bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘Size’ and ‘shape’ in the measurement of multivariate proximity
Authors: Greenacre Michael
Published: March 2017

Ordination and clustering methods are widely applied to ecological data that are non‐negative, for example, species abundances or biomasses. These methods rely on a measure of multivariate proximity that quantifies differences between the sampling units (e.g. individuals, stations, time points), leading to results such as: (i) ordinations of the units, where interpoint distances optimally display the measured differences; (ii) clustering the units into homogeneous clusters or (iii) assessing differences between pre‐specified groups of units (e.g. regions, periods, treatment–control groups).

These methods all conceal a fundamental question: To what extent are the differences between the sampling units, computed according to the chosen proximity function, capturing the ‘size’ in the multivariate observations, or their ‘shape’? ‘Size’ means the overall level of the measurements: for example, some samples contain higher total abundances or more biomass, others less. ‘Shape’ means the relative levels of the measurements: for example, some samples have different relative abundances, i.e. different compositions. To answer this question, several well‐known proximity measures are considered and applied to two datasets, one of which is used in a simulation exercise where ‘shape’ differences have been eliminated by randomization. For any dataset and any proximity measure, a quantification is achieved of the proportion of ‘size’ variance and ‘shape’ variance that the measure is capturing, as well as the proportion of variance that confounds ‘size’ and ‘shape’ together.

The results consistently show that the Bray–Curtis coefficient incorporates both ‘size’ and ‘shape’ differences, to varying degrees. These two components are thus always confounded by this proximity measure in the determination of ordinations, clusters, group comparisons and relations to environmental variables.

There are several implications of these results, the main one being that researchers should be aware of this issue when they choose a proximity measure. They should compute the ‘size’ and ‘shape’ components for their particular datasets, as this can radically affect the interpretation of their results. It is recommended to separate these components: analysing total abundances or other measures of ‘size’ by univariate methods, and using multivariate analysis on the relative abundances where size has been specifically excluded.
Trends in Alcohol Consumption Among Older Americans: National Health Interview Surveys, 1997 to 2014
Authors: Breslow Rosalind A. , Castle I‐Jen P. , Chen Chiung M. , Graubard Barry I.
Published: March 2017

Background

The majority of U.S. older adults consume alcoholic beverages. The older population is projected to almost double by 2050. Substantially more drinkers are likely.

Purpose

To describe gender‐specific trends (1997 to 2014) in prevalence of drinking status (lifetime abstention, former drinking, current drinking [including average volume], and binge drinking) among U.S. adults ages 60+ by age group and birth cohort.

Methods

In the 1997 to 2014 National Health Interview Surveys, 65,303 respondents ages 60+ (31,803 men, 33,500 women) were current drinkers; 6,570 men and 1,737 women were binge drinkers. Prevalence estimates and standard errors were computed by age group (60+, 60 to 64, 65 to 69, 70 to 74, 75 to 79, 80+) and birth cohort (<1925, 1925 to 1935, 1936 to 1945, 1946 to 1954). Trends were examined using joinpoint regression and described as average annual percent change (AAPC; overall change 1997 to 2014) and annual percent change (APC; in‐between infection points). Primary analyses were unadjusted. All analyses (unadjusted and adjusted for demographics/lifestyle) were weighted to produce nationally representative estimates. Statistical procedures accounted for the complex survey design.

Results

Among men ages 60+, unadjusted prevalence of current drinking trended upward, on average, 0.7% per year (AAPC, p = 0.02); average volume and prevalence of binge drinking remained stable. Adjusted results were similar. Among women age 60+, unadjusted prevalence of current drinking trended upward, on average, 1.6% per year (AAPC, p < 0.0001), but average volume remained stable; prevalence of binge drinking increased, on average, 3.7% per year (AAPC, p < 0.0001). Adjusted results were similar. Trends varied by age group and birth cohort. Among men born 1946 to 1954, unadjusted prevalence of current drinking trended upward, on average, 2.4% per year (AAPC, p = 0.02); adjusted results were nonsignificant.

Conclusions

Our finding of upward trends in drinking among adults ages 60+, particularly women, suggests the importance of public health planning to meet future needs for alcohol‐related programs.
How to Elect More Women: Gender and Candidate Success in a Field Experiment
Authors: Karpowitz Christopher F. , Monson J. Quin , Preece Jessica Robinson
Published: March 2017

Women are dramatically underrepresented in legislative bodies, and most scholars agree that the greatest limiting factor is the lack of female candidates (supply). However, voters’ subconscious biases (demand) may also play a role, particularly among conservatives. We designed an original field experiment to test whether messages from party leaders can affect women's electoral success. The experimental treatments involved messages from a state Republican Party chair to the leaders of 1,842 precinct‐level caucus meetings. We find that party leaders’ efforts to stoke both supply and demand (and especially both together) increase the number of women elected as delegates to the statewide nominating convention. We replicate this finding in a survey experiment with a national sample of validated Republican primary election voters (N = 2,897). Our results suggest that simple interventions from party leaders can affect the behavior of candidates and voters and ultimately lead to a substantial increase in women's descriptive representation.
High ten‐year remission rates following rituximab, fludarabine, mitoxantrone and dexamethasone (R‐FND) with interferon maintenance in indolent lymphoma: Results of a randomized Study
Authors: Nastoupil Loretta J. , McLaughlin Peter , Feng Lei , Neelapu Sattva S. , Samaniego Felipe , Hagemeister Fredrick B. , Ayala Ana , Romaguera Jorge E. , Goy Andre H. , Neal Eleanor , Wang Michael , Fayad Luis , Fanale Michelle A. , Oki Yasuhiro , Westin Jason R. , Rodriguez Maria A. , Cabanillas Fernando , Fowler Nathan H.
Published: March 2017

