bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patients with high c‐MYC‐expressing squamous cell carcinomas of the tongue show better survival than those with low‐ and medium‐expressing tumours
Authors: Strindlund Klas , Troiano Giuseppe , Sgaramella Nicola , Coates Philip J. , Gu Xiaolian , Boldrup Linda , Califano Luigi , Fahraeus Robin , Muzio Lorenzo Lo , Ardito Fatima , Colella Giuseppe , Tartaro Gianpaolo , Franco Renato , Norberg‐Spaak Lena , Saadat Mohammad , Nylander Karin
Published: April 2017

Background

c‐MYC is a potent oncoprotein with roles in a wide range of cellular processes such as differentiation, apoptosis and growth control. Deregulation of the MYC gene is commonly seen in human tumours resulting in overexpression of the protein. Here we studied expression of c‐MYC in correlation to clinical outcome in patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the mobile tongue.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry was used to identify c‐MYC in a group of 104 tongue squamous cell carcinomas with an antibody directed against the N‐terminal part of the protein. Staining was evaluated by multiplying the percentage of c‐MYC‐expressing cells with staining intensity, giving a quick score for each tumour.

Results

All 104 tumours expressed c‐MYC at varying levels. Quantitation according to per cent of positive cells and staining intensity revealed that most (15/21; 71%) high‐expressing tumours were seen in males. Within the group of high c‐MYC‐expressing tumours, the majority were alive 2 and 5 years after treatment.

Conclusions

The present findings show that expression of c‐MYC has prognostic value in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, and could be useful in choice of therapy.
Mortality Dependence and Longevity Bond Pricing: A Dynamic Factor Copula Mortality Model With the GAS Structure
Authors: Chen Hua , MacMinn Richard D. , Sun Tao
Published: April 2017

Modeling mortality dependence for multiple populations has significant implications for mortality/longevity risk management. A natural way to assess multivariate dependence is to use copula models. The application of copula models in the multipopulation mortality analysis, however, is still in its infancy. In this article, we present a dynamic multipopulation mortality model based on a two‐factor copula and capture the time‐varying dependence using the generalized autoregressive score (GAS) framework. Our model is simple and flexible in terms of model specification and is widely applicable to high dimension data. Using the Swiss Re Kortis longevity trend bond as an example, we use our model to estimate the probability distribution of principal reduction and some risk measures such as probability of first loss, conditional expected loss, and expected loss. Due to the similarity in the structure and design of CAT bonds and mortality/longevity bonds, we borrow CAT bond pricing techniques for mortality/longevity bond pricing. We find that our pricing model generates par spreads that are close to the actual spreads of previously issued mortality/longevity bonds.
What's in a scent? Meaning, shape, and sensorial concepts elicited by scents
Authors: Adams Carmen , Doucé Lieve
Published: April 2017

When selecting an ambient scent to be diffused in a store, one can focus on pleasantness of the scent, congruency of the scent with product category, or a variety of concepts that can be the basis for congruency between scent and other atmospheric elements. However, more information is needed concerning the concepts from which congruency could be sought. This paper studies the strength and direction of 19 bipolar concepts related to meaning, perceived shape and sensory attributes elicited by 32 scents. Factor analysis indicates that the concepts can be grouped into four factors: an angelic, an energetic, a shape, and a depth factor. Cluster analysis indicates that the 32 scents can be grouped based on differences in strength as well as direction of the elicitations. The results indicate that certain concepts do co‐occur and that a classification of scents based on their similar elicitations of concepts might be of value.

Practical applications

The results illustrate that the current classification of scents in terms of notes (e.g., floral, fresh, woody, herbal) does not imply that scents present in the same category of notes elicit the same concepts. A new classification based on the elicited concepts is thus advised since this classification will better answer the needs of retailers when choosing a correct ambient scent. In particular, a retailer will then be able to choose the scent that will elicit the concepts he or she wishes to communicate. The results of this study provide a first insight into which concepts and factors need to be measured and which clusters of scents can be expected to arise.
Dietary behaviours and the mental well‐being of New Zealand adolescents
Authors: Puloka ‘Ilaisaane , Utter Jennifer , Denny Simon , Fleming Terry
Published: April 2017

Aim

To examine the associations between diet and mental health indicators in adolescents.

Methods

Data were drawn from the Youth 2012 survey, a national survey of the health and well‐being of adolescents in New Zealand (n = 8500). Multiple regression models were used to determine the associations between healthy and unhealthy eating and mental health indicators while adjusting for sex, age, ethnicity, small area deprivation and household poverty as covariates.

Results

Approximately 30% of young people in the lowest quartile for healthy eating reported significant depressive symptoms. Greater healthy eating was significantly associated with fewer depressive symptoms, better well‐being and fewer emotional difficulties (all P < 0.001 after adjusting for covariates). Greater unhealthy eating was significantly associated with greater depressive symptoms, poorer well‐being and greater emotional difficulties (all P < 0.001 after adjusting for covariates).

