bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structure, culture, and predicted function of the gut microbiome of the Mormon cricketAnabrus simplex(Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)
Authors: Smith Chad C. , Srygley Robert B. , Healy Frank , Swaminath Karthikeyan , Mueller Ulrich G.
Published: October 2016

The gut microbiome of insects plays an important role in their ecology and evolution, participating in nutrient acquisition, immunity, and behavior. Microbial community structure within the gut is heavily influenced by differences among gut regions in morphology and physiology, which determine the niches available for microbes to colonize.

We present a high-resolution analysis of the structure of the gut microbiome in the Mormon cricketAnabrus simplex,an insect known for its periodic outbreaks in the western United States and nutrition-dependent mating system. The Mormon cricket microbiome was dominated by eleven taxa from the Lactobacillaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Streptococcaeae. While most of these were represented in all gut regions, there were marked differences in their relative abundance, with lactic-acid bacteria (Lactobacillaceae) more common in the foregut and midgut and enteric (Enterobacteriaceae) bacteria more common in the hindgut.

Differences in community structure were driven by variation in the relative prevalence of three groups: aLactobacillusin the foregut,Pediococcuslactic-acid bacteria in the midgut, andPantoea agglomerans, an enteric bacterium, in the hindgut. These taxa have been shown to have beneficial effects on their hosts in insects and other animals by improving nutrition, increasing resistance to pathogens, and modulating social behavior.

Using PICRUSt to predict gene content from our 16S rRNA sequences, we found enzymes that participate in carbohydrate metabolism and pathogen defense in other orthopterans. These were predominately represented in the hindgut and midgut, the most important sites for nutrition and pathogen defense.

Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA sequences from cultured isolates indicated low levels of divergence from sequences derived from plants and other insects, suggesting that these bacteria are likely to be exchanged between Mormon crickets and the environment.

Our study shows strong spatial variation in microbiome community structure, which influences predicted gene content and thus the potential of the microbiome to influence host function.
Modeling antimicrobial cycling and mixing: Differences arising from an individual-based versus a population-based perspective
Authors: Uecker Hildegard , Bonhoeffer Sebastian
Published: October 2016

Background:

In order to manage bacterial infections in hospitals in the face of antibiotic resistance, the two treatment protocols “mixing” and “cycling” have received considerable attention both from modelers and clinicians. However, the terms are not used in exactly the same way by both groups.

Objectives:

We aim to investigate a model that comes closer to clinical practice and compare the predictions to the standard model.

Methods:

We set up two deterministic models, implemented as a set of differential equations, for the spread of bacterial infections in a hospital. Following the traditional approach, the first model takes a population-based perspective. The second model, in contrast, takes the drug use of individual patients into account.

Results:

The alternative model can indeed lead to different predictions than the standard model. We provide examples for which in the new model, the opposite strategy maximizes the number of uninfected patients or minimizes the rate of spread of double resistance.

Conclusions:

While the traditional models provide valuable insight, care is needed in the interpretation of results.
A comparative study of metagenomics analysis pipelines at the species level
Authors: Teo Yee Voan , Neretti Nicola
Published: October 2016

Many metagenomics classification tools have been developed with the rapid growth of the metagenomics field. However, the classification of closely related species remains a challenge for this field. Here, we compared MetaPhlAn2, kallisto and Kraken for their performances in two metagenomics settings, human metagenomics and environmental metagenomics. Our comparative study showed that kallisto demonstrated higher sensitivity than MetaPhlAn2 and Kraken and better quantification accuracy than Kraken at the species level. We also showed that classification tools that run on full reference genomes misidentified many species that were not truly present. In order to reduce false positives, we introduced marker genes from MetaPhlAn2 into our pipeline, which uses kallisto for the classification step, as an additional filtering step for species detection.
UNOISE2: improved error-correction for Illumina 16S and ITS amplicon sequencing
Authors: Edgar Robert C.
Published: October 2016

Amplicon sequencing of tags such as 16S and ITS ribosomal RNA is a popular method for investigating microbial populations. In such experiments, sequence errors caused by PCR and sequencing are difficult to distinguish from true biological variation. I describe UNOISE2, an updated version of the UNOISE algorithm for denoising (error-correcting) Illumina amplicon reads and show that it has comparable or better accuracy than DADA2.
Take ACTION to characterize the functional identity of single cells
Authors: Mohammadi Shahin , Ravindra Vikram , Gleich David F. , Grama Ananth
Published: October 2016