We report a single‐centre, randomized study evaluating the efficacy and safety of concurrent fludarabine, mitoxantrone, dexamethasone (FND) and rituximab versus sequential FND followed by rituximab in 158 patients with advanced stage, previously untreated indolent lymphoma, enrolled between 1997 and 2002. Patients were randomized to 6–8 cycles of FND followed by 6 monthly doses of rituximab or 6 doses of rituximab given concurrently with FND. All patients who achieved at least a partial response received 12 months of interferon (IFN) maintenance. Median ages were 54 and 55 years. The two groups were comparable with the exception of a higher percentage of females (65% vs. 43%) and baseline anaemia (23% vs. 11%) in the FND followed by rituximab group. Complete response/unconfirmed complete response rates were 89% and 93%. The most frequent grade ≥ 3 toxicity was neutropenia (86% vs. 96%). Neutropenic fever occurred in 21% and 16%. Late toxicity included myelodysplastic syndrome (n = 3) and acute myeloid leukaemia (n = 5). With 12·5 years of follow‐up, no significant differences based on treatment schedule were observed. 10‐year overall survival estimates were 76% and 73%. 10‐year progression‐free survival estimates were 52% and 51%. FND with concurrent or sequential rituximab, and IFN maintenance in indolent lymphoma demonstrated high response rates and robust survival.
Integrated models to support multiobjective ecological restoration decisions
Authors: Fraser Hannah , Rumpff Libby , Yen Jian D. L. , Robinson Doug , Wintle Brendan A.
Published: March 2017

Many objectives motivate ecological restoration, including improving vegetation condition, increasing the range and abundance of threatened species, and improving species richness and diversity. Although models have been used to examine the outcomes of ecological restoration, few researchers have attempted to develop models to account for multiple, potentially competing objectives. We developed a combined state‐and‐transition, species‐distribution model to predict the effects of restoration actions on vegetation condition and extent, bird diversity, and the distribution of several bird species in southeastern Australian woodlands. The actions reflected several management objectives. We then validated the models against an independent data set and investigated how the best management decision might change when objectives were valued differently. We also used model results to identify effective restoration options for vegetation and bird species under a constrained budget. In the examples we evaluated, no one action (improving vegetation condition and extent, increasing bird diversity, or increasing the probability of occurrence for threatened species) provided the best outcome across all objectives. In agricultural lands, the optimal management actions for promoting the occurrence of the Brown Treecreeper (Climacteris picumnus), an iconic threatened species, resulted in little improvement in the extent of the vegetation and a high probability of decreased vegetation condition. This result highlights that the best management action in any situation depends on how much the different objectives are valued. In our example scenario, no management or weed control were most likely to be the best management options to satisfy multiple restoration objectives. Our approach to exploring trade‐offs in management outcomes through integrated modeling and structured decision‐support approaches has wide application for situations in which trade‐offs exist between competing conservation objectives.
Simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation: Incidence and risk factors for amputation after 10‐year follow‐up
Authors: MacCraith Eoin , Davis Niall F. , Browne Cliodhna , Mohan Ponnusamy , Hickey David
Published: March 2017

Introduction

The incidence of amputation after simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplantation ranges from 9.5% to 23% after 5 years of follow‐up. The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors for amputation in SPK transplant patients compared to kidney transplantation alone (KTA) after a minimum follow‐up of 10 years.

Methods

An analysis was performed on a prospectively maintained database of 81 SPK transplants and 43 KTA consecutively performed in one center for insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus between December 1992 and January 2006. Primary outcome variables were incidence of amputation per patient, total number of amputations, and type of amputation performed. Data are presented as a mean ± standard deviation.

Results

Seven patients (9%) in the SPK cohort and one patient (2%) in the KTA cohort underwent amputation (P<.001). One amputee had pancreas allograft failure prior to amputation. Fifteen amputations were performed in total and four patients required ≥2 amputations. The latency period between transplantation and amputation was 133.57±49.43 months in the SPK cohort and 168 months in the KTA group.

