bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trickle‐Down Social Inclusion: The EU Minorities Agenda in Times of Crisis
Authors: Cianetti Licia
Published: August 2017

This article investigates the minority dimension of EU social policy and how the conceptualization of ethnic minorities' socio‐economic inclusion has evolved over time. Three findings are drawn from the close analysis of overlapping EU agendas on social inclusion and minority inclusion. First, although there are no comprehensive data on European minorities' socio‐economic condition, significant evidence has been collected at EU‐level that minorities are consistently at a disadvantage. Second, the growing recognition that minorities suffer disproportionately from socio‐economic exclusion has not been accompanied by an increasing willingness to consider structural policy approaches. Rather, a policy paradigm has emerged that prioritizes job creation, growth and employability as the one‐size‐fits‐all solution to social exclusion. I call this the ‘trickle‐down’ approach to minority social inclusion. Third, the economic crisis crystallized this mismatch between problem and EU policy approach but did not cause it.
The Impact of UV Radiation on Paramecium Populations from Alpine Lakes
Authors: Kammerlander Barbara , Tartarotti Barbara , Sonntag Bettina
Published: August 2017

Paramecium populations from a clear and a glacier‐fed turbid alpine lake were exposed to solar simulated ultraviolet (UVR) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) at 8 and 15 °C. The ciliates were tested for DNA damage (comet assay), behavioral changes, and mortality after UVR + PAR exposure. High DNA damage levels (~58% tail DNA) and abnormal swimming behavior were observed, although no significant changes in cell numbers were found irrespective of the lake origin (clear, turbid), and temperatures. We conclude that environmental stressors such as UVR and their effects may influence the adaptation of ciliates living in alpine lakes.
Innovation in a Learning Health Care System: Veteran‐Directed Home‐ and Community‐Based Services
Authors: Garrido Melissa M. , Allman Richard M. , Pizer Steven D. , Rudolph James L. , Thomas Kali S. , Sperber Nina R. , Van Houtven Courtney H. , Frakt Austin B.
Published: August 2017

A path‐breaking example of the interplay between geriatrics and learning healthcare systems is the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA's) planned roll‐out of a program for providing participant‐directed home‐ and community‐based services to veterans with cognitive and functional limitations. We describe the design of a large‐scale, stepped‐wedge, cluster‐randomized trial of the Veteran‐Directed Home‐ and Community‐Based Services (VD‐HCBS) program. From March 2017 through December 2019, up to 77 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers will be randomized to times to begin offering VD‐HCBS to veterans at risk of nursing home placement. Services will be provided to community‐dwelling participants with support from Aging and Disability Network Agencies. The VHA Partnered Evidence‐based Policy Resource Center (PEPReC) is coordinating the evaluation, which includes collaboration from operational stakeholders from the VHA and Administration for Community Living and interdisciplinary researchers from the Center of Innovation in Long‐Term Services and Supports and the Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care. For older veterans with functional limitations who are eligible for VD‐HCBS, we will evaluate health outcomes (hospitalizations, emergency department visits, nursing home admissions, days at home) and healthcare costs associated with VD‐HCBS availability. Learning healthcare systems facilitate diffusion of innovation while enabling rigorous evaluation of effects on patient outcomes. The VHA's randomized rollout of VD‐HCBS to veterans at risk of nursing home placement is an example of how to achieve these goals simultaneously. PEPReC's experience designing an evaluation with researchers and operations stakeholders may serve as a framework for others seeking to develop rapid, rigorous, large‐scale evaluations of delivery system innovations targeted to older adults.
Trade credit financing and stock price crash risk
Authors: Cao Feng , Ye Kangtao , Zhang Ning , Li Sifei
Published: August 2017

This study investigates the association between trade credit financing and stock price crash risk within China's context. We find that firms using more trade credit financing have significantly lower future stock price crash risk. This negative association is more pronounced for firms with greater information asymmetry and for firms located in less developed financial markets. This finding is robust to the endogeneity concern, alternative measures of stock price crash risk, and the inclusion of other factors identified in prior studies that might affect stock price crash risk. Further evidence suggests that both the monitoring mechanism and the disclosure mechanism drive the documented relation. Our study suggests that access to trade credit can significantly reduce the likelihood of crash risk in a country like China with less developed formal bank financing. Our study also suggests that investors can effectively avoid stock price crash risk by using the trade credit information disclosed in financial statements.
Incidence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Elderly Edentulous Patients and the Possible Correlation of Serum Serotonin and Apnea‐Hypopnea Index
Authors: Tripathi Arvind , Bagchi Soumyojeet , Singh Juhi , Tripathi Suryakant , Gupta Narendra Kumar , Arora Varun
Published: August 2017

Purpose

To estimate the incidence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in elderly edentulous patients (aged 60‐65 years) and investigate a correlation of serum serotonin levels with the apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI), respiratory effort‐related arousal (RERA), and respiratory disturbance index (RDI).