Single-cell transcriptomic data has the potential to radically redefine our view of cell type identity. Cells that were previously believed to be homogeneous are now clearly distinguishable in terms of their expression phenotype. Methods for automatically characterizing the functional identity of cells, and their associated properties, can be used to uncover processes involved in lineage differentiation as well as sub-typing cancer cells. They can also be used to suggest personalized therapies based on molecular signatures associated with pathology. We develop a new method, calledACTION, to infer the functional identity of cells from their transcriptional profile, classify them based on their dominant function, and reconstruct regulatory networks that are responsible for mediating their identity. UsingACTION, we identify novel Melanoma sub-types with differential survival rates and therapeutic responses, for which we provide biomarkers along with their underlying regulatory networks.
Evaluating the accuracy of genomic prediction of growth and wood traits in twoEucalyptusspecies and their F1hybrids
Authors: Tan Biyue , Grattapaglia Dario , Salgado Martins Gustavo , Zamprogno Ferreira Karina , Sundberg Björn , Ingvarsson Pär K.
Published: October 2016

Background

Genomic prediction is a genomics assisted breeding methodology that can increase genetic gains by accelerating the breeding cycle and potentially improving the accuracy of breeding values. In this study, we used 41,304 informative SNPs genotyped in aEucalyptusbreeding population involving 90E.grandisand 78E.urophyllaparents and their 949 F1hybrids to develop genomic prediction models for eight phenotypic traits - basic density and pulp yield, circumference at breast height and height and tree volume scored at age thee and six years. Based on different genomic prediction methods we assessed the impact of the composition and size of the training/validation sets and the number and genomic location of SNPs on the predictive ability (PA).

Results

Heritabilities estimated using the realized genomic relationship matrix (GRM) were considerably higher than estimates based on the expected pedigree, mainly due to inconsistencies in the expected pedigree that were readily corrected by the GRM. Moreover, GRM more precisely capture Mendelian sampling among related individuals, such that the genetic covariance was based on the actual proportion of the genome shared between individuals. PA improved considerably when increasing the size of the training set and by enhancing relatedness to the validation set. Prediction models trained on pure species parents could not predict well in F1hybrids, indicating that model training has to be carried out in hybrid populations if one is to predict in hybrid selection candidates. The different genomic prediction methods provided similar results for all traits, therefore GBLUP or rrBLUP represents better compromises between computational time and prediction efficiency. Only slight improvement was observed in PA when more than 5,000 SNPs were used for all traits. Using SNPs in intergenic regions provided slightly better PA than using SNPs sampled exclusively in genic regions.

Conclusions

Effects of training set size and composition and number of SNPs used are the most important factors for model prediction rather than prediction method and the genomic location of SNPs. Furthermore, training the prediction model on pure parental species provide limited ability to predict traits in interspecific hybrids. Our results provide additional promising perspectives for the implementation of genomic prediction inEucalyptusbreeding programs.
Learning from intelligent conversation
Authors: De Boer Luitzen , Andersen Poul Houman
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to contribute to further advancing of IMP as a research field by setting up and starting a theoretical conversation between system theory and the IMP.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is based on a narrative literature study and conceptual research.

Findings

The authors find that system theory and cybernetics can be regarded as important sources of inspiration for early IMP research. The authors identify three specific theoretical “puzzles” in system theory that may serve as useful topics for discussion between system theorists and IMP researchers.

Originality/value

Only a handful of papers have touched upon the relationship between system theory and IMP before. This paper combines a narrative, historical analysis of this relationship with developing specific suggestions for using system theory as a vehicle for further advancement of IMP research.
Interleukin‐1 β‐targeted treatment strategies in inflammatory depression: toward personalized care
Authors: Ellul P. , Boyer L. , Groc L. , Leboyer M. , Fond G.
Published: October 2016

Objectives

It is unknown whether a cytokine signature may help the identification of subgroup of patient who would respond to personalized treatment. As interleukin‐1 beta (Il‐1β) seems to play a major role in mood disorder, a systematic review and meta‐analysis of its potential role in major depressive disorder (MDD) was carried out.

Methods

A systematic search was performed to identify appropriate MDD vs. control studies pertaining to Il‐1β. Methodological quality and possible moderators were also assessed.

Results

A total of 1922 studies were identified, and 53 articles were selected. Results showed an association between increased blood IL‐1β and MDD in high‐quality studies only. No association with age was found. No IL‐1β gene‐related polymorphisms has been associated with MDD. No effect of antidepressant on IL‐1β level has been found, although the antidepressants investigated were various. Qualitative analyses indicate that MDD coupled to a history of childhood trauma may be a subgroup for IL‐1β ‐targeted therapies. No difference in studies utilizing a stimulation method has been identified to date.

Conclusions

The present work has confirmed IL‐1β as a biological marker of interest for innovative MDD treatments. However, further studies are needed to clarify the patients with MDD who may benefit from these therapies.
Incidence, characteristics and course of narrow phenotype paediatric bipolar I disorder in the British Isles
Authors: Sharma A. , Neely J. , Camilleri N. , James A. , Grunze H. , Le Couteur A.
Published: October 2016

Objective

To estimate the surveillance incidence of first‐time diagnosis of narrow phenotype bipolar I disorder (NPBDI) in young people under 16 years by consultants in child and adolescent psychiatry (CCAP) in the British Isles and describe symptoms, comorbidity, associated factors, management strategies and clinical outcomes at 1‐year follow‐up.

