bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial aggregation of soil property predictions in support of local land management
Authors: Vaysse K. , Heuvelink G. B. M. , Lagacherie P.
Published: May 2017

Over the past decades, numerous practical applications of Digital Soil Mapping have emerged to respond to the need of land managers. One important contribution to this effort is the release of regional‐scale soil maps from the GlobalSoilMap (GSM) project. While the GSM project aims at producing soil property predictions on a fine 90 × 90 m grid at the global scale, land managers often require aggregated information over larger areas of interest (e.g. farms, watersheds, municipalities). This study evaluated a geostatistical procedure aiming at aggregating GSM grids to a land management scale, thereby providing land suitability maps with associated uncertainty for the French region ‘Languedoc‐Roussillon’ (27 236 km2). Specifically, maps were derived from three GSM prediction grids (pH, organic carbon and clay content) by calculating the proportion of ‘suitable’ agricultural land within a municipality, where suitability was defined as having soil property values below or above a predefined threshold (pH < 5.5, OC < 10 g/kg, clay > 375 g/kg). Calculation of these nonlinear spatial aggregates and the associated uncertainty involved a three‐step approach: (i) sampling from the conditional probability distributions of the soil properties at all grid cells by means of sequential Gaussian simulation applied to a regression kriging model, (ii) transformation of soil properties to suitability indicators for all grid cell samples generated in the first step and (iii) spatial aggregation of the suitability indicators from grid cells to municipalities. The maps produced show large differences between municipality areas for all three land suitability indicators. The uncertainties associated with the aggregated suitability indicators were moderate. This approach demonstrated that fine‐scale GSM products may also fulfil user demands at coarser land management scales, without jeopardizing uncertainty quantification requirements.
Record of enhanced late Pliocene tectono‐volcanic activity in the Lesser Antilles forearc basin: Insights into the long‐term behaviour of the Lesser Antilles subduction zone
Authors: Léticée Jean‐Len , Philippon Mélody , Cornée Jean‐Jacques , Münch Philippe , De Min Lyvane , Noury Mélanie , Randrianasolo Auran , Lebrun Jean‐Frédéric
Published: May 2017

In this study, we investigate the Lesser Antilles forearc basin, focusing on the late Pliocene to Pleistocene sedimentary archives in order to track the occurrence of extreme events triggered by enhanced subduction‐related tectono‐volcanic activity. We identify late Piacenzian deposits covering a major regional erosional surface, displaying sedimentary dykes and large marine boulders embedded in a mixed continental–marine matrix, characteristic of tsunamites. We interpret this episode of platform emersion and the successive cataclysmic deposits as resulting from enhanced tectonic activity at the interface of the subduction zone, synchronous with the initiation of the Lesser Antilles volcanic arc. We then discuss the implications in terms of the mechanical behaviour of the Lesser Antilles subduction zone.
Are Unconventional Monetary Policy and Large Scale Fiscal Policy Effective?: The Case of Japan
Authors: Kurihara Yutaka
Published: May 2017

Japan has been under recession for more than twenty years. During that period, drastic measures to overcome deflation have been undertaken. Unconventional monetary policy and huge amounts of fiscal policy have been repeatedly implemented. This paper examines whether or not these policies were effective with a focus on exchange rates. The empirical results showed that recent monetary policies are effective at present and the effectiveness of fiscal policies has been decreasing. On the other hand, exchange rate depreciation has boosted the Japanese economy. Stock prices and wages are related strongly with the economic boom. These variables are important factors to the economy.
Psychological Unsafety in Schools: The Development and Validation of a Scale
Authors: Yildirim Kamil , Yenipinar Şenyurt
Published: May 2017

Work related psychological unsafety defined as the degree to which employee perceive the risky work environment that hinder them to behave comfortably or to speak up what they think without fear of its possible negative consequences. The importance of psychological unsafety has already been laid down for organizational viability and development, but the main problem is lack of instrument to measure psychological unsafety in schools. So the aim of this study is to develop valid and reliable instrument. We developed it in line with the procedures suggested by AERA (The American Educational Research Association). Based on the literature review, we wrote 27 draft items, then we piloted it on 164 school staff and we implemented factor and item analyses. We finally conducted it in the main application with 393 school staff who randomly selected from schools located in different geographical regions of Turkey. Results of EFA displayed that the 19 items loaded on three factors explaining .73 of total variance and the factor loadings ranged between .59 to .85. In addition, corrected item-total correlations ranged from .51 to .86. The internal consistency reliability coefficient was .96 and CFA confirmed the structural model. At the end of the study, we obtained a valid and reliable scale to measure psychological unsafety in schools.
Light adaptation and the evolution of vertebrate photoreceptors
Authors: Morshedian Ala , Fain Gordon L.
Published: May 2017

Key Points

Lamprey are cyclostomes, a group of vertebrates that diverged from lines leading to jawed vertebrates (including mammals) in the late Cambrian, 500 million years ago. It may therefore be possible to infer properties of photoreceptors in early vertebrate progenitors by comparing lamprey to other vertebrates.

We show that lamprey rods and cones respond to light much like rods and cones in amphibians and mammals. They operate over a similar range of light intensities and adapt to backgrounds and bleaches nearly identically.

