bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Figure‐of‐eight sutures for hemostasis result in shorter lab recovery time after ablation for atrial fibrillation
Authors: Payne Joshua , Bickel Trent , Gautam Sandeep
Published: June 2018

Background

Ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) requires multiple venous sheaths and anticoagulation with heparin, both risk factors for bleeding complications. Manual compression (MC) with heparin reversal is the standard method to achieve venous hemostasis postablation; however, temporary figure‐of‐eight sutures (F8S) are an alternative. While this technique has been shown to be safe and effective, little is known about its effect on postprocedural recovery time.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, consecutive patients who underwent AF radiofrequency ablation over a 23‐month period were reviewed for type of hemostasis (manual compression or figure‐of‐eight suture), demographics, periprocedural anticoagulation, groin complications, and procedural duration.

Results

A total of 104 patients were included (42 in the MC group and 62 in the F8S group). The two groups were similar for mean age, gender, weight, oral anticoagulant use, and procedural heparin dosing. Access site complications were 4.76% versus 3.23% (P = 0.68). Time from procedure end to sheath removal was lower in the F8S group (16.2 ± 8.47 vs 4.25 ± 4.14 min, P < 0.0001). Overall time from procedure end to hemostasis was 36.1 ± 10.1 min in the MC group versus 7.9 ± 5.6 in the F8S group (P < 0.0001). Times to extubation and transport out of the lab were both significantly lower in the F8S group (34.1 ± 14.6 vs 13.5 ± 5.4 min, and 44 ± 14.6 vs 21.9 ± 6.7 min, respectively, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Figure‐of‐eight sutures provided efficient hemostasis following AF ablation, with significantly reduced postprocedure recovery time including time to hemostasis, extubation, and transport out of the lab.
Guidelines and checklists for short‐term missions in global pediatric surgery
Authors: Butler Marilyn , Drum Elizabeth , Evans Faye M. , Fitzgerald Tamara , Fraser Jason , Holterman Ai‐Xuan , Jen Howard , Kynes Matthew , Kreiss Jenny , McClain Craig D. , Newton Mark , Nwomeh Benedict , O'Neill James , Ozgediz Doruk , Politis George , Rice Henry , Rothstein David , Sanchez Julie , Singleton Mark , Yudkowitz Francine S.
Published: June 2018

Pediatric surgeons, anesthesia providers, and nurses from North America and other high‐income countries are increasingly engaged in resource‐limited areas, with short‐term missions as the most common form of involvement. However, consensus recommendations currently do not exist for short‐term missions in pediatric general surgery and associated perioperative care. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Delivery of Surgical Care Subcommittee and American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) Global Pediatric Surgery Committee, with the American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association, Inc. (APSNA) Global Health Special Interest Group, and the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia (SPA) Committee on International Education and Service generated consensus recommendations for short‐term missions based on extensive experience with short‐term missions. Three distinct, but related areas were identified: (i) Broad goals of surgical partnerships between high‐income countries and low‐ and middle‐income countries. A previous set of guidelines published by the Global Paediatric Surgery Network Collaborative (GPSN) was endorsed by all groups; (ii) Guidelines for the conduct of short‐term missions were developed, including planning, in‐country perioperative patient care, post‐trip follow‐up, and sustainability; and (iii) travel and safety considerations critical to short‐term mission success were enumerated. A diverse group of stakeholders developed these guidelines for short‐term missions in low‐ and middle‐income countries. These guidelines may be a useful tool to ensure safe, responsible, and ethical short‐term missions given increasing engagement of high‐income country providers in this work.
Ethylene promotes cadmium‐induced root growth inhibition through EIN3 controlled XTH33 and LSU1 expression in Arabidopsis
Authors: Kong Xiangpei , Li Cuiling , Zhang Feng , Yu Qianqian , Gao Shan , Zhang Maolin , Tian Huiyu , Zhang Jian , Yuan Xianzheng , Ding Zhaojun
Published: June 2018

Cadmium (Cd) stress is one of the most serious heavy metal stresses limiting plant growth and development. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying Cd‐induced root growth inhibition remain unclear. Here, we found that ethylene signalling positively regulates Cd‐induced root growth inhibition. Arabidopsis seedlings pretreated with the ethylene precursor 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid exhibited enhanced Cd‐induced root growth inhibition, whereas the addition of the ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor aminoethoxyvinyl glycine decreased Cd‐induced root growth inhibition. Consistently, ethylene‐insensitive mutants, such as ein4‐1, ein3‐1 eil1‐1 double mutant, and EBF1ox, displayed an increased tolerance to Cd. Furthermore, we also observed that Cd inhibited EIN3 protein degradation, a process that was regulated by ethylene signalling. Genetic and biochemical analyses showed that EIN3 enhanced root growth inhibition under Cd stress through direct binding to the promoters and regulating the expression of XTH33 and LSU1, which encode key regulators of cell wall extension and sulfur metabolic process, respectively. Collectively, our study demonstrates that ethylene plays a positive role in Cd‐regulated root growth inhibition through EIN3‐mediated transcriptional regulation of XTH33 and LSU1 and provides a molecular framework for the integration of environmental signals and intrinsic regulators in modulating plant root growth.
Strigolactones in plant adaptation to abiotic stresses: An emerging avenue of plant research
Authors: Mostofa Mohammad Golam , Li Weiqiang , Nguyen Kien Huu , Fujita Masayuki , Tran Lam‐Son Phan
Published: June 2018

