bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental investigation of alternative transmission functions: Quantitative evidence for the importance of nonlinear transmission dynamics in host–parasite systems
Authors: Orlofske Sarah A. , Flaxman Samuel M. , Joseph Maxwell B. , Fenton Andy , Melbourne Brett A. , Johnson Pieter T. J.
Published: November 2017

Understanding pathogen transmission is crucial for predicting and managing disease. Nonetheless, experimental comparisons of alternative functional forms of transmission remain rare, and those experiments that are conducted are often not designed to test the full range of possible forms.

To differentiate among 10 candidate transmission functions, we used a novel experimental design in which we independently varied four factors—duration of exposure, numbers of parasites, numbers of hosts and parasite density—in laboratory infection experiments.

We used interactions between amphibian hosts and trematode parasites as a model system and all candidate models incorporated parasite depletion. An additional manipulation involving anaesthesia addressed the effects of host behaviour on transmission form.

Across all experiments, nonlinear transmission forms involving either a power law or a negative binomial function were the best‐fitting models and consistently outperformed the linear density‐dependent and density‐independent functions. By testing previously published data for two other host–macroparasite systems, we also found support for the same nonlinear transmission forms.

Although manipulations of parasite density are common in transmission studies, the comprehensive set of variables tested in our experiments revealed that variation in density alone was least likely to differentiate among competing transmission functions. Across host–pathogen systems, nonlinear functions may often more accurately represent transmission dynamics and thus provide more realistic predictions for infection.
How disturbance and dispersal influence intraspecific structure
Authors: Fraser Ceridwen I. , Davies Ian D. , Bryant David , Waters Jonathan M.
Published: November 2017

Recent studies have suggested that spatial patterns of intraspecific diversity can be influenced by density‐dependent processes, which can inhibit effective migration of new lineages to established populations. How mechanisms such as dispersal and disturbance influence these processes is, however, still poorly understood.

We hypothesised that (1) species with leptokurtic dispersal (frequent on small scales but rare on larger scales) would show no spatial structure on small scales and strong structure on large scales, and (2) disturbance would influence the chance of genetic turnover in a population.

We tested these hypotheses using empirical genetic (mtDNA) data from field observations of a model taxon (the buoyant, forest‐forming kelp Durvillaea, which exhibits leptokurtic dispersal distribution), and by conducting simulation analyses.

Our data supported the first hypothesis, with no spatial structure detected on fine (metres) scales despite evidence of strong structure on larger (tens to hundreds of kilometres) scales. The second hypothesis was also supported, with simulations showing that disturbance increased the rate at which structure developed, and reduced the time to fixation (monopolisation by a single lineage). The chance of any lineage reaching fixation was directly related to its initial proportion in the population, and this relationship was unaffected by changes in disturbance size or dispersal capacity. We conclude that, in the absence of selection, extirpation is typically a prerequisite for population‐genetic “turnover”, with remnant (refugial) individuals otherwise outnumbering immigrants.

Synthesis. Disturbance plays a critical role in releasing density‐dependent blocks to colonisation, and thus enables lineage turnover within species. Our results indicate that although both disturbance size and dispersal capacity play important roles in the formation of spatial structure within species, unless a population is totally extirpated, establishment of genetic lineages from elsewhere (turnover) is unlikely even for species that can disperse well.
Direct and indirect controls on organic matter decomposition in four coastal wetland communities along a landscape salinity gradient
Authors: Stagg Camille L. , Baustian Melissa M. , Perry Carey L. , Carruthers Tim J. B. , Hall Courtney T.
Published: November 2017

Coastal wetlands store more carbon than most ecosystems globally. As sea level rises, changes in flooding and salinity will potentially impact ecological functions, such as organic matter decomposition, that influence carbon storage. However, little is known about the mechanisms that control organic matter loss in coastal wetlands at the landscape scale. As sea level rises, how will the shift from fresh to salt‐tolerant plant communities impact organic matter decomposition? Do long‐term, plant‐mediated, effects of sea‐level rise differ from direct effects of elevated salinity and flooding?

We identified internal and external factors that regulated indirect and direct pathways of sea‐level rise impacts, respectively, along a landscape‐scale salinity gradient that incorporated changes in wetland type (fresh, oligohaline, mesohaline and polyhaline marshes). We found that indirect and direct impacts of sea‐level rise had opposing effects on organic matter decomposition.

Salinity had an indirect effect on litter decomposition that was mediated through litter quality. Despite significant variation in environmental conditions along the landscape gradient, the best predictors of above‐ and below‐ground litter decomposition were internal drivers, initial litter nitrogen content and initial litter lignin content respectively. Litter decay constants were greatest in the oligohaline marsh and declined with increasing salinity, and the fraction of litter remaining (asymptote) was greatest in the mesohaline marsh. In contrast, direct effects of salinity and flooding were positive. External drivers, salinity and flooding, stimulated cellulytic activity, which was highest in the polyhaline marsh.

