bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scale‐dependent complementarity of climatic velocity and environmental diversity for identifying priority areas for conservation under climate change
Authors: Carroll Carlos , Roberts David R. , Michalak Julia L. , Lawler Joshua J. , Nielsen Scott E. , Stralberg Diana , Hamann Andreas , Mcrae Brad H. , Wang Tongli
Published: March 2017

As most regions of the earth transition to altered climatic conditions, new methods are needed to identify refugia and other areas whose conservation would facilitate persistence of biodiversity under climate change. We compared several common approaches to conservation planning focused on climate resilience over a broad range of ecological settings across North America and evaluated how commonalities in the priority areas identified by different methods varied with regional context and spatial scale. Our results indicate that priority areas based on different environmental diversity metrics differed substantially from each other and from priorities based on spatiotemporal metrics such as climatic velocity. Refugia identified by diversity or velocity metrics were not strongly associated with the current protected area system, suggesting the need for additional conservation measures including protection of refugia. Despite the inherent uncertainties in predicting future climate, we found that variation among climatic velocities derived from different general circulation models and emissions pathways was less than the variation among the suite of environmental diversity metrics. To address uncertainty created by this variation, planners can combine priorities identified by alternative metrics at a single resolution and downweight areas of high variation between metrics. Alternately, coarse‐resolution velocity metrics can be combined with fine‐resolution diversity metrics in order to leverage the respective strengths of the two groups of metrics as tools for identification of potential macro‐ and microrefugia that in combination maximize both transient and long‐term resilience to climate change. Planners should compare and integrate approaches that span a range of model complexity and spatial scale to match the range of ecological and physical processes influencing persistence of biodiversity and identify a conservation network resilient to threats operating at multiple scales.
Changes in nutritive value and herbage yield during extended growth intervals in grass–legume mixtures: effects of species, maturity at harvest, and relationships between productivity and components of feed quality
Authors: Elgersma A. , Søegaard K.
Published: March 2017

There is a lack of information on the effects of companion species in grass–legume mixtures on herbage yield and quality changes during prolonged growth. Such information is relevant for harvest planning and estimation of consequences for feeding value of conserved feed when harvesting is delayed. Perennial ryegrass was sown with each of four legumes: red clover, white clover, lucerne and birdsfoot trefoil, and white clover was sown with hybrid ryegrass, meadow fescue and timothy. Effects of species composition on herbage yield, contents of N, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and lignin, ash and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) were studied in entire herbage and in component species during 2 years in a small‐plot cutting trial in Denmark. In May and August, the dynamic development of components of feed value and their interrelationships were investigated by sampling at optimum harvest date (i.e., normal practice) ± 1 week (t = −1 to t = +1). Herbage digestibility and contents of N and ash decreased while those of fibre compounds increased during the 2 weeks from t = −1 to t = 1 in all species. In May, contents of ADF and lignin increased at a faster rate in legumes than in grasses; in August, NDF and ADF increased most quickly in legumes. Generally, N contents and IVOMD declined at similar rates in grasses and legumes, but, within each group, differences in yield and quality development occurred among species. The relationship between weekly growth rate and change in quality parameters differed among species and functional groups, i.e., grasses and legumes. Results are discussed in the context of quantifying the impact of delaying the harvest date of grass–legume mixtures and relationships between productivity and components of feed quality.
NACHLASSBEWUSSTSEIN IN DER GEGENWARTSLITERATUR: NOTIZEN ZU EINER ARCHIVEXPEDITION IM VORLASS VON DURS GRÜNBEIN*
Authors: Vecchiato Daniele
Published: March 2017

The present contribution offers a first philological description of Durs Grünbein's ‘Vorlass’ at the German Literature Archive in Marbach, and examines in particular the palimpsest‐like modus operandi of the poet, which aims at documenting every step in the genesis of his texts. Moving from the analysis of different papers from the time before and after Grünbein's literary consecration, the article poses the question of the author's consciousness about his future literary estate (‘Nachlassbewusstsein’). Special attention is thereby given to the self‐archiving strategies he deploys as well as to the interpretational hints he seems to disseminate in his documents for later philology. Furthermore, the fact that as yet unpublished texts can be found in the ‘Vorlässe’ of contemporary writers encourages philologists to conceive of the literary estate more widely as a place where not only the past and posthumous, but also the current and anthumous dwell.

Der vorliegende Beitrag bietet eine erste philologische Beschreibung des Vorlasses von Durs Grünbein im Deutschen Literaturarchiv Marbach und analysiert insbesondere die ‘palimpsestartige’ Arbeitsweise des Dichters, die auf die Dokumentation jeder einzelnen Stufe der Textentstehung gerichtet ist. Am Beispiel verschiedener Archivalien aus den Jahren vor und nach Grünbeins literarischer Konsekration wird der Frage nachgegangen, inwiefern von einem ‘Nachlassbewusstsein’ des Autors die Rede sein kann. Dabei werden Strategien der Selbstarchivierung und der Interpretationssteuerung durch Archivalien präsentiert. Zum Schluss wird über die Tatsache reflektiert, dass immer häufiger Werke von Gegenwartsautoren bereits vor ihrer Veröffentlichung in Archiven eintreffen. Dies erfordert eine Erweiterung des Nachlass‐Begriffs, der nicht nur als Ort des Vergangenen und Posthumen, sondern auch als einer des Aktuellen und Anthumen verstanden werden soll.
Lack of appropriate investigations in making a diagnosis of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
Authors: Barnes Alex , Li Jordan Y. Z. , Gleadle Jonathan M.
Published: March 2017

