bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human TRPM8 and TRPA1 pain channels, including a gene variant with increased sensitivity to agonists (TRPA1 R797T), exhibit differential regulation by SRC-tyrosine kinase inhibitor
Authors: Morgan Kevin , Sadofsky Laura R. , Crow Christopher , Morice Alyn H.
Published: June 2014

TRPM8 (transient receptor potential M8) and TRPA1 (transient receptor potential A1) are cold-temperature-sensitive nociceptors expressed in sensory neurons but their behaviour in neuronal cells is poorly understood. Therefore DNA expression constructs containing human TRPM8 or TRPA1 cDNAs were transfected into HEK (human embryonic kidney cells)-293 or SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and G418 resistant clones analysed for effects of agonists and antagonists on intracellular Ca2+ levels. Approximately 51% of HEK-293 and 12% of SH-SY5Y cell clones expressed the transfected TRP channel. TRPM8 and TRPA1 assays were inhibited by probenecid, indicating the need to avoid this agent in TRP channel studies. A double-residue mutation in ICL-1 (intracellular loop-1) of TRPM8 (SV762,763EL, mimicking serine phosphorylation) or one in the C-terminal tail region (FK1045,1046AG, a lysine knockout) retained sensitivity to agonists (WS 12, menthol) and antagonist {AMTB [N-(3-Aminopropyl)-2-[(3-methylphenyl)methoxy]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)benzamide]}. SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) variants in TRPA1 ICL-1 (R797T, S804N) and TRPA1 fusion protein containing C-terminal (His)10 retained sensitivity to agonists (cinnamaldehyde, allyl-isothiocyanate, carvacrol, eugenol) and antagonists (HC-030031, A967079). One SNP variant, 797T, possessed increased sensitivity to agonists. TRPA1 became repressed in SH-SY5Y clones but was rapidly rescued by Src-family inhibitor PP2 [4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine]. Conversely, TRPM8 in SH-SY5Y cells was inhibited by PP2. Further studies utilizing SH-SY5Y may identify structural features of TRPA1 and TRPM8 involved in conferring differential post-translational regulation.
FPGA‐based high accuracy burst carrier frequency measurement method
Authors: Zhang Peng , Wang Houjun , Li Li , Wang Ping
Published: June 2014

A burst carrier frequency measurement scheme combined with a timestamping counting method based on a field programmable gate array (FPGA) is proposed. With the multiplication and phase shift of count clock, multiple parallel counters are continuously counted, and the times of the rising edge of the unknown frequency fx are counted simultaneously. To obtain the frequency of fx, linear regression by use of least‐squares line fitting is used. Experimental results show that the proposed approach can effectively reduce the error introduced by the quantisation error of ±1, improve measurement accuracy by about 2 to 3 bit, reduce measurement uncertainty by more than 20% and diminish the processing time to 200 ns compared with the traditional methods under the same conditions.
Effective early termination algorithm for depth map intra coding in 3D‐HEVC
Authors: Zhang Qiuwen , Li Nana , Huang Lixun , Gan Yong
Published: June 2014

In the current high‐efficiency video coding‐based three‐dimensional video coding (3D‐HEVC) design, new depth intra modes including depth modelling modes and region boundary chain coding are applied for depth map coding. These partition‐based intra modes achieve the highest possible coding efficiency, but result in extremely large encoding time which obstructs the 3D‐HEVC from practical applications. An efficient early termination algorithm for depth map coding in 3D‐HEVC is proposed. It makes use of the coding information from the spatial neighbouring depth map treeblock and the co‐located texture video treeblock to predict the depth map intra mode treeblock and terminate its mode decision process early. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve an average computational saving of about 40% with negligible loss of rate distortion performance in the 3D‐HEVC encoder.
Optimal digital correlated double sampling for CCD signals
Authors: Stefanov K.D. , Murray N.J.
Published: June 2014

The noise performance of digital correlated double sampling (DCDS) for readout of charge‐coupled devices (CCDs) with dominant white noise is presented. The trade‐offs between analogue and digital signal filtering and the impact on the sampling rate are investigated and numerically simulated for realistic systems. The results can be used to select the signal bandwidth, the settling accuracy and the ADC sampling rate for optimal DCDS noise performance.
Circularly polarised magneto‐electric dipole antenna
Authors: Liang Weilong , Jiao Yong‐Chang , Li Jingwei , Ni Tao
Published: June 2014

A new design of a circularly polarised magneto‐electric dipole antenna is presented. The proposed antenna is composed of two magneto‐electric dipoles and a feeding network comprising a wideband 90° Schiffman phase shifter. The two magneto‐electric dipoles are cross‐placed. By using the proper feeding network, two orthogonal linearly polarised modes with a 90° phase difference for circular polarisation can be excited. Simulation results show that the 10 dB return loss bandwidth of the proposed antenna is 85.7% from 2 to 5 GHz, and the 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth is 61.5% from 2.7 to 5.1 GHz. The peak antenna gain is 8.3 dB. The measured results agree well with the simulation results.
Performance improvement for long‐range BOTDR sensing system based on high extinction ratio modulator
Authors: Zhang Yixin , Wu Xuelin , Ying Zhoufeng , Zhang Xuping
Published: June 2014

