bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Screening haemodialysis patients for hepatitis C in Vietnam: The inconsistency between common hepatitis C virus serological and virological tests
Authors: Duong Minh Cuong , McLaws Mary‐Louise
Published: September 2018

Selecting the appropriate screening method and interval for the early detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in low‐resourced haemodialysis settings is a challenge. The challenge occurs when patients are classified as HCV‐RNA positive but negative to HCV‐core antigen (HCV‐coreAg), anti‐HCV and genotyping tests. We aim to clarify the inconsistency between HCV‐RNA, HCV‐coreAg, anti‐HCV and HCV genotyping tests in haemodialysis patients and determine the reliability of HCV‐coreAg as a routine two‐monthly screening strategy. Haemodialysis patients were tested every 2 months between 2012 and 2014 at the largest district haemodialysis unit in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, for aminotransferases, anti‐HCV antibodies, HCV‐coreAg, HCV‐RNA and HCV genotype. HCV‐coreAg and anti‐HCV results were tested against HCV‐RNA for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV). All 201 patients participated in the study. The HCV‐coreAg test performed better than the anti‐HCV test for sensitivity (100% vs 31%), NPV (100% vs 90%) and accuracy (100% vs 90%). The HCV‐coreAg and anti‐HCV tests performed no differently for specificity (100% and 98%, respectively) or PPV (100% and 73%, respectively). Kappa values for HCV‐coreAg and anti‐HCV tests were 1 and 0.39, respectively. Early detection of HCV for the purpose of infection prevention requires a high level of sensitivity and HCV‐coreAg performed better in our chronic haemodialysis population as a two‐monthly screening method than routine anti‐HCV testing. HCV‐coreAg test is less labour‐intensive with a higher level of accuracy in patients with low viral loads making it cost effective for low‐resourced settings. Repeating genotyping may be required in HCV‐coreAg positive patients with a low viral load.
Hepatitis C virus surveillance and identification of human pegivirus 2 in a large Cameroonian cohort
Authors: Rodgers Mary A. , Holzmayer Vera , Vallari Ana , Olivo Ana , Forberg Kenn , Fuhrman Jill , Coller Kelly E. , Awazi Bih , Kenmegne Sidje Jules Bertrand , Frankel Matthew B. , Berg Michael G. , Mbanya Dora , Ndembi Nicaise , Cloherty Gavin A.
Published: September 2018

The prevalence of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the presence of human pegivirus 2 (HPgV‐2) have not been examined in Cameroon, although HCV has been associated with HPgV‐2 infections previously. Herein we aimed to characterize the burden and genetic diversity of HCV and the presence of HPgV‐2 in Cameroon. Retrospective plasma specimens collected from N = 12 369 consenting subjects in South Cameroon from 2013 to 2016 were included in the study. The majority (97.1%) of participants were patients seeking health care. All specimens were screened for HCV using the Abbott RealTime HCV viral load assay and positive specimens with remaining volume were also screened for HPgV‐2 antibodies on the Abbott ARCHITECT instrument, followed by molecular characterization. Overall, HCV RNA was detected in 305 (2.47%; 95% CI: 2.21%‐2.75%) specimens. Notably, the prevalence of HCV RNA was 9.09% amongst participants over age 40 and 3.81% amongst males. Phylogenetic classification of N = 103 HCV sequences identified genotypes 1 (19.4%), 2 (15.5%) and 4 (65.1%) within the study cohort. Amongst HCV RNA‐positive specimens, N = 28 (10.6%; 95% CI: 7.44%‐14.90%) specimens also had detectable HPgV‐2 antibodies. Of these, N = 2 viremic HPgV‐2 infections were confirmed by sequencing and shared 93‐94 median % identity with strains found on other continents. This is the first study to determine the prevalence of chronic HCV in Cameroon, and the discovery of HPgV‐2 in this study cohort expands the geography of HPgV‐2 to the African continent, indicating a widespread distribution exists.
Women representing Ireland in the seventeenth century: From English idyll to Irish nightmare
Authors: Eckerle Julie A.
Published: September 2018

Although Ireland figures large in the life writing, or auto/biographical writing, of early modern Englishwomen, the past few decades' attention to early modern women's life writing has given little attention to the presence of Ireland in these texts or, more significantly, to the formative role of Ireland on the writers' world views and textual choices. In this essay, therefore, I provide a survey of the four most common representations of Ireland that appear in this body of work. These include an idealized version of Ireland as a mini‐England; the inverse depiction of Ireland as a kind of nightmare landscape; and slightly less morally laden versions of Ireland as a site of rich potential for individual transformation or as a land of mystery and somewhat exoticized otherness. Although Irishwomen's narratives about Ireland also deserve more attention, and although the question of individual identity—including “English” and “Irish”—is incredibly fraught in this particular context, this initial survey will create a foundation on which further scholarship can be built.
Positive familial history for metabolic traits predisposes to early and more severe alcoholic cirrhosis: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Bhadoria Ajeet Singh , Kedarisetty Chandan Kumar , Bihari Chhagan , Kumar Guresh , Jindal Ankur , Bhardwaj Ankit , Shasthry Varsha , Benjamin Jaya , Sharma Manoj Kumar , Sarin Shiv Kumar
Published: September 2018

