bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local extinction and nestedness of small-mammal faunas in fragmented forest of central Victoria, Australia
Authors: N. Deacon J. , Mac Nally R.
Published: May 2016

A survey of small mammals was undertaken in eight forest fragments of three sizes (2.5, 10 and 40 ha) and in five "pseudofragments" within a large area of State Forest. The latter were used to provide "reference" results against which the fragments could be compared. There was a paucity of dasyurid marsupials in fragments and pseudofragments, but arboreal "herbivores" (possums and a glider) were 7.5 times more abundant in fragments than in pseudofragments. The Short-beaked Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus was recorded in both fragments and pseudofragments. All sites were impoverished, with a maximum of four native species of small mammals recorded at any one site, and six native species recorded overall. There was significant faunal "nesting" as a function of fragment size, with the small-mammal fauna of smaller fragments being subsets of larger fragments. The extant fauna in fragments appears to be a result of a sequence of local extinctions such that some species are more vulnerable to habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation and become locally extinct earlier than other, hardier species. The impoverishment within pseudofragments seems to be a function of broad-scale habitat modifications and especially timber harvesting, which maintains the forest as a dense array of small, pole-sized trees with few large, old trees. Several of the arboreal mammals are dependent on hollows found in larger trees, so the absence of the latter probably constrains the occurrence and density of the hollow users.
The need for more stringent requirements in Environmental Impact Assessment: Shell Cove Marina case study
Authors: Benkendorff K.
Published: May 2016

An examination of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) points to a clear need for change in the current process of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Australia. The recent approval of a Boatharbour/Marina at Shellharbour, New South Wales, Australia, serves as an example that underscores some of the problems common to most EISs. Budgetary constraints imposed on the ecological consultants can lead to the use of inappropriate methodology and the collection of inaccurate biological data. The limitations in methodology must be taken into consideration in EISs and all conclusions should be substantiated with data or reference to the literature. There is a need for stricter guidelines for ecological studies and monitoring programmes. A comprehensive list of potential impacts requiring consideration in an EIS should be provided for all designated developments. Novel mitigation methods should always be subject to monitoring. The consequences of not proceeding with the development should be considered in conjunction with alternatives to the proposed development and it should be essential to consider ecotourism as an alternative to all purely tourist oriented proposals. There is a need for peer review in the EIA process. Many of the flaws in the Shell Cove EIS might have been negated by more input from independent scientists. The future of ecologically sustainable development in Australia depends on our ability to learn from, and improve on, mistakes from the past.
Improving our fundamental understanding of the role of aerosol−cloud interactions in the climate system
Authors: Seinfeld John H. , Bretherton Christopher , Carslaw Kenneth S. , Coe Hugh , DeMott Paul J. , Dunlea Edward J. , Feingold Graham , Ghan Steven , Guenther Alex B. , Kahn Ralph , Kraucunas Ian , Kreidenweis Sonia M. , Molina Mario J. , Nenes Athanasios , Penner Joyce E. , Prather Kimberly A. , Ramanathan V. , Ramaswamy Venkatachalam , Rasch Philip J. , Ravishankara A. R. , Rosenfeld Daniel , Stephens Graeme , Wood Robert
Published: May 2016

The effect of an increase in atmospheric aerosol concentrations on the distribution and radiative properties of Earth’s clouds is the most uncertain component of the overall global radiative forcing from preindustrial time. General circulation models (GCMs) are the tool for predicting future climate, but the treatment of aerosols, clouds, and aerosol−cloud radiative effects carries large uncertainties that directly affect GCM predictions, such as climate sensitivity. Predictions are hampered by the large range of scales of interaction between various components that need to be captured. Observation systems (remote sensing, in situ) are increasingly being used to constrain predictions, but significant challenges exist, to some extent because of the large range of scales and the fact that the various measuring systems tend to address different scales. Fine-scale models represent clouds, aerosols, and aerosol−cloud interactions with high fidelity but do not include interactions with the larger scale and are therefore limited from a climatic point of view. We suggest strategies for improving estimates of aerosol−cloud relationships in climate models, for new remote sensing and in situ measurements, and for quantifying and reducing model uncertainty.
Search for supersolidity in solid
4
He using multiple-mode torsional oscillators
Authors: Eyal Anna , Mi Xiao , Talanov Artem V. , Reppy John D.
Published: May 2016

Significance

The concept of a supersolid state in solid
4
He was first suggested in 1968, yet it was only in 2004 that experimental evidence for the existence of this new state of matter was presented. The possible discovery of the long-sought supersolid state created much excitement and was followed, however, by experimental and theoretical work that suggested that the original interpretation was not satisfactory. It is now clear that many of the originally observed signals can be explained by changes in the shear modulus of the solid in the experimental cells. In the experiments reported here, we have used an experimental technique that enables the distinction between the effects of the shear modulus and those of a possible supersolid state.
Phosphoinositide 5- and 3-phosphatase activities of a voltage-sensing phosphatase in living cells show identical voltage dependence
Authors: Keum Dongil , Kruse Martin , Kim Dong-Il , Hille Bertil , Suh Byung-Chang
Published: May 2016

