bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data curation practices in institutional repositories: An exploratory study
Authors: Lee Dong Joon , Stvilia Besiki
Published: April 2015

This poster reports on the preliminary findings of a study that examines data curation work in institutional repositories (IR). The study identified three perceived roles played by IR staff (i.e., data curator, IR manager, and metadata specialist) and role‐specific sets of activities and skills. The findings of this study can inform the development of best practices and effective infrastructure support for data curation in the context of IRs, as well as teaching data curation in LIS schools.
Impacts of social media usage on the outcomes of students’ everyday life information seeking
Authors: Sin Sei‐Ching Joanna , Kim Kyung‐Sun
Published: April 2015

University students’ social media use for everyday life information seeking (ELIS) opens up opportunities for seeking information from weak ties, but it may exacerbate issues such as information overload. Currently, it is unclear whether social media use affects the outcome of ELIS. The current study surveyed undergraduate and graduate students to test whether the frequent uses of (a) social networking sites (SNS), (b) microblogs, (c) social question and answer sites (Social Q&A), and (d) Web search engines affect (a) level of satisfaction with the quality of ELIS results and (b) level of difficulty in ELIS. Gender and study level were included as control variables. ANOVA tests of the 1,144 responses found that the frequent use of SNS, microblogs, and Web search engines each had significant effects on ELIS satisfaction level. Frequent microblog use had a significant effect on ELIS difficulty. Interestingly, the effects of SNS, microblogs, and Web search engine usage showed a U‐shaped relationship. The heavy‐users as well as non‐users of social media experienced higher level of satisfaction and lower level of difficulties. It was the occasional users who were more troubled, as were underclassmen and master's students. These user groups could benefit from more social media information literacy training. The current study shows that social media use does make a difference in ELIS. Future studies may further test the influence of social media use on specific types of ELIS problems.
Online information seeking and knowledge sharing practices of science teachers
Authors: Khan Samia , Meyers Eric , Gowen Elise , Bergman Kendal
Published: April 2015

Despite a preponderance of research into student online information seeking behaviors, we still know precious little about the online information seeking of their teachers. Yet teachersare the ones who shape thecurriculum in the classroom and shape the way Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is utilized in formal learning contexts. Online information resources are particularly important for science teachers, who require sound, up‐to‐date knowledge in a field where new breakthroughs are always emerging. To better understand the way science teachers use and share information online, the research team performed five casestudies, followingfive science teachers’ online behaviors for their classroom practice over the course of three months, collecting initial data through aquestionnaire, two interviews, and longitudinal web histories. This study contributes to a broader understanding of information behavior of professional practice, and provides valuable information about an understudied group of users.
Diffusion of protest information in twitter during shahbag movement of bangladesh
Authors: Zamir Md Hassan
Published: April 2015

The advent of social media and microblogging tools, particularly Twitter, has been used by the protesters during worldwide social movements as the means of organization, communication and diffusion of protest information. Key protesters play significant roles in the information diffusion process and influence the protest network by disseminating specific types of information. The focus of this work is to investigate how information diffusion takes place in Twitter during social movement. To understand the phenomenon, this poster analyses the tweets of Shahbag Movement of Bangladesh and seeks answers to these questions: who are the influential protesters, what are the properties of the protesters’ information sharing behavior. Ultimately, it is founded that the instrumental protesters represent the citizens, journalists and not the government officials. This poster also finds that the protesters demonstrate information cascade behavior during disseminating protest information into the network.
The dynamics of social capital in scientific collaboration networks
Authors: Costa Mark R.
Published: April 2015

Scientific collaboration is considered a cornerstone of 21st Century Science and a springboard for economic prosperity. At a more basic level, it is also considered to be a fundamental part of the development of scientific human capital. From that perspective, scientific collaboration is facilitated through social capital, which is acquired through an investment cycle. Through a series of collaborative interactions, scientists move to positions within collaboration networks, which in turn creates future opportunities for collaboration.

Prior research has either focused on the positioning of scientists within their respective networks, or scientists’ network activity and career stage, but few studies have looked at the dynamics of positioning due to the presence, timing, and sequencing of collaborative interactions on future opportunities. The reason for this gap was the intractability of the problem. In this paper, a research proposal is outlined that will attempt to address this deficiency by employing machine learning to identify patterns in the career trajectories of scientists in a research community.
“Making a square fit into a circle”: Researchers’ experiences reusing qualitative data
Authors: Yoon Ayoung
Published: April 2015

Although researchers have shown their skepticism of qualitative data reuse due to the epistemological issues, interest in qualitative data reuse has continuously grown. Discussions regarding qualitative data sharing and reuse have also been very active, especially in Europe and Australia. Compared with efforts in other countries, the discussions do not seem to be as prominent in the United States, in spite of a long history of data‐depositing and ‐curating practices and researchers’ reusing qualitative data in some disciplines. This research aims to explore qualitative researchers’ experiences reusing data in the field of social science in US, which have not been empirically addressed yet. The preliminary results from the in‐depth interviews with qualitative researchers who have used secondary data are presented, along with the barriers or hindrances to reusing qualitative data and the keys to successful data reuse.
A rigorous approach for selection of optimal variant sets for carrier screening with demonstration of clinical utility
Authors: Perreault‐Micale Cynthia , Davie Jocelyn , Breton Benjamin , Hallam Stephanie , Greger Valerie
Published: April 2015

