bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Between Performance on COMLEX-USA and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians In-Service Examination
Authors: Hudson Kimberly M. , Feinberg Gail , Hempstead Laura , Zipp Christopher , Gimpel John R. , Wang Yi
Published: September 2018

Background 

The primary goal of residency programs is to select and educate qualified candidates to become competent physicians. Program directors often use performance on licensure examinations to evaluate the ability of candidates during the resident application process. The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) administers an in-service examination (ISE) to residents annually. There are few prior studies of the relationship between the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States of America (COMLEX-USA) series and formative assessments of residents in training.

Objective 

We explored the relationship between performance on COMLEX-USA and the ACOFP in-service examination to offer support on the use of licensing examinations in resident selection.

Methods 

In 2016, performance data from the COMLEX-USA and the ISE were matched for 3 resident cohorts (2011–2013, inclusive; N = 1384). Correlations were calculated to examine the relationship between COMLEX-USA and ISE scores. Multiple linear regression models were used to determine if performance on COMLEX-USA significantly predicted third-year ISE (ISE-3) scores.

Results 

Findings indicated that correlations among performance on COMLEX-USA and ISE were statistically significant (all P < .001), and there was strong intercorrelation between COMLEX-USA Level 3 and ISE-1 performance (r = 0.57, P < .001). Performance on the COMLEX-USA Levels 1 and 2–Cognitive Examination significantly predicted performance on the ISE-3 (F(2,1381) = 228.8, P < .001).

Conclusions 

The results support using COMLEX-USA as a part of resident selection in family medicine. Additionally, program directors may use performance on COMLEX-USA to predict success on the ISE-3.
A nova legislação ambiental brasileira e seus efeitos sobre a reestruturação de nascentes e remanescentes florestais
Authors: Gomes Emerson Chaves Ferreira , Jesus Edilma Nunes de , Oliveira Natália Nogueira de , Gonçalves Júnior Luiz , Cabral Felipe Gonçalves dos Santos , Resende Marisa Seoane Rio
Published: September 2018

Foi conduzido um trabalho de diagnóstico ambiental da bacia hidrográfica do Córrego Saraiva, situado no Município de Betim, MG, pela identificação e caracterização das principais nascentes e remanescentes florestais. Além da quantificação da área total dos fragmentos florestais, foi calculada a área passível de recuperação ambiental de ambientes ciliares comparando a legislação ambiental brasileira representada pela  Lei Federal nº 4.771, de 15 de setembro de 1965 com a legislação vigente, Lei Federal nº 12.651, de 25 de maio de 2012. Os fragmentos da bacia foram avaliados por métricas de paisagem em Sistema de Informações Geográficas, com base em indicadores ecológicos: índice de circularidade; índice de isolamento; total de área de borda e tamanho médio das manchas. O estado de conservação das nascentes e dos remanescentes florestais na bacia hidrográfica do Córrego Saraiva é crítico. A legislação ambiental brasileira vigente requer menor área total a ser recuperada, comprometendo as funções ecológicas desempenhadas pelos ecossistemas ribeirinhos.
The effect of carob (Ceratonia siliqua) bean extract on male New Zealand White rabbit semen
Authors: Ata A. , Yildiz-Gulay O. , Güngör S. , Balic A. , Gulay M.S.
Published: September 2018

The carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua) grows naturally in the Mediterranean region. The empiric use of carob cures for their aphrodisiac properties is very common in Turkey. Thus, the experiment was conducted to determine the effects of carob bean extracts on some reproductive parameters in male New Zealand White rabbits. During the adaptation period (stage 1), 6-8 mo old rabbits were trained in semen collection for 30 d. At the beginning of the treatment period (stage 2), rabbits were assigned randomly to 2 groups of 8 animals each. For a period of 49 d (1 spermatogenesis duration), one group was treated with a daily oral dose (10 mL) of carob extract and the other group received the corresponding volume of tap water. Semen was collected weekly. Semen samples taken at week 1 and 7 were analysed separately. At the beginning of stage 2, no differences were observed in the volume and pH of the ejaculate, sperm concentration, percentage of motility, percentage of live spermatozoa, percentage of sperm plasma membrane integrity, plasma concentration of testosterone, and seminal plasma protein levels between the control and carob extract treated animals. Similarly, at the end of stage 2, there were no differences in the volume and pH of the ejaculate, motility percentage, the percentage of live spermatozoa, percentage of sperm plasma membrane integrity, and the seminal plasma protein levels between the control and the carob extract treated animals. However, sperm concentration (P<0.05), plasma concentration of testosterone (P<0.05), and percentage of change in spermatozoa concentration (P<0.02) between groups were affected at the end of stage 2. The data suggested that the use of carob cures prepared by boiling carob fruit could have beneficial influences on sperm concentration in rabbits.
The effect of different dietary zinc sources on mineral deposition and antioxidant indices in rabbit tissues
Authors: Čobanová Klaudia , Chrastinová Ľubica , Chrenková Mária , Polačiková Mária , Formelová Zuzana , Ivanišinová Oksana , Ryzner Miroslav , Grešáková Ľubomíra
Published: September 2018

