bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Area of residual tumor is a robust prognostic marker for patients with rectal cancer undergoing preoperative therapy
Authors: Sakuyama Naoki , Kojima Motohiro , Kawano Shingo , Matsuda Yoko , Mino‐Kenudson Mari , Ochiai Atsushi , Ito Masaaki
Published: February 2018

The aim of this study was to elucidate differences in the histological features of rectal cancer between patients treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy and those treated with preoperative chemotherapy. Area of residual tumor (ART) was also evaluated for its utility as a potential prognostic marker between them. Sixty‐eight patients with rectal cancer who underwent sphincter‐saving surgery were enrolled in this study. Of these, 39 patients received preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT group) and 29 patients received preoperative (neoadjuvant) chemotherapy (NAC group). Area of residual tumor was determined by using morphometric software. Tumors in the two groups were compared for differences in their histological features and clinical outcomes. Tumors in the CRT and NAC groups varied greatly with regard to their histological features after preoperative therapy. Tumors in the CRT group showed more marked fibrosis than those in the NAC group. The total ART were significantly smaller in tumors in the CRT group than those in the NAC group. However, in circumferential resection margin‐negative pathologic stage 0‐III cases, clinical outcomes were not statistically different between the CRT and NAC groups. Both ART and pathologic TNM classification were associated with clinical outcome in preoperative CRT and NAC groups, but Dworak regression grade and fibrotic change were not. Tumors in those undergoing preoperative CRT and NAC were shown to differ significantly in their histological features. Area of residual tumor‐based assessment may provide useful prognostic information, regardless of preoperative therapy.
Antitumor activity of antibody against cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitope peptide of lymphocyte‐specific protein tyrosine kinase
Authors: Matsueda Satoko , Itoh Kyogo , Shichijo Shigeki
Published: February 2018

Although humoral responses against CTL epitope peptides from lymphocyte‐specific protein tyrosine kinase (Lck) antigen have been observed in the majority of healthy donors and cancer patients, the biological activity of the antibody has not been determined. We investigated the biological activity of mAb against CTL epitope peptide of Lck antigen at positions 486‐494 (anti‐Lck‐486 mAb). This mAb induced dendritic cell maturation from murine bone marrow cells by the immune complex form in vitro, and inhibited tumor growth in association with a suppression of tumor‐infiltrating T cells, including T regulatory cells in a murine model using female BALB/cCrlCrlj mice (H‐2Kd). More potent tumor inhibition was observed when this mAb was given prior to peptide vaccination. These results may help to unveil the biological activity of anti‐Lck peptide antibodies against CTL epitope peptides.
Do social work education, job description, and cultural competence foster child‐welfare caseworkers' therapeutic alliances?
Authors: Cheng Tyrone C. , Lo Celia C.
Published: February 2018

We explored whether the strength of caseworkers' engagement with families in the child‐welfare system was associated with the caseworkers' academic degrees, job responsibilities and environments, and/or ethnicity. We extracted data from a national data set describing 1,714 caseworkers. Results confirmed significant association between caseworkers' confidence in their engagement with families and (a) master's‐ and bachelor's‐level social work education, (b) adequate supervision at work, (c) cultural‐diversity training, (d) job focus (screening/investigation, out‐of‐home placement, or reunification), and (e) homogeneous race/ethnicity of caseworker and client.
The Power of a “Maverick” in Collaborative Problem Solving: An Experimental Investigation of Individual Perspective‐Taking Within a Group
Authors: Hayashi Yugo
Published: February 2018

Integrating different perspectives is a sophisticated strategy for developing constructive interactions in collaborative problem solving. However, cognitive aspects such as individuals’ knowledge and bias often obscure group consensus and produce conflict. This study investigated collaborative problem solving, focusing on a group member interacting with another member having a different perspective (a “maverick”). It was predicted that mavericks might mitigate disadvantages and facilitate perspective taking during problem solving. Thus, 344 university students participated in two laboratory‐based experiments by engaging in a simple rule‐discovery task that raised conflicts among perspectives. They interacted with virtual partners whose conversations were controlled by multiple conversational agents. Results show that when participants interacted with a maverick during the task, they were able to take others’ perspectives and integrate different perspectives to solve the problem. Moreover, when participants interacted in groups with a positive mood, groups with a maverick outperformed groups having several perspectives.
Echocardiography in transcatheter aortic valve implantation—Part 1—Transthoracic echocardiography
Authors: Naqvi Tasneem Z.
Published: February 2018

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been a revolutionary technique in the treatment of degenerative aortic valve stenosis. Selection of appropriate patients and appropriate valve size is crucial for improved patient outcome. Echocardiographic imaging is a critical component for patient selection and plays an important role in the selection of valve size, procedural guidance, and patient follow‐up. This review discusses role of echocardiography in patient selection, device implantation, and postimplant follow‐up for the first‐generation CoreValve as used in pivotal trial. Same TTE imaging principles apply to the second‐ and third‐generation self‐expandable valves as well as the balloon‐expandable valves. Multiple case examples are used to illustrate imaging principles pre‐ and post‐TAVR. In addition, case examples to demonstrate complications post‐TAVR are shown.
Suppression of female melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae, with cue‐lure and fipronil bait stations through horizontal insecticide transfer
Authors: Spafford Helen , Chou Ming Y. , Mau Ronald F.L. , Vargas Roger I.
Published: February 2018

Melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is an important quarantine tephritid fruit fly with resident populations established in Hawai'i, USA. In the male‐annihilation approach, male flies are targeted using dispensers with cue‐lure (C‐L) and insecticides, typically organophosphates. The efficacy of the male annihilation approach is thought to be limited to individual male flies, contacting the lure and the pesticide, after which they die. Alternative classes of insecticides, such as fipronil, have been investigated for use in male‐annihilation. We hypothesized that ingestion of fipronil by male flies could lead to horizontal transfer and mortality in female flies. Horizontal insecticide transfer extends pesticide control beyond the individual contacting the toxicant through indirect contact via food sharing or other mechanisms. We tested the possibility for horizontal transfer of fipronil from male to female Z. cucurbitae through field and laboratory studies. Two repeated field trials were conducted to compare the numbers of female flies collected in fields treated with Amulet C‐L (0.34% fipronil active ingredient) bait stations, sanitation, and spot treatments of GF‐120 Fruit Fly Bait to numbers collected in fields where sanitation and spot‐treatments were used without Amulet C‐L. In fields with Amulet C‐L bait stations in conjunction with sanitation and weekly protein bait spot treatments of GF‐120 Fruit Fly Bait, female captures were significantly lower than those in field plots treated with weekly protein bait spot treatments and sanitation. In subsequent laboratory studies, all females died within 6 h after direct exposure to male flies that had access to Amulet C‐L for 1–4 min. The possibility that male regurgitant could be a mechanism for horizontal transfer and subsequent female mortality was determined by collecting regurgitated droplets from fipronil‐fed male flies and feeding them to males and females. Both male and female flies exposed to regurgitant from fipronil‐fed male flies or droplets containing fipronil had higher mortality than the male and female flies that were exposed to regurgitant or droplets with only the C‐L compound or sugar solution. Thus, female flies do experience mortality from exposure to regurgitant from males that have fed on fipronil laced solutions. This provides evidence of at least one mechanism of horizontal transfer of insecticide in tephritid fruit flies. These findings are discussed in the context of Z. cucurbitae integrated pest management programs in Hawai'i.
Intraspecies variation of maturePinus taedain response to root‐infecting ophiostomatoid fungi
Authors: Devkota P. , Nadel R. L. , Eckhardt L. G.
Published: February 2018

Seedling screening studies have shown intraspecies variation in susceptibility ofPinus taeda(loblolly pine) toLeptographium terebrantisandGrosmannia huntii, the causal agents of root infection inPinusspecies. However, it is critical to understand the susceptibility of matureP. taedatrees. Roots of matureP. taedafamilies determined as susceptible and tolerant toL. terebrantisandG. huntiiby previous seedling screening trials were artificially inoculated with the same fungal isolates. Dark necrotic lesion and vascular occlusion were recorded 8 weeks later. Families previously considered as susceptible had relatively longer lesions and occlusions. The variation in susceptibility to the two fungi remained the same as exhibited by families in the seedling trial. These results suggest intraspecies variation in relative susceptibility ofP. taedatoL. terebrantisandG. huntiiremains similar regardless of the age of the tree.
An overview of the history of learning theory
Authors: Illeris Knud
Published: February 2018

This article is an account of the history of learning theory as the author has come to know and interpret it by dealing with this subject for almost half a century during which he has also himself gradually developed the broad understanding of human learning which is presented in his wellknown books on “How We Learn” and a lot of other books and writings.
Performance Management Systems: Task‐Contextual Dilemma Owing to the Involvement of the Psychological Contract and Organizational Citizenship Behavior
Authors: Özçelİk Gaye , Uyargİl Cavİde B.
Published: February 2018

The two dimensions of the performance management system, namely task and contextual performance have received the most attention from various scholars with regard to their contributive role in employees' goal accomplishment. It has been the case for decades that in addition to task performance; employers have started to use competency evaluations, which usually involve contextual performance dimensions as well. Organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and the psychological contract (PC) have become more intertwined with performance management systems. The objective of this study is to assess whether competency frameworks in performance management systems are actually incorporating OCBs and PC dimensions. The competency definitions and behavioral indicators within the performance management handbooks of 10 organizations were considered as the data set. The findings reveal that many terms of OCB and PC dimensions are embedded in the competency frameworks. This introductory paper provides important insights helping to restructure the PMS domain in which both task and discretionary behaviors are taken into account when appraising employee success.
Structures and disulfide cross‐linking of de novo designed therapeutic mini‐proteins
Authors: Silva Daniel‐Adriano , Stewart Lance , Lam Kwok‐Ho , Jin Rongsheng , Baker David
Published: February 2018

