bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Placebo response in pain, fatigue, and performance: Possible implications for neuromuscular disorders
Authors: Shaibani Aziz , Frisaldi Elisa , Benedetti Fabrizio
Published: March 2017

The placebo response in neuromuscular disorders is not well understood. The only available data regarding its underlying mechanisms are related to neuropathic pain. In this review, we describe the factors that contribute to improved outcomes in the placebo arm, with specific attention to pain and fatigue, as well as some of the most important psychobiological mechanisms that may explain such a response. This approach may also improve our insight into the symptomatology and therapeutic responses of other neuromuscular disorders. The fact that >90% of tested analgesics for neuropathic pain have failed in advanced phases of clinical trials should prompt a greater investment of effort and resources into understanding the mechanisms and impact of placebos in clinical research. Such an endeavor will help improve the design of clinical trials and will provide information that informs clinical neuromuscular practice. Muscle Nerve 56: 358–367, 2017
Geotechnical applications of chemically enhanced drainage
Authors: Minder P. , Puzrin A.M.
Published: March 2017

The paper explores application of the engineered increase in soil permeability, achieved using reaction of guanidinium solutions with smectite soils, to geotechnical problems. The comparison between the finite element analysis of the enhanced permeability model for axisymmetric conditions and a simplified analytical solution demonstrates the importance of accounting for diffusive and dispersive fluxes. In order to illustrate possible practical application of the proposed soil improvement technique, two geotechnical examples have been numerically explored: improving performance of a ground water well and the stabilization of a slope by chemically enhanced drainage. For the well application, it has been demonstrated that for a relatively small degree of treatment, the power consumption can be reduced to a half, compared with the non‐treated soil. For the slope stability application, the water table downstream of the drain can be significantly lowered using moderate pump/collector pressures at the centre of the drain, causing a higher increase in the factor of safety for a larger area subjected to the chemically enhanced drainage. The particularly promising result is that in both applications the largest gain in the well/drain efficiency has been observed for smaller chemically enhanced areas, where a short duration of treatment and small amounts of chemicals decrease the power consumption and increase the safety factor at the highest rate. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Back to Basics
Authors: Rey‐Garcia Marta , Liket Kellie , Alvarez‐Gonzalez Luis Ignacio , Maas Karen
Published: March 2017

Nonprofits are under increased accountability pressures to demonstrate their effectiveness. Output measurement (how much is produced) is disregarded as simplistic. Emphasis is made instead on measuring outcomes (changes in the lives of beneficiaries) or impacts (effects developed relative to the mission of the nonprofit, or the overall public good), and a growing portion of organizations state that they measure these effects. However, we question the assumption that outputs such as the number of beneficiaries served are being adequately measured. We first review existing research gaps on results measurement practices and discuss the main types of obstacles to the quality and utility of evaluation data. In this context, we argue for the need to reground nonprofit evaluation in the profound knowledge available about beneficiary populations. We discuss the potential and limitations of reach, a basic output indicator that is defined as the number of individuals directly affected by a nonprofit, and explore the organizational drivers of reach measurement. Evidence from 2,229 nonprofits shows they still lack adequate data on the beneficiaries they serve, face relevant conceptual and practical hurdles when trying to identify them, and are significantly influenced by organizational factors in their capacity to track them. Our research not only shows that nonprofits fail to adequately measure outputs, but also that measuring the number of beneficiaries served and how they are served is not as straightforward as outcome and impact advocates suggest. Practitioners and funders are reminded of the need to place beneficiaries at the core of their evaluation efforts.
Autonomy and Performance: Decentralization Reforms in Zhejiang Province, China
Authors: Wu Xun , Ramesh M , Yu Jianxing
Published: March 2017

Decentralization reforms rarely live up to the high hopes and expectations of the reformers for a variety of reasons rooted in actions and omissions of the governments pursuing it or in the context in which it is undertaken. The paper examines the experience of Zhejiang Province where decentralization was successful in achieving and indeed exceeding initial expectations. The remarkable feature of its reforms was ‘performance‐based’ decentralization wherein localities showing superior performance were awarded additional autonomy at a faster speed while the rest were given additional support to build their capacity for assuming more responsibility in the future. To understand the effects of this unique pattern of decentralization, the paper compares the performance of participating and non‐participating counties under five waves of reforms between 1992 and 2008, based on indicators such as gross domestic product, industrial output and local government revenue. It finds that performance‐based decentralization not only helped overcome the problem of capacity deficits but also fostered capacity in weaker counties to assume more autonomy in the future. The paper confirms that speed and sequence of transfer of autonomy and responsibilities to local governments are as important as the content of decentralization. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stimuli‐responsive antifouling polyisobutylene‐based biomaterials via modular surface functionalization
Authors: Alvarez Albarran Alejandra , Rosenthal‐Kim Emily Q. , Kantor Jozsef , Liu Lingyun , Nikolov Zhorro , Puskas Judit E.
Published: March 2017

