bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Testing Tele‐Savvy: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kovaleva Mariya A. , Bilsborough Elizabeth , Griffiths Patricia C. , Nocera Joe , Higgins Melinda , Epps Fayron , Kilgore Katie , Lindauer Allison , Morhardt Darby , Shah Raj C. , Hepburn Kenneth
Published: February 2018

Many informal caregivers of persons with dementia suffer adverse health consequences. Although established psychoeducation programs are known to benefit caregivers, attending in‐person programs is challenging for them. To address this challenge, the Savvy Caregiver Program, an evidence‐based psychoeducation program with demonstrated effectiveness for caregiving and disease‐related outcomes, was transformed into an on‐line program, Tele‐Savvy. This article describes the rationale for and design of a prospective longitudinal randomized controlled trial (targeted N = 215), currently underway. The trial aims to establish Tele‐Savvy's efficacy in (i) reducing the negative effects of caregiving on caregivers; (ii) promoting care recipients’ quality of life; (iii) improving caregiver mastery; and to explore (iv) Tele‐Savvy's efficacy among caregivers of different races/ethnicities. The mediating role of mastery will be assessed. Participants are randomized to the active condition (immediate Tele‐Savvy participation), attention control, or usual care. Participants in the two latter conditions will complete Tele‐Savvy 6 months post‐baseline. Multilevel mixed effects models will be used to examine changes in outcomes and to model group by time (months since baseline) interactions. The exploratory aim will be addressed using analysis of covariance and qualitative analysis. This trial's results may be used by healthcare and community organizations to implement Tele‐Savvy in dementia care, increasing caregivers’ access to this evidence‐based intervention.
Trends in Obesity, Overweight, and Thinness in Children in the Seychelles Between 1998 and 2016
Authors: Aly Rim , Viswanathan Bharathi , Mangroo Gaynor , Gedeon Jude , Bovet Pascal
Published: February 2018

Objective

This study assessed trends in the prevalence of children and adolescents with obesity, overweight, and thinness in the Seychelles, a rapidly developing nation in the Indian Ocean, and changes in the distribution of BMI over time.

Methods

Between 1998 and 2016, examination surveys were conducted every year in all students of four selected school grades (kindergarten, primary 4, secondary 1, and secondary 4) in all schools. We categorized BMI by using the International Obesity Task Force criteria.

Results

Based on 70,187 observations, the prevalence of combined overweight or obesity increased largely and monotonically between 1998 and 2016, from 8.9% to 20.0% in boys and from 12.3% to 23.6% in girls, but the prevalence of underweight did not decrease. BMI increased mostly in the upper range of the BMI population distribution: percentile 5 (P5), −1.7%; P10, –0.8%; P25, 0.3%; P50, 2.5%; P75, 7.4%; P90, 12.7%; and P95, 13.3%.

Conclusions

The distribution of BMI was increasingly skewed, with a rising prevalence of obesity, a modest or null increase in BMI in a substantial proportion of the population, and a continued burden of underweight. Further studies should assess child growth trajectories and their underlying determinants, which may bear significance for weight control strategies.
Abnormal mechanical properties of composites based on boron oxide oligomer/polyethylene blends
Authors: Stegno Elena V. , Lalayan Vladimir M. , Berezkina Nadezda G. , Grachev Andrei V. , Shaulov Alexander Yu , Berlin Alexander A. , Patlazhan Stanislav A.
Published: February 2018

The mechanical properties of composites based on the inorganic boron oxide oligomer (BOO) and low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) produced by extrusion and injection molding have been studied in the range of volume fractions of the inorganic component from 0 to 64 vol%. An abrupt increase in the Young's modulus and ultimate tensile strength of the composites in the vicinity of 30 vol% BOO has been found. These critical properties are accompanied by a stepwise decrease in the elongation at break at the same volume fraction of the inorganic component. The mechanical properties of BOO/LDPE composites were compared with the same characteristics of composites based on LDPE and polymethyl methacrylate prepared via a similar way. The electron microscopic examination has suggested that the abnormal concentration dependences of the Young's modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break of BOO/LDPE composites are conditioned by the formation of the unidirectional microfibers of the inorganic oligomer as soon as its volume fraction exceeds the critical threshold. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:916–923, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Impacts of Dietary Pleurotus eryngii Polysaccharide on Nutrient Digestion, Metabolism, and Immune Response of the Small Intestine and Colon—An iTRAQ‐Based Proteomic Analysis
Authors: Ma Gaoxing , Kimatu Benard Muinde , Zhao Liyan , Yang Wenjian , Pei Fei , Hu Qiuhui
Published: February 2018

