bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extraneural findings during peripheral nerve ultrasound: Prevalence and further assessment
Authors: Bignotti Bianca , Zaottini Federico , Airaldi Sonia , Martinoli Carlo , Tagliafico Alberto
Published: March 2017

Introduction: In this study we evaluated the frequency and further assessment of extraneural findings encountered during peripheral nerve ultrasound (US). Methods: Our retrospective review identified 278 peripheral nerve US examinations of 229 patients performed between December 2014 and December 2015. Reports were reviewed to assess the number of studies without peripheral nerve abnormalities and the frequency and further assessment of extraneural findings. Results: A total of 107 peripheral nerve US examinations of 90 patients (49 men and 41 women, mean age 55 ± 16 years) did not report peripheral nerve abnormalities. Extraneural findings were observed in 24 of 107 (22.4%) studies. Fifteen of the 278 [5.4% (95% confidence interval 2.7%–8.1%)] studies led to a recommendation for additional imaging or clinical evaluation of an extraneural finding. Discussion: At least 5.4% (15 of 278) of peripheral nerve US studies led to additional clinical or imaging assessment. Muscle Nerve 57: 65–69, 2018
Childhood body mass index and development of type 2 diabetes throughout adult life—A large‐scale danish cohort study
Authors: Zimmermann Esther , Bjerregaard Lise G. , Gamborg Michael , Vaag Allan A. , Sørensen Thorkild I.A. , Baker Jennifer L.
Published: March 2017

Objective

This study investigated how a wide spectrum of body mass index (BMI) values at ages 7 to 13 years are associated with type 2 diabetes throughout adulthood, including potential modifying effects of sex and birth weight.

Methods

From the Copenhagen School Health Records Register, 292,827 individuals, born between 1930 and 1989, were followed in national registers for type 2 diabetes (women, n = 7,472; men, n = 11,548). Heights and weights were measured at ages 7 to 13 years.

Results

Below‐average BMIs, with few exceptions, were not associated with type 2 diabetes. Above‐average BMIs had positive associations that were stronger in women than men, stronger in younger birth cohorts, and weaker with older age at diagnosis. Women born 1930‐1947, 1948‐1965, and 1966‐1983 with above‐average BMIs at 13 years (≥18.2 kg/m2) had hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) ranging from 2.12 (1.91‐2.36) to 2.84 (2.31‐3.49) per z score when diagnosed at 30 to 47 years. Birth weight did not modify these associations.

Conclusions

Childhood BMIs below average are not associated with type 2 diabetes, whereas childhood BMIs above average are strongly associated with type 2 diabetes in adulthood, corresponding to excess risks even at levels below international definitions of overweight. The associations are stronger in women than men but are not affected by birth weight.
Plasma MicroRNA signature predicting weight gain among Mexican‐American women
Authors: Zhao Hua , Shen Jie , Daniel‐MacDougall Carrie , Wu Xifeng , Chow Wong‐Ho
Published: March 2017

Objective

There is growing evidence that circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in obesity. However, whether they can contribute to adult weight gain is still unclear.

Methods

In the training set with 40 nonsmoking, healthy women identified from the Mano‐A‐Mano Mexican American Cohort study, global circulating miRNA profiles in plasma samples were assessed. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to assess the effects of plasma miRNAs on significant weight gain during a 5‐year follow‐up. Plasma miRNAs associated with significant weight gain were further validated in two testing sets (N = 160 and 100, respectively).

Results

A total of 23 significant plasma miRNAs were identified in the training set. Among them, eight were validated in two testing sets. They were miR‐142, miR‐122, miR‐125b, miR‐15b, miR‐130b, miR222, miR‐519d, and miR‐31. Using those eight miRNAs, a risk score for significant weight gain was created. Study participants with a high risk score had 3.01‐fold increased risk of having significant weight gain in the whole study population (hazard ratio: 3.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.70‐5.47).

Conclusions

The findings provide evidence that circulating miRNAs play important roles in obesity and weight gain and suggest new targets for understanding the mechanisms of weight gain and developing weight loss intervention strategies.
A Meta–Analytic and Conceptual Update on the Associations between Procrastination and Multidimensional Perfectionism
Authors: Sirois Fuschia M. , Molnar Danielle S. , Hirsch Jameson K.
Published: March 2017

The equivocal and debated findings from a 2007 meta–analysis, which viewed perfectionism as a unidimensional construct, suggested that perfectionism was unrelated to procrastination. The present meta–analysis aimed to provide a conceptual update and reanalysis of the procrastination–perfectionism association guided by both a multidimensional view of perfectionism and self–regulation theory. The random–effects meta–analyses revealed a small to medium positive average effect size ( r = .23; k = 43, N = 10 000; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) [0.19, 0.27]) for trait procrastination and perfectionistic concerns and a small to medium negative average effect size ( r = −.22; k = 38, N = 9544; 95% CI [−0.26, −0.18]) for procrastination and perfectionistic strivings. The average correlations remained significant after statistically accounting for the joint variance between the two perfectionism dimensions via semi–partial correlations. For perfectionistic concerns, but not perfectionistic strivings, the effects depended on the perfectionism measure used. All effects did not vary by the trait procrastination measure used or the respondent's sex. Our findings confirm that from a multidimensional perspective, trait procrastination is both positively and negatively associated with higher–order perfectionism dimensions and further highlights the value of a self–regulation perspective for understanding the cognitive, affective and behavioural dynamics that characterise these traits. Copyright © 2017 European Association of Personality Psychology
Degradation of poly(β‐amino ester) gels in alcohols through transesterification: Method to conjugate drugs to polymer matrices
Authors: Gupta Prachi , Lacerda Caroline , Patil Vinod S. , Biswal Dipti , Wattamwar Paritosh , Zach Hilt J. , Dziubla Thomas D.
Published: March 2017

