bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anticipating climate change impacts on Mongolian salmonids: bioenergetics models for lenok and Baikal grayling
Authors: Hartman Kyle J. , Jensen Olaf P.
Published: April 2016

The Eg–Uur River ecosystem in north‐central Mongolia provides an opportunity to study salmonid species in a system that has already experienced significant climate change. These species are currently imperilled in Mongolian waters, with Baikal grayling (Thymallus arcticus baicalensis) listed as near‐threatened and lenok (Brachymystax lenok) listed as vulnerable on the Mongolian red list. Air temperature records demonstrate that in the last 40 years Northern Mongolia's rate of warming has been three times greater than the northern hemisphere average. Despite alarming trends in air temperatures, little is known of the thermal ecology of these species. Due to the threat of climate change to these species, the objective of our study was to quantify metabolic costs for these species from streamside routine metabolic measures and derive bioenergetics models that we used to assess potential climate change response. Streamside measurements of metabolism were remarkably consistent with expectations from measures of other salmonids gathered under more closely controlled laboratory conditions. Metabolism increased exponentially with temperature for both species. The resulting preliminary bioenergetics models suggest these species are already experiencing temperatures near their upper levels for growth during summer and conditions are expected to deteriorate with warming. Even a modest 2 °C increase in water temperatures during ice out would result in a 59% reduction in growth of lenok, and an inability of Baikal grayling to grow (if food levels remained unchanged) or a 14–23% increase in consumption in order to maintain current growth rates.
A comparative study of socio‐demographic and substance use correlates in early‐onset psychosis
Authors: Paruk Saeeda , Jhazbhay Khatija , Singh Keshika , Sartorius Benn , Burns Jonathan K
Published: April 2016

Background

Comorbid substance use, particularly cannabis among adolescents with mental illness, is a major public health concern in developing countries with limited mental health resources. Better understanding of the association between cannabis use and other polysubstance use and early mental illness will provide for more targeted early interventions.

Aim

This aim of this study was to examine the socio‐demographic profile and cannabis use characteristics among adolescents with first‐episode early‐onset psychosis (EOP) and compare with age‐matched and gender‐matched adolescents with first‐episode non‐psychotic mental illness (controls).

Method

Forty‐five adolescents with first‐episode EOP and 45 controls were assessed using a clinical interview, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and World Health Organization Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening test (ASSIST) for substance‐related problems.

Results

There were significant socio‐demographic differences among the adolescents with EOP (73% Black, 64% from low family income, 44% from rural areas) compared with controls (24% Black, 53% from low family income, 2% from rural areas). Although there was no difference in lifetime cannabis use, EOP adolescents differed in motivation for cannabis use, had increased current cannabis use (38%, P = 0.01) and more frequent use (52%, P = 0.04) compared with controls (16% current and 18% frequent use). EOP adolescents reported more hazardous use with higher ASSIST mean cannabis‐specific involvement scores (EOP 10,2; controls 2,3; P = 0.004).

Conclusion

The differences in socio‐demographic variables may reflect the marked disparity in access to mental health care for rural Black youth. Psychotic youth may be more vulnerable to comorbid cannabis‐related problems than other mentally ill adolescents. The study highlights the need for early introduction of substance use interventions among adolescents with mental illness.
Alcohol preference and consumption are controlled by the caudal linear nucleus in alcohol‐preferring rats
Authors: Dudek Mateusz , Hyytiä Petri
Published: April 2016

The neuroanatomical and neurochemical basis of alcohol drinking has been extensively studied, but the neural circuitry mediating alcohol reinforcement has not been fully delineated. In the present experiments, we used both neuroimaging and pharmacological tools to identify neural systems associated with alcohol preference and high voluntary alcohol drinking in alcohol‐preferring AA (Alko Alcohol) rats. First, we compared the basal brain activity of AA rats with that of heterogeneous Wistar rats with manganese‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI). Briefly, alcohol‐naïve rats were implanted with subcutaneous osmotic minipumps delivering 120 mg/kg MnCl2 over a 7‐day period, and were then imaged using a three‐dimensional rapid acquisition‐relaxation enhanced pulse sequence. MEMRI analysis revealed that the most conspicuous subcortical activation difference was located in the caudal linear nucleus of raphe (CLi), with AA rats displaying significantly lower T1 signal in this region compared to Wistar rats. However, following long‐term alcohol drinking, CLi activity was increased in AA rats. In the second experiment, the CLi was targeted with pharmacological tools. AA rats trained to drink 10% alcohol during 2‐h sessions were implanted with guide cannulas aimed at the CLi and were given injections of the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol into the CLi before drinking sessions. Muscimol dose‐dependently increased alcohol drinking, and co‐administration of the gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)A antagonist bicuculline blocked muscimol's effect. These findings suggest that the mediocaudal region of the ventral tegmental area, particularly the CLi, is important for the propensity for high alcohol drinking and controls alcohol reward via GABAergic transmission.
Changes in orexinergic immunoreactivity of the piglet hypothalamus and pons after exposure to chronic postnatal nicotine and intermittent hypercapnic hypoxia
Authors: Hunt Nicholas J. , Russell Benjamin , Du Man K. , Waters Karen A. , Machaalani Rita
Published: April 2016