The leakage light of an electro‐optic modulator induced by its finite extinction ratio (ER) may degrade the performance of the Brillouin optical time domain reflectometer (BOTDR) sensing system, especially for long distance measurement. A novel configuration of a modulator based on a synchronous optical switch is presented. Experimental results have shown that the performance of the sensing system can be obviously improved with the proposed high ER modulator. At the end of a 48.5 km sensing fibre, the maximum uncertainty of temperature measurement has been reduced from 5.2 to 0.8°C with a 25 m spatial resolution after making an improvement in the ER from 35 to 65 dB.
Low RCS microstrip antenna using polarisation‐dependent frequency selective surface
Authors: Jia Yongtao , Liu Ying , Wang Hui , Gong Shuxi
Published: June 2014

A low radar cross‐section (RCS) microstrip antenna is proposed. A polarisation‐dependent frequency selective surface (PDFSS) structure is designed and used as the antenna ground. By properly etching the unit cells of the PDFSS with different orientations on the ground of the microstrip antenna, the RCS has been reduced in the angular range of −90 ° ≤ θ ≤ +90° in both the xoz‐plane and the yoz‐plane under the φ‐polarised incident wave. The ‘Γ’ shape slots between the unit cells with different orientations are used to reduce their mutual coupling.
Gaussian/Gaussian‐mixture filters for non‐linear stochastic systems with delayed states
Authors: Wang Xiaoxu , Liang Yan , Pan Quan , Huang He
Published: June 2014

The Gaussian mixture approximation to the probability density function of the state is more appropriate than the single Gaussian approximation. A Gaussian mixture filter (GMF) is proposed for a class of non‐linear discrete‐time stochastic systems with the multi‐state delayed case. First, a novel non‐augmented filtering framework of the constituent Gaussian filter (GF) in GMF is derived, which recursively operates by analytical computation and non‐linear Gaussian integrals. The implementation of such GF is thus transformed to the computation of such non‐linear integrals in the proposed framework, which is solved by applying different numerical technologies for developing various variations of the non‐augmented GF, for example, GF‐cubature Kalman filter (CKF) based on the cubature rule. Secondly, a non‐augmented GMF is discussed by a weight sum of the above proposed GF, where each GF component is independent from the others and can be performed in a parallel manner, and its corresponding weigh is updated by using the measurements according to Bayesian formula. Naturally, a variation or implementation of such GMF based on the cubature rule is the GMF‐CKF. Finally, the performance of the new filters is demonstrated by a numerical example and a vehicle suspension estimation problem.
Comparative study on different coupling agents used as surfactants: effect on dispersion properties of TiN nanoparticles
Authors: Cheng Guojun , Qian Jiasheng , Xia Ru , Chen Peng , Miao Jibin , Yang Bin
Published: June 2014

Γ‐methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane (KH‐570) and macromolecular coupling agents (MCA) (St/AN/KH‐570 random copolymer) were used as surfactants for the surface modification of titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles (nanoTiN). The structure and dispersion properties of the modified nanoTiN were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), a sedimentation stability experiment (SSE), a contact angle measuring instrument (CAMI) and a high‐resolution transmission electron micrograph (HRTEM). According to the spectra of FTIR and XPS, it can be inferred that the KH‐570 and MCA covalently bonded on the surface of nanoTiN and an organic coating layer was formed. The SSE and the CAMI showed that the stable dispersion and the hydrophobic property were improved significantly. The results of the HRTEM showed that the surfactants improved the dispersibility of particles in the organic solution and the SBR matrix. It is found that the MCA can more effectively improve the dispersion stability of nanoTiN because of a more strong steric stabilisation of the macromolecular structure, which facilitated to hinder the aggregation of nanoparticles.
Development of phase shift lithography for the production of metal‐oxide‐metal diodes
Authors: Dodd Linzi E. , Rosamond Mark C. , Gallant Andrew J. , Wood David
Published: June 2014

Metal‐oxide‐metal (MOM) diodes have been produced by combining two novel techniques: a reactive ion etche and subsequent plasma oxidation, and a phase shift lithography process. This has resulted in a significant reduction in device feature sizes, down to sub‐micron dimensions and with an improved zero voltage curvature coefficient of up to 2.8 V−1 for the associated diodes. Given the use of MOM diodes in high speed rectification applications, the combination of the reduction in diode area as well as the controlled oxide growth aims to assist in the improved cutoff frequency of the devices, thus ensuring the potential for high speed applications.
Chitosan stabilised nanozero‐valent iron for the catalytic reduction of p‐nitrophenol
Authors: Lu Hongfei , Qiao Xueliang , Wang Wei , Tan Fatang , Xiao Zunqi , Chen Jianguo
Published: June 2014

Chitosan stabilised nanozero‐valent iron (CNZVI) is proposed as a catalyst because of its simple preparation and high activity. The catalytic activity of CNZVI was investigated using the reduction reaction of p‐nitrophenol (p‐NP) by NaBH4. The result indicated that CNZVI possessed good catalytic activity, and the rate constant (k) was 2.45 × 10−3 s−1. In addition, CNZVI can be easily separated by an external magnetic field from aqueous solution, and it could also be repeatedly applied for the reduction of p‐NP for at least five successive cycles with stable catalytic activity. All of these results suggest that CNZVI could be used as an excellent catalyst for the catalytic reduction of p‐NP by NaBH4.
Quasilinear theory and particle-in-cell simulation of proton cyclotron instability
Authors: Seough Jungjoon , Yoon Peter H. , Hwang Junga
Published: June 2014

