bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
John Walter Guerrier Lund CBE. 27 November 1912 — 21 March 2015
Authors: Talling J. F. , Heaney S. I.
Published: November 2015

John Lund's life and career were rich in the unexpected. Although his early education was deficient in science, he ultimately altered the character and practice of his adopted subject, especially in Britain. Different traditions in systematic and physiological ecology were absorbed from successive contacts with two leading authorities, and combined to good effect in his main work on the ecology of freshwater planktonic algae. Insistence on factual specifics and accuracy, and avoidance of over-generalization, were encouraged by a long wartime occupation in forensic science with consequent legal evidence. He was forthright in his opinions; he benefited and inspired a succession of younger scientists and assistants. Cooperative work with senior scientists led to some ground-breaking innovations, including that with his wife, Hilda, involving the extension of her mycological work to epidemics of chytrid parasitism in planktonic population dynamics. In retirement he devoted much time to acquiring uncommon fluency in the Russian language, which was put to good effect in private and official matters.
Plant biomass and soil moisture dynamics: analytical results
Authors: Schaffer Benjamin E. , Nordbotten Jan M. , Rodriguez-Iturbe Ignacio
Published: November 2015

In semi-arid ecosystems, successful use of the limited water resources is of central importance in determining the evolutionary trends of the vegetation. The competition between different species and individuals for this resource is driven by variations in physiology and metabolic regulation strategies, expressed by such parameters as rooting depth, wilting point or stomatal opening, among others. It is typically not practical to simulate the full evolutionary dynamics of every plant individual in the landscape because of the difficulties introduced by the spatial heterogeneity, as well as the many timescales involved, ranging from hourly up to intergenerational. Instead, the amount of biomass of a given species assimilated per unit area of the landscape may serve as a proxy for its competitiveness and evolutionary success. It is the behaviour of the biomass, which must be described probabilistically due to the stochasticity of the rainfall, which is the subject here. This paper develops a new analytical description of the stationary and transient joint behaviour of plant biomass and soil moisture. Additionally, the effects of climatic fluctuations are considered, including the important case of a bi-seasonal climate regime consisting of alternating wet and dry seasons, which is characteristic of many ecosystems of interest.
Reconciling laboratory and field assessments of neonicotinoid toxicity to honeybees
Authors: Henry Mickaël , Cerrutti Nicolas , Aupinel Pierrick , Decourtye Axel , Gayrard Mélanie , Odoux Jean-François , Pissard Aurélien , Rüger Charlotte , Bretagnolle Vincent
Published: November 2015

European governments have banned the use of three common neonicotinoid pesticides due to insufficiently identified risks to bees. This policy decision is controversial given the absence of clear consistency between toxicity assessments of those substances in the laboratory and in the field. Although laboratory trials report deleterious effects in honeybees at trace levels, field surveys reveal no decrease in the performance of honeybee colonies in the vicinity of treated fields. Here we provide the missing link, showing that individual honeybees near thiamethoxam-treated fields do indeed disappear at a faster rate, but the impact of this is buffered by the colonies' demographic regulation response. Although we could ascertain the exposure pathway of thiamethoxam residues from treated flowers to honeybee dietary nectar, we uncovered an unexpected pervasive co-occurrence of similar concentrations of imidacloprid, another neonicotinoid normally restricted to non-entomophilous crops in the study country. Thus, its origin and transfer pathways through the succession of annual crops need be elucidated to conveniently appraise the risks of combined neonicotinoid exposures. This study reconciles the conflicting laboratory and field toxicity assessments of neonicotinoids on honeybees and further highlights the difficulty in actually detecting non-intentional effects on the field through conventional risk assessment methods.
MaGuS: a tool for map-guided scaffolding and quality assessment of genome assemblies
Authors: Madoui Mohammed-Amin , Dossat Carole , d’Agata Léo , van Oeveren Jan , van der Vossen Edwin , Aury Jean-Marc
Published: November 2015

Background

Scaffolding is a crucial step in the genome assembly process. Current methods based on large fragment paired-end reads or long reads allow an increase in continuity but often lack consistency in repetitive regions, resulting in fragmented assemblies. Here, we describe a novel tool to link assemblies to a genome map to aid complex genome reconstruction by detecting assembly errors and allowing scaffold ordering and anchoring.

Results

We present MaGuS (map-guided scaffolding), a modular tool that uses a draft genome assembly, a genome map, and high-throughput paired-end sequencing data to estimate the quality and to enhance the continuity of an assembly. We generated several assemblies of the Arabidopsis genome using different scaffolding programs and applied MaGuS to select the best assembly using quality metrics. Then, we used MaGuS to perform map-guided scaffolding to increase continuity by creating new scaffold links in low-covered and highly repetitive regions where other commonly used scaffolding methods lack consistency.

