bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Occurrence and seasonality of aflatoxin M1 in milk in two different climate zones
Authors: Venâncio Rafael Luiz , Ludovico Agostinho , de Santana Elsa Helena Walter , de Toledo Eduardo Amaral , de Almeida Rego Fabiola Cristine , dos Santos Joice Sifuentes
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a mycotoxin found in milk as a result of the ingestion of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) by dairy cattle. Because of its carcinogenic properties, the control of its occurrence in dairy products is of great importance. We evaluated the occurrence and seasonality of AFM1 in milk from farms with subtropical and temperate climates, where significant milk production occurs. Forty samples of raw milk were collected from bulk tansk milk during the summer (five samples from a subtropical climate and 14 from a temperate climate) and winter (six samples from a subtropical climate and 15 from a temperate climate) months of 2017 and conducted an analysis using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (detection limit 5 ng L−1). Data from eight random samples were compared with respect to liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection and ELISA. A significant correlation was observed.

RESULTS

The presence of AFM1 was detected in 87.50% (n = 35) of the samples analyzed (a mean of 16.66 ng L−1 and a median of 12.42 ng L−1 in positive samples); however, its concentration in all samples was below the maximum limit allowed by European (50 ng L−1) and Brazilian (500 ng L−1) legislations. There were no significant differences in the levels of AFM1 between the properties located in the two climate zones, in both summer and winter. The estimated daily intake of AFM1 based on the milk analyzed was 0.0107 ng kg−1 day−1 for adolescents, 0.0072 ng kg−1 day−1 for adults and 0.0098 ng kg−1 day−1 for the elderly.

CONCLUSION

The present work demonstrated a low exposure to AFM1. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Fungal β‐1,3‐1,4‐glucanases: production, proprieties and biotechnological applications
Authors: Chaari Fatma , Chaabouni Semia Ellouz
Published: November 2018

β‐1,3‐1,4‐glucanases (or lichenases; EC 3.2.1.73) comprise one of the main enzymes used in industry during recent decades. These enzymes hydrolyze β‐glucans containing β‐1,3 and β‐1,4 linkages, such as cereal β‐glucans and lichenan. The β‐1,3‐1,4‐glucanases are produced by a variety of bacteria, fungi, plants and animals. A large number of microbial β‐1,3‐1,4‐glucanases have potential application in industrial processes, such as feed, food and detergent industries. The present review summarizes the available studies with respect to β‐1,3‐1,4‐glucanases production conditions, enzyme biochemical properties and potential industrial application. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
A novel colorimetric immunosensor based on platinum colloid nanoparticles immobilized on PowerVision as signal probes and Fe3O4@β‐cyclodextrin as capture probes for ractopamine detection in pork
Authors: Sun Yangying , Fu Tian , Chen Shuxian , Wu Zhen , Guo Yuxing , Pan Daodong , Gan Ning
Published: November 2018

Background

A novel colorimetric immunosensor was developed for the simple, sensitive and selective detection of ractopamine (RAC) based on using β‐cyclodextrin‐modified Fe3O4 particles (Fe3O4@β‐CD) as capture probes and complex platinum colloid nanoparticles (PtNPs‐PV) composed of platinum colloid nanoparticles (PtNPs) and polymerase chelate PowerVision (PV) as signal probes.

Results

PtNPs‐PV double catalyzed the chromogenic substrate 3,3′‐diaminobenzidine (DAB), which induced changes in the color of DAB and chromogenic absorbance. Incubation temperature, pH and incubation time were systematically optimized and, under optimum conditions, the measured absorbance values showed a linear relationship with the RAC concentrations in the range 0.03–8.1 ng mL−1. The detection limit was 0.01 ng mL−1. The sensor exhibited high sensitivity and specificity, as demonstrated by testing structurally similar organic compounds such as salbutamol, clenbuterol and dopamine. The practicality of the developed colorimetric immunosensor was supported by the successful detection of RAC in pork samples with recovery ranging from 94.00% to 106.00%.

Conclusion

We designed a novel sandwich‐type noncompetitive colorimetric immunoassay for the detection of trace levels of RAC in pork. The proposed method can also be used for the detection of toxins in food products via PtNPs‐PV amplification. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Differential Associations Among PTSD and Complex PTSD Symptoms and Traumatic Experiences and Postmigration Difficulties in a Culturally Diverse Refugee Sample
Authors: Hecker Tobias , Huber Stephanie , Maier Thomas , Maercker Andreas
Published: November 2018