Pleurotus eryngii polysaccharides have been shown to exert significant biological activities to the host. However, few studies have been conducted on its effects on gastrointestinal tract (GIT) health alteration. In the present study, small intestinal and colonic proteome alterations generated by dietary supplementation with a novel homogeneous P. eryngii polysaccharide (PEP) in C57BL/6 mice, based on the isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) proteomics, are investigated. Compared to the control group, PEP supplementation result in a total of 113 and 194 significant differential proteins (DPs) in the small intestine and colon, respectively. Interestingly, DPs in small intestine are mainly related to the transport and biosynthetic process, along with the digestion and absorption pathway of nutrients, whereas the colonic DPs are significantly found participating in numerous metabolic processes. Moreover, the alterations of some DPs in small intestine and colon are speculated to correlate with the colonic microbiota structure and are involved in the regulation of host immune response. Subsequently, some critical DPs of small intestine and colon are selected and validated by Western blotting. The current research facilitated the generation of potential insights into the health benefit activities and functional mechanisms of polysaccharides from P. eryngii.
Examination of ethanol interactions with Trp‐cage peptide through MD simulations and intermolecular nuclear Overhauser effects
Authors: Gerig John T.
Published: February 2018

Molecular dynamic (MD) simulations of the model protein Trp‐cage dissolved in 35% ethanol‐water at 298 K have been carried out using conventional force fields. The goal was to develop a better understanding of experimental intermolecular nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs) that arise from interactions of ethanol methyl groups with hydrogens of the peptide. Cross‐relaxation terms (
) for peptide N‐H hydrogens and several side chain groups were calculated from the MD trajectories. The simulations indicate that water preferentially solvates hydrogens at the peptide termini while ethanol preferentially accumulates at the other hydrogens of the peptide. Most of a calculated NOE arises from interaction of ethanol molecules in the first solvent layer with a peptide hydrogen. Calculated
are qualitatively consistent with experimental values but are not in quantitative agreement. Results from MD trajectories calculated by using modified force fields for ethanol intended to reduce peptide‐methyl group interactions do not lead to better agreement between observed and calculated
. Possible reasons for the poor predictions of
from the MD trajectories are discussed.
Does Public Investment in ICTs Improve Learning Performance? Evidence From Italy
Authors: Gui Marco , Parma Andrea , Comi Simona
Published: February 2018

This article provides a detailed and robust estimate of the impact of three different digital technologies (interactive whiteboards, wireless connections, and mobile devices) on Italian language and mathematics performance in lower secondary schools in Italy. Our analysis of longitudinal data from 2010 to 2014 shows that no significant effects emerge at a national level from increased stocks of any of the three technologies, confirming the existing literature. However, when controlling for geographical area, we show that all three technologies had a positive effect on mathematics results in the north of Italy, with a detrimental effect in the south. We find that the positive effect in the north was driven by low‐attaining schools, while the negative impact in the south was driven by higher attaining schools. No effects were found on Italian language performance, except for a slightly positive impact in the lowest‐achieving schools in all geographical areas. The significance of these results is discussed with regards to future public intervention and research in this field.
Tuning the optical properties of ethynylene triptycene‐based copolymers via oxidation of their alkyne groups into α‐diketones
Authors: Alameddine Bassam , Baig Noorullah , Shetty Suchetha , Al‐Mousawi Saleh , Al‐Sagheer Fakhreia
Published: February 2018

The synthesis of ethynylene triptycene‐based copolymers with various aromatic spacers (3a–d) is reported using the palladium‐catalyzed Sonogashira cross‐coupling reaction. The alkyne groups of 3a–d were oxidized into their respective α‐diketone copolymers 4a–d. Formation of 3,4a–d was confirmed by several characterization techniques, such as, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), FT‐infrared (FTIR), UV–vis absorption, and emission spectroscopies. It was found that the nature of the aromatic spacer influences the emission properties of the target α‐diketone triptycene copolymers, causing either a red or blue‐shift with respect to that of their ethynylene triptycene copolymer synthons. Copolymers 4a–c with fluorene spacers reveal emission in the range of 440–475 nm, thus, qualifying them to act as blue emitters. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 931–937
Development of low field NMR technique for analyzing segmental mobility of crosslinked polymers
Authors: Patel Jigneshkumar P. , Hsu Shaw Ling
Published: February 2018

This low field NMR study established the correlation between the degree of crosslinking in rigid model systems to the proton spin lattice relaxation time (T1) measured. For three model epoxy samples, our data have shown that as the number of crosslinks increases the T1 minima shift toward higher temperatures. In addition, the magnitude of the T1 minimum is also observed to shift to higher values as a function of crosslinks formed. These trends are consistent with the predictions of the Bloembergen, Purcell, and Pound analysis. For these highly crosslinked systems, it was necessary to incorporate the Fuoss Kirkwood distribution function for describing the coupled dynamics of the connected individual monomer units of each crosslink. By fitting the spin lattice relaxation data at different temperatures to the Fuoss Kirkwood modified BPP theory, the average activation energy for the molecular motion and the breadth of the relaxation spectrum were obtained. For these model systems, the increase in the activation energy to achieve mobility and the broadening of relaxation distribution have also been determined quantitatively. The results of this study provide the foundation for using T1 to analyze the crosslinking process of polymeric systems. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 639–642
A 16 GS/s 3‐Bit DAC Core in GaN HEMT Technology
Authors: Kong Yuechan , Zhang Min , Zhou Jianjun , Zhang Youtao , Zhang Kai , Peng Daqing , Li Chuanhao
Published: February 2018

