bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology and outcome of community‐acquired acute kidney injury
Authors: Talabani Bnar , Zouwail Soha , Pyart Rhodri D , Meran Soma , Riley Stephen G , Phillips Aled O
Published: February 2014

Aims

Very little data exist regarding community‐acquired acute renal injury (CA‐AKI). We have identified and characterized a patient cohort with CA‐AKI, and documented its impact on renal function and patient mortality.

Methods

Using the database of the Medical Biochemistry Department of the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board we identified all patients with CA‐AKI over a 1 month period in 2009. Follow‐up biochemical and clinical data were used to determine short‐term (3 months) and long‐term (3 years) outcomes. Comparisons were made to a random and an age/sex matched group.

Results

Patients with CA‐AKI were older than a non‐AKI cohort (70.3 vs 57.1 years; P < 0.0001), with a 61% male predominance. 38% had pre‐existing chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared with 25% in the age‐ and sex‐matched non‐CA‐AKI cohort (P = 0.007). 54% of CA‐AKI were admitted for inpatient care. Admission was associated with a higher incidence of complete recovery of renal function. Mortality at 3 months was 16.5%, and was related to the severity of AKI. Over the 3 years of follow‐up 71% of patients with CA‐AKI developed progressive CKD which was more likely following incomplete/no recovery of renal function and in the context of pre‐existing CKD. Three year mortality was 45%, which was higher than that of the age/sex matched control cohort (15.7%; P < 0.0001), but was not related to the development of progressive CKD.

Conclusions

CA‐AKI carries significant implications in terms of both development of progressive renal disease and high long‐term patient mortality.
Models and activities of critical care outreach in New Zealand hospitals: results of a national census
Authors: Pedersen Anne , Psirides Alex , Coombs Maureen
Published: February 2014

Aim

To review clinical models and activities of critical care outreach (CCO) in New Zealand public hospitals.

Methods

Data were collected using a two‐stage process. Stage 1 consisted of a cross‐sectional descriptive online survey distributed to nurse managers of all CCO in New Zealand. Stage 2 requested that all respondent sites supply outreach documentation for analysis.

Results

Twenty acute care public hospitals replied to the data request (100%). Nine hospitals (45%) had CCO and completed the survey. There was considerable diversity in the models of CCO used. All nine hospitals had CCO that were nurse‐led; 66% of these had intensive care medical input. There was variation in the size and scope of each CCO with only 4 (44%) sites providing 24‐h clinical cover. The majority of referral requests made to CCO were for ward‐based reviews (mean: 57%) and intensive care discharge reviews (mean: 31%). The most frequently performed activity was provision of support to ward staff (89%). All CCO routinely collected data on activities across a range of clinical areas.

Conclusion

Less than half of the public hospitals in New Zealand have a CCO service despite national recommendations that every hospital utilize one to support deteriorating ward patients. New Zealand hospitals that have critical care outreach have adopted recognized international models and adapted these to meet local demands. Whilst the evidence base demonstrating impact of critical care outreach continues to be established, international support for critical care outreach continues. Given this, critical care outreach should be more widely available 24/7 and activities standardized across New Zealand to align with national recommendations.

Relevance to clinical practice

Critical care outreach service models and activities in New Zealand hospitals continue to be diverse. Awareness of these variances will help influence critical care outreach service development and regional integration.
Generation of β cells from human pluripotent stem cells: Are we there yet?
Authors: Schiesser Jacqueline V. , Wells James M.
Published: February 2014

In 1998, the landmark paper describing the isolation and culture of human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) was published. Since that time, the main goal of many diabetes researchers has been to derive β cells from ESCs as a renewable cell‐based therapy for the treatment of patients with diabetes. In working toward this goal, numerous protocols that attempt to recapitulate normal pancreatic development have been published that result in the formation of pancreatic cell types from human pluripotent cells. This review examines stem cell differentiation methods and places them within the context of pancreatic development. We additionally compare strategies that are currently being used to generate pancreatic cell types and contrast them with approaches that have been used to generate functional cell types in different lineages. In doing this, we aim to identify how new approaches might be used to improve yield and functionality of in vitro–derived pancreatic β cells as an eventual cell‐based therapy for type 1 diabetes.
Design of intrahepatocyte copper(I) chelators as drug candidates for Wilson's disease
Authors: Gateau Christelle , Delangle Pascale
Published: February 2014

Wilson's disease is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations on the ATP7B gene found on chromosome 13. Since the corresponding ATPase is in charge of copper (Cu) distribution and excretion in the liver, its malfunctioning leads to Cu overload. This short review deals with treatments of this rare disease, which aim at decreasing Cu toxicity and are, therefore, based on chelation therapy. The drugs used since the 1950s are described first, then a novel approach developed in our laboratory is presented. Since the liver is the main organ of Cu distribution in the body, we targeted the pool of intracellular Cu in hepatocytes. This Cu pool is in the +1 oxidation state, and therefore soft sulfur ligands inspired from binding sites found in metallothioneins were developed. Their targeting to the hepatocytes by functionalization with ligands of the asialoglycoprotein receptor led to their cellular incorporation and intracellular Cu chelation.
Selective alteration of soil food web components by invasive giant goldenrod Solidago gigantea in two distinct habitat types
Authors: Quist Casper W. , Vervoort Mariëtte T. W. , Van Megen Hanny , Gort Gerrit , Bakker Jaap , Van der Putten Wim H. , Helder Johannes
Published: February 2014