Conclusions

MaGuS is a powerful reference-free evaluator of assembly quality and a map-guided scaffolder that is freely available athttps://github.com/institut-de-genomique/MaGuS. Its use can be extended to other high-throughput sequencing data (e.g., long-read data) and also to other map data (e.g., genetic maps) to improve the quality and the continuity of large and complex genome assemblies.
Massively parallel cis-regulatory analysis in the mammalian central nervous system
Authors: Shen Susan Q. , Myers Connie A. , Hughes Andrew E.O. , Byrne Leah C. , Flannery John G. , Corbo Joseph C.
Published: November 2015

Cis-regulatory elements (CREs, e.g., promoters and enhancers) regulate gene expression, and variants within CREs can modulate disease risk. Next-generation sequencing has enabled the rapid generation of genomic data that predict the locations of CREs, but a bottleneck lies in functionally interpreting these data. To address this issue, massively parallel reporter assays (MPRAs) have emerged, in which barcoded reporter libraries are introduced into cells, and the resulting barcoded transcripts are quantified by next-generation sequencing. Thus far, MPRAs have been largely restricted to assaying short CREs in a limited repertoire of cultured cell types. Here, we present two advances that extend the biological relevance and applicability of MPRAs. First, we adapt exome capture technology to instead capture candidate CREs, thereby tiling across the targeted regions and markedly increasing the length of CREs that can be readily assayed. Second, we package the library into adeno-associated virus (AAV), thereby allowing delivery to target organs in vivo. As a proof of concept, we introduce a capture library of about 46,000 constructs, corresponding to roughly 3500 DNase I hypersensitive (DHS) sites, into the mouse retina by ex vivo plasmid electroporation and into the mouse cerebral cortex by in vivo AAV injection. We demonstrate tissue-specific cis-regulatory activity of DHSs and provide examples of high-resolution truncation mutation analysis for multiplex parsing of CREs. Our approach should enable massively parallel functional analysis of a wide range of CREs in any organ or species that can be infected by AAV, such as nonhuman primates and human stem cell–derived organoids.
Atomic disorder of Li0.5Ni0.5O thin films caused by Li doping: estimation from X-ray Debye–Waller factors
Authors: Yang Anli , Sakata Osami , Yamauchi Ryosuke , Kumara L. S. R. , Song Chulho , Katsuya Yoshio , Matsuda Akifumi , Yoshimoto Mamoru
Published: November 2015

Cubic type room-temperature (RT) epitaxial Li0.5Ni0.5O and NiO thin films with [111] orientation grown on ultra-smooth sapphire (0001) substrates were examined using synchrotron-based thin-film X-ray diffraction. The 1\overline{1}1 and 2\overline{2}2 rocking curves including six respective equivalent reflections of the Li0.5Ni0.5O and NiO thin films were recorded. The RTB1factor, which appears in the Debye–Waller factor, of a cubic Li0.5Ni0.5O thin film was estimated to be 1.8 (4) Å2from its 1\overline{1}1 and 2\overline{2}2 reflections, even though the Debye model was originally derived on the basis of one cubic element. The corresponding Debye temperature is 281 (39) K. Furthermore, theB2factor in the pseudo-Debye–Waller factor is proposed. This parameter, which is evaluated using one reflection, was also determined for the Li0.5Ni0.5O thin film by treating Li0.5Ni0.5O and NiO as ideal NaCl crystal structures. A structural parameter for the atomic disorder is introduced and evaluated. This parameter includes the combined effects of thermal vibration, interstitial atoms and defects caused by Li doping using the two Debye–Waller factors.
Islamic social business for sustainable development and subjective wellbeing
Authors: Aydin Necati
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report that the social business model has emerged to mitigate the failure of free-market capitalism driven by self-interest in creating social value. It shows how social business contradicts with free-market capitalism while being compatible with Islamic moral economy due to the axiomatic differences between the two economic systems.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper follows conceptual, axiomatic and theoretical approach to show how the social business model contradicts with free-market capitalism, but is compatible with Islamic moral economy. The paper provides a theoretical framework for Islamic social business based on an Islamic human and social development perspective. The paper first discusses the failure of free-market capitalism and the emergence of social business in the capitalist system. It then defines Islamic social business and lays out its axiomatic foundation based on the Islamic worldview. It also presents Islamic financial instruments and funds for social business. Finally, it makes a case for sustainable socioeconomic development and subjective well-being within the Islamic development paradigm.

Findings

– The paper shows that a cosmetic change to capitalism is not sufficient for enabling the social business model to take the main stage in the free-market system. There is a need for a new paradigm of reality, truth, telos and human nature to support social business. Tawhidi paradigm can be such alternative. The paper makes a strong case for social business from an Islamic worldview. Particularly, certain economic axioms within the Tawhidi anthropology, teleology and axiology provide intrinsic causes for pursuing such business model. The multi-dimensional nature of humans from the Tawhidi anthropology sets the intrinsic foundation for social business. Indeed, although the social business model is new to the West, it has been practiced in certain forms in the Muslim world throughout history. Zakat, sadaqah, and qard hasan can be used to support social business in addition to some Islamic banking instruments. The paper suggests that Muslim countries should embrace the social business model for sustainable development and greater subjective well-being.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper is purely theoretical. Future studies might shed light on the issue through empirical evidence.

Practical implications

– The paper is likely to enhance the interest in social business in the Muslim world.

Social implications

– The paper has potential to lead the creation of social value through dissemination of the social business model.

