bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Invariant antagonistic network structure despite high spatial and temporal turnover of interactions
Authors: Kemp Jurene E. , Evans Darren M. , Augustyn Willem J. , Ellis Allan G.
Published: September 2016

Recent work has suggested that emergent ecological network structure exhibits very little spatial or temporal variance despite changes in community composition. However, the changes in network interactions associated with turnover in community composition have seldom been assessed. Here we examine whether changes in ecological networks are best detected by standard emergent network metrics or by assessing internal network changes (i.e. interaction and composition turnover). To eliminate possible spatial or phylogenetic effects, that in large‐scale studies may obscure mechanisms structuring networks and interactions, we sampled multiple antagonistic (plant–herbivore) networks for a single diverse plant family (the Restionaceae) in the hyperdiverse Cape Floristic Region. These are the first plant–herbivore networks constructed for this global biodiversity hotspot. We found invariant emergent network structure despite considerable changes in insect and plant composition across communities over time and space. In contrast, there was high interaction turnover between networks. Seasonally, this was driven by turnover in insect species and insect host switching. Spatially, this was driven by simultaneous turnover in plant and insect species, suggesting that many insects are host specific or that both groups exhibit parallel responses to environmental gradients. Spatial interaction turnover was also driven by turnover in plants, showing that many insects can utilise multiple (possibly closely related) hosts and this may create divergent selection gradients that promote insect speciation. Thus we show highly variable interaction fidelity, despite invariant emergent network structure. We suggest that evaluating internal network changes may be more effective at elucidating the processes structuring networks, and many fine‐scale changes may be obscured when only calculating emergent network metrics.
Impacts of climate change on national biodiversity population trends
Authors: Martay B. , Brewer M. J. , Elston D. A. , Bell J. R. , Harrington R. , Brereton T. M. , Barlow K. E. , Botham M. S. , Pearce‐Higgins J. W.
Published: September 2016

Climate change has had well‐documented impacts on the distribution and phenology of species across many taxa, but impacts on species’ abundance, which relates closely to extinction risk and ecosystem function, have not been assessed across taxa. In the most comprehensive multi‐taxa comparison to date, we modelled variation in national population indices of 501 mammal, bird, aphid, butterfly and moth species as a function of annual variation in weather variables, which through time allowed us to identify a component of species’ population growth that can be associated with post‐1970s climate trends. We found evidence that these climate trends have significantly affected population trends of 15.8% of species, including eight with extreme (> 30% decline per decade) negative trends consistent with detrimental impacts of climate change. The modelled effect of climate change could explain 48% of the significant across‐species population decline in moths and 63% of the population increase in winged aphids. The other taxa did not have significant across‐species population trends or consistent climate change responses. Population declines in species of conservation concern were linked to both climatic and non‐climatic factors respectively accounting for 42 and 58% of the decline. Evident differential impacts of climate change between trophic levels may signal the potential for future ecosystem disruption. Climate change has therefore already driven large‐scale population changes of some species, had significant impacts on the overall abundance of some key invertebrate groups and may already have altered biological communities and ecosystems in Great Britain.
Survival and failure modes: platform‐switching for internal and external hexagon cemented fixed dental prostheses
Authors: Anchieta Rodolfo B. , Machado Lucas S. , Hirata Ronaldo , Coelho Paulo G. , Bonfante Estevam A.
Published: September 2016

This study evaluated the probability of survival (reliability) of platform‐switched fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) cemented on different implant–abutment connection designs. Eighty‐four‐three‐unit FDPs (molar pontic) were cemented on abutments connected to two implants of external or internal hexagon connection. Four groups (n = 21 each) were established: external hexagon connection and regular platform (ERC); external hexagon connection and switched platform (ESC); internal hexagon and regular platform (IRC); and internal hexagon and switched platform (ISC). Prostheses were subjected to step‐stress accelerated life testing in water. Weibull curves and probability of survival for a mission of 100,000 cycles at 400 N (two‐sided 90% CI) were calculated. The beta values of 0.22, 0.48, 0.50, and 1.25 for groups ERC, ESC, IRC, and ISC, respectively, indicated a limited role of fatigue in damage accumulation, except for group ISC. Survival decreased for both platform‐switched groups (ESC: 74%, and ISC: 59%) compared with the regular matching platform counterparts (ERC: 95%, and IRC: 98%). Characteristic strength was higher only for ERC compared with ESC, but not different between internal connections. Failures chiefly involved the abutment screw. Platform switching decreased the probability of survival of FDPs on both external and internal connections. The absence in loss of characteristic strength observed in internal hexagon connections favor their use compared with platform‐switched external hexagon connections.
Influence of cerebral white matter hyperintensities on cognitive impairment in elderly medical patients
Authors: Shibata Koichi , Nishimura Yoshiko , Otsuka Kuniaki , Sakura Hiroshi
Published: September 2016

Aim

We investigated the characteristics of elderly medical patients with white matter hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods

A total of 213 patients (123 men and 90 women; mean age 74.8 years) reported their history of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, previous stroke, coronary heart disease and chronic kidney disease (CKD). All patients completed the Mini‐Mental State Examination and Geriatric Depression Scale. White matter hyperintensities were evaluated for the periventricular region, basal ganglia (BGH), deep white matter and infratentorial region, and brain atrophy was calculated as bicaudate ratios.