Phytohormones play central roles in boosting plant tolerance to environmental stresses, which negatively affect plant productivity and threaten future food security. Strigolactones (SLs), a class of carotenoid‐derived phytohormones, were initially discovered as an “ecological signal” for parasitic seed germination and establishment of symbiotic relationship between plants and beneficial microbes. Subsequent characterizations have described their functional roles in various developmental processes, including root development, shoot branching, reproductive development, and leaf senescence. SLs have recently drawn much attention due to their essential roles in the regulation of various physiological and molecular processes during the adaptation of plants to abiotic stresses. Reports suggest that the production of SLs in plants is strictly regulated and dependent on the type of stresses that plants confront at various stages of development. Recently, evidence for crosstalk between SLs and other phytohormones, such as abscisic acid, in responses to abiotic stresses suggests that SLs actively participate within regulatory networks of plant stress adaptation that are governed by phytohormones. Moreover, the prospective roles of SLs in the management of plant growth and development under adverse environmental conditions have been suggested. In this review, we provide a comprehensive discussion pertaining to SL‐mediated plant responses and adaptation to abiotic stresses.
Circadian rhythm in bipolar disorder: A review of the literature
Authors: Takaesu Yoshikazu
Published: June 2018

Sleep disturbances and circadian rhythm dysfunction have been widely demonstrated in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). Irregularity of the sleep–wake rhythm, eveningness chronotype, abnormality of melatonin secretion, vulnerability of clock genes, and the irregularity of social time cues have also been well‐documented in BD. Circadian rhythm dysfunction is prominent in BD compared with that in major depressive disorders, implying that circadian rhythm dysfunction is a trait marker of BD. In the clinical course of BD, the circadian rhythm dysfunctions may act as predictors for the first onset of BD and the relapse of mood episodes. Treatments focusing on sleep disturbances and circadian rhythm dysfunction in combination with pharmacological, psychosocial, and chronobiological treatments are believed to be useful for relapse prevention. Further studies are therefore warranted to clarify the relation between circadian rhythm dysfunction and the pathophysiology of BD to develop treatment strategies for achieving recovery in BD patients.
First liver transplantation for biliary atresia in children: The hidden effects of non‐centralization
Authors: Kohaut Jules , Guérin Florent , Fouquet Virginie , Gonzales Emmanuel , de Lambert Guénolée , Martelli Hélène , Jacquemin Emmanuel , Branchereau Sophie
Published: June 2018

The aim of our study was to determine the impact of initial orientation for medical and surgical care of children with BA on procedures and outcomes of the first LT. We retrospectively analyzed charts of children with BA who underwent first LT between 2006 and 2015. Patients were divided into two groups for comparison: a single‐center management group (from diagnosis to transplantation) and a secondarily referred group (children referred after failure of KP). We focused analysis on disease severity at transplantation, blood transfusion, and overall survival. One hundred and eighty‐five children were included. The median delay between pretransplant check‐up and transplantation was shorter in patients secondarily referred. A severe undernutrition was observed in 23.7% of children secondarily referred compared to 11.1% in children with a single‐center management (P = .024). At transplantation, INR and factor V level were higher in single‐center group patients (respectively, 67% vs 55%, P < .001 and 61% vs 49%, P = .002). The total of red blood cell and fresh frozen plasma administrated during procedure was two times higher in patients secondarily referred. Finally, patients with a single‐center management had a higher overall 12 months of survival rate (92.1% vs 83.1%, P = .033). In a country without low‐density population issues, the authors advocate an early referring to transplant center to further improving LT outcomes in children with BA.
Transplantation for infantile nephronophthisis with loss‐of‐function mutation in NPHP3: Lesson from a case
Authors: Zhang Huanxi , Luo Jiayue , Liu Longshan , Li Jun , Fu Qian , Chen Wenfang , Yang Shicong , Shang Wenjun , Wang Hongyang , Deng Ronghai , Sun Liangzhong , Zhu Xiaofeng , Wang Changxi
Published: June 2018

The choice of KT only or CLKT for infantile NPHP with mild liver fibrosis is understudied. A 5‐year‐old girl was transferred to our center for KT due to ESRD. Her primary disease was infantile NPHP with compound heterozygous NPHP3 mutations: c.458A>C(p.Q153P)/missense mutation and c.2032A>T(p. K678X)/nonsense mutation. The patient had elevated liver enzymes and biopsy‐proven liver fibrosis. As liver synthesis was acceptable, only KT was performed. However, liver fibrosis progressed at 1.5 years after transplantation, manifested with portal hypertension and hypersplenism. Common causes for portal hypertension were excluded, and the progression was attributed to NPHP. AMR attacked allograft at about 2 years post‐transplant. To solve both the liver and the kidney problems, CLKT was performed. Her liver and kidney function recovered initially, but she unfortunately died of pneumonia and subsequent intracranial hemorrhage two weeks later. Nonsense mutation in NPHP3 gene may be correlated with rapid progression of liver disease in infantile NPHP. More studies are required to determine the role of CLKT in these cases; however, combined transplantation may improve long‐term graft and patient survival.
Disentangling historical signal and pollinator selection on the micromorphology of flowers: an example from the floral epidermis of the Nymphaeaceae
Authors: Coiro M. , Barone Lumaga M. R.
Published: June 2018

