bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Clinical Significance of a Small Component of Choriocarcinoma in Testicular Mixed Germ Cell Tumor (MGCT)
Authors: Hassan Oudai , Epstein Jonathan I.
Published: May 2018

The clinical significance of limited choriocarcinoma in a malignant mixed germ cell tumor (MGCT) is unknown. Men with a MGCT with ≤5% choriocarcinoma at radical orchiectomy (RO) between 2000 and 2016 from our consult service were studied. Of 50 men in our cohort, we had clinical information for 30 men. Median follow-up was 41 months (1 to 168 mo). Median tumor size was 4.5 cm (1.1 to 8.0 cm). In total, 22/30 (73%) cases were pT1, 6/30(20%) cases were pT2, and 2/30 (7%) cases were pT3. In total, 4/30(13%) cases had lymph node metastases and 2/30 (7%) cases had distant metastases at the time of RO. In 30 cases with RO we had information on immediate postorchiectomy treatment: 14/30 (46.7%) active surveillance, 4/30 (13.3%) retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, 10/30 (33.3%) chemotherapy (chemotherapy), 1/30 (3.3%) retroperitoneal lymph node dissection followed by chemotherapy, and 1/30 (3.3%) resection of a distant metastasis. Preoperative serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels ranged between 0.1 and 60,715 mIU/mL (mean, 4796; median, 485). One patient had an hCG level of 6367 mIU/mL and another 60,715 mIU/mL with the remaining cases <5000 mIU/mL. In total, 4/30 (13%) patients had elevated serum markers after surgery, 3 of them normalized following chemotherapy while the fourth one continued to have elevated serum alpha fetoprotein levels after chemotherapy. All patients were alive at last follow-up. In total, 7/30 (23.3%) patients subsequently developed metastatic disease to lymph nodes or distal organs, the histology of the metastasis consisted mainly of teratoma and yolk sac tumor. Embryonal carcinoma was present in 2 metastatic sites. One lung metastasis was suggestive for choriocarcinoma. Definitive choriocarcinoma was not present in any of the metastasis. A small component of choriocarcinoma in a MGCT is typically associated with relatively low-level elevations of serum hCG levels, and is not associated with aggressive disease. The presence of limited choriocarcinoma (≤5%) does not add to the prognostic information provided by standard TNM staging, which uses levels of serum markers (hCG, alpha fetoprotein, lactate dehydrogenase) as surrogates for extent of disease.
Efficacy of Veinlite PEDI in Pediatric Peripheral Intravenous Access
Authors: Gümüş Merve , Başbakkal Zümrüt
Published: May 2018

Objectives

A previous study by Katsogridakis et al (Pediatr Emerg Care. 2008;24:83–88) evaluated the use of the white light Veinite transillumination device to improve vein access in children. Since then, advanced light emitting diode color lighting has been developed to improve the visualization of veins. To evaluate the efficacy of the new technology, we carried out a study in our pediatric emergency departments using the light emitting diode-based Veinlite PEDI (TransLite, Sugar Land, Tex).

Methods

A total of 112 pediatric patients were enrolled in the study. Children who presented to the emergency department aged 1 to 10 years old were randomly assigned to the Veinlite PEDI (Veinlite) group or standard of care (SoC) group. The primary outcome measure was first attempt success. Secondary outcome measures were number of intravenous (IV) attempts and time to peripheral intravenous catheter (PIC) placement.

Results

A total of 110 patients completed the study: 58 boys and 52 girls. The first attempt success rate was significantly higher in the Veinlite group compared with the SoC group (92.9% vs 72.2%, P < 0.004). In addition, the Veinlite group had a fewer number of attempts compared with the SoC group (1.07 ± 0.54 vs 1.31 ± 0.25, P = 0.04). The Veinlite group resulted in a shorter total time of attempts per patient compared with the SoC group (49.98 ± 18.4 vs 59.68 ± 22.5 P = 0.01).

Conclusions

The use of new technology in the Veinlite PEDI (TransLite, Sugar Land, Tex), to assist with peripheral IV access in children, improves the first time success rate for IV access. Improved visualization of veins also reduced the number of attempts and the time required for PIC placement. These results suggest that the new technology of the Veinlite results in better PIC access than Veinlite transilluminaton device with white light.
Initial Characteristics and Clinical Severity of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in Pediatric Patients Admitted in the Emergency Department
Authors: Lee Jeong-Yong , Kim Jung Heon , Lee Jong Seung , Ryu Jeong-Min , Seo Jong Jin , Im Ho Joon
Published: May 2018

Objectives

The diagnosis and management of children with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) admitted in the emergency department (ED) are challenging. The present study aimed at describing the initial characteristics of pediatric patients with HLH upon admission in the ED. Moreover, the clinical severity of the condition was assessed.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study of patients who visited the pediatric ED and were newly diagnosed with HLH during hospitalization between February 2012 and January 2017. The patients were classified in the clinically unstable group if at least 1 of the following conditions was observed upon admission in the ED: hypoxia requiring oxygen supplementation, hypotension requiring inotropic support, coagulopathy with prothrombin time (international normalized ratio, ≥1.5), and seizures or altered consciousness.