Conclusions

The incidence of amputation after SPK transplantation is approximately 9% after 10‐year follow‐up. Patients are at a significantly greater risk of amputation after SPK transplantation compared to KTA for type 1 diabetes despite insulin independence.
Clinical and histopathological features of cutaneous manifestations of adult‐onset Still disease
Authors: Santa Erin , McFalls Jeanne M. , Sahu Joya , Lee Jason B.
Published: March 2017

Adult‐onset Still disease (AOSD) is a rare autoinflammatory syndrome characterized by recurring fevers, arthralgia, and consistent laboratory abnormalities that include leukocytosis and hyperferritinemia. Skin findings accompany the disease in nearly 90% of the cases. Early reports described evanescent, pruritic, salmon‐pink or urticarial lesions, referred to as the typical eruption of AOSD. Histopathologic findings consist of superficial perivascular dermatitis with varying number of interstitial neutrophils. Later reports described a more persistent rash that tended to be photodistributed, hyperpigmented, often in a linear configuration, sometimes in a rippled pattern, referred to as the atypical eruption of AOSD. The presence of individual necrotic keratinocytes in the upper spinous layer has been the consistent histopathologic finding. The persistent rash may not represent an atypical presentation of AOSD as recent reports indicate a high prevalence of the rash. Emerging data also suggest that patients with persistent eruption have a worse prognosis. The recognition of the clinical and histopathological findings of skin eruptions of AOSD may facilitate an earlier diagnosis, potentially improving disease outcome. Herein, clinical and histopathological features of cutaneous manifestation of AOSD in 2 Asian women are highlighted accompanied by a relevant review of the disease.
Histological assessment of regenerative endodontic treatment in animal studies with different scaffolds: A systematic review
Authors: Altaii Milad , Richards Lindsay , Rossi‐Fedele Giampiero
Published: March 2017

Background/aim

The concept of regenerative endodontic procedures remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histology of the tissues formed in immature animal teeth with necrotic and infected pulps after attempted endodontic regeneration procedures using different scaffolds.

Design

A systematic electronic literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, DOSS, and Cochrane Library databases. The terms used were a combination of the following: “immature permanent necrotic tooth or teeth” or “open apex or apices” and “regeneration or revitalization or revascularization” and “histology.” The inclusion criteria comprised animal studies with histological examination following regenerative endodontics in immature necrotic‐infected permanent teeth.

Results

From 123 screened studies, 13 met the inclusion criteria. Formation of dentin‐like tissue on the dentinal walls was reported in only 4% of teeth treated with blood clot scaffold and 2% treated with blood clot with additional materials. Cementum‐like hard tissue was found in 64% of teeth with blood clot, 80% treated with blood clot with additional materials, 50% treated with alternative scaffolds, and 5% that were left empty. Bone‐like tissue was reported in 10% of teeth treated with blood clot, 2% treated with blood clot with additional materials, and 4% treated with alternative scaffolds. The tissues in the canal space were found to be connective tissue with infiltration of fibroblast‐like cells and blood vessels. Forty‐six percent of the studies reported formation of periodontal ligament‐like tissues.

Conclusions

None of the regeneration protocols resulted in the predictable formation of a true pulp‐dentin complex.
Spectroscopic properties of Yb2+ in aluminosilicate glass
Authors: Assadi A. A. , Herrmann A. , Damak K. , Rüssel C. , Maalej R.
Published: March 2017

In contrast to Yb3+ which is a well‐investigated optically active ion, the spectroscopic properties of its divalent counterpart Yb2+ in glasses are hardly investigated, although Yb2+ might have a notable influence on the luminescence properties of Yb3+‐doped glasses even at low Yb2+ concentrations because of its strong f‐d transitions. In this paper, we report on the preparation and spectroscopic properties of Yb2+‐doped aluminosilicate glasses that were produced using the normal melt‐quench technique. The glass composition is 20CaO·20Al2O3·60SiO2 (mol%). To achieve a sufficient amount of Yb2+ in the samples, different methods were applied to influence the red‐ox equilibrium during glass melting: firstly, under argon atmosphere and additional argon bubbling, and secondly by the addition of metallic aluminum powder to the batch. The strongly reduced samples show a greenish to brownish yellow coloring which could be attributed to the strong absorption of Yb2+ ions in the UV to blue spectral range. The absolute Yb2+ concentration in the glass and the molar extinction coefficient of Yb2+ was obtained by spectroscopic measurements. If irradiated with UV light, the Yb2+‐doped samples show a broad fluorescence emission in the wavelength range from 450 to 700 nm with a peak at around 515 nm.
Quality dependence study on dimensions for plano‐concave molded glass lenses
Authors: Zhou Jian , Li Lihua , Gong Feng , Liu Kun
Published: March 2017

A comprehensive study was conducted to analyze the quality dependence of a plano‐concave molded glass lens on its own dimensions, i.e. the effective diameter, sag ratio, and center thickness ratio. To achieve this goal, a thermal‐displacement coupled finite element analysis was carried out on the whole molding process, in order to get the results of curve deviation, temperature gradient, and residual stress with sets of variations in these dimensions. Then Taguchi method, one approach for design of experiments, was incorporated to conduct sensitivity analysis on the simulation results to figure out the dominating sequence of these dimensions. The results show that the effective diameter is the most influential factor among these three dimensions. In addition, curve deviation is sensitively proportional to diameter and sag ratio, but decreases insignificantly with greater center thickness ratio. However, residual stress is distinctly proportional to diameter and center thickness ratio, but increases very slightly with greater sag ratio. Results also confirmed the consequential relationship between temperature gradient and residual stress. These discoveries are fundamentally meaningful in getting an overall understanding of the dimensions’ influence on the molded lens quality, thus will help make decision in choosing proper dimensions for optical design.
Low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of the effects of heating temperature and time on braised beef
Authors: Sun Hong‐Xia , Huang Feng , Ding Zhen‐Jiang , Zhang Chun‐Jiang , Zhang Liang , Zhang Hong
Published: March 2017