The family Nymphaeaceae includes most of the diversity among the ANA‐grade angiosperms. Among the species of this family, floral structures and pollination strategies vary. The genus Victoria, as well as subgenera Lotos and Hydrocallis in Nymphaea, present night‐blooming, scented flowers pollinated by scarab beetles. Such similar pollination strategies have led to macromorphological similarities among the flowers of these species, which could be interpreted as homologies or convergences based on different phylogenetic hypotheses about the relationships of these groups.

We employed scanning electron microscopy of floral epidermis for seven species of the Nymphaeaceae with contrasting pollination biology to identify the main characters of the floral organs and the potential homologous nature of the structures involved in pollinator attraction. Moreover, we used transmission electron microscopy to observe ultrastructure of papillate‐conical epidermis in the stamen of Victoria cruziana. We then tested the phylogenetic or ecological distribution of these traits using both consensus network approaches and ancestral state reconstruction on fixed phylogenies.

Our results show that the night‐blooming flowers present different specialisations in their epidermis, with V. cruziana presenting the most elaborate floral anatomy. We also identify for the first time the presence of conical‐papillate cells in the order Nymphaeales. The epidermal characters tend to reflect phylogenetic relationships more than convergence due to pollinator selection.

These results point to an independent and parallel evolution of scarab pollination in Nymphaeaceae and demonstrate the promise of floral anatomy as a phylogenetic marker. Moreover, they indicate a degree of sophistication in the anatomical basis of cantharophilous flowers in the Nymphaeales that diverges from the most simplistic views of floral evolution in the angiosperms.
Nitric oxide on/off in fruit ripening
Authors: Corpas F. J. , Palma J. M.
Published: June 2018

Fruit ripening is a complex physiological process involving significant external and internal modifications. Classic edible fleshy fruits have been classified as climacteric or non‐climacteric according to their dependence on the phyto hormone ethylene; however, data have increasingly confirmed the involvement of the free radical nitric oxide (NO) in this process. Moreover, the exogenous application of NO demonstrates its beneficial effects on fruit quality.
Pseudoperonospora cubensis virulence and pathotype structure in Kazakhstan
Authors: Rsaliyev A. S. , Amirkhanova N. T. , Rametov N. M. , Pahratdinova Z. U. , Ojiambo P. S. , Lebeda A.
Published: June 2018

Severe epidemics of cucurbit downy mildew caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis have been observed in recent years in major cucumber‐producing regions in Kazakhstan. However, information on the pathogenic variability of P. cubensis that could facilitate screening of candidate cucumber varieties and hybrids prior to deployment for commercial production is currently not available. A total of 112 isolates were collected from 2014 to 2016 during surveys in three major cucumber‐producing regions of Kazakhstan. Single lesion isolates were tested for their compatibility with a differential host set composed of 12 genotypes. Most isolates were compatible with Cucumis sativus and C. melo subsp. melo, while none were compatible with Citrullus lanatus. Isolates differed primarily by their virulence to C. pepo subsp. pepo and Benincasa hispida. Based on the patterns of compatibility with the differential host set, 29 pathotypes were identified. Of these, 18 were associated with a specific production region, six occurred in two regions and five were present in all three regions. The number of virulence factors (VF) ranged from 2 to 10, with 65% of the pathotypes having eight or more VFs. Indices of diversity showed that virulence was very diverse within the pathogen populations. Clustering of pathotypes based on similarity in virulence showed the existence of two main clusters. The high pathogenic variability observed in this study suggests that newly developed cucumber varieties and hybrids with resistance to cucurbit downy mildew need to be evaluated against a wide range of pathotypes prior to their deployment for commercial production in Kazakhstan.
Financial development and economic growth: long‐run equilibrium and transitional dynamics
Authors: Bucci Alberto , Marsiglio Simone
Published: June 2018

We analyze the impact of financial development on economic growth. Differently from previous studies that focus mainly on balanced growth path outcomes, we also analyze the transitional dynamics of our model economy by using a finance‐extended Uzawa–Lucas framework where financial intermediation affects both human and physical capital accumulation. We show that, under certain rather general conditions, economic growth may turn out to be non‐monotonically related to financial development (as suggested by the most recent empirical evidence) and that too much finance may be detrimental to growth. We also show that the degree of financial development may affect the speed of convergence, which suggests that finance may play a crucial role in determining the length of the recovery process associated with exogenous shocks. Moreover, in a special case of the model, we observe that, under a realistic set of parameters, social welfare decreases with financial development, meaning that even when finance positively affects economic growth the short‐term costs associated with financial activities more than compensate their long‐run benefits.
Opening Pandora's box of Pristocerinae: molecular and morphological phylogenies ofApenesia(Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) reveal several hidden genera
Authors: ALENCAR ISABEL D. C. C. , WAICHERT CECILIA , AZEVEDO CELSO O.
Published: June 2018

