bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mosquito larvae can detect water vibration patterns from a nearby predator
Authors: Roberts D.
Published: January 2017

Mosquito larvae have been shown to respond to water-borne kairomones from nearby predators by reducing their activity, and thus visibility. If they can identify the predator, they can then alter their response depending upon the associated predation risk. No studies have shown that mosquito larva may also detect water-borne vibrations from the predator. Final instar larvae of three mosquitoes: Culiseta longiareolata, Culex perexiguus and C. quinquefasciatus, were exposed to recorded vibrations from feeding dragonfly nymphs, to dragonfly kairomones and the combined effect of both. Predator vibrations caused C. longiareolata to significantly reduce bottom feeding and instead increased the more passive surface filter feeding. The larvae also significantly increased escape swimming activity. These behavioural changes were not significantly different from the effect of dragonfly kairomones, and there was no synergistic or additional effect of the two. C. perexiguus gave a smaller (but still significant) response to both dragonfly vibrations and to kairomones, probably due to a different feeding behaviour: when lying on the bottom, it was an inactive filter feeder. C. quinquefasciatus did not respond to either vibrations or kairomones and during these experiments was entirely an inactive surface filter feeder. Both C. longiareolata and C. perexiguus were thus able to detect and identify vibrations from feeding dragonfly nymphs as an anti-predator strategy. The lack of response in C. quinquefasciatus is probably a result of living in water that is highly polluted with organic material, where few predators can survive.
Mobilizing a Majority: Nixon's “Silent Majority” Speech and the Domestic Debate over Vietnam
Authors: THELEN SARAH
Published: January 2017

President Richard M. Nixon and his staff intended his 3 November 1969 Address to the Nation on Vietnam to counteract the growing strength of the antiwar movement. Its appeal to a “Silent Majority” of Americans inspired an impressive outpouring of support, but this response owed as much to White House planning as to public opinion. Drawing on internal White House documents, this article traces administration efforts to secure this response and, then, to claim and promote this new Silent Majority. It demonstrates that White House public-opinion campaigns were designed to maximize control, and not necessarily to change attitudes.
The association between childhood adversities and subsequent first onset of psychotic experiences: a cross-national analysis of 23 998 respondents from 17 countries
Authors: McGrath J. J. , McLaughlin K. A. , Saha S. , Aguilar-Gaxiola S. , Al-Hamzawi A. , Alonso J. , Bruffaerts R. , de Girolamo G. , de Jonge P. , Esan O. , Florescu S. , Gureje O. , Haro J. M. , Hu C. , Karam E. G. , Kovess-Masfety V. , Lee S. , Lepine J. P. , Lim C. C. W. , Medina-Mora M. E. , Mneimneh Z. , Pennell B. E. , Piazza M. , Posada-Villa J. , Sampson N. , Viana M. C. , Xavier M. , Bromet E. J. , Kendler K. S. , Kessler R. C.
Published: January 2017

Background

Although there is robust evidence linking childhood adversities (CAs) and an increased risk for psychotic experiences (PEs), little is known about whether these associations vary across the life-course and whether mental disorders that emerge prior to PEs explain these associations.

Method

We assessed CAs, PEs and DSM-IV mental disorders in 23 998 adults in the WHO World Mental Health Surveys. Discrete-time survival analysis was used to investigate the associations between CAs and PEs, and the influence of mental disorders on these associations using multivariate logistic models.

Results

Exposure to CAs was common, and those who experienced any CAs had increased odds of later PEs [odds ratio (OR) 2.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9–2.6]. CAs reflecting maladaptive family functioning (MFF), including abuse, neglect, and parent maladjustment, exhibited the strongest associations with PE onset in all life-course stages. Sexual abuse exhibited a strong association with PE onset during childhood (OR 8.5, 95% CI 3.6–20.2), whereas Other CA types were associated with PE onset in adolescence. Associations of other CAs with PEs disappeared in adolescence after adjustment for prior-onset mental disorders. The population attributable risk proportion (PARP) for PEs associated with all CAs was 31% (24% for MFF).

Conclusions

Exposure to CAs is associated with PE onset throughout the life-course, although sexual abuse is most strongly associated with childhood-onset PEs. The presence of mental disorders prior to the onset of PEs does not fully explain these associations. The large PARPs suggest that preventing CAs could lead to a meaningful reduction in PEs in the population.
Effectiveness of direct payments to increase reproductive success of sandbar-nesting river birds in Cambodia
Authors: CLAASSEN ANDREA H. , SOK KO , ARNOLD TODD W. , CUTHBERT FRANCESCA J.
Published: January 2017