Originality/value

– The paper contributes the Islamic moral economy doctrine by making a strong case for Islamic social business.
The role of human capital in economic development of the earliest Islamic period
Authors: Sadr Seyed Kazem
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide explanation for the economic development of the earliest Islamic state. It focuses on the role of human capital as the most important element of this model and focuses on four dimensions of development of human personality in Islam: the incentive structure, rules of behavior, institutions and policies.

Design/methodology/approach

– A review and analysis of the measures and policies that Prophet of Islam and his successors adopted are made to arrive at the underlying economic model of development.

Findings

– The major finding is the role of human capital in the development of the economy at that time.

Originality/value

– The contribution of the paper is to identify the critical role of education and skills for the development of the economy at present.
The diagnostic potential of MPT63‐derived HLA‐A*0201‐restricted CD8+T‐cell epitopes for active pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Duan Zhiliang , Li Dezhou , Jia Qingjun , Xu Juanjuan , Chen Xinyu , Xu Zhigang , Liu Huifang , Chen Bokun , Wen Jinsheng
Published: November 2015

MPT63 protein is found only in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, including M. tuberculosis and M. bovis. Detection of MPT63‐specific IFN‐γ‐secreting T cells could be useful for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) diseases. In the present study, the HLA‐A*0201 restriction of ten predicted MPT63‐derived CD8+T‐cell epitopes was assessed on the basis of T2 cell line and HLA‐A*0201 transgenic mice. The diagnostic potential of immunogenic peptides in active pulmonary TB patients was evaluated using an IFN‐γ enzyme‐linked immunospot assay. It was found that five peptides bound to HLA‐A*0201 with high affinity, whereas the remaining peptides exhibited low affinity for HLA‐A*0201. Five immunogenic peptides (MPT6318–26, MPT6329–37, MPT6320–28, MPT635–14 and MPT6310–19) elicited large numbers of cytotoxic IFN‐γ‐secreting T cells in HLA‐A*0201 transgenic mice. Each of the five immunogenic peptides was recognized by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 45% to 73% of 40 HLA‐A*0201 positive TB patients. The total diagnostic sensitivity of the five immunogenic peptides was higher than that of a T‐SPOT.TB assay (based on ESAT‐6 and CFP‐10) (93% versus 90%). It is noticeable that the diagnostic sensitivity of the combination of five immunogenic peptides and T‐SPOT.TB assay reached 100%. These MPT63‐derived HLA‐A*0201‐restricted CD8+T‐cell epitopes would likely contribute to the immunological diagnosis of M. tuberculosis infection and may provide the components for designing an effective TB vaccine.
Compensatory life‐history responses of a mesopredator may undermine carnivore management efforts
Authors: Minnie Liaan , Gaylard Angela , Kerley Graham I. H.
Published: November 2015

Lethal carnivore management, aimed at reducing carnivore impacts, is a global phenomenon threatening the persistence of many carnivores. Black‐backed jackals Canis mesomelas, the dominant cause of livestock predation in southern Africa, are widely hunted to reduce livestock predation. Despite centuries of lethal management, jackals persist. Smaller canids, like jackals, are highly adaptable and display variable responses to mortality sources, which may affect management outcomes.

The effects of killing carnivores will depend on their behaviour, social organization, reproduction and dispersal patterns. We predicted that hunted jackals will alter demographic and reproductive patterns to compensate for increased mortality. Here, we collected demographic and reproductive information from harvested jackals and compared it between continually hunted (farms) and unmanaged populations (reserves).

The removal of jackals from farms results in a decrease in median age from 5–6 years (reserves) to 2–3 years (farms). Hunting also changed the age structure of jackal populations from a stable population to an expanding population. This may be ascribed to the compensatory immigration of individuals from neighbouring unmanaged areas, suggesting the formation of a source–sink system. Unmanaged areas may act as source populations exporting young, dispersing individuals to hunted areas which may act as sinks. This is likely driven by disruptions in the normal, mutually exclusive territorial system resulting in low densities of conspecifics on farms.

The low density of conspecifics allows younger individuals that would be socially precluded from reproducing to reproduce. Jackals on farms compensated for increased mortality by increasing the pregnancy rate of young individuals and increasing the litter size at younger ages, thereby increasing reproductive output.

Synthesis and applications. The lethal management of predators is the prevailing strategy to reduce livestock predation. However, the highly adaptable nature of jackals and the combination of compensatory mechanisms such as increased reproduction and potential for immigration allow these predators to persist in the face of severe anthropogenic mortality, possibly through the formation of a source–sink system. These compensatory processes will continue to counter population management actions as long as recruitment from unmanaged areas persists.
Rental as A Taste of Freedom: The Decline of Home Ownership amongst Working‐class Youth in Spain during Times of Crisis
Authors: Aramburu Mikel
Published: November 2015