The electromagnetic ion (proton) cyclotron instability is important for regulating the excessive development of perpendicular temperature anisotropy in the solar wind, for instance, when it is compressed in the vicinity of the Earth's magnetosheath environment. A recent letter [Seough et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 071103 (2013)] successfully employed the quasilinear kinetic theory to explain the observed temperature anisotropy upper bound. The present paper rigorously examines the reliability of the quasilinear theory by making a direct comparison against results from the particle-in-cell simulation method. It is found that the quasilinear approach is indeed a valid first-cut theoretical tool in the study of proton cyclotron instability.
Old Northumbrian Verbal Morphosyntax and the (Northern) Subject Rule
Authors: Cole Marcelle
Published: June 2014

This volume provides both a quantitative statistical and qualitative analysis of Late Northumbrian verbal morphosyntax as recorded in the Old English interlinear gloss to the Lindisfarne Gospels. It focuses in particular on the attestation of the subject type and adjacency constraints that characterise the so-called Northern Subject Rule concord system. The study presents new evidence which challenges the traditional Early Middle English dating attributed to the emergence of subject-type concord in the North of England and demonstrates that the syntactic configuration of the Northern Subject Rule was already a feature of Old English. By setting the Northumbrian developments within a broad framework of diachronic and diatopic variation, in which manifestations of subject-type concord are explored in a wide range of varieties of English, the author argues that a concord system based on subject type rather than person/number features is in fact a far less local and more universal tendency in English than previously believed.
Concerted loop motion triggers induced fit of FepA to ferric enterobactin
Authors: Smallwood Chuck R. , Jordan Lorne , Trinh Vy , Schuerch Daniel W. , Gala Amparo , Hanson Mathew , Shipelskiy Yan , Majumdar Aritri , Newton Salete M.C. , Klebba Phillip E.
Published: June 2014

Spectroscopic analyses of fluorophore-labeled Escherichia coli FepA described dynamic actions of its surface loops during binding and transport of ferric enterobactin (FeEnt). When FeEnt bound to fluoresceinated FepA, in living cells or outer membrane fragments, quenching of fluorophore emissions reflected conformational motion of the external vestibular loops. We reacted Cys sulfhydryls in seven surface loops (L2, L3, L4, L5, L7 L8, and L11) with fluorophore maleimides. The target residues had different accessibilities, and the labeled loops themselves showed variable extents of quenching and rates of motion during ligand binding. The vestibular loops closed around FeEnt in about a second, in the order L3 > L11 > L7 > L2 > L5 > L8 > L4. This sequence suggested that the loops bind the metal complex like the fingers of two hands closing on an object, by individually adsorbing to the iron chelate. Fluorescence from L3 followed a biphasic exponential decay as FeEnt bound, but fluorescence from all the other loops followed single exponential decay processes. After binding, the restoration of fluorescence intensity (from any of the labeled loops) mirrored cellular uptake that depleted FeEnt from solution. Fluorescence microscopic images also showed FeEnt transport, and demonstrated that ferric siderophore uptake uniformly occurs throughout outer membrane, including at the poles of the cells, despite the fact that TonB, its inner membrane transport partner, was not detectable at the poles.
Calcium-calmodulin does not alter the anion permeability of the mouse TMEM16A calcium-activated chloride channel
Authors: Yu Yawei , Kuan Ai-Seon , Chen Tsung-Yu
Published: June 2014

The transmembrane protein TMEM16A forms a Ca2+-activated Cl− channel that is permeable to many anions, including SCN−, I−, Br−, Cl−, and HCO3−, and has been implicated in various physiological functions. Indeed, controlling anion permeation through the TMEM16A channel pore may be critical in regulating the pH of exocrine fluids such as the pancreatic juice. The anion permeability of the TMEM16A channel pore has recently been reported to be modulated by Ca2+-calmodulin (CaCaM), such that the pore of the CaCaM-bound channel shows a reduced ability to discriminate between anions as measured by a shift of the reversal potential under bi-ionic conditions. Here, using a mouse TMEM16A clone that contains the two previously identified putative CaM-binding motifs, we were unable to demonstrate such CaCaM-dependent changes in the bi-ionic potential. We confirmed the activity of CaCaM used in our study by showing CaCaM modulation of the olfactory cyclic nucleotide–gated channel. We suspect that the different bi-ionic potentials that were obtained previously from whole-cell recordings in low and high intracellular [Ca2+] may result from different degrees of bi-ionic potential shift secondary to a series resistance problem, an ion accumulation effect, or both.
Dynamical Breaking of Generalized Yang Mills Theory*
Authors: Dian-Fu Wang , He-Shan Song
Published: June 2014

The dynamical breaking of a generalized Yang–Mills theory is discussed. It is shown, in terms of the Nambu–Jona-Lasinio mechanism, that the gauge symmetry breaking can be realized dynamically in the generalized Yang-Mills theory. The combination of the generalized Yang-Mills theory and the NJL mechanism provides a way to overcome the difficulties related to the Higgs field and the Higgs mechanism in the usual spontaneous symmetry breaking theory.
Fractional Sobolev extension and imbedding
Authors: Zhou Yuan
Published: June 2014