Background & Aims

Familial aggregation of metabolic traits in NAFLD is well documented. However, relevance of these traits in alcoholic cirrhosis is not well studied. We aimed to explore the association of family history of metabolic traits with age at diagnosis, severity and complications of alcoholic cirrhosis.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional study, all consecutive patients with alcoholic cirrhosis presenting to our tertiary care centre were included. Family and personal history, demographic characteristics, medical history, anthropometric measurements and laboratory data were recorded. The amount and duration of alcohol consumption were also carefully recorded.

Results

Out of 1084 alcoholic cirrhotics (age 48.5 ± 10.1 years, all males), family history for metabolic traits was documented in 688 (63.5%) patients. These patients had younger age at diagnosis, increased incidence of jaundice, ascites, variceal bleed and hepatic encephalopathy with consequently higher MELD and CTP score. These patients developed cirrhosis despite shorter median duration (13 years, IQR 7‐20 vs 21, IQR 18‐25) and lesser amount of alcohol consumption (74 g/d, IQR 24‐96 vs 144, IQR 100‐148). Patients with both family and personal history of metabolic traits had a higher risk by 3.3 times (95% CI 2.2‐4.8) of an early age at diagnosis, 13.2 times (95% CI 8.7‐20.1) of progression to cirrhosis with lesser amount of alcohol consumption and 4.6 times (95% CI 3.1‐6.9) with lesser duration of alcohol consumption.

Conclusions

Positive family and personal history of metabolic traits predispose to alcoholic cirrhosis with an earlier age at onset and more severity despite lesser exposure to alcohol.
Venom gland size and venom complexity—essential trophic adaptations of venomous predators: A case study using spiders
Authors: Pekár Stano , Bočánek Ondřej , Michálek Ondřej , Petráková Lenka , Haddad Charles R. , Šedo Ondrej , Zdráhal Zbyněk
Published: September 2018

Specialized predators possess a variety of adaptations. In venomous predators, this may include the size of the venom gland and venom composition. It is expected that due to different foraging strategies, predators with a wide trophic niche (generalists) should possess larger venom glands that contain more diversified components than predators with a narrow niche (specialists). We focused on spiders, as the most diversified group of venomous predators, in which a wide variety of trophic strategies have evolved. We conducted a comparative analysis using 40 spider species, in which we measured the size of their venom gland and venom complexity using proteome profiling methods. The species were classified into three trophic groups: generalists, facultative specialists and obligatory specialists. We found that the venom glands of generalists are larger than those of obligatory specialists, which is presumably due to more frequent prey capture by the former. The complexity of venom of peptides (2–15 kDa) and proteins (15–250 kDa) was more diverse in generalists than in specialists. Multivariate analysis of venom revealed significant differences among the three trophic categories only in the complexity of peptides. Our study thus shows that venom gland size and its content have taken different pathways during the evolution of different trophic strategies in spiders. Generalists evolved larger venom glands with more complex composition, whereas obligatory specialists possess smaller glands with less diverse chemical structures.
Identification and biofilm development by a new fungal keratitis aetiologic agent
Authors: Calvillo‐Medina Rosa Paulina , Martínez‐Neria Magda , Mena‐Portales Julio , Barba‐Escoto Luis , Raymundo Tania , Campos‐Guillén Juan , Jones George H. , Reyes‐Grajeda Juan Pablo , González‐y‐Merchand Jorge Alberto , Bautista‐de Lucio Victor Manuel
Published: September 2018

Background

In recent years, human keratitis caused by fungal plant pathogens has become more common. Biofilm is a structure that confers adaptations and virulence to fungi in keratitis. Neoscytalidium spp. are phytopathogenic and recently have been recognised as a human pathogen, using biofilm formation as a virulence factor.

Objectives

The aim of this study was isolation, identification (at the species level) and characterisation of a new fungal keratitis agent.

Patients/methods

The fungus was isolated from a 67‐year‐old male patient with a corneal ulcer. Biofilm formation and structure were evaluated by colorimetric methods and microscopy. To identify the fungus, morphological characteristics were examined and a phylogenetic analysis was performed.