We recently showed that orexin expression in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) infants was reduced by 21% in the hypothalamus and by 40–50% in the pons as compared with controls. Orexin maintains wakefulness/sleeping states, arousal, and rapid eye movement sleep, abnormalities of which have been reported in SIDS. This study examined the effects of two prominent risk factors for SIDS, intermittent hypercapnic hypoxia (IHH) (prone‐sleeping) and chronic nicotine exposure (cigarette‐smoking), on orexin A (OxA) and orexin B (OxB) expression in piglets. Piglets were randomly assigned to five groups: saline control (n = 7), air control (n = 7), nicotine [2 mg/kg per day (14 days)] (n = 7), IHH (6 min of 7% O2/8% CO2 alternating with 6‐min periods of breathing air, for four cycles) (n = 7), and the combination of nicotine and IHH (N + IHH) (n = 7). OxA/OxB expression was quantified in the central tuberal hypothalamus [dorsal medial hypothalamus (DMH), perifornical area (PeF), and lateral hypothalamus], and the dorsal raphe, locus coeruleus of the pons. Nicotine and N + IHH exposures significantly increased: (i) orexin expression in the hypothalamus and pons; and (ii) the total number of neurons in the DMH and PeF. IHH decreased orexin expression in the hypothalamus and pons without changing neuronal numbers. Linear relationships existed between the percentage of orexin‐positive neurons and the area of pontine orexin immunoreactivity of control and exposure piglets. These results demonstrate that postnatal nicotine exposure increases the proportion of orexin‐positive neurons in the hypothalamus and fibre expression in the pons, and that IHH exposure does not prevent the nicotine‐induced increase. Thus, although both nicotine and IHH are risk factors for SIDS, it appears they have opposing effects on OxA and OxB expression, with the IHH exposure closely mimicking what we recently found in SIDS.
Intrathecal administration of low‐dose nociceptin/orphanin FQ induces allodynia via c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1
Authors: Kawabata Kenta , Nishimura Isamu , Fujiwara Takeshi , Terauchi Shoko , Minami Toshiaki , Ito Seiji , Okuda‐Ashitaka Emiko
Published: April 2016

Pathological chronic pain, which is frequently associated with prolonged tissue damage, inflammation, tumour invasion, and neurodegenerative diseases, gives rise to hyperalgesia and allodynia. We previously reported that intrathecal administration of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), an endogenous ligand for the orphan opioid receptor‐like receptor, in the femtomole range induces touch‐evoked allodynia. N/OFQ has been implicated in multiple signalling pathways, such as inhibition of cAMP production and Ca2+ channels, or activation of K+ channels and mitogen‐activated protein kinase, although the signalling pathways of N/OFQ‐induced allodynia remain unclear. To address these issues, we developed an ex vivo mitogen‐activated protein kinase assay by using intact slices of mouse spinal cord. N/OFQ markedly increased the phosphorylation of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord. The N/OFQ‐stimulated JNK phosphorylation was significantly inhibited by pertussis toxin, the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122, and the inositol trisphosphate receptor antagonist Xestospongin C. Intrathecal administration of the JNK inhibitor SP600125 inhibited N/OFQ‐evoked allodynia. The N/OFQ‐induced increase in JNK phosphorylation was observed in astrocytes that expressed glial fibrillary acidic protein. N/OFQ also induced monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) release via the JNK pathway, and N/OFQ‐induced JNK phosphorylation was observed in MCP‐1‐immunoreactive astrocytes. Intrathecal administration of the MCP‐1 receptor antagonist RS504393 inhibited N/OFQ‐evoked allodynia. These results suggest that, in the spinal dorsal horn, N/OFQ induces allodynia through activation of JNK via the phospholipase C–inositol trisphosphate pathway, which is coupled to pertussis toxin‐sensitive G‐protein, and following the release of MCP‐1 from astrocytes.
Effect of desensitizing agents on the microtensile bond strength of two‐step etch‐and‐rinse adhesives to dentin
Authors: Cortiano Fernanda M. , Rached Rodrigo N. , Mazur Rui F. , Vieira Sergio , Freire Andrea , de Souza Evelise M.
Published: April 2016

Desensitizers can be used to control postoperative sensitivity in adhesive restorations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of desensitizing agents on the bond strength of two‐step etch‐and‐rinse adhesive systems to dentin. Forty‐two human molars were sectioned to obtain 3‐mm‐thick dentin discs. The discs were divided into three groups (n = 14 in each) – no‐treatment control group (CT), and oxalic acid [BisBlock (BB)] and calcium phosphate [Desensibilize Nano‐P (NP)] desensitizers – before the application of two adhesive systems [Adper Single Bond Plus (SB) and One‐Step Plus (OSP)]. A nanoparticle composite resin was used to create a 3‐mm‐thick build‐up. The specimens were stored in distilled water for 24 h before a microtensile bond‐strength test was performed. The failure modes were determined using a stereomicroscope at 100 × magnification. Specimens were sectioned perpendicular to the interface for scanning electron microscopy analyses. The CT‐SB group exhibited the highest bond strength, differing significantly from BB‐SB and BB‐OSP groups. Mixed failures were prevalent for all groups. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a continuous hybrid layer and resin tags in all groups. Dentin bond strength of etch‐and‐rinse adhesive systems was reduced by an oxalic acid desensitizer but was not affected by a calcium phosphate‐containing desensitizer.
Initiation of innate immune responses by surveillance of homeostasis perturbations
Authors: Colaço Henrique G. , Moita Luis F.
Published: April 2016