Let

Ω
\Omega

be a domain of

R

n

\mathbb {R}^n

with

n
≥
2

n\ge 2

and denote by

W

s
,

p

(
Ω
)

W^{s,\,p}(\Omega )

the fractional Sobolev space for

s
∈
(
0
,

1
)

s\in (0,\,1)

and

p
∈
(
0
,

∞
)

p\in (0, \,\infty )

. We prove that the following are equivalent:

(i) there exists a constant

C
1

>
0

C_1>0

such that for all

x
∈
Ω

x\in \Omega

and

r
∈
(
0
,

1
]

r\in (0,\,1]

,

|

B
(
x
,

r
)
∩
Ω

|

≥

C
1

r
n

;

\begin{eqnarray*} |B(x,\,r)\cap \Omega |\ge C_1 r^n; \end{eqnarray*}

(ii)

Ω
\Omega

is a

W

s
,

p

W^{s,\,p}

-extension domain for all

s
∈
(
0
,

1
)

s\in (0,\,1)

and all

p
∈
(
0
,

∞
)

p\in (0,\,\infty )

;

(iii)

Ω
\Omega

is a

W

s
,

p

W^{s,\,p}

-extension domain for some

s
∈
(
0
,

1
)

s\in (0,\,1)

and some

p
∈
(
0
,

∞
)

p\in (0,\,\infty )

;

(iv)

Ω
\Omega

is a

W

s
,

p

W^{s,\,p}

-imbedding domain for all

s
∈
(
0
,

1
)

s\in (0,\,1)

and all

p
∈
(
0
,

∞
)

p\in (0,\,\infty )

;

(v)

Ω
\Omega

is a

W

s
,

p

W^{s,\,p}

-imbedding domain for some

s
∈
(
0
,

1
)

s\in (0,\,1)

and some

p
∈
(
0
,

∞
)

p\in (0,\,\infty )

.
Differential stress resistance and metabolic traits underlie coexistence in a sympatrically evolved bacterial population
Authors: Puentes‐Téllez Pilar Eliana , van Elsas Jan Dirk
Published: June 2014

Following intermittent batch growth in Luria–Bertani (LB) broth for about 1000 generations, differentially evolved forms were found in a population of Escherichia coli cells. Studies on this population revealed the emergence of key polymorphisms, as evidenced by analysis of both whole genome sequences and transcription analysis. Here, we investigated the phenotypic nature of several key forms and found a remarkable (interactive) coexistence of forms which highlights the presence of different ecological roles pointing at a dichotomy in: (i) tolerance to environmental stresses and (ii) the capacity to utilize particular carbon sources such as galactose. Both forms differed from their common ancestor by different criteria. This apparent coexistence of two diverged forms points at the occurrence of niche partitioning as a consequence of dichotomous adaptive evolution. Remarkably, the two forms were shown to continue to coexist – in varying ratio's – in an experiment that cycled them through periods of nutrient feast (plentiful growth substrates) and famine (growth‐restrictive – stress conditions). The results further indicated that the equilibrium of the coexistence was destroyed when one of the parameters was high tuned, jeopardizing the stability of the coexisting pair.
Rapid succession of uncultured marine bacterial and archaeal populations in a denitrifying continuous culture
Authors: Kraft Beate , Tegetmeyer Halina E. , Meier Dimitri , Geelhoed Jeanine S. , Strous Marc
Published: June 2014

Marine denitrification constitutes an important part of the global nitrogen cycle and the diversity, abundance and process rates of denitrifying microorganisms have been the focus of many studies. Still, there is little insight in the ecophysiology of marine denitrifying communities. In this study, a heterotrophic denitrifying community from sediments of a marine intertidal flat active in nitrogen cycling was selected in a chemostat and monitored over a period of 50 days. The chemostat enabled the maintenance of constant and well‐defined experimental conditions over the time‐course of the experiment. Analysis of the microbial community composition by automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA), Illumina sequencing and catalyzed reporter deposition fluorescence in situ hybridization (CARD‐FISH) revealed strong dynamics in community composition over time, while overall denitrification by the enrichment culture was stable. Members of the genera Arcobacter, Pseudomonas, Pseudovibrio, Rhodobacterales and of the phylum Bacteroidetes were identified as the dominant denitrifiers. Among the fermenting organisms co‐enriched with the denitrifiers was a novel archaeon affiliated with the recently proposed DPANN‐superphylum. The pan‐genome of populations affiliated to Pseudovibrio encoded a NirK as well as a NirS nitrite reductase, indicating the rare co‐occurrence of both evolutionary unrelated nitrite reductases within coexisting subpopulations.
Clinical Experiences of Bixalomer Usage at Our Hospital
Authors: Shima Hideaki , Makino Ryojiro , Hata Kenichiro , Ban Akihiko , Funao Kiyoaki , Sugita Syouzou , Furumitsu Yutaka , Inoue Keisuke , Yoshimoto Mitsuru , Okamura Mikio
Published: June 2014