Results

Patients with cognitive impairment (Mini‐Mental State Examination score < 24) were significantly older (P = 0.001), had periventricular region hyperintensities (P = 0.029) and BGH (P = 0.0015), and showed atrophy (P < 0.0001). Logistic regression showed that cognitive impairment was predicted by stroke (OR 2.5, 95% CI 0.033–0.894, P = 0.036) and atrophy (OR 8.43, 95% CI 5.71–37.0, P = 0.0109). Multiple regressions showed that BGH was associated with CKD (β = 0.213; P = 0.003), and infratentorial region was associated with stroke (β = 0.157; P =0.035) and CKD (β = 0.172; P = 0.016). Periventricular region was associated with age (β = 0.2; P = 0.011) and Geriatric Depression Scale (β = 0.151; P = 0.037), and deep white matter hyperintensities with age (β = 0.189; P = 0.016).

Conclusions

Although cognitive impairment in elderly medical patients is associated with stroke and brain atrophy, white matter hyperintensities, especially BGH and infratentorial region, are associated with cognitive decline in relation to CKD. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1488–1493.
Japanese‐language Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale: Psychometric performance, and health student and professional understanding
Authors: Annear Michael J , Otani Junko , Li Jing
Published: September 2016

Aim

Dementia prevalence is accelerating internationally commensurate with population aging. Super‐aging countries, including Japan, will experience growing prevalence of this life‐limiting condition in the coming decades as a result of falling fertility and mortality. The authors developed and verified a Japanese translation of the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS‐J) to address the paucity of reliable and valid Japanese‐language measures, and to elucidate current understanding.

Methods

The present study was designed as exploratory research across five universities in Japan. The Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale was translated into Japanese by a native speaker and bilingual physician with back‐translation carried out to ensure consistency of meaning. Between January and April 2016, the DKAS‐J was administered to 185 health students, academics and health professionals from the disciplines of nursing, medicine and allied health in the regions of Kyushu, Kansai and Tohoku.

Results

The DKAS‐J showed face and content validity, acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.79) and adequate sensitivity (discrimination between health professionals and health students). A principal components analysis confirmed that an 18‐item iteration of the DKAS‐J performed optimally as a unidimensional scale. The results of DKAS‐J administration showed low levels of dementia knowledge among participants, with particularly poor understanding related to the clinical course of the syndrome, symptomatology and the efficacy of pharmaceutical intervention for behavioral symptoms.

Conclusion

The DKAS‐J provides a useful tool for conceptualizing baseline knowledge, changes in understanding and knowledge deficits. Such a measure will prove valuable for the design and development of educational interventions as dementia increases in Japan and worldwide. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1746–1751.
Polymorphisms in Toll‐like receptor 3 are associated with asthma‐related phenotypes in the Chinese Han patients
Authors: Zhang Q. , Fu X. L. , Qian F. H. , Cao Q. , Mao Z. D. , Bai J. L. , Du Q. , Shi Y.
Published: September 2016

Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 3 mediates antivirus immunity and is involved in asthma exacerbation and development. However, the genetic association between TLR3 and asthma remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of polymorphisms within TLR3 on asthma risk and asthma‐related phenotypes in the Chinese Han population. A total number of 462 unrelated adult patients with asthma and 398 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. The genotypes of tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TLR3 gene were determined using multiplex SNaPshot SNP genotyping assays. Case–control and case‐only studies were used to assess any links with asthma and asthma‐related phenotypes. The results showed that the genetic variants in TLR3 were associated with asthma‐related phenotypes, including eosinophil counts, serum immunoglobulin E levels and lung function. However, there was no obvious association between the TLR3 SNPs and asthma susceptibility or asthma severity. TLR3 polymorphisms may play a considerable role in the pathogenesis of asthma. It will help in better understanding the pathogenesis of asthma and development of more effective strategies for the prevention, prediction and treatment of asthma.
Augustine on Creation, Providence and Motion
Authors: Oliver Simon
Published: September 2016

Augustine's theology of creation has been criticized for its Platonic tendency to denigrate matter and for a supposedly extrinsic view of divine providence that is reminiscent of design and even deism. This article counters such criticism and argues that Augustine explicitly blends extrinsic and intrinsic notions of providential teleological order. For Augustine, God ‘administers externally the natures he has created internally’ by inscribing the rationes seminales within creatures and conferring motion through the mediation of measure, number and weight. By resisting a dualism of intrinsic and extrinsic teleological order, Augustine avoids many of the problems that characterize modern theologies of creation and provides a more coherent account of divine providence.
Studies on forensic nursing in Brazil: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Pereira de Paiva M.H. , Pinheiro Lages L. , Cavalcanti de Medeiros Z.
Published: September 2016

Aim

To identify and synthesize the national and international literature on forensic nursing in Brazil.