Recent advances in computational protein design now enable the massively parallel de novo design and experimental characterization of small hyperstable binding proteins with potential therapeutic activity. By providing experimental feedback on tens of thousands of designed proteins, the design‐build‐test‐learn pipeline provides a unique opportunity to systematically improve our understanding of protein folding and binding. Here, we review the structures of mini‐protein binders in complex with Influenza hemagglutinin and Bot toxin, and illustrate in the case of disulfide bond placement how analysis of the large datasets of computational models and experimental data can be used to identify determinants of folding and binding.
Winners and losers of national and global efforts to reconcile agricultural intensification and biodiversity conservation
Authors: Egli Lukas , Meyer Carsten , Scherber Christoph , Kreft Holger , Tscharntke Teja
Published: February 2018

Closing yield gaps within existing croplands, and thereby avoiding further habitat conversions, is a prominently and controversially discussed strategy to meet the rising demand for agricultural products, while minimizing biodiversity impacts. The agricultural intensification associated with such a strategy poses additional threats to biodiversity within agricultural landscapes. The uneven spatial distribution of both yield gaps and biodiversity provides opportunities for reconciling agricultural intensification and biodiversity conservation through spatially optimized intensification. Here, we integrate distribution and habitat information for almost 20,000 vertebrate species with land‐cover and land‐use datasets. We estimate that projected agricultural intensification between 2000 and 2040 would reduce the global biodiversity value of agricultural lands by 11%, relative to 2000. Contrasting these projections with spatial land‐use optimization scenarios reveals that 88% of projected biodiversity loss could be avoided through globally coordinated land‐use planning, implying huge efficiency gains through international cooperation. However, global‐scale optimization also implies a highly uneven distribution of costs and benefits, resulting in distinct “winners and losers” in terms of national economic development, food security, food sovereignty or conservation. Given conflicting national interests and lacking effective governance mechanisms to guarantee equitable compensation of losers, multinational land‐use optimization seems politically unlikely. In turn, 61% of projected biodiversity loss could be avoided through nationally focused optimization, and 33% through optimization within just 10 countries. Targeted efforts to improve the capacity for integrated land‐use planning for sustainable intensification especially in these countries, including the strengthening of institutions that can arbitrate subnational land‐use conflicts, may offer an effective, yet politically feasible, avenue to better reconcile future trade‐offs between agriculture and conservation. The efficiency gains of optimization remained robust when assuming that yields could only be increased to 80% of their potential. Our results highlight the need to better integrate real‐world governance, political and economic challenges into sustainable development and global change mitigation research.
Moosbrugger and the Case for Responsibility in Robert Musil's Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften
Authors: Stoicea Gabriela
Published: February 2018

Robert Musil's epic novel Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften comes back time and again to the case of Christian Moosbrugger, an enigmatic figure accused of brutally killing a prostitute. Musil never resolved this character's fate, or his exact significance for the novel. Despite (or precisely because of) this, the Moosbrugger leitmotif continues to provide fodder for debate. This article argues that the positioning of this “musical murderer” at the interface of law, morality, and the arts makes him the perfect vehicle for exploring the notion of responsibility in its myriad juridical, ethical, and philosophical intricacies. Underlying it all, I argue, is a deep reflection on the role of literary narratives in shaping readers’ approach to responsible reading, thinking, acting, and being in the world.
Silent aspiration predicts mortality in older adults with aspiration pneumonia admitted to acute hospitals
Authors: Nakashima Takeshi , Maeda Keisuke , Tahira Kanae , Taniguchi Kousuke , Mori Kumiko , Kiyomiya Hiroyasu , Akagi Junji
Published: February 2018

Aim

Aspiration pneumonia is a common disease resulting in poor outcomes for older adults. It is known that silent aspiration might lead to aspiration pneumonia, but its role in this is unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether silent aspiration is associated with mortality in aspiration pneumonia patients.

Methods

A multicenter (acute hospital) study including 170 aspiration pneumonia patients was carried out. Cough latency time after inhalation of 1% citric acid mist was used to assess silent aspiration. Patients were divided into two groups: silent aspirator (SA) and no‐SA groups based on the latency time of ≥29/<29 s.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 84.0 ± 8.8 years. A total of 82% of them had moderate aspiration pneumonia. A total of 99 (58.2%) patients were in the SA group. Silent aspiration patients were more likely to be inactive compared with those in the no‐SA group (Barthel Index score 5 [IQR 0–45] vs 30 [IQR 5–65], P = 0.023) and had worse oral conditions (Oral Health Assessment Tool score 5.3 ± 3.2 vs 3.8 ± 3.1, P = 0.003). Nine of the SA patients and one of the no‐SA patients (P = 0.047) died within a month. Multivariate regression analysis showed that silent aspiration was associated with mortality after adjusting for confounders (odds ratio 2.65, 95% CI 1.01–6.98, P = 0.049).