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of dietary zinc from inorganic and organic sources on the concentration of Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe in plasma, tissues and faeces of rabbits. Simultaneously, the activities of total superoxide dismutase (SOD), specific Cu/Zn SOD, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in liver and kidney were also determined. Ninety-six 49-day-old broiler rabbits were allocated to 4 dietary treatments, each replicated 6 times with 4 animals per replicate. For the subsequent 6 wk, the rabbits were fed an identical basal diet (BD) supplemented with an equivalent dose of Zn (100 mg/kg) from different sources. Group 1 (control) received the unsupplemented BD, while the BD for groups 2, 3 and 4 was supplemented with Zn from Zn sulphate, Zn chelate of glycine hydrate (Zn-Gly) and Zn chelate of protein hydrolysate (Zn-Pro), respectively. The intake of dietary Zn sulphate resulted in an increase in Zn plasma concentration (1.85 vs. 1.48 mg/L; P<0.05) compared to the control group. Feeding the diets enriched with Zn increased the deposition of Zn in the liver (P<0.05), irrespective of the Zn source. The addition of Zn-Pro resulted in significantly higher Cu uptake in liver (P<0.05) than in the control and Zn sulphate group (56.0 vs. 35.0 and 36.7 mg/kg dry matter (DM), respectively). Neither Mn nor Fe concentration in plasma and tissues were affected by dietary Zn supplementation, with the exception of Fe deposition in muscle, which was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in rabbits supplemented with inorganic Zn sulphate compared to control and Zn-Gly group (9.8 vs. 13.3 and 12.2 mg/kg DM, respectively). Intake of organic Zn-Gly significantly increased the activities of total SOD (43.9 vs. 35.9 U/mg protein; P<0.05) and Cu/Zn SOD (31.1 vs. 23.8 U/mg protein; P<0.01) as well as TAC (37.8 vs. 31.2 μmol/g protein; P<0.05) in the kidney when compared to that of the control group. The presented results did not indicate any differences between dietary Zn sources in Zn deposition and measured antioxidant indices in rabbit tissues. Higher dietary Zn intake did not cause any interactions with respect to Mn, Cu and Fe deposition in liver and kidney tissues, but did increase the faecal mineral concentrations. Dietary organic Zn-Gly improved the antioxidant status in rabbit kidney.
Observing local CO2 sources using low-cost, near-surface urban monitors
Authors: Shusterman Alexis A. , Kim Jinsol , Lieschke Kaitlyn J. , Newman Catherine , Wooldridge Paul J. , Cohen Ronald C.
Published: September 2018

Abstract. Urban carbon dioxide comprises the largest fraction of
anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, but quantifying urban emissions at
subnational scales is highly challenging, as numerous emission sources
reside in close proximity within each topographically intricate urban dome.
In attempting to better understand each individual source's contribution to
the overall emission budget, there exists a large gap between activity-based
emission inventories and observational constraints on integrated, regional
emission estimates. Here we leverage urban CO2 observations from the
BErkeley Atmospheric CO2 Observation Network (BEACO2N) to enhance,
rather than average across or cancel out, our sensitivity to these
hyperlocal emission sources. We utilize a method for isolating the local
component of a CO2 signal that accentuates the observed intra-urban
heterogeneity and thereby increases sensitivity to mobile emissions from
specific highway segments. We demonstrate a multiple-linear-regression
analysis technique that accounts for boundary layer and wind effects and
allows for the detection of changes in traffic emissions on scale with
anticipated changes in vehicle fuel economy – an unprecedented level of
sensitivity for low-cost sensor technologies. The ability to represent
trends of policy-relevant magnitudes with a low-cost sensor network has
important implications for future applications of this approach, whether as
a supplement to existing, sparse reference networks or as a substitute in
areas where fewer resources are available.
OceanMesh2D 1.0: MATLAB-based software for two-dimensional unstructured mesh generation in coastal ocean modeling
Authors: Roberts Keith J. , Pringle William J. , Westerink Joannes J.
Published: September 2018

Abstract. OceanMesh2D is a set of user-friendly MATLAB functions with pre- and post-processing utilities to generate two-dimensional (2D) unstructured meshes for coastal ocean circulation models. These meshes are generated according to a variety of feature driven geometric and topo-bathymetric mesh size functions, which are controlled by user-defined parameters. Mesh generation is achieved through a force-balance algorithm to locate vertices and a number of topological improvement strategies aimed at improving the worst case triangle quality and adjusting the shoreline representation. The software embeds the mesh generation process into an object-orientated framework that facilitates rapid workflows on personal computers. These workflows are flexible, reproducible, and script-able. Through real world examples, we illustrate the various capabilities of the software and demonstrate how it can produce high-quality, multiscale, unstructured meshes that are faithful to a variety of constraints and automatically conform to arbitrary shoreline vector datasets. The objective of this paper is to describe the functionality of the software.
Value-based Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Framework for Understanding the Literature
Authors: Schwartz Adam J. , Bozic Kevin J. , Etzioni David A.
Published: September 2018

