bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Utterance and Cognitive Fluency of L1 and L2 English Speakers: Temporal Measures and Stimulated Recall
Authors: Kahng Jimin
Published: October 2014

Although fluency constitutes an essential component of second language (L2) proficiency, there are mixed results and gaps in the literature on how L2 speakers’ fluency differs from fluent speech production in a first language (L1). The research reported in this article investigated utterance fluency and cognitive fluency of L1 English speakers and Korean learners of L2 English by eliciting and comparing quantitative evidence from temporal measures and qualitative evidence from stimulated recall responses. In addition, the L2 speaker group's proficiency was measured by an in‐house institutional test so as to inspect how L2 fluency measures correlated to varying proficiency. The L1 and L2 speakers were different in speed, length of run, and silent pauses. In particular, a striking group difference in silent pause rate within a clause was found, consistent with the claim that pauses within clauses reflect processing difficulties in speech production. Different qualitative patterns in the stimulated recall responses by the lower and higher proficiency learners are discussed in relation to Ullman's declarative/procedural model and Segalowitz's fluency vulnerability points in L2 speech production.
The Role of Repeated Exposure to Multimodal Input in Incidental Acquisition of Foreign Language Vocabulary
Authors: Bisson Marie‐Josée , van Heuven Walter J. B. , Conklin Kathy , Tunney Richard J.
Published: October 2014

Prior research has reported incidental vocabulary acquisition with complete beginners in a foreign language (FL), within 8 exposures to auditory and written FL word forms presented with a picture depicting their meaning. However, important questions remain about whether acquisition occurs with fewer exposures to FL words in a multimodal situation and whether there is a repeated exposure effect. Here we report a study where the number of exposures to FL words in an incidental learning phase varied between 2, 4, 6, and 8 exposures. Following the incidental learning phase, participants completed an explicit learning task where they learned to recognize written translation equivalents of auditory FL word forms, half of which had occurred in the incidental learning phase. The results showed that participants performed better on the words they had previously been exposed to, and that this incidental learning effect occurred from as little as 2 exposures to the multimodal stimuli. In addition, repeated exposure to the stimuli was found to have a larger impact on learning during the first few exposures and decrease thereafter, suggesting that the effects of repeated exposure on vocabulary acquisition are not necessarily constant.
Low‐density lipoprotein and other predictors of response with telaprevir‐based therapy in treatment‐experienced HCV genotype 1 patients: REALIZE study
Authors: Berg Thomas , Andreone Pietro , Pol Stanislas , Roberts Stuart , Younossi Zobair , Diago Moises , Lawitz Eric J. , Focaccia Roberto , Foster Graham R. , Horban Andrzej , Lonjon‐Domanec Isabelle , DeMasi Ralph , Picchio Gaston , Luo Donghan , De Meyer Sandra , Zeuzem Stefan
Published: October 2014

Background & Aims

Predictors of response to treatment with peginterferon plus ribavirin are well established. In these post‐hoc analyses of the REALIZE study, we sought to identify predictors of response for telaprevir‐based triple therapy.

Methods

Patients from the REALIZE study with baseline data for all predictors evaluated (including baseline disease characteristics and demographics, prior treatment response and baseline laboratory assessments) were included in the post‐hoc analyses (n = 465). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate factors predicting treatment outcomes.

Results

Sustained viral response (SVR) rates were 86% in prior relapsers, 63% in prior partial responders and 32% in prior null‐responders. In the final multivariate analysis, baseline factors predicting SVR were prior response to treatment [Odds ratio (OR) = 2.80; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.13–3.69], low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) (≥2.6 mmol/L) (OR = 2.11; 95% CI, 1.52–2.93), HCV genotype (OR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.36–0.93), and maximum alanine amino transferase and aspartate amino transferase (OR = 0.62; 95% CI, 0.40–0.97).

Conclusions

Prior response to peginterferon plus ribavirin treatment and LDL levels are the main independent predictive markers of response with telaprevir‐based triple therapy.
Use of a natural hybrid zone for genomewide association mapping of craniofacial traits in the house mouse
Authors: Pallares Luisa F. , Harr Bettina , Turner Leslie M. , Tautz Diethard
Published: October 2014

The identification of the genes involved in morphological variation in nature is still a major challenge. Here, we explore a new approach: we combine 178 samples from a natural hybrid zone between two subspecies of the house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus and Mus musculus musculus), and high coverage of the genome (~ 145K SNPs) to identify loci underlying craniofacial shape variation. Due to the long history of recombination in the hybrid zone, high mapping resolution is anticipated. The combination of genomes from subspecies allows the mapping of both, variation within subspecies and inter‐subspecific differences, thereby increasing the overall amount of causal genetic variation that can be detected. Skull and mandible shape were measured using 3D landmarks and geometric morphometrics. Using principal component axes as phenotypes, and a linear mixed model accounting for genetic relatedness in the mapping populations, we identified nine genomic regions associated with skull shape and 10 with mandible shape. High mapping resolution (median size of significant regions = 148 kb) enabled identification of single or few candidate genes in most cases. Some of the genes act as regulators or modifiers of signalling pathways relevant for morphological development and bone formation, including several with known craniofacial phenotypes in mice and humans. The significant associations combined explain 13% and 7% of the skull and mandible shape variation, respectively. In addition, a positive correlation was found between chromosomal length and proportion of variation explained. Our results suggest a complex genetic architecture for shape traits and support a polygenic model.
Mutually repressing repressor functions and multi‐layered cellular heterogeneity regulate the bistable Salmonella fliC census
Authors: Stewart Mary K. , Cookson Brad T.
Published: October 2014