The flat waspApenesiaWestwood is one of the largest genera in Pristocerinae with 190 species worldwide. The lack of a single diagnostic morphological character has resulted in many distinct ground plans withinApenesia. Some authors have suggestedApenesiaas polyphyletic. Here we aimed to investigate and delimit the genus based on morphological and molecular data. We analysed 163 morphological characters ontntusing ‘traditional search’, whereas Bayesian (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) inferences were performed on 1553 concatenated nucleotide base pairs from COI and 28S sequences.Apenesiawas recovered as polyphyletic in all analyses with up to 10 different lineages spread throughout the tree. We mapped female morphological characters onto the molecular tree to enlighten morphological evolution in the apterous females. Based on our morphological and molecular analyses, and on the taxonomic revision of holotypes and specimens, we propose six new genera in the Pristocerinae and revalidate the generic status of two:Acrenesiagen.n.,Austranesiagen.n.,Cleistepyrisstat. rev.,Dracunesiagen.n.,Eleganesiagen.n.,Epynesiagen.n.,Pristonesiagen.n., andPropristocerastat. rev.We also propose four new generic synonymies:Neoapenesiasyn.n.underApenesia,Dipristocerasyn.n.underCleistepyris,Afrocerasyn.n.andNeopristocerasyn.n.underPropristocera. At the species level, we indicateApenesia minorsyn.n.underPropristocera tagala. In all, 162 new combinations, eight reinstated combinations and one new name to avoid homonymy are proposed.Apenesiais now defined as flat wasps having males with the mesoscutum gibbous, the genitalia with the paramere narrow and densely hairy, and the aedeagus with the ventral apical lobe elliptical and covered with lumps. Females ofApenesiacan be distinguished from other Pristocerinae by having the head wider than the mesosoma, the antennae short, the mandible long, and the clypeus surpassing the toruli in the frons. This study reinforces the difficulties in definingApenesiaand other Pristocerinae genera.

This published work has been registered in ZooBank,http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:65FB3087‐0F30‐4851‐B1BA‐ED6E4518B958.
Engaging myosin VI tunes motility, morphology and identity in endocytosis
Authors: Ritt Michael , Sivaramakrishnan Sivaraj
Published: June 2018

While unconventional myosins interact with different stages of the endocytic pathway, they are ascribed a transport function that is secondary to the protein complexes that control organelle identity. Endosomes are subject to a dynamic, continuous flux of proteins that control their characteristic properties, including their motility within the cell. Efforts to describe the changes in identity of this compartment have largely focused on the adaptors present on the compartment and not on the motile properties of the compartment itself. In this study, we use a combination of optogenetic and chemical‐dimerization strategies to target exogenous myosin VI to early endosomes, and probe its influence on organelle motility, morphology and identity. Our analysis across timescales suggests a model wherein the artificial engagement of myosin VI motility on early endosomes restricts microtubule‐based motion, followed by morphological changes characterized by the rapid condensation and disintegration of organelles, ultimately leading to the enhanced overlap of markers that demarcate endosomal compartments. Together, our findings show that synthetic engagement of myosin VI motility is sufficient to alter organelle homeostasis in the endocytic pathway.
Assessment of the compensation point ofCirsium arvenseand effects of competition, root weight and burial depth on below‐ground dry weight – leaf stage trajectories
Authors: Verwijst T , Tavaziva V J , Lundkvist A
Published: June 2018

Farmers are recommended to employ mechanical control whenCirsium arvenseis most sensitive to disturbance. Earlier studies suggest that this occurs at a stage of minimum below‐ground dry weight, coinciding with three to seven or seven to ten leaves per shoot, depending on the definition of below‐ground dry weight. However, some farmers notice better effects when mechanical control is performed at earlier leaf stages. To estimate the compensation point (CP), defined as the minimum weight of the entire below‐ground structure ofC. arvenseand to further understand links between initial root weight, planting depth and crop competition, three outdoor pot experiments were performed in Sweden in 2013‐2014. We hypothesised that (i)CPlikely occurs beforeC. arvensehas developed three leaves, (ii) relative depletion of the below‐ground system atCPis less at lower initial root weight compared with higher weight, and (iii) methodological variations inCPestimations have minor impact on the results. We found that theCPforC. arvensein all treatments occurred before shoots had developed three leaves and that treatment effects were minor (<0.5 leaf stages). Leaf and leaf stage definitions, choice of leaf range and model also had minor effects onCPestimates. Depletion of planted root fragments ceased around leaf stages 3‐4, and their partial replenishment also constitutes evidence for aCPat early leaf stages. For agronomy, our results imply that mechanical control ofC. arvenseshould be performed earlier than previously recommended, probably before reaching an average of three to four leaves per shoot.
Co‐operative versus non‐co‐operative farmers' weed control decisions in an agricultural landscape
Authors: Gonzalez‐Andujar J L
Published: June 2018