Significance

Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate [PI(3,4)P
2
] and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate [PI(3,4,5)P
3
] 3-phosphatase that plays important roles in cell polarization, division, and development as well as in tumor suppression. Voltage-sensing phosphatases (VSPs) are PTEN family members but have catalytic activity in response to membrane depolarization with a wider range of substrates: They cleave the 5-phosphate of PI(3,4,5)P
3
and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate as well as the 3-phosphate of PI(3,4)P
2
and perhaps PI(3,4,5)P
3
. Using in-cell observations accompanied by quantitative analysis, we demonstrated that VSPs clearly cleave 3-phosphate from PI(3,4,5)P
3
as PTEN does. Our results suggest that VSPs might act as surrogates for PTEN in several biological events related to membrane depolarization in addition to their inherent role.
Biomphalaria havanensis is a Natural First Intermediate Host for the Trematode Bolbophorus damnificus in Commercial Catfish Production in Mississippi
Authors: Rosser Thomas G , Alberson Neely R , Khoo Lester H , Woodyard Ethan T , Wise David J , Pote Linda M , Griffin Matt J
Published: May 2016

The digenetic trematode Bolbophorus damnificus is a significant hindrance to the production of farm-raised catfish in the southeastern USA. Severe infections with Bolbophorus damnificus can result in death, but the real damage lies in mild to moderate infections, which can go unnoticed by producers. Research has shown even mild infections can inhibit production to the point of operating at a net loss. The ramshorn snail Planorbella trivolvis is the first intermediate host for Bolbophorus damnificus and is prevalent in most commercial catfish ponds in the Southeast. Management practices aimed at controlling Bolbophorus damnificus infections primarily focus on reducing snail populations in ponds. Other aquatic snail species are also commonly associated with commercial catfish ponds, although little is known about their contributions to trematode infections in catfish. In the summer of 2014, 804 snails Biomphalaria havanensis (synonym: Biomphalaria obstructa) were collected from a single commercial catfish pond and screened for trematode infections. Seven of these snails (0.81%) were actively releasing cercariae identified molecularly as Bolbophorus damnificus. These cercariae were subsequently used in infectivity trials with Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus fingerlings (5–8 cm). Seven days postchallenge, fish were examined histologically for the presence of metacercariae, which were present in 13 of 15 (86.67%) surviving fish. This is the first report of naturally occurring infections of Bolbophorus damnificus in another snail species.
ITER first mirror mock-ups exposed in Magnum-PSI
Authors: Marot L. , De Temmerman G. , van den Berg M.A. , Renault P.-O. , Covarel G. , Joanny M. , Travère J.M. , Steiner R. , Mathys D. , Meyer E.
Published: May 2016

The goal of this work was to investigate coated first mirrors under very harsh erosion conditions. Mock-up mirrors were exposed to high-flux hydrogen/argon plasma in the linear plasma facility Magnum-PSI. Rhodium (Rh) and molybdenum (Mo) coated mirrors of different coating thicknesses, with or without water cooling, exhibited different responses to this exposure. Failures of Rh films were demonstrated for 5 micron thick film, 1 micron film revealed 10% decrease in the specular reflectivity only in the exposed area. In comparison, water cooled Mo mock-ups showed a significant diffuse reflectivity on the entire surface leading to more than 50% specular reflectivity losses in the visible range. The losses for non-cooled Mo samples did not exceed 7% in the whole studied wavelength range of 250–2500 nm. Three phenomena were proposed to explain these results. First the mechanical properties of the films as characterized by scratch and hardness measurements as well as residual stress analysis measured by x-ray diffraction. Rh films showed a high compressive stress value of 2.5  ±  0.4 GPa leading to poor adhesion of the thick films deposited on stainless steel substrate due to the high amount of available energy per area stored in the unbuckled film i.e.

G

0

>
30

J m−2. It was confirmed by ANSYS simulation that the von Mises stress for the Rh coating was twice as high as that for the Mo coating due to different mechanical properties. Moreover, the maximum stress for thick Rh film (261 MPa) was higher than the critical buckling stress calculated with a buckle clamped Euler column model demonstrating the failure mode of the film. The second phenomenon was roughening of the mirror surface which was flux and temperature dependent, i.e. at low temperatures the surface would roughen randomly without any oriented surface morphology and at higher temperatures the surface diffusion constants would dominate the process and smoothen the surface. The last phenomenon was the significant oxidation and carbidization of the Mo surface even on the non-exposed area, as detected by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, leading also to a decrease in the reflectivity in the entire measured range, which was not observed for Rh film.
Quasicircles and the conformal group
Authors: Benoist Yves , Hulin Dominique
Published: May 2016