Bistable flagellar and virulence gene expression generates specialized Salmonella subpopulations with distinct functions. Repressing flagellar genes allows Salmonella to evade caspase‐1 mediated host defenses and enhances systemic colonization. By definition, bistability arises when intermediate states of gene expression are rendered unstable by the underlying genetic circuitry. We demonstrate sustained bistable fliC expression in virulent Salmonella 14028 and document dynamic control of the distribution, or single‐cell census, of flagellar gene expression by the mutually repressing repressors YdiV and FliZ. YdiV partitions cells into the fliC‐OFF subpopulation, while FliZ partitions cells into the fliC‐HIGH subpopulation at late time points during growth. Bistability of ΔfliZ populations and ydiV‐independent FliZ control of flagellar gene expression provide evidence that the YdiV‐FliZ mutually repressing repressor circuit is not required for bistability. Repression and activation by YdiV and FliZ (respectively) can shape the census of fliC expression independently, and bistability collapses into a predominantly intermediate population in the absence of both regulators. Metered expression of YdiV and FliZ reveals variable sensitivity to these regulators and defines conditions where expression of FliZ enhances fliC expression and where FliZ does not alter the fliC census. Thus, this evolved genetic circuitry coordinates multiple layers of regulatory heterogeneity into a binary response.
Protease IV, a quorum sensing‐dependent protease of Pseudomonas aeruginosa modulates insect innate immunity
Authors: Park Su‐Jin , Kim Soo‐Kyoung , So Yong‐In , Park Ha‐Young , Li Xi‐Hui , Yeom Doo Hwan , Lee Mi‐Nan , Lee Bok‐Luel , Lee Joon‐Hee
Published: October 2014

In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, quorum sensing (QS) plays an essential role in pathogenesis and the QS response controls many virulence factors. Using a mealworm, Tenebrio molitor as a host model, we found that Protease IV, a QS‐regulated exoprotease of P. aeruginosa functions as a key virulence effector causing the melanization and death of T. molitor larvae. Protease IV was able to degrade zymogens of spätzle processing enzyme (SPE) and SPE‐activating enzyme (SAE) without the activation of the antimicrobial peptide (AMP) production. Since SPE and SAE function to activate spätzle, a ligand of Toll receptor in the innate immune system of T. molitor, we suggest that Protease IV may interfere with the activation of the Toll signaling. Independently of the Toll pathway, the melanization response, another innate immunity was still generated, since Protease IV directly converted Tenebrio prophenoloxidase into active phenoloxidase. Protease IV also worked as an important factor in the virulence to brine shrimp and nematode. These results suggest that Protease IV provides P. aeruginosa with a sophisticated way to escape the immune attack of host by interfering with the production of AMPs.
PhoR autokinase activity is controlled by an intermediate in wall teichoic acid metabolism that is sensed by the intracellular PAS domain during the PhoPR‐mediated phosphate limitation response of Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Botella Eric , Devine Susanne Krogh , Hubner Sebastian , Salzberg Letal I. , Gale Robert T. , Brown Eric D. , Link Hannes , Sauer Uwe , Codée Jeroen D. , Noone David , Devine Kevin M.
Published: October 2014

The PhoPR two‐component signal transduction system controls one of the major responses to phosphate limitation in Bacillus subtilis. When activated it directs expression of phosphate scavenging enzymes, lowers synthesis of the phosphate‐rich wall teichoic acid (WTA) and initiates synthesis of teichuronic acid, a non‐phosphate containing replacement anionic polymer. Despite extensive knowledge of this response, the signal to which PhoR responds has not been identified. Here we report that one of the main functions of the PhoPR two‐component system in B. subtilis is to monitor WTA metabolism. PhoR autokinase activity is controlled by the level of an intermediate in WTA synthesis that is sensed through the intracellular PAS domain. The pool of this intermediate generated by WTA synthesis in cells growing under phosphate‐replete conditions is sufficient to inhibit PhoR autokinase activity. However WTA synthesis is lowered upon phosphate limitation by the combined effects of PhoP∼P‐mediated activation of tuaA–H transcription and repression of tagAB. These transcriptional changes combine to lower the level of the inhibitory WTA metabolite thereby increasing PhoR autokinase activity. This amplifies the PHO response with full induction being achieved ∼ 90 min after the onset of phosphate limitation.
Influence of a new 5‐HT4 receptor partial agonist, YKP10811, on visceral hypersensitivity in rats triggered by stress and inflammation
Authors: Gilet M. , Eutamene H. , Han H. , Kim H. W. , Bueno L.
Published: October 2014

Background

Adverse effects of previously developed 5‐HT4 receptor agonists to treat functional constipation (FC) and constipation IBS (IBS‐C) patients have limited their use but have given rise to new and more selective 5‐HT4 receptor agonists. This work was aimed to evaluate the influence of YKP10811, a new potent 5‐HT4 receptor partial agonist, on rat models of colorectal hypersensitivity to distension.