In 2012, bixalomer was launched as new non‐calcium (Ca) containing phosphorus (P) binder, increasing the choices available for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia. In this study, among the maintenance dialysis patients at our hospital, we newly administered bixalomer to 21 patients who were not receiving any P binders, and switched to bixalomer for 13 patients who had been receiving sevelamer hydrochloride and 23 patients who had been receiving lanthanum carbonate. The initial dosage of bixalomer was set as 1500 mg/day for new administration patients and dosage equivalent to that of the previously‐used P binder for patients who were switched to bixalomer. The dosage of bixalomer was increased if the effects were insufficient. The serum P, Ca and intact parathyroid hormone concentrations as well as serum pH, HCO3 concentration and base excess were evaluated prior to administering bixalomer, 3 months and 6 months after administering bixalomer. For the group who were newly administered bixalomer, significant reductions in serum P concentrations were seen (P < 0.01) and no significant changes were seen in clinical test items that serve as indices for acidosis. For the group who were switched from sevelamer hydrochloride to bixalomer, significant reductions in serum P concentrations were seen (P < 0.01) together with significant improvements in acidosis (P < 0.01). For the group who were switched from lanthanum carbonate to bixalomer, by increasing the dosage of bixalomer to approximately three times the dosage of lanthanum carbonate, it was possible to maintain post‐switch serum P concentrations at almost the same levels as before the switch. Furthermore, there were minor, yet significant improvements in acidosis (P < 0.01). From these results, it was shown that bixalomer can be useful treatment alternative in dialysis patients for whom it is necessary to change the P binder due to insufficient management of serum P concentrations or development of acidosis.
Criminalising LGBT Persons Under National Criminal Law and Article 7(1)(h) and (3) of the ICC Statute
Authors: Bohlander Michael
Published: June 2014

During the negotiations around the International Criminal Court's (ICC) Statute (ICCS) there was a fierce debate about the use and definition of the term ‘gender’ in its Article 7(3), with a sizeable number of states opposing the use of the term as a synonym for sexual orientation, which could have included lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons (LGBT). This paper is going to argue that the drafting compromise was ultimately an exercise in moral failure for the sake of the political feasibility, cementing one of the most glaring instances of discrimination, and that it is high time to correct that error, especially in the context of the rising tide of state‐sponsored homophobia that can be noticed in certain countries whose politics have drifted to the (far) right. It will examine whether the existing international criminal law does allow for the characterisation of domestic criminalisation as a crime against humanity, with or without the invocation of the term gender, and how to take the debate forward.
Who operates when, where and on whom? A survey of anaesthetic‐surgical activity in Ireland as denominator of NAP5
Authors: Jonker W. R. , Hanumanthiah D. , Ryan T. , Cook T. M. , Pandit J. J. , O'Sullivan E. P. ,   the NAP5 Steering Panel
Published: June 2014

The second phase of the 5th National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, concerning accidental awareness during general anaesthesia, consisted of a survey of anaesthetic activity in Ireland. A network of consultant anaesthetists co‐ordinated data collection from the anaesthetic departments of 46 public and 20 independent hospitals over seven days. Data on patients' characteristics, anaesthetic techniques, staffing, and admission and discharge arrangements were collected on all cases for which anaesthetic care (general, regional or local anaesthesia, sedation or monitored anaesthesia care) was provided. A total of 8049 cases were reported during the survey, giving an annual estimate of 426 600 cases for which anaesthetic care is provided. General anaesthesia constituted 5621 (70%), regional anaesthesia 1404 (17%), local anaesthesia 290 (4%), sedation 618 (8%) and monitored anaesthesia care 116 (1%) of the total number of cases. This survey provides unique data regarding anaesthesia services in public and independent hospitals in Ireland.
A study of the correlation between patient‐reported outcomes and clinical outcomes after cataract surgery in ophthalmic clinics
Authors: Mollazadegan Kaziwe , Lundström Mats
Published: June 2014

Purpose

To analyse the relationship between patient‐reported outcome measures and clinical outcome measures in 42 individual Swedish cataract surgery settings.

Methods

The study material consisted of follow‐up data on cataract extractions collected by the Swedish National Cataract Register in 2008–2011. Patient‐reported outcome was measured using the Catquest‐9SF questionnaire. A total of 9707 pairs of questionnaires completed before and after a cataract extraction were analysed together with clinical data. The analyses were performed for each clinic.

Results

For almost all clinics, a factor related to a poor patient‐reported outcome after surgery was a good preoperative self‐assessed visual function. For some clinics, up to 50% of the patients stated that they were very satisfied with their vision before surgery. For single clinics, different factors such as large anisometropia (≥3D), capsule complications, biometry prediction error (≥3D) and ocular comorbidity were related to a poor patient‐reported outcome. In situations where the clinical outcome was good and the patient‐reported outcome was poor, problems with near‐vision activities after surgery was the main factor noted.

Conclusions

Analysing factors related to a poor patient‐reported outcome for each clinic showed large variation. Weak indication for surgery, refractive problems after surgery, surgical complications and a poor chance of visual recovery due to ocular comorbidity were among the reasons for a poor patient‐reported outcome. Post‐operative care in terms of establishing a good near vision seemed to be another problem for some clinics.
Difference in the posterior pole profiles associated with the initial location of visual field defect in early‐stage normal tension glaucoma
Authors: Choi Jin A , Park Hae‐Young Lopilly , Park Chan Kee
Published: June 2014

Purpose

To identify the differences in posterior pole profiles between early normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients with an initial central visual field (VF) loss and those with a peripheral VF loss.

