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This study addresses the wetting and adhesion of a low molecular mass poly(n‐butyl acrylate) homopolymer melt, used as a weak acrylic adhesive, on two types of textured polymer films prepared by the breath figure templating method. The first film is a polystyrene homopolymer honeycomb‐like structure with well‐defined porous structure and long‐range ordering. The second is a disordered poly(n‐butyl acrylate)‐block‐polystyrene diblock copolymer film featuring a broad distribution of pore diameters. Static contact angle measurements show that porous films repel better the polymer melt than the corresponding nontextured films. Contact angles and spreading of polymer melt droplets on these textured surfaces reveals a Cassie‐Baxter state on the ordered porous film and a partial Wenzel state on the disordered porous films. In addition, probe tack results show that the textured surfaces tend to induce cavitation. The correlation between the wetting and adhesion highlights the major role of melt insertion into the pores, which is primarily controlled by the pores' dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of a dicyanovinyl group on the robust 2‐phenylbenzoxazole framework led to the emergence of aggregation‐induced emission enhancement (AIEE) characteristics. A mechanofluorochromic (MFC) behaviour was observed. The pristine microcrystals emitted yellow‐green light, which became golden yellow upon grinding, with the reverse process observed upon heating or solvent fuming. This phenomenon was accompanied by a reversible evolution of the photoluminescence quantum yields and lifetimes. These variations were attributed to the formation of different types of emissive species in the crystalline phases and in the ground material, which is a mixture of very small microcrystals and amorphous matter. Remarkably, evidence was also given for other spectroscopic effects, which depend on the size, compactness and heterogeneity of the solid samples. These effects are presumably linked to the generation of regions rich in low‐energy exciton traps in polycrystalline and pressed samples, and to light reabsorption. They are enhanced by the fact that the pristine platelets exhibit self‐waveguided edge emission, and they are all the more significant as the MFC effect is rather weak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers whether employee ownership mitigates the negative workplace outcomes identified by the Disconnected Capitalism Thesis (DCT). Drawing on a programme of in‐depth interviews with workers and managers in employee‐owned businesses (EOBs), the article reveals how they are partially insulated from the vicissitudes endemic within contemporary capitalism. In contrast to the workplace outcomes envisaged within the DCT, these firms are characterized by strong workforce participation, high levels of employment security, active employee engagement and strong levels of employee creativity. Not only are these features beneficial for productivity and firm performance, they generate a form of 'connected' capitalism, partially offsetting wider negative systemic forces at play in the economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A 10‐km gridded snow water equivalent (SWE) dataset is developed over the Saint‐Maurice River basin region in southern Québec from kriging of observed snow survey data for evaluation of SWE products. The gridded SWE dataset covers 1980–2014 and is based on manual gravimetric snow surveys carried out on February 1, March 1, March 15, April 1, and April 15 of each snow season, which captures the annual maximum SWE (SWEM) with a mean interpolation error of ±19%. The dataset is used to evaluate SWEM from a range of sources including satellite retrievals, reanalyses, Canadian regional climate models, and the Canadian Meteorological Centre operational snow depth analysis. We also evaluate a number of solid precipitation datasets to determine their contribution to systematic errors in estimated SWEM. None of the evaluated datasets is able to provide estimates of SWEM that are within operational requirements of ±15% error, and insufficient solid precipitation is determined to be one of the main reasons. The Climate System Forecast Reanalysis is the only dataset where snowfall is sufficiently large to generate SWEM values comparable to observations. Inconsistencies in precipitation are also found to have a strong impact on year‐to‐year variability in SWEM dataset performance and spread. Version 3.6.1 of the Canadian Land Surface Scheme land surface scheme driven with ERA‐Interim output downscaled by Version 5.0.1 of the Canadian Regional Climate Model was the best physically based model at explaining the observed spatial and temporal variability in SWEM (root‐mean‐square error [RMSE] = 33%) and has potential for lower error with adjusted precipitation. Operational snow products relying on the real‐time snow depth observing network performed poorly due to a lack of real‐time data and the strong local scale variability of point snow depth observations. The results underscore the need for more effort to be invested in improving solid precipitation estimates for use in snow hydrology applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple myeloma ( MM) is a haematological malignancy characterised by the clonal proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow. More than 80% of patients with MM display evidence of myeloma bone disease ( MBD), characterised by the formation of osteolytic lesions throughout the axial and appendicular skeleton. MBD significantly increases the risk of skeletal-related events such as pathologic fracture, spinal cord compression and hypercalcaemia. MBD is the result of MM plasma cells-mediated activation of osteoclast activity and suppression of osteoblast activity. Bisphosphonates ( BP), pyrophosphate analogues with high bone affinity, are the only pharmacological agents currently recommended for the treatment and prevention of MBD and remain the standard of care. Pamidronate and zoledronic acid are the most commonly used BP to treat MBD. Although generally safe, frequent high doses of BP are associated with adverse events such as renal toxicity and osteonecrosis of the jaw. As such, optimal