bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simethicone improves bowel cleansing with low-volume polyethylene glycol: a multicenter randomized trial
Authors: Zhang Shenghong , Zheng Danping , Wang Jinping , Wu Jianwei , Lei Pingguang , Luo Qi , Wang Liping , Zhang Beiping , Wang Hong , Cui Yi , Chen Minhu
Published: November 2017

Background and study aims For bowel preparation, using a reduced volume of polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution without influencing its effectiveness would be preferable. While simethicone shows great potential as an adjunctive agent, data on its use are limited. We aimed to clarify whether simethicone added to low-volume PEG solution improved bowel cleansing.

Patients and methods Consecutive adult patients registered for colonoscopy were recruited from seven medical centers in South China between 15 April and 15 July 2015 and prospectively randomized into two groups: 2 L PEG (conventional group) and 2 L PEG plus simethicone (simethicone group). The primary endpoint was the effectiveness of bowel cleansing according to the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). Secondary endpoints included cecal intubation time, adenoma detection rate (ADR), patient safety and compliance, and adverse events.

Results We included 290 and 289 patients in the conventional and simethicone groups, respectively, for analysis. The proportion with acceptable bowel cleansing (BBPS ≥ 6) was significantly higher in the simethicone group than in the conventional group (88.2 % vs. 76.6 %; P < 0.001). The mean (SD) BBPS score was significantly lower in the conventional group (6.5 [1.8] vs. 7.3 [1.7]; P < 0.001), as was the bubble score (2.5 [0.7] vs. 2.8 [0.5]; P < 0.001). The average cecal intubation time was significantly shorter in the simethicone group (6.3 [3.1] vs. 7.5 [5.1] minutes; P < 0.001). The ADR in the right colon was higher in the simethicone group than in the conventional group (16.6 % vs. 10.3 %; P = 0.03). Safety and compliance, including the taste, smell, and dosage of PEG, were similar for both groups.

Conclusions Simethicone added to low-volume PEG solution improves bowel-cleansing efficacy, with similar safety and compliance, shorter cecal intubation time, and higher ADR.
Large-area SnSe2/GaN heterojunction diodes grown by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Lee Choong Hee , Krishnamoorthy Sriram , Paul Pran K. , O'Hara Dante J. , Brenner Mark R. , Kawakami Roland K. , Arehart Aaron R. , Rajan Siddharth
Published: November 2017

We report on the synthesis and properties of wafer-scale two-dimensional/three-dimensional (2D/3D) n-SnSe2/n-GaN(0001) heterojunctions. The hexagonal crystal structure of crystalline SnSe2 grown by molecular beam epitaxy was confirmed via in-situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction and off-axis X-ray diffraction. Current-voltage (I-V) measurements of SnSe2/GaN diodes exhibited 9 orders of magnitude rectification, and the SnSe2/GaN heterojunction barrier height was estimated to be 1 eV using capacitance-voltage measurements and internal photoemission measurements. Vertical electronic transport analyzed using temperature-dependent I-V measurements indicates thermionic field emission transport across the junction. This work demonstrates the potential of epitaxial growth of large area high quality 2D crystals on 3D bulk semiconductors for device applications involving carrier injection across 2D/3D heterojunctions.
Reduced resistance drift in tunnel junctions using confined tunnel barriers
Authors: Barcikowski Z. S. , Pomeroy J. M.
Published: November 2017

Metal-insulator-metal (MIM) tunnel junctions with the aluminum oxide tunnel barriers confined between cobalt electrodes exhibit less resistance drift over time than junctions that utilize a thick, unconfined aluminum electrode. The improved long time stability is attributed to better initial oxide quality achieved through confinement (use of a potential energy well for the oxygen) and plasma oxidation. In this work, Co/AlOx/Co and Co/Al/AlOx/Co tunnel junction aging is compared over a period of approximately 9 months using transport measurements and Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) based modelling. The Co/AlOx/Co (confined) tunnel junction resistance increased by (32 ± 6) % over 5400 h, while Co/Al/AlOx/Co (unconfined) tunnel junction resistance increased by (85 ± 23) % over 5200 h. Fit parameters for the tunnel barrier width and potential energy barriers were extracted using WKB transport modelling. These values change only a small amount in the confined Co/AlOx/Co tunnel junction but show a significant drift in the unconfined Co/AlOx/Co tunnel junction.
The mechanism of plasma-assisted penetration of NO2− in model tissues
Authors: He Tongtong , Liu Dingxin , Liu Zhijie , Liu Zhichao , Li Qiaosong , Rong Mingzhe , Kong Michael G.
Published: November 2017

Cold atmospheric plasmas are reportedly capable of enhancing the percutaneous absorption of drugs, which is a development direction of plasma medicine. This motivated us to study how the enhancement effect was realized. In this letter, gelatin gel films were used as surrogates of human tissues, NaNO2 was used as a representative of small-molecule drugs, and cross-field and linear-field plasma jets were used for the purpose of enhancing the penetration of NaNO2 through the gelatin gel films. The permeability of gelatin gel films was quantified by measuring the NO2− concentration in water which was covered by those films. It was found that the gas flow and electric field of cold plasmas played a crucial role in the permeability enhancement of the model tissues, but the effect of gas flow was mainly confined in the surface layer, while the effect of the electric field was holistic. Those effects might be attributed to the localized squeezing of particles by gas flow and the weakening of the ion-dipole interaction by the AC electric field. The enhancement effect decreases with the increasing mass fraction of gelatin because the macromolecules of gelatin could significantly hinder the penetration of small molecules in the model tissues.
Enhanced power coupling efficiency in inductive discharges with RF substrate bias driven at consecutive harmonics with adjustable phase
Authors: Berger Birk , Steinberger Thomas , Schüngel Edmund , Koepke Mark , Mussenbrock Thomas , Awakowicz Peter , Schulze Julian
Published: November 2017