Methods

Normal tension glaucoma patients with parafoveal scotoma (PFS; within a central 10° of fixation; superior, n = 47; inferior, n = 24) and peripheral nasal step (PNS; VF defect in the nasal meridian outside 10° of fixation; superior, n = 27; inferior, n = 32) in either hemifield were enrolled, if their mean deviation was greater than −10 decibels (dB). Disc tilt (tilt ratio), disc torsion, area of peripapillary atrophy and disc‐foveal angle (angle between a horizontal line through the disc centre and the line connecting the fovea and the disc centre) were analysed from red‐free fundus photographs.

Results

The mean disc‐foveal angles (shortest diameter) in PNS and PFS groups were 6.2 ± 4.5 and 7.7 ± 4.0°, respectively. In multivariate analysis, eyes with PFS were associated with a greater disc‐foveal angle, compared with PNS (p = 0.042). In subgroup analysis, superior PFS group showed greater disc‐foveal angle compared with inferior PFS group (p = 0.018). In the PNS group, the direction of disc torsion was associated with superior and inferior hemifield defects (p = 0.004).

Conclusions

The posterior pole profiles were different in NTG patients according to their location of damage. Disc‐foveal angle was the major determinant of the VF location in patients with VF loss at the central region and disc torsion in patients with loss at the peripheral region.
The Effect of Agricultural Zoning on Rural Residential Property Values: An Application to Ontario's Greenbelt
Authors: Vyn Richard J.
Published: June 2014

Although previous studies on property value effects of land use policies have focused primarily on agricultural properties and on residential properties in close proximity to preserved areas, this paper examines for the effect on rural residential property values within the preserved area. This effect is examined in the context of Ontario's Greenbelt legislation, which prohibits urban development of rural land within a large area around the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This preserved area includes not only agricultural properties but also a substantial amount of rural residential properties due to proximity to the GTA. With the amenity value that rural residential properties derive from the surrounding rural landscape, the imposed development restrictions that permanently preserve this open space are anticipated to increase the values of these properties. This expectation is confirmed by the results of a hedonic approach, which indicate a positive effect on the values of rural residential properties within the Greenbelt's boundary. This effect is found to be greater for properties with more surrounding open space and those that are relatively closer to the GTA. These results also provide an estimate of the property value impact of converting all surrounding developable open space to permanently preserved open space.
Serum fetuin‐A concentration predicts glycaemic outcomes in people with prediabetes: a prospective study from eastern India
Authors: Dutta D. , Mondal S. A. , Kumar M. , Hasanoor Reza A. H. , Biswas D. , Singh P. , Chakrabarti S. , Mukhopadhyay S.
Published: June 2014

Aim

To evaluate the role of fetuin‐A levels in predicting glycaemic outcomes (progression to diabetes or reversion to normoglycaemia) in people with prediabetes.

Methods

A total of 2119 people were screened, of whom 144 people with prediabetes, 50 people with normoglycaemia and 66 people with newly diagnosed diabetes underwent estimation of fasting insulin, fetuin‐A, interleukin‐6, interleukin‐1β, tumour necrosis factor‐α, lipid and 25‐hydroxyvitamin‐D levels and assessment of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease using ultrasonography and the fatty liver index. People with prediabetes were followed and analysed according to glycaemic outcome and quartile of fetuin‐A level.

Results

Fetuin‐A, interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6, tumour necrosis factor‐α and triglyceride levels and presence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease increased across the glycaemic spectrum and were highest in people with diabetes. A total of 32 people with prediabetes reverted to normoglycaemia, 23 progressed to diabetes and 65 remained with prediabetes over a mean ± sd follow‐up of 32.12 ± 8.4 months. People progressing to diabetes had higher baseline glycaemia rates, fetuin‐A levels, interleukin‐1β levels, fatty liver index scores and prevalence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and lower 25‐hydroxyvitamin‐D levels. People with prediabetes in the highest fetuin‐A quartile had the highest risk of progression to diabetes (relative risk 2.68, 95% CI 0.95–7.55; P = 0.06) and the lowest rate of reversion to normoglycaemia (relative risk 0.27, 95% CI 0.08–0.85; P = 0.03). Fetuin‐A levels correlated with interleukin‐1β levels (r = 0.420; P < 0.001), interleukin‐6 levels (r = 0.231; P = 0.022) and fatty liver index scores (r = 0.319; P < 0.001). Cox regression showed that higher fetuin‐A levels and higher BMI and lower 25‐hydroxyvitamin‐D levels were predictive of lower rates of reversion to normoglycaemia. Age, triglyceride levels, and interleukin‐6 and interleukin‐1β levels were predictive of progression to diabetes.