These correspondences are pervasive and detailed; they argue for the presence of rods and cones very early in the evolution of vertebrates with properties much like those of rods and cones in existing vertebrate species.

The earliest vertebrates were agnathans – fish‐like organisms without jaws, which first appeared near the end of the Cambrian radiation. One group of agnathans became cyclostomes, which include lamprey and hagfish. Other agnathans gave rise to jawed vertebrates or gnathostomes, the group including all other existing vertebrate species. Because cyclostomes diverged from other vertebrates 500 million years ago, it may be possible to infer some of the properties of the retina of early vertebrate progenitors by comparing lamprey to other vertebrates. We have previously shown that rods and cones in lamprey respond to light much like photoreceptors in other vertebrates and have a similar sensitivity. We now show that these affinities are even closer. Both rods and cones adapt to background light and to bleaches in a manner almost identical to other vertebrate photoreceptors. The operating range in darkness is nearly the same in lamprey and in amphibian or mammalian rods and cones; moreover background light shifts response–intensity curves downward and to the right over a similar range of ambient intensities. Rods show increment saturation at about the same intensity as mammalian rods, and cones never saturate. Bleaches decrease sensitivity in part by loss of quantum catch and in part by opsin activation of transduction. These correspondences are so numerous and pervasive that they are unlikely to result from convergent evolution but argue instead that early vertebrate progenitors of both cyclostomes and mammals had photoreceptors much like our own.
In vitro model to study the effects of matrix stiffening on Ca2+ handling and myofilament function in isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes
Authors: van Deel Elza D. , Najafi Aref , Fontoura Dulce , Valent Erik , Goebel Max , Kardux Kim , Falcão‐Pires Inês , van der Velden Jolanda
Published: May 2017

Key points

This paper describes a novel model that allows exploration of matrix‐induced cardiomyocyte adaptations independent of the passive effect of matrix rigidity on cardiomyocyte function.

Detachment of adult cardiomyocytes from the matrix enables the study of matrix effects on cell shortening, Ca2+ handling and myofilament function.

Cell shortening and Ca2+ handling are altered in cardiomyocytes cultured for 24 h on a stiff matrix.

Matrix stiffness‐impaired cardiomyocyte contractility is reversed upon normalization of extracellular stiffness.

Matrix stiffness‐induced reduction in unloaded shortening is more pronounced in cardiomyocytes isolated from obese ZSF1 rats with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction compared to lean ZSF1 rats.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffening is a key element of cardiac disease. Increased rigidity of the ECM passively inhibits cardiac contraction, but if and how matrix stiffening also actively alters cardiomyocyte contractility is incompletely understood. In vitro models designed to study cardiomyocyte–matrix interaction lack the possibility to separate passive inhibition by a stiff matrix from active matrix‐induced alterations of cardiomyocyte properties. Here we introduce a novel experimental model that allows exploration of cardiomyocyte functional alterations in response to matrix stiffening. Adult rat cardiomyocytes were cultured for 24 h on matrices of tuneable stiffness representing the healthy and the diseased heart and detached from their matrix before functional measurements. We demonstrate that matrix stiffening, independent of passive inhibition, reduces cell shortening and Ca2+ handling but does not alter myofilament‐generated force. Additionally, detachment of adult cultured cardiomyocytes allowed the transfer of cells from one matrix to another. This revealed that stiffness‐induced cardiomyocyte changes are reversed when matrix stiffness is normalized. These matrix stiffness‐induced changes in cardiomyocyte function could not be explained by adaptation in the microtubules. Additionally, cardiomyocytes isolated from stiff hearts of the obese ZSF1 rat model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction show more pronounced reduction in unloaded shortening in response to matrix stiffening. Taken together, we introduce a method that allows evaluation of the influence of ECM properties on cardiomyocyte function separate from the passive inhibitory component of a stiff matrix. As such, it adds an important and physiologically relevant tool to investigate the functional consequences of cardiomyocyte–matrix interactions.
Investigations of medium-temperature heat treatments to achieve low outgassing rates in stainless steel ultrahigh vacuum chambers
Authors: Sefa Makfir , Fedchak James A. , Scherschligt Julia
Published: May 2017

The authors investigated the outgassing rates and fluxes of vacuum chambers constructed from common 304L stainless steel vacuum components and subjected to heat treatments. Our goal was to obtain H2 outgassing flux on the order of 10−11 Pa l s−1 cm−2 or better from standard stainless steel vacuum components readily available from a variety of manufacturers. The authors found that a medium-temperature bake in the range of 400 to 450 °C, performed with the interior of the chamber under vacuum, was sufficient to produce the desired outgassing flux. The authors also found that identical vacuum components baked in air at the same temperature for the same amount of time did not produce the same low outgassing flux. In that case, the H2 outgassing flux was lower than that of a stainless-steel chamber with no heat treatment, but was still approximately 1 order of magnitude higher than that of the medium-temperature vacuum-bake. Additionally, the authors took the chamber that was subjected to the medium-temperature vacuum heat treatment and performed a 24-h air bake at 430 °C. This additional heat treatment lowered the outgassing rate by nearly a factor of two, which strongly suggests that the air-bake created an oxide layer which reduced the hydrogen recombination rate on the surface.
Self-Talk and Competitive Balance Beam Performance
Authors: Van Dyke Erika D. , Van Raalte Judy L. , Mullin Elizabeth M. , Brewer Britton W.
Published: May 2017