We prove that a Jordan curve in the 2-sphere is a quasicircle if and only if the closure of its orbit under the action of the conformal group contains only points and Jordan curves.
Concentration function for pyramid and quantum metric measure space
Authors: Ozawa Ryunosuke
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we generalize the concentration function for metric measure space to one for pyramid and quantum metric measure space. We also study the limit of the concentration function for convergent sequences of pyramids and quantum metric measure spaces.
Lifting properties of minimal sets for parabolic equations on 𝑆¹ with reflection symmetry
Authors: Zhou Dun
Published: May 2016

We consider the skew-product semiflow generated by the following parabolic equation:
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="u Subscript t Baseline equals u Subscript x x Baseline plus f left-parenthesis t comma u comma u Subscript x Baseline right-parenthesis comma t greater-than 0 comma x element-of upper S Superscript 1 Baseline equals double-struck upper R slash 2 pi double-struck upper Z comma">

u

t

=

u

x
x

+
f
(
t
,
u
,

u

x

)
,

t
>
0
,

x
∈

S

1

=

R

/

2
π

Z

,

\begin{equation*} u_{t}=u_{xx}+f(t,u,u_{x}),\,\,t>0,\,x\in S^{1}=\mathbb {R}/2\pi \mathbb {Z}, \end{equation*}

where

f
(
t
,
u
,

u
x

)
=
f
(
t
,
u
,
−

u
x

)

f(t,u,u_x)=f(t,u,-u_x)

. It is proved that the flow on uniquely ergodic minimal set

M
M

is topologically conjugate to a subflow on

R

×
H
(
f
)

\mathbb {R}\times H(f)

and

M
M

is uniquely ergodic if and only if the set consisting of

1
1

-cover points of

H
(
f
)

H(f)

has full measure. It is further proved that any minimal set

M
M

is almost automorphic provided that

f
f

is uniformly almost automorphic. Moreover, for any almost automorphic solution

u
(
t
,
x
)

u(t,x)

contained in

M
M

, the frequency module

M

(
u
(
t
,
x
)
)

\mathcal {M}(u(t,x))

is contained in the frequency module of

f
f

.
Convergence rates in periodic homogenization of systems of elasticity
Authors: Shen Zhongwei , Zhuge Jinping
Published: May 2016

This paper is concerned with homogenization of systems of linear elasticity with rapidly oscillating periodic coefficients. We establish sharp convergence rates in

L
2

L^2

for the mixed boundary value problems with bounded measurable coefficients.
A note on splitting numbers for Galois covers and 𝜋₁-equivalent Zariski 𝑘-plets
Authors: Shirane Taketo
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we introduce splitting numbers of subvarieties in a smooth complex variety for a Galois cover, and prove that the splitting numbers are invariant under certain homeomorphisms. In particular cases, we show that splitting numbers enable us to distinguish the topology of complex plane curves even if the fundamental groups of the complements of plane curves are isomorphic. Consequently, we prove that there are

π
1

\pi _1

-equivalent Zariski

k
k

-plets for any integer

k
≥
2

k\geq 2

.
Elementary constructions of non-discrete 𝐶*-simple groups
Authors: Suzuki Yuhei
Published: May 2016

Recently Raum has given the first examples of locally compact non-discrete groups with simple reduced group

C

∗

\textrm {C}^\ast

-algebras, answering a question of de la Harpe. Here we construct such groups, relying only on results in the discrete case.
Applications of gait analysis in pediatric orthopaedics
Authors: Feng Jing , Wick Jane , Bompiani Erin , Aiona Michael
Published: May 2016

Computerized motion analysis, through innovation in technology and data interpretation, can be used as an important clinical tool. Gait deviations commonly occur in the pediatric population, some of which require a comprehensive approach to evaluation and treatment. This article provides an overview of the clinical application of gait analysis in pediatric orthopedics. The patient populations that may benefit from gait analysis and common gait abnormalities are presented as well as a systematic approach to observational gait analysis. The application of gait analysis in quantitatively identifying gait deviations and assisting with clinical decision-making are reviewed. Major components of the testing protocol such as physical examination, three-dimensional kinematics and kinetics, foot pressure, electromyography, energy consumption, are described. Principles of patient management and the utilization of gait analysis in various stages of clinical evaluation and treatment planning (baseline, follow-up, pre-intervention and post-interventions) are discussed. Two example cases (in-toeing and cerebral palsy) are illustrated to demonstrate the use of gait analysis in forming a therapeutic plan and measuring the treatment outcome quantitatively. Supplemental video files are included to illustrate important components of computerized gait analysis, demonstrate abnormal gait patterns, and present preoperative and postoperative gait videos of the case studies.
Pre- and Delayed Treatments With Ranolazine Ameliorate Ventricular Arrhythmias and Nav1.5 Downregulation in Ischemic/Reperfused Rat Hearts
Authors: Wei Xin , Zhu Afang , Zhang Yali , Yao Shanglong , Mao Weike
Published: May 2016

Enhanced late sodium current (late I

Na
) and intracellular Nav1.5 redistribution contribute to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced arrhythmias. Ranolazine can reduce lethal arrhythmias by inhibiting late I