Conclusions

Findings from this study contribute to a growing body of literature that indicate that eating behaviours are associated with mental health indicators among adolescents. Findings from the current study suggest that efforts to enhance healthy eating may also have a positive impact on mental health.
Development of a molecular‐based index for assessing iron status in bloom‐forming pennate diatoms
Authors: Marchetti Adrian , Moreno Carly M. , Cohen Natalie R. , Oleinikov Irina , deLong Kimberly , Twining Benjamin S. , Armbrust E. Virginia , Lampe Robert H.
Published: April 2017

Iron availability limits primary productivity in large areas of the world's oceans. Ascertaining the iron status of phytoplankton is essential for understanding the factors regulating their growth and ecology. We developed an incubation‐independent, molecular‐based approach to assess the iron nutritional status of specific members of the diatom community, initially focusing on the ecologically important pennate diatom Pseudo‐nitzschia. Through a comparative transcriptomic approach, we identified two genes that track the iron status of Pseudo‐nitzschia with high fidelity. The first gene, ferritin (FTN), encodes for the highly specialized iron storage protein induced under iron‐replete conditions. The second gene, ISIP2a, encodes an iron‐concentrating protein induced under iron‐limiting conditions. In the oceanic diatom Pseudo‐nitzschia granii (Hasle) Hasle, transcript abundance of these genes directly relates to changes in iron availability, with increased FTN transcript abundance under iron‐replete conditions and increased ISIP2a transcript abundance under iron‐limiting conditions. The resulting ISIP2a:FTN transcript ratio reflects the iron status of cells, where a high ratio indicates iron limitation. Field samples collected from iron grow‐out microcosm experiments conducted in low iron waters of the Gulf of Alaska and variable iron waters in the California upwelling zone verify the validity of our proposed Pseudo‐nitzschia Iron Limitation Index, which can be used to ascertain in situ iron status and further developed for other ecologically important diatoms.
Phylogenetic position of the coral symbiont Ostreobium (Ulvophyceae) inferred from chloroplast genome data
Authors: Verbruggen Heroen , Marcelino Vanessa R. , Guiry Michael D. , Cremen Ma. Chiela M. , Jackson Christopher J.
Published: April 2017

The green algal genus Ostreobium is an important symbiont of corals, playing roles in reef decalcification and providing photosynthates to the coral during bleaching events. A chloroplast genome of a cultured strain of Ostreobium was available, but low taxon sampling and Ostreobium's early‐branching nature left doubt about its phylogenetic position. Here, we generate and describe chloroplast genomes from four Ostreobium strains as well as Avrainvillea mazei and Neomeris sp., strategically sampled early‐branching lineages in the Bryopsidales and Dasycladales respectively. At 80,584 bp, the chloroplast genome of Ostreobium sp. HV05042 is the most compact yet found in the Ulvophyceae. The Avrainvillea chloroplast genome is ~94 kbp and contains introns in infA and cysT that have nearly complete sequence identity except for an open reading frame (ORF) in infA that is not present in cysT. In line with other bryopsidalean species, it also contains regions with possibly bacteria‐derived ORFs. The Neomeris data did not assemble into a canonical circular chloroplast genome but a large number of contigs containing fragments of chloroplast genes and showing evidence of long introns and intergenic regions, and the Neomeris chloroplast genome size was estimated to exceed 1.87 Mb. Chloroplast phylogenomics and 18S nrDNA data showed strong support for the Ostreobium lineage being sister to the remaining Bryopsidales. There were differences in branch support when outgroups were varied, but the overall support for the placement of Ostreobium was strong. These results permitted us to validate two suborders and introduce a third, the Ostreobineae.
Phylogenetic positioning of the Antarctic alga Prasiola crispa (Trebouxiophyceae) using organellar genomes and their structural analysis
Authors: Carvalho Evelise Leis , Wallau Gabriel Luz , Rangel Darlene Lopes , Machado Laís Ceschini , Pereira Antonio Batista , Victoria Filipe De Carvalho , Boldo Juliano Tomazzoni , Pinto Paulo Marcos
Published: April 2017

Antarctica is one of the most difficult habitats for sustaining life on earth; organisms that live there have developed different strategies for survival. Among these organisms is the green alga Prasiola crispa, belonging to the class Trebouxiophyceae. The literature on P. crispa taxonomy is scarce, and many gaps in the evolutionary relationship with its closest relatives remain. The goal of this study was to analyze the evolutionary relationships between P. crispa and other green algae using plastid and mitochondrial genomes. In addition, we analyzed the synteny conservation of these genomes of P. crispa with those of closely related species. Based on the plastid genome, P. crispa grouped with Prasiolopsis sp. SAG 84.81, another Trebouxiophyceaen species from the Prasiola clade. Based on the mitochondrial genome analysis, P. crispa grouped with other Trebouxiophyceaen species but had a basal position. The structure of the P. crispa chloroplast genome had low synteny with Prasiolopsis sp. SAG 84.81, despite some conserved gene blocks. The same was observed in the mitochondrial genome compared with Coccomyxa subellipsoidea C‐169. We were able to establish the phylogenetic position of P. crispa with other species of Trebouxiophyceae using its genomes. In addition, we described the plasticity of these genomes using a structural analysis. The plastid and mitochondrial genomes of P. crispa will be useful for further genetic studies, phylogenetic analysis and resource protection of P. crispa as well as for further phylogenetic analysis of Trebouxiophyceaen green algae.
Orthodontic tensile strain induces angiogenesis via type IV collagen degradation by matrix metalloproteinase‐12
Authors: Narimiya T. , Wada S. , Kanzaki H. , Ishikawa M. , Tsuge A. , Yamaguchi Y. , Nakamura Y.
Published: April 2017

Background and Objective

During orthodontic tooth movement (OTM), periodontal ligament (PDL) is remodeled dynamically, which requires sufficient blood supply for the regeneration of PDL. However, little is known about the remodeling of blood vessels during OTM. In this study, we hypothesized that the orthodontic tensile strain upregulates matrix metalloproteinase‐12 (MMP‐12) expression in the tension zone and induces angiogenesis via degradation of type IV collagen (Col‐IV) in vascular endothelial basement membrane during the early stage of OTM.