We investigated the characteristics of water mobility and distribution in Chinese braised beef after treatment at different temperatures for different times using low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF‐NMR). The beef was heated at 45, 55, 65, 75, 85 or 95 °C for 30, 60, 90 and 120 min. Results showed that T2 changed significantly with heating temperature. T21 and A21 decreased significantly with increasing temperature below 65 °C, with a steady phase from 75 to 95 °C, which agreed with cooking loss. Inversely, T22 had no changes below 65 °C and changed apparently from 75 to 95 °C. The change in T21 below 65 °C may be related to proteins denaturation and shrinkage and, above 65 °C, T22 possibly induced by the dissolution of connective tissue. The characteristics of braised beef at 65 °C were different from those at other temperatures in T2 distributions. The findings could provide a theoretical basis for the processing of Chinese braised beef.
The susceptible HLA class II alleles and their presenting epitope(s) in Goodpasture's disease
Authors: Xie Li‐jun , Cui Zhao , Chen Fang‐jin , Pei Zhi‐yong , Hu Shui‐Yi , Gu Qiu‐hua , Jia Xiao‐yu , Zhu Li , Zhou Xu‐jie , Zhang Hong , Liao Yun‐hua , Lai Lu‐hua , Hudson Billy G. , Zhao Ming‐hui
Published: March 2017

Goodpasture's disease is closely associated with HLA, particularly DRB1*1501. Other susceptible or protective HLA alleles are not clearly elucidated. The presentation models of epitopes by susceptible HLA alleles are also unclear. We genotyped 140 Chinese patients and 599 controls for four‐digit HLA II genes, and extracted the encoding sequences from the IMGT/HLA database. T‐cell epitopes of α3(IV)NC1 were predicted and the structures of DR molecule‐peptide—T‐cell receptor were constructed. We confirmed DRB1*1501 (OR = 4·6, P = 5·7 × 10−28) to be a risk allele for Goodpasture's disease. Arginine at position 13 (ARG13) (OR = 4·0, P = 1·0 × 10−17) and proline at position 11 (PRO11) (OR = 4·0, P = 2·0 × 10−17) on DRβ1, encoded by DRB1*1501, were associated with disease susceptibility. α134–148 (HGWISLWKGFSFIMF) was predicted as a T‐cell epitope presented by DRB1*1501. Isoleucine137, tryptophan140, glycine142, phenylalanine143 and phenylalanine145, were presented in peptide‐binding pockets 1, 4, 6, 7 and 9 of DR2b, respectively. ARG13 in pocket 4 interacts with tryptophan140 and forms a hydrogen bond. In conclusion, we propose a mechanism for DRB1*1501 susceptibility for Goodpasture's disease through encoding ARG13 and PRO11 on MHC‐DRβ1 chain and presenting T‐cell epitope, α134–148, with five critical residues.
Outcomes and lessons from a quarter of a century of Sand lizard Lacerta agilis reintroductions in southern England
Authors: Woodfine T. , Wilkie M. , Gardner R. , Edgar P. , Moulton N. , Riordan P.
Published: March 2017

Despite occurring widely across Europe and Asia, the Sand lizard Lacerta agilis is threatened in the north‐western part of its range and had disappeared from much of its former habitat in England and Wales prior to concerted conservation action. A breeding population established at Marwell Zoo, UK, contributed to the re‐establishment of 26 populations of Sand lizards at heathland and coastal dune sites across southern England as part of a wider multi‐stakeholder response to reverse the decline of the species. Knowledge about the biology of Sand lizards was accrued during the process, which helped to refine the management of the breeding population that was maintained in a naturalistic setting within the indigenous range of the species. These successes were underpinned by coordinated collaborative actions and long‐term institutional commitments against a backdrop of considerable change in the statutory framework governing Sand lizard conservation. The management of this project was not without cost or risk, including protection of valuable founder stock, incomplete knowledge about the health and disease status of Sand lizards, intrinsic constraints of limited founder representation, and the challenges of monitoring this elusive species post release.
Fully coupled electromagnetic‐thermal‐mechanical comparative simulation of direct vs hybrid microwave sintering of 3Y‐ZrO2
Authors: Manière Charles , Zahrah Tony , Olevsky Eugene A.
Published: March 2017

Direct and hybrid microwave sintering of 3Y‐ZrO2 are comparatively studied at frequency of 2.45 GHz. Using the continuum theory of sintering, a fully coupled electromagnetic‐thermal‐mechanical (EMTM) finite element simulation is carried out to predict powder samples deformation during their microwave processing. Direct and hybrid heating configurations are computationally tested using advanced heat transfer simulation tools including the surface to surface thermal radiation boundary conditions and a numeric proportional‐integral‐derivative regulation (PID). The developed modeling framework shows a good agreement of the calculation results with the known experimental data on the microwave sintering of 3Y‐ZrO2 in terms of the densification kinetics. It is shown that the direct heating configuration renders highly hot spot effects resulting in nonhomogenous densification causing processed specimen's final shape distortions. Compared with the direct heating, the hybrid heating configuration provides a reduction of the thermal inhomogeneity along with a densification homogenization. As a result of the hybrid heating, the total densification of the specimen is attained without specimen distortions. It is also shown that the reduction of the sample size has a stabilization effect on the temperature and relative density spatial distributions.
Structure and analgesic properties of layered double hydroxides intercalated with low amounts of ibuprofen
Authors: Sousa Robson , Jouin Jenny , Masson Olivier , Remondiere Fabien , Lemarchand Alex , Colas Maggy , Thomas Philippe , Lameira Jerônimo , Bastos Gilmara N. T. , Lima Anderson B. , Nascimento José L. M. , Anicete‐Santos Marcos , Monteiro Waldinei R. , Alves Cláudio N.
Published: March 2017

