bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Cell Proliferation and Inflammatory Signature is Induced by Lawsonia intracellularis Infection in Swine
Authors: Leite Fernando L. , Abrahante Juan E. , Vasquez Erika , Vannucci Fabio , Gebhart Connie J. , Winkelman Nathan , Mueller Adam , Torrison Jerry , Rambo Zachary , Isaacson Richard E.
Published: August 2018

Lawsonia intracellularis causes porcine proliferative enteropathy. This is an enteric disease characterized by thickening of the wall of the ileum that leads to decreased growth and diarrhea of animals. In this study, we investigated the host response to L. intracellularis infection by performing transcriptomic and pathway analysis of intestinal tissue in groups of infected and non-infected animals at 14, 21 and 28 days post challenge. At the peak of infection, when animals developed most severe lesions, infected animals expressed higher levels of several genes involved in cellular proliferation and inflammation including matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP7), transglutaminase-2 (TGM2) and Oncostatin M (OSM). Histomorphology also revealed general features of intestinal inflammation. This study identified important pathways associated with the host response in developing and resolving lesions due to L. intracellularis infection.

Importance

Lawsonia intracellularis is among the most important enteric pathogens of swine and it can also infect other mammalian species. Much is still unknown regarding its pathogenesis and the host response, especially at the site of infection. In this study we uncovered several novel genes and pathways associated with infection. These differentially expressed genes, in addition to histological changes in infected tissue, revealed striking similarities between L. intracellularis infection and cellular proliferation mechanisms described in some cancers and inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. This research sheds important light into the pathogenesis of L. intracellularis and the host response associated with the lesions caused by infection.
Mechanical properties of the stigmatic cell wall mediate pollen tube path in Arabidopsis
Authors: Riglet Lucie , Rozier Frédérique , Kodera Chie , Fobis-Loisy Isabelle , Gaude Thierry
Published: August 2018

Successful fertilization in angiosperms depends on the proper trajectory of pollen tubes through the pistil tissues to reach the ovules. Pollen tubes first grow within the cell wall of the papilla cells, applying pressure to the cell. Mechanical forces are known to play a major role in plant cell shape by controlling the orientation of cortical microtubules (CMTs), which in turn mediate deposition of cellulose microfibrils (CMFs). Here, by combining cell imaging and genetic approaches, we show that isotropic reorientation of CMTs and CMFs in aged andkatanin1-5(ktn1-5) papilla cells is accompanied by a tendency of pollen tubes to coil around the papillae. Furthermore, we uncover that aged andktn1-5papilla cells have a softer cell wall and provide less resistance to pollen tube growth. Our results reveal an unexpected role for KTN1 in pollen tube guidance by ensuring mechanical anisotropy of the papilla cell wall.
The small and large ribosomal subunits depend on each other for stability and accumulation
Authors: Gregory Brian , Rahman Nusrat , Bommakanti Ananth , Shamsuzzaman Md , Thapa Mamata , Lescure Alana , Zengel Janice M. , Lindahl Lasse
Published: August 2018

The 1:1 balance between the numbers of large and small ribosomal subunits can be disturbed by mutations that inhibit the assembly of one of the subunits. We have investigated if the cell has mechanisms to counteract an imbalance of subunits. We show that accumulation of 40S subunits stops after abrogating 60S assembly. In contrast, cessation of the 40S pathways does not prevent 60S accumulation, but does, however, lead to fragmentation of the 25S rRNA in 60S subunits. Even though 40S subunits do not accumulate in the absence of 60S assembly, 40S assembly continues, indicating that excess 40S is degraded after assembly. Thus, the cell expends substantial resources in a futile attempt to increase the number of functional 80S ribosomes. We propose that a mechanism for preventing the accumulation of 40S subunits in excess over 60S subunits may have evolved to prevent mRNAs from being tied up in 40S-mRNA translation initiation complexes that cannot be turned into productive translation complexes because of the deficit of 60S subunits.
XUV double-pulses with femtosecond to 650 ps separation from a multilayer-mirror-based split-and-delay unit at FLASH
Authors: Sauppe Mario , Rompotis Dimitrios , Erk Benjamin , Bari Sadia , Bischoff Tobias , Boll Rebecca , Bomme Cédric , Bostedt Christoph , Dörner Simon , Düsterer Stefan , Feigl Torsten , Flückiger Leonie , Gorkhover Tais , Kolatzki Katharina , Langbehn Bruno , Monserud Nils , Müller Erland , Müller Jan P. , Passow Christopher , Ramm Daniel , Rolles Daniel , Schubert Kaja , Schwob Lucas , Senfftleben Björn , Treusch Rolf , Ulmer Anatoli , Weigelt Holger , Zimbalski Jannis , Zimmermann Julian , Möller Thomas , Rupp Daniela
Published: August 2018