Carrier screening for certain diseases is recommended by major medical and Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) societies. Most carrier screening panels test only for common, ethnic‐specific variants. However, with formerly isolated ethnic groups becoming increasingly intermixed, this approach is becoming inadequate. Our objective was to develop a rigorous process to curate all variants, for relevant genes, into a database and then apply stringent clinical validity classification criteria to each in order to retain only those with clear evidence for pathogenicity. The resulting variant set, in conjunction with next‐generation DNA sequencing (NGS), then affords the capability for an ethnically diverse, comprehensive, highly specific carrier‐screening assay. The clinical utility of our approach was demonstrated by screening a pan‐ethnic population of 22,864 individuals for Bloom syndrome carrier status using a BLM variant panel comprised of 50 pathogenic variants. In addition to carriers of the common AJ founder variant, we identified 57 carriers of other pathogenic BLM variants. All variants reported had previously been curated and their clinical validity documented, or were of a type that met our stringent, preassigned validity criteria. Thus, it was possible to confidently report an increased number of Bloom's syndrome carriers compared to traditional, ethnicity‐based screening, while not reducing the specificity of the screening due to reporting variants of unknown clinical significance.
Intravesical botulinum toxin‐A injections reduce bladder pain of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome refractory to conventional treatment – A prospective, multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Kuo Hann‐Chorng , Jiang Yuan‐Hong , Tsai Yao‐Chou , Kuo Yuh‐Chen
Published: April 2015

Purpose

Intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA (BoNT‐A) injection is a beneficial treatment for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), yet its therapeutic efficacy remains to be validated. This study tests efficacy and safety of intravesical BoNT‐A injections for treatment of IC/BPS.

Materials and Methods

A multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial in patients with IC/BPS refractory to conventional treatment. Patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to hydrodistention plus suburothelial injections of BoNT‐A 100 U (Botox group) or the equivalent amount of normal saline (N/S group). The primary endpoint was a decrease in pain assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) at week 8 after treatment. Secondary endpoints included voiding diary and urodynamic variables. The Wilcoxon sign rank and rank sum tests were used for statistical analyses.

Results

A total of 60 patients (8 males, 52 females, age 50.8 ± 13.9 years) including 40 in the Botox and 20 in the N/S groups were enrolled. At week 8, a significantly greater reduction of pain was observed in the Botox group compared to the N/S group (−2.6 ± 2.8 vs. −0.9 ±  2.2, P = 0.021). The other variables did not differ significantly between groups except for cystometric bladder capacity, which was increased significantly in the Botox group. The overall success rates were 63% (26/40) in the Botox group and 15% (3/20) in the N/S group (P = 0.028). Adverse events did not differ between the groups.

Conclusion

Intravesical injections of 100 U of BoNT‐A effectively reduced bladder pain symptoms in patients with IC/BPS. The adverse events were acceptable. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:609–614, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tainted museums: ‘selling out’ cultural institutions
Authors: Rodner Victoria L. , Preece Chloe
Published: April 2015

This paper examines the role of museums as repositories of cultural meaning and symbolic capital. As educational and cultural institutions, museums serve to legitimise works of art within the frame of an art historical context. However, our comparative case study reveals how the taken‐for‐granted role of the museum as an allegedly unbiased platform for disseminating the arts can be usurped for economic or political ends. Using the cultural settings of the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Venezuelan art museum circuit, we examine via our case studies how legitimation in the arts may be jeopardised or misused if and when cultural institutions succumb to commercial and political pressures. By adopting a qualitative research design, we observe the macro‐context in which institutional roles are defined and played out, and demonstrate the ideological discourses at play in the role of these cultural institutions as meaning‐makers. Although they may be presented as neutral spaces, museums inadvertently serve to circulate socio‐political views. How the institution manages these views and unavoidable macro‐level forces will in turn influence the cultural credibility of the museum framework as a legitimising force on the cultural horizon. Attention is devoted to how these pressures can affect the production and consumption of art, offering an alternative perspective on the development of museum policies.

Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perceived Residential Environment Quality Indicators and neighborhood attachment: A confirmation study on a Chinese sample in Chongqing
Authors: Mao Yanhui , Fornara Ferdinando , Manca Sara , Bonnes Mirilia , Bonaiuto Marino
Published: April 2015