Over the past few decades, as the neoliberal project gradually took hold, owning one's home became a widespread practice in Spanish society. However, the prospects of purchasing housing have since been severely reduced due to the bursting of the real estate bubble and the onset of an overwhelming economic crisis. This article analyses how working‐class young people in Catalonia reflect on this phenomenon as they face their own process of moving away from home. It also considers the extent to which the spread of the so‐called ‘culture of ownership' represented an expression of neoliberal culture, and the extent to which the apparent dissolution of the former implies the erosion of the latter. The article concludes that home ownership has undergone a complex resignification in this sector of society, but continues to be an important aspiration insofar as the underlying conditions that originally brought it about continue to exist.
Flavor Chemistry of Cocoa and Cocoa Products—An Overview
Authors: Aprotosoaie Ana Clara , Luca Simon Vlad , Miron Anca
Published: November 2015

Cocoa originates from beans of the cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao L.) and it is an important commodity in the world and the main ingredient in chocolate manufacture. Its value and quality are related to unique and complex flavors. Bulk cocoas (Forastero type) exhibit strong basic cocoa notes, whereas fine varieties (Criollo, Nacional) show aromatic, floral, or smoother flavor characteristics. About 600 various compounds (alcohols, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones, esters, and pyrazines) have been identified as odor‐active components. The specific cocoa aroma arises from complex biochemical and chemical reactions during the postharvest processing of raw beans, and from many influences of the cocoa genotype, chemical make‐up of raw seeds, environmental conditions, farming practices, processing, and manufacturing stages. There has been much research on cocoa flavor components. However, the relationships between all chemical components that are likely to play a role in cocoa flavor, their sensory properties, and the sources and mechanisms of flavor formation are not fully understood. This paper provides an overview on cocoa flavor from a compositional and a sensory perspective. The nonvolatile and volatile chemical components of cocoa and chocolate flavor, and their sensory properties correlated to the main influences involved in flavor formation, are reviewed.
Impact of a pilot pathway for the management of gastroenteritis‐like symptoms in an emergency department: A case study following a Salmonella outbreak
Authors: Ranse Jamie , Luther Matt , Ranse Kristen
Published: November 2015

Objective

This research aims to describe the effect of standard care (control) versus a clinical management pathway (intervention) on patient length of stay and admission rates during a public health emergency at one Australian ED.

Methods

A retrospective audit of hospital records for patients who presented in May 2013 with gastroenteritis‐like symptoms was undertaken following a surge in patient presentations from a Salmonella outbreak. Patients who presented with gastroenteritis‐like symptoms between 15 and 19 May 2013 received care according to a clinical management pathway (intervention). The focus of the intervention was based on symptom management, including a standardised approach to analgesia, anti‐emetics and rehydration. Patient characteristics, such as age and gender are described using descriptive statistics. A Mann–Whitney test was used to compare continuous data, and a Fisher's exact test was used to compare categorical data, between the two groups.

Results

Over an 8 day period, 110 patients presented with gastroenteritis‐like symptoms. The median length of stay was statistically different between the two groups (P < 0.001). More patients were admitted to hospital from the control group (n = 5) when compared with the intervention group (n = 0); however, given the small number of patients in these groups, inferential statistical analysis was not a reasonable consideration.

Conclusion

The length of stay for patients between the two groups was statistically different, suggesting that the implementation of a clinical management pathway for patients with gastroenteritis‐like symptoms reduced the ED length of stay. This finding is useful in future planning for similar public health emergency responses and/or for use when patients present with gastroenteritis‐like symptoms on a daily basis.
Murine response studies of insect cell (Sf9) expressed recombinant colorectal cancer vaccine candidate using surface plasmon resonance studies
Authors: Lee Jeong‐Hwan , Qiao Lu , Song Mee Ryoung , Ko Kisung
Published: November 2015

The baculovirus vector expression system is considered a useful insect cell‐based platform for large‐scale production of recombinant biopharmaceutical glycoproteins. The GA733 antigenic protein is a 40 kDa cell surface glycoprotein that is overexpressed in human colorectal carcinoma. Three GA733‐expressing baculovirus vectors were constructed: (i) GA733 fused to the Fc fragment of human immunoglobulin G (GA733‐Fc); (ii) GA733‐Fc tagged with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal KDEL (GA733‐FcK); and (iii) GA733‐FcK without the signal peptide [GA733‐FcK (w/o SP)]. These three recombinant proteins were expressed in Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) Sf9 insect cells. GA733‐Fc purified from insect culture medium (CM) and cell lysate (CL) (GA733I‐FcCM and GA733I‐FcCL, respectively), and GA733‐FcK and GA733‐FcK (w/o SP) purified from CL [GA733I‐FcCL and GA733I‐FcKCL (w/o SP), respectively] were injected intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice [three times at 1 μg, with or without an adjuvant (aluminum hydroxide)]. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis (involving a chip with the immobilized GA733 antigen) showed that, in general, the serum samples from mice immunized with the adjuvant yielded stronger SPR signals than did those from mice immunized without an adjuvant. The serum samples from mice after the second injection yielded stronger signals than did those from mice before the second injection. The group immunized with GA733I‐FcKCL (glycosylated with an oligomannose) showed the strongest SPR signals. The SPR signals from the GA733I‐FcKCL group were stronger than or similar to those from mice immunized with mammalian‐cell‐expressed GA733‐Fc (GA733M‐Fc). Thus, the baculovirus vector expression system can be used to produce immunogenic cancer glycoprotein.
Using discrete‐return airborne laser scanning to quantify number of canopy strata across diverse forest types
Authors: Wilkes Phil , Jones Simon D. , Suarez Lola , Haywood Andrew , Mellor Andrew , Woodgate William , Soto‐Berelov Mariela , Skidmore Andrew K.
Published: November 2015

The vertical arrangement of forest canopies is a key descriptor of canopy structure, a driver of ecosystem function and indicative of forest successional stage. Yet techniques to attribute for canopy vertical structure across large and potentially heterogeneously forested areas remain elusive.