Conclusions

Silent aspiration detected by a cough latency test can predict 1‐month mortality in older patients with aspiration pneumonia. More studies are required to investigate whether enhancing cough reflex treatments would help patients recover from aspiration pneumonia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 828–832
Long‐term effectiveness of recommended boosted protease inhibitor‐based antiretroviral therapy in Europe
Authors: Santos JR , Cozzi‐Lepri A , Phillips A , De Wit S , Pedersen C , Reiss P , Blaxhult A , Lazzarin A , Sluzhynska M , Orkin C , Duvivier C , Bogner J , Gargalianos‐Kakolyris P , Schmid P , Hassoun G , Khromova I , Beniowski M , Hadziosmanovic V , Sedlacek D , Paredes R , Lundgren JD ,   on behalf of the EuroSIDA study group
Published: February 2018

Objectives

The aim of the study was to evaluate the long‐term response to antiretroviral treatment (ART) based on atazanavir/ritonavir (ATZ/r)‐, darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r)‐, and lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r)‐containing regimens.

Methods

Data were analysed for 5678 EuroSIDA‐enrolled patients starting a DRV/r‐, ATZ/r‐ or LPV/r‐containing regimen between 1 January 2000 and 30 June 2013. Separate analyses were performed for the following subgroups of patients: (1) ART‐naïve subjects (8%) at ritonavir‐boosted protease inhibitor (PI/r) initiation; (2) ART‐experienced individuals (44%) initiating the new PI/r with a viral load (VL) ≤500 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL; and (3) ART‐experienced patients (48%) initiating the new PI/r with a VL >500 copies/mL. Virological failure (VF) was defined as two consecutive VL measurements >200 copies/mL ≥24 weeks after PI/r initiation. Kaplan–Meier and multivariable Cox models were used to compare risks of failure by PI/r‐based regimen. The main analysis was performed with intention‐to‐treat (ITT) ignoring treatment switches.

Results

The time to VF favoured DRV/r over ATZ/r, and both were superior to LPV/r (log‐rank test; P < 0.02) in all analyses. Nevertheless, the risk of VF in ART‐naïve patients was similar regardless of the PI/r initiated after controlling for potential confounders. The risk of VF in both treatment‐experienced groups was lower for DRV/r than for ATZ/r, which, in turn, was lower than for LPV/r‐based ART.

Conclusions

Although confounding by indication and calendar year cannot be completely ruled out, in ART‐experienced subjects the long‐term effectiveness of DRV/r‐containing regimens appears to be greater than that of ATZ/r and LPV/r.
Perceptions of older consumers regarding food packaging as a prerequisite for its improvement: A case study of Polish market
Authors: Świda Jarosław , Halagarda Michał , Popek Stanisław
Published: February 2018

In many societies, the scale of demographic change associated with increased longevity has the potential to influence the market for consumer goods. As a result, continuous improvement in packaging design that takes into account the needs of older people should become an important challenge for both packaging producers and product manufacturers. Due to the fact that there is limited research concerning the design of food packaging for older people, the aim of the study was to identify the expectations of this group of consumers in this respect. Milk packaging was selected as a model subject of study. Factors influencing older consumers and their buying patterns when purchasing milk have been thoroughly examined. The research was conducted among people over the age of 60 with the use of three methods: a questionnaire (600 subjects), an in‐depth interview (60 subjects) and eye tracking (30 subjects). The results of the study show that older consumers have specific preferences regarding packaging type and design. When considering milk packaging, for example, they prefer glass bottles, simple graphics and font and subdued colours. They most frequently look for information concerning the product's expiration date, its producer's name and its composition. Eye tracking revealed that the older the consumers are, the more problems with finding expiration date they have. The time required to find such information, however, strongly depends on where exactly the expiration date is printed on the packaging. The preferred place in this case is the top of the bottle. Older consumers identify product's brand with the name of the producer. Moreover, the absence of the term ‘ingredients’: on the milk packaging oftentimes causes confusion among older people, who are concerned about potential food additive content.
Drought tolerance in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) as assessed by two contrasting phenotyping systems
Authors: Bothe A. , Westermeier P. , Wosnitza A. , Willner E. , Schum A. , Dehmer K. J. , Hartmann S.
Published: February 2018

The objectives of this research were to establish a practicable phenotyping platform for assessing the drought stress response of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.; Lp), and to use this platform for evaluating the variation for drought tolerance among a panel of 39 diverse Lp populations. A moderate‐to‐strong correlation was assessed between the performance of plants grown in a hydroponics system, where the stress was generated by the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG), and those grown in the field in a rainout shelter. Following the application of drought stress, tetraploid Lp populations, along with a small number of reference Festulolium and Festuca sp. accessions, were able to develop more shoot and root dry matter than diploid Lp populations. The onset of drought symptoms was also delayed within these accessions and the plants recovered better once drought had been relieved. Although most of the diploid Lp populations were drought susceptible, there was a considerable accession‐to‐accession variation for performance under drought stress conditions. Measuring biomass production and post‐drought recovery in rainout shelter experiments in combination with the assessment of root biomass accumulation in PEG‐supplemented hydroponics represented a viable means of screening Lp germplasm for drought tolerance.
Foster care promotes adaptive functioning in early adolescence among children who experienced severe, early deprivation
Authors: Humphreys Kathryn L. , Miron Devi , McLaughlin Katie A. , Sheridan Margaret A. , Nelson Charles A. , Fox Nathan A. , Zeanah Charles H.
Published: February 2018

Background

Experiences in early life lay the foundation for later development and functioning. Severe psychosocial deprivation, as experienced by children in early institutional care, constitutes an adverse experience with long‐term negative consequences. The Bucharest Early Intervention Project sought to examine the effects of foster care as an alternative to institutional care for abandoned infants in Romanian institutions.