duration and dosing of BP therapy is required in order to minimise BP-associated adverse events. The following guidelines provide currently available evidence for the adoption of a tailored approach when using BP for the management of MBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) were considered to be a phenotypically and functionally homogeneous cell population; however, recent analyses indicate potential heterogeneity. This is of major interest, given their importance in the induction of anti‐viral responses and their role in creating immunologically permissive environments for human malignancies. For this reason, we investigated the possible presence of human pDC subsets in blood and bone marrow, using unbiased cell phenotype clustering and functional studies. This defined two major functionally distinct human pDC subsets, distinguished by differential expression of CD2. The CD2hi and CD2lo pDCs represent discontinuous subsets, each with hallmark pDC functionality, including interferon‐alpha production. The rarer CD2hi pDC subset demonstrated a significant survival advantage over CD2lo pDC during stress and upon exposure to glucocorticoids (GCs), which was associated with higher expression of the anti‐apoptotic molecule BCL2. The differential sensitivity of these two human pDC subsets to GCs is demonstrated in vivo by a relative increase in CD2hi pDC in multiple myeloma patients treated with GCs. Hence, the selective apoptosis of CD2lo pDC during stress represents a novel mechanism for the control of innate responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite evidence from a number of Earth systems that abrupt temporal changes known as regime shifts are important, their nature, scale and mechanisms remain poorly documented and understood. Applying principal component analysis, change-point analysis and a sequential t-test analysis of regime shifts to 72 time series, we confirm that the 1980s regime shift represented a major change in the Earth's biophysical systems from the upper atmosphere to the depths of the ocean and from the Arctic to the Antarctic, and occurred at slightly different times around the world. Using historical climate model simulations from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 ( CMIP5) and statistical modelling of historical temperatures, we then demonstrate that this event was triggered by rapid global warming from anthropogenic plus natural forcing, the latter associated with the recovery from the El Chichón volcanic eruption. The shift in temperature that occurred at this time is hypothesized as the main forcing for a cascade of abrupt environmental changes. Within the context of the last century or more, the 1980s event was unique in terms of its global scope and scale; our observed consequences imply that if unavoidable natural events such as major volcanic eruptions interact with anthropogenic warming unforeseen multiplier effects may occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish full life cycle (FFLC) tests are increasingly required in the ecotoxicological assessment of endocrine active substances. However, FFLC tests have not been internationally standardized or validated, and it is currently unclear how such tests should best be designed to provide statistically sound and ecologically relevant results. This study describes how the technique of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) was used to elicit the views of fish ecologists, aquatic ecotoxicologists and statisticians on optimal experimental designs for assessing the effects of endocrine active chemicals on fish. In MCDA qualitative criteria (that can be valued, but not quantified) and quantitative criteria can be used in a structured decision-making process. The aim of the present application of MCDA is to present a logical means of collating both data and expert opinions on the best way to focus FFLC tests on endocrine active substances. The analyses are presented to demonstrate how MCDA can be used in this context. Each of 3 workgroups focused on 1 of 3 species: fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), and zebrafish (Danio rerio). Test endpoints (e.g., fecundity, growth, gonadal histopathology) were scored for each species for various desirable features such as statistical power and ecological relevance, with the importance of these features determined by assigning weights to them, using a swing weighting procedure. The endpoint F1 fertilization success consistently emerged as a preferred option for all species. In addition, some endpoints scored highly in particular species, such as development of secondary sexual characteristics (fathead minnow) and sex ratio (zebrafish). Other endpoints such as hatching success ranked relatively highly and should be considered as useful endpoints to measure in tests with any of the fish species. MCDA also indicated relatively less preferred endpoints in fish life cycle tests. For example, intensive histopathology consistently ranked low, as did measurement of diagnostic biomarkers, such as vitellogenin, most likely due to the high costs of these methods or their limited ecological relevance. Life cycle tests typically do not focus on identifying toxic modes and/or mechanisms of action, but rather, single chemical concentration–response relationships for endpoints (e.g., survival, growth, reproduction) that can be translated into evaluation of risk. It is, therefore, likely to be an inefficient use of limited resources to measure these mechanism-specific endpoints in life cycle tests, unless the value of such endpoints for answering particular questions justifies their integration in specific case studies. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2010;6:378–389. © 2010 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the maximum snow water equivalent's (SWEmax's) temporal and spatial characteristics and snow cover duration (SCD) throughout Québec. It states that a remodeled SWE and daily snow depth were used to analyze the place's snow cover variability. Results show that the snow cover variability of the region was correlated with the atmospheric circulation patterns regarding the climate and that El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) have an influence on the snow cover.

