bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is there inter‐procedural transfer of skills in intraocular surgery? A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Thomsen Ann Sofia Skou , Kiilgaard Jens Folke , la Cour Morten , Brydges Ryan , Konge Lars
Published: March 2017

Purpose

To investigate how experience in simulated cataract surgery impacts and transfers to the learning curves for novices in vitreoretinal surgery.

Methods

Twelve ophthalmology residents without previous experience in intraocular surgery were randomized to (1) intensive training in cataract surgery on a virtual‐reality simulator until passing a test with predefined validity evidence (cataract trainees) or to (2) no cataract surgery training (novices). Possible skill transfer was assessed using a test consisting of all 11 vitreoretinal modules on the EyeSi virtual‐reality simulator. All participants repeated the test of vitreoretinal surgical skills until their performance curve plateaued. Three experienced vitreoretinal surgeons also performed the test to establish validity evidence. Analysis with independent samples t‐tests was performed.

Results

The vitreoretinal test on the EyeSi simulator demonstrated evidence of validity, given statistically significant differences in mean test scores for the first repetition; experienced surgeons scored higher than novices (p = 0.023) and cataract trainees (p = 0.003). Internal consistency for the 11 modules of the test was acceptable (Cronbach's α = 0.73). Our findings did not indicate a transfer effect with no significant differences found between cataract trainees and novices in their starting scores (mean ± SD 381 ± 129 points versus 455 ± 82 points, p = 0.262), time to reach maximum performance level (10.7 ± 3.0 hr versus 8.7 ± 2.8 hr, p = 0.265), or maximum scores (785 ± 162 points versus 805 ± 73 points, p = 0.791).

Conclusion

Pretraining in cataract surgery did not demonstrate any measurable effect on vitreoretinal procedural performance. The results of this study indicate that we should not anticipate extensive transfer of surgical skills when planning training programmes in intraocular surgery.
Patients’ maximum acceptable waiting time for cataract surgery: a comparison at two time‐points 7 years apart
Authors: Weingessel Birgit , Wahl Michael , Vécsei‐Marlovits Pia V.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

To evaluate the maximum acceptable waiting time (MAWT) of cataract patients and assess the determinants of their perception of MAWT at two time‐points 7 years apart.

Methods

In 2007 (prior to the transformation of our cataract service to a day case unit) and 2014, 500 consecutive patients with cataract were asked to fill in a preoperative questionnaire addressing their MAWT to undergo cataract surgery. The patients’ visual impairment (VF‐14 score), education and social status were evaluated.

Results

The mean MAWT was 3.2 months in both periods, whereas the actual waiting time decreased significantly by 1.7 months (p < 0.001). Patients who had self‐noted visual impairment were nearly four times (p < 0.001) more likely to accept only an MAWT of <3 months in 2007. In both periods, patients with a VF‐14 score lower than the mean were more likely to accept a shorter MAWT (p = 0.002 and p = 0.034). Living together with children or having relatives close by was associated with a greater acceptance of an MAWT longer than 3 months (p = 0.002 and p = 0.023).

Conclusion

Reducing the actual mean waiting time had no impact on the mean MAWT. Patients with poor tolerance of waiting had greater self‐reported difficulty with vision. Social support was also a strong predictor from the patients’ perspective. The VF‐14 score had a greater impact than clinical visual acuity (VA) testing. Considering the implementation of standards for waiting lists, objective criteria to guarantee a transparent system should be taken into account.
Exercise and epigenetic inheritance of disease risk
Authors: Denham J.
Published: March 2017

Epigenetics is the study of gene expression changes that occur in the absence of altered genotype. Current evidence indicates a role for environmentally induced alterations to epigenetic modifications leading to health and disease changes across multiple generations. This phenomenon is called intergenerational or transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of health or disease. Environmental insults, in the form of toxins, plastics and particular dietary interventions, perturb the epigenetic landscape and influence the health of F1 through to F4 generations in rodents. There is, however, the possibility that healthy lifestyles and environmental factors, such as exercise training, could lead to favourable, heritable epigenetic modifications that augment transcriptional programmes protective of disease, including metabolic dysfunction, heart disease and cancer. The health benefits conferred by regular physical exercise training are unquestionable, yet many of the molecular changes may have heritable health implications for future generations. Similar to other environmental factors, exercise modulates the epigenome of somatic cells and researchers are beginning to study exercise epigenetics in germ cells. The germ cell epigenetic modifications affected by exercise offer a molecular mechanism for the inheritance of health and disease risk. The aims of this review are to: (i) provide an update on the expanding field of exercise epigenetics; (ii) offer an overview of data on intergenerational/transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of disease by environmental insults; (iii) to discuss the potential of exercise‐induced intergenerational inheritance of health and disease risk; and finally, outline potential mechanisms and avenues for future work on epigenetic inheritance through exercise.
Activation of α1A‐adrenoceptors desensitizes the rat aorta response to phenylephrine through a neuronal NOS pathway, a mechanism lost with ageing
Authors: Arce Cristina , Vicente Diana , Segura Vanessa , Flacco Nicla , Montó Fermi , Almenar Luis , Agüero Jaime , Rueda Joaquín , Jiménez‐Altayó Francesc , Vila Elisabet , Noguera Maria Antonia , D'Ocon Pilar , Ivorra Maria Dolores
Published: March 2017

Background and Purpose

A NO‐mediated desensitization of vasoconstrictor responses evoked by stimulation of α1‐adrenoceptors has been reported in different vessels. We investigated the involvement of each α1‐adrenoceptor subtype and constitutive NOS isoforms and the influence of ageing and hypertension on this process.