Extreme ultraviolet (XUV) and X-ray free-electron lasers enable new scientific opportunities. Their ultra-intense coherent femtosecond pulses give unprecedented access to the structure of undepositable nanoscale objects and to transient states of highly excited matter. In order to probe the ultrafast complex light-induced dynamics on the relevant time scales, the multi-purpose end-station CAMP at the free-electron laser FLASH has been complemented by the novel multilayer-mirror-based split-and-delay unit DESC (DElay Stage for CAMP) for time-resolved experiments. XUV double-pulses with delays adjustable from zero femtoseconds up to 650 picoseconds are generated by reflecting under near-normal incidence, exceeding the time range accessible with existing XUV split-and-delay units. Procedures to establish temporal and spatial overlap of the two pulses in CAMP are presented, with emphasis on the optimization of the spatial overlap at long time-delays via time-dependent features, for example in ion spectra of atomic clusters.
Switching of the harmonic order in free-electron lasers by controlling the density modulation of an electron bunch
Authors: Sei Norihiro , Ogawa Hiroshi , Jia QiKa
Published: August 2018

It was demonstrated that harmonic order in free-electron laser (FEL) oscillations could be switched by adjusting the dispersive gap of the optical klystron ETLOK-III in the storage ring NIJI-IV. The effective gains for the fundamental and third-harmonic FEL oscillations were evaluated and it was confirmed that the FEL oscillated at the order of the harmonic with the higher effective gain. The ratio between the effective gain for the fundamental and that for the third harmonic was controlled by the dispersive gap. It was also demonstrated that a spectral measurement of the FEL-based Compton scattering X-ray beam was effective for directly observing the switching of the harmonic order. These results contribute to the development of higher-harmonic FEL oscillations suppressing the fundamental FEL oscillation in the extreme ultraviolet and X-ray regions.
Time-resolved in situ tomography for the analysis of evolving metal-foam granulates
Authors: García-Moreno Francisco , Kamm Paul H. , Neu Tillmann R. , Banhart John
Published: August 2018

An experimental setup has been developed that allows for capturing up to 25 tomograms s−1 using the white X-ray beam at the experimental station EDDI of BESSY II, Berlin, Germany. The key points are the use of a newly developed, precise and fast rotation stage, a very efficient scintillator and a fast CMOS camera. As a first application, the foaming of aluminium alloy granules at 923 K was investigated in situ. Formation and growth of bubbles in the liquid material were observed and found to be influenced by the limited thermal conductivity in the bulk granules. Changes that took place between two tomographic frames separated in time by 39 ms could be detected and analysed quantitatively.
Megaprojects – symbolic and sublime: an ontological review
Authors: Syn Thant , Ramaprasad Arkalgud
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Megaprojects are symbolic milestones of human history. Most megaprojects are one-of-a-kind endeavors to which traditional project management principles are neither applicable nor suitable, rendering the holistic study of megaprojects especially difficult. There is no systemic framework that can help systematically assess and guide megaprojects and megaproject research. In the absence of such a framework there is a significant risk of bias in planning the projects and the topics researched. The purpose of this paper is to present an ontological framework of megaprojects and discuss how it can help analyze individual megaprojects and synthesize the corpus of megaproject research.

Design/methodology/approach

An ontology framework of megaproject is developed by deconstructing the symbolism and purpose of megaprojects into respective dimensions and their categories. The ontological framework is then used to map the extent literature on megaproject to identify the dominant themes and gaps in the state-of-the-research.

Findings

The megaproject research has predominantly focused on select stakeholders (builders, governments, and communities), translation stages (implementation and conceptualization), and sublime (mostly economic). Other aspects of megaprojects have received little or no attention.

Originality/value

The paper presents an ontological framework to holistically capture the symbolism and sublime of megaprojects. The framework is complete, expansive, and grounded, yet simple, parsimonious, and innovative. It is a tool for decision makers more than a formal ontology readable by machines.
“Power to the workers”
Authors: Leyer Michael , Richter Alexander , Steinhüser Melanie
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reveal how information and communication technology (ICT) can empower shop floor workers in collaborative manufacturing environments.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors gather data from a mobile maintenance department of a steel manufacturing company and apply the method of a scenario-based design. The authors use data from interviews, observations and company documents to create problem and activity scenarios. The authors also demonstrate the development of a worker-centric digital design in multiple demonstration and evaluation cycles.

Findings

The authors find that ICT can be used to ensure that empowerment is not only a concept, but can sustainably empower daily operations.

Research limitations/implications

The authors contribute to theory by showing how structural empowerment can be used as a guiding theoretical lens to design ICT for shop floor workers in collaborative manufacturing work environments. These implications are limited to findings from a single case study.

Practical implications

The results provide an overview of different empowerment dimensions, namely, the access to information, resources, support and opportunities, that can support employees in collaborative manufacturing environments.

Originality/value

This paper is first in suggesting a framework of how ICT designs can be used to empower shop floor workers in collaborative manufacturing environments.
Risk management and firm performance: the moderating role of supplier integration
Authors: Shou Yongyi , Hu Wenjin , Kang Mingu , Li Ying , Park Young Won
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to scrutinize the performance effects of supply chain risk management (SCRM). Besides financial performance, two aspects of operational performance are examined: operational efficiency and flexibility. Moreover, the authors explore the moderating role of supplier integration in the relationship between SCRM and operational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey-based methodology was adopted. Based on the data from an international survey, this study applied the structural equation modeling and latent moderated structural equations approach to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate that SCRM positively influences both operational efficiency and flexibility, and has an indirect effect on financial performance. In addition, supplier integration enhances the impact of SCRM on operational flexibility, but does not moderate the relationship between SCRM and operational efficiency.