This article demonstrates a new, modular approach to surface functionalization that harnesses chain entanglement. A layer of functionalized polyisobutylene, (PIB)‐ω, where ω = ‐OH, ‐thymine (T), ‐hexaethylene glycol (HEG), poly(ethylene glycol) (‐PEG‐OH), methoxy‐functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (‐PEG‐OCH3), and ‐tetraethylene glycol‐α‐lipoate (TEG‐αL) was adhered to PIB‐based thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) surfaces. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) at angles ranging from 20° to 75° showed decreasing polar group concentration with increasing penetration depth, confirming segregation of polar groups toward the surface. Water contact angle (WCA) of the PIB‐based TPE dropped from 95° to 79°−83° upon coating, and soaking in water for 24 h further decreased the WCA. Dynamic WCA measurements showed 40–30° receding angles, showing that stimulus from an aqueous environment elicits enrichment of polar groups on the surface. Fibrinogen (Fg) adsorption on the various surfaces was quantified using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Static and dynamic WCA did not vary significantly among TPE + PIB‐ω surfaces, but there were dramatic differences in Fg adsorption: 256 ng/cm2 was measured on the native TPE, which dropped to 40 and 22 ng/cm2 on PIB‐PEG‐OCH3 and PIB‐PEG‐OH‐coated surfaces. PIB‐TEG‐αL‐coated surfaces presented the lowest Fg adsorption with 14 ng/cm2. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 1742–1749
Temperature compensation of dye doped polymeric microscale lasers
Authors: Manzo Maurizio
Published: March 2017

In this article, a new technique for building temperature compensated microscale lasers that are based on the morphology dependent resonances phenomenon is presented. The dome shaped resonator is made with a mixture of NBA 107 UV curable polymer and rhodamine 6 g dissolved in ethanol solution. Since polymers usually exhibit linear thermal expansion and thermo‐optic coefficients that are opposite in sign but similar in order of magnitude, it is possible to compensate for temperature over the dome shaped resonator by tuning the dye concentration and the ratio between the polymer and dye solution. Experiments with dye concentration between 10−2 to 10−3 M and polymer and dye solution ratios between 1:1 and 4:1 are conducted. The sensitivity for all cases is presented, and the quality factor Q is investigated. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 789–792
Monobodies and other synthetic binding proteins for expanding protein science
Authors: Sha Fern , Salzman Gabriel , Gupta Ankit , Koide Shohei
Published: March 2017

Synthetic binding proteins are constructed using nonantibody molecular scaffolds. Over the last two decades, in‐depth structural and functional analyses of synthetic binding proteins have improved combinatorial library designs and selection strategies, which have resulted in potent platforms that consistently generate binding proteins to diverse targets with affinity and specificity that rival those of antibodies. Favorable attributes of synthetic binding proteins, such as small size, freedom from disulfide bond formation and ease of making fusion proteins, have enabled their unique applications in protein science, cell biology and beyond. Here, we review recent studies that illustrate how synthetic binding proteins are powerful probes that can directly link structure and function, often leading to new mechanistic insights. We propose that synthetic proteins will become powerful standard tools in diverse areas of protein science, biotechnology and medicine.
Estimating Heritability of Prostate Cancer‐Specific Survival Using Population‐Based Registers
Authors: Szulkin Robert , Clements Mark S. , Magnusson Patrik K.E. , Wiklund Fredrik E. , Kuja‐Halkola Ralf
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

There is a strong genetic component in prostate cancer development with an estimated heritability of 58%. In addition, recent epidemiological assessments show a familial component in prostate cancer‐specific survival, which could be due to either common genetics or environment. In this study we sought to estimate the heritability of prostate cancer‐specific survival by studying brothers and father–son pairs in Sweden.

METHODS

We used linkage records from three Swedish national registers: the Multi‐Generation Register, the Cancer Register, and the Cause of Death Register. One thousand seven hundred twenty‐eight brother pairs and 6,444 father–son pairs, where both family members were diagnosed with prostate cancer, were followed for prostate cancer mortality. By assuming that (i) brothers on average share 50% of their segregating alleles and 100% environment and (ii) fathers and sons share 50% of their segregating alleles and no environment, we implemented a model including influences of additive genetics (heritability), shared environment and non‐shared environment for survival data. A conditional likelihood estimation procedure was developed to fit the model. Data simulation was applied to validate model assumptions.

RESULTS

In a model that adjusted for age at diagnosis and calendar period, the estimated heritability of prostate cancer‐specific survival was 0.10 (95% CI = 0.00–0.20) that was borderline significantly different from zero (P = 0.057). The shared environment component was not significantly different from zero with a point estimate of 0.00 (95% CI = 0.00–0.13). Simulation studies and sensitivity analysis revealed that the estimated heritability component was robust, whereas the shared environmental component may be underestimated.

CONCLUSIONS

Heritability of prostate cancer‐specific survival is considerably lower than for prostate cancer incidence. This supports a hypothesis that susceptibility of disease and progression of disease are separate mechanisms that involve different genes. Further assessment of the genetic basis of prostate cancer‐specific survival is warranted.Prostate 77:900–907, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Discovery and quantitative structure–activity relationship study of lepidopteran HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors as selective insecticides
Authors: Zang Yang‐yang , Li Yuan‐mei , Yin Yue , Chen Shan‐shan , Kai Zhen‐peng
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

In a previous study we have demonstrated that insect 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA reductase (HMGR) can be a potential selective insecticide target. Three series of inhibitors were designed on the basis of the difference in HMGR structures from Homo sapiens and Manduca sexta, with the aim of discovering potent selective insecticide candidates.