Direct payments to communities or individuals have gained traction as a tool for species conservation; however, few studies have evaluated their effectiveness. From 2010 to 2014, we monitored nests and implemented a direct payment nest protection programme for six sandbar-nesting bird species on the Mekong River, Cambodia, and tested if nest protection improved reproductive success. Nests were guarded by community members; additionally, exclosures were used to protect nests of River Tern Sterna aurantia, the species of highest conservation concern. We investigated factors affecting nest and chick survival, and probability of nest failure due to egg harvest or predation. Nesting later in the season generally resulted in lower nest and chick survival. Nest protection improved survival rates of River Tern nests and chicks, and Small Pratincole Glareola lactea nests. River Tern nest success was 60% for exclosed (and guarded) nests, 29% for guarded (but unexclosed) nests, and 5% for unprotected nests. River Tern fledging success was 82% for exclosed chicks, 40% for chicks that were guarded only, and 2% for unprotected chicks. Small Pratincole nest success was 21% for guarded and 6% for unguarded nests. Egg harvest by humans was lower among protected nests and declined during the study. Nest predation by animals increased during the study despite nest guarding; however, predator exclosures effectively protected nests and chicks. Additional predator control measures could further improve reproductive success of sandbar-nesting birds. Overall, nest protection involving direct payments was highly effective, but required diligent use of nest exclosures, frequent monitoring, and strong community relationships.
Effect of Retrieval Practice on Short-Term and Long-Term Retention in HIV+ Individuals
Authors: Avci Gunes , Woods Steven P. , Verduzco Marizela , Sheppard David P. , Sumowski James F. , Chiaravalloti Nancy D. , DeLuca John ,   The HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program (HNRP) Group
Published: January 2017

Objectives: Episodic memory deficits are both common and impactful among persons infected with HIV; however, we know little about how to improve such deficits in the laboratory or in real life. Retrieval practice, by which retrieval of newly learned material improves subsequent recall more than simple restudy, is a robust memory boosting strategy that is effective in both healthy and clinical populations. In this study, we investigated the benefits of retrieval practice in 52 people living with HIV and 21 seronegatives. Methods: In a within-subjects design, all participants studied 48 verbal paired associates in 3 learning conditions: Massed-Restudy, Spaced-Restudy, and Spaced-Testing. Retention of verbal paired associates was assessed after short- (30 min) and long- (30 days) delay intervals. Results: After a short delay, both HIV+ persons and seronegatives benefited from retrieval practice more so than massed and spaced restudy. The same pattern of results was observed specifically for HIV+ persons with clinical levels of memory impairment. The long-term retention interval data evidenced a floor effect that precluded further analysis. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that retrieval practice improves verbal episodic memory more than some other mnemonic strategies among HIV+ persons. (JINS, 2017, 23, 214–222)
Retroactive or proactive control of the bilingual system
Authors: DE GROOT ANNETTE M. B.
Published: January 2017

The schema concept has had a long and varied history in psychology. It was introduced by Bartlett (1932), who observed that subjects' reproductions of a story showed systematic deviations from the original. Elements in the original story that were uncommon or strange were lost or changed and elaborated such that they became more common and made more sense to the subjects, and infrequent words and concepts were replaced by more common ones. Bartlett explained this normalization behavior by assuming that humans adapt incoming information to existing knowledge structures in long-term memory and that they understand new information in terms of these structures. These knowledge structures were called schemas. Schemas may represent our knowledge of stereotypical events such as doing the laundry or cooking a meal (these schema structures are usually called scripts, Schank & Abelson, 1977), of objects and natural categories (see Anderson, 1985, for a discussion), and the knowledge underlying routine behavior (Norman, 1981). They provide a basis for explaining many different phenomena of information processing and memory functioning, such as inferencing, elaborating, stereotyping, reconstruction, false memorization, and the occurrence of slips in task performance. When, for instance, a reader encounters the word forest in a text, he is not surprised to see the noun phrase the trees, with the definite article, in the next sentence even though no trees were explicitly introduced before.
Hydroponic production of vegetable Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) for improving nutritional security and economic viability in Kenya
Authors: Croft Marcia M. , Hallett Steven G. , Marshall Maria I.
Published: January 2017

This study used a multidisciplinary approach to evaluate the potential for hydroponic production of vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) in Kenya. Hydroponic systems have potential for increased efficiency in water and land use, but their potential has not been critically evaluated in many developing countries. To address this gap in knowledge, this study assessed the nutritional density and economic viability of hydroponic systems built from local materials. Specifically, vegetable amaranth was grown hydroponically and evaluated for increased nutritional density of key micronutrients. Manipulation of the nutrient solution used in hydroponic systems changed the bioaccumulation of zinc, iron and carotenoids, which are three of the most common micronutrients lacking in Kenyan diets. Economic viability was assessed with a benefit-cost analysis that compared three different hydroponic systems to soil-based production and purchasing vegetables from local markets. This analysis showed that none of the hydroponic systems were profitable under current conditions, but sensitivity analyses revealed certain scenarios where they could become so. Overall, hydroponic production has the potential to create nutrient-dense crops with high levels of zinc, iron, or carotenoids. However, hydroponic systems may be better suited to crops of higher value than amaranth, areas where soil-based production is not an option, or regions where vegetable markets are not available.
Compact tag antenna for UHF active RFID applications
Authors: Lu Jui-Han , Liou Zi-Hao
Published: January 2017

By introducing an L-shaped metal plate connecting with the spiral monopole antenna, a planar compact ultra-high-frequency (UHF) tag antenna for radiofrequency identification system is proposed. With the overall antenna size of only 13 × 9 × 1.6 mm3, the proposed tag antenna provides the measured impedance bandwidth of 12 MHz to comply with Taiwan UHF operating band (922–928 MHz). The measured peak gain and antenna efficiency are approximately −1.1 dBi and 27% for Taiwan UHF band, respectively. Meanwhile, the measured reading distance can approach 250 m. Good tag sensitivity is obtained across the desired frequency band.
Mapping actions to improve access to medicines for mental disorders in low and middle income countries
Authors: Barbui C. , Dua T. , Kolappa K. , Saraceno B. , Saxena S.
Published: January 2017

Aims.