Originality/value

This study extends the existing literature by providing a comprehensive analysis of the performance effects of SCRM. It also provides managerial insights on both risk management and supplier integration.
Analyzing operating and support costs for Air Force aircraft
Authors: Hewitson Scott C. , Ritschel Jonathan D. , White Edward , Brown Gregory
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Recent legislation resulted in an elevation of operating and support (O&S) costs’ relative importance for decision-making in Department of Defense programs. However, a lack of research in O&S hinders a cost analyst’s abilities to provide accurate sustainment estimates. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to investigate when Air Force aircraft O&S costs stabilize and to what degree. Next, a parametric O&S model is developed to predict median O&S costs for use as a new tool for cost analyst practitioners.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilizing the Air Force total ownership cost database, 44 programs consisting of 765 observations from 1996 to 2016 are analyzed. First, stability is examined in three areas: total O&S costs, the six O&S cost element structures and by aircraft type. Next, stepwise regression is used to predict median O&S costs per total active inventory (CPTAI) and identify influential variables.

Findings

Stability results vary by category but generally are found to occur approximately five years from initial operating capability. The regression model explains 89.01 per cent of the variance in the data set when predicting median O&S CPTAI. Aircraft type, location of lead logistics center and unit cost are the three largest contributing factors.

Originality/value

Results from this research provide insight to cost analysts on when to start using actual O&S costs as a baseline for estimates in lieu of analogous cost program data and also derives a new parametric O&S estimating tool designed as a cross-check to current estimating methodologies.
A consumer behavioural approach to food waste
Authors: Aktas Emel , Sahin Hafize , Topaloglu Zeynep , Oledinma Akunna , Huda Abul Kalam Samsul , Irani Zahir , Sharif Amir M. , van’t Wout Tamara , Kamrava Mehran
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Food waste occurs in every stage of the supply chain, but the value-added lost to waste is the highest when consumers waste food. The purpose of this paper is to understand the food waste behaviour of consumers to support policies for minimising food waste.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as a theoretical lens, the authors design a questionnaire that incorporates contextual factors to explain food waste behaviour. The authors test two models: base (four constructs of TPB) and extended (four constructs of TPB plus six contextual factors). The authors build partial least squares structural equation models to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The data confirm significant relationships between food waste and contextual factors such as motives, financial attitudes, planning routines, food surplus, social relationships and Ramadan.

Research limitations/implications

The data comes from an agriculturally resource-constrained country: Qatar.

Practical implications

Food waste originating from various causes means more food should flow through the supply chains to reach consumers’ homes. Contextual factors identified in this work increase the explanatory power of the base model by 75 per cent.

Social implications

Changing eating habits during certain periods of the year and food surplus have a strong impact on food waste behaviour.

Originality/value

A country is considered to be food secure if it can provide its citizens with stable access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food. The findings and conclusions inform and impact upon the development of food waste and food security policies.
Fire increases drought vulnerability of Quercus alba juveniles by altering forest microclimate and nitrogen availability
Authors: Refsland Tyler , Fraterrigo Jennifer
Published: August 2018

Shifts in rainfall patterns due to climate change are expected to increase drought stress and mortality in forests. Natural and anthropogenic fire regimes are also changing, highlighting the need to understand the interactive effects of fire and drought on tree ecophysiological response and growth.

Using rainout shelters, we imposed summer drought on natural and planted populations of Quercus alba juveniles located in periodically burned and unburned sites in Shawnee National Forest, IL, USA. A subset of planted juveniles was clipped to simulate topkill. We measured predawn leaf water potential (Ψpd), leaf gas exchange (Amax, gmax) and relative growth rate (RGR) across treatments to test two hypotheses: (H1) Fire reduces juvenile drought stress by improving water relations through increased root‐to‐shoot ratios after topkill, or (H2) fire exacerbates juvenile drought stress by promoting a warmer, drier microclimate or amplifying drought‐induced nitrogen (N) limitation.

Burned stands had higher vapour pressure deficits and 13% lower soil inorganic N availability than unburned stands. Rainout shelters reduced soil moisture (0–45 cm) by 10%–24% relative to ambient conditions. Consistent with H2, small, natural resprouts in burned stands experienced greater drought stress than unburned juveniles, with a 7% decrease in leaf nitrogen content (LNC), a 21%–29% reduction in Amax and gmax and a 41% reduction in RGR under drought. Drought effects on unburned juveniles, in contrast, were limited to a 5% reduction in LNC and a neutral to positive effect on leaf gas exchange and RGR. Large natural juveniles were largely unaffected by drought. Recent resprouts (i.e., clipped, planted juveniles) experienced less drought stress than unclipped juveniles, providing partial support for H1.