RESULTS

An in vitro bioassay showed that gem‐difluoromethylenated statin analogues have potent effects on JH biosynthesis of M. sexta and high selectivity between H. sapiens and M. sexta. All series II compounds {1,3,5‐trisubstituted [4‐tert‐butyl 2‐(5,5‐difluoro‐2,2‐dimethyl‐6‐vinyl‐4‐yl) acetate] pyrazoles} have some effect on JH biosynthesis, whereas most of them are inactive on human HMGR. In particular, the IC50 value of compound II‐12 (37.8 nm) is lower than that of lovastatin (99.5 nm) and similar to that of rosuvastatin (24.2 nm). An in vivo bioassay showed that I‐1, I‐2, I‐3 and II‐12 are potential selective insecticides, especially for lepidopteran pest control. A predictable and statistically meaningful CoMFA model of 23 inhibitors (20 as training sets and three as test sets) was obtained with a value of q2 and r2 of 0.66 and 0.996 respectively. The final model suggested that a potent insect HMGR inhibitor should contain suitable small and non‐electronegative groups in the ring part, and electronegative groups in the side chain.

CONCLUSION

Four analogues were discovered as potent selective lepidopteran HMGR inhibitors, which can specifically be used for lepidopteran pest control. The CoMFA model will be useful for the design of new selective insect HMGR inhibitors that are structurally related to the training set compounds. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Highly Efficient Differentiation of Endothelial Cells from Pluripotent Stem Cells Requires the MAPK and the PI3K Pathways
Authors: Harding Aja , Cortez-Toledo Elizabeth , Magner Nataly L. , Beegle Julie R. , Coleal-Bergum Dane P. , Hao Dake , Wang Aijun , Nolta Jan A. , Zhou Ping
Published: March 2017

Pluripotent stem cells are a promising source of endothelial cells (ECs) for the treatment of vascular diseases. We have developed a robust protocol to differentiate human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into ECs with high purities (94%-97% CD31+ and 78%-83% VE-cadherin+) in 8 days without cell sorting. Passaging of these cells yielded a nearly pure population of ECs (99% of CD31+ and 96.8% VE-cadherin+). These ECs also expressed other endothelial markers vWF, Tie2, NOS3, and exhibited functions of ECs such as uptake of Dil-acetylated low-density lipoprotein and formation of tubes in vitro or vessels in vivo on matrigel. We found that FGF2, VEGF, and BMP4 synergistically induced early vascular progenitors (VPs) from hiPSC-derived mesodermal cells. The MAPK and PI3K pathways are crucial not only for the initial commitment to vascular lineages but also for the differentiation of vascular progenitors to ECs, most likely through regulation of the ETS family transcription factors, ERG and FLI1. We revealed novel roles of the p38 and JNK MAPK pathways on EC differentiation. Furthermore, inhibition of the ERK pathway markedly promoted the differentiation of smooth muscle cells. Finally, we demonstrate that pluripotent stem cell-derived ECs are capable of forming patent blood vessels that were connected to the host vasculature in the ischemic limbs of immune deficient mice. Thus, we demonstrate that ECs can be efficiently derived from hiPSCs and hESCs, and have great potential for vascular therapy as well as for mechanistic studies of EC differentiation.
The increasingly important role of science competency beliefs for science learning in girls
Authors: Vincent‐Ruz Paulette , Schunn Christian D.
Published: March 2017

The number of women studying STEM careers and pursuing graduate degrees has not changed in the last decade (National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, 2015; Science & Engineering Degree Attainment: 2004–2014). Most prior research to explain this problem has focused on the topics of identity, access, pedagogy, and choice (Brotman & Moore, 2008; Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 45, 971–1002). Additional research is needed on how internal and external factors interact with one another to demotivate girls and young women from pursuing science careers. Here, we show how girls’ competency beliefs are an essential foundation for science content learning during middle school and how these effects of competency beliefs are mediated by in and out‐of‐school factors. We recruited over 2,900 6th and 8th grade students from two different regions in the United States. At two different time points, students completed surveys asking about their stance toward science such as competency beliefs in science, willingness to engage in argumentation, and choice preferences toward optional science experiences. We also collected a reasoning ability measure, and pre‐ and post‐tests on science content knowledge. Moreover, students also reported on their cognitive behavioral engagement during a sampled science class on two separate occasions. Multiple regression and mediation analyses show that as boys grow older, their willingness to engage in argumentation and to participate in science experiences suppresses the role of competency beliefs on their learning science content. By contrast, as girls grew older, they showed an increasing need to have high competency beliefs to achieve strong content learning gains. Our results demonstrate that despite girls’ willingness to participate in scientific argumentation and to take part in science experiences, they probably do not receive enough support in their environment to access the benefits of these experiences, and hence they have a stronger need to have high competency beliefs in order to achieve significant growth in science learning. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 54:790–822, 2017
Relación entre marketing interno y compromiso organizacional en Centros de Desarrollo Tecnológico colombianos
Authors: Araque Jaimes Diana L. , Sánchez Estepa Julián Mateo , Uribe R Ana Fernanda
Published: March 2017