Since passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, the current decade has witnessed an explosion of the value-based total hip and knee arthroplasty literature. Total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty are the most common inpatient surgeries for Medicare beneficiaries, and thus, it is no surprise that total joint arthroplasty is currently a prime target of efforts toward cost reduction and quality improvement. The purpose of this review was to provide a framework for understanding the rapidly growing quality and cost literature. Research efforts toward quality improvement are likely to be effective when they address the structure, process, and most importantly outcomes of total joint arthroplasty. Similarly, cost savings should be evaluated with an understanding of existing accounting methods, relationships to the entire cycle of osteoarthritis care, and the direct effect on the quality of care provided.
Effect of NSAIDs on Bone Healing Rates: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Wheatley Benjamin M. , Nappo Kyle E. , Christensen Daniel L. , Holman Ann M. , Brooks Daniel I. , Potter Benjamin K.
Published: September 2018

Introduction:

NSAIDs inhibit osteogenesis and may result in delayed union or nonunion. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine whether their use leads to delayed union or nonunion.

Methods:

We systematically reviewed the literature reporting the effect of NSAIDs on bone healing. We included studies of pediatric and adult patients NSAID exposure and healing bone. The outcomes of interest were delayed union, nonunion, or pseudarthrosis with at least six months of follow-up. A maximum likelihood random-effects model was used to conduct meta-analysis and meta-regression.

Results:

NSAID exposure increased delayed union or nonunion (odds ratio [OR], 2.07; confidence interval [CI], 1.19 to 3.61). No effect was noted in pediatrics (OR, 0.58; CI, 0.27 to 1.21) or low dose/short duration of exposure (OR, 1.68; CI, 0.63 to 4.46).

Conclusion:

Analysis of the literature indicates a negative effect of NSAIDs on bone healing. In pediatric patients, NSAIDs did not have a significant effect. The effect may be dose or time dependent because low-dose/short-duration exposure did not affect union rates.
Strategic Flexibility and Its Impact on Enhancing Organizational Effectiveness: An Applied Study on Jordanian Hotels
Authors: Al haraisa Yazan Emnawer
Published: September 2018

The current study aimed to identify the impact of strategic flexibility (Market Flexibility, Production Flexibility, and Competitive Flexibility) on organizational effectiveness in the Jordanian hotels (five stars).in order to achieve the objectives of the current study, the researcher designed questionnaire composed (31) paragraphs . The questionnaire divided into three sections. The section one involved the personal information (demographics information) the second section involved the items covered the questions that related with dimensions of strategic flexibility. And the third section involved the questions that related with organizational effectiveness. Moreover, the current study concluded that the strategic flexibility and its dimensions (market flexibility, production flexibility and competitive flexibility) have a positive impact on organizational effectiveness in the Jordanian hotels (five stars). Hence, According to these results the researcher recommending focusing the employees in the Jordanian hotels (five stars) on the production flexibility by adopting new system make the production within hotels (five stars) more flexible and updating the equipment's that used in the production and modifying the characteristics of current products.in addition, The current study has been applied on the Jordanian hotels located in Amman. Therefore, one of the most important limitations it is not possible to generalize the results of this study to hotels in other governorates while the current study focused on five star hotels. On the other hand, the current study took three dimensions of strategic flexibility, but there are many dimensions should researchers take it in their study in the future and conducting more research and future studies that link strategic flexibility and organizational effectiveness and applied it on other sectors such as banks and hospitals with the introduction of some intermediate variables such as the infrastructure of the Organization and organizational culture.
O Papel da Música na Educação Infantil
Authors: Marcondes Gohn Maria da Glória , Stavracas Isa
Published: September 2018

Este artigo é parte da dissertação de Mestrado intitulada “O Papel da Música na Educação Infantil”, na qual se analisa a presença e a forma de utilização da música em práticas educativas da Educação Infantil, comparando a realidade com as suas possibilidades de utilização, preconizadas por estudiosos do tema. Por meio de reflexões e questionamentos sobre as ações desenvolvidas nesse contexto educativo, pretende-se abordar as diversas possibilidades da música para a construção do conhecimento, fundamentadas por teóricos que a apontam como necessária para a criança e o processo de ensino-aprendizagem. Na educação escolar, formal, a música está inserida nas leis e nos documentos oficiais, entre os quais: a Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação Nacional - LDBEN (Lei nº 9.394, de 1996) e o Referencial Curricular Nacional para a Educação Infantil (1998), documentos estes que oferecem diretrizes para o atendimento e desenvolvimento integral da criança, portanto, fundamentais na análise das práticas educativas voltadas para a construção do conhecimento musical.
Formação Continuada dos Professores do Ensino Médio no Espaço da Escola: Implicações com o desenvolvimento profissional
Authors: Romanowski Joana Paulin , Oliver Martins Pura Lucia
Published: September 2018

