bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Designing zinc oxide nanostructures (nanoworms, nanoflowers, nanowalls, and nanorods) by pulsed laser ablation technique for gas‐sensing application
Authors: Labis Joselito P. , Al‐Anazi Anwar Q. , Al‐Brithen Hamad A. , Hezam Mahmoud , Alduraibi Mohammad Abdulaziz , Algarni Ahmad , Alharbi Abdulaziz A. , Al‐Awadi Abdulrhman S. , Khan Aslam , El‐Toni Ahmed Mohamed
Published: December 2018

In this study, pulsed laser ablation technique, also known as pulsed laser deposition (PLD), is used to design and grow zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures (nanoworms, nanowalls, and nanorods) by template/seeding approach for gas‐sensing applications. Conventionally, ZnO nanostructures used for gas‐sensing have been usually prepared via chemical route, where the 3D/2D nanostructures are chemically synthesized and subsequently plated on an appropriate substrate. However, using pulsed laser ablation technique, the ZnO nanostructures are structurally designed and grown directly on a substrate using a two‐step temperature‐pressure seeding approach. This approach has been optimized to design various ZnO nanostructures by understanding the effect of substrate temperature in the 300‐750°C range under O2 gas pressure from 10‐mTorr to 10 Torr. Using a thin ZnO seed layer as template that is deposited first at substrate temperature of ~300°C at background oxygen pressure of 10 mTorr on Si(100), ZnO nanostructures, such as nanoworms, nanowalls, and nanorods (with secondary flower‐like growth) were grown at substrate temperatures and oxygen background pressures of (550°C and 2 Torr), (550°C and 0.5 Torr), and (650°C and 2 Torr), respectively. The morphology and the optical properties of ZnO nanostructures were examined by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM‐EDX), X‐ray Diffraction (XRD), and photoluminescence (PL). The PLD‐grown ZnO nanostructures are single‐crystals and are highly oriented in the c‐axis. The vapor‐solid (VS) model is proposed to be responsible for the growth of ZnO nanostructures by PLD process. Furthermore, the ZnO nanowall structure is a very promising nanostructure due to its very high surface‐to‐volume ratio. Although ZnO nanowalls have been grown by other methods for sensor application, to this date, only a very few ZnO nanowalls have been grown by PLD for this purpose. In this regard, ZnO nanowall structures are deposited by PLD on an Al2O3 test sensor and assessed for their responses to CO and ethanol gases at 50 ppm, where good responses were observed at 350 and 400°C, respectively. The PLD‐grown ZnO nanostructures are very excellent materials for potential applications such as in dye‐sensitized solar cells, perovskite solar cells and biological and gas sensors.
In‐situ determination of the HfO2–Ta2O5‐temperature phase diagram up to 3000°C
Authors: McCormack Scott J. , Tseng Kuo‐Pin , Weber Richard J. K. , Kapush Denys , Ushakov Sergey V. , Navrotsky Alexandra , Kriven Waltraud M.
Published: December 2018

The previously unknown experimental HfO2–Ta2O5‐temperature phase diagram has been elucidated up to 3000°C using a quadrupole lamp furnace and conical nozzle levitator system equipped with a CO2 laser, in conjunction with synchrotron X‐ray diffraction. These in‐situ techniques allowed the determination of the following: (a) liquidus, solidus, and invariant transformation temperatures as a function of composition from thermal arrest experiments, (b) determination of equilibrium phases through testing of reversibility via in‐situ X‐ray diffraction, and (c) molar volume measurements as a function of temperature for equilibrium phases. From these, an experimental HfO2–Ta2O5‐temperature phase diagram has been constructed which is consistent with the Gibbs Phase Rule.
RETRACTED: The long non‐coding RNA‐ROR promotes osteosarcoma progression by targeting miR‐206
Authors: Fei Dan , Sui Guoqing , Lu Yang , Tan Long , Dongxu Zhao , Zhang Kewei
Published: December 2018

The long intergenic non‐protein coding RNA regulator of reprogramming (lncRNA‐ROR) has been reported to play crucial regulatory roles in the pathogenesis and progression of multiple cancers. However, whether ROR is associated with the initiation and development of osteosarcoma (OS) remains unclear. Here, we found that ROR expression level was significantly up‐regulated in OS tissue samples compared to adjacent normal tissues, and the elevated ROR was closely correlated with advanced tumour‐node‐metastasis (TNM) stage and lymph node metastasis and poor overall survival rate. Functional assays showed that ROR knockdown suppressed the OS cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion in vitro, and retarded tumour growth in vivo. In addition, miR‐206 was verified to be a target miRNA of ROR using bioinformatics online program and luciferase report assay. miR‐206 inhibition partially rescued the inhibitory effects on OS cells induced by ROR knockdown. In conclusion, these results suggested that ROR function as an oncogene in OS by sponging miR‐206 and might be a potential therapeutic target for patients with OS.
Skeletal development of the chondrocranium in the tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae)
Authors: Ma Qian , Liu Shu F. , Wang Xin X. , Xiang Zi L. , Zhuang Zhi M.
Published: December 2018