The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) is reported as the most common cause of hyponatraemia. This retrospective cross‐sectional study evaluated the diagnosis of SIADH in 110 hospitalised patients in an Australian tertiary hospital with reference to recently published clinical guidelines. Investigation of SIADH was incomplete in all but 20% of cases. Adrenal insufficiency and hypothyroidism were not excluded in a significant number of cases.
Interim therapeutic restoration approach versus treatment under general anaesthesia approach
Authors: Lim Songping Nicholas , Kiang Leroy , Manohara Ranjan , Tong Huei Jinn , Nair Rahul , Hong Catherine , Hu Shijia
Published: March 2017

Background

Although dental treatment under general anaesthesia (GA) remains the long‐established approach for treating anxious children, treatment under GA presents with increased risks, costs and parental acceptability issues. Interim therapeutic restoration (ITR) has been proposed as an alternative approach.

Aim

To compare the incidence and types of failures between children managed with the ITR approach and those managed under GA within 12 months of treatment completion.

Design

A retrospective cohort study of children who received dental treatment utilizing the ITR approach was compared to children treated under GA. Age, gender and dental disease matching was done. Statistical analyses were carried out with Independent t‐test and chi‐square analyses.

Results

A total of 132 children (GA = 66, ITR = 66) were included, and the groups did not differ in terms of initial age, sex, dmft and initial behaviour score. ITR group had a significantly higher rate (P < 0.001; 95% CI: [0.21 to 0.97]) of restorative failure and visits required when compared to the GA group. There were no difference for incidence of pain (P = 0.55; 95% CI: [−0.074 to 0.10]) and behaviour scores (P = 0.46) between the two groups at the 12‐month visit.

Conclusions

ITR approach may be a viable alternative to the GA approach when treating paediatric dental patients.
Synthesis and characterization of iodosodalite
Authors: Chong Saehwa , Peterson Jacob , Nam Junghune , Riley Brian , McCloy John
Published: March 2017

The effects of six process variables were investigated on the hydrothermal growth of iodosodalite, Na8Al6Si6O24I2: pH (NaOH concentration), aging time, temperature, Al/Si ratio, precursors used (i.e., zeolite 4A, kaolinite, meta‐kaolin, colloidal silica, and sodium aluminate), and precursor concentration. Powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinements, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed to characterize the structures, phase fractions, chemical state, and surface morphology of the synthesized products. Iodosodalite yield increased as aging time and pH increased. The crystallization of iodosodalite was favored in the temperature range 140°C‐180°C. Decreasing the Al/Si ratio by half increased the crystallization of basic cancrinite. Lowering the precursor concentration by adding water revealed the crystallization of nepheline hydrate I and a decrease in the sodalite fraction. Among the tested precursors, zeolite 4A yielded the highest mass fraction of iodosodalite in the synthesized powders. From the aging time and temperature variation experiments, the phase transformation of zeolite A→sodalite→cancrinite was observed. XPS and FTIR results showed the presence of only iodide but not iodate in the synthesized product. The crystallization of various minerals suggests that mechanisms for transport of the ions and formation of the aluminosilicate frameworks vary with hydrothermal conditions.
Dietary epigallocatechin 3‐gallate supplement improves maternal and neonatal treatment outcome of gestational diabetes mellitus: a double‐blind randomised controlled trial
Authors: Zhang H. , Su S. , Yu X. , Li Y.
Published: March 2017

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an increasing prevalent health risk in pregnant women. Epigallocatechin 3‐gallate (EGCG) is known to benefit the insulin secretory machinery. We aimed to investigate the effect of daily dietary EGCG supplementation on both the maternal and neonatal treatment outcomes in GDM‐affected pregnancies.

Methods

In total, 472 pregnant women during their third trimester of pregnancy were diagnosed with GDM and subsequently enrolled into this trial. After exclusion, 404 patients were randomly assigned into EGCG and placebo study groups and subsequently administered either 500 mg of EGCG or placebo, respectively, on a daily basis until full term. The daily nutritional intake of all patients was monitored throughout the study. Maternal diabetic parameters at baseline and full term, including metabolism of glucose and insulin, as well as neonatal symptoms at birth, including birth weight, macrosomia, hypoglycaemia, respiratory distress and Apgar scores, were analysed.

Results

In total, 176 and 150 patients from the EGCG and placebo study groups, respectively, completed the trial. Patients from the EGCG group displayed significantly improved maternal diabetic parameters, and fewer cases of neonatal complications, compared to the placebo group.

