bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The multi-component model of harmful sexual behaviour for people with autism and co-morbid intellectual disabilities – a theory and practice guide
Authors: Worthington Rachel
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore to what extent neuro-typical theories of sexual offending apply to clients with Levels 2 and 3 autism with a co-morbid intellectual disability (ID). The paper develops a model of harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) for this client group and makes suggestions for how these behaviours can be understood and reduced.

Design/methodology/approach

The revised Integrated Theory of Sexual Offending (ITSO) (Ward and Beech, 2016) is used as a starting framework to understand HSB in this client group. This attends to specific neuropsychological systems, brain development, motivation and emotional processing.

Findings

The revised ITSO has some utility in understanding HSB in this client group. This is improved when neuro-atypical specific state factors are identified. Practical ways of establishing these state factors are made which attend to the function of the behaviour in line with “Good Lives” model of rehabilitation.

Research limitations/implications

Recommendations for ways in which the function of HSB in this client group can be identified are made as well as recommendations for how treatment can be tailored dependent on the function of behaviour in this client group.

Practical implications

The paper makes practical recommendations for how interventions for people with ID and autism in line with Ward, Clack and Haig’s (2016) Abductive Theory of Method which noted that interventions should be adopted to consider wider explanations for offending thus acknowledging that treatment could extend beyond cognitive behavioural therapy for clinical phenomena. Future treatments for clients with autism and LD are suggested which attend to sensory needs, teaching alternative communication strategies for seeking out “deep pressure” or attention in ways that do not involve sexual offending, using picture communication, information technology or Makaton to communicate needs or using social stories to explain the consequences of behaviour. In addition, neuro-atypical interventions which attend to the neuropsychological functioning of clients could also be included in treatment for neuro-typical clients, thus ensuring that interventions attend to every aspect of the ITSO and not purely clinical phenomena.

Social implications

Enhancing treatment interventions for clients with ID and autism could both reduce risk and enhance quality of life for this client group.

Originality/value

Much of the work to date exploring HSB in clients with autism has attended to clients with Level 1 autism or those without an additional ID. This paper provides practitioners with a theory upon which to understand HSB in clients with a dual diagnosis of Levels 2/3 autism and an ID as well as practical recommendations for reducing HSB in this client group.
Trust on awqaf institutions: evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Abdul Shukor Syadiyah , Johari Fuadah , Abd Wahab Kalsom , Kefeli @ Zulkefli Zurina , Ahmad Nursilah , Haji Alias Mohammad , Abdul Rahman Asma , Mohd Orip Nor Masitah , Ibrahim Patmawati , Abu-Hussin Mohd Fauzi
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the relationship between integrity, reputation, trust on awqaf institution and intention to endow cash waqf.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative research using survey questionnaire was conducted. A total of 377 completed survey questionnaires were received and analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Findings show that integrity and reputation of awqaf institutions have direct impact on endowers’ trust on awqaf institution, which consequently lead to endowers’ intention to endow cash waqf.

Originality/value

This study provides practical information on how awqaf institutions could develop endowers’ trust on awqaf institutions, which will consequently increase the intention of endowers to endow cash waqf.
Brand prominence in cause-related marketing: luxury versus non-luxury
Authors: Baghi Ilaria , Gabrielli Veronica
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Past research on cause-related marketing (CRM) suggests that these socially beneficial initiatives can be implemented as co-branding strategies. Little is known, however, about the role of brand prominence, in terms of visual conspicuousness of the two brands that are partner-involved (for-profit and non-profit brands). This study aims to advance a model of moderated mediation that explains how and under what circumstances brand prominence disparity enhances consumers’ attitudes toward CRM co-branded products and increases purchase intention

Design/methodology/approach

The authors test a model of moderated mediation in two studies. Study 1 shows that the effectiveness of brand prominence disparity is explained by the mediating role of attitude toward a CRM co-branded product. Study 2 demonstrates that this mediation is moderated by the positioning of the for-profit brand partner (luxury vs non-luxury positioning).

Findings

Results show that brand prominence disparity has a role in defining consumers’ purchase intention toward a CRM co-branded product through mediation of attitude. Moreover, positioning of the for-profit brand partner moderates the cognitive processes activated by the visual brand prominence. In luxury positioning, a loud visual prominence of the for-profit brand significantly improves consumers’ attitudes and intentions to buy the CRM co-branded product.

Originality/value

The study extends our understanding of how visual brand presence can promote the effectiveness of co-branded CRM initiatives, and it offers practical guidelines for marketers wishing to partner with social causes, while promoting products with luxury or non-luxury features.
Necessity of big data analysis in construction management
Authors: Safa Mahdi , Hill Lillian
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

Big data analysis in the world of construction management has become a necessity after the discovery of how much time, energy, and money can be preserved. By the investigation of big data in construction, the deduction was made that data analysis, data mining, and Building Information Modeling are the future for construction management. If properly applied to future construction management processes, big data analysis methodologies could eliminate mistakes, setbacks, and wasted resources for projects

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Are entrepreneurs becoming more risk averse?
Authors: Oliver John J. , Velji Newton
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the emerging theme of risk aversion in entrepreneurs following high levels of industry consolidation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a viewpoint on the authors’ opinion and interpretation of industry consolidation.

