bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Intravenous Acetaminophen on Postoperative Pain and Narcotic Consumption After Vaginal Reconstructive Surgery: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Crisp Catrina C. , Khan Madiha , Lambers Donna L. , Westermann Lauren B. , Mazloomdoost Donna M. , Yeung Jennifer J. , Kleeman Steven D. , Pauls Rachel N.
Published: February 2017

Objective

This study aimed to determine the effect of intravenous acetaminophen versus placebo on postoperative pain, satisfaction with pain control, and narcotic use after vaginal reconstructive surgery.

Methods

This was an institutional review board-approved, double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial. Women scheduled for reconstructive surgery including vaginal hysterectomy and vaginal vault suspension were enrolled. Subjects received 1000 mg of intravenous acetaminophen or 100 mL placebo every 6 hours for 24 hours. Pain and satisfaction with pain control were assessed using visual analog scales and a numeric rating scale. Visual analog scales were collected at 18 and 24 hours postoperatively and at discharge. A sample size calculation determined 90 subjects would be required to detect a 30% reduction in postoperative narcotic use with 80% power and significance level of 0.05.

Results

One hundred subjects were enrolled. There were no differences in demographics or surgical data and no difference in narcotic consumption at multiple evaluation points. At 18 hours postoperative, median pain scores at rest were 27.0 (interquartile range, 35.0) for acetaminophen and 35.0 (interquartile range, 44.5) for placebo, finding no difference (P = 0.465). Furthermore, pain with activity and numeric rating scale-assessed pain scales were similar (P = 0.328; P = 0.597). Although satisfaction with pain control was high overall (91.5), no difference was noted.

Conclusions

Patients undergoing vaginal reconstructive surgery receiving perioperative intravenous acetaminophen did not experience a decrease in narcotic requirements or postoperative pain when compared with placebo. Reassuringly, pain scores were low and satisfaction with pain control was high for all subjects. The general use of this medication is not supported in these surgical patients.
Characteristics of Providers Performing Urogynecologic Procedures on Medicare Patients 2012–2014
Authors: Stone Daniel E. , Barenberg Benjamin J. , Pickett Stephanie D. , O'Leary Dena E. , Quiroz Lieschen H.
Published: February 2017

Objective

To analyze the characteristics of providers performing stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) procedures in the United States.

Methods

The Centers for Medicare Services public database, released for years 2012 through 2014, was queried for SUI-related and POP-related Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System. Providers were categorized as Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) providers and non-FPMRS providers, using a list of FPMRS board-certified providers compiled through the American Board of Medical Subspecialties website. Other physician specialties that submitted SUI and POP procedures claims were tabulated.

Results

Six hundred twenty-nine FPMRS and 833 non-FPMRS providers submitted claims for SUI and POP procedures. The SUI procedures claims had the following provider specialty distribution: obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN)—FPMRS, 46.7%; urology, 26.3%; OB/GYN, 12.2%; and urology—FPMRS, 13.9%, with the remaining 0.9% being performed by other specialties. The POP procedures had the following specialty distribution: OB/GYN—FPMRS, 63.4%; OB/GYN, 16.7%; urology, 8.3%; and urology—FPMRS, 7.1%, with the remaining 4.5% being performed by other specialties.

Provider distribution was compared between transvaginal mesh and sling insertion procedures to transvaginal mesh and sling removal procedures. The FPMRS providers claimed 63.6% of sling and transvaginal mesh insertion procedures and performed 84.9% of mesh and sling removal procedures.

Conclusions

Medicare reimbursement data provides a unique insight into the distribution of provider specialties performing SUI-related and POP-related procedures in the Medicare population. The OB/GYN-FPMRS providers submitted the majority of claims for SUI and POP procedures from 2012 to 2014. The FPMRS providers are also performing the majority of mesh removal procedures.
The Relationship of Anterior Vaginal and Apical Position to Postvoid Residual Urine
Authors: Wong Keri S. , Mei Jenny Y. , Wieslander Cecilia K. , Tarnay Christopher M.
Published: February 2017

Objective

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between severity of anterior vaginal or apical prolapse and postvoid residual volume (PVR).

Methods

The charts of all women who presented to Urogynecology Clinic at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center for a 2-year period were reviewed. Demographic data, the degree of prolapse pelvic organ prolapse quantification points Aa, Ba, and C, and PVR were recorded. Patients with incomplete pelvic organ prolapse quantification assessment or improperly measured PVR were excluded.

Results

Three hundred fifty-two patients were included. Median age was 54 years (range, 26–80). Mean gravidity and parity were 4.4 and 3.7, respectively. Mean body mass index was 29.9 kg/m2. One hundred forty-nine women had previous pelvic surgery. Median PVR was 25 mL, and 40 patients (11.4%) had a PVR of 100 mL or greater.