La presente investigación identifica la relación que existe entre el marketing interno y el compromiso organizacional en dos Centros de Desarrollo Tecnológico colombianos. El método de investigación utilizado es cuantitativo correlacional no experimental, el cual se aplica sobre una muestra constituida por 100 empleados de dos corporaciones ubicadas en el municipio de Piedecuesta (Colombia), a quienes se les aplica el Cuestionario de Marketing Interno de Bohnenberger y la traducción de la Escala de Compromiso Organizacional. Los resultados demuestran la existencia de una relación positiva moderada y significativa entre el marketing interno y el compromiso organizacional; igualmente se determina que el componente afectivo del compromiso organizacional es el que mayor respuesta tiene a las prácticas de marketing interno.
Responsible Compassionate Care: Meeting the Needs of Patients with a History of Intravenous Drug Abuse
Authors: Hawes Michelle L. , Willegal Kate M.
Published: March 2017

Vascular access specialists are brought into many difficult situations that stretch their ability to provide appropriate care to patients who have complicated medical and personal histories. In the following case, a hospital was challenged to provide appropriate care while remaining responsible and compassionate throughout the duration of infusate delivery.
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Experience in Long-Term Home Parenteral Nutrition Patients
Authors: Opilla Marianne
Published: March 2017

Parenteral nutrition is administered through a central venous catheter(CVC). Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are appropriate for home parenteral nutrition (HPN). The objective of this study was to examine a group of HPN patients with a PICC in place for more than six months, and the complications associated with PICC removal. Medical records from one home infusion pharmacy were retrospectively reviewed for PICC characteristics and complications leading to removal. Nineteen adult HPN patients had 26 PICC placements. Total PICC days were 22,262 with a mean of 856 (265–2500) days. Seven PICCs were in place for 3 to greater than 5 years. The overall complication rate was 0.58/1000 CVC days. Catheter related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) was the main cause of PICC removal. There was no evidence of symptomatic thrombosis. Patients experienced no infusion related complications. The PICCs were 88% polyurethane, 65% double lumen, and 54% were 5 Fr. No patient received alcohol or antibiotic lock therapy, and 8 patients had successful alteplase administered at least one time. All patients needed caregiver assistance for site care and dressing changes, but were independent in HPN infusion and flushing. This group of patients demonstrated that PICCs are a viable option HPN administration. The PICC overall complication rate was very low, and the most frequent complication leading to removal was CRBSI. The infection rate of 0.36/1000 CVC days is considered very low in an HPN population. This is the only HPN infusion study to date reporting 7 PICCs lasting 3 or more years, with 2 lasting greater than 5 years without complications resulting in removal. Patients received their prescribed therapy reliably and without interruption with this device. Larger studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of maintaining a PICC for very long-term HPN administration.
Positive Influence of a Dedicated Vascular Access Team in an Acute Care Hospital
Authors: Johnson Devin , Snyder Tom , Strader Derek , Zamora Ashley
Published: March 2017

The benefits of reduction in central line-associated bloodstream infections at Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City, Arizona, include decreased expenses and increased efficiency, quality of care, and patient satisfaction; improved patient outcomes with proper device selection; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week specialized registered respiratory therapist and lines team availability; standardization of peripherally inserted central catheter and central venous catheter insertions, maintenance, and removal; better workflow; and resource and cost center centralization.
Sexual Pleasure and Function, Coital Trauma, and Sex Behaviors After Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Among Men in the Dominican Republic
Authors: Brito Maximo O. , Khosla Shaveta , Pananookooln Sheewin , Fleming Paul J. , Lerebours Leonel , Donastorg Yeycy , Bailey Robert C.
Published: March 2017

Background

Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) is effective in decreasing the risk of HIV acquisition. As men resume sexual activity after circumcision, it will be important to study their satisfaction with the procedure, sexual pleasure and function, coital trauma, and risk compensation (RC), which can hamper or facilitate the long-term success of VMMC programs.

Aim

To assess men's satisfaction with VMMC, sexual pleasure and function, coital trauma, and RC after VMMC.

Methods

This is a cohort study of circumcised men who presented for follow-up 6 to 24 months after VMMC. Logarithmic binomial regression was performed to explore factors associated with any increase in the number of sex partners after VMMC as a measurement of RC.

Main Outcome Measures

(i) Men's satisfaction with their VMMC; (ii) sexual pleasure and function after VMMC; (iii) coital trauma; and (iv) RC.

Results

Of 454 circumcised men, 362 (80%) returned for a follow-up visit 6 to 24 months after VMMC. Almost all (98%) were satisfied with the outcome of their VMMC; most (95%) reported that their female partners were satisfied with their circumcision. Two thirds (67%) reported enjoying sex more after VMMC and most were very satisfied or somewhat satisfied (94%) with sexual intercourse after VMMC. Sexual function improved and reported sex-induced coital injuries decreased significantly in most men after VMMC. There was an increase in the proportion of men who reported at least two sexual partners after VMMC compared with baseline. In multivariate analysis, having sex with a woman they met the same day (adjusted relative risk = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.2–2.4) and having at least two sexual partners at baseline (adjusted relative risk = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3–0.8) were associated with the outcome of any increase in the number of partners after VMMC.