Materials and Methods

381 elderly completely edentulous patients (307 male, 74 female) aged 60 to 65 years with a history of edentulism of 12 to 15 months, seeking oral rehabilitation at the prosthodontic clinic at Saraswati Dental College & Hospital, Lucknow, India, between January 2014 and January 2016 were enrolled for the present study. After application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria of this study, 183 patients (162 male, 21 female) who were found susceptible, were subjected to the BERLIN questionnaire and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) to assess sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and then put through all‐night polysomnography (PSG). On the basis of AHI, RERA, and RDI scores, 156 patients (143 male, 13 female) who tested positive for OSA were classified according to its intensity. All 156 patients underwent body‐mass index (BMI) estimation, cephalometry, and intraoral examination for skeletal and soft tissue profile record. Serum serotonin was estimated from whole blood samples for the 156 OSA and the 27 normal patients. The 156 (147 nonobese, 9 obese) OSA‐positive patients were provided with complete dentures and were trained to use the same as a modified mandibular advancement device (MAD) during sleep at night. These patients were kept on a quarterly follow‐up for 9 months. Data collected was subjected to statistical analysis, and inferences drawn.

Results

The incidence of OSA in elderly edentulous subjects was found to be 32.03% in males and 8.91% in females. A mere 9 out of 156 (5.76%) elderly edentulous OSA patients were found to be obese (Class I) on the basis of BMI estimation. Cephalometry of the patients showed that they had a skeletal class I maxillomandibular relationship. AHI scores of nonobese patients revealed that most of the patients had moderate OSA, followed by mild OSA and severe OSA. Serum serotonin levels ranged from 53 to 83 ng/dL. AHI score of the 9 obese patients were in the moderate to severe range, and their serum serotonin levels were 60 to 70 ng/dL. A correlation between severity of OSA and serum serotonin level was validated in this study.

Conclusion

OSA was found to be prevalent in edentulous subjects due to pharyngeal collapse and decreased neuromuscular control. An inverse relationship of serum serotonin levels and AHI scores was established.
Protective and Promotive Effects of Latino Early Adolescents' Cultural Assets Against Multiple Types of Discrimination
Authors: Cavanaugh Alyson M. , Stein Gabriela L. , Supple Andrew J. , Gonzalez Laura M. , Kiang Lisa
Published: August 2017

Given adversity associated with discrimination, it is important to identify culturally relevant factors that may protect against its harmful effects. Using latent variable interactions, this study examined the moderating effects of cultural assets on the association between multiple types of discrimination and adolescents' adjustment. Participants included 174 seventh‐ and eighth‐grade Latino adolescents (51% girls); majority were of Mexican origin. Peer discrimination was associated with higher internalizing symptoms, whereas cultural assets predicted higher academic motivation above and beyond racial–ethnic discrimination, demonstrating a promotive effect. Adolescents' Latino cultural assets also protected against higher levels of externalizing symptoms in the context of high peer discrimination and foreigner objectification. The discussion focuses on the conceptual and applied implications of these findings.
Vertebral heart size in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) using radiography and CT
Authors: Doss G. A. , Mans C. , Hoey S. , Di Girolamo N. , Stepien R. L. , Waller K. R.
Published: August 2017

Objective

To determine the vertebral heart size in chinchillas using right and left lateral radiographic views and CT images. To evaluate the agreement between radiographic and CT modalities.

Methods

Twenty‐one clinically healthy chinchillas and seven chinchillas with cardiovascular abnormalities underwent cardiovascular examination before thoracic radiographs and thoracic CT obtained under dexmedetomidine‐ketamine anaesthesia. Two observers calculated vertebral heart size for radiographic and CT studies. Reference intervals were calculated with the robust method. Agreement between radiographic and CT‐derived vertebral heart size was evaluated with Bland–Altman plots and Deming regression.

Results

Mean ±sd vertebral heart size for lateral radiographs was 8·9 ±0·62 (reference interval: 7·5 to 10·2) and for CT‐derived vertebral heart size was 8·2 ±0·55 (reference interval: 7·1 to 9·4). CT significantly underestimated the radiographic vertebral heart size by 0·66 vertebrae. There was no significant difference between vertebral heart size for right and left lateral radiographic views, or between female and male chinchillas.

Clinical Significance

Radiographic vertebral heart size for chinchillas is larger than that reported for similar rodents. Vertebral heart size can be calculated using radiography or CT in chinchillas, but these techniques are not interchangeable.
GM2 Gangliosidosis in Shiba Inu Dogs with an In‐Frame Deletion in HEXB
Authors: Kolicheski A. , Johnson G.S. , Villani N.A. , O'Brien D.P. , Mhlanga‐Mutangadura T. , Wenger D.A. , Mikoloski K. , Eagleson J.S. , Taylor J.F. , Schnabel R.D. , Katz M.L.
Published: August 2017