Conclusions

Daily dietary EGCG supplement improves both maternal and neonatal treatment outcomes of GDM.
Shearing interference microscope for step‐height measurements
Authors: TRỊNH HƯNG‐XUÂN , LIN SHYH‐TSONG , CHEN LIANG‐CHIA , YEH SHENG‐LIH , CHEN CHIN‐SHENG , HOANG HONG‐HAI
Published: March 2017

A shearing interference microscope using a Savart prism as the shear plate is proposed for inspecting step‐heights. Where the light beam propagates through the Savart prism and microscopic system to illuminate the sample, it then turns back to re‐pass through the Savart prism and microscopic system to generate a shearing interference pattern on the camera. Two measurement modes, phase‐shifting and phase‐scanning, can be utilized to determine the depths of the step‐heights on the sample. The first mode, which employs a narrowband source, is based on the five‐step phase‐shifting algorithm and has a measurement range of a quarter‐wavelength. The second mode, which adopts a broadband source, is based on peak‐intensity identification technology and has a measurement range up to a few micrometres. This paper is to introduce the configuration and measurement theory of this microscope, perform a setup used to implement it, and present the experimental results from the uses of the setup. The results not only verify the validity but also confirm the high measurement repeatability of the proposed microscope.
A 3D imaging and visualization workflow, using confocal microscopy and advanced image processing for brachyuran crab larvae
Authors: KAMANLI S.A. , KIHARA T.C. , BALL A.D. , MORRITT D. , CLARK P.F.
Published: March 2017

Confocal laser scanning microscopy is an excellent tool for nondestructive imaging of arthropods and can provide detailed information on morphology including fine surface detail. A methodology is presented here for the visualization by confocal microscopy of arthropods, using brachyuran crab zoeal stages as examples and postprocessing techniques derived from micro‐CT protocols to improve the final images. This protocol is divided into description of the preprocessing steps (cleaning, staining, digesting and mounting), confocal laser scanning microscopy and data visualization using open‐source, freeware programs ImageJ and Drishti. The advantages of using ImageJ to standardize stack data and Drishti for surface rendering are discussed. The methodology has been comprehensively tested using data acquired from all four brands of confocal microscope (Leica, Nikon, Olympus and Zeiss).
Hepcidin attenuates amyloid beta‐induced inflammatory and pro‐oxidant responses in astrocytes and microglia
Authors: Urrutia Pamela J. , Hirsch Etienne C. , González‐Billault Christian , Núñez Marco T.
Published: March 2017

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by extracellular senile plaques, intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, and neuronal death. Aggregated amyloid‐β (Aβ) induces inflammation and oxidative stress, which have pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of AD. Hepcidin is a key regulator of systemic iron homeostasis. Recently, an anti‐inflammatory response to hepcidin was reported in macrophages. Under the hypothesis that hepcidin mediates anti‐inflammatory response in the brain, in this study, we evaluated the putative anti‐inflammatory role of hepcidin on Aβ‐activated astrocytes and microglia. Primary culture of astrocytes and microglia were treated with Aβ, with or without hepcidin, and cytokine levels were then evaluated. In addition, the toxicity of Aβ‐treated astrocyte‐ or microglia‐conditioned media was tested on neurons, evaluating cellular death and oxidative stress generation. Finally, mice were injected in the right lateral ventricle with Aβ, with or without hepcidin, and hippocampus glial activation and oxidative stress were evaluated. Pre‐treatment with hepcidin reduced the expression and secretion of TNF‐α and IL‐6 in astrocytes and microglia treated with Aβ. Hepcidin also reduced neurotoxicity and oxidative damage triggered by conditioned media obtained from astrocytes and microglia treated with Aβ. Stereotaxic intracerebral injection of hepcidin reduced glial activation and oxidative damage triggered by Aβ injection in mice. Overall, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that in astrocytes and microglia hepcidin down‐regulates the inflammatory and pro‐oxidant processes induced by Aβ, thus protecting neighboring neurons. This is a newly described property of hepcidin in the central nervous system, which may be relevant for the development of strategies to prevent the neurodegenerative process associated with AD.

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Serotonergic transmission at Merkel discs: modulation by exogenously applied chemical messengers and involvement of Ih currents
Authors: Chang Weipang , Kanda Hirosato , Ikeda Ryo , Ling Jennifer , Gu Jianguo G.
Published: March 2017

The Merkel disc is a main type of tactile end organ consisting of Merkel cells and Aβ‐afferent endings that responds to tactile stimulation with slowly adapting type 1 (SA1) afferent impulses. Our recent study has shown that Merkel discs in whisker hair follicles are serotonergic synapses using endogenous serotonin to transmit tactile signals from Merkel cells to Aβ‐afferent endings. In this study, we hypothesize that tactile sensitivity of Merkel discs can be modulated by chemical messengers. We tested this hypothesis by determining whether and how SA1 responses of mouse whisker hair follicles may be affected by exogenously applied chemical messengers. We found that SA1 responses were potentiated by serotonin at low concentration (10 μM) but almost completely occluded by serotonin at high concentration (2 mM). In contrast, SA1 responses were not significantly affected by ATP and its metabolically stable analog α,β‐methylene‐ATP, glutamate, γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), and histamine. SA1 responses were also not affected by antagonists for P2X receptors, ionotropic glutamate receptors, and ionotropic GABA and glycine receptors. Whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings reconfirm the presence of both ionotropic and metabotropic 5‐HT receptors on afferent neurons and their terminals innervating whisker hair follicles. All whisker afferent neurons expressed hyperpolarization‐activated inward currents (Ih), which are potentiated by serotonin through the activation of metabotropic 5‐HT receptors. Taken together, the findings substantiate the serotonergic mechanism of tactile transmission at Merkel discs and identify the involvement of Ih currents in postsynaptic excitatory actions of serotonin. In addition, the findings do not favor any significant involvement of ATP, glutamate, histamine, GABA, or glycine in tactile transmission at the Merkel discs of whisker hair follicles.

