bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulation of the Early Host Response to Electrospun Polylactic Acid Matrices by Mesenchymal Stem Cells from the Amniotic Fluid
Authors: Lesage Flore , Roman Sabiniano , Pranpanus Savitree , Ospitalieri Simona , Zia Silvia , Jimenez Julio , MacNeil Sheila , Toelen Jaan , Deprest Jan
Published: May 2017

Purpose The reconstruction of congenital diaphragmatic hernia or other congenital soft tissue defects often requires implants. These can be either degradable or permanent, each having their advantages. Whatever type is being used, the host response induced by implants plays a crucial role to determine the outcome. Macrophages are pivotal during implant remodeling; they are plastic and acquire in response to environmental stimuli either an inflammatory status and mediate subsequent fibrosis or a regulatory status and facilitate functional remodeling. Matrices engineered with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the capacity to modulate the host immune reaction. MSCs are believed to promote constructive remodeling of the implant through a regulatory macrophage response among others. Herein, we evaluate this potential of MSC derived from the amniotic fluid (AF-MSC), an interesting MSC type for neonatal reconstruction, on electrospun polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds.

Methods We seeded AF-MSC at a density of 1.105/cm2 on electrospun PLA matrices and determined cell viability. In vivo, we used cell-seeded or cell-free PLA matrices for subcutaneous implantation in immune competent rats. The host immune response was evaluated by histomorphometry at 14 days postoperatively.

Results The PLA matrix supported adherence and proliferation of AF-MSC. Fourteen days after implantation, PLA matrices were well penetrated by inflammatory cells, new blood vessels, and collagen fibers. AF-MSC–seeded scaffolds were associated with a similar response yet with a decreased number of eosinophils, increased matrix degradation and collagen fiber deposition compared with controls. The amount of total macrophages and of M2-subtype was similar for all animals.

Conclusion Electrospun PLA matrices are a suitable substrate for short-term culture of AF-MSC. In rats, addition of AF-MSC to PLA matrices modulates the host response after subcutaneous implantation, yet without a difference in macrophage profile compared with control.
Orbital Lymphangioma: Case Report and Management Paradigms
Authors: Roman Alex , Bianchini Larissa , Battistel Bárbara , Franzoi Neto Miguel , Schwingel Daniela
Published: May 2017

Introduction Lymphangioma is a rare congenital vascular malformation of the head and neck region isolated from the systemic circulation. It has a benign etiology, and represents 1–3% of all orbital tumors. These hamartomas often present in the pediatric population with a slightly female predilection. They have a lymphocytic composition, and may increase in size with episodes of viral infection, causing proptosis.

Discussion The management of this lesion is controversial, hardly curative, and depends on the clinical presentation. The treatment options include partial surgical resection of the major cyst, needle aspiration, surgical debulking, systemic steroids, sildenafil, intralesional injection of the sclerosing agents, and local radiotherapy.

Case Report In the present report, we describe an uncommon case of lymphangioma in a 6-year-old female who was first submitted to neurosurgery for tumor resection and received sildenafil therapy later, with promising results.

Conclusion The treatment of orbital lymphangiomas remains a controversial topic, and the use of sildenafil along with needle aspiration and microsurgical removal is a viable option of treatment. However, many issues, such as the ideal duration of the therapy, the dosage regimen and the recurrence rate, still remain unclear. Our case report adds promising data on this pathology, even though larger trials are needed to properly elucidate the remaining questions.
Cemented versus Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty in Paget's Disease of Bone: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cashman James , Synnott Keith , O'Byrne John , Lyons Frank , Hurley Eoghan
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this study is to systematically review the clinical evidence for the use of cemented and cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) in Paget's disease of bone (PDB), and to ascertain whether any difference exists in clinical outcomes between the two implant types. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The quality of the studies was assessed using the methodological index for nonrandomized studies (MINORS) checklist. The reported clinical outcomes were evaluated using risk ratio (RR) with a p < 0.05 considered as statistically significant. Thirteen clinical studies with 444 primary THAs were included in this review. Cementless THA resulted in lower rates of aseptic loosening and lower rates of revision due to aseptic loosening (p < 0.05), but there was no overall statistically significant increase in the incidence of revision in the cemented THAs (p = 0.21). The postoperative Harris hip score was similar between both the groups. Also, the presence of heterotrophic ossification was similar in both the groups. Functional outcomes and survivorship were equivalent using either cementless or cemented components, with a similar rate of overall revisions. However, cementless components resulted in a decreased incidence of aseptic loosening and revision due to aseptic loosening. The current literature consists of a low level of evidence, level IV, which limits the conclusion of this study.
Early Survival of Two High-Porosity Acetabular Components after Total Hip Arthroplasty Revision
Authors: Elsharkawy Karim , Hadley Mike , Gad Bishoy , Styron Joseph , Higuera Carlos , Klika Alison
Published: May 2017