Considering 15 potential PVR predictors, we found that the position of apex/cervix (point C) significantly correlated with an increase in PVR and also after controlling for the other significant covariates (rate of change b = 4.7% increase in PVR/cm, P = 0.0007). The other significant (P < 0.05) covariates were gravidity (5.7% per pregnancy), postmenopausal status (32.4%), and vaginal surgical history (61.4%). This was not true, however, for the anterior vaginal position (points Aa, Ba; P > 0.15). There was no difference in mean PVR in patients with versus without a hysterectomy (P = 0.236).

Conclusions

Elevated PVR values have long been linked with prolapse of the anterior vaginal wall. We found that there is a linear association between PVR and the anatomic position of the apex. There was no association of PVR with the position of the anterior vaginal wall.
Nanoindentation analysis of the micromechanical anisotropy in mouse cortical bone
Authors: Casanova Michele , Balmelli Anna , Carnelli Davide , Courty Diana , Schneider Philipp , Müller Ralph
Published: February 2017

Studies investigating micromechanical properties in mouse cortical bone often solely focus on the mechanical behaviour along the long axis of the bone. Therefore, data on the anisotropy of mouse cortical bone is scarce. The aim of this study is the first-time evaluation of the anisotropy ratio between the longitudinal and transverse directions of reduced modulus and hardness in mouse femurs by using the nanoindentation technique. For this purpose, nine 22-week-old mice (C57BL/6) were sacrificed and all femurs extracted. A total of 648 indentations were performed with a Berkovich tip in the proximal (P), central (C) and distal (D) regions of the femoral shaft in the longitudinal and transverse directions. Higher values for reduced modulus are obtained for indentations in the longitudinal direction, with anisotropy ratios of 1.72 ± 0.40 (P), 1.75 ± 0.69 (C) and 1.34 ± 0.30 (D). Hardness is also higher in the longitudinal direction, with anisotropic ratios of 1.35 ± 0.27 (P), 1.35 ± 0.47 (C) and 1.17 ± 0.19 (D). We observed a significant anisotropy in the micromechanical properties of the mouse femur, but the correlation for reduced modulus and hardness between the two directions is low (r2 < 0.3) and not significant. Therefore, we highly recommend performing independent indentation testing in both the longitudinal and transverse directions when knowledge of the tissue mechanical behaviour along multiple directions is required.
Profiling of flavonoid glycosides in fruits and leaves of jujube (Zizyphus jujuba var. inermis (Bunge) Rehder) using UPLC-DAD-QTOF/MS
Authors: Lee Min-Ki , Kim Heon-Woong , Kim Young Jin , Lee Seon-Hye , Jang Hwan-Hee , Jung Hyun-Ah , Kim Sook-Bae , Lee Sung-Hyen , Choe Jeong-Sook , Kim Jung-Bong
Published: February 2017

Flavonoids, non-nutrient secondary metabolites of plants, are widely distributed in commonly consumed agro-food resources. Flavonoids include aglycones, and their glycosides are reported to have potential health-promoting compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate flavonoid glycosides in the fruit and leaves of Zizyphus jujuba var. inermis (Bunge) Rehder (jujube). A total of six flavonoids (five flavonols and one chalcone) were identified in jujube fruit and leaves by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry along with chemical library and an internal standard. In positive ion mode, six flavonoids were linked to the C- and O-glycosides which were conjugated with sugar moieties based on kaempferol, quercetin, and phloretin aglycones. Total flavonoid contents of leaves (8,356.5 mg/100 g dry weight (DW)) was approximately 900-fold higher than that of fruit (fresh fruit, 13.6 mg/100 g dry DW; sun-dried fruits, 9.2 mg/100 g dry DW). Quercetin 3-O-rutinoside (rutin) and quercetin 3-O-robinobioside were the predominant flavonols in fruit and leaves of jujube. In particular, rutin had the highest content (6,735.2 mg/100 g DW) in leaves, and rutin is a widely reported bioactive compound. Phloretin 3',5'-di-C-glucoside (chalcone type) was detected only in leaves. The leaves of jujube contain a high content of flavonoids and the results of this study indicate that jujube leaves may be a source of bioactive flavonoids.
Flavonoids composition and antioxidant activity of by-products of five orange cultivars during maturation
Authors: An Hyun Joo , Park Kyung Jin , Kim Sang Suk
Published: February 2017

This study was conducted to investigate total flavonoid content, flavonoid composition, and free radical scavenging effects of by-products from five orange cultivars during the period September 2015 to February 2016. Total flavonoid content was highest in peel extracts from immature fruit harvested in September. Total flavonoid contents of all cultivars mostly decreased while ripening. Among the five cultivars, total flavonoid content was highest in Hamlin sweet orange (21.66 mg/g), followed by Sanguinello blood orange (20.39 mg/g), Shamouti orange (18.49 mg/g), Tarocco blood orange (18.46 mg/g), and Olinda Valencia orange (17.07 mg/g). With regard to flavonoid composition, all cultivar materials had high levels of narirutin and hesperidin, but naringin and neohesperidin were not detected in any of the materials. Nobiletin, as polymethoxyflavone, was detected within a 23~40 μg/mL range in the immature fruit of all cultivars. Among all cultivars, antioxidant activities were higher in peel extracts than in pulp extracts. DPPH radical scavenging activities of peel extracts ranged from 40% to 58% while the ABTS radical scavenging activity range was 90~94%. The results indicate that orange, by-products, especially peel of immature orange fruit, could have application as natural materials with antioxidative effects.
Characterization of acetic acid fermentation of detoxified Rhus verniciflua vinegar produced by various yeast strains
Authors: Kim Ji-Seon , Yeo Soo-Hwan , Mun Ji-Young , Baek Seong Yeol
Published: February 2017