Findings

The UK Independent TV Production Industry has experienced a remarkable degree of consolidation with corporate acquisitions and mergers changing the size, shape and revenue distribution among firms in the industry. In addition, entrepreneurs appear to be more risk averse in terms of entering the industry.

Practical implications

If the trend in entrepreneurs in the UK TV Production Industry being more risk averse continues, then the number of new startup firms will fall and that could put the future of the industry at jeopardy.

Originality/value

This paper presents an interesting observation on the impact of consolidation of the UK Independent TV Production Industry, in so far as, entrepreneurs appear to be becoming more risk averse.
Plasticity in root symbioses following shifts in soil nutrient availability during long‐term ecosystem development
Authors: Teste François P. , Laliberté Etienne
Published: November 2018

The vast majority of terrestrial plants form root symbioses with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi to enhance nutrient (particularly phosphorus, P) acquisition. However, some plant species also form dual symbioses involving ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi, with a subset of those also forming triple symbioses also involving dinitrogen (N2)‐fixing bacteria. It has been suggested that these plants show plasticity in root symbioses to optimise nutrient acquisition depending on the type and strength of soil nutrient limitation (e.g., N vs. P), yet empirical evidence remains limited. Alternatively, the degree of investment or “preference” in particular root symbioses might simply reflect differences in inoculum potential among soils of contrasting nutrient availability, reflecting adaptations of root symbionts to different edaphic conditions.

Here, we grew two co‐occurring plant species forming triple (AM/ECM/N2‐fixing; Acacia rostellifera) or dual (AM/ECM; Melaleuca systena) symbioses in soils of increasing age and contrasting nutrient availability from an Australian long‐term soil chronosequence to disentangle the relative importance of abiotic factors (e.g., soil nutrient availability and stoichiometry) and biotic factors (e.g., soil inoculum potential) in determining root colonisation patterns and functional outcomes of these multiple root symbioses.

For both plant species, we found clear hump‐shaped plant growth patterns along the pedogenesis‐driven gradient in soil nutrient availability, with peak growth in intermediate‐aged soils, while high levels of mycorrhizal colonisation by the “preferred” root symbionts were maintained across all soils. We found large increases (540%) in foliar manganese concentrations with increasing soil age and declining P availability, suggesting that plants may be relying on the release of carboxylates to help acquire P in the most P‐impoverished soils. Finally, we found that soil abiotic properties, such as strong differences in soil nutrient availability, are generally more important than soil inoculum potential in explaining these shifts in our plant and root responses.

Synthesis. Our study suggests that plants capable of forming multiple root symbioses show plasticity in their nutrient‐acquisition strategies following shifts in soil nutrients during long‐term ecosystem development, yet maintain a preference for certain root symbionts despite changes in soil microbial inoculum.
HSR Commentary: Linking VA and Non‐VA Data to Address Important US Veteran Health Services Research Issues
Authors: Hynes Denise M. , Maciejewski Matthew L. , Atkins David
Published: November 2018

Objective

This commentary summarizes the methods and topics addressed in the special issue of HSR focused on linkage of United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and non‐VA datasets. The issue illustrates that researchers are increasingly linking diverse datasets as a valuable method for obtaining outcomes, treatments, and covariates to evaluate and examine health care delivery that includes non‐VA services. The issue serves as a reference to VA and non‐VA investigators alike who employ data linkage methods to address high‐impact clinical and health policy evaluations that span different care systems and different datasets.
The impact of systemic sclerosis on health‐related quality of life assessed by SF‐36: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Lin , Cui Yafei , Chen Shengnan , Zhao Qian , Fu Ting , Ji Juan , Li Liren , Gu Zhifeng
Published: November 2018

Objective

The purpose of this meta‐analysis was to systematically review the literature to evaluate the impact of systemic sclerosis (SSc) on the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) assessed by the Medical Outcomes Short‐Form‐36 questionnaire (SF‐36).

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science and Embase until April 2017 to obtain eligible studies. Random effect model was performed to summarize the scores of each domain. Scores from the SF‐36 questionnaire were used as the outcome measurements, and mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

Results

In total, seven studies were eligible for inclusion criteria, comprising 795 SSc patients and 1154 healthy controls. The SF‐36 questionnaire score of each domain (physical function, role physical function, emotional role function, vitality, mental health, social function, body pain, general health) was lower in SSc patients than in healthy controls, meanwhile, physical component scale (PCS) and mental component scale (MCS) scores were all lower in patients with SSc than in healthy controls. Likewise, pooled mean scores of PCS and MCS ranged from 31.20 to 52.80, 37.40 to 68.30, respectively. Additionally, the score of PCS was lower than that of MCS in SSc patients.