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) revision rates remain high and are expected to increase. Different ingrowth surfaces including tantalum and titanium have been introduced to improve fixation and survival. Promising results have been shown with tantalum. This study was conducted to compare the survivorship of titanium and tantalum components after revision THA. A retrospective review of all THA revision cases from January 2002 to December 2010 was performed. Cases, where the questioned components were used, were enlisted in a single continuous cohort. A minimum of 2-year follow-up was required for inclusion. Patients were compared in two groups: titanium versus tantalum components, with the endpoint defined as any failure requiring acetabular component removal. A total of 118 patients were analyzed and included 64 patients in the tantalum group and 56 patients in the titanium group. The average length of follow-up was 50.4 months for both groups. Cases, where tantalum implants were used, were more likely to have a worse acetabular bone loss (p = 0.005). The main cause of index revision was aseptic loosening followed by infection. At the latest follow-up, survivorship was very similar in appearance and failed to achieve statistical difference (log-rank p = 0.1146). Among the variables assessed as potential predictors of failure, only the number of prior revisions was statistically significant (p = 0.004). The high-porosity titanium acetabular components demonstrate same survivorship at 2-year follow-up as the tantalum cups in the setting of revision THA. Only the number of prior revisions was significantly associated with increased failure rate.
Neues zu zeckenübertragenen Infektionen
Authors: Borde Johannes , Dobler Gerhard , Rieg Siegbert
Published: May 2017

Was ist neu?

Frühsommer-Meningoenzephalitis (FSME) In Europa nimmt die Ausbreitung von FSME in Richtung Westen zu. Erstmalig ist 2016 ein autochthoner humaner FSME-Fall in den Niederlanden dokumentiert worden. Die FSME-Erkrankungsfälle im Landkreis Reutlingen rücken die alimentäre FSME-Transmission in Deutschland wieder in das Bewusstsein.

Tularämie (Hasenpest) Francisella tularensis hat ein breites Wirtsspektrum, von Kleinsäugern bis hin zu Arthropoden, wie z. B. Schildzecken. Die Transmission durch Zeqcken wurde bisher wenig beachtet. Vor dem Hintergrund neuerer epidemiologischen Erkenntnisse sollte auch nach Zeckenstichen mit entsprechenden Symptomen eine Francisella tularensis Infektion in Erwägung gezogen werden.

Persistierende Beschwerden bei Borreliose (Borrelia-burgdorferi-sensu-lato-Komplex) Eine aktuelle Studie untersuchte den Effekt einer verlängerten antiinfektiven Behandlungsdauer auf persistierende Symptome, die mit einer Borrelieninfektion (Borrelia-burgdorferi-sensu-lato-Komplex) in Verbindung gebracht werden können. Die Therapie über 2 Wochen führte zu einer quantitativ gleichen und ebenso nachhaltigen Zunahme der Lebensqualität wie ein verlängertes Schema. Borrelia miyamotoi ist ein „Emerging Pathogen“ – erstmalig konnte nun auch in Deutschland ein humaner Infektionsfall nachgewiesen werden.
Histologische Vollremission nach neoadjuvanter Immuntherapie bei einem Patienten mit Lynch-Syndrom und primär inoperablem Rezidiv eines Rektumkarzinoms
Authors: Micheel Anita , Aigner Felix , Henke Oliver
Published: May 2017

Anamnese Bei dem 43-jährigen männlichen Patienten wurde ein Rektumkarzinom mit zugrundeliegendem Lynch-Syndrom im Stadium cT4N2M0 diagnostiziert. Nach leitliniengerechter neoadjuvanter Radiochemotherapie und Rektumexstirpation entwickelte sich innerhalb weniger Monate ein ausgedehntes lokoregionäres Rezidiv. Es erfolgte eine erneute Polychemotherapie nach dem FOLFOXIRI-Protokoll in Kombination mit Bevacizumab für sechs Zyklen, um erneute Resektabilität zu erreichen. Trotz dieser intensiven Therapie zeigte sich der Befund progredient.

Weiterer Verlauf Angesichts fehlender Fernmetastasierung wurde ein Off-label-Therapieversuch mit dem PD-1-Rezeptor Inhibitor Pembrolizumab begonnen. Klinisch profitierte der Patient rasch, auch die Bildgebung zeigte nach sechs Zyklen eine Regression des Tumors, die Nebenwirkungen der Therapie beschränkten sich auf eine subklinische Autoimmunthyreoiditis. Die histopathologische Aufarbeitung der anschließenden ausgedehnten operativen Beckenexenteration konnte keinen Malignitätsnachweis mehr erbringen. Mittlerweile ist der Patient wieder dienstfähig mit geringer Symptomenlast.

Folgerung Die Therapie mit Pembrolizumab eröffnet für Patienten mit einem DNA-repair-deficiency mismatch, wie z. B. dem Lynch-Syndrom, eine Therapiealternative, wie bereits eine Phase-II-Studie zeigen konnte. Bemerkenswert ist in dem vorliegenden Fall die komplette histopathologische Vollremission, die bislang in der Literatur nicht beschrieben wurde und ein besonderes Augenmerk auf die Verwendung des Antikörpers Pembrolizumab auf den neoadjuvanten Einsatz legt.
Neue Erkenntnisse zum primären Hyperparathyreoidismus
Authors: Siggelkow Heide
Published: May 2017

Was ist neu?

Definition Die häufigste klinische Form des primären Hyperparathyreoidismus (pHPT) ist die asymptomatische Hyperkalzämie als Zufallsbefund. Der normokalzämische Hyperparathyreoidismus ist eine Variante des pHPT. Differenzialdiagnostisch müssen alle sekundären Formen ausgeschlossen werden. Der pHPT entsteht durch monoklonale oder polyklonale Expansion von abnormalen Nebenschilddrüsenzellen. Weiterhin wurden in den letzten Jahren somatische Mutationen der Gene für MEN1 (Menin), den kalziumsensitiven Rezeptor (CASR), das Parafibromin-Gen (HRPT2), die Rezeptor-Tyrosinkinase Ret (familiäre Formen) und PRAD1 / cyclin1 (sporadische Tumoren) identifiziert.