This study introduces a new technique to estimate the Number of Strata (NoS) that comprise a canopy profile, using discrete‐return Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data. Vertically resolved gap probability (Pgap) aggregated over a plot is generalized with a nonparametric cubic spline regression (Ps). Subsequently a count of the positive zero‐crossings of second derivative of 1 −Psis used to estimateNoS.

Comparison with inventory derived estimates at 24 plots across three diverse study areas shows a good agreement between the two techniques (RMSE = 0·41 strata). Furthermore, this is achieved without altering model parameters, indicating the transferability of the technique across diverse forest types.NoSvalues ranged from 0 to 4 at a further 239 plots, emphasizing the need for a method to quantify canopy vertical structure across forested landscapes. Comparison ofNoSwith other commonly derived ALS descriptors of canopy structure (canopy height, canopy cover and return height coefficient of determination) returned only a moderate correlation (r2 < 0·4).

It is proposed the presented method provides a primary descriptor of canopy structure to complement canopy height and cover, as well as a candidate Ecological Biodiversity Variable for characterizing habitat structure.
Reducing stillbirths in low‐income countries
Authors: Goldenberg Robert L. , Saleem Sarah , Pasha Omrana , Harrison Margo S. , Mcclure Elizabeth M.
Published: November 2015

Worldwide, 98% of stillbirths occur in low‐income countries (LIC), where stillbirth rates are ten‐fold higher than in high‐income countries (HIC). Although most HIC stillbirths occur prenatally, in LIC most stillbirths occur at term and during labor/delivery. Conditions causing stillbirths include those of maternal origin (obstructed labor, trauma, antepartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia/eclampsia, infection, diabetes, other maternal diseases), and fetal origin (fetal growth restriction, fetal distress, cord prolapse, multiples, malpresentations, congenital anomalies). In LIC, aside from infectious origins, most stillbirths are caused by fetal asphyxia. Stillbirth prevention requires recognition of maternal conditions, and care in a facility where fetal monitoring and expeditious delivery are possible, usually by cesarean section (CS). Of major causes, only syphilis and malaria can be managed prenatally. Targeting single conditions or interventions is unlikely to substantially reduce stillbirth. To reduce stillbirth rates, LIC must implement effective modern antepartum and intrapartum care, including fetal monitoring and CS.
Evaluating an unmanned aerial vehicle‐based approach for assessing habitat extent and condition in fine‐scale early successional mountain mosaics
Authors: Gonçalves João , Henriques Renato , Alves Paulo , Sousa‐Silva Rita , Monteiro António T. , Lomba Ângela , Marcos Bruno , Honrado João
Published: November 2015

Question

Can very high‐resolution colour orthophotography and digital surface models (DSMs) from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) be effectively used for assessment of habitat extent and condition in fine‐scale disturbance‐dependent mosaics?

Location

Serra de Arga mountain range, a Natura 2000 protected site in the NW region of Portugal where drastic changes in pastoral activities have occurred over recent decades.

Methods

An UAV platform was used to collect very high‐resolution (6 cm) images and to produce a DSM (10 cm). From these data, several features were extracted related to colour, band ratios, as well as texture features calculated from colour imagery and surface elevation. Based on a systematic sampling design, field data were collected for both training and validation of a supervised classifier. Extracted features and ground truth training data were combined to calibrate a pixel‐based Random forest classifier, with the purpose of devising a habitat map for the entire study area. Map validation was performed to assess classification accuracy, and feature importance metrics were calculated.

Results

Validation results revealed good mean overall accuracy (0.89), with some performance decrease in situations of high interspersion of habitat types. The priority habitat type 6230* (Nardus grasslands), defining the vegetation matrix of the test site, obtained 0.96 and 0.91, considering, respectively, producer and user accuracy. In turn, priority habitat type 4020* (Atlantic wet heathlands) recorded 0.68 and 0.77. The obtained habitat map allowed measurement of the extent, description of the spatial arrangement and provided an indication of the conservation condition of target habitat types. Test results regarding the discrimination ability of different features highlighted the importance of surface elevation textures derived from the DSM, followed by band ratios textures and other more complex texture features calculated from colour imagery.