Consistent with a tentative diagnosis of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), autofluorescent cytoplasmic storage bodies were found in neurons from the brains of 2 related Shiba Inu dogs with a young‐adult onset, progressive neurodegenerative disease. Unexpectedly, no potentially causal NCL‐related variants were identified in a whole‐genome sequence generated with DNA from 1 of the affected dogs. Instead, the whole‐genome sequence contained a homozygous 3 base pair (bp) deletion in a coding region of HEXB. The other affected dog also was homozygous for this 3‐bp deletion. Mutations in the human HEXB ortholog cause Sandhoff disease, a type of GM2 gangliosidosis. Thin‐layer chromatography confirmed that GM2 ganglioside had accumulated in an affected Shiba Inu brain. Enzymatic analysis confirmed that the GM2 gangliosidosis resulted from a deficiency in the HEXB encoded protein and not from a deficiency in products from HEXA or GM2A, which are known alternative causes of GM2 gangliosidosis. We conclude that the homozygous 3‐bp deletion in HEXB is the likely cause of the Shiba Inu neurodegenerative disease and that whole‐genome sequencing can lead to the early identification of potentially disease‐causing DNA variants thereby refocusing subsequent diagnostic analyses toward confirming or refuting candidate variant causality.
Development of a Multivariate Predictive Model to Estimate Ionized Calcium Concentration from Serum Biochemical Profile Results in Dogs
Authors: Danner J. , Ridgway M.D. , Rubin S.I. , Le Boedec K.
Published: August 2017

Background

Ionized calcium concentration is the gold standard to assess calcium status in dogs, but measurement is not always available.

Objectives

(1) To predict ionized calcium concentration from biochemical results and compare the diagnostic performance of predicted ionized calcium concentration (piCa) to those of total calcium concentration (tCa) and 2 corrected tCa formulas; and (2) to study the relationship between biochemical results and variation of measured ionized calcium concentration (miCa).

Animals

A total of 1,719 dogs with both miCa and biochemical profile results available.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study. Using 1,200 dogs, piCa was determined using a multivariate adaptive regression splines model. Its accuracy and performance were tested on the remaining 519 dogs.

Results

The final model included creatinine, albumin, tCa, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, chloride, alkaline phosphatase, triglycerides, and age, with tCa, albumin, and chloride having the highest impact on miCa variation. Measured ionized calcium concentration was better correlated with piCa than with tCa and corrected tCa and had higher overall diagnostic accuracy to diagnose hypocalcemia and hypercalcemia, but not significantly for hypercalcemia. For hypercalcemia, piCa was as sensitive (64%) but more specific (99.6%) than tCa and corrected tCa. For hypocalcemia, piCa was more sensitive (21.8%) and as specific (98.4%) as tCa. Positive and negative predictive values of piCa were high for both hypercalcemia (90% and 98%, respectively) and hypocalcemia (70.8% and 87.7%, respectively).

Conclusions and clinical importance

Predicted ionized calcium concentration can be obtained from readily available biochemical and patient results and seems more useful than tCa and corrected tCa to assess calcium disorders in dogs when miCa is unavailable. Validation on external data, however, is warranted.
Cell‐Free DNA and DNase Activity in Dogs with Immune‐Mediated Hemolytic Anemia
Authors: Jeffery U. , Ruterbories L. , Hanel R. , LeVine D.N.
Published: August 2017

Background

Immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) in dogs has a high risk of thrombosis and is associated with marked neutrophilia and necrosis. Cell death and release of neutrophil extracellular traps contribute to increased serum concentrations of cell‐free DNA, and in human autoimmune disease reduced DNase activity further increases cell‐free DNA. Free DNA in blood has prothrombotic properties and could contribute to hypercoagulability in IMHA.

Hypothesis

Cell‐free DNA is elevated and DNase activity reduced in dogs with IMHA compared to healthy dogs.

Animals

Dogs presenting to two referral hospitals with IMHA (n = 28) and healthy controls (n = 20).

Methods

Prospective observational study. Blood was collected and death and thrombotic events occurring in the first 14 days after hospitalization recorded. DNA was extracted from plasma with a commercial kit and quantified by PicoGreen fluorescence. DNase activity of serum was measured by radial diffusion assay.

Results

Cell‐free DNA was significantly higher in cases (median: 45 ng/mL, range: 10–2334 ng/mL) than controls (26 ng/mL, range 1–151 ng/mL, P = 0.0084). DNase activity was not different between cases and controls (P = 0.36). Four cases died and there were five suspected or confirmed thrombotic events. Cell‐free DNA concentration was associated with death (odds ratio for upper quartile versus lower 3 quartiles: 15; 95% confidence interval 1.62–201; P = 0.03) but not thrombosis (P = 0.57).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Cell‐free DNA is elevated in dogs with IMHA and likely reflects increased release rather than impaired degradation of DNA. Cell‐free DNA concentration is potentially associated with death and might be a prognostic indicator, but this requires confirmation in a larger population.
Pregnancy outcomes in women with Budd Chiari Syndrome before onset of symptoms and after treatment
Authors: Shukla Akash , Sadalage Abhishek , Gupta Deepak , Gupte Amit , Mahapatra Anupam , Mazumder Dipendu , Shah Chirag , Modi Tejas , Meshram Megha , Dhore Prashant , Bhatia Shobna
Published: August 2017

Background & Aims

Pregnancy is known to have poor outcomes in women with Budd Chiari syndrome. There are no data on fertility and pregnancy outcomes prior to onset of symptoms or the effect of therapy on these parameters. We therefore evaluated reproductive profile of women with Budd Chiari Syndrome before the onset of symptoms and after therapy.

Patients and Methods

Eighty women with Budd Chiari Syndrome (29 years [20‐45]) were enrolled over 8 years. Baseline demographic characteristics, disease severity, thrombophilic disorders and treatment were reviewed. Their obstetric history before symptoms and after therapy was noted and compared.