O presente trabalho apresenta resultados obtidos em investigações sobre a formação continuada de professores do Ensino Médio no espaço da escola com a finalidade de examinar a relação entre os processos de formação e as implicações com a prática pedagógica neste nível de ensino. Compreende a formação continuada como inerente ao desenvolvimento profissional no espaço em que se efetiva o trabalho docente. A metodologia das pesquisas é de abordagem qualitativa. As análises apóiam-se na sistematização de Santos (2005) que estabelece, em termos didáticos, diferentes níveis de conhecimento, do nível descritivo ao nível compreensivo, passando pelo nível explicativo a partir de respostas dos professores, diretores e coordenadores das escolas envolvidas, em questionários e grupo focal.
A educação de crianças e jovens segundo princípios da pedagogia libertária: a experiência da escola paidéia de mérida/espanha – o que dizem os ex-paideianos?
Authors: Kassick Clovis N.
Published: September 2018

Este texto descreve e analisa a educação de crianças e jovens realizada pela Escola Paidéia de Mérida-Espanha, tendo por princípio a educação em liberdade e, como pano de fundo, a “arquitetura organizacional” da Pedagogia Libertária. Inicialmente, contextualizamos a pesquisa e, nela, como ocorre esta arquitetura organizacional para a educação de crianças e jovens em liberdade, considerando uma escola destituída de currículo e de todos os instrumentos e mecanismos conhecidos na e pela escola convencional para o controle e formatação dos “pensares” e “fazeres” escolares. Uma escola que apresenta como objetivo básico educar subjetividades autônomas na e para a autogestão. Num segundo momento, relatamos e analisamos, através das falas dos ex-alunos da Paidéia, como ocorre e/ou ocorreu sua inserção na sociedade e, em especial, no mundo do trabalho. A metodologia da pesquisa valeu-se, primordialmente, de entrevistas com os atores e construtores da escola e da “vivência” da realidade segundo o que preconiza Le Goff (1996; 2006). O presente relato de pesquisa abrange um período de dez anos, quando numa primeira pesquisa de doutorado, em 1999, vivemos a Escola Paidéia por trinta dias, descrevendo, entendendo e analisando a sua organização didático-administrativa e os princípios estruturantes do pensar-fazer das crianças e jovens. Posteriormente, em 2009, em pesquisa de pós-doutorado, retomamos a pesquisa, no reencontro com os ex-paideianos, agora na faixa etária dos trinta anos de idade, para verificar sobre a sua inserção/interação sócio-produtiva.
Tensão entre gênero e geração no currículo do ensino médio profissionalizante
Authors: Sales Shirlei Rezende , Paraíso Marlucy Alves
Published: September 2018

As/os jovens, na contemporaneidade, têm sido consideradas/os, por um lado, grandes símbolos dos saberes tecnológicos, por outro lado, elas/es têm sido convocadas/os a cada vez mais se instrumentalizarem na apreensão e no uso desses saberes. Este artigo discute parte das demandas discursivas apresentadas à juventude brasileira. As análises são baseadas em uma pesquisa de campo realizada em uma escola pública de Belo Horizonte que oferece a educação técnica profissionalizante. A metodologia para a coleta de informações foi a observação participante. O argumento desenvolvido é que o currículo endereçado à juventude protagoniza uma tensão articulada pela tecnologia, que opõe as demandas culturais geracionais e de gênero. O resultado é uma profissionalização que opera com a adesão às demandas geracionais e a transgressão das fronteiras de gênero. Tal argumento, assim como as discussões efetuadas são apoiadas no referencial dos estudos do campo curricular, dos estudos sobre gênero e da educação profissional.
Conhecimento e profissionalização no ensino médio: a lógica da naturalização e da adaptação social
Authors: Carvalho Celso Do Prado Ferraz de
Published: September 2018

No transcorrer das últimas décadas, notadamente nos anos 1990, o ensino médio foi objeto de uma série de medidas legais que, entre outras coisas, visaram o desenvolvimento da cidadania e da formação profissional. Nosso objetivo neste artigo é tecer algumas considerações críticas acerca de duas questões que assumem posição de destaque nas medidas e dispositivos legais sobre o ensino médio nesse período: a centralidade assumida pelo conhecimento e a ênfase atribuída à idéia de profissionalização. Para tanto, apontamos certo apressamento e limites na forma como se deu a apresentação, nos documentos oficiais, de alguns conceitos presentes nesse debate, como sociedade do conhecimento e trabalho imaterial, bem como profissionalização e adaptação.
El Bachillerato Universitario y la reforma del nivel medio superior, potencialidades para la vinculación
Authors: Ruiz Jesús
Published: September 2018

La creación en este sexenio de una Subsecretaría de Educación Media Superior, además de que pudiera considerarse como una señal de la importancia que pretende el gobierno asignar a este nivel, ofrece posibilidades de vincular más productivamente las acciones de política pública con las acciones de las instituciones educativas y éstas, a su vez, con las acciones que es preciso implementar, a nivel de la sociedad en su conjunto, para lograr avances en el país. Al parecer hay voluntad y decisión de todos los sectores sociales para destinar cada vez mayores recursos al nivel. Hay un proceso de reforma nacional del bachillerato, que se orienta por un modelo de competencias, situación de la cual, el bachillerato de la Universidad de Guadalajara no puede estar al margen. El presente trabajo es una reflexión a partir de una búsqueda de la identidad de la vinculación en el nivel medio superior de la Universidad de Guadalajara, nivel en el cual ofrece tanto el bachillerato general como el técnico y carreras técnicas. La actividad desde la que se reflexiona se orientó a rescatar experiencias de las diferentes escuelas que conforman el Sistema de Educación Media Superior y buscar potenciarlas hacia formas de vinculación novedosas tanto en su formato como las entidades con las que se estableciera vínculos
Modeling hay fever risk factors caused by pollen from Ambrosia spp. using pollen load mapping in Ukraine
Authors: Rodinkova Victoria , Palamarchuk Olena , Toziuk Olena , Yermishev Oleh
Published: September 2018

