bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nuclear transglutaminase 2 directly regulates expression of cathepsin S in rat cortical neurons
Authors: Ji Changyi , Tang Maoping , Harrison Jarreau , Paciorkowski Alex , Johnson Gail V. W.
Published: September 2018

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a protein that modulates neuronal survival processes. Although TG2 is primarily cytosolic, data have suggested the nuclear localization of TG2 is strongly associated with neuronal viability. Depletion of TG2 in neurons results in neurite retraction and loss of viability, which is likely due to a dysregulation in gene expression. To begin to understand how TG2 regulates neuronal gene expression, chromatin immunoprecipitation was performed in neurons with TG2 overexpression. The resulting genomic DNA was recovered and sequenced. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that a signature DNA motif was enriched in the TG2 immunoprecipitated genomic DNA. In particular, this motif strongly mapped to a region proximate to the gene Ctss (cathepsin S). Knockdown of TG2 resulted in a significant increase in cathepsin S expression, which preceded the loss of neuronal viability. This is the first demonstration that TG2 directly associates with genomic DNA and regulates gene expression in neurons. Given that expression of cathepsin S is increased in neurological disease states, our data suggest that TG2 may play a role in promoting neuron health in part by repressing the expression of cathepsin S. Overall these data provide new insights into the function of nuclear TG2 in neurons.
Spatial autocorrelation inflates niche breadth–range size relationships
Authors: Moore Timothy E. , Bagchi Robert , Aiello‐Lammens Matthew E. , Schlichting Carl D.
Published: September 2018

Aim

Species with broader environmental tolerances are expected to be more widely distributed than specialist species, implying a positive correlation between niche breadth and geographic range size. When this relationship is evaluated using data derived from broad‐scale geographic distributions of species, spatial autocorrelation of species distribution data and environments may inflate niche breadth–range size relationships, bringing into question the causal relationship between environmental tolerance and range size. Using null models, we quantify the contribution of spatial autocorrelation to the frequently reported relationship between species’ range size and niche breadth.

Location

South Africa.

Time period

Current.

Major taxa studied

Eighty species in the genus Pelargonium.

Methods

Using phylogenetic least squares regression, we examined the extent to which variation in range size of Pelargonium species is related to temperature and precipitation niche breadths. We developed null models that randomized the spatial distribution of the climatic variables, but retained their broad spatial autocorrelation structure. We tested whether observed niche breadth–range size relationships were stronger than expected, given spatial autocorrelation of climatic variables.

Results

We found the expected positive relationships between measures of niche breadth and range size, but these were no stronger than expected based on our spatial null models. Including spatial structure in simulations reduced expected niche breadths compared to simulations based on fully randomized environmental variables, resulting in steeper slopes for the simulated niche breadth–range size relationships.

Main conclusion

Our results indicate that spatial autocorrelation may positively bias niche breadth–range size relationships. This bias suggests that previously reported relationships between range size and niche breadth based on broad‐scale distributional data may be, at least in part, artefactual. Future studies need to explicitly account for spatial autocorrelation, and inferences on the role of environmental tolerance in driving patterns of species range size variation should be derived in conjunction with laboratory and field‐based experiments.
Constructing the Apparent Geological Model by Fusing Surface Resistivity Survey and Borehole Records
Authors: Tsai Jui‐Pin , Chang Ping‐Yu , Yeh Tian‐Chyi J. , Chang Liang‐Cheng , Hsiao Chin‐Tsai
Published: September 2018

We constructed an apparent geological model with resistivity data from surface resistivity surveys. We developed a data fusion approach by integrating dense electrical resistivity measurements collected with Schlumberger arrays and wellbore logs. This approach includes an optimization algorithm and a geostatistic interpolation method. We first generated an apparent formation factor model from the surface resistivity measurements and groundwater resistivity records with an inverse distance method. We then converted the model into a geology model with the optimized judgment criteria from the algorithms relating the apparent formation factors to the borehole geology. We also employed a non‐parametric bootstrap method to analyze the uncertainty of the predicted sediment types, and the predictive uncertainties of clay, gravel, and sand were less than 5%. Overall, our model is capable of capturing the spatial features of the sediment types. More importantly, this approach can be arranged in a self‐updated sequence to enable adjustments to the model to accommodate newly collected core records or geophysical data. This approach yields a more detailed apparent geological model for use in future groundwater simulations, which is of benefit to multi‐discipline studies.
Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension: A Report on 4 Cases and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Zhang Dan , Wang Jin , Zhang Qiaowei , He Feifang , Hu Xingyue
Published: September 2018

Objective

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is a risk factor for cerebral venous thrombosis. The occurrence of cerebral venous thrombosis in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension raises difficult practical questions regarding the management of the 2 conditions. We reviewed our experience and the relevant literature to evaluate these related questions.

Methods

We retrospectively studied the medical records and imaging studies of patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension at a tertiary center from January 2007 through January 2017. The main search strategy was a literature review of journal articles in PubMed (1966 to January 2017).