Pathogen recognition, signaling transduction pathways, and effector mechanisms are necessary steps of innate immune responses that play key roles in the early phase of defense and in the stimulation of the later specific response of adaptive immunity. Here, we argue that in addition to the direct recognition of conserved common structural and functional molecular signatures of microorganisms using pattern recognition receptors, hosts can mount an immune response following the sensing of disruption in homeostasis as proximal reporters for infections. Surveillance of disruption of core cellular activities leading to defense responses is a flexible strategy that requires few additional components and that can effectively detect relevant threats. It is likely to be evolutionarily very conserved and ancient because it is operational in organisms that lack pattern recognition triggered immunity. A homeostasis disruption model of immune response initiation and modulation has broad implications for pathophysiology and treatment of disease and might constitute an often overlooked but central component of a comprehensive conceptual framework for innate immunity.
Fatigue strength assessment of laser stake‐welded T‐joints subjected to reversed bending
Authors: Frank D. , Dissel P. , Remes H. , Romanoff J. , Klostermann O.
Published: April 2016

The paper investigates the fatigue strength of laser stake‐welded T‐joints subjected to reversed bending. The fatigue tests are carried out with the load ratio, R ≈ −0.8. The experimental data is firstly analysed using the nominal stress approach and then by the J‐integral as the local fatigue strength parameter in the finite element (FE) assessment.

The nominal stress approach demonstrated that the fatigue strength of the investigated T‐joints is lower than encountered for any other steel joint under reversed tensile loading. The results also showed that the fatigue strength of this joint under the load ratio R ≈ −0.8 increases with respect to R = 0 bending by 22.6% in the case of the nominal stress approach and 13% in the case of the J‐integral approach. However, the slopes of the fatigue resistance curves for different load ratios appear very similar, suggesting that the load ratio has an insignificant influence to the slope. In contrast to the similar slopes, the scatter indexes were different. The nominal stress approach shows that the scatter index is 3.4 times larger for R ≈ −0.8 than R = 0 bending. The J‐integral approach showed that the scatter index for R ≈ −0.8 is only 67% larger than in the R = 0 case because the weld geometry is modelled in the FE analysis.
Fatigue crack propagation and overload damaging micromechanisms in a ferritic–pearlitic ductile cast iron
Authors: Iacoviello F. , Cocco V. Di , Cavallini M.
Published: April 2016

Recently discovered (1948), ductile cast irons (DCIs) are able to combine the good castability of grey irons with the interesting mechanical properties, both static and cyclic, of carbon steels, allowing to directly produce components with complex shape that are requested to be characterized by high mechanical performances, especially considering toughness and fatigue resistance. DCIs mechanical properties and damaging micromechanisms depend on the matrix (ferritic, pearlitic, ferrite pearlitic, ausferritic, etc.) and on the graphite nodules morphological peculiarities (shape, dimension, distribution, etc.).

In this work, the fatigue‐crack propagation micromechanisms in a ferritic–pearlitic DCI were investigated, focusing both the role played by the microstructure and the contribution of the graphite nodules. In addition, the overload effects on the composite microstructure of the investigated ferritic–pearlitic DCI were analysed.
Gradient elasticity: a transformative stress analysis tool to design notched components against uniaxial/multiaxial high‐cycle fatigue
Authors: Bagni C , Askes H , Susmel L
Published: April 2016

This paper investigates the accuracy of gradient elasticity in estimating high‐cycle fatigue strength of notched components subjected to both uniaxial and multiaxial fatigue loading. A novel design methodology is formulated by combining Ru and Aifantis' gradient elasticity with the Theory of Critical Distances and the Modified Wöhler Curve Method. The key feature of this innovative design methodology is that, via the Theory of Critical Distances, gradient elasticity's length scale parameter is directly estimated from conventional material fatigue properties (i.e. the plain fatigue limit and the threshold value of the stress intensity factor). From a stress analysis point of view, the proposed approach directly post‐processes the gradient‐enriched stress states determined, at the hot‐spots, on the surface of the component under investigation (and independently of the sharpness of the stress concentrator being assessed). The accuracy and reliability of this design method were checked by using a large number of experimental results taken from the literature and generated by testing notched metallic samples under uniaxial as well as under multiaxial fatigue loading. This comprehensive validation exercise demonstrates that the systematic usage of this transformative design approach leads to the same level of accuracy as the one which is obtained by applying the classic Theory of Critical Distances. This result is certainly remarkable because the proposed approach is not only very efficient from a computational point of view, but it also allows high‐cycle fatigue damage to be assessed by directly post‐processing gradient‐enriched stress states determined on the surface of the component being assessed.
Gross primary production controls the subsequent winter CO2 exchange in a boreal peatland
Authors: Zhao Junbin , Peichl Matthias , Öquist Mats , Nilsson Mats B.
Published: April 2016