Little research has explored the relationship between highly skilled athletes’ self-talk and their competitive performance over the course of a season. For the current study, positive, negative, motivational, instructional, and functional dimensions of collegiate gymnasts’ (N = 141) self-talk were assessed. The gymnasts’ competitive balance beam performances in intercollegiate meets were also recorded. Multiple regression analysis revealed that positive self-talk significantly predicted balance beam performance and performance consistency. Significant positive correlations were found among key self-talk variables, except negative self-talk. Significant negative correlations were found between negative self-talk and self-talk functions (i.e., attention, cognitive and emotional control, and confidence). The results highlight the interrelationships among various types and functions of self-talk in competitive settings, and provide evidence for the ways in which self-talk is related to the performance of highly skilled athletes. Suggestions for how these findings might be applied by athletes, coaches, and sport psychology practitioners are provided.
Exploring Empowerment for Sexual Assault Victims in Women’s Only Group Fitness
Authors: Cole Amy N. , Ullrich-French Sarah
Published: May 2017

Empowerment is a complex, multidimensional construct that has been criticized for its overuse and definitional dilution; however, the value and importance of empowering marginalized groups such as women and victims of sexual assault remains salient. The present study explores how participation in a women’s only fitness class can empower women who are victims of sexual violence. Using cross-sectional data from a larger evaluation project of Pink Gloves Boxing (PGB), several constructs (e.g., self-efficacy for exercise, empowerment in exercise, and perceptions of autonomy support) were measured to capture empowerment as operationalized in Cattaneo and Chapman’s (2010) and Cattaneo and Goodman’s (2015) Empowerment Process Model. Multiple Indicator, Multiple Cause structural equation modeling was used to examine differences in empowerment outcomes among women in a convenience sample (N = 149) of women in PGB and traditional fitness classes. Comparisons were made based on their sexual victimization experience and their participation in either PGB or traditional group fitness classes. Results revealed that women in PGB who had been victimized were more empowered than victims (γ = -0.38, p < .01) and nonvictims (γ = -0.24, p < .05) in traditional fitness classes. There were no significant differences among women in PGB, regardless of victimization. Implications for the empowering benefits of women’s only physical activity participation for victims of sexual assault are discussed.
The amyloid-β oligomer Aβ*56 induces specific alterations in neuronal signaling that lead to tau phosphorylation and aggregation
Authors: Amar Fatou , Sherman Mathew A. , Rush Travis , Larson Megan , Boyle Gabriel , Chang Liu , Götz Jürgen , Buisson Alain , Lesné Sylvain E.
Published: May 2017

The 56-kDa amyloid-β oligomer triggers pathological tau aggregation through increased Ca
2+
influx.
The Tetrazole VT-1161 Is a Potent Inhibitor of Trichophyton rubrum through Its Inhibition of T. rubrum CYP51
Authors: Warrilow Andrew G. S. , Parker Josie E. , Price Claire L. , Garvey Edward P. , Hoekstra William J. , Schotzinger Robert J. , Wiederhold Nathan P. , Nes W. David , Kelly Diane E. , Kelly Steven L.
Published: May 2017

Prior to characterization of antifungal inhibitors that target CYP51,
Trichophyton rubrum
CYP51 was expressed in
Escherichia coli
, purified, and characterized.
T. rubrum
CYP51 bound lanosterol, obtusifoliol, and eburicol with similar affinities (dissociation constant [

K
d

] values, 22.7, 20.3, and 20.9 μM, respectively) but displayed substrate specificity, insofar as only eburicol was demethylated in CYP51 reconstitution assays (turnover number, 1.55 min
−1
;

K
m

value, 2 μM). The investigational agent VT-1161 bound tightly to
T. rubrum
CYP51 (

K
d

= 242 nM) with an affinity similar to that of clotrimazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole, and voriconazole (

K
d

values, 179, 173, 312, and 304 nM, respectively) and with an affinity lower than that of itraconazole (

K
d

= 53 nM). Determinations of 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC
50
s) using 0.5 μM CYP51 showed that VT-1161 was a tight-binding inhibitor of
T. rubrum
CYP51 activity, yielding an IC
50
of 0.14 μM, whereas itraconazole, fluconazole, and ketoconazole had IC
50
s of 0.26, 0.4, and 0.6 μM, respectively. When the activity of VT-1161 was tested against 34 clinical isolates, VT-1161 was a potent inhibitor of
T. rubrum
growth, with MIC
50
, MIC
90
, and geometric mean MIC values of ≤0.03, 0.06, and 0.033 μg ml
−1
, respectively. With its selectivity versus human CYP51 and drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450s having already been established, VT-1161 should prove to be safe and effective in combating
T. rubrum
infections in patients.
Comparative Analysis of Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase CTX-M-65-Producing Salmonella enterica Serovar Infantis Isolates from Humans, Food Animals, and Retail Chickens in the United States
Authors: Tate Heather , Folster Jason P. , Hsu Chih-Hao , Chen Jessica , Hoffmann Maria , Li Cong , Morales Cesar , Tyson Gregory H. , Mukherjee Sampa , Brown Allison C. , Green Alice , Wilson Wanda , Dessai Uday , Abbott Jason , Joseph Lavin , Haro Jovita , Ayers Sherry , McDermott Patrick F. , Zhao Shaohua
Published: May 2017