Ibuprofen‐intercalated layered double hydroxides (LDH‐IBU) have been successfully synthesized via a coprecipitation method with a nominal [Al3+]/[Mg2+] ratio of 0.5 and a variable molar IBU/([Al3+]+[Mg2+]) ratio of 0, 0.15, 0.18, 0.24, 0.36, and 0.72. After an accurate determination of the composition, the nature of the intercalated species and the effective intercalation yield from to IBU, it is shown that the synthesis route used allows a good control of the quantity of intercalated IBU within the LDH framework. This results in different samples with full or partial IBU intercalation in the interlayer space in exchange of nitrate anions. The analysis of the X‐ray diffraction basal reflections reveals that the intercalation of IBU in the framework only increases the basal distances with no alteration of the brucite‐type layers. Also, a computational study used to model the positions and shapes of the basal reflections showed that the structure of the nonfully intercalated compounds follows a random interstratification scheme. Finally, three samples ranging from slightly to fully IBU‐intercalated galleries were selected for preliminary in vivo assays. These tests showed a strong tendency that after 24 hours the low yield of IBU‐intercalated compounds are almost as efficient as the fully intercalated sample.
Grain growth and pore coarsening in dense nano‐crystalline UO2+x fuel pellets
Authors: Yao Tiankai , Mo Kun , Yun Di , Nanda Sonal , Yacout Abedellatif M. , Lian Jie
Published: March 2017

Dense nano‐sized UO2+x pellets are synthesized by spark plasma sintering with controlled stoichiometries (UO2.03 and UO2.11) and grain sizes (~100 nm), and subsequently isothermally annealed to study their effects on grain growth kinetics and microstructure stability. The grain growth kinetics is determined and analyzed focusing on the interaction between grain boundary migration, pore growth, and coalescence. Grains grow much bigger in nano‐sized UO2.11 than UO2.03 upon thermal annealing, consistent with the fact that hyper‐stoichiometric UO2+x is beneficial for sintering due to enhanced U ion diffusion from excessive O ion interstitials. The activation energies of the grain growth for UO2.03 and UO2.11 are determined as ~1.0 and ~2.0 eV, respectively. As compared with the micrometer‐sized UO2 in which volumetric diffusion dominates the grain coarsening with an activation energy of ~3.0 eV, the enhanced grain growth kinetics in nano‐sized UO2+x suggests that grain boundary diffusion controls grain growth. The higher activation energy of more hyper‐stoichiometric nano‐sized UO2.11 may be attributed to the excessive O interstitials pinning grain boundary migration.
Effect of metallic Ag growth on the electrical resistance of 3D flower‐like Ag4V2O7 crystals
Authors: de Oliveira Regiane C. , Zanetti Sonia M. , Assis Marcelo , Penha Maya , Mondego Mayara , Cilense Mario , Longo Elson , Cavalcante Laécio S.
Published: March 2017

In this communication, we report for the first time the nucleation and growth of metallic Ag nanoparticles on the surface of 3D flower‐like Ag4V2O7 crystals, induced by accelerated electron beam irradiation. The growth of metallic Ag on the surfaces of Ag4V2O7 crystals were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDXS). According to TEM images and EDXS analyses, exposure to the electron beam induces a reduction process and the growth of metallic Ag nanoparticles on the surface of Ag4V2O7 crystals. Moreover, the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry measurements indicated an excess of Ag and V vacancies at Ag4V2O7 lattice. Finally, it was observed that the electrical resistance varies considerably with the exposure time to electron beam irradiation.
Evidence of simian retrovirus type D by polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Hwa Christian Z.R. , Tsai Sheung Pun , Yee JoAnn L. , Van Rompay Koen K. , Roberts Jeffrey A.
Published: March 2017

Background

Over the past few years, there have been reports of finding Simian retrovirus type D (SRV) in macaque colonies where some animals were characterized as antibody positive but virus negative raising questions about how SRV was transmitted or whether there is a variant strain detected by antibody but not polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in current use.

Methods

We developed a three‐round nested PCR assay using degenerate primers targeting the pol gene to detect for SRV serotypes 1‐5 and applied this newly validated PCR assay to test macaque DNA samples collected in China from 2010 to 2015.

Results

Using the nested PCR assay validated in this study, we found 0.15% of the samples archived on FTA® cards were positive.