Apart from relatively well‐studied aboveground effects, invasive plant species will also impact the soil food web. So far, most research has been focusing on primary decomposers, while studies on effects at higher trophic levels are relatively scarce. Giant goldenrod Solidago gigantea, native to North America, is a widespread and common invasive species in most European countries. We investigated its impact on plant communities and on multiple trophic levels of the soil food web in two contrasting habitats: riparian zones and semi‐natural grasslands. In 30 pairs of invaded and uninvaded plots, floristic composition, pH, fungal biomass and the densities of 11 nematode taxa were determined by using a quantitative PCR‐based method. In the two habitats, the invader outcompeted both rare and dominant plant species. Belowground, S. gigantea invasion reduced pH, increased overall fungal biomass as well as the density of a single lineage of fungivorous nematodes, the family Aphelenchoididae. The densities of two other, phylogenetically distinct lineages of fungivorous nematodes, Aphelenchidae and Diphtherophoridae, were unaffected by the local increase in fungal biomass. Apparently this plant species induces a local asymmetric boost of the fungal community, and only Aphelenchoididae were able to benefit from this invader‐induced change. The alternative explanation – the results are explained by a subtle, S. gigantea‐induced 0.1–0.2 units decrease of pH – seems unlikely, as pH optima for nematode taxa are relatively broad. Thus, apart from readily observable aboveground effects, the invasive plant species S. gigantea affects fungal biomass as well as a specific part of the fungivorous nematode community in a soil type‐independent manner.
Sedation for Electrophysiological Procedures
Authors: THOMAS STUART P. , THAKKAR JAY , KOVOOR PRAMESH , THIAGALINGAM ARAVINDA , ROSS DAVID L.
Published: February 2014

Administration of intravenous sedation (IVS) has become an integral component of procedural cardiac electrophysiology. IVS is employed in diagnostic and ablation procedures for transcutaneous treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, electrical cardioversion of arrhythmias, and the insertion of implantable electronic devices including pacemakers, defibrillators, and loop recorders. Sedation is frequently performed by nursing staff under the supervision of the proceduralist and in the absence of specialist anesthesiologists. The sedation requirements vary depending on the nature of the procedure. A wide range of sedation techniques have been reported with sedation from the near fully conscious to levels approaching that of general anesthesia. This review examines the methods employed and outcomes associated with reported sedation techniques. There is a large experience with the combination of benzodiazepines and narcotics. These drugs have a broad therapeutic range and the advantage of readily available reversal agents. More recently, the use of propofol without serious adverse events has been reported. The results provide a guide regarding the expected outcomes of these approaches. The complication rate and need for emergency assistance is low in reported series where sedation is administered by nonspecialist anesthesiology staff.
Fuelling genetic and metabolic exploration of C3 bioenergy crops through the first reference transcriptome of Arundo donax L.
Authors: Sablok Gaurav , Fu Yuan , Bobbio Valentina , Laura Marina , Rotino Giuseppe L. , Bagnaresi Paolo , Allavena Andrea , Velikova Violeta , Viola Roberto , Loreto Francesco , Li Mingai , Varotto Claudio
Published: February 2014

The development of inexpensive and highly productive biomass sources of biofuel is a priority in global climate change biology. Arundo donax, also known as the giant reed, is recognized as one of the most promising nonfood bioenergy crops in Europe. Despite its relevance, to date no genomic resources are available to support the characterization of the developmental, adaptive and metabolic traits underlying the high productivity of this nonmodel species. We hereby present the first report on the de novo assembly of bud, culm, leaf and root transcriptomes of A. donax, which can be accessed through a customized BLAST server (http://ecogenomics.fmach.it/arundo/) for mining and exploring the genetic potential of this species. Based on functional annotation and homology comparison to 19 prospective biofuel Poaceae species, we provide the first genomic view of this so far unexplored crop and indicate the model species with highest potential for comparative genomics approaches. The analysis of the transcriptome reveals strong differences in the enrichment of the Gene Ontology categories and the relative expression among different organs, which can guide future efforts for functional genomics or genetic improvement of A. donax. A set of homologs to key genes involved in lignin, cellulose, starch, lipid metabolism and in the domestication of other crops is discussed to provide a platform for possible enhancement of productivity and saccharification efficiency in A. donax.
Some Reflections around the Concept of Value: On Valéry's Claim that Philosophy is Poetry
Authors: Weil Simone
Published: February 2014