This paper concerns people's assessment of their neighborhood of residence in a Chinese urban context. The aim of the study was to verify the factorial structure and the reliability of two instruments originally developed and validated in Italy (the full versions of the Perceived Residential Environment Quality Indicators [PREQIs] and of the Neighborhood Attachment Scale [NAS]) in a different cultural and linguistic context. The instruments consist of 11 scales measuring the PREQIs and one scale measuring neighborhood attachment (NA). The PREQIs scales include items covering four macroevaluative domains of residential environment quality: architectural and urban planning aspects (three scales: Architectural and Town‐planning Space, Organization of Accessibility and Roads, Green Areas), sociorelational aspects (one scale: People and Social Relations), functional aspects (four scales: Welfare Services, Recreational Services, Commercial Services, and Transport Services), and contextual aspects (three scales: Pace of Life, Environmental Health, Upkeep and Care). The PREQIs and NAS were included in a self‐report questionnaire, which had been translated and back‐translated from English to Chinese, and was then administered to 340 residents in six districts (differing along various features) of a highly urbanized context in China, the city of Chongqing. Results confirmed the factorial structure of the scales and demonstrated good internal consistency of the indicators, thus reaffirming the results of previous studies carried out in Western urban contexts. The indicators tapping the neighborhood's contextual aspects (i.e., pace of life, environmental health, and upkeep) emerged as most correlated to NA.
Longitudinal Associations between Delinquent Behaviour of Friends and Delinquent Behaviour of Adolescents: Moderation by Adolescent Personality Traits
Authors: Slagt Meike , Dubas Judith Semon , Deković Maja , Haselager Gerbert J. T. , van Aken Marcel A. G.
Published: April 2015

In this longitudinal study, we examined whether personality traits (parent–rated Big Five personality traits) render some adolescents more susceptible than others to delinquent behaviour of friends, predicting rank–order changes in adolescents‘ self–reported delinquent behaviour. We examine susceptibility to both perceived (reported by adolescents) and self–reported (reported by friends) delinquent behaviour of friends. Participants in this two–wave study were 285 Dutch adolescents and their best friends. The adolescents (50% girls) were 15.5 years old on average (SD = 0.8 years), and their best friends (N = 176; 58% girls) were 15.1 years old (SD = 1.5 years). Perceived (but not self–reported) delinquency of friends predicted a stronger increase in adolescent delinquency 1 year later, especially among adolescents low or average on conscientiousness. Emotional stability, agreeableness, extraversion and openness did not moderate associations between delinquency of friends and delinquency of adolescents. Our findings show that low conscientiousness serves as a risk factor, increasing vulnerability to perceived delinquent behaviour of friends, while high conscientiousness serves as a protective factor, increasing resilience to perceived delinquent behaviour of friends. Our findings also show that adolescents are susceptible to, and differ in susceptibility to, friends‘ delinquent behaviour as they perceive it—not to delinquent behaviour as reported by friends themselves. Copyright © 2015 European Association of Personality Psychology
Proteomic identification of mitochondrial carbonylated proteins in two maturation stages of pepper fruits
Authors: Camejo Daymi , Jiménez Ana , Palma José M. , Sevilla Francisca
Published: April 2015

Pepper fruits in green and red maturation stages were selected to study the protein pattern modified by oxidation measuring carbonylated proteins in isolated mitochondria, together with the accumulation of superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide in the fruits. MALDI‐TOF/TOF analysis identified as carbonylated proteins in both green and red fruits, formate dehydrogenase, NAD‐dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase, porin, and defensin, pointing to a common regulation by carbonylation of these proteins independently of the maturation stage. However, other proteins such as glycine dehydrogenase P subunit and phosphate transporter were identified as targets of carbonylation only in green fruits, whereas aconitase, ATPase β subunit, prohibitin, orfB protein, and cytochrome C oxidase, were identified only in red fruits. In general, the results suggest that carbonylation of mitochondrial proteins is a PTM that drives the complex ripening process, probably establishing the accumulation and functionality of some mitochondrial proteins in the nonclimacteric pepper fruit.
N‐terminal modifications of cellular proteins: The enzymes involved, their substrate specificities and biological effects
Authors: Varland Sylvia , Osberg Camilla , Arnesen Thomas
Published: April 2015

The vast majority of eukaryotic proteins are N‐terminally modified by one or more processing enzymes. Enzymes acting on the very first amino acid of a polypeptide include different peptidases, transferases, and ligases. Methionine aminopeptidases excise the initiator methionine leaving the nascent polypeptide with a newly exposed amino acid that may be further modified. N‐terminal acetyl‐, methyl‐, myristoyl‐, and palmitoyltransferases may attach an acetyl, methyl, myristoyl, or palmitoyl group, respectively, to the α‐amino group of the target protein N‐terminus. With the action of ubiquitin ligases, one or several ubiquitin molecules are transferred, and hence, constitute the N‐terminal modification. Modifications at protein N‐termini represent an important contribution to proteomic diversity and complexity, and are essential for protein regulation and cellular signaling. Consequently, dysregulation of the N‐terminal modifying enzymes is implicated in human diseases. We here review the different protein N‐terminal modifications occurring co‐ or post‐translationally with emphasis on the responsible enzymes and their substrate specificities.
Synthesis of partially fluorinated poly(arylene ether sulfone) multiblock copolymers bearing perfluorosulfonic functions
Authors: Assumma Luca , Iojoiu Cristina , Mercier Régis , Lyonnard Sandrine , Nguyen Huu Dat , Planes Emilie
Published: April 2015