Method

Active prospective surveillance epidemiology was utilised to ask 730 CCAP to report cases of NPBDI using the child and adolescent psychiatry surveillance system.

Results

Of the 151 cases of NPBDI reported, 33 (age range 10–15.11 years) met the DSM‐IV analytical case definition with 60% having had previously undiagnosed mood episodes. The minimum 12‐month incidence of NPBDI in the British Isles was 0.59/100 000 (95% CI 0.41–0.84). Irritability was reported in 72% cases and comorbid conditions in 51.5% cases with 48.5% cases requiring admission to hospital. Relapses occurred in 56.67% cases during the 1‐year follow‐up.

Conclusions

These rates suggest that the first‐time diagnosis of NPBDI in young people <16 years of age by CCAP in the British Isles is infrequent; however, the rates of relapse and admission to hospital warrant close monitoring.
Hidden diversity: parasites of stream arthropods
Authors: Grabner Daniel S.
Published: October 2016

Parasite communities of aquatic macroinvertebrates have so far rarely been studied, even if these host organisms are of high relevance for the ecology of freshwater systems and their parasites likely affect the host populations and communities. Therefore, this study addresses this ‘hidden diversity’ in aquatic arthropods of a stream ecosystem in North Rhine‐Westphalia, Germany.

Samples of benthic organisms were taken, and the most abundant host species of major invertebrate groups (amphipods and larvae of chironomids, beetles, caddisflies, mayflies, stoneflies) were tested by PCR for different parasite taxa [microsporidians, acanthocephalans (only amphipods), trematodes, nematodes]. Furthermore, the possible link between prevalence and host feeding type was investigated for each parasite group using a newly developed ‘feeding type score’.

In total, 10 species of aquatic insect larvae and two amphipods of the genus Gammarus spp. were tested and 16 different isolates of microsporidians, three acanthocephalan species, six species of trematodes and one nematode were found. Microsporidians were present in all host species with prevalences ranging from 20 to 100%. Only one presumably specific host–microsporidian association was found for the mayfly Ephemera danica and three isolates were detected exclusively in amphipods. Three acanthocephalan species were detected in the amphipods with prevalences of up to 5.3%. All tested host species were infected with trematodes (prevalences 25–100%), except the caddisfly Sericostoma sp. Nematodes were detected in five host species with prevalences ranging from 14 to 80%. For several positive samples, no sequencing result could be obtained, especially for trematodes and nematodes, therefore, the actual parasite diversity might be even higher.

Active filter feeding showed the highest feeding type prevalence score for microsporidia and nematodes, and passive filter feeders for trematodes, but these results have to be interpreted cautiously as only one active and one passive filter feeder species each were present in the sample.

The impressive number of 26 parasite species (12 microsporidians and 10 helminths) were detected in 12 host species, mostly with surprisingly high prevalences. These results illustrate the ‘hidden diversity’ in aquatic ecosystems and highlight the importance of parasites for aquatic ecological research and the need for studies on the effects of mixed parasite infections on the host populations and communities.
Practice into Pedagogy into Practice: Collaborative Postcards from Hong Kong
Authors: Archer Carol
Published: October 2016

A collaborative postcard project completed by 22 students as part of a drawing course conducted at a university in Hong Kong is introduced. The project entailed inviting students into an art practice in which the author was herself engaged as a practitioner as well as a researcher. After introducing the educational context in which the project took place, the author provides an account – informed by ‘participant‐observer’ feedback from students – of how the project unfolded and was experienced. In the second section of the article the creative and pedagogic efficacy of the project is considered with reference to the experience‐centred and dialogic principles expressed in the educational philosophies of John Dewey, Simone Weil, Hannah Arendt and Paulo Freire. The third section draws on insights from scholars working in a range of disciplines – cultural history, anthropology, sociology and psychology – to argue that a particular set of organisational and collaborative dynamics catalysed students’ levels of engagement, creativity and motivation. The article argues that the collaborative postcard project is an example of an experience‐centred and practice‐based pedagogy that is founded on dialogue, mutual generosity and experimental play, and engenders in students the ‘quality of mental process’ that is, for John Dewey, ‘the measure of educative growth’.
Drawing Pedagogies in Higher Education: the Learning Impact of a Collaborative Cross‐disciplinary Drawing Course
Authors: Lyon Philippa , Letschka Patrick , Ainsworth Tom , Haq Inam
Published: October 2016