Collectively, these results suggest that resprouting after fire can temporarily improve leaf water relations until root‐to‐shoot ratios re‐equilibrate. In contrast, fire can exacerbate drought‐driven declines in the growth of small juveniles by both promoting a warmer, drier microclimate and intensifying N limitation. Our results suggest that despite the high drought tolerance of Quercus spp., fire‐driven changes to local microclimate and resource conditions could limit tree recruitment under future scenarios of rainfall variability.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Maintaining ecosystem properties after loss of ash in Great Britain
Authors: Hill Louise , Hemery Gabriel , Hector Andy , Brown Nick
Published: August 2018

Acute outbreaks of pests and disease are increasingly affecting tree populations around the world, causing widespread ecological effects. In Britain, ash dieback Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (Baral et al.) has severe impacts on common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) populations, and the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) is likely to add to the impact in future. This will cause significant changes to the character and functioning of many ecosystems. However, the nature of these changes and the best approach for conserving ecosystems after ash loss are not clear.

We present a method to locate those areas most ecologically vulnerable to loss of a major tree species (common ash) and identify the resultant damage to distinctive ecosystem properties. This method uses the functional traits of species and their distributions to map the potential degree of change in traits across space and recommend management approaches to reduce the change. An analytic hierarchy process is used to score traits according to ecological importance.

Our results indicate that in some areas of Britain, provision of ash‐associated traits could be reduced by over 50% if all ash is lost. Certain woodland types, and trees outside woodlands, may be especially vulnerable to ash loss. However, compensatory growth by other species could halve this impact in the longer term.

We offer management guidance for reducing ecosystem vulnerability to ash loss, including recommending appropriate alternative tree species to encourage through planting or management in particular areas and woodland types.

Synthesis and applications. The method described in this paper allows spatially explicit assessment of species traits to be used in the restoration of ecosystems for the first time. We offer practical recommendations for the ash dieback outbreak in Britain to help conserve functional traits in ecosystems affected by the loss of ash. This technique is widely applicable to a range of restoration and conservation scenarios and represents a step forward in the use of functional traits in conservation.
The Spillover Effect of SEC Comment Letters on Qualitative Corporate Disclosure: Evidence from the Risk Factor Disclosure
Authors: Brown Stephen V. , (Shaolee) Tian Xiaoli , Wu Tucker Jennifer
Published: August 2018

In this study we use the recently mandated risk factor disclosure to examine the spillover effect of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) review of qualitative corporate disclosure. We find that firms not receiving any comment letter (“No‐letter Firms”) modify their subsequent year's disclosures to a larger extent if the SEC has commented on the risk factor disclosure of (i) the industry leader, (ii) a close rival, or (iii) numerous industry peers. We refer to this effect as “spillover.” Further, we find that after SEC comments on the industry leader's disclosure, No‐letter Firms also provide more firm‐specific disclosures in the subsequent year. The increased disclosure specificity reduces these firms’ likelihood of receiving SEC risk disclosure comments on their new filings. Our evidence suggests an indirect effect of the SEC review of qualitative disclosure.
Insider Trading Restrictions and Insiders’ Supply of Information: Evidence from Earnings Smoothing
Authors: Zhang Ivy Xiying , Zhang Yong
Published: August 2018

We exploit the setting of first‐time enforcement of insider trading laws to investigate the relationship between insider trading opportunities and insiders’ supply of information. Insider trading opportunities motivate insiders to reduce their supply of information by concealing firm performance, thereby increasing their information advantage over outsiders, resulting in higher insider trading profits. Using data from 40 countries over the 1988–2004 period, we find that reporting opacity, as captured by earnings smoothness, decreases significantly after the initial enforcement of insider trading laws in countries with strong legal institutions. The decrease in earnings smoothness is positively related to the strictness of insider trading laws. The decrease in earnings smoothness is also more pronounced for countries that have more persistent insider trading law enforcement and for countries that impose more severe penalties on insider trading cases. Further analyses show that the decrease in earnings smoothness following insider trading enforcement is concentrated among firms that are not closely held and among high‐growth firms. In addition to uncovering a channel through which insider trading restrictions affect the information environment, our evidence highlights the importance of country‐ and firm‐level governance structures in determining the consequences of insider trading restrictions.
Public Disclosures in the Presence of Suppliers and Competitors
Authors: Arya Anil , Mittendorf Brian , Yoon Dae‐Hee
Published: August 2018

Firms’ reluctance at times to publicly disclose financial information is often attributed to concern that the information may be used against them by self‐interested outside parties. These outside parties may interact with the firm in the horizontal realm (e.g., retail competitors) or in the vertical arena (e.g., wholesale suppliers). This article is built on the premise that fully understanding the strategic consequences of disclosure requires joint consideration of horizontal and vertical relationships. When both rivals and suppliers are accounted for, we demonstrate that (i) lower intra‐industry correlation in product demand favors disclosure, with the precise correlation‐cutoff dependent on the firm's use of input suppliers; and (ii) the more a firm relies on input suppliers with pricing power, the less attractive is disclosure.
Deciduous dentition approximal caries lesion progression and regression following preventive treatment: literature review
Authors: Pakdaman A , Montazeri A , Evans RW
Published: August 2018