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Astragaloside II sensitizes human hepatocellular carcinoma cells to 5-fluorouracil via suppression of autophagy
Authors: Wang Meng , Huang Can , Su Yong , Yang Cui , Xia Quan , Xu Du-juan
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Inhibition of autophagy has been increasingly recognized as a potential therapeutic approach against cancer. Our previous reports showed that Astragaloside II improves hepatic cancer cells resistance by downregulating MDR1 and P-gp .The purpose of this study was to further investigated the effect of autophagy on AS-II reversing multidrug resistance and its molecular mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro.

Methods

Bel-7402 and Bel-7402/FU cell lines were used in this study. Western blot was used to detect the expression of autophagy-related protein, p-mTOR and p-p79s6k, MTT was used to analyse cell viability, GFP-LC3 punctate dots distribution was observed by GFP-LC3 transient transfection under fluorescence microscopy and silencing of autophagy-related genes was detected by small interfering RNA transfection.

Key findings

Astragaloside II was able to significantly decrease the expression of LC3-II and Beclin-1 in a dose-dependent manner, Astragaloside II (80 μm) further decreased LC3-II formation, Beclin-1 and GFP-LC3 puncta dots stimulated with 5-fluorouracil (0.2 mm) in Bel-7402/FU cells (P < 0.05). In addition, Astragaloside II is capable of sensitizing cells to 5-fluorouracil-induced cell death via inhibition of pro-survival autophagy involvement of MAPK-mTOR pathway.

Conclusions

These findings suggested that Astragaloside II could suppress autophagy by interfering with Beclin-1 and LC3 via MAPK-mTOR pathway, through which sensitized human cancer resistant cells to 5-FU-induced cell death.
Impact of diet on faecal output and caecotroph consumption in rabbits
Authors: Meredith A. L. , Prebble J. L.
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To assess the impact of four rabbit diets (hay only, extruded diet with hay, muesli with hay and muesli only) on faecal pellet size, faecal output and caecotrophy.

Materials and Methods

Thirty‐two Dutch rabbits were studied over 17 months. Faecal pellet size and weight were measured in weeks 3, 9, 21 and 43 and faecal output in weeks 10, 22 and 45. Number of uneaten caecotrophs was recorded weekly.

Results

Faecal pellets were consistently smaller and lighter in rabbits fed muesli only, and the size of pellets produced by those fed muesli with hay decreased over the course of the study. Faecal output was greatest in rabbits with the highest hay intake. Uneaten caecotrophs were found in greatest frequency in rabbits fed muesli.

Clinical Significance

Muesli diets have a negative effect on faecal output and caecotroph ingestion and may therefore predispose to digestive disorders. Higher hay intake is associated with greater faecal output and fewer uneaten caecotrophs and may assist in preventing the gastrointestinal stasis.
A Journey to the Musée du quai Branly: The Anthropology of a Visit
Authors: Debary Octave , Roustan Mélanie
Published: March 2017

This article is an ethnographic account of visitors’ reception of the Musée du quai Branly in Paris, France. The museum, opened in 2006 as part of a renewal of French ethnographic museums, presents works from Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania that were collected in colonial contexts. Based on interviews and observations of museum staff and visitors, we describe the scenography as an invitation to a journey that leads visitors to feel a sense of disorientation. The visit raises important questions about art and material culture, which we explore in the second part about the nature of the objects. The museum proposes no answers nor provides any historical contextualization, with the effect being that the “others” have vanished. Their objects are conserved in a place where visitors simultaneously encounter “others” and their disappearance. In the museum's silence, its method of display constructs the way visitors establish the connection between the exhibition and French colonialism.
Insiders Curating Outsider Art
Authors: Risser Rita Elizabeth
Published: March 2017

I use the case of outsider art to explore the broad ethical question of benefitting from the vulnerability of others, as well as to clarify the more narrow concerns for curators and museum professionals regarding the ethical reception of morally fraught artworks. Outsider artists are socially marginal, and often vulnerable, individuals. It may seem that curators who collect and display outsider art, as well as audiences who appreciate it, take advantage of this vulnerability. I consider three standard responses to this concern: the requirement of consent for the collection and display of outsider art, curators’ duties to rescue outsider artists from unfortunate circumstances, and the intent to foster dignity for outsider artists. While consent is a standard requirement for the ethical treatment of artists and their artworks, I find that it is not sufficient. As this discussion of outsider art will show, the use of consent must be guided by an intent to foster dignity for the artist.
Combining ability and testcross performance of drought‐tolerant maize inbred lines under stress and non‐stress environments in Kenya
Authors: Ertiro Berhanu T. , Beyene Yoseph , Das Biswanath , Mugo Stephen , Olsen Michael , Oikeh Sylvester , Juma Collins , Labuschagne Maryke , Prasanna Boddupalli M.
Published: March 2017