The paper provides a simulation of the occurrence of Ambrosia pollen in Ukraine both in terms of a determination of the regions with high pollen concentrations and the time when the high pollen load occurs. Simulation was performed using the SILAM system and the following pollen mapping using the Grid Analysis and Display System. Simulation results were compared with the aerobiological data available from six monitoring stations in Ukraine. A decrease in the concentrations of Ambrosia pollen, the duration of the Ambrosia season, and patient exposure to the Ambrosia pollen were apparent from SE to NW of Ukraine. A close correlation between the modeled and actually registered pollen concentration values and ragweed pollen release periods was observed in all the cities for which the Ambrosia pollen monitoring data had been collected. Further investigations are required to provide accurate forecasts for other types of airborne allergens.
A concept of propulsion and power supply systems for PRT vehicles
Authors: Kamiński Bartłomiej , Nikoniuk Marcin , Drązikowski Łukasz
Published: September 2018

An innovative propulsion and power supply topology for Personal Rapid Transit is presented. The concept is based on application of linear induction motor for propulsion and hybrid power supply using Contactless Energy Transfer supported by a supercapacitor energy storage. Proposed solution is based on the application of linear induction motor as a propulsion and inductive contactless energy transfer.
Real road network application of a new microsimulation tool: TRITONE
Authors: Giofrè Vincenzo , Maciejewski Michał , Merkisz-Guranowska Agnieszka , Piątkowski Bartłomiej , Astarita Vittorio
Published: September 2018

The aim of the paper is to carry out a comparative study of 13 different traffic flow models available in TRITONE, a new road traffic simulator that specializes particularly in quantitative road safety assessment. After a short introduction on a traffic flow modelling, a description of the TRITONE functionality is given and various types of behavioural models available in this tool are presented in brief. Then a part of Poznan (Poland) network that served as the study area, was illustrated. The following section lists all the models used in the research and provides a comparison of the results obtained with these models. The article ends with conclusions on the results’ quality of individual models.
Proposed benchmarks for PRT networks simulation
Authors: Mieścicki Jerzy , Daszczuk Wiktor
Published: September 2018

Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) is a promising form of urban transport. Its operation relies on the use of small unmanned vehicles which carry the passengers between the stations within a dedicated network. Various aspects of the PRT network performance are frequently evaluated using the discrete-event simulation. The paper supports the need of establishing some reference models for the simulation of PRT networks, targeted mainly at the needs of the research on the network management algorithms. Three models of such PRT network models are proposed and discussed. The presented models can play the role of benchmarks which would be very useful for comparative evaluation of heuristic control algorithms, developed by different research groups.
PRT simulation research
Authors: Kozłowski Maciej , Choromański Włodzimierz
Published: September 2018

The paper presents analyses results of PRT vehicle driveability in a ¼ scale conducted with the application of a simulation model for a straight line driving conditions and when driving on a curve. The results of the present work will be used in the analysis of a physical motion model in a laboratory stand reflecting a railway system of the stand. The paper discusses the first stage of research in the process of virtual pre-prototyping which is to be finalized with the construction of a non-commercial vehicle prototype. In the construction of the simulation model, particular attention has been paid to three issues. First of all, a correct description of design features connected with the lack of so called centring mechanism – and not profiled tyred wheels independently embedded in the axes of the set. Secondly, a proper description of a turning mechanism with the use of a leading rollers system alongside the rail edge. Thirdly, the use of linear motor for the vehicle drive. The simulation model has been developed within MBS environment. For the description of tyred wheels, the library of TNO Delft Tyre has been used. Vehicle motion stability has been tested on the straight and curved track sections. The research has been financed within the framework of ECO mobility project.
Evaluation of the 3M™ Molecular Detection Assay (MDA) 2 – Cronobacter for the Detection of Cronobacter species in Select Foods and Environmental Surfaces: Collaborative Study, First Action 2018.01
Authors: Bird Patrick , Benzinger M Joseph , Bastin Ben , Crowley Erin , Agin James , Goins David , Monteroso Lisa ,   Collaborators:, Abramovic T , Achen M , Budge E , Clemens N , Cruz A , Cuellar J , Diaz C , Hong Y , Ishii S , Liska C , Luquin C , Ma L , Martin K , Masanz G , Matijevic M , McKelvey P , Miller J , Molina S , Mustafic A , Podoreski I , Ricki I , Schindler B , Scollon A , Somoza C , Tinajero C , Thompson L , Wheeler S , Winslow A , Xu W
Published: September 2018