A robust 0.1‐µm GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) technology is developed for high‐speed mixed‐signal circuits of considerable complexity. The baseline 0.1‐µm depletion‐mode HEMT exhibits a peak cut‐off frequency of 100 GHz and a peak maximum oscillation frequency of 165 GHz. A 501‐stage monolithically integrated enhancement/depletion‐mode ring oscillator incorporating 1006 GaN HEMTs is demonstrated with a low propagation delay of 7.3 ps/stage, verifying the uniformity and high performance of the devices. For the first time, a 16 GS/s 3‐bit digital‐to‐analog converter (DAC) core using GaN technology is implemented. A static output voltage swing as large as 1.5 V is achieved, validating the advantage of GaN technology for use in large‐dynamic‐range circuits.
Development and In vitro Anticancer Evaluation of Self‐Assembled Supramolecular pH Responsive Hydrogels of Carboxymethyl Chitosan and Polyoxometalate
Authors: Azizullah  , Al‐Rashida Mariya , Haider Ali , Kortz Ulrich , Joshi Sachin A. , Iqbal Jamshed
Published: February 2018

Self‐assembled supramolecular pH‐responsive hydrogels of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh) and the trilacunary heteropolytungstate salt Na12[α‐P2W15O56].24H2O generating the free polyanion P2W15 in solution, have been synthesized via electrostatic interactions. Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) was used as initiator for grafting poly (methacrylic acid) on polymer skeleton. The developed transparent hydrogels were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis including thermogravimetric analyses and differential scanning calorimetry (TGA/DSC) and the results confirmed the successful hydrogel formation. The dynamic swelling index and the controlled release pattern of the prepared hydrogels were evaluated at pH 1.2 and 7.4. The maximum swelling index and polyanion release were observed at pH 7.4. Different mathematical models including first order, zero order, Korsmeyer‐Peppas model and Higuchi model were applied and suggested that the release of encapsulated P2W15 follows the super case transport‐II mechanism and zero order kinetics. An evaluation of the anticancer activity and cytotoxicity profiling showed that both encapsulated P2W15 (hydrogel) and free P2W15 possessed a good, dose‐dependent anticancer activity against MCF‐7 and Hela cells, with only minimal cytotoxic effects on normal cells (Vero).
Recent Advances in Layered Ti3C2Tx MXene for Electrochemical Energy Storage
Authors: Xiong Dongbin , Li Xifei , Bai Zhimin , Lu Shigang
Published: February 2018

Ti3C2Tx, a typical representative among the emerging family of 2D layered transition metal carbides and/or nitrides referred to as MXenes, has exhibited multiple advantages including metallic conductivity, a plastic layer structure, small band gaps, and the hydrophilic nature of its functionalized surface. As a result, this 2D material is intensively investigated for application in the energy storage field. The composition, morphology and texture, surface chemistry, and structural configuration of Ti3C2Tx directly influence its electrochemical performance, e.g., the use of a well‐designed 2D Ti3C2Tx as a rechargeable battery anode has significantly enhanced battery performance by providing more chemically active interfaces, shortened ion‐diffusion lengths, and improved in‐plane carrier/charge‐transport kinetics. Some recent progresses of Ti3C2Tx MXene are achieved in energy storage. This Review summarizes recent advances in the synthesis and electrochemical energy storage applications of Ti3C2Tx MXene including supercapacitors, lithium‐ion batteries, sodium‐ion batteries, and lithium–sulfur batteries. The current opportunities and future challenges of Ti3C2Tx MXene are addressed for energy‐storage devices. This Review seeks to provide a rational and in‐depth understanding of the relation between the electrochemical performance and the nanostructural/chemical composition of Ti3C2Tx, which will promote the further development of 2D MXenes in energy‐storage applications.
Green Synthesis of Hierarchically Porous Carbon Nanotubes as Advanced Materials for High‐Efficient Energy Storage
Authors: Wang Jian‐Gan , Liu Hongzhen , Zhang Xingyuan , Li Xu , Liu Xingrui , Kang Feiyu
Published: February 2018

Hierarchically porous carbon nanomaterials with well‐defined architecture can afford a promising platform for effectively addressing energy and environmental concerns. Herein, a totally green and straightforward synthesis strategy for the fabrication of hierarchically porous carbon nanotubes (HPCNTs) by a simple carbonization treatment without any assistance of soft/hard templates and activation procedures is demonstrated. A high specific surface area of 1419 m2 g−1 and hierarchical micro‐/meso‐/macroporosity can be achieved for the HPCNTs. The unique porous architecture enables the HPCNTs serving as excellent electrode/host materials for high‐performance supercapacitors and Li–sulfur batteries. The design strategy may pave a new avenue for the rational synthesis of hierarchically porous carbon nanostructures for high‐efficient energy storage applications.
Fabricating High‐Efficient Blade‐Coated Perovskite Solar Cells under Ambient Condition Using Lead Acetate Trihydrate
Authors: Kong Weiguang , Wang Guoliang , Zheng Jiming , Hu Hang , Chen Hong , Li Yunlong , Hu Manman , Zhou Xianyong , Liu Chang , Chandrashekar Bananakere Nanjegowda , Amini Abbas , Wang Jianbo , Xu Baomin , Cheng Chun
Published: February 2018