Conclusions

Overall, the developed methodology showed promising results for assessing the extent and condition of habitats of high conservation priority in fine‐scale, dynamic vegetation mosaics. Future advances in the use of UAV platforms may play an important role in monitoring protected sites and fulfil legal reporting obligations of EU member states, while reducing the costs associated with intensive in‐field assessments.
Recommendations for a standard UK approach to incorporating umbilical cord blood into clinical transplantation practice: an update on cord blood unit selection, donor selection algorithms and conditioning protocols
Authors: Hough Rachael , Danby Robert , Russell Nigel , Marks David , Veys Paul , Shaw Bronwen , Wynn Rob , Vora Ajay , Mackinnon Stephen , Peggs Karl S. , Crawley Charles , Craddock Charlie , Pagliuca Antonio , Cook Gordon , Snowden John A. , Clark Andrew , Marsh Judith , Querol Sergio , Parkes Guy , Braund Henny , Rocha Vanderson
Published: November 2015

Allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplantation offers a potentially curative treatment option for a wide range of life‐threatening malignant and non‐malignant disorders of the bone marrow and immune system in patients of all ages. With rapidly emerging advances in the use of alternative donors, such as mismatched unrelated, cord blood and haploidentical donors, it is now possible to find a potential donor for almost all patients in whom an allograft is indicated. Therefore, for any specific patient, the transplant physician may be faced with a myriad of potential choices, including decisions concerning which donor to prioritize where there is more than one, the optimal selection of specific umbilical cord blood units and which conditioning and graft‐versus‐host disease prophylactic schedule to use. Donor choice may be further complicated by other important factors, such as urgency of transplant, the presence of alloantibodies, the disease status (homozygosity or heterozygosity) of sibling donors affected by inherited disorders and the cytomegalovirus serostatus of patient and donor. We report UK consensus guidelines on the selection of umbilical cord blood units, the hierarchy of donor selection and the preferred conditioning regimens for umbilical cord blood transplantation, with a summary of rationale supporting these recommendations.
Azacitidine with or without Entinostat for the treatment of therapy‐related myeloid neoplasm: further results of the E1905 North American Leukemia Intergroup study
Authors: Prebet Thomas , Sun Zhuoxin , Ketterling Rhett P. , Zeidan Amer , Greenberg Peter , Herman James , Juckett Mark , Smith Mitchell R. , Malick Lisa , Paietta Elisabeth , Czader Magdalena , Figueroa Maria , Gabrilove Janice , Erba Harry P. , Tallman Martin S. , Litzow Mark , Gore Steven D. ,   the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group and North American Leukemia intergroup
Published: November 2015

Therapy‐related myeloid neoplasms (tMN) are serious late effects of the treatment of cancer with poor response to conventional treatment. Azacitidine (AZA) has been used to treat patients with tMN but current data are retrospective. We present here 47 tMN patients prospectively enrolled as a specific cohort in the E1905 study. TheE1905 study was a randomized phase 2 study (NCT00313586) testing 10 d of AZA (50 mg/m2/d) +/− the histone deacetylase inhibitor entinostat (4 mg/m2/d PO day‐3 and day‐10). A total of 47 patients [29 therapy‐related myelosyspastic syndrome (t‐MDS) and 18 therapy‐related acute myeloid leukaemia (t‐AML)] were recruited to the study. 24 patients were treated with AZA monotherapy and 23 with AZA+entinostat. The median number of administered cycles was 4, significantly higher in patients treated with AZA (6 cycles vs. 3 cycles, P = 0·008). Haematological normalization rates were 46% in monotherapy and 17% in the combination arm. Median overall survivals were 13 and 6 months, respectively. The novel 50 * 10 schedule of azacitidine appears effective, with response rates, when given as single agent, comparable to those for patients with de novo MDS/AML treated on the same protocol. However, the combination of AZA and entinostat was associated with increased toxicity and could not be recommended for treatment of tMN.
Exploring an Olympic “Legacy”: Sport Participation in Canada before and after the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics
Authors: Perks Thomas
Published: November 2015

Guided by the notion of a trickle‐down effect, the present study examines whether sport participation in Canada increased following the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Comparing rates of sport participation prior to and following the Games using nationally representative data, the results suggest that the Olympics had almost no impact on sport participation in Canada, although there does appear to be a modest “bounce” in sport participation in the Vancouver area immediately following the Vancouver Games. As such, if the trickle‐down effect did occur, the analysis suggests that the effect was locally situated, short‐lived, and small.

Inspirée par la notion de l'effet de retombée, la présente étude examine si la participation sportive au Canada a augmenté à la suite des Jeux olympiques d'hiver de 2010 à Vancouver. Les résultats de la comparaison des taux de participation au sport avant et après les Jeux utilisant des données représentatives au niveau national, suggèrent que les Jeux olympiques ont eu pratiquement aucun impact sur la participation sportive au Canada, même s'il semble y avoir un faible “rebond” dans la participation au sport dans la région de Vancouver immédiatement après les Jeux. Cela étant, si l'effet de retombée s'est produit, l'analyse suggère qu'il a été modeste et de courte durée et on l'a ressenti seulement localement.
A Virtual Director Using Hidden Markov Models
Authors: Merabti B. , Christie M. , Bouatouch K.
Published: November 2015