Diagnostik Bei allen Patienten mit Hyperkalzämie ist eine weitere Abklärung erforderlich. Patienten mit asymptomatischem pHPT bedürfen einer zusätzlichen Evaluation zur Festlegung des weiteren Prozedere. Die präoperative Lokalisation des oder der Nebenschilddrüsenadenome ist keine diagnostische Maßnahme und sollte nur bei geplantem operativen Therapievorgehen durchgeführt werden. Sie dient dem Chirurgen dazu, das optimale operative Vorgehen individuell festzulegen. Bezüglich einer Rezidivoperation haben sich neue Lokalisationsmethoden mit Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie (PET) wie 11C-Methionin-PET bzw. 18F-FCH-PET als Verfahren zunehmend bewährt.

Therapie Die Morbidität und Mortalität bei pHPT ist signifikant erhöht. Als Ursache der erhöhten Mortalität werden vor allem die Einschränkung der Nierenfunktion und die kardiovaskuläre Beteiligung gesehen. Eine Operation wird an spezialisierten Zentren mit intraoperativer PTH-Messung mit minimal-invasiven Techniken nach entsprechender präoperativer Lokalisation durchgeführt. Endoskopische Operationen haben sich bisher nur im Einzelfall bewährt. Im Rahmen der konservativen Therapie soll das 25-OH-Vitamin-D3 in den Normbereich angehoben werden.
Prophylactic Bracing Has No Effect on Lower Extremity Alignment or Functional Performance
Authors: Hueber Garrett , Hall Emily , Sage Brad , Docherty Carrie
Published: May 2017

Prophylactic ankle bracing is commonly used during physical activity. Understanding how bracing affects body mechanics is critically important when discussing both injury prevention and sport performance. The purpose is to determine if ankle bracing affects lower extremity mechanics during the Landing Error Scoring System test (LESS) and Sage Sway Index (SSI). Thirty physically active participants volunteered for this study. Participants completed the LESS and SSI in both a braced and unsupported conditions. Total errors were recorded for the LESS. Total errors and time (seconds) were recorded for the SSI. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was utilized to evaluate any differences between the brace conditions for each dependent variable. A priori alpha level was set at p<0.05. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test yielded no significant difference between the braced and unsupported conditions for the LESS (Z=−0.35, p=0.72), SSI time (Z=−0.36, p=0.72), or SSI Errors (Z=−0.37, p=0.71). Ankle braces had no effect on subjective clinical assessments of lower extremity alignment or postural stability. Utilization of a prophylactic support at the ankle did not substantially alter the proximal components of the lower kinetic chain.
Qualitätsprüfungen in Krankenhäusern durch den MDK Hessen: Erfahrungen und Ausblick - ein Praxisbericht
Authors: Ritter Sebastian , Lehr Frauke , Gaertner Thomas , van Essen Jörg
Published: May 2017

Einleitung Mit dem Krankenhausstrukturgesetz wurde der § 275a SGB V dem Sozialgesetzbuch eingefügt. Er präzisiert und erweitert die rechtlichen Voraussetzungen für Qualitätskontrollen in Krankenhäusern durch den Medizinischen Dienst der Krankenversicherung (MDK). Diese sollen dazu beitragen, eine qualitativ hochwertige, patienten- und bedarfsgerechte Versorgung der Bevölkerung sicher zu stellen. Anhand der mittlerweile 10-jährigen Praxis des MDK Hessen soll die Praktikabilität der Qualitätsprüfungen aufgezeigt werden.

Methode Die bislang in den Krankenhäusern durchgeführten Qualitätsprüfungen betreffen die Überprüfung der Strukturqualität auf der Basis von Bestimmungen des G-BA zur Qualitätssicherung spezieller Versorgungskomplexe/Verfahren bzw. des DIMDI zu Komplexbehandlungen. Sämtliche Qualitätsprüfungen in den hessischen Kliniken werden von einem darauf spezialisierten Team des MDK durchgeführt. 2 fachärztliche Prüfer führen diese in Form von Begehungen vor Ort durch. Neben Verantwortlichen der Fachebene sind auch Mitglieder der Führungsebene aus dem Krankenhausmanagement bei den Qualitätsprüfungen vor Ort beteiligt.

Ergebnisse In den Jahren 2006–2016 wurden 357 Qualitätsprüfungen gemäß den Bestimmungen des G-BA zu 10 verschiedenen Versorgungskomplexen/Verfahren durchgeführt. In rund 20% der Fälle wurden die vorgeschriebenen Anforderungen nicht erfüllt. Im selben Zeitraum wurden 1624 Qualitätsprüfungen gemäß den Vorgaben des DIMDI zu 33 verschiedenen Komplexkodes durchgeführt. In rund 40% der Fälle wurden die vorgeschriebenen Anforderungen nicht erfüllt.