Clinical Implications

VMMC can be offered to Dominican men for HIV prevention without adversely affecting sexual pleasure or function. The procedure substantially reduces coital trauma.

Strengths & Limitations

This is the first report of long-term overall satisfaction, sexual pleasure/function and sex behaviors in the context of VMMC outside of Africa. Limitations of the study included the reliance on self-reported sex behaviors, the lack of physiologic measurement of penile sensitivity and the lack of follow up data beyond 24 months, which precludes the assessment of longer term RC.

Conclusion

The study confirmed men's long-term satisfaction with the outcome of their VMMC. VMMC improved sexual pleasure and function for most men and significantly decreased coital injuries. There was mixed evidence of RC.
Distribution and number of Cajal‐like cells in testis tissue with azoospermia
Authors: Hasirci Eray , Turunc Tahsin , Bal Nebil , Goren Mehmet Resit , Celik Huseyin , Kervancioglu Enis , Dirim Ayhan , Tekindal Mustafa Agah , Ozkardes Hakan
Published: March 2017

We investigated the number and distribution of Cajal‐like cells in patients with azoospermia. A total of 99 patients with non‐obstructive azoospermia were divided into subgroups [19 patientsin hypospermatogenesis group (S1), 40 patients in maturation arrest group (S2), 20 patients in a Sertoli cell‐only syndrome (S3), and 20 patients in a testicular atrophy and fibrosis group (S4)], and 20 patients with obstructive azoospermia group (S0). Sections stained with a c‐kit antibody were studied by light microscopy to determine the number and distribution of Cajal‐like cells in peritubular and perivascular areas of testis. The number of Cajal‐like cells were higher in all the non‐obstructive groups than in the obstructive group (S0: 2.43 cells/mm2, S1: 3.14 cells/mm2, S2: 4.00 cells/mm2, S3: 4.57 cells/mm2, S4: 3.86 cells/mm2) but statistically significantly different (p < 0.05) in the S2 and S3 subgroups only. Distribution of Cajal‐like cells were similar in all groups. The number and distribution of Cajal‐like cells in non‐obstructive groups suggest that these cells may affect spermatogenesis. This cellular type can be responsible for the regulation of cellular motility or spermatogenesis. Electrophysiological and electron microscopic studies are needed to better define morphology and function of Cajal‐like cells in the testis, especially totally the normal testis tissue.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator of 5000 Hz frequency provides better analgesia than that of 100 Hz frequency in mice muscle pain model
Authors: Hsiao Hung‐Tsung , Chien Hsiao‐Jung , Lin Ya‐Chi , Liu Yen‐Chin
Published: March 2017

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators (TENSs) have been proved to be effective in muscle pain management for several decades. However, there is no consensus for the optimal TENS program. Previous research demonstrated that a 100 Hz TENS (L‐TENS) provided better analgesia than a conventional TENS (< 5 Hz). However, no research compared a higher‐frequency (> 100 Hz) TENS with a 100 Hz TENS. We used a 5000 Hz (5 kHz) frequency TENS (M‐TENS) and an L‐TENS to compare analgesic effect on a mice skin/muscle incision retraction model. Three groups of mice were used (sham, L‐TENS, and M‐TENS) and applied with different TENS programs on Day 4 after the mice skin/muscle incision retraction model; TENS therapy was continued as 20 min/d for 3 days. Mice analgesic effects were measured via Von Frey microfilaments with the up–down method. After therapy, mice spinal cord dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) were harvested for cytokine evaluation (tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐1β) with the Western blotting method. Our data demonstrated that the M‐TENS produced better analgesia than the L‐TENS. Cytokine in the spinal cord or DRG all expressed lower than that of the sham group. However, there is no difference in both cytokine levels between TENSs of different frequencies in the spinal cord and DRG. We concluded that the M‐TENS produced faster and better mechanical analgesia than the L‐TENS in the mice skin/muscle incision retraction model. Those behavior differences were not in accordance with cytokine changes in the spinal cord or DRG.
Robotic versus conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A comparative study of medical resource utilization and clinical outcomes
Authors: Li Yu‐Pei , Wang Shen‐Nien , Lee King‐Teh
Published: March 2017

Conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC) is currently the standard of surgical procedure for gallstone disease. Robotic cholecystectomy (RC) has revolutionized the field of minimally invasive surgery; it is safe and ergonomic, but expensive. The aim of this study is to compare the medical resource utilization and clinical outcomes between the two procedures. This study was conducted retrospectively by assessing data of the clinical outcomes and medical resource of 78 patients receiving RC and 367 patients receiving CLC. We reviewed the data of operation times, length of hospital stay, hospital charges, outpatient department visits, outpatient department service charges, and postoperative complications, which were retrieved from the health information system (HIS) database in this hospital. Patients in both groups had similar demographic and clinical features. The RC group had longer length of hospital stay (p = 0.056), significantly longer operation time (p = 0.035), and much more hospital charges (p = 0.001). The RC group, however, experienced less postoperative complication rates (average 3.8% vs. 20.4%, p = 0.001). Conversion rate was 1.9% in the CLC group versus 0% in the RC group (p = 0.611). Most complications were mild, and following the Clavien‐Dindo classification, there were two cases (2.5%) Grade I for the RC group; 50 cases (13.6%) Grade I and 14 cases (3.81%) Grade II for the CLC group (p < 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). Procedure‐related complications of Grade IIIa status were encountered in nine patients (2.45%) in the CLC group and none in the RC group (p = 0.002). The RC group consumed more medical resources in the index hospitalization; however, they experienced significantly less postoperative complications.
Shakespeare, Popularity and the Public Sphere
Authors: Doty Jeffrey S.
Published: March 2017