Automatically computing a cinematographic consistent sequence of shots over a set of actions occurring in a 3D world is a complex task which requires not only the computation of appropriate shots (viewpoints) and appropriate transitions between shots (cuts), but the ability to encode and reproduce elements of cinematographic style. Models proposed in the literature, generally based on finite state machine or idiom‐based representations, provide limited functionalities to build sequences of shots. These approaches are not designed in mind to easily learn elements of cinematographic style, nor do they allow to perform significant variations in style over the same sequence of actions. In this paper, we propose a model for automated cinematography that can compute significant variations in terms of cinematographic style, with the ability to control the duration of shots and the possibility to add specific constraints to the desired sequence. The model is parametrized in a way that facilitates the application of learning techniques. By using a Hidden Markov Model representation of the editing process, we demonstrate the possibility of easily reproducing elements of style extracted from real movies. Results comparing our model with state‐of‐the‐art first‐order Markovian representations illustrate these features, and robustness of the learning technique is demonstrated through cross‐validation.
Inversion Fractals and Iteration Processes in the Generation of Aesthetic Patterns
Authors: Gdawiec K.
Published: November 2015

In this paper, we generalize the idea of star‐shaped set inversion fractals using iterations known from fixed point theory. We also extend the iterations from real parameters to so‐called q‐system numbers and proposed the use of switching processes. All the proposed generalizations allowed us to obtain new and diverse fractal patterns that can be used, e.g. as textile and ceramics patterns. Moreover, we show that in the chaos game for iterated function systems—which is similar to the inversion fractals generation algorithm—the proposed generalizations do not give interesting results.
The TL,NO/TL,CO ratio cannot be used to exclude pulmonary embolism
Authors: Fabius Timon M. , Eijsvogel Michiel M. , van der Lee Ivo , Brusse‐Keizer Marjolein , de Jongh Frans H.
Published: November 2015

Background

The existing screening modalities for pulmonary embolism (PE), such as D‐dimer and clinical prediction rules, have low positive predictive values. With its capability to indicate pulmonary vascular abnormalities, the ratio of the transfer factor of the lungs for nitric oxide and the transfer factor of the lungs for carbon monoxide (TL,NO/TL,CO) might be an additional discriminating parameter.

Methods

Carbon monoxide/Nitric oxide diffusion measurements were performed on unselected patients seen on the emergency department for which due to suspected PE a computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) was ordered.

Results

A total of 28 patients were included, PE was found in 12 on CTPA. Median TL,NO/TL,CO ratio was 4·09 (interquartile range (IQR) 3·83–4·40) in the no PE group versus 4·00 (IQR 3·78–4·32) in the PE group (P = 0·959). Median alveolar volume was 77·1% of predicted in the no PE group versus 71·0% of predicted in the PE group (P = 0·353). Median TL,CO was 75·8% of predicted in the no PE group versus 68·8% of predicted in the PE group (P = 0·120). Median TL,NO was 69·3% of predicted in the no PE group versus 60·5% of predicted in the PE group (P = 0·078).

Conclusion

The presented data indicate that the TL,NO/TL,CO ratio cannot be used to exclude PE.
Inter‐ and intramuscular differences in training‐induced hypertrophy of the quadriceps femoris: association with muscle activation during the first training session
Authors: Wakahara Taku , Ema Ryoichi , Miyamoto Naokazu , Kawakami Yasuo
Published: November 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine whether inter‐ and intramuscular differences in hypertrophy induced by resistance training correspond to differences in muscle activation during the first training session. Eleven young men completed 12 weeks of training intervention for knee extension. Before and after the intervention, T1‐weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images were recorded to determine the volume and anatomical cross‐sectional area (CSA) along the length of the individual muscles of the quadriceps femoris. The T2‐weighted MR images were also acquired before and immediately after the first training session. The T2 was calculated for each pixel within the quadriceps femoris, from which the muscle activation was evaluated as %activated volume and area. The results showed that the %activated volume after the first training session was significantly higher in the vastus intermedius than the vastus medialis. However, the relative change in muscle volume after the training intervention was significantly greater in the rectus femoris than the vasti muscles (vastus lateralis, intermedius and medialis). Within the rectus femoris, both the %activated area and relative increase in CSA were significantly greater in the distal region than the proximal region. In contrast, the %activated area and relative increase in CSA of the vasti were nearly uniform along each muscle. These results suggest that the muscle activation during the first training session is associated with the intramuscular difference in hypertrophy induced by training intervention, but not with the intermuscular difference.
Assessing the Impact of De Novo Social Ties within Health Intervention Settings: New Questions for Health Behavior Intervention Research
Authors: Tesdahl Eric , Gesell Sabina B.
Published: November 2015

Recent developments in the study of health and social networks have focused on linkages between health outcomes and naturally occurring social relations, such as friendship or kinship. Based on findings in this area, a new generation of health behavior intervention programs have been implemented that rely on the formation of new social relations among program participants. However, little is known about the qualities of these de novo social relations. We examined the social networks of 59 participants within a randomized controlled trial of an intervention designed to prevent excessive gestational weight gain. We employed exponential random graph modeling techniques to analyze supportive relationships formed between participants in the intervention arm, to detect unique effects of program participation on the likelihood of forming ties. Program participation had a positive effect on the likelihood of forming supportive social relations, however, in this particular timeframe we did not detect any additional effect of such relations on the health behaviors or outcomes of interest. Our findings raise two critical questions: do short‐term group‐level programs reliably lead to the formation of new social relations among participants; and do these relations have a unique effect on health outcomes relative to standard methods of health behavior intervention?
Reactions to Shocks and Monetary Policy Regimes: Inflation Targeting Versus Flexible Currency Board in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Al Hajj Fadia , Dufrénot Gilles , Sugimoto Kimiko , Wolf Romain
Published: November 2015