Synthesis. Our results indicate that as sea level rises, initial direct effects of salinity will stimulate decay of labile carbon, but over time as plant communities shift from fresh to polyhaline marsh, litter decay will decline, yielding greater potential for long‐term carbon storage. These findings highlight the importance of quantifying carbon loss at multiple temporal scales, not only in coastal wetlands but also in other ecosystems where plant‐mediated responses to climate change will have significant impacts on carbon cycling.
Regulation of thyroid sodium‐iodide symporter in different stages of goiter: Possible involvement of reactive oxygen species
Authors: Matos Lívia P L , Penha Ricardo Cortez Cardoso , Cardoso‐Weide Luciene C , Freitas Mariana L , Silva Diorney L S G , Ferreira Andrea C F
Published: November 2017

Na+/I− symporter (NIS) transports iodide into thyrocytes, a fundamental step for thyroid hormone biosynthesis. Our aim was to evaluate NIS regulation in different status of goitrogenesis and its underlying mechanisms. Wistar rats were treated with methimazole (MMI) for 5 and 21 days, to achieve different status of goiter. We then evaluated the effect of MMI removal for 1 day (R1d), after 5 (R1d‐5d) or 21 (R1d‐21d) days of MMI treatment. MMI increased thyroid weight, iodide uptake and in vitro TPO activity in a time‐dependent way. Although MMI removal evoked a rapid normalization of TPO activity in R1d‐5d, it was still high in R1d‐21d. On the other hand, iodide uptake was rapidly down‐regulated in R1d‐21d, but not in R1d‐5d, suggesting that the increased TPO activity in R1d‐21d led to increased intraglandular organified iodine (I‐X), which is known to inhibit iodide uptake. Since TGFβ has been shown to mediate some effects of I‐X, we evaluated TGFβ and TGFβ receptor mRNA levels, which were increased in R1d‐21d. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that TGFβ stimulates NOX4. Accordingly, our data revealed increased NOX4 expression and H2O2 generation in R1d‐21d. Finally, we evaluated the effect of H2O2 on NIS function and mRNA levels in PCCL3 thyroid cell line, which were reduced. Thus, the present study suggests that there is a relationship between the size of the goiter and NIS regulation and that the mechanism might involve I‐X, TGFβ, NOX4 and increased ROS production.
Interactive effects of morphine and dopamine receptor agonists on spatial recognition memory in mice
Authors: Chen Yanmei , Fu Yu , An Yingjie , Cao Jun , Wang Jianhong , Zhang Jichuan
Published: November 2017

Both opiates and dopamine play important roles in learning and memory. Although synergistic action between these two neurotransmitters has been found, their functional roles remain unclear. Here, low dose morphine (2.5 mg/kg) and low dose dopamine receptor agonists (apomorphine 0.05 mg/kg; SKF38393 0.01 mg/kg; bromocriptine 0.05 mg/kg), which have no effects on spatial recognition memory, were injected intraperitoneally into mice 30 minutes before a memory test in a two‐trial recognition Y‐maze. The Y‐maze is based on the innate tendency of rodents to explore novel environments and is therefore suitable for exploring the effects of morphine on learning and memory. Our results showed that both D1‐like and D2‐like dopamine receptor agonists dose‐dependently impaired the retrieval of spatial recognition memory in the Y‐maze, and co‐administration of memory ineffective doses of apomorphine (0.05 mg/kg), SKF38393 (0.01 mg/kg), or bromocriptine (0.05 mg/kg) and of morphine (2.5 mg/kg) resulted in impaired spatial recognition memory retrieval in mice. These findings suggest the existence of interactions between morphine and dopamine receptor agonists in memory processing and that activation of the dopamine system might contribute to morphine‐induced impairment of memory, which could provide insight into human addiction.
London‐Bahrain Archaeological Expedition excavations at Saar: 1993 season
Authors: MOON JANE , FARID SHAHINA , HICKS ALISON , HICKS MARTIN , KIELY JENNIFER , IRVING BRIAN , MATTHEWS WENDY , FRENCH CHARLES
Published: November 2017

During 1993, the London‐Bahrain Archaeological Expedition conducted a fourth season of excavations at the early second millennium settlement of Saar, Bahrain. A lower level of the temple was cleared, and a range of buildings to its north‐west discovered. A new street was found opposite the temple entrance, and several of the buildings along the main street were further investigated. Further environmental research included a new programme of micromorphology and the start of research into the fish remains.
Trumpal Fears, Anthropological Possibilities, and Muslim Futures
Authors: Ali Arshad Imtiaz
Published: November 2017

Reflecting upon a decade of research with Muslim youth across the United States, this article highlights the fears and concerns Muslim communities have expressed in the wake of Donald Trump's 2016 U.S. presidential victory. In explicating the concerns expressed by these youth, the author examines the context of Trump's rise and its relationship to American political culture and economy. The article discusses some possibilities and challenges for educational anthropologists to respond to the contemporary political moment.
High‐Five Fridays: (Mis)trust‐Building in One White Liberal Community
Authors: Ives Denise , Cammack Camille
Published: November 2017