Experimental Approach

Wistar and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), 16, 32, 52 and 72 weeks‐old, were used to evaluate the desensitization process. Expression of α1‐adrenoceptor subtypes, endothelial NOS (eNOS) and neuronal NOS (nNOS) were determined in rat aorta and left ventricle (LV). Expression levels were also evaluated in LV of a group of heart failure patients with a wide age range.

Key Results

Repeated application of phenylephrine decreased subsequent α1‐adrenoceptor‐mediated vasoconstriction by increasing nNOS protein expression in aorta, but not in tail or mesenteric resistance arteries, where mRNA levels of nNOS were undetectable. This desensitization process disappeared in the absence of endothelium or in the presence of L‐NAME (100 μM), nNOS inhibitors, SMTC (1 μM) and TRIM (100 μM), and 5‐methylurapidil (100 nM, α1A‐antagonist), but not BMY7378 (10 nM, α1D‐antagonist). The α1A/nNOS‐mediated desensitization was absent in aged SHR and Wistar animals, where the expression of α1A‐adrenoceptors was reduced in aorta and LV. In human LV, a negative correlation was found between age and α1A‐adrenoceptor expression.

Conclusions and Implications

The α1A‐adrenoceptor subtype, through endothelial nNOS‐derived NO, may act as a physiological ‘brake’ against the detrimental effects of excessive α1‐adrenoceptor‐mediated vasoconstriction. Reduced α1A‐adrenoceptor‐ and nNOS‐mediated desensitization in aged patients could be involved in the age‐dependent elevation of adrenergic activity.
Palmoplantar pustulosis and pustulotic arthro‐osteitis treatment with potassium iodide and tetracycline, a novel remedy with an old drug: a review of 25 patients
Authors: Hayashi Shujiro , Shimaoka Yayoi , Hamasaki Yoichiro , Hatamochi Atsushi
Published: March 2017

Background

The use of potassium iodide (KI) to treat palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) and pustulotic arthro‐osteitis (PAO) has not previously been reported. Here, we report the first successful treatment of PPP and PAO with KI.

Patient and Methods

Among 25 patients with PPP, seven had an associated PAO. All patients were administered 900 mg KI three times per day for 3 months. Overall, 12 patients received this medical treatment for the first time or had >6 months interval since the last therapy for PPP. The other 13 patients who were nonresponsive to tetracycline for >3 months prior to KI treatment were treated with a combination of KI and tetracycline. All seven patients with PAO were included in the tetracycline and KI‐treated group.

Results

More than 70% of patients demonstrated complete clearance or ≥50% improvement in palmoplantar pustular psoriasis area and severity index (PPPASI) from baseline. In the group with <50% improvement in PPPASI from baseline, all except one patient were smokers. In the KI with tetracycline treatment group, approximately 80% demonstrated improvement. At the end of 3 months, there was remission of arthralgia in five out of seven PPP patients with PAO.

Conclusions

Treatment with KI and/or its combination with tetracycline may be a useful treatment for PPP/PAO. Smoking may affect the effectiveness of these treatment modalities.
Atomic‐scale microstructure of Hf2Al4C5 ceramic synthesized by spark plasma sintering
Authors: Song Kepeng , Zhang Hui , Du Kui , Qi Dongqing , Chen Houwen , Wang Xiaohui , Nie Jian‐Feng , Ye Hengqiang
Published: March 2017

A layered ternary carbide phase, Hf2Al4C5, was successfully synthesized by spark plasma sintering method. Detailed (atomic‐scale) microstructure of the ternary carbide was investigated by aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and atomic‐resolution energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. Hf2Al4C5 crystal grains have elongated morphologies and are characterized with a high density of stacking faults with the insertion of additional (Al4C3) or (HfC) units. Periodic stacking of Hf2Al4C5 and HfAl4C4 units along the [0001] direction is frequently observed in the Hf2Al4C5 crystal, and it leads to the formation of Hf4Al12C13, which consists of 2/3 Hf2Al4C5 unit cell and 1/2 HfAl4C4 unit cell. In addition, Z‐shaped planar defects are observed in Hf2Al4C5 grains, and the formation mechanism of the Z‐shaped defects was proposed as blocking effects of the Hf diffusion in Al4C3 by pre‐existing {1‐101} pyramidal stacking faults in Al4C3.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of B4C–TiB2–SiC composites toughened by composite structural toughening phases
Authors: Zhang Xiaorong , Zhang Zhixiao , Wang Weimin , Shan Junhong , Che Hongwei , Mu Jingbo , Wang Guangsuo
Published: March 2017