Poly(β amino ester) (PβAE) polymers have received growing attention in the literature, owing to their ease of synthesis, versatile co‐monomer selection, and highly tunable degradation kinetics. As such, they have shown extensive potential in many biomedical applications as well. In this work, it is demonstrated for the first time that PβAE polymers containing primary and secondary amine groups can undergo degradation by primary alcohols via transesterification mechanism. While this work emphasizes an important aspect of solvent compatibility of these networks, it also represents an interesting, simple mechanism for post synthesis drug incorporation, with riboflavin conjugation being demonstrated as a model compound. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 2019–2026
Particle plasmon‐induced charge trapping at heterointerfaces in PCDTBT:PC70BM blends
Authors: Dou Fei , Small Cephas , Provencher Francoise , Ferreira Jason , Wang Xuhua , Rezasoltani Elham , Liu Hongmei , Zhang Xinping
Published: March 2017

We investigate the influence of particle plasmons on exciton and charge generation and recombination processes in the blend of poly (9‐(1‐octylnonyl)‐9H‐carbazole‐benzothiadiazole‐4,7‐diyl‐2,5‐thiophenediyl) (PCDTBT) and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C70butyric acid methyl ester (PC70BM). The particle plasmons are generated from gold nanoparticles, which are embedded into PCDTBT:PC70BM blend. For the blend with gold nanoparticles, we observe enhance light harvesting. Despite the enhanced light collection, we find that the quasi‐steady‐state charge generation has not been influenced by the particle plasmons. However, the generation and recombination of long‐lived (sub‐millisecond) polaron paris have been significantly enhanced: from untrapped state in the pristine blend to the trapped state in the gold nanoparticle‐embedded blend. This result implies that the plasmon‐influenced polarons are trapped at the broadband geminate polaron pair (GPP) state. This state acts as an intermediate state, which either leads to the formation of charge transfer excitons (CTXs) or free charge carriers. In our case, the particle plasmon‐influenced polarons are trapped in the GPP state, which leads to the formation of CTXs. For this reason, we do not observe the enhanced charge generation in PCDTBT:PC70BM blend with particle plasmon resonance. Finally, we revealed that the long‐lived polarons mainly resulted from the localization by particle plasmons. The macroscopic modification in the blend film made negligible contributions to this influence. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 940–947
Formation of DNA pearl‐necklace structures on mica surface governed by kinetics and thermodynamics
Authors: Xi Bo , Ran Shi‐Yong
Published: March 2017

Polyelectrolytes (PEs) possibly occur in the form of a pearl‐necklace structure in poor solvents. This structure, characterized by the form of segregated beads connected by narrow strings, has been extensively studied by scaling analysis and computer simulation, and was believed to be formed by the Rayleigh instability mechanism. However, the structure has not been experimentally well studied, and a complete experimental picture on the necklace formation is still not available. In this study, pearl‐necklace structures of DNA induced by different condensing agents are observed by atomic force microscopy. The results show that the formation of a pearl‐necklace conformation is highly dependent on kinetic factors such as incubation time and thermodynamic factors including the concentration and condensing ability of the agent. If the incubation time is sufficiently short, this conformation can exist as an intermediate state of the DNA coil–globule transition. When agents with weaker crowding effect or screening ability are added, the structure appeared to be thermodynamically stable. The same effect was observed in rather low concentrations of agent. A rods‐on‐a‐string structure, unlike the common characterized spherical beads‐on‐a‐string conformation, was observed and was believed to result from the stiffness of DNA. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 971–979
NICE Evidence Search: an answer to information overload?
Authors: Ogden Joy
Published: March 2017

In the second article in our series on NICE guidance, we discuss NICE's online Evidence Search service: how the evidence is sourced, what it includes and how to use it.
Reslizumab: add‐on therapy for severe eosinophilic asthma
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: March 2017

Resilzumab (Cinqaero) is a new add‐on therapy for severe inadequately controlled eosinophilic asthma, which is administered by monthly IV infusion. This article summarises its indications, efficacy and adverse effects.
Visualization of molecular packing and tilting domains and interface effects in tetracene thin films on H/Si(001)
Authors: Tersigni Andrew , Sadowski Jerzy T. , Qin Xiao‐Rong
Published: March 2017