Forced migration is one of the major challenges currently facing the international community. Many refugees have been affected by traumatic experiences at home and during their flight, putting them at a heightened risk of developing trauma‐related disorders. The new version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD‐11) introduced two sibling disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD). So far, little is known about risk and protective factors in refugees that are specifically associated with the disturbances in self‐organization (DSO) characteristic of CPTSD. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between PTSD and DSO symptoms and traumatic experiences, postmigration difficulties, and social support in a culturally diverse sample of refugees who resettled in Switzerland. A total of 94 refugees (85.1% male; M age = 31.60 years, SD = 10.14, range: 18–61 years) participated in this study. Trained assessors performed either guided questionnaire assessments or structured interviews. In our advice‐ and help‐seeking sample, 32.9% of individuals suffered from PTSD and 21.3% from CPTSD. After controlling for potential gender differences, we found positive associations between PTSD symptoms and trauma exposure, β = .22, as well as between DSO symptoms and postmigration living difficulties, β = .42, and lack of social support, β = .22. Our findings support the notion that it is highly important to consider differential associations among PTSD and DSO symptoms and risk and protective factors to gain a deeper understanding of the trauma‐related problems refugees face.
Objective identification of Mediterranean cyclones and their trajectories towards Romania
Authors: Catrina Oana , Ştefan Sabina , Crăciun Cristian
Published: November 2018

A mathematical algorithm for the automatic detection and tracking of Mediterranean cyclones is presented. The objective of this study is identifying those Mediterranean cyclones that are engaged on various trajectories towards the countries bordering the Black Sea. Mediterranean cyclones with trajectories towards Romania have been identified from a six‐hourly reanalysis of mean sea level pressure (MSLP) data set for a period of 37 years (January 1980–December 2016) within the chosen domain 15 ° W–40 ° E/30 ° N–50 ° N. The cyclone identification was performed using a method known as calculus cyclone identification (CCI), which was adapted for the Mediterranean Sea region. The results obtained using the objective method were compared with the Mediterranean cyclone trajectory data obtained about 55 years ago by Romanian researchers who made use of subjective methods. A summary of the climatology of Mediterranean cyclones affecting Romania was also performed. To demonstrate the accuracy of the objective method adapted for the cyclones engaged on trajectories towards Romania, a subjective analysis using the potential vorticity and geopotential height fields was made. The results confirmed that the method can be successfully implemented by the Romanian Meteorological Service for the detection of Mediterranean cyclones. This method will, therefore, be a useful tool for meteorologists in their forecasting activity.
Climate change impact on crop evapotranspiration in Turkey during the 21st Century
Authors: Nistor Mărgărit‐Mircea , Mîndrescu Marcel , Petrea Dănuţ , Nicula Alexandru‐Sabin , Rai Praveen K. , Benzaghta Mostafa A. , Dezsi Ştefan , Hognogi Gheorghe , Porumb‐Ghiurco Cosmin G.
Published: November 2018

Evapotranspiration calculation is an important matter due to agricultural reasons, but also for understanding water resources and runoff amount in a certain territory. Two CMIP5 multimodal projections (2011–2040 and 2041–2070) and land‐cover pattern were used to analyse the seasonal and annual crop evapotranspiration trend in Turkey. The spatial distribution of crop evapotranspiration related to the initial season, mid‐season, end season and cold season were computed through a geographical information system. The maximum crop evapotranspirations were found in the mid‐season for present and future, with 1,072 and 1,241 mm respectively. For the future period, an increase in the spatial distribution of crop evapotranspiration was depicted in several places due to climate warming, mainly in the southern and southeastern areas of Turkey and on the Mediterranean coast. The minimum seasonal crop evapotranspirations fell to below 154 and 164 mm in the present and future respectively. The annual crop evapotranspiration increased from 1,675 to 1,944 mm from present to future and the significant values of absolute changes were identified in the western, eastern and southeastern regions of Turkey. The findings are useful for scientists in the climate, hydrology and agriculture fields, but also for management decisions.
3D gradient echo snapshot CEST MRI with low power saturation for human studies at 3T
Authors: Deshmane Anagha , Zaiss Moritz , Lindig Tobias , Herz Kai , Schuppert Mark , Gandhi Chirayu , Bender Benjamin , Ernemann Ulrike , Scheffler Klaus
Published: November 2018

Purpose

For clinical implementation, a chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging sequence must be fast, with high signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), 3D coverage, and produce robust contrast. However, spectrally selective CEST contrast requires dense sampling of the Z‐spectrum, which increases scan duration. This article proposes a compromise: using a 3D snapshot gradient echo (GRE) readout with optimized CEST presaturation, sampling, and postprocessing, highly resolved Z‐spectroscopy at 3T is made possible with 3D coverage at almost no extra time cost.

Methods

A 3D snapshot CEST sequence was optimized for low‐power CEST MRI at 3T. Pulsed saturation was optimized for saturation power and saturation duration. Spectral sampling and postprocessing (B0correction, denoising) was optimized for spectrally selective Lorentzian CEST effect extraction. Reproducibility was demonstrated in 3 healthy volunteers and feasibility was shown in 1 tumor patient.

Results

Low‐power saturation was achieved by a train of 80 pulses of duration tp = 20 ms (total saturation time tsat= 3.2 seconds at 50% duty cycle) with B1= 0.6 μT at 54 irradiation frequency offsets. With the 3D snapshot CEST sequence, a 180 × 220 × 54 mm field of view was acquired in 7 seconds per offset. Spectrally selective CEST effects at +3.5 and –3.5 ppm were quantified using multi‐Lorentzian fitting. Reproducibility was high with an intersubject coefficient of variation below 10% in CEST contrasts. Amide and nuclear overhauser effect CEST effects showed similar correlations in tumor and necrosis as show in previous ultra‐high field work.