The shocking election of President Donald Trump following a campaign characterized by hateful and divisive rhetoric has left many people fearful. In this essay the authors recount their story about the difficulties they encountered trying to disrupt the normalization of white experience through a local community policing initiative in their liberal Northeastern community. They describe how discourses shaped and controlled conversations about race privileging the police over the policed and white over the other.
Political Possibilities: Lessons from the Undocumented Youth Movement for Resistance to the Trump Administration
Authors: Negrón‐Gonzales Genevieve
Published: November 2017

Part‐reflection, part‐qualitative analysis, the author draws on ten years of qualitative and ethnographic research on undocumented young people in order to make sense of the political possibilities in this moment. I posit there is much to be learned from these undocumented young activists and their struggle as we consider how to respond to the Trump administration. In this article, I use my own background as an activist as an entry point and highlight three lessons from the undocumented youth movement using examples from my ethnographic fieldwork to illustrate these lessons. I then discuss the movement's relevance for possibilities of resistance in the age of Trump.
Associations of lifestyle factors with serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 concentration in prepubertal children
Authors: Mäntyselkä Aino , Jääskeläinen Jarmo , Eloranta Aino‐Maija , Väistö Juuso , Voutilainen Raimo , Ong Ken , Brage Søren , Lakka Timo A. , Lindi Virpi
Published: November 2017

Objective

Little is known about the relationships of dietary factors, physical activity and sedentary behaviour to dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) concentrations among prepubertal children. Therefore, we studied the associations of these lifestyle factors with serum DHEAS and IGF‐1 in children.

Design and subjects

Cross‐sectional analysis of a population sample of 431 prepubertal children aged 6‐9 years.

Measurements

Assessment of dietary factors by food records and physical activity and sedentary behaviour by a combined heart rate and movement monitor and a questionnaire. Measurement of serum DHEAS and IGF‐1.

Results

Consumption of low‐fibre grain products (standardized regression coefficient β = .118, P = .017) and intake of vegetable protein (β = .100, P = .045) was positively and consumption of sugar‐sweetened beverages (β = −.117, P = .018) was inversely associated with DHEAS after adjustment for sex, age and body fat percentage. Energy intake (β = .160, P = .001) was positively associated with IGF‐1 adjusting for sex, age and body fat percentage. Vigorous physical activity was inversely associated with DHEAS after adjustment for sex and age (β = −.120, P = .027), and total (β = −.137, P = .007), moderate (β = −.130, P = .012), vigorous (β = −.136, P = .011) and moderate to vigorous physical activity (β = −.160, P = .003) were inversely and total sedentary behaviour (β = .151, P = .003) was positively associated with IGF‐1 adjusting for sex and age. None of physical activity measures was associated with DHEAS or IGF‐1 after additional adjustment for body fat percentage.

Conclusions

Lifestyle factors have weak and moderate associations with biochemical markers of adrenarche in prepubertal children. These associations indicate body fat independent and dependent influences of diet and physical activity, respectively.
Richieri‐Costa‐Pereira syndrome: Expanding its phenotypic and genotypic spectrum
Authors: Bertola D.R. , Hsia G. , Alvizi L. , Gardham A. , Wakeling E.L. , Yamamoto G.L. , Honjo R.S. , Oliveira L.A.N. , Di Francesco R.C. , Perez B.A. , Kim C.A. , Passos‐Bueno M.R.
Published: November 2017

Richieri‐Costa‐Pereira syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive acrofacial dysostosis that has been mainly described in Brazilian individuals. The cardinal features include Robin sequence, cleft mandible, laryngeal anomalies and limb defects. A biallelic expansion of a complex repeated motif in the 5′ untranslated region of EIF4A3 has been shown to cause this syndrome, commonly with 15 or 16 repeats. The only patient with mild clinical findings harbored a 14‐repeat expansion in 1 allele and a point mutation in the other allele. This proband is described here in more details, as well as is his affected sister, and 5 new individuals with Richieri‐Costa‐Pereira syndrome, including a patient from England, of African ancestry. This study has expanded the phenotype in this syndrome by the observation of microcephaly, better characterization of skeletal abnormalities, less severe phenotype with only mild facial dysmorphisms and limb anomalies, as well as the absence of cleft mandible, which is a hallmark of the syndrome. Although the most frequent mutation in this study was the recurrent 16‐repeat expansion in EIF4A3, there was an overrepresentation of the 14‐repeat expansion, with mild phenotypic expression, thus suggesting that the number of these motifs could play a role in phenotypic delineation.
Variants in CIB2 cause DFNB48 and not USH1J
Authors: Booth K.T. , Kahrizi K. , Babanejad M. , Daghagh H. , Bademci G. , Arzhangi S. , Zareabdollahi D. , Duman D. , El‐Amraoui A. , Tekin M. , Najmabadi H. , Azaiez H. , Smith R.J.
Published: November 2017