Results and conclusions

We report the identification of a fungus, a member of the genus Neoscytalidium which is associated with human keratitis. Phylogenetic analysis and morphological observations on conidiogenous cells, which occur only in arthric chains in aerial mycelium and the coelomycetous synasexual morph is absent, identified a new species, Neoscytalidium oculus sp. nov. The fungus formed biofilm at a concentration of 1 × 106 conidia/mL, during 96 hours of incubation at 37°C, and also manifested haemolysis and melanin production. This is the first report in Latin America of a new species of Neoscytalidium from a clinical isolate has been identified.
Motivators of adherence to integrated management among patients with chronic kidney disease: A qualitative study
Authors: Chironda Geldine , Bhengu Busisiwe Rosemary
Published: September 2018

The integrated management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) demands significant changes, as patients need to adhere to dialysis, medication, and dietary and fluid restrictions. Therefore, there is a need to identify the motivators of adherence to improve the quality of life of these patients. The aim of the present study was to explore the motivators of adherence to integrated management among patients with CKD in South Africa. A phenomenological design was used. A sample size of 12 participants was selected according to data saturation. The purposive sampling method was used to select the participants. Data were collected with the help of a semistructured interview schedule developed from the literature. A thematic framework analysis was conducted to identify the motivators of adherence to integrated management; these were found to be family support, anxiety about eligibility for kidney transplant, support of other patients, awareness of complications associated with non‐adherence to integrated management, and fear of being removed from the CKD program. Identified motivators could be used to develop specific interventions that address or foster adherence behavior as a requirement for integrated management.
Prevalence of malocclusion in children with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Galeotti Angela , Festa Paola , Viarani Valeria , D'Antò Vincenzo , Sitzia Emanuela , Piga Simone , Pavone Martino
Published: September 2018

Structured Abstract

Objectives

To describe the prevalence of malocclusions in 2‐ to 10‐year‐old children suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and to evaluate the association between occlusal variables and OSA.

Setting and Sample Population

A total of 2101 consecutive patients referred to an otorhinolaryngology unit were considered for the study. One hundred and fifty‐six children (range 2‐10 years) with suspected OSA were selected for a sleep study. The final sample consisted of 139 children suffering from OSA and a control group of 137 children.

Materials and Methods

All patients included in the study underwent a clinical orthodontic examination to record the following occlusal variables: primary canine relationship, presence of a posterior crossbite, overjet and overbite. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals, comparing the demographic characteristics and dental parameters in OSA vs non‐OSA children, were computed. Multivariable logistic regression models were developed to compare independent variables associated with OSA to non‐OSA children.

Results

The prevalence of malocclusions in children with OSA was 89.9% compared to 60.6% in the control group (P < 0.001). Factors independently associated with OSA compared to the control group were posterior crossbite (OR = 3.38; 95%CI:1.73‐6.58), reduced overbite (OR = 2.43; 95%CI:1.15‐5.15.), increased overbite (OR = 2.19; 95%CI:1.12‐4.28) and increased overjet (OR = 4.25; 95%CI:1.90‐9.48).

Conclusions

This study showed a high prevalence of malocclusion in children with OSA compared to the control group. The posterior crossbite and deviations in overjet and overbite were significantly associated with OSA. The presence of these occlusal features shows the importance of an orthodontic evaluation in screening for paediatric OSA.
Predators buffer the effects of variation in prey nutrient content for nutrient deposition
Authors: Barnes Cody L. , Hawlena Dror , Wilder Shawn M.
Published: September 2018

Predator feeding behavior and digestion regulate the flow of nutrients through ecosystems by determining the fate of prey nutrients. Most predators feed on a diversity of prey items, which differ widely in traits including their nutrient content. Yet, relatively little is known of the mechanisms through which variation in prey nutrient content affects the form by which nutrients are deposited into the environment. The overall goal of this study was to test how variation in the nutrient content of prey affected the fate of nutrients following predation by an arthropod carnivore, the Carolina wolf spider Hogna carolinensis. We manipulated the macronutrient content of prey by varying the diet on which crickets were fed to produce prey treatments that differed in lipid and protein content. Nutrients were measured as both macronutrients and elements in prey and elements in excreta. We found that there was no effect of diet treatment on the amounts of elements or macronutrients in prey carcasses and excreta despite significant variation in the nutrient content of those prey. This is in contrast to studies of some aquatic systems where mass balance by consumers results in variation in excreta content depending on the nutrient content of food. Wolf spiders assimilated the majority of prey nutrients and deposited relatively small and similar amounts of nutrients following feeding. Hence, while prey can vary widely in nutrient content, our findings suggest that this variation has little effect on the amounts of nutrients deposited by predators.
Thyroid dermopathy and acropachy in pediatric patients
Authors: Kraus Christina N. , Sodha Pooja , Vaidyanathan Priya , Kirkorian A. Yasmine
Published: September 2018

The extrathyroid manifestations of Graves disease (GD) include thyroid orbitopathy, dermopathy, and acropachy. Thyroid dermopathy (TD), also known as pretibial myxedema, classically presents as nonpitting edema or plaquelike lesions on the pretibial region, while thyroid acropachy (TA) is seen in cases of severe TD, characterized by soft tissue swelling and clubbing of fingers and toes, as well as a periosteal reaction of the bones of the hands and feet. Both TD and TA are rare manifestations of thyroid disease and uncommonly reported in pediatric patients. Our aim was to increase awareness of dermatological manifestations associated with pediatric GD and review the literature of pediatric thyroid dermopathy as well as report a case of acropachy in a child.
Chronic granulomatous skin lesions leading to a diagnosis of TAP1 deficiency syndrome
Authors: Law‐Ping‐Man Sarah , Toutain Fabienne , Rieux‐Laucat Frédéric , Picard Capucine , Kammerer‐Jacquet Solène , Magérus‐Chatinet Aude , Dupuy Alain , Adamski Henri
Published: September 2018

Transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) is essential for the stabilization and surface expression of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules of all nucleated cells. TAP deficiency syndrome, also known as bare lymphocyte syndrome type I, is a rare primary immunodeficiency disorder. We report a case of TAP1 deficiency revealed by skin lesions long before the occurrence of respiratory infectious manifestations.
Child restraint orientation: Accuracy of information on Japanese websites
Authors: Nakahara Shinji , Nakajima Yukari , Sakamoto Tetsuya
Published: September 2018

Background

Child restraints provide maximum protection when used appropriately, but seat orientation (rear‐ or forward‐facing) according to child development is often misunderstood, and the information provided can be inaccurate. This study examined the accuracy of information in Japanese on seat orientation found on the Internet.

Methods

We searched websites in Japanese on Google regarding information on recommended seat orientation for young children and examined the first 50 sites based on the search rankings for the criteria on when to allow children to ride in forward‐facing seats.

Results

None of the examined websites included information that was consistent with the recommendation of the Japan Pediatric Society (i.e. age must be at least 1 year old and weight, at least 10 kg). The most common mistake was that weight alone could determine timing.

Conclusions

More vigorous efforts are needed to disseminate evidence‐based information about seat orientation to protect child passengers.
Multiple transcriptional regulation of walnut JrGSTTau1 gene in response to osmotic stress
Authors: Yang Guiyan , Chen Shuwen , Li Dapei , Gao Xiangqian , Su Liyuan , Peng Shaobing , Zhai MeiZhi
Published: September 2018

Glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) are important plant proteins involved in biotic and abiotic stress responses. A gene from Juglans regia, JrGSTTau1 was previously cloned and functionally characterized as an enzyme involved in improving cold tolerance in plants. To clarify the functional mechanism of JrGSTTau1 and its role in stress response, here, the JrGSTTau1 promoter including the up‐stream regulators was examined using yeast one‐hybrid together with transient expression assays, and the osmotic stress response ability was confirmed by comparing with wild‐type plants. The 1500 bp JrGSTTau1 promoter displayed high GUS expression activity and was enhanced by mannitol stress. The promoter is composed of abundant cis‐elements, some of which were osmotic stress response‐related motifs, such as ABRE, DRE and MYB, indicating that the expression of JrGSTTau1 is regulated by potential up‐stream regulators under abiotic stress. The transcription factors (TFs) of JrDREB2A, JrMYC2, JrMYB44, JrDof1 and JrWRKY7 were identified, which shared a similar response with JrGSTTau1 when exposed to PEG6000 in walnut leaf and root. These results implied that JrDREB2A, JrMYC2, JrMYB44, JrDof1 and JrWRKY7 may act as up‐stream regulators of JrGSTTau1 to regulate or combine functionality with JrGSTTau1 in osmotic stress response. Furthermore, compared with the WT plants, the transgenic tobacco plants that overexpress JrGSTTau1 showed improved tolerance to drought induced by osmotic stress, in which antioxidant enzymes, proline and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved. Our results demonstrated the positive role played by JrGSTTau1 in osmotic tolerance, which is regulated by multiple up‐stream regulators.
Misreporting trade: Tariff evasion, corruption, and auditing standards
Authors: Kellenberg Derek , Levinson Arik
Published: September 2018

Official international trade statistics report commerce between every pair of countries twice: once for the importing country and once for the exporter. In principle, the two values differ only by transport costs, but as has long been recognized, they also differ systematically with product‐level tariffs. We aggregate across products to construct a dataset of annual aggregate bilateral trade, separately for the importer and exporter reports. With these data, we show that the reporting differences also vary systematically with country characteristics aside from tariffs: incomes, auditing standards, corruption, and trade agreements.
Services policy reform and manufacturing employment: Evidence from transition economies
Authors: Fiorini Matteo , Hoekman Bernard , Malgouyres Clément
Published: September 2018

Policy reforms targeting the services sectors are a neglected dimension of the process of structural transformation and economic development. The effects of such reforms on employment across industries as a function of their use of services as intermediate inputs are theoretically ambiguous and remain largely understudied. This paper uses sector‐level data for 24 transition economies for the 1990–2012 period to assess the impacts of services policy reforms on downstream manufacturing employment. We find a negative effect of services reforms on manufacturing sector employment. This is mostly associated with the process of transition to a market‐based economy. Controlling for transition‐specific dynamics, the data suggest a neutral effect of progress towards adopting “best practice” policies for upstream services on employment in downstream manufacturing. Furthermore, in line with the extant literature, we confirm that services policy reforms enhance productivity of downstream manufacturing industries. Finally, we find that the negative effects on downstream employment are mitigated in countries with better economic governance and human capital.
Production of Synthetic Natural Gas From Carbon Dioxide and Renewably Generated Hydrogen: A Techno-Economic Analysis of a Power-to-Gas Strategy
Authors: Becker William L. , Penev Michael , Braun Robert J.
Published: September 2018