Background

Forensic nursing is a new specialty to the nursing practice in Brazil, being recognized by the Federal Nursing Council of Brazil in 2011. In 2016, the first forensic nursing specialization programme was authorized in the country.

Introduction

The implementation of forensic nursing specialty in Brazil marks new possibilities for the nursing practice, making it possible for nurses to develop additional skills to intervene in various situations under the Brazilian Unified Healthcare System.

Methods

A systematic search of the literature was conducted using the keyword ‘Forensic nursing’ in combination with ‘Brazil’. LILACS, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched. Studies were also retrieved from the grey literature. Once literature had been identified, a thematic analysis was undertaken in order to extract themes, which were: establishment of the forensic nursing specialty and its contributions to Brazil and its practical implications.

Results

Eight manuscripts and 20 studies from the grey literature were included in the final review. Most studies (54%) were literature reviews that indicated forensic nursing as an emerging specialty in Brazil, addressing educational, instructional, communicative or contextual aspects of the specialty in the country.

Discussion

In the nursing profession in Brazil, few studies exist on forensic nursing and those are limited to short communications. Although most studies address the definition of forensic nursing, others present its implications in various situations such as intimate partner violence, domestic violence, sexual abuse and elder mistreatment.

Conclusion and implications for nursing and health policy

Despite the study limitations, it provides evidence that forensic nursing has been silently implemented in the country with the need for more evidence‐based studies to support its constitution as a specialty in Brazil.
Short‐Term Prospective Clinical Evaluation of Monolithic and Partially Veneered Zirconia Single Crowns
Authors: Bömicke Wolfgang , Rammelsberg Peter , Stober Thomas , Schmitter Marc
Published: September 2016

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the short‐term clinical performance and esthetics of monolithic and partially (i.e., facially) veneered zirconia single crowns (MZC and PZC, respectively).

Methods

Between September 2011 and June 2013, 68 participants received 90 MZCs and 72 PZCs. Clinical study documentation was performed at crown cementation (baseline), at the 6‐month follow‐up, and then yearly thereafter using standardized report forms. Eight participants with 14 single crowns (eight MZCs and six PZCs) dropped out during clinical follow‐up. Thus, 60 participants (28 male, mean age 62.5 ± 13.1 years) fitted with 82 MZCs and 66 PZCs were analyzed in February 2016 (Kaplan–Meier survival; mean observation time for the restorations 35.1 ± 6.3 months). Descriptive statistics were calculated for participants' and dentists' esthetic ratings on a numerical rating scale from 0 to 10 (0 = unacceptable color and shape; 10 = excellent color and shape).

Results

Complications were predominantly biological in nature. One PZC was affected by minor chipping. Cumulative 3‐year failure‐free survival was 98.5% (standard error (SE), 1.5%) for both MZCs and PZCs. Three‐year cumulative complication‐free survival (success) was 93.6% (SE 2.8%) for MZCs and 95.5% (SE 2.6%) for PZCs. Three‐year cumulative fracture‐free survival was 100% for MZCs and 98.5% (SE 1.5%) for PZCs. Crowns of both types were awarded high esthetic scores by participants and dentists.

Conclusions

Monolithic and partially veneered zirconia crowns can be used clinically with excellent short‐term survival and success and without compromising esthetic appearance. Longer‐term follow‐up is, however, desirable.

Clinical Significance

During the observation time, both monolithic and partially veneered zirconia crowns showed an outstanding low technical complication rate: only one minor chipping and three losses of retention were observed. Additionally, esthetics was excellent. Based on these results the clinical use of this kind of restoration is promising. (J Esthet Restor Dent 29:22–30, 2017)
Kinetics of color development of peanuts during dry roasting using a batch roaster
Authors: Shi Xiaolei , Sandeep K. P. , Davis Jack P. , Sanders Timothy H. , Dean Lisa L.
Published: September 2016

The kinetics of color development during peanut roasting were investigated at roasting temperatures from 149 to 204°C which produced Hunter L color values of 25–65. Preliminary and equivalent roasting trials were conducted using a batch roaster simulating the parameters of an industrial continuous belt roaster. Hunter L and b values of the roasted peanuts were fitted well to first‐order models (mean R2 > 0.93). The activation energy calculated from the first‐order model of the L and b values ranged from 1.0 to 1.1 × 108 J/kg mol. High‐temperature roasting decreased the uniformity of color development from seed to seed and throughout of the kernel. A zc value of 37.6°C was calculated using the first‐order model of the L values. The cook values were 11.5–23.6, 24.5–31.6, and 41.5–57.5 min for light, medium, and dark roasting, respectively.
Caring for Older Adults with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: Sangarlangkarn Aroonsiri , Appelbaum Jonathan S.
Published: September 2016