Methods

Male and female rats were submitted to colorectal distension (CRD) before and after trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) infusion, acute (PRS) or chronic (water avoidance ‐10 days – WAS) stress. Electromyographic (EMG) response of abdominal muscles to CRD (15–60 mmHg) was used to measure pain. Changes of colonic tone were also evaluated. The influence of YKP10811 was compared to that of tegaserod with or without exposure of rats to a 5‐HT4 receptor antagonist in TNBS treated rats and to both tegaserod and CP‐154,526, a corticotropine releasing factor‐R1 antagonist in WAS. We tested a possible pharmacological tachyphylaxis of YKP10811 in TNBS‐induced hypersensitivity.

Key Results

YKP10811 (30 mg/kg) had no effect on basal sensitivity and tone in male and female rats but suppressed TNBS‐induced hypersensitivity, an effect blocked by the 5‐HT4 receptor antagonist GR113808 (10 mg/kg, SC). YKP10811 attenuated acute PRS‐induced but not chronic WAS‐induced colonic hypersensitivity. In addition, YKP10811 but not tegaserod reduced TNBS‐induced colorectal hypersensitivity after 7 days of treatment.

Conclusions & Inferences

YKP10811exhibits antinociceptive activity in inflammation and acute stress‐induced colonic hypersensitivity through 5‐HT4 receptors but unlike tegaserod, YKP10811 maintains its activity after repeated administrations and may represent a new candidate to treat IBS‐C patients.
Utility of a multiple serum biomarker test to monitor remission status and relapse in dogs with lymphoma undergoing treatment with chemotherapy
Authors: Alexandrakis I. , Tuli R. , Ractliffe S. C. , Tappin S. W. , Foale R. D. , Roos A. , Slater K. J.
Published: October 2014

A blinded retrospective study was conducted to investigate remission and recurrence of lymphoma in dogs receiving chemotherapy. The objective was to compare clinicians' assessment using palpation and cytology to the results of serum biochemical tests for haptoglobin (Hapt) and C‐reactive protein (C‐RP). These biochemical test results were combined using a diagnostic algorithm developed using data from 344 individual dogs. This multivariate approach, termed the canine lymphoma blood test (cLBT), was used to follow 57 dogs during and after treatment. cLBT of remission and recurrence compared well with clinicians' assessment and differentiated dogs in remission and those with recurring disease before appearance of lymphadenopathy (P < 0.001). The cLBT demonstrated prognostic potential based on pre‐treatment values on dogs with shorter survival times and on those achieving the lowest cLBT score during treatment that showed longer survival times. The test, therefore, demonstrates potential to assist in monitoring treatment of canine lymphoma.
Real‐time out‐of‐plane artifact subtraction tomosynthesis imaging using prior CT for scanning beam digital x‐ray system
Authors: Wu Meng , Fahrig Rebecca
Published: October 2014

Purpose:

The scanning beam digital x‐ray system (SBDX) is an inverse geometry fluoroscopic system with high dose efficiency and the ability to perform continuous real‐time tomosynthesis in multiple planes. This system could be used for image guidance during lung nodule biopsy. However, the reconstructed images suffer from strong out‐of‐plane artifact due to the small tomographic angle of the system.

Methods:

The authors propose an out‐of‐plane artifact subtraction tomosynthesis (OPAST) algorithm that utilizes a prior CT volume to augment the run‐time image processing. A blur‐and‐add (BAA) analytical model, derived from the project‐to‐backproject physical model, permits the generation of tomosynthesis images that are a good approximation to the shift‐and‐add (SAA) reconstructed image. A computationally practical algorithm is proposed to simulate images and out‐of‐plane artifacts from patient‐specific prior CT volumes using the BAA model. A 3D image registration algorithm to align the simulated and reconstructed images is described. The accuracy of the BAA analytical model and the OPAST algorithm was evaluated using three lung cancer patients’ CT data. The OPAST and image registration algorithms were also tested with added nonrigid respiratory motions.

Results:

Image similarity measurements, including the correlation coefficient, mean squared error, and structural similarity index, indicated that the BAA model is very accurate in simulating the SAA images from the prior CT for the SBDX system. The shift‐variant effect of the BAA model can be ignored when the shifts between SBDX images and CT volumes are within ±10 mm in the x and y directions. The nodule visibility and depth resolution are improved by subtracting simulated artifacts from the reconstructions. The image registration and OPAST are robust in the presence of added respiratory motions. The dominant artifacts in the subtraction images are caused by the mismatches between the real object and the prior CT volume.

Conclusions:

Their proposed prior CT‐augmented OPAST reconstruction algorithm improves lung nodule visibility and depth resolution for the SBDX system.
Multipinhole collimator with 20 apertures for a brain SPECT application
Authors: Lee Tzu‐Cheng , Ellin Justin R. , Huang Qiu , Shrestha Uttam , Gullberg Grant T. , Seo Youngho
Published: October 2014

Purpose:

Several new technologies for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) instrumentation with parallel‐hole collimation have been proposed to improve detector sensitivity and signal collection efficiency. Benefits from improved signal efficiency include shorter acquisition times and lower dose requirements. In this paper, the authors show a possibility of over an order of magnitude enhancement in photon detection efficiency (from 7.6 × 10−5 to 1.6 × 10−3) for dopamine transporter (DaT) imaging of the striatum over the conventional SPECT parallel‐hole collimators by use of custom‐designed 20 multipinhole (20‐MPH) collimators with apertures of 0.75 cm diameter.