Results

We enrolled 31 pediatric patients with HLH, with a median age of 6.53 years (interquartile range, 1.35–13.24 years). Abdominal discomfort along with fever (74.2%) was the most common presenting symptom in patients admitted in the ED. Based on the HLH-2004 diagnostic criteria, fever (96.8%), hyperferritinemia (96.8%), splenomegaly (74.2%), hypertriglyceridemia and/or hypofibrinogenemia (67.7%), and bicytopenia (41.9%) were observed in the patients. However, only 8 patients (25.8%) met the criteria. Nineteen patients (61.3%) were included in the clinically unstable group. This group had lower albumin (2.3 vs 3.3 g/dL, P = 0.002) and fibrinogen levels and higher ferritin level and neutrophil count than the clinically stable group. Meanwhile, the number of clinical findings that met the diagnostic criteria was not different between the 2 groups. Lower albumin level was a significant risk factor in the clinically unstable group (odds ratio, 0.040; P = 0.004).

Conclusions

Pediatric patients with HLH often have clinically unstable conditions upon admission in the ED. However, only few patients meet the HLH-2004 diagnostic criteria. Lower albumin level may be useful in assessing clinically unstable patients and preparing for possible deterioration.
Fitz-Hugh–Curtis Syndrome in Adolescent Females
Authors: Khine Hnin , Wren Sarah B. , Rotenberg Ohad , Goldman David L.
Published: May 2018

Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome is an extrapelvic manifestation of sexually transmitted infections. Partly because of the lack of specific clinical and laboratory features, this diagnosis is often missed or delayed. We describe a series of cases of patients with Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome, where the diagnosis was initially not recognized and patients underwent extensive evaluations for their symptoms. Based on our experience, we also describe shared historical and physical features that may be useful in enhancing the recognition of patients with this disease.
Understanding Patient Expectations of Lymphedema Surgery
Authors: Fahradyan Artur , El-Sabawi Bassim , Patel Ketan M.
Published: May 2018

Background:

Patients with lymphedema refractory to medical treatment often have unrealistic expectations for lymphedema surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess patient expectations following lymphedema surgery.

Methods:

Patients presenting to the clinic for initial evaluation for lymphedema surgery were offered to complete a survey designed to evaluate their expectations for limb appearance, limb function, and overall well-being following lymphedema surgery. The patients were instructed to score each item using a five-point scale for improvement. A mean expectation score was calculated, which was then used to estimate the effects of preoperative variables on patients expectations using multiple regression analysis.

Results:

A total of 21 women and two men with a mean age of 60 years completed the survey. The upper limbs were affected in 10 patients and the lower limbs were affected in 13 patients. Physicians were the initial source of information about lymphedema surgery as a potential treatment option in 10 patients (43 percent), and a majority of the patients [n = 15 (65.2 percent)] thought that the physicians had fair or poor knowledge about lymphedema surgery. Significant or complete improvement was expected by 43.4 to 73.9 percent of patients. Patients’ level of education, the disease duration, and the initial source of information about lymphedema surgery had a statistically significant impact on patients’ expectations.

Conclusions:

Early data suggest that most patients learn about lymphedema surgery from nonphysicians, with many expecting complete or significant improvement of lymphedema-associated symptoms with surgery. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing patient expectations and providing appropriate counseling before surgery.
Current Concepts in Orthognathic Surgery
Authors: Naran Sanjay , Steinbacher Derek M. , Taylor Jesse A.
Published: May 2018

Learning Objectives:

After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Identify skeletal differences that are treated with orthognathic surgery; describe the goals of orthognathic surgery; and understand modern virtual surgical planning of orthognathic movement of the mandible, maxilla, and chin. 2. Appreciate the surgical principles of maxilla- versus mandible-first surgery, and orthognathic surgery before orthodontic correction; and understand when an osseous genioplasty may be beneficial, and the potency of this bony movement. 3. Appreciate the utility of fat grafting as an adjunct to orthognathic bony movements, and demonstrate understanding of the utility of orthognathic surgery in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. 4. Be aware of associated complications and be able to critically assess outcomes following orthognathic surgery.

This CME article outlines the goals of orthognathic surgery, highlighting advances in the field and current controversies. The principles of the sequencing of osteotomies are discussed and literature is reviewed that may assist in decision-making as to maxilla-first versus mandible-first surgery. The emergence of “surgery first,” in which surgery precedes orthodontics, is discussed and important parameters for patient candidacy for such a procedure are provided. The emerging standard of virtual surgical planning is described, and a video is provided that walks the reader through a planning session. Soft-tissue considerations are highlighted, especially in the context of osseous genioplasty and fat grafting to the face. The utility of orthognathic surgery in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea is discussed. The reader is provided with the most current data on complications following orthognathic surgery and advice on avoiding such pitfalls. Finally, outcome assessment focusing on the most current trend of patient-reported satisfaction and the psychological impact of orthognathic surgery are discussed.
Using average nucleotide identity to improve taxonomic assignments in prokaryotic genomes at the NCBI
Authors: Ciufo Stacy , Kannan Sivakumar , Sharma Shobha , Badretdin Azat , Clark Karen , Turner Seán , Brover Slava , Schoch Conrad L. , Kimchi Avi , DiCuccio Michael
Published: May 2018