The article reports on the Bulgarian mountainous regions's snow cover variability. It mentions that from 15 climate stations in Bulgaria a principal component analysis was carried out on annual snow cover series to characterize the temporal and spatial variability in snow cover over the 1931-2000 period. In relation, it identifies the three distinct snow cover response region including the elevation in the Vitosha and Rila Mountains. Also, a high accumulation years related with a negative North Atlantic Oscillation/ East Atlantic-like pattern were showed based on the composite analysis of high and low snow accumulation winters. This infers that the correlation of annual snow cover series with the modes of atmospheric variability reflects the country's complex climate regime.

Recent studies have shown that ice duration in lakes and rivers over the Northern Hemisphere has decreased over the 19th and 20th centuries in response to global warming. However, lake ice trends have not been well documented in Canada. Because of its size, considerable variability may exist in both freeze‐up and break‐up dates across the country. In this paper, results of the analysis of recent trends (1951–2000) in freeze‐up and break‐up dates across Canada are presented. Trends toward earlier break‐up dates are observed for most lakes during the time periods of analysis which encompass the 1990s. Freeze‐up dates, on the other hand, show few significant trends and a low degree of temporal coherence when compared with break‐up dates. These results are compared with trends in autumn and spring 0 °C isotherm dates over the time period 1966–95. Similar spatial and temporal patterns are observed, with generally significant trends toward earlier springs/break‐up dates over most of western Canada and little change in isotherm and freeze‐up dates over the majority of the country in autumn. Strong correlations (r > 0·5) between 0 °C isotherm dates and freeze‐up/break‐up dates at many locations across the country reveal the high synchrony of these variables. These results are also consistent with more recent observations of other cryospheric and atmospheric variables that indicate, in particular, a general trend toward earlier springs in the latter part of the 20th century. The results of this study provide further evidence of the robustness of lake ice as a proxy indicator of climate variability and change. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poor response to immunotherapy in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) indicates that a better understanding of any defects in the immune response in these patients is required before effective therapeutic strategies can be developed. Recently we reported that high potency (CMRF44+) dendritic cells (DC) in the peripheral blood of patients with MM failed to significantly up-regulate the expression of the B7 co-stimulatory molecules, CD80 and CD86, in response to an appropriate signal from soluble trimeric human CD40 ligand. This defect was caused by transforming growth factor β1 (TGF β1) and interleukin (IL)-10, produced by malignant plasma cells, and the defect was neutralized in vitro with anti-TGF β1. As this defect could impact on immunotherapeutic strategies and may be a major cause of the failure of recent trials, it was important to identify a more clinically useful agent that could correct the defect in vivo. In this study of 59 MM patients, the relative and absolute numbers of blood DC were only significantly decreased in patients with stage III disease and CD80 up-regulation was reduced in both stage I and stage III. It was demonstrated that both IL-12 and interferon- γ neutralized the failure to stimulate CD80 up-regulation by huCD40LT in vitro. IL-12 did not cause a change in the distribution of DC subsets that were predominantly myeloid (CD11c+ and CDw123−) suggesting that there would be a predominantly T-helper cell type response. The addition of IL-12 or interferon- γ to future immunotherapy trials involving these patients should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of T-cell clones in peripheral blood has been previously shown to be associated with a survival advantage in patients with multiple myeloma and suggests that the expanded T-cell populations may be involved in an anti-tumour response. We studied the T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire of 38 patients with myeloma to identify and characterize the expanded T-cell populations by flow cytometry. T-cell expansions were found in 79% of the patients. The expansions occurred randomly among the 21 variable regions of the TCR β chain (Vβ) studied, representing 62% of the V-β repertoire, and were stable during an 18-month follow-up. The phenotype of the expanded V-β populations was predominantly CD8+, CD57+, CD28- and perforin+, which differed significantly from the other non-expanded Vβ populations. The expression of the apoptosis markers Fas (CD95) and bcl-2 were similar between the expanded and non-expanded Vβ populations. In conclusion, expanded T-cell populations were frequent in patients with myeloma, they remained unchanged during follow-up and had phenotypic characteristics of cytotoxic T cells. These data add further support to the concept that the T-cell expansions may have an immunoregulatory role in myeloma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of research on the impact of mandatory fortification of wheat flour with folic acid on the blood folate levels of an Australian population. Serum and red blood cells (RBC) folate levels of 20592 blood samples from the patients of a large public hospital was utilized in the research. It is noted that between April 2009 ad April 2010m, there was a reduction of prevalence of low serum folate level in the samples as well as a reduction of the prevalence of RBC folate levels among females of childbearing age.

BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulin A antibodies (anti-IgA) are rare but can cause transfusion-associated anaphylaxis. The detection of anti-IgA has traditionally been performed using a labor-intensive hemagglutination assay in a limited number of reference laboratories. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two simple gel card assays are now available that can be used to screen for anti-IgA and IgA deficiency. A total of 24 serum samples that had been previously assayed for anti-IgA over a 3-year period were used to assess the DiaMed anti-IgA and IgA deficiency assays. RESULTS: The DiaMed assays correctly identified patients (n = 6) who had significant IgA deficiency and anti-IgA. All patients with an abnormal anti-IgA titer by hemagglutination assay and who were also IgA-deficient had anti-IgA detected using the DiaMed screening test. One patient, previously shown to have an IgA level of less than 0.067 g per L, failed to be detected as IgA-deficient in the DiaMed IgA deficiency test; however, anti-IgA were not present. Samples with slightly increased anti-IgA titers tended to have normal IgA levels. CONCLUSION: The DiaMed gel card screening assays are appropriate screening tools for the investigation of transfusion-related anaphylactic reactions and can be used in any routine blood bank laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing awareness about the potential benefit of harnessing citizen science for research, particularly in the biological and environmental sciences. Data quality is a major constraint in the use of citizen-science data, in particular, imperfect observations. In this paper, we fit species distribution models to presence-only data (presences and counts, with no absences observed) by exploiting the uncertainty in reported presences, instead of generating pseudo-absences as is common in previous presence-only studies. This approach allowed us to extend the suite of models to include those commonly fit to presence/absence and abundance data. We fit several models to a case study data set of jaguar encounters reported by citizens in the Peruvian Amazon. The true species distribution for the case study data is unknown, and thus we also undertake an extensive simulation study to evaluate model performance. We analyze the sources of error by studying the bias and variance of the models and discuss the predictive performance of each model and its ability to recover the true species distribution. The simulation study shows that, although several approaches are capable of recovering the species distribution, the choice of a modelling approach is a complex one and depends on factors such as inferential aim, model complexity, sample size, and computational resources. This study also addresses some issues in dealing with compound-imperfect observations arising from citizen-science data, and we discuss further steps needed in this research area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waldenström macroglobulinaemia ( WM) is an indolent B-cell malignancy characterised by the presence of immunoglobulin M ( IgM) paraprotein and bone marrow infiltration by clonal small B lymphocytes, plasmacytoid lymphocytes and plasma cells. The symptoms of WM are protean, often follow an asymptomatic phase and may include complications related to the paraneoplastic effects of IgM paraprotein. The revised 2016 World Health Organization classification includes the MYD88 L265P mutation, which is seen in >90% of cases, within the diagnostic criteria for WM. While treatment of WM has often been considered together with other indolent B cell lymphomas, there are unique aspects of WM management that require specific care. These include the unreliability of IgM and paraprotein measurements in monitoring patients prior to and after treatment, the lack of correlation between disease burden and symptoms and rituximab-induced IgM flare. Moreover, while bendamustine and rituximab has recently been approved for reimbursed frontline use in WM in Australia, other regimens, including ibrutinib- and bortezomib-based treatments, are not funded, requiring tailoring of treatment to the regional regulatory environment. The Medical and Scientific Advisory Group of the Myeloma Foundation Australia has therefore developed clinical practice guidelines with specific recommendations for the work-up and therapy of WM to assist Australian clinicians in the management of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the errors of a study about a strategy for resolving the discrepancies between reports of phenotypic changes that occur during plasma cell differentiation. Identification of plasma cells using immunophenotyping; Contamination of immature cells using a fluorochrome; Differentiation of neoplastic plasma cells.

The poor response to immunotherapy in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) indicates that a better understanding of any defects in the immune response in these patients is required before effective therapeutic strategies can be developed. Recently we reported that high potency (CMRF44(+)) dendritic cells (DC) in the peripheral blood of patients with MM failed to significantly up-regulate the expression of the B7 co-stimulatory molecules, CD80 and CD86, in response to an appropriate signal from soluble trimeric human CD40 ligand. This defect was caused by transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGFbeta(1)) and interleukin (IL)-10, produced by malignant plasma cells, and the defect was neutralized in vitro with anti-TGFbeta(1). As this defect could impact on immunotherapeutic strategies and may be a major cause of the failure of recent trials, it was important to identify a more clinically useful agent that could correct the defect in vivo. In this study of 59 MM patients, the relative and absolute numbers of blood DC were only significantly decreased in patients with stage III disease and CD80 up-regulation was reduced in both stage I and stage III. It was demonstrated that both IL-12 and interferon-gamma neutralized the failure to stimulate CD80 up-regulation by huCD40LT in vitro. IL-12 did not cause a change in the distribution of DC subsets that were predominantly myeloid (CD11c+ and CDw123-) suggesting that there would be a predominantly T-helper cell type response. The addition of IL-12 or interferon-gamma to future immunotherapy trials involving these patients should be considered.