This study was conducted to investigate and compare the characteristics of acetic acid fermentation in detoxified Rhus verniciflua vinegar (DRV) produced by different yeast strains. The DRVs were prepared by static acetic acid fermentation using six different yeast strains (Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fermivin, Pichia kudriavzerii N77-4, Hanseniaspora pountiae HP1-2, Candida tropicalis Y447, Wickerhamomyces anomalus N43-8, and Pichia kluyveri Frootzen). Alcohol content of the S. cerevisiae Fermivin fermented DRV was highest 16.07%. Among the yeast strain DRVs, there were significant differences in alcohol content, but all alcohol levels were 11%. Moreover, there were differences in pH and titratable acidity of the DRVs. The organic acid content of the DRVs ranged from 35.88 to 55.49 mg/mL and there were significant differences among the yeast strain DRVs. Essential free amino acids, particularly glutamic acid, alanine, leucine and valine, were detected in each of the 6 DRVs. Electronic nose analysis revealed that three different volatile chemical patterns were present in the 6 DRVs. The results indicate that yeast strains with different characteristics can produce vinegars with different characteristics.
Production and fermentation characteristics of seafood kimchi started with Leuconostoc mesenteriodes SK-1 isolated from octopus baechu kimchi
Authors: Jang Mi-Soon , Jung Ko-Eun , Yun Jae-Ung , Nam Ki-Ho
Published: February 2017

This study was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of Leuconostoc mesenteroides isolated from octopus baechu kimchi as a potential starter for seafood kimchi. L. mesenteroides is lactic acid bacterium currently used as a starter for kimchi production. We selected the most effective L. mesenteroides strain from the 7 strains isolated from octopus baechu kimchi and, based on biochemical properties and 16S rRNA sequencing, identified the selected strain as L. mesenteroides SK-1. The SK-1 strain exhibited acid-tolerance, good survival capacity, and excellent dextran productivity. We investigated the effects the SK-1 of starter on seafood kimchi fermentation. Octopus baechu kimchi was fermented with L. mesenteroides SK-1 at 4˚C for 35 d. The decrease in pH and increase in acidity in octopus baechu kimchi fermented with the SK-1 starter occurred more quickly than that in the control kimchi indicating that. Octopus baechu kimchi with SK-1 starter has a relatively slow rate of increase in lactic acid production. As a result, octopus baechu kimchi prepared with L. mesenteroides SK-1 can be maintained at a suitable ripening degree over an extended period of time compared to that of the control kimchi, Moreover, the octopus baechu kimchi started with L. mesenteroides SK-1 has excellent sensory properties, including a refreshing taste, and a weak sour odor.
Quality characteristics and sensory evaluation of Fuji apple based on commodity price
Authors: Ku Kyung Hyung , Choi Eun Jeong , Kim Sang-Seop , Jeong Moon Cheol
Published: February 2017

This study investigated the sensory attributes and quality characteristics of Fuji apples based on market commodity price to provide data for quality index of Fuji apples. Samples were purchased from the Garak market (Seoul Agro-Fisheries & Food Corporation) and divided into four groups depending on the price such as group A, B, C, D. There were no significant differences in their volume and weight among groups. In the soluble solid content and total free sugar, A and B group (high price) showed higher content than those of C and D (low price) group. And also, the A group and B, C , D group showed 386.29 mg% and 320.09~359.28 mg% in the total organic acid content, respectively. As an sensory evaluation results, A group and B group were evaluated higher score than those of C and D group in the uniformity of red color and glossiness of skin and unique apple sensory attributes using quantitative descriptive analysis. Consumer test showed similar to quantitative descriptive analysis results in the various sensory attributes. In the analysis results between quality characteristics and sensory attributes of Fuji apples, total acceptability was correlated positively with titratable acidity (r=0.58), soluble solid (r=0.89), soluble solid content/titratable acidity ratio (r=0.42), total free sugar (r=0.36) and total organic acid (r=0.38). Based on principal component analysis of apple’s quality characteristics, apples were primary separated along the first principal component (pH, acidity, soluble solid content, total free sugar, organic acid), which accounted for 66.01% of total variance. In addition, principal component analysis of sensory evaluation revealed a total variance for the quantitative descriptive of 55. 65% and a total variance for the consumer test of 55.84%.
A Mixture Copula Bayesian Network Model for Multimodal Genomic Data
Authors: Zhang Qingyang , Shi Xuan
Published: February 2017