Drawing is taught in higher education across art and design but also, increasingly, in medical education, with a variety of aims and approaches. It is argued that there is a need, in both these disciplinary domains, to make more explicit the underpinning pedagogical approach to drawing and the impact that different approaches have on learning. The research described in this article focuses on an optional drawing course for undergraduate craft students and medical students. The course is run by the College of Arts and Humanities at a UK university and has a thematic focus on the human body. This qualitative case study sets out, in the context of selected theory about the teaching and learning of drawing, to explore what the learning impact of a particular collaborative model of teaching drawing was on a cross‐disciplinary student group. Findings included, with reference to Riley's framework of drawing pedagogies, that a range of philosophical and pedagogical ideas about drawing were blended from the teaching perspective in a way that enabled students from distinct disciplinary backgrounds to engage and learn. A shift was observed in students’ perceptions of drawing, with both sets of students questioning previously held assumptions about the use and value of drawing within their learning. Life drawing and anatomy laboratory drawing, in particular, provoked deep and challenging reflections about different cultural conceptions of the human body and the practice of collaborative drawing, with dialogic reflection, enabling insights to be developed into different disciplinary epistemologies.
HIV‐1 promonocytic and lymphoid cell lines: an in vitro model of in vivo mitochondrial and apoptotic lesion
Authors: Morén Constanza , González‐Casacuberta Ingrid , Álvarez‐Fernández Carmen , Bañó Maria , Catalán‐Garcia Marc , Guitart‐Mampel Mariona , Juárez‐Flores Diana Luz , Tobías Ester , Milisenda José , Cardellach Francesc , Gatell Josep Maria , Sánchez‐Palomino Sonsoles , Garrabou Glòria
Published: October 2016

To characterize mitochondrial/apoptotic parameters in chronically human immunodeficiency virus (HIV‐1)‐infected promonocytic and lymphoid cells which could be further used as therapeutic targets to test pro‐mitochondrial or anti‐apoptotic strategies as in vitro cell platforms to deal with HIV‐infection. Mitochondrial/apoptotic parameters of U1 promonocytic and ACH2 lymphoid cell lines were compared to those of their uninfected U937 and CEM counterparts. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was quantified by rt‐PCR while mitochondrial complex IV (CIV) function was measured by spectrophotometry. Mitochondrial‐nuclear encoded subunits II–IV of cytochrome‐c‐oxidase (COXII‐COXIV), respectively, as well as mitochondrial apoptotic events [voltage‐dependent‐anion‐channel‐1(VDAC‐1)‐content and caspase‐9 levels] were quantified by western blot, with mitochondrial mass being assessed by spectrophotometry (citrate synthase) and flow cytometry (mitotracker green assay). Mitochondrial membrane potential (JC1‐assay) and advanced apoptotic/necrotic events (AnexinV/propidium iodide) were measured by flow cytometry. Significant mtDNA depletion spanning 57.67% (P < 0.01) was found in the U1 promonocytic cells further reflected by a significant 77.43% decrease of mitochondrial CIV activity (P < 0.01). These changes were not significant for the ACH2 lymphoid cell line. COXII and COXIV subunits as well as VDAC‐1 and caspase‐9 content were sharply decreased in both chronic HIV‐1‐infected promonocytic and lymphoid cell lines (<0.005 in most cases). In addition, U1 and ACH2 cells showed a trend (moderate in case of ACH2), albeit not significant, to lower levels of depolarized mitochondrial membranes. The present in vitro lymphoid and especially promonocytic HIV model show marked mitochondrial lesion but apoptotic resistance phenotype that has been only partially demonstrated in patients. This model may provide a platform for the characterization of HIV‐chronicity, to test novel therapeutic options or to study HIV reservoirs.
Investigating rape: human rights and police accountability
Authors: Conaghan Joanne
Published: October 2016

This paper explores the implications of D v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis [2016] QB 161, a recent decision of the Court of Appeal in which two victims of a serial rapist successfully sued the Metropolitan police for investigative failures relying on Art 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998. The paper reflects upon the extent to which English courts are willing to recognise a duty to investigate within the wider context of civil claims against the police, particularly with regard to failures arising from the investigation of crimes of sexual and domestic violence. The comparative scope of tort and human rights claims is also considered, along with the evolving jurisprudential trend towards drawing a firm line between the two kinds of claim.
Alpha‐foetoprotein: further evidence to add a biological marker to refine Milan criteria
Authors: Toso Christian , Andres Axel , Kneteman Norman , Hernandez‐Alejandro Roberto , Majno Pietro
Published: October 2016

See Article on Page 1657
Hepatitis B infection in China: the stigma behind the stigmata
Authors: Liu Ken
Published: October 2016

See Article on Page 1595
Smooth Yield Surface Constitutive Modeling for Granular Materials
Authors: Hammi Youssef , Stone Tonya W. , Paliwal Bhasker , Horstemeyer Mark F. , Allison Paul G.
Published: October 2016