We sequenced the genomes of 10
Salmonella enterica
serovar Infantis isolates containing
bla
CTX-M-65
obtained from chicken, cattle, and human sources collected between 2012 and 2015 in the United States through routine National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) surveillance and product sampling programs. We also completely assembled the plasmids from four of the isolates. All isolates had a D87Y mutation in the
gyrA
gene and harbored between 7 and 10 resistance genes [
aph(4)-Ia
,
aac(3)-IVa
,
aph(3
′
)-Ic
,
bla
CTX-M-65
,
fosA3
,
floR
,
dfrA14
,
sul1
,
tetA
,
aadA1
] located in two distinct sites of a megaplasmid (∼316 to 323 kb) similar to that described in a
bla
CTX-M-65
-positive
S
. Infantis isolate from a patient in Italy. High-quality single nucleotide polymorphism (hqSNP) analysis revealed that all U.S. isolates were closely related, separated by only 1 to 38 pairwise high-quality SNPs, indicating a high likelihood that strains from humans, chickens, and cattle recently evolved from a common ancestor. The U.S. isolates were genetically similar to the
bla
CTX-M-65
-positive
S
. Infantis isolate from Italy, with a separation of 34 to 47 SNPs. This is the first report of the
bla
CTX-M-65
gene and the pESI (plasmid for emerging
S
. Infantis)-like megaplasmid from
S
. Infantis in the United States, and it illustrates the importance of applying a global One Health human and animal perspective to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Genetic and Functional Characterization of
bla
CTX-M-199
, a Novel Tazobactam and Sulbactam Resistance-Encoding Gene Located in a Conjugative
mcr-1
-Bearing IncI2 Plasmid
Authors: Cai Jiachang , Cheng Qipeng , Shen Yingbo , Gu Danxia , Fang Ying , Chan Edward Wai-Chi , Chen Sheng
Published: May 2017

We report the genetic and functional characterization of a novel CTX-M-199 β-lactamase, which was encoded by a
bla
CTX-M-64
variant gene found in a conjugative
mcr-1
-bearing IncI2 plasmid and exhibited resistance to β-lactamase inhibitors, tazobactam, and sulbactam.
Identification of Candida parapsilosis Sensu Lato in Pediatric Patients and Antifungal Susceptibility Testing
Authors: Cattana Maria Emilia , Dudiuk Catiana , Fernández Mariana , Rojas Florencia , Alegre Liliana , Córdoba Susana , Garcia-Effron Guillermo , Giusiano Gustavo
Published: May 2017

A total of 59
Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto
and 1
Candida orthopsilosis
recovered from catheters and blood cultures of pediatric patients from the northeastern region of Argentina were studied. Susceptibility to azoles, amphotericin B, and echinocandins was tested by the broth microdilution method. According to CLSI clinical breakpoints, >91% of the strains were azole susceptible, whereas 15% showed high amphotericin B MICs.
Exploring the Amino Acid Residue Requirements of the RNA Polymerase (RNAP) α Subunit C-Terminal Domain for Productive Interaction between Spx and RNAP of Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Birch Cierra A. , Davis Madison J. , Mbengi Lea , Zuber Peter
Published: May 2017

Bacillus subtilis
Spx is a global transcriptional regulator that is conserved among Gram-positive bacteria, in which Spx is required for preventing oxidatively induced proteotoxicity. Upon stress induction, Spx engages RNA polymerase (RNAP) through interaction with the C-terminal domain of the
rpoA
-encoded RNAP α subunit (αCTD). Previous mutational analysis of
rpoA
revealed that substitutions of Y263 in αCTD severely impaired Spx-activated transcription. Attempts to substitute alanine for αCTD R261, R268, R289, E255, E298, and K294 were unsuccessful, suggesting that these residues are essential. To determine whether these RpoA residues were required for productive Spx-RNAP interaction, we ectopically expressed the putatively lethal
rpoA
mutant alleles in the

rpoA
Y263C

mutant, where “
Y263C
” indicates the amino acid change that results from mutation of the allele. By complementation analysis, we show that Spx-bound αCTD amino acid residues are not essential for Spx-activated transcription
in vivo
but that R261A, E298A, and E255A mutants confer a partial defect in NaCl-stress induction of Spx-controlled genes. In addition, strains expressing

rpoA
E255A

are defective in disulfide stress resistance and produce RNAP having a reduced affinity for Spx. The E255 residue corresponds to
Escherichia coli
αD259, which has been implicated in αCTD-σ
70
interaction (σ
70
R603, corresponding to R362 of
B. subtilis
σ
A
). However, the combined

rpoA
E255A

and

sigA
R362A

mutations have an additive negative effect on Spx-dependent expression, suggesting the residues' differing roles in Spx-activated transcription. Our findings suggest that, while αCTD is essential for Spx-activated transcription, Spx is the primary DNA-binding determinant of the Spx-αCTD complex.