Heat‐assisted blade‐coating (HABC) technique can be applied for scalable production of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). With the current setups, HABC is not applicable in ambient atmosphere due to the adverse impact of humidity on perovskite films. Here, a modified HABC method is reported to achieve high quality perovskite films under harsh ambient conditions. By using lead acetate trihydrate (PbAc2 · 3H2O) as the lead source, a rapid low‐temperature, short time annealing treatment is discovered. It is found that a small amount of hydrate water in PbAC2 · 3H2O lead source lead to dense and oriented nuclei at the blade‐coating stage. The concomitant MAPbI3 · xH2O on the surface and grain boundaries of perovskite films isolates the moisture in ambient during the annealing process, melts to form a quasi‐liquid nutrition pool for the cultivation of MAPbI3 grain domains via Ostwald ripening. The as‐prepared perovskite films consist of large grain domains of up to 100 μm, which are highly orientated. Based on these films, the conversion efficiency of PSCs reaches 15.8 ± 0.6%, a jump of nearly 40% compared with that of PbAc2‐sourced devices (11.4 ± 1.0%). The robust strategy presented here is a significant contribution towards scalable production of high efficiency PSCs under ambient condition.
Prestraining Induced Enhancement in the Fatigue Limit Obtained by Load Increasing Thermal Method for Metastable Austenitic Stainless Steel
Authors: Gupta Satyapriya , Kucharczyk Pawel , Münstermann Sebastian , Jayaganthan Rengaswamy
Published: February 2018

In the present work, the authors evaluate the fatigue limit of as received 1.4301 (18–10) austenitic stainless steel and its variation due to uniaxial prestraining. A short time load increasing thermal method is adopted to overcome the problems (time consuming and high material cost) involved in conventional S–N curve derivation, particularly in case of high cycle fatigue. Different extent of tensile prestrain imparts different magnitude of pre‐existing martensite to specimens before the start of fatigue test. It is observed that increased amplitude of fatigue limit is proportional to the amount of prestrain. The applicability of the employed fast technique is demonstrated by validating the obtained fatigue limit against classical constant stress amplitude test results for each amount of prestrain.
The influence of lightweight aggregate, freezing–thawing procedure and air entraining agent on freezing–thawing damage
Authors: Karagöl Fatma , Yegin Yavuz , Polat Rıza , Benli Ahmet , Demirboğa Ramazan
Published: February 2018

This article presents the results of a study dealing with the concrete resistance to repeated cycles of freezing and thawing of nonair entrained, fine lightweight aggregate (LWA) and air‐entrained concrete when tested in accordance with ASTM C 666, procedures A and B. The water‐to‐binder ratios (w/b) of the mixtures ranged from 0.25 to 0.35, and the percentage of cement replacement by silica fume were 7% on a weight basis and constant throughout study. Binder dosage was 500 kg/m3 and constant. LWA was pumice aggregate (PA) and expanded perlite aggregate (EPA). PA and EPA were replaced by 10, 20, and 30% of total volume of 1 m3 as a fine aggregate (0–2 mm fine aggregate fraction). Also one group was produced with air entraining agent by 0.1% ratio of binder dosage. The 200 freeze–thaw cycles were carried out according to ASTM C666/C666M‐15, procedure A and B. The compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, relative dynamic modulus of elasticity and dry unit weight of mixtures were investigated. Based upon the analysis of the test data, it is concluded that samples contain air‐entrained agent and 10% LWA were more durable than that of control sample. With the increasing of the LWA content the freeze–thaw resistance of samples decreased. Thus, higher content of LWA is not recommended when it is to be subjected to repeated freeze–thaw cycles. Freezing–thawing procedures were compared with each other and found that procedure A was more severe than procedure B.
Articulating the validity evidence for a science alternate assessment
Authors: Andersen Lori , Nash Brooke L. , Bechard Sue
Published: February 2018

Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities (SCD) are the 1% of the total student population who have a disability or multiple disabilities that significantly impact intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors and who require individualized instruction and substantial supports. Historically, these students have received little instruction in science and the science assessments they have participated in have not included age‐appropriate science content. Guided by a theory of action for a new assessment system, an eight‐state consortium developed multidimensional alternate content standards and alternate assessments in science for students in three grade bands (3–5, 6–8, 9–12) that are linked to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS Lead States, ) and A Framework for K‐12 Science Education (Framework; National Research Council, ). The great variability within the population of students with SCD necessitates variability in the assessment content, which creates inherent challenges in establishing technical quality. To address this issue, a primary feature of this assessment system is the use of hypothetical cognitive models to provide a structure for variability in assessed content. System features and subsequent validity studies were guided by a theory of action that explains how the proposed claims about score interpretation and use depend on specific assumptions about the assessment, as well as precursors to the assessment. This paper describes evidence for the main claim that test scores represent what students know and can do. We present validity evidence for the assumptions about the assessment and its precursors, related to this main claim. The assessment was administered to over 21,000 students in eight states in 2015–2016. We present selected evidence from system components, procedural evidence, and validity studies. We evaluate the validity argument and demonstrate how it supports the claim about score interpretation and use.
Assembling Improv and Collaborative Story Building in Language Arts Class
Authors: Lenters Kimberly , Smith Cameron
Published: February 2018