The 3M™ Molecular Detection Assay (MDA) 2 – Cronobacter combines the use of loop-mediated isothermal amplification to rapidly amplify nucleic acid sequences while using bioluminescence to detect the amplification. Using a paired study design, the MDA 2 – Cronobacter was compared with ISO 22964:2017 for the detection of Cronobacter species in powdered infant formula containing probiotics. Technicians from 11 laboratories from the United States, Mexico, and Croatia participated. Collaborators received test portions with three levels of contamination. Statistical analysis was conducted according to the probability of detection (POD) statistical model. Results obtained for the low-inoculum level test portions produced a difference in POD values obtained from combining all valid collaborator POD data values with 95% confidence intervals of –0.01, –0.12, and 0.10, indicating that the difference between methods was not statistically significant at the 0.05 probability level.
Le point de vente physique, entre espace de showrooming et espace d’achat
Authors: Heitz-Spahn Sandrine , Belaud Lydie , Yildiz Hélène
Published: September 2018

Que peut faire une enseigne de distribution pour retenir le consommateur qui se trouve en magasin et qui a la possibilité de le quitter pour acheter le produit ailleurs, notamment sur Internet ? Cette recherche vise à identifier les facteurs influençant les arbitrages opérés par les consommateurs en matière de canal d’achat lorsqu’ils se trouvent en magasin. La théorie des niveaux de représentation de Liberman et Trope (1998) permet de montrer que la manière de représenter la situation d’achat influence le choix du canal d’achat. Le paradigme Personne-Objet-Situation (Punj et Stewart, 1983) donne un éclairage sur les facteurs situationnels qui peuvent impacter le choix de canal d’achat. Les résultats de l’étude expérimentale et de la série d’entretiens individuels montrent que l’urgence de l’achat et l’écart de prix entre Internet et magasin viennent modérer la relation entre le niveau de représentation de la situation et l’intention de quitter ou non le magasin. Des pistes de réflexion sont proposées aux enseignes de distribution sur les leviers prix et urgence perçue de l’achat.
La livraison collaborative des consommateurs connectés, nouvel enjeu de la logistique urbaine
Authors: Moncef Btissam , Akeb Hakim , Fourot Jean-Charles , Durand Bruno
Published: September 2018

Cet article s’intéresse à la logistique collaborative dans le cadre de la livraison de colis aux particuliers dans les zones urbaines. Il vise à étudier la crowd logistics comme solution qui permet de réceptionner et re-livrer les colis en cas d’échec de livraison à domicile. À travers une modélisation suivie d’une simulation appliquée à la ville de Paris, nos résultats posent les bases de la mise en place d’un réseau de particuliers, appelé «  voisinsrelais.com  », capables de réceptionner les colis moyennant une rémunération. Ce travail sensibilise les distributeurs et les prestataires de services logistiques à ce nouveau mode de livraison qui permet d’éviter d’une part l’insatisfaction des clients et, d’autre part, des coûts supplémentaires et un impact environnemental négatif associés à une relivraison.
Money, Interest Rates and Prices in Ireland, 1933–2012
Authors: Gerlach Stefan , Stuart Rebecca
Published: September 2018

In this paper we assemble an annual data set on broad and narrow money, prices, real economic activity and interest rates in Ireland from a variety of sources for the period 1933–2012. We discuss in detail how the data set is constructed and what assumptions we have made to do so. Furthermore, we estimate a simple SVAR model to provide some empirical evidence on the behaviour of these time series. Money supply shocks appear to be the most important drivers of both money and prices. Interest rate shocks, which capture monetary policy, play an important role driving output and, of course, interest rates. The real GDP shocks, which raise prices, seem of less importance.
Why Ireland Starved after Three Decades: The Great Famine in Cross-Section Reconsidered
Authors: Kelly Morgan , Gráda Cormac Ó
Published: September 2018

This short paper revisits two questions that were central to Joel Mokyr's Why Ireland Starved (2nd edn, 1985). These are, first, what determined the variation in population change across Ireland during the Great Famine decade of 1841–51 and, second, whether and in what sense can pre-famine Ireland be characterised as ‘malthusian’.
Strengthening of Arched Masonry Structures by Additional Reinforcement: Design Approaches and Comparison to Experiments
Authors: Zlámal Martin , Štěpánek Petr
Published: September 2018

The primary aim of this article is to present design approaches for calculating the additional strengthening of masonry arches with the use of the Strut-and-Tie model and applicable standards and their comparison to the experiments. Experiments have proven the functionality of the described method of strengthening by additional inserted non-prestressed reinforcement from the face of the vault. The presented method is one of the methods of maintaining historical vaulted masonry structures, and is also used to improve the behaviour of newly designed masonry structures. This method of strengthening has its advantages, especially in the minimization of alterations to the structure and its simplicity of application. To compare the results and verify the vaults behaviour, experiments were performed with using a metallic helical reinforcement and non-metallic composite glass reinforcement. These experiments have demonstrated the significant influence of additional reinforcement on the carrying capacity of masonry vaults. The growth of bearing capacity was more than eight-fold. From a comparison of design approaches to experiments is evident that approaches to the design of additionally strengthened masonry based on valid standards are possible. The comparison of results moreover demonstrates the possibility of using approaches based on the Strut-and-Tie model.
Identification of functionally distinct fibro-inflammatory and adipogenic stromal subpopulations in visceral adipose tissue of adult mice
Authors: Hepler Chelsea , Shan Bo , Zhang Qianbin , Henry Gervaise H , Shao Mengle , Vishvanath Lavanya , Ghaben Alexandra L , Mobley Angela B , Strand Douglas , Hon Gary C , Gupta Rana K
Published: September 2018