Average nucleotide identity analysis is a useful tool to verify taxonomic identities in prokaryotic genomes, for both complete and draft assemblies. Using optimum threshold ranges appropriate for different prokaryotic taxa, we have reviewed all prokaryotic genome assemblies in GenBank with regard to their taxonomic identity. We present the methods used to make such comparisons, the current status of GenBank verifications, and recent developments in confirming species assignments in new genome submissions.
Molecular phenotyping using networks, diffusion, and topology: soft tissue sarcoma
Authors: Mathews James C , Pouryahya Maryam , Moosmüller Caroline , Kevrekidis Ioannis , Deasy Joseph O , Tannenbaum Allen
Published: May 2018

Many biological datasets are high-dimensional yet manifest an underlying order. In this paper, we describe an unsupervised data analysis methodology that operates in the setting of a multivariate dataset and a network which expresses influence between the variables of the given set. The technique involves network geometry employing the Wasserstein distance, global spectral analysis in the form of diffusion maps, and topological data analysis using the Mapper algorithm. The prototypical application is to gene expression profiles obtained from RNA-Seq experiments on a collection of tissue samples, considering only genes whose protein products participate in a known pathway or network of interest. Employing the technique, we discern several coherent states or signatures displayed by the gene expression profiles of the sarcomas in the Cancer Genome Atlas along the p53 signaling network. The signatures substantially recover the leiomyosarcoma, dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS), and synovial sarcoma histological subtype diagnoses, but they also include a new signature defined by simultaneous activation and inactivation of about a dozen genes, including activation of fibrinolysis inhibitor SERPINE1/PAI and inactivation of p53-family tumor suppressor gene P73 along with cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 2A CDKN2A/P14ARF.
Luciferase of the Japanese syllid polychaete Odontosyllis umdecimdonta
Authors: Schultz Darrin T. , Kotlobay Alexey A. , Ziganshin Rustam , Bannikov Artyom , Markina Nadezhda M. , Chepurnyh Tatiana V. , Shakhova Ekaterina S. , Palkina Ksenia , Haddock Steven H.D. , Yampolsky Ilia V. , Oba Yuichi
Published: May 2018

1

Odontosyllis undecimdonta is a marine syllid polychaete that produces bright internal and exuded bioluminescence. Despite over fifty years of biochemical investigation into Odontosyllis bioluminescence, the light-emitting small molecule substrate and catalyzing luciferase protein have remained a mystery. Here we describe the discovery of a bioluminescent protein fraction from O. undecimdonta, the identification of the luciferase using peptide and RNA sequencing, and the in vitro reconstruction of the bioluminescence reaction using highly purified O. undecimdonta luciferin and recombinant luciferase. Lastly, we found no identifiably homologous proteins in publicly available datasets. This suggests that the syllid polychaetes contain an evolutionarily unique luciferase among all characterized luminous taxa.

3

Highlights

The polychaete O. undecimdonta uses a luciferin-luciferase bioluminescence system

O. undecimdonta bioluminescence does not require additional cofactors

The luciferase of the Japanese fireworm is 329 amino acids long

Recombinant luciferase is not secreted when expressed in human cells

Exogenous luciferin does not seem to penetrate cell membranes-only lysate luminesces

The luciferase transcript is supported by full-length cDNA reads with 5’ and 3’ UTR
Strategic allocation of working memory resource
Authors: Yoo Aspen H. , Klyszejko Zuzanna , Curtis Clayton E. , Ji Ma Wei
Published: May 2018

Visual working memory (VWM), the brief retention of past visual information, supports a range of cognitive functions (Fukuda, Vogel, Mayr, & Awh, 2010; Johnson et al., 2013). The resource that supports VWM is limited, raising the question of how the brain allocates this limited resource to different objects. This question is even more interesting in ecological settings, in which objects are not equally important. In a psychophysical experiment, participants remembered the location of four targets with different probabilities of being tested after a delay. We then measured their memory accuracy of one of the targets. We found that participants allocated more resource to memoranda with higher priority, but underallocated resource to high- and overallocated to low-priority targets relative to the true probe probabilities. These results are well explained by a computational model in which resource is allocated to minimize expected estimation error. We replicated this finding in a second experiment in which participants bet on their memory fidelity after making the location estimate. The results of this experiment show that people 1) use information about memory quality and 2) minimize error even with an incentivized, alternative resource allocation strategy. Humans may mitigate the behavioral effects of a limited VWM through knowledge of memory fidelity and strategic resource allocation.
Piperazine-based HIV-1 entry inhibitors: Massive in silico library design and screening for gp120 attachment inhibitors
Authors: Castillo-Pazos Durbis J. , Romo-Mancillas Antonio , Barroso-Flores Joaquín
Published: May 2018