Increasing proportions of older adults are living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is estimated that more than 50% of individuals with HIV in the United States are aged 50 and older. Part of this group consists of individuals who have aged with chronic HIV infection, but a large proportion also results from new HIV diagnosis, with approximately 17% of new HIV diagnoses in 2013 occurring in individuals aged 50 and older. Although many of the recommendations on management of HIV infection are not age‐specific, individuals with HIV aged 50 and older differ from their younger counterparts in many aspects, including immune response to antiretroviral therapy, multimorbidity, antiretroviral toxicities, and diagnostic considerations. This article outline these differences, offers a strategy on how to care for this unique population, and provides special considerations for problem‐based management of individuals with HIV aged 50 and older.
Incidence of early childhood caries: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Javed Fawad , Feng Changyong , Kopycka‐Kedzierawski Dorota T.
Published: September 2016

The aim was to systemically review the incidence of early childhood caries (ECC). The addressed focused question was “What is the reported incidence of ECC?” Indexed databases were searched using various key words. Five studies were included and processed for data extraction. All studies were prospective and two studies were randomized clinical trials. The number of participants ranged between 96 and 1275 children. Two studies reported the mean age of children, that ranged between 1.8 and 2.5 years (range 0.5 to 5 years). In three studies, the follow‐up duration was 2 years, and in two studies the participants were followed‐up till 3 and 5 years, respectively. Results from all studies reported that the incidence of ECC was significantly higher among children with caries at baseline compared with caries‐free children. In conclusion, the incidence of ECC is significantly higher in children with a previous history of dental caries.
Long bone histology of the subterranean rodent Bathyergus suillus (Bathyergidae): ontogenetic pattern of cortical bone thickening
Authors: Montoya‐Sanhueza Germán , Chinsamy Anusuya
Published: September 2016

Patterns of bone development in mammals are best known from terrestrial and cursorial groups, but there is a considerable gap in our understanding of how specializations for life underground affect bone growth and development. Likewise, studies of bone microstructure in wild populations are still scarce, and they often include few individuals and tend to be focused on adults. For these reasons, the processes generating bone microstructural variation at intra‐ and interspecific levels are not fully understood. This study comprehensively examines the bone microstructure of an extant population of Cape dune molerats, Bathyergus suillus (Bathyergidae), the largest subterranean mammal endemic to the Western Cape of South Africa. The aim of this study is to investigate the postnatal bone growth of B. suillus using undecalcified histological sections (n = 197) of the femur, humerus, tibia‐fibula, ulna and radius, including males and females belonging to different ontogenetic and reproductive stages (n = 42). Qualitative histological features demonstrate a wide histodiversity with thickening of the cortex mainly resulting from endosteal and periosteal bone depositions, whilst there is scarce endosteal resorption and remodeling throughout ontogeny. This imbalanced bone modeling allows the tissues deposited during ontogeny to remain relatively intact, thus preserving an excellent record of growth. The distribution of the different bone tissues observed in the cortex depends on ontogenetic status, anatomical features (e.g. muscle attachment structures) and location on the bone (e.g. anterior or lateral). The type of bone microstructure and modeling is discussed in relation to digging behavior, reproduction and physiology of this species. This study is the first histological assessment describing the process of cortical thickening in long bones of a fossorial mammal.
Newcomer leader–member exchange: the contribution of anticipated organizational support
Authors: Zheng Dianhan , Wu Hao , Eisenberger Robert , Shore Lynn M. , Tetrick Lois E. , Buffardi Louis C.
Published: September 2016

We surveyed 198 graduating college seniors at four points before and after they began a new job to examine the relationship between anticipated organizational support (AOS) and leader–member exchange (LMX) as mediated by information seeking. We found that AOS, assessed before the first day of work, was associated with subsequent LMX 3 months after work began. Furthermore, information seeking mediated the relationship between AOS and LMX. Moreover, LMX was associated with reduced psychological strain, lessened turnover intentions, and increased extra‐role behaviours 6 months following the start of work. These findings indicate that anticipation of future support before the onset of employment influences newcomers' LMX and its consequences.

Practitioner points

Human resources practitioners and managers can prepare a better transition for newcomers by cultivating a supportive and caring view of the organization before the newcomers start their job. To enhance such anticipated organization support, the organization's positive valuation of the newcomers and concern with their welfare can be emphasized during job interviews with prospective employees and training sessions.

Educating supervisors to be responsive to newcomers' requests for information may contribute to their adjustment and help them meet organizational goals and objectives.
Photosynthetic activity and proteomic analysis highlights the utilization of atmospheric CO2 by Ulva prolifera (Chlorophyta) for rapid growth
Authors: Huan Li , Gu Wenhui , Gao Shan , Wang Guangce
Published: September 2016