In response to Paul Valéry's claim that “philosophy is poetry,” Simone Weil set out to examine the nature of philosophical thinking. She argues that it is above all concerned with value. In the course of her argument, she lays out the grammatical differences between thinking about value, and other epistemological endeavours. These differences mean that inconsistencies are not to be avoided in philosophy, and that philosophy is not a matter of system building. In the end, she also believes that thinking philosophically requires one to possess the value of detachment, and hence a readiness to be transformed.
Antibody‐mediated control of Trypanosoma vivax infection fails in the absence of tumour necrosis factor
Authors: La Greca F. , Haynes C. , Stijlemans B. , De Trez C. , Magez S.
Published: February 2014

Trypanosoma vivax causes a wasting disease affecting livestock breeding and agriculture in developing countries of sub‐Sahara Africa and South America. Being an extracellular parasite, control of T. vivax has been proposed to be mediated by host antibodies. However, the use of a comparative infection model of wild‐type (WT) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) knockout (TNF−/−) mice shows that the latter is unable to control first‐peak parasitaemia, despite the presence of specific antitrypanosome antibodies. In contrast, WT mice parasitaemia peak control coincides with a combined early onset of TNF production and induction of specific antibodies. TNF is mainly produced by liver‐associated monocytes and neutrophils. In this study, no other correlation between cellular immunomodulations and peak parasitaemia control was observed, underscoring the importance of the role of TNF in the control of T. vivax infections.
Dogs vaccinated with gentamicin‐attenuated Leishmania infantum or infected with wild‐type parasite can be distinguished by Western blotting
Authors: Daneshvar H. , Mahmmodi Z. , Kamiabi H. , Phillips R. S. , Burchmore R.
Published: February 2014

An attenuated line of Leishmania infantum (the H‐line), developed through exposure to gentamicin, has been shown to protect dogs against canine visceral leishmaniasis. A specific diagnostic test to differentiate dogs vaccinated with the attenuated line from dogs infected with L. infantum wild‐type (L. infantum WT) could be a valuable tool in evaluating the effectiveness of canine vaccination. In this study, 28 healthy dogs were allocated into four groups. In Group I and Group II (eight dogs per group), dogs were immunized subcutaneously (s.c.) with L. infantum H‐line, and the dogs of Group II challenged s.c. with L. infantum WT, at 2 months post‐immunization. In Group III, eight animals were challenged s.c. with L. infantum WT, and four dogs of Group IV were injected s.c. with PBS. We found that sera from vaccinated dogs recognize a 21 kDa antigen of promastigotes of L. infantum H‐line but not of L. infantum WT, whereas sera from unvaccinated dogs challenged with L. infantum WT, recognized a 21 kDa antigen of promastigotes of L. infantum WT but not of L. infantum H‐line. Sera from dogs challenged with L. infantum WT with prior vaccination with L. infantum H‐line, recognized a 21 kDa antigen of both L. infantum WT and L. infantum H‐line. These results suggest that the Western blot analysis of antibodies against 21 kDa antigens of L. infantum H‐line and WT may be a useful technique for distinguishing between dogs vaccinated with L. infantum H‐line and dogs naturally infected with L. infantum WT.
Expression patterns of microRNAs in different organs and developmental stages of a superhybrid rice LYP9 and its parental lines
Authors: Li L. Y. , Yang C. , He Y. , Fang R. Q. , Tian Z. H. , Li J. X.
Published: February 2014

Heterosis is an important phenomenon, and the molecular mechanisms underlying heterosis are still enigmatic. microRNAs (miRNAs) play vital roles in many aspects of plant development. A set of miRNAs was selected to investigate the roles of miRNAs in heterosis displayed in a superhybrid rice. We analysed the expression patterns of miRNAs in different organs and developmental stages of the superhybrid rice and its parental lines. All possible modes of miRNA action were observed, including additive, high‐ and low‐parent value, above high‐ and below low‐parent value. Different organs and developmental stages exhibited different modes of miRNA expression. Overall, the non‐additive mode is the predominant expression pattern of miRNAs observed in this superhybrid. Many heterotic QTL intervals harbour miRNAs, whose expression patterns reveal their specific roles in different organs and developmental stages. miRNAs regulate the expression levels of target genes that have important functions in plant development. The predominant non‐additive mode of miRNA expression pattern in the hybrid suggests that miRNAs play critical roles in hybrid development, in particular, those miRNAs located in the heterotic QTL intervals may have important roles in heterosis. Our research sheds new light on understanding of the molecular mechanisms of heterosis.
The physiology of channel‐mediated K+ acquisition in roots of higher plants
Authors: Coskun Devrim , Britto Dev T. , Kronzucker Herbert J.
Published: February 2014

K+ channels are among the best‐characterized classes of membrane protein in plants. Nevertheless, in‐planta demonstrations of traits emerging from molecular characterizations have often been insufficient or lacking altogether. Such linkages are, however, critical to our basic understanding of plant nutrition and to addressing ‘real‐world’ issues that are faced in environmental and agricultural settings. Here, we cover some of the recent advances in K+ acquisition with particular focus on voltage‐gated K+ channel functioning and regulation in roots, and highlight where linkages to in‐planta behavior have been successfully made and, conversely, where such linkages are yet to be made.
What's intact and what's not within the mismatch negativity system in schizophrenia
Authors: Todd Juanita , Whitson Lisa , Smith Ellen , Michie Patricia T. , Schall Ulrich , Ward Philip B.
Published: February 2014