In high‐latitude regions, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions during the winter represent an important component of the annual ecosystem carbon budget; however, the mechanisms that control the winter CO2 emissions are currently not well understood. It has been suggested that substrate availability from soil labile carbon pools is a main driver of winter CO2 emissions. In ecosystems that are dominated by annual herbaceous plants, much of the biomass produced during the summer is likely to contribute to the soil labile carbon pool through litter fall and root senescence in the autumn. Thus, the summer carbon uptake in the ecosystem may have a significant influence on the subsequent winter CO2 emissions. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a plot‐scale shading experiment in a boreal peatland to reduce the gross primary production (GPP) during the growing season. At the growing season peak, vascular plant biomass in the shaded plots was half that in the control plots. During the subsequent winter, the mean CO2 emission rates were 21% lower in the shaded plots than in the control plots. In addition, long‐term (2001–2012) eddy covariance data from the same site showed a strong correlation between the GPP (particularly the late summer and autumn GPP) and the subsequent winter net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE). In contrast, abiotic factors during the winter could not explain the interannual variation in the cumulative winter NEE. Our study demonstrates the presence of a cross‐seasonal link between the growing season biotic processes and winter CO2 emissions, which has important implications for predicting winter CO2 emission dynamics in response to future climate change.
The distribution and diversity of insular ants: do exotic species play by different rules?
Authors: Roura‐Pascual Núria , Sanders Nathan J. , Hui Cang
Published: April 2016

Aim

To examine the relationship between island characteristics (area, distance to the nearest continent, climate and human population size) and ant species richness, as well as the factors underlying global geographical clustering of native and exotic ant composition on islands.

Location

One hundred and two islands from 20 island groups around the world.

Methods

We used spatial linear models that consider the spatial structure of islands to examine patterns of ant species richness. We also performed modularity analyses to identify clusters of islands hosting a similar suite of species and constructed conditional inference trees to assess the characteristics of islands that explain the formation of these island–ant groups.

Results

Island area was the best predictor of ant species richness. However, distance to the nearest continent was an important predictor of native ant species richness, as was human population size for exotic species richness. Native species appear slightly more modulated (i.e. well grouped in species assemblages that are present over a distinct cluster of islands) than are exotic species. Exotic species, while still exhibiting some modularity, tended to be widely distributed among island groups. Interestingly, ocean currents accounted for most of the variation in modularity and thus species composition for both native and exotic ant species.

Main conclusions

Contrary to previous work, both native and exotic species appeared to be confined to particular island regions, and patterns in the distribution of both native and exotic species were limited by a similar suite of factors. However, the distribution of exotic ant species appeared to be more influenced by human‐related variables and less structured relative to those of native ant species, perhaps due to the long‐term (and increasing) influence of human‐mediated dispersal that favours exotic species.
Optimization of the thrombin generation test components to measure potency of factor VIII concentrates
Authors: Jha N. K. , Shestopal S. A. , Gourley M. J. , Woodle S. A. , Liang Y. , Sarafanov A. G. , Weinstein M. , Ovanesov M. V.
Published: April 2016

Introduction

The thrombin generation test (TGT) is used both as a global haemostasis assay, and to compare activities of coagulation factor concentrates that have been spiked into patient plasma. However, TGT has not been systematically optimized to evaluate factor VIII (FVIII) product potency.

Aims

To improve the sensitivity of TGT to FVIII and allow a comparative analysis of the thrombin generating capacities of FVIII concentrates against reference preparations with known FVIII activity.

Methods

Concentrations of TGT components (analytical variables) were assessed to maximize the linearity and range of responses to the concentration of FVIII.

Results

We optimized the range and sensitivity of the TGT assay with respect to FVIII through the addition of FXIa to the assay. Other parameters that were adjusted, i.e. tissue factor (TF), procoagulant lipids and plasma concentrations, did not improve the ability of the assay to measure both high and very low levels of FVIII. In the optimized TF/FXIa‐activated TGT assay, all thrombin generation curve parameters were suitable for FVIII quantification, but thrombin peak height and maximal velocity demonstrated better linearity in the desired FVIII range. We found that the optimized TF/FXIa‐activated TGT has a wider range of sensitivity to FVIII than a commercially available TGT. Additionally, we demonstrated that the TF/FXIa‐activated assay performs adequately by comparing potency measurements of five commercially available FVIII products using TGT and traditional chromogenic and one‐stage clotting assays.

Conclusions

The optimized TGT assay can be used to quantify and compare the thrombin generating capacities of FVIII concentrates.
HIV Pharmacist's Impact on Inpatient Antiretroviral Errors
Authors: Liedtke MD , Tomlin CR , Skrepnek GH , Farmer KC , Johnson PN , Rathbun RC
Published: April 2016

Objectives

Transitions in care between out‐patient and in‐patient settings provide ample opportunity for medication errors to occur in HIV‐infected patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an HIV pharmacist monitoring service in decreasing antiretroviral medication errors in a large south central teaching hospital in the USA.