In this paper, the authors present an internal state variable (ISV) cap plasticity model to provide a physical representation of inelastic mechanical behaviors of granular materials under pressure and shear conditions. The formulation is dependent on several factors: nonlinear elasticity, yield limit, stress invariants, plastic flow, and ISV hardening laws to represent various mechanical states. Constitutive equations are established based on a modified Drucker–Prager cap plasticity model to describe the mechanical densification process. To avoid potential numerical difficulties, a transition yield surface function is introduced to smooth the intersection between the failure and cap surfaces for different shapes and octahedral profiles of the shear failure yield surface. The ISV model for the test case of a linear-shaped shear failure surface with Mises octahedral profile is implemented into a finite element code. Numerical simulations using a steel metal powder are presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the ISV cap plasticity model to represent densification of a steel powder during compaction. The formulation is general enough to also apply to other powder metals and geomaterials.
PMMA removal selectivity to polystyrene using dry etch approach
Authors: Sarrazin Aurelien , Posseme Nicolas , Pimenta-Barros Patricia , Barnola Sébastien , Gharbi Ahmed , Argoud Maxime , Tiron Raluca , Cardinaud Christophe
Published: October 2016

For sub-10 nm technologies, the semiconductor industry is facing the limits of conventional lithography to achieve narrow dimensions. Directed self-assembly (DSA) of block copolymers is one of the most promising solutions to reach sub-10 nm patterns with a high density. One challenge for DSA integration is the removal of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) selectively to polystyrene (PS). In this paper, the authors propose to study PMMA removal selectively to PS by screening different plasma etch chemistries. The etch mechanisms of the different films have been understood, thanks to x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses performed on blanket wafers. Finally, the best chemistries investigated and being able to remove PMMA selectively to PS have been validated on patterned polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) copolymer structure.
Arrival by ambulance explains variation in mortality by time of admission: retrospective study of admissions to hospital following emergency department attendance in England
Authors: Anselmi Laura , Meacock Rachel , Kristensen Søren Rud , Doran Tim , Sutton Matt
Published: October 2016

Background

Studies finding higher mortality rates for patients admitted to hospital at weekends rely on routine administrative data to adjust for risk of death, but these data may not adequately capture severity of illness. We examined how rates of patient arrival at accident and emergency (A&E) departments by ambulance—a marker of illness severity—were associated with in-hospital mortality by day and time of attendance.

Methods

Retrospective observational study of 3 027 946 admissions to 140 non-specialist hospital trusts in England between April 2013 and February 2014. Patient admissions were linked with A&E records containing mode of arrival and date and time of attendance. We classified arrival times by day of the week and daytime (07:00 to 18:59) versus night (19:00 to 06:59 the following day). We examined the association with in-hospital mortality within 30 days using multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Over the week, 20.9% of daytime arrivals were in the highest risk quintile compared with 18.5% for night arrivals. Daytime arrivals on Sundays contained the highest proportion of patients in the highest risk quintile at 21.6%. Proportions of admitted patients brought in by ambulance were substantially higher at night and higher on Saturday (61.1%) and Sunday (60.1%) daytimes compared with other daytimes in the week (57.0%). Without adjusting for arrival by ambulance, risk-adjusted mortality for patients arriving at night was higher than for daytime attendances on Wednesday (0.16 percentage points). Compared with Wednesday daytime, risk-adjusted mortality was also higher on Thursday night (0.15 percentage points) and increased throughout the weekend from Saturday daytime (0.16 percentage points) to Sunday night (0.26 percentage points). After adjusting for arrival by ambulance, the raised mortality only reached statistical significance for patients arriving at A&E on Sunday daytime (0.17 percentage points).

Conclusion

Using conventional risk-adjustment methods, there appears to be a higher risk of mortality following emergency admission to hospital at nights and at weekends. After accounting for mode of arrival at hospital, this pattern changes substantially, with no increased risk of mortality following admission at night or for any period of the weekend apart from Sunday daytime. This suggests that risk-adjustment based on inpatient administrative data does not adequately account for illness severity and that elevated mortality at weekends and at night reflects a higher proportion of more severely ill patients arriving by ambulance at these times.
Guide to managing persistent upper gastrointestinal symptoms during and after treatment for cancer
Authors: Andreyev H Jervoise N , Muls Ann C , Shaw Clare , Jackson Richard R , Gee Caroline , Vyoral Susan , Davies Andrew R
Published: October 2016

Background

Guidance:the practical management of the gastrointestinal symptoms of pelvic radiation diseasewas published in 2014 for a multidisciplinary audience. Following this, a companion guide to managing upper gastrointestinal (GI) consequences was developed.

Aims

The development and peer review of an algorithm which could be accessible to all types of clinicians working with patients experiencing upper GI symptoms following cancer treatment.

Methods

Experts who manage patients with upper GI symptoms were asked to review the guide, rating each section for agreement with the recommended measures and suggesting amendments if necessary. Specific comments were discussed and incorporated as appropriate, and this process was repeated for a second round of review.

Results

21 gastroenterologists, 11 upper GI surgeons, 9 specialist dietitians, 8 clinical nurse specialists, 5 clinical oncologists, 3 medical oncologists and 4 others participated in the review. Consensus (defined prospectively as 60% or more panellists selecting ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’) was reached for all of the original 31 sections in the guide, with a median of 90%. 85% of panellists agreed that the guide was acceptable for publication or acceptable with minor revisions. 56 of the original 61 panellists participated in round 2. 93% agreed it was acceptable for publication after the first revision. Further minor amendments were made in response to round 2.