Repetitive patterning facilitates inferences about likely properties of sound to follow. Mismatch negativity (MMN) occurs when sound fails to match an inference. Smaller MMN in schizophrenia indexes deficient gain control (difference in utilizing a limited dynamic range). Although it is clear that this group has a lower limit to MMN size, this study addressed whether smaller MMN indicates impaired perceptual inference. MMN was elicited to four deviants in two sequences: one in which occurrence was random and one in which it was paired. Despite smaller MMN, persons with schizophrenia are equally able to reduce MMN size evoked by a deviant when its occurrence is cued. Results also expose alterations in the evoked response to repeated sounds that appear to be exacerbations of age‐related amplitude decline. Since these anomalies impact the computed MMN, they highlight the need to identify all contributions to limits in gain control in schizophrenia.
Smiling faces, sometimes they don't tell the truth: Facial expression in the ultimatum game impacts decision making and event‐related potentials
Authors: Mussel Patrick , Hewig Johannes , Allen John J. B. , Coles Michael G. H. , Miltner Wolfgang
Published: February 2014

Facial expressions are an important aspect of social interaction, conveying not only information regarding emotional states, but also regarding intentions, personality, and complex social characteristics. The present research investigates how a smiling, compared to a nonsmiling, expression impacts decision making and underlying cognitive and emotional processes in economic bargaining. Our results using the ultimatum game show that facial expressions have an impact on decision making as well as the feedback‐related negativity following the offer. Furthermore, a moderating effect of sex on decision making was observed, with differential effects of facial expressions from male compared to female proposers. It is concluded that predictions of bargaining behavior must account for aspects of social interactions as well as sex effects to obtain more precise estimates of behavior.
Diagnostic specificity and familiality of early versus late evoked potentials to auditory paired stimuli across the schizophrenia‐bipolar psychosis spectrum
Authors: Hamm Jordan P. , Ethridge Lauren E. , Boutros Nashaat N. , Keshavan Matcheri S. , Sweeney John A. , Pearlson Godfrey D. , Tamminga Carol A. , Clementz Brett A.
Published: February 2014

Disrupted sensory processing is a core feature of psychotic disorders. Auditory paired stimuli (PS) evoke a complex neural response, but it is uncertain which aspects reflect shared and/or distinct liability for the most common severe psychoses, schizophrenia (SZ) and psychotic bipolar disorder (BDP). Evoked time‐voltage/time‐frequency domain responses quantified with EEG during a typical PS paradigm (S1‐S2) were compared among proband groups (SZ [n = 232], BDP [181]), their relatives (SZrel [259], BDPrel [220]), and healthy participants (H [228]). Early S1‐evoked responses were reduced in SZ and BDP, while later/S2 abnormalities showed SZ/SZrel and BDP/BDPrel specificity. Relatives' effects were absent/small despite significant familiality of the entire auditorineural response. This pattern suggests general and divergent biological pathways associated with psychosis, yet may reflect complications with conditioning solely on clinical phenomenology.
A methodological comparison of the Porges algorithm, fast Fourier transform, and autoregressive spectral analysis for the estimation of heart rate variability in 5‐month‐old infants
Authors: Poliakova Natalia , Dionne Ginette , Dubreuil Etienne , Ditto Blaine , Pihl Robert O. , Pérusse Daniel , Tremblay Richard E. , Boivin Michel
Published: February 2014

Little empirical evidence exists on the comparability of heart rate variability (HRV) quantification methods commonly used in infants. The aim was to compare three methods of HRV estimation: (1) fast Fourier transform (FFT), (2) autoregressive (AR), and (3) the Porges methods. HRV was estimated in 63 healthy 5‐month‐old infants. HRV parameters were strongly correlated across methods (.92–.99) but yielded significantly different mean HRV estimates (Porges method > FFT > AR). There was no systematic bias over the whole range of values between the two spectral approaches, while differences between the Porges method and the spectral estimates were systematically greater for larger values. Additional comparative studies are needed to explore the between‐method agreement across a range of physiological conditions.
Modafinil augments oscillatory power in middle frequencies during rule selection
Authors: Minzenberg Michael J. , Gomes Glenn C. , Yoon Jong H. , Watrous Andrew J. , Geng Joy , Firl Alana J. , Carter Cameron S.
Published: February 2014

Control‐related cognitive processes are associated with cortical oscillations and modulated by catecholamine neurotransmitters. It remains unclear how catecholamine systems modulate control‐related oscillations. We tested modafinil effects on rule‐related 4–30 Hz oscillations, with double‐blind, placebo‐controlled (within‐subjects) testing of 22 healthy adults, using EEG during cognitive control task performance. EEG data underwent time‐frequency decomposition with Morlet wavelets to determine power of 4–30 Hz oscillations. Modafinil enhanced oscillatory power associated with high‐control rule selection in theta, alpha, and beta ranges, with a frontotemporal topography and minimal effects during rule maintenance. Augmentation of catecholamine signaling enhances middle‐frequency cortical oscillatory power associated with rule selection, which may subserve diverse subcomponent processes in proactive cognitive control.
Barriers to the upgrade cycle in a commodity process industry: evidence from the UK packaging industry
Authors: Simms Christopher Don , Trott Paul
Published: February 2014