In recent years a number of intergovernmental initiatives have been activated in order to enhance the capacity of countries to improve access to essential medicines, particularly for mental disorders. In May 2013 the 66th World Health Assembly adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2020, which builds upon the work of WHO's Mental Health Gap Action Programme. Within this programme, evidence-based guidelines for mental disorders were developed, including recommendations on appropriate use of medicines. Subsequently, the 67th World Health Assembly adopted a resolution on access to essential medicines, which urged Member States to improve national policies for the selection of essential medicines and to promote their availability, affordability and appropriate use.

Methods.

Following the precedent set by these important initiatives, this article presents eleven actions for improving access and appropriate use of psychotropic medicines.

Results.

A 4 × 4 framework mapping actions as a function of the four components of access – selection, availability, affordability and appropriate use – and across four different health care levels, three of which belong to the supply side and one to the demand side, was developed. The actions are: developing a medicine selection process; promoting information and education activities for staff and end-users; developing a medicine regulation process; implementing a reliable supply system; implementing a reliable quality-control system; developing a community-based system of mental health care and promoting help-seeking behaviours; developing international agreements on medicine affordability; developing pricing policies and a sustainable financing system; developing or adopting evidence-based guidelines; monitoring the use of psychotropic medicines; promoting training initiatives for staff and end-users on critical appraisal of scientific evidence and appropriate use of psychotropic medicines.

Conclusions.

Activating these actions offers an unique opportunity to address the broader issue of increasing access to treatments and care for mental disorders, as current lack of attention to mental disorders is a central barrier across all domains of the 4 × 4 access framework.
Perspectives on Potential Soybean Yield Losses from Weeds in North America
Authors: Soltani Nader , Dille J. Anita , Burke Ian C. , Everman Wesley J. , VanGessel Mark J. , Davis Vince M. , Sikkema Peter H.
Published: January 2017

Weeds are one of the most significant, and controllable, threats to crop production in North America. Monetary losses because of reduced soybean yield and decreased quality because of weed interference, as well as costs of controlling weeds, have a significant economic impact on net returns to producers. Previous Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) Weed Loss Committee reports, as chaired by Chandler (1984) and Bridges (1992), provided snapshots of the comparative crop yield losses because of weeds across geographic regions and crops within these regions after the implementation of weed control tactics. This manuscript is a second report from the current WSSA Weed Loss Committee on crop yield losses because of weeds, specifically in soybean. Yield loss estimates were determined from comparative observations of soybean yields between the weedy control and plots with greater than 95% weed control in studies conducted from 2007 to 2013. Researchers from each US state and Canadian province provided at least three and up to ten individual comparisons for each year, which were then averaged within a year, and then averaged over the seven years. These percent yield loss values were used to determine total soybean yield loss in t ha−1and bu acre−1based on average soybean yields for each state or province as well as current commodity prices for a given year as summarized by USDA-NASS (2014) and Statistics Canada (2015). Averaged across 2007 to 2013, weed interference in soybean caused a 52.1% yield loss. Based on 2012 census data in the US and Canada soybean was grown on 30,798,512 and 1,679,203 hectares with production of 80 million and 5 million tonnes, respectively. Using an average soybean price across 2007 to 2013 of US $389.81 t−1($10.61 bu−1), farm gate value would be reduced by US $16.2 billion in the US and $1.0 billion in Canada annually if no weed management tactics were employed.
Jasmonate response decay and defense metabolite accumulation contributes to age-regulated dynamics of plant insect resistance
Authors: Mao Ying-Bo , Liu Yao-Qian , Chen Dian-Yang , Chen Fang-Yan , Fang Xin , Hong Gao-Jie , Wang Ling-Jian , Wang Jia-Wei , Chen Xiao-Ya
Published: January 2017

Immunity deteriorates with age in animals but comparatively little is known about the temporal regulation of plant resistance to herbivores. The phytohormone jasmonate (JA) is a key regulator of plant insect defense. Here, we show that the JA response decays progressively in Arabidopsis. We show that this decay is regulated by the miR156-targeted SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE9 (SPL9) group of proteins, which can interact with JA ZIM-domain (JAZ) proteins, including JAZ3. As SPL9 levels gradually increase, JAZ3 accumulates and the JA response is attenuated. We provide evidence that this pathway contributes to insect resistance in young plants. Interestingly however, despite the decay in JA response, older plants are still comparatively more resistant to both the lepidopteran generalist Helicoverpa armigera and the specialist Plutella xylostella, along with increased accumulation of glucosinolates. We propose a model whereby constitutive accumulation of defense compounds plays a role in compensating for age-related JA-response attenuation during plant maturation.
Fluorine-free electrolytes for all-solid sodium-ion batteries based on percyano-substituted organic salts
Authors: Bitner-Michalska Anna , Nolis Gene M. , Żukowska Grażyna , Zalewska Aldona , Poterała Marcin , Trzeciak Tomasz , Dranka Maciej , Kalita Michał , Jankowski Piotr , Niedzicki Leszek , Zachara Janusz , Marcinek Marek , Wieczorek Władysław
Published: January 2017