Power-to-gas to energy systems are of increasing interest for low carbon fuels production and as a low-cost grid-balancing solution for renewables penetration. However, such gas generation systems are typically focused on hydrogen production, which has compatibility issues with the existing natural gas pipeline infrastructures. This study presents a power-to-synthetic natural gas (SNG) plant design and a techno-economic analysis of its performance for producing SNG by reacting renewably generated hydrogen from low-temperature electrolysis with captured carbon dioxide. The study presents a “bulk” methanation process that is unique due to the high concentration of carbon oxides and hydrogen. Carbon dioxide, as the only carbon feedstock, has much different reaction characteristics than carbon monoxide. Thermodynamic and kinetic considerations of the methanation reaction are explored to design a system of multistaged reactors for the conversion of hydrogen and carbon dioxide to SNG. Heat recuperation from the methanation reaction is accomplished using organic Rankine cycle (ORC) units to generate electricity. The product SNG has a Wobbe index of 47.5 MJ/m3 and the overall plant efficiency (H2/CO2 to SNG) is shown to be 78.1% LHV (83.2% HHV). The nominal production cost for SNG is estimated at 132 $/MWh (38.8 $/MMBTU) with 3 $/kg hydrogen and a 65% capacity factor. At U.S. DOE target hydrogen production costs (2.2 $/kg), SNG cost is estimated to be as low as 97.6 $/MWh (28.6 $/MMBtu or 1.46 $/kgSNG).
Effects of Control Valve's Structure Parameters on the Circulation Characteristics for an Electronic Unit Pump
Authors: Zhao Wan-Lin , Li Guo-Xiu , Wang Lan , Li Hong-Meng , Wang Jie , He Shuang-Yi
Published: September 2018

The control valve is an essential component of electronic unit pump (EUP) fuel injection systems; it controls the flow rate with high-precision electrical signals. Thus, high precision and flexibility are required in the working process of a fuel injection system. The flow capacity (indicated by mass flow rate) of a control valve is an important technical indicator in the discharge of EUP fuel injection systems. In this study, the transient flow characteristics within control valve during the discharge of an EUP were evaluated using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. Three essential structural parameters of EUP control valve were investigated, and their effects on circulation characteristics were evaluated. The variation trends were observed, and the changes in significant physical parameters and crucial physical field distributions were analyzed. During the investigation, the visualization of internal flow of control valve provided more detailed information of flow fields. This study shows the effect of each parameter on flow characteristics and indicates that cavitation is the lowest for the case of 0.20 mm valve core lift; the length of slit is the shortest for the case of 7 mm seal diameter, therefore, the mass flow rate of export is the highest; at 139 deg seal cone angles, fuel velocity is the highest, therefore, 139 deg is the best seal cone angle.
Acoustic scattering by finite composite plates
Authors: Nilton Maurício M. , Cavalieri André V. G. , Donadon Maurício V. , Wolf William R.
Published: September 2018

Trailing edge scattering is a significant source of sound, and elasticity is known to decrease the radiated sound by a process involving coupled acoustic and bending waves. Most of the analysis available in the literature to deal with this problem is limited to structures of isotropic material. A numerical method is extended, based on the solution of a boundary element method with boundary conditions given by the structural problem, to account for anisotropic composite plates, restricted to symmetric laminates. These conditions are recast in terms of the vibration modes of a rectangular plate. To obtain these modes, the hierarchical finite element method is used to model an elastic flat plate. Expressions for bending waves propagating in such plates are derived, and how the solution of the problem is modified to account for these effects is shown. Results show modifications in the scattered sound as a function of ply orientation and stacking sequence. Composite materials are shown to be advantageous, since laminates lead to lower acoustic scattering when compared to structurally equivalent metallic plates. This is due to a lower specific mass, leading to higher coupling between fluid and solid, and thus to more significant elasticity effects, decreasing substantially the radiated sound.
Exploring the Coach’s Role in Youth Life Skills Development in Southern Africa
Authors: Huysmans Zenzi , Clement Damien , Hilliard Robert , Hansell Adam
Published: September 2018