In this article, the authors present a literacy research project in which humor, popular culture, and improvisational comedy (improv) are viewed as curricular resources to engage students' mindsandbodies in multimodal story building, following a posthuman assemblage theory approach to literacy learning. This approach takes students' learning beyond the skills of the six language arts strands to consider how affect, gesture, space, time, and improvisation work together in story writing. The authors invited improv artist Ben Cannon to work in collaboration with two fifth‐grade classroom teachers, their 50 students, and the research team to develop a children's comedy composing workshop. Over the course of two weeks, half‐day workshops employed improv techniques and related activities for composing comedic characters and collaborative comedic stories. In this article, the authors share some of the activities and what they learned about students' oral and written story‐building processes.
In this issue of Weather
Authors: Galvin Jim
Published: February 2018

We begin February’s issue on p. 39, marking the 50th anniversary of a storm that caused serious damage in many northern and western parts of the British Isles. This storm has received relatively little attention in the scientific press and was hardly reported in national newspapers at the time. In ‘50 years on from the Great Glasgow Storm… What have we learned from powerful storms since then?’ Penny Tranter and the Editor of this journal describe the effects of the storm and the lessons we have learned from this and other similar storms, over the years.

Many readers may remember the terrible droughts that caused serious famine in the monsoon zone of West Africa in the 1980s and Kwadwo Owusu’s paper on p. 46 ‘Rainfall changes in the savannah zone of northern Ghana 1961–2010’ shows how variable the rainfall was in this zone in the 50 years to 2010. Indeed, although serious drought has not been a main feature in recent years, rainfall remains below that seen in the 1960s and early 1970s.

A recent UK storm features in the paper on p. 54. Warnings of poor weather can cause changes in behaviour, not least travel. In ‘Better by bus? Insights into public transport travel behaviour during Storm Doris in Reading, UK’ Hannah Budnitz, Lee Chapman and Emmanouil Tranos describe changes in travel patterns on 23 February 2017.

Our final paper, on p. 60, looks at the change in temperature in recent years along the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. Kareem M. Tonbol, Tarek M. El‐Geziry and Mohamed Elbessa compare temperature changes over time and against both global and European temperatures in ‘Evaluation of changes and trends in air temperature within the Southern Levantine basin’..
In‐house monitoring of steroid hormone metabolites in urine informs breeding management of a giant anteater (Myrmechophaga tridactyla)
Authors: Amendolagine Laura , Schoffner Tad , Koscielny Lynn , Schook Mandi , Copeland Debra , Casteel James , Duff Brianna , Koester Diana
Published: February 2018

Although numbers of giant anteaters within North American facilities have been steadily increasing for the last 15 years, the population now exhibits an unstable age distribution with genetically valuable individuals nearing reproductive senescence. Contributing to this issue is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) described lack of standardization of breeding introduction practices and high risk of female injury occurring during such pairings. This report describes the development of a successful breeding protocol at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo based on hormone monitoring and efficient communication between science and animal management teams that minimizes risk of female injury. By training a female giant anteater for urine sample and body weight data collection, staff members accurately predicted estrus, and timed breeding introductions to facilitate positive interactions between the male and female. Such training also allowed for careful monitoring of two pregnancies through parturition (169–184 days from breeding) and post‐partum return to estrus (114–129 days from parturition). Urinary hormone monitoring revealed a sharp progestogen increase averaging >five‐fold over basal levels (0.52 ± 0.05 ng/mg creatinine) which was sustained throughout the second half of pregnancy. Mean regular estrous cycle length (n = 14 cycles), was calculated as 46.17 ± 1.39 days, measured as days between estrogen peaks of mean concentration 2.27 ± 0.19 ng/mg creatinine. This report summarizes impressive collaborative efforts among multiple zoological departments to achieve extensive hormonal and body weight monitoring from a female giant anteater, adding valuable information on reproductive parameters, and specifics for novel hormone assay techniques.
Biochemical determinants of litter quality in 15 species of Sphagnum
Authors: Bengtsson Fia , Rydin Håkan , Hájek Tomáš
Published: February 2018

Background and aims

Sphagnum mosses are ecosystem engineers that create and maintain boreal peatlands. With unique biochemistry, waterlogging and acidifying capacities, they build up meters-thick layers of peat, reducing competition and impeding decomposition. We quantify within-genus differences in biochemical composition to make inferences about decay rates, related to hummock–hollow and fen–bog gradients and to phylogeny.

Methods

We sampled litter from 15 Sphagnum species, abundant over the whole northern hemisphere. We used regression and Principal Components Analysis (PCA) to evaluate general relationships between litter quality parameters and decay rates measured under laboratory and field conditions.

Results

Both concentrations of the polysaccharide sphagnan and the soluble phenolics were positively correlated with intrinsic decay resistance, however, so were the previously understudied lignin-like phenolics. More resistant litter had more of all the important metabolites; consequently, PC1 scores were related to lab mass loss (R2 = 0.57). There was no such relationship with field mass loss, which is also affected by the environment. PCA also revealed that metabolites clearly group Sphagnum sections (subgenera).