This study provides a comprehensive description of chondrocranial development before, during and after larval metamorphosis in the tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis, a commercially valuable flatfish in China. Samples were collected at regular intervals ranging from 1 to 23 days post hatching (dph). Based on observations of cleared and double‐stained specimens and images from sections stained with safranin O–fast green, major morphological events during early development were described. No cartilaginous structure was visible at hatching. From 2 dph onwards, cartilaginous structures such as the trabecular bar and some elements of the mandibular, hyoid and branchial arches appeared. At this time also, cartilaginous structures of the neurocranium started to form. Hypertrophic chondrocytes could be observed in many splanchnocranium elements at 5 dph. The start of ossification was indicated by alizarin red stain visible at 14 dph. At 17 dph, most of the cartilaginous skeleton was ossified. Soon after, the right eye started to migrate and pass through a slit beneath the dorsal‐fin base and above the skull. Metamorphosis was complete at 20 dph, at which time the dorsal‐fin base cartilage extended onto the anterior region of the head. Meanwhile, extremities of the hyoid and branchial arch elements remained cartilaginous. At 23 dph, endochondral ossification of the splanchnocranium was nearly complete. Unlike previous observations of other Pleuronectiformes, our study indicates that endochondral ossification of C. semilaevis skull cartilage occurs before metamorphosis.
Novel characteristics of the cultured Lumpfish Cyclopterus lumpus eye during post‐hatch larval and juvenile developmental stages
Authors: Ahmad Raahyma , Paradis Helene , Boyce Danny , McDonald James , Gendron Robert L.
Published: December 2018

We systematically analysed the characteristics of the Cyclopterus lumpus eye and retina during cultured post‐hatch developmental stages using gross observations, histology, immunohistochemistry, microscopy, fundus imaging and spectral domain optical coherence tomography retinal imaging. Post‐hatch developing cultured C. lumpus eye and retinal tissues share a number of features typically conserved in other teleost fish. However, cultured C. lumpus possess some novel ocular and retinal features different from previous descriptions of other teleosts, including a prominent retractor lentis pigmented tissue closely associated with the vascular rete mirabile, peripherally located lobes of separate retinal tissue containing proliferative cells, extensive tapetum material of varying thickness, prominent fundus stripes and an elongated rod‐shaped optic nerve stalk. Post‐hatch developing cultured C. lumpus also developmentally regulate a protein homologous to alpha smooth‐muscle actin in strikingly dense continuous bands in the plexiform layers of the retina. The novel features of the eye and retina of cultured C. lumpus described here could contribute to our understanding of fitness and survival of C. lumpus in a widely ranging habitat.
Comparative morphology of the electrosensory system of the epaulette shark Hemiscyllium ocellatum and brown‐banded bamboo shark Chiloscyllium punctatum
Authors: Gauthier Arnault R. G. , Whitehead Darryl L. , Tibbetts Ian R. , Bennett Michael B.
Published: December 2018

We compared the electrosensory system of two benthic elasmobranchs Hemiscyllium ocellatum and Chiloscyllium punctatum. The distribution of the ampullary pores on the head was similar for both species, with a higher density of pores anteriorly and a lower density posteriorly, although C. punctatum generally possessed larger pores. Ampullary canals of the mandibular cluster were quasi‐sinusoidal in H. ocellatum, a shape previously found in benthic rays only, whereas ampullary canals in C. punctatum were of a linear morphology as reported for many shark and ray species previously. The ampullae proper were of the lobular type, as occurs in most galean sharks. Chiloscyllium punctatum had six sensory chambers compared with the five per ampulla in H. ocellatum, which were generally smaller than those of C. punctatum. The sensory epithelium comprised flattened receptor cells, compared with the usual pear‐shaped receptor cells encountered in other elasmobranchs and their apically nucleated supportive cells did not protrude markedly into the ampullary lumen, unlike those in benthic rays.
Curcumin encapsulation by spray drying using Aloe vera mucilage as encapsulating agent
Authors: Medina‐Torres L. , Núñez‐Ramírez D. M. , Calderas F. , Bernad‐Bernad M. J. , Gracia‐Mora J. , Rodríguez‐Ramírez J. , González‐Laredo R. F. , Gallegos‐Infante J. A. , Manero O.
Published: December 2018

In this work, curcumin was spray‐dried (SD) with Aloe vera mucilage as the encapsulating agent giving particular attention to the effect of the relevant process parameters (feed flow rate, atomization speed, and inlet air temperature) on the resulting properties of the SD powders. The powders obtained were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, rheology, and release profiles. Results show that the best drying conditions are low SD inlet air temperature (150 °C), low feed flow rate (1.5 L/hr), and high atomization speed (27,500 rpm). These conditions produced particles with smooth morphologies, preserving the total phenolic content (0.0611 μg EAG), with a radical scavenging capacity of 911.48 μmol Trolox/mg. Release profiles revealed an extended release of encapsulated material with a maximum of about 65% at 24 hr for these conditions and point out the suitability of encapsulated systems for potential applications in functional foods, antioxidant systems, pharmaceutical, and organic pigments.