B4C–TiB2–SiC composites toughened by composite structural toughening phases, which are the units of (TiB2–SiC) composite, were fabricated through reactive hot pressing with B4C, TiC, and Si as raw materials. The units of (TiB2–SiC) composite with the size of 10‐20 μm are composed of interlocking TiB2 and SiC with the size of 1‐5 μm. The addition of TiC and Si can effectively promote the sintering of B4C ceramics. The relative densities of all the B4C composites with different contents of TiB2 and SiC are close to completely dense (98.9%‐99.4%), thereby resulting in superior hardness (33.1‐36.2 GPa). With the increase in the content of TiB2 and SiC, the already improved fracture toughness of the B4C composite continuously increases (5.3‐6.5 MPa·m1/2), but the flexure strength initially increases and then decreases. When cracks cross the units of the (TiB2–SiC) composite, the cracks deflect along the interior boundary of TiB2 and SiC inside the units. As the crack growth path is lengthened, the crack propagation direction is changed, thereby consuming more crack extension energy. The cumulative contributions improve the fracture toughness of the B4C composite. Therefore, the composite structural toughening units of the (TiB2–SiC) composite play an important role in reinforcing the fracture toughness of the composites.
Phase 2 of CATALISE: a multinational and multidisciplinary Delphi consensus study of problems with language development: Terminology
Authors: Bishop Dorothy V.M. , Snowling Margaret J. , Thompson Paul A. , Greenhalgh Trisha ,   and the CATALISE‐2 consortium
Published: March 2017

Background

Lack of agreement about criteria and terminology for children's language problems affects access to services as well as hindering research and practice. We report the second phase of a study using an online Delphi method to address these issues. In the first phase, we focused on criteria for language disorder. Here we consider terminology.

Methods

The Delphi method is an iterative process in which an initial set of statements is rated by a panel of experts, who then have the opportunity to view anonymised ratings from other panel members. On this basis they can either revise their views or make a case for their position. The statements are then revised based on panel feedback, and again rated by and commented on by the panel. In this study, feedback from a second round was used to prepare a final set of statements in narrative form. The panel included 57 individuals representing a range of professions and nationalities.

Results

We achieved at least 78% agreement for 19 of 21 statements within two rounds of ratings. These were collapsed into 12 statements for the final consensus reported here. The term ‘Language Disorder’ is recommended to refer to a profile of difficulties that causes functional impairment in everyday life and is associated with poor prognosis. The term, ‘Developmental Language Disorder’ (DLD) was endorsed for use when the language disorder was not associated with a known biomedical aetiology. It was also agreed that (a) presence of risk factors (neurobiological or environmental) does not preclude a diagnosis of DLD, (b) DLD can co‐occur with other neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. ADHD) and (c) DLD does not require a mismatch between verbal and nonverbal ability.

Conclusions

This Delphi exercise highlights reasons for disagreements about terminology for language disorders and proposes standard definitions and nomenclature.
Overcoming the resistance to resistance testing: Collecting the data
Authors: Doyle Adam , Feld Jordan J.
Published: March 2017

See Article on Page 514
Multiparticle Brownian dynamics simulation of experimental kinetics of cytochrome bf oxidation and photosystem I reduction by plastocyanin
Authors: Kovalenko Ilya B. , Knyazeva Olga S. , Antal Taras K. , Ponomarev Vladimir Y. , Riznichenko Galina Yu , Rubin Andrei B.
Published: March 2017

A model of electron transport from cytochrome f to photosystem I mediated by plastocyanin was designed on the basis of the multiparticle Brownian dynamics method. The model combines events which occur over a wide time range, including protein diffusion along the thylakoid membrane, long‐distance interactions between proteins, formation of a multiprotein complex, electron transfer within a complex and complex dissociation. Results of the modeling were compared with the experimental kinetics measured in chloroplast thylakoids. Computer simulation demonstrated that the complex interior of the photosynthetic membrane, electrostatic interactions and Brownian diffusion provide physical conditions for the directed electron flow along the photosynthetic electron transport chain.
Confirmed the full‐length sequence of HLA‐B*44:03:02 by cloning and sequencing
Authors: Li Z. , Zou H.‐Y.
Published: March 2017

Confirmed the full‐length sequence of HLA‐B*44:03:02 by cloning and sequencing in a Chinese donor.
Cell biology in China: Focusing on the lysosome
Authors: Yang Chonglin , Wang Xiaochen
Published: March 2017

The view that lysosomes are merely the recycling bins of the cell has changed greatly during recent years. Lysosomes are now known to play a central role in signal transduction, cellular adaptation, plasma membrane repair, immune responses and many other fundamental cellular processes. In conjunction with the seminal discoveries made by international colleagues, many important questions regarding lysosomes are being addressed by Chinese scientists. In this review, we briefly summarize recent exciting findings in China on lysosomal signaling, biogenesis, integrity and physiological functions.
Knowledge, perceptions and attitude of a community living around a colony of straw‐coloured fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) in Ghana after Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa
Authors: Gbogbo F. , Kyei M. O.
Published: March 2017

A large population of straw‐coloured fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) colonizes a prime area in the city of Accra where several public amenities are located. Although the colony is positive to several zoonotic viruses including the Ebola virus, there is limited information on the social dimensions of the existence of the bats. As a step towards effective response to health risk and conservation of the bats, this study assessed the knowledge and attitude of the community living around the bats and determined their level of environmental and public health consciousness. The community generally lacks interest in bat bushmeat consumption but had low knowledge and disease risk perception of the bats. Despite major campaigns during the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa, elements of risky behaviour including disbelief and disregard for some preventive measures and lack of interest in post‐bat exposure prophylaxis were recorded among a limited proportion of the community. There was the need to focus public health education on the community and possibly others that may have E. helvum colonies in West Africa.
Deadly chemistry
Authors: McLaughlin Kathleen
Published: March 2017