Attempting to move away from commodity‐based products into higher value added ones remains one of the key challenges for research and development (R&D) managers. This paper focuses on developing an understanding of these challenges in the UK packaging industry. The research presents evidence from the case of a single firm, within this process industry, that produces commodity products. The paper contributes to Lager's product degradation–upgrade cycle, which illustrates how functional products degrade into commodities unless product functionalities are continually improved. We characterise the ‘upgrade’ aspect within this model. The paper presents the findings of a 3‐year research project with one of the largest packaging manufacturers in Europe. Five barriers are uncovered that hinder firms attempting to increase the level of product differentiation in order to ‘upgrade’.
Managing in turbulence: how the capacity for resilience influences creativity
Authors: Richtnér Anders , Löfsten Hans
Published: February 2014

How do companies manage to compete in a marketplace marked by turbulence, and not be outcompeted? In our study we assess the resources used to create resilience in organizations and how each of these resources relates to organizational creativity. We show that organizational resilience is positively related to organizational creativity. Specifically, our study highlights that cognitive, emotional, and structural resources are important resources for organizations wanting to become creative. Our results are based upon a pilot in‐depth qualitative case study followed by a survey of medium‐sized firms.

The results in our study advance the emergent literature on resilience and on the practical applications of resilience in organizations. From a practical point of view, managers may realize that they have to develop a capacity for resilience (i.e. what they have to do) in order to have a creative organization, but a far bigger challenge is to understand the how; how the capacity for resilience is built. Our research shows that if managers truly want to manage in turbulence and still have a creative organization, they need to put a strong emphasis on the soft skills in the organization, in addition to the structural resources.
Capital Tax Competition and Cooperation with Endogenous Capital Formation
Authors: Yakita Akira
Published: February 2014

Incorporating consumption–savings choices under a general concave utility function and hence an endogenous capital supply into a model of capital tax competition, we re‐investigate Nash equilibrium and compare it with the optimum under cooperative tax policy. In contrast to the case of fixed capital supply, it is shown that if savings sufficiently increase with the interest rate, a Nash equilibrium may be more efficient than a cooperative tax policy. Therefore, the distortionary effects of capital supply are important to issues of tax policy coordination.
Dental findings in children with West syndrome
Authors: Dantas‐Neta Neusa Barros , Carvalho e Souza Carlos Henriquede , Mendes Alencar Suyá Moura , Prado Júnior Raimundo Rosendo , Mendes Regina Ferraz
Published: February 2014

Introduction

West syndrome (WS) is a rare age‐related syndrome of epilepsy. The oral manifestations of WS are still unknown.

Objective

To assess the oral health status and oral findings of a sample of WS children being treated at a specialized referral center.

Material and Methods

The dental record forms of 528 children were searched at this center. Eight of the children had been diagnosed with WS.

Results

The ages of those with WS ranged from 6 months to 13 years, and 62% of them were male. All of them were taking antiepileptic medication. Twenty‐five percent of them had tongue interposition between the dental arches and a deep palate. The mean DMFT was .25 and dmft was 1.12.

Conclusion

Patients with WS seem to have low caries experience, can have a deep palate, and may have their tongue positioned between the arches or on the incisive papilla.
Contrasting geochemical signatures on land from the Middle and Late Permian extinction events
Authors: Sheldon Nathan D. , Chakrabarti Ramananda , Retallack Gregory J. , Smith Roger M. H.
Published: February 2014

The end of the Palaeozoic is marked by two mass‐extinction events during the Middle Permian (Capitanian) and the Late Permian (Changhsingian). Given similarities between the two events in geochemical signatures, such as large magnitude negative δ13C anomalies, sedimentological signatures such as claystone breccias, and the approximate contemporaneous emplacement of large igneous provinces, many authors have sought a common causal mechanism. Here, a new high‐resolution continental record of the Capitanian event from Portal Mountain, Antarctica, is compared with previously published Changhsingian records of geochemical signatures of weathering intensity and palaeoclimatic change. Geochemical means of discriminating sedimentary provenance (Ti/Al, U/Th and La/Ce ratios) all indicate a common provenance for the Portal Mountain sediments and associated palaeosols, so changes spanning the Capitanian extinction represent changes in weathering intensity rather than sediment source. Proxies for weathering intensity chemical index of alteration, ∆W and rare earth element accumulation all decline across the Capitanian extinction event at Portal Mountain, which is in contrast to the increased weathering recorded globally at the Late Permian extinction. Furthermore, palaeoclimatic proxies are consistent with unchanging or cooler climatic conditions throughout the Capitanian event, which contrasts with Changhsingian records that all indicate a significant syn‐extinction and post‐extinction series of greenhouse warming events. Although both the Capitanian and Changhsingian event records indicate significant redox shifts, palaeosol geochemistry of the Changhsingian event indicates more reducing conditions, whereas the new Capitanian record of reduced trace metal abundances (Cr, Cu, Ni and Ce) indicates more oxidizing conditions. Taken together, the differences in weathering intensity, redox and the lack of evidence for significant climatic change in the new record suggest that the Capitanian mass extinction was not triggered by dyke injection of coal‐beds, as in the Changhsingian extinction, and may instead have been triggered directly by the Emeishan large igneous province or by the interaction of Emeishan basalts with platform carbonates.
The Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS): Community‐Based Validation Study of a New Scale for the Measurement of Suicidal Ideation
Authors: van Spijker Bregje A. J. , Batterham Philip J. , Calear Alison L. , Farrer Louise , Christensen Helen , Reynolds Julia , Kerkhof Ad J.F.M.
Published: February 2014