This study presents a simple landscape model of the influence of seed dispersal on weed population dynamics between fields. In the model, three fields are interconnected through weed seed dispersal, where seed might move with field equipment, in irrigation water or may be wind‐dispersed. The model is intended to characterise the impact of field‐level weed management decisions on landscape‐level weed population dynamics. Two simple scenarios were studied. The first simulates farmers adopting common effective methods of control on each of the three fields. In the second scenario, farmers manage the weed population independently on each of the three fields. In the first scenario, weed populations were driven to extinction as might be expected with uniformly high levels of weed suppression in each of the three fields. In the second scenario, when the two nearest fields in the sequence experienced control, the weed population was driven to extinction in the second field but not in the first where weed populations were able to survive in spite of high levels of suppression. The results suggest that control measures within a field may not adequately reflect their impact on weed population dynamics when between field seed movement occurs. Another important result is the importance of proximity and spatial arrangement of fields and the resulting influence on weed population dynamics within a field.
History of very thick film and bulk sample group IIIB, IVB, VB, and rare earth materials for various vacuum applications
Authors: Provo James L.
Published: June 2018

Thick occluder film and bulk hydride materials are extremely hard to produce without flaking or cracking. This paper discusses methods of how to prepare thick films and bulk samples (i.e., rods and wires) that have reduced stress for many applications. These include accelerator research for cancer therapy, intense neutron sources, particle-beam fusion diagnostic beam focusing studies, and mass spectrometer calibration. Thick films of ∼(≥3000 to 150 000 nm thickness of various hydrides are sensitive to oxidation and are easily contaminated by improper handling. They must be specially prepared to reduce internal stresses due to temperature variations during processing, stresses due to hydriding, and substrate configuration (i.e., curved surfaces). Discussed are techniques developed at the General Electric Neutron Devices Department, in Largo, FL, in the mid-1970s to the late 1990s to produce flaking and crack free samples of thick films and bulk samples. Items studied include Er, Sc, and Ti thick film hydrides on a Cr underlay, on various substrates, Er and Sc bulk rod samples for the first basic material heat capacity and thermal diffusivity studies as a function of hydride loading, Nb and V wires in bundles of ∼30 wires, for the first tritide neutron vibration spectra studies, and Ti wires for mass spectrometer calibration studies. Film samples were prepared by standard E-beam evaporation techniques and then non-air-exposure loaded. Bulk samples were loaded with a Sievert's precise gas quantity loading system. To produce reduced intrinsic stress (strain) in samples of Er, Sc, and Ti thick films, and bulk samples of Er, Sc, Nb, V, and Ti, special processing employing slow bakeout heating and cool down rates, slow film deposition rates, slow leak in pressure hydriding rates, followed by slow cooling rates to room temperature were used. Using the process described, very successful results were obtained.
Observations of wind-generated noise by the tropical cyclone
Authors: Li Fenghua , Xu Dong , Wang Jingyan , Luo Wenyu
Published: June 2018

An analysis of the measured ocean noise during the tropical cyclone period is presented. While the observed noise is highly correlated with wind, this study reveals the dispersion of noise spectra. A wind-driven noise model within the framework of the bubble oscillation is developed. The noise spectrum for frequencies from hundreds of hertz to kilohertz due to the effective bubble oscillation within the bubble cloud is assumed instead of the collective bubble oscillation. The proposed model addresses the arbitrarily-shaped bubble clouds in a stratified ocean and the relation between the wind speed and the noise level, and these aspects develop from the existing models in the literature. The wind-driven ocean noise spectrum is estimated as a function of frequency and wind speed based on available information of the bubble creation rate. The comparison shows that the proposed model with optimized oceanographic parameters could fit the noise spectra of data for the frequencies from about 0.5 to 4 kHz, which indicates that the modified model based on the bubble oscillations within the bubble clouds could account for the mechanism of wind-generated noise data.
Perceptual evaluation of measures of spectral variance
Authors: Agus Natalie , Anderson Hans , Chen Jer-Ming , Lui Simon , Herremans Dorien
Published: June 2018

In many applications, it is desirable to achieve a signal that is as close as possible to ideal white noise. One example is in the design of an artificial reverberator, whereby there is a need for its lossless prototype output from an impulse input to be perceptually white as much as possible. The Ljung-Box test, the Drouiche test, and the Wiener Entropy—also called the Spectral Flatness Measure—are three well-known methods for quantifying the similarity of a given signal to ideal white noise. In this paper, listening tests are conducted to measure the Just Noticeable Difference (JND) on the perception of white noise, which is the JND between ideal Gaussian white noise and noise with a specified deviation from the flat spectrum. This paper reports the JND values using one of these measures of whiteness, which is the Ljung-Box test. This paper finds considerable disagreement between the Ljung-Box test and the other two methods and shows that none of the methods is a significantly better predictor of listeners' perception of whiteness. This suggests a need for a whiteness test that is more closely correlated to human perception.
Experimental investigations on sound energy propagation in acoustically coupled volumes using a high-spatial resolution scanning system
Authors: Xiang Ning , Alamuru Aditya , Witew Ingo B. , Vorländer Michael
Published: June 2018