Results

Sixty women conceived at least once (150 pregnancies) before symptom onset and 20 had primary infertility. Eighty‐one pregnancies resulted in live births and remaining 69 pregnancies had adverse pregnancy outcomes. Post‐intervention, 28 women (15 with primary infertility) attempted conception. Thirteen patients conceived 15 times. More women had live births after successful therapy as compared to presymptomatic period (0/28 vs 5/28 P = .000, Odds ratio5.6; 95% CI: 2.16‐14.5). In women with primary infertility, conception (0/15 vs 3/15 P = .007, Odds ratio 5, 95% CI: 1.44‐17.27) and proportion of live births (0/15 vs 2/15 P = .002, Odds ratio 7.5, 95% CI: 1.71‐32.79) was higher as compared to presymptomatic period.

Conclusion

Primary infertility is common and pregnancy outcomes are poor before the onset of symptoms in women with Budd‐Chiari syndrome. Effective therapy of Budd‐Chiari syndrome may improve fertility and pregnancy outcomes.
Automated Pixel‐Level Pavement Crack Detection on 3D Asphalt Surfaces Using a Deep‐Learning Network
Authors: Zhang Allen , Wang Kelvin C. P. , Li Baoxian , Yang Enhui , Dai Xianxing , Peng Yi , Fei Yue , Liu Yang , Li Joshua Q. , Chen Cheng
Published: August 2017

The CrackNet, an efficient architecture based on the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), is proposed in this article for automated pavement crack detection on 3D asphalt surfaces with explicit objective of pixel‐perfect accuracy. Unlike the commonly used CNN, CrackNet does not have any pooling layers which downsize the outputs of previous layers. CrackNet fundamentally ensures pixel‐perfect accuracy using the newly developed technique of invariant image width and height through all layers. CrackNet consists of five layers and includes more than one million parameters that are trained in the learning process. The input data of the CrackNet are feature maps generated by the feature extractor using the proposed line filters with various orientations, widths, and lengths. The output of CrackNet is the set of predicted class scores for all pixels. The hidden layers of CrackNet are convolutional layers and fully connected layers. CrackNet is trained with 1,800 3D pavement images and is then demonstrated to be successful in detecting cracks under various conditions using another set of 200 3D pavement images. The experiment using the 200 testing 3D images showed that CrackNet can achieve high Precision (90.13%), Recall (87.63%) and F‐measure (88.86%) simultaneously. Compared with recently developed crack detection methods based on traditional machine learning and imaging algorithms, the CrackNet significantly outperforms the traditional approaches in terms of F‐measure. Using parallel computing techniques, CrackNet is programmed to be efficiently used in conjunction with the data collection software.
Stable isotope composition and parasitic infections of harbor seal young‐of‐the‐year used as prey‐based diet indicators
Authors: de la Vega Camille , Lebreton Benoit , Lehnert Kristina , Asmus Ragnhild , Siebert Ursula , Asmus Harald
Published: August 2017

The stable isotope composition (δ13C and δ15N values) of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) is influenced by their diet. Young‐of‐the‐year during lactation and postweaning fast are expected be enriched in 15N compared to foraging seals. We studied the temporal variation of stable isotope composition of young‐of‐the‐year and adults to determine from which point in time the young‐of‐the‐year tissues (i.e., muscles and vibrissae) are influenced by independent foraging only. These results were compared with the development of trophically transmitted parasitic infections. The δ15N values in young‐of‐the‐year muscles decreased from June (20.3‰ ± 0.5‰) to October (18.5‰ ± 0.4‰), while those of foraging seals were all year long below 19.2‰. This decrease coincides with the increase of parasitic infections in young‐of‐the‐year, reflecting a shift to fish diet. Together these results suggest that the muscles of the young‐of‐the‐year older than 5–6 mo reflect independent foraging and that they can therefore be used in community diet studies. The nursing signal in vibrissae was unclear, as the δ15N values of young‐of‐the‐year were stable over time, whereas those of adults varied seasonally. However, δ15N values of nursing pups were significantly higher than those of adults in May and June, maybe due to their reliance on milk.
Shark bite injuries on three inshore dolphin species in tropical northwestern Australia
Authors: Smith Felix , Allen Simon J. , Bejder Lars , Brown Alexander M.
Published: August 2017

Predation risk has a profound influence on the behavior of marine mammals, affecting grouping patterns and habitat use. Dolphins frequently bear evidence of shark bites, which can provide an indirect measure of predation pressure. Using photo‐identification data, we investigated the prevalence of shark bites on three sympatric species of inshore dolphin, the Australian snubfin (Orcaella heinsohni), Australian humpback (Sousa sahulensis), and Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), among four study sites in northwestern Australia. Bite prevalence varied markedly between species, with 72% of snubfin, 46% of humpback, and 18% of bottlenose dolphins exhibiting evidence of shark bites. Binomial logistic regression confirmed a high likelihood of bite presence on snubfin dolphins, and at one particular site for snubfin and bottlenose dolphins. The prevalence of tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) bites on snubfin dolphins was high, and bites attributed to other carcharhinid sharks were observed on all species. While acknowledging methodological differences with other studies, the prevalence of shark bites on snubfin dolphins is among the highest reported for any dolphins, suggesting predation risk represents an important but varying influence thereon. This study provides a baseline for future investigations into the affect of predation risk on the behavioral ecology of these sympatric species.
Can dispersal investment explain why tall plant species achieve longer dispersal distances than short plant species?
Authors: Thomson Fiona J. , Letten Andrew D. , Tamme Riin , Edwards Will , Moles Angela T.
Published: August 2017

Tall plant species disperse further distances than do short species, within and across dispersal syndromes, yet the driver underpinning this relationship is unclear. The ability of taller plants to invest more in dispersal structures may explain the positive relationship between plant height and dispersal distance. Here, we quantify the cross‐species relationships between presence of dispersal structures, dispersal investment plant height and dispersal distance.