Material and Methods

Temporal and spatial MMP‐12 expression in the tension zone of PDL, during the early stage of OTM, were examined by immunohistochemistry in rats. Continuous tensile strain was applied to cultured human immortalized PDL cell lines (HPL cells) and MMP‐12 expression was examined in vitro. Colocalization of MMP‐12 and Col‐IV in vivo were examined by immunohistochemistry. To investigate whether MMP‐12 produced by HPL cells could degrade Col‐IV, recombinant Col‐IV was incubated in the culture supernatants of HPL cells. Intact Col‐IV in vitro was also examined by western blot analysis. Finally, the changes in blood vessels in the PDL were examined by micro‐computed tomography analysis with perfused contrast agents and by conventional histological analysis.

Results

Orthodontic tensile strain induced MMP‐12 expression in PDL cells in vivo and in vitro. Immunohistochemistry revealed that MMP‐12‐positive cells were observed adjacent to the Col‐IV‐positive tubular area in the tension zone of PDL. MMP‐12 in culture supernatant of HPL cells degraded recombinant Col‐IV, and specific MMP‐12 inhibitor blocked the Col‐IV degradation. Micro‐computed tomography analysis and conventional histological analysis demonstrated that the areas of blood vessels were increased in the tension zone of the PDL after OTM.

Conclusion

We discovered that the orthodontic tensile strain upregulates MMP‐12 expression in the tension zone of PDL and induces angiogenesis via degradation of Col‐IV in the vascular endothelial basement membrane.
Efficacy of stem cells on periodontal regeneration: Systematic review of pre‐clinical studies
Authors: Tassi S. A. , Sergio N. Z. , Misawa M. Y. O. , Villar C. C.
Published: April 2017

This systematic review aims to evaluate mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) periodontal regenerative potential in animal models. MEDLINE, EMBASE and LILACS databases were searched for quantitative pre‐clinical controlled animal model studies that evaluated the effect of local administration of MSC on periodontal regeneration. The systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses statement guidelines. Twenty‐two studies met the inclusion criteria. Periodontal defects were surgically created in all studies. In seven studies, periodontal inflammation was experimentally induced following surgical defect creation. Differences in defect morphology were identified among the studies. Autogenous, alogenous and xenogenous MSC were used to promote periodontal regeneration. These included bone marrow‐derived MSC, periodontal ligament (PDL)‐derived MSC, dental pulp‐derived MSC, gingival margin‐derived MSC, foreskin‐derived induced pluripotent stem cells, adipose tissue‐derived MSC, cementum‐derived MSC, periapical follicular MSC and alveolar periosteal cells. Meta‐analysis was not possible due to heterogeneities in study designs. In most of the studies, local MSC implantation was not associated with adverse effects. The use of bone marrow‐derived MSC for periodontal regeneration yielded conflicting results. In contrast, PDL‐MSC consistently promoted increased PDL and cementum regeneration. Finally, the adjunct use of MSC improved the regenerative outcomes of periodontal defects treated with membranes or bone substitutes. Despite the quality level of the existing evidence, the current data indicate that the use of MSC may provide beneficial effects on periodontal regeneration. The various degrees of success of MSC in periodontal regeneration are likely to be related to the use of heterogeneous cells. Thus, future studies need to identify phenotypic profiles of highly regenerative MSC populations.
Increasing popularity of waterpipe tobacco smoking and electronic cigarette use: Implications for oral healthcare
Authors: Ramôa C. P. , Eissenberg T. , Sahingur S. E.
Published: April 2017

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing several systemic conditions including cancer, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Cigarette smoking is also detrimental to oral health as it increases the incidence and severity of oral cancer, periodontal diseases and peri‐implantitis, as well as impacting negatively on the dental patients' response to therapy. Therefore, consideration of smoking behavior and recommendation of smoking cessation are important parts of dental treatment planning. However, cigarettes are no longer the most popular form of tobacco use among adolescents in the United States and globally. In recent years, tobacco smoking using a waterpipe (“hookah,” “shisha”) and use of electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) has increased significantly. Thus, dental clinicians likely will treat more patients who are waterpipe and/or ECIG users. Yet, the literature on the health effects of waterpipe and ECIGs use is sparse. Both waterpipe and ECIGs deliver the dependence‐producing drug nicotine. Waterpipe tobacco smoking has been associated with periodontitis, dry socket, premalignant lesions, and oral and esophageal cancer. The health effects of long‐term ECIG use are unknown. The purpose of this review is to inform healthcare professionals about waterpipes and ECIGs, highlight emerging evidence on the biological effects of these increasingly popular tobacco products, and introduce perspectives for dental patient management and future research.
Increased levels of the T‐helper 22‐associated cytokine (interleukin‐22) and transcription factor (aryl hydrocarbon receptor) in patients with periodontitis are associated with osteoclast resorptive activity and severity of the disease
Authors: Díaz‐Zúñiga J. , Melgar‐Rodríguez S. , Rojas L. , Alvarez C. , Monasterio G. , Carvajal P. , Vernal R.
Published: April 2017

Background and Objective

Two new T‐helper (Th) phenotypes have been recently described and named Th9 and Th22 lymphocytes; however, their role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis remains unclear. This study was aimed to assess whether Th9 and Th22 lymphocytes, through interleukin (IL)‐9 and IL‐22 production, respectively, are associated with the severity of periodontitis and bone resorption.