Inductive discharges with radio-frequency (RF) substrate bias are frequently used for various technological applications. We operate such a hybrid discharge with a phase-locked RF substrate bias at twice the frequency of the inductive coupling with fixed but adjustable phase between both RF sources in neon at low pressures of a few Pa. The ion flux to the substrate is found to be a function of this relative phase in the H-mode at constant RF powers as long as some residual capacitive coupling of the planar coil is present. For distinct choices of the phase, Phase Resolved Optical Emission Spectroscopy measurements show that energetic beam electrons generated by the expanding boundary sheaths (i) are well confined, (ii) are accelerated efficiently, and (iii) propagate vertically through the inductive skin layer at the times of maximum azimuthal induced electric field within the fundamental RF period. This enhances the inductive stochastic electron heating, the power coupling efficiency, and finally the ion flux.
Design of two-dimensional particle assemblies using isotropic pair interactions with an attractive well
Authors: Piñeros William D. , Jadrich Ryan B. , Truskett Thomas M.
Published: November 2017

Using ground-state and relative-entropy based inverse design strategies, isotropic interactions with an attractive well are determined to stabilize and promote assembly of particles into two-dimensional square, honeycomb, and kagome lattices. The design rules inferred from these results are discussed and validated in the discovery of interactions that favor assembly of the highly open truncated-square and truncated-hexagonal lattices.
Tunable ferroelectric polarization of the bulk and free standing ATiO3 (A = Ba and Pb) thin films via unit-cell thicknesses and strain engineering
Authors: Tariq A. , Nazir S.
Published: November 2017

Ab-Initio calculations are used to investigate the spontaneous polarization in the bulk and free standing ATiO3 (A = Ba and Pb) thin films by increasing the corresponding unit-cell thickness in [001]-direction and by adjusting the bi-axial strain (both compressive and tensile) in ab-plane [110]. Our results exhibit that polarization gradually increases with the increase of unit-cell growth and compressive/tensile strain has a positive/negative impact on the spontaneous polarization for both bulk materials. For free standing thin films, it is found that polarization is strongly suppressed below a critical value of film thickness, due to depolarizing the intrinsic electric field induced by un-compensated dipoles at the surfaces. In BaTiO3 thin film, 8.5/6 unit-cells (32/26 Å) are predicted to be the critical thickness for BaO-BaO/BaO-TiO2 symmetric/asymmetric surface. In contrast, polarization gradually increases for TiO2-TiO2 symmetric surface upto 6.5 unit-cells and then raises sharply. In the case of PbTiO3 thin film, 6.5 and 6 unit-cells (23 and 22 Å) are estimated the critical thicknesses for symmetric [(PbO-PbO) and (TiO2-TiO2)] and asymmetric (PbO-TiO2) surfaces, respectively. Compressive and tensile strains display an increasing and decreasing trend for all thin film structures. However, the impact of compressive strain on the polarization is larger than tensile. Furthermore, we predict that asymmetric (AO-TiO2) surfaces in both films show higher polarization as compared to symmetric [(AO-AO) and (TiO2-TiO2)] surfaces due to large octahedral distortions.
The sustainable worldwide offshore wind energy potential: A systematic review
Authors: Keivanpour Samira , Ramudhin Amar , Ait Kadi Daoud
Published: November 2017

The offshore wind industry is expanding rapidly around the world due to several factors enabling this source of renewable energy. Stronger wind resources in offshore areas, lack of social and geographical constraints related to onshore wind power, the evolution of technology, and increasing demand for electricity in coastal regions as a result of a massive increase in population are some of the factors favoring the use of wind energy. The assessment of the potential global capacity that considers the different economic, environmental, and social factors and the dynamics of market, policy, and technology are vital for estimating the competitiveness of offshore wind energy in the future energy profile. There are several studies and technical reports that evaluate the potential of offshore wind energy in different countries or regions. They used a different source of data, metrics, and quantitative approaches in appraising the potential offshore wind power capacity and its cost efficiency. The critical factors that have been considered are geographical, technical, economic, environmental, and social and market elements. This paper provides a systematic review for analyzing the studies that address the potential offshore wind energy around the world and published during the 2000–2016 period. This study highlights the key criteria for assessing the potential for offshore wind energy deployment and the related tools and methods.
Implications of floristic patterns, and changes in stand structure following a large-scale, intense fire across forested ecosystems in south-western Australia
Authors: Wardell-Johnson Grant , Luxton Sarah , Craig Kaylene , Brown Vanessa , Evans Natalee , Kennedy Serene
Published: November 2017