Results

Among 374 patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension, 4 were also diagnosed with cerebral venous thrombosis. A literature review yielded an additional 31 cases, including 21 men and 14 women with a mean age of 40.6 years. Of the 35 patients, 8 (22.8%) patients received anticoagulation therapy and epidural blood patch. Nineteen (54.3%) patients were given anticoagulant only. Seven (20%) patients were treated with epidural blood patch only. One (2.9%) patient did not receive epidural blood patch or anticoagulation therapy. There is no difference in terms of age, sex, diagnosis interval, association with other complications, and prognosis between the first 3 groups. Of the 19 patients who received anticoagulation therapy, 4 patients (21.1%) had intracranial hemorrhage or hematoma enlargement after anticoagulation, and one of these 4 patients died following further intracranial hemorrhage. Of the 8 patients who received both anticoagulation and epidural blood patch, 1 patient (12.5%, P = 0.528) developed subdural hematoma after anticoagulation. Of the 5 cases had intracranial hemorrhage aggravation after anticoagulation, 4 were subdural hematoma occurrence or enlargement.

Conclusion

Cerebral venous thrombosis is a rare but important complication of spontaneous intracranial hypotension. The primary focus of treatment should be the treatment of intracranial hypotension. It could be possible that anticoagulation might increase the risk of intracranial hemorrhage in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension, although a firm conclusion could not be drawn based on the limited number of patients currently available. The use of anticoagulation therapy should be prudent and should be monitored carefully if initiated.
Characterizing patterns of introgressive hybridization between two species ofTyrannusfollowing concurrent range expansion
Authors: Worm Alexander J. , Roeder Diane V. , Husak Michael S. , Fluker Brook L. , Boves Than J.
Published: September 2018

Hybridization between two species typically occurs when allopatric or ecologically dissimilar species expand into areas of secondary contact or habitat transitions. However, as species' ranges shift rapidly in response to environmental change, the potential for novel types of ephemeral hybrid zones exists. Here, we document and describe the occurrence, prevalence and symmetry of a previously undocumented hybrid zone involving two sympatric, ecologically similar sister species that have been expanding their ranges eastward in the central USA: Scissor‐tailed FlycatchersTyrannus forficatusand Western KingbirdsTyrannus verticalis. We identified cases of hybridization and introgression using analyses of eight microsatellite DNA loci and a single mitochondrial gene. We also evaluated short‐term reproductive consequences of hybridization for both species by surveying for both species and potential hybrids at the periphery of their ranges in northeastern Arkansas and western Tennessee, USA. Genetic data revealed bi‐directional backcrossing at the periphery of the species’ ranges, including a cryptic hybrid. We also analysed DNA of putative ‘pure’ individuals from other parts of their ranges and detected two cryptic admixed individuals, suggesting backcrossed individuals from the periphery may be dispersing to breed or that hybridization events have occurred in the core. Finally, our results suggest that there are no short‐term reproductive consequences of hybridization for the two species. In total, hybrid zones that occur at the edges of expanding, sympatric ranges may be ephemeral; we suggest they play an important role in introgression and may have long‐standing impacts for sympatric sister species. Exploring the extent of hybrid zones such as this for other range‐expanding taxa will elucidate whether this type of hybrid zone is unique or a common occurrence.
EXTREME EVENTS AND OPTIMAL MONETARY POLICY
Authors: Kim Jinill , Ruge‐Murcia Francisco
Published: September 2018

This article studies the implication of extreme shocks for monetary policy. The analysis is based on a small‐scale New Keynesian model with sticky prices and wages where shocks are drawn from asymmetric generalized extreme value distributions. A nonlinear perturbation solution of the model is estimated by the simulated method of moments. Under the Ramsey policy, the central bank responds nonlinearly and asymmetrically to shocks. The trade‐off between targeting a gross inflation rate above 1 as insurance against extreme shocks and targeting an average gross inflation at unity to avoid adjustment costs is unambiguously decided in favor of strict price stability.
Gardner‐Diamond syndrome: a systematic review of treatment options for a rare psychodermatological disorder
Authors: Block Megan E. , Sitenga Jenna L. , Lehrer Michael , Silberstein Peter T.
Published: September 2018

Gardner‐Diamond syndrome (GDS) is a rare psychodermatological condition characterized by the formation of spontaneous, painful skin lesions that develop into ecchymosis following episodes of severe physiological or psychological stress. The majority of GDS cases occur in young adult females, and although the etiology of this rare disorder is unknown, there appears to be a psychological component correlated with the coexistence of previous psychiatric diagnoses. Due to the rare nature of this disorder, there exist few guidelines for prompt clinical diagnosis and optimal treatment. Here, a systematic review was conducted to include 45 cases of patients with GDS to better understand clinical presentation as well as current treatment options. Ultimately, GDS is a diagnosis of exclusion after other coagulopathies and causes of purpura are ruled out. High clinical suspicion following laboratory and clinical exclusion of known physiological causes is necessary for diagnosis. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and corticosteroids are cost effective first line treatments for GDS with proven efficacy in symptomatic relief. GDS refractory to initial treatment may require regular psychotherapy and titrated SSRI dosages to achieve long‐term success. This review of available case studies serves to comprehensively describe the clinical presentation and available treatment approaches to this rare psychodermatological disorder.
Strategies for recruiting highly skilled migrants from India and China: a case study of firms in Sweden
Authors: Frank Denis
Published: September 2018