Partially fluorinated poly(arylene ether sulfone) multiblock copolymers bearing perfluorosulfonic functions (ps‐PES‐FPES), with ionic exchange capacity (IEC) ranging between 0.9 and 1.5 meq H+/g, are synthesized by regioselective bromination of partially fluorinated poly(arylene ether sulfone) multiblock copolymers (PES‐FPES), followed by Ullman coupling reaction with lithium 1,1,2,2‐tetrafluoro‐2‐(1,1,2,2‐tetrafluoro‐2‐iodoethoxy)ethanesulfonate. The PES‐FPES are prepared by aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction by an original approach, that is, “one pot two reactions synthesis.” The chemical structures of polymers are analyzed by 1H and 19F NMR spectroscopy. The resulted ionomers present two distinct glass transitions and α relaxations revealing phase separation between the hydrophilic and the hydrophobic domains. The phase separation is observed at much lower block lengths of ps‐PES‐FPES as compared with the literature. AFM and SANS observations supported the phase separation, the hydrophilic domains are well dispersed but the connectivity to each other depends on the ps‐PES block lengths. The thermomechanical behavior, the water up‐take, and the conductivity of the ps‐PES‐FPES membranes are compared with those of Nafion 117® and randomly functionalized polysulfone (ps‐PES). Conductivities close or higher to those of Nafion 117® are obtained. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 1941–1956
Energy transfer through heterogeneous dyes‐substituted fluorene‐containing alternating copolymers and their dual‐emission properties in the films
Authors: Yeo Hyeonuk , Tanaka Kazuo , Chujo Yoshiki
Published: April 2015

We report synthesis of the modified fluorene polymers tethered to the heterogeneous types of the fluorescent dyes at the cardo carbon for obtaining the dual‐emissive solid materials. A series of the alternating fluorene copolymers modified with pyrene or 9,10‐diphenylanthracene and BODIPY at the cardo carbon based on the red‐emissive donor–acceptor structure were prepared, and their characteristics were examined. From the measurements of the optical properties, the energy transfer efficiencies were evaluated. In summary, variable energy transfer efficiencies were observed between the side chains and from the side chain to the main chain. It was indicated that the energy transfer efficiencies were strongly depended on the types of the energy donor and the detection conditions as such in the solution or film. Furthermore, it was found that the cardo fluorene units can contribute to the suppression of the energy transfer in the condensed state. Finally, the dual‐emissive polymers were obtained in the film states. This is the first example, to the best of our knowledge, not only to offer systematic information on the energy transfer between the dye molecules and the polymer main‐chains via the cardo structure but also to demonstrate the polymer‐based optical materials with the dual‐emission properties. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 2026–2035
Downsizing of single crystalline high aspect ratio tungsten nanowires
Authors: Milenkovic Srdjan , Drensler Stefanie , Hassel Achim Walter
Published: April 2015

Directional solidification of eutectic NiAl–W alloys offers an intuitive method to produce tungsten nanowires. Through the use of two different methods, the well‐established Bridgman method and a newer type floating zone method, the direct influence of process parameters, like the withdrawal rate and the temperature gradient, onto the sample microstructure were studied. The sharp temperature gradient, built up using a four mirror system focusing the light emitted by halogen lamps inside the optical floating zone furnace allows producing nanowires with a diameter as small as 75 nm. Differences in the solid/liquid interface morphology depending on the solidification method used are discussed.
Impedance spectroscopy study of phase transitions to ionic and superionic conductivity states in Ag2S and Ag2Se
Authors: Alekperov O. , Samedov O. , Paucar R. , Abdulzade N. , Nakhmedov E. , Nadjafov A. , Wakita K. , Mamedov N.
Published: April 2015

The percolation threshold (PT) temperatures Tc1,c2 of two non‐equivalent Ag+1,2 ions in Ag2S and Ag2Se lattices were determined from the temperature dependence of low‐frequency (25‐106Hz) impedance spectroscopy measurements. At PT temperatures Tc1≈200 K and Tc2≈ 334 K, an abrupt increase of the dielectric function ε1(ω) of Ag2Se crystal from a very large negative value, ε1 ≈‐109, to a very large positive value ε1≈ 106 was observed, which is assumed to result from the dipole relaxation. The strong peaks of the dielectric losses ε2(ω), tgδ(ω) and impedance Z in Ag2Se were also determined at Tc1,c2. Two significant peaks in ε1(ω), ε2(ω)and tgδ(ω) were observed at Tc1≈ 312‐320 K. and Tc2≈ 380‐430 K in the temperature dependences of these parameters. The measured parameters decreased significantly with increasing frequency, confirming the long relaxation times. The drastic decrease at T > 430 K of ε1from a very large positive value 109to a very large negative one ‐108 is in accordance with infrared (IR) ellipsometry measurements; this indicates that electrons of Ag+‐ ions are ionized because of the high dielectric function screening of lattice sites before the known β→α structural phase transition from monoclinic to a body‐centered cubic (bcc) structure. In addition, the activation energies of Ag+1,2 ions were estimated for Ag2S and Ag2Se crystals. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A Review: The Pharmacology of Isoliquiritigenin
Authors: Peng Fu , Du Qiaohui , Peng Cheng , Wang Neng , Tang Hailin , Xie Xiaoming , Shen Jiangang , Chen Jianping
Published: April 2015

Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is one of the bioactive ingredients isolated from the roots of plants belonging to licorice, including Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Mongolian glycyrrhiza, Glycyrrhiza glabra, and so forth. Liquiritigenin is available in common foods and alternative medicine, and its derivative‐ISL is applied into food additives and disease treatment like cancer therapy, antibiotic therapy, and so on. This review aims at providing a comprehensive summary of the pharmacological activities of ISL. The information published between 1972 and 2014 from a number of reliable sources including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Springer, and Wiley‐Blackwell. The practical application of ISL on the various disease prevention and treatments may stem from its numerous pharmacological properties such as antiinflammatory, anti‐microbial, anti‐oxidative, anticancer activities, immunoregulatory, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective effects. However, further studies are needed to verify the target‐organ toxicity or side effects investigation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aircraft‐based observations of atmospheric boundary‐layer modification over Arctic leads
Authors: Tetzlaff A. , Lüpkes C. , Hartmann J.
Published: April 2015

Leads are elongated channels in sea ice which play an important role for the heat and moisture exchange between the polar ocean and atmosphere. The aircraft campaign STABLE aimed to improve our current understanding of the formation of convective plumes over leads and their impact on the polar atmospheric boundary layer. It was carried out over the pack ice in the northern Fram Strait in March 2013. We present case studies of the boundary layer modification and turbulent fluxes over four wide leads, which differed strongly with respect to lead characteristics and environmental conditions. The observed near‐surface sensible heat fluxes ranged from 15 to 180 W m−2. The leads also induced an increase of the near‐surface temperature of up to 3.2 °C and a humidity increase of up to 0.2 g kg−1. In one of the cases, large entrainment fluxes exceeding 30% of the surface fluxes were observed. Vertical profiles of turbulent sensible heat and momentum fluxes were nonlinear downstream of the leads with a distinct flux maximum in the core of the convective plumes. In two cases, the plumes also strongly affected the wind field within the atmospheric boundary layer. Low‐level jets that existed in those cases in the region upstream of the leads disappeared in the plume region. Finally, it is shown that large errors can occur when flux measurements are derived from lead orthogonal flight legs only. Therefore, complex flight patterns, as presented in this study, are necessary to accurately determine the energy fluxes in the environment of leads.
General diagnostic equations and regime analysis for the height of the planetary boundary layer
Authors: Syrakov Evgeni
Published: April 2015

A new general theoretical formula for the planetary boundary‐layer height h, which accounts for the joint influence of the Earth's rotation, stratification (stable/neutral and unstable), entrainment and free‐flow stability effect, is obtained on the basis of parametrization of the turbulent kinetic energy balance equation. Practically all the basic equilibrium stable/neutral and unstable boundary‐layer depth prototypes, corresponding limit cases for h, as well as the transition regimes between them, follow from this general formula as respective asymptotic cases. The explicit dependence of the proportionality coefficient for the limit cases on the governing parameters is determined and corresponding comparison with experimental data is given. The case when the Coriolis effect is neglected is separately considered. Again a new general formula for h and the consequent limit cases is obtained in this case. In agreement with the experimental data the great sensitivity of the stable boundary‐layer height to the form of the vertical profile of the buoyancy flux is theoretically confirmed and quantitatively analysed. Special attention is paid also to the important role of the free‐flow stability effect not only for stable/neutral, but also for unstable conditions. The significant limiting effect of this factor on the boundary‐layer depth is demonstrated for mid‐, as well as for high latitudes.
Development of double‐layer coupled coil for improving S/N in 7 T small‐animal MRI
Authors: Kim Kyoung‐Nam , Seo Jeung‐Hoon , Han Sang‐Doc , Heo Phil , Im Geun Ho , Lee Jung Hee
Published: April 2015

The purpose of this study was to develop a new double‐layer coupled (DLC) surface radiofrequency (RF) coil using a combination of single‐layer planar (SLP) and single‐layer circular (SLC) coils, for enhancement of magnetic flux (B1) sensitivity and RF penetration in 7 T rat‐body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The proposed DLC surface coil was fabricated according to an electromagnetic (EM) simulation and validated based on the B1 distribution and bench measurements. The DLC coil performance was quantitatively evaluated based on the signal‐to‐noise ratio (S/N) and coil–response signal intensity curves in phantom and in vivo rat‐body images. In the computational EM calculation and 7 T in vivo experimental results, the DLC surface coil clearly showed an increased S/N and higher RF transmit (B1+) profiles, compared to those of the SLP and SLC coils. While all surface coils displayed a rapid decrease in the MR signal from the near‐coil region to the subject, the results reveal that the DLC coil concept may be used to provide sufficient RF penetration and high S/N and degrees of freedom for use in partial body imaging for 7 T ultra‐high‐field small‐animal MRI. SCANNING 37:361–371, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of enamel morphology on nanoscale adhesion forces of streptococcal bacteria : An AFM study
Authors: Wang Chuanyong , Zhao Yongqi , Zheng Sainan , Xue Jing , Zhou Jinglin , Tang Yi , Jiang Li , Li Wei
Published: April 2015

We explore the influence of enamel surface morphology on nanoscale bacterial adhesion forces. Three dimensional morphology characteristics of enamel slices, which were treated with phosphoric acid (for 0 s, 5 s, 10 s, 20 s, and 30 s), were acquired. Adhesion forces of three initial colonizers (Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Streptococcus mitis) and two cariogenic bacterial strains (Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus) with etched enamel surfaces were determined. Comparison of the forces was made by using bacterial probe method under atomic force microscope (AFM) in adhesion buffer.