The isolated forested ecosystems of south-western Australia are experiencing warming, drying, and increasing wildfires. How are these changes impacting on biodiversity in the region? A wildfire burnt over 98 000 ha in the high-rainfall (>1100 mm) zone between Northcliffe and Walpole in January–February 2015. A lack of permanent plots limited assessment of impact. However, plot establishment in September 2016 enabled benchmarking of local biodiversity responses in areas burnt at high intensity 18 months previously. We assessed floristic composition, fire response traits and vegetation structure in 48 plots (each 78.5 m2) replicated equally across four neighbouring vegetation types (tall open-forest, open-forest, low open-forest and shrubland). We recorded 165 vascular plant species across these four environments, which differed in environmental profiles, species density, fire trait syndromes and fire-determined structural responses. Shrubland (77 species) was most dominated by geophytes and rhizomatous taxa; and open-forest (82 species) and tall open-forest (41 species) by soil-stored seeders. Epicormic resprouters were dominant in all three forest types. Considerable impact was observed in tree structure, suggesting that recovery in height and biomass in forested vegetation will take longer than fire-return times under trends of increasing frequency and intensity of wildfire in the region. In light of these findings we advocate fire management regimes that reduce the impact of on-going climate trends. These are mosaics that take advantage of moisture differentials, sharp ecotones and different suites of fire response syndromes, and target high-value assets for protection.
Repression of miR-31 by BCL6 stabilizes the helper function of human follicular helper T cells
Authors: Ripamonti A. , Provasi E. , Lorenzo M. , De Simone M. , Ranzani V. , Vangelisti S. , Curti S. , Bonnal R. J. P. , Pignataro L. , Torretta S. , Geginat J. , Rossetti G. , Pagani M. , Abrignani S.
Published: November 2017

Significance

Antibody production by B lymphocytes generally requires help by T follicular helper (T
FH
) cells, a specific subset of CD4
+
T lymphocytes. The function of T
FH
cells depends on BCL6, a transcriptional repressor whose target genes that account for the helper activity are unknown. By the combined analysis of microRNA (miRNA) and gene expression profiling in human T
FH
cells, we found that miR-31, a miRNA that inhibits gene transcripts relevant for T
FH
cells biology, is down-regulated in T
FH
. BCL6 contributes to “helperness” by shutting down miR-31 gene expression, thus stabilizing the follicular helper T cell program. Thus miR-31 is a therapeutic target to modulate human T cell-dependent antibody responses in immunomediated disorders.
Psychological targeting as an effective approach to digital mass persuasion
Authors: Matz S. C. , Kosinski M. , Nave G. , Stillwell D. J.
Published: November 2017

Significance

Building on recent advancements in the assessment of psychological traits from digital footprints, this paper demonstrates the effectiveness of psychological mass persuasion—that is, the adaptation of persuasive appeals to the psychological characteristics of large groups of individuals with the goal of influencing their behavior. On the one hand, this form of psychological mass persuasion could be used to help people make better decisions and lead healthier and happier lives. On the other hand, it could be used to covertly exploit weaknesses in their character and persuade them to take action against their own best interest, highlighting the potential need for policy interventions.
Phasic inhibition as a mechanism for generation of rapid respiratory rhythms
Authors: Cregg Jared M. , Chu Kevin A. , Dick Thomas E. , Landmesser Lynn T. , Silver Jerry
Published: November 2017

Significance

Humans breathe ∼20,000 times per day and hundreds of millions of times over the average life span. The neural mechanisms which control respiratory rate are poorly understood. Although it was previously thought that the signal to breathe was solely an excitatory command, we show that selective stimulation of putative CO
2
-chemosensitive neurons likely initiates inspiration through inhibition. These results argue that the clock which determines respiratory rate operates in two distinct modes: a first mode which is highly modular and allows for flexibility to adapt to everyday behaviors, and a second mode which is specifically recruited in situations of elevated CO
2
.
Dopamine reward prediction error signal codes the temporal evaluation of a perceptual decision report
Authors: Sarno Stefania , de Lafuente Victor , Romo Ranulfo , Parga Néstor
Published: November 2017

Significance

How do animals learn to take correct actions based on uncertain observations? Although dopamine neurons can guide learning in conditioning experiments, their role in decision-making tasks is poorly understood. How can they code reward prediction errors and simultaneously exhibit decision-making processes and beliefs about the state of the environment? Using modeling work and analysis of data recorded from monkeys detecting weak stimuli delivered at uncertain times, we propose some answers to these questions. Specifically, we explain how the certainty about the presence of a stimulus is communicated to midbrain dopamine neurons through transient cortical events and why that certainty becomes visible in their response to a relevant task event.
Recovery of taste organs and sensory function after severe loss from Hedgehog/Smoothened inhibition with cancer drug sonidegib
Authors: Kumari Archana , Ermilov Alexandre N. , Grachtchouk Marina , Dlugosz Andrzej A. , Allen Benjamin L. , Bradley Robert M. , Mistretta Charlotte M.
Published: November 2017