Methods:

Quantifying specific binding ratio (SBR) of 123I‐ioflupane or 123I‐iometopane's signal at the striatal region is a common brain imaging method to confirm the diagnosis of the Parkinson's disease. The authors performed imaging of a striatal phantom filled with aqueous solution of I‐123 and compared camera recovery ratios of SBR acquired between low‐energy high‐resolution (LEHR) parallel‐hole collimators and 20‐MPH collimators.

Results:

With only two‐thirds of total acquisition time (20 min against 30 min), a comparable camera recovery ratio of SBR was achieved using 20‐MPH collimators in comparison to that from the LEHR collimator study.

Conclusions:

Their systematic analyses showed that the 20‐MPH collimator could be a promising alternative for the DaT SPECT imaging for brain over the traditional LEHR collimator, which could give both shorter scan time and improved diagnostic accuracy.
Liposome-supported peritoneal dialysis for detoxification of drugs and endogenous metabolites
Authors: Forster Vincent , Signorell Rea Deborah , Roveri Maurizio , Leroux Jean-Christophe
Published: October 2014

Liposomes with transmembrane pH gradient can be used for peritoneal dialysis to extract harmful ionizable compounds, such as overdosed drugs.
Sex Matters for Mechanism
Authors: Danska Jayne S.
Published: October 2014

Some funding agencies now require consideration of sex and gender in preclinical research, a policy that heralds opportunities and challenges for researchers.
Blocking PirB up-regulates spines and functional synapses to unlock visual cortical plasticity and facilitate recovery from amblyopia
Authors: Bochner David N. , Sapp Richard W. , Adelson Jaimie D. , Zhang Siyu , Lee Hanmi , Djurisic Maja , Syken Josh , Dan Yang , Shatz Carla J.
Published: October 2014

Inhibition of a cell surface, Ig-like receptor in the adult mouse visual cortex increases neural plasticity and facilitates recovery from amblyopia.
Bridging Lipid Metabolism and Innate Host Defense
Authors: dos Santos Claudia , Marshall John C.
Published: October 2014

Host- and pathogen-derived lipids share clearance mechanisms that pinpoint PCSK9 as a plausible target for the treatment of some patients with sepsis.
Artificial Spleen Sorts Things Out
Authors: Stephan Matthias
Published: October 2014

The “biospleen”—a microfluidic device with magnetic nanoparticles—removes pathogens from infected blood ex vivo within hours.
Temporal and Stochastic Control of Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Development
Authors: Moormeier Derek E. , Bose Jeffrey L. , Horswill Alexander R. , Bayles Kenneth W.
Published: October 2014

Biofilm communities contain distinct microniches that result in metabolic heterogeneity and variability in gene expression. Previously, these niches were visualized within
Staphylococcus aureus
biofilms by observing differential expression of the
cid
and
lrg
operons during tower formation. In the present study, we examined early biofilm development and identified two new stages (designated “multiplication” and “exodus”) that were associated with changes in matrix composition and a distinct reorganization of the cells as the biofilm matured. The initial attachment and multiplication stages were shown to be protease sensitive but independent of most cell surface-associated proteins. Interestingly, after 6 h of growth, an exodus of the biofilm population that followed the transition of the biofilm to DNase I sensitivity was demonstrated. Furthermore, disruption of the gene encoding staphylococcal nuclease (
nuc
) abrogated this exodus event, causing hyperproliferation of the biofilm and disrupting normal tower development. Immediately prior to the exodus event,
S. aureus
cells carrying a
nuc
::
gfp
promoter fusion demonstrated Sae-dependent expression but only in an apparently random subpopulation of cells. In contrast to the existing model for tower development in
S. aureus
, the results of this study suggest the presence of a Sae-controlled nuclease-mediated exodus of biofilm cells that is required for the development of tower structures. Furthermore, these studies indicate that the differential expression of
nuc
during biofilm development is subject to stochastic regulatory mechanisms that are independent of the formation of metabolic microniches.

IMPORTANCE
In this study, we provide a novel view of four early stages of biofilm formation by the human pathogen
Staphylococcus aureus
. We identified an initial nucleoprotein matrix during biofilm development that is DNase I insensitive until a critical point when a nuclease-mediated exodus of the population is induced prior to tower formation. Unlike the previously described dispersal of cells that occurs after tower development, we found that the mechanism controlling this exodus event is dependent on the Sae regulatory system and independent of Agr. In addition, we revealed that the gene encoding the secreted staphylococcal nuclease was expressed in only a subpopulation of cells, consistent with a model in which biofilms exhibit multicellular characteristics, including the presence of specialized cells and a division of labor that imparts functional consequences to the remainder of the population.
Handstands: a treatment for supraventricular tachycardia?
Authors: Hare Michelle , Ramlakhan Shammi
Published: October 2014

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is the most common symptomatic tachyarrhythmia in childhood. Treatment involves vagal manoeuvres, pharmacological agents or electrical cardioversion. We report a child with recurrent SVT secondary to Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome who is consistently able to revert her SVT by doing a handstand. This case highlights a simple non-invasive technique for the treatment of SVT.
Recurrent ventricular tachycardia managed with balloon aortic valvuloplasty: an unusual presentation of severe aortic stenosis
Authors: Tamuno Peace , Nair Rajesh , Nunn Chris , Devlin Gerard
Published: October 2014