Schlussfolgerung Die bei den Prüfungen erhobenen Defizite belegen die Notwendigkeit von Qualitätskontrollen durch eine unabhängige und qualifizierte Instanz. Die Qualitätsprüfungen tragen zur Qualitätssicherung und damit zur Struktur-, Prozess- und Ergebnisqualität in den Krankenhäusern bei. Die in Hessen etablierte Prüfpraxis ist auf die zukünftig bundesweit durchzuführenden Qualitätskontrollen übertragbar.
High-Frequency Trading and Conflict in the Financial Markets
Authors: Cooper Ricky , Seddon Jonathan , Van Vliet Ben
Published: May 2017

The last few decades has seen an ever-increasing growth in the way activities are productized and associated with a financial cost. This phenomenon, termed financialization, spans all areas including government, finance, health and manufacturing. Recent developments within finance over that past decade have radically altered the way trading occurs. This paper analyses high-frequency trading (HFT) as a necessary component of the infrastructure that makes financialization possible. Through interviews with HFT firms, a software vendor, regulators and banks, the effects of HFT on market efficiency, and its impact on costs to long-term investors are explored. This paper contributes to the literature by exploring the conflict that exists between HFT and traditional market makers in today's fragmented markets. This paper argues that society should be unconcerned with this conflict and should instead focus on the effects these participants have on the long-term investors, for whom the markets ultimately exist. In order to facilitate the best outcomes, regulation should be simple, aimed at keeping participants’ behavior stable, and the interactions among them transparent and straightforward. Financialization and HFT are inextricably linked, and society is best served by ensuring that the creative energy of these market participants is directed on providing liquidity and removing inefficiencies.
Analysis of the recombination mechanisms of a silicon solar cell with low bandgap-voltage offset
Authors: Augusto André , Herasimenka Stanislau Y. , King Richard R. , Bowden Stuart G. , Honsberg Christiana
Published: May 2017

The mathematical dependence of bandgap-voltage offset on Auger and radiative recombination is derived. To study the recombination near the intrinsic limit, we manufacture thin silicon heterojunction test structures designed to minimize surface recombination, and to measure voltages and effective lifetimes near the Auger and radiative limit. Open-circuit voltages over 760 mV were measured on 50-μm-thick structures, leading to bandgap-voltage offsets at open-circuit down to 0.35 V. The Auger and radiative recombination represents over 90% of the recombination at open-circuit. This dominance also holds at the maximum power point, giving pseudo-fill factors of 86%. We demonstrate the potential of thin silicon devices to reach high voltages, and bandgap-voltage offsets in line with the best reported for direct bandgap materials such as gallium indium phosphide and gallium arsenide.
Reducing graphene device variability with yttrium sacrificial layers
Authors: Wang Ning C. , Carrion Enrique A. , Tung Maryann C. , Pop Eric
Published: May 2017

Graphene technology has made great strides since the material was isolated more than a decade ago. However, despite improvements in growth quality and numerous “hero” devices, challenges of uniformity remain, restricting the large-scale development of graphene-based technologies. Here, we investigate and reduce the variability of graphene transistors by studying the effects of contact metals (with and without a Ti layer), resist, and yttrium (Y) sacrificial layers during the fabrication of hundreds of devices. We find that with optical photolithography, residual resist and process contamination are unavoidable, ultimately limiting the device performance and yield. However, using Y sacrificial layers to isolate the graphene from processing conditions improves the yield (from 73% to 97%), the average device performance (three-fold increase of mobility and 58% lower contact resistance), and the device-to-device variability (standard deviation of Dirac voltage reduced by 20%). In contrast to other sacrificial layer techniques, the removal of the Y sacrificial layer with dilute HCl does not harm surrounding materials, simplifying large-scale graphene fabrication.
Effect of dimensionality on thermoelectric powerfactor of molybdenum disulfide
Authors: Ng H. K. , Chi D. , Hippalgaonkar K.
Published: May 2017

We present that two-dimensional (2D) bilayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) exhibits an enhanced Seebeck coefficient over its three-dimensional (3D) counterpart arising from dimensionality confinement. It has been predicted that quantum confinement enhances thermoelectric performance but no studies have focused on a single material to present a theoretical and experimental comparison, which would illustrate the enhancement of thermoelectric performance. Layered MoS2 provides an opportunity to verify this hypothesis and in this work, we extensively study the Seebeck coefficient, S, the electrical conductivity, σ, and the thermoelectric powerfactor, S2σ of 2D monolayer and bilayer MoS2 using theoretical Boltzmann Transport Equation calculations and compare the results to well-characterized experimental data. We conclude that dimensional confinement indeed enhances the Seebeck coefficient by up to ∼50% in 2D bilayer MoS2 over 3D MoS2 under similar doping concentrations because of the discretization of density of states. We also consider electrical conductivity with various energy-dependent scattering rates considering charged-impurities and acoustic phonon mediated scattering, and comment on a theoretical comparison of the powerfactor to the best-case scenario for 3D MoS2.
Emission enhancement through Nd3+-Yb3+ energy transfer in multifunctional NaGdF4 nanocrystals
Authors: Pedraza Francisco J. , Rightsell Chris , Kumar G. A. , Giuliani Jason , Monton Carlos , Sardar Dhiraj K.
Published: May 2017