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis showed that SSc patients had lower HRQoL than healthy controls, and SSc had negative influence on the HRQoL of patients. This indicates that clinical workers should pay more attention to SSc patients' HRQoL, so as to improve global health of patients with SSc.
Sex Differences in Binge‐Like and Aversion‐Resistant Alcohol Drinking in C57BL/6J Mice
Authors: Sneddon Elizabeth A. , White Robert D. , Radke Anna K.
Published: November 2018

Background

Alcohol use disorder is characterized by compulsive alcohol intake, or drinking despite negative consequences. Previous studies have shown that female rodents have a heightened vulnerability to drug use across different stages of the addictive cycle, but no previous studies have studied females in a model of aversion‐resistant alcohol intake. Here, we investigated sex differences in binge‐like and aversion‐resistant alcohol drinking in C57BL/6J mice using a modified drinking‐in‐the‐dark (DID) paradigm.

Methods

In Experiment 1, 24‐hour aversion to quinine (0, 100, or 250 μM) was assessed. In Experiment 2, male and female adult C57BL/6J mice consumed 15% ethanol (EtOH) or water in a 2‐bottle limited‐access DID paradigm for 2 h/d for 15 days. The EtOH was next adulterated with quinine (0, 100, or 250 μM) over 3 consecutive drinking sessions to test aversion‐resistant intake. In Experiment 3, intake of quinine‐adulterated (100 μM) EtOH was assessed across all 15 drinking sessions.

Results

Quinine was equally aversive to both sexes in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, female mice consumed significantly more alcohol than male mice during the final 6 drinking sessions. Levels of aversion‐resistant intake did not differ between the sexes. In Experiment 3, quinine suppressed consumption in all mice, though females drank significantly more on the final 2 sessions.

Conclusions

The results of this study demonstrate that while female mice escalate and consume more EtOH than males, both sexes exhibit similar levels of aversion‐resistant drinking. These results inform our understanding of how sex interacts with vulnerability for addiction and argue for the inclusion of females in more studies of aversion‐resistant alcohol drinking.
The structure of trust as a reflection of culture and institutional power structure: Evidence from four East Asian societies
Authors: Zhang Robert Jiqi , Liu James H. , Milojev Petar , Jung Jiin , Wang Sy‐feng , Xie Tian , Choi Hoon‐seok , Yamaguchi Susumu , Morio Hiroaki
Published: November 2018

Using the Global Trust Inventory, an integrated measure of trust toward 21 relationships and institutions, the structure of trust was explored in four East Asian societies (Mainland China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan). The Western model, in which trust is distributed among seven factors representing different branches of society, did not generalize to these East Asian societies, perhaps due to differences in culture and institutional power structures. Instead, two unique structures of trust were identified. Mainland China had a top‐down structure of trust (the China model), in which trust is hierarchically separated between the central government and subordinate implementing bodies. The other three democratic East Asian societies shared a hybrid structure of trust (the Democratic East Asian model) that has a degree of similarity to both the China model and the Western model. Having established two similar, but still distinct models, a cross‐cultural comparison was made on the proportions of trust profiles generated by latent profile analysis. Mainland China had the largest proportion of people with a high propensity to trust, followed by Japan and South Korea, and Taiwan was the least trusting. Implications of the structure of trust and this alternative approach to conducting cross‐cultural comparisons are discussed.
Randomised clinical trial: emricasan versus placebo significantly decreases ALT and caspase 3/7 activation in subjects with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Shiffman Mitchell , Freilich Bradley , Vuppalanchi Raj , Watt Kymberly , Chan Jean L. , Spada Al , Hagerty David T. , Schiff Eugene
Published: November 2018

Background

Lipotoxicity leading to excessive caspase‐mediated apoptosis and inflammation is believed to drive liver damage in NAFLD. Emricasan is a pan‐caspase inhibitor that decreased serum ALT and apoptotic and inflammatory markers in subjects with chronic hepatitis.

Aims

To assess whether 28 days of emricasan would reduce elevated levels of serum ALT, AST, cleaved cytokeratin‐18, full‐length cytokeratin‐18, and caspase 3/7 in subjects with NAFLD and raised aminotransferases.

Methods

Double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, office‐practice study assessed the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of emricasan in subjects with NAFLD and ALT levels ≥1.5 x ULN during screening. Subjects were randomised to emricasan 25 mg twice daily or matching placebo. Subjects with cirrhosis and other causes for raised aminotransferases were excluded. The primary endpoint was the change in ALT at day 28 in the emricasan group vs placebo.

Results

38 subjects were randomised, 19 each to emricasan or placebo. Baseline disease factors were well balanced except for lower median ALT values in emricasan subjects. Three subjects randomised to placebo discontinued prior to day 28. ALT values decreased significantly in emricasan‐treated subjects vs placebo at days 7 (P < 0.0001) and 28 (P = 0.02). cCK18 (day 7), flCK18 (days 7 and 28), and caspase 3/7 (day 7) were also significantly decreased in emricasan‐treated subjects vs placebo. Emricasan treatment was generally safe and well tolerated.