Conclusions

The source of SRV infection identified within domestic colonies might have originated from imported macaques. The multiplex nested PCR assay developed here may supplement the current assays for SRV.
Seasonal changes in the biochemical composition of females and offspring of red squat lobster, Pleuroncodes monodon (Decapoda, Munididae), from the Southeastern Pacific
Authors: Bascur Miguel , Guzmán Fabián , Mora Sergio , Urzúa Ángel
Published: March 2017

Pleuroncodes monodon is an important fishery resource and key species from the Southeastern Pacific. During its prolonged reproductive period (from February to December), ovigerous females are exposed to seasonal variation in environmental factors (e.g. temperature and food availability), with higher levels of these environmental parameters during summer and lower in winter, and must adjust their biochemistry to ensure their own survival and that of their embryos. The aim of this study was to analyse seasonal changes in the biochemical composition of ovigerous females and their eggs. The data show that the content of lipids, proteins and organic matter in the hepatopancreases of females was significantly higher in winter than in summer. Similarly, the lipid content of the eggs was significantly higher in winter than in summer, yet the protein content of the eggs had the opposite pattern with greater values found in summer. Consistent with the ‘reproductive energetic model’, the initial and final energy produced by the hepatopancreas showed significant seasonal variations, whereas female investment in egg production (in absolute values) did not show significant seasonal differences. The seasonal differences observed in the biochemistry, organic matter and energy content of the female hepatopancreases may be related to the storage of energy for growth and reproduction. Furthermore, the seasonal variation in the content of lipids, proteins and energy in eggs is likely related to embryogenesis and larval hatching in function with environmental conditions. Seasonal variation in the biochemical composition of P. monodon has direct effects on the marine food web and also upon fisheries.
Differential host use affects fecundity of the gastropod Crepidula onyx
Authors: Von Tungeln Amber R. , Pernet Bruno
Published: March 2017

For epibiotic or symbiotic marine invertebrates, alternative host species may differ substantially in quality, and under some circumstances such differences in host quality may lead to the evolution of increased host specificity. However, the fitness consequences of alternative hosts for epibiotic or symbiotic marine invertebrates have rarely been quantified. In Southern California, the gastropod Crepidula onyx is often found as an epibiont on either bay mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) or cone snails (Conus californicus). These hosts differ greatly in maximum size, with possible effects on size at sex change and final size in Cr. onyx, and thus on fecundity. Further, Cr. onyx on the two hosts differ in shell shape, possibly affecting the size of the ctenidium, which Cr. onyx uses for suspension feeding. We examined these potential effects of host use on fitness components in Cr. onyx. Epibionts on mussels reached much larger average sizes than did those on cone snails; further, epibionts on mussels often completed sex change at much larger sizes than did those on cone snails. On average, mussel epibionts had threefold higher average fecundities than did cone snail epibionts. Although there was a slight difference in shell shape between epibionts on the two host species, there was no difference in the scaling of ctenidium area with body size for Cr. onyx from the two hosts. The large average differences in fecundity in epibionts associated with the two alternative hosts suggests that there may be strong selection on host choice at larval settlement.
The inactivation of rfaP, rarA or sspA gene improves the viability of the Escherichia coli DNA polymerase III holD mutant
Authors: Michel Bénédicte , Sinha Anurag Kumar
Published: March 2017

The Escherichia coli holD mutant is poorly viable because the stability of holoenzyme polymerase III (Pol III HE) on DNA is compromised. Consequently, the SOS response is induced and the SOS polymerases DinB and Pol II further hinder replication. Mutations that restore the holD mutant viability belong to two classes, those that stabilize Pol III on DNA and those that prevent the deleterious effects of DinB over‐production. We identified a dnaX mutation and the inactivation of rfaP and sspA genes as belonging to the first class of holD mutant suppressors. dnaX encodes a Pol III clamp loader subunit that interacts with HolD. rfaP encodes a lipopolysaccharide kinase that acts in outer membrane biogenesis. Its inactivation improves the holD mutant growth in part by affecting potassium import, previously proposed to stabilize Pol III HE on DNA by increasing electrostatic interactions. sspA encodes a global transcriptional regulator and growth of the holD mutant in its absence suggests that SspA controls genes that affect protein‐DNA interactions. The inactivation of rarA belongs to the second class of suppressor mutations. rarA inactivation has a weak effect but is additive with other suppressor mutations. Our results suggest that RarA facilitates DinB binding to abandoned forks.
Joint‐Preserving Surgery for Talar Malunions or Nonuions
Authors: Chen Gang , Hu Mu , Xu Yang , Zhen Yue‐huan , Hong Yuan , Xu Xiang‐yang
Published: March 2017

Objective

To describe the technique and analyze the outcomes of joint‐preserving surgical treatments which included anatomical reconstruction or alignment correction for talar malunions or nonunions, and avoid development of degenerative changes in the adjacent joints.

Methods

Eight patients who had painful talar malunions or nonunions treated between 2009 and 2015 were included in this retrospective study. The mean age of the patients was 35.6 years, with patients aged from 18 to 58 years. Two patients had talar neck fractures and six had talar body fractures. According to a classification of post‐traumatic talar deformities, five patients were classified as type I (malunion and/or residual joint displacement), two as type II (nonunion with displacement), and one as type III (malunion with partial avascular necrosis [AVN]). Of these patients, six cases were treated with an osteotomy through the malunited fracture or removal of the pseudarthrosis, and two cases were corrected by supramalleolar or calcaneal osteotomies owing to complete disappearance of the former fracture lines. The follow‐up evaluation methods included the 36‐Item Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36) score, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, range of motion (ROM), and radiological analysis. The differences between postoperative scores and preoperative scores were evaluated statistically with the paired Student's t‐test. Significance was assumed at P < 0.05.