Visualizing molecular crystalline domains and influence of substrate defects are important in understanding the charge transport in organic thin film devices. Vacuum evaporated tetracene films of four monolayers on hydrogen‐terminated Si(001)‐2 × 1 substrate, as a prototypical system, have been studied with ex situ atomic force microscopy (AFM), transverse shear microscopy (TSM), friction force microscopy (FFM), and low‐energy electron microscopy (LEEM). Two differently oriented in‐plane lattice domains are found due to the symmetry of the substrate lattice, with no visible azimuthal twist between adjacent molecular layers in surface islands, indicating significant bulk‐like crystallization in the film. Meanwhile, two types of subdomains are observed inside of each in‐plane lattice domain. The subdomains are anisotropic in shape, and their sizes and distribution are highly influenced by the substrate atomic steps. TSM and FFM measurements indicate that these subdomains result from molecule‐tilt orderings within the bulk‐like lattice domains. TSM evidently shows a sensitivity to probe vertical molecule‐tilt anisotropy for the molecular crystals, in addition to its known ability to map the lateral lattice orientations.
Evidence for secondary ice production in Southern Ocean open cellular convection
Authors: Huang Yi , Chubb Thomas , Baumgardner Darrel , deHoog Mark , Siems Steven T. , Manton Michael J.
Published: March 2017

Ice particles present at temperatures warmer than −9 °C were encountered in unexpectedly high number concentrations (up to 54 L−1) by an instrumented aircraft over the Southern Ocean (SO), off the southwest coast of Tasmania, Australia, on 7 September 2013. The sampled clouds were precipitating, characterized by mixed‐phase, open‐cellular shallow convection. These clouds were present within a large‐scale environment characterized by cold air advection, in a pristine air mass for over 72 h. Using a Cloud and Aerosol Spectrometer, aerosol particles (diameters > 0.6 µm) size and number concentrations were measured and ice nucleating particle (INP) number concentrations were estimated with a recognized ice nuclei parametrization scheme. The estimated INP number concentrations were in the range of 10−5–10−1 L−1 at temperature above −9 °C, which is up to three orders of magnitude less than the ice number concentrations typically observed. The high ice number concentrations are largely consistent with the theoretical values when ice crystals are produced via a splinter production. The evidence suggests that secondary ice processes (likely the Hallett–Mossop mechanism) were playing a key role in generating the high ice number concentrations observed. Satellite observations from an A‐Train overpass in the neighbourhood during the flight period reveal a qualitatively consistent story, with patchy, mixed‐phase (but predominantly supercooled liquid water) clouds observed at cloud‐top temperatures around −6 °C. Using back trajectory calculations, these clouds are tracked over 23 and 46 h with A‐Train observations. The presence of these clouds is found to be common over the SO during this period of time. This suggests that the ice particles present in a relatively warm temperature range could potentially be commonplace, within the widespread (up to thousands of kilometres) shallow convective cloud fields over the SO. These clouds may have important implication for the energy budget and precipitation production over this climatically important region.
Coral reef atoll assessment in the South China Sea using Planet Dove satellites
Authors: Asner Gregory P. , Martin Roberta E. , Mascaro Joseph
Published: March 2017

Coral reefs of the Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea are undergoing rapid transformation through military base and outpost development, destructive fishing practices and other factors. Despite increasing pressure on the ecologically unique reefs throughout this region, limited direct access to them has made it difficult to monitor reef cover. A new constellation of satellite imaging sensors, called Planet Dove, provides 3–5 m resolution monitoring of Earth on a daily time step, potentially offering a way to monitor changes in reef extent on a rapid repeat basis. We tested the accuracy of Planet Dove data for coral reef and seagrass mapping at an intensively studied atoll in the Spratly archipelago, and then applied the resulting approach to the atolls currently undergoing rapid change in the region. Compared to underwater photographic surveys, we found that unsupervised classification of Planet Dove imagery provided a 92% average accuracy in detecting the extent of shallow coral reef, observable portions of deep coral reef and sand. Dove data were deemed not sufficiently useful for separating different types of shallow reef or seagrass beds. Applying the 3‐class mapping approach to 19 atolls throughout the region, we found that two‐thirds of currently occupied atolls have proportionally less shallow reef cover than unoccupied atolls. Frequent satellite‐based updates of atolls and islands in the Spratly archipelago could advance international discussion on conservation in the South China Sea.
Evaluating alternative DaaS solutions in private and public OpenStack Clouds
Authors: Celesti Antonio , Mulfari Davide , Fazio Maria , Puliafito Antonio , Villari Massimo
Published: March 2017

Nowadays, remote desktop technologies are widely used to control remote computers. In this context, more and more Desktop as a Service (DaaS) solutions that allow users to directly control Virtual Machines through HTML5 web applications are emerging. However, currently, DaaS is at an early stage because several issues have to be addressed. In this paper, we aim to provide software architects a 360‐degree study on the major web‐based remote desktop client systems for the development of next generation DaaS solutions in both OpenStack‐based private and public Clouds. In particular, we compare and test different native and customized web‐based remote desktop solutions, specifically focusing on audio and video redirection performances in both Cloud environments. Exhaustive experiments highlight, from an objective point of view, the behavior of different DaaS solutions, providing useful hints to software architects and developers. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interfacial Dynamic Properties and Dilational Rheology of Sulfonate Gemini Surfactant and its Mixtures with Quaternary Ammonium Bromides at the Air–Water Interface
Authors: Lai Lu , Mei Ping , Wu Xiao‐Mei , Cheng Li , Ren Zhao‐Hua , Liu Yi
Published: March 2017