A striking characteristic in labour migration to Western Europe since the beginning of the 2000s has been the increased number of skilled migrants. In Sweden, most skilled migrants from countries outside the EU come from India, but there has also been significant skilled migration from China. This article investigates the impact that firms have on the migration from India and China. It focuses on managers' motives for employing migrants, their view of migrant workers and the means they use to find suitable workers. The article argues that interorganisational relationships play a key role in the recruitment of highly skilled migrants. The firms that employ migrants hold positions in an organisational field, and the relationships they have with other actors within the field shape how and why they employ migrants. The empirical data was collected through a multiple‐case study of 13 firms that have employed high‐skilled migrants from India and China.
Clinical use of dimethyl fumarate in moderate‐to‐severe plaque‐type psoriasis: a European expert consensus
Authors: Mrowietz U. , Barker J. , Boehncke W.‐H. , Iversen L. , Kirby B. , Naldi L. , Reich K. , Tanew A. , van de Kerkhof P.C.M. , Warren R.B.
Published: September 2018

Fumaric acid esters (FAEs) are a group of small molecules that were first investigated for the treatment of psoriasis in 1959. The first fumarate‐based drug – Fumaderm® – was approved in Germany in 1994 for severe psoriasis and then in 2008, the label was expanded to include moderate psoriasis. Fumaderm is a combination of different FAEs: dimethyl fumarate (DMF), which is regarded as the main active component, plus calcium, magnesium and zinc salts of monoethyl fumarate (MEF). FAEs are the most frequently used first‐line systemic psoriasis treatment in Germany, with an overall treatment experience comprising more than 220 000 patient‐years. FAEs have demonstrated good, sustained clinical efficacy with an acceptable safety profile for the long‐term treatment of patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis. Indeed, the European S3‐Guideline on the systemic treatment of Psoriasis vulgaris recommends FAEs for induction and long‐term treatment. Until recently, FAEs were only licensed (for the psoriasis indication) in Germany, but were imported to many other European countries, such as The Netherlands, UK, Ireland, Austria and Italy, for the treatment of psoriasis. In 2017, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved Skilarence®, a new oral formulation of DMF, for the treatment of adult patients with moderate‐to‐severe chronic plaque psoriasis in need of systemic therapy. Skilarence only contains DMF and is the first FAE for the treatment of psoriasis that has been approved by the EMA. This approval has given rise to a new oral treatment option for patients with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis across Europe. Here, we report the results of an expert meeting which was convened to deliver clinician‐agreed consensus and real‐world guidance on the clinical use of DMF in moderate‐to‐severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Guidance on appropriate patient selection, DMF dosage considerations, monitoring and side‐effect management is offered based upon available evidence and collective real‐world clinical experience.
Physicochemical properties of vanilla and raspberry aromas microencapsulated in the industrial conditions by spray drying
Authors: Jedlińska Aleksandra , Samborska Katarzyna , Janiszewska‐Turak Emilia , Witrowa‐Rajchert Dorota , Seuvre Anne‐Marie , Voilley Andrée
Published: September 2018

Physicochemical properties of powdered vanilla and raspberry complex aromas obtained on industrial conditions by spray drying were investigated. Powders had low water content and activity, promoting long shelf‐life. Aroma retention was lower for vanilla flavors. Raspberry powdered flavors had poorer flowability, lower bulk density, lower particle size, and higherTg. Additionally, physicochemical properties of powders from various locations of spray dryer (cyclone container/chamber) were compared—powders from the cyclone had higher water content and activity, but the flowability was not affected by collection place. Aromatic substances’ retention of raspberry flavors was better in chamber‐received powder, what was confirmed by sensory evaluation.

Practical application

This research gave the information about the significant influence of the type (vanilla and raspberry) of industrial flavor compositions on spray drying process done in industrial conditions and the properties of the obtained powders: aroma retention was lower for vanilla flavors, raspberry powdered flavors had poorer flowability, lower bulk density, lower particle size, and higherTg. It is important for aroma creators, who should have knowledge how to avoid possible production problems (like sticking to the chamber wall, low efficiency), already at the stage of creating the recipe. Additionally, it was shown that some of the properties of powders taken from the cyclone container and the chamber of the spray dryer were different: powders from the cyclone had higher water content and activity, but the flowability was not affected by collection place. Aromatic substances’ retention of raspberry flavors was better in chamber‐received powder, what was confirmed by sensory evaluation.
Oxidative stability of sesame oil extracted from the seeds with different origins: Kinetic and thermodynamic studies under accelerated conditions
Authors: Elhussein Elaf , Bilgin Mehmet , Şahin Selin
Published: September 2018