Plant height, dispersal syndrome and dispersal investment data were collated for 1613 species from the literature, with dispersal distance data collated for 114 species.

We find that species with high dispersal investment disperse further than do species with low dispersal investment. Tall species have a greater probability of having dispersal structures on their seeds compared with short species. For species with dispersal structures on their seeds, plant height is very weakly related to dispersal investment.

Our results provide the first global confirmation of the dispersal investment–distance hypothesis, and show dispersal investment can be used for predicting species dispersal distances. However, our results and those of previous studies indicate plant height is still the best proxy for estimating species dispersal distances due to it being such a readily available plant trait.
Simultaneous evaluation of the effects of geographic, environmental and temporal isolation in ecotypic populations ofSolidago virgaurea
Authors: Sakaguchi Shota , Horie Kenji , Ishikawa Naoko , Nagano Atsushi J. , Yasugi Masaki , Kudoh Hiroshi , Ito Motomi
Published: August 2017

Early stages of ecological speciation can create populations with an ecology and reproduction timing distinct from those of related populations. Landscape genetic models incorporating environmental heterogeneity and population‐specific reproductive traits enable the processes of population genetic differentiation to be inferred.

We investigated genome‐wide genetic variation in ecotypic populations ofSolidago virgaureasensu lato, a herbaceous plant inhabiting a wide range of habitats (woodlands, serpentine barrens and alpine grasslands) and displaying remarkable variation in flowering time.

Simultaneous evaluation of environmental factors revealed an overwhelming effect of soil type differences on neutral genetic differentiation, compared with elevational differences. This result probably reflects the abrupt environmental changes generated by geological boundaries, whereas mountain slopes exhibit clinal changes, facilitating gene exchange between neighbouring populations. Temporal isolation was positively associated with genetic differentiation, with some early‐flowering serpentine populations having allele frequencies distinct from adjacent nonserpentine populations.

Overall, this study highlights the importance of ecological processes and of evolution of flowering time to promote genetic differentiation ofS. virgaureapopulations in a complex landscape.
Disruption of stomatal lineage signaling or transcriptional regulators has differential effects on mesophyll development, but maintains coordination of gas exchange
Authors: Dow Graham J. , Berry Joseph A. , Bergmann Dominique C.
Published: August 2017

Stomata are simultaneously tasked with permitting the uptake of carbon dioxide for photosynthesis while limiting water loss from the plant. This process is mainly regulated by guard cell control of the stomatal aperture, but recent advancements have highlighted the importance of several genes that control stomatal development.

Using targeted genetic manipulations of the stomatal lineage and a combination of gas exchange and microscopy techniques, we show that changes in stomatal development of the epidermal layer lead to coupled changes in the underlying mesophyll tissues. This coordinated response tends to match leaf photosynthetic potential (Vcmax) with gas‐exchange capacity (gsmax), and hence the uptake of carbon dioxide for water lost.

We found that different genetic regulators systematically altered tissue coordination in separate ways: the transcription factor SPEECHLESS (SPCH) primarily affected leaf size and thickness, whereas peptides in the EPIDERMAL PATTERNING FACTOR (EPF) family altered cell density in the mesophyll. It was also determined that interlayer coordination required the cell‐surface receptor TOO MANY MOUTHS (TMM).

These results demonstrate that stomata‐specific regulators can alter mesophyll properties, which provides insight into how molecular pathways can organize leaf tissues to coordinate gas exchange and suggests new strategies for improving plant water‐use efficiency.
Susceptibility of partially desalivated rats to erosive tooth wear by calcium‐supplemented beverages
Authors: Aldosari MA , Scaramucci T , Liu SS‐Y , Warrick‐Polackoff JM , Eckert GJ , Hara AT
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To investigate the susceptibility of partially desalivated rats to erosive tooth wear (ETW); the anti‐erosive effect of a calcium‐supplemented beverage; and the quantification of ETW by microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT).

Methods

The study population consisted of thirty‐eight rats, divided into partially desalivated (n = 19) and normal salivary flow (n = 19). They were randomly allocated into three subgroups (n = 6–7): A‐diet soda, B‐diet soda + calcium, C‐water (control). Solutions were provided ad libitum for 28 days, and the rats were euthanized afterwards. Each left hemi‐mandible was scanned using micro‐CT for enamel volume (three molars) calculation. Visual analysis of photographs of the lingual surface of first molars was performed independently by three blinded examiners. Data were statistically analysed (α = .05).

