bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crack opening behavior in ceramic matrix composites
Authors: Sevener Kathleen M. , Tracy Jared M. , Chen Zhe , Kiser James D. , Daly Samantha 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe evolution of matrix cracks in a melt‐infiltrated SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composite (CMC) under uniaxial tension was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with digital image correlation (DIC) and manual crack opening displacement (COD) measurements. CMC modeling and life prediction strongly depend a thorough understanding of when matrix cracks occur, the extent of cracking for given conditions (time‐temperature‐environment‐stress), and the interactions of matrix cracks with fibers and interfaces. In this work, strain relaxation due to matrix cracking, the relationship between CODs and applied stress, and damage evolution at stresses below the proportional limit were assessed. Direct experimental observation of strain relaxation adjacent to regions of matrix cracking is presented and discussed. Additionally, crack openings were found to increase linearly with increasing applied stress, and no crack was found to pass fully through the gage cross‐section. This calls into question the modeling assumption of through‐cracks for all loading conditions and fiber architectures, which can obscure oxidation mechanisms that are active in realistic cracking conditions. Finally, the combination of SEM with DIC is demonstrated throughout to be a powerful means for damage identification and quantification in CMCs at stresses well below the proportional limit.
Consensus statement of the International Summit on Intellectual Disability and Dementia related to end‐of‐life care in advanced dementia
Authors: McCallion Philip , Hogan Mary , Santos Flavia H , McCarron Mary , Service Kathryn , Stemp Sandy , Keller Seth , Fortea Juan , Bishop Kathleen , Watchman Karen , Janicki Matthew P ,   the Working Group of the International Summit on Intellectual Disability and Dementia
Published: May 2017

BackgroundAdults with intellectual disability are affected by dementia at equivalent and elevated rates, many surviving into advanced age. End of life care and support considerations come into play among these individuals when most are in the advanced stage of dementia.MethodsA preliminary report summarizing available literature and making initial recommendations was developed by a workgroup, reviewed by all conference participants and then was finalized by the workgroup.ResultsThe International Summit on Intellectual Disability and Dementia produced a report on End of life care in advanced dementia that provides a synthesis statement which encompasses defining the state of advanced dementia, proposes use of palliative care services (including hospice) and recommends special efforts for enabling advanced directives and advance care planning prior to the extensive progression of dementia. The Summit further recommended that when aiding adults with advanced dementia, the following be undertaken: integrative efforts between intellectual disability and palliative care providers, specialized training for carers on end of life care and supports, and involvement of adults with intellectual disability early on in their advance care planning.ConclusionsThe Consensus recommendations will ensure greater and more appropriate support at end of life for persons with intellectual disabilities and advanced dementia.
Increased prevalence of HCV and hepatic decompensation in adults with psoriasis: a population‐based study in the United Kingdom
Authors: Noe M.H. , Grewal S.K. , Shin D.B. , Ogdie A. , Takeshita J. , Gelfand J.M. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of global morbidity and mortality, with conflicting evidence regarding a possible association with psoriasis.ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of HCV in psoriasis patients, compared to controls, and to determine the incidence of hepatic decompensation in HCV+ psoriasis patients compared to HCV+ controls.MethodsCross‐sectional and cohort studies were conducted in The Health Improvement Network (THIN).ResultsIn fully adjusted models, a statistically significant increase in prevalence was seen in the adults with psoriasis (OR: 1.24, 95% CI 1.10–1.40). A “dose–response” of HCV prevalence with increasing psoriasis severity was not observed. HCV+ patients with psoriasis had a non‐statistically significant increased incidence of hepatic decompensation compared to HCV+ individuals without psoriasis (aHR: 1.58, 95% CI: 0.90–2.77). The risk was highest and statistically significant, in those with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis (aHR: 21.51, 95% CI: 7.58–61.03).ConclusionsThese results demonstrate a higher prevalence of HCV in adults with psoriasis and a higher rate of hepatic decompensation in HCV+ individuals with moderate‐severe psoriasis.