Results

The mean follow‐up time was 25.6 months. No wound healing problems or infections were observed. Solid union was obtained without redislocation in all cases, and with no signs of development or progression of AVN. At a mean of 25.6 months (range, 16–36 months) after reconstruction, all patients were satisfied with the result. The mean AOFAS score increased from 30.0 ± 7.0 pre‐operatively to 86.5 ± 7.8 post‐operatively (P < 0.001), the mean SF‐36 score increased from 38.8 ± 4.1 to 81.4 ± 7.7 (P < 0.001), and the average ROM (tibiotalar joint) increased from 40.5° ± 8.7° to 43.9° ± 7.2° (P < 0.05).

Discussion

Joint‐preserving procedures for talar malunions or nonunions can bring about satisfactory outcomes, and the appropriate procedure should be adopted according to different types of post‐traumatic deformities.
Respiratory syncytial virus–Host interaction in the pathogenesis of bronchiolitis and its impact on respiratory morbidity in later life
Authors: Rossi Giovanni A. , Colin Andrew A.
Published: March 2017

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common agent of severe airway disease in infants and young children. Large epidemiologic studies have demonstrated a clear relationship between RSV infection and subsequent recurrent wheezing and asthma into childhood, thought to be predominantly related to long‐term changes in neuroimmune control of airway tone rather than to allergic sensitization. These changes appear to be governed by the severity of the first RSV infection in infancy which in term depends on viral characteristics and load, but perhaps as importantly, on the genetic susceptibility and on the constitutional characteristic of the host. A variety of viral and host factors and their interplay modify the efficiency of the response to infection, including viral replication and the magnitude of structural and functional damage to the respiratory structures, and ultimately the extent, severity, and duration of subsequent wheezing.
Gliadin‐reactive T cells in Italian children from preventCD cohort at high risk of celiac disease
Authors: Camarca Alessandra , Auricchio Renata , Picascia Stefania , Fierro Olga , Maglio Mariantonia , Miele Erasmo , Malamisura Basilio , Greco Luigi , Troncone Riccardo , Gianfrani Carmen
Published: March 2017

Background

Newborns at high risk of celiac disease (CD) were recruited in Italy in the context of the PreventCD study and closely monitored for CD, from 4 months up to a mean age of 8 years at follow‐up. The aim of our study was to investigate intestinal T‐cell reactivity to gliadin at the first clinical and/or serological signs of CD.

Methods

Gliadin‐reactive T‐cell lines were generated from intestinal biopsies of 19 HLA‐DQ2‐or HLA‐DQ8‐positive children. At biopsy, 11 children had a diagnosis of acute CD, two of potential CD, and six were non‐celiac controls. Immune reactivity was evaluated against gliadin and known immunogenic peptides from α‐, γ‐, or ω‐gliadins. The role of deamidation by transglutaminase (tTG) in determining the immunogenicity of gliadin was also investigated.

Results

Most of the children with CD (either acute or potential) had an inflammatory response to gliadin. Notably, signs of T‐cell reactivity to gliadin were also found in some non‐celiac subjects, in which IFN‐γ responses occurred mainly when regulatory IL‐10 and TGF‐β cytokines were blocked. Interestingly, PreventCD children reacted to gliadin peptides found active in adult CD patients, and tTG deamidation markedly enhanced gliadin recognition.

Conclusions

T cells reactive to gliadin can be detected in the intestine of children at high risk of developing CD, in some cases also in the presence of a normal mucosa and negative CD‐associated antibodies. Furthermore, children at a very early stage of CD recognize the same gliadin epitopes that are active in adult CD patients. Tissue transglutaminase strongly enhances gluten T‐cell immunogenicity in early CD.
Does the turgor loss point characterize drought response in dryland plants?
Authors: Farrell Claire , Szota Christopher , Arndt Stefan K.
Published: March 2017

The water potential at turgor loss point (Ψtlp) has been suggested as a key functional trait for determining plant drought tolerance, because of its close relationship with stomatal closure. Ψtlp may indicate drought tolerance as plants, which maintain gas exchange at lower midday water potentials as soil water availability declines also have lower Ψtlp. We evaluated 17 species from seasonally dry habitats, representing a range of life‐forms, under well‐watered and drought conditions, to determine how Ψtlp relates to stomatal sensitivity (pre‐dawn water potential at stomatal closure: Ψgs0) and drought strategy (degree of isohydry or anisohydry; ΔΨMD between well‐watered conditions and stomatal closure). Although Ψgs0 was related to Ψtlp, Ψgs0 was better related to drought strategy (ΔΨMD). Drought avoiders (isohydric) closed stomata at water potentials higher than their Ψtlp; whereas, drought tolerant (anisohydric) species maintained stomatal conductance at lower water potentials than their Ψtlp and were more dehydration tolerant. There was no significant relationship between Ψtlp and ΔΨMD. While Ψtlp has been related to biome water availability, we found that Ψtlp did not relate strongly to stomatal closure or drought strategy, for either drought avoiders or tolerators. We therefore suggest caution in using Ψtlp to predict vulnerability to drought.
Endocrine changes during diapause development in the cabbage army moth Mamestra brassicae
Authors: Yamada Nobuto , Mizoguchi Akira
Published: March 2017