Conclusions

We suggest that the commonly stated growth-decomposition trade-off is largely due to litter quality. We show a strong phylogenetic control on Sphagnum metabolites, but their effects on decay are affected by nutrient availability in the habitat.
Macronutrient manipulations of cheese resulted in lower energy content without compromising its satiating capacity
Authors: Hansen Thea Toft , Sjödin Anders , Ritz Christian , Bonnet Simon , Korndal Sanne Kellebjerg
Published: February 2018

Manipulation of food's macronutrient composition in order to reduce energy content without compromising satiating capacity may be helpful in body weight control. For cheeses, substituting fat with protein may provide such opportunity. We aimed at examining the acute effect of cheeses with different macronutrient compositions on accumulated energy intake and subjective appetite sensation. A total of thirty-nine normal-weight (average BMI 24·4 kg/m2) men and women completed the partly double-blind, randomised crossover study with high-protein/low-fat (HP/LF, 696 kJ), high-protein/high-fat (HP/HF, 976 kJ) and low-protein/high-fat (LP/HF, 771 kJ) cheeses. After overnight fasting, 80 g cheese were served with 70 g bread, 132 g juice and 125 g coffee/tea/water. Ad libitum spaghetti bolognaise was served after 3 h and energy intake assessed. Subjective appetite ratings were assessed using visual analogue scales. Composite appetite scores were calculated and evaluated relatively to energy intake. Total accumulated energy intake was 188·3 (se 97·4) kJ lower when consuming the HP/LF compared with the HP/HF (P ≤ 0·05), but, compared with the LP/HF cheese, the difference was not significant (177·0 (se 100·4) kJ lower; P = 0·08). In relation to energy intake, the composite appetite score was lower when consuming the HP/LF compared with the HP/HF (P = 0·003) and the LP/HF (P = 0·007) cheeses. Thereby, no compensatory eating following consumption of the HP/LF compared with the HP/HF cheese was found. The HP/LF cheese resulted in an increased feeling of satiety in relation to its lower energy content compared with both HP/HF and LP/HF cheeses.
Millennials and Race in the 2016 Election
Authors: Medenica Vladimir Enrique
Published: February 2018

In addition to being the most racially and ethnically diverse generation, millennials comprised an equal number of the voting-eligible population as baby boomers in 2016 and are projected to become the largest share of the American voting-eligible population by 2018. Drawing from several distinct datasets, this study explores three primary topics: (1) examining how race influenced the vote choice of millennials in the 2016 presidential election; (2) comparing partisanship and vote choice among white millennials to older whites; and (3) identifying differences between white millennials who voted in 2016 to those who did not cast a ballot. The study finds that young whites are the outlier category of their age group; being white is associated with a higher probability of voting for Donald Trump, even when accounting for the effects of racial resentment, partisanship, ideology, and other factors. While white millennials appear conservative relative to their peers of color, however, the preferences of young whites are more Democratic than older whites. Non-voting white millennials are more likely than their voting counterparts to identify as independents and ideological moderates, making them a political swing bloc as white millennials age. While political observers are quick to point to the liberal-leaning preferences of young people as a whole, disaggregating the 18–30 age group by race as this study suggests that the Democratic preferences displayed by millennials in the aggregate are largely driven by the cohort's racial and ethnic diversity.
Identification and tissue expression profiling of candidate UDP-glycosyltransferase genes expressed in Holotrichia parallela motschulsky antennae
Authors: Wang S. , Liu Y. , Zhou J.-J. , Yi J.-K. , Pan Y. , Wang J. , Zhang X.-X. , Wang J.-X. , Yang S. , Xi J.-H.
Published: February 2018

It is difficult to control Holotrichia parallela Motschulsky with chemical insecticides due to the larvae's soil-living habit, thus the pest has caused great economic losses in agriculture. In addition, uridine diphosphate-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) catalyze the glycosylation process of a variety of small lipophilic molecules with sugars to produce water-soluble glycosides, and play multiple roles in detoxification, endobiotic modulation, and sequestration in an insect. Some UGTs were found specifically expressed in antennae of Drosophila melanogaster and Spodoptera littoralis, and glucurono-conjugated odorants could not elicit any olfactory signals, suggesting that the UGTs may play roles in odorant inactivation by biotransformation. In the current study, we performed a genome-wide analysis of the candidate UGT family in the dark black chafer, H. parallela. Based on a UGT gene signature and the similarity of these genes to UGT homologs from other organisms, 20 putative H. parallela UGT genes were identified. Bioinformatics analysis was used to predict sequence and structural features of H. parallela UGT proteins, and revealed important domains and residues involved in sugar donor binding and catalysis by comparison with human UGT2B7. Phylogenetic analysis of these 20 UGT protein sequences revealed eight major groups, including both order-specific and conserved groups, which are common to more than one order. Of these 20 UGT genes, HparUGT1265-1, HparUGT3119, and HparUGT8312 were highly (>100-fold change) expressed in antennae, suggesting a possible role in olfactory tissue, and most likely in odorant inactivation and olfactory processing. The remaining UGT genes were expressed in all tissues (head, thorax, abdomen, leg, and wing), indicating that these UGTs likely have different biological functions. This study provides the fundamental basis for determining the function of UGTs in a highly specialized olfactory organ, the H. parallela antenna.
The Effect of Levamisole on the Development of Ostertagia circumcincta in lambs
Authors: Denham D. A. , Turton J. A.
Published: February 2018