Na
. However, little is known regarding its role in regulating the distribution of Nav1.5 during I/R. Therefore, we investigated the roles of ranolazine in post-I/R Nav1.5 expression and distribution in myocardium. Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups: sham, I/R, Ran Pre, and Ran Delay. Electrocardiogram and arterial pressure were recorded during the procedure. Nav1.5 mRNA and protein levels in peri-infarct cardiac tissue were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. To further confirm the regulation of ranolazine on Nav1.5, GS967, another late I

Na
inhibitor was used. Both pre- and delayed ranolazine treatments significantly reduced the incidence of severe ventricular arrhythmias, along with shortened corrected QT interval by 29.55% and QRS duration by 18.38% during I/R. The protein level of Nav1.5 decreased by 31.63% after I/R. Ranolazine and GS967 remained Nav1.5 protein expression and Nav1.5 redistribution on intercalated discs and lateral membranes, without affecting Nav1.5 mRNA level. In conclusion, upregulating Nav1.5 expression and redistribution on the intercalated discs and lateral membranes of cardiomyocytes may underlie the antiarrhythmic effects of ranolazine in I/R rats.
A Preoperative, Nurse-Led Intervention Program Reduces Acute Postoperative Delirium
Authors: Guo Ying , Fan Yuying
Published: May 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a preoperative, multidisciplinary intervention program for the prevention of acute postoperative delirium on the incidence and severity in patients who were treated in the intensive care unit after surgery. We studied 122 patients who had been transferred into intensive care unit after surgery at a teaching general hospital in China. The intervention consisted of standardized protocols for the management of risk factors for delirium: education of nursing staff, systematic cognitive caring, maintaining a safe environment, social support, and improving sleep quality. All patients were monitored for signs of delirium after surgery, as measured by the Delirium Detection Score. The Delirium Detection Scores of patients in the intervention cohort after surgery on different time points were less than the scores of patients in the control group on the same point-in-time (p < .01). The severity degree of delirium for patients was less (p < .01) in the intervention group within 24 hours than that in the usual care cohort. This study showed the beneficial effects of a preoperative intervention program focusing on early prevention of delirium in patients before surgery. Systematic and comprehensive interventions could reduce the incidence and severity of delirium.
Informing the Design and Evaluation of Superuser Care Management Initiatives
Authors: Chakravarty Sujoy , Cantor Joel C.
Published: May 2016

Background:

Health care spending is concentrated among a small number of high-cost patients, and the popularity of initiatives to improve care and reduce cost among such “superusers” (SUs) is growing. However, SU costs decline naturally over time, even without intervention, a statistical phenomenon known as regression-to-the-mean (RTM).

Objectives:

We assess the magnitude of RTM in hospital costs for cohorts of hospital SUs identified on the basis of high inpatient (IP) or emergency department (ED) utilization. We further examine how cost and RTM are associated with patient characteristics including behavioral health (BH) problems, multiple chronic conditions, and indicators of vulnerability.

Study Design:

Using longitudinally linked all-payer hospital billing data, we selected patient cohorts with ≥2 IP stays (IP SUs) or ≥6 ED visits (ED SUs) during a 6-month baseline period, and additional subgroups defined by combinations of IP and ED superuse.

Population Studied:

A total of 289,060 NJ hospital IP and treat-and-release ED patients over 2009–2011.

Results:

Hospital costs among IP and ED SUs declined 70% and 38%, respectively, over 8 quarters following the baseline period. The decrease occurs more quickly for IP SUs compared with ED SUs. Presence of BH problems was positively associated with costs among patients overall, but the relationship varied by SU cohort.

Conclusions:

Understanding patterns of RTM among SU populations is important for designing intervention strategies, as there is greater potential for savings among patients with more persistent costs (less RTM). Further, as many SU initiatives lack resources for rigorous evaluation, quantifying the extent of RTM is vital for interpreting program outcomes.
Facial Feminization: Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Morrison Shane D. , Vyas Krishna S. , Motakef Saba , Gast Katherine M. , Chung Michael T. , Rashidi Vania , Satterwhite Thomas , Kuzon William , Cederna Paul S.
Published: May 2016

Background:

Facial feminization surgery encompasses a broad range of craniomaxillofacial surgical procedures designed to change masculine facial features into feminine features. The surgical principles of facial feminization surgery can be applied to male-to-female transsexuals and anyone desiring feminization of the face. Although the prevalence of these procedures is difficult to quantify, because of the rising prevalence of transgenderism (approximately one in 14,000 men) along with improved insurance coverage for gender-confirming surgery, surgeons versed in techniques, outcomes, and challenges of facial feminization surgery are needed. This review is designed to critically appraise the current facial feminization surgery literature.

Methods:

A comprehensive literature search of the Medline, PubMed, and EMBASE databases was conducted for studies published through October of 2014 with multiple search terms related to facial feminization. Data on techniques, outcomes, complications, and patient satisfaction were collected.