A comparative study was carried out to identify the oxidative stability of sesame oils originated from three countries: Sudan, Turkey, and Yemen. Sesame oils were oxidized under Rancimat test conditions. Reaction rate constant (k), activation energy (Ea), activation enthalpy (ΔH
++), activation entropy (ΔS
++), and Gibbs free energy of activation (ΔG
++) were calculated according to both Arrhenius model and Eyring equation of activated complex approach. Quality parameters of the sesame oils were evaluated with respect to phenolic (TP) and flavonoid (TF) contents, free radical‐scavenging activity (FRSA), and peroxide value (PV). Fourier transformed infrared‐attenuated total reflectance (FTIR‐ATR) was also used to assess the functional groups of the oils. Depending on the fundamental thermodynamic parameters (ΔH
++ > 0, ΔG
++ > 0, and ΔS
++ < 0), the nature of the oxidation reaction in the oils proves that it is an endothermic, nonspontaneous, and endergonic process. The predicted shelf‐life of the oils ranged from 38 to 132 days at ambient conditions.

Practical applications

Lipid oxidation is one of the major concerns influencing the product quality in oil industry. If the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of lipid oxidation are understood properly, the formulation of food products might be adjusted to favor the quality of the fat present in a food system and reduce the appearance of undesirable degradation products.
Optimization of high‐pressure processing in extraction of astaxanthin from Penaeus monodon carapace using response surface methodology
Authors: Irna Cicy , Jaswir Irwandi , Othman Rashidi , Jimat Dzun Noraini
Published: September 2018

Penaeus monodon is a species of shrimp with astaxanthin content that prevents various diseases and enhances immune system. High‐pressure processing (HPP) is capable of achieving higher extraction astaxanthin yield within short processing time. The aim of this research was to optimize the extraction condition of astaxanthin from P. monodon using HPP using response surface methodology (RSM). The investigation was carried out using variables: pressure (150–250 MPa), holding time (10–20 min), and amount of acetone‐methanol mixture, 7:3, vol/vol (3–7 ml). The optimum condition was achieved at the pressure of 238.54 MPa, 16.29 min of holding time, and 6.59 ml of solvent mixture. The optimum yield of astaxanthin was 95.17 μg/gdw. The R2 value was 0.9836 and the adjusted‐R2 value was 0.9688. These values indicate that the application of RSM to optimize the yield of astaxanthin with HPP has a significant impact in enhancing the yield of astaxanthin.
A pilot study evaluating depression in mothers with children diagnosed with Down syndrome in state health care
Authors: Swanepoel M. , Haw T.
Published: September 2018

Background

Parenting a child who has an intellectual disability has been shown to increase the risk for developing depression. The purpose of this study was to screen for depression and to determine if there is an association between depressive symptoms and certain sociodemographic factors in mothers with a child diagnosed with Down syndrome in state health care facilities in Johannesburg.

Methods

The study included 30 biological mothers of children between 6 months and 3 years diagnosed with Down syndrome postnatally. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to assess depression in participants. A 10‐item sociodemographic questionnaire was concurrently administered. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis.

Results

The 30 mothers had a mean EPDS score of 9.1 (SD = 5.89) with scores ranging between 0 and 26. Eight mothers (26.7%) screened positive for depression with an EPDS score of 13 or greater. A statistically significant association was found between an HIV‐positive status and mothers who had an EPDS score of 13 or greater (P = 0.01). No significant association between depression and various other sociodemographic factors was identified.

Conclusions

Mothers with a child diagnosed with Down syndrome may be vulnerable to developing depression. A significant association was found between a positive HIV status and symptoms of depression, in mothers with a child diagnosed with Down syndrome. This study indicates the need for further investigations assessing the causes and risk factors resulting in postnatal depression in mothers with a child diagnosed with Down syndrome.
Servo‐controlled cooling during neonatal transport for babies with hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy is practical and beneficial: Experience from a large UK neonatal transport service
Authors: Torre Monmany Nuria , Behrsin Joanna , Leslie Andrew
Published: September 2018

Aim

Servo‐controlled therapeutic hypothermia is a routine therapy for babies with hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy in the neonatal unit and is delivered in designated cooling centres. It is increasingly being used during neonatal transport in the UK to deliver this therapy in a timelier manner for babies not born in a cooling centre. Prior to the implementation of this treatment, passive cooling alone was used in transport. Comparison of passive and servo‐controlled cooling during neonatal transfers with reference to: (i) the proportion of babies in the therapeutic range (33–34°C) at three time points during the transport mission (arrival of the team at the referring unit, departure of the team from the referring unit and at the completion of transport); (ii) the proportion of babies overcooled at any point once the transport team was present (<33°C); and (iii) duration of phases of the transfer to evaluate the impact of active cooling on how long it takes to undertake transfer.

Methods

This was a retrospective observational study comparing babies with passive and servo‐controlled hypothermia (January 2015 to May 2016) following introduction of the servo‐controlled cooling mattress.