The genetic, mutational and phenotypic spectrum of deafness‐causing genes shows great diversity and pleiotropy. The best examples are the group of genes, which when mutated can either cause non‐syndromic hearing loss (NSHL) or the most common dual sensory impairment, Usher syndrome (USH). Variants in the CIB2 gene have been previously reported to cause hearing loss at the DFNB48 locus and deaf‐blindness at the USH1J locus. In this study, we characterize the phenotypic spectrum in a multiethnic cohort with autosomal recessive non‐syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) due to variants in the CIB2 gene. Of the 6 families we ascertained, 3 segregated novel loss‐of‐function (LOF) variants, 2 families segregated missense variants (1 novel) and 1 family segregated a previously reported pathogenic variant in trans with a frameshift variant. This report is the first to show that biallelic LOF variants in CIB2 cause ARNSHL and not USH. In the era of precision medicine, providing the correct diagnosis (NSHL vs USH) is essential for patient care as it impacts potential intervention and prevention options for patients. Here, we provide evidence disqualifying CIB2 as an USH‐causing gene.
Acupuncture inhibits TXNIP‐associated oxidative stress and inflammation to attenuate cognitive impairment in vascular dementia rats
Authors: Du Si‐Qi , Wang Xue‐Rui , Zhu Wen , Ye Yang , Yang Jing‐Wen , Ma Si‐Ming , Ji Cai‐Shuo , Liu Cun‐Zhi
Published: November 2017

Aims

Oxidative stress and inflammation have been implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular dementia (VD). Thioredoxin‐interacting protein (TXNIP) plays a vital role in oxidative stress and NOD‐like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation. There is evidence that acupuncture has an antioxidative and neuroprotective effect in VD. In this study, we investigated whether acupuncture can attenuate cognitive impairment via inhibiting TXNIP‐associated oxidative stress and inflammation in VD rats.

Methods

Both common carotid arteries were occluded (2‐vessel occlusion [2VO]) in rats to model VD. The neuroprotective effect of acupuncture was assessed by the Morris water maze and Nissl staining. Oxidative stress was assessed by detecting levels of reactive oxygen species, DNA oxidation, and antioxidase. Western blot, real‐time PCR, and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of TXNIP, NLRP3, caspase‐1, and IL‐1β. A TXNIP siRNA intraventricular injection was applied to investigate whether acupuncture mimicked the effect of TXNIP inhibitor.

Results

Our findings demonstrated that VD rats treated with acupuncture had reduced hippocampal neuronal loss and oxidative stress. The upregulation of TXNIP, NLRP3, caspase‐1, and IL‐1β induced by 2VO was also reversed by acupuncture. Furthermore, TXNIP siRNA had a similar effect as acupuncture on cognition, hippocampal neurons, and ROS production in VD rats.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our study suggests that the neuroprotective effects of acupuncture in VD are mediated through reducing expression of TXNIP‐associated oxidative stress and inflammation.
Effect of process conditions on the properties of surface‐modified organic pigments encapsulated by UV‐curable resins
Authors: Hakeim O. A. , Arafa A. A. , Zahran M. K. , Abdou L. A. W.
Published: November 2017

Aqueous dispersions of nanoscale organic pigments were successfully prepared via ball milling and ultrasonication. The dispersed organic pigments were encapsulated into UV‐curable resins via a mini‐emulsion technique. Critical factors that affected the dispersion and encapsulation stability were investigated. The encapsulated organic pigments were characterised with transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analyses, Fourier Transform‐infrared spectra and zeta potential. The results clarified that the type of dispersing agent plays an important role in achieving maximal dispersion stability. Encapsulated organic pigments showed greater dispersion stability, and better wettability than the original pigments. Polyester tetra‐acrylate oligomer can stabilise the mini‐emulsion from diffusion degradation and inhibit phase separation with time. 1,6‐Hexandiol dimethacrylate was the monomer of choice for ink‐jet printing inks. Furthermore, it was found that monomer/oligomer and pigment/resin ratios were more influential and needed to be optimised. Thermal analysis, ultracentrifuge sedimentation and morphologies provided supporting evidence for the encapsulation of organic pigments into UV‐curable resins.
Enhancing engineered vascular networks in vitro and in vivo: The effects of IGF1 on vascular development and durability
Authors: Friedrich Claudia C. , Lin Yunfeng , Krannich Alexander , Wu Yinan , Vacanti Joseph P. , Neville Craig M.
Published: November 2017

Objectives

Creation of functional, durable vasculature remains an important goal within the field of regenerative medicine. Engineered biological vasculature has the potential to restore or improve human tissue function. We hypothesized that the pleotropic effects of insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF1) would enhance the engineering of capillary‐like vasculature.

Materials and methods

The impact of IGF1 upon vasculogenesis was examined in in vitro cultures for a period of up to 40 days and as subcutaneous implants within immunodeficient mice. Co‐cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells in collagen‐fibronectin hydrogels were supplemented with either recombinant IGF1 protein or genetically engineered cells to provide sustained IGF1. Morphometric analysis was performed on the vascular networks that formed in four concentrations of IGF1.