Methods

A retrospective, observational study was conducted to examine the frequency of antiretroviral medication errors in HIV‐seropositive patients with hospital admissions between 1 September 2011 and 30 September 2013 at a single tertiary care centre in Oklahoma. Patient assignment to the 12‐month pre‐intervention and intervention study periods was determined by admission date. Demographic, laboratory, and in‐patient medication data were collected. Bivariate analyses were conducted using χ2 analysis with the Yates correction factor for continuity to examine frequencies in specific antiretroviral classes and error categories. A multivariable Poisson regression was employed to examine the frequency of medication errors before and after initiation of the pharmacist service.

Results

Medication errors were examined in a total of 330 patient admissions during the 2‐year study period. A multivariable‐adjusted decrease of 73.9% in the number of errors was observed between the pre‐intervention and intervention periods (P < 0.001). Patients on protease inhibitor regimens or with impaired renal function had 2.6‐fold and 2.8‐fold higher numbers of errors, respectively (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

HIV pharmacist monitoring can decrease medication errors in HIV‐infected patients as they transition between out‐patient and in‐patient care. Patients receiving protease inhibitor‐based therapy or with renal insufficiency are at higher risk for medication errors upon admission.
Structural and ion transport properties of [(AgI)x(AgBr)0.4−x](LiPO3)0.6 and (AgBr)x(LiPO3)(1−x) solid electrolytes
Authors: Kumar Asheesh , Sharma Raghunandan , Gayner Chhatrasal , Rao Siddanathi Nageswara , Singh Devendra P. , Das Malay K. , Kar Kamal K.
Published: April 2016

The (AgBr)x(LiPO3)(1−x) (x=0.4 and 0.5) and [(AgI)x(AgBr)0.4−x](LiPO3)0.6 (x=0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) superionic electrolytes have been prepared by conventional melt quenching using a twin roller. These electrolytes are characterized by X‐ray diffraction, SEM, and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDAX) for structural investigation. Electrical characterizations have been carried out by the AC impedance analysis. The conductivity of LiPO3 glassy system at room temperature is improved by doping with the silver bromide (AgBr)x(LiPO3)(1−x) and the mixture of silver iodide, silver bromide (AgI‐AgBr‐LiPO3 system) up to 10−5 and 10−3 Ω−1 cm−1, respectively (improvements by four or five orders of magnitude). The frequency response of ionic conductivity has been analyzed by universal dynamic response model (Jonscher's law) and AC conductivity data are fitted using the Jonscher's power law. The conductivity values obtained by the power law and impedance plots are comparable. The frequency exponent (n) has a value between 0 and 1. The AgI‐AgBr‐LiPO3 system shows the mixed alkali effect. Summerfield scaling master curve is temperature dependent, which may be due to the contribution of the both lithium and silver ions to ionic conduction.
Identification and functional characterization of four transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 variants in Apolygus lucorum (Meyer‐Dür)
Authors: Fu T. , Hull J. J. , Yang T. , Wang G.
Published: April 2016

As signal integrators that respond to various physical and chemical stimuli, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels fulfil critical functional roles in the sensory systems of both vertebrate and invertebrate organisms. Here, four variants of TRP ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) were identified and cloned from the green plant bug, Apolygus lucorum. Spatiotemporal expression profiling across development and in different adult tissues revealed that the highest relative‐transcript levels occurred in first‐instar nymphs and antennae, respectively. In Xenopus laevis‐based functional assays, Apo. lucorum TRPA1‐A (AlucTRPA1‐A), AlucTRPA1‐B and AlucTRPA1‐C were activated by increasing the temperature from 20 to 40 °C with no significant desensitization observed after repeated temperature stimuli. The activation temperature of AlucTRPA1‐A and AlucTRPA1‐B was < 25 °C, whereas the activation temperature of AlucTRPA1‐C was between 25 and 30 °C. Amongst the variants, only AlucTRPA1‐A and AlucTRPA1‐C were directly activated by high concentrations of allyl isothiocyanate, cinnamaldehyde and citronellal. Taken together, these results suggest that AlucTRPA1 variants may function in vivo as both thermal and chemical sensors, with the four variants potentially mediating different physiological functions. This study not only enriches our understanding of TRPA1 function in Hemiptera (Miridae), but also offers a foundation for developing new pest control strategies.
Preference for Dynamic Human Images and Gaze‐Following Abilities in Preterm Infants at 6 and 12 Months of Age: An Eye‐Tracking Study
Authors: Imafuku Masahiro , Kawai Masahiko , Niwa Fusako , Shinya Yuta , Inagawa Michiyo , Myowa‐Yamakoshi Masako
Published: April 2016

Preterm children are reported to be at higher risk of social communication problems such as autism spectrum disorder compared with full‐term infants. Although previous studies have suggested that preference for social stimuli in infancy is a possible indicator of later social communication development, little is known about this relation in preterm infants. We examined the gaze behavior of low‐risk preterm and full‐term infants at 6 and 12 months' corrected ages using two types of eye‐tracking tasks, which measured 1) preference for social stimuli by biological motion and human geometric preference and 2) ability to follow another's gaze direction. We found that preterm (compared with full‐term) infants at both 6 and 12 months of age spent less time looking toward dynamic human images, followed another's gaze less frequently, and looked for a shorter time at an object cued by another. Moreover, we found a positive correlation between looking time toward dynamic human images and frequency of gaze following at 12 months of age in full‐term, but not preterm, infants. We discuss the relation between the atypical patterns of gaze behavior in preterm infants and their higher risk of later social communication problems.
Changes in the Distribution of After‐Tax Wealth in the US: Has Income Tax Policy Increased Wealth Inequality?
Authors: Looney Adam , Moore Kevin B.
Published: April 2016