Conclusion

A sophisticated CEST tool ready for clinical application was developed and tested for feasibility.
Marching volume polytopes algorithm
Authors: Byfut A. , Hellwig F. , Schröder A.
Published: November 2018

This paper presents an algorithm for the refinement of two‐ or three‐dimensional meshes with respect to an implicitly given domain, so that its surface is approximated by facets of the resulting polytopes. Using a Cartesian grid, the proposed algorithm may be used as a mesh generator. Initial meshes may consist of polytopes such as quadrilaterals and triangles, as well as hexahedrons, pyramids, and tetrahedrons. Given the ability to compute edge intersections with the surface of an implicitly given domain, the proposed marching volume polytopes algorithm uses predefined refinement patterns applied to individual polytopes depending on the intersection pattern of their edges. The refinement patterns take advantage of rotational symmetry. Since these patterns are applied independently to individual polytopes, the resulting mesh may encompass the so‐called orientation problem, where two adjacent polytopes are rotated against one another. To allow for a repeated application of the marching volume polytopes algorithm, the proposed data structures and algorithms account for this ambiguity. A simple example illustrates the advantage of the repeated application of the proposed algorithm to approximate domains with sharp corners. Furthermore, finite element simulations for two challenging real‐world problems, which require highly accurate approximations of the considered domains, demonstrate its applicability. For these simulations, a variant of the fictitious domain method is used.
Utilizing functionalized bromomaleimides for fluorogenic conjugation and PEGylation of enzymes
Authors: Husband Jonathan T , Hill Alice C , O'Reilly Rachel K
Published: November 2018

Two efficient enzyme conjugation techniques have been explored by exploiting the reactions of bromomaleimides. The conjugations utilize monobromo‐ and dibromomaleimides, which have been reacted with reduced disulfide bonds or terminal amines in α‐chymotrypsin and human lysozyme. These reactions allow the formation of dithio‐, monoamino‐ and aminobromomaleimides, which are solvent‐dependent fluorophores and have a handle for further functionalization, which allowed fluorogenic PEGylation via this technique. In this work, the efficiency of these maleimide conjugations was monitored and the fluorescence of the resulting conjugates was examined. The quantum yields of the small‐molecule maleimide conjugates were calculated, but are low due to solvent quenching effects. Catalytic activities of the conjugate enzymes were compared to those of their respective native enzymes, which show no discernible effect of the modifications on enzymatic activity or stability at room temperature. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Spring flowering habit in field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) has arisen multiple independent times
Authors: Dorn Kevin M. , Johnson Evan B. , Daniels Erin C. , Wyse Donald L. , Marks Michael D.
Published: November 2018

Field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) is currently being developed as a new cold‐tolerant oilseed crop. In natural populations, pennycress, like many Brassicaceae relatives, can exhibit either a winter or spring annual phenotype. Pennycress is a diploid relative of Arabidopsis thaliana, a model species that has been used to study many adaptive phenotypes, including flowering time and developmental timing. In Arabidopsis and other Brassicaceae species, mutations in negative regulators of flowering, including FLOWERING LOCUS C and FRIGIDA can cause the transition to a spring annual habit. The genetics underlying the difference between spring and winter annual pennycress lines are currently unknown. Here, we report the identification of four natural alleles of FLC in pennycress that confer a spring annual growth habit identified through whole genome sequencing, cosegregation analyses, and comparative genomics. The global distribution of these spring annual alleles of FLC suggests that the spring annual growth habit has arisen on several independent occasions. The two spring annual FLC alleles present in European accessions were only identified in North American accessions collected in southern Montana, which indicates accessions harboring these two alleles were introduced to North America, likely after pennycress became a widespread species on the continent. These findings provide new information on the natural history of the introduction and spread of spring annual pennycress accessions from Europe into North America. At the molecular level, these findings are important for the ongoing development of pennycress as a winter annual crop. An enhanced understanding of the regulation of flowering in this species should allow for the fine‐tuning of flowering in commercial varieties.
Engineered SH2 domains with tailored specificities and enhanced affinities for phosphoproteome analysis
Authors: Veggiani Gianluca , Huang Haiming , Yates Bradley P. , Tong Jiefei , Kaneko Tomonori , Joshi Rakesh , Li Shawn S.C. , Moran Michael F. , Gish Gerald , Sidhu Sachdev S.
Published: November 2018

Protein phosphorylation is the most abundant post‐translational modification in cells. Src homology 2 (SH2) domains specifically recognize phosphorylated tyrosine (pTyr) residues to mediate signaling cascades. A conserved pocket in the SH2 domain binds the pTyr side chain and the EF and BG loops determine binding specificity. By using large phage‐displayed libraries, we engineered the EF and BG loops of the Fyn SH2 domain to alter specificity. Engineered SH2 variants exhibited distinct specificity profiles and were able to bind pTyr sites on the epidermal growth factor receptor, which were not recognized by the wild‐type Fyn SH2 domain. Furthermore, mass spectrometry showed that SH2 variants with additional mutations in the pTyr‐binding pocket that enhanced affinity were highly effective for enrichment of diverse pTyr peptides within the human proteome. These results showed that engineering of the EF and BG loops could be used to tailor SH2 domain specificity, and SH2 variants with diverse specificities and high affinities for pTyr residues enabled more comprehensive analysis of the human phosphoproteome.