A new family of fluorine-free solid-polymer electrolytes, for use in sodium-ion battery applications, is presented. Three novel sodium salts withdiffuse negative charges: sodium pentacyanopropenide (NaPCPI), sodium 2,3,4,5-tetracyanopirolate (NaTCP) and sodium 2,4,5-tricyanoimidazolate (NaTIM) were designed andtested in a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) matrix as polymer electrolytes for anall-solid sodium-ion battery. Due to unique, non-covalent structural configurations of anions, improved ionic conductivities were observed. As an example, “liquid-like” high conductivities (>1 mS cm−1) were obtained above 70 °C for solid-polymer electrolyte with a PEO to NaTCP molar ratio of 16:1. All presented salts showed high thermal stability and suitable windows of electrochemical stability between 3 and 5 V. These new anions open a new class of compounds with non-covalent structure for electrolytes system applications.
Non-contact hemodynamic imaging reveals the jugular venous pulse waveform
Authors: Amelard Robert , Hughson Richard L. , Greaves Danielle K. , Pfisterer Kaylen J. , Leung Jason , Clausi David A. , Wong Alexander
Published: January 2017

Cardiovascular monitoring is important to prevent diseases from progressing. The jugular venous pulse (JVP) waveform offers important clinical information about cardiac health, but is not routinely examined due to its invasive catheterisation procedure. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that the JVP can be consistently observed in a non-contact manner using a photoplethysmographic imaging system. The observed jugular waveform was strongly negatively correlated to the arterial waveform (r = −0.73 ± 0.17), consistent with ultrasound findings. Pulsatile venous flow was observed over a spatially cohesive region of the neck. Critical inflection points (c, x, v, y waves) of the JVP were observed across all participants. The anatomical locations of the strongest pulsatile venous flow were consistent with major venous pathways identified through ultrasound.
Flip flop of Day-night and Summer-Winter Surface Urban Heat Island Intensity in India
Authors: Shastri Hiteshri , Barik Beas , Ghosh Subimal , Venkataraman Chandra , Sadavarte Pankaj
Published: January 2017

The difference in land surface temperature (LST) between an urban region and its nearby non–urban region, known as surface urban heat island intensity (SUHII), is usually positive as reported in earlier studies. India has experienced unprecedented urbanization over recent decades with an urban population of 380 million. Here, we present the first study of the diurnal and seasonal characteristics of SUHII in India. We found negative SUHII over a majority of urban areas during daytime in pre-monsoon summer (MAM), contrary to the expected impacts of urbanization. This unexpected pattern is associated with low vegetation in non-urban regions during dry pre-monsoon summers, leading to reduced evapotranspiration (ET). During pre-monsoon summer nights, a positive SUHII occurs when urban impacts are prominent. Winter daytime SUHII becomes positive in Indo-Gangetic plain. We attribute such diurnal and seasonal behaviour of SUHII to the same of the differences in ET between urban and non-urban regions. Higher LST in non-urban regions during pre-monsoon summer days results in intensified heatwaves compared to heatwaves in cities, in contrast to presumptions made in the literature. These observations highlight the need for re-evaluation of SUHII in India for climate adaptation, heat stress mitigation, and analysis of urban micro-climates.
The in vivo efficacy of neuraminidase inhibitors cannot be determined from the decay rates of influenza viral titers observed in treated patients
Authors: Palmer John , Dobrovolny Hana M. , Beauchemin Catherine A. A.
Published: January 2017

Antiviral therapy is a first line of defence against new influenza strains. Current pandemic preparations involve stock- piling oseltamivir, an oral neuraminidase inhibitor (NAI), so rapidly determining the effectiveness of NAIs against new viral strains is vital for deciding how to use the stockpile. Previous studies have shown that it is possible to extract the drug efficacy of antivirals from the viral decay rate of chronic infections. In the present work, we use a nonlinear mathematical model representing the course of an influenza infection to explore the possibility of extracting NAI drug efficacy using only the observed viral titer decay rates seen in patients. We first show that the effect of a time-varying antiviral concentration can be accurately approximated by a constant efficacy. We derive a relationship relating the true treatment dose and time elapsed between doses to the constant drug dose required to approximate the time- varying dose. Unfortunately, even with the simplification of a constant drug efficacy, we show that the viral decay rate depends not just on drug efficacy, but also on several viral infection parameters, such as infection and production rate, so that it is not possible to extract drug efficacy from viral decay rate alone.
Photonic crystal nanocavity assisted rejection ratio tunable notch microwave photonic filter
Authors: Long Yun , Xia Jinsong , Zhang Yong , Dong Jianji , Wang Jian
Published: January 2017