Free‐floating Ulva prolifera is one of the causative species of green tides. When green tides occur, massive mats of floating U. prolifera thalli accumulate rapidly in surface waters with daily growth rates as high as 56%. The upper thalli of the mats experience environmental changes such as the change in carbon source, high salinity, and desiccation. In this study, the photosynthetic performances of PSI and PSII in U. prolifera thalli exposed to different atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels were measured. Changes in photosynthesis within salinity treatments and dehydration under different CO2 concentrations were also analyzed. The results showed that PSII activity was enhanced as CO2 increased, suggesting that CO2 assimilation was enhanced and U. prolifera thalli can utilize CO2 in the atmosphere directly, even when under moderate stress. In addition, changes in the proteome of U. prolifera in response to salt stress were investigated. Stress‐tolerance proteins appeared to have an important role in the response to salinity stress, whereas the abundance of proteins related to metabolism showed no significant change under low salinity treatments. These findings may be one of the main reasons for the extremely high growth rate of free‐floating U. prolifera when green tides occur.
Ribavirin revisited in the era of direct‐acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Feld Jordan J. , Jacobson Ira M. , Sulkowski Mark S. , Poordad Fred , Tatsch Fernando , Pawlotsky Jean‐Michel
Published: September 2016

Over the past two decades, ribavirin has been an integral component of treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, where it has been shown to improve the efficacy of (pegylated) interferon. However, because of treatment‐limiting side effects and its additive toxicity with interferon, the search for interferon‐ and ribavirin‐free regimens has been underway. The recent approvals of all‐oral direct acting antivirals (DAAs) have revolutionized the HCV therapeutic landscape, and initially it was expected that the role of ribavirin with DAA regimens would be eliminated. On the contrary, what we have witnessed is that ribavirin retains an important role in the optimal treatment of some subgroups of patients, particularly those that historically have been considered the most difficult to cure. Fortunately, it has also been recognized that the safety profile of ribavirin is improved when co‐administered with all‐oral DAA combinations in the absence of interferon. Despite the antiviral mechanism of action of ribavirin being poorly understood, we now have a range of novel insights into the potential role of ribavirin in all‐oral DAA HCV treatment and greater insight into the antiviral mechanism by which it continues to provide clinical benefit for defined patient groups.
“The Emperor's new clothes”: discourse analysis on how the patient is constructed in the new Swedish Patient Act
Authors: Dahlborg Lyckhage Elisabeth , Pennbrant Sandra , Boman Åse
Published: September 2016

The Swedish welfare debate increasingly focuses on market liberal notions and its healthcare perspective aims for more patient‐centered care. This article examines the new Swedish Patient Act describing and analyzing how the patient is constructed in government documents. This study takes a Foucauldian discourse analysis approach following Willig's analysis guide. The act contains an entitlement discourse for patients and a requirement discourse for healthcare personnel. These two discourses are governed by a values‐based healthcare discourse. Neo‐liberal ideology, in the form of New Public Management discourse, focusing on the value of efficiency and competition, is given a hegemonic position as laws and regulations are used to strengthen it. The new Swedish Patient Act seems to further strengthen this development. The Act underlines the increased entitlement for patients, but it is not legally binding as it offers patients only indirect entitlement to influence and control their care. To safeguard the patient's entitlement under the Patient Act, healthcare personnel should be made aware of the contents of the Act, so that they can contribute to the creation of systems and working methods that facilitate respect of the Act's provisions in daily healthcare work.
Functional gastrointestinal disorders in Greek Children based on ROME III criteria: identifying the child at risk
Authors: Bouzios I. , Chouliaras G. , Chrousos G. P. , Roma E. , Gemou‐Engesaeth V.
Published: September 2016

Background

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are a common, diverse group of disorders of unknown etiology, resulting in significant socieconomic burden. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of FGIDs in children aged 6–18 years and examine their association with various demographic and socioeconomic parameters.

Methods

This was a school‐based, cross‐sectional study approved by the relevant government authorities. Informed consent was obtained by the legal representatives of all children who participated. Diagnoses of FGIDs were based on the Greek official translation of the ROME‐III questionnaire. Demographic and socioeconomic information were also collected.

Key Results

A total of 1588 children (51.8% females, mean age: 12.9±2.8 years) were included. The overall prevalence of any‐FGID was 23.1% (95% CI: 21.1–25.2). The most common FGIDs were functional constipation, n=231 (13.9%), abdominal migraine, n=84 (5.6%), aerophagia, n=58 (3.5%), and irritable bowel syndrome, n=48 (3.0%). Multiple logistic regression analysis on the probability of any‐FGID identified physical exercise, TV‐exposure, victimization, gender, parental educational level, number of children at home and number of adults at home as significant covariates for any‐FGID in the final model.

Conclusions and Inferences

FGIDs affect approximately 1 in 4 school‐aged children in Greece. The following characteristics are associated with a higher probability of any‐FGID: female gender, living in a non‐nuclear household, victimization, lower parental education level, infrequent physical activity, and high television exposure.
Mediating patienthood—from an ethics of to an ethics with technology
Authors: Kiran Asle H.
Published: September 2016