Conclusions

Feedback from the panel of experts developed the guide with improvement of occasional algorithmic steps, a more user-friendly layout, clearer time frames for referral to other teams and addition of procedures to the appendix.
A new posterior iliac puncture/aspiration needle
Authors: Islam Anwarul
Published: October 2016

Aims

The needles that are currently used for obtaining bone marrow aspirate samples from the posterior ilium are typically those of 1930s vintage (eg, Klima, Salah or similar needles), which were specifically designed for sternal aspiration. These needles are not designed to obtain bone marrow aspirate samples from the posterior ilium and as a result they are unsatisfactory particularly if the patient is large or obese. A new posterior iliac puncture/aspiration needle has therefore been designed, which is particularly suited for bone marrow aspiration from the posterior ilium.

Methods

The needle was tested on five cadavers and on five patients.

Results

The design and construction of the needle was found to be satisfactory and a marked improvement over the conventional sternal puncture needles particularly when large or obese patients were concerned.

Conclusions

The new posterior iliac bone marrow aspiration needle has advantages that overcome the limitations of using a conventional sternal puncture needle to obtain marrow aspirates from the posterior ilium.
The incidence of IgG4-positive plasma cells staining TIN in patients with biopsy-proven tubulointerstitial nephritis
Authors: Mac Kathy , Wu Xiao Juan , Mai Jun , Howlin Kenneth , Suranyi Michael , Yong Jim , Makris Angela
Published: October 2016

Aim

IgG4 disease is rare. However, IgG4 tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) is the most common renal manifestation. IgG4 disease is usually associated with elevated serum IgG4 levels and other organ involvement, low-density renal lesions on enhanced CT imaging and immune activation. The incidence of IgG4-TIN may be underestimated, as staining for IgG4 is not routine. This study sought to describe the prevalence of previously undiagnosed IgG4-TIN. Due to the complexity of the diagnosis, we only attempt to look at IgG4-positive plasma cell TIN as a potential indication for IgG4 renal disease.

Methods

A retrospective review of native renal biopsies performed between 2002 and 2012 with a primary diagnosis of TIN was selected. Samples for which interstitial nephritis was secondary to a glomerular disease were excluded. The tissues were stained for IgG4 and scored by two blinded observers. Demographic and follow-up details were collected. This study was approved by the local ethics committee.

Results

82 cases of interstitial nephritis from a total of 1238 renal biopsies (2002–2012) were available after staining for further assessment. 12 samples demonstrated staining consistent with the criteria for IgG4-positive plasma cell TIN, of which 3 had mildly positive staining, 7 moderately positive staining and 2 had markedly positive staining. There were no statistically significant differences in the baseline characteristics between the positive and negative staining groups.

Conclusions

A number of cases of IgG4-positive plasma cell TIN were observed histologically that had been previously diagnosed as non-specific chronic TIN. IgG4-positive plasma cell TIN made up 1% of all renal biopsies performed over 10 years and 13% of all biopsies demonstrating TIN not related to glomerular disease. IgG4 staining should be considered routinely in biopsies demonstrating primary TIN.
Role of risk stratification and genetics in sudden cardiac death
Authors: Rai Vikrant , Agrawal Devendra K.
Published: October 2016

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major public health issue due to its increasing incidence in the general population and the difficulty in identifying high-risk individuals. Nearly 300 000 – 350 000 patients in the United States and 4–5 million patients in the world die annually from SCD. Coronary artery disease and advanced heart failure are the main etiology for SCD. Ischemia of any cause precipitates lethal arrhythmias, and ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation are the most common lethal arrhythmias precipitating SCD. Pulseless electrical activity, bradyarrhythmia, and electromechanical dissociation also result in SCD. Most SCDs occur outside of the hospital setting, so it is difficult to estimate the public burden, which results in overestimating the incidence of SCD. The insufficiency and limited predictive value of various indicators and criteria for SCD result in the increasing incidence. As a result, there is a need to develop better risk stratification criteria and find modifiable variables to decrease the incidence. Primary and secondary prevention and treatment of SCD need further research. This critical review is focused on the etiology, risk factors, prognostic factors, and importance of risk stratification of SCD.
Environmental correlates and energetics of winter flight by bats in southern Alberta, Canada
Authors: Klüg-Baerwald B.J. , Gower L.E. , Lausen C.L. , Brigham R.M.
Published: October 2016