Methods

At a mean age of 22 months, institutionalized children were randomized to foster care or care as usual. At age 12 years, we followed‐up with 98 of these children (50 randomized to foster care), as well as assessed 49 never institutionalized comparison children. Adaptive functioning was assessed across seven domains—mental health, physical health, substance use, risk‐taking behavior, family relations, peer relations, and academic performance. Children at or above the threshold for adaptive functioning in at least six of seven domains were classified as having overall adaptive functioning in early adolescence.

Results

Among all children who had experienced severe early deprivation, 40% exhibited adaptive functioning. Children randomized to foster care were significantly more likely to exhibit adaptive functioning at age 12 years than children in the care as usual condition (56% vs. 23%). In support of external validity, children who met the threshold for adaptive functioning at age 12 years had higher IQs and were more physiologically responsive to stress. Among children randomized to foster care, children placed prior to age 20 months were more likely to meet the threshold for adaptive functioning than those placed after this age (79% vs. 46%).

Conclusions

This study provides causal evidence that placing children into families following severe deprivation increases the likelihood of adaptive functioning in early adolescence.
Evaluating the genetic status of a closed colony of titi monkeys (Callicebus cupreus) using multigenerational pedigrees
Authors: Kanthaswamy Sree , Bales Karen L.
Published: February 2018

Pedigree metrics are essential for investigating colony genetic structure. The genetic structure of a closed Callicebus cupreus colony was examined using multigenerational pedigrees. Inbreeding was low, but genetic drift caused the loss of founder genome representation. Pedigrees can be used to detect founder representation and prevent bottlenecks and allele loss.
Self‐Continuity Moderates the Association Between Peer Victimization and Depressed Affect
Authors: Santo Jonathan B. , Martin‐Storey Alexa , Recchia Holly , Bukowski William M.
Published: February 2018

Two longitudinal studies conducted with early adolescents (ages 10–13) examined the hypothesis that self‐continuity, or the degree to which individuals feel that they remain the same person over time regardless of how their specific characteristics may change, would moderate the association between victimization and depressed affect. Both Study 1 (N = 141) and Study 2 (N = 100) provided evidence of the moderating role of self‐continuity as a buffer on the effect of peer victimization. Study 2 confirmed that self‐continuity had a moderating effect after controlling for academic performance, number of friends, self‐esteem, self‐concept clarity, hopelessness, and self‐blame. Findings support self‐continuity as being protective with regard to negative peer environments.
The molecular basis of essential fatty acid limitation in Daphnia magna: A transcriptomic approach
Authors: Windisch Heidrun S. , Fink Patrick
Published: February 2018

It is widely accepted that in many food webs, the trophic transfer efficiency among primary producers and herbivores is determined by the nutritional value of primary producers. In pelagic freshwater and marine ecosystems, secondary production by herbivorous crustacean zooplankton is often limited by the seston's content of essential ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3 PUFAs). However, little is known about the genetic network behind the positive relationship between phytoplankton ω3 PUFA content and zooplankton growth and reproduction. In our experimental study, we analysed gene expression changes of the freshwater cladoceran Daphnia magna under different food regimes differing in their ω3 PUFA composition. To disentangle ω3 PUFA effects from other factors, we fed D. magna with different pure phytoplankton cultures (i.e., algal and cyanobacterial diets) with or without supplementing the essential ω3 PUFA eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). As hypothesized, we observed enhanced growth on diets supplemented with EPA. We applied an Illumina RNA‐seq approach to D. magna from different diet treatments to find and monitor genes that are regulated dependent on EPA availability. Of 26,646 potential protein products (mapped to the D. magna genome), we identified transcriptomic signatures driven by the different food sources. Further analyses revealed specific candidate genes involved in EPA metabolism, irrespective of the basal food source. This allows a first functional annotation of previously uncharacterized genes involved in the EPA‐specific response of D. magna and may finally provide a link to molecular processes connected to ω3 PUFA metabolism and conversion and thus trophic transfer efficiency in pelagic food webs.
The curli regulator CsgD mediates stationary phase counter‐silencing of csgBA in Salmonella Typhimurium
Authors: Newman S. L. , Will W. R. , Libby S. J. , Fang F. C.
Published: February 2018