HIV-1 attachment, despite being an ideal target stage to stop infection from the beginning, remains as one of the HIV lifecycle phases with less amount of designed and commercially available inhibitors. To contribute to the urgently needed discovery of new active compounds that could become part of the current highly active antiretroviral therapy, and as an attempt to explore a massive chemical space, high-throughput virtual screening of 16.3 million combinatorially generated and piperazine-cored compounds, was accomplished. Docking calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, and QSAR analyses were carried out to assess the suitability of each ligand to bind gp120 envelope glycoprotein, thus preventing it from binding to CD4 co-receptor. Ligand 255 stands out as a promising candidate to be tested beyond computational methodologies, and the 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindole fragment is reported as a better group to bind inside the Phe43 cavity than the substituted indoles reported in the literature.
CD95/Fas ligand mRNA is toxic to cells
Authors: Putzbach William , Haluck-Kangas Ashley , Gao Quan Q. , Sarshad Aishe A. , Bartom Elizabeth T. , Stults Austin M. , Qadir Abdul S. , Hafner Markus , Peter Marcus E.
Published: May 2018

CD95/Fas ligand binds to the death receptor CD95 to induce apoptosis in sensitive cells. We previously reported the CD95L mRNA is enriched in sequences that, when converted to si/shRNAs, kill all cancer cells by targeting critical survival genes (Putzbach et al., 2017). We now report expression of full-length CD95L mRNA, itself, is highly toxic to cells and induces a similar form of cell death. We demonstrate that small (s)RNAs derived from CD95L are loaded into the RNA induced silencing complex (RISC) RISC which is required for the toxicity and that processing of CD95L mRNA into sRNAs is independent of both Dicer and Drosha. We provide evidence that in addition to the CD95L transgene a number of endogenous protein coding genes involved in regulating protein translation, particularly under low miRNA conditions, can be processed to sRNAs and loaded into the RISC suggesting a new level of cell fate regulation involving RNAi.
Original brands in competition against high quality copycats
Authors: Nguyen Hang , Gunasti Kunter
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Copycat brands offering improved product quality pose serious challenges to original brands. This paper aims to provide a better understanding of why consumers prefer copycat brands with superior product attributes and how original brands can shift this preference back by strategically leveraging brand identity cues.

Design/methodology/approach

Four experimental studies test different types of brand identity cues that original brands can use to influence consumer preferences. Logistic and linear regression analyses analyze the effects.

Findings

The results systematically show the power of brand identity cues in helping original brands reduce share loss to copycat brands using superior product attributes. They also reveal the role of brand equity, conspicuous consumption and consumers’ tendency of using brands as status symbols in enhancing the effect of brand identity cues in the face of superior copycats.

Research limitations/implications

This paper extends cue diagnosticity theory and the brand identity literature by showing the power of brand identity cues in predicting consumer choices of original brands.

Practical implications

This paper provides useful guidelines for managers of original brands on how to effectively use brand identity cues to compete against copycats.

Originality/value

Prior research focuses on how copycat brands’ characteristics influence consumers’ evaluations of copycats. These studies are limited, however, by their focus on cheap and low-quality copycats. The current paper examines the effects of brand identity cues and draws attention to the trade-offs consumers make when choosing between original brands and copycats offering superior product features.
Lazy collaborative filtering with dynamic neighborhoods
Authors: G. Suganeshwari , S.P. Syed Ibrahim , Li Gang
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the scalability issue and produce high-quality recommendation that best matches the user’s current preference in the dynamically growing datasets in the context of memory-based collaborative filtering methods using temporal information.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method is formalized as time-dependent collaborative filtering method. For each item, a set of influential neighbors is identified by using the truncated version of similarity computation based on the timestamp. Then, recent n transactions are used to generate the recommendation that reflect the recent preference of the active user. The proposed method, lazy collaborative filtering with dynamic neighborhoods (LCFDN), is further scaled up by implementing in spark using parallel processing paradigm MapReduce. The experiments conducted on MovieLens dataset reveal that LCFDN implemented on MapReduce is more efficient and achieves good performance than the existing methods.

Findings

The results of the experimental study clearly show that not all ratings provide valuable information. Recommendation system based on LCFDN increases the efficiency of predictions by selecting the most influential neighbors based on the temporal information. The pruning of the recent transactions of the user also addresses the user’s preference drifts and is more scalable when compared to state-of-art methods.

Research limitations/implications

In the proposed method, LCFDN, the neighborhood space is dynamically adjusted based on the temporal information. In addition, the LCFDN also determines the user’s current interest based on the recent preference or purchase details. This method is designed to continuously track the user’s preference with the growing dataset which makes it suitable to be implemented in the e-commerce industry. Compared with the state-of-art methods, this method provides high-quality recommendation with good efficiency.