Significance

Hedgehog pathway-inhibitor drugs effectively treat basal cell carcinoma, a common skin cancer. However, many patients taking such drugs report severe taste disturbances that impair their quality of life. To understand the biology behind these adverse effects, we studied the consequences of Hedgehog pathway inhibition on taste organs and neural sensation in mice. Taste bud progenitor-cell proliferation and differentiation were altered, resulting in taste bud loss. Nerve responses to lingual taste stimuli were also eliminated, while responses to touch and cold stimuli remained. After stopping Hedgehog pathway inhibition, taste buds and sensory responses recovered. This study advances our understanding of Hedgehog signaling in taste homeostasis and the reported taste recovery after clinical treatments with Hedgehog pathway-inhibiting drugs.
Parochial trust and cooperation across 17 societies
Authors: Romano Angelo , Balliet Daniel , Yamagishi Toshio , Liu James H.
Published: November 2017

Significance

In a study including 17 societies, we found that people are motivated to trust and cooperate more with their ingroup, than harm the outgroup. Reputation-based indirect reciprocity may offset this ingroup favoritism, because we found that reputational concern universally increases cooperation with both ingroup and outgroup members. We also found that people who are dispositionally cooperative are less parochial and more universal in their cooperation. In a time of increasing parochialism in both domestic and international relations, our findings affirm us of the danger of the strong human universal toward parochial altruism. Yet, our findings suggest that in all societies, there exist people whose cooperation transcends group boundaries and provides a solution to combating parochialism: reputation-based indirect reciprocity.
Intact hemisphere and corpus callosum compensate for visuomotor functions after early visual cortex damage
Authors: Celeghin Alessia , Diano Matteo , de Gelder Beatrice , Weiskrantz Lawrence , Marzi Carlo A. , Tamietto Marco
Published: November 2017

Significance

The brain is resilient to injury and the possibility to promote recovery rests with our ability to understand the nature of postlesional plasticity. After damage to the visual cortex some patients with clinical blindness still react to unseen stimuli with appropriate motor responses, a phenomenon known as “blindsight.” Our findings in one patient with early primary visual cortex damage suggest that this nonconscious visuomotor ability depends partly on the compensatory activity of the intact hemisphere, which can be dynamically recruited through the corpus callosum. Functional interactions between the damaged and intact hemisphere are subserved by changes in the underlying anatomical connections. These observations provide a framework for future investigations of functional recovery after brain damage and on mechanisms that mediate nonconscious abilities.
Human resistin protects against endotoxic shock by blocking LPS–TLR4 interaction
Authors: Jang Jessica C. , Li Jiang , Gambini Luca , Batugedara Hashini M. , Sati Sandeep , Lazar Mitchell A. , Fan Li , Pellecchia Maurizio , Nair Meera G.
Published: November 2017

Significance

Gram-negative bacterial sepsis is a life-threatening disease that is exacerbated by an uncontrolled immune response to the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Human resistin is a highly expressed cytokine in sepsis, where it is hypothesized to exacerbate inflammation. We identify an unexpected protective role for resistin in endotoxic shock. We use human resistin-expressing transgenic mice and human immune cell assays to show that resistin prevents LPS-induced mortality by blocking LPS binding to its receptor Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and by promoting anti-inflammatory signaling. Helminth infection-induced resistin and treatment with recombinant resistin or resistin N-terminal peptides also inhibited LPS function. These studies report a protective function for resistin and identify the therapeutic potential of resistin-mediated anti-inflammatory pathways or resistin-based reagents in sepsis.
Assessing the present and future probability of Hurricane Harvey’s rainfall
Authors: Emanuel Kerry
Published: November 2017

Significance

Natural disasters such as the recent Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria highlight the need for quantitative estimates of the risk of such disasters. Statistically based risk assessment suffers from short records of often poor quality, and in the case of meteorological hazards, from the fact that the underlying climate is changing. This study shows how a recently developed physics-based risk assessment method can be applied to assessing the probabilities of extreme hurricane rainfall, allowing for quantitative assessment of hurricane flooding risks in all locations affected by such storms, regardless of the presence or quality of historical hurricane records.
Jet electrodeposition with movable, flexible friction on quality of nanocrystalline nickel coatings
Authors: Shen Lida , Zhuo Wei , Qiu Mingbo , Jiang Wei , Zhao Kailin , Wang Chuan
Published: November 2017

To improve the deposition rate and quality of nanocrystalline nickel coatings, a method involving movable, flexible friction, jet electrodeposition (MFFJE) was proposed in this paper. The effects of cathode scanning speed and current density on electrodeposited nickel coatings prepared by MFFJE were investigated. Compared with traditional jet electrodeposition, the results showed that MFFJE exerted remarkable effects, improving the deposition rate and quality of nickel coatings, and, when the cathode scanning speed was 1000 mm min−1, the coating surface morphology was best. The maximum processing current density of nickel plating was more than 250 A dm−2. The grain size was decreased to 11.7 nm, hardness increased to 546 HV, and coating corrosion resistance significantly improved.
Aquatic invasion biology research in South America: Geographic patterns, advances and perspectives
Authors: Schwindt Evangelina , Bortolus Alejandro
Published: November 2017