A strong body of research supports the meaningful role of coaches in helping youth athletes develop personally and emotionally through the learning of life skills. However, limited exploration of this topic has taken place in non-Western regions where youth face very different developmental challenges. To explore this topic further, nine coaches in Swaziland participated in semi-structured interviews. Inductive thematic analysis revealed that although most coaches found it difficult to articulate a coaching philosophy, they valued developing both the athlete and the person. Coaches focused on teaching a range of life skills and values that were relevant to overcoming the most salient local youth challenges. The main strategies coaches employed to develop life skills were discussion, providing opportunities to build skills, and modelling appropriate behaviours through caring coach-athlete relationships. Results of this study provide further support for the role of coaches as facilitators of life skills learning in the Southern African context. Additional education is needed to help youth coaches craft coaching philosophies that are grounded in life skills outcomes. Future efforts should also focus on developing cost-effective programming to teach coaches how to build caring coach-athlete relationships and intentionally facilitate life skills learning in young people.
Renewed sanctions strangle science in Iran
Authors: Stone Richard
Published: September 2018

Brain drain feared amid economic woes and fraying international collaborations.
How triage became a dirty word
Authors: Cornwall Warren
Published: September 2018

Tensions dog effort to rethink U.S. endangered species spending.
Climate model shows large-scale wind and solar farms in the Sahara increase rain and vegetation
Authors: Li Yan , Kalnay Eugenia , Motesharrei Safa , Rivas Jorge , Kucharski Fred , Kirk-Davidoff Daniel , Bach Eviatar , Zeng Ning
Published: September 2018

More energy, more rain

Energy generation by wind and solar farms could reduce carbon emissions and thus mitigate anthropogenic climate change. But is this its only benefit? Li
et al.
conducted experiments using a climate model to show that the installation of large-scale wind and solar power generation facilities in the Sahara could cause more local rainfall, particularly in the neighboring Sahel region. This effect, caused by a combination of increased surface drag and reduced albedo, could increase coverage by vegetation, creating a positive feedback that would further increase rainfall.

Science
, this issue p.
1019
Resonance-stabilized hydrocarbon-radical chain reactions may explain soot inception and growth
Authors: Johansson K. O. , Head-Gordon M. P. , Schrader P. E. , Wilson K. R. , Michelsen H. A.
Published: September 2018

A radical route to soot

The chemical origin of soot is a persistent puzzle. It is clear that small hydrocarbon fragments formed in flames must aggregate into larger particles, but the initial driving force for aggregation remains a mystery. Johansson
et al.
combined theory and mass spectrometry to suggest a solution based on resonance-stabilized radicals (see the Perspective by Thomson and Mitra). Aromatics such as cyclopentadiene have a characteristically weak C–H bond because their cleavage produces radicals with extended spans of π-electron conjugation. Clusters thus build up through successive coupling reactions that extend conjugation in stabilized radicals of larger and larger size.

Science
, this issue p.
997
; see also p.
978
To grow and to defend
Authors: Greene George H. , Dong Xinnian
Published: September 2018

A rice transcription factor's dual roles could improve yield and disease resistance
New voices, at last
Authors: Alisic Eva , Hilgenkamp Hans
Published: September 2018

Science academies are well placed to help strengthen national systems of research and innovation, drawing upon the knowledge of experienced scientists across fields. But what about the voices of early-career scientists who are impassioned to bolster international, interdisciplinary, and intergenerational dialogue, with the goal of making decision-making evidence-based and inclusive? Since 2000, “young” science academies have emerged across the world. The United States has now joined this movement. In June, the U.S. National Academies launched “New Voices in Sciences, Engineering and Medicine,” comprising 18 early- to midcareer scholars. They will engage in communicating the evidence base for addressing national and global challenges and help diversify the expertise in the National Academies' advisory activities (
www.nationalacademies.org/newvoices
). As New Voices convenes its first meeting next week, what should this organization consider?
Isavuconazole for Treatment of Experimental Fungal Endophthalmitis Caused by Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Guest John M. , Singh Pawan Kumar , Revankar Sanjay G. , Chandrasekar Pranatharthi H. , Kumar Ashok
Published: September 2018

Fungal endophthalmitis remains a significant cause of vision impairment and blindness. Moreover, the prognosis is poor, in part due to delay in diagnosis and to limited availability of effective antifungal agents with good ocular penetration.
Paediatric oncology simulation training for resident education
Authors: Smink Gayle M , Jeffe Donna B , Hayashi Robert J , Al-Hammadi Noor , Fehr James J
Published: September 2018

Introduction

We sought to evaluate paediatric oncology simulations intended to improve paediatric residents’ skills and comfort in caring for children with cancer.

Method

In a non-randomised trial, controls (the first three rotations) received a standard set of lectures, and the intervention arm received these lectures plus five simulation training scenarios—fever/neutropaenia, a new leukaemia diagnosis, end-of-life care discussion, tumour lysis syndrome and a mediastinal mass. All residents were tested after the rotation on the first three scenarios; management skills were evaluated independently by two raters. Before and after training, all residents completed an emotional-appraisal questionnaire evaluating each scenario as a perceived challenge or threat. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) measured differences by study arm in skills checklist assessments and appraisals; repeated measures ANOVA measured changes in emotional-appraisal scores.