White adipose tissue (WAT) remodeling is dictated by coordinated interactions between adipocytes and resident stromal-vascular cells; however, the functional heterogeneity of adipose stromal cells has remained unresolved. We combined single-cell RNA-sequencing and FACS to identify and isolate functionally distinct subpopulations of PDGFRβ+ stromal cells within visceral WAT of adult mice. LY6C- CD9- PDGFRβ+ cells represent highly adipogenic visceral adipocyte precursor cells (‘APCs’), whereas LY6C+ PDGFRβ+ cells represent fibro-inflammatory progenitors (‘FIPs’). FIPs lack adipogenic capacity, display pro-fibrogenic/pro-inflammatory phenotypes, and can exert an anti-adipogenic effect on APCs. The pro-inflammatory phenotype of PDGFRβ+ cells is regulated, at least in part, by NR4A nuclear receptors. These data highlight the functional heterogeneity of visceral WAT perivascular cells, and provide insight into potential cell-cell interactions impacting adipogenesis and inflammation. These improved strategies to isolate FIPs and APCs from visceral WAT will facilitate the study of physiological WAT remodeling and mechanisms leading to metabolic dysfunction.

Editorial note: This article has been through an editorial process in which the authors decide how to respond to the issues raised during peer review. The Reviewing Editor's assessment is that all the issues have been addressed (see decision letter).
Crystal structure and functional analysis of human C1ORF123
Authors: A. Rahaman Siti Nurulnabila , Mat Yusop Jastina , Mohamed-Hussein Zeti-Azura , Aizat Wan Mohd , Ho Kok Lian , Teh Aik-Hong , Waterman Jitka , Tan Boon Keat , Tan Hwei Ling , Li Adelicia Yongling , Chen Ee Sin , Ng Chyan Leong
Published: September 2018

Proteins of the DUF866 superfamily are exclusively found in eukaryotic cells. A member of the DUF866 superfamily, C1ORF123, is a human protein found in the open reading frame 123 of chromosome 1. The physiological role of C1ORF123 is yet to be determined. The only available protein structure of the DUF866 family shares just 26% sequence similarity and does not contain a zinc binding motif. Here, we present the crystal structure of the recombinant human C1ORF123 protein (rC1ORF123). The structure has a 2-fold internal symmetry dividing the monomeric protein into two mirrored halves that comprise of distinct electrostatic potential. The N-terminal half of rC1ORF123 includes a zinc-binding domain interacting with a zinc ion near to a potential ligand binding cavity. Functional studies of human C1ORF123 and its homologue in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe (SpEss1) point to a role of DUF866 protein in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.
Molecular analysis of oral microflora in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome by using high-throughput sequencing
Authors: Zhou Zhifang , Ling Guanghui , Ding Ning , Xun Zhe , Zhu Ce , Hua Hong , Chen Xiaochi
Published: September 2018

Background

The objective of this study was to characterize the oral microflora profile of primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) patients, thereby revealing the connection between oral bacterial composition and dental caries, and to identify the “core microbiome” in the oral cavities of pSS patients and systemic healthy individuals by using a high-throughput sequencing technique.

Methods

Twenty-two pSS patients and 23 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Their clinical data and oral rinse samples were collected. The V3–V4 hypervariable regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene of samples were amplified and analyzed by high-throughput sequencing on the Illumina Miseq PE300 platform.

Results

Both two groups were age- and sex-matched. There were significantly higher decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) and decayed, missing and filled surfaces (DMFS) in the pSS group than in the control group (p < 0.01). Alpha diversity was depleted in pSS patients, compared with healthy controls (p < 0.01), while beta diversity between the two groups was not significantly different. Seven discriminative genera (LDA > 4) were found between the two groups in LEfSe (LDA Effect Size) analysis. The relative abundance ofVeillonellain pSS patients was fourfold higher, whileActinomyces,Haemophilus,Neisseria,Rothia,PorphyromonasandPeptostreptococcuswere significantly lower in pSS patients than in healthy controls. However, the correlation betweenVeillonellaand DMFT/DMFS was not significant (p > 0.05). In Venn diagram analysis, nine genera shared by all samples of two groups, which comprised 71.88% and 67.64% in pSS patients and controls, respectively.