Underground labs in China are devising potent new opiates faster than U.S. and Chinese authorities can respond.
Decoupling genetics, lineages, and microenvironment in IDH-mutant gliomas by single-cell RNA-seq
Authors: Venteicher Andrew S. , Tirosh Itay , Hebert Christine , Yizhak Keren , Neftel Cyril , Filbin Mariella G. , Hovestadt Volker , Escalante Leah E. , Shaw McKenzie L. , Rodman Christopher , Gillespie Shawn M. , Dionne Danielle , Luo Christina C. , Ravichandran Hiranmayi , Mylvaganam Ravindra , Mount Christopher , Onozato Maristela L. , Nahed Brian V. , Wakimoto Hiroaki , Curry William T. , Iafrate A. John , Rivera Miguel N. , Frosch Matthew P. , Golub Todd R. , Brastianos Priscilla K. , Getz Gad , Patel Anoop P. , Monje Michelle , Cahill Daniel P. , Rozenblatt-Rosen Orit , Louis David N. , Bernstein Bradley E. , Regev Aviv , Suvà Mario L.
Published: March 2017

Single-cell RNA sequencing identifies a common origin for specific types of human glioma brain tumors.
Comment on “Outburst flood at 1920 BCE supports historicity of China’s Great Flood and the Xia dynasty”
Authors: Huang Chun Chang , Zhou Yali , Zhang Yuzhu , Guo Yongqiang , Pang Jiangli , Zhou Qiang , Liu Tao , Zha Xiaochun
Published: March 2017

Wu
et al
. (Reports, 5 August 2016, p. 579) reported an enormous flood in the upper Yellow River that destroyed the Lajia Ruins. However, published research shows that the Ruins were destroyed at 3950 years before the present (B.P.) by earthquakes accompanied with mudflows, whereas the landslide-dammed lake terminated about 5650 years B.P. Various kinds of sediments with different ages were taken as evidence to verify an outburst flood.
Response to Comments on “Outburst flood at 1920 BCE supports historicity of China’s Great Flood and the Xia dynasty”
Authors: Wu Qinglong , Zhao Zhijun , Liu Li , Granger Darryl E. , Wang Hui , Cohen David J. , Wu Xiaohong , Ye Maolin , Bar-Yosef Ofer , Lu Bin , Zhang Jin , Zhang Peizhen , Yuan Daoyang , Qi Wuyun , Cai Linhai , Bai Shibiao
Published: March 2017

Wu
et al
., Han, and Huang
et al
. question our reconstruction of a large outburst flood and its possible relationship to China’s Great Flood and the Xia dynasty. Here, we clarify misconceptions concerning geologic evidence of the flood, its timing and magnitude, and the complex social-cultural response. We also further discuss how this flood may be related to ancient accounts of the Great Flood and origins of the Xia dynasty.
Identification of single-site gold catalysis in acetylene hydrochlorination
Authors: Malta Grazia , Kondrat Simon A. , Freakley Simon J. , Davies Catherine J. , Lu Li , Dawson Simon , Thetford Adam , Gibson Emma K. , Morgan David J. , Jones Wilm , Wells Peter P. , Johnston Peter , Catlow C. Richard A. , Kiely Christopher J. , Hutchings Graham J.
Published: March 2017

Gold-on-carbon catalysts are analogs of homogeneous gold catalysts that use a redox couple of Au(I) and Au(III) species.
On the origins of oxygenic photosynthesis and aerobic respiration in Cyanobacteria
Authors: Soo Rochelle M. , Hemp James , Parks Donovan H. , Fischer Woodward W. , Hugenholtz Philip
Published: March 2017

Oxygen-producing photosynthesis and oxygen-consuming respiration evolved after the divergence of the main lineages of blue-green algae.
Evaluation of GenoType NTM-DR Assay for Identification of Mycobacterium chimaera
Authors: Mok Simone , Rogers Thomas R. , Fitzgibbon Margaret
Published: March 2017

Identification of species within the
Mycobacterium avium
complex (MAC) is difficult, and most current diagnostic laboratory tests cannot distinguish between species included in the complex. Differentiation of species within the MAC is important, as
Mycobacterium chimaera
has recently emerged as a major cause of invasive cardiovascular infections following open heart surgery. A new commercial diagnostic assay, GenoType NTM-DR ver. 1.0, is intended to differentiate between three species within the MAC, namely,
Mycobacterium avium
,
Mycobacterium intracellulare
, and
Mycobacterium chimaera
. In this study, we investigated an archival collection of 173 MAC isolates using 16S rRNA and 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene sequencing, and GenoType NTM-DR was evaluated for identifying
M. chimaera
and other species belonging to the MAC. Species identification of 157/173 (91%) isolates with the GenoType NTM-DR assay was in agreement with 16S rRNA and 16S-23S ITS gene sequencing results. Misidentification occurred with 16 isolates which belonged to four species included in the MAC that are rarely encountered in clinical specimens. Despite some limitations of this assay, GenoType NTM-DR had 100% specificity for identifying
M. chimaera
. This novel assay will enable diagnostic laboratories to differentiate species belonging to the
Mycobacterium avium
complex and to accurately identify
M. chimaera
. It can produce rapid results and is also more cost efficient than gene sequencing methods.
MicroRNA miR-27 Inhibits Adenovirus Infection by Suppressing the Expression of SNAP25 and TXN2
Authors: Machitani Mitsuhiro , Sakurai Fuminori , Wakabayashi Keisaku , Nakatani Kosuke , Tachibana Masashi , Mizuguchi Hiroyuki
Published: March 2017