Results

IGF1 supplementation significantly enhanced de novo vasculogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. Effects were long‐term as they lasted the duration of the study period, and included network density, vessel length, and diameter. Bifurcation density was not affected. However, the highest concentrations of IGF1 tested were either ineffective or even deleterious. Sustained IGF1 delivery was required in vivo as the inclusion of recombinant IGF1 protein had minimal impact.

Conclusion

IGF1 supplementation can be used to produce neovasculature with significantly enhanced network density and durability. Its use is a promising methodology for engineering de novo vasculature to support regeneration of functional tissue.
The pretreatment neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio may predict prognosis of patients with liver cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Min Guang‐Tao , Li Yu‐Min , Yao Nan , Wang Jun , Wang Hong‐Peng , Chen Wei
Published: November 2017

Background

At present, several studies have reported that the pretreatment neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) may be associated with the prognosis of liver cancer. Nevertheless, their conclusions remain controversial. Thus, we performed a meta‐analysis of 54 studies to evaluate the prognostic value of NLR.

Method

Databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched to July 2017.

Result

A total of 54 studies including 12 979 patients were included in this meta‐analysis. Elevated NLR had a close relationship with the overall survival (OS) (HR 1.52; 95% CI 1.39‐1.67), recurrence‐free survival (RFS) (HR 1.84; 95% CI 1.48‐2.30), and disease‐free survival (DFS) (HR 1.71; 95% CI 1.39‐2.11) of liver cancer, respectively. In addition, elevated NLR was associated with the presence of tumor vascular invasion (OR 2.35; 95% CI 1.93‐2.86), multiple tumors (OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.15‐1.66), alpha‐fetoprotein ≥ 400 ng/mL (OR 1.51; 95% CI 1.15‐1.98), presence of HbsAg (+) (OR 0.68; 95% CI 0.51‐0.90), and cirrhosis (OR: 0.59; 95% CI 0.44‐0.80).

Conclusion

This meta‐analysis indicated that elevated NLR may be an effective and noninvasive indicator for prognosis of patients with liver cancer.
Long‐term efficacy and safety of canagliflozin in combination with insulin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Inagaki Nobuya , Harashima Shin‐ichi , Kaku Kohei , Kondo Kazuoki , Maruyama Nobuko , Otsuka Makiko , Kawaguchi Yutaka , Iijima Hiroaki
Published: November 2017

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the long‐term efficacy and safety of canagliflozin as add‐on therapy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had inadequate glycaemic control with insulin.

Materials and methods

The study comprised a 16‐week, double‐blind period in which patients were randomized to either placebo (P; N = 70) or canagliflozin (100 mg, CAN; N = 76), followed by a 36‐week open‐label period in which all patients received canagliflozin. The efficacy endpoints included the change in HbA1c from baseline to end of treatment. The safety endpoints were adverse events, hypoglycaemic events, and laboratory test values.

Results

The changes from baseline (mean ± standard deviation, last observation carried forward) in the P/CAN and CAN/CAN groups, respectively, were −1.09% ± 0.85% and −0.88% ± 0.86% for HbA1c, −1.40% ± 2.54% and −2.14% ± 2.75% for body weight, and 7.84% ± 14.37% and 8.91% ± 10.80% for HOMA2‐%B (all, P < .001). Adverse events occurred in 85.1% of the P/CAN group and 92.0% of the CAN/CAN group. Hypoglycaemic events occurred in 43.3% and 54.7%, respectively. All hypoglycaemic events were mild in severity and insulin dose reduction decreased the incidence rate of hypoglycaemic events. Post‐hoc ordinal logistic modelling/logistic modelling showed that lower serum C‐peptide at Week 0 was a risk factor for hypoglycaemia in both the P and CAN groups in the double‐blind period as well as in the canagliflozin all‐treatment period.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the long‐term efficacy and safety of canagliflozin combined with insulin in Japanese patients.
Use of viscoelastic tests to predict clinical thromboembolic events: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Harahsheh Yusrah , Ho Kwok M.
Published: November 2017

We aimed to assess whether whole‐blood viscoelastic tests are useful to identify patients who are hypercoagulable and at increased risk of thromboembolism. Two investigators independently analyzed studies in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane controlled trial register databases to determine the ability of viscoelastic tests to identify a hypercoagulable state that is predictive of objectively proven thromboembolic events. Forty‐one eligible studies, including 10,818 patients, were identified and subject to meta‐analysis. The majority of the studies (n = 36, 88%) used the maximum clot strength to identify a hypercoagulable state which had a moderate ability to differentiate between patients who developed thromboembolic events and those who did not (area under the summary receiver operating characteristic [sROC] curve = 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65‐0.75). The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio to predict thromboembolism were 56% (95%CI: 44‐67), 76% (95%CI: 67‐83), and 3.6 (95%CI: 2.6‐4.9), respectively. The predictive performance did not vary substantially between patient populations, and publication bias was not observed. Current evidence suggests that whole‐blood viscoelastic tests have a moderate ability to identify a variety of patient populations with an increased risk of thromboembolic events and can be considered as a useful adjunct to clinical judgment to stratify a patient's risk of developing thromboembolism.
Rarity and persistence
Authors: Vermeij Geerat J. , Grosberg Richard K.
Published: November 2017