Results

A total of 48 patients were treated with hypothermia in transit (29 passive, 19 servo‐controlled). The median gestational age (GA) was 40 weeks (interquartile range: 39–41) and mean birthweight (BW) 3420 g (standard deviation 600 g); there was no differences in GA, BW and clinical characteristics between the groups. There was a statistically significant difference in the temperature at the end of the transport, where 94% (n = 18) of babies who received servo‐controlled cooling were in the target temperature in comparison with only 65% (n = 19) of the passive cooling group babies (P = 0.045). In addition, none of the babies in the servo‐controlled group were warm (>34°C) at the end of the transfer. Babies who underwent servo‐controlled cooling are more likely to maintain a target temperature (33–34°C) (17 (89%) vs. 17 (58%), P = 0.021); in particular, there is less overcooling (<33°C) in this group (2 (10%) vs. 15 (51%), P = 0.004). Total mission time was not significantly different.

Conclusion

The use of servo‐controlled cooling devices during neonatal transport improves the ability to maintain the baby's temperature within the target range (33–34°C) with less overcooling.
Factors affecting the Affordable Care Act Marketplace stand‐alone pediatric dental plan premiums
Authors: Qiao Nan , Carroll Aaron E. , Bell Teresa Maria
Published: September 2018

Background

Children from lower income families have inadequate dental insurance coverage and poorer dental health in the United States. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created Health Insurance Exchange Marketplaces to increase competition among health insurers and to provide low‐income families with less costly health plans. The study examined Marketplace pediatric stand‐alone dental plans (SADPs) and factors that affect their premiums.

Methods

The data used were 2016 Federal‐Facilitated and State‐Partnership Marketplace pediatric SADP data. Ordinary least squares regressions were applied to estimate contributing factors’ effects on SADP premiums.

Results

Great premium variation was found among low and high coverage level SADPs, respectively. Premiums of Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) SADPs were significantly less expensive than Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) SADPs. SADPs charged significantly higher premiums for more types of services covered. SADPs also charged higher premiums in states where there are larger proportions of low‐income people who report poor dental health, more dentists per capita, or higher dentists’ wages. The number of insurance companies offering pediatric SADPs in a Marketplace was negatively associated with premiums.

Conclusion

The current Marketplace pediatric SADPs may have limited effects on increasing economically disadvantaged children's access to quality dental care. Marketplaces can promote competition among its pediatric dental insurers on providing lower‐cost pediatric SADPs.
Use of some nutritional supplements in drinking water of growing turkeys during 1st month of age and their effect on performance, meat quality, blood profile and antioxidant status
Authors: Farghly Mohamed F. A. , Ahmad Enas A. M. , Alagawany Mahmoud , Abd El‐Hack Mohamed E. , Ali Reham A. M. , Elnesr Shaaban S. , Taha Ayman E. , Salah Ayman S.
Published: September 2018

The management practices implemented by the poultry sector as using some nutritional additives in the early stage of a bird’s life can potentially detect other challenges to production development in the poultry farms. Many potential supplements can be included in the early feeding as which are added to drinking water. In this study, 180 1‐day‐old chicks were randomly distributed into six groups to investigate the use of some nutritional supplements in drinking water of growing turkeys during 1st month of age and their effect on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, leg problems, blood profile and oxidative status. Birds that were supplied with tap water were considered the control group (C), whereas the birds that received the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th treatments (T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively) were supplied with drinking water containing 10% sugar syrup, molasses, lemon juice, skim milk and fresh egg albumin respectively. The different water additives significantly (p < 0.05) affected the body weight (BW) and body weight gain (BWG) at all studied ages except for the BW at 4 weeks old and BWG at 0–4 weeks old and 8–12 weeks old. Significant effects of the treatments on the feed consumption (FC) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not observed during the experiment, and the treatments did not cause significant differences (p < 0.05) in the carcass cut‐up traits, bone measurements, body temperature, plumage conditions, mortality rates and blood parameters except for IgA (p = 0.043). The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) was improved in the treatment groups with 10% molasses and lemon juice respectively. The total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) and catalase (CAT) activities were enhanced in the treatments compared with the control group. The plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were decreased with the sugar syrup, molasses and lemon juice treatments compared with those in the control and other groups. Supplementation of molasses or lemon juice to drinking water of turkeys during the 1st month of age resulted in a higher profit margin in comparison with the control group. The results showed that birds supplied with water containing 10% molasses or lemon juice during the growing period presented an improved growth performance, immune response, antioxidant status and economic efficiency.
Osmoregulatory function of betaine in alleviating heat stress in poultry
Authors: Ratriyanto Adi , Mosenthin Rainer
Published: September 2018