The results showed that enamel morphology was significantly altered by etching treatment. The roughness, peak‐to‐valley height, and valley‐to‐valley width of the depth profile, surface area, and volume increased linearly with acid exposure time, and reached the maximum at 30s, respectively. The adhesion forces of different strains increased accordingly with etching time. Adhesion forces of S. oralis, S. mitis, S. mutans, and S. sobrinus reached the maximum values of 0.81 nN, 0.84 nN, 0.73 nN, and 0.64 nN with enamel treated for 20s, respectively, whereas that of S. sanguinis at 10s (1.28nN), and dropped on coarser enamel surfaces.

In conclusion, enamel micro‐scale morphology may significantly alter the direct adhesion forces of bacteria. And there may be a threshold roughness for bacterial adhesion on enamel surface. SCANNING 37:313–321, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Re: Accuracy of ultrasonography performed by examiners with varied training and experience in predicting specific pathology of adnexal masses. A. Sayasneh, J. Kaijser, J. Preisler, A. A. Smith, F. Raslan, S. Johnson, R. Husicka, L. Ferrara, C. Stalder, S. Ghaem‐Maghami, D. Timmerman and T. Bourne. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2015; 45: 605–612
Authors: Valentin L.
Published: April 2015

Linked Comment: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2015; 45: 605–612
Tracing recent glacial events in bottom sediments of a glacial lake (East Sayan Ridge, Russia) from high‐resolution SR‐XRF, ICP‐MS, and FTIR records
Authors: Trunova V. A. , Stepanova O. G. , Zvereva V. V. , Sidorina A. V. , Melgunov M. S. , Petrovskii S. K. , Rakshun Ya. V. , Fedotov A. P.
Published: April 2015

The paper presents a study of bottom sediments of proglacial Lake Ehoy, which intakes the meltwater of Peretolchin glacier, the East Sayan Ridge. A bottom sediment sequence that formed in the period of 1885–2013 was investigated with a year/season time resolution using X‐ray fluorescence with synchrotron radiation and conventional analysis. A depth‐age model of the core was based on counting of the annual laminae. The model was checked by an analysis of the distribution of activity of 210Pb, 137Cs, 238U, and 226Ra. The dynamics of the glacier is considered through the intensity of clastic material inflow into the lake with the glacier melt water. In the elemental composition of the sediments, there are three groups of elements that reflect the periods of movement of the front edge of the glacier and the intensity of development of the aquatic biota. The first group of elements (Ca, K, Ti, Fe, and Mn) characterizes the inflow of clastic material when there are no significant changes in the boundaries of the glacier. The second group of elements (Ni, Cu, Br, and U) reflects the aquatic biota intensity. The third group of elements (Rb, Sr, Zr, Nb, Y, and Th) is some evidence that the displacement of the front edge of the glacier was significant. The glacier retreated rapidly in 1947–1970. The next period of steady degradation of the glacier took place in 1980–2000. Since 2000, the melting rate has slowed down. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Feasibility of an Assessment Tool for Children's Competence to Consent to Predictive Genetic Testing: a Pilot Study
Authors: Hein Irma M. , Troost Pieter W. , Lindeboom Robert , Christiaans Imke , Grisso Thomas , van Goudoever Johannes B. , Lindauer Ramón J. L.
Published: April 2015

Knowledge on children's capacities to consent to medical treatment is limited. Also, age limits for asking children's consent vary considerably between countries. Decision‐making on predictive genetic testing (PGT) is especially complicated, considering the ongoing ethical debate. In order to examine just age limits for alleged competence to consent in children, we evaluated feasibility of a standardized assessment tool, and investigated cutoff ages for children's competence to consent to PGT. We performed a pilot study, including 17 pediatric outpatients between 6 and 18 years at risk for an autosomal dominantly inherited cardiac disease, eligible for predictive genetic testing. The reference standard for competence was established by experts trained in the relevant criteria for competent decision‐making. The MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Treatment (MacCAT‐T) served as index test. Data analysis included raw agreement between competence classifications, difference in mean ages between children judged competent and judged incompetent, and estimation of cutoff ages for judgments of competence. Twelve (71 %) children were considered competent by the reference standard, and 16 (94 %) by the MacCAT‐T, with an overall agreement of 76 %. The expert judgments disagreed in most cases, while the MacCAT‐T judgments agreed in 65 %. Mean age of children judged incompetent was 9.3 years and of children judged competent 12.1 years (p = .035). With 90 % sensitivity, children younger than 10.0 years were judged incompetent, with 90 % specificity children older than 11.8 years were judged competent. Feasibility of the MacCAT‐T in children is confirmed. Initial findings on age cutoffs are indicative for children between the age of 12 and 18 to be judged competent for involvement in the informed consent process. Future research on appropriate age‐limits for children's alleged competence to consent is needed.
Stated and revealed inequality aversion in three subject pools
Authors: Beranek Benjamin , Cubitt Robin , Gächter Simon
Published: April 2015