The majority of third-stage Ostertagia circumcincta larvae exposed to 0·5% levamisole failed to infect lambs even though the worms regained some activity after repeated washings in balanced saline. A low level of efficiency was recorded against 4·5-day-old O. circumcincta when lambs were treated with levamisole at 7·5 mg per kg. Nine-day-old worms from hosts which received anthelmintic on day 4·5 were at the same stage of development as those from untreated control lambs.
On Camallanus fotedari n.sp. (Nematoda: Spiruridea) from the Intestine of Nemachilus kashmirensis in Kashmir, India
Authors: Raina M. K. , Dhar R. L.
Published: February 2018

Camallanus fotedari n.sp. is described from the intestine of Nemachilus from Kashmir. This is a new host record for the genus. The new species is characterised by the presence of 14–16 pairs of papillae of which 6–8 pairs are precloacal, 2 pairs are adcloacal and 6 pairs are postcloacal. The tail in females is rounded.
On Two New Soil Nematodes, Discolaimoides indicum sp.nov. and Pungentus juglensi sp.nov., from around the Roots of Juglens regia in Kashmir, India
Authors: Mahajan Rajesh
Published: February 2018

The present study pertains to two nematode genera, Pungentus Thome & Swanger, 1936 and Discolaimoides Heyns, 1963 which were collected from around the roots of Juglens regia, the common walnut tree in Kashmir. They are described herein as new species. Discolaimoides is recorded here for the first time from India.
Early patterns of Caulerpa racemosa recovery in the Mediterranean Sea: the influence of algal turfs
Authors: Piazzi Luigi , Ceccherelli Giulia , Balata David , Cinelli Francesco
Published: February 2018

Variability in recovery of the introduced green alga Caulerpa racemosa has been investigated on a subtidal rocky shore in the north-western Mediterranean Sea. Two removal experiments were performed. The first was designed to test the effects of season on the early patterns of recovery of C. racemosa on a rocky bottom and on algal turf. In the second experiment recovery of C. racemosa on the rocky bottom and on algal turf was estimated from July–October 2000, the end of the vegetative period of the alga. Recovery of experimental plots occurred from adjacent populations of C. racemosa by stolon growth. In the first experiment, recovery occurred from August to November in all the experimental units, while no growth was observed during winter and spring. Recovery was significantly higher on algal turf than on rock during all vegetative periods. In both the habitats, recovery was quicker in summer than in autumn, even if differences between dates within each season were also significant. In the second experiment, three months after removal, the mean per cent cover of C. racemosa in algal turf was twice that on rock.
Tolerance and accumulation of the trace metals zinc, copper and cadmium in three populations of the polychaete Nereis diversicolor
Authors: Zhou Qixing , Rainbow P.S. , Smith B.D.
Published: February 2018

The comparative tolerance and accumulation of the trace metals zinc, copper and cadmium in populations of the littoral polychaete worm Nereis diversicolor from three sites: (a) heavily metal-contaminated Dulas Bay in Anglesey, north Wales, (b) the Blackwater estuary, Essex, as a control site, and (c) West Thurrock, the Thames estuary as a site of intermediate metal contamination, were investigated. Worms from Dulas Bay did not show increased tolerance to any metal, but worms from West Thurrock showed significantly increased copper sensitivity compared to the worms from Dulas Bay and the Blackwater. Worms accumulated zinc and copper from sediments with raised zinc and copper concentrations, and all three metals from solution in proportion to dissolved concentration. Accumulated metal was not excreted in 21 days and field concentrations of zinc and copper in the worms differed between sites. There was no evidence for inter-populational differences in accumulation rates of zinc and cadmium from solution, but worms from Dulas Bay accumulated copper from solution at a significantly higher rate than did worms from the other two sites. Nereis diversicolor takes up and accumulates zinc and cadmium from solution at similar rates per unit molar exposure, but cadmium is taken up at a greater rate per unit free metal ion molar exposure. Although N. diversicolor from Dulas Bay is exposed to very high availabilities of zinc and copper, accumulation and detoxification mechanisms are sufficient to cope with the extra metal influx (accentuated for dissolved copper) without selection for a metal-tolerant population.
Population dynamics of the sponge-dwelling gnathiid isopod Elaphognathiacornigera
Authors: Tanaka Katsuhiko
Published: February 2018