IMPORTANCE
Though extensively studied in
Escherichia coli
, the role of αCTD in activator-stimulated transcription is largely uncharacterized in
Bacillus subtilis
. Here, we conduct phenotypic analyses of putatively lethal αCTD alanine codon substitution mutants to determine whether these residues function in specific DNA binding at the Spx-αCTD-DNA interface. Our findings suggest that multisubunit RNAP contact to Spx is optimal for activation while Spx fulfills the most stringent requirement of upstream promoter binding. Furthermore, several αCTD residues targeted for mutagenesis in this study are conserved among many bacterial species and thus insights on their function in other regulatory systems may be suggested herein.
Class III Histidine Kinases: a Recently Accessorized Kinase Domain in Putative Modulators of Type IV Pilus-Based Motility
Authors: Adebali Ogun , Petukh Marharyta G. , Reznik Alexander O. , Tishkov Artem V. , Upadhyay Amit A. , Zhulin Igor B.
Published: May 2017

Histidine kinases are key components of regulatory systems that enable bacteria to respond to environmental changes. Two major classes of histidine kinases are recognized on the basis of their modular design: classical (HKI) and chemotaxis specific (HKII). Recently, a new type of histidine kinase that appeared to have features of both HKIs and HKIIs was identified and termed HKIII; however, the details of HKIII's relationship to other two classes of histidine kinases, their function, and evolutionary history remain unknown. Here, we carried out genomic, phylogenetic, and protein sequence analyses that allowed us to reveal the unusual evolutionary history of this protein family, formalize its distinctive features, and propose its putative function. HKIIIs are characterized by the presence of sensory domains and the lack of a dimerization domain, which is typically present in all histidine kinases. In addition to a single-domain response regulator, HKIII signal transduction systems utilize CheX phosphatase and, in many instances, an unorthodox soluble chemoreceptor that are usual components of chemotaxis signal transduction systems. However, many HKIII genes are found in genomes completely lacking chemotaxis genes, thus decoupling their function from chemotaxis. By contrast, all HKIII-containing genomes also contain
pilT
, a marker gene for bacterial type IV pilus-based motility, whose regulation is proposed as a putative function for HKIII. These signal transduction systems have a narrow phyletic distribution but are present in many emerging and opportunistic pathogens, thus offering an attractive potential target for future antimicrobial drug design.

IMPORTANCE
Bacteria adapt to their environment and their hosts by detecting signals and regulating their cellular functions accordingly. Here, we describe a largely unexplored family of signal transduction histidine kinases, called HKIII, that have a unique modular design. While they are currently identified in a relatively short list of bacterial species, this list contains many emerging pathogens. We show that HKIIIs likely control bacterial motility across solid surfaces, which is a key virulence factor in many bacteria, including those causing severe infections. Full understanding of this putative function may help in designing effective drugs against pathogens that will not affect the majority of the beneficial human microbiome.
Noncanonical Translation Initiation Comes of Age
Authors: Babitzke Paul , O'Connor Michael
Published: May 2017

The canonical translation initiation mechanism involves base pairing between the mRNA and 16S rRNA. However, a variety of identified mechanisms deviate from this conventional route. Beck and Janssen (J Bacteriol 199:e00091-17, 2017,
https://doi.org/10.1128/JB.00091-17
) have recently described another noncanonical mode of translation initiation. Here, we describe how this process differs from previously reported mechanisms, with the hope that it will foster increased awareness of the diversity of regulatory mechanisms that await discovery.
Using Tn-seq To Identify Pigmentation-Related Genes of Porphyromonas gingivalis: Characterization of the Role of a Putative Glycosyltransferase
Authors: Klein Brian A. , Cornacchione Louis P. , Collins Marisha , Malamy Michael H. , Duncan Margaret J. , Hu Linden T.
Published: May 2017

Cellular pigmentation is an important virulence factor of the oral pathogenPorphyromonas gingivalis. Pigmentation has been associated with many bacterial functions, including but not limited to colonization, maintaining a local anaerobic environment by binding oxygen molecules, and defense against reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by immune cells. Pigmentation-associated loci identified to date have involved lipopolysaccharide, fimbriae, and heme acquisition and processing. We utilized a transposon mutant library ofP. gingivalisstrain ATCC 33277 and screened for pigmentation-defective colonies using massively parallel sequencing of the transposon junctions (Tn-seq) to identify genes involved in pigmentation. Transposon insertions at 235 separate sites, located in 67 genes and 15 intergenic regions, resulted in altered pigmentation: 7 of the genes had previously been shown to be involved in pigmentation, while 75 genes and intergenic regions had not. To further confirm identification, we generated a smaller transposon mutant library inP. gingivalisstrain W83 and identified pigment mutations in several of the same loci as those identified in the screen in ATCC 33277 but also eight that were not identified in the ATCC 33277 screen. PGN_0361/PG_0264, a putative glycosyltransferase gene located between two tRNA synthetase genes and adjacent to a miniature inverted-repeat transposable element, was identified in the Tn-seq screen and then verified through targeted deletion and complementation. Deletion mutations in PGN_0361/PG_0264 glycosyltransferase abolish pigmentation, modulate gingipain protease activity, and alter lipopolysaccharide. The mechanisms of involvement in pigmentation for other loci identified in this study remain to be determined, but our screen provides the most complete survey of genes involved in pigmentation to date.