The objective of this review was to investigate rates of caries lesion progression, arrest, and regression in approximal surfaces of deciduous teeth following secondary preventive interventions in order to inform caries management protocols. Studies published in English and other languages from 1960 till February 2017 were searched in electronic databases. Inclusion criteria were: randomized controlled clinical trials and longitudinal studies that involved non‐invasive preventive treatment. We excluded: in vivo studies and incidence studies. 805 potential articles were located, of 38 full text reviews, 10 were included. Two types of studies were found; those reporting the mean percentage of lesion progression as progression estimate and those reporting the survival rate of lesions presented as the mean or median survival time in months as survival estimate. Weak evidence suggests it would appear that the most effective secondary preventive intervention was one involving a combination of silver fluoride and stannous fluoride, but this has not been substantiated. To inform treatment protocols better, it is recommended (i) that new well‐designed RCTs are conducted to test the effectiveness of different forms of fluoride to arrest lesion progression in deciduous teeth and (ii) to continue ongoing research into the caries preventive effects of approximal surface sealants.
Genome‐wide variability and selection signatures in Italian island cattle breeds
Authors: Cesarani A. , Sorbolini S. , Criscione A. , Bordonaro S. , Pulina G. , Battacone G. , Marletta D. , Gaspa G. , Macciotta N. P. P.
Published: August 2018

In the present study, a sample of 88 animals belonging to four local (Modicana, Sarda, Sardo‐Bruna and Sardo‐Modicana) and one cosmopolitan (Italian Brown Swiss) cattle breeds were genotyped with a medium density SNP beadchip and compared to investigate their genetic diversity and the existence of selection signatures. A total of 43 012 SNPs distributed across all 29 autosomal chromosomes were retained after data quality control. Basic population statistics, Wright fixation index and runs of homozygosity (ROH) analyses confirmed that the Italian Brown Swiss genome was shaped mainly by selection, as underlined by the low values of heterozygosity and minor allele frequency. As expected, local cattle exhibited a large within‐breed genetic heterogeneity. The FST comparison revealing the largest number of significant SNPs was Sardo‐Bruna vs. Sardo‐Modicana, whereas the smallest was observed for Italian Brown Swiss vs. Sardo‐Modicana. Modicana exhibited the largest number of detected ROHs, whereas the smallest was observed for Sardo‐Modicana. Signatures of selection were detected in genomic regions that harbor genes involved in milk production traits for Italian Brown Swiss and fitness traits for local breeds. According to the results of multi‐dimensional scaling and the admixture analysis the Sardo‐Bruna is more similar to the Sarda than to the Italian Brown Swiss breed. Moreover, the Sardo‐Modicana is genetically closer to the Modicana than to the Sarda breed. Results of the present work confirm the usefulness of single nucleotide polymorphisms in deciphering the genetic architecture of livestock breeds.
Maxillofacial reconstruction using in‐house virtual surgical planning
Authors: Smithers Fiona A. E. , Cheng Kai , Jayaram Rahul , Mukherjee Payal , Clark Jonathan R.
Published: August 2018

Background

Mandibular and maxillary reconstruction using fibula free transfer is common in many tertiary referral centres. Virtual surgical planning (VSP) is a relatively recent adjunct that allows surgeons to plan resection and reconstruction prior to theatre. This has been shown to reduce operative times and decrease surgeon stress intraoperatively. VSP requires technicians with the appropriate skill set and required materials, software and technology, which is accompanied by a cost that may be prohibitive. Usually, this is outsourced to an external company. We present a preliminary case series of VSP in maxillofacial reconstruction done using our own staff without external resources.

Methods

Six patients underwent mandible (n = 5) or maxillary (n = 1) reconstruction with a fibula free flap using in‐house VSP. The cases ranged from relatively simple to complex. We present our steps in the planning process and application of this technique.

Results and conclusion

In‐house VSP is a feasible process with low cost and turnaround time, making surgery more efficient.
Retrospective study showed that blood sampling errors risked children's well‐being and safety in a Swedish paediatric tertiary care
Authors: Hjelmgren Henrik , Nilsson Anna , Andersson‐Papadogiannakis Nina , Ritzmo Carina , Ygge Britt‐Marie , Nordlund Björn
Published: August 2018

Aim

Blood analyses containing preanalytical errors (PAEs) are hazardous for patients. This study investigated the frequency of PAEs in blood analysis and the corresponding quality indicators of the sampling process in Swedish paediatric tertiary care.

Methods

Data were retrieved from the laboratory at Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital between 2013 and 2014. Preanalytical blood sampling performance was analysed according to the Six Sigma scale, ranging from 0 to 6 (933 137–3.4 defects per million [DPM]).

Results

Of the 1 148 716 analyses, 61 656 (5.4%) were rejected due to PAEs. The PAEs ranged between hospital specialities from 1.9 to 9.4% (p < 0.001) and work shift times, from 6.0% in the day to 5.7% in the evening and 4.3% at night (p values <0.001). Clotting was the most prominent error (51.3%), affecting mostly haematology and coagulation analyses. Incorrectly filled samples represented almost 25% of all PAEs, with effects on chemistry, haematology and coagulation analyses. The sigma score for the overall preanalytical phase (3.2) corresponded to 44 565 DPM.

