge?
Authors: Poston Ted
Published: September 2015

Intellectualism about knowledge‐how is the view that practical knowledge is a species of propositional knowledge. I argue that this view is undermined by a difference in properties between knowledge‐how and both knowledge‐that and knowledge‐wh. More specifically, I argue that both knowledge‐that and knowledge‐wh are easily transmitted via testimony while knowledge‐how is not easily transmitted by testimony. This points to a crucial difference in states of knowledge. I also consider Jason Stanley's attempt to subsume knowledge‐how under an account of de se knowledge. I argue that there are crucial differences between de se knowledge and knowledge‐how. Thus, this paper advances both the discussion of intellectualism and the literature on the nature of de se knowledge.
How do vertebrates respond to mast seeding?
Authors: Bogdziewicz Michał , Zwolak Rafał , Crone Elizabeth E.
Published: September 2015

Mast‐seeding is the synchronized and intermittent production of a large seed crop by a population of plants. The cascading effects of masting on wildlife have been well documented in granivorous rodents. Yet, the effects of mast‐seeding are potentially further reaching, since a number of generalist species can take advantage of mast years. We employed a full‐text search algorithm to identify all papers that discussed effects of mast‐seeding on wildlife, in addition to typical searches of titles and abstracts. We aimed to evaluate the breadth of wildlife species for which mast years are thought to be important drivers. In addition, we tested three hypotheses derived from past reviews: 1) species with lower reproductive potential (lower average litter size) are more likely to show aggregative responses to mast‐seeding, 2) species with lower body sizes (lower mobility) are more likely to show reproductive responses, and 3) indirect consumers of mast (predators) are more likely to show aggregative responses than direct consumers. We found 186 articles including reports of response of 122 species of vertebrates to mast‐seeding. Expectations were partly confirmed: relationships 1) and 2) held for mammals, but not for birds. However, 3) direct consumers were more likely than indirect consumers to show aggregative responses. Our tests of the first two hypotheses question the generality of past predictions for taxa other than mammals. Our test of the third hypothesis suggests that responses of direct and indirect consumers might depend on the type of resource pulse. Many of the examples in our analysis come from systems in which wildlife responses to mast have been less rigorously documented than the examples in past reviews. They suggest the range of wildlife responses to mast‐seeding are more taxonomically and ecologically diverse than past reviews have widely recognized and point to directions for future research.

Synthesis

Mast seeding is a pulsed resource with numerous cascading effects on wildlife. Yet, because masting is largely unpredictable, it is inherently difficult to study. We developed a full‐text search algorithm to identify incidental reports as well as deliberate studies of vertebrate reactions to masting. We found that the type of response to mast seeding (reproductive or through immigration) varies predictably as a function of life history traits (litter size and body mass) in mammals, but not in birds. Our literature search also shows that responses to mast‐seeding are more taxonomically and ecologically diverse than past reviews have recognized.
Social support moderates the relationship between sleep and inflammation in a population at high risk for developing cardiovascular disease
Authors: Tomfohr Lianne M. , Edwards Kate M. , Madsen Joshua W. , Mills Paul J.
Published: September 2015

Poor sleep and low social support have each been associated with mortality and morbidity from chronic illness, and a small body of research suggests that the two interact to influence systemic inflammation whereby good social relationships may buffer the relationship between poor sleep and increased inflammation. The current study investigated interactions between sleep and social support in the prediction of inflammation in a clinical population (prehypertensive and hypertensive individuals) at high risk for the development of cardiovascular disease. Using a standardized subjective measure of sleep quality, we found that social support moderated the association between sleep and circulating levels of both IL‐6 and CRP, such that poor sleep appeared to confer a risk of increased inflammation only in those participants who also reported low social support. In women, the same relationship was observed for TNF‐α. These results extend previous findings into a clinical population and also demonstrate that sleep quality and social support interact in the prediction of two previously uninvestigated clinically relevant inflammatory markers (CRP and TNF‐α). High levels of perceived social support may compensate for the negative health impact of poor sleep quality and vice versa.
Interactions of Separation Bubble With Oncoming Wakes by Large-Eddy Simulation
Authors: Sarkar S. , Babu Harish , Sadique Jasim
Published: September 2015

The unsteady flow physics and heat transfer characteristics due to interactions of periodic passing wakes with a separated boundary layer are studied using large-eddy simulation (LES). A series of airfoils of constant thickness with rounded leading edge are employed to obtain the separated boundary layer. Wake data extracted from precursor LES of flow past a cylinder are used to replicate a moving bar that generates wakes in front of a cascade (in this case, an infinite row of the model airfoils). This setup is a simplified representation of the rotor–stator interaction in turbomachinery. With a uniform inlet, the laminar boundary layer separates near the leading edge, undergoes transition due to amplification of disturbances, becomes turbulent, and finally reattaches forming a separation bubble. In the presence of oncoming wakes, the characteristics of the separated boundary layer have changed and the impinging wakes are found to be the mechanism affecting the reattachment. Phase-averaged results illustrate the periodic behavior of both flow and heat transfer. Large undulations in the phase-averaged skin friction and Nusselt number distributions can be attributed to the excitation of the boundary layer by convective wakes forming coherent vortices, which are being shed and convect downstream. Further, the transition of the separated boundary layer during the wake-induced path is governed by a mechanism that involves the convection of these vortices followed by increased fluctuations, where viscous effect is substantial.
NIH opens precision medicine study to nation
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: September 2015

Panel's plan would allow anyone living in the United States to join million-strong effort.
Ecology's tough climb
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: September 2015

NSF's ambitious network of observatories runs into harsh budget and management realities.
Francisella philomiragia Bacteremia in a Patient with Acute Respiratory Insufficiency and Acute-on-Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Relich Ryan F. , Humphries Romney M. , Mattison H. Reid , Miles Jessica E. , Simpson Edward R. , Corbett Ian J. , Schmitt Bryan H. , May M.
Published: September 2015

Francisella philomiragia
is a very uncommon pathogen of humans. Diseases caused by it are protean and have been reported largely in near-drowning victims and those with chronic granulomatous disease. We present a case of
F. philomiragia
pneumonia with peripheral edema and bacteremia in a renal transplant patient and review the diverse reports of
F. philomiragia
infections.
Characterization of Achromobacter Species in Cystic Fibrosis Patients: Comparison of
bla
OXA-114
PCR Amplification, Multilocus Sequence Typing, and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Rodrigues Elenice R. A. , Ferreira Alex G. , Leão Robson S. , Leite Cassiana C. F. , Carvalho-Assef Ana Paula , Albano Rodolpho M. , Marques Elizabeth A.
Published: September 2015

Molecular methodologies were used to identify 28
Achromobacter
spp. from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) identified 17
Achromobacter xylosoxidans
isolates (all
bla
OXA-114
positive), nine
Achromobacter ruhlandii
isolates (all
bla
OXA-114
positive), one
Achromobacter dolens
isolate, and one
Achromobacter insuavis
isolate. All less common species were misidentified as
A. xylosoxidans
by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Chronic colonization by clonally related
A. ruhlandii
isolates was demonstrated.