Conclusions

Increased fetuin‐A level has an adverse impact on glycaemic outcomes in prediabetes. This study highlights the importance of fetuin‐A as a predictor of glycaemic outcomes in prediabetes.
The enigma of the rise of angiosperms: can we untie the knot?
Authors: Augusto L. , Davies T. J. , Delzon S. , De Schrijver A.
Published: June 2014

Multiple hypotheses have been put forward to explain the rise of angiosperms to ecological dominance following the Cretaceous. A unified scheme incorporating all these theories appears to be an inextricable knot of relationships, processes and plant traits. Here, we revisit these hypotheses, categorising them within frameworks based on plant carbon economy, resistance to climatic stresses, nutrient economy, biotic interactions and diversification. We maintain that the enigma remains unresolved partly because our current state of knowledge is a result of the fragmentary nature of palaeodata. This lack of palaeodata limits our ability to draw firm conclusions. Nonetheless, based on consistent results, some inferences may be drawn. Our results indicate that a complex multidriver hypothesis may be more suitable than any single‐driver theory. We contend that plant carbon economy and diversification may have played an important role during the early stages of gymnosperms replacement by angiosperms in fertile tropical sites. Plant tolerance to climatic stresses, plant nutrition, biotic interactions and diversification may have played a role in later stages of angiosperm expansion within temperate and harsh environments. The angiosperm knot remains partly tied, but to unravel it entirely will only be feasible if new discoveries are made by scientific communities.
Racing performance inStandardbred trotting horses with proximal palmar/plantar first phalangeal fragments relative to the timing of surgery
Authors: Carmalt J. L. , Borg H. , Näslund H. , Waldner C.
Published: June 2014

Reasons for performing study

Proximal palmar/plantar osteochondral fragmentation of the first phalanx is a frequent radiographic finding inStandardbred horses. These lesions are routinely removed prior to the onset of a racing career with no evidence to support the timing of this surgical intervention.

Objectives

To determine whether horses racing before surgery slowed as they approached surgery date and whether they speeded up after surgery. To investigate the factors affecting whether a horse raced after surgery and compare the performance of horses that did and did not race before surgery.

Study design

A retrospective study using 193SwedishStandardbred trotters.

Methods

Medical records and radiographs of each horse were examined. Racing data were retrieved from official online records. Generalising estimating equations were used to examine presurgery racing performance and determine whether this differed between horses that raced before surgery and those that had not. Multivariable regression was used to examine career earnings and number of career races.

Results

Horses racing before surgery neither slowed as they approached surgery, nor speeded up after surgery. Race speed of horses raced before surgery was not different from those that only raced after surgery. Racing before surgery was not associated with whether horses raced following surgery. Only horses with 3 affected legs had slower race speeds than other horses. No other horse level variables affected race speed, number of career races, career earnings or top speed.

Conclusions

There was no significant difference in race speed between horses that raced before surgery and those that did not. Horses did not slow down prior to surgery. Horses with 3 affected legs ran slower than those with only a single or 2 affected limbs. There was no association between timing of surgery and race speed or career longevity. The potential benefits of surgical intervention should be critically examined.
Reactivation of oxidized PTP1B and PTEN by thioredoxin 1
Authors: Schwertassek Ulla , Haque Aftabul , Krishnan Navasona , Greiner Romy , Weingarten Lars , Dick Tobias P. , Tonks Nicholas K.
Published: June 2014

The transient inactivation of protein phosphatases contributes to the efficiency and temporal control of kinase‐dependent signal transduction. In particular, members of the protein tyrosine phosphatase family are known to undergo reversible oxidation of their active site cysteine. The thiol oxidation step requires activation of colocalized NADPH oxidases and is mediated by locally produced reactive oxygen species, in particular H2O2. How oxidized phosphatases are returned to the reduced active state is less well studied. Both major thiol reductive systems, the thioredoxin and the glutathione systems, have been implicated in the reactivation of phosphatases. Here, we show that the protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP1B and the dual‐specificity phosphatase PTEN are preferentially reactivated by the thioredoxin system. We show that inducible depletion of thioredoxin 1(TRX1) slows PTEN reactivation in intact living cells. Finally, using a mechanism‐based trapping approach, we demonstrate direct thiol disulphide exchange between the active sites of thioredoxin and either phosphatase. The application of thioredoxin trapping mutants represents a complementary approach to direct assays of PTP oxidation in elucidating the significance of redox regulation of PTP function in the control of cell signaling.

Structured digital abstract

TRX1 physically interacts with PTP1B by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (1, 2)
Evaluation of the effects of two Lactobacillus buchneri strains and sodium benzoate on the characteristics of corn silage in a hot‐climate environment
Authors: Da Silva Naiara C. , Dos Santos Josiane P. , Ávila Carla L. S. , Evangelista Antônio R. , Casagrande Daniel R. , Bernardes Thiago F.
Published: June 2014

This study determined the effectiveness of two Lactobacillus buchneri strains (commercial and indigenous) and sodium benzoate (SB) in improving the aerobic stability of corn silage under laboratory and field conditions. Two experiments were carried out to test the following treatments: untreated forage, commercial L. buchneri (CLB), indigenous L. buchneri (ILB) and SB at a 2 g kg−1 concentration. Both inoculants were applied at a rate of 1 × 106 colony forming units of bacteria per gram of forage. In experiment 1, five replicates of each treatment were ensiled in 15‐L laboratory silos. The nutritional, fermentation and microbiological characteristics and aerobic stability of the silage were determined. In experiment 2, the top of a bunker silo was divided into four parts (blocks) along its length before it was sealed, and the treatments were randomly applied. Three bags were buried in each experimental unit (two at the top and one at the core) to determine the loss of dry matter (DM) and the silage characteristics. In experiment 1, ILB exhibited a lower lactic acid concentration and higher 1,2‐propanediol and acetic acid levels, which provided intermediate aerobic stability (67 h). In both experiments, treatment SB exhibited higher residual water‐soluble carbohydrate levels and longer aerobic stability relative to the other treatments. In experiment 2, there were lower DM losses and higher digestibility coefficients when SB was applied, similar to that found at the core. Overall, SB was the most effective additive for improving fermentation, preserving nutrients and reducing the aerobic deterioration of corn silage at the top of a bunker silo in a hot‐climate environment.
‘These places are like a godsend’: a qualitative analysis of parents' experiences of health visiting outside the home and of children's centres services
Authors: Donetto Sara , Maben Jill
Published: June 2014