Conclusion

Samples with PAEs were frequently clotted and insufficiently filled, and the distribution of errors varied within working shifts and specific analyses. The overall quality control in paediatric blood sampling was barely acceptable.
HINT: a novel prognostic model for patients with hepatitis B virus‐related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure
Authors: Wu Daxian , Sun Zeyu , Liu Xiaoli , Rao Qunfang , Chen Wenqian , Wang Jie , Xie Zhongyang , Zhang Sainan , Jiang Zhengyi , Chen Er'mei , Huang Kaizhou , Hu Chenxia , Zhang Xiaoqian , Wu Jie , Zhang Yimin , Gao Hainv , Li Lanjuan
Published: August 2018

Background

HBV‐related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (HBV‐ACLF) deteriorates rapidly in the short term, which necessitates accurate initial clinical decision making.

Aims

To develop a novel prognostic score for patients with HBV‐ACLF and clarify the role of thyroid hormones in HBV‐ACLF.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of 635 HBV‐ACLF patients was enrolled to develop and validate a novel prognostic score for HBV‐ACLF. Additionally, a cross‐sectional cohort (n = 199) and a prospective longitudinal HBV‐ACLF cohort (n = 56) were recruited to clarify the association between thyroid hormone status and the 30‐day mortality of HBV‐ACLF.

Results

HINT, a novel prognostic score based on hepatic encephalopathy, INR, neutrophil count, and thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) using the deriving cohort (n = 426), was significantly higher in non‐survivors than survivors (1.17 ± 2.38 vs −1.87 ± 1.26, P < 0.0001). The AUROC of HINT for 30‐day mortality was 0.889, which was significantly higher than that of the Child‐Pugh, MELD, CLIF‐SOFA, CLIF‐C ACLF, and COSSH‐ACLF scores (all P < 0.05). These results were confirmed in the validation cohort (n = 209), except that the AUROC of HINT was comparable to that of COSSH‐ACLF (P = 0.357). Among thyroid hormones, only the TSH level on admission was significantly lower in non‐survivors than in survivors (P = 0.01). During the 14‐day longitudinal observation, TSH levels increased significantly in the improvement group (P < 0.001) but did not change in the deterioration or fluctuation groups, and gradually increased in survivors (P < 0.001) but not in non‐survivors.

Conclusions

HINT, as a prognostic score for HBV‐ACLF, is simpler than and superior to the Child‐Pugh, MELD, CLIF‐SOFA, and CLIF‐C ACLF scores and at least comparable with the COSSH‐ACLF score. Sequential TSH measurements may facilitate prediction of the clinical course of ACLF.
What happens to an individual visual working memory representation when it is interrupted?
Authors: Bae Gi‐Yeul , Luck Steven J.
Published: August 2018

This study tested the hypothesis that even the simplest cognitive tasks require the storage of information in working memory (WM), distorting any information that was previously stored in WM. Experiment 1 tested this hypothesis by requiring observers to perform a simple letter discrimination task while they were holding a single orientation in WM. We predicted that performing the task on the interposed letter stimulus would cause the orientation memory to become less precise and more categorical compared to when the letter was absent or when it was present but could be ignored. This prediction was confirmed. Experiment 2 tested the modality specificity of this effect by replacing the visual letter discrimination task with an auditory pitch discrimination task. Unlike the interposed visual stimulus, the interposed auditory stimulus produced little or no disruption of WM, consistent with the use of modality‐specific representations. Thus, performing a simple visual discrimination task, but not a simple auditory discrimination task, distorts information about a single feature being maintained in visual WM. We suggest that the interposed task eliminates information stored within the focus of attention, leaving behind a WM representation outside the focus of attention that is relatively imprecise and categorical.
Reevaluating sighting models and moving beyond them to test and contextualize the extinction of the thylacine
Authors: Carlson Colin J. , Bond Alexander L. , Burgio Kevin R.
Published: August 2018

Article impact statement: All available models suggest the thylacine remains extinct until rediscovered; hope remains for other species.
The role of temperature in competition and persistence of an invaded ant assemblage
Authors: Roeder Karl A. , Roeder Diane V. , Kaspari Michael
Published: August 2018

1. To achieve numerical dominance, an ectotherm consumer requires a sizeable abiotic window in which it can forage. Here we explore how one abiotic factor, temperature, provides opportunity and regulates the impact of the invasive red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, on an urban ant assemblage.

2. We first quantified S. invicta's ability to outcompete native species by contrasting its foraging biomass to that of its potential competitors. In doing so, we found that S. invicta deployed more ant biomass at baits than the estimated whole colony biomass of three of the four co‐occurring native species. It did so across c. 75% of the hours in a summer day, those hours below its thermal maximum of 49 °C. Higher thermal maxima allowed two native species to avoid encountering workers of S. invicta.