Recent studies have reported that host microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate infections by several types of viruses via various mechanisms and that inhibition of the miRNA processing factors enhances or prevents viral infection. However, it has not been clarified whether these effects of miRNAs extend to adenovirus (Ad) infection. Here we show that miR-27a and -b efficiently inhibit infection with an Ad via the downregulation of SNAP25 and TXN2, which are members of the SNARE proteins and the thioredoxin family, respectively. Approximately 80% reductions in Ad genomic copy number were found in cells transfected with miR-27a/b mimics, whereas there were approximately 2.5- to 5-fold larger copy numbers of the Ad genome following transfection with miR-27a/b inhibitors. Microarray gene expression analysis and
in silico
analysis demonstrated that SNAP25 and TXN2 are target genes of miR-27a/b. A reporter assay using plasmids containing the 3′ untranslated regions of the SNAP25 and TXN2 genes showed that miR-27a/b directly suppressed SNAP25 and TXN2 expression through posttranscriptional gene silencing. Knockdown of SNAP25 led to a significant inhibition of Ad entry into cells. Knockdown of TXN2 induced cell cycle arrest at G
1
phase, leading to a reduction in Ad replication. In addition, overexpression of Ad-encoded small noncoding RNAs (VA-RNAs) restored the miR-27a/b-mediated reduction in infection level with a VA-RNA-lacking Ad mutant due to the VA-RNA-mediated inhibition of miR-27a/b expression. These results indicate that miR-27a and -b suppress SNAP25 and TXN2 expression via posttranscriptional gene silencing, leading to efficient suppression of Ad infection.

IMPORTANCE
Adenovirus (Ad) is widely used as a platform for replication-incompetent Ad vectors (Adv) and replication-competent oncolytic Ad (OAd) in gene therapy and virotherapy. Regulation of Ad infection is highly important for efficient gene therapies using both Adv and OAd. In this study, we demonstrate that miR-27a and -b, which are widely expressed in host cells, suppress SNAP25 and TXN2 expression through posttranscriptional gene silencing. Suppression of SNAP25 and TXN2 expression leads to inhibition of Ad entry into cells and to cell cycle arrest, respectively, leading to efficient suppression of Ad infection. Our findings provide important clues to the improvement of gene therapies using both Adv and OAd.
Bacterial Community Composition Associated with Pyrogenic Organic Matter (Biochar) Varies with Pyrolysis Temperature and Colonization Environment
Authors: Dai Zhongmin , Barberán Albert , Li Yong , Brookes Philip C. , Xu Jianming
Published: March 2017

Pyrogenic organic matter (PyOM) is widely distributed in soil and fluvial ecosystems and plays an important role in biogeochemical cycling. Many studies have reported changes in soil microbial communities stimulated by PyOM, but very little is known about the microbial communities associated with PyOM. The microbes that colonize PyOMs can participate in the mineralization of PyOM, so changing its structure affects the fate of PyOMs and contributes to soil biogeochemical cycling. This study identified the bacterial community composition associated with PyOMs on the basis of high-throughput sequencing and demonstrated that both PyOM pyrolysis temperature and the colonization environment determined the bacterial community composition. Our work increases our understanding of the dominant phylogenetic taxa associated with PyOMs, demonstrates mechanisms mediating microbial metabolism and growth in PyOMs, and expands a new research area for pyrogenic organic matter. This study identified the bacterial community composition associated with PyOM, which is widely distributed in the environment. Most bacterial OTUs preferentially thrived on PyOM pyrolyzed at low temperature, while some specific OTUs thrived on PyOM pyrolyzed at high temperature.
Human Norovirus Evolution in a Chronically Infected Host
Authors: Doerflinger Sylvie Y. , Weichert Stefan , Koromyslova Anna , Chan Martin , Schwerk Christian , Adam Ruediger , Jennewein Stefan , Hansman Grant S. , Schroten Horst
Published: March 2017

The norovirus genogroup II genotype 4 (GII.4) variants have approximately 5% divergence in capsid amino acid identity and have dominated over the past decade. The precise reason(s) for the GII.4 emergence and persistence in the human population is still unknown, but some studies have suggested that chronically infected patients might generate novel variants that can cause new epidemics. We examined GII.4 noroviruses isolated from an immunocompromised patient with a long-term infection. Numerous norovirus capsid quasi-species were isolated during the 13-month study. The capsid quasi-species clustered into two genetic and antigenic types. However, the HBGA binding profiles were similar between the two antigenic clusters, indicating that the amino acid substitutions did not alter the HBGA binding interactions. The isolated sequences represented two new GII.4 variants, but similar sequences were not found in the database. These results indicated that chronically infected patients might not generate novel noroviruses that cause outbreaks.
Rostering general medicine physicians to balance workload across inpatient wards: a case study
Authors: Adams Thomas , O'Sullivan Michael , Christiansen Jonathan , Muir Paul , Walker Cameron
Published: March 2017