Practical applications

This research presents an optimization method to obtain powders of mucilage (Aloe vera, Av)‐curcumin (Cu) by spray drying (SD), where the Av was used as wall material to encapsulate Cu and obtain the best process conditions (SD) to produce prolonged delivery systems of antioxidant compounds that can be used in the food and pharmaceutical industry. The encapsulated systems were analyzed by rheological tests and were supported with other characterizations, such as antioxidant capacity, morphology (SEM), chemical (FT‐IR), and releasing profiles.
Shelf life of grass carp, bighead carp, Siberian sturgeon, and wels catfish stored under refrigerated conditions
Authors: Pyz‐Łukasik Renata , Paszkiewicz Waldemar
Published: December 2018

Microbiological, pH, color and texture changes in the muscles of grass carp, bighead carp, Siberian sturgeon, and wels catfish during 14 days of refrigeration storage were investigated. The level of aerobic bacteria that is unacceptable for fresh fish (7.0 log cfu/g) was reached only in wels catfish muscles during this period. The pH values in the muscle tissues that were of unacceptable quality, from the investigated fish species, ranged between 6.32 and 6.75. The herbivorous fish species displayed a change in the muscle tissue color. The L* parameter value for the fish of unacceptable quality was higher by 9.7% (grass carp) and up to 22.7% (bighead carp) than for fresh fish. The fish species gradually lost hardness and toughness during the storage period. The hardness of the fish of unacceptable quality was lower by 25.8–64% and the toughness by 25.2–60.8% as against fresh fish. The earliest unacceptable organoleptic quality occurred in wels catfish (6 days of storage), followed by grass carp, bighead carp, and S. sturgeon (12 days of storage).

Practical applications

Grass carp, bighead carp, Siberian sturgeon, and wels catfish are food fish of commercial significance in many countries. Fresh fish are highly perishable foods. One of the methods of preservation fresh fish is storage in refrigeration conditions. This method is widely used in the fish industry and distribution. The results of this study can be used by manufacturers, distributors, traders, and in scientific studies on the shelf life of fish stored in refrigeration conditions.
Filling the intervention gap: service evaluation of an intensive nonsurgical weight management programme for severe and complex obesity
Authors: McCombie L. , Brosnahan N. , Ross H. , Bell‐Higgs A. , Govan L. , Lean M. E. J.
Published: December 2018

Background

Weight management including formula total diet replacement (TDR) is emerging as an effective intervention for severe and complex obesity, particularly with respect to type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, no prospective audit and service evaluation of such programmes have been reported.

Methods

Following initial feasibility piloting, the Counterweight‐Plus programme was commissioned across a variety of healthcare providers. The programme includes: Screening, TDR (formula low energy diet), food reintroduction and weight loss maintenance, all delivered by staff with 8 h of training, in‐service mentoring, ongoing specialist support and access to medical consultant expertise. Anonymised data are returned centrally for clinical evaluation.

Results

Up to December 2016, 288 patients commenced the programme. Mean (SD) baseline characteristics were: age 47.5 (12.7) years, weight 128.0 (32.0) kg, body mass index 45.7 (10.1) kg m−2, n = 76 (26.5%) were male and n = 99 (34.5%) had T2DM. On an intention‐to‐treat (ITT) basis, a loss of ≥15 kg at 12 months was achieved by 48 patients, representing 22.1% of all who started and 40% of those who maintained engagement. For complete cases, mean (95% confidence interval) weight loss was 13.3 (12.1–14.4) kg at 3 months, 16.0 (14.4–17.6) kg at 6 months and 14.2 (12.1–16.3) kg at 12 months (all P < 0.001), with losses to follow‐up of 10.8%, 29.3% and 44.2%, respectively. Mean loss at 12 months by ITT analyses was: single imputation –10.5 (9.5) kg, last observation carried forward –10.9 (11.6) kg and baseline observation carried forward –7.9 (11.1) kg. The presence of diabetes had no significant impact on weight change outcomes.

Conclusions

This nonsurgical approach is effective for many individuals with severe and complex obesity, representing an option before considering surgery. The results are equally effective in terms of weight loss for people with T2DM.
Extrasynaptic δ‐GABAA receptors are high‐affinity muscimol receptors
Authors: Benkherouf Ali Y. , Taina Kaisa‐Riitta , Meera Pratap , Aalto Asko J. , Li Xiang‐Guo , Soini Sanna L. , Wallner Martin , Uusi‐Oukari Mikko
Published: December 2018