The dynamic interfacial properties and dilational rheology of gemini sulfonate surfactant (SGS) and its mixtures with quaternary ammonium bromides (DTAB, CTAB) at the air–water interface were investigated using drop shape analysis. Results suggest that the adsorption process of these surfactants is diffusion‐controlled at dilute concentrations, whereas the adsorption mechanism gradually shifts to a mixed kinetic‐diffusion control with increasing surfactant concentration. The mixed surfactant system possesses the best surface activity when the molar ratios of SGS/DTAB and SGS/CTAB mixtures are 9:10. The formation of catanionic complexes shields the electrostatic repulsion between surfactant molecules and lowers the electrostatic adsorption barrier. Therefore, SGS/DTAB and SGS/CTAB mixtures exhibit higher adsorption rates than either component alone. The effects of oscillating frequency and surfactant concentration on the surface dilational properties of SGS, DTAB, CTAB, SGS/DTAB, and SGS/CTAB mixtures were also determined. As the oscillating frequency increases, the dilational elasticity of these surfactants gradually increases. The dilational elasticity peaks at a certain concentration, which is less than the critical micelle concentration (CMC). Results show that the dilational elasticity of SGS/DTAB and SGS/CTAB mixtures is higher than that of either component, resulting from the formation of a denser monomolecular adsorption layer at the air–water interface. Our study provides a basis for understanding the interaction mechanism of catanionic surfactant mixtures containing Gemini surfactant at the air–water interface.
Analysis of the Effects of Hydrocarbon Chain on Foam Properties of Alkyl Polyglycosides
Authors: Zhou Yawen , Wang Shan , Lv Mengdie , Niu Jinping , Xu Baocai
Published: March 2017

The influence of surfactant structure on foam properties of different alkyl polyglycosides (APGs) in aqueous solutions was studied. Foamability, foam stability, and foam morphology were analyzed using the FoamScan method. Results showed that the foamability, foam stability, and the liquid carrying ability of long‐chain APGs are higher than those of short‐chain APGs. Foam morphology analysis showed that the foam produced by short‐chain APGs is more unstable than the foam generated by long‐chain APGs. Long‐chain APGs have stronger intermolecular cohesion force, stringency, and ductility than short‐chain APGs.
Optimization of Soybean Oil Based Pressure‐Sensitive Adhesives Using a Full Factorial Design
Authors: Li Yonghui , Chou Shih‐Hsiung , Qian Wenting , Sung Jonggeun , Chang Shing I. , Sun Xiuzhi Susan
Published: March 2017

Plant oils are attractive renewable feedstocks for biobased pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSAs). In this study, we investigated how the PSA adhesion properties were influenced by the compositions comprised of epoxidized soybean oil (ESO), 3,4‐epoxycyclohexylmethyl 3,4‐epoxycyclohexanecarboxylate (ECHM), dihydroxyl soybean oil (DSO), rosin ester, and cationic photo initiator. When the amounts of ESO and photo‐initiator were constant, the variables of ECHM, DSO, and rosin amounts and their interactions were significant in influencing PSA peel adhesion strength, with p values smaller than 0.05 under a 95% significance level. Rosin amounts with the largest coefficient of 0.94 compared to the other variables are the most determinant factors. The peel adhesion strength was higher when using relatively a lower level of ECHM and a higher level of ESO and rosin. A model with the coefficient of determination (R2) of 95.06% was obtained to describe the relationship between the amount of resin constituents (ECHM, DSO, and rosin) and PSA peel adhesion strength in the experimental variable ranges. The optimal PSA formulation without cohesive failure was (ECHM = 0.04, DSO = 0.7, rosin = 0.7), resulting in a peel adhesion strength of 4.45 N/in. Structure–property relationships of the PSAs were established via thermal and rheological studies.
Effect of Oils Extracted from Plant Seeds on the Growth and Lipolytic Activity of Yarrowia lipolytica Yeast
Authors: Krzyczkowska Jolanta , Kozłowska Mariola
Published: March 2017

This study was aimed at evaluating the capability of Yarrowia lipolytica W29 for the synthesis of lipolytic enzymes in a medium containing plant oils from non‐conventional sources with some components displaying bioactivity. Oils from almond, hazelnut, and coriander seeds were obtained by using n‐hexane (Soxhlet method) and a chloroform/methanol mixture of solvents (Folch method), and their effect on the growth and lipolytic activity of Y. lipolytica was compared. A comparison of these two extraction methods showed that the extraction with n‐hexane was less effective regarding the oil extraction yields than the extraction conducted according to Folch's procedure. The lipolytic activity of the studied yeast was higher in the culture media containing oils extracted with the Soxhlet method than the Folch method but it was lower compared to olive oil medium. Among all oils tested, almond oil extracted with n‐hexane was the best inducer of extracellular lipases synthesized by Y. lipolytica. Its lipolytic activity achieved the maximum value of 2.33 U/mL after 48 h of culture. After 24 h of culture, it was close to the value obtained for the medium containing olive oil. Almond oil was a source of oleic and linoleic acids, which may determine differences in the lipolytic activity. The linoleic acid content in almond oil was higher than that found in other oils. When n‐hexane was used for extraction, the resultant oils were characterized by lower contents of polyphenols and poorer antioxidative activity.
Canadian Radiologists Do Not Support Screening Mammography Guidelines of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care
Authors: Seely Jean M. , Lee Jiyon , Whitman Gary J. , Gordon Paula B.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The study sought to determine screening mammography recommendations that radiologists in Canada promote to average-risk patients and family or friends, and do or would do for themselves.