This review focuses on the osmoregulatory function of betaine and its effect in terms of alleviating heat stress in poultry. Poultry appear to be particularly sensitive to temperature‐associated environmental challenges, especially heat stress. High ambient temperatures are deleterious to productive performance in poultry, including broilers, laying hens, quails and turkeys, resulting in considerable economic losses. Heat stress impairs overall poultry production by decreasing feed intake and negatively affecting intestinal development, leading to reduced nutrient digestibility. Apart from inducing a high mortality rate, heat stress is known to depress growth rate and reduce meat yield in broilers. In layers, lower feed intake impairs ovarian function, leading to decreased feed efficiency, egg production and egg quality. In addition, reduced immune functions, such as thyroid activity and antibody production, are evident in poultry exposed to heat stress. Heat stress increases the production of oxidants, causing oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation of cell membranes. Poultry respond physiologically and behaviourally when encountering the negative effects of heat stress, attempting to return the body to homeostasis. This requires energy at the expense of weight gain or egg production. Due to its zwitterionic structure, betaine has osmoprotective properties that aid in protecting intestinal cell proteins and enzymes from environmental stress, including high ambient temperature, thereby counteracting performance losses. Betaine also exerts an osmoregulatory role in cells, regulating water balance, and this results in more stable tissue metabolism. Inclusion of betaine in the diet may be beneficial for alleviating physical reactions to heat stress, as indicated by increases in nutrient digestibility. In broilers, betaine supplementation increases weight gain and breast muscle yield, while improving feed conversion. In layers, betaine supplementation improves egg production, egg quality traits and immune indices. In conclusion, due to its osmoregulatory functions, betaine plays an important role in alleviating heat stress in poultry.
Effect of different sugars on the freezing characteristics of Kyoho grape
Authors: Cao Xuehui , Zhang Fangfang , Zhu Danshi , Zhao Dongyu , Liu Liping
Published: September 2018

The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of different osmotic dehydration (OD) processes (sucrose, trehalose, glucose, and lactose) as a pretreatment for grape before exposure to freezing. The osmotic treatment had less effect on blueberry moisture content among different sugars. Impregnation with sugars decreases the freezing time of grapes, compared to untreated grapes. Trehalose and lactose had a remarkable effect on shortening the time for grapes to pass the zone of maximum crystallization of ice. It was concluded that drip loss and electrolyte permeability of cell membranes decreased and the soluble solids content increased after OD treatment. In addition, the firmness and L* values of trehalose‐treated grapes were significantly higher than those of other treatments (p < .05). In summary, osmosis with a carbohydrate solution not only increased the freezing rate but improved quality characteristics of grapes after freezing and thawing.

Practical applications

Grapes are subject to freezing damage during storage, including significant water loss, berry softening, off flavor occurrence, which reduce the commodity and consumption of grapes. OD can improve the freezing rate by reducing the moisture content in the raw material and reducing the impact of freezing on the quality of fruits and vegetables, which may be beneficial to the process of freezing grapes.
Optimal portfolio under fractional stochastic environment
Authors: Fouque Jean‐Pierre , Hu Ruimeng
Published: September 2018

Rough stochastic volatility models have attracted a lot of attention recently, in particular for the linear option pricing problem. In this paper, starting with power utilities, we propose to use a martingale distortion representation of the optimal value function for the nonlinear asset allocation problem in a (non‐Markovian) fractional stochastic environment (for all values of the Hurst index ). We rigorously establish a first‐order approximation of the optimal value, when the return and volatility of the underlying asset are functions of a stationary slowly varying fractional Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process. We prove that this approximation can be also generated by a fixed zeroth‐ order trading strategy providing an explicit strategy which is asymptotically optimal in all admissible controls. Furthermore, we extend the discussion to general utility functions, and obtain the asymptotic optimality of this fixed strategy in a specific family of admissible strategies.
Modeling practical thinking
Authors: Mosdell Matthew
Published: September 2018

Intellectualists about knowledge‐how argue that knowing how to do something is knowing the content of a proposition (i.e., a fact). An important component of this view is the idea that propositional knowledge is translated into behavior when it is presented to the mind in a peculiarly practical way. Until recently, however, intellectualists have not said much about what it means for propositional knowledge to be entertained under thought's practical guise. Carlotta Pavese fills this gap in the intellectualist view by modeling practical modes of thought after Fregean senses. In this paper, I take up her model and the presuppositions it is built upon, arguing that her view of practical thought is not positioned to account for much of what human agents are able to do.
Logging and soil nutrients independently explain plant trait expression in tropical forests
Authors: Both Sabine , Riutta Terhi , Paine C. E. Timothy , Elias Dafydd M. O. , Cruz R. S. , Jain Annuar , Johnson David , Kritzler Ully H. , Kuntz Marianne , Majalap‐Lee Noreen , Mielke Nora , Montoya Pillco Milenka X. , Ostle Nicholas J. , Arn Teh Yit , Malhi Yadvinder , Burslem David F. R. P.
Published: September 2018

Plant functional traits regulate ecosystem functions but little is known about how co‐occurring gradients of land use and edaphic conditions influence their expression. We test how gradients of logging disturbance and soil properties relate to community‐weighted mean traits in logged and old‐growth tropical forests in Borneo.

We studied 32 physical, chemical and physiological traits from 284 tree species in eight 1 ha plots and measured long‐term soil nutrient supplies and plant‐available nutrients.

Logged plots had greater values for traits that drive carbon capture and growth, whilst old‐growth forests had greater values for structural and persistence traits. Although disturbance was the primary driver of trait expression, soil nutrients explained a statistically independent axis of variation linked to leaf size and nutrient concentration. Soil characteristics influenced trait expression via nutrient availability, nutrient pools, and pH.