A 68-year-old woman was transferred from a regional hospital with recurrent polymorphic ventricular tachycardia associated with haemodynamic instability. A diagnosis of severe aortic stenosis (AS) with normal left ventricular systolic function had recently been established on echocardiography. Correction of hypokalaemia and intravenous amiodarone infusion were ineffective. On transfer, ongoing ventricular arrhythmias requiring repeat defibrillation occurred. Urgent coronary angiography was unremarkable. Following consultation with the cardiosurgical team, emergency bridging balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) was performed. Two weeks later the patient proceeded to an uneventful inpatient surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR). This case highlights an unusual presentation of severe AS, and describes the use of emergency BAV to correct arrhythmia-induced haemodynamic instability prior to surgical AVR.
Impacted maxillary second premolars: a report of four cases
Authors: Manjunatha Bhari Sharanesha , Chikkaramaiah Shivashankar , Panja Pritam , Koratagere Nagesh
Published: October 2014

Impacted teeth are commonly encountered in clinical practice. Apart from their symptomatic nature and the probable functional disruption they can cause, impacted teeth have the potential to cause more severe and serious problems such as development of dentigerous cysts and other complications due to their proximity to the nasal and oral cavity. In this report, we highlight a series of four cases involving maxillary second premolars, teeth that are not often impacted.
Delayed onset pulmonary glue emboli in a ventilated patient: a rare complication following endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection for gastric variceal haemorrhage
Authors: Chew Joyce Ruo Yi , Balan Anu , Griffiths William , Herre Jurgen
Published: October 2014

Cyanoacrylate injection is a recognised endoscopic treatment option for variceal haemorrhage. We describe a 34-year old man with hepatitis B cirrhosis who presented to the hospital with upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage from gastric and oesophageal varices. Haemostasis was achieved via cyanoacrylate injection sclerotherapy and banding. Ten days later, the patient developed acute hypoxia and fever. His chest radiograph showed wide-spread pulmonary shadowing. A non-contrast CT scan confirmed multiple emboli of injected glue material from the varix with parenchymal changes either suggesting acute lung injury or pulmonary oedema. He gradually recovered with supportive treatment and was discharged home. On follow-up, he remained asymptomatic from a chest perspective. This case report discusses the rare complication of pulmonary embolisation of cyanoacrylate glue from variceal injection sites and the diagnostic dilemmas involved. Emphasis is placed on the importance of maintaining high index of clinical suspicion when assessing patients with possible procedure related complications.
Parathyroid adenoma in a patient with familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia
Authors: Forde Hannah Elizabeth , Hill Arnold D , Smith Diarmuid
Published: October 2014

A 57-year-old man with symptoms of fatigue, joint pains and insomnia was found to have hypercalcaemia secondary to hyperparathyroidism with a corrected calcium of 2.61 mmol/L (2.2–2.6 mmol/L) and a serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) of 86 pg/mL (10–65 pg/mL). Preoperative workup demonstrated a parathyroid adenoma in the right upper position and he proceeded to surgery. Postoperatively, however, his symptoms remained unchanged and the corrected calcium remained elevated at 2.87 mmol/L with a PTH of 59 pg/mL. He had no family history of hypercalcaemia. Further investigations revealed low 24 h urinary calcium level and a low urine calcium to creatinine ratio. Genetic testing revealed a mutation in exon 4 of the calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) confirming a diagnosis of familial hypocalciuric hyercalcaemia (FHH).

The case is an example of a rare phenomenon when a parathyroid adenoma develops in patients with FHH.
Idiopathic reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS)
Authors: Abkur Tarig Mohammed , Saeed Mamoun , Alfaki Nidal Osman , O'Connor Margaret
Published: October 2014

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is characterised by severe thunderclap headache with associated characteristic transient, multifocal, segmental vasoconstriction of cerebral arteries lasting several weeks to months. We describe a 50-years old woman who presented with a severe sudden onset occipital headache. Neuroimaging revealed segmental vasospasm affecting the intracerebral arteries. The pain improved gradually over the next 6 weeks. Repeat brain MR angiography at 12 weeks showed complete resolution of the segmental narrowing.
Term perinatal mortality audit in the Netherlands 2010–2012: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Eskes Martine , Waelput Adja J M , Erwich Jan Jaap H M , Brouwers Hens A A , Ravelli Anita C J , Achterberg Peter W , Merkus Hans (J) M W M , Bruinse Hein W
Published: October 2014

Objective

To assess the implementation and first results of a term perinatal internal audit by a standardised method.

Design

Population-based cohort study.

Setting

All 90 Dutch hospitals with obstetric/paediatric departments linked to community practices of midwives, general practitioners in their attachment areas, organised in perinatal cooperation groups (PCG).

Population

The population consisted of 943 registered term perinatal deaths occurring in 2010–2012 with detailed information, including 707 cases with completed audit results.

Main outcome measures

Participation in the audit, perinatal death classification, identification of substandard factors (SSF), SSF in relation to death, conclusive recommendations for quality improvement in perinatal care and antepartum risk selection at the start of labour.