Statement

Src Homology 2 (SH2) domains are modular domains that recognize phosphorylated tyrosine embedded in proteins, transducing these post‐translational modifications into cellular responses. Here we used phage display to engineer hundreds of SH2 domain variants with altered binding specificities and enhanced affinities, which enabled efficient and differential enrichment of the human phosphoproteome for analysis by mass spectrometry. These engineered SH2 domain variants will be useful tools for elucidating the molecular determinants governing SH2 domains binding specificity and for enhancing analysis and understanding of the human phosphoproteome.
Evaluating insecticide coverage in almond and pistachio for control of navel orangeworm (Amyelois transitella) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Authors: Siegel Joel P , Strmiska Mathew M , Niederholzer Franz JA , Giles D Ken , Walse Spenser S
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

Insecticide application is essential to control navel orangeworm (Amyelois transitella) in California almond and pistachios. Coverage is difficult because of tree height and applicator practices. Studies were conducted to characterize insecticide deposition by both ground and air, and to develop alternatives to the use of water‐sensitive cards to assess spray coverage.

RESULTS

We used almond challenge bioassays to demonstrate that insecticide application failed first in the upper canopy (5.2–6.1 m) when application speed exceeded 2.9 kph. In pistachios, we used filter paper and insecticide extraction from hulls to demonstrate that deposition increased with application volume. Typically, in ground applications, coverage decreased with height, whereas for application by air, coverage was greatest at the top of the canopy (6 m) and decreased as the spray penetrated the canopy. In the best ground applications there was no loss over height. We were able to demonstrate a dose–response relationship for methoxyfenozide using contact toxicity bioassays.

CONCLUSION

Coverage was best at or below the recommended speed of 3.2 kph and improved when water volume increased. There was a 50% loss in insecticide efficacy at the height of 4–4.8 m; we suggest that future monitoring concentrate on this portion of the canopy. The best ground application provided uniform deposition throughout the canopy, whereas the applications by air were most effective in the upper canopy. The use of filter paper can provide information for chemical deposition and enable contact toxicity bioassays, whereas water‐sensitive paper cannot do this. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Semiparametric additive rates model for recurrent events data with intermittent gaps
Authors: Su Pei‐Fang , Zhong Junjiang , Ou Huang‐Tz
Published: November 2018

Statistical methods for analyzing recurrent events have attracted significant attention. The majority of existing works consider situations in which subjects are observed over time periods and events of interest that occurred during the course of follow‐up are recorded. In some applications, a subject may leave the study for a period of time and then resume due to various reasons. During the absence, which is referred to as an intermittent gap in this study, it may be impossible to observe a recording of the event. A naive analysis disregards gaps and considers events to be a typical recurrent event dataset. However, this may result in biased estimations and misleading results. In this study, we build an additive rates model for recurrent event data considering intermittent gaps. We provide the asymptotic theories behind the proposed model, as well as the goodness of fit between observed and modeled values. Simulation studies reveal that the estimations perform well if intermittent gaps are taken into account. In addition, we utilized the longitudinal cohort of elderly patients who have type 2 diabetes and at least one record of a severe recurrent complication, hypoglycemia, from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan to demonstrate the proposed method.
Underperformance duration and innovative search: Evidence from the high‐tech manufacturing industry
Authors: Yu Wei , Minniti Maria , Nason Robert
Published: November 2018

Research Summary

Behavioral theory examines how the intensity of underperformance influences firms' strategic decisions; yet, it largely fails to consider the effect of underperformance duration. Drawing on behavioral theory and organizational learning, we argue that the length of time that a firm has been underperforming contributes to shaping firms' innovative search patterns. We test our theory merging COMPUSTAT and NBER patent data for 1,610 high‐tech manufacturing companies between 1986 and 2006. Our results largely support our predicted curvilinear relationships. We find that innovative search magnitude and scope each first decreases and then increases with underperformance duration. In addition, we find marginal evidence that innovative search depth first increases and then decreases with underperformance duration. The statistical and practical significance of the results is also discussed.

Managerial Summary

Innovation is vital for a firm's survival and competitive advantage and requires a search for knowledge. Previous research suggests that the gap between current performance and desired performance is an important trigger for firms' innovative action. We suggest that how long the firm has been underperforming also plays an important role in firm innovation. Using financial and patent data on public high technology manufacturing firms, we show that there are nonlinear relationships between the duration of a firm's underperformance and its innovative activities. We find that underperforming firms first decrease and then increase R&D spending and the use of new knowledge as underperformance prolongs. Our results imply that underperforming firms face competing short‐ and long‐term pressures that influence the nature of its innovative activities.
From farms to fuel tanks: Stakeholder framing contests and entrepreneurship in the emergent U.S. biodiesel market
Authors: Hiatt Shon R. , Carlos W. Chad
Published: November 2018

Research Summary

Although scholarship has demonstrated that market categories offer important signals to entrepreneurs about which goods and services are valued, little research has considered how entrepreneurs make sense of and exploit opportunities when contestation over category meaning persists. Using the emergent U.S. biodiesel market as a context, we present a framework to explain how the salience of different stakeholder frames shapes entrepreneurs' perceptions of market opportunities and influences their market‐entry strategies. By showing how framing contests affect entrepreneurial outcomes, this study illuminates the underlying cognitive mechanisms that impact market meaning and offers important implications for the literatures on entrepreneurship, market‐category evolution, framing contests, and grand challenges.