Driven by the increasing demand on handing microwave signals with compact device, low power consumption, high efficiency and high reliability, it is highly desired to generate, distribute, and process microwave signals using photonic integrated circuits. Silicon photonics offers a promising platform facilitating ultracompact microwave photonic signal processing assisted by silicon nanophotonic devices. In this paper, we propose, theoretically analyze and experimentally demonstrate a simple scheme to realize ultracompact rejection ratio tunable notch microwave photonic filter (MPF) based on a silicon photonic crystal (PhC) nanocavity with fixed extinction ratio. Using a conventional modulation scheme with only a single phase modulator (PM), the rejection ratio of the presented MPF can be tuned from about 10 dB to beyond 60 dB. Moreover, the central frequency tunable operation in the high rejection ratio region is also demonstrated in the experiment.
Widespread temporo-occipital lobe dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Loewe Kristian , Machts Judith , Kaufmann Jörn , Petri Susanne , Heinze Hans-Jochen , Borgelt Christian , Harris Joseph Allen , Vielhaber Stefan , Schoenfeld Mircea Ariel
Published: January 2017

Recent studies suggest that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) lie on a single clinical continuum. However, previous neuroimaging studies have found only limited involvement of temporal lobe regions in ALS. To better delineate possible temporal lobe involvement in ALS, the present study aimed to examine changes in functional connectivity across the whole brain, particularly with regard to extra-motor regions, in a group of 64 non-demented ALS patients and 38 healthy controls. To assess between-group differences in connectivity, we computed edge-level statistics across subject-specific graphs derived from resting-state functional MRI data. In addition to expected ALS-related decreases in functional connectivity in motor-related areas, we observed extensive changes in connectivity across the temporo-occipital cortex. Although ALS patients with comorbid FTD were deliberately excluded from this study, the pattern of connectivity alterations closely resembles patterns of cerebral degeneration typically seen in FTD. This evidence for subclinical temporal dysfunction supports the idea of a common pathology in ALS and FTD.
Effects of alcohol abstinence on glucose metabolism in Japanese men with elevated fasting glucose: A pilot study
Authors: Funayama Takashi , Tamura Yoshifumi , Takeno Kageumi , Kawaguchi Minako , Kakehi Saori , Watanabe Takahiro , Furukawa Yasuhiko , Kaga Hideyoshi , Yamamoto Risako , Kanazawa Akio , Fujitani Yoshio , Kawamori Ryuzo , Watada Hirotaka
Published: January 2017

It has been demonstrated that moderate alcohol consumption provides protection against the development of type 2 diabetes. However, several other reports suggested that moderate alcohol intake may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes in non-obese Japanese. The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of 1-week alcohol abstinence on hepatic insulin sensitivity and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in non-obese Japanese men. We recruited 8 non-obese Japanese men with mildly elevated FPG and drinking habits alcohol (mean frequency; 5.6 ± 2.5 times/week, mean alcohol consumption; 32.1 ± 20.0 g/day). Before and after the 1-week alcohol abstinence, we used the 2-step hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp to measure endogenous glucose production (EGP) and insulin sensitivity (IS) in muscle and liver. One-week alcohol abstinence significantly reduced both FPG by 7% (from 105.5 ± 11.7 to 98.2 ± 7.8 mg/dl, P < 0.01) and fasting EGP by 6% (from 84.1 ± 4.2 to 77.6 ± 1.6 mg/m2 per min, P < 0.01), respectively. Two–step clamp study showed that alcohol abstinence significantly improved hepatic-IS, but not muscle-IS. In conclusion, one week alcohol abstinence improved hepatic IS and FPG in non-obese Japanese men with mildly elevated FPG and drinking habits alcohol.
Residential exposure to chlorinated hydrocarbons from groundwater contamination and the impairment of renal function-An ecological study
Authors: Chen Hui-Ming , Wu Ming-Tsang
Published: January 2017

Groundwater pollution from the petrochemical industry causes serious deterioration of soil and groundwater quality and impacts on human health worldwide. However, few studies have examined the effect of residential exposure to petrochemical chlorinated hydrocarbon-contaminated groundwater on renal function impairment in humans. We conducted an ecological study to investigate the two. A polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plant was located in one of the six villages, the study area, in Kaohsiung city of southwestern Taiwan. Based on the direction of groundwater flow and previous groundwater measurements of chlorinated hydrocarbons from Taiwan Environmental Protection Bureau, we divided the six villages into highly-polluted villages, moderately-polluted villages, and a non-polluted village. All inhabitants in those six villages were invited to receive free health examinations between May-June, 2010. In total, 4,432 study subjects ≥18 yrs old were analyzed. Compared to those in the non-polluted village, subjects in highly-polluted villages had 1.89- and 1.46-fold the risk of impaired estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and proteinuria (95% CI = 1.15–1.85 and 1.09–3.28, respectively) after adjusting for other covariates. Given this relative large sample size, we found that groundwater chlorinated hydrocarbon pollution can cause kidney damage in adults.
Topography-associated thermal gradient predicts warming effects on woody plant structural diversity in a subtropical forest
Authors: He Siyan , Zhong Yonglin , Sun Yudan , Su Zhiyao , Jia Xiaorong , Hu Yanqiu , Zhou Qing
Published: January 2017