Muscimol, the major psychoactive ingredient in the mushroom Amanita muscaria, has been regarded as a universal non‐selective GABA‐site agonist. Deletion of the GABAA receptor (GABAAR) δ subunit in mice (δKO) leads to a drastic reduction in high‐affinity muscimol binding in brain sections and to a lower behavioral sensitivity to muscimol than their wild type counterparts. Here, we use forebrain and cerebellar brain homogenates from WT and δKO mice to show that deletion of the δ subunit leads to a > 50% loss of high‐affinity 5 nM [3H]muscimol‐binding sites despite the relatively low abundance of δ‐containing GABAARs (δ‐GABAAR) in the brain. By subtracting residual high‐affinity binding in δKO mice and measuring the slow association and dissociation rates we show that native δ‐GABAARs in WT mice exhibit high‐affinity [3H]muscimol‐binding sites (KD ~1.6 nM on α4βδ receptors in the forebrain and ~1 nM on α6βδ receptors in the cerebellum at 22°C). Co‐expression of the δ subunit with α6 and β2 or β3 in recombinant (HEK 293) expression leads to the appearance of a slowly dissociating [3H]muscimol component. In addition, we compared muscimol currents in recombinant α4β3δ and α4β3 receptors and show that δ subunit co‐expression leads to highly muscimol‐sensitive currents with an estimated EC50 of around 1–2 nM and slow deactivation kinetics. These data indicate that δ subunit incorporation leads to a dramatic increase in GABAAR muscimol sensitivity. We conclude that biochemical and behavioral low‐dose muscimol selectivity for δ‐subunit‐containing receptors is a result of low nanomolar‐binding affinity on δ‐GABAARs.

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THE IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION ON THE LABOR MARKET
Authors: Edo Anthony
Published: December 2018

The literature on the impact of immigration on the labor market is highly controversial. The aim of this paper is to review the existing literature and draw some general conclusions on how wages and employment respond to immigration. Economic studies indicate that the impact of immigration on the average wage and employment of native workers is null or slightly positive. However, because adjustments take time, the immediate labor market effects of unexpected (as opposed to expected) migration episodes can be detrimental. Immigration also can have distributional consequences. In particular, the skill composition of immigrants matters in determining their impact on native labor market outcomes. An inflow of immigrants will tend to reduce the wages of competing native workers (with skills similar to those of the migrants), and increase those of complementary workers (with skills that complement those of immigrants). By affecting the skill composition of the workforce, immigration can create winners and losers among native workers via changes in the wage structure.
Chronic recurrent osteomyelitis: A surgeon's enigma
Authors: Kudva Adarsh , Kamath Abhay T. , Dhara Vasantha , Ravindranath Vineetha
Published: December 2018

Background

Chronic recurrent forms of osteomyelitis of the mandible with their morbid clinical course have long been considered a challenge to maxillofacial surgeons in terms of both diagnosis and treatment. Various classifications and treatments have been established through the ages to define and manage the inflammatory symptoms occurring in adults and children. This paper discusses two such entities occurring in an adult and a child, highlighting the diagnostic and treatment challenges of recurrent osteomyelitis.

Methods

A thorough workup which included clinical, radiographic, blood investigations was done, followed by administration of antibiotics and anti‐inflammatory with or without surgical debridement/adjuvant therapies. Correlation of our findings and treatment plan was done with evidence‐based literature and practice.

Results

Complete resolution of symptoms with radiographic evidence was achieved in both the cases. In the recurrence period, long‐term steroids, NSAIDs, antibiotics resulted in better outcomes.

Conclusion

The evidence‐based protocol for osteomyelitis stresses on short inpatient stays predicated on efficient literature. Thorough clinical and radiographic evaluation with aggressive medical management and surgical intervention when necessary can result in longer symptom‐free periods. Thus understanding the disease, recurrence pattern and response to therapy is essential.
Examining the opinions of potential consumers about plant‐derived cosmetics: An approach combining word association, co‐occurrence network, and multivariate probit analysis
Authors: Yano Yuki , Kato Eri , Ohe Yasuo , Blandford David
Published: December 2018

This study explores the opinions of potential consumers of cosmetic products containing plant‐derived ingredients and examines the impact of personal characteristics on those opinions. A word association approach was used to collect opinions about plant‐derived cosmetics from 901 Japanese females. Word co‐occurrence network analysis was used to identify the main themes in responses, including sensory properties and efficacy of plant‐derived cosmetics. Multivariate probit analysis was performed using the themes identified as dependent variables and personal attributes of respondents as independent variables. The results indicate that while respondents viewed plant‐derived cosmetics to be gentle to the skin and safe to use, they also viewed such products to be expensive and to have a slow effect. Some respondents, especially older women, were concerned about potential negative effects. Older respondents, full‐time workers, and respondents with high household income were less likely to view plant‐based products as expensive.

Practical applications

This study demonstrates that word co‐occurrence network analysis using a community detection method can be a useful tool for systematically identifying the main themes in responses to open‐ended survey questions. By combining this method with discrete choice analysis it is possible to examine the influence of characteristics of respondents on the occurrence of the themes identified. In the current study, the use of these two approaches provided valuable insights into the opinions of potential Japanese consumers about plant‐derived cosmetics and the impact of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of individuals on those opinions.
Hospital readmissions in paediatric trauma patients: A 10‐year Australian review
Authors: Unsworth Annalise , Curtis Kate , Mitchell Rebecca J
Published: December 2018

Aim

Readmission of paediatric trauma patients is associated with increased hospital length of stay, additional operative procedures and significant costs to the health‐care system. The rates and causes of readmission of paediatric trauma patients are not well reported outside of the USA or single centres. This nation‐wide study is the first in Australia to examine the readmission rates, costs and characteristics of Australian paediatric trauma patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective examination of linked hospitalisation and mortality data for injured children aged 16 or younger from 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2012, readmitted to hospital within 28 days of discharge. Data including injury severity, nature of injury, episodes of care and costs were extracted from hospitalisation data.