Integration of horizontally acquired genes into transcriptional networks is essential for the regulated expression of virulence in bacterial pathogens. In Salmonella enterica, expression of such genes is repressed by the nucleoid‐associated protein H‐NS, which recognizes and binds to AT‐rich DNA. H‐NS‐mediated silencing must be countered by other DNA‐binding proteins to allow expression under appropriate conditions. Some genes that can be transcribed by RNA polymerase (RNAP) associated with the alternative sigma factor σS or the housekeeping sigma factor σ70 in vitro appear to be preferentially transcribed by σS in the presence of H‐NS, suggesting that σS may act as a counter‐silencer. To determine whether σS directly counters H‐NS‐mediated silencing and whether co‐regulation by H‐NS accounts for the σS selectivity of certain promoters, we examined the csgBA operon, which is required for curli fimbriae expression and is known to be regulated by both H‐NS and σS. Using genetics and in vitro biochemical analyses, we found that σS is not directly required for csgBA transcription, but rather up‐regulates csgBA via an indirect upstream mechanism. Instead, the biofilm master regulator CsgD directly counter‐silences the csgBA promoter by altering the DNA‐protein complex structure to disrupt H‐NS‐mediated silencing in addition to directing the binding of RNAP.
The role of continuous renal replacement therapy in the management of acute kidney injury associated with sinusoidal obstruction syndrome following hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Raina Rupesh , Abusin Ghada A. , Vijayaraghavan Prashant , Auletta Jeffery J. , Cabral Linda , Hashem Hasan , Vogt Beth A. , Cooke Kenneth R. , Abu‐Arja Rolla F.
Published: February 2018

Maintaining fluid balance, pre‐ and post‐MA‐HCT is essential and usually requires frequent administration of diuretics. Hepatic sinusoidal obstructive syndrome is potentially life‐threatening, especially when associated with AKI and MOF. This study describes six patients who developed AKI‐associated SOS and diuretic‐resistant FO who subsequently underwent CRRT using standardized management guidelines for fluid balance post‐HCT. Retrospective chart review was done for HCT patients between September 2011 and October 2013 at a tertiary care children's hospital. Thirty‐four patients underwent MA‐HCT in the study period. Six patients had SOS complicated by diuretic‐resistant FO and underwent CRRT. Defibrotide was used in three patients. Median time on CRRT was 10.5 days. Sixty‐six percent (N = 4 of 6) of patients had full resolution of SOS symptoms with a mortality rate of 34% (N = 2 of 6). Among patients who had full recovery of SOS symptoms, one patient developed AKI, end‐stage renal diseases and underwent kidney transplantation 34‐months post‐HCT. Thus, of six included patients, two died and one developed ESRD with only 50% (N = 3 of 6) good outcome. Use of a standardized, evidence‐based fluid balance protocol and early initiation of CRRT for HCT‐related AKI/SOS was associated with good outcomes.
The emergence of the social‐ecological restoration concept
Authors: Fernández‐Manjarrés Juan F. , Roturier Samuel , Bilhaut Anne‐Gaël
Published: February 2018

Many ecosystems in the world are the result of a close interaction between local people and their environment, which are currently recognized as social‐ecological systems (SoES). Natural catastrophes or long‐standing social and political turmoil can degrade these SoES to a point where human societies are no longer autonomous and their supporting ecosystems are highly degraded. Here, we focus on the special case of the restoration of SoES that we call social‐ecological restoration (SoER), which is characterized as a restoration process that cannot avoid simultaneously dealing with ecological and social issues. In practice, SoER is analogous in many ways to the general principles of ecological restoration, but it differs in three key aspects: (1) the first actions may be initially intended for human groups that need to recover minimum living standards; (2) the SoER process would often be part of a healing process for local people where cultural values of ecosystems play an essential role; and (3) there is a strong dependency on external economic inputs, as the people belonging to the SoES may be incapable of reorganizing themselves on their own and supporting ecosystems can no longer self‐recover. Although it might not be desirable or necessary to call all restoration projects with a social component an SoER, the use of this concept may help in defining early restoration targets that may prevent conflicts among users in the long term. From the perspective of other disciplines, SoER would be more appropriately perceived as programs of “social‐ecological recovery” in the long term.
New findings in non‐invasive imaging of cutaneous endometriosis: Dermoscopy, high‐frequency ultrasound and reflectance confocal microscopy
Authors: Tognetti L. , Cinotti E. , Tonini G. , Habougit C. , Cambazard F. , Rubegni P. , Perrot J. L.
Published: February 2018

Background

Cutaneous endometriosis (CE) is rare and its dermoscopic features were reported only in 3 patients. The aim of this study was to examine a case of pigmented CE with multiple non‐invasive imaging techniques, to compare the obtained images with histopathology and to define their utility in an early diagnosis of the disease.

Case report

We performed dermoscopy, high‐frequency ultrasound (HFUS), in vivo and ex vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) of a pigmented CE arising on the caesarean scar of a phototype IV patient, along with histologic studies. Dermoscopy showed a greyish background and a brownish pigmentation. HFUS shows well‐demarcated anechoic areas corresponding to ectopic endometrial tissue at histopathologic examination. RCM and OCT only showed the alterations of the epidermis.