Rarity is a population characteristic that is usually associated with a high risk of extinction. We argue here, however, that chronically rare species (those with low population densities over many generations across their entire ranges) may have individual‐level traits that make populations more resistant to extinction. The major obstacle to persistence at low density is successful fertilisation (union between egg and sperm), and chronically rare species are more likely to survive when (1) fertilisation occurs inside or close to an adult, (2) mate choice involves long‐distance signals, (3) adults or their surrogate gamete dispersers are highly mobile, or (4) the two sexes are combined in a single individual. In contrast, external fertilisation and wind‐ or water‐driven passive dispersal of gametes, or sluggish or sedentary adult life habits in the absence of gamete vectors, appear to be incompatible with sustained rarity. We suggest that the documented increase in frequency of these traits among marine genera over geological time could explain observed secular decreases in rates of background extinction. Unanswered questions remain about how common chronic rarity actually is, which traits are consistently associated with chronic rarity, and how chronically rare species are distributed among taxa, and among the world's ecosystems and regions.
Associated conditions in small fiber neuropathy – a large cohort study and review of the literature
Authors: de Greef B. T. A. , Hoeijmakers J. G. J. , Gorissen‐Brouwers C. M. L. , Geerts M. , Faber C. G. , Merkies I. S. J.
Published: November 2017

Background and purpose

Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is a common disorder leading to neuropathic pain and autonomic symptoms. The objective of this study was to investigate associated conditions in a large cohort of SFN patients and compare the prevalence to healthy individuals.

Methods

A total of 921 patients with pure SFN were screened according to a standardized comprehensive diagnostic algorithm and compared with literature findings.

Results

No associated condition could be found in 53% of the patients. Autoimmune diseases, sodium channel gene mutations, diabetes mellitus including glucose intolerance, and vitamin B12 deficiencies were more prevalent than reported literature findings, followed by alcohol abuse, chemotherapy, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, and haemochromatosis. In patients who were already known with a possible underlying condition at screening, additional underlying conditions were still found in another 26.7% of patients.

Conclusions

Based on these results, it is recommended that patients with pure SFN are screened at least for autoimmune diseases, sodium channel gene mutations, diabetes mellitus including glucose intolerance, and vitamin B12 deficiency, even when they already have a potential underlying condition at referral.
Effect of topical fluoride application on enamel after in‐office bleaching, as evaluated using a novel hardness tester and a transverse microradiography method
Authors: Fukuyama Mai , Kawamoto Chiharu , Saikaew Pipop , Matsuda Yasuhiro , Carvalho Ricardo M. , Selimovic Denis , Sano Hidehiko
Published: November 2017

This study evaluated the effect of topical fluoride application on enamel hardness after in‐office bleaching. Twelve human incisors were cut along the long axis, resulting in 24 halves used in four treatment groups (n = 6 in each group): (i) untreated group (C); (ii) in‐office bleaching material (B); (iii) treatment with surface reaction‐type prereacted glass‐ionomer varnish after in‐office bleaching (B+PRG); and (iv) treatment with acidulated phosphate fluoride solution after bleaching (B+F). All specimens were subjected to pH‐cycling for 4 wk. Knoop hardness was measured using a Cariotester. The decalcification of enamel was assessed quantitatively by measuring the integrated mineral loss (ΔIML). Games–Howell analysis was used to assess statistical significance of between‐group differences. The Knoop hardness decreased significantly after bleaching for all groups. In treatment groups B+PRG and B+F, the Knoop hardness returned to the original unbleached values after the first pH cycle and did not change afterwards. In treatment groups C and B there was a gradual decrease in the Knoop hardness until the fourth pH cycle. The integrated mineral loss, ΔIML, was significantly higher in treatment group B+F after 2 wk than in the other treatment groups. After 4 wk, the ΔIML in treatment group B was significantly higher than in treatment group B+PRG. The application of fluoride‐containing materials after bleaching results in recuperation of hardness to levels similar to those of unbleached enamel.
Melodic males and flashy females: Geographic variation in male and female reproductive behavior in red‐eyed treefrogs (Agalychnis callidryas)
Authors: Akopyan Maria , Kaiser Kristine , Vega Andres , Savant Neha G. , Owen Cassandra Y. , Dudgeon Steven R. , Robertson Jeanne M.
Published: November 2017