In this work, we describe and discuss the current status, trends, and gaps for aquatic invasion research in South America, and we reveal the current state of multinational collaborations on these matters across the continent. First, to measure temporal change in the magnitude of invasion research for South America, we replicated a survey performed in 2001 for marine exotic species, using identical methods used back then to search publications in the Aquatic Science and Fisheries Abstracts database. Second, to compare the South America invasion research effort, in terms of the production of scientific literature on aquatic invasion biology, across time (years), countries, aquatic (freshwater, estuarine, and marine) environments, themes, and taxonomic groups, we performed a more comprehensive search of publications using multiple databases (Scielo, ASFA, Scopus and Google Scholar). This exhaustive survey included articles in international, regional and local peer reviewed journals on aquatic (freshwater, marine and estuarine) exotic species of SA that were published between 2004 and 2014 in the three dominant languages of South America. We found that the research effort for marine exotic species research in South America increased 9-fold between the two time periods (1997–2001 vs. 2002–2014), with most (90%) of recent research occurring in the Atlantic (vs. Pacific) coast. This disparity in research effort between coasts is consistently evident for individual environments (including freshwater, estuarine, and marine waters) and countries. While the focus of publications is unevenly distributed among research themes and taxa, the paucity of comparative analyses among countries is especially striking. Despite the general increment in research effort within the discipline, we consider there is an urgent need for more solid and concerted multinational efforts to address (financially, scientifically and socially) the conspicuous gaps in aquatic invasion research. Failing to make these efforts is probably the major threat hampering the development of successful long term programs and strategies directed to prevent, manage and/or control the introduction of exotic species and their many impacts in the continent.
cTAGE5 deletion in pancreatic β cells impairs proinsulin trafficking and insulin biogenesis in mice
Authors: Fan Junwan , Wang Yaqing , Liu Liang , Zhang Hongsheng , Zhang Feng , Shi Lei , Yu Mei , Gao Fei , Xu Zhiheng
Published: November 2017

Proinsulin is synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in pancreatic β cells and transported to the Golgi apparatus for proper processing and secretion into plasma. Defects in insulin biogenesis may cause diabetes. However, the underlying mechanisms for proinsulin transport are still not fully understood. We show that β cell–specific deletion of cTAGE5, also known as Mea6, leads to increased ER stress, reduced insulin biogenesis in the pancreas, and severe glucose intolerance in mice. We reveal that cTAGE5/MEA6 interacts with vesicle membrane soluble N-ethyl-maleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptor Sec22b. Sec22b and its interaction with cTAGE5/MEA6 are essential for proinsulin processing. cTAGE5/MEA6 may coordinate with Sec22b to control the release of COPII vesicles from the ER, and thereby the ER-to-Golgi trafficking of proinsulin. Importantly, transgenic expression of human cTAGE5/MEA6 in β cells can rescue not only the defect in islet structure, but also dysfunctional insulin biogenesis and glucose intolerance on cTAGE5/Mea6 conditional knockout background. Together our data provide more insight into the underlying mechanism of the proinsulin trafficking pathway.
High-mass star formation possibly triggered by cloud–cloud collision in the H ii region RCW 34
Authors: Hayashi Katsuhiro , Sano Hidetoshi , Enokiya Rei , Torii Kazufumi , Hattori Yusuke , Kohno Mikito , Fujita Shinji , Nishimura Atsushi , Ohama Akio , Yamamoto Hiroaki , Tachihara Kengo , Hasegawa Yutaka , Kimura Kimihiro , Ogawa Hideo , Fukui Yasuo
Published: November 2017

We report on the possibility that the high-mass star located in the H ii region RCW 34 was formed by a triggering induced by a collision of molecular clouds. Molecular gas distributions of the 12CO and 13CO J = 2–1 and 12CO J = 3–2 lines in the direction of RCW 34 were measured using the NANTEN2 and ASTE telescopes. We found two clouds with velocity ranges of 0–10 km s−1 and 10–14 km s−1. Whereas the former cloud is as massive as ∼1.4 × 104 M⊙ and has a morphology similar to the ring-like structure observed in the infrared wavelengths, the latter cloud, with a mass of ∼600 M⊙, which has not been recognized by previous observations, is distributed to just cover the bubble enclosed by the other cloud. The high-mass star with a spectral type of O8.5V is located near the boundary of the two clouds. The line intensity ratio of 12CO J = 3–2/J = 2–1 yields high values (≳1.0), suggesting that these clouds are associated with the massive star. We also confirm that the obtained position–velocity diagram shows a similar distribution to that derived by a numerical simulation of the supersonic collision of two clouds. Using the relative velocity between the two clouds (∼5 km s−1), the collisional time scale is estimated to be ∼0.2 Myr with the assumption of a distance of 2.5 kpc. These results suggest that the high-mass star in RCW 34 was formed rapidly within a time scale of ∼0.2 Myr via a triggering of a cloud–cloud collision.
The Cuticle Mutanteca2Modifies Plant Defense Responses to Biotrophic and Necrotrophic Pathogens and Herbivory Insects
Authors: Blanc Catherine , Coluccia Fania , L’Haridon Floriane , Torres Martha , Ortiz-Berrocal Marlene , Stahl Elia , Reymond Philippe , Schreiber Lukas , Nawrath Christiane , Métraux Jean-Pierre , Serrano Mario
Published: November 2017