Managerial Summary

Entrepreneurs entering new markets must consider how their products or services create value for customers. What customers value, however, is often shaped by competition between different stakeholders who seek to define problems and appropriate solutions. We argue and find that competing stakeholders influence what becomes valued in the market and shape the technologies and products developed by entrepreneurs. From the perspective of those promoting new markets, market growth requires a balancing act between maintaining control over market definitions and attracting new customers. In growing a new market, entrepreneurs and market pioneers may unintentionally attract other stakeholders who seek to alter or redefine market meanings, which can drive demand away from initial producers, foster the development and adoption of unforeseen technologies, and facilitate market entry of diverse organizations.
Pencil‐Drawing Skin‐Mountable Micro‐Supercapacitors
Authors: Zhu Sheng , Li Yitan , Zhu Huiyu , Ni Jiangfeng , Li Yan
Published: November 2018

In this study, integrated plaster‐like micro‐supercapacitors based on medical adhesive tapes are fabricated by a simple pencil drawing process combined with a mild solution deposition of MnO2. These solid micro‐supercapacitors not only exhibit excellent stretchability, flexibility, and biocompatibility, but also possess outstanding electrochemical performances, such as exceptional rate capability and cycling stability. Hence they may act as skin‐mountable and thin‐film energy storage devices of high efficiency to power miniaturized and wearable electronic devices.
The oldest members of Porcellioidea (Gastropoda): a new link between Baltica and Perunica
Authors: Frýda Jiří , Ebbestad Jan Ove R. , Frýdová Barbora
Published: November 2018

The strata of Gotland, Sweden, provide one of the richest records of Silurian gastropod faunas in the world. Recent re‐evaluation of museum collections revealed for the first time the presence of gastropods of the superfamily Porcellioidea (Archaeogastropoda) in the Silurian strata of Gotland (Baltica). Additionally, the porcellioideans from Gotland represent the oldest record of the superfamily, members of which were an element of marine gastropod communities from Silurian to Cretaceous time, a period of more than 350 million years. The morphology of the sinistrally coiled teleoconchs in the oldest porcellioidean gastropods supports an existing hypothesis that the pseudo‐bilaterally symmetrical teleoconch and the mid‐whorl position of the selenizone in the post‐Silurian porcelliids is a derived shell character. The occurrence of porcellioidean gastropods in the Silurian strata of Baltica also represents a new faunal link between Baltica and Perunica which corresponds well with published palaeobiogeographical and palaeogeographical models. Six taxa are described, including the Sheinwoodian (early Wenlock)Gotlandiela contraria(Lindström), the Gorstian (early Ludlow)Mannegaardina hedeigen. et sp. nov., the Ludfordian (late Ludlow)Gotlandielasp. andPernericirrus lindstroemisp. nov., as well as two agnesiid species.
Guideline Approaches for Cardioendocrine Disease Surveillance and Treatment Following Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Nash Mark S. , Bilzon James L. J.
Published: November 2018

Purpose of Review

Persons with spinal cord injuries (SCI) commonly experience individual risks and coalesced health hazards of the cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS). This review will examinethe role of exercise and nutritional intervention as countermeasures to these disease risks.

Recent Findings

The CMS hazards of overweight/obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia are strongly associated with physical deconditioning and are common after SCI. Both the CMS diagnosis and physical deconditioning worsen the prognosis for all-cause cardiovascular disease occurring early after SCI. Evidence supports a therapeutic role for physical activity after SCI as an effective countermeasure to these risks and often represents the first-line approach to CMS abatement. This evidence is supported by authoritative systematic reviews and associated guidelines that recommend specific activities, frequencies, and activities of work. In many cases, the most effective exercise programming uses more intense periods of work with limited rest. As SCI is also associated with poor dietary habits, including excessive energy intake and saturated fat consumption, more comprehensive lifestyle management incorporating both exercise and nutrition represents a preferred approach for overall health management.