During an expansion of the General Medicine (GM) department at Waitakere Hospital, a new roster was required for its teams. Patients being transferred to another hospital due to uneven patient workloads between the teams were identified as an issue that could be addressed by an improved roster. A more even distribution of patients among the teams is desirable because it is fairer for the staff and it also improves the continuity of care for patients. Continuity of care is improved by balanced workloads because fewer patients need to be transferred from teams with high workloads. A novel rostering technique, using a mixed integer programme (MIP), which uses past data on patient admissions to track team workloads, was implemented. This allowed multiple rosters for different configurations of admitting teams to be created and evaluated against past data traces, in terms of the difference in workloads of the teams and estimated ward occupancies. The best performing of the constructed rosters reduced the median difference in workload between the team with the most patients and the team with the fewest from 14.5 to 12.5 (13.8% reduction) for the data traces considered, when compared with a roster from an internal rostering group. Waitakere Hospital has put this roster in place and has observed a reduction in the variation in workload between the teams, with fewer patients being transferred to other hospitals due to high team workloads. These improvements cannot be solely attributed to rostering improvements, as other factors such as an increase in the number of inpatient teams have also contributed. However, the generation and evaluation of multiple different rosters via MIP was central to the process that determined the final configuration of the GM department.
Implementing a self-management strategy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): patient perceptions, clinical outcomes and the impact on service
Authors: Squires Seth Ian , Boal Allan John , Lamont Selina , Naismith Graham D
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Patient self-management and its service integration is not a new concept but it may be a key component in the long-term sustainability of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) service provision, when considering growing disease prevalence and limited resources.

Methods

The IBD team at the Royal Alexandra and Vale of Leven Hospitals in the Clyde Valley region developed a self-management tool, called the ‘flare card’. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire which reflected their opinion on its viability as a self-management intervention. In addition, its utility in terms of service use over a 10-month period in 2016 was compared with a similar cohort of patients over 10 months in 2015.

Results

Patients overall felt that the ‘flare card’ was a viable self-management tool. Positive feedback identified that the intervention could help them aid control over their IBD, improve medication adherence, reduce symptoms and reflected a feeling of patient-centred IBD care. The comparison between 2015 and 2016 service use revealed a significant reduction in IBD and non-IBD service usage, Steroid prescribing and unscheduled IBD care in the flare card supported cohort.

Conclusions

IBD services must continue to adapt to changes within the National Health Service bearing in mind long-term sustainability and continued care provision. The ‘flare card’ goes further in an attempt to optimise Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis management by harmonising clinician evaluation and patient's self-initiation of therapy and investigation.
Property-Directed Inference of Universal Invariants or Proving Their Absence
Authors: Karbyshev Aleksandr , Bjørner Nikolaj , Itzhaky Shachar , Rinetzky Noam , Shoham Sharon
Published: March 2017

We present
Universal Property Directed Reachability
(PDR
∀
), a property-directed semi-algorithm for automatic inference of invariants in a universal fragment of first-order logic. PDR
∀
is an extension of Bradley’s PDR/IC3 algorithm for inference of propositional invariants. PDR
∀
terminates when it discovers a concrete counterexample, infers an inductive universal invariant strong enough to establish the desired safety property, or finds a
proof that such an invariant does not exist
. PDR
∀
is not guaranteed to terminate. However, we prove that under certain conditions, for example, when reasoning about programs manipulating singly linked lists, it does.

We implemented an analyzer based on PDR
∀
and applied it to a collection of list-manipulating programs. Our analyzer was able to automatically infer universal invariants strong enough to establish memory safety and certain functional correctness properties, show the absence of such invariants for certain natural programs and specifications, and detect bugs. All this without the need for user-supplied abstraction predicates.
Guessing Attacks on User-Generated Gesture Passwords
Authors: Liu Can , Clark Gradeigh D. , Lindqvist Janne
Published: March 2017

Touchscreens, the dominant input type for mobile phones, require unique authentication solutions. Gesture passwords have been proposed as an alternative ubiquitous authentication technique. Prior security analysis has relied on inconsistent measurements such as mutual information or shoulder surfing attacks.We present the first approach for measuring the security of gestures with guessing attacks that model real-world attacker behavior. Our major contributions are: 1) a comprehensive analysis of the weak subspace for gesture passwords, 2) a method for enumerating the size of the full theoretical gesture password space, 3) a design of a novel guessing attack against user-chosen gestures using a dictionary, and 4) a brute-force attack used for benchmarking the performance of the guessing attack. Our dictionary attack, tested on newly collected user data, achieves a cracking rate of 47.71% after two weeks of computation using 109 guesses. This is a difference of 35.78 percentage points compared to the 11.93% cracking rate of the brute-force attack. In conclusion, users are not taking full advantage of the large theoretical password space and instead choose their gesture passwords from weak subspaces. We urge for further work on addressing this challenge.
Microbes and Cancer
Authors: Dzutsev Amiran , Badger Jonathan H. , Perez-Chanona Ernesto , Roy Soumen , Salcedo Rosalba , Smith Carolyne K. , Trinchieri Giorgio
Published: March 2017

Commensal microorganisms (the microbiota) live on all the surface barriers of our body and are particularly abundant and diverse in the distal gut. The microbiota and its larger host represent a metaorganism in which the cross talk between microbes and host cells is necessary for health, survival, and regulation of physiological functions locally, at the barrier level, and systemically. The ancestral molecular and cellular mechanisms stemming from the earliest interactions between prokaryotes and eukaryotes have evolved to mediate microbe-dependent host physiology and tissue homeostasis, including innate and adaptive resistance to infections and tissue repair. Mostly because of its effects on metabolism, cellular proliferation, inflammation, and immunity, the microbiota regulates cancer at the level of predisposing conditions, initiation, genetic instability, susceptibility to host immune response, progression, comorbidity, and response to therapy. Here, we review the mechanisms underlying the interaction of the microbiota with cancer and the evidence suggesting that the microbiota could be targeted to improve therapy while attenuating adverse reactions.
Mucosal Ecological Network of Epithelium and Immune Cells for Gut Homeostasis and Tissue Healing
Authors: Kurashima Yosuke , Kiyono Hiroshi
Published: March 2017