Gaussian Bayesian networks have become a widely used framework to estimate directed associations between joint Gaussian variables, where the network structure encodes decomposition of multivariate normal density into local terms. However, the resulting estimates can be inaccurate when normality assumption is moderately or severely violated, making it unsuitable to deal with recent genomic data such as the Cancer Genome Atlas data. In the present paper, we propose a mixture copula Bayesian network model which provides great flexibility in modeling non-Gaussian and multimodal data for causal inference. The parameters in mixture copula functions can be efficiently estimated by a routine Expectation-Maximization algorithm. A heuristic search algorithm based on Bayesian information criterion is developed to estimate the network structure, and prediction can be further improved by the best-scoring network out of multiple predictions from random initial values. Our method outperforms Gaussian Bayesian networks and regular copula Bayesian networks in terms of modeling flexibility and prediction accuracy, as demonstrated using a cell signaling dataset. We apply the proposed methods to the Cancer Genome Atlas data to study the genetic and epigenetic pathways that underlie serous ovarian cancer.
Granatum: a graphical single-cell RNA-Seq analysis pipeline for genomics scientists
Authors: Zhu Xun , Wolfgruber Thomas , Tasato Austin , Garmire David G. , Garmire Lana X
Published: February 2017

Background

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) is an increasingly popular platform to study heterogeneity at the single-cell level.

Computational methods to process scRNA-Seq have limited accessibility to bench scientists as they require significant amounts of bioinformatics skills.

Results

We have developed Granatum, a web-based scRNA-Seq analysis pipeline to make analysis more broadly accessible to researchers. Without a single line of programming code, users can click through the pipeline, setting parameters and visualizing results via the interactive graphical interface Granatum conveniently walks users through various steps of scRNA-Seq analysis. It has a comprehensive list of modules, including plate merging and batch-effect removal, outlier-sample removal, gene filtering, geneexpression normalization, cell clustering, differential gene expression analysis, pathway/ontology enrichment analysis, protein-networ interaction visualization, and pseudo-time cell series construction.

Conclusions

Granatum enables broad adoption of scRNA-Seq technology by empowering the bench scientists with an easy-to-use graphical interface for scRNA-Seq data analysis. The package is freely available for research use athttp://garmiregroup.org/granatum/app
An attempt to replicate a dissociation between syntax and semantics during sentence comprehension reported by Dapretto & Bookheimer (1999,Neuron)
Authors: Siegelman Matthew , Mineroff Zachary , Blank Idan , Fedorenko Evelina
Published: February 2017

Does processing the meanings of individual wordsvs. assembling words into phrases and sentences rely on distinct pools of cognitive and neural resources? Many have argued for such a dissociation, although the field is lacking a consensus on which brain region(s) support lexico-semanticvs. syntactic processing. Although some have also argued against such a dissociation, the dominant view in the field remains that distinct brain regions support these two fundamental components of language. One of the earlier and most cited pieces of evidence in favor of this dissociation comes from a paper by Dapretto & Bookheimer (1999, Neuron; DB). Using a sentence meaning comparison task, DB observed two distinct peaks within the left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG): one more active when comparisons relied on lexico-semantic cues, and another – when they instead relied on syntactic cues. Although the paper has been highly cited over the years, no attempt has been made, to our knowledge, to replicate the original finding. We here report an fMRI study that attempts to do so. Using a combination of three approaches – whole-brain, group-level ROIs, and individual functional ROIs – we fail to replicate the originally reported dissociation. In particular, parts of the LIFG respond reliably more strongly during lexico-semantic than syntactic processing, but no part of the LIFG (including in the region defined around the peak reported by DB) shows the opposite response pattern. We hypothesize that the original result was a false positive, possibly driven by one participant or item given the use of a fixed-effects analysis and a small number of items (8 per condition) and participants (n=8).
Simulating heterogeneous populations using Boolean models
Authors: Ross Brian C. , Boguslav Mayla , Weeks Holly , Costello James
Published: February 2017

Certain biological processes such as cancer development and immune activation are controlled by rare cellular events that are difficult to capture computationally through simulations of individual cells. Here we show that when cellular states are described using a Boolean network model, one can exactly simulate the dynamics of non-interacting, highly heterogeneous populations directly, without having to model the various subpopulations. This strategy captures even the rarest outcomes of the model with no sampling error. Our method can incorporate heterogeneity in both cell state and, by augmenting the model, the underlying rules of the network as well (i.e. mutations). We demonstrate our method by using it to simulate a heterogeneous population of Boolean networks modeling the T-cell receptor, spanning ~ 1020distinct cellular states and mutational profiles.
The evolution of queen control over worker reproduction in the social Hymenoptera
Authors: Olejarz Jason , Veller Carl , Nowak Martin A.
Published: February 2017