Results

After the introduction of the perinatal audit in 2010, all PCGs participated. They organised 645 audit sessions, with an average of 31 healthcare professionals per session. Of all 1102 term perinatal deaths (2.3/1000) data were registered for 86% (943) and standardised anonymised audit results for 64% (707). In 53% of the cases at least one SSF was identified. Non-compliance to guidelines (35%) and deviation from usual professional care (41%) were the most frequent SSF. There was a (very) probable relation between the SSF and perinatal death for 8% of all cases. This declined over the years: from 10% (n=23) in 2010 to 5% (n=10) in 2012 (p=0.060). Simultaneously term perinatal mortality decreased from 2.3 to 2.0/1000 births (p<0.00001). Possibilities for improvement were identified in the organisation of care (35%), guidelines or usual care (19%) and in documentation (15%). More pregnancies were antepartum selected as high risk, 70% in 2010 and 84% in 2012 (p=0.0001).

Conclusions

The perinatal audit is implemented nationwide in all obstetrical units in the Netherlands in a short time period. It is possible that the audit contributed to the decrease in term perinatal mortality.
Audiologists’ preferences for patient-centredness: a cross-sectional questionnaire study of cross-cultural differences and similarities among professionals in Portugal, India and Iran
Authors: Manchaiah Vinaya , Gomersall Philip A , Tomé David , Ahmadi Tayebeh , Krishna Rajalakshmi
Published: October 2014

Objective

Patient-centredness has become an important aspect of health service delivery; however, there are a limited number of studies that focus on this concept in the domain of hearing healthcare. The objective of this study was to examine and compare audiologists’ preferences for patient-centredness in Portugal, India and Iran.

Design

The study used a cross-sectional survey design with audiologists recruited from three different countries.

Participants

A total of 191 fully-completed responses were included in the analysis (55 from Portugal, 78 from India and 58 from Iran).

Main outcome measure

The Patient–Practitioner Orientation Scale (PPOS).

Results

PPOS mean scores suggest that audiologists have a preference for patient-centredness (ie, mean of 3.6 in a 5-point scale). However, marked differences were observed between specific PPOS items suggesting these preferences vary across clinical situations. A significant level of difference (p<0.001) was found between audiologists’ preferences for patient-centredness in three countries. Audiologists in Portugal had a greater preference for patient-centredness when compared to audiologists in India and Iran, although no significant differences were found in terms of age and duration of experience among these sample populations.

Conclusions

There are differences and similarities in audiologists’ preferences for patient-centredness among countries. These findings may have implications for the training of professionals and also for clinical practice in terms of optimising hearing healthcare across countries.
Doctors who pilot the GMC’s Tests of Competence: who volunteers and why?
Authors: Mehdizadeh Leila , Sturrock Alison , Myers Gil , Khatib Yasmin , Dacre Jane
Published: October 2014

Background

Doctors who are investigated by the General Medical Council for performance concerns may be required to take a Test of Competence (ToC). The tests are piloted on volunteer doctors before they are used in Fitness to Practise (FtP) investigations.

Objectives

To find out who volunteers to take a pilot ToC and why.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study. Between February 2011 and October 2012 we asked doctors who volunteered for a test to complete a questionnaire about their reasons for volunteering and recruitment. We analysed the data using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s χ2 test.

Results

301 doctors completed the questionnaire. Doctors who took a ToC voluntarily were mostly women, of white ethnicity, of junior grades, working in general practice and who held a Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) from the UK. This was a different population to doctors under investigation and all registered doctors in the UK. Most volunteers heard about the General Medical Council’s pilot events through email from a colleague and used the experience to gain exam practice for forthcoming postgraduate exams.

Conclusions

The reference groups of volunteers are not representative of doctors under FtP investigation. Our findings will be used to inform future recruitment strategies with the aim to encourage better matching of groups who voluntarily pilot a ToC with those under FtP investigation.
Ovule and female gametophyte development in the Bromeliaceae: an embryological study ofPitcairnia encholirioides
Authors: Mendes Simone P. , Mastroberti Alexandra A. , Mariath Jorge E.A. , Vieira Ricardo C. , De Toni Karen L.G.
Published: October 2014

Pitcairnia encholirioides L.B.Sm. is an endangered species endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. This species exhibits limited flowering, late seed germination, and preference for clonal growth. Because little is known about its life cycle and female gametophyte development, the ovule development, gynosporogenesis, and gynogametogenesis were analysed to advance knowledge of the species’ life cycle and structural alterations during ovule and female gametophyte development. Also, identification of embryological characters contributing to systematics of Pitcairnioideae is relevant. The ovules are anatropous, bitegmic, and crassinucellate, the gynosporogenesis is monosporic, and the female gametophyte is a Polygonum type. Different patterns in development of the integuments, nucellus, chalazal appendage, and micropylar channel indicate the potential of these characters for subfamily systematics. In the filiform apparatus, a range of glycan-directed monoclonal antibodies was used; the filiform exhibited a biphasic structure. While only arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) occurred in the translucent matrix, mannans were the most prevalent glycan in the denser matrix. These phases may have distinct mechanical or signalling properties, as they showed different cell wall component distributions. The distinct spatial distribution between AGPs and other glycans showed that the filiform apparatus is heterogeneous and has a common polymer assemblage for both synergids.
Resveratrol improves high-fructose-induced vascular dysfunction in rats
Authors: Develi-Is Seval , Ozen Gulsev , Bekpinar Seldag , Topal Gokce , Unlucerci Yesim , Dogan B. Sonmez Uydes , Uysal Mujdat
Published: October 2014