While suicide prevention efforts are increasingly being delivered using technology, no scales have been developed specifically for web‐based use. The Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS) was developed and validated as a brief, web‐based measure for severity of suicidal ideation, using an online survey of Australian adults (n = 1,352). The SIDAS demonstrated high internal consistency and good convergent validity. Frequency and controllability of thoughts were more strongly associated with suicide plans and attempts than other attributes assessed. Scores ≥ 21 indicated high risk of suicide behavior. The SIDAS appears to be a valid web‐based measure for severity of suicidal ideation.
PGC‐related gene variants and elite endurance athletic status in a Chinese cohort: A functional study
Authors: He Z‐H. , Hu Y. , Li Y‐C. , Gong L‐J. , Cieszczyk P. , Maciejewska‐Karlowska A. , Leonska‐Duniec A. , Muniesa C. A. , Marín‐Peiro M. , Santiago C. , Garatachea N. , Eynon N. , Lucia A.
Published: February 2014

This study aims to examine the association between proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PGC)‐gene family‐related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and elite endurance runners' status in a Chinese cohort, and to gain insights into the functionality of a subset of SNPs. Genotype distributions of 133 SNPs in PPARGC1A, PPARGC1B, PPRC1, TFAM, TFB1M, TFB2M, NRF1, GABPA, GABPB1, ERRα, and SIRT1 genes were compared between 235 elite Chinese (Han) endurance runners (127 women) and 504 healthy non‐athletic controls (237 women). Luciferase gene reporter activity was determined in 20 SNPs. After adjusting for multiple comparisons (in which threshold P‐value was set at 0.00041), no significant differences were found in allele/genotype frequencies between athletes and controls (when both sexes were analyzed either together or separately). The lowest P‐value was found in PPARGC1A rs4697425 (P = 0.001 for the comparison of allele frequencies between elite female endurance runners and their gender‐matched controls). However, no association (all P > 0.05) was observed for this SNP in a replication cohort from Poland (194 endurance athletes and 190 controls). Using functional genomics tool, the following SNPs were found to have functional significance: PPARGC1A rs6821591, rs12650562, rs12374310, rs4697425, rs13113110, and rs4452416; PPARGC1B rs251466 and rs17110586; and PPRC1 rs17114388 (all P < 0.001). This study found no significant association between PGC‐related SNPs and elite endurance athlete status in the Chinese population, despite some SNPs showing potential functional significance and the strong biological rationale to hypothesize that this gene pathway is a candidate to influence endurance exercise capacity.
The Great Recession and Welfare State Reform: Is Retrenchment Really the Only Game Left in Town?
Authors: van Kersbergen Kees , Vis Barbara , Hemerijck Anton
Published: February 2014

By 2010, when the Greek sovereign debt crisis changed into an existential crisis of the euro, all developed democracies entered a phase in which they had to consolidate their budgets, typically implying a politics of austerity. The scholarly literature, as well as the popular press, suggests that – consequently – welfare retrenchment and cost containment became the only games left in town. In this article, we study the welfare state reform measures taken between 2010 and 2012 in four countries characteristic of mature welfare state regimes (liberal, UK; conservative, Germany; social democratic, Denmark; and hybrid, the Netherlands) to examine empirically whether austerity has indeed become the only item left on the policy menu. Our analysis reveals that retrenchment features prominently on the agenda everywhere, but nowhere by itself. While compensation for income loss is rare since 2010, this still happens. More unexpectedly, reforms in line with a social investment agenda (like expansion of child care or active labour market policies) are still being pursued in all our four cases.
Finite Element Analysis of the Microstructure of AlN–TiN Composites
Authors: Patel S. , Vaish R. , Sinha N. , Bowen C. R.
Published: February 2014