We isolated previously several Arabidopsis thaliana mutants with constitutive expression of the early microbe-associated molecular pattern–induced gene ATL2, named eca (expresión constitutiva de ATL2). Here, we further explored the interaction of eca mutants with pest and pathogens. Of all eca mutants, eca2 was more resistant to a fungal pathogen (Botrytis cinerea) and a bacterial pathogen (Pseudomonas syringae) as well as to a generalist herbivorous insect (Spodoptera littoralis). Permeability of the cuticle is increased in eca2; chemical characterization shows that eca2 has a significant reduction of both cuticular wax and cutin. Additionally, we determined that eca2 did not display a similar compensatory transcriptional response, compared with a previously characterized cuticular mutant, and that resistance to B. cinerea is mediated by the priming of the early and late induced defense responses, including salicylic acid– and jasmonic acid–induced genes. These results suggest that ECA2-dependent responses are involved in the nonhost defense mechanism against biotrophic and necrotrophic pathogens and against a generalist insect by modulation and priming of innate immunity and late defense responses. Making eca2 an interesting model to characterize the molecular basis for plant defenses against different biotic interactions and to study the initial events that take place in the cuticle surface of the aerial organs.
Drug-induced anaphylaxis: is it an epidemic?
Authors: Giavina-Bianchi Pedro , Aun Marcelo V. , Kalil Jorge
Published: November 2017

Purpose of review

The present review addresses the epidemiology, analyzes the current data and promotes global awareness of drug-induced anaphylaxis.

Recent findings

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that may cause death! In the last decade, studies have shown an increasing incidence and prevalence of anaphylaxis.

Drug-induced anaphylaxis fatalities have increased, and this syndrome remains underdiagnosed and undertreated.
Informal learning of women small business owners
Authors: Sharafizad Jalleh
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate women small business owners’ informal learning behaviour. There is limited qualitative research that examines women small business owners’ learning process and this study aims to address this gap. The study was driven by the following research questions: “Do women small business owners prefer informal learning to formal training?” and if so, “Why do women small business owners prefer informal learning to formal training?” and “If informal learning is preferred, what role do networking and mentoring play in this learning process?”

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 Western Australian women small business owners who were recruited through purposive sampling methods.

Findings

The small business owners had a strong preference for informal learning. Participants used their own work experience and knowledge to start-up their businesses. A low uptake of formal training was found due to time and resource constraints and personal preferences. Participants relied on contacts within their networks to acquire knowledge or they hired others who possessed the requisite knowledge or skill. Only a small portion of participants had mentors or acted as a mentor.

Research limitations/implications

This study has limitations that tend to be commonly found in exploratory studies, such as a small sample size.

Practical implications

The research has implications for recognised training institutions that are engaged in entrepreneurship education. By gaining greater understanding of the nature of learning in small business, they may be able to offer more affordable and flexible informal courses that specifically target women small business owners, incorporate mentorship programs within their business courses by engaging with industry partners, or appoint instructors with industry contacts and experience, to provide mentoring support for these business owners.

Originality/value

This research responds to calls for studies aimed at developing a more nuanced understanding of the learning behaviour of women small business owners.
“Can we borrow your phone? Employee privacy in the BYOD era”
Authors: Smith William P.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to (a) summarize the legal and ethical foundations of privacy with connections to workplace emails and text messages, (b) describe trends and challenges related to “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD), and (c) propose legal and nonlegal questions these trends will raise in the foreseeable future.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a review of legal cases and scholarship related to workplace privacy, implications for BYOD practices are proposed.

Findings

Primarily due to property rights, employers in the USA have heretofore been granted wide latitude in monitoring employee communications. The BYOD trend has the potential to challenge this status quo.

Originality value

BYOD programs present discernable threats to employee privacy. Attention is also directed toward contributing elements such as wearable technology, cloud computing and company cultures.
Extent and consequences of inadequate disease control among adults with a history of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis
Authors: Wei Wenhui , Anderson Peter , Gadkari Abhijit , Blackburn Stuart , Moon Rachel , Piercy James , Shinde Shashank , Gomez Jorge , Ghorayeb Eric
Published: November 2017

Since control of atopic dermatitis (AD) remains challenging but has not been adequately characterized, the objective of this study was to characterize disease control among patients with a history of moderate to severe AD. Data were from the 2014 Adelphi US AD Disease Specific Programme, a cross‐sectional survey of physicians (n = 202) and their patients with history of moderate to severe AD (n = 1064, 54% female, 75% white, mean age 40 years). Inadequately controlled AD as rated by the physician was defined as currently flaring; deteriorating/changeable AD; or physician dissatisfaction with current control. The overall inadequate control rate was 58.7% (n = 625), which increased with current AD severity and was observed in 53.4% and 83.4% of patients receiving immunosuppressants and systemic corticosteroids, respectively. Relative to controls, inadequately controlled patients had poorer disease‐specific quality of life, higher level of work impairment, greater itch and sleep interference with daily living (all P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed factors significantly associated with inadequate control (all P < 0.05), including Hispanic race, symptoms on the head/neck or lower limbs, itch and sleep interference with daily living. A limitation of the study was reliance on accuracy of reporting, potential selection bias and cross‐sectional study design. In summary, there was a high rate and substantial impact of physician‐rated inadequately controlled disease among patients with a history of moderate to severe AD, suggesting the need for more effective therapies.
School‐Based Influenza Vaccination: Health and Economic Impact of Maine's 2009 Influenza Vaccination Program
Authors: Basurto‐Dávila Ricardo , Meltzer Martin I. , Mills Dora A. , Beeler Asay Garrett R. , Cho Bo‐Hyun , Graitcer Samuel B. , Dube Nancy L. , Thompson Mark G. , Patel Suchita A. , Peasah Samuel K. , Ferdinands Jill M. , Gargiullo Paul , Messonnier Mark , Shay David K.
Published: November 2017

Objective

To estimate the societal economic and health impacts of Maine's school‐based influenza vaccination (SIV) program during the 2009 A(H1N1) influenza pandemic.