Our finding, that traits have dissimilar responses to land use and soil resource availability, provides robust evidence for the need to consider the abiotic context of logging when predicting plant functional diversity across human‐modified tropical forests. The detection of two independent axes was facilitated by the measurement of many more functional traits than have been examined in previous studies.
Tomato floral induction and flower development are orchestrated by the interplay between gibberellin and two unrelated microRNA‐controlled modules
Authors: Silva Geraldo F. F. , Silva Eder M. , Correa Joao P. O. , Vicente Mateus H. , Jiang Nan , Notini Marcela M. , Junior Airton C. , De Jesus Frederico A. , Castilho Pollyanna , Carrera Esther , López‐Díaz Isabel , Grotewold Erich , Peres Lazaro E. P. , Nogueira Fabio T. S.
Published: September 2018

Age‐regulated microRNA156 (miR156) and targets similarly control the competence to flower in diverse species. By contrast, the diterpene hormone gibberellin (GA) and the microRNA319‐regulated TEOSINTE BRANCHED/CYCLOIDEA/PCF (TCP) transcription factors promote flowering in the facultative long‐day Arabidopsis thaliana, but suppress it in the day‐neutral tomato (Solanum lycopersicum).

We combined genetic and molecular studies and described a new interplay between GA and two unrelated miRNA‐associated pathways that modulates tomato transition to flowering.

Tomato PROCERA/DELLA activity is required to promote flowering along with the miR156‐targeted SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING–LIKE (SPL/SBP) transcription factors by activating SINGLE FLOWER TRUSS (SFT) in the leaves and the MADS‐Box gene APETALA1(AP1)/MC at the shoot apex. Conversely, miR319‐targeted LANCEOLATE represses floral transition by increasing GA concentrations and inactivating SFT in the leaves and AP1/MC at the shoot apex. Importantly, the combination of high GA concentrations/responses with the loss of SPL/SPB function impaired canonical meristem maturation and flower initiation in tomato.

Our results reveal a cooperative regulation of tomato floral induction and flower development, integrating age cues (miR156 module) with GA responses and miR319‐controlled pathways. Importantly, this study contributes to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effects of GA in controlling flowering time in a day‐neutral species.
Not Always Worth the Effort: Difficulty and the Value of Achievement
Authors: Hirji Sukaina
Published: September 2018

Recent literature has argued that what makes certain activities ranging from curing cancer to running a marathon count as achievements, and what makes achievements intrinsically valuable is, centrally, that they involve great effort. Although there is much the difficulty‐based view gets right, I argue that it generates the wrong results about some central cases of achievement, and this is because it is too narrowly focused on only one perfectionist capacity, the will. I propose a revised perfectionist account on which an achievement is an activity that fully exercises or expresses any number of a range of perfectionist capacities.
Grounding Nominalism
Authors: Schulte Peter
Published: September 2018

The notion of grounding has gained increasing acceptance among metaphysicians in recent years. In this paper, I argue that this notion can be used to formulate a very attractive version of (property)nominalism, a view that I call ‘grounding nominalism’. Simplifying somewhat, this is the view thatall properties are grounded in things. I argue that this view is coherent and has a decisive advantage over competing versions of nominalism: it allows us to accept properties as real, while fully accommodating nominalist intuitions. Finally, I defend grounding nominalism against several seemingly troublesome objections.
Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula antigens induce Th1/Pro‐inflammatory cytokine responses
Authors: Egesa Moses , Lubyayi Lawrence , Tukahebwa Edridah M. , Bagaya Bernard S. , Chalmers Iain W. , Wilson Shona , Hokke Cornelis H. , Hoffmann Karl F. , Dunne David W. , Yazdanbakhsh Maria , Labuda Lucja A. , Cose Stephen
Published: September 2018

Larvae of Schistosoma (schistosomula) are highly susceptible to host immune responses and are attractive prophylactic vaccine targets, although cellular immune responses against schistosomula antigens in endemic human populations are not well characterized. We collected blood and stool from 54 Schistosoma mansoni‐infected Ugandans, isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells and stimulated them for 24 hours with schistosome adult worm and soluble egg antigens (AWA and SEA), along with schistosomula recombinant proteins rSmKK7, Lymphocyte Antigen 6 isoforms (rSmLy6A and rSmLy6B), tetraspanin isoforms (rSmTSP6 and rSmTSP7). Cytokines, chemokines and growth factors were measured in the culture supernatants using a multiplex luminex assay, and infection intensity was determined before and at 1 year after praziquantel (PZQ) treatment using the Kato‐Katz method. Cellular responses were grouped and the relationship between groups of correlated cellular responses and infection intensity before and after PZQ treatment was investigated. AWA and SEA induced mainly Th2 responses. In contrast, rSmLy6B, rSmTSP6 and rSmTSP7 induced Th1/pro‐inflammatory responses. While recombinant antigens rSmKK7 and rSmLy6A did not induce a Th1/pro‐inflammatory response, they had an association with pre‐treatment infection intensity after adjusting for age and sex. Testing more schistosomula antigens using this approach could provide immune‐epidemiology identifiers necessary for prioritizing next generation schistosomiasis vaccine candidates.
Playing the Woman Card: Ambivalent Sexism in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Race
Authors: Cassese Erin C. , Holman Mirya R.
Published: September 2018