Results

Micro‐CT revealed no significant differences between partially desalivated or normal groups. Rats consuming A had more enamel loss than those consuming B or C, which did not differ from each other. For visual analysis, desalivation did not affect ETW. Rats consuming C showed the lowest ETW, followed by B and then A, for both partially desalivated and normal rats. Spearman correlation between the two ETW quantification methods was −.65.

Conclusions

Partial desalivation did not increase ETW. Ca‐containing beverage prevented ETW. Micro‐CT quantified ETW, although it was not as sensitive as visual analysis.
Protein analysis of the spermatophore reveals diverse compositions in both the ampulla and the spermatophylax in a bushcricket
Authors: Lehmann Gerlind U. C. , Lehmann Karola , Neumann Boris , Lehmann Arne W. , Scheler Christian , Jungblut Peter R.
Published: August 2017

Nuptial gifts are male mating investments, which, in bushcrickets, comprise the sperm‐containing ampulla and the attached spermatophylax. The functions of the spermatophylax are to deter females from premature removal of the sperm‐containing ampulla, which is a nutrient resource for females, as well as a source of compounds that influence female behaviour to increase male evolutionary fitness. Placing these functions into a proteomic perspective, we analyze the protein composition of nuptial gifts from male Poecilimon ampliatus (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1878) bushcrickets using large two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with nano‐liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and de novo sequencing. We separate the proteins with high resolution and detect approximately 600 protein spots in the seminal fluid (ampulla) and 300 in the spermatophylax. There is only a small fraction of overlap in protein spots, whereas the majority differ between the two compartments. As a result of the lack of a sequenced genome and protein data for this non‐model insect, we are unable to identify the proteins. We discuss the diversity of proteins, as well as their size range, in light of potential protein costs and potential functions.
Facile Synthesis of BiOI Nanoparticles at Room Temperature and Evaluation of their Photoactivity Under Sunlight Irradiation
Authors: Mahmoodi Vahid , Ahmadpour Ali , Rohani Bastami Tahereh , Hamed Mousavian Mohammad Taghi
Published: August 2017

In this study, highly photoactive BiOI nanoparticles (NPs) under sunlight irradiation were synthesized by a facile precipitation method using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) at room temperature. The as‐prepared catalysts were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transition electron microscopy (TEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–vis DRS). The results of XRD showed that PVP did not have any significant effect on tetragonal crystalline structure of BiOI. Also, using different amounts of PVP in the synthesis led to different morphologies and sizes of BiOI particles. It was found that using 0.2 g of PVP in the synthesis method changed morphology from 1‐μm platelets to NPs with size under 10 nm. In addition, the photocatalytic performance of prepared photocatalysts was evaluated in the photodegradation of reactive blue 19 (RB19) dye under sunlight irradiation. The BiOI synthesized using 0.2 g PVP (BiOI0.2) showed higher degradation efficiency compared to BiOI prepared without any additive. Excellent visible light photocatalytic properties of nano‐scaled BiOI0.2 samples compared to BiOI platelets could be attributed to higher surface‐to‐volume ratio and narrow band‐gap energy of as‐prepared BiOI0.2 NPs.
Why The Big Picture Matters: Political and Media Populism in Western Europe since the 1970s.
Authors: Manucci Luca , Weber Edward
Published: August 2017

While a vast theoretical literature argues that we live in populist times, the success of populism beyond its electoral dimension is rarely investigated empirically. This paper analyses the development of populism in five Western European countries (Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom) from the 1970s to the 2010s. First, it measures whether political parties articulate populist discourses more and more often in their election manifestos. Second, the paper tests whether the presence of populism has increased over time in newspaper articles. The results show that populism is not a new phenomenon and that there is no linear increase over the decades. Moreover, while election manifestos are significantly more populist in the 2010s than in previous decades, populism in newspaper articles remains rather stable at a low level, suggesting that the media curb rather than foster populist discourses.
Assembling geographies of diplomacy under neoliberalism
Authors: Jones Alun , Clark Julian
Published: August 2017

There is an enormous gap in our understanding of the state's role in the construction of international markets. Specifically, diplomacy's position in the contemporary entanglement of state and markets has been overlooked. Increasingly, diplomacy's on‐going adaptation to support neoliberalism has led to diplomats operating in a “twilight world” between diplomacy and business. Using assemblage thinking, we investigate the codings, capacities and tendencies emerging in the social spaces of diplomatic possibility in this “twilight world”. Drawing on comprehensive empirical materials on the UK–India diplomatic relationship, we show how the material and expressive components of the UK Foreign Office assemblage are being deployed to champion state goals in global markets. We illustrate the ways in which diplomacy struggles in the name of the state's international competitiveness. In particular, we argue that these social spaces of possibility are structured by both diplomatic and business calculations that have the capacity to create new and unpredictable courses that render both an uncertainty and fuzziness to the agential interactions between assemblages.
Anti‐human neutrophil antigen‐1a, ‐1b, and ‐2 antibodies in neonates and children with immune neutropenias analyzed by extracted granulocyte antigen immunofluorescence assay
Authors: Onodera Rie , Kurita Emi , Taniguchi Kikuyo , Karakawa Shuhei , Okada Satoshi , Kihara Hirotaka , Fujii Teruhisa , Kobayashi Masao
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND

Anti‐human neutrophil antigen (HNA) antibodies have been implicated in the development of neonatal alloimmune neutropenia (NAN) and autoimmune neutropenia (AIN). There are many conventional assay methods that detect anti‐HNA antibodies. However, a method to measure multiple samples and detect several anti‐HNA antibodies simultaneously is needed.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We developed a new method, the extracted granulocyte antigen immunofluorescence assay (EGIFA), to analyze anti‐HNA‐1a, ‐1b, and ‐2 antibodies in sera. The results obtained by EGIFA were evaluated in comparison with those from several standard assay methods. Anti‐HNA antibodies in serum samples from nine familial cases with suspected NAN (n = 19) and children with suspected AIN (n = 88) were also measured by EGIFA.