In late Elizabethan England, political appeals to the people were considered dangerously democratic, even seditious: the commons were supposed to have neither political voice nor will. Yet such appeals happened so often that the regime coined the word 'popularity' to condemn the pursuit of popular favor. Jeffrey S. Doty argues that in plays from Richard II to Coriolanus, Shakespeare made the tactics of popularity - and the wider public they addressed - vital aspects of politics. Shakespeare figured the public not as an extension of the royal court, but rather as a separate entity that, like the Globe's spectators who surrounded the fictional princes on its thrust stage, subjected their rulers to relentless scrutiny. For ordinary playgoers, Shakespeare's plays offered good practice for understanding the means and ends of popularity - and they continue to provide insight to the public relations strategies that have come to define modern political culture.
A Foundation in Digital Communication
Authors: Lapidoth Amos
Published: March 2017

Written in the intuitive yet rigorous style that readers of A Foundation in Digital Communication have come to expect, this second edition includes entirely new chapters on the radar problem (with Lyapunov's theorem) and intersymbol interference channels, new discussion of the baseband representation of passband noise, and a simpler, more geometric derivation of the optimal receiver for the additive white Gaussian noise channel. Other key topics covered include the definition of the power spectral density of nonstationary stochastic processes, the geometry of the space of energy-limited signals, the isometry properties of the Fourier transform, and complex sampling. Including over 500 homework problems and all the necessary mathematical background, this is the ideal text for one- or two-semester graduate courses on digital communications and courses on stochastic processes and detection theory. Solutions to problems and video lectures are available online.
New azooxanthellate genus of Scleractinia (Flabellidae) from the Australian Cenozoic
Authors: Cairns Stephen D.
Published: March 2017

A new genus of flabellid scleractinian coral,Periplacotrochus, is described from the late Eocene to middle Miocene of Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania. It differs fromPlacotrochusin having a pedicellate base, and fromFlabellumin having a lamellar columella. Six previously described species are redescribed, illustrated, and reassigned to this genus (P. deltoideusDuncan, 1864, P. corniculatusDennant, 1899, P. elongatusDuncan, 1864, P. pueblensisDennant, 1903, P. inflectusDennant, 1903, andP. magnusDennant, 1904), and one new species is described:P. cudmorei. One species,Placotrochus elegansTennison-Woods, 1878a, is considered as a nomen dubium. A key is provided to the seven species placed in this genus.
Clause Analysis: Using Syntactic Information to Automatically Extract Source, Subject, and Predicate from Texts with an Application to the 2008–2009 Gaza War
Authors: van Atteveldt Wouter , Sheafer Tamir , Shenhav Shaul R. , Fogel-Dror Yair
Published: March 2017

This article presents a new method and open source R package that uses syntactic information to automatically extract source–subject–predicate clauses. This improves on frequency-based text analysis methods by dividing text into predicates with an identified subject and optional source, extracting the statements and actions of (political) actors as mentioned in the text. The content of these predicates can be analyzed using existing frequency-based methods, allowing for the analysis of actions, issue positions and framing by different actors within a single text. We show that a small set of syntactic patterns can extract clauses and identify quotes with good accuracy, significantly outperforming a baseline system based on word order. Taking the 2008–2009 Gaza war as an example, we further show how corpus comparison and semantic network analysis applied to the results of the clause analysis can show differences in citation and framing patterns between U.S. and English-language Chinese coverage of this war.
THE IDEMPOTENT-GENERATED SUBSEMIGROUP OF THE KAUFFMAN MONOID
Authors: DOLINKA IGOR , EAST JAMES
Published: March 2017

We characterise the elements of the (maximum) idempotent-generated subsemigroup of the Kauffman monoid in terms of combinatorial data associated with certain normal forms. We also calculate the smallest size of a generating set and idempotent generating set.
The Lingering Effects of Thought Reform: The Khmer Rouge S-21 Prison Personnel
Authors: Andrea Kanavou Angeliki , Path Kosal
Published: March 2017

During the Cambodian Genocide (1975–79), about 12,272 to 20,000 people were jailed in the infamous Tuol Sleng (S-21) prison. Only a handful survived. This study focuses on how former S21 perpetrators relate today to their role in the genocide. Through a vast network of fear and torture, the Khmer Rouge instituted a program of “thought reform” in order to accomplish total obedience. Based on court testimonies, archival material, and semi-structured interviews with surviving S-21 guards and interrogators, this study shows how the former S-21 personnel manifest a lingering obedience orientation toward authority, limited reflection about the past, and little empathy toward their victims. The study demonstrates the long-lasting implications of the mindset that was established by the Khmer Rouge. More needs to be done to face the past and to “remove the guards from their prisons” in Cambodia.
Japhug
Authors: Jacques Guillaume
Published: March 2017