Irrespective of the interventional strategy, improved surveillance of the population for CMS risks and encouraged incorporation of exercise and nutritional management according to recent population-specific guidelines will most likely play an important role in the preservation of activity, optimal health, and independence throughout the lifespan.
Sharp trace Gagliardo–Nirenberg–Sobolev inequalities for convex cones, and convex domains
Authors: Zugmeyer Simon
Published: November 2018

We find a new sharp trace Gagliardo–Nirenberg–Sobolev inequality on convex cones, as well as a sharp weighted trace Sobolev inequality on epigraphs of convex functions. This is done by using a generalized Borell–Brascamp–Lieb inequality, coming from the Brunn–Minkowski theory.
Γ-convergence of free-discontinuity problems
Authors: Cagnetti Filippo , Dal Maso Gianni , Scardia Lucia , Zeppieri Caterina Ida
Published: November 2018

We study the Γ-convergence of sequences of free-discontinuity functionals depending on vector-valued functions
u
which can be discontinuous across hypersurfaces whose shape and location are not known a priori. The main novelty of our result is that we work under very general assumptions on the integrands which, in particular, are not required to be periodic in the space variable. Further, we consider the case of surface integrands which are not bounded from below by the amplitude of the jump of
u
.

We obtain three main results: compactness with respect to Γ-convergence, representation of the Γ-limit in an integral form and identification of its integrands, and homogenisation formulas without periodicity assumptions. In particular, the classical case of periodic homogenisation follows as a by-product of our analysis. Moreover, our result covers also the case of stochastic homogenisation, as we will show in a forthcoming paper.
Improving the bonding and longevity of adhesives and resins
Authors: Mathijsen Django
Published: November 2018

Rivets, bolts and fasteners… for many manufacturers and mechanical engineers these are still the most tangible ways to join parts together. Seeing a nice row of bolts is reassuring and confidence inspiring. Adhesives are often seen as a black art and met with skepticism. Although adhesive bonds can be stronger than the materials they bond together, they are still often backed up with so-called “chicken rivets”. We talk to the director of the Adhesion Institute in the Netherlands to get an insight into adhesive systems and see what the future might hold.
Trajectory optimisation of six degree of freedom aircraft using differential flatness
Authors: Elango P. , Mohan R.
Published: November 2018

The flatness of a six-degree-of-freedom (6DoF) aircraft model with conventional control surfaces – aileron, flap, rudder and elevator, along with thrust vectoring ability is established in this work. Trajectory optimisation of an aircraft can be cast as an inverse problem where the solution for control inputs that yield desired trajectories for certain states is sought. The solution to the inverse problems for certain systems is made tractable when they exhibit differential flatness. Flatness-based trajectory optimisation has a significant advantage over an equivalent collocation-based method in terms of computational efficiency and viability for real-time implementation. An application for the flatness of 6DoF aircraft is shown in the trajectory optimisation for dynamic soaring, and its connection with an equivalent 3DoF flatness-based implementation is also brought out. The results are compared with that from a collocation-based approach.
Provincial Differences in the Diagnosis and Care of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Hodgkinson Victoria L. , Lounsberry Josh , Mirian Ario , Genge Angela , Benstead Timothy , Briemberg Hannah , Grant Ian , Hader Walter , Johnston Wendy S. , Kalra Sanjay , Linassi Gary , Massie Rami , Melanson Michel , O’Connell Colleen , Schellenberg Kerri , Shoesmith Christen , Taylor Sean , Worley Scott , Zinman Lorne , Korngut Lawrence
Published: November 2018

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive motor neuron disease resulting in muscle weakness, dysarthria and dysphagia, and ultimately respiratory failure leading to death. Half of the ALS patients survive less than 3 years, and 80% of the patients survive less than 5 years. Riluzole is the only approved medication in Canada with randomized controlled clinical trial evidence to slow the progression of ALS, albeit only to a modest degree. The Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry (CNDR) collects data on over 140 different neuromuscular diseases including ALS across ten academic institutions and 28 clinics including ten multidisciplinary ALS clinics. Methods: In this study, CNDR registry data were analyzed to examine potential differences in ALS care among provinces in time to diagnosis, riluzole and feeding tube use. Results: Significant differences were found among provinces, in time to diagnosis from symptom onset, in the use of riluzole and in feeding tube use. Conclusions: Future investigations should be undertaken to identify factors contributing to such differences, and to propose potential interventions to address the provincial differences reported.
Low-Intensity Ultrasound Decreases Ischemia-Induced Edema by InhibitingN-Methyl-d-Aspartic Acid Receptors
Authors: Hada Binika , Karmacharya Mrigendra Bir , Park So R. , Choi Byung H.
Published: November 2018

Background:We have previously shown that low-intensity ultrasound (LIUS), a noninvasive mechanical stimulus, inhibits brain edema formation induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) or treatment with glutamate, a mediator of OGD-induced edema, in acute rat hippocampal slice modelin vitro.Methods:In this study, we treated the rat hippocampal slices withN-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) or (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) to determine whether these different glutamate receptor agonists induce edema. The hippocampal slices were then either sonicated with LIUS or treated withN-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) antagonists, namely, MK-801 and ketamine, and observed their effects on edema formation.Results:We observed that treatment with NMDA, an agonist of ionotropic glutamate receptors, induced brain edema at similar degrees compared with that induced by OGD. However, treatment with DHPG, an agonist of metabotropic glutamate receptors, did not significantly induce brain edema. Treatment with the NMDAR antagonists MK-801 or ketamine efficiently prevented brain edema formation by both OGD and NMDA in a concentration-dependent manner.N-Methyl-d-aspartic acid-induced brain edema was alleviated by LIUS in an intensity-dependent manner when ultrasound was administered at 30, 50, or 100 mW/cm2for 20 minutes before the induction of the edema. Furthermore, LIUS reduced OGD- and NMDA-induced phosphorylation of NMDARs at Y1325.Conclusion:These results suggest that LIUS can inhibit OGD- or NMDA-induced NMDAR activation by preventing NMDAR phosphorylation, thereby reducing a subsequent brain edema formation. The mechanisms by which LIUS inhibits NMDAR phosphorylation need further investigation.
Endoscopic Retrieval of Flanged Ventricular Catheters
Authors: Babadagli M. Ege , Cooke Dwaine , Walling Simon A. , McNeely P. Daniel
Published: November 2018