A trademark of eusocial insect species is reproductive division of labor, in which workers forego their own reproduction while the queen produces almost all offspring. The presence of the queen is key for maintaining social harmony, but the specific role of the queen in the evolution of eusociality remains unclear. A long-discussed scenario is that a queen either behaviorally or chemically sterilizes her workers. However, the demographic and ecological conditions that enable such manipulation are unknown. Accordingly, we propose a simple model of evolutionary dynamics that is based on haplodiploid genetics. We consider a mutation that acts in a queen, causing her to control the reproductive behavior of her workers. Our mathematical analysis yields precise conditions for the evolutionary emergence and stability of queen-induced worker sterility. These conditions do not depend on the queen's mating frequency. Moreover, we find that queen control is always established if it increases colony reproductive efficiency and can evolve even if it decreases colony efficiency. We further outline the conditions under which queen control is evolutionarily stable against invasion by mutant, reproductive workers.
Three closely related 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridines: synthesis, molecular conformations and hydrogen bonding in zero, one and two dimensions
Authors: Sagar Belakavadi K. , Harsha Kachigere B. , Yathirajan Hemmige S. , Rangappa Kanchugarakoppal S. , Rathore Ravindranath S. , Glidewell Christopher
Published: February 2017

In each of 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-methylsulfonyl-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridine, C21H19F4N3O2S, (I), 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methylsulfonyl-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridine, C21H19ClF3N3O2S, (II), and 1-(3-methylphenyl)-5-methylsulfonyl-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridine, C22H22F3N3O2S, (III), the reduced pyridine ring adopts a half-chair conformation with the methylsulfonyl substituent occupying an equatorial site. Although compounds (I) and (II) are not isostructural, having the space groups Pbca and P212121, respectively, their molecular conformations are very similar, but the conformation of compound (III) differs from those of (I) and (II) in the relative orientation of the N-benzyl and methylsulfonyl substituents. In compounds (II) and (III), but not in (I), the trifluoromethyl groups are disordered over two sets of atomic sites. Molecules of (I) are linked into centrosymmetric dimers by C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds, molecules of (II) are linked by two C—H...O hydrogen bonds to form ribbons of R
3
3(18) rings, which are themselves further linked by a C—Cl...π(arene) interaction, and a combination of C—H...O and C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds links the molecules of (III) into sheets. Comparisons are made with the structures of some related compounds.
What is in it for me: firms strategizing for public-private innovation
Authors: Munksgaard Kristin B. , Evald Majbritt Rostgaard , Højbjerg Clarke Ann , Damgaard Torben Munk
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Public-private innovation (PPI) is often claimed to contribute to societal welfare, to bring positive effects to the public sector and to open new markets to private firms. Engaging in public-private relationships for innovation is, however, also recognised as challenging and problematic. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the managerial and strategic challenges faced by private firms when engaging in public-private relationships for innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study presents ten firms’ engagement in public-private relationships. Half of them are experienced in innovation in public-private relationship, the other half are engaging in public-private relationships for the first time. Cross-case analysis brings insight into how these different types of firms strategize for handling relationships with public partners.

Findings

Contrary to non-experienced firms, experienced firms deliberately build a long-term strategy for engaging in PPI in expectation of outcome from more than a single project. They not only engage in building an understanding of the public using setting, but also seek to bridge with the public developing and producing setting to a greater extent than less experienced firms. The experienced firms utilise relationships with actors in the wider public network as a device and an asset for overcoming challenges and for reaping benefits from their engagement.

Originality/value

The study outlines the characteristics of strategizing among the most experienced firms and their special ability to embrace the complexity of the public sector network while working simultaneously on developing innovation for specific public counterparts.
Developing attributes for evaluating construction project-based performance
Authors: Willar Debby
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The Indonesian construction industry has to considerably rise due to the issues of quality product, organisational performance and global competitiveness faced today, along with settling several national challenges that continue to plague the construction industry. Delivering high-quality construction products and services is non-negotiable when competing for contracts with international constructors. Developing such an assessment system to evaluate the performance of Indonesian construction companies is an urgent need in order to encourage and motivate the construction companies to continually improve their performance in the execution of construction works. The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the key attributes related to the evaluation of quality and performance in the construction project-based case of Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted in the five provinces in Indonesia involving 216 construction practitioners from medium and large qualifications of construction companies.

Findings

On the basis of the data analysis results, the study develops the 39 key attributes that can be a basis for the development of Indonesian building construction project performance assessment system. The attributes cover construction companies’ performance during project implementation, in delivering final project results and in implementing quality procedures for building construction works.

Originality/value

The outcome of this study is considered significant to provide a tool for the government to assess the quality performance of contractors in delivering projects against specified standards, and a guideline for the contractors to improve their competitiveness by implementing continuous quality improvement. The confirmed attributes developed from this study is an initial step towards developing an Indonesian construction comprehensive quality performance assessment system.
Microbial potential for carbon and nutrient cycling in a geogenic supercritical carbon dioxide reservoir
Authors: Freedman Adam J.E. , Tan BoonFei , Thompson Janelle R.
Published: February 2017