Finite element modelling (FEM) is performed on AlN–TiN composites. The structure–property relationships are studied for 5 and 10 vol.% TiN composites in view of thermal and thermo‐mechanical properties. Thermal stresses are simulated at various temperatures for the 5 and 10% TiN samples in homogeneous and heterogeneous temperature environments. It is found that compressive stresses are associated with the microstructure and these stresses are largest at the interface of the AlN–TiN phases. In addition, thermal strains are simulated at various temperatures for both the compositions. Thermal conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient are estimated using FEM and compared with other known analytical methods.
Strain and Displacement Controls by Fibre Bragg Grating and Digital Image Correlation
Authors: Waldbjørn J. , Høgh J. , Wittrup‐Schmidt J. , Nielsen M. W. , Branner K. , Stang H. , Berggreen C.
Published: February 2014

Test control is traditionally performed by a feedback signal from a displacement transducer or force gauge positioned inside the actuator of a test machine. For highly compliant test rigs, this is a problem since the response of the rig influences the results. It is therefore beneficial to control the test based on measurements performed directly on the test specimen. In this paper, fibre Bragg grating (FBG) and Digital Image Correlation (DIC) are used to control a test. The FBG sensors offer the possibility of measuring strains inside the specimen, while the DIC system measures strains and displacement on the surface of the specimen. In this paper, a three‐point bending test is used to demonstrate the functionality of a control loop, where the FBG and DIC signals are used as control channels. The FBG strain control was capable of controlling the test within an error tolerance of 20 µm m−1. However, the measurement uncertainty offered by the FBG system allowed a tolerance of 8.3 µm m−1. The DIC displacement control proved capable of controlling the displacement within an accuracy of 0.01 mm.
New Insights into an Old Organelle: Meeting Report on Biology of Cilia and Flagella
Authors: Sengupta Piali , Barr Maureen M.
Published: February 2014

The rising interest of the scientific community in cilia biology was evident from the fact that registration for the third FASEB conference on ‘The Biology of Cilia and Flagella’ closed out before the early bird deadline. Cilia and flagella are organelles of profound medical importance; defects in their structure or function result in a plethora of human diseases called ciliopathies. 240 clinicians and basic scientists from around the world gathered from 23 June 2013 to 28 June 2013 at Sheraton at the Falls, Niagara Falls, NY to present and discuss their research on this intensely studied subcellular structure. The meeting was organized by Gregory Pazour (University of Massachusetts Medical School), Bradley Yoder (University of Alabama‐Birmingham), and Maureen Barr (Rutgers University) and was sponsored by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). Here, we report highlights, points of discussion, and emerging themes from this exciting meeting.
Development of a risk‐adjusted blood utilization metric
Authors: Stonemetz Jerry L. , Allen Paul X. , Wasey Jack , Rivers Richard J. , Ness Paul M. , Frank Steven M.
Published: February 2014

Background

Blood utilization has become an important outcome measure for surgical patients because of the recognized risks and costs associated with transfusion. However, comparisons of blood utilization between providers or institutions are difficult, because there is no standard method for risk adjustment when assessing surgical blood requirements. We examined whether accepted diagnosis‐related group (DRG) case mix indexes can be used for this purpose.

Study Design and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed electronic medical record data from 37,403 surgical inpatients to assess the relationship between intraoperative blood component transfusion requirements and the case mix indexes: weighted Medicare severity DRG and weighted all‐patient refined DRG. Thirty‐one surgeons from the general surgery service were compared to determine correlations between blood component utilization and case mix index in both a risk unadjusted and an adjusted fashion.

Results

Case mix indexes and transfusion requirements were directly correlated for red blood cells (RBCs), plasma, and platelet (PLT) transfusions (p < 0.0001 for all three blood components, for both indexes). Surgeons with greater case mix index values had greater transfusion requirements, and adjustment for case mix index resulted in less variation among surgeons (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0003, and p < 0.0001 for unadjusted vs. adjusted utilization of RBCs, plasma, and PLTs, respectively).

Conclusions

The standard DRG‐based case mix indexes used to determine hospital reimbursement were strongly correlated with intraoperative transfusion requirements. We propose that these methods can be used as a risk‐adjusted blood utilization metric for surgical patients.
Honey: An immunomodulator in wound healing
Authors: Majtan Juraj
Published: February 2014

Honey is a popular natural product that is used in the treatment of burns and a broad spectrum of injuries, in particular chronic wounds. The antibacterial potential of honey has been considered the exclusive criterion for its wound healing properties. The antibacterial activity of honey has recently been fully characterized in medical‐grade honeys. Recently, the multifunctional immunomodulatory properties of honey have attracted much attention. The aim of this review is to provide closer insight into the potential immunomodulatory effects of honey in wound healing. Honey and its components are able to either stimulate or inhibit the release of certain cytokines (tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6) from human monocytes and macrophages, depending on wound condition. Similarly, honey seems to either reduce or activate the production of reactive oxygen species from neutrophils, also depending on the wound microenvironment. The honey‐induced activation of both types of immune cells could promote debridement of a wound and speed up the repair process. Similarly, human keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cell responses (e.g., cell migration and proliferation, collagen matrix production, chemotaxis) are positively affected in the presence of honey; thus, honey may accelerate reepithelization and wound closure. The immunomodulatory activity of honey is highly complex because of the involvement of multiple quantitatively variable compounds among honeys of different origins. The identification of these individual compounds and their contributions to wound healing is crucial for a better understanding of the mechanisms behind honey‐mediated healing of chronic wounds.
AN ALGORITHMIC INFORMATION THEORY CHALLENGE TO INTELLIGENT DESIGN
Authors: Devine Sean
Published: February 2014