Background

In 2011–2012, we carried out a programme of research to inform the Department of Health's strategy for strengthening health visiting services in England. Our research included a study of parents' views of their experiences with health visiting services in two geographical areas in England. Here, we draw upon data from this work to illustrate valuable aspects of family support outside the home reported in parents' accounts of their experiences of health visiting. We also explore the usefulness of relational autonomy as a theoretical lens for understanding the mechanisms through which this support operates.

Design

We draw upon data from semi‐structured interviews with 44 parents across two ‘Early Implementer Sites’ of the ‘new service vision’ in England. Our thematic analysis of the data was informed by grounded theory principles.

Findings and discussion

Parents valued being able to attend child health clinics and group activities outside the home; this helped them to avoid social isolation and to identify, choose and use the forms of advice and support that best suited them. We suggest that health visiting outside the home and children's centres services may also foster parental autonomy, especially when this is understood in relational terms.

Conclusions

Health visiting outside the home and children's centres services are an important complement to health visiting in the home; both dimensions of family support should be available in the community. Relational readings of autonomy can help illuminate the ways in which these services can foster (or undermine) parents' autonomy.
Can consultation skills training change doctors' behaviour to increase involvement of patients in making decisions about standard treatment and clinical trials: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Butow P , Brown R , Aldridge J , Juraskova I , Zoller P , Boyle F , Wilson M , Bernhard J
Published: June 2014

Background

Informed consent is required for both standard cancer treatments and experimental cancer treatments in a clinical trial. Effective and sensitive physician–patient communication about informed consent is difficult to achieve. Our aim was to train doctors in clear, collaborative and ethical communication about informed consent and evaluate the impact of training on doctor behaviour, stress and satisfaction.

Participants and Methods

Participants were 21 oncologists from 10 Australian/New Zealand (ANZ) centres and 41 oncologists from 10 Swiss/German/Austrian (SGA) centres. Oncologists were randomized to participate in a 1‐day workshop or not. Patients were recruited before and after the training. Doctors were asked to submit 1–2 audiotaped consultations before and after training. Doctors completed outcome measures before and after completing the post‐training cohort recruitment.

Results

Ninety‐five consultation interactions were audiotaped. Doctors strongly endorsed the training. ANZ intervention doctors demonstrated a significant increase in collaborative communication (P = 0.03). There was no effect of training on other doctor behaviours. Trained doctors did not demonstrate reduced stress and burnout. Patient outcomes are presented elsewhere.

Conclusions

Training can improve some aspects of the process of obtaining informed consent. Methods to increase the impact of training are required and may include longer training and more intensive follow‐up.
Relative heart size in two rodent species increases with elevation: reviving Hesse's rule
Authors: Müller Jörg , Bässler Claus , Essbauer Sandra , Schex Susanne , Müller Dennis W.H. , Opgenoorth Lars , Brandl Roland
Published: June 2014

Aim

We assessed the phenotypic responses of body size and organ weights of two small rodent species (Myodes glareolus and Apodemus flavicollis) to elevation, a surrogate for temperature and other environmental conditions. We expected not only an increase in body size (Bergmann's rule), but also an increase in relative heart weight with increasing elevation (Hesse's rule).

Location

The Bohemian Forest, south‐eastern Germany.

Methods

We measured body length, body mass, and mass of the heart, lung, liver, kidneys and spleen of 386 adult specimens (188 of A flavicollis and 198 of M. glareolus) from 28 localities at 300–1450 m a.s.l., and also recorded the number of ectoparasites. We analysed body length using linear mixed models, with site as a random factor and species, sex, population density and elevation as fixed factors, and included all two‐way interactions between species and the remaining fixed variables. For the organ masses, we included body length and body mass in the calculations to account for allometric variation of organ mass with body size. For a subset of individuals, we sequenced the mitochondrial D‐loop to analyse genetic variation along the elevational gradient.

Results

For both species, we found no support for Bergmann's rule. The body size of A. flavicollis even decreased with elevation. In contrast, the relative heart weight of both species significantly increased with elevation, thereby supporting Hesse's rule. Lung mass also increased with elevation. The mass of other internal organs showed no such consistent relationship with elevation. Neither species showed genetic differentiation across the elevational gradient.

Main conclusions

Our results suggest that both rodent species respond to increasing elevation by decreasing overall energy expenditure and by increasing overall aerobic capacity. In the context of climate change, our results indicate that biogeographers should pay more attention to the potential significance of genetic and/or phenotypic plasticity of relative organ mass to environmental heterogeneity.