Microorganisms catalyze carbon cycling and biogeochemical reactions in the deep subsurface and thus may be expected to influence the fate of injected supercritical (sc) CO2 following geological carbon sequestration (GCS). We hypothesized that natural subsurface scCO2 reservoirs, which serve as analogs for the long‐term fate of sequestered scCO2, harbor a ‘deep carbonated biosphere’ with carbon cycling potential. We sampled subsurface fluids from scCO2‐water separators at a natural scCO2 reservoir at McElmo Dome, Colorado for analysis of 16S rRNA gene diversity and metagenome content. Sequence annotations indicated dominance of Sulfurospirillum, Rhizobium, Desulfovibrio and four members of the Clostridiales family. Genomes extracted from metagenomes using homology and compositional approaches revealed diverse mechanisms for growth and nutrient cycling, including pathways for CO2 and N2 fixation, anaerobic respiration, sulfur oxidation, fermentation and potential for metabolic syntrophy. Differences in biogeochemical potential between two production well communities were consistent with differences in fluid chemical profiles, suggesting a potential link between microbial activity and geochemistry. The existence of a microbial ecosystem associated with the McElmo Dome scCO2 reservoir indicates that potential impacts of the deep biosphere on CO2 fate and transport should be taken into consideration as a component of GCS planning and modelling.
The Effect of Body Mass on Outdoor Adult Human Decomposition
Authors: Roberts Lindsey G. , Spencer Jessica R. , Dabbs Gretchen R.
Published: February 2017

Forensic taphonomy explores factors impacting human decomposition. This study investigated the effect of body mass on the rate and pattern of adult human decomposition. Nine males and three females aged 49–95 years ranging in mass from 73 to 159 kg who were donated to the Complex for Forensic Anthropology Research between December 2012 and September 2015 were included in this study. Kelvin accumulated degree days (KADD) were used to assess the thermal energy required for subjects to reach several total body score (TBS) thresholds: early decomposition (TBS≥6.0),TBS≥12.5, advanced decomposition (TBS≥19.0),TBS≥23.0, and skeletonization (TBS≥27.0). Results indicate no significant correlation between body mass andKADDat anyTBSthreshold. Body mass accounted for up to 24.0% of variation in decomposition rate depending on stage, and minor differences in decomposition pattern were observed. Body mass likely has a minimal impact on postmortem interval estimation.
Evaluation of Skin Surface as an Alternative Source of ReferenceDNASamples: A Pilot Study
Authors: Albujja Mohammed H. , Bin Dukhyil Abdul Aziz , Chaudhary Abdul Rauf , Kassab Ahmed Ch. , Refaat Ahmed M. , Babu Saranya Ramesh , Okla Mohammad K. , Kumar Sachil
Published: February 2017

An acceptable area for collectingDNAreference sample is a part of the forensicDNAanalysis development. The aim of this study was to evaluate skin surface cells (SSC) as an alternate source of referenceDNAsample. From each volunteer (n = 10), six samples from skin surface areas (forearm and fingertips) and two traditional samples (blood and buccal cells) were collected. GenomicDNAwas extracted and quantified then genotyped using standard techniques. The highestDNAconcentration ofSSCsamples was collected using the tape/forearm method of collection (2.1 ng/μL). Cotton swabs moistened with ethanol yielded higher quantities ofDNAthan swabs moistened with salicylic acid, and it gave the highest percentage of fullSTRprofiles (97%). This study supports the use ofSSCas a noninvasive sampling technique and as a extremely useful source ofDNAreference samples among certain cultures where the use of buccal swabs can be considered socially unacceptable.
Condition‐dependence and sexual ornamentation: Effects of immune challenges on a highly sexually dimorphic grasshopper
Authors: Valverde J. Pablo , Eggert Hendrik , Kurtz Joachim , Schielzeth Holger
Published: February 2017

Sexual ornaments contribute substantially to phenotypic diversity and it is particularly relevant to understand their evolution. Ornaments can assume the function of signals‐of‐quality that the choosy sex uses to evaluate potential mating partners. Often there are no obvious direct benefits and investment into mate choice is primarily rewarded by beneficial alleles that are inherited to the offspring. Inter‐sexual communication via sexual ornaments requires honesty of the sexual signal, yet the question of what maintains honesty remains only partially solved. One solution is that honesty is maintained by trait expression being dependent on individual condition, since condition‐dependent trait expression offers an effectively inexhaustible source of genetic variability. Here we test in the highly sexually dimorphic club‐legged grasshopper Gomphocerus sibiricus if putative sexual ornaments, in particular the striking front‐leg clubs, are more strongly affected by a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) immune challenge than putatively not sexually selected traits. Our results show overall little condition‐dependent expression of morphological and song traits, with sexually selected traits exhibiting effects comparable to nonsexually selected traits (with the possible exception of stridulatory file length and syllable‐to‐pause ratio in advertisement songs). Interestingly, field observations of individuals of lethally parasitized individuals suggest that a very strong environmental challenge can specifically affect the expression of the front‐leg clubs. The presence of 1% of males in natural populations with missing or heavily deformed clubs plus 5% with minor club deformations furthermore indicate that there are risks associated with club development during final ecdysis and this might act as a filter against deleterious alleles.
Understanding the linkages between migration and household food security in India
Authors: Choithani Chetan
Published: February 2017