William Dembski claims to have established a decision process to determine when highly unlikely events observed in the natural world are due to Intelligent Design. This article argues that, as no implementable randomness test is superior to a universal Martin‐Löf test, this test should be used to replace Dembski's decision process. Furthermore, Dembski's decision process is flawed, as natural explanations are eliminated before chance. Dembski also introduces a fourth law of thermodynamics, his “law of conservation of information,” to argue that information cannot increase by natural processes. However, this article, using algorithmic information theory, shows that this law is no more than the second law of thermodynamics. The article concludes that any discussions on the possibilities of design interventions in nature should be articulated in terms of the algorithmic information theory approach to randomness and its robust decision process.
IMAGO DEI, DUALISM, AND EVOLUTION: A PHILOSOPHICAL DEFENSE OF THE STRUCTURAL IMAGE OF GOD
Authors: Visala Aku
Published: February 2014

Most contemporary theologians have distanced themselves from views that identify the image of God with a capacity or a set of capacities that humans have. This article examines three arguments against the structural view and finds them wanting. The first argument is that the structural view entails mind/body dualism and dualism is no longer viable given neuroscience and contemporary philosophy. Against this, I argue that contemporary forms of dualism are able to circumvent such worries and are at leastprima facieplausible. The second claim is that structural views end up disvaluing the human body and our relatedness. Here, I argue that neither the structural view nor dualism has such consequences. The third issue consists of various evolutionary worries that have to do with the lack of a clear‐cut boundary between human capacities and the capacities of nonhuman animals. As a response, the article argues that although there might not be a clear‐cut set of capacities that all humans share, we could still have a notion of human distinctiveness that is sufficient for the structural image of God.
Numerical Simulation of Cropping
Authors: Tvergaard Viggo , Hutchinson John W.
Published: February 2014

Cropping is a cutting process whereby opposing aligned blades create a shearing failure by exerting opposing forces normal to the surfaces of a metal sheet or plate. Building on recent efforts to quantify cropping, this paper formulates a plane strain elastic–plastic model of a plate subject to shearing action by opposing rigid platens. Shear failure at the local level is modeled by a cohesive zone characterized by the peak shear traction and the energy dissipated by shear failure process at the microscopic level. The model reveals the interplay between shear cracking and the extensive plastic shearing accompanying the cutting process. Specifically, it provides insight into the influence of the material’s microscopic shear strength and toughness on the total work of cropping. The computational model does not account for deformation of the cropping tool, friction between sliding surfaces, and material temperature and rate dependence.
Post-Tsunami Evacuation Simulation Using 3D Kinematic Digital Human Models and Experimental Verification
Authors: Kakizaki Takao , Urii Jiro , Endo Mitsuru
Published: February 2014

A post-tsunami evacuation simulation using 3D kinematic digital human models (KDHs) and its experimental verification are addressed in the present study. Methods for carrying or assisting (transporting) injured people were experimentally investigated and the results were used for KDH data calibration to increase the accuracy of the simulations. It was found that, on flat ground, both the transit speed and the amount of time spent on intermittent rests were strongly affected by the load on the transporters. During ascent of stairways, the transit speed depended on the type of carry method being used and decreased in the order saddleback carry, two-person arm carry and slightly injured walking. Several KDH evacuee motion primitives were developed for stairway ascent to a tsunami evacuation tower. The simulation results show that the evacuation time was affected by the number of evacuees and the congestion due to the transportation of injured people. The developed simulation techniques can be effectively utilized in the planning of tsunami tower evacuation and predicting related crowd behavior.
The Maximum Allowable Misalignment in Hydrodynamic Rolling Hybrid Bearings
Authors: Lu Dun , Zhao Wanhua , Lu Bingheng , Zhang Jun
Published: February 2014

A hydrodynamic rolling hybrid bearing (HRHB) assembled coaxially by a rolling bearing and hydrodynamic bearing is developed to achieve two functions at low and high speeds. At low speeds, the rolling bearing of the HRHB can be utilized to avoid wear in the hydrodynamic bearing. While at high speeds, the rotor is entirely supported by the hydrodynamic bearing, keeping away the interference of the rolling bearing. However, because the HRHB is mounted coaxially by two bearings, a misalignment cannot be avoided. This can lead two unexpected consequences: either the malfunction of the rolling bearing at low speeds or the interference of rolling bearing applied on the rotor. In this paper, a computational method to calculate the maximum allowable misalignment based on the noninterference conditions of the locus of the shaft center and rolling bearing at high speeds is proposed, and the influence of the rotating speed, the spindle, and bearing structural parameters on the maximum allowable misalignment is also analyzed. The results show that the locus of the maximum allowable misalignment forms a circle along the circumferential direction. The noninterference conditions are satisfied when the maximum allowable misalignment is inside the circle.