Conclusions

Emricasan decreased ALT and biomarkers in subjects with NAFLD and raised aminotransferases after 28 days. These results support the further development of emricasan in patients with NAFLD. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT02077374.
Amino acid metabolism‐related gene expression‐based risk signature can better predict overall survival for glioma
Authors: Liu Yu‐Qing , Chai Rui‐Chao , Wang Yong‐Zhi , Wang Zheng , Liu Xing , Wu Fan , Jiang Tao
Published: November 2018

Metabolic reprogramming has been proposed to be a hallmark of cancer. Aside from the glycolytic pathway, the metabolic changes of cancer cells primarily involve amino acid metabolism. However, in glioma, the characteristics of the amino acid metabolism‐related gene set have not been systematically profiled. In the present study, RNA sequencing expression data from 309 patients in the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas database were included as a training set, while another 550 patients within The Cancer Genome Atlas database were used to validate. Consensus clustering of the 309 samples yielded two robust groups. Compared with Cluster1, Cluster2 correlated with a better clinical outcome. We then developed an amino acid metabolism‐related risk signature for glioma. Our results showed that patients in the high‐risk group had dramatically shorter overall survival than low‐risk counterparts in any subgroup, stratified by isocitrate dehydrogenase and 1p/19q status based on the 2016 World Health Organization classification guidelines. The 30‐gene signature showed better prognostic value than the traditional factors “age” and “grade” by analyzing the receiver operating characteristic curve with areas under curve of 0.966, 0.692, 0.898 and 0.975, 0.677, 0.885 for 3‐ and 5‐year survival, respectively. Moreover, univariate and multivariate analysis showed that the 30‐gene signature was an independent prognostic factor for glioma. Furthermore, Gene Ontology analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis showed that tumors with a high risk score correlated with various aspects of the malignancy of glioma. In summary, we demonstrated a novel amino acid metabolism‐related risk signature for predicting prognosis for glioma.
A review of non‐glove personal protective equipment‐related occupational dermatoses reported to EPIDERM between 1993 and 2013
Authors: Bhoyrul Bevin , Lecamwasam Kamalini , Wilkinson Mark , Latheef Faheem , Stocks Susan J. , Agius Raymond , Carder Melanie
Published: November 2018

Background

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is defined as equipment that protects the wearer’s body against health/safety risks at work. Gloves cause many dermatoses. Non‐glove PPE constitutes a wide array of garments. Dermatoses resulting from these have hitherto not been documented.

Objectives

To determine the incidence and types of non‐glove PPE‐related dermatoses.

Patients/Methods

We analysed incident case reports from dermatologists of non‐glove PPE‐related dermatoses to a UK‐wide surveillance scheme (EPIDERM) between 1993 and 2013.

Results

The dermatoses associated with non‐glove PPE accounted for 0.84% of all occupational skin disease. Of all PPE‐related cases, 194 (9.2%) were attributable to non‐glove PPE. Of these, 132 (68.0%) occurred in men, and the median age (both male and female) was 42 years (range 18‐82 years). The non‐glove PPE‐related dermatoses were diagnosed as: allergic contact dermatitis (47.4%), irritant contact dermatitis (16.0%), friction (11.3%), occlusion (11.3%), unspecified dermatitis (8.8%), acne (3.1%), infections (1.5), and contact urticaria (0.52%). The industries most associated with non‐glove PPE‐related dermatoses were manufacturing (18.6%), public administration and defence (17.0%), health and social work (15.5%), and transport, storage, and communication (9.8%).

Conclusions

Clothing, footwear, facemasks and headgear need to be recognized as causes of dermatoses occurring at body sites less commonly associated with occupational skin disease.
Melatonin protects mesenchymal stem cells from autophagy‐mediated death under ischaemic ER‐stress conditions by increasing prion protein expression
Authors: Lee Jun Hee , Yoon Yeo Min , Han Yong‐Seok , Jung Seo Kyung , Lee Sang Hun
Published: November 2018

Object

The purpose of this study was to explore whether melatonin could protect mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) against ischaemic injury, by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy both in vivo and in vitro.

Materials and Methods

To confirm the protective effect of melatonin against ER stress in MSCs, markers of cell viability, apoptosis and autophagy were analysed. To further investigate the regenerative effect of melatonin‐treated MSCs in ischaemic tissues, a murine hindlimb ischaemic model was established.

Results

Under oxidative stress conditions, treatment with melatonin suppressed the activation of ER stress–associated proteins and autophagy‐associated proteins acting through upregulation of cellular prion protein (PrPC) expression. Consequently, inhibition of apoptotic cell death occurred. Melatonin also promoted the activation of MnSOD and catalase activities in MSCs. In a murine hindlimb ischaemia model, melatonin‐treated MSCs also enhanced the functional limb recovery as well as neovascularization. These beneficial effects of melatonin were all blocked by knock‐down of PrPC expression.