This paper argues for the need to integrate migration in future food policy research and practice and, in doing so, examines the role of internal migration as a livelihood strategy in influencing food security among rural households. Migration has become a key component of livelihood strategies for an increasing number of rural households across the developing world. Importantly, there is emerging consensus among academics and policy makers on migration's potentially positive effects in reducing poverty and promoting sustainable human development. Concurrently, the significance of the catch‐cry ‘food security for all’ as an important development objective has been growing, particularly since the 2007–08 global food crisis. However, academic and policy discussions on these two issues have tended to proceed largely in silos, with little attention devoted to the relationship they bear with each other. Using primary survey data collected from 392 rural households from a district in western Bihar in India, this paper seeks to fill this gap in relational dynamics. It first reviews plausible reasons for this disconnect between migration and food security in the wider developing countries' context, and then draws on a primary survey of rural Indian households to provide empirical household‐level insights on the linkages between people's movements and households' capacity to secure food. In particular, the paper focuses on the often‐overlooked role of migrants' remittances for food security of rural households at points of origin. The findings show that, by equipping households with improved purchasing power and enabling investment in agriculture, remittances contribute positively to household food security.
Bilateral thalamic lesions: A pictorial review
Authors: Özgür Anıl , Esen Kaan , Kaleağası Hakan , Yılmaz Arda , Kara Engin , Yıldız Altan
Published: February 2017

Bithalamic lesions are uncommon, however, both focal and systemic disorders may present bilateral abnormalities in the thalamus in different acute and chronic clinical situations. Neuroimaging, in particular magnetic resonance imaging, plays an essential role in diagnostic approach. Imaging features such as signal alterations, diffusion restriction or contrast enhancement are helpful in characterization of these abnormalities. The location of the lesions may provide key information because some pathologies typically involve a certain part of the thalamus. In addition to thalamic findings, neuroimaging findings in other parts of the brain associated with the clinical and laboratory information should be taken into account to make a correct diagnosis.
Skin prick tests and specific IgE in 10‐year‐old children: Agreement and association with allergic diseases
Authors: Chauveau A. , Dalphin M.‐L. , Mauny F. , Kaulek V. , Schmausser‐Hechfellner E. , Renz H. , Riedler J. , Pekkanen J. , Karvonen A. M. , Lauener R. , Roduit C. , Vuitton D. A. , von Mutius E. , Dalphin J.‐C. ,   the PASTURE Study Group
Published: February 2017

Background

Accurate assessment of atopic sensitization is pivotal to clinical practice and research. Skin prick test (SPT) and specific IgE (sIgE) are often used interchangeably. Some studies have suggested a disagreement between these two methods, and little is known about their association with allergic diseases. The aims of our study were to evaluate agreement between SPT and sIgE, and to compare their association with allergic diseases in 10‐year‐old children.

Methods

Skin prick test, sIgE measurements, and assessment of allergic diseases were performed in children aged 10 years in the Protection against Allergy: STUdy in Rural Environments (PASTURE) cohort. The agreement between SPT and sIgE was assessed by Cohen's kappa coefficient with different cutoff values.

Results

Skin prick tests and sIgE were performed in 529 children. The highest agreement (κ=.44) was found with a cutoff value of 3 and 5 mm for SPT, and 3.5 IU/mL for sIgE. The area under the curve (AUC) obtained with SPT was not significantly different from that obtained with sIgE. For asthma and hay fever, SPT (cutoff value at 3 mm) had a significantly higher specificity (P<.0001) than sIgE (cutoff value at 0.35 IU/mL) and the specificity was not different between both tests (P=.1088).

Conclusion

Skin prick test and sIgE display moderate agreement, but have a similar AUC for allergic diseases. At the cutoff value of 3 mm for SPT and 0.35 IU/mL for sIgE, SPT has a higher specificity for asthma and hay fever than sIgE without difference for sensitivity.
Most children who took part in a comprehensive malnutrition programme in Madagascar reached and maintained the recovery threshold
Authors: Magnin Margot , Stoll Beat , Voahangy Rajaobelina , Jeannot Emilien
Published: February 2017

Aim

The benefits of including nutritional education in programmes that tackle moderate and severe acute malnutrition remain poorly documented. This study in Madagascar evaluated the nutritional status of children who took part in an innovative programme that included maternal education, on completion and after a year.

Methods

Each year, this outpatient programme admits 2400 malnourished children from six months to 59 months in the lower districts of Antananarivo, Madagascar. Children were drawn by lots, and their anthropometric data were measured. A descriptive retrospective longitudinal study was conducted on 573 children who took part between 2010 and 2013.

Results

The programme lasted an average of 38 days and, on completion, 82.2% had reached the recovery threshold, and 16.2% had moved up to mild malnutrition. This was achieved with food supplements of 720 kcal per day, despite the Malagasy Public Health recommendation of 1000–1500 kcal per day. After one year, 79.1% were still above the recovery threshold, and 15% had mild malnutrition. The recovery rate was higher for children under 24 months of age (odds ratio 2.9, 95% confidence interval 1.93–4.59).