Material and Methods

Gingival crevicular fluid samples and biopsies were obtained from patients with moderate‐to‐advanced chronic periodontitis and gingivitis, and healthy controls. The levels for the Th9 and Th22‐associated cytokines and master‐switch transcription factors Spi‐B and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) were quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, real‐time reverse‐transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry. In addition, the osteoclast activity in response to tissue homogenates from periodontitis and healthy samples was analyzed quantifying the number of TRAP‐positive cells and areas of bone resorption pits produced, in the presence or absence of recombinant human IL‐22 and anti‐IL‐22 neutralization antibody.

Results

Higher levels of IL‐22 and AhR were detected in patients with periodontitis compared with gingivitis and healthy individuals. In addition, higher levels of IL‐9 and Spi‐B were detected in gingivitis patients compared with periodontitis and healthy individuals. In patients with periodontitis, a significant positive correlation was detected between secreted levels of IL‐22 and clinical attachment level of the sampled periodontal pockets. When osteoclasts were exposed to tissue homogenates obtained from patients with periodontitis, higher levels of resorptive activity were observed as compared with the same cells exposed to tissue homogenates obtained from healthy individuals, and this increment was dependent on the presence and neutralization of IL‐22.

Conclusion

Increased levels of IL‐22 produced by Th22 lymphocytes are associated with the pathogenesis of periodontitis, in particular, with osteoclast resorptive activity and severity of disease.
Economic Freedom in the Early 21st Century: Government Ideology Still Matters
Authors: Jäger Kai
Published: April 2017

Empirical studies show that government ideology has hardly influenced welfare expenditures since the 1990s, casting doubt on the general ability of national governments to design economic policies according to their programmatic appeals. This study takes a comprehensive view on policy‐making by using a modified version of the Fraser Institute's Economic Freedom of the World Index. I focus on the aspects of economic freedom that provoke party polarization and that national governments are capable of influencing. The results suggest that government ideology still matters in the early 21st century: The empirical analysis of 36 OECD or new European Union member states from 2000 to 2012 shows that left‐wing governments are associated with significantly lower economic freedom. Economic freedom continues to be the guiding principle that divides left and right in economic policy‐making because the left still promotes relatively higher levels of government spending and regulation.
Development of predisposition, injury, response, organ failure model for predicting acute kidney injury in acute on chronic liver failure
Authors: Maiwall Rakhi , Sarin Shiv Kumar , Kumar Suman , Jain Priyanka , Kumar Guresh , Bhadoria Ajeet Singh , Moreau Richard , Kedarisetty Chandan Kumar , Abbas Zaigham , Amarapurkar Deepak , Bhardwaj Ankit , Bihari Chhagan , Butt Amna Subhan , Chan Albert , Chawla Yogesh Kumar , Chowdhury Ashok , Dhiman RadhaKrishan , Dokmeci Abdul Kadir , Ghazinyan Hasmik , Hamid Saeed Sadiq , Kim Dong Joon , Komolmit Piyawat , Lau George K. , LEE Guan Huei , Lesmana Laurentius A. , Jamwal Kapil , Mamun‐Al‐Mahtab  , Mathur Rajendra Prasad , Nayak Suman Lata , Ning Qin , Pamecha Viniyendra , Alcantara‐Payawal Diana , Rastogi Archana , Rahman Salimur , Rela Mohamed , Saraswat Vivek A. , Shah Samir , Shiha Gamal , Sharma Barjesh Chander , Sharma Manoj Kumar , Sharma Kapil , Tan Soek Siam , Chandel Shivendra Singh , Vashishtha Chitranshu , Wani Zeeshan A. , Yuen Man‐Fung , Yokosuka Osamu , Duseja Ajay , Jafri Wasim , Devarbhavi Harshad , Eapen C. E. , Goel Ashish , Sood Ajit , Ji Jia , Duan Z. , Chen Y. ,   of the APASL ACLF Research Consortium (AARC) working party
Published: April 2017

Background and Aim

There is limited data on predictors of acute kidney injury in acute on chronic liver failure. We developed a PIRO model (Predisposition, Injury, Response, Organ failure) for predicting acute kidney injury in a multicentric cohort of acute on chronic liver failure patients.

Patients and Methods

Data of 2360 patients from APASL‐ACLF Research Consortium (AARC) was analysed. Multivariate logistic regression model (PIRO score) was developed from a derivation cohort (n=1363) which was validated in another prospective multicentric cohort of acute on chronic liver failure patients (n=997).