Methods

An online survey was delivered from February 19, 2014, to July 11, 2014. Data included radiologists' recommendations for mammography and their personal screening habits based on gender. The 3 radiologists' cohorts were women ≥40 years of age, women <40 years of age, and men. The distribution of responses for each question was summarized, and proportions for the entire group and individual cohorts were computed.

Results

Of 402 surveys collected, 97% (299 of 309) radiologists recommended screening every 1-2 years, 62% (192 of 309) starting ≥40 years of age and 2% (5 of 309) recommended screening every 2-3 years for women 50-74 years of age. Recommendations were similar for family and friends: 96% (294 of 305) recommended screening every 1-2 years, 66% (202 of 305) recommended screening every 1-2 years for women ≥40 years of age, and 2% (5 of 305) recommended screening every 2-3 years. For women radiologists ≥40 years of age, 76% (48 of 63) underwent screening every 1-2 years and started at 40 years of age, 76% (16 of 21) female radiologists <40 years of age would undergo screening ≥40 years of age, 100% every 1-2 years, and 90% (151 of 167) male radiologists would undergo screening every 1-2 years, with 71% (120 of 169) beginning at 40 years of age.

Conclusion

The majority of Canadian radiologists recommend screening mammography every 1-2 years for average-risk women ≥40 years of age, whether they are patients or family and friends.
Evidence for a ‘preinvasive’ variant of fungal sinusitis: Tissue invasion without angioinvasion
Authors: Paknezhad Hassan , Borchard Nicole A. , Charville Greg W. , Ayoub Noel F. , Choby Garret W. , Thamboo Andrew , Nayak Jayakar V.
Published: March 2017

Clinical experience has suggested the existence of an intermediate form of fungal sinusitis between the categories of non‐invasive fungal sinusitis (non‐IFS) and invasive fungal sinusitis (IFS). This fungal sinusitis variant demonstrates unhealthy mucosa by endoscopy with fungal invasion, but lacks angioinvasion microscopically, representing what clinically behaves as a ‘pre‐invasive’ subtype of fungal sinusitis. Unlike non‐IFS disease, patients with pre‐invasive fungal sinusitis were still felt to require anti‐fungal medications due to histologic presence of invasive fungus. While sharing some clinical features of IFS, these ‘intermediate’ patients were successfully spared extended and repeated surgical debridements given the microscopic findings, and have been successfully treated with shorter courses of antifungal therapy. These select patients have had favorable outcomes when managed in a judicious and semi‐aggressive manner, in an undefined zone between the treatments for routine fungal ball and aggressive IFS.
TARGETED ADVERTISING IN THE BREAKFAST CEREAL INDUSTRY
Authors: BERNING JOSHUA , RABINOWITZ ADAM N.
Published: March 2017

We examine the relationship of product characteristics of ready-to-eat breakfast cereal and targeted television advertising to specific consumer segments. We compile a unique data set that includes brand-packaging characteristics, including on-box games, nutrition information, and cobranding. We find that the relationship of television advertising and a cereal's brand-packaging characteristics varies by target audience. Our results provide insight into understanding how manufacturers strategically utilize branding, packaging, and television advertising. This can help industry and policy makers develop food product advertising policy. This analysis extends to other product markets where extensive product differentiation and promotion are present as well.
Development of the Cranfield University Bulldog flight test facility
Authors: Lawson N.J. , Correia R. , James S.W. , Gautrey J.E. , Rubio G. Invers , Staines S.E. , Partridge M. , Tatam R.P.
Published: March 2017

Cranfield University's National Flying Laboratory Centre (NFLC) has developed a Bulldog light aircraft into a flight test facility. The facility is being used to research advanced in-flight instrumentation including fibre optic pressure and strain sensors. During the development of the test bed, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has been used to assist the flight test design process, including the sensor requirements. This paper describes the development of the Bulldog flight test facility, including an overview of the design and certification process, the in-flight data taken using the installed fibre optic sensor systems and lessons learned from the development programme, including potential further applications of the sensors.
Reducing Clostridium difficile in the Inpatient Setting: A Systematic Review of the Adherence to and Effectiveness of C. difficile Prevention Bundles
Authors: Barker Anna K. , Ngam Caitlyn , Musuuza Jackson S. , Vaughn Valerie M. , Safdar Nasia
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Clostridium difficileinfection (CDI) is the most common infectious cause of nosocomial diarrhea, and its prevention is an urgent public health priority. However, reduction of CDI is challenging because of its complex pathogenesis, large reservoirs of colonized patients, and the persistence of infectious spores. The literature lacks high-quality evidence for evaluating interventions, and many hospitals have implemented bundled interventions to reduce CDI with variable results. Thus, we conducted a systematic review to examine the components of CDI bundles, their implementation processes, and their impact on CDI rates.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive literature search of multiple computerized databases from their date of inception through April 30, 2016. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO, an international prospective register of systematic reviews. Bundle effectiveness, adherence, and study quality were assessed for each study meeting our criteria for inclusion.