High levels of fructose in the diet results in metabolic abnormalities and vascular disorders. In this study, the effect of resveratrol (RES) on vascular relaxation and contraction responses was examined in the aorta of high-fructose (HFr)-fed rats. mRNA expressions of aortic sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), GLUT5, and aldolase B were also investigated. Rats were given fructose (30%) and (or) RES (50 mg·L−1) in their drinking water for 8 weeks. In the HFr-fed rats, plasma levels of arginine and the ratio of arginine:asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) decreased, whereas leptin levels increased. Decreased relaxation and increased contractile responses were detected in aortic rings. However, the aortic expressions of SIRT1, GLUT5, and aldolase B remained unchanged. RES treatment restored HFr-induced vascular dysfunction without improvements in insulin resistance. Treatment of HFr-fed rats with RES increased plasma levels of arginine and the l-arginine:ADMA ratio, and decreased plasma levels of leptin. RES increased SIRT1 expression, but decreased the expression of GLUT5 and aldolase B in aortas from HFr-fed rats. These results suggest that RES contributes to the restoration of HFr-induced vascular dysfunction in rats, at least in part, by up-regulation of SIRT 1 and down-regulation of GLUT5 and aldolase B in the aorta. Moreover, RES may have a positive influence on vasculature by partly restoring the plasma arginine:ADMA ratio and leptin levels.
Multigenerational genomic responses to dietary phosphorus and temperature in Daphnia
Authors: Jalal Marwa , Shala Nita K. , Wojewodzic Marcin W. , Andersen Tom , Hessen Dag O.
Published: October 2014

Temperature and nutrient availability are both hypothesized to affect organisms at the cellular and genomic levels. In this multigenerational study, Daphnia magna (D. magna) and Daphnia pulex (D. pulex) were maintained at high (20 °C) and low (10 °C) temperatures and nourished with phosphorus (P)-sufficient (50 μmol/L) and P-deficient (2 μmol/L) algae for up to 35 generations to assess the multigenerational impacts on genome size and nucleus size. Analysis by flow cytometry revealed significant increases in nucleus size for both species as well as genome size for D. magna in response to a low temperature. The degree of endoreplication, measured as cycle value, was species specific and responded to temperature and dietary composition. Under dietary P deficiency, D. magna, but not D. pulex, showed an apparent reduction in haploid genome size (C-value). These genomic responses are unlikely to reflect differences in nucleotide numbers, but rather structural changes affecting fluorochrome binding. While the ultimate and proximate causes of these responses are unknown, they suggest an intriguing potential for genomic responses that merits further research.
TESTING FOR LINEAR AND NON-LINEAR GRANGER NON-CAUSALITY HYPOTHESIS BETWEEN STOCK AND BOND: THE CASES OF MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE
Authors: ONG SHEUE LI , HO CHONG MUN
Published: October 2014

The untested assumption of linear relationship between stocks and bonds in previous empirical studies may lead to an invalid conclusion if the actual relationship is non-linear. The emphasis of this paper is on the effect of non-linearities on causal relationships between stocks and bonds in the cases of Malaysia and Singapore. Results from linearity tests indicate the existence of non-linearities in the dynamic relationship between stocks and bonds. Non-linear causality test results based on Taylor expansion suggest that non-linear causality flows from stocks to bonds and vice versa. The test further confirms that bonds with different maturity dates have different relationships with stocks.
Flavor changing neutral current processes in a reduced minimal scalar sector
Authors: Cogollo D. , Queiroz Farinaldo S. , Vasconcelos P.
Published: October 2014

In this work, we overhaul previous studies of Flavor Changing Neutral Current processes in the context of the Reduced Minimal 3-3-1 (RM331) model. We sift the individual contributions from the CP-even scalars and the Z′ gauge boson using two different parametrizations schemes and compare our results with current measurements. In particular, studying the [Formula: see text] meson system we find the most stringent bounds in the literature on this model, namely [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
AN ANALYSIS OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ANODIZED ALUMINUM FILM AT HIGH STRESS
Authors: ZHAO XIXI , WEI GUOYING , YU YUNDAN , GUO YUEMEI , ZHANG AO
Published: October 2014

In this paper, a new environmental-friendly electrolyte containing sulfuric acid and tartaric acid has been used as the substitute of chromic acid for anodization. The work discussed the influence of anodizing voltages on the fatigue life of anodized Al 2024-T3 by performing fatigue tests with 0.1 stress ratio (R) at 320 MPa. Meanwhile the fatigue cycles to failure, yield strength, tensile strength and fracture surface of anodic films at different conditions were investigated. The results showed that the fatigue life of anodized and sealed specimens reduced a lot compared to aluminum alloy, which can be attributed to the crack sites initiated at the oxide layer. The fracture surface analyses also revealed that the number of crack initiation sites enlarged with the increase of anodizing voltage.
Social Context as a Service: Managing Adaptation in Collaborative Pervasive Applications
Authors: Kabir Muhammad Ashad , Han Jun , Colman Alan , Yu Jian
Published: October 2014