Adverse events associated with discontinuation of the biologics/classic systemic treatments for moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis: data from the Spanish Biologics Registry, Biobadaderm
Authors: Belinchón I. , Ramos J.M. , Carretero G. , Ferrándiz C. , Rivera R. , Daudén E. , De la Cueva‐Dobao P. , Gómez‐García F.J. , Herrera‐Ceballos E. , Sánchez‐Carazo J.L. , López‐Estebaranz J.L. , Alsina M. , Ferrán M. , Torrado R. , Carrascosa J.M. , Llamas‐Velasco M. , Ortiz P.L. , García‐Doval I. , Descalzo M.A. ,   The Biobadaderm Study Group
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundLittle is known about the adverse events (AEs) that lead to suspension of systemic treatments for psoriasis in clinical practice.ObjectiveThe study aimed to investigate AEs associated with discontinuation of systemic therapy in patients with psoriasis in a clinical setting (Biobadaderm).Materials and methodsMulticentre, prospective, cohort study of patients with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis receiving systemic therapies from January 2008 to November 2015, in 12 hospitals in Spain. The incidence rate (IR) was used to compare biologics and classic systemic therapies.ResultsA total of 4218 courses of treatment were given to 1938 patients. A total of 447 (11%) treatments were discontinued due to AEs. The IR of AE associated with discontinuation of systemic therapies was 13 events/100 patient‐years (PY) (95% CI: 12.14–13.93), 9.34 events/100 PY (95% CI: 8.44–10.33) for biologics and 19.67 (95% CI: 17.9–21.6) events/100 PY for classics (P < 0.001). Of 810 discontinuation‐related AEs, 117 (14%) were serious. The highest IRs were for cyclosporine [49.18/100 PY (95% CI: 41.91–57.72)] and infliximab [26.52/100 PY (95% CI: 20.98–33.51). Ustekinumab presented the lowest IR (2.6/100 PY (95% CI: 1.83–3.69).LimitationsObservational study with potential selection bias.ConclusionBiologic therapies are associated with a lower rate of discontinuation‐related AEs than are classic therapies in real clinical practice. Ustekinumab showed the lowest incidence.
The combined effects of temporal autocorrelation and the costs of plasticity on the evolution of plasticity
Authors: Siljestam M. , Östman Ö. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAdaptive phenotypic plasticity is an important source of intraspecific variation, and for many plastic traits, the costs or factors limiting plasticity seem cryptic. However, there are several different factors that may constrain the evolution of plasticity, but few models have considered costs and limiting factors simultaneously. Here we use a simulation model to investigate how the optimal level of plasticity in a population depends on a fixed maintenance fitness cost for plasticity or an incremental fitness cost for producing a plastic response in combination with environmental unpredictability (environmental fluctuation speed) limiting plasticity. Our model identifies two mechanisms that act, almost separately, to constrain the evolution of plasticity: (i) the fitness cost of plasticity scaled by the nonplastic environmental tolerance, and (ii) the environmental fluctuation speed scaled by the rate of phenotypic change. That is, the evolution of plasticity is constrained by the high cost of plasticity in combination with high tolerance for environmental variation, or fast environmental changes in combination with slow plastic response. Qualitatively similar results are found when maintenance and incremental fitness costs of plasticity are incorporated, although a larger degree of plasticity is selected for with an incremental cost. Our model highlights that it is important to consider direct fitness costs and phenotypic limitations in relation to nonplastic environmental tolerance and environmental fluctuations, respectively, to understand what constrains the evolution of phenotypic plasticity.