Results

There were 37 603 injury children aged ≤16 years readmitted to hospital within 28 days during the 10‐year period, a readmission rate of 5.5%. The most common principal injury requiring readmission was fracture (52.6%) and burns (19.3%). A total of 66% of all patients had a readmission diagnosis of injury, complication of their initial injury or complication of surgical and medical care; 30% were readmitted for a specific procedure or follow‐up care. The total cost of readmissions was AU$108 million.

Conclusions

Hospital readmission rates of paediatric trauma patients in Australia are due to injury or a complication of injury and are associated with significant costs. Early identification of at‐risk patients and the prevention of complications are needed to prevent the ongoing burden of readmission.
The building blocks of precision oral health in early childhood: the ZOE 2.0 study
Authors: Divaris Kimon , Joshi Ashwini
Published: December 2018

Improving children's oral health is a long‐standing area of priority and sustained efforts by many stakeholders. Despite these efforts, dental caries, particularly early childhood caries (ECC), persists as a clinical and dental public health problem with multilevel consequences. Despite recent successes in the non‐restorative management of dental caries, remarkably little has been done in the domain of ECC prevention. There is promise and expectation that meaningful improvements in early childhood oral health and ECC prevention can be made via the advent of precision medicine in the oral health domain. We posit that precision dentistry, including genomic influences, may be best examined in the context of well‐characterized communities (versus convenience clinical samples) and the impact of contextual factors including geography and social disadvantage may be explainable via mechanistic (i.e., biological) research. This notion is aligned with the population approach in precision medicine, which calls for the latter to be predictive, preventive, personalized, and participatory. The article highlights research directions that must be developed for precision dentistry and precision dental public health to be realized. In this context, we describe the rationale, activities, and early insights gained from the ZOE 2.0 study – a large‐scale, community‐based, genetic epidemiologic study of early childhood oral health. We anticipate that this long‐term research program will illuminate foundational domains for the advancement of precision dentistry and precision dental public health. Ultimately, this new knowledge can help catalyze the development of effective preventive and therapeutic modalities via actions at the policy, community, family, and person level.
Primary care physician perspectives on barriers and facilitators to self-management of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Khairnar Rahul , Kamal Khalid M. , Giannetti Vincent , Dwibedi Nilanjana , McConaha Jamie
Published: December 2018

Objectives

To assess physician perspectives on perceived barriers and facilitators to type 2 diabetes self-management (DSM) in a primary care setting.

Methods

The study utilized survey methodology to measure perspectives of primary care physicians on DSM and the challenges they face in managing patients with poor glycaemic stability. Demographic and practice site-related information of the physicians were also collected.

Key findings

Of the 21 physicians who responded (53.8% response rate), 71.2% were aged 50 years or older, 54.2% had ≥25 years of clinical experience, and 50% practiced in an urban setting. The physicians examined 5–60 patients with type 2 diabetes per week (mean = 20), and over 75% of them spent <20 min on face-to-face visits. Approximately, 95% of physicians considered self-care activities such as regular moderate exercise, following a recommended diet, regular blood glucose testing, proper insulin administration and adherence to oral medication as extremely important. Practice-related aspects such as patient–physician communication, patient health literacy and patient follow-up were unanimously considered extremely important, and performance on these measures was rated positively. Interestingly, 66% of physicians felt responsible to some extent for their patient's failure to reach type 2 DSM goals. Physician perceived barriers that contributed to clinical inertia included cost of medications, lack of patient motivation and knowledge, non-compliance with diet and medications, polypharmacy and lack of time and social support.

Conclusions

The study results underscore the importance of DSM in the overall management of type 2 diabetes. Addressing the challenges faced by physicians may result in better self-management and improved clinical outcomes in type 2 diabetes population.
How Information Technology Assimilation Promotes Exploratory and Exploitative Innovation in the Small‐ and Medium‐Sized Firm Context: The Role of Contextual Ambidexterity and Knowledge Base
Authors: Ko Wai Wai , Liu Gordon
Published: December 2018

This research sheds new light on how information technology (IT) assimilation affects exploratory and exploitative innovation in the context of small‐ and medium‐sized firms (SMEs). This contextualization is important in establishing the boundary conditions for the theory, as well as generating specific managerial insights for SME managers. A sample of 248 U.K.‐based SMEs in the manufacturing industry demonstrates contextual ambidexterity (CA) mediates the relationship between IT assimilation and two types of innovation. This finding highlights that IT assimilation does not automatically promote innovation. Instead, IT assimilation represents a critical resource that enables the effective implementation of CA, which in turn affects innovation. This implies that SMEs cannot fully realize the potential of their IT assimilation and use it to enable innovation without implementing CA. Furthermore, this study differentiates between two different dimensions of knowledge base: knowledge breadth and knowledge depth. This study finds that knowledge breadth moderates the indirect IT assimilation–exploratory innovation relationship by influencing the effect of CA on exploratory innovation. Knowledge depth, on the other hand, moderates the indirect IT assimilation–exploitative innovation relationship by influencing the effect of CA on exploitative innovation. This finding implies that SMEs can benefit from their IT assimilation that enables them to engage in CA, which in turn allows them to perform innovation. However, it is apparent that the dimension of knowledge that SMEs hold internally can determine what types of innovation that they are able to perform.
Factors influencing recruitment and appearance of bull kelp, Nereocystis luetkeana (phylum Ochrophyta)
Authors: Dobkowski Katie A. , Flanagan K. Darby , Nordstrom Jessica R.
Published: December 2018