Many insects undergo diapause to survive adverse seasons. Although the mechanism of diapause induction is the subject of extensive study, that of diapause termination remains poorly understood. In the present study, we show the endocrine processes leading to the termination of pupal diapause in Mamestra brassicae. Diapause of this insect is terminated if the pupae are exposed to a low temperature for several weeks. During this period, the prothoracic glands (PGs) of pupae acquire the potential to secrete sufficient ecdysteroids necessary for inducing adult development. The main endocrine changes observed under the low temperature conditions are: (i) the increase in activity of the PGs in two steps; (ii) the increase in responsiveness of the glands to prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH); and (iii) two‐step increase in PTTH gene expression in the brain. The timing of the first and second increases in PG activity roughly coincides with that of the two steps of increase in PTTH gene expression, and the timing of the increase in the responsiveness of the PGs to PTTH coincides with the second, larger increase in PTTH gene expression. The ablation of the PGs prior to cooling pupae does not affect the increase in PTTH gene expression, whereas brain removal results in a failure to increase PG activity, strongly suggesting that PTTH is the master regulator of diapause development and termination.
Valence and Value
Authors: Carruthers Peter
Published: March 2017

Valence is a central component of all affective states, including pains, pleasures, emotions, moods, and feelings of desire or repulsion.This paper has two main goals. One is to suggest that enough is now known about the causes, consequences, and properties of valence to indicate that it forms a unitary natural‐psychological kind, one that seemingly plays a fundamental role in motivating all kinds of intentional action. If this turns out to be true, then the correct characterization of the nature of valence becomes an urgent philosophical issue. There appear to be just two accounts that have the required generality. According to one, valence is a nonconceptual representation of value. According to the other, valence is an intrinsic qualitative property of experience. (Both views maintain that valence is directly motivating.) The second goal of the paper is to contrast and evaluate these two views of the nature of valence, drawing on the relevant empirical findings. Overall, I suggest that the representational account is more plausible.
The Political Consequences of Outsider Labour Market Status in the United States: A Micro‐level Study
Authors: Gelepithis Margarita , Jeannet Anne‐Marie
Published: March 2017

This article contributes to recent research that seeks to understand the political consequences of ‘outsider’ labour market status. There is an emerging consensus that labour market outsiders have systematically different policy preferences and display systematically different political behaviour to securely employed ‘insiders’ in Europe. Yet the political consequences of outsider status in the USA are less clear. They may be expected to differ from those that have been documented in the European context, because: (1) the USA is characterized by low employment protection of insiders; and (2) there is evidence that Americans are more reluctant than Europeans to hold governments responsible for personal economic hardship. We therefore use the General Social Survey to examine how outsider labour market status is related to voting behaviour and to social policy preferences in the USA. We find that the concept of ‘labour market outsider’ – as conventionally operationalized – holds little explanatory power in the American context. Disaggregating the outsider category, our results suggest that the political consequences of outsider labour market status may be contingent on individual beliefs about government responsibility.
Determination of volatilisation rate constants of trihalomethanes from heated distilled and finished tap water
Authors: Thurnau Robert C. , Clark Robert M.
Published: March 2017

Disinfection of drinking water is one of the major responsibilities facing cities, towns and rural areas around the world. However, most disinfectants react with organic material in the water to produce a wide variety of by‐products. Halogenated methane compounds (THMs) are among these by‐products and have been linked to adverse health effects in humans. The human exposure pathway includes: ingestion, inhalation and dermal adsorption, and THM volatilisation plays a role in all three. This paper examines the volatilisation of four trihalomethane compounds and relates their volatilisation rate constants to temperature, concentration and solvent matrix. Volatilisation rate constants were incorporated into a first‐order model that will allow resulting THM exposure concentrations to be calculated for household uses that involve heating of drinking water. Utilisation of the THM volatilisation rate constants developed in this manuscript should improve future exposure estimates.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of the Fuel Reactor in NETL's 50 kWth Chemical Looping Facility
Authors: Breault Ronald W. , Weber Justin , Straub Doug , Bayham Sam
Published: March 2017

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) has explored chemical looping in its 50 kWth facility using a number of oxygen carriers. In this work, the results for methane conversion in the fuel reactor with a hematite iron ore as the oxygen carrier are analyzed. The experimental results are compared to predictions using CPFD's barracuda computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code with kinetics derived from the analysis of fixed bed data. It has been found through analytical techniques from thermal gravimetric analysis data as well as the same fixed bed data that the kinetics for the methane–hematite reaction follows a nucleation and growth or Johnson–Mehl–Avrami (JMA) reaction mechanism. barracuda does not accept nucleation and growth kinetics; however, there is enough sufficient variability of the solids dependence within the software such that the nucleation and growth behavior can be mimicked. This paper presents the method to develop the pseudo-JMA kinetics for barracuda extracted from the fixed bed data and then applies these values to the fuel reactor data to compare the computational results to experimental data obtained from 50 kWth unit for validation. Finally, a fuel reactor design for near complete conversion is proposed.