A substantial share of the wealth of Americans is held in tax‐deferred form such as in retirement accounts or as unrealised capital gains. Most data and statistics on assets and wealth are reported on a pre‐tax basis, but pre‐tax values include an implicit tax liability and may not provide as accurate a measure of the financial position or material well‐being of families. In this paper, we describe the distribution of tax‐deferred assets in the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) from 1989 to 2013, provide new estimates of the income tax liabilities implicit in those assets, and present new statistics on the level and distribution of after‐tax net worth. The results of our analysis suggest that, relative to published statistics on pre‐tax net worth, the distribution of after‐tax wealth is slightly less concentrated in the early years of our sample period, but the effectiveness of the income tax system in reducing wealth inequality has decreased during the last decade. We find the reduction in the long‐term capital gains rate is the primary reason for the muted effectiveness of the current income tax system in reducing wealth inequality.
The Orientation Dependence of the Photochemical Activity of α‐Fe2O3
Authors: Zhu Yisi , Schultz Andrew M. , Rohrer Gregory S. , Salvador Paul A.
Published: April 2016

The orientation dependence of the visible‐light stimulated photochemical reduction of aqueous Ag+ on polycrystalline hematite Fe2O3 was determined by observing the relative amount of reduced Ag0 on crystals of known surface orientation over all possible orientations. The results show that surfaces oriented within 20° of the () plane are the most active and surfaces close to the (0001) plane are the least active. A strong correlation is observed between the orientation‐dependent activity and the orientation‐dependent surface potential measured by scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy. Surfaces near the most active () plane and the least active (0001) plane are, respectively, at the most positive and the least positive ends of the potential range among all grains. The trends in activity are concluded to arise from a combination of internal fields associated with surface charges and bulk transport effects.
Novel extrapancreatic effects of incretin
Authors: Yamada Yuichiro , Tsukiyama Katsushi , Sato Takehiro , Shimizu Tatsunori , Fujita Hiroki , Narita Takuma
Published: April 2016

The hormonal factors implicated as transmitters of signals from the gut to pancreatic β‐cells are referred to as incretins. Gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) are incretins. In addition to the insulinotropic effects, we have shown, using the GIP receptor and GLP‐1 receptor‐deficient mice, that GIP and GLP‐1 have direct actions on adipocytes and the kidney, respectively. Because GIP receptors and GLP‐1 receptors are differentially expressed in a tissue‐specific manner, GIP and GLP‐1 have specific physiological activities, and further comprehensive characterization of the extrapancreatic actions of GIP and GLP‐1 is anticipated, as dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors activate both GIP and GLP‐1 signaling.
Stenamoeba polymorpha, a New Species Isolated from Domesticated Horse Equus ferus caballus
Authors: Peglar Michael T. , Nerad Thomas A. , Anderson O. Roger
Published: April 2016

A new species of lobosean amoeba, Stenamoeba polymorpha n. sp., was isolated from the diarrheic stool of a domesticated horse in Great Falls Virginia, U.S. It shares characteristics with the five other described Stenamoeba species. However, electron microscopy revealed S. polymorpha has a substantially thickened cell surface lamina. Under light microscopy, the amoebae had a dynamic polymorphic appearance because hyaloplasm readily formed and resorbed subpseudopodia from any peripheral region of the cell. While in locomotion, the amoebae produced subpseudopodia that led and alternated the direction of movement with an apparent zigzag path. Sometimes, stationary amoebae had a vertical cell posture that was substantially taller than wide or long. The new species description is also supported by small subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene analyses using phylogenies with both broad and narrow taxon sampling, pairwise nucleotide comparisons, and in‐silico secondary structure predictions. The latter suggested Stenamoeba spp. discriminatory motifs in variable region eight. Stenamoeba polymorpha n. sp. is the first of its genus to be recovered from mammal feces, the first to yield a potential group one intron and the second described from North America. Here, the phylogenies suggest Stenamoeba limacina is this new species' nearest known relative.
Numerical Simulation of Corn Drying in a Hybrid Fluidized Bed‐Infrared Dryer
Authors: Nejadi Jalil , Nikbakht Ali Mohammad
Published: April 2016

This study deals with numerical modeling and experimental validation of hybrid fluidized bed‐infrared drying of bulk grain. A mathematical model of simultaneous heat and mass transfer for the aforementioned dryer was developed: first single phase model was used to establish heat and mass transfer equations over the fluidized bed, then the effect of infrared heating was incorporated into the single phase model as a source term to develop the model for a hybrid fluidized bed‐infrared dryer. The model is capable of predicting the moisture content of bulk corn as well as the drying air parameters (i.e., out let air temperature and out let air absolute humidity) during drying. The model was validated by comparison with experimentally obtained drying kinetics for different combinations of inlet air temperature, infrared power density and bed height. The results of verification test for all drying conditions indicated that the mean relative deviation for prediction of grain moisture content, out let air temperature and absolute humidity were less than 8, 11 and 7%, respectively, which reflects an acceptable accuracy (<15%). Other results showed that the application of infrared power in conjunction with fluidized bed drying to reduce corn moisture content from 0.23 to 0.12 kg H2O/kg dry solid led to a 45–87% saving in drying time and 36–68% saving in specific energy consumption compared to conventional fluidized bed configurations. The model indicated acceptable performance and hence the model could be suggested as a mathematical tool providing precise prognostications dealing with fluidized bed drying equipped with infrared heat source.