Originality/value

The LCFDN is an extension of collaborative filtering with temporal information used as context. The dynamic nature of data and user’s preference drifts are addressed in the proposed method by dynamically adapting the neighbors. To improve the scalability, the proposed method is implemented in big data environment using MapReduce. The proposed recommendation system provides greater prediction accuracy than the traditional recommender systems.
Investigating leader-member exchange and employee envy: An evidence from the information technology industry
Authors: Nandedkar Ankur
Published: May 2018

This study investigates the dynamics of supervisor-subordinate relationship, commonly referred in leadership literature as leader-member exchange (LMX), in the context of envy, and its associated consequences. Building on the affective events theory, we hypothesize that employees who do not share a good relationship with their supervisors (low-quality LMX) will be envious of the peers that maintain great relationship (high-quality LMX) with the supervisor. As a result, they will restrict knowledge sharing, and engage in uncivil behaviors. Hierarchical regression was used to test hypotheses on data derived from a sample of 204 software engineers working across various information technology firms in India. The study found support for all of the proposed hypotheses and extends research in the field by demonstrating negative consequences of envy in the workplace.
Eli-Twist sewing thread – an alternative to conventional thread
Authors: Regar Madan Lal , Sinha Sujit Kumar , Choubisa Bhavna
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Sewing thread plays an important role in transforming a two-dimensional fabric into three-dimensional garment. Over the years, ring spinning has been dominating the yarn market because of its consistent performance. Eli-Twist spinning system, a new method of yarn manufacture, provides a product with improved mechanical and physical properties than the conventional ring-spun yarn. It is the process of producing a two-ply compact yarn with improved fibre utilisation. The purpose of this paper is to assess the feasibility of using Eli-Twist yarn as a sewing thread and to compare its performance with conventional thread.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, regular polyester and Indian cotton were used to produce the Eli-Twist and conventional TFO thread. Three different blends (100 per cent polyester, 50/50 polyester/cotton [P/C] and 100 per cent cotton) were taken to produce three different counts (39.4 tex, 29.5 tex and 23.6 tex) from each composition. The hairiness, tenacity, breaking elongation and coefficient of yarn-to-metal friction of threads were tested and a comparative analysis was made. The seam performance of all the threads was judged by seam strength, seam efficiency and seam elongation.

Findings

The results show that the mass irregularity and imperfections are more or less similar for both types of threads. Eli-Twist sewing thread has shown less friction, less hairiness and higher tensile strength. The Eli-Twist sewing thread was found to be better than the conventional two-ply sewing thread. The seam performance parameters, such as seam strength, seam efficiency and seam elongation of the Eli-Twist thread showed significantly improved performance.

Originality/value

The main concern of this study is delineating the performance of the Eli-Twist sewing thread. No study in this regard has been reported so far. The improved physical and mechanical behaviour of the Eli-Twist yarn has prompted to assess its performance as sewing thread.
Mapping information literacy using the Business Research Competencies
Authors: Howard Heather A. , Wood Nora , Stonebraker Ilana
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Librarians in higher education have adopted curriculum mapping in an effort to determine where effective information literacy instruction can help fill gaps in the curriculum and prepare students for both coursework and future research demands. While curriculum mapping has been used widely across academia, few studies have considered business curriculum and the development of information literacy instruction. This paper aims to provide an overview of the current landscape of curriculum mapping across business courses at two institutions and a replicable methodology for other institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors will examine two case studies at large research universities that evaluate curriculum mapping against the BRASS Business Research Competencies at the undergraduate and the graduate business levels.

Findings

This study found that the Business Research Competencies are a valid method to evaluate in both case studies. Curriculum mapping also uncovered various gaps in business education across the curricula at both institutions and led to open discussions with faculty in an effort to improve the success of students both during their degree programs and into their careers.

Originality/value

This study provides a framework and methodology for evaluating business curriculums against robust standards to improve student success. With examples from undergraduate and graduate programs, the results of this project promise to have long-lasting implications on the development of curriculums across business programs, including the value of librarian support in developing Business Research Competencies.
Personal values and value congruence of public administration graduate students: An exploratory study in China
Authors: Zhong Wei , Bao Yuanjie
Published: May 2018

Explorations on the value profiles of current and prospective public organisation employees in China are scarce. The current study investigates this critical issue. Data were collected via a questionnaire from graduate students enrolled in a school of public administration in China. The sample consisted of both full‐time students who were prepared to pursue their careers in public organisations upon graduation, and part‐time students who were mostly public organisation employees. Multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVAs) and analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) were used for data analysis. The results show that there are consistent value preferences among all students, and some noteworthy patterns in the relationship between value profiles and demographic and work‐related features. The results also shed light on whether a unique value set could differentiate various types of organisations, and demonstrate that employees in the core public service perceive higher level of value congruence than those in parapublic sectors. These findings provide implications and insights for the management practices in public organisations.
Rapid Quantitative Analysis of Multiple Explosive Compound Classes on a Single Instrument via Flow‐Injection Analysis Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Ostrinskaya Alla , Kunz Roderick R. , Clark Michelle , Kingsborough Richard P. , Ong Ta‐Hsuan , Deneault Sandra
Published: May 2018