Data Sources

Primary and secondary data covering the 2008–09 and 2009–10 influenza seasons.

Study Design

We estimated weekly monovalent influenza vaccine uptake in Maine and 15 other states, using difference‐in‐difference‐in‐differences analysis to assess the program's impact on immunization among six age groups. We also developed a health and economic Markov microsimulation model and conducted Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis.

Data Collection

We used national survey data to estimate the impact of the SIV program on vaccine coverage. We used primary data and published studies to develop the microsimulation model.

Principal Findings

The program was associated with higher immunization among children and lower immunization among adults aged 18–49 years and 65 and older. The program prevented 4,600 influenza infections and generated $4.9 million in net economic benefits. Cost savings from lower adult vaccination accounted for 54 percent of the economic gain. Economic benefits were positive in 98 percent of Monte Carlo simulations.

Conclusions

SIV may be a cost‐beneficial approach to increase immunization during pandemics, but programs should be designed to prevent lower immunization among nontargeted groups.
The Impact of State Medical Malpractice Reform on Individual‐Level Health Care Expenditures
Authors: Yu Hao , Greenberg Michael , Haviland Amelia
Published: November 2017

Background

Past studies of the impact of state‐level medical malpractice reforms on health spending produced mixed findings. Particularly salient is the evidence gap concerning the effect of different types of malpractice reform. This study aims to fill the gap. It extends the literature by examining the general population, not a subgroup or a specific health condition, and controlling for individual‐level sociodemographic and health status.

Methods

We merged the Database of State Tort Law Reforms with the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey between 1996 and 2012. We took a difference‐in‐differences approach to specify a two‐part model for analyzing individual‐level health spending. We applied the recycled prediction method and the bootstrapping technique to examining the difference in health spending growth between states with and without a reform. All expenditures were converted to 2010 U.S. dollars.

Results

Only two of the 10 major state‐level malpractice reforms had significant impacts on the growth of individual‐level health expenditures. The average annual expenditures in states with caps on attorney contingency fees increased less than that in states without the reform (p < .05). Compared with states with traditional contributory negligence rule, the average annual expenditures increased more in both states with a pure comparative fault reform (p < .05) and states with a comparative fault reform that barred recovery if the plaintiff's fault was equal to or greater than the defendant's (p < .05).

Conclusions

A few state‐level malpractice reforms had significantly affected the growth of individual‐level health spending, and the direction and magnitude of the effects differed by type of reform.
Advanced Imaging Reduces Cost Compared to Standard of Care in Emergency Department of Triage of Acute Chest Pain
Authors: Noack Pamela S. , Moore Jhanna A. , Poon Michael
Published: November 2017

Objective

To evaluate medical costs of novel therapies in complex medical settings using registry data.

Data Source/Study Setting

Primary data, from 2008 to 2010. We used patient registry data to evaluate cost and quality performance of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in triaging chest pain patients in our tertiary care emergency department and to model financial performance under Medicare's two midnight rule.

Study Design

Using generalized linear modeling, we retrospectively compared estimated expenditures for evaluation of low‐to‐intermediate‐risk chest pain for demographic and medically risk matched samples of 894 patients each, triaged with CCTA or local standard of care (SOC) using Medicare reimbursement as a proxy.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Predefined data elements were downloaded from the hospital mainframe into the CCTA registry, where they were validated and maintained electronically.

Principle Findings

We found that predicted standard of care costs were 2.5 times higher on the initial visit and 1.98 times higher over 30 days (p < .001) than those using CCTA. Predicted cost was 1.6 times higher when we applied our two midnight rule model (p < .001).

Conclusion

Rapid assessment of treatment using registry data is a promising means of analyzing cost performance in complex health care environments.
Non‐invasive ventilation use in status asthmaticus: 16 years of experience in a tertiary intensive care
Authors: Bond Kirsten RL , Horsley Carl AE , Williams Anthony B
Published: November 2017

Objective

To describe the use of non‐invasive ventilation (NIV) in adults presenting with status asthmaticus to Middlemore Hospital Critical Care Complex (CCC, South Auckland, New Zealand) from 2000 to 2015.

Method

Retrospective review of all adult asthma admissions to the Hospital CCC between 2000 and 2015. Demographic, physiological, treatment data and blood gas results were recorded.

Results

There were 265 asthma admissions to Middlemore Hospital CCC during the study period. The median age was 34 years; 64% were female. NIV was used in 186 admissions, of which eight went on to require intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Twenty‐three other admissions received IMV without a trial of NIV and a further 58 were managed with medical care only. The average pH for all admissions was 7.23 and the IMV group had an average pH of 6.99. Forty‐five admissions presented with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of ≤10. Twenty‐five of these were managed with NIV with only one requiring subsequent intubation. The mean duration of NIV in this group was 5 h (range 1–17 h) with a mean ICU and hospital length of stay of 17 h and 3.5 days, respectively. All patients in this group effectively lowered the pCO2 over a 2 h period with NIV having an average drop of 5.9 kPa and IMV 3.4 kPa.