Conclusion

Most children who attended this malnutrition programme with maternal education in Madagascar reached the recovery threshold on completion and had maintained it after one year.
Seeing overweight adults as babies: Physical cues and implications for stigmatization
Authors: Dijker Anton J. M. , DeLuster Rutger , Peeters Nicolas , de Vries Nanne K.
Published: February 2017

Human babies not only are reliable triggers of tender feelings and protective tendencies, they also happen to be exceptionally fat compared to the newborns of most other species. These two facts are used to formulate a hypothesis predicting that overweight males, due to their great physical resemblance to babies, not only are perceived as cute, but also are associated with negatively evaluated traits (e.g., immaturity, lack of willpower) that are saliently inconsistent with traits required for adults. In this study, a great many physical features of adult males varying widely in weight were measured and correlated with subjective judgements. Providing preliminary support for the hypothesis, it was found that the features that were correlated with objective and perceived fatness (e.g., circularity of body parts, relatively large head, short and thick neck) also correlated with perceived babyishness. Perceived fatness and babyishness had curvilinear influences on the positive and prosocial appraisal of cuteness, but were primarily negatively related to perceived willpower and beauty. Results are used to formulate an alternative evolutionary perspective on social responses to overweight and obese individuals, emphasizing the uniquely human adaptive value of fatness and the misfiring of the underlying response mechanism under modern conditions of living.
Early Home Activities and Oral Language Skills in Middle Childhood: A Quantile Analysis
Authors: Law James , Rush Robert , King Tom , Westrupp Elizabeth , Reilly Sheena
Published: February 2017

Oral language development is a key outcome of elementary school, and it is important to identify factors that predict it most effectively. Commonly researchers use ordinary least squares regression with conclusions restricted to average performance conditional on relevant covariates. Quantile regression offers a more sophisticated alternative. Using data of 17,687 children from the United Kingdom's Millennium Cohort Study, we compared ordinary least squares and quantile models with language development (verbal similarities) at 11 years as the outcome. Gender had more of an effect at the top of the distribution, whereas poverty, early language, and reading to the child had a greater effect at the bottom. The picture for TV watching was more mixed. The results are discussed in terms of the provision of universal and targeted interventions.
A novel DNAJB6 mutation causes dominantly inherited distal‐onset myopathy and compromises DNAJB6 function
Authors: Tsai P.‐C. , Tsai Y.‐S. , Soong B.‐W. , Huang Y.‐H. , Wu H.‐T. , Chen Y.‐H. , Lin K.‐P. , Liao Y.‐C. , Lee Y.‐C.
Published: February 2017

Background

Mutations in the DNAJB6 gene have been identified as a rare cause of dominantly inherited limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy or distal‐onset myopathy.

Materials and Methods

Exome sequencing was performed to investigate a Taiwanese family with a dominantly inherited distal‐onset myopathy. Functional effects of the causal mutation were investigated in vitro.

Results

Exome sequencing of the two affected individuals in this family identified a heterozygous mutation, c.287C>T (p.Pro96Leu) in the DNAJB6 gene, which co‐segregated with the myopathy within all 12 family members. Notably, this mutation is novel and localizes within the glycine and phenylalanine‐rich (G/F) domain and alters an amino acid residue previously reported with a different mutation. Furthermore, immunofluorescence analyses and filter trap assay demonstrated that the c.287C>T (p.Pro96Leu) mutation possessed a dominant negative effect on the anti‐aggregation function of DNAJB6 protein.

Conclusion

This study expands the molecular spectrum of DNAJB6 mutations and also emphasizes the pathogenic role of DNAJB6 dysfunction in distal‐onset myopathy.
On the functional extinction of the Passenger Pigeon
Authors: Roberts David L. , Jarić Ivan , Solow Andrew R.
Published: February 2017

The Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) was a social breeder, and it has been suggested that the species experienced functional extinction, defined as a total reproductive failure, prior to its actual extinction in the early years of the 20th century. We applied a novel randomization test based on the relative times of the most recent egg‐ and skin‐specimen sightings (i.e., recorded date of specimen collection) to test for functional extinction. For a total of 6 eggs and 27 skins, the observed significance level was 0.38, which indicated that the species did not become functionally extinct. Thus, proposals to reverse its rapid decline in the late 19th century could have been successful.
Transition to success on the model room task: the importance of improvements in working memory
Authors: Hartstein Lauren E. , Berthier Neil E.
Published: February 2017

Previous work has shown that children under age 3 often perform very poorly on the model room task, in which they are asked to find a hidden toy based on its location in a scale model. One prominent theory for their failure is that they lack the ability to understand the model as both a physical object and as a symbolic representation of the larger room. A hypothesized additional component is that they need to overcome weak, competing representations of where the object was on a previous trial, and where it is in the present trial, in order to succeed in their search. Children aged 33–39 months were tested on the model room task, as well as on measures of cognitive inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. Results showed that performance on the model room task was not predicted by measures of inhibitory control or cognitive flexibility, but was predicted by performance on the Delayed Recognition Span Test (DRST), a measure of working memory. These findings lend support to the theory of competing representations and demonstrate the necessity of updating and maintaining strong representations in working memory to succeed in the search task.