A flow‐injection analysis tandem mass spectrometry (FIA MSMS) method was developed for rapid quantitative analysis of 10 different inorganic and organic explosives. Performance is optimized by tailoring the ionization method (APCI/ESI), de‐clustering potentials, and collision energies for each specific analyte. In doing so, a single instrument can be used to detect urea nitrate, potassium chlorate, 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene, 2,4,6‐trinitrophenylmethylnitramine, triacetone triperoxide, hexamethylene triperoxide diamine, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, 1,3,5‐trinitroperhydro‐1,3,5‐triazine, nitroglycerin, and octohy‐dro‐1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocine with sensitivities all in the picogram per milliliter range. In conclusion, FIA APCI/ESI MSMS is a fast (<1 min/sample), sensitive (~pg/mL LOQ), and precise (intraday RSD < 10%) method for trace explosive detection that can play an important role in criminal and attributional forensics, counterterrorism, and environmental protection areas, and has the potential to augment or replace several of the existing explosive detection methods.
The price of protection: a defensive endosymbiont impairs nymph growth in the bird cherry‐oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi
Authors: Leybourne Daniel J. , Bos Jorunn I. B. , Valentine Tracy A. , Karley Alison J.
Published: May 2018

Bacterial endosymbionts have enabled aphids to adapt to a range of stressors, but their effects in many aphid species remain to be established. The bird cherry‐oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (Linnaeus), is an important pest of cereals worldwide and has been reported to form symbiotic associations with Serratia symbiotica and Sitobion miscanthi L‐type symbiont endobacteria, although the resulting aphid phenotype has not been described. This study presents the first report of R. padi infection with the facultative bacterial endosymbiont Hamiltonella defensa. Individuals of R. padi were sampled from populations in Eastern Scotland, UK, and shown to represent seven R. padi genotypes based on the size of polymorphic microsatellite markers; two of these genotypes harbored H. defensa. In parasitism assays, survival of H. defensa‐infected nymphs following attack by the parasitoid wasp Aphidius colemani (Viereck) was 5 fold higher than for uninfected nymphs. Aphid genotype was a major determinant of aphid performance on two Hordeum species, a modern cultivar of barley H. vulgare and a wild relative H. spontaneum, although aphids infected with H. defensa showed 16% lower nymph mass gain on the partially resistant wild relative compared with uninfected individuals. These findings suggest that deploying resistance traits in barley will favor the fittest R. padi genotypes, but symbiont‐infected individuals will be favored when parasitoids are abundant, although these aphids will not achieve optimal performance on a poor quality host plant.
CEO risk‐taking incentives and relative performance evaluation
Authors: Black Dirk E.
Published: May 2018

This paper examines how changes in CEO risk‐taking incentives are associated with changes in the use of relative performance evaluation (RPE) in CEO contracts. Using a shock to the accounting for executive stock options (FAS 123R), I confirm that risk‐taking incentives and option grants declined following FAS 123R using a within‐firm design, but not a within‐CEO‐firm design. Decreased risk‐taking incentives lead executives to invest in projects with lower systematic risk and can result in reduced incentives to hedge exposure to systematic risk in CEO compensation contracts via RPE. However, CEO relative risk aversion increases with decreases in risk‐taking incentives, potentially increasing incentives to protect CEO wealth from systematic performance via RPE. Testing these competing predictions, I find modest evidence consistent with reduced RPE surrounding FAS 123R, suggesting that when CEO risk‐taking incentives are reduced, so are incentives to shield CEO pay from systematic performance.
Validated quantitative trait loci for eggshell quality in experimental and commercial laying hens
Authors: Tuiskula‐Haavisto M. , Honkatukia M. , Dunn I. C. , Bain M. M. , De Koning D. J. , Preisinger R. , Schmutz M. , Arango J. , Fischer D. , Vilkki J.
Published: May 2018

Compromised eggshell quality causes considerable economic losses for the egg industry. Breeding for improved eggshell quality has been very challenging. Eggshell quality is a trait that would greatly benefit from marker‐assisted selection, which would allow the selection of sires for their direct contribution to the trait and would also allow implementation of measurements integrating a number of shell parameters that are difficult to measure. In this study, we selected the most promising autosomal quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting eggshell quality on chromosomes 2, 3, 6 and 14 from earlier experiments and we extended the F2 population to include 1599 F2 females. The study was repeated on two commercial populations: Lohmann Tierzucht Rhode Island Red line (n = 692 females) and a Hy‐Line White Plymouth Rock line (n = 290 progeny tested males). We analyzed the selected autosomal QTL regions on the three populations with SNP markers at 4–13 SNPs/Mb density. QTL for eggshell quality were replicated on all studied regions in the F2 population. New QTL were detected for eggshell color on chromosomes 3 and 6. Marker associations with eggshell quality traits were validated in the tested commercial lines on chromosomes 2, 3 and 6, thus paving the way for marker‐assisted selection for improved eggshell quality.
Influence of maternal obesity on Bishop Score and failed induction of labour: A retrospective cohort study in a regional tertiary centre
Authors: Little Jessica , Nugent Rachael , Vangaveti Venkat
Published: May 2018

Background

Maternal obesity is a growing health concern that has previously been associated with increased need for induction of labour (IOL) and caesarean section (CS) rates. Currently, limited evidence explores the influence of maternal body mass index (BMI) on Bishop Score (BS) and outcome of IOL. This study hypothesises that maternal obesity will lead to a lower BS at presentation, higher rates of failed IOL, and increased CS rates.