Discussion

These findings indicate a microbial dysbiosis in pSS patients; notably,Veillonellamight be recognized as a biomarker in pSS patients. The core microbiome in pSS patients was similar to the systemic healthy population. These provide insight regarding advanced microbial prevention and treatment of severe dental caries in pSS patients. This study also provides basic data regarding microbiology in pSS.
Closing the gap: mixed stock analysis of three foraging populations of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) on the Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Jones Karina , Jensen Michael , Burgess Graham , Leonhardt Johanna , van Herwerden Lynne , Hazel Julia , Hamann Mark , Bell Ian , Ariel Ellen
Published: September 2018

A solid understanding of the spatial ecology of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) is fundamental to their effective conservation. Yet this species, like many marine migratory species, is challenging to monitor and manage because they utilise a variety of habitats that span wide spatio-temporal scales. To further elucidate the connectivity between green turtle rookeries and foraging populations, we sequenced the mtDNA control region of 278 turtles across three foraging sites from the northern Great Barrier Reef (GBR) spanning more than 330 km: Cockle Bay, Green Island and Low Isles. This was performed with a newly developed assay, which targets a longer fragment of mtDNA than previous studies. We used a mixed stock analysis (MSA), which utilises genetic data to estimate the relative proportion of genetically distinct breeding populations found at a given foraging ground. Haplotype and nucleotide diversity was also assessed. A total of 35 haplotypes were identified across all sites, 13 of which had not been found previously in any rookery. The MSA showed that the northern GBR (nGBR), Coral Sea (CS), southern GBR (sGBR) and New Caledonia (NC) stocks supplied the bulk of the turtles at all three sites, with small contributions from other rookeries in the region. Stock contribution shifted gradually from north to south, although sGBR/CS stock dominated at all three sites. The major change in composition occured between Cockle Bay and Low Isles. Our findings, together with other recent studies in this field, show that stock composition shifts with latitude as a natural progression along a coastal gradient. This phenomenon is likely to be the result of ocean currents influencing both post-hatchling dispersal and subsequent juvenile recruitment to diverse coastal foraging sites.
Meta-analysis of northeast Atlantic marine taxa shows contrasting phylogeographic patterns following post-LGM expansions
Authors: Jenkins Tom L. , Castilho Rita , Stevens Jamie R.
Published: September 2018

Background

Comparative phylogeography enables the study of historical and evolutionary processes that have contributed to shaping patterns of contemporary genetic diversity across co-distributed species. In this study, we explored genetic structure and historical demography in a range of coastal marine species across the northeast Atlantic to assess whether there are commonalities in phylogeographic patterns across taxa and to evaluate whether the timings of population expansions were linked to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM).

Methods

A literature search was conducted using Web of Science. Search terms were chosen to maximise the inclusion of articles reporting on population structure and phylogeography from the northeast Atlantic; titles and abstracts were screened to identify suitable articles within the scope of this study. Given the proven utility of mtDNA in comparative phylogeography and the availability of these data in the public domain, a meta-analysis was conducted using published mtDNA gene sequences. A standardised methodology was implemented to ensure that the genealogy and demographic history of all mtDNA datasets were reanalysed in a consistent and directly comparable manner.

Results

Mitochondrial DNA datasets were built for 21 species. The meta-analysis revealed significant population differentiation in 16 species and four main types of haplotype network were found, with haplotypes in some species unique to specific geographical locations. A signal of rapid expansion was detected in 16 species, whereas five species showed evidence of a stable population size. Corrected mutation rates indicated that the majority of expansions were estimated to have occurred after the earliest estimate for the LGM (∼26.5 Kyr), while few expansions were estimated to have pre-dated the LGM.

Conclusion

This study suggests that post-LGM expansion appeared to be common in a range of marine taxa, supporting the concept of rapid expansions after the LGM as the ice sheets started to retreat. However, despite the commonality of expansion patterns in many of these taxa, phylogeographic patterns appear to differ in the species included in this study. This suggests that species-specific evolutionary processes, as well as historical events, have likely influenced the distribution of genetic diversity of marine taxa in the northeast Atlantic.
Modeled larval connectivity of a multi-species reef fish and invertebrate assemblage off the coast of Moloka‘i, Hawai‘i
Authors: Conklin Emily E. , Neuheimer Anna B. , Toonen Robert J.
Published: September 2018

We use a novel individual-based model (IBM) to simulate larval dispersal around the island of Moloka‘i in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Our model uses ocean current output from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology general circulation model (MITgcm) as well as biological data on four invertebrate and seven fish species of management relevance to produce connectivity maps among sites around the island of Moloka‘i. These 11 species span the range of life history characteristics of Hawaiian coral reef species and show different spatial and temporal patterns of connectivity as a result. As expected, the longer the pelagic larval duration (PLD), the greater the proportion of larvae that disperse longer distances, but regardless of PLD (3–270 d) most successful dispersal occurs either over short distances within an island (<30 km) or to adjacent islands (50–125 km). Again, regardless of PLD, around the island of Moloka‘i, connectivity tends to be greatest among sites along the same coastline and exchange between northward, southward, eastward and westward-facing shores is limited. Using a graph-theoretic approach to visualize the data, we highlight that the eastern side of the island tends to show the greatest out-degree and betweenness centrality, which indicate important larval sources and connectivity pathways for the rest of the island. The marine protected area surrounding Kalaupapa National Historical Park emerges as a potential source for between-island larval connections, and the west coast of the Park is one of the few regions on Moloka‘i that acts as a net larval source across all species. Using this IBM and visualization approach reveals patterns of exchange between habitat regions and highlights critical larval sources and multi-generational pathways to indicate priority areas for marine resource managers.