The evolution of a complex trait: cuticular hydrocarbons in ants evolve independent from phylogenetic constraints
Authors: Menzel F. , Schmitt T. , Blaimer B. B. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractCuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are ubiquitous and highly diverse in insects, serving as communication signal and waterproofing agent. Despite their vital function, the causes, mechanisms and constraints on CHC diversification are still poorly understood. Here, we investigated phylogenetic constraints on the evolution of CHC profiles, using a global data set of the species‐rich and chemically diverse ant genus Crematogaster. We decomposed CHC profiles into quantitative (relative abundances, chain length) and qualitative traits (presence/absence of CHC classes). A species‐level phylogeny was estimated using newly generated and previously published sequences from five nuclear markers. Moreover, we reconstructed a phylogeny for the chemically diverse Crematogaster levior species group using cytochrome oxidase I. Phylogenetic signal was measured for these traits on genus and clade level and within the chemically diverse C. levior group. For most quantitative CHC traits, phylogenetic signal was low and did not differ from random expectation. This was true on the level of genus, clade and species group, indicating that CHC traits are evolutionary labile. In contrast, the presence or absence of alkenes and alkadienes was highly conserved within the C. levior group. Hence, the presence or absence of biosynthetic pathways may be phylogenetically constrained, especially at lower taxonomic levels. Our study shows that CHC composition can evolve rapidly, allowing insects to quickly adapt their chemical profiles to external selection pressures, whereas the presence of biosynthetic pathways appears more constrained. However, our results stress the importance to consider the taxonomic level when investigating phylogenetic constraints.
Sonic hedgehog signalling mediates astrocyte crosstalk with neurons to confer neuroprotection
Authors: Ugbode Christopher I. , Smith Imogen , Whalley Benjamin J. , Hirst Warren D. , Rattray Marcus 
Published: May 2017

AbstractSonic hedgehog (SHH) is a glycoprotein associated with development that is also expressed in the adult CNS and released after brain injury. Since the SHH receptors patched homolog‐1 and Smoothened are highly expressed on astrocytes, we hypothesized that SHH regulates astrocyte function. Primary mouse cortical astrocytes derived from embryonic Swiss mouse cortices, were treated with two chemically distinct agonists of the SHH pathway, which caused astrocytes to elongate and proliferate. These changes are accompanied by decreases in the major astrocyte glutamate transporter‐1 and the astrocyte intermediate filament protein glial fibrillary acidic protein. Multisite electrophysiological recordings revealed that the SHH agonist, smoothened agonist suppressed neuronal firing in astrocyte‐neuron co‐cultures and this was abolished by the astrocyte metabolic inhibitor ethylfluoroacetate, revealing that SHH stimulation of metabolically active astrocytes influences neuronal firing. Using three‐dimensional co‐culture, MAP2 western blotting and immunohistochemistry, we show that SHH‐stimulated astrocytes protect neurons from kainate‐induced cell death. Altogether the results show that SHH regulation of astrocyte function represents an endogenous neuroprotective mechanism.
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Y5 receptor signalling counteracts the anorectic effects of PYY3‐36 in diet‐induced obese mice
Authors: Shi Y.‐C. , Ip C. K. , Reed F. , Sarruf D. A. , Wulff B. S. , Herzog H. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractPeptide YY 3‐36 (PYY3‐36) is known as a critical satiety factor that reduces food intake both in rodents and humans. Although the anorexic effect of PYY3‐36 is assumed to be mediated mainly by the Y2 receptor, the involvement of other Y‐receptors in this process has never been conclusively resolved. Amongst them, the Y5 receptor (Y5R) is the most likely candidate to also be a target for PYY3‐36, which is considered to counteract the anorectic effects of Y2R activation. In the present study, we show that short‐term treatment of diet‐induced obese wild‐type (WT) and Y5R knockout mice (Y5KO) with PYY3‐36 leads to a significantly reduced food intake in both genotypes, which is more pronounced in Y5R KO mice. Interestingly, chronic PYY3‐36 infusion via minipumps to WT mice causes an increased cumulative food intake, which is associated with increased body weight gain. By contrast, lack of Y5R reversed this effect. Consistent with the observed increased body weight and fat mass in WT‐treated mice, glucose tolerance was also impaired by chronic PYY3‐36 treatment. Again, this was less affected in Y5KO mice, suggestive of a role of Y5R in the regulation of glucose homeostasis. Taken together, our data suggest that PYY3‐36 mediated signalling via Y5 receptors may counteract the anorectic effects that it mediates via the Y2 receptor (Y2R), consequently lowering bodyweight in the absence of Y5 signalling. These findings open the potential of combination therapy using PYY3‐36 and Y5R antagonists to enhance the food intake reducing effects of PYY3‐36.