Drought and poor soil fertility are among the major abiotic stresses affecting maize productivity in sub‐Saharan Africa. Maize breeding efforts at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) have focused on incorporating drought stress tolerance and nitrogen‐use efficiency (NUE) into tropical maize germplasm. The objectives of this study were to estimate the general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) of selected maize inbred lines under drought stress (DS), low‐nitrogen (LN) and optimum moisture and nitrogen (optimum) conditions, and to assess the yield potential and stability of experimental hybrids under these management conditions. Forty‐nine experimental three‐way cross hybrids, generated from a 7 × 7 line by tester crosses, and six commercial checks were evaluated across 11 optimum, DS and LN sites in Kenya in 2014 using an alpha lattice design with two replicates per entry at each site. DS reduced both grain yield (GY) and plant height (PH), while anthesis–silking interval (ASI) increased under both DS and LN. Hybrids ‘L4/T2’ and ‘L4/T1’ were found to be superior and stable, while inbreds ‘L4’ and ‘L6’ were good combiners for GY and other secondary traits across sites. Additive variance played a greater role for most traits under the three management conditions, suggesting that further progress in the improvement of these traits should be possible. GY under optimum conditions was positively correlated with GY under both DS and LN conditions, but GY under DS and LN was not correlated. Our results suggest the feasibility for simultaneous improvement in grain yield performance of genotypes under optimum, DS and LN conditions.
Why Hope is not a Moral Virtue: Aquinas's Insight
Authors: Bobier Christopher A.
Published: March 2017

There is a growing consensus among philosophers that hope is a moral virtue: the virtuously hopeful person experiences the right amount of hope for the right things. This moralization of hope presents us with a puzzle. The historical consensus is that hope is a passion and hope is a theological virtue, not a moral virtue. Thomas Aquinas, the philosopher who wrote most extensively on hope, offers an explanation for why hope is not a moral virtue. The aim of this paper is argue that Aquinas is right in thinking that hope is not a moral virtue.1
Validity of the SMS, Phone, and medical staff Examination sports injury surveillance system for time‐loss and medical attention injuries in sports
Authors: Møller M. , Wedderkopp N. , Myklebust G. , Lind M. , Sørensen H. , Hebert J. J. , Emery C. A. , Attermann J.
Published: March 2017

The accurate measurement of sport exposure time and injury occurrence is key to effective injury prevention and management. Current measures are limited by their inability to identify all types of sport‐related injury, narrow scope of injury information, or lack the perspective of the injured athlete. The aims of the study were to evaluate the proportion of injuries and the agreement between sport exposures reported by the SMS messaging and follow‐up telephone part of the SMS, Phone, and medical staff Examination (SPEx) sports injury surveillance system when compared to measures obtained by trained on‐field observers and medical staff (comparison method). We followed 24 elite adolescent handball players over 12 consecutive weeks. Eighty‐six injury registrations were obtained by the SPEx and comparison methods. Of them, 35 injury registrations (41%) were captured by SPEx only, 10 injury registrations (12%) by the comparison method only, and 41 injury registrations (48%) by both methods. Weekly exposure time differences (95% limits of agreement) between SPEx and the comparison method ranged from −4.2 to 6.3 hours (training) and −1.5 to 1.0 hours (match) with systematic differences being 1.1 hours (95% CI 0.7 to 1.4) and −0.2 (95% CI −0.3 to −0.2), respectively. These results support the ability of the SPEx system to measure training and match exposures and injury occurrence among young athletes. High weekly response proportions (mean 83%) indicate that SMS messaging can be used for player measures of injury consequences beyond time‐loss from sport. However, this needs to be further evaluated in large‐scale studies.
Full‐length sequences of 3 HLA‐B alleles, HLA‐B*27:04:01, B*27:07:01 and B*27:25, confirmed by cloning and sequencing
Authors: Li Z. , Zou H.‐Y.
Published: March 2017

Full‐length sequences of
HLA

‐B*27:04:01, B*27:07:01 and B*27:25, confirmed by cloning and sequencing in Chinese donors.
DCL2‐ and RDR6‐dependent transitive silencing of SMXL4 and SMXL5 in Arabidopsis dcl4 mutants causes defective phloem transport and carbohydrate over‐accumulation
Authors: Wu Yu‐Yi , Hou Bo‐Han , Lee Wen‐Chi , Lu Shin‐Hua , Yang Chen‐Jui , Vaucheret Hervé , Chen Ho‐Ming
Published: March 2017