Flanged ventricular catheters are now used infrequently. Many patients with longstanding hydrocephalus still harbor these catheters, either as their current ventricular catheter, or as a retained catheter from a prior implant. The removal of flanged ventricular catheters is sometimes necessary, and may be challenging due to intraventricular adhesions. We describe the use of an endoscopic technique for the successful retrieval of flanged ventricular catheters in two patients. The technique described in this report may be helpful for patients that have flanged ventricular catheters that must be removed.
Maps in People’s Heads: Assessing a New Measure of Context
Authors: Wong Cara , Bowers Jake , Rubenson Daniel , Fredrickson Mark , Rundlett Ashlea
Published: November 2018

To understand the relationship between place and politics, we must measure both political attitudes and the ways in which place is represented in the minds of individuals. In this paper, we assess a new measure of mental representation of geography, in which survey respondents draw their own local communities on maps and describe them. We use a panel study in Canada to present evidence that these maps are both valid and reliable measures of a personally relevant geographic area, laying the measurement groundwork for the growing number of studies using this technology. We hope to set efforts to measure “place” for the study of context and politics on firmer footing. Our validity assessments show that individuals are thinking about people and places with which they have regular contact when asked to draw their communities. Our reliability assessments show that people can draw more or less the same map twice, even when the exercise is repeated months later. Finally, we provide evidence that the concept of community is a tangible consideration in the minds of ordinary citizens and is not simply a normative aspiration or motivation.
Education and Anti-Immigration Attitudes: Evidence from
Compulsory Schooling Reforms across Western Europe
Authors: CAVAILLE CHARLOTTE , MARSHALL JOHN
Published: November 2018

Low levels of education are a powerful predictor of anti-immigration
sentiment. However, there is little consensus on the interpretation
of this correlation: is it causal or is it an artifact of selection
bias? We address this question by exploiting six major compulsory
schooling reforms in five Western European countries—Denmark,
France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Sweden—that have
recently experienced politically influential anti-immigration
movements. On average, we find that compelling students to remain in
secondary school for at least an additional year decreases
anti-immigration attitudes later in life. Instrumental variable
estimates demonstrate that, among such compliers, an additional year
of secondary schooling substantially reduces the probability of
opposing immigration, believing that immigration erodes a country’s
quality of life, and feeling close to far-right anti-immigration
parties. These results suggest that rising post-war educational
attainment has mitigated the rise of anti-immigration movements. We
discuss the mechanisms and implications for future research
examining anti-immigration sentiment.
A new genus and three new species of Anthocephaliidae (Cestoda, Rhinebothriidea) from the round fantail stingray,Taeniurops grabata(Chondrichthyes, Dasyatidae) from the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Boudaya L. , Neifar L. , Euzet L.
Published: November 2018

The spiral intestines of a total of 16 round fantail stingraysTaeniurops grabatafrom the Mediterranean Sea off Tunisia were examined for cestodes. A new genus is erected in the Anthocephaliidae (Rhinebothridea) asAlveobothriumgen. n., withAlveobothrium grabatumsp. n. as its type species; the new genus differs from the other genera in the order in that its members possess bothridia with an apical sucker, marginal loculi and multiple staggered rows of facial loculi.Alveobothrium zarzisensesp. n. is also described. The species differ in the number of marginal loculi and in proglotid anatomy. Another anthocephaliid belonging to the genusAnthocephalumis also described fromT. grabata. Anthocephalum jeancadenatisp. n. is most similar toA. alicaeandA. michaeli, but differs in size of terminal proglottid and number of proglottids. All these new species are also found in formalin-preserved cestodes fromT. grabatacollected at Gorée Island (Senegal) between 1946 and 1954 by the French ichthyologist J. Cadenat and conserved in the personal collection of the late L. Euzet. The presence of the same rhinebothriideans species parasitizingT. grabatain both the Mediterranean (Tunisia) and the eastern Atlantic (Senegal) is discussed.
Slow Infections of the Central Nervous System
Authors: Becker Laurence E.
Published: November 2018