This paper reports data from three subject pools (n = 717 subjects) using techniques based on those of Loewenstein et al. (J Personal Soc Psychol 57:426–441, 1989) and Blanco et al. (Games Econ Behav 72:321–338, 2011) to obtain parameters, respectively, of stated and revealed inequality aversion. We provide a replication opportunity for those papers, with two innovations: (1) a design which allows stated and revealed preferences to be compared at the individual level; (2) assessment of robustness of findings across subjects from a UK university, a Turkish university and Amazon Mechanical Turk. Our findings on stated aversion to inequality are qualitatively similar to those of Loewenstein et al. in each of our subject pools, whereas there are notable differences between some of our findings on revealed preference and those of Blanco et al. We find that revealed advantageous inequality aversion is often stronger than revealed dis-advantageous inequality aversion. In most subject pools, we find some (weak) correlation between corresponding parameters of stated and revealed inequality aversion.
Behavioral testing affects the phenotypic expression of APOE ε3 and APOE ε4 in targeted replacement mice and reduces the differences between them
Authors: Salomon‐Zimri Shiran , Liraz Ori , Michaelson Daniel M.
Published: April 2015

Apolipoprotein E4 (APOE ε4) is the most prevalent genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Targeted replacement mice that express either APOE ε4 or its AD benign isoform, APOE ε3, are used extensively in behavioral, biochemical, and physiological studies directed at assessing the phenotypic effects of APOE ε4 and at unraveling the mechanisms underlying them. Such experiments often involve pursuing biochemical and behavioral measurements on the same cohort of mice. In view of the possible cross‐talk interactions between brain parameters and cognitive performance, we presently investigated the extent to which the phenotypic expression of APOE ε4 and APOE ε4 in targeted replacement mice is affected by behavioral testing. This was performed using young, naïve APOE ε4 and APOE ε3 mice in which the levels of distinct brain parameters are affected by the APOE genotype (e.g., elevated levels of amyloid beta [Aβ] and hyperphosphorylated tau and reduced levels of vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT) in hippocampal neurons of APOE ε4 mice). These mice were exposed to a fear‐conditioning paradigm, and the resulting effects on the brain parameters were examined. The results obtained revealed that the levels of Aβ, hyperphosphorylated tau, VGluT, and doublecortin of the APOE ε4 and APOE ε3 mice were markedly affected following the exposure of APOE ε4 and APOE ε3 mice to the fear‐conditioning paradigm such that the isoform‐specific effects of APOE ε4 on these parameters were greatly diminished.

The finding that behavioral testing affects the APOE ε3 and APOE ε4 phenotypes and masks the differences between them has important theoretical and practical implications and suggests that the assessment of brain and behavioral parameters should be performed using different cohorts.
Low eGFR is associated with dysexecutive and amnestic mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Zammit Andrea R. , Katz Mindy J. , Zimmerman Molly E. , Bitzer Markus , Lipton Richard B.
Published: April 2015

Background

Few studies have explored the association between renal function and major subtypes of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods

The sample was from the Einstein Aging Study. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, calculated in mL/min/1.73 m2 units) was classified into low (<45), moderate (45–59), and high (≥60). Separate binary logistic regression models were run to determine if eGFR is associated with amnestic MCI (aMCI) and dysexecutive MCI (dMCI).

Results

Of 622 eligible participants 65 (10.5%) had low eGFR, 43 (7.1%) had aMCI, and 46 (7.6) had dMCI. Low eGFR was independently associated with dMCI and aMCI in fully adjusted models.

Conclusion

At cross‐section low eGFR is associated with a higher risk of both dMCI and aMCI. eGFR may contribute to the development of these cognitive states directly. Alternatively, low eGFR may be a marker for risk factors that influence both the kidney and the brain, such as coronary microvascular disease.
Traits of patients who screen positive for dementia and refuse diagnostic assessment
Authors: Fowler Nicole R. , Frame Amie , Perkins Anthony J. , Gao Sujuan , Watson Dennis P. , Monahan Patrick , Boustani Malaz A.
Published: April 2015

Background

As part of the debate about screening for dementia, it is critical to understand why patients agree or disagree to diagnostic assessment after a positive screening test. We used the Perceptions Regarding Investigational Screening for Memory in Primary Care (PRISM‐PC) questionnaire to measure the characteristics of patients who screened positive for dementia but refused further diagnostic assessment.

Methods

Survey of patients ≥65 years old without a diagnosis of dementia attending primary care clinics in Indianapolis, IN, in 2008 and 2009.

Results

Five hundred and fifty‐four individuals completed the PRISM‐PC and 63 screened positive. Of those, 21 (33%) accepted and 42 (67%) refused diagnostic assessment. In adjusted models, having larger stigma domain scores and living alone were significantly associated with increased odds of refusing the diagnostic assessment.

Conclusion

Despite screening positive, many patients refused a diagnostic assessment. Living alone and the perceived stigmas of dementia are associated with the refusal of diagnostic assessment for dementia.
Retinal blood flow in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Feke Gilbert T. , Hyman Bradley T. , Stern Robert A. , Pasquale Louis R.
Published: April 2015

Background

Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) demonstrate the narrowing of retinal veins and decreased retinal venous blood flow compared with control subjects. We assessed whether these abnormalities are present in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods

After the determination of the global clinical dementia rating, 52 subjects (10 AD, 21 MCI, and 21 normal controls) underwent retinal hemodynamic profiling. Blood column diameter, blood speed, and blood flow were measured in a major temporal retinal vein using retinal laser Doppler flowmetry. In addition, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was measured using optical coherence tomography.