RESULTS

In the 26 studies that met the inclusion criteria for this review, implementation and adherence factors to interventions were variably and incompletely reported, making study reproducibility and replicability challenging. Despite contextual differences and the variety of bundle components utilized, all 26 studies reported an improvement in CDI rates. However, given the lack of randomized controlled trials in the literature, assessing a causal relationship between bundled interventions and CDI rates is currently impossible.

CONCLUSION

Cluster randomized trials that include a rigorous assessment of the implementation of bundled interventions are urgently needed to causally test the effect of intervention bundles on CDI rates.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2017;38:639–650
Physical fitness and shapes of subcortical brain structures in children
Authors: Ortega Francisco B. , Campos Daniel , Cadenas-Sanchez Cristina , Altmäe Signe , Martínez-Zaldívar Cristina , Martín-Matillas Miguel , Catena Andrés , Campoy Cristina
Published: March 2017

A few studies have recently reported that higher cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with higher volumes of subcortical brain structures in children. It is, however, unknown how different fitness measures relate to shapes of subcortical brain nuclei. We aimed to examine the association of the main health-related physical fitness components with shapes of subcortical brain structures in a sample of forty-four Spanish children aged 9·7 (sd 0·2) years from the NUtraceuticals for a HEALthier life project. Cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and speed agility were assessed using valid and reliable tests (ALPHA-fitness test battery). Shape of the subcortical brain structures was assessed by MRI, and its relationship with fitness was examined after controlling for a set of potential confounders using a partial correlation permutation approach. Our results showed that all physical fitness components studied were significantly related to the shapes of subcortical brain nuclei. These associations were both positive and negative, indicating that a higher level of fitness in childhood is related to both expansions and contractions in certain regions of the accumbens, amygdala, caudate, hippocampus, pallidum, putamen and thalamus. Cardiorespiratory fitness was mainly associated with expansions, whereas handgrip was mostly associated with contractions in the structures studied. Future randomised-controlled trials will confirm or contrast our findings, demonstrating whether changes in fitness modify the shapes of brain structures and the extent to which those changes influence cognitive function.
A trans-diagnostic perspective on obsessive-compulsive disorder
Authors: Gillan C. M. , Fineberg N. A. , Robbins T. W.
Published: March 2017

Progress in understanding the underlying neurobiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has stalled in part because of the considerable problem of heterogeneity within this diagnostic category, and homogeneity across other putatively discrete, diagnostic categories. As psychiatry begins to recognize the shortcomings of a purely symptom-based psychiatric nosology, new data-driven approaches have begun to be utilized with the goal of solving these problems: specifically, identifying trans-diagnostic aspects of clinical phenomenology based on their association with neurobiological processes. In this review, we describe key methodological approaches to understanding OCD from this perspective and highlight the candidate traits that have already been identified as a result of these early endeavours. We discuss how important inferences can be made from pre-existing case-control studies as well as showcasing newer methods that rely on large general population datasets to refine and validate psychiatric phenotypes. As exemplars, we take ‘compulsivity’ and ‘anxiety’, putatively trans-diagnostic symptom dimensions that are linked to well-defined neurobiological mechanisms, goal-directed learning and error-related negativity, respectively. We argue that the identification of biologically valid, more homogeneous, dimensions such as these provides renewed optimism for identifying reliable genetic contributions to OCD and other disorders, improving animal models and critically, provides a path towards a future of more targeted psychiatric treatments.
Restating the Scene of Foundation: Establishing Israeli Statehood and Culture inNational Collectionby Public Movement
Authors: BEN-SHAUL DAPHNA
Published: March 2017

National Collectionwas a participatory tour performance presented at Tel Aviv Museum of Art in 2015 by Public Movement, a group that investigates public choreographies and forms of social order. This article discusses the work's examination of the interdependency between the state and its cultural institutions, both as a paradigmatic form and as historical narrative. By following the different stages of the performance score – the group's arrival at the museum's original building where Israel's 1948 Declaration of Independence ceremony took place, a march in public space to the current museum and the tour held inside – the article explores the ways in whichNational Collection‘restates’ the aesthetic political scene of foundation and the museum's central role. Along with the embodiment of institutional authority, the performance formulates a significant critical dimension, conveying doubt and a constant sense of crisis embedded in establishing a state and prominent by displaying or reforming museum order.
Exploring the neuroanatomical bases of psychotic features in bipolar disorder
Authors: Maggioni E. , Altamura A. C. , Brambilla P.
Published: March 2017

Although bipolar disorder (BD) is traditionally conceptualised as one diagnostic entity, the heterogeneity of pathophysiological manifestations in BD suggests the need to classify the subtypes of the illness based on neural markers. Specifically, the presence of psychotic symptoms seems to be relevant for the clinical outcome and may have specific neuroanatomical bases. The main objective of the present review was to assess whether the distinction between psychotic BD (PBD) and non-psychotic BD (NPBD) can improve the identification of the neurobiological markers of this complex illness. To this end, we summarised the findings from the magnetic resonance imaging studies that explored the cerebral correlates of psychosis in BD in terms of grey matter volume (GMV). Overall, the results suggest the presence of peculiar GMV differences between PBD and NPBD. Specifically, psychosis in BD seems to be associated with cortical GMV deficits compared with both healthy controls and NPBD, mainly in the frontal region. Conversely, NPBD patients showed GMV deficits in selective regions of the basal ganglia when compared with the other groups. Taken together, this evidence confirms the importance to classify BD based on the psychotic dimension, which may have a specific neurobiological architecture that partially overlaps across multiple psychotic disorders.
Reporting Correct p Values in VEGAS Analyses
Authors: Hecker Julian , Maaser Anna , Prokopenko Dmitry , Fier Heide Loehlein , Lange Christoph
Published: March 2017