This review describes the recent advances in slow infections of the nervous system emphasizing the pathogenetic aspects of these diseases. A theoretical model for the pathogenesis of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is proposed, illustrating the factors that may affect host response to the measles virus and allow it to persist and produce the panencephalitis. The isolation of an oncogenic virus from progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) has implications in the consideration of a viral etiology for some brain tumors. The agent responsible for the transmissibility of kuru and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) remains uncharacterized despite recent interest in viroids and abnormalities in replication of cell membranes. The epidemiological data on multiple sclerosis suggests an exposure to an infectious agent at an early age of life modified by the host response. No specific agent has been consistently associated with multiple sclerosis. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, Mollare’s meningitis and Behcet’s disease are other examples where a virus is suspect but unproven. The ability of viruses to persist in the host for months to years has linked many chronic neurologic diseases to an infectious agent, enlarging the spectrum of disease caused by viruses.
Dorsal Frontal, Orbital and Mesial Frontal Cortical Lesion and Amygdaloid Kindling in Cats
Authors: Wada J. A. , Wake Akira
Published: November 2018

Bilateral anteromesial or orbital cortical lesions do not affect sequential pattern of amygdaloid seizure development. However, orbital cortex lesions appear to significantly participate in the elaboration of a Stage 6 seizure pattern.

Amygdaloid kindling ipsilateral to the side of anterodorsal cortical lesion or in animals with the same bilateral lesion appears to predispose them for the development of spontaneous, non-convulsive (partial complex) seizures. It also significantly modifies clinical ictal patterns with practical omission of Stages 2, 3 and 5, and largely lateralizes AD propagation to the stimulated hemisphere.

The latter two features are strikingly reminiscent of the electroclinical manifestations of secondary site AM kindling in intact animals or AM kindling in animals with forebrain commissure bisection.

Nonconvulsive (partial complex) status epilepticus was readily arrested by placement of electrolytic lesions ipsilateral to the AM stimulation, suggesting that MRF is essential for the perpetuation of the recurrent spontaneous seizure.

Finally, the presence and absence of positive and negative aftereffects respectively, in animals with anterodorsal cortical lesion is consistent with the view that transfer and interference effects are mediated through the brain stem and forebrain commissures respectively.
Parasitic infections in relation to practices and knowledge in a rural village in Northern Thailand with emphasis on fish-borne trematode infection
Authors: Chaisiri K. , Jollivet C. , Della Rossa P. , Sanguankiat S. , Wattanakulpanich D. , Lajaunie C. , Binot A. , Tanita M. , Rattanapikul S. , Sutdan D. , Morand S. , Ribas A.
Published: November 2018

The present study integrates several aspects of a parasitological survey in a rural community village combining community knowledge of parasites, their potential transmission routes and health risk factors. A rural community located in Northern Thailand was surveyed for intestinal parasites, and an overall prevalence of 45.2% for helminths and 4.8% for protozoan infections was identified. Socio-demographic characteristics, customs and perceptions were compiled using individual questionnaires and interviews for participants surveyed for parasitic screening. The results allowed us to determine the knowledge and perception of local people concerning helminthic infection and transmission. Despite the fact that the participants in this community were aware of parasitic transmission routes, their widespread custom of eating raw fish and meat render the reduction of helminthiasis difficult. A detailed study on the infection of fish-borne parasitic trematodes, the most prevalent helminth, allowed us to determine that the distance from a given household to the river is a determinant of infection intensity. Health education activities organised in the local community resulted in a change in perception of risks associated with parasite transmission.
Human rabies control in Lebanon: a call for action
Authors: Kassir M. F. , El Zarif T. , Kassir G. , Berry A. , Musharrafieh U. , Bizri A. R.
Published: November 2018

The status of rabies as a neglected disease has made its eradication rather challenging in different parts of the world despite the availability of a successful vaccine. Lebanon, in particular, is a country endemic to the disease with several cases of rabies deaths reported over the past 30 years. The risk of rabies, however, has taken a new turn over the past few years in Lebanon with two emerging situations that have made the control of the disease rather challenging: the neighbouring Syrian war and the local garbage crisis. Both of these milestone events might have contributed to an increase in the number of disease vectors as well as individuals at risk, thus nourishing the cycle of disease transmission. In this observational study, the effect of these two events are investigated, with an update on the status of this preventable, yet often neglected, disease in the country. Both events were found to be concomitant with a notable increase in the number of dog bites and thus possible rabies exposure. Current regulations are explored through interviews with veterinarians, and custom recommendations, ranging from policies to control dog populations to awareness campaigns in high-risk individuals, are then proposed to help control the disease.
The great rebuilding of Amsterdam (1521–1578)
Authors: VAN TUSSENBROEK GABRI
Published: November 2018

In 1452, approximately three-quarters of Amsterdam was destroyed by fire. Despite attempts by the city government to encourage citizens to build using brick and pan tiles, the city was mainly rebuilt with timber-framed buildings. Only in 1521 did petrification of Amsterdam's buildings gradually start to become more widespread, coinciding with an enormous increase in the total number of houses. The great rebuilding of Amsterdam led to a sustainable renewal of the housing stock, of which some houses have survived to the present day. This article investigates the reasons for the delay in building with brick, based on building archaeological research, bylaws and investigation of the 1562 tax register. It shows the mechanisms of transforming a wooden city into a brick one and reveals the effects on living conditions in the final stages of the rebuilding process in the sixteenth century.