Results

Blood column diameter in AD was narrower than in both MCI (P = .004) and controls (P = .002). However, blood speed in both AD (P = .024) and MCI (P = .005) was lower than in controls. As a result, the differences in blood flow between AD and MCI (P = .036), AD and controls (P < .0001), and MCI and controls (P = .009) were significant. Although there were no differences in RNFL thickness among the groups, blood flow was correlated (P = .047) with superior RNFL thickness in the AD group, but not in the MCI (P = .40) or control (P = .84) groups.

Conclusions

Retinal blood flow in MCI is intermediate between what is measured in control subjects and in AD patients. Our findings suggest that blood flow abnormalities may precede the neurodegeneration in AD.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of retinal nerve fiber layer change in dementia, using optical coherence tomography
Authors: Thomson Kelsey L. , Yeo Jing Ming , Waddell Briony , Cameron James R. , Pal Suvankar
Published: April 2015

Introduction

Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning, assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT), has recently been reported in various dementias.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to investigate the diagnostic utility of RNFL thickness measurement using OCT in dementia (including Alzheimer's disease [AD] and mild cognitive impairment [MCI]) compared with healthy controls (HC).

Results

Seventeen studies comparing AD with HC (702 AD eyes and 790 HC eyes) were included, demonstrating a significant reduction in mean RNFL thickness in AD (weighted mean difference [WMD] 12.44, 95% confidence interval or CI [−16.64, −8.25], P <.0001). Five studies comparing MCI and HC (214 MCI eyes and 421 HC eyes) were included demonstrating a significant reduction in mean RNFL thickness in MCI (WMD −8.23, 95% CI [−14.00, −2.45], P =.005). No relevant studies were identified for other dementias.

Discussion

OCT measurement of RNFL thickness appears diagnostically useful in discriminating between AD, or MCI, and HC.
Misión imposible: ¿Qué tan difícil es realizar investigación en educación médica?
Authors: Sánchez-Mendiola Melchor
Published: April 2015

Los que tenemos cierta edad recordamos que en nuestra niñez existía una serie de televisión titulada “Misión: Imposible”, que renació hace unos años en la pantalla grande. Recordamos que al inicio de cada episodio (precedido por el inolvidable tema musical de Lalo Schiffrin), el Sr. Phelps recibía las instrucciones de una misión que a todas luces era imposible (o por lo menos de muy dudoso éxito), antes de que la grabación se “autodestruyera en cinco segundos”. Después de elegir y organizar su equipo de trabajo, este grupo de individuos conseguía invariablemente el éxito de su misión, utilizando las estrategias más inverosímiles y complejas (al estilo de los dispositivos de Rube Goldberg, también de merecida fama en el siglo pasado). Ahora que estamos iniciando el tercer año de publicación de esta revista, es pertinente reflexionar sobre lo difícil y complejo que es el proceso educativo, el gran reto que implica llevarlo a cabo de manera efectiva, profesional, científica y humana, y el aún mayor reto (que a veces se antoja misión imposible) de realizar investigación formal metodológicamente rigurosa sobre el citado proceso.
Aptitud clínica en la interpretación de electrocardiograma en una muestra de médicos becarios
Authors: Ochoa-Castro Carlos Enrique , Cobos-Aguilar Héctor , Pérez-Cortez Patricia , Marroquín-Cardona María De los Ángeles , Gómez-Sánchez Michel Marcela
Published: April 2015

Introducción: Las enfermedades cardiovasculares son la principal causa de muerte en México. La educación en interpretación electrocardiográfica (ECG) aún es deficiente en pregrado y posgrado.

Objetivo: Evaluar la interpretación ECG en becarios.

Material y método: Encuesta comparativa en 98 becarios, 70 internos de pregrado y 28 residentes de tres especialidades y un grupo de otras, en cuatro hospitales generales de zona. Variable dependiente: calificación obtenida en instrumento, conformado con 72 reactivos, con los siguientes indicadores: ritmo (15), medición (20), morfología (20) y diagnóstico (17), en cinco casos clínicos (fibrilación auricular, infarto agudo, hipertrofia ventricular izquierda, bloqueo rama izquierda y normalidad). Validación teórica, de contenido y constructo por tres cardiólogos, tres internistas y un médico familiar (técnica Delphi). Prueba piloto en 20 alumnos. Consistencia de 0.86 (Kuder-Richardson). Estadísticos: U de Mann-Whitney y Kruskal-Wallis (comparaciones intergrupales), Spearman y ANOVA.

Resultados: Las calificaciones más altas (44) las obtuvieron los residentes, con la mitad de lo esperado (72), los internos obtuvieron una calificación menor (39). Hubo diferencias entre grupos de internos (p<0.05), pero no entre los que ingresaron seis meses antes. Los residentes de Medicina Interna obtuvieron medianas superiores (48) vs. los de pediatría (p<0.03) (mediana 31).

Discusión: Los resultados muestran pobre conocimiento en la interpretación del ECG. La no diferencia entre internos que ya han cursado un semestre, traduce una desvinculación clínica confirmada también por los valores bajos de los residentes con ocho meses cursados de su primer año.

Conclusiones: Es importante desarrollar el aprendizaje del ECG vinculado a la clínica durante el pregrado y posgrado.