The aim of this work is to study the sound field distribution in an experimental scale-model of two coupled rooms. An automatic scanning mechanism moves a microphone in small grid steps to measure room impulse responses at each grid point. The measurements cover the entire two-dimensional area of the coupled rooms. Sound energy distributions can be analyzed in the form of animated visual displays, revealing sound propagation across the coupling aperture and inside each room. This paper describes the measurement results, and the analysis method, which offer deep insights into the temporal development of a sound field in coupled spaces.
The ion channel TRPM7 is required for B cell lymphopoiesis
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Mithunah , Buhari Fathima Hifza Mohamed , Zhao Tiantian , Brauer Patrick M. , Burrows Kyle , Cao Eric Yixiao , Moxley-Paquette Vincent , Mortha Arthur , Zúñiga-Pflücker Juan Carlos , Treanor Bebhinn
Published: June 2018

B cell development is critically impaired by loss of the channel-kinase TRPM7.
Lgl reduces endosomal vesicle acidification and Notch signaling by promoting the interaction between Vap33 and the V-ATPase complex
Authors: Portela Marta , Yang Liu , Paul Sayantanee , Li Xia , Veraksa Alexey , Parsons Linda M. , Richardson Helena E.
Published: June 2018

Lgl reduces Notch activation by cooperating with Vap33 to inhibit the vacuolar ATPase, thereby reducing endosome acidification.
Environmental Sampling as a Low-Technology Method for Surveillance of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in an Area of Endemicity
Authors: Colenutt Claire , Brown Emma , Nelson Noel , Wadsworth Jemma , Maud Jenny , Adhikari Bishnu , Chapagain Kafle Sharmila , Upadhyaya Mukul , Kafle Pandey Samjhana , Paton David J. , Sumption Keith , Gubbins Simon
Published: June 2018

Prompt confirmation and diagnosis of disease are key factors in controlling outbreaks. The development of sampling techniques to detect FMDV RNA from the environment will extend the tool kit available for the surveillance of this pathogen. The methods presented in this article broaden surveillance opportunities using accessible techniques. Pairing these methods with existing and novel diagnostic tests will improve the capability for rapid detection of outbreaks and implementation of timely interventions to control outbreaks. In areas of endemicity, these methods can be implemented to extend surveillance beyond the investigation of clinical cases, providing additional data for the assessment of virus circulation in specific areas.
RsmV, a Small Noncoding Regulatory RNA in Pseudomonas aeruginosa That Sequesters RsmA and RsmF from Target mRNAs
Authors: Janssen Kayley H. , Diaz Manisha R. , Gode Cindy J. , Wolfgang Matthew C. , Yahr Timothy L.
Published: June 2018

The members of the CsrA/RsmA family of RNA-binding proteins play important roles in posttranscriptional control of gene expression. The activity of CsrA/RsmA proteins is controlled by small noncoding RNAs that function as decoys to sequester CsrA/RsmA from target mRNAs.Pseudomonas aeruginosahas two CsrA family proteins (RsmA and RsmF) and at least four sequestering sRNAs (RsmV [identified in this study], RsmW, RsmY, and RsmZ) that control RsmA/RsmF activity. RsmY and RsmZ are the primary sRNAs that sequester RsmA/RsmF, and RsmV and RsmW appear to play smaller roles. Differences in the temporal and absolute expression levels of the sRNAs and in their binding affinities for RsmA/RsmF may provide a mechanism of fine-tuning the output of the Rsm system in response to environmental cues.
Translational Model of Zika Virus Disease in Baboons
Authors: Gurung Sunam , Preno Alisha N. , Dubaut Jamie P. , Nadeau Hugh , Hyatt Kimberly , Reuter Nicole , Nehete Bharti , Wolf Roman F. , Nehete Pramod , Dittmer Dirk P. , Myers Dean A. , Papin James F.
Published: June 2018

ZIKV was first identified in 1947 in a sentinel rhesus monkey in Uganda and subsequently spread to Southeast Asia. Until 2007, only a small number of cases were reported, and ZIKV infection was relatively minor until the South Pacific and Brazilian outbreaks, where more severe outcomes were reported. Here, we present the baboon as a nonhuman primate model for contrast and comparison with other published animal models of ZIKV, such as the mouse and macaque species. Baboons breed year round and are not currently a primary nonhuman primate species used in biomedical research, making them more readily available for studies other than human immunodeficiency virus studies, which many macaque species are designated for. This, taken together with the similarities baboons have with humans, such as immunology, reproduction, genetics, and size, makes the baboon an attractive NHP model for ZIKV studies in comparison to other nonhuman primates.
Inconsistent anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) in rugby players: a source of injuries?
Authors: Wang Danping , Mahe Gael , Fang Junying , Piscione Julien , Couvet Serge , Retiere Didier , Laporte Sébastien , Vidal Pierre-Paul
Published: June 2018

Background

We are developing since 2010 with Thales and theFédération Française de Rugby(FFR) M-Rex, a new kind of rugby scrum simulator. The study questioned whether it could improve safety and protect players from injury by using it as a tool for training/coaching the packs.

Aim

To explore the anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) during the engagement of the ruck, because these predictive neck and back muscles contractions protect the spinal cord at the time of impacts, which is crucial to prevent injuries.

Methods

We quantified the kinematics and the EMG activities in high-level front row players during their initial engagement, when scrummaging with M-Rex. All studies were performed with one player interacting with the robot, at first, and then with the three players acting together.