Conclusion

High‐frequency ultrasound could represent a very useful tool for an early diagnosis of CE and its usefulness could be tested in patients with unusual cyclical pain, even before skin lesion appearance. RCM allowed the visualization of skin surface modification due to underlying endometriosic tissue. Dermoscopy showed a new aspect that was probably related to the mix of blood extravasation (ie, greyish background) and epidermal pigmentation (ie, brown pigmentation).
A procedure for high residual stresses measurement using the ring‐core method
Authors: Moharrami R. , Sadri M.
Published: February 2018

The ring‐core method is a mechanical technique used to determine the residual stresses on the surface of materials by milling a narrow circular groove around the point of interest and monitoring the strain variation.

Original stress can be evaluated by using the relaxed strain through the linear elasticity theory. In case of a highly stressed field, the yielding of the material around the groove and its bottom causes an error related to the hypothesis of the basic theory of the method.

In this paper, the plasticity effect of calculated residual stresses was considered. For this purpose, the ring‐core development and stress relaxation in a generally stressed body were simulated using a 3D parametric finite element model and the stress calculation errors were obtained by comparing calculation stress with the actual one. According to the results, the error value was affected by some parameters such as ring depth, stress magnitude and state, and material behaviour. In general, for residual stresses above 65% of the local yield strength, the plasticity‐induced errors were significant, as an error close to 35% was found.

Based on the result, a correction procedure was proposed for the evaluation of the high level residual stresses in steel materials by the ring‐core method. By the method, true stresses can be obtained with considering the calculated stresses state, material properties, ring geometry, and estimated plasticity‐induced errors.
Clinical and histopathological aspects of an alopecia syndrome in captive Andean bears (Tremarctos ornatus)
Authors: Nicolau Amélie , Lemberger Karin , Mosca Marion , Leclerc Antoine , Lécu Alexis , Pin Didier
Published: February 2018

Background

Captive Andean bears (Tremarctos ornatus) develop a distinct alopecic syndrome of unknown aetiology.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To describe the histological features of healthy Andean bear skin, to define the clinical and histopathological features of Andean bears with signs of alopecia, and to propose an aetiopathogenesis.

Animals

Eighteen healthy Andean bears housed in 12 European zoos and 13 Andean bears with mild to severe alopecia housed in nine European zoos.

Methods

Two surveys describing signalment and clinical features of affected bears; follicular density was measured in a single healthy bear using a dermatoscope; cytological samples were collected by tape stripping from two healthy and three alopecic bears; skin biopsies were collected for histological evaluation from healthy and alopecic bears; immunohistochemistry (CD3, AE1/AE3 cytokeratins) was performed when lymphocytic inflammation was observed.

Results

The syndrome is an acquired, slowly progressive alopecia. Bears are otherwise healthy. Histological features include a dermal inflammatory infiltrate composed of T lymphocytes and eosinophils; atrophy of hair follicles at the level of or below the isthmus, and lymphocytic infiltration of hair follicles and the epidermis. Multinucleated giant cells were present in the outer root sheaths of hair follicles in five bears.

Conclusion and clinical importance

Andean bear alopecia syndrome is an acquired, progressive alopecia with histological features consistent with a lymphocytic immune‐mediated reaction directed against follicular sheaths and the epidermis. Trigger factors have not been identified. Further studies are indicated to define the features of this multifactorial syndrome.
What are the best predictors for invasive potential of weeds? Transferability evaluations of model predictions based on diverse environmental data sets for Flaveria bidentis
Authors: Fan J Y , Zhao N X , Li M , Gao W F , Wang M L , Zhu G P
Published: February 2018

Ecological niche models are widely used in the study of weed invasions, yet best approaches for selecting ecologically relevant environmental predictors for weeds remain unresolved. Here, we evaluate niche model transferability based on diverse environmental data sets for an invasive herb, Flaveria bidentis. This species is native to South America, but has established populations in China that pose a threat to agriculture and animal husbandry. Relevant environmental data sets were selected via five statistical approaches: permutation importance (PI) and jackknife test (JK) in Maxent, variable importance identified by boosting regression trees (BRT), ecological niche factor analysis (ENFA) and a newly released algorithm based on a fluctuation index (FI). Climate spaces occupied by native South American and introduced Chinese populations were compared based on these environmental data sets. Native niche model predictions in China were compared across environmental data sets and model settings (i.e. default versus fine‐tuned Maxent settings). Results suggest that native and introduced populations occupy two distinct climate spaces, but that this divergence likely results from background effects. Niche models based on fine‐tuned Maxent settings generally showed better discrimination ability than those based on default settings. The best model discrimination in China was attained in the FI model using fine‐tuned settings, followed by the BRT model on default settings. The best models suggest that highly suitable areas at risk of invasion in China are to the west and north‐east of present distributional areas. Results presented here provide predictions for F. bidentis in particular, but also shed light on procedures for selecting ecologically relevant predictors for invasive species distributional predictions more generally.
Yield and competitive ability in potato cultivars characterised by different developmental timing
Authors: Cavalieri A , Paolini R , Mirabelli C
Published: February 2018