Conclusion

The use of NIV appears to be safe and effective in patients with severe asthma, including selected patients with an altered level of consciousness. NIV was well tolerated with a low need for subsequent intubation.
Universal target‐enrichment baits for anthozoan (Cnidaria) phylogenomics: New approaches to long‐standing problems
Authors: Quattrini Andrea M. , Faircloth Brant C. , Dueñas Luisa F. , Bridge Tom C. L. , Brugler Mercer R. , Calixto‐Botía Iván F. , DeLeo Danielle M. , Forêt Sylvain , Herrera Santiago , Lee Simon M. Y. , Miller David J. , Prada Carlos , Rádis‐Baptista Gandhi , Ramírez‐Portilla Catalina , Sánchez Juan A. , Rodríguez Estefanía , McFadden Catherine S.
Published: November 2017

Anthozoans (e.g., corals, anemones) are an ecologically important and diverse group of marine metazoans that occur from shallow to deep waters worldwide. However, our understanding of the evolutionary relationships among the ~7,500 species within this class is hindered by the lack of phylogenetically informative markers that can be reliably sequenced across a diversity of taxa. We designed and tested 16,306 RNA baits to capture 720 ultraconserved element loci and 1,071 exon loci. Library preparation and target enrichment were performed on 33 taxa from all orders within the class Anthozoa. Following Illumina sequencing and Trinity assembly, we recovered 1,774 of 1,791 targeted loci. The mean number of loci recovered from each species was 638 ± 222, with more loci recovered from octocorals (783 ± 138 loci) than hexacorals (475 ± 187 loci). Parsimony informative sites ranged from 26 to 49% for alignments at differing hierarchical taxonomic levels (e.g., Anthozoa, Octocorallia, Hexacorallia). The per cent of variable sites within each of three genera (Acropora, Alcyonium, and Sinularia) for which multiple species were sequenced ranged from 4.7% to 30%. Maximum‐likelihood analyses recovered highly resolved trees with topologies matching those supported by other studies, including the monophyly of the order Scleractinia. Our results demonstrate the utility of this target‐enrichment approach to resolve phylogenetic relationships from relatively old to recent divergences. Redesigning the baits with improved affinities to capture loci within each subclass will provide a valuable toolset to address systematic questions, further our understanding of the timing of diversifications and help resolve long‐standing controversial relationships in the class Anthozoa.
Knowledge transfer and partial equity ownership
Authors: Ghosh Arghya , Morita Hodaka
Published: November 2017

An alliance often involves one firm acquiring an equity stake in its alliance partner. We explore oligopoly models that capture the link between knowledge transfer and partial equity ownership (PEO), where alliance partners can choose the level of PEO. PEO can increase the alliance partners' profitability by inducing knowledge transfer, but the PEO itself reduces their joint profit because it induces other firms to take more aggressive actions. This trade‐off endogenously determines the level of PEO, which can benefit consumers and/or improve welfare. Given the growing antitrust interest in PEO, we explore the antitrust implications of our analysis.
GRIK1 and GABRA2 Variants Have Distinct Effects on the Dose‐Related Subjective Response to Intravenous Alcohol in Healthy Social Drinkers
Authors: Yang Bao‐Zhu , Arias Albert J. , Feinn Richard , Krystal John H. , Gelernter Joel , Petrakis Ismene L.
Published: November 2017

Background

The heritable risk for alcohol use disorder (AUD) is expressed partly through alterations in subjective alcohol response. In this study, we investigated the effects of 2 AUD‐risk‐associated single nucleotide polymorphisms, GABRA2 rs279858 and GRIK1 rs2832407, on the subjective response to alcohol administered intravenously to healthy social drinkers in a laboratory setting.

Methods

In total, 93 self‐identified European American social drinkers underwent 3 blinded laboratory sessions in which they received intravenous infusions of ethanol at 3 target blood alcohol levels (0.00 mg%, 40 mg%, and 100 mg%) using a “clamp” procedure. The self‐reported Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale (BAES) stimulation and sedation subscales were the primary outcome measures. We examined the effects of these 2 genetic variants on subjective response to alcohol.

Results

For the BAES stimulation subscale scores, adjusting for age, baseline scores, and time effects, individuals with 2 copies of the GABRA2 rs279858 C “risk” allele for AUD exhibited the greatest stimulant responses to high‐dose alcohol compared to the other risk allele counts (dose‐by‐allele count interaction effect, p = 0.001, post hoc contrast for C‐allele, p = 0.012). For the BAES sedation subscale scores, adjusting for the same covariates, we detected a dose‐by‐allele count interaction effect (p = 0.0044) such that subjects with 2 copies of the GRIK1 C “risk” allele reported the greatest sedative response to the higher alcohol dose.

Conclusions

This study suggests that gene variants contributing to the risk for AUD may alter features of the alcohol dose–response relationship in specific ways. GABRA2 rs279858*C enhances stimulant responses to higher levels of alcohol, while the GRIK1 rs2832407*C‐allele increases sedative responses. In summary, GRIK1 and GABRA2 variants have distinct effects on the dose‐related subjective response to intravenous alcohol in humans.