Results:

Fifteen articles were selected and reviewed from the 24 identified, all of which were either retrospective or case series/reports. Articles covered a variety of facial feminization procedures. A total of 1121 patients underwent facial feminization surgery, with seven complications reported, although many articles did not explicitly comment on complications. Satisfaction was high, although most studies did not use validated or quantified approaches to address satisfaction.

Conclusions:

Facial feminization surgery appears to be safe and satisfactory for patients. Further studies are required to better compare different techniques to more robustly establish best practices. Prospective studies and patient-reported outcomes are needed to establish quality-of-life outcomes for patients. However, based on these studies, it appears that facial feminization surgery is highly efficacious and beneficial to patients.
Global Aesthetics Consensus: Avoidance and Management of Complications from Hyaluronic Acid Fillers—Evidence- and Opinion-Based Review and Consensus Recommendations
Authors: Signorini Massimo , Liew Steven , Sundaram Hema , De Boulle Koenraad L. , Goodman Greg J. , Monheit Gary , Wu Yan , Trindade de Almeida Ada R. , Swift Arthur , Vieira Braz André
Published: May 2016

Background:

Although the safety profile of hyaluronic acid fillers is favorable, adverse reactions can occur. Clinicians and patients can benefit from ongoing guidance on adverse reactions to hyaluronic acid fillers and their management.

Methods:

A multinational, multidisciplinary group of experts in cosmetic medicine convened the Global Aesthetics Consensus Group to review the properties and clinical uses of Hylacross and Vycross hyaluronic acid products and develop updated consensus recommendations for early and late complications associated with hyaluronic acid fillers.

Results:

The consensus panel provided specific recommendations focusing on early and late complications of hyaluronic acid fillers and their management. The impact of patient-, product-, and technique-related factors on such reactions was described. Most of these were noted to be mild and transient. Serious adverse events are rare. Early adverse reactions to hyaluronic acid fillers include vascular infarction and compromise; inflammatory reactions; injection-related events; and inappropriate placement of filler material. Among late reactions are nodules, granulomas, and skin discoloration. Most adverse events can be avoided with proper planning and technique. Detailed understanding of facial anatomy, proper patient and product selection, and appropriate technique can further reduce the risks. Should adverse reactions occur, the clinician must be prepared and have tools available for effective treatment.

Conclusions:

Adverse reactions with hyaluronic acid fillers are uncommon. Clinicians should take steps to further reduce the risk and be prepared to treat any complications that arise.
Medical Student Mentorship in Plastic Surgery: The Mentee’s Perspective
Authors: Barker Jenny C. , Rendon Juan , Janis Jeffrey E.
Published: May 2016

Background:

Mentorship is a universal concept that has a significant impact on nearly every surgical career. Although frequently editorialized, true data investigating the value of mentorship are lacking in the plastic surgery literature. This study evaluates mentorship in plastic surgery from the medical student perspective.

Methods:

An electronic survey was sent to recently matched postgraduate year–1 integrated track residents in 2014, with a response rate of 76 percent.

Results:

Seventy-seven percent of students reported a mentoring relationship. Details of the mentoring relationship were defined. Over 80 percent of students reported a mentor’s influence in their decision to pursue plastic surgery, and nearly 40 percent of students expressed interest in practicing the same subspecialty as their mentor. Benefits of the relationship were also described. Mentees value guidance around career preparation and advice and prioritized “a genuine interest in their career and personal development” above all other mentor qualities (p ≤ 1.6 × 10−16). Mentees prefer frequent, one-on-one interactions over less frequent interaction or group activities. Students did not prefer “assigned” relationships (91 percent), but did prefer “facilitated exposure.” Major barriers to mentorship included mentor time constraints and lack of exposure to plastic surgery. Indeed, significant differences in the presence of a mentoring relationship correlated with involvement of the plastic surgery department in the medical school curriculum.

Conclusions:

This study defines successes and highlights areas for improvement of mentorship of plastic surgery medical students. Successful mentorship may contribute to the future of plastic surgery, and a commitment toward this endeavor is needed at the local, departmental, and national leadership levels.
Redefining the Ideal Buttocks: A Population Analysis
Authors: Wong Wendy W. , Motakef Saba , Lin Yi , Gupta Subhas C.
Published: May 2016

Background:

The buttocks are a key element of female beauty, with aesthetic gluteoplasty becoming one of the fastest growing plastic surgery procedures. However, there remains no clear standard for the ideal buttocks. The authors performed a population analysis of the characteristics of the ideal buttocks to guide surgical planning.

Methods:

Images of buttocks were digitally altered to create buttocks of varying proportions on posterior and lateral views. Waist-to-hip ratios and varying vertical proportions were studied. Data were stratified and analyzed according to age range, gender, ethnicity, and nationality of the respondents.