The intestinal epithelial barrier includes columnar epithelial, Paneth, goblet, enteroendocrine, and tuft cells as well as other cell populations, all of which contribute properties essential for gastrointestinal homeostasis. The intestinal mucosa is covered by mucin, which contains antimicrobial peptides and secretory IgA and prevents luminal bacteria, fungi, and viruses from stimulating intestinal immune responses. Conversely, the transport of luminal microorganisms—mediated by M, dendritic, and goblet cells—into intestinal tissues facilitates the harmonization of active and quiescent mucosal immune responses. The bacterial population within gut-associated lymphoid tissues creates the intratissue cohabitations for harmonized mucosal immunity. Intermolecular and intercellular communication among epithelial, immune, and mesenchymal cells creates an environment conducive for epithelial regeneration and mucosal healing. This review summarizes the so-called intestinal mucosal ecological network—the complex but vital molecular and cellular interactions of epithelial mesenchymal cells, immune cells, and commensal microbiota that achieve intestinal homeostasis, regeneration, and healing.
Slowly cycling Rho kinase-dependent actomyosin cross-bridge “slippage” explains intrinsic high compliance of detrusor smooth muscle
Authors: Neal Christopher J. , Lin Jia B. , Hurley Tanner , Miner Amy S. , Speich John E. , Klausner Adam P. , Ratz Paul H.
Published: March 2017

Biological soft tissues are viscoelastic because they display time-independent pseudoelasticity and time-dependent viscosity. However, there is evidence that the bladder may also display plasticity, defined as an increase in strain that is unrecoverable unless work is done by the muscle. In the present study, an electronic lever was used to induce controlled changes in stress and strain to determine whether rabbit detrusor smooth muscle (rDSM) is best described as viscoelastic or viscoelastic plastic. Using sequential ramp loading and unloading cycles, stress-strain and stiffness-stress analyses revealed that rDSM displayed reversible viscoelasticity, and that the viscous component was responsible for establishing a high stiffness at low stresses that increased only modestly with increasing stress compared with the large increase produced when the viscosity was absent and only pseudoelasticity governed tissue behavior. The study also revealed that rDSM underwent softening correlating with plastic deformation and creep that was reversed slowly when tissues were incubated in a Ca2+-containing solution. Together, the data support a model of DSM as a viscoelastic-plastic material, with the plasticity resulting from motor protein activation. This model explains the mechanism of intrinsic bladder compliance as “slipping” cross bridges, predicts that wall tension is dependent not only on vesicle pressure and radius but also on actomyosin cross-bridge activity, and identifies a novel molecular target for compliance regulation, both physiologically and therapeutically.
Increased cerebral blood volume pulsatility during head-down tilt with elevated carbon dioxide: the SPACECOT Study
Authors: Strangman Gary E. , Zhang Quan , Marshall-Goebel Karina , Mulder Edwin , Stevens Brian , Clark Jonathan B. , Bershad Eric M.
Published: March 2017

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have exhibited hyperopic shifts, posterior eye globe flattening, dilated optic nerve sheaths, and even optic disk swelling from spaceflight. Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) consequent to cephalad fluid shifts is commonly hypothesized as contributing to these ocular changes. Head-down tilt (HDT) is frequently utilized as an Earth-based analog to study similar fluid shifts. Sealed environments like the ISS also exhibit elevated CO2, a potent arteriolar vasodilator that could further affect cerebral blood volume (CBV) and cerebral blood flow, intracranial compliance, and ICP. A collaborative pilot study between the National Space Biomedical Research Institute and the German Aerospace Center tested the hypotheses that 1) HDT and elevated CO2 physiologically interact and 2) cerebrovascular pulsatility is related to HDT and/or elevated CO2. In a double-blind crossover study ( n = 6), we measured CBV pulsatility via near-infrared spectroscopy, alongside noninvasive ICP and intraocular pressure (IOP) during 28-h −12° HDT at both nominal (0.04%) and elevated (0.5%) ambient CO2. In our cohort, CBV pulsatility increased significantly over time at cardiac frequencies (0.031 ± 0.009 μM/h increase in total hemoglobin concentration pulsatility amplitude) and Mayer wave frequencies (0.019 ± 0.005 μM/h increase). The HDT-CO2 interaction on pulsatility was not robust but rather driven by one individual. Significant differences between atmospheres were not detected in ICP or IOP. Further work is needed to determine whether individual differences in pulsatility responses to CO2 relate to visual changes in space.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cerebral blood volume (CBV) pulsatility—as measured by near-infrared spectroscopy—increases over time during −12° head-down tilt at both cardiac and Mayer wave frequencies. CBV pulsatility appeared to increase more under elevated (0.5%) CO2 at Mayer wave frequencies in some individuals. If similar dynamic pulsatility increases occur in astronauts, there is the potential to initiate vascular and possibly other remodeling processes that lead to symptoms associated with sustained increases in intracranial pressure.
Dynamical signatures of isometric force control as a function of age, expertise, and task constraints
Authors: Vieluf Solveig , Sleimen-Malkoun Rita , Voelcker-Rehage Claudia , Jirsa Viktor , Reuter Eva-Maria , Godde Ben , Temprado Jean-Jacques , Huys Raoul
Published: March 2017