3. Exclosure experiments revealed that a third species, Dorymyrmex flavus, more similar in body size and thermal tolerance to S. invicta, was competitively suppressed by the invasive. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis suggests that D. flavus' persistence is likely due to dietary differences.

4. Although thermal and dietary traits help predict how species coexist in this invaded assemblage, one key to S. invicta's success is likely to be its ability to forage in all but 6 h of a summer's day.
Range limits in sympatric cryptic species: a case study in Tetramorium pavement ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) across a biogeographical boundary
Authors: Cordonnier Marion , Bellec Arnaud , Dumet Adeline , Escarguel Gilles , Kaufmann Bernard
Published: August 2018

In the context of climate changes, factors that determine the distribution patterns of European species of the ubiquitous ant genus Tetramorium were investigated.

The study took place along a steep North‐South climatic gradient across the boundary between the European Continental and Mediterranean biogeographical regions spanning 460 km along the Rhône valley, France.

Ants from 1690 Tetramorium colonies were collected in 19 sampling zones. Species were identified using an integrative approach based on a two‐step process combining nuclear DNA (14 microsatellite markers), morphological examination and mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I sequencing. The impact of climate on species distribution patterns was tested using bioclimatic variables.

Species discrimination was successful, despite a complex situation with cryptic species, inter‐specific hybridisation and uneven sampling across species. Our results showed a strong effect of latitude, temperature and rainfall on the distribution of three of four species. Tetramorium semilaeve was found only south of the boundary, in warmer and dryer sites; Tetramorium caespitum extended north and 70 km south of the boundary and favoured colder sites with strong seasonal variation. Tetramorium immigrans was absent from the northernmost sampling zones and favoured warmer and wetter sites. Tetramorium moravicum was mostly found close to the boundary, but without significant climatic preferences.

The fundamental role of climate as a factor limiting the ranges of these species at a major biogeographical boundary is confirmed. Monitoring range limits of these strongly climate‐dependant species may offer exciting insights on the impact of climate changes on species distributions.
Local ordering and interfacial structure between spinel crystal and aluminosilicate glasses from molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Sun Wei , Du Jincheng
Published: August 2018

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to investigate the interfaces of soda magnesia aluminosilicate glass and MgAl2O4 spinel crystals. The glass structures were first generated and characterized. It was found that the glass‐forming network consists of fourfold coordinated [SiO4] and [AlO4] tetrahedra connected through corner sharing with Na+ and Ca2+ acting as modifiers or charge compensators. The glass and crystal interfaces were then constructed on low energy spinel surfaces with special measures to ensure two natural interfaces. The interfacial structures were characterized by z‐density profile, pair distribution function and coordination number analysis. The results show that there exist local ordering on the glass side and preferential adsorption of specific cation near the interface. Cation coordination analyses showed that aluminum ions changed from mainly fourfold coordination in the glass to five and sixfold coordination near the interface suggesting a gradual change in structural role of aluminum from the glass to the crystal. The ordering and segregation of cations, as well as change in aluminum coordination, at the glass/crystal interface strongly suggest that the ordered crystal structure influence the atom distribution and local structure of the adjacent glasses and this ordering can be the initial stage of nucleation or crystal growth.
Medical needs and major complaints related to pruritus in Germany: a 4‐year retrospective analysis using Google AdWords Keyword Planner
Authors: Zink A. , Schuster B. , Rüth M. , Pereira M.P. , Philipp‐Dormston W.G. , Biedermann T. , Ständer S.
Published: August 2018

Background

It is difficult to estimate the prevalence of acute and chronic pruritus in the population at large due to a lack of affected persons seeking medical assistance.

Objective

To discover the incidence of pruritus in Germany and determine what the most common related complaints are via an analysis of Google's search volume.

Methods

From June 2013 to April 2017, the Google AdWords Keyword Planner was utilized to select and critically assess relevant keywords for ‘pruritus’.

Results

Among a total of 13 691 470 German language Google searches on the topic of pruritus, it was found that the most searched for terms included atopic eczema (24.3%) and the layman's term for psoriasis (‘Schuppenflechte’; 17.8%), as well as just psoriasis (13.4%). ‘Juckreiz’, the German word for pruritus, was determined to be only the sixth most searched for term (2.9%). Anal pruritus and pruritus of the entire body comprised the most searched for localizations. The various factors that impact pruritus, particularly skin conditions and disorders, were established to be among the most searched for terms (72.6%). A decreased monthly search volume was associated with the changing seasons; the summertime had the lowest number of searches for pruritus.

Conclusion

The Google search engine analysis provided insight for this study into the unexpectedly large number of unmet medical needs of those suffering from pruritus within Germany, especially that of specific localizations on the body.
Effect of supplemental simethicone for bowel preparation on adenoma detection during colonoscopy: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Pan Peng , Zhao Sheng‐Bing , Li Bing‐Han , Meng Qian‐Qian , Yao Jun , Wang Dong , Li Zhao‐Shen , Bai Yu
Published: August 2018

Background and Aim

Although several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have reported that supplemental simethicone (SIM) can improve bowel preparation based on polyethylene glycol, there is no consensus as to whether SIM can ultimately increase the adenoma detection rate (ADR) during colonoscopy. A meta‐analysis was performed to assess the effect of SIM on ADR during colonoscopy.