Conclusion

Melatonin protects against ER stress/autophagy‐induced apoptotic cell death by augmenting PrPC expression. Thus, melatonin‐treated MSCs could be a potential cell‐based therapeutic agent for ER stress–induced ischaemic diseases, and melatonin‐induced PrPC might be a key molecule in ameliorating ER stress and autophagy.
Effects of simulated observation errors on the performance of species distribution models
Authors: Fernandes Rui F. , Scherrer Daniel , Guisan Antoine
Published: November 2018

Aim

Species distribution information is essential under increasing global changes, and models can be used to acquire such information but they can be affected by different errors/bias. Here, we evaluated the degree to which errors in species data (false presences–absences) affect model predictions and how this is reflected in commonly used evaluation metrics.

Location

Western Swiss Alps.

Methods

Using 100 virtual species and different sampling methods, we created observation datasets of different sizes (100–400–1,600) and added increasing levels of errors (creating false positives or negatives; from 0% to 50%). These degraded datasets were used to fit models using generalized linear model, random forest and boosted regression trees. Model fit (ability to reproduce calibration data) and predictive success (ability to predict the true distribution) were measured on probabilistic/binary outcomes using Kappa, TSS, MaxKappa, MaxTSS and Somers'D (rescaled AUC).

Results

The interpretation of models’ performance depended on the data and metrics used to evaluate them, with conclusions differing whether model fit, or predictive success were measured. Added errors reduced model performance, with effects expectedly decreasing as sample size increased. Model performance was more affected by false positives than by false negatives. Models with different techniques were differently affected by errors: models with high fit presenting lower predictive success (RFs), and vice versa (GLMs). High evaluation metrics could still be obtained with 30% error added, indicating that some metrics (Somers'D) might not be sensitive enough to detect data degradation.

Main conclusions

Our findings highlight the need to reconsider the interpretation scale of some commonly used evaluation metrics: Kappa seems more realistic than Somers'D/AUC or TSS. High fits were obtained with high levels of error added, showing that RF overfits the data. When collecting occurrence databases, it is advisory to reduce the rate of false positives (or increase sample sizes) rather than false negatives.
The presbycardia phenotype: Cardiac remodeling and valvular degeneration in nonagenarians
Authors: Iskandar Aline , Mowakeaa Samer , Sardana Mayank , Fitzgibbons Timothy P. , Tighe Dennis A. , Parker Matthew W. , Kakouros Nikolaos , McManus David , Aurigemma Gerard P.
Published: November 2018

Background

Nonagenarians (NON) are a growing segment of the population and have a high prevalence of cardiac disease. Many findings encountered on their echocardiograms are also found in younger individuals with valvular or myocardial disease. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe this distinct echocardiographic phenotype.

Methods

We identified our study population by querying our echo database to identify unique septuagenarians (SEPT) and nonagenarians (NON) who underwent a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014. Exclusion criteria were LVEF < 50%, any akinetic wall segment, aortic stenosis, moderate‐severe AR and/or severe MR, coronary revascularization within 60 days of study echo, and prior valve surgery.

Results

The mean age of SEPT was 73.0 ± 2.0 and NON was 92.0 ± 2.1 (P < 0.001). There was no gender difference between groups. NON had significantly smaller LV end‐diastolic diameters than SEPT (41.6 ± 5.7 mm vs 48.0 ± 7.0 mm, P < 0.001). NON had a greater relative wall thickness (0.51 ± 0.10 vs 0.40 ± 0.08, P < 0.001) and more frequently had concentric remodeling or hypertrophy. NON had higher E/Ea ratios and estimated LA pressures (P < 0.01). 48% of NON had moderate‐severe mitral annular calcification compared to 25.0% of SEPT (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Herein, we provide the first comprehensive echocardiographic description of ‘presbycardia'; concentric LVH, asymmetric septal hypertrophy, mitral and aortic valve calcification, and increased epicardial fat thickness. This pattern of findings may be increasingly seen as the population ages.
Soil erosion–runoff relations on cultivated land: Insights from laboratory studies
Authors: Mamedov Amrakh I. , Levy Guy J.
Published: November 2018