IMPORTANCEP. gingivalishas been implicated in the onset and progression of periodontal disease. One important virulence factor is the bacterium's ability to produce pigment. Using a transposon library, we were able to identify both known and novel genes involved in pigmentation ofP. gingivalis. We identified a glycosyltransferase, previously not associated with pigmentation, that is required for pigmentation and determined its mechanism of involvement. A better understanding of the genes involved in pigmentation may lead to new insights into the complex mechanisms involved in this important virulence characteristic and could facilitate development of novel therapeutics.
A double Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty on a penetrating keratoplasty
Authors: Goh Li Yen , Elalfy Mohamed , Mohamed Ghoz Noha , Dua Harminder
Published: May 2017

A patient with keratoconus underwent a penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in his right eye. This failed after 12 years following phacoemulsification surgery. A Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) was carried out which failed and detached after 4 months. Subsequently, a second DSEK was performed which failed after 2 months but remained attached. This graft was retained in the cornea and a third DSEK button was placed without removing the failed DSEK graft. The cornea cleared well and patient’s vision was 6/9 at 18 months postsurgery. Optical coherence tomography showed the two DSEK grafts closely applied to each other and to the recipient cornea. Stripping a failed DSEK graft performed for a previous failed PK carries the risk of internal dehiscence of the PK graft–host junction. This was avoided by placing the second DSEK graft on the failed previous DSEK graft with good visual outcome indicating that this option can be clinically considered.
Transfalciform greater omental herniation
Authors: Stephenson Rowan , McQueen Simon , Vedelago John , McGrillen Ky
Published: May 2017

Internal herniae are rare, those involving the falciform ligament even rarer. To the best of our knowledge, there have been approximately 20 cases of herniae involving the falciform ligament previously reported. Of these cases, only one previously reported case involves herniation of the greater omentum through the falciform ligament. We present a second case of an adult man who presented with a 48-hour history of epigastric pain and was found on contrast multidetector CT to have a strangulated transfalciform greater omental hernia. The hernia was repaired laparoscopically and the patient recovered uneventfully.
The primary care sports medicine fellowship: American Medical Society for Sports Medicine proposed standards of excellence
Authors: Asif Irfan M , Stovak Mark , Ray Tracy , Weiss-Kelly Amanda
Published: May 2017

The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine recognises a need to provide direction and continually enhance the quality of sports medicine fellowship training programmes. This document was developed to be an educational resource for sports medicine physicians who teach in a 1-year primary care sports medicine fellowship training programme. It is meant to provide high standards and targets for fellowship training programmes that choose to re-assess their curriculum and seek to make improvements.
Education, immigration and income as risk factors for hemoglobin A1c >70 mmol/mol when diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or latent autoimmune diabetes in adult: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Martinell Mats , Pingel Ronnie , Hallqvist Johan , Dorkhan Mozhgan , Groop Leif , Rosengren Anders , Storm Petter , Stålhammar Jan
Published: May 2017

Objectives

The aim of this research is to study education, income and immigration as risk factors for high hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c >70 mmol/mol (8.6%)) when diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D) or latent autoimmune diabetes in the adult (LADA).

Research design and methods

Patients were included from the All New Diabetics in Scania study (2008-2013). Level of education, disposable income and immigration year were retrieved from the longitudinal integrated database for labour market research (LISA) register compiled by Statistics Sweden. Logistic regression models were used to estimate ORs for HbA1c >70 mmol/mol (8.6%) at diagnosis.

Results

A total of 3794 patients with incident T2D (n=3 525) or LADA (n=269) were included. Patients with T2D with a low (≤9 years) or medium (10-12 years) levels of education were more likely to have high HbA1c at diagnosis compared with patients with T2D with a high (>12 years) level of education (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.08 to1.66, OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.54). Low-income patients with T2D (<60% of median) were more likely to have high HbA1c at diagnosis compared with high-income patients withT2D (>150% of median) (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.79).

Conclusions

Patients with lower levels of education or low income and are more likely to have HbA1c is >70 mmol/mol (8.6%) when diagnosed with T2D. An understanding of how socioeconomic position influences the clinical presentation at diagnosis may facilitate screening programs designed to target populations at risk for delayed diagnosis.
Discovering successful strategies for diabetic self-management: a qualitative comparative study
Authors: Weller Susan C , Baer Roberta , Nash Anita , Perez Noe
Published: May 2017

Objective

This project explored lifestyles of patients in good and poor control to identify naturally occurring practices and strategies that result in successful diabetes management.

Research design and methods

Semistructured interviews with adult patients with type 2 diabetes explored diet, food preparation, physical activity, medication use and glucose monitoring. Patients (n=56) were classified into good (A1C <7.0%), fair (7.0%<A1C<8.0%) or poor (A1C >8.0%) control groups and matched across groups on diabetes duration (±5 years) and medication modality (none, oral, insulin±oral) to control for non-lifestyle factors. A qualitative comparative analysis identified practices that distinguished glycemic groups.

Results

Good control patients were more likely to test their glucose two or more times a day and reduce their sodium intake, as well as increase fruits and vegetables and limit portion sizes, some attaining good control without exercise. Fair control patients discussed several dietary strategies including limiting sweets, drinking non-caloric beverages, reducing carbs, ‘cheating’ (eating only a few sweets/limiting carbs in one meal to have more in another meal) and tested their glucose once a day. Poor control patients were more likely to skip antidiabetic medications and not test their glucose.