Geographic variation in courtship behavior can affect reproductive success of divergent phenotypes via mate choice. Over time, this can lead to reproductive isolation and ultimately to speciation. The Neotropical red‐eyed treefrog (Agalychnis callidryas) exhibits high levels of phenotypic variation among populations in Costa Rica and Panama, including differences in color pattern, body size, and skin peptides. To test the extent of behavioral premating isolation among differentiated populations, we quantified male advertisement calls from six sites and female responses to male stimuli (acoustic and visual signals) from four sites. Our results show that both male advertisement calls and female behavior vary among populations: Discriminant function analyses can predict the population of origin for 99.3% ± 0.7 of males based on male call (dominant frequency and bandwidth) and 76.1% ± 6.6 of females based on female response behavior (frequency and duration of visual displays). Further, female mate choice trials (n = 69) showed that population divergence in male signals is coupled with female preference for local male stimuli. Combined, these results suggest that evolved differences among populations in male call properties and female response signals could have consequences for reproductive isolation. Finally, population variation in male and female behavior was not well explained by geographic or genetic distance, indicating a role for localized selection and/or drift. The interplay between male courtship and female responses may facilitate the evolution of local variants in courtship style, thus accelerating premating isolation via assortative mating.
Nonstrangulating intestinal infarctions associated with Strongylus vulgaris: Clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of 30 horses (2008–2016)
Authors: Pihl T. H. , Nielsen M. K. , Olsen S. N. , Leifsson P. S. , Jacobsen S.
Published: November 2017

Background

Strongylus vulgaris is re‐emerging in horses kept under surveillance‐based parasite control regimens. Information on nonstrangulating intestinal infarction associated with S. vulgaris is needed to improve recognition of the condition.

Objective

To describe the typical clinical presentation, laboratory findings, gross pathology, treatment and outcome of horses with nonstrangulating intestinal infarction.

Study design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

Nonstrangluating intestinal infarction was diagnosed in 30 horses with a localised intestinal infarction with concurrent signs of S. vulgaris migration and no signs of intestinal strangulation or enterocolitis. Data were obtained from medical records in the period 2008–2016. Long‐term follow‐up information was obtained by telephonic interviews. Levels of S. vulgaris‐specific antibodies were retrospectively assessed. Associations between nonstrangulating intestinal infarction and selected variables were evaluated using Fisher′s exact and Mann–Whitney U tests.

Results

The most consistent findings at admission were mild colic of >24 h duration without signs of shock or strangulated intestine, increased peritoneal fluid WBC (>5 × 109/L), increased serum amyloid A (SAA) concentration and a positive S. vulgaris‐specific antibody titre. Medical treatment was attempted in nine horses with none surviving. Exploratory laparotomy was performed in 21 horses. Eleven horses were subjected to euthanasia intraoperatively due to the presumed poor prognosis. Of the nine horses, three (33%) undergoing intestinal resection survived to discharge. The surviving horses were alive and returned to athletic function for at least 2 years following discharge.

Main limitations

Only nine of the 30 horses underwent resection of the infarcted intestine, and the prognosis for surgical intervention in nonstrangulating intestinal infarction is, therefore, difficult to estimate.

Conclusions

In areas where S. vulgaris is prevalent, nonstrangulating intestinal infarction should be considered as a differential diagnosis in horses presenting with mild colic and peritonitis. Survival of nonstrangulating intestinal infarction is possible in cases where surgical intervention with resection of the infarcted intestine is feasible.

The summary is available in Spanish ‐ see Supporting Information.
An inference model for combustion diagnostics in an experimental oil furnace
Authors: Fleury A.T. , Trigo F.C. , Pacífico A.L. , Martins F.P.R.
Published: November 2017

The continuous monitoring of the air/fuel ratio, oil/water/air temperatures, and gas/particulate emissions of combustion processes in oil‐based furnaces allows experts to detect anomalies and act to prevent faults and critical conditions. These important but tedious tasks can be performed by an expert system designed to mimic the human abilities of recognizing relevant patterns and finding their most likely causes. In this article, we present the architecture of an expert system that uses flame images grabbed during the combustion process in an experimental oil furnace as input parameters. Computational processing of those images provides feature vectors for analysis by “artificial experts” that correlate changes in flame appearance with typical combustion states. The Dempster–Shafer method is used to build the knowledge base and the inference engine. The results of tests in which flame conditions are suddenly modified by altering the physical variables of the combustion process revealed that the method can properly combine measures from various flame image characteristics to issue diagnostics. Such diagnostics are similar to those given by human experts. This suggests that the proposed approach may fill the gap between models based on features extracted from images and real‐world operating conditions. This is the intended contribution of this work.
A long short‐term memory based Schaeffer gesture recognition system
Authors: Oprea S. O. , Garcia‐Garcia A. , Orts‐Escolano S. , Villena‐Martinez V. , Castro‐Vargas J. A.
Published: November 2017

In this work, a Schaeffer language recognition system is proposed in order to help autistic children overcome communicative disorders. Using Schaeffer language as a speech and language therapy, improves children communication skills and at the same time the understanding of language productions. Nevertheless, the teaching process of children in performing gestures properly is not straightforward. For this purpose, this system will teach children with autism disorder the correct way to communicate using gestures in combination with speech reproduction. The main purpose is to accelerate the learning process and increase children interest by using a technological approach. Several recurrent neural network‐based approaches have been tested, such as vanilla recurrent neural networks, long short‐term memory networks,and gated recurrent unit‐based models. In order to select the most suitable model, an extensive comparison has been conducted reporting a 93.13% classification success rate over a subset of 25 Schaeffer gestures by using an long short‐term memory‐based approach. Our dataset consists on pose‐based features such as angles and euclidean distances extracted from the raw skeletal data provided by a Kinect v2 sensor.
Clustering short temporal behaviour sequences for customer segmentation using LDA
Authors: Wilson Jobin , Chaudhury Santanu , Lall Brejesh
Published: November 2017