The changes that happen to healthcare services after the implementation of new assistive healthcare technologies (also called ‘welfare technology’ in the Nordic countries) concern more than increased efficiency and reducing healthcare expenditure. Of particular interest from an ethical point of view are the manners in which technologies shape the roles and identities of care receivers and healthcare personnel. The notion of ‘patienthood’ is explored in this paper as something that is both challenged by new technologies, and as something that is opened up for active and potentially positive reshaping when care receivers support their illness or frailty with assistive healthcare technologies. This dual effect of technologies (as both challenge and opportunity) requires a rethinking of ethics of technologies, which for most part have been preoccupied with ethical issues prior to the implementation of a new technology into a healthcare service. Ethics of technology should also contribute to the concrete efforts of care receivers to establish something approximating a ‘good patienthood’ in relation to a new technology, making it opportune to dub it, instead, an ethics with technology. This paper explores how assistive healthcare technologies impact on care receivers and the care situation, and in relation to the notion of patienthood, before turning to what this implies for an ethics that has as its goal to support care receivers to reach a life with the technology that is in line with their own notions of well‐being and a good life.
Double overexpression of DREB and PIF transcription factors improves drought stress tolerance and cell elongation in transgenic plants
Authors: Kudo Madoka , Kidokoro Satoshi , Yoshida Takuya , Mizoi Junya , Todaka Daisuke , Fernie Alisdair R. , Shinozaki Kazuo , Yamaguchi‐Shinozaki Kazuko
Published: September 2016

Although a variety of transgenic plants that are tolerant to drought stress have been generated, many of these plants show growth retardation. To improve drought tolerance and plant growth, we applied a gene‐stacking approach using two transcription factor genes: DEHYDRATION‐RESPONSIVE ELEMENT‐BINDING 1A (DREB1A) and rice PHYTOCHROME‐INTERACTING FACTOR‐LIKE 1 (OsPIL1). The overexpression of DREB1A has been reported to improve drought stress tolerance in various crops, although it also causes a severe dwarf phenotype. OsPIL1 is a rice homologue of Arabidopsis PHYTOCHROME‐INTERACTING FACTOR 4 (PIF4), and it enhances cell elongation by activating cell wall‐related gene expression. We found that the OsPIL1 protein was more stable than PIF4 under light conditions in Arabidopsis protoplasts. Transactivation analyses revealed that DREB1A and OsPIL1 did not negatively affect each other's transcriptional activities. The transgenic plants overexpressing both OsPIL1 and DREB1A showed the improved drought stress tolerance similar to that of DREB1A overexpressors. Furthermore, double overexpressors showed the enhanced hypocotyl elongation and floral induction compared with the DREB1A overexpressors. Metabolome analyses indicated that compatible solutes, such as sugars and amino acids, accumulated in the double overexpressors, which was similar to the observations of the DREB1A overexpressors. Transcriptome analyses showed an increased expression of abiotic stress‐inducible DREB1A downstream genes and cell elongation‐related OsPIL1 downstream genes in the double overexpressors, which suggests that these two transcription factors function independently in the transgenic plants despite the trade‐offs required to balance plant growth and stress tolerance. Our study provides a basis for plant genetic engineering designed to overcome growth retardation in drought‐tolerant transgenic plants.
The Law: Zivotofsky v. Kerry: An Unnecessary Decision Grounded on Weak Precedents
Authors: Rush Mark
Published: September 2016

In Zivotofsky v. Kerry, the Supreme Court engaged in an erroneous and unnecessary debate about the scope and definition of the president's powers over foreign affairs. It was unnecessary because the case embodied what was essentially a political question (which the Court chose not to address) concerning the nature of the legislative process. The Court discussed presidential power in terms of erroneous dicta in Youngstown v. Sawyer and U.S. v. Curtiss‐Wright that miscast and misinterpret the nature of executive power. The result is a missed opportunity to clarify key aspects of the legislative process and a muddying of the waters concerning the conduct of foreign affairs.
Dissociating parafoveal preview benefit and parafovea‐on‐fovea effects during reading: A combined eye tracking and EEG study
Authors: Niefind Florian , Dimigen Olaf
Published: September 2016

During reading, the parafoveal processing of an upcoming word n+1 can influence word recognition in two ways: It can affect fixation behavior during the preceding fixation on word n (parafovea‐on‐fovea effect, POF), and it can facilitate subsequent foveal processing once word n+1 is fixated (preview benefit). While preview benefits are established, evidence for POF effects is mixed. Recently, it has been suggested that POF effects exist, but have a delayed impact on saccade planning and thus coincide with preview benefits measured on word n+1. We combined eye movement and EEG recordings to investigate and separate neural correlates of POF and preview benefit effects. Participants read lists of nouns either in a boundary paradigm or the RSVP‐with‐flankers paradigm, while we recorded fixation‐ or event‐related potentials (FRPs/ERPs), respectively. The validity and lexical frequency of the word shown as preview for the upcoming word n+1 were orthogonally manipulated. Analyses focused on the first fixation on word n+1. Preview validity (correct vs. incorrect preview) strongly modulated fixation times and electrophysiological N1 amplitudes, replicating previous findings. Importantly, gaze durations and FRPs measured on word n+1 were also affected by the frequency of the word shown as preview, with low‐frequency previews eliciting a sustained, N400‐like centroparietal negativity. Results support the idea that POF effects exist but affect word recognition with a delay. Lastly, once word n+1 was fixated, its frequency also modulated N1 amplitudes in ERPs and FRPs. Taken together, we separated immediate and delayed effects of parafoveal processing on brain correlates of word recognition.
Commentary: Navigating the Conceptual Space of Performance
Authors: Andersen Jeppe Bøgh
Published: September 2016