Results

Forty-two residents (9 controls, 33 interventions) participated. Inter-rater agreement for skills checklist scores using average-measures intraclass correlation was high (0.847), and overall mean scores were significantly higher for the intervention than control group across both raters (p=0.005). For all residents, perceived challenge increased in the end-of-life simulation, and perceived threat decreased in all three test scenarios. The intervention group, regardless of training year, evaluated the teaching scenarios favourably and felt that challenging oncology situations were addressed, skills were enhanced and the simulations should be offered to other residents.

Conclusions

It was feasible to introduce residents to difficult paediatric oncology scenarios using simulation. The intervention group performed more skills than controls when tested and perceive threat declined in all residents after their paediatric oncology rotation.
Sexual orientation and sex differences in socioeconomic status: a population-based investigation in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health
Authors: Conron Kerith J , Goldberg Shoshana K , Halpern Carolyn T
Published: September 2018

Background

Socioeconomic status (SES) is a fundamental contributor to health; however, limited research has examined sexual orientation differences in SES.

Methods

2008–2009 data from 14 051 participants (ages 24–32 years) in the US-based, representative, National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health were analysed using multivariable regressions that adjusted for age, race-ethnicity, childhood SES, urbanicity and Census region, separately for females and males. Modification by racial minority status (black or Latino vs white, non-Hispanic) was also explored.

Results

Among females, sexual minorities (SM) (10.5% of females) were less likely to graduate college, and were more likely to be unemployed, poor/near poor, to receive public assistance and to report economic hardship and lower social status than heterosexuals. Adjusting for education attenuated many of these differences. Among males, SM (4.2% of males) were more likely than heterosexuals to be college graduates; however, they also had lower personal incomes. Lower rates of homeownership were observed among SM, particularly racial minority SM females. For males, household poverty patterns differed by race-ethnicity: among racial minority males, SM were more likely than heterosexuals to be living at >400% federal poverty level), whereas the pattern was reversed among whites.

Conclusions

Sexual minorities, especially females, are of lower SES than their heterosexual counterparts. SES should be considered a potential mediator of SM stigma on health. Studies of public policies that may produce, as well as mitigate, observed SES inequities, are warranted.
Two physicochemical properties of benzenoid chains: solvent accessible molecular volume and molar refraction
Authors: Ali Akbar , Iqbal Zafar , Iqbal Zaffar
Published: September 2018

Predicting physicochemical properties of molecules is one of the fundamental tasks in chemical physics. Many predictive methods have been developed for correlating the molecular structures with their physicochemical properties. One of the simplest such methods involves topological indices. Edge connectivity index (or equivalently, reformulated Randić index), which is denoted as ε, seems to be a good topological index for predicting the solvent accessible molecular volume and molar refraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In this paper, a closed-form formula for calculating the reformulated Randić index ε of benzenoid hydrocarbon chains (or simply, benzenoid chains, which represent a type of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) is derived. Benzenoid chains with maximum (and minimum) ε value are also determined from the collection of all benzenoid chains having fixed number of hexagonal rings. Moreover, an attempt is made to generalize the obtained results for reformulated bond incident degree indices.
Nonlinear Instability Modeling of a Nonlocal Strain Gradient Functionally Graded Capacitive Nano-Bridge in Thermal Environment
Authors: Jafarsadeghi-Pournaki Ilgar , Rezazadeh Ghader , Shabani Rasool
Published: September 2018

This paper develops a theoretical model directed towards investigation of the static pull-in instability of a functionally graded (FG) electrostatically actuated nano-bridge via nonlocal strain gradient theory (NLSGT) of elasticity and Euler–Bernoulli beam theory in thermal environment. The nano-beam is under the influence of electrostatic and van der Waals (vdW) forces. In addition to the nonlinear nature of the electrostatic force, the other type of nonlinearity namely geometric nonlinearity resulting from the mid-plane stretching is considered. Material properties of FG nano-beam are assumed to vary gradually along the thickness direction according to simple power-law form. With the purpose of eliminating the coupling between the stretching and bending due to the asymmetrical material variation along the thickness, a new surface reference is introduced. The nonlinear integro-differential governing equation is derived utilizing minimum total potential energy principle, linearized by means of the step-by-step linearization method (SSLM) and solved by Galerkin-based weighted residual method. The numerical investigations are performed while the emphasis is placed on studying the effect of various parameters including: nonlocal parameter, material characteristic length scale, material gradient index, thermal effect and intermolecular force on the static pull-in instability of FG nano-beam. To establish the validity of the present formulation, a comparison is conducted with experimental and numerical results reported in previous studies.
A Modeling Language for Conceptual Design of Systems Integration Solutions
Authors: Purao Sandeep , Bolloju Narasimha , Tan Chuan-Hoo
Published: September 2018