Elaphognathia cornigera is a temporary fish-parasitic isopod crustacean that
inhabits intertidal sponges. The life cycle and growth rate of this species were investigated
using a laboratory rearing experiment. In addition, a wild population of this gnathiid isopod
was sampled at fortnightly intervals over a 2-year period on an intertidal rocky shore at Oura
Bay, Izu Peninsula, southern Japan. The population dynamics of this species were assessed using
data from the laboratory experiment. Under laboratory conditions, individuals reached maturity
after alternating between the parasitic feeding stage and the independent moulting stage three
separate times. The mean larval period at 25°C was around 52 days. All life stages were
observed in the natural population between spring and autumn. The density curves for all
larval stages showed three to four distinct peaks, with the exception of the first larvae
just after eclosion. According to the emergence patterns and growth rates derived from the
laboratory experiment, E. cornigera appeared to alternate generations three to four
times per year. During the winter months, only larvae in the second post-feeding phase and
adult males were observed. This may have resulted from a halt in the development of larvae at
the second post-feeding stage, triggered by cold winter conditions, and the post-reproductive
death of semelparous females. Overwintered larvae and adult males became the source of the new
population the following spring.
A population study of Galathea intermedia (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura) in the German Bight
Authors: Kronenberger Katrin , Türkay Michael
Published: February 2018

The objectives of this study were to assess population biology and dynamics of the squat lobster Galathea intermedia. On the basis of nearly regular monthly samples taken with a 2-m beam trawl in the Helgoland trench (HTR) during the period of 1985 until 1992, sex ratio, length composition, relative growth and reproduction were studied. The overall sex ratio deviates significantly from 1:1 with 1[male ]:1·8[female] (P[les ]0·001). On average, sexes are equally large, but adult females attain a slightly larger size than adult males. No sex-specific differences in the length–weight relationship were found. Relative growth of the first abdominal segment is clearly of sexual-dimorphic character. On the basis of the length–frequency distributions, the life cycle of the HTR population lasts between one and two years. According to the appearance of ovigerous females and juveniles, reproduction and recruitment are clearly seasonal. Recruitment takes place between July and December. The main reproduction begins in April and ends in September, with a peak between June and August. A significant increase of specimens showing both male and female morphological characters, referred to as morphological hermaphrodites (P[les ]0·001), and males (P[les ]0·05) respectively, was detected.
The intestinal protist Blastocystis is not a common member of the healthy infant gut microbiota in a Westernized country (Ireland)
Authors: Scanlan P. D. , Hill C. J. , Ross R. P. , Ryan C. A. , Stanton C. , Cotter P. D.
Published: February 2018

Research into the gut microbiota of human infants is necessary in order to better understand how inter-species interactions and ecological succession shape the diversity of the gut microbiota, and in turn, how the specific composition of the gut microbiota impacts on host health both during infancy and in later years. Blastocystis is a ubiquitous intestinal protist that has been linked to a number of intestinal and extra-intestinal diseases. However, emerging data show that asymptomatic carriage is common and that Blastocystis is prevalent in the healthy adult gut microbiota. Nonetheless, little is known about the prevalence and diversity of this microorganism in the healthy infant gut, including when and how individuals become colonized by Blastocystis. Here, we surveyed the prevalence and diversity of Blastocystis in an infant population (n = 59) from an industrialized country (Ireland) using Blastocystis-specific primers at three or more time-points up to 24 months old. Only three infants were positive for Blastocystis (prevalence = 5%) and this was only noted for samples collected at month 24. This rate is comparatively low relative to previously reported prevalence rates in the contemporaneous adult population. These data suggest that infants in Westernized countries that are successfully colonized by Blastocystis most likely acquire this microorganism via horizontal transfer.
Trypanosoma cruzi: death phenotypes induced by ortho-naphthoquinone substrates of the aldo-keto reductase (TcAKR). Role of this enzyme in the mechanism of action of β-lapachone
Authors: Garavaglia Patricia Andrea , Rubio María Fernanda , Laverrière Marc , Tasso Laura Mónica , Fichera Laura Edith , Cannata Joaquín J B , García Gabriela Andrea
Published: February 2018

Several ortho-naphthoquinones (o-NQs) have trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma cruzi, the aetiological agent of Chagas disease. Previously, we demonstrated that the aldo-keto reductase from this parasite (TcAKR) reduces o-NQs, such as β-lapachone (β-Lap) and 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (9,10-PQ), with concomitant reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Recent characterization of TcAKR activity and expression in two T. cruzi strains, CL Brener and Nicaragua, showed that TcAKR expression is 2.2-fold higher in CL Brener than in Nicaragua. Here, we studied the trypanocidal effect and induction of several death phenotypes by β-Lap and 9,10-PQ in epimastigotes of these two strains. The CL Brener strain was more resistant to both o-NQs than Nicaragua, indicating that greater TcAKR activity is unlikely to be a major influence on o-NQ toxicity. Evaluation of changes in ROS production, mitochondrial membrane potential, phosphatidylserine exposure and monodansylcadaverine labelling evidenced that β-Lap and 9,10-PQ induce different death phenotypes depending on the combination of drug and T. cruzi strain analysed. To study whether TcAKR participates in o-NQ activation in intact parasites, β-Lap and 9,10-PQ trypanocidal effect was next evaluated in TcAKR-overexpressing parasites. Only β-Lap was more effective and induced greater ROS production in TcAKR-overexpressing epimastigotes than in controls, suggesting that TcAKR may participate in β-Lap activation.