Practical Applications

The suggested model is an efficient method to simulate drying process of bulk grain in infrared‐fluidized bed dryers. This model provides precise prognostications regarding the variations in grain moisture content, gas temperature and gas absolute humidity. Additionally the features of the model introduced in the present study might qualify it for use in automatic control of fluidized bed dryers and online prediction of drying time to reach a desired value of moisture content.
Differential Role of Neurohypophysial Hormones in Hypotension and Nitric Oxide Production During Endotoxaemia
Authors: Stabile A. M. , Moreto V. , Batalhão M. E. , Rocha M. J. , Antunes‐Rodrigues J. , Cárnio E. C.
Published: April 2016

Besides their well‐established endocrine roles, vasopressin and oxytocin are also important regulators of immune function, participating in a complex neuroendocrine–immune network. In the present study, we investigated whether and how vasopressin and oxytocin could modulate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced nitric oxide (NO) production in a well‐established model of experimental endotoxaemia. Male Wistar rats were previously treated i.v. with vasopressin V1 or oxytocin receptor antagonists and then received either an i.v. LPS injection to induce endotoxaemia or a saline imjection as a control. The animals were divided into two groups: in the first group, blood was collected at 2, 4 and 6 h after LPS injection; in the second group, mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded over 6 h. Plasma vasopressin and oxytocin values were higher in LPS‐ compared to saline‐injected animals at 2 and 4 h but returned to basal levels at 6 h. NO levels exhibited an opposite pattern, showing a progressive increase over the entire period. The previous administration of a vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist significantly reduced NO plasma concentrations at 2 and 4 h but not at 6 h. By contrast, oxytocin receptor agonist pre‐treatment had no effect on the NO plasma concentration. In relation to MABP, previous treatment with vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist reversed the LPS‐induced hypotension at 4 h, although this was not the case for oxytocin antagonist‐treated animals. None of the antagonists affected HR. Our findings indicate that vasopressin (but not oxytocin) has effects on NO production during endotoxaemia in rats, although they do not lend support to the proposed anti‐inflammatory actions of vasopressin during endotoxaemia.
High plasma osteocalcin is associated with low blood haemoglobin in elderly men: the MrOS Sweden Study
Authors: Lewerin C. , Johansson H. , Karlsson M. K. , Lorentzon M. , Lerner U. H. , Kindblom J. M. , Ohlsson C. , Smith U. , Mellström D.
Published: April 2016

Background

It has been suggested that osteoblasts are involved in the regulation of haematopoietic stem cells. Whether osteocalcin, which is derived from osteoblasts and is metabolically active, influences blood haemoglobin (Hb) levels is not known.

Objective

To determine whether plasma osteocalcin is a determinant of Hb in elderly men.

Methods

A total of 993 men (mean age 75.3 ± 3.2 years) participated in the population‐based MrOS (osteoporotic fractures in men) study. Plasma osteocalcin concentration was evaluated in relation to Hb and adjustments were made for potential confounders (i.e. age, body mass index, erythropoietin, total oestradiol, fasting insulin, adiponectin, ferritin and cystatin C).

Results

Hb correlated (age adjusted) negatively with osteocalcin in the total study group (r = −0.12, P < 0.001) as well as in the subgroup of nondiabetic men (r = −0.16, P < 0.001). In nondiabetic men with higher osteocalcin levels, it was more likely that Hb would be in the lowest quartile (odds ratio per SD decrease in osteocalcin 1.32, 95% confidence interval 1.13–1.53). Quartiles of Hb were negatively associated (age adjusted) with osteocalcin (P < 0.001). Anaemic men (47/812) (Hb <130 g L−1) had significantly higher mean osteocalcin levels than nonanaemic men (33.9 vs. 27.1 μg L−1, P < 0.001). In multiple stepwise linear regression analyses (adjusted for age, body mass index, total oestradiol, adiponectin, erythropoietin, fasting insulin, cystatin C, leptin, ferritin and holotranscobalamin), osteocalcin was an independent predictor of Hb concentration in nondiabetic men (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

These data add further support to the evidence indicating that the bone‐specific protein osteocalcin has several endocrine functions targeting the pancreas, testes, adipocytes, brain. An additional novel finding is that osteocalcin may also have a paracrine function as a regulator of haematopoiesis.
Technique to Match Gingival Shade when Using Pink Ceramics for Anterior Fixed Implant Prostheses
Authors: Papaspyridakos Panos , Amin Sarah , El‐Rafie Khaled , Weber Hans‐Peter
Published: April 2016