Late in the 2016 U.S. Presidential primary, Donald Trump attacked Hillary Clinton for playing the “woman’s card.” Theories of system justification suggest that attitudes about gender, particularly endorsement of hostile and benevolent sexism, likely shaped reactions to this campaign attack. Using a set of two studies, we find that hostile sexists exposed to the attack showed increased support for Trump and decreased support for Clinton. Benevolent sexists, however, reacted to Trump’s statements with increased support for Clinton, consistent with benevolent sexism’s focus on protecting women (Study 1). We further found that the woman card attack produced distinct emotional reactions among those with low and high levels of hostile and benevolent sexism. The attack also increased political participation among hostile sexists (Study 2). Our results offer new insights into the role of sexism in the 2016 presidential contest and further the discipline’s understanding of the gendered dimension of negative campaigning.
Impact on physiology and malting quality of barley exposed to heat, drought and their combination during different growth stages under controlled environment
Authors: Mahalingam Ramamurthy , Bregitzer Phil
Published: September 2018

Drought and heat stress are two major abiotic stresses that tend to co‐occur in nature. Recent climate change models predict that the frequency and duration of periods of high temperatures and moisture‐deficits are on the rise and can be detrimental to crop production and hence a serious threat for global food security. In this study we examined the impact of short‐term heat, drought and combined heat and drought stress on four barley varieties. These stresses were applied during vegetative stage or during heading stages. The impact on root and shoot biomass as well as seed yields were analyzed. This study demonstrated that sensitivity to combined stress was generally greater than heat or drought individually, and greater when imposed at heading than at the vegetative stages. Micromalted seeds collected from plants stressed during heading showed differences in malt extract, beta‐glucan content and percent soluble protein. Screening barley germplasm during heading stage is recommended to identify novel sources of tolerance to combined stress. Apart from seed yield, assessing the seed quality traits of concern for the stakeholders and/or consumers should be an integral part of breeding programs for developing new barley varieties with improved heat and drought stress tolerance.
Embryonic maternal interaction in cattle and its relationship with fertility
Authors: Sánchez José María , Mathew Daniel J. , Passaro Claudia , Fair Trudee , Lonergan Pat
Published: September 2018

Contents

Embryo mortality is a major contributor to poor reproductive efficiency and profitability in cattle production systems. While conception is achieved (i.e., the oocyte is fertilized) in the vast majority of cases if insemination is carried out correctly, a significant proportion of the resulting embryos fail to develop to term. Appropriate communication between the developing conceptus and the maternal endometrium is essential for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in all mammals. Up to the blastocyst stage, around Days 7–9, contact worth the female reproductive system is not required. However, the process of conceptus elongation after hatching and prior to implantation is entirely maternally driven and is essential to ensure that sufficient quantities of interferon‐tau (IFNT) are secreted by the developing conceptus to abrogate the mechanisms that bring about luteolysis. While the importance of conceptus‐derived IFNT in maternal recognition of pregnancy and prevention of luteolysis in cattle is unequivocal, many questions, such as the threshold level of IFNT required for pregnancy maintenance, remain unanswered. Furthermore, the precise role of IFNT‐independent mechanisms in pregnancy establishment remains to be elucidated. Irrespective of this, failure of the conceptus to elongate undoubtedly results in embryonic loss and is thus believed to contribute greatly to reproductive failure in cattle. This review will address some of these answered questions and try to shed some light on those gaps in knowledge that could potentially contribute to improved embryo survival and reproductive efficiency.
New magnetic phase of the chiral skyrmion material Cu
2
OSeO
3
Authors: Qian Fengjiao , Bannenberg Lars J. , Wilhelm Heribert , Chaboussant Grégory , Debeer-Schmitt Lisa M. , Schmidt Marcus P. , Aqeel Aisha , Palstra Thomas T. M. , Brück Ekkes , Lefering Anton J. E. , Pappas Catherine , Mostovoy Maxim , Leonov Andrey O.
Published: September 2018

A new magnetic phase is reported in the chiral magnet, Cu
2
OSeO
3
, which is predicted to affect its physical properties.
Dislocation behaviors in nanotwinned diamond
Authors: Xiao Jianwei , Yang Huizhen , Wu Xiaozhi , Younus Fatima , Li Peng , Wen Bin , Zhang Xiangyi , Wang Yanbin , Tian Yongjun
Published: September 2018

The unprecedented hardness of nt-diamond originates from high lattice frictional stress and high athermal stress.
2D titanium carbide (MXene) for wireless communication
Authors: Sarycheva Asia , Polemi Alessia , Liu Yuqiao , Dandekar Kapil , Anasori Babak , Gogotsi Yury
Published: September 2018

Flexible 100-nm-thick antennas are made by one-step spray coating of metallic 2D titanium carbide MXene.