Results

For most of the tested high-level players, the APA latencies were highly variable from trial to trial even though the engagement resulted in similar impacts. At time, the onset of the electromyography activity in the neck and back muscles showed latencies inferior to 50 ms or even close to zero prior to the impact , which rendered muscle contractions inefficient as APAs. We were also unable to identify clear muscular synergies underlying the APAs because of their great variability on a trial-to-trial basis. Finally, the APAs were not related to the amplitude of the ensuing impact and were asymmetric in most trials. All these characteristics held true, whether the player was playing alone or with two other frontline players.

Conclusion

Our result suggest that APAs should be systematically tested in high-level rugby players as well as in any high-level sport men at risk of neck and back injuries. Because APAs can be efficiently trained, our study paves the way to design individual position-specific injury prevention programme.
Prevention of sports injuries in children at school: a systematic review of policies
Authors: Göpfert Anya , Van Hove Maria , Emond Alan , Mytton Julie
Published: June 2018

Background

Participation in sports as a child improves physical and psychological health. Schools need to promote sport while protecting against injury. It is not clear whether increasing evidence on injury prevention generated from professional sport is influencing school sports practices. This study reviewed policies promoting sport safety in schools to determine whether exposure to injury risk is recognised and whether evidence based prevention and management are included.

Methods

A search strategy to identify policies for children aged 4–18 years was applied to electronic databases and grey literature sources. Safeguarding policies were excluded. Included policies were critically appraised and synthesised using modified framework analysis.

Results

Twenty-six policies were analysed. Most (57.7%) were from the USA. Ten (38.5%) focused solely on concussion. Synthesis identified primary, secondary and tertiary injury prevention measures relating to people (staff, students and parents), systems, school physical environment and national-level factors.

Conclusions

Robust, evidence-based policies for reducing injury risk in school sports are limited. Guidelines with the largest evidence base were focused on concussion, with other school sport guidelines showing limited inclusion of evidence. Where included, evidence focused on injury management rather than prevention and frequently applied evidence from adult to children. Guidance was not specific to the child’s age, gender or developmental stage.
Venous sinus stenting lowers the intracranial pressure in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension
Authors: Patsalides Athos , Oliveira Cristiano , Wilcox Jessica , Brown Kenroy , Grover Kartikey , Gobin Yves Pierre , Dinkin Marc J
Published: June 2018

Aims

We report the cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure (CSF-OP) measurements obtained before and after venous sinus stenting (VSS) in 50 patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Methods

The CSF-OP was measured with a spinal tap 3 months before and 3 months after treatment. All data were prospectively collected and included patient demographics, weight (kg), body mass index (BMI), acetazolamide daily dosage (mg), procedural details, complications, venous sinus pressures (mm Hg), trans-stenotic pressure gradient (mm Hg), transverse sinus symmetry, and type of venous sinus stenosis.

Results

The average pretreatment CSF-OP was 37 cm H2O (range 25–77) and the average post-treatment CSF-OP was 20.2 cm H2O (range 10–36), with an average reduction of 16.8 cm H2O (P<0.01). The post-treatment CSF-OP was less than 25 cm H2O in 40/50 patients. The average acetazolamide daily dose decreased from 950 mg to 300 mg at the time of 3-month follow-up (P<0.01). No patient required an increase in acetazolamide dose 3 months after VSS. The average weight before treatment was 95.4 kg with an average BMI of 35.41. There was an average increase in body weight of 1.1 kg at the 3-month follow-up with an average increase in BMI of 0.35 (P=0.03).

Conclusions

We provide evidence that there is a significant decrease in CSF-OP in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension 3 months after VSS, independent of acetazolamide usage or weight loss.
Does UK medical education provide doctors with sufficient skills and knowledge to manage patients with eating disorders safely?
Authors: Ayton Agnes , Ibrahim Ali
Published: June 2018

Background

Eating disorders affect 1%–4% of the population and they are associated with an increased rate of mortality and multimorbidity. Following the avoidable deaths of three people the parliamentary ombudsman called for a review of training for all junior doctors to improve patient safety.

Objective

To review the teaching and assessment relating to eating disorders at all levels of medical training in the UK.

Method

We surveyed all the UK medical schools about their curricula, teaching and examinations related to eating disorders in 2017. Furthermore, we reviewed curricula and requirements for annual progression (Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP)) for all relevant postgraduate training programmes, including foundation training, general practice and 33 specialties.

Main outcome measures

Inclusion of eating disorders in curricula, time dedicated to teaching, assessment methods and ARCP requirements.

Results

The medical school response rate was 93%. The total number of hours spent on eating disorder teaching in medical schools is <2 hours. Postgraduate training adds little more, with the exception of child and adolescent psychiatry. The majority of doctors are never assessed on their knowledge of eating disorders during their entire training, and only a few medical students and trainees have the opportunity to choose a specialist placement to develop their clinical skills.