DICER‐LIKE (DCL) enzymes process double‐stranded RNA into small RNAs that act as regulators of gene expression. Arabidopsis DCL4 and DCL2 each allow the post‐transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) of viruses and transgenes, but primary PTGS‐prone DCL4 outcompetes transitive PTGS‐prone DCL2 in wild‐type plants. This hierarchy likely prevents DCL2 having any detrimental effects on endogenous genes. Indeed, dcl4 mutants exhibit developmental defects and increased sensitivity to genotoxic stress. In this study, the mechanism underlying dcl4 defects was investigated using genetic, biochemical and high‐throughput sequencing approaches. We show that the purple phenotype of dcl4 leaves correlates with carbohydrate over‐accumulation and defective phloem transport, and depends on the activity of SUPPRESSOR OF GENE SILENCING 3, RNA‐DEPENDENT RNA POLYMERASE 6 (RDR6) and DCL2. This phenotype correlates with the downregulation of two genes expressed in the apex and the vasculature, SMAX1‐LIKE 4 (SMXL4) and SMXL5, and the accumulation of DCL2‐ and RDR6‐dependent small interfering RNAs derived from these two genes. Supporting a causal effect, smxl4 smxl5 double mutants exhibit leaf pigmentation, enhanced starch accumulation and defective phloem transport, similar to dcl4 plants. Overall, this study elucidates the detrimental action of DCL2 when DCL4 is absent, and indicates that DCL4 outcompeting DCL2 in wild‐type plants is crucial to prevent the degradation of endogenous transcripts by DCL2‐ and RDR6‐dependent transitive PTGS.
The axonal transport motor kinesin‐2 navigates microtubule obstacles via protofilament switching
Authors: Hoeprich Gregory J. , Mickolajczyk Keith J. , Nelson Shane R. , Hancock William O. , Berger Christopher L.
Published: March 2017

Axonal transport involves kinesin motors trafficking cargo along microtubules that are rich in microtubule‐associated proteins (MAPs). Much attention has focused on the behavior of kinesin‐1 in the presence of MAPs, which has overshadowed understanding the contribution of other kinesins such as kinesin‐2 in axonal transport. We have previously shown that, unlike kinesin‐1, kinesin‐2 in vitro motility is insensitive to the neuronal MAP Tau. However, the mechanism by which kinesin‐2 efficiently navigates Tau on the microtubule surface is unknown. We hypothesized that mammalian kinesin‐2 side‐steps to adjacent protofilaments to maneuver around MAPs. To test this, we used single‐molecule imaging to track the characteristic run length and protofilament switching behavior of kinesin‐1 and kinesin‐2 motors in the absence and presence of 2 different microtubule obstacles. Under all conditions tested, kinesin‐2 switched protofilaments more frequently than kinesin‐1. Using computational modeling that recapitulates run length and switching frequencies in the presence of varying roadblock densities, we conclude that kinesin‐2 switches protofilaments to navigate around microtubule obstacles. Elucidating the kinesin‐2 mechanism of navigation on the crowded microtubule surface provides a refined view of its contribution in facilitating axonal transport.
Outcomes in necrotizing soft tissue infections treated with therapeutic plasma exchange
Authors: Saifee Nabiha Huq , Evans Heather L. , Magaret Amalia S. , Hess John R. , Delaney Meghan , O'Keefe Grant E. , Pham Tam N. , Foy Hugh , Bulger Eileen , Pagano Monica B.
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Treatment of necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) includes prompt surgical debridement and antibiotics, but despite standard care, the morbidity and mortality remain high. Since therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been considered for treatment of severe sepsis, this study evaluates the efficacy of TPE for patients with NSTI.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This is a retrospective study of patients with diagnosis of NSTI who received treatment with and without TPE over an 11‐year period. The primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality.

RESULTS

Fifty‐two patients with NSTI treated with TPE (TPE group) and 125 patients with NSTI not treated with TPE (non‐TPE group) were assessed. Nineteen (36.5%) patients died in the TPE group, and 35 (28%) patients died in the non‐TPE group. Within the TPE group, there was significant improvement in white blood cell (WBC) count and sodium levels 7 days after TPE treatment, but no improvement in creatinine. Inverse probability weighting based on propensity scores was used to compare survival in the TPE and non‐TPE groups and demonstrated that TPE was associated with an increased odds of death (odds ratio, 2.8). A second analysis matched for six variables yielded 31 pairs and demonstrated no significant difference in mortality or length of stay.

CONCLUSIONS

This study describes the largest series of patients with NSTIs treated with TPE and showed no evidence of clinical benefit. Further carefully designed studies with meaningful clinical endpoints would prove useful in assessing reproducibility and determining if there is a role for TPE in other forms of severe sepsis.
An Empirical Study of Factors Influencing the Intention to Use SNS App─The Case of Facebook
Authors: Fan Yi-Wen , Tseng Juo-Tzu , Fang Yu-Hsien , Li Zheng-Yen , Su Yea-Huey
Published: March 2017