The dynamics of annual species are strongly tied to their capacity for recruitment each year. We examined how competition and propagule availability influence recruitment and appearance and tracked survivorship of an annual species of marine macroalgae, the bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana), which serves as major biogenic habitat in the Salish Sea of Washington State. We hypothesized that (i) juvenile N. luetkeana would exhibit a seasonal appearance as a cohort in the spring and (ii) competition for space would be more limiting than propagules (spores) to recruitment at sites adjacent to established N. luetkeana beds. We tagged N. luetkeana recruits in the field to track appearance and survivorship across seasons (spring, summer, fall, and winter), using a two‐factor crossed design to assess effects of competition and propagule availability on appearance of new N. luetkeana sporophytes. Survivorship of N. luetkeana recruits was low and, whereas most new individuals arose in the spring, some appeared in every season. New N. luetkeana recruits also appeared the earliest (median 8 weeks vs. >20 weeks) after experimental “seeding” in the spring as compared to other seasons. Eliminating macroalgal competitors (“clearing”) influenced the appearance of recruits more than enhancement of propagules in the spring. An improved understanding of factors regulating the seasonal appearance of new N. luetkeana sporophytes furthers our understanding of this crucial foundation species' appearance and persistence across seasons, which is increasingly important as global ocean conditions change, and highlights the importance of studying organisms with complex life histories across multiple stages and geographical regions.
Chemical profiling of mycosporine‐like amino acids in twenty‐three red algal species
Authors: Orfanoudaki Maria , Hartmann Anja , Karsten Ulf , Ganzera Markus
Published: December 2018

Rhodophyta produce a variety of chemically different mycosporine‐like amino acids (MAAs), compounds that are known as some of the strongest ultraviolet (UV) absorbing molecules in nature. Accordingly, they primarily act as photoprotectants against harmful levels of solar ultraviolet radiation in the UV‐A and UV‐B range. In order to get a deeper understanding of the chemical diversity of MAAs in red algae, pure standards of eleven mycosporine‐like amino acids were isolated from three different species (Agarophyton chilense, Pyropia plicata and Champia novae‐zelandiae) using various chromatographic methods. Their structures were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Four out of the eleven MAAs are reported for the first time in algae. In addition, a new high‐performance liquid chromatography method was developed for the separation of all isolated MAAs and successfully applied for the analysis of twenty‐three red algal species of marine origin. All of them contained MAAs, the most abundant compounds were shinorine, palythine, asterina‐330 and porphyra‐334. For some samples, the direct assignment of MAAs based on their UV spectra was not possible; therefore, the target analytes were enriched by a simple concentration step, followed by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis of the extracts. This approach enabled a deeper insight into the MAA pattern of red algae, indicating that not only the four dominant ones are synthesized but also many others, which were often described as unknown compounds in previous studies.
Pleistocene range expansions might explain striking disjunctions between eastern Brazil, Andes and Mesoamerica inLeandras.str. (Melastomataceae)
Authors: Reginato Marcelo , Michelangeli Fabián A.
Published: December 2018

Leandras.str. clade has around 200 species nearly restricted to eastern Brazil. Most species in this group are narrow endemics, but a few present striking disjunct distributions between eastern Brazil and Andes or Mesoamerica. Given the predominantly “montane” distribution observed in mostLeandras.str., we hypothesized that cyclical range expansions during colder Pleistocene periods, followed by local extinctions during warmer interglacial periods, could have shaped the distribution of the disjunct species in this clade. In order to gather support for this biogeographical scenario in a phylogenetic framework, the species that occur outside eastern Brazil were identified, ages of the dispersal events estimated, climatic niche models for the disjuncts were generated, and the climatic envelope of these species compared. Our results place all dispersal events from eastern Brazil to Andes or Mesoamerica during the Pleistocene. Climatic niche modeling indicates a potential range expansion during the Pleistocene colder times for the disjunct species. Although the surpassing of the “dry diagonal” could have been facilitated during glacial periods, this open corridor is an effective barrier forLeandra, given the reduced number of species that dispersed beyond an eastern Brazilian origin. Additionally, the disjunct species do not present significant differences in their climatic envelopes to the non‐disjunct species. Our results provide support to a short‐dispersion/stepping‐stone migration scenario to account for the observed disjunctions in this clade. Range expansions during Pleistocene colder periods followed by local extinctions during interglacial periods could have shaped the distribution ofLeandras.str.
Nicotine increases sleep spindle activity
Authors: O'Reilly Christian , Chapotot Florian , Pittau Francesca , Mella Nathalie , Picard Fabienne
Published: December 2018