Winter activity of bats is common, yet poorly understood. Other studies suggest a relationship between winter activity and ambient temperature, particularly temperature at sunset. We recorded echolocation calls to determine correlates of hourly bat activity in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada. We documented bat activity in temperatures as low as −10.4 °C. We observed big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus (Palisot de Beauvois, 1796)) flying at colder temperatures than species of Myotis bats (genus Myotis Kaup, 1829). We show that temperature and wind are important predictors of winter activity by E. fuscus and Myotis, and that Myotis may also use changes in barometric pressure to cue activity. In the absence of foraging opportunity, we suggest these environmental factors relate to heat loss and thus the energetic cost of flight. To understand the energetic consequences of bat flight in cold temperatures, we estimated energy expenditure during winter flights of E. fuscus and little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus (Le Conte, 1831)) using species-specific parameters. We estimated that winter flight uses considerable fat stores and that flight thermogenesis could mitigate energetic costs by 20% or more. We also show that temperature-dependent interspecific differences in winter activity likely stem from differences between species in heat loss and potential for activity–thermoregulatory heat substitution.
Color confinement from fluctuating topology
Authors: Kharzeev Dmitri E.
Published: October 2016

QCD possesses a compact gauge group, and this implies a non-trivial topological structure of the vacuum. In this contribution to the Gribov-85 Memorial volume, we first discuss the origin of Gribov copies and their interpretation in terms of fluctuating topology in the QCD vacuum. We then describe the recent work with E. Levin that links the confinement of gluons and color screening to the fluctuating topology, and discuss implications for spin physics, high energy scattering, and the physics of quark-gluon plasma.
Production of quarkonia at RHIC
Authors: Vértesi Róbert
Published: October 2016

The production of different quarkonium states provides unique insight to the hot and cold nuclear matter effects in the strongly interacting medium that is formed in high energy heavy ion collisions. While LHC explores the energy frontier, RHIC has a broad physics program to explore the nuclear modification at different energies in a wide range of systems. Some of the most interesting recent results on [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]production in p+p, d+Au and A+A collisions from PHENIX and STAR are summarized in this work.
Global solvability of the inhomogeneous Ericksen–Leslie system with only bounded density
Authors: De Anna Francesco
Published: October 2016

The most established theory for modeling the dynamics of nematic liquid crystals is the celebrated Ericksen–Leslie system, which presents some major analytical challenges. We study a simplified version of the system, which still exhibits the major difficulties. We consider the density-dependent case and study the Cauchy problem in the whole space. We establish the global existence of solutions for small initial data by assuming only that the initial density is bounded and kept away far from vacuum, while the initial velocity and the gradient of the initial director field belong to certain critical Besov spaces. Under slightly more assumptions on the initial velocity and the director field, we also prove that the solutions are unique.
Corner boundary value problems
Authors: Mahmoudi M. Hedayat , Schulze B.-W.
Published: October 2016

The paper develops some crucial steps in extending the first-order cone or edge calculus to higher singularity orders. We focus here on order 2, but the ideas are motivated by an iterative approach for higher singularities.
Predictors of Increased Daytime Sleepiness in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Enz Claudia , Brighenti-Zogg Stefanie , Steveling-Klein Esther Helen , Dürr Selina , Maier Sabrina , Miedinger David , Leuppi Jörg Daniel
Published: October 2016

Background. Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) suffer from increased daytime sleepiness. The aim of this study was to identify potential predictors of subjective daytime sleepiness with special regard to sleep-related breathing disorder and nocturnal activity.Methods. COPD patients were recruited at the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland. COPD risk groups A–D were determined according to spirometry and COPD Assessment Test (CAT). Breathing disorder evaluation was performed with the ApneaLink device. Nocturnal energy expenditure was measured with the SenseWear Mini Armband. Subjective daytime sleepiness was recorded using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).Results. Twenty-two patients (36%) were in COPD risk group A, 28 patients (45%) in risk group B, and 12 patients (19%) in risk groups C + D (n=62). Eleven patients (18%) had a pathological ESS ≥ 10/24. ESS correlated positively with CAT (r=0.386,p<0.01) and inversely with age (r=-0.347,p<0.01). In multiple linear regression age (β=-0.254,p<0.05), AHI (β=0.287,p<0.05) and CAT score (β=0.380,p<0.01) were independent predictors of ESS, while nocturnal energy expenditure showed no significant association (p=0.619).Conclusion. These findings provide evidence that daytime sleepiness in COPD patients may partly be attributable to nocturnal respiratory disturbances and it seems to mostly affect younger patients with more severe COPD symptoms.
Acute Paraplegia as a Presentation of Aortic Saddle Embolism
Authors: Irizarry Lisandro , Wray Anton , Guishard Kim
Published: October 2016

Background. Acute onset paraplegia has a myriad of causes most often of a nonvascular origin. Vascular etiologies are infrequent causes and most often associated with postsurgical complications.Objective. To describe the occurrence and possible mechanism for aortic saddle embolism as a rare cause of acute paraplegia.Case Report. Described is a case of a 46-year-old female who presented with the sudden onset of nontraumatic low back pain with rapidly progressive paraplegia which was subsequently determined to be of vascular origin.
Finite Element Analysis of Synergy Effect on Concrete Beams Incorporated with Coated Reinforcement and Alternate Aggregates
Authors: Pandiaraj Sakthivel , Velkennedy Rathinasamy , Nagan Soundarapandian
Published: October 2016