Understanding global warming effects on forest ecosystems will help policy-makers and forest managers design forest management and biodiversity conservation strategies. We examined the change in woody plant structural diversity in response to topography-associated thermal gradients in a subtropical forest with diverse abundance patterns. We found that energy distribution in a warming trend across slopes had significant effects on woody plant structural diversity. Except for total basal area of the adult trees, plant structural diversity significantly decreased with the increase of heat load. Heat load is significantly and negatively correlated with number of stems, number of species, and the number of stems of the most abundant species (Nmax) for seedlings, saplings, and individuals of all sizes. For the adult trees, heat load is significantly and positively correlated with number of stems and Nmax, and negatively but not significantly with number of species, indicating that large trees may not be as sensitive as seedlings and saplings to warming. Partial correlation analysis, having controlled for elevation, strengthened those relations in most cases. Our results reveal that warming will increase community productivity by enhancing the growth of large trees, but decrease species diversity and inhibit the regeneration of tree seedlings and saplings.
Strong, ductile, and thermally stable Cu-based metal-intermetallic nanostructured composites
Authors: Dusoe Keith J. , Vijayan Sriram , Bissell Thomas R. , Chen Jie , Morley Jack E. , Valencia Leopolodo , Dongare Avinash M. , Aindow Mark , Lee Seok-Woo
Published: January 2017

Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) and nanocrystalline metals (NMs) have been extensively investigated due to their superior strengths and elastic limits. Despite these excellent mechanical properties, low ductility at room temperature and poor microstructural stability at elevated temperatures often limit their practical applications. Thus, there is a need for a metallic material system that can overcome these performance limits of BMGs and NMs. Here, we present novel Cu-based metal-intermetallic nanostructured composites (MINCs), which exhibit high ultimate compressive strengths (over 2 GPa), high compressive failure strain (over 20%), and superior microstructural stability even at temperatures above the glass transition temperature of Cu-based BMGs. Rapid solidification produces a unique ultra-fine microstructure that contains a large volume fraction of Cu5Zr superlattice intermetallic compound; this contributes to the high strength and superior thermal stability. Mechanical and microstructural characterizations reveal that substantial accumulation of phase boundary sliding at metal/intermetallic interfaces accounts for the extensive ductility observed.
Semi-synthesis of a HGF/SF kringle one (K1) domain scaffold generates a potent in vivo MET receptor agonist
Authors: Simonneau Claire , Bérénice Leclercq Bérénice Leclercq , Mougel Alexandra , Adriaenssens Eric , Paquet Charlotte , Raibaut Laurent , Ollivier Nathalie , Drobecq Hervé , Marcoux Julien , Cianférani Sarah , Tulasne David , de Jonge Hugo , Melnyk Oleg , Vicogne Jérôme
Published: January 2017

Clustering of synthetic biotinylated K1 domain from HGF/SF by streptavidin is sufficient to generate a potent MET agonist.
Development of a DNA biosensor for the detection of phenylketonuria based on a screen-printed gold electrode and hematoxylin
Authors: Aghaei Fatemeh , Seifati Seyed Morteza , Nasirizadeh Navid
Published: January 2017

Phenylketonuria (PKU), which is a deficiency of an important metabolic enzyme, is caused by several identified point mutations in populations around the world.
Chromatographic methods for the analysis of oligosaccharides in human milk
Authors: Yan Jingyu , Ding Junjie , Liang Xinmiao
Published: January 2017

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are important components in human milk because of their high concentrations and benefits to infant growth.
Light-up probe based on AIEgens: dual signal turn-on for caspase cascade activation monitoring
Authors: Yuan Youyong , Zhang Chong-Jing , Kwok Ryan T. K. , Mao Duo , Tang Ben Zhong , Liu Bin
Published: January 2017

Direct monitoring of multiple enzyme activities in a given biological process is extremely important for disease diagnosis.
Selective N-terminal functionalization of native peptides and proteins
Authors: Chen Diao , Disotuar Maria M. , Xiong Xiaochun , Wang Yuanxiang , Chou Danny Hung-Chieh
Published: January 2017

A highly site-selective modification of peptides/proteins with aldehydes or carbohydrates under mild conditions was achieved.
Discovery of a small molecule targeting ULK1-modulated cell death of triple negative breast cancer in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Zhang Lan , Fu Leilei , Zhang Shouyue , Zhang Jin , Zhao Yuqian , Zheng Yaxin , He Gu , Yang Shengyong , Ouyang Liang , Liu Bo
Published: January 2017

ULK1 is identified as a target in TNBC; thus a small-molecule agonist is discovered by targeting ULK1-modulated cell death, associated with autophagy and apoptosis.
Phosphorus-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays for visible-light-driven photoelectrochemical water oxidation
Authors: Qin Dong-Dong , Wang Qiu-Hong , Chen Jing , He Cai-Hua , Li Yang , Wang Cai-He , Quan Jing-Jing , Tao Chun-Lan , Lu Xiao-Quan
Published: January 2017