Customer segmentation based on temporal variation of subscriber preferences is useful for communication service providers (CSPs) in applications such as targeted campaign design, churn prediction, and fraud detection. Traditional clustering algorithms are inadequate in this context, as a multidimensional feature vector represents a subscriber profile at an instant of time, and grouping of subscribers needs to consider variation of subscriber preferences across time. Clustering in this case usually requires complex multivariate time series analysis‐based models. Because conventional time series clustering models have limitations around scalability and ability to accurately represent temporal behaviour sequences (TBS) of users, that may be short, noisy, and non‐stationary, we propose a latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) based model to represent temporal behaviour of mobile subscribers as compact and interpretable profiles. Our model makes use of the structural regularity within the observable data corresponding to a large number of user profiles and relaxes the strict temporal ordering of user preferences in TBS clustering. We use mean‐shift clustering to segment subscribers based on their discovered profiles. Further, we mine segment‐specific association rules from the discovered TBS clusters, to aid marketers in designing intelligent campaigns that match segment preferences. Our experiments on real world data collected from a popular Asian communication service provider gave encouraging results.
Building Strong Family–School Partnerships: Transitioning from Basic Findings to Possible Practices
Authors: Sheridan Susan M. , Wheeler Lorey A.
Published: November 2017

In the present article, we describe the translational process undergirding a particular aspect of family science: families working in partnership with schools to achieve mutual goals for children's optimal functioning. In doing so, we illustrate a translational cycle that began with identifying problems of practice and led to the development of a family–school intervention (i.e., conjoint behavioral consultation) in a way that embraced families as partners in goal‐setting and problem‐solving. We discuss the evolution of the intervention from development to efficacy trials and practice guidelines. Key decision points borne out of practical relevance, empirical investigations, tests of mechanisms and conditions, and efforts pertaining to implementation and dissemination are illustrated. Finally, we highlight key research needed to advance the translation of the science related to conjoint behavioral consultation into widespread practice.
Students’ and Instructors’ Perceived Value of Language and Content Curricular Goals
Authors: Mills Nicole , Moulton Samuel T.
Published: November 2017

Universities across the country are experiencing a decline in the number of undergraduates choosing to major in the humanities in general, and similar trends have been observed specifically in the study of foreign languages (FLs), cultures, and literatures. The educational and social psychological literature has explored uptake, or a student's decision to enroll in a course, by evaluating how beliefs can guide both thoughts and actions (Jarvis, ; Omrod, ; Taylor & Mardsen, ). To explore this topic, undergraduates who were enrolled in FL courses and instructors teaching those courses were asked to rate the value of language and content‐oriented goals to determine the learning outcomes that students valued and how they converged or diverged from instructors’ course goals. The findings reveal areas of alignment and misalignment in students’ and instructors’ perceptions of the value of particular learning outcomes. Compared to instructors, students more greatly valued learning about cultural practices, discourse competence, grammar, and interpretive communication skills. Students who were enrolled in and instructors who were teaching advanced courses valued different goals than did their counterparts in introductory courses. Implications for departments and educators are discussed
Increasing drought and diminishing benefits of elevated carbon dioxide for soybean yields across the US Midwest
Authors: Jin Zhenong , Ainsworth Elizabeth A. , Leakey Andrew D. B. , Lobell David B.
Published: November 2017

Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations ([CO2]) are expected to increase C3 crop yield through the CO2 fertilization effect (CFE) by stimulating photosynthesis and by reducing stomatal conductance and transpiration. The latter effect is widely believed to lead to greater benefits in dry rather than wet conditions, although some recent experimental evidence challenges this view. Here we used a process‐based crop model, the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM), to quantify the contemporary and future CFE on soybean in one of its primary production area of the US Midwest. APSIM accurately reproduced experimental data from the Soybean Free‐Air CO2 Enrichment site showing that the CFE declined with increasing drought stress. This resulted from greater radiation use efficiency (RUE) and above‐ground biomass production at elevated [CO2] that outpaced gains in transpiration efficiency (TE). Using an ensemble of eight climate model projections, we found that drought frequency in the US Midwest is projected to increase from once every 5 years currently to once every other year by 2050. In addition to directly driving yield loss, greater drought also significantly limited the benefit from rising [CO2]. This study provides a link between localized experiments and regional‐scale modeling to highlight that increased drought frequency and severity pose a formidable challenge to maintaining soybean yield progress that is not offset by rising [CO2] as previously anticipated. Evaluating the relative sensitivity of RUE and TE to elevated [CO2] will be an important target for future modeling and experimental studies of climate change impacts and adaptation in C3 crops.