Abstract

Studies have shown that both nicotine and sleep spindles are associated with enhanced memorisation. Further, a few recent studies have shown how cholinergic input through nicotinic and muscarinic receptors can trigger or modulate sleep processes in general, and sleep spindles in particular. To better understand the interaction between nicotine and sleep spindles, we compared in a single blind randomised study the characteristics of sleep spindles in 10 healthy participants recorded for 2 nights, one with a nicotine patch and one with a sham patch. We investigated differences in sleep spindle duration, amplitude, intra‐spindle oscillation frequency and density (i.e. spindles per min). We found that under nicotine, spindles are more numerous (average increase: 0.057 spindles per min; 95% confidence interval: [0.025–0.089]; p = .0004), have higher amplitude (average amplification: 0.260 μV; confidence interval: [0.119–0.402]; p = .0032) and last longer (average lengthening: 0.025 s; confidence interval: [0.017–0.032]; p = 2.7e‐11). These results suggest that nicotine can increase spindle activity by acting on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and offer an attractive hypothesis for common mechanisms that may support memorisation improvements previously reported to be associated with nicotine and sleep spindles.
Comparison of apnoea–hypopnoea index and oxygen desaturation index when identifying obstructive sleep apnoea using type‐4 sleep studies
Authors: Senaratna Chamara V. , Lowe Adrian , Perret Jennifer L. , Lodge Caroline , Bowatte Gayan , Abramson Michael J. , Thompson Bruce R. , Hamilton Garun , Dharmage Shyamali C.
Published: December 2018

The concordance of different indices from type‐4 sleep studies in diagnosing and categorising the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea is not known. This is a critical gap as type‐4 sleep studies are used to diagnose obstructive sleep apnoea in some settings. Therefore, we aimed to determine the concordance between flow‐based apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHIflow50%) and oxygen desaturation index (ODI3%) by measuring them concurrently. Using a random sub‐sample of 296 from a population‐based cohort who underwent two‐channel type‐4 sleep studies, we assessed the concordance between AHIflow50% and ODI3%. We compared the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea of various severities as identified by the two methods, and determined their concordance using coefficient Kappa(κ). Participants were aged (mean ± SD) 53 ± 0.9 years (48% male). The body mass index was 28.8 ± 5.2 kg m−2 and neck circumference was 37.4 ± 3.9 cm. The median AHIflow50% was 5 (inter‐quartile range 2, 10) and median ODI3% was 9 (inter‐quartile range 4, 15). The obstructive sleep apnoea prevalence reported using AHIflow50% was significantly lower than that reported using ODI3% at all severity thresholds. Although 90% of those with moderate–severe obstructive sleep apnoea classified using AHIflow50% were identified by using ODI3%, only 46% of those with moderate–severe obstructive sleep apnoea classified using ODI3% were identified by AHIflow50%. The overall concordance between AHIflow50% and ODI3% in diagnosing and classifying the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea was only fair (κ = 0.32), better for males (κ = 0.42 [95% confidence interval 0.32–0.57] versus 0.22 [95% confidence interval 0.09–0.31]), and lowest for those with a body mass index ≥ 35 (κ = 0.11). In conclusion, ODI3% and AHIflow50% from type‐4 sleep studies are at least moderately discordant. Until further evidence is available, the use of ODI3% as the measure of choice for type‐4 sleep studies is recommended cautiously.
On a Semiparametric Data‐Driven Nonlinear Model with Penalized Spatio‐Temporal Lag Interactions
Authors: Al‐Sulami Dawlah , Jiang Zhenyu , Lu Zudi , Zhu Jun
Published: December 2018

To study possibly nonlinear relationship between housing price index (HPI) and consumer price index (CPI) for individual states in the USA, accounting for the temporal lag interactions of the housing price in a given state and spatio‐temporal lag interactions between states could improve the accuracy of estimation and forecasting. There lacks, however, methodology to objectively identify and estimate such spatio‐temporal lag interactions. In this article, we propose a semiparametric data‐driven nonlinear time series regression method that accounts for lag interactions across space and over time. A penalized procedure utilizing adaptive Lasso is developed for the identification and estimation of important spatio‐temporal lag interactions. Theoretical properties for our proposed methodology are established under a general near epoch dependence structure and thus the results can be applied to a variety of linear and nonlinear time series processes. For illustration, we analyze the US housing price data and demonstrate substantial improvement in forecasting via the identification of nonlinear relationship between HPI and CPI as well as spatio‐temporal lag interactions.
Application of multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction methods to detect common bacterial fish pathogens in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, hatcheries in Costa Rica
Authors: López‐Porras Adrián , Elizondo Carolina , Chaves Aida J. , Camus Alvin C. , Griffin Matt J. , Kenelty Kirsten , Barum Samantha , Barquero‐Calvo Elías , Soto Esteban
Published: December 2018