Results:

A total of 1146 responses were collected. Of 989 respondents who submitted their gluteal preferences, 482 respondents (48.7 percent) were women and 507 (51.3 percent) were men. Overall, the most attractive buttocks waist-to-hip ratio is 0.65 from the posterior view (44.2 percent of respondents). The next most attractive ratio was 0.60 (25 percent of respondents). Positioning of the lateral prominence at the inferior gluteal fold was rated by 26.3 percent of respondents as the most attractive. From the lateral view, the most attractive buttocks have a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.70 (29.8 percent of respondents), with the most prominent portion positioned at the midpoint of the buttocks (45.1 percent of respondents), which is a 50:50 vertical ratio. There were no significant differences in preferences between respondent ages, genders, or ethnicities.

Conclusions:

New ideal waist-to-hip ratios of 0.6 and 0.65 update the previous standards and indicate a more dramatic and “curvier” new ideal, signaling an important preference paradigm shift. The information derived from this study has the potential to guide gluteoplasty practices and techniques.
Skin-Reduction Breast Reconstructions with Prepectoral Implant
Authors: Caputo Glenda Giorgia , Marchetti Alberto , Dalla Pozza Edoardo , Vigato Enrico , Domenici Lavinia , Cigna Emanuele , Governa Maurizio
Published: May 2016

Skin-reduction mastectomy with prepectoral implant reconstruction is a novel technique for immediate breast reconstruction, with subcutaneous implant placement in patients eligible for skin-reducing mastectomy. Implants were placed above the pectoralis muscles in a compound pocket made by a dermal flap and acellular dermal matrix. The procedure was performed on 33 breasts in 27 selected patients. In three cases, there was skin ischemia; in one case, it healed spontaneously; and in two patients, a surgical necrosectomy and primary closure were needed. No implant loss occurred. This new technique proved to be a useful alternative, with good cosmetic results, in selected patients requiring mastectomy. These preliminary results need to be confirmed by long-term and comparative studies.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, IV.
Queen Alexandra’s Knee
Authors: Pinals Robert S.
Published: May 2016

In 1867, Alexandra, the 22-year-old Princess of Wales, late in her third pregnancy, had sudden onset of a febrile illness. There was a brief period of migratory arthritis, followed by persistent, severe inflammation in 1 knee. A diagnosis of rheumatic fever was made by her physicians, but the course of her illness differed greatly from the expected one. In this report reviewing her disorder, the suggestion is made that she more likely had gonococcal arthritis and that the infection was transmitted to her by her husband, the future King Edward VII, then known as “The Playboy Prince.”
Exploratory Phase II Trial to Evaluate the Safety and the Antiepileptic Effect of Pitolisant (BF2.649) in Refractory Partial Seizures, Given as Adjunctive Treatment During 3 Months
Authors: Collart Dutilleul Pierre , Ryvlin Philippe , Kahane Philippe , Vercueil Laurent , Semah Franck , Biraben Arnaud , Schwartz Jean-Charles , De Seze Jérôme , Hirsch Edouard , Collongues Nicolas
Published: May 2016

Background

Pitolisant (BF2.649) is a nonimidazole histamine 3 receptor antagonist. In previous animal studies, it has been shown that pitolisant might be helpful in chronic seizure treatment of both partial and generalized epilepsies. The present study is a multicenter, national, pragmatic, noncomparative, open-label, exploratory phase II trial. It is the first reported study of the clinical effects of pitolisant in human epilepsy.

Objective

The goal of this trial was to explore the antiepileptic effect of 3 different doses of pitolisant (20, 30, and 40 mg once daily) in patients presenting partial seizure onset despite therapy with adequate dose of 1 to 3 appropriate antiepileptic drugs.

Methods

The study has been conducted in 6 study sites in France between 2005 and 2006. The primary end point was the proportion of responders having a seizure rate decrease by at least 50%. A larger clinical trial could be started according to the results. An interim analysis was planned in the protocol to decide if the study should be continued or not according to the efficacy and safety results. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis.

Results

An initial goal of 40 patients included had been planned; 23 were finally included. Pitolisant was well tolerated and achieved a clinical response in one third of patients after 3 months of treatment.

Conclusions

Despite encouraging data, there is no evidence for the efficacy of the drug for the regimen that was used, but no firm conclusions can be drawn because the number of included subject was small and the study was not placebo controlled.
Donepezil as Add-on Treatment for Resistant Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Retrospective Case Series
Authors: Bergman Joseph , Miodownik Chanoch , Lerner Paul P. , Miodownik Einat , Shulkin Alexander , Lerner Vladimir
Published: May 2016

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the most common and disabling psychiatric disorders. Treatment with serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) shows significant improvement; however, residual symptoms remain in most patients despite continued adequate OCD treatment. For patients exhibiting partial or no response to multiple SSRIs, augmentation strategies are usually recommended. Here, we introduce a retrospective consecutive sample of aged patients with resistant OCD treated with donepezil augmentation to regular pharmacotherapy.

Methods

Ten patients (5 males, 5 females; mean [SD] age, 63.8 [7.5] years), suffering from resistant OCD, were openly treated with donepezil 10 mg/d as add-on. Efficacy was assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, Clinical Global Impression-Severity, and Clinical Global Impression-Improvement.