Deletion of Sarm1 gene is neuroprotective in two models of peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Turkiew Elliot , Falconer Debbie , Reed Nicole , Höke Ahmet 
Published: May 2017

AbstractDistal axon degeneration seen in many peripheral neuropathies is likely to share common molecular mechanisms with Wallerian degeneration. Although several studies in mouse models of peripheral neuropathy showed prevention of axon degeneration in the slow Wallerian degeneration (Wlds) mouse, the role of a recently identified player in Wallerian degeneration, Sarm1, has not been explored extensively. In this study, we show that mice lacking the Sarm1 gene are resistant to distal axonal degeneration in a model of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy caused by paclitaxel and a model of high fat diet induced putative metabolic neuropathy. This study extends the role of Sarm1 to axon degeneration seen in peripheral neuropathies and identifies it as a likely target for therapeutic development.
Benefactors and Beneficiaries? Disability and Care to Others
Authors: Shandra Carrie L. , Penner Anna 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIndividuals with disabilities often have limitations that require care from others to increase functioning and facilitate activities of daily living. Despite these care‐receiving needs, evidence suggests people with disabilities are also care givers. This study uses the 2008–2015 American Time Use Survey to examine the association between the presence of sensory, mental or cognitive, physical, or multiple limitations and the likelihood and intensity of time spent in primary child care, secondary child care, adult care, care of nonhouseholders, and support care (housework). Net of socioeconomic characteristics, the authors do not observe consistent differences in predicted child care time by disability status, although men with disabilities spend less time in care to adults and nonhouseholders. The largest difference in predicted care time by disability status occurs in support care. Overall, the results challenge the traditional focus on people with disabilities as only beneficiaries of care to document their role as benefactors.
Treatment of refractory sino‐nasal aspergillosis with posaconazole and terbinafine in 10 dogs
Authors: Stewart J. , Bianco D. 
Published: May 2017

ObjectivesTo determine the safety and efficacy of posaconazole and terbinafine for the treatment of naturally occurring sino‐nasal aspergillosis in dogs refractory to conventional topical and systemic treatment.Materials and MethodsTen client‐owned dogs with sino‐nasal aspergillosis and not responsive to conventional treatments were prospectively enrolled to receive a dose of 5 mg/kg posaconazole orally every 12 hours for six months. All dogs were concurrently treated with doses of 30 mg/kg terbinafine orally every 12 hours and 5 mg/kg doxycycline orally every 12 hours for 6 to 18 months.ResultsAll 10 enrolled dogs completed the study. The treatment response was defined as complete clinical remission (n=7) or partial clinical remission (n=3). Two dogs relapsed after cessation of combination therapy. All dogs lived more than one year after starting combination therapy and eight dogs are alive at the time of writing. No clinically relevant adverse reactions or increases in hepatic enzyme activity occurred during the combination therapy.Clinical SignificanceThe results of this study suggest that this combination therapy appears safe and well‐tolerated for the treatment of refractory sino‐nasal aspergillosis in dogs. Long‐term survival is possible with prolonged treatment, but relapse is possible. Larger prospective studies are warranted to further evaluate these preliminary findings.
Inequality, Protests, and the Progressive Allocation of Cash Transfers in the Argentine Provinces
Authors: Calvo Ernesto , Moscovich Lorena 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn the last 20 years, two broadly defined theories have sought to explain the relationship between economic inequality and redistribution. The well-known hypothesis set forth by Meltzer and Richard (1981) states that larger income differences between the median voter and the average income earner should increase redistributive pressures in democratic regimes. Power Resource Theory (PRT), by contrast, argues that income inequality breeds power inequality and should dampen redistribution. Critical to both theories is the translation of redistributive interest into policy signals. This article considers protests as signals that increase the salience of inequality among voters. Results provide evidence that protests facilitate more progressive cash transfers in highly unequal environments but have modest effects in more egalitarian ones.