The growing need for biomedical contrast agents has led to the current development of multi-functional materials such as lanthanide-based nanoparticles (NPs). The optical and magnetic properties these nanoparticles (NPs) possess are important to enhance current biomedical imaging techniques. To increase the optical emissions of the nanoparticles, neodymium (Nd3+) and ytterbium (Yb3+) were introduced into a magnetic host of NaGdF4. The energy transfer between Nd3+ and the Yb3+ was then investigated at multiple concentrations to determine the optimal dopant levels. The NaGdF4:Nd3+,Yb3+ nanoparticles were synthesized through a modified solvothermal method, resulting in rectangular structures, with an average side length of 17.87 ± 4.38 nm. A double dopant concentration of 10% Nd3+ and 4% Yb3+ was found to be optimal, increasing the emission intensity by 71.5% when compared to the widely used Nd3+ single dopant. Decay measurements confirm energy transfer from Nd3+ to Yb3+, with a lifetime shortening from Nd3+ 1064 nm emission and a calculated lifetime of 12.72 ms with 98% efficiency. Despite NaGdF4:Nd3+,Yb3+ NPs showing a slight decrease in their magnetic response at the expense of optimizing optical emission, as it is directly dependent on the Gd3+ concentration, a strong paramagnetic behavior was still observed. These results corroborate that NaGdF4:Nd3+,Yb3+ NPs are viable candidates for multimodal imaging.
Thermal assisted reset modelling in nickel oxide based unipolar resistive switching memory
Authors: Panda Debashis , Sahu Paritosh Piyush
Published: May 2017

This paper utilizes an analytical and a filament dissolution model to calculate the local temperature increase in conducting filaments (CFs) of pulsed laser ablated unipolar NiO resistive switching memory devices. Electrical current voltage characteristics indicate unipolar switching. The formation of NiO phases is confirmed from the X-ray diffraction study. Transmission electron microscopy confirms the polycrystalline nature of NiO films having a thickness of ∼20 nm. Electrothermal simulations based on the filament dissolution model are performed using COMSOL Multiphysics® to model the CF rupture during the reset transition in the samples owing to the Joule heating effect. Obtained temperature profiles from the simulations are compared with the analytical model. Both the models corroborate with each other, allowing us to closely approximate the maximum temperature across the CF (Tcrit). This is the point corresponding to which the voltage applied across the cell (Vreset) drives the device into the reset state. The effect of annealing temperature on the maximum temperature, reset voltage, and CF diameter of the device is also discussed. The CF diameter and area of the filament are precisely estimated from the simulation.
Room-temperature electron spin dynamics of Ce3+ ions in a YAG crystal
Authors: Liang P. , Hu R. R. , Chen C. , Belykh V. V. , Jia T. Q. , Sun Z. R. , Feng D. H. , Yakovlev D. R. , Bayer M.
Published: May 2017

Circularly polarized optical excitation generates electron spin polarization in the lowest 5d state of rare-earth Ce3+ ions in a YAG crystal. The 5d electron spin dynamics is investigated in transverse and longitudinal magnetic fields by time-resolved pump-probe Faraday rotation. Long lived electron spin coherence with a dephasing time of 2.5 ns is found at room temperature. In a transverse magnetic field of 1 T, the electron spin coherence shows a distinct beating-like amplitude modulation due to several slightly different Larmor frequencies corresponding to different electron g factors of magnetically inequivalent positions of the Ce3+ ions in the crystal lattice. Hyperfine coupling between the 5d electron of Ce3+ ions and environmental nuclear spins dominates the spin relaxation, which can be efficiently suppressed by a longitudinal magnetic field as small as 10 mT. The dependence of electron spin relaxation on both the transverse and longitudinal magnetic fields agrees well with the one predicted theoretically for the hyperfine coupling mechanism.
Using Walk-over-Weighing technology for parturition date determination in beef cattle
Authors: Menzies Don , Patison Kym P. , Corbet Nick J. , Swain Dave L.
Published: May 2017

The northern Australian beef industry is dominated by cow-calf operations where reproductive efficiency is a major profit driver. The postpartum anoestrus interval is a major contributor to an animal’s reproductive efficiency and is influenced by genetic selection. The genetic trait that measures an animal’s postpartum anoestrus interval is the days to calving estimated breeding value and a key requirement is knowledge of the cow’s calving date. Traditionally calving date is recorded using laborious and costly methods that are impeding the recording and hence the accuracy of genetic predictions for this trait by the northern Australian seedstock industry. The present experiment used Walk-over-Weighing technology to automatically record animal weights as cattle enter a restricted area where they access water. With the use of a novel method to accurately assess weights, the growth paths of cows were tracked from late gestation to post-calving. The calving date was visualised in the growth paths of most cows (78.3%) and a custom algorithm was able to automatically detect the calving date within 10 days of the observed calving period for 63% of cows. The use of Walk-over-Weighing to record calving date provides the opportunity to increase the recording of the days to calving estimated breeding value in the northern seedstock industry, thereby increasing reproductive efficiency and improving the profitability of northern beef producers.
Ewamiania thermalis gen. et sp. nov. (Cyanobacteria, Scytonemataceae), a new cyanobacterium from Talaroo thermal springs, north-eastern Australia
Authors: McGregor Glenn B. , Sendall Barbara C.
Published: May 2017