Conclusions

Although clinical trials indicate most self-management practices have limited effectiveness over time, increased glucose monitoring is a valuable component in daily management. Research is needed on effectiveness of dietary strategies that emphasize sodium monitoring and allow some degree of cheating. Reoffering diabetes education classes and providing pill boxes as memory aids may help improve poor control.
Individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes have additional immune dysfunction compared with obese individuals who are metabolically healthy
Authors: Richard Caroline , Wadowski Michael , Goruk Susan , Cameron Lisa , Sharma Arya M , Field Catherine J
Published: May 2017

Objective

The objective of the current study was to compare the responses to different ex vivo immunogenic challenges between immune cells derived from metabolically healthy subjects with obesity and subjects with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Research design and methods

We recruited 10 metabolically healthy subjects with obesity (Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS) stage 0) and 9 subjects with obesity and type 2 diabetes (EOSS stage 2) aged between 21 years and 70 years and matched for body mass index. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and immune cell phenotypes and ex vivo cytokine production after phytohaemagglutinin (PHA, a T cell mitogen) stimulation were determined. Neutrophil oxidative burst activity was assessed in whole blood.

Results

PBMCs from subjects with stage 2 obesity produced significantly less interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor α after PHA stimulation than PBMCs from subjects with stage 0 obesity (all, p<0.05). Subjects with stage 2 obesity also had higher proportions of cytotoxic T cells, activated helper T cells (CD4+CD278+) and inflammatory monocytes (CD14+CRTh2+, all p<0.05). Poststimulation, neutrophils from subjects with stage 2 obesity produced significantly more free radicals, were larger and more granular and had a lower stimulation index (all p<0.05).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that compared with obese individuals metabolically healthy individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes have an impaired neutrophil function and T cell response on challenge despite having a T cell population expressing more activation markers which may be partly responsible for the increased prevalence of infection reported in this population.
Gender-related differences in self-reported dental care in adults with congenital heart disease at increased risk of infective endocarditis
Authors: Schmidt Susann , Ramseier-Hadorn Marlies , Thomet Corina , Wustmann Kerstin , Schwerzmann Markus
Published: May 2017

Objective

Adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at increased risk of infective endocarditis (IE). Women with CHD have a lower IE risk, potentially due to gender-related differences in dental care. We aimed to assess self-reported dental hygiene measures in adults with CHD, and to identify factors associated with good oral hygiene.

Methods and results

Descriptive study includes 187 adults with CHD at increased risk of IE. The patients’ IE knowledge was assessed using an adapted version of the Leuven Knowledge Questionnaire for CHD. Their mean age was 34.9±14.9 years, 73 of them (39%) were women, 91 (49%) were at high risk for IE, including 66 (35%) with a prosthetic valve, 14 (7%) with a history of IE and 11 (6%) with cyanotic CHD or residual shunts/valvular regurgitation in the proximity of prosthetic material. The self-defined IE knowledge score did not differ between men and women (21.6±10.0 vs 23.4±10.0; p=0.225). 126 patients (67%) reported to have a good oral hygiene. Female gender (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.4), and a higher IE knowledge score (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.5, per 5 points) were the variables independently associated with good oral hygiene.

Conclusions

In adults with CHD, patients with a higher IE knowledge score and women are more likely to practise dental care as recommended. Gender differences in oral hygiene practise may explain the observed lower female IE incidence rate. Efforts to improve patients’ knowledge on IE are encouraged.
Long-term performance of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane seams in municipal solid waste (MSW) leachate
Authors: Rowe R. Kerry , Shoaib Mohamad
Published: May 2017

The effect of a synthetic municipal solid waste leachate on the long-term performance of dual-wedge welds in a 1.5 mm thick high-density polyethylene geomembrane (GMB) is reported based on 4 years of testing at 40, 65, 75, and 85 °C. The effect of leachate on the GMB well away from the weld, in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) beside the weld, and in the welded zone are investigated. The slowest antioxidant depletion rate was in the weld itself and the fastest rate for the HAZ adjacent to the weld. The shear break and peel break properties started to decrease after the standard oxidative induction time had depleted to residual, but before the high-pressure oxidative induction time had reached residual. Failures occured at the HAZ adjacent to weld in both the shear and peel tests. No failure of the seam itself was observed. The times to nominal failure of the GMB in the critical HAZ are predicted. The rate of degradation in the weld and sheet are compared.
Understanding the basis of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) partial migration in the Gulf of Maine
Authors: Altenritter Matthew E. , Zydlewski Gayle Barbin , Kinnison Michael T. , Zydlewski Joseph D. , Wippelhauser Gail S.
Published: May 2017

Movement of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) among major river systems in the Gulf of Maine is common and has implications for the management of this endangered species. Directed movements of 61 telemetered individuals monitored between 2010 and 2013 were associated with the river of tagging and individual characteristics. While a small proportion of fish tagged in the Kennebec River moved to the Penobscot River (5%), a much higher proportion of fish tagged in the Penobscot River moved to the Kennebec River (66%), during probable spawning windows. This suggests that Penobscot River fish derive from a migratory contingent within a larger Kennebec River population. Despite this connectivity, fish captured in the Penobscot River were larger (∼100 mm fork length) and had higher condition factors (median Fulton’s K: 0.76) than those captured in the Kennebec River (median Fulton’s K: 0.61). Increased abundance and resource limitation in the Kennebec River may be constraining growth and promoting migration to the Penobscot River by individuals with sufficient initial size and condition. Migrants could experience an adaptive reproductive advantage relative to nonmigratory individuals.
Seasonal foraging strategies of Alaskan gray wolves (Canislupus) in an ecosystem subsidized by Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchusspp.)
Authors: Stanek Ashley E. , Wolf Nathan , Hilderbrand Grant V. , Mangipane Buck , Causey Douglas , Welker Jeffrey M.
Published: May 2017