Phosphorus-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays have been prepared via a phosphine annealing protocol and have been found to be efficient as a photoanode for visible-light-driven water oxidation.
Two-way representations and weighted automata
Authors: Lombardy Sylvain
Published: January 2017

We study the series realized by weighted two-way automata, that are strictly more powerful than weighted one-way automata. To this end, we consider the Hadamard product and the Hadamard iteration of formal power series. We introduce two-way representations and show that the series they realize are the solutions of fixed-point equations. In rationally additive semirings, we prove that two-way automata are equivalent to two-way representations, and, for some specific classes of two-way automata, rotating and sweeping automata, we give a characterization of the series that can be realized.
Effectiveness of best practice management guides for improving invasive species management: a review
Authors: Coleman Michael J. , Sindel Brian M. , Stayner Richard A.
Published: January 2017

Best practice management (BPM) guides are a key component of invasive species extension in Australia, and are becoming a more important way of reaching land managers with comprehensive invasive species management strategies. However, little is known about the quantifiable benefits of these guides as a stand-alone extension approach, or in comparison with other approaches. We therefore reviewed the existing literature to determine when this form of extension was appropriate, what determines the success or failure of BPM guides in facilitating best practice invasive species management, how effective they had been in the Australian context, and what methods were available to evaluate BPM guide effectiveness. BPM guides are most appropriately used in support of other forms of extension and enforcement of invasive species regulations; as a cost-effective alternative to more labour-intensive extension techniques; or in bringing together disparate information in a single comprehensive source for land managers and extension practitioners. They appear to be most appropriately distributed at mid- and late-stages of the invasion curve. Limited quantitative evidence of the effectiveness of BPM guides for invasive species in Australia is available, although there is a consensus that these materials are popular among target audiences, despite a range of studies having shown face-to-face extension to be more effective. Unfortunately, many factors make successful evaluation of a BPM guide difficult, such that extension professionals are less likely to consider the possibility of evaluation. However, we argue that extension professionals need to consider evaluation of written BPM guides, where time and funding makes this possible. Ideally this will involve formative evaluation to improve the content and messages of the guide, as well as summative evaluation to determine its effectiveness among the target audience and for the target species. We also suggest a range of economic evaluation possibilities that warrant further exploration and trial.
Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome Caused by Fusarium virguliforme is Impaired by Prolonged Flooding and Anaerobic Conditions
Authors: Abdelsamad N. A. , Baumbach J. , Bhattacharyya M. K. , Leandro L. F.
Published: January 2017

High soil moisture usually favors soybean sudden death syndrome (SDS), caused by Fusarium virguliforme (Fv), but the effects of the duration of the flooding period and accompanying anaerobic conditions on the soybean-Fv interaction are not clear. Greenhouse studies were conducted using susceptible and resistant cultivars exposed to the following treatments: 3, 5, or 7 days of continuous flooding, repeated short-term flooding of 8 h/week for 3 weeks, and a no-flood check treatment. At 7, 14, and 21 days after flooding (DAF), seedlings in the no-flood, 3-day, and repeated short-term treatments showed the highest root rot and foliar symptom severity, whereas seedlings in the 7-day treatment showed the lowest severity. Fv inoculum density in soil was lowest in the 7-day flooding treatment. In a hydroponic system, the steady transcript levels of soybean defense genes and Fv candidate virulence genes were measured in response to different oxygen levels using qPCR. Fv-infected roots exposed to 12 h of anaerobic conditions showed down-regulation of the defense-related soybean genes Laccase, PR3, PR10, PAL, and CHS, and the Fv virulence genes pectate lyase (PL), and Fv homolog of the pisatin demethylase (PDA). Our study suggests that short-term flooding tends to increase SDS, while prolonged flooding negatively impacts SDS due to reduction of Fv density in soil. Moreover, anaerobic conditions down-regulate both soybean defense genes and Fv candidate virulence genes.
Impact of a Type D Personality on Clinical and Psychometric Properties in a Sample of Turkish Patients With a First Myocardial Infarction
Authors: ANNAGÜR BILGE B. , DEMIR KENAN , AVCI AHMET , UYGUR ÖMER FARUK
Published: January 2017

Background:

Recent studies have shown that a Type D personality is associated with an increased risk of cardiac mortality.

Objective:

This study aimed to examine the impact of a Type D personality on clinical and psychometric properties in a sample of Turkish patients with a first myocardial infarction (MI).

Method:

The study included 131 patients who were admitted to the coronary care unit of a hospital. All of the patients underwent a psychiatric assessment within 2 to 6 months after their MI. Psychiatric interviews were conducted using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I). Patients also completed the Beck Depression Inventory, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Health Anxiety Inventory, and the Type D personality scale.