Results

Factors significant for P component were serum creatinine[(≥2 mg/dL)OR 4.52, 95% CI (3.67‐5.30)], bilirubin [(<12 mg/dL,OR 1) vs (12‐30 mg/dL,OR 1.45, 95% 1.1‐2.63) vs (≥30 mg/dL,OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.3‐5.2)], serum potassium [(<3 mmol/LOR‐1) vs (3‐4.9 mmol/L,OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.05‐1.97) vs (≥5 mmol/L,OR 4.34, 95% CI 1.67‐11.3)] and blood urea (OR 3.73, 95% CI 2.5‐5.5); for I component nephrotoxic medications (OR‐9.86, 95% CI 3.2‐30.8); for R component,Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome,(OR‐2.14, 95% CI 1.4‐3.3); for O component, Circulatory failure (OR‐3.5, 95% CI 2.2‐5.5). The PIRO score predicted acute kidney injury with C‐index of 0.95 and 0.96 in the derivation and validation cohort. The increasing PIRO score was also associated with mortality (P<.001) in both the derivation and validation cohorts.

Conclusions

The PIRO model identifies and stratifies acute on chronic liver failure patients at risk of developing acute kidney injury. It reliably predicts mortality in these patients, underscoring the prognostic significance of acute kidney injury in patients with acute on chronic liver failure.
Whole liver engineering: A promising approach to develop functional liver surrogates
Authors: Meng Fanwei , Assiri Abdallah , Dhar Dipok , Broering Dieter
Published: April 2017

Liver donor shortage remains the biggest challenge for patients with end‐stage liver failures. While bioartificial liver devices have been developed as temporary supports for patients waiting for transplantation, their applications have been limited clinically. Whole liver engineering is a biological scaffold based regenerative medicine approach that holds promise for developing functional liver surrogates. Significant advancements have been made since the first report in 2010. This review focuses on the recent achievements of whole liver engineering studies.
What is the clinical significance of esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction? evaluation of 60 patients at a tertiary referral center
Authors: Okeke F. C. , Raja S. , Lynch K. L. , Dhalla S. , Nandwani M. , Stein E. M. , Chander Roland B. , Khashab M. A. , Saxena P. , Kumbhari V. , Ahuja N. K. , Clarke J. O.
Published: April 2017

Background

Esophagogastric junction (EGJ) outflow obstruction (EGJOO) is characterized by impaired EGJ relaxation with intact or weak peristalsis. Our aims were to evaluate: (i) prevalence, (ii) yield of fluoroscopy, endoscopy, and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), (iii) outcomes, and (iv) whether this data differed based on quantitative EGJ relaxation.

Methods

Studies that met criteria for EGJOO were identified. Demographics, encounters, endoscopy, radiology, treatment decisions, and outcomes were extracted.

Key Results

Sixty studies were identified. Dysphagia was the most common symptom. Forty patients underwent barium esophagram (BE): normal (11), hiatal hernia (20), spasm/dysmotility (17), EGJ narrowing (10), compression (2), Schatzki's ring (5), malrotation (1), gastric volvulus (1), mass (1). Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed in 41 patients: normal (19), hiatal hernia (13), Schatzki's ring (6), esophagitis (3), esophageal candidiasis (3), mass (1). EUS was performed in 20 patients and was frequently normal. Twenty‐two patients underwent intervention. While transient improvement was noted in the majority, persistent improvement was seen in only one of nine patients (dilatation), four of six patients (botulinum toxin), and three patients who underwent per‐oral endoscopic myotomy. No patients treated with medical therapy alone had improvement in dysphagia. There was no difference in symptoms or outcomes based on quantitative EGJ relaxation.

Conclusions & Inferences

The manometric criterion EGJOO defines a heterogeneous clinical group. While BE, EGD, and EUS all provide complementary information, a significant percentage of these studies will be normal. For patients with dysphagia, outcome may depend on EGJ disruption. There were no differences in symptoms our outcomes based on quantitative EGJ relaxation.
CrowdCurio: an online crowdsourcing platform to facilitate climate change studies using herbarium specimens
Authors: Willis Charles G. , Law Edith , Williams Alex C. , Franzone Brian F. , Bernardos Rebecca , Bruno Lian , Hopkins Claire , Schorn Christian , Weber Ella , Park Daniel S. , Davis Charles C.
Published: April 2017

Phenology is a key aspect of plant success. Recent research has demonstrated that herbarium specimens can provide important information on plant phenology. Massive digitization efforts have the potential to greatly expand herbarium‐based phenological research, but also pose a serious challenge regarding efficient data collection.

Here, we introduce CrowdCurio, a crowdsourcing tool for the collection of phenological data from herbarium specimens. We test its utility by having workers collect phenological data (number of flower buds, open flowers and fruits) from specimens of two common New England (USA) species: Chelidonium majus and Vaccinium angustifolium. We assess the reliability of using nonexpert workers (i.e. Amazon Mechanical Turk) against expert workers. We also use these data to estimate the phenological sensitivity to temperature for both species across multiple phenophases.

We found no difference in the data quality of nonexperts and experts. Nonexperts, however, were a more efficient way of collecting more data at lower cost. We also found that phenological sensitivity varied across both species and phenophases.

Our study demonstrates the utility of CrowdCurio as a crowdsourcing tool for the collection of phenological data from herbarium specimens. Furthermore, our results highlight the insight gained from collecting large amounts of phenological data to estimate multiple phenophases.
Ageing out of place: The meaning of home among hispanic older persons living in the United States
Authors: Curtin Alicia , Martins Diane C. , Gillsjö Catharina , Schwartz‐Barcott Donna
Published: April 2017

Aim

To explore the meaning of home among older Hispanic immigrants who are “aging out of place.”