Despite frequent observations of gray wolves (Canis lupus L., 1758) using nonungulate prey, the seasonal and interannual variation in the use and relative importance of alternative prey sources to gray wolf diets have not been studied at the individual scale. We used stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N) of guard hair and blood components (clot and serum) collected over 4 years to examine the occurrence, extent, and temporal variation of Pacific salmon (genus Oncorhynchus Suckley, 1861) as a food resource by both individual wolves and social groups in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in southwestern Alaska, USA. Our results demonstrate substantial variability in the use of salmon over time. During summer, diets of five wolves consisted of at least 50% salmon, while the diets of 17 wolves consisted of primarily terrestrial prey. Over 3 years, one group of wolves consistently consumed salmon in summer and switched to terrestrial prey in winter. Prey choices were generally similar within social groups; however, the degree to which individuals consumed salmon was highly variable. The use of salmon as exhibited by wolves in Lake Clark is likely widespread where salmon are abundant and this finding should be taken into consideration in the conservation and management of wolves and their prey.
A new approach for manufacturing and processing targets to produce 99mTc with cyclotrons
Authors: Matei L. , McRae G. , Galea R. , Niculae D. , Craciun L. , Leonte R. , Surette G. , Langille S. , Louis C. St. , Gelbart W. , Abeysekera B. , Johnson R. R.
Published: May 2017

The most important radioisotope for nuclear medicine is [Formula: see text]Tc. After the supply crisis of [Formula: see text]Mo starting in 2008, the availability of [Formula: see text]Tc became a worldwide concern. Alternative methods for producing the medical imaging isotope [Formula: see text]Tc are actively being developed around the world. The reaction [Formula: see text]Mo(p, 2n)[Formula: see text]Tc provides a direct route that can be incorporated into routine production in nuclear medicine centers that possess medical cyclotrons for production of other isotopes, such as those used for Positron Emission Tomography. This paper describes a new approach for manufacturing targets for the (p, 2n) nuclear reaction on [Formula: see text]Mo and the foundation for the subsequent commercial separation and purification of the [Formula: see text]Tc produced. Two designs of targets are presented.

The targets used to produce [Formula: see text]Tc are subject to a number of operational constraints.They must withstand the temperatures generated by the irradiation, accommodate temperature gradients from cooling system of the target, must be resilient and must be easily post-processed to separate the [Formula: see text]Tc. After irradiation, the separation of Tc from Mo was carried out using an innovative two-step approach.

The process described in this paper can be automated with modules that easily fit in standard production hot cells found in nuclear medicine facilities.
Characterization of 41Ar production in air at a PET cyclotron facility
Authors: Cicoria Gianfranco , Cesarini Francesco , Infantino Angelo , Vichi Sara , Zagni Federico , Marengo Mario
Published: May 2017

In the production of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) nuclides at a medical cyclotron facility [Formula: see text]Ar (T[Formula: see text] = 109.34 m) is produced by the activation of air due to the neutron flux, according to the [Formula: see text]Ar(n, [Formula: see text])[Formula: see text]Ar reaction. In this work, we describe a relatively inexpensive and readily reproducible methodology of air sampling that can be used for quantification of [Formula: see text]Ar during the routine production of PET nuclides. We report the results of an extensive measurement campaign in the cyclotron bunker and in the ducts of the ventilation system, before and after final filtering of the extracted air. Air Samples were analyzed using a gamma-ray spectrometry system equipped with HPGe detector, with proper correction of the efficiency calibration to account for the samples density. The results of measurement were then used to evaluate the Total Effective Dose (TED) to the population living in the surrounding areas, due to routine emissions in the operation of the cyclotron. The average [Formula: see text]Ar saturation yield per one liter of air emitted in the environment resulted to be (0.044 ± 0.007) Bq/([Formula: see text]A ⋅ dm3). The maximum value of TED for the critical group of the population, even considering an overestimated workload, was less than 0.19 [Formula: see text]Sv/year, well below the level of radiological relevance.
Defects detecting method of lamp cap of single soldering lug
Authors: Cai Jihe , Lv Jidong
Published: May 2017

In order to resolve the problems of low efficiency and large separating difference in fault detection of lamp holders with single soldering lug, an image-detection-based defect detection method is presented in this paper. The selected image is first preprocessed, where the possible area of soldering lug is cut in this preprocessing to narrow the scope for subsequent partition with the consideration that the smooth surface of metal at lamp holder and black insulation glass may reflect the light. Then, the soldering lug is extracted by a series of processing including clustering partition. Based on this, the defects are detected by regional marking, area comparison, circularity and coordinate deviation. The experiment results show that the designed method is simple and practical to detect main quality defects of lamp holder with single soldering lug correctly and efficiently.