RESULTS

The evaluation of nine serum samples with anti‐HNA antibodies suggested that EGIFA demonstrated equivalent specificity and superior sensitivity to monoclonal antibody–specific immobilization of granulocyte antigens and had comparable sensitivity to the granulocyte indirect immunofluorescence test. EGIFA successfully detected anti‐HNA‐1a or ‐1b antibodies in seven of nine familial cases with suspected NAN. EGIFA detected anti‐HNA antibodies in 40.9% of children with suspected AIN. Among them, isolated anti‐HNA‐1a or ‐1b antibody was detected in 4.5 or 12.5% of children, respectively, and anti‐HNA‐2 antibody was identified in 3.4% of children. The 30.8% (16 of 52) of children negative for anti‐HNA antibody by EGIFA were positive for anti‐HLA antibody.

CONCLUSION

EGIFA facilitated the measurement of anti‐HNA‐1a, ‐1b, and/or ‐2 antibodies in sera. The prompt measurement of anti‐HNA antibodies will improve the diagnosis and clinical management of patients with suspected NAN or AIN.
Pet‐associated Campylobacteriosis: A persisting public health concern
Authors: Campagnolo E. R. , Philipp L. M. , Long J. M. , Hanshaw N. L.
Published: August 2017

Campylobacteris regarded as a leading cause of human bacterial gastroenteritis in the United States. We report on a case of laboratory‐confirmedCampylobacter jejuniinfection in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania among members of a household living with a laboratory‐confirmed but non‐speciatedCampylobacter‐infected puppy. We describe an outbreak of likely dog‐associated campylobacteriosis, the risk factors, potential routes of exposure and the clinical features in the exposed family members, which began shortly after exposure to the recently purchased dog. We also provide public health recommendations to preventCampylobacterinfections in veterinary care providers, pet owners and those planning to adopt pets in the future. Finally, this report underscores the importance of the One Health approach when public health responders, human and animal healthcare providers and clinical diagnostic laboratories are tasked with developing effective strategies when investigating, detecting and responding to zoonoses (diseases shared between animals and humans).
A Learner Corpus-Based Study on Verb Errors of Turkish EFL Learners
Authors: Can Cem
Published: August 2017

As learner corpora have presently become readily accessible, it is practicable to examine interlanguage errors and carry out error analysis (EA) on learner-generated texts. The data available in a learner corpus enable researchers to investigate authentic learner errors and their respective frequencies in terms of types and tokens as well as contexts in which they regularly occur. The need to consider these authentic learner errors in the design of useful language learning programs and remedial teaching materials has been widely emphasized by many researchers (see e.g., Juozulynas, 1994; Mitton, 1996; Cowan, Choi, & Kim, 2003; Ndiaye & Vandeventer Faltin, 2003; Allerton et al., 2004). This study aims at analyzing inflectional, derivational and word form errors for verbs produced by Turkish EFL learners across six distinct proficiency levels, A1-A2; B1-B2; C1-C2, as defined by Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (henceforth CEFR) (Council of Europe, 2001). The corpus used in this study is the Cambridge Learner Corpus (CLC), the largest annotated test performance corpora which enables the investigation of the linguistic and rhetorical features of the learner performances in the above stated proficiency bands. The findings from this study seem to indicate that, across different proficiency levels and across different registers and genres, the most common verb error categories are incorrect tense of verb (TV), wrong verb choice (RV), wrong verb form (FV), missing verb (MV), and verb agreement (AGV) errors. This study’s approach uses the techniques of computer corpus linguistics and has its roots in the Error Analysis framework as proposed by Corder (1971): identification, description, classification and explanation of errors.
A Linear Regression Framework for the Verification of Bayesian Model Calibration Algorithms
Authors: McMahan Jerry A. , Williams Brian J. , Smith Ralph C. , Malaya Nicholas
Published: August 2017

We describe a framework for the verification of Bayesian model calibration routines. The framework is based on linear regression and can be configured to verify calibration to data with a range of observation error characteristics. The framework is designed for efficient implementation and is suitable for verifying code intended for large-scale problems. We propose an approach for using the framework to verify Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) software by combining it with a nonparametric test for distribution equality based on the energy statistic. Our matlab-based reference implementation of the framework is shown to correctly distinguish between output obtained from correctly and incorrectly implemented MCMC routines. Since correctness of output from an MCMC software depends on choosing settings appropriate for the problem-of-interest, our framework can potentially be used for verifying such settings.
Interpretation of Validation Results Following ASME V&V20-2009
Authors: Roache Patrick J.
Published: August 2017