Background

Emerging evidence supports the concept of older persons ageing in place. Nurse researchers have demonstrated that older person who age in place have better physical, psychological and cognitive outcomes. Less, however, is known about older persons who are “aging out of place,” meaning out of their country of origin. With the growth of home health care, there is a need to understand the older immigrants' meaning of home when ageing out of their country of origin.

Design and Method

An inductive, qualitative descriptive research design was used. Seventeen Hispanic participants, ranging in age from 65 to 83 years were interviewed using a semi‐structured interview protocol.

Findings

Two major finding of the study focused on participants' descriptions of home in their country of origin and in the USA. The majority of participants described their home in their native country as the community, countryside or town (pueblo) and in the U.S.A. as family. The level of social isolation and loneliness among participants was evident.

Conclusions

Older Hispanic immigrants who are “aging out of place” integrate their past experiences of sense of place in their native country with their present experiences of home in the USA. The need to understand the role of the community and the family in the provision of nursing care in the home may be more important than the physical structure or setting in which it is delivered. Further intra‐ and cross‐national studies are needed to provide a framework for understanding the issues of ageing and immigration globally.

Implications for Practice

Gerontological nurses need to recognise the complexity of family relationships for older Hispanic persons who are ageing out of place of origin and their risk of depression, social isolation, and loneliness.
Breeding cowpea for resistance to Striga gesnerioides in the Nigerian dry savannas using marker‐assisted selection
Authors: Omoigui Lucky O. , Kamara Alpha Y. , Moukoumbi Yonnele D. , Ogunkanmi Liasu A. , Timko Michael P.
Published: April 2017

Historically, conventional breeding has been the primary strategy used to develop a number of Striga‐resistant varieties currently grown in the Sahel of Western Africa. In this study, we have successfully developed and applied a marker‐assisted selection strategy that employs a single backcross programme to introgress Striga resistance into farmer preferred varieties of cowpea for the Nigeria savannas. In this strategy, we have introduced the Striga resistance gene from the donor parent IT97K‐499‐35 into an elite farmer preferred cowpea cultivar ‘Borno Brown’. The selected 47 BC1F2 populations confirmed the recombinants with desirable progeny having Striga resistance gene(s). The 28 lines selected in the BC1F2:4 generation with large seed size, brown seed coat colour and carrying marker alleles were evaluated in the field for resistance to Striga resistance. This led to the selection of a number of desirable improved lines that were immune to Striga having local genetic background with higher yield than those of their parents and standard varieties.
Breeding for improved drought tolerance in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Authors: Maqbool Muhammad Amir , Aslam Muhammad , Ali Hina
Published: April 2017

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important legume crop as a protein source across the world. It is mostly grown on arid and marginal lands where it faces drought stress at different growth stages. Drought stress exerts drastic effects on nutrient uptake, hinders the nodule formation and adversely affects yield and yield components. Generally drought at any growth stage and organizational level is responsible for reduction in economic yield. Significant variability in chickpea germplasm is present on the basis of responses to drought stress in the form of drought escape, drought avoidance and drought tolerance; these mechanisms prevent chickpea crop from harmful effects of drought. Improvement in chickpea germplasm against drought stress could be made by using several breeding approaches, that is introduction, hybridization, mutation breeding, marker‐assisted breeding and omic techniques. These breeding approaches, especially marker‐assisted breeding and omics, are further strengthened with the availability of the chickpea genome sequence. This review highlighted the significance, status and advances in different breeding strategies for improvement of drought tolerance in chickpea.
Trade liberalization, forward‐looking firms, and welfare
Authors: Kao Kuo‐Feng , Peng Cheng‐Hau
Published: April 2017

We set up an oligopolistic model with two exporting firms selling to a third market to investigate the welfare implications of trade liberalization when the exporting firms are forward‐looking. The results show that with cost asymmetry trade liberalization encourages the exporting firms to engage in tacit collusion, which may not only be detrimental to the domestic welfare, but also to the consumer surplus of the importing country. Moreover, we find that tacit collusion is less sustainable if the government of the importing country imposes a lower (higher) tariff on the more (less) efficient exporting firm. If a nonforward‐looking or a forward‐looking cost‐efficient domestic firm exists in the importing country, then trade liberalization also encourages tacit collusion.
Energy Subsidy Reform and Poverty in Arab Countries: A Comparative CGE‐Microsimulation Analysis of Egypt and Jordan
Authors: Cockburn John , Robichaud Véronique , Tiberti Luca
Published: April 2017

This study simulates the macroeconomic and distributive impacts of real proposed (by local policy makers) energy subsidy reforms in Egypt and Jordan. To do that, we develop a dynamic CGE‐microsimulation model that is able to reconcile the general equilibrium effects of the reform and the individual‐ and household‐specific distributive effects. While the nature of the proposed reforms differs in the two countries, the study underscores the need, in both countries, for reform to generate fiscal savings to boost private investment and increase economic growth. It also shows that the reform alone would further exacerbate poverty through increased consumer prices. However, a modest reinvestment of fiscal savings into cash transfers creates a win‐win scenario of reduced poverty without significantly sacrificing the fiscal and growth benefits from the reform. Impacts (prices, growth, fiscal savings, poverty) are greater in Egypt due to the extent of proposed reforms and the fact that a larger share of the energy products concerned are consumed directly by households, while in Jordan the major effects come from the increase in intermediate input costs which generate a fall in the aggregate demand and, so, in labor demand.
Identification of the novel HLA‐DRB1*15:127 allele by polymerase chain reaction sequence‐based typing in a Chinese bone marrow donor
Authors: He J.‐J. , Han Z.‐D. , He J. , Xu J. , Zhu F.‐M.
Published: April 2017