Mobile Internet is coming. The social networking site application (SNS app) has become an important portal for users accessing social networking services. Based on the point of view of existing social network users, this study integrates the technology value-based adoption model and social influence to propose a framework to investigate factors influencing the use intention of the SNS app. A sample of 223 subjects surveyed from Facebook, it was found that user’s perceived value regarding the SNS app positively affects the use intention of the social networking app. Usefulness and Technicality provided by SNS app positively affects perceived value of the app. In addition, user perceived social influence also positively affects the use intention of the social networking app. Results not only advance knowledge related to social network research, as well as provide practical advice to social networking companies. They also suggest how to attract users to continually participate in social networks. Increase activeness and stickiness is critical for social network companies to facilitate long-term development.
Moderation Effect of Exchange Rate to Signaling Theory Validity in Indonesia Stock Exchange
Authors: Mantari Jonnardi Sutan , Nuryasman Nuryasman
Published: March 2017

Asymmetric information occurs between management and stakeholders and it is especially important for investors to push the company to provide a credible signal, which will differentiate it from other companies that are not performing well. In a previous study that examined the relationship between the variables of capital structure, the company's growth and profitability of the enterprise value, it has been concluded that these three variables have a positive relationship and are credible signals related to the value of any company's future. The conclusions of many similar studies support and are consistent with the signaling theory. It is hypothesised that macroeconomic conditions in which the company operates would moderate the relationship that already exists, so that capital structure, asset growth and profitability are no longer considered by investors as a credible signal on the value of the company's future.The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the exchange rate as a moderating variable on the validity of signaling theory in the Indonesia Stock Exchange.The research was designed as a descriptive study and verification by using secondary data. The research was carried out on non-financial industry issuers listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI) covering observation period from 2009 to 2013 year. The members of the sample have been selected using stratified random sampling. Data were analyzed using panel data regression.Based on the analysis of regression panel data, we concluded that the exchange rate variable proved to have a quasi moderating influence on the pre-existing relationship between the variables of capital structure, the company's growth and profitability of the enterprise value. The moderating effects of exchange rate variable causes in particular the variables capital structure and profitability to be no longer a credible signal to the value of the company's future.
Potential Effects of Teaching Strategies on Students’ Academic Performance under a Trump Administration
Authors: Guirguis Ruth , Pankowski Jennifer
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore in detail the research by Hattie (2009) in order to then re-examine it through a new lens and better understand the research and possible bias. For this study, the unit of analysis were the studies used in Hattie (2009). The criteria for inclusion were based on strategies currently implemented in NYS public school systems. Specifically, Goals, Behavioral Organizer/Advances, Mastery Learning, Meta-Cognitive Strategies, Matching Style of Learning, Teaching Strategies, Reciprocal Strategies, Comprehensive Teaching, Co-Teaching/ Team Teaching, Problem-Solving Teaching for the purpose of Teacher Preparation. These variables were further examined to determine if they may be affected should a movement towards privatizing education in NYS take effect under a Trump administration. Effect sizes, standard error, common language effect and the number of studies were used in combination to construct a forest plot with weighted effect size. A scree plot was developed to illustrate the level of precision found in this data set and a funnel plot was used to determine both precision and the existence of potential bias. Discussion on these effective teaching strategies under a new administration is broadly discussed.
Experiences of family-staff relationships in the care of people with dementia in residential aged care: a qualitative systematic review protocol
Authors: Nguyen Mynhi , Beattie Elizabeth , Fielding Elaine , Hines Sonia , Pachana Nancy A.
Published: March 2017

Review question/objective:

The objective of this systematic review is to identify, critically appraise and synthesize the best available literature regarding experiences and perceptions of family-staff relationships in the care of people with dementia living in residential aged care facilities.

More specifically, the objectives are to identify family caregiver and healthcare staff experiences and perceptions of their own and each other's roles and responsibilities and the characteristics that facilitate or hinder a constructive family-staff relationship.
Experiences of parents and carers in managing asthma in children: a qualitative systematic review protocol
Authors: Fawcett Robyn , Porritt Kylie , Campbell Jared , Carson Kristin
Published: March 2017

Review question/objective:

The overarching objective of this review is to enhance understanding of the lived experiences of parents and carers in managing a child with asthma. Enablers and barriers encountered by parents will be examined and findings of the review will be used to develop recommendations for enhancing policy and practice aimed at improving asthma management for children and their families.

The specific objective of this review is to critically appraise and synthesize the best available evidence based on qualitative studies exploring the experiences of parents and carers in managing their child's asthma.

The primary question to be addressed is:

What are the lived experiences of parents and carers when caring for a child with asthma?

Secondary questions to be addressed include:

What barriers exist for parents and carers in managing their child's asthma?