Land degradation in the form of soil erosion is a major problem in semiarid and arid regions. Understanding the processes and mechanisms affecting the generation of runoff and subsequent soil erosion in these regions is essential for the development of improved soil and water conservation and crop management practices. We performed a meta‐analysis of both published and unpublished runoff and soil erosion data and the relations between them; data were obtained from numerous semiarid regions (211 samples, 720 simulations), exposed to drip type laboratory rain simulators. The samples varied in their intrinsic properties (e.g. texture and organic matter) and extrinsic conditions (e.g. rain properties and soil condition). Both runoff and soil erosion were considerably affected by the inherent soil and rain properties, and soil conditions within agricultural fields. The relation identified between soil loss and runoff could be expressed either as a nonlinear (exponential or power) or a linear function. Exponential and power functions applied mostly to situations where conditions tended to harm soil structural stability and enhance destabilization of surface aggregates (e.g. high rain kinetic energy, conventional tillage and sodicity). Linear functions applied to cases associated with conditions that enhanced the stability of soil structure (e.g. slow wetting, amendment with soil stabilizers, and minimum tillage in clay soil). The established soil loss–runoff relation (SLRR) contributed to a better understanding of the mechanisms governing overland flow and soil loss at the small plot scale. The relations identified might also assist in (a) further development of soil erosion models and research techniques to be linked with field‐scale data (e.g. by using the connectivity concept) and (b) the design of more suitable management practices for soil and water conservation to decrease soil degradation.

Highlights

Soil loss–runoff relations were studied in 211 semiarid soils under different extrinsic conditions.

Soil loss–runoff relations could be expressed as nonlinear (exponential or power) or linear.

Conditions that enhanced destabilization of surface aggregates resulted in nonlinear soil loss–runoff relations.

Linear soil loss–runoff relations were noted for conditions that stabilize soil structure (e.g. aggregate stability).
Diagnostic usefulness of plexus magnetic resonance imaging in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy without electrodiagnostic criteria of demyelination
Authors: Fargeot G. , Viala K. , Theaudin M. , Labeyrie M.‐A. , Costa R. , Léger J. M. , Adams D. , Vandendries C. , Labeyrie C.
Published: November 2018

Background and purpose

The usefulness of plexus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy (CIDP) without definite European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society (EFNS/PNS) electrodiagnostic criteria is currently unclear.

Methods

Data from consecutive patients with clinical manifestations suggesting CIDP, with or without (CIDP‐D and CIDP‐ND, respectively) definite EFNS/PNS electrodiagnostic criteria, and referred for plexus MRI in our imaging centre were retrospectively analysed. An expert committee of neurologists compared the level of suspicion of CIDP in CIDP‐ND patients to the blinded/unblinded MRI findings. Plexus MRI was reviewed by a neuroradiologist blinded to the final diagnosis.

Results

In all, 38 patients were assessed with suspected CIDP‐ND [7/38 (18%) probable; 13/38 (34%) possible; 18/38 (47%), no EFNS/PNS electrodiagnostic criteria], plus 10 with CIDP‐D. Thirty‐six of the 38 (95%) fulfilled clinical criteria of CIDP variants, including pure sensory neuropathy in 22/36 (61%). Plexus MRI showed abnormalities in 22/38 (58%) patients including increased nerve signal intensity on T2‐weighted images in 22/22 (100%), nerve enlargement in 20/22 (91%) and contrast enhancement in 8/22 (36%). Plexus MRI enabled the expert committee's final diagnosis to be adjusted in 7/38 (18%) patients, and in conjunction with nerve conduction studies was a supportive criterion to classify 7/24 (29%) patients as definite CIDP. MRI abnormalities were more asymmetrical (P = 0.03) and less diffuse (P = 0.1) in CIDP‐ND than in CIDP‐D.

Conclusions

Our observations suggest that plexus MRI makes a valuable contribution to the diagnosis of CIDP‐ND patients. Further studies are needed to investigate inter‐rater reliability of clinical and imaging criteria of CIDP in these patients, and the impact on outcomes.
Female mate choice is a reproductive isolating barrier in Heliconius butterflies
Authors: Southcott Laura , Kronforst Marcus R.
Published: November 2018

In sexually reproducing organisms, speciation involves the evolution of reproductive isolating mechanisms that decrease gene flow. Premating reproductive isolation, often the result of mate choice, is a major obstacle to gene flow between species because it acts earlier in the life cycle than other isolating barriers. While female choice is often considered the default mode in animal species, research in the butterfly genus Heliconius, a frequent subject of speciation studies, has focused on male mate choice. We studied mate choice by Heliconius cydno females by pairing them with either conspecific males or males of the closely related species Heliconius pachinus. Significantly more intraspecific trials than interspecific trials resulted in mating. Because male courtship rates did not differ between the species when we excluded males that never courted, we attribute this difference to female choice. Females also performed more acceptance behaviours towards conspecific males. Premating isolation between these two species thus entails both male and female mate choice, and female choice may be an important factor in the origin of Heliconius species.
Modulation of trail laying in the ant Lasius neglectus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and its role in the collective selection of a food source
Authors: Frizzi Filippo , Talone Francesco , Santini Giacomo
Published: November 2018