Resilience and Renewal: The Enforcement of Labor Laws in Brazil
Authors: Coslovsky Salo , Pires Roberto , Bignami Renato 
Published: May 2017

AbstractWhat happens to a country's system of labor laws when its government embraces market-oriented reforms? In a twist on the prediction that labor regulations will be repealed, researchers find that laws remain in place but are not faithfully enforced, a phenomenon known as de facto flexibility. This article examines the case of Brazil to understand its near-opposite; namely, resilience and renewal in the enforcement of labor regulations. It finds that labor unions have combined the corporatist authority they gained under state control with the autonomy they acquired under democratization to devise new modes of action and to safeguard existing regulations. Meanwhile, labor inspectors and prosecutors rely on existing laws to combat precarious work conditions and promote formal employment relations, which strengthen the unions. This mutually supportive arrangement is neither perfect nor free of tension, but it shows how workers can be protected even when employers are subjected to global competition.
Compulsory Voting and Income Inequality: Evidence for Lijphart's Proposition from Venezuela
Authors: Carey John M. , Horiuchi Yusaku 
Published: May 2017

AbstractWhat difference does it make if the state makes people vote? The question is central to normative debates about the rights and duties of citizens in a democracy, and to contemporary policy debates in a number of Latin American countries over what actions states should take to encourage electoral participation. Focusing on a rare case of abolishing compulsory voting in Venezuela, this article shows that not forcing people to vote yielded a more unequal distribution of income. The evidence supports Arend Lijphart's claim, advanced in his 1996 presidential address to the American Political Science Association, that compulsory voting can offset class bias in turnout and, in turn, contribute to the equality of influence.
Reading Aaron Diaz's Wonder Woman
Authors: Smith Philip 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis paper seeks, first, to provide a review of Wonder Woman scholarship to date and, second, to document the (a)e(s)th(e)tic underpinnings and execution of one depiction of Wonder Woman, a version which exists only in a single image (discussed in two separate posts), created by one Aaron Diaz, proprietor of the webcomic Dresden Codak and blog Indistinguishable from Magic. To understand Diaz's Wonder Woman we do not simply need to consider the image which Diaz drew, but the versions of the character which he seeks to critique. I seek to demonstrate that Diaz's reinvention of Wonder Woman not only fails to address many of the issues which surround the representation of gender in superhero narratives, but actively removes the potentially positive work found in other incarnations of the character.
The trans‐envelope architecture and function of the type 2 secretion system: new insights raising new questions
Authors: Thomassin Jenny‐Lee , Santos Moreno Javier , Guilvout Ingrid , Tran Van Nhieu Guy , Francetic Olivera 
Published: May 2017

SummaryNanomachines belonging to the type IV filament (Tff) superfamily serve a variety of cellular functions in prokaryotes, including motility, adhesion, electrical conductance, competence and secretion. The type 2 secretion system (T2SS) Tff member assembles a short filament called pseudopilus that promotes the secretion of folded proteins from the periplasm across the outer membrane of Gram‐negative bacteria. A combination of structural, biochemical, imaging, computational and in vivo approaches had led to a working model for the assembled nanomachine. High‐resolution cryo‐electron microscopy and tomography provided the first view of several homologous Tff nanomachines in the cell envelope and revealed the structure of the outer membrane secretin channel, challenging current models of the overall stoichiometry of the T2SS. In addition, recent insights into exoprotein substrate features and interactions with the T2SS have led to new questions about the dynamics of the system and the role of the plasma membrane in substrate presentation. This micro‐review will highlight recent advances in the field of type 2 secretion and discuss approaches that can be used to reach a mechanistic understanding of exoprotein recognition, integration into the machine and secretion.
European Philosophy and Original Sin in Stephen Mulhall
Authors: Wolfe Judith 
Published: May 2017

AbstractStephen Mulhall has distinguished himself as one of the most rigorous and constructive contemporary thinkers on European philosophy and its complicated relationship to Christian theology. A prominent locus of that relationship in his work is the Christian doctrine of original sin, and its criticism but also structural recapitulation in the work of Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre and others. This article begins with an overview of relevant themes and their development in Mulhall's writings. I then offer an account of the internal tensions Mulhall identifies in Heidegger et al's ambivalent contestation of original sin, and of his own response. The centre of this response is a reconfiguration of the character of the divine, and of human participation in that divine, as radical self‐abnegation. I conclude with an appreciative critique of Mulhall's proposal as insufficiently responsive to the eschatological framework within which original sin has its doctrinal and ontological place in Thomist thought.