Related Content: Andersen, Boesen, and Pedersen (PAR November/December 2016)
Why Is Your Patient Still Short of Breath? Understanding the Complex Pathophysiology of Dyspnea in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Salerno Fabio Rosario , Parraga Grace , McIntyre Christopher William
Published: September 2016

Dyspnea is one of the most common symptoms associated with CKD. It has a profound influence on the quality of life of CKD patients, and its underlying causes are often associated with a negative prognosis. However, its pathophysiology is poorly understood. While hemodialysis may address fluid overload, it often does not significantly improve breathlessness, suggesting multiple and co‐existing alternative issues exist. The aim of this article is to discuss the main pathophysiologic mechanisms and the most important putative etiologies underlying dyspnea in CKD patients. Congestive heart failure, unrecognized chronic lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, lung fibrosis, air microembolism, dialyzer bio‐incompatibility, anemia, sodium, and fluid overload are potential frequent causes of breathing disorders in this population. However, the relative contributions in any one given patient are poorly understood. Systemic inflammation is a common theme and contributes to the development of endothelial dysfunction, lung fibrosis, anemia, malnutrition, and muscle wasting. The introduction of novel multimodal imaging techniques, including pulmonary functional magnetic resonance imaging with inhaled contrast agents, could provide new insights into the pathophysiology of dyspnea in CKD patients and ultimately contribute to improving our clinical management of this symptom.
Short‐term treatment of equine wounds with orf virus IL‐10 and VEGF‐E dampens inflammation and promotes repair processes without accelerating closure
Authors: Bodaan Christa J. , Wise Lyn M. , Wakelin Kirsty A. , Stuart Gabriella S. , Real Nicola C. , Mercer Andrew A. , Riley Christopher B. , Theoret Christine
Published: September 2016

Healing is delayed in limb wounds relative to body wounds of horses, partly because of sustained inflammation and inefficient angiogenesis. In laboratory animals, proteins derived from orf virus modulate these processes and enhance healing. We aimed to compare immune cell trafficking and the inflammatory, vascular, and epidermal responses in body and limb wounds of horses and then to investigate the impact of orf virus interleukin‐10 and vascular endothelial growth factor‐E on these processes. Standardized excisional wounds were created on the body and forelimb of horses and their progression monitored macroscopically until healed. Tissue samples were harvested to measure the expression of genes regulating inflammation and repair (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) and to observe epithelialization (histology), innate immune cell infiltration, and angiogenesis (immunofluorescence). Delayed healing of limb wounds was characterized by intensified and extended pro‐inflammatory signaling and exacerbated innate immune response, concomitant with the absence of anti‐inflammatory eIL‐10. Blood vessels were initially more permeable and then matured belatedly, concomitant with retarded production of angiogenic factors. Epithelial coverage was achieved belatedly in limb wounds. Viral proteins were administered to wounds of one body and one limb site/horse at days 1–3, while wounds at matching sites served as controls. Treatment dampened pro‐inflammatory gene expression and the innate immune response in all wounds. It also improved angiogenic gene expression, but primarily in body wounds, where it altered blood vessel density and myofibroblast persistence. Moreover, the viral proteins increased epithelialization of all wounds. The short‐term viral protein therapy did not, however, improve the healing rate of wounds in either location, likely due to suboptimal dosing. In conclusion, we have further detailed the processes contributing to protracted healing in limb wounds of horses and shown that short‐term administration of viral proteins exerts several promising though transient effects that, if optimized, may positively influence healing.
Extensional Response and Equilibrium Kinetics of Torsionally Relaxed dsDNA Under Tension: A Brownian Dynamics Study
Authors: Ivenso Ikenna D.
Published: September 2016

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a long flexible polyelectrolyte that is housed in the aqueous environment within the cell of an organism. When a length of torsionally relaxed (untwisted) DNA is held in tension, such as is the case in many single molecule experiments, the thermal fluctuations arising from the constant bombardment of the DNA by the surrounding fluid molecules induce bending in it, while the applied tension tends to keep it extended. The combined effect of these influences is that DNA is never at its full extension but eventually attains an equilibrium value of end-to-end extension under these influences. An analytical model was developed to estimate the tension-dependent value of this extension. This model, however, does not provide any insight into the dynamics of the extensional response of DNA to applied tension nor the kinetics of DNA at equilibrium under said tension. This paper reports the results of Brownian dynamics simulations using a discrete wormlike-chain model of DNA that provide some insight into these dynamics and kinetics.
A Systematic Method for Developing Harmonic Cantilevers for Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Zhu Benliang , Zimmermann Soren , Zhang Xianmin , Fatikow Sergej
Published: September 2016