Conclusions

Eating disorder teaching is minimal during the 10–16 years of undergraduate and postgraduate medical training in the UK. Given the risk of mortality and multimorbidity associated with these disorders, this needs to be urgently reviewed to improve patient safety.
Stiffness– and damping–strain curves of sensitive Champlain clays through experimental and analytical approaches
Authors: Chehat Azeddine , Hussien Mahmoud N. , Abdellaziz Mustapha , Chekired Mohamed , Harichane Zamila , Karray Mourad
Published: June 2018

Stiffness degradation, G/G0, curves of Champlain clay at St-Adelphe, Quebec, and the associated variation of its damping ratio with shear strain are constructed in this study using the new combined triaxial simple shear (TxSS) apparatus. The apparatus offers the ability to obtain the stiffness (G/G0) and damping ratio of soils over a wide strain spectrum from 0.001% to 10%. The value of the small-strain stiffness of the tested clay is further confirmed through another series of piezoelectric ring-actuator technique (P-RAT) tests. Although, the stiffness degradation curve of the tested clay follows to some extent traditional curves suggested in the literature, the examined Champlain clay exhibits a different trend with respect to hysteresis damping, especially at large strains (>1%), and available analytical models could not successfully predict the damping behavior of the Champlain clay at such a strain level. A new constitutive model is therefore presented as a modification of the original Sig4 model considering the pore-water pressure built up with shear strain. Stiffness degradation and damping ratio versus shear strain curves of Champlain clays estimated using the proposed soil model are similar to their experimentally determined counterparts even at large shear strains where other models tend to misjudge the damping behavior of the clay.
A prognostic method for the litter size in Berkshire pigs based on DNA methylation of IGFBP4 gene
Authors: Kwon Seulgi , An Sang Mi , Yu Go Eun , Hwang Jung Hye , Park Da Hye , Kang Deok Gyeong , Kim Tae Wan , Park Hwa Chun , Ha Jeongim , Kim Chul Wook
Published: June 2018

Litter size is an important trait in the pig industry. Therefore, a lot of effort has been put into improving this trait. DNA methylation is an essential epigenetic modification present in unique DNA sequences. Alterations in methylation can affect transcription and phenotypic variation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of DNA methylation on litter size. Methylation-specific restriction enzymes are simple and useful tools for detecting DNA methylation status. We used a pair of methylation-sensitive isoschizomers, which have the same recognition site, HpaII and MspI. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 4 (IGFBP4) is a key regulator of ovarian follicular development and fetal growth in eutherian mammals. In this study, we discovered that IGFBP4 was hyper-methylated in the uterus tissue of a larger litter size group using bisulfite sequencing, and validated the positive relationship between the methylation status of IGFBP4 and the total number born of pigs using the porcine methylation-specific restriction enzyme polymerase chain reaction (PMP) assay. We suggest that the IGFPB4 gene can be used as a prognostic biomarker for hyperprolific sows and that the PMP assay is a useful tool for methylation status screening.
Availability models of series mechanical systems considering failure and maintenance dependencies
Authors: Gao Peng , Xie Liyang
Published: June 2018

Availability models of series mechanical systems based on system working mechanisms are developed by integrating the statistical characteristics of stress, strength, and maintenance parameters. Failure, maintenance, and strength degradation path dependence are taken into consideration in the proposed models without empirical parameters. Moreover, the problem of inconsistency between the failure rate and the availability in time is pointed out, and a method to solve this problem is proposed. Monte Carlo simulations are carried out to verify the proposed models. In addition, numerical examples are given to illustrate the established method. The results show that failure, maintenance, and strength degradation path dependence and time scale inconsistence in the state transition probability matrix have significant influences on the availability of mechanical systems. The proposed models provide an analytical basis for quantitative availability estimation, optimization design, and maintenance strategy decision-making of mechanical systems.
Coadjoint Orbits, Cocycles and Gravitational Wess–Zumino
Authors: Alekseev Anton , Shatashvili Samson L.
Published: June 2018

About 30 years ago, in a joint work with L. Faddeev we introduced a geometric action on coadjoint orbits. This action, in particular, gives rise to a path integral formula for characters of the corresponding group [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we revisit this topic and observe that the geometric action is a 1-cocycle for the loop group [Formula: see text]. In the case of [Formula: see text] being a central extension, we construct Wess–Zumino (WZ) type terms and show that the cocycle property of the geometric action gives rise to a Polyakov–Wiegmann (PW) formula with boundary term given by the 2-cocycle which defines the central extension. In particular, we obtain a PW type formula for Polyakov’s gravitational WZ action. After quantization, this formula leads to an interesting bulk-boundary decoupling phenomenon previously observed in the WZW model. We explain that this decoupling is a general feature of the Wess–Zumino terms obtained from geometric actions, and that in this case, the path integral is expressed in terms of the 2-cocycle which defines the central extension.

In memory of our teacher Ludwig Faddeev
On Some Hamiltonian Properties of the Isomonodromic Tau Functions
Authors: Its A. R. , Prokhorov A.
Published: June 2018

We discuss some new aspects of the theory of the Jimbo–Miwa–Ueno tau function which have come to light within the recent developments in the global asymptotic analysis of the tau functions related to the Painlevé equations. Specifically, we show that up to the total differentials the logarithmic derivatives of the Painlevé tau functions coincide with the corresponding classical action differential. This fact simplifies considerably the evaluation of the constant factors in the asymptotics of tau functions, which has been a long-standing problem of the asymptotic theory of Painlevé equations. Furthermore, we believe that this observation is yet another manifestation of L. D. Faddeev’s emphasis of the key role which the Hamiltonian aspects play in the theory of integrable system.