This paper focuses on the Japhug language (local name /kɯrɯ skɤt/) of Kamnyu village (/kɤmɲɯ/, Chinese Ganmuniao 干木鸟) in Gdongbrgyad area (/ʁdɯrɟɤt/, Chinese Longerjia 龙尔甲), Mbarkhams county (Chinese Maerkang 马尔康), Rngaba prefecture, Sichuan province, China. Japhug belongs to the Sino-Tibetan family, and is one of the four Rgyalrong languages, alongside Tshobdun, Zbu and Situ.
Simple morphological spelling rules are not always used: Individual differences in children and adults
Authors: KEMP NENAGH , MITCHELL PAUL , BRYANT PETER
Published: March 2017

The English spelling system has a variety of rules and exceptions, but both theoretical and empirical accounts have generally concluded that by about age 9 or 10, children master the morphological rule that regular plural nouns (e.g.,socks) and third-person singular present verbs (e.g.,lacks) are spelled with the inflectional ending–s. In three experiments, however, we found that when forced to rely exclusively on morphological cues, only a minority of primary school children, secondary school children, and even adults performed significantly above chance at choosing the appropriate spelling for novel words presented as inflected or uninflected nouns and verbs. Further, significantly above-chance performance was more common in adults who had attended school until age 18, compared to age 16. We conclude that many spellers, especially those who do not go on to tertiary education, never learn some simple morphological spelling rules, and instead rely on a store of individual word-specific spellings.
Radically filtered quasi-hereditary algebras and rigidity of tilting modules
Authors: HAZI AMIT
Published: March 2017

LetAbe a quasi-hereditary algebra. We prove that in many cases, a tilting module is rigid (i.e. has identical radical and socle series) if it does not have certain subquotients whose composition factors extend more than one layer in the radical series or the socle series. We apply this theorem to show that the restricted tilting modules forSL4(K) are rigid, whereKis an algebraically closed field of characteristicp≥ 5.
On Fenchel–Nielsen Coordinates of Surface Group Representations into SU(3,1)
Authors: GONGOPADHYAY KRISHNENDU , PARSAD SHIV
Published: March 2017

Let Σgbe a compact, connected, orientable surface of genusg≥ 2. We ask for a parametrisation of the discrete, faithful, totally loxodromic representations in the deformation space Hom(π1(Σg), SU(3, 1))/SU(3, 1). We show that such a representation, under some hypothesis, can be determined by 30g− 30 real parameters.
Routine Data Indicators of Treatment for Dementia and Old-Age Depression
Authors: Godemann Frank , Wolff-Menzler Claus , Löhr Michael , Wiegand Hauke
Published: March 2017

Abstract. Complications in the course of dementia are one of the leading reasons for treatment in German psychiatric hospitals. One way to assess treatment quality with a moderate effort is to analyze existing routine data. A large routine dataset exists for psychiatric hospitals in Germany. This work reports on the indicators of inpatient treatment of patients with dementia and compares them to those found with old-age depression. Among other results it was shown that no specific dementia diagnosis was defined in more than 15% of all cases, and that the readmission rate within 30 days was more than 25%. Depressed people, on the other hand, showed lower readmission rates: They got more specific diagnoses and more therapeutic contacts. In conclusion, several aspects of diagnosis and treatment demand improvement among patients with dementia.
Microstructures define melting of molybdenum at high pressures
Authors: Hrubiak Rostislav , Meng Yue , Shen Guoyin
Published: March 2017

High-pressure melting anchors the phase diagram of a material, revealing the effect of pressure on the breakdown of the ordering of atoms in the solid. An important case is molybdenum, which has long been speculated to undergo an exceptionally steep increase in melting temperature when compressed. On the other hand, previous experiments showed nearly constant melting temperature as a function of pressure, in large discrepancy with theoretical expectations. Here we report a high-slope melting curve in molybdenum by synchrotron X-ray diffraction analysis of crystalline microstructures, generated by heating and subsequently rapidly quenching samples in a laser-heated diamond anvil cell. Distinct microstructural changes, observed at pressures up to 130 gigapascals, appear exclusively after melting, thus offering a reliable melting criterion. In addition, our study reveals a previously unsuspected transition in molybdenum at high pressure and high temperature, which yields highly textured body-centred cubic nanograins above a transition temperature.
Potassium channels Kv1.3 and KCa3.1 cooperatively and compensatorily regulate antigen-specific memory T cell functions
Authors: Chiang Eugene Y. , Li Tianbo , Jeet Surinder , Peng Ivan , Zhang Juan , Lee Wyne P. , DeVoss Jason , Caplazi Patrick , Chen Jun , Warming Søren , Hackos David H. , Mukund Susmith , Koth Christopher M. , Grogan Jane L.
Published: March 2017