Edwardsiella spp., Streptococcus spp., and Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis are some of the most important fish pathogens affecting global tilapia, Oreochromis spp., aquaculture. In Costa Rica, the aquaculture industry is dominated by freshwater‐cultured Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, which are raised in all seven national provinces. At present, little is known regarding the diversity of pathogens present in these facilities, and definitive identification of agents associated with disease outbreaks are rare. To evaluate the prevalence of common bacterial pathogens in these systems, this study used multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays targeting Edwardsiella, Streptococcus, and Francisella species as a diagnostic and surveillance tool. In 2017, seven different tilapia hatcheries were visited, and 350 fingerlings were subjected to necropsy and molecular diagnostic evaluation. Fish exhibiting gross signs of disease were subjected to histological and microbiological analysis. For the first time, Edwardsiella anguillarum was recovered and molecularly confirmed from diseased tilapia in Costa Rica. In addition, F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis was identified in a region of Costa Rica where it had not been previously reported.
Potential value of urinary amatoxin quantification in patients with hepatotoxic mushroom poisoning
Authors: Escoda Ona , Reverter Enric , To‐Figueras Jordi , Casals Gregori , Fernández Javier , Nogué Santiago
Published: December 2018

Backgorund & Aims

Mushroom poisoning with Amanita phalloides or similar species can lead to liver failure with 10‐30% mortality rates. We aimed at defining the prognostic value of urinary amatoxin quantification in patients with hepatotoxic mushroom poisoning.

Methods

Data from 32 patients with hepatotoxic mushroom poisoning (Hospital Clínic Barcelona, 2002‐16) in whom urinary amatoxins were determined (ELISA) were retrospectively reviewed. Correlations between urinary amatoxin and collected baseline variables with outcomes including hepatotoxicity (ALT>1000 U/L), severe acute liver injury (ALI, prothrombin <50%), acute liver failure (ALF, ALI and encephalopathy), transplantation/death and hospital length‐of‐stay, were evaluated.

Results

12/32 patients developed increased aminotransferase activity. Among the 13/32 amatoxin negative patients, 1 developed ALI and 12/13 no hepatotoxicity. Among the 19/32 amatoxin positive patients, 8/19 (42%) developed hepatotoxicity, including 5 who progressed to severe ALI, of whom 3 developed ALF (2 deaths, 1 transplantation). Urinary amatoxin and prothrombin were independent predictors of hepatotoxicity, ALT peak values (along with age) and hospital length‐of‐stay. In positive amatoxins patients, urinary concentrations > 55 ng/ml (or a baseline prothrombin ≤ 83%), were associated to hepatotoxicity (presented by 8/9 patients with ALT>1000 U/L). Among 5 patients with urinary amatoxin ≥ 70 ng/ml, 4 developed severe ALI.

Conclusions

In patients with hepatotoxic mushroom poisoning, a negative urinary amatoxin quantification within 72h of intake ruled out the risk of hepatotoxicity in 92% of patients, whereas positive urinary amatoxins were associated with hepatotoxicity and severe ALI. Concentrations >55 ng/ml and ≥ 70 ng/ml were predictive of hepatotoxicity and severe ALI, respectively.
Association between serum liver enzymes and all‐cause mortality: The Japan Public Health Center‐based Prospective Study
Authors: Yuwaki Keiichi , Shimazu Taichi , Yamagiwa Yoko , Inoue Manami , Goto Atsushi , Yamaji Taiki , Iwasaki Motoki , Sawada Norie , Tsugane Shoichiro ,   for the JPHC Study Group
Published: December 2018

Background & Aims

The association of serum liver enzyme levels with all‐cause mortality in individuals without hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus infection is inconsistent. We aimed to investigate all‐cause and non‐liver disease mortality according to levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and gamma‐glutamyltransferase (GGT) stratified by hepatitis virus infection status in a Japanese cohort.

Methods

Participants were 7243 men and 13 513 women aged 40‐69 years at the baseline survey in 1993‐1994. Multivariate‐adjusted hazard ratios of death from the baseline health check‐up to December 2012 were calculated with a Cox proportional hazards model controlling for potential confounding factors.

Results

During follow‐up, 2235 deaths in men and 1901 deaths in women were identified. All serum liver enzymes were associated with all‐cause mortality in each sex and hepatitis virus infection status. In participants without infection, those with more than twice the upper level of normal (ULN), which was defined as 30 IU/L for AST and ALT and 50 IU/L for GGT, had a higher risk of non‐liver disease mortality compared to those below the ULN (HR 1.69; 95% confidence interval 1.13‐2.53, 1.49; 1.02‐2.18, 1.39; 1.11‐1.73, 1.72; 1.08‐2.74 and 1.72; 1.10‐2.69 for AST, ALT, and GGT in men and AST and GGT in women, respectively), except for ALT in women.

Conclusions

In participants without hepatitis virus infection, serum liver enzyme levels were positively associated with all‐cause mortality. Similar associations were also found for non‐liver disease mortality.
Intransitivizing morphology
Authors: Heaton Raina
Published: December 2018

This paper provides a functional–typological discussion of the various processes which result in intransitive predicates. In addition to covering canonical cases of intransitivization such as passives, antipassives, middles, and noun incorporation, attention is also drawn to cases which complicate these categorizations, expanding our thinking about ways in which languages use discrete categories such as “transitive” and “intransitive” to represent what is more rightly a continuum of transitivity values with diverse structural representations. The paper begins with an introduction to key concepts, proceeds to a discussion of the most widely attested processes which result in intransitive predicates, and then presents some of the issues surrounding intransitivizing morphology.