Results

The treatment was generally well tolerated without adverse events. In all patients, mean (SD) Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale scores diminished from 27.3 (4.3) points at baseline to 16.9 (4.5) points at week 8 (P < 0.0001). Mean (SD) Clinical Global Impression-Severity scores diminished from 5.5 (0.7) points to 3.1 (1.0) points, (P < 0.001). According to Clinical Global Impression-Improvement, 7 patients demonstrated “very much” or “much” improvement and 3 patients did not demonstrate any improvement.

Conclusions

Donepezil was a well-tolerated add-on to regular pharmacotherapy in treatment-resistant OCD patients in this small cases series. Donepezil could be a promising optional therapy for patients suffering from resistant OCD, but further randomized controlled studies are necessary.
Experiments on torrefied wood pellet: study by gasification and characterization for waste biomass to energy applications
Authors: Rollinson Andrew N. , Williams Orla
Published: May 2016

Samples of torrefied wood pellet produced by low-temperature microwave pyrolysis were tested through a series of experiments relevant to present and near future waste to energy conversion technologies. Operational performance was assessed using a modern small-scale downdraft gasifier. Owing to the pellet's shape and surface hardness, excellent flow characteristics were observed. The torrefied pellet had a high energy density, and although a beneficial property, this highlighted the present inflexibility of downdraft gasifiers in respect of feedstock tolerance due to the inability to contain very high temperatures inside the reactor during operation. Analyses indicated that the torrefaction process had not significantly altered inherent kinetic properties to a great extent; however, both activation energy and pre-exponential factor were slightly higher than virgin biomass from which the pellet was derived. Thermogravimetric analysis-derived reaction kinetics (CO2gasification), bomb calorimetry, proximate and ultimate analyses, and the Bond Work Index grindability test provided a more comprehensive characterization of the torrefied pellet's suitability as a fuel for gasification and also other combustion applications. It exhibited significant improvements in grindability energy demand and particle size control compared to other non-treated and thermally treated biomass pellets, along with a high calorific value, and excellent resistance to water.
Personalized characterization of diseases using sample-specific networks
Authors: Liu Xiaoping , Wang Yuetong , Ji Hongbin , Aihara Kazuyuki , Chen Luonan
Published: May 2016

A complex disease generally results not from malfunction of individual molecules but from dysfunction of the relevant system or network, which dynamically changes with time and conditions. Thus, estimating a condition-specific network from a sample is crucial to elucidating the molecular mechanisms of complex diseases at the system level. However, there is currently no effective way to construct such an individual-specific network by expression profiling of a single sample because of the requirement of multiple samples for computing correlations. We developed here with a statistical method, i.e., a sample-specific network method, which allows us to construct individual-specific networks based on molecular expression of a single sample. Using this method, we can characterize various human diseases at a network level. In particular, such sample-specific networks can lead to the identification of individual-specific disease modules as well as driver genes, even without gene sequencing information. Extensive analysis by using the Cancer Genome Atlas data not only demonstrated the effectiveness of the method, but also found new individual-specific driver genes and network patterns for various cancers. Biological experiments on drug resistance further validated one important advantage of our method over the traditional methods, i.e., we even identified those drug resistance genes that actually have no clearly differential expression between samples with and without the resistance, due to the additional network information.
Comparison of bacterial genome assembly software for MinION data
Authors: Judge Kim , Hunt Martin , Reuter Sandra , Tracey Alan , Quail Michael A. , Parkhill Julian , Peacock Sharon J.
Published: May 2016

Antimicrobial resistance genes can be carried on plasmids or on mobile elements integrated into the chromosome. We sequenced a multidrug resistant Enterobacter kobei genome isolated from wastewater in the United Kingdom, but were unable to conclusively identify plasmids from the short read assembly. Our aim was to compare and contrast the accuracy and characteristics of open source software (PBcR, Canu, miniasm and SPAdes) for the assembly of bacterial genomes (including plasmids) generated by the MinION instrument. Miniasm produced an assembly in the shortest time, but Canu produced the most accurate assembly overall. We found that MinION data alone was able to generate a contiguous and accurate assembly of an isolate with multiple plasmids.
Linked Data in Neuroscience: Applications, Benefits, and Challenges
Authors: Nichols B Nolan , Ghosh Satrajit S. , Auer Tibor , Grabowski Thomas , Maumet Camille , Keator David , Martone Maryann E. , Pohl Kilian M. , Poline Jean-Baptiste
Published: May 2016

The fundamental goal of neuroscience is to understand the nervous system at all levels of description, from molecular components to behavior. The complexity of achieving this goal in neuroscience, and biomedicine in general, poses many technical and sociological challenges. Among these are the need to organize neuroscientific data, information, and knowledge to facilitate new scientific endeavors, provide credibility and visibility of research findings, and increase the efficiency of data reuse. Linked Data is a set of principles based on Web technology that can aid this process as it organizes data as an interconnected network of information. This review examines the history, practical impact, potential, and challenges of applying Linked Data principles to neuroscience.
Diploid male production correlates with genetic diversity in the parasitoid waspVenturia canescens: a genetic approach with new microsatellite markers
Authors: Collet Marie , Vayssade Chloé , Auguste Alexandra , Mouton Laurence , Desouhant Emmanuel , Malausa Thibaut , Fauvergue Xavier
Published: May 2016