HLA‐DRB1*15:127 has 1 nucleotide change from
HLA‐DRB1*15:01:01:01 at position 308 C>G.
A brief motivational interview promotes internal motivation to donate blood among young adults with and without a prior donation history
Authors: Livitz Irina E. , Fox Kristen R. , Himawan Lina K. , France Christopher R.
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

Recruitment and retention of first‐time and repeat donors is essential to maintain a stable blood supply. Recent evidence has shown that promoting internal motivation may be an effective strategy to enhance donation behavior. We tested the efficacy of an in‐person motivational interview at increasing internal motivation and intention to donate.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A sample of 219 donors and nondonors (69.4% female; mean ± SD age, 19.2 ± 1.1 years; 52.1% nondonors) were randomly assigned to either a motivational or a knowledge interview. Immediately before and after the interview participants completed a measure of donation intention and the Blood Donor Identity Survey, which is a multidimensional measure of donor motivation.

RESULTS

A latent profile analysis revealed three distinct latent classes, which were identified as low internal motivation, mid internal motivation, and high internal motivation. Comparison of change in latent class from pre‐ to postinterview revealed that a higher proportion of participants in the motivational interview group moved to a more internally motivated class compared to the knowledge interview group (i.e., 34% vs. 4%, respectively). Further, relative to the knowledge interview group, participants in the motivational interview group reported greater increases in intention to donate.

CONCLUSION

A brief motivational interview may enhance donation intention and intrinsic motivation among both experienced donors and nondonors alike.
The potentiating effect of hTFPI in the presence of hCD47 reduces the cytotoxicity of human macrophages
Authors: Jung Sung Han , Hwang Jeong Ho , Kim Sang Eun , Young Kyu Kim , Park Hyo Chang , Lee Hoon Taek
Published: April 2017

Background

In pig‐to‐human xenotransplantation, hyperacute rejection of pig organs could be overcome by the production of α1,3‐galactosyltransferase knockout pigs. However, macrophage‐mediated acute rejection is another obstacle that needs to be overcome. Among the various candidate genes involved in acute rejection, CD47 inhibits monocyte/macrophage‐mediated phagocytosis by identifying the CD47 signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRP‐α) as self/non‐self. Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is involved in the regulation of the coagulation pathway and is able to bind to another ligand of CD47, thrombospondin‐1 (TSP‐1). When TSP‐1 binds to CD47, phagocytosis in macrophages is increased.

Methods

The 2A peptide system was used to establish pig kidney cells (PK15) simultaneously expressing human CD47 and human TFPI, and they were cultured with activated THP‐1 cells. After staining with 7‐aminoactinomycin D, flow cytometry analysis was carried out. TFPI siRNA analysis and recombinant human TFPI (rhTFPI) treatment were performed to determine the potentiating effect of TFPI on pig cells for activated THP‐1 cells in the presence of CD47. Related inflammatory cytokines produced by activated THP‐1 cells were analyzed using qPCR and Western blot technique. In addition, the tyrosine phosphorylation level of SIRP‐α in activated THP‐1 cells was analyzed using immunoprecipitation and Western blot.

Results

hCD47/hTFPI‐PK15 cells survived better than hCD47‐PK15, hTFPI‐PK15, or normal PK15 cells on cytotoxicity tests using activated THP‐1 cells. TSP‐1, derived from these activated THP‐1 cells, served as a mediator for this enhancing effect, and it also played a role in activated adherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The tyrosine phosphorylation level of SIRP‐α in activated THP‐1 cells was further increased in the case of co‐expression of CD47/TFPI than in individual non‐expression or expression of CD47 or TFPI alone.

Conclusions

When hCD47 was expressed, the expression of hTFPI leaded to tyrosine phosphorylation of SIRP‐α in activated THP‐1 cells via hTSP‐1 inhibition, and consequently, it might improve the effect of hCD47‐SIRP‐a signaling.
LunHab: interactive effects of a 10 day sustained exposure to hypoxia and bedrest on aerobic exercise capacity in male lowlanders
Authors: Keramidas Michail E. , Mekjavic Igor B. , Eiken Ola
Published: April 2017

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

What are the distinct and interactive effects of a 10 day exposure to hypoxia and horizontal bedrest on the whole‐body peak oxygen uptake and on the regional cerebral and skeletal muscle tissue oxygenation during upright cycle ergometry in male lowlanders?

What is the main finding and its importance?

A 10 day sustained exposure to hypoxia aggravates the bedrest‐induced reduction in peak oxygen uptake during dynamic exercise engaging large muscle groups, but mitigates the skeletal muscle oxidative capacity impairment elicited by bedrest.