A new subaerophytic cyanobacterium, Ewamiania thermalis gen. et sp. nov., was isolated from a thermal spring complex in tropical, north-eastern Australia and characterised using combined morphological and phylogenetic attributes. It formed blackish-green hemispherical caespitose mats that began as small circular tufts, maturing to form dense mats up to several metres long. It grew along the crests of the minidams just above the thermal waters as well as along some of the shallow unconfined areas of vent-discharge aprons. Morphologically, Ewamiania is most similar to members of the Scytonemataceae. Filaments were isopolar, cylindrical, straight or flexuous, densely arranged and erect, often parallely fasciculate, with tolypotrichoid false-branching, rarely with scytonematoid false-branching. Vegetative cells were short barrel-shaped or isodiametric, slightly constricted at the cross-walls, with granulated contents. Sheaths were firm, thick, lamellated, uncoloured to yellowish or darkly yellow–brown in colour, cylindrical and closed at the apex. Heterocytes were spherical or ovoid in shape, and occurred in both basal and intercalary positions, generally solitary, but sometimes up to two or three in a series, developing particularly at the base of branches. Reproduction occurred by the production of hormogonia by the formation of necridic cells; hormogonia were not constricted at cross-walls and often included terminal heterocytes. Phylogenetic analyses using partial 16S rRNA sequences obtained from a strain of E. thermalis showed that it formed a well supported monophyletic clade, sharing less than 94.3% nucleotide similarity with other cyanobacterial sequences, including putatively related taxa within the Scytonemataceae. It also formed a novel clade in the nifH phylogeny, which was associated with members of the genus Brasilonema M.F.Fiore, Sant’Anna, M.T.P.Azevedo, Komárek, Kastovsky, Sulek & Lorenzi.
Evidence for self-organization in determining spatial patterns of stream nutrients, despite primacy of the geomorphic template
Authors: Dong Xiaoli , Ruhí Albert , Grimm Nancy B.
Published: May 2017

Significance

Rivers and streams are open, heterogeneous ecosystems. Stream water chemistry is influenced by organisms and the physical environment, resulting in longitudinal (upstream-downstream) heterogeneity that can be analyzed with time-series methods. Applying statistical techniques to longitudinal nutrient concentration data in a desert stream, we found evidence of substantial internal regulation of surface-water nutrient patterns, realized via spatial feedbacks. The strength of these feedbacks increased over succession. Although inputs from subsurface zones (a feature associated with the physical template) remained a major factor in explaining nutrient patterns, by late succession, the effect size of internal feedbacks was equal to the effect size of major upwelling zones. Our study demonstrates that multiple processes interact in a dynamic way to create ecosystem spatial heterogeneity.
Simple nuclear
C
*-algebras not isomorphic to their opposites
Authors: Farah Ilijas , Hirshberg Ilan
Published: May 2017

Significance

The Hilbert space

ℓ
2

is the (usually infinite-dimensional) modification of our standard three-dimensional space.

C
∗

-algebras are suitably closed algebras of linear operators on

ℓ
2

. The algebras of complex

n

×
n

matrices are the simplest examples of

C
∗

-algebras. The opposite of a

C
∗

-algebra is the algebra in which the direction of the multiplication is reversed. Although every matrix algebra is isomorphic to its opposite, we construct an inductive limit of matrix algebras not isomorphic to its opposite. This algebra is an example of a simple amenable

C
∗

-algebra not isomorphic to its opposite. Our examples can have exactly

n

inequivalent irreducible representations for any

n

, showing that Glimm’s dichotomy can fail for simple nonseparable

C
∗

-algebras.
Photoactivation mechanism of a carotenoid-based photoreceptor
Authors: Bandara Sepalika , Ren Zhong , Lu Lu , Zeng Xiaoli , Shin Heewhan , Zhao Kai-Hong , Yang Xiaojing
Published: May 2017

Significance

Cyanobacteria contribute to a significant portion of global solar energy acquisition via natural photosynthesis. The photosynthetic apparatus must be protected from potential molecular damages due to excess light. This work explores the photoactivation mechanism of a carotenoid-based photoreceptor involved in light harvesting regulation in cyanobacteria. Direct observations of light-induced structural changes captured in the crystal lattice at the atomic resolution suggest a light perception mechanism distinct from other well-known photoreceptors. Our findings provide structural insights into the initial molecular events as this newly characterized photoreceptor detects the light environment and triggers structural responses that reduce energy transfer from the light-harvesting antennae to the photosystems.
Deciphering the landscape of host barriers toListeria monocytogenesinfection
Authors: Zhang Ting , Abel Sören , Abel zur Wiesch Pia , Sasabe Jumpei , Davis Brigid M. , Higgins Darren E. , Waldor Matthew K.
Published: May 2017

Significance

Deep sequencing of bar-codedListeria monocytogenesenabled determination of the pathogen’s dissemination routes and founding population sizes. The gallbladder, which is seeded by very fewL. monocytogenescells, becomes the source for pathogen shedding in the feces. The low complexity of shed populations suggests that genetic drift may be a powerful force inL. monocytogenesevolution. Innate immune factors and microbiota differentially regulate pathogen establishment and proliferation at distal sites. Sequence tag-based analysis of microbial populations is a powerful approach for investigating the impact of host factors on pathogen population dynamics.
Identification of the gene that codes for the σ
2
receptor
Authors: Alon Assaf , Schmidt Hayden R. , Wood Michael D. , Sahn James J. , Martin Stephen F. , Kruse Andrew C.
Published: May 2017

Significance

Of the many receptors that were pharmacologically described during the 20th century, almost all were cloned by the end of the 1990s. A key exception is the σ
2
receptor, a potential therapeutic target for diseases as diverse as schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer. Despite the development of a rich pharmacopeia, the unknown molecular identity of the receptor has crippled biological investigation. Here, we identify the σ
2
receptor as TMEM97, a membrane protein implicated in cancer and a binding partner of Niemann–Pick disease protein NPC1. Our results unite two fields of research, bringing the σ
2
receptor into the modern age of biological inquiry and providing the TMEM97 field with a rich pool of ligands and pharmacological tools.
Positive impacts of early auditory training on cortical processing at an older age
Authors: Cheng Yuan , Jia Guoqiang , Zhang Yifan , Hao Huanhuan , Shan Ye , Yu Liping , Sun Xinde , Zheng Qingyin , Kraus Nina , Merzenich Michael M. , Zhou Xiaoming
Published: May 2017