Potato is very susceptible to weed interference during the early growth stages due to slow emergence, and again at the end of the growing cycle when branches collapse and the canopy opens. Weed control usually is performed through a combination of physical and chemical methods. A growing concern for the environment and human health has encouraged the development of non‐chemical weed control. We evaluated the effects of an integrated weed management strategy consisting of physical and cultural methods on naturally emerging weeds over two field seasons in central Italy. One harrowing plus one hilling operation were conducted during the early crop stages, and the competitive abilities against late emerging weeds of six different cultivars of potato, characterised by differences in developmental timing and growth habit, were evaluated. Two measures of competition were evaluated, the competitive balance index (Cb) and the relative total biomass of crop and weed. Higher competitive ability (Cb) was associated with traits such as fast early above‐ground biomass production, height and final above‐ground biomass. Medium late maturity cultivars showed higher Cb than earlier ones, but this was associated with lower yield, providing evidence for a trade‐off between competitive ability and yield. The trade‐off was in part biased by the lack of adaptation of the medium late cultivars to hot weather conditions, so we concluded that cultivars characterised by different developmental time need to be screened and tested for local systems.
Boiling Heat Transfer Characteristics of Staggered-array Water Impinging Jets on Hot Steel Plate
Authors: Lee Sang Gun , Kim Jin Sub , Shin Dong Hwan , Lee Jungho
Published: February 2018

The effect of staggered-array water impinging jets on boiling heat transfer was investigated by a simultaneous measurement between boiling visualization and heat transfer characteristics. The boiling phenomena of staggered-array impinging jets on hot steel plate were visualized by 4K UHD video camera. The surface temperature and heat flux on hot steel plate was determined by solving 2-D inverse heat conduction problem, which was measured by the flat-plate heat flux gauge. The experiment was made at jet Reynolds number of Re = 5,000 and the jet-to-jet distance of staggered-array jets of S/Dn = 10. Complex flow interaction of staggered-array impinging jets exhibited hexagonal flow pattern like as honey-comb. The calculated surface heat transfer profiles show a good agreement with the corresponding boiling visualization. The peak of heat flux accords with the location which nucleate boiling is occurred at. In early stage, the positions of maximum heat flux locate at the stagnation point of each jet as the relatively low surface temperature is shown at their positions. At the elapsed time of 10 s, the flat shape of heat flux profile is formed in the hexagonal area where the interacting flow uniformly cools down the wetted surface. After that, the wetted area continuously enlarges with time and the maximum heat flux is observed at its peripheral. These results point out that the flow interaction of staggered-array jets effectively cools down the closer area around jets and also show an expansion of nucleate boiling and suppression of film boiling during water jet cooling on hot steel plate. [This work was supported by the KETEP grant funded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy, Korea (Grant No. 20142010102910).]
Finite Element Study to Evaluate the Biomechanical Performance of the Spine After Augmenting Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Fixation With Kyphoplasty in the Treatment of Burst Fractures
Authors: Elmasry Shady S. , Asfour Shihab S. , Travascio Francesco
Published: February 2018

Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (PPSF) is a well-known minimally invasive surgery (MIS) employed in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures (TBF). However, hardware failure and loss of angular correction are common limitations caused by the poor support of the anterior column of the spine. Balloon kyphoplasty (KP) is another MIS that was successfully used in the treatment of compression fractures by augmenting the injured vertebral body with cement. To overcome the limitations of stand-alone PPSF, it was suggested to augment PPSF with KP as a surgical treatment of TBF. Yet, little is known about the biomechanical alteration occurred to the spine after performing such procedure. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the immediate post-operative biomechanical performance of stand-alone PPSF, stand-alone-KP, and KP-augmented PPSF procedures. Novel three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) models of the thoracolumbar junction that describes the fractured spine and the three investigated procedures were developed and tested under mechanical loading conditions. The spinal stiffness, stresses at the implanted hardware, and the intradiscal pressure at the upper and lower segments were measured and compared. The results showed no major differences in the measured parameters between stand-alone PPSF and KP-augmented PPSF procedures, and demonstrated that the stand-alone KP may restore the stiffness of the intact spine. Accordingly, there was no immediate post-operative biomechanical advantage in augmenting PPSF with KP when compared to stand-alone PPSF, and fatigue testing may be required to evaluate the long-term biomechanical performance of such procedures.
Time-domain sound field reproduction using the group Lasso
Authors: Feng Qipeng , Yang Feiran , Yang Jun
Published: February 2018

A time-domain sound field reproduction (SFR) method based on the group Lasso (GL) is presented. The proposed method optimizes the positions and the number of active loudspeakers in the time domain by iteratively solving a mixed-norm constrained optimization problem. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves accurate broadband SFR using a small number of active loudspeakers and significantly outperforms the least-squares method when the desired sound field is under-sampled. Moreover, the GL algorithm can also be used to optimize the loudspeaker placement for sound field control systems.