Use of pink gingival ceramics can reduce the necessity for extensive surgical procedures attempting to restore missing soft and hard tissues in the maxillary esthetic zone. Selecting the appropriate shade for pink porcelain poses a challenge, especially when the patient presents with a high smile line. This paper describes a simple and effective technique to facilitate shade selection for gingival ceramics to match the patient's existing gingival shade.
Once a Utilitarian, Consistently a Utilitarian? Examining Principledness in Moral Judgment via the Robustness of Individual Differences
Authors: Helzer Erik G. , Fleeson William , Furr R. Michael , Meindl Peter , Barranti Maxwell
Published: April 2016

Although individual differences in the application of moral principles, such as utilitarianism, have been documented, so too have powerful context effects—effects that raise doubts about the durability of people's moral principles. In this article, we examine the robustness of individual differences in moral judgment by examining them across time and across different decision contexts. In Study 1, consistency in utilitarian judgment of 122 adult participants was examined over two different survey sessions. In Studies 2A and 2B, large samples (Ns = 130 and 327, respectively) of adult participants made a series of 32 moral judgments across eight different contexts that are known to affect utilitarian endorsement. Contrary to some contemporary theorizing, our results reveal a strong degree of consistency in moral judgment. Across time and experimental manipulations of context, individuals maintained their relative standing on utilitarianism, and aggregated moral decisions reached levels of near‐perfect consistency. Results support the view that on at least one dimension (utilitarianism), people's moral judgments are robustly consistent, with context effects tailoring the application of principles to the particulars of any given moral judgment.
Organizational Cultures of Corruption
Authors: SCHNEIDER PATRICK , BOSE GAUTAM
Published: April 2016

Systematic differences in the incidence of corruption between countries can be explained by models of coordination failure that suggest that corruption can only be reduced by a “big push” across an entire economy. However, there is significant evidence that corruption is often sustained as an organizational culture, and can be combated with targeted effort in individual organizations one at a time. In this paper, we propose a model that reconciles these two theories of corruption.

We explore a model of corruption with two principal elements. First, agents suffer a moral cost if their corruption behavior diverges from the level they perceive to be the social norm; second, the perception of the norm is imperfect; it gives more weight to the behavior of colleagues with whom the agent interacts regularly. This leads to the possibility that different organizations within the same country may stabilize at widely different levels of corruption. Furthermore, the level of corruption in an organization is persistent, implying that some organizations may have established internal “cultures” of corruption. The organizational foci are determined primarily by the opportunities and (moral) costs of corruption. Depending on the values of these parameters, the degree of corruption across departments may be relatively uniform or widely dispersed.

These results also explain another surprising empirical observation: that in different countries similar government departments such as tax and education rank very differently relative to each other in the extent to which they are corrupt. This is difficult to explain in incentive‐based models if similar departments face similar incentives in different countries.
A systematic review of the effects of novel psychoactive substances ‘legal highs’ on people with severe mental illness
Authors: Gray R. , Bressington D. , Hughes E. , Ivanecka A.
Published: April 2016

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject?

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) include synthetic drugs mimicking the effects of illicit drugs, e.g. synthetic cannabinoids, and herbs such as Salvia divinorum. NPS are substances that can trigger hallucinations and other effects altering the mind, and are currently uncontrolled by the United Nations' 1961 Narcotic Drugs/1971 Psychotropic Substances Conventions.

NPS affect brain chemistry that induces the psychoactive effects, such as hallucinations and feeling ‘high’. It is unknown what effects such drugs have on people with severe mental illness (i.e. psychotic illnesses).

What this paper adds to existing knowledge?

Our review demonstrates that little is known about the effects of various NPS on people with severe mental illness. Almost nothing is known about the long‐term consequences of NPS use on the mental and physical health of SMI patients.

Patients may lack understanding that NPS are psychoactive drugs that can impact on their mental and physical wellbeing.

What are the implications for practice?

Some patients might be reluctant or do not think it is relevant to disclose NPS use. Commonly used illicit drug screening is unlikely to detect the presence of NPS, therefore health and mental health professionals should directly enquire about NPS and actively encourage patients with severe mental illness to disclose any substance use.

Patient and public involvement in the research

There was no significant patient and public involvement in the development and conduct of this study

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Introduction

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are synthetic substances that have been developed to produce altered states of consciousness and perceptions. People with severe mental illness (SMI) are more likely to use NPS than people without mental illness, but the short‐ and long‐term effects of NPS are largely unknown.

Method

We systematically reviewed the literature about the effects of NPS on people with SMI.

Results

We included 12 case reports, 1 cross‐sectional survey and 1 qualitative study. Participants included mostly males aged between 20 and 35 years. A variety of NPS were used, including synthetic cathinones and herbs such as Salvia. The most commonly reported effects of NPS were psychotic symptoms (in some cases novel in form and content to the patients' usual symptoms) and significant changes in behaviour, including agitation, aggression and violence. Patients' vital signs, such as blood pressure, pulse rate and temperature, were also commonly affected.

Conclusion

NPS potentially have serious effects on people with SMI, but our findings have limited generalizability due to a reliance on case studies. There is a paucity of evidence about the long‐term effects of these substances. Further research is required to provide a better understanding about how different NPS affect patients' mental and physical health.