The paper examines the monetary policy actions through which central banks in sub‐Saharan Africa have tried to eliminate the negative impacts of the shocks facing their economies. We compare two different monetary policy regimes: a currency board regime (in the CFA zone) and an inflation targeting policy regime (Ghana and South Africa) when central banks respond to demand, supply, and fiscal shocks. We extend the usual forecasting and policy analysis system models to replicate the economic features of these economies during the period 2002–12 and to evaluate the impact of several policies in response to these shocks. We find that both policies are inappropriate in helping the economies escape from the effects of negative demand shocks, both are essential when negative shocks to primary balance occur, while inflation targeting dominates the currency board regime as a strategy to cope with positive shocks to inflation.
A post‐earthquake psychopathological investigation in Armenia: methodology, summary of findings, and follow‐up
Authors: Khachadourian Vahe , Armenian Haroutune , Demirchyan Anahit , Melkonian Arthur , Hovanesian Ashot
Published: November 2015

The post‐earthquake psychopathological investigation (PEPSI) was designed to probe the short‐and long‐term effects of the earthquake in northern Armenia on 7 December 1988 on survivors' mental and physical health. Four phases of this study have been conducted to date, and, overall, more than 80 per cent of a sub‐sample of 1,773 drawn from an initial cohort of 32,743 was successfully followed during 2012. This paper describes the methodology employed in the evaluation, summarises previous findings, details the current objectives, and examines the general characteristics of the sample based on the most recent follow‐up phase outcomes. Despite a significant decrease in psychopathology rates between 1990 and 2012, prevalence rates of post‐traumatic stress disorder and depression among study participants in 2012 were greater than 15 and 26 per cent, respectively. The paper also notes the strengths and limitations of the study vis‐à‐vis future research and highlights the importance and potential practical implications of similar assessments and their outcomes.
Quantifying variety‐specific heat resistance and the potential for adaptation to climate change
Authors: Tack Jesse , Barkley Andrew , Rife Trevor W. , Poland Jesse A. , Nalley Lawton Lanier
Published: November 2015

The impact of climate change on crop yields has become widely measured; however, the linkages for winter wheat are less studied due to dramatic weather changes during the long growing season that are difficult to model. Recent research suggests significant reductions under warming. A potential adaptation strategy involves the development of heat resistant varieties by breeders, combined with alternative variety selection by producers. However, the impact of heat on specific wheat varieties remains relatively unstudied due to limited data and the complex genetic basis of heat tolerance. Here, we provide a novel econometric approach that combines field‐trial data with a genetic cluster mapping to group wheat varieties and estimate a separate extreme heat impact (temperatures over 34 °C) across 24 clusters spanning 197 varieties. We find a wide range of heterogeneous heat resistance and a trade‐off between average yield and resistance. Results suggest that recently released varieties are less heat resistant than older varieties, a pattern that also holds for on‐farm varieties. Currently released – but not yet adopted – varieties do not offer improved resistance relative to varieties currently grown on farm. Our findings suggest that warming impacts could be significantly reduced through advances in wheat breeding and/or adoption decisions by producers. However, current adaptation‐through‐adoption potential is limited under a 1 °C warming scenario as increased heat resistance cannot be achieved without a reduction in average yields.
Comparing predicted yield and yield stability of willow and Miscanthus across Denmark
Authors: Larsen Søren , Jaiswal Deepak , Bentsen Niclas S. , Wang Dan , Long Stephen P.
Published: November 2015

To achieve the goals of energy security and climate change mitigation in Denmark and the EU, an expansion of national production of bioenergy crops is needed. Temporal and spatial variation of yields of willow and Miscanthus is not known for Denmark because of a limited number of field trial data. The semi‐mechanistic crop model BioCro was used to simulate the production of both short‐rotation coppice (SRC) willow and Miscanthus across Denmark. Predictions were made from high spatial resolution soil data and weather records across this area for 1990–2010. The potential average, rain‐fed mean yield was 12.1 Mg DM ha−1 yr−1 for willow and 10.2 Mg DM ha−1 yr−1 for Miscanthus. Coefficient of variation as a measure for yield stability was poorest on the sandy soils of northern and western Jutland, and the year‐to‐year variation in yield was greatest on these soils. Willow was predicted to outyield Miscanthus on poor, sandy soils, whereas Miscanthus was higher yielding on clay‐rich soils. The major driver of yield in both crops was variation in soil moisture, with radiation and precipitation exerting less influence. This is the first time these two major feedstocks for northern Europe have been compared within a single modeling framework and providing an important new tool for decision‐making in selection of feedstocks for emerging bioenergy systems.