The purpose of this study is to compare the ultimate load carrying capacity of conventional reinforced concrete beams with that of investigation specimen incorporated with coated reinforcement and partially with recycled aggregate and quarry dust. A novel technique of coated reinforcement delays the onset of corrosion with enhanced durability of structures. Results show that not even a film of corrosion (white rust) can be seen in the investigation specimen. There is a progressive increase in stiffness from the state of the first crack to ultimate stage and a negligible difference in ultimate load carrying capacity of the investigation specimen, when compared with the controlled specimen. Incorporation of galvanization, recycled aggregate, and quarry dust seemed to be compatible with the existing conservative concreting procedures. Experimental results are compared with the numerical solutions aided by finite element analysis (FEA by using ABAQUS).
Generational Expression of Muir-Torre Syndrome in a Canadian Family
Authors: Vanderbeck Kaitlin Alexandra , Sibbald R. Gary , Murugan Nirosha
Published: October 2016

Muir-Torre syndrome (MTS) is a rare autosomal dominant inherited genodermatosis that is considered to be a phenotypic subtype of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), commonly referred to as Lynch syndrome. We describe the clinical course of a 57-year-old female patient with MTS. She has a confirmedHMSH2mutation. Recently she presented with two nodular lesions. Histologic examination confirmed these lesions to be sebaceous neoplasms. The patient has a history of endometrial and colorectal adenocarcinoma as well as several nonspecific sebaceous lesions throughout her life. She has a confirmed extensive family history of MTS with both male and female family members harbouring eitherHMLH1orHSMH2mutations. Affected relatives have presented at different ages throughout their lives with cutaneous neoplasms and visceral malignancies, including malignancies rarely associated with MTS. MTS presents a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. The case demonstrates that the management of MTS, a potentially underreported syndrome, requires a multiprofessional approach incorporating vigilance, screening, and expert knowledge for successful diagnosis and potentially improved prognosis for patients and their families. The case also demonstrates the varied heritability of MTS and prompts the question of how MTS is expressed in succeeding generations.
Diagnosis of Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Patient Reaction and Adaptation—Case Study and Review of the Literature
Authors: Solomou Solomis , Stavrou Maria , Marley Justin
Published: October 2016

Objective. Heart failure remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Given that heart failure generally has a chronic course, it is important to appreciate the impact it can have on the quality of life of patients and also their partners or family carers.Method. Questionnaires were given to a patient newly diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, during his hospital admission, as well as after discharge. The responses are summarised and explored in the discussion section, where we used review of the literature to discuss the implications of a new diagnosis of heart failure.Results.The patient’s responses to the questionnaires suggest certain anxieties that are part of his adaptation to the diagnosis of heart failure.Conclusion.Depression is a common comorbid condition in patients with heart failure. Various tools can be used to screen for depression in patients with heart failure. Both pharmacological and nonpharmacological options are available. Rapid evaluation of ongoing problems and active participation by a psychiatrist can ensure that the patient receives the best possible clinical care.
Recent Advances in the Understanding of Vestibular Migraine
Authors: Sohn Jong-Hee
Published: October 2016

Approximately 1% of the general population and 10% of patients with migraine suffer from vestibular migraine (VM). However, this condition remains relatively unknown; therefore, it is often underdiagnosed despite the recent adoption of international diagnostic criteria for VM. The diagnosis of VM is based on the symptoms, degree, frequency, and duration of the vestibular episodes, a history of migraine, the temporal association of migraine symptoms with vestibular episodes in at least 50% of cases, and the exclusion of other causes. Physical examination and laboratory findings are usually normal in patients with VM but can be used to rule out other vestibular disorders with similar symptoms. The pathophysiology of VM remains incompletely understood; however, several mechanisms link the trigeminal system, which is activated during migraine attacks, and the vestibular system. Because few controlled trials have specifically investigated VM, the treatment options for this order are largely the same as those for migraine and include antiemetics for severe acute attacks, pharmacological migraine prophylaxis, and lifestyle changes.
Investigation of an Autofocusing Method for Visible Aerial Cameras Based on Image Processing Techniques
Authors: Chen Zhichao , Zhang Tao
Published: October 2016

In order to realize the autofocusing in aerial camera, an autofocusing system is established and its characteristics such as working principle and optical-mechanical structure and focus evaluation function are investigated. The reason for defocusing in aviation camera is analyzed and several autofocusing methods along with appropriate focus evaluation functions are introduced based on the image processing techniques. The proposed autofocusing system is designed and implemented using two CMOS detectors. The experiment results showed that the proposed method met the aviation camera focusing accuracy requirement, and a maximum focusing error of less than half of the focus depth is achieved. The system designed in this paper can find the optical imaging focal plane in real-time; as such, this novel design has great potential in practical engineering, especially aerospace applications.