Suggestions are made for modification and extension of the methodology and interpretations of ASME V&V 20-2009, Standard for Verification and Validation in Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer. A more conservative aggregation of numerical uncertainty into the total validation uncertainty is recommended. A precise provisional demarcation for accepting the validation comparison error as an estimate of model error is proposed. For the situation where the validation exercise results in large total validation uncertainty, a more easily evaluated estimated bound on model error is recommended. Explicit distinctions between quality of the model and quality of the validation exercise are discussed. Extending the domain of validation for applications is treated by interpolating/extrapolating model error and total validation uncertainty, and adding uncertainty from the new simulation at the application point. Model form uncertainty and epistemic uncertainties in general, while sometimes important in model applications, are argued to not be important issues in validation.
Frequency-Domain Sensitivity Analysis of Stability of Nonlinear Vibrations for High-Fidelity Models of Jointed Structures
Authors: Petrov E. P.
Published: August 2017

For the analysis of essentially nonlinear vibrations, it is very important not only to determine whether the considered vibration regime is stable or unstable but also which design parameters need to be changed to make the desired stability regime and how sensitive is the stability of a chosen design of a gas-turbine structure to variation of the design parameters. In the proposed paper, an efficient method is proposed for a first time for sensitivity analysis of stability for nonlinear periodic forced response vibrations using large-scale models structures with friction, gaps, and other types of nonlinear contact interfaces. The method allows using large-scale finite element (FE) models for structural components together with detailed description of nonlinear interactions at contact interfaces. The highly accurate reduced models are applied in the assessment of the sensitivity of stability of periodic regimes. The stability sensitivity analysis is performed in frequency domain with the multiharmonic representation of the nonlinear forced response amplitudes. Efficiency of the developed approach is demonstrated on a set of test cases including simple models and large-scale realistic blade model with different types of nonlinearities, including friction, gaps, and cubic elastic nonlinearity.
Performance Evaluation of a Highly Inhibitive Water-Based Drilling Fluid for Ultralow Temperature Wells
Authors: Zhao Xin , Qiu Zhengsong , Wang Mingliang , Huang Weian , Zhang Shifeng
Published: August 2017

Drilling fluid with proper rheology, strong shale, and hydrate inhibition performance is essential for drilling ultralow temperature (as low as −5 °C) wells in deepwater and permafrost. In this study, the performance of drilling fluids together with additives for ultralow temperature wells has been evaluated by conducting the hydrate inhibition tests, shale inhibition tests, ultralow temperature rheology, and filtration tests. Thereafter, the formulation for a highly inhibitive water-based drilling fluid has been developed. The results show that 20 wt % NaCl can give at least a 16-h safe period for drilling operations at −5 °C and 15 MPa. Polyalcohol can effectively retard pore pressure transmission and filtrate invasion by sealing the wellbore above the cloud point, while polyetheramine can strongly inhibit shale hydration. Therefore, a combination of polyalcohol and polyetheramine can be used as an excellent shale stabilizer. The drilling fluid can prevent hydrate formation under both stirring and static conditions. Further, it can inhibit the swelling, dispersion, and collapse of shale samples, thereby enhancing wellbore stability. It has better rheological properties than the typical water-based drilling fluids used in onshore and offshore drilling at −5 °C to 75 °C. In addition, it can maintain stable rheology after being contaminated by 10 wt % NaCl, 1 wt % CaCl2, and 5 wt % shale cuttings. The drilling fluid developed in this study is therefore expected to perform well in drilling ultralow temperature wells.
Trajectory Optimization Using Analytical Target Cascading
Authors: Li Xiang , Wang Xiaonpeng , Zhang Houjun , Guo Yuheng
Published: August 2017

In the previous reports, analytical target cascading (ATC) is generally applied to product optimization. In this paper, the application area of ATC is expanded to trajectory optimization. Direct collocation method is utilized to convert a trajectory optimization into a nonlinear programing (NLP) problem. The converted NLP is a large-scale problem with sparse matrix of functional dependence table (FDT) suitable for the application of ATC. Three numerical case studies are provided to show the effects of ATC in solving trajectory optimization problems.
Design of Severe Accident Management Systems for Beyond Design Basis External Hazards at Paks Nuclear Power Plant
Authors: Katona Tamás János , Vilimi András
Published: August 2017

Paks Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) identified the post-Fukushima actions for mitigation and management of severe accidents caused by external events that include updating of some hazard assessments, evaluation of margins of existing severe accident management (SAM) facilities, and construction of some new systems and facilities. While developing the SAM strategy, the basic question was what is the sufficient margin above the design basis level of existing structures, systems, and components for avoiding the cliff-edge effects, and what level of or hazard should be taken for the design of new structures and systems dedicated for SAM. Paks NPP developed an applicable in the practice concept for the qualification of already implemented SAM measures and design the new post-Fukushima measures that are outlined in the paper. The concept is based on the generalization of the procedure and assumptions used in the definition of acceptable margins for seismic loads, analysis of the steepness of the hazard curves and features of the hazards. Justification of the definition of exceedance probability of the design basis effects for the design of SAM systems is given based on the first order reliability theory. The application of the concept is presented on several practical examples.