Results:

The patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of the presence or absence of Type D personality. There was a 38.2% prevalence of Type D personality in the patients with a first MI. Those with this type of personality had a significantly higher frequency of hypertension and stressful life events. The Type D patients also had more psychiatric disorders, including depressive and anxiety disorders, than the non-Type D patients.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that Type D personality traits may increase the risk of hypertension and the risk of psychiatric morbidity in patients with a first MI. We suggest that this type of personality is a contributor to depression and anxiety disorders. These findings emphasize the importance of screening for Type D personality as both a cardiovascular and psychiatric risk marker in patients who have had an MI.
Saccadic suppression as a perceptual consequence of efficient sensorimotor estimation
Authors: Crevecoeur F. , Kording K. P.
Published: January 2017

Humans perform saccadic eye movements two to three times per second. When doing so, the nervous system strongly suppresses sensory feedback for extended periods of time in comparison with the movement time. Why does the brain discard so much visual information? Here we suggest that perceptual suppression may arise from efficient sensorimotor computations, assuming that perception and control are fundamentally linked. More precisely, we show that a Bayesian estimator should reduce the weight of sensory information around the time of saccades, as a result of signal dependent noise and of sensorimotor delays. Such reduction parallels the behavioral suppression occurring prior to and during saccades, and the reduction in neural responses to visual stimuli observed across the visual hierarchy. We suggest that saccadic suppression originates from efficient sensorimotor processing, indicating that the brain shares neural resources for perception and control.
Robust prediction of CO2 corrosion rate in extraction and production hydrocarbon industry
Authors: Hosseini Seyed Mohammad Kazem
Published: January 2017

Purpose

CO2 corrosion rate prediction is regarded as the backbone of materials selection in upstream hydrocarbon industry. This study aims to identify common types of errors in CO2 rate calculation and to give guidelines on how to avoid them.

Design/methodology/approach

For the purpose of this study, 15 different “corrosion study and materials selection reports” carried out previously in upstream hydrocarbon industry were selected, and their predicted CO2 corrosion rates were evaluated using various corrosion models. Errors captured in the original materials selection reports were categorized based on their type and nature.

Findings

The errors identified in the present study are classified into the following four main types: using inadequate or false data as the input to the model, failing to address factors which may have significant influence on corrosion rate, utilizing corrosion models beyond their validity range and utilizing a corrosion model for a specific set of input, where the model is considered to be inaccurate even though the input lies within the software’s range of validity.

Research limitations/implications

This study is mainly based on the use of various corrosion models, and except few cases for which some actual field corrosion monitoring data were available, no laboratory tests were performed to verify the predicted data.

Practical implications

The paper provides a checklist of common types of errors in CO2 corrosion rate prediction and the guidelines on how to avoid them.

Originality/value

CO2 corrosion rate calculation is regarded as the backbone of materials selection in hydrocarbon industry. In this work, the source of errors in terms of corrosion modeling tool and human factors were identified.
Micro and small business innovation in a traditional industry
Authors: Duarte Alonso Abel , Bressan Alessandro
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore innovation among micro and small business operators in Italy’s wine industry. Moreover, in adopting the theory of innovation, the study examines winery operators’ perceptions on innovation, ways in which wineries are innovating and whether participants’ responses vary based on demographic characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire designed for this study gathered the responses of 211 participants, composed by owners, winemakers, directors and business partners.

Findings

Innovation is fundamentally associated with minimising ecological footprint, investments, making improvements in the winery, adapting to trends and new consumer demands and, importantly, with maintaining traditions while enhancing the quality of the wines. Further, participants primarily agree with involvement in wine tourism and adoption of social media as predominant forms of innovating. Several inter-group differences particularly based on levels of wine production and size of the winery emerged. Overall, the findings align with the dimensions of the theory of innovation, namely, benefits, costs, resources and discounting factors.

Originality/value

Despite the significance of Italy’s wine industry, in terms of exports and consumption on a global scale, academic research focusing on this industry’s innovative practices has been limited. Similarly, there is scant research on innovation among micro and small firms, or on industries relevant to countries’ socio-economic capital. This exploratory study provides an element of originality and value, exploring and contributing to the literature on these under-researched areas.
An innovative approach to mitigating horizon mismatch
Authors: Chakrabarty Anindya , Dubey Rameshwar , De Anupam
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to propose an innovative approach to risk measurement for the abolition of selection bias arising from the specious selection of different horizons for investment and risk computation of equity-linked-saving schemes (ELSS).

Design/methodology/approach

ELSS has a lock-in period of three years, but shorter horizons’ (daily/weekly/monthly) return data are preferred, in practice, for risk computation. This results in horizon mismatch. This paper studies the consequences of this mismatch and provides a noble solution to diminish its effect on investors’ decision-making. To accomplish this objective, the paper uses an innovative methodology, maximal overlap discrete wavelet transformation, to segregate the price movements across different horizons. Risk across all horizons is measured using Cornish-Fisher expected shortfall and Cornish-Fisher value-at-risk methods.

Findings

The degree of consistency of risk-based rankings across horizons is examined by means of the Spearman and Kendall’s rank correlation tests. The risk-based ranking of ELSS is found to vary significantly with the change in investor’s horizon. Precisely, the rankings formulated using daily net asset values are significantly different from the rankings developed using fluctuations over longer horizons (two-four and four-eight years).

Originality/value

This finding indicates that the ranking exercise may mislead investors if horizon correction is not done while developing such rankings.