Voltage-gated Kv1.3 and Ca2+-dependent KCa3.1 are the most prevalent K+channels expressed by human and rat T cells. Despite the preferential upregulation of Kv1.3 over KCa3.1 on autoantigen-experienced effector memory T cells, whether Kv1.3 is required for their induction and function is unclear. Here we show, using Kv1.3-deficient rats, that Kv1.3 is involved in the development of chronically activated antigen-specific T cells. Several immune responses are normal in Kv1.3 knockout (KO) rats, suggesting that KCa3.1 can compensate for the absence of Kv1.3 under these specific settings. However, experiments with Kv1.3 KO rats and Kv1.3 siRNA knockdown or channel-specific inhibition of human T cells show that maximal T-cell responses against autoantigen or repeated tetanus toxoid stimulations require both Kv1.3 and KCa3.1. Finally, our data also suggest that T-cell dependency on Kv1.3 or KCa3.1 might be irreversibly modulated by antigen exposure.
Defining stem cell dynamics and migration during wound healing in mouse skin epidermis
Authors: Aragona Mariaceleste , Dekoninck Sophie , Rulands Steffen , Lenglez Sandrine , Mascré Guilhem , Simons Benjamin D. , Blanpain Cédric
Published: March 2017

Wound healing is essential to repair the skin after injury. In the epidermis, distinct stem cells (SCs) populations contribute to wound healing. However, how SCs balance proliferation, differentiation and migration to repair a wound remains poorly understood. Here, we show the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate wound healing in mouse tail epidermis. Using a combination of proliferation kinetics experiments and molecular profiling, we identify the gene signatures associated with proliferation, differentiation and migration in different regions surrounding the wound. Functional experiments show that SC proliferation, migration and differentiation can be uncoupled during wound healing. Lineage tracing and quantitative clonal analysis reveal that, following wounding, progenitors divide more rapidly, but conserve their homoeostatic mode of division, leading to their rapid depletion, whereas SCs become active, giving rise to new progenitors that expand and repair the wound. These results have important implications for tissue regeneration, acute and chronic wound disorders.
Correction: Corrigendum: p-wave triggered superconductivity in single-layer graphene on an electron-doped oxide superconductor
Authors: Di Bernardo A. , Millo O. , Barbone M. , Alpern H. , Kalcheim Y. , Sassi U. , Ott A. K. , De Fazio D. , Yoon D. , Amado M. , Ferrari A. C. , Linder J. , Robinson J. W. A.
Published: March 2017

Nature Communications 8: Article number: 14024 (2017); Published: 19 January 2017; Updated: 1 March 2017 The present address for U. Sassi is incorrect in this Article. This author does not have a present address. The correct full affiliation details for this author are given below: Cambridge Graphene Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FA, UK.
Management of respiratory tract infections in young children—A qualitative study of primary care providers’ perspectives
Authors: Biezen Ruby , Brijnath Bianca , Grando Danilla , Mazza Danielle
Published: March 2017

Respiratory tract infections in young children are the most common cause of general practice visits in Australia. Despite the availability of clinical practice guidelines, the treatment and management of respiratory tract infections in young children is inconsistent. The aim of the study was to explore the management of respiratory tract infections in young children from a multi-disciplinary perspective using across-sectional qualitative research design based on the theoretical domains framework and the Capability, Opportunity and Motivation-B model. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 primary care providers to explore their knowledge, views and management of respiratory tract infections in young children. Interviews focused on symptomatic management, over-the-counter medications and antibiotic use, and data were thematically analysed. Our findings showed that factors such as primary care providers’ time constraints, parental anxiety, general practitioners’ perception of what parents want, perceived parental pressure, and fear of losing patients were some of the reasons why primary care providers did not always adhere to guideline recommendations. Primary care providers also provided conflicting advice to parents concerning over-the-counter medications and when children should resume normal activities. Overall, this study showed that complex interactions involving emotional and psychological factors influenced the decision making process of primary care providers’ management of respiratory tract infections in young children. A team care approach with consistent advice, and improved communication between primary care providers and parents is vital to overcome some of these barriers and improve guideline adherence. The findings of this research will inform the development of interventions to better manage respiratory tract infections in young children.
The dynamic interacting landscape of MAPL reveals essential functions for SUMOylation in innate immunity
Authors: Doiron Karine , Goyon Vanessa , Coyaud Etienne , Rajapakse Sanjeeva , Raught Brian , McBride Heidi M.
Published: March 2017

Activation of the innate immune response triggered by dsRNA viruses occurs through the assembly of the Mitochondrial Anti-Viral Signaling (MAVS) complex. Upon recognition of viral dsRNA, the cytosolic receptor RIG-I is activated and recruited to MAVS to activate the immune signaling response. We here demonstrate a strict requirement for a mitochondrial anchored protein ligase, MAPL (also called MUL1) in the signaling events that drive the transcriptional activation of antiviral genes downstream of Sendai virus infection, both in vivo and in vitro. A biotin environment scan of MAPL interacting polypeptides identified a series of proteins specific to Sendai virus infection; including RIG-I, IFIT1, IFIT2, HERC5 and others. Upon infection, RIG-I is SUMOylated in a MAPL-dependent manner, a conjugation step that is required for its activation. Consistent with this, MAPL was not required for signaling downstream of a constitutively activated form of RIG-I. These data highlight a critical role for MAPL and mitochondrial SUMOylation in the early steps of antiviral signaling.