The study examined the interactive effects of a 10 day exposure to hypoxia and bedrest on the whole‐body peak oxygen uptake () during maximal exercise and on skeletal muscle and cerebral oxygenation during submaximal exercise. Nine males underwent three 10 day confinements, in a Latin‐square order, as follows: (i) a normoxic bedrest [NBR; partial pressure of inspired O2 () = 134.2 ± 0.7 mmHg]; (ii) a hypoxic bedrest (HBR;  = 102.9 ± 0.1 mmHg at day 1, 91.5 ± 1.2 mmHg at days 3–10); and (iii) a hypoxic ambulation (HAMB; as in HBR). Before, 1 (R+1) and 3 days (R+3) after each confinement, subjects performed exhaustive, incremental‐load and moderate‐intensity constant‐load (CLTs) cycle‐ergometry trials, while breathing either room air or a hypoxic gas mixture. During the CLTs, changes in the regional oxygenation of the cerebral frontal cortex and the vastus lateralis and intercostal muscles were monitored with near‐infrared spectroscopy. At R+1, the confinement‐related impairment in was greater after HBR than after NBR or HAMB, regardless of whether the trial was performed in room air or hypoxia (HBR, −16.2%; NBR, −8.3%; HAMB, −4.1%; P = 0.001). During the CLTs, bedrest aggravated the exercise‐induced reduction in locomotor and respiratory muscle oxygenation (P ≤ 0.05); an effect that was less after HBR than after NBR (P ≤ 0.05). The hypoxic exercise‐induced cerebral vasodilatory response was blunted by HBR, probably because of the marked hyperventilation‐dependent hypocapnia, attendant to the sustained hypoxic stimulus. Hence, short‐term exposure to hypoxia potentiates the reduction in , but it mitigates the impairment in skeletal muscle oxidative capacity induced by bedrest.
Least Squares Fitting of Computational Fluid Dynamics Results to Measured Vertical Wind Profiles
Authors: Gomes da Silva Adaiana F. , Zaparoli Edson Luiz , Andrade Cláudia R.
Published: April 2017

Microscale numerical modeling is currently the main tool used in wind industry to assess local wind resources. This paper presents a systematic procedure to adjust computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predicted wind profiles to experimental measurements in order to minimize their differences. It can be applied when wind measurements are available. Data from ten masts with several measurement heights from the well-known Bolund hill experiment provided the observed wind profiles. Simulated profiles were calculated with windsim CFD model for the aforementioned site. Speed-up correction factors were defined through the least squares method to cross-correlate each mast as reference to all the others inside the Bolund hill domain. After, the observed and the adjusted wind profiles at the same position were compared. Moreover, root mean square errors (RMSEs) were used as a metric to evaluate the estimations and the ability of each position to be predicted and predictor. Results have shown that the quality of the adjustment process depends on the flow characteristics at each position related to the incoming wind direction. Most affected positions, i.e., when the airflow overcomes the Bolund hill escarpment, present the less accurate wind profile estimations. The reference mast should be installed upstream of the potential wind turbines' locations and after the main local characteristics of topographical changes.
Correlation Between Transmittance and LWIR Apparent Emissivity of Soda-Lime Glass During Accelerated Aging Test for Solar Applications
Authors: Guiheneuf Vincent , Riou Olivier , Delaleux Fabien , Logerais Pierre-Olivier , Durastanti Jean-Félix
Published: April 2017

In solar power plants, both in photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated ones, the electrical output is a key parameter for the development of solar energy. To ensure relevant predictability of electrical output, the durability of photovoltaic panels or concentrating systems has to be warranted. The assessment of the optical performance durability of the front glass throughout the lifetime of the solar power plant involves using a nondestructive method in the field without disrupting the energy generation of such systems. The aim of this work is to experiment a new accurate nondestructive method to evaluate the aging impact of glass used in solar energy conversion systems. The results bring out a correlation between the apparent emissivity, used as an aging indicator, in a spectral bandwidth of 8–12 μm and the integrated transmittance in the visible range, i.e., 400–800 nm for a float glass of 2 mm thickness aged under damp heat (DH). The optical characterizations of the soda-lime glass exposed to the DH test highlight the relevance of apparent emissivity used like a nondestructive aging indicator. The sensitivity coefficient of apparent emissivity, which is defined as the ratio of partial derivative of integrated transmittance (δT) to the partial derivative of apparent emissivity (δε), reaches 3.83, meaning that the apparent emissivity is three times more sensitive than the integrated transmittance for the case study.
A Prenecking Strategy Makes Stretched Membranes With Clamped Ends Wrinkle-Free
Authors: Li Ming , Luo Yangjun , Wu HuaPing , Zhu Kai , Niu Yanzhuang , Zhao Tengfei , Xing Jian , Kang Zhan
Published: April 2017

For both polyimide membranes in aerospace and graphene membranes in nanoelectronics with surface accuracy requirements, wrinkles due to the extreme out-of-plane flexibility yield inverse influences on the properties and applications of membranes. In this study, on the basis of discrete topology optimization, we propose a prenecking strategy by adopting elliptical free edges to suppress the stretch-induced wrinkling. This prenecking strategy with the computer-aided-design (CAD)-ready format is versatile to eliminate wrinkles in stretched membranes with clamped ends and achieve wrinkle-free performances. The wrinkle-free capability of the prenecking strategy, capable of satisfying the shape accuracy requirements, indicates that by suffering insignificant area loss, concerning of wrinkling problems in membranes is no further required. As compared with the existing researches focusing on studying wrinkling behaviors, the prenecking strategy offers a promising solution to the stretch-induced wrinkling problem by eliminating wrinkles through design optimization.