What enablers exist for parents and carers in managing their child's asthma?
On the Role of Different Strain Components, Material Plasticity, and Edge Effects When Predicting Machining-Induced Residual Stresses Using Finite Element Modeling
Authors: Nasr Mohamed N. A.
Published: March 2017

Finite element modeling (FEM) of machining-induced residual stresses (RS) takes place over two consecutive steps: a cutting step and a relaxation step. In the latter, the workpiece is left to cool down after deactivating all external loads. The current work focuses on the relaxation step, and how different strain components, material plasticity, and workpiece edge deflections affect the final state of different RS components. First, a two-dimensional arbitrary-Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) plane strain thermomechanical explicit model was used to simulate dry orthogonal cutting. After that, the relaxation process was modeled using three approaches: (1) the classical approach, (2) a new approach that is first presented here, and (3) a modified approach that was developed earlier by the current author. In the classical approach, the same exact machined workpiece is relaxed, considering all stress/strain components and material plasticity. On the other hand, the new approach uses a pure elastic one-dimensional thermal relaxation model, in the cutting direction, and assumes that the workpiece edges normal to the cutting direction remain so. The differences between the RS predicted by the new and classical approaches reflected the combined effects of the examined parameters. The role of each parameter was isolated using three different versions of the modified approach. The current findings confirmed that for orthogonal cutting, the stress relaxation process can be considered as a one-dimensional pure elastic thermal relaxation process. Also, the workpiece edges normal to the cutting direction deflect during relaxation, contributing to the final state of RS.
A Reaffirmation of Fracture Toughness Requirements for ASME Section VIII Vessels for Service Temperatures Colder Than 77 K
Authors: Sampath Krishnaswamy , Drube Thomas , Rana Mahendra
Published: March 2017

To assure adequate fracture resistance of cryogenic pressure vessels designed to operate at a minimum design metal temperature (MDMT) colder than 77 K (−196 °C or −320 °F), current American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Code, Section VIII, Division 1, UHA-51 Impact Test rule requires that the weld metal (WM) meets or exceeds 0.53 mm (21 mils) lateral expansion at 77 K, i.e., LE77K ≥ 0.53 mm (21 mils), as determined using Charpy V-notch (CVN) impact testing. To the credit of this rule, cryogenic pressure vessels fabricated to date meeting the above requirement had continued to serve well—without any adverse incident—in numerous applications across the world, at cryogenic temperatures colder than 77 K. However, a critical examination of the underlying research which relied on a regression equation relating ratio of fracture toughness to yield strength obtained at 4 K, i.e., [KIc/YS]4K with LE77K, revealed that the technical basis for establishing the above requirement is metallurgically unsustainable. To successfully overcome this, the present research employed dimensional analysis and balancing of the previously published regression equations and proposed [KIc/YS]277K as a valid fracture resistance parameter applicable for MDMT 77 K and warmer, as well as MDMT colder than 77 K. Related efforts offered equivalent fracture resistance as an insightful concept, wherein the minimum fracture resistance parameter for a MDMT colder than 77 K is equated as a simple multiple of the minimum fracture resistance parameter at 77 K MDMT. Concluding efforts applied numerical analysis to the equivalent fracture resistance equation to reaffirm the current minimum 0.53 mm (21 mils) CVN LE77K requirement for WM when MDMT is colder than 77 K and to identify minimum required [KIc/YS]277K values for cryogenic service at MDMT 77 K and warmer, and MDMT colder than 77 K. Inherently, the use of [KIc/YS]277K as a fracture resistance parameter offers a tremendous benefit to cryogenic equipment manufacturers, particularly in schedule and cost savings, as LE, KIc, and YS measured at 77 K can be used to successfully assess the fracture resistance at MDMT 77 K and warmer, as well as MDMT colder than 77 K.
Optimization of Piping Supports and Supporting Structure
Authors: Avrithi Kleio , Hyung Min Kim Harrison
Published: March 2017

Optimization of piping supports is a well-known problem. The paper considers the optimization of piping supports with respect to cost and the loads transmitted to the supporting structural elements, when the orientation of the supporting structure is to be determined. This is the case, when new structural elements need to be added to the existing building structure to support components and piping systems that come as a new addition to a nuclear plant. The analytical target cascading (ATC) method is used for the optimization, combining the support loads from different piping analyses in a hierarchical framework. It is shown that the ATC method can be used for an optimized location of structural elements simultaneously supporting complex piping systems and implemented in a structural analysis software.
Association of Placental Jets and Mega-Jets With Reduced Villous Density
Authors: Saghian Rojan , James Joanna L. , Tawhai Merryn H. , Collins Sally L. , Clark Alys R.
Published: March 2017

Spiral arteries (SAs) lie at the interface between the uterus and placenta, and supply nutrients to the placental surface. Maternal blood circulation is separated from the fetal circulation by structures called villous trees. SAs are transformed in early pregnancy from tightly coiled vessels to large high-capacity channels, which is believed to facilitate an increased maternal blood flow throughout pregnancy with minimal increase in velocity, preventing damage to delicate villous trees. Significant maternal blood flow velocities have been theorized in the space surrounding the villi (the intervillous space, IVS), particularly when SA conversion is inadequate, but have only recently been visualized reliably using pulsed wave Doppler ultrasonography. Here, we present a computational model of blood flow from SA openings, allowing prediction of IVS properties based on jet length. We show that jets of flow observed by ultrasound are likely correlated with increased IVS porosity near the SA mouth and propose that observed mega-jets (flow penetrating more than half the placental thickness) are only possible when SAs open to regions of the placenta with very sparse villous structures. We postulate that IVS tissue density must decrease at the SA mouth through gestation, supporting the hypothesis that blood flow from SAs influences villous tree development.