From the conceptual and methodological framework of the dynamical systems approach, force control results from complex interactions of various subsystems yielding observable behavioral fluctuations, which comprise both deterministic (predictable) and stochastic (noise-like) dynamical components. Here, we investigated these components contributing to the observed variability in force control in groups of participants differing in age and expertise level. To this aim, young (18–25 yr) as well as late middle-aged (55−65 yr) novices and experts (precision mechanics) performed a force maintenance and a force modulation task. Results showed that whereas the amplitude of force variability did not differ across groups in the maintenance tasks, in the modulation task it was higher for late middle-aged novices than for experts and higher for both these groups than for young participants. Within both tasks and for all groups, stochastic fluctuations were lowest where the deterministic influence was smallest. However, although all groups showed similar dynamics underlying force control in the maintenance task, a group effect was found for deterministic and stochastic fluctuations in the modulation task. The latter findings imply that both components were involved in the observed group differences in the variability of force fluctuations in the modulation task. These findings suggest that between groups the general characteristics of the dynamics do not differ in either task and that force control is more affected by age than by expertise. However, expertise seems to counteract some of the age effects.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Stochastic and deterministic dynamical components contribute to force production. Dynamical signatures differ between force maintenance and cyclic force modulation tasks but hardly between age and expertise groups. Differences in both stochastic and deterministic components are associated with group differences in behavioral variability, and observed behavioral variability is more strongly task dependent than person dependent.
Observer-Based Controller Design for a Class of Nonlinear Networked Control Systems with Random Time-Delays Modeled by Markov Chains
Authors: Wang Yanfeng , Wang Peiliang , Li Zuxin , Chen Huiying
Published: March 2017

This paper investigates the observer-based controller design problem for a class of nonlinear networked control systems with random time-delays. The nonlinearity is assumed to satisfy a global Lipschitz condition and two dependent Markov chains are employed to describe the time-delay from sensor to controller (S-C delay) and the time-delay from controller to actuator (C-A delay), respectively. The transition probabilities of S-C delay and C-A delay are both assumed to be partly inaccessible. Sufficient conditions on the stochastic stability for the closed-loop systems are obtained by constructing proper Lyapunov functional. The methods of calculating the controller and the observer gain matrix are also given. Two numerical examples are used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Excited Muon Searches at the FCC-Based Muon-Hadron Colliders
Authors: Caliskan A. , Kara S. O. , Ozansoy A.
Published: March 2017

We study the excited muon production at the FCC-based muon-hadron colliders. We give the excited muon decay widths and production cross-sections. We deal with the μp→μ⋆q→μγq process and plot the transverse momentum and normalized pseudorapidity distributions of final state particles to define the kinematical cuts best suited for discovery. By using these cuts, we get the mass limits for excited muons. It is shown that the discovery limits obtained on the mass of μ⋆ are 2.2, 5.8, and 7.5 TeV for muon energies of 63, 750, and 1500 GeV, respectively.
Unconditional Stability of a Numerical Method for the Dual‐Phase‐Lag Equation
Authors: Castro M. A. , Martín J. A. , Rodríguez F.
Published: March 2017

The stability properties of a numerical method for the dual‐phase‐lag (DPL) equation are analyzed. The DPL equation has been increasingly used to model micro‐ and nanoscale heat conduction in engineering and bioheat transfer problems. A discretization method for the DPL equation that could yield efficient numerical solutions of 3D problems has been previously proposed, but its stability properties were only suggested by numerical experiments. In this work, the amplification matrix of the method is analyzed, and it is shown that its powers are uniformly bounded. As a result, the unconditional stability of the method is established.
Conventional and Indigenous Biodiversity Conservation Approach: A Comparative Study of Jachie Sacred Grove and Nkrabea Forest Reserve
Authors: Boadi Samuel , Nsor Collins Ayine , Yakubu Daniel Haruna , Acquah Emmanuel , Antobre Osei Owusu
Published: March 2017

Conventional managed forests and sacred groves are seldom assessed to determine their effectiveness in biodiversity conservation strategies. This study investigated tree and insect diversity in Jachie sacred grove (JSG) and Nkrabea forest reserve (NFR) in Ashanti region, Ghana. The study area constituted eight plots of 50 × 50 m along two 300 m long transects. Insects were sampled in eight pitfall traps, diagonally between the transects. Out of 150 individuals, 13 species in NFR and 15 species from JSG were registered.Celtis mildbraediiwas the most dominant species in NFR = 43.18% and JSG = 23.58%. Mean DBH showed a significant relationship with basal area in NFR and JSG. Tree diversity and richness were higher in JSG (H′= 1.43–2.3 ± 0.10;D= 1.8–3.69 ± 0.30) compared to NFR (H′= 0.86–1.56 ± 0.09;D= 1.1–2.3 ± 0.57). However, insect diversity was higher in NFR (H′= 1.34 ± 0.10) than in JSG (H′= 0.5 ± 0.005).Camponotus furvusandPachycondyla tarsatawere most abundant in JSG and NFR, respectively. These findings will help conservationists work closely with traditional authorities in protecting sacred groves as key biodiversity hotspots.