Sex determination is ruled by haplodiploidy in Hymenoptera, with haploid males arising from unfertilized eggs and diploid females from fertilized eggs. However, diploid males with null fitness are produced under Complementary Sex Determination (CSD), whenindividuals are homozygous for this locus. Diploid males are expected to be more frequent in genetically eroded populations (such as islands and captive populations), as genetic diversity at the csd locus should be low. However, only a few studies have focused on the relation between population size, genetic diversity and the proportion of diploid males in the field. Here, we developed new microsatellites markers in order to assess and compare genetic diversity and diploid male proportion in populations from three distinct habitat types (mainland, island or captive), in the parasitoid waspVenturia canescens. Eroded genetic diversity and higher diploid male proportion were found in island and captive populations, and habitat type had large effect on genetic diversity. Therefore, diploid male proportion reflects the decreasing genetic diversity in small and isolated populations. Thus, Hymenopteran populations can be at high extinction risk due to habitat destruction or fragmentation.
Nucleolus association of chromosomal domains is largely maintained in cellular senescence despite massive nuclear reorganisation
Authors: Dillinger Stefan , Straub Tobias , Németh Attila
Published: May 2016

Mammalian chromosomes are organized in structural and functional domains of 0.1-10 Mb, which are characterized by high self-association frequencies in the nuclear space and different contact probabilities with nuclear sub-compartments. They exhibit distinct chromatin modification patterns, gene expression levels and replication timing. Recently, nucleolus-associated chromosomal domains (NADs) have been discovered, yet their precise genomic organization and dynamics are still largely unknown. Here, we use nucleolus genomics and single-cell experiments to address these questions in human embryonic fibroblasts during replicative senescence. Genome-wide mapping reveals 1,646 NADs in proliferating cells, which cover about 38% of the annotated human genome. They are mainly heterochromatic and correlate with late replicating loci. Using Hi-C data analysis, we show that interactions of NADs dominate interphase chromosome contacts in the 10-50 Mb distance range. Interestingly, only minute changes in nucleolar association are observed upon senescence. These spatial rearrangements in subdomains smaller than 100 kb are accompanied with local transcriptional changes. In contrast, large centromeric and pericentromeric satellite repeat clusters extensively dissociate from nucleoli in senescent cells. We use gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to map the epigenetic regulatory network that governs these changes. The GSEA results together with cellular chromatin analyses suggest that histone H3K9 trimethylation is involved in regulating the nucleolus association of chromatin. Collectively, this study identifies connections between the nucleolus, 3D genome structure, and cellular aging at the level of interphase chromosome organization.
Neural Evidence of the Strategic Choice Between Working Memory and Episodic Memory in Prospective Remembering
Authors: Lewis-Peacock Jarrod A. , Cohen Jonathan D. , Norman Kenneth A.
Published: May 2016

Theories of prospective memory (PM) posit that it can be subserved either by working memory (WM) or episodic memory (EM). Testing and refining these multiprocess theories of PM requires a way of tracking participants’ reliance on WM versus EM. Here we use multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) to derive a trial-by-trial measure of WM use in prospective memory. We manipulated strategy demands by varying the degree of proactive interference (which impairs EM) and the memory load required to perform the secondary task (which impairs WM). For the condition in which participants were pushed to rely more on WM, our MVPA measures showed 1) greater WM use and 2) a trial-by-trial correlation between WM use and PM behavior. Finally, we also showed that MVPA measures of WM use are not redundant with other behavioral measures: in the condition in which participants were pushed more to rely on WM, using neural and behavioral measures together led to better prediction of PM accuracy than either measure on its own.
Stochastic models of gene transcription with upstream drives: exact solution and sample path characterization
Authors: Dattani Justine , Barahona Mauricio
Published: May 2016

Gene transcription is a highly stochastic and dynamic process. As a result, the mRNA copy number of a given gene is heterogeneous both between cells and across time. We present a framework to model gene transcription in populations of cells with time-varying (stochastic or deterministic) transcription and degradation rates. Such rates can be understood as upstream cellular drives representing the effect of different aspects of the cellular environment. We show that the full solution of the master equation contains two components: a model-specific, upstream effective drive, which encapsulates the effect of the cellular drives (e.g., entrainment, periodicity or promoter randomness), and a downstream transcriptional Poissonian part, which is common to all models. Our analytical framework allows us to treat cell-to-cell and dynamic variability consistently, unifying several approaches in the literature. We apply the obtained solution to characterize several gene transcription models of experimental relevance, and to explain the influence on gene transcription of synchrony, stationarity, ergodicity, as well as the effect of time-scales and other dynamic characteristics of drives. We also show how the solution can be applied to the analysis of single-cell data, and to reduce the computational cost of sampling solutions via stochastic simulation.