Methods

Databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched to find relevant RCTs. RCTs evaluating the effect of pre‐procedure SIM on the ADR during colonoscopy were finally included, and fixed effect models were applied.

Results

Six trials involving 1855 patients were finally included. The present meta‐analysis suggested that the ADR during colonoscopy was significantly increased by supplemental SIM (27.9% vs 23.3%, P = 0.02), with a relative risk of 1.20 (95% confidence interval 1.03–1.39). Subgroup analysis suggested that supplemental SIM may be more useful to improve ADR during colonoscopy in endoscopic centers with low baseline ADR.

Conclusions

Supplemental SIM for bowel preparation based on polyethylene glycol is useful to improve the ADR during colonoscopy.
Open Science Badges in the Journal of Neurochemistry
Authors: Schweitzer Barbara , Schulz Jörg B.
Published: August 2018

The Open Science Framework (OSF) has the mission to increase openness, integrity, and reproducibility in research. The Journal of Neurochemistry became a signatory of their Transparency and Openness guidelines in 2016, which provides eight modular standards (Citation standards, Data Transparency, Analytic Methods/Code Transparency, Research Materials Transparency, Design and Analysis Transparency, Study Pre‐registration, Analysis Plan Transparency, Replication) with increasing levels of stringency. Furthermore, OSF recommends and offers a collection of practices intended to make scientific processes and results more transparent and available in a standardized way for reuse to people outside the research team. It includes making research materials, data, and laboratory procedures freely accessible online to anyone. This editorial announces the decision of the Journal of Neurochemistry to introduce Open Science Badges, maintained by the Open Science Badges Committee and by the Center for Open Science (COS). The Open Science Badges, visual icons placed on publications, certify that an open practice was followed and signal to readers that an author has shared the corresponding research evidence, thus, allowing an independent researcher to understand how to reproduce the procedure.

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The 2016 Singapore Zika virus outbreak did not cause a surge in Guillain‐Barré syndrome
Authors: Umapathi Thirugnanam , Kam Yiu‐Wing , Ohnmar O. , Ng Brandon C. J. , Ng Yixiang , Premikha M. , Leo Yee‐Sin , Ng Lisa F. P.
Published: August 2018

Although individuals with Zika virus (ZIKV) antibodies were reported in Malaya in mid‐1950s, entomological and human surveillance in Singapore did not identify autochthonous transmission until the outbreak of August‐November, 2016. A total of 455 cases from 15 separate clusters were identified. We asked if this ZIKV outbreak increased the incidence of Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) and aimed to characterize these cases. Eleven GBS cases, consecutively enrolled into our prospective GBS database from onset to 4 weeks after outbreak, and six controls, comprising three GBS patients enrolled before outbreak and three non‐GBS patients, were examined for evidence of recent ZIKV infection. We performed serum, urine ZIKV RT‐PCR, ZIKV serology, and virus neutralization assays, accounting for cross‐reaction and co‐infection with dengue (DENV). We found five GBS cases with only serological evidence of recent ZIKV infection (including one ZIKV‐DENV co‐infection). A temporal relationship with ZIKV outbreak was unlikely as two cases were GBS controls enrolled 3 months before outbreak. None reported symptoms of ZIKV infection. In addition, compared to last 10 years the national number of GBS hospitalizations did not increase during and immediately after outbreak. We conclude the 2016 Singapore ZIKV outbreak did not cause a change in GBS epidemiology.
On the role of the exclusionary rule for optimal law enforcement effort
Authors: Friehe Tim , Miceli Thomas J.
Published: August 2018

This article explores the role of the exclusionary rule for improving the level of law enforcement. In a setup in which the enforcement authority and the offender choose effort levels in a struggle to influence the probability of detection, exclusion of excessive evidence can be welfare‐improving because it allows the social planner to commit to low enforcement effort.
Political contestability and public contracting
Authors: Moszoro Marian W. , Spiller Pablo T.
Published: August 2018

Do public agents undertake socially inefficient activities to protect themselves? In politically contestable markets, part of the lack of flexibility in the design and implementation of the public procurement process reflects public agents' risk adaptations to limit the political hazards from opportunistic third parties—political opponents, competitors, and interest groups. Reduced flexibility limits the likelihood of opportunistic challenges, while externalizing the associated adaptation costs to the public at large. We study this matter and provide a comprehensive theoretical framework with empirically testable predictions.
Optimal nonlinear taxation of income and savings without commitment
Authors: Brett Craig , Weymark John A.
Published: August 2018

When a government is unable to commit to its future tax policies, information about taxpayers' characteristics revealed by their behavior may be used to extract more taxes from them in the future. We examine the implications of this ratchet effect for the design of redistributive income and savings tax policies in a two‐period model with two types of individuals who only differ in their skill levels. When commitment is not possible, it may be optimal to separate, pool, or partially pool different types in period one. The nature of the distortions to labor supplies and savings are investigated for each of these three regimes. The identification of the optimal regime is investigated numerically.