Significance

A decline in organic brain health paralleled by degraded perceptual and cognitive abilities is a well-established aspect of human and animal aging. Here, in a rodent model, an elementary form of attention-demanding auditory training completed in young adulthood resulted in positive changes in modulation-rate discrimination abilities that carried forward into older age. These sustained behavioral impacts for processing speed were paralleled by enduring changes in physical and functional aspects of perceptual processing, documented at the level of the primary auditory cortex. Additionally, an important generalization of training impacts was recorded in the hippocampus, a brain structure for which physical and functional declines have been long associated with the progression to infirmity and dementia in aging.
Lexical diversity and the use of academic and lower frequency words in the academic writing of EFL students
Authors: Akbari Neda
Published: May 2017

This study focuses on lexical diversity and the use of academic and lower frequency words in essays written by EFL (English as a Foreign Language) students enrolled in Years 1 and 2 at the undergraduate university level. The purpose of this study is to find out the extent to which EFL students become more proficient in their use of academic and lower frequency words and make more diverse choices in their writing after one year of undergraduate university education in English. The study also compares essays written by EFL students and NS (native speaker) students to determine inter-language differences. Essays written by 62 EFL students and 198 NS students at Years 1 and 2 were analyzed for this study. The findings showed no statistically significant difference between the essays written by EFL students in Year 1 and those written in Year 2, either in terms of lexical diversity or in terms of the use of academic and lower frequency words. EFL students in both year levels had a preference for highly frequent words (words in the 1k frequency band). This is in contrast to the NS students, whose use of academic and some lower frequency words improved in Year 2. The findings also showed a statistically significant difference between the essays written by the EFL and the NS students in both year levels. The EFL students made less diverse lexical choices and used fewer words in various frequency bands than the NS students. Findings are discussed and recommendations are offered to EFL students and their educators on how to focus on these aspects of academic writing.
Storytelling in legal settings
Authors: Lipovsky Caroline
Published: May 2017

A number of linguistic studies on courtroom discourse deal with witness examinations, however counsels’ opening statements have been given relatively little attention. Drawing on the analysis of a Crown Prosecutor’s opening statement in a murder trial held at the Supreme Court of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, and using the Systemic Functional Linguistics framework (Halliday 1994), this study highlights the ways in which the prosecutor constructs his narrative of the crime in his opening statement in order to persuade the jurors of his views. Specifically, the analysis highlights the ways in which the narrative is made persuasive through its specific rhetorical organization and over-specification of orientational information, as well as more credible through quotations from participants with personal experience in the related events. It also shows the ways in which the prosecutor seeks to engage the jurors through his use of second-person pronouns, as well as his differentiated use of the crime participants’ names. Finally, this study highlights the dialogic and heteroglossic characteristics of the adversarial legal process, in that it both refers to what was previously stated and tries to anticipate the response of the jury, whose voice comes as the last word through their verdict.
Large Wood and Instream Habitat for Juvenile Coho Salmon and Larval Lampreys in a Pacific Northwest Stream
Authors: Gonzalez Rosalinda , Dunham Jason , Lightcap Scott , McEnroe Jeff
Published: May 2017

The influences of large wood on Pacific salmon are well-studied, but such studies on nonsalmonid species such as lampreys are uncommon. To address this need, we evaluated the potential effects of large wood on larval lampreys (Pacific Lamprey Entosphenus tridentatus and potentially Western Brook Lamprey Lampetra richardsoni) as well as on juvenile Coho Salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch in a small, coastal, Oregon stream. Our objectives were to (1) identify instream habitat characteristics associated with the presence of larval lampreys and abundance of juvenile Coho Salmon and (2) evaluate how these characteristics were associated with instream wood. To address habitat use, we quantified presence of larval lampreys in 92 pools and abundance of juvenile Coho Salmon in 44 pools during summer low flows. We focused on a study reach where large wood was introduced into the stream between 2008 and 2009. Results indicated that presence of larval lampreys was significantly associated with the availability of fine sediment and deeper substrate. The abundance of juvenile Coho Salmon (fish per pool) was strongly associated with pool surface area and to a weaker extent with the proportion of cobble and boulder substrates in pools. Pools with wood, regardless of whether they were formed by wood, had significantly greater coverage of fine sediment, deeper substrate, and greater pool surface area. Taken together, these results suggest that instream wood can provide habitat associated with the presence of larval lampreys and greater abundance of juvenile Coho Salmon.