Aims

To explore the influence of maternal obesity on BS and likelihood of failed IOL.

Methods

A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted of all live, term, singleton, cephalic deliveries initiated with IOL across normal BMI (18.00–24.99), overweight BMI (25.00–29.99), and obese BMI (>30.00) at the Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) between July 2011 to June 2016. Student’s t‐test, χ2 test, and binary logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. BS and failed IOL, defined as CS with cervical dilatation <3 cm, were the primary outcome measures. Delivery mode was the secondary outcome measure.

Results

A total of 1543 women were included, 678 with normal BMI, 370 with overweight BMI, and 495 with obese BMI. Obese women are more likely to have a low BS (<5) at presentation (unadjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.5 (1.1–2.0), P < 0.05), an increased rate of failed IOL (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.6 (1.0–2.5), P < 0.05) and increased CS rate (aOR 1.1 (1.0–1.9), P < 0.05), compared to normal weight women.

Conclusions

Maternal obesity is associated with a lower BS, more difficult IOL process, and increased risk of failed IOL and CS.
Evolution of the central West Greenland margin and the Nuussuaq Basin: Localised basin uplift along a stable continental margin proposed from thermochronological data
Authors: Jess Scott , Stephenson Randell , Brown Roderick
Published: May 2018

The Late Cenozoic is typically considered a time of widespread episodic tectonic uplift along the West Greenland continental margin (36–2 Ma), similar to other margins across the North Atlantic, such as Norway, East Greenland and the UK. The present study re‐examines and remodels onshore thermochronological data from central West Greenland and the Cretaceous Nuussuaq Basin, utilising a Bayesian modelling approach and new concepts related to radiation damage within apatite. These new thermal histories indicate that slow‐protracted cooling has occurred across the southern extent of the margin during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic, whereas those from within the Nuussuaq Basin display reheating through the Late Cretaceous/Palaeogene and cooling to present. Results suggest that no significant Late Cenozoic uplift has occurred along the southern margin, while cooling in the Nuussuaq Basin is consistent with events outlined in the basin's stratigraphy and implies uplift during volcanism and an isostatic response to the unroofing of the lithosphere has elevated the modern topography. These results imply significant tectonism in the region ceased by ~45 Ma, yet have wider implications regarding how low temperature thermochronology data are treated and our understanding of the postrift evolution of passive margins.
Cardiac repolarization and depolarization in people with Type 1 diabetes with normal ejection fraction and without known heart disease: a case‐control study
Authors: Isaksen J. L. , Graff C. , Ellervik C. , Jensen J. S. , Rossing P. , Kanters J. K. , Jensen M. T.
Published: May 2018

Aims

To investigate depolarization and repolarization durations in people with Type 1 diabetes, including the relationship to age.

Methods

855 persons with Type 1 diabetes without known heart disease were included and matched with 1710 participants from a general population study. Clinical examinations, questionnaires and biochemistry were assessed. A 10‐second 12‐lead ECG was performed and analysed digitally.

Results

QTc was longer in people with Type 1 diabetes compared to controls (414±16 vs. 411±19 ms, P <0.001), and particularly so in young people with Type 1 diabetes. The fully adjusted increase was 13.8 ms (95% confidence interval (CI): 8.6–19.0 ms, P <0.001) at age 20 years and 3.4 ms (CI: 1.5–5.3 ms, P<0.001) at age 40 years. The rate‐corrected QRSc was increased in people with Type 1 diabetes (97±11 vs. 95±11 ms, P <0.001) and was age‐independent (P =0.5). JTc was increased in the young people with Type 1 diabetes (10.7 ms (CI: 5.4–16.0 ms, P <0.001) at age 20 years), but not in older people with Type 1 diabetes (interaction age‐diabetes, P <0.01).

Conclusions

For people with Type 1 diabetes, cardiac depolarization is increased at all ages, whereas repolarization is increased only relatively in young people with Type 1 diabetes. Hence, young people with Type 1 diabetes may be more prone to ventricular arrhythmias. The findings contribute to the understanding of sudden cardiac death in young people with Type 1 diabetes.
No further improvement in pregnancy‐related outcomes in the offspring of mothers with pre‐gestational diabetes in Bavaria, Germany, between 2001 and 2016
Authors: Beyerlein A. , Lack N. , von Kries R.
Published: May 2018

Aims

To investigate whether there has been further improvement in the risk of adverse outcomes in pregnancies in women with diabetes during 2008–2016 in Bavaria, Germany.

Methods

Using cross‐sectional data on all 1716 170 deliveries in Bavarian hospitals between 2001 and 2016, we assessed the risks of stillbirth, early neonatal death, preterm delivery, large for gestational age, malformations, low Apgar score and low umbilical cord pH by maternal group with diabetes (gestational, pre‐gestational, or none) separately for 2001–2007 and 2008–2016. We also investigated the associations of specific risk factors such as maternal smoking with respect to early mortality and malformations in each group with diabetes during 2008–2016.