In this study, we explored the feeding behaviour of the invasive garden ant Lasius neglectus. In particular, we investigated its ability to select the more profitable resource in a binary choice and its pheromonal trail marking. When facing a choice between two different energy sources, workers were rapidly recruited to the most profitable one, although both the speed of the recruitment and the number of ants varied considerably with the difference between the solutions. When facing two identical sources, workers were massively recruited onto one of the two in 80% of tests, whereas in the remaining 20% the workforce was split equally between the two. In the second experiment, we supplied a single food source and then assessed if the number of marks per ant was affected by solution concentration and direction of movement (nestward or foodward), and if it varied over time. Marking activity increased with solution concentration, was more intense in nestward‐moving ants, and decreased over time. All these effects, although significant, were not pronounced. However, the marking activity of the very first ants visiting the resource was more intense, and this seems to be sufficient to explain the collective selection of the most valuable resource. Finally, marks were not evenly distributed along the trail, but concentrated at some points. The behaviour of L. neglectus is partly comparable to that of Lasius niger, but appears to be more similar to that of other invasive ant species, suggesting a possible primary role of the marking behaviour in influencing the invasiveness of this species.
Cooperativity in proton sensing by PIP aquaporins
Authors: Vitali Victoria , Jozefkowicz Cintia , Canessa Fortuna Agustina , Soto Gabriela , González Flecha F. Luis , Alleva Karina
Published: November 2018

One of the most intriguing properties of plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PIP) aquaporins (AQPs) is their ability to modulate water transport by sensing different levels of intracellular pH through the assembly of homo‐ and heterotetrameric molecular species in the plasma membrane. In this work, using a phenomenological modeling approach, we demonstrate that cooperativity in PIP biological response cannot be directly attributed to a cooperative proton binding, as it is usually considered, since it could also be the consequence of a cooperative conformation transition between open and closed states of the channel. Moreover, our results show that, when mixed populations of homo‐ and heterotetrameric PIP channels are coexpressed in the plasma membrane of the same cell, the observed decrease in the degree of positive cooperativity would result from the simultaneous presence of molecular species with different levels of proton sensing. Indeed, the random mixing between different PIP paralogues as subunits in a single tetramer, plus the possibility of mixed populations of homo‐ and heterotetrameric PIP channels widen the spectrum of cooperative responses of a cell membrane. Our approach offers a deep understanding of cooperative transport of AQP channels, as members of a multiprotein family where the relevant proton binding sites of each member have not been clearly elucidated yet.
Discovery and analysis of a novel type of the serine biosynthetic enzyme phosphoserine phosphatase in Thermus thermophilus
Authors: Chiba Yoko , Yoshida Ayako , Shimamura Shigeru , Kameya Masafumi , Tomita Takeo , Nishiyama Makoto , Takai Ken
Published: November 2018

Studying the diversity of extant metabolisms and enzymes, especially those involved in the biosynthesis of primary metabolites including amino acids, is important to shed light on the evolution of life. Many organisms synthesize serine from phosphoserine via a reaction catalyzed by phosphoserine phosphatase (PSP). Two types of PSP, belonging to distinct protein superfamilies, have been reported. Genomic analyses have revealed that the thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus lacks both homologs while still having the ability to synthesize serine. Here, we purified a protein from T. thermophilus which we biochemically identified as a PSP. A knockout mutant of the responsible gene (TT_C1695) was constructed, which showed serine auxotrophy. These results indicated the involvement of this gene in serine biosynthesis in T. thermophilus. TT_C1695 was originally annotated as a protein with unknown function belonging to the haloacid dehalogenase‐like hydrolase (HAD) superfamily. The HAD superfamily, which comprises phosphatases against a variety of substrates, includes also the classical PSP as a member. However, the amino acid sequence of the TT_C1695 was more similar to phosphatases acting on non‐phosphoserine substrates than classical PSP; therefore, a BLASTP search and phylogenetic analysis failed to predict TT_C1695 as a PSP. Our results strongly suggest that the T. thermophilus PSP and classical PSP evolved specificity for phosphoserine independently.

Enzymes

Phosphoserine phosphatase (PSP; EC 3.1.3.3); serine hydroxymethyltransferase (EC 2.1.2.1); 3‐phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.95); 3‐phosphoserine aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.52).
Fatigue life prediction for vibration isolation rubber based on parameter‐optimized support vector machine model
Authors: Liu Qiaobin , Shi Wenku , Chen Zhiyong
Published: November 2018

Given the small sample size, nonlinearity, and large dispersion of the measured data of fatigue performance for vibration isolation rubbers, the fatigue life prediction model for vibration isolation rubber materials was established using a support vector machine (SVM). A modified gravity search algorithm (MGSA) is proposed to optimize the parameters of the SVM. Using environmental temperature, the Rockwell hardness of the rubber compound, and the engineering strain peak as the input variables, the model was trained based on the experimental fatigue data of vibration isolation rubber materials. For comparison, the standard genetic algorithm, the standard particle swarm algorithm, and the standard simulated annealing algorithm are also implemented. Moreover, a back propagation neural network regression model is applied to the life prediction, with the conclusion that the prediction accuracy and the efficiency of MGSA are better than those of extant methods. This work can provide reference for further fatigue life prediction and structural improvement of rubber parts.
Effects of climate and demography on reproductive phenology of a harvested marine fish population
Authors: Rogers Lauren A. , Dougherty Annette B.
Published: November 2018