This paper proposes a method for developing harmonic cantilevers for tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM). The natural frequencies of an AFM cantilever are tuned by inserting gridiron holes with specific sizes and locations, such that the higher order resonance frequencies can be assigned to be integer harmonics generated by the nonlinear tip–sample interaction force. The cantilever is modeled using the vibration theory of the Timoshenko beam with a nonuniform cross section. The designed cantilever is fabricated by modifying a commercial cantilever through focused ion beam (FIB) milling. The resonant frequencies of the designed cantilever are verified using a commercial AFM.
Development of transparent microwell arrays for optical monitoring and dissection of microbial communities
Authors: Halsted Michelle , Wilmoth Jared L. , Briggs Paige A. , Hansen Ryan R. , Briggs Dayrl P. , Timm Andrea C. , Retterer Scott T.
Published: September 2016

Microbial communities are incredibly complex systems that dramatically and ubiquitously influence our lives. They help to shape our climate and environment, impact agriculture, drive business, and have a tremendous bearing on healthcare and physical security. Spatial confinement, as well as local variations in physical and chemical properties, affects development and interactions within microbial communities that occupy critical niches in the environment. Recent work has demonstrated the use of silicon based microwell arrays, combined with parylene lift-off techniques, to perform both deterministic and stochastic assembly of microbial communities en masse, enabling the high-throughput screening of microbial communities for their response to growth in confined environments under different conditions. The implementation of a transparent microwell array platform can expand and improve the imaging modalities that can be used to characterize these assembled communities. Here, the fabrication and characterization of a next generation transparent microwell array is described. The transparent arrays, comprised of SU-8 patterned on a glass coverslip, retain the ability to use parylene lift-off by integrating a low temperature atomic layer deposition of silicon dioxide into the fabrication process. This silicon dioxide layer prevents adhesion of the parylene material to the patterned SU-8, facilitating dry lift-off, and maintaining the ability to easily assemble microbial communities within the microwells. These transparent microwell arrays can screen numerous community compositions using continuous, high resolution, imaging. The utility of the design was successfully demonstrated through the stochastic seeding and imaging of green fluorescent protein expressing Escherichia coli using both fluorescence and brightfield microscopies.
Direct noise simulation of a canonical high lift device and comparison with an analytical model
Authors: Salas Pablo , Fauquembergue Guillaume , Moreau Stéphane
Published: September 2016

The noise of a canonical main-element/flap high-lift device (HLD) is computed directly using compressible wall-resolved Large Eddy Simulation. An experimental database for the chosen configuration allows us to successfully validate the chosen numerical approach. Both the noise sources and the far-field acoustic pressure are shown to be well predicted. Although the two elements trailing-edge noise can be observed in the near field, the flap remains as the dominant source in the far-field. The simplicity of the studied configuration enables the comparison of the validated numerical results with a recently developed analytical model that takes into account the diffraction of the flap noise by the main-element. A two-dimensional (2D) (with and without Kutta condition) and a three-dimensional (without Kutta correction) analytical formulations are compared with the numerical results. All formulations compare favorably with the numerical reference in terms of noise levels and directivities. However, the 2D formulation with a Kutta correction provides the best quantitative agreement as expected from the narrow span of the numerical domain. The recently developed analytical model is therefore a good predictive tool for HLD, showing that it can properly account for the diffraction effect of the main element on the flap main noise source.
Universal microbial diagnostics using random DNA probes
Authors: Aghazadeh Amirali , Lin Adam Y. , Sheikh Mona A. , Chen Allen L. , Atkins Lisa M. , Johnson Coreen L. , Petrosino Joseph F. , Drezek Rebekah A. , Baraniuk Richard G.
Published: September 2016

A new diagnostic platform based on randomized DNA probes can screen for common human pathogens.
Not spreading in reverse: The dewetting of a liquid film into a single drop
Authors: Edwards Andrew M. J. , Ledesma-Aguilar Rodrigo , Newton Michael I. , Brown Carl V. , McHale Glen
Published: September 2016

Dewetting films are not the time reversal of spreading droplets.
Canada aims to rewrite environmental law
Authors: Ogden Lesley Evans
Published: September 2016

Scientists urge Trudeau government to adopt stronger rules for project reviews.
Rosetta ends 2-year comet mission with final descent
Authors: Clery Daniel
Published: September 2016

Fluffy particles indicate that 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko was born gently from flocks of pebbles.
The biggest ear
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: September 2016

It will take one more burst of ingenuity to get China's massive radio telescope to live up to its promise.
A latitudinal gradient for genetic diversity
Authors: Pereira Henrique M.
Published: September 2016

Within-species diversity of amphibians and terrestrial mammals is highest in the tropics
Leveling up
Evolutionary Theory A Hierarchical Perspective
Niles Eldredge, Telmo Pievani, Emanuele Serrelli, Ilya Tëmkin, Eds.
University of Chicago Press, 2016. 393 pp.
Authors: Autzen Bengt
Published: September 2016

Advocates aim to stimulate renewed interest in a hierarchical theory of evolution
Immune receptor for pathogenic α-synuclein
Authors: Jucker Mathias , Heikenwalder Mathias
Published: September 2016

An immune protein facilitates neuronal uptake of a Parkinson's disease–associated protein