VEGAS (versatile gene-based association study) is a popular methodological framework to perform gene-based tests based on summary statistics from single-variant analyses. The approach incorporates linkage disequilibrium information from reference panels to account for the correlation of test statistics. The gene-based test can utilize three different types of tests. In 2015, the improved framework VEGAS2, using more detailed reference panels, was published. Both versions provide user-friendly web- and offline-based tools for the analysis. However, the implementation of the popular top-percentage test is erroneous in both versions. The p values provided by VEGAS2 are deflated/anti-conservative. Based on real data examples, we demonstrate that this can increase substantially the rate of false-positive findings and can lead to inconsistencies between different test options. We also provide code that allows the user of VEGAS to compute correct p values.
Updated AGU Ethics Policy Available for Member Comment
Authors: Williams Billy
Published: March 2017

Proposed new language identifies harassment as a form of scientific misconduct.
Decreased free d-aspartate levels are linked to enhanced d-aspartate oxidase activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of schizophrenia patients
Authors: Nuzzo Tommaso , Sacchi Silvia , Errico Francesco , Keller Simona , Palumbo Orazio , Florio Ermanno , Punzo Daniela , Napolitano Francesco , Copetti Massimiliano , Carella Massimo , Chiariotti Lorenzo , Bertolino Alessandro , Pollegioni Loredano , Usiello Alessandro
Published: March 2017

It is long acknowledged that the N-methyl d-aspartate receptor co-agonist, d-serine, plays a crucial role in several N-methyl d-aspartate receptor-mediated physiological and pathological processes, including schizophrenia. Besides d-serine, another free d-amino acid, d-aspartate, is involved in the activation of N-methyl d-aspartate receptors acting as an agonist of this receptor subclass, and is abundantly detected in the developing human brain. Based on the hypothesis of N-methyl d-aspartate receptor hypofunction in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and considering the ability of d-aspartate and d-serine to stimulate N-methyl d-aspartate receptor-dependent transmission, in the present work we assessed the concentration of these two d-amino acids in the post-mortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of patients with schizophrenia and healthy subjects. Moreover, in this cohort of post-mortem brain samples we investigated the spatiotemporal variations of d-aspartate and d-serine. Consistent with previous work, we found that d-aspartate content was selectively decreased by around 30% in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, but not in the hippocampus, of schizophrenia-affected patients, compared to healthy subjects. Interestingly, such selective reduction was associated to greater (around 25%) cortical activity of the enzyme responsible for d-aspartate catabolism, d-aspartate oxidase. Conversely, no significant changes were found in the methylation state and transcription of DDO gene in patients with schizophrenia, compared to control individuals, as well as in the expression levels of serine racemase, the major enzyme responsible for d-serine biosynthesis, which also catalyzes aspartate racemization. These results reveal the potential involvement of altered d-aspartate metabolism in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex as a factor contributing to dysfunctional N-methyl d-aspartate receptor-mediated transmission in schizophrenia.
Molecular, phenotypic, and sample-associated data to describe pluripotent stem cell lines and derivatives
Authors: Daily Kenneth , Ho Sui Shannan J. , Schriml Lynn M. , Dexheimer Phillip J. , Salomonis Nathan , Schroll Robin , Bush Stacy , Keddache Mehdi , Mayhew Christopher , Lotia Samad , Perumal Thanneer M. , Dang Kristen , Pantano Lorena , Pico Alexander R. , Grassman Elke , Nordling Diana , Hide Winston , Hatzopoulos Antonis K. , Malik Punam , Cancelas Jose A. , Lutzko Carolyn , Aronow Bruce J. , Omberg Larsson
Published: March 2017

The use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) derived from independent patients and sources holds considerable promise to improve the understanding of development and disease. However, optimized use of iPSC depends on our ability to develop methods to efficiently qualify cell lines and protocols, monitor genetic stability, and evaluate self-renewal and differentiation potential. To accomplish these goals, 57 stem cell lines from 10 laboratories were differentiated to 7 different states, resulting in 248 analyzed samples. Cell lines were differentiated and characterized at a central laboratory using standardized cell culture methodologies, protocols, and metadata descriptors. Stem cell and derived differentiated lines were characterized using RNA-seq, miRNA-seq, copy number arrays, DNA methylation arrays, flow cytometry, and molecular histology. All materials, including raw data, metadata, analysis and processing code, and methodological and provenance documentation are publicly available for re-use and interactive exploration at https://www.synapse.org/pcbc. The goal is to provide data that can improve our ability to robustly and reproducibly use human pluripotent stem cells to understand development and disease.
Detecting truly clonal alterations from multi-region profiling of tumours
Authors: Werner Benjamin , Traulsen Arne , Sottoriva Andrea , Dingli David
Published: March 2017