We present a social context as a service (SCaaS) platform for managing adaptations in collaborative pervasive applications that support interactions among a dynamic group of actors such as users, stakeholders, infrastructure services, businesses and so on. Such interactions are based on predefined agreements and constraints that characterize the relationships between the actors and are modeled with the notion of social context. In complex and changing environments, such interaction relationships, and thus social contexts, are also subject to change. In existing approaches, the relationships among actors are not modeled explicitly, and instead are often hard-coded into the application. Furthermore, these approaches do not provide adequate adaptation support for such relationships as the changes occur in user requirements and environments. In our approach, inter-actor relationships in an application are modeled explicitly using social contexts, and their execution environment is generated and adaptations are managed by the SCaaS platform. The key features of our approach include externalization of the interaction relationships from the applications, representation and modeling of such relationships from the domain and actor perspectives, their implementation using a service oriented paradigm, and support for their runtime adaptation. We quantify the platform's adaptation overhead and demonstrate its feasibility and applicability by developing a telematics application that supports cooperative convoy.
BONE HISTOLOGY OF PATIENTS WITH ALENDRONATE-MEDIATED FRACTURED BONE — A NEW ENTITY OF ATYPICAL OSTEOMALACIA
Authors: Moon Myung-Sang , Kwon Ki-Tae , Ha Chang-Won , Kim Sung-Soo , Kim Sung Sim , Moon Hanlim
Published: October 2014

Based on the pharmaco-physiology of the aminobisphosphonates, it could be speculated that bisphosphonates could induce not only the osteopetrotic bone disease because of their selective suppression of osteoclastic activity, but also could affect directly or indirectly the endocrine system, local factors, and also the bone metabolic turnover. Consequently, the bone fragility could be rather produced by long-term aminobisphosphonate therapy. Bisphosphonate-mediated bone disease was labeled by Odvina et al. in 2005 [Odvina CV, Zerwerth JE, Rao DS et al. Severely suppressed bone turnover; a potential complication of alendronate therapy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 90: 1294–1301, 2005.] as the "severely suppressed bone turnover (SSBT)" on the metabolic turnover basis. However, such definition could contain various drug-induced bone diseases, and did not indicate any particular condition, induced by the bisphosphonate. The term "SSBT" is thought not solely to be based on its histology, and seems rather a clinical term applicable to the various drug-induced bone diseases. Therefore, the current authors attempted to characterize the bisphosphonate-mediated bone disease on the basis of the combined image and histological studies, and finally concluded that the prolonged bisphosphonate therapy could produce an atypical osteomalacic bone disease. (osteosclerosis of osteomalacia) which leads to fragility fracture. It is puzzling as to why malacia rather than petrosis develops in the skeleton.
Modeling and Grasp Stability Analysis for Object Manipulation by Soft Rolling Fingertips
Authors: Fasoulas John , Sfakiotakis Michael
Published: October 2014

This paper presents a general dynamic model that describes the two-dimensional grasp by two robotic fingers with soft fingertips. We derive the system's kinematics and dynamics by incorporating rolling constraints that depend on the deformation and on the rolling distance characteristics of the fingertips' material. We analyze the grasp stability at equilibrium, and conclude that the rolling properties of the fingertips can play an important role in grasp stability, especially when the width of the grasped object is small compared to the radius of the tips. Subsequently, a controller, which is based on the fingertips' rolling properties, is proposed for stable grasping concurrent with object orientation control. We evaluate the dynamic model under the proposed control law by simulations and experiments that make use of two different types of soft fingertip materials, through which it is confirmed that the dynamic model can successfully capture the effect of the fingertips' deformation and their rolling distance characteristics. Finally, we use the dynamic model to demonstrate by simulations the significance of the fingertips' rolling properties in grasping thin objects.
KNOWLEDGE INPUTS TO SCIENCE- AND DEVELOPMENT-BASED REGIMES: EVIDENCE FROM THE BEHAVIOUR OF RUSSIAN RTOs
Authors: THURNER THOMAS WOLFGANG , ZAICHENKO STANISLAV
Published: October 2014

Little is known about how transfer processes are shaped by the underlying industry and its technical regimes. In our analysis, we differentiate between Science and Technology-modes of learning which incorporate the latest developments in research, and a more practice-oriented mode based on industry-specific knowledge. We test whether Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs), that provide technology transfer to firms, follow one or the other mode in correspondence to their customer's needs. Our analysis is based on 67 Russian RTOs transferring technology either to low-tech or high-tech manufacturing firms. For high-tech manufacturing, the use of patents and the intake of scientists are vital for successful technology transfer. Own basic research is positively correlated only with transfer to low-tech manufacturing.
CRITICAL RESOURCE DIMENSIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF PATENTS — AN ANALYSIS OF 131 NEW TECHNOLOGY-BASED FIRMS LOCALISED IN INCUBATORS
Authors: LÖFSTEN HANS
Published: October 2014

The purpose of this study is to analyse critical resource dimensions for development of patents for these new technology-based firms. The empirical base is 131 new technology-based firms in five high-tech industries: Software/information technology, technology consultants, electronics/electrical, pharmacology and pharmaceutical preparation and mechanics, localised on 16 incubators in Sweden. The incubators in this study are all affiliated to a university. The 131 localised new technology-based firms that answered the questionnaire were rather young (mean 2.76 years) and small (mean 2.07 employees). Five hypotheses were developed from the literature and statistical methods such as factor analysis, correlation and regression analysis were used. The study presents a significant model in several resource dimensions. The study shows that the most important resource dimensions (latent variables) are R&D network, lawyers and patent councils, business competition and university/incubator that will affect development of patents in a positive way.