Received September 11, 2016; accepted March 25, 2017 Published online May 31, 2017
Assessing Wild Bee Biodiversity in Cranberry Agroenvironments: Influence of Natural Habitats
Authors: Gervais Amélie , Fournier Valérie , Sheffield Cory S. , Chagnon Madeleine
Published: May 2017

The conservation of bee populations for pollination in agricultural landscapes has attracted a lot of recent research interest, especially for crop industries undergoing expansion to meet increased production demands. In Canada, much growth has been occurring with commercial cranberry production, a field crop which is largely dependent on bee pollination. Wild bee pollinators could be negatively impacted by losses of natural habitat surrounding cranberry fields to accommodate increased production, but growers have little insight on how to manage their lands to maximize the presence of wild bees. Here, we described a 2-yr study where bee diversity and species composition were investigated to better understand the dynamic between natural habitat and cranberry fields. Bees were sampled using pan-traps and hand netting both within cranberry fields and in one of the three adjacent natural habitat types once a week during the crop flowering period. We found that bee community composition among cranberry fields did not differ based on the respective adjacent habitat type, but fields bordered by meadows were marginally less diverse than fields bordered by forest. As one would expect, field and natural habitat communities differed in terms of species composition and species richness. There was no evidence that one type of natural habitat was more favorable for the bees than another. Future agrobiodiversity studies should simultaneously examine bee diversity comprised in both crop fields and adjacent natural environments to better understand the species dynamics essential to the preservation of pollination services.
Impact of Discharge Disposition on 30-Day Readmissions Following Elective Spine Surgery
Authors: Vasquez Raul A , Chotai Silky , Freeman Thomas H , Kay Harrison F , Cheng Joseph S , McGirt Matthew J , Devin Clinton J
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

Readmissions are a significant economic burden on the health care system and increasingly being utilized as a metric of quality. Patients discharged to home vs an inpatient facility have different characteristics, which might influence the readmissions following spine surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of discharge disposition on readmission rates and causes of readmission after spine surgery.

METHODS

Patients enrolled in a prospective registry and undergoing elective spine surgery were analyzed. Readmissions (30 d), demographic, clinical variables, and baseline patient-reported outcomes were recorded. Patients were dichotomized as discharged home vs inpatient facility.

RESULTS

Of total 1631 patients, 1444 (89%) patients were discharged home and 187 (11%) discharged to an inpatient facility. Sixty-five (4%) patients were readmitted at 30 d. There was no significant difference in readmissions between patients discharged to a facility 10 (5%) vs home 55 (4%; P = .210). In a multivariable analysis, adjusting for all the comorbidities, the discharge destination was not associated with readmission within 30 d. The medical complications (80%) were the most common cause of readmission in those discharged to a facility. Patients discharged home had significantly higher readmissions related to surgical wound issues (67%; P = .034).

CONCLUSION

Despite the older age and higher comorbidities in patients discharged to an inpatient facility, the proportion of readmissions was comparable to those discharged home. Patients discharged home had a higher proportion of readmissions related to surgical wound complications and those discharged to facility had higher readmissions associated with medical complications. Understanding causes of readmission based on discharge destination may allow targeted intervention to reduce the readmission rates following spine surgery.
Successful Pre- and Posttransplant Sofosbuvir-Based Anti-Hepatitis C Virus Treatment in Persons Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Authors: Guaraldi Giovanni , Rossotti Roberto , Verucchi Gabriella , Tavio Marcello , Pasulo Luisa , Beghetto Barbara , Dolci Giovanni , Nardini Giulia , Badia Lorenzo , Magliano Anna , Moioli Maria Cristina , Puoti Massimo ,   HIV/HCV Italian Liver Transplant Group, Travi Giovanna , Pazzi Annamaria , De Carlis Luciano , Giacomoni Alessandro , Lauterio Andrea , Mangoni Iacopo , Di Sandro Stefano , Ferla Fabio , Fagiuoli Stefano , Colledan Michele , Cologni Giuliana , Di Benedetto Fabrizio , Tarantino Giuseppe , Serra Valentina , Dolci Giovanni
Published: May 2017

This retrospective study reports the data of sofosbuvir-based anti-hepatitis C virus treatment in 24 candidates and 24 recipients of liver transplantation coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus. Sustained virologic response was cumulatively 85% (90% and 100% in those treated with optimal schedules pre- and posttransplant, respectively).
Identification and Characterization of Botrytis fragariae Isolates on Strawberry in the United States
Authors: Dowling Madeline E. , Hu Meng-Jun , Schnabel Guido
Published: May 2017

Gray mold is a devastating disease on strawberry, and may be caused by several species of Botrytis. The goal of this study was to better understand and characterize the species of Botrytis with reduced sensitivity to the fungicide Polyoxin D, particularly Botrytis fragariae. In total, 78 Botrytis isolates of unknown species that were sensitive (28 isolates; S), moderately sensitive (22 isolates; MS), or reduced sensitive (28 isolates; RS) to Polyoxin-D were collected from commercial strawberry fields of five states in the United States, identified to the species level, and characterized. The majority (75%) of S isolates were Botrytis cinerea and the majority (79%) of RS isolates were the recently described species B. fragariae, indicating an innate ability of B. fragariae to tolerate Polyoxin-D. B. fragariae produced fluffy, white mycelium and was less likely to sporulate on potato dextrose agar than B. cinerea. Isolates from a commercial field recovered from blossoms in early spring were all B. fragariae, those from leaves of the same plants in late spring were a mixture of B. fragariae and B. cinerea, and those from fruit in early summer were all B. cinerea, indicating that B. fragariae may preferentially colonize blossom tissue. A polymerase chain reaction-based assay was developed based on NEP2 sequence variability to distinguish B. fragariae from other Botrytis spp. that have been reported on strawberry, including B. cinerea, B. mali, B. caroliniana, and B. ricini. None of the isolates collected from Canada, California, or North Carolina nurseries were B. fragariae, indicating that the newly described species may not exist or not be widely distributed in planting stock.