Results

No further reduction in the risk for any adverse outcome in mothers with pre‐gestational diabetes and their offspring during 2008–2016 was observed. Maternal smoking, multiple delivery and substandard antenatal care were the strongest additional predictors of both early perinatal mortality and malformations for mothers with pre‐gestational diabetes. The respective risks were lower and also decreased over time for mothers with gestational diabetes.

Conclusions

No significant improvement has been achieved in the management of pregnancies affected by pre‐gestational diabetes during the last decade. The apparent risk reductions in women with gestational diabetes may partly be due to a change in diagnostic criteria over time. Women with pre‐gestational diabetes who smoke, carry more than one child, or are not regularly seen during pregnancy, may need particular attention.
Vertical stratification of scolytine beetles in temperate forests
Authors: Procházka Jiří , Cizek Lukas , Schlaghamerský Jiří
Published: May 2018

Although most studies exploring the vertical distribution of arthropods in forests have been limited to discrete comparisons between understorey and canopy, few have sampled across multiple heights.

We studied vertical distribution of scolytine beetle flight activity in temperate lowland broadleaf and montane beech‐fir forests using flight interception traps arranged in vertical transects with traps placed 0.4, 1.2, 7, 14, and 21 m above ground. In each forest type 15 vertical transects (75 traps) were used.

The assemblages sampled at 0.4 and 1.2 m above ground (undergrowth) clearly differed from those at 7, 14, and 21 m (midstorey and canopy).

Ambrosia‐fungi feeder abundance peaked at 1.2 m in the mountains, whereas in the lowland they were almost evenly distributed from 1.2 to 21 m. Phloem feeders were significantly more abundant in the midstorey and canopy than in the undergrowth.

Height preferences of eleven species were identified. Four species were associated with traps exposed at 7, 14, or 21 m, whereas seven species were associated with the height of 1.2 m. No species was associated with the 0.4 m height.

To cover entire scolytine assemblages of forest stands, sampling should thus not be restricted to the usually sampled understorey level, but also cover the canopy.
Exploitation of lettuce waste flour to increase bread functionality: effect on physical, nutritional, sensory properties and on consumer response
Authors: Plazzotta Stella , Sillani Sandro , Manzocco Lara
Published: May 2018

Phenol and fibre‐rich flour obtained by air‐drying and grinding of lettuce waste was partially substituted (26, 53, 170 and 575 g kg−1) to wheat flour to produce functional bread. The addition of flour progressively decreased dough leavening capacity while increased bread moisture and firmness. Lettuce waste flour significantly increased the polyphenolic content (up to 3.4 g GAE kg−1) of bread samples and enhanced their antioxidant activity by 200%. Bread containing 170 and 575 g kg−1 of lettuce waste flour presented sensory properties and consumer acceptability comparable to those of commercial wholemeal bread with similar rye bran content. Bread containing at least 170 g kg−1 of lettuce waste flour could be associated to nutritional claims related to its enhanced fibre content (>30 g kg−1). Data obtained by conjoint analysis demonstrate the possibility of increasing consumer preference for lettuce waste flour bread by proper nutritional (fibre content) and sustainability (lettuce waste valorisation) claims.
Physicians' Views on Advance Care Planning and End‐of‐Life Care Conversations
Authors: Fulmer Terry , Escobedo Marcus , Berman Amy , Koren Mary Jane , Hernández Sandra , Hult Angela
Published: May 2018

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate physicians' views on advance care planning, goals of care, and end‐of‐life conversations.

DESIGN

Random sample telephone survey.

SETTING

United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Physicians (primary care specialists; pulmonology, cardiology, oncology subspecialists) actively practicing medicine and regularly seeing patients aged 65 and older (N=736; 81% male, 75% white, 66% aged ≥50.

MEASUREMENTS

A 37‐item telephone survey constructed by a professional polling group with national expert oversight measured attitudes and perceptions of barriers and facilitators to advance care planning. Summative data are presented here.

RESULTS

Ninety‐nine percent of participants agreed that it is important to have end‐of‐life conversations, yet only 29% reported that they have formal training for such conversations. Those most likely to have training included younger physicians and those caring for a racially and ethnically diverse population. Patient values and preferences were the strongest motivating factors in having advance care planning conversations, with 92% of participants rating it extremely important. Ninety‐five percent of participants reported that they supported a new Medicare fee‐for‐service benefit reimbursing advance care planning. The biggest barrier mentioned was time availability. Other barriers included not wanting a patient to give up hope and feeling uncomfortable.

CONCLUSION

With more than half of physicians reporting that they feel educationally unprepared, there medical school curricula need to be strengthened to ensure readiness for end‐of‐life conversations. Clinician barriers need to be addressed to meet the needs of older adults and families. Policies that focus on payment for quality should be evaluated at regular intervals to monitor their effect on advance care planning.