Shifts in phenology are a well‐documented ecological response to changes in climate, which may or may not be adaptive for a species depending on the climate sensitivity of other ecosystem processes. Furthermore, phenology may be affected by factors in addition to climate, which may accentuate or dampen climate‐driven phenological responses. In this study, we investigate how climate and population demographic structure jointly affect spawning phenology of a fish species of major commercial importance: walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus). We use 32 years of data from ichthyoplankton surveys to reconstruct timing of pollock reproduction in the Gulf of Alaska and find that the mean date of spawning has varied by over 3 weeks throughout the last >3 decades. Climate clearly drives variation in spawn timing, with warmer temperatures leading to an earlier and more protracted spawning period, consistent with expectations of advanced spring phenology under warming. However, the effects of temperature were nonlinear, such that additional warming above a threshold value had no additional effect on phenology. Population demographics were equally as important as temperature: An older and more age‐diverse spawning stock tended to spawn earlier and over a longer duration than a younger stock. Our models suggest that demographic shifts associated with sustainable harvest rates could shift the mean spawning date 7 days later and shorten the spawning season by 9 days relative to an unfished population, independent of thermal conditions. Projections under climate change suggest that spawn timing will become more stable for walleye pollock in the future, but it is unknown what the consequences of this stabilization will be for the synchrony of first‐feeding larvae with production of zooplankton prey in spring. With ongoing warming in the world’s oceans, knowledge of the mechanisms underlying reproductive phenology can improve our ability to monitor and manage species under changing climate conditions.
Back to the future? Late Holocene marine food web structure in a warm climatic phase as a predictor of trophodynamics in a warmer South‐Western Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Bas Maria , Briz i Godino Ivan , Álvarez Myrian , Vales Damián G. , Crespo Enrique A. , Cardona Luis
Published: November 2018

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in the skeletal elements of both ancient and modern marine species from the Beagle Channel were used to compare the structure of Late Holocene and modern food webs, and predict potential changes as a result of a Sea Surface Temperature (SST) increase in the region. Complementary, ancient and modern shells of limpets and mussels were isotopically analysed to explore changes in the isotopic baseline and compare marine food webs through time after an appropriate correction for baseline shifts. Results confirmed a declining pattern of marine primary productivity during the Late Holocene in the Beagle Channel. In general, the isotopic niches overlapped largely in the ancient food web in comparison to the current marine one, with the exception of that of cormorants (Phalacrocorax sp.). Our data suggest that all the species that have undergone intense human exploitation (Arctocephalus australis, Otaria flavescens and Merluccius sp.) significantly increased their trophic levels. The most important finding of this work was the very high isotopic overlap between snoek (Thyrsites atun) and hake (Merluccius sp.) during the Late Holocene. Increasing SST as a result of global warming could favour the recolonization of the southern South‐Western Atlantic Ocean by snoek from the South‐Eastern Pacific Ocean, with a potential impact on the landings of the economically important Argentine and Austral hake. These findings highlight the relevance of using zooarchaeological remains for providing predictions about marine food webs changes in the near future.
A natural heating experiment: Phenotypic and genotypic responses of plant phenology to geothermal soil warming
Authors: Valdés Alicia , Marteinsdóttir Bryndís , Ehrlén Johan
Published: November 2018

Under global warming, the survival of many populations of sedentary organisms in seasonal environments will largely depend on their ability to cope with warming in situ by means of phenotypic plasticity or adaptive evolution. This is particularly true in high‐latitude environments, where current growing seasons are short, and expected temperature increases large. In such short‐growing season environments, the timing of growth and reproduction is critical to survival. Here, we use the unique setting provided by a natural geothermal soil warming gradient (Hengill geothermal area, Iceland) to study the response of Cerastium fontanum flowering phenology to temperature. We hypothesized that trait expression and phenotypic selection on flowering phenology are related to soil temperature, and tested the hypothesis that temperature‐driven differences in selection on phenology have resulted in genetic differentiation using a common garden experiment. In the field, phenology was related to soil temperature, with plants in warmer microsites flowering earlier than plants at colder microsites. In the common garden, plants responded to spring warming in a counter‐gradient fashion; plants originating from warmer microsites flowered relatively later than those originating from colder microsites. A likely explanation for this pattern is that plants from colder microsites have been selected to compensate for the shorter growing season by starting development at lower temperatures. However, in our study we did not find evidence of variation in phenotypic selection on phenology in relation to temperature, but selection consistently favoured early flowering. Our results show that soil temperature influences trait expression and suggest the existence of genetically based variation in flowering phenology leading to counter‐gradient local adaptation along a gradient of soil temperatures. An important implication of our results is that observed phenotypic responses of phenology to global warming might often be a combination of short‐term plastic responses and long‐term evolutionary responses, acting in different directions.