Systems integration—connecting software systems for cross-functional work—is a significant concern in many large organizations, which continue to maintain hundreds, if not thousands, of independently evolving software systems. Current approaches in this space remain ad hoc, and closely tied to technology platforms. Following a design science approach, and via multiple design-evaluate cycles, we develop Systems Integration Requirements Engineering Modeling Language (SIRE-ML) to address this problem. SIRE-ML builds on the foundation of coordination theory, and incorporates important semantic information about the systems integration domain. The article develops constructs in SIRE-ML, and a merge algorithm that allows both functional managers and integration professionals to contribute to building a systems integration solution. Integration models built with SIRE-ML provide benefits such as ensuring coverage and minimizing ambiguity, and can be used to drive implementation with different platforms such as middleware, services, and distributed objects. We evaluate SIRE-ML for ontological expressiveness and report findings about applicability check with an expert panel. The article discusses implications for future research such as tool building and empirical evaluation, as well as implications for practice.
Is Multimedia Multisensorial? - A Review of Mulsemedia Systems
Authors: Covaci Alexandra , Zou Longhao , Tal Irina , Muntean Gabriel-Miro , Ghinea Gheorghita
Published: September 2018

Mulsemedia—multiple sensorial media—makes possible the inclusion of layered sensory stimulation and interaction through multiple sensory channels. The recent upsurge in technology and wearables provides mulsemedia researchers a vehicle for potentially boundless choice. However, in order to build systems that integrate various senses, there are still some issues that need to be addressed. This review deals with mulsemedia topics that remain insufficiently explored by previous work, with a focus on the
multi-multi
(multiple media-multiple senses) perspective, where multiple types of media engage multiple senses. Moreover, it addresses the evolution of previously identified challenges in this area and formulates new exploration directions.
Agricultural Crop Forecasting for Large Geographical Areas
Authors: Young Linda J.
Published: September 2018

Crop forecasting is important to national and international trade and food security. Although sample surveys continue to have a role in many national crop forecasting programs, the increasing challenges of list frame undercoverage, declining response rates, increasing response burden, and increasing costs are leading government agencies to replace some or all of survey data with data from other sources. This article reviews the primary approaches currently being used to produce official statistics, including surveys, remote sensing, and the integration of these with meteorological, administrative, or other data. The research opportunities for improving current methods of forecasting crop yield and quantifying the uncertainty associated with the prediction are highlighted.
Negative Pressure Regimes in Ionic Liquids: Structure and Interactions in Stretched Liquids as Probed by NMR
Authors: Rebelo Luis Paulo
Published: September 2018

In this work, a broad pallete of macroscopically sized samples of ionic liquids was used, in which tensions of about -100 MPa were obtained in preliminary testing methodologies before cavitation would occur. Preliminary NMR studies have been performed on ionic liquids under homogeneous tension. Upon entering into these metastable regimes of negative pressure, it is possible to observe a sharp increase in the anion and cation self-diffusion coefficients as compared to the equilibrium saturated liquid conditions at identical temperatures. [L02 - Molten Salts and Ionic Liquids 21, Structure and Properties I, Tuesday, October 2nd, 10:40, #1832-AiMES2018, Universal 9 – Abstract Oral #116064 ]
Small adipose stores in cystic fibrosis mice are characterized by reduced cell volume, not cell number
Authors: Bederman Ilya , DiScenna Alex , Henderson Leigh , Perez Aura , Klavanian Jeannie , Kovtun Daniel , Collins Olivia , Dunn John , Erokwu Bernadette , Flask Christopher A. , Drumm Mitchell L.
Published: September 2018

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a lethal genetic disorder that affects many organ systems of the body, including various endocrine and exocrine tissues. Health and survival positively associate with body mass, and as a consequence, CF clinical care includes high-fat, high-calorie diets to maintain and increase adipose tissue stores. Such strategies have been implemented without a clear understanding of the cause and effect relationship between body mass and patients’ health. Here, we used CF mouse models, which display small adipose stores, to begin examining body fat as a prelude into mechanistic studies of low body growth in CF, so that optimal therapeutic strategies could be developed. We reasoned that low adiposity must result from reduced number and/or volume of adipocytes. To determine relative contribution of either mechanism, we quantified volume of intraperitoneal and subcutaneous adipocytes. We found smaller, but not fewer, adipocytes in CF compared with wild-type (WT) animals. Specifically, intraperitoneal CF adipocytes were one-half the volume of WT cells, whereas subcutaneous cells were less affected by the Cftr genotype. No differences were found in cell types between CF and WT adipose tissues. Adipose tissue CFTR mRNA was detected, and we found greater CFTR expression in intraperitoneal depots as compared with subcutaneous samples. RNA sequencing revealed that CF adipose tissue exhibited lower expression of several key genes of adipocyte function ( Lep, Pck1, Fas, Jun), consistent with low triglyceride storage. The data indicate that CF adipocytes contain fewer triglycerides than WT cells, and a role for CFTR in these cells is proposed.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Adipocytes in cystic fibrosis mice exhibit smaller size due to low triglyceride storage. Adipocyte cell number per fat pad is similar, implying triglyceride storage problem. The absence of CFTR function in adipose tissue has been proposed as a direct link to low triglyceride storage in cystic fibrosis.