Modern cancer therapies aim at targeting tumour-specific alterations, such as mutations or neo-antigens, and maximal treatment efficacy requires that targeted alterations are present in all tumour cells. Currently, treatment decisions are based on one or a few samples per tumour, creating uncertainty on whether alterations found in those samples are actually present in all tumour cells. The probability of classifying clonal versus sub-clonal alterations from multi-region profiling of tumours depends on the earliest phylogenetic branching event during tumour growth. By analysing 181 samples from 10 renal carcinoma and 11 colorectal cancers we demonstrate that the information gain from additional sampling falls onto a simple universal curve. We found that in colorectal cancers, 30% of alterations identified as clonal with one biopsy proved sub-clonal when 8 samples were considered. The probability to overestimate clonal alterations fell below 1% in 7/11 patients with 8 samples per tumour. In renal cell carcinoma, 8 samples reduced the list of clonal alterations by 40% with respect to a single biopsy. The probability to overestimate clonal alterations remained as high as 92% in 7/10 renal cancer patients. Furthermore, treatment was associated with more unbalanced tumour phylogenetic trees, suggesting the need of denser sampling of tumours at relapse.
Basis-neutral Hilbert-space analyzers
Authors: Martin Lane , Mardani Davood , Kondakci H. Esat , Larson Walker D. , Shabahang Soroush , Jahromi Ali K. , Malhotra Tanya , Vamivakas A. Nick , Atia George K. , Abouraddy Ayman F.
Published: March 2017

Interferometry is one of the central organizing principles of optics. Key to interferometry is the concept of optical delay, which facilitates spectral analysis in terms of time-harmonics. In contrast, when analyzing a beam in a Hilbert space spanned by spatial modes – a critical task for spatial-mode multiplexing and quantum communication – basis-specific principles are invoked that are altogether distinct from that of ‘delay’. Here, we extend the traditional concept of temporal delay to the spatial domain, thereby enabling the analysis of a beam in an arbitrary spatial-mode basis – exemplified using Hermite-Gaussian and radial Laguerre-Gaussian modes. Such generalized delays correspond to optical implementations of fractional transforms; for example, the fractional Hankel transform is the generalized delay associated with the space of Laguerre-Gaussian modes, and an interferometer incorporating such a ‘delay’ obtains modal weights in the associated Hilbert space. By implementing an inherently stable, reconfigurable spatial-light-modulator-based polarization-interferometer, we have constructed a ‘Hilbert-space analyzer’ capable of projecting optical beams onto any modal basis.
Vitamin D both facilitates and attenuates the cellular response to lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Chen Ling , Eapen Mathew Suji , Zosky Graeme R.
Published: March 2017

Vitamin D has a range of non-skeletal health effects and has been implicated in the response to respiratory infections. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of vitamin D on the response of epithelial cells, neutrophils and macrophages to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. BEAS-2B cells (airway epithelial cell line) and primary neutrophils and macrophages isolated from blood samples were cultured and exposed to LPS with and without vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D). The production of IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β and TNF-α of all cells and the phagocytic capacity of neutrophils and macrophages to E. coli were assessed. Vitamin D had no effect on BEAS-2B cells but enhanced the production of IL-8 in neutrophils (p = 0.007) and IL-1β in macrophages (p = 0.007) in response to LPS. Both vitamin D (p = 0.019) and LPS (p < 0.001) reduced the phagocytic capacity of macrophages. These data suggest that the impact of vitamin D on responses to infection are complex and that the net effect will depend on the cells that respond, the key response that is necessary for resolution of infection (cytokine production or phagocytosis) and whether there is pre-existing inflammation.
Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 facilitates metastasis of gastric cancer through driving epithelial-mesenchymal transition and PI3K/Akt/GSK3β activation
Authors: Li Can , Zhang Jie , Wu Hao , Li Lili , Yang Caiting , Song Shushu , Peng Peike , Shao Miaomiao , Zhang Mingming , Zhao Junjie , Zhao Ran , Wu Weicheng , Ruan Yuanyuan , Wang Lan , Gu Jianxin
Published: March 2017

Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) is a pattern recognition receptor that plays a critical role in vascular diseases and host immune response. Recently, our research discovered that LOX-1 could facilitate the uptake of dying cells and cross-presentation of cellular antigen via binding with heat shock proteins, which have a close relationship with gastric neoplasia. Therefore, we speculated that LOX-1 may serve as an oncogene in gastric cancer (GC) development and progression. In this study, through immunohistochemistry staining assay and cancer-related databases, we found that LOX-1 expression was up-regulated in GC tissues and correlated with a poor prognosis in GC patients. The expression of LOX-1 was an independent prognostic factor for OS in GC patients, and the incorporation of LOX-1 with TNM stage is more accurate for predicting prognosis. Additionally, in vitro study by transwell assay and western blot analysis confirmed that LOX-1 could promote the migration and invasion of GC cells by driving epithelial-mesenchymal transition and PI3K/Akt/GSK3β activation. Taken together, we first explored the expression profiles, clinical significance and biological function of LOX-1 in GC, and these data suggest that LOX-1 may represent a promising prognostic biomarker for GC and offer a novel molecular target for GC therapies.